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Steam Shovels

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Steam Shovels
Posted by Miningman on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 12:57 PM
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Posted by rcdrye on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 1:10 PM

Mike Mulligan at his best!

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 2:01 PM

Isn't it something that even though they haven't been steam-powered for decades people still refer to power excavators as "steam shovels?"

Kind of like the term "steamroller,"  who knows how long it's been since an actual steam-powered one was in use?  

Hey, the name fits, it sticks, and there you go.

Somebody say "Mike Mulligan?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQjHJKNyoUE  

I just love happy endings!  "Boo-hoo!  Boo-hoo!  Tears of joy!"  

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 6:01 PM

Flintlock76
I just love happy endings!

This is one of the stories that has a not-happy ending in the PC anthology version: what happens when the municipal building has to start dealing with global warming CO2 emissions, sulfur and mercury pollution, and ash-disposal issues from that boiler in the basement?  

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Posted by Miningman on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 6:29 PM

The archived book on Steam Shovels in Mining was sent to me by a fella that asked about our Rexall Train thread. Retired from Bucyrus Erie .  He has since sent me a lot more info that I could certainly use in my curriculum, even if its historical. 

As to the PC crowd AOC types, wonder what George would say:

Germs !

https://youtu.be/JSbT7JVNEU4

 

 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 11:07 PM

George Carlin and a steamroller.  This is the first time I heard him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqTiYUthX-4

Here's a great example of real-life railroad customer service.  "YOU'RE in the wrong place, not us!!!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT462oVLyn4

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, May 21, 2020 12:06 AM

Overmod
Flintlock76
I just love happy endings!

This is one of the stories that has a not-happy ending in the PC anthology version: what happens when the municipal building has to start dealing with global warming CO2 emissions, sulfur and mercury pollution, and ash-disposal issues from that boiler in the basement?  

As an existing installation, it is initially grandfathered in. 

As time goes on and regulations tighten, this story can go two ways (just like a 'choose your own adventure'):

1.  The building is turned into the headquarters of a steam museum, and Mary Anne becomes a historic artifact, valued all the more because she remains operational and useful. 

2.  The town installs scrubbers and a ash capture/removal system a-la the S.S. Badger, selling the ash to a local cement maker.  They even add a CO2 capture system, some of which is diverted to the town's retro soda fountain.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by rcdrye on Thursday, May 21, 2020 7:00 AM

The Panama Canal is maybe the largest monument to the railroad steam shovel. See David McCullough's classic "The Path Between the Seas".

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, May 21, 2020 10:28 AM

When I was a boy, I read a book we had that was named The Steamshovel Man. It told of a young man who worked on the construction of the Panama Canal, and I found it quite interesting.

I wish I had picked it up the last time I was in the house. Of course, if I taken all the books I wish I had taken, I would not have room to store them all.

Johnny

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Posted by Overmod on Thursday, May 21, 2020 11:14 AM

SD70Dude
As time goes on and regulations tighten, this story can go two ways (just like a 'choose your own adventure'): 1.  The building is turned into the headquarters of a steam museum, and Mary Anne becomes a historic artifact, valued all the more because she remains operational and useful.  2.  The town installs scrubbers and a ash capture/removal system a-la the S.S. Badger, selling the ash to a local cement maker.  They even add a CO2 capture system, some of which is diverted to the town's retro soda fountain.

Or #3: both, and then some.  Let's include pilot-plant torrefied fuel firing, and cogeneration.  

A consummation devoutly to be wished...

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, May 21, 2020 12:32 PM

Deggesty
Of course, if I taken all the books I wish I had taken, I would not have room to store them all.

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

"Literacy!  It's a curse!"   Crying   

We have, and I'm not joking, 2,000 pounds  of books here in the "Fortress Flintlock!"  How do we know?  The movers weighed 'em!  

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, May 21, 2020 1:01 PM


Here you go Johnny... read it at your leisure from the privacy of your own boudoir. 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, May 21, 2020 1:55 PM

It's Mary Anne!  She's still alive!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJEin7oVajQ  

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, May 21, 2020 3:48 PM

Miningman


Here you go Johnny... read it at your leisure from the privacy of your own boudoir. 

 

Thank you, Man who Digs. It will take me a while, but I look forward to reading it again, after 70 years or so.

Johnny

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