Messages

1

General Discussion / Looking for travel buddy/buddies for Victorian Iron Horse Festival CT&S Aug.21

« on: May 09, 2021, 05:40:15 AM »

Dear Narrow Minded People,

I am an original Colorado Narrow Gauger, have been in Germany for 21 years now, last visited Colorado in 2009. I so wanted to show my 10-year-old son my Colorado Narrow Gauge home. But there are no immunizations for kids until 2022 here in Germany and due to a separation I can't and won't risk his health.

But I don't want to miss the once in a lifetime Victorian Iron Horse Festival on the CT&S in August 2021. I've decided to go alone, I credit from flights from the cancelled trip in 2020 with United and Lufthansa, flights are too bad from Germany to Denver. But the rental cars are crazy and single occupancy motel/hotels are also dumb.

So is anyone out there going to Colorado for about 2 weeks around 20th of August to 1st-3rd September, that would care to take me into their fold. I'm a pretty agreeable guy, after living with my wife for 19 years, I can live with anyone for 2 weeks. I do snore, though. But I have other positive traits to recommend me as a travel partner.

Do you have any friends that would be interested in „hooking up“ for gratitidious foaming?😝

I could offer you a matchmaker finders fee as incentive “Foaming Bachelor” program.😜
 
Thor
windbergs@yahoo.com

2

General Discussion / Has the WW&F ever considered encouraging a social science study of Volunteering

« on: June 07, 2018, 03:57:33 AM »

I had contact with this young lady that is finishing her Phd. topic on the Heritage railway volunteerism specially on the Welsch Highlands 2ft rr. But as a notable organisation that the WW&F is, that has accomplished so much. As anyone formalised why it works at the WW&F and why so many other groups fail, wither out or just self destruct? I think that this would be a good topic for some University student in social sciences, psychology or such. It could be considered a offer of good will to the preservation world to document how and why the WW&F works so well and might be useful for grant righting and planning for the long term and attraction of skilled volunteers from the "Nintendo generation" as they age. Just a thought.

If anyone is interested I can make the connections and add a few resources that I've found as well has international prospective from different cultures where it works and not. 

https://theconversation.com/britons-see-volunteering-as-a-hobby-or-a-way-to-network-rather-than-a-chore-74765

https://theconversation.com/britons-see-volunteering-as-a-hobby-or-a-way-to-network-rather-than-a-chore-74765

3

Other Narrow Gauge / Re: Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Rendezvous Event - Photo Album

« on: September 13, 2016, 01:34:46 AM »

Kevin,
Thanks for sharing your awesome pictures of WW&F and CT&S on Flickr. Really gives me homesickness for my Colorado Heimat. I hope you don't mind I down loaded some of the pictures for wall paper on my computer and some of my test stand computers here in the Gasoline Fuel Injection development here at Bosch in Stuttgart, Germany.

Please keep sharing and I hope our paths cross someday so I can shake your hand.

cheers
Thor

4

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Re: Pics from 8/19/16 visit to the SR&RL with Monson no. 3

« on: August 21, 2016, 12:30:12 AM »

Thanks for posting, you don't always hear too much about the SR&RL online, other than they sunk a butt load of money and time into restoring the Monson No.3 which is leased and not even theirs. I had never seen good pictures from a walk around the property. Shows that they have also alot of original equipment, in what looks like good condition and are doing also excellent restoration work. They seem like the shy, unsung heros in the M2F preservation scene.

The only thing that I am missing for the bigger picture is how much track have they relayed, how much futher would be possible in the next 10years or so and how much is in their dreams?

