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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment! Locked

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 25, 2007 3:03 AM

nice pics of st. louie...i took a amtrak from st louie to california last summer...wonderful time...

 

well take care all

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Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, May 25, 2007 1:58 PM

Good Afternoon BArkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.

Just a quick stop today as I have been outside for the past two days.  Will try and catch up next week.

Remember to take time this weekend to raise a glass in memory of absent friends.

work safe

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Posted by EricX2000 on Friday, May 25, 2007 2:50 PM

Good afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Ruth, nice to see you today! Smiling and singing! Oh, he is? Yeah, I can tell. No, I would like a ham sandwich and coffee! Thank you!

Tom and Pete are traveling in Canada and not here. Thought I would post some pictures from the Rendezvous so DL can see them. More pictures tomorrow.

A Milwaukee Road BiPolar electric locomotive at the Museum of Transport in St. Louis.   

 

Two of the very few remaining tracks at Union Station, St Louis. 

 

Pete is leaving the Amtrak train in Springfield,IL.

 

Texas Eagle arriving.  

 

Ready to board.

 

Tom and Doug are checking the view. 

 

Back in St. Louis.

 

St. Louis.

 

I'll be back with an inclusive post tomorrow.

Eric 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 25, 2007 4:58 PM

great pics ...love the arch

 

what a great day

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 26, 2007 7:29 AM

Good morning Tom and gang, and a special welcome back to Per! I'll have a light breakfast please. Nice pix from James last Wednesday. Love those Bipolar cars. Our captain posted more Rendezvous pix taken in and around the Amtrak mini-journey from St. Louis and Springfield. I'm still trying to figure out how an old man got to be wearing my clothes. Surely that can't be me! Glad ya'll liked the few pix I posted so far.

Now, let's get straight to some pix from the St. Louis Museum of Transportation, which we visited on the Rendezvous.

Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railroad "Aerotrain"

General Motors employed lightweight construction and low center-of-gravity concepts in two "Aerotrains" built in 1955, each comprising a futuristic locomotive and 10 cars accommodating a total of 400 passengers. The locomotive style was conceived by GM's automotive designers, but all of the GM's divisions helped design and build this relatively low-cost train, intended to be cheap to operate. The Aerotrains were tested by the New York Central, Pennsylvania, and Union Pacific railroads in regular passenger service and demonstrated to many others, but none were ordered. The Aerotrains were then sold to the Rock Island in 1958 for suburban passenger service between Chicago and Joliet, Ill., where they lasted for a decade.

The addition of the trains to the Rock Island roster contributed to the railroads "try anything" reputation which produced one of the most diverse motive power and car rosters in Class I railroading. Despite their futuristic appearance, the Aerotrains, whose coaches were basically widened bus bodies, rode poorly at high speed. This problem, together with a lack of switching flexibility for the semi-permanently coupled trains and special maintenance requirements, caused their replacement by double-deck commuter cars on April 23, 1965. On November 18, 1966, MOT received one Aerotrain power unit and two cars.

Here is a fairly typical picture from the Rendezvous. The four of us all headed in different directions with our cameras

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad #9908 "Silver Charger"

Number 9908 was the last power car produced for the Burlington in the "Shovel-nose" streamlined design of the earlier Zephyr units. Delivered by General Motors' Electro-Motive Corporation and Budd Co. in April 1939, the Silver Charger was more structurally advanced than its predecessors and was ordered for the fast General Pershing Zephyr schedule between St. Louis and Kansas City. It boasted a 1,000-hp Model 567 diesel engine, with separate baggage space located at the rear of the unit. The veteran diesel went on to outlive many of its streamlined counterparts and eventually became the last "shovel-nosed" engine in service, heading a mail-express train between St. Louis and Burlington Iowa, each night until it was retired in 1965, the year before it was placed in MOT.

Eric finds a place in the back of the museum grounds to watch the UP mainline for photo oportunities

Union Pacific Railroad #4006

Known as the "Big Boy" because of its immense size and power, this model is the world's largest successfully operated steam engine. The Union Pacific ordered 25 of the 4-8-8-4 "simple" (used steam once) articulated engines from the American Locomotive Co. to haul heavy freight trains through the Rocky Mountains between Green River (later Cheyenne), WY, and Ogden UT, #4006 was delivered in 1941. An articulated engine has a hinge or joint separating the two sets of drive wheels, enabling the locomotive to negotiate curves more easily because the front set of wheels can pivot from side to side. Weighing 600 tons (1.2 million pounds) in working condition, the Big Boy is 132 feet long, had a top speed of 80 mph, and could generate a maximum 6,900 horsepower, with theoretical capability of pulling a train five and one-half miles long. The giant locomotives continued in service until the late 1950s, and today, eight remain in existence.

That's all for now ... many more to come!

Blush [:I] A man walks out of a bar and sees a bum panhandling on the corner. And the bum says, "Mister, can you spare a dollar?" The man thinks about the question for a bit and asks the bum, "If I give you a dollar, are you going to use it to buy liquor?" " No, says the bum." The man then asks the bum, "If I give you a dollar are you going to use it to gamble?" " No, says the bum." So the man says to the bum, "Do you mind coming home with me so I can show my wife what happens to someone who doesn't drink or gamble?"

Blush [:I]

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 26, 2007 9:06 AM

Howdy again Tom and crew! Too early for a Keiths I suppose, but it's never too early for more pix! Let's see what the Rendezvous crew can turn up ..

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad #E-2

Generating up to 3,200 continuous horsepower, #E-2 was used primarily to pull transcontinental passenger trains (including the famed Olympian Hiawatha) between Othello and Tacoma, WA, through the Cascade Mountains. The 76-foot-long electrically powered locomotive, weighing 260 tons, is the only survivor of the five built for the Milwaukee Road in 1919 by General Electric. #E-2 used motors built around the axles, rather than geared to them as is done today. It was called a "bi-polar" design because of the two motor field magnet cores, one on each side of the motorized axles. The locomotive is jointed in three flexible sections containing the steam boiler used for heating the train's passenger cars. Water-powered generators in the mountains sent 100,000-volt AC power to substations which converted it to 3,000 volts DC; the locomotive received power from overhead wires through "pantograph" devices located at either end of the cab roof. These EP-2 class locomotives were capable of pulling 12 passenger cars at 65 miles per hour on level track (25 mph on a 2% grade), and one of them beat a steam locomotive in a widely publicized tug of war. #E-2 was displayed in Chicago at the 1933-34 World's Fair and 1948-49 Railroad Fair. The unexpected appearance of the enormous locomotive along the route between its storage facility in Deer Lake, MT, and Missouri caused a stir among Midwestern railfans in 1961 when it was moved to MOT.

