I talked to him and 2 foot gauge is back as a possibility. Standard even if we got a good deal on equipment. The only thing that will decide gauge is cost.
I know, someone should make engines and cars with wheels that are 3 feet wide with the flanges all the way into the inside to handle 2 foot gauge track. So its essentially a train that can handle any gauge of track from 2 feet to 5 feet.
Can you imagine the axle hunt that would occur with wide wheels and flanges that are inches from their rail head? Even at low speed some of those trucks could turn sideways!
I suggest that you approach all this from the standpoint of, “How much do we really need to do the job that we want it to do ?” Again, take a look at the plantation railroad operations to get a sense of how simple and informal that can be = less work and money to get it up and running, and so more fun with it sooner. It’s the technology that works and has the attraction, not the specific equipment. Since you’re not constrained by standard gauge size, interchange standards, and other real-world requirements, you have a lot of freedom to improvise and make things up as you go along, and so take advantage of unusual opportunities to save money, time, and effort.
Another thought: Look around and/ or contact scrap dealers* for abandoned/ scrapped steel mills, underground coal mines, and the like - and their successors - for NG equipment (this thought was inspired by the nearby Bethlehem Steel Co. plant that’s now a casino). The prime time for that was probably 10 to 20 years ago, but there may still be some laying around rusting in various places that could be had for scrap prices. Since you and your friend are in or near the “rust belt” NorthEast and MidWest US, those may also be good potential sources. I know that BSCo had a narrow gauge, as did Lukens Steel in Coatesville and CarTech in Reading. Maybe also amusement park RRs - I think that several here in Pennsylvania have gone belly-up in the past several years.
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- Brandenburg (Industrial Service Co. or Demolition, etc.) is the big name around here for that - they tore down almost all of the BSCo plants in Bethlehem. See:
[quote user=“Paul_D_North_Jr”]
I suggest that you approach all this from the standpoint of, “How much do we really need to do the job that we want it to do ?” Again, take a look at the plantation railroad operations to get a sense of how simple and informal that can be = less work and money to get it up and running, and so more fun with it sooner. It’s the technology that works and has the attraction, not the specific equipment. Since you’re not constrained by standard gauge size, interchange standards, and other real-world requirements, you have a lot of freedom to improvise and make things up as you go along, and so take advantage of unusual opportunities to save money, time, and effort.
Another thought: Look around and/ or contact scrap dealers* for abandoned/ scrapped steel mills, underground coal mines, and the like - and their successors - for NG equipment (this thought was inspired by the nearby Bethlehem Steel Co. plant that’s now a casino). The prime time for that was probably 10 to 20 years ago, but there may still be some laying around rusting in various places that could be had for scrap prices. Since you and your friend are in or near the “rust belt” NorthEast and MidWest US, those may also be good potential sources. I know that BSCo had a narrow gauge, as did Lukens Steel in Coatesville and CarTech in Reading. Maybe also amusement park RRs - I think that several here in Pennsylvania have gone belly-up in the past several years.
-
- Brandenburg (Industrial Service Co. or Demolition, etc.) is the big name around here for that - they tore down almost all of the BSCo plants in Bethlehem. See:
[tup] There you go !
Well I looked it up and it has already been auctioned. I’ll keep looking.
If you are interested in park train size equipment, check out the www.discoverlivesteam.com for sale page. It is primarily smaller equipment, but occasionally there will be larger (15" - 24" gauge) equipment for sale. There are still companies that build smaller trains, such as Hillcrest Works (15" - 36" gauge), Diamond Car Works (14" - 16" gauge) and of course, Chance Amusement (24" gauge). Be forewarned, buying this stuff isn’t cheap. Keep an eye out for used equipment and rail. Best of luck!
- James
if you are entrusted mining locomotive that i know of cost $5,500 to $300,000 orso ,
depanding on if it is operation or not .
here’s some links : https://www.savonaequipment.com/en/equipment/locomotives-e41538
http://www.infomine.com/equipment/underground/locomotives/
http://www.nelsonmachinery.com/locomotives
http://www.irwincar.com/locomotive-mining.php
https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/underground-mining-locomotive.html
I have no idea where you are located in the Country? But, remember that the ‘Dollywood RR" is an operational amusement park railrioad { on about 2.5 miles of track(?) near Gatlinburg,Tn- South of Knoxville,Tn.} It is a 3’ gauge, and is also home to a former WP&Y Steam Loco #70; among others. ’ The Silver Dollar City RR’ is another operating railroad, near Branson, Mo {2’ gauge with several steam engines and operates a ‘line’ of about 2 miles(?). Both are owned by the same amusement park corp.
Then there is this: Cagney Steam Engines:
@ http://www.wrrc.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20130710-Cagney-Brochure-Web.pdf
And then there was Crown Metal Products that made Amusement park Steam Trains and rides(?) @https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Metal_Products