"Our" Place <est 12 Apr 2005> Adults talking Classic Trains!

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, p[lease; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  We had 10 minutes of sunlight yesterday morning and then the clouds rolled back.  It is supposed to be cool for the rest of the week and then some more rain followed by a possibility of snow on Sunday.  Gas is at $3.45 right now, or it was when I took the "One Hoss Shay" (no Boris, the vehicle, not the locomotive) in for a belt transplant, oil change, and inspection sticker.  Now all that's let is to go to the DMV and get my 1x1" decal for the license plate; that sucker costs $45. 

Yes, the Cardinals are doing o.k. which is more than I can say for the Olde Towne Team.  They have an 18K road trip to start things off, get the day off today and then play 21 games in the next 20 days.  Even so that was an ugly performance in Toronto.   

Lars - Good to hear from you.  That is a nice selection of IC books.  The IC North video is a good one; part of a two-tape set.

Pete was in with vintage diesel pictures and comments.  ATK power assignments (ideally) are dictated by terrain and number of cars operating on the train.  For example 50 and 51 take one locomotive for up to 10 cars.  More than 10, another unit is added.  The reason for this is that there is some very rugged country east of here.  Eric beat me to the punch; the locomotive is indeed former Lackawanna power; as he said one of the few left.  IIRC, it was formerly owned by the R&LHS who brokered some kind of deal (in the long ago) with the museum.

Allan stopped in with comments.

Nick - Good tunes.  I enjoyed the picture of the band, especially your "invisible drummer."  BTW, check out the "Kentucky Headhunters" if you like bar music - good stuff; especially "Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine," and "Dumas Walker."

Rob was in with comments and electric history.   Westinghouse did all sorts of contract electrical work for just about everybody.

Eric - Great pictures!  I did a little more checking into Genesis problems; the ever-popular traction motor sickness and ground fault problems.  There's something, as you know, that'll drive you crazy as they never happen at a (not the quotes) "good time."

OSP was by with some excellent B&O material.  I was browsing through Steam, Steel and Limiteds the other night and spent a bit of time looking at their B&O coverage.  As a word to the group, that book is well worth the effort to try and find. 

Rental car material would be in the 1950s.  Long before that, however, the New Haven ran ads in their winter timetables exhorting people the "Ship Their Cars to Florida."  This would, of course, have been in regular freight service.  Long before Auto Train, the B&O ran auto carriers (bilevel racks) on the back of some of their trains.  The commission material was put in there for the benefit of ticket agents, the primary audience of the ORG.

Looks like new ‘moom pichers at the Theatuh.  Have not seen the first one - looks good.

Speaking of which, we have lost another film icon in Charlton Heston.  Boris is used to people telling him, "Take your paws off me."

Work safe

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

 

A smile to begin the week!

Pair up in threes!

<A Yogi-ism!>

G'day Gents!

Here we are again - Monday! Time to fill up those coffee mugs, check out The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n take a look at our Menu Board featuring <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts!

A glorious spring weekend with comfortable temps, blue skies 'n things in bloom. Just an all 'round nice couple of days. Then of course the petrol prices rose to $3.28 <rounded> just to snap us all back to reality . . . <ugh>

Rendezvous III is "right 'round the corner," with arrivals slated for May 14th!   Cardinal's tix are "in" - row 12, right behind the Card's dugout. Can't beat that, eh Youbetcha!

Cards are on the wing with a 5 game winning streak - but it IS far too early to chortle. Just a good start for 'em.

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Sunday - April 6^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 8 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:43 PM <1:43 AM Monday GMT>: A rare Sunday visit from our Resident Londoner in Wales! Have to admit it's "nice" to have a "note" slipped through the mail slot on the door on Sunday . . . just a reminder that we still have one or two "out there" who give that proverbial Rat's Patoot about the Watering Hole by the Wayside!

Belated wishes to your lady! And many, many MORE!

Appreciate the concern - but don't let it keep you awake. <geesh> I'll get over this - give it a couple of more months! <yikes>

Spent a bit of time these past weeks giving it a "go" on the Can-Am subway system. Most of the effort has been with the station - takes lots of time. Anyway, while in the trainroom, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Bellamy Brothers ‘n many others provide the musical interludes for the background. Willie is "the man"!

Treading on thin ice with comments regarding our Senior Manager <Emeritius> the Larsman! <uh oh> And just WHAT were you doing in the Manager's Office up in the Penthouse Suite Hmmmmmmm. Interlude on a Sunday . . . well, why not!

Many thanx for the good humor, good cheer ‘n support for the bar!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!

Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!

Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!

Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!

Cindy is our Saturday bartender!

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

Tom

 

[nickinwestwales]

Well evening all my lovely little lambkins-Just like Bergie I`m in to do some `housekeeping` ........(just teasing) O.K-where are we-(one of my regular early morning questions)-oh yes,sunday once again,so as its nice and quiet I can sit back with a wee drinkie and catch up on some post -Boris-you and Copperkettle go and clean & polish things-and dont get in H&H`s way-keep an eye out for the delivery van-looks like the bed in the `managers office` is beyond repair-fair play LARS-when it comes to staff wage rises,you strike a hard bargain-I take my hat off to you sir !!!!!!!! Well now-have been celebrating Missisnick`s birthday -21 again (plus 19) and all is well with the world-is snowing fit to bust here-for us ,snow is a rare and welcome visitor-whoopee,a day off-hmmm-starting to wander-drinking wine instead of beer tonight-not a great fan but can see the attraction-more bang for your buck ,as it were..................... O.K-lets focus here... PETE-love the `rail blue` diesels-not a fan of the livery but the whole pic set  just oozes atmosphere-I think the worst application of that livery had to be the V.o.R steamers (general note-the Prince of Wales,Llewellyn and Owain Glendywr on the little Vale of Rheidol line were the only steam engines to wear the B.R corporate blue livery-and it REALLY didnt suit) As to the Aveling & Porter engines-I believe the one I am thinking of worked for the Blue Circle Portland cement company at one time & may well have been named `blue circle`-could that be it   ?? ROB-Tune in to next fridays` webcast to catch us playing `Strange brew`and plenty more in a similar mould-my personal favourite is the old R.Johnson thing-Crossroads,although that is unlikely to make it into the set-have a video of the CREAM re-union show at the royal Albert Hall-some of it is up on U-tube as well-a fine performance-nuff said It occurs to me ,from all those fine traction pix that you have posted ,that there is huge potential for a minimum space layout there-an `L` shape-a cityscape for the long board with some degree of auto running with odd little boxcabs pushing freight cars into sidings and a country section on the short leg with a car shed and all the ameneties built around a terminal---wandering again-the tight radii of street track would work here to keep things nice and narrow-get an oval of H.0 track down to about 18 " ERIC-Anything by Willie Nelson is good with me-now there is a man who tells it like it is-Am starting to develop a real fondness for the dark,dark humour in country music-more on little diddy wagons-they were mostly built without any sort of continuous brakes and with 3-link hook&chain couplings-a real tricky task to get `em rolling and harder still to keep them so-I understand that a good driver would shut off at the outer distant signal,let the train catch up & then `pick up the slack` in the couplings a little bit at a time when the banner dropped-an art lost on those who live in the world of the knuckle coupler.............. PETE-that narrow boat is a pure beauty ,as is the camel back TOM-what ho old mate-Hey-me ..serious-**** mate-the only thing I am serious about just now is you shakin off that bug thats got you-bothers me when my good buddies are under the cosh-I dont sleep well.................. ERIC-So how do you want your steak-we can do everything from `blue` to `completely buggered`-would recommend medium rare with sides of onion rings ,mushrooms stuffed with pate,grilled toms,and home fries plus a crisspy clean salad platter with a plump jacket potato available instead of the fries

 

Fine pix from the old country btw-looks like very sandy soil-I would imagine it is hard work to raise any sort of crop there    ?

O.K-time for bed -have a good week end one and all-thats me done-O-K-bedtime--"But it`s all right now,in fact it`s a gas,......it`s all right-I`m jumping jack flash its a gas gas gas

[siberianmo]

"Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs  

 

Starting TODAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

. . . April 6^th thru 12^th: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) Starring: Brad Pitt, Mary-Louise Parker, Brooklynn Proulx, Dustin Bollinger & Casey Affleck - and - ENCORE PRESENTATION of Mr. Baseball (1992) Starring: Tom Selleck, Ken Takakura, Aya Takanashi, Dennis Haysbert & Toshi Shioya. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Three Loan Wolves (1946).

<Note: Mr. Baseball first shown on Sunday, June 11^th thru 17^th, 2006>

 

 

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Everyone in 1880s America knows Jesse James. He's the nation's most notorious criminal, hunted by the law in 10 states. He's also the land's greatest hero, lauded as a Robin Hood by the public. Robert Ford? No one knows him. Not yet. But the ambitious 19-year-old aims to change that. He'll befriend Jesse, ride with his gang. And if that doesn't bring Ford fame, he'll find a deadlier way. Friendship becomes rivalry and the quest for fame becomes obsession in this virile epic produced in part by Ridley Scott and featuring gripping portrayals by Brad Pitt (winner of the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award) as Jesse and Casey Affleck as the youth drawn closer to his goal and farther from his own humanity.

<from: amazon.com>

 

Mr. Baseball (1992)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Tom Selleck stars in this hilarious comedy about a veteran major leaguer who attempts to revive his fading baseball career by signing to play in Japan.

Aging superstar Jack Elliot (Selleck) just isn't hitting them like he used to. In fact, the only pro ball club willing to sign him is the Chunichi Dragons...in Nagoya, Japan. Cultures clash immediately when Jack hits town and proceeds to alienate everyone with his arrogance. But through the friendship of teammate Max "Hammer" DuBois (Dennis Haysbert, "Far from Heaven") and the love of the team's beautiful translator, Jack finds a way to fit in and win in this heartwarming, action-packed comedy from director Fred Schepisi.  

<from: amazon.com>

 

SHORT: The Three Stooges - Three Loan Wolves (1946)

PLOT SUMMARY:

The Stooges are pawnbrokers with a sassy son who wants to know why he has three fathers. This leads into a flashback. It seems the the moll of gangster Butch McGee left a baby with Larry. The Stooges tend toward unorthodox child care methods, such as a loaded gun for a pacifier and a large milk bottle with a glove on it. McGee enters the Stooges' store and a fight ensues. After the story, the boy leaves to find his mother and Larry is punished by the other Stooges.

<from: threestooges.net>

 

Enjoy the weekend!

Tom

 

[siberianmo]

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

G'day Gents! 

Closed we are - but always time to get a leg up on the comments to those who took the time ‘n made the effort to stop in . . .

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Saturday - April 5^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 7 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:45 AM: Good to see our Bar Chandler on a Saturday morning! Surely can't begrudge anyone wishing to take advantage of warmer temps along with a SUNSHINE weekend!

Avis ‘n Hertz, along with the airlines, were very, very clever with the inroads they made by "pushing" their modes of transportation directed at the passenger rail traveler. Obviously, the results speak for themselves. But, the handwriting was on the wall as the automobile ‘n highways pretty much captivated the population after WWII. Then, who could argue with long-distance travel by aircraft - cross the country in hours as opposed to days. Hands down winner for them . . . . <barf> But, understandable . . .