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad #9939A

CB&Q #9939A was delivered in January 1950 by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) as a 2,250-hp E8A locomotive. It became Burlington Northern Railroad #9939 in 1970 and West Suburban (Chicago) Mass Transit District #9902 in 1973, shortly after it was rebuilt into a 2,400-hp E8Au, giving it power equivalent to later-generation E-9 locomotives manufactured by EMD. The unit has two V-12 diesel engines, in contrast to a single V-16 diesel in most freight units. The locomotive operated interchangeably in both long-haul passenger and Chicago-area commuter service on the Burlington Route, which extracted maximum mileage from its engines through such dual usage. Eventually, it was assigned solely to "push-pull" Burlington commuter service. (Push-pull trains are not turned around at destination; the engineer controls the locomotive either from its cab as it pulls the train ...or, in the other direction, from a cab in the end passenger car as the engine pushes the train.) It was then sold to the State of Maryland Transit Administration ("MARC"), operator of suburban rail service in Baltimore, MD-Washington, DC-Martinsburg, WV, region where it was renumbered 64. It was acquired by MOT in 2002, where it was repainted to its CB&Q appearance.

Reading "Black Diamond"

The "Black Diamond" is literally one of a kind -- the only surviving steam inspection locomotive. Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1889 with a 2-2-2T wheel arrangement, the ornate unit (the third successor to an inspection locomotive built in 1858) was used initially by R.C. Luther, then president of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company. It features an elegant walnut-paneled, leather-upholstered observation room in front designed to accommodate executives of the Pennsylvania-based coal carrier on short business and track inspection trips. Boys were used as firemen on the 22-foot/9-inch, 26,300-pound "Black Diamond due to the small space at the rear of the tenderless locomotive. Maximum speed of the engine was said to be approximately 60 miles per hour, and it was equipped with both a steam jam brake and a hand brake deemed necessary in case the locomotive "got loose" on one of the 4% grades over which it traveled.

Pennsylvania Railroad #4918

Incorporating a streamlined Raymond Loewy body design, 139 of these GG1 class, 2-C+C-2electric locomotives were built for the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1934 and 1943 (#4918 was built in 1942). Either General Electric or Westinghouse electrical equipment was used, and GE, Baldwin Locomotive Works, and PRR built the running gear and bodies, with all of the units essentially identical. The famed GG1s could and often did reach speeds of 100 miles per hour hauling name passenger trains along the railroad's Washington-to-New York City "Northeast Corridor." Rated at 4,620 continuous horsepower, the unit could peak at 8,500 hp for short periods of time. The 79.5-foot-long, 477,000-lb. locomotive, which collected power from overhead wires through pantographs mounted at either end of its body, was used in both passenger and freight service by the Pennsylvania Railroad and successor Penn Central. Amtrak acquired the unit in 1971 and operated it until 1986, changing its number first to 916 and then to 4916 in its final year of operation.

Baltimore & Ohio 1873

4-6-0 Ten Wheeler type locomotive, built at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Mt. Claire shops. Number 173 is a "Camelback" locomotive, which has the cab located on top of the boiler for improved visibility and to keep the locomotive as short as possible in order to go around sharp curves. The small overhanging roof located behind the boiler was used to shield the fireman from the elements. It has 50" drivers and weighs approximately 77,000 pounds in working order.

 

Blush [:I] The couple was dining out when the wife noticed a familiar face at the bar. " Elliot," she said, pointing, "Do you see that man drowning bourbon at the bar?" The husband looked over and nodded. "Well", the woman continued, "he's been drinking like that for ten years, ever since I jilted him". The husband returned to his meal. "Nonsense," he said, "even that's not worth so much celebrating." Blush [:I]

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Posted by Fergmiester on Saturday, May 26, 2007 11:53 AM
 barndad wrote:

Howdy again Tom and crew! Too early for a Keiths I suppose...

Never too early for a Keith's my good man, as the sun is always above the yardarm somewhere around the Globe!!

Morning All! And yes I'll have a Keith's please and thanks. Tom and Pete just wanted me to drop in and say "That they were fine and they missed you all".  Gave them the 5c tour through Halifax, NS (Included trip to LHS, of course) this morning and they are now enroute to Montreal. As always Tom had camera as did Pete so you will get to see my neck of the woods.

Any thanks for the beer!

Later Gents

Fergie 

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:22 PM

Howdy again folks, and especially Fergmiester! Thanks for the update on the boss and Pete. Glad to hear ya'll got together and had a good time in Halifax. My good time today centered around buying a screen door,l which I can now look forward to installing. But here's something better ... more pix and info from the St. Louis Museum of Transportation. Here's an interesting view:

Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Parlor-Observation Car #5998

This lightweight aluminum, round-end parlor-observation car was built by American Car & Foundry for service on the Baltimore & Ohio's Royal Blue non-articulated streamlined passenger train. From 1935 until 1937, it brought up the rear of the Washington, DC-Jersey City, NJ (New York City), train set operated initially behind B&O diesel-electric locomotive # 50 (which is also part of the MOT collection). In the early 1940s, the entire train, including #50, moved to the Alton Railroad (later the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad), where it operated as the St. Louis-Chicago Abraham Lincoln, making a daily round trip over the 284-mile route. The air-conditioned car is only 70 feet long, 10 to 15 feet shorter than later streamlined cars (later were typically 85 feet long), and at 41.6 tons, it weighs five tons less than a duplicate care made of steel. The car contains 32 individual seats, including 14 in the rear observation room, and is equipped with rest rooms. In 1984, it was moved to MOT after being privately owned for a number of years, and in early 2000, it was restored at MOT to its early-1950s appearance.

Baltimore and Ohio #50

Built by General Electric/General Motors in Erie Pennsylvania in 1935, this 1800-hp locomotive was the first non-articulated, high-speed, mainline passenger locomotive on the American railroads. Originally powering the B&O's "Royal Blue" passenger train, in 1938 it went into passenger service on the Alton Railroad powering the "Abraham Lincoln". Donated in 1958

St. Louis Refrigerator Car Co. #3600

Produced in 1904 by the St. Louis Refrigerator Car Co., this was one of the first Anheuser-Busch cars designed to transport draught beer. Although it incorporates a steel frame, it is wood-bodied and is insulated with horse hair, shredded paper, and wood shavings. Pre-cooled beer was loaded into the car whose insulation kept the A-B products cool in warm weather and from freezing in winter.

Records indicate #3600 transported 6,277,500 gallons of beer between St. Louis brewery and Texas distribution points before it was donated to MOT in April 1958. It is the oldest surviving examples of "billboard" advertising on railroad freight cars.

Illinois Terminal Railroad #1595

This Class C freight locomotive was built in the Decatur, IL., shops of the Illinois Traction System (later the Illinois Terminal Railroad). Considered one of the most successful electric "interurban" of the first half the 20th century, the Illinois Terminal operated both passenger and freight service between downtown St. Louis and central Illinois (as far as Peoria, Bloomington, and Danville), crossing the Mississippi River on the McKinley Bridge. Featuring a four-truck articulated design which permitted safe weight distribution on bridges and enabled it to negotiate tight curves on in-city streets, #1595 is 52 feet long and weighs 160,000 pounds. Its eight General Electric motors, which received 600-volt DC power through a trolley pole from overhead wires, could generate 1,500 continuous horsepower. The locomotive was donated to MOT in 1956 when the railroad ended both long0haul passenger and electrified freight service (St. Louis-Granite City, IL) continued for two more years.

