Wow! I don't think I've ever seen or even heard of a steam locomotive being separated from the tender for turning while still hot. I also love the catenary in this shot.
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So what was the procedure used here? Did they have to use a switcher to move the engine or were they able to build up enough steam pressure and keep the engine hot to last the entire turning process? Thanks for sharing this unusual, but interesting process Georg!
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@ Baron: was a typing error, it's correct now.
@ Patrick: In Switzerland, most turntables are not larger then 20 meter, so usually the journey is chosen to go chimney first most of the trip, to go backwards short distances only, or to turn the locomotive on a triangle. In Brig, there was enough time, because the return trip was the other day, the procedure was about 1 1/2 h. First, the tender was uncoupled, then the locomotive ran on the turntable with own power, was turned and left the turntable. Then the tender was pushed by locomotive Re 460 # 113, which was available incidentally, on to the turntable and turned, then pushed by the electrolocomotive (with a improvised coupling) into a shed track. Finally the steamlocomotive ran backwards to the tender and was coupled (several pipes for ATP, water, air pressure etc.)
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@ Baron: Swiss steamlocomotives including tender, and the electric locomotives also, have a typical axle base of about 17 meters maximum.
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@Baron in Switzerland after the WWI no Steam locomotives were built anymore. Electrics ruled the rails, and they don't need turntables. The German Steamers never ran in Switzerland they are a new addition by preservation groups.
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