F3s on Tennessee Pass

20161206

Rio Grande F3 diesels grind upgrade at Mitchell, Colo., a mile east of the summit of Tennessee Pass, in October 1947. Two steam helpers provide assistance on the 3-percent grade. L. O. Merrill photo […]

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East Broad Top comes back to life

20161221

In August 1960, four years after Pennsylvania’s coal-hauling, narrow-gauge East Broad Top shut down, owner Nick Kovalchik reopened part of it for tourist operations. People crowd the platform at Orbisonia, Pa., to board one of the first trips. Don Wood photo […]

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Galvanic corrosion

TRNAT0115_01

This coal hopper, seen in Butler, Wis., has a main body built from aluminum and a center sill made of steel. Freight-car makers use non-conductive materials to separate the metals and prevent galvanic corrosion. Steve Sweeney Q There are aluminum-body Talgos and aluminum-body coal cars, both with steel center sills. High school chemistry teaches that […]

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E5 with new bi-levels

20161213

An E5 heads up one of the first Burlington Route commuter train to sport the new bi-level “gallery” cars delivered by Budd in 1950. The train is eastbound at famous Naperville curve on the triple-track west of Chicago. Bob Borcherding photo […]

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