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Reply to "How did Pennsy Move Steam Engines To Long Island RR?"

S. Islander posted:

I've read the past messages about this question.  Car floating would be the first choice.  Locomotives, even larger ones, could be moved by car float.

The rule of no operating locomotives on the transfer bridge or car float concerns movements of cars on or off a float. As that is done, the grade keeps changing on the transfer bridge as loads move from land to the car float on water and vice -versa. A locomotive works best and safest when its on level track.  The changing grade of the transfer bridge as loads are moved on or off creates the hazard of slipping and sliding drivers, with a loss of braking control.  

Car floats are strongly built. They are basically bridges under each track that are encased in a hull with a deck on top. Not only did they need to hold weight but endure moving weight as the loads came on and off. The floats also had to resist twisting when docked, as laden weigh changed from side to side during loading / unloading moves. The float had to be level side to side and on even keel fore and aft when ready to depart. It was tied to the transfer bridge with large, heavy, steel locking bars. If the float was not level when loaded, they could not be easily disengaged. An uneven float was very difficult to land and secure at the destination terminal.

Knowing the weight of cars being loaded enabled the crews to keep it level when loaded.  Cars were frequently weighed before loading onto a car float.  The exchange of steam locos between the PRR and LIRR was likely done at night by car float, when harbor traffic was minimal. Their fires would be dropped before loading and the loco and its tender weighed.  A switcher would put it aboard the car float like any other load, using or idler cars. Locomotives moved onto car floats for the most part,  were handled like any other load and not put aboard under their own power. Their weight would be balanced with additional loaded cars. 

 

 

Thanks SI man, I'll go with the car float now, although it was fun thinking about how I'd do the Penn Station move.  I'm glad to see some technical info about car float structures and other reasons to need a very robust structure.

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