Trains.com

String Lining

232703 views
2928 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, January 27, 2019 5:47 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

A day or so ago a tourist boat (and other barges & etc. - 8 total) broke free in the Albany, NY area from high water and ice jams.  The boat got stuck under the "Livingston Avenue" railroad bridge:  

"Standoff Ends Between Unmanned Cruise Ship And Railroad Bridge"

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/25/688838962/standoff-ends-between-unmanned-cruise-ship-and-railroad-bridge 

Some photos there, too.  

It couldn't have been too much of a concern for the railroad, though - as one fo the photos shows:

"But other business continued as usual: One picture shows an Amtrak train crossing the Livingston Avenue Bridge while the Captain JP III sits lodged underneath." 

Kind of reminds me of Joe Koh's Clinton St. viaduct - "Still undefeated against too-tall trucks!"

- PDN. 

Years ago the CN/BN/BC Hydro Fraser River swing bridge in Vancouver was taken out by a similar collision:

http://caboosecoffee.blogspot.com/2011/09/fraser-river-rail-bridge-vs-swiftsure.html?m=1

And look at that, 1500 posts and still going strong.  

Long live String Lining!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 3:35 PM
  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 4:26 PM

To all the posters from the Canadian Ice Box, thanks but no thanks for all the COLD air you are sharing with us. Lows of minus 24 are forecast for tomorrow and thankfully, I have no need to go out into them. The positive is that temperatures are expected to be upper 40's by monday.

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 9:56 PM

More from Mazeppa, good to see that someone cares:

https://www.bigdoer.com/37366/old-things/gas-plant-collection/

And still more good news, CN 5080 is about to hit the highway, starting down the road to restoration:

https://panow.com/article/823985/pa-locomotive-set-alberta-departure

And I don't know what everyone is complaining about weatherwise, in central Alberta we have been enjoying a very mild winter so far.

It was +8°C the other day in Edmonton... ...what's this polar vortex nonsense!?

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:16 PM

Dude-- Been like this since before Christmas

  
Tonight

Partly cloudy. Clearing this evening. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 38. Wind chill minus 34 in the evening and minus 49 overnight. Frostbite in minutes.

Partly cloudy. Clearing this evening. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 38. Wind chill minus 34 in the evening and minus 49 overnight. Frostbite in minutes.

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:20 PM

Ouch!  You have my sympathies.

I'll try to send some Chinooks your way!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:25 PM

Yes it has not broke above -30 or so for some time now. If it does go to a -20 or so for a day it snows like mad. Power went out 5 times Sat night into Sun morning. It's been brutal. 

Chinooks can't make it here, maybe we can built Chinook pipelines instead of oil ones! 

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 11:26 PM

Good News re CN 5080!

For one success there is always another awaiting.

 

' Old Maude ' Another one in Peril.
 

On Colliery Lead, No Fence. 1965.

 
 
 
1970.
 
Now Fenced Still has Left Builder's plate.  Steam Dome cover found in shop in Mine by Rail Fans and replaced on locomotive in eighties.
 
 
2013. Left B Plate missing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Locomotive almost ' As Built ' One air pump removed long time ago.
 

Thank You.

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 11:57 PM

NDG

Good News re CN 5080!

For one success there is always another awaiting.

' Old Maude ' Another one in Peril.

On Colliery Lead, No Fence. 1965.

 
1970.
 
Now Fenced Still has Left Builder's plate.  Steam Dome cover found in shop in Mine by Rail Fans and replaced on locomotive in eighties.
 
 
2013. Left B Plate missing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Locomotive almost ' As Built ' One air pump removed long time ago.

Thank You.

Another BC display locomotive that has seen better days, in Sandon.  CP 6947 was once owned by the Alberta Railway Museum (but was never restored), and was deaccesioned in the 1990s.  I wish we still had her, but at least Sandon is trying to keep her in decent shape:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4303604

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4303607

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/207211/

http://www.sandonbc.ca/train.html

The APRA acquired 6947 from a coal mine in Bienfait, SK, and I'm told it was quite the adventure convincing CP and CN to move her to Edmonton on her own wheels.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, January 31, 2019 12:20 AM

NDG

I had forgotten about this site, thanks for reminding me!  He was quite the traveller, railfan and photographer.

