G'day Gents!
Really GREAT to see the Sandman in DAYLITE! Perhaps I didn't make my comments clear - I was thinking more of that Swedish loco being a demonstrator in the U.S. - maybe it ran on the Great Northern route. I'm sure you'll sort it out! More comments in the Sunday summary . . .
And now for a wrap-up of my random fotos for this Saturday . . .
(13) Tom at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Rendezvous I
(14) Pete's friend at the TrainWreck Saloon! <they understand one another . . . >
(15) View of the Canadian Shield from the westbound Canadian's Glacier Park car
(16) Stealthy Pete filling out his baggage tags at the VIA Rail station in Halifax -
2007 Canada Rail Adventure
(17) Winding up the day at Grant's Farm <home of the Clydesdales> - Rendezvous II
L-R Doug - Eric - Pete
(18) Mt. McKinley, Alaska from the ARRs Denali Sta - 2006 Alaska Rail Adventure
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy the weekend!
Tom
Good afternoon Captain Tom and all present!!
Ruth, I haven't seen you for a long time. How is Senior Manager Lars doing? Okay, no, I won't tell. Yes, a juicy Filet Mignon with lots of mushrooms! Medium and a cold Keith's, please!
Ooops, I think I bumped into Captain Tom here today! I'll buy your next drink!
Tom – Photos can reveal a lot!Pond for a tow boat? It should at least be a sea or at something like the Great Lakes. The Swedish loco is not a demonstrator. It was built in Sweden by NOHAB for (I think) the Norwegian State Railways (or possibly the Danish State Railways) and came to Sweden a few years ago. I don’t know why it has the Great Northern herald on the nose or the name Great Northern on the sides, but I’ll find a way to get that info. A good mix of photos from different events including Rendezvous I, II, and III. Even one picture with snow!!! It’s hard to think about snow when the thermometer shows 113˚ F. It’s the 8th day in row with 110˚+. A little bit cooler would be nice. I mowed the lawn at 7:30 this morning and it was already over 90˚. But it is better than snow!!! I didn’t know that you have a favorite bus. You have to give us the background why it became a favorite! Can’t call Pete stealthy any more, he is showing twice in your latest post! Nice to see Fergie again in a picture!Very nice colors fron New Brunswick!!! With your favorite season (winter) waiting behind those trees. Brrrr.Pete – Many signs in the Mexican town of Nogales are in English because of the number of Americans visiting the town. Most of the signs are in Spanish though. The Swedish loco with the Great Northern herald on the nose was built in Sweden by NOHAB. It has a EMD prime mover. See my comments to Tom. I thought you would have more info about what happened during that streetcar ride. That lady doesn’t look scared to me. Nice photos of British steam! Did Alan take all of them? The 71000 has good size drivers! There are a few class 66 diesels in Sweden too. They look slightly different though.
Some photos of Cheaspeake and Ohio Railway #2727 at the Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, MO.
It is hard to get a good view of this good looking locomotive built by ALCO in 1944.
I am not a specialist on steam locomotives, but this is the power reverser.
A valve oil pump.
The firebox and a lot of details.
The headlights.
A streetcar named "Desire"? Hmm.
Eric
Pete's been back for a fill-up on that bottomless stein - but how in the world did he manage to quaff it empty Nice spate o' fotos - BUT still can't get him to swing by the "lonely Thread" with nothing more than a "hello" . . . <geesh>
Continuing on with a bit o' this ‘n that on this Saturday . . . Rule of Six applies!
(7) Tom ‘n his "favorite" bus at the Halton County Radial Railway - Rendezvous I
(8) Pete ‘n Tom aboard westbound Amtrak to KCity - our first meeting!
(9) Sunrise in Edmonton at VIA Rail station - westbound Canadian
(10) Pete ‘n Fergie aboard ferry to Dartmouth - 2007 Canada Rail Adventure
(11) Returning from Springfield, IL aboard the Texas Eagle - Rendezvous II -
L-R Eric - Pete - Doug
(12) Fall splendor from the eastbound Ocean in New Brunswick
Enjoy!
Hi Tom and all.
Can you fill the 'bottomless stein'Tom has kindly provided with Bathams please CINDY.
TOM Great selection of photos, from Canada to the TrainWreck Saloon. In the photo of the saloon I noticed the football on the TV but I wonder who the bar lady is on the phone to.
For Saturdays photos the first two are of Great Western 'Hall' class 4-6-0 No 4965 Rood Ashton Hall on a railtour at Didcot taken by Alan on March 1st 2008.
There is a GM built class 66 on the left.
4965 is admired by the railtour patrons.
The next four are 'Now and Then' with the BR Standard 4-6-2 No 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' showing the work preservationists do to give us the pleasure of a working steam locomotive .
71000 at York on April 12th 2008 while working the North Brition railtour.
In the mid 1970s 71000 at Loughbourough on the Great Central Railway in its restoration.Note the missing outside cylinders and motion.
71000 being worked on, at the same time the shed at Loughborough was being built.
As she is today another photo at York taken by Alan.
Well CINDY it the bottomless stein is empty, I wonder how that happened.
Pete.
Pete has turned the Page to 44 on this Saturday morning! So, in recognition of your achievment, take one of those custom beer steins - the bottomless kind!
Let's see - how about a bit of this 'n that for a Saturday foto spread Keeping to the Rule of Six of course . . .
(1) Rob 'n Ted at Toronto's Union Station - Rendezvous I
(2) Pete in heaven! <TrainWreck Saloon>
(3) The Canadian Shield from the westbound Canadian's dining car
(4) New Brunswick right-of-way from the end car of VIA Rail's eastbound Ocean
(5) The crew at Rendezvous II <hotel HQ> L-R: Eric - Doug - Pete - Tom
(6) Tom 'n Fergie in Halifax - 2007 Canada Rail Adventure w/Pete
A cup of your famous coffee and a bacon sarnie please CINDY
TOM Really enjoying your great photos from Rendezvous III 5X. Great photo of the passing UP train coming up Kirkwood hill, if I remember right it was traveling quite fast, as Nick says a competition winnerThe photos from the moving miniature train have come out really well
Yes the middle shot of Alan's photos of 34067 is good, it is so hard to get a photo of the engine on a steam tour without a lot of people in it but that one with just the one person in it was just like in the old days.
It was good to read about the Seattle Monorail to think LA could have had one as well.
Enjoyed reading about the Santa Fe Chief and Super ChiefsWhat a great time to travel the train in the 1930s and 40s first behind those magnificent Hudsons,(I'd like to know more about the ‘Blue Goose'), and then the Alcos and with a Fred Harvey Diner in the consist as well.
Yes Norman Einstein never gets the credit he is due.
The only thing milked at the dentist was me and my wallet still I have some left for the Trainwreck saloon.
Glad you enjoyed the photos.
NICK Many thanks for the Hornby/Tri-ang model trains, happy memories indeed.
Yes the 90XXs were the Dukedogs. I would have thought the hammer blow on the Dukedogs would be less than the Manors, then interest aroused, I looked in the faithful ABC and was quite shocked to see the Dukedogs weighed just 40 tons against 68 tons 18cwt of the Manors.
Glad you liked the photos. I have relations at the next station down the line from Farnborourgh at Fleet, which will always have happy memories for me, on some visits I would go to Fleet station and see the Southern Pacifics on the race track there with speeds in the 90s it seemed.
