STEAMday Sunday (6/23/2024 edition)

Awaiting passengers watch as a SP GS-4 Express passes through North Station platform.

Hello StDaySun fans!  We’re fortunate to have a very capable substitute engineer take the throttle this morning!

This morning I’ve gone to the archives for a doubleheader steam caboose hop.  Yard drill NYC 0-4-0 no. 901 is paired with shop switcher NYC 0-6-0T no. X-8688 pulling a classic NYC wood caboose.  There’s “just something” about  NYC steam, I have more NYC steam in my collection than anything else.

John

Dear @MELGAR

Thanks for this post as it was a most enjoyable and informative read.  I'll have to lookup the previous postings to see what has been covered to date.

In honor of the recent release of a batch of consolidations, decided to post my C&O version with a load of pup trailers.

Thanks for stepping in for Arnold, Mel. Great history of your locos as always.

Here's a K-line 0-4-0, PRR #94 on a run to the intergchange.

Bob

Great start MELGAR WTG , K-Line Union Pacific Big boy pounding the rails.

Since I was discussing PRR K4s in another topic, I thought I would add them here too.

Pre-WarII (Weaver)

Post-WWII (Lionel)

Torpedo (Weaver).  Post WWII look.

Streamlined (Williams).  Pre-WarII type behind it.

I can't determine I appreciate the whistle on those steamers (many from other weeks) or the sound system in the camera used to shoot the vid.  Great results for sure

- walt

My steamers for this sunday   sorry, no whistles :-)

- walt

In 1916 American Flyer announced a new line of trains called the "Hummer" line.  It was AF 's attempt to increase sales of their lower line trains in the hope of broadening their customer base and increasing sales.  The Hummer locomotive, in its first style was made 1916-1918 and then in 1918 a new stamping appeared as is shown below.  The loco is clockwork and sheet-metal, was available from 1918 -1926.  An 0-4-0 it was approximately 6 3/8" long and was accompanied by a type 50 tender.  Somewhat later, starting in about 1924, they added the boiler hand rails and re-numbered the tender 513.  Thus I would date this one to that time period.  OBTW the "crackle finish on the tender is not original from Flyer I feel that it is just a product of age in the enamel.

So there she is, a proud survivor of a century of play by who knows how many young people or adults.  Her clockwork motor still works and she can still move around my flat 0-31 curved layout.  The key is fixed to the loco (thank goodness) or it would be long gone I fear.

Best wishes, hope your week goes well.

Don

@Steam Crazy posted:

Hello StDaySun fans!  We’re fortunate to have a very capable substitute engineer take the throttle this morning!

This morning I’ve gone to the archives for a doubleheader steam caboose hop.  Yard drill NYC 0-4-0 no. 901 is paired with shop switcher NYC 0-6-0T no. X-8688 pulling a classic NYC wood caboose.  There’s “just something” about  NYC steam, I have more NYC steam in my collection than anything else.

John

John, that NYC 0-4-0 is very well detailed especially with the classification and marker lights.
Is it a MTH model?

Gene

Hi Gene,

Yes, my 0-4-0 is MTH Premier.  The model is actually based on a PRR A4 switcher, but it's such a nice engine that doesn't bother me at all.  I think the rods and valve gear are outstanding, among other details.  One of MTH's best efforts, in my opinion.

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

Hi Gene,

Yes, my 0-4-0 is MTH Premier.  The model is actually based on a PRR A4 switcher, but it's such a nice engine that doesn't bother me at all.  I think the rods and valve gear are outstanding, among other details.  One of MTH's best efforts, in my opinion.

John

Thanks John,

I’m hoping the long awaited, revised version of the Lionel Legacy A5 0-4-0 I preordered last fall will look as good as yours.

Gene

Thank you, Mel, for doing such an outstanding job getting STEAMday Sunday started today.

And, thanks to all who contributed photos, videos and comments about your favorite steam locomotives.

