IRFCA Mailing List Archive


Messages 7681 - 7700

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: Re: NMR

Date: 18 Aug 1999 12:17:06 -0500


HELLO,

Royston Ellis wrote:
>
> My thanks to all who responded to my plea for a copy of Bharat's mail
on
> the NMR. I wish I could have such a good back-up when I accidentally
trash
> a day's creative writing. And, of course, I love all the mails about
rail;
> only I am envious of those who have the time to follow a hobby so
keenly.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS, BUT I CERTAINLY TAKE TIME OFF BEFORE
LUNCH AND BEFORE BEDTIME FOR THE IRFCA MAILS. (WE WORK SPLIT SHIFT). OF
COURSE, THE PRE-LUNCH BROWSE IS A HURRIED AFFAIR, BUT THE NOCTURNAL ONE
IS SLOW AND LEISURELY. (BIG BOYS PLAY AT NIGHT!? :-) )
MY DAY IS INCOMPLETE IF I DO NOT CHECK MY MAIL, AND I SOMEHOW FEEL
MISERABLE, EDGY AND UNCOMFORTABLE WHENEVER THERE IS NO IRFCA MAIL !

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS, ROYSTON, BUT MY READING HABIT IS ALMOST
DEAD! (THE 1997 EDITION OF YOUR BOOK HASN'T ARRIVED YET, BY THE WAY. ITS
NEARLY TWO AND A HALF MONTHS NOW: IT MIGHT SEEM TO CONTRADICTION TO MY
PREVIOUS SENTENCE, BUT I AM SO MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MY TEETH
INTO IT!)
>
> To Shrinivas, about the hiring of trains. This has been happening for
years
> in Sri Lanka with the Viceroy Express, hauled by steam (I guess you
know
> the locomotive details so I won't repeat)on excursions from Colombo to
> Kandy. It is understood by passengers at stations where the train
stops
> that it is a private train. Of course the guards turn away those who
> haven't noticed it is steam instead of diesel hauled. The train is
owned by
> the railways and leased to the regular operator who sets his own
charges.
>
> It seems to me the NMR excursion is great value for a group of 12, or
even
> less paying for 12. And, anyway since the train is steam-hauled (which
the
> others between Ooty & Coonoor are not) it is obviously a Special Train
so
> ordinary passengers should not feel deprived. At least they have the
thrill
> of seeing, smelling and hearing steam. It reminds me when I was lucky
> enough to stay in a railway bungalow by the line just outside Ooty and
the
> driver of the morning train to Coonoor used to toss the daily paper
into my
> garden with a cheery toot. Made my day!

WOW, ROYSTON, YOU HAVE HAD SOME OF THE MOST SUBLIME AND HEAVENLY
EXPERIENCES.( I ALSO REFER TO YOUR EARLIER POST OF WAKING UP TO THE TOOT
OF STEAM WHISTLES OFF AND ON).
YOU HAVE ATTAINED NIRVANA!!

TO RESPOND TO YOUR EARLIER MAIL, A TRIP BY BOAT AND PLANE BUT NO TRAINS?
THAT WOULD BE BLASPHEMY!
ANYWAY, HAVE A NICE TRIP. WE WILL MISS YOU.

CHEERS.

SHANKAR
>
> Royston

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI

Date: 18 Aug 1999 12:19:28 -0500


HELLO,
I REMEMBER IN I THINK 'THE WEEK' OR 'SUNDAY' MAGAZINE IN 1978-79 AN
ARTICLE TITLED 'ARE RAILWAYS SCARCE OF RESOURCES' OR SOMETHING. THERE
WAS A PANEL ABOUT RAILWAY SAFETY.
THERE WAS A SENTENCE THERE ABOUT DRIVERS' COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR
INABILITY TO SEE THE SIGNALS CLEARLY WHEN THE LONG HOOD WAS LEADING. I
STILL REMEMBER THE EXACT SENTENCE: THE COMITTEE (can"t remember which
one: apparently one studying the aspects of railway safety) HAS
RECOMMENDED SHORT HOOD LEADING FOR ALL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES.
I DON'T THINK MUCH HAS COME OUT OF IT.