I did have a look at Ragnorok and it does seem this year as been one of extreme weather all over the world as well escalating prices of necessities. Perhaps, in the 1960s, BR knew something when they named D.1666 ODIN.
Looking forward to your photos at H/West and Neyland.
ROB Thanks for the kind words on the photos. It was only the Great Western as far as I know used the color-coding, which they applied to some diesel classes as well
I'm afraid I don't know about the Farnbourough Air Shows today, but they do have one at RAF Cosford to the northwest of Wolverhampton, they have run a steam train hauled by a pannier tank engine from the Birmingham area to the air show.
Many thanks for the great photos . I just could not make out the name on the G&E GP9. I wonder if it could be Othello, good to see a photo of a ‘calf' in action.
A scrap line is a sad sight to see especially if an ‘old friend', one used to see running about in ones hometown, is in it.
More great photos from the air show that last one of the final fly past is indeed.
CM3 Many thanks for the information on the train services while the Thames River bridge is being replaced. Yes it would be a good time to be based in Boston. I would think that extra diesel hauled trains will stretch Amtrak's resources in the area, I would guess that they will borrow some engines that normally work out of Chicago, as you say it will be very interesting in that area.
I have to admit I do not recall John Martin of Sheffield, I done a search but came up empty I'm afraid.
It looks in Tom's photo on the trolley, I'm checking to see if the bat is OK in the bag.
Many thanks for the URL to the Cass Railroad. I could not get the one on the Mc Keen cars to open but I will try again, as I would like to know more about that interesting car we saw at the MOT
ALLAN I will pass on your thanks to Alan. Yes Bullied did have some novel ideas, some more successful than others. They say though that his boilers on the pacifics were one of the most efficient ever used on a British LocomotiveI have read also that a lot of SR drivers preferred the ‘Spam Cans' to the rebuilt version.
I will have to see a replay of the NZ v England game, as it is on 3.30am live here.
ERIC I noticed in the photo of Nogales the signs were in English.
Glad you enjoyed Alan's photos and I will look forward to your Rendezvous ones.
That heat of your sounds terrible, I was out in the heat here and I don't think it was 90 but it made me poorly for a while Thursday.
Many thanks for the photo of Shay #5, the SF Hudson and the gang on the miniature railway at the MOT, it seems as though we have scared the other passengers away including the lady on the trolley.
That is interesting the Swedish diesel with the Great Northern emblem on the front as Tom says it could be a loco from the USA on trial.
DL Great to see you in. Hope you are enjoying the photos from the early days of the preserved GCR I found in my slide collection
It seems my post as got long againbut there was a lot of good posts,so CINDY a round for those who come in and although it is a bit early a Bathams mild for mewould not do any harm surely. Back in a while with some photos.
<VIA Rail's Evangeline Park car at Halifax station - personal foto>
And so Saturday has arrived with the promise of some relaxation for those who put in many hours during the working week. For we retirees, sometimes it's difficult discerning one day from the next! <yikes>
Coffee ‘n pastries are freshly made - breakfasts ready to order - so let's get a move on Gents!
Keeping track!
216 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . . the end!
188 fotos from Rendezvous III
. . . more to follow!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Friday - June 20th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 43 - Dan <DL-UK> at 12:11 PM <6:11 PM GMT>: Good to share a moment and a ROUND with our Resident Sherwood Forest Connection! Visits have been rather spotty, but APPRECIATED . . . doesn't matter about the length of your submission, just as long as you keep us in mind. You've been missed ‘round here . . .
Page 43 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 3:35 PM: Didn't expect to see ya "in" on Friday - but pleased you made it!
You're gonna luv this - we managed to get two front row seats for Gordon Lightfoot's visit to this area in October - a one-night stand and we're really looking forward to it. He was featured on our Public TV station for fund raising ‘n sounded great <performance was coming from Reno, NV> so we decided to donate a some bucks ‘n in return got those great tix. Probably wudda never gotten those seats at the box office ‘n the price wudda been either the same or MORE . . . so it was a good deal. Hope he does the "Trilogy" . . .
I've read a few comments on the Toronto Star's website about the Leafs acquiring Jamal Mayers. Many were unfavorable. <geesh> Those "fans" will soon see that the guy is a hard worker ‘n steady player. No, he isn't full of glitz ‘n super-star stuff, but churns ‘n burns out there night after night. We'll miss him.
Figured the roadname "thing" was as you described - just kept looking for the names you mentioned, but couldn't find them. Thought you were messing with our minds <again>!
Many thanx for the visit and bucks for a ROUND!
Page 43 - Pete <pwolfe> at 3:50 PM: Was beginning to think you were gonna "milk" that dentist "thing" into two days worth of absences <geesh> Enjoyed speaking with you on Friday ‘n now that I KNOW the REAL story . . . what's it worth to ya for me to keep my mouth SHUT <uh oh>
Countdown is "on" for our end of month visit to the TrainWreck Saloon - and - a roundtrip to KCity . . .
Nice spate of fotos - luv the detail ‘n design of the name ‘n crest on the loco! <sweet>
Many thanx for the visit <arm twisting helps, eh?> and of course the ROUND!
Page 43 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:43 PM <1:43 AM Saturday GMT>: Another surprise visit from our Resident Londoner in Wales . . . good to see ya! <clink>
Doesn't appear you had the most current stuff up on the site when you logged in - as we Posted close to one another . . . but certainly happy to have you amongst us on a rather rowdy Friday nite! <uh oh>
Looking forward to your new fotos . . . noted your MiL arrived by train. Way to go, eh Youbetcha!
Sounds like life is good in your part of the world ‘n hope it remains that way!
Thanx in large measure for the ROUND ‘n of course the chat!
Saturday - June 21st:
Page 43 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:53 AM <11:53 PM Friday, Sandbox time>: So, I've been "caught," eh Hmmmmm, didn't think that foto would reveal my "secret" . . . oh well, what's another in my life, eh <yikes>
I just guessed at that pond being the future home of the towboat - I did see the sign, but the "dots" didn't get connected as we were riding the mini-train. Thanx for clearing it up!
That surely is a the Great Northern herald on the Swedish loco - I'll bet YOU will find the answer to the "mystery." Perhaps it was a demonstrator or something like that . . . fine looking MoSheen though . . .
Santa Fe steamer ‘n min-train shots don't look bad either!
Many thanx for the chat ‘n good cheer!
Reminder: Cindy has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, #3 for me and a cold Tui, please!
God, a lot of noise here tonight. What the heck are they celebrating? What did you say, Leon? No, you must be kidding? Really, does Tom know? Vito is paying for this party because that woman in the streetcar managed to "catch" Tom? She is Vito's sister? Wow, that is serious stuff. We better find a way to tell Tom without breaking his heart.
