> Famed steam engineer Livio Dante Porta is
> reported to have passed away recently in
> South America.
> Porta is best known for his constant
> rejection of historic steam design as merely
> "good enough" while striving to
> modernize steam locomotive technology for
> higher reliability and efficiency.
> For an overview of his work, please check
> out Hugh Odom's ULTIMATE STEAM PAGE.
> Dave
Dave,
This has been confirmed by Shaun McMahon of the FCAF Railway in Ushuaia, who had worked with Porta on several recent projects.
I never got the chance to meet Porta, but by all accounts he was a pretty amazing man. He corresponded with people all over the world, and freely offered assistance in improving steam operations. At the age of 81, he was still doing his damnedest to figure out how to keep steam in operation or return it to operation in several countries.
I've put up a short obituary on my "News" page at the link below. The photo of Porta below was taken last December when FCAF Garratt #2, which has been extensively modernized under his guidance, was renamed in his honor.
The steam locomotive community is greatly diminished by Porta's passing.
Regards,
Hugh Odom
The Ultimate Steam Page News Section
whodom2001@yahoo.com