Mid-South Live Steamers - Revision history

Dnevil: /* History */

2020-01-27T14:49:06Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 27 January 2020
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	The first annual Spring Meet was held in April of 1968 at Austin Barr's recently completed track in on his rice farm in Whitehall, Arkansas. Austin had his Pacific under steam, and was joined by Bud Bartholomew with his recently completed 4-6-0. [[Leo Myers]] from St. Louis steamed his 4-2-4 "C. P. Huntington" and Bob Wilson brought over the chassis and smokebox of his big Mountain.		The first annual Spring Meet was held in April of 1968 at Austin Barr's recently completed track in on his rice farm in Whitehall, Arkansas. Austin had his Pacific under steam, and was joined by Bud Bartholomew with his recently completed 4-6-0. [[Leo Myers]] from St. Louis steamed his 4-2-4 "C. P. Huntington" and Bob Wilson brought over the chassis and smokebox of his big Mountain.

	By the Fall of 1968, Joe Ed had completed a 500+ foot loop of track in his backyard with the help of other local MSLS members. Joe Ed recalls how Leroy Nessen, though several years senior to most, put everyone else to shame when it came to shoveling ballast. The track was laid using scale rail, spikes, fish plates, and even tie plates on the cresoted ties. Joe Ed's track was the site of the first MSLS Fall Meet. Present were Bud Bartholomew's 4-6-0, Lynn Lowe's 0-6-0, Austin Barr's 4-6-2, and Leo Myers' "C. P. Huntington".		By the Fall of 1968, Joe Ed had completed a 500+ foot loop of track in his backyard with the help of other local MSLS members. Joe Ed recalls how Leroy Nessen, though several years senior to most, put everyone else to shame when it came to shoveling ballast. The track was laid using scale rail, spikes, fish plates, and even tie plates on the cresoted ties. Joe Ed's track was the site of the first MSLS Fall Meet. Present were Bud Bartholomew's 4-6-0, Lynn Lowe's 0-6-0, Austin Barr's 4-6-2, and [[Leo Myers]]' "C. P. Huntington".

	Austin continued to host Spring Meets for six straight years, and Joe Ed hosted the Fall Meet through 1970. Club membership grew, but only slowly at first. It took four years to double the initial membership, but then momentum began to build and membership doubled again in 1971. In the fall of 1972, the name of the organization was changed from the Mid South Live Steamers Club to the Mid South Live Steamers, Incorporated. By 1973, membership had grown to 53.		Austin continued to host Spring Meets for six straight years, and Joe Ed hosted the Fall Meet through 1970. Club membership grew, but only slowly at first. It took four years to double the initial membership, but then momentum began to build and membership doubled again in 1971. In the fall of 1972, the name of the organization was changed from the Mid South Live Steamers Club to the Mid South Live Steamers, Incorporated. By 1973, membership had grown to 53.

Dnevil: /* A Club Forms */

2020-01-21T14:35:36Z

A Club Forms

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:35, 21 January 2020
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	The stage was set for the formal be-ginning of the Mid-South Live Steamers. A notice was sent out and nine charter members converged on Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. In addition to those from Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, Bill Pepper from Andrews, Indiana, made the trip to be at the first meeting. Bill had recently met Bud Bartholomew up in Canada at the Sunparlor Live Steamers, and graciously consented to come to the organizational meeting to give his support and advice. Bill brought with him three hours of films on rail-roads in operation in various parts of the country that were enjoyed by all.		The stage was set for the formal be-ginning of the Mid-South Live Steamers. A notice was sent out and nine charter members converged on Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. In addition to those from Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, Bill Pepper from Andrews, Indiana, made the trip to be at the first meeting. Bill had recently met Bud Bartholomew up in Canada at the Sunparlor Live Steamers, and graciously consented to come to the organizational meeting to give his support and advice. Bill brought with him three hours of films on rail-roads in operation in various parts of the country that were enjoyed by all.

	Present at the organizational meeting were [[Austin Barr]], Bud Bartholomew, Bill Pepper, Joe Ed Gaddes, Harry Wade, Paul Brien, Leroy Nessen, Bob Wilson, and Jack Nessen. Jack Nessen, like his father Leroy, was an avid railfan and had helped his father build their impressive HO scale layout, the Bethesda Southern. He was studying transportation at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville at the time.		Present at the organizational meeting were [[Austin Barr]], Bud Bartholomew, Bill Pepper, Joe Ed Gaddes, Harry Wade, [[Paul Brien]], Leroy Nessen, Bob Wilson, and Jack Nessen. Jack Nessen, like his father Leroy, was an avid railfan and had helped his father build their impressive HO scale layout, the Bethesda Southern. He was studying transportation at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville at the time.

