Sharknose have diaphragms?

No, Mario, they did not.

Doug

Mario,

POSTMASTERMC beat me to it.   As far as I know,   there were no diaphragms on any of the RF-16's,  no matter which of the original three railroads who owned them(B&O, NYC, Pennsy) you are talking about.   A while back,  I was researching photos and info to have sharks custom painted into the Monongahela Ry paint scheme and I was unable to find any evidence anywhere of diaphragms.   It wasn't that easy even finding photos of the ends of the A or B units.   Here is a photo of a Monongahela B unit shortly after acquiring it from the NYC.

Nick

This is the only evidence that I can find...

Got to be careful about such diagrams.

Overland did the Shark in HO; pictures I found show no diaphragm.

FWIW,
I found this in: Popular Picture And Plan Book Of Railroad Cars And Locomotives - Edited by Walter A. Lucas - Associate Editor of The car Builders' Cyclopedia and Locomotive Cyclopedia 1951.

There was also a photo of a six axle version in the book.

rex desilets posted:

Got to be careful about such diagrams.

Overland did the Shark in HO; pictures I found show no diaphragm.

Thanks for the heads up... I'll check it out.

I do take the brass guys with a grain of salt, as they're not always 100% right.

For example:

Thanks!

- Mario

Upon further review if you haven't already done so, check this article out from the PRRT&HS in The Keystone Modeler: PRR Baldwin Sharks
Scroll down to pages 25 & 29. This is the only place where I have seen a really good photo of the end of a Shark and between two units coupled together showing the lack of a diaphragm.

On page 27:

DIAPHRAGMS

All indications are that at least some of the PRR BF-16 units were delivered with diaphragms between the units as were all the other cab units, including the passenger sharks, but I do not have either direct documentation or photographs to prove this is true or which units did or did not get them. In early December 1951, the PRR was asking EMD to stop equipping their cab-units with diaphragms, so it would seem logical that a similar situation occurred with Baldwin, but this is just a guess. Since the units without the coupler doors, 2000-2009 were all delivered by October 1951, it is likely they were delivered with diaphragms. It is possible that some or all of the 2010-2027 units delivered in 1952 were delivered without diaphragms. In December the PRR initiated Betterment 1102 "Cab, Rear Door and Buffer Arrangement – Modification of Walkway between Units" for BF-15a and BF-16 classes which is worded very closely to the tracing showing removal of the diaphragms on the EMD cab units. Thus removal may have begun on the early BF-16 before the final units were even de-livered. Regardless, since BLI has chosen to model the units with added body side grilles, added c1952-54, if diaphragms had been factory installed, they likely were removed in the same period anyway.

the Hahn book series includes a volume on PRR Baldwin Cab and Transfer units. Not one of the book's photos of shark units show diaphragms on them, from builder's photos to end of service photos.

the shark carbodies were unique in that Baldwin constructed them with a protruding metal frame around the end door that was roughly 8"-10" deep on both A & B units. Not much room for a diaphragm between units.

I am a bit suspect of the section of the article quoted above. To extrapolate that sharks had diaphragms removed because EMD units had theirs removed, without any substantiating reference sharks had them in the first place.

Just as a casual observer here, I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge on this forum. I'm a huge fan of the Sharks, but I have no expertise on them. I'm new to the hobby but so far have found nothing but friendly, knowledgeable folks. Thank you for that!

Thanks everyone!

Great stuff, especially the Keystone Modeler information. 

Thanks,

Mario

What an interesting article about the Sharknose engines. I've seen the D&H Sharks a couple of times back when they were in service but that was many many moons ago.  Thanks for sharing the link..