Very enjoyable series! I worked for the Maine Central Railroad from 1974 to 1981, when we were purchased and became "Guilford Transportation". I suffered a back injury in 1998, and was given a disability pension in 1999. I worked there for slightly over 21 years, and had never seen that being done. Thanks for enlightening me a bit more on what the shops crews used to do.
Pwalpar, you record and put up some really good stuff! This is indeed a taste of railroading not often seen by the average railfan or train enthusiasts and like them, I'm sure, I enjoyed every second of it! Thanks for sharing!
It gets better and better that's answer all my questions how can they change those Henry tires. In case something broke Asom that what you call working on the train be safe
What an excellent series Walter, informative and produced with great camera work, which kept the viewer fully informed of every part of this intricate manoeuvre. Congratulations to those boys for working so hard in such difficult conditions. A success all round Walter..very well done indeed...5* Bob
Thanks for not only the Traction Motor Series, but all your fantastic videos! The voice of experience giving commentary truly make your videos priceless. Awesome work!
This was very educational in the background working's in a rail yard, the things you get to see, but from someone like Walter, who is a retired Rail Road Carman ! And I just got finished looking at all 8 parts, to catch up with all of that info on Idler Wheels, Thank you Walter for all you do for us Rail Fans!
Walter I am really glad you are a railfanning person, Im sure many people over the years have often wondered how they change out a tractive motor and you have given them a much better understanding. You have also given me an idea for my HO layout that was missing. The inman yard and a couple of engine cranes, it will look good. ty
That has been a terrific series Walter,i have never seen them replace traction motors before never knew how they did it thanks for taking the time to produce such a great series5*.............John
Wonderful Videos! Thanks for making this entire series. Your narrative explaining the work that is going on is especially helpful because you have done the work and understand all the details. I could never have imagined this kind of work on a locomotive could or would be done outside of the shop. This seems to take RIP to a whole new level. Great video series! And yes, I have subscribed now that I have come across your videos today. I'll be watching more of the videos you have already done over the next weeks and look forward to any new ones you post. Again, great video series!
Thanks for taking your day to video this series. I appreciate your patients. You did a great job. Really interesting. Sorry to say that I got so interested in watching I may have forgotten to 'like' one or two but I sure did like them.
awesome series i really enjoyed watching the SD40-2 get new traction motors you did a great job on this series thanks for shareing and keep up the great work.
That was awesome what did they put power to the motors when the trucks drove into place thanks for checking those bearings out it was cold out there no gloves or tri pod & a slow train thanks for your comment & rating
would like to know a little more about the details of the connection point and where the "pin" or "pins" go, ie where they connect the traction motor to the locomotive chassis.
@pwalpar Thanks for clearing that up for me. I never knew that these powerful locomotives were actually powered by electric motors. I’ve heard people talking about traction motors and even saw a replacement operation on a BNSF siding once, but nobody was alowed to get close. I was under the impression that they had another function. Well this explains a lot of questions I’ve had over the years now that I know that they are not gear driven. I never could figure out how a gear box fit in..
That is a lot of work to replace the motors and more work on your part, and patience, to film the work, Thanks for doing the videos. I enjoy viewing them. Bill
I dont know the weight of a simple wheel but they are pressed on an axles and a simple set of wheels would be well over a ton so these traction motor sets weight considerably more
Your correct about it being hard to navigate, that why I include the links when I do a series. As to the power, question. The wheels are actually electric motors and are referred to as traction motors. There is a wire connecting them to the generators in the locomotive
By the tone of your comments and the sound of your voice, I'm guessing you're retired now, but I'd still like to nominate you for the No 1 cameraman's job with NatGeog and Discovery channels, you'd leave some of their fancy effects video editors in the dark. Your no-nonsense camera work, and non-patronising commentary are top shelf. Congratulations on an excellent series.
Thanks for a good video of putting an SD truck back under the LHE of a unit. Working the drop table taught me a cute trick...chock the truck with the pen still in the centercasting and then spray-paint the chocks on the track, then..lay a yardstick across just above the inside edge of the fibers, inside the centercasting, and eyeball across it and take a cotterkey and scratch in the dirt on the side of the centercasting, that mark. Then remove the yardstick. Then set the truck on the table without moving the wheel-chocks. By eyeballing the mark, sighting across it and watching the vacinity of the edge of the pin, using a pinch-bar at the wheel at the rail and by loosening the appropriate wheel chock, you can inch the truck into position, to eyeball the pin into the fibers in the centercasting. Again, thank you for your video.
we were able to weld some pretty severe slid flats 6 and 8 inches or so. On a six wheel truck center axle a few times we cut the wheel to clear the rail and chained the axle up for movement. Hulchers is part of the business nowdays, but during my time (1966-1992) I tried to avoid calling them if possible. Enjoy your videos.