BUT SEEING FROM APURVA'S AND DR. YANDE'S SITES, THE VIEW FROM THE SHORT
HOOD ISN'T ALL THAT BAD.
THE WORST MUST BE THE JUMBO, WITH POOR VISIBILITY IN EITHER DIRECTION.

I ONCE MET AN INTERESTING CHAP ON A TRAIN, WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL TESTING OF DIESELS FOR THE IR. HE CLAIMED TO BE
AN AUTHORITY ON THE SUBJECT, AND TOLD ME THAT THE DIESELS CANNOT RUN AT
THE SAME POWER AND SPEED WITH THE LONG HOOD LEADING. WHEN I ASKED HIM
HOW COME THE ENGINES RUN WITH LONG HOOD LEADING AT LEAST 50% OF THE
TIME, HE RETORTED THAT THAT WAS OK AS MOST TRAINS DO NOT RUN AT MAXIMUM
SPEED. AT 80-100 KMPH ITS OK, THE LOSS IS NOT NOTICEABLE, BUT SUPERFASTS
ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE THE SHORT HOOD LEADING TO GET THE MAXIMUM OUTPUT AND
SPEED.
I KNEW HE WAS TALKING BULL.
I READ LATER IN ANOTHER SOURCE THAT THIS WAS TRUE OF CERTAIN SMALL
DIESEL-MECH ENGINES, WHERE THE RUNNING WAS TREATED AS FWD AND REV. THE
REV IS OBVIOUSLY AT REDUCED POWER AND SPEED.
THE 'EXPERT' :-) HAD ALSO MENTIONED THAT TO MAKE UP FOR REDUCED
VISIBILITY, THE WDMs HAVE THE BEST BRAKES AMONGST ALL THE LOCOS ON THE
IR.

TRUE ENOUGH, KNOWLEDGE IS SUPREME, IGNORANCE IS BLISS, BUT HALF-BAKED
KNOWLEDGE OR MISINFORMATION IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS!!
CHEERS.
SHANKAR
CHEERS.
SHANKAR





Vijay Balasubramanian wrote:
>
> I recall the CR working TT mentioning about reduced visibility with
> the longhood facing. Trains such as the TN and GT express were
> to be operated at a max. speed of 100 kmph. (instead of 110 kmph.)
> under such conditions. Of course, this is from a 1991 TT when
Itarsi-Nagpur
>
> was still being electrified.
>
> Vijay
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Joydeep Dutta [SMTP:joydeepdutta@hotmail.email
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 12:01 AM
> > To: hvc@vsnl.email
> > Cc: irfca@cs.email
> > Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
> >
> > Hi all
> > What we all are not observing is that WDG4 is a hood type loco and
not a
> > cab
> > type. So a single cab is required. Isnt WDM2 a single cab loco. So
WDG4
> > can
> > be run with longhood facing if required. In US the mighty SD70MAC or
Dash
> > 8
> > also runs in longhood sometimes.
> > Longhood reduces visibility but can be managed. Infact Apurva's
website
> > gives a cab view from the longhood side of a WDM2
> > There was a single WDM1 17038 of Vishakapatnam that was converted to
a
> > dual
> > cab loco at KGP(Kharagpur) workshop. India's own version of a cab
unit is
> > the new WDP2 and it is a dual cab loco
> > Joydeep
> >
> >
> > >From: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
> > >Reply-To: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
> > >To: "VIRAF P.. MULLA " <sncf@godrej.email
> > >CC: "IRFCA" <irfca@cs.email
> > >Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
> > >Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 10:10:31 +0530
> > >
> > > >> I forgot to add, that this is a
> > > >> single cab power, which would necessitate turning facility at
> > > >> the end of it's travel. I wonder if this supplement exists on
> > > >> the internet edition of the TOI ?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Does it mean that good old turntables are gonna make a comeback?
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >I don't really see that happening. The WDG4s will be running to and
fro
> > the
> > >bigger termini which already have a provision of a triangle. In any
case
> > I
> > >have seen very few diesels being turned by TTs. Gonda which houses
the
> > last
> > >of WDM 1s has both a triangle and a defunct Turntable!
> > >
> > >I also see a likelihood of these locos being put on trial at the KK
line
> > >for
> > >a while. There they might have to put a TT at the Kirandul end.
VSKP has
> > >several Ts.
> > >
> > >Harsh
> > >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________
> > Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: Re: favour

Date: 18 Aug 1999 12:36:31 -0500


Hello,
From the pic, it does not appear to be unidirectional after all. You can
make out that the GT mac's cab is wider than the hood behind, which
means it can run long hood leading.
ONly, the long hood looks to be unusually long.
Now that we know that these beasts are not one-siders, and knowing the
IR, we can rest assured that they will run long hood leading at least
50% of the time.
Which again brings us back to SQUARE-1:
Are the turntables going to make a comeback?
Are there any turntables long enough to take the GT Mac?
Triangles: think not.
How will the drivers react to the long, I mean really l-o-n-g hood
leading? Will accidents increase manifold?

But with most trunk and major lines either already electrified or in the
process of being electrified, is there really scope for effective
utilization of these beasts? They look far too refined for freight
operations. They look very similar to the dmu type of train used by VIA
Canada.
Cheers.
Shankar



Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> Here it is:
> <A HREF="http://www.gmemd.com/locomotives/intl/gt46mac/index.html">http://www.gmemd.com/locomotives/intl/gt46mac/index.html</A>
>
> Anand Krishnan wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> > Can anyone help me in finding a site that has a photo of a
WDG4.
> > There was one mail afloat sometime back. I dont remember which site
it was.
> >
> > Kind regards,
> > Anand
> >
> > ______________________________________________________
> > Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

From: Tim & Anita Wakeman <>

Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI

Date: 18 Aug 1999 19:25:56 -0500


Tim & Anita Wakeman wrote:
>
> Joydeep Dutta wrote:
> >
> > Hi all
> > What we all are not observing is that WDG4 is a hood type loco and
not a cab
> > type. So a single cab is required. Isnt WDM2 a single cab loco. So
WDG4 can
> > be run with longhood facing if required. In US the mighty SD70MAC or
Dash 8
> > also runs in longhood sometimes.
> > Longhood reduces visibility but can be managed. Infact Apurva's
website
>
> Hello,
>
> Were the 46s built with standard controls or desk-top style? Or do
they
> have "dual" controls? The desk-top would make it very difficult to run
> reverse.
>
> Tim

From: HVC <>

Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI

Date: 18 Aug 1999 21:36:55 -0500



>I recall the CR working TT mentioning about reduced visibility with
>the longhood facing. Trains such as the TN and GT express were
>to be operated at a max. speed of 100 kmph. (instead of 110 kmph.)
>under such conditions. Of course, this is from a 1991 TT when
Itarsi-Nagpur
>was still being electrified.
>


I don't think Itarsi-Nagpur section even today has 100 Kmph limit(must
be
around 75-80 but I'll check up still) due to the continous ghat section.
However the problem of running locos at speed with longhood leading
still
stands. All shatabdi's north of delhi are WDM2 worked and we still have
a
100 ft. live turntable at NDLS trip shed to turn the locos to short hood
leading position.
Although I have seen shatabdi's and rajdhanis being run with long hood
leading, it is definitely not preferred at night. MUed WDM 2s always
have
the short hood leading at either end.
And by the way turning a WDG4 on TT is no big deal, even a 75 ft. TT can
take care of it.

Harsh

From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>

Subject: Ooty special...

Date: 18 Aug 1999 22:48:30 -0500


ACK 190899111830
Hi!

Shankar ,


Ok, fine you have given me info reg. the specials run for shareholders
meet etc. But by giving this special facility to few seekers the IR
earns
and do the people involved who work these trains get any benefit? Like
the
drivers,guards or other personnel involved like signal men or for them
it's just doing their bit of duty on that day.

Here in India vitamin M is what matters than to provide service etc.
So, suppose there may be case of 2-3 such organisers to run Ooty like
train. And are there any bid like thing declared by the section managers
or they give permission to the person they favour? And vice-versa.

All these aspects too are involved so, I had asked for likewise details.
I need not elaborate more. And these questions only out of curiosity.
And one naturally can't avoid but to relate few such things happening
around with cases like this. No question of accusing anyone.

Bye,

Shrinivas

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels

Date: 19 Aug 1999 01:19:57 -0500


> ANOTHER VERY BIZZARE ONE IS AGAIN IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE A
STREAMLIMED
> STEAM ENGINE (CORONATION SCOT, TO BE PRECISE), WITH THE SAME
STREAMLINED
> BOILER IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS ON THE REAR. SAME TINY WINDSHIELD ON
> EITHER SIDE. LOOKOUT IS ALONG THE HOOD ON EITHER SIDE, THE CAB IS
> SITUATED MID WAY.

