Does anybody know what this is?

Mr. Trainiac Sep 25, 2020

  1. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    This photo was taken inside of an EMD F-unit. This tank is on top of the concrete ballast at the rear of the locomotive. The photo was taken looking towards the cab; I am basically standing just inside the rear door. The locomotive had no steam generator (which is why it has a ballast block). Nobody in our group knew what this thing did. Is this a standard EMD component or is this some shop-built modification?[​IMG]


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  2. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I think that's the traction motor cooling blower.

    Edit: Oops, I could be wrong. The Traction motor cooling blower is usually up toward the front by the generator. Coolant tank? Oil tank?

    Doug
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2020
  3. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Engine layover heater. I assume there is or was a pump nearby.

    Looks like 3 phase wiring on the right side and maybe an output to an immersion heater.
     
  4. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    I can understand it being a heater. This is in a Milwaukee Road unit which has winterization hatches too.
     
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  5. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Do you know the Milw unit number?
     
  6. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    This is 118-C at the Illinois Railway Museum
     
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  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Kind of a mess in there. Is this one of the units awaiting restoration?
     
  8. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    I don’t think it has been ‘newly restored’ but it still runs. Here it is at the head end of some other Milwaukee equipment. The front end looks a lot cleaner than the sides, honestly. There wasn’t a lot of room to get a good shot of it from the front though. The (closed) garage doors are right behind me in this photo. The Milwaukee Road Historical Association maintains a presence at IRM and helps fund some of the projects, so in return they get a ‘Milwaukee barn’ to store and preserve the Milwaukee Road equipment. This is another one of the barns not open to visitors. The barn lacks fire suppression, which is why it is not formally public. If you asked, they would take you in, but it is more of an insurance/legal issue if anything. The collections inside are perfectly fine.[​IMG]


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  9. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    You guys who can show off just because you work on the real thing.

    :D

    Doug
     
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  10. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    At this point in my career its not as much showing off as it is habit. I get asked lots of questions from various railroads and usually provide the information for free. At least I've prevented a lot of bad decisions.

    I remember the 118 from my time on the Milwaukee, I don't remember this device however...

    Randy
     
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  11. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    It could be something the museum installed too. They could have added it in the restoration, but this is just speculation. We looked at this one and METX 308 to compare a 'stock' F7 and a modified one. Our guide showed us the differences in control stands, but I don't think this photo was from 308. The timestamp on my phone is too late.
     
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  12. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't think it was museum installed, it's quite old. I just don't remember it . It does look like a Milwaukee engineered system though...
     
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