I know I'm just not seeing something but what's moving the traction motor? The more I see of locomotives the more fascinating they become. Thanks for posting.
why do they not limp the loco back to the shop, will the flat spots damage the rails or shake up the loco? Wouldnt it be more cost effective, or is the loco shop too far away?
Walter: It kinda looks like a winch of some kind is pulling the trucks into place. However, I once heard that it's possible to hook up an arc welder to the traction motors to get them to move. Is that possible?
Excellent video, Walter Parks! Back in 1987 I had a chance to watch a crew of the Arizona & California RR change traction motors on a GP30. The engine was placed on a RIP track and I could watch the whole sequence from start to finish (Parker, AZ). Unfortunately, I didn't have a DSLR or a video cam then and the scans from the slides are not really good. I'll see what I can dig up and post it on G+.
Thank you for l the information. I did not know any of that. I was only thinking of how much better it would have been to be in a building of some kind designed for that type of work. I now understand why doing the repair whe nand where the crew did was so wise. Thank you for helping me to learn. Take care.
Thank you for filming operation this so those of us who do not work in the industry can learn what is involved in changing a traction motor. Were the Hulcher employees welcoming to you recording their work?
No not downsizing. The traction motors were sent ahead for repairs, and the idler wheels which were not slid flat like the ones they removed, allowed the locomotive to be towed to the shop for repair. I guess they didnt have any new traction motors
How would you control it. I'd think whatever system they use to control the speed wouldn't be to easy to temporarily rig it up, not to mention what OSHA would say if they saw a bunch of electrical splices rigged up temporarily. It never hurts to try to come up with better ways to do things.
Very enjoyable series! I worked for the Maine Central Railroad from 1974 to 1981, when we were purchased and became "Guilford Transportation". I suffered a back injury in 1998, and was given a disability pension in 1999. I worked there for slightly over 21 years, and had never seen that being done. Thanks for enlightening me a bit more on what the shops crews used to do.
A lot of respect for you guys doing heavy duty maintenance
indeed thanks DB
Not many people get a chance to see things like this. Thanks Walter. Into my favourites straight away!
Pwalpar, you record and put up some really good stuff! This is indeed a taste of railroading not often seen by the average railfan or train enthusiasts and like them, I'm sure, I enjoyed every second of it! Thanks for sharing!
It gets better and better that's answer all my questions how can they change those Henry tires. In case something broke Asom that what you call working on the train be safe
Thanks for the comment
Thanks Allan, Having people like it, makes all the time I spent making these videos feel worthwhile
What an excellent series Walter, informative and produced with great camera work, which kept the viewer fully informed of every part of this intricate manoeuvre. Congratulations to those boys for working so hard in such difficult conditions. A success all round Walter..very well done indeed...5* Bob
Thanks for not only the Traction Motor Series, but all your fantastic videos! The voice of experience giving commentary truly make your videos priceless. Awesome work!
Thank You Rodney :-)
This is the most interesting series of video's ive seen round here for a while!
Thanks for taking the time to capture them!
This was very educational in the background working's in a rail yard, the things you get to see, but from someone like Walter, who is a retired Rail Road Carman ! And I just got finished looking at all 8 parts, to catch up with all of that info on Idler Wheels, Thank you Walter for all you do for us Rail Fans!
Walter I am really glad you are a railfanning person, Im sure many people over the years have often wondered how they change out a tractive motor and you have given them a much better understanding. You have also given me an idea for my HO layout that was missing. The inman yard and a couple of engine cranes, it will look good. ty
Thanks Martyn for being part of it by the great support youve given me. Hope you enjoyed it :-)
Thanks Walter, nice series. A lot better than anything on TV. I appreciate the time you spend making these videos .
Thanks Patrick, I am glad you liked my video series. My friends liking it makes the work I put into it worthwhile :-)
This has to be one of the most interesting and enlightening video series on U-Tube. I have subscribed and hope to see more.
That has been a terrific series Walter,i have never seen them replace traction motors before never knew how they did it thanks for taking the time to produce such a great series5*.............John
Wonderful Videos! Thanks for making this entire series. Your narrative explaining the work that is going on is especially helpful because you have done the work and understand all the details. I could never have imagined this kind of work on a locomotive could or would be done outside of the shop. This seems to take RIP to a whole new level. Great video series! And yes, I have subscribed now that I have come across your videos today. I'll be watching more of the videos you have already done over the next weeks and look forward to any new ones you post. Again, great video series!
+rohnerw Thanks kindly my friend
@@pwalpar saludos desde san luis de la paz guanajuato mexico
Thanks for taking your day to video this series. I appreciate your patients. You did a great job. Really interesting. Sorry to say that I got so interested in watching I may have forgotten to 'like' one or two but I sure did like them.
