Random Railfan Prototype Photos For All

Hardcoaler Mar 26, 2015

  1. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

    22,210
    49,632
    253
    It was built in the Texas Mexican shops in Laredo, Texas in 1947 using a body provided by St. Louis Car Company. It had a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement and a FVL 16 T 1600 HP @ 1000 RPM diesel prime mover built by Cooper Bessemer.
     
  2. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

    4,870
    12,450
    92
    That beastie is one of four units built by Tex-Mex in 1947. They ordered carbodies from St. Louis Car Co., and put 1600 hp Cooper-Bessemer engines in them.

    Cute little buggers.
     
  3. wm-webb

    wm-webb TrainBoard Member

    152
    15
    24
    I'm guessing handicap accessible was not a big concern back then.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    It looks like just a locomotive, possibly a switcher, not something for passengers. I don't know of any locomotives that are handicap accessible.
     
  5. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

    2,153
    653
    46
    I guess it's diesel-electric, of course?

    Dom
     
  6. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    Cooper-Bessemer is a pre-WWII manufacturer of medium displacement diesels. GE used Cooper-Bessemer for some of their earlier locomotives.
     
  7. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    5,727
    479
    82
    I would think so, as I haven't heard of many mechanically driven diesels apart from the Krauss-Maffei units.
     
  8. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    RDCs were mechanically driven through a hydraulic fluid coupling and a modified tank transmission similar to GM's Hydramatic.
     
  9. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,677
    44,870
    142
    So close, yet so far. NS's SD-40 SOU Heritage Unit is roaming SC. I found it in Columbia, but it was deep in the yard and mostly hidden in the shed. Oh well, maybe it'll hang around for a while. Sigh.

    2016-03-29 SOU 3170 Columbia SC - for upload to TB.jpg
     
    Mike VE2TRV likes this.
  10. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    You have a wonderful ability to catch the unexpected, regardless of quality or format. Thanks very much. (y)
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    There were a fair number of manufactured small, industrial type units that had a transmission or chain drive, or..... The TurboTrains had a direct drive type system. I once saw an exploded view of it, which reminded me of an automotive differential style axle setup. The company name "Voith" also comes into mind.
     
  12. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

    4,870
    12,450
    92
    Nice catch, and a high short hood at that.

    I just had a thought - not so long ago we were impressed by 50-year-old Geeps still earning their keep. How time flies... now it's SD40s getting close to that mark and still faithfully performing their duties.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  13. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,677
    44,870
    142
    Former SOU depot at Clemson, SC shot yesterday and still used by Amtrak. I sure wish they'd hang the station name under the eaves -- it'd add a measure of authenticity to the renovation effort. Beautiful station nonetheless. Station has been moved back perhaps 40 FT from the mainline which is at my back. Alas no trains passed by during the brief visit.

    2016-03-28 Clemson SC Depot - for upload to TB.jpg
     
    BoxcabE50, Mike VE2TRV and r_i_straw like this.
  14. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

    2,153
    653
    46
    image.jpeg
    Here in Europe we used to have that. In France, we even had a single 3600 hp test unit, with a double hydromechanic gearbox, that was able of heavy duty. But that design mustn't have been that successful, as this unit remained the only one of its type.

    Unfortunately no english spoken link about it.

    Dom
     
    Mike VE2TRV and Hardcoaler like this.
  15. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

    22,210
    49,632
    253
    Now this was a real bear to change out. A brand new angle cock. "Small" tools that I use for working on automobiles just don't cut it.
    IMG_0476.jpg
     
    gjslsffan, Mike VE2TRV and Hardcoaler like this.
  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    This has some design similarities to Milwaukee Road depots. Such as the roof lines and eave brackets.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  17. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    5,727
    479
    82
    With the torque probably involved, was that a job for 3/4 drive?
     
  18. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

    22,210
    49,632
    253
    The big challenge was breaking the packing nut loose on the old angle cock to get it off the brake pipe. We scrounged up two huge open end adjustable wrench (Crescent type) and a trucker's cheater bar. Wedged one wrench against the car body and bent the heck out of the cheater bar on the other wrench. Still no move. Finally after heating the angle cock up with two MAPP gas torches we broke it loose. I'm getting too old for this. ;)

    Some random photos:
    IMG_1166.JPG
    IMG_1168.JPG
     
    Mike VE2TRV and Hardcoaler like this.
  19. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,677
    44,870
    142
    Tyler ....... in which state? Such a beautiful depot!
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Tyler, Texas? SSW?

    Did you guys put some anti-seize on the threads when re-installing that angle cock?
     

Share This Page