"Our" Place IV - <est 12 Apr 2005> Adults 'n Classic Trains

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.

TOM Great to see those great signs from the Can-Am Train Room. Noticed the ‘Britannia in the snow at Norwich painting. I wonder if CM3 knows what type of locomotive the Baldwin # 61238 was. Liked the Pullman advert.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos.

They show some of the earlier Harry Potter films on TV, which will give a taste of them, although with all the ad breaks even the best film is almost impossible to watch all the way through.

The thing is Pat's Place does not open until 3PM so a few hours in the library, which would pass very quickly, would be a wonderful place to built up a thirst. Yes indeed a great name for a pub near a college ‘The Library'.

I think the band are enjoying their visit to America, the audience certainly enjoyed them here.. The sell out crowd erupted in a spontaneous standing ovation at the end. The singer appeared in and sang the theme tune to the Wind in the Barley. The band are appearing in Green Bay WIS later this tour.

Yes Green Bay is a great museum. I have a photo of the old station in Green Bay taken from the walk along the river by the hotel we stayed at. The station building is now a brew pub and restaurant, you can sit on the platform, which is fenced off from the line and watch trains go by while having a brew, although there was not any trains passing the time we were at the station..

 

Thanks for the explanation on St Louis becoming a railroad hub

CM3 Thanks for the round. Yes Green Arrow is a good-looking locomotive. It seems the darker Brunswick Green or the lighter LNER green seems to really suit the locomotive.

I will have to look up the Apex of the Atlantics next time I am at the Barriger Library.

Hope they have completed the building work.

NICK Have you heard of an Irish band called Fuchsia.

Glad the layout is going to plan, looking forward to the photos. I noticed that there is a Transacord CD of locomotives on the S&D.

Thanks for the beer.

ROBCongratulations to Heather's sister on the addition to the family. Thanks for the round and cigar.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos.

Yes I guess in the old days when they built an electrified railway they built in capacity when first built to cope with the power needed to work the heavier freight traffic that may develop. I might be wrong but I think the modern light rail schemes would not be able to handle freight do you think.

1326 has been preserved over 50 years; the original restoration must have been a really great job. They sound really great gala days; it must be great to see those works cars in action.

ALLAN Glad you enjoyed the LNER and Strathspey photos.

I do hope the A1 is allowed a 90MPH maximum speed. I personally think 75 MPH is too low for the bigger pacifics like the A4s, Duchesses, and Merchant Navys. With a 90 MPH speed capability it should be easier to find paths on the main lines that have a 125MPH speed limit.

The preservationists certainly do a great job in getting steam locomotives, some of which like Scotsman over 80 years old, working in such great mechanical condition on todays main line tours.

Luckily I have not heard any of the media on the Tri Nations, it is a shame when they stir things up.

ERIC Unfortunately they only seem to run the Superliners through here when it is cold, I was told the Superliners have better heating so it should be warm on the train.

I guess today, with the safety rules, they would not allow them bare terminals even inside the locomotive.

Glad you liked the photos. Green Arrow is just about to back on to the rest of the train it will haul over the S&C. The single coach coupled to Green Arrow is the support coach, which carries the support crew and tools and supplies the engine may need. The support crew prepares and disposes the engine on tours and look after the engine on the road like at water stops etc. These volunteers do a really great job often meaning many hours away from home. The support coach usually goes with the engine when it turns on a wye and stays with the engine on light engine moves. As you say I think a locomotive hauled train as to have at least 4 cars to provide braking power or a lower speed limit applies on BR.

Yes some of the names did not really suit the racehorses or the locos, like the A3s Pretty Polly and Merry Hampton. I have to admit Galopin is quite novel and like the A2 names of Irish Elegance, Velocity and Steady Aim.

It must have been mighty cold on the footplate of 57566 in the Scottish winter I bet the crews tried as hard as possible to avoid any tender first running.

Many thanks for the photo from Pike's Peak and the pic of us at the ballpark is dying for a Caption Competition. My go is, CM3 saying "Don't forget lads if the Cards go 10 runs down you have to take one of these cyanide pills" That must be the last photo of the bride's white Cards shirt still white and before the hot dog..

Well RUTH a round please and the Fish 'N; Chips.

Pete. 

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Back <finally> to find that only our Bar Chandler has been "in" on this Thursday. Really beginning to wonder about this <GoR> of ours - meaning only perhaps we need to change that moniker. <geesh>

Anyway, good to see Pete ‘n his contributions! Comments in my next round of acknowledgments . . .

 Did note that we've turned to Page Four - As an aside, since each Page we turn is one step closer to LOCKDOWN, no point in making "big of it . . . <frown>

Pete - check these links:

Fuschia band

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=2162604085

Lincoln University - JCity

http://www.lincolnu.edu/pages/683.asp

Now, here's something from our sub-basement archives . . .

 

The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #10

Delaware & Hudson (D&H)

 

<A form of this was initially Posted on 27 Sep 2005, Page 119 at "Our" Place I>

Here's another Passenger RR Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

  

Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.  

 

Delaware and Hudson (D&H)

Headquarters: Albany, NY

Route mileage in 1950: 765 - 2000: 1,381

Locomotives in 1963: Diesels - 153

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 9,394 Passenger cars - 55

Principal lines in 1950:

Albany-Troy-Mechanicville, NY - Montreal, QC (Napierville Junction Railway trackage Rouses Point, NY-Montreal)
Binghamton-Oswego, NY (Erie trackage)
Nineveh, NY-Wilkes Barre, PA
Hudson-Buttonwood Yard, PA
Delanson-Mechanicville, NY
Schenectady-Balston Spa, NY
Saratoga Springs-Tahawus, NY (U.S. Government trackage North Creek-Tahawus)
Troy-Castleton, VT (B&M trackage Troy-Eagle Bridge, NY)
Whitehall, NY-Rutland, VT
Plattsburg-Lyon Mountain, NY
Plattsburg-Ausable Forks, NY
Fort Ticonderoga-Ticonderoga, NY
Oneonta-Cooperstown, NY
Cobleskill-Cherry Valley, NY

Using CONRAIL trackage in 1976:

Oswego-Buffalo & Niagara Falls, NY
Wilkes Barre-Harrisburg,PA-Washington, DC
Scranton-Allentown, PA-Newark, NJ
Allentown-Philadelphia

Passenger trains of note:

Laurentian (New York-Albany-Montreal)
Montreal Limited (New York-Albany-Montreal)

Of note:
All cars south of Albany handled by NYC.

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D&H ALCO PA1 #19, Windsor Station, Montreal, Canada (foto credit: Gary Overfield)




D&H ALCO PA1 #18 (copyright: Corel Corp.)

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon.I think a keith's please,I'll leave a twenty to cover for any stragglers.

Tom-Loved the D&H piece,it's one of the railroads that I have a soft spot for. Probably because of all the Alco locomotives. I've always loved their take on ATSF's warbonnet paint job,it just looks right on those PA's.

I wondered why Boris had a black eye,I guess the girls don't like being used as match strike plates.We won't persue their like or dislike of cigars though.

I'll pass everyones congrats on to the family What can I say , the powers at be are always right.I'm sure that the Pearson Link will be built as they want it. It would be better if even every other train had a few stops even,but I'm sure that the compromise won't happen.

Pete-I think you would love the Gala days.Lots to photograph see and to ride on 1326 has a complete top to bottom refit and restoration that lasted from 1956-59. it then sat idle until 1971 when the museum opened it's doors to the public ( it took that long from '54 to get the mainline built , powered and up and running. ) It and 55 were the mainstays of the operating fleet and ran daily until the late 80's when both bowed out with mechanical problems,by that time we had the steel cars  (Witt's and PCC's  running as well )I would thuink that you are correct modern light rail would not be set up to operate frieght ops.Mind you there wouldn't be the need to do that in the downtowns of most cities nowadays anyway.I can't imagine an electrically hauled frieght train competing with traffic in a modern city. 

Allan-Good news about the expansion and modernization od your rail system. Someone in government seems to have their heads screwed on right in your country.I aggree with Tom leave yoruself logged in. I do most of the time,it avoids all the log in hassles if nothing else.

Eric-Good to see you up and running again. A couple intersting shots as well. Pete seems a bit lost in that picture though,or was that just the streetmeat and beer's reaction on him.

335 is fairly unremarkable. It started out built by Baldwin as a class B steeple cab for the Iowa  Traction electrics. It was purchased in the 30's by the Grand River Railway and spent the rest of it's perational carreer on the GRR and sister LE&N in Ontario. Once frieght ops were desilzed by CP on those lines in 1961 it was sold to the Springfield Terminal where it ran one year before being finally retired.We bouhgt it from them in the early 80's for it's scrap value and shipped it back home.Somewhere in transit however it was broken into and it's copper was removed by some JO's which is one reason we have not started the reconstruction of it yet. 

Here's a shot of 335 when it was renumbered to 224 whuile still running on the Grand River railway. Shots at Preston Ontario in 1955

Rob

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all.

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

Eric. Nice to see you in again, sorry you had that modem problem. Nice pix of Shane, Pete and Tom at RV III and Pike`s Peak railway.    Their`s a map of the NZ railway system at;

http://www.railmaps.com.au/nznth.htm   

Pete. A fine set of ex LMS locos`. I fully agree with you about the A1`s speed limit and the one`s for all the other Pacific classes` running these days`. The media here treat the AB`s something like the papparazi treated Princess Diana in the UK.

Rob. Nice to see you in. Fine shot of #335 when she was #224 on the Grand River Rly. Will take your`s and Tom`s advice and stay logged on to the site 24/7 from now on.

Tom. Real nice to see you have finally traced the cause of your basement water problem, you will be very relieved seeing those costs` it could have entailed for you. A fine re-post of the Fallen Flags #10 on the Delaware and Hudson RR passenger trains, a couple of nice PA shots` with the Santa Fe warbonnet look alike paint work, except for the colour of course. Will take your`s and Rob`s advice and stay logged on 24/7 from now on.

