The B&O brakeman on the back of the K-1 caboose, appears to be daydreaming about being knee deep in the South Branch River, hooking a nice brownie, and relaxing on the cabin's front porch. If you look closely at the lower right, you may spot a broken up ACW cannon, that the boys on the MofW crew uncovered while cleaning up a wash-out in the trough.
What a lovely scene!
And an old Civil War cannon found in a wash isn't as far-fetched as you might think. In 1980 I was at a Revolutionary War re-enactment where the artillery guys were firing a British cannon found by New York State road crews repairing a bridge. Turns out it was abandoned by Burgoyne's Redcoats during their retreat after their defeat at the Battle of Saratoga, the contemporary road followed the path of the 18th Century one. Being made out of bronze it was still in good enough condition to be used. Isn't that something?
I agree, beautiful scenery as ever fife! Your railroad is always a treat to admire Never knew about anything like that canon story Wayne, that's way cool! Blown away just knowing they even found it, the fact they could still use it is even better.My parents grew up in Lexington MA, and my grandparents still lived out there when I was little- I understood the historical significance of the area, but also it was hard to envision everything that once happened there, over 200 years ago.For the record, a local hiking trail named after a historic native american trail in my area, follows an abandoned railroad for a chunk of its distance. How accurate it is to the original route I can’t say... but a right of way is seldom new in this country! I guess it's always been a bit easier to go where someone else went before. Fascinating!-Ellie
Beautiful as ever
El Fixes ThingsNever knew about anything like that canon story Wayne, that's way cool! Blown away just knowing they even found it, the fact they could still use it is even better.
A little bit of artillery history for everyone.
Up to the time of the Civil War bronze was the preferred metal for field artillery. Virtually corrosion-proof it also had a good strength-to-weight ratio, both factors of which made it a good choice for cannon barrels. The disadvantage was being a soft metal the bores would enlarge after repeated firings (it took several hundred shots though) and be easily scratched by the iron cannonballs. Bronze was expensive too. But, bronze being an easy metal to work with the barrels could be melted down and re-cast into new ones.
By comparison, iron guns while cheaper were considered only good for one casting, once they were worn out they were discarded or sold for scrap.
So it's no surprise that 200 year old cannon was still able to be used, especially by re-enactors who are only going to fire blanks anyway.
And usually with powder charges far below what would have been used when the weapons were fired in anger.
Same me, different spelling!
Not necessarily: I have taken part in shooting canister and double canister from an original (1864) Napoleon.
palallin Not necessarily: I have taken part in shooting canister and double canister from an original (1864) Napoleon.
I am SO jealous!
Just out of curiosity was the full original 2 1/2 pound propelling charge used or did they reduce it a bit?
THAT was a niffty day!
Standard powder charge for a 12 lb Napoleon canister round is an even 2 lbs.
The firing was the field work for a master's thesis in Battlefield and Conflict Archeology from the U. of Glasgow. Meticulously researched and recreated: powder bags and the whole jazz. We GPSs the trail and muzzle for each of 16 shots and all of the 42% of the projectiles found at up to 700 yards or so--the rest were never found despite the solid ground and the metal detectors.
At 300 yards, one of the projectiles drilled a hole through a 2 x 2 holding up the target fence. Didn't break the wood: drilled an nice, clean hole. At over 600 yards, still taking limbs off trees and gouging their trunks.
Coupla YT vids:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvOCZ5NkT5A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k86XhYS8GJI
Back to topic: I once dabbled in an ACW RR in 2-rail O, but I was never satisfied with the artillery and troops available at the time and so sold out. AHM 4-4-0 and BTS car kits: so far so good, but the figs, etc., just didn't work. Given the current state of 3D printing, I am sure better options exist.
Great videos! Thanks! That looked like a fun day for all concerned!
"For it's 'Hi-Hi-HEE' in the Field Artillery!"
And I couldn't help but notice the "PING!" mixed with the report of the gun. Typical for bronze guns. And did you know the way they tested cannon barrels for soundness in the 18th (and probably 19th) Centuries was to rap the barrels with a wooden mallet? If the tube rang like a bell it was a good indication the casting was sound. In fact, rap the muzzle of a bronze gun barrel at a Civil War or Rev War park with a stick and you can still hear the ring.
I'll tell you something, there was so much "stuff" whizzing through the air during Civil War battles it's a miracle anyone lived through them.
Flintlock76 And I couldn't help but notice the "PING!" mixed with the report of the gun. Typical for bronze guns. And did you know the way they tested cannon barrels for soundness in the 18th (and probably 19th) Centuries was to rap the barrels with a wooden mallet? If the tube rang like a bell it was a good indication the casting was sound. In fact, rap the muzzle of a bronze gun barrel at a Civil War or Rev War park with a stick and you can still hear the ring. I'll tell you something, there was so much "stuff" whizzing through the air during Civil War battles it's a miracle anyone lived through them.
palallinthe gun was one of 12 bought by the state of NJ after the scare of Gettysburg
The scare of Gettysburg was a real thing. No-one at the time knew it was a turning point in the war (along with Vicksburg) and that while far from a spent force the Confederacy would never be that strong again. All anyone knew was that a horrendous battle had been fought and even though it was a Union win the Confederacy was far from beaten.
In fact, the knowledge of how bloody Gettysburg was was a contributing cause to the New York City draft riots of the following week.
And those ex-NJ guns get around! There's a Napoleon they use for firing demonstrations at the Petersburg battlefield here in Virginia with New Jersey markings!
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