Steam & Excursion > Rotary OY to run on C&TS?

The Cumbres and Toltec's ex-DRGW steam rotary OY is in the Chama shop being inspected. While any plans to actually run it remain uncertain or at least unannounced, it is no secret that the railroad would like to run the OY again. The rotary is a dramatic machine to watch, and past operations with the OM and OY have generated a lot of positive publicity for the railroad. The OY last ran in 1997. I chased the OY on several occasions and here is a link to a small album of pictures of the rotary in action on Cumbres: http://www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com/main.php?g2_itemId=152289

JBWX

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I'd really like to see them do that. I'd pay to attend an operating Rotary photo freight. Right now you need to go to Alaska to see narrow gauge rotaries in action, and that trip is very costly...I can drive to Chama!

-M

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

John --- That is an awesome photo! Gorgeous!!
I very much hope for everyone's sake that they
do get the OY up and running for this winter.
Hope there is a lot of snow for her to deal with!

I love rotaries! Such incredible and awesome beasts!

Harlock Wrote:
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> ...I can drive to Chama!
>
> -M

You can drive to Alaska too. I have. It's something to do once in a lifetime. And I have posted lots of pictures from that trip.

Marty Bernard

MartyBernard Wrote:
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> Harlock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...I can drive to Chama!
> >
> > -M
>
> You can drive to Alaska too. I have. It's
> something to do once in a lifetime. And I have
> posted lots of pictures from that trip.
>
> Marty Bernard

You mean to say you drove to Alaska in the WINTER to photograph that White Pass & Yukon rotary snow plow photo special?????

Terrific series of images of Rotary OY, thanks very much for sharing!!!

Making my plans for next summer with a side trip to Skagway!


MartyBernard Wrote:
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> Harlock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...I can drive to Chama!
> >
> > -M
>
> You can drive to Alaska too. I have. It's
> something to do once in a lifetime. And I have
> posted lots of pictures from that trip.
>
> Marty Bernard

Who will be financing this restoration? Would think the engines come first. Comments?

What kind of boiler regs cover this?

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> What kind of boiler regs cover this?

I think the same as FRA locomotive boiler requirements, Don.

I've heard the rotaries (and other steam-powered MOW equipment) do not fall under FRA jurisdiction as they are not considered locomotives. I've heard this from folks at the Cumbres and Toltec, but someone more familiar with the FRA regs is welcome to chime in.

Also, there is a feeling that OY may not need that much work to be made serviceable. I'm sure the current inspection will shed light on this.

-James
http://www.steamtrainvideos.com

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> What kind of boiler regs cover this?

It's not covered by Part 230. If I remember correctly, the Colorado boiler inspector was the responsible party in the 90s, perhaps because OY was based in Colorado for most (all?) of its D&RGW service.

Posted from Android

I could see the insurance underwriter furnishing an inspector as well, Hartford does
this routinely on industrial boilers.

Out

I believe John Craft's correct, I have long understood from C&TS employee's that state boiler laws applied to "other than locomotive" boilers and state inspectors were responsible for inspections of OY, similar equipment and stationary boilers. I know that in Nebraska state officials will accept Hartford Steam Boiler and other insurance inspectors reports.

I sure hope OY is found safely operable at relatively small cost. I think an event, especially one which was able to provide some time for prior announcements, would be very good for local business, the railroad and fans. I'd sure hope to be present! Unfortunately, I missed all of the prior operations.

John Bush
Omaha

4-12-2 Wrote:
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> I believe John Craft's correct, I have long
> understood from C&TS employee's that state boiler
> laws applied to "other than locomotive" boilers
> and state inspectors were responsible for
> inspections of OY, similar equipment and
> stationary boilers. I know that in Nebraska state
> officials will accept Hartford Steam Boiler and
> other insurance inspectors reports.
>
> I sure hope OY is found safely operable at
> relatively small cost. I think an event,
> especially one which was able to provide some time
> for prior announcements, would be very good for
> local business, the railroad and fans. I'd sure
> hope to be present! Unfortunately, I missed all
> of the prior operations.
>
> John Bush
> Omaha

If anyone can determine the condition of the rotary it's John Bush (Chama) as he was working with the RR during some if not the last run of the equipment and I've seen him interviewed on video tapes of its use.

the OY needs new light powder snow to throw off the rails. Not some frozen ice drift that formed two months before, otherwise they will shake the OY apart plowing some old ice berg......

350 Wrote:
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> the OY needs new light powder snow to throw off
> the rails. Not some frozen ice drift that formed
> two months before, otherwise they will shake the
> OY apart plowing some old ice berg......

... or some rocks that came down and are embedded in the snow.

better run it all winter