Early on, when the APRA was located in the old Cromdale streetcar barn (which was demolished only a couple years ago):

https://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q=apra&country=&state=

More from around Edmonton.  That website's search function is a bit hard to use so you get some non-railway stuff in there too, but there's neat photos throughout:

https://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q=edmonton&country=&state=

Calgary too:

https://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q=calgary&country=&state=

And Vancouver:

https://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q=vancouver&country=&state=

Guess it'll get tedious if I post links to every darn page on that website, so here's two final gems:

https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/1970/08/

https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/110665/

Take your time and browse around, there's something there for everyone!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Thursday, January 31, 2019 1:21 AM

 

Thank You, Again, Sir!
 
The legend I heard about CP 6947 is that they loaded the engine alone on a large truck and drove at night moving it to Sandon  OTR WITHOUT any permits what so ever.  Hmmm.
 
In better times.
 
 
 
From here.
 
 
 
More.
 
GN Ry RS1.
 
 
MILW 2005A TR4A EMD #12450 1/1951 
 
 
 
 
Sandon now features Brill CC&F Trolley Buses.
 
 
 
 
Not for the Trolley Buses.
 
 
 
 
Upstream from Sandon at Cody is this old F-M Engine.
 
 
 
Back in the day Sandon was accessed to the REST of the CPR via Barges Ex Proctor to Kaslo and Slocan City to Rosbery/New Denver and The Main Line extended From Kaslo to Nakusp via Retallack connecting three different lakes.  Sternwheelers connected Nakusp north to Arrowhead and then by rail to Revelstoke and the CPR Main Line.
 
Steamers Arrowhead.
 
 
 
 
 
Account washouts steel lifted Kaslo-New Denver 1957, altho' line thru lasted long enough to see MLW S3s as power.
 
We used S4s Rosbery-Nakusp. Later H-16-44s used not by strengthening slipways, but changing Restrictions in Timetable.  H-16s had D/B, we used Retainers.  An S4 was rated about 400 Tons Rosebery/Nakusp.
 
 
 
Beautiful.
 

Thank You.

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Thursday, January 31, 2019 7:21 AM

 

Mr SD70Dude.
 
Thank You for the Links!!
 
I was going to bed, then opened one to look around. Still looking at them 4 hours later!
 
What a selection!!
 
When not burning them out in the Mountains to the West, CPR ran them as fast as the tonnage and track would allow. CLC did not owe the Company any money. Definitely Sweated Assets.
 
When it became CP Rail, the nose crests came off locomotives that had them. On road switchers the crest usually indicated the locomotive had S/G. As nose door was too small the CPR Crest had to be in three 3 pieces on a C Line nose.
 
Poor old CP 4065 heading for the Divide on a Extra West raising the dust at a grade crossing. No its NOT smoking, sometimes it happened, Maybe its Isolated on the flat?
 
 
CP 8723 being handled Dead thru to Nelson for repairs beyond CP 4105 which has no Nose MU.
 
 
RS10 Crest Removed.
 
 
Before Robot Operation all four units went on the head end coal trains 88 cars. Empty Extra East for loading at Sparwood, B C.
 
 
Google.
 
 
I was working on the Divide.
 
Poor Old Maude is just to the East. They should paint the builders plate so it won't be so noticeable. Held on with only one bolt, the other broken by rust jacking.
 
 
WORST sounding bell in the Universe!
 
On far side of Turtle Mountain beyond is the Frank Slide and Hillcrest Collieries where Maude once worked, before moving to West Canadian Collieries.
 
Frank Slide. Highway is on run out.
 
 
 
Right across from Maude is the AGT telephone exchange which was all Step by Step. At that time there was a telephone booth out front and we would park visiting Maude and walk over. Back then there was no security and rear doors to Equipment Room were wood and glassed.
 
