Hi Tom and all.
Well RUTH I see LEON is in keeping an eye on things while Tom and Manager Rob are away. Thanks H&H for saving me one of Nick's great breakfasts
ERIC That is disturbing about VITO's SUV being outside Molly Throttlebottom's especially as the new college year there is about to start, it is best we find out what this about, if Vito is supplying Molly her gin it will be a big loss to the Our Place's tills.
As you say it seems the modern passenger locomotives on BR have the UTC type of multiple control. It was interesting that most of the first generation of diesel locomotives on BR had a multiple unit system but only certain classes could work in tandem, to identify which locomotives could by worked from the lead locomotive a color system was used and placed by the MU connections, which were a different type to that used in the more modern locomotives. For example diesel-electric locomotives with electro-pneumatic control, which was nearly all of the diesel electrics, were coded with a Blue Star. The few DE locomotives fitted with electro-magnetic control were coded with a Red Circle. Strangely enough the biggest class of the BR locomotive the Brush type 4s, later class 47 were not fitted with any MU control at first although a few were fitted with it later in their lives, including some for push pull operation.
I have a photo of a preserved BR/Sulzer type 2, later class25 on the Severn Valley Railway. At the bottom of the yellow warning panel above the nearest buffer the MU Blue Star code can just be seen..
It has got me curious as well about the 4 tracks where Mallard done her record run. I have seen a painting on a book cover and it shows an inside track from Mallard, but I would still like to find that photo.
Talking of finding things you asked a while back about the date of the photos of the Duchess #6233 at Crewe and Carlisle, I have found the notebooks and the date was Saturday 14th June 2001.
I'm afraid I did not take a note of the number or cars we had on the climb of the Lickey Bank, the load would be on part of the timing sheet we got on the train and has been lost in the move I fear.
Many thanks for the great photos. If I recall right, was not the trolley working at the museum on Rendezvous III owned by the same company, The St Louis Water Division, as the 1924 Whitcomb, I wonder if the SLWD owned any electric switchers.
ALLAN Many thanks for the kind words on the photos. I think it was mainly the Standards that were allocated to the Western Region that carried the green livery in BR days.
Yes Tom found a date on a stone by the door of Pat's Place and we think it read 1861 and I think it has been a saloon or a bar for all that time and it really does have a great atmosphere.
I was talking to an American chap yesterday who had been in Britain with the US Navy and he said he liked Soccer and Rugby but could not understand cricket, trying to explain it is like trying to explain the offside rule in soccer. I have seen that saying you said printed on a tea towel, I will have to bring one back if I see one while I am over there.
NICK The breakfasts were very good. Looking forward to your post later.
CM3 Glad you liked the 9F photos. The 9F s had 5 ft driving wheels and they weighed 86 tons 14cwt(British). I had a look at the wonderful Main Line Lament book and it said the Runners or Windcutters were officially supposed to run at 30 mph in the loaded southern direction and 33 mph back north empty between Annesley near Nottingham and Woodford Halse the GCR yard and depot in Northamptonshire. They were allowed 2 ½ hours for the approx 70 mph run. Mr. Walker says the 9F s would go through Nottingham and Leicester stations at 30 mph but on the free road would be in the 50s on the grade (the maximum grade on the GC London Extension was ½ %) and 60 mph in the dips. The mineral wagons were not fitted with vacuum brakes and loaded up to 50 16-ton wagons.
I can recall being on Rugby Central station, built like most of the stations with one island platform, when a Windcutter came through, it certainly was doing a lot more than 30 mph a sight like that does not leave you. I have added a bit more about a 9F exploit in my reply to Tom
Another line on which the 9Fs shone was on the Somerset and Dorset Line where they worked the heavy Summer Saturday trains over the steeply graded line before the S&D was sadly closed.
I bet those Pennsy ‘Hippos' could haul a good tonnage.
Thanks for the information on the PE Book.
DL. As you say the rail staff would surely have been told about the high-speed run Mallard was on.
I am not sure what happen to the old WH Smith newsstand at Derby station. Does Crich have an old WH Smith stand preserved They were well made with good wood used for their construction. There is a small version of one on Kidderminster Town station on the SVR. Nottingham also had a large stand similar to Derby's.
Thanks for the URL to the 9F at speed. I dug out my Main Line Lament book by the sadly late Colin Walker, a marvelous album of black and white photos of the London Extension of the GC starting in the 1950s and finishing up with a few photos of the trackbed south of Rugby after the rails had been removed. Have you had a chance to have a look at this book.
TOM Like the photo of the IR 071 class. It looks good in the new colors.
Many thanks for the photos of Pat's. It was a good idea to take those photos when we first arrived not long after the place was full. I noticed the other product of Rugby, the Rugby ball on top of the shelf in pic 23. There must be a story behind the bear wearing the Cubbies cap, as the owner is a real Cards fan. I noticed that brunette seemed to know all the ABBA songs.
Yes it seem as though Bob has memorized those regulations with regard to the flag.
Glad you enjoyed the photos, yes the 9Fs were impressive locomotives, a real shame they had such short lives, not because any fault of their design, a lot of people say they were the finest freight locos ever to run in the UK, but the mad dash to modernize the British railways saw their demise. There is even an occasion when a 9F was logged at over 90 MPH after taking over from a locomotive on the Flying Scotsman, apparently when the powers that be worked out how fast those rather small drivers were turning at they almost had kittens and a speed ban was imposed on them
I was a good lad Saturday, I had to get up very early Sunday but also the bus does not run on Saturdays.
Me cause confusion, Sorry about forgetting the proper name of Pat's. It reminded me when I first played skittles we drew the Black Swan pub in a cup match and no one seemed to know where it was, perhaps it was a new pub. We rang the league secretary up and it was a pub in town most of the team used to go in at least once a week but it was known to us as the Dirty Duck. Thanks to the URL to Paddy's it has been updated and really is a good site I thought.
I have not tried the Welsh ESB yet.
Good films on at the Emporium this week. Lonesome Dove Is a film I have seen but not for a while and I would enjoy seeing it again. I have not seen Emperor of the North and with Earnest Borgnine and Lee Marvin with a railroad theme it is a film I would like to see. Then the Stooges working for Scotland Yard.
Back in a while with some photos.
Well RUTH a round please and special treats for the Mascots .
Pete.
Good afternoon Captain Tom and all present!!
Hello Ruth, you look gorgeous today, as always! No, just a Tuborg Gold, please!
I have been running around like crazy today but it didn't help, I am late, much later than planned. Tom has more important things taken care of today, hopefully we will see him tomorrow!
Allan – Your bride is right! You are never too old to learn anything, anytime! I learn something new everyday visiting Our Place, honestly, I do. The light rail service in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa will start December 27 this year. Tom – I can understand if you and Pete like Pat’s Place, ohh, sorry... Paddy Malone’s Irish Pub! Nice place, noisy or not it looks nice.Yes, you are right, the water fountain is visible in your photo! It is easy to get confused. I think you could handle the noise at the pub. When it gets to noisy, just have another drink! They had a report on the news the other night that said that people are drinking more at noisy bars because they have a hard time hearing what is being said. Instead they drink! Sorry about the converted coaches, but that is a fact, those old RDC’s are no longer RDC’s. It has been discussed to connect the light rail to the airport but the airport is going to build some kind of people mover to connect to the light rail instead. I am sure you are right about keepong cars and light rail apart for some people a 16 foot wall will not be enough to keep them away from the tracks. An ice cream parlor is exactly what I need today. Our air conditioning quit working sometime late last night and right now it is 87 degrees in the house (just 102˚ outside thanks to clouds). A repairman is scheduled to come and fix it this afternoon. Very good movies at the Emporium this week! Especially the Emperor of the North! I have it on tapeNick – Be careful, it is Monday and a long week is waiting!CM3 – Broom sticks and copper wire were the main tools to keep the old electrics running. For the newer locos with digital controls it’s a slightly different story. More sophisticated things like small plastic chips and “playing” on the cards. To budget gas and electric is a way to avoid big surprises. DL – Pacific Electric has a very interesting history. if you ever get to California, go to Orange Empire Railway Museum at Perris. They have several locos, cars, etc from PE.Pete – The Swiss State Railways has a multiple unit system that works for all their electric locomotives and EMU’s. You can run a locomotive and an EMU together. That is the way to do it. The Swedish State Railways never paid attention to that. Which make it impossible to run different classes in multiple. Thanks for the picture of the class 25 with the blue star! Yes, you are right, St. Louis Waterworks Railway #10 was working at the museum on the last Rendezvous! I don’t know if they had any electric switchers.
St. Louis Waterworks Railway #10.
Eric
Another Bathams please RUTH on this rather warm day.
A few photos of British diesels and an electric..
Nick said he was hoping to go to Swansea or Cardiff to photo some trains. This is a photo taken a few years ago at Cardiff Queen Street with English Electric Class 37 No 37887 heading to the Valleys with coal empties, from probably Aberthaw Power Station.The junction for the line to the valleys is near Cardiff Central station.
Peak class No D123 preserved at the Great Central Railway at Loughborough. D123 was renumbered 45125 in the BR T.O.P.S. scheme. The 45/1s were fitted with ETH equipment to provide head end power. D123 is carrying a Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry nameplate, this loco did not carry this nameplate in her BR days, It was carried by D163 .
Class 47 No 47971 'Robin Hood' at Doncaster station.At this time 47971 was working off the Derby Techincal Centre hauling test trains etc.
The class 56 was introduced in 1976 for frieght work, mainly the Merry go Round coal traffic from Mines to Power Stations. The first 30 were built in Romania then the majority at Doncaster Works and the last 20 or so locos of the class built at Crewe.
The last of the class 56135 'Port of Tyne Authority' passes Doncaster.
A rather grubby class 60 No 60015 'Bow Fell', in Transrail livery passes Leicester. Another frieght class the class 60s were introduced by Brush Traction in 1989.
Southern Region Electro-Diesel No 73109 'Battle of Britain' 50th Anniversary' in excellent condition,, at what I think is Bournemouth West Depot open day.
These should enlarge.
I'll have a quick Bathams please LEON as Eric has just called in..
ERIC Really hope you can get the air conditioner fixed real soon. we have a heat idex of over 100F here and I don't know how I would cope without the AC.
I will have to try that about the noisy bars on the bride, I 'll say "I am getting another pint because I can't hear what people are saying", doubt if it will work though.
That is interesting about the Swiss and the Swedish EMUs.I guess this can be a real problem if an EMU fails and the train behind it is an EMU of a different class so is unable to give assistance. Many thanks for the photo of Trolley #10 at the Museum of Transportation..
Well good evening my lovelies,hope the day has treated you all well...Leon-As it is day one of Hannahs school holiday,I think not only the usual round of beers but perhaps a bottle of the special rum..........After posting earlier,went back into the other room to find one of the cats rolling around the floor foaming at the mouth and in obvious distress-fortunately,instead of immediately panicking I questioned small Hannah........." well daddy,-"......idiot cat goes wild for any sort of mint-if you have just brushed your teeth she will try and put her head in your mouth,chew your fingers etc.....so somebody decided to feed her toothpaste and see what happened-it`s gonna be a long 6 weeks before school starts again..........
