Hello again Leon another round of Guiness's please. Here's another re-do from teh old thread dec of 2006 to be exact one of our theme days from way back when. page 440 great reading from most members that day worth a look again
CLASSIC STEAM #37 BOAT TRAINS IN NORTHERN ONTARIO
Well , to round out today's theme of classic boat trains, here's my small piece to the larger story in the railroad world. Canada had several boat train operations,most were based around railway barges ferrying freight cars and passenegers accross straits or harbours as in the operations across the Detroit River or on some of the earlier CPR and BC rail operations to and from Vancouver Island. My home province has had some interesting rail and water operations as well, in the passenger end of the spectrum there are two or three that I can find some ready info on. I'm sure that there were more.
The first one I will touch on operated for a good 50 years in my own backyard right from my hometown. The interurban railway The Niagara St Catharines & Toronto operated boat train of a fashion.As disscussed before the NS&T operated interurban and street railway operations in the Niagara peninsula from the late 1880's to 1959,electric freight operations continued on until 1961.From the mid 1890's to 1953 you could ride the Niagara interurban from Port Colbourne on Lake Erie down to Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario ( St Catharines ) picking up the car in any of the communities along the line,Merriton , Thorold , Niagara Falls, etc and ride down to Lakeside Park which was along the lakeside it operated a full theme park and picnic areas, grandstand etc.In 1895 the Steamer Dalhousie City was chartered to bring people accross the lake from Toronto Island for summer excursions, soon this became a thriving cross lake service, eventually adding a second ship the Northumberland ( both owned by GT ) for years this was the thing to do on those hot muggy summer days, it also was a quick way to Toronto as the QEW was not yet built and it was faster taking the radial car-steamer route than a passenger train. By 1952 the NS&T owned Lakeside Park had burned down and became a run down mess and the cross lake services were ended.By this point as well the QEW and car ownership was a going concern and the two steamers were soon put to pasture, Dalhousie City actually burned at it's dock in 1949.
The Dalhousie City at Port Dalhousie meeting the interurban cars at Lakeside Park
The second smaller operation was also tied in with one of Ontario's larger radial electric railway's. The London and Port Stanley RR operated frieght and passengers from the early 1900's to 1960 from Port Stanley to London. They also handled alot of coal traffic which was brought into them accross Lake Erie from Ashtibula.A lessor known run but it soldierd on until, the end, even after CN dieselized the L&PS hoppers of heating and locomotive coal were still brought in by car ferry. Once the CN fully dieselized in the eaarly 1960's and newer electrical and natural gas heating lines were built in the cities served the needed heating coal shipments ceased, what little was still consumed came via insterstate - 401 highway trucks.
The final batch of boat trains I'll chat about is the GT/CN cottage country boat trains some vestiges of still exist today ( the boats not the trains ).For years cottagers and summer tourists to the Muskoka area of Ontario had to make the trip via train as hwy11 was still just a dream, what was built of it was generally unpassable and incomplete.CN's Bala subdivision provided the needed lifeline of goods and services to the near north and also brought in the tourists that built the cottages and the towns on the areas famous and picturesque lakes.The towns of Bracebridge ,Gravenhurst and Huntsville were all struggling to servive in the early part of the century, the farm land was poor but the timber stands mines and just the plain beautifull air and lakes was a major drawing card for people. The Muskoka River and it's three large land locked lakes Lake Muskoka , Lake Joeseph and Lake Rosseau were all deep navigable bodies of water and the Muskoka Navigation Company operated opto 20 steamers ( iron hull wood superstructures ) carrying people and goods. Naturally a partnership was formed with first the CnoR then the CN after the takeover to bring the supplies to the docks then onto the ships. From this arrangement many resorts and towns sprung up in what is still today one of the most sought after vacation areas in Ontario, the only difference now is that you can drive to them, not so in the earlier part of the century.
In the heyday of the operations 1910-1940 vacationers from Southern Ontario of the Northeastern US could depat on on of seven daily trains from Toronto to the Muskoka Wharf at Gravenhurst( lake Muskoka ) or to Bala Park Wharf at Bracebridge ( Muskoka river / Lake Joe ) or conect to the CPR station right in Bala ( Lake Rosseau ) from these wharfs the train stations were located right on the docks, they could board one of the Muskoka Navigation companies steamers for cruises up and down the lakes to the various resorts or campgrounds. These trains and ships also carried mail all the Muskoka fleets ships carried Royal mail service and had the "RMS" designations.
Evening arrivals on these trains ( 6-7 hour trip 4 by car now )could board their steamers and sleep in a stateroom, or those who came on the later trains could sleep in the sleeping car that CN would leave on the dock plateforms.At the dockside the passengers were greeted by the Muskoka fleet ships RMS Seguin ( still exists today ) Sagamo,Islander,Cherekee,Medora,or Waome.This network of steamer connections offered twice daily access to the more than 80 resorts on the three lakes,and conveyed the groceries and mail and supplies for those that lived along these water ways.
The docksides changed as the car became the new mode of transport and hwy11 reached the Muskokas. By 1940 the docks and stations at lake Joesph and at Bala Park were closed with only the Muskoka wharf at Gravenhurst still operating. By 1950 only the Seguin and the Sagamo were still steaming on the lakes.As the new govt safety regs that were brought in after the Noronic fire in Toronto harbour the year before forced the rest of the fleet out of operation.The 1950 season saw the final cancellation of the Royal mail Contract for the steamers as well. 1952 saw the last season of boat trains to the Muskoka Wharf as well.The 1954 season was the last ship season on the lakes as well with both ships going into storage.
THE HAPPPY ENDING
In 1965 both the Seguin and The Sagamo were bought by the town of Gravenhurst and the freinds of the Muskoka Fleet came into being. The plan was to turn the Seguin into a floating museum of the lake fleets and the Sagamo which was the fleet fla
Hey again Leon another guiness please. here's a few more pictures from teh missing role
A leased SD38 at Battlecreek.
More views of GT equipment at Battlecreek
Ready power lined up at Battlecreek
More from Batttlecreeks ready tracks.
A three -pack of Cn GP40-2W's at Bayview JCT Ontario
Amtrak train at Bayview JCT Ontario Toronto bound
Enjoy
Rob
Good evening Leon,wow been a long day for me,so I think guiness and well what the heck I'll try the coronary plaet minus the kideny's though, perhaps two additional sausages.As Nick said one heck of a storm, didn't get the ice ( thank god ) only a measily two feet of snowSposed to stop a midnight which is good cause it started yesterday at midnightTom you'd love it here at the moment.
Tom-great pictures from rendezvous and meeting' s with friends past. Speacially liked Fergie's first command .I'm sure that Fergie was the terror of the high seas with that one
Good to hear that you got a 90 day pass from the sawbone's,stay away from Nick's "clogger" speacial and you should,be fine,ooooh me digestive tract
I aim to please as far as twisted humour goes,figure most of you appriciate it One question though or comment it's good that Pete appeared in those pictures without the black bag as posting pictures of it on line now may create royalty payments now that it's a movie star.
Pete-Great photo's sir keep em comming.Yes that subdivision is still a busy route carring both people and products. Heavy natural resource shipments as well.
Eric-great gravy sir that IORE class is huge, I liek it I like it no problem with the painting of Awk's tray it gave Boris something to do,and as you know keeping his hands busy means less breakage of things around the bar.
