2005 and earlier

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September 21 - You want signals? We got signals -- 24/7. Push the red button on the south side of the Adobe Tower and you'll turn on the Werner and Bobberg signals any time day or night. No tower operator is needed! After two hours, the signals will turn off automatically. Push the button again any time to extend the time. Thanks to Jim Brown and the signal gang.

August 14 - The great 2-1/2 minute video filmed by Maricopa County is now available for your viewing pleasure. Our thanks goes to non-resident member Bill Yoder for converting the video to a form that we are able to post on our web site.
July 5 - Why you don't stop a hot train on a wooden trestle is the subject of a gem submitted by Betty Moore. Take a look.
April 20 - Jim Manley and Paul Karczewski put together tips from Paul's Car Building Clinic he presented at our Spring Meet. Thanks, Jim, for a very nice job.
March 16 - How do you pick up a "Big Boy" and move him? Take a look
February 19 - A vastly improved system map is available for your amazement here. It depicts the proposed Far Flung Flats Subdivision.
February 15 - Mr. Motorist: It's up to you to give persons on foot a courteous, friendly warning -- a danger signal that will not rob them of their presence of mind. Many a tragic auto accident is due to the inefficient "honk-honk" or the terrifying squawk signal that alarms and unnerves pedestrians and makes them run into danger -- instead of away from it. There is just one, sure, courteous way to signal your coming -- one warning that is distinct and musical, that cheers and does not frighten -- that never fails at the crucial moment -- The Aermore Exhaust Horn, the Horn Harmonious.
Get Firefox! December 30 - Windows users have a lot to worry about these days because the sloppy holes left in the Windows versions of Internet Explorer and Outlook are exploited by the spyware/spammer/virus/pop-up thugs. But now, there's something you can do to avoid all of the plagues I've mentioned above. It's a free Internet browser called Firefox. And it has an email companion called Thunderbird. The greatest New Years gift you could give yourself would be to click the GetFirefox logo (above) and check out these marvelous, free programs. They are easy to install and configure. Any doubts? Read Walter Mossberg's Wall Street Journal column about Firefox, published December 30, 2004.
December 20 - A new locomotive has arrived at Wilson's Wash and will provide transport up the steep incline to Martin's Ferry. Passengers will find luxurious accommodations in the coach shown in front of the locomotive. The practice of throwing empty whiskey bottles at the steam dome is foolhardy and is strictly prohibited.
October 29 - Sometimes things go wrong in Colorado. Thanks to Jim Manley.
May 17 - Honey, I shrunk the train! Those Brits. A queer lot, don't you think? Here are some British live steamers with their powerful and sturdy locomotives, with tenders able to withstand the weight of an entire engineer! Actually, it's a photo we snatched from the web site of the Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society located in Kent, England. The site says "The Society caters for all modelling interests with a special emphasis on live steam. It now has a membership of around 275 and is affiliated to the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies. The permanent raised track at Rolfe Lane has facilities for 2-1/2", 3-1/2" and 5" gauge locomotives and both coal-fired and electric models are seen regularly at meetings. You might wish to visit their web site. Thanks, Betty Moore.

Update: John Wimble, Secretary of the Romney Marsk Model Engineering Society for the past 32 years, responded "Yes, we are a queer lot! Anyone who plays trains is. Thanks for putting our pic on your website. I'll put a link to it from the RMMES. Best wishes, John Wimble,