Enjoyed your spate of six fotos - especially the one's from Pike's Peak. Don't know whether that sign was the same as I viewed in 1953, but it did bring back some memories. I've NEVER forgotten the height of that mountain - kinda became etched in my young mind at 14,110 ft. Ahhhhhhhh, the trivia that gets stored away in the grey matter, eh

Yes, traveling aboard "The City of New Orleans" is something we can plan on! HOWEVER, keep in mind that summer down that-a-way is OPPRESSIVE in terms of humidity ‘n heat. Best done in spring or fall - even winter.

Nice inclusive Post ‘n of course the ROUND is appreciated too!

 

Page 7 - Eric <EricX2000> at 7:48 PM: Found that info I mentioned about the Forum's "slow down" during the wee hours:

From a Post by Bergie 03-20-2008, 3:31 PM on the Trains.com Forum:

Re: What's going on with the Forum?

One more thing, related to the question of forum speed... If you're posting between 1 and 3 am, the forum will be slow. There's daily maintenance that takes place at that time, and it will have an impact on forum speed. Other than that, I'm not sure about the forum speed issue. I typically don't see any noticeable change in speed. We have T1 here at work, and I have high-speed cable at home. Plus, I run security software that keeps my computer clean. If you are having problems, and you are on a high-speed connection, do you do anything to keep your computer clean? (Security software to protect against adaware, spyware, etc., as well as the occasional deleting of temporary internet files?) With an unlimited number of variables that any one user can choose, it's almost impossible to pinpoint where a problem is stemming from. If it's a once in a while issue, who knows... like today for example, I wouldn't be surprised if the NCAA tournament is having an impact on overall Internet speed. If it's every single time you visit our site, and you have high-speed access, that makes me wonder. I have high speed too, and I don't see these problems (and when at home, I seeing the site the same way you would). Those are the times I wonder if it's on the user's end. I don't want to go pointing the finger and accusing anyone of not taking care of their own equipment. Dump your history, temporary internet files, defragment, etc., and see if it makes a difference. Again, there are so many variables... computer platform (PC/Mac), computer operating system, computer RAM, browser, internet connection speed, security software... it goes on and on. Chances are, no two members of this forum have the exact same configuration. Plus, what's going on around you. You can have high speed access and still be affected by what's going on around you (i.e. are you on a wireless connection?; is there a kid in your neighborhood downloading music and movies and clogging up your pipe?). My guys are looking to see if there are any signs of problems on this end. But when they start grilling me and ask if I've experienced any of the same problems, I unfortunately have to say no. Bergie Erik Bergstrom Internet Publishing Manager Trains.com

Good news regarding the ratio of pictures to narrative for the next RR BOOK RELAY! Maybe we'll be able to ‘round up the entire "core" group for this one.

LOVE that cab shot approaching the trestle - WELL DONE, Mate for all of your fotos!

Train wrecks with fatalities are never pleasant memories. Lots of life's hopes ‘n dreams shattered with that one, eh

Odd how "that" works when the bride is away for awhile, things left behind require MORE time ‘n attention. Just goes to show how much they're missed.

IF the coughing doesn't quit by Rendezvous III - carry on without me. You know where to visit!

Many thanx for the fine chat, fotos ‘n ROUND!

 

Page 8 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:28 PM: Turned the Page to EIGHT ‘n there appeared our Manager!

Yeah, that "floodlight-headlight" nonsense should've been an indicator of things to come . . . talk about closed mind! <yikes> Figured you'd recall that one.

The only time I was in Colorado Springs was in 1953 as part of my cross-country rail trip from New York City to Santa Ana, CA for a Boy Scout Jamboree. I was a 15 year old Explorer Scout in those times. Pike's Peak was a blast - we "did it" by Cadillac limo. Did check out the tram, but no rides. It IS indeed one of the more picturesque locales in this country. By the by, that trip was BEFORE the USAF built their Academy. Yeah, I'm oooooooooold. <grin> <groan>

Whoever came up with this "carbon footprint" gimmick has surely "fed" those who wrist-wring over pretty much everything these days. Appears we both have similar feelings on it.

Appreciate the visit ‘n will look for your Email!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Emporium Theatre listings later today . . .

Tom

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon , just a  large draft of Canadian tonight.Just finishe a whole lot of real paperwork ( crew evaluation time again ) alway's puts me in a foul mood.

Tom-Got the email's I shall respond tomorrow once I've got back in from work,but sounds good

 Two of those photo's were mine the Tempo was from gramps or one I bought can't remember now ( don't say it think it but don't say it )

Good read on the B&O again,I don't think this time around there will be any arguements over the floodlights and what the proper name and terminology is for them.

Pete-Loved today's photo's, the little launch was neat as well. My sister is enjoying her alst couple month's of seeing Pikes Peak from her kitchen window. They're deployment to Colorado Springs is up and they are comming back to Canada. they still get mountains though as they are posting back to Comox BC.

 If you ever go out there take a ride on that cog railway up the mountain it's a neat experiance.

 I don't know if anyone really is that cognicent of the lost electric railway infrastructure. I find that alot of the tree huggers view any kind of rail travels as bad as it blights the countryside. At list the really militant one's are like that.The same people probabnly think that horseback will have to big a carbon footprint as well,screw em I say ( ask me how I really feel ) 

 I'd have to look up the info but I believe it was Westinghouse that supplied Adam Beck One and Two with their generation equipment. I imagine the answer lies in Wikipedia ( maybe several )

Eric-Some nice out the window shots today

I think that you will find that most of Alco's century models had that distinct V cab front shape. I always liked it , much nicer than the plain vanilla cabs EMD produced. Sounds like an interesting book you're putting up for the book relay this fall.

Rob

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Cindy, are you still here? A juicy Filet Mignon with baked potatoes and mushrooms would be perfect this beautiful Saturday. A cold Keith's, please!

Put the Mrs on an airplane this morning. She will be gone for a week and that will make me a little busier than normal, but it should not interfere with my visits to the Bar by the Siding.

Tom –  The problem with my pix last night was with the server where I keep it stored, not the forum server.

I would say the book, Steel Rails to Victory, is 85-90% photos. It is okay with me anytime you want to start the relay.

The car rentals and the airlines got much more than a foot in the door. More like the whole body.

Still coughing? You better get well before the Rendezvous! Just 40 days to go.

Baltimore & Ohio, a very classic railroad indeed! Would have been nice to travel with them through the night with the floodlights on.

Pete –  The locomotive in your photos is Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 4-4-0, built by ALCO. It belongs to the National Transportation Museum in St. Louis and the plan for it is a cosmetic restoration and finish removing the “aging" done by the DL&W. Only three Camelbacks survive today.

Nice to see the pictures from the top of Pike’s Peak. I have very similar photos from the same place. I think I showed one of the Cog Railway cars last year. When I was up there it was a heatwave, 35˚ F.

I think it is fascinating to see all those narrow canals in England. Way to travel!

Some photos from the old country taken from the cab of different locomotives in the 70’s, except the last one. It was taken 1991.

Passing another train.

 

The place for the worst train disaster in Sweden, Getå 1918. At least 42 people died when the train slid off the track to the left. The locomotive involved is still operational and can be seen in the photo below. 

 

The Swedish State Railways Class F, 4-6-2, #1200 was involved in the Getå accident. 

 

 

A round for the house! 

 

Eric 

[siberianmo]

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day! 

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

G'day Gents!

Back with a few comments to those who were mentioned in the AM acknowledgments . . . AND something for this ENCORE! Saturday . . .

Customer Comments:

Rob - That visit to my old HS was in 1981 . . . can only imagine it today. Couple of Emails sent your way . . .  Liked those fotos <from grandad?>

CM3 Shane - Illionis Central, Monday mornin' mail . . . yeah, IF only . . .

Pete - Let's PLAN on it! Quick turnaround in N'rlns shud do it! Emails sent to you.

When we're at the Barriger RR Library during Rendezvous III perhaps you can research that question about WHEN the rental car ads first appeared in those RR Almanacs . . .

Allan - Most gunners that I knew couldn't hear a thing <well, not very much> so they wouldn't have known had someone referred to them in ANY way, shape or fashion. Aboard ship, we referred to 'em as "cannon cockers." Bring back some memories I thought so!

Nick - RipTide LIVE via a "cast" - tell us MORE! Good scoop on the 16 rpm, I do believe you are correct, Sir!

Money ALWAYS gets in the way of having FUN! <geesh> Well at least you didn't let me down - and here I thought you had lapsed into a state of seriousness! Shame on Moi! Anyway, if you're gonna cross the pond, you'll have to do so when we have Rednezvous - this one coming up is gonna be a good time, really wish you could make it.

Eric - Good deal regarding our next RR BOOK RELAY - many thanx! We'll probably give it a go in the fall if that's okay with you. Your book is more fotos than narrative, yes Hope so! As with the bar - we get bogged down with too much narrative - just fills the pages 'n that's about it. I think the problem with the current RR BOOK RELAY was the time it took to get through a serious read as opposed to the year before when it was primarily fotos. Anyway, something to plan on . . .

In the days when the car rentals AND airlines were advertising in the RR Almanacs they obviously were vying for business. So it would have made sense to offer incentives to their employees to get "bookings" from the railroad travelers - kinda like a foot in the door. And of course we KNOW how far they got, eh <groan>

Really haven't had the time to research that "blurb" I had read on one of Bergie's Posts . . . but you could probably find it by doing a "search" on his name . . . then read through his Posts 'til you come across what I had told you about.

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

I see Pete made it "in" for this fine day . . . yeah, I've got outside 'n inside work pending. coughing is preventing me from getting as much done as I'd like - tomorrow will be week #5 of this crap.

Thanx for the fotos 'n chat!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 127 of the Original Thread, 04 Oct 2005>

More on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) of the Fallen Flags from The Official Guide of the Railways - Aug 1956

 

 

 

Thrilled travelers tell us "There's nothing like the view from B&O's STRATA-DOME" ..... Route your passengers via B&O and they'll sing your praises too

Passengers traveling in a B&O Strata-Dome marvel at the thrilling panorama and natural beauty of the ever-changing scenery.

 

FLOODLIGHTS AT NIGHT

Powerful floodlight beams provide a novel view of the landscape after dark.

This exclusive B&O service between Washington and Chicago is offered at no charge!

 

Strata-Dome Dieseliners between

CHICAGO - AKRON - PITTSBURGH - WASHINGTON

The Capitol Limited (All Pullman) - The Columbia (Deluxe-Coach) - The Shenandoah* (Pullman and Coach)

 

THROUGH SERVICE TO AND FROM -

BALTIMORE, WILMINGTON, PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK.

*On the Shenandoah, Strata-Dome is operated on alternate dates. Available only to Pullman passengers on the Shenandoah.

 

BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 127 of the Original Thread, 04 Oct 2005>

More on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) of the Fallen Flags from The Official Guide of the Railways - Aug 1956

 

B&O DIESEL-ELECTRIC FEATURE TRAINS

CAPITOL LIMITED - COLUMBIAN - SHENANDOAH
Between Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and the East

NATIONAL LIMITED - DIPLOMAT - METROPOLITAN
Between St. Louis, Cincinnati, Washington and the East

THE AMBASSADOR
Between Detroit, Washington and Baltimore

THE ROYAL BLUE
Between Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York

STRATA-DOME CARS*
On 3 Fine Trains

CAPITOL LIMITED - COLUMBIAN - SHENANDOAH
Chicago - Akron - Pittsburgh - Washington
Baltimore - Wilmington - Philadelphia - New York

(* In service between Chicago and Washington)

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Enjoy!

