Special Function

[NW Mailing List]

Sam,

The old track geometry car is indeed in the VMT.  I saw it there a couple of 
weeks ago.  Too bad I hadn't seen your message before I left home today 
because I was in the VMT this morning and could have taken a picture of the 
car.

Gordon Hamilton

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: Special Function



> Gordon,

>

> Thanks for the further info in the track geometry car.  I saw it in 

> Roanoke recently too.

>

> Your statement that the previous self-contained track geometry car is now 

> in the VMT in Roanoke puzzled me though.  I have not seen it in or near 

> the museum.  In fact I was under the impression that Louisville Scrap cut 

> it up several years ago despite the museum's oft-stated "understanding" 

> that it was going to be given the car.  Can you give further information?

>

> (I served on the museum's BOD in the early 90's and these supposed 

> "understandings" between the museum management and potential donors were a 

> continuing source of frustration as we watched several major items we were 

> assured were destined for the VMT collection either disappear--usually 

> scrapped--go to other collections, or be sold off.)

>

> Thanks,

>

> Sam Putney

>

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 9:23 PM

> Subject: Re: Special Function

>

>

>> Several people have posted correct information about NS 34 research 

>> vehicle, so here are just a few more details furnished by a member of the 

>> NS Research & Test Dept.

>>

>> This vehicle represents a fundamental difference of philosophy about 

>> measuring track geometry.  Some railroads and agencies use a relatively 

>> lightweight, self-propelled vehicle for that purpose, whereas NS, and 

>> possibly others, believe that the geometry should be measured when the 

>> track is deflected as if under a loaded car.  Hence the use of a 

>> ballasted former slug as instrument car NS 34.

>>

>> Lasers on NS 34 measure such things as rail head contour (indication of 

>> wear), rail cant and gauge.  Gyros and other sensors measure such things 

>> as alignment of each rail, elevation of each rail, etc.  The output of 

>> the sensors are sent by wire and fiber optics to NS 33 for analysis and 

>> recording.

>>

>> NS 34 furnishes the electrical power for NS 33, and its shortened fuel 

>> tank is clearly visible in the photos.  Putting the power generator on NS 

>> 34 provides a quiet environment for the R & T crew in NS 33.

>>

>> Using a former slug for the instrument car eliminates the problems 

>> experienced with the previous NS self-contained track geometry car, which 

>> is now in the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.  Because that 

>> car incorporated all of the sensors, it was heavily ballasted, and the 

>> heavy weight caused the truck frames to occasionally develop cracks that 

>> had to be repaired.

>>

>> Gordon Hamilton

>>

>> ----- Original Message ----- 

>> From: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>> To: <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 9:10 AM

>> Subject: Special Function

>>

>>

>>> Train 904 came into Bristol yesterday afternoon. I posted a shot to

>>> RailPictures.net and have received an inquiry as to what is the special 

>>> car

>>> behind the GP 38.

>>>

>>> Can someone advise the exact function of Research Car No. 34?

>>> I attach two photos.

>>>

>>> Many thanks,

>>>

>>> Mike Pierry, Jr.

>>>

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>>

>>

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