On Shed - October 2010 USA Special

"Preserving the steam locomotive legacy...and more...on film"

October 2010

Steam Locomotive Preservation in the United States of America
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Front Page:

Mark Cosson: Tanana Valley Porter #1 climbing 4% grade at Pioneer Park, Fairbanks Alaska. Oct 2008

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Contents:

Welcome.....editorial comment
Railroad Preservation and History in the USA listing
North American Steam Specials & Charters
Two Railroads Meet
Video and Photographic Highlights
From Poath Archives "When Steam Was King..."
"Wheels of Progress" - A Rock Island Railroad Film (1950)
Norfolk Southern Corp. - The Heartland Corridor
High Speed Rail - A View from Christian Wolmar

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Welcome...editorial comment.

Steamtube has endeavoured since inception to try to include as many images and articles from countries other than the UK. A look back through On Shed will reveal several extensive photo slideshows, articles and videos from the USA, for example.
And there are about 30 Steamtube members living in the USA , who have uploaded many images, photos and videos for the international membership to enjoy.
American history is tied in with the railways since before the Civil War...so there is a rich vein of information to tap in to.

This special "On Shed" explores USA steam locomotive and railway history, and current events.

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For a comprehensive listing of Railroad Preservation and History in the USA and Canada...
http://www.railserve.com/Historical/North_America/US_Canada/

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NORTH AMERICAN STEAM SPECIALS AND CHARTERS
NOVEMBER 2010

November 6-7: Strasburg Rail Road "Trains & Troops"
Two steam locomotives operate, including a mixed freight train carrying re-enactors from all eras of the military - Strasburg, Pennsylvania
For more information: Strasburg Rail Road
For photos: Strasburg Rail Road Photo Gallery

November 8-14: Union Pacific Steam "50th Anniversary Special"
UP 4-8-4 #844 from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Council Bluffs, Iowa, including a public excursion on November 13 from Council Bluffs to North Platte and return
For more information: Union Pacific
For photos: UP 844 Photo Gallery

November 12-13: Roanoke Night Photo Session at the Virginia Museum of Transportation
Photograph N&W 611 and N&W 1218 with fog/smoke devices, props, and actors - Roanoke, Virginia
For more information: Lerro Productions

November 14: Spencer Night Photo Session at the North Carolina Transportation Museum
Photograph static steam locomotives with fog/smoke devices, props, and actors - Spencer, North Carolina
For more information: Lerro Productions

November 26-27: Steamtown Holiday Express Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Moscow behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

DECEMBER 2010

December 3-5: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation "Holiday Express"
SP&S 4-8-4 #700 or SP 4-8-4 #4449 power hourly trips from Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Oregon
Details forthcoming: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

December 4: Steamtown Holiday Express Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Moscow behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

December 10-12: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation "Holiday Express"
SP&S 4-8-4 #700 or SP 4-8-4 #4449 power hourly trips from Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Oregon
Details forthcoming: Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation

JANUARY 2011
January 2: Conway Scenic Railroad "Steam in the Snow" Photographer's Special
Grand Trunk 0-6-0 #7470 pulls an excursion to Notchland from North Conway, New Hampshire
Details forthcoming: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts
For photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

January 29: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Charter
W&W 4-4-0 #98 pulls a passenger consist, plus night photo session - Wilmington, Delaware
For more information: Lerro Productions
For photos: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Gallery


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Promontory Summit, Utah
Two Railroads Meet on 19th May 1869

In May 1869, the railheads of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads finally met at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. The ceremony to drive in the Last Spike was originally to be held on May 8, but was postponed two days because of bad weather and a labor dispute on the Union Pacific side.

On May 10, in anticipation of the ceremony, Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific No. 60 (better known as the Jupiter) locomotives were drawn up face-to-face on Promontory Summit, separated only by the width of a single tie. It is unknown how many people attended the event; estimates run from as low as 500 to as many as 3,000 government and railroad officials and track workers who were present to witness the event.


The Last Spike" by Thomas Hill (1881) depicting the ceremony of the driving of the "Last Spike" at Promontory Summit, UT, on May 10, 1869, joining the rails of the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad
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Video Highlights:

We have been pleased to see a good selection of steam traction from the members in the USA. Here is a selection to remind you.....


Sean Dunn: Three Rivers Rambler

Clive Town: Jamestown Railway, California


Grover Cleveland: U.P. 844 in California


Jim White: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR


Heath Nicks: TVRM 610 on Summerville Turntable


Shedmaster: Big Boy2


Adam Christman:Reading & Northern: #425 Triumphantly Returns!

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Photographic highlights



Find more photos like this on 'Steam Tube' - the home of steam trains on the net!

Jim White: Riding Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR

Find more photos like this on 'Steam Tube' - the home of steam trains on the net!
Michael Greene: AT&SF 3751 San Diego Trip - May 2010


Find more photos like this on 'Steam Tube' - the home of steam trains on the net!

Juan Gilardi:La Trochita (Argentina)

OK..so I know this is Argentina...South America...but these are beautiful shots!
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Poath Archives provide a fascinating insight into times 50 years ago...when Steam was King!
1950's Railroads in the USA - "When Steam Was King" - Steam Trains in the 1950's


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Wheels of Progress - A 1950 Rock Island Railroad Film Pt 2

This film, from the 1950's, shows how confidence in the railways and their progress was high, with optimism for the future...
(From theblueriband on YouTube)


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...and this more recent film clip from NorfolkSouthernCorp(on YouTube) explains the benefits which will accrue from the Heartland Corridor...

The Heartland Corridor is a rail freight route connecting the busy Virginia ports and the Midwest. In one of the biggest railroad engineering projects in the past century -- a feat that took three years to complete and is scheduled to open Sept. 9 -- Norfolk Southern modified 28 tunnels to accommodate double-stack containers. The new gateway is 250 miles shorter and saves a day or more of transit time, making it the shortest, fastest double-stack route between the East Coast and the Midwest. It benefits freight customers and doubles Norfolk Southern's capacity to handle the growth in international intermodal shipments. It also provides communities along the corridor with greater access to world markets, reducing highway congestion, fuel use, and emissions, and improving public safety.

The Heartland Corridor is a public-private partnership among Norfolk Southern and several federal and state entities. Together, they are delivering the economic and environmental benefits of enhanced rail infrastructure -- and creating a competitive advantage for America.



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High Speed Rail- Christian Wolmar's View...

In Europe, there is much activity and debate about High Speed Rail, its costs,environmental issues and benefits. Japan, and China especially, lead the way in developing high speed lines in their countries.
Would high speed lines have a place in the United States.
Christian Wolmar's view was sought.....
(Christian Wolmar is Britain's leading transport commentator...and a member of Steamtube...)


..and a High Speed graphic demonstrating the potential that can be achieved..
NC3D on YouTube...


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Of course,how much of this comes about remains to be seen.
But we can at least reflect on the rich railway heritage that has been produced over the last two centuries. We can support our local heritage railroads and steam centers and museums...photograph and video them( and send to Steamtube!)..and who knows, Steam might come into its own again!!

Till the next time...

Peter S. Lewis (Editor, On Shed..the online magazine of www.steamtu.be)