G'day Gents!
My 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey continues . . .
MORE from Day Two: Friday - May 2nd, 2008
NOTE: The combined Chaleur & Ocean departed Montréal's Central Station at 6:30 PM into a partly cloudy, dry and light jacket evening. The views from the dome, as always, were remarkable, fun ‘n well worth everything it took to get from St. Louis to Montréal in order to enjoy a vestige of railroading past into the present. Lucky me!
(85) From the Skyline dome <port side> inside Central station
(86) An empty Skyline dome!
(87) Forward seating in the Skyline dome were arranged for 4 with a table
(88) Into the daylite with the Delta Hotel on the port side
(89) Montréal passing to the rear
(90) More Montréal sights as we headed toward the St. Lawrence Seaway ‘n The Victoria Jubilee Bridge
To be continued . . . .
Tom
Thought for a moment I had logged onto the wrong site . . . ships, ships 'n more ships. But CLASSIC fer sure, fer sure! Thanx, Rob . . .
Good to see our WVA Connection up 'n about <aboot, for Rob> the decks, as well!
Storms moved thru this AM wiping out any chance of mowing the south forty . . . will now have to wait 'til after the Rendezvous. That's good <for me> 'n bad <for me>. It will be a difficult cut next week . . . <arrrrggggghhhh>
Now onto more from my 2008 Canada Rail Odyssey . . .
(79) Chaleur's Skyline dome
(80) Chaleur's Skyline dome lounge area <from dome stairway>
(81) Chaleur's Skyline dome lounge area
(82) Chaleur's Skyline dining area <Pierre on left>
(83) From the Skyline dome <starboard side> inside Central station
(84) From the Skyline dome, looking forward, inside Central Station
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So I think another thermos is required to me eyes open.Some more acknowlogements from yesterday n today as well.
Tom-Those PCC's are still running.Three years ago that line was reopenned with refurbed pCC's running on it.Similar wholesale refits as the PCC's on the F line in San Francisco. Modern electric brakes and controls.The year we charted was the wind down year, but ten years later teh found the need to recativate
Eric-Two of those PCC's are indeed at the museum restored and operating . However 2766 the close up nose on shot. Is still owned by the TTC in Toronto. They have completly rebuilt it from the trucks up ( alot of help from us ) and it and two PCC cars are available for private charters.You need enough bums for three cars to make it worthwhile as they won't let the Witt roam the city with out an escort. The Union see's it's air brakes only as not sufficiently safe so it ahs to have an all electric car on either end of it. So you either charter it and the two PCC's or it and two of the CLRV's,therfore it runs only two or three times a year but man is it in good shape .
Now lest get back on the rails with some trains shots
A rebuilt SD40 at Brantford
A CN SW900 at Toronto in the 80's
A CN RS10 at Toronto in the 80's
enjoy
Rob
Morning Ruth, I see that your eyes are barely open so I'll just grab a couple danishes and my usual thermos of the high octane BK blast.
Nick really did put a show on yesterday fine fine stuff for the monthiversary I'm wiht Tom those amputated freight cars do take a bit of getting use to,but they are quaint
Tom-Ah yes everything is as shipshape as youcan get it I'm assuming for tomorrows big day.e can send Brois down with some absorbant sponges if you wish. Now that te thingamagig is working ( I unclogged it's do-hickey ) it seems to work well. I'm not quite sure what it does, but it seems to be a cross between a vacume cleaner,airscrubber,sump pump and garborator. An it comes with a small diesel engine or the option of using third rail electric or overhead voltage. So enjoy
I've always liked that series of destroyer escort , the low bridges seem to suit,they did have inside Cand C rooms so the bridges were secondary. Of note as built they had an open conning position on top as well left over from the second world war types. But they were designed to survibe nuclear fallout with hull prewetting wash down systems and fully enclosed crew sompartments with air filtration and air conditioning and heating,all there from their as built status in the mid 50's !
Weather's been damp up hear as well, but no wheer near as awfull or violent as you folks have had,very grim stuff.
Eric-Couple great photo's sir. I never thought of the slippage factor when concidering the said rods. Guess they just are in love with their sanders up here.You would have liked seeing the St laurent series in their prime, they were neat little destroyers. and we got good miliage out of them, the shortest lived one had a 32 year carreer most fo the rest pushed 50 ! Four still exist. One St laurent the Fraser sits in Bridgewater NS owned privatly by a group who use it as a diving plateform and equipment storehouse. Two of the later series Restigouche class are still at Halifax albiet decomisioned and stripped and one Annapolos class the Annapolis herself is stored in BC the same way at Esquimalt.Ten have become artifical reefs the rest were sold off to breakers. I've collected many books and photo's on them over the years as I've had family and friends serve on them.You can buy decent sea shots from DND ( or used to be able too at any rate )and I've lucked into some good alongside or shots of them in the Welland canal over the years.
Two shots of the sole surviving St laurent HMCS Fraser Bridgewater NS
Sister ship Margaree at sea one of the DND photo's note all the St Laurent series were named afters rivers, lakes in Canada etc. All are carry on's of River class destroyers from the second world war.Thes are all St Laurent Class built bewtenn 1955-57
Restigouche class HMCS Restigouche built 1955
Mackenzie class HMCS Yukon built 1957
Finally HMCS Annapolis built in 1964
Shane-I hope that you've packed your hip waders, sounds like you may need them in MO you guys should all have a good time however.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Heavy fog here this a.m., but it is supposed to clear up. Primary day here today so the huns have the day off from school. We have been bombarded with recorded phone calls, TV ads, etc. ‘Nuff said, except that the "mute" button is truly the best feature on the remote.
Nick - Thoroughly enjoyed your picture tour; Eric picked up on the Gulf car as did I - looked good with the plant switcher.
Rob was in with comments and SEPTA and museum material ANBD maritime i9nformation. Nice post!
Fergie - I believe you are right about the different versions of 4-8-4s; my comment was about the picture caption which said it was a 4-6-4. Hope you weather has improved. Mid-Atlantic coast has been getting pounded as has so. New England.
Eric visited with comments.
OSP was in with additions to the travelogue. Always nice to get pictures, especially when you are about to travel on the train. Interesting shot of what looks to be an RPO converted to a baggage car. Ride ‘em while you can.
Work safe
<The Chaleur at Gaspé, Québec - personal foto>
It is a dark 'n threatening sky here. Monday, mostly blue . . . BUT the rains are en route once again. Have to put a brief hold on Juneau's "start up" walk! <ugh>
What's to say about Tuesday aside from the fact that the BEST to say is the guyz arrive TOMORROW for our 3rd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous! Now THAT's worth chortling about . . . <hmmmm, how does one "chortle" Maybe Pete knows . . .>
Finally got A-ROUNDTUIT regarding the book reports for our RR BOOK RELAY 2007-2008! Sent an Email to Allan - the remainder of our participants will get their copies at our Rendezvous!
Okay boyz - check out the pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery case - order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board ‘n of course draw a large mugga Joe from the urns . . . <ummmmmmm>
Oh yeah, looks as if I turned the Page to 26 AND made the 500th reply as well! So, Boris I'll take a <double> spiked OJ!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Monday - May 12th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 25 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:30 AM: Nothing tops the start of a new day better than having our Resident WVA Connection "kick" things off . . . Storms ‘n more storms seems to be the bill o' fare for our respective chunks of the land, eh We're so wet, that even the ducks ‘n geese are screaming "Foul"! I made that one up, in case you didn't get it . . . <grin>
Page 25 - Fergie <Fergmiester> at 12:51 PM: Our Resident irregular part-time Canadian Maritime Mariner has checked in <again> ‘n of course we're always happy <the "h" is silent in some parts of Oh-Canada!> to have him with us!
