Eastern Railroad Discussion > Hulcher Does More Than Wrecks

Hulcher was in Champaign, IL today at the CN (old Illinois Central) yard helping take out a wheelset on a locomotive. This has to cost plenty for 2 cats, a number of trucks and workers. You can see the wheel has been taken out on the closeup photo. The wheel set is on the oppoosite side of the locomotive. I am on a public roadway along the edge of the yard on public property. I also included a couple of pictures from last year when they were flying an ILlinois Central Green Diamond logo flag with the American and POW flags.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Jospeh, IL

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IC flag

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The unit was immovable and couldn't go to a shop?
How often does that happen? Do RRs always need
Hulcher to bail them out?

timz Wrote:
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> The unit was immovable and couldn't go to a shop?


That's what happens when a traction motor/wheel set locks up. Can't drag a unit with a sliding wheel. Sometimes cutting off the pinion gear will free-up the wheel/axle, but other time it is simply easier to pick up that end of the unit and remove the offending TM & wheel combo.


> How often does that happen?

You would be surprised.


Do RRs always need
> Hulcher to bail them out?


That depends on the specific railroad and the location of the offending unit.

"Dragging a unit" can/will do a real number on the track/ROW......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/26 14:40 by ns1000.