tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post4898201980549814956..comments2024-03-24T11:33:56.203-05:00Comments on Hicks Car Works: Security BlanketUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-25758006008227936582012-02-15T06:36:02.879-06:002012-02-15T06:36:02.879-06:00Yes, I noticed that too. But what can you do? Wh...Yes, I noticed that too. But what can you do? Where would the money come from to buy and ship those motors back here?Randall Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16246581917018679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-75508429816599601242012-02-15T01:38:47.834-06:002012-02-15T01:38:47.834-06:00Even the London Underground's vast stock of GE...<i>Even the London Underground's vast stock of GE 66, GE 69 have all but disappeared.</i><br /><br />< weeping >Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-4251835490126478372012-02-13T14:07:11.906-06:002012-02-13T14:07:11.906-06:00Colin Beckwith
Hi Randall
Thanks for your reply....Colin Beckwith<br /><br />Hi Randall<br /><br />Thanks for your reply.<br /><br />It's great that you keep these vehicles running with their original gear. The experience that you describe about maintaining your equipment gives an insight into engineering history that cannot be replicated by any number of pictures or static displays. Having said that your pictures give me an insight I have not had anywhere elso so far on the internet.<br /><br />In England we have scrapped most of our electric trains. Very little of the really historical equipment remains or is innaccessable. Out of 2000 odd vehicles once used on the Southern Railway here, one survives. This vehicle is static and there is no normal access inside for the public. This vehicle was developed from the very first days of 600v dc practice in England in which the control equipment was built under licence by The British Westinghouse Company. Even the London Underground's vast stock of GE 66, GE 69, GE 260 as well as many Westinghouse items have all but disappeared.<br /><br />In England we have a very large steam preservation scene, which is good. If as much luck and effort had have been put in with electrics it would be even better. Unfortunately this did not happen as electrics did not seem to have the 'romance' of steam locos.<br /><br />Good luck with your efforts and thanksColinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10815716939407276378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-7169575791426514372012-02-12T12:13:22.065-06:002012-02-12T12:13:22.065-06:00Colin: Thanks for the interesting questions. Yes,...Colin: Thanks for the interesting questions. Yes, the insides of the arc chutes often have condensed copper. This needs to be watched, and at the annual inspections we try to clean them off as much as possible, and recoat with Glyptol. I've wondered whether the magnetic blowout feature makes this problem better or worse, but there's no easy way to find out.<br /><br />The DB-15 was the first really successful MU contactor, but the later designs are definitely an improvement, I'd say. They're generally lighter in weight, can handle more current, the tips and arc chutes are simpler, etc. I think most of us would agree on that. But the DB-15s are reliable, and of course we have no plans to replace them!Randall Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16246581917018679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-48194681365802195882012-02-12T11:32:44.358-06:002012-02-12T11:32:44.358-06:00For those of you playing at home, Vermiculite is a...For those of you playing at home, Vermiculite is a natural mineral that is mined from the ground and known for its fire-resistant properties. It should not be confused with that other fire resistant, naturally-occuring, mined mineral that can be dangerous.....David Wilkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13420287033827174299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-80349339807134289732012-02-12T09:52:44.428-06:002012-02-12T09:52:44.428-06:00Colin Beckwith
Havant, England.
Hi Randall
Than...Colin Beckwith<br /><br />Havant, England.<br /><br />Hi Randall<br /><br />Thanks so much for this blog page. Info on the pioneering types of control equipment is vary rare in the UK so I really do like the content that you provide. So much of the apparatus used 'over here' came from GE and Westinghouse in the early 20th century. I am particularly interested in your DB-15's. The units in your pictures that have been in service a while seem to have a lot of what seems to be condensed copper on the inside of the arc boxes. Does this make them prone to tracking? I was wondering what you think of DB-15's compared with the later type. I must confess to getting very exited when I see that you have posted new pictures of control equipment on your blog. My own work with control equipment involves design and build of miniature contactors and reversers as it's difficult to get my hands on the full size items.<br /><br />ThanksColinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10815716939407276378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-26552620012825512782012-02-12T08:04:52.001-06:002012-02-12T08:04:52.001-06:00Thanks, Rod. So there you have it.
It cost $98 f...Thanks, Rod. So there you have it.<br /><br />It cost $98 for a 5' x 5' roll, which is slightly more than we'll need for this car, so that's not bad in the overall scheme of things. I will probably even have some free samples to give away to anybody who's interested.Randall Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16246581917018679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1810478746663531557.post-91681537359480219272012-02-11T21:16:18.205-06:002012-02-11T21:16:18.205-06:00Vermiculite-Coated Fiberglass & Aramid FiberVermiculite-Coated Fiberglass & Aramid FiberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com