Everyone makes a comment on the extra walkways of the Union Railroad's switchers. These were installed to enable roundhouse workers to be able to sand the units faster. An extra advantage was that the rear sand capacity was raised because the sand fillers were run from the roof down through the cab to the sand box behind the cab. The employees could also go down the front of the cab to walk down the hood to the hood top sand fills which were also extended. Having the units run paired as shown, made the unit with it's side windows plated over a calf with a cab.
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The side windows were plated over when 703C became a de facto calf. The other windows were left in place to allow visibility for the engineer from the cow, in this case 702.
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What's the story behind the short turntable? It looks like it was installed specifically with diesels in mind. Was the URR strictly a switcher road in the steam era as it is in the diesel era?
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Finally, a great explanation for the walkways on the URR switchers! Makes sense and another reason I enjoy this site. Thanks for a great photo, Sid
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| Posted by on November 20, 2010 | |
Scott, the Union had a vast array of Steam engines in the steam era, mainly smaller steam locomotives due to tight clearances of the mills.
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| Posted by on November 20, 2010 | |
Great photo though Sid, I'd love to see more of the Union from you..
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