Good Morning Barkeep and all Present: Coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Pete was in with pictures and history. UI enjoyed the shots of the W&L.
DL was also by.
Nick - You have been emptying the family albums for certain. The Tri-Ang RDC is not all that bad a model; the trucks can be changed out, of course, but the body molding is pretty good.
"Snowden Ranger" and other pictures greatly appreciated. I spent a lot of time looking at them. We had 24" lines in New England (especially in Maine), but 15" is indeed a bit different. "Who moved the rum?" Captain Jack Sparrow.
Mike visited with vintage engineering pictures and maps.
Rob - We have all dealt with folks like that. Thanks for the AC pictures and the Muskota fleet shot which was excellent!
Eric AE 4/4; small but powerful - all the weight in one place. "Beech Grove" gets around some but most of the time I remember seeing it in DC generally a few tracks over. The basement of Penn Station - at least they didn't change all of that. Also enjoyed the picture of SP5021. Vacating times for sleepers depended in many cases on the railroad and the amount of activity that was involved in the morning.
work safe
Good morning Ruth. Your looking well this morning. I think just my usual if you don't mind a number 3 and the large BK blast in a thermos. As always the change is for your travel fund Boris I see that you've squared the critters away and their pens look not too bad all things concidered so a small PPF is waiting for you.Just make sure that you take Artie out back he's molting again give him a good vaccume and he should be right as rain.
Right ring the bell and set up a round for the morning revellers ( gotta be noon somewhere ) I see that you have the spiked oj tank in tow so line em up and give them what they need sir.
Tom may or may not be in today he was thinking of taking part or most of today off when last I talked to him ( owners are allowed to do that ) so don't get any ideas Pete besides you need to get as many shifts in as possible to cover the intrest on that bar tab.
Shane-Good morning to you sir. Always good to see our coalminner in bright and early on a Monday morning ( days when most hate to even think of getting out of bed ) Yes the trip back was inetersting and I know that we all deal with those sorts oh well, it was still an enjoyable day,how can it not be when your riding the rails.
Rob
Hello again Ruth another top up on the BK balst and I'm away. A little something to satrt teh collective juices off agin with this first full week of May.
CLASSIC DIESELS # 33 THE CPR PASSENGER TRAINS PT 3 : POSTWAR CHANGES
The daily routine , and service of the railways changed after the war in Canada much like it had in the United States.The wartorn ravedged rolling stock of the railways was well run out by the time 7 years of war service had been completed.In Canada much like the US,the airline industry was starting to come into it's own,with goverment subsidies to build bigger and better airports. This coupled with more govt. money for highways and the lifting of gas and rubber rationing, and the ability for people to buy cars started to put preassure on the railway industry.
The CPR, which provided yeoman service to the nation during the war years, was not willing to give up it's share of the passenger market to the other forms and embarked on a heavy reinvestment in new streamlined passenger equipment and a wholesale swap of steam engines for modern diesel power.In 1954 the CPR ordered 173 new stainless steel sided passenger cars from the Budd company, and on april 24, 1955 they launched the New Canadian an all Budd dlx transcontinental passenger service.
CPR described The Canadian as an exclusive and dlx all stainless streamliner, featuring ; "Two Dome cars, and a variety of sleeping arrangements: roomettes,double bedrooms,berths and more..the last car of the train will feature a round ended observation room, a beverage room with a dome level above it, and a first class sleeping space made up of a large drawing room and two bedrooms. "This comes from the timetable a passenger advertismnet material of the time.
CPR's vast expendature of $40 million dollars on this equipment was concidered a lavish expendature of money, on what many concidereed to be a dying mode of travel.This new train operated on a tighter scheduale than any of the CPR's previous passenger name trains.It guarranteed a 71 hour 10 minute run from Montreal to Vancouver, and 50 minutes less eastbound.A hopefull Norris Crump ( CPR's then president ) was excited and hopefull that this new state of the art equipment would solidify the CPR's position as the, passenger choice for cross country runs in the country, and that the investment would pay for it in the years ahead. Norris Crump would later concider his whole hearted support of this service to be his biggest and costliest blunder of his carreer.
However , in the summer of 1955 the optimism of the time and this new equipment was reflected in the CPR's aggressive schedualling of it's transcontinental services.These featured five different scheduales west of Moose Jaw. Aside from The Canadian , they also included The Dominion , the CPR / SOO Mountaineer , and two unnamed transcontinentals in each direction . Despite the CPR's heavy investment in passenger equipment in the mid 50's their financial losses continued into the 1960's.All due to the continuing decline in passenger numbers.
By 1966, all of the transcontinentals except for The Canadian had been discontinued.Most local trains were regulated to mixed status of the influx of another Budd product the large fleet of RDC 1,2 and 3's. The Dominion was reactivated for a while in 1967 in connection with Expo67 in Montreal, after that it and many other long and mid range passenger trains came to an end.In 1970 CPR began to publically state that they wished to discontinue transcontinental passenger service completely.The public sentiment was negative to this, but even the Candian Transportation Commission was admitting that both CN and CP were in deed bleeding red ink on the passenger side of their business.This occured at the same time when the US governmnet was piecing together Amtrak from all the failing roads in the US that wanted to be rid of passenger service.The Canadian government would do the same thing several years later. In the meantime however the CPR continued to operate, The Canadian, The Montreal to Saint John Atlantic Limited and several other secondary services.These were all partially funded by government sudsidy. The CN was still running a heavier passenger scheduale as they were still a crown corporation at the time.
The CPR took the lead in ending the flow of red ink through the formation of the new crown corporation VIA Rail. This occurred in 1976 , at first the VIA timetable just listed both the available CN and CP trains keeping the equipmnet and routes of both donating RR's.In 1978 VIA officailly became a full funded crown corporation and assumed all financial and physical control over the nations passenger rail network. Both RR's donnated the bulk of their passenger equipment to this new company, happy to finnally be out from under the money loosing proposition of rail passenger service.
AS everyone knows VIA's Canadian still lives on and still uses the vintage Budd cars.Now routed over the more convienient but less scenic CN route.Fofty years later passengers still can enjoy that Park car service. Not as bad an investment as Norris Crump had thought.
Starting YESTERDAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . May 4th thru 10th: Ray <2004> Starring: Jamie Fox, Kerry Washington & Regina King - and ENCORE Presentation of For Love of the Game <1999> Starring: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly & Jena Malone. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Half-Wits Holiday <1947>.
