High-quality black-and-white photographs of large old machines and tools

[PJs]

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...r_fullsize.jpg

Nice pic Jon! Pretty sophisticated tracks on that for 1918.

[Jon]

Gantry steam crane for construction of ships 8,000 tons with an 80 foot boom - c.1918

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[Jon]

75 hp hoisting engine used to haul loaded cars up the 800 ft. incline on the Camp Humphreys railway - May 1918

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[cmarlow]

Steam donkey (donkey engine)
They were used fairly often for logging, especially on the west coast, and in sailing ports for loading cargo. They used to move them over short distances by using the winches to drag them into location. Once the donkey was in place the rigging was set up, either by setting up derricks, shear legs, or by rigging a spar tree.

Hey ho away we go!
Donkey riding! Donkey riding!

[mklotz]

The donkey is a popular modeling subject among the live steam modelers. Here's a video showing some of them in action mimicing the operation of the full size ones...

I have a plan book for building one but haven't yet gotten around to it. If interested, the book is still available from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Donkey-.../dp/0941653692

[PJs]

Something about this great pic struck a chord and remembering Dad's stories of working in the Redwoods after WWII with Donkey's, sent me on a rabbit run. The wiki write up is short but there is a flicker link at the bottom that has some Great pics of the men and machines of this campaign for narrow gauge RR. Great archive of that history and the people there.

Thanks Jon!

[PJs]

The donkey is a popular modeling subject among the live steam modelers. Here's a video showing some of them in action mimicing the operation of the full size ones...

I have a plan book for building one but haven't yet gotten around to it. If interested, the book is still available from Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Donkey-.../dp/0941653692

That video goes along with some of Dad's stories of snapping cables and folks pinned under logs and loading logs on trucks strung between trees with Accidents waiting to happen. Dangerous work requiring focuses attention to detail.

Thanks Marv...Cool video, Model and book.

PJ

[cmarlow]

That is an amazing little video.

[Jon]

Thew Type 00 traction crane. Circa 1918.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[PJs]

Nice. I like the simplicity of the crane, droopy chain drive and all. Also looks to be a steam roller behind it with the main roller in the middle with fat wheels outboard. Looks like it will take a similar steam cabin on top of the pin. Pretty cool design. Two cars in the background, a rag top model T, I think, and some other 4 seat'er coach...Also note someone is having a castle with a turret built in the background. Pic is pretty pixelated and perhaps water-colorized but good contrast at distance, and the framing is great. Over all a great pic of the times.

Thanks Jon.