[AT] Steam trains and tractors (kinda OT?)

[Dean Vinson]

> she says, you know, tractor people and train people 
> have a lot in common. They're old and friendly.

> The last steam locomotive delivered to the UP (1944) 
> and the only one that was not put into retirement.  
> Looks like it has an extensive schedule in AZ.
> http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/details.shtml

Thanks, Ken and Don.  I would love to see and hear 844 someday (and 3985,
the gigantic articulated 4-6-6-4).  A quick youtube search turned up these
video clips and many others: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sXQFE2jAsw&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU&feature=related

And Ken, I agree about the "lot in common" part.  Lots of parallels between
railroad locomotives and farm tractors:  The prime movers of their
industries; the technological evolution from steam power to internal
combustion; streamlining in the late 30s and beyond; their pivotal role in
enabling economic growth; the great rivalries between competitors in the
industry; the passionate fans ("tractor people and train people"); no doubt
much more.

On the design side, rival industrial designers Henry Dreyfuss and Raymond
Loewy each made enduring contributions in both agricultural and railroad
equipment.  Dreyfuss styled the 2-cylinder and New Generation John Deeres
but also designed the shrouding on New York Central's 4-6-4 steam
locomotives for the 20th Century Limited--one of the most iconic locomotive
designs ever:
http://www.hotrodartcentral.com/lgartwork/planesandtrains_files/stacks_image
_2207_1.png.

Loewy "styled" the Farmall letter-series tractors but also streamlined
locomotives for the Pennsylvania Railroad, such as the GG1, S1, and T1:
http://www.raymondloewy.org/gallery/loc_T1.html.

I've also thought the EMD F-unit locomotives and the Farmall M-series
tractors each became the generic symbols of their industries, enduringly so:
Even these many decades later, their general profiles still seem to be the
template for little kids' book images of "train" or "tractor."

http://www.vinsonfarm.net/photos/Reading_F7s_Steamtown_PA.jpg
http://peachtreeprairie.com/earth/images/farmallM.jpg

Lots of links here... I'll try this post on the web forum as well.  :)

Good Sunday morning to you all.

Dean Vinson
Dayton, Ohio