Nick-Wow the food was wonderfull,bit high on the stuff that will kill you but hey who wants to leave a pretty corpse anyway
Why do I have reports on my desk of a disturbance earlier tonight,from several bystanders reguarding CEDNT ( co-ed naked twister ) involving H&H Copperkettle,Boris and his dolls,and most of the Can-am track gangs !( I didn't realize you could hide spike mauls there ) Actually don't answer that, as a favour Inspector Clueless made it all go away....this time <uh oh >
Fabulous that you were able to store the info on teh Huntsville sub for future refernce By the way thanks for the concern I'm far enough away from the lake to have missed most of the storm,how did your sister fare in the big smoke
How did you get a copy of those original rules,tough times was an understatement then, ole Nathaniel wrote about all sorts of tough punishments that teh puneshments Tom hands out with tweetings pale by comparasi, lots of whips chains and hot pokers if you know what I mean. What Boris , no you may not go play Master and servent with Helga just go feed the critters < sheesh>
Hey-why not have some other pix instead-you can enjoy them whilst you are eating your steaks-which reminds me.........it`s saturday and its meat night at the bar on the ballast-please order early........
O.K-starters:-
steak tartare
clam chowder
wild mushroom souffle omelette
game pie wedge with port & cranberry reduction
And for mains:-
Top of the bill we have..(drumroll)....the... M.C.G.platter-(thats the mentor coronary group)--
which is-an 8oz sirloin steak,a 6oz pork loin steak,6oz gammon steak,2x2oz lamb chops,2x2oz sausages,2x grilled kidneys,2xfried eggs,mushrooms,tomatoes,onion rings and large fries-serves 4-or 1 pembrokeshire farmer
or-more realistically-12oz sirloin,with a choice of sauces,mushrooms,toms & onion rings with a baked spud and a salad bowl
or perhaps noisettes of lamb,pan fried in garlic & ginger,served on a bed of sauteed spuds,dressed with steamed ,striped zuccini and fine beans & garnished with reform sauce
we might consider the sausage platter....a plate sized yorkshire pudding containing a cumberland ring,four other specialty sausages,as available,black & white pudding,crispy back bacon and flash-fried mushrooms,all drenched in onion gravy and served with creamy turnip & potato mash and baby carrots & peas...
for the more adventurous amongst us,I can entirely recommend Jamaican goat curry with red beans,rice & peas,fried plantains and all the trimmings(inc rum & reggae)...........
and for ERIC-we always have the welsh black fillet-a lovely cut to work with-nicely close grained....whoops,sorry-er--ah yes,-how about--3 1 inch thick slices,pan-fried with shallots,on a bed of taglilietele(!) tricolore with the secret sauce-I cant tell you whats in it,but it is VERY rich
Hhhhhhhhhhm--I begin to think I should head for bed-gotta practice tomorrow and would be as well to look half-way focused/concious-take care chaps-Leon-another round for the chaps before I disappear into the galley-speak soon
Well what ho chaps !-hows yer days been then ?-understand ROBS neck of the woods has had serious ice storms blowing thru so we may not see him tonight..
So Leon-any steamy gossip to brighten the evening----REALLY --with---and---AND---no-thats not nice,really-no wonder shes walking so strangely-----and she said go really gentle and he thought she said go really mental--oooooooooooow....
still-twisters not the game for everybody I guess.....................
Right-beer,and lots of it please-get a round in for the usual suspects over there and a port & brandy for that sweet young thing at the end of the counter who has got Boris catching peanuts in his mouth-I just hope she isn`t from social services.....
Right-posts-and its ROB first up-hows it goin up there big fella ??-Huntsville stuff worth another mention-for the next cycle of S.o.B line operation all those traffic flows will be invaluable -top man --seems the time lag saved me from a second tweeting-unearthed the original book of rules compiled by our founders and apparently,and I quote " shoulde an otherwise upstanding member,havinge the goode opinion of his fellowes commit two tweetins upon sucessive days,he shalle be required to use the poole roome door and order only mixed drinks for the following two sennights"-this was dated 1768 and signed by Ezekial Weber & Nathaniel Austin...brutal times,evidently......................
ERIC-glad you liked the pix -nice one from you of that modern power-would love to feel one of those roll by -thanks also for the C&NW stuff-had always wondered but never bothered to find out. To answer your questions,yes that is my layout-the reason its there is cos thats the bit I`m re-wiring at the moment -happily progress is being made-Prince of Wales is one of 3 identical 2ft gauge 2-6-2 tanks working the delightful Vale of Rheidol line between Aberystwyth,on Cardigan bay ,up to Devils Bridge.--I have better shots of this engine-the light was wrong here,will find them-is a very elegant and suprisingly massive loco..2.4 metres wide,running on 60cm track....
TOM-An extraordinary award of the Mentor star medal for most unexpected question of the year-----R.E Brit electric stock,fine details of--a total left-field,wildcard query .....As to pix tweeting-I am with the rule of 6-had intended to delete a couple,according to which looked best but started suffering visible airframe damage and severly reduced control function and it went the way of the captions....A fine trawl through the `s log-The USS "Our Place" away team on various deployments...I can just see ROB as mr spock.....enough already .......
PETE-nice explanation for TOM-I had to read it several times but thats down to me-had a vision of you explaining this to the guys in real life-with all the different accents-very quickly turned into something like Groucho`s "Sanity Claus" sketch....Tomos Watkin-havn`t tried it myself but our bass man likes a drop of it-he also favours Newcastle brown,which it looks like-will quiz him further... Didcot pic also interesting for the background-looks a bit different now....seems odd seeing Lion without Stanley Holloway enjoying his early morning snifter in the car behind...fine movie -liking the cavalcade pix v.much-that Midland single is just something else--dont know what it is about singles-they just seem to glide,inside or outside pistons........
Right-thats me caught up-gonna go and post captions now then get ready for steak night (assuming the walls dont start closing in again)
back in a bit
Hi Tom and all.
A cup of your ‘famous' coffee and a bacon sarnie please CINDY.
TOM Real glad the Doc has given you the thumbs up.
Very much enjoyed reading about the old California Zephyr and it is good that Amtrak keep the name and train alive today The route description was a good piece and it is good that a lot of the original equipment as survived especially those great Budd Cars. Great photo of the Zephyr passing the Alco in Colorado.
I have heard talk that Blue Peter is going to be restored to running condition again soon. The new A1 locomotive, that is very nearly ready, has a very similar appearance to Blue Peter, but with larger driving wheels.
Yes your present is here on the wall where the puter is with a photo from the Great Central Railway this month.
The unit in Nick's photo is a class 450,The 350s and 450s are part of the ‘Desiro UK' series built by Siemens and a very similar in appearance with a different paint scheme. The 350s work on the 25KV lines on the ex LMS lines from London Euston and lines around the Midlands and the class 450s are on the ex Southern lines out of London Waterloo on the 750V third-rail system. I believe that the 350s are fitted with pick up shoes and could be used on Southern Lines, I am not sure whether the 450s can be easily fitted with a pantograph perhaps DL could help. The class 450s are classified as Outer Suburban units there is a class 444 Desiro that is classified Express. I see one of them as been named ‘The Fab 444'.
Many thanks for today's photos; a great selection but the missing black bag is worrying. It was a great trip on the Texas Eagle.
Knowing my luck with puters that CD-Rom my bar tab will be doubled when it is re-played with my tab on it.
I noticed the sensor is playing ‘Guess the word' with us again.
NICK You will have to tell me more about the Tomos Watkin it is not an ale I have come across, the others I have sampled. Courage Directors is a surprising good drink, when it is on top form it can rival most.
