Thank you Jim. This is the 5th engine that we have gotten unstuck here at IRM. Yes, eventually blue and yellow, but that is probably a year or two away at least.
With all that rust in the cylinders, how much pitting of the cylinder walls will there be and is that going to have an effect on how that engine will run? Lower compression? Accelerated wear of the rings? I need to start clearing my weekends so I can come volunteer.
That's hard to say without pulling everything apart. Chances are with the infrequent and light service that we have, everything will be fine. If we see the signs of abnormal wear, we'll replace those parts when needed just like we do on the rest of the fleet. Whenever you can make it, let us know.
though james, you might want to also considder this, that locomotive types such as 2407 might have also been painted in the atsf's black zebra paint scheme during its santa fe years. is that possible?
Not this one, it is a phase II and was delivered in blue. Only the phase I gators were delivered in the zebra stripe scheme. You can tell the difference by where the air reservoirs are located, both on one side is a phase I, one on each side is a phase II.
With the ex-842 in Texas, this will make two ex ATSF "gators" in running order. OERM has two of their "junior" version, ex-SP RSD-12's. One thing I remember from working on them (radio systems, not engines) about 40 years ago was the way the governors would "hunt" with the engine turning slower and slower until you'd think it would stop. Then the governor would kick it back up to maximum idle and the whole process would start over.
When will you guys work on the Illinois Central 2-6-0 you guys own? And, on be-half of my friend, Zach Cutts, what is that status on Chicago Northwestern 1518?