<Note: For Love of the Game first shown on Sunday, Oct 1st thru 7th, 2006>
Ray <2004>
PLOT SUMMARY: Jamie Foxx's uncannily accurate performance isn't the only good thing about Ray. Riding high on a wave of Oscar buzz, Foxx proved himself worthy of all the hype by portraying blind R&B legend Ray Charles in a warts-and-all performance that Charles approved shortly before his death in June 2004. Despite a few dramatic embellishments of actual incidents (such as the suggestion that the accidental drowning of Charles's younger brother caused all the inner demons that Charles would battle into adulthood), the film does a remarkable job of summarizing Charles's strengths as a musical innovator and his weaknesses as a philandering heroin addict who recorded some of his best songs while flying high as a kite. Foxx seems to be channeling Charles himself, and as he did with the life of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba, director Taylor Hackford gets most of the period details absolutely right as he chronicles Ray's rise from "chitlin circuit" performer in the early '50s to his much-deserved elevation to legendary status as one of the all-time great musicians. Foxx expertly lip-syncs to Ray Charles' classic recordings, but you could swear he's the real deal in a film that honors Ray Charles without sanitizing his once-messy life. --Jeff Shannon
Jamie Foxx's uncannily accurate performance isn't the only good thing about Ray. Riding high on a wave of Oscar buzz, Foxx proved himself worthy of all the hype by portraying blind R&B legend Ray Charles in a warts-and-all performance that Charles approved shortly before his death in June 2004. Despite a few dramatic embellishments of actual incidents (such as the suggestion that the accidental drowning of Charles's younger brother caused all the inner demons that Charles would battle into adulthood), the film does a remarkable job of summarizing Charles's strengths as a musical innovator and his weaknesses as a philandering heroin addict who recorded some of his best songs while flying high as a kite. Foxx seems to be channeling Charles himself, and as he did with the life of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba, director Taylor Hackford gets most of the period details absolutely right as he chronicles Ray's rise from "chitlin circuit" performer in the early '50s to his much-deserved elevation to legendary status as one of the all-time great musicians. Foxx expertly lip-syncs to Ray Charles' classic recordings, but you could swear he's the real deal in a film that honors Ray Charles without sanitizing his once-messy life. --Jeff Shannon
<from: amazon.com>
For Love of the Game <1999>
PLOT SUMMARY: Although it is no Bull Durham, For Love of the Game finds a solid and very believable role for Costner. The film is based on Michael Shaara's (The Killer Angels) stream-of-consciousness novel (the rough manuscript was found after his death 1988). The entire film takes place on Billy's day on the mound against the Yankees, a meaningless late-season game for the Tigers, but everything for Billy. In flashbacks, he lingers over his long relationship with Jane and his baseball career (from World Series heroism to a career-threatening injury). His one viable link to the game at hand is his catcher, played winningly by John C. Reilly. Costner, like Chapel, is looking for one more great performance, but the film is too simplistic and loopy at times to resonate. The love story has an extra helping of cuteness, and legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully nearly takes on a leading role, waxing grandiloquent. It's no grand slam, but a solid double. --Doug Thomas
Although it is no Bull Durham, For Love of the Game finds a solid and very believable role for Costner. The film is based on Michael Shaara's (The Killer Angels) stream-of-consciousness novel (the rough manuscript was found after his death 1988). The entire film takes place on Billy's day on the mound against the Yankees, a meaningless late-season game for the Tigers, but everything for Billy. In flashbacks, he lingers over his long relationship with Jane and his baseball career (from World Series heroism to a career-threatening injury). His one viable link to the game at hand is his catcher, played winningly by John C. Reilly. Costner, like Chapel, is looking for one more great performance, but the film is too simplistic and loopy at times to resonate. The love story has an extra helping of cuteness, and legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully nearly takes on a leading role, waxing grandiloquent. It's no grand slam, but a solid double. --Doug Thomas
SHORT: The Three Stooges - Half-Wits Holiday <1947>
PLOT SUMMARY: Two professors take a page from George Bernard Shaw and settle a behaviorism dispute on heredity vs. environment by trying to reform three slovenly, crass handymen, played, of course, by the Stooges. A several-thousand-dollar bet is made, and Prof. Quackenbush sets to training his three Lizas. Several months pass, and the newborn gentlemen attend a dinner party. They behave themselves for about two minutes. The short is capped off by a horrendous pie fight. Good line: "Why, you act as if the sword of Damacles was hanging over your head!"<This short, however, is marred by being Curly's last; he suffered a crippling stroke and was forced to retire. Shemp replaced him two months later in FRIGHT NIGHT.>
Two professors take a page from George Bernard Shaw and settle a behaviorism dispute on heredity vs. environment by trying to reform three slovenly, crass handymen, played, of course, by the Stooges. A several-thousand-dollar bet is made, and Prof. Quackenbush sets to training his three Lizas. Several months pass, and the newborn gentlemen attend a dinner party. They behave themselves for about two minutes. The short is capped off by a horrendous pie fight. Good line: "Why, you act as if the sword of Damacles was hanging over your head!"<This short, however, is marred by being Curly's last; he suffered a crippling stroke and was forced to retire. Shemp replaced him two months later in FRIGHT NIGHT.>
<This short, however, is marred by being Curly's last; he suffered a crippling stroke and was forced to retire. Shemp replaced him two months later in FRIGHT NIGHT.>
<from: threestooges.net>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
G'day Gents!
Didn't want y'all to think we'd be shut down or repeating last week's bill o' fare . . . we just didn't get the listings 'n posters changed in time!
It's going to take me a bit o' time to get this sorted out from my 2008 Canadian Rail Odyssey . . . suffice it to say things went exceedingly well. Just a "bang on" trip with all connections made 'n expectations met. Just marvelous - if it turns out to be my finale, a great way to end it. If not - something to look forward to repeating!
Will definitely be back in the morning - perhaps even later this afternoon. Great to see all of the activity from our Gang of Regulars <GoR>! Five to YOU for showing that you indeed DO give a Rat's Patoot!
Oh yes, ROB - Kermit behaved! And thanx for jumping in to keep things operating here and over on "my other Thread" - well up to the task as Manager of "Our" Place!
Tom
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH. Good to see TOM back.
ERIC Thanks for the info on the Re 4/4 at 4,348HP quite a powerful locomotive. It seems locomotives around the 4,000 HP mark are the most popular nowadays.
Glad you liked the photos. Dougal has two water tanks as far as I know. I think the box on the locomotive side by the cab would be for keeping the coal in. By the size of the tanks and the coal bunker I guess Dougal would have a very limited range without having to re-water
The bridge at Conway, at the right side of MIKE's map was an earlier version of the Menai Bridge built by Robert Stephenson.It is an interesting story on how they were built
Many thanks for the great photos, a good varied selection. There certainly is a big difference in size between #3 at Mariefred and # 5021 at Pomona CA.
NICK Real sorry to hear about on of your cats.
Great info on the Welsh Highland and Angelsea. I wonder why British Railways named the Britannia Pacific ‘Boadicea', they also used the ‘English' spelling ‘Owen Glendower' as well
Glad you enjoyed the WLLR photos. I'm afraid I can't help on the track in the 2nd photo; I had a look through the album to see if there was another photo showing the line a bit clearer, but no luck. If my aging memory serves, I think they were shunting some of the stock around at Llanfair while I was there. I had another look at the photo and this seems to be the case, as the diesel No 7 is under power and probably hauled the stock out to release Joan.
Certainly a good try scored after a successful line-out with those great Welsh Highland and Welshpool &Llanfair photos, many thanks. I really enjoy the old photos. How lucky we are, that the original Earl and Countess survived on the W&L and Russell on the WHR.
Really enjoyed the photos and info on the Ravenglass and Eskdale 15 in gauge line. The Bassett -Lowke Atlantics have a look of the Rhyl engines about them. It is a good photo of Ella hauling a goods train on the line. The Cumbrian Coast line used to be popular with steam specials on the main line from Carnforth, stopping at Ravenglass for those who wanted a ride on the R&ER, while the loco turned father up the line. I have some photos of the ‘Ratty' in fairly recent times I will have to scan and put up at the bar.
ROB I am quite well in with Inspector Clueless after he was been offered a big part in the next Our Place production which, according to BORIS, is ‘The Hound of the Basketballs'
Thanks for the kind words on the photos. It seems nowadays a lot of the modern cars have seats that don't line up with the windows, especially in the UK.
Many thanks for the photos, The Algoma Central is a pleasant livery and it is real good to see a roundhouse with an internal turntable still in use.
Very Interesting, although sad reading, in Classic Diesels #33 on the CPR passenger trains. A sobering fact he passenger numbers nearly halved between 1954 and 1970. At least, though, it is still possible to travel on the Budd cars Norris Crump ordered.
CM3 Glad you enjoyed the photos. As I said to Nick, it is great that so many of the original locomotives survived on the narrow gauge lines that are running today in preservationists hands.
TOM Great to see you back. It sounds like a wonderful trip and everything went well,. I will look forward to the report and the photos. Good films at the Emporium this week. Ray is a film I would like to see and For Love of the Game with Kevin Costner playing another baseball role. The Stooges are up to their usual mayhem but a sad film as it was Curly's last .I wonder if we could see a film of the Stooges life story I saw once on at the Emporium..
I have a photo of some preserved diesels at The Midland Railway Centre.
They are an English Electric Type 4 later class 40, a BR 'Peak' class 45 and a Brush class 47 in large logo livery.
The first loco, No 212, was one of the first batch of EE type 4s that was allocated to the London Midland Region from 1958.The batch of 35 diesels were named after Liners, the namplate can be seen on the locos side.Above the name was the flag of the line that owned the ship. 212 was named Aureol, which I read was the last flagship of the Elder Dempster lines. The Ship was launched in 1951.
Well a round please RUTH..
Pete.
Well howdy doody one and all-Happy monday........
Leon,Lets be having you dear boy-it`s been one of those sort of days at this end of the counter,so a large brandy with a Carling chaser just to take the edge off,then I may set about some serious imbibing Lets take care of post first,then I can rant & rave at my leisure........