I will see if I can find out more on the Guildford to Ascot train, perhaps it runs down the branch to Alton.
Yes Stratford shed was different which did not lose their style in diesel days. I recall them fitting a homemade 'Great Eastern' nameplate on one of their class 47s when names were banned by BR and the huge Union Jacks on the side of two 47s to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, which I believe BR were not at all pleased but public opinion was so favorable the BR board agreed to keep them. It was not long after this that names were officially fitted and some different livers appeared on locomotives. I must say though those silver roofed locomotives nearly always looked in immaculate condition the only dirty ones were if they had been away from Stratford for a while in the early days.
A few years ago Joe Brown went to the Severn Valley Railway and tried his hand at firing a steam locomotive again, it was filmed for TV he had not lost the art of firing.
Many thanks for the photos. I see the car park behind the class 166 in the 2nd photo was the site of Guildford steam shed, which lasted to the end of Southern steam in 1967.
I see the units are taking over the Irish services, it will strange to see them when I go there again as I have not been for quite a few years.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos, the scanner is worried I have found a load of prints I will load up soon.
It is good that busy sub-division is still mostly still in use.
ERIC Many thanks for the photo of the California Zephyr dome car that was mentioned in Tom's post.
Interesting about the C&NW left -hand running, and many thanks for the photo of the class IORE electrics that are replacing the DM3s
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
Save NEW material for Mon-Fri!
G'day Gents!
(1) 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous plaques (Toronto)
(2) Rendezvous I - Awards Nite at the St. George Arms pub 'n restaurant
<L-R: Ted - Rob - Tom>
(3) 2nd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous plaques (St. Louis)
(4) Rendezvous II - Gathering of the Clan
<L-R: Eric - Doug - Pete - Tom>; no black bag for Pete, BUT one for Eric!!>
(5) Rendezvous II - Aboard the southbound Texas Eagle
<L-R: Eric - Pete - Doug>
(6) ARR Glacier Discovery at Anchorage
<this is not the train we took to Denali & Fairbanks>
(9) Fergie 'n Tom, Halifax, Nova Scotia
(10) Fergie's first Command - Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia
(11) VIA Rail's Chaleur to Gaspé <on left> - Ocean to Halifax <on right> at Matapédia, Québec
(12) Branson <Missouri> Scenic Railway
Enjoy the weekend . . .
Tom
<personal foto>
Save new material for Mon-Fri!
This is the final day of Standard time in mid-continent USA as we're to move our watches ‘n clocks ahead one hour - BUT not ‘til 2 AM. So, Boris - it's your job to ensure that the timepieces at "Our" Place get changed at the proper time - go for it! <grin>
Saturday at the Tavern by the Tracks means breakfasts to order, freshly baked pastries ‘n coffee that doesn't quit!
Oh yeah - all went well at the Doc's yesterday . . . got another "pass" for the next 3 months. Keeping things under control is the idea, so "they" say . . .Thanx for the well wishes!
Comments from the Proprietor:
TWO CONTESTs UNDERWAY - Both CLOSED for entries!!
When will we reach Page 200
Bonus: Who will make that Post
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Participants:
(1) Rob sez Mar 15th (Lars)
(2) Pete sez Mar 19th (Rob)
(3) Allan sez Mar 15th (Pete)
(4) Eric sez Mar 1st (Lars)
(5) Mike sez Mar 12th (Tom)
(6) Lars sez Mar 21st (Tom)
(7) CM3 sez Mar 8th (Rob)
(8) Fergie sez Mar 21st (Tom)
(9) Jan sez Mar 23rd (Tom)
WHO will make the 4,000th reply at the bar AND when
(1) Pete sez Rob on Mar 22nd
(2) Rob sez Pete on Mar 16th
(3) Eric sez Allan on Mar 21st
(4) CM3 Shane sez Rob on Mar 13th
(5) Ron sez Rob on Mar 10th
(6) Allan sez Pete on Mar 15th
<Allan, I think you confused the CONTESTS - but, you're in BOTH now! >
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Friday - March 8th: <all times Central standard>
Page 194 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:33 AM: I WON! i won! The prize wouldn't be a return trip to Capreol in the dead of winter, would it I think your translation is very close - but have it on good authority that it means Moose tongue stuck to trees . . .
I watched that piece about the WWI vet on Thursday evening's network news - very heart warming indeed. The guy is amazing, eh Good brew ‘n a faithful dog will "do it" every time. <grin> Oh, you didn't "catch" either Hmmmmmm.
"Google" this ‘n "Google" that - amazing how those kinds of things are now part of the lexicon - not mine however. I "Dog Pile" . . . <grin>
Really figured the rerailer "thing" was what Da Boyz were alluding to - just havin' some fun with it. Can imagine how difficult an evolution something like that would be. No fun ‘n of course dangerous . . . Dontachano to never leave home without a spare knuckler coupler <geesh>
I'll draw a "bye" on your "foolish end" question - for that one would require me to "Dog Pile" ‘n of course that's cheating . . .<uh oh&
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Psst, Leon! I would like a number 5 with mashed potatoes and a cold Keith's, please!
A lot of interesting stuff today! Articles and photos!
68 days until Our 3rd Annual Rendezvous!!! Time flies!
Tom – Hope your visit to the doctor’s office today went well.I am glad they did not adopt German as the OH-FISH-UL language way back when. The grammar is way too complicated for me. All those an, auf, hinter, in, neben über unter, vor und zwischen. No, it’s too complicated.You are right about the F40’s. VIA’s F40’s look great. I am glad that you liked my cleaning job. As I mentioned yesterday, those trays did not look nice at all. Thanks for the article on California Zephyr! Most interesting stuff! Vista-Dome cars and everything! And a picture of the California Zephyr car at Amtrak’s station in Maricopa, AZ. The very same car in my photo below
CM3 – Never heard that explanation why CNW were running trains to the left. What I learned is what is described in this text from Wikipedia:“The CNW was known for running "left-hand main" on double track mainlines. In other words, traffic was routed by default to the track on the left rather than the track on the right. In the United States, most railroads followed the "right-hand main" operating practice, while "left-hand main" running was more common in countries where automobile traffic drove on the left as well. According to a display in the Lake Forest station, the reason for this was a combination of chance and inertia. When originally built as single-line trackage, the C&NW arbitrarily placed its stations on the left-hand side of the tracks (when headed inbound toward Chicago). Later, when a second track was added, it was placed on the side away from the stations so as not to force them to relocate. Since most passengers waiting at the stations were headed toward Chicago, the inbound track remained the one closest to the station platforms. The expense of reconfiguring signals and switches has prevented a conversion to right-hand operation ever since.” (With permission from Wikipedia).There are a lot of stuff carried on a locomotive. All the things you mentioned and more, like plugs for the train line. In the old country it happens quite often that one run over a moose and they are kind of big and heavy which many times will break the angle **** on the front of the locomotive. Then one need something to plug it in order to be able to continue. Rob – The locomotives that are replacing Class Dm3 is class IORE (iron ore), a twin unit locomotive developing 14,675 hp. Tractive effort 303,750 lbf and the weight is 793,800 lb, incl. ballast. Class IORE. (Published with permission from Wikipedia)I am glad you liked my job cleaning those trays. It was a tough job though, sorry you had to paint Awk’s tray black. Thanks for the story on the Trolley and Teddy Roosevelt! DL – Thanks for the drink!Pete – I don’t know about the 2-digit number on #1931. Have no clue. So class 90 has a panntograph, or are there two pantographs?Smart to paint the roofs silver. Will keep the temperature inside the loco down when the sun is shining. Thanks for the photos!Nick – I agree, those South West Trains look very nice in their liveries! A whole bunch of very nice photos! Is it your layout (4th from top)? Prince of Wales, where did you find that locomotive?
