Who is Cedge?...hmmmm

Cedge · Who is Cedge?...hmmmm

Looks like this intro thing is snowballing. I thought I'd already done this but I can't seem to find where, so here goes.

At 52, I'm one of the more seasoned members of the board. I'm the eccentric grandfather of 4 delightful crumb crunchers. They number 2 boys, 5 and 8 and 2 girls 18 months and 13 years. They take up the majority of my attention these days, but luckily the boys love steam and enjoy sharing the fun with me. Since I'm retired, I get to work regularly on being the eccentic grandfather they've grown to expect and have managed to polish my act up pretty nicely...(grin)

I've been collecting steam engines, old gumball machines and other odds and ends of a mechanical nature for nearly 25 years. It all began with a wreck of a Jensen model 25 and just kept growing until no available shelf space remains. Mine was one of the early steam engine web sites online and I suspect it's been at least part of the reason for the astounding revival of interest in small steam engine collecting. It also means I've become the victim of my own success as I've watched prices escalate beyond my ability to buy the kinds of engines I used to "steal" for a song.

I've been the web master, animator and graphics designer for Jensen Steam Engines since 1995 and was asked to come on board as sales manager a few year back. I'm still working with this marvleous little company to help build their sales network, both domestic and international, while trying to help them develop new products and to improve their existing ones. The introduction of the Jensen model 95G Turbine power plant was one of my most satisfying Jensen projects to date. Working closely with Karsten on the project was a lot of fun and quite an education.

Other interests, past and present, include collecting antique newspapers, maps and documents. Volkswagen rail buggies, saltwater reef keeping, graphics software development and directing pre-release testing have all taken my interest at one time or another. I'm self taught in computers, graphics, 3d graphics, 3d animation and raytraced graphics and have taken several first places at international competition in both advanced graphics and animation catagories.

Today I'm learning photography and teaching myself to machine metals so that I can eventually build my own engines instead of buying them. I also do steam engine restorations for a limited clientel and buy and sell a few toy engines to cover hobby related costs, when I can find good stock.

It's been an ineresting life so far and I plan to pack a few more adventures and alot of new friendships into it before my collection falls to the stewardship of my grandsons. They've already laid claim to every engine, so the "Widow Cedge" will never have to worry about how to dispose of them...LOL

My main interest these days is to do what little I can to assure this hobby lives on to be enjoyed by the young turks I've witnessed getting interested in things steam related. The younger voices on this board give me reason to believe it's already begun. It's certainly been fun to watch the growing collectiions of the members on this and a few other boards, as well as the growth of new steam related web sites.

I try to stay active on the board, but sometimes its a wee bit difficult to weigh in as often as I'd like. It doesn't mean I'm ignoring things if I'm absent for periods of time. I'm usually just tied up doing something for Jensen or for one of my repair clients. I can promise you that I'm at least reading the posts...LOL

Thus doth the witness say no more....
Steve

Graham-Jilly

It is great to read your story Steve and a pleasure to have met you on this forum. Thanks for all your input and hope there is a lot more steaming going on in the future
G-J

Sandman

Thanks for the info Steve.

It's been a pleasure having you on board.

I hope you continue to keep us informed of all that's new at Jensen.

Good work.

tony gregory

tony gregory

tony gregory

You are right about the snowballing.Good luck for the future.

Wallace

Cedge that is great to read.

Only earlier today I was looking at the Jensen Website (looking for models, planning to spend money I haven't got yet)

Anyway, what really caught my eye, and what I really admired was the title, Jensen Steam Engines title. I love the graphics especially on the "J"

Anyway, thanks for sharing

Chris

Cheers Steve,

I think it is great to have someone here who works closely with the industry. It is a shame, and maybe rather telling that we don't have people here who work with or for the other manufacturers.

At least with Jensen we can feel that our voice, as the purchasing public, might get back to the manufacturer.

I'm not (yet?) a Jensen owner, but I'm sure the guys here that are really appreciate you being here.

