In 1981-82 I was able to take a series of photos of the two 0-4-0 Porter fireless steam locomotives working in the yard of the Somers, Montana tie plant south of Kalispell on the shore of Flathead Lake. Enjoy! Here are S-1 & S-2 at rest in front of the retorts.
There's a memory! Thank you. I remember touring the closed plant through with a friend. One of his first jobs was telegrapher in the Somers train order office. Which was about 55 years ago. And there was also the old Glacier Park Company.... All gone now. Depot, plant, branch. Oh well. At least one of those little teakettles is still supposed to be surviving around the valley. Haven't seen either one in ages. Boxcab E50
I don't often - make that very rarely - see photos of tie plant switchers. I didn't know any major railroad was using steam - even fireless steam in this non-revenue service - at that late date.
What's the reason for a fireless steamer at a tie treatment plant? Is the treatment chemical brew explosive or flammable? Fumes?
ok, I am not familiar with how fireless steamers operate, but let me guess, they have some sort of electric heating element that boils the water to make the steam to power the loco. now how is the electricity generated? I am guessing the reason for this engine is like HemiAdda2d stated and is due to fumes or flammables fumes would make it dangerous to operate an internal combustion engine, so generator power is out, running on an electrified rail could generate sparks so that is out, does this engine have to be plugged in and charged up every night. If I am completely off my rocker here please let me know, I am still new at getting into railroading so there are alot of things I don't know yet, but this is just my guess.
Nope. Normally there is a stationary boiler at the plant that generates the steam. The "boiler" of the locomotive is charged with steam generated by the stationary boiler. When steam in the loco runs low it comes back and gets recharged. There are also fireless locomotives that run on compressed air. Same principle, there is a compressor and compressed air system in the plant, and the loco gets its charge of compressed air from that system. Regards Ed
Cresote is very flammable. It's coal tar and other chemicals. Burns very hot. Remember pictures you've seen of firefighters trying to put out trestle fires, or waterfront dock fires. Boxcab E50
That little fireless cooker is down in Polson at a museum, for the life of me I can't remember the name, anyway, driving thru Polson on 93 you can see it from the highway. She's not alone
Where is the S-2? Years ago, she was sitting just south of Kalispell. On the west side of Highway 93. Now? Boxcab E50
The S2 is located in Somers, stting right beside the "Great Northern Memorial Trail", which is the line running alongside Hwy 93 to Kalispell.
For those of you who might have it. Theres an article in the Oct.1975 MR on the Somers and Brainerd tie plants,It features the S-2. BILL
S-2 has been restored S-2 has been restored and is on display in Somers, Montana. S-1 is in Polson, Montana. I was a switchman/operator on both.
The S-2, last time I bothered to swing in there, was looking a bit shabby, with exposure to the elements and some vandalism. S-1 is in the Miracle of America Museum, on the hill just south of Polson, along Highway 93. Are you still local to the area?