Right-lets try and get some catch-up done--I did look in late on saturday night,but after a much delayed afternoon show (with cheap beer-and hot weather) followed by an extreme party with old friends (13 hours continuous drinking in total) I didn`t trust myself to post anything for fear of bringing disrepute upon us...........
So-onwards-will do this a bit at a time-starting with page 56:-
PETE-A delightful `set` of the Mallard -a symphony in blue,given the d.m.u`s in the background-for some reason when I saw her on the other thread I immediately `saw` Sir Nigel......not used to her being in garter blue......what a shame that there isn`t a Gresley teak rake that is main line rated.......
TOM-Always good to have some inspiration from the Can-Am train room -and a delightful selection of Euro adverts--to weigh in to the debate on the Wills poster-can anybody remember when baccy was a dime an ounce ????-also am suprised that Wills,a company long associated with Bristol would use any company other than the G.W.R for their publicity-taking up PETE`s point,the engine has something of the `800` class about it,also something of a stretched Marsh Atlantic-although it looks to be something in L.M.S crimson lake with L.N.W.R stock............all the `continental` posters exude that irresistable mix of travel,mystery and (perhaps) romance-perfect !!!!!!!!!!
ROB-great to see those club shots again-did any D.W.P Alco`s get taken into G.T stock ?-sure I have asked this before.......Have an R.S11 in that livery but lettered for G.T -have since discovered that G.T didn`t run them so have retro lettered it with small D.W.P letters under the number-a la I.C/C.N units -would this ring true...?
ALLAN-Glad you enjoyed the Welsh pix mate-plenty more where they came from -Got some of the new songs played on saturday but we were all much the worse for drink by the time we played (pix to follow-if you saw a pic of us holed up in a dry gulch ,cooking squirrels over an open fire,you would take it at face value...............however we got a return booking-legends in Ferryside apparently-the most exciting thing to happen there since the last time a train stopped..............)
ERIC-Thanks for camera tips mate -great pix of Silverton-just love that slim line stuff-more to come for you but my notes have let me down---Aha-it comes back to me-the rebuild is proceeding apace-almost all the low level trackage has been replaced with nickel silver rail-the storage tracks are now as long as I can make them-one 4ft road,one each through and terminal 4`6" roads and one 7` road-is not perfect but will do for now.....
DAN-thanks for all the extra background on the A.P.T`s-was working on received information rather that first hand stuff-good one -I fully agree-an Englishmans shed is his castle -especially when it is full of trains-although in this case the actual trains ( and the 12 guitars) live indoors `cos of the damp and various security issues-is an ongoing battle with the domestic authorities.......And yes Seaton is now the terminus for the tramcar line-a nice little ride if you are in the area.....As for the mug-it is an inseperable companion of the Smith-Kendon travel sweet tin against which it is leaning-and it used to belong to my favourite granny-nuff said.......
FERGIE-My word mate-you are taking on a big order-relaying the whole MESS just to accommodate one engine...fair play mate-I thought I was taking on a big task-all power to your arm
SHANE-Have always been a great re-cycler-am not allowed to go to the dump on my own-just like my dad --and yes,went through a bag full of jigsaw blades just cutting to shape-and the dust was a health hazard on it`s own-very fine particles,was coughing them up for weeks-but-end result-totally stable benchwork-no worse than smoking a big chunk of baccy every day............
And onto your notes about the track plans :-
Layout 3:-Oddly enough,your thoughts here are exactly what I had planned for a layout for Alan before he died...spooky
Layout 1:-Yet again you are in front of the curve-one of this weeks plans is the development of this that I built some years later to run my G.W.R stock on-minded more to exhibition running,although it never made that grade.....
layout 2 :--Now here you have taken it in a whole different direction-will have to think about this one before I come back to you
Thanks mate for taking this idea seriously -much appreciated !!!
O.K=thats me caught up with last week (more or less)-should be around for the breakfast show tomorrow (eat more bacon-its good for you.....)
Right Leon-another round for these good people before I go.......
Take care guys
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
Pete. Nice comments about your favorite pub, Pat`s Place, you look right at home in those pix Tom took, looks like a real old time pub. Good write up about the 9F locos` and the Sultzer Class 25 diesel. A really fine set of BR diesel and electric locos` including 56135 "Port of Tyne Authority". To the uninitiated cricket is a game hard to work out, that quote must have really stuck in my mind from BITD.
CM3. It looks as if the European brewers are buying up a lot of overseas assets before the Chinese brewers get their hands on them, a Chinese group is trying to takeover one of our brewers here already.
Dan. Good link to that 9F at speed shot, went well with Pete`s write up on them, they are a really nice looking loco all in all. W H Smiths were present for a period in NZ, they bought a local book store chain called Whitcoulls but have now sold up and left NZ.
Eric. Looks as if Pheonix is going to get a nice BIG christmas present when they open the Light Rail system on December 27th. My bride is correct 99.9999999% of the time, Uh Ohhh!
Nick. Great breakfast menu. Good to hear you have that return booking for the Ferryside venue. Looking forward to all those pix. I agree, it would be great to see a rake of Gresley`s teak coaches being pulled by ANY A4, another "like" to see would be the Silver Jubilee train with it`s skirted stainless steel coaches, absolute heaven!
Tom. Another very fine set of pix of your visit with Pete at Jcity, some great shots of the pub`s interior areas`, including Pete, it looks a place with that real old time pub atmosphere. Good link to that Pheonix Light Rail site it fits in well with Eric`s pix of the station and ROW. Nice selection of flicks` for the weekend, especially the train flick "Emporer of the North". It would be good to have an Aussie connection round here as you say, you never know, we just need the right person to have a look in and take the bait! Looks as if i`ll have to keep a hand on those family jewels while Molly`s around!
See ya, Allan
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, a ham sandwich on rye, please! A cold Tui!
Need something in my stomach before I go to bed. I hope Tom is feeling okay after his adventures today. Hopefully he will be back tomorrow.
Pete – An interesting bunch of locos in your phot os! Looking at the Peak class No D123, I wonder how many axles does it have? It looks like there are two trucks with 3 axles each, plus an axle closer to each end of the locomotive. Is that correct? The air conditioning was fixed this afternoon. So now it is nice in the house again! The Swiss have been smarter when it comes to EMU’s and locomotives, that is for sure. Nick – Seems like you are working hard on your layout! What kind of rail did you use earlier? Do you have any idea of how many feet of tracks you have? It is not important, just curious. Looking at your track plans I would say it is an interesting layout with many possibilities! Allan – It seems like your bride is very much like mine, she also claims to be right 99.9999999 % of the time! Hmmm, interesting!Yes, I am looking forward to December and the light rail service start here in Phoenix. The line is 20 miles long and will be extended in a near future. Finally, some photos of Pacific Electric equipment.Steeple cab #1624, built 1925.Box car, built 1924.Caboose, built 1905.Interurban #314. So called Hollywood car from the 1920’s.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We're under severe thunderstorm watch here this a.m. (something different for a change); temps are in the mid 70s and some clouds.
Pete - Thank you for the information on the 9F class engines. It sounds as if they could get over the road. The PRR I1s was a versatile design. As I said earlier, they could pull the paint off the walls. They handled all sorts of work both on point and as helpers - there are a lot of stories about them in iron ore train service running between Sunbury and Mt. Carmel, Pa.
The mu situation was the same with some U.S. builders as well; Baldwin comes to mind here. Last, many roads got rid of their "modern" steam power in the haste to dieselize. The NKP, IC, and N&W held out the longest. The NKP, in fact, did a study to see which worked better diesels of their 2-8-4s in fast freight service (ran them head-to-head). The steam engines won and held on for awhile which is why, so the story goes, NKP never had any cab unit diesels. If you have never seen a NKP 700 run (on film or for real) you have really missed something as they truly do "bark" when getting underway - sounds like gunshots. PM version of this is the prototype of OSP's "Polar Express" service.
Oh, almost forgot - "Robin Hood" has a lot of details to study. There are several builder's influence visible; also enjoyed looking at the "Battle of Britain" and the preserved Sulzer locomotive.
Eric - December 27 startup date? Lots of suits will be present no doubt wearing engineer hats and cutting ribbons. Nonetheless, I hope that they had the wisdom to build the system to go from somewhere to someplace unlike the one in Buffalo. I'll stop there as the Sergeant at Arms is about to remove me to the Rat Room.
I knew I had remembered correctly about broom sticks, wood blocks, etc. Chips and cards are indeed the case now as you say. Takes all day to run the diagnostics and five minutes to change out the part - if you have one available. Incidentally, a lovely PE boxcar picture.
DL - Thanks for the URL on the 9F class.
Allan was in with comments - there was a piece in today's Boston Globe re global brewing - gist of the article was that there was a general lowering of quality as the brewers got swallowed up - of course, that was the writer's opinion, but he appeared to have done extensive research - as Pete would say, the things we do for scientific truth (lol).
Nick - At least your daughter wasn't foaming at the mouth. When younger, mine put a coffee bean up her nose (again as a matter of scientific experiment - guess she wanted to be Ms Coffee) so I understand your concern. Gave mom heart failure - she really got mad at me because I was laughing so hard.
Always enjoy looking at track plans - someday....
You raised some interesting questions on Peg power (nickname for DW&P where I came from). GT and CV of course swapped power with bewildering frequency including renumbering, paint changes, etc. Peg was part of the family and some of their RS11s did drift over to the CV. 3601-3604 went to CV in 1977 with no number changes. 3609-3614 went to CV in 1967 again with no number changes. These later went back to Peg. However, 3611 and 3612 returned to the CV in 1977. So there you have it. As for paint, they were in a bewildering variety of schemes. Suggestion is that you look through some of the photo sites on the web as the livery on these engines changed frequently. IOW, pick your time and match it with a picture. A lot of the RS11s did wind up in later CV green/yellow scheme. Sometimes they ran five of them on trains - that was truly something!
Incidentally RS11s were popular in New England as CV, MEC, and New Haven all had them. New Haven used them in both freight and passenger service as I remember seeing them.
Work safe
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Company (mixed at best, shaken but not stirred)
I'll have a frosty Kieth's and might as well "ring the bell" for all those who may benifit!
I'll have a Bleu Stake with all the trimmings please and thanks
Anyway, anyhow here we sit South of Sable Is. this sunny Tuesday afternoon juist waiting for "Cristabol" to race by and churn the waters, something akin to the 3:30 special. Hopwefully the forecasters are correct in their analysis and the storm is running out of steam and should be Gales by the time they reach us.
Again more great photos from the Rogues gallery. Really like the one of the Swede 4-6-2. That's a really sweet looking machine!