Eric
Good evening Leon I see that we had a bit o action today which is always a good thing,lots of wonderfull smell eminating from the galley as well. i think a Keith's oh and I don't know I think the linguini sounds good I shall sample it.
Pete- A couple more fine pictures again today sir,always good to see.I had thought the punishment for that driver was a tad harsh, but it was the times and he did almost run over the President. the workers would always fall in favour of the bosses back then.
Yes Scotia handles (I believe still does ) timber from Algonquin park . that whole subdivision is still more or less intact,no passenger trains other than that's the route ONR's Northlander travels on it's way up from Toronto,VIA's Canadain does use parts of that trackage as well.
Dan-Good to see if only for a moment. Good to hear that you are reading and keeping up
Tom-Loved the Zepher post lots o good info and hey a couple nice shots as well.
Nick-Wow a veritable cornicopia of shots and food,hopefully Tom lets the extra two shots pass muster otherwise more tweetings may happen hope not <uh oh > but hey it's his call I'm glad that you found some of my ramblings humourous I try. No Boris I'm not going on tour but thanks for offering to be my roadie
Hey Leon I think another round for the boys as always Nick's picks are top notch
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Will provide captions tomorrow-have a good day one and all-Leon-heres a handful for the juke-crank it up good and loud old son,it`s the weekend-lets rip this joint...1,2,123 &-
Right-back again-still with the food,how about something Italian-blue cheese cannelloni followed by seafood linguini provencale,followed by pan fried veal escalopes with shallots and brandy on a bed of rosti with fine beans,baby carrots and corn
or you can have a bar snack platter-a samosa,a couple of baby peppers stuffed with crab meat,short rack of pork ribs,prawn toasts and a couple of spring rolls-hot from the fryer
We also have the full normal pizza range available-I wouldn`t want the track gang becoming anxious
right -post this and try for pix-to quote Capt. Oates,I may be some time...................
Well good evening gentlemen all-I am returned-tweeted and penitant-such was my excitement at rediscovering the strange voodoo of pix posting that I entirely forgot my manners -This faux-pas must be rectified forthwith !!-Leon,a double round for the company and I `d better have a livener as well please-top man-ah yes the Zeppelin was just gliding in when I passed the field so there will be beer and perishables need collecting once les douanes have been suitably distracted.....
Right-lets see if I can keep a whole 3 point plan together here:-phase 1-catch up on post,phase 2-some sort of light menu in keeping with my fine,phase 3-some more pix-----gonna be a tall order-better have a top up here please Leon-why Leon,you look strangely alluring tonight....oh-sorry Ruth,I didn`t realise you were helping out....whoops -fancy a little drinkie ??
ALAN-glad you enjoyed the pix-plenty more where they came from-here`s luck to the Toon today
ROB-Huntsville -meat & drink mate !! --also crazed streetcar attempts to murder president (Hmmmmmmm) -fine stuff !!-also this weeks jokes-consider the bar raised to a new high
ERIC-Lordy that thing is a brute-but good looking for all of that -The liveries on those South West Trains electrics was new to me as well-I must say I rather like them,nice and cheery-they seem to have 3 varients-red (possibly a touch gaudy-certainly eye-catching) ,white (which looked rather odd somehow-not a colour one sees on rolling stock very often) and blue (which,like TOM was my prefered choice)-all have the same multi-coloured ends
The S.D.R shot is the first of many-the Brunswick green with choc/cream coaches oozes dignity-have 2 different batches shot about ten years apart
TOM-I will join with PETE in hoping all went well today -nice piece on the Zephyr-noted the more or less random stock allocation to each train (in terms of ownership)-was this a fairly unusual practice..??- glad I`ve caught your imagination with the `Ideal` layout notion -yes,I deliberately didn`t postulate a scale cos it opens up the possibilities-anything from a significant chunk of the east coast corridor in `Z` to an sm32 welsh narrow gauge with radio controlled high-pressure live steam (have had some limited experience of this and it is BIG FUN-trust me.....)-anyhow-we shall take up the layout topic again
CM3-good day to you and a toast to your grand old warrior-we have only a handfull left over here and all terribly frail-happily they all seem to want for nothing,which is as it should be..........looks like a tough selection for the layout-go for one super-detailed station in `0` or western Maine in Z..??......Your translation for Capreol matches the one in my guidebook--I understand from my sis,who lives in Toronto,that the current heavy snowfall has caused many cancelled barbies--quiz is a puzzler-absolutely clueless......
DL-Hi mate-have a pint or two and catch up
PETE-Dont panic mate-the guest ales will be here soon -this week we have :-Reverend James,Tomos Watkin,Brains dark and Courage Directors............Guildford-ascot-I know no more about it-that was what it had on the destination boards-the only thing I can think of is the line out to Alton where it switches to the Mid-Hants-I have a memory of seeing a timetable there that had a 3-way shuttle in it .....S.D.R is a lovely little cider country branch-such a shame they lost Ashburton way back when.......nice pix of 532 -now there was a lad who could design a sweet looking engine -that 47 definately looks odd like that-Stratford shed always marched to a different drum-the `31`s come to mind....co-incidentally,Joe Brown,the great singer/guitarist from the skiffle era (and still playing) was a passed fireman at Stratford shed before the lure of fame won him over
Right-food-Hmmmmm-Leon-stock the fridge with bottles please and pass me a couple to be going on with-I dont want to think what I might find out there-also,turn up the juke box-there may be `noises`.......
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Well-that was all very unpleasant and surprisingly messy but the galley is now open-thought we might try some Southern European ideas,so how about the Greek platter:-moussaka with stuffed vine leaves,taramasalata & hummus with oven-fresh bread,-feta,olive&tomato salad
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
NICK.Thanks for the kind words and for your great photos. I had not heard of the Guildford to Ascot service. I had a look at the map and I guess the train goes to Aldershot and reverses to get on the line to Ascot, interesting.
Enjoyed the photos of the South Devon Railway, for a short time the SDR trains used the link in the photo to run into the Totnes BR station. I think the link was used last year on a trip on which Alan was on that ran onto the SDR with class 5 No 45407.
ALLAN Thanks for the round and glad you are enjoying the photos.
I have finished the Shildon photos but I have found some prints from the Rocket 150, which was held at the site of the Rainhill trials near Liverpool. There were some different locomotives there as well as some old favorites that were at Shildon.
I see the ‘Toon' have a hard trip to Anfield Saturday, to cheer you up a bit after the Toon's recent form one of the LNER's finest.A.H Peppercorn Class A2 'Blue Peter'
Many thanks for the info and the link to the Wellington Metro.
ROB Yes it sounds a good hike in the Algonquin Park and being on the old trackbed would be even more interesting seeing the old bridges. The old KATY line across the river here is now a trail with the old bridges there is even a short tunnel near the town of Rocheport.
Many thanks for the Huntsville Subdivision Classic CNR steam encore. It certainly was busy. I see the time period was in steam days and I noticed the timber from Algonquin Park was at Scotia for the lumber mill there.
I have often thought about how it must be if there is a problem at the back end on one of the very long coal trains that run through here.
