Refined Mission and New Website

2015 flew by almost as fast as this ATSF express passenger train... almost! Photograph by Jack Delano, LOC.

The year 2016 is off to a strong start here at CSR. The following are brief insights into some of the exciting news.

Refined Mission

As has been said many times before: “the only constant in life is change.” So too is it important for us here at CSR to continue to focus on the work we perform and the goals of the organization to ensure that we are striving to realize our mission.

The original mission of CSR, written back in 2011, was as follows: 

to conduct bio-fuel research; to research and develop sustainable railroad locomotives; to investigate associated sustainable technologies; and to conduct education and outreach about sustainable railroad locomotives

The CSR Board of Directors put considerable thought into the existing mission of the organization, the ways in which our actions line up with that mission, and what will be needed to ensure continued prosperity of the not-for-profit. After significant consideration, two board meetings, and numerous iterations, the CSR Board voted unanimously to refine the CSR mission to as follows:

CSR is dedicated to:

INNOVATION – supporting and advancing sustainable modern steam, fuel, energy, and transportation technologies

PRESERVATION – promoting the safe and efficient operation and preservation of historic rail equipment

EDUCATION – supporting and conducting educational and informational activities to increase awareness of sustainable and historical technologies

This revised mission is in harmony with the initial goals of CSR, but focuses the group’s efforts on three important areas, each of which is being addressed by CSR's various technological developments. The three graphics below speak to each of those three core areas:

INNOVATION • PRESERVATION • EDUCATION

New Website

Accompanying the ratification of CSR's revised mission is a new website that provides a more user friendly way of receiving information from CSR (which, if you are reading this, you have found!). The new website had been under construction for some time, and its release around the New Year coincided with an added dedication to web security as sites similar to CSR's old homepage were subject to a continually increasing barrage of web attacks (which CSR was fortunate to avoid).

This new site provides information pertaining to all portions of CSR's undertaking, including its work with former ATSF steam locomotive 3463. The work with ATSF 3463 has been on hold since 2013 following a challenge to CSR's ownership of the locomotive. CSR took the challengers to court in Topeka, Kansas, to seek clarification as to the title of the locomotive, and those legal proceedings are ongoing. That said, CSR's plans with the locomotive remain unchanged and are intended to be undertaken in accordance with its mission. Also note that throughout the duration of the litigation, CSR has continued to remain the owner of the locomotive, including maintaining responsibility for insurance, power, and other associated duties related to ATSF 3463.

Take a look through the site at your leisure and, as always, please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or comments.

CSR Engaged by Kentucky Railway Museum to Conduct Engineering Assessment of 110-year-old Steam Locomotive

The Kentucky Railway Museum (KRM), owner and operator of former Louisville & Nashville Railway steam locomotive number 152 (L&N 152), has engaged the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR) to serve as consulting engineers in returning the 110-year-old locomotive to operation.

 Locomotive 152, a 4-6-2 Pacific, was the first artifact acquired by KRM upon its founding in 1954. The engine was rebuilt by volunteers from 1972 to 1985, and a series of excursions on Seaboard System and Norfolk Southern followed in the late 1980's. Since 1990, the engine has run passenger excursions on KRM's 17 miles of track, and had extensive firebox work done from 1996-1998. The locomotive was again taken out of service in 2011 just prior to its flue time expiring. KRM is undertaking this detailed study of the locomotive to determine the scope of work required to place the engine back into service.

 “Our work with KRM is a great opportunity to help educate a passionate museum volunteer force and to study in great detail the effects of nearly a century of use on locomotive boiler systems,” explained CSR President Davidson Ward. “Of particular importance is the opportunity to help newer volunteers understand acceptable standard repair practices which meet federal requirements and safety standards. This will greatly contribute to the longevity of the locomotive and the KRM steam program.”

