<VIA Rail at Ottawa - personal foto>
G'day Gents!
I see our Bar Chandler has finally made it "in" - although for him, I suppose we can consider it "early"! <grin>
May as well "do" the acknowledgments . . . .
Page 12 - Eric <EricX2000> at 11:55 AM <6:55 PM Eric time>: Really surprised, but most pleased to have you visit us 'n in daylite at that!
A couple of nice fotos too - one of course that brings back some memories of our Rendezvous!
Surely don't expect that you'll be spending that much time on-line with us, but definitely appreciate the effort you've made to maintain contact!
Page 12 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 1:43 PM <2:43 PM EDT>: Certainly hope those roofers aren't being paid by the hour! <geesh> Never heard of such a thing lasting so long with such adverse 'n hazardous impact to the work force. <yikes>
Received your Email regarding possible absences this week - but doubt anything can be "done" regarding them. We just haven't the 'well' to draw from to pick up slack these days <daze>. So, mornings will be mighty lonely for Ruth when she returns in the 'morrow. <sad>
Do thank you for making it "in" today - for you guyz with jobs, it's difficult to "pick" on the working man! <grin> Retirees on the other hand . . . . <uh oh>
Always look forward to 'n appreciate your visit, ROUND 'n quarters!
Page 12 - Pete <pwolfe> at 2:48 PM: Sorry to conflict with you, but we did not miss anything at ExpoRail. I checked the map 'n everything on it was visited. <grumble> <mumble> <bratzafratz> Unless this is another one of those language differences! <yikes>
Wabash out of St. Louis handled the trains to KCity - then UPs motive power took over.
Go ahead 'n list those hydraulics - one per Post . . . <grin>
Low memory on the 'puter means it's time for you to CLEAN the disk! Get rid of the temporary files 'n assorted junk that amasses through normal operation.
When I took a winter trip to Fairbanks back in 1960 <or '59> it was dark, dark, dark. Wintertime daylite - isn't. Plus the days of the travel were gloomy with snow 'n sleet 'n lots of wind. Was't much to look at, plus the idea of it all had nothing to do with riding the rails! Story told a few times before . . .
Do appreciate your visiting with us today 'n appreciate the chat 'n ROUND!
By the by - are you receiving the Emails I've been sending to our <GoR> Even though I've indicated that no responses are necessary for a few of them, letting me know at the bar that you've gotten them HELPS . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Catch y'all later . . .
Tom
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams Please CINDY.
TOM Many thanks for the Passenger Fallen Flag on the Union Pacific. The first thing I noticed was the great rise in UP track mileage from 1950 to 1996 from mergers. I guess the amount of freight on UP lines as grown at lot over the last 12 years. That was quite a number of Gas Turbines the UP had in 1963, I had another look at the video of one of the UP Turbines in the Classic Train box on the forum.
The UP had some good-looking Drumheads. I see the City of St Louis used the Wabash trackage between St Louis and Kansas City on its way to the West Coast. I guess it would have been the UP cars but I wonder if it would have been UP or Wabash engines that worked the St Louis to K.C. part of the journey. Liked the Pony Express name for the Kansas City to Los Angeles train.
I had a look when you said about the 1000th post, thanks for noticing. I did say I was going to list the 74 ‘Western' Class diesel-hydraulics which were numbered in the 1000 to 1073 series to coincide with my post number but I guess I am too late now.
Those temperatures sound not too bad in Alaska right now. I would think there would not be very daylight at all on the train trip there in late December.
Glad you enjoyed Alan's photos from Germany, the 2-10-0 does look a powerful locomotive. I am sure Eric will have some details on those NIAG diesels, looking at #4 again it does look like some of the American road switchers apart from the cab.
I too think it makes a great deal of sense to carry mail on the trains, I'm pretty sure some of the mail in the UK has returned to rail perhaps DL can tell us.
As you say it would have been great to see that CP 4-4-4 # 2928 at Exporail, at least next time we go we will know which locomotives and trolleys to ask about.The day we were there it seemed the volunteers were only too happy for people to take a interest in their museum.
Two classic films on at the Emporium this week. The Sundance Kid was a film I watched twice at our local cinema while it was on there when it first came out and the Stooges met Lady Godiva a lady 12 miles from my home town.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos from Germany from Alan. It is good that the Half-Roundhouse at the museum is still standing.
It sounds as though there must have been a building or two we missed at ExpoRail. I made a few notes in my museum guide I got there but it disappeared soon after I got back home, I defiantly had it here, the black bag has to be the main suspect.
Thanks for the explanation why the CN did not keep their M 630s. In a way it was good for the railfan that CP was not able to replace a lot of their fleet with new diesels.
Many thanks for the very interesting Classic Juice 35 on the electric version of mail carried by rail. E1 must have been quite powerful for hauling those boxcars and freight.
Ottawa Car #1 is a great looking car and the City of Hull mail car is an interesting car as well. The Traveling Post Office cars on British Rail had a slot for posting letters there was no extra charge but the letter or postcard had to have a 1st class stamp. I guess it is a sign of the times that no one would ever think of seeing mailbags on a modern light rail system.
I did notice BORIS has been rather protective that last few days and the stock of Pickled Pigs Feet has gone down.
We had a thunderstorm Saturday evening, luckily without loss of power but with a great deal of rain for a while, half the road outside the house was like a river the first time I have seen it that bad, but at least it did not last long and it has seemed to reduce the humidity.
Great photos of those Alcos you found at that market.
ALLAN Just had a look a web site for the Tyne and Wear Metro and it appears they are having a new livery for the cars; I'm not sure about its looks though.
http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/new/TWMetro_newliv1.jpg
I seem to remember the Newcastle buses in the same livery as introduced on the Metro I too thought it looked better on the buses than on the Metro cars.
Glad you liked Alan's photos, after Germany I have some main line steam tours, Llangollen and the Rhyl Miniature Railway photos from Alan.
ERIC Great to see you in the bar, those temperatures sound not too bad, if they are like that In England in a months time it will be OK. Good luck in your moose photo safari.
Many thanks for the photos, it sounds as though that narrow gauge car had a long time in service and it is great at least one of the Milwaukee Road Bi-Polars was saved.
CM3 Glad you liked the industrial locomotives photos. I must admit they tended to be overlooked in the days when steam was on the main line I feel we are very lucky so many of them were preserved.
In what year was the Pennsy I1 class introduced.
Hope they can get the roof finished soon, it does not sound good having the cooker under your window.
Well CINDY a round please, having a few problems with the computer today with it saying low memory, took ages to put the smilies in so I will post this and re-start it(again) and try to scan some photos..
Pete.
Shane made it "in," so this Monday isn't a total wash . . . anyone's guess where the Bar Chandler is, Monday's are that way, ya know! <grin>
So, in trying to maintain the "You Post, I Post" mantra . . . here we go!
More from my 2005 Dallas Rail Adventure with Dick Watkins . . .
Rule of Six suspended <by one>!
Centrepoint Station
(42)
(43)
(44)
(45)
TRE Maintenance Facility
(46)
(47)
(48)
More to follow!
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Cloudy here today and a lot warmer than it has been over the past week. The roofers have returned and are setting up the cooker under our windows even as we speak. In addition we are getting new furniture next week so I have had to box up pretty much everything which is why I am running late.
Rob has been in with lots of comments. I have enjoyed looking at your pictures. There is so much to study in that shot of the rail grinder - not just the truck on the left side of the shot but also the buildings in the background - great ideas for modeling. Nice pictures of MLWs finest. Remember them well.
DL has been by with comments.
Pete - Always liked the industrial engines. The 2-10-0 looks like a version of the earliest P Company I 1 class.
Allan - Fall is about my favorite time of the year. I was fortunate enough to grow up in that part of the country and always enjoyed the foliage.