Tom

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A cup of your famous coffee and a bacon sarnie please CINDY.

TOM Like you the sun is shining here in Mid-Mo and there is no end of yard work to be done. Got a bit of time as the bride is away at the minute getting supplies.

Many thanks for the Hertz and Avis rent a car ads.I see they are from a 1956 official guide; it made me wonder when the rent a car business was first offered to train passengers

ALLAN Real glad the inner ear problem has eased for you.

It is strange that cricket sides can be good at the one-day game and yet don't do anywhere as well at the test matches or vice versa.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I have found a few more photos with quite a few industrial locomotives.

NICK. Oh yes I well remember waking up with a mouth like the bottom of a parrot's cage. It is amazing how something that tasted so good the night before can make one feel so rough in the morning.

Many thanks for the photo and the details of RIPTIDE, any plans for a U-Tube appearance in the future. 12 KW would power an electric locomotive, those Second Class Saloon lot will be able to hear us at the Anniversary.

Thanks for the Info on the 16RPM records and the Drummond 77S model loco.

Unfortunately I never got to Markinch or rode the Cupar Railway, It must have been great to ride behind No9 in the beaver tail car. Yes the A4 whistle is unmistakable. If I recall right the only other British locos to have a chime whistle were the Standard Britannias, 71000 and some of the Standard Class 5 4-6-0s

ROB Thanks for the info on the ‘Control Cab' locomotives, now I see it makes sense. I guess with nearly all the BR diesels having two cabs I did not think of it. The only single cab locos on BR are nearly always used in pairs with the cabs outward.

Many thanks for the Classic Juice # 31 Encore. It is sad to see all those miles of electric powered lines have disappeared, I think today it is realized the folly of getting rid of them, especially with the concern about pollution nowadays and Hydro as got to be the cleanest form of generating power. Do you know who built the generators in the Niagara Falls Hydro Power Station.

Those 1928 cars do sound luxurious I wonder what were they used on after the WELR was closed, only 4 years after they were built.

ERIC Real sorry to hear you is having problems in posting your photos for the bar.

When we traveled on the Southwest Chief it did have two locomotives but the two times I have been on the Texas Eagle it had only the one, I think I recall reading about a lot of inconvenience to passengers recently when the loco on the Texas Eagle broke down.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos, if I am right, 71000 only had 8 years in BR service, one year later and I doubt if she would have been built as BR announced the Modenisation Plan in 1955. I will have to talk a bit more about the Duke later.

Yes the BR workshops built quite a few classes of diesels and electric locomotives.

I have a mixed bag of photos this week.

On Pike's Peak, Colorado I believe.

On one of the bride's visits to England we took the bus to the small town of Brinklow and after a pub lunch walked back along the Oxford Canal and came across this gem.

A detail of the LMS badge on the side of the narrow-boat.

Maybe someone can help with details of this fine locomotive, not even sure of the location, it could be in Colorado.

Well CINDY let me get a round and then the yardwork.

Pete.  

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

 

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

G'day Gents!

Saturday at the Bar by the Ballast - time to fill up the coffee mugs, sample a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board.

Anyone recall the humble beginnings for our Menu Board Hmmmmmmm. Those of you who've been ‘round this joint for a couple of years may be able to recall . . . .

Comments from the Proprietor

I'm sooooooooooooo far behind in things needing to get done on this weekend day . . . sooooooooo, I'm simply going to list those who dropped by since my last narrative. I'll try to get to specifics as time progresses.

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Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Friday - April 4^th: <all times Central daylite>

Page 7 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 8:38 AM: Fine foto spread!

 

Page 7 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:47 AM: Great IC stuff!

 

Page 7 - Lars <LoveDomes> at 1:09 PM: Most pleasant surprise! Fine spate of covAHs from Da Man!

 

Page 7 - Pete <pwolfe> at 3:22 PM: Dependable Pete ‘n a most inclusive offering w/fotos!

 

Page 7 - Allan <Gunneral> at 8:37 PM <2:37 PM Saturday NZ time>: Always a treat ‘n appreciation for the Tuis <burp>!

 

Page 7 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 8:53 PM ‘n 10:40 PM <2:53 AM ‘n 3:40 AM Saturday GMT>: A twofer from our friend in Wales! Foto of the band is a <keeper>!

 

Page 7 - Rob <trolleyboy) at 10:42 PM ‘n 11:55 PM: Twofer from our Resident Ontario Connection!

 

Saturday - April 5^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 7 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:04 AM: A word regarding Pix-Posting late at night <or early AM>: In something I read from Bergie while browsing his Posts, he said that the Forums are very slow at those times because of routine maintenance. Made particular reference to someone complaining about not being able to Post fotos . . . . if I can find it for you, I'll give you the link. BUT, seems to me it makes sense ‘n probably is a plausible reason for your difficulties.

Fine <I³ > Post!

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Many THANX for all who stopped by AND especially to those who bought ROUNDS 'n provided quarters for Herr Wurlitzer's Coal Scuttle!

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Reminder: Cindy has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

TODAY is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!

Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

 

Tom

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, a number 2 special, please. Keith's!

Finally here, after a messy day. Tonight I tried to talk to customer service representatives somewhere in India. Not easy, not easy. Before that I had to talk to a computer! I just hate to talk to machines. And now, when I tried to get the picture for this post, I can't get to it! It just doesn't work.

Tom –  My stomach is empty at some time every day! That is why I am ordering something to eat almost every time I visit Our Place.

I agree about the model railroads, you can give it trackage rights anywhere you want and not even pay for it. I like those bridges the Polar Express is running across.

“Steel Rails to Victory” by Ron Ziel is available for the RR Book Relay 2008. I’ll be happy provide it. It is a hard cover book.

Amtrak’s problems with their Genesis locos may be a lack of (or too much deferred, as CM3 mentions) of maintenance problem or maybe those locomotives aren’t just as good (for different reasons) as the old F40’s.

City of New Orleans, one of my favorite trains! Interesting info on that train!

I also prefer Willie Nelson’s version of the song with the same name.

Reading the Avis and Hertz ads from the Official Guide of the Railways makes me wonder why they told everyone (reading the ads) that they gave 10% commission to whoever made the car reservation for the passengers?

CM3 –  I think you are right about Amtrak’s Genesis locomotives.

I would say both “City of New Orleans” and “Panama Limited” are a very classic trains.

Pete –  I must say I am surprised that Amtrak doesn’t use two locotives on all their long distance trains. But i am sure it is in order to cut the costs and as long as the single locomotive works they save money on it.

So I should talk to Hilda? Hmmm. Probably a good idea.

I like your photos of the LNER 60009 and, even more so, BR 71000. The newer loco looks very nice! How many years was that in service? 10-15 years?

Interesting to see that BR built their own locomotives, class 24 and class 25.

Nick –  Good to see that you have recovered from the tough Thursday! Maybe the 12,000 watts was too much. It certainly would be for me. Thanks for the picture of the band!

16’ long cars. On the small side, so to speak. Thanks for the info!

Allan –  You better be careful and take care of your Artillery Ear! I have a locomotive horn ear. No pain and hardly any hearing, just strange kind of noises all the time.

Rob –  I also think F40 is a better and more reliable locomotive than Genesis. VIA is doing the right thing, rebuilding their F40’s.

Thanks for the photos of the CN and CP locomotives! It seems to me like the cab of the converted #1102 is very pointed.

Interesting article on the Lost Electrics of Southwestern Ontario! From the first experimental line at the Toronto Agricultural Fair to the new cars on the Sunshine County Route. Were those new cars sold to another street railway or just scrapped, only a few years old?

Lars –  Senior Manager Emeritus, good to see you again, Sir! Of course we need you here at the bar! So does Ruth!

A good collection of Illinois Central books! Oh, the last one is a video (DVD). I’ll pick the first one, Illinois Central Monday Mornin’ Rails!

See you the 12th!!

Allan –  I understod that ferro-crete meant reinforced concrete. It is kind of self- explaining.

Sorry, no picture tonight.

 

Eric 

 

[trolleyboy]

Hey Leon looks like the glasses are empty agin I think we all need another round.(gotta build up the warchest for the bash of all bashes on the 12th )We will be installing padded flooring for the evening as I have a feeling that most of the staff and patrons will be passed out under the tables.

An Encore for Saturday Morning

CLASSIC JUICE # 31 THE LOST ELECTRICS OF SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO PT # 1

THE BACKGROUND

 

  They came by the thousands during those late summer days in 1884. What they waited to see was North America's first electric streetcar.Here in Toronto at the Toronto Agricultrual Fair , the precursor to today's Canadian National Exhibition ( The CNE or the Ex as it's generally refered to ) they gasped as an electrically powered engine rattled along a set of tracks with three open passenger cars in tow, each jammed with awestruck adventurers. Following an age of stage coaches and steam locomotives , the electric street railway was the newest thing to revolutionize travel.

  For the first summer's exhibition power was carried to the locomotive via a copper strip emebedded in the track. The following year the more familiar overhead wires made their appearance.Beacause railways could not provide local neighbourhood service and the slow jolting horsedrawn coaches were slow , the electric streetcar craze spread quickly. By 1900 Ontario had 205KM ( 128 miles ) of line , by 1910, 553KM.

  Those eminating from out of Toronto could claim 219KM (137miles) of track, Hamilton had the most lines with 4 separate one's although the combined trackage totaled only 125KM (78 miles ). The Grand River area could claim 142KM ( 89 miles ), The Niagara Area 118KM (74 miles ),while Southwestern Ontario bosted the second most extensive electric network with 150KM (94 miles).

   More than 87 electric railways were proposed across Ontario. Most were never built.One of the most enthusiastic propnents was not a commercial operator, but rather the first Chairman of the Ontario Hydro Electric Commission Adam Beck ( later knighted for his work in government and railway development ).With a massive source of electric power at his dissposal ( Niagara Falls power generating stations now known as the Sir Adam Beck Plants 1 and 2 )he proposed electric railway networks which would link Toronto with Sarnia, Port Perry and Fort Erie. Indeed , were it not for two small gaps in Ontario's radial network, one of 17 and a half KM ( 11 miles ) west of Port Credit, and another of 11KM (7 miles ) between Vineland and St Catharines this province would have had a radial railway network which would have extended from Toronto to Guelph into New York State and from there links to the Midwestern Interurban systems to Chicago !

 By the 1920's  the auto age was starting and the gasoline and tire manufacturers were aggressivly lobbying for the end to public funding of the electric railway industry.In 1923 the government of E.C. Drury was elected and refused the loan guarrantee's of the early government which ended Beck's radial system dreams. Electric railways, dwindled from nearly 1280KM ( 800 miles ) of trackage at their peak in 1920 to less than half of that two decades later.When the last radial car pulled into St Catharines downtown terminal in 1959 , 387KM ( 242 miles) of electric radial trackage still operated, but all was devoted to freight service only.

