Hello Tom
I'll have a pancake breakfast please, along with some of those goodies you just advertised.
I tend to think a train restaurant car would be one place a doggie bag would not be a good option!. Sorry to hear about abrupt service - very much like my experience on The Ocean diner last year. Maybe the staff had been on a training session at the average UK restaurant (!) A shame, since these things are much more noticeable in North America where high standards of service, in my opinion, are much more the norm.
Route 66 - are you saying there are OTHER roads in the USA? Well I suppose there must be Route 1 to Route 65 but surely that's the lot - are you saying all those dusty tracks pictured in westerns have numbers too? <grin, grin>
On a more serious note thanks for the W Va news link - certainly still a dangerous job, and retreat mining seems quite risky when you think about the logistics of it. (Just read your post CM3 - yep it sounded pretty risky, reminded me of the 15 (?) who died here in UK in mid 1990s in what I think was the last major UK underground accident - which was when a roof section collapsed at Bilsthorpe colliery (now closed), originally blamed on roof bolts failing but later thought to be due to a collapsed pillar of coal)
Eric - if you guys were not trained to drive the strategic reserve steam locos, who would have driven them in the event of their use being required - the older guys?
James - thanks for the info on that roadbed - would have been great to see large trains running up that line ‘under the wires' in that great countryside. Tend to think it would make a great trans continental cycleway or something now.
Lars - enjoyed reading your trip report. Agree with you, hard to see why some of these staff treat such things as ‘just a job' - shame not to get any enjoyment out of it. Mate of mine is now a train driver in the north of England, but before that started off as a passenger guard (Conductor I think you would call it), one time I was on a train he was on duty on, and he took time to draw my attention to line side things of interest, and to recount stories about particular locations told to him by some of the old lags who had driven the route for many years (inc in steam years). Interesting anecdotes, and clearly he really enjoyed that aspect of the job and the knowledge he had. I guess just the way some people are about life. Sad to hear about the appalling delay on the return. I guess this would have been the route I'd have taken had I had time to run down to NY from Montreal on my visit last year?
Thanks to Mike for illustrating Lars' story. Also Mike, nice to see the pictures of the Health and Safety Inspector guys waiting on the construction staff at Park Ave <grin>
Pete - Thanks for the streamliner info. Just so others can get a feel - some links here
This is the streamlined B17 (shows how similar it was to the A4 like the Dwight D Eisenhower or Dominion of Canada preserved in USA & Canada):
http://www.prints4u.co.uk/malroot/bgreen/bgbig.htm
And here is a pic of another LNER streamliner
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10415322&wwwflag=2&imagepos=1
I see that late Jan is the occasion for the Great Central Railway Winter event - looks like quite a few demonstration freights will be run. I see they have ‘Oliver Cromwell' under repair there - A Brittania as mentioned: http://www.nrm.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/2004/oliver.asp
Interestingly the Green Goddess 1950s fire engines were in action again quite recently, but it looks like some have recently been sold by the UK Government:, and there is the suggestion here that all 1000 of them will be sold before too long. I understand some of the ones that were sold had less that 2,000 miles on the odometer!
See
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4285557.stm
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4266381.stm
An interesting history of how these cold war relics came to survive in maintenance ready state is here.
http://www.romar.org.uk/page33facts2gg.html
Pete - you mention the US locomotive Diesel Horn. Hopefully other people can confirm if I'm right but I recall reading that when Diesels were being introduced in the USA people missed the sound of the steam whistle (as well they should!), and as a consequence the industry worked to devise a diesel air horn that was appropriately melodic - and so it came to pass.
It is a shame that the UK Diesel Horn's just sound like truck horns - a much less satisfying noise! Mind you I do regularly hear one of the InterCity 125 Horns late at night from my house around the time I go to bed as one of the later arrivals from London comes in, and I also tend to hear one about the time I leave the house for work in the morning. At least tells you all's well with the world when you hear it. Shame GM did not fit our Class 66 type locomotives with the more melodic North American air horn!
Regards
DL
foto credit: http://www.viarail.ca/
G'day Gents!
A noon appearance by the boss, just to keep Ruth on her toes! Give ‘em a drink on me, and Boris - ring the bell!
There's an Email out there for Rob - Pete 'n Lars . . .
Just wanted to get to the morning's acknowledgments, before events of the day overtake Moi!
CM3 at 9:09 AM today: Appreciate the round and of course the quarters. Am seriously contemplating a change to our "hours," but surely wouldn't want to cancel out all of the revenue generated by you for the week days! <grin>
DL at 10:36 AM today: Check out this URL for some info relative to the term "conductor"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductor_(transportation)
I received a phone call from an Amtrak customer service representative regarding the Email I sent. Pretty much had to go through my text with them to ensure my points were fully understood. And here I thought I knew how to communicate! <grin> Anyway, "they" will see to the issue and thanked me for the feedback. At least they are paying attention to comments and were prompt with a response.
Most times I've experienced terrific service aboard VIA Rail, but there have been a few disappointments. I recall one complete AH working the dining car aboard the "Canadian." He made a huge issue out of a request for an additional dinner roll! Can you believe that For the price of that trip in a bedroom with meals included, you'd think they'd serve the blasted things to you in bed! <grin> Settled it pretty much the way I settle most things like this - an abundance of dinner rolls for all seated at our table.
Some nice URLs and perhaps a bit more info on fire engines than I'd ever need. But still in the "classic" sense of it all. Well done!
I think the 5 guys posing on the Flying Scotsman are more like the founding fathers of the Can-Am RR! Great photo! And the Oliver Cromwell is indeed a fine looking machine!
Don't rightly know of the origin of the North American "horn" sound. Whether anecdotal or fact, your origin sounds plausible to me. I'll have to check it out . . . But until then, here's a URL you may find of interest:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_horn
Tom
G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, a cuppa Joe with one of those "BK splashes" if you please. Feeling a bit chilly this day <brrrrrr>! However, you surely put the warmth back into a man's heart with just the look of ya! A round for the house, treats for the critters and of course a small jar of pickled pig's feet for our friend, Boris!
Replied to your e-mail, Tom and as always, will do my part.
So, where was I The catch-up was rather easy between the time I departed for a long weekend and my return yesterday. Not all that much to digest in terms of the posts, but quite a few Urls and references. Those are what takes the time. Anyway, the group has definitely taken a downshift in terms of numbers, but even without the "regulars" from the past, we're still here and still functioning! Isn't that the idea You betchaboots!
Been experiencing one of those slow downs with the computer and haven't a clue regarding why or what to do. One of my boys is an "expert" with this and will be over tonight with his "black bag" to apply a fix. Hope it works as I'm really getting annoyed with it. There's a delay in the appearance of the characters I'm typing. In other words, I can type out 3 or 4 characters on the keyboard, but they don't appear right away. Kind of like when you have a phone call and there's that delay "thing." Very annoying.
Surely looks as if Tom 'n Pete's trip to Chicago wound up being quite the adventure. You guys got back in the nick of time before the ice set in. Better to have been stranded at Tom's place than aboard a train without an adquate supply of beer, wouldn't you agree <grin> I'm sure Pete's no worse for wear and enjoyed the hospitality of our Proprietor, the Can-Am trainroom, Juneau, etc. You've gotten a leg up on us for the Rendezvous as by now you probably have the secret code for the beer fridge memorized!
Hey guys! We need to figure out a way to keep things running 'round here when Tom's away. I know we all try to do our best, but surely we can get these long periods of "nothing" turned into "something" if we gave just a bit more effort. Anyway, I for one appreciate those of you who are still here, whether it be frequently or infrequently: CM3 - Pete - Rob - Doug - Mike - Eric - DL - James and of course, Tom.
Has anyone taken a look at the "hits' we get on this thread compared to the posts we make I'm impressed as it appears to be running at 10%, which surely isn't bad. Just check out some of the more active sites (threads) and you'll see what I mean. So people are peeking in, just not participating. Ya know, I figure that there are boat loads out there who just prefer to look rather than participate. I began that way many years ago. Before this bar I was really active on these forums with a different "handle." Got so turned off by the JOs that I swore I'd never come back. Then one day I found this bar and the rest is history. Perhaps we'll get one or two more who are curious enough and then get "hooked."
When I departed for our trip this bar was on page 5. I've been looking for that "special report" from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! about the festivities last week at the Emporium Theatre's Anniversary bash. Where is it
Pete, that's a fine looking loco back on page 6. B&O in my family goes back many decades. I broke the mold so to speak and went to sea instead. Had a chance to work the rails, but the call of the sea was for me once my Navy hitch ended I knew I was hooked. Yeah, all working stiffs in the family, but we learned to use knives, forks and napkins quite well! <grin>
Tom, a great compilation for the January 'events' in the history of Canadian Railways. Those are chock full o' great info!
Eric, loved that photo of you on page 6 while on the bike when you were a kid! Priceless stuff. Other pix well received too, of course! Also liked the spread you provided of the light rail construction in Phoenix. I've always thought of the place as being more atuned to camels than traction! Your pix have outstanding clarity, well done! <grin>
Tom, the movie selections are terrific. Wouldn't have any connection to the icing events in St. Louis would they Ice Station Zebra and the flick about the Titanic. Great irony, huh <grin> Also, apprecite the compliment by way of those pix spreads you provided on page 7 of my dome stuff from months and months ago. Flattering to be brought back that way!
James, that ALCO is outstanding on page 7. Love the look of those locos. Your pix have great clarity too.
Mike, you came through with some neat looking pix via the Urls. Good supplements to the posts.
And of course DL, Doug 'n CM3 with your continuing efforts to provide us with not only entertaining input, but informative as well. Makes for quite the place to hand one's hat.
Ruth, this time make it a JD on the rocks, then I gotta skedaddle. The Mrs. is bellowing calling my name!
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Hansons and a Round for all please RUTH.
MIKE Thanks for the great links.Very scenic line along Lake Champlain and I agree with Tom the D&H livery was one of the best there was.
JAMES YES the Big Boy locomotives are certainly massive when you stand along side one of them. Especially when you are used to size of the locos in the UK. I believe that the TENDER on a Big Boy weighs more than the whole UK Duchess class loco does, and that was one of our bigger locos.
Looking forward to seeing some of your painting.
ERIC You are welcome to the drink. Slighly warmer today with some cloud cover, I must admit though I can handle the cold better than the really hot weather.
Glad you liked the pic. The early Diesel Multiple Units (DMU)s were called Bug- Bins by some railfans it was quite a few years before I was told that the name came from the Bugatti Units.