Eric - Gald you made it! What's another hour after 11? Can't wait to see the official Arctic Moose on the Loose T shirt.
OSP stopped by with RPO material. The Nashville-Memphis RPO cancellation is from NC&StL train 5, the "City of Memphis."
Good RDC cab material as well as a nice selection of movies. Last, I hears on NPR this a.m. that St. Louis had the lowest gas prices in the U.S. It sure ain't here.
Last - e mails rec'd and answered.
Work safe
It seems almost incredulous that our Resident Desert Swede in Sweden has been the ONLY daylite visitor on this Monday . . . and he's on vacation! As said earlier - when one WANTS to, one finds a WAY! Way to go, Eric - you've saved an otherwise abysmal Monday . . .
Apparently all's well with your connection at your sister's home! Many thanx for those fotos 'n brief comments. Even KNOWING that Cindy was behind the bar speaks highly of you - keeping track of what's going on!
Here's something special just for our displaced Sandman!
Great having you aboard from afar!
Good afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello Cindy, nice to see you again! Yes, a ham sandwich and a cold Tuborg Gold, please.
Just a brief stop to say hi! I am afraid my inclusive comments have to wait a little bit longer. Seems to be kind of a quiet day here today.
Since I am short on time I will post a couple of photos.
This is an old narrow gauge (891 mm) passenger car from Sweden. It saw service until 1964 and is now preserved.
A very classic locomotive, the only one of its kind to survive, Milwaukee Bi-Polar at the Museum of Transportation, Kirkwood, MO. 2007.
Eric
<CP #2928 (4-4-4) Jubilee - personal foto from Rob>
A smile to begin the week!
"Aim towards the Enemy." - Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher
It's the last Monday of August! Back to work for those who must ‘n a calendar check for those retired! <grin> Time again to fill up the mugs, grab a few pastries ‘n order one of our <light> or <traditional> breakfasts to kick start the week!
Temps dropped back into the lo-80s (F) on Sunday - the rains never materialized - just an all 'round wunnerful day!
Petrol holding at $3.34 <rounded> up at "Collusion Corner."
Comments from the Proprietor
We're down to a precious few ‘round here. So keep that in mind when you're logged in - but NOT Posting! Even a word or three ‘n perhaps ONE foto surely HELPS! Otherwise the daytime can be awfully loooooooong ‘n lonely at the Tavern by the Tracks!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Sunday - August 24th <all times Central daylite>:
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:29 AM <11:29 AM EDT>: Dutiful visit by our Manager on Sunday - OR - was it a recon mission set up by our Sandman <aka: Eric the Spy!> Hmmmmmm Well, I suppose circumstantial evidence is sufficient for the hangman's noose, eh Hmmmmmmm. You'll NEVER KNOW - we ain't talkin' . . . <uh oh>
Boris was on guard duty - that is correct. He takes those things verrrrrrrrrrry seriously. He misplaced his pith helmet - so the colander seemed appropriate! <grin> He really prefers his Viking helmet, but that too has disappeared . . . last time he had it on in his shed, all we could hear were muffled "pops" as his inflatables bit the dust, one by one! <yikes>
Two super-fine FAs on display in your Post - very much enjoyed ‘n appreciated! Fine looking MoSheens, fer sure, fer sure!
I like MY version of why you were up so late/early . . . <grin>
Thanx for swinging on by on Sunday!
Page 12 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:14 PM <11:14 PM EDT>: Back for a final check before the new work week begins PLUS some fine fotos for the gang to enjoy!
Yes, ExpoRail has an observation area above the displays at their main exhibition pavilion . . .
Turned the Page to 12 - another one closer to LOCKDOWN . . . <barf> Check the first TWO Pages of "Active Topics" ‘n you'll quickly see what turns us off ‘round here. 63 Pages ‘n gone-zo for us - but not others. Hmmmmmmmmm.
See ya later!
Monday - August 25th:
Page 12 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:57 AM <9:57 AM in EricLand>: Most pleasant surprise from our transplanted Resident Desert Swede - now far ‘n away from his sand box! <grin>
Many thanx for stopping by - shows that you surely have "Our" Place uppermost in your thoughts . . . means a lot, Mate!
In the 60s (F) - Moose hunting <foto op, that is!> ‘n back where the heart is! Glad all's well ‘n really appreciate the comms . . . Five for our Sandman!
Goes to not only show, but illustrate that if one WANTS to - one WILL find a way!
Reminder: Cindy 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!
Ruth returns tomorrow!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, still awake! Very nice of you to keep this bar open at this hour! Just a cup of coffee and a cheese danish, please.
Got a few minutes to stop by and check how things are going at this place! I am having trouble to get on the net here, it's some problems with the phone line so I am not going to try to post any photos this time.
The weather here is kind of cloudy and the temperature is in the low 60's today. NO snow!!!!!! I will go moose-hunting this afternoon. No, no, Boris, hunting with my camera! The moose hunting season here starts next Monday.
I saw there is a very good movie at the Emporium this week, As Good As It Gets! Good choice!
I'll be back as soon as possible!
Hmmm couple good movies at the ole Emporium this week.I haven't seen the western but the other one's definatly worth the price of admitance.I like the perspective of the photo of that Hudson at Exporail Tom.Looks like you took it from some height, a raised mezenine plateform in the barn
Okay a couple more photo's for tonight,most seen before I believe.
A CP rail RS10 in Kitchener Ontario in the mid 80's.
An SW 8 switcher in St Thomas Ontario.
Rob
<CP #2850 (4-6-4) Royal Hudson - personal foto>
"Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs
Starting TODAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . August 24th thru 30th: As Good As It Gets <1997> Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr. & Skeet Ulrich - and - ENCORE Presentation of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid <1969> Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin & Henry Jones. SHORT - The Three Stooges: The Ghost Talkers <1949>.
As Good As It Gets <1997>
PLOT SUMMARY: Jack Nicholson Helen Hunt Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in James L. Brooks hit comedy As Good As It Gets. Nicholson gives a show-stopping performance as Melvin Udall an obsessive-compulsive novelist with Manhattans meanest mouth. But when his neighbor Simon is hospitalized Melvin is forced to baby-sit Simons dog. And that unexpected act of kindness-along with waitress Carol Connelly--helps put Melvin back in the human race. "Magically written directed and acted As Good As it gets is the best and funniest romantic comedy of the year."
Jack Nicholson Helen Hunt Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in James L. Brooks hit comedy As Good As It Gets. Nicholson gives a show-stopping performance as Melvin Udall an obsessive-compulsive novelist with Manhattans meanest mouth. But when his neighbor Simon is hospitalized Melvin is forced to baby-sit Simons dog. And that unexpected act of kindness-along with waitress Carol Connelly--helps put Melvin back in the human race. "Magically written directed and acted As Good As it gets is the best and funniest romantic comedy of the year."
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid <1969>
PLOT SUMMARY: Paul Newman and Robert Redford set the standard for the "buddy film" with this box office smash set in the Old West. The Sundance Kid (Redford) is the frontier's fastest gun. His sidekick Butch Cassidy (Newman) is always dreaming up new ways to get rich fast. If only they could blow open a baggage car without also blowing up the money-filled safe inside... Or remember that Sundance can't swim before they escape a posse by leaping off a cliff into rushing rapids... Times are changing in the west and life is getting tougher. So Butch and Sundance pack their guns don new duds and with Sundance's girlfriend (Katharine Ross) head down to Bolivia. Never mind that they don't speak Spanish - they'll manage somehow. A winner of four Academy Awards (including best screenplay and best song) here is a thoroughly enjoyable blend of fact and fancy done with true affection for a bygone era and featuring the two flashiest friendliest funniest outlaws who ever called out "hands up!"
