Weekend Steam II: Narrow Gauge Around The World Part 3

 Thank You, Merle! Happy New Year!

Weekend Steam: Narrow Gauge Railroads Around The World Part 2

 Merle found a great series for us showing some special railroads in far-flung places. Thank You, Merle, and Happy New Year!

Front Yard Wildlife

Susan's great-grandfather Green Darsham bought the farm in 1903, and sometime not long after that, he planted a bunch of catalpa trees. The idea back then was that the catalpas would provide fence posts for the farm. One thing that catalpas really do provide is wildlife habitat. They are really great at providing dens for wildlife in their old age. This tree, in the front yard, has been a snake den for years, a home for squirrels, and now we know that opossums use the hollow stem for  a home, too. Pretty neat!

 

The Staples Are Out!

 Susan's new knee was installed just fifteen days ago. The hips were a piece of cake compared to knee surgery, but she is doing well and now walks with a cane. Dr Eric Brewer of the Bonutti Clinic did the honors, using the Mako robotic system. https://patients.stryker.com/knee-replacement/options/mako-robotic-arm-assisted-total-knee

Vintage Train Watching

 Let's go to the diner for coffee and pie!

Tuesday Torque: Looking For Help

 Maybe some antique car expert can identify this old car. I just realized today that there is no crank, or place for one below the radiator. That can mean just one thing. This car has a transverse engine that is cranked from the side, and probably has a chain for final drive. I remember Dad talking about a car that had chain drive, and if the chain broke you had no power and NO brakes.  Up front behind the wheel is my Aunt May, to her left is Ivah, and in the back right I see the top of my great-grandmother Myrtle's head. The license plates says 1914.

Tragic Tuba...

 This is just Part 1. Click it over to YouTube and you can see the next segment. (Part 2)This is fascinating work!

Back To The Old Grind!

O, Come All Ye Faithful

John Prine Christmas

Weekend Steam II: Narrow Gauge Around The World

 Merry Christmas, Merle. This is a great one to enjoy with coffee Christmas morning!

John Prine: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Can You Handel It? More Messiah by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Weekend Steam: A Look At A Pike's Peak Cog Engine!

 Thank You, Merle, and Merry Christmas!

All I Want For Christmas Is You (Piano Cover)

Jennifer Thomas: Carol Of The Bells

George Frederic Handel: And The Glory Of The Lord

 London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Poet's Winter Corner, A Re-Post

UP IN THE MORNING EARLY

Up in the morning's no for me,

Up in the morning early;

When a' the hills are cover'd wi'' snaw,

I'm sure it's winter fairly.

Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west,

The drift is driving sairly;

Sae loud and shrill's I hear the blast,

I'm sure it's winter fairly.

The birds sit chittering in the thorn,

a' day they fare but sparely:

And lang's the night frae e'en to morn,

I'm sure it's winter fairly.

Up in the morning's no for me,

Up in the morning early;

When a' the hills are cover'd wi' snaw,

I'm sure it's winter fairly.

Robert Burns

Photo by EJ, on returning from a trip to Japan

It Isn't Necessarily Warm Down There!

 Coal mines gotta have air, and on a day like this, they are pumping in sub-zero air to keep the atmosphere safe. I hope they are all dressed for it. 

Crankin' It Up With Bart and Brat; A Christmas Festival

I sure do miss these old buddies of mine.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Another Bradford Pear Goes Down!

The kid came down to visit and we had a busy weekend. One of the tasks we tackled was cutting another one of our decadent Bradford pear trees.  Zeke does all kinds of engineering calculations in his work, but had not ever dropped a tree. We spent some time before we videoed doing chainsaw orientation and walking around the tree discussing the cuts he would make, then he practiced bore cutting on a stump. He made a pretty good stump, and he could soon be a professional tree faller if he decides to change career directions

Silent Night, All Day Long, John Prine

O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel

Tuesday Torque: West Of Donner Pass...

 Pushing snow with Jordan Spreaders. Those engines are working hard! Thanks for the pick, Merle!

