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CP begins ‘pitch and catch’ operation through Iowa floodwaters
This would make for some compelling video, using water-safe cameras.
Great improvisatiion!!!
The KM’s bought by the D&RGW and the SP were good for running through water 12" above the rails. The Lake Shore Electric had a special car for fording flood zones.
On another subject - “William Farquhar” is a familiar sounding name…
Wasn’t that C,B & Q Mikado that’s running on the Grand Canyon Railroad held by the “Q” for flood service back in the Fifties and Sixties?
Similarly, from the dust and cobweb covered, foggy memory bank, did the Frisco hold a Mike for the same tasks?
Brilliant. For Nathan – it looks to me as though there are a number of grade crossings, so the tracks probably can’t be raised.
The nostalgia buff in me, though, wonders if there isn’t somewhere handy a nice big steam engine to run the trains through. The water doesn’t look deep enough to upset one!
Brilliant. For Nathan – it looks to me as though there are a number of grade crossings, so the tracks probably can’t be raised.
The nostalgia buff in me, though, wonders if there isn’t somewhere handy a nice big steam engine to run the trains through. The water doesn’t look deep enough to upset one!
Brilliant. For Nathan – it looks to me as though there are a number of grade crossings, so the tracks probably can’t be raised.
The nostalgia buff in me, though, wonders if there isn’t somewhere handy a nice big steam engine to run the trains through. The water doesn’t look deep enough to upset one!
Ljuhy,
I believe there are of nice big steam engines near by. Those being the Iowa Interstate’s two Chinese QJ 2-10-2’s.
Creative solution. Can/will the tracks be raised?
Cp could use the 2816.
I have heard stories about #8444 being used in Denver after the 65 flood to move cars out of the flood zone.
Sounds like CP has it together in this case.
SP in the 60’s, I seem to remember 3 " ATR (Above Top of Rail) and only two incidents stand out.
One was the depressed loading track at the
Davis Hunt’s cannery which had become a twenty car long freight car swimming pool. When we got there, loading was complete and the water level had reached within inches of the cars doors. someone was waiting in the deluge who implored us to pull the whole rail sooner than now: flooded floors of 20 carloads of canned foods in cardboard cases!
A bad-order box car with a displaced hanging door was utilized for "reach’ and we got the loads pulled in time, but without the formerly hanging door. The car Department was not amused…when it showed up to re-install the door.
The other, 750 souls on the Reno Fun Train approaching the Yolo (Sacramento River) Bypass, an about two mile, 25 feet or so high combination of fills and trestles, fed and filled through a weir when the River would other-wise exceed flood stage during high water events. We’re at 70 mph, Green Signals, light rain, when I get to see the normally dry bypass is full and wind waves are lapping at, and partially covering, the ballast. Never had I seen nor heard of this.
What did I choose to do?
Well…that the signals were green implied track’ and signal’s integrity…Run 8 and a minimum train brake set at 73 mph.
If there were a washout, the disaster would be legendary.
Correct are the comments about water and traction motors.
Does anyone know how high is too high (in inches/feet)? Is it because the traction motors are not water tight?
2 inches over the rail at low speed is my understanding of the safe limits Traction motors are cooled by blowing air through them, so watertighting them is right out. It would be theoretically possible to have a sealed motor if it was AC and you massively derated the current capacity.
2 inches over the rail at low speed is my understanding of the safe limits Traction motors are cooled by blowing air through them, so watertighting them is right out. It would be theoretically possible to have a sealed motor if it was AC and you massively derated the current capacity.
The track cannot be raised due to restricted clearances under the Government Bridge. The area under this bridge is already depressed to clear double stacks and is the first place to flood. The CB&Q did use their Mikado to move trains through flood waters at Savanna, IL during the 1965 floods.
Great shots Erik R. I was there on Friday 7/11/14 and caught
a CP Hi-Rail heavy-duty utility truck creating waves moving
down the track in downtown Davenport. Water was only about six inches over the rails by then. Most of the flood water should’ve been gone by Monday.