The ‘Weird Tales from the Barn' is a great series. It seems the motorman was harshly treated for what really was an accident especially if he was ordered to hurry by the officers of the tram company.
ERIC Thanks for the info and the photo on the DM3s.
I wonder if that 2-digit number was one the KWVR applied as their fleet number for 1931.
Glad you are enjoying the diesel photos I have a few more but I still wish I had taken more. The class 90 No 90130 is an overhead electric although the pantograph is not visible in the photo. It would have had to been towed to the open day.
The class 90s were introduced in1987 and were split between the passenger and freight divisions and numbered 90001-90050. They were built with a maximum speed of 110 MPH and fitted with Electric Train Services (ETS) for heat and air conditioning of the coaches. The freight division found ‘their' class 90s was being ‘borrowed' by the passenger division, so to stop this they had the ETS equipment isolated. These locomotives were renumbered 90125-90150.Today they have had the ETS restored and have returned to their original number.
CM3 The pub teams I was in were USUALY better behaved than the teams we face at Our Place.
Thanks for the explanation and the description how a Rerailing Frog is used. I remember seeing old photographs with a couple of jacks on the buffer beam probably for the same purpose.
I shall look forward to finding out what a ‘foolish end' is.
DL Great to see you in the bar. Thanks for the round. There have been some great posts lately and I will look forward to your comments when you can.
TOM Hope your visit to the Doc went OK.
You are so right about how times and traditions have changed. At one time a pub was the heart of a village nowadays even if the village as not lost its pub it is a very different place it was years ago in very many places. One thing that has done a lot of damage in the UK is the cost of beer in the pubs nowadays, it would be interesting to know haw much a pint has risen above the rate of inflation say over the last 20 years. There is something very wrong when the same beer is SO much cheaper in a supermarket than in a pub.
It must have great in the warm dome car watching the snowy scene pass by
Good to see visits from CM3 Shane - a two-fer from Rob 'n a suprise "nooner" from Dan!
Here's a piece that should "tickle the fancy" of anyone who appreciates rail travel in a dome car!
Before digging in - go to this link and spend 5 minutes or so viewing 'n listening to a fantastic review of dome cars in America . . .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2baVBWMJ0Os
<link provided by wanswheel Mike - who else!?!?! You remember him - the guy who hasn't been seen since he was TWEEETED! >
Now Arriving on Track #1
Back in the Day - Number Fourteen
The Original California Zephyr
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Material NOT corroborated.
The original California Zephyr
Before Amtrak operated a train with this name, the California Zephyr was operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad from Chicago to Denver, Colorado, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad between Denver and Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Western Pacific Railroad from Salt Lake City to Oakland, California. Trains ran with cars of mixed ownership; cars cycled in and out of the consists for service, repairs, and varying passenger loads with the seasons.
The first train was christened in San Francisco by Eleanor Parker while California Lieutenant Governor Goodwin Knight, Mayor of San Francisco Leland Cutler, and WP President Harry A. Mitchell looked on. For the inaugural run in 1949, every female passenger on the train was given a corsage of "silver" and orange orchids that were specially flown in from Hilo, Hawaii. The women who worked as car hostesses on this train were known as "Zephyrettes."
The train traversed the route's 2,525 miles (4,064 km) in 2½ days.
Equipment used
The passenger cars used when the train was inaugurated in 1949 were as follows:
The forward section of the first Vista-Dome car was partitioned off and reserved for women and children only. There was a door in the corridor under the dome just behind the women's restroom that provided access to the reserved section. Early on however, this reserved section was opened up to all passengers and the door and partitions were removed. Like the train's operation, ownership of the cars was split between the three railroads almost evenly across all car types. Each car was owned by a single railroad, but the ownership of the cars on any specific day's run of the train depended more on what equipment was available at the terminals than whose railroad the train was operating over at the time.
Generally positioned as the se
Hello Tom and all in
Here's a round for the house for all in. Been catching up with some stuff over the last couple of weeks - some great posts and I'll be back soon as I can with comments but been a bit busy I'm afraid.
Anyhow - hope all's well!
Regards
DL
Hello again Ruth , back for another refill of the BK speacial coffee oh and what the heck another donut from the mosheen as well ( cops kid after all ) Here is another reply from the depth's of the archeives.
Wierd Tales From The Barn #1 The Trolley and Teddy Roosevelt exerpt from a local newspaper. Once a trolley thretened to become a major player in US Politics.It came within a whisker of killing a US President, and nearly promoted a SecState to the office of the President of the US. Theodore Roosevelt had this run in on a dusty road just outside if Pittsfield Mass.The date was Sept 3 1902, barely a year after President Mackinnley's assasination.The President, and Govener Crane of Mass were tooling along in the Presidents open horse drawn landau, pulled by four prancing white horses. Facing them was George B Cortelyou, later the sectratary of Commerce and Labour, and up on the box was the driver and a Secret Service man named William Craig. Five outriders were riding along side in escort of the buggy. They were ahead of the buggy and were to far away to render assistance,and to add to their mortification another buggy loaded with newspapermen was up ahead of them heading for the same Country Club which was the Presidents destination. An open trolley, travelling in the same direction as the President's carriage overtook the Presidents carriage.Aboard it were a number of Pittsfields notables including the two top officers of the streetcar company.It was later rumoured and denied that they had ordered the motorman to hurry so that they could get to the Country Club in time to welcome the President.The trolley was in the centre of the road and the Landau on the right, well ahead of both vehicles was a place where the cars tracks swung from the center of the road to the right hand side.Concentrating on his prancing team, and unaware that the trolley was passing, the Landau's driver veered over the tracks.The landau was hit hard on it's rear left wheel and shoved aside,pitching it's occupants into the air. The President tumbled in the dirt, recieving a bruise on his cheek,a banged knee a cut lip and a severe shaking up.His glasses were knocked flying, his silk hat frazzled, and his frock coat torn at one elbow.According to the NY Times he told the horrorstruck motorman ; " I Think this is the most ***able outrage I ever heard of "Govener Crane and Secratary Courtelyou only recieved minor injuries; but the Landau driver was seriously hurt and SS agent Craig who stood up the instant of the impact to protect the President was thrown under the trolley and killed. The motorman , Euclid Madden, was fined 500 dollars and jailed for six months. Many Streetcarmen were convinced that Maden was only a victim of bad luck and of newspaper hue and cry. So a Pittsfield newspaper recollection of Teddy Roosevelt's unfortunate run in with a trolleycar. Rob
Good morning Ruth , I see that you are keeping warm by the fires,good of Boris to keep everything stocked up for you,at any rate I'm going to be bad and have a couple of the apple struedals from the pastery case and of coarse the large themos of the high octane BK blend ( for the vitamins )
Tom-Yes we do need to watch Helga a bit more carefully, now that Nicks back in the kitchen once in a while she's found his stash of hot sauces, wasabi , and other tinctures of hot chillies and curries. The upside is that the Rolled Paper company on the other side of the Mentor gorge is doing a booming busines and have ordered a fleet of paper products boxcars,there's talk of their own switch locomotive as well, and a new and improved 4 ply bathroom tissue.
I've told Boris to order more prep H as well , he brigthened up and thanked because he said it's good for his gums
Hope all goes well with your once over Boris has offerd to sit with you and Hilda said that should you need a nurse she has her "gear" in the back.
