NEW BOOK!

Forgive my messy desk, I've got a lot of projects going on simultaneously right now.

Trying out the new DeWitt Clinton mech. It runs pretty much the same as the last generation, but it's world's better than the 1st gen. mech. which is of course the worst performing, and the most common (9 time out of 10, the one you find on ebay). Designing a basic wood tender body for it.

Good and bad news! Good news: Bachmann have finally put the new DeWitt Clinton powered tender up on their parts site! estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?ma... Bad: I bought one this morning for $45.90. This evening the price went up to $55.90!!!

If you're interested in pre-Wright attempts at heavier than air powered flight, this in depth video on the Whitehead flying machine, from the Deutsches Museum is amazing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=62aK...

Gustav Weisskopfs Flugapparat

YouTube video by Deutsches Museum

youtube.com

I used to be really interested in pre-Wright claims to heavier than air powered flight. But the more I looked into it, the more everybody's stories fall apart. It also makes one appreciate just how thoroughly the Wrights the documented their process, in comparison to other claimants.

Youtube recommended a video to me, and the guy used AI for research. The AI told him that something happened that didn't happen, he repeated it in his video, then used an AI generated image in the video to show it happened, and now the comments are filled with people who're mad that it happened.

Design and building process. Started with dimensions of the 1850 Norris locomotive Copiapo, added missing details (stack and cab) from other historic sources, adjusted proportions to fit the Mantua chassis, printed, fitted together, painted, and now good to go.

spotted this truck on its way to @capturingthemachine.com 's house.

Why is it called a "cowcatcher" if it is designed to push cows aside rather than catch them? A good question, with an interesting answer. Here are two illustrations, and an article from 1835 (containing the first known use of the term "cow catcher" that I know of) which make the etymology apparent.

Really wishing a podcast had some reason to have a guest with a lot of specialized knowledge about American railroading during the 1830s, because I wanna yap about American railroading during the 1830s.

Books. There is so much in books that has not made it to the internet. Reject AI, visit the library.

Suzy | pngtuber@suzyplayz.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Bruh. Is there anywhere I can go to see old vintage logos from the late 19th century that isnt just AI slop creations. Every single platform is just fucking AI. I WANT PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTUAL 1800s ARTIFACTS. Im so fed up. I can't even do research anymore without slop force fed to me.

The clock in my office is from the 1920s. The actual oldest object in my house is an 1832 letter from Horatio Allen (the man who ran the Stourbridge Lion on its maiden trip) to B.J. Howland (a board member of the South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Co.).

Pookleblinky@pookleblinky.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I always like thinking about: what is the oldest object you regularly use, the oldest thing you're using in your normal everyday life

A perfect pairing for your c. 1860 railroad making do with rebuilds of other road's cast off locos.

My version of this for how fast bicycle technology developed? Harry John Lawson invented the bicycle on the left, lived long enough to see everybody riding bicycles like the one on the right.

John Bull@garius.bsky.social · 2mo ago

My version of this for how fast airplane technology developed? Orville Wright flew both the Wright Flyer and a Lockheed Constellation

Ffarquhar Branch is all set up next to Stepney in the Maintenance Shed at Sheffield Park - if you’re visiting the Bluebell this weekend, make sure to drop by! We’ve also got lots of items from our shop for sale too - and all profits keep the Talyllyn running! #HeartofGold

Photo in my collection of the Sainte Catherine tunnel on the Paris-Rouen line of the Ouest railway. The tunnel was built in the 1840s, unfortunately the castle style tunnel mouth was destroyed by a landslide shortly after WWII. Today it features a plain concrete construction.

Some impressions of the Mid West Model Railway Clubs exhibition over the weekend in Limerick

FASTER

That time I made a four wheeled coach out of a Mantua passenger car and bobber caboose chassis

Got the first print of the 1850's passenger car body. Fits on the Mantua chassis perfectly, and though I say so myself, looks the part.

Another great old pic. Millholland 4-4-0, with Wootten mods. Anthracite burning firebox sticks right out the back of the cab. Reportedly the steamboat lumps of anthracite burned so slowly the fireman might have as many as 40 minutes to waste between shovelfulls.

Pedal layout on a 1905 REO.

Most interesting, and welcome news. railsofsheffield.com/products/hor...

R30511 Liverpool & Manchester Railway 2-2-0 "Planet" Steam Locomotive

Hornby R30511 R30511 Liverpool & Manchester Railway 2-2-0 "Planet" Steam Locomotive Expected Delivery January 2027 (Subject to Change at Manufacturer's Discretion). The standout announcement from ...

railsofsheffield.com

An article about Professor Eliphalet Nott's anthracite burning steamboat, the Novelty, which ran experimentally in the 1830s. The environmental angle of this article is absolutely fascinating. Forests and timber are so useful, that just burning wood as fuel is inexcusable. Sound familiar?

Doing a little more work on my Bachmann 4-2-0s.

I'm lucky enough to own a couple of old prints of this loco.

Design and building process. Started with dimensions of the 1850 Norris locomotive Copiapo, added missing details (stack and cab) from other historic sources, adjusted proportions to fit the Mantua chassis, printed, fitted together, painted, and now good to go.

Purchased a wonderful photo of this P&R 0-6-0 and its six wheel tender. Wootten firebox, but not a camelback. Highly polished Russia iron boiler jacket.