Weight Estimation of a Steam Locomotive (Engr110, Fall 2013)
Students: Zach Jesberger, Patrick Watson
Advisor: Geetha Arun
Students were enlisted to estimate the weight of one of the steam locomotives of the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (BJWRR). The BJWRR needed up-to-date information on the weight of the No. 2 locomotive. Without updated information, state certification was difficult to obtain, and without certification, the railroad would not be able to operate. Students developed a simple approach. They attached PSI gauges to two 5-ton hydraulic jacks and lifted the front and back ends of the locomotive, tender, and pilot truck. The PSI readings were converted to forces to accurate represent the weights for each respective part of the vehicle. The weight of the locomotive was summed to be 11,020 lbs. Students used equipment on loan from SCU School of Engineering (civil engineering lab), resulting in zero cost to the community partner.