TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 6/28/2024

[953 nut 58,290]

How to build a Midget Tractor

 

The March 1954 edition of Popular Science Magazine offered plans and information for those who wanted to build a yard tractor of their own. I will share a few pages of the article with you.

 

[JoeM 7,974]

Growing up in the sixties, with depression era parents, it was a time when making something out of nothing was the theme. i watched my family and neighbors do things that now seem down right dangerous. Like making your own wooden ladder with old slat wood and nails. 

The article just fits the old mentality perfect for a tight old do it yourself-er. I still have a belt driven power saw that the old man used with i believe a washing machine motor. 

 

The cover showing a 150 MPH train is interesting too. The first time I rode the ICE train in Germany sealed the deal on going fast down the tracks. I remember riding along and looking out the window. Then another train passed going the other direction. So startled, I screamed like a little girl. A lady sitting next to me just busted out laughing. Said in broken English, "first time"? Yes.........I will leave it at that. 

 

 

[Handy Don 13,441]

1 hour ago, JoeM said:

rode the ICE train in Germany

Traveled in Spain with a group of students on the high-speed train between Grenada and Madrid and then on to Barcelona at 180 mph. During the ride one student turned to me and asked “Why don’t we have trains as cool as this in the U.S.?”

Good question. No easy answer.

[ri702bill 9,064]

A partial answer to that question lies in the layout, age, and condition of the railways system here.Passenger trains here are basicaly a "Greyhound" on tracks. Mostly short hops along the way....

Most eastern states railways were used primarily for freight - they move slowly due to restrictions that are mostly geographic. Trains were the last to arrive - first the topography, then the settlers, the roads, and last the trains.

Here in RI, the Acela "high speed" passenger train goes from Boston, thru Providence, and to New York City - but NOT at 110 MPH as it used to in RI. More like 60 or so. Why?? The overall deterioration of the railbeds and complaints about noise......

[Handy Don 13,441]

14 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Passenger trains here are basicaly a "Greyhound" on tracks

 

14 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

The overall deterioration of the railbeds and complaints about noise

 

These are surely among the MANY reasons. 

Many of these reasons apply equally to Europe, though, where high speed trains in Spain and Italy, in particular, have been built or expanded in the last 20-odd years. But the political will existed to obtain the suitable rights-of-way and terminal space, engineer mitigations to noise and vibration, blunt the lobbying of airlines, and subsidize the funding. 

Last year in Italy I traveled comfortably round trip from Rome to Montecatini (a small town outside Florence) and back to Rome covering the 400+ miles using four trains in about eight hours including a one hour delay (a stalled truck blocked the track ) and time for a nice meal near the Florence station. The same trip in a car? Similar time but exhausting!

[Ed Kennell 40,689]

3 hours ago, JoeM said:

I screamed like a little girl.

I never screamed, but to keep from getting sick,  I learn to focus on the horizon and not the utility poles that were zipping past my window.     Working in The University of Switz. IMEHF lab., I rode the Rocket between Geneva  and Lausanne  many times.    The train system in Europe is amazing with nearly a station within biking or walking distance.

Where I was uneasy was riding the cogged mountain trains.  Feeling the jolt when the trains connected to the cogged rail reminded me a gear tooth was providing the movement...and the BRAKING on those steep Alps.      The cogged train ride to Zermot and the cable car from Zermot up the Matterhorn was unforgettable.

[JoeM 7,974]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

The train system in Europe is amazing

unbelievable.....and when two trains pass at 150 mph + it is like getting buzzed by a fighter jet. 

 

I was only in the Alps once. It was a holiday and our host ask it we wanted to go up and have lunch at a cottage. We drove winding back and forth for 3 hours. Left with a polo shirt 72 F, and when we got to the cottage people we going by on skis.  

[Beap52 1,222]

I screamed like a little girl. A lady sitting next to me just busted out laughing. Said in broken English, "first time"? Yes.........I will leave it at that. 

 

My "first time" I screamed like a little girl too.  But it wasn't riding a train!  

 

 

[Sailman 1,299]

My wife and I traveled through Europe in 2019. Rode the high speed trains through France, Italy and Switzerland. Amazing way to cover distances! Other modes were taxi's, Big Red Bus, Paris and Rome) and walking, walking walking...

Only rental was the scooter for riding the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Breathtaking!