Hi Tom and all,
The usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please Leon!
Tom. Hope you are coping OK with that basement water problem once again, sounds as if you are getting a bit too much rain over there at the moment. Some nice reposts from BITD of #1 on the Pullman Company, the Fallen Flags #1 on the SP RR and another Passenger Train Nostalgia #9 on the GN RR. I`ve got a good collection of my favorite old groups and give them a good airing when my bride is out for the day, she always reckons I play them far too LOUD! Stings father ran a Dairy business in our old home town, Wallsend, [this was in the 1964-69 time period], he delivered our daily milk, young Sting used to help him at the weekends, should have got his autograph BITD, it would be worth quite a bit nowadays!
Rob. Politicians are rated below used car salesmen in status here in NZ, you do`nt have to wonder why, I think? Enjoying all your usual great shots over on the other thread.
Eric. A fine collection of pix of IT #1575, NYC #13, SR&T RR #408 and all your latest ones, nice action shot of the Gang in photo taking mode at RV III too!
CM3. Was in with his usual interesting RR facts and info.
Fergie. Some interesting facts on the inception of the Nova Scotia railways. Sounds as if you`ve done a good on your Erie Shovel and Crane model.
Nick. Good to hear that Muesli is doing OK now. Had a great time looking at those Tallylyn video clips on You Tube last night, some lovely nostalgic steam action and sounds, thanks for pointing them out.
Pete. Hope your having a good time on your weekend trip mate.
See ya, Allan
G'day Gents!
Was beginning to think we'd have no one during daylite, but our Resident Sandbox Swede came through in the clutch! Many thanx for the fine foto spread . . . speaking of which, looks like those foto takers need to hitch up their belts!
Wasn't going to Post anything 'til we had at least one customer - so here 'tis!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #9
<Initially Posted on 17 Oct 2005, Page 139 of the "original" Thread>
Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains. Check these combined-advertisements out (from The Official Guide of the Railways - 1956)
Great Northern Railway (GN)
GREAT NORTHERN Empire Builder-Western Star-Newest and Best to the Pacific Northwest DIESEL AND ELECTRIC PASSENGER LOCOMOTIVES BETWEEN CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEPOLIS AND SEATTLE-PORTLAND. THE EMPIRE BUILDER CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, SPOKANE, SEATTLE AND PORLAND with Direct Connections to and from TACOMA, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND CALIFORNIA NO EXTRA FARE. ALL ACCOMMODATIONS RESERVED. MODERN STREAMLINED EQUIPMENT. Coach. Great Dome Reclining Seat Coaches. Ranch-Lounge. Diner. Sleepers. Great Dome Luxurious Full Length Dome Lounge with colorful beverage lounge in lower section. Note: specifics regarding car #, between and accommodations have been omitted. GREAT NORTHERN Direct Route to Glacier National Park in Montana Rockies. THE WESTERN STAR CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, GREAT FALLS, GLACIER PARK, SPOKANE, SEATTLE AND PORTLAND via St. Cloud with Direct Connections to and from TACOMA, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND CALIFORNIA and Direct Connections at GREAT FALLS and from HELENA AND BUTTE MODERN STREAMLINED EQUIPMENT. Reclining Seat Coach. Day-Nite Reclining Seat Coaches. Dining Car. Coffee Shop Car. Pullman Sleeping Cars. Observation-Lounge. Note: specifics regarding car #, between and accommodations have been omitted.
Enjoy! Tom
Good afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Cindy, good to see you again! Today? Hmm, I'll have that free Rumpsteak Café de Paris Captain Tom promised! medium and a cold Tui!
I am taking a chance posting som photos her today. I am not sure it will work. This morning that server was up and running just fine but now it is struggling again. We are in the 100's today so there is no chance for snow.
Nick – Good news! As I always have been saying, fish is for cats!!A single strand of barbed wie doesn’t stop cattle from going where they really want to go, like to a green, nice garden full of food! I’ll have a look at those Welsh Narrow Gauge railways sometime this weekend! Rob – 43 finished or almost finished jets scrapped like that? It speaks volumes about the decision makers!S2 is a very interesting little locomotive. I love those tiny pantographs! Tom – Thanks for the link. E7 is a very nice looking locomotive. But there is only one preserved. Surprised there isn’t more. One guy at work, retired since two years ago, used to work for Pullman in Chicago! He had some interesting things to tell. We’ll see what the future will bring. Sent a mail your way.
A round for the house while I am showing whatever photos that may show up.
Burlington E8 #9939.
Special for Tom.
GM diesei engine.
The gang shooting!
For Shane!
Eric
<From the StL Museum of Transportation - personal foto>
Ssssssssssaturday ‘n everything's alright! Step up to the bar ‘n "getcho" Joe, pastries ‘n place your order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast! We're ready, are you
The skies opened up ‘round here close to 10 PM ‘n continued on until about 3 or 4 AM. Thunder boomers that shook the Haus - lightning making things look like day ‘n all sorts of flooding ‘round us - but since we're on high ground, not a problem. Basement No change - still using the "diapers" to sop up the incoming flow . . . <ugh> Which means that our feeble attempts at locating ‘n filling in the lo-spots haven't worked <yet>. <geesh>
Comments from the Proprietor
Surprised ‘n pleased to see the Friday nite turnout - didn't expect it at all. Great to see our GoR <gang of regulars> picking up the slack when things get slooooooooooow.
On the downside, we are hurtin' during daylite . . . <groan>
Keeping track!
176 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
101 fotos from Rendezvous III
. . . more to follow on Monday!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Friday - May 30th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 33 - Eric <EricX2000> at 8:18 PM <6:18 PM Sandbox time>: Rather early for our Resident Sandbox Swede - but very pleased to see ya!
Check this link for amplifying info on that SP EMD E7 #4 loco!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_E7
Wouldn't it be ironic IF we found ourselves at a point where companies like Pullman ‘n Budd found the financing for a resurrection of sorts With talk of petrol going higher than five bucks per gallon, surely there's going to be more of a demand for rail trave. And freight is yet another story . . . not enough right of way to handle what they require right now! <geesh>
Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!
Page 33 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 9:10 PM ‘n 9:25 PM <3:10 AM ‘n 3:25 AM Saturday GMT>: Totally surprised by your visits - thought fer sure you were going to be gone-zo for the weekend. BUT happy you made it "in" - of course! <clink>
Wouldn't speculate on how long or even IF those P80s will ever become CLASSIC - but here's one thing I will offer: My wish for you ‘n yours to be above ground whenever they do!
Seems to me that once the passenger railroads ‘n railways gave way to the automobile ‘n airplanes, it was no longer in their interests to provide eye-catching ‘n matched locomotive equipment. The form follows function mantra got itself reversed, methinks. <grin> I don't care for the "look" of today's motive power - but once you get used to it, there's still quite a bit of attraction out there - especially with the monster freight locos - not necessarily stylish by any means, but surely representative of brute force . . .
A double jolt of Jack, a fine seeeeeegar ‘n some Johnny Cash background music - what could be a better setting, eh Yeah, once upon a time . . .
Thanx for the tip regarding the narrow gauge on YouTube . . . will check it out!
Appreciate the visits, good cheer ‘n ROUND!
Page 33 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:56 PM: <uh oh> I think Boris got your order messed up - cats on the pizza ‘n anchovies for Leon. <geesh> That Sausage ‘n Road Kill MoSheen is a mess! <meeeeeeeeeowwwwwwww>!
On the serious side, we really have given thought to some property up in Cape Breton . . . I'd love BC even more - but the real estate is far too steep for my bank account. <geesh> Anyway, Nova Scotia is an absolutely breath taking place ‘n in summer quite nice. We really liked Cape Breton ‘n thought about it. But, better sense prevailed - with Juneau ‘n the hassle of traveling between here ‘n there <4 days ‘n nights one-way by car with a dog!> - no thanx! The way I figger it, we'll just keep on keeping on the way we are ‘til the lights go dim.
As far as a traveling companion goes - couldn't find a better one! Next time we'll have to try the Chaleur OR maybe the Hudson Bay . . .
Thanx for the interesting line of chat ‘ ROUND!