CM3 – I know about the American Great Northern. How about the locomotive(s) in Canada? Same railroad or is it a Canadian Great Northern? I am trying to figure out if there is any connection to Great Northern in Sweden. Picture of a Swedish locomotive here:http://www.trainweb.org/railphot/Laponie/1406-0041-050907w.jpgIt has the logo of GN on the front.Tom – I don’t know if that Shay is operational. Some parts were missing. I don’t remember why I dumped my first toy train. Probably when I bought the first model train and thought that toy trains belonged to the landfill. I don’t know. It seems to me like you know a little bit too much about the lady in the streetcar. I better discuss this with Pete. I know Vito is, hmmm, a little bit too interested. Glad to hear you are satisfied with your Belgium built Volvo, owned by Ford and designed in Sweden! Is that what they call multi national? Interesting facts on Santa Fe! Noticed that they used 4-6-4 Hudson-type locomotives for the Chief consists in 1937. Here is a not so good picture of #3450.Pomona, CA.More photos from MoT! Are you sure that water in your picture (185) is the future home of H. C. Pott? According to a sign just below where Pott is now, there will be a future lake where Pott will floating around, see the photo below.The future home!?NEXT time I’ll join you on the mini-train ride. DL – Good to see you again, even for a brief visit! Thanks for the round!Rob – LRC had air powered tilting?! No wonder if they had problems with them. Air tilting does not react quick enough to give a good tilting of the car bodies. They tried that when they developed the X2000 and it just didn’t work good enough. Hydraulic tilting reacts much faster and more exact. Thanks for the info!Pete – Guess you were lucky that your computer didn’t get any damage when the lightning hit nearby. Always safer to turn it off and disconnect it when storms are approaching. Nice photos! No 506 “Butler-Henderson” looks different. Probably because the drivers are halfway covered so they are hard to see. Nick – Busy day?! Looking forward to see the pictures you took! Sounds interesting about the semaphores!
Well good evening gentlemen all-Leon a quick round for these good people-Just a flying visit,have had a successfull two afternoons with the camera @ H/West & Whitland (the junction for the Pembroke Dock branch )-all now loaded into photobucket and ready for selection-reason for visit is that there are still some original G.W.R semaphore signals in use there-as there are at several stn.`s along the line-made a trip out there before in feb last year but was too late in the day to catch the light-although one or two pix will make nice contrasts against the new batch.
As it happens-between todays trip & the trip to get Elisabeth from the stn yesterday, managed to catch several passing trains ,waiting wagons, a ballast tamper,odd little details-will post A.S.A.P-Please excuse brevity of post-just back from a bit of a `do`-part of the local festival season-a fine R`&`B band in a marquee next to the river ,lots of beer & good humour-a late sunset in a cloudless sky,full tide on the river and flat as a mirror-who could ask for more
Speak soon
<from ExpoRail railway museum - personal foto>
Just checking in to see what's up 'n to ensure that our pool room is still in tact! <uh oh> Seems the track gangs and the guys from the lumber yard are at it - <zing> there goes another pitcher <crash> up against the wall! HEY! We're not that kinda place! Grab that big fella, Boris, 'n turn his port ear 'round to starboard! <yikes>
One of my FAY-VOR-EY-Tt fotos <above>! Daddy's lil' girl . . .
Noted that we have Nick 'n Fergie logged in . . . also two UTBs, for which I really could care less - but just interesting to see the cyber names this evening <7:28 PM CST>.
Will include my comments 'bout the Posts in Saturday's acknowledgments . . . Boris, ring the bell - let's have a ROUND on the 'steamed Proprietor! <grin>
It's been awhile since Ruth has been this busy on a Friday afternoon! Dan dropped by, then Rob followed by Pete - plus the track gangs have begun their end of week festivities a bit early AND the lumber yard crew is celebrating "something" about a knot hole . . . huh Anyway, a great time here at the Bar by the Ballast today!
Continuing on with Rendezvous III fotos . . .
NOTE: Day Three at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation <MoT, Kirkwood> . . .
"Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous III - St. Louis, MO 2008 - Day Three
Fotos taken from the moving mini-train . . .
(183) That's Eric taking pictures of us on the mini-train! <center-background>
(184) Seen that one before!
(185) Future home of the Towboat H.C. Pott
(186) MoPac caboose at restoration building
(187)
(188) AeroTrain cars at restoration building
More to follow on Monday! . . .
A round please RUTH.
TOM Great to talk to you today. Got a bit to much sun yesterday, then doing yesterday's post it was stormy but none of it seemed close, when a very large and very bright flash landed nearby. Computer screen went blank and I switched it off at the box, lost what was in word but very pleased and not a little surprised, but the puter seems OK today.
Running a bit late today so I will post a couple of photos while I catch up on the posts.
A photo I found, taken at the same park at Paignton, Devon as the photo of 'Western' 1001 I posted a few days ago, when the class 50s were taking over from the Westerns. 50032, which was later named 'Courageous'.The class 50s were not very popular with railfans when they first arrived on the Western Region but had quite a cult following in the later days. Several are preserved.
From the preserved Great Central Railway in the early days.
In the early days some of the services between Loughborough and Quorn were worked by industrial tank engines. Here one of the largest locomotives produced by Manning Wardle of Leeds, 0-6-0ST Littleton No5 built in 1922. The loco spent its working life at Littleton Colliery near Cannock Staffordshire. Now the loco is on the Avon Valley Railway.
The only Great Central Railway passenger locomotive preserved. Improved Director 4-4-0 No 506 'Butler-Henderson'. A J. G. Robinson design.
Nameplate and GCR crest on No 506.
Well I had better get another Round RUTH ans seeing as I missed the Fish 'N' Chips yesterday, I had bettermake sure I get the Steak and Fries .
Good afternoon Ruth just aquick run and read. I'll leave a twenty for some later in the evening festivities for the gang.Just a quick Keith's there for me Ruth ifyadontmind
Tom-I haven't read through it in it's entirity yet, but that ATSF post looks interesting.Maybe Pete's testing some new novacane ( for longer lasting trysts appointments ) hopefully he'll make it in this afternoon.
I saw the trade to the blues, as one local commentator said he should give the team the "set" it was missing all last year,it's also draft day and we have a couople good picks in what seems to be a bumper crop so one can only hope.
What can I say you know I enjoy the "atmosphere" at Molly's,glad that you liked the photo'smost of teh missing roadnames are due to the fact that the locomotives are so freely traded and not necessarily repianted quickly on shortlines and regionals. Glad you could follow along though.
Shane-Yes a GP 10 with more cosmetic changes than Joan Rivers Who knows what it was ,or what it may yet become.You would have loved the sights and sounds of that flypast,raised goosebumps let me tell you.
Eric-Neat steamer,I'm glad to know, that Nick's refreshments perscription is on it's way.he LRC's were bombardiers high speed diesel passenger locomotives,air powered tilting and running gear which operated the LRC coaches they built as well ( still in use ) The locmotives were tested on Amtrak as well but handed back without orders.The tilt /air ride suspension was problematic adn is disconected on the coaches which are still used in everyday corridor trains. The loco's being a minority builder Bombardier built with Alco guts lost out to the treid and true F40's and P42's.
Dan&Alan-Great to se the both of you today always good to have rounds picked up by the rest of the gang as well.
Well guys I'm off again
Rob
Hello Tom and all in
I'll check out the food menu and leave a round for the house. Visits from me are too few and far between - so I envy the rest of the regulars who have put in soem great posts and pics I've just scanned though - nice to see the pics esp - the rendezvous photo album keeps on coing - what a great event it must have been - have you fixed Rendezvous IV yet?
Hope everyone is well - and as I see, nice to see all the regulars in with recent posts on various interestign topics. I've scanned a few previous pages too - not had time to keep up with all of the text, but dipped in and out of a few things.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
All the best
DL
Seems like another one of those strange days <daze> at the Saloon by the Siding - we've gotten the "word" about <aboot for Rob> that our Manager will be scarce today 'n tomorrow - but what's with our Bar Chandler Still at the dentist <geesh>
Anyway, here's something to keep things going . . .
