I hear that train a-comin....

pjern — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:56:34 -0800

Steam locomotives are dead, right? Awe-inspiring though they might be, labor issues and diesel fuel at 4 cents a gallon killed them in the 1950's and 60's, and they survive only in isolated pockets around the world and on tourist railways. A dedicated cadre of railfans and unusually sentimental railroad companies preserved some examples that can still be found running today, so that sixty years on, we can still appreciate the sound and fury of a great locomotive. Mainland China still uses them, and some of the Chinese locomotives have been imported into the US for tourist service. What is it about steam locomotives that will not die? Just the number will launch old time railfans into arguments resembling ed vs. emacs. 844. 610. 4449. 614. 3985. 4960. Back during the 1973 embargo, efforts were made to design new steam locomotives in response to the crisis. The technology, for something considered dead and buried, has continued to advance. Now, there's even a new company building standardized parts for steam locomotives. There have been arguments in railroading circles for years regarding steam vs. diesel power. With diesel fuel at $4.00 a gallon in the US, it might appear that the cost equation might be moving back in the other direction. Think we can't build a new steam locomotive any more? These guys did, from the rails up, and they're going to run it this year.

Who's your daddy now?!

bwg — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 01:52:50 -0800

The Comeback: I apologise for the single YouTube link, but after watching it, I don't think anyone will care, because Samuel L. Jackson rules ... the football field.

we'll be the Pirate Twins again, Europa

wendell — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 00:39:05 -0800

Thomas Dolby, 80's Pop Icon, '90s Tech Mogul, Alton Brown lookalike, Somnificationist and NOT the inventor of Dolby noise reduction is returning to live touring after a few hundred internet years away. He's performing solo with lots of cool gadgets (and blogging). And, perfectly timed for promotional purposes, he's joined the K-Fed Haters.

MetaFilter posts tagged with comeback

I hear that train a-comin....

Who's your daddy now?!

we'll be the Pirate Twins again, Europa