“In making our selection of an Engineering Consultant, the Coalition for Sustainable Rail stood out because of its Team Members’ varied practical expertise. ”

— Rob Minton - KRM

 The CSR Engineering Team will work hand-in-hand with KRM volunteers and staff in completing the inspection. Already, the 152 Restoration Committee and its volunteers have begun preparing the locomotive and boiler for inspection, including removal of boiler tubes and flues, boiler jacketing, firebox components and more. Once the pressure vessel and locomotive are cleaned and ready for inspection, CSR will send a crew to inspect the boiler ultrasonically and perform an inspection of the overall locomotive and tender to determine what work needs to be done to return the locomotive to service.

 “In making our selection of an Engineering Consultant, the Coalition for Sustainable Rail stood out because of its Team Members’ varied practical expertise, including experience on successful programs such as Santa Fe 3751, and Southern 630 and 4501, and their willingness to help us meet our goals for the project,” explained KRM 152 Project Manager Rob Minton. “We wanted to partner with a group of steam technicians that were both experienced with hands-on work and detailed engineering analysis to assist our team of volunteers.”

 The KRM Steam Crew consists of about 15 volunteers led by Mark Johnson in the role of Master Mechanic and draws heavily on the experience of Joe Bratcher, Lewis Hicks, and Carl Cruger of the original restoration team. The CSR Engineering Team undertaking this work include its Senior Mechanical Engineer Wolf Fengler, MSME, Director of Project Management Rob Mangels, President Davidson Ward, and Technical Advisor Shane Meador.

 “Keeping 110-year-old locomotives under steam safely and efficiently is of extreme importance to the continued operation of historic rail equipment in the U.S.,” said CSR’s Wolf Fengler. “As we have done with our work on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways in Germany, our Engineering Team is prepared to undertake this work with the highest regard for safety, technological soundness, and, above all, historical integrity.”

Volunteers begin process of removing superheater units - C. Buccola

Preliminary inspection on L&N 152 by KRM Volunteer Bradey Sanker - C. Buccola

Removing the cab from 152 - C. Buccola

Insulation being removed from 152 this Fall - C. Buccola

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF L&N 152

This builders photograph of sister locomotive 151 shows how the engine appeared 110 years ago.

The table below outlines the detailed technical specifications of L&N 152. From the KRM website: 

L&N #152 is a 4-6-2 Pacific type locomotive built in 1905 by Rogers Locomotive Works. #152 is the official steam locomotive of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as designated by an act of the Kentucky Legislature. It is also listed on the national registry of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

CATEGORY	L&N 152
General Classification	4-6-2
Service	Passenger
Fuel (Current)	Coal
Builder	Rogers
Year Built	1905
Tractive Force, lbs.	28,991
Weight in Working Order, lbs.	187,800
Length, Wheelbase, locomotive & tender, ft.-in.	61-7
Boiler Pressure, lbs. (Designed)	200
Firebox Grate Area, Sq. ft.	45
Engine (Bore x Stroke), in.	20 x 28
Driving-wheel Tread Diameter, in.	69

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY RAILWAY MUSEUM

 The Kentucky Railway Museum is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization chartered in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the purpose of educating the public regarding the history and heritage of Kentucky's railroads and the people who built them. This is accomplished through the acquisition, restoration, preservation, display, and operation of historic railroad equipment. The museum owns 17 miles of track (formerly part of the L&N Lebanon Branch), and operates excursion trains between New Haven and Boston, KY.

Website: www.kyrail.org
Office phone:  800-272-0152
Facebook: The Kentucky Railway Museum and Crew 152

New CSR Advisor - D. Shane Meador

Shane Meador stands beside 4501 as he starts up its cross compound air pump.

On this #techtuesday, we are pleased to announce that CSR has appointed D. Shane Meador to serve as a technical advisor of the organization. Meador is no stranger to steam, having led the rebuilding of Southern Railway steam locomotives 630 and 4501 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM). He began his railroad carrier as a summer steam locomotive fireman at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 1994 and qualified as a locomotive engineer in 1996 on steam and diesel locomotives. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Meador began working for Norfolk Southern Railway as a Machinist in Chattanooga, while still continuing part time duties at TVRM coordinating the Southern 630's restoration.