Now Arriving on Track #1
Back in the Day - Number Three
The Chiefs of the Santa Fe
<Initially Posted on 25 Sep 2007, Page 116 at "Our" Place II>
Some say the 1950s were the last of the glory days for American classic trains. If true, then the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF - Santa Fe) was perhaps the most storied of the lot.
The Super Chief, the premier passenger train of the Santa Fe, was also known as "The Train of the Stars." The train made its eastbound voyage from Los Angeles, a "neighbor" of Hollywood and the "stars' who enjoyed the amenties offered between southern California and Chicago.
Amongst the many features found aboard that train was a private dining room, called the Turquoise Room. An experience for the gentry and celebrities seeking something set apart from the mainstream for railroad travel.
The Super Chief's route paralleled America's most famous highway, US Route 66 - the main street of American dreams.
A typical Super Chief consist from 1951 to 1956:
A typical Super Chief consist from the early 1960s (all-Pullman section):
<consist information from Wikipedia.com>
Super Chief being serviced at the depot, Albuquerque, New Mexico. March 1943. (Public Domain - wikipedia.com)
AT&SF Promotional material <Image from multiple sources>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Chief offered upscale bedroom service between Los Angeles and Chicago. Its slogan, "Extra Fast - Extra Fare" exemplified the "rolling boudoir" acceptance for Hollywood's stars and film executives.
The train was begun as an all-Pullman limited passenger service to the Santa Fe's California Limited. In 1926, the all-heavyweight consists marked luxury at a finer level with an advertised journey of 63 hours to Chicago from Los Angeles. A day closer than anything seen previously. By the end of 1930, the time had been reduced to 56 hours, with an all-steel consist of cars.
A typical heavyweight Chief consist in Winter, 1937:
A typical "mixed" Chief consist as of January 31, 1938 (the Chief regularly included heavyweight head-end cars in its consist, even into the late 1940s):
Transcontinental Sleeping Car Service was inaugurated in Spring 1946, and the Chief began regularly carrying three such cars in its consist: two originating in New York City, and the other in Washington, DC (most often these were smooth-sided cars painted two-tone Pullman grey). By the following summer, the Chief had retired all of its steam-driven motive power and was usually pulled behind A-B-B-A sets of EMD FT locomotives or A-B-A sets of the new ALCO PAs).
The following is a typical all-lightweight Chief consist as of late 1947:
A typical Chief consist in the mid-1950s (note the absence of an observation car, which was eliminated as per Santa Fe policy):
*NOTE: The nineteen "10-2-3" sleepers in the Blue series had a floorplan configuration unique to the Santa Fe.
<consist info from Wikipedia.com>
Train #19, The Chief; 8 cars, 40 MPH. Photographed: west of La Junta, Colo., March 18, 1934. (Fair Use - Denver Public Library/Wikipedia.com)
The Chief; 13 cars, 50 MPH. Photographed: detouring near Littleton, Colo., July 15, 1951. (Fair Use - Denver Public Library/Wikipedia.com)
Friday's Grin
Brain Cramps
"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-- former NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.
Awwwwwwright, it's Friday! Fill up those Java mugs, grab a few pastries ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast to jump start the end of the work week <for many>!
182 fotos from Rendezvous III
Thursday - June 19th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 42 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:14 AM: A nice run-down on what's happenin' along that NE corridor impacted by the replacement of the Thames River Bridge at new London, CT. Would be a great time to take the alternate route to BahStun, eh Butchanowat After calling the mid-west home for over 30 years, I don't miss the congestion factor one bit - not at all! Far too many people - one gets used to a slower pace ‘n I'm enjoying it!
Yeah, all the games count - which is the travesty of inter league play. ‘nuf said from Moi on the subject. <barf>
Zep diversionary flight scared the wits outta my Husky - he nearly grab "holt" of the tether line - that wudda been a riot! <uh oh> Anyway, bones retrieved! <munch> <crunch>
Thanx for the visit, good skinny, quarters ‘n ROUND!
Page 43 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 12:57 PM ‘n 1:18 PM ‘n 4:18 PM: In with a trifecta on this slow day at the bar . . . Glad you made it "in," for we're fresh-out-of-periphery-guys, eh Even our Bar Chandler somehow managed to skip the opportunity for Posting due to his "all day" dental appointment. SHE must be nice! Say "ahhhhhhhh" dearie! Now let me just YANK that tooth a bit . . . <arrrrrggggghhhhh>
Aside from having my prescription checked, your visits are chock full o' good stuff for everyone! Doesn't appear that you've absorbed very much of the material at Molly Throttlebottoms Adult Learning Centre ‘n Mud Wrestling Emporium - hmmmmm, perhaps the mud wrestling part. <uh oh> Anyway, consider yourself re-re-enrolled for a repeat, repeat "go" at transposition-typing, basic course, part one! <geesh>
One-way Jones, Copperkettle, H&H, Boris ‘n Leon - it never stops ‘round here, eh
That's CRIMINAL to scrap those LRCs after such a short-lived run . . . <geesh> Simply wasteful . . . watsammata those guys, eh
Enjoyed your spate of fotos - even though I had a bit of difficulty finding the road names you mentioned on some . . . Hmmmmmm. Hittin' the hard stuff again, eh
Seriously - many thanx for keeping the place "going" this fine day - otherwise it wudda been a "wash." Five- to our Manager!
Page 43 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:41 PM <1:41 AM Friday GMT>: Didn't expect to see our Resident Londoner in Wales this evening . . . but of course most pleased that you made it ‘in"! That stool "fits" quite well, eh Spared no expense, Mate - no expense too great for our GoR!
From six to sixty - someone said about sailors . . . Well, not really THAT young! <geesh> All's fair in love ‘n war, so it is also said, eh But perhaps one of the better ones is "They all look good at closing time!" <uh oh> Anyway, NO aspersions cast in the direction of your MiL . . .
Sorry, ole chap - but "punk" anything leaves me rather cooooooooold - not at all even close to acceptable for my tastes. And, they are very broad when it comes to MU-ZIK!
Horoscopes or Scareoscopes - we just have to play the hand that's dealt, eh I look at ‘em for the humor aspect - would hardly side-bet on ‘em. <nah>
"Sampled" some "shooters" one night in a Texas bistro - rode the bull ‘n stayed aboard! <yikes>
Given all the diversions in your life, a fine inclusive effort, chock full o' good cheer along with a ROUND!
Page 43 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:26 PM: And what to my eyes should appear, but MORE warplanes! <geesh> The Manager has "lost it" - where's the trains, Mate
The mini-train at the MoT is nothing more than a rather large perimeter run in the lower portion of the grounds. No stops - but twice ‘round, which makes for a nice run. All the fotos were taken from the moving train . . . lots of plans for expansion of the exhibits into the area. You'd luv it . . .
Well, I really didn't take the PM off so much as I was trying to "space" my Posts - but there you were! Then I thought our Bar Chandler would put something up BEFORE he headed out to have his "toofs" worked on . . . so it was a strange day of looking, but not leaping ‘til it became apparent that we'd not see Wolfman. <groan>
I like to make sure that we have at least an hour between Posts . . . sometimes it works, sometimes not . . . BUT do appreciate all the effort you put forth for the benefit of our crew!