Paul Newman and Robert Redford set the standard for the "buddy film" with this box office smash set in the Old West. The Sundance Kid (Redford) is the frontier's fastest gun. His sidekick Butch Cassidy (Newman) is always dreaming up new ways to get rich fast. If only they could blow open a baggage car without also blowing up the money-filled safe inside... Or remember that Sundance can't swim before they escape a posse by leaping off a cliff into rushing rapids... Times are changing in the west and life is getting tougher. So Butch and Sundance pack their guns don new duds and with Sundance's girlfriend (Katharine Ross) head down to Bolivia. Never mind that they don't speak Spanish - they'll manage somehow. A winner of four Academy Awards (including best screenplay and best song) here is a thoroughly enjoyable blend of fact and fancy done with true affection for a bygone era and featuring the two flashiest friendliest funniest outlaws who ever called out "hands up!"
SHORT: The Ghost Talks <1949>
PLOT SUMMARY: The Stooges are moving men sent to a spooky old mansion on a rainy night to move some old furniture, including a suit of armor. The armor objects to leaving, however, as it is inhabited by the spirit of Peeping Tom the tailor, who was cursed when he saw Lady Godiva ride by centuries ago. The Stooges have a hard time with him, until the spirit of Lady Godiva shows up on a horse, and Tom goes riding off with her.
The Stooges are moving men sent to a spooky old mansion on a rainy night to move some old furniture, including a suit of armor. The armor objects to leaving, however, as it is inhabited by the spirit of Peeping Tom the tailor, who was cursed when he saw Lady Godiva ride by centuries ago. The Stooges have a hard time with him, until the spirit of Lady Godiva shows up on a horse, and Tom goes riding off with her.
<from: threestooges.net>
Enjoy the weekend!
Morning folks just a quick good morning pop in on a Sunday,gotta do the paperwork I see that the PH suite keys are missing and Tom's Volvo and Cindy's Vespa are in their usual spots and Boris is wearing the Aluminium colander on his head and marhing up and down the hall outside the Penthouse suite with a broom , so no queastion about where the "paper work" is being done by the bossman.
Tom-It's hard to say where the missing equipment would be at Exporail. If they are like us, teh restoration (s) areas are off limits to the general public ( saftey factors ) They also have a space problem ( more equipment than buildings to house them ) they are building more areas but that takes time,if the resto barns are bieng used as storage that would "splain it" as Ricky would say.
WE lost power and AC in the night which is why I was awake a good rumbler went through around 1sh my time,today and yesterday were our first really sticky 90's with high humidity in almost a month. Power came back at one thirty but you know what it's like when you get bounced by the weather like that.
Allan-I'll echo Tom it's nice to have you in most days ( daze ) of the week helps anchor the joint
I'll leave you guys with two photo's I aquired at a flea market.
CP FA2 stored at St Luc shops in Quebec, awaiting it's fate with the other 244 popwered Alco's around it. dated 1973
One of the last survivors CP FA in Toronto's John street yard ( where the Rogers Centre is now ) still working it's last miles. 1976
enjoy
Reminder: "Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs
<but go ahead ‘n slip your messages thru the mail slots on the doors!>
Temps made it into the lo-90s (F) for the first time since Aug 5th . . . been a spectacular summer for mid-continent USA, just a winner, fer sure, fer sure. Summer has returned, but thus far not as oppressive as it has been known to be! <phew>
A better than average Saturday, in spite of so few of us! Began with Rob ended with Rob - nite visits included Allan ‘n Rob! Of course we had our Interim Governor General, Sir Moderation swing by in the afternoon with another of his "trade mark" <I3> Posts! Way to go <GoR>.
Don't know why I didn't take note, but Pete has gone over the 1,000 mark in Posts!
Bar is CLOSED on SUNDAYs - but of course I'm here to get things squared away for the ‘morrow . . . Cindy is helping! <grin>
RR BOOK RELAY 2008!
Presently with Nick in Wales . . . next is Shane in WVA . . . then Rob in Ontario . . . then Allan in NZ!
Saturday - August 23rd <all times Central daylite>:
Page 11 - Pete <pwolfe> at 2:53 PM: I check Alaskan temps every day . . . Fairbanks, not far from the Arctic Circle has been showing 40s (F) for the lows ‘n 60s for the high.
Some of that rail link between Anchorage ‘n Fairbanks goes through areas where the temps are rather extreme - ‘n I mean extreme as in cooooooooooooold in winter. The passenger trains run all ‘year round, but not at the same frequency, of course. As the darkness months set in, what would be the point of UltraDomes ‘n regular dome cars, eh Just a weekly coach service for the 12 hour run - diner is in the consist as I've been told.
My guess is there probably were quite a few locos ‘n rolling stock we didn't catch at ExpoRail . . . just as with any other museum, some of it is out of sight for an assortment of reasons. Wouldn't burn up what little grey matter there is left wondering about it . . . <grin> Then there's always the possibility of the source <magazine> being incorrect or not up to date . . . all kinds of possibilities, methinks.
As always, some superb fotos from your Mate, Alan whilst in Germany on his seemingly-perpetual rail travels! That 44-1681 is surely a monster!
The NIAG #4 has a great paint scheme with a classy cab for such a boxy looking loco. Can see SWs in that design . . .
Even though Amtrak wanted "out" of the mail contract, it surely seems that our government should've intervened. After all it's TAXPAYER money keeping both entities afloat. Good Gawd Gertie, how circular can it get <barf>
Appreciate the Saturday attention to duty, along with the fotos, chat ‘n ROUND, of course!
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 6:30 PM <7:30 PM EDT>: Back from the "plant" with the bar in mind! Whataguy! In these times of drought ‘n doubt, it's nice to know that we have some of our <GoR> up ‘n about the decks!
Can say DEFINITIVELY that there were NO closed buildings that we observed while at ExpoRail. Everything seemed to be available to us on that somewhat gloomy day . . . Now, it IS possible there were areas within building that were not accessible by the general public. That's probably where those sightseers ‘n the Jubilee might have been . . . Also, perhaps there were other buildings - off the beaten track <so to speak> - where restoration work takes place. I don't recall being in an area of that nature, though . . . I'll bet had we KNOWN of those cars ‘n that loco - and ASKED - we would've been provided with an explanation.
Thanx for the Email confirmation!
Will say this though - the ExpoRail OH-FISH-UL guidebook lists several different types of observation trolleys, tramways ‘n the like. A fine chapter, with <neat> fotos on urban transportation. Alas, nothing showing that "mystery" one we've been kicking around . . .
Does show CP #2928 (4-4-4) Jubilee . . . That's one I'd have liked to have seen - hopefully next time!
Many thanx for your visit, chat ‘n quarters for our Coal Scuttle!
Page 11 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:25 PM <4:25 PM Sunday NZ time>: Ahhhhh, yes - Saturday mornings at the movies were really part of the routine of my childhood. "Bubble" burst once I began delivering newspapers, then later on working in a local supermarket <A&P> . . . used to really look forward to those mornings. I remember paying 25 cents to get in - had another quarter for popcorn, candy ‘n ice cream for my buddy ‘n I. All the candy was a nickel, popcorn too. Ice cream was 10 cents. Yeah, I was somewhat of a rolley-polley back then. <uh oh> Good memories . . .
You're getting close to heading off on your holiday <aka: birthday gift>. Bet you're looking forward to it!
Always a pleasure having you aboard ‘n your stepped up frequency of visits is MOST appreciated! ROUND of Tui made the evening!
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 1:56 AM <2:56 AM EDT>: Count Robulla has returned to the fold with a very late <or very early> visit! Whatchadoinup at that hour Hmmmmmmm, maybe slipped "in" from a visit to The Second Class Saloon for a sojourn with YOUR former friend Queenie Hmmmmmmm.
Nice supplemental for our non-theme with the electrics ‘n mail service! Having fotos accompany the narrative IS the way to go!
