The Train Was Delivered!

Hi Everyone:

On Friday, Nov. 23rd, the entire train with the two engines, the Columbia and Socrates, with all 11 train cars were delivered to the Jefferson Historical Society. They have set up a Christmas Village in which the train we are using in the film will be running around all during the month of December. Richard Mullen, Gary Tabor and Bob Pellton have worked very hard getting this display ready to be unveiled at our first fundraising dinner on Nov. 27th. Richard Mullen even built a small Ashtabula Bridge and gorge for the train to cross.  Patti recorded a test run of the Socrates Engine:

Here are some other photos of the layout being built. You can see these guys are having a good time building this and testing it out. The two engines have QSI computer emulators added to them, so they make all the sounds of a real engine. They even start and stop like a real train engine! Its just amazing to watch.

Richard Mullen: In the middle of the layout:

The small Ashtabula Bridge Richard built over the gorge:

The Columbia Engine: Note the headline was damaged during shipping, but we can fix it.

The Socrates Engine:

When we got the engines there was no manual in the box telling us how to operate all the computer controls, so here we are trying to figure out how this thing works. After a few calls to QSI Solutions, we figured it out. From front to back. Gary Tabor, Richard Mullen and Len Brown.

That's all for now, but make sure you go to the website and check out the "Model Bridge" to see the latest photos of and progress being made on the 15.5 foot Ashtabula Bridge being used in the film.  Mainline Bridges is doing an AWESOME job building it. We are expecting the abutments to arrive from Phoenix, AZ any day and the bridge to follow about a month after.

We also have a FaceBook group called, "Engineering Tragedy: The Ashtabula Train Disaster." The group is open to all and will be a great way to keep up with all the news.

Thanks everyone for your support to make this film.

Len Brown
Director / Producer

The Train Cars Are On The Way

Hi Folks:

Jim Manzone, the man who painted our model train cars of the Pacific Express #5, sent me more photos and has told me that the train has been shipped to me! Here are some photos he sent, and I must say, this train is going to look great on camera! Notice the drum on the observation car, which is the last car on the train. It says Pacific Express #5.