Clover McKinley
12-12-2003, 08:10 PM
'Tis naive arrogance to state that an opportunity as important as a website Bulletin Board is "going to be" one thing or another. My welcome task was to name and describe what the function of each facet of this, LIVE STEAM magazine's website Bulletin Board, is "going to be." But we can only hope that participants will take what it presently says it is and make it -- with our readers' proven zest for originality and authenticity -- what it is "going to be." Our first posting from David Gust has started us nicely.
The best time to arrive at a Live Steam meet is in the morning. Folks are off-loading their engines and locating a vacant steaming bay, then setting about to raise steam for a day's run on the main line. Engines are, typically, situated about waist-high -- an ideal level for getting a good look at components and workmanship. But the biggest plus is that the builder, owner, or engineer (sometimes wrapped up in one set of bibbed overalls) -- a person who knows all about that locomotive -- is right there, cleaning flues and firing up and, if you're very lucky, happy to talk.
The steaming bay is first a functional place, and by evolution, a social and informative place -- a magic place to be in the morning. We hope our electronic substitute here will provide the benefits of the real thing when it's too dark, too wet, or too cold to be next to a living locomotive.
We've much to discuss. Welcome.
The best time to arrive at a Live Steam meet is in the morning. Folks are off-loading their engines and locating a vacant steaming bay, then setting about to raise steam for a day's run on the main line. Engines are, typically, situated about waist-high -- an ideal level for getting a good look at components and workmanship. But the biggest plus is that the builder, owner, or engineer (sometimes wrapped up in one set of bibbed overalls) -- a person who knows all about that locomotive -- is right there, cleaning flues and firing up and, if you're very lucky, happy to talk.
The steaming bay is first a functional place, and by evolution, a social and informative place -- a magic place to be in the morning. We hope our electronic substitute here will provide the benefits of the real thing when it's too dark, too wet, or too cold to be next to a living locomotive.
We've much to discuss. Welcome.