Mike Boucher

OK. I'm trying to figure out your letter codes. WT = water tower CS = Coal Store SC = ??? S = Signal?? YC = Yard Crane LD = Loading Dock? LC = Level Crossing WB = ??? I like the track plan. Looks complex enough for interesting switching, but simple enough that it doesn't look crowded.

Now I'm confused. I thought the definition of "unfitted wagon" was that it didn't have vacuum brakes. So wouldn't an unfitted wagon have 0 cylinders?

Slight derail. What the heck is this "steam hammer" looking thing next to the smokebox? Theres one on both sides, and appears to be some apparatus that does something with the exhaust steam before it departs the stack, but I've got no clue.

Thanks. Its certainly a strange looking, and sounding, locomotive.

Another update from the UP... https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/steam-update-03-22-2018.htm It'll be interesting to see all the changes needed to make it burn oil.

OK, maybe its just me, but what's the point of this cradle? Looks to me that it makes the tank sit at the same height as if the tank was just chained down to a normal flat.

So, not being at all familiar with these beasts, what type of sounds come out of it? I'm assuming that there's a multi-cylinder engine in there which is geared down, so it'll sound a bit like a shay/climax while running? Lots of chuffs but not much distance traveled...

Posting without comment.

If you're so inclined, search YouTube for Jack Gibbons solo piano version of it. Pretty amazing piano playing...

If it was "Rhapsody in Blue", then it fits perfectly... Gershwin said, as quoted in his biography: "It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang, that is so often so stimulating to a composer – I frequently hear music in the very heart of the noise.... And there I suddenly heard, and even saw on paper – the complete construction of the Rhapsody, from beginning to end. No new themes came to me, but I worked on the thematic material already in my mind and tried to conceive the composition as a whole. I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our metropolitan madness. By the time I reached Boston I had a definite plot of the piece, as distinguished from its actual substance."

And the latest update... http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/03/03-progress-report-on-union-pacific-big-boy-4014 They're still targeting 2019, and this quote got my attention: "With work on the front engine largely done, the steam crew is turning its attention to the rear half of the locomotive..."

Hi Phil, I would certainly be interested in seeing them in whatever state of completion they're in. Often, I think I have more fun building than running, so seeing a partially built project can sometimes be more interesting than watching it roll down the track.

Yes, the "Great British Train Show" in Brampton, ON at the end of April. http://www.theplatelayers.org/gbts2018/gbts2018poster002.jpg I've never been myself, but it does sound interesting. I believe other members of the "US Gauge O Guild NorthEast" group (AKA "USGONE") are planning on going, and I'm fairly certain one is going to bring is 7mm layout to exhibit. I'm strongly considering going just to see what its all about, and possibly to help operate the layout. If I never go, I'll never know if it's worth the drive... They only hold the show every other year, so if I don't go this year, I'll have to wait until 2020. BTW - the layout is based on the Southern, and the owner has some very nice kit-built Southern locomotives. He has a beautiful "Schools" which runs like a swiss watch. Mike

How much side-to-side play do you have in the axles to get around a 4' radius? I have to get an engine around a 5' radius, so I'm wondering how much play I should be looking at...

Great write up. I'm sure what I learned there will be of use when I build my first outside-valve-geared locomotive. (which is 2 or 3 down from the top in the queue right now...) Are you going to get to Brampton this spring? I'm considering making the 8 hour drive from MA.

I have his GWR "City of Truro" upstairs in my "project pile", looks like a wonderful kit. I'm sure the dukedog is reasonably similar. I'm tempted by the Jubilee, need to find out which version the loco I want is... Have a few months to ponder.

Frankenstein entered a body building competition, only to find he had seriously misunderstood the point...

I thought it was Slartibartfast who produced those. (or was that the fjords?)

Kinda like this?

For an ungodly long list, go to http://cool-smileys.com/text-emoticons. One of my favorites is on page 2: +-(:-) Which is of course, the pope.

I had an extended period a few years ago when I couldn't do any modelling due to medical issues. Wasn't even allowed to go down to the basement as the doctors were afraid of me breathing any mold. But I could still use the computer. I taught myself how to use "FreeCAD" and designed various parts to be 3D printed by shapeways. Just a suggestion... Good luck with your recovery.

Here's the photos of my brake van. Hope it helps.

I have one at home, I'll try to take photos tonight. I agree with you that the instructions for that kit are fairly miserable, I stopped work on it for 6+ months because I couldn't figure out the brake rigging...

Hard to find a "Giant Landscape" in New England, but here's a photo I took this AM that I think fits this thread... (for a larger view, click on the photo, its larger than displayed here)