	At the meeting, club officers were elected, dues were set, and suggestions for stationary and letterhead were presented by Austin Barr. It was decided to let Harry Wade design the club logo, which he did. Southern Steam was selected as the name of the newsletter and Leroy Nessen agreed to serve as editor. Several members brought projects in work. Paul Brien brought a heat engine and English locomotive chassis that he had built, and Harry Wade displayed a truck for a Heisler locomotive.		At the meeting, club officers were elected, dues were set, and suggestions for stationary and letterhead were presented by Austin Barr. It was decided to let Harry Wade design the club logo, which he did. Southern Steam was selected as the name of the newsletter and Leroy Nessen agreed to serve as editor. Several members brought projects in work. [[Paul Brien]] brought a heat engine and English locomotive chassis that he had built, and Harry Wade displayed a truck for a Heisler locomotive.

	As advertised on the meeting notice, Bud Bartholomew had the chassis for his 4-6-0 running on air and ready for the boiler. Bud would test the engine by tying down the frame, oiling the drivers, and letting them spin in place on a short section of track. (Paul Brien said that this caused problems later. The porous cast iron drivers had soaked up plenty of oil on those test runs. Consequently, when the engine was first run at Austin Barr's track some time later, it would hardly pull itself around the track with-out considerable slipping! Eventually the oil dried out and the locomotive, now owned by Bill Bryan in Georgia, was a dependable performer.)		As advertised on the meeting notice, Bud Bartholomew had the chassis for his 4-6-0 running on air and ready for the boiler. Bud would test the engine by tying down the frame, oiling the drivers, and letting them spin in place on a short section of track. ([[Paul Brien]] said that this caused problems later. The porous cast iron drivers had soaked up plenty of oil on those test runs. Consequently, when the engine was first run at Austin Barr's track some time later, it would hardly pull itself around the track with-out considerable slipping! Eventually the oil dried out and the locomotive, now owned by Bill Bryan in Georgia, was a dependable performer.)

	=== Operational Meetings ===		=== Operational Meetings ===

Dnevil: /* Early Beginnings */

2020-01-09T17:02:06Z

Early Beginnings

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 9 January 2020
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	That very same year, a somewhat older gentleman by the name of R. F. "Bob" Wilson began work on an 1.6" scale model of one of the Illinois Central's finest dual-purpose 4-8-2 steam locomotives, number 2614. Bob was a master machinist who lived in Memphis, Tennessee, and had worked at the IC Nonconnah Yard Shops during World War II. Railroad-related activities were a favorite pastime in the Wilson house-hold, and there were plenty of opportunities to catch Frisco, IC, and Mo-Pac trains in action around Memphis. Even around the house, trains were unavoidable. Bob's son, Bob Jr., remembers one rather unusual aspect about his father's locomotive construction: much of the original work on the locomotive was done in his father's bedroom! Bob re-calls stepping around the frame to kiss his parents goodnight.		That very same year, a somewhat older gentleman by the name of R. F. "Bob" Wilson began work on an 1.6" scale model of one of the Illinois Central's finest dual-purpose 4-8-2 steam locomotives, number 2614. Bob was a master machinist who lived in Memphis, Tennessee, and had worked at the IC Nonconnah Yard Shops during World War II. Railroad-related activities were a favorite pastime in the Wilson house-hold, and there were plenty of opportunities to catch Frisco, IC, and Mo-Pac trains in action around Memphis. Even around the house, trains were unavoidable. Bob's son, Bob Jr., remembers one rather unusual aspect about his father's locomotive construction: much of the original work on the locomotive was done in his father's bedroom! Bob re-calls stepping around the frame to kiss his parents goodnight.

	[[File:MidSouth Live Steamers Inaugural Meeting Notice.png\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Mid-South Live Steamers inaugural meeting, held November 17, 1966 at Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville, Tennessee.]]		[[File:MidSouth Live Steamers Inaugural Meeting Notice.png\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Mid-South Live Steamers inaugural meeting, held November 17, 1966 at [[Bud Bartholomew]]'s residence in Nashville, Tennessee.]]