What a great educational video. Thank you for spending the day in the elements so that we could all see this operation.
That was well worth the wait to finally see the wheels go under. Its been a great series Walter thanks very much for sharing it with us 5*
great 8 part series. i always wondered how they would do that out on the line. thank you for your effort.
awesome series i really enjoyed watching the SD40-2 get new traction motors you did a great job on this series thanks for shareing and keep up the great work.
That was awesome what did they put power to the motors when the trucks drove into place thanks for checking those bearings out it was cold out there no gloves or tri pod & a slow train thanks for your comment & rating
Absolutely captivating series Walter. Thank you sir.
Your videos are always worth watching, thanks for sharing !!!!
Thanks and I appreciate the compliment I do put a lot of work into them, I try to concentrate on quality rather than quantity
that was a pretty good little series of the traction motor's being change'd out...
hope to see some more of your up load's soon..
Excellent question. There was a winch from the crane ran out and thru a snatch block pulling it
I never knew. Wow, thanks!
Happy to help! Thanks for commenting
Thank you, i really enjoyed this series. Its as interesting to me if not more so than watching trains in motion.
I do thank you kind sir. I do know A bit about this type work LOL so knowing A lot about it, makes it easier to make the video
would like to know a little more about the details of the connection point and where the "pin" or "pins" go, ie where they connect the traction motor to the locomotive chassis.
Great Series walter..looking forward to the next..5 star production ..
The center plate inserts into a bowl on the truck bolster. There are retainer bolts keeping it together
I looked through all 8 parts. Very interesting series! Thank you!
If you boom up to get as closest as you can to the load, as you can get, it awesome how much a crane will lift.
Thanks
Thanks John There are a lot of kids who enjoy watching this
Not sure I understand your question. Traction motors are electric motors operated by generators attached to the diesel engines of the locomotive
@pwalpar Thanks for clearing that up for me. I never knew that these powerful locomotives were actually powered by electric motors. I’ve heard people talking about traction motors and even saw a replacement operation on a BNSF siding once, but nobody was alowed to get close. I was under the impression that they had another function. Well this explains a lot of questions I’ve had over the years now that I know that they are not gear driven. I never could figure out how a gear box fit in..
I've Always wondered how that was done. Thank you. Very
INTERESTING.
Thanks
Great Series, thanks for taking the time to video this!
I know I'm arriving late but this series was interesting. Thanks for recording and posting it.
Thanks for watching
@pwalpar
This was an excellent documentary! Thanks for taking the time sharing it. =)
That is a lot of work to replace the motors and more work on your part, and patience, to film the work,
Thanks for doing the videos.
I enjoy viewing them.
Bill
Thanks Bill :-)
I got to operate an old Steam powered Derrick to lift an old emd e5 so the carknockers could replace traction motors. great film walter.
I dont know the weight of a simple wheel but they are pressed on an axles and a simple set of wheels would be well over a ton so these traction motor sets weight considerably more
Great video. Very interesting serie Walter.
Very nicely recorded and narrated. Thanks!
Thanks :-)
Thanks Michael, Im delighted you liked it
This is really rather interesting, might I say... In all the 21 year's that I have been alive, I have never seen any Railroad of any kind do this b4!
*Q: How did they make the truck move under the locomotive?* Was looking for a cable, wire to wheel set, etc. - 0:46
They used a winch run thru a snatchblock
@@pwalpar Thanks
Thanks Gary, I will certainly keep trying my best.
Where is the 600v cable to be attached wth the traction motor ? Thanks
They were attached afterward by electricians they simply bolt on
@@pwalpar ,
Wiah to know the accommodation inside the loco. Is there any washroom there if u knw and thanks.
Who takes it for a test drive after the repairs are complete,one of the repair crew or an engineer from NS.
Your correct about it being hard to navigate, that why I include the links when I do a series. As to the power, question. The wheels are actually electric motors and are referred to as traction motors. There is a wire connecting them to the generators in the locomotive
Thank You Mark, Your kindness is appreciated
What was moving that locomotive truck? I didn't see anything pushing or pulling it.
The motors which are valued at around 75000 dollars are usually rebuilt in the motor shop.
Walter great video's, there's lots of work that goes into changing out these motor's!
That was a really nice series, Walter.
5*****!
I´ll watch the idler wheel series next.
I have worked around heavy equipment in steel mills and railroads. Still like watching
ข
Thanks for the support Hans, I do appreciate it
Thanks my friend, I appreciate you taking the time to watch the videos :-)
You cant see it but on the other side a winch is ran out and thru a snatch block
By the tone of your comments and the sound of your voice, I'm guessing you're retired now, but I'd still like to nominate you for the No 1 cameraman's job with NatGeog and Discovery channels, you'd leave some of their fancy effects video editors in the dark. Your no-nonsense camera work, and non-patronising commentary are top shelf. Congratulations on an excellent series.