Surely seems to me that gong back to the use of the rails for SOME mail services makes more sense than burning up gallons ‘n liters <litre for the purists> of petrol on the highways. If just between major metro areas, for example - imagine the savings in fuel Nahhhhhh, far too "extreme" thinking for the entrenched amongst us, eh <barf>
Appreciate the return visit, even if everyone was <grin>
hello Gents a little something frommthe OP1 archieves.
CLASSIC JUICE # 35 MAIL THE ELECTRIC VERSION
So not unlike the more traditional RPO services some interurbans and city streetcar systems offered RPO services as well.In the case of the larger interurbans it was a natural expansion of their mandates. Since they operated intercity routes many would carry sacked mail and packages in the baggage / combine cars operating inside their trains.some even had express motors built to carry any express mail packages and LCL cargo from the station plateforms. Now unlike the steam roads mail hooks generly were not used as the loading was done by hand at the same time baggage and passengers would load up.
Several of Ontario's radial's were of coarse owned by CN and CP so they would exchange bagged mail with their parent roads express trains in major jointly served city stations.In CN's case tthe Montreal and Southern Counties and the Niagara St Catharines and Toronto would exchange mail with CN trains and in both cases handle Royal mail to steamboats as well.Another former GT property the Toronto Suburban likewise handled mail in two express cars they had built in 1917 by Preston car and coach.When CN shut down the TSR in 1931 it's two express cars were sold off to other operators.One went to the London and Port Stanley which renumbered thiers to car # E1 it would often be seen pulling express boxcars and frieght from the lake Erie docks to London and St thomas Ontario where they had connections to the CN. Since the L&PS also handled freight specifically coal and heating oil from Conneaught Ohio some international mail would come from the Pere Marquette via the car ferry.
L&PS E1 leaving Port Stanley harbour in 1946 pulling an express train bound for London Ontario.
Not to be outdone the CPR's Southwestern Ontario radials also handled some mail and small packages from Port Dover and Port Maitland Ontario into Kitchener Waterloo, where mail pouches would be passed onto CPR passenger trains or for a time to The Kitchener waterloo streetcars for local distribution. The Grand River Railway and The Lake Erie and Northern used their baggage combines to distribute mail. Many of the US based interurbans also ran mail between their served cities and towns, I haven't found specifics on the who and the what or which type of equipment they used. Most interurbans would used either express box motors or their baggage cars.
GRR 626 combine car typical of the CPR electrics that would handle mail service. Car 626 is pictured at Kitchener Ontario in 1947
Now city streetcars operating mail service are a bit rarer in Canada in the larger cities it was one additional sorce of revenue as most city systems had no freight operations ( some did ) to help offset costs.In the early 1880's to 90's when wholesale electrification was happeneing many of the larger cities built specific cars to just handle Royal Mail, the TTC and the Ottawa and Hull companies are three that pop into mind.After a while the speacial cars became expensive to maintain and mail service was cancelled ( no pun intended ) and the cars were either scrapped or put to other uses. In the heyday these mail cars would have been equiped with mail slots in which people could walk upto the car and "mail" their letters. remembering that in the 1890's most city streets were still unpaved and the streetcars were the most efficient way to carry mail, once paving and trucks became available these services quickly ended.
Ottawa's car #1 the Royal Mail car seen on the Parliament Hill Run in the early 1900's note how detailed and ornate the car is.
The city of Hull Quebec's lone mail car, used in latter life as a freight motor. This car would handle mail in town and accross the river into Ottawa.
Now some of the smaller cities also sought to get a piece of the mail pie and thus an alternate form of revenue. Most of these companies chose to convert old obsolete cars instead of purchasing expensive purpose built units. Thes however did not carry sorting crews as they needed to maintain some passenger space. Therefore these services carried presorted bagged ,mail for the postal carriers to dsitribute on foot.
The Kitchener & Waterloo Street railway's 10 an older passenger car that recieved a larger front door and vestibule to enable it to carry mail. This car would interhcange mail with the GRR in Kitchener and with the CN at the Grand Trunk station in Waterloo, both stations were on the systems main two rail trunks.
Another conversion this one in Toronto. this car was homebuilt by TTC predessesor road Toronto Railway Company it and the TTC's other predessesor the Toronto Suburban were the only electric carriers of mail in Toronto E 1 shown above being ex TSR. In this photo mail service had ended ( happened when the TTC was formed in 1921 )The car served out the rest of it's life as shown here as a farebox car delivering fareboxes tickets and transfers from one division to another. Until replaces by armoured trucks.
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please!
Rob. We were so close with our posts` again yesterday. Another fine set of diesel loco pix from you again.
Eric. Great to see you so soon, glad to see you had a safe trip back to the old country. Nice shot of the RPO "Silver Pouch".
Pete. That Tyneside electric line really deteriorated when they put the DMU`s on, the stations` were left to look untidy and dilapidated. I do`nt like that yellow paint job they use for the Metro equipment, although the Newcastle buses` and trolleybuses` were that colour BITD. A nice set of pix that Alan took on his recent German trip, please give him my thank`s. Sounds as if you will have a very full programme to get through on your trip home.
Tom. Some great memories from you of those Saturday morning movie shows`, we did`nt have any of those shows you used to have on Sundays`, we used to pay three pence entry fee, and their was a small bag of candy included in the price, chewing gum was a "no no" for the obvious reasons`. Had a good laugh at those classified Ads in the Mentor Village Gazette and those hilarious "Signs of the Times`" too. Nice re-post from the archives` of the info on the UP RR passenger trains` in Fallen Flags # 12 with those Drumheads included. The fall tree colours over here are not as varied and intense as those you get in the States` going by those photos` of our neighbour`s, they look really spectacular.
See ya, Allan
Good evening folks , back in from a day of toil. So I think another pitcher of that fine draft. I'll leave a sack of quarters for the coal scuttle as well.Slow day but that's normal for a saturday.
Tom-A fine batch of Union Pacific info and stats made for an interesting read.Interesting shot of Ted and I in barn one. Of note the car covered by the blue tarp just behind me is 1704 the other single trucked grinder that's waiting it's turn at the restoration barn.
I don't know where the sightseer was when you guys were at Exporail. I checked another railfare publication that I have on the Montreal Streetcar system and in fact they have two of the four preserved ones. Numbers 1 and 4 with only two residing in the US number two at Seashore in Maine and the other number three is at warhouse point in Connecticut.
I liked the newspaper clippings and the classified page from the Gazette made for an nice late afternoon giggle. BTW I did get the latest email(s) no worries the pipeline still works.
Pete-Great shots of the Museum and special train from Alan. interesting caboose / brake van at the end of the train.Looks like a well maintained roundhouse complex as well
I wonder if your black bag ate those two sightseeing cars, they should have been there , then again you guys did say that you didn't see the Jubilee that they have there as well, maybe theer was a building or two that you missed.We'll just all have to go there again that's all
That little SW did look lost leading that SD40-2 but the SW1200RS's were designed for road work as well as yard work.CN did not reactivate any of the big Alco's , some were sold off to various shortlines and museum's.Remember that at the time CN was still a Crown coroporation and as such had a big enough budget to buy the new power they needed where as CP had to beg borrow and steal power.
We have that book at the museum's gift shop as well , if you want one I can get one for you they come in hard and softback.
G'day Gents
Pete's been "in" with his always inclusive remarks ‘n foto spread! More on that in my next round of acknowledgments . . .
But now, time for my offering on this Saturday in daylite . . .