See ya, Allan

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Yes, a #3 diet special, please! I'll have a cold Tuborg Gold. Thanks, Leon! Nice of you to keep this place pen until I get here.

I was delayed by a very severe thunderstorm again. 50+ mph winds, inches of rain, and a lot of lightning. Lasted for several hours. But we survived and so did the computer.

Tom –  Oh, there are many reasons for me to return to St. Louis and the Barriger RR Library is just one of them!

Thanks for the explanation of why so many railroads made their way to St. Louis! It makes sense.

As Pete mentioned, the photo of you three is perfect for Caption competition!

Thanks for the D&H info! I didn’t know that the line to Fort Ticonderoga belonged to D&H! A photo from Fort Ticonderoga below. D&H’s ALCO’s looked very nice! Especially #18.

Fort Ticonderoga, NY, with the X2000, 1993.  

 

Pete –  Some very nice photos of those ex LMS locomotives! That MkI sleeping car seems to be in need of some paint job.

Baldwin #61238 is a Northern 4-8-4 and is on display in Havre, MT. I took this picture of it in 1993. Not a good one, I managed to cut of the smokestack.

Great Northern Class S-2, 4-8-4, built by Baldwin, #61238, 1930.

You are right, some names on locomotives are very good and some... well, not so good.

Running tender first in the winter with that kind of cabin must have been a freezing experience! Not for me, thank you.

Your caption for the ball park photo is good! But I wonder who was the biggest Cardinals fan of those three guys? Hmmm.

I didn’t know that you ruined your bride’s white Cards shirt at the game. So you got into trouble when you got home?

Rob –  My 5 years old cable modem started to disconnect for 20-30 minutes at a time, connected again for 2-10 minutes, then off again. I thought it was the cable company that had problems, but it wasn’t. It’s amazing how handicapped one is without Internet!

Thanks for the info on #335! Hope you will be able to get it up and running again. It is a good looking locomotive.

Allan –  My modem problem is no more! The new modem is faster so I like it a lot.

Thanks for the link to the NZ Railway system! very interesting! I added it to my bookmarks! I found an isolated short line in Auckland that I couldn’t figure out what it was. But I’ll go back there later. 

 

Round for the house!! 

Eric 

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Nice weather here with temps. In the 50s this a.m. and supposed to be sunny and low 70s over the weekend - IOW yard work will continue. 

The toxics are supposed to be applied next week so I may be posting hit and miss, but I will try.  I think we can use the leftovers from this project to line the punchbowl for the next darts tournament - it is truly nasty and probably impervious to everything! 

Well, let's see what's in the stack today.

Nick - The test as you say is backing the train through the switches and into the siding.  I have certain cars and a steam locomotive that I use for doing that - if they work, than so does everything else. 

Rob - Congratulations!  That Grand River Ry electric has Iowa roots for sure - lovely photo, too.

Pete - You have been busy toting the black bag from place to place - I enjoyed the LMS pictures (of course).  I have my BLW information in the east wing, but Eric beat me to the punch.  See my comment below.

Allen - Good to hear from you. 

Eric - Too bad you don't live closer - we have a house full of animal "keepers" who could take care of things.  OSP provided a good summary of St. Louis history so I won't get into it too much except to say that there was a truly big rivalry back in the long ago among a lot of railroads for St. Louis-Chicago passenger traffic.  I remember seeing and photogrphing the GN steam engine in Havre - it is an interesting place with a lot of "ghosts" of the GN around if you know where to look.

OSP- I would say "yes" to viewing the Harry Potter films, however, get the extended version DVDs as they make more sense in terms of continuity.   As for the books, I think the Order of the Phoenix was the best of the lot. 

Interesting to hear about your water problems.  IIRC, we were talking in that vein during my visit.  I rearranged some downspouts awhile back to direct water further away from the house; it was a big help.

Nice pictures of the PAs (of course) and a nice rerun of D&H information.  Jim Shughnessy's book on the D&H is the best out there and it is available.  Can also recommend another one called Bridge Line Blues which is believe is o/p and commands a hefty price tag when you can find it.  The Barriger lib. probably has both of them.

Well, I'd better get out of here and see if I can get some stuff done before they start with more nasty stuff.

Work safe

[siberianmo]

<MoPac #4502 at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>

 

Friday's Grin

Lines To Make You Smile

My husband and I divorced over religious differences.

He thought he was God and I didn't.

 

 

G'day Gents!

And the end of the work week <for many> is upon us! What better time to fill up those coffee mugs, grab a few pastries ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast

 

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Comments from the Proprietor

REMINDER: For the <GoR> plus one, check your Email at least daily!

Annnnnnnnnnnd - Monday is Pete's B'day . . .

 

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Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Thursday - August 7^th <all times Central daylite>:

Pages 3 ‘n 4 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:10 AM ‘n 3:41 PM: And once more our Bar Chandler has been holding things together ‘round here during day lite as a solo act! Another two-fer for us to enjoy . . . even if the first one was under "fuzzy" circumstances! <uh oh> <grin>

One of these days, you must explain how that Irish band wound up at Lincoln University for a concert - THEN "discovered" Pat's Place . . . has to be a story in there somewhere! One most unlikely, the other more than coincidence. Hmmmmmm.

Nice spate o' fotos! Wondering about the "international" in the name of Birmingham's station I like the contrast between the old ‘n the new in some of those fotos - steam locomotives ‘n DMUs . . . <sweet>

That Baldwin builders plate indicates 1930 as the date - the #61238 appears to have been purchased by GN - click the link:

http://www.southernsteamtrains.com/gn-s2.htm

Now a question - do you ask these questions because you really want to know, or to put some of us to work Hmmmmmm. Anyway, looks like Eric found the "real" thing for you! <geesh>

Nice shot of the Green Bay RR museum! Looks like you had a perfect day for foto taking . . .

Next time we go to a ball game <or any sporting event!> you'll have to wear a shirt with mustard as the color! <grin> Poor Laura, her shirt deserved a better fate . . .

Good to have you aboard with all sorts of info for the crew - a fine < I³ > Post, fotos ‘n ROUND!

 

 

Page 4 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 7:40 PM: What's not to like about PAs, eh Great looking locos ‘n the "bonnet" livery just makes ‘em even more better-er!

While you term #335 as "unremarkable" - I think it's a fine looking loco! Thanx for the expanded info . . .

I think your "compromise" of running some "locals" between Pearson ‘n downtown would be "doable" - but, perhaps for the reason that "they" didn't think of it - it won't happen. <ugh> <frown>

Did notice Helga "teaching" Boris how to spit out the tips of the seeeeeeeegars! Hmmmmm, classy gals, eh <yikes> I'll betcha that YOUR friend who we encountered on our trip to Toronto would be in that category as well! <uh oh>

Appreciate the visit, chat ‘n cash for stragglers!

 

 

Page 4 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10:32 PM <5:32 PM Friday NZ time>: That's a <top drawer> link to the railways of NZ! All kinds of easy to follow info on ‘em . . . thanx! Can only imagine the great scenery along those routes!

I've always been partial to that great looking "bonnet" livery of the D&H - the blue just "jumps" out at ya!

A bit more advice regarding your log in situation on the Forums . . . remaining logged-on will definitely improve your service. However, keep in mind that when you ‘clean' your disk <ie: remove cookies, temp files, etc.> you will have to go thru the log-in procedure again as all of your stored info will be purged. I clean at least twice weekly - but that is because of the amount of time I'm on the net, amassing many, many temp files - which over time adds to the "slow down" of operating.

Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!

 

 

Friday - August 8^th:

Page 4 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:27 AM <12:27 AM Sandbox time>: "In" with a ROUND - a couple of fine fotos ‘n an < I³ > Post too!

Glad that modem problem has been taken care of as it really puts a crimp in one's style to be denied access to the web. Amazing how that impacts us, eh

Would love to have you return to St. Louis <Chesterfield> for a visit - with your bride would even be better-er! <grin> You'd have to leave the cats in Arizona, for Juneau would go absolutely bonkers. One of his favorite ‘sports' is to run after ‘em - fortunately <for the cats> his expandable leash kinda puts the "crimp" in his style. <uh oh>

Yeah, I can think of a few captions for "that" foto - a most uncomplimentary shot, fer sure, fer sure. You must wait for the moment to capture those . . . I'll have to keep that in mind next time we're together! <grin>

How coincidental that you have a personal foto of the loco listed on my replica builder's plate! And Pete - who else - asked for the info!

How many days <daze> to go in your "working life" <grin>

 

 

Page 4 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:34 AM: Been a long time since you began our daylite portion of the work day . . . but most appreciated!

Doesn't seem that the situation at your work place is fit for humans. Hmmmmm, a bit of a contradiction, given the title of your organization. Hmmmmmmm. Robots - that's what you need! Have "they" issued HazMat suits to y'all <yikes> Must have missed it, but Rzactly what is going on Curious minds wanna know! <grin>

Cards got back to earth yesterday, dropping a <ho hum> game to the Dodgers as "your guy" Manny is on a tear <no, not crying - but rrrrrrrrrping> - fun with the language, eh

Had heard the Potter books are "good" reads for adults too . . . one day. But, methinks we'll probably get a DVD just to "sample" the waters. As mentioned, I'm generally not "into" those super-fantasy types of things . . . but this could be the exception.

I had the downspouts routed away from the house well over a decade ago. This particular one showed no signs of being problematic, but it now seems it was. We had another downpour last evening - buckets full for about 30 minutes - and the basement wall remained dry. That's TWO in succession - one more ‘n I'll declare "victory"! <grin>

Noted that Pete even had you "jumping thru hoops" on that builder's plate . . . the man's a natural - no wonder he's Interim Governor General! <yikes>

Many thanx for the quarters, visit, < I³ > Post ‘n ROUND!

