Here's a couple more bits of correspondence from the C.A. Moody files for 1953,
these having to do with steam operations. At Moody's request, Lines West
division master mechanics were asked to provide lists of the auxiliary water
tanks on their division, and whether they had any spare tanks that could be
used in company diesel fuel service. Two types of such tanks were generally
used on the Q to extend the operating range of steam locomotives: old
locomotive tenders now used as MS (maintenance service) tanks, and former tank
cars modified for this service. The former were used primarily on Lines East,
the latter on Lines West. Both groups were painted black and carried 205000
series numbers. Alliance Division master mechanic C.J. Harty responded to
Moody on March 9, 1953:
Referring to Mr. Moody's letter of February 26, file 411.72, and Mr.
Shrader's letter of same date, file W 1 740, regarding auxiliary tank cars used
with locomotives.
Following is list of cylindrical type, auxiliary tank cars assigned and
operating on the Alliance Division at the present time:
205276
205277
205281
205287
205299
205324
205368
These auxiliary tanks operate in a pool between Alliance and Gillette,
together with Sheridan Division auxiliary tanks. It takes an auxiliary tank
for each M engine we use west of Alliance, and considering the fact that our
auxiliary tanks are pooled with the Sheridan Division and I understand they
only have five, we do not have any surplus.
With input from the Sheridan/Casper Division master mechanics, the following
list was compiled as submitted the H.H. Urbach during March 1953:
AUXILIARY TANK CARS,
CYLINDRICAL TYPE,
USED WITH LOCOMOTIVES
SHERIDAN DIVISION
Q 205284 These four cylindrical type auxiliary tank cars are now
in actual service, working in pool etween Gillette, Wyo.,
205291 and Alliance, Neb.
205838
205839
Q 205322 On Repair Track, Sheridan - expect to have repaired and
back in service this week.
CASPER DIVISION
Q 205282 Stored at Casper
ALLIANCE DIVISION
Q 205276 These auxiliary tanks operate in a pool between Alliance
and Gillette, together with Sheridan Division auxiliary
205277 tanks. It takes an auxiliary tank for each M engine we
use west of Alliance, and considering the fact that our
205281 auxiliary tanks are pooled with the Sheridan Division,
do not have any surplus.
205287
205299
205324
205368
The 205284 was transferred to the Alliance Division within a year or so and
became the last of these tanks in use, assigned to K-4 919 between Sterling,
Colo., and Cheyenne, Wyo., well into 1956. I photographed the car in Denver
well after the BN merger, still lettered "ALLIANCE DIVISION AUXILIARY WATER
CAR."
The final batch of letters I'll present relate to steam locomotive inspections
by federal inspectors. During July 1953 federal inspectors inspected a total
of 188 Q steam locomotives with no defects. The inspections were made at 22
locations, from Chicago to Denver and Casper. A substantially lesser number
were found to have defects that had to be corrected before the locomotives
could again be used. H.H. Urbach sent the inspection reports out to Melker on
Lines East and Moody on Lines West, and the result of one day's inspection at
the Gibson roundhouse in Omaha drew Moody's considerable ire, resulting in this
letter:
Moody to Bloom, Denver, 8/20/1953:
Federal Inspection of Locomotives
411.002 Q
Just received Report of U.S. Inspector of Locomotives covering inspection
of engines at Gibson Enginehouse on July 10, 1953. Engines 579 and 507 had
defects listed as follows:
Engine 579
Ready for service.
Top gauge cock is leaking by seat.
Turret valve bonnet inside cab is leaking around threads where attached to
turret.
Steam pipe to steam gauge is leaking at boiler connection.
Feed-water measuring tape is disconnected at second section from top of
tape.
Left front sand pipe is not in line with rail and does not discharge sand
on rail.
Engine 507
Ready for service.
Right injector is inoperative.
I see absolutely no lucrative reason for this report as someone in
authority should look at these engines before they are inspected and offered
for service. Every one of the above listed items should have been found and
corrected. I will not stand for this kind of inspection.
Handle for correction.
This was an interesting variety of correspondence from one morning's sorting in
the museum library. There is a great deal more to go, so hopefully I'll find
more to share as I wade through it in the weeks and months ahead.
Hol
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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