Coffee Grindin' Blues, Lucille Bogan

 

Back To The Old Grind!

Merry Christmas From The Family, Robert Earl Keene

Weekend Steam II: Kempton Pumping Engines

 19 million gallons a day, retired in 1980.  Thank You, Merle! I love watching the barring engine, too.

Frank Sinatra: Let It Snow

Weekend Steam: Merle Sends Us To Japan This Weekend!

Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song

O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel, The Piano Guys

Faith HIll: Where Are You Christmas?

Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's A Comin'

To Mattoon And Back

 We got up early and checked in at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital this morning. Dr. Brewer did the honors of installing a new right knee for Susan and she is safe at home tonight. We saw only one deer on the way up, and the morning crepuscule was a deep pink. Really pretty. The dogs were glad to see her, and Susan's sister came down to dogsit and to help Susan settle in.

Tuesday Torque: Modified 8N

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Dean Martin: Winter Wonderland

Logging 100 Years Ago

 A fellow named Norm Montgomery shared this photo on a history page on Facebook. The Man operating the drag saw is also a Montgomery, so I bet he is Norm's great grandfather. That appears to be a two-stroke gas engine, just a little slower and heavier than our two-stroke chainsaws of today. We don't know how good we have it. Don't let the machinery grab your overalls!

                                                               Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Duplex Steam Locomotives

 New subject for me, Merle. I have heard of compound engines, but knew nothing about these! Many Thanks!

Angel Eyes, Emmy Lou Harris

Weekend Steam: A Few Shorts

 Thank You, Merle!

Burl Ives: A Holly Jolly Christmas

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Canon

Elvis Presley: Blue Christmas

Am I Knot Amused?

 Who hasn't been at least a little fascinated with knots and knotholes in lumber? A knot is just the cross section of a branch that is surrounded by wood. As long as the branch is alive, its wood is joined to the wood of the stem of the tree. When a branch dies, the tree continues to grow, surrounding the dead branch with wood. There is your loose knot! When the dead branch drops off, the tree will hopefully grow around the end and seal the opening from insects and rot. A sawyer cutting for grade rolls a log after placing it on the carriage, and reads the knots. The first cut is made to isolate the clearest wood in a face, and to isolate the knots into other faces. A skillful sawyer can make good money for a mill owner. Susan and I like to look inside the wood after we make our splits, and we do pay attention to where the knots are. Wood splits much easier if you go around the big knots. They are tough. Firewood splits easier when you split from the bottom to the top, so laying wood onto the splitter involves a quick assessment of every piece. 

Silver Bells on the Player Piano

Occasional Trolls

 

Click to enlarge.

This is why we do review comments before they go up. This comment is obviously from an Internet troll, and is loaded with a string of links. Nothing but trouble if it was posted.

And, another one!

                                                                        Click to enlarge.

Tchaikovsky: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, Glass Duo

Tuesday Torque: Fired Up The Briggs And Tilled

We had a great garden this year in spite of Susan's hip surgeries. She kept up on canning, too! We still have turnips, but we will get a hard freeze soon, and then the turnips will be done. The soil works better every year because of the mushroom compost that we are piling on.

We bought the tiller in 1980, and it had an Tecumseh motor on it. It ran well, but the carburetor would not stay adjusted. It would go rich while running, and you would have to walk alongside the tiller and adjust the mixture while it worked. We did that for years, and then one day the engine busted the rod. So now we have a Briggs engine. It evidently is a green engine, and the non-adjustable carburetor jet is set for well below sea level. You have to leave the choke on part way until it is totally warmed up, and then it sputters a bit from being lean. Aggravating!

Don't Sever Your Hinge

 Back To The Old Grind! (Tim Ard video Short)

Dean Martin: Winter Wonderland

Weekend Steam II: Ironbridge, Trevithick's First Engine

 Thank You, Merle! This engine goes way back!

