Old Fashioned Tendencies

Well good day to ya! Have a seat, take a load off, and a have a look around. Do you like steam power? Obselete technology? Are you old fashioned and dull? Well, you my friend are in the right place! This blog is for all those who are like me and aren't all that enthusiastic about the modern age. You can expect photographs, drawings, fictional stories about my favorite things, and much more. You certainly won't get politics, religion, or controversy from me! I steer clear of that type of thing. Anyway, please enjoy yourself and, do say hello if you are so inclined.

[mrtheengie]

And here's a side view of that Atlantic I posted last month. It wasn't easy to figure out exactly how I wanted to make it look. The working idea I had in my head was, "Alright, I don't want this thing to have a running board." That made things a little difficult since I'm so used to British Victorian design practices which almost always included a running board down the length of the engine. But, I'm extremely happy with how it came out.

These engines were built between 1506 and 1509. They were a product of the mind of Mr. Gene Kallis, who was Head Chief Mechanical Engineer of the National Railway from 1490 until his death in 1537.

They served their time on the fast-pace lines of the South-Western Region, and most of the class can still be found here. However, some have migrated to other regions over the years as they gradually became surplus to requirements in the South-West. This one was sent up to the Northern Region sometime in the 1690s, where it was run into the ground and eventually placed in storage.

It was acquired in 1723 by Mr. Daniel Alphonse, shed master at Makria Key, the station at the end of the Key Line Extension, a two hundred mile long railway line which extends across the sea along the chain of islands known as the South Eastern Keys. Mr. Alphonse restored the engine, and it is seen here in steam ready to be tested around the yard.

[mrtheengie]

And here we have a very old Atlantic, soon to appear in a future story drawing.

I wanted to play with the idea of a large, inside cylinder, passenger locomotive. I figured that the National Railway, since runs on such a wide gauge, would have, at some time in its history, adopted a design philosophy that would see most two cylinder machines built with inside cylinders.

This would be useful. Seven foot gauge is already more stable than standard, owing to the wide stance of the vehicles which run on it. So, keeping the reciprocating parts as close to the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive as possible would only improve matters. This was a common design practice in our world before the advent of counterbalancing. Obviously, the stability of inside cylinders is further improved by counterbalancing, so this engine is, naturally, counterbalanced.

Besides the stability benefits, the absence of big cylinders on the outside of the frames makes for some very clean lines.

[mrtheengie]

After a successful and timely delivery of barley to De Narvin's distillery, Erik is awarded with a regular contract to haul a weekly train of export whiskey to Makria Key. Adrian reckons a celebration is in order. Being young and arrogant, he naturally talked himself up to the brewers, and made it clear that it was his belief that he could drink them all under the table. The De Narvin distillers decided, right then, fire safety be darned, let's see how much this kid can put down! Poor fool will feel it in the morning, no doubt.

Don't drink, kids! And DEFINITELY don't drink too much (or any) spirits, like whiskey. You'll tip over before long, or worse.

Forgot to upload yesterday! Here it is, the next instalment of The Railway Men.

[mrtheengie]

A wonderful group of volunteers is restoring one of Andre Chapelon's wonderful Pacifics to working order. When she's finished, she will be the first purely Chapelon locomotive to run in France since the late fifties or early sixties.

Find them here:

Andre Chapelon, for those who don't know, was a mastermind of locomotive engineering and thermodynamics. He built or rebuilt many classes of engine over the years, each one better than the last. His magnum opus was his 242A, produced for SNCF in the early fifties. Out of all of his beautiful locomotives, only two survive: 231E41, shown here, and 231E22, which is locked away in Mulhouse at the French National Railway Museum. They were his first masterpieces, and now they are his last.

[mrtheengie]

De Narvin's Distillery

Adrian, Erik, and Cassius's cargo of barley found its mark in the city of Kapilens at De Narvin's distillery, one of the country's premier whiskey makers. From the large facility, the company exports their famous product all over the world. In the background, you can see the Silenephos Brewery on top of its hill, a site which was once occupied solely by an alehouse and inn.

The history of Kapilens has been fueled entirely by the production and sale of alcohol. The afore mentioned alehouse and inn was built long before the town was even a thought. It's owner, Jonas Silenephos, did very well for himself, and began to acquire land to sell and rent. He told land to merchants and tradesmen who wanted to establish permanent businesses, and, gradually, the town of Kapilens began to form.

When Mr. Silenephos died, he left the alehouse and all of his land holdings to his son, Hercule. Hercule was even more shrewd of a businessman than his father, and soon set his sights on higher things in the world of alcohol. He formed a company to take care of the land holdings, and focused his attention on the alehouse. As the town grew, several other alehouses had been built, and the original wasn't doing well. So, he decided to depart entirely from the simple sale alcohol, and enter into its manufacture. The modern brewery still surrounds the original alehouse, and today it functions more as a tourist attraction.

As Hercule's brewing business grew, his control over the town's land failed. The city government saw greater opportunities in allowing competitors to build their own breweries. Today, the town has nine breweries and six distilleries, not counting those small operations which produce less than 1000 barrels per year. Most of the population is employed at these establishments.

[mrtheengie]

Lest We Forget

Yesterday was Remembrance Day. I have nothing profound to say. It's all already been said. Maybe one day warfare will be a distant memory. I think that is the hope of every veteran, that their sacrifice will not go in vain, and the next generation will not endure the same pain.

So, let us remember, learn, and understand. Let us teach our children and our grandchildren. There is nothing to gain, and everything to lose, when bullets fly and bombs fall.

