Ride the X-5000 in 1992

[Note: this is info from a flyer inserted with Sept. 1992 Milwaukee Railroader ]

August 1992, Union, IL – You will read about it in the September 1992 issue of The Milwaukee Railroader.  Now ride the Milwaukee Road Dynamometer Car on a very special series of test trips being run at the Illinois Railway Museum, the new home of the Dynamometer Car. The purpose of these trips is to give everyone a chance to experience the thrills and excitement aboard the Car while raising the necessary funds to purchase track space at the Museum, and for maintenance necessary to bring the Dynamometer Car up to full operating condition. You are are invited to come out and see our new and exciting gift from the Soo.

Your host aboard this half-hour fun-raising trip is Warren R. Newhauser, (Test Dept.) who was at the helm of the Car on the Milwaukee for 18 years from 1967-85, and now again in 1992!

Take time out from your busy schedule to relive numerous exciting test trips from Warren’s first hand a account. Starting at the Milwaukee Shops (home of the X-5000), he will take you on to Minneapolis – Aberdeen – “Miles” – “Harlow” (east end of the wire) – Alberton – Deer Lodge – Avery – Othello, and Seattle through some of the most difficult routes in railroading. Hear the stories of the times behind the mighty Joes, and then the SD40’s.

Find out how the Milwaukee used the Dynamometer Car to:

  • position Locotrol boosters at specific locations in the train in the mountains
  • determine optimal combinations of air and dynamic braking on descent of mountain grades
  • measure tractive effort from rebuilt diesels (see pictures of 47A-SE1-47C rebuild)
  • refine the Big Stone City unit coal train unloading process by precisely controlling the locomotive traction motors field excitation through specially developed controls
  • record track alignment and curvature, car body deflection in a wide variety of tests
  • reveal train handling characteristics and fuel economy savings from the Sentry Fuel Saver loco control units installed on GP40-2’s  2002, 2007, 2010, and 2014
See the actual dynamometer unit used to measure drawbar pull/buff. It is also believed to be the only one left in the country. Also see the very electronic instruments used to measure throttle position, wheel slip, brake pipe/cylinder pressure, etc. Warren will explain the instruments as well as the use of strain gauges and how they are fastened to trucks to measure truck bolster stress, car body deflection, and track curvature.
  • See historic chart recordings showing train performance and track conditions on the Montana Division
  • See numerous action shots (including the Joes) taken on actual test trips
  • Hear what it was like to be part of the Milwaukee Road family out West

Every effort is being made to make this a truly authentic experience, including the use of Milwaukee Road diesels, depending upon their availability.

Don’t wait, though. First the Joes were history, then came the core system, and finally the acquisition. History says, “DON’T WAIT!”

Set aside October 10, 1992 on your Milwaukee Road calendar as the day you will ride the Dynamometer Car at the Illinois Railway Museum.

The test trips are offered on a first come first served basis starting every hour on the hour from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM or until everyone gets a ride. Absolutely no one will be refused a ride! The Car will be open for inspection between test trips.

The donation we’re seeking is: $12/person, $6/child, which includes 1) your ticket aboard the Car, 2) Museum admission (normally $7) 3) and an authentic lunch cooked aboard the Dynamometer Car.

If you can’t make it to Union, IL to ride the Car but would like to make a small donation, please specify Milwaukee Road Dynamometer Car and mail it to:

Illinois Railway Museum, Box 427, Union, IL 60180

X-5000 at IRM c.1993 Dynamometer X-5000 on the East Wye at Illinois Railway Musuem, c.1993

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