Local Steam Show (6 pics)

[PRSearls]

I am a big fan of antique steam traction engines and old machinery. Here are a few from a local event this past weekend. I shot mostly video this year to capture the action and sound of the demonstrations. Lots of labor, time and money were invested in these restorations. Comment and suggestions welcomed.

PRS

1. Minneapolis engine 8550.



2. Wearing pinstripes.



3. The hub.



4. Advance-Rumley



5. Concentration



6. Sun-speckled Case

[Manfred M]

Nice series, Paul.

This primitive technology has always been something I have been interested in too. The old fire tube boilers were the mainstay of industrial power for many, many decades and their use in powering factories and transport (trains and ships). The smaller units used in farm equipment had a relatively short life span as the internal combustion engine quickly replaced steam power. Seeing these beautiful machines in operation is definitely something special.

[Cantab]

A fascinating set of photos. Do you have any full length shots of the entire piece of machinery in photo #1? The painted piston machinery is sitting on an enormous boiler?

[Shadowman]

Nice capture of the colors and shapes.

[MarieV]

I am a big fan of antique steam traction engines and old machinery. Here are a few from a local event this past weekend. I shot mostly video this year to capture the action and sound of the demonstrations. Lots of labor, time and money were invested in these restorations. Comment and suggestions welcomed.

PRS

This primitive technology has always been something I have been interested in too. The old fire tube boilers were the mainstay of industrial power for many, many decades and their use in powering factories and transport (trains and ships). The smaller units used in farm equipment had a relatively short life span as the internal combustion engine quickly replaced steam power. Seeing these beautiful machines in operation is definitely something special.

Beautiful images and colours Paul and +1 to Manfred who says it all above.

[PRSearls]

Here are two more for Bruce.

PRS

7. Belting up



8. Oiling all around

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set of images that give a sense of the event.

Being somewhat familiar with what it takes to make stuff I'm amazed at how it was done in years gone by.

[Dave Humphries]

Great images of great machines - although I'm sure each has some 'idiosyncrasies' their owners might wish they didn't

Nicely turned out they are too.

Dave

[Astramael]

I enjoyed the series, especially the vivid colors.

One of the reasons we enjoy these old machines is that they engage more of our senses. They are visually interesting, they smell, the make noises, we can pull levers and watch the valves and sprockets change. They are human-size in their mechanical function.

Digital technology is silent, it lacks drama, it makes no noise, there are no visual indicators. Silicon logic gates and memory grids are not human scale, we cannot influence them in ways we can easily see. They are better, more efficient, more intelligent... but every animator prefers to show an LP over an iPod. Nearly every car enthusiast hates electric cars because they don't roar and belch fire and you have to apply skill to get the power to the ground.

*looks on with whimsy*

[Dave A]

Enjoyed viewing this set. Thank you for sharing.

Dave

[Cantab]

Here are two more for Bruce.

PRS

7. Belting up



8. Oiling all around

Many thanks for posting the two additional pictures. #7 puts everything in context and #8 has a great look of concentration on the engineer's face, quite apart from the attraction of the actual mechanical machinery.

[Wavelength]

Really enjoyed this series....

[IzzieK]

Nice to be there...thanks for taking us with you.