Steam locomotives running solo

FrankM,

     When a steam engine (or even a diesel) runs without a consist it is called running "light". I have seen videos of the PRR moving snappers around Horseshoe Curve either in single or double units all the time. If you like the backside view of a steam engine you can always run flatcars behind the locomotive as they do not hide a lot of the rear end. In any event light engine moves were not uncommon during the steam era.

JohnB

Frank,

  I would agree. I find them interesting to gawk at whether they are running light or have 5-10 cars in tow or switching. Watching the rods move around is mesmerizing by itself and it doesn't matter for me whether it is a nice high-rail layout (like yours) or a simple oval (like my current layout). I have several Pennsy photo albums from the 1940-1950's and it was very common as steam engines were moving to their next assignments that they would be running light. I sometimes just like to throw on a cabin car, too. 

Tom

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Helper engines often ran light, still do plus a "rescue" engine going to help. I run light engines occasionally.

On my grandfather's farm (overlooking Southern tracks), as a kid,  I saw steam running light, at least once, but more often, I think, with two or three cabooses in tow.

I get my fix of the view by running tender first pulling a small cut.  I'm so glad all the Legacy steamers I have gotten have a front coupler so I can do this.

Yep, I agree.  I run steamers solo sometimes.

I run steamers and electrics solo quite often.

Yes, I occasionally run steamers solo.  Running this way adds a nice variation to my "normal" railroad operations.   I run my Williams scale B&O 4-6-4 hudson ( painted in Blue ) this way, & my Williams scale camelback mostly.   I also run GG1s this way from time to time.  

As a kid I had the opportunity to watch Pennsy trains on the main between Philly and Baltimore.  Wow .... the parade of trains I saw was spectacular!!!   Fast passenger trains with GG1s heading south and north, followed by a short freight local with an end cab switcher heading north, long freights with several GP 9s heading north, a solo end cab switcher heading south,  another long freight with two GG1s at the point, a short passenger train of MU cars,  a couple GG1s deadheading somewhere, a work trains pulled by an alco RS 1, a long freight pulled by F units, a solo RS 3 heading somewhere,  Fast mail trains pulled by E 8s,  etc, etc, etc.  (  I may have seen some bigger boxcab electrics as well ) It seemed I saw a train every ten minutes or so and the parade and variety was endless ( as only the Pennsy could provide ).  I especially loved the solo locomotives because they would put along by themselves providing a punctuation of relaxed contrast the faster and longer trains.  The solo locomotive moves provided greater depth to a great day of train watching!  I have never forgotten this and have always incorporated this kind of running into the operations of my own layout.

Too bad steam on the Pennsy  was gone by this time so I never saw any Pennsy steamers run solo or otherwise. 

Remember folks, steam locomotives running light on most every railroad, were limited as to the speed they were allowed, since they had no cars for braking. Steam locomotives couldn't, or shouldn't, use their independent locomotive brakes for very long, for fear of overheating the driver tires. 

Hot Water posted:

Remember folks, steam locomotives running light on most every railroad, were limited as to the speed they were allowed, since they had no cars for braking. Steam locomotives couldn't, or shouldn't, use their independent locomotive brakes for very long, for fear of overheating the driver tires. 

Great replies on light engine movements rules there Hot. 

I'm sure my Weaver PRR A5 running under the Christmas tree is exceeding every speed restriction for the class, though.    AND it's pulling a wreck derrick and work cabin on the hind end,  at speed... MORE rules violations.

On my RR as it progresses, steam will often run light on the "Y" I'm constructing as the rural service yard for refueling, oil and coal, diesel fuel, sand and water  has no turntable. It will also have a couple of inspection pits covered by metal sheds.

I keep a RailKing Imperial 0-6-0 parked near my industrial sidings so, once the mainline freight exchanges cars, it can parcel the cars out to the respective industries.  I also make up a train using the 0-6-0 so when the mainline freight comes in they'll be ready to hookup and head out.

While the mainline freight is running the loop I either make up a train or part out a train within the industrial sidings.  Provides plenty of action.

I do it all the time.I thought I was alone.I have some great articulated main line steam engines.They are fully capable of speaking for themselves if they have to.JMO Nick

Light Running is also the only time those red lights on the tender (the "marker lights" are on the tender, not the smokebox front - those are the "class lights") are correct when lit. They are the loco's "tail lights" (all trains have taillights or flags or lanterns - on the caboose, the observation car, the last car in a train, even if it is only a tender), and should not be on when the loco is pulling a train. But on our models, they are shining away - even when pulling a train. Irritating. I've disconnected a couple.

I've always enjoyed watching the Strasburg RR engines running "light" when they move from the rear of the train to the front. If you are seated in the parlor car, you can watch them back up to you for the coupling.

Moonson posted:

I like the look of steam locomotives when viewed from the back, also, without any consist coupled to them. There's just something interesting and novel about having an obstructed view of those tenders from their backsides.

I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you chuff away.

My sincere Thank you  for the replies is extended to:

MNCW; JohnB.; Firewood; Jim Pastorius; Bobby Ogage; TrainsRMe; Sinclair; TrumpTrain; Tom M; D500; rockstars1989; BobDelbridge; Rin H; Rule292; Hot Water; Colorado HiRailer.

Those were some interesting perspectives to read.  Apparently, I do have plenty of company when it comes to  steam locomotives "running light" (see , I paid attention and learned something.)

And Thanks  for the "Likes" to: MNCW; TrainsRMe; Trainroomgary; repair technician.

P.S. MNCW/Tom and Colorado HiRailer, as you mentioned, I do "run light" at times with just a caboose/cabin car trailing, like here...

FrankM.

Here is a view from the back of Reading & Northern (formerly Gulf, Mobile & Northern) 425 at the Jersey Central station in Jim Thorpe. The R&N repainted her just in time to meet NKP 765 there.

A closeup

This is an older photo of 425 with her auxiliary water car ("jug"), formerly a Taylor tender for a Reading Camelback. The late George Hart had used it to boost water capacity of Reading Locomotive Shops 0-6-0T 1251 on excursions on the Ma & Pa. The R&N uses it because it fits on the Jersey Central turntable at Jim Thorpe with 425. Her original "jug" - formerly a Pennsy tender -  was larger and had to be turned separately.

David Kloke devoted 10 years to building the LEVIATHAN from scratch to head his replica of President Lincoln's funeral train (also built from scratch). After pulling excursions in New York state, he trucked her to New Freedom, PA, to run on the historic Northern Central Railway with No. 17, the YORK, a second replica he had completed in 2013 for Steam into History, Inc. The Reader Railroad in Arkansas built wooden passenger cars for No. 17 in the summer of 2013.

No. 17 looks impressive from any angle. She stands at Hanover Junction on a remnant of a branch to Hanover and Gettysburg. The main line behind her extended from Baltimore through York and Harrisburg to Sunbury, PA. President Lincoln changed trains here when he delivered his Gettysburg Address. Sadly, his funeral train came this way on its journey to his final resting place in Illinois.

Reading Fan, What a wonderful, thoughtful thing to post in this thread. Thank you. Thank you. You are a considerate gentleman.

FrankM.