Iron, Steel & Steam No. 1

Iron, Steel & Steam No. 1

A detail study of the massive iron drive wheels and steel rods on the Pere Marquette 1225. This 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive is owned and operated by the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and operated by its Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.

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First in the Iron, Steel & Steam series. This photograph will be exhibited in the The Great Train Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan December 8-9, 2012. 



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Rolling Power No.1

Rolling Power No. 1

Homage to Charles Sheeler

This photograph will be exhibited in the The Great Train Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan December 8-9, 2012. 

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Charles Sheeler (1883-1965) painted Rolling Power as part of a 1940 series depicting industrial power commissioned by Fortune magazine. Instead of showing the entire locomotive, his painting depicts only two drive wheels, a pilot wheel, drive rods and piston of a New York Central J3A Hudson Thoroughbred locomotive, the most powerful and efficient railroad locomotive at the time. It was one of ten streamlined versions of the engine designed to pull the legendary Twentieth Century Limited, the most beautiful and modern passenger train in America.

As well as a master painter, Sheeler was an accomplished self-taught photographer and used his own photographs as reference aids in painting Rolling Power and other works in the Power series. The photograph Wheels on which Rolling Power was based is basically the same composition and format as the painting, but unfortunately it no longer exists.

Sheeler thought so highly of this photograph Wheels that he allowed fellow photographer Edward Weston (1886-1958) to reproduce it along with his entry on photographic art for the 1942 edition of The Encyclopaedia Britannica. 
 

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The Great Train Expo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day is the traditional kick-off for the Christmas season, and for boys (and lots of girls) of all ages, Christmas means trains!

Pere Marquette 1225

This 2-8-4 Berkshire was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941. It is owned by the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and operated by its Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan 

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On the weekend of December 8-9, The Great Train Expo comes to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The Great Train Expo is a national, traveling train show serving more states than any other show. It features operating model railroads, 200-500 tables of train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and much more! 

I'll be exhibiting my railroad photos in a booth with my good friend and fellow artist Paul Adams who will have his wonderful railroad art.

It is a great way to spend the day with the family whether you’re a rail fan, avid modeler, or looking for quality railroad art for your layout room, den, or office!



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World Series - Detroit Tigers vs SF Giants at Comerica Park

2012 World Series

Detroit Tigers vs. San Francisco Giants

Comerica Park - Detroit, Michigan

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Opening ceremony before Game 3

October 27, 2012

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Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb Statue, Comerica Park

Detroit, Michigan

Statue of Tigers Hall of Famer Ty Cobb at Comerica Park in Detroit. 

(Lou Cella, sculptor.)

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Tyrus Raymond (Ty or Georgia Peach) Cobb
Born: December 18, 1886 Narrows, Banks County, Georgia
Died: July 17, 1961 Atlanta, Georgia

Career Summary

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 175
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Position: Outfield, Detroit Tigers (1905-26)
               Philadelphia Athletics (1927-28).

•  Manager, Detroit Tigers (1921-26).
•  Insisted that he was not a super athlete, rather that he had a great desire to win.
•  Was quoted as saying "I've got to be first all the time — in everything."
•  Best hitter of his era, if not of all time.
•  Has a career batting average of .367.
•  Won 12 batting titles, including 9 in a row from 1907 thru 1915.
•  Third all time in stolen bases with 892.
•  Second in runs scored with 2,245.
•  Second in career hits with 4,191.
•  Led the American League in slugging eight times.
•  Scored 100 runs 11 times in his career.
•  Drove in over 100 runs seven times in his career.
•  Led the American League in runs five times.
•  Led the American League in hits eight times.
•  Played for 24 years; 22 years with Detroit, two with Philadelphia.
•  Youngest AL player to reach 1,000 hit level (24-years old).
•  Batted under .320 only once in his career.
•  Batted over .400 three times.
•  First player elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 where he received 98.23 percent of the votes (222 out of 226)

Read more at The Official web Site of  Ty Cobb:


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Detroit Tigers Sweep NY Yankees in 2012 ALCS, advance to World Series

2012 American League Champions

The Detroit Tigers swept the New York Yankees in 4 games to win the 2012 American League Championship. This photo is the opening ceremony ALCS Game 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit. on October 16, 2012.

Click the photo to see it in my Etsy.com store. This signed, 8x10 giclée print mounted in a white 11x14 conservation-grade mat is available now.

Also available are these companion pieces --

Comerica Park Main Entrance

Neon over main entrance to Comerica Park featuring photos of

George Kell and Ernie Harwell.

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Comerica Park Corner Entrance

at the corner of E. Adams & Witherell.

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The statue at the former City-County Building in downtown Detroit displays the true spirit of Tiger Town. This statue, designed by Marshall Fredericks and installed (sans jersey) at the City-County Building in 1958 is nicknamed "The Spirit of Detroit."

The tradition of dressing the 'Spirit' with a jersey began in 1997 when the Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years. Since then it has also ’sported’ the jerseys of the Detroit Pistons, WNBA Detroit Shock, Super Bowl XL, and even a tuxedo when "The Three Tenors" performed at Tiger Stadium in 1999.

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2011 American League Central Champions

This photo is the opening ceremony of ALDS Game 3 vs. the New York Yankess at Comerica Park in Detroit. on October, 2011.

The Tigers beat the Yankees 3 games to 2 to win the AL Central Division Championship. They advanced to the AL Championship Series but lost to the Texas Rangers 2 games to 4.

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Scarab Club Photo Ex Opens Today

The photo below  is on display in the Scarab Club's 2012 Photography Exhibition which opens today (No. 5 on the exhibit list), Wednesday October 17, and runs through Sunday, November 18.

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Artist reception is 6-9 pm,  Friday Ootober 19.