Too bad I won't make it their in Sept. to see it. Hopefully they will recover from the huge cost and effort of No.3 and continue on.
cheers
Thor

5

Two Footers outside of the US / My Dream for WWF would to be recover 1or2 Baldwin 2-6-0 from Brazil

« on: April 25, 2016, 04:10:21 PM »

Ok guys,
I will probably start something but I have been thinking for a long time, I'd like to see more of the 60cm engines in Brazil preserved. At the EFPP with 17 engines/hulks there will be a lifetime to restore or preserve them and they are state property so not for sale, as is most of the preserved steam engines if they were ever under the national railway administration during communistic rule. That leaves engines that were left, tolerated in semi-private plantations or industrial railroads, of which they were many.

There is a big expensive book call "Inventario das Locomotivas a Vapor No Brasil" ISBN85-906677-0-7 which is a 2006 published pictural inventory of 450 existing locomotives all over Brazil and on page 180 are "Cards" 120 & 121. Vol66pg365-366pdf229-60cmWilliamsCo4UzimaTiumaBRAZIL1920_8-14D39dwg10Rd6SN53375
Vol72pg159-169pdf104-60cmU.CansacaoDeSinimbu4UsinaTiuma1924_8-14D42dwg10Rd7SN57668Brazil-preserInv.122pg180

Which are some of the most modern 60cm/2ft Baldwin locomotives in Brazil, after 1924 I don't think Baldwin accepted orders for such small locomotives anymore. Anyway the pictures in the book from 2006 make your mouth water, looks like you could light a fire in them and drive out of the hall, except there are no tracks. From what little research online I did with my Portuguese it looks like the Sugar cane plant was shut down and assume by the ownership of Votorium, probably the land is still used, the cane or soybeans are processed somewhere else. Maybe these engines could be liberated from Brazil, it is close to Recife in Perambuco which is not so populated...

If you want the files bigger email me and I'll share them, the builders photo is a thumbnail from the RR-MP Website, I haven't bought a copy, yet. These would be sweet machines for your mostly strait track, I'll let you experts tell me which engine they would be closest to with their 30,000lb weight and 6180pdstractive effort, No.15?

If there would be interest in the US to fund an inquiry, I would know some people that might well know the right form of diplomicy to go an ask if they would be for sale, with the week economy right now maybe it would be a good time. But they will surely not give them away for $10,000. Sorry this has been bouncing around in my head for too long it just had to get out.

Cheers and good night
Thor

6

Two Footers outside of the US / Operations have been re-started on the Brazilian Perus Pirapora

« on: March 05, 2016, 02:35:18 AM »

Hey Guys,
I wanted to report some good news again from Brazil, we are finally running trains again on the Perus Pirapora you have to look on Facebook to see it the best facebook group is the modeling group; Núcleo de Ferreomodelismo estrada de ferro Perus-Pirapora. Unfortunately, the other original Facebook group got hijacked by locals for advertising for fitness pills and hairdressers.

Both Steam engines the O&K/Deacuville 0-4-2wt and ALCO 2-4-2ST have been repainted and run, pictures show a new load of ties and some improvement of roof to park a few vehicles under. They are also finally soliciting to organize operation for school groups, a good source of revenue for tourist railroads in Brazil.

Also I've been recently contacted by a man/group from south Brazil that want to restore two of our German steam engines as a symbol of heritage for their German immigrant parents and grandparents. They are currently helping to repair/replace original clutch plates to get our DIEMA diesel "Thor" operating again. It would be really cool if they pick up the Hohenzollern 0-4-0T No.5 & No.6 Krauss 0-6-0WT for restoration over the next years. As always with Brazilians you have to be relaxed and keep your expectations in check but at least they are back to the level they were in 2012, abet with some new people. Their culture just doesn't have the tradition of long term commitment to a cause/project that gets things done like in the US/Germany, they are learning though.

cheers
Thor

7

Museum Discussion / Re: Jackson and Sharp passenger trucks - what to do with them

« on: March 05, 2016, 02:20:41 AM »

Wayne,
I can sympathize with you, when I was in Brazil, I tried to help them buy 5 9" Westinghouse Air Pump copies since they have a shortage in Brazil due to many/most of the steam engines were retired with vacuum brake equipment, but the Brazilian Govn. refused import saying find local sources...right.

