Steam & Excursion > 844 under steam today

844 has been puttering around the Cheyenne yard today. It appears they are doing some "load testing" with it, using UP Centennial 6936 (with dynamic brakes) as a test "load." As of right after lunch, it appeared that they were finished. Don't know if there are any other things planned while 844 is "hot."

No doubt some whistle blowing will ensue. Or has 'progress' taken away fun like that, too?

WW Wrote:
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> 844 has been puttering around the Cheyenne yard
> today. It appears they are doing some "load
> testing" with it, using UP Centennial 6936 (with
> dynamic brakes) as a test "load." As of right
> after lunch, it appeared that they were finished.
> Don't know if there are any other things planned
> while 844 is "hot."

How do you define "puttering" around the yard? I thought dynamic brakes, particularly on older locomotives like the 6936, didn't work below about 15 miles an hour.

When I saw it at lunch yesterday, 844 was running about 20-25 mph with 6936 in full dynamic. Yes, there was whistling, too.

So how much of a load does dynamic braking equate to???? And we need video as well :))))))

Gentlemen;
They recently retrammed the running gear and were probably using 6936 to put a load on the engine to test out how well the loco got trammed.
Bob K.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Bob3985 Wrote:
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> Gentlemen;
> They recently retrammed the running gear and
> were probably using 6936 to put a load on the
> engine to test out how well the loco got trammed.
> Bob K.

Explain please -- what does "retrammed" mean?

Tramming a locomotive is like a wheel alignment on a vehicle. They are squaring up the boxes that hold the wheel axles.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Can't wait to hear when she'll be steamin' again, I'd love to see her in action!

At what speed would 6936's dynamics cut out? Do all axles provide retarding force in dynmic?

Thanks,

* JB *


WW Wrote:
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> When I saw it at lunch yesterday, 844 was running
> about 20-25 mph with 6936 in full dynamic. Yes,
> there was whistling, too.