Febuary 2016 THL

[Ron Marquardt]

Once again Cecil Smith has outdone himself with another great Hoosier Line magazine.  It was mailed last Thursday and I think it is one of the best we've ever offered.  Our friend Steve Dolzall has written an excellent 14 page article on the F-3 locomotives, with 19 photographs, many of which have never been seen before, and a highly researched and detailed F-3 roster.  Couple that with Tim Swan's always interesting 7 page question and answer section, and we have an outstanding magazine.  Coming soon (hopefully) to a mail box near you.  Enjoy, and a big thank you for Cecil, Steve and Tim.  / Ron 

[Stew Winstandley]

I agree, Ron, it is a great issue.  Now I'd like for a future issue to cover the RS-2s. I found RS-2s included in an article that George Lortz wrote in the February 2001 issue of THL, but another article would be good.

Stew

[Ron Marquardt]

I agree with you too Stew.  We'll give Steve a little breather, and then see if we can talk him into doing an RS-2 article.  Are you listening Steve??  / Ron

[Steve Dolzall]

I'm resting.

Steve

[Chuck Stewart]

The Society is so fortunate to have Steve as a member and contributor.  Words cannot express my gratitude for all that he has done for the Society and Monon history.
Now, I have more of my inane questions regarding the F-3's.  Loved Steve's F-3 article.  Spectacular.  Regarding Shops installing 250 gallon water tanks up front, on page 16 it states the 4" pipe was run on the left side of the roof fans.  Should that be the right side looking forward?  Why did Shops need io install such a large diameter pipe or was some of that insulation?  Finally, why didn't they just run a pipe or flexible hose on the interior?  Yeah, I know...I'm weird....
Hopefully, Steve is rested now and working on the Monon Alco story.... :-)

[Steve Dolzall]

If you are facing the front of the locomotive the pipe is on the left side of the fans (Engineer's side). I suspect the size of the pipe was determined in the design of the modification to meet operational needs of the system. Two factors probably influenced the decision to run the pipe over the locomotive roof. The first would have been overhead space limitation within the car body and the second would have been the desire to avoid any possibility of a major water leak in the locomotive engine room which could have seriously damaged mechanical or electrical  components potentially  causing an on road failure.

Steve

[Chuck Stewart]

Thanks, Steve!

[Ron Marquardt]

A little something additional to make everything crystal clear for you Chuck.  The way the engine was mounted in the locomotive, the front of the diesel engine was toward the rear of the locomotive.  The end of the engine with the generator and air compressor was considered the rear of the engine, and on the F3's it was toward the front of the locomotive.  In the drawing, #2 is the generator and #6 is the compressor.  / Ron

[Chuck Stewart]

Thanks, Ron.  Great info!

[David Longest]

When will the May issue be formed at the Depot?  That is always a grand time and [not allowed]y's for lunch isn't bad either.