Starting a steam engine link? June 27, 2014 9:16 PM   Subscribe

My searching has failed me. Can anyone point me to a comment that had a link to an essay about one man starting a steam locomotive by himself?
posted by Marky to MetaFilter-Related at 9:16 PM (18 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite

It's by pjern. I think you want this?
posted by benito.strauss at 9:32 PM on June 27, 2014 [6 favorites]


That's it! Thanks!
posted by Marky at 12:51 AM on June 28, 2014 [1 favorite]


Wow, that is a dense read. Interesting, but thick.
posted by Literaryhero at 7:11 AM on June 28, 2014


Whoa. Hi there!

Literaryhero: I recognize it's dense, but when I wrote it (25 years ago, almost!) I didn't know shit about writing, and was more interested in imparting information to an eclectic (rec.railroads on USENET) crowd. It's since taken on a life of its own. I still regularly get emails from people discovering it.
posted by pjern at 11:56 AM on June 28, 2014 [6 favorites]


I love the density, maybe because I'm a bit of a process nerd. It's exactly because it's so detailed, and reading it made me feel like I was there, that I immediately remembered your name when I read Marky's question. Please consider this my "I read it and it was really great. Thanks." email.
posted by benito.strauss at 12:03 PM on June 28, 2014 [2 favorites]


Ah, 153, a name that brings up memories of that summer when I was usually the only passenger on an entire, err, can you call it a train if it's only one coach? I suspect starting up the British Rail Class 153, universally known as the dogbox, is a somewhat more simple affair, consisting of unlocking and then pressing a few light-up square coloured perspex buttons.

But it brings back some memories.
posted by ambrosen at 3:22 PM on June 28, 2014


Immediately after I've finished reading pjern's post, I sent the link to my brother. When we were 14-15 years old, we lucked into taking a short (5 miles) and most definitely illegal ride in the cab of an old TKt-48 and that memory is something special. This detailed description was a mesmerizing read for both of us.
posted by hat_eater at 3:24 PM on June 28, 2014


Pjern, was this somewhere in Indiana? That still exists now? I know my boys and I would love to see steam locomotives every third Sunday. And I do mean every.
posted by double block and bleed at 3:34 PM on June 28, 2014


That wasn't meant to be a complaint, pjern. :) I'm not sure if it could be written in a lighter way and still have been as interesting. Also I read all of your other posts, really good stuff.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:35 PM on June 28, 2014


double block and bleed:

No, this was in Florida in 1983 or so. The locomotive in question is long since dead, mounted, and stuffed. I was the last engineer, at the throttle when she suffered a burst firetube.
posted by pjern at 5:05 PM on June 28, 2014 [1 favorite]


Literaryhero: Thanks!
posted by pjern at 5:06 PM on June 28, 2014


pjern: "double block and bleed:

No, this was in Florida in 1983 or so. The locomotive in question is long since dead, mounted, and stuffed. I was the last engineer, at the throttle when she suffered a burst firetube.
"

Well, that stinks. Great essay, though.
posted by double block and bleed at 5:09 PM on June 28, 2014


was this somewhere in Indiana? That still exists now?

I might point out that the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society operates the 765 on a regular basis.
posted by pjern at 5:14 PM on June 28, 2014


> I was the last engineer, at the throttle when she suffered a burst firetube.

.
posted by benito.strauss at 6:35 PM on June 28, 2014 [1 favorite]


pjern: "I might point out that the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society operates the 765 on a regular basis."

Looks like it's time for a road trip up I-69!
posted by double block and bleed at 8:27 PM on June 28, 2014


Oh crap, I almost never do this but there's something about this one

Metafilter: I was the last engineer at the throttle when she suffered a burst firetube.
posted by forforf at 6:54 PM on June 29, 2014 [1 favorite]


Looks like it's time for a road trip up I-69!

If you want a guide to things steam, give me a call!
posted by pjern at 1:37 AM on June 30, 2014


double block and bleed: You may also be thinking of the Hesston Steam Museum near LaPorte, IN. Amazing place.

pjern: Love the writing.
posted by jferg at 2:04 PM on July 4, 2014


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