Any more info you have on the Swedish steam locos that were held in reserve would be great
CM3 It will be interesting to see if this NFL game does take place, apparently it will be the first competitve game outside N.America.
I was wondering if the coal mines here still use large D.C. motors for the winding gear here as the company I worked for used to build very large ones for the UK coal industry.
DL Many thanks for those links to the locos we were talking about yesterday . The map on the link of the loco climbing Bethnal Green grade reminded me of how fascinating the railway system around the east end of London was in steam days when the docks were in full operation..
Great links to the Green Goddess Fire engines.They would be a good buy for some preserved lines as a precaution in the high fire risk days on their lines.
Are you going to the Great Central Winter event. It will be good to get a progress report on Oliver Cromwell. A thing I have noticed is how well the Standard classes of steam loco looked when they were photographed newly built or ex works.Some locos looked better when they had a little work grime on them, whereas the Standards never did. But maybe it is just me.
We will have to talk about loco whistles a bit more, perhaps there was a difference over here between different railroads as there was in Britain. The Princess Elizabeth loco in preservation days used to have an American Chime whistle which was positioned out of sight and was very rarely sounded, it would be interesting to know if she still has it.
Something I lost in yesterday's post was a comment on the first generation ex class 101 DMU you saw at Derby.I believe that two single-car first generation DMUs are still in passenger use on BR. One on the Aylesbury to Princes Risborough branch and one on the Cardiff Bay branch, have you heard of these. They must be 50 years old now.
LARS Glad you like the pic of the Peak loco. These were a good class of loco although heavy for the horsepower they produced, 138 tons for 2,500 HP. They were the main locos on the Midland Main line before the introduction of the High Speed Trains on that line.
None of my family worked on the railway, which is a bit strange as it was a railway town . My father and grandfather used to take me to watch the trains when I was very young so I guess that was where I got my love of trains. I dare say if steam was not being phased out when I started work I may well have tried to work on the railway, but it was to the factory where my father worked.
The secret of the beer fridge is still safe. Tom would get the beer and would let mine warm up a little.Seriously though I could not have been in a better place than Tom's when the ice storm struck..
As to the bar, I was new to a personal computer when I discovered Our Place and I used to visit a lot when Tom noticed me an invited me aboard,in those days at the bottom of the page were the names of the people who were viewing the site at the time, which was very handy and another thing we have lost on the new forum.
Tom and I had a quick look at the old Our Place and the number of views that is as had since it was closed is amazing, there must be a lot of folks who enjoy us it would be great if they would just call in.
TOM It seems I lost a couple of things when I transferred from the processor to the forum,one was on the loco horns on the Can-Am and how realistic they are. Great link to the loco horns, they certainly to me sound very melodic indeed.
I dimly recall reading an article many many years ago in a British magazine about a top manager on an American railroad being shown a new steam locomotive fitted with a then new chime whistle, when asked what he thought he said." I'm not sure, that whistle sounds so melodious its liable to attract the cows rather than frieghtening them away".
Great info i
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Sorry Leon, just a cup of coffee! Thank you!
A stressfull day and only time for a quick visit tonight!
Tom – A 4 car consist is far better than no consist at all! Interesting info on the Train horn! The horns on the X2000 are very loud (150 dB+) and after receiving a blast straight into my left ear at a distance of 5 ft I lost most of my hearing on that ear. Wow, that was loud! CM3 – The trucks on T44 is basically of the same kind as on the X2000, radial Self-Steering trucks (a k a “soft” truck). The wheelsets and axles steer themselves around curves, which reduces the forces exerted on the track.DL – That became more and more of a problem, to find engineers able to operate steam engines. When I started there were still engineers that knew how, but they retired in great numbers the following years. Oliver Cromwell is indeed a very good looking steam locomotive! Not stream lined, but good looking!Lars – I have also noticed the number of hits compared to the posts. That picture of me was taken next to an electrified narrow gauge railroad that is now long gone. Pete – After living here in Phoenix for 14 years my blood is so thin I have to drink anti-freeze in the wintertime so my blood doesn’t turn into ice! The Swedish steam locos were stored in some old roundhouses and especially built sheds around the country. Many of them were kept in plastic tents inside those sheds and inside the tents dried air was circulated in order to keep the corrosion at a minimum. Once every so many years they pulled out the locos and run some test runs with them. Somewhere I have a picture from inside on of those sheds. I’ll see if I can find it and post it.
Eric
Good, bad, and ugly:
Don't blame Amtrak for the ugly. First, did you bother to call Amtrak back to have them call of a search when the wallet was located? Second, you should know that Amtrak does not service its own trains in Montreal, VIA or CN do it for them. So the chances of getting the communications through and back (and not all VIA and CN low-rank service employees speak English, some only know French) are not very great.
I had similar experiences, including once spending a third night on the train, some hours in Chicago Union Station when, the CZ arrived at around 2AM instead of 2PM. And the expense of a ticket from Chicago back to Downers Grove was from my wallet. Fortunately after work a fellow worker who lived in Naperville drove me to pick up my car at Aurora. But I told everyone I would gladly do it again.
At 2AM, how did you get from Penn Station to your home? I guess if I had had sufficient cash in my wallet at the time, I'd use a cab, rather than the subway, not for security, just the long waits between subway trains on cold platforms. Or did you find a decent paid parking garrage near Penn Station without exhobitant rates?
Good morning all in
Pancake breakfast, coffee and some pastries please.
Thanks for those links Tom. Yep, I kinda thought the fire engine site was pretty detailed but I guess the line of thought is once you've found the site (and it seems reasonably credible) might as well link it anyway!
Horns - seems a bit daft to put one on your SUV but each to his own, as we say! Not sure where I read the point I originally made - could in fact have been in Classic Trains perhaps (which reminds me, the next issue should be due soon).
Good that Amtrak at least rang you (although I must say if I make a written complaint - I like a written reply, preferably from the person who manages the bit of the service that's gone wrong - helps me feel at least the matter went on file. I fear these organisations think ringing you back is acceptable, and I fear they do it because they don't want to employ people who have the skill to write a proper letter. Call me old fashioned but there we are.
Eric: Yep Britannia class were, I think, the last main line express passenger steam loco to be designed in the UK and built in any quantity - from 1951. In the post war years the streamlining had gone out of fashion and the importance was for ease of maintenance, hence easy access to moving parts and no streamline casing.
Pete, talking of streamlining, I thought people might be interested to see these pics of the GWR railcars, also Bugatti influenced I think. Stylish wise, I'd put these up with a Budd RDC.
http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/aec2.htm
(Rob, some of these were built by Gloucester Carriage and Wagon, who built the original TTC subway cars)
As you say, a Green Goddess would be a good buy for a preserved line.
I know Chiltern Railways still operate a 121 DMU as you state. I did not know about south wales, but I'm sure you are correct.
So others know what we're talking about - see:
http://www.railcar.co.uk/his120-129/121liv.htm
Your picture of the Peak reminded me of a story related by a colleague who used to be a signalman at Trent Junction. These Peaks were the heaviest locos around, so on icy or snowy days they would send one out light engine before first train of the day to clear ice and snow out of points etc and help ensure track circuit systems worked.
I have the GCR winter event in my diary. Domestic business got in the way of me visiting their autumn gala so I'm keen not to be cheated out of this one. I'll report back of course. I saw the aim was to get the Brit up and running in 2007 - has it not been steamed since the last BR run in 1968, do you know?
Lars - you mentioned ‘viewers' not participators, and then we had a call in from someone who might fit that category - viz
Daveklepper - welcome to the bar friend, as a relative newcomer myself can I buy you a drink? No doubt others will explain the protocol, but suffice to say I learned pretty quick it is usual practice to greet the other correspondents just like you would if you met someone in the street. Picked up on your mention of Downers Grove. My father had his first ‘full time' job near there and my parents lived in Downers Grove in the mid 1960s. I've visited there with them on several occasions subsequently and have good memories of the place.
All the best
foto credit: www.viarail.ca
And a Good Morning to all on this Thursday! Here in mid-continent USA, the temps are expected to reach the high 30s (F), perhaps even 40! Some snow forecast for the weekend, which can come in "tons" as far as Juneau and I are concerned! <grin>
The coffee is freshly ground ‘n brewed, pastries are fresh from The Mentor Village Bakery and our Menu Board is replete with tasty offerings of <light> and <traditional> breakfast fare! So, dig right in!
In the "For what it's worth department" - the ground rules for this bar are provided on Page One. We've been pretty much holding to them since we opened back on April 12th, 2005 and I see no reason to change. So, let's remember to NOT go overboard with the "welcomes" until it can be shown that someone does indeed wish to participate in the manner described. Inclusiveness, acknowledgments, avoiding the one-way Postings and above all, leave all emotional baggage on the front porch. Let the Proprietor be the first to "welcome," which will happen once there's a degree of "promise" shown by the newly arrived. Those who present themselves as negative or combative simply will continue to be ignored ‘round here.
For: Dave Klepper - as you know, we've had a "history" and you are welcome here just as long as you understand the way we do "business." Interaction is the key and of course, this is a cyber bar 'n grill environmen created for FUN and the exchange of information relating to Classic Trains.
The Emails have been received from Pete - Rob - Eric ‘n Lars. Many THANX guys, I knew we'd stand as one on this!
Rob, very sorry to learn that you cannot access the Forums, once again. It's becoming quite the problem and I'll really look into moving the bar elsewhere as suggested. Doesn't appear as if we have any other viable choice. CM3 had put together a spate of thoughts covering this and I'll be communicating those to you soon. Thanx, Rob, for the communiqué!! Then, you aren't reading this, are you <groan>
I had been holding back on putting this out, hoping that Doug would be able to follow through with a "blurb" or two. But, it is time to let you know that he will no longer be a "regular" at the bar. This is indeed a significant loss to us. Without delving into the personal, let's simply leave it at there's little time in his daily schedule for the continuation of the efforts he's put forth ‘round here for so long. He'll surely be missed, and promises that should the situation present itself, he'll try to swing by on weekends. And yes, he'll still be attending our Rendezvous! in May.
Acknowledgments to follow . . .
Reminder: Ruth has the bar until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonite is Fish 'n Chips Nite with at 5 PM sharp!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Back again with Part Deux and the acknowledgments:
Lars at 2:25 PM yesterday: Good to see ya in your familiar slot - the mid-afternoon's haven't been quite the same without you.
