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261 cab ride video with Rich Melvin at the Throttle

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Rich MelvinRich MelvinOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
I just stumbled across this thread today. How about that!

That clip sure brings back some pleasant memories. The 261 gave it all she had on those big 30-car trans and did a nice job. Thanks for the compliments, fellas.

As I recall, the late Dave Goodheart shot these scenes himself. The aerial shots and ground runbys were taken on a different weekend.

The 261 should be back on the road some time this year, and it looks like the 765 will also be busy in 2012. Things are just starting to come together for the 765's schedule for this year. I'll keep you posted as things develop.
HD Harry DoyleOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by OGR Webmaster:
Harry, I hope we get a chance to let the 765 stretch her legs at 60+ mph like in that video.

Maybe someday...


In the 261 video, you made reference to what the engine was and wasn't designed to do. Is the higher speed, open road running the optimum use of the engine? And what design features made engines more suited to this type of running as opposed to the roads in the original posted video?
Rich MelvinRich MelvinOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
The 261 was designed to pull 12-15 cars on relatively level ground at 80 mph, not 34 cars slugging up a grade at 40. That was a tough assignment for that locomotive because she was no where near her "comfort zone" there.

The 261's larger drivers (74" vs. 69" on the 765) and smaller valves (12" diameter vs. 14" on the 765) make her much more suited to fast running at short cutoffs with moderate loads. The 261's HP peak is probably somewhere up around 60 mph.

The 765, with slightly smaller drivers and 2" larger valves can "breathe" better at moderate speeds. Her HP peak is in the 40-45 mph area. 765 is much better suited to pulling that 34-car New River Train than the 261 because the speed (40 mph in the gorge) is right in her wheelhouse. At 40 mph the 261 was still well down on her HP curve and she struggled a bit with the train.
N&W Class JN&W Class JOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by Harry Doyle:
Insightful video getting the operators unique perspective regarding conditions and factors determining operation.

A different view of the 261 is my favorite train video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qexiUBD1uAY

It really is a majestic beast out in the open.



Great video it was shot about 2 miles down the road from where I live. The tracks run right along Rt34 and it is a great area to get pacing shots.
RickORickOOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by OGR Webmaster:
The 261 was designed to pull 12-15 cars on relatively level ground at 80 mph, not 34 cars slugging up a grade at 40. That was a tough assignment for that locomotive because she was no where near her "comfort zone" there.

The 261's larger drivers (74" vs. 69" on the 765) and smaller valves (12" diameter vs. 14" on the 765) make her much more suited to fast running at short cutoffs with moderate loads. The 261's HP peak is probably somewhere up around 60 mph.

The 765, with slightly smaller drivers and 2" larger valves can "breathe" better at moderate speeds. Her HP peak is in the 40-45 mph area. 765 is much better suited to pulling that 34-car New River Train than the 261 because the speed (40 mph in the gorge) is right in her wheelhouse. At 40 mph the 261 was still well down on her HP curve and she struggled a bit with the train.



Great video, and thanks for the enlightenment on the talents of these two locos. One tends to think a bigger loco is more powerful, this is a great lesson on that not always being the case.
HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
quote:
One tends to think a bigger loco is more powerful, this is a great lesson on that not always being the case.

The key factor is; at what speed? Since a steam locomotive is essentially a constant torque, variable horse power machine, the faster it goes the more HP it develops, until its peak HP is reached depending on drive wheel diameter.
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