 
You could look in and see hear the Switches and Line Finders.
 
One would go out front and put a dime into the payphone ( Ding Ding, Quarter went Bong ) whilst the other stood in back and watched and listened to the call go thru. Probably get arrested, now. 
 
 
Then adjourn to the ( Once ) Grand Hotel ( Sigh ) and get sh*tfaced in the Beer Parlour, stumbling outside to watch a train by.
 
 
The Pass had good jobs and money flowed. We all were young and had 4X4s to wreck.
 
Have to love THIS!!!
 
 
Have to go and face another day.
 
Thank You again for the links!
 

Will be looking at them tonite!!

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 2,515 posts
Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, January 31, 2019 8:48 PM

Miningman
Partly cloudy. Clearing this evening. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 38. Wind chill minus 34 in the evening and minus 49 overnight. Frostbite in minutes.

Are you using Celsius or Fahrenheit?

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Thursday, January 31, 2019 9:26 PM

Copy of Environment Canada forecast from weather station in my town last night.. all in Celsius  -49C is -56.2 F. We have experienced extreme cold since before Christmas. 

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Friday, February 1, 2019 6:01 AM

Too Damn Cold Up There!!!!!

 

FWIW.

 

The Source of the Columbia River? Canal Flats, BC 

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Friday, February 1, 2019 1:12 PM

SD70Dude

dude, thanks for that link. There were two really interesting photos for me.

The first one, the third photo on page 3:

https://www.westonlangford.com/media/photos/110842.jpg

My first apartment after I left home was in the building behind the cab of 4579. It would have been behind the front door on the fireman's side. I moved there about 6 years after this photo was taken.

The second one, the second photo on page 1:

https://www.westonlangford.com/media/photos/110204.jpg

I found amazing. I have never before seen a photo of the site where the second apartment I lived in looked like before the building was built, maybe two or three years later. It is too hard to explain the location here, but trust me, I enjoyed that photo.

NDG, that picture of the Canal Flats, BC, Union Station is a keeper.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,259 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Friday, February 1, 2019 2:54 PM

For those unfamiliar with the Windermere valley's history, here is how Canal Flats got its name:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baillie-Grohman_Canal

Back to the photos, an older friend of mine once lived in this building.  Canadian Pacific built and owned the building, his landlord was Marathon Realty:

https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/110345/

Today you can ride through the tunnel and across the High Level Bridge on historic streetcars restored and operated by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, which run from May to October:

http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/highlevelbridge/locationhlb/

The Edmonton skyline is far more crowded today than it was in 1970:

https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/110267/

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Friday, February 1, 2019 4:09 PM

 

Just Freezing, Here. Rain on the Divide according to Media.

 

Thanks again to Mr. SD70Dude for posting those links!!
 
Many have brought back memories from fifty or more years ago!!
 
In the Looking West view in Calgary I was always captivated by the track switch at near left corner of Robin Hood Grain Elevator.
 
 
On centre track by elevator is car washer for the west No 1 ' The Canadian ' where they washed the train, and stopped the Dome Cars to wash their windows for the views in the Mountains ahead.
 
I used to keep notes of Engine Numbers from the days of Steam and netted many in Calgary.
 
There was a very active yard to the East of the Husky Tower where I saw my first CP S10, 6601.
 
 
 
A small subset of fourteen locomotives I did not then know existed.
 
The last group were the Modern version S11 thru CP 6623 which I had seen before in the East.
 
CP 6614 w Watchman Heater on running board
.
 
This was one of the last 539s and went for scrap in CPR Scheme.
 
 
AFAIK. this locomotive was NEVER repainted.
 
 
 
I liked the 539s and was amazed how QUIET the NON Turbo versions at full throttle and tonnage.
 
First Diesel I ran was CP 7013 back when steam was dying. Horizontal shutters.
 
 
CP 7013 and Sand Tower.
 
 
Painted in this Scheme.
 
