You've Seen Yesterday, Now See the Future

You may have seen the numerous videos and coverage of Union Pacific’s legendary steam locomotive, UP No. 844 which is currently on duty leading the Valley Eagle Heritage Tour train or perhaps you are one of the lucky ones who saw her firsthand, either track side or on display during the tour.  Maybe even you have fond childhood memories of the steam behemoths roaming the country during the days of yesteryear. If you have then you will agree that it is truly a sight to behold.  What amazing machines steam engines are.

Now On May 8, 2010, you can see the newest in railroad motive-power technology, the Generator-Set (or Genset) switcher which is Union Pacific’s latest environmentally friendly design to join its fleet.

UPY 2681 - A Railpower RP20BD (RP20GE) 2000-horsepower Genset Switcher

The Union Pacific Railroad is exhibiting these 2000-horsepower locomotives during the festivities at several locations as part of the National Train Day celebration.  According to the Union Pacific, the Genset locomotive is scheduled to be on display at least these locations:

• Dallas Union Station
• Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC)
• Los Angeles Union Station

Union Pacific pioneered the Genset concept in 2002 and performance testing of a prototype Genset locomotive began on December 5, 2005, at Union Pacific’s Proviso rail yard near Chicago, Illinois.  UP currently has more than 160 such units on its roster.

Soon these locomotives will be more prevalent and in-service throughout the country.  That’s good news for us all because painted on the side of the locomotive are the words “Ultra Low Emissions Diesel Genset Switcher.” Based on these specifications, that is no idle claim:

• The Genset switcher reduces emissions of oxides of nitrogen by 80 percent and particulate matter by 90 percent. It also uses up to 37 percent less fuel compared to older switching locomotives. This fuel savings translates into a greenhouse gas reduction of up to 37 percent. The new 2,000-horsepower locomotives are powered by three 667-horsepower ultra-low-emissions, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) off-road Tier 3-certified diesel engines.
• At low throttle settings, only one of the engines operates, with the other two shut down. When additional power demand is needed, the second and third diesel engines automatically start and quickly go online, producing the right amount of electrical power required to move rail cars. When the Genset is not in use, all diesel engines automatically shut down to conserve fuel and reduce emissions.
• The Genset switcher is able to pull more rail cars at low speeds than other yard locomotives because the electric, or “traction,” motors are independently powered and controlled, giving it superior adhesion compared to a typical locomotive with series-parallel motor connections.

Be sure to stop-by your local rail event location on National Train Day, May 8, 2010, to check out the latest in railroad technology and services.  See you there!

The Perils of Railfanning and Home Decor

Being a fan of railroads these days has many challenges, to say the least.  First there are the elements to contend with while on location at your favorite train viewing location.  And then there are the snakes and critters (mis-informed or ill-intended railroad cops and foremen) and animals to deal with.  

Trust me, the last thing we need are challenges on the home front.  Well, sometimes it can be difficult to be dedicated to the cause, so to speak.

I suspect that I am not the only one who has a difficult time of getting railroad-themed “art” or items to meet with the approval of the significant other “home decor committee.”  The experience is often not unlike the infamous wagon-wheel coffee table scene from “When Harry Met Sally.” I have several cool pieces of railroadiana that I have collected over the years, to include a seat from a caboose, a scissors-gate dispatcher’s phone, and the obligatory railroad switch lantern, all of which are proudly displayed — in the garage!  (At least for now!  When I become a super successful and world-renown railroad blogger then I am going to run away with Salma Hayek and we will have railroadiana everywhere…)(Hey, a guy can dream!)

Tim LeefeldtWell it might be a little easier now to express your wonderful sense of style and love of all things railroad thanks to a talent architect and artist, Tim Leefeldt. Tim is an architect by trade but finds great passion in creating useful home decor items with re-purposed industrial materials, including railroad items.  He has several web sites where he presents and sells his items. His rail-related site is RailroadWare.

Tim has built quite a catalog of useful items that transcend the gap between railroad garbage and useful and expressive elements of fine living.  There are many items that all good railfans should have in their homes that should meet with the approval of the spouse.  Take a look at the simple elegance of this sconce.  It should complement any den or family room nicely:

There are plenty of items that any decent train room would be lucky to have as well.  Everything from hooks and knockers to pulls and racks.  One item I like a lot is the toilet paper holder:

Apparently there is no limit to the imagination and ingenuity of the human spirit.  So go check out Tim’s work and talent at his site, RailroadWare.com and tell them ChasingSteel sent you. 

P.S. “Come on sweetheart, it was a joke. You know I love you and only you. Please unlock the door!”