I think you are talking about the much loved GG 1 or CG 1 electric
power.

Apurva

From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>

Subject: Steam Special

Date: 19 Aug 1999 01:45:47 -0500



Hello gang,

Yesterday evening I was with the Western Railway's CPRO Mr. Vinod
Asthana.
I had been there to get a photography permission for my forthcoming trip
to Wankaner/Morbi this month end.

As we sat talking Mr.Asthana showed me his plan to celebrate the
centenary
of the Western Railway Hq. building at Churchgate. He has planed a
Railway
Exhibition at Cross Maidan - Churchgate end from 3rd. to 19th. December
this year. Unfortunately from the plan I could see a very small place
allotted to the railway stall and the rest to the corporates,
refreshments
and joy rides. The exhibition will also have a mini train for the
children
with a live steam loco from CLW(?).

A better & fit way to celebrate the centenary would be to have a "STEAM
SPECIAL" chugging out of Churchgate. So I suggested that we could have
one
of the restored WP from the Charbaugh Shed-Lucknow and run a steam
special
till Valsad. The CPRO was very enthusiastic but his main worry seems to
be
what will the railway benefit from it. He wants the trip to be
sponsored.

Here are some of my suggestions:

1. That the train should depart from Churchgate & not from Virar as
suggested by the CPRO. Mr. Asthana is concerned that with a steam train
departing Churchgate & all the media attention & crowds it will
attract will throw the suburban traffic out of gear. We could comprise
with Bombay Central or Bandra Terminus.

2. That the train should have either ordinary second class or chair car
without bars on the windows as against a complete a/c train. As Sarosh
says a/c is for "The Baboos". Mr. Asthana agreed that barless windows
can
be arranged.

3. That there should be atleast a run past somewhere enroute.

4. That the enthusiasts be given turns to footplate.

5. That the return should also be steam hauled either by a different
loco
or the same loco running tender first (I doubt if Valsad still has a
TT).
To which the CPRO doesn't agree. He says that the loco on arriving at
Valsad will be sent back to it's home shed. All the passengers will be
accomodated in the regular Bombay bound trains.

Further he added that a lavish buffet can be arranged in WR's guest
house at Teethal (a seaside resort 3kms from Valsad) where the
passengers
can refresh themselves. Refreshments also will be served onboard. Also
can
be arranged is a live band on whose tune the train will depart.

Foreign tour operators MOST WELCOME.

Friends, may I have your opinion on this so that I can discuss it
further
with the CPRO.

Harsh, can FNRM & NRM be of any help regarding this?

Regards

Viraf

==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrej.email
==========================

From: Dr. K.J. Walker <>

Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels

Date: 19 Aug 1999 03:23:34 -0500


Dear All,
The VR engines you are talking about were the Biesels (=B class).
They
were later rebuilt as A class, in almost the same form. They were a
straight
double-ended GM ML2. VR also had a hood design with a full-width flat
cab at
each end: I think they were the Niesels (= N class). Pretty ugly things.
Probably the reason for only a single cab is just economy: less
controls to provide, hence less safety interlocks and all the other
hoo-ha.
Anyone who has "changed ends" on a double-ended tram or suburban
electric
knows what I mean.
Incidentally, Queensland Railways (QR) used to have some cab
diesels
with a hood! They were (I think) English Electrics, with a standard cab
front end, but immediately behind the cab the casing narrowed. Thus they
could be driven in both directions from the one cab, but the appearance
was
quite different depending which end was coming at you!
Cheers
Ken Walker

-----Original Message-----
From: S.Shankar <shankie@emirates.email
To: sank@telco.email <sank@telco.email
Cc: IR List <irfca@cs.email
Date: 18 August 1999 7:38
Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels


>Jayant S wrote:
>> The only GM Carbody-type dual cab locos I know of were the
>> VR diesels in Australia (forgot what class: Dr Walker ?).
>> Kind of like a WCM1 without the pantos.......
>

From: John Lacey <>

Subject: Re: NMR

Date: 19 Aug 1999 04:00:03 -0500


Royston Ellis wrote:
. It reminds me when I was lucky
> enough to stay in a railway bungalow by the line just outside Ooty and
the
> driver of the morning train to Coonoor used to toss the daily paper
into my
> garden with a cheery toot. Made my day!
>
Royston,
Did you know that this bungalow was the former Fernhill station
?-station for the Maharajah of Mysore's Summer palace, located in
beautiful grounds off the road which ran across the top of the tunnel.
As the loco led uphill from Ooty, you could hear the exhaust before it
was muffled in the tunnel. That was my start to the day!

