An Outlet.

Is it just 'old technology'?

Perhaps I need to talk abt this. There isn't much to talk abt steam locomotives at this moment. Really I am not in the know of much happening. Let me correct that. I don't think anything's happening regarding steam travel; anything that should find a place in this blog. I could put in some charming pics, but then who am I kidding. Will pictures fill the void?

I met someone recently who was somewhat sceptical abt ancient work-horses. Though we were talking abt vintage automotives, he seemed to have a point. At one point in our discussion he argued that people who like old things like vintage cars ought to love their old bicycle equally much. And if they didn't then somewhere they were playing double standards. I guess he would have extended this statement to steam locomotives as well. This gentleman, and he was a gentleman, further argued that there was no real reason to maintain a piece of inefficient machinery when a better substitute had been introduced.

I might not have mentioned this chat had it not sent me thinking. I know it would be a sacriledge to question people's love of steam locomotives. But if only for once I could stop and question the rationale, the statistical motives, of loving an old engine, I might have got an answer that I have been giving myself for all these years - that if a thing is there which can work, then let it work. But even more than that, I don't think all answers lie in the hemisphere of calculated rationale. The love of the old derelict steam locomotive, or for that matter the spluttering vintage Rolls, cannot be tied up with cold reasoning. I rest my case.

Steam Halt

It’s hot in here. I am not sure if the sun has had a faulty alarm clock, but it surely is out with much force in the past few days. It’s not quite a great time to go steam hopping. Most of Rajasthan and Gujrat etc will be baked to carbon. This is the lean period. This is the time when people realise that steam locomotives are no fun sometimes. We long for the air-conditioned coach. Or budget airlines. We don’t feel like travelling but remain motionless under cool roofs, and cold glass. There might not be much to write about in this month – in fact for the succeeding few months. There isn’t much happening on the loco front. No news at all. So will sign off for now. Cheers!