Reaching for the Stars - Kennedy Space Centre visit

The text in red colour here is from the Kennedy Space Centre site as its well written and succint. My gratitude to them. The photographs are mine. The balance text in black are my additional comments. 
America has everything on a huge scale. They have a lot of space and they build in a grand manner; be it houses, museums, malls, nature reserves / forests or space related projects. My friend ABL was keen on seeing the Everglades and the Kennedy Space centre, so after our Amazon expedition and cruise, we went northwards to Florida. The Everglades were a disappointment in a way after the lushness of Amazon but one must acknowledge the habitat is different. 

We went from Seminole, a small town near St Petersburg to Titusville – a 150 mile drive across the whole state which took us nearly 3 hours. My friends Padmini and Jacques  very kindly decided to come along with us so we had company on the long drive. I have given a map not only of our route but more important of the various sites at the venue which are worth seeing – be prepared for a lot of walking as its all spread out. 

The only time you don’t walk is when you are in the bus on the restricted tour of the actual take off zones. We had read up on the Space Centre beforehand and regrettably were late in getting seats on the special tour. All sold out. That’s why I have taken extracts from the Kennedy Space Centre website to guide readers.

PLEASE BOOK EARLY AND DONT TAKE SEATS OR ENTRY FOR GRANTED. You have to reserve well in advance and be on time else they just don’t let you in. Simple.

We rushed to the ticket counter and found that we had to do our own tour as the guided tours were full. It was not a wasted day as the Centre has fantastic facilities and everything is well marked.

Starting with the entry – you are awed by the achievements of NASA. I vividly recall being in London, with my cousin, seeing on a B/W TV the film of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon and hearing his famous words. So, the entry is WHAM !! The whole set of rockets which were precursors to the main moon launch vehicles. I now understood how an ant must feel looking at me!!  

Our ongoing space journey can be defined by significant eras. That’s why we’ve organized Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex into Mission Zones — grouped attractions and experiences reflecting specific periods of time and achievements. Your journey awaits!  
  Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see behind the gates? When it comes to NASA’s spaceflight operations, it's no surprise that rocket science is off-limits to the general public. Get exclusive access to historic launch sites and working spaceflight facilities on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. Take an even closer look with a Special Interest Tour that offers an insider’s view of America’s Spaceport.

Though each bus tour offers a different specialized view of Kennedy Space Center’s spaceflight operations, it isn’t necessary to take more than one tour. Choose the bus tour that most closely aligns with your interests. Keep in mind that the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included with daily admission, but the Special Interest Tours require an additional ticket. 

 This active launch area has seen some of the most important events in history. Now, we grant you restricted access. Depending on the tour you choose, you can see the launch control center or working launch pads up close. You can even view the site from which we’ll depart for Mars. Bus tour is included with admission, and enhanced experiences are available.
This vertical structure is one of the launch sites

Here is the transporter for the rocket - unbelievable. I think he said its speed was 4 miles an hour. 

The tour queues look horrendously long but there are many buses and the wait is not that long. We start of from the perimeter skirting the fencing and proceed seeing the humungously large trailers required for the transport of the rockets.  

 The bus driver explains in detail each of the various components – the transporter with its multiple wheels, the rocket launcher and how it makes the rocket vertical etc . One is too busy looking and trying to internalize all the information with what one is seeing. It often borders on the unreal. Sci-Fi come alive. 

 A race to the moon between two world superpowers became an inspiring tale of perseverance, ingenuity and destiny. See the rocket that helped us win the space race — the mighty Saturn V — and feel the emotion of the Apollo era in an immersive, captivating collection of experiences. Prepare to be moved.

Relive the launch of the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the moon in 1968 aboard the massive Saturn V rocket at the Firing Room Theater. Experience the countdown for Apollo 8 facing the actual consoles used during the Apollo launches as you see and feel the powerful Saturn V moon rocket lift off from the launch pad and blast into space.The interactive film presentation of the original launch with its sound effects is really impressive. I felt as if i was present at that launch! The film is short and the audience comes out overawed by the whole experience BUT then you are suddenly facing those monsters – the Saturn V rockets and further down the moon buggy.   

