To: nutmeg
De train, De train
Minute Maid Park (formerly known as Enron Field and Astros Field) in Houston, TX houses this 48,000 pound, 57 foot long replica of a 19th century locomotive (circa 1860) and linked coal tender. When the Houston Astros hit a home run, the train blows its whistle and runs down 800 feet of track on the west side of the park, at a lightning speed of 10 MPH. The train provides a link to the past for Houston and Union Station (the site of the ballpark). The train was designed by Uni-systems and built by SMI & Hydraulics, which also provided the transporters for the retractable roof at the park.
211 posted on
10/26/2005 7:26:16 PM PDT by
deport
To: deport
Garcia is ready to get pulled, if astros don't score now they can forget it.
214 posted on
10/26/2005 7:30:15 PM PDT by
X-FID
(Go Sox!)
To: deport
...the train blows its whistle and runs down 800 feet of track on the west side of the park, at a lightning speed of 10 MPH. It's hard to overstate how unimpressive that is.
217 posted on
10/26/2005 7:32:06 PM PDT by
Bulldaddy
("Vote for me and all your wildest dreams will come true" - Pedro Sanchez)
To: deport
Thanks... so THAT'S the train! I've seen quick video shots of it during this World Series.
224 posted on
10/26/2005 7:35:02 PM PDT by
nutmeg
("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
To: deport
To: deport
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but if a train seems somewhat incongruous for a team named "Astros," it's because when they built the new park the owners seriously considered changing the name. Apparently "Astros" was too dated.
"South Texas Railmen" was the reported winner, and the ballpark reflects that Old West theme. Fortunately (IMHO), ownership came to its senses before actually making the switch.
779 posted on
10/27/2005 9:09:52 AM PDT by
highball
("I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." -- Thomas Jefferson)
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