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[[Category:Definitions]]
[[Category:Definitions]]
<i>Ground Flying</i> is a term coined by [[Charles A Purinton|Carl Purinton]] to describe the sensation of operating a live steam locomotive while laying on a flatcar close to the ground.  This riding posture lowers the rider's center of gravity, thus stabilizing the rider and allowing much higher speed of operation.
[[Category:History]]


Ground flying was "invented" at Carl's track in Boxford, and referred specifically to the 3-1/2" gauge equipment.
<i>Ground Flying</i> is a term coined by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] to describe the sensation of operating a live steam locomotive while laying on a flatcar close to the ground.  This riding posture lowers the rider's center of gravity, thus stabilizing the rider and allowing much higher speed of operation.


[[File:CarlPurington Invite GroundFlying.jpg|thumb|center|300px|The "ground flying' was referring to the 3-1/2" gauge track.  It was more comfortable to lie down on a long flat car and run your locomotive than to sit upright as the balance was tedious.  Because many of us laid down to run, we could go faster.  There have been many speed records on that little track!  A lot of fun!]]
Ground flying was "invented" at Carl's track in Boxford, Mass. and referred specifically to the 3-1/2" gauge equipment.
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:CarlPurington Invite GroundFlying.jpg|The "ground flying' was referring to the 3-1/2" gauge track.  It was more comfortable to lie down on a long flat car and run your locomotive than to sit upright as the balance was tedious.  Because many of us laid down to run, we could go faster.  There have been many speed records on that little track!  A lot of fun!
File:RalphLathrop BobHornsby GroundFlying.jpg|Here is a good example of "ground flying" as Carl puts it. Bob Hornsby is stopped on the mainline with his locomotive as he has a brief chart with the late Ralph Lathrop. Standing to the right is the late Ev Ryan. Bob is lying on a long flat car to keep the center of gravity low (for speed).
File:BobHornsby GroundFlying 5Oct1974 BoxfordMA.jpg|October 5, 1974. It was a beautiful day at Carl Purinton's track in Boxford. Dick Symmes & Bob Hornsby were running their 3-1/2" gauge locomotives. Dick took this photo while Bob went roaring by. They found it easier to run with more stability lying down on these small trains, plus they could go faster and be safe.
File:Carl BOB MacMillan 009.jpg|Charlie Purinton preparing to "ground fly" at his father's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob MacMillan.
File:Carl BOB MacMillan 010.jpg|Charlie Purinton "ground flying" on his father's 3-1/2" gauge Boxford Outer Belt track. According to John Kurdzionak, the loco is a Delaware and Hudson style Wooten-fireboxed engine called "Skeevers". Its history is written about in the Charlie Purinton live steam history book. They tried several different ashpan configurations on it before they got it to steam well.  Photo by Bob MacMillan.
File:BobThomas GroundFlying 2006.PNG|Bob Thomas runs his 2½” gauge B&O Tenwheeler at the PLS 2006 Spring Meet. Photo by [[Bruce Saylor]]. From "The PLS Gazette", Jan-Feb 2011.
File:OscarHueter 34 Invicta BLS1970LALS.jpg|[[Oscar Hueter]] and his 3/4" Invicta. From the 1970 BLS meet at [[Los Angeles Live Steamers|LALS]]. Oscar was from the Bay area. Posted on <i>Chaski.org</i> by D Willoughby.
</gallery>
 
== References ==
 
* [http://www.northeastlivesteamers.org/Docs/History/NELSmem_boxford_1.html "Life Along The Boxford Outer Belt Section 1", Bob Hornsby]
* [http://www.northeastlivesteamers.org/Docs/History/NELSmem_boxford_2.html "Life Along The Boxford Outer Belt Section 2", Bob Hornsby]

Latest revision as of 18:30, 13 June 2022


Ground Flying is a term coined by Carl Purinton to describe the sensation of operating a live steam locomotive while laying on a flatcar close to the ground. This riding posture lowers the rider's center of gravity, thus stabilizing the rider and allowing much higher speed of operation.

Ground flying was "invented" at Carl's track in Boxford, Mass. and referred specifically to the 3-1/2" gauge equipment.

  • The "ground flying' was referring to the 3-1/2" gauge track. It was more comfortable to lie down on a long flat car and run your locomotive than to sit upright as the balance was tedious. Because many of us laid down to run, we could go faster. There have been many speed records on that little track! A lot of fun!

    The "ground flying' was referring to the 3-1/2" gauge track. It was more comfortable to lie down on a long flat car and run your locomotive than to sit upright as the balance was tedious. Because many of us laid down to run, we could go faster. There have been many speed records on that little track! A lot of fun!

  • Here is a good example of "ground flying" as Carl puts it. Bob Hornsby is stopped on the mainline with his locomotive as he has a brief chart with the late Ralph Lathrop. Standing to the right is the late Ev Ryan. Bob is lying on a long flat car to keep the center of gravity low (for speed).

    Here is a good example of "ground flying" as Carl puts it. Bob Hornsby is stopped on the mainline with his locomotive as he has a brief chart with the late Ralph Lathrop. Standing to the right is the late Ev Ryan. Bob is lying on a long flat car to keep the center of gravity low (for speed).

  • October 5, 1974. It was a beautiful day at Carl Purinton's track in Boxford. Dick Symmes & Bob Hornsby were running their 3-1/2" gauge locomotives. Dick took this photo while Bob went roaring by. They found it easier to run with more stability lying down on these small trains, plus they could go faster and be safe.

    October 5, 1974. It was a beautiful day at Carl Purinton's track in Boxford. Dick Symmes & Bob Hornsby were running their 3-1/2" gauge locomotives. Dick took this photo while Bob went roaring by. They found it easier to run with more stability lying down on these small trains, plus they could go faster and be safe.

  • Charlie Purinton preparing to "ground fly" at his father's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob MacMillan.

    Charlie Purinton preparing to "ground fly" at his father's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob MacMillan.

  • Charlie Purinton "ground flying" on his father's 3-1/2" gauge Boxford Outer Belt track. According to John Kurdzionak, the loco is a Delaware and Hudson style Wooten-fireboxed engine called "Skeevers". Its history is written about in the Charlie Purinton live steam history book. They tried several different ashpan configurations on it before they got it to steam well. Photo by Bob MacMillan.

    Charlie Purinton "ground flying" on his father's 3-1/2" gauge Boxford Outer Belt track. According to John Kurdzionak, the loco is a Delaware and Hudson style Wooten-fireboxed engine called "Skeevers". Its history is written about in the Charlie Purinton live steam history book. They tried several different ashpan configurations on it before they got it to steam well. Photo by Bob MacMillan.

  • Bob Thomas runs his 2½” gauge B&O Tenwheeler at the PLS 2006 Spring Meet. Photo by Bruce Saylor. From "The PLS Gazette", Jan-Feb 2011.

    Bob Thomas runs his 2½” gauge B&O Tenwheeler at the PLS 2006 Spring Meet. Photo by Bruce Saylor. From "The PLS Gazette", Jan-Feb 2011.

  • Oscar Hueter and his 3/4" Invicta. From the 1970 BLS meet at LALS. Oscar was from the Bay area. Posted on Chaski.org by D Willoughby.

    Oscar Hueter and his 3/4" Invicta. From the 1970 BLS meet at LALS. Oscar was from the Bay area. Posted on Chaski.org by D Willoughby.

References

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