St. Louis/San Francisco/Eagle Picher #1621

1918 2-10-0 Decapod type freight locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for Imperia Russia which contracted with Baldwin in 1915 for some 1,200 locomotives. Twenty of these were purchased by the "Frisco" and changes were made to meet the American standards including widening the wheel tread to accommodate the 3 ½" gauge difference. Number 1621 has 52" drivers and weighs 362,000 pounds.

1893 Lake Street Elevated "Charles H" #9

The Rhode Island Locomotive Works built this 0-4-4T type locomotive (named for its designer, Matthias N. Forney) for use on a Chicago elevated line. The "T" indicates it is a tank locomotive, without a separate tender. Hundreds of Forney locomotives powered elevated trains in New York, Brooklyn, and Chicago 1878-1903. It could run equally well forward or backward, which was important as there was no way to turn it around, hauling trains up to four cars long. It is 24' long, has 44" driving wheels, 180 lbs. boiler pressure, and weighed 60,000 lbs. in working order. Its tank held 700 gallons of water, and it carried one ton of hard (anthracite) coal, which was used because it made less smoke.. It is named for Charles H. Deere, son of John Deere, second president of Deere and Company, and a director of the Lake Street line. Replaced by electric power in 1896, it went to upper Michigan lumber and chemical companies. On the Sucker River Ry., a line near Newberry, MI., it was named "Big Alice". In 1944 it went to a Texas iron and chemical firm, and in 1955 to Mexico.

 

Blush [:I] One day a man was sitting in his living room watching TV when all of a sudden the doorbell rang. The man then went to the door to see who was there. When he opened the door he found a six-foot cockroach standing in front of him. The cockroach then proceeded to punch him in the face and leave. The next day the man was sitting in his living room watching TV when then the doorbell rang. The man answered the door and then again found he staring at the same cockroach that had hit him the day before. Then the cockroach kicked him in the shin and poked his eye out and then proceeded to leave. The next day the man was AGAIN sitting in his living room watching TV when the doorbell rang. And yet AGAIN the same cockroach was standing there. Then the cockroach stabbed him several times and then yet again proceeded to leave. This time the man managed to drag himself to his phone and call the police. He was taken to the nearest hospital and was kept there over night. The next day the doctor came in to talk to the man about what happened the night before." Tell me son", the doctor asked", what happened last night?" " I was attacked by a six-foot cockroach!",the man replied. " Yeah, I heard there was a "nasty bug" going around." Blush [:I]

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Posted by CMSTPP on Saturday, May 26, 2007 10:46 PM

G-day Captain [4:-)] Tom and all present!

Leon- Could I get a coffee and a turkey sandwich, Thanks!!Thumbs Up [tup]

I see many nice pics out there. Epecially from Barndad Doug and Pete, But I will drop a letter off tomorrow with acknowledgements!Thumbs Up [tup]

So here are a couple of pics I have been wanting to show you guys.

This is the DSS&A Alco that is slowly being repainted. It coming along quite well really!

Unfortunatly it was really foggy last Wednesday so th steamer really didn't come out but atleast the numbers of the Soo Line 2719 showed up. I will still try to get a better pic of that loco.

This is our newer addition to the museum. The Little Giant can come in handy for moving things. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of this thing. It would be cool machine to operate.

A friend took these pictures since I had forgotten my camera at home. Glad he brought his.

Enjoy!

Happy railroadingLaugh [(-D]

James

The Milwaukee Road From Miles City, Montana, to Avery, Idaho. The Mighty Milwaukee's Rocky Mountain Division. Visit: http://www.sd45.com/milwaukeeroad/index.htm
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Posted by EricX2000 on Sunday, May 27, 2007 12:00 AM

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, it's time for my favorite. Rumpsteak Café de Paris! To drink? I'll try a Keiths!

Quite a few pictures today! Tom and Pete still in Canada! 

CM3 –  Looking forward to see you next week.Smile [:)] Have a nice Memorial Weekend!

Doug –  By heading in different directions at the museum I think we covered most of what they had on display!Wink [;)] For some reason we have very similar pictures!?Confused [%-)] I like your pictures and that you added all the information about the different locomotives in them.Thumbs Up [tup]

Fergemeister –  Thanks for the message from Tom and Pete!Thumbs Up [tup] I am sure they got a well guided tour through Halifax! Looking forward to see Tom’s and Pete’s pictures from your neck of the woods! Smile [:)]

James –  Thanks for the pictures from the museum! I know I asked this before, but I try again, do you know why that railroad was called Duluth South Shore & Atlantic? I can understand Duluth South Shore, but Atlantic?Question [?] 

I'll add some more pictures from the Rendezvous.

First a picture of the Collusion corner with the latest in gas prices.

 

Erie Lackawanna #3607. An EMD SD45 with a 20 cylinder 3,600 hp engine.

 

Kirkwood, MO.

 

Kirkwood, MO.

 

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority #2740. PCC built by St. Louis Car Company 1947.

 

Riding the Amtrak train in the streets of Springfield, IL.

 

CanAm's line through the wilderness(?) 

 

Have a nice Memorial Weekend!

Eric 

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 28, 2007 7:17 AM

Good morning Tom and gang, and hope you're all having a nice Memorial Day weekend. I'm sure everyone reading will be thinking about our vets and people currently serving in our forces today. I'll have a light breakfast please.

Yesterday was a good one at our little place by the tracks. There were a lot of pictures, and a run on the Keiths! James submitted some nice pix of a loco being repainted. Eric submitted quite a few pix too. I failed to get a shot of Collusion corner. Sure wish that gas was under $3 a gallon here. We're more like $3.50.

My 1967 EMD Erie Lackawanna picture had a familiar face in it!

One of the cars I really enjoyed at MOT was this 1940 Monsanto Chemical Company tanker, #117, built by American Car and Foundry Company. This 8,000 gallon, double hull car was designed for transportation concentrated nitric acid, which is extremely corrosive. The inner tank is constructed of aluminum alloy which is protected by a cushion of air and a steel outer shell.

You can walk through her!

Here's my picture of the SEPTA #2740

This PCC-type streetcar was built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1947 for $28,500. "PCC" stands for the Electric Railway President's Conference Committee, which conducted an extensive research program between 1930 and 1935 to develop a state-of-the-art streetcar. Worldwide, some 15,000 surface and rapid transit cars have been built using the PCC design, including 300 that operated in St. Louis (trolley service ended in the city in 1967). Power is obtained from an overhead wire through a trolley pole. Philadelphia was one of the last cities to operate a large fleet of the trolley cars, which have been replaced with more modern "light rail" vehicles. Number 2740, which originally operated on 5-foot 2-½-inch wide track, was converted to standard railroad track gauge of 4 feet 8-½ inches and, between 1995 and 1997, was restored to operation at MOT. It is now painted in its original colors -- those of the Philadelphia Transportation Company, predecessor of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

I'll share my Kirkwood pix later. Eric's look pretty good!