 
CP 7013 was in an ' Incident ' and lost it's right builder's plate from cab. I was able to get LEFT Builder's plate when it went for scrap and it is now in safe hands in a Collection in Montreal.
 
 
For a short time Alco GE produced 539s w Horizontal Shutters, including some RS1s, and many roads had them including the beloved Central, headlight visor and all.
 
 
 
After Calgary, there were no rooms as the Stampede was in town, so I took the Greyhound, another Fallen Flag in the West and slept on the bus to Nelson BC, Hired On and was on the way to the Smelter @ Tadanac on CP 4081. 
 
 
 
NO!! The Remember When stories NEVER end.
 
I was on a Work Train @ Canal Flats, 2 H-16-44s, Jordan Spreader, one of the then new ones with on board GM Diesel Hydraulic power plant to operate the wings and nose, (  making it NOT reliant on locomotive Air ) thirty 30 Air Dumps, many from 1929, and a Caboose to live in, charged with Bank Widening and to extend Siding Canal Flats North to accommodate the New Unit Trains and their C-C MLWs as in some of the other photos in the Links.
 
Extra 4555 East about to tip over the Summit @ Elko.
 
 
 
Coming West loaded was a real show, flaming stacks and all, the rest of the train on the 1% grade up from the Elk River Crossing. Once a turntable here to right of Riprap.
 
 
From 1902 GN Ry crossed overhead at this location thru, eventually, to Fernie and Michel, including a Tunnel now used by Hwy 3. From c 1927 thru 1938 GN Ry had Running Rights on CPR btwxt Elko east to Fernie running a Gas Electric Direct connection w SPOKANE from Elko the Great! on Great Northern! 
 
NOT Nevada. Bound for Spokane.
 
 
 
 
Anyway, I was at Canal Flats on the Work Train and they were going to extend the siding North about Sixty 60 cars for the soon-to-be Unit Trains and Union Station had to GO! 
 
 
I saw the Section Foreman taking the signs off, he having a five 5 gallon ( Canadian ) can of Coal Oil and some fusees. After the signs were removed he went inside and splashed coal oil around and then threw in a series of lit red fusees.
 
End of Union Station, Canal Flats. Section House no Electricity, Hand Pump, Coal Oil Lamps
 
After he left I rescued the signs and hid them. No vehicle. When I returned a few years alter, as it turned out, the signs were gone. Hope they found a nice home.
 
The Mosquitoes were awful!  Even Teddy Roosevelt had something to say on their presence on one of his outings. 
 
Union Station once just South of Thunder Hill Road, East side. Road in photo.
 
 
So much Change.  From Albany to The Flats.
 
Thank You. 
 
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Saturday, February 2, 2019 2:03 AM

 

Thank You.
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Saturday, February 2, 2019 5:04 AM

FYI.

 

More on the CLC/PGE RCC4 @ Mazeppa.

CLC B Unit PGE Robot Car RCC4 in Movie.

Back in the Eighties we went up the PGE on the RDC to Lillooet and in the Clear in a siding was a Movie Train used in filming of  `Narrow Margin .` As our train was moving I caught only a quick glimpse of what was an ex CP CLC B Unit PGE Robot Car.
 
Here is a Photo showing Movie Train w PGE RCC4 painted in VIA Scheme.
 
 
 
 
Been wondering about the ' VIA ' /PGE RCC4, and, 30 years later, thanks to the Internet, The Answer.
 
As CP 4456 B Unit.
 
 
As PGE RCC4.
 
 
As `VIA`  Eng Unknown.
 
 
 
Thank You Mr SD70Dude re following them on the Road to Mazeppa!
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Sunday, February 3, 2019 2:59 AM
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Allentown, PA
  • 9,810 posts
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, February 3, 2019 3:12 PM

SD70Dude
NDG
Info, Please?  I have never seen a CPR Belt Pack Locomotive Operation.
 
Do these Locomotives have Event Recorders as do Road Power?? 