Hard to envision that the skies over Europe were darkened by the squadrons ‘n squadrons of fighters ‘n bombers over 60 years ago. Nice work with the fotos . . .
I see that the Blues sent Jamal Mayers to the Leafs <his home town> - the guy is a steady player ‘n one who gave a good 10 years in St. Louis. He'll be missed . . .
Thanx for the visit!
Page 43 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10:35 PM <5:35 PM Friday NZ time>: Back atcha, Mate with a ROUND for that super-fine < I3 > Post! Did a fine job in spite of the Gremlins lurking about <aboot for Rob!>. As you know, we're more interested in having our GoR active than worrying over the length of a Post - knowing that you give a Rat's Patoot is what counts ‘round this joint! <cheers> <clink>
When the day arrives where you can dump the dial up <DDU>, go for it - you'll luv the difference!
I find it interesting to see the origins of the sports being played here that can be traced to other countries . . . of course hockey being the exception as it is a Canadian-originated game, perhaps best played by Europeans! Go figger that, eh I do enjoy international hockey - but the NHL is coming ‘round by putting the brakes on the "thuggery" ‘n the like. Anyway, rugby ‘n cricket surely have "off spring" here in the states!
Many thanx for getting back with us ‘n hang in there - anytime you can make it "in" we'll be most pleased to take your money! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Page 43 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:48 AM <11:48 PM Thursday Sandbox time>: What a fine looking steamer in your foto at Williams, AZ! Is she operational Anyway, looks fine . . .
Was surprised you didn't join us on the mini-train ride . . . maybe NEXT time, eh
Not too many weeks pass by where my lament comes roaring back over the loss of my childhood electric trains. Wasn't my doing <as discussed at the bar many times> - but they're gone-zo ‘n all that's left are some wunnerful memories. <bittersweet>
Seems to be some "interest" amongst a few of our GoR regarding "that lady." Hmmmmm. C'mon guys - a married mother of at least 2 that I saw - BUT, still as guys go - not bad, not bad, eh <uh oh>
I'm keeping my Belgium Volvo <owned by Ford!> ‘til I can't drive anymore . . . a fine car, too expensive to maintain, but still a fine car. Only put less than 5 thousand miles per year on her, so the car should hang in there for us. The wagon provides the versatility I like to have in an automobile . . .
Many thanx for you fine < I3 > Post, ROUND, visit ‘n chat!
Page 43 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:40 AM: First, many thanx for the insights regarding the interurban we saw down in the "hollow <holler>" at the MoT! Nice link too.
Cards dropped all three to our cross state rivals . . . but NOT rivals in the sense that there's a reason for this crap. <barf> One of the worst teams in the AL knocks the socks off one of the better. Watch out BahStun, here we come - limping along. <groan>
Beantown had ANOTHER parade, eh They're getting good at it, I'd say!
As always, a fine inclusive effort begun by quarters for the juke 'n a ROUND!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
TODAY is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Temperature in the high 40s this a.m and partly cloudy.
Rob - G&E is listed as a GP10 - it confused me a little (more than usual) as most Paducah r/bs had oxbow air filters. Of course, nobody would make changes or modify equipment would they? (Something I tell my students all the time). Nice shot of TH&B 402 in a somewhat different location. Also enjoyed the CN r/b GP9. Wish I could have heard the flyover, let alone see it! Nice job!
Nick - K9 auxiliaries - let's see we have an active K9 dog who lives two doors over - he's does drug detection, etc. for the local police dept. The we have two former K9s (Belgian Shepherds) who live down the street, a new Golden retriever puppy across the street - so the roster keeps growing.
Drop Kick Murphys? Excellent! Let's see if we have "Tessie" in the jukebox - unofficial anthem of the Red Sox Nation. Those of you who have seen the movie "Fever Pitch" have heard the band.
Eric - Glad to see that you're up and around. Great Northern is part of BNSF. Ride the Empire Builder, you're on the GN.
GN182 was built in 1944 as part of a four locomotive order. It was sold to Western Dominion Coal Mines in 1960 which is probably how the museum got hold of it.
Lovely Shay - WM6 (the biggest Shay) resides in WV at the Cass Scenic Railroad. Check out their site http://www.cassrailroad.com/locos.html and read all about it.
OSP was in with monorail information - I guess their philosophy was learn by doing. Also more museum pictures. I did some looking after I got back from St. Louis and here's what I have found so far.
The Delaware Car Co. is (was) an outfit in Wilmington, DE that repaired damaged railcars. Unless I miss my guess, the car sitting in the weeds is a McKeen car (in many ways ancestor to your favorite RDCs. The following is an excellent survey of McKeen cars. http://www.shiwasseehistory.com/mckeen.html
Work safe
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, my friend! Yes, you are right, a perfect night for Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Medium as always! Tuborg Gold!
My two day work week is over! The heat is on and it is going to get a little bit warmer this weekend.
Tom – Standard alloy? You should have asked for golden faucets! You are right about those RDCs. It was most likely not cheap to convert them to coaches. But it happened. Interesting article on Toy Trains! I regret I got rid of the trains I had as a kid. The oldest model train I have today is a steam loco and some cars I bought 1955. They still run just fine. Some photos from the Museum of Transportation! How about photo #171, interior of Car #10. Wolfman ‘n Shane taking it easy. ??? One can hardly see them. How about that lady? Hmm. Nice Photos!!Ford Volvo? The Volvos I have owned were all Volvo's Volvo. The last one was a 740 GL 1985. Had it for 6 years and then sold it to my boss.No comments about Nogales? I understand. For a number of years it was part of my job to go down there once a month and check things at a plant that did some assembly for us. The best part of those trips were my stops at Cracker Barrel in Tucson for breakfast and late lunch on the way to and from Nogales.The Seattle Monorail! I regret I never tried it when I was in town for a few days with the X2000. The monorail stopped just outside the hotel door and I could see it from my hotel room window. Interesting photos from the miniature railway at MoT! I didn’t think they had that much stuff down there. I tried to find some info on the Delaware Car Company, but had no luck. CM3 – Dry heat is still hot. To be honest, I don’t like the heat the way I used to just a few years ago, but I still prefer it over cold weather. This week it has been 112-113˚ every day, 112 today. Thanks for the round!Thanks for the Amtrak info!Rob – As I mentioned to CM3, over 110˚ is not that nice any more. I guess it comes with the age. Yes, the Swedish Air Force had a whole bunch of Harvards and used them for many years as trainers. The Swedish Air Force was actually ranked as the fourth strongest air force in the world in the 50’s. I had a quick look in one of my books about airplanes but couldn’t find any info on the converted Hellcat. Thanks for the air show photos! I like the formation of the Lancaster and those fighters! Nice photos, especially the one of the F7 pulling at least 10 bilevel cars! I also like the last one of the Railink GP with a calf! The Mexican train had two tank cars marked “Tequila for medical use only”. Must have been what Nick ordered. LRC 2’s and 3’s, please refresh my memory about those locos! I am sure you have written about them before, but my memory...Great Northern, are they still around? There are a few locomotives in Sweden in the same livery and marked Great Northern. I wonder if there is a connection? Pete – I’ll send the farewell dinner photos sometime this weekend. You are right about Ernst Udet. I am sure he did not have a boring life. Nice steamy photos from Alan! Nick – Interesting model train ads! Even a RDC in one of them! And your first train set! 38 years of age! Tequila is for medical use only! Allan – Glad you made it tonight! You better keep your PC. Don’t give up!