The Saturn V Rocket - This monumental 363-foot rocket launched America’s brave astronauts, who traveled to the moon and back, fulfilling the dreams and imagination of people around the world. Stroll the length of this amazing machine — marveling at the stages of the rocket and the sheer, awe-inspiring scale. It’s a must-see attraction, whether you’re here for a full day or more

There are moments in American history that unified our country and shifted our culture. The Apollo moon-landing era represents one of these pivotal periods. Experience the wonder of Project Apollo from the days leading up to the first launch to the moon landing that followed. Discover historic moments in the Firing Room Theater and the Lunar Theater, and view legendary artifacts in the Apollo Treasures Gallery. Stand in amazement under the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown! Get an up-close look at the moments and monuments that helped America win the race to the moon.

Each of the exhibits has explicit details of what its all about. I loved the smaller ones – the palm and finger prints of the top astronauts, the very first space capsule and the special suits they had to wear. When you see these, you realise that these men were very special – to go out on such a mission in such a small capsule , not knowing if you will survive, is something which one cannot fathom. Look at the moon buggy – its as if its something from that movie “ET” !! its hanging from the top but still you see the details.

                                                                                                         

 There is this wonderful chart of the Lunar Firsts and Lasts... makes good reading. What is missing there is what were the inner thoughts of these explorers?  I am sure books have been written but those thoughts here would have been invaluable. 

That's me by the moon buggy.  

 Here we have what are my favourite exhibits 

 Thirty years of dedication brought us to new frontiers of human exploration. Stand within feet of an American icon — the space shuttle Atlantis. Then, prepare for liftoff at the Shuttle Launch Experience®. Full of interactive activities, this Mission Zone really brings NASA's Space Shuttle Program to life. This is a landmark experience, so don’t miss it.  

A ship like no other, the space shuttle launched like a rocket and landed like a glider while transporting astronauts to space and back for thirty years. Stand in awe of this American icon at Space Shuttle Atlantis®, permanent home of the orbiter. Explore shuttle missions that secured the future of Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Learn how to dock and land the shuttle with training simulators, and then strap in for lift-off at Shuttle Launch Experience®. Discover the legacy of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

 Understand where we are now and preview where we’re going next. See a breathtaking 3D movie at our IMAX® Theater, then learn about our upcoming missions to the red planet at Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted. You can even view spacecraft that will launch us into the future, including NASA’s Orion, SpaceX’s Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

We spent quite a few hours but had to rush back as we were not keen on driving back after sunset. Exhausted mentally and physically, it had been an exciting expedition. I am glad that we went even though it meant driving right across the sunshine state. I would recommend this Centre to everybody  who is in Florida - its well worth the diversion or drive. there is nothing like it anywhere.  

Text as explained at the very beginning and photographs copyright of the author. No part of this article or photographs maybe transmitted or reproduced by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without written permission. Do contact the author on email -- helpthesun@gmail.com

American Railroading Museum - taking you back to your childhood

Hamley’s of London used to have a wonderful train system placed right across the central section of the world famous toy store. On many occasions over the past few decades, I used to stand and just admire its intricate railroad system with the numerous carriages and accoutrement's which go with a rail system. Its where i got my Triang train set at a young age. Regrettably as people’s interests change, the display got smaller and smaller, till in 2014, it no longer exists. However, I was in for a real big surprise when I went to the American Rail Roading Museum in Cincinnati.

Like most American displays, it is VAST. The 25,000 sq ft train layout was constructed by 130 volunteers headed by the Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society. The basic scenery consists of sprayed on polyurethane foam that was carved and painted. All the buildings, bridges, other structures, trees, and the zillion other scenic details were built by the volunteers themselves from scratch!! Awesome does not describe the feeling when you walk around the whole display. There are thousands of miniature people painstakingly modified and painted. Over 60,000 man hours have been spent so far. And this was just the beginning ... there is always some work going on. 

