For Railfans Only

[John Winn]

Someplace in River of Dark Dreams, the author mulls on the ecological disaster using cordwood for river steamboats caused on both sides of the Mississippi.....

It's a renewable resource. All is well.

 

[Elennsar]

Oh, by the way, I know diesels were not around in the CW, but I suspect that was the engine the foundation could afford, not the CW era steamie they'd ultimately like.

There are so few of those (CW era steamies, or even steamers in general) left.

I should check what site policy is on nagging people to donate to charitable causes is. There are some links I can show my fellow railfans if they're interested, but I don't want to violate a rule by cajoling people in general.

 

[AndyHall]

What in blue blazes?!?

Shays are a specialized type with lots of gearing, used for moving very heavy loads over short distances, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain where long, easy grades are not practical. One sees them a lot in logging operations. Check out the last part of this video, how fast the cylinders are running as the locomotive proceeds at an easy jogging pace:

 

[John Winn]

A man I used to work with is part of a local club that is restoring several old engines (but diesel I think) in the hopes of eventually providing rides. I, too, don't want to step into the forbidden doodoo but here's a link to my friends' site for all you train heads:

http://www.soc-nrhs.org/

It's no more modern history than anything else posted here so I hope I haven't ... um ... derailed the thread.

 

[Elennsar]

I think it's safe, other than my personal prejudices against diesels as murderers of all things good and steam powered.

 

[John Winn]

I think it's safe, other than my personal prejudices against diesels as murderers of all things good and steam powered.

Yeah, for me diesel doesn't seem very romantic either (apologies to Harry Nilsson); just thought I'd give the local train heads a plug.

And bebop killed Melody, a lovely woman, but that's another thread.

 

[Elennsar]

Yeah, the local trainheads should always get a plug. Diesels are better than no railroads at all.

 

[bankerpapaw]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. That sure brought back memories. I took the train from Durango to Silverton back in '93. Quite the ride. I DO love trains.

 

[Deleted member 8452]

Some neat pictures here,

I hope one day trains will make a comeback in America...

 

[bankerpapaw]

Nothing like the sight and sound of a steam locomotive!

Historic super-power steam locomotive no. 765 is a high-stepping, fourteen-wheeled, magnificent machine that stands 15 feet tall, weighs 404 tons, goes over 60 miles an hour and restored to the way it looked and sounded when it was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944. Named for the mountainous terrain in which it was proven, the 2-8-4 Berkshire-type locomotive, with two pony wheels, eight driving wheels, and four trailing wheels, became the first embodiment of the "Super-power" locomotive design that would change the course of locomotive development in the United States. http://fortwaynerailroad.org/nickel-plate-road-no-765/

No. 765 at Cuyahoga Valley National Park -

When I was a kid, when the Missouri-Pacific stream engines would come through, my grandmother said the locomotives would be "saying" "Black and dirty, Black and dirty, Black and dirty. Great memories.

 

[godofredus]

↑
I said: Someplace in River of Dark Dreams, the author mulls on the ecological disaster using cordwood for river steamboats caused on both sides of the Mississippi.....

John Winn said: It's a renewable resource. All is well.

Yes, but sad to say, it wan't renewed. Just taken. Followed by floods and other ecological disasters. Nothing left to hold the soil in place.

Don't get me started please, because then I will be accused of being a tree-hugger.
I've seen North Carolina's forests which are continually renewed by the timber industry...they are beautiful.

 

[John Winn]

↑
I said: Someplace in River of Dark Dreams, the author mulls on the ecological disaster using cordwood for river steamboats caused on both sides of the Mississippi.....

John Winn said: It's a renewable resource. All is well.

Yes, but sad to say, it wan't renewed. Just taken. Followed by floods and other ecological disasters. Nothing left to hold the soil in place.

Don't get me started please, because then I will be accused of being a tree-hugger.
I've seen North Carolina's forests which are continually renewed by the timber industry...they are beautiful.

OK.

