This train came into existence as a replacement for the conventional trains. Funded by the French Government, the train was light, quiet and fast with a speed as lofty as 420 kilometers (260 mph). However, later, the government denied its introduction followed by the view of safeguarding the state-sponsored railway system.
The Schienenzeppelin was an assembly of the German machineries. This preliminary super fast train was powered by an engine connected to a huge propeller in the back. It never went past the prototype stage as a result of fears that its propellers could injure or even kill the people who stood close to the tracks at railway stations. The highest speed recorded for this train was 225 kilometers (140 mph).
I gotta tell ya, I’m no rail fan and don’t follow the history of this stuff closely, but there’s some really interesting stuff in here this week.
The 5th picture up from the Portland train station looks like something that would have been used in the original Dune movie.
The restoration job of that Heisler is nothing short of very impressive. Looks like it just rolled out from the factory.
I have actually taken a train from Union Station. Many years ago now, but it is still there and is the Amtrak station. There is no way I would set foot in Portland now.
Where’s the red “Toblerone” train from?
Switzerland? I had to look up that name, Toblerone… The site I got that from didn’t say and I perused a couple of train data sites I know of, no mention of it. A one off experimental train? It is weird though.
Found it:
http://www.matthew-woodward.com/2020/04/the-tirania-toblerone-train.html/
Shaped that way so it could get through tunnels in Japan. It’s now in Tirania, Albania.
Tried to find more about the 0-10-0 loco (above “LNER”), and found only HO models, and a reference to “DRB Br 57 305”, which seems to be DRB Class 57, a Wehrmacht loco. The odd passages and enclosure around the smoke stack are, it seems, exhaust pre-heat. Couldn’t find anything definitive. Cool photo though, even if it’s an HO model.
It may be a combination of superheater to heat steam into a high pressure vapour and condenser to collect exhaust steam and cool it back into liquid to save water. The prototype locomotive probably exploded during trial runs and its existence was categorically denied by the Deutsche Reichebahns master mechanics. IMHO.
In my hitch-hiking years, I slept under an evergreen by the Portland train station for about a month, likely a Fir or Spruce. I was invisible in plain sight (they call it stealth camping now). I’ve tried to find the tree on google maps but that was forty-five years ago, and it’s probably been lopped down and paved over since then.
During that month in Portland, I never saw the sun.
Excellent set today.
Pretty eclectic selection today, CederQ.
I am capable of it on occasion…