Tom: You can remove the Brit from the Country ( or in the case of the Aussies: Forcebly incarcerate, detain and migrate) but ya can't remove the country from the Brit! The "Gov" looks very comfortable, yes indeed!!
Eric: Yes I had mixed feelings about my latest aquisition but once i get it painted it will be a welcome addition to the Railway. I am making headway in the tweekin department but won't know exactly what I've accomplished until I run it again.
Nick: The situation with expanding curves on the MESS is inevitable as my Rapido passenger cars need the wider turn. My Articulateds looked gawd awful and I may purchase other big class locos in the future.
Question of the Day?!?
As you know the "Hudson" has 4 ALCO 251B Engines. The question is: What does 251B stand for?
Winner gets a case of Kieth's (to be shared with the rest of the patrons of course!)
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
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
Had a rough morning here in Mid-Mo weather wise. Woken at 4AM which the sound of thunder and the Tornado siren which lasted about 45 minutes, then still lightning and heavy rain at 7 am. It cleared up at around 9am for about ½ hour then more lightning and thunder all morning, stopped now but looking a bit dark so I had better be quick. Heard on the news that some of Tom's area was without power.
NICK It must have been a big to see the cat like that, as you say a long 6 weeks.
Yes a Gresley teak set behind Mallard would have really set the scene for that special run, although the coaches, as well as the electric 89001 that brought the train from London, were immaculately turned out, the Inter-City livery of the coaches looked out of place. I see Ireland has a ban on wooden coaches on most lines now.
Thanks for the round.
ALLAN Yes I feel really lucky to have a pub like Pat's within walking distance from our house here, if only I could get them to serve Bathams, but they do stock bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale. I also noticed on the web site the draught beer is sold Imperial 20 and 10 oz measures.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. I thought you would like the name on diesel 56135 it was one of the batch of class 56s allocated to Gateshead shed and could be found stabled at Sunderland and Blyth. I have found a few other names of 56s that worked the Newcastle area.
56130 Wardley Opencast
56131 Ellington Colliery
56133 Crewe Locomotive Works.
56134 Blyth Power
56133 was named at Crewe Works at an open day when it was brand new after being built there.
It is good to see that the diesel railfans in the UK are preserving at least one member of a class of BR diesels when they are withdrawn from service. It seems very hard to believe now that the pioneer main line diesels were allowed to go to scrap not even one of the LMS ‘Twins' 10000 and 10001 was saved although 10001 hung around Derby works for quite a while after it was withdrawn from service.
ERIC Thanks for the kind words on the photos.
Yes there are 4 axles on each bogie of the ‘Peak'. The leading axle is un-powered with 3 powered axles per bogie giving the locos a 1Co-Co I wheel arrangement. This arrangement was first used on a set of three diesel electrics for the Southern Region introduced in 1951. The English Electric class 40s had the same wheel arrangement. I believe the civil engineer wanted the carrying wheel due to the weight of the locomotives. The 40s weighed 133 tons and the ‘Peaks' 138 tons compared to 105 tons for a Deltic Class 55 Co-Cos.
Real glad your air conditioner was fixed quickly.
Many thanks for the great Pacific Electric photos.
CM3 Talking of the PRR I1s reminded me of another workings the 9Fs became famous for, that was the heavy iron ore hopper trains than ran from Tyne Dock near Newcastle-on-Tyne to a steelworks at Consett over a steeply graded line. The 9Fs allocated to this work could be recognized by an air pump on the running plate that worked the hopper doors. The trains ran with a 9F at the head of the train and another 9F at the rear banking the train up the grade. Unfortunately I never saw these trains but I can recall the 9F No 92079(its funny how some loco numbers stick in the memory) banking trains up the Lickey Incline a duty it took over from the Midland Railway 0-10-0 ‘Big Bertha' when she was withdrawn. 92079 spent its life from new until about 1964 when diesels took over from steam on the banking duties just going up and down the 2 miles of the Lickey Bank apart from works visits
I would have loved to have seen a NKP 700 in action, are there many of the class preserved. I believe I read that OSP Polar Express was based on a preserved example.
I don't believe BR would dare to run the Duchesses and the diesels we had before our line was electrified, the class 40s head to head in a trial. A Duchess produced 3,300 HP on a road trial once and the 40s were rated at 2,000HP.
Always wanted a job as a beer tester. What's worst about these big brewers is, they close a brewery and sell their brand of beer and think the drinkers won't notice the difference.
Thanks for the kind words on the photos and the round.
FERGIE Thanks for the Keith's; I tried to get some for Tom's visit but was unable to.
Hope ‘Cristabol' has blown herself out way before it reaches where you are.
The Union flag in Tom's photo was a gift from a friend who came from Boston. My first decree of free beer for all Brits in Missouri as fallen on deaf ears I am afraid to say.
I'm afraid I will have to wait to see who wins the case of Keith's in your quiz, as I don't know the answer..
A round please RUTH while I load some photos..
Another of those Keith's please RUTH.
Back with a trio of Great Western Railway locomotives.
A Hawksworth short wheelbase, heavy shunting design 0-6-0PT No 1501. These locomotives were unusual for GWR locos as the class had outside Walschaerts Valve gear. 1501 is on the Severn Valley Railway. These locos were used on the empty stock workings at Paddington station. After BR use this loco worked at Coventry Colliery.
The Pioneer Castle class 4-6-0 No 4073 'Caerphilly Castle' at Didcot, the loco was previously at the Science Museum in London.
Manor class 4-6-0 No 7819 'Hinton Manor at Bridgnorth on the SVR with a train to Kidderminster Town.
Hi Pete,
Just a couple of observations on your post.
The 0-6-0PT 1500-1509 were not strictly GWR locos. They were indeed built at Swindon but did not enter service until 1949, the first in June of that year, which was in the BR era. Some did work on other parts of the former GWR system often as banking/helper locos. They were nicknamed by "spotters" and other railfans as The Ugly Ducklings".
Alan, Oliver & North Fork Railroad
https://www.buckfast.org.uk/
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll English author & recreational mathematician (1832 - 1898)
Good afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hi Leon, I guess you just started your pass. Where is Ruth? Okay, I'll have a #3 and a Tui, please.
Just a short break before finishing what I am doing. I hope Tom is recovering and will be back soon!
CM3 – The light rail line goes from Mesa in the west, through Tempe where it passes close to Arizona State University, close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Intn’l Airport (connecting people mover will be built to and from the terminals), goes just outside Chase Field ballpark and America West Arena (basketball), through downtown Phoenix up to a mall 1 mile from our house. It will be expanded to (among other places) Glendale in the east, probably all the way out to the new football stadium. Glad you liked the old boxcar.Fergie – I am sure you will get a nice running locomotive when you are all done fixing it and adding some paint. I tried to find out what 251B stands for but didn’t find that information, not yet. But I found a locomotive that has a 251B prime mover.
ALCO RSD-12. Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA.
Pete – I hope you didn’t have any tornado touch down in your neighborhood this morning. Mesa (neighboring city to Phoenix) was hit by a powerful thunderstorm last night and one area was hit by a microburst, resulting in a lot of damage. We watched the storm from our house but did not have any rain, lightning or wind. Just a fascinating show. Thanks for the info on the Peak class! 4 axle trucks, that was probably pretty rough on the rails. Interesting photos. What is visible at the front of te Manor class loco? Two cylinders? Was it a four cylinder locomotive?Former UP E8 #942. Built 1953, two 567-B diesel engines, 12 cylinders and 2,250 hp each. Later upgraded to 2,400 hp each.
<AeroTrain at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>
Wednesday's Witticism
There ain't many tears shed at a Boot Hill buryin'.
G'day Gents!
Mid-week in mid-continent USA as the barkeep slowly returns to some semblance of regularity ‘round here.
Coffee's been freshly brewed - pastries just stocked in The Mentor Village Bakery Case ‘n our <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts are ready to order from our Menu Board! Try the #3 . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Comments from the Proprietor
For those of you who put forth an extra effort during my announced absence - many thanx!
For those who kept up with the routine, thanx to you as well!
For any who totally missed the boat - what's new!?
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Monday - July 21st <all times Central daylite>:
Page 57- Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:23 AM <1:23 PM GMT>: Couldn't have asked for a better start to a Monday at the Bar by the Ballast with our Resident Londoner in Wales getting things off ‘n runnin' . . . Means a lot! Been awhile since we've seen you in these parts so early . . . wouldn't take much to get used to it!
Page 57 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:15 AM: A Monday morning visit from our Resident WVA Connection makes things look absolutely "normal" at the Tavern by the Tracks! Had surely been hoping someone would recognize that we needed some EARLY attention - so between you ‘n Nick, you've covered things quite nicely!
Petrol was at $3.88 <rounded> on Monday . . . that was a 12 cent drop after nearly 10 days at four bucks <rounded>. From the looks of things in these parts, I'm not seeing any appreciable drop in the numbers of vehicles on the road. On my round trip to JCity the highways were just as crowded as ever - many, many trucks zooming OVER the speed limit. And they moan ‘n groan ‘bout the fuel prices - SLOW DOWN - that'll help a bit! <geesh> <bratzafratz>
Surely you didn't mean $2.17 per gallon!!!
Cardinals have been on a roll - pulling ‘em out as they go. Still not seeing the depth required in order to be there at the end. But they've made many of the games exciting, except for too many bull pen collapses.
ROUND, quarters, visit ‘n good cheer always looked forward too ‘n appreciated!
Page 57 - Dan <DL-UK> at 12:42 PM <6:42 PM GMT>: And who should appear ‘round the lunch period but our Resident Brit in Sherwood Forest!
When I checked those VIA Rail skeds - I was most unhappy with the return from Churchill arrival time in Winnipeg. Former sked was very "friendly" insofar as my plans were concerned - no longer. So, that pretty much puts the lid on any journey for me to ‘n from Hudson Bay. Having to remain over night in order to make air connections home is not my idea of "fun" - ain't gonna do that with air fares so <censored> high, why add to it all with a hotel too
Didn't see anything in the schedule to "disturb" me with the Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) - Ocean (Montréal-Halifax) or Chaleur (Montréal-Gaspé) . . . Haven't checked out the Skeena, Prince Ruppert run from Jasper, lately probably because we've put that one on the back burner too due to the inaccessibility by air into Jasper. Oh well . . . nothing remains the same, eh
Perhaps it's just the way I'm feeling at the moment, but I'm most pleased with the fact that we've traveled so often on the rails in Canada, especially aboard the Budd stainless steel beauties. I've logged at least once trip each year since 1991 . . . So, there's no need to continue throwing my retirement dollars into trips that really are pretty much "more of the same." Yeah, just have to reign in my ambitions a bit ‘n be content with what we've had . . . Memories ‘n fotos live on!
JCity does have some railroading going on - lots of freight activity there <crew change for UP as well>, so if one is of the persuasion to sit ‘n watch those sorts of things - it can be done there! Just the heat of summer in mid-continent USA is enough to drive me into an air conditioned environment - in a New York minute! <grin>
Thanx for the visit ‘n chat, helping to keep things on an even keel here at the Saloon by the Siding!