John Lacey

From: John Lacey <>

Subject: INDIAN STEAM

Date: 19 Aug 1999 05:21:40 -0500


Erik,
I am a rail and steam enthusiast from Australia who fortunately visited
India when there were still many mainline steam operations. Those were
great days!
However I would still visit India just for the incredible experience of
the journeys to Darjeeling and Ooty alone. You could easily spend three
weeks with the focus on just these two lines (there is only one through
train daily).
To check my claim, see the videos Darjeeling Delights and The Ooty Rack.
World Steam has an occasional item about industrial steam, but remember
that there have been many recent changes or closures.

John Lacey

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI

Date: 19 Aug 1999 05:40:25 -0500


>
> BUT SEEING FROM APURVA'S AND DR. YANDE'S SITES, THE VIEW FROM THE
SHORT
> HOOD ISN'T ALL THAT BAD.
> THE WORST MUST BE THE JUMBO, WITH POOR VISIBILITY IN EITHER DIRECTION.

View from the short hood is excellent, while that from the
long hood is not bad at
all. The problem is that these cannot be single operator
trains, the assistant
driver must look out on the other side. Many accidents in the
Pune station area
are caused when the driver does not notice a person (or
animal) while shunting
alone.

> I ONCE MET AN INTERESTING CHAP ON A TRAIN, WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN
> INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL TESTING OF DIESELS FOR THE IR. HE CLAIMED TO BE
> AN AUTHORITY ON THE SUBJECT, AND TOLD ME THAT THE DIESELS CANNOT RUN
AT
> THE SAME POWER AND SPEED WITH THE LONG HOOD LEADING.
> I KNEW HE WAS TALKING BULL.

Let me add my voice too - bullshit. The reverser just connects
the traction motors
the other way around. Nothing else changes and the power is
exactly the same. Many
drivers prefer working long hood leading as they believe that
this would form some
sort of collision protection. I prefer footplating long hood
leading as well. The
delightful Alco 251 engine in front of you is a beast that
should be heard in full
clip. The sounds, the vibrations and black response from the
smokestack all form a
scintillating footplating experience. On a continuos curvy
track, the restricted
vision of the long hood can be a disadvantage.
I do remember that the YDM 4s in charge of the Castle Rock -
Vasco section were
always run short hood leading. In fact the locos were turned
at CLR to ensure
that.
I have heard from one senior official that double heading the
WDM 2 does not
double the power, it makes it 1.6 times. I cannot comment on
the truth in this
statement.

> I READ LATER IN ANOTHER SOURCE THAT THIS WAS TRUE OF CERTAIN SMALL
> DIESEL-MECH ENGINES, WHERE THE RUNNING WAS TREATED AS FWD AND REV. THE
> REV IS OBVIOUSLY AT REDUCED POWER AND SPEED.

This is based on the finding that the car is geared
differently for forward and
reverse operation. But a shunting loco will necessarily have
equal gearing in any
direction. Did the IR have any diesel mechanical shunters ?

>
> THE 'EXPERT' :-) HAD ALSO MENTIONED THAT TO MAKE UP FOR REDUCED
> VISIBILITY, THE WDMs HAVE THE BEST BRAKES AMONGST ALL THE LOCOS ON THE
IR

As compared to which locos ? But yes the WDM 2 has Loco,
train, dynamic and
parking brakes.

Apurva

From: C. Zeni <>

Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels

Date: 19 Aug 1999 05:49:17 -0500


Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> > ANOTHER VERY BIZZARE ONE IS AGAIN IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE A
STREAMLIMED
> > STEAM ENGINE (CORONATION SCOT, TO BE PRECISE), WITH THE SAME
STREAMLINED
> > BOILER IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS ON THE REAR. SAME TINY WINDSHIELD ON
> > EITHER SIDE. LOOKOUT IS ALONG THE HOOD ON EITHER SIDE, THE CAB IS
> > SITUATED MID WAY.
>
> I think you are talking about the much loved GG 1 or CG 1 electric
power.

