I just uploaded 36 new pictures of the electrical work going on inside the Age of Steam Roundhouse.
Check 'em out!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
"No one would have believed, that in the second decade of the 21st century, a modern steam locomotion facility would be constructed and observed with envious eyes..."
(Apologies to H. G. Wells.)
Rusty
(Apologies to H. G. Wells.)
Rusty
Nice work by the electricians. Hopefully the lights is where they need it!
Rejuvenation Hardware is where you get the "Old Time" lights and push button switches. I used them for several historic renovation projects here in Washington D.C.
Rejuvination lighting
It is really grat to see this project getting completed. Just hope they get to use the track to run the trains.
Jamie
Rejuvenation Hardware is where you get the "Old Time" lights and push button switches. I used them for several historic renovation projects here in Washington D.C.
Rejuvination lighting
It is really grat to see this project getting completed. Just hope they get to use the track to run the trains.
Jamie
That may just be the most beautiful railroad building I have ever seen. 
Rich,
Do you know where they got the green outdoor wall mounted light fixtures? I have been looking for two of them to put on the side of my garage over my patio.
Rich,
Do you know where they got the green outdoor wall mounted light fixtures? I have been looking for two of them to put on the side of my garage over my patio.
Joe, watch your email later this week.
That's a terrific website, Rich. Thanks for posting it. I really like the classic light fixtures in the offices and shed.
The nice thing about those lights, beside looking really good, is the fact that
they use LED's. They probably aren't cheap, but their long life and low, low operating cost will save Jerry some money down the line.
In one of the last photos, I think it was number thirty three, an electrician is on a ladder near a window, and on a corner by him there is some kind of rectangular device mounted on the wall, and appears to have conduit run to it, I wonder what its used for?
Ed Mullan
they use LED's. They probably aren't cheap, but their long life and low, low operating cost will save Jerry some money down the line.
In one of the last photos, I think it was number thirty three, an electrician is on a ladder near a window, and on a corner by him there is some kind of rectangular device mounted on the wall, and appears to have conduit run to it, I wonder what its used for?
Ed Mullan
Ed, I think that is a flood light.
I looked at the original image file, which is a lot larger than what ends up on the web site, and that's what it looks like to me.
I looked at the original image file, which is a lot larger than what ends up on the web site, and that's what it looks like to me.
Thanks. I "googled" LED floodlights, and several of the photos resemble those floodlights. Looks like the roundhouse has some nice retro looks, but pretty sharp on the latest, as in LED lighting. I had no idea there was so much available for LED lighting as there now is, and that's a good thing!
Ed Mullan
Ed Mullan
Very nice to see the old styled fixtures and those push button switches. The progress at the facility just continues to amaze me...great photo's.
Ed that is an LED floodlight. The cover is off and your seeing the LED array.
LED fixtures are very expensive. We want to use them but you won't recoupe the cost savings in energy savings yet but soon. We also have a high degree of failures still so were still sitting back and watching. Think of how many LED traffic lights you see messed up out there these are no different when your outdoor. We had one bridge job with a 100% failure rate that really soured us on the outdoor units. The manufacture did to replace the lights but guess who eats the labor. The indoor stuff is really getting the colors down pat so were real close to going this way for good.
Alot of planing was done to make this electrical minimal as possible and as a result it looks great.
Jamie
LED fixtures are very expensive. We want to use them but you won't recoupe the cost savings in energy savings yet but soon. We also have a high degree of failures still so were still sitting back and watching. Think of how many LED traffic lights you see messed up out there these are no different when your outdoor. We had one bridge job with a 100% failure rate that really soured us on the outdoor units. The manufacture did to replace the lights but guess who eats the labor. The indoor stuff is really getting the colors down pat so were real close to going this way for good.
Alot of planing was done to make this electrical minimal as possible and as a result it looks great.
Jamie
The rectangular devices are indeed floodlights of the LED type. They are installed in a few of the stalls as "display lights," intended to light up a couple of the engines at night.
LS&I 33, spotted in stall #18, is currently used in this manner.
LS&I 33, spotted in stall #18, is currently used in this manner.