From the sub-basement archives room:
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #13
Union Pacific Railroad - Passenger operations (UP)
<A form of this was initially Posted on 01 Oct 2005, Page 124 at "Our" Place I>
http://cs.trains.com/forums/124/991587/ShowPost.aspx
<source: Classic American Railroads>
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Union Pacific (UP) - (passenger ops)
Headquarters: Omaha, NE
Mileage:
1950: 9,9720 1996: 22,785 (trackage rights included)
Locomotives as of 1963:
Steam: 29 Diesel: 1,347 Gas-turbine: 49
Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 54,959 Passenger cars - 851
Principal lines in 1950:
Omaha-Ogden, UT via Cheyenne, WY Ogden-Los Angeles via Las Vegas, NV Julesburg-La Salle, CO Granger, WY-Seattle, WA via Montpelier, ID & Portland, OR Pocatello, ID-Butte, MT Hinkle, OR-Spokane, WA Ogden-McCammon (Pocatello) Cheyenne & Borie-Kansas City via Denver Topeka, KS-Gibbon, NE Marysville, KS-Valley (Fremont) NE
Principal lines added as of 1996:
Salt Lake City, UT-Oakland, CA via Sacramento, CA Freemont & Omaha-Chicago Nelson, IL-St. Louis Chicago-Green Bay via Kenosha and Oshkosh, WI Chicago-Milwaukee via Bain, WI Milwaukee-Minneapolis Minneapolis-Kansas City via Des Moines, IA Minneapolis-Omaha via Sioux City, IA Chicago-Madison, WI
Plus the MoPac/ subsidiary lines:
Omaha-St. Louis via Kansas City Chicago-Houston via Pana, Dupo (St. Louis) and Thebes, IL, Little Rock, AR and Palestine, TX Houston-Brownsville, TXPalestine-Laredo, TX via Austin Houston-New Orleans via Baton Rouge, LA Kansas City-Little Rock, AR via Coffeyville, KS El Paso, TX-New Orleans via Fort Worth and Shreveport, LA Kansas City-Pueblo, CO
Passenger trains of note:
Butte Special (Salt Lake City, UT-Butte, MT) Challenger (Chicago-Los Angeles) City of Las Vegas (Los Angeles-Las Vegas) City of Denver (Chicago-Denver) City of Los Angeles (Chicago-Los Angeles via Cheyenne, WY) City of Portland (Chicago-Portland, OR via Cheyenne [via Denver 1959-68]) City of Salina (Kansas City-Topeka-Salina, KS) City of St. Louis (St. Louis-Los Angeles & San Francisco & Portland via Kansas City & Denver) City of San Francisco (Chicago-Oakville, CA via Cheyenne) Columbine (Omaha-Denver) Forty Niner (Chicago-Oakland) Gold Coast (Chicago-Oakland & Los Angeles) Idahoan (Cheyenne-Portland via Pocatello) Los Angeles Limited (Chicago-Los Angeles) Pony Express (Kansas City-Los Angeles) Portland Rose (Denver-Portland) San Francisco Overland (Chicago-Oakland; after 1955 St. Louis-Oakland) The Spokane (Spokane, WA-Portland) Utahn (Cheyenne-Los Angeles) Yellowstone Special (Pocatello, ID-West Yellowstone, MT)
Of note: UP trains serving Chicago operated Omaha-Chicago via C&NW until Oct 1955, then via Milwaukee Road 1955-71. All UP trains serving St. Louis operated via Wabash between St. Louis & Kansas City.
Enjoy!
A pint of Bathams please CINDY.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos from ExpoRail. Unfortunately Tom and I did not get the chance to ride the open sided tramcar as it started raining and the other car was brought back into use.
Thanks for the information on John. I asked because John looked young in the photo. It must have been great to have been there while your museum grew and all those great trolley and works cars restored to their former glory. I will have to have a look at the book next time I am at ExpoRail.
Many thanks for the photos. Did the CN reactivate any of their M630s after they retired them in 1991 like the CP did. Great photo of the SW 1200 RS out on the road, looks quite small next to the other locomotive.
ALLAN My first visit to the Newcastle area was too late unfortunately to have seen the Tyneside Electrics but I did get a circular ride in what is now the Tyne & Wear Metro when it was still BR in one of the many DMUs there were in the Newcastle area, I think it was in the early 1970s.
Yes it is a busy visit especially as two of our friends from over here are coming for two weeks and would like to see Ireland as well as some of Britain.
The Lakeside & Hathernwaite Railway is a good line not too long it connects with the boats on Lake Windermere.
ERIC A pleasant and good surprise to see you in the bar. I too, am not looking forward to my Trans Atlantic flight; still if all the flights were 75 minutes long it would be a lot better.
Many thanks for the photo of Silver Pouch, and have a great holiday over there, what are the temperatures like near the Artic Circle this time of year.
TOM The MVG has done well to attract those ads can't help feeling at little sorry for Elmo though. I bet the headline writer copped it from the editor when he seen that headline.
I too am wonder where the Sightseeing Car was at Exporail I couldn't recall seeing any other sheds but I guess there must have been. I thought I had posted that photo of the cars in the shed before but I guess not, I will check through to see if there are any more worth showing as there are a few I have not posted but they are very much out of focus and not worth showing, another victory for the black bag versus a camera.
Many thanks for the information and the link to the Alaskan Mountain Ranges looking at the map it is easy to see how any inland transportation is so hard to build, not even taking into consideration the Permafrost. I hope Eric can tell us about the make up of the terrain around the Artic Circle in Sweden and Norway.
It seems some of the noise from the motors on the British DMUs must be a lot more noticeable on them than on the RDCs.
Many thanks for that interesting link to the stopping of carrying the mail by Amtrak. I had not realized it was as late as 2004 when it finally ceased. Back to that word service again as it seems an ideal idea an overnight sleeping car and coaches with a lot of mail cars delivering the mail to stations along the route. I know I'm dreaming but an overnight mail and passenger train between Chicago and Kansas City via St Louis, with an arrival in Kansas about 7AM or so.
Enjoyed the link to the Silver Pouch.
Now for some photos. These are from Alan's recent trip to Germany. These are at DIERINGHAUSEN MUSEUM. The first is a general view. The museum was the first stop of the special train Alan was on.
A view of the Half-Roundhouse, on the right is No.95.0009-1 a 2-10-2Tank. built by Borzig in1923.
The locomotive on the second left is No. 03.2155-4 4-6-2 built by Borzig in 1934, with a fireless engine to the far left.
At the Museum platform is the special train Alan traveled on, hauled by NIAG's No.4. ex DB V100 class No 211.
Two photos of 2-10-0 No.44.1681 built by Schichau in 1942.
At the other end of the special train was NIAG's No.8 Ex DB V160 No. 216.
These should enlarge..
A round please CINDY and I will make sure the bar is well stocked for the Track Gang.
<IT Rail bus at MoT, Kirkwood, MO - personal foto>
And it's Saturday once again at the Bar by the Ballast. A good day to do the things you've been putting off - including NOTHING! <grin>
Breakfasts are ready - coffee's freshly brewed ‘n the pastries are filling the place with an aroma that can only mean The Mentor Village Bakery!
From The Mentor Village Gazette
Weekend Classifieds
Whirlpool built-in oven-frost-free.
Full-sized mattress. 20-year warranty. Like new. Slight urine smell.
Star Wars Job of the Hut, $15.
Wanted: Used paint.
Tickle Me Elmo. New in box. Hardly tickled, $700.
Signs of the times
It's "You Post, I Post" ‘round here - meaning, my next will follow someone else's contribution . . .
Continuing activity over at "my other Thread" - thanx to Rob's ongoing efforts 'n Pete on Friday! Honestly don't know how much longer to keep it going . . . just not getting any "bites" for the bar. Kinda redundant, but every now 'n then seems to flick a switch here 'n there . . . I'd say that Thread has got the disappearing railroad blues <City of New Orleans> <uh oh>
Speaking of which <disappearing that is> - Emails have been sent to our <GoR> in the past few weeks where I've said that no responses are required. BUT it sure would be nice to know - here at the bar - that you've at least received 'em. I know most do - but some do not. Makes it kinda difficult to ascertain if the info has gotten to all intended.
