GBW 6.2 Norwood Shops: Breaking In the 321

Take a tour of Norwood Shops, the heart of the Green Bay & Western. Watch C424 321 bellowing on the load box as Machinist Bruce Biersteker walks us through the process of breaking in a freshly rebuilt 251 prime mover.

[@user-mr3ct1dm9p]

What a damn shame it is, that these guys were out of a job,after so many years of working for GBW. That we lost a neat, interesting and dependable RR ,with rare locos and a down home,family atmosphere to mergers and traffic changes is heartbraking. The people of GBW were first class in every and any way.

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

There was a time when the values you mentioned had significant meaning in business. Unfortunately, the human element in modern times is viewed as a liability and not the tremendous asset it was. The GBW was a proud and efficient operation. My first visits to Norwood in the mid-1970s found shop crews waxing freshly washed Alco power! RR

[@jerrylarson723]

Wow. I have a small semi trailer business . Just makes mw vomit how good machines , high skill and equipmeant are thrown away. I observe this in the arena I work. However I still rebuild old equipmeant and put it to work . Perhaps by providence . Nostalgia a painful memory of .

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

@@jerrylarson723 Skill and craftmanship are hard to find these days. I'm sure that there are a lot of great shop people out there, but modern railroad management beats them down every chance they get. RR

[@colinmulder6806]

​@@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lqYet another reason GB&W is similar to WC.

[@user-qf4fi6mw8g]

Bruce Biersteker, is my grandfather. I’m so proud to say that this man could be my grandfather, because you can see as in this video he such a hard-working man, and to be honest, he did not come from a rich family. We were very poor growing up, and he never took that for granted when he started making better money, he still had duck tape on his shirts and pants And I loved it. I miss you grandpa. 07/06/33-12/19/20

[@justtim9767]

Very nice.

[@coletonevans4384]

Thanks for sharing! Adds plenty of inspiration for my alcocentric projects.

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

There is a lot to absorb in this section. Many things that are not covered anywhere else. If you're a mechanically minded person like we are, this is like a kid in a candy store! RR

[@jake31964]

Amazing know how ! Hands on ears listening! It was awesome to once in a while to talk to mechanical masters .

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

It truly is an incredible experience to talk to a master, in any field. The mechanical, corporate and logistical topics discussed off-camera were even more interesting. I hope that there are still some Master Mechanics out there. RR

[@colinmulder6806]

​@@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lqMost times it's the HARD work, dedication, passion of railroad employees that keep railroads on the move no matter what happens.

[@lm1m]

This is amazing thanks for preserving history

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

You're welcome. There are more sections to follow. RR

[@rossrossier935]

I knew some of these guys, miss them all and the railroad!

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

So do we. RR

[@colinmulder6806]

​@@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lqSmae here.

[@Jennifer-K5LA]

Wow!!! I just scratch built this loco in 1/29 scale. I was attempting to build Minnesota Commercial #62, and inaccurately used this loco as a reference. I later found out that the 62 was a former D&H unit , and has noticeably different features, especially at the rear. I intend to correct this, but it is nice to actually see this unit in a video ❤

[@bearbon2]

Sad to hear this. What will become of the Alcos?

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

The Alcos and the GBW are history. There are a few ex-GBW Alcos on short lines, but I don't know if any of them are still in service. RR

[@kurtrindgen4708]

Get creative = railroading.

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

It used to be. These days, creativity and experience are restricted at every level. Computer programs and monitoring make practical use of experience and creativity almost impossible. RR

[@colinmulder6806]

​@@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lqBack then most solutions to keep railroads operating were powered by the importance of TEAMWORK, CREATIVITY, & IMAGINATION.