Tim: If you are "in the know" and if you don't mind me asking, what is the status of the 33? IIRC, it has been a number of years since it was last run (understandably so, for the construction of the roundhouse) and Jerry didn't run it a whole lot(?). Does it just need the rods put back on and some coal, water, and fire or will the engine need more work in order to run again?
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
Other than firing her a few times (33 and I never got along so well) I'm not very "in the know" on the 33. I believe she needs some work, but not being an officer of the company, I don't want to speculate or post information that's not completely spot-on.
Sorry for pleading the 5th.
In any event, the 33's a pretty impressive beast of a locomotive. Truly a case of squeezing the most engine you could into its wheelbase.
Here is some video of 33 running, in case anyone's interested.
Sorry for pleading the 5th.
In any event, the 33's a pretty impressive beast of a locomotive. Truly a case of squeezing the most engine you could into its wheelbase.
Here is some video of 33 running, in case anyone's interested.
We have a powerful LED flood outside our home. I don't think it saves any energy. It's however strong enough to hurt your eyes in the day time sun.
I was looking at the picture of Stall Number one's wall where a group of power panels are being put on. I would think someone will want to consider some kind of screen. Those steam engines coming and going will bring steam, water etc into the area.
Has anyone thought to consider B&O's own Roundhouse rebuilding as a source of brainstorm while working on the new Roundhouse?
I was looking at the picture of Stall Number one's wall where a group of power panels are being put on. I would think someone will want to consider some kind of screen. Those steam engines coming and going will bring steam, water etc into the area.
Has anyone thought to consider B&O's own Roundhouse rebuilding as a source of brainstorm while working on the new Roundhouse?
Tim: Thanks for posting what info you could. Much appreciated. I will be taking a cab ride this season on her sister, LS&I 34 (now WMSR 734) and am very much looking forward to it.
Just curious about the 33's status. It seems like Jerry and crew went through so many hoops and obstacles to get that engine running again (including at lest one ?) new axle(?) only to see it steamed up a few times then put away. Hope she seems steam again soon once the roundhouse is completed.
Just curious about the 33's status. It seems like Jerry and crew went through so many hoops and obstacles to get that engine running again (including at lest one ?) new axle(?) only to see it steamed up a few times then put away. Hope she seems steam again soon once the roundhouse is completed.
Tim, what is that whistle on the 33, sounds great.
I believe that the 33 and the 34 (WMSRR 734) came with Hancocks on them originally.
Ed Mullan
I believe that the 33 and the 34 (WMSRR 734) came with Hancocks on them originally.
Ed Mullan
quote:Originally posted by Ed Mullan:
Tim, what is that whistle on the 33, sounds great.
I believe that the 33 and the 34 (WMSRR 734) came with Hancocks on them originally.
Ed Mullan
Ed - If I recall correctly, it's a C&O 3-Chime passenger whistle. It came with the 33 from its previous owner.
The electricians are to be applauded. Nice work. Obviously they are proud members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 540 Canton Ohio
Its really amaznig if you just step back for a second and take it all in. It is trully amazing that a building like this is being made. It looks phenominal!
Great stuff! Thanks!
Rich or Joe, I would like to know too the source for those antique looking grren lamp shades. Got a shop those would be perfect for. Thanks!
Just some comments. The Brown, Orange, Yellow are the three phase conductors for a 277/480 volt 3 phase 4 wire service. The Grey conductor is the neutral wire.
This is a multi-paralleled service about 400 amps per set of conductors shown. It appears from this main switch picture to be most likely 1000 amps.
The copper conductors shown are at least 1 pound per foot. To install in the conduits The electricians are using a heavy test nylon rope and tugging equipment that can apply a lot of force. Most of the force of the pull is take by the attachment of the tugger to the conduit in the hole. The capstan does the work, the more raps of the rope on the capstan the more force. Yes, the pull can be done with one hand as shown. There are usually a couple of electrician on the other end to be sure the wire reels are feeding properly. There most likely is some form of communications between the electrician pulling and those feeding. Can be very dangerous, if the rope breaks. Notice the electrician standing to the side, if the rope breaks it will slingshot out of the pipe.
