It's July 26th, 1987 at the former Norfolk Street site of the Waushakum Live Steamers in Holliston MA, and all is well with the world. 10-year-old Dave Kurdzionak operates his brother John's 3/4" scale Friends Models 4-6-6 Boston and Albany tanker, with John (age 15) seated behind him. This was real live steaming, at its best. It was a simpler time, when live steamers were "big enough to pull you, and small enough to manage". And this track was a very special place. Today, nothing at this location remains. Richard Symmes photo.
Our Future: 2009 and Beyond.....
Live Steam's FINEST ERA, for me, is in the future; not the past. The old pictures on this website that were taken between 20 and 70 years ago at places thatfor the most part no longer exist, give me something to look forward to; not something to regret is gone.
Friends Yankee Shop Models will:
1.) Upgrade (or replace) the existing antique and/or obsolete foundry patterns to the modern type.
2.) Replace foundry patterns that have been lost or destroyed in recent decades.
3.) Redraw blueprint "masters" that have been lost or destroyed in recent decades.
4.) Ensure the PERMANENT availability of TOP QUALITY, American-made sand castings in iron, bronze, and aluminum for the classic, small-scale, "ride on" live steam designs of Yesteryear.
5.) Providefriendly and reliable Service in the tradition of the BEST live steam suppliers, past and present.
6.) Provide excellent Product Support. If you "mess up" or mismachine a casting, Friends will quickly supply you with a replacement, from stock, so that you can quickly get back to work on the casting. No long waits, no hassles, no nonsense.
Here is Gene Allen of Allen Models, Goleta CA, and John Kurdzionak (me). The date is November 2008.
Please sign up for e-mail updates.....
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current activities, plus: product updates, announcements of special
sales, and other items of interest. It is a great way to stay abreast
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John Kurdzionak (me) on my Friends Models Boston and Albany 4-6-6 tanker in 3-1/2" gauge. Taken in 1987 at the home track of Brotherhood of Live Steamers founder Charles A. "Carl" Purinton. Robert Hornsby photo; used with permission.
Charlie Purinton, son of Brotherhood of Live Steamers founder Carl Purinton, in his home shop in October, 2008. In the 1980s, I learned to "run and fire" 3/4" scale steam engines on Charlie's home track with Charlie as my teacher.
Charlie Purinton in his home shop in Massachusetts, shows one of his locomotives to John Kurdzionak (me) in October 2008.