Yes, both Pete ‘n I have discussed those "hits" on our Thread and we surely do attract quite a few "browsers." Pretty much goes for all of the Forums and Threads, probably far more who "look" than participate. So be it; everyone is as extroverted as we!
Pete at 6:05 PM yesterday: The Wolfman has arrived and always good to see ya perched on that special stool of yours! Boris keeps it in tip-top repair, seat belts ‘n all! <grin>
Juneau did it again this morning as he went into "your room," sniffed about, and came out with that "I wonder where he is" look. You found a friend, fer sure, fer sure! Nothing better, in my opinion - I'll take the canines anytime over the bipedal of the earth.
The sound system used on the Can-Am is provided by MRC and there are two of ‘em installed beneath the layout, at either end. Speakers placed to give the proper effect. Really impressed with the realism and it is quite the addition. There are all kinds of effects, so when the Rendezvous Gang arrives, I'll have to go thru ‘em all - even have some steam whistles, "chuffs" and other appropriate noises to make it all realistic.
Eric at 12:45 AM today: Hope that hearing loss isn't permanent. I know what you mean about dBs to the degree where bones can shatter. I'm quite surprised that I haven't suffered permanent loss after all of the years with the "cans" on my head while listening to the "dits ‘n dahs" with a different frequency in either ear, and top mounted speakers for others. Aside from being borderline insane, the hearing usually went next! <grin>
DL at 4:53 AM today: An early report from you here, but not so 6 time zones to the east for you! Certainly appreciate your continued patronage of the bar and fine contributions. Always a treat to find a Post from you, Sir!
Surely do hope that you'll be able to find an Email account soon, as so many discussion points that we keep out of the bar are "lost" for you. At present we have a pressing issue that just may shut us down, so stay tuned.
Simply LOVED viewing those DMUs. Always enjoy seeing ‘em and am wondering, is that NSE. 54287 an articulated unit Nice looking livery and wonder how they "ride"
Couldn't agree with you more regarding answering a letter with a letter, an Email with an Email and a phone call with a phone call. The protocol is surely lost these days and my thinking is the recipient (Amtrak) doesn't want to commit to writing anything that could come back to "bite ‘em" at a later date. VIA Rail is good about responding in writing, Amtrak isn't. Then again, different business ethics and so forth between different societies says a lot. However, I am satisfied to have gotten my "points" across and it's over. Having had slices of an organization under my charge over the course of my career, my attitude was if no one tells me, how am I supposed to know That's the impetus behind these things. And I DO send off positive feedback as well; works both ways fer sure, fer sure.
Hope you weren't offended by my commentary earlier on - wasn't directed at you. Simply one of my reminders to all of the way "things" are done ‘round here in order to keep the ship on an even keel.
Ruth, a round on the house - Boris ring the bell!
Greetings one and all,
Sorry I messsed up on the protocol for my first post on the new thread. I had occasionally posted comments on the old.
Apologies, and it won't happen again. Thanks for your consideration and very best wishes all!
from: http://www.viarail.ca/
Ruth, take a break as I'll be here for an hour or so.
Found a URL that may be of interest to Eric:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/18/town.moving.reut/index.html
Seems this particular monumental undertaking will also involve the relocation of rail lines, etc. Are you familiar with the area
Just returned from some outside "stuff" and noticed that petrol up at "Collusion Corner" is not at $1.97 (rounded). Given the significant drop in the world oil market price, I'm amazed that it's only dropped a few cents. Doesn't work that way when the world prices go up, does it
Dave: I hope this is the beginning of something positive and you are [welcome] here. As many of us already know, you possess an enormous amount of knowledge regarding passenger rail and we'd love to exchange some thoughts with you. Best way to fit in around here is to simply follow the lead of the others and all will fall into place.
Pete: You'll never guess where I found Juneau upon my return home. He was sleeping on "your bed"!! Now, that used to be the room and bed he "claimed" as his own once he was permitted to have the run of the house. For the past year, he's avoided it in favor of our room. Now he's baaaaaaaaack. Yes, you've found a friend and he misses having you around!
Been thinking about coming up with something different to keep us going with regard to Classic Trains, while avoiding any copyright or other infringements. Since this Thread is new and doesn't hold the enormous amount of data found on our "original" Thread (rapidly disappearing into the back pages), I suppose unless stated, not too many will recognize a rerun, eh
So, here's a little something to ensure our Good Standing with the Classic Trains people:
RAILWAYS of EUROPE #2 - Eurostar (London - Paris - Brussels) Eurostar Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Eurostar Eurostar at Vauxhall (GNU Free Documentation) Franchise:: Eurostar Main Route(s):: London-Lille-Brussels, London-Paris Other Route(s):: Lille-Disneyland Paris-Avignon, Lille-Bourg-St-Maurice Fleet size:: 27 Stations: 11 Parent company: Eurostar Group Website: www.eurostar.com This article is about high-speed trains between London and Brussels / Paris. For Italian trains called Eurostar, see Eurostar Italia. Eurostar is a train service that connects London with Paris and Brussels. Trains cross the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. The French and Belgian sections of the route use the same high-speed rail lines as the TGV and Thalys, and in England a new line is being built to the same standard. This is a two-phase project known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project (CTRL). The first revenue-earning Eurostar trains ran in November 1994. Eurostar has established a dominant share of the market on the routes it serves - 68% for London-Paris and 63% for London-Brussels, as of November 2004. The company points out that these passenger figures represent a saving of 393,000 carbon dioxide-producing short-haul flights. The journey time from London to Paris is currently 2 hours 35 minutes; London to Brussels is 2 hours 20 minutes. These times will be cut by 20 minutes in 2007 when the construction of the second phase of CTRL is completed, bringing the British portion of the route up to the same standards as the French and Belgian sections. Completion of the CTRL will also allow a significant increase in the number of Eurostar trains serving London. After phase two is completed, up to 8 trains per hour in each direction could travel the route from London to the continent, as timetabling would be unaffected by peak hour restrictions at London Waterloo and conflicts between Waterloo and Fawkham Junction. In addition to the three destination cities, some Eurostar services currently stop en route at Ashford in Kent and at Calais Frethun and Lille in northern France. From 2007 all Eurostar trains will be routed through the CTRL to a new London terminus at St Pancras. The company had intended to retain some services to the existing Waterloo terminal, but this was ruled out on cost grounds. Some trains will additionally serve new stations at Ebbsfleet near Dartford in north-west Kent and Stratford International station in east London (not to be confused with Stratford station, or Stratford Regional station as it will be called when Stratford International station is opened) Organisation Eurostar services are now managed under a unified management, the Eurostar Group. In each country a member company undertakes Eurostar operation:
o EUKL managed (under contract) by InterCapital and Regional Rail (ICRR), a consortium of:
Good Afternoon BArkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. The following arrived carefully wrapped around a brick that came through the window just a little while ago.
Greetings From Our Studios High Atop Mighty Majestic Mt. Mentor.
The lines "Another opening, another show" ran through your reporters head as he dressed for the Mentor Theatre's Anniversary Extravaganza. As always, we traveled by sedan chair down to the festively lit village below. In fact, just about everybody in the festive village was lit in honor of the occasion. Aerial coverage was provided by the Mentor Vintage Flying Korps (aka Those Magnificent Lads in Their Fokers and Spads) as the Zeppelin has been under wraps for awhile - probably just as well, as the locals would have used the spotlights set up in front of the theatre to target the mighty airship as it floated overhead. It's never agood idea to stir up the folks from Second Class.
All present enjoyed seeing and being seen as they walked down the red carpet, were fingerprinted, photographed, and deloused before entering the building. The high rollers sat downstairs, the Second Class folks in the balcony. Your reporter stayed in the wings with his back to the wall and a carefully-planned escape route nearby.
The Mentor Fusiliers Ladies Auxiliary led off the proceedings with a medley of Civil War tunes (some of them looked as though they remembered the selections when they were new). Music included renderings (as in bacon fat) of "The Vacant Chair," "Lorena," "I'm a Good Old Rebel," "Jine the Cavalry," and "Just Before the Battle Mother." There wasn't a dry eye in the house although your reporter couldn't be sure if it was because of the quality of the selections or if because some of the high notes were a bit quivery (kind of like a dog whistle.) Anyway, we understand that there will be a fundraiser in the near future to replace the shattered mirrors in the lobby.
Frostbite (our emcee - he's the only one that showed up in his own tuxedo) directed our attention to the orchestra pit where the mighty Wurlitzer rose from its hiding place under the floorboards with Boris at the keyboard. It's hard to describe the effect that this had on the audience, but conjure up a mental image of a large, burly, creature wearing an opera cape made from feed sacks - you'll get the picture.
All enjoyed participating in the sing along; there was no bouncing ball to follow, but Awk did the best he could, flying from word-to-word on the screen as the Second Place boys took shots at him from the balcony. As Man Mountain Mike said to me, "Any activity is better when a moving target is involved."
Next came a newsreel with captured archival footage of the recent Christmas party. Your reporter wonders how they smuggled that film out of the vault. This was followed by two short subjects; "Fred Ott's Sneeze," (always a crowd-pleaser) and a film showing the head-on locomotive collision that occurred years ago at Crush, TX. The Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge folks in the audience were heard talking among themselves as to how they could stage a similar activity as it was probably the only way they could get new motive power. After all, there's not as many trees in the area as there used to be, and it's increasingly difficult to get wood for their locomotives.
Both features were well-received as was the unpleasantness that broke out between Union and Confederate partisans in the lobby after the films were over. All adjourned to the Tavern by the Tracks after the excitement died down. Your reporter took advantage of the situation to evade the dragnet, board the sedan chair, and make his way out of town. We are, however, endeavoring to find out why the telegraph lines were cut, the poles dynamited and a lot of M&S NG rail turned into Sherman Neckties.
That's all from our studios for now - Say good night, Tex.
work safe
G'day Cap'n Tom!
Ruth my deAH you are such a lovely creature that I must admit to being smitten with your beauty! If only I were younger and could give chase once again. <grin> Set 'em up if you please, a Lars special for me, snacks for the critters, a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris and of course, keep the change!
Ask and ye shall receive! Isn't that how the saying goes That's quite a treat from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! A 5- to the man from West Virginia! A great report on the festivities over at the Mentor Village Emporium movie house! It was indeed a grand affair and we enjoyed all of the "hoopla" associated with it and hope that all who wound up in the "clink" are now free to roam 'n ramble as they see fit. I did notice the anti-aircraft batteries in place over at the Second Class Saloon and wondered whether the "Zeps" were targeted. Also saw some of their biker crowd, decked out in their best leather 'n chains, all waiting for balcony seating. Yes, a grand tme was had byall and your report is a most accurate accounting. Many, many thanks!
Not being close to the aficionado (Tom's word) that you are when it comes to all things trains, I had to look up a couple of your references just for self-clarification. Thought perhaps some others would benefit by this "in depth research" too! <grin>
Fred Ott's Sneeze reference, click the Url:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Ott
Crush, Texas reference, click the Url:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crush,_Texas
Be sure to "click" on the historical marker!
Agan, nice work, CM3 I'm NOT Shane! You surely have insights regarding railroading and rail related history that far surpasses anyone I've come across to date. Appreciate your sharing this with us.
A question was posed of me by Dave Klepper regarding my trip to 'n from Plattsburgh, NY, etc. Let me simply say this about that. There was no way I had the time or patience to do verbal jousting with the idiots I came in contact with representing Amtrak on that day. Things were quite unsettled as they were. Irrespective of who maintains the trains, the language differences and so forth. The facts are that in today's rail environment, Amtrak could have and should have simply called the Conductor on board. My initial call to them was made to their 1 800 USA Rail number with English speaking people. The call was made while the train was still a bit south of Montreal. It's all a moot point anyway.
How did we get home Pretty much how we got to Penn Station for the start, by car. Number two son was waiting for us and drove us back via the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. We arrived at the house just a bit afterr 2 AM. A long, long day.
Had I been alone, the late arrival wouldn't have concerned me one bit, for I truly hate to see train trips come to an end. However, this was just a bit over the top for the Mrs., who accompanied me rather than listen to my whining and complaining about not being able to travel by train. <grin>
Hope you stop by again and I urge you to read up on what you've missed, makes it far easier to join in on the conversations that way. [welcome] aboard!
Thanks Tom for that fine piece on the EuroStar - really a beauty and I'm always learning about the "other guys" trains on this thread of yours! Well done, mate - keep up the fine work!
Appreciate the heads up by e-mail and here regarding what's going on. Surely miss both Doug 'n Rob and my hope is that the former will be resuming his rightful place in the near future and the latter gets the access back to join us right away.
Eric 'n DL, always a pleasure to read your messages. Same for Pete. You three guys have become MVPs 'round here - as Tom would say, "Most Valuable Patrons!"
Ruth, I'll have a frosty mug of Schaefer, then it's time to answer the call. No, not THAT one, the Mrs. is bellowing calling my name again! <grin>
A pint of Winter,s ale please LEON and can you put me down for the Fish N Chips for later please .
ERIC Looking forward to the pic of the roundhouse.Are many of them still in existance or have they been demoished after the locos were removed.
The roundhouses were common in Britain during steam days. As far I am aware there is only one still in railway use and that is now a museum at Barrow Hill near Chesterfield in Derbyshire in the North Midlands of England. There is also a now unique half- roundhouse still in use by EWS( a British railfrieght company) in Cornwall at St Blazey. The roundhouses were great in steam days for spotting as you just had to go in the middle to get the numbers, but it seemed there was always at least one with the tender facing the turntable.
One of the original roundhouses dating from 1846 in London, as been turned into an Arts Venue. I remember seeing rock concerts there in the 70s. Here is a link.
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/about/history/
DL Thanks for the link to the Great Western Streamined Railcars. I recall seeing one at Worcester shed in the early to mid 1960s, it was stored and was in the "Blood and Custard" livery of BR in the early 50s. The car was numbered W20W. The first W meant that the car was allocated to the Western region of BR and the second W meant that the car was to be sent to a Western Region works for major attention. The second letter was mainly seen on pre-1948 vehicles.
There are three of the GWR railcars preserved No 4 is in the National Railway Museum collection at Shildon, No 22 at the Didcot Railway Centre and No 20 at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No 22 formerly W22W was for a time at the Severn Valley Railway in the early 70s and was used in service, I believe it still gives rides on the demonstration track at Didcot, where I have had a ride in it. Here is a link to No 20.
http://www.kesr.org.uk/diesel_locos/20.htm
This shows a pic of the car under, what must be called, a major renovation. I am sure ROB will appriciate the hard work the volunteers will have to do to bring No 20 back to her former glory .
Great link to the BR Single Car DMUs, or Bubble Cars as they were known. Great pics I wonder where the pic of 55023 in green was taken. I remember a trip from Oxford to Banbury in one after being on the ale, with no toilet. I was never so glad to see Banbury station.
If you need some help with Tom's question on 54287 let me know.
I believe Britannia 70013 Oliver Cromwell was used on the 1/4 mile demonstration track in her new home at the museum at Bressingham, Norfolk giving footplate rides soon after her BR service in 1968 how long this was for I am not sure.
CM3 Another wild night in the Mentor Village. What we do without our intrepid reporter relaying the events, although BORIS rising from the pit is a sight I wish I could forget. I always thought those Second Class Saloon guys could not be trusted.
Really great report, many thanks. I had many .
LARS Thanks for the kind words. May I agree with what you said about DOUG and ROB, my sentiments but you have said it better than I could.
The links were most helpful to the references made in CM3's fine post. I have seen a still photo of the crash at Crush I never knew it was the KATY railroad that staged the crash until now.
TOM Running late again. I was tring to get something on the bad weather they have had in Britain including winds of 70 to 80 MPH. Apparently there are over 20 trees down in my home town and heavy snow in Scotland, perhaps DL will give us some more news on it. Anyway while I was doing it I must have overloaded the puter, was I using WP. NO, will I learn, I hope so .
Interesting link to the Kiruna story.
It is good to read the Eurostar post again. It is certainly a modern classic. I
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
An early visit tonight! Leon, Thursday, I'll have my favorite, Rumpsteak Café de Paris!! Yes, black coffee! Thank you!
A long day is coming to its end. We had an ISO audit at work today and that is always creating a lot of activities just before it starts to make sure everything is in order. Last weekend I started to go through some more slides I have and they will start showing up here at the bar soon.
Tom – Looking forward to listen to your layout!Most of the hearing is gone on my left ear, permanent. It is 17 years since it happened and I am used to it now. Yes, I know that city, Kiruna, quite a bit north of the Arctic Circle. The Christmas picture of the X2000 was taken in Kiruna. Hardly any daylight at all this time of the year, 24 hours daylight (midnight sun) in the summer. A lot of interesting facts about the Eurostar trains! If I remember correctly the Channel Tunnel is also called the Chunnel by people. I am sure Pete and DL know.CM3 – Thanks for a first class report from the Mentor Theatre's Anniversary Extravaganza! It must have been an evening to remember!! I regret I didn’t go. Lars – Fired on day and rehired the next! Imagine something like the crash at Crush happening today, killing some people? A lot of lawyers would make a lot of money! Thanks for the link!Pete – There are still quite a few roundhouses in use around the country. But some have been demolished and others are used for other purposes. The small roundhouse you can see in the picture below is still being used. Not for any locomotives though. I’ll find some more roundhouses to show.
The picture quality is not good (scanner problem) but it shows a Class B steam locomotive on the turntable in 1968.
Dave Klepper, I can only say what Lars already said, hope you will come back again soon!
Good morning Tom
I'll have a light breakfast today please, with some Coffee. I need to catch up with the reviews from the Emporium, kindly supplied by CM3, always a nicely written piece, captures the atmosphere I think.
Well, as Pete mentioned, some pretty crazy winds here (although as a country of ‘modest' weather anything out of the ordinary seems to throw things into chaos!) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6277767.stm
Threat of falling structure onto electric wires caused closure of our street car system yesterday, and from what people say the management didn't have a proper contingency plan to move folk - so I hope they learn from that.
Most of the rail system is back to normal today, although services on the east and west coast are running a special timetable - I guess this is due to problems they had with the overhead catenary systems on those routes. Sadly there seem to have been a number of deaths due to tree falls and the line - although I suspect these happen regularly just don't make the news unless there is a major storm - that makes no difference to the victim or their loved ones of course - so it is very sad.
Tom, you asked about that diesel railcar unit, and I'll answer the specific in a mo, but I was going to digress onto related info and then thought - hey, maybe ‘Passenger Diesel Railcars and Multiple Units of the classic era' could be a possible Theme Day topic. What do you think? I'd do some UK stuff (hopefully Pete would be happy to do stuff too), but I'd also be able to learn more about RDCs etc if others were happy to post about that?
Anyway, that unit in the picture would not have been articulated. The paint scheme (red white and blue) was the one adopted for trains in the south east of England circa 1986 and lasted up until BR privatisation in the mid 1990s - although you still see some trains in that paint scheme even now. In fact articulated passenger cars are unusual in the UK - although the Eurostar trains are articulated, and the LNER built wooden bodied articulated carriages to go with the streamlined steam A4 locomotives we have been discussing recently on their prestige trains of the 1930s.
They also had some articulated suburban coaches from the same period - again made of wood. Some are being restored as here:
http://www.mandgn.co.uk/quadart.html
Thanks for the Eurostar run down - the full high speed London - Paris service is due to launch November 2007. I look forward to making an early run. I hope thy do go for a new record run - I expect they will do a record London - Paris run for publicity. I wish they would launch a ‘Golden Arrow' service, using the famous named train name again.
Pete, here's the website for the roundhouse you mentioned, not been there myself although it is not far away:
http://www.barrowhill.org.uk/
Good links to the GW railcar info - I did not know there was one on the K&ESR, despite it being a location I have visited several times over the years, as it is near where I grew up. Very nice line in my view. I recall seeing an old ‘Trains Illustrated' showing one running on the Severn Valley line back before that route was closed by BR! I understood the original 1930s idea was to run them as fast, frequent inter city services on cross country GWR routes with lighter passenegr loads - eg Gloucester to Bristol etc?
Interesting point about carriage numbering. I knew the second Letter indicated pre nationalisation constructed vehicle, and first Letter indicated operating region, but did not realise why. So a carriage numbered M12345E would be operating on the midland region, but built by the lnEr, or a carriage S12345S would be operating on the Southern Region and built by the Southern Railway pre nationalisation, whereas a post nationalisation built carriage would just be numbered M12345 with no suffix letter. The thing is, I did not realise why, so from your explanation it was presumably that the works of the company that built the vehicles knew how to maintain them, so they had to go back to that region? Presumably all works knew how to repair the later BR standard design vehicles? I recall seeing SR design EMUs running on London commuter routes as late as the 1980s with the 'S' Suffix - eg 4 SUB type!
Would a carriage built to a pre nationalisation design, but after 1948 have had the suffix letter too, do you know? Eg before the BR Mk1 was introduced they carried on building carriages to the old private company designs, so would an LMS design carriage built after 1948 still be numbered M98765M for example?
Eric - nice roundhouse picture. Tom's Kiruna article reminded me that I was en route to Kiruna (to attend a wedding as a guest) when I took the run through to Narvik, stopping off at Kiruna on the way back towards Uppsala, where we were staying. Certainly a big iron ore extracting place!
Lars - all I can say about the Crush collision is - remarkable!
Cheerio
Friday at the Bar by the Ballast and the promise for a relaxing weekend to come! Why not begin this final day of the work week (for many) with a hot cuppa freshly ground ‘n brewed Java, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and of course our <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts from the Menu Board
Not a bad day yesterday, eh Some quality offerings and I note the Eurostar piece was well received. Surely the highlight had to be the "report" from our Ace Reporter high atop Majestic Mount Mentor! CM3 from the south of west Virginia outdid himself once again! A gold 5- Salute to the man from the hills!
Appears as if we may just have a budding replacement for the early morning time slot vacated by our friend barnyard Doug. Seems that DL has taken a liking to the early AM (for us) timeframe. That's terrific and I hope it "holds" - we surely can use the support.
Some may have picked up on the absence of a "Theme" for this past Tuesday and the next one up. As our numbers have dwindled, it occurred to me that there's far too much effort expended in putting forth some original works only to languish on these Pages without benefit of the responses deserved. That's not to say those of you who DO participate and DO offer "works" aren't appreciated -for you certainly are. However, I'm going to hold off ‘til we see an upsurge in activity ‘round here. Of course any of you should not hesitate to provide anything you wish, on any day, in support of the overall "theme" of this Forum - Classic Trains!
Now to the acknowledgments:
CM3 at 1:06 PM yesterday: What's to say that hasn't already been said A terrific report on last week's Anniversary bash over at the Emporium. Certainly was a night to remember (where have we seen THAT before ) and they're still cleaning up the place following the "spirited" exit from the balcony. Some even used the stairs! <grin>
Lars at 2:53 PM yesterday: A fine supplement to Shane's report with those URLs! Must admit, I knew zip, zero, zilch about either reference. Thanx! Also, fully concur regarding your remarks about CM3s extensive knowledge of trains and the "things" that surround them - simply amazing.
Your mention of the Battery tunnel and the Narrows bridge surely brought to mind some memories. I recall each of them being constructed! Guess that makes me O-L-D. Many of us on Staten Island weren't thrilled by the linkage to Brooklyn via the Verrazano bridge. We were rather secure in our isolation until that was complete. Then, the Borough took on changes as I've heard and seen during a return for a reunion back in 1981. Didn't like what I saw as "my Island" really appeared so different. But I digress . . .
Pete at 8:32 PM yesterday: Much appreciate your appearance at the bar with a Post chock full o' informative stuff from the Wolfman!
I see you've taken quite a liking to our Winter Ale supply, eh I've notified the distributor to always keep an extra keg on hand in the basement so we'll NEVER run out.
When I first arrived in these parts (1977) there was an operating round table alongside one of the roads that led to my work. Of course back then there were no steam locos, but every now ‘n then I'd see a switcher being turned or another yard loco heading in or out of its shed. Couldn't dilly dally as the traffic was always too heavy. Lord knows if one slowed down, one became road kill! <grim> I guess that table was taken apart about 2 or 3 years later with only the markings on the ground to show where it was. Sad.
As you already know, I have a "thing" for DMUs and particularly am enthralled with the RDCs by Budd. News, eh <grin> Anyway, between you and DL, I'm getting much pleasure from the URLs and links that have been provided for views of some mighty fine cars. Thanx!
I couldn't get that LCR link to load - I'll try later!
With all that time we had here at the house, we didn't get into the S-Capades room, did we I guess Juneau and all of his walks kept us away from the trains and away from the beer! By the by, he's on "your bed" once again this morning. Slept there all night too! Must be the "sniffs" of the room and bedding, as it will all go into the wash this weekend. <grin>
Eric at 11:00 PM yesterday: Any place north of the Arctic Circle is "okay" by me! I'm strange that way. When I came across that Kiruna article, I figured you'd have some additional insights. Thanx!
It wasn't all that long ago when I was considering the pursuit of an advanced degree in Anthropology with an emphasis on the Circumpolar Peoples (
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please (New England Breakfast Blend if you have it), round for the house, and $ for the jukebox.
Cloudy, cold and windy here this a.m. There is some talk of snow, but we shall see. IOW, five weather forecasts on the local cable system; pick the one you like. The K9s enjoyed it this a.m. All were facing into the wind, noses working overtime. Our ‘Steamed Proprietor can doubtless relate to this when he performs his a.m. tasks. Appreciated your comments re dogs searching for folks - both of mine can remember when food fell on the floor years ago (LOL).
A few comments than onto something else for today.
Dave - Have seat and join in!
Tom - Thanks for rerunning the Eurostar material.
Lars - I think you can see why the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge folks were intrigued by the Crush Crash. Remember it's only about 35-36 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Pete - Thanks for the kind words; as my wife says, "You only rent ale or beer."
Eric - It was a FINE time at the theatuh!
DL - On January 17, you mentioned something re horns on American locomotives. You are correct in thinking that certain roads tried to duplicate the sound of steam whistles on their diesels. The New Haven was the prime example of this as they used Hancock chime whistles on their locomotives; very distinctive and quite pretty, especially on a fast-moving train.
All of which brings me to the following.
Many of us got involved with railroading at a very early age. Some of us got away from it for awhile (life has a way of happening), others never left, and still others came to it later on. I fall in the middle area (never lost interest). One of the things which drew us to it probably was sight, and above all, sound.
For example, a lot of people refer to the N&W Class J as having a steamboat whistle. All I know is that the sound of a J was so low and deep that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I was fortunate to be at Christiansburg when their Class A was westbound coming up the hill. Maybe it was the fact that it was raining, but the sound of the "hooter" on 1215 was chilling.
The NKP and PM 2-8-4s that ran in excursion service all had similar sounding whistles; strictly business.
However, the most businesslike sound to me was always that of the horn on a GG1. Those of you who ever spent time around them know what I mean. Stand by a grade crossing when a G went by, and you knew that important things were going on and you'd better get out of the way.
Other roads had so-called chime horns on their diesels. Those on L&N and on Southern E units come to mind here.
We won't even get into all of the different sounds that Alco products had; both on the outside and "under the hood."
Today, I get to hear big GEs on coal trains that pass by the old C&O tracks near the house, and if the wind is right trains on the former Virginian line which is not too far away. It's reassuring.
What do you remember?
Work safe
I'll just have a beer please, but firstly thanks to CM3 for that superb answer to my query about the North American air horn. Much appreciated, and 'evocative'!
Tom, just to pick up on your point about the Theme days, I agree with your line of thinking, lets see what people think, if there is enthusiasm we could do the RDC/DMU idea of mine, if not, well - I'll just post the stuff I was going to outline anyway, but in the meantime I'll hold off to see what the consensus is.
However, I can still say that I can now see your line of thinking with the DMU paint scheme and how that might lead one to think it was an artic - in fact you are on the right lines, the cars are 'semi-permantly coupled' , but not articulated, so that paint scheme can work reasonably well enough - and there is a driving cab at each outer end, so even if you have a broken down car, you can switch the one needing repair out, put another in and the paint scheme still works - intermediate cars (none were pictured on that page I don't think) don't have the 'up' bit of the paint design so longer units could have those inserted without the paint scheme looking too foolish.
I'll place a food order for later, and CM3, if you're still in what are you drinking? It's on me.
Incidentally, and on the subject of whistles / horns, I've been wondering about buying a copy of the O Winston Link sound recordings available from the museum that celebrates his stuff. I've always enjoyed his photos and figure the sound recordings (originally on vinyl but now on CD), must be pretty good too - does anyone have them?, are they as good as they look? - they are not cheap. Presumably the sound is all N&W steam?
Enjoy the weekend all
G-day Tom and all present.
Ruth- could you get me a coffee with a sandwich. Thanks
Eric- So if it wasn't the AEM-7, then what was it? It must have been really similar to it. I walked right over the electrics. They were all humming with electricity ready to leave. Can you give me an idea of what locomotive I might have been looking at?
DL- Those B17 streamlined steamers are really quite nice looking. They reminded me of the Milwaukee roads streamlined passenger train back in 1935. The Baltics and there passenger train looked similar to that B17. They really didn't have much of a nose on them. Just a flat rounded front.
Here's a link to the picture of one of the baltics. http://www.lionel.com/products/ProductNavigator/_ProductImages_590/6-38094_3379.jpg
I also liked the Oliver Cromwell steamer. That is one of the nicest looking steam engines I have seen. It shines in the sunlight.
Tom- Well I am certainly sad to here that Doug can't be with us much anymore.
He had a lot of interesting topics and many pictures. But I am glad to here that he can still come on once in awhile.
Anyway. I got a kick out of the Train horn link you had posted. I saw some of my favorite horns there. The Nathan P5 air horn and the Nathan K3LA air horn. Some pretty nice horns.
I also liked the article on the Railways with Europe- Eurostar. Some good reading there. I have learned quite a bit about all the different railways. It's pretty cool.
Pete- I believe that the Up Big Boy weighs in at a little over 600 tons. I believe the locomotive on the steamer weighs about 400 tons and the tender wieghs about 200 tons. So the tender would out weigh most diesel locomotives and most steam. It was one big locomotive.
Also liked the Old round house link. I have a round house as a model and it's pretty cool, but I don't have one thats from the 1800s. That was cool.
Here's a little passage on the Union Pacific Big Boy.
They are often proclaimed as the largest steam locomotives ever built, but that title is quite controversial - there were heavier locomotives, and possibly more powerful locomotives. However, without tender, the Big Boy's locomotive body was the longest of all of them and fully loaded with water and fuel the Big Boy was the heaviest of all of them, even though the locomotive without tender was lighter than some.
The Big Boys were the only locomotives to have the 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation - in other words, combining two sets of eight driving wheels with both a four-wheel leading truck for stability at speed and a four-wheel trailing truck to support a large firebox. The locomotive's wheel arrangement makes it clear that it was designed for power at speed.
