Author Topic: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread  (Read 274342 times)

Gordon Cook

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #420 on: October 14, 2016, 02:16:07 PM »
In case anyone wants to see and photograph #9 under steam, on the turntable, and beautiful fall colors, we're running trips on Saturday for a couple of groups.
Departures at 11, 12:30 and 2:30 as I understand the schedule.
Gawdon

Phil McCall

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #421 on: October 14, 2016, 05:05:13 PM »
It could be the engines were facing that way because it is more photogenic.
The front end looks better than the back end.

Generally true in all walks of life, eh? A joke during my grandmother's time was "you look like the south end of a northbound horse", when I was young a dig was "You are so ugly that when you were born the doctor turned you over and said "Look, twins!".

My guess would be Joe's idea, which way the engines would depart.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2016, 05:30:02 PM by Phil McCall »

Philip Marshall

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #422 on: October 14, 2016, 09:12:23 PM »
Steve, Your very thoughtful post has me looking for pre-1910 photos of roundhouses with tenders facing out. :)

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #423 on: October 14, 2016, 09:19:17 PM »
Recall that the Wiscasset roundhouse doors open on the inside. Perhaps there is a connection there. That would yield more space around the front of the locomotive.
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Carl G. Soderstrom

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #424 on: October 14, 2016, 10:49:05 PM »
Joe - I was not thinking of the smoke vents but if the
crews might have set up locos for the photographer.

For a long time it was a big deal to get your picture took.

Natural light may also have a something to do with it

Bob Holmes

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #425 on: October 15, 2016, 06:32:44 PM »
Today I had the chance to help turn #9 on the turntable at the end of the day.  It was amazing how smooth and easy it was to turn.  What a testament to the design and the builders!

John Scott

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #426 on: October 15, 2016, 08:06:53 PM »
As a little research will readily show, there are plenty of precedents for engine house arrangements and engine stabling practices of all kinds. In more modern times, railroads that painted large engine numbers on the rear of their engine tenders would find it convenient to have those tenders facing out for purposes of ready engine identification. In other circumstances, the minimisation of the cost and mass of smoke jacks could be a consideration.

Apart from all this, it might be observed that turntables generally come in pairs. Accordingly, one might wonder where the second WW&F turntable will be located.

Mike Fox

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #427 on: October 15, 2016, 08:46:30 PM »
John,
How about 3 turntables. We were given two turning rail and bearing bases for a 250 ton crane. We just need to attach the proper size steel beams.
Mike
Doing way too much to list...

John Scott

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #428 on: October 15, 2016, 08:53:09 PM »
Mike, I suppose a TOM engine facility for snappers is a possibility ......

Stephen Piwowarski

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #429 on: October 16, 2016, 06:55:11 AM »
We'll have to put it back in the woods. That way we can confuse folks when the locomotive is facing the opposite direction when it comes back.

John Scott

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #430 on: October 16, 2016, 07:00:08 AM »
Actually, I would be interested to know in which direction of travel the engines ride better, especially whilst curving?

Mike Fox

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #431 on: October 16, 2016, 07:46:22 AM »
Saturdays preference was a north facing engine. Perhaps because it is still a new way to run.
Mike
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Roger Cole

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #432 on: October 16, 2016, 08:17:28 AM »
Most steam tourist railroads that I am familiar with run the engines forward on the upgrade portion of the trip.

Gordon Cook

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #433 on: October 16, 2016, 08:21:15 AM »
Mansfield was right:  4-4-0's ride much better than 0-4-4's.

For me it was mostly because it was a treat to run on a 'different' railroad with 9 facing north on Saturday.
Gawdon

John Kokas

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Re: Sheepscot Turntable - Official Work Thread
« Reply #434 on: October 16, 2016, 09:07:43 AM »
I would think that using #9 and (eventually #10) by turning them every other run would be beneficial as it would balance wear on the running gear over time.  Not to mention the visitor experience of turning a locomotive in between trips.
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