Yes I think wheels could be imported, if someone in the interest group had experience with import, but normal people of limited lifespan and interest we be discouraged. And the sources that I was thinking of will not have experience exporting to the US, so forget I mentioned it, technically possible,  is not always bureaucratically probable.

Hey Thor --

We may decide to go with chilled cast iron wheels using a pattern produced in house, though there are certain disadvantages with chilled wheels as noted elsewhere in this thread. I imagine the main reason we haven't looked beyond our own shores for sources is our inexperience in dealing with overseas suppliers, shipping, tariffs, customs, etc. I made some efforts last year to secure wheels from South Africa, but the difficulties not only with shipping, but also with the various bureaucracies that would be involved in the process, discouraged me from going much further than determining that, while it was possible to accomplish, such a shipment should only be attempted by someone with a very long life expectancy to wait while all the agencies had their say and signed off. I'm already old, so that wasn't going to be me!

That said, I believe we have drawings of the Portland-style wheel, and if a copy was forwarded to you, it may be worth looking into.

Cheers -- Wayne

8

Museum Discussion / Re: Jackson and Sharp passenger trucks - what to do with them

« on: March 03, 2016, 04:17:12 AM »

Just a question guys,

If US steel wheels cost $2100 per wheel, have you entertained inquiring overseas? 2ft, 20" wheels are not rocket science meant to go  300km/h. I would imagine that there are suppliers in Brazil, China, Romania or other East European suppliers that could beat that price delivered, question is probably import tax or does the WW&F have a benefit as a 501c org?

If you are interested and not, strictly "buy American", then I could ask contacts that I have in Brazil and Romania. But I might need a drawing of what you want, with rough specs, especially the rough axle hole and tread/flange requirements.

We have some beautiful original J&S 60cm trucks on the EFPP in Brazil, some even with spoked wheels http://www.thorsteamworld.com/photos/pbm.asp?model=Passenger
Naturally they are not for sale, but I imagine that some parts could be cheaper if made abroad.

cheers from the stolen moments from the work desk in Germany
Thor

9

Two Footers outside of the US / Re: 24thIntlFieldRyMeet-TripReport-Baltic Narrow Gauge w/Brand New 0-6-0 60cm

« on: November 22, 2014, 02:53:05 AM »

Hey John,
Thanks for the Video I hadn't see that yet. It is interesting as one our trip to Latvia I heard from my colleagues in FFM that one of our engines made a field trip recently but I didn't hear the whole story. And lo and behold there is our Lok3-Decauville-Typ3-Bn2t the small engine with dark green side tanks. Man I didn't know that she could go that fast. Looks like a very interesting railroad and will definitely be on my list to visit by next time there is some sort of festival. Found some more information (in German) if you care. Had to search for it in Google Earth to place it in my perspective.
 53° 5'49.34"N  17° 6'56.00"E
http://www.interlok.info/BialosliwieBahn.htm

cheers
Thor

10

Two Footers outside of the US / 24thIntlFieldRyMeet-TripReport-Baltic Narrow Gauge w/Brand New 0-6-0 60cm

« on: November 20, 2014, 03:33:58 PM »

Hey guys,
I tried to upload my Trip Report as word or pdf but it didn't work, so I'd like to refer you to my 10 page trip report posted at

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,277161,277161#msg-277161

I'm proud to say I rode in the cab of a 60cm O&K copy 0-6-0WT that was only 2 weeks old, BRAND NEW and available for purchase for only about €200,000. No assemble required. Batteries, Coal or Wood not included, spar parts and service available.

or go directly to my 500 pictures and read the report later...https://www.flickr.com/photos/thor-windbergs/

Glad to answer any questions.
cheers
Thor

11

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 9 - Official Work Thread

« on: August 12, 2014, 01:56:21 AM »