What in the world is Sahuaro Central? If not for Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage Preservation Society, Inc., MLS and the Adobe Western Railroad would be without a home. It's important that you read about the history of this organization, and consider becoming a member. Dues are modest, and the health and safety of Sahuaro Central are vital to MLS.
April 1 - We found an unusually good animated drawing of the Walschaert valve gear drawn by one R. A Booty and we commend it to your inspection. You will find it here along with some other drawings explaining how steam engines work.
March 26 - Do you know about the library at Pottsville that contains more than 200 hard-cover books about railroads, trains and related subjects? It's open every weekend. Check it out! Do you have any books you'd like to donate to the library?
March 12 - The populace of Adobe City was treated to a visit yesterday by the eccentric inventor Thomas Edison whose likeness appears here. Mr. Edison's visit was occasioned by the bringing of electric current to our fair clime, and the stringing of devices called light bulbs (see image at the right) which emit a soft glow far superior to that of a mere candle. Mr. Edison claims his electric current can also be employed to turn the wheels of agriculture and industry and may some day power an electric train!
February 16 - At the February business meeting Charlie Downs demonstrated an Electronic Conductor's Alarm which will be installed on the club locomotives, 4402 and 4403. The conductor uses a small fob transmitter to trigger a loud siren alerting the engineer to stop the train. It can be installed in the locomotive or configured as a portable unit which may be placed on the tender floor. Perhaps you'd like one for your train. Information about the alarm, where to purchase it, the cost, the source of a suitable battery, and how to wire the alarm is here
August 7 - New York. LOW & BURGESS, PURVEYORS OF SUPPLIES FOR RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT COMPANIES, has favored us with selected pages from its newest 1860 catalog. We direct your attention to these items vital to the operation of any railroad:
August 7 - Geronimo. RESIDENTS OF THIS SLEEPY BURG on the Werner World Branch recently discovered a passing siding has been installed in their fair city. Citizens hailed the event in a jubilant, if somewhat confused manner, by overdosing on Ayer’s Sarsaparilla and chasing a local burro with sticks. Owing to the lack of wood in the region, the burro appeared to be in no real danger. At last report, the beast was leaving town on the back of an Adobe Western flatcar for quieter locales. July 16 - Martin’s Ferry. ALL ADOBE WESTERN EMPLOYEES ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that when flinging non-paying passengers off at Martins Ferry Bridge, please ensure at all times that it is high tide prior to doing so, and to fling on the Ferry side of the bridge, thus insuring our passengers the very best of service, and a better than average chance of being rescued. Your cooperation is appreciated.
July 8 - Philladelphia. HOW DOES BALDWIN DO IT? We put that question to Justin Threadgill, our roaming correspondent, who ventured to the Fair City of Philadelphia to obtain the rivet-by-rivet description of the Building of a Baldwin Locomotive. You must be sure to read it.
June 17 - Adobe City. LATE OF SAN FRANCISCO, a charming young woman has set up shop on Container Row in Adobe City. She is Wilma Banke, well know in San Francisco as “The Friend of the Organ,” (Hammond) who entertained tens of thousands of her devotees each day when she played that favorite song of so many, “Beautiful Dreamer,” introducing the Dan Sorkin KSFO Weather Report featuring the prognostications of one Freddy Meyer, a retired civilian Navy weather forecaster. But I digress.


Madame Banke
Madame Banke has opened an emporium devoted to (as we say when those of delicate dispositions are present) “games of chance.” She invites all to visit her container to try their luck at the more popular diversions of the day, including the Game of the Pharos -- Faro, Three Card Monte, several versions of Poker and Crabs Double Ace (Craps). All major credit cards are gratefully accepted and spiritous libations are available.

Wanda Wen

WANDA WEN, new General Manager of the Farkelberry Wine Canning Plant, somehow fired up the "Old Soldier" and got it moving after spending the day tasting Farkelberry Murlot Reserve.
Problem: She didn’t know how to put the Soldier in reverse.
Result:

We wanda wen she will get it back in the station.
HOW TO BOOT A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE makes great reading. An excerpt:
It’s 3:30 in the morning, as my alarm goes off. Ouch. Today, it’s my turn to get old 153 up to speed for Sunday operations. I drag myself out of bed, bleary-eyed, and shower quickly. An hour later, the gravel in the parking lot crunches beneath my tires as I drive up to the gate of the museum. I take my coffee and rolls with me as I open the train shed, and flick on the lights. There, three feet away, are the cylinders of the 153, a 1922 product of the American Locomotive Company.

The sightnever fails to astonish me. One hundred and eighty-four tons of people-magnet, as my friend Al is fond of describing her. I walk down the left side of the locomotive, admiring her Brobdingnagian proportions inside the building, and climb up the gangway into the cab. Time to get to work.

Want to read more and see the photos? Here you go.

What happens when two firemen and an engineer who have no business being in or even near a locomotive think the water gauge is correct when in fact the water level is below the top of the crownsheet and stays there for a few minutes? Read this NTSB report in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat reader with which to view and print the document, get it here.

 

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