Some years ago, I found this railroad maintenance of way speeder shed on Duluth’s lakeside

This shed was located somewhere north of Leif Erikson Park and south of the junction of South 26^th Avenue East and London Road.  I took this picture with a film camera.  I suppose that this location is now the northbound lanes of Interstate 35, the North Shore Scenic Railroad, and the Lakewalk.  If I could locate the plans for this shed, I could write up a nifty model railroad magazine article about it.

My proposal for President Vladimir Putin

After attending the Duluth Depot museum's inaugural Festival of Steam that happened on July 19-21, I thought that the Russian Federation should have the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive.  Putin’s locomotive builders should base this locomotive on the Mallet-type, 2-8-8-8-4 "Triplex", with two super efficient boilers, one in the engine and another in a trailer car where the tender car normally is, to keep high pressure in all six cylinders. This locomotive’s fuel oil and water would be stored in two separate tender cars.  Vladimir Putin would be the name for this engine and this type of engine.

I have updated my Buy a Basket Co-op poster

I have already eaten most of my July Buy a Basket Co-op food.  I am now looking forward to paying for my Buy a Basket Co-op food order this August fifth.  I am sure happy that Whole Foods Co-op is a participating partner to bring healthy food to King Manor residents.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Sunday, Part Three

At least I got one good photo of this locomotive engineer waving at the crowd and looking in my direction.

The 4014 slowly steams away, being very photogenic for the nearby crowds of railroad fans.  My father would have loved being at the Festival of Steam and seeing the UP 4014; so I’m the one who will enjoy this sight for the both of us.

As I saw the Union Pacific 4014 travel out of sight, I hope that I can see the 4014 at least one more time.  This was one of the best weekends I’ve had in my entire life as a dedicated, railroad fan.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Sunday, Part Two

This young boy is having hearing problems dealing with the loud, Big Boy locomotive’s whistle, which I can tell you is really loud!

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Sunday, Part One

The enthusiastic, midday crowds of railroad fans gather as Union Pacific 4014 starts to travel to an event in Superior, Wisconsin.  I saw many happy faces in these crowds!

Having UP 4014 visit Duluth, Minnesota is an event that as far as anyone knows will come just once in a lifetime.

The youthful train crew volunteers walk by the train.  I’m happy knowing that here will always be people who support these live steam events.

I found Union Pacific steam locomotive 4014 lubrication grease stains on the asphalt.

The lubrication grease, combined with hot water, makes this beautiful rainbow image on the asphalt. Similar to many artists that I know, I tend to seek out beauty in unexpected places.

Here is one more unintended and spontaneous rainbow image created by grease and hot water that most people would overlook, as their attention is focused on UP 4014.

UP locomotive 3025 has an emergency fuel shut off valve

While waiting to get on the Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car, I saw this valve.  A professional firefighter I know told me that railroad crews and firefighters use this emergency fuel shut off valve to stop fuel from getting to the engine in response to engine fire, or locomotive damage that could cause the fuel to leak out of that locomotive, poisoning the ground and/or nearby waters.

On occasion, I love appearing slightly different from those around me

That’s my motivation why I wear my German fedora, a dress shirt, and a German sports coat to special events such as fan conventions and birthday parties.  I don’t wear this outfit everyday or to job interviews.

King Manor Buy a Basket Co-op, fruit and vegetable baskets sold on July 2019

This is a five dollar fruit basket made possible by generous support from Whole Foods Co-op.

This is a five dollar vegetable basket made possible by generous support from Whole Foods Co-op.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Saturday, Part Five

I love how this text gives the reader much concise information in an easy to read form.

I know that much of the food that I eat has had at least one or two journeys by train to get from farm to Super One, where I purchase most of my food.

I’m happy that the Union Pacific preservation of their heritage fleet of vintage passenger cars will keep inspiring people to be proud of our collective past, while we work to build a better future.

I know of many railroad fans, including myself, who would love a ride of six or seven days on this classic business car.

I didn’t agree with President Ronald Reagan on many subjects; but at least we both share a love for trains and train rides.