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!
Tom
Good evening Leon, looks like some fine pizza in the oven at the moment,I'll have the super loaded,heck even put on the anchovies on we can feed them to the cats Need a nice rough ale to go with it so supprise me Top up the rest of the glasses while your at it as well.
Eric-Yes 43 scrapped Arrows was a crime by any standards the entire order was to be 300 units to equip 12 squadrons and have spares.They were to replace teh 450 off CF100 Canucks or lead sleds as the.
Interesting photo's the S2 does look a tad weather beaten.
Fergie-Good to hear you escaped the second storm. I saw a news story on the forcast of Atlantic storms this year , they are calling for nine named stroms already
Well they do defer for as long as they can in my part of the country,the mainlines in front of Brantford station have quite a curve heading out of town towards Paris and London.Both lines see heavy frieght and ten VIA trains daily and the south main which was fianlly pulled up a redone last summer was condemmed for six months ( less than an inch of thickness left ) before they finally fixed it,no speed reduction during the condemmed period and full freights and passenger trains pounding over it,insanity
CM3-Ooh that's a tough call I have all of them accept the Steamscenes at Allandale. If I had to pick whicj ones I couldn't do without however.Steam at Allandale and the Northern Ontario I'd be hard pressed to do without.Palmerston has a lot of Neat bits to it as well and my mother is from that parts of the province so it's a sentimental favourite. The London book is and extention of Stratford but there were lots of neat on and off line Industries covered in it as well as the reclaimation yards where much of the steam power was sent to die.$70 US a book is steep if that's before taxes,I know that most of them sell around 60-65 CDN at the museum,however the reprints they put out last year of Allandale were about $10 more than the first printing. I'd try the publishers website first you should be able to buy from them,perhaps cheaper than from a store. Even try our museum's website www.hcry.org our gift shop had most of them in stock fire Maureen the giftshop manager an email she may be able to do something for you as well.For my bucks though Allandale ,Northern Ontario ( a lot of heavier power etc ) and Palmerston are the best three,all are good though. There's another one comming out later this year as well on Hamilton Ontario
Nick-Nice to know that the critter is ralleying,I know that they are born killing machines but we love ours to pieces,neither go outside though but when the odd mouse has got into the house or spider for that matter they don't tend to last long
Tom-A great encore day from you loved the Pullman and the SP peices Sorry to burst your bubble,mind you maybe I was privilaged because I travelled with you on a couple trips ( hows that for butt kissing ) Perhaps if you don't want to move up hear a summer residence may be order,Muskoka ,Bedford,perhaps Vancouver Island,just throwing it out there.
Your so right about rail trails <barf> mind you if fuel prices get too high the treehuggers might not have a choice,they should have to pay the biggest chunk of the upfront money to build the new clean electric interurban lines Costs us $60 a tank for either car, thank god they get good range on the tankfull upwards of 700km to the 60 litre tank.I doubt that you'll see $2.50 a gallon again, that guy must have been smoking his socks
Rob
Hi guys-back again-I knew there was something I meant to mention-have been checking out this youtube thing-there is/are loads of good stuff about the Welsh Narrow gauge,for those who are interested-type in Welsh Highland railway or Tal-Y-Lyn for some fine vids of the great little trains-if you are into cute fussy little steamers there is something there for you-especially recommend the Tal-Y-lyn selection-perhaps `cos its familiar to me but definately worth a look...Enjoy
Well good evening all,`tis I,Rough rider Nick (cue Johnny Cash & the tennessee 3 twangy guitar-or perhaps Sergio Leone spagetti western soundtrack-just gotta love that--we all wanna look like Clint-the man ..) enough already...
Right then Leon-beer for all please old thing and as the weekend is upon us perhaps we should have a look at those bottles of fine cognac that are gathering dust on the top shelf-lets have the big balloon glasses down and a generous splash in each just to get the flavour of the thing-for any smokers in the company,this is the perfect accompaniment to a good cigar-I have my own preferences here but that is of no account..........
ERIC-the old moggie seems to be responding well to a diet of tinned fishies,liver sausage,ham and excessive affection-much to the disgust of the other two-the cattle are a perrennial problem,especially as the owner seems to think that a single strand of wire at knee height is an adequate deterrerent-typical bloody farmer......some fine pix there-that NYC S-2 is a fine and unusual beast
ROB-See above re old cats-they grow on you-as you realise-odd really considering we know deep down they are really nasty killers who would survive perfectly well without us.....
FERGIE-Bonjour matleau !!-I think that on balance,given your current responsibilities you are excused tweeting-good to see you safely back mate-take care now...
CM3-Now here is a man who knows whereof I speak-the wretched beasts follow their noses and end up in all sorts of places-there are many in the village who have been woken in the small hours to find they have a lawn full of prime Welsh blacks mooing sadly and looking for advice....GIDONHOMETOYERMOTHER.........
TOM-Perhaps a misunderstanding here-the Budd cars are a classic by any description-I was thinking more of those new P80`s (?)-that new space-age stock that VIA are using to replace the old stuff we know and love-I realise that we have to move on but there is something that is `right` about an F9a+B+B set with a long rake of Budd`s on the hook that they will have to go a long way to replace-boils down to quality I guess-is more than just a way of getting from `A` to `B`...,.I suspect I am preaching to the choir here -a fine piece on the Pullmans BTW-another case of establishing a brand name-just like Hoover,Coca-cola or even Mc D`s-a name that anybody will identify with the product.....
Right-Leon-keep these good people in drink for as long as they wish-I think it is time for me to go home-have a good one chaps-will try to check in tomorrow ( and I hope its a better night than this one was,for me anyway-still,cant win them all..........)
Take care chaps,speak soon
God evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, yes I am early, how about a juicy Filet Mignon and mushrooms? Medium. A cold Tuborg Gold, thank you!
Tonight I can' post any pictures. The server on which they are stored doesn't work properly. I've sent email about it but nothing has happened so far. Hope it will work tomorrow.
Fergie – Thanks for providing the answers to your quiz! It would have taken me quite some time to find out those names otherwise. Glad you could avoid that second low! Tom – $269 for a dome ride is kind of steep for such a short distance even though it’s a round trip. But it is not every day one get a chance to ride in a dome pulled by a steam locomotive along the Pacific! Thanks for the next rumpsteak! I stay away from Vito any time I can.Too bad the Pullman Company is no longer in business! That would be nice if they had some Pullman cars in the Amtrak consists, like the Empire Builder.Southern Pacific! My favorite road! Thank you! I noticed it is the same locomotive in the two first photos, #4! I tried to find a SP all time roster to find out exactly what class #4 is but couldn’t find any. CM3 – The S motor needs some work, true. As I mentioned, today there is a problem with the server where I have my photos stored so I can’t post any, but I think I have photos of the two other locomotives you are mentioning.
Round for the house!
With week's end upon us, I'm going to hold off the foto parade 'til Monday . . . doubt we'll be seeing very many <if any> customers 'til then anyway . . .
