Erie Lackawanna
Railfan.net 'erielack' E-Mail List Photo Archive

Tri-State_F3_Scranton_5-25-26-2011_edit_017.jpg   Original: 1389 by 1042 pixels - Current: 1389 by 1042 - 100%
                          Try your mouse wheel too!

Previous Image - Tri-State_F3_Scranton_5-25-26-2011_010.jpg Tri-State_F3_Scranton_5-30-2011_004_edit.jpg - Next Image

From: MDelvec952 mdelvec952 AT aol DOT com
Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 00:28:39 -0400
Subject: DL&W F3 Volunteer -- at the home stretch
"Tri-State_F3_Scranton_5-25-26-2011_edit_017.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1389x1042 (24bit)


Greetings, gang,

The F-Troop continues to prepare the two F3s for their first excursion on Sunday, June 5th. We've spent many days in Scranton conquering problems big and small, but all are required so that both units can earn their federal blue card for operation. The inspection for service revealed many problems we didn't anticipate, so we're working through them, fixing, replacing and taking required remedial actions. One problem was that we learned that the side bearings of the rear truck of 663 were at minimal limits. We were able to schedule time on the drop pit in the diesel shop area to drop the truck to fix the problem. Having the right tools makes all the difference -- with the truck dropped, the problem turned out not to be serious. The repairs were made and our side bearing clearance is now perfect. The Steamtown shop team once again proved to be very helpful and experienced.

While ARHS's 664 had been running in 2010, the 663 was started for the first time in DL&W paint at the very end of the day Sunday May 22. Well attended weekday work sessions on 5/25 and 5/26 were very productive on running gear, air and electrical issues, but we did not start the 663 while it was inside the shop. Sunday 5/29 the 663 was outdoors so Mike Bast had started the 663 again to run for a few hours and to add lube oil to proper levels. We were up there again today, Memorial Day Monday, when Rich Jahn started the 663 -- it was a joy to hear it humming. Rich and I put it through a series of tests as required on the blue card paperwork, such as working the throttle through all of its notches, testing the contactors, load testing, checking the roof fan relays, air systems, etc. As little problems surface, they were repaired. Load testing showed that the F3s will be able to move under their own power.

The next step is to use the F3s on the yard shuttles this week. We still have things to fix, but if we get a date for yard shuttle service we'll post it here. If any problems show up, we'll have just a day or two for repairs.

Ergo, our next work session is Friday to finish the last of the last before the Sunday excursion. We are still required to register our work sessions and volunteers in advance. If you'd like to help out Friday, please RSVP to me as soon as you can.

As for the Sunday excursion to Winton Siding, ARHS has decided that it will accept fares on the train and it is telling people not to mail checks at this late date. While it will accept cash on board, reservations are still required through ARHS. The trip is $48 per person plus the Steamtown admission. It will depart Scranton at 8:00 a.m. and will return about 11:00 a.m. or so to be positioned on a roundhouse radial track. Here is a link to the ARHS convention information: http://www.anthraciterailroads.org/convention.php. Tri-Staters can ride the excursion with Park admission but without the full convention registration.

Keep your fingers crossed, everyone, that Sunday we'll see a pair of Lackawanna freight F3s pulling a train.

Meanwhile, more photos from this week's work sessions and today.

....Mike Del Vecchio


Below: This image shows the first of the restored F3s to get to the original EMD-designed section of the Scranton diesel shop. This is where the F3s would have been positioned for repairs in 1948, and the area doesn't look much different today.





With the rear truck of 663 lowered on the Steamtown drop table, we were able to inspect the bowl to inspect, replace and repair what was needed to get the side bearing clearance where it should be.






In a scene reminiscent of the Scranton diesel shop in the 1950s the two F3s sit on Track 5 in the late afternoon sun. The lightest whisps of exhaust above the trailing unit show that the 663 is indeed running, and running cleanly and well. It sounded very healthy in all of the throttle notches, its horn and bell functioning as intended. With luck the oldest operating pair of F-units in the world will be pulling the yard shuttles this week.




It's sad to see an F-unit in such bad shape. Tri-State obtained permission from the scrap dealer who bought these two locomotives from RMDI in Pittston to remove any small parts we may need. After working all day at Steamtown, we joined Mike Bast after his day job to remove any parts we may need. Things like cut levers, carbody filter boxes, number board holders, certain grab irons were removed. This F7 is a former Milwaukee Road unit that in its most recent career had been in Western Mayrland paint. The CF7 in the foreground began life is an F-unit and as such had some parts common to F3s that we were able to salvage for the future.
--65f5d6f4-0cb3-4e1c-be51-6c547c9c14fd

Tri-State_F3_Scranton_5-25-26-2011_edit_017.jpg

Image EXIF Data:
Image Capture Date   2008:02:16 15:50:50
Image Digitized Date   2008:02:16 15:50:50
Make   EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Model   KODAK EASYSHARE C160 DIGITAL CAMERA
Exposure Time   1/200 Sec.
Shutter Speed Value   1/199.466 Sec.
Aperture   f3.6
Aperture Value   f3.5
Focal Length   8.8mm
35mm Focal Length   50mm
ISO Speed Rating   10 (80)
Metering Mode   Multi-Segment/Pattern
Exposure Bias   0 EV
Exposure Program   Program Normal
White Balance   Auto White Balance
Light Source/White Balance   Automatic
Flash   Flash Not Fired; Compulsory Flash Suppression;
Exif Image Height   2604 pixels
Exposure Mode   Auto Exposure
EXIF Version   0221
FlashPix Version   0100
Sensing Method   Single Chip Color Area Sensor
YCbCr Positioning   Datum Point
Max Aperture Value   f3.5
ColorSpace   sRGB
Component Configuration   YCbCr
Exposure Index   80
Digital Zoom Ratio   None
Exif Image Width   3472 pixels
Scene Capture Type   Standard
Gain Control   Low Gain Up
Contrast   Normal
Saturation   Normal
Sharpness   Normal
Subject Distance Range   Unknown


Click Here or on the corner X to close this window.


    All photos are the property of the original photographer unless otherwise noted and are to be used for personal viewing purposes only.

    The use of these photos on any website or other distribution media is strictly forbidden without the express consent of the image copyright holder.

    Linking directly to this page is permitted as long as "Railfan.net Erie Lackawanna Email List Photo Archive" is creditted on the linking page.