 

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Reminder: Ruth has the bar 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

 

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom and all in

Pint of Mild please and a round for the house.

Been reviwing some of the more recent posts but not got much to comment on - some fine dialogue of course, and good news on the water / damp Tom, interesting NZ rail map Allan, plenty of rail tour pics Pete (nice stuff), Eric, I liked the plinthed loco (GNR as I recall?). Rob - enjoyed the vintage Gravenhurst ship pics too!

CM3 - did I see you say you just got a recent Classic Trains edition - not got mine yet - seem to get them pretty quick this side of the pond so maybe I need to check my sub? What edition was it?

Anyway - as promised - High Speed London - Paris trip report :

Eurostar certainly provides a superb services, esp. now the high speed line all the way from London is up and running.

Outward journey down to London was smooth, with a 10 minute early arrival and a full cooked breakfast enjoyed in the dining car on the way down.

Somewhat frustratingly the ticket sales people insist on rather a long connection time at St Pancras - way longer than the 30 minute check in specified - so I had about 1 hour 40 to kill - which allows a wander round the nicely restored terminus and a chance to pick up the superb Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable - which provides details of services across the whole of the continent as far east as the Polish / Russian border - a fascinating book, and for me the best travel writing around!

You check in through these sorts of automated gates (airline style) then go through and x ray type operation before your passport is checked by French Passport officers, then you are in a departure lounge area at below platform level.

Approx 20 mins before departure you are advised to proceed up to the train at platform level (under the overall roof pictured in Tom's photo spread).

I'd upgraded to Leisure First - which is a sort of discounted off peak first class fare. First class seating is good with a decent selection of seats that line up with windows and table seats. Three seats across the width of the car is similar to the VIA Ren stock day cars for ‘corridor' trains - and of course the service is built to the same loading gauge.

The fare include complimentary drinks (inc alcoholic) and a meal. The meal left something to be desired in my view - a sort of ‘advanced' airline food - certainly no chef aboard. It was of a lower standard than the sort of cook / chill technology Tom and I have exchanged notes on the Ren Ocean service to Halifax. I was glad I'd had the cooked to order meal on the previous train.

I guess that with a 2.5 hour journey and 7 first class cars, all able to be fully occupied at peak times, they don't want to equip the cars with enough kitchens / chefs to cook that much food. Can't imagine that would have been a problem back in the ‘classic era' but I guess that was before they invented ‘accountants' eh!!!

Anyway - one leaves London in large tunnel sections until at the edge of the urban area, following what I think are the ex LTS lines out of Fenchurch Street on the north side of the Thames. Very soon one is in the Essex coastal flat lands, and strange mix of scrap yards, sewage works, flat marshland and light industrial activity (much of which is the area due to be ‘regenerated' for the 2012 Olympics.

Very soon you go under the Queen Elizabeth 2 motorway bridge across the Thames

http://www.ukcsma.co.uk/FDartfordBridge.jpg

and then head in a tunnel under the river Thames to emerge in north Kent. It is not long before you are heading over the most significant structure on the route - the Medway Valley Viaduct which runs beside the motorway bridge - seen to good effect here (scroll down for pics)

http://www.kentrail.co.uk/medway%20viaduct.htm

After this and you are quickly into the heart of Kent (The ‘Garden of England' where picturesque Oast Houses for drying hops for beer can be seen as well as fruit orchards and pasture etc).

For pic of a Kentish Oast House:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photos/38/54/385418_ca1579c9.jpg

The train pulled off the high speed line to stop at Ashford 30 mins after leaving London (conventional trains take about 1 hour 15 or more to get here so this gives an idea of the speed). You go past the site of the South Eastern Railway's Ashford Works (now mostly a retail park) locomotive construction having ended here before the end of steam I think, but it seems the works sort of continued in a much reduced form up until final closure in 1981.

Some interesting pics of the station (inc the stylish new building) are on the bottom of this page:

http://www.kentrail.co.uk/Ashford.htm

and a couple of pics of the works are here

http://www.kentrail.co.uk/Ashford%20(5).htm

Some of the works buildings (inc the loco shop) are listed for historic interest so are retained.

En route again it is not too far until going in to the channel tunnel - which takes 20 mins to go through.

Rather depressing that on the UK side there is virtually no sign of freight activity in the yards near the tunnel mouth, but on the French side plenty of action to be seen!

The line then goes across mostly flat land in north France en route to Paris - although in the Lille vicinity there are a number of coal slag heaps reminding the viewer with an eye for detail that this was once coal mining country (the epic novel Germinal, by Zola, is I think set in this area.

Indeed British readers will probably know that the small Kent coalfield, closed in the 1980s, is presumably an extension of the coal seems running under the channel from this northern French / Belgian coal mining area.

Lille is obviously still a major rail centre with diesel locos parked up in yards near the town, and stabling yards for rakes of double and single deck SNCF commuter trains.

Here's an example of one of their more modern types

http://www.emta.com/IMG/jpg/bombardier-2.jpg

The train is soon into the Somme valley, an area that needs no introduction to anyone familiar with the lives of first world war soldiers. Indeed beside the line I saw at least 2 or 3 immaculately maintained Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries. No doubt the line (and the nearby motorway) go right through the heart of this infamous first world war battle filed.

For some images of how these war graves are maintained some pics are here, although the small cemeteries I saw were much smaller than most of those shown here.

http://www.1914-1918.net/sacredground/Arras/hphototour.htm

It does not seem too long before the outskirts of Paris come into view, with the usual joining of lines and progress through large carriage sidings housing the French capitals northern lines commuter stock.

High speed running at 186 mph certainly get you there quickly!

On arrival at Paris Gare Du Nord one simply walks straight off the train and into the main station area, outside the station you are more or less in the centre of Paris, with typical street cafes etc available to enjoy.

That's it for now - next instalment of report : the Sites of Paris (well, a tour round the 6 major Paris railway terminals anyway!)

Regards

DL

 

 

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

The usual AM fare of coffee and the bacon sanie please RUTH.

The last lot of LMS photos for now.

The first three were taken at the Midland Railway Centre based at Butterley, Derbyshire.

Between the stations of Hammersmith and Butterley the line runs between two reservoirs, I think originally built to serve the Crompton Canal. Here 'Jinty' 0-6-0T No 47357 works a passenger train.The 'Jintys' were introduced in 1924, a post grouping developement of a Midland Railway design. These locos were not painted red in BR days. In 1958 47357 worked off Liverpool's Edge Hill shed.

At Swanwick Junction class 5 4-6-0 No 44932 approches the station. I had this locomotive haul the train when I travelled from Fort William to Mallaig in the Western Highlands of Scotland on the steam train that works specials on that line in the Summer months. In 1958 44932 was allocated to Agecroft shed Manchester.

At the West Shed at Swanwick Junc. two of Sir William A. Stanier's finest on the left Princess Royal class No 46203 Princess Margaret Rose and Duchess No 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. 6233 was being prepared for an overhaul to main line running condition, which she has done very succesfully. These locomotives were regular engines through Rugby with 46203 being a Liverpool(Edge Hill) engine and 46233 from Crewe North. 46203 was in not in BR maroon although 4 of here sisters did carry that livery. The 2 Pacifics owe their survival to being bought by Sir Billy Butlin as static exhibits at his holiday camps after their BR service.  

We talked about the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway at the bar. Here is the BR station that is adjacent to the R&ER with class 5 No 45110 and another class 5 arriving to take the passengers who had travelled on the R&ER on the return  part of a steam tour. Note the Ratty Arms pub on the other platform, sold a good pint of Jennings I recall

Back later.

Pete. 

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

A better than average day thus far at our Saloon by the Siding with appearances thus far from Shane - Dan ‘n Pete AND all before the noon hour!

HEADs UP! An Email has been sent to our <GoR> - check your in-boxes!

Here's one NOT seen at any of the bars . . .

 

 

Now Arriving on Track Number Two!

Hard Cover Classic Train Books for the Can-Am Library!

Number Seven

 

 

In the Traces - Railroad Paintings of Ted Rose <in the library - gift from CM3 Shane - Rendezvous III>

Book Description:

This book brings together 60 of Ted Rose best paintings focusing primarily on railroads and railroading with special emphasis on the age of steam. The work is presented in six parts: yard work; Night Moves; Tuesday's Just as Bad, On the Road, Railroad Places, and Revival. Rose begins each section with an introduction explaining his artistic motivations and purposes and adds a brief comment - again from his perspective as an artist - about each of t paintings.  

<from: Indiana University Press>

 

Great Northern Empire Builder <in library - 2008 B'day gift!>

Book Description:

Names for renowned entrepreneur James J. Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway, the incomparable Empire Builder was launched in 1929 by legendary CEO Ralph Budd. Powered by steam until 1947, the Empire Builder charged into the diesel era at full-bore with streamlined EMD E7As trailing Pullman cars from St. Paul to Spokane and generating millions for the railroad. This authoritative and richly illustrated history covers the Empire Builders through their 1970s demise. Included here are the trains, their various forms of motive power and rolling stock, and their services. A wealth of black and white archival images and period color photography depict the Empire Builders along one of the nation's most scenic routes. Also shown are uniforms, dinnerware, terminals and stations, interior views of Pullman and dome cars, period advertisements, and route maps.

 

<from: amazon.com>

 

Electric Locomotives <soft cover - in the library - gift from Eric for 2008 B'day!>

Book Description:

The history of electric freight and inter-urban commuter locomotives in the U.S. begins with their development in East Coast urban centers and continues their service in the present day. Railways that used or continue to use electric motive power in cities, suburbs and even over mountain passes - including the B&O, Pennsylvania, New Haven, New York Central, Norfolk & Western, Illinois Central, Milwaukee Road, and Amtrack - are depicted in period and modern color photography. This book also covers legendary electrics like the S-motors that towed steam powered trains through tunnels and into busy urban stations and several more. The text includes discussion on the roles played by GE and Westinghouse, specialized equipment, and how technology laid the groundwork for the development of diesel-electric locomotives prior to WW II.

