Will miracles never cease! The Dallas branch of the HSSLS met in Mesquite,
Texas this past weekend under clear Texas skies.
A number of interesting folks were there including "Trotfox" with his
diminishing "Ruby" and lego stationary steam engine. There were about a
dozen steamers (folks) and about 16 steamers (engines). As usual there had
to be at least one engine which was field stripped -- Caleb never got his new
"Reno" to run at Diamondhead BUT under the watchful eyes and hands of several
interested parties it perked up and ran like a champ. ALCOHOL (yep, the
stuff Kevin O preaches about regularly) was the problem. You just can't get
a high quality engine to run on low test alcohol. (Thanks to Dan Fuller for
sharing his good stuff!)
An AWNUTS train pulled by Jim Crabb's "Sammie" and Bill C's coal fired SR24
are staples; as well as several Roundhouse engines owned by Rob Cooley and a
super Aster kit built by Ed Hume. But what really took the prize was --
(drum roll please) -----
John Thomson's COAL FIRED BAGRS engine. As you know if you read SitG, John
has published over 25 mods for this modest little engine. Saturday he showed
off his greatest accomplishment with his normal modesty. This little
vertical-boiler engine built up a head of steam (using the recently purchased
Welsh coal imported from the UK) and moved around the track in a highly
dignified manner. There was great applause! The only challenge left is to
keep enough water in the boiler. Any coal firing steamer will attest to the
fact -- they use lots of water.
Jim Crabb
Seabrook