Dean Martin: It's A Marshmallow World

The Importance Of Branch Angles

"See Good Trees" is my motto when doing improvement work in timber. Look for the good ones and get rid of trees competing with them. For timber growers, a good tree has a straight stem, good natural pruning, a wide healthy crown, and no forks or tight branch angles with included bark. This red maple demonstrates the danger of forks and tight branch angles. Trees like this one tend to be damaged by wind and ice.

Do we need to get rid of this tree now? We can utilize it for firewood, but currently we are covered up in dead ash trees, and those need to be harvested before we go after a live tree. Is it interfering with a good crop tree? If not, just leave it for the time being.  Rot is going to work its way down the stem, but there will still be a good log for ten or fifteen years. You can also leave a tree like this to serve as a wildlife tree. That break will work as a good nesting site, and possibly a den. 

 

Here's a bad fork with included bark and rot progressing.

Another bad fork with hidden bark included, but sound on top.

This one is a sound fork with both wood and bark where they should be. A fork is the top end of merchantability for sawtimber. You need a minimum of 8' 6" for a hardwood log to be merchantable. If a tree forks below that it will never go to the sawmill. 

This is a good branch angle with the limb going back all the way to the pith. The tighter the branching angle, the more likely bark will be trapped between the limb and the stem.

Weekend Steam: Undermounted Avery Pulling A Twelve Bottom Plow

 I think this is a 40 HP Avery; the big one in the undermounted line. Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant used to have one of these, but they sold it when it needed extensive boiler work. I am sure the current board of directors is banging their collective heads on the wall for that decision. Boilers can be repaired or replaced, but the rest of the engine, not so much. Thank You, Merle, for this one. I am going to look at the other videos on this YT channel.

Mannheim Steamroller: Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella

Dolly Parton: Hard Candy Christmas

OOPS....

I almost missed St. Andrew's Day.  Would you believe that no-one invited us out to celebrate?  Anyhow, pour a glass, and read one of my favorite stories; it's almost as good as going oot.


The Ballad of How MacPherson Held the Floor

Said President MacConnachie to Treasurer MacCall:
"We ought to have a piper for our next Saint Andrew's Ball.
Yon squakin' saxophone gives me the syncopated gripes.
I'm sick of jazz, I want to hear the skirling of the pipes."
"Alas! it's true," said Tam MacCall. "The young folk of to-day
Are fox-trot mad and dinna ken a reel from a Strathspey.
Now, what we want's a kiltie lad, primed up wi' mountain dew,
To strut the floor at supper time, and play a lilt or two.
In all the North there's only one; of him I've heard them speak:
His name is Jock MacPherson, and he lives on Boulder Creek;
An old-time hard-rock miner, and a wild and wastrel loon,
Who spends his nights in glory, playing pibrochs to the moon.
I'll seek him out; beyond a doubt on next Saint Andrew's night
We'll proudly hear the pipes to cheer and charm our appetite.

Oh lads were neat and lassies sweet who graced Saint Andrew's Ball;
But there was none so full of fun as Treasurer MacCall.
And as Maloney's rag-time band struck up the newest hit,
He smiled a smile behind his hand, and chuckled: "Wait a bit."
And so with many a Celtic snort, with malice in his eye,
He watched the merry crowd cavort, till supper time drew nigh.
Then gleefully he seemed to steal, and sought the Nugget Bar,
Wherein there sat a tartaned chiel, as lonely as a star;
A huge and hairy Highlandman as hearty as a breeze,
A glass of whisky in his hand, his bag-pipes on his knees.
"Drink down your doch and doris, Jock," cried Treasurer MacCall;
"The time is ripe to up and pipe; they wait you in the hall.
Gird up your loins and grit your teeth, and here's a pint of hooch
To mind you of your native heath - jist pit it in your pooch.
Play on and on for all you're worth; you'll shame us if you stop.
Remember you're of Scottish birth - keep piping till you drop.
Aye, though a bunch of Willie boys should bluster and implore,
For the glory of the Highlands, lad, you've got to hold the floor.