THE WINDSOR ESSEX & LAKESHORE RAPID RAILWAY

  Known as the "Sunshine County Route ", the purpose of this line accross Essex County was to tap into the booming rural growth in Southwestern Ontario's most populous county.Although incorporated as early as 1879, it's charter was not acted on until 1901. It's provisions envisioned extentions as far as Wheatly and Tilbury.

  During construction, the WELR came up against the Michigan Central which stubbornly refused the electric line permission to cross it's own mainline in Essex, a stand off eventually resolved by the Board Of Railway Commissioners, the federal gov railway watchdog.Finally in sept of 1907 the electric cars began operating between Windsor and Essex.Shortly afterward Kingsville and by april of 1908 into Leamington.This was as far as they got. The extensions to Wheatly and Tilbury remained paper dreams only. In 1919 the Hydro Electric Commission became involved in the operations of electric railways accorss Ontario ( Adam Beck was now the President as well as a Liberal MPP )

   The WELR did carry a small amount of frieght traffic as well, mainly from the canneries in Leamington, connecting with the CPR,The Michigan Central, the Essex Terminal,and the Pere Marquette.After operating quite profittably for a number of years, the WELR reached it's peak with 1 million passengers in 1921. But the inevitable bus competition appeared in the 1920's, and to compete the WELR began operating buses of it's own.Still by 1928 passenger traffic had dropped by two thirds.

    In 1928 the HEPC did the unthinkable. Flaunting the looming auto age, and falling profits,HEPC began to upgrade the electric infrastructure, and placed orders for new cars.In 1930 they began to make plans for a new Windsor terminal aquiring the lands.The new terminal would serve both the electric lines and the fledgling bus company.It was never built.

  The new cars were indeed the latest in luxury. With the words "Sunshine County Route"boldly painted on the carsides, they containes smoking compartments with leather settees, a main compartment with 28 uplostered seats and a 15 foot solarium at each end of the car,as well as being heated electrically ( the old cars had coal stoves )

    All the new equipment in the world could not compete with the auto age, espeacially once the depression hit. By 1930 the WELR was loosing $150,000 a year, an amount unacceptable to the many little municipaliteis along the line that paid for the privalige. In sept 1932 the line was shut down, and within three years all the tracks had been lifted.

Rob

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon, another interesting day here at the tavern by the tracks What the heck I'll a a double rum and coke with Nick the music's pretty darn good tonight hopefully they'll play some Cream in the next set I can put my hair down a bit , no Boris it's not a toupee Since the Larsman's caught up all my paperwork again , and then some.

Tom-Interesting read again on those car rental adverts. Again more of the quailty over quantity rearing it's head again  

Lars-Good to see you again,nice to know you can take advantage of the odd bit of comp time while you were waiting.Great selction of books as always.

Boris seems to be  happy to see you and hey the critters got an extra feeding so their obviously happy to see you as well.I'm still kind of steamed at the  abrupt closure of the last thread myself ( bogus reason on this forum )I guess this is what we get for thumbing our noses at the man.I look forward to seeing you on the 12th. I'll be in and out as Heather';s dad and I are going on a local layout tour,but I shall certainly spend somem quality time here as well. I'm going to take the didgital with me as well,maybe I'll get some inspiration

Pete-Couple neat photo's today.I believe it was more class 66's the article mentioned and the company you mentioned sound like the one they were talking about.

Those CPR control cars were used on transfer runs. The trains only required one locomotive but the crews didn't like running backwards all the way home as there was no turning faciliies available for the loco's co the control car acted as the lead loco on one way of the run.

CN and CP do store servicable some older locmotives ( not nearly the numbers as they did in the past ) Leasing or time credits on other roads units are common now.

Allan-Glad to hear that you are right way up again I ahve a friend that has the occational attack of inner ear difficulties ( he was a Canadian Forces SAR teck ) the jumping in and out of helicopters and all the quick changes in altitude over his twenty year career not to mention the chopper noise ( old Labradors )caused the problem.Glad you liked the latest pics and write ups Nice to know your enjoying the other thread as well.

CM3-Great timly input on the City of N'orleans as well Had you the pleasure of a run on the ole tempo train,I had one ride though at the time it was a VIA not CN run op but it was still a matched set from loco on back.It was around CNE time if I recolect correctly.

Nick-I'm amazed that I actually ahd the ocation to use that icon in context,still it seems appropo at the time.Hopefully the CN liveries were a helpfull walk down memory lane for you.By the way I was rolling just envisioning a human morphing into a sponge in the shower as alluded to in your first post.In your case a sponge bob square pants in leather rockstar get -up comes to mind for some reason. Nice pic of the troops there as well, not quite as frightening of that halloween like picture you put up way back on the original thread. Best not to mention the STD's anymore we may get some strange google ads popping up on the old page.

Rob

[nickinwestwales]

Well chaps I confess-I`m a sucker for an autograph and PETE asking for a pic of the band is as close as I am ever gonna get so-just for you mate:- img{}/img From the right we have:- Simon-one of the finest players I have had the pleasure of working with,Ritchie on the bass (Billy Bones-a born water rat-prefers gigs he can get to by boat-Missisnick-our secret weapon-she really is very good...,Miss Ellie-a sweet young thing who has beautiful harmonies and is a little ray of sunshine,at the back Steve (Uncle Fester) the thunderous heart of the band,at left,your scribe-posing shamefully....Looks like we are playing "Every day is a winding road"-had a 12,000 watt P.A system that day-too much.... Right-luckily my ego has now passed out and some degree of normality can ensue-first PETE:-an apology for my sweeping generalisation concerning Derby products-I apologise to you and your home town and all the other fine builders I failed to note-describing my G.W engines as "Swindon Products" entirely fails to acknowlege the good work done at the Wolverhampton works--Mea Culpa..... General note-As I understand it,16RPM records were intended for `spoken word` performances-plays and such like,never really took off during its day ,although "talking books " are now an everyday part of most libraries  ROB-full marks for the best yet use of the  icon-seen in context it is entirely appropriate-and better yet,funny as well....good call -Fine pix from you btw-especially like that RS18-also That boxy little switcher from last week-that brief run by on C.N liveries was heaven sent -my man !!-oh-as to the std thing-it might be down to local accents-had me rolling immediately-some stuff just doesn`t translate LARS-Good to see you mate !-regards to all at home CM3-Looks like I`ve missed you again-but more from the top drawer from the man in the mountains TOM -what ho old thing-a splendid selection from the master of the house.....The reason I`m not flying out this spring is purely fiscal-is gonna cost $1,000 a pop to send the girls over without adding in spendies,plus we had a bill in today for another $1,000 for fuel for the central heating-but hey-I`ve been before so its all O.K O.K-Leon make with the bottle now cos I think I may have to retire soon... PETE-that little tank is supposedly based on a Drummond L.S.W.R design-last example worked at Redbridge sleeper(Tie) depot-#77s-was my first engine and still runs like a song-although a little more loosely than in previous years  ERIC-Those diddy little freight wagons-if memory serves,the standard design was -for open wagons-16`long,13` wheelbase and a 10 ton load-tanks,vans & others were a variation on that theme PETE-again-60009-used to be "Osprey" back when I used to see her parked around the old goods shed at Markinch in Fife-had a ride behind her on the Cupar railway-the old Fife central line-just the engine and a beaver tail observation car shuttling up and down-that chime whistle is unforgettable,especially when you hear it ringing out over the open flatlands of mid Fife ALLAN-good to have you back mate-sorry you are under the weather-there is a lot of it going round-get rested and take care Right then-looks like its a stack of quarters for the juke,at least $10 for assorted pigs feet and other snacks ,a twenty as a bribe in case this lot comes out as wide format and earns me a tweeting and a 50 for the round-go for it boys-will see you all soon-have a good weekend everybody-speak soon

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening one & all-glad to see all are looking well-fans of natural justice will no doubt approve that I awoke this morning so hungover & dehydrated that when I stepped into the shower I could feel my skin trying to absorb the water-not the best of days............. Had a couple of `liveners` during the second half of tonights show and restored to my normal equilibrium-so--Leon,line `em up old thing and lets have a look at the rum bottle..... The hot news here is that in advance of next saturdays birthday party show from the zeppelin field,the RIPTIDE show on friday night will be transmitted live online as a webcast (?) -not sure yet where to find it but google Castle Cafe,Cardigan -should be findable from there Right-gonna post this and go back and remind myself of all the stuff that needs responses-meantime how about "Folsom Prison Blues","T-Bone Shuffle","Proud Mary","Rock Me Baby","Whiskey" & "Paint It Black" to keep the feet tapping-will be back now....

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

The usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` thanks Leon!

To you all.  Many thanks for all your kind thoughts`, the second dose of Stemetil seems to have eased the "helicopter effect" a bit and I can now see the screen a lot easier!

Tom. Caught up on all your great posts`, the Can Am hard and soft cover book selection #5 for your library was very colourful, a very nice selection of pics of your Polar Express RR shelf system, BITD #16 on the Illinios Central RR "City of New Orleans" was most interesting, and the Ticket Agents info was also. Somehow "Gunner ear" sounds very ominous, depending on what company you are in at the time! Thanks for keeping those Tui`s cold mate!

Eric. Ferro-crete is a Kiwi idiom for re-inforced concrete, funny how the English language can be altered to suit circumstances. Nice shot of the SP U-Boat loco.

Rob. Another very interesting Classic Steam #28 about Ontario`s Drowned Rly, and a nice selection of pics of your layout, diesel locos` and trolley`s, here, and over on the other thread.

CM3. Interesting info on the "City of New Orleans" train, a nice fit with Tom`s post and Lars`s set of covers`.

Pete. The Black Caps team for the England tour next month has just been announced, the Kiwi`s have a good one day team but seem to still lack a bit in the test arena somehow. Enjoyed all of your great pics of the industrial engines`and old tractors`, the nice shots` of A4 "Osprey" and the "Duke of Gloucester" taken on your Holyhead trip, and the BR diesels`.

Nick. Nice shots of the small industrial locos`, and your humerous dialogue was very entertaining.

Mike. Nice to see you in over at the other thread with some pics of the B&O and the Hudson River.

Lars. You put the icing on the cake today with your visit mate, real nice to see you in again! A really nice selection of Illinios Central RR covAHS from the Larsman Mobile as usual, and WE do need YOU here Lars, you make up the full TEAM!

See ya, Allan

NZ Timeline. 2.36pm Saturday April 5th.

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Really some suprises today - especially having the Larsman stop by with chat 'n covers!

Good to see the "Usual Suspects" as well with Rob kicking it off - CM3 Shane 'n Pete supporting cast, as always!

More comments in the 'morrow's acknowledgments . . . .

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Digging through the archives I came across a couple of "ads" that haven't been seen since the "Original Thread" - so they are definitely NEW to "Our" Place III . . . .

<Initially Posted on Page 166 of the Original Thread, 17 Nov 2005>

 

Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains.  Check this ad out (from The Official Guide of the Railways - 1956) [located on the inside of the front cover]

 

TICKET AGENTS! Ask one question and increase your income

For every "yes" answer, you earn a generous commission.  And you'll find many rail passengers want rental cars.  Men on business trips.  Folks going on vacations or to towns without rail connections.