The Big Boy locomotives were created by the Union Pacific's need for a locomotive that could pull a 3600 short ton (3300 metric ton) freight train over the long 1.14% grade of the Wasatch. Helpers were needed for this grade at the time. Adding and removing helpers from a train, crewing them, etc. slowed down the movement of trains. For such a locomotive to be worthwhile, it had to be more than just a slow mountain lugger; to avoid locomotive changes, the new class would have to be able to pull that long train at speed - 60 mph (100 km/h) - once past the mountain grades.
In fact, the Big Boys were designed to be stable at 80 mph (130 km/h), so they were built with a heavy margin of safety. Few previous articulated locomotives were capable of such speed; UP's earlier Challenger 4-6-6-4s were, however, and in many respects the Big Boy could be regarded as a longer, heavier and more powerful Challenger.
Twenty-five of them were built, split into two groups of 20 and 5 locomotives. All were coal burning, with large grates to burn the Union Pacific's low quality Wyoming coal. One locomotive, #4005, was converted to oil burning, but unlike the experiences on the smaller Challengers, oil burning was not successful. The locomotive soon reverted to the standard (coal burning) configuration. The often cited reason for the unsuccessful oil-fired test was the use of a single burner which, with the Big Boy's larger firebox, created a very unsatisfactory and uneven heating. It remains unexplained why multiple burners were not used.
The Big Boys did sterling service in the Second World War, especially since they proved so easy to fire that even a novice could do a fair job. Since many men who were unsuited to combat service were instead drafted into the railroads to replace crewmen who had joined up, this proved highly advantageous. During the war, after German agents filed reports that the Americans had giant steam engines that were moving huge trains full of vital war material over steep mountain grades at high speed, their reports were dismissed as "imposs
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Also, give me a couple of sinkers form the round glass container on the counter (Lord knows when I'll be getting dinner this evening)
The snow has held off so far, but I just got off the phone with a buddy in Pittsburgh and it's coming down pretty well up there.
DL - Re the OWL (O. Winston Link) recordings, they are pricy, but my, my. Three of them are especially worthwhile. These include: "Thunder on Blue Ridge," "Second Pigeon and the Mocking Bird," and, IIRC, "West of Panther." I am not sure of the title of the last one, but I have been to beautiful downtown Panther and know that the town name was in the recording title. Great stuff to frighten the neighbors; especially the whistles on the Y6s.
BTW, the town of Davy, WV, (also on the Pokey,) has a public library (in a mobile home) which sits just beside the N&W main line. Lots of fun to call there as all phone conversation stops when the trains go by which is quite often.
Also about recordings, back in the day, Mobile Fidelity did one called "Mr. D's Machine." I have no idea whether it is available in any form now - excellent SP diesel material (including a Baldwin switcher - gets points from me just for that), as well as F units and Cadillacs. Last (but not least) YEARS ago there was one out titled "Railroad - Sounds of a Vanishing Era." This was all Illinois Central material including a steam runby that was beautiful. The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society produced a vinyl recording of C&O steam back in the 70's. Much of this was recorded on the James River Sub.
James - The C&O H8 gave the Big Boy a run for its money. I understand, different locomotives for different purposes and the H8, by all accounts was misused, but it was one @#$% of a machine. For those not familiar with it, an H8 was a Lima-built 2-6-6-6.
Well, I'd better get back to it - good weekend to all and Go, Patriots!
<huff> <puff> <stomp> <stomp> Geesh! Cold out there and the snow is beginning to pile up here in Mentor Village. Looks like Vito's street gang has a late start because things are getting rough on the roads. Ahhhhhhhhh, nice in here though. Ruth my deAH, you are as radiant as evAH. I think today a JD on the rocks will do - make it a double if you please. A round for the house, snacks for the critters and of course a small jar of pickled pig's feet for "our man," Boris!! <grin>
Well, for a place that supposedly is on death's door step, I'd say we're doing quite well with the quality material. Some really great reading today and very good to see two posts each from DL in Merry Olde and CM3 I'm NOT Shane! in God's Country, otherwise known as West Virginia! <grin> Nice one from James as well. All around decent day INSIDE. Here in Can-Am County and in particular the Village of Mentor, it's winter with all that goes with it. May as well get stranded here as anywhere else I could think of. Next to being in the obs dome of a Budd streamliner, well this place will do just fine!
Been one of those days for me as we've had quite a few things to get squared away before the weekend rolls around. Have some out of town folks popping in, so the Larsman may be a bit scarce ‘til Monday. We'll see. Also, NFL playoffs will be on the agenda for Sunday. I'm figuring the Super Bowl will be the Bears & Patriots. Since I'm an NFC guy, GO BEARS!
Hey Tom! Good to see you out ‘n about the decks this AM. Still keeping things ship-shape for us and moving steadily along. Received your Email and I must say, there's some interesting approaches for us to consider.
Winds in Europe have been something else, huh Been watching the tube and the scenes from London and the airports told the story. Amazing that any "birds" got in or out during all of that. Hope our friend DL and all associated with him are safe ‘n sound. Hunker down in a neighborhood pub, that's always a wise choice. Heck, you guys could care less if the power goes out, since you prefer the brew on the warm side! <grin>
Steam whistles, diesel horns and of course the "blasts" emitted from ships are indeed interesting to read about. Nothing like being fogbound in a busy shipping channel only to have the wits frightened out of you by the sound of something like the Queen Mary "sneaking" up on ya! Could ruin a guys day! <grin>
Would love to stick around a bit longer, but I've really gotta skedaddle. Promised the Mrs. we'd take the boys and their wives to dinner. So figuring out which Pizza Joint to go to is where I'm at right now. Only kidding. We do have a favorite place that we've frequented over the years as a family, so off we'll go in a bit.
Remember guys, tonight is Pizza ‘n Beer Night at the Tavern by the Tracks. The place should start rocking in about a half hour or so. I see the CN & CP track gangs are in the pool room with the Can-Am crew due in shortly. Should be another amazing Friday Night at the fights!
Should I not be back ‘til Monday - have a great weekend one and all.
I will have a Kimberley Mild to start please RUTH and a round for the fine posts today.
ERIC Thanks for the pic of the roundhouse, it looks one of the half circle type. Looking forward to see some more pics and it is good to know the example shown is still being used although not for railway locos.
I have now got my slides dating from the mid to late 1970s over from England, perhaps you can help me, what is the best way to get them on to the computer, I guess you can take them to a photo shop and it sounds you have got a scanner. How much does a scanner cost and have you any idea what the charge is to get them transferred in a shop. Thanks.
I remember those audits at work.
DL Thanks for the link to the bad weather there as been in the UK. It seems as though the railways are at least getting some trains running. I had a phone conversation with a friend from my home town and they still have power although a lady in a car was injured when a tree fell on her car about 1/2 mile from my old house.
Those Gresley Quad-Art coaches look to be coming on very well, they will look superb when they are back on the North Norfolk Railway especially when being hauled by the N2 or N7 0-6-2 tank loco..
That is a good web-site on the Barrow Hill Roundhouse. I have not been there since it as become a preservation centre, but I did visit there in BR days when they held an Open Day . If I recall right they were giving rides behind an 03 0-6-0 diesel shunter and at that time there was a good number of the class 20s stabled near the depot.. Last year they had a Real Ale Festival in the depot and a couple of friends went up to it and had a great time, on the way back they called in the Brunswick in Derby. Wish I had been there,.
One of the great things about Our Place is it stirs up the memory. Your mention of the photo in Trains Illustrated reminded me of a pic in Railway Magazine from the 50s I looked for and found it in in the 1956 volume. It shows a GWR railcar on fire at Bridgnorth station on the Severn Valley Railway. All the passengers got off safely and although the driver had the good presence of mind to put the railcar under the water column, for filling the steam locos tenders, the railcar could not be saved .
I would think that the coaches built to the pre MK1 designs would have had the second letter I do not know for sure. One interesting thing I found out was, on the LNER EMUs which were built for the Manchester to Hadfield passenger service on the Manchester to Sheffield 1,500Volt DC line they were numbered E 59401 etc, in a book from 1959 when this EX Great Central line was taken over by the Midland Region the units were numbered M59401E. But in the picture in the link the car is M59403M, perhaps the works where the units were worked on had closed or been taken under Midland Region control. One thing about this hobby of ours it is never dull.
http://www.anteater.freeuk.com/MUgallery/emumisc/506.htm
The first generation DMUs also had the letter before the number donating the region the unit worked on when they first came out. I believe this lasted until the late 1970s early 80s.
CM3 I had not heard that expression about beer but how true it is. There is an old English folk song called "John Barleycorn" about beer.
Wonderful post on the sounds of the steam and diesel locos another thing that can bring back the memories is the smell as well, being at a preserved railway or on a main line steam special a whiff of the coal burning, steam and hot oil and 40 odd years disappears. As you say once an interest in railways gets in your blood I think you are hooked for life..
Reading your first post I dug out some tapes that were given free with the Steam Railway magazine many years ago, I found them while going through stuff in England. They were by Peter Handford who was Britains premier railway sound recorder. Unfortunaly I have lost the mags which gave the description of the tapes.I also have a CD of LMS steam locos somewhere Great Stuff. These were originally released on vynal records. Those recordings by O. Winston Link must be wonderful.
As to loco whistles the best for me has to be the A4s chime whistle as nearly all the UK whistles were very bland. On one A4, No 60010 Dominion Of Canada she was fitted with a chime whistle donated by a Canadian railway as was very destinctive as I can tell as she is featured on the tape along with some other
Finally Friday night... Hello Leon! No, no pizza. I would like a juicy Filet Mignon! It's Friday only once a week!
It seems like Our place was kind of busy today! That's nice! Took me some time to catch up.
DL – Kiruna is pretty far from Uppsala, where you stayed. 733 miles to be more exact. There are several iron ore mines in and around Kiruna. Tom – I love the northern part of Sweden in the summer time, when there is 24 hrs of daylight, but it is way too cold and too dark in the winter time for me. But I bet Juneau would love the life north of the Arctic Circle!CM3 – My memories of train whistles/horns are dominated of the steam engines that were still in use when I grow up in the old country. Swedish steam locos had often a very “lonely” sound and when I heard the whistle from a train far away a cold winter night in the middle of nowhere, wow, that was chilling!! I can still hear it when I think about it. I have a Long Playing record with the sounds of Swedish steam locomotives including one where you hear and get that lonely feeling!James – I don’t know that there are any electric locomotives in the Chicago area, only electric MU’s. So I am afraid I can’t help you. The only electric lines I know of are Metra Electric Line and Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad and they run on 1,500 V DC. AEM-7 runs on 11 kV - 25 kV AC. I checked my books but couldn’t find anything about any electric locomotives in Chicago. Big Boy is/was really something else! To bad there is no one operational today. I can’t help showing a picture of a Big Boy . I have shown it before but it is worth a second look.