 

<from: amazon.com>

 

New Haven Railroad - Railroad Color History <in the library>

Book Description:

Captured in rare archival imagery, readers can explore the "New Haven", the legendary railroad of New York, New Haven, and Hartford. From 1872 to 1969 this railroad connected Boston and Providence with New York City. New Haven's four-track electric mainline across the Hell Gate Bridge into New York City carried millions of commuters and travelers and is one of the most recognized railroad images in the world. The book includes a large selection of New Haven print advertising featuring the famous Shore Line Route as well as the memorable orange, black, and white color scheme. The book is a definitive guide to "The New Haven" as well as a rich source of pictorial history. ,Connecting Boston and New York City, the "New Haven," hauled more passengers than any other line in U.S. history. Part of MBI's newly redesigned Railroad Color History series, this hardcover book features 100 color and 50 black and white photos, the majority of which were sourced from one the country's top private New Haven archives, covers nearly a century of New Haven history, from the beginning (1872) to the final collapse in (1969). Author Peter Lynch was a former New Haven employee.

<from: amazon.com>

 

New Haven Railroad in the Streamline Era <in the library>

Book Description:

High quality color photographs illustrate the history of the New Haven Railroad's passenger operations in the era of the streamlined train beginning in 1934 with its first lightweight car order through to the railroad's experimentation with the ultra-lightweight trains of the mid-1950s and into the troubled 1960s. Filled with historical background information and photographs that illustrate New Haven paint schemes on cars and locomotives. Stations and other passenger operations are also recorded.

<from: amazon.com>

 

Way of the Zephyrs <wanted for my library>

Book Description:

In this companion volume to his Burlington Route - The Early Zephyrs, author Geoffrey H. Doughty traces the postwar Zephyr fleet from the birth of the modern dome car in 1945 through to the Burlington Northern merger of 1970. Along the way, readers are introduced to such streamlined passenger train icons as the 1949 California Zephyr and the 1956 Denver Zephyr, as well as lesser lights from the CB&Q's timetables. With the American traveling public increasingly opting for airliners and automobiles through the 1950s and the 1960s, Burlington Route management aggressively pursued railroad passengers even as much of their competitors sought service curtailments in the face of declining patronage and rising labor costs. All of these factors are woven into this fascinating story of The Way of the Zephyrs.

 

<from: amazon.com>

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Enjoy!

Tom    

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Holden's Golden Glow please RUTH.

TOM Enjoyed the links to the Fushcia Band and to Lincoln University. The concert hall was just right for the band, not a large hall but the acoustics and the atmosphere in there was great. I am not sure how they got into touring the US, but the owner of Pat's met the band when he was over in Ireland.

Birmingham International is a relatively new station it was built to serve Birmingham International Airport and then new National Exhibition Centre. The link between the airport and the station had the world's first passenger MAGLEV at one time.

As you say there does not seem much enjoyment now in turning a page at the bar seeing as the pages we turn before lock downseem to be getting fewer

Many thanks for the Fallen Flag on the Delaware & Hudson RR. I noticed the U.S. Government trackage on the North Creek to Tahawus section of the Saratoga Springs to Tahawus NY service, was this over military land and I was wondering if there were many lines that run over government land.

I can't get enough of those Alcos in the marvelous D&H blue livery with the silver bogies. It must have been the best diesel livery ever although IMHO the Santa Fe Warbonnet Alcos were mighty close.

Many thanks for the link to the Great Northern # 2584. When opening the link that photo of the great model brought out a factor. It is really good one of the S2 4-8-4s survived. I guess if I see a works plate I have to try to find out which class of loco it came from.

Yesterday's photo of Green Bay was of the old station; the museum is not there but about a couple or so miles away. Yes it was great weather there, Memorial Day weekend. 

It was Ketchup on the Shirt. Would have been all right it had been a Cards red one.

Enjoyed the covers and descriptions of the books from the Can-Am Library, all great looking books. You can almost feel the cold in the painting by Ted Rose. 

E-Mail recieved. 

ROB I think BORIS would have been alright striking his matches but, I think it was HELGA's Lederhosen, had been soaked in fat from one of the Our Place Barb-B- Qs and caught fire. This even caused some of the Track Gang to cancel their steak order as they said it smelt rather overcooked.

There must have been a great deal of really hard work in the 17 years it took to get your museum up and running. Truly a labor of love not to mention all the work in getting the cars and work equipment in the great condition we see in your photos. If I ever can get to your part of the world I will have to make sure I can fit in a Gala Day at the museum.

Many thanks for the information and the photo of #335 in its days on the Grand River Railway. A real shame those vandals stole that copper, pity 335 was not connected to the overhead when they done it. (Where is the ‘censored' icon when you want it)

ALLAN Thanks for the link to the NZ rail map. I see the Railway Touring Company of the UK are running a NZ steam tour in October covering both North and South Islands and calling in on the North Main Trunk Centenary celebrations. It says it will feature 6 steam locomotives. A link to the RTC tour of NZ. The tour is 4th from bottom of the list on the left hand side. There are some photos of NZ steam in the link to the tour.

http://www.railwaytouring.co.uk/index.php/world-tours.html

Glad you enjoyed the photos.

I must admit I have found the quality of newspapers here in the U.S of a far higher quality than what most of the UK newspapers have become in the last 20 years or so.

ERIC I am hoping Nick will have a go at a caption of your photo of us three.

Many thanks for the details and the photo of Baldwin built Great Northern # 61238 a fine and powerful looking locomotive.

I wonder too why a form of removable shelter was not fitted to the tenders of the old locomotives especially those working in cold areas in winter. I think the only tenders with a shelter in the UK were those fitted to locomotives on snowplough duty.

Luckily the bride has not seen her Cards shirt yet, I washed it and nearly got the stain out and have hidden it in a cupboard it will probably be my shirt now.

Thanks for the round.

CM3 I think we will have to keep that stuff they are treating the building with well away from BORIS

 Glad you are enjoying the LMS photos. I think it may be father of the present black bag with me when I took most of the photos I am putting up at the bar.

It must have been a great sight in St Louis to see those different railroads. On that track we traveled to Springfield ILL, at one place on the approach to St Louis there was three different companies all with in a few yards of each other it must have been a great place to watch the passenger trains in their heyday.

The bride too really enjoyed the Harry Potter books and is enjoying the films.

DL Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Many thanks for the interesting report of your trip by Eurostar to Paris and the great links to illustrate the report.  Did you get much impression that you were traveling at 186MPH. I had not realized that the line goes through the Somme Valley in France

The changes at Ashford station over the years was very interesting and it is hard to believe that is the same Ashford Works that I went to an open day there a few years back.

It will have to try to make the journey myself one day although it sounds best to avoid the food on the train though. I will look forward to your report of the Paris stations.  .

Well off to Southern Mo in a while so a round please RUTH.
Pete

[EricX2000]

Good afternoon Capytain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Hello Ruth, nice to see you again! No, just something to drink this time. Yeah, that sounds good.

Decided to stop by for a moment when I had some spare time. We have basically recovered from last night's storm. Most people survived and all our trees are still standing.

CM3 –  When it comes to animals and travel, it is a little bit more complicated than it first appears. Since more than 7 years we are feeding stray cats in an industrial area every evening. It is part of a program where they catch as many of the cats as possible, fix them so they can’t reproduce and then release them where they were caught. This is a way to keep the number of strays down and it works pretty well. Anyway, we signed up promising to feed them and missing one night is not a big deal, but missing a week is. But we are working on finding someone that can help us when necessary.

I didn’t see much of Havre, we just spent a very limited time there on our way to Seattle. But I would like to go back some time.

Tom –  One is really handicapped without an internet connection.

Yes, I was surprised when I found that you have a replica of that builder’s plate and I have the photo of that loco. I googled for that number and when I saw the loco number I recognized it.

Today i have 83 days left until I go home from the office for the last time. It means I have 24 more work days ahead. Not too bad. 4 more before my vacation in two weeks.

Nice books. The best cover is the first one, In the Traces, showing a cold, kind of grayish day with smoke, steam and a soar throat. Just like in real life.

Emails received. 

DL –   Thanks for the first installment of your trip report! A lot of interesting facts. So it takes just 2.5 hours from London to Paris?! That is pretty darn fast. The food is kind of an advanced airline food. Hmm, today they hardly serve any food at all on the airlines, at least not the domestic lines here in the US. Across the Atlantic is a different story. Looking forward to you next installment!

Pete –  Very nice photos fromMidland Railway Centre and Ratty Arms Pub, ooops... the 45110 I mean. Especially the first two photos look like they were taken years and years ago!

Oh boy, one day you will get into deep trouble when your bride discovers what happened to her shirt. Good luck! Maybe you should wear a helmet or hard hat?

I forgot to mention that #61238 has 80” drivers. A pretty fast locomotive.

Most steam locomotives in Sweden had enclosed cabs to protect the crew.

 

Finally, a few photos from 1993.

 

Albany, NY. 

 

Time to leave Albany. 

 

Somewhere between Albany and Elmira, NY. Trouble with one of the RTLs pushing the train.

 

Round for the house!

Eric 

 

 

[trolleyboy]

Good evening gents. Leon just a Keith's for me if you don't mind. I'll leave a bit extra for a round for the boys and for the morning patrons as well.I have the weekend off and we will be scarce tomorrow,we may try to fit in another short excursion to the North Country ,the gas prices dropped afterall to a paltry $1.18 a litreInteresting to see that we are at almost 1000 looks on our new thread.Certainly they aren't all just from us comming in to read and post.

