... the shady side... ... and the wonders of the photostitch function for many digital cameras and/or image software... This pic was taken with a Canon S50 in two sections (using the photostitch mode of the camera) which were then merged using Canon's Photostitch utility. I've also had decent results using Adobe's Photomerge when attempting panoramic views outside of the photostitch mode. These pics were taken in Dayton, OH at the NS yard in Moraine... at great risk to life and limb (stood on the Springboro Pike bridge which has no shoulder... and rode my bike to get there). Interestingly enuff, this old Draper Taper was being used as a yard switcher when these pics were taken!
SHe may be full-figured; she's my kind of girl. Certainly better-looking than the regular C40-8W. Why is this striking me more than usual? I haven't often seen shots of CN cowls apart from their trains.
... very rare gurl for these parts... she was seen departing (apparently back in road service) a few days later with a couple of Men In Black...
Nice! thanks for sharing! Could someone fill me in on these units? What is their designation / maker / purpose / etc. I have heard of "Tapers" but don't recall why they were designed that way. Thanks!
They are designed for increased visibility. Look behind the cab of this CN engine. You will see indentations at window level that taper out to the long hood sides. This will improve crew visibility to the rear. These are excellent pictures to identify the Draper Taper. Does any other railroad have a Draper taper?
Had to look back in my timebook but sure enough...I ran that one a couple of times in '05. We used to get the 'tapers fairly often but pretty rare anymore. All of them are viciously noisy in the cab and hotter than blazes in the summer unless you have all the doors propped open. The Dash 8s also had a nasty tendancy to drop their load on a wheelslip and never recover more than about 5 or 600 amps. They do bring out the photographers but somewhat less than ideal when the going gets ugly. I'm not too disappointed to see them head off to parts unknown.
Strays... ... the NS rails see all manner of strays from time to time... After the split of Conrail, these rails ususally only see basic black (at least through the day) but occasionally I get a treat. Here's another view of the Taper.
I have always liked the Draper Taper units. In fact, I wish I had built a Canadian layout, as there are many locos which are just that bit different. Excellent shots of the taper. :thumbs_up:
When did you take these? I must drive by that yard a half-dozen times a day and never saw it, I can't believe I'd miss a sight like that!
Just Lucky... I'm a cyclist and I generally carry at least a point and shoot camera wherever I go. Usually, my routes carry me across both the CSX and NS mains at Washington Street where I at least check the aspects of the signals before proceeding. I took these photos about 2 weeks ago and just happened to notice a train on the NS holding just north of the Moraine yards. Indeed, what caught my attention was that the face of the loco appeared to be red (course, I was about 3/4 mile away and couldn't clearly make it out). Imagine my surprise when the unit came by as it appeared to be shunting cars 'tween Moraine and the Springfield Street yards! Moments later, the aspect for the CSX line changed and I decided to wait. Not long after the CSX had passed, I was amazed to see the sole CN unit returning to the Moraine yard! At that point, I decided to ride down thataway in hopes that it would be held in the yard. As luck would have it... it was... and I snapped! It will be interesting to see how traffic patterns on the NS change as they gear down the Moraine assembly plant (GM is closing their SUV assembly plant in Dayton by 2010. The plant lies adjacent to the main and yard and is prolly their biggest customer (it's rare not to see that yard stuffed with autoracks)). Such sights will prolly be rarer still!
Back Issues ... I know the feeling. I can recall a handfull of scratchbuilt to kitbashed articles published in several magazines about the time these units were first hitting the rails... and I think that Overland (at least) prolly made 'em in brass... but that's a bit too rich for my blood! I've got a handfull of old undecorated Atlas and Stewart Alcos that I've held in reserve for Canadian roads. I think a small number of folks offered specialty items (in particular, truck sideframes) for conversions.