217 Farnsworth at John R, Detroit

(Directly behind the Detroit Institute of Arts)

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Maschinen No. 2

Detail of the Detroit River Tunnel Co. railroad crane.

This crane has no power of its own, but can be run by steam or compressed air from an external source. This is part of a new series entitled "Iron, Steel, & Steam."





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Help Save the Polar Express

Pere Marquette 1225

Owned and operated by the Steam Railroading Institue
Owosso, Michigan
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The photo above was taken on its last excursion in 2009, during which problems with the boiler were discovered. After a thorough inspection the boiler was deemed unsafe to continue operation and all remaining excursions were cancelled. The federally mandated 15-year inspection and rebuild was due soon, so the locomotive was taken out of service until it could be brought into compliance with all Federal Railroad Administration requirements. 

The rebuild, begun in 2010, is in its final stages but compliance is a monumental and expensive task and SRI still needs to raise $300,000 to complete the $900,000 restoration.

But,  a benefactor has pledged $100,000 if SRI can raise $200,000.  This $100,000 gift will not stay on the table long.  If you are able, please make a contribution. Any amount will be greatly appreciated; no gift is too small or too large. Every dollar counts.

Please help save the Pere Marquette 1225, the locomotive whose image and sound were used for the animated movie "The Polar Express." 

Scan this QR code

 

or click this link to Help Save the PM 1225 

and read more about this historic locomotive.

Then, please forward this to everyone you think will help preserve this valuable, irreplaceable, piece of Michigan and American railroad history.

Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation

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Tap Room - Ypsilanti

Tap Room Bar

Ypsilanti, Michigan

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The landmark Tap Room Bar dates to 1941 and the building to 1850.

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Pegasus

 Pegasus Taverna

Greektown - Detroit, Michigan

A favorite night spot near the Greektown Casino in Detroit.

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Fishbones

Monroe Ave.
Detroit, Michigan
 

A favorite in Detroit's Greektown district.

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Now Showing at State of MInd Gallery - Northville

I'm pleased to announce that my work is now available at the State of Mind Gallery, 120 E. Main St. in Northville, Michigan. The gallery, owned by metal artists Joan Mulvehill and Lisa Robideau, showcases the work of more than 40 local Michigan artists.

Gallery Hours:

Mon -Thurs  10 am - 6 pm

Friday  10 am - 8 pm

Saturday 10 am - 6 pm

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The first Friday of every month downtown Northville comes alive and celebrates the arts during their popular First Friday Experience (formerly known as the Art Walk). As guests stroll downtown Northville's growing art district, they will enjoy a night filled with art exhibits (highlighting featured artists each month), art demonstrations and related events. Downtown Northville's participating First Friday Art galleries and stores are open until 9 pm with many of the businesses offering complimentary hors d' oeuvres and beverages for their guests as they browse or shop. 

I'll be in the gallery from 6 to 9 pm for this month's First Friday on October 5, so please stop in to say hello and see my display.

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Trail Bar - Vintage Neon

Trail Bar Vintage Neon Sign

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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This classic neon sign with incandescent chaser on the now-closed Trail Bar in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights probably dates to the post-war 1940s to mid 1950s.




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Tom's Tavern - Detroit

Tom's Tavern 

Detroit, Michigan

A favorite watering hole for students and
alumni of nearby University of Detroit Mercy.

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Prohibition was in full effect and W. Seven Mile Rd. in Detroit was a dirt road when founder Tom Lucas bought this little frame building and opened his "house bar" in 1928.

During its more than 80 years of existence, Tom's still stands, still thrives, despite a seemingly never-ending series of problems. Over the last dozen years it has endured and overcome deterioration from age and weather, fire, break-ins, cut water and gas lines, vandalism by scrap metal scavengers, and most recently an automobile crashing into the front wall that fataly injured a woman on the sidewalk. Its miraculous, yet always tenuous, survival is largely due to the steadfast loyalty of its customers. Whenever the place's existence has been threatened, they have come to its aid providing funds, materials, labor, or whatever was needed. The fragile frame has been repaired and rebuilt so many times that there isn't anything plumb, square or level in the place.

During the 1950s all the neighboring businesses on Seven Mile Rd.called it an eyesore and wanted it demolished. Today, they're all gone, and Tom's has outlive them all. One of the most popular times of year at the bar is the annual celebration of Babe Ruth's birthday. On other - more quiet and less auspicious - days, current owner Ron Gurdjian, who bought the bar from Lucas in 2001, is fond of retelling stories he heard from Lucas about prohibition, like how the infamous Purple Gang would supply its booze in a black limousine.




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Bronx Bar - Detroit: Just the Basics

The Bronx Bar

Detroit, Michigan

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Best guesses estimate that the Bronx Bar dates from the late 1930s, possibly 1937. That's the only uncertain thing, though, about this Second Ave. mainstay of the Wayne State University / Cass Corridor area. You can be certain of everything else about the completely unpretentious Bronx Bar. 

You can be certain to find:

No designer decor. Just an unassuming and mismatched assortment of stained glass hanging lights, fringe, and table lamps on the wooden bar along with other odd items collected through the years.

No dress code. They only require that you be clothed, even if it's only pajamas.

Nothing special at all.
  No special event nights
  No karioke
  No drink or food specials
  No happy hour
  No dancing
  No television
  No entertainment, save for one small pool table and one juke box.

No big prices. Beer starts at $2.00 and drinks run $3.50 to $5.50. If you want wine, it's served in a highball glass. Martini glasses? Forget about it!

Reasonably good bar food staples like burgers, fries, onion rings and sandwiches reasonably priced from $3.50 to $7.00 with reasonably sized portions.

Friendly people on both sides of the bar.

The best shot / beer / burger joint in the area. 




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