"The dancers were at supper, and the tables groaned with cheer,
When President MacConnachie exclaimed: "What do I hear?
Methinks it's like a chanter, and its coming from the hall."
"It's Jock MacPherson tuning up," cried Treasurer MacCall.
So up they jumped with shouts of glee, and gaily hurried forth.
Said they: "We never thought to see a piper in the North.
"Aye, all the lads and lassies braw went buzzing out like bees,
And Jock MacPherson there they saw, with red and rugged knees.
Full six foot four he strode the floor, a grizzled son of Skye,
With glory in his whiskers and with whisky in his eye.
With skelping stride and Scottish pride he towered above them all:
"And is he no' a bonny sight?" said Treasurer MacCall.
While President MacConnachie was fairly daft with glee,
And there was jubilation in the Scottish Commy-tee.
But the dancers seemed uncertain, and they signified their doubt,
By dashing back to eat as fast as they had darted out.
And someone raised the question 'twixt the coffee and the cakes:
"Does the Piper walk to get away from all the noise he makes?
"Then reinforced with fancy food they slowly trickled forth,
And watching in patronizing mood the Piper of the North.

Proud, proud was Jock MacPherson, as he made his bag-pipes skirl,
And he set his sporran swinging, and he gave his kilts a whirl.
And President MacConnachie was jumping like a flea,
And there was joy and rapture in the Scottish Commy-tee.
"Jist let them have their saxophones wi' constipated squall;
We're having Heaven's music now," said Treasurer MacCall.
But the dancers waxed impatient, and they rather seemed to fret
For Maloney and the jazz of his Hibernian Quartette.
Yet little recked the Piper, as he swung with head on high,
Lamenting with MacCrimmon on the heather hills of Skye.
With Highland passion in his heart he held the centre floor;
Aye, Jock MacPherson played as he had never played before.

Maloney's Irish melodists were sitting in their place,
And as Maloney waited, there was wonder in his face.
'Twas sure the gorgeous music - Golly! wouldn't it be grand
If he could get MacPherson as a member of his band?
But the dancers moped and mumbled, as around the room they sat:
"We paid to dance," they grumbled; "But we cannot dance to that.
Of course we're not denying that it's really splendid stuff;
But it's mighty satisfying - don't you think we've had enough?"
"You've raised a pretty problem," answered Treasurer MacCall;
"For on Saint Andrew's Night, ye ken, the Piper rules the Ball.
"Said President MacConnachie: "You've said a solemn thing.
Tradition holds him sacred, and he's got to have his fling.
But soon, no doubt, he'll weary out. Have patience; bide a wee."
"That's right. Respect the Piper," said the Scottish Commy-tee.


And so MacPherson stalked the floor, and fast the moments flew,
Till half an hour went past, as irritation grew and grew.
The dancers held a council, and with faces fiercely set,
They hailed Maloney, heading his Hibernian Quartette:
"It's long enough, we've waited. Come on, Mike, play up the Blues."
And Maloney hesitated, but he didn't dare refuse.
So banjo and piano, and guitar and saxophone
Contended with the shrilling of the chanter and the drone;
And the women's ears were muffled, so infernal was the din,
But MacPherson was unruffled, for he knew that he would win.
Then two bright boys jazzed round him, and they sought to play the clown,
But MacPherson jolted sideways, and the Sassenachs went down.
And as if it was a signal, with a wild and angry roar,
The gates of wrath were riven - yet MacPherson held the floor.


Aye, amid the rising tumult, still he strode with head on high,
With ribbands gaily streaming, yet with battle in his eye.
Amid the storm that gathered, still he stalked with Highland pride,
While President and Treasurer sprang bravely to his side.
And with ire and indignation that was glorious to see,
Around him in a body ringed the Scottish Commy-tee.
Their teeth were clenched with fury; their eyes with anger blazed:
"Ye manna touch the Piper," was the slogan that they raised.
Then blows were struck, and men went down; yet 'mid the rising fray
MacPherson towered in triumph - and he never ceased to play.