Thanks for a good video of putting an SD truck back under the LHE of a unit. Working the drop table taught me a cute trick...chock the truck with the pen still in the centercasting and then spray-paint the chocks on the track, then..lay a yardstick across just above the inside edge of the fibers, inside the centercasting, and eyeball across it and take a cotterkey and scratch in the dirt on the side of the centercasting, that mark. Then remove the yardstick. Then set the truck on the table without moving the wheel-chocks. By eyeballing the mark, sighting across it and watching the vacinity of the edge of the pin, using a pinch-bar at the wheel at the rail and by loosening the appropriate wheel chock, you can inch the truck into position, to eyeball the pin into the fibers in the centercasting. Again, thank you for your video.
Sounds like a good tip I will remember it next time I do this job, OOPS forgot I am retired now lol
another great series walter!
Thanks I appreciate it my friend
Luigi2641 masood hii
once it seated properly, is it just weight of the locomotive that keeps it together? what retains it?
we were able to weld some pretty severe slid flats 6 and 8 inches or so. On a six wheel truck center axle a few times we cut the wheel to clear the rail and chained the axle up for movement. Hulchers is part of the business nowdays, but during my time (1966-1992) I tried to avoid calling them if possible. Enjoy your videos.
Thanks Earle, I am delighted you liked it. I appreciate the compliment
I know I'm just not seeing something but what's moving the traction motor? The more I see of locomotives the more fascinating they become. Thanks for posting.
i did get to miss something like this here in town couple of years ago
So they were using remote power to move the traction motors?
A winch and A snatch block
Thanks Greg, I am glad you liked it Walter
why do they not limp the loco back to the shop, will the flat spots damage the rails or shake up the loco? Wouldnt it be more cost effective, or is the loco shop too far away?
Walter: It kinda looks like a winch of some kind is pulling the trucks into place. However, I once heard that it's possible to hook up an arc welder to the traction motors to get them to move. Is that possible?
At what point did they put oil in the bearings?
kleetus92 They spent an entire day replacing the oil before moving the locomotives
pwalpar Thanks. I was going to say, dry bearings wouldn't last that long!
Video well done Sir. Very intresting. Think this crew could use you for a pusher man.
Thats ok walter.just keep them coming.True railFan.
Excellent video, Walter Parks! Back in 1987 I had a chance to watch a crew of the Arizona & California RR change traction motors on a GP30. The engine was placed on a RIP track and I could watch the whole sequence from start to finish (Parker, AZ). Unfortunately, I didn't have a DSLR or a video cam then and the scans from the slides are not really good. I'll see what I can dig up and post it on G+.
Thanks for commenting my friend. I look forward to seeing the photos
nice change out looks like it went very smooth
Kory Kimble
Thanks for watching :-)
Take the slides to a Walgreens store and ask the photo shop to transfer the photos to a CD. Very inexpensive.
@@pwalpar saludos desde san luis de la paz guanajuato mexico
Great video, my grandpa always talked about changing tires on the steam locomotives.
Craig Wood Thanks I am sure he forgot more than some of us ever knew
Great job Dave. Australia
Thank you for l the information. I did not know any of that. I was only thinking of how much better it would have been to be in a building of some kind designed for that type of work. I now understand why doing the repair whe nand where the crew did was so wise. Thank you for helping me to learn. Take care.
Interesting and informative series. Col, NZ.
Thanks I appreciate the comment
It is amazingly simple how it just sits down in the bowl and connects. Thanks
That was awesome, never seen it done b4. Thanks
Thank you for filming operation this so those of us who do not work in the industry can learn what is involved in changing a traction motor.
Were the Hulcher employees welcoming to you recording their work?
I didn't know that gravity and the weight of the engine held it all together- Great film
No not downsizing. The traction motors were sent ahead for repairs, and the idler wheels which were not slid flat like the ones they removed, allowed the locomotive to be towed to the shop for repair. I guess they didnt have any new traction motors
Nice video, very interesting to watch!
Did an electrician hook the leads there or drag it to a shop with a pit? Would be pretty tough doing it there I would think..
Left there on it own power
Thank You John for watching
No, they had a winch cable attached Thanks
Thanks Don, im glad you liked it
thanks so much for this series. i realy enjoyed it.
John Richards Thanks John
What they do with the old traction motors?
Thanks Brendan
There are some keepers that get bolted on under locomotives Thanks
How would you control it.
I'd think whatever system they use to control the speed wouldn't be to easy to temporarily rig it up, not to mention what OSHA would say if they saw a bunch of electrical splices rigged up temporarily.
It never hurts to try to come up with better ways to do things.
What was pushing the wheel truck in place?
Thanks Ingo, I do appreciate it