Friday, September 6, 2024

Weekend Steam: UP Centipede Tenders

 Study the "centipede" and think about curve radius. It works OK on Union Pacific lines, but when the Big Boy visits other railroads, they can get bound up. A tight curve in a yard or a Y will have wheels climbing the rails. When the Big Boy made its first tour there were some videos of very slow and careful moves being made to avoid derailing. From Union Pacific Railroad Company Fans on Facebook. "This image of engine 4023’s tender helps illustrate why the type is known as a centipede tender. Visible on this side are the five wheels mounted to the tender and the two installed in the leading truck. The diagonal row of rivets indicates the partition between the water tank in the rear of the tender and the coal bunker in the front. Note the recessed ladder on the left and the 10 in (254 mm) sideboards atop the tender on the right.."



Many Thanks, Merle!


No comments:

Post a Comment