New York City - Live Steam

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itsnotaboy20
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New York City - Live Steam

Post by itsnotaboy20 »

I am wondering if there were any live steam clubs inside New York City (any of the boroughs) at any point. Any history, photos, and facts about live steam in the City would be appreciated, if there is a history.
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gwrdriver
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by gwrdriver »

I can recall hearing, or reading, about model engineering clubs in the City in the 1930s and 40s. It may have been in Model Boating magazine, which was big at the time, and there were a couple of steam castings suppliers, like A. Bohaboy (NJ), and Boucher (NYC) in the NYC area.
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Glenn Brooks
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Can’t help any with info about live steam clubs in NYC. But I do know the first two original live steam vendors originally sold mail order model train kits out of small offices in downtown New York. The one I am familiar with, Albert Campbell, conceived of the idea to market 2 1/2” ga live steam locomotive kits around 1885 or 1890 and then developed a fairly continuous mail order business selling locomotive casting kits and latter, working models of valve gear, from his s office in Brooklyn, NY, to live steam hobbyists around the country, through the 1920’s. Mr. Campbell is generally known as one of the original founding fathers of the live steam hobby in America - a distinction he earned around two decades before the development of latter day ride on 4 3/4” and 7.x” ga miniature trains in the early 1930’s.

Mr. Campbell eventually sold over 120 casting kits in 4 scales, including what we now think of as 1” scale - 4 3/4” ga, and two locomotives in 12 5/8” gauge. Many of which he machined and sold as completed engines. His design was based on the now famous New York Central 4-4-0 #999 Empire State Express, that eventually set the first land speed record of 112.5 MPH, on May 10, 1893.

He latter retired with 50 years service as Machine Shop Foreman and Master Machinist with the New York Elevated Railway Company.


Here are photos of his two 12 5/8” ga class 4 model locomotives, and Mr., Campbell’s advertisement. These never operated in New York City, but they were cast and sold in NY. Captain Frederick Shaw, author and architect, dedicated the book “ Little Railways of the World” to Al Campbell, in 1958.

The first photo below, depicts John Heptig’s kit and built, operating as a miniature train concession in Pennsylvania from 1904 to around 1920.
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And the newspaper advertisement.
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This latter photo shows Mr. Campbell’s personal locomotive, kept in his Long Island home and workshop from 1903 till his death in the late 1950’s.
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Last edited by rmac on Thu May 25, 2023 8:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Photo Orientation
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Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
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Bill Shields
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by Bill Shields »

Long island live steamers is very active, should you consider them in the mix.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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gwrdriver
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by gwrdriver »

Glenn Brooks wrote: Thu May 25, 2023 12:31 amCaptain Frederick Shaw, author and architect, dedicated the book “ Little Railways of the World” to Al Campbell, in 1958.
This reminded me . . . I have that little book in front of me right now! I found it on the remainders table at one of the old bookshops here when I was a teenager. I think it cost me all of 50 cents.
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David Powell
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by David Powell »

Just a short distance away in Ontario we have a small, but strongly thriving following for live steam.
Richmond Hill live steamers, just a little North of Toronto, Toronto live steamers, just a bit west in Milton, Frontenac Live steamers in Kingston, and Golden Horseshoe Live steamers, in Hamilton.
immediately come to mind, and there are other smaller groups scattered further from Lake Ontario.
Should anyone be visiting Ontario , especially if accompanied by amodel, you can be assured of a hearty welcome, all the groups have a presence on the internet.
Regards David Powell.
RONALD
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by RONALD »

If you want to go to to near the end of Long Island, there is/was: https://www.google.com/search?q=peconic ... PEPiKy-6AU

It was created by the late Frank A. Field who we had nicknamed "Trolly Pole".

At the time I saw him regularly, he was attending IIT in Chicago, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and worked summers as a tower operator for the C&NW.

When he got his degree he moved back to Long Island, and worked the Power Plants for the Long Island RR.

Frank became a PE (Professional Engineer) and inspected and testified about miniature railroads of amusement parks for legal matters.

I believe his creation may now be run by the city of Greenport.
jcbrock
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by jcbrock »

Not a club, but there was a miniature steam-powered railway at Coney Island, as you'd expect.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... .Y.%27.jpg
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James Powell
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by James Powell »

Live Steam did an article on steam in NYC - I'm going to say in the 70's, when there were still businesses using steam engines to power various things, fed off the Con Ed district heating steam (& other competetors). Things like chocolate factories, and IIRC, some small scale sugar refining operations. Struck me as interesting, given the timeframe of the article.
itsnotaboy20
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by itsnotaboy20 »

Thanks for this! Very interesting stuff and history. I guess to open the question up a bit - are there any good books on the history of live steam in the United States? I still welcome any insights about NYC, though.
Pontiacguy1
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by Pontiacguy1 »

If you want a book on the early days of live steam, then I'd look at this one: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... on#p263947
apm
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Re: New York City - Live Steam

Post by apm »

James Powell wrote: Thu May 25, 2023 11:18 am Things like chocolate factories, and IIRC, some small scale sugar refining operations. Struck me as interesting, given the timeframe of the article.
I don't think Domino's sugar would be considered a small plant. Looks like it ran till 2004. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domino_Sugar_Refinery
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