Iron Horse Park

Iron Horse Park Photo Library.
A visit to Ernie Beskowiney's shop, November 2014.
http://www.newwestlivesteam.com/

22 Images

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Ray Verdone with CN 6060 (Mountain type U1f exact replica) Locomotive. The scale is 1.593 inches to the foot from original CNR plans. Note Ray in his socks. Ernie's is a very clean shop.
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Detailed work on the valve gear and oil pump.
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6060 is the first of three identical Mountain Type locos Ernie is building.
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This engine and tender was designed from the original 1944 drawings, about 90 of them. Several had to be resurrected because the years had taken its toll on them. One drawing in particular took well over 500 hours to recreate.
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This is one of two tenders for this loco. This first tender will carry the water supply and electrical (for lights), and the driver (note the seat).
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This second tender holds two propane tanks.
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Controls in the cab.
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And various other controls and gauges in the tender.
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The two locos on the right are the other two Mountain types at different stages of construction. The one on the left is a CPR Mikado.
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Close up of the second CNR Mountain with the CPR Mikado in the background.
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Close up of the CPR Mikado.
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The boiler is installed on the next CNR Mountain.
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Lots of bits and pieces go into making one of these.
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Construction days averaged anywhere from 12 to 16 hours 7 days a week with well over 35000 hours accumulated over a period of 7 years.
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The crest on the cab is the Alberta coat of arms that was put on when 6060 was presented to the people of Alberta. It was scaled down and cast by the same foundry that made the full size original.
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...so was the Alberta Wild Rose at the front end. In perfect detail.
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A long view of the shop with the CNC machine on the right....
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This CNC machine is used to build ALL of the parts from steel bar. All component parts are machined on 4 axis CNC or by John Braithwaite on manual lathe. CNC lathe was also used on some parts. There are no castings anywhere on this engine or tender.
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Detail from the third CNR Mountain (smoke box saddle).
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...The leaf springs with the Alco lateral centering mechanism on the front axle.
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...water pump.
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...and here is Shirley Verdone standing by the truck that carries the locomotives.