I tend to photograph things that most other photographers overlook and you should do the same.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Saturday, Part Four

This is the first time I’ve been photographed by a thermal camera; I thought this was one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen.  By examining my photograph I can see that my shirt is an effective thermal insulator of my body heat, yet my German hat is an ineffective thermal insulator for my head.  I wonder why my hat is about the same high temperature as my face.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Saturday, Part Three

The sign next to the entrance to the “UP: Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car”.  There was about a twenty minute wait to board this car for the first time.

The railroads, including Union Pacific, sure did improve coast-to-coast journey travel times in the United States.

I loved learning about a railroad that covers such a vast area, with very different local climates, local cultures, and types of industries.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Saturday, Part Two

My first of three tours of the “UP: Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car”.

The outside of this car looks very promising to be fun and educational.  I love fun and educational experiences.

A sign points the "right way" to the Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car.

Duluth, Minnesota Festival of Steam 2019 Saturday, Part One

This cool sign was posted on the entrance gateway to the festival.  There were many sponsors for this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the 4014 in Duluth, Minnesota.

This is another picture of the engine and the railroad fans who loved being so close to a historical locomotive.

At these events, always remember to keep safety first, both for yourself and for those around you.

I saw Union Pacific locomotive 4014 arrive in Duluth, Minnesota, Part Two

Many people are impressed that 4014 was built with only drafting boards, slide rules, and the best computers in the world, human minds.

4014’s second tender, with a huge American flag on it.

This is the modern, diesel locomotive that assisted 4041 in pulling a few Union Pacific passenger cars.

I saw Union Pacific locomotive 4014 arrive in Duluth, Minnesota, Part One

This magnificent locomotive passes hundreds of train spotters on the way to the siding where it will stay for the next three days.

 

In an unusual photo, 4014’s bright headlight is seen between two bridge pillars.

Coming to a stop, the engineer vents excess steam from the engine.

This afternoon, I discovered tilted chairs at the King Manor Fourth Floor Dining Room

Nobody that I talked with knows who or why these chairs were tilted this morning.  This photo was taken from the fifth floor, looking down.

Someone should call the Ghostbusters, because we have a few mischievous spirits that need some serious busting.

Or, maybe we should call Fox Mulder and Dana Scully from the X-Files to investigate the mysterious case of the tilted chairs.

What I concluded about myself as a child.

“There are many who are living far below their possibilities because they are constantly handing over their individualities to others. Do you want to be a power in the world? Then be yourself.” 
- In Tune With the Infinite, by Ralph Waldo Trine

When I was attending Chester Park Elementary School, about the first or second grade, I determined that I could not become the best generic, cookie cutter version of a boy, son, or United States citizen.  However, I could become the best James Patrick Buchanan that I could be.  That thought has guided me ever since and made me the happy individual that I am now.

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

- Vince Lombardi

I also determined to keep trying until I succeed at a goal.  I have seen far too many people around me either never make an attempt to get something that they want, or make one half-hearted attempt, fail, and then never make another attempt again.  I have the courage to keep at something until I succeed, like Batman.

Kathy and I saw “Spider-Man: Far From Home”

Kathy and I agree that this movie is a great way to conclude Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  2019 is beyond any doubt a great time to be alive for Marvel fans!

My newest King Manor Residents’ Club poster was posted today.

Has anyone ever had an event postponed by bed bugs?

Sunset views from my King Manor apartment

The view of the sky, with a cloud formation, looking north

The view of the sky, with a rainbow, looking south

Kathy was sick today and didn’t want to cough during the movie.

While I’m disappointed, Kathy and I will see this excellent movie on some other day.  I sold these tickets back to the movie theater.

Just a reminder of our July 10 meeting of the King Manor Residents’ Club

Several residents have told me that they like how I wrote my reminder handouts.  By using the words “your” and “you”, individual residents feel that they have a voice in club events and therefore they are motivated to attend the next meeting.

Someone taped up our broken planter on the Second Street entrance.

This will be a temporary repair, until we can purchase a new planter.

My fun, Team Fortress 2 game

What is your favorite Team Fortress 2 class and why?  My three favorites are the demoman, engineer, and the medic.

More senseless criminal vandalism happened at King Manor

Some criminal vandal broke one of our outside planters on the north side, second floor entrance.  However, this destructive vandal was recorded by our entrance security cameras.

This vandal used such brute force that they broke the rock they used to break the planter.

With our other outside planter, another criminal vandal swiped two of our flowering plants.