Post your Train shots!

SwampSniper · Feb 21, 2013

I really enjoyed seeing these train shots. All were really great.
I especially love the steam era trains. Its ashamed that they don't
make those anymore. There is just something about watching
the wheels and linkages move with all the steam in the air.

The place where I worked had many steam pumps that worked
just like the steam cylinders on these locomotives. They even
sounded the same. Loved getting one of them running like it
was supposed to.

Keep the photos coming.

SS

Sandpatch · Feb 21, 2013

That's really nice Alan -- a really nice volume with excellent quality. It was nice to linger with your photos, just as you might do with a traditional book. Very cool! Thank you.

Marilynne · Feb 21, 2013

Tri-Rail - runs in three counties

We stopped for a rest under I95. Heard the ding ding dings and the gates started coming down. Got my camera out the bag and basket in time to catch these.

*

nikonpup · Feb 26, 2013

railroad lanterns.

Alan · Feb 26, 2013

Sandpatch said:
That's really nice Alan -- a really nice volume with excellent quality. It was nice to linger with your photos, just as you might do with a traditional book. Very cool! Thank you.

Thanks for the kind remarks. I really had fun working on it and am glad that others can enjoy it as well. I liked having a single topic to work on. It makes you think about your photos and approach what you are doing with a new perspective.

Marilynne · Mar 13, 2013

Okay all of you railroad people, did I capture something special?

Pedaled to Bru's. Heard the ding ding ding and the R/R crossing gates started coming down. Barely got my camera out of the case. Wasn't prepared for this and the sun was in the wrong position.

FEC

Norfolk Southern engine 6097

The Brick and Research Car with people looking out the back

Found this youtube video, but can't find much info on The Brick other than it's for research. What are they researching?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG4QqlS8RO8

Sandpatch · Mar 13, 2013

The Brick is a test car that's engineered to set off lineside dragging equipment and hotbox (overheated bearing) detectors and maybe some other stuff too. I've never seen it -- it's really weird looking! It's an interesting catch for sure!

Marilynne · Mar 13, 2013

Sandpatch said:
The Brick is a test car that's engineered to set off lineside dragging equipment and hotbox (overheated bearing) detectors and maybe some other stuff too. I've never seen it -- it's really weird looking! It's an interesting catch for sure!

Thanks for the info.

Here are some questions from my husband
1. How does it sense overheated bearings?
2. Are we to assume it can only detect this on the cars in its own train?
3. Is it wireless?

AxeMan - Rick S. · Mar 13, 2013

Sandpatch kind of beat me to it. I'm putting together links and info now.

The car in question is NS 34 I'm guessing AKA the brick because of it's shape and color.

I just found the car number and looking into it now for picture and info links

Yes you did catch something special

Sandpatch · Mar 13, 2013

Hotbox detectors use ifrared beams to sense wheel bearing temperatures. If an overheated bearing is sensed, the detector will make a radio transmission. Yes, it's wireless and here's an example of what's heard when all is well:

CN Hotbox Detector Stillwell, IN Recording - YouTube

Here's what's heard when all is not well:

WV189.7 NS Defect Detector Hotbox Alarm June 22 2012 - YouTube

Each railroad has a different style of broadcast. Yes, detectors for bearing termpartures, wheel temperatures, shifted loads and dragging equipment (like brake rigging that's fallen away) are stationary.

Rexer John · Mar 13, 2013

Interesting fact...
When we hear trains making screeching and squealing noises, we usually think it's a wheel bearing or brake noise.
The noise is usually caused by the wheels skidding on the tracks.
When a car (automobile) turns, the differential allows the left and right wheels to turn at independent speeds.
On a train, each axle and wheel pair are in a solid set, so on a bend the wheels skid to make the turn and you get a squealing noise.
Just thought I'd throw that in

AxeMan - Rick S. · Mar 13, 2013

What you saw was a Geometry Train

What is a Geometry Train?
Track geometry car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some other photos of it:

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 5046 Norfolk Southern EMD GP38-2 at Opelika, Alabama by John Higginson

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 5132 Norfolk Southern EMD GP38-2 at Williamson, West Virginia by Jay Lockard

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 5808 Norfolk Southern EMD GP38-3 at Powhatan Point, Ohio by Willie Brown

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 5622 Norfolk Southern EMD GP38-2 at Irondale, Alabama by Bernie Feltman

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 34 Norfolk Southern research slug at Roanoke, Virginia by JL Scott

RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 34 Norfolk Southern research slug at Columbus, Georgia by Casey Thomason

NS 906 Waynesboro, GA 10/24/10 AWESOME HORN SHOW!!! - YouTube

Sorry about all the links but it saves time typing

From what I have read the "Cab" is a recent add on

Sandpatch · Mar 13, 2013

Yep, very true. It's the tiny contact patch between wheel and rail that makes it all work without introducing too much resistance.

Locomotive manufacturers have recently developed "self steering" trucks that somehow slightly steer the wheelsets on curves to increase adhesion and reduce wheel and rail wear.

Rexer John · Mar 13, 2013

The wheels have a conical profile to help in the curves, that allows them to self steer and the inner flange shoudn't touch the rail. The track is never totally flat so some slip occurs.

Sandpatch · Mar 13, 2013

Axeman, one of the photos you listed was shot by Casey Thomason who has our dreaam job -- he's NS's chief photographer and was formerly an Engineman. I happened to look at his fine shots of NS's Heritage Units using Nikon's ViewNX2 and it shows that he shoots with a professional Nikon D3S. Lucky guy!