Railway General Knowledge.

[DerekC]

@Calthrop - as usual, spot on. Here's a picture of one, courtesy of W.J.K Davies "Minor Railways of France":



Your roadside right of way.

 

[Calthrop]

Thank you, sir.

Staying with the Continental narrow gauge: we are fortunate still to have in what was pre-1991, the territory of East Germany (DDR): a goodly number of narrow-gauge sections still active today -- and largely with steam -- resulting from the decision late in Communist times, to retain a certain amount of narrow gauge up and down the country; seen largely as tourist-bait, but also being at that time kept to play a genuine transport role.

Please cite / identify, four narrow-gauge lines / systems in the territory of what was East Germany: which were operational as at the genesis of that former state, but which were closed too early, or failed to "make the cut", for retention; and are now abandoned. ("Virtual bonus points" for giving the gauge: but that is not a requirement.)

 

[DerekC]

This is really difficult - may we consult Ms Pedia?

 

[Calthrop]

I have been wondering in fact, whether lack of any response since yesterday afternoon is a sign to the effect that maybe I should get out more -- with this being stuff which nobody in their right mind, knows ... I'd say, consult by all means, Wiki or any other "seat of learning"; or might it be best just to scrap this question, and throw the floor open? @DerekC -- might I be guided by your wisdom here?

 

[DerekC]

Your call. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a question which makes you do a bit of research - I have found lots of useful (and some less useful) facts that way! I won't have time to look at this one again until this evening, though. I have already learned more German geography and found material for another question.

 

[Calthrop]

@DerekC -- thanks. My feeling, though, is that with in a day and a half, the only response having been from your good self: it would seem that the subject of this question basically doesn't appeal, and / or isn't on folks' radar. (I just happen to have been a Continental-narrow-gauge nut for the past sixty-odd years !)

Not wishing to deal in one of the old East Germany's less charming aspects -- i.e. much dishing-out of gratuitous cruelty -- I'm withdrawing my question of post #11,012, and requesting "open floor" -- in which context, you'd maybe like to pose your mentioned question?

 

[martinsh]

@DerekC -- thanks. My feeling, though, is that with in a day and a half, the only response having been from your good self: it would seem that the subject of this question basically doesn't appeal, and / or isn't on folks' radar. (I just happen to have been a Continental-narrow-gauge nut for the past sixty-odd years !)

Not wishing to deal in one of the old East Germany's less charming aspects -- i.e. much dishing-out of gratuitous cruelty -- I'm withdrawing my question of post #11,012, and requesting "open floor" -- in which context, you'd maybe like to pose your mentioned question?

How about giving us the answer then ?

 

[Calthrop]

How about giving us the answer then ?

In a word -- no. Am knocking this one on the head.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Wilsdruffer Netz near Dresden was one, there was one south from Stralsund towards Tribsees, I cycled part of that, used to be a lot more ng on Ruegen, great for cycling. And there was a Kreisbahn network by Anklam. That all out of my head, without checking. Most were meter gauge or 750 mm I think.

Freital to Kipsdorf was rebuilt after floods, a brand-new narrow-gauge stretch, I must go there again, train calls at Dippoldiswalde (Dipps).

Edit: Pollo in Brandenburg used to be part of a larger network too I think. Saw a lovely photo of that line on opening day, in the rain, a kaleidoscope of gaily coloured umbrellas on the platform.

 

[Calthrop]

Wilsdruffer Netz near Dresden was one, there was one south from Stralsund towards Tribsees, I cycled part of that, used to be a lot more ng on Ruegen, great for cycling. And there was a Kreisbahn network by Anklam. That all out of my head, without checking. Most were meter gauge or 750 mm I think.

Freital to Kipsdorf was rebuilt after floods, a brand-new narrow-gauge stretch, I must go there again, train calls at Dippoldiswalde (Dipps).

Edit: Pollo in Brandenburg used to be part of a larger network too I think. Saw a lovely photo of that line on opening day, in the rain, a kaleidoscope of gaily coloured umbrellas on the platform.

Sorry @LSWR Cavalier, and participants generally, about the overall "shambles" with this one -- I saw "killing" it; @LSWR Cavalier, you answered anyway -- accurately. Wilsdruff system was 750mm gauge, like almost all n/g in Saxony; the Stralsund system, metre; all Ruegen system (as you say, Putbus -- Goehren [sp.?] all that remains there, out of formerly a good deal more, all 750mm. The Anklam system (closed about 1970) was 600mm, rare anywhere in Germany. The "Pollo" outfit is indeed a remnant of the Ost / West Prignitz 750mm gauge network.

Floor over to you, then -- I see self sidling off in some embarrassment, thoroughly with "egg on my face" !

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@Calthrop Vielen Dank
That is the problem, making questions too hard or too easy

Water troughs, to allow locomotives to fill up without stopping, were invented in 1860 by a well-known engineer, who? Engines could not take water at top speed, nor at low speed, what was the range of speeds allowed when taking water? Which popular resort in gogledd Cymru could thus be the first stop from Euston?