A clean, new car from Avis will greet them at the station.  Rates are low and include gas, oil and insurance.  Only Avis offers them the convenient "Rent it here - leave it there" service, and they'll get the courtesy and treatment that has made Avis the fastest growing car rental organization in the word . . . with more than 850 offices.

Make friends for your line and commissions for yourself with Avis reservations.  For particulars write Avis Rent-a-Car System, Inc., Hotel Statler Bldg., Boston 16, Mass., or call your Avis rental station.

 

Avis

RENT-a-CAR

 

Away or at home . . . a car of your own

 

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<Initially Posted on Page 149 of the Original Thread, 28 Oct 2005>

Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains.  Check this ad out (from The Official Guide of the Railways - 1956) [located on page iii]

 

You make a 10% commission every time you reserve a Hertz car for a passenger!

 

May I reserve a Hertz car for you at your destination?"

That question is loaded - with potential profit for you.  Ask it every time you sell a ticket.  When the passenger answers "Yes" make the reservation and Hertz will send you 10% of the total car rental. Chances are good he'll say "Yes."  This year hundreds of thousands of wise rail travelers will take advantage of this easy, low-cost way to take the train and have a Hertz car waiting when they arrive.

Your part is easy.  Fill out the triplicate form supplied you free by Hertz.  Send one to the proper Hertz office, give the passenger one, and keep one.

The handy Hertz directory lists more than 1,000 offices around the world.  So you're assured of Hertz service (and that 10% commission) wherever a passenger is going.  Hertz' low rates include all gasoline and oil, plus proper insurance, and Hertz cars are new Powerglide Chevrolets or other fine makes. Start now!  Write today for details and reservation forms Hertz Rent A Car, 218 So. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 4, Ill.

 

More people by far . . . use . . . . .

HERTZ

Rent a car

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Enjoy!

Tom

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.

NICK. Great to hear the RIPTIDE rehearsal went well. Looking forward to your band's appearance at the Anniversary. Have you a recent photo of the band.

ALLANSorry to hear about your inner ear problemand I hope it is better real soon. Looking forward to your visit soon.

ROB Glad you liked the photos. Yes 71000 is a good-looking locomotive and is a very good performer on steam specials today. After a short life on BR it was a one time scheduled to be preserved after her time on BR but his was changed and only one cylinder was saved as a sectioned exhibit to show how the Caprotti valve gear worked. Very luckily to loco was sold to Barry scrapyard in South Wales and was towed there, although the other outside cylinder was removed to balance the loco during its tow to Barry.

It was known as an impossible project but the preservationists were made of stern stuff and after renovation at Loughborough 71000 steamed again. Although it had a variable reputation during its time on BR some modifications have been made and she has reached her full potential today.

I wonder what type of diesels is heading for England. I guess more of those successful class 66s. I believe the EWS Freight Company in the UK is now at least partly owned by the German DB railway company. Thanks for the info.

Many thanks for the photos. I am a little puzzled about the engineless control cars were they there to control cabless power cars.

Do you know if CN keep many locomotives stored in case there is an upturn in traffic. I would though it would have been cheaper to do that than hire in locomotives.

CM3 Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I also think the ‘Duke' is very good looking locomotive. Allocated to Crewe North shed she was quite regular through Rugby on West Coast Expresses, being a one-off she always attracted attention.

Many thanks for the details and the consists of the IC's City of New Orleans and the all Pullman Panama Limited, a classic train indeed.

LARS A most welcome and pleasant surprise to see you in the bar. I see you were able to complete your post at your newfound computer site.

As you say we are not doing too bad at the bar at the moment with the high quality of the posts and conversations, but the bar is always that bit brighter when your are able to call in.

Many thanks for those great Illinois Central covers from the Larsman Bookmobile.

 I think one of the papers in your ‘Inbox' is my annual pay claim.

TOM I too have never seen a record that played at 16 RPM, there must have been some as you say all the record players at the time seem to have that speed. There was quite a few 78s about when I was a kid. I recall I  had a Buddy Holly one.

Glad you enjoyed the photos. I think the cars on the left of the steam engines are for the Boat Train, which will connect to the ferry from Ireland and then head to London Euston. The train locomotive will change from diesel to electric locomotives at Crewe.

I had a quick look at the times of the City of New Orleans and as you say it would be better to ride the train from Chicago, something to look at after your Empire Builder trip do you think..

A couple of older British diesel locomotives.

 

A BR class 24. These diesel electrics were built in British Railway works and had a Sulzer diesel engine and BTH electrical equipment intoduced in 1958 these Bo-Bos were rated at 1,160HP.

 

A developement of the class 24s was the 25s. Introduced in 1961 A slighly more powerful Sulzer engine of 1,250HP and by this time BTH had merged into the AEI company and had their traction motors.

.

An English Electric class 40 1Co-Co1 diesel electric of 2,000 HP.Introduced in 1958 these locos were allocated to the Midland, Eastern, North Eastern and Scottish Regions when new.The Midland ones worked express passenger trains when new on the West Coast Main Line until they were  replaced south of Crewe by electrification and north of Crewe by the more powerful class 47s and 50s. The electrification was completed from Weaver Junction (north of Crewe) to Glasgow in the early1970s.

Well RUTH I have found another box of photos so I will have a Bathams while I sort through them. Then the Steak and Fries before I make sure the bar is well stocked for the trackgang.

Pete.

[LoveDomes]

Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!

Ruth my deAH, ‘tis I, the Larsman in for a "quickie" - lunch of course! Anyway, how about one of my favorites - a hero sandwich on a hard roll with ham ‘n Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH. Don't forget the two large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel - a frosty mug of Piels ‘n a round for the boyz at da bar! Keep the change you lovely thing you! <blush>

Boris, stop trying to hug the very breath from me ‘n please put me down! <phew> Don't know how he does that - but a hug from Boris is like being placed in a vise with only one setting - TIGHT. <yikes> Pour a saucer of brine for Tex, fill up the seed tray for Awk, put a few strips of tree bark in a tray for Spike, a bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite ‘n of course a chew bone for Juneau! I think that covAHs ‘em all. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, of course you may have a LARGE jar of PPF - just as long as you take Artie outback for his field mouse! <see, I did forget one!>

I found myself sitting ‘n sitting ‘n sitting <waiting for the Mrs.> then I discovered that this facility has some computers available for those waiting for patients to finish with their treatments. So, I thought I'd give it a try. Little awkward for me, for in order to get some of the graphics that I normally use <my sign off ribbon, for example> I have to find a previous post of mine, then copy it, and so on. Anyway, if I abruptly sign off, you'll know WHY!

Hope this post helps Da Bossman out a bit. Maybe even take a break for the afternoon. Sorry 'bout that basement problem. Hopefully it isn't anywhere near as complex or as damaging as ours was.

Read through a couple of pages and it's great to see so much activity from Rob ‘n Nick along with the steady contributions from Pete, Eric, Shane ‘n Allan. See, youse guyz don't need me ‘round here. With Cap'n Tom at the helm ‘n such a fine crew, look at the bright side - we could be back in the days of people who ignored the way we do things ‘n dropped off their stuff, totally mindless of the ignorance factor being displayed. The bar is far, far bettAH off without ‘em. By the way, I noted some references to "six" - isn't it SEVEN By my count it is. <geesh>

So it's Eric ‘n Pete "at it again," huh I see where the Wolfmiester has tried to place the blame on the Ericburger. Will this evAH end???? Youse guyz should know bettAH than to try ‘n "catch" me in the "act"!!

Pretty much wanted to assure youse guyz that I will definitely be here on the 12^th! My middle son is going to make sure that I am. He thinks I should be here more often ‘n bugs me about it, unmercifully I should add. Just don't think it's gonna happen. I'll try my best to take advantage of the times when they present themselves. Today is a good example. Best I can do, guys, best I can do.

Let me get straight to the covers from the Larsman Mobile - then I'm gonna get back to reading what I've missed both at this new thread ‘n over on #2 . . . . sad to see it slip beneath the waves. Yeah, I too wondAH why it can't be brought back to page 1 - if the crap that keeps getting resurrected does, why not that? So it's "locked," which I thought meant no more posts. Oh well, what in "H" do I know? I'm the guy "they" think is part of the problem. Screw ‘em . . .

Something to enjoy for Da Boyz . . . keeping to the "theme" begun by Cap'n Tom on the Illinois Central!

Illinois Central - Monday Mornin' Rails (Cap'n Tom's favorite song - City of New Orleans!)

A Look Back at the Illinois Central (DVD)

Illinois Central - Color Pictorial, Vol 1

Illinois Central - Color Pictorial, Vol 2

Illinois Central in Color

Today's Illinois Central, Vol 1 - North (DVD)

 

 

Well, that pretty much "does it" - soooooooooooooooo, Ruth let's get some <ahem> admin work done! I see there's a bit of  <ahem> paperwork in the Senior Manager Emeritus' "in box." <blush>

 

Until the next time!

Lars

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Cloudy here today with ,lots more rain just to the west and some thunderstorms as well.  Gas took a nice little jump overnight to $3.45; diesel is at $4.04. 

Allan - Hope you feel better

Nick - Made a quick stop b4 he "hit the wall." 

Pete - Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures you sent.  The "Duke" is a fine example of the builder's art.

Rob - Rememeber the Tempo and the Tempo paint scheme as well.

OSP - You will enjoy the Glacier book.

Sicne we are looking at the IC a little, here's some 1950-era information on the City of New Orleans.

IC Train 2 - 202 "City of New Orleans"

Diesel-powered coach streamliner

Deluxe reclining seats-stewardess-radio

Tavern Lounge cars

Diner - New Orleans-Chicago

Coaches - New Orleans-Chicago

New Orleans-St. Louis in IC 202; Carbondale-St. Louis

Carbondale-St. Louis

IC Train 1 - 201 "City of New Orleans"

Diesel-powered coach streamliner

Deluxe reclining seats-stewardess-radio

Tavern Lounge cars

Diner - Chicago-New Orleans

Coaches - Chicago-New Orleans

St. Louis-New Orleans in IC 201; St. Louis-Carbondale

St. Louis-Carbondale

Now for something that was truly magnificent (and one I never did get to ride, unfortunately) - check out all of the "different" Pullmans; the "shorts" on the train were not bad, either; the one to Gulfport would have been interesting.  Note to OSP: Your fair city was not neglected either.

IC Train 5 "Panama Limited"

IC Train 205-5

Diesel-powered streamlined train

All Pullman - Radio - Valet - No coaches

Sleepers:

Chicago-New Orleans: 6 section/6 roomette/4 double bedroom (four cars); 18 roomette; 3 double bedroom/drawing room/compartment-lounge; 2 drawing room/4 comparment/4 double bedroom;2 double bedroom/1 drawing room/2 compartment-observation

St. Louis-New Orleans: 6 section/6 roomette/4 double bedroom (via IC 205)

Memphis-New Orleans: 10 section/1 drawing room/2 compartments

Chicago-Gulfport: 6 section/6 roomette/4 double bedrooms - In IC 105 Jackson-Gulfport

Diner-Lounge: Chicago-Carbondale

Diner: Chicago-New Orleans

Parlor Car: Jackson-New Orleans

Parlor-lounge: St. Louis-Carbondale

Coaches: St. Louis-Carbondale (IC 205)

That is, IMHO, a classic train.

