UP844 sidelined in Texas. Updated

Just out of curiosity:  With a 2" flat spot and, as Rich said, perhaps a 1/4" deep recession in the center of that spot, how much, percentage wise, of the use of these tires has been lost due to this incident?   When did the #844 get these tires as new?  So, assuming that a significant percentage was lost, this really must add to the added costs of maintaining steam for the U.P.  Added to the loss of mileage on those tires are the costs of all the crew removing the wheels, the transportation to the two wheel lathes, all the work of prep and returning the engine to service, I hate to even guess what this whole mess is costing the railroad.  How much sooner will the engine now have to have these tires replaced again?

Paul Fischer

Instead of thinking "Cost" as one would worry about the small stuff, these sort of work was generally a Shop that was available during the Steam Era almost anywhere. There is a Cotton Belt Wheel Shop that still turns wheels in Pine Bluff.

I recall one or two suppliers of Machinery near Allentown that will take a few months and hand build you anything that you might require.

Strasburg Shops did the Wheels last year if I recall. There was a thread somewhere following a truck or two carrying the 4 drivers for the 844. When she came into Little Rock at track speed, her new tires were pretty good. No issues. Not much stack talk coming over to a downgrade where I was.

Steam Engines despite thier strength and bulk; requires precision and a workforce able to support it. In today's modern times, I am thankful we have a number of places around the Nation to support the Steam wherever it may be. No part of the 48 States is more than 70 hours distant from any other part with a set of two drivers and one rig.

I see the 844 on now back in Fort Worth and will depart tomorrow for Oklahoma.

Off the UP Steam site...

May 2 - May 5, 2012

UP 150 Express

No. 844 as well as the Union Pacific E-9 Streamliners are headed to Ft. Worth, then on to El Reno, Okla., for the Fried Onion Burger Day Festival. Check out the Detailed Schedule!

It would be unusual not to cut the tires deep enough to restore a full flange contour even if less was required to remove the flat spot.  Since all the tires have to be the same diameter, first you have to figure out which tire needs to have the most cut off of it, then cut all the rest of the tires to match.  My guess is there is probably an extra inch of material on the tire to accomodate wear and reprofiling.

I'm very excitd to see 844 in elreno on saturday!!! Glad it got fixed!

844 in Round Rock, TX. Monday afternoon about 3:00PM  had just come off the Georgetown RR spur onto the UP line.  Taken along McNeil Rd just east of IH 35

So which Diesel(s) are behind her now?

E9's.... atleast in this video....

I am I correct in that the flat spots pose a problem because of the incessant pounding that would occur from them constantly punching the rail on every rotation?

I would imagine it would feel like going down a concrete highway at speed, an rhythmical "chunk, chunk, chunk..." with every driver rotation.

Was it bad enough to hear and/or feel?

Thanks,

Mario

Is there an official answer as to what actually happened to 844;s drivers?

The Engineer put the power reverse into reverse, while still moving forward, and opened the throttle! Not much more to state. 

Yeah that will do it.....shame that it happened.  But glad she is back out so quickly.

Not sure about on the 844, they undoubtedly ran it very slowly until it was repaired. But if you do any railfanning at all you hear flatspots pretty regularly on freight cars. The bad ones are pretty loud, with a sharp bang on every rotation. Down the rails it goes, bang bang bang bang. Like a giant sledge hammer hitting the rails on each turn. It's certainly not good for the rails or ties or anything else.

Why did the diesel keep pushing, was that determined?

This thread is an education!

Thanks to all who contributed.

Out of curiosity, I looked up Strasburg Rail•Road, and was impressed by their capabilities and equipment. As a young plant engineer 40 years ago, I worked on (installation and maintenance) similarly large equipment at GE's motor and steam turbine departments. The Strasburg shop is well equipped indeed.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge - most interesting.

Alex