ROB-Enjoyed the wee drinkie last night -And yes,those little locos are gen-u-ine haulers-the R&E.R has some fairly fierce gradients in both directions-stretches of 1:64 & 1:40 against the loaded mineral trains and between 1:36 & 1:48 in the opposite direction-not a problem for mineral empties but passenger traffic is of course each-way loads. Speaking of minerals ,the line shipped 50,000 tons between 1949 & `53-not bad for a rich mans toy..........Enjoyed your pix spread-always good to see the black bear -and yes,I spotted the neatly laid trap-O.N.R 1603 is of course a GP9-nice to see it with high nose-all the remaining geeps are now chopped and lacking M.U gear are restricted to yard work-the Muskoka wharf shot makes a very pleasant change of scene-good call ----Also enjoyed the C.P.R piece-liked the observation that Norris Crump was of an optomistic outlook-If I was going through life as Norris Crump I think I would tend to think that things could only improve -One can only assume his mother had stretch-mark issues
C.M 3-And a very good day to you sir !-glad you enjoyed the various pix spreads-the scanner has indeed been earning it`s daily bread...The Maine 2-footers is an area I need to explore in depth and at leisure-am I right that Forney 0-4-4t`s were involved (back to 0-4-4t`s again ) -also good spot on the `rum` quote -I suspect I have mentioned before,but for my,Keith Richards` cameo in the 3rd installment exuded an air of genuine menace not seen since Depp & Bloom`s swordfight in the 1st movie (and that when he picks up that delightful little acoustic guitar,he is playing an arrangement of Start Me Up definately too cool for school....)
TOM- back my friend-The master is in his den and all is right with the world !!.......Delighted that the trip was a success-hopefully expunged the memories from the last time-Is always a gamble when something of which one has great hopes is in the hands of strangers........................Fine choice of lead movie for this week-`Ray` was one of the greats-many people aspire to be players-a very few are born for it-he was one -for many years we used `Unchain My Heart` as a piano showcase with The Barflys-an earlier version of Riptide-the pianist also took the lead vocal-filled the floor every time.........Looking forward to the trip report when you have got your breath back,placated Juneau & generally re-established yourself
Right then Leon-that first hit is just taking-better have some more of the same-and a round for the boys as and when required..........Oh-and we have just had a call from our ladies of perpetual motion-apparently they are suffering a crisis of faith,so better send Boris over with a couple of cases of Blue,a firkin of the Bathams,2 bottles of rum and a half dozen pizzas-mixed toppings,one extra anchovies--put it on PETEs tab-it will barely be noticed
And so to my trip report of the visit of `Duke of Gloucester`-well-I think comedy of errors is perhaps the best phrase....arrived at Milford a good 10 mins in advance of booked arrival time-the site was full-must have been 3-400 people there,was boiling hot-loads of kiddies out to see their first steam train-finally arrived about 15 mins late,and,as I suspected,was hauled in by a diesel ( an E.W.S class 66-a G.M S.D 40 with reduced height body and double cabs) with the Duke at the London end ready to work back out-so far so good-here it started to fall apart-Milford was only ever a branch line terminus-the platform is about 4 cars long and the viewing area not much longer-with about 10 on,plus a reserve power diesel behind the engine plus the 66,the Duke ended up about 500 feet out from the station and was only visible as a distant plume of smoke -seeing the lie of the land,decided to cut and run and make for H/West,where we could get run-through shots,sadly many other disgruntled folks were heading out as well-(think angry mob of villagers in Dracula movies) so we got caught in a monster traffic jam-as they were late arriving,the train left within a few minutes of arrival-we raced it back-(fair play to dad-he hasnt driven like that in YEARS)-caught every red light on the way back and arrived about a minute before the train-didnt have time to get down to the platform,so had to make do with a few pix from the road bridge-not a great angle-havn`t seen what I got yet `cos camera batteries (new in today) went dead-also missed pix of a brand new R.D.C unit sitting in the down platform waiting for the single line -On the plus side-I did at least get a couple of shots of her-plus some pix of the H/West yard from a perspective I havn`t used before,a couple of the 66 leading into Milford and a few at H/W of the tank transporter ramp and flats and service cars which I hadn`t expected to see there-before being chased off by a stroppy youth who was in charge of locking the gates and had obviously had enough of bearded weirdies with cameras---Also small Hannah & my mum(daughter of a railwayman) got to see ,hear & smell a proper train working hard with a full load on
Will upload pix as soon as I can get some batteries
Right thats me for now-take care,be happy
PETE-well hello dear boy ! looks like we posted together-will gladly join you in a drink as long as you join me in the next one .......
Thanks for kind thoughts re Muesli cat-(old dribbly..) has been with us for 8 years and as far as I can tell had at least 2 years of fending for herself after being abandoned by previous owners-they moved out and left her and Ally cat (size of a badger and just as mean...)-our other `aquired` cat shut in a back room for the new owners to deal with-real nice people-I hope to catch up with them soon-She is still happy to have the gravy/jelly out of the tins plus finely chopped ham but is obviously getting painfully `creaky`--I suspect a difficult decision is not far down the line-such is life.........oddly enough,Oggle cat-our previous stray, seems to have been their mother (she was a lovely old thing-cried like a baby when we had to lose her....)-Esme cat-the only one we have had from a kitten (14 years and counting) hates them all with implacable feline loathing-much as she did when Hannah arrived..apologies- musing........
Would concur with you R.E `Dougal`-a wing tank-my pic shows the rear tanks as open topped-so must be coal bunkers-R.E Boudicca-seems to be the contempory spelling-taken from the old English rather than the Roman version-blame Magnus Magnusson-all round clever chap and champion of traditional forms-likewise Glendower-I use the Welsh form out of courtesy to the country where I live-also I am a great fan of the early literature which uses the traditional names exclusively-will have to look again for my pix of Welshpool-were no trains about ( we caught up with Drefaldwyn en-route) but am sure I had a shed -load of the station area.....plus a lod mor from Llanfair-including both the original engines-including a couple of truly embarrasing shots of me hanging over the cabside,looking appallingly smug.............
Speaking of tries scored,Bath gave a textbook display against Saracens this weekend and Edinburgh completed a clean sheet against the Welsh regions with a cracking show against the Ospreys-kept the ball in play for almost three minutes of extra time and won by a point with a lovely last touch try out on the line-check it out on the BBC web-fine stuff
I`m wandering again-The R&E.R Atlantics were ,as far as I can remember,the same B/L class 20`s as the Rhyll line -will look out the details
Nice pix of the diesels -one of my inherited-from-Alan locos is a Mainline class 45 in rail blue-a sweet runner and with a set of coaches or a string of railfreight , a welcome addition to the fold
Right-my shout-another Bathams and a wee brandy for this man and I will have the same again please.......lets have a look at the world and put it to rights....
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, it`s great to be back, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys please!
To all. Got back to home base yesterday, Monday here, was going to travel back on Sunday but their was SNOW forecasted on Highway 5, the Taupo/Napier highway so we held off another day, it sure is great to be home again. I am now going to have to spend some time reading all of your posts`to catch up with everything. The latest railway news over here is that the NZ Government have now completed the buy back of all the railway operating equipment from Toll Holdings, 118 locos`, 4,200 rolling stock and 3 Inter-island car/rail ferries for NZ$ 660 million after lengthy bargaining, so the complete rail system is now back under government control, the tracks were given back to the NZ Government by Toll a couple of years ago for a peppercorn cost of $1, "one whole dollar", I kid you not! This was because Toll had not carried out proper maintainance on the tracks over the years and could`nt afford the cost of bringing them back to standard. The system will be most likely run by a State Owned Enterprise company.
Good to see Tom and Rob got back OK from their trip in Rob`s fair land, back to you both. After I catch up with all of the posts` over the next couple of days`, I will acknowledge all of the info and pics you guys` have posted over the period of my time away from the bar. It sure is great to be back with you all.
See ya, Allan
Good evening Leon , I see that all is sqaured away this evening so just a quick guiness and I'll be off 7am shift tomorrow so it will be an afternoon arival for me on the morrow.
Tom-Glad to hear that all went well with Kermit , had a male version of our friend on the trip down as a seat mate on the trip back beyond that it was a decent trip was on time on it's departure and arrival in TO and I only had a ten minute wait for the "GO" back to Oakville a perfect transition
Nice to see the movie posters Ray's a hit to be sure
Just doing my job , as you can see the gang came through with flying colours during your downtime
Pete-Nice pic mate I like that livery reminds me of the C&O slightly.Looks like you've had your tab hacked again this evening <uh oh> and just as you managed to get the intrest payments caught up. On the upside Vito's cousin is offering you a generous mortgage to pay it off with.
I'm not sure that I want to see the hound of the basketballs ( no matter who is staring in it ), not sure that we want to help bankroll another major production,we'll see.
Glad you liked the internal turntable. CN has two of their own still in existance at Hornepayne and Capreol Ontario both in the North westren part of the province. Both are Canadian stops as well.Crump was an interesting guy, and I would say that we have certainly got our money's worth with teh Budd equipment.
