Re: (erielack) Rust on the short end...long response

[Hhaines_@_aol.com]

Dear Paul and all,

The rust on top of the short hood indicates to me to be corrosion from 
emissions, steam generator, and possible poor paint preparation problems.  

A steam generator would produce a number of chemicals and emissions that 
could erode the upper surface of the short hood.  This would be compounded by 
emissions from diesel exhaust including sulfuric and nitric acids that would 
corrode the upper surfaces of trailing hoods.  Diesel fuel prior to 1970 had 
significantly more sulfur and less aromatics than is contained in today's 
locomotive fuel. This would result in more acid fallout since the sulfur 
would stick (condense) to the soot.   

Either way, the short hood's surface would have had more corrosion (rust) and 
needed more paint preparation to repair the damage compared to other parts of 
the locomotive hood.  If the upper short section did not get special 
treatment, then rust would have poked through in this area before it was seen 
on the sides or ends.

Also, this unit was in the first DLW batch of RS-3s that dieselized the 
branches and locals, so it would have had a bit more service time to develop 
corrosion.

But did EL#1041 (x DLW #903) ever have a steam generator?  

Roster information on page 5 of Larry DeYoung's ERIE LACKAWANNA IN COLOR 
Volume 4, The Early Years, shows this RS-3 as a 1950 graduate of ALCo in 
class MSFA-16D4.  The class means she was a freight engine without a steam 
generator, with #1041 being former DL&W #903.

But wait! Larry's note that there is a photo to disprove everything rises 
like a Phoenix.  Page 109 of Carleton's ERIE LACKAWANNA STORY show her 
sisters pulling varnish out of Hoboken, N. J., one shot with snow on the 
side.  This would indicate a steam generator was present early in life. 

But no, it just proved Larry's theory. Page 655 of THE DELAWARE, LACKAWANNA & 
WESTERN RAILROAD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY by Thomas T. Taber, and Thomas T. 
Taber III states that this engine class was purchased for freight and 
switching, and geared for 65 mph running.  This is confirmed on page 47 of 
Sweetland's LACKAWANNA RAILROAD IN COLOR, in a caption showing sister #918 
hauling an oil train, and stating the 18 DLW RS-3s NEVER had steam 
generators, and could sometimes be found hauling varnish when needed, or 
stuck in with EMD road units on occasion (page 93, Sweetland).

So the steam generator corrosion idea is out.

Page 105 of Sweetland's book also shows and interesting keg forward of the 
cab on the engineer's side on this first batch of RS-3s for lube oil. If you 
thought diesel had sulfur, lube oil has all kinds of things to keep it from 
becoming acidic.  When the level of lube oil would get low, it usually meant 
that it had gotten around pistons, rings, or other locations, and became 
oxidized with the fuel.  This would add a number of ionic compounds for 
potential corrosion where ever the soot would accumulate.  Diesel engines in 
general, and locomotive diesels in particular are much "drier" engines 
compared to those of the first generation diesel locomotives, loosing little 
in lube oil. 

Sorry this got so long.  It is minus 10 F with a clear sky, and I needed a 
break from taxes, cleaning and the run-around.  The recent move of computer 
and reference materials to my youngest daughter's bed room (since she left 
for college) is turning out nicely.  It is being restored to a guest room, 
and has a great view of the Montana Rail Link (former Northern Pacific and 
Great Northern) main line through Helena. 

Howard Haines
ELHS #1447

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