Wow that is a pain! Did they not leave enough space between the rails? We leave about 1/2 between 30 foot sticks… But I don’t know if that would be enough for summer in Colorado.
I rode to Silverton Yesterday with a fellow 315’er and he was a hot shot Metalorligest(sp). As we drove by the spot there was a track crew working, I asked " about how much expansion did it take to do that to the track. He quickly started running numbers thru his head and babbling stuff way over my head, And estimating that the straight stretch of track was about 5 miles long etc. ect, and came to the guestament of about 2 1/2 feet.
Interesting though… The D&S Has started running three trains daily between Durango and Silverton. Each train is led by a Putt-Putt ahead and another behind for safety and “Fire watch”. The first train back, (about an hour between the trains) passed thru that spot without any issues. It is speculated that the rail was under heat induced compression, and the first train “Set it off” after passing. The new rail in that area was laid in the spring, at a much cooler time.
Dave Taylor said:
I rode to Silverton Yesterday with a fellow 315’er and he was a hot shot Metalorligest(sp). As we drove by the spot there was a track crew working, I asked " about how much expansion did it take to do that to the track. He quickly started running numbers thru his head and babbling stuff way over my head, And estimating that the straight stretch of track was about 5 miles long etc. ect, and came to the guestament of about 2 1/2 feet.
Interesting though… The D&S Has started running three trains daily between Durango and Silverton. Each train is led by a Putt-Putt ahead and another behind for safety and “Fire watch”. The first train back, (about an hour between the trains) passed thru that spot without any issues. It is speculated that the rail was under heat induced compression, and the first train “Set it off” after passing. The new rail in that area was laid in the spring, at a much cooler time.
Very interesting . . . . .
That would have been interesting to watch after the train passed by. I wonder if it started kinking as the cars went over the spot? last car through gives a sashay tail wiggle, the engineers and conductoers might not have even felt it
Dave I worked for a haz Waste company for almost 5 years and it was a daily thing for me to be in a Tyvek suit at least once or twice a day, I was mainly a driver but also grunt work when needed. You would love the cool comfort of a white Tyvek suit after spending 1/2 hr shifts in a 110* + tank with the yellow acid proof suits, to protect ourself after putting on the suit we were duct taped hands and legs to prevent any acid burns. D&S is on my list of things to ride one of these days. hope to see you there when I finally get there.
Well, Gang. It’s been 3 years since I started this thread, Wow time flies. 67,000 + views later, here I am again. I leave in a couple of hours for Silverton again, for most of a week to crew on 315, and have the annual FRA inspection. I’ve been really busy of late, life and work sure get in the way of RR Fun. I started as a “newbie” and now i’m still the newest guy on the crew, but oh what i’ve learned in the between.
Internet is limited in Silverton, but I’ll try to keep y’all posted on what we do, and get done. In-between 315 work, there’s always projects at the Silverton Northern engine house that needs to get done, so we stay pretty busy.
Oh, by-the-way, I built an out-house this week for Silverton. Pics to follow.
If you just happen to be in the Silverton area now thru Thurs. Stop by and I’lll give you the nickel tour.
Just my luck, Sis says were planning on being there Saturday(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif). I had checked the posted schedule and didn’t see activity this week.
I’m making the 10 hour drive Wednesday.
Oh I ran that Prize engine yesterday, be ok on a loop, but jumped off at the sight of a switch. She traveled the whole circuit.
Thanks for keeping us Real!
John
@ John. When and where will you be on Wed. Thur. And Fri. if you will be in Silverton on Sat? We just might be able to hook up for a visit somewhere? Let me know.
If I can drive to Durango to meet up with Boomer,… Then I can do at least that or more for you…
Wed is my 10 hour drive up through Cortez, past Tohelluride and up on the Dallas Divide. Sis has her ‘camp’ there off the Last $ road, with 16-18 of us a couple get to sleep in the TeePee.
My Bro in law loves fishing so there’s a trip or two to the stream below the dam in Ridgeway, talk of recreation on the lake and other stuff. Mongo just pawn in game of life, meaning I tag along.
