Mitch,

I run forums like this one as part of the way I make a living. Because of that, I'm a rather patient person, and my answer would be one of two things.

If it's a simple question, I would just answer it, i.e. "It will be Olive Green".

If it's more complex, I'd say something like this "They actually started out painting her black, and in fact the tender was already painted black, striped and lettered when the decision was made to paint her Olive Green based on some additional research on the manufacturer's standards. The first couple pages go into detail on that, and Mitch posted some nice photos of the new paint scheme here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34403&p=195397#p195397"

Why bother doing all that? Simple. Because the person who asked the question will appreciate it... If we all do it, the forum will be useful, interesting and welcoming.

Ever work at a tourist railway? Ever been asked the same question more than once? (3 minutes into the first day, right?) Do you give an answer, or do you say "Didn't you see the 'restrooms' sign on the wall over there?" Same concept. Treat people kindly and it pays off in the long run.

Blue, red trim and white buffers.

Not historically accurate, but additional research has indicated that instead of burning money like most steam locomotive do, small blue engines somehow create it, and you have to shovel dollar bills out of the bunker at the end of the day...

Wow, that escalated quickly. Really got out of hand. I got in the car for the drive to Kentucky to see my family and attend a friend's wedding and this topic exploded. A lot of self-appointed hall monitors these days.



Actually yes, and I'm more than happy to answer the same questions over and over and over, partly because the information isn't as obvious (no signage) as five pages of immediately available text where the answer is pretty obvious. I am more than happy to answer where the restrooms are (in two places, in the depot right behind you and in the diner and all the other questions that spring up in the course of an operating day.



I make a living providing information and advice to people, companies and/or organizations who pay for my service. As a result, I've learned to be direct and to be careful as to not ask a question when the answer is obvious. Court employees, judges, juries and clients appreciate that.

I appreciate people being direct with me, but then again, it looks like I'm the strange one here. I'm sorry I offended the withering flowers on the forum. In the future, I'll be more fluffy and less direct in my responses. I'll even check to make sure I don't harm the self-esteem of any of the posters.

David Wilkins
Everyone Gets-a-Trophy, KY

David -

Okay! Us "withering flowers" will appreciate your efforts!


Les
Petunia Meadow, Indiana

For what it's worth, I appreciate a direct and occasionally demeaning answer to a stupid question.

How can you actively discourage stupidity to raise the level of the discourse when most stupid people don't recognise subtle and gentle dissuasion? I think a bit of hammering is necessary or the point doesn't get across........as Chris DeWitt said just before a presentation, "I do believe there are such things as stupid questions!"

dave

While I can appreciate David's insinuation, I, and apparently a few others, could live without a direct insult by way of calling that question a stupid question. At least David answered the question, lol.

Can we get back to a certain olive green 0-6-0 steam engine?

/Mitch

PS - Bob, by appearance, I did not mean what color, but rather, what the odds were of the engine "appearing" under steam as hoped.

I'll remember that the next time I'm a courtroom. Meanwhile, here on the internet, where people are doing this for fun, and aren't paying you by the hour, things are a bit more casual and friendly for most of us.



I suppose that bit of snarkiness wasn't intentional either, correct? The attitude is coming through loud and clear.

Agreed! Any new photos lately?

Bob,

Don't forget your Hall Monitor sash or Safety Patrol belt next time you log on.

How I spent the past five minutes reading this thread:
http://performinsider.com/wp-content/up ... opcorn.gif

Anyone have any recent photographs of the little bugger? Bummed I can't get over to Scranton this summer to have a look at her myself!

We need to drop the discussion of questions about color and how one might answer said questions... please...

Personally, I like the short snarky answer, but only in direct eye to eye conversations... things that can be funny in person are different on line...

Green, and why, and locomotive progress reports welcome... discussions about how to answer a question not so much.

Thanks

Your always friendly moderatior
Randy

The boiler is now on the frame, and some significant work remains, such as putting the branchpipes in the smoke box, the wheels and frame are olive. I was unable to get pictures today.

Here are some photos of progress with Number 26 in the past week or so. In this photo, our mechanic is securing bolts for the smoke deflector screen to go into the smokebox. Notice the smokestack is still missing.

If you are wondering about the funny looking "tubes" on the outside of the steam delivery pipes, they were welded on to the pipes so they could be stabilized at the milling machine when the ends would be milled down to make for a snug fit at both ends of the pipe. Also makes a nice shelf for your work.

Other work going on includes rebuilding the trucks for the tender. The springs were making the rest of the tender ride high, so they have been reworked, with the spring company's input.

The repaired springs, along with boiler jacketing pieces.

And here is the scene in the Locomotive Shop today, Nov 4, 2013.
The smokestack is on and the faceplate is bolted in place. Progress? Yes, but some parts are coming off.
The piston caps have been taken off.


But they didn't go far. They are sitting on a pallet a few feet away.


Preparation for the test fire and assembly is taking place. Here we see struts in place to secure the cab to the frame when the time comes.

And the throttle is installed.

The grate racks are inside the firebox. The grates sit to the right of the locomotive body. They will be installed soon. Little by little, folks.