Appalachian Wanderings

A very different afternoon for our members today as it was primarily a presentation by video. Tony Field from Cambridge Branch took us on a tour of some of north American routes with presentation entitled “Appalachian Wanderings” featuring mainly the very long multi-powered freight trains carrying coal, oil and logs. Not only were these trains triple headed because of the terrain they worked, they also had two or three locos on the rear pushing. On average the locos were approximately 3500 Kw, almost similar to our Class 59’s. We visited some places with wonderful sounding names plus some that had names very English.

A particular interesting section was on Sandpatch Summit where one train had failed with a broken brake hose, and the following services were backed up or using the loop to proceed. There were many interesting crossings and features along the routes Tony visited, one thing that was obvious was the level of safety along the railway and at crossings, as this was negligible, with the lack of fencing and barriers, relying on the noise and horns of the locomotives as a warning and flashing lights at the point where roads were crossed, plus a huge degree of common sense, so unlike here.

A very different good afternoon’s entertainment, very colourful and scenically spectacular.

Dave Elsdon

Branch Secretary