The Polar Express

[RobS]

"SP 4449 was built in 1941 as a GS-4 "Northern" type locomotive. A 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, she is 110' long, 10' wide and 16' tall. The locomotive and tender weighs 433 tons, and it operates with a boiler pressure of 300 psi. Her eight 80" diameter drivers and unique booster truck can apply 5,500 horsepower to the rails and exceed 100 mph."

Those are impressive stats, to say the least.

I looked through some of the photo galleries including a bearing replacement on one of the main driver axles. Impressive for sure. I'd say one of the main driver connecting rods probably weighs more than my tractor!

 

[podagrower]

Rob, if you don't mind.
I'm going to borrow this photo to use as a background on my laptop for a few months. Maybe it will take my mind off having to use the AC for Christmas this year. When the weather is suppossed to be warm, I will probably revert to my shots of Glaciar Girl.

 

[zzvyb6]

Here's some more good weather shots of the 1225. She's been converted to oil and restored to full horsepower, but, getting insurance and permissions to run the tracks around here (mid Michigan) is getting harder and harder. The dude in the cap is me. For some $, you can yank the throttle, whistle, brake and reverser....

BTW: The cross shown in the last pic is quite a rare deal.

 

[RobS]

Here's some more good weather shots of the 1225. She's been converted to oil and restored to full horsepower, but, getting insurance and permissions to run the tracks around here (mid Michigan) is getting harder and harder. The dude in the cap is me. For some $, you can yank the throttle, whistle, brake and reverser....

BTW: The cross shown in the last pic is quite a rare deal.

Great pictures Bill, thanks! You look like you are a part of the operation? You going to be there this summer for the big festival?

 

[Sigarms]

Rob, needless to say, great picture. Photography has been good to you.

but, getting insurance and permissions to run the tracks around here (mid Michigan) is getting harder and harder

Had to laugh. I would never advocate doing anything illegal or dangerous, but your comment made me think of some events I completely forgot about. A buddy in West Virginia has a powerd "rail road car" that will fit four people and actually ride on the rail road tracks (I completely forgot what he called that doohicky, but there was a "cult" following that I found surprising). I've heard it made for some interesting rides (better know the train schedule).

 

[Lasgambler]

Rob, needless to say, great picture. Photography has been good to you.



Had to laugh. I would never advocate doing anything illegal or dangerous, but your comment made me think of some events I completely forgot about. A buddy in West Virginia has a powerd "rail road car" that will fit four people and actually ride on the rail road tracks (I completely forgot what he called that doohicky, but there was a "cult" following that I found surprising). I've heard it made for some interesting rides (better know the train schedule).

Forgive me for the hijack, When I was in my early 20's, I would ride the rails quite often. A 53 Chevy truck with a little air out of the front tires would do great. Just take off, shift to second gear, pull the thottle out a little, climb up on the roof for a seat and watch the country go by. I had a RR timetable. Terry

 

[scott_vt]

Forgive me for the hijack, When I was in my early 20's, I would ride the rails quite often. A 53 Chevy truck with a little air out of the front tires would do great. Just take off, shift to second gear, pull the thottle out a little, climb up on the roof for a seat and watch the country go by. I had a RR timetable. Terry

Good Evenin Terry,
Oh my God, wait till the safety police read this post !

BTW, great pics Bill, you start to get an idea how big that engine really is !

 

[JB4310]

some interesting rail history from England with old clips of steam locomotives.

The Railways of Warwickshire