Appendix L:   Lessons Learned - Miscellaneous

 

Among the many lessons passed on to the new traines were the following:

 

·        Check chocks before / after run / set hand brake / leave in gear.   

·        Do not run 6 volt wiper motors continually, with new 12 volt system.

·        Watch main air pressure gauge.

·        The brass bell can be buffed with jewelers rouge, but the radiator cannot be buffed. The zinc coating is too thin.

·        RPM red line at 2100 rpm - avoid frothing the oil and losing oil pressure.

·        Five Speed transmission has a "Granny" gear.   Must lift the ring on the shift lever to access Reverse and Granny gear.

                   Through the years the transmission has been operated and spoken of as if it were a 4 speed. 

 

             

 

·        On the subject of the transmission, the engine specs. indicate that the max. torque for the GMC 361 -  6 cyl. is 1000 rpm.

This is quite low compared to current day engine torque expectations.  (See engine specs. in this document for more detail.)

Since in the summer of 2014, the idle speed was adjusted to approx. 800 rpm in Durango, and reset to 900 rpm in Silverton,

the operator will have little difficulty getting a smooth start in 1st gear without adding much rpm. A smooth left foot is all that is needed

unless you are starting the Goose on an upgrade.  Note: best torque around 1000 rpm.

 

·        Check speeds with Railroad Pilot and GG#5 trainer.  This information was observed during summer/fall of 2014.

Yard Speed: 5 mph

Bridge and hi fill: 8 mph

Speed limit markings should be checked with Pilot. Some signs are obsolete.

 

Approximate ground speeds:

5 mph     1st gear to lowest idle in 2nd gear

8 mph         2nd gear low rpm

15 mph       4th gear 1300 rpm

20 mph       4th gear 1700 rpm

_________

 

·        The Current Gearing of the transmission does not promote engine braking when running downgrade. Must use air brakes and not depend on the effect of  engine braking.  Note that running the engine over the "Redline" of 2100 rpm can lead to frothing of the oil resulting in low oil pressure. (See notes: On one occasion after running the engine above 2200 rpm the engine refused to build oil pressure after a photo run-by and the Goose had to be towed back to the yard.   Lesson Learned.)

_________

 

 

Back to table of contents