Our GE 44 toner is now running under its own power!
(above) It was TTMs second Locomotive and first diesel electric and was in service for us from 1983 to sometime around 1995 when we got the 4035.
(above)Picture of the 44 tonner running on 3-22-08 (thanks to Hugh Hemphill for taking it)
Video of the 44 tonner running on 3-22-08
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
All of the below info is from here
It was built by GE in
1942 and served with the USAF as # 7071,
until its retirement. During WW2, it was shipped to England, and moved
troops and material in preparation for D Day in 1944. It ended its Air
Force service in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was bought by TTM and was our main
service locomotive for many years. It is a diesel electric with two 150
HP Cummins diesel engines and two electric traction motors.All of the below info is from here
TTM acquired the 44 tonner in 1983, fourteen years after moving to the Wetmore Road location. It was bought through the Texas Surplus Commission, which allows Not-For-Profit organizations to acquire surplus equipment from the military and other state agencies at costs much lower than are available on the open market. It's arrival inspired a doubling of main line trackage. This was accomplished almost single handedly by museum volunteer, Rick Henderson. With the addition of this diesel electric and the longer track, offering rides to visitors became a much easier proposition.
The locomotive is unusual in that although it is a diesel electric, it still has side rods connecting the driving wheels. As a 0-4-4-0 locomotive, it has two 150 HP Cummins diesel engines and two General Electric traction motors. However, all of its 34 inch wheels are considered to be drivers. One axle apiece on the front and rear trucks are directly connected to the traction motors, and the side rods then transfer effort to the second set of wheels. Both engines have six 4 7/8 inches cylinders, with a 6 inch stroke. The locomotives maximum speed is 20 MPH.
Nicknamed the "Green Hornet" following a green and yellow paint job in 1995, the locomotive has proved to be more than adequate for the museum's purposes. However, we have had our fair share of issues with the locomotive. It is no longer possible to use both diesels at the same time, due to difficulties with synchronizing engine performance. The original system for controlling both at the same time is irreparably broken and it is a challenge, to say the least, finding a replacement system. Parts are simply not available to repair what we have, and the set up is now so long in the tooth, modern systems don't seem to be effective. The paint that was put on in 1995 has peeled badly, maybe due to the chemicals we had to use to strip off the more than forty layers of old paint that had accumulated over the years.
All of the above info is from here
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The 44 tonner is now being used in semi-regular service
list of major
things yet to do as of 6-5-08 ,
[ ] replace bad motor (a replacement motor has been located and will be purchased as soon as the funds are available)
[/] fix the electrical system (needs to be worked on after bad motor is replaced)
[X] Fix the brakes/air system
[ ] restore the exterior of the locomotive
[X] Replace batterys
[/] fix bell (works intermintintly)
[ ] rebuild control systems in cab (not needed until bad motor is replaced)
_______________________________________[ ] replace bad motor (a replacement motor has been located and will be purchased as soon as the funds are available)
[/] fix the electrical system (needs to be worked on after bad motor is replaced)
[X] Fix the brakes/air system
[ ] restore the exterior of the locomotive
[X] Replace batterys
[/] fix bell (works intermintintly)
[ ] rebuild control systems in cab (not needed until bad motor is replaced)
If you have some news about TTM that you would like to see on this website, email me at ttmnews@alamomodelrailroadengineers.com
Last Update 6/5/2008
© 2007 John Stabe