[net.railroad] Tires on steam loco driver wheels

dhf@faron.UUCP (David H. Friedman) (01/30/86)

++++ bug screen +++

   The recent mention of steel tires on drivers reminded me of a
fan trip many years ago, I think it was May '65, on the Ma&Pa out
of York, PA using ex-Reading 1251, an 0-6-0T yard goat. The trip
started with ex-CP 1286, but there were some trestles beyond a
certain point that posed a risk for the 1286, so we switched
engines at a station called Yoe. At any rate, what happened was
that the effect of the many curves and grades on the M&P line,
and the resulting brake applications, was to heat up the tires
of the 1251 to the point that they expanded and started to slip
out of gauge. The passengers would up walking the final mile or so
along the line to Delta, where we called York and had them send the
diesel to rescue us. 
   I think the trip was sponsored by Baltimore NRHS; I must still
have all my slides somewhere. I'd be curious to hear from anyone
reading this who also happened to be on that trip.