[SEL] Engine Photo

[Jerry Evans]

Hi Guys,
         Copy of a letter I recieved and my answer
Jerry


At 09:33 PM 21/01/2009, you wrote:
>Jerry
>
>I have been on the list but have not responded to date.  I inherited 
>several engines from my father and am trying to learn as much about them 
>as I can.  This photo may be to late or to low res to use now.  This 
>Bessemer engine, wench and pumping jack came from an oil well in western 
>Pennsylvania.  My father had partially paid for it but had never taken the 
>time to go get it.  I paid the remaining amount and after my father died 
>my wife and I went to Pa and with the help of the previous owner were able 
>to load it onto a trailer and take it to Northeast Tennessee where it now 
>resides awaiting restoration.  This spring or summer I can take better 
>photographs of it if you think folks on the list would be interested
>
>John

Hello John,
         Thank you very much for your answer. It is really very nice to 
hear from a "new" person but I need to tell you something. This is a really 
great hobby and one of the things that keeps me interested in the hobby is 
all the new friends that I've met through it. Your letter came directly to 
me so I do not know which "List" you belong to. I belong to the "S.E.L 
list" as well as the "Oldengine.org" list so you must have found (and 
joined) one of those.

         You have obviously been what we call a "lurker" on whichever list 
- ie. you've joined but have not yet responded to any messages. There is 
nothing wrong with that (I also lurked for a few weeks (maybe months) 
before getting up the courage to join in).

         These 2 lists are the best things that have happened in my life 
for many years. They are made up of really good guys with a common interest 
in restoring "old engines" or, if you prefer, "old iron". You will meet 
people with similar interests from all over the world and you will become 
friends with them. They are "good guys" and will answer all your questions 
and give you all the help that you need. Yes they sometimes also get grumpy 
(it's called "cabin fever" in the USA but the Aussies get "Heat Stroke" at 
the same time and it makes for some very interesting "exchanges"). At the 
end of the day everyone seems to miraculously remain friends. That's what 
it is all about.

         O.K. so I've said my stuff - now it's up to you to join in on the 
lists. All the list members welcome new members so please do not feel shy 
to introduce yourself.

         Now to get back to your mail to me.  That's a beautiful engine 
(and picture) and I'm going to make an effort to get it into the calendar 
(unfortunately, at this time, probably just a small pic at the top of a page).

         I am also going to "copy" this mail to the 2 lists. You should get 
quite a few responses. I do not know a lot about American engines but you 
mention that it is a "Bessemer".  Arnie  Fero (a list member) will get 
excited as will many others especially when they see that attached winch!

         To give you an example of how much you can learn from these lists. 
When I joined I had no idea of what a "half breed" engine was but often 
heard the term on the lists. I eventually bucked up the courage to ask. I 
had many replies and Rob Skinner (list member) even posted (snail mail - 
not email) a number of articles explaining that it was an engine originally 
driven by steam but converted to that "new fangled idea" of "internal 
combustion". I mention that because it was Arnie's "Half-Breed" Bessemer 
that prompted my question in the first place.

         Any way, Ive posted your pic here (do not worry, it is not on a 
webpage and there is nothing linking it to you) it's just a pic in the root 
directory of my site on "oldengine.org".
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/bessemer.jpg>

Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>