Saginaw & Manistee Lumber Company's Shaw at Grand Canyon Railway's station, Williams, AZ.
Round for the house!
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
To all. Still having the pasting from Word glitch over here, have been in contact with my server, NZ Telstraclear, and they have said that it could be due to too many people being on line on dial up service in our township area? Will have to keep my posts` short and sweet like Nick is doing.
Nick. Thanks for all your great pix of the Welsh narrow gauge locos` and all the Brit Rly one`s too. Nice write up on the Hornby Dublo and Tri-ang model Rly equipment with the pix, nice pix of your trainshed too. England rugger team is in all sorts of trouble over here at the moment, the media are giving them a hard time over the Hilton Hotel incident in Auckland.
Rob. Many thanks for all the great selection of airshow pix mate, the Lancaster and Spitfire and all the other planes look really well looked after, a credit to all those volunteers who keep them in such great condition. Nice lot of pix of all the diesel locos` and yet another caboose. Am trying not to get too frustrated over my pasting dial up glitches`.
Pete. Many thanks for that great "Bittern" pic and all the other ones` of Allan`s, thank him for me please. Nice set of BOB SR Pacifics you posted, Bullied was way ahead in the innovation stakes as far as his last lot of locos` turned out, pity the mechanical gear let them down at first. I do`nt think the England boys` have much chance against the AB`s in Christchurch tomorrow!
CM3. Interesting info on the Thames River bridge replacment. Baseball is classed as a minor sport over here in NZ, cricket is the main hardball game played in the summer here, the NZ Softball team has won the World International Series a few times.
Eric. Hope your feeling much better today, take it easy mate! Nice pic of that train running alongside the main street in Nogales, Mex. Have managed NOT to throw my PC out of the window, SO FAR!
Tom. Belated greetings to Juneau, give him an extra BIG juicy bone for me please! Catfish is my Southern birth sign according to Shane`s listing. Enjoyed all your great pix of the Gangs` visit to Kirkwood museum on RVIII, what a great collection of varied transport equipment they have on display there. Nice info and pix on the Toy Trains and a very interesting post on the Seattle Monorail system, many thanks. Glad your water main problem was fixed so fast, all you need now is your basement leak sorted out and you will be on cloud nine! Dial Up service here is a pain in the "***", being in a country area we are not yet on the fibre-optic hook up for internet service, so that`s why our broadband is so expensive here at the moment.
See ya, Allan
Good evening Leon,I see that you have had some customers so alls well at the bar by the ballast. Just a small draft of Guiness if you don't mind ,yes the "mentor pint" in honour of the reminicences of one way Jones
Tom-Couple great shots in that latest round from R3 Loved the minning equipment,looks like a nice setting around the grounds nice to see that they have the mini train to take you to and from the sights.
Glad to have been of assistance this afternoon. ( nice to know you can take an afternoon off once in awhile eh )
Nick-A yes tequilla,bane of many peoples existance. Ever notice how so many people have the bad tequilla experiance stories to tell. Usually has something to do with eating the bottled invertibrate and barely living to tell about it.
Hope you have a happy family week,we'll miss you the days your not in but I know you'll make up for it. In the finest One way Jone's style , someone will have to tackle the kitchen garburator and stack of dishes once your back. Never loose hope or your contact lenses to quote Mr Jones !
Glad you got some kicks from today's photo's.We'll send you some of those birds from that picture,they make fine eating,bonapetitte
Lets see I need another draft, thanks Leon,Here's a few more shots from Father's day
25.
The Me109 and Spit taxying out for the finally
26.
The other Spit and Hurricane taxying out for the final fly past
27.
The Dakota in it's newpaint job readying for flight.
28.
The Lancaster taxying out for the final flypast.
29.
The Final fly past the Lanc with two Spits the Hurricane and the 109 formed up on it
enjoy
Well well,welcome to Count Robulla`s Canadian thursday ( a traditional,if slightly obscure,holiday)-excellent stuff mate-will get to it all in a bit...
Right Leon-looks like the slaves(whoops) volunteer staff have got the grip of the galley so I can kick back and enjoy-and what a feast So lets have some beer-A round for the house please -weather here has returned to what passes for normal-and hope you are all free and clear of the flood zone as reported on the news over here-sounds pretty grim....although compared to China & Asia recently.............................
Enough of the real world..Has anybody else found those wee buttons on the stools -press the green one and you rise up a foot or so into `dome car` position and can see through the back windows and watch the Mentor Flyer cruise through with drink in hand-gotta love it ....
Right-to the business-ROB-As far as I know,it was only the G.W.R that used the `colour` route availability,believe it or not some of the less common Wrenn models are asking a cool $1000 on the second hand market if M.I.B...crazy....As a child of the `60`s I was the perfect height to truly appreciate the mini skirt (take a moment to think this through)--fine pix-The chevrons are always a welcome addition,the G& ER has great cyl. hoppers in the back ground,the switchers have Canada geese in the foreground-enjoy the unexpected in any pic
ERIC-Hey Joe....Down Mexico way-have had enough tequila trouble to last a lifetime-a younger (and duller) me would grab the bottle from your hand-happily ,I lived to tell the tale-
TOM-You naughty man-Elisabeth ( My mother in law) is safely bedded down with the small monkey and set fair for a week of fun to take her out of herself-as I am sure yo know ,you rascal !!!!!-Sounds like the haus hound had a difficult puppyhood-Kids,pups-you worry about them all when they are not right-guess we are all just big softies in our own way...Now-star signs-I am a Boll Weevil but with strong Possum & Armadillo tendancies.......where does that leave me ????
SHANE -Delighted you have a Beagle in the visiting K9 auxiliaries-have always had Beagles as family hounds-get enough of them in one place and you might have a brain between them -lovely affectionate beasts....
Agree that once one starts collecting,the magic is gone-that first oval of track with a station,lying on the floor watching her run past........................(list your preferred set of stations)...................................
TOM-A fine piece on the monorails-give me a day or two and I will dig out some stuff on the Listowel & Ballybunion monorail in south west Ireland-one of those " is that for real" numbers...trust me-worth the wait -the only example of a double-boilered 0-3-0 tank engine on record
ROB-One way Jones-A local hero-One has only to recall his heroically stupid bicycle assault on the Mentor Nomads M.C clubhouse or his attempt to achieve contact with the orbiting space station in the Mentor Olympus rocket ( 3 dustbins and 12 oxygen cylinders plus a mile of masking tape ) to know we are in the presence of greatness.....
Love that T.H.B livery-deserves a model-or better still,a layout full-Timber train & the South Simcoe 44 tonner look alike- sweet -an excellent selection old thing
Right-time for a last round -sup up boys-heres one for Herr Wurlitzer-Sailing up to Boston by the Dropkick Murphys-look it up-its WILD !!!! -Irish punk,Boston style
O.K -enough rambling from me-Have a good day everybody,take care,speak soon
It's been an "all trolleyMAN" afternoon both here ‘n over on "my other Thread" . . . very much appreciated, Mate!
(177) From on board the miniature railway - twice ‘round the grounds!
