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 Posted - March 15 2014 : 5:41:14 PM
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Post some oddball railroad equipment here. They can include locomotives, rolling stock, railroad vehicles, etc. Here's one that I think is odd. A contraction that would hold up a tunnel while they were building it. It was found in a tunnel somewhere and is now in Skykomish, Washington, which is where I took the picture. Here's the picture of the thing. I have no idea what to call it.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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 Posted - March 16 2014 : 12:57:47 AM
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The technical name is a tunnel holder upper.
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 12:57:51 PM
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| Yeah, but is it the tunnel holder upper 1.0, or might it be the 2.1? Seriously, though, that is a cool piece of equipment. I've been contemplating for some time doing a tunnel building scene after seeing a photo or two of just such activity. I'll have to relook at those photos and see if I can see a piece of equipment like this. Pretty fine.
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 3:43:26 PM
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quote:Yeah, but is it the tunnel holder upper 1.0, or might it be the 2.1? Seriously, though, that is a cool piece of equipment. I've been contemplating for some time doing a tunnel building scene after seeing a photo or two of just such activity. I'll have to relook at those photos and see if I can see a piece of equipment like this. Pretty fine.
Originally posted by Barry - March 16 2014 : 12:57:51 PM
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It's not mine. I found out about it when I asked the guy who owned it what it was. It was found in a tunnel called Pioneer Tunnel and it was probably there for 100 years or so. Not surprised. Here's a picture of the plan of building the Pioneer Tunnel. Apparently it was used to help build the Cascade Tunnel. Than that means the tunnel contraction is a neat piece of railroad history.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
Edited by - kovacste000 on March 16 2014 4:19:05 PM
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 4:00:47 PM
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quote:I've been contemplating for some time doing a tunnel building scene after seeing a photo or two of just such activity.
Originally posted by Barry - March 16 2014 : 12:57:51 PM
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Here's a well documented example on which to base such a scene:
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 4:53:08 PM
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A little too much dynamite there, Butch? 
On the note of tunnel construction, a friend of mine decided to call a tunnel boring machine a "TBM" the other day without any context. It took me about ten minutes to figure out what the heck he was jabbering about. Sigh...
--CRC
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 5:28:53 PM
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quote:It was found in a tunnel called Pioneer Tunnel and it was probably there for 100 years or so.
Originally posted by kovacste000Â -Â March 16 2014Â :Â 3:43:26 PM
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So that makes it a lower tunnel-holder-upper. Upper tunnel-holder-uppers were of lighter construction because they didn't have to hold up as much gravity.
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 6:31:42 PM
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quote:| So that makes it a lower tunnel-holder-upper. Upper tunnel-holder-uppers were of lighter construction because they didn't have to hold up as much gravity. |
Little known fact, but the main reason lower tunnel-holder-uppers were built so much sturdier was to support the weight of the upper tunnel-holder-uppers. The more you know!
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 6:43:32 PM
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quote:Here's a well documented example on which to base such a scene:
Originally posted by scsshaggy - March 16 2014 : 4:00:47 PM
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Heh always did want to do a 4-4-0 loco with F&C on it
I do have that book someplace too
Btw? I think the line is actually supposed to be 3foot gauge
& both towns really do exist in California Tho no tracks ever connected the 2 towns
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 7:17:44 PM
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quote:
Little known fact, but the main reason lower tunnel-holder-uppers were built so much sturdier was to support the weight of the upper tunnel-holder-uppers. The more you know!
Originally posted by DaCheez - March 16 2014 : 6:31:42 PM
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Yep... well, them and the extra gravities. I love educational threads! 
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Posted - March 16 2014 : 8:15:36 PM
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quote: quote:
Little known fact, but the main reason lower tunnel-holder-uppers were built so much sturdier was to support the weight of the upper tunnel-holder-uppers. The more you know!
Originally posted by DaCheez - March 16 2014 : 6:31:42 PM
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Yep... well, them and the extra gravities. I love educational threads!
Originally posted by NickelPlate759Â -Â March 16 2014Â :Â 7:17:44 PM
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Me too!
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - March 17 2014 : 5:44:55 PM
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I know I posted this in another thread but I think it belongs here.
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Posted - March 17 2014 : 6:28:02 PM
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| & is FOR SALE too, metalsmith1!
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Posted - March 17 2014 : 8:02:04 PM
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I am putting together the parts to try and kitbash this piece of Canadian Pacific MOW - ice melter.
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Posted - March 17 2014 : 8:36:55 PM
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That is really cool! Put a Vandy tender on a flatcar, then build the cab and the plow section and you have it. Interesting to see various railroad's ingenuity, and what they cobble together from existing parts.
