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"More Clinchfield Progress"

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landnrailroader (211 posts)
Apr-25-02, 08:45 PM (EDT) "More Clinchfield Progress" Casting the jokes aside, this is a serious progress report, in view of the serious accidents that have occurred in the rail industry in the last few days. It is still not known for sure what caused the AutoTrain wreck, but it has been reported that the BNSF freight, in California ran a "stop sign", "red stopllight", you name it, in the media. If so, my heart is truly with the engineer of that train. Having run a few (real) trains myself, and rode many miles in engine cabs, I know how easy such mistakes are to make, and how tragic they can be.The Clinchfield line between Erwin, TN and Marion, NC was actually one of the first parts of the system built, although I started in Elkhorn City, KY, which was at the extreme end of the Northern Extension which was not completed until nearly 8 years after the south end was in operation.When the original line was built, a gentleman named Caples was hired from the N&W to act as locating and construction engineer. He convinced G.L.Carter, president, that more money spent upfront to do the job right, would result in much less operating cost down the road. That not a single bridge has been rebuilt, and not a single tunnel enlarged in the now, some 90 years since the line was completed, is remarkable.At mile 143.6 to 143.9, a compound curve was laid on a 0.6% ascending grade at a narrow point in the Toe River Gorge. AT this point, the track is only 3 or 4 meters above LOW water. Therefore it was necessary (then or a little later) to build a retaining wall along nearly the entire length of this curve so as to eliminate erosion.Today, we will examine a coal train as it approaches and passes into this curve. The engines are reskins by Clayton Notgrass, the slabs are from the MSTS "tool box" and are actually tunnel roof slabs turned on edge. Some still need further tweaking. The last scene will show the coal train stopped on the 1st Toe River bridge at Poplar, NC. The bridge spans are by Ron, and other parts are by Enocel. Again, tunnel roof slabs are being used as wing-walls. The rounded supports are also by Enocel I believe. Suffice to say, without the assistance of many others, this route could not be done correctly. Later we will see the handiwork of Rick Lamp, who produced very quickly, some deck truss spans.The first scene is what the engineer sees, approaching "Wall Curve" as it is called.The second scene is from the ground, as the engine starts into the curve.This third picture shows the train further into the curve, and in this scene, you will notice where the forms mechanics got their concrete forms a little askew (too much spirits we guess) and some tweaking is in order.This last scene shows the train stopped on the 1st Toe River bridge. It has taken about 30 minutes to slog up to this point, and from the Nolichucky crossing at Unaka Springs, to this point is only 8 miles, but it is the hardest pull on the entire run to the Crest of the Blue Ridge. For the past 2 miles, prior to this point, the grade has been as steep as 1.1% and the 4 SDs could barely keep the 100 loaded cars moving.Thanks to Rick, Ron, Enocel, Clayton, and anyone else who has contributed material for us to so freely use. As you create your routes, objects, etc. remember the men and women who are out there running the trains day and night, 365 days a year, for the railroad never sleeps, and it puts the USPS to shame most of the time. For us it is a wonderful hobby (I build HO trains too, as many of you have indicated to me that you also do), and I feel priviledged to have enjoyed 34 years "between the rails" as we say.J. H. Sullivan, P.E. (retired from CSX and proud of it)
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: More Clinchfield Progress rpicardi1 Apr-25-02 1 RE: More Clinchfield Progress yellowdog Apr-26-02 2 RE: More Clinchfield Progress landnrailroader Apr-26-02 3 RE: More Clinchfield Progress yellowdog Apr-27-02 4

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rpicardi1 (51 posts)
Apr-25-02, 09:11 PM (EDT) 1. "RE: More Clinchfield Progress" Looking Good. Those bridges look like they belong there.SRV Ron Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
yellowdog (152 posts)
Apr-26-02, 03:21 PM (EDT) 2. "RE: More Clinchfield Progress" "For the past 2 miles, prior to this point, the grade has been as steep as 1.1% and the 4 SDs could barely keep the 100 loaded cars moving."They need one (or two) of those new fangled orange machines on the rear! Actually, a pusher usually hangs on all the way down to Poplar, NC. THAT would be a cool activity. Hmm. . .I need to switch forums for a sec. . . Clayton
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landnrailroader (211 posts)
Apr-26-02, 09:10 PM (EDT) 3. "RE: More Clinchfield Progress" I haven't tried adding a helper, I am not sure if a helper would duplicate what goes on on the front end, or just act like a heavy car.J. H. Sullivan Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
yellowdog (152 posts)
Apr-27-02, 11:04 AM (EDT) 4. "RE: More Clinchfield Progress" A pusher will act as a pusher, not a heavy car.Clayton Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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