Was up at the museum on the 16th for more brakeman training, got some video and photos of the operation. [video=youtube;jIbpH9RsSBY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIbpH9RsSBY[/video] Video of Friday's operations. I bought a new spider tripod on my way up, so I got some cool angles, including a full lap around the museum from an "engineer's view". Morning shot of 346 before we lit her fire. She still had about 30 Ibs left in the boiler from the previous day. That new beartrap looks snazzy. On a side note, August 16th is 346's birthday, 132 years old this year. Backup light and marker lights on the tender. The markers stayed on until we coupled to the train and they were moved back to the trailing coach. Shot from the fire outpost on the west end of the loop, 346 climbing out of the cut.
Another shot from the fire outpost, slightly different angle and different camera. Arriving into the station, nice short little train. Herald on 346's tender. 140 was sitting opposite the station after switching the previous day. Enjoy everyone.
The broom at the end? no, he was just using the end of the broom to knock coal into the hole for the cab dispenser. We were breaking coal back in the tender (since we coal in chunks too large to be effective) and moving it to the front of the coal bunker, but our aim wasn't that great with throwing coal, so he had to move the stuff in the bin.
Such a nice sharp "chuff" for stack talk. I wonder what it would sound like under a larger load? Must be a good bark.
Boxcab; I really wanted to get some video while I was up at the fire outpost above the cut, with the beartrap on most of the chuff is directed forward. and thats a 4% grade through the cut up the hill, was really neat to listen to up there.
It sure looks like a lot has changed since my only visit there in the '90's. Sure hope I can visit there again some day. Has some of the dual gauge track been removed? How did the spark arrestor/stack extension get the name "bear trap?"
Fitz, most of the dual gauge track along the front of the museum has been removed. However, majority of the engine and shop facility now have dual gauge. Most of the standard gauge stuff is being moved around to allow for more accessible narrow gauge stuff. We're eliminating the philosophy of stub tracks not connected to the main loop to allow for easy movements to the shop.