Stephen, in all seriousness that jack you photographed must have rolled on narrow gauge trackage during the construction phase. The front wheels returned to the earth a long time ago.
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Posted - March 18 2014 : 01:08:39 AM
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Ice melter ya say....here's how we do it in the States with jet power. Yeah baby 
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Posted - March 18 2014 : 10:29:21 AM
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quote:That is really cool! Put a Vandy tender on a flatcar, then build the cab and the plow section and you have it. Interesting to see various railroad's ingenuity, and what they cobble together from existing parts.
Stephen, in all seriousness that jack you photographed must have rolled on narrow gauge trackage during the construction phase. The front wheels returned to the earth a long time ago.
Originally posted by NickelPlate759Â -Â March 17 2014Â :Â 8:36:55 PM
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That sounds like a great idea!
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - March 19 2014 : 9:00:05 PM
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quote:Ice melter ya say....here's how we do it in the States with jet power. Yeah baby
Originally posted by metalsmith1Â -Â March 18 2014Â :Â 01:08:39 AM
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Caught one of those out in Johnstown PA on the Conemaugh and Black Lick RR... awesome stuff. Wish I could have seen - er, heard - it running 
--CRC
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Posted - March 19 2014 : 9:37:52 PM
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quote:Ice melter ya say....here's how we do it in the States with jet power. Yeah baby
Originally posted by metalsmith1Â -Â March 18 2014Â :Â 01:08:39 AM
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This might be a naive question, but I've always wondered what keeps these things from "taking off!"
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - March 19 2014 : 10:45:30 PM
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quote: quote:Ice melter ya say....here's how we do it in the States with jet power. Yeah baby
Originally posted by metalsmith1Â -Â March 18 2014Â :Â 01:08:39 AM
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This might be a naive question, but I've always wondered what keeps these things from "taking off!"
Originally posted by gmoney - March 19 2014 : 9:37:52 PM
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Luck?
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Posted - March 20 2014 : 12:28:22 AM
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Mass and good brakes.
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Posted - March 20 2014 : 04:25:59 AM
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Also I think lack of thrust. even though these look pretty wicked, I don't see any evidence of there being much of a turbine inside the (jet) unit. it looks similar to an APU from an aircraft engine.  On close inspection it looks like it might be more akin to a great big torpedo heater like the kind you see contractors using on jobsites.
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Posted - March 20 2014 : 09:13:56 AM
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| Having seen one in operation, I can confirm they not only melt but blow snow out of switches, which is primarily where they get used. They are also very LOUD.
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Posted - March 20 2014 : 09:38:29 AM
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quote:Having seen one in operation, I can confirm they not only melt but blow snow out of switches, which is primarily where they get used. They are also very LOUD.
Originally posted by lvrr325Â -Â March 20 2014Â :Â 09:13:56 AM
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You don't say!What railroads used these things?
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - March 29 2014 : 12:21:34 AM
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CP Rail, for one.
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Posted - March 31 2014 : 8:02:39 PM
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New York Central invented 'em I believe, back in the 60's.
Hey... the Jet-powered RDC... the jet snowmelters... I'm starting to see a pattern here
--CRC
Edited by - PRR 4800 on March 31 2014 8:04:43 PM
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Posted - March 31 2014 : 8:07:10 PM
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quote:New York Central invented 'em I believe, back in the 60's.
Hey... the Jet-powered RDC... the jet snowmelters... I'm starting to see a pattern here
Originally posted by PRR 4800Â -Â March 31 2014Â :Â 8:02:39 PM
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Ya, what's next, jet powered track equipment?Maybe they already exist.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - May 05 2014 : 12:08:45 AM
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| Maintenance vehicle at New Hope PA May 4 2014.  . 
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Posted - May 05 2014 : 10:39:48 AM
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I've seen track maintaining equipment vehicles, but I'd never thought I'd see a semi truck as one.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - May 05 2014 : 2:44:09 PM
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quote:I've seen track maintaining equipment vehicles, but I'd never thought I'd see a semi truck as one.
Originally posted by kovacste000Â -Â May 05 2014Â :Â 10:39:48 AM
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Australia used a Mack like that to get cars that were left on a unused track section
Vid should be on YouTube
All the Class 1 railroads have a truck like that
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Posted - May 05 2014 : 3:57:28 PM
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quote:Yep... well, them and the extra gravities. I love educational threads!
Originally posted by NickelPlate759Â -Â March 16 2014Â :Â 7:17:44 PM
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Gravity is not only a good idea... it's the law.
Vince
We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.