Starting in 2010, Meador was offered the opportunity for a 3 year leave of absence from Norfolk Southern to manage the steam locomotive projects for use on Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program at TVRM. During that time, he successfully led the extensive restorations of Southern steam locomotives 630 and 4501 back to mainline service. By creating a safe, positive, and educational atmosphere, he was able to recruit and retain volunteers throughout the project which helped to reduce labor costs significantly. Shane has operated all 4 steam locomotives currently participating in the Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program on 6 Divisions traversing thousands of miles on mainline track.

Meador keeps a close eye on cylinder boring work on Southern 630.

Meador's background, leadership, and experience in locomotive management, personnel management, restoration project management, maintenance, and safely operating these unique and historic machines will be of significant benefit to CSR as it continues its dedicated work to keeping historic machinery operating safely and efficiently in the 21st Century. We are excited to have his input here at CSR moving forward.

HSB Update - a Primer on the Master Mechanics' Front End

On this #techtuesday, learn all about the Master Mechanics' Front End and how CSR is implementing one on a 1918-built 0-4-4-0T on Germany's Harz Narrow Gauge Railways. Read all about it in CSR's RESEARCH section.

This image shows Harz Narrow Gauge Railways 2-10-2T number 99 7241 as it battles the 3.3% grade between Schierke and the Brocken. Locomotive 7241 was built in the mid-1950's in East Germany and is one of 17 on the HNGR (currently 12 are in service). Known as the "new build" locomotives, these sizable engines are the standard power in the Harz.

Presidents Day - Teddy Roosevelt an ATSF Man?

View fullsize

On this Presidents Day (a.k.a. President's Day, Presidents' Day, or Washington's Birthday), CSR reflects on the work of so many great presidents in American history. In terms of conservation, Theodore ("Teddy") Roosevelt is nearly unmatched. A rugged outdoorsman and bold leader, Roosevelt worked diligently during his years in office (1901-1909) to set aside lands for conservation. All told, Roosevelt set aside 230 million acres (930,000 square kilometers) into conservation spaces. This included formation of 5 national parks, 18 national monuments and 150 national forests.

What, then, of this image of T.R. on the fireman's side of an ATSF steam locomotive?

During 1903, Roosevelt went on a multi-state, multi-month whistle stop tour, traveling through many western states, including Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, California and Nebraska. The multi-month journey employed trains on many rail lines, including the Union Pacific Railroad, Southern Pacific Railroad and, as evidenced through this picture, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.

This image depicts Roosevelt in Redlands, California, sometime around May 1903, in the cab of an ATSF steam locomotive with a crew member behind him. The locomotive is most likely an early 4-6-0 type steam locomotive built with Vauclain Compound pistons.

Roosevelt was quite popular with train crews, having been inducted as an Honorary Member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman in November 1902. That said, it is certain that railroad management had a different view of the President, as one of his lasting legacies upon the industry was strengthening the ability of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate tariffs the railroads could set.

This was achieved through the Hepburn Act of 1906, which gave the ICC right to set maximum railroad rates, among other items. Not only applicable to the railroads, it had jurisdiction over bridges, ferries, sleeping cars, express companies (e.g. Railway Express Agency), oil pipelines and shared terminals. In the end, the Hepburn Act, and predecessor Elkins Act of 1903, may be the most important legislative actions the railroads faced in the first 50 years of the 20th Century, and both were championed by Roosevelt. This regulation too may have contributed somewhat to the increased and unregulated growth in the trucking industry, something which took off post Second World War.

It was this trucking competition and overbearing regulation which contributed significantly to the downfall of freight railroads, but following passage of the Staggers Act in 1980, which effectively "deregulating" freight railroads, the industry has never done better.

RFIRT Rebuild Photos 1 - Move and Disassembly

Thanks to the generosity of G&G Metalmecanica SRL and its President, Mr. Gabriel Asenjo, CSR is able to provide images of the move of RFIRT locomotives 107 and 119 from Rio Turbio to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also shown is preliminary disassembly work of the locomotives.

Note: some time ago, RFIRT renumbered locomotive 107 to 116. The design of its tender and tube plate reveal it is, indeed, from the first order of steam locomotives to the RFIRT.

Below is an embedded version of the CSR Photostream on Flickr.