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Steam and Carnival Organs

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, November 18, 2017 5:37 PM

RRCharlie

I have said for years, that when I pass on to the great train station in the sky, that I want to be cremated, my ashes mixed with the water in a steam calliope on a gondola attached to Amtrak's "Silver Meteor" and piped out to Widor's magnificent Tocatta in Symphony # 5 at 80 miles an hour going through the Carolinas!!!

For those few music lovers who don’t know, here’s a particularly interesting performance of it:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J8vz1D_L_OE

(But I suspect you would want it played at familiar non-Widorian speed...)

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, November 18, 2017 4:24 PM

Wow. I thought I was over-the-top by wanting my cremated remains loaded into a six-pounder and fired over a Revolutionary War battlefield.

With my luck Lady Firestorm would probably just flush 'em down the john and call it a day.  "A burial at sea, and he's on his way!"

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Posted by RRCharlie on Saturday, November 18, 2017 3:32 PM

I have said for years, that when I pass on to the great train station in the sky, that I want to be cremated, my ashes mixed with the water in a steam calliope on a gondola attached to Amtrak's "Silver Meteor" and piped out to Widor's magnificent Tocatta in Symphony # 5 at 80 miles an hour going through the Carolinas!!!

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, November 18, 2017 2:21 PM

blue streak 1

Can we imagine something like one of these on the front of a steam loco ?

 

I don't know if you could fit it on the front, but considering the size of the locomotive maybe you could fit it on the tender tank top?  Maybe an old Pennsy "Coast to Coast" tender with the keyboard inside the head-end brakemans "doghouse?"

Wouldn't THAT be something!

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, November 18, 2017 1:58 PM

Can we imagine something like one of these on the front of a steam loco ?

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Posted by 54light15 on Friday, November 17, 2017 2:42 PM

Yes, I did, but hearing the USMC theme being played in Switzerland of all places, well that was sure something! A very cool looking boat too! 

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Posted by Firelock76 on Thursday, November 16, 2017 5:34 PM

Oh so cool!  How can you not listen to that and not break into a smile?

54', you must have loved that rendition of "Anchors Aweigh!"

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Posted by 54light15 on Thursday, November 16, 2017 10:05 AM

And then there's this one, the Minnie-Ha-Ha on Lake George in New York. I saw this one myself in about 1987. And not to change the subject, but there are a LOT of varnished mahogany Chris-Crafts on that lake. Beautiful! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3l8keXbzNk&list=PLLDx2MNHBGpkBYIl5ECo_A1fp_a2MLlFg&index=5 

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 9:55 PM

mudchicken

http://www.steamboats.org/whistle-calliope.html 

And you missed the obvious over at steamboats.org . Hope the 44 pipe beast from the Mississsippi Queen (1975-2011) finds a new home.

 

Install it on the Delta King (in Sacramento)? Though I doubt that the people in Sacramento would really appreciate it.

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 5:58 PM

http://www.steamboats.org/whistle-calliope.html 

And you missed the obvious over at steamboats.org . Hope the 44 pipe beast from the Mississsippi Queen (1975-2011) finds a new home.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 5:16 PM

No problem Overmod, I loved it!  And in Switzerland of all places!

Wish I was there to cut loose with a big "OOO-RAH" in my best command voice and have it echo around the lake, after relaxing from the position of attention of course.  Nah, maybe not, I'd have frightened the locals.

Thanks C&O!   Stand by all, I'll be right back.

OK, I'm back.  Ever wonder where the melody of "The Marines Hymn" comes from?  Well, even if you haven't, it's from a Jaques Offenbach operetta called "Genevieve de Brabant,"  the musical selection is called the "Galop."

And here it is, courtesy of "The President's Own."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1cobqnzSjk

And you don't have to stand at attention for this one.

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 3:31 PM

I don’t think Firelock76 will care much for that.  Perhaps not at all.

Wonder if they followed that up with ‘Hail to the Chief’ also in minor...

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Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 2:46 PM

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, November 11, 2017 10:57 AM

In Greek mythology Calliope was the muse of music and poetry.  Clio was the muse of history.  There were other muses but I don't remember just who they were.

Here's a bit of calliope (kally-ope!) music I think everyone will appreciate.  Just the thing for steamboatin'!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFgqDSBba1g

 

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Posted by 54light15 on Saturday, November 11, 2017 10:47 AM

In Greek mythology, wasn't there a goddess called Calliope? 

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Posted by Firelock76 on Friday, November 10, 2017 8:20 PM

That was wonderful!  Thanks for posting!

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, November 10, 2017 7:12 PM

Firelock76
I've been told the proper pronunciation when referring to the steam organ is "kally-ope," not "ka-ly-o-pee," but who cares?