(178) Delaware Car Co. interurban . . . no further info <not listed in collection book, must be new addition>
(179)
(180) "Mystery" rail bus - seen on a previous visit on upper level. Perhaps moved for some restoration
(181)
(182) St. Joe mine train ‘n shovel
More to follow . . .
Well good afternoon again folks,looks like I'm in by myself again oh well,I'll keep Ruth company and play a game or two of crib with her until Leon saunters in. Lets share a couple cold keith's their Ruth. While I'm here here's a couple more photo's for the gang.
A Cp train hauled by one of the SD's that got painted into teh St Lawrence and Hudson paint scheme when CP renamed the eastern portion of the railroad in the early 90's.
Another rare treat a Great Northern RS1 that has been restored and preserved at the West Coast rail Museum in Squamish BC,home of Royal Hudson 2860 soon to be steaming again as well ( non operational from what I understand )but a beautifull cosmetic job
CN GP9 rebuild at London east yard London Ontario.
A worn Pt Ste Charles Caboose used for some transfer runs that require a backing plateform sitting in the Brantford yard 2005.
Hey Ruth back again,I think I need a refill on the Canadian,looks like the bossman's up about the decks as well so pour him a stiff one as well. Keep the change again,gotta pay for those extra fuel chargees on the flights.
Tom-Just gotta sya love the RS18 at the top of your posts today.It's alot cleaner and glossy than what they would have been in service but it's a beaut.
So some more photo's for the children today,yes Boris you can let the critters see them as well.
Another classic TH&B dual use GP9 402 bringing a freight up through the Welland tunnel under the Welland Canal,in the mid 80's just after CP formally assimilated the TH&B but still hadn't repainted and rebuilt everything.
A sad one LRC 2's and 3's in the scrap lines in London Ontario 2004,most only 20 years old having been built in 1984-85.
Another ex CN Bombardier unit and HR412 still running on the St Thomas and Eastern in St Thomas Ontario. 2006
A diesel rarity ( even when new ) an ex CPR CLC built diesel hydrolic switcher now running as fill in power for the small CNR mogels on the South Simcoe excusion trains.
Good afternoon Ruth, I'm in for Lunch today a large smoked meat sandwich on rye wuith all the fixin's if you don't mind. I think a nice draft of Canadian and several pickels from teh barrell should do wonders for me as well. Keep the change as alwaya,one never knows when another long weekend may be approaching eh
Tom-As proprieter and chief boss and bottle washer ( delegated to Boris of coarse ) you can pick which ever of those photo's you wish for yourself. It was hard to designate the Go shot cause everyone round this place loves F unit's.
I'm thinking that "landing" was achieved by either Copperkettle on his first attempt ( while sober ) or by the late lammented One Way Jones the chief test pilot for the Mentor district air defence group.
Hopefully Nick isn't surrounded by too many leather wrapped "babe" of H&H's epic proportions.That or he should be allowed to at least wear a blind fold. ( Not unlike One Way Jone's)
Great info on the Settle Monorail system,it always struck me as odd that they would have picked a monorail over a traditional "L" system,but hey Seattle an odd sort of town.
Eric-Great shot of the Mexican ROW,I wonder if that train is delivering the latest order of Tequilla Nick ordered ( for medicinal uses )
Shane-Good eye on those GEXR GP's. The are billed as GP10's I'm assuming a Paducah rebuild at some point. they've been reworked so many times over their lives it's hard to say where and what is original on them anymore. That calf is apparently from the digging I've done and ex C&O unit that came up from the various Rail America / Rail Link SUBSIDIARIES stateside.That shots about five years old now and I haven't seen it around since,it's still on the umbrellaa roster of Rail America as of 2006 but on which road I ahve no idea.I wonder if that bridge replacement project might yield the unforseen benefit of the people along the B&A wanting more passenger trains on their route. This might be the start of something good.
Good to see CM3 Shane jump start the AM with a report on what's happenin' in the NE <rail wise> . . .
Here's something that will require some reading - found in the sub-basement archives centre . . .
Now arriving on Track # 3
Classic Transit - Number One
Seattle Center Monorail
<Initially Posted on 20 Feb 2007, Page 23 at "Our" Place II>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements.
Locale
Seattle
Transit type
Monorail
Began operation
March 24, 1962
System length
1.2 mi (1.6 km)
No. of lines
1
No. of stations
2
Daily ridership
7,000
Operator
Seattle Monorail Services
The Seattle Center Monorail is an elevated monorail line in Seattle, Washington, that runs one mile along Fifth Avenue from Westlake Center in Downtown to Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. It claims to be the "only fully self-sufficient public transit system" in the United States, and with a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h), to also be the fastest full-sized monorail in the country. The monorail trains and their tracks were given historical landmark status by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board April 16, 2003.
Creation and route
The monorail, which cost $3.5 million to build, opened on March 24, 1962 for the Century 21 Exposition, a World's Fair being held at the current site of Seattle Center. Eight million people rode the monorail during the half year the fair was open; today, annual ridership is around 2.5 million.
At the northern end of the line, the Experience Music Project building was designed so that the monorail passes through it on its way to the terminal.
Originally, the south end of the line was a large station in Westlake Park that formed a lid over the park. In 1988, the station was moved north a block with the construction of the Westlake Center shopping mall. In order to fit the design of the mall the tracks were moved closer together, such that there is only room for one train to occupy the Westlake Center station at a time. This design decision introduced a collision risk at the station that was eventually realized in 2005.
Operation
The monorail tracks with the Space Needle visible in the distance
The Seattle Center Monorail operates daily. It departs every 10 minutes from the station at Seattle Center enroute to Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street. Each trip takes two minutes to cover the approximately one mile route. Each train can carry up to 450 passengers per trip. The Monorail provides two-train service during special events and activities, with departures every five minutes or less.
Round-trip fares are $4.00 for adults, $1.50 for youth ages 5-12, $2.00 for senior 65+, disabled (with valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit), and persons with Medicare cards. One-way fares are half of the round-trip price. Children four and under ride free.
Potential demolition
In November 2002, Seattle voters approved the construction of a new 14-mile monorail line. The "Green Line," as it was known, was to be the first of five monorail lines running throughout the city. Partial service was scheduled to be available in 2007, and full service was scheduled for 2009. Due to the route chosen from Queen Anne to Downtown, the existing monorail line was to be demolished as part of that project. The Green Line project was terminated by a public vote in November 2005 after concerns were raised about its financing plan.
Accidents
(foto credit: Garrett Fitzgerald - Public Domain)
The train on the right was approaching the station, and should have yielded.
On July 25, 1971, a brake failure on the red train resulted in it striking the girder at the end of the track in the Seattle Center station, causing injuries to 26 passengers. In 2002 and 2003. passengers were evacuated by ladder after trains stalled on the track.
On May 31, 2004, a fire broke out on the monorail with 150 people aboard. No one was killed; five passengers were taken to the hospital, none of them burned. The line was closed until December 16, 2004, when service resumed with one of the two trains (the "red train," newly fireproofed) in operation.
This train is in the approximate location of the accident in November 2005. Note how the space between the tracks narrows approaching the station.
On November 26, 2005, the two trains clipped one another on a curve, shearing the door off one train, smashing glass, and raining shards over passengers. Two people were hospitalized with minor injuries; no one else was seriously hurt. Poor design and driver error were blamed for the crash. In 1991, the South ends of the monorail tracks had been adjusted closer to each other to make room for the Westlake Center.
