The Conway Daily Sun: https://www.conwaydailysun.com/news/loc ... f1355.html

• Conway Scenic Railroad 7470, 0-6-0 (Grand Trunk Railway Point St. Charles Shops ? / 1921), CN class O-18a

Conway Scenic Railroad: https://www.conwayscenic.com/

Hi
Conway Scenic can't seem to get a break, now a minor cab fire, a long with the other problems they have had with the locomotive.
The cab fire reminds me when at the old Steamtown in Vermont, when Steamtown rented CPR # 1246 from the Green Mountain RR, her cab got fire, Pat.

After all the work they put into it to get it back on the rails, this happens. I really like the Conway Scenic Railroad, I hope they can get it back running soon. I'm also really glad no one was hurt by this, especially in a big wooden roundhouse. I'll just say, it could have been a lot worse.

From what I read it appears a radio caught fire, initiating the blaze. Evidently it was not operating procedure that precipitated the fire. And yes, it could have been disastrous, but was expensive and time consuming at a time when the railroad is struggling.

Yeah, you're right. It's frustrating, especially since they're really short handed. I hope they can catch a break soon.

Looking close at the picture, is the object I've pointed arrows at a shop made brace to hold the two halves of the saddle casting together?

Yes, it is approved as well.

A crack was ground out and welded up running up and down the saddle casting and the clamps are simply reinforcements of the weld. It's been maybe 20 years ago I saw the fresh weld...... it seems to have well withstood the test of time in service since.

Im not asking this in a snarky way.....

In what way is the Railroad Struggling?

Their ridership for 2021 through October is on par with the entire years prior to Covid19.... They had hauld 109,000 people as of then.....the final report will probably see them add another 15-20,000 riders for Nov/December....2021 will probably be their best year ridership wise in 15 years or more. ...I am sure their revenue is up as well.

Are there other financial issues I haven't heard about. This fire was a setback for sure in terms of 7470s operations...they got very lucky. .

Hi

The problem that Conway Scenic is having is the shortage of Help. I do agree with you on, they have no shortage of people riding the train.

Apparently, the heat from the fire weakened the spring in the whistle valve which in turn sounded the whistle itself alerting a staff member to the fire. That's pretty frickin' wild there...

NVPete, I'll remind you the article was written by a reporter who may or may not know a whistle cord from a staybolt.

I'm hoping someone with firsthand knowledge of the loco can either correct or confirm but I'll offer a different scenario. Is there a whistle lever handle in the cab that is held in the quiet position by a light return spring? I've fired in locomotives that are set up that way. If so, it would make a lot of sense that the fire took the temper out of the return spring and thank God the whistle lever handle was heavy enough to stretch it out and let her start bellering.............mld

My understanding (but is not firsthand) is that mldeets's scenario is much more accurate than what was published in the newspaper.

ml deets:

"You are correct, sir."

Howard P.

Thanks for the confirmation of my guess.

I hope things can be repaired and the engine back on line in short order.......MLD