	Meanwhile, Leroy Nessen had been busy pursuing the railroad hobby in various forms. Born in 1910 in Pueblo, Colorado, Leroy had been a railfan for most of his life. He had built an elaborate Lionel layout and then a HO layout complete with a crosstie factory that really split scale ties.		Meanwhile, Leroy Nessen had been busy pursuing the railroad hobby in various forms. Born in 1910 in Pueblo, Colorado, Leroy had been a railfan for most of his life. He had built an elaborate Lionel layout and then a HO layout complete with a crosstie factory that really split scale ties.
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	In 1960, a live steam catalog inspired Joe Ed Gaddes to move into live steam, and he began building a 0-4-0 in 1964 while living in Decatur, Alabama. About a year later, in 1965 over in Whitehall, Arkansas, a gentleman named Austin Barr began constructing locomotive #6568, an 1½" scale Pacific.		In 1960, a live steam catalog inspired Joe Ed Gaddes to move into live steam, and he began building a 0-4-0 in 1964 while living in Decatur, Alabama. About a year later, in 1965 over in Whitehall, Arkansas, a gentleman named Austin Barr began constructing locomotive #6568, an 1½" scale Pacific.

	In 1965, Leroy Nessen learned that Joe Ed was building a live steamer and he began "stirring the pot," looking for other live steamers. As Secretary of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association, an HO and O gauge organization, Leroy wrote several letters and made contact with Austin Barr and P. R. "Bud" Bartholomew, who lived in Nashville as did Leroy. Bud Bartholomew had gained experience with steam in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He later became a truck driver and was a skilled, self taught machinist.		In 1965, Leroy Nessen learned that Joe Ed was building a live steamer and he began "stirring the pot," looking for other live steamers. As Secretary of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association, an HO and O gauge organization, Leroy wrote several letters and made contact with Austin Barr and [[Bud Bartholomew\|P. R. "Bud" Bartholomew]], who lived in Nashville as did Leroy. [[Bud Bartholomew]] had gained experience with steam in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He later became a truck driver and was a skilled, self taught machinist.

	In mid-1965, Bud and Leroy visited Joe Ed in Decatur, Alabama. The sight of Joe Ed's 0-4-0 chassis helped ~~moti-vate~~ Bud to begin work on his first locomotive, a ten wheeler modeled after the Tennessee Central's #502.		In mid-1965, Bud and Leroy visited Joe Ed in Decatur, Alabama. The sight of Joe Ed's 0-4-0 chassis helped motivate Bud to begin work on his first locomotive, a ten wheeler modeled after the Tennessee Central's #502.

	On April 20, 1965, Leroy sent out a letter to members of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association suggesting that the club change its focus to live stream. The letter suggested that once a sufficiently large membership had been built up, a suitable strip of land would be purchased for installation of a track.		On April 20, 1965, Leroy sent out a letter to members of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association suggesting that the club change its focus to live stream. The letter suggested that once a sufficiently large membership had been built up, a suitable strip of land would be purchased for installation of a track.

IBLS Wiki Admin: /* Operational Meetings */

2018-07-12T14:32:59Z

Operational Meetings

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:32, 12 July 2018
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	=== Operational Meetings ===		=== Operational Meetings ===
	~~[[File:HermanBeuttner LittleEngines Catalog1962 0022.jpg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|Herman Beuttner, from 1962 [[Little Engines]] catalog.]]~~
	By the time the first edition of Southern Steam came out in March of 1967, Joe Ed had moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, where he was planning a backyard railroad on his one acre lot. Mr. Herman Buettner, down in Cullman, Alabama, had installed a track on his wooded but hilly lot and had fired up his wood-fired Pacific several times. Mr. Buettner had served as an early inspiration to several in the club and had one of the first operating 1½" scale locomotives in the area. In September of 1967, the MSLS held their first operational meeting at Mr. Buettner's track. His railroad included an impressive 12 foot high trestle.		By the time the first edition of Southern Steam came out in March of 1967, Joe Ed had moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, where he was planning a backyard railroad on his one acre lot. Mr. Herman Buettner, down in Cullman, Alabama, had installed a track on his wooded but hilly lot and had fired up his wood-fired Pacific several times. Mr. Buettner had served as an early inspiration to several in the club and had one of the first operating 1½" scale locomotives in the area. In September of 1967, the MSLS held their first operational meeting at Mr. Buettner's track. His railroad included an impressive 12 foot high trestle.

IBLS Wiki Admin: /* Early Beginnings */

2018-07-12T14:32:25Z

Early Beginnings

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:32, 12 July 2018
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	Meanwhile, Leroy Nessen had been busy pursuing the railroad hobby in various forms. Born in 1910 in Pueblo, Colorado, Leroy had been a railfan for most of his life. He had built an elaborate Lionel layout and then a HO layout complete with a crosstie factory that really split scale ties.		Meanwhile, Leroy Nessen had been busy pursuing the railroad hobby in various forms. Born in 1910 in Pueblo, Colorado, Leroy had been a railfan for most of his life. He had built an elaborate Lionel layout and then a HO layout complete with a crosstie factory that really split scale ties.