Blush [:I] A man walks into a bar and says, "Excuse me, I'd like a pint of beer." The bartender serves the drink and says, "That'll be four dollars." The customer pulls out a twenty-dollar bill and hands it to the bartender. "Sorry, sir," the bartender says, "but I can't accept that." The man pulls out a ten-dollar bill and the bartender rejects his money again. "What's going on here?" the man asks. Pointing to a neon sign, the bartender explains, "This is a Singles Bar." Blush [:I]

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Posted by CMSTPP on Monday, May 28, 2007 10:20 AM

G-day Captain [4:-)] Tom and all present!

Ruth- Good to see you this morning. Could I get an OJ and a pastry too, Thanks!Thumbs Up [tup]

Everything has been going quite nicely here in the Northern part of the states. It has been quite warm too. I have been taking in the warm days and enjoying it quite readily. So how about a few acknowledgements.

Eric- Sorry for not getting to your question right away. But I believe it was a merger of two railroads that gave it the Atlantic name. But I'm not so sure on that. Otherwise they may have named it that because it sounded pretty good or there intention might have been to try and get to the Atlantic ocean. I'm not completely sure. I know a person more educated on the matter so I will go and ask him when I see him this week.Thumbs Up [tup]

Oh and that is a great looking E-2 electric. But that's not the one that I was thinking about... This one was in the orange, maroon and grey with the Hiawatha wings around the front of the loco. They must have painted it since then. But it does look nice.Thumbs Up [tup] Glad they have preserved at least one of them. I also have another question. Where are the pantographsQuestion [?] Also thanks for the other great looking photos. I really enjoyed going through them. Oooh, And a really nice picture of an EMD SD45.Approve [^] It certainly has been kept up in maintenance department and the paint job looks brand new. Does that beauty still runQuestion [?] Oh why am I asking that. It's in great condition and I am sure it does run. Thanks for all the other great pictures.Thumbs Up [tup]

Doug- WowShock [:O], Now that is a nice picture of the Aerotrain. It looks like you could fire it up and take it down the tracks. I am really impressed.Thumbs Up [tup] Also, that Zephyr is a really nice condition. I see the locomotive has the EMD style E-unit trucks under it. Some pretty classic stuff there. Thanks for the pics.Thumbs Up [tup]

Also thanks for the pic and explanation of the E-2. Now you can see why I liked these locomotives so much. They were like no other loco out there.Approve [^] Also thanks for the pic of the CB&Q E8A.Smile [:)] I can't believe how they look so new. They really take there time to restore these locos to there full potential.Thumbs Up [tup] I like to see that. Thanks again for all of the great pics. You certainly have been busy posting all of those great pictures along with those great write ups. Plus you have some pretty funny jokes too.Laugh [(-D] I really enjoyed those.Laugh [(-D]

I have never seen the inside of a 1940s chemical car.Wow!! [wow] That was certainly interesting.Thumbs Up [tup] That one single pipe in the car must be how they sucked the chemicals out of the car. Some pretty cool stuff at that museum. I will certainly have to visit it someday.Thumbs Up [tup]

Happy railroadingLaugh [(-D]

James

 

The Milwaukee Road From Miles City, Montana, to Avery, Idaho. The Mighty Milwaukee's Rocky Mountain Division. Visit: http://www.sd45.com/milwaukeeroad/index.htm
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Posted by EricX2000 on Monday, May 28, 2007 12:33 PM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Ruth, haven't seen you for a long time young lady! Hope everything is fine! I know, it is a beautiful day! No, I can't stay long today but I would like a ham sandwich and coffee!

Kind of slow day here today, but that is understandable, it's Memorial Day! Doug and James! Tom and Pete are probably lost in Canada. They were last seen boarding a Budd RDC (see pictures below).

Doug –  $3.50 for gas? It’s like in New Mexico.Grumpy [|(] Here it is $3.03-3.10. Has actually dropped a few pennies recently. Wow!! [wow]

Nice pictures!Thumbs Up [tup] For some strange reason it seems like we took very similar pictures.Confused [%-)] I have had some bad allergy attacks the last few days so I have not been able to burn the CDs yet. But one of these days...Wink [;)]

James –  Thanks for the info on the Atlantic name.Thumbs Up [tup] I think you are right, they probably had some bold plans to reach the Atlantic Ocean some time in the future.

I noticed that the pantographs on the E-2 were missing when I took the picture. I don’t know why.Question [?] That EMD SD45 looked brand new. Smile [:)]


At this tiny cold town (see all the snow?) Tom and Pete were seen boarding this RDC.

 

Here the RDC is seen leaving the town heading no one knows where. Tom and Pete are barely visible through the far left window.

 

Chicago Transit Authority #44, a Rapid Transit Car for elevated/subway. Has both a third-rail and trolley pole power pickup. Built by St. Louis CarCo. 1959.


The headlights on top of Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad #9908, "Silver Charger"

 

For James! Refrigerator Car. Ice-cooled.

 

UP 900081 ready to take off and help Tom and Pete out of the snow in which they probably are stuck. 3,000 hp diesel engine for the rotary plow, diesel-electric drive.

 

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Eric 

 

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 28, 2007 6:13 PM

Hi guys! I'll have a bottomless draught, and buy a round for the house. I think the  of us did pretty good today! Guess that Tom and Pete are doomed for certain in the Canadian snows though. Glad you liked the pix James. I have to post them before anyone else does, so it's a bit of a race to post first, since I followed Eric everywhere he went, and took the same pix! Here's a good example, as Eric already posted Kirkwood Station photos. Here are my pictures of the Kirkwood Station

This station is manned by a completely volunteer organization.

Tom takes a picture of a model of the station

Wartime artwork inside the Kirkwood station

Back in the St. Louis MOT, we see Eric examining General Motors #103

Number 103 is a cab unit of the first successful main line, diesel-electric freight locomotive in America, built by GM in 1939. Two cabs and two booster units comprised the 5,400-hp locomotive, which was known as "The Diesel That Did It." The demonstrator proved the efficiency of diesel power compared to the steam power on freight trains (diesels had already been replacing steam for switching and passenger duties). Geared for a top speed of 75 mph, the diesel consistently out-pulled steam power, including the modern Santa Fe 5000-class engines. It was eventually sold the Southern Railway, which it donated in 1960. The locomotive was declared a National Engineering Landmark in 1982.

