Yeah, that ought to work!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I guess you could call it a dual fuel engine. One being an LNG/diesel mix and the other pure diesel fuel.

So it starts with pure diesel and shifts over to the mix? What's the ratio that they run on? Some cost savings on fuel involved, but other costs might be?

I don't know how they start it. The ratio is 80% LNG, 20% diesel fuel. Cost advantage is still in the argument phase.*

All these things seem to have a payback period and then different maintenance costs seem to spring up later....some are good ideas that just failed to deliver.

it seems all about publicity and reducing some types of emissions to make EPA happy.

Well, publicity I can seep; thought the EPA was rolling back regulations,

[Tom Dempsey]

The Burlington Northern tried this fairly extensively quite some time back and determined it was a non starter.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The Burlington Northern tried this fairly extensively quite some time back and determined it was a non starter.

Based on what was it a non-starter? Just curious as to the determinants.

[Tom Dempsey]

That I don't know Martin, but, they ran a locomotive and tank car tender set back and forth in service over the Cascades for quite a while and then the program just quietly got scuttled. All things considered my completely uninformed SWAG would be there were insurmountable maintenance costs involved as my understanding is that the train set itself pulled okay. This is a long time ago (BN green and white face era) and it's just something that perked in my memory when I saw that picture.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

............insurmountable maintenance costs .....

Well, that was sort of what I thinking that while this might solve one set of problems that it might cause a whole other set of problems that actually cost more. Maybe the answers to those was developed fro FEC to move to this? Time will tell...

[webenda]

The Burlington Northern tried this fairly extensively quite some time back and determined it was a non starter.

Based on what was it a non-starter? Just curious as to the determinants.

Since there is some interest in this idea of using natural gas to power locomotives, I just did some research via google.

The only consistently stated reason for railroads starting and stopping LNG experiments is the cost of the fuel. Not even conversion of engines or infrastructure to support natural gas usage seems to be an important cost factor. (Exception, conversion and infrastructure cost are important when arguing against government plans to force LNG on railroads.)

Another consistent report (from the railroad's publicity departments) is there are no unexpected expensive problems from using natural gas in an engine designed for diesel fuel. The technology has been in use since at least 1936 (Plymouth Locomotive Company.)

When BN started down the LNG path (1991-1996), there was a big differential between the cost of natural gas (cheaper) and #2 diesel. As more electric power plants were built or converted to natural gas, the demand for natural gas went up, supply went down, and the price differential eroded to the point that BN dropped the program.

My opinion of FEC's conversion of their fleet is that they are in a perfect location to use multifuel locomotives to their economic advantage. When the next hurricane shuts down production of one source (sending prices sky high) they can just switch to the other.

Reference:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/railyard/ryagree ... 7lngqa.pdf
http://qstation.org/BN_LNG/

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Hi Rufus, Some time ago, you recommended certain shrubs for planting in our yard that would not be susceptible to the deer marauding through. What were they? (I have tried to post their photos here but received a yellow, triangular cautionary symbol instead of the green OK) What would be the names for them that would be readily recognized by any local landscaping business?

As soon as I am recovered, we will be commencing having all the destroyed and fallen shrubs and trees removed by a local arborist. Then, we will commence an almost total re-planting of all the shrubbery areas in our front. rear, and side yards.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Hi Rufus, Some time ago, you recommended certain shrubs for planting in our yard that would not be susceptible to the deer marauding through. What were they?

I may have mentioned barberry? We have several red ones around the house, but them the deer around here seem to leave the gardens alone, so I'm not sure that's a good test of conditions. They don't touch anything here other than the bloom stalks of the hosta around the front garden.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

These?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The upper picture looks right - reddish leaves and thorns that make a good hedge. Another I might have mentions was Scotch Broom?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

The upper picture looks right - reddish leaves and thorns that make a good hedge. Another I might have mentions was Scotch Broom?

When I Googled the Scotch Broom, it is described as an "invasive species," (seen here) so even though I am attracted to its being "lightly poisonous to wildlife," I don't want to plant a problem that might turn out to be a problem for my neighbors. Apparently, in the state of Washington it is anathema.
However, I thank you for your interest and the suggestion.

I will likely go with the Barberry, though. A neighbor's shrubs of Barberry never seem to get eaten, and I like those thorns that are replete throughout the shrub.
Murph the turf

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The upper picture looks right - reddish leaves and thorns that make a good hedge. Another I might have mentions was Scotch Broom?

When I Googled the Scotch Broom, it is described as an "invasive species," (seen here) so even though I am attracted to its being "lightly poisonous to wildlife," I don't want to plant a problem that might turn out to be a problem for my neighbors. Apparently, in the state of Washington it is anathema.
However, I thank you for your interest and the suggestion.

The Scotch broom in my front garden look nothing like the plants in your picture, The 2 in my front garden were reasonably available from the garden center just down the road and both are over 5' tall after just a few years. When mine bloom I'll try to remember to take a photo or 3.

I will likely go with the Barberry, though. A neighbor's shrubs of Barberry never seem to get eaten, and I like those thorns that are replete throughout the shrub.

Once established they will grow well.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Thanks, again, Rufus.

[webenda]

When firing this locomotive prior to starting a run, the fireman stands on the rails.


What does he stand on to fire the locomotive when underway?


The fireman's footplate. Yeah, that ought to work! I wonder how many firemen lose their balance every year and have to be replaced.
Watch him in action:> https://youtu.be/43QpFw1-p3s

[MurphOnMillerAve]

OK, but where's the fuel - the resource; that is, the tender? Once coupled to the engine, he'd have a place to stand plus a reservoir of coal or wood immediate to the engine from which to draw fuel to burn. From where is he drawing the fuel to burn? I quick-watched the clip and did not see a source for whatever he is burning in the firebox. What is he burning?
daMurph