Mamodman123

Great introduction steve

the forums Mr Jensen

MooseMan

Steve, you and John O'Rear are jointly responsible for getting me back into steam collecting.....I used to peruse your websites during nightshifts to keep me awake.

So, in other words - it's in large part your fault that I'm permanently broke - happy now?

IndianaRog

Steve,

I have known you now for maybe 4 years and still learning that you are a wild and crazy guy with a finger in many pies. "Reef keeping"...never even heard the term!!!

Glad you took the time to explain yourself, and a bit of time it took !!!

cheers,
Rog

John Chapman

Hi Steve,

Great to read your story.

JensenSteamMan

As always Steve you are very interesting to learn about!

If you dont mind me asking what are Volkswagon Rail buggies?

I used to be facinated with aquariums, but after a while the constant labour of keeping one in tip top shape grew old.
I guess you could compare it to having to keep fixing an engine
that is constantly having problems?

I suspect my life story would be much shorter and less interesting.
(I wonder why?

)

Cheers,
Casey

erikl

Thanks for the introduction steve!
Interesting to read. Your website was one of the sites I found on the internet when I just started to get interessted in steam engines. I didn't know it was around for this long.

Griffin

Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to do your intro.

You have a wide array of interests and talent.

It's always a pleasure to read your posts.

Cedge

Wallace and Chris
Thank you for the kind words. I've tried to strike some sort of balance between posting personally and dealing with Jensen issues and their required responses. I tend to prefer the personal posting part to avoid any pretense of becoming "The Jensen Rep". I will try to share "inside" information as it comes available and I get permission form the powers that be. Thank you all for allowing me to wear both hats comfortably.

Odilon...
I'd express guilt for your economic condition if I had any...LOL. One of my pleasures has been watching your collection grow from the very beginning. Between you and Roger, the growth has certainly been prolific and good weight control for your wallets. It sure has been fun getting to know you as your addiction has advanced... (grin)

Roger...
If you think owning steam engines can deplete your resources, try salt water aquariums. At one point a had nearly 10 grand in live stock alone. (don't ask about costof equipment or I'd probably break out in a terminal rash) A"Reef Keeper" is one who knows way too much about water chemistry, too little about frugality and is a sucker for very expensive waterlogged sea rocks full of unknown aquatic critters, some almost too small to see.

He has an aversion to green algae, dirty glass, clogged filters and cheap fish foods. He can speak of skimmers, several kinds of essential bacteria and fish illnesses that would confuse your average veternarian to tears all while nursing a variety of stings, cuts and continual insults to his wallets integrety. In short... he can quickly go madly through large sums of money and still think he's completely normal and sane. Yeah... sounds a bit like steam collecting.... eh?

Casey
A Rail buggy is what you have when you chop the front and rear ends from a Volkswagon Beetle and toss out the middle. The ends are then attached to each other with what is best described as a roll cage that functions as the vehicle body. They are usually two seaters and custom fit to the driver's preferences. The engines are capable of accepting some pretty amazing modifications without coming apart under some pretty incredible punishment.

To say these little beasts are rugged would be a fair understatement. Mine had enough horsepower to lift and carry the front wheels in first gear and lift them for a nice bounce in second. It took me into some pretty hairy places that even a Jeep wouldn't go.

We used to take them to where the film Deliverance was flimed and run them over the fire roads throughout mountians that make up the three corners of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, along the Chatuga river.

To everyone else, thanks for the kind words of encouragement. Thnak you for letting me join in the fun.

Steve

oldstuff

Steve, you're a man of many talents, and your pursuit of new ones will keep you young!
With such an outstanding ability to express your thoughts, it's easy to imagine a great
steam book coming from your fine pen, should you decide to add the task to your list.

JensenSteamMan

wow those rail buggys sure sound cool! I even know a big time VW mechanic that has tons of the old VW beetles in his own personal junkyard.

hmmmmmm

Cheers,
Casey