Re: GR steam article
Kevin, That was well stated. Thank you for your hard work. Jess
Re: GR steam article
First off, a disclaimer - I write a regular column for Garden Railways aimed at beginning garden railroaders. However, my comments are based on my experience as the editor of the Friends of the East Broad Top [Railroad] magazine, the "Timber Transfer." Simply stated, a magazine is only as good as the articles submitted to it. If you would like to see more steam coverage in the pages of GR, then I suggest you sit down and start writing articles. Editors pull enough material out of thin air as it is. There's a lot of time and energy put towards coming up with an idea for an article, then soliciting a qualified author to write it. Even then, we're only guessing at what our readership would like to see in the pages. I know there are a lot of topics my readers would like to see covered, but until someone steps up to the plate, they'll have to wait. I keep as good a balance as I can given what I have to work with. Why were there two pages devoted to cutting apart a plastic ore car? Because someone took the time to write about it, that's why. It's a topic that was interesting enough to one person to sit down and put fingers to keyboard and submit a few words about what small project they did in the workshop. The truth is, steam has been covered in GR for quite some time, and fairly well. The previous issue had two pages devoted to the St. Louis steam-up, and Marc's been pretty good about devoting a page or two to DH, as well. Jeff's column is, I believe, the first time there's been a regular feature targeted towards live steam in the 17 years the magazine's been around. I don't see this as a bad thing, rather I'm surprised it wasn't done much earlier. If you're looking for in-depth coverage of live steam, you're looking in the wrong direction. We have two magazines devoted to that specific pursuit, which is extraordinary in itself when you consider the small number of folks in the hobby. Feedback is always good, even moreso when it's constructive feedback. If you feel there could have been more info given in the column, then I encourage you to write or e-mail Marc and let him know what you would have like to have seen added. It's not enough to say "I didn't like it, you didn't devote enough space." We (magazine editors in general) would love to devote more space to informative articles. We do need to hear from our readers as to what kind of information they desire. *OFF SOAPBOX* (and off to bed) Later, K
Track & rail bender
Walt, N/S has many advantages, and I believe I would prefer it overall for Oregon. However, San Val Trains reports N/S rail pits a lot in Los Angeles' acid rain climate. Is there any difference in traction on Nickle Silver vs Stainless Steel vs Brass rail? I sent Aristo Craft's rail bender back to them to examine. For the rail AC sent me (four tubes of rail) I found the rail bender's large die did not allow the rail head to insert into the top slot. This caused a persistent spiral to be formed into rail no matter how I bent the rail. I looked closely at the die and noticed the rail head hits the bottom edge of the rail head slot preventing the head from inserting into the slot of the large die while the smaller dies allow the head to fully insert. AC has not found a similar problem with the rail they run through the bender I wonder if AC made some batches of rail slightly different sizes. Anyone else with experience with AC rail and AC bender? Hope you have some thougths Walt Gary Lane wanting to bend rail that lays flat when finished. P.S. AC rail bends a tighter curve when inserted in the bender from one end than the other end of the rail (it does not matter which end of the bender the rail is inserted into, but it does matter which end of each piece of rail is inserted). Apparently rail is coiled at some point in manufacture and shipping. Probably coiled prior to final shaping. ---Original Message--- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, November 01, 2001 04:28:45 PM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: Re: Track Hi, You may also want to check the price of the nickel silver rail Aristo markets. The advantage of N/S over stainless is the fact that the N/S takes on a very nice patina that looks very prototypical. On the other hand, now that the alloy has been changed, the stainless steel rail will virtually always look like toy train rail. If you are going to use track power to illuminate passenger cars, caboose lights, etc. the patina on N/S remains conductive. Keep your steam up! Walt Swartz PS I do get a royalty from Aristo on rail benders, but do not receive compensation for rail or other products.
w*t*b*x
Keith and Harry- Maybe we could rig a Faucault's Pendulum as an automatic feed for the w*t*b*xhehehe...oops-wrong list. Cheers, Eric
Re: Track
Hi, You may also want to check the price of the nickel silver rail Aristo markets. The advantage of N/S over stainless is the fact that the N/S takes on a very nice patina that looks very prototypical. On the other hand, now that the alloy has been changed, the stainless steel rail will virtually always look like toy train rail. If you are going to use track power to illuminate passenger cars, caboose lights, etc. the patina on N/S remains conductive. Keep your steam up! Walt Swartz PS I do get a royalty from Aristo on rail benders, but do not receive compensation for rail or other products.