Arnold

@Don McErlean posted:

In 1916 American Flyer announced a new line of trains called the "Hummer" line.  It was AF 's attempt to increase sales of their lower line trains in the hope of broadening their customer base and increasing sales.  The Hummer locomotive, in its first style was made 1916-1918 and then in 1918 a new stamping appeared as is shown below.  The loco is clockwork and sheet-metal, was available from 1918 -1926.  An 0-4-0 it was approximately 6 3/8" long and was accompanied by a type 50 tender.  Somewhat later, starting in about 1924, they added the boiler hand rails and re-numbered the tender 513.  Thus I would date this one to that time period.  OBTW the "crackle finish on the tender is not original from Flyer I feel that it is just a product of age in the enamel.

So there she is, a proud survivor of a century of play by who knows how many young people or adults.  Her clockwork motor still works and she can still move around my flat 0-31 curved layout.  The key is fixed to the loco (thank goodness) or it would be long gone I fear.

Best wishes, hope your week goes well.

Don

Don,

I would be interested in seeing a video of one of your clockwork engines running on your layout. I'm an oldtimer in the hobby but I don't think I've ever seen a clockwork engine run.

MELGAR

Our club got an American flyer O scale set donated to us yesterday.

MELGAR - Thanks for being at the throttle this fine Steam Day Sunday!!  I hope Arnold is enjoying himself wherever he may be ... the TCA Convention maybe??   Wonderful posts everyone!!  My post today is inspired by the posts of Steam Crazy ( John ) and Bob ( RSJB )  regarding the A5.  I have a K line A5 which I bought new in 2019 at The Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, Md.  This A5  quickly became the subject of my second attempt at weathering a steam locomotive.  The first was weathering my MTH Docksider.   I absolutely love my A5!  Someday I hope to own a MTH A5, the same as John, but I will not depart with my K line, the same as Bobs!  

Here is a shot from the switch tower showing the A5 taking on water across the way at the water tank.

Here's a closer look.

Hogger Wally Krueger and brakeman J.K. Billings have climbed out of the cab to stretch their legs.  The two men give the engine the once over as their trained ( no pun intended ) eyes slowly scan the steaming beast before them.    MOW workers keep on working and are not at all impressed by "just another steam engine taking on water."  

The A5 later rounds a bend pulling a short string of cars.

The A5 is certainly not a head turner as passengers wait on the commuter platform for their train.  Hogger Krueger steadily brings his train past the platform at 5 mph, with bell clanging.  

While waiting for a red signal, conductor Clarence Ogle has walked forward from the caboose to chat with Wally, tthe hogger.  Seems there's a few extra switching maneuvers, not included on today's switch list, which the crew will have to make.  

Clarence remarks to Wally " Ain't this heat somethin else!"  To which Wally replies "Those dag burn diesel boys got it made in the shade!  No boiler or firebox to raise the temperature into the triple digits!  If Ol' Buster, our fireman, didn't have to keep an eye on the gauges, he'd be down here on the ground with us.  I'm sure glad my firing days are done and gone!  At least it's in the low 90's down here on the ground!

@MELGAR_- Mel, I am headed off to a short vacation with family and away from my "horde" but I will try to post some video's of a clockwork's running when I return.  I can tell you my experience is that they vary.  The early ones and the low end ones are somewhat "jerky" and most certainly don't have a consistent speed.  Some of the more elaborate ones, like the higher end Hornby's, even have track tripped reverse / stop and speed control and  they are very different looking.  Will see what I can assemble when I return.

Best wishes

Don

@Don McErlean I said it in a different thread but want to repeat here just in case: I have really enjoyed seeing those images of old-time stuff that you have been posting.  THere's not a lot of those images on this forum.  Plus, I like that you explain things too.

- walt

@walt rapp  - Walt , thank you for your kind remarks.  I will admit that I am sometimes a little nervous putting all that "old" stuff out there with all the huge, scale, electronically sophisticated stuff that is more common.  It is really nice to know that you enjoy the change of pace.  Thank you

Don

Walt I forgot to add that I enjoy your posts as well, they are different and also give a contrasting view of our hobby .

Thanks'

Don