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Posted - May 08 2014 : 10:52:49 AM
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Douglas Wyoming.
Not My Picture
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20140508104706_TrackCar.gif
More Info Here: http://www.trainweather.com/douglaswyomingmuseumall.html
Regards, John ****************************
Hardware: the parts of a computer that can be kicked. <> Jeff Pesis
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Posted - May 08 2014 : 11:20:00 AM
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quote:Douglas Wyoming.
Not My Picture
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20140508104706_TrackCar.gif
More Info Here: http://www.trainweather.com/douglaswyomingmuseumall.html
Regards, John ****************************
Hardware: the parts of a computer that can be kicked. <> Jeff Pesis
Originally posted by JRG1951Â -Â May 08 2014Â :Â 10:52:49 AM
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I WANT ONE!!!
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Posted - May 08 2014 : 8:35:58 PM
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quote: quote:Douglas Wyoming.
Not My Picture
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20140508104706_TrackCar.gif
More Info Here: http://www.trainweather.com/douglaswyomingmuseumall.html
Regards, John ****************************
Hardware: the parts of a computer that can be kicked. <> Jeff Pesis
Originally posted by JRG1951Â -Â May 08 2014Â :Â 10:52:49 AM
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I WANT ONE!!!
Originally posted by microbusss - May 08 2014 : 11:20:00 AM
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I know someone in my train group who has two of those. One from the 1930's and a modern one. I rode on the modern one and man, it's a cool little piece of railroad equipment.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - May 08 2014 : 10:40:55 PM
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Those little speeders are handy. We use them on the SC&S to pull the weed sprayer and to move the tie carts. One time, I had a little two-seater like the one in the picture hooked to a tie cart and was gathering up ties that had been scattered by a flood. I should have started at the top of a grade and headed downhill, but by lack of planning I started at the bottom. Only one axle is powered and it's not the one under the engine. As ties added up on the cart, it got harder and harder to start the load uphill. Here are our carts:
/tyco/forum/uploaded/scsshaggy/20140508222854_r_speeder_small_full.jpg
This is the little one I had shoving about a ton of ties up the hill.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/scsshaggy/20140508223052_r_speeder_big_full.jpg
This one's a better puller, but it's carburetor still needed cleaning after the flood water mud.
This video has a clip shot of the weed sprayer as pulled by the big speeder:
http://youtu.be/Cag4wIZI0Xo
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - May 08 2014 : 10:44:45 PM
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Here is a track puller taking up the Mopac's  Carondolet sub in South St. Louis County in the 1990s.This is now known as the Grant Trail hiking/biking trail.,
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Posted - May 09 2014 : 12:53:57 AM
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quote:Here is a track puller taking up the Mopac's Carondolet sub in South St. Louis County in the 1990s.This is now known as the Grant Trail hiking/biking trail.,
Originally posted by metalsmith1Â -Â May 08 2014Â :Â 10:44:45 PM
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Why would anyone ever want to tear up track?! Why?!?!
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - May 09 2014 : 01:59:53 AM
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quote:Those little speeders are handy. We use them on the SC&S to pull the weed sprayer and to move the tie carts. One time, I had a little two-seater like the one in the picture hooked to a tie cart and was gathering up ties that had been scattered by a flood. I should have started at the top of a grade and headed downhill, but by lack of planning I started at the bottom. Only one axle is powered and it's not the one under the engine. As ties added up on the cart, it got harder and harder to start the load uphill. Here are our carts:
/tyco/forum/uploaded/scsshaggy/20140508222854_r_speeder_small_full.jpg
This is the little one I had shoving about a ton of ties up the hill.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/scsshaggy/20140508223052_r_speeder_big_full.jpg
This one's a better puller, but it's carburetor still needed cleaning after the flood water mud.
This video has a clip shot of the weed sprayer as pulled by the big speeder:
http://youtu.be/Cag4wIZI0Xo
Originally posted by scsshaggy - May 08 2014 : 10:40:55 PM
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Hey got any extra axels & wheels from one of them flatcars?
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Posted - May 09 2014 : 08:27:00 AM
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quote:Hey got any extra axels & wheels from one of them flatcars?
Originally posted by microbusss - May 09 2014 : 01:59:53 AM
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Can't say that I have.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - May 09 2014 : 12:47:11 PM
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quote: quote:Hey got any extra axels & wheels from one of them flatcars?
Originally posted by microbusss - May 09 2014 : 01:59:53 AM
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Can't say that I have.
Originally posted by scsshaggy - May 09 2014 : 08:27:00 AM
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darn it! need them for a project & they don't gotta be perfect
Just useable
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