Okay, let's get this one straightened out - it's the St. George Arms pub ‘n only the good Lawd knows what you were seeing or thinking! Don't wanna know! <grin>
All of the trip fotos are from me - Rob accompanied me to Montréal, then headed back to Toronto. You would've enjoyed the Gaspé trip - perhaps another time.
A friend of mine up in Sydney had forwarded some rather interesting material regarding the depleted condition of the coal mines up thataway. Several mined too far under the sea to where the safety issue overcame the practicality of profit. At least that's what I recall reading . . .But I'll certainly yield to one who knows far more ‘bout it than I.
Page 25 - Pete <pwolfe> at 2:24 PM: Really don't want to continue this - BUT you disappeared for 3 days ‘n we are curious! <geesh>
It's almost as if this recent trip of mine to Gaspé was meant to be. I'm definitely back in the "groove" for another one! One of the crew aboard the Chaleur said that in the summertime they run 12 car consists, under their own power from Montréal - no hooking up with the Ocean. I don't think I'd want to travel that route in peak tourist season as the train would just be too crowded with dome seating at a premium. Nah, I'll stick with the off-season . . .
Yes, there was a station at Chandler, Québec - but you were being Stealthy Pete for I didn't see you!
It was unbelievable how the skies cleared up almost right after New Carlisle . . . as the fotos will show, lots of great scenery en route Gaspé!
As we're becoming accustomed to - some mighty fine fotos from your rail adventures in the UK ‘n Ireland! <did I say that correctly??>
Page 25 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 5:19 PM: The Manager returns! Hope you had a relaxing weekend, spared from the rigors of the "plant" that is!
Really appreciate the "skinny" on those Canadian warships - still can't "accept" those rather low bridges, but they obviously "work" for your country ‘n the Brits!
I've NEVER experienced any flak regarding foto ops along the platforms at Montréal's Central station. This time, because the Chaleur cars were way up forward, I was able to walk out to daylite ‘n capture the locos, etc. When boarding the Ocean, we've usually been berthed in the Park Car, which is a loooooooooong trek from beginning to end, especially when the Chaleur is part of the consist. <grin>
They board the bedroom passengers first . . . then the coach folks. Anyway, not a problem with browsing about platform . . .
The weather here has been WET this year. It's the wettest start to a year in recorded weather history in these parts. Don't have to convince me! <geesh> Fortunately, we did indeed escape the wrath of Mother Nature. No severe stuff for us, but heaven help those who got the twisters. <grim>
Honestly don't know HOW we made it to 37 months ‘n I'm not about to "guarantee" another year. We'll just have to see . . .
Page 25 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:13 PM ‘n 6:37 PM ‘n 7:07 PM <1:13 AM ‘n 1:37 AM ‘n 2:07 AM Tuesday GMT>: A trifecta from our man in west wales! Must have hit the "mother lode" in fotos! Should make all of those "Brit hearts" go piddy-patter!
A most interesting shot of the remains of a crossover <switch track> - makes me wonder, why Hmmmmm. Fotos of rights-of-way always "works" for me . . .
Enjoyed the "glimpses" of the passenger train along with the "mighty" steamer! Those little yard locos <switchers> look rather powerful - also nice looking Gulf tanker - just a wee bit on the "squat' side, eh To each his own, Mate!
Don't know if you've noticed, but PhotoBucket now has a feature that will permit one to edit fotos . . . it works. However, before doing so - make a COPY of whatever it is you wish to fool with - then go for it!
Tuesday - May 13th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 25 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 12:10 AM: "In" with a super-fine spate of four traction shots! Those Philadelphia SEPTA cars look as if they could still be in service today - nice looking, fer sure, fer sure!
Page 25 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:33 AM: I never had the chance to browse the inner sanctum of WashDCs Union Station, although I'd luv to! As a kid, I recall arriving 'n departing from there on trips to/from New York City - had an uncle who lived 'n worked in DC. Later on in life <1981>, took Amtrak's MetroLiner up to Newark, NJ . . . that's it.
No F40PH missing - just not in the foto - the train departed with 3 F40PHs <1st 2 for the Ocean - 3rd for the Chaleur>. Chaleur had a consist of one baggage - one coach - one Skyline dome 'n two Chateau series bedroom cars. Ocean had 12 Renaissance cars with their "standard" line-up: baggage - two coaches - two service cars - one diner - six bedroom cars.
Swedish narrow gauge almost looks like an LGB!
Appreciate the visit 'n <I3 > Post!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, a Tuborg Gold is all for me tonight! Not hungry!
Happy 37th Monthiversary!!!Tom – I agree, train stations are great places to browse around. My favorite is Union Station, Washington, D.C.I’ll trust you when it comes to the movies at the Emporium this week. I don’t know anything about any of them. But I’ll be there!Interesting photos from your trip! I never saw Montréal’s Central Station. Too bad! Did you have three F40’s as motive power in your train? How many cars? In an other photo there are only 2 locomotives, #6410 and 6428. #6427 is missing! Pete – The “Gronk” looks like the English Electric built class V1, used by the Swedish State Railways. The V3 was built by Esslingen, Germany. As far as I know T44 has never been used in passenger service. The reason you saw that T44 with a passenger car was because it was switching.Interesting photos of the steam engines! And the “Royal Mail Tyneside”! Is that really the name of the locomotive?CM3 – I saw that you enjoyed the same details in Mike’s photos as I did, like those old baggage carts! I love to look at old photos for that kind of things!Fergie – Thanks for the info on the different kind of mines! Are there any kind of mines at all still in operation? Rob – One advantage with side rods is when it is slippery. Doesn’t slip as easy as without side rods. Nice looking destroyers! Destroyers are my favorite kind of navy ships.Good looking PCC’s! Philadelphia? Do you know if they are still in use today? How about the Witt cars? They belong to “your” museum, right? Nick – Thanks for all photos! One question, have they used Bridge Rails to build the mixed gauge track in the top picture? It looks like it might beBridge rails. Thanks for the info about the yard shots! I think I have an idea on where now! Nice views from the “LEGO” house! A lot of people meeting the train in Milford! Was (is?) there really an oil refinery in Milford? Interesting photos! Even a Gulf tank car!
Narrow gauge (600 mm). Mariefred, Sweden. 2004.
Eric
Hello Leon just a quick Keith's if you don't mind.Nice to see the wildman from westwales have given us lots to think about and look at this evening. Some great stuff Nick truly keep her up Lets see a late night photo blitz for me as well.
Our 1995 excursion and charter on Philly's SEPTA system.
Small Witt 2894 at the museum
The only Witt still owned by the TTC 2766 still available for charter use today !
The Museum's other small Witt 2786.
O.K guys -we are on the home straight now-same format again-a refresher first then extra texture (thank you George...)
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O.K-here is as it is now....
More or less the same view 15 years apart-king point for the yard still in place,platform line rails still polished by an inter-city 125 every day,no superstore development on old freight yard.........
You may recall mention of the mine depot branch-here it is-the spur on the right used to connect to the through track-line went through a short tunnel under the cliff then ran along the haven side
The far end of the Great Western Railway !!!!-this is where the engine is standing at the end of the last set.
tracks extended beyond here-the R.N.A.D branch on the left (off camera) the inner harbour-centre & the outer harbour(far right)
When we first came down here,these two were sitting on the outer harbour ,completely cut off from the main line-believe they went to the cutter soon after
A rather happier tale from the inner harbour-i believe this one escaped the net....
Enough of this-I am sure this is the last time anybody will say anything about my pix for fear of launching another avalanche of trivia-off to make some notes on the good stuff gone before--will see you all soon-have a good one
Still with me ..?-Splendid-Is worth mentioning-H/West yard was much used for storing overflow wagons from Neyland & Milford-back in the day this was quite a bustling place...........
Onwards and upwards-just beyond the bascule bridge here,and a set from our next house and immediate environs:-
It was a ghastly little LEGO house but the view made up for it-here is a class 20 on weedkiller train duties-there is another one at the back
I make no apologies for the lighting here-was the first week we had class 60`s down here working the oil trains instead of pairs of 37`s-had seen one go through the previous night whilst we were out and was ready-window open and 110 in hand-this one ran down light and I just caught her
These are from a couple of hundred yards down the road,just before we leaped into the car and raced down to Milford to get this one:-
As you can see-it was a popular turn
Right-post this and back with some Milford dtail pixs
Well good evening one and all,I trust the week has started well for you all...?-Been a busy one here,the weather has finally made it`s mind up and spring fever is in the air
Leon-tonight I fear no beer !!-suprise me with something-A Molson`s Export ,by jove-an excellent choice..
Right,well I had a scan-quick read up to date during my lunch break-and fine reading and viewing it was too !-havnt yet made reply notes but am on the case..........
One flag I did note..... ERIC-Have taken the liberty of Emailing you the original jpeg files of the bridge rail stuff-should give you the most flexibility with how you use it-delighted it is of use -In fact,you set me to thinking (no small achievement) and I managed to find a couple more related pix from the Great Western Society at Didcot..
This one is of the reproduction mixed gauge transhipment shed they have at one end of the site
And here is a rather poor shot from inside the shed of the reproduction engine they were building there-I`m sure PETE ,ALLAN or DAN will correct me,but I think it`s a Gooch "Firefly" 2-2-2
These are scans of 35mm shots-will send scans if useful
Well you all know how it is when you start flicking through the photo album looking for a particular pic or two..............
O.K-well I found a fair few that could usefully round out what was an otherwise fairly spartan trip report-especially in view of the Olympian heights being reached in that department lately....
Right-will work back down the line from H/West-Leon,this may take a while-lets have a round here please mate-and could we have the projector on in the snug-there are some old 35mm & 110`s coming up-a wander down memory lane for me-most of these date from about 15-16 years ago but are relevant,I promise.......
O.K-Here is a refresher to start you off-this is the London end of H/West-ERIC-the yard shots were taken down on the far left,beyond the freight shed--in fact,keen eyes will spot the flats on the track there
Here is the freight shed from the other direction-track looking rather more cared for-am standing roughly on the site of the signal cabin
This is the view from the footbridge out over the yard-provender store at rear--flats were on centre roads--we used to live ,briefly,in one of the houses barely visible,extreme top right
OK-the yard-the line is single-divides about 100` behind the camera in the first pic and loop extends about a quarter mile beyond the down end-into a cutting,90degs. left and then singles just before a bascule bridge over the Cleddau-Up platform is signalled for reversible working which leaves down loop as a headshunt for the yard,which cuts straight into the main at the far end of the pic
Right gonna try and do the 6-pack thing,but in the interests of continuity I might need leave to be flexible.............
Good afternoon gents,not too bad a day concidering it's a Monday.Started out rainy and cold but the suns out and it's gotten upto 17C so all in all we can't complain. ( no one would listen anyway )
Tom-Great shots from the Chaleur, both from today and yesterday. the cars looked well cleaned and cared for ( at least in the photo's ) You have a couple good movie pics for the week as well I'm amazed the powers that were at the station allowed you to wonder out ahead of the train and get those shots, great shots though however.I assume you went out and got them while they were boarding the peon's in coach
Since you made it in thes last couple days I'm assured that you missed the worst of the filthy weather MO had. Hard to believe that it's 37 month's and still hard at it, here at the saloon by the siding.
Eric-Great shots of those locomotives all interesting to look at. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around deisels with side rods. Neat that you ahd some practicle experiance with those engines. Obviously obscure here but as commom as GP 9's in Europe.
Pete-I think "gronk" does the best justice to that locomotive Interesting seeing it in the WC inspired EWS paint scheme though.
I think Helga still has that supprise for you ( apparently it improves with age ) <uh oh > I didn't notice if the arms still had the Double Diamond. I'll look next time Heather and I go in there.
The Ottawa was A St Laurent Class ship,they were the first seven vessels built on the same hull form from 1955-65. There ended up being 28 destroyers in total in four classes. Slightly different armnaments and equipment fits but the same hull form and steam turbines.They are close in resemblance to the old Royal Navy Type 12's.Originally as built they had a second twin 3" on the stern where the flight deck and hanger are. The helicopter conversions happened in the 70's.
Heres a shot of one of Ottawa's half sisters. This is HMCS Nippigon one of teh last two hulls built and was one of the only pair built from the ouiset with the Helicopter facility. It's sister was the Annapolis. I got this shot in 1999 when she was going in for a refit and inspection at the Port Weller Drydocks in my hometown of St Catharines Ontario.
The Ottawa again so you can see the family resemblance between the two classes.The Annapolis's were a bit beamier and a tad longer and were fitted with variable deapth sonar deploying through the stern.Annapolis and Nippigon were the last of teh 28 to deconission in 2003 and 2004,both are still held in ready reserve thought their military usefullness is nil.
Fergie-Ahh split pea soup,the thicker the better It puts hair on your chest Sad to see that Sysco's gone seems that it wasn't all that long ago. I remeber seeing Sydney steels stamp on a lot of the rail in Ontario, that and Algoma steels as well. Now it's all Nippon Steel, apparently the only large scale rail maker now.If youguys are putting into Newfie-John have a round for Tom and I on George Street
Shane-I love the old 6200's some of the prettiest dual purpose loco's that were produced for the CNR.6218's in pretty sad shape now though.
Wolfman has been "in" - figured you'd enjoy the foto spread of my most recent rail exploits . . . with Fergie before him. Kinda wonderin' WHAT in the world is Fergie smoking and/or drinking Perhaps a bit too much glare off the sea ‘n ice! <grin> St. George Arms, Mate - St. George! BUT you're ON - drinks on YOU at the King's Arms next time we meet! More comments in my AM acknowledgments . . .
(73) Ocean's F40PHs #6410 & 6428
(74) Chaleur & Ocean at Place Bonaventure <entrance to Central Station>
(75) Chaleur's baggage car
(76) Chaleur's baggage & passenger cars
(77) Chaleur's Skyline dome dining area
(78) Chaleur's bedroom cars <Chateau Bienville & Rouville>
Hi Tom and all.
A round pleaseTOM to celebrate the 37th month of Our Place and the start of Rendezvous III week.
TOM Great photos from the inside of Montreal's Central Station. It is a good place with a good atmosphere to wait for one's train. I noticed there is a town called Chandler the Chaleur passes through after New Carlisle. It is good to see it listed as ‘On-Time' with the two arriving trains just a few minutes late.
Many thanks for the photos of the cars and locomotives on the Chaleur and the Ocean, how much better to be traveling in the Budd cars than the Renaissance ones.
We were talking in the bar about the longest US railroad still with its original name. I read in the latest Trains Magazine that the Strasburg Rail Road was chartered in 1832 and still operating under its original charter.
It appears as though my bar tab has got off light this morning with the free breakfasts.
CM3 Yes we are having a bad time with the weather this year it seems the latest bad weather is coming across the country on a southwest to northeast path.
Thanks for the details and making Mike's CV link photos come alive.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. I am looking forward to hearing more about John Barriger at the rendezvous, I was pleasantly surprised to see the first two volumes of the (British) Railway Magazine in the library dating from 1897/1898.I guess they could have come from Mr. Barriger's collection.
I often wonder what would have happened to railways if the broad gauge had been adopted instead of the 4' 8 ½" standard gauge.
FERGIE Sorry to hear you are having storms off St Johns, hopefully they will abate soon, and that ham and split pea soup will keep you warm though.
Many thanks for the Bathams. I did not know of the WOLFville in NS I wonder if it was a relative of mine who gave the town it's name glad to know it has a good pub there.
There has been talk of the Irish Mail train at the bar. I have found a couple of photos of a locomotive wearing the Irish Mail Headboard.
Quite a few miles from where the Irish Mail ran, this train is on the preserved East Lancashire Railway departing Bury Bolton Road station heading for Rawtenstall.The car in the right background is a BR MkI sleeper.
At Rawtenstall. The locomotive is not the original Stanier class 5 45156 as this loco was scrapped long ago, it is another class 5 No 45407, I believe. 45156 'Ayrshire Yeomanry' was one of the four(there is a feeling that another loco was named) class 5s to be named in a class of 842. They were named after Scottish Yeomanrys.Originally allocated to Scottish sheds 45156 was in the north of England in its later years
I recall on one of my holidays at Rhyl,in the evening, I would go to the station and on one occasion 45156 was working the local, all stations, Rhyl to Chester train that started from a bay platform at Rhyl.This working was usually a 2-6-4 tank engine duty and I can still recall being allowed into the locomotive's cab while it waited for departure time.
Two London Brighton & South Coast 'Terrier' AIX 0-6-0 tank engines at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway.
Rail Express Systems (RES) 47756 working a Frieghtliner train through Rugby. Allan might like the name on the loco it is 'Royal Mail Tyneside'
Well I'll have the pint Fergie got for me now.
Pete.
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Company
I'll take two half mugs today as it's a tad rough and I'd rather not be a "Spilly Billy"! We're about 230nm NE off St John's and it's the weather that Coalminer had yesterday Rain and windy, E'ly 35 to 45 kts to be exact. Should die down after midnight. I'll hold off on the grill as I already had a Big Bowl of Ham and Split Pea Soup. So thick I' could have walked on it... perfect!!
Eric: Cape Breton had all kinds of Coal, still does but all the mines are shut down now as the quality wasn't the best as it was soft and full of sulfur. They didn't mine much Iron Ore here if any. It was shipped in and made into rails at SYSCO, then shipped off to the 4 corners of the world. Sysco is all but gone with the tar ponds (one of Canada's biggest eco-hot spots) being the only reminder of the former Industry.
Coalminer: 6218 was one of 205 CN "Norhtern" Class Locos, the first of the Lineage was 6100. Can't remember off hand how many sub classes of the Northerns CN had but 7 rings in.
Rob: The MAK makes for an interesting subject. I'm sure if there was a version available on the european market it could be kitbashed into the Canadian version quite easily!
Since Pete has offered us some musings pour him a Banthams and place it on my tab thank you kindly. With that said I'll be owing Tom and Rob a night out with there heavy handed offerings. Funny how the Kings Arms looks a tad bit like the Kings Arms in Wolfville, NS, must be a British thing. Thanks for the photos all Including Mikes photos of the CV 700 class. Always makes me warm inside!
Anyway time to go
Later All
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
I see CM3 Shane began our morning for us . . . but, it's gonna be a doldrums Monday - so Ruth, take off for the remainder of the day . . . no Boris, you can't go with her! <geesh> Feed the gang ‘n the small jar of PPF is for YOU!
NOTE: Boarding has begun ‘n it's down the escalator for bedroom passengers aboard the Chaleur & Ocean.
(67) "My" Chaleur bedroom car - Chateau Rouville
(68) Chateau Rouville was last car in Chaleur consist -trailing are the Ocean's Renaissance cars.
(69) The Ocean's Renaissance consist
(70) Chaleur's Skyline dome #8503
(71) Chaleur's Skyline dome #8503
(72) Motive power for the Chaleur & Ocean
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. It's still raining here after we had two days of tornado watches, severe thunderstorms, high winds, etc. Saturday was a beautiful day which made up for Friday and Sunday. K9 Korps is a wreck as he doesn't like thunder and wind all that much. Temperature here today is in the 40s and we will be back in the 30s this evening - average high for this date is supposed to be 75.
Man - lots of stuff to look at and comment upon.
Fergie stopped by. I appreciate your material. DEVCO is still with us - I spent some time awhile back with some Cape Breton miners - good folks to work with.
Rob was by with comments and pictures. Hydraulic engine - hmmm. Nice pictures at Louisburg and I enjoyed the obs picture at Halifax and the shot of the Agawa Canyon.
Eric stopped by with comments and a nice album of locomotive pictures. Always nice to see things from differebnt places.
Mike was in with a lot of fascinating CV material - it was truly a time machine ride for me.
The weather vane at White River was a locomotive - I say was as the original was stolen - I have no idea how anyone managed to get atop the depot w/o being spotted.
The first shot shows the B&M switcher changing out road power. Fs were commonly used up there although Es sometimes showed up. Most of the time, however, B&M ran their E units on Portland Division trains. Cars are a mix of CN and New Haven.
CV 4249 photo has a lot of detail - Railway Express sign, ancient baggage carts, and look at the switch stand in the lower left corner. Third shot gives us a glimpse of connecting B&M RDC train behind the station.
Note: CN 6218 is not a 4-6-4, despite what the picture caption says.
CV 706 at B'Boro gives an idea of how big those engines were. Brattleboro was as far south as they got.
Then we had a nice set of CV 2-8-0s which were the mainstays of the south end. All kinds of feedwater heaters appear on these beasts. 453 has a Coffin feedwater heater - something a little different.
So. Monson is in Massachusetts. The shot of 461 and 469 has a boxcar between the two engines. This is to spread out the weight on bridges. I especially enjoyed the shot of 465 along the river,
475 at Palmer has a lot of detail. Boston and Albany tower is in the background. My paternal grandfather lived and worked in Palmer for a time back in the long ago. Last look at 475 with white flags - they knew how to do it back then.
Pete was in with comments and pictures. The brake van and the 2-4-0 are good ‘uns. GRONK sounds like something from Lord of the Rings. It is the same John Barriger - he was a book collector fro years. Again, I can tell you all about that at the Rendezvous.
Nick - Great rail material. Broad gauge was in the US as well. The greatest example here, of course, was the AGW (ancestor to the Erie). Erie prided itself on its ability to handle high and wide loads; this was a legacy of their broad gauge days as there was a lot of room made available when they went from 6-foot to standard gauge.
Loading ramps in your picture are reminiscent of early pig loading ramps here.
OSP has been by with additional installments of the travelogue. Nice station pictures - is that beautiful stonework at Belleville or what? NAFTA cars, indeed. I remember seeing NdeM cars on trains in Nashville and thinking that they were exotic. You surely did have lovely weather for your VIA trip. I have not seen "Beyond the Sea" and "61" is excellent. I remember seeing both of them many times when the Yankees and the Red Sox played in Boston. Mantle was powerful (that's an understatement), but Maris had quick hands and a quick bat - line drive hitter - scare the !@#$ out of a corner infielder. It was a fun time to be at Fenway. Like the rendering of the P Company's World's Fair engine.
Last we have two quiz winners; OSP and Eric. The other "Varsity" did run on the Milwaukee Road and lasted until the advent of Amtrak.
A smile to begin the week!
Some anonymous letters do have return addresses, you know.
<A Yogi-ism!>
What's to say other than here we go again Monday has arrived, which has the promises of a great time for those of us participating in Rendezvous III.
Aside from that . . . it's a work week <for many>, so begin your day with us. Fill up your coffee mug, grab a pastry or three, ‘n of course order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Comments from the Proprietor
Happy 37th Month Anniversary to "Our" Place ‘n all who are keeping things on track at this Classic Trains watering hole . . .
Sunday - May 11th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 25 - Pete <pfwolfe> at 1:50 PM: An < > catch-up Post thru the mail slot from the Wolfman!
Strange looking loco - good name: Gronk!
Breakfasts are "on" Pete!
Reminder: "Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs
NOTE: This portion picks up the Odyssey at Montréal's Central Station after Rob had boarded his train for return to Toronto . . . Familiar fotos, but always enjoy taking ‘em! One of the best places I've experienced for just plain people watching . . . LUV the train announcements preceded by chimes; nice touch!
(61) Boarding area for the Chaleur
(62) Train board with the Gaspé train <Chaleur> shown! <Note: The Ocean & the Chaleur depart Montréal as one . . . split at Matapédia, Québec. ALWAYS amazed at the different departure times!>
(63) VIA Rail's lounge for bedroom ‘n VIA 1 <corridor service> trains
(64) VIA Rail service desk
(65) The Chaleur kiosk for bedroom car check-in
(66) A busy station!
To be continued tomorrow . . . .
HI Tom and all.
Great catching up on the great posts and photos by all I was hoping to post this yesterday but a combination of yard work before the rain came and off out to Columbia delayed me,so I'll pop this through the mail slot if I may.
ROB Really good to see the Weird Tales from the Barn. Enjoyed the poem and the lover's song. It sounds as though they ran trams until all the folks were taken from the park a bit different to today where the last train is the last train.
Enjoying the photos, many thanks. The Grand Trunk Western looks an interesting diesel, I like the livery on # 4919 and the locomotive in the background has a good livery as well, together with those luggage carts on the platform. I guess there are not many of those about today, they were on nearly every station on BR but slowly disappeared.
Did that Destroyer have a type or class number do you know.
It does sound as though those 600 class are having a lot of problems was it going to be a large class of locos. I think the 900 class look good in the VIA livery in your photos.
Thanks for the welcome back, I had heard of the ‘treat' H&H had prepared for me so thought I had better lay low for a while.
Great photos on Saturday evening from the Sydney and Louisburg Museum and the VIA trains. The EMDs on the ACR look in great form.
You are looking younger in the photos do the have Double Diamond at the Arms still.
NICK Thanks for the Bathams. We were flying over to Dublin a few years back and when getting off, we noticed Johnno was on the plane and yes he is a big guy head brushing the top of the roof in the airplane.
It would be good to hear more about the 5 DVD set you have just got. It is amazing how much BR day's cine film there is still not published.
Many thanks for the photos of the Brunel Bridge and Barlow rail at Neyland. Really enjoyed the photos and description of the lines at Milford Haven and at Haverford West.
As you say the Duke had a slight work soiled appearance, which was more like the look, when the locos were in BR service before the run down of steam and cleaning went by the board. The Duke was pulling a fair bit of diesel tonnage as well as the cars. It is good the local papers had photos of the train.
ALLAN Glad you have caught up and many thanks for the kind words on the photos.
I have an uncle who served in the RAF, now retired, who lives in the town of Valley on Anglesea. I believe there is a nuclear power station near by and the built a triangle so the flasks can be loaded on the trains, they use this for steam specials to turn the locomotive.
It will be interesting to see the new signings Kevin Keegan will make for the 'Toon'. It could be a good year for them next season
ERIC A ‘Gronk' was a nickname for the class 08 English Electric 0-6-0 diesel-electric 400HP shunter (switcher) they were also known as ‘Dobbins' in my area.
08709 in EWS colors at Rugby
Many thanks for the links to the 2-8-0 steam loco No. 909 and the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad, it looks like they have kept the original snow ploughs on No 1149.
I see the T44 in the photo is coupled to passenger cars, did the class do a lot of passenger work. I see you have answered the question to Nick.
That Midland Railway class 1 had a long life; I suppose it was lucky (but not for the crews) that 118A was not rebuilt to a more modern look during her life.
Many thanks for the photos of the T21, T43 and the V3. I think we discussed the V1 and the V2s. The V3 looks to have a cab like an English Electric engine but the front end is different.
MIKE Thanks for all the links. That is a dazzling poster of the Irish Mail especially as it was first produced in 1937.
CM3 Glad you enjoyed the R&ER photos.
Many thanks for the Monon history and their scheduled freight trains and the passenger trains in John Barriger's days. Is this the same gentleman whose name is on the great library in St Louis, perhaps he may have owned some of the great books in there.
DL Good to see you in, and thanks for the round.
FERGIE Many thanks for part two of the History of the Nova Scotia railways. Stay well clear of those icebergs real glad the weather forecast up there is good.
TOM.I must have been in the Ratty Arms, a pub adjacent to the Ravenglass railway before I took those photos as they did come out better than usual.
Many thanks for the photos of the Can -Am I wonder if the folks in Mountain Village travel on the RDCs to The Second Class Saloon or wander down to Our Place. I noticed the snow plow there ready for action
Really enjoying the descriptions a great photos of the 2008 Canadian Rail Odyssey 5X each photo is well worth expanding to full size . Really great photo of GO locomotives #546 and 608 from a moving train, I don't know how you manage to get such good photos from a moving train and in dull weather as well. Great to see the inside of the St George's Arms, it really looks a great place and I thought there is a lot of similarity to the Train Wreck Saloon bar area. Great photo of the station at your bride's hometown
Many thanks for the link to the Cape Race; I dare say the area around the lighthouse in the photo, does not look that pleasant in the depths of winter. I did not know the link with the Titanic sinking as in the link to the wireless log.
Rob and you look very well settled in at the Arms, but empty glasses.
Two good films I have not seen on at The Emporium this week. With the Bobby Darren story in Beyond the Sea, a baseball film with a good plot and of course the Stooges in trouble again.
Well I'll leave some funds behind the bar for a free breakfast for the patrons tomorrow.
"Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs
Starting TODAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . May 11th thru 17th: Beyond the Sea <2004> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Bob Hoskins & John Goodman - and - ENCORE Presentation of 61* <2001 > Starring: Barry Pepper, Thomas Jane, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Masur & Bruce McGill. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Fright Night <1947>.