Re: Track
... also my experience ... I put down steel code 215 rail, and in less than six months it was to rough to run on, and within a year there were rust streaks where there had been rail. East coast acid rain lives ... We now run on code 250 nickel-silver, which has weathered nicely. Pete At 03:05 PM 2001-11-01 -0500, you wrote: >Ferd. >I'd be careful of steel rail! I have some, and most is just rail, but some >is the old time aster steel rail welded to steel cross ties every three or >four inches. It RUSTS!!, big time! Unless you wish to ruin your wheels, find >something other than steel! >Keith Taylor >- Original Message - >From: Ferdinand Mels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 11:59 AM >Subject: Track > > >> Hi Everyone >> Here is a simple question. I would like to put a track in the Garden this >> spring - the catch I am tired of LGB and similar prefab track. I am >modeling >> 7/8N2 and have been trying to find steel rail in either Gauge 1 (332) or >> Gauge 2 that I can lay on the proper scale ties. Any suggestions as to >where >> track can be sourced would be great. >> Thanks Ferd. >> >> > > >
Track
The Aristo Craft Stainless Steel rail I have has been installed for 16 months in Oreegon's wet Willamette Valley without even a spot of rust. It is installed outdoors in shady and sunnier spots. No rust. Prior correspondence with Aristo Craft indicates they rejected the ealiest shipment of rail from China because the stainless steel alloy was not up to AC specifications and would have been more prone to rust. Conclusion: Not all "stainless steel" is the same alloy. ~Gary Lane Eugene, Oregon ---Original Message--- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, November 01, 2001 12:08:47 PM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: Re: Track Ferd. I'd be careful of steel rail! I have some, and most is just rail, but some is the old time aster steel rail welded to steel cross ties every three or four inches. It RUSTS!!, big time! Unless you wish to ruin your wheels, find something other than steel! Keith Taylor - Original Message - From: Ferdinand Mels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 11:59 AM Subject: Track > Hi Everyone > Here is a simple question. I would like to put a track in the Garden this > spring - the catch I am tired of LGB and similar prefab track. I am modeling > 7/8N2 and have been trying to find steel rail in either Gauge 1 (332) or > Gauge 2 that I can lay on the proper scale ties. Any suggestions as to where > track can be sourced would be great. > Thanks Ferd. > >
Re: Messages on this list
- Original Message - From: Harry Wade <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > They sell it in groceries here, goes by the name Wheetabix! > Harry, Do you think Wheetabix would fit, uncut, through a 10 mm scale firedoor? Would you need a Wheetabix shovel? Keith T.
Re: Track
Ferd. I'd be careful of steel rail! I have some, and most is just rail, but some is the old time aster steel rail welded to steel cross ties every three or four inches. It RUSTS!!, big time! Unless you wish to ruin your wheels, find something other than steel! Keith Taylor - Original Message - From: Ferdinand Mels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 11:59 AM Subject: Track > Hi Everyone > Here is a simple question. I would like to put a track in the Garden this > spring - the catch I am tired of LGB and similar prefab track. I am modeling > 7/8N2 and have been trying to find steel rail in either Gauge 1 (332) or > Gauge 2 that I can lay on the proper scale ties. Any suggestions as to where > track can be sourced would be great. > Thanks Ferd. > >
GR steam article
I am glad some steam is getting into or returning to Garden Railways magazine. Is it possible Kalmbach or Horovitz is trying to elicit a strong response from steamers? If an article is crafted to try to elicit a strong response and is successful, then the editors know they are reaching a market, even if smaller than the sparkie market. If the receive little response, then the editor should rightly conclude there is little readership interest and the column should be reassigned to a different interest other than live steam. Therefore, I conclude all of us who read the article and did have a response (positive or critical) should respond in writting to Kalmbach. If we are in favor of well written articles about steam then they are more likley to support retaining the space for steam. With Accucraft releasing detailed steam aggressively marketed in the US I believe steam will grow in popularity. Roundhouse and Aster do not seem to be advertising as well as Accucraft and are not focused on American steam like Accucraft, which should create a stronger steam market in the US. My peat's worth Gary Lane Eugene, OR
Re: Messages on this list
At 02:24 PM 11/1/01 -0500, you wrote: >It is an organic substance, . . . . >When grown as fuel, it is cut out of the earth with >a square ended shovel into brick sized and shaped blocks that are roughly >the consistancy of clay. When they dry out, it is a hard fibrous substance >that burns hotter than Hades, leaves very little ash, and NO clinkers! They sell it in groceries here, goes by the name Wheetabix! Cheers, Harry