[mrtheengie]

Harvest Season

Autumn heralds the arrival of many things: the changing colors of the leaves, cold fronts from the north, and, most importantly, the harvest. And the harvest heralds the arrival of some unwelcome visitors.

Descending each year from their high mountain homes, these gigantic bird creatures come down to the plains to feast on the ripened fruits and grains. Thankfully, this one doesn't seem interested in the train which contains its quarry.

That's just as well for our engine crew, for this short train promises to reap great rewards for the little company.

[mrtheengie]

And finally, we have the beautiful landscape that surrounds the Talyllyn. When Tom Rolt describes this part of the country as being entirely within its own little world, you only really start to understand what he means when you see the area for yourself.

It somehow feels so separate. It's like it's never really moved on. Life is slow, and the people are friendly. So, too, is the railway that runs through the area. The Talyllyn is the friendliest railway in the country. They make visitors feel so welcome, like being part of a huge, extended family. It won't be the last time I visit, and I encourage all of you to go and visit it for yourself!

[mrtheengie]

Hopeless Romantic

Erik and Adrian advance to the station after making final preparations. The signalman has given them permission to sit in one of the platforms until he can find them a slot.

Adrian busies himself talking with a local girl and attempting to lay on, what he calls, the Islander Charm. Erik, however, finds amusement in foiling his romantic attempts.

Now more flammable than he was before, Adrian curses his partner, hides his red face, and sets about tending to his fire. Thankfully, the bucket only had a small amount of mineral oil in its bottom, just enough to cover the unfortunate fireman's hat and dribble down his nose.

[mrtheengie]

I promise, I have NEARLY exhausted all of my Talyllyn photos lol. I have loads more stationary engine pictures to go through, so stay tuned!

[mrtheengie]

The Talyllyn Railway running shed. Detail shots of the locomotives.

During my visit, our guides took us off of the train and into the running shed for a short walkthrough tour. By this time, Talyllyn had been put away. Edward Thomas hadn't run that day, and so stood cold but magnificent, wearing works grey, at the back. In the adjoining shed, Sir Haydn had just returned from her visit to the Corris, a visit which saw the Corris' own No. 3 make its way to the Talyllyn for a while.

So, we have represented in this shed, no less than three former builders: Fletcher Jennings, Kerr Stuart, and Hughs. Not pictured is the little Ruston diesel, Midlander. She was off her wheels in the shop.

[mrtheengie]

Some detail shots of the beautiful Coal Tank #1054 and Bahamas as they arrive at Keighley on the Worth Valley Railway.

This was taken during their Autumn Steam-Up, held to celebrate the completion of the new bridge to the shed which closed the railway for three weeks. I took these a few minutes after I took that picture of Fenchurch I posted a little while ago.

The funniest thing about my being there was just how spontaneous it was. I woke up that morning, opened Facebook, saw that the KWVR was having a steam gala, and so I bought a train ticket and went over. I can honestly say that it was the most impulsive thing I've ever done. I wonder what that says about me?

[mrtheengie]

Talyllyn Railway #7 “Tom Rolt”

Andrew Barclay and Sons 1949

Rebuilt Talyllyn Railway 1991

Now that I've exhausted most of my Dolgoch media and my one and only video of Talyllyn, let's take a look at what else I saw during my day-long visit to to the railway.

The first engine I saw that day was the lovely Tom Rolt. She tends to fly under the radar, like most of the diesels, with the obvious exception of Midlander, but she's absolutely gorgeous. It's the only one out of all the Talyllyn Railway steam locomotives that can make the round trip without filling up. They do so anyway, of course.

I also acquired Tom Rolt's book. It's a great read, probably one of the greatest books from the early preservation period. I can think of no other book quite like it. Do give it a read if you get the chance!

[monkeyssalad-blog]

1937 illustration by Howard Coble by totallymystified Via Flickr: LMSR Coronation Scot. From The Boy’s Own Annual 1937-38.

[mrtheengie]

Prepping the Engine

Erik oils around the motion, while Adrian consults the Fireman's Handbook to find the route code for the long-way-round to Kapilens from Sitarisoros. Their cargo is grain for one of the several breweries in the former city.

And here is their steed. Built in 1491, 103 was the fourth in a line of 7ft Gauge locomotives built to the pattern of Mr. Estrade's famous Standard Gauge, high speed 0-6-0. It represents a significant leap forward for the design, and contains many improvements, including a larger boiler to help it run for sustained periods at speed.

The engine has had a very long carrier spanning 233 years as of 1724. During that time, it has been an express engine and a commuter engine, and has been allocated to sheds all over the country. Erik started with the railway as a teenager and quickly fell in love with this ancient beast. He became its regular fireman, and then its regular driver.

Erik left the railway some years ago to become a private contractor, and he took 103 with him. Instead of passengers, 103 now carries freight behind her tender. An 0-6-0 with 8 foot high driving wheels may not be best suited for freight traffic, but the engine has plenty of power, and Erik makes sure not to over do it. 103 is in good shape, and has never once suffered at the hands of her operators.

[putuponpercy]

Came across this image today of Furness Railway no.20 being used as a playground

[mrtheengie]

And here's a photo I took of the same engine a short while ago at East Lancs' Autumn Steam Gala. Preservation has been very kind to this little beast.

They converted her back to her as-built in 1863 appearance, hence why she once again has a tender, which you can't see.

[life-imitates-art-far-more]

Hans Baluschek (1870-1935)

"City railway station" (1904)

Oil on canvas

[mrtheengie]

One of my all time favorite pieces of railway art