Steam Locomotive Chase results! DUW

[jdando]

It was a hot summer day here in MN, perfect for "chasing" after the 261 steam locomotive! My plan was to start close to home and then "chase" out west to Augusta, Cologne, Plato and Glencoe. I hoped to meet Curt Crouse out in Augusta.

I found my first photo op as planned and setup both my digicam and video camera. It was a peaceful morning with not a lot of activity. A bike club road by, then a guy in a MG convertible (hope it did not stall on the tracks, darn British electric systems). The train eventually showed up, about 15 minutes late.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/mtkabikes.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/mtkacameralocation.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/mtkatrain.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/mtkatrain2.jpg





I then chased out west and meet up with Curt and his family. We chased to several more "at grade" crossing and got lots of pictures. There was a stiff breeze to blow the smoke and steam around.




http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/colognecrossingfar.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/colognecrossingnear.jpg



A little more chasing to the next crossing
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/colognefieldtrain.jpg


I figured I would stand down wind for the next crossing. It was a neat experience to be awash in smoke for a few seconds, not sure if I would want to do long-distance travel like that. It had a very unique smell and feel.


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/platopast2.jpg


Got a few pictures at the Colonge stop also.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/261engineer.jpg

More pictures in the gallery! http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/browseimages.php?c=5

A good time was had by all, the sights, sounds and smells of steam locomotive are truely something!

I have edited two videos and uploaded to Google. this is the low speed pass in Minnetonka http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=26769856359921 64811 This is a high speed pass in Cologne MN http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8693927034557179576
Enjoy!

jeremy

[mpearce]

Wow!! Very Cool!!

Ive never seen anything like that ever before that I can recall here in the US. But...My wife and I have been for a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland. It was made famous by the Harry Potter movies. 2 1/2 hour ride out to the western shore of Scotland. Had our heads out the windows, and when we got back, we had soot in our hair. Awesome ride.

Great clips! Thanks for posting.

-Mat

[chrish]

what a breathtaking landscape & cho-cho
my grandpa use to build locamotives at Lima locamotive in Lima Ohio. Plant is now a vacated enviromental wasteland.Factory is still there .

[jgc61sr2002]

Nice pictures.:D Thanks

[jdando]

One more video now available....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4102906827651648409

jeremy

[shakes_26]

Jeremy,

is 261 a coal fired or she burn oil? How often do they run it, I ask since I might be visiting MN near labor day.

[Tallboy]

Jeremy,

is 261 a coal fired or she burn oil? How often do they run it, I ask since I might be visiting MN near labor day.

Now, let's leave Carfixer's GPS out of this, shall we? :D

Awesome pics, Jeremy-Thanks!!! :beer:

[jdando]

Jeremy,

is 261 a coal fired or she burn oil? How often do they run it, I ask since I might be visiting MN near labor day.

Coal fired I believe. The engine has a website that has more info

www.261.com It is rather cryptic and hard to navigate however.

Here is where I found the information. http://www.261.com/firing.html

There is some schedule information on their website. I think the next MN based excursion will be September 9/10 .

http://www.wayzatahistoricalsociety.o rg/JJHill261.htm

jeremy

[Hotrauder]

Great shots and awesume video. Thanks. Brings back a lot of memories. My father and both grandfathers worked for the Boston and Maine for many years. My dad started as a call boy while in Jr. high school. That was during the depression and his first connection was walking the tracks picking up coal to burn at home during the winter. Times were tough then. Dennis

[MI2QWK4U]

Those are both beautiful and breathtaking pictures. I took my daughters to ride a steam loco here in Michigan, it is quite the experience and they loved it. Those big machines are magnificent and majestic. Sounds like a great time and a flash back to a cool era. Thanks for sharing.

[SVT5LITER]

Nice pics! Sounds like fun too!

[VNMUS]

What? No pics of the MM's with the Locomotive in the background? This is a CAR club after all :nono: Wish I could have made it guys. Looks like it was an awesome day. What sort of turnout did you get?