Railroads in the fall.

[archieclement]

I was watching a show on modern trains today and they said one of worse seasons/conditions is in the fall. That leaves on the track, particularly wet decaying ones, leave oils making the rails very slick. Today there are maintenance sweepers, as well the engines themselves have methods to combat it.

Found it interesting, but in limited reading of ACW period railroads hadn't ever heard that described. Was wondering if others have, and how would they have countered it?

 

[Old Soldier]

It was probably just one of the 'ordinary, everyday' situations they would encounter. There is nothing about it on British raiways either. Then again, that was what the sandbox was for. The biggest problem was for locos with large driving wheels slipping and the ordinaty 4-4-0s did not have very large wheels - about 4' - AND they had the added advantage of the front bogie removing the leaves before the driving wheels got there. Wheel slip was what they dreaded, but they were not particularly fast and the most likely time for slipping was starting or accellerating quickly - epecially on a up-gradient. The engineer (driver) knew his track and would know when it could be done - and when it was best avoided!

 

[archieclement]

It was probably just one of the 'ordinary, everyday' situations they would encounter. There is nothing about it on British raiways either. Then again, that was what the sandbox was for. The biggest problem was for locos with large driving wheels slipping and the ordinaty 4-4-0s did not have very large wheels - about 4' - AND they had the added advantage of the front bogie removing the leaves before the driving wheels got there. Wheel slip was what they dreaded, but they were not particularly fast and the most likely time for slipping was starting or accellerating quickly - epecially on a up-gradient. The engineer (driver) knew his track and would know when it could be done - and when it was best avoided!

One the cool things new engines do according to show, was once first drive axle spins, it will over rev that axle to spin and clear it off. The show was actually on European rail, Swedish coal trains specifically.

 

[Old Soldier]

One the cool things new engines do according to show, was once first drive axle spins, it will over rev that axle to spin and clear it off. The show was actually on European rail, Swedish coal trains specifically.

In the days of steam, that was tantamount to the engineer (driver) being fined! Most unprofessional.

 

[Lubliner]

I was watching a show on modern trains today and they said one of worse seasons/conditions is in the fall. That leaves on the track, particularly wet decaying ones, leave oils making the rails very slick. Today there are maintenance sweepers, as well the engines themselves have methods to combat it.

Found it interesting, but in limited reading of ACW period railroads hadn't ever heard that described. Was wondering if others have, and how would they have countered it?

I still don't think this question has been answered. The number of deciduous trees here in the south that could interfere with rail transport on any grade by the autumn shedding and rains I see as dangerous. I had not thought of it, and I don't yet know if it was a difficult problem, and how it would be overcome?
Lubliner.

 

[Old Soldier]

I still don't think this question has been answered. The number of deciduous trees here in the south that could interfere with rail transport on any grade by the autumn shedding and rains I see as dangerous. I had not thought of it, and I don't yet know if it was a difficult problem, and how it would be overcome?
Lubliner.

SAND and the obstacle remover (cow-catcher). The front bogie also removed much of the cover (this was not common in Europe at the time) The locos in the USA at the time had large sanders on top of the boiler and this was piped down to the wheels. The smaller wheels would also have less rotational momentum which means less slipping. the obstacle remover took away much of any cover. In addition, the speeds of these trains was LOW - 20-30mph which meant they were in no major danger - even so, de-railing was common, but this was usually of the leading bogie with little harm to passengers or crew as the speed was so low.

'The General' built in 1855 and very involved in the Civil War. The General provided freight and passenger services between Atlanta, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, before the Civil War on the Western and Atlantic Railroad of the State of Georgia and later, the Western and Atlantic Railroad Company.

 

[archieclement]

Looking at the cow catcher in above picture, its hard to see it doing anything to wet leaves stuck to the rails.

I imagine the easiest thing to done would been adjust the consist to the conditions. I just found it interesting they were saying leaves are a problem today, but didn't think I'd ever heard a historical reference to them.

 

[Old Soldier]

Looking at the cow catcher in above picture, its hard to see it doing anything to wet leaves stuck to the rails.

I imagine the easiest thing to done would been adjust the consist to the conditions. I just found it interesting they were saying leaves are a problem today, but didn't think I'd ever heard a historical reference to them.

Wind and airflow would also play a part, especially the 'bow-wave' created by the large frontal area of that large lamp, smokestack and smokebox door. As I said, there is little said about this anywhere, so it was just one of the accepted 'environmental' and seasonal hazards. They had the means to get around it - and used them.

BTW - modern diesel/electric locos have v small driving wheels and all will have some form of sanding equipment

 

[Lubliner]

Thanks for the info @Old Soldier. That answered my question.
Lubliner.