Nick-Sounds like you have a right "catery" happening there at home Too bad the steam excurion was such a pain in the royal you know what. But hey at least the little got to see a "real train"
Can't squeek anything by you insdeed it's a GP9 in what is my favourite ONR paint scheme.I wonder if the ladies enjoyed your care package that you so graciously paid for on Pete's tab. Hope Pete's black bag can't be expanded to hold a hman or you might be in for a tough time there mate.<uh oh >
Allan-Good to have you back, makes our crew complete round this place. Good news that the NZ rail network will hopefully soon get back on track
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, it's time for my ham sandwich. Fries and a Tui!
Today it was close my trip to the Rendezvous next week had to be canceled! It was time for jury duty (again) and I was among a bunch of other jurors being interviewed for a trial supposed to last at least until Wednesday next week. But i was lucky, did not get picked for the jury, so I am coming!
Nick – Brio? So you had a Swedish wooden train, just like me when I was very young. Thanks for all the info on the narrow gauge railways! So 'Russell' is the only survivor! Much better than none!! You seem to be well informed about old times when the Romans occupied a good portion of the future U.K. I think I recognize that little tank locomotive from Llanfair Caereinion, #8. Didn’t Pete show a photo of the same loco? Yes, he did and I asked him if it had four water tanks, but it doesn’t. It is kind of obvious in your picture.Sad photo of one of the last “specials”! The rest of them are not that sad though. I love those “supersized” locomotive models running on the 15” track! Too bad they are a little too big for the backyard. Thanks for the trip report. Not much luck with the photo opportunities though. I can understand if people were kind of angry not being able to see the locomotive they came to see close up. Poor planning or bad circumstances? Plus bad batteries!You are obviously taking good care of your cat!Rob – Glad you liked the photos! I have to take some time and scan more photos so i don’t have to repeat myself too much. I have seen Sault Ste Marie from the air but I can’t say I saw any roundhouse with a built in turntable. Interesting photos! Thanks fo the article on CPR and the transcontinental trains! So VIA was ‘born” a few years after Amtrak. CM3 – I saw something on TV a few years ago where they showed Amtrak’s “Beech Grove”. I didn’t recognize it first. Had to look twice. Tom – Welcome back, Sir!! Glad to learn that the trip was a good one! I know about Ray Charles, but I never heard about the movie Ray! Seems to be an interesting movie! The other movie, For Love of the Game, I have seen some parts of. Love to see the entire movie. And of course Three Stooges!Pete – Of course, why didn’t I think of the coal. No steam locomotive, including 'Dougal', will run on water only. Needs coal too. Okay, some need oil.Thanks for the info on that other bridge!BR Class 40 is an interesting locomotive, the 'Whistler'. 2,000 hpAllan – Thanks for the Tui! Snow? I thought NZ had snow only up in the mountains. Get rid of it! Thanks for the info on the ‘buy-back’ of the railways in NZ! $1 for the infrastructure! The price is right!! But I guess it will cost millions to get it back in shape again.
Swedish State Railways, class T43. Another T43 can be found in Hull, outside Ottawa.
Hull, Québec.
Eric
Good Morning Captain Tom and Crew!
I have actually been in on several occassions (under the cover of tables and passed out patrons, Pete cleared the place of Guiness Saturday See I do come in on occassion). Yes it's true as I browse through the Pics. Unfortunately and true to nature here I am on the last day of my leave and I have a retaining wall in the yard to finish as well as navigate through more contractors. As Lisa asked two days left and you're starting a new project
Anyway I thought I'd share this with you as once a month a bunch of like hearted souls get together to look at train pics! Here's an e-mail I just recieved for the monthly gathering.
Reminder that the next Slide show is on Thursday next May 8 at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Doors open at 6:30 pm Slide show starts promptly at 7pm.Please bring 36 slides or digital images. Photographs are also welcome.I will have some pictures of CAD and St Luc shops in Montreal taken last month in Montreal.Also a reminder that the VIA Rail Safety Days are at the VIA Rail station on Tuesday May 6 from 9am to 3 pm and Wednesday May 7 from 1pm to 8:30pmCheers
The gentleman who sent this around also has a website I am sure some of you will drool over so enjoy!
http://www.othen.go.to.
Sry have to run, contractors are here yet again
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
<The Chaleur at Gaspé, Québec - personal foto>
It's Tuesday - that rather uneventful day of the week where perhaps the best of it all are the refreshments here at "Our" Place. So let's get those breakfast orders IN - grab a pastry or three ‘n fill up the coffee mug!
Back, but hardly caught up! So, just let me make a round of very BRIEF ACKNOWLEDGMENTS since my departure . . . no way I can do justice to the fine efforts y'all have put forth. But at least I can recognize you 'n of course pay SPECIAL THANX to all who bought rounds 'n put some quarters in our Coal Scuttle <for Herr Wurlitzer>!
Customer Acknowledgments in BRIEF (since my last narrative):
Wednesday - April 30tht <all times Central daylite>:
Page 20 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 5:18 PM ‘n 5:32 PM: Thanx for providing the "Ground Rules."
Page 20 - Mike <wanswheel> at 5:56 PM: Silent but relevant with a bon voyage thrown in!
Page 20 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:23 PM ‘n 6:32 PM ‘n 7:19 PM <1:23 AM ‘n 1:32 AM ‘n 2:19 AM GMT>: Continuing support from our energized Chief Chef ! Luv the fotos too!
Page 20 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:42 PM: Keeping things going ‘n doing very well at it!
Thursday - May 1st <all times Central daylite>:
Page 20 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:10 AM: Daylite just doesn't favor our Nocturnal Man! Nor does snow ‘n ice! <grin>
Page 20 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9 AM: Good beginning to a new month!
Page 20 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:26 AM: "In" with usual flair ‘n good stuff about the "Owl."
Page 20 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:45 AM: A rare but appreciated late morning weekday visit with fotos at that!
Page 20 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 12:03 PM: A last minute check to ensure all's well! Now this guy is pushing for the "big dipper"!
Page 20 - Eric <EricX2000> at 4:23 PM: Hard to believe - but our Desert Swede actually has been spotted in daylite! Fotos too . . .
Page 20 - Pete <pwolfe> at 5:14 PM: Our Bar Chandler made it back for a two-fer day!
Page 20 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:28 PM <1:28 AM Friday GMT>: The guy just keeps on going - as with the old TIMEX watches, keeps on ticking and doesn't take a licking. Hmmmmmm - no further comment. <grin>
Page 20 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:46 PM: "Evidence" that our night at the St. George Arms pub ended early. Loooooong day for this old man . . . <grin> Good company, nice meal ‘n wonderful atmosphere . . . PLUS Rob actually bought the beers "owed" from Rendezvous I - and then some!
Friday - May 2nd <all times Central daylite>:
Page 20 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:30 AM: Beautiful foto of the RTL! <sweet>
Page 20 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:01 AM: More quality stuff from our WVA Connection - passenger trains from NY City to Boston . . . <nice>
Page 20 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:25 AM: Another morning Post from our "one finger wonder"! Wonder how "fast" things would go with TWO of ‘em! <grin> Fine foto spate too!
Page 21 - Dan <DL-UK> at 12:44 PM <6:44 PM GMT>: Turned the Page from the UK!
Page 21 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:58 PM: Keeping to his "slot" with some more fotos ‘n great chat!
Page 21 - Eric <EricX2000> at 5:55 PM: Fotos from our Man-in-the Cab!
Page 21 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:25 PM ‘n 6:28 PM ‘n 8:45 PM ‘n 8:51 PM <1:25 AM ‘n 1:28 AM ‘n 2:45 AM ‘n 2:51 AM Saturday GMT>: A foursome from our Resident Londoner in Wales. Great foto spate too!
Saturday - May 3rd <all times Central daylite>:
Page 21 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:41 AM: The man didn't quit - many thanx for stepping up! Never saw one of THOSE before <Amtrak inspection car>!
Page 21 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:21 AM: Keeping things alive on our traditionally sloooooooow Saturdays . . .
Page 21 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:45 AM ‘n 12:13 PM: A Saturday two-fer from the Wolfman!
Page 21 - Mike <wanswheel> at 12:37 PM: Looks like Wales to me!
Page 21 - Eric <EricX2000> at 6:45 PM: Some chat ‘n random shots - nicely done!
Page 21 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:20 PM ‘n 8:21 PM <1:20 AM ‘n 2:21 AM GMT>: "In" with all kinds of captivating reading - some even relevant! <grin> Lotsafotos - not to worry, <tweeter> on holiday too!