Page 59 - Pete <pwolfe> at 1:59 PM: Won't say you're late - won't say you're early - let's just say you made it. Monday strikes again! <geesh>
Turned another Page, eh Well, we're pretty much out of things to give away, so we'll tear up on of those sheets of I.O.U.s from your tab . . . how's that <grin>
Email received - many thanx! Glad the fotos came thru . . .
Bus doesn't run on Saturday!! Hmmmmmm, skizzled outta that one, eh Nah, you found a way, I just KNOW you did! <uh oh> Maybe hitched a ride on a "scooter" with a sidecar!
My guess is there are stories behind each 'n everything put up on those walls at Pats. Just a matter of asking the person with the knowledge.
I see you put forth quite a bit of time ‘n effort with your < I3 > Post, which I hope the boyz appreciate!
ROUND, treats for the critters ‘n good cheer appreciated!
Page 59 - Eric <EricX2000> at 4:36 PM <2:36 PM Sandbox time>: Now if ever there was time to exclaim - it is when our Sandman shows up in daylite on a Monday at that! Now, that simply doesn't happen on a routine basis <if at all>!!
Can't even imagine living in the desert without having air conditioning - especially at this time of year. Ours is ‘straining' lately with the temps at 99 - 98 - ‘n who knows where it will go <phew>
Missouri is going to have a "sales tax holiday" for appliances that are energy efficient - will be in April 2009. So, we're hoping to change out our A/C ‘n furnace at that time. Both will have hit the 20 year mark - most fortunate for us. Just hoping we make it through this summer ‘n winter to come. An appreciable savings in these times.
No, no, no - noise is not one of my "acceptable" surroundings. I avoid situations like that whenever possible. Just that if you begin your experience when things are reasonably "level," then work your way to the crescendo - well, sometimes it just goes with the territory. But to begin at that decibel level! <yikes> Never have understood those who enjoy sitting in the "din" of it all - makes no sense, unless of course you're a Mime. <grin>
Ice cream is my Achilles heal . . . I luv the stuff! If one could put together the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar, but serve ice cream instead . . . hmmmmmmm.
All major airports in this land should be linked with the nearest city by mono-rail or something similar. Surely think we've missed the opportunity in many instances of new construction. Here, they put in MetroLink, but the <censored> cars have NO place for luggage! Figure that one out , eh They "push" for people to use the light-rail from downtown to the airport, but when the trains are crowded, what in the world does one DO with those suitcases ‘n carry ons?????? Then of course, our MetroLink is so <censored> tied to local politics, that the <censored> thing doesn't go where the major population centers are in this area . . . but that's ‘nother <rant> for ‘nother <day>. <grin>
Nice Rendezvous III foto!
Appreciate the daylite visit ‘n good cheer!
Page 59 - Pete at 4:41 PM ‘n 5:08 PM: Back to complete a trifecta <of sorts> for the day!
Spate of six colorful fotos with descriptions - all <keepers> at that!
Page 59 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:31 PM <1:31 AM Tuesday GMT>: Back with a two-fer on this Monday at the Watering Hole by the Wayside!
Seems like you're a tad behind the curve in comments - BUT - you're taking the time ‘n making the effort to catch up! Sez a lot, Mate!
Hilarious account of the cat with a "foaming mouth."
The layout work you depicted in some recent fotos tells quite a story. I'm still "toying" with the idea of some major changes to my track work - not particularly pleased with the Bachmann track ‘n #6 crossovers especially - but that's a "walk in the park" compared to what you're doing! In my situation, the tracks are pretty much accessible, given the way I constructed the Can-AM. Even the end of the layout that is multi-level can be accessed by cutting out a side portion of the landscape - or using the "pull out" section for derailments. But to gut the entire thing - happy I don't have to do that. <yikes> Methinks I'll be living with what I have - it's at that point where operating comes second to simply taking in the views. <grin>
A fine < I3 > Post from our Mate in west Wales!
Page 59 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10 PM <5 PM Tuesday NZ time>: Will add my admittance of ignorance regarding the games of the UK . . . I know zero, zip, zilch of cricket. Typical Yank here - baseball, football <US style, of course!!>, basketball ‘n hockey. Anything else
Hmmmmm, will make no further comment regarding "jewels" - "hands" - etc. <uh oh> But, yes - I'd be mighty wary ‘round Molly - she's a <grabber>! <uh oh>
Let's see - we've got Pete in the "circular" Basic Typing Course for Two Finger Application - Rob in the Spell Check Really Works ‘n now you for Troubleshooting Computers OR Shoot the Computer! - courses. Molly Throttlebottom's Adult Learning Centre ‘n Mud Wrestling Emporium is a humming business these days <daze>! They look upon the bar as a "source" of revenue - wonder why Hmmmmmm. <grin>
Email received - many thanx!
Tuesday, July 22nd:
Page 59 - Eric <EricX2000> at 12:04 AM <10:04 PM Monday Sandbox time>: Good news regarding your A/C! <phew> I'd be in a motel in a heartbeat if ours crapped out in this heat! <yikes> We do have an emergency generator, but the A/C is hardwired ‘n I'd rather not tinker with that . . . <uh oh>
Terrific Pacific Electric fotos! May I ask where those were taken Hope Rob sees the traction upon his return . . . Some "firsts" in your spate for Moi - never saw a PE box car before or a caboose. That steeple cab loco is something else too!
At the rate I'm going with these "catch ups," may be awhile before I get to ‘em all. Taking it on a slow bell, Mate . . . a sloooooooooooow bell.
Much appreciation for your < I3 > Post, fotos ‘n good cheer!
Page 59 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:30 AM: And who to our eyes should appear, but our WVA Connection, with a sack o' quarters, a ROUND ‘n good cheer for the gang! Looks as if you returned from your vacation just in time to help with the continuity ‘round here. Only a handful of us <‘n each of us> has a purpose, eh Youbetcha!
Cards dropped a squeaker last nite <Monday> to the Brew crew - a game they could've just as easily had won than not. Ain't that the way, eh NL Central has surprised a bunch o' baseball "experts" this year. HA! What do THEY know
Aw go on ‘n <rant>, our Rat's Patoot Room hasn't had the walls bashed in for quite some time! <grin>
Mention of the DW&P reminds me of a recent addition to the Can-AM Railway . . . haven't snapped a foto <yet>, but here's a link depicting the model I added:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-37158
For each new car brought to the Can-Am, one has to be relegated to a display case. Saturation is the word . . . <yikes>
Another fine < I3 > Post to eavesdrop!
Page 59 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 11:21 AM <1:21 PM ADT>: Our Most-irregular Part-part time Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner is still bobbin' the ocean blue <green-grey or black> out there in the Atlantic <daylite> time zone, I'm guessing. Good to have ya aboard, especially in mid-day as the "call" had gone out - several times - for daylite help ‘round here for Monday ‘n Tuesday . . . <ooooooooooooh>
Had the "word" from "home" that NS was experiencing some slop due to "all kinds of weather coming in from the Atlantic." A quote from "mum" . . . <grin>
When you do come up with the answer to your "quiz," by all means provide us with a REFERENCE . . . I spent far too much time reading about Alco 251s . . . . <grin> Today, FM-Alco produces the 251F <whooooooopie>!! <bratzafratz>
A case of Keiths . . . well that would probably last about a minute or so! <grin>
Whether by chance or design, visit most appreciated as well as the ROUND!
Page 59 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:05 PM ‘n 4:25 PM: "In" with two daylite Posts on Tuesday!
Always appreciative of your efforts in providing fotos ‘n insights regarding railroading in the UK . . .
We had some storms roar through during the wee hours on Tuesday, but our immediate area wasn't adversely impacted as those to the north ‘n east were. Lucked out again . . . <phew>
Temps were 99 on Sunday - 98 on Monday ‘n dropped into the lo-80s on Tuesday. As I type this <Wednesday> "they" are calling for another nice day with lo-humidity! <yay> BUT, "it" all returns for week's end with the oppressiveness of summer's heat . . . <phew>
What do you mean you "always wanted," since your arrival here, you've been doing a fair job at testing the beer! <uh oh>
A link regarding the Polar Express loco, etc. . . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Polar_Express_(film)
Noted that you dropped off a Post over on "my other Thread" . . . thanx for helping to keep that one "up" as well!
An < I3 > Post, fotos, good cheer ‘n a ROUND - what more is there
Page 59 - Alan <Great Western> at 5:06 PM <11:06 PM GMT>: A directed Post for Pete . . .
Anyone interested in joining us, should check out PAGE ONE <or any Page that is a multiple of 10> for our "ground rules" . . . always looking for those who wish to be interactive in the environment of our cyber adult bar ‘n grill . . .
Page 59 - Eric <EricX2000> at 5:22 PM <3:22 PM Sandbox time>: Many thanx for the daylite Post from the Desert! Helping to keep things going here at the Bar by the Ballast means a lot!
Nice description of the Phoenix light-rail route. Looks like the significant stops have been nicely accounted for . . .
If it was left to me, I'd NOT link the Cardinals new football stadium. Let the greedy <censored> owner build it himself. He didn't endear himself to the civic leaders or fans when the team resided here, ‘n from what I've been reading, hasn't changed his ways in the desert.
Nature's display of "fireworks" at times can be totally captivating - it's no wonder so many people get themselves in trouble while watching instead of taking shelter, especially where funnel clouds are involved. <yikes>
Couple of nice fotos <as always!> along with an < I3 > Post, acknowledging the boyz at the bar ‘n their comments!
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!
Tom
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We're still standing after several waves of thunderstorms, high winds, lots lightning, etc. The K9 Korps is a nervous wreck and, guess what, we're supposed to get some more today.
Thought for the day "You look great for your age - almost lifelike!"
Pete - See my weather comments above. I appreciated the idea of locomotives being named for coal mines. Also thanks for the additional F9 information. The Chesapeake and Ohio had 0-10-0s as well; they used them as yard switchers. There are more than a few NKP700s out there as well as a Pere Marquette 2-8-4. Go to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and you can read all about their restoration work. Decrees? Just remember, "A prophet is without honor in his own land." Also, thanks for the pictures.
Fergie - Larger radius always works better - why do we think we can get by with the lesser? BTW, Rapido is coming out with N scale passenger cars, but they are (will be) pricy. I have seen some of the HO ones so I may bite the bullet for a couple of "offline" Pullmans to add to the collection.
Eric - I am pleased to see that the new light rail is attempting to tie parts of the community together.
OSP has returned! $2.17 for gas - that's what happens when you use the fantasy keyboard - you know, the one that only you can see.
I got to see the Cardinals game the other night when the bullpen imploded. The Bostons are starting to feel a little better once they got out of Anaheim. The fascinating statistical trend for this year is that there are a lot of teams playing well at home and terrible on the road. I know the old adage is play well at home and .500 n the road and you'll do fine, but .500 on the road is a dream for a lot of teams.
