Saturday, February 7, 2009

Trains

Here is beautiful slide show of TRAINS <== click


Also watch the king of steam train locomotives the UNION PACIFIC BIGBOY <==click

Comment from Ed Morris . . ."I think the "Trains" piece is outstanding. The color is so clear you feel as though you are actually there. Thanks. You know there is so much out there in the Internet to seen, it is mind boggling. I've been searching for the perfect picture I want as background on the desk top and have a picture of the Union Pacific Big Boy. When I was at Wyoming in the summer of 1959 I had a chance to ride one from Laramie to Rawlings on a night run. I thought I had a conflict and missed the chance."

The first small image is a run of the Union Pacific #3985 a Challenger Series 4-6-6-4 which is the largest operational steam locomotive in the world. It was overhauled and converted to oil fired in 1990. In 2007 it underwent full operational repairs at Cheyenne WY. It was returned to special service in 2008. It is one of only two of the original 105 Union Pacific "Challenger" types in existence. The second picture is the other. UP #3977 is on static display in North Platte, Nebraska.

I thought that I located the "Mallet" series #4100 steam locomotive that visited Deadwood into the 1950's. The image on right is a large Canadian heavy freight 2-10-2 locomotive. Only 5 were ever manufactured. It is restored and on static display in Canada. Ed Morris's record checking verifies it is not the Deadwood Train but I am leaving the image as it is interesting and timely on restored locomotive history.

The image above on bottom right is the glory picture of the currently operational UP #3985. My "Trains" posting supplements the"Deadwood Trains" written by Ed Morris in March 2008. He talks about actual experiences with US built "Mallet" 4100.

For the end of "Trains", and those that care, I offer a few words on the "Caboose". Although the caboose has largely fallen out of use, some are still retained by railroads in a reserve capacity. These cabooses are typically used in and around rail yards. Other uses for the caboose include "special" trains, where the train is involved in some sort of railway maintenance, or as part of survey trains that inspect remote rail lines after natural disasters to check for damage. Others have been modified for use in research roles to investigate complaints from residents or business owners regarding trains in certain locations. Finally, some are coupled to trains for special events, including historical tours. Most all of us have memories of counting passing rail cars and waiting for the special one, the wave from the Caboose!~~DickD

See previous dhsclassmates post link

Wave!!

2 comments:

Amanda said...

I was always mesmerised by trains as a child and still love to see them. I always have to count the cars. I miss the cabooses.

Anonymous said...

Visited the blog, and the train slides are great! Gorgeous, clear color, artful scenes.

The slide show of trains is just beautiful. These scenes make me wish we had more use of rail service in the U.S. Europe and Japan have extensive passenger railroads. They're fast, cut down on carbon emissions, and are more efficient use of precious resources.

I'm so glad I live in a place where I can still hear the sound of a train whistle at night. Thanks, Dick. BTW: Has Rick Mills seen this? He'd love it! AnnS

Post a Comment