Germany, of all places; looks like they put on quite a show over there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDC-7RLbF_k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSAWSFAJ5GA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNfUKndVGIM&feature=related

He is of course, right at home in his "real" Sodor, which we know as Great Britain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5LM7qDtVC8

Have fun.

. . .is, of course, Great Britain. 

Here are some clips of preserved steam on one of the most beautiful lines in the world, the Settle & Carlisle:

The S&C was notable for very long climbs; engine crews called it "the Long Drag."  Passenger trains made good time on it, though, but I can't help but think it was hard on the fireman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SDsKgB8DA&feature=player_embedded

This is a beautiful piece of railroad, but I wonder what it was like to work on it in the winter; if the wind the microphones are picking up is any indication, it could be unpleasant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXvF1F-3nTU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMVfhWqjKo&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CrXS5oAinM&feature=related

The recent new steam engine "Tornado" on a test run, with cars and a diesel locomotive for loading; what's interesting is how the steamer's exhaust makes the wires for the electric trains bounce:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ahtisNFYh0&feature=related

Have fun.

Enjoy.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/2011_NMRA.pdf

The Heisler is one small engine, to me it looks more like a bug!

From the NMRA show:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/2011_NMRA.pdf

For Thomas fans in HO, three locomotives, including two black steamers that happen to be my personal favorites in that world (and I'm anything but a Thomas fan).

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/2011_NMRA.pdf

Well, take a look at what headlines the new products flyer--and it's not the EM-1!  Mogul fans, rejoice:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/2011_NMRA.pdf

The recent discussions on Rosie (who is at least partially based on a USATC S-100 switcher) got me to thinking about another engine, one not currently part of the Thomas world, but one that almost certainly would have been in the real one.  That locomotive would have been the USATC S-160, otherwise known as the GI 2-8-0, and a contemporary of the S-100.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USATC_S160_Class

http://www.worldrailfans.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10234&view=next

http://www.lner.info/locos/O/s160.shtml

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/S160froggy.JPG

http://www.shrani.si/f/1r/7R/LZeayYW/wd701s160alton1990.jpg

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=46478

This was a locomotive built in large numbers, and used literally around the world in the postwar era.  (In fact, I originally commented in the standard HO forum that this would make a model that would be an international seller.)

Here's an opportunity and a possibility for a bit of fun.  How would one of these work out as a Thomas character?  As noted, it's not in the series in any form, so here's a chance to get ahead of HTI or whatever the company's name is that has the Thomas license (I'm not normally a Thomas fan, so please forgive me if I'm off base or something, I really don't know the series that well).

To get the ball rolling, I imagine this fellow as definitely American, a WW II veteran.  I picture his character in a couple of forms.  One could be as a gruff, rough former drill instructor, perhaps with a "Noo Joisey" accent, possibly chewing on a cigar (Ha!  I wonder how that would go over!).  Another variation would be as a former Southerner, a la Jim Nabors's Gomer Pyle.  Continuing the Southerner theme, he could even be a "black man," or person of color. 

Now, there are also challenges to here.  One is the "face."  This locomotive has a face only a mother could love, with an off-center smokebox door and an air compressor on one side (at least on the engines as delivered).  Another is, how do you work in a former combat veteran, perhaps one who is rather hardened, into a series that is aimed at sun and light?

Oh, if you are intrigued by this, a model is available, in white metal and brass, from DJH Engineering, Ltd., but be forewarned, it is a bit pricey compared with what you may be used to looking at, and it is a kit of white metal and brass. 

http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/

http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/prodloco.asp?ProdID=3073

http://www.british-ho.freeserve.co.uk/showcase/traction-steam/djh_usatc_s160_1.htm

I now open the floor for discussion. . .     

Enjoy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13872542

Came across this elsewhere, and thought it might be of interest here:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jERF0O-5fM/TdLX8D9lvCI/AAAAAAAADBI/g0pCf2G53fs/s1600/Hank%2Bthe%2BTank%2BEngine%2Bbook.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Tank-Engine-Pat-Gramling/dp/1933916559

Have at with the comments--and out of curiosity, what might you consider a possible approach to an American-themed counterpart?

Something that might be of interest:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31253

Title says it all; steam switching action in Ohio, featuring L-1 and L-2 0-8-0s, and an E-27 2-8-0:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zP8qIZpUJs

Enjoy.

Some movie clips from YouTube:

First, a promotional film from the New York Central called "Flight of the Century," featuring the 20th Century Limited in 1935, before streamlining.  Sound quality is horrid, but I like the music selection at about 7:00, which alternately contrasts with bouncing engine cabs and complements the ride in the Pullmans.  And at about 10:00, the music changes to "Dance of the Hours," which many of us know as a novelty tune about summer camp, "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afqkdViyJvE

More Hudson action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0AGYIVjNIg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXr6RZCIR2A&feature=related

Other NYC steam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa7iVYo7uto&feature=related

And of course, we couldn't forget the streamliners of the the Milwaukee Road:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cph7KwNMon8

Have fun.

