Interesting footage at Alco

Now that was neat.

Kind of sad when you think of all the know how

these guy's had to rebuild these engines.

Now I bet there are just a hand full left.

Yes,great footage!! at least Age of Steam is keeping it alive!!

Pete

I have to ask because I just don't know.  What is the purpose of spinning the wheels backwards while the engine was moving forward at a fairly good pace???

As stated in the movie, that is done on "the slip track", which is heavily oiled/greased, so that the locomotive can move along slowly in relation to ground speed, while the drivers, i.e. running gear, runs at greater speed. This operation is used to break-in the running gear bearings, without having to take the locomotive out on the main line for a "break-in run". The shop workers are right there to check bearing temps and repair any issues, should they occur.

Thanks for posting. Interesting.

Prairie

Thanks Hot Water for responding.  (I forgot to mention that my older computer that I use often does not have any speakers.  So many times I have to go on just what I see.) Very interesting info.

Was the most usefull tool in the steam era the sledge hammer?

The most useful tool during the steam era was the lathe.  Followed closely by the vertical boring machine and the shaper.  As far as hand tools, the ball pean hammer and the cold chisel.  Don't forget the blacksmiths forge!

.

Very nice. Wish someone would make that New Haven 2-10-2.

2-10-2? Definitely a real drag freight hog.  Those drivers are hardly larger than the truck wheels! 

My error, 2-10-2. Still wishing. Thanks.