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #1
Southern Pacific Railroad (SP)
<A form of this was initially Posted on 12 Sep 2005, Page 106 of the original Thread>
<source: Classic American Railroads>
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Mileage:
1950: 15,039 (including subsidiary St. Louis-Southwestern)
1955: 178,340 (including subsidiaries, SW, SPCSL, and D&RGW)
Locomotives in 1963:
Diesel: 2,096
Rolling stock in 1963:
Freight cars 77,401 - Passenger cars: 1,002
Principal lines as of 1950:
Los Angeles-San Francisco via San Jose
San Jose-Ogden, Utah
Davis, CA-Portland, OR, via Chemult and Eugene, OR
Eugene-Black Butte via Roseburg, OR
Sacramento-Burbank (LA) via Bakersfield
Lathrop-Martinez, CA
LA-New Orleans via Phoenix, AZ
El Paso, TX-Tucumcari, NM
Galveston-Dallas/Denison, TX via Houston and Hearne
Rosenburg-Brownsville, TX
San Antonio-Corpus Christi, TX
Houston-Shreveport, LA
St. Louis-Dallas/Ft. Worth (SSW)
Memphis, TN-Brinkley, AR
Mt. Pleasant-Waco, TX (SSW)
Lewisville, AK-Shreveport, LA (SSW)
Principal added lines as of 1996:
Tucumcari-St. Louis via Kansas City
St. Louis-Chicago via Bloomington, IL
Kansas City-Chicago via Quincy, IL (trackage rights on BNSF)
Kansas City-Chicago via Ft. Madison, IA (trackage rights on BNSF)
Ogden-Pueblo, CO via Salt Lake City, UT and Salida, CO
Dotsero-Pueblo, CO via Grandby and Denver
Pueblo-Kansas City via Salinas, KS (trackage rights on UP)
Notable passenger trains:
Argonault (LA-New Orleans)
Cascade (Oakland-Portland)
City of San Francisco (Oakland-Chicago via Ogden; joint with UP and C&NW) - Milwaukee Road after 1955)
Coast Daylight (San Francisco-LA via San Luis Obispo; for a time also known as Morning Daylight)
Del Monte (San Francisco-Monterey, CA)
Golden State Limited (LA-Chicago via Tucumcari; joint with Rock Island)
Hustler (Houston-Dallas)
Imperial (LA-Chicago via Tucumcari; joint with Rock Island)
Lark (Oakland/San Francisco-LA via San Luis Obispo)
Owl (San Francisco-LA via Bakersfield)
Sacramento Daylight (Sacramento-LA via Bakersfield)
San Francisco Overland (Until Oct 1955, Oakland-Chicago via Ogden; joint with UP and C&NW; after 1955 Oakland-St. Louis joint with the Wabash Railroad)
San Joaquin Daylight (Oakland-LA via Bakersfield)
Shasta Daylight (Oakland-Portland)
Starlight (San Francisco-LA)
Sunbeam (Houston-Dallas)
Sunset Limited (Initially San Francisco-New Orleans via San Joaquin Valley; later cut back to LA-New Orleans).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SP Golden State in Palm Springs (1948) (fair use)
SP Golden State in New Mexico (1947) (fair use)
SP City of San Francisco in Wyoming (1948) (fair use)
Enjoy!
Here's something to keep the interest level up 'round here . . . .
Now Arriving on Track # 1
Back in the Day - Number One
<Intially Posted on 27 Aug 2007, Page 102 of "Our" Place II>
Remember the Pullman Company
Back in the day a significant part of an overnight trip aboard a passenger train was the attentiveness given by the crew. Check these services, considered routine, for the traveler:
(1) Each passenger personally greeted by the Conductor to ensure and verify that the reservation and accommodation is correct.
(2) Your bags carried to your room by a Pullman Porter.
(3) Room features (light switches, call buttons, etc.) explained by the Porter.
(4) At the touch of the call button, the Porter arrives at your room to turn down the bed while you enjoy a night cap in the lounge car.
(5) With passengers asleep, the Porter's work continues to include shining shoes left in lockers accessible from outside your room.
(6) The Conductor and Porter ensure that all defects requiring attention by the service crews at the layover point are made known (burned out lights, torn or tattered cushions, etc.). These are annotated on the forms and paperwork required for each journey.
Here's part deux for my morning acknowledgments . . .
Thursday- May 29th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 32 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:32 PM <2:32 AM Friday GMT>: Hmmmmm, perhaps the barbed wire was meant to keep the neighbors "in check" when the ‘white leotard lady" is out ‘n about <aboot, for Rob!> Distractions, distractions . . . <grin>
Foam tack glue from Woodland Scenics works well for the CACSS . . . good stuff for everything needing adhesive.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/785-1444
Budd stainless steel cars were built in the 1950s . . . they ARE classics in every sense!
Yeah, the AH JOs who began all of this <crap> have indeed won a small victory - they've planted the seeds of doubt which have germinated in many of us when it comes to travel. Keeping a "stiff upper lip" ‘n going about one's business as if none of this matters is nonsense - one must ALWAYS be aware of their surroundings along with trying to maintain a degree of control at the same time. Tough call when at 40 thousand feet . . .
Many thanx for the "heads up" on your anticipated absence from the bar! That's MOST appreciated, Mate . . .
Appreciate the fine menu prepared for the gang - more food than I could ever handle in one sitting! No one "does it better" than our Chief Chef!
Thanx for the visit, chat, ROUND, etc . . . enjoy your weekend away.
Page 32 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:39 PM <4:39 PM Friday NZ time>: You've mastered the technique of covering all the bases ‘round here with that fine < I3 > Post of yours!
Glad you're enjoying the continuing foto spreads - they soon will be coming to a conclusion though. Guess I need to plan another trip ‘somewhere' - wanna come along
Mention of some of names from groups past brought back memories - The Police, Animals, et al . . . amazing how much talent came from <'n still does!> the Isles!
Enjoyed eavesdropping your comments - and of course, the ROUND made it all worth the while! <grin>
Page 32 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:13 PM: Well, you sure know how to bust one's bubble - and here I thought I was ‘special' to VIA Rail . . .<geesh>
Moving at my stage of life is outta the question - unless of course it's when "they" come to carry me out! Ain't gonna happen - although the "wander lust" still burns intensely within . . .
You are correct, Sir - the Bar Chandler seems to have more outings than Bayer has pills. Don't know how they do it, but I surely never had that much vacation time in a 32 year career. <geesh> <envy>
Heard a ‘talking head' project that fuel prices will begin to fall back ‘n that we should be seeing $2.50 US per gallon before year's end . . . wonder what he's been smoking We fill up when tanks are at half - the Volvo took $40 the other day at that mark. Even the bride's hybrid, with a smaller tank, makes one cringe while watching those digits "fly" by at the pump. "Round ‘n round she goes, where she'll stop - nobody knows!"
Need to get something straightened out ‘round here - ONLY the Bar Chandler gets to pay in Brit currency ‘n coinage - everyone else is on the "dollar" either US or Canadian. That's the OH-FISH-UL exchange here in Can-Am County!
Thanx for the visit, good cheer ‘n ROUND!
Friday - May 30th:
Page 33 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:37 AM ‘n 2:06 AM <11:37 PM Thursday ‘n 12:06 AM Friday Sandbox time>: Great seeing our Resident Sandbox Swede once again! This time with a two-fer at that!
Cost of that dome ride seems a bit high - BUT I'd pay it, especially since it's a round trip. An awful lot of excursions these days are one-way. That one seems like a winner. Thanx for the link!
Another fine spate of Rendezvous III fotos, this time from the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood>.
Good Post to eavesdrop - ‘n inclusive at that!
Next ‘rumpsteak' is on the house for turning the Page to 33!
I'd walk a wide berth ‘round Vito if I were you - revealing any of his tactics ‘n secrets in the Ether could be cause for something not good! <uh oh> Cement shoes perhaps
Visits, fotos, chat ‘n ROUND most appreciated! [tup ]
Page 33 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 5:40 AM <8:10 AM Nfld-Labrador time>: Win some, lose some ‘n others are rained out! Sorry ‘bout the loading problems - but we gotta do what we gotta do ‘round here. And fotos are "in" right now . . . in my OH-PIN-YUN long, boring "data dumps" are far worse . . . given your circumstances however, once you get back to shore <home> things will work out better!
Good to see ya no matter when ‘n to show that my heart is in the right place - I'm NOT going to <tweet> you for violating Rule #2 - order a drink or food upon entering! <uh oh> Anyway, the <tweeter> is out for deferred maintenance . . . <grin>
What in the world kind of "quiz" was that Didn't hardly give us a chance to thiMk about <aboot for Rob!> it! <geesh> Anyway, thanx for the skinny . . .
You surely know that once track gets torn up ‘n right of way used for other purposes - it never goes back to railway use. <groan> Happening in so many places - oh men with little or no foresight. <barf>
Thanx for the visit ‘n chat! See ya when the wind shifts, eh
Page 33 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:33 AM: Cards ‘n Pirates should make for a good series of baseball . . . Enjoy listening by radio much more . . . Bet we could walk right up ‘n get seats for any Pirates game pretty much as good as those we had at Busch . . . a real shame regarding the attendance.
Once Pete ‘n I solidify our return trek to Springfield, we'll be able to provide a first hand report on the panel track . . .