Tom-Great selection of books.they look like really good readers I see that you folks have been talking about the various Potter books. i couldn't get into them but my wife and both my sisters swear by them

I don't want to even begin to know about what Helga has been teaching Boris None of it can end in anything good I would think that YOUR friend from our Toronto trip is likely kin to H&H ( she at least looked to be, taking up her two seats as she was )

 I imagine that they won't add the some full service some direct trains because it would make way too much sence to have a multi-use transit hub paid for by public money <grumble> I'm sorry,I said that 335 was unremarkable mostly because it was a very standarized type of locmotive,one's like it could have been found on most US and Canadian electric routes. They were the closest thing to a GP 9 the electric railways had

Eric-Great photo of the ICe trains and the Ticonderoga station etc. I like the  stuffed and mounted GN steamer as well/ I t looks to be quite well looked after ( cosmetically anyway )Too bad the local shelter hasn't tried to take in all those cat and try and adopt them out.They try to do that around here,and it has been reasonably successfull.Both are cats are adoptee's from the shelter.

Pete-Great photo's today.I aggree that it was too mbad that 335 wasn't energized at the time.But if it had been we would still be aairing it out. ( and you thought the cooked meat on Helga's thigh was bad )I guess the thought police around here felt that the censored smily wasn't in the best intrest of public consumption here on the forum.Great steam phoot's as usual today as well

Shane-It is amazing as to how many of those B type steeple cabs were built and used in both countries. It's also intersting to note how many were constantly swaped and sold and resold between the various railways as well.

Dan-Great narrative on your latest rail adventure.Too bad that the food wasn't quite up to snuff , but it is typical of the fare dispenced on trains nowadays.I enjoyed many of the links,specifically the war cemetary one's. Heather spent quite a bit of time taking them in as well.

Rob

[EricX2000]

Hi again!

Leon, my Friday special, please! Filet Mignon and mushrooms! Yes the usual.

Very quiet day here today. I guess everyone is watching the Olympics on TV or taking off on vacation now when the gas price is going down. Well, I thought i could post a few more photos in no particular order or theme.

 

A Swedish State Railways Class Bk electric, hauling a freight train 1972.

 

A secret delivery to Vito's warehouse.

 

Solothurn, Switzerland 1986. 

 

What kind of locomotive (class)?

 

My desk at World Trade Center in Stockholm, Sweden 1992.

 

Eric 

[trolleyboy]

Hello again Leon,another Keith's if you don't mind oh and what the heck a nice medium rare t-bone as well.Eric's gotta have some company while he eats.

Eric-More fine photo's sir.Your desk from Sweden looks not unlike some of the one's for sale at Ikea. The locmotive truck kind of looks like the ones on Amtrak's / VIA's P42's.I think that package Vito was recieving looked alot like the containers Helga and Hilda arrived in. You don't suppose he's found more of their kin

Anyway a couple random RS18 shots for this evening.

These first two my friend emailed me. Two shots of the same CN RS18 preserved at Exporail in Montreal,a before and after shot.

This next one is a shot from mac yard in Toronto from 1989.One of the last CN RS18's still in service.

Here's a shot from last years foray to Nova Scotia.One of the ten RS18's the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia bought from CN.

Finally a shot of a train pulling into St Thomas Yard ( old Caso Sub ) powered by a brace of CP's rebuilt RS18U's

enjoy

Rob

[siberianmo]

<MoPac #4502 at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>

 

 

G'day Gents!

Saturday at the Watering Hole by the Wayside - most times means not much going on. However, we still serve the best breakfasts this side of the Mentor Mountains - so fill up those mugs, sample a pastry ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Comments from the Proprietor

REMINDER: For the <GoR> plus one, check your Email at least daily! A "participation" request sent on Friday . . . All hands on deck!

 

Annnnnnnnnnnd - Monday is Pete's B'day . . .

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Friday - August 8^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 4 - Dan <DL-UK> at 9:45 AM <3:45 PM GMT>: A fine Post hi-lited by the Trip Report aboard EuroStar toParis.

Was most impressed with your narrative descriptions and your judicious use of links to clarify a point or three . . . very fine links, indeed! Surely put it all together quite well. For those who may wish to do so - click this link for my EuroStar piece . . . will provide a bit more "flavor" . . .

http://cs.trains.com/forums/63/1392551/ShowPost.aspx#1392551

Clicking the link will ALSO be a reminder of things to come! <grin>

Yeah, full service dining with a real chef probably a thing of the past, unless aboard trains like the Canadian or Orient Express. Very surprised <but pleased> that the Chaleur still offers full service dining . . .

My guess is that sleepers will disappear from the landscape in your part of the world as the speed increases. What's the point More money for the bean counters to pass onto the share holders or whoever it is that "skims" profit . . . <barf>

If memory serves, I believe there were drinks included in VIA 1 service between Montréal ‘n Toronto . . . wine for sure, ‘n perhaps the hard stuff as well. For the price differential between coach ‘n 1^st class - they should give you the bottle! <grin> It's been a few years . . .

As aggravating as the early check-in might have been, in these times I'm sure you don't need to be told "why" . . . the "crazies" have changed our way of life.

For the life of me, I cannot recall the Paris stations that I frequented in1971 - but my guess is that we arrived from Ulm, <west> Germany at the Paris west terminal ‘n departed for Brest, France from the east terminal. Would make sense - but I'm not sure. Didn't take notes back then nor very many fotos . . .

The link to the WWI cemeteries was sobering . . . ‘nuf said. RIP soldiers, RIP!

Nice job Dan - and many thanx for the ROUND!

 

 

Page 4 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:03 AM ‘n 2:18 PM: An AM foto spate from our Interim Governor  General!

As much as these early <for you> arrivals are appreciated - AND THEY ARE - I'm wondering why you are Posting them without looking at the AM acknowledgments . . . <geesh> Sometimes there's TIMELY info in them ‘n it appears you don't get to it until much later on . . . hope I'm wrong.

Somehow those Jinty locos appear to be way too small for the consist they're hauling . . . powerful lil' beasts, eh Some mighty fine full size locos AND a partial view of a Pub!

Back with an afternoon visit chock full o' comments for our crew. Don't know where you find so much to talk about, given the few contributors we've had lately. This place is becoming more like a morgue during daytime than not . . . <groan> <mumble> And today <Saturday> ought to be more of the same since lately it's just been the two of us ‘n you're gone-zo. <bratzafratz>

Okay, I get it - the Manchester rail station's name is "international" because that's the airport's name.

And why wouldn't an Irish band tour the U.S. Lots of heritage over here not to mention an opportunity to fatten the wallets. Just amazed that Jefferson City was a venue - I mean it's not like it's a Mecca for touring bands ‘n entertainers . . . <grin>

Sorry, but any questions you have regarding the D&H are best addressed by someone who KNOWS - perhaps, Shane or better yet - do a web search! <ooooooooooh> <grin>

I do concur with you regarding the beautiful livery - especially the D&H Alcos - my favorite of all . . .

Given up trying to rationalize anything done on these Forums - the revamping of the smilies appeared out of no where ‘n I suppose someone got offended over something - don't think we'll ever know - but so what Isn't worth the few remaining brain cells to ponder that nonsense . . . <barf>

Yes- NEXT TIME you see a builder's plate - give it a whirl! That's the idea . . . <grin>

My mistake with the Green Bay foto - totally missed your ID on it . . . thanx for setting me straight!

Ketchup or mustard - guess it doesn't make any difference since it wasn't YOUR shirt! <geesh> There are remedies for that sort of thing - one of them is to not wear white to ballgames . . . <grin> I'll bet that there's a way to get the stain out - even after all this time. Just a matter of finding the "right" substance to work with . . .

Good NZ link on those steam tours . . .

Have you developed the film from Rendezvous III Still haven't received anything from any of the crew who attended - I put ALL of mine up at "Our" Place III . . .

Even as recently as 1977, there were far more trains operating in this area than today. I used to drive past a very active yard on the way to/from downtown. The freight cars were like billboards from back in the day with roadnames that brought back some <smiles> ‘n good memories . . . Yes, passenger trains had disappeared, but every now ‘n then I'd see an Amtrak with an assortment of cars - seemed to be more frequent than today - probably was. Even had a dome car on at least one of the trains to/from Chicago . . . I traveled in it. Things are far different today, and not all for the better, eh

Many thanx for the two-fer, good cheer ‘n chat ‘n of course the ROUND! Enjoy your get away . . .

 

 

Page 4 - Eric <EricX2000> at 3:13 PM <1:13 PM Sandbox time>: What Ho! A daylite appearance from our Resident Desert Swede! A most welcome surprise to help keep the interest level "up" at the Tavern by the Tracks!

I think what you ‘n your wife <along with others> are doing with the stray animals is commendable. Probably far too many cats for families desirous of adopting them. I think that's always the case - whether it be animals or humans. Saddens me to think of how many "unwanted" domestic animals are brought into the world only to suffer very cruel fates. And don't get me started on people - that's a whole ‘nother issue ‘n it involves PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY . . . <arrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhh> Anyway, kudos to you ‘n your bride for doing what you do.

Figured you'd have the "countdown" figured out . . . time passes, whether we "x" off the days on a calendar or not - you'll get there. <grin>

Two weeks to go before heading back to Sweden, eh Now that's a trip I'd surely like to make. Not the air portion necessarily, but to ride the trains over there. I recall BK <BudKarr> telling us about his travels aboard X2000 . . . even he was impressed ‘n if you recall, the guy wasn't all that crazy about trains. Yeah, one day . . .

Nice fotos from 1993 . . . the X2000 looks terrific! What a <censored> shame the U.S. didn't buy ‘em for use here - a <censored> shame.

Your afternoon "delight" was most appreciated as was the chat ‘n ROUND!

 

 

Page 4 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:43 PM: After more than 8 hours of inactivity, along comes our Manager . . . We're truly back into the malaise daze ‘round here insofar as the frequency of visits go . . . still have quality material, just not very many of us contributing. But, we takes what we gets ‘n moves on, eh

Yeah, we get all kinds of "views" but no comments. Pete ‘n I figure that an awful lot of those "hits" must come from internet browsing. We have pretty much covered the spectrum of classic trains topics, so that when someone does a search on this or that, "Our" Place shows up as a "source" - happens a lot. So, those kinds of "hits" aren't really expected to generate any interaction. It's the "others" that make me wonder . . . but such is life ‘n really, so what! As Wolfman mentioned, we've generated nearly a half-million "views" <or more> with all of the bars combined . . . that speaks for itself when one considers just how few of us there have been putting forth the material . . .

