Giant Generator Part Moves on the C&NW



Southern's affiliated short line, the Carolina and Northwestern Railway last month handled the heaviest shipment in its. history-a giant generator part that weighed 231% tons. C&NW was the "anchor man" on a transportation team of four railroads that moved the big stator (stationary part of an electric generator) from General Electric's plant at Schenectady, N. Y., to Duke Power Company's new Dan River Steam Plant near Spray, N. C. It was loaded in a special, 12-axle, "well-type" flat car. Total weight of car and contents came to more than 351 tons.

From Schenectady the big load was handled by the Delaware and Hudson and the Pennsylvania, before a steam powered Norfolk and Western local freight handed it over to the C&NW at Fieldale, Va., at about 3 p.m. on April 12.

Planned two years ahead, the movement required strengthening of eight timber trestle approaches on C&NW, careful checking of clearances all the way. Here the big shipment clears a steel girder bridge where track was raised several inches to obtain side clearance.

Moved by C&NW in a special extra train, with the heavy car separated from the locomotive by an empty Hat car, the generator part had a safe, smooth ride on the C&NW. It was delivered to the Duke Power Company plant at Spray just before dark.