Lars – Snow in Mentor Village? Here we have had rain all day, but I am not complaining, we are in desperate need of all the percipitation we can get! Rain always remind me of a strange fact. Today people can fly to the moon, dock with the space station and come back, but it seems impossible to make windshield wipers that don’t make all kinda of noise. It drives me nuts!They are quiet for a few weeks when they are brand new, but then... Talking about London, I saw on the news this morning a jetliner taking off from one of the airpots in or around London under heavy crosswind. The same second the landing gear lost contact with the ground the plane turned to the left with its nose and flew with the body at a 45° angle to the course! Amazing!Pete – I will post more roundhouse pictures on Sunday! I would say the best way to transfer your pictures/slides to a digital format is to scan them yourself. Then you can adjust and clean them and get them exactly the way you want them. I have a film scanner and a flatbed scanner that can also scan negatives and slides. You can get a decent scanner for prints for about $100. If you need to scan negs and slides you have to pay more, depending on the quality you want. I have never used a photo shop for scanning so I don’t know how much they charge.
Good morning Tom and friends. I'll have a light breakfast please. It's been a long time since I last checked in. Recent changes to my lifestyle are effectively keeping me from the keyboard during the week, so my visits will be confined to weekends. My participation at the Rendezvous is not affected, and I will be there to meet ya'll.
As usual, the patrons of the bar have been bringing in mighty fine material. Eric had his birthday, and kids across the country had their day off from school. Sure was nifty news to read that his first loco is "alive" after all these years and in a museum. The odds against it must be phenomenal. Speaking of odds, I can't believe how my alma mater (OSU) just completely fell apart. Hope that doesn't happen to my Bears tomorrow. It's going to be another gut-wrencher to watch ... I can feel it. Anyhow, I enjoyed your pix Eric, (especially the one of you on your bike ... before kids got off from school because of your birthday) and you'll find the answer to your question (the probable cause of the wreck) in the final installment of my ENCORE.
That was quite a storm for Tom and Pete to weather. We never got much of anything worth mentioning here, but it did come close. Good thing that Tom has a back-up generator to keep beer from freezing!
Excellent pix from James, and great to see him posting again. I've seen entire presentations of pix that showed former rail operations, and what the area has become since they closed. But it's hard to do in populated areas, and people who try to figure out the old routes find that the old fire department maps are the most useful.
Getting to something that DL said in reference to the train section of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the model railroad section is under maintenance just now. I don't know for how long, but can find out if anyone needs to know. When we have the Rendezvous in Chicago next year, I'm thinking of adding this museum to our list of places to stop, but not to pay the admission. The Zephyr can be viewed at no charge, and aside from the model railroad, there aren't many train-related materials.
Wow! Train trip stories from Lars, and Tom/Pete! Good reading gentlemen, makes me jealous.
Great URLs from Mike as usual, who always finds the most interesting pix to compliment the subjects under discussion. Great to see mining commentary by CM3, who really needs to jump on board the 2007 Rendezvous this May!
Ach! I just read Tom's announcement concerning my not being around during the week. It's not a health or financial problem guys, it's all about available time. I will do my best to catch-up and contribute on weekends.
Welcome to Dave Klepper, which is a name I see all over the Klambach forums.
Somewhat on the same topic .. I received an "invitation" from Klambach for a free copy of "Classic Toy Trains" this last week. Am I lucky, or what?
Wonderful report from CM3! Absolutely hilarious from start to finish (loved the delivery system ... note tied to a brick). On another subject, you wouldn't be hoping for a Bear/Patriot Superbowl rematch this year ... would you? That would be interesting! I just hope my Bears get that far! I see that Lars had the same idea. My opinion that Bears can beat Patriots. Not too sure about the Colts.
Sure don't mean to downplay the many excellent posts by bar-owner Tom, nor the time spent creating, typing, researching and piloting this incredible thread, and keeping it on track. Superlative effort, sir.
And now, for the final installment of the Pickleworks ENCORE:
The Great Pickleworks Wreck by Ron Ziel - Rail Classics May 1979 It took the railroad over five days to clear away the debris and to haul the once-proud speed queens - engines 2 and 214 - to the scrap heap. During the weekend, sightseers had to park as far as a mile and a half away to reach the wreck. Train wrecks had always been an occasion of great social gatherings in Suffolk County, with spectators bringing box lunches and picnicking while they watched the clearing process. Nothing, however, matched the Calverton pile-up. After the dust had settled and the wreckage was cleared, the interest in the pickle works pile-up moved from the Calverton pine barrens to the newspaper editorial pages and the courts. It had taken nearly five hours to get the wrecking train to Calverton, a seemingly long time to travel the 60 miles from Jamaica during an extreme emergency, prompting an official condemnation of the LIRR by the court of inquiry. Despite testimony that revealed that the wreck had been caused by the lead engine splitting the pickle-house switch which was the result of a bolt having worked loose on one of the points, the coroner's inquest exonerated the railroad from blame. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Dr. Clarence Miles, the coroner, was an employee of the LIRR and carried a pass. Several other county coroners also had passes and one resigned in the ensuing scandal. A grand jury was convened and the Interstate Commerce Commission Investigation found the railroad at fault. In October, the grand jury roundly condemned the LIRR for laxness, apathy and failure to properly maintain and inspect the switch, but no indictments were handed down. Almost up until World War II, there was a grisly reminder - sort of a monument - of the Great Pickle Works Wreck. The foundation of the Golden building became weed-grown, but arching up out of the middle of it was a long, bent rail from the siding, which Engine No. 2 tore up as she ravaged the right of way. This most famous and celebrated of Long Island Railroad wrecks is still a topic of conversation among old-timers, like the 1938 hurricane. The railroad went on to perform with an incredibly good safety record of 24 years without a single passenger fatality due to negligence, until the Rockville Center disaster in February, 1950. To those who lived on eastern Long Island in the 1920's, however, the Great Pickle Works Wreck will always be remembered as a classic, with all of the melodrama, excitement, and morbid romance associated with the terrible wrecks of the 19th Century. It happened over a half century ago - to the old-timers it was yesterday.
Saturday has arrived and all's well in the Village called Mentor! There's freshly baked pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery case, <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts on the Menu Board and the finest coffee this side of Majestic Mount Mentor!
Noted that petrol was at $1.97 (rounded) when my bride and I passed by "Collusion Corner" yesterday. Radio this AM mentioned it was ten cents cheaper in some stations ‘round the area. However, they cautioned one and all not to get used to it as this is only temporary "relief." I'm sure those who screw ‘round with the pricing are working overtime to see what can be done to "spike" it once again. There's gotta be a better way!
Nice way to begin the daylight hours with a Post from barndad Doug! Most appreciative for the time you've given us along the way and pleased to see ya this AM!
Expecting a slow day ‘round here, so I've given Ruth the day off (with pay of course!) - I'll handle the chores ‘til Leon pops in tonight. So remember guys, it's the Proprietor behind the bar on this fine day!
To the acknowledgments:
CM3 at 8:49 AM & 2:42 PM yesterday: Thoroughly enjoyed your thoughts regarding those of us with interest in railroading, real ‘n model. I'm in the category of having never lost interest, but went into a period of inactivity with both. Something about it all that jut gets in your blood, eh Youbetcha!
Haven't any recollections of the sounds of steam bouncing ‘round in my aging head, but I do recall the sights ‘n sounds of GG1s. Now those were some imposing beasts on rails and when they let go with the sounds, well that was chilling to say the least. Wouldn't mind listening to it again (and again!).
Here's hoping the Patriots prevail on Sunday. I don't bet against ‘em, in spite of my disdain for the franchise. <sorry> <grin>
DL at 11:25 AM yesterday: Thanx for the continuing info on the DMUs and "sounds" of railroading. Between you, Eric, Pete ‘n CM3, the nostalgia flows freely ‘round here these days! And a great weekend to you too, Sir! Batten down the hatches, Mate. <oooooooh>
James at 12:37 PM yesterday: Nice contribution from you with the "Big Boy" info opening up some dialogue. That's the idea ‘round here. Appreciate the other remarks too! Must say that the Milwaukee Road link provided a most interesting loco. What can you tell us about that observation car Surely something unique to that road, eh
Lars at 4:32 PM yesterday: Glad you made it in for a "quickie" and your comments brightened up the place. With the snow falling outside and the sounds of Boris clearing the porch and parking area, why it was simply a winter wonderland fer sure, fer sure! <grin>
Hope your weekend with your friends is most enjoyable and we look forward to seeing you whenever you can come by. I'm not scheduled for anything the next few days, so I'll handle the "chores" of being "Manager," and of course "Bar Chandler" along with Proprietor ‘n Chief Bottle Washer ‘til we get back to normal.
Pete at 6:34 PM yesterday: Meant to tell ya sometime back that your favorite brew at the TrainWreck Saloon is made by AB here in St. Louis. And of course we stock it AND the Alaska brew as well. The latter was featured aboard the Alaska RR "Denali Star" on our round trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks via Denali this past June. Not bad, not bad at all - and the trip was good too! <grin>
A suggestion is that when you get the basement squared away to your liking, construct some book shelves and storage bins - free from dampness and the like - for the storage of your RR library, tapes and assorted other goodies. Why not It's something you surely enjoy and have earned to "right" to. Life doesn't get longer, so take advantage of the time you've got, Mate!
Really a well done Post from you, as always and you covered all of the bases quite well!
Would love to be able to show you and the guys an operating turn table (aside from the one for my vinyl records!! <grin>) when you come to the Rendezvous, but alas, they're gone-zo, as far as I know.
I too have a "zillion" slides socked away in the basement. "Some day" I'll convert them over. There are "gizmos" out there where one can place slides into a device for conversion to digital formats which then can be stored on discs. Rather expensive stuff though. Whenever I've had to copy "prints" I've just used my scanner and it has done fine. Nothing elaborate nor designed specifically for fotos. But haven't gotten to the slides yet. I see Eric has responded to your inquiry though . . .