No, no, no - she's YOURS - always was ‘n always will be! YOURS, my friend - I surely wouldn't want to come between such a pair made in . . . made in . . . well, I just wouldn't want to! <grin> Two seats, you say Well, seems to me she had all FOUR occupied. <geesh>

Et tu trolleyMAN Taking off on a Saturday <again> . . . <geesh> <bratzafratz> Now I understand why you haven't come down hard on the Bar Chandler - two of a kind! <groan> Anyway - enjoy the outing . . .

In the Ooooooooooooops Dept. - that was X2000 not the Ice train in Eric's fotos . . .

Good conversation from our Resident Ontario Connection ‘n most appreciative for the funds left for the crew!

 

 

Page 4 - Eric <EricX2000> at 11:45 PM <9:45 PM Sandbox time>: What's going on Suddenly a flurry of activity ‘round here at the strangest of times! Good to see ‘n Leon appreciates it as well . . . Friday nites are generally most boisterous with the pool tournaments going on in with the Track Gangs. Having some of our regulars at the bar makes him happy!

Fine spate of fotos - very diverse at that! Picked up on the Can-Am shot . . . that particular view is from the "industrial area" near the freight terminals <rail ‘n truck>! Good shot . . .

Olympic opening ceremonies were most impressive! I don't care to park myself in front of a TV for that long - but there are exceptions. As for the games, I'll probably opt out - can always read about it or catch the sports news . . . Now if our Darts Challenge ‘n Grudge Match Tournament could somehow become an Olympic event . . . wellllllllllllll. <grin>

Hmmmmmm, those trucks look rather modern, so I'll go Amtrak's P40/P42 . . .

Many thanx for the two-fer - surely a much needed shot in the arm . . .

 

 

Saturday - August 9^th:

Page 4 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 12:10 AM: Welllllllllllllllllll, since you came in very early on Saturday, I can no longer accuse you of skedaddling out on Saturday <as Pete did!> . . .

A fine spate o' fotos for the gang - all gud-uns, even the sea-sick-green one! <grin>

Here's a link to the CB&CNS Railway . . . covered this a long time ago at "Our" Place I . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Breton_and_Central_Nova_Scotia_Railway

So, I wonder who was Joseph Howe See link:

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200807100055266787.jpg&order=bydecade&page=1&key=199

Give up Check this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Howe

See, Pete - THAT's how it's done! <grin>

Many thanx for your two-fer, keeps things happy ‘round here!

 

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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 all (where are you?) present!!

Leon, you look very lonely tonight! Not even any of the track gangs are here. Well, just bring me some meat, medium, and a baked potato! Yes, a cold Keith's, please. 

It was obviously a very slow day here today. But that happens, especially in the summer time.

Rob –  Howdy, I guess I missed you last night with 2 minutes!

The problem with stray cats in this area is the number of them. Tens of thousands. No harsh winters to survive. Most are killed by diseases. The shelters are full of dogs and cats. A cat born homeless will almost never adjust enough to live with people and is never put up for adoption.

Glad to learn that you adopted your cats, gave them a new chance! I wish more people would do that. I’ve been to some of the shelters here and it is so tragic to see those cats and dogs looking at you with their sad eyes. Our dog just showed up one day (11 years ago) as a little puppy. We fed her, took her inside and put up some posters about Dog found. A few called, but they were looking for other dogs. So we kept her and she is doing a great job as a watch dog.

Maybe Vito hired some more girls? Hmm. We better keep our eyes open.

Yes, Amtrak’s P42 is the correct answer! As a reward you will get free drinks all week!

CN RS18 looks very nice after the paint job! Do you know if it is operational?

Are there any RS18’s still in service?

Tom –  See my comments above about the stray cats. Stray dogs are picked up by the Humane Society but not cats, unless you pay for it. But this program we are participating in where the animals are fixed and released again is actually reducing the number of strays. In our area the number is down about 30%.

I am with you 100% when it comes to Personal Responsibilty. It seems like that is missing more and more nowadays.

Maybe you should plan for an European trip. DL/Nick will guide you in UK and I will guide you in Sweden!

Yes, the Olympic opening was impressive. The opening has turned in to a competition between different countries, who will have the most spectacular show. In my opinion this one was a little (?) bit too much. I was kind of mad that NBC didn’t show the opening until last night. We were the last in the world to see the show! And today, showing volleyball, USA - Japan, they pretended it was live, which it said in the top right corner of the screen. At the same time you could find the final result on their website! Before the end of the taped game they removed Live from the screen.

I think that would be great if we could get Olympic status for our Darts Challenge ‘n Grudge Match Tournament! Good idea!

You are right, the truck is under one of Amtrak’s P42 diesels. You were a little bit late with your answer but you won free drinks for the rest of this weekend!

I’ll add some photos here.

Galesburg, IL, 1981.

 

Galesburg, IL, 9181. 

 

Galesburg, IL, 1981. 

 

X2000 a week before the official start in revenue service. Gothenburg, Sweden, 1990. 

 

Swedish State Railways electric Class Mg, 3,600 hp, built 1944.

 

Eric 

 

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

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

Eric. Glad you liked that link to the NZ railway system maps. Fine couple of pix of Fort Ticonderoga Station and the Albany shots of your X2000 and the fine selection of random shots too. Could that be a secret delivery of Tui`s on that truck at Vito`s place?

CM3. Good to see you in.

Dan. Nice to see you back from your Eurostar trip, many thanks for your travelogue of the journey and all those links to the interesting bridges and the new Ashford station and area, a very nostalgic link to the Vimy Ridge monuments.

Pete. Nice link to that NZ Railtour site, the commemoration of the Main Trunk`s first train was carried out this weekend with a 3 day steam special from Wellington to Auckland, this was the Parliamentary Special which carried the then government members up to greet the US Great White Fleet when it arrived at Auckland in 1908, one of the original coaches was rebuilt especially for the run. There is a good lot of info on the Main Trunk line at,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island_Main_Trunk_Railway

The October celebrations are for when full public train services were started. A nice set of pix in the finale of your Midland Train Centre trip, they really keep all of the equipment in top class condition there. A nice shot of Ravensglass station as well. The press here is trying very hard to emulate the UK press at the moment.

Rob. Good to see you in with those fine shots of the Rs18`s, a very colourful bunch.

Tom. Will follow your advice on the frequent disc cleanup suggestion. A fine selection of Hard Cover Classic Train Books #7 for your Can Am library shelves`, a good link to the CB&CNS Rly' and an interesting link to who Joseph Howe was.

See ya, Allan

[siberianmo]

<CB&Q Zepher at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>

 

 

Reminder: "Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs

<but go ahead ‘n slip your messages thru the mail slots on the doors!>

 

G'day Gents!

Sunday ‘round the Bar by the Ballast means we're CLOSED! It's that day for catching up - relaxing or doing whatever one wishes without feeling pressured . . . We begin anew on Monday . . .

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Comments from the Proprietor

REMINDER: For the <GoR> plus one, check your Email at least daily! A "participation" request sent on Friday . . . We're getting CLOSE - All hands on deck!

Annnnnnnnnnnd - Monday is Pete's B'day . . .

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Saturday - August 9^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 4 - Eric <EricX2000> at 8:55 PM <6:55 PM Sandbox time>: Just when it appeared we'd experience our first "daylite shut out" at the Tavern by the Tracks, along comes our Resident Desert RETIRED Swede with a "technical" daylite Post . . . daylite in your neck of the cactus <grin> but nearly dark ‘round here . . .

Not hard to figure out why things are so slow - we don't have the customer base of old - in terms of numbers. Think of it this way: two of our crew are strictly Monday thru Friday people - two were away - that brings the number of regulars down to THREE! Nick - Allan - You! Simple arithmetic, eh

The Olympics are a "big deal" for my bride . . . especially gymnastics, swimming ‘n diving. For me, I can take it or leave it. It's become far too much the "event" for my tastes with way too many interruptions for things that have nothing to do with the competition. I think the athletes of the day are top shelf, fer sure, fer sure - but it's those who orchestrate what we see ‘n the way we see it that are the bother for the likes of Moi. Just my two-cents . . . 

Believe me, if the day ever were to come where a European rail adventure was in the offing - Sweden would be right up there with my top choices of places to ride the rails. Probably wind it all up in the UK, with a visit to their national railway museum, a trip to Scotland ‘n the finale down in Wales with a couple of nights trying to keep up with Mighty Man Nick! <grin> I suppose all of that could be "done" on the rails, eh I hadn't realized that there was a rail connection from Sweden to Denmark via a bridge, until you had told me about it. Way back in 1971, I navigated a vessel in those waters ‘n there wasn't a bridge in sight then! <grin>

A link! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oresund_Bridge

Another fine foto display - Illinois ‘n Sweden - now that's diversity!

Many thanx for helping to keep Leon awake with your most interesting, informative ‘n inclusive Post!

 

 

Page 4- Allan <Gunneral> at 9 PM <4 PM Sunday NZ time>: A most interesting link on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. What began as a 19 hour experience, with sleeper ‘n dining car service has been reduced dramatically in terms of time <'n perhaps service>. Some good fotos in the link, providing those insights I've wondered about. Thanx!