All I know is we are riding Durango to Silverton and back on Saturday.
Thank you for the generous offer, but I can’t ask you to commit with so many unknowns.
John
Dave, . . . What is going on ? . . if I can’t be there ( damn (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)) at least I want to hear about it . . . . . (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
Well… I’m soooooo far behind in keeping up with my rail adventures.
Durango & Silverton Railfest this past weekend in Silverton. 315 was the feature. We made 4 excursion runs. Have been spending a ton of time with the FRA annual inspection, and just the general prep of 315. Spent the past week sleeping in the 04432 Bunk car.
Met Rich Niemeyer and grand kids up there for the fun and frolic. BTW: Good Guy.
315 Ran from Silverton to Durango on Sunday after the last train left. When we finished using her for the late yard switcher, ( a roll she played on the D&RGW until her 1949’s retirement) we dumped the fire, turned her on the table, and put her over the pit to prepare for her trip to Chama. finished up about 9:30pm. Turned for the 1hr drive home to Farmington.
Today (Monday) had to be back in Durango by 0830 to drain the boiler, and separate the tender. 10:30 the transport trucks arrived. 2:30 got them loaded, McDonalds for lunch. 315 is in Chama now. and Wed. at 12pm we put her back together, and start the prep for firing her on Thur, AM, and a run up to Cumbres pass with some cars that we will need for the weekend excursions.
Here’s a link to some pics from Silverton:
https://www.facebook.com/DSNGRR/photos/pcb.1532227290128014/1532226480128095/?type=3&theater
I try to catch up and fill in next week after I get back home.
Dave . . . FANTASTIC . . . . how I wish I could have been there. Maybe next Spring I can get over there for some Narrow Gauge FUN !
Been extreamilty busy of late, with running 315 on the D&S and the C&T. 8 days of running out of 14 day period, and hauling her between railroads.
I have a bunch of photos to post as time allows to get edited, plus other stuff. Picts and vids have started to pop up on the wed all over.
Here is a link to a video from the Chama runs. The old fart with the black gauntlets on the sleeves is me… GRATE fun…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPTuBpwGnOQ#t=5.558334107
BTW : I turn officially OLD today (65), WOW what a great way to celebrate your birthday!
Dave
Well Dave, for an old guy you climb up that tender ladder pretty good. What a cool video - thanks for finding it.
Dave,
Very cool video.
Spent yesterday (WED 09/07/16) in Silverton again, This time we replaced floor boards in the door opening of the double-decker stock car. This completes the actual building pieces of the restoration. A little paint and Finnish the lettering, and it will be done. Some SOB stole the brake wheel off the top. Anyone got a spare D&RGW brake wheel they would like to contribute?
Tomorrow (FRI 09/09/16) I go back to Chama to do some maintenance on 315. We drained the water from her hot, so the boiler dries out. Friday we will open the smoke box and clean out the cinders, and rod out the several clogged flues. Dirty work. BTW we ran her really hard, and yet we had NO Burnt Grates. Thats good news, and shows what proper firing can do.
In the videos of 315 climbing up to Cumbres Pass, thats me in the cab. That is one BRUTLE climb!! it’s a real 4% grade… ALL 14 MILES of it. there is NO point that gives you a break. Remember thats a 4 Ft rise every 100 feet of track. And it was raining!! Slick track. 1/2 way up we had to leave behind on a siding one of the Box Cars. A week before one of the regular scheduled C&T trains stalled in the same place, and had to wait for a helper to come up from Chama and get it started again, and then stayed with the train to the top.
I have several tails to relate, but I need to find some time to edit some photos first.
Dave . . . .GREAT stuff. . . keep it coming !
Neat video on C&T, and 315. This guy does some great videos on “screwing around”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1l-xYWsc0w
Marty
Marty Scriven said:
Neat video on C&T, and 315. This guy does some great videos on “screwing around”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1l-xYWsc0w
Marty
MARTY . . very nice. Thanks for posting ! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)