Steam & Excursion > Steam today at the Valley Railroad

Thanks to the Mass Bay RRE, we had a good charter trip behind steam on the Valley Railroad today, despite the cold and rain most of the day. Everyone got soaked at the runbys, but it was worth it!

-Jim Fetchero

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A few more from today's steam charter.

-Jim

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And a few videos from today on the Valley Railroad.

-Jim

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Looks like a good time !

For those who have operated and worked on both old American or Canadian steam locomotives and the newer Chinese built steam, what differences are there both good and bad ?

It's hard to beleive that loco came from China. It looks very New Haven.


Victor Baird

Well done- First-class coverage.
Bob

train1275 Wrote:
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> Looks like a good time !
>
> For those who have operated and worked on both old
> American or Canadian steam locomotives and the
> newer Chinese built steam, what differences are
> there both good and bad ?

Why would there be any differences, since the Chinese pretty much copied anything and everything from the U.S. back in the 1920s thru the 1930s related to steam locomotives.

I don't know, that is why I am asking.
If there were any differences in appliances, or operation or anything.

I thought years ago I heard that there was some procedure in reversing the engine - more than moving the reverser .... but I don't recall the details. The only time I worked on one I did the air brake valve renewals and tests. Didn't get involved with anything else ... 

Nice looking and sounding train!
Thanks for posting

Excellent videos and coverage!
GK

Marvelous transformation of Chinese to NH!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/25 09:01 by wp1801.

VERY nice photography!  Thanks.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Very enjoyable series !
Gary

Excellent run bys! Great job of Americanizing the engine too.

I liked both the still photos and the video.  It's nice to hear what it sounds like.

The last video is great!

Great stuff..!!  Thanks for posting.

I worked on NYS&W #142 years ago.  It was a twin of the Valley RR's locomotive (Tan Shin or Shang built SY Class, outside of Beijing).  The reverser was powered and the lever was moved either forward or back to go in the desired direction.  Btw, it had an air operated (?) feature to raise or lower te driving wheels a bit to improve traction when needed, but that was inoperative on #142.  Having worked in, around, and under #142, I can tell you it was a well made locomotive.  Btw, unless you had inferior quality coal and/or poor firing technique, it was very difficult to get it to smoke.