When I first learned about the Bingham Canyon operation I found it really neat that it lasted so long, with trains functioning like haul trucks.  And electric too!

The portable catenary must have been interesting to work with. 

Back in the 1960's Trains had a decent article with lots of photos about the Bingham Canyon operation, as I recall.

Unfortunately, when I go to look it up in the "Magazine Index", I'm getting a "Page Not Available" message.  I leave it to the reader to speculate as to the cause of that (i.e., software?). 

- PDN.

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Sunday, February 3, 2019 3:38 PM

 

 
Incidents. Torrana the Good.
 
Early PCC On Queen. 1967.
 
 
Dispute @ Switch. Car right has MU.
 
 
TTC Rebuilt several PCC cars for further years of service and one is shown here.
 
 
Car traveling West on Queen Route to Humber Loop on Private RoW..
 
 
FWIW.
 
Early Cabooseless Train??
 
 
Caterer Truck Parked on Tracks?  3 Fatal. CLC Diesel Hydraulic.
 
 
MoW. Fatal.  Note Cap, Switch Points and Broom.
 
 
 
More Data at this Site.
 
 
 

Thank You.

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Sunday, February 3, 2019 4:03 PM

 

Thank You, Mr. N.,
 
I first learned about the Bingham Canyon operation thru photos @ Shorpy.
 
 
Note two Steam Locomotives to right.
 
 
 
This photo is reversed. Look at Drawbar and Operating lever.
 
 
 
Spent a summer dumping cars like this.
 
On CP Larger of other two hoses was for charging Dumping Air Reservoirs smaller Hose was to dump all cars AT ONCE. Latter hose angle cock was painted Blue and called The Blue Line.
 
Glad Hands on Train Line and Charging Line were the same so Cars could be charged from Train Line if few.
 
Best bet was an Adapter Coupling which would couple with MR MU hose on a Diesel, as it was larger Pipe
 
Air Dumps were beaten up at the loading Quarry, as is this one, and you ALWAYS had to watch where your hands were when Dump Box was in motion.. Stirrups usually bent, Fun @ night.
 
Thank You.
 
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 3:12 AM
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 2:41 AM

Thank You again for all the great information.

NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Friday, February 8, 2019 2:51 PM
 
 
FYI,
 
Everything appears on the Internet, eventually.
 
My Father and I went on a CNR Steam Trip in 1961 to Victoriaville, QC. and had a great time, Blah, Blah, Blah.
 
CNR was still grouping Steam for scrapping, moving them, from time to time, to Turcot Yard, Montreal to be cut up. Over 100 amassed there..... eventually. 
 
 
The train stopped @ Ste Rosalie, Jct., the hosts came thru the train and said we all could get off and look at the doomed engines in transit here and that our locomotive would blow it's whistle when ready to go.
 
We all walked around and climbed up and down, shutters clicking. A photo still exists of Moi in cab CN 3235 on Fireman's side. Locomotive on nearer track, out of sight to right.
 
The photo hung on my wall for years.
 
Photobucket had it, too. For a while.
 
The Whistle Blew, and we left.
 
The other day I found this series of photos, at Ste. Rosalie Jct, Quebec.
 
 
 

 
 
FWIW.
 
The Semaphore Photo is for swing bridge where the Train Disaster Occurred @ Chambly Canal and Semaphores are for Bridge at it's far end. One has shorter Blade.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CN 3235's Number Plate showed up on ebay and, thence, to a Museum.
 
 
The steel now gone to Victoriaville and many other places.
 
I was there.
 
I got old.
 
Thank You.
NDG
  • Member since
    December 2013
  • 1,606 posts
Posted by NDG on Friday, February 8, 2019 3:05 PM

 

Burnt Off Roller Bearing.
 
Found one of these, once.
 
They had been looking for it for weeks, and I was the Hero of the Minute until the next time they had some Demerits to Award.  Not Long.
 
Signed for them, too.
 
 
Sent it North on the Caboose on the Wyft. properly tagged w Date, Location found and Car Number.
 
Thank You.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy