Good evening Leon,still dodging thunderstorms so this will be a quick and short reposne to one and all ( sorry ) I'll grab a flagon of Keith's for my page flipping prize from the bossman.Here's another unmarked twenty for a later round on me.
Tom-Email sent your way More great photo's sir. Intresting to see the way you built your tube. Good work sir 5x Nice shots of the old Chaleur as well..
Those caboose's like the one at the Trainwreck are / were unique to the Mopac if I remember correctly.I don't think they were huge in number. I can't remember as to the why they were built that way.To bad young Chris is no longer with us that would have been right up his alley.
Funnel clouds scare the you know what out of me as well, thankfully I've never experianced one , and knocking on wood hope I never will.
I think the locomotives your wondering about are the Goderich and Exeter GP's. They are a neat little shortline in my neck of the woods. They run mineral and salt trains as well as general freight between Goderich and Stratford Ontario,they have a run that goes to the Mac yard in North Toronto as well. They are based out of Goderich but have an out post and yard in Stratford by the trains station there. One neat little fact is that when they first started up they named alot of their GP9's after playrights and and characters from Shakespere plays,not supprising since Stratford is the home to alot of plays.
Shane-Great to know that you got that four generations shot. Even neater that you were able to get it in the same place as the original.Thnaks for the update on the Western New Yorkers. It's good to know that they are so proactivly saving their local rail herritage. Espeacially concidering how much rail history is in that area.
Eric-Nice shots sir. Loved the steamer on the turntable.As Tom said that shots a keeper fer sure fer sure.The NKP caboose use to be a healthy red,it fades to that nice pink shade in sunlight,I've seen the odd CP locomotive and CN caboose do the same thing.
Pete-I see that you got the dual,ed-u-ma-cation on Imperial and metric weights and measures as well. I know your well.
Great shots always love seeing mainline steam wheather it's in regular service or excursion service it's all good.5x
One point though teh twenty I left last night wasn't for your tab ( good try ) it was for a round for youse guys during the morning.
Nick-What ho mate. Great bunch 'o' photo's sir.Take no prisoners when it comes to that hedge,a chainsaw will be your best friend. Or some gasoline which ever works out best
Rob
Well well-I seem to have got my second wind (thank you beer)-so --Leon-do the honours for the boys please mate and lets have a look at it:-
ROB-Glad you enjoyed the pix-they are postcards that Sis picked up at Union stn-got a load of them
ERIC-Yes-that cab is a mix and match-looks a little less than 32` as well-wonder if its a mock-up ?-the Diesel is a 2` gauge-all the equipment on the new W.H.R is repatriated from South Africa-check out the youtube for some nice shots of the Beyer-Garrett artics in action -take your point R.E the `52-was only guessing-has that sort of look though...further investigation required......
TOM-I have an understanding with the old dear in question-I do all manner of odd jobs for her-including fetching smokes & bottles of vodka from the shop-and she pays me $20 an hour cash in hand-works for both of us-freight locos are Gooderich & Exeter-the COUNT will tell you more-Gas-we pay abou $13 on the gallon-last week was about 600+ miles mostly with either 4/5 adults or a full load of equipment on board,hence the outrageous outlay.-Saw a program about a sting operation set up on the Nevada Angels a couple of weeks ago-real savages-make the European branch look like a bunch of ***-real outlaws,entirely without redeeming features....Fine spread on the CACSS-must come up with a more euphonious name...hmmmm --Me a dweeb-nonsense Sir ! -I am a sad toothless lecherous old drunk (and proud of it !!!!) as to wandering topics-the only place where they serve drink and have a single topic of conversation is a church.............
SHANE-Thanks for extra detail R.E Abe-nice one-as to yard work-It pays me,gets me out in the sunshine,keeps me fit and is self perpetuating-all the old dears I work for are glad of the company as well as the work done and are quite happy when I split at 3pm to collect the monkey from school-everybody wins-I have cash on the hip-they dont get ripped off by cowboys.........
PETE-Another nice pix set-Clan Line looks a treat,the `86 looks like a `70`s B.R advert-never realised `Haaken` was a H.R development-although you can see it in the lines of the thing-the cab especially -I love the colour quality of those old slides-lovely and warm..have coupling converters for the brown car-euro loops that slip into Kaydee pockets-will also be useful for the Carlsberg van.....sheep joke-would the punch line be something about "get there early before the pretty ones are all taken" ??????....66002-was a complete guess there mate-no credit due.....sweets-black jacks & fruit salads -can taste them now
GENERAL-Hoochie Coochie band--All started well but rapidly became obvious that the band were just there as a support system for the singers ego-this would have been tolerable had he been able to actually sing-couldnt even clap in time,just a good showman and relentless self publicist -also,songs that we had all written were getting put up on the net in just his name-over 6000 downloads on one of them-final straw for me came when Alan was on his deathbed -Simon & Steve appreciated that I could be called away at any time-turned up to a show one night with this in mind-all I got from Tony was -"well I hope he hangs on for another week,`cos I`ve got a load of people coming to see me next sat at the Tenby blues fest."--I am still hugely proud of myself for not kicking him round the room then and there-just got wildly drunk and ruined the show for him by playing like Lemmy all night (had the Rickenbacker that night as well which helped --As it happens,I have the only recordings of the band in existance-a DVD of the Blue Rock show in the pic and an audio disc from a beer festival in Somerset (3000 very drunk people) -these are more likely to get used for target practice with Simon`s winchester than they are to be put on youtube (sorry PETE )
Anyway-he has now got a diary full of gigs but no band-karma is a strange thing
Right-rant over-Leon a double round for all for putting up with my emotional baggage-our show last friday was billed as Uncle Festers Itchy-Scratchy blues band and with the connivance of the venue was advertised as a dig at him-cheap but oh so pleasing........
Right boys-thats me,take care-see you tomorrow for fishy dishes (and steak for ERIC) ,sleep well
Hi Leon I'm back again. Another Keith's if you don't mind. Since this is Wednesday here is a new and unique somewhat twisted thing from the far east. And you thought Z scale was small.
http://www.kk-eishindo.co.jp
Wow Rob
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
To all. Sorry guys`, am having that page loading problem here again, just lost a full post of 1/2 hrs typing, will try again tomorrow and acknowledge all of your fine material then.
See ya, Allan
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Ohh, hi Leon, I don't know. Wait, I know, tonight is a perfect night for a ham sandwich! Tui, please!
A windy day in the desert, especially tonight. At least the house is still standing.
Tom – You should know by now that my memory is good but very short, about 0.2 seconds! So how do you think that I should be able to remember any 60˚ in the text several days ago? Not even Molly would be able to teach me that! Subway photos! Trains and subway. Next must be streetcars and trolley buses! But I don’t know anyone else that has a subway under his layout! I love it!More photos from Gaspé! Still sunny and about 60˚F!! (I remembered!) F40 is one of my favorite locomotives!CM3 – Rain? Is that the wet stuff coming from above? Wind I know, we have plenty of it right now. I am sorry to show how little I know, but what magazine is RMC? Pete – Nice photos as usual! #377 built by Nydquist & Holm, NOHAB! NOHAB built many locomotives. Steam and diesel. But not any more. They closed the plant in the 80’s, I believe. You are correct about class 66. In Sweden they are class T66. You will find some photos on this link!.http://www.jarnvag.net/lokguide/T66.aspYes, I am looking forward to meet this guy soon. His grandfather was also an engineer. Nick – Thanks for a whole bunch of very interesting photos from yesteryear!! That class C diesel looks kind of different. Never seen any before. The last photo is a sad one, a demolition train! That makes me depressed. And, as you mentioned, the locomotive really looks like it was less cared for. Thanks for the answers to my questions!Rob – That makes sense, that the caboose was red from the beginning.Allan – Thanks for the Tui! No fun when things don’t work as it is supposed to. I found a bunch of photos from your part of the world in a Swedish forum tonight. It’s from something called “Manukau Live Steamers” in Auckland. Do you know anything baout that place? Anyway, there is a Swede who brought his own live steam locomotive there and it can be seen in all those pictures. The text is in Swedish but the photos tell it all. Check the link.http://postvagnen.com/forum/index.php?id=27697
Three guys!
Eric
<From the StL Museum of Transportation - personal foto>
G'day Gents!
Cheers to the Lords of Hockey - the Detroit Red Wings 2007-08 Stanley Cup winners - kudos to the Pittsburgh Penguins who nearly pulled out another miracle in the last second! Really some terrific games . . .
Coffee's freshly ground ‘n brewed - pastries are loaded into The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n our Menu Board lists our <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts. So, what're ya waitin' for
Comments from the Proprietor
Email sent to GoR . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Keeping track!
195 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
115 fotos from Rendezvous III
. . . more to follow!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Wednesday - June 4th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 35 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:32 AM: As mentioned previously, those VIA Rail Budd cars are in terrific condition. It's really a rarity to travel aboard any of their overnight trains that aren't in good shape. Experienced some ‘cloudy' glass up in the domes - but that's gonna happen over time. When VIA was in budget trouble a few years back - things like replacing the glass apparently was put on the back burner. But, now things seemingly are back to where they should be. Kudos to VIA Rail!
"In" with some reading recommendations . . . honestly don't know where you find the time! But, thanx . . .
Interesting comments ‘n good eavesdropping!
Appreciate the visit, comments, quarters ‘n ROUND!
Page 35 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:10 AM: Most welcome surprise AM visit - really appreciate your jumping in to the void - there's just no one ‘round for that particular time slot anymore . . . we surely miss the Larsman, eh Youbetcha!
Really like that next-to-last foto - has a certain "thing" with the steam ‘n steamer in that setting. Well done . . .
A tankard of Bathams on me for the Wolfman!
Page 35 - Pete <pwolfe> at 5:09 AM: Had a monster storm rip thru here on Wednesday morning about 2 AM - I slept thru it, but Juneau ‘n his "mom" didn't! <grin> "They" say a funnel cloud was spotted nearby - but didn't touch down. <phew> It's THAT time of year <again> <arrrrrrggggggghhhhhh>
Interesting thought you posit regarding that fuel truck. Yeah, probably had to make a run south to refuel our train back in 2007 . . .
Covered lots of ground with your most inclusive ‘n catch-up Post!
That setting up in Gaspé with the ice in the bay - clear blue sky - comfortable temps - was just something else indeed! Glad you liked the foto . . .
Sheep - Hoochie Coochie - Brown car - brake vans - farthings - metric - math - Chevy mirror - and so forth - lots to check out from our Bar Chandler! <grin>
Many thanx for the extra effort ‘n of course the ROUND!
Page 35 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:31 PM ‘n 7:23 PM <12:31 AM ‘n 1:23 AM Thursday GMT>: Two spates of fotos in fivers at that! Always much more meaningful with descriptions - many thanx for taking the time ‘n making the effort, Mate! A liter on the house - Boris, ring the ding!
Most interesting shot of that "tank" seemingly moving along down the main drag in town . . . A gud-un!
Rest easy, Mate! Thanx for the good company, fine fotos ‘n ROUND!
Page 35 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 8:51 PM: Thanx for the skinny on those loco fotos that Nick put up. Really interesting livery . . .
One of the places we want to visit is Stratford. We know about <aboot> it ‘n in fact have several videos of G&S productions from there. Just the kind of place we'd really enjoy. Now that I know there's a "special" RR nearby - well, what more excuse does one need
Our summer musical theatre season begins this coming Saturday . . . we've been subscribers since 1991 ‘n all the offerings have been top shelf. Really looking forward to another banner season . . .
Just heard that one-way airfares have gone up "quantum fold" in most areas. Checked Air Canada between here ‘n Toronto ‘n guess what They HAVE! <gasp> Doesn't look good for future travel - not at $700 for a round trip. <yikes> And to think the two of us used to fly for $300 - that's $75 per flight segment each. Long gone-zo . . . <sad>
I intend to do a bit of "research" into those unique cabooses of the MoPac. Have no idea what happened to MoPac Chris or why. He kinda disappeared from the scene almost right after our crew offered up B'day wishes back in January. Same thing with Jan Olov . . . strange, very strange . . .their loss!
Unmarked twenty appreciated along with your fine, inclusive commentary!
Page 35 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:59 PM <2:59 AM Thursday GMT>: What Mighty Man has returned <again>!! Unbelievable stamina has this man in Wales. Either that, or the "couch" has lost its appeal. <grin>
Many thanx for the candid insights into your life ‘n thoughts - don't really mean to pry. Anyway, if you're interested, I'll share some "biker stories" with ya via Email . . . not fit for this format ‘n forum . . . Just let me know "when" . . .
Sad, toothless, lecherous old drunk - nah - I don't buy into that. Old, perhaps . . . Dweeb - well maybe that was a bit harsh. You don't carry a pocket protector with ya now, do ya <grin>
I do things for an elderly neighbor lady every now ‘n then - although she has more energy than most batteries! Nice of you to give of your talents ‘n time . . . the 20 bucks per hour helps a bit too. <grin>
I suppose everyone knows someone as "centric" as the AH JO you referred to - those kinds, methinks, have a special place below decks <Hades> . . . they'll get theirs, trust me, Mate.
Petrol situation in your corner of the world is just outrageous . . . gotta just hope the worst of it has been seen. Let's hope for a turn about . . .
A fine informative ‘n inclusive effort - in spite of the rant ‘n lateness of the hour.
Double ROUND!
Page 35 - Rob <trolleboy> at 9:01 PM: Couldn't load the link . . . will try again! Also, Email <finally> received!
Page 35 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:31 PM <4:31 PM Thursday NZ time>: Sorry ‘bout the loading problem - appreciate your efforts at keeping us in the know! Tui appreciated too!
Thursday - June 5th:
Page 35 - Eric <EricX2000> at 12:05 AM <10:05 PM Wednesday Sandbox time>: We're 'quietly' arranging a trip for you to New Zealand for a visit with Dr. Gunneral, specializing in the CRAFT disease! He'll straighten ya out, Mate! Has a rather novel approach to medicine - calls it the stern-tube approach - have no idea what that might mean! <uh oh> 60 degrees <geesh>
Oh you just HAD to bring back THAT memory, eh Foto of the mystery uncoupling 'n power loss! <arrrrrrrgggggggh> BUT, I finally fixed it - of course, AFTER you guyz left! <groan>
But there ARE buses on the layout - many of 'em! Two in the Bus Depot - two on the Can-Am City main street AND one up in Can-Am Mountain Village. <geesh> No streetcars, however - just haven't got a place for 'em <right now that is!>
Nice link - enjoyed the kids fotos - especially the one with the engineer's hat pulled down over his eyes! Now that's the way to operate, eh Who needs "language" anyway Kinda reminded me of my times with Pete! <grin>
Thanx for another of your inclusive Posts!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
Hi guys,just dropping in for a bacon buttie and a bucket of tea-heres a 20 to keep the pot boiling...
TOM-E-M received -put me in for the book relay please.
Have just re-read last nights posting-apologies to all if it seemed rather terse in nature-was racing the clock to avoid playing too much catch-up,also the latter part rapidly turned from a simple explanation into a snarl & spit fest-not planned.............
Anyway,best be aboot it-looks like I`m down to play the organ for vespers Before I hit Mentor fish market for provisions
Have a good day everybody-catch you later
Been quite awhile since our daylite activities were sparked by a visit from Nick in west Wales!
Here's a little something from the archives to perhaps spur a bit o' gab . . .
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #2
Missouri Pacific Railroad (MP)
<A form of this was initially Posted on 13 Sep 2005, Page 107 of the original Thread>
<source: Classic American Railroads>
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Route mileage in 1950: 9,700
Locomotive fleet in 1963: Diesel: 724
Rolling stock in 1950:
Freight cars: 44.923 Passenger cars: 533
Principal lines in 1950:
St. Louis-Sedalia-Kansas City, MO-Omaha, NE
Jefferson City-Boonville-Kansas City
St. Joseph, MO-Stockton, KS
Kansas City-Pueblo, CO
Osawatomie, KS-Wagoner, OK-North Little Rock, AR
Pleasant Hill, MO-Wichita-Geneseo, KS
Fort Scott-Larned, KS
Rich Hill-Joplin, MO
Carthage, MO-Diaz, AR
St. Louis-Little Rock, AR-Texarkana, TX
East St. Louis, IL-Poplar Bluff, MO
Bismark, MO-Salem, IL
Bald Knob, AR-Memphis, TN
Little Rock-McGehee, AR-Lake Charles, LA
Memphis-McGehee
McGehee-Vidalia, LA
Pine Bluff-Hot Springs, AR
Gurdon, AR-Clayton, LA
Longview-Laredo, TX
Palestine-Galveston, TX
Brownsville, TX-Baton Rouge, LA-New Orleans
New Orleans-Donaldson-Alexandria, LA
Forth Worth-Spring (Houston), TX
San Antonio-Corpus Christi, TX
El Paso-Longview, TX-Livonia, LA-New Orleans (T&P)
Fort Worth, TX-Cypress, LA, via Texarkana & Marthaville, LA (T&P)
Texarkana-Longview (T&P)
Passenger Trains of note:
Aztec Eagle (San Antonio-Mexico City)
Colorado Eagle (St, Louis-Denver)
Houstonian (New Orleans-Houston)
Louisiana Sunshine Special (Little Rock-Lake Charles)
Missouri River Eagle (St. Louis-Omaha)
Missourian (St. Louis-Kansas City and Wichita)
Orleanean (Houston-New Orleans)
Ozarker (St. Louis-Little Rock)
Pioneer (Houston-Brownsville)
Rainbow Special (Kansas City-Little Rock)
Royal Gorge (Kansas City-Pueblo)
Southerner (St. Louis-El Paso & San Antonio & New Orleans)
Southern Scenic (Kansas City-Memphis)
Sunflower (St. Louis-Kansas City & Wichita)
Sunshine Special (St. Louis-Hot Springs & San Antonio)
Texan (St. Louis-Fort Worth)
Texas Eagle (No. 1 & 2: St. Louis-El Paso, TX)
Texas Eagle (No. 21 & 22: St. Louis-Houston & San Antonio)
Valley Eagle (Houston-Brownsville)
Of note: National Railways of Mexico operated the Aztec Eagle between Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City.
T&P operated the El Paso trains out of Texarkana and handled Texarkana-Longview trains.
Denver trains out of Pueblo were operated by D&RGW.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MP E3 #7001 "Colorado Eagle Streamliner" at Jefferson City, MO (1948) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Fred Schneikart)
MP E8 #40 "Eagle Streamliner" at Poplar Bluff, MO (late 60s) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Joe Falvey)
MP Alco PA-2 #8009 at Raymondville, TX (1952) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Arthur B. Johnson)
MP Alco PA #8018 at KCity, MO (1962) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: postcard)
MP PA-3 #8019 at Texarkana, TX (1956) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Arthur B. Johnson)
Enjoy!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We're still standing after a day of tornado watches, near misses, etc. We had no real problems here but the area just to the north got hammered with severe storms. Several county school systems were either closed or on 2-hour delays this morning.
Pete - I assume your use of the word "flyover" is the same as in the U.S. One main line over another with grade separation. The 2-6-0 shots have a lot of history behind them. The B&M used 2-6-0s on several lines right up until the end of steam. Incidentally, you heard the dog story when we were looking at the D&H slides.
I have several sets of sockets - had to because I had a 1976 Buick with both SAE and metric bolts, fasteners, etc. Insanity!
Nick - The first picture you sent is a keeper - is that Pete sitting on the bridge? Sugar beet train was interesting as well. Southern Pacific for years ran monstrous sugar beet trains - heavy tonnage, ancient cars, etc. Fascinating stuff!
We must be kind to the old ladies. I set myself up in business in New Hampshire (as a starving undergraduate) doing landscape service, land clearing, etc. in the summer and snow shoveling and house stuff in the winters. Good $ and very steady work because showed up when I said I would and did a day's work for a day's pay (what a concept). Flamethrower - that's the way to deal with the hedge.
Rob - Some other news from western NY which you may or may not have heard; the Arcade and Attica is back in stem - we will make a pilgrimage in July when we are in the area.
Eric - RMC=Railroad Model Craftsman. Good picture of the CanAm Engineering Dept. I believe in the adage, "Never stand when you can sit."
OSP was in with trip pix and more "underground photography." Nice shot of 6427 - clean and no advertising wrapper. I get stuff read because I don't do much TV. Red Wings did in deed do what they had to do. Sports Center this a.m. had comments by Don (Not a Slave to Fashion) Cherry and Barry Melrose - magical mystery tour, indeed. BTW, will probably post late tomorrow as the boss has decreed, "It'll be 90 degrees here tomorrow - go forth and do stuff in the heat." Oh my, look at all the lovely MoPac material! We must do soemthing with this.
Work safe
NOTICE! NOTICE! NOTICE!
Eric <EricX2000> has a book that he'd like to share with the boyz - it's called Steel Rails to Victory. Here's a photo of the cover:
This time I'm going to add a bit of flexibility regarding when the book gets mailed and to whom. My hope is to avoid the long delays experienced with the last Relay.
THIS IS NOT heavy reading - lots of FOTOS!
Now WHO wants "in," aside from Nick that is!
Let me know by EMAIL because sometimes things Posted at the bar have a way of getting misplaced (ie: not read)!!
Let's have some fun with this!
Hello Tom and all in
Round for the house - v quick visit to just pass on all the best to all. Willbe back when I get a chance with info on Glocs Warks steam trip (nice ride in GWR auto train) - also to respond to Nick's query re update on Oxted line route.
All the best
DL
CM3 Shane 'n Dan in the UK have been "in" . . .
Continuing on with Rendezvous III fotos . . . Rule of Six suspended <by one>!
NOTE: Fotos aboard the southbound Texas Eagle . . . our train did NOT have a Sightseer Lounge! However, they did have an additional dining car which was used for that purpose. Odd, but such are the ways of Amtrak in these times!
"Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous III - St. Louis, MO 2008 - Day Two
(116) Tom in the dining car
(117) Eric ‘n Tom in the dining car turned lounge
(118) Dining car turned lounge
(119) Along the southbound right-of-way
(120)
(121) Getting close to St. Louis
(122) The Arch from the Illinois side of the Mississippi River
More to follow . . .
My 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey continues . . . Rule of Six Suspended <by one>!
MORE from Day Three: Saturday - May 3rd, 2008
NOTE: The Chaleur at Gaspé, Québec, Canada
VIA Rail round trip from Montréal to Gaspé aboard the Chaleur
(196) Budd stainless steel beauties at Gaspé!
(197) Station at Gaspé
(198)
(199) End of the line!
(200) Getting ready for southbound departure
(201) VIA Rail F40PH #6427 at Gaspé
(202) Something extra!
To be continued . . . .
Not trying to rack up the count - just want to get some of the acknoweldgments out of the way . . . gonna be out this evening, then have the Celtics to watch, followed by a taped Alaska RR "thing" on the History Channel . . . Comes on at 9 PM Central, according to our "guide" . . .
And on the subject of cabooses - MoPac did indeed have some with bay windows and cupolas. Check out this link <scroll down a bit>:
http://www.trainweb.org/screamingeagle/caboose1.html
Congrats to Dan <DL-UK> for making the 700th reply at "Our" Place III - a pony keg of your favorite brew, Mate! <cheers> <clink>
Thursday - June 5th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 35 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:02 AM <2:02 PM GMT>: Can't remember when we've seen our Resident Londoner in Wales "pop" in so early here in mid-continent USA! Many thanx for thinking of us ‘n helping to kick off the day, Nick-style!
Your twenty has been put to good use! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Page 35 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:08 AM: Absolutely on the mark with the "cure" for those hedges that Nick has taken on - a flamethrower! Hilarious.
Checked the History Channel and that Alaska RR segment comes on at 9 PM this evening <central> VCR ready to go! Gotta watch the Celtics first - priorities ya know! Thanx for the Email head's up . . .
We've had two daytime days in succession without downpours - but we've had precip during the wee hours - hitting us hard ‘round 2 AM or so . . . More on the way tonite with Friday being a baaaaaaaad day. <groan>
Many thanx for your continuing support of the bar, Herr Wurlitzer ‘n our thirsty souls at the bar! <grin>
Page 36 - Dan <DL-UK> at 12:09 PM <6:09 PM GMT>: A quick "hit" from our Resident Brit in Sherwood Forest!
Many thanx for thinking of us ‘n of course the ROUND always is appreciated!
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams, on this warm Mid-Mo day, please RUTH.
NICK Many thanks for those wonderful Irish photos 5X, love the great details in the photos, like the old road vehicles in the 2nd photo and the sideways on signal box at Ballinhassig and of course the great locomotives both steam and diesel.
Glad you enjoyed the photos; I think with my slides it is not too soon to be putting them on discs. I am real sad about how dark most of them are, with the slow speed of the slide film then and a cheapish camera at the time didn't help.
It is a different ‘Sheep' joke.
Yes black jacks and fruit salads those were the ones.
Thanks for the info on the Hoochie Coochie band, I think you indeed showed remarkable restraint after the lead singers remark. I would have loved to have been in the audience for the Tenby Fest to have seen your bass playing, the only thing missing perhaps was a Pete Townshend type windmill arm swing that accidentally caught him under the chin as a finale. Great name for your band last Friday.
ROB Sorry to hear you are being plagued by thunderstorms, we are having our fair share here at the moment although none today so far, touchwood, but more expected tomorrow.
Do you have a list of those GP9s names that featured Shakespeare's characters
Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I will go through some more slides to see what I have.
So you spotted my attempt to swipe your twenty yesterday, as you can see I am getting desperate to reduce my bar tab, the ‘cash only' part is taking its toll.
The ‘T' gauge models sure are small.
ALLAN Sorry you lost your post, hope the forum works out today for you.
ERIC Of course NOHAB I should have made the connection when I saw the name, really sad to see that it is another good locomotive builder no longer in business.
Many thanks for the URL to the two Swedish class T66s. I think the newer livery suits the locomotives better than the 2001 green one. I noticed there is a pipe coming from the roof of the far cab in the first photo, do you know what it was for.
Many thanks for the URL to the Manukau Live Steamers that is really a beautiful Shay No4.
Enjoyed the photo of us at Tom's Can-Am, at least the uncoupling wasn't my fault this time.
CM3 Yes the flyover to the north of Rugby was built to replace a flat junction with the London to Birmingham/Trent Valley lines in the early 1960s.The one south of Rugby station was much older and carried the down Northampton and Peterbourgh lines over the up main line to London via Kilsby tunnel, there was a branch off the flyover that carried goods traffic over the down main to the goods line. The track layout, including new platform faces, as been taking place recently.
Yes it really is amazing how many bolt head sizes there are, it gave cause to more than a few accidents when using an imperial spanner on a metric bolt especially on the larger sizes not a lot of difference in some sizes but enough not to be safe. It reminded me, as well, that we had to learn both how to read both Imperial and Metric gauges like micrometers verniers etc.
I wish that had of been me in the photo from Nick, Ireland was a fascinating place at that time for someone interested in Railways.
Looking forward to the Mo Pac material.
DL Congratulations for posting the 700th reply at the bar and good to see you in the bar, I shall look forward to your trip report
TOM Thanks for the tankardand glad you liked the photos. It was a good time as part of the ex Great Central Railway was being reopened by preservationists after it closed as a through route in 1966. Yes indeed we do miss the Larsman.
That storm system was probably the one we had through here a few hours ahead of you; I see a tank of lead free gas was set on fire by lightning in the Kansas City area earlier that evening.
Yes that sight of the ice in sunshine at Gaspe bay was something special especially seen from a dome car.
Those airfares to Toronto, the bride saw one to London for $800 but I bet it won't last long.
Many Thanks for the Passenger Fallen Flag #2 on the Missouri Pacific. Something I noticed this time, was the passenger route between Jefferson City to Kansas City via Boonville, as well as Sedalia. I think the Boonville line, known as the ‘river sub', is used nearly solely by eastbound loaded coal trains or at least these are the only trains I have seen on the route.
Great photos, the old MO PAC depot is still standing in Jeff City and the ALCO #8018 looks great in the blue livery.
Great photos on our trip back from Springfield on the Texas Eagle, I see you were able to get a photo of that strange switching locomotive and the great photos of Gaspe station in the sunshine.5X
I will check out that detailed URL on the Mo Pac cabooses when I have posted this.
Oh Dear my photobucket is 'not responding' so I had better post this. Well LEON a round please and as it is Thursday the Fish 'N' Chip
Pete.
Right then chaps-looks like we have a few minutes whilst the fryers are heating up and the salamander reaches it`s usual eyebrow scorching temp...
So- beer for all I think is the way to go here,Leon-if you would be so kind.........good man
Right-where are we-SHANE-have a past copy of one of the M.R specials that has a feature based around some old Phillip Hastings pix of a B+M terminus served by some lovely little moguls-perhaps Peterborough ?-It was obviously considered important enough to commision Ian Rice to design a pair of "you could do this " model plans-a neat little station...
DAN-looking forward to your thoughts on the Oxted line and much else besides...........
TOM-I think my favourites there are #121 & 122-you have a huge horizon there which we just dont have over here-would love to ride the road up to Gaspe with you-then we can take a trip on the O.N.R up into the deep woods up to Hudsons Bay-Would also love to squire you and CAROL around the great little trains in this part of the world-a whole different experience-think small,fussy and with loads of polished brass-but just as much pleasure to be had-cant beat the smell of a steam engine ( of whatever size) with a boiler full of steam and ready to go.....
PETE-A touch of catch -up-Yes the blue worked for the `73`s-although for my most diesels look best in green with the small yellow panel on the ends.....Any Irish rail pic is bound to throw up lots of interesting detail-I have a few more in the can
There are many sheep jokes....................................
Almost as many as drummer jokes...............................
When the good lord realised how many different bolt head sizes there are He invented the adjustable wrench and the mole grips-the mainstays of my toolkit-together with the big hammer..."Dont force it-use a bigger hammer"................
As ever ,a magnificent post from you-all points covered
ROB-I owe you an apology-dealt with you very briefly yesterday-as noted earlier,somewhat the worse for wear,although I perked up later--checked out that website-could only get the front page but looks to be 3mm gauge-as far as I can reckon it ,that is 0.75mm-ft scale-half `Z` gauge-should be able to build the whole of the Japanese rail network in the space of the Can-Am..............................should one wish to of course........
O.K chaps-the screams from the galley suggest everything is ready to go (well Boris-I told you not to touch...)
Right then ,tonights menu is :-
Monkfish , bacon & Tiger prawn kebabs with zuccini and red onion on a bed of mixed salad
Smoked Mackeral pate with lemon wedges and an oven hot wholemeal roll
Can-Am County corn on the cob soused in garlic and chilli butter served with an olive,tomato & onion salad
Soup of the day -which is French onion ,served with garlic croutons
And for the mains we have :-
Swordfish steak served with mustard sauce and a vegetable platter
Cleddau bass fillet poached in lime,ginger & rum ,also with veg platter
As a special we have a turbot-will need to be at least 4 people order before I cook it-this is a very special fish..........
also we have the filet mignon for ERIC-with onions,mushrooms & curly fries
And for the back bar crew, we have cod in a beer batter,with fries and onion rings and for those who wish to impress their ladies we are doing a one off deal on the prawn cocktail,grilled lemon sole with veg & fries and dessert trolley package all in for $20
Enjoy........
Good evening Leon,I'm not sure what to order off that wonderfull menu,however I think I'll try the munk fish,and a Guiness too please.herer's another unmarked twenty for a round for the boys.
Eric-A nice photo of the CanAm , looks like the presidient and general manager was hard at work.
Allan-Bad luck with the post hopefully tonight will be better.
Tom-More wunnerfull photo's. The Dinning/luonge car on teh Eagle looked pretty clean and in good repair.( at least from the pictures )Seems like it was well patronized as well.Got today's email and responded as well ( bet your supprised aren't you )The content of the email will likley supprise you more as well.
Our weather's stabilized a bit only rain and fog today hittling the high twenties and thirties heer the next three days <ugh> along with the typical humidity as well Looks like a no spring year again. We had funnel cloud warnings a couple times this week ourselves,thankfully nothing materialized.
Saw the latest report from Scare Canada,along wiht the fare hikes they are adding an apporx $100 fuel surcharge as well,looks like driving is the cheaper option
You would Love Stratford, if you guys get a chance to go.Only an hour from Brantford as wellNeat info on those Mopac Crummies ain't the internet amazing what would we do without it Nice to read the Mopac info again as well
Shane-I had heard that the A&A was working on rebuilding the steamers,good to hear that they are back running again. It's been eons since I was last down there ( was before I had a drivers licence ) The same trip we took in a trip on the Bath and Hammondsport as well. I've enjoyed several New York and Lake Erie dinner train runs as well. Not the same as a real dinner on a real train but hey at least it runs on steel rails. If you think of it and aren't too pressed for time in July drop me a line,I might be able to wangle a day or two off for some sight seeing.
Pete-Unfortunatly I haven't got a list of the names but Islode and Tristan were two of them as was George Bernard Shaw,there were three or four others as well. I'll see if I can dig it up somewhere.Amazing how small those trains were though wasn't it 1/450th scale
Nick-Flamethrowers mught be the best thing for that hedge,or a small tank with a hedgerow cutter on it Nice of your sis to send on those postcards for you.I'd love to do an ONR run woth you as well. I could show you a few good pubs and a few not so good ones as well around these parts,though I would never be able to keep up with you beverage wise.( I might even buy a round right Tom
The usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please Leon!
Nick. Great menu to choose from, seeing i`m on a "Sea Food" diet, [See Food and eat it!], i`ll have a small serving of the LOT please! Those Tallylyn vids were great to watch, and you can see where the source of Thomas the Tank Engine outlines came from, Tal-Y- Lyn did look a lot different without it`s cab. Got the DVD of the "Shads" farewell concert, 3hrs of their greatest hits in 5.1 surround sound, repeat replay "Apache" time after time whenever I play the disc, their version of Mark Knopflers "Going Home" is so replayable likewise. Hank was way ahead of other players in the UK BITD when he bought his Strato from the States`, he caused a real music revolution with it. Evocative story of your Hoochie Coochie band. Enjoyed all of your latest pix of the US RDC`s and the great Irish railway ones too, thanks mate.
Eric. Those were nice pix of the Gangs` Train Wreck Saloon lunch venue at RV III and the guys` around Tom`s Can Amm RR layout too, all "keepers"! Have seen that Shay loco of the Manakau Live Steamers group, they are in the Auckland area, they come down to Hastings now and again in our summer for live steam meets, they trailer the locos` in convoy. Many thanks for their site address, did`nt realise they were on the net.
Rob. Some nice Caboose pix supporting Tom`s BITD caboose post. What an amazing find your T gauge site was, 3mm, 1/3rd N guage, it is really hard to know how they managed to do it!
CM3. Was in with some info on The RR Caboose book thats available and the RMC article on the Allegheny Central RR.
Pete. Hank Marvin [Brian Rankin] and Bruce Welch [Bruce Cripps] were school mates from Newcastle, all the other band members were not Geordies`, their is some good background info about the "Shads" at;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadows
I play some of their tracks` most days`, LOUD when the "Boss" is out of course! Enjoyed all of your latest pix, Clan Line looks great! Have gone off the football at the moment, we are watching the 3rd cricket test, NZ v England, from Trent Bridge at the moment, the new stand there looks great, and the whole venue looks a real picture! NZ is just as bad as Wales for sheep jokes`, all unrepeatable here of course!
Dan. Nice to see you in for a quick visit mate.
Tom. Sad news about Bo Diddly, he was the original Rock and Roller no question about it! Nice BITD compilation #20 on the Caboose, the Fallen Flags #2 on the MP RR. more great pix of your Can Am Subway, all the great pix of the Gang at RV III on the Texas Eagle train trip and your latest Gaspe pix on the return trip on the Chaleur. "Dire Straits" play some great music, Mark Knopfler wrote a lot of their hit music, "Brothers In Arms" is one of my favorites. I suppose you are getting sick of the political scene over there at the moment, we are getting a lot of the Primaries` on the TV over here, we are watching the Sports channels more just now to counteract it all! E-mails recieved with thanks, will e-mail you as requested re Eric`s RR book relay.
Hi Leon, just a Tuborg Gold, please! No, I am not hungry tonight.
Kind of late tonight. Too much to do and too little time to do it! But that is okay. Here we go.
Tom – A trip to Dr. Gunneral? That sounds great! I’ve never been to NZ so it will be an interesting trip to look forward to! Stern-tube approach? Hmm. Glad to hear that you fixed the mystery uncoupling problem! I was sure you would do that. Buses are fine, but trolley buses are great!
Bus outside Can-Am Union Station.Missouri Pacific Railroad! So they were the first running Texas Eagle?! To El Paso! That is a little bit different comparing with today. Very nice photos of the classic locomotives! I think I’ll pass on the book relay, I’ve read the book a number of times and it is very interesting with a lot of very, very interesting photos from both sides of the front. I really recommend this book!Photos from our trip from Springfield! Good food, nice company and a nice sunset! I really like the picture of the end of the line in Gaspé! This is it, no longer! Finito! It seems like Gaspé is just a small station, no maintenance facility, no extra crew or locomotive. Is that correct? Nick – No apologies necessary! Your post was just fine! Thanks for the beer! Instead of using a bigger hammer I would recommend to use a sledge hammer. That will take care of almost everything!Thanks for the Filet Mignon! That is food for humans!CM3 – Glad to learn you and your house are still standing after the storms! Railroad Model Craftsman! Now I know, thank you! “Never stand when you can sit” is a good motto! During my time with Amtrak I was standing in the cab 90% of the time and for that I got a nickname, Woodlegs. I had to be in the cab all the time the X2000 was running. DL – Thanks for the round! Pete – Pete, your old dark photos can be fixed. I tried some of your dark photos and they can easily be made lighter and better looking using the computer. Don’t you have any software for photo editing? You can also edit the photos when you scan them. If you have any questions, email me.NOHAB built very good locomotives. I’ve been operating several of them. I agree, the TGOJ green livery on the T66 doesn’t look good. The pipe coming from the roof is most likely an antenna for some radio equipment. Glad to hear that the Can-Am uncoupling wasn’t your fault!!Rob – Yes the President of Can-Am and the rest were hard at work when I took that picture! Allan – The pictures of the Manakau Steamers group were posted on a Swedish train forum. That Shay loco was built by a Swede who brought it to Auckland and ran it there for a limited time. Manukau Live Steamers’ website is found on this link:http://www.manukaulivesteamers.co.nz/Pictures of the Shay that belongs there can be found on this link. It is almost identical to the other Shay.http://www.manukaulivesteamers.co.nz/photos/displayimage.php?album=random&cat=0&pos=-107
Hi all
Well, bit of fluke being the 700 th post! I'll be sharing that Keg with all the regulars as sparse appearances mean I don't reckon I've earned it!
Anyhow - firstly Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway - this is a preserved line near Cheltenham in the south west midlands of england - runs towards Stratford on Avon of Shakespearian fame at edge of cotswold hills (in fact the line goes past the late author Tom Rolt's house as per book swap earlier in year) bottom of his garden buts up to the line!
They had a steam gala with 7 locos in steam - GWR Hall, SR West Country, 2 GWR tank locos, BR 9F (David Shepherd the artists loco), plus the GWR auto train I mentioned. On the sunday they had a fly past by RAF memorial flight Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane although I did not see that as we went on sat. As it was an open day we got a guided tour round the carriage and wagon works, which was interesting - GWR horse box under restoration in there plus ongoing work on BR 1950s coaches trying to keep the rust out of them!
Journey to and from was via Birmingham which meant descent and ascent of the famous Lickey Incline (pete will know that well I suspect).
Nick - Oxted line: Yes East Grinstead route is electrified and has been since late 1980s, but I was going down the spur to Uckfield - which is still diesel. This is operated by Class 170 Turbostars - 3 car units - that now run through to London Bridge via East Croydon. But I do recall the great 'Thumper' Diesel Electric multiple Units that ran on the line up until about 5 years ago (they were all given to preservationists by the rail company that owned them so are scattered around the country undergoing restoration now). South of Oxted the route is very picturesque Wealden rural countryside, looked very lush in the sunny last weekend of May - the disused line to Tunbridge Wells west is still in place at Eridge, and the disused trackbed of the route south from Eridge to Polegate / Eastbourne (the Cuckoo Line) is still visible. The route to Tunbridge wells is of course part of apreserved line now since about 1985. I travelled on the last day of BR service on that route as a youth, on those very same 'Thumper DEMUs'. The route is still rather a backwater, but quite well used by passengers since the hourly through service to London was started again when the Class 170s were put on (as opposed to being operated as stub end branch from Oxted after the electrification to East Grinstead. These lines were some of the last in sussex to stay steam hauled in the 60s as they were islands of steam in an otherwise 3rd rail electric system in the region.
Apols for not properly acknowledging other responses - not really had time to read through properly. However, interesting to read Allan's price of sleeper 10 bob supplement back inthe day - I think it is 15 or 20 quid now although you can get some all in discount fares (eg London - Inverness 20 quid sleeper and fare all in booked on the web).
Tom, certainly enjoyed your continuing picture show - apprecaite that. And I see Lars was in a while ago - that IS nice to see.
Right - help yourself to a share of my keg winnings! (I trust it is trad british bitter Tom, at the trad temperature of course?)
all the very best
Brain Cramps'
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."
. . . former U.S vice president
End of the work week <for many> has arrived. So here's the deal - begin it with us by flling up your coffee mug, ordering a <light> or <traditional> breakfast ‘n munching on a pastry from The Mentor Village Bakery case while waiting . . .
Flash! 100% participation amongst the GoR for our RR Book Relay 2008! Thanx to all for the prompt Email responses . . .
202 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
122 fotos from Rendezvous III
Page 36 - Pete <pwolfe> at 5:30 PM: Email received ‘n it will be a treat to view your Rendezvous fotos!
Yeah, I did get a shot of that strange loco from the Eagle - but not at all clear enough. Tried the assorted packages available to clear it up, but that's the best I could do. There's a bunch of reading material on the subject of digital camera blur ‘n according to the latest info - no ready fix in sight. Minor stuff, fine - major, nope.
Speaking of fotos: I've offered to help you with the enhancement process too <Eric, most recently>. PhotoBucket has a feature to aid you as well <brightening up, darkening, etc.> Doesn't hurt a thing to try, Mate . . .
Blame it on this thing called "globalization" - began a long time back. I purchased my first metric socket set when I got "into" the workings of my VW Dasher station wagon. Then when working on my U.S. made vehicle, had to switch sets. Made me wonder, as I still do, why mess with success I mean this country's industry was doing quite well without the change - why force it Yeah, yeah - progress, etc. I'm not buying into it. <bratzafratz>
The uncoupling problem in the Can-Am HO layout tunnel was caused by dirty track. When the loco hesitated, it caused the cars to jerk, thereby separating them. After a few long sessions of cleaning, finally got it back to normal. Too bad it had to occur when the boyz were here . . . Not your fault, THIS TIME!
Saw that Continental is planning to lay up a bunch o' aircraft ‘n terminate many workers. Hope you've locked in on your UK trip, for things aren't looking promising, eh Have some neighbor-friends with family in Johannesburg, South Africa. They are flying there in July - said the fares are DOUBLE what they paid last summer. Not me - I think fone calls would just have to do . . .
Many thanx for the visit, chat, inclusiveness of your comments ‘n of course the ROUND <paid in CASH!>
Page 36 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:14 PM <1:14 AM Friday GMT>: Wouldn't be a Thursday "fish day" without a superb menu offering from our Chief Chef! We're ‘in' for the twenty dollar special! Made us both hungry just reading your selections - nice work, mate!
One of us MUST win a lottery in order to "do" those train trips you mentioned! I'm "up" for it - but I guess there's one problem - I don't buy the <censored> things! <uh oh>
Many thanx for your continuing support - also, Email response received - thanx!
Page 36 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:56 PM: Yeah, surprise Email received! Figured when it came to WWII fotos - you'd "bite." <grin>
This current situation with the airlines could be just the impetus needed to get the politicians off of their collective <duffs> regarding some forward thinking and FUNDED passenger railroad infrastructure. I can just "see" the trains back in our downtown shed - booking trips to pretty much all of the major north American destinations. Ahhhhhhh, living back in the day has its merits - but then one wakes up! <barf>
Never let it be said that Rob doesn't come thru <when overly pressured>! Rounds of Blue made me a believer!
The equipment on either set of cars we traveled in aboard the Beagle were in fair condition. Aside from those "sharp objects" I mentioned to one of the crew, after nearly lacerating open the palm of my hand, it does appear that Amtrak still has a working maintenance section in Chicago.
You must understand this - should the day ever arrive when Nick gets over to the "new world," ‘n we wind up riding the rails - it will be a trip as never before experienced. Not for the faint of heart - certainly not for the fairer sex ‘n no way light on the budget. We'd do this "right" - for it would be a one of a kind, fer sure, fer sure! What a great thought - rolling Rendezvous to Gaspé - two nights aboard the train - a couple of nights in the local lock-ups at either end - ‘n stories to tell for the remainder of our collective lives!
Oh yeah, finally got that link to work - teeny weenies, eh The hobby comes in all sizes ‘n shapes.
Enjoyed your chat ‘n appreciate the visit ‘n ROUND!
Page 36 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10:04 PM <5:04 PM Friday NZ time>: Luv the "Sea Food Diet" - or better put, "See Food Diet." Have been times I've been on it - but not lately, thank heavens. The assortment of pills that I take have effectively killed my appetite - so keeping the weight within reason isn't a problem in my "golden years." <grin>
Brothers in Arms is in my CD inventory - a gud-un, fer sure, fer sure! A group that I dearly love to this day are the originals from the Little River Band. Saw them so many times that it was almost like being amongst "friends." Great, great tunes . . . play 'em lots ‘round here.
Good link on the Shadows!
I first got "hooked" on Bo Diddley's music when listening to a radio station coming out of Newark, New Jersey back in the early 50s. The music was Rhythm ‘n Blues then, the forerunner of what became Rock ‘n Roll. Living in New York City had its pluses - for when it came to ‘what's happening now' - that was the place to be. Saw ‘n heard so many legends come out of that era . . . Guess we all have our favorite times ‘n nothing does it better than music to put one back into it all.
Best make sure that your medical license is current, Dr. Gunneral - for Eric will be making a visit! Stern-tube-ectomy, the leading edge technology from Kiwi-land! <uh oh>
Appreciate, as always, the visit, chat ‘n ROUND! And yes, Email received - thanx!
Page 36 - Eric <EricX2000> 2:24 AM <12:24 AM Sandbox time>: Figured you'd get a shot of those "fish bowls" at the Can-Am City Bus Depot.
Gaspé is indeed the end of the line - and you are correct, aside from the station, I'm unaware of any maintenance or other facilities for the train. Seems like an interesting place to check out - but with only a couple of hours for the turn around - really didn't want to stray too far - plus I enjoyed the sights in the immediate area. You'd love it - but probably best in December-January!
There are some crew members who live up that way - but it seemed that we had the same crew returning as we had going up.
YOU Sir, get the <Duh of the Day Award!>: You're NOT going to participate in the RR Book Relay 2008 because you've read it several times Hmmmmm - seems to me it's YOUR book! Good Gawd Gertie - ring the bell, Boris, I need a double jolt!
Many thanx for your inclusive Post with some interesting links too!
Page 36 - Dan <DL-UK> at 7:54 AM <1:54 PM GMT>: Two days in succession from our Resident Brit in Sherwood Forest! Just sounds like a great setting to me ‘n be!
Of course the pony keg was kept at the proper temps for discriminating Brit brew drinkers - ‘n a touch of bitter as well.
Trip report appreciated along with eavesdropping your comments to the boyz!
Would've loved to have witnessed the fly by of the vintage WWII storied aircraft . . . your country seems so terrific for things of that nature. Hope it always will remain so . . .
Talk of "thumper diesels" and the "Cuckoo Line" sets the mind wondering ‘n wandering . . . <grin>
Interesting tid bit regarding author Rolt's property ‘n so forth.
Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
TODAY is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Company!
1st things 1st, A round for all and I'll have a very cold Kieth's please and thanks. I must as well as get a Western with Xtra Mayo!
Now... for more important things How-a-bout those Blue Jays
That should stir the pot! Anyway I got off the ship Wednesday hitting the beach at full tilt I might add. It was a good trip but it was nice to finish up. And from I heard and feed back I recieved all concerned were quite happy. Had the old girl upto 17 knots one night catching up on program. Not bad for a set of old AlCO's that are 45 years old.
Tom: Excellent photos of the Subway and the continuing saga of the Rendezvous and Gaspe trip, Though I hate the ice as it kinda depresses me this time of year... Would you believe they still are getting frost inland, -1C(30F) in Stewiake this morning and here I am planting flowers with my fingers crossed.
Wolfie: More pics I see... I do like the pics I reallty do especially now as it takes the page 5 seconds to download.
Ron Ziel... Have several of his books and "Steel Rails to Victory" was one of my favourites in the School library. Definately a worth while read!
Picked this up this morning over on the MR site. Tom you will love this one for sure!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OGWcUAi0VpU
Well Gents the garden beckons.
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
The Fergmiester has returned to the fold . . . back from the sea 'n ice 'n into the garden 'n frost! <yikes>
Da Man doesn't seem to know what time zone he's in . . . profile shows -6 'n he was in the "half zone" just recently. Crazy, eh <grin>
A fine link - luved it! More comments in the 'morrow's acknowledgments.
Now Arriving on Track #1
Six Pack Special Number Five
RR advertisements from the Classic Era
<Initially Posted on 22 Oct 2007, Page 128 "Our" Place II>
Burlington Route - Zephyr
New York, New Haven & Hartford
Pennsylvania Railroad - GG1
Union Pacific - LA Ltd.
Northern Pacific
Baltimore & Ohio
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; iced coffee, please (take the edge off the heat); round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Time to clean and put equipment away and get ready for Monday class, to this is just a qucik stop. I'll try and post more on Monday, but it doesn't look too promising then nor does Wednesday of next week (gotta love it! All or nothing)
work safe
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
NICK I shall look forward to more of those Irish photos as you say full of great details in the backgrounds.
Perhaps you can tell me for sure but I think that is was only the first 6 of what became the class 73/0 electro diesels that appeared in a two tone green livery introduced in 1962 and built at Eastleigh works of BR. The later 42 73/1 class built in 1965-67 at the Vulcan Foundry of English Electric I think appeared new in the BR blue. Talking of them reminded me of seeing a brand new73/1 being towed through Basingstoke by a Standard class 4 2-6-0-steam loco, probably heading for Eastleigh works for commissioning.
Yes I have heard of the ‘Don't force it use a bigger hammer' saying, trouble was some of the sizes of spanner we had to use at work I would trouble to pick up now.
