Pretty sure this been has been covered before but, when were the orange bubble gum lights and spark arrestors applied to the older diesels? Geeps, covered wagons, yard switch engines. Thanks, Tom G.
The best way to find out is to look at photos. For the spark arestors, the question is not just when was one applied, but what type was on the unit at a specific time. I've seen at least 4 different stacks ( other than the original ) on GP7s, and several units used more than one type. The rotary beacons were definitely a later addition, I don't think I've seen one on a picture before the mid to late 1960s. Paul
As for spark arrestors on the GP7 fleet: * The vertical "box" began to be used in the mid-late 50s. * The flared-type arrestors begin to replace the vertical "box" arrestors in about 1964. * The horizontal box spark arrestor was a modification to the stock flared-type that was developed by the Ft. Smith Roundhouse. It increased flow and helped HP. This modification was applied to some of the GP7's assigned to the Ft. Smith Roundhouse. * Among the above there were the round "Hapco" type barrel spark arrestors used on some engines and who knows what else was tried over the years. As for the spark arrestors on the F units: * None until about 1964, then the F-unit specific flared-type begin to show up. As for the gumballs: * My photo searching yields the same results as Paul's: Possibly the mid 60s at the earliest. I note that they began to appear on the F's about the time the renumbering began in 1968. In recap: * No set date for any specific modification to any specific engine: Photos of your favorite engine during your target era will be your best friend.
The GP-7 and GP15 engines were not initially equipped with EMD spark arrestors. The Frisco Head Office in Springfield designed a home-made spark arrestor. It turned out to be a dud as it lacked sufficient volume. This led to overheating of the Roots blowers, an expensive and difficult job. John Furlow, mechanic at the roundhouse recalled that Fort Smith was involved with the removal of some of the Frisco home built spark arrestors.
"The GP-7 and GP15 engines were not initially equipped with EMD spark arrestors." I didn't say they were. A quick perusal of builders photos or early in-service photos makes that obvious. The question was asked about "when", I answered as best as my resources/recollections allow. Hopefully it was helpful, if not, oh well... I tried!
The GP15 should not be included in this discussion as they did not have the spark arrestors like the GP7s and the F units. Terry
The Spark Arresters may have had something to do with where the railroad planned to run the power. Joe might know, but railroads used to cut fire guard, to protect from claims from right of way fires. The amount paid in claims really got out of control, in the mid 70's and well into the 80's. Claims on fires, at least played some part in the profitability of some branch lines which led to line sales and abandonment.
Can't give you a good answer but in the hot dry summers, fire guards were given a higher priority with wooden bridges/trestles given top priority. My employment by The Frisco ended in 1966 when I was recruited by Tamper Inc (acquired by Harsco Rail in 1992.) I did spend a fair amount of time with the Frisco, ATSF, BN & BNSF prior to retiring in 2002. As I recall, the Frisco had a D7 Cat plowing fire guards between Springfield and ST. Louis during a big drought in the 70's. The National Forests require spark mufflers on MofW equipment and enforce their use. . I don't know when these were initially required but could be as far back as you describe?\Joe
Ha, I'm sure you knew Harold Angel and the Beck brothers. They cut fire guard. Jack Williams, Mark Plumb, all those guys were real rail folks. Most all the fire guard was done before I went out in 74 as a SEO, with the exception of Dixon Hill. They still cut the hill up into about the 80's
Right, it was only first generation power that recieved the spark arrestors, and even on the first generation units, this primarilly applied to EMD powered road units ( F units, E units, GP7Ls, Repowered Alco) For non EMD powered units , the only model I remember seeing with a spark arestor was a VO1000 (226 definitely had them ). Paul
