This is apparently under restoration but no identifying information, any idea what this is? Sorry the picture is not better but this is the best angle I could get..
Attachments
Images (1)
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Dynamometer Car used for measuring locomotive performance.
Rusty
The dynamometer car would be placed between the engine being tested and the train. The car has various apparatus inside for measuring things like drawbar pull, speed, etc. to help evaluate the performance of an engine. This was often done with like the first example of a new type of engine purchased by the railroad, or perhaps to test an engine borrowed from another railroad to see how a similar engine would perform on the railroad's lines.
Thanks to rusty and stix for the input on this. It has been fun researching the history on this car and I certainly hope it will be open for touring the interior when it is finished. I have been to the VMT numerous times and don't remember seeing this car prior. You can see in the picture the exterior paint looks great but no lettering on it yet.
Here is an email I received from forumite Earl G with additional details on several books too:
"The picture you asked about is of N&W Dynamometer Car # 514780. As Rusty mentioned, it was used to evaluate the performance of locomotives, It has special equipment to measure and record the pulling forces applied to the couplers. The small side windows and coupola were manned to call out milepost markers so the test engineers could know exactly where they were at all times on the track profile. They also recorded such things as speed, boiler pressure, cylinder pressure, coal and water consumption, throttle and reverse lever position. If you look in the book, "The A, Norfolk and Western's Mercedes of Steam", by Ed King, he mentions how the Dynamometer Car was used in the testing of the "A", and there is even a picture of the inside of the car showing the recording device. The car was painted Tuscan just like the passenger cars and had similar lettering, but was numbered in with the m.o.w. equipment. I have a brass model of this car which was imported about 40 years ago in "HO" by NWSL, but I don't believe it was ever made in "O".
Another book which describes the use of the Dynamometer Car is, "Rails Remembered, Vol 4, The Tale of a Turbine", by Louis M Newton. This book covers the testing of the 2300, "Jawn Henry", and there are several pictures of the car in a train undergoing locomotive testing." Earl G