Hey guys as I mentioned on the Facebook page "There are brand new copies of this injector type branded "Comodor" available in Brazil, in 6 sizes 1/2" to 2". If you need more let me know and I can contact my Brazilian ABPF connections." Included is a picture of a larger original Metropolitan injector with a brand new 3/4" Comodor that I brought from Brazil in 2009 and traded to Bernie Watts of Backshop Services for 9 1/2" Air pump parts. There was a good article showing alot about these injectors in the May/June 2005 Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading Magazine of which I have a pdf if someone wants to back channel me. From which the 8N should be 1" pipe fittings, which should feed 600ga/h over a 2ft lift by 80lb Steam pressure, says sized for 65-80hp engine/boiler...

I see that you are installing the vacuum brake systems again, this makes it pretty unique as I don't any other narrow gauge using original Ames Vacuum brake equipment. Do you or any one know of sources for these parts, steam ejector, brake cylinders etc. The South African and English may still have use vacuum but it is much more complicated and too large for just an engine and two cars of existing 2ft applications.

Is it planned to have the same simple Ames Vaccuum equipment on the No.11? If so does anyone have the information to design and make patterns for the ejector and parts? That is a project that could be useful to many small operations worldwide which I'd like to help research and develop.

12

Two Footers outside of the US / Newest from the Frankfurter Field Ry Museum (60cm)

« on: August 11, 2014, 05:32:01 AM »

Hello Folks,
Just finally joined the WW&F, my other Museum the FFM just celebrated the 100th Anniversary of our "Brigade", WW1 trench engine and first public service of another German Military engine (0-10-0T) which was built for and returned from Japan. At the same time another WW2 German Military engine the Jung 110C (110hp 0-6-0T+T) is also entering service. We have over 12 operational steam engines and they keep coming. If only the same success could be copied in Brazil...

Enjoy my Flicker pictures
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thor-windbergs
http://www.feldbahn-ffm.de/fahrzeuge.html
http://feldbahn.forumieren.com/t10153-aufarbeitung-henschel-riesa-feldbahndampflok-im-ffm-begonnen


Also the pages of another Internet Friend that shouldn't be missed
https://www.flickr.com/photos/knepp736/sets/

keep it on the strait and narrow
Thor

13

UK (Welsh, British) Two Footers / Update/Visit to Brecon Mountain Railway by Thomas R. Schultz

« on: August 11, 2014, 04:57:59 AM »

Hello a lucky friend from California, got to visit this month and really filled in all the blanks. I know I will visit it is only when, in not to far off future they will have more 2ft Baldwins operating than anywhere else in the world...and in Brazil the can't restore what they have and everyone is building new ones...so sad.
Thor

Von: "Thomas R. Schultz" <schultzestate@gmail.com>
Datum: 2 Aug 2014 17:28:01 GMT+2
Betreff: A Visit to Brecon Mountain Railway, Pant, Wales, UK
On Tuesday, July 15, 2014, we visited Brecon Mountain Railway, which operates from Pant near Merthyr Tydfil along the full length of the Pontsticill Reservoir to Torpantau, Wales, United Kingdom.  This 2-foot gauge railway is laid on the roadbed of a former standard gauge railway. An interesting railway museum exists a mile or so north of Pant at Pontsticill.

Power for our train was Brecon Mountain Railway 2, 4-6-2 (BLW 61269 / 1930), 2-foot gauge, ex-Eastern Province Cement Co., Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  This Baldwin locomotive is one of only a handful of serviceable US-built steam locomotives operating in the United Kingdom.

