New Power for the Zephyr Power Car -- Removing the #3 Cummins Engine with Generator

Our Volunteers in Action

It takes a lot of work, time, energy, elbow grease, dedication, and determination to keep our Museum in Motion. We've assembled these photo essays, to share with you some of these activities. [Please be patient while the graphics load; we hope you'll find their detail worth any delay.]

The Power Car Venus (CB&Q 960) of the Nebraska Zephyr has three diesel engines with attached generators, which provide power for the train. Each is mounted crosswise in the front compartment of the car. With the two roof covers removed, the #3 unit would be removed, followed by the #2 unit. Each engine weighs approximately 2,250 pounds and has an attached generator of similar weight, about 4,500 pounds total.

(photo above) Inside Venus, looking toward the front of the car, the #3 Cummins engine with the power panel to the right, and the generator is behind the power panel. Behind it is the #2 Cummins engine, and beyond that (beyond the photo) is the #1 Cummins, which will remain in place.

(photo to right) Dave Dote unbolts the stack of the #3 Cummins engine, with help from Matt Rumpfeldt (left).

(photo to left) Dave Dote and Jamie Kolanowski prepare to lift the stack off of the #3 Cummins engine.

(photo to right) Harold Driscoll and Martin Kocanda pass the generator cables out of the electrical box.

(photo below) Matt Rumpfeldt, Harold Driscoll, Dave Dote, and Martin Kocanda work to free the engine and generator from its mountings.

(photo above) Martin Kocanda and Matt Rumpfeldt work to remove the last mounting bolts of the #3 generator.

(photo above) Jamie Kolanowski passes signals along to the crane operator. The Cummins engine and generator sit crosswise in the car; they need to be rotated lengthwise while being raised.

(photo to right) After a number of twists and turns, and having pulled off a few filters to gain a few inches, the engine makes it way into the daylight.

(photo above) Matt Rumpfeldt guides the Cummins engine, as we get a clear view of the generator on the left.

It will need to be raised another foot or so before it clears the electrical cabinets.

(photo to left) Jim Jones (left) and Jamie Kolanowski guide the engine as it begins its exit through the roof opening.

The engine and generator are being raised high enough to clear the #3 and #2 electrical cabinets. It was necessary to remove fuel and oil filters, and even then the unit cleared by hardly an inch.

(photo to right) Jim Jones (left) and Jamie Kolanowski guide the engine as it begins its exit through the roof opening.

The engine and generator have been rotated 90 degrees while it is being raised, with the generator end facing in our direction.

(photo to left) Jim Jones (left) and Jamie Kolanowski guide the engine as it completes its exit through the roof opening.

The crane will now swing the unit away from the car, and it will be lowered to the ground.

(photo below) Wes Lloyd guides the engine as Max Tyms gently places it onto the ground.

One of the two roof covers can be seen on the ground in the foreground.

With the removal of the #3 engine and generator finished, the #2 units are next to be removed.

Photographs by our IRM Photo Team, using a Sony MVC-FD7 Mavica digital camera, text by Harold A. Driscoll.