Many thanks for the kind words on the post.
If you need one to make up 4 for the turbot, I would like to give it a try, although the package for $20 sounds great value.
ROB Thanks for the names of those GP9s it would be great if you find some more. I think Shakespeare characters are great names for locomotives although I doubt if there was a ‘Bottom'. Some of my favorite British locomotive names were the North British Raiway/LNER ones that were characters from Sir Walter Scott's novels, like Luckie Mucklebackit, Wizard of the Moor, The Lady of the Lake and Jingling Geordie. I can picture these locomotives running through the Scottish Highlands.
ALLAN Many thanks for the URL to The Shadows lots of great information; I did not know before, that they had released singles before ‘Apache'. I can recall though, at one concert my mate went to, and it was the first time he had heard the Shads play ‘Don't Cry For Me Argentina' and he said it literally stopped the show. I agree the music as to be played loud
Unfortunately I am not getting the Cricket here at the moment it seems to Hurling, Gaelic Football and Rugby from down your way.
ERIC I am glad you were able to improve my photos. I had to use the computer to lighten them so I could show them, but when I tried to lighten them more they seem to lose contrast and I could not get the contrast back.
I guess there must be quite a few NOHAB steam locomotives preserved, do you know what were the last type of locomotive NOHAB produced before their factory closed.
Many thanks for the URL with the photo of the other Shay a fine looking locomotive
DL Many thanks for the report on your Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway trip. I did not know that Tom Rolt's house backed on to the line. The last Time I saw Foremarke Hall it was on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, I have yet to see her running although she looks really great in the photos I have seen.
Yes I know the Lickey Incline, I was fortunate to spend a day there when the trains were steam banked up the 1 in 37 incline, happy memories.
Thanks for the info on the Oxted line, it is good the 170s run through from Uckfield to London last time I was on the line it was, as you say a change at Oxted into a Thumper. If I recall right last time I was on the line there was a preserved class 50 diesel at Eridge.
If Tom does not want the Trad Bitter I will have to drink it.
FERGIE Glad to see you made it back to port safe and sound after being among those ice bergs.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. Many thanks for the VIA Rail URL, I guess the locos had Fairbanks Morse opposed piston engines, they sound a lot like the Deltic class diesels from the UK. Great to see the steam heating in use on the train in the link.
CM3 Thanks for the round. I will look forward to your visit to the bar next week when you can get in
TOM As I said to Eric I did manage to lighten those old slides up, I have tried with a dark one today on the photobucket sight to make it better but not with a great deal of success so far. I have got some of my photos from Rendezvous III back and the prints seem ok (the others are still in the camera) but I can't get the disc loaded to where I want it to go, so will have to get the bride to do it. I will have to bite the bullet and get a digital camera soon,but it will have to be one that is simple to operate.
As you say with the air fares it may be just me going over this fall, although there seems to be one or two relatively cheap fares still about, but I think even if the ticket is booked they will try to get extra money in surcharges.
Many thanks for the RR adverts from the Classic EraThey really have great artwork that reflects the era. I do like the New York, New Haven & Hartford one in the loco cab and of course the GG1.I believe the B&O 1927 Centenary Pageant is the one where the Great Western Railway sent their locomotive 6000 ‘King George V' over to attend, 6000 still carries the inscribed bell that the locomotive was presented with at the Pageant today.
Well I will post this and have another go with photo bucket, so a round please RUTH and the Steak and Fries a bit later..
Good to see Pete back in his normal PM slot - also appreciate CM3 Shane taking the time 'n making the effort to let us know he's "with us." That's what separates the GoR from the pretenders!
Tornado warnings "up" 'n it's been a ruff, tuff time of it here in mid-continent USA - horrific front roaring thru - twisters on the ground - but no reports of major damage <yet>. <yikes>
Okay - there's a lull in the storm system - so here's a few fotos for this Friday!
NOTE: The Chaleur consist at Gaspé, Québec, Canada
(203)
(204)
(205)
(206)
(207)
(208) Getting ready to go!
(209) Last shot from ashore!
Last batch of fotos ‘til Monday . . .
NOTE: Fotos aboard the southbound Texas Eagle . . . approaching St. Louis' Amtrak station ‘n the end of Day Two!
(123) St. Louis ‘n the Arch
(124) Crossing the river to St. Louis
(125) Back where we started!
(126) Night game at Busch!
(127)
(128)
(129) AmShack territory ‘n MetroLink
End of Day Two!
More to follow on Monday! . . .
Well good evening gentlemen all and welcome to the weekend -I trust you will all join me in a celebratory glass of rum for THE HEDGE HAS BEEN DEFEATED !!!!!!!!!...........Only one `unplanned descent` from the top of the ladder-luckily the ground broke my fall and in general the cuts, bruises and abrasions are no worse than those I suffered at the Ladies of Perpetual Motion S&M and advanced quilting workshop last year....
So-Leon-break out the bottle,turn up the juke and lets kick back in the grand old style .....
ROB-Your idea of a flamethrower has considerable merit,but,given the cost of gas........
When I do finally make the grand tour (See TOMS note ) I fully intend to make it the railfanning equivalent of the Stones `72 tour-Dont worry about keeping pace-I find that with the combination of advancing age and my racing snake physique,after about 8 pints I tend to get very dribbly and vague and can be found deep in conversation with cigarette vending machines and the like......Like the sound of the dubious bars-have always regarded the scene in the Tatooine spaceport bar in the original Star Wars movie as a benchmark-I suspect the bars of N.Ont. differ only in the music being played
ALLAN-Yes,arn`t those youtube vids a find--had only previously used it to check out music stuff but am getting hooked on the train stuff-even found some old Leek & Manifold cine footage earlier,includes a transporter wagon -fine stuff !!-
We have been known to launch into `Apache ` with the band on occasion-usually play it straight for a couple of minutes then segue into jazz improvisation,purely for our own amusement ........Used to be that if you wanted a Strat ( or any American guitar) the cheapest way to get it was to fly to the states with any old plank in your guitar case ,throw it away when you got there and replace it with your instrument of choice and fly back-avoided brutal import taxes which were more than the cost of the flight
Have been watching the opening round of the junior (u20`s) rugby world cup-have to say the all blacks are displaying a level of skill that puts the rest in the shade-seriously impressive-am gonna put a few quid on them to win tomorrow-fully expect them to bring home the cup at the senior level next time round........For those of you without a frame of reference-imagine the Harlem Globetrotters in a high school knockout tournament-yes,THAT good....
ERIC-Another nice detail pic from the Can-Am ,glad you enjoyed the steak (we aim to please !! )-Have had one or two bad experiences with sledgehammers/mauls ( a near decapitation after a broken shaft and a flattened fingertip respectively )
DAN-Nice job on the trip report -Thanks for the Oxted line update-manys the night I`ve stumbled around East Croydon stn waiting for the last stopper back to either Coulsdon South,Smitham or Caterham before trudging up the hill to Old Coulsdon-brought it all back -delighted to hear that all the old `tadpoles` have found good homes-BTW-took the liberty of selecting a keg of Friary Meux ale for your prize-enjoy !!!
TOM-As noted above,the `tour ` will be ...memorable...not sure which will be the most expensive bit-the flight or the bail bond to get me home again-have a number of issues with air travel-none of which are relevant here-but I am sure it will happen-can`t imagine that after all this time we won`t all get to raise a glass or two together
A fine selection of pix yet again-fine detail shots,some wonderful skyline shots of St Louis and a neat 6-pack -especially liked the B+O grasshopper-the artists rendition suggests a much greater speed than the original ever managed (neckerchief and smoke being drawn away by the wind)-good stuff
FERGIE-Welcome home mate-excellent link to a fine mix-n-match Canadian consist-good call !!
SHANE-You must be in a hurry-never seen typos in one of your posts before..............
PETE-Afraid I cant help R.E the 73`s-my trusty Ian Allans only go as far as `62-although logic suggests that the 2nd build would have been firmly in the `Corporate blue` era-the only definate reference I can give is ,rather obscurely,from the 60`s art house film 1+1,Sympathy for the devil by Jon-Luc Godard,where in the background of one scene there is either a `73 or `33 in rail blue moving some freight stock-that dates from `68 -sorry I cant be of more help................Now here`s a teaser for you-The entire class of tops code 98000 were allocated to one shed-where was it..?????
Love the idea of giant spanners-when I was last at college the workshop was set up to maintain Ford & Massey Ferguson tractors-had spanners with 4 ft arms -grown up Mecanno tools-perfect engineering principles-if it works,just make it bigger or smaller ,as required
Now I realise you are a Brit abroad,but complaining `cos you can`t get cricket-a game that can last for 5 days and STILL end in a draw when you can have the mad violence of Hurling,Gaelic footie or super 12 rugby-come on man-get a grip !!!