Deliberately broken connections are all part of the game - then trains can be discontinued because of low ridership. ‘Nuff said.
Email rec'd and answered.
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH set ‘em up for the regulAHs ‘n I'll take a frosty mug of Schaefer along with a Larsman hero sandwich of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel. Yes, Boris, that LARGE jar of PPF is for you when you finish feeding the gang their treats. Awk, Tex, Frostbite, Spike, Artie ‘n Juneau are all waiting . . . Take this fifty my sweet, ‘n whatever the change, it's for you! <blush>
Just got off the phone with Cap'n Tom ‘n I had no idea there was something going on. Then again, as he explained, the off-line e-mail "net" was kept up to speed. Figured I'd call when I picked up on a comment or two regarding his situation. While there wasn't anything specific, it was enough for me to KNOW something was "up." Da Bossman sounds good, but I know he'd rather be talking about something else. He promised to keep me in "the loop" if there's a next time . . .
Also checked my e-mail account for this forum ‘n was surprised to see how many there were waiting for me! Sorry I've been not very good at this lately, but that's life these days in my hut. Some of the more dated stuff I just 'filed' . . . answered the most recent. Really not a good idea to send me e-mail though.
I'm not here today to ramble on ‘bout this ‘n that. Just wanted those of you who keep things going to know that I do check in, without logging on, from time to time, just to keep up with the reading. Very, very happy to see the changes to the format now that photos have taken over for those pages ‘n pages of narrative (as Cap'n Tom puts it). We got burned out long ago, thanks to at least one "used to be."
Very surprised that even the Desert Swede himself has shown up in the daytime to help out . . . now that says a lot about the guy, huh
Surely looked like Da Bossman ‘n the Wolfman had themselves a good time last week in Jefferson City. Don't know how that all came about, but I see Cap'n Tom had his trusty camera with him. How come we don't see very many pix of him???? Anyway, the Guv General looked to be in fine fettle (wundAH what that really means???) ‘n must've been in Brit-heaven while in the Irish Pub. Although, a Brit in an Irish Pub in some parts of this town could be a very chancy thing, indeed.
Appears as if the "core" is holding well at the bar with our small, but active group keeping the oars in motion! Aside from the trolleyMAN that is. He seems to have a "way" of disappearing at the most inopportune moments. Good thing I'm still not Manager . . . but HE is! Hmmmmm.
Enuf of that, time for another installment from the Larsman Mobile - all dedicated to the full ‘n speedy recovery of our leader, Cap'n Tom Da Bossman!
Ruth, I'll wait for you up in our "special place" so that we can get a leg up on that <ahem> admin work that surely has piled up since trolleyMAN skated away . . . <blush>
Until the next time!
Lars
Surprise of surprises today - got a phone call from the Larsman AND he visited us at the bar! Surely didn't expect that . . . Nice to see CM3 Shane in his AM "slot" too . . .
Email sent to our <GoR> . . .
Here's something from the not-too-distant past . . Perhaps a bit too much narrative -but what the heck - it's slow ‘round here ‘n helps to keep things perkin' along . . .
Now Arriving on Track #1
Back in the Day - Number Four
The TurboTrain - Part I of II
<Initially Posted on 16 Oct 2007, Page 126 at "Our" Place II>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Accuracy of content NOT authenticated.
The UAC TurboTrain was an early high-speed train manufactured by United Aircraft Corporation that operated in Canada between 1968 and 1982 and in the United States between 1968 and 1976 (though they were not disposed of by Amtrak until 1980). It was one of the first gas turbine-electric locomotives (GTELs) to enter service for passenger traffic, and was also one of the first tilting trains to enter service.
The Turbo is shown here in its original Canadian National livery in 1973, westbound from Montréal enroute to Toronto. <Fair Use - Wikipedia.com>
Description
The design had origins in studies done by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in the 1950s. These early studies did not include turbine power, but included a number of innovative design features for high-speed passenger service, including guided-axle tilting suspension, power cars at both ends, and the clamshell nose doors for combining locomotives to form longer trains.
The tilting mechanism was based on the passenger cars being suspended at their ends from wishbone (A-frame) suspension arms. As the train rounded a corner, the cars would swing outward to level the car floor in relation to the apparent "down". TurboTrain cars are 2 ½ feet (75 cm) lower than conventional cars, to lower the center of gravity in relation to the swinging point at the top of the arms. The arms included air springs to smooth out the motion, although it still felt "odd" while the train navigated short turns in switchyards and stations.
The suspension arms for each neighboring pair of cars were attached to a common bogie between them, as opposed to having a pair separate bogies for each car. The bogies rode the common curve between the two cars, centered by traction springs that centered the axle between adjoining car bodies. As the cars shared a single suspension, the train as a whole was a fixed length, requiring major work to add or remove passenger cars. This was the purpose of the doors at the ends of the power cars, which allowed two such trains to be "combined" end-to-end into a single longer train with a walkway between them protected by a flexible connector.
The patents were later implemented by United Aircraft to satisfy requirements of the Department of Transportation's Northeast Corridor Demonstration Project. Most of the original design survived, but UA added turbine power in place of the original diesel. The engines were a modified version of the famous Pratt & Whitney PT-6, built by UAC and known as the ST-6 (apparently for stationary turbine). The engine delivered 400 or 500 horsepower and drove an alternator though a hydraulic transmission system with gear reducers. A 3rd rail pickup assembly (a friction guide slipping on a third track) allowed the train to operate in the tunnels leading to Grand Central Station (and later Penn Station) in New York City with the engines turned off.
The engine was so much smaller and lighter (300 pounds (135 kg) with accessories) than the diesels they replaced that the power cars would have ended up being relatively small in comparison to the passenger cars. This "extra space" was utilized by extending the locomotives out to be somewhat longer than the passenger cars, placing the engines under a dome containing the driving controls and additional seating. The rear area of the resulting "Power Dome Cars" was similar to one-half of the normal passenger cars.
Production and use
In May 1966 Canadian National Railways ordered five TurboTrains of seven cars each for the Montreal-Toronto service. The Canadian trains were built by Montreal Locomotive Works, with their ST-6 engines supplied by UAC's Canadian division (now Pratt & Whitney Canada) in Longueuil, Québec on Montréal southshore. They originally planned to operate the trains in tandem, connecting two trains together into a larger fourteen-car arrangement with a total capacity of 644 passengers. While the trains were being built they changed their plans, and in 1971 a rebuild program was put into effect, converting the five seven-car sets to three nine-car sets. The leftover power and passenger cars were sold to Amtrak as two 4-car sets. One of those sets sideswiped a freight train on a test run in 1973 and burned up before delivery.
The Turbo's first demonstration run in December 1968 with Conductor James A. (Jim) Abbey of Toronto, Ontario in command, included a large press and electronic media contingent. Unfortunately, the Turbo hit a truck at a level crossing outside of Kingston during the trip. Despite concerns to the contrary, the train remained upright and on the rails. Later on, technical problems including brake systems freezing up because of cold Canadian winters, resulted in a suspension of service in early January 1969 which questioned the train's reliability.
The three 9-car sets entered service for CN in late 1973. In CN's marketing literature, this train was referred to simply as the Turbo, although it remained the full TurboTrain name in CN's own documentation and communication with UAC. CN ran the Turbos from Toronto-Montreal-Toronto with stops at Dorval, Quebec, Kingston, Ontario and Guildwood, Ontario on the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. The trip took 3 hours and 59 minutes downtown-to-downtown from Montreal to Toronto. CN continued the service until 1978, when passenger operations were taken over by VIA Rail, who continued the service. The Turbo's final run was on October 31, 1982, when they were replaced by LRC trainsets from Bombardier Transportation, which employed conventional diesel-electric locomotives. According to CN's records, the rebuilt TurboTrains had an availability rate of over 97% for the their careers with CN and VIA.
The TurboTrain also entered service for the Department of Transportation in the USA in 1968. it was operated by first by the New Haven Railroad, later by the Penn Central and finally by Amtrak for the route between Boston and New York. The American TurboTrain was built in a 3-car configuration but this was expanded to 5 cars in 1972. They achieved speeds as high as 100 mph (160 km/h) in regular service.
In terms of records, the three-car TurboTrain achieved the world speed record for gas turbine-powered rail vehicles with 170.8 mph (275 km/h) on the DOT's high speed test track on Penn Central's main-line between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey on December 20, 1967. This is still the North American speed record for the fastest production train, despite the attempts of Acela to unseat it. On April 22, 1976, a Canadian record was set at the speed of 140.6 MPH (226 km/h).
In the early 2000s, some of the ideas behind the Turbo reappeared when VIA and Bombardier Transportation proposed upgrading the same routes to use Bombardier's experimental JetTrain, a new turbine-powered tilting train capable of cruising speeds in the range of 150 mph (240 km/h) and TGV like top speeds of 185 mph (300 km/h), developed in France from the former French Alsthom Turbo-Train.
The Turbo visited Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) during its tour of the United States in 1971. <Fair Use - Wikipedia.com>
Enjoy!
I see Tom is back in the bar and a visit from Senior Manager Lars, and as Tom as kindly wiped my bar tab clean a round for all please RUTH.
TOM Great to see you back, make sure you take it easy now.
Thanks for the kind words on the posts and photos.
It is probably a good job the bus does not run on Saturday it would be too easy to get to Pat's, but if the weather is not too warm it is a nice walk with the pooch. Watch the trains for a bit at the park we went to and a couple in Pat's before the walk home. The bride came with me once and wanted know why the pooch headed straight into Pat's as we passed the door. I wonder if Bob's scooter can carry two.
Yes it was stormy day yesterday until mid afternoon. I'm glad the storms missed your area and places got it worse than we did. It was great though last evening to feel the change in temps for the evening before and it was pleasant this morning as well.
Yes beer testing is great but imagine getting paid to do it.
Many thanks for the link to the Polar Express; it is good that they modeled the PE locomotive on an actual locomotive and one that is preserved. I bet the Polar Express film must look great on IMAX
GREAT WESTERN ALAN. Thanks for the information on the 1500 PTs. I would have interesting to have seen what designs F.W. Hawksworth would have produced for the GWR if not for nationalization.
Having been behind 1501 they seem strong locomotives. Reading you post brought a thought to mind, I wonder why they were not used on the Lickey Incline when the WR took over the banking duties, instead of the Pannier Tanks in the 8400 range that were working there when I visited the Lickey.
As Tom says we have a great place here where we talk about trains and have a bit of fun.
ERIC. We were lucky, although there was a lot of lightening the news said there was no damage reported in our area although north of us there was some flooding. It is strange how an area near by can be hit hard by a storm and another area gets nothing.
Must admit when we went down to the basement after hearing the siren at 4AM, I done the British thing and made my self a cup of tea.
