Alan Bates' article "The California Cut-off from Aa to Zz"

*"California Cut-off A to Z"*
Khoo duh midakh, Willem,
Indeed, Alan Bates wrote about the "California Cut-off from Aa to Zz" as you mention in your above inquiry. Alan sent me a photo copy of that self-same article some years ago which I read page by page. I 'think' Capt. Fred Way possibly may have edited the article in part in one of his S&D REFLECTOR issues. I'd have to dig out my index here. There no doubt are those on this site with keener memories than mine at this point. A possiblilty that photo copy may be buried in some of my dusty boxes here. I'll try to dig it out here for a look see. No promises but I'll do what I can. Another possible source would be master model builder John Fryant who frequents this site from time to time. Nobody has a finer library/archive than John.

Weather here also mildish, wettish as you state. Some plants, shrubs showing buds. We have had other Decembers like this here in spite of what the TV, media scream about. Granted the temps higher. Be certain that when the weather changes we'll get it sooner or later. I've had several trips to Holland. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

library/archive

I think you forgot about Keith, as far as having an extensive library/archive. I'd put my money on his over any private collection!

*Keith's own access*
Hi, Judy. By golly you're right about Keith's collection and when I hit POST QUICK REPLY above I thought, "DARN! I forgot about Keith." Again, it 'takes a village to tell a story.' Thinking now here running the vacuum cleaner, I am almost certain the "California cut-off" was presented in a now rather long ago S&D REFLECTOR complete with blueprints of the apparatus. Somebody other than me may have the REFLECTOR Index handy or know/remember that issue. I mentioned John Fryant and his extensive library/collection that may have it for Willem. Later here I'll muster some 'get up and go' seeing if I can dig out what I have. Who knows? I'm sure Keith's photographic mind would know. Again, many now don't post here moving over to FACEBOOK etc. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Sorry, but I do not have a copy in my collection. Neither does the Howard Steamboat Museum. My suggestion would be to contact the Inland Rivers Library at Cincinnati, where quite a number of Alan's personal papers and writings are archived.

*Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM/Cut-off*
Goedenavond, Willem,
Still rooting, digging here RE: your request for information on "California Cut-off" with limited results--so far. One living source we know is Chief Engineer Kenny Howe down in Louisville. Don't know if Kenny 'lurks' here but Jim Reising and I have his E=Mail etc. Kenny knew and worked with the "California Cut-off" in his career on the DELTA QUEEN along with proofing/editing the text and drawings for Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM.

The Inland Rivers Library here at our main Cincinnati Library on Vine Street was once part of the Rare Books Division. Access for information can be obtained but Inland Rivers/Rare Books now reorganized into the new department known as the Cincinnati Department. I can send you via private E=Mail how to reach them if you wish.

For some 'starters' I pulled out 'The Western Rivers ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM,' Alan L. Bates,1996, finding some ellusive gold. This publication done by Alan's own then named CYCLOPOEDIUM PRESS. The office was from his home at that time before Alan and Rita passed on. Alan now deceased with, I think, finding a copy of this no small task. Keith may know if the Howard Museum sales department 'may' have a copy. *Though not in labored detail, Alan does introduce and discuss the "California Cut-off" with detailed drawings and explanations telling much beginning on Pgs. 43, 44, 45, 46. Alan's life put him as the right man at the right time in the right place. I'll keep seeking, searching here. Again, I know more and more now what I don't know. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM

Goedemorgen R. Dale,

So, it’s the morning after Christmas and I am recuperating from the elaborate Christmas dinner of last night at our home here. We were with nine family members in a small living/dining room. I’ts 9:30 and I’m the only one out of bed and enjoying my first coffee and your mail.

I appreciate all your efforts to date the article.

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to find a copy of Alan Bates’ “The Western rivers engineroom Cyclopoedium” on Amazon. I already owned it (and the Steamboat Cyclopoedium, but I loaned them to someone and they were never returned) It cost me $ 100 + postage, but I know it’s worth every cent.
I corresponded with him in the 1980’s found him a very enjoyable man. He once sent me blueprints of a Wester River style engine with California cut-off with the crank in all four quarter positions (side elevation). There are two sheets. One sheet is 90 cm x 25 cm and shows the 1st quarter, top and end view and is numbered “sheet 9 of 8” (yes, it really is). The other sheet shows the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. This sheet is 80 x 42 cm, unnumbered, a little dark and -strangely enough- mirrored.

The other day Paged through all the S7D reflectors that I have (volumes 9 to 24), and I am sure I don’t have the one where Capt. Fred Way may have edited the article.

I will drop John Fryant a line anyway. It would be nice to reacquaint with him. I corresponded with him as well in the 1980,s. I just checked the members list of this forum. Kenny Howe (I wrote with him too…) does lurk here, although he’s never posted and his first and last activity was in 2007. So I would love to have is e-mail if that is possible. Same goes for the The Inland Rivers Cincinnati Department e-mail. Perhaps that are in possession of the original sheets of the California cut-off that I have the two sheets of.

So you have been in Holland several times? (I liked your greetings in Dutch!)

