This list is intended as a starting point for the exchange of information about steam locomotives, especially from the technical point of view: this technology is disappearing but at the same time new developments are being made...

Typically, it should offer information about...
* tips for rebuilding steam locomotives and/or their sub-assemblies and parts,
* sources for this technology,
* information about new solutions for modernizing existing steam locomotives,
* emerging renewable energy sources for use in these locomotives (see current experiments, the ECOVAPOR event in July 1999 in Cuba, etc...),
* just history... or books about it...
* why not drawings, shop manuals, other tech?
* we expect to centralize sources for documents written by L.D. Porta and other steam experts...
* the growing success of tourism-oriented steam train operations, and what it implies in terms of steam traction,
* "steam related events": "specials" or "Plandampf",
* records of steam locomotive rebuilding and/or modernizing,
* records of new construction (!),
* existing survivors, either "still in operation" or waiting for... better days (?),
* etc...

Some fun too: we hope that we will talk about Garratts and Mallets, about weird things like Golwes ... or modernized Shays.

Information about other reciprocating steam machines will be welcome...

Primarily full-size "1/1 scale" units, but steam technology applied to miniature steam (live steam) is OK too: additionally, models are attractive test-beds for the development of "1/1 scale" solutions...

Business-oriented messages are OK (provided they relate to "steam" topics...).

Messages should primarily be written in English but other languages are OK, provided they use the same letters/signs. If you post a message in a different language (e.g. French or German) please add some English translation or short summary...