Temps have "rizzzzzzed" to the uncomfortable - so I'm deferring my outside work ‘til the conditions return to MY comfort zone. Somewhere ‘round the 60s would do just fine! <grin>
A new moniker for our Mighty Man Nick - Ranger Nick ‘n Rough Rider. Fits!
Jumping cows! Are you serious Now I know you've been "into" the cider . . . <uh oh> Surely provides a new definition for milk shake, eh
Many thanx for the visit, good cheer, quarters ‘n ROUND!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It is Friday so we raised our gas prices by 15 cents - $4.10 (what the hay, we'll round it up) this a.m. You don't want to know the price of diesel.
DL was here - Midland trip sounds good to me.
Nick (aka "Rough Rider" or "Ranger Nick" because of his cattle busting activities) was in as well. When my in-laws had cows, the beasts would jump the fence no matter what you did - then they'd look around as if to say "How Did I get on this side?" Game on after that as we had to go after them.
Allan stopped in - good to hear from you.
Rob visited with comments. Book question for you - bear in mind that my budget is tight for books but which of these do you suggest as being the best for the money? Steam at Allandale, Steam in Northern Ontario, Steam Over Palmerston, Steam Scenes at Allandale, Steam to the Niagara Frontier, or Steam Through London. This last one sounds a bit like Under Steam to Stratford which I have already (wonderful work, BTW.) Each one of these is approx $70 US so I think you can see my concern as they're not all (obviously) coming to live in the east wing. Thanks in advance for your comments.
Fergie visited, too.
Eric - Figured the van had all sorts of devices; nice poictures from the Museum. I'll vounteer to r/p the S motor as it sure needs some work. I saw them running many a time in the New York City area. There are two more steam engines under the back shed at the museum which are truly in need of some TLC; the Eddy Clock and the B&O camelback. The former locomotive is probably one of the most historically important in their collection.
OSP continues his VIA odyssey and some more R3 pictures as well. I bet that the panel track at Springfield has been or will be installed soon. Power of the E9, indeed. Have heard similar things said underground.
Your maintenance log is very ambitious. Our weather is supposed to be poor tomorrow and maybe a bit better on Sunday, so we'll adjust schedules accordingly. Cards play Pittsburghs over the weekend and I'll get to see most of the games as we get FSP on our cable.
Work safe
Friday's Grin
Brain Cramps
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." -- Former U.S. Vice President & Presidential candidate
Strange day at the bar yesterday - but gratifying to see one of our former regulars return for a visit! Never the same ‘round here without Stealthy Pete . . . <grin>
So, it's Friday once again. You know the drill - fill up the mugs, order a breakfast selection ‘n check out the bakery case . . .
Expect things to continue into the doldrums during the daylite hours without our Bar Chandler <gone ‘til Monday> filling his PM slot . . . any relief on the way
. . . more to follow!
Thursday - May 29th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 32 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 11:45 AM: A report from high atop the WVA knolls <aka: mountains> bringing light to this otherwise rather quiet place . . . Of course RUTH does her very best to brighten up the joint! <grin>
Two absolute splendid days in mid-continent USA - got lots done outdoors . . . Expect some "samples" of summer to come today as things are to get humid ‘n into the high 80s before day's end. <ugh>
Understand the "feeling" when one realizes just how fast our kids turn to adolescence then young adulthood, etc. Graduation "to" the next level means only one thing - parents have to "prepare" for the day . . . Sorry, that's just LIFE, Mate!
Plaque foto came thru in fine fashion - Email acknowledged. Thanx to you ‘n your associate!
Yes, some not-so-good things in the news regarding transit accidents. Cudda been far worse in Chicago. A shame about the loss of life in Boston . . . <sad>
That foto of you ‘n Pete trying to figure out where we were reminded me of this . . . As a former shipmate ‘n friend of mine once said to the Skipper when asked, "Where are we Chief ?" He looked out over the bridge wing - looked down - returned to the bridge ‘n said, "Why we're right here, Cap'n!" <honest!> The "power of the E-9" was alive ‘n well on that day at sea. <grin>
Many thanx for the visit here ‘n over on "my other Thread" - also the quarters ‘n ROUND means a lot as well! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Page 32 - Dan <DL-UK> at 1:02 PM <6:02 PM GMT>: Most surprised ‘n pleased to have you with us once again. Wondered what in the world happened . . . work seems to get in the way more often than not, eh New job on the horizon Good luck with it!
Our Resident irregular part-timer in Sherwood Forest has been riding the rails with more planned. Now that's what I call putting into action that which is on the minds of many. Steel wheels rolling on steel tracks - doesn't get much better than that, eh A pity you're not able <or into> foto opportunities, for my guess is you'd have a gold mine's worth to display.
Pleased to know that you've been able to check out the foto spreads - and we've had a bunch, with more to come. Been "pushing" for fotos in lieu of long narratives . . . seems that the idea has taken hold <for the most part>. The Thread has to embrace CHANGE if it is to thrive . . . such is life, eh
ROUNDs most appreciated as is your company!
Page 32 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:32 PM <2:32 AM Friday GMT>: Pends comments.
Page 32 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:39 PM <4:39 PM Friday NZ time>: Pends comments.
Page 32 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:13 PM: Pends comments.
Page 33 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:37 AM ‘n 2:06 AM <11:37 PM Thursday ‘n 12:06 AM Friday Sandbox time>: Pends comments.
Page 33 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 5:40 AM <8:10 AM Nfld-Labrador time>: Pends comments.
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 Afternoon Morning Captain Tom and company!
I tried to post a quickie late yesterday afternoon but... as the internet switches off at 17 hr daily I missed the train. Was very busy with paper work and the likes with reports, leave schedules and other stuff, it was hard to find time. The other issue too is the large volume of pics posted here means I spend up to 3 mins. downloading a page. A real killer of time. Though I do love the pics! (Except the ones of the snow in the Gaspe, seen that far to many times over the years of going to sea) I bet that trip would be exceptional in the fall with all the colours.
1st Off The Question of the Week!
Q: Who built Nova Scotia's first main line railway?
Q: Did Nova Scotians build railways anywhere else?
Well it's a glorious day here today as the snow has all but disappeared late yesterday, the Ice Bergs can be seen as far as the eye can see and there's snow in the far off Labrador Mountains! Got the Erie Shovel and Crane painted the other night and they look real sharp and will be a real crowd pleaser once I weather them and rig them.
Rob: Nice to see CN actually cares about track maintenance up your way. My sources down here tell me "If it ain't broke why fix it?" There's even talk of turning the South Halifax Railway Cut into a truck route to relieve congestion in the downtown core. One thing they haven't said is whether or not that means the removal of the tracks to the station and container pier
Would you believe TS ALMA it's not even June yet!! Though Lisa tells me the TS's come in May as opposed to June in the Pacific. Regardless is this a sign of things to come for the remainder of the year? Thank Goodness I'll be up the Davis Straits in September.
Eric: I was able to put the after burners on and skirt to the south of the 2nd low and by the way the swell was rolling in thank goodness!
Answer:
A: James Richardson Forman built the lines from Halifax to Truro and Windsor from 1854-1858. He was born in Halifax in 1822, and later went to Scotland where his firm built the famous West Highland Railway line. He died in 1900.
A: James Robert Mosse, born in Halifax, was a civil engineer on the Nova Scotia Railway (1854-1858) then went on to build narrow guage railways on the islands of Mauritius and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the 1870s).
Anyway Time Gents!
Later and I'll, be back
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
Hi again!
Tom, I just remembered, no Leon I don't want any more Keith's now, just remembered that on Sunday you can ride in a dome car behind a steam locomotive between Los Angeles and San Diego!! The locomotive is former Santa Fe #3751, see this link:
http://www.sbrhs.org/Pages/sdiego.html
Too bad I am busy on Sunday. #3751 pulled the last steam passenger train Los Angeles - San Diego in August 1953.
A round for the house!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, tonight I would like my special, Rumpsteak Café de Paris!! Medium! A cold Keith's.And a round for the house!
Today was my Friday! Now I have five days off. I love long weekends!