Eric-Wow over 9000hp in tracive effort good gawd gertie makes one wonder why railroads even bother with diesel locomotives anymore eh Loved the extra pictures as well.I have to say though you did do an awsome job on the feeding trays,so much so we did had to paint Awk's black as he wouldn't leave the reflection alone <uh oh > Oh Boris have you fed them yet If so then why is tex chewing on the throw rugs Yes you can have a small PPF but not until the others are seen too <sheesh>
CM3-So it was the C&NW again something I didn't necessarily know , I wonder why I thought it was the N&W,oh well.Yes re-railing frogs can sometimes do more harm than good,but it's better than haveing to get the big hook out every time espeacially if it's a hard to access part of the railroad where the derailment occured ( which inevitably is where it happens )Do you ever notice that when a coupler knuckle does break it's always the third car from the end on a mile long train I remember one about ten yeasr ago on the CN,I was at Bayview Jct getting some shots when a Hamilton bound train pulled up well short of the signals that were green for him, you could hear the warning bells as he { the conductor ) got out of the cab,Yes sir a mile back they snapped a coupler which separated the train and put it in emergency, it was a 40 minute walk back with the coupler. That train must of sat there for three hours while he fixed it.
Back in a bit.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Lovely day here - low clouds, hint of rain to be followed by...let's just say every TV station here has a different forecast and then there's the Weather Channel. Looks as though we'll have to look out the window tomorrow and check the weather rock.
Nix Pix were interesting, especially the vintage Great War picture. There was a celebration in DC yesterday for the last surviving U.S. WWI veteran. He is 107 yrs old and comes from (drum roll) West Virginia. He stopped driving at age 102 because his, "Daughter made me stop." I hope I'm that active when I reach 62.
Your idea about model layouts is a good one - I'll see if I can narrow it down by next model train day. The issue here is that there is so much that I remember or would like to work with. It runs the gamut from the Boston and Maine's Lexington Branch which, by the way, cries out to be modeled - it would make a dynamite shelf layout around a room. I know, OSP is already drooling because of the endless RDC possibilities. At the other end scenes from the SP, Rutland, NC&StL. I think you can see where this is going. Then we have NYC - quick, Boris, three fingers of your finest sedative.
Allan was by with comments.
Rob visited with CN material and Pete with some nostalgia. Pub teams? Why does that sound familiar?
Eric - Locomotive was a beast (as I said). It turns out that my guess abt. one unit was correct as well.
OSP was in with some VIA material of FP40s in all sorts of variations if you look at the pictures. I always heard that Capreol (loosely translated) meant "Place where the moose froze to the trees last winter."
Incidentally you win the prize for the quiz. CNW is the correct answer. It's my understanding that they ran that way because a lot of the railroad was financed through generous infusions of money from investors in the UK.
Steamtown back in the day was a fun place. Green Mountain still runs trains up there; powered by Alco locomotives. You can Google their site and see what's going on.
A "rerailing frog hanger" is NOT a wrestling hold (or whatever else you may have thought - yikes!). Think of a rerailer which is on a model railroad. The principle is the same. A rerailing frog is a device used to put a locomotive (or car) back on the tracks if it is not too badly derailed. Drop the frog on the rail just ahead of the derailed wheel(s) and run the unit/car forward. If (and this is a big if) all goes well the wheels climb the rerailer and drop back onto the track where they belong. If it doesn't work, then, you have a bigger problem. I have seen cribs used to do the same sort of thing. This is not for the fainthearted as there is not a whole lot of room for error and the results can often be worse than the initial problem.
The frogs (where used) are generally carried on the side of the locomotive so they are readily accessible. Other stuff carried on a locomoti9ve can include extra air hoses, MU connections, etc. You know you're in a rough area when you see extra coupler knuckles. Now there's a fun job whatever the season may be.
This leads me to our next quiz. What does the term "foolish end" mean? Hint: It relates to couplers and drawheads.
Man, did we get far afield this morning. I'd better get out of here. I'll try and post again later if I have time. If not, for those of you looking at snow; enjoy.
Work safe
Friday's Grin
Reason "things" happen!
Law of the Orient: A closed mouth gathers no feet.
It's THAT day again - Friday! Time to prepare for a relaxing couple of days off - so begin "training" with us! Grab a mugga freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case <compliments of Mama ‘n Papa Grundledink> ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
CONTEST UNDERWAY!
Participants thus far:
CONTEST CLOSES TODAY!
Thursday - March 7th: <all times Central standard>
Page 193 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:07 AM: Pretty early, but most welcome visit from our Resident WVA Connection!
Hmmmmm, was it the C&NW that ran on the "left" side of the tracks
Great stuff with the nameplates 'n explanations . . .
Mention of "Steamtown" brings to mind a visit the Bellows Falls, VT way back when <late 1960s>. It was a great time for the family - drove up from Melrose - stayed the night "somewhere" - took in the sights - just a lot of family fun. Anyway, is there anything left at the site these days Heard most of the collection was moved to Pennsylvania some decades ago . . . just wonderin' - thanx.
Appreciate the visit, chat, quarters 'n ROUND!
Page 193 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:20 AM 'n 10:54 AM: Enjoyed speaking with you on Thursday AM . . . good to know that there are still places in this world of ours where winter means just that - WINTER! <grin> Buy a snow blower!
Good observation: Boris is a Cyclops and therefore when his EYE gets bloodshot, well . . . he's just not quite with it! <uh oh>
Figured it wasn't CSX but the loco itself . . . <grin>
Thanx for the Classic Steam - goes back a ways . . . sparked the memory banks a bit!
Appreciate the two-fer, chat, extra-effort 'n of course support for the bar 'n "my other Thread"!
Page 193 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:14 PM: You always find a great deal to talk about in your fine < I3 > Posts.
As we've discussed in various settings - what used to be <UTB> ain't no more! <grin> Back when you were a youngster, that activity slate you came up with probably reflected the leisure time activities for many folks in towns such as Rugby. Fast forward to the 21st century - times are not only different, but so are the interests. The pub isn't the focal point - beer ‘n spirits can be purchased at various locations ‘n kept at home - television has surely put a dent in gathering at the local watering holes, etc., etc. It's just one of those truths that many find hard to accept . . . I too recall the neighborhood tavern being a place for family gatherings - picnics on holidays - sponsorship for softball teams - darts ‘n pool tournaments - horseshoes too. Times ‘n interests have changed . . .
Three more fine Pix from your archives - lookin' good, Mate!
Good morning Captain Tom and all present!!
Hello Leon! A #3 Thursday Special please! Curly fries.
I am glad I made it here just in time before closing!
Tom – Stopped to take in the scenery? Hmm. Really? I worked hard on those critter trays, they had probably not been cleaned the last two years. All had been speaking Swedish? That is a great idea! Thanks for the photos of VIA’s F40PH’s! I like the F40’s! Good looking locomotives!. CM3 – Class Dm3 #1224 is one locomotive (9,600 hp) with a lot of traction effort, 211,320 lbf. Weight 592,940 lb. Length 105 ft 10 in.