Sunday - May 4th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 21 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 5:44 PM: "In" to keep tabs on the administrative stuff AND to keep our Bar Chandler "in line." Goooooooood luck with the latter! <grin>
Page 21 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:21 PM ‘n 6:38 PM <1:21 AM ‘n 1:38 AM Monday GMT>: Just the kinda stuff that keeps the interest level "up" at this adult drinking establishment! YOU are a natural at this stuff - want to buy me out
Page 21 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:01 PM ‘n 11:07 PM: All kinds of stuff to read ‘n look at. Another above ‘n beyond effort from our Manager!
Monday - May 5th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 22 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:55 AM: Turn the Page ‘n who shows up SHANE! Nice way to begin the week and a new Page . . .
Page 22 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:11 AM ‘n 9:26 AM: Stopped by before a day back at the "plant." Appreciate the dedication ‘n the time it takes to provide the fine reading material!
Page 22 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:45 PM: Skipped the morning but not the PM! Thanx for keeping to your "slot" and of course for coming through so many times while I was gone! Super Shot of that electric!
Page 22 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:20 PM ‘n 7:24 PM <1:20 AM ‘n 1:24 AM Tuesday GMT>: A two-fer from our Mighty Man in Wales! Only thing missing from my trip to Gaspé was having our GoR along!
Page 22 - Alan <Gunneral> at 8:43 PM <3:43 PM Tuesday NZ time>: A welcome return for our Resident Downunder Kiwi! Lets' get those Tui's flowing . . .
Page 22 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:47 PM: Glad all went well with your return to Brantford. Sometimes we can't do anything about our "seat mates," except of course to hope they leave at the next stop - or look for a vacant seat. Anyway, it was great having you accompany me to Montréal! And yes, the boys came thru quite well . . .
Tuesday - May 6th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 22 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:11 AM: There was SNOW along the Gaspé peninsula - lots of it! They apparently had a record winter and in places looked like a winter wonderland. Ahhhhhh.
Rendezvous III is NEXT week!
Page 22 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 6:26 AM <8:26 AM ADT>: Really don't know about our friend in Dartmouth . . . no mention of my being away - zip, zero, zilch. BUT we all are "invited" to the maritime museum AND the rail station! Oh well . . . we DO know his heart is in the RIGHT place! Bon voyage, mon ami!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Back into the swing of things here at home - but hardly ready for anything in depth at the bar. Have the "south forty" to mow before the rains set in . . . Rendezvous III 'things' to attend to, foundation guy coming this AM 'n of course the ever-lovin' monthly grocery shopping coming up! <arrrggghhh>
Anyway, here's a few shots from Gaspé, in advance of a trip report 'n sequential fotos . . . that's a bit off, sorry to say.
(1) The Chaleur in Gaspé
<F40PH - baggage - coach - skyline dome - two sleepers>
(2) F40PH #6427
(3) Baggage car #8618
(4) Coach #8126
(5) Skyline dome #8503
(6) "My" bedroom car - Chateau Rouville #8225
Gotta run . . .
Back from outside chores - also still somewhat in "shock" regarding one man's OH-PIN-YUN regarding a "fix" for the wall problems . . .
Email with Agenda sent to Rendezvous III attendees!
But now it's time for a bit of distraction for Moi . . . these from Toronto's Union Station while waiting for Rob . . .
(1) Train board
(2) Provincial flag line-up
(3) Ontario Northern ticket counter
(4) VIA Rail system map
(5) VIA Rail advertisement
(6) VIA Rail advertisement for the Ocean <I only WISH!!>
Enjoy!
Good afternoon folks, a slow crawl o this fine tuesday oh well we shall overcome So leon just a Keith's or two, I'll leave a twenty to cover the later arriving patrons,not to worry gent Boris the girls and I will keep things together while you are all rendezvous(ing)
Fergie-Have a great trip north here's hoping that the bergs and bergie bits don't cause you too much grief.Your right about that website , I'm drooling ( almost shorted out the keyboard ) Thanks for thinking of us before shoving off.
Tom-Back in the saddle again I'm glad your trip on teh Chaleur was a good one, maginifed by the snow and Kermits that behaved . Great photo's , the one's inside the main hall of Union showed up quite nicely. I'm with you though the new clock isn't as nice as the old one. Nice add for the Ocean with the Budd's
A fine example of how to sum up four days of fine stuff as well
Hopefully the next basement guy you call has better news
Back later
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
NICK Good to join you in the drink last night. It seems the cats now have a very good home with you. As you say how anyone can just leave a pet when they leave home for good is beyond belief to me. Unfortunately with the bank foreclosures on houses it is getting more common. There was an article in the paper here about a locksmith employed to change the locks on houses that have been repossessed and some of the tales are heartbreaking.
On to pleasanter things. Enjoyed your description of chasing the ‘Duke'. Glad you and family managed to see her at H/West, I will look forward to the photos, that new RDC sounds interesting, perhaps you will have better luck with a photo of the new unit in the future. At least you got some photos of the 71000 and saw her in action. I have a slide of her in Barry Scrapyard and the difference from then to now is amazing.
I too prefer the old English and the Welsh spelling of names. I like the way BR, when they went back to naming locomotives after the 1970s, had the Welsh as well as English on some of their locomotive nameplates, like 47615 Castell Caerffili/Caerphilly Castle and 37426 Y Lein Fach/Vale of Rheidol.
I am lucky they show Rugby Union on Setanta which is available over here although I missed the matches between Bath and Saracens and Edinburgh and the Ospreys. There is a tournament in Chicago in June, they say Rugby is gaining popularity over here, it was a successful 7s tournament in San Diego earlier this year.
It would be good to see those photos of the W&L you have and if possible the Mainline class 45 Peak model if you can.
ALLAN Glad you got back to home base OK, great to have you back. Looking forward to your posts when you have caught up.
It will be interesting to see how the NZ railways get on back in the Government's hands again. I guess it is more than possible that it could happen in Britain as well.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photo.
Yes the poor old bar tab took a hit again. We did well on the ticket sales at the weekend as H&H were on the door and the track gang was most generous. No worries I hear the ‘Hound' is going to be an outdoor show so the damage should be minimal.
The former Barrow Hill locomotive shed, near Chesterfield England, with an internal turntable is now a preservation center they have photo shoots inside the depot with steam and diesel locomotives and they create a great looking atmosphere..
I just heard the rustle of your twenty as I was about to post this so I will join you for a drink if I may.
ERIC Real glad you did not get picked for Jury Service and are still able to come to the Rendezvous.
I'm impressed knowing the nickname of the 2,000HP class 40, do you know any more like ‘Gronk' ‘Goyle' or ‘Duff'.
Many thanks for the photos of the T 43s, is there a story behind how the Swedish locomotives got to be in Quebec.
FERGIE Yes we have not sold so much Guinness since St Patrick's Day on Saturday.
Sounds a good slide show coming up. Many thanks for the great link. I have had a look and will return to it. The video of the single locomotive on the Ocean, after a failure, is a good one, I wonder how much time the train lost to Moncton. I like the new livery of # 6400 photographed at Halifax after the locomotives refurbishment.
TOM Thanks for the acknowledgements.
Wonderful blue sky and some snow on the ground what could be better. Really enjoying the first photos from your trip. The cars on the Chaleur look in really clean condition and Gaspe looks much better with a train in it. I seem to recall you have a model of that F40PH # 6427 on your layout but I might be wrong. Thanks for the photos of the inside of Toronto union Station as well.
As promised I have found some photos of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. I think they were taken on a couple of visits, as I have been lucky to see a few of their engines.
The photos were taken at Ravenglass
0-8-2 River Irt. This loco was built in 1894 as Muriel for the Eaton Hall Railway and also worked at a munitons factory at Gretna arriving on the R&ER in 1917.Re-built in 1927 it recieved a larger new boiler in the 1970s.
2-8-2 River Esk.Built in 1923 by Paxman's of Colchester to a Henry Greenly design.
2-6-2 Northern Rock built in the workshops at Ravenglass and introduced in 1976 on the turntable.
What looks to be my train hauled by River Esk being passed by 2-8-2 River Mite built by Clarkson's of York in 1966.
The engine shed at Ravenglass.
Well RUTH a pint of Bathams and a round please..
Something different this evening for you guys to puruse,that and I think I need another Keith's there Leon
Eric-I failed to mention interesting shots of those Swedish diesels. Is the one in Hull one of the two that CN tried and leased in the late 60's. I may be wrong but they had leased two deisel hydrolics from Europe as a test,I'm just wondering if that Hull unit ws one of them.
I see that Tom and Pete are poking around in the bar as well so have a pint on me gents
Pete- Well an outdoor production shouldn't be too bad only Boris's shed could be in possible danger, and it needs a major reno anyway. Might make for some interesting horror scenes
I see how it works someone elses "bob" russels and your in like Flynn, no problem I'd love to have company for a pint or two.
Great shots as usual sir have you any photo's of that preserved roundhouse
WIERD TALES FROM THE BARN # 7 TROLLEY PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
This is a few short excerpts from the ASRA, same company that posted the helpfull hints to local traction companies,and made some standarized operating rules for said companies, they were an industry publication.
One major suggestion the ASRA made was that traacction companies ( large or small ) should create a park or beach local or some such other attraction to which they had the exclusive way of getting people to and from,thereby creating revenue stream's for the company other than regular "main street fares".Here's a couple short stories to illustrate this point.
Amusement parks, built by traction companies as "traffic generators" soon sprang up outside every good sized city in the US & Canada. A Saturday evening's ride in the summer, would be the keynote event to end alot of peoples week.Here's a poem the Street railway Journal actually published in te 1890's.
Oh, what delight
On a soft June night
To ride an open car
You can stand the expense
It's only five cents
No matter how poor you are
In the three rear pews
You may smoke if you choose
Tis' the rule of the open car
But you'll hear I'm affraid
Some fussy old maid
Say "Oh that horrid seegar!"
Here's another one just to tickle everyones funny bone I hope.
Often the favourite family rendezvous was the bandstand ringed by tree shaded seats.At Philidelphia's Willowgrove Park the greatest attractions by far were Sousa's Band and the celebrated electric fountain-particulaly aftre dark beacuase of the romantic stimulus of red and blue lights on the spraying waters.In many parks a breath taking display of rockets and aerial bombs signaled the closing of the Parks on Saturday night.But trolley companies found that it took an additional hour to round up the last few carloads of couples for the trip back to the city, and it was frequently necessary to run a number of "last cars" to ship the last stragglers home.
The powerfull leverage of romance was also employed to drum up business for Wonderland park at Revere Beach.They energetically publicized a song that suggested that a trolley ride was almost an avenue to a girls heart.
Wonderland, Wonderland,that's the place to be! Each night when I call on my sweatie, she says to me/"Lets take a trolley ride to the oceanside. Where shining lights are grand.If you want to make good as a true lover should,just take her to Wonderland.
Well good evening all-nice to see the company restored to more normal proportions
Leon-Since there are rounds being bought lets start off with a Tui with ALLAN,a Keiths with ROB,a Bathams with PETE & a spiked O.J with the Guvnor-that should take the edge off the day-the highlight of which was watching one of the neighbours trying to round up her chickens which had slipped the pen and were fluttering around the village green being pursued by several of the mad spaniels that also inhabit these parts-simple pleasures
Right then-whats been going on around here :-
ALLAN-Good to see you back in your own surroundings (nothing beats one`s own bed )-interesting news on the re-nationalisation-lets hope the Govt. consider the investment to be worthwhile and dont just transfer the stock and close it down ( afraid I have no knowledge of transport `down under` and if rail links are considered viable in this day and age )-thanks for the beer BTW-
ROB-Guess I`m just a sucker,but when some poor scrawny critter turns up on the back steps looking half starved and pitiful-what choice do you have ?-one charitable bowl of food later and the wee bu**er thinks it has a home for life-which it does -Have been homeless & hungry myself in the past and its not a good feeling.......................Small Hannah has always been a steam train fan,although it has always been something we did with Alan,this was the first one since he died,so an element of closure (ghastly term) and moving on there....Felt the `care package` for the ladies was a worthwhile investment (for PETE ) -gotta keep the girls onside after all....enjoyed the weird tales-easy to visualise the scene (will you lot stop that and get back on the car please !!!!!)-thanks for the beer-just starting it now
ERIC-Another Brio man-Splendid !!!!!- bought one for small Hannah a few years ago and has given us both a great deal of pleasure on wet afternoons (they now come with battery powered engine-wonderful !!)...Have a great interest in Roman era Britain-was triggered by reading a book called `The Eagle of the Ninth` by Rosemary Sutcliffe as a pre-teen-and as I now live in the area where many of the stories in the writings of that time ( The Mabinogion` is prolly the best example) are set I find them all very easy to visualise..........As to live steam -I am lucky enough to have a pair of 3.5 inch gauge engines in a cupboard upstairs (only part built sadly) -by a quirk of fate,the guy that designed them and built the prototypes (Curly Lawrence ) lived not far from where I grew up & used to bring the 2 of them,with a couple of hundred yards of A-frame track to our infant school fete every year-was the first steam trains I ever rode behind and the highlight of my year........That T43 looks like a complex beast-lots going on beneath the running board-the upper works have a Germanic look to them to my eye-do you have the history of them ?
TOM-What Ho !!-glad you are easing back into things (take your time mate-nothing broken here )-glad you have enjoyed pix etc-have tried to maintain the authentic barroom ambience (wandering off on tangents,totally unconnected remarks etc..-good rule of thumb R.E relevance is to check time of posting...............`nuff said )....Delightful trip tasters of the Chaleur (nice modellable size consist) but hey-have I got some work to do on my cars -the blue on mine is too dark and the silver is much too flat-those babies are just Gleaming-a credit to the company-looks like you lucked into some perfect weather as well after a shaky start-also a nice set from To. Union-glad to see the O.N.R stand is full of attentive and eager staff,ready to serve the travellers every need.................Hope the basement man is better on the banjo than he is on civil engineering-looks like I might yet need the #2 shovel and the tea-flask (no job too small or large-satisfaction or your money back,cheeky Cockney charm at no extra charge )
PETE-The R.D.C may well come out in one of the pics-at least enough to identify it-appeared to be a 2-car unit in lime green -certainly a lot cleaner than the `Duke` which looked distinctly road-stained-although more authentic for that....Glad you can still get the rugby over there-looking forward to the Wales -South Africa tests (gonna be an eye-opener there I suspect) -also ,be interesting to see how Jonno gets on with the new job (same approach as when he was capt.-make them more afraid of him than the opposition....)-one of the current forwards looks spookily like Herman Munster......A fine pix set from the `Ratty` -as a footnote,River Irt also had a larger cab and chimney fitted-originals were in proportion to the boiler but put most of the smoke in the drivers face-interesting to note they have replaced the original draw-bar couplers with hooks,also Northern Rock had a sister loco built for export to Japan of all places....Models-If I get a spare hour I will try and take the `45 & a box of stock up to the shed tomorrow for some pix-have just about run out of stuff for Pikes Perspective day that hasnt done the rounds before.....Interested to see mention of Barrow Hill-have recently aquired footage of same as part of a 5-dvd set-`steaming around Britain-a sort of Railway Roundabout style of thing-one region to a disc,starts off with vintage footage,then preservation,then modern traction-well worth a look-will post details of address tomorrow
Right-looks like its my corner so lets have a change-Leon,a round of Belhaven 80 shilling ale ( a fine dark brew-somewhere between a bitter & a stout-good for keeping the cold out
The scene:- a university cheese and wine party,
dapper young man " I say,do you like Dickens ? "
sweet young thing " I don`t know-I`ve never been to one"
I know-I should get out more..........................
Have a good one guys,speak soon
My goodness Leon, it's slow one today. You must have put on stink bait instead of cologne this afternoon No matter I'll order another round, someone's gotta keep the tills full,how else will I get paidLets see I think a few photo's are in order to keep everyone interested.
Not a great shot ( I enhanced it as much as I could ) but a rarity from my last trip to Battlecreek. One of only loco on CN or any of it's that had a single diget ( albeit ) repeated number the other is CN SD50F 5555. Cold rainy may day in Battlecreek
An interesting load in a CN bulkhead flat that I snapped last week in Brantford Yard. Looks like rocket parts.
Another piece of interesting rolling stock moving through Brantford and ex IC prime mover car note the blomberg trucks it's riding on
Another neat GT shot this is a GP9 with the passeneger torpedo tubes roof mounted
enjoy
Well look what we have heer another customer. Nick we seem to have arrived at the same time. I must have an 80 shilling with you it's been eons since I had one. One bar in Hamilton used to serve it but they gone belly up. No Boris they went out of busines they are not just drunk and sleeping it off under the table.Don't you have critters to feed
I think you would like our two cats,both are on the wrong side of sane but are lovable. Two black and orange tortise shells. Kind of both look like someone threw orange paint on them,but we wouldn't be without them. I hate that term closure myself but it's the nouveau shrink-speak of the day.
Right while Nick and I are enjoying our pint(s) heres another few shots.
A couple 30 year old CSX boxcars still looking pristine in Brantford yard.
Gone but not forgotten TH&B cylindrical Hoppers at Port Maitland On. ( on Lake Erie )
One of CN's drapper tappered GE Dash 8's
As another interesting shot. I caught HMCS Ottawa 3 downbound in the Welland canal ( just above lock three )on her fairwell tour before decomissioning in 1992. St Laurant class frigate built in 1955.
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
To all. Correction, the number of NZ Railways locos` should read 180, not 118 as quoted yesterday!
Rob. Thanks for your welcome back! Nice set of latest pics from you, catching up on all your other material and pics, enjoyed the Classic write up and the funny Weird Tales from the barn #7.
Eric. Thanks for your welcome back! Highway 5 goes over the dividing Range between the central North Island and the East Coast so it`s prone to some snow in the winter, it`s a bit too early this year, theirs also some snow on the Ruahine Range`s 15 miles west of us, we very rarely get snow down here though. Nice shots of those Swedish diesels`. Wish I could buy a train track set for $1.
Pete. Thanks for your welcome back! It`s great to be back again, catching up on all the nice info and pics of yours, some lovely shots from the Ravenglass and Eskdale Rly, many thanks, all definate "keepers"! Will join in on the Deltic and the Oliver Cromwell 7P discussion in my next post. See the Toon lost once again!
Nick. Thanks for your welcome back! Some nice info and pics on the Welsh Highland Rly, Rhyl 15in Rly, and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Rly and your Tri-Ang Hornby 1st train sets. NZ Railways will be run by a quausi State Owned Enterprise as a business concern. Love that Billy Connelly D.I.V.O.R.C.E. song, saw him on stage in Invercargill some years ago now.
Mike. Nice to see you in again, you took me back to the days of my youth again with those Angelesy bridge pics, was based on the island in 1953-55 at Ty Croes, near Aberfrau on the map, crossed through the Stephenson`s tubular [square] rail bridge on the train many times!
CM3. Nice to see you again. Am catching up on all your informative posts at the moment, their`s a heck of a lot of stuff to get through.
Fergie. Nice to see you back on board again.
Dan. Nice to see you popped in for a quick visit.
Tom. Thanks for your welcome back to the bar! Nice to hear you had a great trip with Rob, and that your Chaleur train trip was up to your expectations, sounds` as if you really enjoyed yourself, those pics of yours are top notch that`s for sure! Saw the flick "Ray" earlier this year, a great movie. Hope your basement work will be getting under way now you`ve had that advice from the foundation expert? Have still got to catch up on some of the info and pics in your posts.
Leon, I know it is Tuesday night, but I still would like that black Welsh steak. You know, Nick's special. Yes, exactly.
I spent a good portion of today to recover from yesterday and tonight I feel kind of okay.
Fergie – Wish I could come and see your slideshows! Tom – Yes, sometimes I am awake during daytime as well as night time! I guess you were happy to see some more snow before the summer is here! Glad to hear that your trip was a good one!Nice photos from Gaspé even though I can see snow in three of them! Nice looking classic train set! You’re in shock because of the “leak fixing” man’s opinion how to fix it? Did he want to level the house with the ground and build a new one or what kind of opinion did he have? Always nice to see Toronto’s Union Station! I like that station! Pete – I’ve heard ‘Gronk’ before but I don’t remember when and what locomotive. I found ‘Whistler’ when I did some research on class 40. The Swedish State Railways had 200+ steam locomotives kept in a strategic reserve. In the 80’s it was decided to get rid of all those locomotives. They were all in good condition, ready to run, and many were sold abroad. One class E2, #909, was sold to the railroad in Hull. At the same time they also bought this diesel, T43, #244, plus a number of passenger cars. Info on both locomotives and the passenger cars can be found on this link:
http://www.steamtrain.ca/loco_909_en.asp?onglet=1
A class B locomotive was sold to Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Preservation Society in Maine. It can be seen on this link:
http://www.belfastrailroad.com/
Beautiful locmotives at Ravenglass! Would be interesting to go there sometime. Rob – No, the diesel in Hull is an diesel-electric built by NOHAB in Sweden on license from EMD. Its prime mover is a GM 12-567D1. 1,445 hp. Class T43 was built 1961-1963. Thanks for the weird tales from the trolley barn! I didn’t know that traction companies built amusement parks, etc. Very romantic “seegar” poem! Interesting photos, rocket parts and other strange looking things loaded on th cars! The last photo of the GT GP9 must be a few years old considering the old cars parked in the background! Looking at the HMCS Ottawa 3 reminds me of a Swedish Navy base I used to drive bus to and from, about 30 miles south of Stockholm. Most of the base is inside a mountain and they are able to bring in submarines, destroyers, etc into docks inside the mountain. It’s actually like a city inside the mountain with streets, etc. Interesting place! Nick – So Brio has battery powered locomotives now?! I guess it’s not like it used to be 60 years ago. I certainly would like to see the live steam locos you have!!! I am sure it is very interesting to read about historical events and be able to see the places where they took place! The Swedish State Railways ordered 50 diesel-electric locomotives, class T43 from NOHAB (Swedish locomotive builder) and they were built 1961-1963. They all have a GM diesel 12-567D1, 1,445 hp. Most of them are still in service. A later version, class T44, had a GM 12-645 diesel, 1650 hp, and were built 1968-1970.Allan – I have used some of the info you gave me on the re-nationalisation of the NZ railroads in a Swedish train forum where the subject was discussed today. They want as much info as possible and I did some research on the web. I read your correction of the number of locmotives, thank you!
McCormick Railroad Park, Scottsdale, AZ.
It's mid-week in mid-continent ‘n time for a fill up in the coffee mugs! Also, check our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast . . . grab a pastry from The Mentor Village Bakery case while you're waiting!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Page 22 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 4:42 PM: Our FIRST daylite customer for the day . . . now that's rather strange . . .but good to see ya!
I haven't enhanced any of those fotos <yet>, just haven't had the opportunity. Anyway, that clock in Union Station really stands out as a disappointment . . . especially when one recalls the old one.
If wishes were horses . . . the basement remains as a huge problem ‘n didn't realize just how much "trouble" we're in. Suspected it, but now it's been confirmed. Gotta make a decision, but have another estimate coming in . . .
Generosity appreciated! Oh yes, Email sent to you yesterday . . .
Page 22 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:53 PM: Another thorough < I3 > Post from our Bar Chandler .
Nope, #6427 isn't in my inventory - but #6425 is. The entire consist was in good shape, although the dome glass was kind of grimy - not dirty, but in need of changing. Only difference between the consist I had and the one we had was the absence of a dining car. If you recall, the one we had never got used - just wound up doing a round-trip, for whateve the reason. Anyway, I checked the numbers and none of the cars in my consist were in last year's trip. Once I get A-ROUNDTUIT, I'll document everything in my "report." Glad you liked the fotos . . .
Five near-perfect Pix!
From the Dome northbound to Gaspé
Thanx for the ROUND!
Page 22 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 4:58 PM: "In" with a pint for Wolfman ‘n Moi!
Only thing a bit more humorous than your stories would be trying to get romantic by calling one "sweatie" - hmmmmmm, perhaps "sweetie" would work just a tad better! <grin>
Page 22 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:27 PM <2:27 AM Wednesday GMT>: Another "one of a kind" offering from our Chief Chef! Ah, would I love to have a wee bit of time to bend the elbow with ya at one of your village haunts. Yes, that would pretty much put the capstone on it for me . . . but then, I surely NEED to get downunder, gotta try a Tui with Allan . . . <grin> Then off to Ausieland for train riding, beer drinking ‘n whatever should turn up . . . <oooooooops> I KNOW I'd never get away with a ‘solo' to that part of the world. <grin>
Terrible joke - but why am I still grinning
Basement guy today was a ‘pro' and he really had his act together. One should never ask the question if afraid of the answer - that's not me. So I asked ‘n I "got it."
My friend the contractor-banjo player still says he'll get A-ROUNDTUIT - so he's just one of several irons in the fire, so to speak. This project has turned into something that leads stronger men than I to the casks . . . <aarrrrrrggggghhhhh>
Might really be cheaper to fly you over here, with shovel of course, than to mortgage the place in order to repair what had been thought to be a minor thing. <aarrrrrrgggggghhhhh>.