Nick – I am sorry about your cat. I missed it last night but read your post again tonight and saw what had happened. I’ve been through that kind of sad things several times and it is tough. Barbed wire? I guess that is what you need if you want to keep cattle out of your garden. I never had to keep cattle out of my garden but in the old country I tried to keep moose and deer out of it and that was almost impossible. You are right about Vito’s van! It is full of all kinds of devices, features, and secret weapons. Getting old? Welcome to the club! But, you are not older than you feel like! I have said it many times before and I’ll say it again, I am just 27 years old! Okay, 27++ but that is it. Tom – Obviously your French is much better than mine! When I was working in Switzerland for a limited time in 1986-87 I went to the French-speaking part of the country (Geneva) together with a guy from the Norwegian State Railways. We went to one place to have a cup of coffee with something to eat. We sat down and the waitress came. I said Bonjour and she understood that. She also understood that I wanted coffee but when I was going to choose something to eat I had to come along to a counter where she showed med what they had to offer. Later the same day we decided it was time for dinner. We took a train to Lausanne (still the French-speaking part) and walked around downtown for a little while until we discovered the perfect restaurant for us, McDonald’s! A Big Mac is a Big Mac, no problem. That kind of day? I know exactly what you mean. Those days are way to common. St. George Arms Pub looks like a nice place! Do they have good food?Sunny photos from your Canada trip!! I thought it was cloudy and/or foggy all the time! Looks much nicer when the sun is doing its job (keeping the world warm!). Ahh, you got some nice photos of Texas Eagle when it left for Chicago! I didn’t believe that you were going to make it to the front of the train before it left. CM3 – Vito’s van is something else. Like you mentioned, his license plate is a LCD-plate that easily and fast can change to any number and state within 0.2 seconds. There is a tiny printer in the glove department that immediately will print a title for the state that is displayed on the plate. DL – Thanks for the rounds! Starting a new job? I am glad I am past that kind of activities but I wish you good luck! Allan – –2˚C is 27˚C too cold. At least!!We will get into the 40˚C range starting this weekend and we will get back to below 40˚ again in October. Rob – Vito’s associates were actually taking a nap in the back of the van and never saw me when i took the picture. Thanks for the info on the 105s! Sad story, what was the reason they scrapped the program? No more war? No money? If they had 37 on the way plus the ones already built they certainly wasted a lot of money by cutting them up.
A few photos of some classic stuff.
Illinois Terminal Class B #1575. Built 1918.
New York Central Class S-2, #113. Built 1906.
Sabine River & Northern EMC, Model NC with a 900 hp Winton 201-A engine.
The very classic General Motors #103, FTA demonstrator from 1939.
Good evening Leon , the mushrooms and steaks smell mighty fine so I think I shall partake in one of those, with an pint of 80 schilling thank-you. I'll leave some extra as a top up for the rest of the gang.
Tom-But I do like tempting,lots of wide open country up here waiting for you to retire into. I hate to break it to you but I don't think you will be getting the gold watch from VIA yet ( though you should as you are the best customer ) That email was waitng for me last night as well, so I imaginge that anyone with a preferance points account got it.
Great photo's of the layout and the trip the last couple days daze, been enjoying them fer sure fer sure .I have been slowley coaching Boris aRuth and Leon in the in's and outs of English coinage. One of two things will happen all will be well or Pete's tab may get bigger faster or samller faster depending on where the mistakes in the exchange are made. Vito's offered us a questionable exchange rate which I politly declined ( for now ) Your letting him out and about on another few days off Guys got more vacation time than me
Nick-Good to see you back again Mate, the girls thought that they may have to take over the kitchen duties,when the insurance company heard that they started reminding me of all the food poisoning suits that they still have to settle for us <uh oh >
Don't even want to contemplate the fuel bill I would have if I lived in your neck of the woods. The $1.28 a litre we are paying is highway robbery and I drive a good 200km in a week commuting too and from work,thank god for the efficiencies of our VW's .Still costs $60 to fill the tanks.
Don't know what to tell you about the pets, not something we relish either,our two girls are like our kids so I don't even want to contemplate the enevitable yet.
CM3-Yes defered maintenance the scourge of the modern railway, as long as it's allowed we will never have anything resembling highspeed,safe passenegr services in either country.A sad state of affairs to be sure.
Eric-Loved the shots from the Canam,your luckey that Vito didn't ask for cash when you caught his van in that shot. Though perhaps his associates just haven't got to you yet<uh oh>
The CF 105's ended with six being finished the first five MK1's all ahd many test flights 201 the frist had a couple hundred hours on it in fact. These first ones at the P&W J47 engines the sixth one 206 was the first to have the Orenda Iroquois installed all 40,000 pounds of thrust. It according to records never actually had it's first flight ( though some people said it did )When the plug was pulled theer were 37 other Mk 2's well on their way to completion in the factory all were cut up.
Dan-Good to see you back mate,I didn't realize you were a plane buff Let me wish you good luck in the new job
Allan-Your thoughts on polititians are about as printable as mine good thing we are not allowed to talk about it here eh I'm not much of a car race fan either, though it's odd I always want to know who one some of the big races the indy500 Daytona 500 etc. I just don't want to watch them on TV. Bit like watching paint dry or golf on TV.
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
Tom. Hope your not too worn out after all your hard yard work, take it easy mate! You are so right about politicians, i`ve found that they tend to be a bit anal retentive, except for odd one or two genuine ones of course! Boris can have that girl if he can handle her successfully! Not that much interested in motor racing like you, but for a Kiwi winning the Indy 500, that was a great achievment. Really enjoyed all of your latest crop of pix, the Can Am Subway build, the RV III Texas Eagle trip with the Guyz and the St Louis skyline and those shots at Springfield of the loco and Superliner cars`. Nice pics of the arrival of the Chaleur at Gaspe and it`s turning on the wye for your return trip.
Eric. It was only -2c frost here this morning, did`nt notice it was any warmer though! Nice pix of the SW7 model loco, Stealthy Pete and the Can Am RR.
Rob. We get a few frosts here but we have a nice sunny day after them which makes up for the cold. My comments about politicians are unprintable!
Pete. English Electric were much the same as GE in the US, they were into everything. The Premier League should really be called the United Nations League with all the nationalities present. A lot of Kiwi rugby players are now playing in the UK union, and league teams, because of the high incomes they get over there. Glad you liked that info on the TSR-2, it would have been a great plane in operational service. Have a safe and enjoyable trip over the weekend.
CM3. Some interesting info on AMTRAK between St Louis and Springfield.
Nick. Good to see you back again, hope Muesli the cat is getting back to normal health now! Eric Burdon of the Animals group was from my old home town, Wallsend, as was Sting of Police fame, his father was our milkman would you believe? Tyneside did produce some good musicians, such as the Shadows, Mark Knopfler, even Jimmy Nail can sing! A very tempting menu from you, where do I start?
Dan. Good to see you back mate. Many thanks for the UK Sleeper info, good to see their are still three of them still running, used the Newcastle to Bristol [Temple Meads] Sleeper a couple of times when I was stationed near Bude in the late 50`s, had to pay an excess on the army travel warrant, it was well worth the 10 bob though!
Hav`nt see Mike for quite a while?
Well good evening to one and all,Looks like we have all been very useful engines this day-like the boss,I have been wielding mower and strimmer with vim & vigour-a task made somewhat easier by the presence of one of the neighbours gardening in a very fetching white leotard (down boy !!) Also nailing up extra strands of barbed wire to keep the cattle in the field at the end of the garden on the right side of the line ,then hotfoot to this fine house to prepare a bar-b-q supper for you good people (details to follow)
So then-Leon-a VERY cold bottle of the old Starop for me please and the same or similar for these good people..........
Right then-whats new:-
First off,thanks to all for kind thoughts R.E failing pets-genuinely eases the burden knowing there are others out there with similar experiences-thank you....
TOM-Have indeed checked out the subway construction shots-fair play mate,there is some quality work happening here-impressed not only by the clean lines and joins on the styrene work but the complete lack of bloodstains on the work board-good job !!-just out of interest,what do you use as an adhesive ??