Alas! his faithful followers were but a gallant few,
And faced defeat, although they fought with all the skill they knew.
For President MacConnachie was seen to slip and fall,
And o'er his prostrate body stumbled Treasurer MacCall.
And as their foes with triumph roared, and leagured them about,
It looked as if their little band would soon be counted out.
For eyes were black and noses red, yet on that field of gore,
As resolute as Highland rock - MacPherson held the floor.


Maloney watched the battle, and his brows were bleakly set,
While with him paused and panted his Hibernian Quartette.
For sure it is an evil spite, and breaking to the heart,
For Irishmen to watch a fight and not be taking part.
Then suddenly on high he soared, and tightened up his belt:
"And shall we see them crush," he roared, "a brother and a Celt?
A fellow artiste needs our aid. Come on, boys, take a hand."
Then down into the mêlée dashed Maloney and his band.


Now though it was Saint Andrew's Ball, yet men of every race,
That bow before the Great God Jazz were gathered in that place.
Yea, there were those who grunt: "Ya! Ya!" and those who squeak: "We! We!"
Likewise Dutch, Dago, Swede and Finn, Polack and Portugee.
Yet like ripe grain before the gale that national hotch-potch
Went down before the fury of the Irish and the Scotch.
Aye, though they closed their gaping ranks and rallied to the fray,
To the Shamrock and the Thistle went the glory of the day.


You should have seen the carnage in the drooling light of dawn,
Yet 'mid the scene of slaughter Jock MacPherson playing on.
Though all lay low about him, yet he held his head on high,
And piped as if he stood upon the caller crags of Skye.
His face was grim as granite, and no favour did he ask,
Though weary were his mighty lungs and empty was his flask.
And when a fallen foe wailed out: "Say! when will you have done?"
MacPherson grinned and answered: "Hoots! She's only haf' begun."
Aye, though his hands were bloody, and his knees were gay with gore,
A Grampian of Highland pride - MacPherson held the floor.


And still in Yukon valleys where the silent peaks look down,
They tell of how the Piper was invited up to town,
And he went in kilted glory, and he piped before them all,
But wouldn't stop his piping till he busted up the Ball.
Of that Homeric scrap they speak, and how the fight went on,
With sally and with rally till the breaking of the dawn.
And how the Piper towered like a rock amid the fray,
And the battle surged about him, but he never ceased to play.
Aye, by the lonely camp-fires, still they tell the story o'er-
How the Sassenach was vanquished and - MacPherson held the floor.

Andy Williams: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

My Favorite Llama

If you travel I-64 through Southern Illinois you might be lucky enough to see this llama along the way. It is at a llama farm, but this one is a statue made of steel. Many years ago it was in the news because it had been stolen. It is an odd thing to steal, and I don't know how anyone could ever display it or fence the ill-gotten gains, because it is unique.

 One day I was looking at timber in the next county over and was walking down that track you see. It is an unused oilfield road, and comes off a dirt road that is difficult to drive in dry weather. Off to one side I saw an animal head. When you see deer while woods-walking you don't stop or turn your head. Make eye contact and the animal will bolt, but a solid sideways glance showed that this was no deer. It was a welded up, all-steel llama! This was before I had a smart phone, so I finished looking at the timber and got back to the office, where I called the neighboring sheriff. "Are you still looking for a llama?" "You Found The LLAMA?" A backhoe operator was called and a local game warden went out to collect it and make an official report, and it went home to its place by I-64. I look at it every time I drive by. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Carol Of The Bells

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee

Tuesday Torque: Potato, Potato, Potato

 Miniature Knucklehead. Thank You Merle! That is really neat!

How Many Chickens Could You Feed...

 ...if you had a passel of young'uns to turn all the cranks?

                                                            Back To The Old Grind!

Christmas In Prison, John Prine

Real Life Lessons To Avoid Impact Injuries

Open face falling and bore cutting applied through the five step plan will go far to protect you from injuries and death. Learn proper cutting methods from trainers like Tim Ard, and you will avoid the drama of ambulances, helicopters, and emergency rooms. Tim Ard's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestApps

Tim Ard's Struck-By video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB-iBn5grCk

Sleigh Ride, The Five Browns

Weekend Steam II: Vids By Classic Enthusiast

 I'm not sure just what I think about Shorts on YouTube. They are promoted as a way to get viewers for your longer videos that you pull Shorts from, but I am seeing lots of Shorts with no link to a longer video. Oh Well, this engine is a pretty mill engine. No info is provided on the make or horsepower, or where it is located. Thank You for the link, Merle!