Another Class Dm3.Thanks for the Boston & Maine steam locomotive information! A lot of “different” names. My favorite is Ye Salem Witch. Rob – See my response to CM3 for some data on Class Dm3. I agree with you, the chain is probably a homemade re-railing frog hanger. I looked to see if it could be a part of the brake rigging, but it doesn’t look like it. Interesting story on The Ottawa Arnprior and Parry Sound Ry! John R. Booth knew what he was doing! Smart guy. Town of Depot Harbor would be an interesting place to see. A lot of interesting facts about CNR The Huntsville Subdivision. I didn’t have any problem staying awake! Pete – Class Dm3 is a three section locomotive. You’ll find some data in my response to CM3. You are correct about SJ class G11. SJ bought 2 of those locomotives, # 1930 + 1931. #1930 was scrapped in 1973. So I don’t know where they got that 2-digit number. Thanks for the link! I found the story on No. 90773! I like the photos of the diesel locomotives! And, of course, the electric. I guess the electric is only running on third rail power. It doesn’t look like it has any pantographs. Correct?Nick – Colorful trains!! I have never seen that paint scheme before. I kind of like it. I also like the train to Totnes! I don’t know about the Belgian troops. I can’t see anyone laughing. Maybe smiling, but that was probably because they just heard a good joke.Allan – I prefer to look at snow on a postcard sitting on Waikiki Beach a sunny day. But standing in front of a woodburner looking at snow 15 niles away is okay.
Hi again Leon I think another Canadian will be required to put out teh fires of Helgas wings,they aer good but Johnny cash's "Burning ring of Fire Song" will be well anmed tomorrow <uh oh >
Here's another old classic from the old thread the original Classic Steam post from page 159 of the old thread.Kind of dovetails nicly with the OA&PS seeing as the trains in this ran over some of that territory,stats are confirmed via the CN sig group and Ian Wilson's cheat notes on CNR branchline ops.
Classic CNR Steam #1 The Huntsville Subdivision The Huntsville subdivision ran ( still runs ) through central Ontario in the Muskoka lakes district. It is a 111 mile subdivision running from Huntsville through to it's Northern terminus of North Bay.And down to it's southern terminus of Gravenhurst. The local switching was done three times a week.These originated in North Bay on mon, wed, and fri.laying over in South River, and returning on alternate days.The Southern trains also operated three days a week starting at South River to Gravenhurst same three days a week will the layover at Scotia ontario, and returning on alternate days. The Huntsville switcher This served the Acme planning mills,Cities service oil spur,McColl Frontenac coal shed,( train coal and hating coal ) Supertest/sun oils petrolium spur,the stations frieght shed for lcl service,Anglo-Canadian leather's two spurs,Forest basket co( gone in 1957 ) and The Muskoka Wood products spur ( charcol plant ) Usually this train was called at 5:15or 5:45 am and was powered by ten wheelers or consolidation type locomotives. Gravenhurst-South River way frieghts served South falls-team track Bracebridge-Sheir lumber,Anglo_Can leather's coal bin spur,(leather co gone in 1951 ) Imperial oil's spur,Northern planning mill ( two sidings) the Bracebridge station's team track and freight shed ( lcl loading )Muskoka trading feed mill Utterson-team track ( pulp wood & lumberloaded) Falkenburg -team track ( cities service ) ,Lumber and planning loads and pulpwood also loaded at this team track. Martins-team track ( lumber & pulpwood ) North of Huntsville -Muskoka wood products spur ( charcoal ), K>J> Wallace( became international ceramic minning ) Taplins mill ( lumber and pulpwood) Novar-back tracks ( pulpwood , lumber, from Novar lumbermill ) Scotia- back track and storage tracks ( logs from Algonquin park ,off spot cars for the park line,) Baldwins ( small ice facility ) Emsdale-team track for Scotia Jct Trading lumber co. ( large volume lumber and pulpwood facility) Katrine- team track spur ( little used ) North Bay - South river trains Burk's Falls-team track( freight shed behind station )lcl freight, back track coal,and lumber loading.Thompson Heydan ( lumber spur ) Sundridge- Pineland timber,Oakville basket company ,team track ( feed , lumber,stock pens and grist mill ) South river - team track ( behind freight shed ) long logs for international shipping,) Coaling tower, stock pens ,( large seasonal cattle and pig auctions here ) Standard chemical ( charcoal out , boxcars of fertilizer and tank cars of alcohol out and in ) Trout Creek-team track (lumber & pulpwood )Glen Robertsons shipped logs to Inco in Sudbury and telephone poles. Powassin-teamtrack ( for finished lumber from Powassin Planning supply co,) One shipment of cattle a week from Powassin Farm Supply Hills- team track ( lumber & pulpwood ) Calander-frieght shed ( lcl loading ) J. B. Smith co lumber& charcoal ( several sidings )Citiies service siding. Nipissing-transfer yard,( south bound picked up at ONR yard then lifted local traffic at the transfer yard.All cars were weighed at Huntsville and all southbound trains coaled and watered here. These trains normally wer called at 6:15 am Typical power was consolidation or a heavy mike. Passenger trains on this subdivision included mixed trains 263/264 for Algonquin park, Trains 41/44 and 46/47 Two day trains runing in each direction between North Bay and Toronto. These trains handled considerable head end volume in mail and express picked up and set out along the way. Train 3 The Continental Limited This was the Vancouver bound arm of the Continental limited which passed through Allandale ( Barrie ) just ahead of train 47. Motive power was usually a bullet nosed betty of the 6060 series(4-8-2 ) mountain type. Unually 11-17 cars including sleepers and dinning cars. trains 49/50 Joint ONR/CNR trains that ran between Toronto and Timmons typical power was Northerns or Mountains trains 51/52 Summer only trains between Capreol and Toronto power was usually heavy pacific types Trains 55/56 Summer only The Algonquin ran into Algonquin Park daily except sunday.These were a tourist train from Toronto handled by pacifics and consolidations ( from Gravenhurst to the Park due to bridge restrictions ) Trains 43/156 Summer only trains from Toronto to North Bay usually a heavy passenger pacific or a mountain would handle this train. Trains 45/42/148 night trains operated from Toronto to Midland via Allendale ( Barrie )These mail trains conected to the Meaford passenger trains and only operated as far North as Orilla. A short version of the typically busy mid ontario trains on the CNR branch lines. hope you stayed awake. Rob
Good evening Leon I think a nice peperoni pizza would be wunnerfull tonight oh and justa canadian and maybe some of Helga's famous "three mile Island wings" if they haven't melted through the fryer again. A round for all teh usual suspects as well. Yes Boris I know that hot of food isn't good for me this time of night , it's okay I've got eh industrial strength tums so no worries.
Tom-Great pictures of your various VIA trips I aggree with Pete the shots at Capreol made me feel cold,mind you I'm sure they only have two season's there anyway. Blackflies and Mosquito's and Winter
Pete-A couple interesting shots this afternoon sir,interesting info on the naming , unaming,then renanming of the locomotives over 'ome. I'm glad you liked the story of John R Booth , one of the few railway/industry barons that came out of the early bulding period in Canada. you would love Algonquin park it goes on forever, I've walked the rain trail many times when I've camped there,been face to face with moose on the paths even saw the odd wolf loping in the forest off to the side,just a really neat park.
I don't see much in the way of oddball deisel power anymore,CN does run time back on some UP and BNSF power and we do still see the occational GT unit that has yet to get the uniform CNNA paint jobs.The bulk of the foreign power I see up here now is unpainted IC locomotives,though you can't really call it foreign power anymore as CN does own them,and they too are starting to get repianted as well.
Nick-Ah yes grasshopper the picture posting is comming back, some interesting shots, I liked the shot from WW1 as well
Allan-Good to see you in again this evening,intersting link as well I'm glad that you are enjoying our picture efforts.
Hi Tom and all,
The usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please Leon.