Work safe

[trolleyboy]

Morning Ruth , just in with  for an eye openner ( BK speacial blend ) and a number three. No Boris no donuts from the mosheen today,I don't think H&H have cleaned it latley, and no I don't think those are just white sprinkles Make sure the critter are fed and that small PPF is there for you as well.

Tom-I wasn't quite sure what to make of Allan's STD and ear connection there myself,I see that you went there though <uh oh > Hopefully just local slang.

Frightening what high-schools have become now,more and  more they are becomming armed camps a sad reflection on today's up and comming generation (s)

I'm always looking for new talent,some just need a prod,but your right we have a good group here but any more that wish to put up with us is okay with me.

Well Ruth a fill up and I'm off to work,I'll leabve you all with a couple o pictures to brighten this otherwise wet gloomy morning.

This is an ex CP 424 that was one of the RS18's and 424's they connverted to engineless control cars ( road slug with  cab controls ) Guelph JCT in 2002

One of the 6 axle alco's CP re-acivated from storage in the 90's when they were power short seen leading a train at Arkell On ( this is the siding a few miles from the museum where we have things moved to for us once in a while )

A CN alco RS18E in the passenger tempo train aoint schemem from that late 70's,these units ran on the VIA in the same service the frist few years of it's existance.Toronto 1978 this is  JD Knowles photo (founding musuem member)

Rob

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

Friday's Grin

Brain Cramps

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"

-- Hollywood actress, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.

 

 

G'day Gents!

We made it - Friday ‘n time to prepare for the weekend! Fill up the coffee mugs, check out The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!

 

Comments from the Proprietor

It was surely two days of total contrast - Wednesday was Rob ‘n Nick Day whereas Thursday was Where IS Everyone Day?!?! The Feast or Famine Bar ‘n Grill moves on.

Anyone notice that "Our" Place II has disappeared from Page one Not to be seen again . . . interesting how some JO AH Thread can be brought back from the distant past, but not so with the <locked> QUALITY Threads . . .

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Thursday - April 3^rd: <all times Central daylite>

Page 6 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:50 AM: Good to see our Resident WVA Connection made it "in" . . . morning ‘slot' ain't the same unless the man called Shane fills it.

Twenty cents difference in petrol prices between your hills ‘n these parts . . . with a couple of operating refineries across the Mississippi, we've been "blessed" by lower prices - "blessed" that is ‘til the wind shifts! <ugh>

Sorry to admit that my "stack o' books" to read is beginning to take on the proportions of the leaning tower . . . to add yet another ‘serious read' just means I'll need a LARGER get A-ROUNDTUIT! I will make an effort though to get the Glacier book - thanx!

I've never been one to get all wrapped around the axle over things like high school reunions and the like. But when my class 25^th came up, I was "convinced" by long-distance friends to make an appearance. It was a blast - 5 days of fun in "the city." Anyway, when visiting the old school grounds, I was devastated by the appearance of NY City police stationed pretty much at strategic locations around the perimeter of the grounds. Then to get inside required going through TWO check-points. It was perhaps more security than I had experienced at some military installations. Sometimes it's far better to NOT go back . . .

Many thanx for the visit, chat, quarters ‘n ROUND!

 

Page 7 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:54 PM: Just LOOK at the span of time between customer visits ‘n it's easy to see why this joint carries the name of Feast or Famine! <geesh>

Good to see ya again ‘n appreciate the fine < I³ > Post, as usual. Congrats on turning the Page . . .

It's really no mystery regarding what the Hall Monitor is doing. Seems that those few who are Posting toy or model trains inquiries are having their submissions moved to the proper location <Forum>. Why he is removing any or all responses made IS a mystery. Fuhgedaboudit is probably the best advice to follow . .

I never had a record that played at 16 rpm . . . but had turntables with that speed available. Oh the memories of my 45s with those "adaptors" one needed to get ‘em to fit the turntable spindle. I still have a box of those 45 records - most of ‘em warped, but the record labels are in pretty good shape - brings back lots ‘n lots of memories from the 50s, when Rock ‘n Roll had its birth from Rhythm ‘n Blues origins.

Really enjoyed your spate of four fotos! Especially liked those with the steamers at the station ‘n the long string of passenger cars waiting to "go."

One of the trips we should take is from Chicago to New Orleans aboard The City of New Orleans. Just kinda touch base down there ‘n return . . . the closest station to St. Louis is Carbondale, IL - so it would be better to go up to Chicago ‘n experience the entire route.

Glad you enjoyed the YouTube link on the City of New Orleans - a great song!

Soooooooo, YOU are "fingering" Eric!

Thanx for the visit, chat, fotos ‘n ROUND!

 

Page 7 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 6:54 PM <12:54 AM Friday GMT>: A candle burning at both ends soon runs out of wick . . . small wonder our Resident Londoner in Wales is in need of crashing. Happens.

No need to apologize, Mate - the galley is being "handled" by those abominations brought in by Rob - the "gals" called H&H . . . then there's YOUR friend, Copperkettle - so all's well <I suppose>! <grin>

Later!

 

Page 7 - Allan <Gunneral> at 8:31 PM <2:31 PM Friday NZ time>: Sorry that you're a bit under the weather . . . here we have Nick really under it, 'n you with a totally different cause. Which would you prefer

Never heard of an STD impacting the EAR! Provides a totally new definition to "stick it in your ear!" <uh oh>

We'll be here when you're up 'n about the decks, Mate! The TUI will remain at the ready . . . COLD too! <grin>

Thanx for thinking about us 'n of course the ROUND!  

 

Page 7 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:23 PM: In with some comments 'n positive vibes - that's our Manager!

Our Resident Ontario Connection DID NOT KNOW the song "City of New Orleans" was about a train! Had to read that twice to make sure you weren't kidding . . .

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but if one has to be "cultivated" to simply visit "Our" Place, probably not worth it . . . <geesh> Early on in our development we tried to get a few of those guys from the old coffee shop over here - just to kinda reciprocate. You can see how "successful" we were with that!

Really do appreciate ANY 'n ALL efforts to get us some "new blood," but I've lost the "zing" for it . . . just the way it is. Of course I'll still put the "welcome mat" out should someone drop by - but that's it. Take us or leave us . . .

Sure wish those at Amtrak who are responsible for reliable motive power would make themselves aware of VIA Rail's program . . .

Good to see ya 'n appreciate the time 'n effort to keep up with the jibber-jabber from "we six."

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

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!

Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!

Cindy is our Saturday bartender!

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

 

Tom

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon , I see that everything is shipshape and in it's proper place as usual. Nick didn't even break anything as he stumbled out I think just a cold Keith's tonight thank-you.

Tom-Slower today but hey still chugging along,I see we hit the ole page seven already Not bad for the six  of us eh Maybe our next contest should be guess when we get relocated again due to size n length Not to worry I think we are doing well,I shouldn't think I'll be hitting four post a day normally I just had those two days with some time on my hands,one to two will be my normal.Pictures and light conversation does not seem to be to bad a score , though the occational eye buster not all that bad a thing either.

Nice write up on the city of N'orlens. It's funny I've always liked the song but until you did that post and I saw and read the lyrics I never trigged to the fact that the song was about a train.

Those shots were two from my old home layout the first two the second two with the TH&B switcher were the club layout ( much changed now as I'm told ) I haven't been a member in about five years but I'm still friends with and in contact with most of them. 

Don't know what to tell you about the missing post numbers,I have to say that I really don't pay attention to them nor have I ever. Some days if I see something worthwhile posting to I will ( stars never ment anything to me when they were around )I'm working on a couple guys in teh other forums to see if I can groom them to come over,who knows they might be some of those looking in just getting a feel for us.

Eric-Interesting thoughts on Amtraks genesis loco's. i think CM3's right liekly alot of teh problems are defered maintenance. Mind you VIA's had problems with theirs. Don't use them on the long runs ( Canadian, Ocean etc ) and they don't like using them in hilly terrain either. the F40's just do it better and are being rebuilt again because of it ( that and the rebuilding is cheaper than buying more Genesis units )Those are old layout shots( club and home ) all scenes gone or radically reformatted.

Pete-Loved today's photo's espeacially the big standard 4-6-2 what a beautifull beast

 What can you say about factory jobs anywhere but in the third world anymore. Gone or extremely streamlined wiht small staffs.Truly the changing times , not necessarily for the better in my opinion either.

 reading Branchline magazine tonight I see that GMD in London is shipping out some more diesel goodies to England. I don't remeber the name of the railroad but it got some German  ownership and running by the sounds of it.

Nick-Thanks for stopping in and stumbling out catch you tomoorw once you've recooperated.Sounds like Riptide'sd had a good couple of gigs.

Allan-Sorry to hear that you're a bit under the weather,hope it clears up for you. nothing worse than inner/middle ear problems.litterally puts a spin on the world

Rob

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for the guys` please.

Tom. Just in tendering my apologies today, having a touch of the old inner ear problem at the moment, or "Artillery Ear" as we used to call it, I will not call it "Gunner Ear" as it has conotations of a well known STD complaint! Have taken some Stemetil and hopefully will be OK for a proper visit tomorrow.

To Tom, Pete, Eric, Rob, CM3 and Nick, enoyed all the pics and info you all posted up to yesterday, [Thursday over here], will catch up and acknowledge all your material hopefully tomorrow. [Saturday over here]

See ya, Allan

[nickinwestwales]

" Well I`m the train they call the City of New Orleons,and I`ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done ".................guitar now.........   What ho chaps,just back from therapy night with RIPTIDE-a delightfully cathartic experience -first time for about 3 months that Missisnicks backing singer could make it,and she picked up all the new songs at the first attempt-apparentlythey are all in her dads record collection- in fact-it occurs to me that I should prolly go straight to bed now-Apologies to all for the lack of a menu-or any sort of coherent response-I did read everything and make a start on a list but `Tonight the bottle let me down`

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.

TOM I had not noticed the re-appearance of the other old thread on page 1, it does seem strange indeed. It has got me wondering just which ones disappeared. As Sherlock Holmes would have said "I feel the hand of Moriarty at work here Watson"

Not the constant rain they predicted here but we have just had a torrential downpour for about 10 minutes. Really pleased you have found someone good to sort out your basement problem.
Many thanks for the book covers and descriptions in the Train Books for the Can-Am library. All great books that would grace any railfans library, my favorite this week would be the America's Fighting Railroads although I still remember those great photos in Trains.

As you say it is unbelievable to think of the times when I was a kid and train spotting on the wooden bridge when the works let out and the sheer amount of people there was. Still I was treated very well at the works the last few years I was there so the memories are not that bad.

Glad you enjoyed the photos I wish I knew more about where they came from and their use.

About those things Boris found, I would try Eric, can you imagine me having anything to do with a mini-digital camera

Great top see those great songs on Herr Wurlitzer in one list.

Many thanks for the Illinois Central ‘City of New Orleans' Back in the Day. Despite the route change it is good Amtrak still keeps the name.

Really enjoyed the U-tube link to the City of New Orleans song and that simply wonderful computer images of the Illinois Central E units hauling the train loved the quiet locomotive sounds in the background and the night-time parts. They are indeed some very fine large photos in the link to Memphis Central Station. It certainly was a classic train.   