Right-owing to unexpected popularity,the $20 dollar special is held over for another night
Tonight we have :-
Smoked salmon terrine with salad garnish and wholemeal roll for a starter
12 oz gammon steak with double fried egg,grilled tomato and mushrooms with vegetable platter & fries for a main course
Dessert trolley or cheese board (for ROB) to finish up with..........
please order early `cos the galley crew deserve a chance to get out and aboot as well-thank you
Right then-everything seems to be under control so lets take our drinks out to the back porch and watch the E9`s on the Can-Am Flyer cross the FP9a+b+b set on the diverted `Canadian` cross in front of our eyes-cameras at the ready chaps...this won`t happen every day
O.K Leon-a last round for the house-the dawn chorus has just started at this end of the bar-always a good indicator that I should seek the comfort of my bed-no gig this week end,so,all things being equal,I will try and check in tomorrow-have a good weekend chaps-be lucky,take care
all the best
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, it's time for a Filet Mignon with mushrooms! Yes, a cold Keith's will be just fine!
My morning visit to the rehab for my twice a week work-out went well and I feel in good shape!, ready to take care of Mr Vito himself!!
DL – Congratulations to the 700th post! Steam gala combined with old WWII airplanes! Must have been something else! Tom – “I practically grove up in Phoenix”, former vice president. I wonder if that is the one who is living in the valley now? I am proud of my Duh-of the Day-Award! Wow!Nice ads! Burlington with California Zephyr takes the price! The Vista Dome Zephyr! Okay, the GG1 ad is not bad. Not at all!The cars in your train to and from Gaspé were very clean and nice! I bet you spent most time of your trip in the dome car!The end of day II of the 3rd Rendezvous! It was a nice day with almost perfect weather! Yes, she lives there!Fergie – Glad your ALCO’s behaved well! –1˚C! We got some snow in northern Arizona today! CM3 – Thanks for the round! Have a nice weekend and do n’t work too hard next week!Pete – I guess the last type of locomotives built by NOHAB was class T44 for the Swedish State Railways. It’s based on EMD’s diesel 567. Class T44.I am afraid it wasn’t much I could do to your photos. Good luck with your future scans!I bought my air ticket in early February and the fare is still about the same. What I heard is that they (the airlines) are not allowed to charge you more after you buy your ticket. Nick – A near decapitation? Wow, you better use something less brutal in the future! A flattened finger tip doesn’t count, unless you play the guitar! So be careful.
It's Saturday ‘n we've got a temporary respite from the storms here in mid-continent USA - so best get a move on, eh Order up a <light> or <traditional> breakfast - check out The Mentor Village Baker case selection ‘n of course fill up your mug with our finest Colombian blend coffee . . .
Musings from Da Bossman: Wondering why I bother to include the cyber names for the boyz in my dailies . . . began doing that in order to help out a guy who seemed to have problems sorting out who we are . . . now he's gone <in a snit> ‘n I'm still doing it! Hmmmmm. Habits are addictive! <grin> Nope, not a Yogi-ism - an original!
An ideal Rolling Rendezvous with Nick would be: Begin in Halifax for a trip aboard the Ocean, but ONLY when there's a Park Car <obs dome> assigned. Of course we'd spend one night in that great maritime port city. Following an early AM arrival in Montréal, spend the day at ExpoRail's museum about 30 minutes south of the city. Board the Chaleur that very evening for a round trip to Gaspé . . . two days later, board VIA Rail's "corridor train" to Toronto - VIA1 class of course! Here would be some choices - the faint of heart <or weak of wallet> may head for home, whereas others may wish to embark upon the ONR for a trip northbound to the hinterlands of Ontario. After a couple of days exploring this ‘n that, return to Toronto for farewells at the St. George Arms down in Rob's neck of the woods. Sounds good to me - so when do we "book it"
209 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
129 fotos from Rendezvous III
. . . more to follow on Monday!
Friday - June 6th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 36 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 10:37 AM <12:37 PM ADT>: Pleased to know all's well ‘n that you made it back safe ‘n <almost> sound! Can't escape the below-freezing temps, eh C'mon down here, Mate! You'd simply love the 90% humidity, 90 plus (F) temps for the weekend, ‘n the ever present deluge of waters accompanied by the threat of funnel clouds - daily!
Many thanx for that fine link - loved those "mixed" trains of smoothsides ‘n Budd stainless steel cars. The FP7s looked mighty fine as well . . . a fine link ‘n very much appreciated. Ya know, I could assemble a close match to that train with the equipment from my Canadian Railways display case - would have to use E8A-B in VIA "blue" - but I do have the smoothsides ‘n of course an abudance of the Budd stainless. And yes, there is an F7 in CP Rail markings just sitting there . . . Really liked it!
Blue Jays What in the world do we care about birds at the bar UNLESS of course it's AWK, our ever-present parrot!
Good to have you back amongst the gang ‘n many thanx for the ROUND!
Page 36 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 2:51 PM: Quick stop is far better than no stop! So, many thanx for the quarters for Herr Wurlitzer <still banging out Bo Diddley's tunes> ‘n of course the ROUND!
Page 36 - Pete <pwolfe> at 3:21 PM: "In" with another special summary of who-said-what from our Bar Chandler! And to think - the guy does all of that with one finger! Speaking of habits . . . <uh oh>
From the "old sayings Dept." - one shouldn't try to drive a railroad spike with a tack hammer! Hmmmmm.
I'm beginning to see the light - you must spend an awful lot of time watching sports on the tube or the ‘puter . . . gotta get you outdoors, Mate! There's things to do, people to meet ‘n places to go! The TrainWreck ‘n Lewis & Clark's <Trailhead Brewing> comes to mind - along with "that" Sports Bar in Springfield, IL!
I do believe that once you're locked in on an air fare - that's IT. There are regulations prohibiting any add-on costs once you've paid for the ticket. But of course, it's always best to check these things out BEFORE "jumping in," eh
Appreciate the insights <as only you can provide!> to that B&O poster, etc.
Any truth to the rumor that the Zeppelin flight will be adding a "trunk full ‘o olde tyme Brit cash" to the cargo hold Wonder why
Appreciate the visit, most inclusive ‘n informative chat ‘n of course the ROUND!
Page 36 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 10:14 PM <2:14 AM Saturday GMT>: You're the 2nd friend of mine who has had a near-death-experience with a ladder. <ugh> Just was speaking with a guy who was at the top of an extension ladder - trimming a HUGE bush that was in imitation of becoming a Sequoia tree - the ladder buckled, ‘n down he slid, power tool still running - fortunately "nothing" broke or was cut - just lots of abrasions along with a ‘pucker factor' of ten <scale of 0-10>. <yikes> Glad you're okay . . .
Thanx for the mention of the LoPM ‘n their S&M advanced quality workshop tour - should be putting together another one, shortly . . . <grin>
Funny thing about this place - when we get to "talking" of our exploits in life - we're most times referring to "back in the day." I've found - EXCEPT on those "rare occasions" with Pete - that my capacity for the consumption of all things brewed has been greatly downsized . . . <uh oh>
Comments regarding a get-together atop this AM epistle . . . Surely hope the day isn't too far off . . . Goes without saying that you ‘n yours are welcome here as well! Plenty of things to see 'n do in this area <as attested to by TWO Rendezvous gatherings> . . . there's a guest room 'n another that could easily accommodate your lil' one.
A Nick-style all-inclusive effort along with another great menu deserves an all-inclusive ‘round of applause from the gang!
Visit, chat ‘n ROUND always appreciated!
Saturday - June 7th:
Page 36 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:29 AM: <12:29 AM Sandbox time>: I think you "discovered" the identity of the former VP who made that quote . . . <grin> But I do believe you may have gotten it just a tad skewed. He said, "I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."
Good news on your health report . . .
Great shot of "our" lady-bird in her nest . . . she's been there for months ‘n months OR it's a series of overly productive gals . . . at any rate, this is the 5th or 6th year in succession that they've nested there.
I can't recall leaving the dome aboard the moving Chaleur EXCEPT for meals, sleeping ‘n of course calls of nature! <grin> Being up there was the idea of it all . . . it would be a TERRIFIC round trip for a Rolling Rendezvous. The whole thing could be done in the same time frame as our present get togethers - even one night less would work. Unfortunately, the getting to ‘n from Montréal part by air would stretch most budgets in these times. <barf>
Many thanx for the visit, fotos, chat ‘n business! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Reminder: Cindy has the bar until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
TODAY is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
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