And Wait, there's more! This channel has a longer video of an Avery Undermounted traction engine!

Weekend Steam: Western Maryland 1309

 Lonesome whistle, double exhaust, squealing flanges, and lots of cameras clicking. Thank You, Merle for the Western Maryland link!

Took A Little Hike Today,

...and found no trespassers! They were probably in a turkey coma this morning. I did find a shed antler from last winter, and that was a nice surprise. Mama Deer and her two babies spent some time in the yard today and hardly noticed me when I was out in the driveway.

Jingle Bell Rock, Bobby Helms

More Trespass News

This one was on us, so I am going to have to patrol more. I have been minimizing my time walking the timber so I don't disturb the resident deer any more than necessary. Disturbances can hurt the hunts of our friends, plus push deer out of cover where poachers can get them. I did a tour the other day and noticed a black cherry tree that had been climbed by a portable deer stand. Putting on the grumpy face is going to necessary, I guess. You gotta reinforce your reputation once in a while.

 

Well, That Wasn't Too Bad

You can see where the water pump was leaking down the return side. I am glad I caught it. It had pulled all the antifreeze out of the overflow tank, but no harm was done. The old truck now has a new water pump, new serpentine belt, new idlers, a new lower radiator hose, and new antifreeze. If you drive an old truck you always have something to do!

 

The Trespassers You Will Always Have With You

 His first deer, and a trespasser stole it! The deer was returned, and the thief is facing charges. (CLICK)

Tuesday Torque: Will Smith Hit and Miss Video From Windsor, PA

 Many Thanks to Merle! I had not seen this YouTube channel.

Deer Season Report

 Our friends, Dusty and George have spent a bunch of time this Fall in our timber bow hunting, and this weekend, firearm hunting. Saturday was windy and the deer stayed out of sight until dusk, when they came out in bunches. Sunday morning was calm and at 6:45 we heard Dusty shoot. He got a very nice buck through the heart. Dusty lost sight of the deer and came in so it would lie down. When we went out again to look for it, it had gone about 75 yards before going down. 

Ten days ago, George bagged a good buck with a crossbow and we retrieved it with the tractor.

A few days after that buck, George got another one! Dusty came to help him retrieve this one, and he had a meaningful deer blessing before they loaded it. "Thank God it died by the road!"  I gotta say that I am impressed by the hunting skill of our friends! This photo is by Dusty.

Building Crane Mats

 

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Grand Parade Of Steam, Vancouver, 1986

 Nice pick, Merle. Many Thanks!

Well, Dippersticks!

 NAPA will have a water pump for me Monday. Oh Well, or words to that effect. 

Weekend Steam: Rare Heilman Traction Engine

 This Heilman engine is a rare one, and it is a wonder that it has survived. It was sold to a scrapper in Missouri, but that fellow liked certain antiques and he set it aside. A collector near the east coast learned about it and was able to buy it. He did some restoration work, and passed away, but photos of the engine were published. Another engine collector hunted the engine down and was able to buy it from the widow. He did some more restoration work, and it was recently acquired by a collector in the Midwest. Seeing this engine under steam at Boonville, Indiana was a real treat.

Firearm Deer Season Starts Friday, November 18...

...and I am hoping we don't hear cannonades in the morning. Sometimes it sounds like a war firing up on the first day. It will be cold in the morning with a NW wind, so hunters will have to climb down early and retreat to their 4WD pickups and coffee bottles. I wish young bucks like these two were safe, but many hunters will shoot any deer with antlers. These two crossed our driveway during the morning, Thursday, November 17.

