I rather like this … tells its own story, and has an … everyday … feel to it.
http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=148759
Matthew (OV)
PS. Any Northeast Corridor types remember the 200 series Amtrak F-40 that for months in the early 80’s (when the SNL sketch was popular… ) said “Oh No, Mr Bill!” in hand scrawled letters in the grime on the silver side of the locomotive? Not rust … but not shiny either!!
Steve Featherkile said:
I stole this photo fair and square from the Classic Trains Newsletter that came in my email, today. Some of you probably got it, too. I use the photo to illustrate something that has puzzled me for a long time; why do folks in this hobby (some) insist on weathering their locomotives to the point that they do not appear safe to operate, with rust dripping off them?
As you can see in the photo, these brutes are very well maintained, sparkling, even. Yeah, they were probably spruced up for the photo shoot, but I really doubt that much effort was spent, beyond a general titivation.
There ain’t no rust, here. Even the shop floor is clean.
Hi Steve.
I am wondering that myself. Oh everyone knows that railroading can be a dirty business affair for the rolling stock and even the engines, but honestly some do take things a tad too far. Though, I stop myself of being to critical because, after all, this part of railroading is whatever the person doing the modeling sees. I have seen some really rank engines and some that looked as if they rolled off the assembly line today. That picture is telling alright. Look at all that railroad beauty. Man those were indeed the days alright. Just pure hustle and muscle and all with coal/wood and water.
BTW Steve, personally, I like a slight weathering, but prefer to have clean new engines as well to off set the lash ups. I have seen BNSF engines that looked like someone drove them through a engine wash with mud versus water and they were lashed up with same type engine that was fit enough to eat off of.
Rust is the enemy of metal and in real railroading, engines and rolling stock need to be checked constantly for it. I know I did on those F4 Phantoms. They came off the assembly line a scant few years after I was born. LOL
First off steam locos shouldn’t be judged by the 1950s. Diesels were taking over and steam engines were running off their last miles usually just up until their next needed major shopping. As a result many were placed on storage tracks where they could sit for several weeks without turning a wheel. Only when there was a surge in traffic that the diesels couldn’t handle would they be put under steam for a few days. During this time they were stored in the open without cleaning or maintenance except for what was needed to put them in use temporarily. This is also when you would see once proud and immaculate passenger locomotives pulling freights and even work trains.
Steam locomotives did get quite dirty in service. Coal dust and even oil residue from oil burners would coat everything. If you’ve ever ridden on an open car behind a steamer on a fan trip you’ll know what I mean.
Some railroads kept their power cleaner than others but most all washed the locomotives, especially passenger, on a regular basis. Even during the WWII rush the railroads hired women wipers to clean locomotives and passenger cars. One place where rust and dirt was essentially never allowed to be was on the drive rods and mechanisms. This was so they could be inspected not only in the shop but on the road for cracks or defects. Hard to see beneath paint or dirt. The only time I’ve ever seen rusty rods on a working locomotive was in photos of stored engines that were pulled out to work for a day or two. On the SP I never saw a serviceable locomotive with rusty drive rods even when stored on standby.
There were a few short lines that had rather grundgy locomotives because of economics or leased power but even so many kept them up fairly well. Small logging railroads would sometimes run a single lokey until its wheels fell off never washing it. Tolerating dents and busted cabs and repairing only what was absolutely essential. Then there were larger operations such as West Side Lumber Company that kept their fleet of geared engines in superb condition.
Personally I like a little weathering on locomotives, even diesels, as the lighter dusty colors show off the detail better than straight black does.