Friday - August 22nd <all times Central daylite>:
Page 11 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 9:10 AM: Yeah - the fine print <grin> figgers! But, thanx for the elaboration - thought there'd be vitals for the passengers between those points! Guess not much has changed since those days, as Amtrak ‘n VIA Rail pretty much do the same thing - albeit some minor changes, but the result is the same - no "sit down" breakfasts. The Empire Builder from Spokane to Portland doesn't pull the diner - so one is relegated to the café area below the Sightseer Lounge. And the Ocean ceased providing breakfasts - other than a "continental" on the morning's arrival to Montréal. Takes a bit of the allure from it all . . . At least aboard the Chaleur it was a full breakfast for me, prepared by a Chef, as we approached Montréal. And get this - the Ocean was hooked on behind us! Figger that, eh
I see we turned the Page to 11 - while we no longer celebrate the occasion - there happens to be an extra of our Bottomless Steins sitting behind the bar - g'wan, it's YOURS! <grin>
Bride sez petrol was at $3.34 <rounded> at "Collusion Corner" as she topped of the Hybrid.
Thanx for the visit, chat, quarters ‘n of course - ROUND!
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:03 AM: Drinking beer by the pitcher <Thursday> ‘n throwing 20s around as if they are Loonies, Hmmmmmm - someone's in the money! Either that, or WE HAVE POLLUTED our young friend up there in Ontario! <uh oh>
I don't recall seeing that open car trolley when at ExpoRail ‘n believe me, there wasn't a square foot of the place that we didn't prowl through - some twice! So, it must've been in a locked building <or a portion of one, sealed off to the public> - although at the moment, I can't recall one. If I missed it, wellllllllll - guess a return trip is in order! <grin> Anyway, they had a fine line of traction in the main exhibition hall - fotos of which you've seen a few times.
Yeah, sometimes it's those "lucky shots" that turn out so well. I've got scores of ‘em . . . believe me, when taken from a moving train, it's most difficult to "plan ahead"!! <grin> Anyway, the VIA F is a beauty - wudda enjoyed seeing the entire consist. But wait a sec - I have it in one of my display cases! <ooooooooooh>
All kinds of insights in the descriptions accompanying your fine spate of traction! Amazing ‘n disturbing what the fate's are for some of the rolling stock - a chicken coop! <yikes>
Whenever I see trolleys in a setting where there's all kinds of growth <trees - shrubbery - woods> it just doesn't strike me as "normal." All of my recollections of trolley cars go back to NY City ‘n the asphalt jungle setting. <grin>
That's surely a monster unit - aka: snow remover!
Your mention of the rail grinding car brought to memory this shot of you ‘n Ted during Rendezvous I at Halton County . . .
All good stuff, Mate! Thanx for the visit, fotos, chat ‘n ROUND!
Page 11 - Dan <DL-UK> at 1:50 PM <7:50 PM GMT>: Pleased that you dropped by before week's end . . . appreciate the ROUND ‘n hope your holiday weekend is a gud-un!
Page 11 - Pete <pwolfe> at 3:18 PM ‘n 4:20 PM: "In" with a fine two-fer comes Sir Moderation, Mentor Village's Interim Governor General ‘n Bar Chandler! <phew>
In Alaska, the railroad stops at Fairbanks - which isn't all that far from the Arctic Circle. As I understand it, there's sparse population northward ‘n the terrain is permafrost, which would be a challenge to construct ‘n maintain right-of-way on. Then above the Circle is the Brooks mountain range, a most formidable obstacle fer sure, fer sure. Must be a totally different composition in Sweden ‘n Norway where the settlements ‘n accessibility seems to be far more developed.
A link: http://www.greatlandofalaska.com/reference/ranges.html
Budd RDCs are a treat to travel in, especially if they were configured to meet the requirements of comfort for longer distances. For example, if used for commuter use <Boston comes to mind> there wasn't a need for too many creature comforts. Whereas if one traveled 8 to 12 hours <Vancouver to Prince George, for example> then the cars were outfitted for meal service, more comfortable seating, etc. Being biased, all they'd need would be a dome to make ‘em perfect! <grin>
Amtrak had been on-again-off-again with transporting the mail <no on board services as with RPOs back in the day> . . . here's a link:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_10_205/ai_n6260921
Too bad, as with the price of fuel skyrocketing, one would think that event the U.S. Postal Service could find a way to economize. <geesh>
I don't recall seeing that trolley foto of yours from ExpoRail. I'll have to add it to my albums. Hmmmmmm, anymore in the hopper
Bank Holiday weekend As if the bankers needed MORE time off, eh <grin>
Interesting spate of "funny" locos . . .
Thanx for the visits, chat, fotos, ROUND ‘n <I > Post!
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:58 PM: Our Manager returneth with some good cheer ‘n comments for the crew!
Nite cap with the "flies" always appreciated! <clink>
Page 11 - Allan <Gunneral> at 10:02 PM <5:02 PM Saturday NZ time>: Saturday mornings at the movies was a "thing" when I was a kid. We had three theatres in the town I grew up in (Ritz - Palace ‘n Empire). All featured shoot-‘em-ups, cartoons ‘n serials on Saturday mornings. It was a "blast" to look forward to that day. Then the afternoons were the standard double features with a cartoon in the middle - Sundays at the Ritz was a vaudeville act - ohhhhhhhh, the memories! <sweet> Don't recall too many occasions where the film broke - but every now ‘n then there'd be "flickers" ‘n you could here the sprockets making ‘that noise' . . . . <grin> Probably gave the projectionist a few more grey hairs, eh As a kid, the guys who sat up in the booth had that celeb status . . . It was indeed a special time to grow up in.
Fall splendor is as marvelous as it gets! We have some terrific color displays here in mid-continent with the brilliance almost "lighting up" the area. Something most special to enjoy - 'n it doesn't cost a cent, not one!
Always appreciate the chat, <I3> Post ‘n ROUND of Tui!
Saturday - August 23rd:
Page 11 - Eric <EricX2000> at 3:14 AM <10:14 AM Stockholm, Sweden time>: Whattaguy! Didn't take long to check back in with us, which of course is most thoughtful of YOU!
Can only imagine the relief of getting off a plane after that amount of time. Coach travel is <censored> designed for discomfort. I'll not subject myself to long distance travel like that again - emergency travel would be the only exception.
Thanx for the RPO shot . . . Looks like "Silver Pouch," CB&Q #1604
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=774963
I do believe you're the SECOND of our cast of regulars to have checked in with us from Sweden. Way back in earlier days <daze>, I think BK <Bud Karr> did so. Hmmmmmm. Anyway, you're the first from Stockholm's airport! <grin>
Glad to know that you've made it safely to your old country ‘n certainly hope the days to come are filled with all sorts of happy times. Hope there's snow up where you're headed! <grin> Enjoy the "constant" daylite . . . <yikes>
Page 11 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 8:09 AM: And a surprise, but welcome, visit from our Manager on this Saturday morning. Beat me to "it" - but nonetheless, a nice way to begin the day.
As always an interesting spate of fotos - especially that one with the switcher leading the pack! Also, any fotos from Brantford are super-fine as well! Next time up that-a-way, we'll have to have breakfast at that 50s place - was a fun-spot fer sure, fer sure! <grin>
Hope the day goes well for ya at the "plant" ‘n thanx for the visit ‘n fotos!
Reminder: Cindy has the bar until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Ruth returns on Tuesday!
Morning Cindy a qucik stop in before work. Just a quick number three and coffee. I'll leave some bucks behind for a round however. I see that Boris has fed the "zoo" and gone off with his jar of PPF so all seems right in the world.
