Weekend Steam: Overhauling A Locomotive

An Oldie But Goodie To Share With You

If you are as old as I am, you heard Stonewall Jackson singing this song on the radio when you were a kid.


What brought that to mind is a real oddity.  I know a guy who had a little Gospel singing group back in the 1980's, up until recently.  He is getting close to 80 years old now, and it looks like he hung up his microphone. He started out using a Chevy van to travel and perform, but he soon outgrew that and needed something larger.  What he found was Stonewall Jackson's old tour bus. My friend was a real good mechanic and he made everything ship shape on the old bus, and I would see it on the road occasionally.

I saw the old boat today at a scrapper's premises on the outskirts of Bluford, Illinois, so I guess it's touring days are finally over. A 60 year career is a pretty good run, and I bet if some collector wants to sink some money in it, it would run for another 60 years. You must be good at working on Detroit Diesels and positive ground systems. That is IL Hwy 15 in front of the bus, so look up Bluford on the map and get going!

Pattie's Happy Birthday

Pattie had her 93rd birthday today, and it was a good one! She had a constant string of well-wishers in person and on the phone, even a video call with Oscar, her Great-Grandchild!  Happy Birthday, Pattie!

Ruger's Auction To Benefit The Light Foundation

This week Ruger is offering a Mini 14 Ranch Rifle from 1994. It is a bit of a special one because of the NRA logo that is stamped into the receiver. It comes with one 5 round magazine and set of Ruger rings that fit the mounts machined into the receiver. This Mini 14 will sell mid-day, June 28, 2017, so CLICK HERE to read the entire description and to place your bid. $1025

The War Abroad

There is a video made in Afghanistan for recruiting volunteers for ISIS. Here is the LINK. It is on YouTube, and it concentrates much of the horror you would see if you have kept up with the murders of people that devout Muslims have been committing over the last many years. This is what is coming to our shores if the barbarians have their way. The infiltrators and infrastructure are already here. I don't usually do "Trigger Warnings," but there are beheadings, shootings, blood, and more. You don't have to watch, but at least be aware of what is coming, help spread the word, and fight the ignorance and lies about the evil they call Islam.

Update: YouTube pulled the video, and there is not a replacement on the new site where I saw it.If you had looked, you would have witnessed children shooting prisoners in the backs of their heads, Heads being cut off with knives, and prisoners being shot in the backs of their heads with rifles. More gruesomeness than anyone should witness, from religious zealots.

"Charlotte Is Average." This Is The War At Home

And, In Georgia:



The chicken wasn't cold, which is the explanation being promoted by all the news hacks. That accusation was just the excuse to get their food for nothing, and then to escalate to violence. It is typical behavior of predators to get into your space by asking for a light, spare change, or whatever. When someone does that, tell them to get the H--- away from you, and say it with authority.

Tuesday Torque: Stubborn Fairbanks 118 At Evansville

I sure do hope this fellow has put a few drops of oil in his crank handle by now. That squeaking really bothers me!

Well, this little oilfield engine didn't want to go. I've watched pumpers start these and other Fairbanks engines; they usually primed them up with gasoline or drip fuel, then adjusted the natural gas or LP to keep it running. A pumper down in Southern Illinois found some boys drinking beer at one of the wells he took care of, and the boys had shut the engine down so they didn't have to listen to it while they enjoyed their brews. The pumper blocked them in and made them try to start the engine up again. They didn't enjoy their party so much then. He fired it right back up after they gave out.

Don't Be A "Great White Defendant!"

This poor man took bad advice from his lawyer. He won't last six months in prison, and he did nothing wrong.



Here is what you are up against with today's thugs. A blow to the back of the head, your head hits the sidewalk. You could well be dead before the cops show up to make a report with a "vague description."

Beats Pick and Shovel!

He had me at the continuous-miner teeth!




Avoid manual labor at all costs! Back To The Old Grind!

Oak Tatters; Herbicide Drift