Re: Messages on this list
Trent, It is an organic substance, you will find it in it's un dried form at garden centers as "Peat Moss." When grown as fuel, it is cut out of the earth with a square ended shovel into brick sized and shaped blocks that are roughly the consistancy of clay. When they dry out, it is a hard fibrous substance that burns hotter than Hades, leaves very little ash, and NO clinkers! The "peat" bogs in Ireland provided a good source of locally available fuel. No imported Welsh Steam coal to buy saved a lot of money for poor starving short lines. Keith P.S. The loco I got to run with this fuel is an Ex. Cavan & Leitrim Railway Co. 4-4-0 Side tank locomotive built by Robt. Stephenson & Sons. After retiring from the C&L it was purchased by "The Lady Edith Society." (Lady Edith was the locomotive's name when built) This society was Rogers E. M. Whitaker (a.k.a. E. M. Frimbo the Author) Edgar T. Meade, author and rail historian and Oliver Jensen, Editor of American Heritage magazine. They later donated this fine locomotive and an entire Irish train, to the New Jersey Museum of Transportation. Located in Allaire State Park in New Jersey, they operate a small demonstration line of 3' gauge steam and diesel locomotives. They are also home to Ely-Thomas Lumber Co. - 36 ton Shay No. 6. The sister engine to the E-T Lumber No. 5 that Bachmann has made in No. 1 gauge. - Original Message - From: Trent Dowler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 11:04 PM Subject: Re: Messages on this list > Keith, et al, > >I still consider myself realtively new to steam and it's wonderful > properties, etc. If this is a stupid question, please excuse me. >What exactly is "peat"? I've seen reference to it, even built a couple of > simple "peat wagons" to pull, but I really don't know what it is. Mineral? > Plant? Other? >Thanks in advance. > > Later, > Trent > > > Keith Taylor wrote: > > > Heck, we'll even > > take locos that burn Peat! (an Irish 4-4-0 Tank engine I used to run as a > > kid in New Jersey, 3' gauge, came over from Ireland with it's bunkers still > > filled with Peat fuel. We tried it, and damned if it wasn't the hottest and > > cleanest burning fuel we ever came across!) >
Our numbers was GR Mag
At 12:22 PM 11/1/01 -0800, you wrote: >Bob, >I think maybe you should email Marc with your concerns. >>>Bob was pretty much right-on with his assessment, I meant to say WALT was pretty much right-on with his assessment . . . . Cheers, Harry
Our numbers was GR Mag
At 12:22 PM 11/1/01 -0800, you wrote: >Bob, >I think maybe you should email Marc with your concerns. Bob was pretty much right-on with his assessment, and remember the magazine is no longer Marc's to do with as he pleases. The "corporation's" needs must be met. IMHO emailing a complaint, at least on account of the amount of coverage, would only aggravate a situation he is already aware of. Actually, it sounds like to me what was published represents a percentage of coverage that is proportional to our (live steamers) numbers in the hobby. On the other hand, if you wanted to comment on the article content, it sounds to me as if there's grounds for complaint. But I haven't seen the article. Cheers, Harry
Re: Garden Railways Mag
Absolutely right Walt, As you were about peat, Irish and Scotch! We are dam lucky to still have Marc as editor of Garden Railways. (note the C!!!) He "sneaks" in steam as much as he dare!! With fire and steam, Geoff. When you consider the number of subscribers that are live steamers compared >to the number of sparkies type subscribers, then you might get a clue as to >the allocation of space. Mark Horovitz is probably the first "editor" in the >US to promote live steam. I believe the first Side Street Bannerworks >gathering was for live steam and that later became the annual National Garden >Railroading Convention. There is something in the business world that sort of >dictates that if you do not go where the money is located, you won't go very >far. >Keep your steam up! >Walt
Re: Garden Railways Mag
Bob, I think maybe you should email Marc with your concerns. Jess
Re: Garden Railways Mag
When you consider the number of subscribers that are live steamers compared to the number of sparkies type subscribers, then you might get a clue as to the allocation of space. Mark Horovitz is probably the first "editor" in the US to promote live steam. I believe the first Side Street Bannerworks gathering was for live steam and that later became the annual National Garden Railroading Convention. There is something in the business world that sort of dictates that if you do not go where the money is located, you won't go very far. Keep your steam up! Walt
Track
Hi Everyone Here is a simple question. I would like to put a track in the Garden this spring - the catch I am tired of LGB and similar prefab track. I am modeling 7/8N2 and have been trying to find steel rail in either Gauge 1 (332) or Gauge 2 that I can lay on the proper scale ties. Any suggestions as to where track can be sourced would be great. Thanks Ferd.
Re: Messages on this list
Hi, One of the most satisfying uses of peat is when the barley is dried and prepared to make the malt that is used to produce Irish or Scotch Live Steamers Fuel! Various peat deposits impart different tastes to the end products. Keep your steam up! Walt & Lunk
Re: Messages on this list
Isn't peat burned to season (toast) the aging barrels for the high-dollar lowland scotch? (Opps, way off topic.) : To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 8:04 PM Subject: Re: Messages on this list > Keith, et al, > >I still consider myself realtively new to steam and it's wonderful > properties, etc. If this is a stupid question, please excuse me. >What exactly is "peat"? I've seen reference to it, even built a couple of > simple "peat wagons" to pull, but I really don't know what it is. Mineral? > Plant? Other? >Thanks in advance. > > Later, > Trent > > > Keith Taylor wrote: > > > Heck, we'll even > > take locos that burn Peat! (an Irish 4-4-0 Tank engine I used to run as a > > kid in New Jersey, 3' gauge, came over from Ireland with it's bunkers still > > filled with Peat fuel. We tried it, and damned if it wasn't the hottest and > > cleanest burning fuel we ever came across!) >
Garden Railways Mag
I was looking forward to the December issue of Garden Railways because the previous issue had announced that a new regular column devoted to small scale live steam would debut in the December issue. What a disappointment. The first topic in the column "Raising Steam" (p. 110) is "Radio controlling the Ruby." The column got only one (1) page; two-thirds is text and one-third is two photographs, one of the radio rig and one of the Ruby sans cab with the radio rig in place. While the column discusses the process, it is short on information that is needed to make it relatively simple for readers to benefit from the column. There are no drawings or specs even for thickness of the brass sheet. There are no specific brand names for components used in the project. There are no drawings or specs on the linkages. There is no gauge given for the wire in the antennae. As an encouragement for someone's *first* project in installing radio control on "a popular choice for a first live-steam locomotive" the information is too sparse for a first-timer who has never purchased radio-control equipment let along figuring out how to assemble and install it in the confines of a Ruby cab. It shows that it *can* be done but is too short on drawings to show *how* it is done. Jeff Young writes the column, and the problem seems to be more in the editorial distribution of space than with his know-how. For examples, while the Ruby project got only one page and no drawings whatsoever, the same amount of space, one page (p. 86), was given to "Build a G-scale [just what is G "scale" anyway?] bumper," and three pages (pp. 74-76) were given to an article on using an old radio to cause flickering marker lights, and two-thirds of page 74 is a picture of a caboose with marker lights. I've seen more cabooses with marker lights than I have Ruby locomotives with radio control in the cab. Furthermore this marker article contains manufacturer and part number for the marker lights. The real killer is a two page article on "Quick-and-easy ore cars, Kitbashing for beginners" (pp. 78-79) that includes almost two-thirds of a page devoted to drawings that illustrate how to glue two boards to three boards to get a side that is five-boards high. Again, this article makes reference to specific brand names for the components to be used. Yes, the magazine includes a regular column of musings by Peter Jones and an occasional review of a small-scale live-steam loco, but it's pretty clear that when it comes to dividing up the pages in Garden Railways small scale live steam is at the bottom of the list. Bob Blackson
Re: BAGRS Project Locomotive/ Brazil
Trent, And you should see what we did to Ernie's caboose last weekend. You'll get to see it at DH in the Butt Paste train everyone is building. The "Butt Paste Band" also practiced for the Arts Festival part of Diamondhead. Bruce On Wed, 31 Oct 2001 21:57:49 -0600, you wrote: >Bruce, > > This, coming from someone who weathers boxcars with spray paint? > >Later, >Trent > > >Bruce Gathman wrote: > >> BUT, if Ernie can build it anyone can! :) >
