My Boss' new ride, High-Rail Bronco

[Otis413]

I know this isn't directly Ranger or Bronco II related, but I thought it was cool..

My Boss' new (ish) high-rail Bronco.

The HR Bronco and my Ranger in the background.

 

[Jim Oaks]

OK....

Why does he have a Bronco to ride the rails? I usually only see service trucks do that.

What's with the steam loco's?

 

[adsm08]

I want to come work with you.

 

[adsm08]

OK....

Why does he have a Bronco to ride the rails? I usually only see service trucks do that.

WTF not?

What's with the steam loco's?

They are bad ass. That's what.

 

[Otis413]

OK....

Why does he have a Bronco to ride the rails? I usually only see service trucks do that.

Most of our high-railers are F-350s, my boss lives in a place that is only accessible by rail (used to have to ford a river, but that washed out) so that's his daily driver.

......

What's with the steam loco's?

Well, (as I'm sure you guessed) I work for a Railroad, Machinist and former /occasional fireman, sometimes welder. 6 steam engines (5 Shays and 1 Heisler) ranging from 70 to 150 tons, and restoring 3 more (2 Climax's and a Baldwin) along with a few diesels, Geep 9s and F units etc..

Cass Scenic Railroad/ Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

 

[Curious Hound]

That is awesome! Dad took us on a summer vacation to Cass once when I was a kid way back in the 70's. I need to go back. I still remember the ride up the mountain on the train.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

 

[Andy D]

Shay locomotives aren't a regular type. They were designed to haul logs and have better than average traction. Hazy on details .

 

[Curious Hound]

Shay locomotives aren't a regular type. They were designed to haul logs and have better than average traction. Hazy on details .

Shays, Climaxes and Heislers are different designs of geared locomotives. This not only allowed them more mechanical leverage for hauling heavy load up steep grades, but also enabled the designers to allow the "trucks" (wheelsets) to turn so the loco could negotiate sharp curves. These engines would be the equivalent of our off-road vehicles in the way they could be used in the mountains.

On a normal locomotive, the driving wheels are all in a straight line. So large locos with many large drive wheels could not negotiate sharp curves because the wheels in the center might hang off the track and be unsupported.

 

[Otis413]

Lima Shay locomotives have a gear reduction system and all wheel (live axle) drive. (12 wheel drive for a "3 truck" locomotive). Shays' were designed to pull their own weight up an 11% grade, meaning a 80 ton Shay will pull 80 tons up an 11% grade Most railroads think a 3% grade is steep..

 

[Curious Hound]

Awesome engineering. Here is a climax model from my dad's collection. They're fun to watch.

https://youtu.be/WQ3YgcShHgg


This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!