I wonder where you have been. I have lived IJmuiden (the port of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam itself, in Almere, in Enschede and now in Assen, in the north of Holland.

We have a wonderful tradition of sea commerce and shipbuilding since the 17th century and all over Holland very accurate (a lot of research is being done) replicas are built and being built. The last 7 years though, a lot of these projects (even the built of Michiel de Ruijter’s flagship “De Zeven Provincien”) have been put on hold on behalf of the financial crisis. Things are getting a little better now and I hope that these project will started again soon.

*Alan Bates/Cincinnati Library links/resources*
Goedenarvond, Willem, ik stuur u groeten. Good to know you have the sources I listed in Capt. Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM. I have all of Alan's books, publications and folders of his private letters to me here in my files, book shelves. Alan's papers etc. ended up deposited in the Cincinnati Public Library here after his careful 'editing,' weeding out of some ephemera. Yes, by all means reconnect with John Fryant. John lives not too far away from me here in eastern Cincinnati.

This morning early--also with coffee--I dug in for resources here linking you to our great Cincinnati Public Library, main branch and departments, here on Vine Street, Cincinnati. You may already have this but I'll include it here for your attention and research.

"Genealogy And Local History Department." 3rd Floor - South Building. Address Ms. Patricia Van Skaik. Telephone: 1-(513)-369-6905 The phone just for information as I realize you possibly won't be calling from Holland. *There is an access I found but have no idea how good it may be: http://.cincinnatilibrary.org [Don't know if there is a [.] after the .org or not, so you may have to try with and without.

Remember, the former "Rare Books/Inland Rivers Collection" is now but just one segment of the "Genealogy And Local History Department" following a very drastic, extensive, controversial reorganization of the library several years. Patricia Van Skaik is very helpful, attentive in her work with researchers along with being a member of our Sons & Daugthers of Pioneer Rivermen. There were concerns about the future of the "Inland Rivers Collection" for a period of time. Now, so far, all is secure and available. Several former librarians/archivist have retired in recent years with new people in place.

Yes, "the port of Amsterdam" as you mention when I came over from England by ship. Believe I transited in Enschede and Assen; Utrecht, Rotterdam, Groningen etc. by rail and auto. Correct you are on the great maritime museums and history in Holland second to none. I also remember an invitation to visit the incredible Castle de Haar [Spelling?] with beautiful gardens. The Baron and his wife very down-to-earth people. Their family armoral colors were red and white. Interesting days, interesting memories. More in time. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Willem van Berkel;35167 wrote: He once sent me blueprints of a Wester River style engine with California cut-off with the crank in all four quarter positions (side elevation). There are two sheets. One sheet is 90 cm x 25 cm and shows the 1st quarter, top and end view and is numbered “sheet 9 of 8” (yes, it really is). The other sheet shows the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. This sheet is 80 x 42 cm, unnumbered, a little dark and -strangely enough- mirrored.

It sounds like you may have two sheets from the plans Alan mentioned in this post from 1997. I would love to find complete copies of Alan's plans.

Are you familiar with a valve gear simulation program written by Charles Dockstader? It is free to download at Dockstader Valve Gear Simulations. He wrote the program to assist builders of miniature steam locomotives but he also included a simulation of the California cut-off valve gear. You can modify all aspects of the engine and then test it. It's not the easiest program to use but it is quite clever. Here's a screen capture from the program.

Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM CYCLOPOEDIUM

Hi Jason,

Yes, I know the valve gear simulation program written by Charles Dockstader. I have been playing with it for a while, but it has a steep learning curve. And I found a lot more good drawings and descriptions on Google patent. Thanks for the tip!

I'm not sure the two sheet I have are part of a larger set that Alan Bates talks about in his post. He mentions 16 sheets and one of mine is numbered 9 of 8.
I'll try to scan my 2 sheets and P.M. them to you. And I will inquire at the Cincinnati Library, where Mr. Bates' papers ended up.

Good news today. I was informed that the blueprint of the W. W. O’Neil engine is located, and the Western Rivers Engineroom Cyclopoedium was in my mailbox. Good to have it again.

I have no knowledge of an article in any periodical called "The California Cut-off from Aa to Zz." I do have a copy of Alan's "Enginroom Cyclopedium" published in 1996. It depicts the California Cut-Off and says a bit about it and several other valve gears for steamboats. This may still be available in the Howard Museum Library and I would check with them about it. Alan also had a "Steamboat Cyclopaedium" which does not treat valve gear like the one on the engine room does but is quite interesting. Alan was a VERY dear friend to many of us on this board and I heartily recommend ANYTHING he wrote.

California Cut-off A to Z

Hi R. Dale,

I sent you a Private Message. Did you receive that?

Alan Bates' article "The California Cut-off from Aa to Zz."

Hello friends,

I was hoping someone could tell me what the publication date of this article in “Ships and the Sea” is?
Years ago I was told (I don’t remember by whom” that it was “somewhere in the 50’s”

And does anyone know how I can get in contact with Kenny Howe? I corresponded with him in the 80’s but I don’t have an e-mail address of him.

Please feel free to PM me.

I tried to pm you, but a message said you do not accept pm's.

Hi Dan, I changed my profile settings. Can you try again?