International Railroad Discussion > A Newfie with muffler--FCAB Chile

NF210 1422W at Cuevita, Chile  4/24/16   To date, this is the only NF210 with the mufflers.

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Must have just had a meet, that looks like a train in the background.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, VA

RNinRVR Wrote:
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> Must have just had a meet, that looks like a train
> in the background.

It was, acid empties going back to the huge open pit mine at Chuquicamata.  1422W is re-entering the main from the siding.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/16 16:13 by masterphots.

How much modification, if any was needed to change from operation in Newfoundland to operation in Chile? The climate looks different.
Jim

It is not so much the climate as altitude. The FCAB climbs to 12,900'

21 NF210 were rebuilt between 1992 and 1999, 3 of these were for the 3'6" SQM operation to the north

Rebuild was a full strip back of shell, engines rebuilt with 645 piston liner kits, generators and traction motors rebuilt, re-geared to around 56kph, governed to 50kph (30mph)

Total rewire, new electrical cabinets with Q-Tron microprocessor controls, so think of them as -3. Cabs air-conditioned

All units except for 1425 and 1426 fitted with dynamic brake. 1426 received DB prior to 2000, 1425 never converted. 1425 is currently in the Maestranza for a full rebuild. at this stage unknown if it will be fitted with DB

These locos have been continuously modified since introduction, Q-Tron modules upgraded to later versions. Some have received modified electrical cabinets, air conditioners upgraded. Currently going through the shops for the cab glass to be replaced with acrylic, improved dust sealing fitted, new improved crew seating

tq-07fan Wrote:
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> How much modification, if any was needed to change
> from operation in Newfoundland to operation in
> Chile? The climate looks different.
> Jim

They were also regauged - 42" to I metre

Difference is 65mm, a bees whisker over 2.5"

The 2 gauges utilise the same bogie frames. With Cape to metre gauge conversions, axles are machined to move the wheels inward

Brake hangers/brake hanger brackets are modified

FCAB converted over 30 3' gauge ex Colombian GR12 bogies to metre, apparently these locos utilised a dimensionaly similar narrow gauge bogie frame, this conversion required new axles 

jmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is not so much the climate as altitude. The
> FCAB climbs to 12,900'
>
> 21 NF210 were rebuilt between 1992 and 1999, 3 of
> these were for the 3'6" SQM operation to the
> north
>
> Rebuild was a full strip back of shell, engines
> rebuilt with 645 piston liner kits, generators and
> traction motors rebuilt, re-geared to around
> 56kph, governed to 50kph (30mph)
>
> Total rewire, new electrical cabinets with Q-Tron
> microprocessor controls, so think of them as -3.
> Cabs air-conditioned
>
> All units except for 1425 and 1426 fitted with
> dynamic brake. 1426 received DB prior to 2000,
> 1425 never converted. 1425 is currently in the
> Maestranza for a full rebuild. at this stage
> unknown if it will be fitted with DB
>
> These locos have been continuously modified since
> introduction, Q-Tron modules upgraded to later
> versions. Some have received modified electrical
> cabinets, air conditioners upgraded. Currently
> going through the shops for the cab glass to be
> replaced with acrylic, improved dust sealing
> fitted, new improved crew seating

Also (and quite importantly, at least from my point of view ;>)), the brake control equipment was upgraded from the old 6-SL standard to the more modern 26-L; at the same time, much of the old air piping was replaced with new copper tubing. About the only parts retained were the brake cylinders. FCAB's Maestranza did a terrific job on the rebuilds, and I was very happy to be able to assist them in a small way. That was one of my last projects for WABCO, as I retired while it was still ongoing. It's somewhat of a shock to me to realize that the No. 6 equipment design is well over 100 years old, while even the "modern" No. 26 is 70 years old...(yes, the very first experimental 26-type equipments were made in 1956 for the GM Aerotrain and the ACF Talgos).

Roger Lewis (airbrakegeezer) 

Fantastic photo. I imagine it is easier to find gold than water in that land

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Odd looking muffler I must say!

I actually had one of the top guys from FCAB contact me looking to see if I had a contact to get any more NF's for their operation. Sadly the rest were scrapped or being vandalized on display.

Andrew

Great shot and location. I am still planining my trip to Chile to vsit this railroad and others.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1