NICK Yes you could certainly tell when the 37s were being worked hard. For a time they used to have three of them on the Port Talbot to Llanwern iron ore trains and when they were opened up the sound was amazing.

I was having a "old" moment when thinking about Paint it Black, I was seeing the blue Decca label dropping on the turntable and spinning at 45 rpm on a record player, that had 4 speeds (16, 33 1/3, 45 and 78), then the inevitable, TURN IT DOWN came, sometimes before Mick had even starting singing.

Many thanks for the details on my photos. I did not know about that quarry locomotive it would great if we could see the photo of it in service. I was wondering about that Aveling and Porter locomotive at Quainton Road. I had a look at their web site and it said their resident A&P loco was named Sydenham, whereas the one in the photo looks to have two words on its nameplate. It could well be the one from Amberley.

The drawing I was thinking of was a side-on one I had another look through some mags but could not find it.

It is amazing that the Simplex or its train would ever run on that track.

Really enjoyed your great Brit locomotives coaches and goods rolling stock models.

The green 0-4-0 in the mixed bag looks like an Irish loco and 69001 is the type that were the station pilots at York and Newcastle that Alan and I were talking about.

Be careful if you travel north east of Shrewsbury towards Crewe though, after describing the marvelous Duchess and Princess locos as products of arch rival Derby. Loved those saddle tanks.

Looking forward to seeing RIPTIDE on the 12^th. The Bathams XXX has arrived along with the Brains SA and is settling nicely ready for the day.

ROB Yes it really is sad to see how the manufacturing jobs have been lost and once household name factories have closed or just a shadow of their former glory.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos, it is great to see how many of those great agricultural machines have been saved and are able to be seen in use today.

Many thanks for the Classic Steam on the Ontario's Drowned Railway. I wonder why the re-built the stations that were not effected by the part of the line that was flooded. It is good that at least one of the five new stations is still served by VIA Rail.

ERIC Thanks for the kind words on the photos.

It is sad news about the problems Amtrak are having with the Genesis locomotives this winter. I suppose these days there is not the locomotives available to have a spare locomotive and a freight locomotive is no good, as it does not have the ability to heat the cars. Probably tempting fate, but I have not been on a train or heard of an Amtrak locomotive having a problem while working a train in this area. I wonder what would happen if an Amtrak loco failed around here I suppose the nearest freight locomotive would tow it off the single-track section but I wonder what happens after that.

If you want LEON to do as you want have a word with HILDA.

CM3 Glad you liked the photos. I did a search on that PEORIA tractor and the only thing I could find was a mention on one forum about rare tractors, where someone said they had seen it a mid west rally in 2003(about the time I saw it) and he heard the Peoria tractors were extinct. He also added that the owner and driver of the tractor was a gentleman who was 98 years old.

As you say it seems it is getting real hard to find good people to do work on the house etc is getting harder and harder both sides of the pond.I find personal recommendation the best and if you get good guys stick with them..

In the 1980s and 90s there was a fairly regular series of steam excursions along the North Wales Coast from Crewe to Holyhead. Here is a couple of the specials  I went on.

  

 Ex LNER Class A4 60009 which was running at the time with the name 'Osprey' leaving Chester and heading for North Wales.

  

60009 at Holyhead(ferry terminal for Ireland) getting ready for the return journey.

BR Standard class 4-6-2 No 71000 'Duke of Gloucester at Holyhead. A one off, the last express passenger locomotive built by BR in 1954.

  

71000. About midway along the coast line there is a branch to the seaside resort of Llandudno. On these trips the steam loco took the train the short distance to Llandudno and a diesel brought the train back to Llandudno Junction, where the train carried on to Holyhead. 

Well RUTH before you go off duty can I have another Bathams and a round please and just before the Fish 'N' Chip I will have another listen to the 'City of New Oreleans'.

Pete.

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

A rainy morning here in mid-continent USA - just checked the basement wall - damp, but not yet "running." That's a hopeful sign - but with multiple inches forecast - man the pumps Boris! <yikes>

Meant to mention that both cars were filled yesterday up at "Collusion Corner" where all three stations had petrol at $3.18 <rounded>. My wagon took half a tank - the bride's about 2/3rds - bill came to $70 - and her car is a hybrid at that. <groan> A buddy of mine filled his Ford 150 truck 'n said it cost him $75 . . . <double groan>.

Good to see CM3 Shane stop by - figured your part of the world would be wet by now. Why should we be the only one's to man the pumps

Pete - your Email was received 'n responded to - thanx!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

From the overtaxed mind of the Proprietor:

Been thinking about our Thread 'n must say that with the participation in high gear from Rob 'n Nick, we're certainly not hurting for QUALITY or QUANTITY material. Nearly on Page 7 already, I note . . .

I'm strongly recommending photos w/desriptions as opposed to long narratives - especially if the narratives have been read before. Pictures 'say' much more especially when accompanied by some narrative. Anyway we do have Saturday's for ENCORE material - that's our "traditional" slow day. So, I'm encouraging the few remaining 'round here to stick with the QUALITY over QUANTITY idea.

For me, I've been pretty much holding to 2 or 3 per day at the bar. Don't see the need for a rush to fill up the Page . . . plus what's the point We'll only get <locked> again due to volume . . . Just a thought or three.

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

My offering for this Thursday . . . may be my last for the day, all depends on the activity level coming up . . .

 

 

Now Arriving on Track #1

Back in the Day - Number Sixteen

Illinois Central City of New Orleans

 

 

 

The City of New Orleans began life as the daytime companion train to the all-Pullman car Panama Limited that also traveled the IC's mainline from New Orleans, Louisiana to Chicago, Illinois. The daytime train was significantly cheaper. This train was a major part of the large migration of African Americans from the U.S. South during the early 20th century, as it was one of the cheaper transportation options available.

When Amtrak assumed operation of passenger service on May 1, 1971, its Chicago-New Orleans service was initially operated as the City of New Orleans on the traditional daytime schedule. Because this train made no connections with other trains at either New Orleans or Chicago, the City of New Orleans was replaced by the Panama Limited on November 14, 1971. In 1974 the name of this overnight schedule was changed back to the City of New Orleans, largely due to the popularity of the song written by Steve Goodman and made popular in 1972 by Arlo Guthrie.

Amtrak operated the City of New Orleans reliably through the 1980s and into the 1990s; in 1992, the City of New Orleans had the highest on-time performance rate of all Amtrak services at 87%.

On September 10, 1995 the train was rerouted between Memphis and Jackson due to the Illinois Central Railroad's desire to abandon the original route (the Grenada District) in favor of the newer and flatter Yazoo District. The old route had been the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad from Memphis to Grenada and the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroad from Grenada to Jackson. Station stops were at Batesville, Mississippi, Grenada, Mississippi, Winona, Mississippi, Durant, Mississippi and Canton, Mississippi.

<from: wikipedia.com>

 

A YouTube link ‘n the lyrics to "play" follow-along . . . <this is the Arlo Guthrie version. I prefer Willie Nelson's, but those on YouTube do not do justice to his original>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piUWIqWSthA&feature=related

 

The City of New Orleans

by Steve Goodman

Riding on the City of New Orleans,

Illinois Central Monday morning rail

Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders,

Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.

All along the southbound odyssey

The train pulls out at Kankakee

Rolls along past houses, farms and fields.

Passin' trains that have no names,

Freight yards full of old black men

And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles.

CHORUS:

Good morning America how are you?

Don't you know me I'm your native son,

I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans,

I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car.

Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score.

Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle

Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor.

And the sons of Pullman porters

And the sons of engineers

Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel.

Mothers with their babes asleep,

Are rockin' to the gentle beat

And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel.

CHORUS

Nighttime on The City of New Orleans,

Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee.

Half way home, we'll be there by morning

Through the Mississippi darkness

Rolling down to the sea.

And all the towns and people seem

To fade into a bad dream

And the steel rails still ain't heard the news.

The conductor sings his song again,

The passengers will please refrain

This train's got the disappearing railroad blues.

Good night, America, how are you?

Don't you know me I'm your native son,

I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans,

I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

©1970, 1971 EMI U Catalogue, Inc and Turnpike Tom Music (ASCAP)

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"Click" for some fine Illinois Central passenger train fotos:

http://www.cbu.edu/~mcondren/MRP/MemphisCentralStation/IC-Memphis-Pass-Pixs.htm

* * * * *   * * * * *   * * * * *   * * * * *   * * * * *   * * * * *

Enjoy!

Tom

 

 

Missed any "Click" the link then go to the Page shown:

http://cs.trains.com/forums/201/991960/ShowPost.aspx#991960

#1 Pullman Company . . . . Page 102

#2 The Singing Brakeman . . . Page 103

#3 The Chiefs of the Santa Fe . . . Page 116

#4 The TurboTrain - Part I . . . Page 126

#5 The Turbo Train - Part II . . . Page 126

#6 The Train of Tomorrow . . . Page 133

#7 The Wabash Railroad . . . Page 140

#8 The Broadway Ltd of the PRR . . . Page 148

#9 The NYC 20^th Century Ltd . . . Page 163

#10 The Baltimore & Ohio's Capitol Ltd . . . Page 167

#11 - Kansas City Southern's Southern Belle . . .  Page 169

#12 - Great Northern's Empire Builder . . . Page 181

#13 -Canadian Railroad Trilogy . . . Page 187

#14 - The Original California Zephyr . . . Page  194

The following is on this Thread:

#15 -The North Coast Limited . . . Page 2

 

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Gas is at $3.39 today and has been there for awhile.  The rain has arrived as promised and we are supposed to get at least 2" of it by tomorrow -  put another way, there is no real definite spring here yet.

Rob was by with comments and pictures.  The Seaway along with I-90 basically killed the New York Central as folks remember it.

Pete - Thanks for the rally pictures.  There are lots of tractor sites out there.  My father-in-law has several ancient beasts (all of which run) and a rather large library of books and other items; fascinating stuff!

Nick - Dragons are not extinct!  Good for you!  Thanks for the model and prototype pictures.  The petrol tractor is a good one, and look at those itty bitty difco cars behind it.  Track(?) reminds me of logging lines.  It's not going to be there long so why worry about ballast?  I know, Boris, the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge is ballasted by the local urchins throwing rocks at the train.

Eric - A working U25B - rare nowadays.  The Polar Express engine is a Pere Marquette 2-8-4; similar to those on the NKP and C&O - what a surprise since they were designed by a mechanical committee with members from each participating railroad.  I have heard about the Genesis units.  They are getting older and probably deferred maintenance and electrical system concerns have been taking their toll.

OSP was in with Konstruction Kapers - I know what you mean by people not calling back.  I have been waiting for three years for a roofer to call me back - needless to say, the job went elsewhere and they have gotten a ton of repeat business from us.  America's Fighting Railroads has good pictures but some egregious errors in the captions.  All Aboard for Glacier is in the east wing - get this and read it b4 you ride the Builder; it'll add some perspective to your trip.  The MEC Vol. 1 book is a keeper - that's in the stack somewhere, too. 

