Jul 5 2009

Reverse Gear

reversegear1 Another shot of engine 225. I’d love to understand how that mechanism functions as a ‘reverse gear’. Actually, locomotives don’t use gears in their drive line, but we’ll let them get away with description. Reversing gears has to be a big deal with a steam locomotive. Growing up in Germany, I saw quite a few coal fired locomotives. One of the more amazing sights is to see on of those locomotives spin their wheels, their version of a burnout. Hard to believe but they can do that.

Fair amount of processing done on this photo. Wanted it to look like a vintage photo. For other Monochrome Monday photos check here.



Jun 29 2009

Engine 225

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Overnighted at the camper up north, and got a chance to visit this steam locomotive in the Duluth area. One of the few things that wasn’t swaying given the very gusty winds all day long. These machines are a mechanical engineer’s dream. Covered with mechanisms and steam powered actuators. I would love to drive along side one of these as it goes down the track and watch the operation of all those parts.

For other Monochrome Monday photos check here.



Jun 22 2009

Bonneville

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Had a great family/fathers day barbecue on Saturday. We did it Saturday because we thought I was going to be out of town Sunday, but that trip got delayed. Since it was already scheduled (bad language I think, but I’m irreparably trained to think in schedules) we went ahead.

That left Sunday open for me to roam as oldest was working, and wife and youngest ones were setting up at girl scout camp. I returned to the MSRA car show early morning, and took many more photos. This time I actually took notes! Feels kinda stupid to sit at home and go ‘ehh… what car is this?’.

Before I knew it was early afternoon. Touched base with the wife and concluded it didn’t make sense to go home, only to leave an hour later to pick up my oldest at the Megamall (she had scheduled to work on Sunday, based on the original assumption I would be heading out of town).

So instead I stopped at the Stone Arch Bridge Art Festival to kill an hour or so. Quite a fun setting. Almost phoned a couple of my photoblogger buddies ‘hey come on down’ but then thought that would be rude. Just because I like to do things on the spur of the moment doesn’t mean others do.

I recognized many of the exhibits from the Uptown Art Fair (another favorite of mine), especially the photography ones. Seeing that stuff make me realize just how much of an amateur I am. If I could go back in time I would choose the photography path, instead of the engineering. But who knows, maybe the photogs down there say exactly the opposite :)

BTW, I just love the name Bonneville. Don’t know why, just do. And I suspect I will be just be bit sore from walking all day with a camera halfpack (with a heavy tripod hanging from it). I need an assistant.

For other monochrome monday check here.



Jun 15 2009

Arikidea

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This is Mark di Suvero’s Arikidea structure found at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden next to the Walker Art Center. For other monochrome monday check here.



Jun 8 2009

Balance of Power

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A little color can balance a lot of gray. Hope this doesn’t violate the rules of monochrome Monday, but it’s mostly monochrome.

For other Monochrome Monday photos check here.



Jun 1 2009

Feet

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The City Daily Photo Blogs monthly theme is feet. This photo was taken a while back in the visitor center of the Dachau concentration camp just outside of Munich, Germany. It’s a sobering exhibit showing the evil side of humanity. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Also Monochrome Monday has gotten past it’s Mr. Linky issues, so I’m back with this week’s submission. Check here for more monochrome photos.