O.K. All you locomotive experts, Does anyone out there know anything about a pneumatic locomotive made by Dickson Locomotive Works in Scranton PA ??
talk about a strange looking beast, I found one photo but not very much else about this odd unit, now I will sit back and wait for the many responses to my questions, should I hold my breath ? ? ?
There was a decent thread in regards to these things a while back. I tried a quick search and could not find anything. Anyhow, mining operations liked them because of the lack of open flame in the shafts. They were also easy to maintain. I believe there is a gold mine tour in Cripple Creek , CO that offers rides behind one. I will try to dig up more, but I am sure you will have everything you are looking for soon enough anyhow.
I’ve heard that a fireless cooker will also function on compressed air.
I found some good stuff on one of those “other forums”. Check out the link, man.
Yes, they could,usually as a back-up in case hot water wasn’t available,or the owner wanted to avoid using a locomotive under steam (regardless of the source) for safety reasons.(Coal Mines with high gas concentrations, Chemical plants,Oil Refineries,Munitions depots…) See “The Locomotives that Baldwin Built” By Fred Westing.
For a number of years the National Cash Register Company in Columbus,Oh had a plant locomotive, I believe it was a 0-4-0, that was powered by either steam or compressed air, I looked like a steam engine, stack ,sand dome and all, in the style of a tank type engine [no tender]… about 45/60 min of operation and it had to be recharged by attaching a heavy hose and repressurizing[ steam or air]…BUt it was interesting to watch, I think now thaty it might have been in Dayto, rather than Columbus…
Also, this type of locomotive in Transit Operations was usually referred to as a ‘steam dummy’. Memphis, Tn operated one on the East End Dummy LIne that ran out to the East End Amusement Park [not the Fairgrounds] off madison ave in Memphis from the downtown area.