I
have uploaded a track chart of the Savanna yard engine facility and
roundhouse area. It was taken from a much larger chart of the entire yard
that shows all the tracks, water mains, fire hydrants, electric lines, etc.
So it is pretty detailed. I can't find the date on the track chart but due
to the fact that the chart only shows the sand tower and not the ash pit,
coaling facility, etc., I can only assume it is from the late 1960's. In
particular note Track 77 on the left side of the map that runs above the
sand house. It is shown as 564' feet long. Track 76 I the lead track that
runs all the way to the turntable. A second turntable lead, Track 75, splits
off of Track 76. Track 78 also splits off of Track 76 and runs by the
roundhouse, between Tracks 43 and 44.
Now here is where
things get interesting. At
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45436499@N02/7098031087https://www.flickr.com/photos/45436499@N02/7098031087 is a great aerial view of Savanna
Yard during the flood of 1965. You can clearly see the sand tower. It looks
like the coaling hoist or cinder hoist for the ash pit (sorry, ‘m not a
steam guy so sometimes the terms escape me) is still there behind the
sanding tower. And… there is also an extra track between the sand tower and
the sand house! This track is not shown on the track chart. So the question
is, what track is this and when was it removed? Did it possibly come out
when the coal or ash hoist was removed? Does anyone know when the steam
servicing equipment and possibly this extra track was removed from Savanna
Yard?
I am
finishing up my Savanna Yard roundhouse area and these are the last tracks I
need to put in. As I am modeling from 1966 to the end I am now going to put
in the steam locomotive equipment, just the sand tower. So now the question
is do I put in this second track or not?
On a related topic, does
anyone know what the three hoppers and two boxcars are doing on Track 77
behind the sand house? Some photos I have show MOW equipment there, such as
an orange outside braced boxcar. Was this for the incoming sand? Are those
possibly ballast cars? There are also two hoppers sitting down at the end of
the track by the steam servicing equipment. Perhaps coal cars? Or for
removing cinders?
Tom Mack
Cincinnati, OH
