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Does this explain why there was a slow order for trains through here?
Hey Marcus and Kevin, I was on 570 yesterday and just about to leave Mac yard behind 399. The RTC told 399 he was to be held at Norval until the fires were estinguished. The fires spread across the Halton Sub from Milbase to Tansley and affected many trains. I sat at Peel waiting for 399 to move and 383 was behind me at Halwest. When we got the ok to start moving we had to protect against a foreman trying to put the fires out. 399 had to reduce to 15mph, 551 followed 399 westward and the powers that be had 383 run past me at Stewarttown. I dropped to #4 for westbounds. By the time we got to Milbase there were no speed restrictions, but we did see a few smouldering spots and reported them to the foreman. FYI, we passed 551 switching Tamarack Lumber and teased the female engineer about being a firestarter and she swears that her train did not start the fires. I know the chief RTC did contact the crew and ask about any sparks coming from 4777 and apparently they said nothing was noticed from either unit. A mystery to be solved.
My guess would be 551 power did not start the fire but one of its cars did as there were no fires until 551 passed. Caused a lot of excitement in Milton none the less
Its possible a wheel started the fire, but unlikely as 551 would have been going uphill so no need for brakes being on. A sticking brake might have been the cause but no hot reading was noticed by the hot box detector at Mi 36. I still think a spark from the units did this. I remember having 4-5 SW1200RS with spark arrestors on them and man did they put on fireworks at full throttle. Sparks everywhere
Possibly a bad bearing or sticking brake, not sure if that would do it, what ever it was it was shooting sparks for quite a while, luckily it didn’t do the same thing on the return trip.
Oh you saw the sparks. ? Funny the hot box detector did not pick it up. Most likely the car with the problem was spotted at an industry in Milton
Happened again today. Heard the RTC talking to crew of 551 at Milton again about the 4777/7080.. and to check ‘under the engine’.. whatever that means.
Third day in a row !
@Stephen..lol..well really not sure what the crew can do about sparks coming out of a unit other than shutting it down and thats not really an option. Even with spark arrestors the problem can still happen. I know when the summers are hot we are told to minimize the use of air braking as not to cause sparking from the brakeshoes. Hmm may be a long hot summer. Thanks for the update.