Back to my recent trip: Yeah, lucked out on the weather once near Montréal. The Chaleur <check maps previously provided> heads up the Gaspé Peninsula at Matapédia with the bay on the starboard side ‘n landscape on the other. Great views - but sea fog set in for the morning portion. Nothing to worry about, for I had many shots from last year. When we got to the place where we were put on a bus last year - the skies cleared ‘n all was near-perfect up to Gaspé. Really a nice trip and one highly recommended for anyone enjoying living aboard for a 2-night turnaround trip. A couple of hours in Gaspé, then off we went . . . <sweet>. Even remained aboard the train for the trip through the wye - something the idiots from last year absolutely refused to consider when they "ordered" us to the bus. What a difference in attitudes.
Always enjoy Toronto ‘n vicinity - just a shame it was so wet this time . . . but I've been there ‘n done that so many times that I don't feel anything was missed. Union Station is always a treat to browse around ‘n I've got many more shots to share with the crew . . .
ONR counter was "lonely." <groan> But given their schedule, it's understandable . . .
Don't know why, but I figured you for a ‘softy' when it comes to kitty cats, dogs ‘n the helpless in the animal kingdom . . . Thing that gets me is so many people have ‘em, but haven't a clue regarding just how much they depend upon care ‘n love from us. Yeah, another "softy."
Many thanx for the good cheer, chat ‘n ROUND!
Page 22 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 8:35 PM ‘ 8:55 PM: "In" with fine spates of fotos . . . that last one is a "classic" fer sure, fer sure - just uses "different" kind of track. <grin> Hard to believe she's been OOC that long . . .
Meant to mention that "our" loco #900 was spotted coming into Central Station as I was departing aboard the Chaleur. So, my guess is "our" train from Toronto was not "your" train on the way back . . . probably ran her through the maintenance facility before making another run after you departed.
From the dome . . .
Nice spate of four! And a ROUND!!
Not even a week ago!
Page 23 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:47 PM <4:47 PM Wednesday NZ time>: Great to have our Resident Downunder Kiwi back with us! We surely missed those rounds of Tui along with the positive 'n friendly manner of the man called Gunneral!
Still think your bro-in-law "owes" you at least an on board 'puter while visiting! <grin>
Don't even want to think about the basement . . . suffice it to say there's a need for some major inside work that will pretty much destroy much of what I've built. Railroad in jeopardy IF I go along with the recommendation received yesterday. Have another estimate coming in . . . just have to gather my thoughts.
Many thanx for the return to the bar!
Wednesday - May 7th: <all times Central daylite>:
Page 23 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:59 AM: Snow along the Gaspé peninsula made the trip extra special! There's always snow in places in Québec at this time of the year - into New Brunswick as well if taking the Ocean . . . but I've not seen the depths there were this time. Really impressive! No snow falling as the temps were comfortable with skies mostly blue. Kind of a contrast with it being near mid-spring and so forth . . .
Only one week to go!
Basement Comments above apply . . . rather not get "into" it here. Makes me <sad>! Hoping for a better alternative . . .
Sorry to cut this short - but trying to compile the acknowledgments from late, late or early, early visits cuts down on the time I have in the morning. Sooooo, thanx for the visit, chat 'n good cheer!
An installment from the Can-Am Railway for this OP-SHUN-UL Toy 'n Model Trains Day!
Now Arriving on Track #3
Select Scenes from the Can-Am Railway
Number Four
(1) Railway Avenue in Mountain Village
(2) RDC Rail station & freight depot in Mountain Village
(3) Main Street in Mountain Village
(4) Majestic Mount Mentor with northbound BC Rail RDCs
(5) Aerial view of mountain run & CP freight yard on the east side of mountains
(6) Truck terminal & Mills Bros. lumber yard
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Nice here today with temperatures supposed to be in upper 70s. Had to do a class yesterday so did not get a chance to post.
Thought for the Day: "When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."
Lets see what we have today.
Pete was in with comments and information. Enjoyed the shots of the Ravenglass and Eskdale.
Rob was by with CP passenger information/ Trolley "verse" was something (I thought our Ace Reporter was challenged!) Speaking of which the load on the bulkhead was supposed to be tarped - we have it on authority that it is certain pyrotechnic items for the next darts tournament. Great GT shot at Dearborn - check out the small U.S. Mail trailers in the background. Lots of railroads and street railroads had tie ins to parks of different types. Cascade (on the old BR&P comes to mind). Wonderland is still with us (on the MBTA Blue Line - always liked the call "Last stop - all out for Wonderland." BTW, it's a dog track.
Nick - "Pirates" gets viewed a lot at the house. To paraphrase Beetlejuice, "That's why I don't chase fantrips anymore." I will hike in to an isolated area, bring food, and get a couple of shots - going and return - and that's it. I agree with you that animals are a part of the family. I am a dog person, of course, but have family members who are cat people. We do whatever it takes to keep them happy and comfortable.
Allan - Interesting story re your country's rail system. If it's not broke, fix it until it is, and then sell the remains back to the original owner. Jeez!
Eric - The T43 sort of resembles an Alco C415 (with some body work).
Fergie was here - good to hear from you.
OSP - No comment re house situation; been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Hwve been enjoying your pictures. ‘Chaleur" is a respectable train. I assume that what passes for food service is in the dome? Back in the day, L&N had what they called snack bar cars as did the B&O and other railroads as well. L&N's were not too bad. "Ray" is a good movie and I agree with the review of "Love of the Game."
Work safe
Ruth, time for a Larsman Special Hero for me! Take a well deserved break, 'n I'll watch things for a bit . . . Boris, feed the gang 'n that large jar of PPF is YOURS!
Day One: Thursday - May 1st, 2008
Departed home at 8:40 AM <central time> on a beautiful, clear sky day with comfortable temps. Check-in and security pass thru was a breeze . . . of course, shoes had to be taken off. Gotta watch those shoes! <geesh>
(1) Lambert International - Air Canada/United ticket & check-in
(2) Air Canada departure gate
(3) Downtown Toronto at the Royal York Hotel <across from Union Station>
(4) Royal York Hotel <from Union Station>
(5) Toronto's Union Station
(6) CN Tower <from Union Station on a gloomy afternoon>
To be continued . . . .
(7) Harvey's at Toronto's Union Station
(8) VIA Rail ticket counters <enhanced>
(9) To the trains!
(10) Departure board
(11) Main hall with no flash <enhanced>
(12) Odyssey begins with Rob <trolleyboy>!
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Our Place with Tom posting trip pictures. How right, how natural, how perfect. Have a GG1
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1083671
Allan, Ty Croes seems to be some kind of motor sport speedway nowadays.
http://www.arborfield-september49ers.co.uk/ty-croes01.htm#_top
http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/images/4965_ty_croes_nw_v.jpg
Britannia Bridge again
http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/bridges/britube.jpg
Irish Mail PDF psychedelic depiction format
http://www.movinghere.org.uk/deliveryfiles/PRO/RAIL_1057_2729_part_2/0/1.pdf
Mike
Good evening Leon, I think a Keith's and one of those Larsman hero's if possible. A very strange day here it's the Tom and Mike show with a guest appearance by Shane. Oh well we gets what we takes
Tom- Seems you were a one man wrecking crew today. Great stuff though loved it all in fact. Even the critters were not frightened off by my appearance in the er pixels.
Not good the news from the first contractor , hopefully you will get better news.You can always move in with Boris I suppose seriously hopefully it won't take the extremely drastic measures to fix.
I know that we didn't get 900 on the way back, instead we got the dreaded 911 however we made it one piece,and it was only a 40 mile walk back to the VW.
Loved the shots from TO and the Chaleur as well,the shots of the mountain village weren't too abd either Yes that destroyer is gone that long.She had the second shortest service life of her class 1956-92 only 44, she didn't hit 50 ,some of the later half sisters of the Restigouche and Mackenzie classes did.
Mike-inteersting urls as always thanks
Shane-The lone morning patron,you should get great servcie from the staff Glad you liked that old photo, I know I do a keeper to be sure. Interesting to hear that wonderland is still around,not quite as homey as in the 20's I imagine, at least it hasn't been bulldozed for condo's yet.I'm guessing that if the Mountain Villages see that we have some weapons of mass destruction they may throw the darts match, or at least make them wear pots on their heads.
Eric-Thanks for the info on that locomotive,I wonder what became of the two German diesel hydrolics That naval base sounds like an interesting place,makes sence though, the deeper the assets are hidden the harder they are to sink.
No, Leon, just a cold Keith's, I have to leave in a few minutes.
Sorry I can't stay but I have been working until two minutes ago and need some sleep before I have to go back to work. Special assignment and it needs to be finished this Thursday afternoon. I'll be back tomorrow, Thursday.
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