 |
Re: Moguls as pullers
Author: Tom Moungovan
Date: 03-23-2009 - 19:15
George Andrews Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recall reading in one of Signor's books a
> reference to Espee Moguls as being called " A
> Valley Mallet" ( pronounced maal-EE in true RR
> fashion). The name referred to the fact that they
> could pull the same tonnage train down the San
> Joaquin Valley, that a cab forward ( i.e.-maal-EE
> )could haul over Donner or Tehachapi. Of course
> there are several errors contained above;
> virtually all cab forwards were, I believe, '
> simple ' articulateds that did not use the same
> steam twice, and virtually all Espee freights
> required helpers ' over the hill'. Still, it shows
> the respect Espee Engineers showed these
> locomotives.
> Question: Didn't the light axle loadings of the
> Mogul also contribute to their longevity, for use
> on light rail branch lines ??? The Friant branch &
> Sunset Railway come to mind.
Yes George, both of these branches used steam well into 1956. Stan Kistler told me of
one Mogul used on the Sunset Ry. as late as December of that year. Your point about the
lighter axle loading is well taken and that, along with their large drivers, contributed
to their long life on the SP.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recall reading in one of Signor's books a
> reference to Espee Moguls as being called " A
> Valley Mallet" ( pronounced maal-EE in true RR
> fashion). The name referred to the fact that they
> could pull the same tonnage train down the San
> Joaquin Valley, that a cab forward ( i.e.-maal-EE
> )could haul over Donner or Tehachapi. Of course
> there are several errors contained above;
> virtually all cab forwards were, I believe, '
> simple ' articulateds that did not use the same
> steam twice, and virtually all Espee freights
> required helpers ' over the hill'. Still, it shows
> the respect Espee Engineers showed these
> locomotives.
> Question: Didn't the light axle loadings of the
> Mogul also contribute to their longevity, for use
> on light rail branch lines ??? The Friant branch &
> Sunset Railway come to mind.
Yes George, both of these branches used steam well into 1956. Stan Kistler told me of
one Mogul used on the Sunset Ry. as late as December of that year. Your point about the
lighter axle loading is well taken and that, along with their large drivers, contributed
to their long life on the SP.