An excellent selection of travel pix also-the scenery on the Gaspe selection is absolutely breathtaking,the trains are big brash & brutal (how long I wonder,before they are regarded as `classics` ...? ) and the St Louis shots are unlike anything one might find over here-Vive la differance says I...Couldn`t have imagined that many autoracks in one place--top drawer stuff
Appreciate your thoughts R.E the girls in transit-yes,I didn`t sleep well from the time they took off until they were both back in the car going home-at risk of wandering ,I guess that makes a small victory for the terrorists,which galls me deeply,but what can you do..........And yes,gas prices infuriate me-when I bought my first bike ( a B.S.A Barracuda 250cc ) I could fill the 2.5 gallon tank for $2,now dropping 10 gallons into the car costs $130-there has to be a better way,surely...........But then again,when I first started drinking,a pint cost about 35c-now the same beer will cost me $6-more in big towns-I must be getting old or something (grumblegrumblemoanmoan...GAH)
ERIC-Fine pix of the Can-Am-some interesting and unusual angles-I suspect Vito uses the yellow van as a decoy-I would be inclined to look out for a black Trans-Am/Firebird/Mustang with tinted windows and shotgun pipes as the getaway vehicle.............
DAN-Will be interested to read your take on the Oxted line-I understand it has now been doubled and electrified-as a nipper I used to live within earshot (on a still night) of that line and can still recall the sound of the old `tadpoles` (3 car trains with the motor coach noticeably wider than the two trailers ) chugging to and fro-a completely different sound to the cl 47`s running through on the Gatwick Airport fuel trains-everything else was 3rd rail electric and you could just hear the click of the wheels on the rail joints--happy days
Right-anybody getting peckish yet ?? -Leon,another round here dear boy and lets get busy:-
Tonight we have.....
Succulent 8oz Welsh black Sirloin steaks,covered with onions & mushrooms fried in garlic butter
Fresh-caught 6oz rainbow trout,stuffed with herbs from the garden & local farm butter
Chicken quarters marinaded in chilli & lime sauce
Pork kebabs with peppers,mushrooms,zuchinni & shallots
Pembrokeshire lamb chops with fresh rosemary and redcurrant & port wine glaze
Flash grilled Preselli goats cheese stuffed with red onion marmalade
Fill your plate with :-choice of pasta ,rice or bulgar wheat salads
Also a big jacket potato with butter,blue cheese dressing or chefs special sauce ( V. hot!!!)
Recomended accompaniments-cold beer and good company.......
ENJOY !!!!!
Might be a bit thin on the ground for the next couple of days-show in Cardigan tomorrow (70+ miles round trip) & Newcastle Emlyn on sat (80+ miles)-likely to be a bit vague and wobbly when I get home-will try to check in but apologies in advance if I dont make a lot of sense
Take care guys-be lucky
Guess it's up to the Proprietor to fill the void left by our Bar Chandler . . . doesn't appear that anyone picked up on my plea . . . <frown> Did see our Resident part-time irregular Canadian Maritime Mariner logged on . . . Hmmmmmm. Anyway, we've had ONE surprise today from Dan - so that's a good sign!
Continuing on with Rendezvous III fotos . . .
NOTE: Arrived Springfield, IL for about 3 hours of sightseeing, etc. Pete ‘n I took care of the "etc." part! A glorious day in the Land of Lincoln . . .
"Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous III - St. Louis, MO 2008 - Day Two
(96) Northbound Texas Eagle at Springfield, IL <those concrete ties 'n tracks hadn't been put down yet>
(97)
(98)
(99)
(100)
(101)
More to follow . . .
Another day of suprises! Dan in Sherwood Forest has reappeared at the bar 'n purchased ROUNDS <plural> for the gang!
Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, Mate! Just pleased that you've been thinking of us AND taking the time to peruse the fotos! One of the reasons I've been "pushing" fotos is for folks such as yourself - hardly any time for lengthy reading, but when it comes to pictures . . .
Good to know you've managed to ride the rails - we do have our PRIORITIES, eh <grin>
Well, let me get to the reason for this Post - MORE fotos!
My 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey continues . . . Rule of Six suspended!
MORE from Day Three: Saturday - May 3rd, 2008
VIA Rail round trip from Montréal to Gaspé aboard the Chaleur
NOTE: Almost immediately after the last passenger left the train at Gaspé, we began backing out to make the trip thru the Wye . . . come join me as the dome shots will tell much of the tale! <I was the ONLY passenger aboard for the ride!>
(170)
(171)
(172)
(173)
(174)
(175)
(176)
To be continued . . . .
Hello Tom and all in
Round for the house please Tom (or 2 rounds actually - due to my abscence).
Anyway - I was determined to get in - at least to scan the pics of the Rendezvous - which I have enjoyed, and during the process been able to enjoy some great Gaspe trip pics - some great pics from Rob (aircraft wise) - plus some nice scottish pics from Pete (not to mention those superb Barry Scrap yard pics - Pete - I guess they are your own photo collection) - must have been grim at the time to walk round there thinking they would all sooner or later be torched - how great it was not to be. Other good posts from others but I've been scanning pics not reading stuff I'm afraid.
I was busy up to end of last week as I was working hard to finish off all my old work in job I have now left - 2 weeks off and then start a new job - not too much 'puter use in between as keen to catch up with mountain of jobs at home etc - have done some rail trips here and there too though - down to Sussex (Oxted Lines from London), up to York for the day yesterday to see the 40 years since end of BR steam exhibition (good - but not as good as it should have been IMHO - but Oliver Cromwell loco was there Pete - finished apart from the lining out of the paint work - in light steam - we had the chance to go on the footplate - and also on a Deltic Footplate and also Evening Star cab. Chap on duty on Oliver Cromwell footplate had been on 15 Guinea Special as a 9 year old!
Off this weekend to Cheltenham - so that will be by train down the old Midland Railway Route south west of birmingham (Lickey incline) - should have time to visit the Gloucester Warwickshire steam railway when there if all goes according to plan!
Allan - just caught your message about sleeping car trains - situation in UK is now 3 trains each day leave London and leave for london each night apart from sats - 1 to Penzance from Paddington, 1 Lowland Sleeper from Euston (splits and has portions for Glasgow and Edinburgh) and 1 Highland sleeper also from Euston, splits into 3 portions 1 for For William, 1 for Aberdeen and 1 for Inverness. So 6 routes served each way per night. A shadow of former services of course - big gap is no overnight sleeper from North East (Newcastle) to South West (Bristol, Devon and Cornwall) which I think is a big gap - BR stopped that route before privatisation unfortunatly.
Anyway - I'll check the menu while I'm in and another round ofor the house please Tom.
Really enjoyed al the pics - wich I had more time to read all the great stuff!
DL
Been that kinda day - began rather early with a drop-off of the wagon for preventive maintenance. Even with a <discount> the bill wudda gagged a healthy maggot! <yikes>
Then took the bride to a well earned breakfast at a local up scale place - fashioned after the French Quarter in N'rlns - nice ambiance, good food 'n service. But the company was better than all of that . . .
Then got some outdoor activities in by means of mowing the south forty before the rains come <again>. We've been pretty much shearing the weeds twice weekly this spring - in between downpours that is. Crazy spring.
Then I goofed big time with a Post on the WRONG Thread! Yeah - brought to my attention by Email from one of our part-time UTBs . . . Crazy, huh
Then I emptied the vehicles of 20 bags of top soil needed to resume filling the lo-spots near the front of our Haus . . . gotta do what we can while w-a-i-t-i-n-g to get things squared away with the basement. <geesh>
It's a beautiful day - 2nd in succession, which can only mean - watch it! The 'morrow approaches! <yikes>
Good to see CM3 Shane - AND yes, I received your Email w/attachment! Many thanx, Mate.
So that catches things up - for now! Still have things to attend to - seems when the bride is home <in between semesters> she finds all kinds of things to keep the three of us busy! Yeah, Juneau is basking in the shade out in the freshly cut grass - 'n loving every minute of it. <grin>
At the end of this day - here's what I plan to do . . .
<taken at the St. George Arms pub on Day 1 of my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey>
Later!