Also serviceable at Brecon Mountain Railway are the following locomotives:

• "Graf Schwerin-Löwitz" 0-6-2 (Jung 1261 / 1908), 60 cm gauge, ex-Mecklenburg Pommersche Schmalspurbahn, Germany
• "Sybil" 0-4-0 (Hunslet 827 / 1903), 2-foot gauge, ex-Pen-Yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry, Nantlle near Caernarfon, North Wales, United Kingdom
• "Pendyffryn" 0-4-0 (De Winton & Co., Caernarfon, Wales ? / 1897), 2-foot gauge, ex-Pen-Yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry, Nantlle near Caernarfon, North Wales, United Kingdom
• "Redstone" 0-4-0 (Mr. Redstone / Penmaenmawr Granite Quarry [no works number] / 1903), 2-foot gauge

Under repair is: Brecon Mountain Railway 1, 2-6-0 (BLW 15511 / 1897), 1' 11-3/4" gauge, ex-Mogyana Railway, Brazil

Incredibly, Brecon Mountain Railway is constructing two new steam locomotives, both being built using original Baldwin drawings of Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes locomotives:

• Brecon Mountain Railway 3, 2-6-2; based on Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes 23, 2-6-2 (BLW 40733 / 1913), 2-foot gauge, original locomotive scrapped in 1936.
• Brecon Mountain Railway 4, 2-4-4, Forney; based on Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes 10, 2-4-4 (42231 / 1916), 2-foot gauge, original locomotive scrapped in 1936.

Brecon Mountain Railway: http://www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk/
Von: "Thomas R. Schultz" <schultzestate@gmail.com>
Datum: 11 Aug 2014 11:39:56 GMT+2
Betreff: Brecon Mountain Railway: Update
On Monday, August 11, 2014 2:19 AM, Brecon Mountain Railway <enquiries@breconmountainrailway.co.uk> wrote:

Hi
I am pleased you enjoyed your visit here.
We are making good progress with the Sandy River locomotives and have started building the new boilers for two of them.
The machining of the second cylinder for No.10 is nearly finished and then its a pair of cylinders to machine for No.23.
 
Best wishes
Michael Hills
Brecon Mountain Railway
T: 01685 722988
www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk

14

General Discussion / Re: World status of two-foot gauge Baldwin(ish) locomotives

« on: July 10, 2014, 08:53:30 AM »

Hi,

I was just doing a little thinking and thought I'd see if anyone can add to this list:

Number of currently operational two-foot gauge Baldwin locomotives in the world today:

I can think of 4 operational locos, 3 to 5 more under repair, and 3 being constructed new.  
They are:

Brecon Mountain Rwy (UK) - 1 operational (4-6-2), 1 under repair (2-6-2), two being constructed new (2-4-4RT and 2-6-2)
Leighton Buzzard Rwy (UK) - 1 operational (4-6-0T)
DHR (India) - 1 operational (0-4-0T)
Dreamwold (Aus) - 1 operational (4-6-0T)
WHR (UK) - 1 under repair (4-6-0T)
Maine Narrow Gauge (US) - 1 under repair (2-4-4RT)
WW&F (US) - 1 being constructed new (2-4-4RT)

Any others?  EFPP (Brazil) 2-4-0 under repair?, Ashover (UK) 4-6-0T under repair?)


Best Regards,
Glenn

In Germany at the Frankfurter Field Railway Museum we have an original Baldwin 50hp 0-4-0 Gas mechanical entering restoration this year....

EFPP (Brazil) has no Baldwin near restoration, if the Group ever gets moving again and finances they would probably restore the No.10 2-6-2T. Most are at collection sites of Km10.5 Natura, Km5.5 Corredor or Km1 Perus Cement Plant, one is in the original city/railroad Dumont where it came and I know of 2 more 0-6-2ST in good condition private as well as probably 3 converted from 60cm to 1m...where do you draw the line. EFOM has lots of 76cm 2ft6 Baldwins with 2-3 operational in San Joa do Rei.