	In 1960, a ~~Little Engines~~ catalog inspired Joe Ed Gaddes to move into live steam, and he began building a 0-4-0 in 1964 while living in Decatur, Alabama. About a year later, in 1965 over in Whitehall, Arkansas, a gentleman named Austin Barr began constructing locomotive #6568, an 1½" scale ~~Little Engines~~ Pacific.		In 1960, a live steam catalog inspired Joe Ed Gaddes to move into live steam, and he began building a 0-4-0 in 1964 while living in Decatur, Alabama. About a year later, in 1965 over in Whitehall, Arkansas, a gentleman named Austin Barr began constructing locomotive #6568, an 1½" scale Pacific.

	In 1965, Leroy Nessen learned that Joe Ed was building a live steamer and he began "stirring the pot," looking for other live steamers. As Secretary of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association, an HO and O gauge organization, Leroy wrote several letters and made contact with Austin Barr and P. R. "Bud" Bartholomew, who lived in Nashville as did Leroy. Bud Bartholomew had gained experience with steam in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He later became a truck driver and was a skilled, self taught machinist.		In 1965, Leroy Nessen learned that Joe Ed was building a live steamer and he began "stirring the pot," looking for other live steamers. As Secretary of the Central Tennessee Model Railroad Association, an HO and O gauge organization, Leroy wrote several letters and made contact with Austin Barr and P. R. "Bud" Bartholomew, who lived in Nashville as did Leroy. Bud Bartholomew had gained experience with steam in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He later became a truck driver and was a skilled, self taught machinist.

Dnevil: /* External Links */

2018-05-11T21:10:54Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 11 May 2018
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	* [http://www.midsouthlivesteamers.org/ Official Website]		* [http://www.midsouthlivesteamers.org/ Official Website]
			* [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=106740 Mid-South Live Steamers Spring Meet 2018, <i>Chaski.org</i>]

Dnevil: /* A Club Forms */

2017-12-01T23:33:20Z

A Club Forms

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 1 December 2017
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	[[File:Mid South Live Steamers Charter 17 Dec 1966.jpg\|right\|thumb\|300px\|Austin Barr, far left, attending charter meeting of Mid-South Live Steamers at Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. Harry Wade is the young man at front and center.]]		[[File:Mid South Live Steamers Charter 17 Dec 1966.jpg\|right\|thumb\|300px\|Austin Barr, far left, attending charter meeting of Mid-South Live Steamers at Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. Harry Wade is the young man at front and center.]]
			[[File:MSLS Charter Members key.JPG\|thumb\|right\|300px]]

	The stage was set for the formal be-ginning of the Mid-South Live Steamers. A notice was sent out and nine charter members converged on Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. In addition to those from Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, Bill Pepper from Andrews, Indiana, made the trip to be at the first meeting. Bill had recently met Bud Bartholomew up in Canada at the Sunparlor Live Steamers, and graciously consented to come to the organizational meeting to give his support and advice. Bill brought with him three hours of films on rail-roads in operation in various parts of the country that were enjoyed by all.		The stage was set for the formal be-ginning of the Mid-South Live Steamers. A notice was sent out and nine charter members converged on Bud Bartholomew's residence in Nashville on December 17, 1966. In addition to those from Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, Bill Pepper from Andrews, Indiana, made the trip to be at the first meeting. Bill had recently met Bud Bartholomew up in Canada at the Sunparlor Live Steamers, and graciously consented to come to the organizational meeting to give his support and advice. Bill brought with him three hours of films on rail-roads in operation in various parts of the country that were enjoyed by all.

