A Couple Of Slide Copies For You Railfans

October, 1994. Western Maryland Steam Locomotive #734 being prepared for the day's run. Kodachrome slide copy.
(click to enlarge)

I love everything about steam locomotives.  The sounds themselves are fascinating.  They are often described as "living machines."  As often as one may be anywhere near where I am, I will try to find it and photograph it.  Unfortunately for me, one doesn't often run near where I live.  However, if one is within a hundred miles or so, I'll seek it out and photograph it.  

I found these two Kodachrome slides while copying my archives.  I made these in October, 1994 using a Nikon camera and Kodachrome film.  I don't remember which lens but I would almost bet it was a 35 or 50mm lens.

My wife and I took a weekend trip and part of that trip was to stop by and watch the Western Maryland #734 run between Cumberland and Frostburg, Maryland.  It runs as part of a tourist operation, which is just fine.  Keep running!  I had photographed the #734 and watched it prior to this so I knew what I could encounter.  Most of the people interested in this locomotive and riding this train were at the station waiting for the train to pick up its passengers for its daily excursions.  Not me.  I drove over to where the engines were kept and maintained as I knew the crew would be preparing the engine for the day.  That was what interested me.

The Western Maryland #734 was built in 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and is a 2-8-0 configuration.  That means that there are 2 pilot wheels (helps guide the engine and stay on the tracks, 8 large drive wheels (which propel the engine) and no trailing wheels under the firebox (which would help support extra weight).  Steam locomotives come in a wide variety of configurations according to their size, weight and intended use.  They are all good in my opinion.  Lol.

Lubricating is an essential part of every day when maintaining a steam locomotive. Kodachrome (click to enlarge_

I've found hundreds of railroad related slides in my archives.  I'm sure I'll be posting more as I work my through copying them.  As I mentioned before, going through my archives is like a treasure hunt and each day I copy slides, I find treasure!

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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