Day 6: The Last Hoorah

Upon our last day for the WV Forest & Rail trip, we finished strong with the final water quality test and a trip to the C&O museum in Clifton Forge, Va.

Greenbrier River near Lewisburg, WV

The data of the water quality may be skewed due to the rain. The data appears the same as the upstream spots that were tested. We visited a spot on the Greenbrier river near Lewisburg, WV. Click here to view the data collected from all the water quality sites.

The final stop was to the C&O museum. This is a great place to learn the history if the railway. What I found interesting is the ad campaign that employed Chessie the cat. The famous logo and statement () helped the C&O achieve prominence with customers in using rail travel. Upon our visit to Cass & Durbin railway, I understood the significance of the campaign. Click here for more information on the ad campaign and the C&O railway. Why do you think the ad campaign was so successful.

Day 5: Water Quality on Greenbrier River

Upon our arrival at Gaudineer Knob, we discovered similarities and differences between the virgin forests (previous was Cathedral State Park).

Similarities: The limited diversity in the forests. There wasn't as many organisms as compared to a second growth forest. The dominance of ferns and mosses was prevalent through both virgin forests. This tells us that there is water stores within the soil.

Differences: Gaudineer Knob contains more species of hardwood trees and understory growth. It appears to me that within 109 years the forest will be mainly composed of broadleaf trees than evergreens (red spruce). The soil pH was not as acidic as Cathedral State Park. The pH for Gaudineer Knob was 5.

Questions:
What are some reasons for the red spruce to become less dominant and for broadleaf trees to become the dominant species.
Describe the type of environment in which ferns and misses need to survive?

Greenbrier River near Durbin, WV

The next test was water quality test on the Greenbrier river near Durbin, WV. The data collected shows that the water is good for living organisms. There were brown water snakes, crayfish, and an assortment of fish living in the waters of the Greenbrier. The data we have been receiving has shown that the river fair for organisms to live in the ecosystem. The water is very shallow and with small rapids in some areas and stagnant in others. Click here to view the data that was gathered from previous sites across the Greenbrier river.

The last and final stop on the trip was train ride along the Greenbrier river in a Climax engine in Durbin, WV. The scenery was beautifully as we followed the twist and turns of the river. Below is a picasa web album that contains pictures form the Cass & Durbin Scenic Railway.

Day 4: Timber Train

All aboard said the train conductor, we loaded up on Shay number 11 to head up the mountain to Bald Knob. Located in Cass, WV one can take the Cass Scenic Railroad to view a stunning site and have ride like no other. The technology and mechanics of the train are engineered for torque and tractive force to climb the mountain.

Shay 11

Shay engines are popular trains that were used in the logging industry. The fireman tries to keep the pressure around 200 lbs., one needs to anticipate when to stock the boiler with coal. The train is different in that it's an all wheel drive train that has multiple pistons to supply the torque needed. If the track is slick they are able to place sand on the rails ahead of them to get traction. For more information on the train that changed the timbering industry click here.

We also performed a water quality test at the Greenbrier River. We tested for pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Click here for the following results gathered from the Greenbrier. looking over the dissolved oxygen data, the level is extremely low for organisms to live in. It would be interesting to see if any benthic macroinvertebrates may be living in the water.

Questions:
Why is torque needed when trying to go up a 8% percent grade?
What would happen if the boiler pressure went above or below 200lbs.
Why must the fireman must anticipate to place coal in the boiler?

 

Shay - firebox

Shay #6 (largest shay built)

Shay - three pistons that rotate the drive shaft, this is the reason for an increase in torque

Shay - here we notice the drive shaft that supplies energy to all the wheels, similar to four wheel drive

Bald Knob