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5/22/2024
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Viewing Album:  Early CSX in late 1980s --Montgomery AL wrecker at work in Auburn, AL
 
By:Hank Stephens
Dates:10/18/2009 - 11/1/2009
Album Info:Nowadays you just call Hulcher or R J Corman. Back in my college days, the railroad still had to call out the big hook to change out a siezed traction motor. A southbound CSX manifest R615 had a worn old ex-L&N U30C #7211 that caused its share of grief for the A&WP/WofA on a weekday in 1987. It left out of Hamlet third out and a traction motor siezed,eventually wearing flat spots in the wheel connected to it. It got by inspectors in Atlanta, and by the time it reached Opelika, the motor has started turning again and the flat spot literally shook the traction motor off its hangers in the truck. The unit then drug the traction motor for some twenty miles through several switches and the NS diamond crosssing at Opelika. The NS switcher could not get the interlocking to free up after 615 passed, and after inspection realized the dragging motor was destroying everything inside the rails. This added up to every switch and the diamond from Cusseta to just north of Auburn on CSX. NS got the CSX dispatcher, who stopped the train, just before the motor detached completely, likely causing a serious derailment in downtown Auburn. An inspection revealed the motor had wiped out every switch behind the train and broke the electrical contacts at the NS-CSX diamond in Opelika. 615 then uncoupled from its train, now sprawled out from Auburn to Opelika and set the unit out at McGehee Spur near College Street and Auburn-Opelika Road. Two days later CSX called out the Montgomery wrecker to rescue the unit. These pictures are from an old point and shoot camera, taken by a now deceased friend and college roomate. This one is for you Wes, you are still sorely missed!
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SBD 7211 is the troublemaker, now headed back to Montgomery with an newly changed traction motor--Picture 2
Title:  SBD 7211 is the troublemaker, now headed back to Montgomery with an newly changed traction motor--Picture 2
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:09:38 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SBD 7211(U30C)
Views:  340   Comments: 0
Third panel track car and caboose--remember, it was 1987 and they were required by law and union agreement--picture 11
Title:  Third panel track car and caboose--remember, it was 1987 and they were required by law and union agreement--picture 11
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:12:08 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  232   Comments: 0
Outfit car--Picture 3
Title:  Outfit car--Picture 3
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:10:01 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  191   Comments: 0
Coach for transporting wrecker crew and other workers called out for a derailment--Picture 4
Title:  Coach for transporting wrecker crew and other workers called out for a derailment--Picture 4
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:20:09 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  189   Comments: 2
Tool and Stores car--Picture 5
Title:  Tool and Stores car--Picture 5
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:23:47 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  148   Comments: 0
Wheel and rigging car--picture 6
Title:  Wheel and rigging car--picture 6
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:10:48 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  145   Comments: 0
Back half of wheel and rigging car--picture 7
Title:  Back half of wheel and rigging car--picture 7
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:11:06 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  191   Comments: 0
The Montgomery Wrecker-- 200 Ton diesel electric wrecking crane--picture 8
Title:  The Montgomery Wrecker-- 200 Ton diesel electric wrecking crane--picture 8
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:11:24 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  533   Comments: 0
Back half of wheel car and first of three panel track cars--picture 9
Title:  Back half of wheel car and first of three panel track cars--picture 9
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:11:36 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  166   Comments: 0
First and second panel track car--picture 10
Title:  First and second panel track car--picture 10
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:11:55 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  127   Comments: 0
A Chessie GP40-2 #4270 was tapped as wrecker train power--picture 1
Title:  A Chessie GP40-2 #4270 was tapped as wrecker train power--picture 1
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:09:18 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CO 4270(GP40-2)
Views:  325   Comments: 0
SBD 7211 watches as worker sets up idler wheel to replace bad traction assembly
Title:  SBD 7211 watches as worker sets up idler wheel to replace bad traction assembly
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:02:43 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SBD 7211(U30C)
Views:  360   Comments: 1
SBD 7211 waits for a rescue from the wrecker as the road foreman of locomotives from Montgomery surveys the job from his pickup. In the background is the old McGehee sawmill. All this is now a memory
Title:  SBD 7211 waits for a rescue from the wrecker as the road foreman of locomotives from Montgomery surveys the job from his pickup. In the background is the old McGehee sawmill. All this is now a memory
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:01:45 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SBD 7211(U30C)
Views:  441   Comments: 0
Diner in the Diner--well sort of! This old lounge diner acts as a rolling kitchen, scene management offices and support for the crew of the wreck train.
Title:  Diner in the Diner--well sort of! This old lounge diner acts as a rolling kitchen, scene management offices and support for the crew of the wreck train.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:03:00 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  145   Comments: 0
Ya gotta run the trains first. The wrecker has moved to Opelika siding to let this day's R615 roll by with a RF&P caboose. The wrecker used the main to pick up the locomotive which sat in the old McGehee spur.
Title:  Ya gotta run the trains first. The wrecker has moved to Opelika siding to let this day's R615 roll by with a RF&P caboose. The wrecker used the main to pick up the locomotive which sat in the old McGehee spur.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:03:46 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  208   Comments: 0
Let's DO THIS thing! Worker watches as the hook prepares to life the front of the locomotive
Title:  Let's DO THIS thing! Worker watches as the hook prepares to life the front of the locomotive
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:04:02 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  188   Comments: 1
SAL pulpwood cars now converted to panel track cars. These are used to quickly relay track to get trains moving after a derailment.
Title:  SAL pulpwood cars now converted to panel track cars. These are used to quickly relay track to get trains moving after a derailment.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:04:48 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  150   Comments: 1
Looking down the barrel of the Montgomery wrecker
Title:  Looking down the barrel of the Montgomery wrecker
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:05:09 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  182   Comments: 1
SBD 771203--THE Mongomery Wrecker
Title:  SBD 771203--THE Mongomery Wrecker
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:06:13 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  380   Comments: 1
Out with the bad, in with the good--pulling out the damaged motor and wheel assembly with the idler wheel ready to replacde it in the foreground
Title:  Out with the bad, in with the good--pulling out the damaged motor and wheel assembly with the idler wheel ready to replacde it in the foreground
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:06:42 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  209   Comments: 1
plate steel rigging house on the wheel and rigging flat.
Title:  plate steel rigging house on the wheel and rigging flat.
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:07:13 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  129   Comments: 1
Setting up the rear outriggers
Title:  Setting up the rear outriggers
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:07:31 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  160   Comments: 1
Placing cribbing as the crew sets up the big hook for the day's lift
Title:  Placing cribbing as the crew sets up the big hook for the day's lift
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:07:45 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  187   Comments: 2
SBD 7211 gets a lift--middle traction motor is now out
Title:  SBD 7211 gets a lift--middle traction motor is now out
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:12:45 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SBD 7211(U30C)
Views:  347   Comments: 2
Mongomery, Orton, 200 Ton--The name says it all!
Title:  Mongomery, Orton, 200 Ton--The name says it all!
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 2:08:12 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  196   Comments: 1
A double shot of the crane with 7211 raised off the ground
Title:  A double shot of the crane with 7211 raised off the ground
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/1/2009  Upload Date: 10/18/2009 1:12:31 AM
Location:  Auburn, AL
Author:  Hank Stephens
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  176   Comments: 1

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