Blush [:I] A ducks walks into a bar and asks, "Got any grapes?" The bartender, confused, tells the ducks that no, his bar doesn't serve grapes. The duck thanks him and leaves. The next day, the duck returns and says, "Got any grapes?" Again, the bartender tells him that, no, the bar does not serve grapes, has never served grapes, and, furthermore, will never serve grapes. The duck, a little ruffled, thanks him and leaves. The next day, the duck returns, but before he can say anything, the bartender begins to yell: ''Listen, duck! This is a bar! We do not serve grapes! If you ever ask for grapes again, I will nail your stupid duck beak to the bar!'' The duck is silent for a moment, and then asks, ''Got any nails?'' Confused, the bartender says no. ''Good!'' says the duck. ''Got any grapes?'' Blush [:I]

 

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Posted by wanswheel on Monday, May 28, 2007 8:06 PM

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the heroes

Brooklyn Army Terminal in World War II

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/13300/13355v.jpg

Coast Guard vessel in the Pacific

http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-191.jpg

FDR

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c20000/3c28000/3c28700/3c28758v.jpg

Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic

http://photoswest.org/photos/00011501/00011509.jpg

http://muse.museum.montana.edu/rvndb/rvnjpeg_img_rec.php?objno=RVN33281

Kirkwood station

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mo/mo0200/mo0264/photos/098305pv.jpg

Postcard

http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/data/505/94MO_-_St_Louis_-_Union_Station_1_-_Birds_eye_View.jpg

New York Central

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c00000/3c01000/3c01900/3c01996v.jpg

PRR

http://photoswest.org/photos/00014376/00014453.jpg

Burlington

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/articles/photos/mtz-stlouis.jpg

Mopac

http://www.mopac.org/photos_diesel/mp8018.jpg

Calvin Coolidge

http://virtuallymissouri.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=1bcca18264f80baeaf41a006614d3318;xc=1;g=vm;q1=union%20station;rgn1=dc_de;c=arpostic;c=bchsic;c=bchspostic;c=beckeric;c=bollingic;c=claytonic;c=devilic;c=fruitic;c=greenwoodic;c=joplinic;c=jplcarthageic;c=jplpb02ic;c=jplpb13ic;c=jplzincic;c=kelleyic;c=mainstreetic;c=mercic;c=merclibic;c=missakianic;c=mizzouy19kic;c=mobotic;c=platic;c=porteric;c=scoresic;c=slamic;c=sluwewic;c=ucityic;c=umcaairic;c=umcabasketic;c=umcadairyic;c=umcahomeic;c=whistleic;c=zephic;evl=full-image;quality=3;view=entry;subview=detail;lasttype=boolean;cc=mercic;entryid=x-gdgps0203.jpg;viewid=GDGPS0203.JPG;start=1;resnum=18

Mike

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Posted by EricX2000 on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 12:43 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon! Just a cup of coffee! You keep the change! 

A new work week is about to start. My vacation is just a memory. But a very good memory!

Doug –  More nice pictures from the Rendezvous!Thumbs Up [tup] So that is why our pictures are similar!? You followed me? I thought it was the other way around. You certainly got a better picture of EMD #103 than I did. Smile [:)]

Mike –  Thanks for all links with appropriate picutres for this day!Thumbs Up [tup] I liked the pictures of St. Louis Union Station. It looked kind of different back then. Smile [:)]

 

Not from the Rendezvous.

 

Eric 

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Posted by marthastrainyard on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 12:25 PM

Good Afternoon everybody present!

Ruth, may I have a pint of Bass please, and a round for everybody present.

Thank you, Tom for those kind welcome-back words and the lunch, both solid and liquid!

Thanks for all the pictures from the Rendezvous. It looks as if it was a success! Maybe another time, if it isn't too far away, I can join you for a Rendezvous.

Yes, it has been a slow couple of days around here, but I guess people have better things to do on a long weekend than to hang out in the Tavern. I can't understand why, but... Whistling [:-^]

I liked the line-up at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre. My favorite was "The Silver Streak" closely followed by "The Lady Vanishes". A good Hitchcock movie is always welcome, especially on a rainy day like we have right now.

I must be an aficionado for train travel. I got used to it early. The first trains I rode had some 2-axle passenger cars with wooden benches, the C3 class, pulled by a J, or Sb class steam engine. Comfortable? NO! Thumbs Down [tdn] But in the summer the great pleasure was to stand outside on the rear platform and watch the landscape go by. It didn't go very fast, but it was fun. And then there was the smell of coal smoke! We don't get to feel that very much any more!

The trip to Fullerton was really good, really! My daughter enjoyed it very much, but she said she was going to write to BNSF and complain about the track! Banged Head [banghead] But I must admit it was a bit more than the $300 you paid in 1953! If we had those prices today, Amtrak wouldn't be without passengers. Yeah!! [yeah] I quickly realized that the sleepers on our train were full, but there were hardly any passengers in the coaches. I tried to get to the last car to take some pictures, but the last car was dead-heading, and thus closed. Bummer. Angry [:(!]

 

DL. Yes, I was attending Our Place last year and found the group of people really enjoyable and with a great deal of knowledge that everybody would share freely. Now that I seem to have a little bit more time on my hands, I decided to come back and join you guys again.

 

Thank you, CMSTPP, for the explanation of the bipolar engine. Thumbs Up [tup] I have always wondered why it was called that, and now I know! And it looked to me that those long hoods, were just wrapped around the electric motor! Isn't it unusual with gearless motors? I haven't heard of that many engines that have the motors built right on to the axle.

I wish I had done more painting on my cars. I just haven't had the courage to "fire up" that compressor and spray yellow stuff all over the brass. Sigh [sigh] I know I will have to one day and I am slowly building up courage by spray painting other stuff at the club, using just spray cans. I figure if I can get that done, it shouldn't be too much more difficult to do it with an air brush.

The 1928 Hiawatha, was that the train with the very distinct observation car? Or did that car come later?

 

Pete, thank you for the kind words. Yes, I take a Whatney's or Bass any time over the Bud or Coors. I must say I like it much better than I can spell it, but when I stroll up to the bar, they always understand me. I ordered a Black and Tan at a pub in Knightsbridge once many years ago, and the barkeep wanted to know where I had learned about that. That just happens to be my Father-In-Law's favorite beer. It does taste much better in England (or Scotland - the only two areas of UK I have visited so far) than here in the US. That Blue Anchor you mentioned seems to be a nice place! 5%, eh? I probably shouldn't have too many pints of those.

I'm glad you liked the Feather River story. I had to look it up because it was really strange that Amtrak would be running a loco with a logo from a different road. Now I know why. I just wonder if it was coincidence that the same engine did two WP excursions, or if Amtrak planned it that way. Yeah, I know: "Amtrak planning, you've got to be kidding me".

By the way, Tom added an "S" to my name in one of his posts; it's not supposed to be there. I could make a bad political joke about that, but that's not allowed according to the rules, and I don't want to get the tweet.

 

Erik, it was too bad about your camera. Sad [:(] Hopefully you will get it back soon. Mine turned pink on me during a trip to Boston. It took the almost 4 weeks to "fix" it; all they did was to send me a factory reconditioned camera of the same model.

Where in Sweden do you come form? I'm from the South, Skåne (or Scania - ever heard of the trucks?), and just as in this country, we speak funny in the south, but on the upside, we don't have that much snow in the winter as the folks up north.

Why is the AEM-7 called a toaster? Does it set itself on fire? That's the criteria for me to call something a toaster. Like the "box" (we shall not mention any names) that my wife brought home from work for live testing. Yes, toaster was a very appropriate name for that. Needless to say, it never made it to the market.

