Hmmm...I think this is the first time I have ventured into this forum. I normally hang out in the landscape forum. But, I'll play along with this thread...and start one for a different engine. Here is the Milwaukee Road 261 on its weekend run from Milwaukee to the Dells this summer.
As long as I'm in train mode I might as well contribute too. The first is the North Shore Scenic Railroad's Soo Line #2719 from 2007. The second is from last weekend in eastern Wisconsin, Soo Line #1003.
Marc04 wrote:
As long as I'm in train mode I might as well contribute too. The first is the North Shore Scenic Railroad's #2719 from 2007. The second is from last weekend in eastern Wisconsin, Soo Line #1003.
Here's the Pierre Marquette #1225 on it's North Pole Express run from Owasso, MI to the North Pole in Chesaning. This locomotive was the prototype for the animation in the movie "Polar Express". My son and I drove 3 1/2 hours (each way) for 15 seconds of shooting in miserable conditions. Near zero temps, 35 mph winds and blowing snow. Definitely worth it though!
From the previous post in Owasso, my son and I traveled back through Kalamazoo. He's getting into model railroading so he looked up hobby shops for our trip. We happened upon the Train Barn in Portage, MI and what a place. On top of an impressive shop is 3000 square feet of O-guage layout, all assembled by the owner and his wife over 42 years. Sadly, he's planning on closing in the coming months due to declining health. If anyone is in the area, I recommend a visit. Here are some quick snaps of his trains:
_Rob_S_ wrote:
Here's the Pierre Marquette #1225 on it's North Pole Express run from Owasso, MI to the North Pole in Chesaning. This locomotive was the prototype for the animation in the movie "Polar Express". My son and I drove 3 1/2 hours (each way) for 15 seconds of shooting in miserable conditions. Near zero temps, 35 mph winds and blowing snow. Definitely worth it though!
Marc04 wrote:
As long as I'm in train mode I might as well contribute too. The first is the North Shore Scenic Railroad's #2719 from 2007. The second is from last weekend in eastern Wisconsin, Soo Line #1003.
Here is an brief explanation of Boiler Blow Down from a boiler company (P.C. McKenzie Company)
Boiler Blowdown
Blowdown of steam boilers is very often a highly neglected or abused aspect of routine boiler room maintenance. The purpose of boiler blowdown is to control solids in the boiler water. Blowdown protects boiler surfaces from severe scaling or corrosion problems that can result otherwise.
There are two types of boiler blowdowns - continuous and manual. A continuous blowdown utilizes a calibrated valve and a blowdown tap near the boiler water surface. As the name implies, it continuously takes water from the top of the boiler at a predetermined rate
A continuous blowdown is an optional feature and may not be included on your steam boiler. However, all steam boilers should include a means for manual blowdown as standard equipment.
Manual blowdowns are accomplished through tapings at the bottom of the boiler. These openings allow for the removal of solids that settle at the bottom of the boiler. Manual blowdown is also used to keep water level control devices and cutoffs clean of any solids that would interfere with their operation. All steam boilers require manual blowdown whether or not they are supplied with continuous blowdowns.
Proper blowdown is performed as follows:
Blowdown should be done with the boiler under a light load. Open the blowdown valve nearest the boiler first. This should be a quick opening valve. Crack open the downstream valve until the line is warm. Then open the valve at a steady rate to drop the water level in the sight glass ½ inch. Then close it quickly being sure that the hand wheel is backed off slightly from full close to relieve strain on the valve packing. Close the valve nearest the boiler.
Repeat the above steps if the boiler has a second blowdown tapping. Water columns should be blown down at least once a shift to keep the bowls clean. Care should be taken to prevent low water shutdown if this will affect process load.
Roger Whitehead wrote:
TREMENDOUS IMAGE!!!!! It could be from the 50's. Your sacrifice in what looks to be BRUTAL conditions really paid off. Congratulations!!!!