Nick. Nice set of pics of the MU`s at Ascot station and the GWR pannier tank on the Buckfastliegh and Totnes Rly, the Virgin train, and the military Baldwin from WW1.
Rob. A nice couple of re-posts of your Classic Juice #11 on the CN electric lines, Classic Steam #22 on the OA&PS Rly and some very nice shots of the Battlecreek diesel loco`s, and all your loco pics on the other thread.
Eric. At my age it`s great to see snow whilst standing in front of the woodburner. [Sorry Tom] Nice pics of the loco`s the bus, and the Aero-train.
Fergie.Was in with some comments on caboose`s, hope your check up went off AOK.
CM3. Was in with some very interesting info on the 1950 Hell Gate Express and the B&M list of loco names.
Pete. Looking forward to your next lot of Shildon pics. Nice shot of the Evening Star with nameboard and the K&WV Rly SJ 2-8-0, and a nice link to the K&WV Rly. Nice pics of the Class 56 and 60 diesels, and the Class 90 electric. The Toon can only go UP from their current place next season, HOPEFULLY!
Ron. A really great write up on the original reason for left hand drive, to keep your sword arm free, and it`s history was very interesting, together with the history of the motor car and some strange laws and customs.
Tom. The last time that I rode the rails was down on the Wellington Metro a couple of years ago, rode on a Ganz electric MU out to Raumati on the North West coast from Wellington. Here is a link to Wellington Metro;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranz_Metro
They are going to upgrade the rolling stock in the near future with 35 new double units from Rotem/Mitsui, a Japanese/Korean group. Enjoyed all the great pics of your S-Capades RR Pt VI, the post of Rob`s Street RR rules, Passenger Train Nostalgia on the CN RR and ONAL RR, the Railways of France with the posters, and the great set of Pix Parade #1 of the Canadian F40PH`s, a veritable feast of information and viewing! It was great to read that you have had your snow blower out now clearing your favourite gift from the skies.
See ya, Allan
Here`s a Baldwin 4-6-0t hauling a string of Hudson bogie opens loaded with Belgian troops stopping to laugh at a shell-shocked British officer who has lost his heart and his trousers to the village princess........
O.K then-heres a topic for the conversation,since it`s a wild old night and we are all gathered around the fire--What would your ideal model train layout be -now we need to set a size-I`m gonna use my own space of 15`x10` to get us going-any era or region you like,or scale--any takers ?????
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Two worlds collide-on the right we have the South Devon Railways authentic G.W.R atmosphere,on the left a Virgin spaceship-the weed-grown track between is the former branch connection ( which considerably pre-dates the line we are sitting on )
If anybody is interested,the (blue) train in the foreground is arriving from Ascot on some kind of weird shuttle service that works out of platform 8-normally the Gatwick (Airport) -Reading line.
The next car over is the down Portsmouth express 12 car set tail car and then we have--the two ex-Waterloo terminating services on platforms 1 & 2
Here we have the morning departure from Buckfastleigh to Totnes-on a very wet day.....
Lordy,this just keeps getting better-everytime I check in here there are more brilliant pix to check out-fair play guys,-you have all done me proud-PETE with England & Ireland,ROB with Toronto & elsewhere from his youth-and his Grandfather-TOM with that lovely brutal looking VIA power and of course ,the `S`capades--ERIC-wonderful stuff-those pix you showed before,of the railcars at the terminus, are firm favourite`s of mine
NICK A great bash at your partyRiptide was on top form and the good ale flowed freely. I don't think the track gang will be doing much work today.
ERIC Yes I guess the LT electric locomotives could have been kept going for some more years if they have had too but I think it was more easier to have the units. Of course No 12 is still working the occasional specials although it must be hard to get parts if they are needed.
That looks a powerful electric and must be very good locomotives to have worked over 40 years in the hard conditions. The loco looks in three sections.
Yes the two numbers on the plate of the SJ locomotive surprised me. I am pretty sure it was the locomotive built by the North British Loco Co and originally worked on the Netherlands State Railway before being sold to the Swedish State Railways in 1953 where it was classed as G 11 and given the number 1931. It was bought by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway from the Swedish strategic reserve and required little work before running. It has been restored recently as the British version of the class and is running as No 90733.
I have a link to the KWVR the info on 90733 is in the Rolling Stock section.
http://www.kwvr.co.uk/index.htm
Did you see on the Home Page they are having Timmy Taylor Celebation Ale as an on train beer next week, if I win the lottery I will go over and get some.
Unfortunately you have done too good a job with the critter's trays. They were so highly polished that AWK saw his reflection and as wrecked one, thinking it was another parrot.
CM3 Those really are some wonderful names on the B&M R1s and P4s. I think my favorite is Kwasind, after knowing its meaning. I wonder if any of the nameplates survive today, it would be great if the school involved in the naming had them. I think a good name on a locomotive adds character and interest to it, I have often wondered why Amtrak has not named any of it is locomotives, or at least I have not seen a named one.
On BR there was a total ban on locomotive naming at one time with those that were named losing them. But after one locomotive was officialy named in the late 1970s it broke the dam and most passenger locomotives and some of the new main line units carry names today, some better than others.
ROB Glad you liked the photos yes I will look into something else as I said to Tom, perhaps Eric knows a way of helping with the scanner.
I know in England there is an annual big crib tournament and pubs send teams. I have a small trophy from the Town and County (my local club in Rugby) for winning a winter crib tournament, but usually not as successful playing the bride.
Now and again we get the occasional CSX locomotives through here although it nearly all UP, I think their paint scheme is quite good.
Many thanks for the Classic Steam encore on the Ottawa Arnprior & Perry Sound Railway and John R Booth. He certainly had a way to make money. Although it is sad that the trains no longer run through Algonquin Park at least the trackbed, complete with bridges, is still there as a hiking trail.
TOM Enjoyed the songs certainly worth a few quarters.
I have got Adobe photo, which I am using to brighten my slides up, but I will have to look into some thing else, the prints seem a lot better. I believe that the slide film had a very slow speed so really it had to be pretty bright to get decent photos. I only wish I had got the camera I have got now in those days.
I guess it is rare to see a crib game in a British pub nowadays. The main time to see it in the pubs and clubs is when it is played as part of the Christmas games in the pubs that still have them.
Thinking of pub games when I was a lot younger this was the games played in my local pub each week in the season, which was generally September to April.
Monday. Ladies Darts/Dominos
Tuesday. Men's Darts
Wednesday. Men's Skittles
Thursday. Men's Darts
Friday. Friday night skittles.
There was a ladies skittle team as well but I can't recall which night
Beginning to brighten up 'round here after a rather gloomy start to the day - still a bit of snow cover remaining, so all has been fine for the treks 'round the mean streets with Juneau the Husky!
Good to see CM3 Shane 'n Rob stop by . . . helps to keep the utilities runnin'
Now Arriving on Track Number One
Personal Pix Parade #1
VIA Rail locomotive fotos from my rail adventures!
(1) VIA Rail F40PHs #6419 and 6418 - westbound Ocean at Halifax, NS, Canada
(2) VIA Rail F40PHs #6419 and 6418 - westbound Ocean at Halifax, NS, Canada
(3) VIA Rail F40PHs #6420 and 6408 - eastbound Ocean at Moncton, NB, Canada
(4) VIA Rail F40PHs #6420 and 6408 - eastbound Ocean at Moncton, NB, Canada
(6) VIA Rail F40PHs #6444 and 6445 - westbound Canadian at Capreol, ON, Canada
Enjoy!
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