Unrelated bonus question: the LNER had A1 and, 4-6-2 pacifics. The Southern had a rather different engine also called A1, what was it's popular name?

 

[Gloster]

@Calthrop Vielen Dank
That is the problem, making questions too hard or too easy

Water troughs, to allow locomotives to fill up without stopping, were invented in 1860 by a well-known engineer, who? Engines could not take water at top speed, nor at low speed, what was the range of speeds allowed when taking water? Which popular resort in gogledd Cymru could thus be the first stop from Euston?

Unrelated bonus question: the LNER had A1 and, 4-6-2 pacifics. The Southern had a rather different engine also called A1, what was it's popular name?

Bonus: Terrier or Rooter.

 

[Snow1964]

@Calthrop Vielen Dank
That is the problem, making questions too hard or too easy

Water troughs, to allow locomotives to fill up without stopping, were invented in 1860 by a well-known engineer, who? Engines could not take water at top speed, nor at low speed, what was the range of speeds allowed when taking water? Which popular resort in gogledd Cymru could thus be the first stop from Euston?

Unrelated bonus question: the LNER had A1 and, 4-6-2 pacifics. The Southern had a rather different engine also called A1, what was it's popular name?

The lowest was about 15mph, below that not enough force to get water up feed pipe

I think LNWR was first company

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@Gloster Yes, Terrier is the answer I had in mind, it does have six driving wheels like a Pacific, not even sure it is that small, it weighs 27 T, more than any machine I have ever controlled.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@Snow1964
LNWR is right, but which famous person? My encyclopedia does not mention 15 mph...

Looks like a bit of fun, but wasteful, did half the water get thrown up into the air?

 

[SuspectUsual]

John Ramsbottom?

 

[DerekC]

@Snow1964
LNWR is right, but which famous person? My encyclopedia does not mention 15 mph...

Looks like a bit of fun, but wasteful, did half the water get thrown up into the air?

In a word, yes - this picture from COLOUR-RAIL is rather splendid:

 

[Gloster]

Although I am too young to have knowingly travelled behind steam, I have recollections of being told that on hot days, those in the know and the first coach, would shut the windows at certain points in the journey. Otherwise, you got a lot of water mixed with dirt from the roof making everybody look like drowned and disreputable rats. Oh, the glory of steam!

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@SteveM70
Ramsbottom is right.

Still open: speed range min/max for taking water. The train from Euston roared through Crewe and Chester without halt, where was the first stop?

The answers are from my encyclopedia which is right even if it is wrong %)
..
@Gloster very good. I am trying to save and re-use rinsing water at home now, maybe one could have tried to collect it. Perhaps troughs were a good idea in theory but impractical, like slip-coaches, which could only be slipped going down.

 

[xotGD]

Llangollen?

 

[Gloster]

Probably somewhere like Rhyl (if there is anywhere like Rhyl), but I have a vague feeling that there were troughs on the line at somewhere like Talacre. So possibly further west: Colwyn Bay?

 

[DerekC]

Llandudno Junction?

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@Gloster Rhyl is right! 337 km from Euston. There is perhaps nowhere like Rhyl, with such a miniature railway, the beach, views etc

What might be the minimum and maximum speeds for lowering the scoop? (One wonders what might happen if one tries to take water when going too slow or too fast)

 

[xotGD]

20 mph / 80 mph

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

20 mph / 80 mph

Wrong, sorry. The minimum is half the maximum...

 

[Loppylugs]

Although I am too young to have knowingly travelled behind steam, I have recollections of being told that on hot days, those in the know and the first coach, would shut the windows at certain points in the journey. Otherwise, you got a lot of water mixed with dirt from the roof making everybody look like drowned and disreputable rats. Oh, the glory of steam!

When I was a fireman at Reading in the early sixties we had troughs at Goring. After an evening of courting a nice young lady (had to say that, she became my wife !) my mate and I had charge of a midnight freight from Reading to Wolverhampton. Being in a rush to get off shed we decided to take water at Goring. I lowered the scoop and what with being knackered plus trying to peer through the dark with a below par lamp, mis-read the gauge. The tank overflowed and sent water and coal gushing onto the footplate. Driver's comment unrepeatable.

 

[DerekC]

A pure guess - 30 mph/60 mph.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

A pure guess - 30 mph/60 mph.

40/80 kmh was the range according to my encyclopedia, but the NYCR had a system allowing locos to take water at 130 kmh, 40 m3 in a minute. The LMS devised a ramp to reduce (!) damage to the track. The water in the troughs could quite easily freeze.

@Gloster got two right answers, Terrier + Rhyl, and may set the next question

@Loppylugs gets a bonus point for memories (more please?).

Taking water at the troughs seems impractical, did the sudden resistance slow the train, could it even cause derailment? What if the fireman got soaked in winter?

 

[Gloster]

In which class of BR mainline diesel (D-prefix generation) were the last locos to enter traffic in a lower number series than earlier deliveries? The TOPS class will suffice as an answer.

 

[341o2]

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