Allan-Good to see you in , I'm glad you've enjoyed the latest bunch of photo's
Eric-A suprise check in from the airport in Sweden 5x for the thought and effort sir and he dropped off a fine photo of an RPO as well . Happy vacation my friend .
Now a couple photo's to get the ball rolling today and I'm off.
A rare bird, a CN M630 leading a frieght through Brantford in 1991 the year most of these big Alco's were retired from the CN.
A CP SW1200 RS leading a train in Sault Ste Marie Ontario, proving tha the "RS" in their name ( road switcher ) sometimes happens. Fall 2002
Another "big" Alco CP 4704 an M630 parked in Aberdeen yard in Hamilton in 1997, during the alte 90's reactivation of many of these engines when CP was power short.
Enjoy
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello Leon, how about an early breakfast, just coffee and a cheese danish, please.
I am sitting here at Stockholm Airport, Arlanda, waiting for the connecting flight up to (almost) the Arctic Circle where mys sister lives. After 11 hours of flying economy class I can't say I am looking forward to another 75 minutes in the air. But I'll most likely will survive.
I had a very quick look at what has been posted Friday but I don't have time now to make my comments. I saw some photos of old RPO's so I'll show one myself. I have shwon it before, but it is an old nice looking car so I'll post it again.
It's an old Burlington RPO. Atchison, KS. 2007.
Round for the house!
Pete. You would have gone through Wallsend on your Tyneside Metro trip, it follows the old North Tyneside electric train track formation, except for a couple of new bridges`, and the new stations of course. If you do have a stop at Newcastle on the way up to Edinburgh have a Newcastle "Broon" for me too. Looks as if you have a fairly tight schedule to keep to while you`re over there, hope you manage to fit everything in that you planned. A nice set of industrial loco pix, nice to see they are running that line in the Lake District.
Rob. See we were only a minute apart with our post`s yesterday, boy, was that really close! Those were another fine selection of colourful diesel and trolley pix from you once again, you can be proud of all the hard work you`ve done at the trolley museum that`s for sure.
Dan. Good to see you on board again. Thanks for the latest heads up on the new A1 "Tornado" Fergie put up a link to a YouTube video of her first public live steam run, she looks a real beauty, even in matt grey.
CM3. Would love to see those New England fall tree colours, our neighbour who hails from Queens NYC, say`s they look so spectacular, she has some fine looking panoramic pix she took a couple of years` ago.
Tom. The noise during a breakdown during the Saturday morning matinee was always the loudest, especially if it happened when a Western was being shown. A fine informative post in BITD #21 on the Railway Post Office services` with the great pix and the RPO cancellation stamp, and another fine set of cab shots` from your TRE Dallas RDC adventure to savour.
Good evening gents.Leon just small splash of CR if you don't mind( for medicinal purposes )[:-]
Tom-Loved seeing the RPO article again seems to me it was first posted during an RPO theme tuseday from back in the day . Another set of fine photo's from Dallas as well . I see that there is another fine looking Brunette on the plateform in the one shot as well.
Thanks for the free breakfast I'll try to take advantage of it tomorrow.
Dan-Good to see you if only briefly . So is this steamer that is new built built as a replica of an older class or is it a complete brand new off the drawing board kind of thing
Pete-Some fine photo's from Exporail. I see the tail end of a Montreal PCC and one of their two man home built cars I would guess that their sightseer is tucked in behind the other exhibits. the one they have is one of the two that had an ugly bus windshield installed on the front platform, not terribly attractive.
We are definatly looking forward to having the restoration barn back,we've put quite a few things on the back burner for lack of space to work, and yes all the little two legged rodents that like painting things, will now be kept at bay.John is I think 70 now but he's busy as ever we still see him fairly often actually three of the six original members all in the thier early to mid 70's are active , we've lost two of the original six but then they were both a good ten years older than the rest.John's actually just finished another book his second on the Niagara St Catharines and Toronto RR it's a wonderfull book I went to it's launch party in St Catharines about two months ago,it's publisshed by Railfare books out of Montreal and is worth the buy
Another Holden's please CINDY now I have got my album to behave.
TOM Many thanks for the latest photos from the cab of RDC #2013 on the TRE in Dallas. The stations and ROW look in great condition and it is good to see a photo of Dick.
A couple of photos of Industrial locomotives.
On the Lakeside & Havernwaite Railway in the English Lake District.
At Bolton Abbey on the Yorkshire Dales Railway 'Annie' runs round her vintage train.
.
Not sure where these next two photos were taken, I feel it could be on the Gwili Railway perhaps NICK could tell me.
The loco is a ex War Department Austerity 0-6-0 Saddle Tank.
A pint of Holden's please CINDY.
TOM Many thanks for the great posters from Northern Europe and Canada. The Irish one shows one of their early diesels. It must be a great trip on a train to ride 100 miles above the Artic Circle. I wonder if motorcars are still banned from the area like it says in the ad.
I remember traveling in the tramcar at Exporail.
Lets hope they are able to keep those Budd cars in service for a few years yet they must have been very well built cars to have lasted as long as they have. I guess it will be the availability of spare parts that may determine there future. I dare say if the trip was not so long that it involves an overnight journey DMUS may have been considered for the Chaluer.
I bet the ABBA girls still look good.
Yes the 9Fs were impressive locomotives. To think some of them only ran for 5 or 6 years on BR. What a waste.
Many thanks for the Back in the Day and link on the interesting Railway Post Office. It seems the first carrying of mails on the railways was almost at the same time on the railways in the U.K. and the U.S. It is good to see that some of the RPO cars have been preserved, it is a real shame that the railroads are not used today to move rail, although I believe in Britain some of the mail has returned to rail.
There are a few preserved lines in Britain that have the cars and the equipment to give a demonstration of picking up the mail bags on the move. I have been lucky to have been there when they were this at Didcot and on the Great Central.
ERIC Bon Voyage and have a great holiday.
ROB Are you saying RUTH as been frightening the daylight customers away.
Yes the black bag is not allowed in the same room as the scanner or the computer.
It is really good the barn 4 will be able to hold that amount of the museum's equipment waiting for restoration from the weather, not to mention those low-life's who get some form of perverted enjoyment from damaging historic items. I bet the freed up space in the restoration shed will be very welcome as well.
Many thanks for the great photos. It is great to see No.23 complete after her restoration. Your first car # 1326 looks in great condition, it great to see her driven by your first member, how old is Mr. Mills. Great photo of TTC car # 2132 running in the early 1950s, I love the colors on the slides taken from that era. Always enjoy seeing the work cars. I had a look to see if I had a photo of the Sightseeing Car at Exporail but no luck. I have slightly out of focus one taken there.
That is great livery on the Wisconsin Central F units
ALLAN I went on some more tours in the Newcastle area I will have a look through my notes. One trip was a special on the Tyne and Wear Metro not long after it opened, on a special that visited all the system including sidings and a line not usually used by public trains. Another line I will have to visit again as it has been extended to Sunderland now.
I don't know if I will be able to get to Beamish this trip we hope to be staying in York a couple of days with a day trip to Edinburgh so will be passing through Newcastle on the train, perhaps I can escape.
Glad you enjoyed the photos, I still think of that sound recording of the 9Fs on the Tyne Dock to Consett iron ore trains.
CM3 Thanks for the information on it being daylight on most of the Pittsburgh -Massena on NYC train 78.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. Edinburgh Waverley has just recently had more platforms added, all being well I should be in the station in October.
DL Many thanks for the heads up on the visit of Tornado to the Great Central. I had heard it was to go there but did not know when or about the Gala. I had a look at the web site and saw is was to be in conjunction with Steam Railway. Perhaps I have a chance of going to it on the Saturday, the others are flying in that day but want to have look around London for a bit before meeting up in Rugby so perhaps I can get to the GC.
