The Nevada Northern Railway Museum announced today that, due to higher fuel prices, the Museum is going to convert steam Locomotive 93 from a coal-fired steam locomotive to one operated by electricity.

Executive Director Mark Bassett, in an interview stated, “That with the spike in fuel prices, the Museum is investigating all options to save money. It was suggested that one of the ways would be to convert Locomotive 93 from steam to electric power.”

Bassett continues, “Basically we’re taking a page out of the model railroader’s playbook. For years, modelers have been powering their steam locomotive models with electricity. To help with realism, modelers put sound systems and smoke-generating units in their model steam locomotives. This gives the illusion that the locomotive is actually powered by steam. And, if it works for modelers, then why not for a full-size locomotive?”

Powering a full-size steam locomotive with a non-steam power source is not as daffy as it sounds. There was an example on the Ludlow & Southern Railway Company. They had the frame and running gear from an ex-New York Central (4-6-0) ten-wheeler standing in their rail yard. They improvised a makeshift drive using a Holt gasoline tractor engine. It wasn’t a pretty conversion.

Since we are a museum, we need to be sensitive to the aesthetics of the conversion of Locomotive 93 to electricity. We plan to install a large electric motor in the firebox and run a gearing system to axle number 4. We chose that axle because it is covered by the ash pan. That way it will be nearly impossible to see the gears. And, as bonus, the rods will still be used to transfer the power to the other drivers.

Next, we need to address the question of how to get the electricity to the motor. Our first thought was a long extension cord.  Don’t laugh.  Kennecott used such a cord on their electric shovels in the copper pit; but a seven-mile long extension cord was deemed impractical.

That’s when our new Trainmaster, Adam Nini, came to the rescue. He noticed that we had an enormous amount of surplus rail on hand. He suggested that we follow the Lionel model by installing a third rail between the running rails of the track. Most model railroaders use direct current (DC) to power their model trains using just two rails. But Lionel put a third rail between the running rails and powered their model locomotives with alternating current (AC).  This is the same power that comes out of your home electrical outlet.

By using AC power and a third rail, there will be no need to convert the power to direct current. Plus, using the surplus rail will save the Museum money. There will be no need to string expensive overhead wire. Additionally, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum has installed solar collectors on the roof of the Engine House to convert sunshine to electricity.

Of course, there will be concerns that an electric-powered steam locomotive will not have the appeal of the old coal-fired version. But again, by using techniques that modelers have used for years, this won’t be an issue.

Before the Nevada Northern Railway started the conversion, it made a high-definition digital recording of Locomotive 93 operating to Keystone and back. Since the tender will not be used for coal and water, a huge computer-controlled sound system and speaker will be installed in the tender. (A thin layer of coal will remain in the tender for aesthetics.)

Once the third rail is installed to Keystone, and using the GPS system that was installed for the speedometer, the digital sound system will use the high-definition sound recording exactly where the original sound was recorded. From an aesthetic viewpoint, the run would sound exactly the same as if the locomotive was coal-fired.

The next challenge will be smoke. Master Mechanic, Al Gledhill, and Shop Helpers, Levi Garcia and Henry Stewart, were scratching their heads to find a suitable replacement to make smoke. But secret talks with a reputable model manufacturer have led to the creation of the Massive Thermal Hyper-Smoke (MTH) Generating Unit.

The MTH Generating Unit will go into the smokebox, which is appropriate. The smoke fluid will be stored in the old boiler. Our intention is to utilize used cooking oil from fast food restaurants for the smoke fluid. Of course, the down side is that Locomotive 93 will smell like french fries; but that’s not all bad - because that will help concession sales.

So, with the sound and smoke issues taken care of, our last issue is how to operate the locomotive. Again, we’ll be following Lionel’s lead. Lionel’s Trainmaster Command Control debuted in 1994. It was the brainchild of Neil Young, the musician. This technology permits, among other things, the operation of Lionel trains by remote control.

Our plan is to install the Command Control console in the Dispatcher’s Office. That way the Dispatcher will control the train without having to issue train orders. This will generate additional monetary savings, as well as save trees.

Our local Lionel expert, Roger Bowers, has agreed to assist the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in this conversion. The Track Department Crew, Kurt Shaull & Mike Calchera, don’t foresee any problems with adding the third rail. As Shaull said, “The ties are already in place and it is just one rail.”

So there you have it.  Lionel trains existed long before Locomotive 93 was built in 1909. As such, one could argue that the Nevada Northern Railway is, truly, going back to the future.


HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

	Chief Dispatcher J. Joan Bassett is practicing with the locomotive controls in the Dispatcher’s Office.
	Electric Motor – Adam Nini, Roger Bowers and Kurt Shaull can’t believe their luck! In the Boiler Shop of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a massive electric motor that will fit in the fire box of Locomotive 93. Better yet, a spur gear is already installed.