Compressed air? +20=
I saw it too. Here is the accompanying blerbage…
The image shows the running gear and traction motors of a Pennsylvania Railroad class DD1 electric locomotive. Key features include:
- Traction Motors: Two large electric motors provided the power.
- Running Gear: The frame, wheels, and trucks are similar to those of an American-type steam locomotive.
- Articulated Design: The locomotive is articulated with two halves connected by couplings.
- Twin Drawbars: Fitted with permanent couplings of twin drawbars and friction draft gears.
- Built: Developed as a standard locomotive for commuter traffic.
- Usage: Used for heavy express passenger service.
Wow. A straightforward adaptation of two coupled steam 4-4-0 chassis to motor propulsion. Ingenious.
Anyone willing to bet on how long it would take for Rick to knock it out? 
You could have posted this on the Rat Rod thread as well. 🫨
How about this Monorail on Mt Vesuvius that was the Inspiration for ‘Funiculi - Funicula’: the famous song written by Peppino Turco and set to music by Luigi Denza.
This Funicular Song has been recorded by numerous artists including the Grateful Dead, Pavorati, and the Chipmunks.
For the full story, venture over to 🚞 Putting the Fun Back in Funicular - #9 by Hines
IIRC the funicular operated until an eruption destroyed it. Don’t know if that was the 1944 eruption or if it was an earlier eruption.
Both your memories are correct Vic.
-
1880: First Funicular Railway
- Opened on June 6, 1880.
- Used two counterbalanced cars, Etna and Vesuvio.
- Ascended 391 meters over an 806-meter track with a maximum gradient of 63%.
- Financial difficulties led to its acquisition by John Mason Cook (Later of Thomas Cook Travellers Checks fame) in 1888, who modernised it.
-
1906: First Funicular Destroyed
- The railway was destroyed by the April 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
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1909: Second Funicular Railway
- Completely rebuilt and reopened in 1909 as a standard gauge electric railway complete with pantographs.
-
1944: Second Funicular Destroyed
- The railway was permanently destroyed by the 1944 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
After the destruction of the second funicular in 1944, a chairlift was built as a new means of reaching the summit:
-
1953: Chairlift Installed
- Replaced the destroyed funicular as the primary transport up the mountain.
-
1984: Chairlift Closed
- The chairlift was dismantled in 1984 due to maintenance issues and declining use.
Since then, access to Mount Vesuvius has been by road and hiking trails.
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So does this prove that drugs only affect short term memory? Honestly, you gotta smoke a lot of something to remember that!
This little railroad may or may not be considered to fit here but I thought I would throw it into the mix anyway.
Shasta Springs Resort in the upper Sacramento River Canyon just north of Dunsmuir, California was a major vacation spot along the Southern Pacific Railroad line. This resort started it’s railroad relationship in the 1880’s and lasted up till the second world war.
I bring this here because they had an incline railroad that ran from the SP station at river level up the mountain to the resort area. The resort area lasted long after the demise of passenger service by the railroad. The resort property was bought by a private religious group in the late 1960’s and turned into a Retreat. I mention this only because my company, me, did a lot of remodel/upgrade work on the HVAC systems for them and it was very interesting to be able to access and explore the old historic sites.
A few postcard pictures of the area and incline railroad from my collection.
I show the backs just to illustrate the span of years this resort operated, these cards date from 1909 to 1928.
Edit for clarity. The first card shows the station and other facilities at track side the other two are obviously the incline rail road and car.
I will quote some information about this resort from John Signor’s book “Southern Pacific’s Shasta Division”
“ The mountain resorts in the upper Sacramento River canyon flourished with the increase in tourism brought on by the railroad. Resort hotels at LaMoine, Sims, Sweetbrier, Crag View, Castle Rock, Soda Springs, and Shasta Springs all competed for the tourist dollar.”
“The upper Sacramento River canyon was blessed with an abundance of springs issuing forth a variety of natural waters. Located in a remote section of the upper canyon, Shasta Springs Resort, the most celebrated of them all, was surrounded with incredible beauty. All the trains stopped at the Springs allowing passengers to alight and get a drink of the sparkling beverage.”
“With the coming of the railroad the Springs became quite popular and was expanded considerably. A lavish resort was laid out above the canyon on a relatively flat, beautifully forested glade where white washed cottages mingled with century old Douglas Firs. For those that would rather not take the steep, zig-zag trail up to the resort from the station at rail side down in the canyon, the management provided a water powered scenic railway. Fare was a nickle, guests rode for free.”
A map of the area from John’s book.
A bottling plant was established later and the water was shipped all over the West coast as a Sparkling Water tonic. Back in my ON3 modeling days I scratched a box car lettered for this company.
Just scratching my head, hard to believe i built this car 40 years ago.
I know I have more information on this incline railroad but I can’t seem to lay my hands on it now that I want it. Anyway there it is.
Well Rick,
This is starting to make sense. We have a drink here called Shasta. I thought it was a no-name store brand.
That’s the one Bill.
I still remember their slogan from the 1960’s
It Hasta be Shasta
A quick look
Bill,
After Rick chimed in with his information it makes sense to me as well. We have a drink here called Applalichia. “It is” a no-name store brand that is made from grain products. It does go down quickly when reading threads like this!
Rick, reading those old postcards gives a fascinating glimpse into another world. The stories behind the cards never being known. Interesting destinations as well. Elko NV is still around are the others ghost town now? Wonder about the others. Edit. BTW I know Bakersfield isn’t a ghost town, it’s just dead 
Vic,
Interesting that you would bring that up, besides the railroad aspect of these old cards, the brief messages on the back is what interested me from the start. Beyond the “having a great time, wish you were here” are the ones that say things like; “Arrived today by train at LaMoine, should start the new job tomorrow, will send money as soon as possible.” Makes you wonder what was going on in their life back in 1906.
I have a pretty extensive collection of these old cards most of them centered in and around Northern California. But like a lot of things I have accumulated over the years it is probably time to start passing them on for others to enjoy into the future. Don’t mean that to sound like a downer but just a fact.
Loved your rail truck by the way 
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Rick
Thanks, I’m extremely jealous of your entry. 
Same here on the collecting. I need to get serious about downsize mine this year into something more manageable. Mostly getting rid of the stuff that just doesn’t fit in or is just too large.
Folks;
Back to the subject, but not a prototype. Showing my age with this, but there was that “thingie” that Howdy Doodie would travel in on the Howdy Doodie Show. It was part locomotive, part boat, part airplane, and all nonsense. I’m sure one of you will find a picture of it and post the picture.
Regards, David Meashey
Oops! Forgot about the car, well the Air-O-Doodle was really something. I’ll blame it on memories that are more than 70 ears old.
HI Dave, An internet search cam up with this as the Air-o-doodle, funky stuff.
I read about an interesting steam loco design yesterday. Never built, but searching on “ACE 3000 steam loco” and looking at photos, it seems like a lot of model versions were made, I guess because it was too cool not to.
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