Beyond the Sea <2004>
PLOT SUMMARY: The chameleon-like actor Kevin Spacey is best known for playing pyschopaths (in Seven and The Usual Suspects) and capturing a creepy mid-life crisis in American Beauty--but surprisingly, playing crooner Bobby Darin, Spacey does some snappy dancing and top-notch singing. Beyond the Sea puts Darin's life through a bit of a kaleidoscope: While singing Darin's most memorable hit, "Mack the Knife," Darin suddenly stops the show, revealing that he's not at a nightclub, but in the middle of a shooting a scene about his life as a nightclub performer. Why has he stopped? Because he's just seen himself as a young boy, peering from behind a curtain. Such self-conscious narrative twists recur throughout the movie, turning Darin's fight for fame and respect into a love story between his adult and childhood selves. Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!), a hugely popular movie star in her own right, was supposedly the love of Darin's life, but she never holds his attention as does his childhood self (played by newcomer William Ullrich). It's a striking metaphor for the narcissism that drives such success-hungry entertainers. But despite (or perhaps because of) the complexity of the telling, the events never grip your emotions; though Darin's life featured hits galore and a few soap opera twists, his story lacks the seductive charm of his night club show. Also featuring Bob Hoskins, John Goodman, Brenda Blethyn, and Greta Scacchi. --Bret Fetzer
The chameleon-like actor Kevin Spacey is best known for playing pyschopaths (in Seven and The Usual Suspects) and capturing a creepy mid-life crisis in American Beauty--but surprisingly, playing crooner Bobby Darin, Spacey does some snappy dancing and top-notch singing. Beyond the Sea puts Darin's life through a bit of a kaleidoscope: While singing Darin's most memorable hit, "Mack the Knife," Darin suddenly stops the show, revealing that he's not at a nightclub, but in the middle of a shooting a scene about his life as a nightclub performer. Why has he stopped? Because he's just seen himself as a young boy, peering from behind a curtain. Such self-conscious narrative twists recur throughout the movie, turning Darin's fight for fame and respect into a love story between his adult and childhood selves. Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!), a hugely popular movie star in her own right, was supposedly the love of Darin's life, but she never holds his attention as does his childhood self (played by newcomer William Ullrich). It's a striking metaphor for the narcissism that drives such success-hungry entertainers. But despite (or perhaps because of) the complexity of the telling, the events never grip your emotions; though Darin's life featured hits galore and a few soap opera twists, his story lacks the seductive charm of his night club show. Also featuring Bob Hoskins, John Goodman, Brenda Blethyn, and Greta Scacchi. --Bret Fetzer
<from: amazon.com>
61* <2001>
PLOT SUMMARY: 61* is an endearing ode to the baseball days of yore when the press was the enemy, salaries were in check, and breaking records with bat and glove took on Ruthian proportions. In 1961 baseball expanded its season from 154 games to 162, allowing weaker pitching into the major leagues and two New York Yankees teammates--the colorless Roger Maris and golden boy Mickey Mantle--to make an assault on the sport's ultimate record: Babe Ruth's 60 home runs. To add to the stew, baseball commissioner Ford Frick announced any record set in the last eight games of the season wouldn't count toward the official record; records had to be achieved in 154 games. Director Billy Crystal guarantees success for his movie in the perfect casting of the leads. Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan's religious sniper) is deft as Maris, and Thomas Jane is a perfect Mantle, a superman in a Yankee uniform. Despite the differences between family man Maris and hard-living Mantle, they form a rewarding friendship amid the media and fan frenzy. The shy Maris took the brunt of the storm, even facing boo-birds in his home stadium. Crystal and first-time writer Hank Steinberg keep the pace moving quickly between the field, the locker room, the press box, and the home front. The film never tries to dazzle with more than the facts (and it softens Mantle up a bit), yet it belongs on the short list of grand baseball movies. --Doug Thomas
61* is an endearing ode to the baseball days of yore when the press was the enemy, salaries were in check, and breaking records with bat and glove took on Ruthian proportions. In 1961 baseball expanded its season from 154 games to 162, allowing weaker pitching into the major leagues and two New York Yankees teammates--the colorless Roger Maris and golden boy Mickey Mantle--to make an assault on the sport's ultimate record: Babe Ruth's 60 home runs. To add to the stew, baseball commissioner Ford Frick announced any record set in the last eight games of the season wouldn't count toward the official record; records had to be achieved in 154 games. Director Billy Crystal guarantees success for his movie in the perfect casting of the leads. Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan's religious sniper) is deft as Maris, and Thomas Jane is a perfect Mantle, a superman in a Yankee uniform. Despite the differences between family man Maris and hard-living Mantle, they form a rewarding friendship amid the media and fan frenzy. The shy Maris took the brunt of the storm, even facing boo-birds in his home stadium. Crystal and first-time writer Hank Steinberg keep the pace moving quickly between the field, the locker room, the press box, and the home front. The film never tries to dazzle with more than the facts (and it softens Mantle up a bit), yet it belongs on the short list of grand baseball movies. --Doug Thomas
Director Billy Crystal guarantees success for his movie in the perfect casting of the leads. Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan's religious sniper) is deft as Maris, and Thomas Jane is a perfect Mantle, a superman in a Yankee uniform. Despite the differences between family man Maris and hard-living Mantle, they form a rewarding friendship amid the media and fan frenzy. The shy Maris took the brunt of the storm, even facing boo-birds in his home stadium. Crystal and first-time writer Hank Steinberg keep the pace moving quickly between the field, the locker room, the press box, and the home front. The film never tries to dazzle with more than the facts (and it softens Mantle up a bit), yet it belongs on the short list of grand baseball movies. --Doug Thomas
SHORT: The Three Stooges - Fright Night <1947>
PLOT SUMMARY Moe, Larry, and Shemp are fight trainers of Chopper who has a boxing match vs. Gorilla Watson. After a sparring session, a couple of gangsters sent by Big Mike tell the boys to have Chopper throw the fight or else. The Stooges try to soften up their fighter by feeding him rich desserts & not having him train, but that plan fails & Gorilla Watson breaks his hand on the night of the fight. Big Mike & his boys try to rub out the Stooges afterwards, but the Stooges prevail.
Moe, Larry, and Shemp are fight trainers of Chopper who has a boxing match vs. Gorilla Watson. After a sparring session, a couple of gangsters sent by Big Mike tell the boys to have Chopper throw the fight or else. The Stooges try to soften up their fighter by feeding him rich desserts & not having him train, but that plan fails & Gorilla Watson breaks his hand on the night of the fight. Big Mike & his boys try to rub out the Stooges afterwards, but the Stooges prevail.
<from: threestooges.net>
Enjoy the weekend! Tom
Time again to get a leg up on the efforts made by our customers and of course straighten up the joint before Monday rolls ‘round! <grin> Boris, g'wan ‘n feed the critters before taking ‘em outback for their morning romp. And yes, you may have that large jar of PPF when done . . .
A most HAPPY Mother's Day to all who've earned that distinction!
Saturday - May 10th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 24 - Pete <pwolfe> at 9:44 AM: Certainly happy to witness the return of our Bar Chandler after a most perplexing absence of 3 days . . . maybe a few "tales" for Rendezvous III . . . dropped of 3 Pix, thought he'd be back, but . . . hmmmmmm. But he did spring for a ROUND!
Rendezvous Email sent to you . . .
Page 24 -Fergie <Fergmiester> at 10:37 AM: Nice offering from our irregular part-time Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner at Sea!
For those who are curious, check out this URL to see where Cap'n Fergie was . . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Race
Dropped off some "light" reading for us all . . . thanx for the visit!
Page 24 - The Nick <nickinwestwales>Show -
2:25 PM <8:25 PM GMT>: A surprise visit from our Resident Londoner in Wales - don't usually see our Mighty Man on Saturday afternoons ‘round here!