Good Morning (Afternoon) Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Finally able to post this. Sun is out today (surprise). After a day's worth of "Clear to partly cloudy," weather did clear for the graduation last night - bittersweet as usual as these times tend to be.
Lots of transit problems yesterday; el train in Chicago (track appliances did what they were supposed to do), and a fatal rear end collision on the MBTA in Boston. That took place on the Riverside line which originally was operated by the Boston and Albany. When it was ceded to the MTA, it was one of the first, if not the first lines to be converted to a trolley operation. we used to ride it a lot to and from Red Sox games when we were up there.
Nick returns. It was about a year ago today that we had to "do the necessary" for one of the K9 Korps. Never easy.
Pete was by with comments. Safe travels!
Eric - I wondered who the burly guy in the van was - kinda neat how the license plates change on the van to fit the situation.
OSP has sent along modeling pictures and other 1:1 material. Comments about track work are well taken. If it is anything like it is around here, machines do most of the work and the track gang moves en masse from place-to-place. Rob mentioned deferred maintenance awhile back and his comments re that subject are on target. Incidentally, Pete and I knew where we were until "we ran out of map." (lol).
B4 I forget, will send requested picture a bit later today. NOTE: This email is already on its way.
Better post this b4 squirrels attack again!
work safe
Can you believe it It's the day before Friday once again! Time to enjoy the start of the eve of the end of the work week <for many> by filling up the coffee mug, grab a pastry or two from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Our number has been reduced by ONE for participating regulars, as Wolfman Pete is away ‘til Monday. Said IF a ‘puter is available, he'll try to check in. Soooooooo, without our PM connection, things are gonna be rather sparse. UNLESS of course someone steps up! Any takers
169 fotos from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
95 fotos from Rendezvous III
Wednesday - May 28th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 32 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:21 AM: Many thanx for the scoop on Amtrak ‘tween St. Louis ‘n Springfield. Looks like we truly lucked out with our itinerary during Rendezvous III. That's the 2nd year in succession that the "fates" have looked favorably upon our crew for the Amtrak round trip.
Email received ‘n responded to - Thanx!
Another fine inclusive contribution, along with a ROUND ‘n quarters, from our Resident WVA Connection!
Page 32 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:38 AM: Our Bar Chandler is aware of his situation regarding the bar tab - cash from here on out. However, he's payhing in Olde English currency ‘n coins. Sooooooo, you'll have to do the conversions. <uh oh>
Certainly would be a wise thing to schedule the bulk of any track work along main lines for periods of lesser activity. Can't please ‘em all - gotta go when the anticipation of decent weather prevails . . . of course there will be delays as announced, but I'd rather be aboard VIA Rail than Amtrak in those situations. <grin>
Anyway, in all the years I've been "supporting" VIA Rail - this is the first time I've gotten a direct Email from them regarding maintenance situations along the rights-of-way. Wonder if I'm in line for a gold watch too Naaaaaaaaah.
Don't tempt me with a move to Canada . . .
A fine effort from our Manager ‘n always appreciate your good cheer ‘n business! <KaChing> <KaChing>
Page 32 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:04 PM: As always, it was a pleasure speaking with you today - even understood MOST of what you said! <grin>
Next time you're on the VIA Rail site ‘n looking at the reservations "window" you'll see a block for "view all stations" - click it ‘n you'll get the COMPLETE list. The stations in the "From" ‘n "To" blocks are only the major locations . . . <geesh> Pete, this isn't Rocket Surgery! <grin>
Yes, downtown St. Louis IS where the Cardinals - Blues ‘n Rams all play their respective sports. And all within walking distance of one another . . . although, one can take MetroLink between ‘em.
We should keep any eye open for another trip to Springfield aboard the Beagle. June may be a good month - what say you, eh
Always enjoy eavesdropping your Posts ‘n of course appreciate the ROUNDs too! We'll miss ya ‘til your return . . .
Page 33 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:18 PM <2:18 AM Thursday GMT>: What Ho! Our Mighty Man has made his return with an effort calling for at least a top-up of everyone's tankards! Ring the bell, Boris - drinks on Da Bossman!
I'm sure you're relieved that your two gals made it home safely. These days <daze> just the thought of a long air journey is cause for pause. Welcome back Missinick ‘n offsprout! <grin>
Tough time regarding the family pet. Never an easy thing to do when it comes to "that" time . . . <sad> Best thing I could come up with for my three when they were "monkeys" is to try ‘n explain that all things living have their own spans - we're all on different clocks. They seemed to grasp that - but the hurt was there nonetheless.
I dropped $40 for a half-tank in the wagon this morning - don't even wanna think about what you guyz are paying for petrol. It's outrageous - criminal ‘n most certainly impacting us all where it hurts the most. And to think, the speculators have us by the short hairs . . . that's the part bugging me along with my disdain for the OPEC extortionists.
Narratives appreciated in support of our OP-SHUN-UL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! Hope you've caught the Can-Am City Subway System <CACSS> spate of six this ‘n Wednesday past . . .
Glad you viewed "Walk the Line" - we enjoyed it as well . . . thought the cast selection was excellent.
Foto spreads pretty much tell the tales regarding my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey 'n Rendezvous III . . . enjoy!
B'day wishes appreciated along with toast to my bride . . .
Many thanx for the return to the fold ‘n of course the ROUND!
Thursday - May 29th:
Page 32 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:54 AM <11:54 PM Wednesday Sandbox time>: Back to full form from our Resident NOCTURNAL Desert RETIRED Swede!
It wasn't the first time I've heard the "happy" associated with Memorial Day. It is just indicative of many in our society who have no clue - have no connection with the significance of the holiday. "Mean it" or not - that kind of ignorance bothers me . . . but yes, she's a nice person who happened to speak with her foot in her mouth. <yikes>
I'm hardly "fluent" with my language abilities in French - barely passable is more like it! BUT, at least I TRY! I've found that "counts" for something . . .
The Chaleur departed Montréal at 6:30 PM on Friday 'n arrived at Gaspé around 12:15 PM Saturday <same time zone>. A most pleasant trip 'n really, really, really want to make a repeat journey - but ONLY if snow can be GUARANTEED along the way. <grin>
As mentioned at the Rendezvous, the Can-Am City Subway System <CACSS> is NOT complete . . . there are details yet to come, INCLUDING a third rail. Yes, there will be one - always was in my plans. This year has been a personal disaster for me - back, coughing, basement - I'm surprised I got as much of that system finished before you guyz arrived. But yes - details will be installed once I get A-ROUNDTUIT!
Enjoyed your selection of fotos - even of Stealthy Pete! <yikes> <grin> Can-Am shots look good as always - including the Swedish passenger car at Can-Am Union Station. That car has been sitting there since Rendezvous II.
Many thanx for the visit, chat, fotos 'n good cheer!
TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Leon, a number 3 special would be perfect. Yes, a cold Tuborg Gold, please!
A more normal day today.
Rob – Thanks for the info on Toronto Aerospace Museum! I am sure they will grow over the years. Sad thing about the CF105! How many were built? Just one? Interesting info on the E5’s! Also interesting to see they had numbers starting at 9910. The Zephyr at the Museum of Transportation (St. Louis) has number 9908. The museum calls that Zephyr a power car, not a locomotive.
Zephyr #9908.
