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Off the Rails: 1925
Submitted by Dave on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 1:25pm.
Tags:
Dec. 11, 1925. Washington, D.C. "J.N. Swartzell with miniature railroad." Finally we see the man behind the trains. National Photo glass negative. View full size.
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Castings
Submitted by krusty67 on Sun, 05/22/2011 - 8:12pm.
The item in his right hand is a pattern (likely made from wood) for the locomotive boiler. Note the round extensions sticking out either end. These are "core prints" that locate a inner piece of the mold that makes a hollow part when cast. More than likely the locomotive boiler was cast in brass or bronze in a sand mold.
Fascinating
Submitted by Rip Tragle on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 4:56pm.
The more I see of this fellow and his work the curiouser and curiouser
become. I'd love to see his machine shop and I wonder if he cast parts
himself before machining.
Raindrops
Submitted by Michael L on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 4:09pm.
To judge from the spatters on his shirt, it looks like it was raining when the picture was taken. If so, Mr. Swartzell is probably looking a little uncomfortable because he wants to get his engines back indoors where it is dry.
Railroad Tie
Submitted by Lost World on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 1:58pm.
Can't have those locomotives running over your neckwear.
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Shorpy.com | History in HD is a vintage photo blog featuring thousands of high-definition images from the 1850s to 1950s. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a teenage coal miner who lived 100 years ago.
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