Rail roads and their tracks.

   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,181  
Read about one of the steam trains touring the country... it might have been the bicentennial?

Once the logistics of water was addressed the next was adding modern locomotives for generation and/or assist.

Thing is the steam locomotive surprised many by not needing any assist... steam just that powerful and the weight optimizes traction...
I've read the diesels that accompany these exhibition trains aren't needed for horsepower.

The helper diesels are needed for modern requirements re signalling, electricity generation that matches passenger cars behind, (there are several 'standards') and most important, engine braking and reliable air for train braking.
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,182  
In '75 and '76 they had the Freedom Train touring the country. It was a Northern type if I remember correctly. I got to see it in Indiana and in Florida. I used to have a couple of smashed out pennies I put on the track for it to run over, but I lost them on the move when we built this house.

The 1975 - 1976 American Freedom Train
Thats really cool.
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks.
  • Thread Starter
#3,183  
I've read the diesels that accompany these exhibition trains aren't needed for horsepower.

The helper diesels are needed for modern requirements re signalling, electricity generation that matches passenger cars behind, (there are several 'standards') and most important, engine braking and reliable air for train braking.
I watched the video where the chief engineer said the electric/desiel engine was need to keep the big boys brakes pads from wearing out. He said there was no longer the necessary under car pits to service them and hoped to get home on the same set.
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,184  
In '75 and '76 they had the Freedom Train touring the country. It was a Northern type if I remember correctly. I got to see it in Indiana and in Florida. I used to have a couple of smashed out pennies I put on the track for it to run over, but I lost them on the move when we built this house.

The 1975 - 1976 American Freedom Train
It came to South Bend in 1975. They parked it next to where the old St. Joe High School was at the time. That's the spur that leads from Holy Cross Junior College south into the northeast side of downtown where the city had a coal yard, and Rose Brick was located.

It was neat. Lots of displays inside the cars. (y)
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,185  
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   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,186  
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,187  
IMG_3065.jpeg
 
   / Rail roads and their tracks. #3,190  

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