 

[DaveBrt]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. That sure brought back memories. I took the train from Durango to Silverton back in '93. Quite the ride. I DO love trains.

My wife of 3 years and I road the D&S in '69 -- back in the days of wearing suits to college football games. My wife thought we were going to take a nice excursion, so she wore a brand new lemon yellow suit for the ride. She was horrified and mortified by the time we reached the first mile-post -- ash, smoke cinders!! Never saw that suite again, but I've still got the wife.

Dave

 

[TinCan]

This is Promontory Point, Utah where the transcontinental railroad came together. Nothing out there except the two engines that they run out when a crowd shows up but it's neat as all get out to see. This one gives you a good idea of what it looks like today.

This is what it looked like in 1869. Not much has changed.

 

[Lnwlf]

Someday I want to take the train west out of Chicago to Stockton, California. I can start in SOUTHERN Illinois, and ride north first. I have always loved trains, and this is one of the few things on my bucket list. Maybe someday...
Meanwhile, I will enjoy the pictures and videos here. Thanks everyone!

 

[Elennsar]

↑
Don't get me started please, because then I will be accused of being a tree-hugger.
I've seen North Carolina's forests which are continually renewed by the timber industry...they are beautiful.

Can we call you a man with good sense?

No soil is all sorts of bad for everyone. If getting upset over that makes for some implication of sentiments other than get good sense, the world as I know it is screwed up before my generation has a chance to change the standards.

 

[Littlestown]

The 2700 Engine, first in its series of Kanawha Chesepeake & Ohio Engines, built in the 1940′s. It is currently under complete restoration at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Dennison, Ohio.

 

[Littlestown]

Someday I want to take the train west out of Chicago to Stockton, California. I can start in SOUTHERN Illinois, and ride north first. I have always loved trains, and this is one of the few things on my bucket list. Maybe someday...
Meanwhile, I will enjoy the pictures and videos here. Thanks everyone!

That would be an incredible adventure! I would love to do something like that too. Nothing like the clickety-clack of the rails.
"...
Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
Over the rails he'd go
Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
Bravin' rain and snow
Ev'ryone knew three-eighty-two was his train
Casey Jones was his name
..."

 

[Elennsar]

And after reviewing the rules. . .I think posting this is not going to raise any questions.

http://wwfry.org/?page_id=160 (building a new one)

http://wwfry.org/?page_id=164

And while progress on her sister (#9) is well under way, I'm sure they wouldn't mind some financial help.


This may have changed since the most recent information I am aware of, but what I know isn't good for the one below.

Also, anyone who knows a means to (legally) remove this old locomotive:
http://www.nsrm-friends.org/nsrm94.html - currently in poor shape at Old Tuscon Studios (cosmetically okay, but even at that she's just sitting out there all but ignored, and mechanically she could use at least as much love as #9 for the WWF needed) and put her somewhere she will be loved and cared for, it would be a very good idea.

If Old Tuscon Studios wants to keep using her in movies that's one thing - at least it's something with dignity, but if she's just going to sit out there, she would be far better off in one of Nevada's museums.

On the other side of the Atlantic:

http://www.whr.co.uk/appeals


Think of the history. Think of the future. Think of the locomotives.

 

[ErnieMac]

Shays are a specialized type with lots of gearing, used for moving very heavy loads over short distances, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain where long, easy grades are not practical. One sees them a lot in logging operations. Check out the last part of this video, how fast the cylinders are running as the locomotive proceeds at an easy jogging pace:

Clip was filmed at Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia. If you get the chance to go it's worth the trip. Cass is a former logging operation now run as a WV State Park. Excursions run from mid-May thru the end of October. Most days there are two 1-1/2 hour trips to Whitaker (about half way up the line) and one 3 hours trip to the top of Bald Knob. There are no trips most Mondays (holidays excepted). Check their on-line schedule to be sure. Very pleasant way to spend 1/2 a day. For those with a scientific bent a visit can be made to the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory which is only a few miles away.