I had a question @ a steam locomotive, which I believe was not a difficult question, something that anyone with a slight knowledge of steam could answer, I e-mailed 7 different railroad historical clubs, I got one response only, it was a month later and they never did answer the question fully, is this common?? is there some golden rule I broke?? what other method should have I used? I know the responses to this (if any) will be to blame me for breach of some unknown rule, what didn’t I do right, but I will await your answer, please be gentle.
Uh…what was the question?
I don’t think you broke any “rule”…at least, none that the steam guys have ever spoken of.
And there are a few steam freaks here, so ask it here and see…[8D]
Lay out that question right here. Let’s have a go shall we?
Some of us, even if we don’t know the answers, might have them available through references. You can ask here! If we can’t answer it, you’ll get plenty of opinions and possibly a few flames!
And you never know - 'tweenst the bunch of us you might be able to assemble the answer to your question!
If it runs about shouting “Danger Danger” with a variety of lights and lost in space… it will be an answer.
Generally, yes. Even for “easy” questions, it does take someone (or ‘someones’) a while to compose an answer. A few organizations get a steady stream of info requests, and can only respond to messages as they get around to them.
I have also found that historical societies may be generally slow to respond to questions, because the email account is monitored now and then, or might be monitored by an administrator or business manager who is less familiar with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of trains.
(They do respond a bit quicker to requests to volunteer oneself at a museum, or donate large sums of cash).
As the other posters mentioned - I would suggest you re-post the question on this forum (or the steam & preservation forum)
MP
I’ll take steam locomotives for $100. Alex
O.K. I’m ready for you guys. My query was what was the material usually used for cab curtains? AND their length?, also were they in 2 peices?, and while I’m at it I might as well ask some more questions eh? I realize they were attached by different methods(Iron railing with metal hoops etc etc) SO- - - if anyone there can contribute just a ton of info on this subject I will be gratefull(especially photos) I must thank the few people that did reply to me and this information was most helpful. keep choochin’ this will be interesting
There is not a ton of info on this.
The types i have used are made out of a heavy canvas ( black )
They are in 2 peices .Iron railing and hoops.
The cutains on the one side were attached to the side of the wall ( in the cab opening )
and in the center when you close the curtains we had a 3/8 metal rod stitched into the curtains to keep them closed.Built a little latch to keep the door closed but most of the time when you are running the door is always open.
They are custom made for the opening.
…I certainly can not add any to the above answer.
I personally have wondered why the back of the locomotive cab was left totally open…What I mean, nothing solid and substantial to secure the crew from the extreme cold in the winter, etc…
An enclosure with a center sliding door, on a trolley {above and maybe below}, that could be pushed open to allow plenty of room for the fireman to do all that was his work responsbility…And then simply close it when not needing acess to the tender, etc…
That must have been nasty in extreme cold weather and speed allowing the wind blasting around the back of the cab, etc…I realize the curtain must have helped but I’d wager it was open a lot and maybe more than it was closed to try to keep the crew a bit warm…