Eric at 1:20 AM today: Undoubtedly Juneau would love the far northern latitudes. However, methinks my bride would not. The idea of 6 months of other than daylight doesn't appear to either of us nor do temps down in the minus 40 (F) ranges do much for walks in the snow! <grin> Fairbanks, Alaska is a fine place to visit during the "midnight sun" times. My first visit up that way was way, way back in time - 1960 I believe, and it surely wasn't tourist season! <grin>
That's quite a Pix of the "Big Boy" and when one takes into account the size of the man standing near it, only then do you fully appreciate the size of that monster on the rails.
Doug at 6:56 AM today: An excellent Post from our earstwhile "weekend guy." Hey! I don't recall implying you were ill or otherwise incapacitated. Thought my comments were rather generic with reference to "it" being a time-related matter. Hmmmmm. Wonder what YOU'VE been drinking! <g
Good afternoon Tom and gang. It's about 3 degrees outside, so I'll be staying inside, drink some scotch, and enjoy the company. A round for the house please, and I'll drop a few Michigan quarters in the jukebox.
I know ... no mention was made as to why I'm not around these daze. I just didn't want to create speculation and unwarranted concern. Thanks for your kind words and welcome back! As for the places and activities ya'll want to attend in Chicgao, the guests can call the shots. I'll just make you aware of what is available. I'm sure it would take weeks in St. Louis to adequately cover the train-related territory there as well.
Lar's earlier mention of a baggage car on his trip reminded me of something I saw in The Trains We Rode by Lucius Beebe & Charles Clegg:
The baggage smasher entered the demonology of American folklore in the era antedating steel framed trunks and valises when the comparatively vulnerable wood and canvas luggage of the period disintegrated in transit to such a degree that railroad baggage masters were universally known as "baggage smashers." Far from being a term of opprobrium, a talent for wrecking luggage was a form of celebrity among railroaders and a source of admiration in the profession. A mock-heroic account of a contest for local supremacy appeared in 1877 in The Philadelphia Record, a community notably on the Baltimore & Ohio main line. "Traquier (one of the contestants for the championship) humped himself over a three story Saratoga trunk with a mansard roof and, bending his muscle to the work, sent the bulky article to the very rear of the baggage car. It was admirably done and would have taken hours to collect the splinters and wearing apparel he had scattered in one brief moment. This spurred Riter, his opponent, to greater efforts. He sprang lightly to a sewing machine and raising it upon his shoulder, winked confidentially to the boys and let her go. It was a beautiful feat. Pieces of fancy cast iron and woodwork lay all over the floor.
... The crowd enjoyed it most when handlers gathered up an ancient valise belonging to some rural citizen ... When the dry goods and two dollar shoes and tinware and groceries burst their bonds, enthusiasm was unbounded ... It was announced that Riter would challenge for the Baggage Smashing Championship of America and a $500 side." The B&O baggage master posing for his official portrait below is deceptively mild of appearance.
A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though she has had no lessons or prior experience. She mounts the horse unassisted and the horse immediately springs into motion.It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slip from the saddle. In terror, she grabs for the horse's mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse's neck, but she slides down the side of the horse anyway. The horse gallops along, seemingly ignorant of its slipping rider. Finally, giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts to leap away from the horse and throw herself to safety.Unfortunately, her foot becomes entangled in the stirrup, and she is now at the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves as her head is struck against the ground over and over. As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness when to her great fortune, Bobby, the Wal-Mart greeter, sees her and unplugs the horse.
G-day Tom and all present!
Ruth- Could I get a sandwich, with the works, along with a coffee, Please.
CM3- Well the 2-6-6-6 is a smaller steamer with less weight. Plus it has a more drivers than a regular steamer. So my guess is that the H8 would beable to gain speed faster than the Big Boy. But I am thinking that the Big boy would beable to catch up to the H8 after giving it sometime. But You have to remember that the Big boy is ment to haul big trains. It wasn't ment to make record braking speeds. Even though it had a 80 mph top speed.
Pete- Glad you liked the article on the big boy. It was a really cool steam engine. And I'm surprised that some many are left. There were only a few and made and about half are still around.
Eric- Hmmm. Then what electric line was it that I saw. There were multiple tracks with catenary lines. They were all passenger trains. I will try to find some pictures of them.
BTW: The Big boy pic was really cool. The people standing next to that thing look like peas to that locomotive. It's cool.
Doug- It's good to know you can still visit us.
The pic with the Milwaukee road bed, I don't think you will find much for a town out there. Even Harletton, Montana, isn't much of a town anymore since the railroad was taken out in 1974. It's still there but things have changed drastically.
I also gave your article a read, and I have concluded that the 214 is not looking good. It was fun to read though. I can't imagine the size of the wreck though.
Tom- The Milwaukee road car you saw is called a Beavertail observation car. It was used on the 1935 Hiawatha streamlined Passenger train. It was, as you know, The end car. It was to give it the look of a beavertail, as part of the end of the train. There was a Passenger train called the beaver tail. It's a pretty cool car. None of them survive today unfortunately.
Here's a small article on the Hiawatha.
The Hiawathas were named passenger trains operated by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (also known as the Milwaukee Road), and traveled from Chicago to the Twin Cities in Minnesota. The first Hiawatha trains ran in 1935. By 1945, there were actually three routes carrying the Hiawatha name:
Early on, the Hiawatha trains were pulled by steam locomotives, though the trains were by no means slow. In fact, these locomotives (Milwaukee classes A and F7) were some of the fastest steam engines ever built, with schedule times on some routes requiring speeds of well over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Some believe that these trains may have broken the official steam locomotive speed record set by the Mallard, as the trains were said to exceed 120 miles per hour (193 km/h) on a regular basis.
The Twin Cities Hiawatha ran twice daily in each direction, with morning and afternoon trains. In 1947, the Olympian train from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest was renamed the
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
As has been the practice on this Thread ("old" 'n "new") we've set aside Saturday as the day for ENCORE! Posts. So here's one from a ways back to continue with this "tradition" . . .
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #61
first Posted on Page 226 of the "old" Thread . . . Here's something to enjoy regarding the Union Pacific (UP) in a 1933 advertisement from my private collection: The trail to "Wonderland" Union Pacific serves 15 of our National parks and more of the famous scenic wonderlands of the West than does any other railroad. Plan now to see the west this summer. We suggest: Zion-Bryce Canyon . . .Yellowstone-Grand Teton . . . . . .Rock Mountain-National Parks . . . . . . . . . Colorado California and Hawaii . . . Pacific Northwest and Alaska . . . . . .Western Dude Ranches . . . . . . . . .Hoover Dam All costs are down. Rail fares are the lowest ever offered. Sightseeing rates, hotels, meals - in fact, all expenses are reduced.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD OVERLAND
Enjoy! Tom
A bit early but I will try a Winters please TOM. Is it a coincidence that RUTH has the day off the same time LARS is away.
ERIC Thanks for the info on the scanner I will have a look at some. I have loads of prints but it would be good to be able to share some of the old slides, but I will have to see the difference in price.
Good to see the pic of the Big Boy again.No 4006 is at the St Louis Transport Museum so we should be able to see her at the rendezvous.
DOUG Great to see you in . You certainly will be missed in the week. What are we going to do without the jokes to give us a .
Thanks for the last part of the Pickleworks Wreck and those Baggage Smashers could get a job with an airline at any time.
Although I was only in Chicago a short time there was plenty of railway interest in the city, hopefully next time I am there I can fit a ride on the Metro and the L.
JAMES I have managed to see 3 Big Boys so far at Green Bay, Denver and St Louis. I am hoping that I can see the others one day. As Eric says though, it really would be great if one of them could be put back in steam but the cost would be enormous, it would have to be done by a large company.
Enjoy the Hiawatha article . Those F7s look impressive locos I wonder what the size of the driving wheels are.By the engineer standing next to the loco in the second link they look to be about 6 feet 4 inches or so. Mallards drivers are 6 feet 8 inches.
A pic of Mallard.
TOM What a great exprience it must be to travel on the Denali Star drinking Alaska brews. I did not realise the Winters ale was that strong, still I guess when people start to understand what I am saying I have had too many.
I had to cut down my railway book collection to bring over, but the ones I have are in the bookcase I had made to hold them, and are in the room here by the puter. It will be good to get the basement better so I can set up my train. and put the photo albums.
There are a few turntables still operating on preserved sites in the UK and one as recently been installed for steam locos on the Fort William to Mallaig regular steam runs in the West Highlands of Scotland.
As you say we have some real good nostalgia at Our Place lately. Great .
Thanks for the UP advertisement encore.
For my encore I have "borrowed" one of your posts from page 227 Tom
Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this pre-WWI poster out! LONDON & NORTHWESTERN and CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS London (Euston) .................. 8h. 0m. Birmingham ...... To ............ 6h. 45m. Liverpool .......... Glasgow ...... 5h. 10m. Manchester ..... (Central) ..... 5h. 5m. Bristol ............................... 9h. 35m. London (Euston) .................. 8h. 0m. Birmingham ...... To ............ 6h. 35m. Liverpool ......... Edinburgh ... 5h. 0m. Manchester .... (Prin. St.) .... 5h. 10m. Bristol ............................... 9h. 45m. London (Euston) .................. 9h. 55m. Birmingham ...... To ............ 9h. 25m. Liverpool ......... Dundee ...... 7h. 15m. Manchester .... (West) ........ 7h. 20m. Bristol .............................. 12h. 20m. London (Euston) .................. 11h. 15m. Birmingham ...... To ............ 11h. 0m. Liverpool ......... Aberdeen .... 8h. 20m. Manchester ........................ 8h. 15m. Bristol .............................. 14h. 20m. LUNCHEON and DINING CARS for the accommodation of FIRST and THIRD CLASS PASSENGERS are run on the undernoted Trains: .......... From London (Euston) To ............................... a.m. .... p.m. Glasgow (Central) .......... 10 0 .... 2 0 Edinburgh (Princes St.) ... 10 0 .... 2.0 ... Perth ........................ 10.0 ... 2*0 ... Aberdeen .................. 10.0 .... 2*0 *to Carstairs .......... From Liverpool To ............................... a. m. .... p.m. Glasgow (Central) .......... 9^50 .... 5 50 Edinburgh (Princes St.) ... 9^50 .... 5*50 ... Perth ....................... 9^50 .... 5*50 ... Aberdeen ................. 9^50 ..... 5*50 *to Carstairs; ^Luncheon Car, Manchester (Victoria) to Glasgow, Liverpool Passengers join at Preston. ........... From Manchester To .................
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