There is wonderfully explained map of the whole display. Basically it takes you through the different scenarios where the rail networks went. It also shows you the origins of how each type of the railway system evolved right from the times of the Civil War. 

Beginning with saw mills which were located near forests supplied saw logs turned later into finished lumber for construction or other uses – furniture, floorings, staves, shingles etc.

In the Civil war section, you see examples of supply bases. There is a large trestle based on the one running over Potomac Creek which had been built by the Union troops in 1862. You see the charred timbers of the original one burnt by the rebels. This replacement structure was completed in just 9 days using whatever material was available.

One aspect which strikes the viewer is the numerous bridges. There are over 100 bridges and trestles on display. Each has been custom built after painstaking research on the original version.

. 

Railway stations were built on the property of landowners and hence the station got its name. Here in the display, this station is named Baxter, after the volunteer who made all the structures incl. the water tank and the two depots!!

Like any where else, railroads needed their own repair shops to repair locomotives and rolling stock. Many companies built their own locos and stock. Hence each facility had foundries, blacksmiths, machine shops, boiler shops, and paint and carpentry areas. Hence they also spawned communities near the facilities. 

In the early 1800’s canals were primarily used for cross country transportation. These were expensive to build and difficult to maintain. Many rail lines were in fact built on the towpaths of canals when waterways ceased operations

When trains had to cross navigable streams, drawbridges and swing bridges were used for safe passage of boats. There is a bridge patterned after the one over Harlem River in New York, late 1800’s. The counterbalanced bridge was aside and lowered using a steam winch. There was also a bridge tender 24x7.  



Museum Volunteer Peter Villareal who created this bridge individually pre-drilled holes and inserted 4,200 nail pins to represent rivets. Do you have that sort of patience ??




Railroads had their own repair facilities for locos and rolling stock. They made their own replacement parts. Hence foundries, blacksmiths, carpenters, boiler shops and related occupations all congregated together.   This led to development of townships , gradually. 

How did railroads staff signal to each other? Various methods were used. In the early days, one method was the raising and lowering of  brightly painted coloured balls. (by day) and lanterns (by night). A lowered ball indicated the train should stop. The raised ball meant track was clear and proceed - hence the expression "high ball"! 

The town of River Bend was established with riverboats being the main form of transport. When the railroad arrived, it benefited it added benefit to the town. 

This set of tracks is called a"switchback" - used in hilly terrain. they allowed gaining altitude over short distances avoiding loops, bridges etc. the train just ran back and forth. 

I loved the series of visuals of the logging railroad from the 1880's to 1950's. Steam locos had their cylinders directly connected to the drive wheels by rods. these locos were called "rod engines". Whilst having speed, they could not tackle curves or be flexible in dealing with rough track, heavy loads or steep grades. So, the railroads created special geared locos with gear drives which gave the power and flexibility. 

Street cars ran on rails laid in streets of cities and large towns. Typically American is the word "inter-urban" which were like street cars which went from city to city, apart from running through the city streets!! Primarily passengers but some freight too. The electric cars got their power from overhead cables. By the time cars and paved roads arrived, this spelt the demise of this form of transport in the 1930's. However a line does run in Chicago between Chicago and South Bend.   

I am not going to give more details on this museum as there are far too many sections - technical areas, coal mining trains, urban trains, types of rolling stock, types of engines and how they were designed, the different types of passenger cars and passengers over the ages!! So, just enjoy the photographs of the museum. 

This scene shows the typical American city at the peak of the railroads. Business areas are on the higher ground and industry located at lower levels. Labour from the city and the railroad brought in raw materials and took out finished products. 

Details of the engine above 

Just look at the detailing here. 

and these are the famous Americans who still love the model railroads - reminiscences of their childhood!! 

and finally a few facts of this amazing museum . Hope you liked the blog. 

Text and photographs copyright of the author. No part of this article or photographs maybe transmitted or reproduced by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without written permission. Do contact the author on email -- helpthesun@gmail.com