Your comments on change were on target - most of my childhood haunts in RI are under 12 lanes of Interstate, lots of other things gone as well.  Here's another one for you read.  Barbara Tuchman - March of Folly.  It's been around for awhile, but it's a good 'un.

work safe

 

Work safe

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

 

G'day Gents!

Yessssssssss, it's the day BEFORE Friday ‘n time to fill the mugs, grab some pastries ‘n order a breakfast!

Rains are back as are the dropping temps . . . <ugh>

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Wednesday - April 2^nd: <all times Central daylite>

Page 6 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:28 AM: Our Mornin' Glory from the hills of WVA brightened up the AM!

Cards won! Cards won! Much better effort than on Tuesday nite . . . they looked good.

Don't mean to keep beatin' the same tune - but yes, that Lionel Berkshire is a beauty, fer sure, fer sure. No one was more surprised <'n pleased> than I to discover the quality of it. "Smokes" too!

Many thanx for the visit, chat, quarters ‘n ROUND!

 

Page 6 - Rob <trolleyboy> 12:42 PM ‘n 1:15 PM: Our Manager made it back - not much "sack time," eh Anyway, appreciate the due diligence to the joint - it's most appreciated by all who frequent these parts.

Great insights regarding the livery of those CN locos - didn't have a clue of the background ‘n special features that only an Aficionado would know. There's always so much meaningful material at the Bar by the Ballast . . . ‘n to think that there are those who just "don't get it." Their loss . . .

I checked out that Alco model ‘n saw what you were speaking of . . .

The night sky wallpaper is exactly that - wallpaper. It took me a few days of searches to come up with what I had in my "mind's eye," but eventually found it. Carol did the hard work - I made cardboard forms ‘n she pasted the wallpaper to ‘em. Turned out quite well <if I do say so myself!>. Anyway, with rope lighting <blue> all ‘round the base-perimeter of the night sky - it looks really "cool" when the room lights are off ‘n the sky has that "cast" to it with the 5 illuminated cars of the Polar Express in operation - Berkshire headlight beaming ‘n green jewels glowing - super cool . . .

FINALLY got ahold of a friend of mine who is a contractor. He's done some quality work for us ‘n a friendship developed. He's gonna take on the job of excavating the outside of our foundation wall - has a small "cat" plus more importantly the KNOW HOW in what needs to be done. I called 3 foundation outfits over these past weeks and not one called me back! That says a lot. Anyway, expect to get going on this next week . . . I'll be the laborer - but only in between taking care of Juneau's needs!

Most apt description of Leon - our Gentle Giant. One doesn't wanna mess with the big man - no, no, no. Would serve ‘em right should they find out . . . <uh oh>

Spate of four model shots only require a bit of elaboration . . . many thanx for keeping the "flame burning"! Are these from your club layout Some fine detail in those fotos.

Appreciate the twofer!

 

Page 6 - Pete <pwolfe> at 2:34 PM: First outta the box - there's an Email in YOURS!

Another fine < I³ > Post from our Bar Chandler with all kinds of good stuff to eavesdrop!

Perhaps there's not a guy at the bar who has experienced CHANGE as dramatically as you with the events that took place in your home town of Rugby. There's no denying that one can never go back - and for my money, looking back sometimes brings the pain. To have the vivid recollections of humming factories - people gainfully employed - quality products being made ‘n sold - then . . . Yeah, certainly illustrative of my <favorite> word: CHANGE. As with the tides - can't stop CHANGE.

While those CON-TRAP-SHUNS in your spate of fotos have nothing to do with Classic Trains <real or model> I'll NOT <tweet> you for putting ‘em up. Really something different - just a shame there aren't any descriptions. But then we do have our imaginations, eh

By the by, Boris "turned in" some lock-picking tools, electronics eavesdropping gear ‘n a mini-digital camera with a "pin-hole" lens <probably used through key holes> . . . have any idea WHO belongs to ‘em

Oh, had YOU made the 100^th Post - you most certainly wudda received a DIFFERENT prize - TWO cases of Coors Light! <grin>

Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!

 

Page 6 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:10 PM <1:10 AM Thursday GMT>: Argyll black - Cornish bronze's - Munster greens - Welsh red! Good grief - THEY live!

Can't believe you have turned down a trip to Toronto - just to think, Rob ‘n I are going to get together up there in May . . . but we're traveling to Montréal ‘n ExpoRail. Have a feeling that if you were anywhere close - we'd alter our plans. However, I think I'm following your drift on this . . . good judgment prevails ‘n most probably will pay a dividend <of sorts>.

Great news regarding the 12^th - certainly appreciate your "rounding up" the entertainment for the adoring throngs both inside ‘n outside the Watering Hole by the Wayside!

Lawd help us IF Pete EVER becomes designated driver - I fear for my safety when he's designated WALKER! <grin>

Right on with your assessment of that GG1 <my favorite of locos!> - they are sadly in need of lots of TLC in many holding areas of preservation. BUT at least the "shells" are still out there . . .

Won't pretend to say I was able to follow all of your ramblings, but it was enjoyable eavesdropping your thoughts!

Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND for the crew!

 

Page 6 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:51 PM <1:51 AM Thursday GMT>: Back with some fine model fotos . . . many thanx for keeping the "flame burning" for our OP-SHUN-UL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day at mid-week!

That's a MOST IMPRESSIVE array of motive power - presuming all the same scale. Passenger cars ‘n freighters all impressive too. I really "dig" that maroon colored LMS loco . . . Can envision it pulling a long consist of passenger cars; yeah buddy!

Don't know if you've been keeping up with the "lastest" in Herr Wurlitzer's repertoire of music . . . here's just a sampling:

She Got The Ring And I Got The Finger

If I Can't Be Number One In Your Life, Then Number Two On You

If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd Be Out By Now

You're the Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

All My Exes Live in Texas

I Thought She Was Out Jogging, But She Was Running Around On Me

If the Phone Don't Ring, It's Me Not Calling You Up

All the Gals Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down

If Love were Oil, I'd be a Quart Low

Her Teeth were Stained, but her Heart was Pure

At the Gas Station of Love, I Got the Self-Service Pump

How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me?

I Wish I Were a Woman (So I Could Go Out With a Guy Like Me)

It Don't Feel Like Sinnin' To Me

I'm Gettin' Gray From Being Blue

If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet?

I Sat Down On a Beartrap (Just This Morning)

Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head)

Heaven's Just A Sin Away

She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart

Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart

If Fingerprints Showed Up On Skin, Wonder Whose I'd Find On You

I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You

Liked You Better Before I Knew You So Well

Gave Her My Heart And a Diamond And She Clubbed Me With a Spade

Just caught your 8:04 PM <2:04 AM Thursday GMT> Post: AND again at 8:16 PM <2:16 AM Thursday GMT> Great looking old stock carriages!

Thanx again for all your efforts <phew>, Mate!

* * * * *      * * * * *     * * * * *

I see some late Posts from Rob 'n Eric . . . will "edit in" my comments a bit later on . . .

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

<pant> <pant> <phew> Back again . . . .

Page 6 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 8:33 PM ‘n 8:43 PM: In with a twofer ‘n lookin' like he's trying to rack up the "count." <uh oh> Back in the olde tymes you'd have a bunch of stars by now. <grin> Those ‘n $2.75 might get you a ride on the TO subway, eh

Link to TTC fares . . . http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/fares.htm#CashFares

You're probably correct regarding those "relocated" Posts - thing is that if someone had responded to any of ‘em for "redirection" those kinds of responses get deleted. That's what he did to Lars 'n Moi some months ago . . . rather rude ‘n peremptory I'd say.

Noted the other day that you had logged 20 Posts in whatever period of time "they" count. Then all of a sudden it went to 18 . . . thought, hmmmmmm - Hall Monitor "at it" again.

Hard to believe that my hardcover RR book collection perhaps numbered 4 of 5 prior to my involvement on these Forums. Now I'm thinking of a special bookcase for ‘em. <gees> Does it ever end

Not far from where I grew up were three bustling shipyards. Once WWII came to an end, only one remained ‘n by the time I enlisted <mid-50s> it too had folded the tent. All of those skilled workers - all of everything that went into operating those facilities - gone, gone, gone-zo. <sad> But the realities of time marching on . . . called CHANGE.

Many thanx for the attention given to the bar ‘n crew!

Thursday - April 3^rd: <all times Central daylite>

Page 6 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:25 AM: You with an "empty stomach," nah, I'd never believe THAT! <grin>

Having some difficulty getting out the AM acknowledgments because of the late, late <early, early> Posts - I try to be inclusive, but time is working against me when . . . . anyway - good to see ya, regardless.

Nice thing about a model RR <shelf or other> is that one can "imagine" any roadname, location or operation one wishes. So, I'd simply say those girder bridges on the shelf system are representative of those particular RRs right-of-way. Polar Express was kinda like Amtrak or VIA Rail - overwhelming "user" of other RRs trackage. <grin>

That "Steel Rails to Victory" sounds like a perfect selection for RR BOOK RELAY 2008! What do you think

I'll freely admit to knowing next to nothing when it comes to "what it takes" regarding most things REAL RRs. But being observant, one has to wonder about VIA Rail getting so much mileage out of their F40PHs, but Amtrak "had" to switch to those Genesis power plants. Seems to me the F40s were most durable ‘n had a long-term "rehab" program been initiated, maintained ‘n followed thru - perhaps they'd still be powering Amtrak trains throughout the landscape. Just wondering . . .

Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n inclusiveness of your comments!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * * 

Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!

Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!

Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!

Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!

Cindy is our Saturday bartender!

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

Tom

 

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, my friend, how are you doing? Yes, I would like my weekly favorite, Rumpsteak Café de Paris! . Tui, please!

A stop at Our Place before hitting the sack! To see what is going on and fill my empty stomach.

Tom –  Glad to hear that your bride had a very nice day with “her special person”. Who that person is? Don’t ask so many questions. 

You are right about Juneau, he is the boss, no doubt. Which is okay!

Very nice pictures of the Polar Express train and system! But was the Polar Express a NYC train??? Hmmm. Or did it just have track rights? I agree with Rob, you have the perfect backdrop to that train!!

Some very interesting books! Especially the first one, America’s Fighting Railroads! I have a book, Steel Rails to Victory, with photos from around the world during WW II that is very interesting.

CM3 –  It seems like your house is located in the right place, not too close and not too far from the tracks!

According to hte information I got, that U25 is operational! They did not run it when I was there though.

Rob –  I am still not convinced about those wooden cars, even if they had a steel underframe. But it is history now.

Are you telling me Leon has a bad temper? We’ll figure out a way to take care of that switch.

Thanks for the model photos! Are they also from the old layout or from the new one?

Enjoyed your article on Ontario’s Drowned Railway. At least they relocated it. I am sure the old stone buildings looked much nicer than the new ones.

Pete –  I am glad to learn that your bride also has been infected by the train disease!

Talking about Amtrak’s locos, I read in Trains that they have had a lot of problems with their Genesis this winter. Canceled trains and a lot of trouble.

Trouble, trouble.  

I have been to some steam rallies and like your photos! That tractor in the last photo looks more like something home built!

Nick –  Removing the mic was painless, nothing to worry about. Just smile.

A whole bunch of pictures today. Real trains/locomotives and model ones! You have a good selection of British locomotives and cars for your layout! What was the real size of those little diddy freight wagons?

 

Eric