Cemetery of steam engines and how disposed of old trains

steam engines always attract attention.

The Theme of Railways often excites the minds of not only fans and fans of technology, but also ordinary people. All due to the fact that there is some sort of romance in these iron giants. It's like living dinosaurs that were at the dawn of transportation and is still alive. Some of the cars, which at the time changed the view of mankind about how you can navigate through the planet, now live his life in the graveyards of locomotives, where they were sent for unnecessary. But even there, they look very epic and impressive. Let's talk about one of those places. But at the same time just delve into this topic.

Themes decommissioned transport comes up often in many sources. To read more about this is always interesting when you have a spare minute. In particular, I recently came across , which inspired the writing of this article.

I worked for many years in companies engaged in rail transportation. We worked with the cars, but I was often in car repair and locomotive depot, where because of their innate curiosity to pester everyone with questions and quite well versed in it. Something I have now forgotten, but I still have something to tell you.

the Cemetery of locomotives in Perm Krai

Near the station Shumkovo in the Perm region has a sucky way, which is a few dozen locomotives, which already has served its purpose and now in the best case play the role of Museum exhibits.

In this place a few dozen locomotives under the open sky.

Wondering that the base is not only a graveyard of steam locomotives. She plays the role of the database. Lame ass ways is and working techniques. In particular trains, which are awaiting repair or temporarily withdrawn from the fleet, unclaimed locomotives, snow plows and other units of rolling stock.

This, of course, interesting, but idly wander among can interfere with security. Much easier is the case with the old equipment. It is possible even to climb in and examine the partially preserved controls, cockpit and mechanisms.

Inside some of the cockpits you can climb.

The oldest representative of the train cemetery at the time was a model of ER 716-66 of Hungarian origin. They were created by the firm "MAVAG". Later the steam locomotive in 1936 production was bought and exhibited at the Museum "Battle glory of the Urals" in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. Also locals claim that the cemetery had a lot of steam locomotive of series FD, better known as Felix Dzerzhinsky, they are also dispersed in all directions. Some of them went to China.

Most of the locomotives in a bad state and overgrown with shrubs, but there are those that are in more-less decent condition. Basically there is a technique of the period 1940-1950 years. Even despite the poor condition, they still impress with their might.

the Star — a distinctive feature of the locomotives of the time.

Why locomotives are stored and not disposed of

Storage of railway equipment a dubious occupation. If it is not needed, it will take the path that can be used more efficiently. And the cars and locomotives are made of metal. Metal costs money, and given that the design of a car dozens of tons of it, melting and cutting the parts looks much more promising idea. But why locomotives are in the cemetery?

At the time (back in the USSR) this facility was classified and his ways kept the equipment in case of war. If damage to the power supply, the electric locomotives will not be able to drive and need to be . That is why the locomotives cared for and regularly oiled. Then came the realization that it is better to use locomotives, and a fleet of locomotives and remained standing. Perhaps the most redundant case, because despite the low efficiency of the steam engine, he could ride almost everything that burns. That is, fuel was much easier. There was no need to look for selected diesel fuel for locomotives. Therefore, in Soviet times, the number of locomotives on these routes reached a hundred.

Some locomotives are in poor condition.

If you are going to visit this place, keep in mind that it is protected, but those who have been there, said that security will not be able to touch you if you'll just go and watch and not try to climb on the roof or tear something on the memory. However, others argue that the protection on the eyes is better not to fall. Maybe it's just those who broke the headlights from locomotives and beat them glass?

If you still desire to get to the cemetery of locomotives, you will be described as it can be reached.

Where old steam locomotives

Despite the fact that often the old equipment can be found in this state as a graveyard of steam locomotives, it still is of great historical interest and demand among art dealers and collectors. Often from places she goes to a Museum or on a pedestal near a large or historic train stations.

If the engine will be in poor condition before put on public display. Makes it easier that he doesn't have to be on the move. Just enough to keep the main design elements. In this case, the equipment will look great and visitors will be able to make theirimpression of her.

This is the restored locomotives in the Museum of St. Petersburg.

However, there are cases where such locomotives are used for their intended purpose. For example, in the Museum of the Riga station in Moscow at one time had the opportunity (probably is now) after inspection of the main exhibition is to ride in one of two cars that was pulled by a steam locomotive. Feeling interesting.

what is car

In addition to the locomotives on the railway, there is also the cars. Contrary to popular belief, they last a long time. We should not focus on appearance. Often crumpled rusty car can be made not more than 10 years ago and pure and fresh — in the middle of the eighties of the last century. It all depends on what kind of repair it has passed.

The Cars in the normal course of operation are continually checked and some repairs. Checks are carried out before loading and at the stations of departure-arrivals. If there are minor comments, they go in the top (current uncoupling repair). Every few years depending on the type of car goes to DR (depot repair), and slightly less in KP (overhaul). All terms are governed by relevant documents of relevant departments, but the average time between overhauls is: for depot — 3-5 years, but for capital — 5-7 years.

looks like that truck, rolled out from under the wagon.

During the renovation, the decision on expediency of repair of the car as a whole or its parts. For example, if there are cracks on the frame, the operation of such a car is not allowed. Checked as strictly and details of trucks, in particular wheel sets, side frames and truck bolster. They can be repaired or moved between to other cars , but if they have cracks, they are transferred to appropriate categories of scrap metal are credited to the warehouse by category of scrap. The late scrap for sale. And large parts of the truck hundreds of pounds. For example, the side frame and bolster beam weigh about 400 pounds, and a pair of wheels in the collection — from 1150 to 1450 pounds depending on the residual thickness of the rim (the production of its thickness is 70 mm, and before the disbanding of — less than 29 mm)

How to destroy cars

When you decide that the car is cycled (for the regulatory period or on the revealed defects), he's going to a breaker. It is held, or on dedicated sites or on-site VRZ (Car repair plant) — only there is special equipment.

Cutting the car looks very colorful.

The Whole car for parts after cutting is sent to the warehouse. Parts — as the parts, and the part — as scrap. While defective parts are applied with special damage, like cuts so that nobody could use them again. At least it should be according to the rules.

Side frame — more than just a piece of iron, and be kept correctly.

Some parts of the car are removed from it easily, almost on the latches, and some have to saw or blowtorch to cut large hydraulic shears. In particular, therefore, such works are made for specific sites.

with scissors, cut some of those parts of the car that cannot be reused.

When the car is disassembled, simply remove the number and the numbers of all decommissioned numbered parts from a database of the main computer centre (Main computer Center of Russian Railways) and send it into storage as it is stipulated in the regulations. For example, the wheel pair must stand on the tracks and castings of the bogie should not be stored in bulk.