Apurva, he's likely a photo of a GG-1 spewing black smoke...although
using electricity for propulsion, the GG-1s (all 139 of them) atill had
oil-fired steam generator boilers to produce steam to heat the train.
I've seen a number of photos of GG-1s belching huge sooty black clouds.
--
Craig Zeni - REPLY TO -->> clzeni at mindspring dot com
<A HREF="http://www.mindspring.com/~clzeni/index.html">http://www.mindspring.com/~clzeni/index.html</A>

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels

Date: 19 Aug 1999 05:51:59 -0500


Hello Appu,
Yes. the GG1 is correct. Thats precisely what I was referring to.
Cheers.
Shankar




Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> > ANOTHER VERY BIZZARE ONE IS AGAIN IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE A
STREAMLIMED
> > STEAM ENGINE (CORONATION SCOT, TO BE PRECISE), WITH THE SAME
STREAMLINED
> > BOILER IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS ON THE REAR. SAME TINY WINDSHIELD ON
> > EITHER SIDE. LOOKOUT IS ALONG THE HOOD ON EITHER SIDE, THE CAB IS
> > SITUATED MID WAY.
>
> I think you are talking about the much loved GG 1 or CG 1 electric
power.
>
> Apurva

From: ranand <>

Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI

Date: 19 Aug 1999 06:16:04 -0500


Apurva writes:

>This is based on the finding that the car is geared
>differently for forward and
>reverse operation. But a shunting loco will necessarily have
>equal gearing in any
>direction. Did the IR have any diesel mechanical shunters ?

I studied in St Marys school in Mazgaon in Bombay from 1970 to 1975. The
great
thing about this chool was that it had a huge playground that overlooked
the
CR mainline as well as the train maintenance yard. The rakes of the
Bombay Howrah Mail and other long distance trains would be brought there
for
cleaning and refilling of water.

Incidentally, one of Vijay's photos shows the school yard from the other
side
of the tracks.

Immediately next to the school fence were four lines where 4 lines where
goods
trains
were parked. I remember that there were 0-6-0 diesel shunter locomotives
that
used
to pull these trains back and forth. These shunters had side rods like
the WDS4
but they
look like the standard British shunter with the main drive axle on one
side
rather than between
the wheels like the WDS4. I think these locos were diesel mechanical but
I am
not sure.
Can anyone confirm even the existance of these engines?

Anand

Internet: anand@watson.email
External tel: (914) 784 7054
Notes: Rangachari Anand/Watson/IBM@IBMUS
Tie-line: 863 7054

From: Samit Roychoudhury <>

Subject: Re: TAG

Date: 19 Aug 1999 06:50:15 -0500


harsh!

thanks for your mail. although the TAG is not A4, its close enough...
and
more to the point, bad enough. the typesize is far too big (but i love
using
small type). i think i do have a valid point as i am a professional
designer
(did a course in furniture design from NIS ahmedabad and now do some
graphic
design). i wish they would ghet feedback before releasing such
publications.
i am aware this was undertaken by a professional design house, but after
seeing the results i doubt whether they deserve that name.

yes it is difficult to carry... not easy to whip out and refer too. i
like
the old stapled format, not this glued binding. i didnt really notice
that
trains were missing. if they are its sacrilege. maybe we can all put
together all this and take inputs from the others and forward it to the
concerned authorities.

i agree about the map too. all this long i've been used to totally
outdated
maps, and bad print so initially i was charmed by the new one.. but i
hate
not having details... and i especially love seeing the electrified
stretches.

what four colour sceheme for train category are you talking about? all
there
is is in the tables the rajs/shatabdis are dark blue and the superfasts
are
light blue. and then they did a silly thing by trying out shading
alternate
columns which screwed up things.

i havent seen the other TTs you mentioned.

regards

samit
1920 hrs IST 19 Aug 1999

From: Samit Roychoudhury <>

Subject: Re: FAQ - Trivia update. - Darjeeling timings

Date: 19 Aug 1999 06:52:16 -0500


dear Ken

thanks for your reply and explanations on the DHR. yes i know the
schedule
and the actual times vary but then i somehow had the idea that its
schedule
made itthe slowest. but all in all its a joy :) did they ever think of
starting railcars in the section?

regards
samit

1922 hrs IST 19 Aug 1999

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: steam pages.