That area on the Can-Am Railway where Eric took the foto has been under surveillance by the Home Guard ‘n United Honey Dippers, Ltd. for some time. Questionable activity going on regarding Vito ‘n his boyz! <yikes> Not sure, but I thought the Tui came in by Zep . . . hmmmmm. Tui Runners! Now there's something to be on the lookout for - especially if the brewery gals are included! <pant> <pant>

Most appreciative of your endeavors in keeping "Our" Place vibrant ‘n alive! The ROUND surely helped too! <grin>

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Tom

 

[siberianmo]

<from: MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>

 

 

"Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs  

Starting TODAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

 

. . . August 10^th thru 16^th: Absolute Power <1997> Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Laura Linney & Scott Glenn  - and - ENCORE Presentation of Midnight Run <1988> Starring: Charles Grodin, Robert De Niro, Danielle DuClos, Dennis Farina & Richard Foronjy. SHORT - The Three Stooges: Mummy's Dummies <1948>.

<Note: Midnight Run first shown Sunday Mar 19^th thur 25^th, 2006>

 

 

Absolute Power <1997>

PLOT SUMMARY:

He was where he shouldn't have been and saw what he shouldn't have seen. Now who will believe the word of a career thief and ex-con? Who will trust Luther Whitney when he says he saw a woman killed and that the man responsible for her death is the President of the United States? Clint Eastwood portrays Whitney and directs this crisp finely acted thriller based on David Baldacci's best-selling novel. A stellar cast which includes Gene Hackman and Ed Harris creates well-rounded characters that intensify constantly spiraling game of cat and mouse between Whitney local police and the highest levels of White House power. Eastwood is a master at steadily raising the stakes in thrillers. Here his mastery is absolute.

<from: amazon.com>

 

 

Midnight Run <1988>

PLOT SUMMARY:

Director Martin Brest rocketed to the top of Hollywood's A list with the blockbuster success of Beverly Hills Cop, and this 1988 follow-up is even better. Midnight Run is a genuine rarity--an action comedy that's dramatically satisfying--thanks to a sharp script by George Gallo, the superb teaming of Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, and Brest's consummate skill in combining suspense and humor with well-developed characters. De Niro plays a maverick bounty hunter whose latest assignment is Grodin, an accountant accused of embezzling from the Mob. De Niro thinks he's in for an easy job, transporting Grodin (who's afraid to fly) from New York to Los Angeles, but soon discovers that both the FBI and the Mafia are hot on Grodin's trail. Equal parts road trip, action thriller, and a quirky character study, Midnight Run moves at a breakneck pace but still gives De Niro and Grodin time to create rich, memorable performances as two men who seem to be opposites, but gradually develop mutual respect and admiration. Mainstream entertainment at its best. --Jeff Shannon  

Note: train scenes in this movie . . .

<from: amazon.com>

 

 

SHORT: Mummy's Dummies <1948>

PLOT SUMMARY:

The Stooges are "used chariot" salesmen in ancient Egypt, and try to gyp a customer who turns out to be the captain of the Pharoh's guard. He drags them to the palace to demand their execution, but the boys become the Pharaoh's chamberlains, instead, when Shemp cures the Pharaoh's toothache. Enjoying their new duties, the Stooges overhear a conversation between the captain and a corrupt tax collector, and discover a plot to steal the Pharaoh's gold!

<from: threestooges.net>

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Enjoy the weekend!

Tom

 

[trolleyboy]

Well an evening pop in to make sure all my paperwork is squared away and it is The new filling system seems to be working.Anything we want or need we stick to spikes quills everything else gets fed into Boris's paper shredder and used as bedding for the critters.

Tom-Ah yes some fine research done via wikipedia Of note all the RS18's on the Cape Breton were named after politicians.All of whom had some dealings in or with Nova Scotia.The M630's and 636's were named after playrights and poets.

Interesting movie choices this week,they should create some good crowds down at the emporium.Oh and of note I was always told to share with my friends,she is definatly yours ( you got all the attention anyway )And your right all four seats and a bit of the aisle were taken up.

We had a good day up North on Saturday,got another cruise in on the Segwin as well so alls right in the land again ( if the darn rain would stop that is )

Eric-Wow free brew,that could put a dent or two in your bartab ( not near as bad as Pete's though ) Yes there are quiet a few RS18's still running,most on shortlines and regionals now thoug as both CN and CP have rid themselves of everything but EMD and GE power.Most of what's left are either the rebuilt CP ones or the later factory built low nose ones that were sold to BC rail and the Quebec minning roads.Many are even owned by US regionals now.

More good photo's as well The x2000 looks good as always. I figure it was too bad that Amtrak and VIA didn't buy into them as well.From what I know the RS18 at delson/Exporail is not operational,they do stable alot of operational locomotives and rail equipment though.That unit was sold to them right from CN when it was retired in 1988.It likely can work but there hasn't been any mechanical maintenance so they generally list items like that as non-operational.

Allan-Interesting link thank you I'm glad you liked the RS18's they and their near sister RS10's are my favourite locomotive ( if one can have such a thing ) Even if they are painted Sea Sick green as Tom calls the original CNR paint scheme.

Rob

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Leon,"splice the main brace" please with a toast for Pete with all the guys`!

Pete.  Just popped in to wish you a VERY for today, it`s already the 11th down here, have a great time and have lots of everything that`s going! Within reason of course!

Rob. Good to see you in mate, it`s good to see the locos` in so many different colours, although that sea green must remind Tom of his seagoing days as you said. 

Tom.  Couple of good flicks for the weekend, a thriller, with a suspense/comedy should be well worth watching.

See ya,  Allan

 

 

 

 

 

[siberianmo]

<CB&Q Zepher at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>

 

 

A smile to begin the week!

Little League baseball is a good thing ‘cause it keeps the parents off the streets and the kids out of the house!".

<A Yogi-ism!> . . . final one in the series - 80 in all!

 

G'day Gents!

An absolutely amazing weather weekend - blue skies, temps no higher than 83 (F) for the past three days ‘ today will be more of the same with the high expected to be 81!! To think that 1/3^rd of August is history . . . hard to believe - but we'll take it! AND petrol dropped below the $3.50 mark . . .

"Slim pickins" at the bar, no action during daylite hours - zip, zero, zilch. But, do appreciate those who made it "in" at other times!

Have to backtrack a bit on my Olympic watching - now that the Cardinals have imploded ‘n are out of the race for the division, my focus is elsewhere. That was one hulluva swimming relay race won by the U.S. - especially in light of the "smashing" forecast by the French. <grin> Open mouth - insert foot, eh Happens! <uh oh>

Coffee, pastries ‘n breakfasts are ready - are you

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Comments from the Proprietor

TODAY is Pete's B'day . . .

 

 

 

August 11^th (Pete - 57) -

CATFISH (July 24 - Aug 23) Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard.  Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.

August 14^th (Allan -  73) NEXT UP!!

 

 

REMINDER: For the <GoR> plus one, check your Email at least daily! A "participation" request sent on Friday . . . All hands on deck!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Sunday - August 10^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 5 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 11:22 PM: Our Manager made it "in" before the bewitching hour - quite a lonely place at that hour. Always a better place with our Resident Ontario Connection on board!

I heard that "she" is looking for a job in Brantford - something about being closer to THE man in her life. <yikes> I concede to youth, wealth ‘n charm . . . <grin> Also, "she" tried to "slip" over the border, but the tightening up on security quickly located her - gross ton detectors, dontchano! <triple yikes>

Good to know you're finding the time to enjoy the summer - weekends are made for that, eh Youbetcha!

 

 

Monday - August 11^th:

Page 5 - Allan <Gunneral> at 12:04 AM <5:04 PM NZ time!>: And from half a world away comes our Resident Downunder Kiwi Connection!

First "in" with a B'day Toast ‘n Greeting for our Bar Chandler - the Wolfman!

Emails received ‘n responded to - thanx!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

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

 

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Hint of fall in the air this a.m. with temperature right around 50 degrees - K9 Korps enjoys this for certain.  We have temporarily suspended our World War I reenactment for awhile as the roofers are conspicuous by their absence.  We have a new Internet Explorer

alarums and excrusions - Birthday greetings to the Crewe Conqueror, the Rugby Roisterer, and the Batham Basher.  No Boris, they're not wrestlers - it's Pete's birthday.  We have stashed the good china and put the silver down the well before the party begins - no wonder the critters are hiding.  Geez! almost forgot to move the pool cues out of harm's way.

Pete - More steam pictures and information.  You mean the black bag has ancestors?  Yikes!

DL was by with comments - the new edition of Classic Trains is dated Fall, 2008.  It has a picture of a Wild Mary 4-8-4 on the cover.  Many thanks for the trip report - always enjoyable to learn about what's going on.

Eric - Nice shots of Albany and environs really not all that long ago.  You would not recognize the station in Albany now.  Your picture of Solothurn reminded me very much of New Haven before they installed high platforms and changed a lot of the physical plant.  IIRC, it looks as though you were on the Santa Fe side of Galesburg. 

Rob was by with pictures of RS18s and commentary.   I agree with what you said about electric locomotives.  Niagara Junction is another line that comes to mind as I believe some of their power moved around as well.  The Iowa electrics are a fascinating subject as well.

OSP was in with book covers (Nice New Haven material) - and a pair of thrillahs (as Lars would say) at the moom picher palace.  The SIRT photo had lots of details to view and study.  Our reporter telegraphed in from high atop Majestic Mount Mentor to tell me that the Darts Tournament is indeed an Olympic event - however, it is knows as Greco Wrestle Romaning - no wonder we can't find it in the program guide.  However, I have heard rumors that is on cable in Antarctica. 

Work safe

 

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A cup of coffee and a bacon sarnie please RUTH.

 Many thanks for the wishes.Back from southern Mo and will I catch up on the posts.Sadly have a unwanted present with a return of the gout this morning., which will curb my celebrations later on today. Oh well.

I thought I would drop off some photos featuring some Great Western locomotives in the meantime..

The first three were taken at a gala on the Llangollen Railway in Wales .

0-6-0 Pannier tank No 7754 on a demonstration frieght at Llangollen station, note the brake van.7754 belongs to the 5700 class of which there were 863 locomotives in 1955, this was the largest number of locomtives in a BR class. In 1958 No 7754 worked off Wellington (Salop) shed.