Interesting to learn that VIA is still using a F7 in Alberta! Tom – You are right, Memorial Day is not a happy day but I am sure your neighbor didn’t mean it the way it sounded. But again, it is not a day one is happy. It is a day to remember the ones who gave their life for our freedom. Well, the well-cooked bird didn’t end up on our dinner table. It is probably still in the same spot where its final touch down. I thought you were fluent in French! I know several words! Great Northern! I would love to take the train to Glacier National Park.No, I don’t have any black bag! But I had a black car once! A Plymouth Valiant 1967. Nice photos from our trip to Springfield!!More snow! Now I fully understand why you took that train trip! How many hours was that trip to Gaspé? They certainly had a lot of snow up there!The brunette? I am afraid not. Too bad. The construction of the subway!! But I never saw the third rail! No subway is running without a third rail! I will send down Boris to look for the third rail.Looking at the photos from our trip to Springfield reminds me of the beautiful weather we had!CM3 – Timetable cover? Hmm, where is the timetable? Similar pictures? How did that happen? Really!??!Fergie – Hope the second low wasn’t as bad as the first one! Pete – Thanks for the info on the pipes on the tender! Picking up water from water troughs, that explains the need for those pipes. Yes, I managed to catch your black bag with my camera, but not you. Or...Here he is! Stealthy Pete!!Very good looking steam locomotives at the Scottish Steam Festival 2000!Yes, it will warm up this weekend. No new records though. Allan – The Ice Man? He was renamed to the Milk Man after his win! A toast for him!I will catch as much heat as I can this weekend and send it to you. They have promised at least 105˚F (41˚C). Do you want it dry or should I add some humidity?Nick – Good to see you again! Thanks for the round! If you pay $130 for a tank of gas I can’t understand how you can afford to buy a round for us!?Thanks for the info on the tank engine! Some photos from a recent trip.
Vito's yellow van.
Dowtown, next to Can-Am Union Station
A brown car? Hmm, must be... no, it can't be. The brunette's?
Evening chaps................Leon-any chance of a drink old thing ?-if so,perhaps a round for the house to keep it company....
Well-has been another strange few days since last we spoke-as Missisnick & small monkey person were over in TO all last week ,I fell for the lure of company and stepped out for a small refreshment with one of the boys from the band on friday afternoon-made it home on sunday evening (and played a show with the country band on saturday,although I have only snapshot recollections of it..)--up at 5am on mon to collect the girls from the airport (full tank of gas for the car-$130-ouch !!!!!
Since then,been settling everybody back into the routine-especially small Hannah,who is still on Eastern standard time and trying to decide the best way to go with old Muesli cat (we had a bad night back there,but she seems to be rallying a little and has got her back legs back under her.......a difficult call..came within a minute or two of the backyard and the flat of the shovel,but I figured she deserved a last day just in case................a very dark hour)
Anyway-back to relevant stuff-looks like the RDV was a full-on success,like Allan,I wish I could have been there--belated wishes to TOM-may you have many more my friend !!!!
Also,I feel a toast is in order for CAROL,without whom etc..............
So-there is loads I have to catch up on,excellent RDV pix and all manner of other good stuff-I will,as ever,do so by small degrees....
browsing rapidly through stuff,a couple of easy answer questions appear :-
ERIC:-The little tank in my model pix is one of the standard designs introduced to serve the newly formed British Railways after the 1948 grouping-it is a 2mt (I.E.-power classification 2-tractive effort 18,515lbs,for mixed traffic)the `continental `look is possibly `cos of the high running boards-a feature of all the std classes-for ease of maintenance -look at the `Duke of Gloucester` another from the same drawing board-the range was from 2mt`s-both 2-6-2t`s and 2-6-0`s right up to the mighty 9f 2-10-0`s (Evening Star)
This little one is by Bachmann and is as sweet a runner as one could wish for -money well spent...
PETE-Tyneside bands-must be either The Animals or Lindisfarne
Well-Leon-more beer please-hasn`t been an entirely wasted week-have got some useful modelling done-the switch motors on the low level storage yard are now fitted,wired and tested and the Bradford/Midsomer Norton board is now installed,the old ballast and underlay removed and the new alignment and long angle turnouts are ready to go in,also the big warehouse at the bottom of the industrial district has now been brickpapered and I am cutting styrene stonework to edge out the various door and window openings-also have cut down some track supports from a Bachmann bridge set to use as the gantrys for the various hoists-will provide pixs as soon as I get the camera back
On another track entirely,for fans of the great north-go to Youtube and type in `Ontario Northland`-there are a couple of great vids of the Northlander with CAT powered `F` units and #421,the little bear mixed train,including some great switching shots at Moosonee-about 15 mins in all-well worth a look -O.K-thats me for tonight-just watched`Walk the line`-very impressive-Reese Witherspoon deserved her oscar-great voice-a lot less nasal than June Carter-and the guy that played Elvis (and his band)-all top notch
Enough already-speak soon guys,be good
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
TOM Great to talk with you today.
Thanks for the kind words on my post and glad you enjoyed the steam photos from Scotland, it is really great that those scenic branch lines have survived up there.
CASH ONLY I hope it is a good conversion rate from Sterling in the bar . I hope the bar takes pound and ten bob notes as well as half crowns (Allan and Nick will know what I am talking about)
Many thanks for the great photos from the Chaleur as the train approached and arrived at Gaspe, really good that the weather cleared with sunshine and the snow still there was a bonus, although I doubt if Eric would think so.
Thanks for the link to the VIA Rail services. I had a look at the times for the Ocean but could not see Gaspe in the list of stations on the site.
It sounds as though that girl in NZ would make a useful edition to H&H's Tag wrestling team and, as you say, a perfect match for BORIS.
Many thanks for Part 2 of the construction of the Can-Am Subway System and the photos on The Eagle at Rendezvous III. It is good that the three main sporting venues in St Louis are close to downtown. You caught the locos for hire very well from the moving train. Unfortunately the Atlas we were looking at had only a short distance on the Illinois side, next time I will have the Illinois issue as well.
ROB Many tanks for the contribution for my bar tab, all contributions are gratefully received.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes I think that locomotive restoration is getting more expensive by the day with the steep increase in materials. It is lucky the new LNER A1 class locomotive is very near completion as I read the cost of the last items needed to finish the loco have greatly increased in price lately.
I think, also, that it is getting harder to find material that is the right size and composition as the stuff used years ago.
ALLAN Many thanks for that very interesting URL to the TSR2 aircraft. It seems the English Electric Company was involved in many different forms of manufacturing in the 1950s. I was reading in the Railway Magazine about the Vulcan Foundry near Newton le Willows in Lancashire and how English Electric took over it from Robert Stephenson &Co and built many successful diesel designs including the Deltics there.
Good words for Lars.
Glad you enjoyed the Scottish photos. It really was a great 11 days with the travel behind the steam locomotives in the Highlands and the interesting bus trips in between the steam tours.
Yes it is hard to believe there are just 170 English players in the Premier League this could be a reason why the national team is not doing well. I think that on more than a few occasions Arsenal have fielded a team without a single British player in the line up. I have noticed as well the top Rugby Union sides have a lot of foreign players as well a vast change from a few years ago.
That was quite a football family with Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers. I recall a classic FA cup ties in the 1960s in which the two Charlton brothers played against each other, in the days when the ties were kept being replayed until there was a winner not like the sudden death of the Semi Final and Final today. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the two brothers had played for the Toon in their prime.
ERIC It sounds a though it is going to get mighty warm where you are at the weekend.
Many thanks for the photo of Amtrak #551; it looks ready to switch Can-Am Union Station just back from a works visit and a new coat of paint.
Thanks for the round.
CM3 Many thanks for the information on the track work and the changes n the St Louis to Chicago line. It would be interesting to see what lines the Texas Eagle took to avoid the Springfield area, unfortunately I don't have the atlas that shows Illinois but I will get one, if it is available before I ride the route again. ‘Bustitution', as they call it in the UK, is very common mainly at weekends.
Yes the standards were quite good looking engines apart from a small class of 2-6-0s, none of those were preserved. It was good that at the water stop in the photo it was possible to photograph the 75014, at some places the people on the train can't get photos while the engine takes on water and it seems nowadays that a run past with the train is a thing of the past..
Well RUTH a round please. I will be away from the bar for a few days as we are going down to the bride's moms.
Pete.
Looks like the Proprietor's Solo Act continues . . . only as good as the material in the hopper!
My 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey continues . . .
Views from the Skyline Dome approaching Gaspé
(164)
(165)
(166)
(167)
(168)
(169)
NOTE: Crossed the Mississippi River en route Springfield, IL aboard the Texas Eagle <Beagle> in the Sightseer Lounge car!
(90) On the Illinois side of the river
(91) That's St. Louis <looking "hard" you can spot Busch Stadium and the Jones Dome, where the Rams play football>
(92) The Arch is everywhere!
(93) Locos for sale or lease
(94) Magellan they ain't! That's Shane ‘n Pete!
(95) Sightseer car #33033
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