My first locoomotive

[DianneB]

It seems like I have been around steam engines for most of my 63 years and have been running traction engines since my early teens. I got my provincial steam ticket in 1992, built a 1/2 scale traction engine in 1995/96, and have run other people's locomotives from time to time over the last 30 years but never had a loco of my own.

I retired last June and a few months ago got the darned fool notion that I ought to have a locomotive. I have always been partial to the 4-4-0 American so I started looking for one. It just happened our friend PostWarBob had one he was willing to part with (when he got done rebuilding it!) so we did a deal and the Little Engines American arrived up here in Manitoba today.

Now all I need is for the darned rain to let up so I can get out to the track!

Thanks Bob! It has been a real pleasure dealing with you!

[ken572]

DianneB,

Very Nice indeed.

Do you already have a track built on your property
for your new toy?

Ken.

[FredR]

Congrats on your 'new' loco. Yeah, I love Americans too. Hudsons have a fond place in my heart as well.
But I have to ding you on your railroading ethics...... rain let up?!?!?.... NOTHING should keep you from running
Again, congrats!
Fred

It seems like I have been around steam engines for most of my 63 years and have been running traction engines since my early teens. I got my provincial steam ticket in 1992, built a 1/2 scale traction engine in 1995/96, and have run other people's locomotives from time to time over the last 30 years but never had a loco of my own.

I retired last June and a few months ago got the darned fool notion that I ought to have a locomotive. I have always been partial to the 4-4-0 American so I started looking for one. It just happened our friend PostWarBob had one he was willing to part with (when he got done rebuilding it!) so we did a deal and the Little Engines American arrived up here in Manitoba today.

Now all I need is for the darned rain to let up so I can get out to the track!

Thanks Bob! It has been a real pleasure dealing with you!

[dolfa]

So what happened to the street car you were building? I thought, that the electric propulsion was the way to go. To save time on steaming and then drying the locomotive after the run.
Dolfa.

[DianneB]

Do you already have a track built on your property for your new toy?

I live on 5 acres in a rural area so there is lots of room for a track but I also live on a pension so any track development might be 20 feet at a time

..... But I have to ding you on your railroading ethics...... rain let up?!?!?.... NOTHING should keep you from running

It just arrived yesterday! I need to make a seat for the tender and mount foot pegs today. If it is still raining tomorrow, the engine might get wet

So what happened to the street car you were building?

That is still under construction - currently working on the bolsters and suspension for the trucks. The streetcar will be awhile yet

[ken572]

Do you already have a track built on your property for your new toy?

I live on 5 acres in a rural area so there is lots of room for a track but I also live on a pension so any track development might be 20 feet at a time

I can relate to that, I love being retired and doing what I want when I want,
but now the budget does have the final say..

Have fun playin with your toy.

Ken.

[Hudson Honey]

Congrats,

must feel pretty cool.......now get her out on the rails and share some photos.


I am still at least 2 years out from lighting the fire....... one day tho.....


Pamela

[Bill Shields]

Congrats on the 'merican, they are a lot of fun.

Are you far from an organized (existing) track?


Giggle...

I said '2 years away' for 21 years....

If your math is better than mine, that means 23 years to actually get under steam.

Cheops' first law: EVERYTHING takes longer than planned!

[DianneB]

Are you far from an organized (existing) track?

I am just over 1 hour from the Manitoba Live Steamers and the Red River Valley Railway. I first became a member there in 1978 but let my membership lapse for a few years because I didn't have anything to run on the rails. Now I do

[Bill Shields]

AN HOUR....that is close.

my CLOSEST track is 1.5 hours.

Frequently I go to tracks that are 6+ hrs each way.

Right now, from here in Istanbul to my 'home track'....well it's a LONG WAY, but will be there next weekend!