Eastern Railroad Discussion > 50 yr old SD handles loaded Rail Train at Cumberland - 5/30/2020

1) CSX #8368 built as a SD40 for the C&O as their #7509 arrives in Cumberland, MD with a loaded rail train on Saturday. Built in June 1970 and at some point rebuilt to -2 standards, the lone SD40-2 was the trains sole power.

2) Even older was noted one of the trucks at 69 years old.... Built 6 - 1951....?

3) Didn't realize rail came in a "Premium" grade.... wonder if there is an "Economy" grade...? LOL!

... More to Follow ....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/20 10:29 by DTWilson.

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1) and 2) W021-29 eastbound coming around the curve at the west hump / blue room in Cumberland, MD

... more to follow ...

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1) and 2)  Eastbound at North Branch outside Cumberland heading for Baltimore.

Thanks for stopping by and having a look!

Tim W.
 

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Just amazing, and a testimony to how well EMD designed and built these engines.  50 years old!  Honestly, these engines are so iconic, I wouldn't at all be surprised if I see them at 70 years old, still running.

Yes, coach, I too hope they keep pulling for another 20 years.  But remember, while the frame and possibly the hoods are original, the diesel engine, the entire electrical system, including the motors, and all the wires and controls have probably been replaced several times over the years.  Gerry
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coach Wrote:
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> Just amazing, and a testimony to how well EMD
> designed and built these engines.  50 years old!
>  Honestly, these engines are so iconic, I
> wouldn't at all be surprised if I see them at 70
> years old, still running.

Interesting that the 1951 era truck you showed looks like it was originally built with journal bearings and rebuilt with roller bearings at some point. I'm sure there are other cars out there like this, probably also hanging around for MOW purposes, but I can't recall seeing this before. (Though I'm probably not paying close enough attention.)

Sean

broken_link Wrote:
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> Interesting that the 1951 era truck you showed
> looks like it was originally built with journal
> bearings and rebuilt with roller bearings at some
> point. I'm sure there are other cars out there
> like this, probably also hanging around for MOW
> purposes, but I can't recall seeing this before.
> (Though I'm probably not paying close enough
> attention.)
>
> Sean

I knew a flat car in Eastern Kentucky that carried a ditcher that retained it's friction bearings....the man assigned to run the ditcher mantained the bearings by supplying his own torn up tshirts and routine oiling....this was 22 years ago, and of course the car was barred from interchange...in fact the ditcher man't bosses we trying to get him to turn loose of the car and get him one with roller bearings. Since the car was only used on the EB&V subdivision, it never went over 25 mph, so probably went to retirement in perfect working order. 

broken_link Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting that the 1951 era truck you showed
> looks like it was originally built with journal
> bearings and rebuilt with roller bearings at some
> point. I'm sure there are other cars out there
> like this, probably also hanging around for MOW
> purposes, but I can't recall seeing this before.
> (Though I'm probably not paying close enough
> attention.)
>
> Sean

If I recall, the practice used to be fairy common, but is now banned from interchange.

I am thinking that overheated bearing detectors were not doing so well with that type of roller bearing installation.

Of further interest is that the truck was off the NC&StL, one of the early Fallen Flags.  As for Premium Rail, it has different metalurgical properties and is usually head-hardened.  It is typically used in areas of high curvature or especially high tonnage.  I would be interested in who rolled this rail -- at least for a period some years ago it was no longer produced by anyone in the US and mostly came from Japan.

Gordon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/20 09:29 by gbmott.

Nice pics!!

broken_link Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting that the 1951 era truck you showed
> looks like it was originally built with journal
> bearings and rebuilt with roller bearings at some
> point. I'm sure there are other cars out there
> like this, probably also hanging around for MOW
> purposes, but I can't recall seeing this before.
> (Though I'm probably not paying close enough
> attention.)
>
> Sean

They were very common into the early 90's. When the cars that were riding on them were retired, they went too.

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Premium rail is for curves.  Cheaper rail can be used on straight rail.  Threre are major differences in metalurgy.

Eng.Shadetree

Real nice series of photos.  Love seeing the SD40-2s still earning their keep.  Same goes for the GP38/GP40s, including those still in passenger service. 

Shocked to see the RR ID stamped into the truck frame, Nashville Chattanooga & St.Louis, which L&N took over way back in 1957 !!!!