630 Excursions

[NW Mailing List]

Bernie:
 
Without doing a detailed analysis, the 630 is a relatively small  
locomotive, and while it could start and pull the 10-12 car excursion trains on  
level ground at relatively slow speeds (say 15-20 mph), it does not have the  
tractive effort and horsepower to maintain track speed of 40-45 mph (I believe 
 excursions are still limited by NS to 40 mph, someone please 
confirm/correct?  And I overheard someone say 630 has a limit of 45 itself, which sounds 
right for  a freight 2-8-0.) especially where grades are involved.  The 
diesel ensured  that a decent speed could always be maintained.  We went up Blue 
Ridge at a  steady 40 mph with 12 cars.  The 630 by itself could not have.  
Yes,  611 could, easily.  Let's pray we witness that again!
 
And, yes, "get home" in case of breakdowns is always important.  It's  
interesting to note that the "two" diesels were actually a GP-40-slug  combo.  
 
Dave Phelps
 
 
In a message dated 3/25/2013 10:11:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:

What is  the purpose of the two diesels--just in case precaution, extra 
power, or  ...?

~~Bernie  Hylton


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