Chief, thanks for the great pictures of your trip and thanks to Don for the assist. Don, I started the layout in 1976, the year we moved in here. Enjoyed the photos on the steam engine with Don and the visit to the San Diego layout was great too.
Ray
SPMan
I will try and explain the pictures, it was a riot trying to talk him through how to take the pictures! If I wasn't there this would be a bunch of pictures of his face. (He had the camera facing the wrong way, then WHEN I did get him to hold it right, he kept looking at the girls walking by instead of me!)
ChiefEagles Shake and Bake the engineer and fireman. Engine 41, was the first engine to arrive at Knott's (1952), it was originally a coal burner, and was converted to oil upon arrival. Funny, Walter Knott's son finalized the deal with the DRG to buy the engine and cars. He did NOT realize it was all Narrow Gauge, and had to be trucked and/or loaded on flat cars for the trip from Colorado to So. Cal.. Once loaded on the flat cars the equipment was too tall for some tunnels and trestles. Ended up costing over $25k for the freight bill. The equipment was all purchased at scrap value. (A second engine was bought 6 months later, and brought to Knott's. Both are C-19, Constellations. Obviously, Fire Box, I am holding door open with foot. Temperature typically runs 25-30 degrees hotter inside cab than ambient temperature. (Usually between 90 to 125/130) Taken from the Engineer side, the unit in the foreground is the "G6" train brake handle. Pushing towards the left, (back) releases the brakes. Currently the handle is in the "Lap" position, moving it forward to the right is the "Big Hole" for emergency stop. The handle sticking out just above my hand is the throttle, my hand is resting on the "Johnson Bar". The Large dial is boiler pressure, current reading is slightly less then 150psi, at 154 the pressure safety value would release. Guess Who We are underway, G6 is in the "Run" position, my hand is pulling back the throttle, Johnson Bar full forward. Lookin across toward the Fireman, the unit with the 3 sightglasses is the "Hydrostatic Lubricator", this provides oil to the 2 Cylinders (1 sightglass for each), and the 3 is for the air pump. Steam comes in thru the top (not shown) is condensed. The tank is an oil resevoir, the oil drips through the sight glass and out to the unit via tubing. Each sight glass is adjusted to one drip every 25 to 45 seconds. (Drips are visible thru sightglass. Blue handle in foreground is automatic Bell Ringer, (steam driven). Back of my head Pulling whistle cord Still pulling whistle, (pedistrian crossing) My badge Crossing trestle over a "simulated" Grand Canyon scene. (We do a track walk every morning, 5/8 mile, including inspecting the Trestle. Begining of trestle An almost missed water stop. The spout should be aligned straight. (Mark painted on asphault, about the same width as a $1 bill. Need to center the mark with the step of the cab.) Water Tank is a facade, water is pumped from an underground cistern, then through the spout. Water Tank holds electronic equipment panels for lighting stage area.
Shake and Bake the engineer and fireman.
Engine 41, was the first engine to arrive at Knott's (1952), it was originally a coal burner, and was converted to oil upon arrival. Funny, Walter Knott's son finalized the deal with the DRG to buy the engine and cars. He did NOT realize it was all Narrow Gauge, and had to be trucked and/or loaded on flat cars for the trip from Colorado to So. Cal.. Once loaded on the flat cars the equipment was too tall for some tunnels and trestles. Ended up costing over $25k for the freight bill. The equipment was all purchased at scrap value. (A second engine was bought 6 months later, and brought to Knott's. Both are C-19, Constellations.
Obviously, Fire Box, I am holding door open with foot. Temperature typically runs 25-30 degrees hotter inside cab than ambient temperature. (Usually between 90 to 125/130)
Taken from the Engineer side, the unit in the foreground is the "G6" train brake handle. Pushing towards the left, (back) releases the brakes. Currently the handle is in the "Lap" position, moving it forward to the right is the "Big Hole" for emergency stop. The handle sticking out just above my hand is the throttle, my hand is resting on the "Johnson Bar". The Large dial is boiler pressure, current reading is slightly less then 150psi, at 154 the pressure safety value would release.
Guess Who
We are underway, G6 is in the "Run" position, my hand is pulling back the throttle, Johnson Bar full forward.
Lookin across toward the Fireman, the unit with the 3 sightglasses is the "Hydrostatic Lubricator", this provides oil to the 2 Cylinders (1 sightglass for each), and the 3 is for the air pump. Steam comes in thru the top (not shown) is condensed. The tank is an oil resevoir, the oil drips through the sight glass and out to the unit via tubing. Each sight glass is adjusted to one drip every 25 to 45 seconds. (Drips are visible thru sightglass. Blue handle in foreground is automatic Bell Ringer, (steam driven).
Back of my head
Pulling whistle cord
Still pulling whistle, (pedistrian crossing)
My badge
Crossing trestle over a "simulated" Grand Canyon scene. (We do a track walk every morning, 5/8 mile, including inspecting the Trestle.
Begining of trestle
An almost missed water stop. The spout should be aligned straight. (Mark painted on asphault, about the same width as a $1 bill. Need to center the mark with the step of the cab.) Water Tank is a facade, water is pumped from an underground cistern, then through the spout. Water Tank holds electronic equipment panels for lighting stage area.
Don
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
fifedog Me thinks Ray makes a nice Waldorf to SirJames' Statler...
Me thinks Ray makes a nice Waldorf to SirJames' Statler...
Fife,
Just need a balcony now.
Jim
Thanks for sharing your pics, Chief. Nice to finally "see" Ray, Dennis, and a glimpse of Dougnotta. I certainly aim to go visit that Sandy Eggo layout some day.
Chuck,
You are right, I am young! My hair is naturally dark brown, I had it died gray so I would fit in with the older guys.
The layouts are indeed awesome! I believe Ray told me he started his 30 years ago, I maybe mistaken. Hopefully he will see this thread and reply.
The San Diego layout where Doug (ddg) is, is probably the best layout I've ever seen. When I see it, I always think, THIS is the THE LAYOUT that IS COMPLETED!
Great pictures, Chief. Those are fantastic layouts. I envy you for being able to see them. Shake & Bake looks a lot younger than I imagined.
TooTs
This is the start.
If you look carefully through the blinds, you see the pristine river [concrete] that runs behind Shake and Bake's house. In fact, all of them are concrete.
My next excursion was to Ray's for some train running.
A real Southern gentleman.
Shake and Bake [questionable when you say gentleman]
Shake and Bake, Ray and Dennis [nice guy too].
San Diego 3 Railers and Dougsnotagrump.
Shoot out with Ohio State Police. Notice Cops are shot too. NC, only crooks get shot.
Roadway Express added to their layout. Outstanding details.
More to come.
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