Joking aside, are the X2000 units coupled together with an automatic coupler, or is it always a manual task to separate them? The reason I ask is that I believe they run in different configurations, so depending on how easy it is to break them up, they would have to keep different sets on hand at the different terminus (termini?)

I have some more pictures from the trip that I will post eventually. There are some Raton Pass pictures in there as well. I have driven a couple of times through Arizona to New Mexico and Colorado, but I have never come the Raton Pass way. It was close once, but we took another route (through Garden of the Gods - is that the name?) up to ABQ (Hurrah for airport codes, I still can't spell that name).

It's sad to see the tracks going away from the stations, like in your St. Louis picture, but it is better than to tear down the whole building. I wish I had seen the Pennsylvania Station in New York. I stayed at the "Y" across the street and saw the big hole in the ground from where the station had been, but that is as close as I got. But Mike posted a link to a post card from yesteryear. That's a station! Thank you for that link, Mike.

 

Barndad. Is it an Aerotrain that is on display at the NMRA headquarters? Or is that another train? The CB&Q Silver Rocket is the same type of train as they have at the museum in Chicago, isn't it? I saw that one and I'm glad it's kept in such a good condition. Now, if they only had done the same with the UP M-10000, but that one is long gone. Sad [:(]

So there are eight Big Boys left. I have seen three of them: One in each place I li

Home of the Ambroid history page and the up-and-coming City Of Los Angeles from 1950 http://www.trainweb.org/ambroidkits/ My pictures are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/8514678@N08/
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Posted by coalminer3 on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 12:58 PM

Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; rpund fopr the house and $ for the jukebox.

Won't be able to say too much today as we had to have the oldest member of the K9 Korps put down this a.m.  Tough time all 'round.

Will stop by tomorrow.

Work safe

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Posted by EricX2000 on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:12 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, still awake? How about meatlof and mashed potatoes? Haven't had that for a long time. 

Very quiet day here today. But I found some interesting info to read!

Per –  The latest news about my camera is that there are no parts available.Grumpy [|(] Best Buy has to give me a new camera instead. I think it is strange there are no parts for a camera only 2 1/2 years old (Nikon D70). I like my new camera I bought the evening before leaving for the Rendezvous though.

You could say I am coming from Stockholm. But I am 50% “skåning”. My mom was from Skåne and I have a lot of relatives there. I remember those old Class C3 cars you mentioned. I added a diagram of one below. Also a picture showing snow in Skåne (Ljungbyhed) in the 1920’s.

Class C3d.



The AEM-7 is called Toaster because it kind of looks like one (the shape of it) and it radiates heat from the dynamic brake resistors on the roof. Wink [;)]

Each X2000 trainset is semi permanent coupled together. But when you couple two (or three) trainsets together it is done with an automatic coupler. In Sweden they are configured with one power unit and 4-6 cars (including the cab car).

Driving from the Garden of Gods to Albuquerque? Didn’t you drive Interstate 25 then? I-25 will take you through the Raton pass.

I have the same opinion as you about St. Louis Union Station and the few remaining tracks.Sigh [sigh]

Thanks for the article on the Atocha train station and the museum!Thumbs Up [tup] I have never been to Spain but I know a few Spanish words!! At least they replaced the old station building with a new terminal. I think the old one looks nicer.

RENFE has 11,829 km (7,350 miles) of broad (1668 mm) gauge track, 953 km (592 miles) of standard gauge and 19 km (11.8 miles0 of narrow (1,000 mm) gauge track.

Do you know why the COLA was detoured? Through Wylie of all places??Confused [%-)]

CM3 –  Sorry to hear the sad news about the K9. I know how it feels to loose a family member.


 

Eric 

 

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Posted by Fergmiester on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 6:43 AM

Good Morning All

No sign of our heroic duo yet?

Martha and company: Thank you for the warm greetings. I have frequented this establishment in the past but as I also hang out in the MR and MRF Coffee Shops my time is limited. 

Wonderful photos none the less and I look forward to seeing Tom and Pete's latest efforts.

 

Later All

Fergie 

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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Posted by coalminer3 on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:55 AM

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Extra round for Fergie who is keeping track of the folks north of the border.

We did lose a member of the K9 Korps yesterday; he will, indeed, be missed.

I have finished reading through all of the recent posts, so here goes (in no particular order).

Per returns - Good to see you.  I enjoyed your architectural/railroad survey of Madrid.

Pete and Dl were by as well.

James - I have the same question - when are you gonna paint the bipolar?  Thanks for sharing the pictures.  There is a Little Joe on exhibit at the Lake Shore Museum in North East, PA.  I spent the better part of a morning g a few years ago crawling all around and though the locomotive.  Simple cab layout, for sure; their Joe came from the South Shore Line.  Anyway, it was certainly worth getting dirty - not that we ever mind that (LOL).

Eric has been around, too.  Dollywood is at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; not too far from Sevierville.  Thanks for sharing the pictures of the rendezvous and all of the exhibits.  I enjoyed the picture of the Plymouth.  I remember being in an underground mine in TN one time that had track haulage and gravity chutes - really neat stuff.  They moved cuts of cars around inside the mine with an itty bitty Plymouth.  I remember seeing the ELs SD45s in action more than a few times.  I may even have a shot of that one somewhere in the slides as I think I photographed most all of them at one time or another.  Here's a little info. re E$L SD45s from the notebooks.

 

3601-3634

EMD

SD45

1967-1968

 

3635-3653

EMD

SD45

1969

Leased from N&W; EL 3637 wr. in 1975, ret. to N&W r/b as slug

3654-3668

EMD

SDP45

1970

Leased from Girard Trust Bank; EL 3657 and 3667 wr. r/b as SD45-2s

Barndad sent lots a pictures and commentary as well.  The shots of St. Louis back in the day were surely a reminder of the way it usta be.  I remember seeing somewhere that the TRRA Historical Society (Yes Awk, there is such a group) has recently released a book on the L&N in St. Louis - I think this may be something we will have to add to the collection (it's a curse, I tell you!)  The chemical tank car is like one we used to move the punch around at the darts tournament - it also doubles as a chili transporter.  Note that's it's lettered for Monsanto in Boston.

OSP sent pictures from everywhere.  My, those cars could use a trip through the washer.  I enjoyed the shot of da boyz in da Sightseer.  We used to have Superliners on 50 and 51 - made for a nice ride along New River, especially in the winter.  The tracks through Springfield brought back memories of the old Monon in Lafayette b4 they moved everything around.  Also, thanks for the ‘moom pichers at the Theatuh.  Good picks all.

My apologies to all if I left anybody out.

Looks as if I'll be holding down my usual a.m. spot here for awhile now that things have quieted down for a few days..

Work safe

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Posted by coalminer3 on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 3:13 PM

Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please, round for the hosue and $ for the jukebox.  I'm getting to be like Braxton Bragg, the Confederate general who wrote memos to himself (and answered them!).  Anyway, this is something I put on the other of OSP's threads.  If, like me, you don't get overe there too often, I thought you might like to see this.

Good Afternoon All.