Had no clue regarding Barlow ‘n Bridge rails . . . most interesting stuff! Clarity of your fotos is remarkable . . . nice work, Mate!
at 5:08 PM <11:08 PM GMT>: "In" with a fine < I3 > Post that covered the bases quite well!
One day I'll figure out how to get better detail with that digital of mine. Happy that you enjoyed the continuing spate of six from the Can-Am Railway. Yes, Railway Ave. is one of the better ones.
You are correct - that is the Ontario Provincial flag emblazoned on the loco . . . not the "kills" as seen on warplanes! <grin>
Undercover cop Hmmmm, and here I thought SHE was "genuine." <uh oh>
St. George Arms IS a fantastic place. I think you'd find it to your liking . . . didn't see anywhere for your band to set up, although in warmer weather they do have an outside patio. Hmmmm, wonder what the local ordinances are regarding decibels
at 5:55 PM PM <11:55 PM GMT>: Spate of SIX featuring A35 . . .<sweet> Also, wonder what in the world the "censor" thought you were "saying" Try using this technique when in doubt <doot, for Rob> T-E-C-H-N-I-Q-U-E. Works every time . . .
Don't know HOW, but the 18 incher went down quite well . . . took several Keiths to help it along! <grin>
at 7:35 PM <01:08 AM Sunday GMT>: Spate of NINE fotos! The man is on a roll!
The trackwork ‘n a look at that "monster" loco from above is a fantastic shot! Freight yard activity always captivates the eye.
MANY thanx for all of that effort, Mate! All quality ‘n all well geared to keep our interests peaked as the "word" from our Mighty Man is always looked forward to ‘n enjoyed! ROUNDS appreciated as well . . . A Five Salute to Nick!
Page 25 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:25 PM ‘n 10:35 PM ‘n 11:45 PM: A trifecta from our Manager on this most unusual of Saturdays! Just when it appeared that we were definitely winding down, along comes that man in his trolley!
I see you turned the Page to 25!
All interesting shots - that observation-dome Park car <#8704 - Evangeline Park> at the end of the Renaissance consist really breaks my heart. Should be ALL Budd . . . and bedroom passengers shouldn't have to pay more simply to sit up there . . . AND who cares about a "Learning Coordinator" <aka: tourist guide> VIA made a huge mistake in judging what the travelers WANT ‘n EXPECT on that voyage to/from Halifax. <barf>
Those Louisburg shots are all <keepers>!
Luv those contrasting shots of VIA - Amtrak ‘n ACR . . . <sweet>
That last one surely has a caboose <van> cupola look, eh
Many thanx for all the effort!
Page 25 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:04 AM: Don't believe we've seen those fotos before - nice colors ‘n certainly "different" motive power than we're accustomed to! Thanx . . .
Train stations are great places to browse around. I just can't imagine having that kind of flexibility at Chicago's Union Station. As if a camera somehow is a threat . . . yeah, yeah - we could extrapolate that one into oblivion. <barf>
Late arrival was a "first" for me on the "corridor." No snow between Toronto ‘n Montréal on our trip - just passenger rail traffic running late coming the other way, I suspect. Only snow witnessed was on my solo trip up to Gaspé ‘n back to Matapédia. Ahhhhhhhhh, nice thoughts! <grin>
A fine < I3> Post from our Resident NOCTURNAL Desert RETIRED Swede!
Leon, just a ham sandwich, please! Yes, a cold Tuborg Gold.
This was a very short Saturday. It went by like an express train!
Mike – A whole bunch of linked photos. Today it is 139 years since they finished the first transcontinental railroad in the US, “The Final Spike”! The official photo from the ceremony is a little bit different than the one shown. Very nice steam photos!Tom – I remember you told us about the commemoration trip, probably close to two years ago. Funny that the same locomotive showed up this time! Interesting photos of Toronto Union Station! I never saw those tracks when I was there. I also noticed that VIA usually has the trains ready for boarding 20-30 minutes prior to departure time.I agree, that GO Transit car looks funky. I also noticed that the nose/front of the MP40PH-3C looks very much like the front of Amtrak’s old RTL’s. Interesting to see Mrs Siberianmo’s birthplace! My Best to her!So you were late arriving to Montréal! 41 minutes! Maybe too much snow on the track? Pete – Kind of funny looking locomotive today! I am thinking of the Midland Railway Class 1. Outside frame and a very narrow open cab. Thanks for the round!Fergie – Thanks for the History of Nova Scotia’s Railways! That is a part of the world I don’t know much about and that makes it more interesting to learn about it. I understand there are coal mines and iron mines in Nova Scotia, right? Nick – Wow, you have exactly what i have been looking for!!! Pictures of and the story behind the Bridge Rail!!! I have to ask you for permission to use the three pictures you have posted in a Swedish Nistorical Railway forum where the Bridge Rail was discussed a couple of weeks ago. Please! All T44s are used for freight only and switching. A few T43 (maybe it was only 1) had HEP equipment and was used for passenger and freight. Today they are only used for freight and switching.Interesting to see the photos from the Duke fiasco. I must say it was poor planning stopping with the steam locomotive so far from the platform. I am sure 99% of the people came just to see the steam locomotive. Too bad your camera died when the train arrived. Question, the yard shots, what yard is that? Rob – I am still looking into this cost increase for a second party. Perfect timing showing those photos from Louisburg! Is that a museum only nowadays? I can see the track ends just on the other side of the semaphore. Nice collection of photos! I like that Dome car! Ahh, you found a picture of the MAK diesel!!! Thank you very much! It looks almost exactly like the Swedish State Railways class T21, also built by MAK 1955-1958. 800 hp diesel. Used for switching and some local freights. Class T21 is in the picture below.Photo: my friend Hans Polanik (also a locomotive engineer).I’ve been operating T21s many times. Very good switchers!
Class T43. Photo: Hans Polanik.
Finally class V3. Photo: Hans Polanik.
Good evening again gents. Hey Leon since your still awake I might as well trouble you for another Guiness. I do hope that everyone has got their Mother's day cards ready to go for their speacial ladies tomorrow. if not Vito's card shop is open late. I see that Boris had a portrait done of himself and the critters for his mother,a noted Mentor village painter ( Vincent Von Gon ) did the painting for him.Even though it was a straight portrait , many of the villiages art elite have called it his greatest abstract work
Soooo moving right along I found that photo of that german locomotive working on the CNR. It was classed a deisel mechanical and was built in Kiel Germany by Mak. They did not run long on the CN.I'm not sure if they qwere just sent back or if they were scrapped, that is still a mystery.
Shot from Rail Canada Volume #1 on the CNR and it's paint schemes.
Lets see Leon I think another round of Guiness is needed.Along with a few more random pictures.
The Dome on the end of our trip on the Ocean last summer at Halifax station
VIA train at Bayview summer of '95 liley VIA #95 to Niagara Falls
Amtrak at Bayview JCT
Shot of ACR's Agawa Canyon ( late 80's )
Good evening Gents. Leon hopefully if there is some steak left I would like to partake and I think a Guiness to wash it all down with.
Some more semblance of normal activity here today,best we can do here at the old feast n famine eh
Tom-More stupendous pictures sir far better shots with your camera than what mine produces in that type of weather Nice to see the up close and personals of those new GO units,they have a certain modern ugly charm.