I don't think the Peaks and the Class 40s with their 1Co-Co-1 wheel arrangement were too hard on the track as both classes had long lives in service. A Peak was the first preserved diesel to run on BR tracks and I think if there was any doubt about the wheel arrangement being harsh on the tracks BR would not of allowed it to run.
The Manors were outside two cylinder locomotives the cylinders were 18 inches diameter with a 30-inch stroke.
A 4-cylinder GWR locomotive 'King' class 4-6-0 No 6024 'King Edward I' at Newport, South Wales on a steam tour.
Many thanks for the great photos of the ALCO RSD-12 and the E8.
CM3 Seems like the same weather we had, hope it calms down for today in your area. The local TV news station has radar that can tell the amount of lightening going on and in a 15-minute period it was in the thousands, although I think it was in the whole area they cover although the storm was not affecting the area to the south and west of us here.
Our dog was not impressed at being moved to the basement but did not seem concerned at all by the thunder etc, the only time I have seen her worried when there was tornados in our area.
Glad you enjoyed the photos
I think there were only two standard gauge locomotives in the UK that had the 0-10-0 wheel arrangement.
I will have a look at the Fort Wayne site, thanks
That is sad, but very true about broken connections.
LARS Great to see you in the bar again.
Yes Tom and I had a great time in Pat's; they don't seem to mind a Brit in there. It would have been great if you could have joined us. Tom has to come back as we did not get the game of Crib in.
I'll join you, if I may, in the dedication of those great set of bookcovers from the Larsman Mobile to a full and speedy recovery of Tom.
I am sure the ‘Admin Duties' are in very capable hands.
Some photos of ex LMS 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No 45593 'Kolhapur' on The Battlefield Line in Leicestershire.
45593 was one of the last Jubilees and worked over the Settle and Carlisle line towards the last days of BR steam.They were the last true BR express steam locomotives to work before the end of BR steam.
At the headquarters of the Battlefield Line at Shackerstone.
45593 heads on to its train after running round at Shenton. Shenton station is ajacent to where part of the Battle Of Bosworth Field took place.
Shortly after departing Shenton 45593 heads back to Shackerstone.
TOM Just caught your post, I will have a read of it now.
Well Ruth another Bathams please.
Well good afternoon Leon a large round of Keith's for all as I have made it back safe and sound from the North Country.A day alter than we riginally had planed but my young niece who we dragged along with us was having such a good time we said what the heck,that and the sked for the steamship company at Gravenhurst ment that we stated the extra day to get our time on the lake
Also thanks guys for keeping things above water while Tom was down and I was out 5x and all round pats on the back for the GOR.
Tom-I got your email and sent off a short reply,good to hear from you and to see that you made it back in mostly one piece to the bar
Great batch of shots from yours and Pete's most recent adventures. Looking at the shots of Pats Palce I'd say it's on par with the decor of the St George Arms. A place I would be happy to hang my hat on the peg of and anjoy a few brews to be sure.
I'm glad to see that yourefreshed Allan with the why and why nots of Molly's.Hopfully we will see him in the pit once in a while as well ( it's good cardio / fun ) Nice little exposee on the turbo's as well.
Pete-You've been a busy boy,lots o graet photo's and info the last four days and you managed to do that as well as "chandle" at the bar and manage to become the new GG of MO impressive. I have it on fairly solid authority that the Mentor Fusiliers have said they will happily be your footguard so long as you supply their pay and daily tot's of rum or gin.(and you thought the tab would go away )
It was sad when Brian passed as whe was such a great modeller,I'd hate to guess as to how many hours ( more likely years ) of work he put into the various bridges and structures he built for the club. He never had his own layout just the clubs,he will be sorley missed.
Nick-I see that you too have been busy keeping us afloat,many thanks as well.Enjoy ( survive) the school holiday if you can.I'm guessing that that cat won't have typical cat breath for a while.
Looks like you have made so decent headway on the layout reconstruction It seems to be rounding back into form I see that Shane gave you your answer on the RS11's.Still if those loco's did recycle again bewteen the various sister roads a sublettering like that may indeed have occured.More likley with CN main lettering in the current paint scheme.If you leav it in DW&P pr CV the blue/orange would work nicley, but as Shane mentioned their was a multitude of different colour/lettering combo's for those loco's over their lives.
Shane-Good to see you back.Nice to have the whole gang back together again Thanks for picking up the answer for Nick's paint question in my absence.
To answer your question,I'm not all pleased with the new sked. Mind you our opening game is against Detroit.Gets it outta the way I suppose. I'm with Tom thought bring back the old divisions again,and loose some of the dead wood teams.It will be interesting to see how this yeasr outdoor game plays out.Should be a ghood game with the teams that are involved and it's an interesting choice of venue.For my way of thinking though games in Chicago are not as good now that they are in the new barn,the old stadium was far better.
I'm still trying to get the visual of lederhosen on Clydesdales out of my head.
Fergie-I'm glad that you jumped in for a couple posts over the weekend. Hopfully this post finds you not too waterlogged out there on the briney. I'm wondering if the loud bang I heard while in Gravenhurst was the still / dishwasher going up. Hopefully no one was hurt.( there are easier ways of getting Keith's )
Still to take a stat at your question 251B is and engine calssifiaction for an Alco prime movers. In this case IIRC a 251 cubic inch engine with eight cylinders.
Dan-Inteersting thoughts on VIA's rearrangements. I rather like the thought of more daylight on the Northern Run. This strikes me as VIA trying to get a few more butts into those seats,perhaps giving more ammenities to that run as well.
Eric-Solid solid posts from you over the last few days as well.Loved all the Pacific Elelctric shots I'm sure also that someone with your knowledge of electric and non electric trains that training and operationg of the lite rail wouldn't be all that difficult.
To answer your question on the SW1200RS they were GM built in Canada. theya re the same as the US built SW1200's with the following differences. They were built with flexicoil road trucks instead of the switcher trucks so they could be used as light road and transfer loco's( due to the miles of extra light track in Canada at the time )They also had the distintive "eyebrow" headlight assemblies.
Lars-A nice treat seeing you in with a few covers as well Nice to know that you still keep tabs on this joint
Allan-Even better that you can keep all your winnings free from the taxman as here.(makes it easier to budget where to spend it all.
Rob
Well good evening gentlemen all and welcome back to the bossman-Leon-I think this calls for drinks all around-and take for a pint of Brains S.A (special ale or skull attack) for Great Western ALAN who I have met elsewhere on this forum-please,come sit and join us-you obviously know what you are talking about-we are largely harmless and respect an experienced viewpoint.......
So-to start the evening,lets have a little chuckle...the Big River Band , Live and Dangerous.....
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I know-appalling isn`t it........,still-it`s a living (of sorts)............................
O.K-Lots to get through this night-if it`s wednesday,it must be model night and it just so happens...............
Have managed,by various forms of deceit, to spend a few hours in the train shed-this time I remembered to take the camera so have a couple of six-packs of test-running pix to share but first up -it`s plan time:-
Right then-last week we had Ashburton in Devon-SHANE`s notes on this got me thinking (a good trick BTW..!!) ..So-For this week we have Ashburton Maine-a sleepy east coast port with a ferry/carfloat service to an offshore island...........
Principal changes are-the engine shed is now 2 stalls-one for the main line engine and one for the G.E 44 tonner that works the yard and trips over to the island on the ferry,the mill spur is now served by an extended K-point arrangement through 2 diamonds,there is a whole new quayside yard accessed from the single slip by the shed,we now have a turntable (U.S locos always seem to run chimney forward) -this can be modelled as abandoned for diesel era running-unless you favour `A` units running singly-plenty of room to park a couple of flats for essential `idler wagon` work.......
Thought it might be fun to put the turntable at the opposite end to the shed as all steam era engines will be turned regardless of stabling
O.K-Here`s how I see the traffic,-passenger,a single F3/7(McGinnis colours) with a head end car,2 coach cars,maybe a reefer or two
Mixed:-an Alco with a combine,caboose and a few `hot` loads
Daily freight:-a different Alco with a mixed bag
The Island:- a pair of F7`s (in the classic red & gold) with a product specific load for the ferry-could be anything from potatoes to gravel.......
just a thought............................
Right-gonna post this before it gets lost-back in a bit
So then Sir-is this what you had in mind...????????
Just lost a 12 pic post-will have to do it tomorrow.....GRRRRRRRRRR
Good evening folks,made it back in before the witching hour Right Leon how about another Keith's oh and get another brains for Nick he seems to need it,as it looks as though he will need to be added to the same class at Molly's as poor Allan.Still at least they will be company for each other.
Now here's a few photo's from our most recent foray Northward.Sorry Nick we did not make it as far North as North Bay this time out.
The Huntsville and Lake of Bays RR's yard
A closer shot of their Water Tower,both the power 0-4-0t tea kettles had been put away for he day
Their work car
Another shot of the yard for a bit more detail
Nick-Interesting photo of the band,No Boris I don't think the lead singer is related to you.Interesting thoughts on the layout operations,impressive
Rob. Nice to see you back again, hope you had a good break. My bride has been watching the tennis from the Rexall Centre in Toronto for the past few days`, looks as if the weathers hot over there at the moment? Some nice pix of your Huntsville and Lake of Bays` RR visit.
Nick. Nice pix of your group, how often do you change that headgear? Interesting write up on the layout with the track plan diagram. Sorry to see you lost that pix post, I cursed to high heaven when it happened to me so often!
Eric. Looks as if our brides` have the same frame of minds`. A fine set of pix of the Pacific Electric displays, and the RSD 12 and E8. Interesting write up on the extent of the Pheonix Light Rail system and station coverage, are they taking the line out to Scottsdale in the future at all?
CM3. Thank goodness they have`nt changed the taste of Tui at all here, they`d have a BIG rebellion on their hands if they did!
Fergie. Good to see you again, hope that storm "Cristabol" gives you a miss.
Pete. Good to hear you can get Newcastle "Broon" at Pat`s Place, pity about the "Bathams" though. Many thanks for those Class 56 North Eastern names. I well remember seeing those 9F`s on the Tyne Dock to Consett iron ore workings`, my bride lived at Whickham very close to the Consett rail line and I saw them now and again during our courting days`, they were air braked because of the very heavy ore loads and the grades`. Nice shots of King Edward 1 the Jubilee, and a couple of nice shots of the Duchess of Sutherland over on the other thread. Hope that storm did`nt affect your hometown area too much.
Lars. Great to see you in again so soon mate, a lovely surprise indeed. Another selection of fine covAHS from the Larsman Mobile to brighten up the day.
Tom. Really nice to see you back again mate. A very fine offering with Pt1 of the Turbo Train with pix. Looks as if Molly is very nearly overworked at the moment what with Pete, Rob and myself taking up all of her spare time.
Good evening again folks. Leon another round if you don't mind,gotta catch up- with my end since I wasn't around to add to the cash boxes lately.