I don't wander over here all that often, but the picture of the C&O diner caught my attention.  The "George Washington" entered service in 1932.  The railroad billed its new operation as "The Finest Air Conditioned Train in the World."  The special dining car china used on the train was and is extremely populer with dining car china collectors.  You might want to take a look at the October, 2006 issue of C&O History which has an excellent, color illustrated story about George Washington China.

If you want to get an insight into how the C&O did things take a look at the article "Chronicle of Ashby's Tavern."  This is an excellent survey of dineroperations.  You can find it by doing a Dogpile serach, type in Chesapeake and Ohio dining cars and follow the links.

Last is an article titled "Captain of the George."  This is on the C&O Historical Soceity's website.  Go to the section titled reprinted articles and follow the links.

work safe

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 4:17 PM

G'day Gents!

Da Boss has returned - but just to let the gang know that Pete 'n I have returned from our jaunt north of the border. A grand time was had and there's lots to show 'n tell - but in due course.

Rather tired as we got back to my haus close to mid-night after a rather full day of reroutings and the like from Montreal to St. Louis. Nothing we couldn't (and didn't) handle, just a very loooooong day. Zzz [zzz]

Suffice it to say that we had a great time riding the rails - Montreal to Halifax - Halifax to Montreal - Montreal to Gaspe - Gaspe to Montreal. A total of four nights aboard - 2 in Renaissance 'n 2 aboard the Budd sleepers! The EXPORAIL facility in Saint-Contstant/Delson, Quebec is FANTASTIC - best I've ever seen - Pete says the same. Thumbs Up [tup] Just an all 'round wonderful experience. Yeah!! [yeah] So much to talk about - so little time right now. Later, fer sure, fer sure. Thumbs Up [tup]

I see the place is still standing and that our Rat's Patoot Brigade has done a commendable job in keeping us "up" on the Forum's Page! Yeah!! [yeah]

Very, very sad to learn of your loss - CM3 Shane - I KNOW how much it hurts to say goodbye to a great 4-legged buddy. It's perhaps one of those most difficult times we all come to in this thing called life. I consider myself most fortunate to have had so many canine friends - I have a feeling you look at it pretty much the same.

Many thanx for your efforts at the bar - quarters 'n rounds notwithstanding! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Great to see Fergie drop by - twice - to help out here at the Saloon by the Siding. It was a blast seeing him in Halifax and rather sorry we only had hours - not days - to spend there. A great place to visit, over 'n over again.

Thanx for the Email - Eric - and fine Posts since my last. Thumbs Up [tup]

I see that James provided a Post over on "my other Thread" and here too - good show! Thumbs Up [tup]

Doug's Pix 'n humor has no equal! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] Appreciate seeing your efforts as well and hope things have settled down some since we last were together . . . Thumbs Up [tup]

Haven't had the time to peruse Mike's URLs - but will do! Memorial Day is hardly a "happy" event the way I look at it - but one where sincere appreciation is to be shown and felt by those of us who are reaping the benefits provided throught the sacrifices of others. Thumbs Up [tup]

Good to see Per again - just unable right now to respond in kind.

If I've missed anyone along the way - apologies in advance!

Ruth, give 'em a drink on me and Boris - ring the bell! Thumbs Up [tup]

Hope to resume a "normal" schedule beginning either tomorrow or Friday.

Later . . .

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 4:57 PM

Hi Tom and all.

A round please RUTH for all.

As TOM has just said we are back from our travels to Canada it was indeed a great time and one which will live in the memory. I will always feel grateful that I was able to sample how the great days of North American railroad travel must have been, with Budd Sleeping cars and a Dome car in a regular service train.As well as a visit to the superb Exporail museum and see, amongst other great exhibits, an ex British Railways A4 Pacific locomotive, Dominium Of Canada  and a wonderful time in Halifax NS where we met Fergie.

I, as well, am feeling a bit weary today, so I will read through what look to be some great posts and do my post tomorrow. It is impossible to stay in the sleeping berth when the sun comes up knowing there is a great breakfast and then the wonderful scenery to view from the dome car.

Pete. 

 

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Posted by EricX2000 on Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:48 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, just a b... no, wait, I'll have a ham sandwich on rye! Coffee, please!

The boss and his companion are back! Looking forward to a complete report from  them ASAP!

Fergie –  Tom and Pete are back! Thank you for making sure they didn’t stay for ever! Hope to see you more often here in the future!

CM3 –  Thanks for the info on Dollywood! I found it on the map in the far southeast coner of the state! I took the picture of the Plymouth at Greenfield Village (Detroit).
E&L had 68 SD45, is that correct or did they have some more that aren’t included in your notes? Hope to see that picture some time in a near future!

Tom –  Welcome back home!! Glad you survived the trip even though you were lost for some time! You better get some rest! Thanks for the drink!

Pete –  Welcome home!! Hope you had a working camera on the trip!

 

Not far from Union Station!

 

Eric

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 31, 2007 8:01 AM

Good morning Tom and friends! I couldn't peek and leave without welcoming the boss and Pete back from their trip. Oh yeah ..a light breakfast to go please. The bride and I begin our Parelli horsemanship course today, and I leave in a few minutes. Have to get back to you on the Aerotrain question Pers. I am not an authority on anything unless I happen to stumble accross the answers. Sure enjoyed your informative post!

Sorry about your loss CM3. I have not lost many canines in my life, but each was just the same as losing a member of the family.

Before I run ... here's another set of pictures from the MOT

1965 General American Transportation Company #96500 

Built by the General American Transportation Corporation, number 96500 is the world's largest tank car. Used for experimental purpouses, transporting anhydrous ammonia and LP gas, this "Whale Belly" unit carried 60,200 gallons, weighs 220 tons fully loaded and is 96' 7-5/8" long. The Association of American Railroads has since adopted  a maximum length not to exceed 89'.

Blush [:I]

A Russian walks into a bar and orders a beer. "That will be one ruble," says the bartender. "One ruble!" the customer protests, "last week it was only fifty kopeks!" "Well," replies the bartender, "it's fifty kopeks for the beer and fifty kopecs for the perestroika." Reluctantly, the customer gives the bartender a ruble, and is surprised when the bartender gives him back fifty kopecs and says, "We are out of beer." Blush [:I]

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:00 AM

<from my personal collection>

 

 

G'day Gents!