Good to hear that the CanAm's subway is now nearing full operations,and again I'm keeping the old fingers crossed that major demolitions need not happen.Our minor reno's will only take a week and are cosmetic,bit of new brick work and new preasure treated for the porch deck,not bad concidering teh age,the house truns 100 next year and the proch decking being replaced iis close to thirty years old so it's time. Our freind is the contractor which helps alot,likey less then three large all said.
Eric-Hmmm , I can't see any way around the "costs" of the second party. Your in Vito finacing range to be sure. <uh oh >I haven't found the german deisels yet either but I'm still digging. I know that I didn't dream them up.
Mike-Lots of good stuff an posters,thanks
Pete-Welcome back. H&H were concerned when you didn't turn up for your last massage appointmentHelga had just mixed up a new batch of her pantented flab busting,and body sculpting poltices.She was hoping to use you as a live test subject.( Boris refused on the grounds that he didn't like the sent )
Great pics
Fergie-Hey great read sir I had the good fortune of going through the SYdney and Louisberg museum in the Louisberg station last July when Heather and I were in Cape Breton we enjoyed it Couple shots from last years trip.
Station at Louisberg
L&S coach on display at museum1890's built car !
Nick-A fine spread by you today The pictures were interesting,anytime one can see some live steam at it's best is never a waste of time in my books Interesting feight cars as well,some of them almost look North American !
I think that you could do some real damage at the Arms with us.It certainly is your kind of place.It is interesting that we had that landrover parked in front.Kind of set the seen.
And on we go to Haverfordwest,where we beat the train by a very slim margin....
Right-well here is the `other` perspective of H/West-previous pix have all been from the footbridge ,looking this way
Hmmmm-things of possible interest-Was originally laid out to the 7` gauge-hence the big gap between the platforms,after conversion,centre road between platforms was a double stub spur,accessed by a double slip crossing in the middle-later relaid as a passing siding for the up line ( the down line has the goods loop ).Where the concrete hut is,a pair of up-side sidings for the milk & cattle spurs pulled out
Here she comes !!
And there she goes................
Not the most satisfactory possible outcome,however ,got a few yard shots that might be of small interest
Here we have the tank loading ramp in the old goods yard-the freight shed is on the right-the dismounted wheelset assembly is just out of shot on the right
Next up were a half dozen of these:---
Here is a reverse angle shot showing the old freight shed-now a used furniture warehouse-still retains all sorts of fittings,including internal hoist
Were also several of these:-
These two plus another open (off camera ) formed the front of the train-no idea whether they are service/support vehicles or just barrier wagons required for moving military gear
Am standing more or less where another small fan of sidings used to cut out and serve several sheds,including a provender store-have been gradually removed over the last 10 years as the M.O.W dept has wound down it`s operations out west....
Anyway-could go on rambling all night-Leon-more drinks please-naturally on my tab-I`m just about to go and work it off in the galley
TOM-Looks like an overlapping post-my round:- take a large brandy and go and settle in the official bossmans armchair and I`ll start building a suitable sandwich to sustain you through the evening-how about our largely experimental 3 course submarine ..?
We have an 18" sub roll filled thus..5" with shelled Tiger prawns in piquant Marie-Rose sauce,6" with chicken *** & back bacon with lettuce,tom & mayo & then 7" of Sirloin of Welsh black with fried onions & mushrooms...served with fries,coleslaw and choice of dessert
Right-focus now..... ah yes-the `Duke`well,here we go from where we left off:-
Yup-here she comes-creeping in at a snail pace we have a class 66 (either 166 or 616 or 116)
This was the point at which my camera batteries failed,so:-
Over to the local paper-this shot must have been taken from Victoria bridge with a long lens-is completely distorted and heavily compressed
Here is the departure-platform ends about 8 carlengths behind tender-were many more people wanted to see her than did....
Here is one from the run to Fishguard on saturday-
And one from the same place,2 years ago-engine is Drwsllyn Castle
And from a little way over...
Right -thats 6 so better post and start the next-onwards to H/West
brb
Right then chaps-thats me caught up to the top of this page,so lets have another wee drinkie and see whats been happening....Leon-same again all round please old thing-have one yourself whilst you`re there.....
ROB-Some fine pix from Battlecreek & Brantford (now that could be a cool bridge line..) that T.H.B hopper is just screaming to be modelled......Delightful G.T green geep -Belhaven-am not sure the company even exists anymore-brewing industry over here has gone mad in recent years-corporate lunacy
ALLAN-Billy Connelly is one of the very few actors(John Cleese is another) who can reduce me to hysterics without even speaking.. Your description of the rail company structure sounds like the classic public/private partnership--if it makes money,it goes into private pockets-if it loses ,it comes out of the public purse..........
ERIC-Thanks for the detail on the T43/4-longevity suggests a useful engine-what sort of traffic were they used on ? -Nice pic of the `Paradise & Pacific` btw-the S.P cab in the background makes a nice secondary focal point..
TOM-Yup -you got me-I`m a big old softy for cats & dogs and the like-the Meercat enclosure at our local wildlife park can keep me enthralled for ridiculous amounts of time and the `feed a baby goat` session is one Hannah & I never miss.....
This weeks Can-Am spread is an especial treat-a great set of shots of the layout as opposed to the trains-the one of Rly Ave. is a perfect `Railway in the landscape `shot imho Also the mountain shot does the same and also shows the depth perspective work on the mountain itself-nice one Freight yard pix always welcome
CM3-I begin to think yours is the way to go re fantrips..........
TOM-At last-we are on the road --Some nicely judged build up work here-the anticipation is building nicely-a chance to appreciate the architecture of both station and city and get a bit of a `feel` for the place........
Silent MIKE-A fine list of addys-which I will check out asap-all wrapped in your elegantly minimalist prose....Bet you could pen a mean Haiku...
CM3-Liking this Monon stuff (think I spotted a 2nd part on this page )-will have to fetch the atlas for full appreciation-good call
TOM-So here we are-the brakes have cleared down, the power is on and ......off we go:-Well-what a cracking selection of the GO trains-the gods surely favoured you there-absolute meat & drink to me -thanks for those mate-
Also enjoyed the interior shots-not just for the technical detail or the portraits of the two of you (nicely caught as they are) but for the background detail (spot the under-cover cop.....)
Another good catch at Oakville-re the flag on#524-ROB will prolly confirm or deny,but suspect it is same as on O.N.R locos-indicates provincial govt owned......
The St Georges looks good in and out-the outside shot made to look all the more English by the Range Rover parked in front
Right,I think thats me up to the top of this page-gonna post this,have another wee drinkie,then start on some pix,specials board etc
And who to our suprise should appear, but Mighty Man himself - Nick in westwales, Chief Chef 'n man of more talents than Bayer has pills!
Spate of rail shots not only ED-U-KAY-SHUN-UL, but interesting too! I expect a quiz is being formulated!
Will reserve further commentary 'til my round of acknowledgments . . . BUT, have a pint <or three> on me!
Spent a wee bit of time with the Can-Am City Subway System <CACSS> - finished up my control panel - got the track 'n station pretty much to my liking - but of course, there's still MUCH to be done: signal lights <operating> - girders, passengers at the platforms - just the way a hobby should be - not QUITE finished!
And nooooooooooow!
NOTE: Freight cars along the corridor . . . skies cleared as we approached Montréal.
(55)
(56)
(57)
(58) Approaching Montréal!
(59) Message board sez we arrived!
(60) Rob in queue for return to Toronto - bon voyage, Mate!
That's IT for this day . . . to be continued . . . .
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