Actually, thermal sensors on outriggers could be hung on a track car following the train. It would be a very lightweight design (looking for all the world like an oversize weed sprayer) but could detect hot spots upward of 25 feet from the track centerline (or more, depending on sensor capability).

Might be a worth while project for the C&TS or any steam road in the West.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

Margaret - A drone would be cheaper, and probably more efficient. Don't know a heck of a lot about them, but they seem to be doing a lot of different things these days.


Les

I was actually thinking that drones could be used for that, but AFA*I*K they have a rather limited amount of time they can be flown before their battery dies, but that problem could be solved by having a one-car train follow every passenger train, with people in that short train flying drones on both sides of the tracks. Those drones would be equipped with both high-res videocameas and thermal sensors, and that short train would have a number of charging stations for the drones, as well as extra batteries that are fully charged at the start of each day.

The fire department in my area has one drone they use for thermal imagine -- flyit above a burning structure and it gets and sends thermal mages to the firefighters on the ground, so they can know where the hot spots are without risking the lives of the people in their crews.

So, yes, drones could certainly be very useful and effective for fire patrols on the Silverton -- and on other RRs that operate steam locomotives in areas where fires can easily start.

Some fan trips have used a baggage car with open doors (and safety rails or chains) as the hanger and charging station for a fleet of chase drones. Not all of them air in the air at once.

What about following in the Heeber Valley Railroad's footsteps and have a couple tank cars fitted with sprayers, either in train or following train, that spray down a large are of the ROW following the steam engine's passing? Seems most logical....45 miles would take a couple tank cars to really give a good dousing....but I'm sure it would be cheaper than potential law suits or shutting operations down for weeks/months at a time.

Sorry if this has been mentioned already.

History repeats itself, from 1996…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mawve_3NSj4

A Monday, June 18, 2018 Durango Herald article: D&SNG to offer bus service between Durango and Silverton

One of the problems with the water cars is that they actually promote growth of the fuels that help start the fire.

There is a press release circulating that says the D&SNG will start "three daily diesel locomotive excursions to multiple locations, starting Fri. June 22 and continuing through Tues., July 3."

The press release also says the D&SNG is planning to resume "traditional summer season steam train passenger service to Silverton on Wed., July 4".

Link: D&SNGRR Launches Diesel Locomotive Passenger Service to Multiple Locations Starting Fri., June 22

A June 21 Durango Herald article, with several informative quotes from the Harpers:
Durango train to offer limited service beginning Friday

"Voluntary Non-Use of Steam" now extended to at least July 12th:

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/20 ... ry-weather

It is not a ban. The railroad is choosing not to run its steam locomotives.

D&S holding off on steam until July 12, hoping for better weather by then.

A personal note. . .the lead photo, with a diesel, says much about the challenge of getting passengers on one of our heritage roads without steam, which is such a natural for us.

It's just not the same.

https://durangoherald.com/articles/229530#slide=0

Gotta wonder if it's having diesel that's limiting headcount or having well publicized fires to blame. Given the scenery, does what's at the head end matter much at D&S? I'd like to think so, and there's a certain element that would base a visiting decision on steam, but how much of an impact if no fire or other variable were involved seems unproven to me.

Anybody else notice that according to the headline the D&S is steam fired?

If people just want to look at the scenery, there's equally thrilling views all around Durango. I'm certain that some people care about motive power when they buy a ticket, and I'm certain that some people don't. I think that the majority of the D&S customers care about the entire package... the history, the scenery, the "old train" (that definition in itself may or may not include the locomotive), the novelty.

Durango, along with Strasburg and a few others, have built their brand around Steam. When I tell people I like trains, I'd say half of the people I meet have asked "have you ever ridden that old steam train in Durango?"