 

Work That I Don't Have To Do

I got so excited that I almost ran to get over there. Almost. Firearm deer season starts tomorrow, and I think this will help our hunters.  Deer always check out disturbances, and the smell of newly cut weeds, brush and leaves is strong. It should cover a bit of human odor. At least that is a positive thought.  And I don't have to mow it down this fall! That is a good thing. 

`

Indian Trail Tree?

 Trail trees are a legend, but anyone who works in the timber knows how they really happen. They are still being made today.

Tuesday Torque: Associated At Boonville

 The Fall show at Boonville, Indiana is one of our favorite engine shows. The weather if usually great, and the ticks and mosquitoes are gone. We didn't see everything we wanted because we kept seeing old friends and we wanted to visit. Good Times, Great Folks!

Munch, Munch

 

                                                             Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Clover Valley Lumber Co. #4

Good One, Merle. Thank You! 

A few clips of the test run with part of the Niles Canyon Railway's vintage freight car collection of Clover Valley Lumber Co. #4, one of the railroad's operable steam locomotives. The test was a success. The Niles Canyon Railway is a non-profit tourist railroad that runs between Niles/Fremont, CA and Sunol, CA in the SF Bay Area of California. CRHPhotog

The Dogs Are Loving It!

 

A Brief Reading From Ernie Pyle

 I always like to pull Ernie Pyle from the bookshelf on Veterans' Day and reflect a bit on the experiences of World War II vets. Here is a brief excerpt from Ernie's time at Anzio. It's not the stuff of movies or war novels, but it's real. From Hospital Ship in Brave Men, (At Anzio) "Once out there we had to lie off and wait for an hour or so while other LCTs finished unloading their wounded. As we lay at anchor, the officer in charge decided to transfer the walking wounded off another LCT onto ours. So it drew alongside, threw a line, and the two ships came against each other. The slightly wounded and sick men jumped across whenever the ships hit together. 

A heavy swell was running and the ships would draw a few feet apart and then come together with a terrific bang. It was punishing to the wounded men. I stood among them, and every time we hit they would shut their eyes and clench their teeth. 

One man, nearly covered with a cast, looked at me pleadingly and said, "Don't those blankety-blank so and sos know there are men here who are badly hurt?"

Occasionally shells screamed across the town and exploded in the water in our vicinity. The wounded men didn't cringe or pay any attention to this near danger, but the pounding of the ships together made them wild."

Weekend Steam: New Hope Fall Foliage Train

 Never heard of this one before, Merle! Thanks for spotting! 

Playing Dominos While Dropping Trees

The Most Neglected Part Of Chainsaws...

 ... is the bearing inside the sprocket.  We really like the drilled crankshaft on all of our previous Husqvarna saws, but now we have to grease them just like Stihl owners do. Oh Well, or words to that effect. At the end of the video you will see a good trick for snapping the E-Clip back into the groove. Don't do this in the woods. You will lose parts if you do that. At least I would!

Firewood From Our Dead Ash Trees

 After thinking on this a while, I think Susan and I planted these trees between 1995 and 2000. We are going to toss a bunch of walnuts in here and hope that the squirrels plant them for us.

Veterans'/Armistice/Remembrance Day

 A lost compass case becomes an amazing story.

Veterans'/Armistice/Remembrance Day

 If you haven't heard Vincent J. Speranza's story, now is the time to fix that!

Veterans'/Armistice/Remembrance Day

 You don't need to understand French. The pictures tell enough.

Tuesday Torque: Avery Tractor Plus A Bonus

 Thank you, Merle!

Vermont, Inside The World's Largest Granite Quarry

Back To The Old Grind! 

Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs?

 

                                                                Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Gaar Scott Portable On The Prony Brake

Listen, and you will hear the brake operator tell the numbers.  This engine was cranking out 96 horsepower and 732 foot pounds of torque. This was at Western Minnesota Threshers Reunion at Rollag, Minnesota.

Weekend Steam: Great Oregon Steam Up, 2021, Brooks, Oregon

 Thank You, Merle! It's a good one!

One Bradford Pear Is On The Ground, Two More To Go

 The heavy limb is gone from the other side, so now we can drop the main stem easily.

