Just a personal curiousity, has anyone in recent times been able to restore and/or keep a steam generator operating?

Of course with the understanding that one contains seemingly an endless collection of parts and that overall HEP is a big improvement. Just curious if anyone out there still does use or has recently used a steam boiler for historic perspective.

Metro-North had one or two MOW units (GP9s I think) with steam generators for thawing ice buildup in third-rail territory until at least the mid-90s. IIRC the Geeps are still on the roster but I have no idea if they retain the steam generators or not.

Yes, that was one GP9, MNCR 750 (ex-NYC 5935) that had an operational Vapor-Clarkson 4625 in the short hood (and "torpedo tubes" on top of the long hood). MNCR used it for third-rail ice melting up to about 1999. 750's steam gen was retired from operation by 2000, and 750 was overhauled by MNCR about 3-4 years ago; it lost the carcass of the steam gen, and the roof-top air tanks were removed as well.

Howard P.
Servo Valve, CT

http://www.midcontinent.org/collectn/stlpas/gn90.html

The power car at Mid Continent Railway Museum provides steam heat for the entire train, unless a car has its own heating system like C&NW 440. The boiler that is currently in the power car is actually an old municipal boiler from Pewaukee. It is not automatic, therefore must be manned while the cars are heated. The steam heat is normally more than adequate and the cars are toasty even in the coldest weather.

The Monticello Railway Museum makes use of ex-CN 15421 on our Winter trips. One steam generator was removed to provide room for a HEP generator, but the other one does its duty for the steam heated train.

Bruce Backus
Monticello Railway Museum

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has a similar car from the Southern, albeit not in use and stored off site. It is not likely to become part of the permanent collection and unfortunately rides on plain bearings. Given the limited demand for such equipment and the difficulties in moving it, the car is likely scrap fodder.

This thread raises and interesting question - how many tourist railroads/museums still use steam heat?

Alan Maples

Aberdeen and Rockfish GP-7 205 is still equipped with it's original steam generator. There is speculation it may never have been used but nobody knows for certain.

To partially answer Alan's question, I am sure he knows WK&S still uses steam heat for their train but their generator also pulls the train. A true old fashion steam generator locomotive still in service. I doubt it is the only one but I do not know who else may be using the locomotive for heat or air conditioning.

John Bohon

The Whitewater Valley Railroad uses steam heat for winter excursions. We just had our Vapor unit rebuilt last year, it is installed in a steam heat car. In fact when we evaluate potential cars for acquisition, one issue is whether or not the steam lines are still in place.

David Farlow

The NH&I uses trainline steam from the loco. to heat the train.

The O/C has 2 ex-CN steam generator cars in its fleet and I believe they are both operable?? We rehabed one of them for the Pacific Wilderness operation in 2000 but never used it in regular service.

Ross Rowland

The Friends of SP 4449 use a former GN heater Car of the same series as the Mid Continent car as a "pre-heater" when firing up the 4449. For the ORHF "Holiday Express" we use the 4-8-4 to heat the cars.

Yes, Portland has a 4-8-4 powered, steam heated, 32 volt Santa Train.

The Friends of SP 4449 recieved a large donation of steam heat equipment from a tourist line. If anyone is looking for parts or entire Vapor boilers drop us a line...

Smokebox

Steamtown uses steam heat on their trains.

Are there any steam a/c cars out there still in service?

Chris.