Steam Locomotives of the EFPP & CBCPP - 60cm gauge                                      No   AAR   Original   Builder   Bldr. #   Yr. Blt.   Cylinder   Driver Dia.   Source   arrival EFPP   Original Name   Location/Condition 2011                                   1   062ST   062ST   BLW   14963   07-1896   9"x16"   33"   Cantareira Nr.6   1925   "Theodoro Carvalho"    2   260ST+T      BLW   ?   ?            1925   "Florindo Beneducce"    10   262T+T   262T   BLW   40675   09-1913   12"x16"   33"   Paulista-Nr.911   1960       11   260   060   BLW   11892   05-1891   13"x18"   36"   Ramal Dumont No 3   1942       12   260   060   BLW   14275   04-1895   11"x18"   36"   Ceramica SaoCarlense   1942   "Procopio"   Dumont-SP - 13   260   060   BLW   18897   04-1901   11"x18"   36"   Ramal Dumont No 5   1942       14   262T+T   262T   BLW   40674   09-1913   12"x16"   33"   Paulista-Nr.910   1960       15   260   262T   BLW   11980   06-1891   12"x16"   33"   R.F.Campineiro. Nº2   1961   "Campinas"    16   460   460   BLW   32694   02-1908   12"x16"   33"    Dourado No 5   1961      Perus 17   240   240   BLW   37399   12-1911   11"x16"   33"   Cantareira Nr.2-2   1961

15

Two Footers outside of the US / 60+ Pg. Photobook of 60cm PerusPirapora Cement RR is ready for shipment

« on: May 16, 2014, 06:58:49 AM »

Dear Gentlemen, and Ladies if there are any out there in the hobby...

For the last 2 years I have been collecting photographs and preparing a photobook about the Perus Pirapora railroad. I have since had 6 improvement issues with adding more information as I acquire it. Generally it was started as a visual inventory about the some 34 locomotives that the railroad had or has.  Recently I added a few pages about the cars too. Yesterday I just received another 5 copies. Since they are printed via a online photo service I can order 1 or a 100 at the same price, not cheap but about €22 a piece about €4 shipping to US in bubble mailer.

Through the online service it was also available to put a 3D Photobook preview online at my Face Book account https://www.facebook.com/thor.windbergs

https://apps.facebook.com/picamo-app//show/album/6008?code=AQCOM1J1KggVS5EPh8rEEGhWkH7euvN6P37Jsv1r2T9YSNByisV5KKkvNKvQXRfjTi_DWVCxM-RLRVJpsGJPvmKDA9FD2BIKgf0plcyavGUrPlmW09bie0UnhKiN45wzodgjvlAEOzmn1afuc20RbBHhaK7igQaRioYM_7eDfxT28swpy2NnPJR0sXOF2m35MkqIcgwymTfomyCdvF9MxFPc4DmZ7I71caonHdmiksILlddovufO8iecszvEvt8PmpXLjJCfYhwvoDBiqELu9MW5j37o6AC9p7flWpxm_WwtCQT1uhUGOgfE07nSEgQbEns&state=52a92c0eb702d23dd5764d88ef081a24#_=_

I'd be please to ship "narrow minded Friends" copies at the cost payable by paypal or "in kind" horse trading for other book and info. I'd also like to donate copies to any library like collections of the WW&F or Maine 2fter Museums if the collections are viewable for their members or visitors.

Not only are they some interesting equipment in Brazil but much more original Baldwin, ALCO and Porter 2fters existing than in the US. Unfortunately, after an extremely active phase as I was there from 2007-2010 the group has lost momentum and there is no noticeable progress and very limited operation. But this is not the first time, that the volunteers have been driven away through internal discourse. The equipment survives and will live to see another day when the resources finally arrive to recreate a class operation and museum. Remember Brazil is not really a 3rd world but they still have alot of problems and poverty and don't have the traditions of clubs or groups of people coming together for a common case like a museum or restoration of anything.

I hope to keep the railroad alive in the minds and hopefully we foreigners can show interest so that the Brazilians release what a treasure trove of narrow gauge technological history. I am also working of making models of several of the engines in 7/8's scale to also play with and publish. But as working & family life is moving very slowly due to lack of time.

Looking forward to corresponding with anyone interested in these sweet engines.

regards
Thor