Classic trains and classic old-time train songs, in this case featuring the Rock Island and the B&O:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U711QJZYr5A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qsDAyA8ANw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP_KvK7njIE&feature=related

UP 4000s (Big Boys):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqMmnp1OlGw&feature=related

Pilot ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKujVmip1qY&feature=fvwrel

AT&SF 3751 in excursion service:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7L360tkG20&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Various roads and locations (I recognise a CB&Q steamer and a fair amount of what looks like NYC footage in electrified territory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAU0FWhTSaA&feature=related

Modern footage made to look old (Western Maryland Scenic):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwIGxW6MolE&NR=1

CHessie Steam Special:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw0SC68MwjM&feature=fvw

L&N:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Yd7UJ4wd8&feature=related

Have fun.

This movie, a British comedy from 1952 or so, is currently available at this link on YouTube.  The story is of a small town that is about to lose its railway connection, and decides to purchase and keep a branch line, right in the face of no professional help and bus competition.  It is a delightful movie, and the most enjoyable film I've seen in years.  Why, it's almost a real life, historical Thomas the Tank engine, with some other things you would't quite see on Thomas, like the two drunks stealing a locomotive and running it down streets and through a park, along with the wonderful list of charges against them in the police station after this chase.  And the chase itself--why, it's the equal of anything the Marx Brothers did in "Go West!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFMQ2Dq2dY&feature=&p=3DC6AD97BEB32334&index=0&playnext=1

Of course, having mentioned "Go West!", I've got to include it as a second feature:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HARPOWORKS#p/c/E0DAD61729FFBDE2/0/l2vtjGvPXS4

I already own a copy of "Go West!", and now I have to get "Titfield," too. . .

P.S.--The crazy train stuff in "Go West!" starts in Part 8, but the rest of it is still a delight with those crazy brothers, so see them, too, no need to cheat yourself. . .

This movie, a British comedy from 1952 or so, is currently available at this link on YouTube.  The story is of a small town that is about to lose its railway connection, and decides to purchase and keep a branch line, right in the face of no professional help and bus competition.  It is a delightful movie, and the most enjoyable film I've seen in years.  Why, it's almost a real life, historical Thomas the Tank engine, with some other things you would't quite see on Thomas, like the two drunks stealing a locomotive and running it down streets and through a park, along with the wonderful list of charges against them in the police station after this chase.  And the chase itself--why, it's the equal of anything the Marx Brothers did in "Go West!"

P.S.--The crazy train stuff in "Go West!" starts in Part 8, but the rest of it is still a delight with those crazy brothers, so see them, too, no need to cheat yourself. . .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFMQ2Dq2dY&feature=&p=3DC6AD97BEB32334&index=0&playnext=1

Of course, having mentioned "Go West!", I've got to include it as a second feature:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HARPOWORKS#p/c/E0DAD61729FFBDE2/0/l2vtjGvPXS4

I already own a copy of "Go West!", and now I have to get "Titfield," too. . .

P.S.--The crazy train stuff in "Go West!" starts in Part 8, but the rest of it is still a delight with those crazy brothers, so see them, too, no need to cheat yourself. . .

A reprint of a locomotive construction article from a Canadian National house publication, linked from Railway Preservation News:

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/6167/np.html

Also a Canadian National roster; note the 10 engines numbered 4200-4209.  These are USRA light 2-10-2s (which Bachmann offers, of course), originally built for the New York Central (Boston & Albany), and sold after about 10 years or so to CN, perhaps because they weren't fast enough on a road like the NYC:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/CNRsteam.html

Have fun.

This started up on the Railway Preservation News site, and I thought it might be of interest here:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30630

Enjoy.

It's totally off topic as far as subject matter, but right in time with the beginning of the holiday season. . .and these novelty holiday tunes are so delightful, I have to share them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgwsm6zLP2c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJAC9ZykSAo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkwgu8JLaF4

My wife stumbled onto these while looking for other Christmas music. They are humorous novelty tunes, but doggone it, I consider them the most realistic holiday songs around--particularly that first one!

While fiddling around on YouTube again, I came across some clips of this British railway comedy from 1937. I don't have the whole film available, but what I can see looks like a classic.

First, a bit of background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh,_Mr_Porter

What I could find (hope they are in correct sequence, couldn't really tell they way they showed up on YouTube):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1XxG33PE3k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cGOFZj2YAU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBMHU1BJXCw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lxDjd_fi8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD0ZnNQ6GSo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfQNvbSPF0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RELnmRJIe4Y&feature=related

Wouldn't Thomas and the others be at home with these fellows?

Enjoy!

While fiddling around on YouTube again, I came across some clips of this British railway comedy from 1937. I don't have the whole film available, but what I can see looks like a classic.

First, a bit of background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh,_Mr_Porter

What I could find (hope they are in correct sequence, couldn't really tell they way they showed up on YouTube):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1XxG33PE3k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cGOFZj2YAU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBMHU1BJXCw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1lxDjd_fi8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD0ZnNQ6GSo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfQNvbSPF0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RELnmRJIe4Y&feature=related

Enjoy!