Date: 19 Aug 1999 07:10:10 -0500


Hello,
I have with me two terrific 4-page articles about the last years of
steam.
One is about the twilight of steam in India, with fantastic photos of
mostly ng steamers.
The other is about the Nilgiri railway, with a terrific full page blowup
of the Coonoor shed.
I was trying to scan them and upload them for all to see.
Of course, I will save each page as an image, launch the site through
Tripod or Geocities, and hyperlink the pages. One image (read page) on
each page of the website.
The pages are really graphics rich are are well worth a look see.
I am in the process of scanning them, each image (read page) is quite
large, and takes nearly three minutes to scan. I am re-sizing them to
about a third of the scanned size (which is actually equal to th e
actual size of the page).

Would you like to see the pages?

It won't block your mailbox, as I will be sending it as an url only, but
once you click on the url, each page might take a while to download :it
is so graphics rich. The pages are really worth preserving, considering
our love for steam and the quality of the images.

I am standing by to receive your go ahead. I know several of you have
got slow connections, and I have got into trouble once or twice in the
past, which is why I am asking.

In the meantime, stay tuned for a small page (4-5 images) on Pakistani
trains, for those who asked. (esp. Harsh).

Cheers.

Shankar

From: S.Shankar <>

Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels

Date: 19 Aug 1999 07:13:07 -0500


Hello Zeni,
Yes, I was referring to the GGs alright, but I was not aware of their
smoking tendencies.
The only smoking electric I have seen so far is the YAM/1 mg ac
electric, which sometimes used let out small whiffs of white smoke from
near the bogies. WOnder why.
Anyway, thanks for a wonderful piece of info. DO you happen to have a
pic of a smoking GG by any chance?

Cheers.

Shankar


C. Zeni wrote:
>
> Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> >
> > > ANOTHER VERY BIZZARE ONE IS AGAIN IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE A
STREAMLIMED
> > > STEAM ENGINE (CORONATION SCOT, TO BE PRECISE), WITH THE SAME
STREAMLINED
> > > BOILER IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS ON THE REAR. SAME TINY WINDSHIELD
ON
> > > EITHER SIDE. LOOKOUT IS ALONG THE HOOD ON EITHER SIDE, THE CAB IS
> > > SITUATED MID WAY.
> >
> > I think you are talking about the much loved GG 1 or CG 1 electric
power.
>
> Apurva, he's likely a photo of a GG-1 spewing black smoke...although
> using electricity for propulsion, the GG-1s (all 139 of them) atill
had
> oil-fired steam generator boilers to produce steam to heat the train.
> I've seen a number of photos of GG-1s belching huge sooty black
clouds.
> --
> Craig Zeni - REPLY TO -->> clzeni at mindspring dot com
> <A HREF="http://www.mindspring.com/~clzeni/index.html">http://www.mindspring.com/~clzeni/index.html</A>

From: shubh <>

Subject: Turntable fears for WDG4

Date: 19 Aug 1999 09:45:16 -0500


There is a widespread concern about the WDG4 not being able to do long
hood leading runs. This is totally unfounded.

It is true that the long hood is longer than other locos in service, but
it has been designed to be a bidirectional loco. Sine the basic design
was of a mono cab loco, therefore the unsightly view end at the long
hood end.

Please note the sideways extension of the windows in the cab. These were
added to enable the assistant driver to have a better view of the signal
and the track.

In a departure from existing locomotive cab layouts, the driver in the
WDG4 sits on the left side (the signal side) of the cab. Hence he has a
clear view of the signal, even without the extension windows (EMD calls
them bay windows). The bay windows are meant for the assistant driver
only. It is also better than the long hood of WDM2's, since the driver
in the older locos sit on the right side of the cab. The view of the
signal in this case is actually as good as that in the short hood
leading runs.


Shubhranshu
Dy Chief Project Manager
GM Loco Project
Diesel Locomotive Works
Varanasi, INDIA.



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