The Monorail reopened for service on Friday, August 11, 2006, but was quickly beset with problems two days later when the blue train stalled just short of Seattle Center and another breakdown on August 19 that trapped over 200 passengers in the blue train at almost the exact same spot as the prior week's breakdown. The monorail was out of service for almost three months to see if all problems had been fixed, with service being restored once again on November 8, 2006. However, the restoration came with a decrease in passenger capacity to no more than 200 people per train.
The monorail passes through the EMP (Experience Music Project) building.
References
Check out this URL for a detailed look at the origin of the system:
http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2524
Good Morning ABrkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Here is the latest on Thames River bridge replacement. Bridge replacement has been rescheduled to June 24-27. They had some problems with dismantling the old bridge.
On June 23 trains 94 and 178 will tie up at Springfield and New Haven and train 66 will end its run at New York.
From June 24-27 there will be no Acela service east of New York.
Three regional trains will run via the Inland Route (Boston-Springfield-Hartford-New Haven-New York).
Other temporary service will operate between New London and New Haven.
There will be no service westbound from Rte. 128 and at Westerly, RI.
There will be service between Boston and Westerly (one train a day).
Service at Mystic, CT is annulled.
Wish I was there with a camera, especially on the B&A as it will be like old times.
Amtrak website has more.
New Railroad History arrived today. Lots of good stuff including an extensive survey of Midwest passenger service, a good article on Phil Hastings, African steam engines, and British rail manufacturers. For Pete- There's a nice color lithograph of the John Martin plant in Sheffield. Oh, almost forgot a nice survey of dining car china and a piece of B&O and EL management.
Let's see what else we have today.
Rob - Goderich and Exeter - A GP9 with a cab kit and several other modifications. There's a lot more there than meets the eye at first glance. C&O used to have cows and calves. They called a cow with two calves a "herd." These ran over around Russell, KY for the most part.
Nick forwarded a nice selection of catalog pages; especially the BR rolling stock. I know what you mean about the "magic." For a long time I ran a Lionel CB&Q GP7 with a dome car and a round end obs - it was the Zephyr to me.
Pete sent pictures. You sure you don't want to head over to Boston? Looks like you could get your wish to ride the Inland Route "all the way." Those trains, BTW are supposed to have coaches, café cars, and business class. As I said earlier, I'd like to be trackside between Boston and Worcester as there will be lot of passenger trains running.
Eric was by - I see where its only going to get to 110-111 there today.
OSP - Thanks for the rerun of the toy train material. There's our trolley with Batman and some old guy (lol). Nice pictures of the airstrike.
I figured you'd know a fair amount about the senatorial situation regarding A-B which is why I just mentioned it in passing. I understand your thoughts re interleague play, but they all count.
I passed out Milk Bones to all comers last night in honor of J's birthday - we fed an Akita, a Dachshund, Pit Bull, Beagle, and the K9 Korps got his share as well. This was all done while mowing the yard.
Here's a laffer that we use with our Birthday Watch List . . . figured it was time to run it again! <initally provided by CM3 Shane over on our original site> . . .
WHAT'S YOUR SOUTHERN SIGN?
OKRA (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Are tough on the outside but tender on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. You can do something good each day if you try. You go well with most anyone. CHITLIN (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of season-ing. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful they may surprise you. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with a Moon Pie but Catfish or Okra is O.K. too. BOLL WEEVIL (Feb 20 - March 20) You have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. You love to stay busy and tend to work too much. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it. MOON PIE (March 21 - April 20) You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. A Chitlin would be a good mate but it's not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not. POSSUM (April 21 - May 21) When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about- it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy but seems to work for you. You are a rare breed. Most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business. You should definitely marry an Armadillo. CRAWFISH (May 22 - June 21) Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you're hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, and the bathtub to the living room. You tend not to be particularly attractive physically but have a good heart. COLLARDS (June 22 - July 23) Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the melting pot of life and share their essence with the essence of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Crawfish. It just won't work. Save yourself a lot of heartache. CATFISH (July 24 - Aug 23) Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard. Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.
GRITS (Aug 24 - Sept 23) Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter, or eggs and a good time. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well. You are pure in heart. BOILED PEANUTS (Sept 24 - Oct 23) You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best, your friends and loved ones, may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you. BUTTER BEAN (Oct 24 - Nov 22) Always invite a Butter Bean to a party because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies. ARMADILLO (Nov 23 - Dec 21) You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle and kind inside. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms, and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but a possum is another somewhat kinky mating possibility.
Later . . .
Thursday, better known as the day BEFORE Friday has arrived ‘n on time at that! <grin> Anyway, fill up the mugs, order a breakfast ‘n check out the pastries! We're ready, are YOU
How in the world can one perspire so much while using a high pressure sprayer in temps that are billed as "below normal for this time of year" Well, I surely did once I got going with the cleaning of the house trim ‘n shutters. Wudda thunk it was a hunnert degrees out there. <geesh>
176 fotos from Rendezvous III
Wednesday - June 18th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 42 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:18 PM <2:18 AM Thursday GMT>: Back with another chat session along with a ROUND of the "good stuff"!
Figured you'd pick up on that gal in the trolley . . . one of Wolfman's following, but they were being discreet. <ooooooooh>
So, you saw right through that double-speak about Pete going to the dentist, eh Yeah, he does that every now ‘n then . . . his cover is blown, fer sure, fer sure! <uh oh>
Methinks for as long as bipedal creatures have huddled together, the end of the world as we know it has been bandied about <aboot for Rob!> Perhaps Ragnarok was just another in the series of doom ‘n gloom sayers, eh
Elisabeth Another in a long line of lovelies coming to visit, eh Tell us more! Anyway, we'll muddle along ‘til your return - can just envision you being sequestered in your digs - rains pelting down - ‘n surrounded by the fairer sex! Poor guy . . . <grin>
Have noted the galley is in good shape, so things here should perk along . . . good to see ya, Mate! <clink>
Page 42 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:57 PM: Getting that jet off the pylon is not the question - it's how in the world did it "land" on it
Juneau is absolutely wunnerful for my health - he keeps me active <physically AND mentally> ‘n truly is the ideal friend! As with my other buddy - I only understand about 2/3rds of whatever that is coming from him as he "talks" ‘n "talks"!
Ommmmmigosh - just the image of H&H in mini skirts - leather of course - makes me want to run for the leeward side! <barf> <gag> <yikes>
Amazing how you picked up on those IKEA stools - customized of course!
Hard to believe we've gone through a century pound note already! <geesh> So, thanx for the twenty . . .
Thursday - June 19th:
Page 42 - Rob at 12:17 AM: Back with a spate of fine fotos for the crew! I'll "take" foto #1 with the GO cars ‘n that fine looking F7A - although you didn't "earmark" it for Moi! <geesh>
Nice selection of fotos - you always come up with the most interesting liveries to show us!
Page 42 - Eric <EricX2000> at 12:42 AM <10:42 AM Wednesday, Sandbox time>: I've been to Nogales - comments withheld! <grin> Interesting foto . . .
Thanx for stopping by - and - take care of yourself, Mate - rest is GOOD!
TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Hi Leon, just a cold Tui, please. I don't have time to stop more than a minute tonight.
Kind of busy and rough day today so I'll be back with comments and some photos tomorrow. I'll try to get some extra sleep tonight.
South of the border. Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Freight train heading the opposite direction.
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