Re: Perfect Engine for Santa Cruz
Author: Gary Hunter
Date: 12-26-2012 - 14:55
Bridge Inspector: Can you be more specific about which bridges on the Santa Cruz branch will not support the weight of a Pacific? I forget the exact count, but I seem to recall there are more than twenty bridges (27?) on the branch of varying dates of construction and design style. Limits can be overall weight and/or axle load. SP routinely ran SD-9s and even -at least once-an SD-45 on the branch. I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that an SD-9 and GS-4 were suprisingly equivalent in at least axle loading, not sure about overall weight. Since virtually all of the bridges are due for maintenance and/or eq retrofit, it would be interesting to see an inventory of the bridges and their capacities, and what improvements are possible, with associated cost. I have assumed a Pacific would barely squeak on the extant weight limits, but most likely not a 4-8-4. Are all of the bridges functioning at their design limit, or are some impaired? Remember that SP used to doublehead Consolidations and Ten-wheelers, which makes overall weight capacity seem ballpark to a single 4-6-2. Without considering economic feasibility, it's an appealing fantasy to consider the branch friendly to all but articulated steam power.