Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

  1. #1
    PRSearls's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Northern Illinois, USA
    Posts
    394
    Real Name
    Paul

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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.

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    2. Wearing pinstripes.

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    3. The hub.

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    4. Advance-Rumley

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    5. Concentration

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    6. Sun-speckled Case

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

  2. #2
    Moderator Manfred M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    22,145
    Real Name
    Manfred Mueller

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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.

  3. #3
    Cantab's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Canada (west coast)
    Posts
    2,050
    Real Name
    Bruce

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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?

  4. #4
    Shadowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    36,716
    Real Name
    John

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Nice capture of the colors and shapes.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Co Wicklow Ireland
    Posts
    208
    Real Name
    Marie

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Quote Originally Posted by PRSearls View Post
    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

    Quote Originally Posted by Manfred M
    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.
    Last edited by Dave Humphries; 16th August 2017 at 06:38 PM. Reason: removed quoted images after 7 & 8 added

  6. #6
    PRSearls's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Northern Illinois, USA
    Posts
    394
    Real Name
    Paul

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Here are two more for Bruce.

    PRS

    7. Belting up

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    8. Oiling all around

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    7,604
    Real Name
    Dan

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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.

  8. #8
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Windsor, Berks, UK
    Posts
    16,747
    Real Name
    Dave Humphries :)

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    71
    Real Name
    Julian

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    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*

  10. #10
    Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Northern Ontario
    Posts
    1,713
    Real Name
    Dave

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Enjoyed viewing this set. Thank you for sharing.

    Dave

  11. #11
    Cantab's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Canada (west coast)
    Posts
    2,050
    Real Name
    Bruce

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Quote Originally Posted by PRSearls View Post
    Here are two more for Bruce.

    PRS

    7. Belting up

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    8. Oiling all around

    Local Steam Show (6 pics)
    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.

  12. #12
    Wavelength's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Kerala, India
    Posts
    13,862
    Real Name
    Nandakumar

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

    Really enjoyed this series....

  13. #13
    IzzieK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chesterfield, Missouri/Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    17,827
    Real Name
    Izzie

    Re: Local Steam Show (6 pics)

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

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •