Links, untidy...
 
 

• The Stapleford Railway. An amazing miniature railway hosting among other incredibly fine models what I believe to be the only "truly Chapelon" live steam model existing in the world in the sense that "NORD" (it's her name) is build according to every Chapelon's design rule: Lentz poppet valves, re-superheating between H.P. and L.P., KylChap, .... Wonderful work, great a true masterpiece. The place I'll surely visit during my next trip in Great Britain. Some photos of her are here. Chapeau, Neil! As far as I can see, a typical example of the incredible English craftsmanship when it comes to mechanic and metalworking...

 
• The Pioneers of Steam Locomotion. Summarizes the works of the most famous precursors, this initiative surely fills a gap on the web.

 
• "The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is a registered charity whose mission is: To build and operate a Peppercorn class A1 Pacific steam locomotive for mainline and preserved railway use." A great job! Unthinkable initiative in France. But if any reader anywhere in this small world feels something equivalent has to be done to revive a true Chapelon locomotive (remember: no one remains! Pure "Rainbow warrior" style of French hooliganism) please let me know... I'll be more than glad to participate.

http://www.a1steam.com.
Someday, however, I'll add comments and opinions of Chapelon about those English PACIFICS whose French firemen members of the "Chapelon's team" said: "...The fire hole is so small that you can't even control coal loading on the rear corners of the grate!". As you may know "Cock of the North" was extensively tested in France under the direction of Chapelon from december '34 to february '35 upon request made by Sir N. Gresley to Chapelon.
 
• Duke of Gloucester website Incredible courage, great work. What a tale.

 
• The Ultimate Steam Page. The most exhaustive site about steam today and its actual developments. Lot of information concerning works and researches made currently by the most famous engineers. Also data about the only Chapelon student who had the opportunity to apply his master's theories, L.D. Porta and many other sensible info.. Mechanical engineer owned great site. Hugh was also my first supporter met on a newsgroups if I remember well. So visit his excellent site imperatively.

After longer visits, I wish to add that Chapelon had sincerely a great admiration for industrial capacities of the United States and also for the resulting quality of U.S. engineering. Timken bearings, cast chassis, Union Pacific type rods, mechanical firing and more yet U.S. engineering habits were parts of specs. of Chapelon's projects.
 
• Live Steaming - Home Page. A GREAT source of information about steam in general, all scales, all uses, small ads section, many very interesting links, so on... Unavoidable, for every steam fan!!

 
• The Railroad WebRing Its names says all, and even if I'm not a member of it because I don't wish to add any banner to the site currently.

 
• RailFan.net UseNet ABPR Rail Pictures Archive Thousands of photos.

 
• The steam_tech group Discussion forum. Le dernier salon ou l'on cause vapeur. Highly suggested, even if some posts seemed to me absolutely off topic and even out of place... Quite rarely.

 
• Steamcad Site dedicated to sharing of CAD images concerning locomotives of the U.S.A.

 
• The China Railways Homepage / Steam in the 21st. century Interesting information & photos concerning steam locomotives of China, ancient or current... This very good site sadly disappeared. Too bad.

 
• Steam locomotives of the former Czechoslovakian Railway (CSD). Even if, or may be because it is one of the country where Chapelon's theoretical works have been widely used.... forgetting to pay him the royalties for its patents.... or to ask him any advice (that he always gave kindly and for free). I can also write that I've had the opportunity to discover that this country can produce great mechanical engineering in general.