Large Scale Central

Steaming In The Snow - Lots of pics

Electronics Live Steam
#1

Today the Candlewood Valley Scenic Railway ran another Steam & Snow excursion. Ticket sales were light so only one caboose was needed to accommodate the paid riders. [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_01-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Warming up the gas tank prior to firing - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_02-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Leaving town via the West Escape` Canyon Bridge - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_03-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Passing Wall - a passenger stop in summer - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_04-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]On the W. Leg of the Wye just beyond Indian Hill Junction - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_05-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Approaching the crossing at Walk - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_06-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Shoving upgrade on the East Leg to Pine Summit - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_07-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Turned downgrade and passing Pine Summit on the main - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_08-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Passing Indian Hill Junction running downgrade - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_09-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Almost home on the trestle approaching West Escape` Canyon Bridge - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_10-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]After taking water and fuel, heading out again - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_11-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Steaming upgrade toward Wall - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_12-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Same place from the other side of track - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_13-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Passing Wall about to work hard on the curving grade - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_14-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Approaching Indian Hill Junction - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_15-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Paused at Indian Hill Junction to check the switch - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_16-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Stopped at Deep Cut waiting for the conductor to throw the Wye switch - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_18-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Shoving down grade on the East Leg past Pine Summit - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_19-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Drifting down the East Leg toward Walk - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_17-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Steaming through the crossing at Walk Junction - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_20-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]The safety pops while paused near Northville - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_21-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue]Heading home across Walk Crossing - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_22-1024.jpg]

[/url][color=blue][b]Approaching the final stop just past East Escape Canyon - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/b][/color] The weather was responsible for a few problems, but fun was had by all. A derailment on Walk Crossing caused the universal joint to slip out, delaying the return trip for quite a while while the crew struggled to reconnect the drive line. Because of the delay they ran dangerously short of water just downgrade of Wall and had to be met by a water truck. Fuel ran out crossing the West Escape canyon bridge, but there was enough steam pressure left to drop the train and run around the balloon track for servicing. The crew reported that the new Spektrum DX5e radio system performed flawlessly.

#2

The cold weather sure does create a great plume from the stack.

Well done.

#3

Had a lot of wind and cold weather here the past few days. The coal tipple blew over and Delores station ended up in the middle of the backyard in 3 pieces. Wife had one of her garden flags blow away to who knows where and she ain’t happy, so Ive been inside painting and hanging new closet doors and keepin warm…but I do appreciate the pictures from you guys who brave the weather…:wink:

#4

TonyWalsham said:
The cold weather sure does create a great plume from the stack. Well done.

Thanks Tony. I get a pretty good plume in most weather, but cold is always the best. I had to edit out one picture because it just was to fuzzy but it had the nice white steam plume mixed with some very blue smoke from the simulated fuel. Someone suggested putting a chunk of coal in the smokebox and it really works well adding a lot of smoke and coal smell. I’d use wood for an authentic smell but I don’t want a real fire in the smokebox. Ken - Other than being cloudy it really was pleasant outside today. EDIT: You can just see some of the blue smoke on this shot [url=lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_09-1024.jpg]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/SteamNSnow_09-640.jpg)

[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color]

#5

Nice pix Jon. I did a snow run last winter with my shay also, it was great fun.
Jerry

#6

Very cool pictures.
Now we just need some video :slight_smile:
Ralph

#7

FANTASTIC pics!!! Wondrous snow scene stuff, Jon. Me and ig are despritly djhelus of the concrete deck feet you guys can get over there - what a time saver they would be here, fer sure!!

Hopefully we’ll be running our three-cylinder Shay tomorra, if it gets about 0C, that is. If not, I’m just going to go shooting and make some smoke THAT way.

Graders to all!!!

tac & ig, the New Year Vulture
www.ovgrs.com

#8

Very cool, Jon. Glad to hear your radio control worked good. Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

#9

Nice pics, Jon. I like the idea of the coal smell. How big of a chunk do you use? And it just sits in the firebox?

#10
Bruce Chandler said:
Nice pics, Jon. I like the idea of the coal smell. How big of a chunk do you use? And it just sits in the firebox?
I used two chunks of hard Broad Top coal, about the size of a nickel and maybe 1/4 inch thick placed on either side of the smokebox near the flue opening. I can't remember who suggested this but he said that size doesn't matter as long as it fits :D

If your smokebox isn’t already discolored this will probably do it since the coal does begin to burn and add some heat.

It smells really strong when you first fire up. I fire indoors and could really smell it. I didn’t notice it much outside except for the smoke color.

#11

Jon,

When you have a chance, could you post a picture of your coal chunks installation? Was the smoke color consistent through out the run? I know you mentioned it showing only in the one picture. Did you need to put the coal out at the end of the run?

#12

Hi Ric -

OK. I’ll try and grab a picture tonight and get it posted.

As far as the smoke goes, I think the answer is no. Trying to handle a big remote and a camera with a long lens at the same time, I didn’t pay close attention. I actually saw more when reviewing the pictures than I noticed at the time. Many of the pictures are too blurry to post since it was very cloudy and my hand not to steady, but quite a few of them revealed blue smoke in addition to the white steam plume. It seems the smoke comes out from around the smokebox - probably leaking out the drain hole in the bottom, or around the door, rather than going up the stack. I need to look closer at the stack to see how well it is vented, or if there is a way I can get the smoke to rise out the stack.

I haven’t had to put out the fire. I shut down the butane and by the time I’m done draining the lubricator, filling it again and filling the water, and wiping down the body they are out. Not necessarily cool, but not burning. I’m using hard coal and it is difficult light and keep burning without a good draft. When the butane is burning, there is a pretty good hot draft going through the smokebox.

It’s probably a good idea to make sure the coal is not burning when refilling the fuel :o I haven’t had any problems fueling during a run, but there is always the possibility of a flash.