It's good to be back home and at the Tavern by the Tracks once again! Pete ‘n I had a great time in Canada and there will be plenty of material to share in the coming days ‘n weeks. Thumbs Up [tup]

 

An upfront THANX to all who kept the place ship-shape and also to those of you who helped keep "my other Thread" up ‘n running. A fantastic job, fer sure, fer sure and very much appreciated! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

As a departure from what has been the "norm," I'll simply make mention of those of you who provided info in my absence with perhaps just a "one liner" here ‘n there. Otherwise, I'll NEVER catch up! <grin>

 

From Page 62:

 

Pete at 6:31 PM, Wednesday - May 23rd: A grand finale (for awhile) packaged in the Wolfman's inclusive, informative ‘n interesting manner of communicating! Well done, Mate! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Hope the "question" gets an answer! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

 

Eric at 11:59 PM, Wednesday - May 23rd: Thanx for letting us know you arrived home safely - love that Pix of "Our" Place! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

 

Zeke at 7:39 AM, Thursday - May 24th: A new face at the bar - Sign - Welcome [#welcome] and I hope you'll find this place of interest to you. Recommend you read Page One of this Thread - especially the first Post. Then you'll get a "handle" on how we do things ‘round here. Come on back ‘n the first drink is on the house! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

 

DL at 11 AM ‘n 11:01 AM, Thursday - May 24th: Many thanx for stopping by. We'll be sharing many of our Pix ‘n narratives with the gang as these days <daze> approach - so watch fer ‘em!! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

 

James at 9:20 PM, Thursday - May 24th: An inclusive Post from our Duluth Connection! Thumbs Up [tup] Perhaps one day some of us will find our way to your part of the world. Don't know about a "full fledged Rendezvous" though. Next year it's CHICAGO! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Eric at 2:26 AM, Friday - May 25th: A fine catch-up for the gang in typically fine Desert Swede fashion! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] The "rain" in Toronto was actually in a place called St. George and that was in the evening before our "social" time. Didn't impact us at all during the "oh-fish-UL" Rendezvous! <grin>

 

Zeke at 3:03 AM ‘n 4:58 PM, Friday - May 25th: You came back - so the 1st drink is on the house! Don't forget to READ Page One - would also help to check out the last several Pages too. This Thread is INCLUSIVE which essentially means we acknowledge one another and READ what is Posted from the gang. Thumbs Up [tup]

 

CM3 Shane at 1:58 PM, Friday - May 25th: Even a brief visit is better ‘n no visit! Many thanx for the round ‘n quarters! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Eric at 2:50 PM, Friday - May 25th: Eight Rendezvous Pix! Wow!! [wow] Nice Post (again)! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Doug at 7:29 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Nine Rendezvous Pix w/narratives! Yeah!! [yeah] Nicely done! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Doug at 9:06 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Seven MORE Rendezvous Pix w/narratives! Wow!! [wow] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Fergie at 11:53 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Given the differences in time zones, you provided your Post just about the time Pete ‘n I were pulling into Truro, Nova Scotia aboard VIA Rail's Ocean. Alas, Renaissance cars and no dome <ugh>. However, a great crew and a fine ride, fer sure, fer sure! Thanx, Mate - it was good seeing you again - even if for only a few hours. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Doug at 2:22 PM, Saturday - May 26th: Back with seven MORE Rendezvous Pix ‘n narratives! Wow!! [wow] Yeah!! [yeah] Thumbs Up [tup] Bow [bow] Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

 

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: WV
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by coalminer3 on Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:00 PM

Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; rpound for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Boris, if you please, punch up "The Boys are Back in Town."  Glad to see that OSP and Pete made it back in one piece.

Eric - I stopped with the SD45s on the EL list.  There were, as you suggest, additional units.  EL #s 3669-3681 were SD45-2s.  I know, picky, picky - anyway, there's the "rest of the story."

Here's some material about the PRR in West Virginia.  It all started when I was looking through an old tt awhile back.  You can see what happened when I started to unravel a copuple of schedules.  The more I looked, the crazier it got, and the next thing I knew I was on the L&N in Birimingham.  It's always interesting to see where the Pullmans went and how they were switched in and out of different trains, so here's how it worked in 1942.

The Pennsylvania Railroad operated passenger service in West Virginia on a 65.5-mile long line that ran betwwen Pittsburgh and Wheeling.

Train 551 (coaches only) departed Pittsburgh at 3:45 p.m. every day but Sunday.  It arrived in Wheeling at 6:15 p.m.  On Sundays, train 861 covered the route with a 4:05 p.m. departure from Pittsburgh and a 6:05 p.m. arrival in Wheeling.

Train 539 handled an 8 section/4 double bedroom New York-Wheeling Pullman.  This sleeper departed New York at 8:05 p.m. on PRR 39, the "Clevelander."  Train 39 arrived at 4:53 a.m. in Pittsburgh.  The Wheeling sleeper was handed off to PRR train 539 which left the Steel City at 5:30 a.m. and pulled into Wheeling at 8:00 a.m.

Train 520 ran every day between Wheeling and Pittsburgh, departing from Wheeling at 9:30 a.m., with an 11:35 a.m. arrival at Pittsburgh.

Train 538 carried the Wheeling-New York Pullman.  PRR 538 departed Wheeling at 8:00 p.m., and arrived in Pittsburgh at 9:50 p.m.  The sleeper was handed off to PRR 16-22 at Pittsburgh. 

Train 16-22, the "Iron City Express/Statesman," was a typical P Company operation.  It carried an 8 section buffet from Pittsburgh to New York.  A pair of 12 section/drawing room cars originating on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Memphis and Birmingham were in the consist.  Both of these cars operated via the L&N to Cincinnati where the PRR picked them up.  A 12 section/drawing room car and a 10 roomette/5 double bedroom car ran between Pittsburgh and New York. 

Typical of most eastbound PRR trains, 16-22 also carried cars to Washington, DC.  These included a 6 double bedroom buffet from Pittsburgh, and an 8 section/5 double bedroom car from Pittsburgh to Washington along with a 12 section/drawing room sleeper.  Shorts rode in a 12 section/drawing room car which operated from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.  The Washington cars were cut out at Harrisburg and handed off to PRR train 50. 

Since 16-22 originated in Cincinnati, it carried a diner from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh as well as coaches.  Additional coaches ran between Pittsburgh and Washington.

work safe

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:52 PM

G'day Gents!

Ruth, time for a Larsman Special Hero for me! Take a well deserved break, 'n I'll watch things for a bit . . .  

Some Pix from the recently concluded Canada 2007 trip . . .  

Day One: Thursday - May 24th, 2007

Our Odyssey begins at Lambert Field, St. Louis, MO as Pete ‘n I await our NWA flight to Detroit for the Montreal, Canada connection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the gate in Detroit

 

 

 

From the plane over Montreal (in the haze) - 4 vessels west bound in the St. Lawrence Seaway

 

 

 

Montreal's Olympic Stadium - former home of the MLB NL Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals)

 

 

 

Montreal ‘n Mt. Royale in background

 

 

 

Touchdown at Montreal's International Airport - Pierre Trudeau

 

 

 

Heading to the gate in Montreal

 

 

To be continued . . . .

 

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, May 31, 2007 3:12 PM

G'day Gents!

MORE from Day One: Thursday - May 24th, 2007

 

Trainboard at Montreal's Central Station - Our train is the Ocean

 

 

VIA Rail guys - Claude (an old friend) ‘n Ken at the Ocean's bedroom check-in

 

 

Our bedroom car - Renaissance equipment

 

 

Pete through the window into the bedroom compartment

 

 

Day is done! Pix a bit fuzzy - so were we! <grin>

 

 

 

To be continued tomorrow . . .

 

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo

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