 

At Llangollen ready to work a passenger service is 2-6-2 Tank No 4141.Of the 5101 class introduced in 1929 No 4141 worked off Gloucester shed in 1958, Gloucester also had sub-sheds at Brimscombe, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Lydney and Tetbury.

5600 class 0-6-2T No 5637 at Carrog. The majority of this class of locomotives introduced in 1924 spent there lives working coal trains in the South Wales valleys. In 1958 No 5637 worked off Treherbert shed.

  

Another class 5700 0-6-0PT this time on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway at Keighley station. No 5775 worked off Pontypool Road shed in South Wales in 1958.

.

Back later.

Pete.

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Something special for our boy, Wolfman Pete the Bar Chandler!  Hope these take your mind off of your aching foot . . . <ouch> ‘n onto more pleasant thoughts! <yeah>

Cheers, Mate <clink>! Remember - in cyber space, you can eat, drink 'n be merry in spite of the real world!

 

 

Now Arriving on Track Number One

UK by the Half Dozen #1

 

(1) New Pullman Express

 

(2) British Railways - York <1950s>

 

(3) British Railways - Pullman Wagon

 

(4) You're your Luggage in Advance

 

(5) LMS #10000 - Diesel-Electric

 

(6) LNER Flying Scotsman Express

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A round please RUTH

ERIC Real glad you survived that storm unscathed.

Yes it is quite a few years now since I took those two photos at Butterley.

I guess with the 80 inch drivers # 61238 and her classmates were used on fast freights as well as passenger trains.

Many thanks for the photos. The Bk electric looks to be fairly old locomotive by the looks of the front end. That locomotive in the quiz question has got me beat I'm afraid. I see Rob and Tom got the right answer. That secret delivery to VITO's warehouse has got me worried a bit, it looks as though it could be livestock and what would the Darts Challenge Match be like if the Second Class Saloon has a relative of H&H on the staff there.

Good to see the X2000 at work in Sweden, how many sets are working there today do you know. I guess 3,600HP was quite powerful for an electric locomotive in 1944. Is the Mg # 609 at a museum in the photograph.

I think it is really great thing you and your bride do with those poor cats.

ROB. Glad you enjoyed the photos. I too have not read the Potter books yet but the bride thinks they are great.

Enjoyed the photos or the RS 18s. Was the photo of #3684 in Canadian National livery taken very recently. I see the Cape Breton & Nova Scotia Railway # 3716 carries a name. It is good to read there are quite a few RS 18s running.

Glad you had a good day up north with another voyage on the Segwin as well.

ALLAN Many thanks for link to North Island Main Trunk Railway. It is good to read that one of the coaches from the 1908 run was rebuilt for the 3-Day steam Anniversary run.

It is the 40^th anniversary of the last BR standard gauge steam run today. They ran a special yesterday along the route of the 1968 run, one of locomotives used in yesterday tour was the last BR Britannia class pacific in BR service No 70013 Oliver Cromwell this is the first passenger train 70013 has hauled on BR metals since 1968.

The Midland Railway Centre is well worth a visit although it has a fairly short running line the museums at Swanwick are a great place to spend a few hours, there is also a narrow gauge railway there.

Many thanks for the wishes.

CM3 Really enjoyed the ‘Crewe Conqueror' in my wishes, many thanks, yes I feel the old bar tab is in for a good hiding tonight.

Yes this is MkIII of the black bag currently in use, all have had long careers. The first one was a birthday present and the other two were from Rugby Market.

Glad you enjoyed the photos. 

TOM I do have a read on the AM comments but reply to them later on.

Yes the Jinties are powerful little locos they were mainly used for switching duties in LMS and BR days but are quite often seen hauling passengers now on preserved lines like the Severn Valley Railway which is 16 miles long.

I think the reason the Irish band played here in Jeff City was due to the owner of Pat's Place I think, real glad they did though.

Knowing my luck the cleaning agent I would use on the shirt would put a hole in it, I guess when the bride fancies seeing a baseball game it will have to be he Royals.

There are still a few boxcars on trains through here but it does seem to be getting less nowadays. Most of the trains are bulk coal and intermodels with the high-sided car trains as well.

Many thanks for the links to the Cape Breton Railway and John Howe, how did you know I was going to ask Rob about the name on #3716.

Two good films on at the Emporium this week both I have not seen, but with the great cast in Absolute Power and a good story line with train scenes as well Midnight Run will make it worth watching. Then of course the Stooges.

Really enjoyed the Bathams and Holden's beer mats, hopefully I can get reacquainted with a few of the pubs mentioned on the coasters when I am over in October.

Many thanks for the great and pleasant surprised those British Railway posters are, they do make me feel better. Apart from the York one there are all new to me. The Southern Belle was the steam hauled forerunner of the Brighton Belle, which the train was called when the Brighton line was electrified.

In the third one the DMU looks to be in the Lake District running alongside the lake we talked about a while back at the bar after one of Nick's photos.

That is a great pic of one of the LMS ‘twins' 10000 Britain's first main line diesel electric locomotives; it is hard to believe now, one of them was not saved for preservation.

The name of 4475 locomotive on the Flying Scotsman Express is Flying Fox.

It looks like it will have be a cyber drink today so set up another round please RUTH.

Pete .

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Pete's been in twice this day, after Shane begun the daylite activities on this Monday at the Watering Hole by the Wayside. Thought perhaps we'd get some others out for Pete's B'day  . . . maybe later . . .

Anyway, here's another set to cheer up our Interim Governor General! Oh yeah - all those ROUNDS you purchased have been paid for by the Proprietor - with the amounts also deducted from your TAB . . . <grin>

Now Arriving on Track Number One

UK by the Half Dozen #2

(1) London Brighton & South Coast Railway

(2) British Railways - Huntingdonshire

(3) British Railways - Whitley Bay

(4) Great Western Railway - Picturesque Cornwall

(5) LMS - Ireland

(6) LNER - Flying Scotsman Express

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Enjoy!

Tom

 

 

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon. I see that both you and Boris are wearing those pretty paper hats in honour of the GG's birthday .I'll have a Bantham's in honour of the man of the day,heck I'll even buy a round.

Tom-Two great spreads of UK material the man with the bottomless hard drive.Speaking of bottomless hard drives I hear that your gal has taken a position as a line insulator on the metro link What's that strange sizzling sound.

I've always said that the onlything the French do well is make wine or "whine" another round on the manager Boris ring the bell

Pete-A miost happy of 's sir. Here I thought gout was a thing of the dark ages,I guess you and Henry the Eighth have some thing in common.Boris will have to be more carefull now when you say you want a little bit off the top from now on though.

More great photo's today as well sir. To answer your question both those shots were taken in 2005 or there abouts.

Allan-Almost time for you as well we'll have to make sure that Pete orders plenty of Tui for the end of the week. Hopefully the Tui girls will come along as well <pant> <pant> .

Shane-Yes the Niagara operation was an interesting one as well. If I remember what I ahve read, the freight op there was part of the Gorge route on the American side of the falls.If my brains haven't confused the info as well the NS&T and later the CN interchanged freight traffic with them as well over the Honeymoon bridge.

Well Leon another one for posterity if you don't mind,Back later.

Rob

[EricX2000]

Good afternoon/evening Captain Tom and all present!!

Leon, a ham sandwich, please, and a cold Tui.

First of all I want to wish the Interim Governor General Pete a Very Happy Birthday!!!

!!!!!

Allan –  Tui to Vito’s place? You must be kidding! Some people at Vito’s place can’t handle Tui, that will turn them into berserks! Hope you can stop future shipments.

Tom –  I have the same feelings about the Olympics as you do. I’ll watch for a little while every now and then, but I have other interests pulling me away.

The dollar is growing stronger again so maybe there is an European Rail adventure waiting sometime in the future. I took a picture of the bridge between Sweden and Denmark flying in to Copenhagen 4-5 years ago. I’ll see if I can find it. The tunnel doesn’t go all the way across, the last (coming from Sweden) part is a tunnel under the water. The reason for the tunnel, 2.5 miles long, is Copenhagen Airport. No high bridge was allowed that close to the airport. The bridge itself is 4.87 miles long and has a clearance for ships of 187 ft. See this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oresund_Bridge

The Öresund Bridge from the Swedish side. Published with permission from Wikipedia. 

Again two good movies at the Emporium, Absolute Power and Midnight Run! Plus Mummy’s Dummies! Time for a visit!

Gas for below $3.50? Here it is still in the $3.60’s.

Nice old ads from te U.K. I wonder about the Pullman Wagon, is it some kind of DMU?
Also, the ad for the Coast Line Rail Motor Services shows an interesting vehicle. At the front it looks like there is a boiler inside with a smoke stack going up to the roof. But I guess it is an exhaust pipe from some kind of engine, gas or diesel.

Rob –  I hope you survived the big bang unharmed in Toronto this last weekend! A lot of smoke, they showed it on the news.

Thanks for the info on the RS18’s! So Exporail’s RS18 has been retired for 20 years by now. Time flies.

CM3 –  I have a few photos from new Haven, but the platforms are barely visible in any of them, here is one though.



New Haven, CT. 1993.

I am not sure in what part of Galesburg I was when I took those photos. It was during my first visit to the US in 1981 and I haven’t been to Galesburg since.

Pete –  Happy Birthday my friend!!

Thanks for the photos from Wales! As usual very clean, polished locomotives! Impressive indeed.

The class Mg electric was not at a museum when I took the picture in 1975. Now they are all retired. I think they were all retired in the late 70’s.

There are 43 X2000 train sets in service in Sweden today. 1 set is operating in China.

Some pictures from Orange Empire Railway Museum.

Something for Shane. This car was obviously used in Ajo, the first copper mine in Arizona.

 

Detail of the same car.

I don't know anything about this car.

 

 

Eric