Bradford Pears Have Got To Go!

The Bradford pears have been here for a bit more than 35 years, and it is time for them to go. We started today, taking off limbs that throw off the balance or tangle with a neighboring tree. Stand back a bit and be ready to step back when out-of-balance stems pop as this one does. They move fast!

Staggeringly Beautiful Climb With Tristan Of SUV RVing

 Get a cup of coffee, belt into your easy chair, and follow Tristan on an adventurous climb. 

Tuesday Torque II: Midwest Old Threshers Gas Engine Area, 2022

 Thank You, Merle!

Tuesday Torque: Carette Stirling Engine

 Many Thanks, Merle!

Dance Macabre, Saint Saens, Arrangement by Liszt, Played by Horowitz

Marco Ucellini: LaBergamasca, Voices Of Music with Elizabeth Blumenstock and Alana Youseffian

 Here's one to start your Monday morning off right! Put it on after you pour your first cup of coffee. 

Muddy Pond Sorghum

 

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam II: Steam Engines Heading Home

 Merle found a whole bunch of cuteness with this video. No info, but it is easy to guess the country from the style of engines. Thank You, Merle!

Weekend Steam: Locomotive Drag Race!

 This is something I have never seen. This video was made in Finland fifteen years ago, and quick acceleration is the key, just like when you drag raced your daddy's car. Thank You Merle for spotting this one!

Reid Engine At The Boonville Fall Show

 This smooth running two-stroke engine would have spent its working life in an oilfield powerhouse, operating multiple oil wells. It was on display at the Antique Steam an Gas Engine Club at Boonville, Indiana, during the Fall 2022 show.

Impressive Halloween Enthusiasm!

 We went to town today to vote and to run a few errands. A side trip was to check out a Halloween display that we had seen on a local Fbook page. 

More Wildlife

The Boys' Club has been hanging out in the back yard again. There are several Jakes and one big Tom that come up and strut around. I had to go out tonight and saw five raccoons along the road. They are thick this year. 

 

Too Windy For Wildlife To Move,

 but a groundhog was out nibbling on white oak acorns today. Normally, a groundhog alarms at 100 yards, but the wind covered me as I slipped through the dog yard and positioned myself behind a tree to shoot some video. I was about 25 yards from the little critter, and he never did notice me.

Tuesday Torque: Bethlehem Steel Blowing Engines

 Remember in Science Class, way back in grade school how the taught us about iron and steel making? They never told us about the huge machines that could blow air up through a furnace, and as a kid, I never thought to ask. Here is the real deal. Thanks to Merle for spotting these engines for us to see!

One of our blog family, John In Philly, has visited the Bessemer mill, and graciously shared some photos and granted permission to share in this post.  I have added his name and Copyright symbol to his photos. 

John In Philly's photos below. Many Thanks, John! Click on photos to enlarge.

Why Was Baking The Most Deadly Job In The Victorian Era?

 Sad history of bread making in the not-too-distant past.

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam III: One Just For Fun

 This is cute. Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam II: Flying Scotsman Centennial Tour

 Good One, Merle. Thank You! 

Weekend Steam; Some Gas, and Other Antiques

 There is a good looking auction in Pennsylvania Saturday, and you can bid online. The Facebook link is HERE.

Click the photo to go to the auction website. Scroll down to this auction and follow the directions to bid. Many thanks to Merle for spotting this auction!

The First Out Of The Factory?

 As we have posted before, Falk, Rumely and Olds engines were the featured gas engines at Rollag this year. Three Falks showed up and the 5 HP (Number 433) was the only one running. Two 3 HPs showed up. One had serial number 723.

The other 3 HP is a puzzle, and there is nobody we can ask. What was the first serial numbered 3 HP engine that left the factory? Manufacturers don't usually start with 1, but where do they start? Could 51 be the first Falk 3 HP engine to be sold? Possibly, maybe even a good bet, but we will never know. Seeing that low number was a thrill, though. 

Morning Paints The Tops Of The Trees