Join the discussion on the following article:
Union Pacific’s 844 will have wheels removed, machined
Tennese Valley Railroad Museum just turned Milwaukee 261’s drivers; maybe they’re headed there…
And I trust the hogger that was attempting to drive it at the time of the wheel flattening is now looking for a job flipping hamburgers. Someone with such a total lack of skill should not have been handling a national treasure such as the 844.
Those jack-rabbit starts will really burn the rubber!! How unfortunate.
Is it jack-rabbit starts or sliding when braking?
The 844 has a good temporary home here in Central Texas! Thanks to GRR for hosting her.
Seems the 844 got pushed to a stop by it’s protection diesel, hence the flat spots. Hopefully UP might figure out that the protection diesel is more trouble than it’s worth. Employ the Kiss method and let the steam locomotives go solo.
“Jack rabbit starts” don’t create FLAT spots.
I sincerely hope the work goes well, and safely.
It is great to hear that the skills and will exist to do such difficult and exotic repair tasks. Thanks to all. I look forward to seeing 844 back in service. Thanks also to UP.
Yes, the TVRM can refurbish these drivers…!
As the days of steam seem further and further in the past (I was a lad in the pre-diesel era), it is wonderful that UP still maintains, repairs and operates this jewel of the past. Thanks UP!
Indeed, 844’s drivers are in Chattanooga, TN. TVRM to the rescue!
The flat spots were caused by a failure in the MU stand that allows the steam engineer to control the diesel behind it. The 844 applied its brakes, but the diesel kept pushing it with full power for about 2 miles before it stopped. Not the engineer’s fault.
Will the wheels be “turned” or will they have to be "re-tired? And what US firm can do all this?
Will the wheels be “turned” or will they have to be "re-tired? And what US firm can do all this?
The preliminary culprit seems to be a haywire MU control box, which failed to idle the wound-up helper diesel when commanded by 844’s braking engineer, sliding and damaging its big wheels, which now go to Strasburg RR for work.
I understand that 844 developed the flat spots attempting to stop the train after the protection diesel got stuck in notch 8 somehow; 844 slowed the train enough for someone to jump off and slap the fuel cut-off on the diesel. Exciting times.
Then word comes that, at the GRR facilities, the tool car that travels with 844 has been wrecked from a collision with a GRR hopper. Not a good week for UP Steam.
The loco is old. It has a flat bottom like a lot of us old folks that remember steam as an everyday joy.
The loco is old. It has a flat bottom like a lot of us old folks that remember steam as an everyday joy.