bertiedog Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 A clip from Youtube,of the Rocket replica built for the comedy film "Our Hospitality", the 1923 Buster Keaton comedy, featuring this crazy railway scene, the whole film is on Youtube as well as this clip. The film is public domain. Never been able to find out how it is powered on the track, but I assume rope hauled........the whole film is a classic Keaton..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welchester Posted November 12, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 12, 2010 Never been able to find out how it is powered on the track, but I assume rope hauled. I think it's being banked by the dog. Interesting tracklaying - flexitrack too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Harvey Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Have you thought it mite be a real steam engine back then there would not be any restrictions or health and safety to worry about. It is very good to watch. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted November 12, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 12, 2010 I doubt that it would be a real steam loco, I know that in 1925 the original Locomotion appeared to be moving under her own steam but it was a combination of oily rags in the chimney and a petrol engine in the tender that move ger along so maybe somthing similar was in use 2 years before? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 The power used for "The Rocket"is still a mystery, there is no valve gear, no controls, no steam leaks etc, and to get such reliable operation over the appalling track would be a miracle with a real steam engine.. It might be battery electric or a petrol engine n the tender, but there are no visible gearboxes etc., or drive parts under the tender. I suspect rope pull, or pulling out of frame, or pushing out of frame, but how it stays on the track beats me! The bump over the tree trunk must be rope pulled etc, no way would a powered unit be able to go over such an obstacle. The gauge appears to be three feet or so, with at least three types of track, and genuine switches on a real line (filmed on location in Oregon), where he later shot "The General" on the same sets. Buster Keaton was a railway buff all round, he designed the train, and other period details for his film. The driver, by the way, is Buster Keaton Sn., his father, in one of the few roles he played in films. Stephen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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