Allan-Good to see you in again. Weather hasn't been too bad the last two days we've had a fair bit of rain so the temps and the humidity have drioped to livable levels for a couple days anyway.Glad your wife's been enjoying the tennis,never my sport to watch,I don't mind playing the odd game, just not on the high humidityGlad you enjoyed the pics from the trip I'm going to drop a few more off tonight,ones' from Gravenhurst the next town down the line from Huntsville Where we went on a two hour sight seeing cruise of Lake Muskoka
The Gravenhurst town Dock from the bow deck of our ship the RMS Wenonah II
The ships at the Gravenhurst warf. The Calssic RMS Segwun on teh left ahnd side,still steam powered with hand fired coal boilers built in 1887 as teh RMS Nippising II a paddle wheeler for service on the lake,then reconstructed in 1913 as the ship you see now. It's fleet mate RMS Wenonah II built in 2002 is seen on the right she is diesel powered,and handles the overflow trips for the Segwun.
A shot of Wenonah's main dinning room not used on our cruise as it was only the short sight seeing one.
The third member of the Muskoka fleet The steam yaht Wanda III built in Gravenhurst in 1913 for Lady Eaton of Eaton's stores fame. This ship is used for charters only and still operates with steam power.
Some scenery along the shores of Lake Muskoka
A Quarter shot of the Segwun as we headed out into the lake. She was steaming up for the Hundred mile dinner cruise that evening.
enjoy
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!
Hello Leon, back at normal hours, time for my big favorite, Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Yes, a cold Tui, please!
Captain Tom is back! A toast for a speedy recovery!!
Tom – Welcome back, Sir! I understand that it is a partly painful recovery, but I am afraid that is part of the whole thing! I actually had more pain after my gall bladder surgery than after my bypass operation. But I am sure Cindy will take good care of you! We are waiting for some thunderstorms to hit us later tonight, but hopefully they will barely miss our part of the valley, I just checked the radar and it looks pretty good. Let’s hope your aging A/C unit will hang in there until next summer. I am waiting for my car battery to die any day now. It is four years old and that is unusual old for this part of the world. Normally a battery lasts about two years in this heat. I think the light rail here in Phoenix has good chances to be very successful. But we also need commuter rail. They are looking into to that now. The Pacific Electric photos were all taken at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA, in December 2006. They have quite a few pieces of former PE equipment. I have the same opinion about the Cardinal’s owner as you do. Interesting info on the UAC TurboTrain and its passive tilting system. Something similar to what the Talgo has. It would be interesting to see a picture of two of those trains coupled together! 97% availability rate is not bad at all!Email received and responded to.CM3 – I was almost happy today when I filled up the car with gas for $3.93/gallon! Below $4!! As I mentioned to Tom, now they are looking in to add some commuter rail to the valley and considering the distances I would say it is needed. Light rail is too slow at longer distances. Lars – The surprise of the day, the Senior Manager is here! Good to see you again! I guess the real reason is Ruth! Yeah, I knew it! Hope you and your bride is doing okay, considering the circumstances. Nice collection of books and DVDs! GG1 and Alaska RR, I guess Tom needs that while is is recovering.Pete – Thanks for the answers to my questions! If the Manors were 2 cylinder locomotives I wonder what the heck are those two silvery devices up front? Nice photos of 45593! Very British in design and very clean and shiny! Rob – Back again! You have been missed!I probably could learn the basics about the new light rail eqipment pretty quick, but I really don’t feel like it. Now I have only 30 more days to work before becoming a full time retiree and that feels very good. I had planned to work my last day December 11 this year, but now I will be laid off October 30 instead. But I will get severance pay for 11 weeks so I am not complaining. It means I will work less and get paid more. Interesting photos from Huntsville and Bays RR! Looks more like a streetcar to me. Diesel powered? It seems to be a well kept museum/railway! Nice to see those ships again. I’ve seen them in other photos before and they have an interesting history. Okay, one is only a few years old, but it is still interesting! There are still a few steam boats in regular service in the archipelago of Stockholm (30,000 islands). Sunset, the archipelago of Stockholm.Nick – The Big River Band, where is the sound? Interesting plans for Ashburton Maine! Is the platform located at the shaded area? Then you should have a stop signal before you get to the switch next to the depot building. Otherwise the passenger train will block the turntable while sitting on track 1. I guess it would be a good idea to have derailers on both tracks going down to the car float, stopping cars from rolling into the water when the car float is over to the island. Sorry about your trouble with the pics! Get some rest and good luck tomorrow! Allan – Always right! Yes, that’s what I’m being told every time we don’t agree about something, she is always right. I am sure you know how it is. I don’t remember what the latest is about Scottsdale and the light rail. I’ll do some research and let you know.
Morning all-just thought I would pop in and check out the breakfast situation-everything seems to be in order
Todays Early Bird special :-the full English to go,a 12" sub loaded with customers choice of bacon,sausage,eggs (fried or scrambled),mushrooms,tomatoes & black pudding--set yourself up for the day
Right,lets have another go at those pix.....
Slightly exceeded the rule of six there.....
O.K gotta run-small one is getting antsy......Good to see the bossman back around the place and the LARSMAN keeping us in view,loads of great stuff from everybody-more detailed comments later-ERIC-useful notes on the layout plan-hadn`t considered those aspects at all
Right-have a good day guys,see you all later
Thursday is here! That can only mean one more day ‘n it's time to kick back for the week end! While we're waiting, why not join us for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast Fill up your coffee mug ‘n grab a pastry or two from The Mentor Village Bakery case!
Weather is returning to summer's heat - petrol is down to $3.82 <rounded> ‘n all's well in mid-continent USA.
Wednesday - July 23rd <all times Central daylite>:
Page 58 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:50 AM: Really can get spoiled ‘round here when the AM "slot" is so regularly accommodated. Just doesn't seem "right" without having a start-up from our Resident WVA Connection . . .
Cards are suddenly in a funk, after dropping 3 straight to the Brew crew. Makes for a tight race though, ‘n they've been "in" the games, just facing some tough opposition in the Central Division. Haven't really been following the AL - except to watch a portion of a BoSox-Angels game over the weekend from Anaheim. Now that's a nice place to watch baseball. Used to take in a game every now ‘n then in that park ‘n never was disappointed - can't beat night baseball in SoCal. Just ideal "watching weather!" Had a couple of friends with seasons tix to the Dodgers ‘n Angels - ‘n they were very generous with ‘em. Got to see quite a few games at both parks in the three seasons <or parts thereof> I was out there.
When I planned out the Can-Am Railway layout, the radius of curves that I selected was determined by three factors: space available, ease of installation ‘n the offerings from the manufacturer. As it turned out, I wound up ballasting all of the roadbed attached to the Bachmann EZ track - really cheesy stuff. Anyway, you saw it ‘n I think the "effect" was achieved. My arthritic hands just couldn't <and can't> handle anything more demanding - hand laid would be totally out of the question in my case. That's the reason for the sectional <crap>.
I had hoped to use 24" radius, but Bachmann only had 22". Had I gone with the more expensive line of track - Kato - I'd have gotten a bit more "comfort" with the larger radii. But, it's pretty much what "works," eh
2nd Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!
Most appreciative of your continuing support for the bar along with those quarters ‘n ROUNDs!
Page 58 - Lars <LoveDomes> at 12:01 PM: First a fone call, then a fine Post from our Senior Manager <Emeritus> . . . nice surprise on both accounts! Haven't seen Ruth "light up" quite like that in some time . . . <grin>
Yeah, we've had quite a good run at the reborn-reborn bar ‘n this crew isn't selfish about helping to keep things moving along. Pete ‘n I agreed that if we could have you ‘n Doug back as regulars to rejoin the <GoR>, we'd not need anyone else - ever - at this establishment. For this is without a doubt the finest group of bar flies "Our" Place has seen.
Nice spate o' book ‘n video covers from the Larsman Mobile! Enjoyed ‘em all ‘n particularly appreciated the selection of roads!
Certainly hope you'll be back with us sooner rather than later - but it is heartening to know that you're able to keep tabs on us from an "offline" vantage point now ‘n then.
Oh yeah, lay off our Manager - he may look suspicious, may act suspicious, may in fact be suspicious, but he's a genuine article ‘n has only one significant flaw: he has to work for a living! <geesh>
Good to see you on that teak ‘n mahogany special stool - it will always be here for ya, Mate! ROUND, good cheer ‘n covers most appreciated!
Page 58 - Pete <pwolfe> at 3:27 PM: Many thanx for the fone call . . . appreciated hearing from you!
Now - we must get something squared away - I did NOT wipe your bar tab clean. Nope - all I did was tear up a Page of it!! <geesh> Always trying, eh <uh oh> Boris, keep your eye on him!! <Cyclops, ya know!>
Seems you've devoted quite a bit of print to trying to convince us that you did NOT go to Pat's on Saturday afternoon. Hmmmmm, GUILTY! <uh oh> If I could walk to the TrainWreck Saloon - ohhhhhhh boy, would I be in trouble, not to mention adding too many pounds to my lithe ‘n athletic frame! <grin>
As always, a well thought out selection of fotos for the boyz . . . Liked that shot of the Jubilee at Shackerstone. Afraid I don't know a thing about the battle of Bosworth though . . .
Thanx for helping to make this a fine day at the bar, ‘n of course adding a ROUND to your ever-expanding tab makes for a good day at the tills! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Page 58 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 5:18 PM: Our Manager has returned from his vacation! Hey, if you can swing it - do it - an extra day away sounds like a winner to me!
Hate to make comparisons - for pubs like the TrainWreck Saloon - St. George Arms ‘n Paddy Malone's Irish Pub <aka: Pat's Place> pretty much stand on their own. But, my absolute favorite is the Arms . . . just love the place! But, you know that . . .
You are correct though - there is a similarity between Pat's ‘n the Arms in that they both are rather small with a nice outdoor section. It was far too warm to sit out on the patio the night Pete ‘n I were there. Perhaps a fall visit is in order, just to "check it out"!! <grin>
Yes, the boys held their own during our combined absences - can't ask any more of this crew, for they demonstrate time after time that they indeed give a Rat's Patoot for "Our" Place!
Seriously doubt we'll ever see the return to common sense in the Garage League - Norris Division <of the 80s-90s> rules!! Removing Toronto from being in with St. Louis, Detroit ‘n Chicago really messed things up big time. <barf>
Can't tell you how many sites I visited nor how much I read about those <censored> 251Bs . . . but no where, absolutely no where did I catch any explanation for the "B" - saw ‘em with up to 16 cylinders, by the by!! Oh well, Fergie will just have to tell us AND provide a REFERENCE!! Otherwise, he gets the Xtra Large ‘n Loud <tweeter>! <uh oh>
Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!
Many thanx for your fine efforts, return to the bar ‘n of course the ROUND!
Page 58 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:57 PM <12:57 AM Thursday GMT>: I can think of a name or two for that group up on the "stage." <geesh> And I thought you were kidding ‘bout the name - but it's really the Big River Band, eh Why not . . . .
