Skip to main content

I think this line from AoSRM's web site pretty much describes what will happen to the 643 once it's on the property:

"AoSRM founder, Jerry Jacobson, nicknamed B&LE 643, “The King,“ as it is believed to be one of the largest non-articulated steam locomotives in the world. It had been Jerry’s life-long desire to acquire this historic iron giant to restore and display with the other 21 steam locomotives in his collection."

Notice the word "operation" is nowhere to be found.

Rusty

Rich Melvin posted:

Let's give the AoSR staff the opportunity to get it moved first before we worry about overhauls and operation.

Operating this locomotive will present some huge operating problems. This is the largest non-articulated steam locomotive in the east...maybe in the country. It is HEAVY and has very high axle loadings. It was a drag-era locomotive and her running gear is not balanced for operation at high speeds. I have often joked that this engine has likely not been run faster than 30 mph in its life.

It may not be possible to operate this locomotive due to bridge loading numbers and its overall weight. The B&LE (the 643's home road) was a heavily-built, heavy-haul railroad, built to withstand the weight of these monsters pulling heavy ore trains. Other roads where this locomotive could possibly run may not be so robustly designed.

Indeed, as Rich says, it may not be possible to operate this locomotive. Looking at the AoSR site information about the move, for the same reason the 643 can't be moved by rail, it probably will never be made operational. 

"Some may question why B&LE 643 will not be moved by rail. The answer, again, is based on the huge locomotive’s extreme weight and rigid wheelbase length, both of which exceed the maximum bridge capacity and minimum curvature existing on the Ohio Central Railroad."

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×