A very interesting inside note is that the conduit and juction boxes in the roundhouse area has been painted black, very much the way it would have been during steam with electric present.
A second look at this picture, I noticed the locking pegs as part of the structural lumber detail. That is great stuff. WOW!!
Keep in mind this is an extremely dangerous install. Any time you have pits or floor level changes when using todays modern hoist there is potential for a lot of trouble.
Very nice work.
Mike
This is a multi-paralleled service about 400 amps per set of conductors shown. It appears from this main switch picture to be most likely 1000 amps.
The copper conductors shown are at least 1 pound per foot. To install in the conduits The electricians are using a heavy test nylon rope and tugging equipment that can apply a lot of force. Most of the force of the pull is take by the attachment of the tugger to the conduit in the hole. The capstan does the work, the more raps of the rope on the capstan the more force. Yes, the pull can be done with one hand as shown. There are usually a couple of electrician on the other end to be sure the wire reels are feeding properly. There most likely is some form of communications between the electrician pulling and those feeding. Can be very dangerous, if the rope breaks. Notice the electrician standing to the side, if the rope breaks it will slingshot out of the pipe.
A very interesting inside note is that the conduit and juction boxes in the roundhouse area has been painted black, very much the way it would have been during steam with electric present.
A second look at this picture, I noticed the locking pegs as part of the structural lumber detail. That is great stuff. WOW!!
Keep in mind this is an extremely dangerous install. Any time you have pits or floor level changes when using todays modern hoist there is potential for a lot of trouble.
Very nice work.
Mike
Does anyone know who makes the reproduction green light fixtures? Still would like a pair for my much more modest shop.
morg777.
Just about any lighting supplier could get you information on these light fixtures. They are a bit cost prohibitive if they are LED fixtures. $600 to $700 per fixture or more is not uncommon. You may want to purchase an incandescent shade and add a curly-fry florescent lamp for about the same effect, just not as energy efficient. If you really want these fixtures most lighting reps. will dig into their premium designer line and tell you exactly what they cost in the LED version.
These type of fixtures on this building fit the energy audit and the old style building look. A display, museum type building is by code only allowed some many watts per square ft. of lighting. Eventually most of this new technology light should come down in price. I recently worked on a lawyer office quote for wiring where the fixture cost exceed $700 per fixture. Jaw dropping experience if you are the owner of the building.
Just about any lighting supplier could get you information on these light fixtures. They are a bit cost prohibitive if they are LED fixtures. $600 to $700 per fixture or more is not uncommon. You may want to purchase an incandescent shade and add a curly-fry florescent lamp for about the same effect, just not as energy efficient. If you really want these fixtures most lighting reps. will dig into their premium designer line and tell you exactly what they cost in the LED version.
These type of fixtures on this building fit the energy audit and the old style building look. A display, museum type building is by code only allowed some many watts per square ft. of lighting. Eventually most of this new technology light should come down in price. I recently worked on a lawyer office quote for wiring where the fixture cost exceed $700 per fixture. Jaw dropping experience if you are the owner of the building.
Green shade light fixture (Arbor) from the Baselite website. Appears it can be had with a 42 watt compact flouresent lamp or an HID High Intensity Discharge Lamp both requiring a remote ballast which would be the box above in the picture. I did not see an LED option.
Thank you Mike and Joe! I have them bookmarked and will look it over more closely when I get some time.
All I can say is WOW! This is one agressive and impressive project. Just goes to show that it's possible to build them like they used to.
Sadly today most of the original round houses, water towers, coaling towers and turntables are gone but in recreating a historic facility such as this, generations of our youth can see,feel, smell and appreciate what it was like during the steam era.
The pictures of the Age Of Steam Roundhouse don't show the enormity of the facility. Rich's aerial views help but when you see the facility in person you can grasp just how large the Roundhouse and grounds are. It is out in the middle of no where in Amish Country and as you drive down a back roads lane you come upon the facility and it is stunning.
Barnlights .com is a great site if the commercial stuff turns out too pricey! Gman.
