Tipple and OP

[Quentin Lockwood]

Saw a picture of OP in operation on CATS Facebook site. Are there more pictures, maybe a video/ Did the one lung diesel motor get started on the tipple yesterday as hoped for?

[John Cole]

I was there until Wednesday at 4PM, and as of that time they weren't having much success in getting it started. They are running the mechanism with the electric motor that the Rio Grande installed in something like the 1940's. I doubt they are not going to quit on the diesel until it is running, but it may not be this year.

[Rich Murray]

The diesel turned up with a bad gasket and it will be a while before it can be repaired and run. :(

[Quentin Lockwood]

Thanks Rich. Diesel engines intrigue me, have been driving diesel powered cars since 1972. The old engines are pretty simple, all mechanical controls from injector to timing. Getting it right and compensating for wear is the trick. A blown gasket is definitely a stopper since the engine needs very high compression to fire. Small single cylinder diesels are fairly common in sailboats as auxiliary power.