The Kallyope Yell

[Loudly and rapidly with a leader, College yell fashion]

I
Proud men
Eternally
Go about,
Slander me,
Call me the "Calliope."
Sizz . . . . .
Fizz . . . . .

 

II
I am the Gutter Dream,
Tune-maker, born of steam,
Tooting joy, tooting hope.
I am the Kallyope,
Car called the Kallyope.
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
See the flags: snow-white tent,
See the bear and elephant,
See the monkey jump the rope,
Listen to the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope!
Soul of the rhinoceros
And the hippopotamus
(Listen to the lion roar!)
Jaguar, cockatoot,
Loons, owls,
Hoot, Hoot.
Listen to the lion roar,
Listen to the lion roar,
Listen to the lion R-O-A-R!
Hear the leopard cry for gore,
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Hail the bloody Indian band,
Hail, all hail the popcorn stand,
Hail to Barnum's picture there,
People's idol everywhere,
Whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop!
Music of the mob am I,
Circus day's tremendous cry: --
I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope!
Hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot,
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Sizz . . . . .
Fizz . . . . .

 

III
Born of mobs, born of steam,
Listen to my golden dream,
Listen to my golden dream,
Listen to my G-O-L-D-E-N D-R-E-A-M!
Whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop!
I will blow the proud folk low,
Humanize the dour and slow,
I will shake the proud folk down,
(Listen to the lion roar!)
Popcorn crowds shall rule the town --
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Steam shall work melodiously,
Brotherhood increase.
You'll see the world and all it holds
For fifty cents apiece.
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Every day a circus day.

 

What?

 

Well, almost every day.
Nevermore the sweater's den,
Nevermore the prison pen.
Gone the war on land and sea
That aforetime troubled men.
Nations all in amity,
Happy in their plumes arrayed
In the long bright street parade.
Bands a-playing every day.

 

What?

 

Well, almost every day.
I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope!
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Hoot, toot, hoot, toot,
Whoop whoop whoop whoop,
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Sizz . . . . .
Fizz . . . . .

 

IV
Every soul
Resident
In the earth's one circus tent!
Every man a trapeze king
Then a pleased spectator there.
On the benches! In the ring!
While the neighbours gawk and stare
And the cheering rolls along.
Almost every day a race
When the merry starting gong
Rings, each chariot on the line,
Every driver fit and fine
With the steel-spring Roman grace.
Almost every day a dream,
Almost every day a dream.
Every girl,
Maid or wife,
Wild with music,
Eyes a-gleam
With that marvel called desire:
Actress, princess, fit for life,
Armed with honor like a knife,
Jumping thro' the hoops of fire.
(Listen to the lion roar!)
Making all the children shout
Clowns shall tumble all about,
Painted high and full of song
While the cheering rolls along,
Tho' they scream,
Tho' they rage,
Every beast
In his cage,
Every beast
In his den
That aforetime troubled men.

 

V
I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope,
Tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope;
Shaking window-pane and door
With a crashing cosmic tune,
With the war-cry of the spheres,
Rhythm of the roar of noon,
Rhythm of Niagara's roar,
Voicing planet, star and moon,
Shrieking of the better years.
Prophet-singers will arise,
Prophets coming after me,
Sing my song in softer guise
With more delicate surprise;
I am but the pioneer
Voice of the Democracy;
I am the gutter-dream,
I am the golden dream,
Singing science, singing steam.
I will blow the proud folk down,
(Listen to the lion roar!)
I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope,
Tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope,
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot,
Whoop whoop, whoop whoop,
Whoop whoop, whoop whoop,
Willy willy willy wah hoo!
Sizz . . . . .
Fizz . . . . .

 

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay
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Posted by Penny Trains on Friday, November 10, 2017 6:44 PM

Ah, to be in England.  Especially since it seems nobody wants to take their organs overseas.  Smile, Wink & Grin

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Firelock76 on Friday, November 10, 2017 5:25 PM

Overmod, you've got an over-active imagination there son!

C&O, thanks for that video!  Old-time calliope's are certainly fun to listen to!

I've been told the proper pronunciation when referring to the steam organ is "kally-ope," not "ka-ly-o-pee," but who cares?

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, November 10, 2017 3:45 PM
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Steam and Carnival Organs
Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Friday, November 10, 2017 3:17 PM

In addition to the Wullitzer Musuem in North Tonwanda there is a Carny Organ Preservation Society which is about a half dozen old time Carney Organ and Ride groups that I am aware of. http://www.fops.org/index.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7DV4X7aMg

 

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