Dnevil: /* Operational Meetings */

2017-05-08T01:41:11Z

Operational Meetings

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 7 May 2017
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	=== Operational Meetings ===		=== Operational Meetings ===
			[[File:HermanBeuttner LittleEngines Catalog1962 0022.jpg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|Herman Beuttner, from 1962 [[Little Engines]] catalog.]]
	By the time the first edition of Southern Steam came out in March of 1967, Joe Ed had moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, where he was planning a backyard railroad on his one acre lot. Mr. Herman Buettner, down in Cullman, Alabama, had installed a track on his wooded but hilly lot and had fired up his wood-fired Pacific several times. Mr. Buettner had served as an early inspiration to several in the club and had one of the first operating 1½" scale locomotives in the area. In September of 1967, the MSLS held their first operational meeting at Mr. Buettner's track. His railroad included an impressive 12 foot high trestle.		By the time the first edition of Southern Steam came out in March of 1967, Joe Ed had moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, where he was planning a backyard railroad on his one acre lot. Mr. Herman Buettner, down in Cullman, Alabama, had installed a track on his wooded but hilly lot and had fired up his wood-fired Pacific several times. Mr. Buettner had served as an early inspiration to several in the club and had one of the first operating 1½" scale locomotives in the area. In September of 1967, the MSLS held their first operational meeting at Mr. Buettner's track. His railroad included an impressive 12 foot high trestle.

Dnevil: /* Operational Meetings */

2016-02-06T05:38:07Z

Operational Meetings

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:38, 6 February 2016
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	Paul Brien had begun work on an 0-6-0 switcher. Since both he and Bud Bartholomew needed boilers, they had material cut and two identical steel boilers were welded at the same time, one for Paul's engine and the other for Bud's ten wheeler.		Paul Brien had begun work on an 0-6-0 switcher. Since both he and Bud Bartholomew needed boilers, they had material cut and two identical steel boilers were welded at the same time, one for Paul's engine and the other for Bud's ten wheeler.

	The first annual Spring Meet was held in April of 1968 at Austin Barr's recently completed track in on his rice farm in Whitehall, Arkansas. Austin had his Pacific under steam, and was joined by Bud Bartholomew with his recently completed 4-6-0. Leo Myers from St. Louis steamed his 4-2-4 "C. P. Huntington" and Bob Wilson brought over the chassis and smokebox of his big Mountain.		The first annual Spring Meet was held in April of 1968 at Austin Barr's recently completed track in on his rice farm in Whitehall, Arkansas. Austin had his Pacific under steam, and was joined by Bud Bartholomew with his recently completed 4-6-0. [[Leo Myers]] from St. Louis steamed his 4-2-4 "C. P. Huntington" and Bob Wilson brought over the chassis and smokebox of his big Mountain.

	By the Fall of 1968, Joe Ed had completed a 500+ foot loop of track in his backyard with the help of other local MSLS members. Joe Ed recalls how Leroy Nessen, though several years senior to most, put everyone else to shame when it came to shoveling ballast. The track was laid using scale rail, spikes, fish plates, and even tie plates on the cresoted ties. Joe Ed's track was the site of the first MSLS Fall Meet. Present were Bud Bartholomew's 4-6-0, Lynn Lowe's 0-6-0, Austin Barr's 4-6-2, and Leo Myers' "C. P. Huntington".		By the Fall of 1968, Joe Ed had completed a 500+ foot loop of track in his backyard with the help of other local MSLS members. Joe Ed recalls how Leroy Nessen, though several years senior to most, put everyone else to shame when it came to shoveling ballast. The track was laid using scale rail, spikes, fish plates, and even tie plates on the cresoted ties. Joe Ed's track was the site of the first MSLS Fall Meet. Present were Bud Bartholomew's 4-6-0, Lynn Lowe's 0-6-0, Austin Barr's 4-6-2, and Leo Myers' "C. P. Huntington".

Dnevil: /* Postscript */

2015-09-14T18:34:20Z

Postscript

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:34, 14 September 2015
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	=== Postscript ===		=== Postscript ===

	And what about those projects be-gun during the formative years of the club and the charter members who started them? Bud Bartholomew rapidly finished his 4-6-0 and went on to build a 4-4-2 before he passed away in 1979. The Atlantic is now owned by Rich Dean. Bud drafted the club By Laws and was a true "rock" in the beginning years. To this day those who remember him miss him -- it was Bud who kept the membership excited about building a club track.		And what about those projects be-gun during the formative years of the club and the charter members who started them? Bud Bartholomew rapidly finished his 4-6-0 and went on to build a 4-4-2 before he passed away in 1979. The Atlantic is now owned by [[Rich Dean]]. Bud drafted the club By Laws and was a true "rock" in the beginning years. To this day those who remember him miss him -- it was Bud who kept the membership excited about building a club track.

	Joe Ed Gaddes' 0-4-0 first steamed in 1973 at Columbia. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the first several years and is currently President of the MSLS. His track, laid back in 1968, is still in place with the original rail and almost all of the original ties.		Joe Ed Gaddes' 0-4-0 first steamed in 1973 at Columbia. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the first several years and is currently President of the MSLS. His track, laid back in 1968, is still in place with the original rail and almost all of the original ties.