You surely put a lot of effort into your Toy ‘n Model Trains submission <aka: Pike Perspectives Day> - so let me simply say, most innovative thinking with a ferry/carfloat service off the coast of Maine! The man never stops thinking . . .
Looks like there'd be room for a place called the "Snake Pit," right about where the "stock pen" ‘n "crane" tracks end . . . Good place for crew changes to kick back after a long, hard shift over a tankard of ale!
Visit, ROUND ‘n good cheer always welcome ‘round here!
Page 59 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:02 PM <2:02 AM Thursday GMT>: Well, you may have lost your Post - BUT - you turned the Page to 59! Hmmmmm, let's see - how ‘bout a pony keg of your favorite brew That should put a smile on your face while you fill out the enrollment application for Molly Throttlebottom's Adult Learning Centre ‘n Mud Wrestling Emporium course, "Preparing, Posting ‘n Preserving a Post, Part I."
Page 59 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:17 PM: Back with a spate o' "fresh" fotos from up north . . . Next time "in," share some insights regarding the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway.
Figured there'd be traction in your travels! <grin>
Page 59 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10:06 PM <5:06 PM Thursday NZ time>: Covered the bases quite well with another fine example of what we try to do at the Saloon by the Siding: acknowledge the efforts of the other guy while having a bit o' fun too!
I think the strangest thing that has happened to me on these Forums is losing a Post that was Posted. No kidding. Saw the <censored> thing "up" on the Page . . . figured I could delete my WP version of it - did so, then when I went back to the Page, the Post was gone-zo. Crazy, but it happened.
Follow-up Email received - thanx!
Many thanx for the good cheer ‘n ROUND of Tui!
Page 59 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:52 PM: And here he is again with a 3rd visit, chock full o' fotos from the lake.
Three classic vessels, fer sure, fer sure ‘n two steamers at that. They reminded me of the vessels I used to see quite regularly where I grew up. We called them "excursion boats" ‘n they would take us to places like Keensburg, NJ or Rye Beach, NY for outings that would be the hi-lite of summer for a kid. Both places had amusement parks that just seemed to dazzle ‘n amaze. Proctor & Gamble had a huge plant close to where I grew up, ‘n they would sponsor those cruises for the families ‘n friends of the employees. So, each summer, I'd go on at least one . . . was kind like a ritual for the end of school <which for us let out in late June>. Yeah, good memories . . .
Thanx for the visit, ROUND ‘n fotos!
Thursday - July 24th:
Page 159 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:29 AM <11:29 PM Wednesday Sandbox time>: Never doubt our Sandman, he's out there ‘n it's just a matter of time when he strolls thru our doorway . . .
What a splendid foto from the Stockholm area!
Volvo car batter died a death not planned on about a year ago. Got the "low battery" warning on the dash, then shortly all of the lights began to blink on the dash ‘n the car stopped. Turned out the voltage regulator ‘n alternator also "went." Had to get a tow to the dealership, where ONLY they sell the proper battery <no kidding!!>. That item alone was $125 . . . NOT including their labor charge! But, since the car was on extended warranty, the other items were covered <phew>. Never had such an experience - not good, not good. BUT, the battery was 6 years old - so shame on me! I USUALLY am on top of things like that - changing ‘em every 5 years, but for some reason, I let this one go longer - and paid for it! Volvo gets about 5 thousand miles per year, very lo-use . . . oh well - as I've said, it's a very expensive car to maintain. <geesh> A far cry from the days when I'd just go to Sears, buy a DieHard ‘n change it out myself . . . not so with the Volvo.
Hard to believe there's "happiness" with gas just below four bucks a gallon, eh Saw a piece on TV where Norway has the highest petrol prices in the world - over $11 dollars <US> per gallon and rising thanx to another tax increase. That's intolerable . . . wonder why the people put up with it Norway is the world's 5th largest oil exporting nation . . . figure that one, eh
Many thanx for your fine < I3 > Post ‘n good cheer!
Page 59 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:24 AM <1:24 PM GMT>: A surprising, but most appreciated visit from our Chief Chef this morning on our side of the pond!
Lots of railroading going on in west wales 'n the SOB! Many thanx for the foto spread - tells quite a story, fer sure, fer sure. Funny - but nice - thing about our hobby, when one gets the urge - it's all there for the doing.
"It only hurts for a little while," once the job begins of tearing up this 'n that - well, it's let's get on with it, eh Youbetcha!
Thanx for the breakfast bill o' fare - but I'm going to pass on it. If I ate like that, I'd rival the Zeps in appearance. <yikes>
Really great having your good cheer 'n fotos to jump start this day!
TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee please, round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Rain finally left us after a real good one last evening about 7:00 which trapped me at the local grocery store for awhile - no big deal, got to watch people who wouldn't wait for 10 minutes to walk slowly outside in dry weather - makes you wonder sometimes. Temps were in the low 50s last night and supposed to be in mid 70s today. Gas went down again (a whole penny) to $4.14.
Eric - See comment above re gas - doesn't take w hole lot to make us "feel better."
Allan - Good to hear from you, sir.
Rob returns with pictures and stories. Great work car and some excellent pictures of the Muskota fleet. Your points well taken on the NHL. BTW, Buffalo NFL team is venturing north of the border to play some games in Toronto. One I can't understand is them playing Miami up there - inside. I say bring the Fish up there in December and turn ‘em into frozen fillets.
Nick - Band shots are great - how many of the players are still at large?
Set up for the day? A man work a couple of shifts underground with that sort of meal.
Was looking through the sheaf of pictures you sent of your layout - wider radius is always better. Be careful if you are going to put another switch below the one you already have. I did that once, inadvertently made an S curve which really raised !@#% with passenger cars - had to tear it out. I enjoyed the other pictures as well, particularly the one with the LMS power.
Ashburton - Car float is what I was thinking about - if strapped for space you don't have to model a whole lot of it because we are already "standing in the ocean" the way the plan is laid out. You will need the turntable for steam but not necessarily for diesel as you already have a runaround track. I see an Alco S class as a switcher and then RS3s on other trains - keeps with the Boston and Maine flavor you wanted. I can see a B&M 2-6-0 with a couple of old Ambroid coaches (try and find those today) for your passenger train.
Lars - Good to see you about the premises. Nice selection of reading and viewing material. I have about worn out my copy of PRR Electric years. The E(5 is a good one but kind of hard to find.
Pete has been by with comments, pictures, and more information - I'm learning a lot in spite of myself.
OSP - E mail received and answered. I know what you mean re track. Snake Pit? Let's see there was a "Terminal Grille" beside the station in Nashville - I'll let your imagination do the rest. Maybe you recall the Terminal Lunch which was across the street from the NH station in Westerly, RI.
Thanks for the Turbo information - rode that more than a few times.
work safe
Good morning Ruth. Looks like the morning crews done a fine job of supporting the place today I'll just have my usual #3 and the large thermos of spiked coffee.
Eric-Sooo retiring again are you <grin> I'm sure that you will find something to do.(gotta spend those bucks somehow ) You have a good eye sir, the two cars the Lake of Bays use are somewhat streetcar related. The one in front, Iroquois, was a Toronto Railway Company trailer which would have been towed by the single truck open cars like our museum's 327.The second car Algonquin was a reproduction based after the Iroquois.For power they have a little Plymouth gasoline switcher and two 0-4-0t steam engines.All are narrow guage by my eyeballing it, it's 3 foot guage.Keep your head down if those T-storms come roaring through.
Tom-Got your email thanks. Thanks for setting the other manager right for me as well <grin> sheesh I don't take as much vacation time as as some others around this joint.
Nice to see that you set the G-G straight,<sheesh> he takes a position of power and figures you would magically erase his bartab the "noive" of some people.
You're right the garage league will never go back to it's roots,18 teams should have been the max in my opinion,but what do I know <grin>Guess we'll just have to live with the one meeting a year and be happy with it
You would like the gravenhuirst ships they are excursion steamers though back in the Muskoka fleets hey day 1880's to 1940's.They operated upto 12 steamers on the three Muskoka Lakes the Lake of Bays and the Muskoka River.They provided the only transportation service ( other than foot ) North Of Gravenhurst , you would come in by train supplies and mail would come in by train and then the freight and people were transferd the rest of the way by steamboat.The ships had berths for the long trips or the smaller one's like the Segwun did the milk runs.Interestingly the Huntsville and Lake of Bay's RR was only ever the mile and a qaurter run it is today.It was used as a portage route,as the forest was unpassable at the time it was built later on after Huntsville got bigger and more and more cottages etc were built it was a tourist attraction until the mid 40's then it was ripped out to be put back as part of Huntsville's Herritage Par & Pioneer Villiage oh maybe twelve years ago.
Shane-I saw that the Bills were heading North.I ahve to say that I didn't take much notice in it as the NFL's never been my game.My understanding is that these were just exhibition games not full meaningfull regular seson games.If it's a regular seson game then Miami might have the upper hand as the dome would be closed and heated.
I noticed that the gas prices around here have stabilized at about a buck 25 a litre ( still insanly too expensive )I remeber complaining bitterly ten yeasr ago when teh prices were staying up around the 60 cents a litre mark ( coarse a barrel of oil was only about 15-20 dollars then too )
Hello again Ruth back again.Lets see I've fired up the sausage grinder for this afternoon's inprompto first anual "gut check" bean,burrito and chile making contest. The mentor fire rescue will be on hand incase of any unforseen problems of the gastric nature occur.So while the contestants begin I'll ahve a keith's and a large roll of rolaids as a pre sampling precaution.
Nick-Loved the layout shots ( second times a charm eh ) I aggree with Shane's recomendations, they ought to give you the desired feel,along with a nice Minutman painted E unit for passenger ops
Right it seems like the second classers have arrived with their cauldron,stills and roadside meat grinder ( steam powered tractor with cast iron spiked wheels )so looks like teh serious cooking is about to begin.<uh oh> Boris count the critters, once they are all accounted for lock them in the shed.
Lets see some recent and there by new shots from the museum for your enjoyment before the hazmat teams decend on our Place.
Somef our snow fighting equipment subway snowblower rt24
C9 our "new" tower truck donated to us by the TTC last year
Our "M" car set of Toronto subway cars these were the secondsubway car type purchased by teh TTC in the 1960's,the first built in Canada by MLW Montreal for the TTC as well these replaced the heavier Gloster built red cars and were in turn repaced by the H & T cars from Hawker Sydley ThunderBay which are what run in the tubes today.
Last two pictures are our subway workcars RT 28 and 29. RT 28 is used as a trailer for RT 29 which has been fit with poles to run on our overhead.We use them to cart around poles,parts and rail ties.They were built by Bombardier in the 1970's and were originally set up as double ended subway maintenance cars using the power systems and controllers from retired G car subway trains ( red Gloster steel cars )We cut the one cab off RT28 a couple years ago so it can transport full length hydro poles for our overhead maintenance.
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