Hope you are able to get on the rails this Bank Holiday weekend
Having a bit of the problem loading some photos in my album so I will post this and try again.
A round please CINDY and the Steak and Fries later.
What Ho! A visit from Dan in Sherwood Forest on this end of the work week <for many>! Hope your holiday weekend is relaxing! . . .
MAYBE we can get Pete to visit "my other Thread" . . . been awhile!
More from my 2005 Dallas Rail Adventure . . .
Westbound to Centrepoint Station in cab of TRE RDC #2013
(38) Dave <Engineer> ‘n Dick in the cab of TRE RDC #2013
(41) Arriving - Centrepoint Station
More to follow next week!
Hello Tom and all in
Round for the house - Holden's mild for me - afraid the dreaded work has kept me away last few days - and even now this is a brief one. Great RPO pics Tom - I've not looked through other recent posts but intned to get back to respond properly to the posts which picked up issues re my last trip report and other points of interest - I've scanned this and that and thanks very much to all.
Pete - wanted to give you the heads up on the fact that A1 Tornado (the new steam loco - yep guys new means new - we've just built a brand new steam express loco here in the UK) is on trials at the GCR - idea is it will be run in - then ready for passenger haulage at the Oct GCR steam gala - details on the GCR website - if this co-incided with your planned UK visit Pete I thought you might want to be aware in order to see if you could take it in. I relaise this is not always poss to plan - but thought you'd want to be aware (I expect you have already seen all this elsewhere but just in case not).
Holiday weekend here - if at all poss I'll get some time on the rails with luck.
All the best to all
DL
As we've seen for much of this week, Shane ‘n Rob have been consistent for morning daylite Posts! Breakfast on the house, Gents!
Specific comments later in my acknowledgements . . .
Now Arriving on Track # 1
Back in the Day - Number Twenty One
Railway Post Office
In the United States a railway post office, commonly abbreviated as RPO, was a railroad car that was normally operated in passenger service as a means to sort mail en route, in order to speed delivery. The RPO was staffed by highly trained Railway Mail Service postal clerks, and was off-limits to the passengers on the train.Many American railroads earned substantial revenues through contracts with the Post Office to carry mail aboard high-speed passenger trains. In fact, a number of companies maintained passenger routes where the financial losses from moving people were more than offset by transporting the mail.The world's first official carriage of mail by rail was by the United Kingdom's General Post Office in November 1830, using adapted railway carriages on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Sorting of mail en-route first occurred in the United Kingdom with the introduction of the Travelling Post Office in 1838 on the Grand Junction Railway. In the United States, some references suggest that the first shipment of mail carried on a train (sorted at the endpoints and merely carried in a bag on the train with other baggage) occurred in 1831 on the South Carolina Rail Road. Other sources state that the first official contract to regularly carry mail on a train was made with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in either 1834 or 1835. The United States Congress officially designated all railroads as official postal routes on July 7, 1838 Similar services were introduced on Canadian railroads in 1859 In the United States it was introduced on July 28, 1862 using converted baggage cars on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad (which also delivered the first letter to the Pony Express). Purpose built RPO cars entered service on this line a few weeks after the service was initiated. Its purpose was to separate mail for connection with a westbound stage departing soon after the train's arrival at St. Joseph. This service lasted approximately one year The first permanent Railway Post Office route was established on August 28, 1864 between Chicago, Illinois, and Clinton, Iowa This service is distinguished from the 1862 operation because mail was sorted to and received from each post office along the route, as well as major post offices beyond the route's end-points.After 113 years of railway post office operation, the last surviving railway post office running on rails between New York and Washington, D.C. was discontinued on June 30, 1977. Ironically, the last route with a railway post office title was actually a boat run that lasted a year longer. This Boat Railway Post Office was the Lake Winnipesaukee RPO operating between The Weirs, New Hampshire, and Bear Island (New Hampshire), on Lake Winnipesaukee. The final date it operated with a postmark was September 30, 1978.
Many American railroads earned substantial revenues through contracts with the Post Office to carry mail aboard high-speed passenger trains. In fact, a number of companies maintained passenger routes where the financial losses from moving people were more than offset by transporting the mail.
The world's first official carriage of mail by rail was by the United Kingdom's General Post Office in November 1830, using adapted railway carriages on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Sorting of mail en-route first occurred in the United Kingdom with the introduction of the Travelling Post Office in 1838 on the Grand Junction Railway.
In the United States, some references suggest that the first shipment of mail carried on a train (sorted at the endpoints and merely carried in a bag on the train with other baggage) occurred in 1831 on the South Carolina Rail Road. Other sources state that the first official contract to regularly carry mail on a train was made with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in either 1834 or 1835. The United States Congress officially designated all railroads as official postal routes on July 7, 1838
Similar services were introduced on Canadian railroads in 1859 In the United States it was introduced on July 28, 1862 using converted baggage cars on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad (which also delivered the first letter to the Pony Express). Purpose built RPO cars entered service on this line a few weeks after the service was initiated. Its purpose was to separate mail for connection with a westbound stage departing soon after the train's arrival at St. Joseph. This service lasted approximately one year The first permanent Railway Post Office route was established on August 28, 1864 between Chicago, Illinois, and Clinton, Iowa This service is distinguished from the 1862 operation because mail was sorted to and received from each post office along the route, as well as major post offices beyond the route's end-points.
After 113 years of railway post office operation, the last surviving railway post office running on rails between New York and Washington, D.C. was discontinued on June 30, 1977. Ironically, the last route with a railway post office title was actually a boat run that lasted a year longer. This Boat Railway Post Office was the Lake Winnipesaukee RPO operating between The Weirs, New Hampshire, and Bear Island (New Hampshire), on Lake Winnipesaukee. The final date it operated with a postmark was September 30, 1978.
<from: Wikipedia.com>
Note: Full article may be viewed at -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Post_Office
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad #1923, a heavyweight RPO preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum. <Wikipedia.com>
An interior view of Great Northern Railway #42, a restored RPO on display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. <Wikipedia.com>
Virginia and Truckee Railroad #13, a "shorty" RPO photographed at Reno, Nevada on August 3, 1935. <Wikipedia.com>
The interior of an RPO on display at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. <Wikipedia.com>
A close-up view of the mail hook on CB&Q #1923. <Wikipedia.com>
A view of the mail hook on GN #42, along with a track-side mail crane complete with mail bag. <Wikipedia.com>
RPO postal cancellation <Wikipedia.com>
Morning Cindy , yoiu look well after your firstday behind the ole bar, fine choice of outfit ( Tom's such a luckey fella ) I think a number three off the breakfast board oh and the usual "vat" of spiked coffee ]tup] I'll leave a twenty for a round , keep the change
Tom-The weather has been nice around here lately as well.Only two days over 90 last sunday and monday and that spawned a hellish T-storm that cleared the air , we haven't seen any rain since. Not really complaining though as we've had a record breaker of a summer as far as rainfall goes.You can tell summers nearing it's end though as the CNE's on in toronto satrted last friday and will run to labour day.
Glad you liked the F unit's , I kind of figured that they would flick your bick. Hard to believe I caught that VIA train in Brantford , just random dumb luck as the corridor had gone mostly RDC by then ( both cars and trains ) I have to say that it was the only running F unit I've ever seen.The two CP shots were my uncles so they don't count.
Those sightseer's were a big hit in the summers in Montreal,they roamed the entire line for a qaurter you got a ride up and around Mount Royal with an onboard commentator.Nice that all four cars were saved and are all still operable including the one at Exporail not that it see's the light of day all that often.Seashore and Shoreline both have one's as well and they generally only come out on high days and holiday's.I can't at the moment recall where the fourth is,Branford in Con. possibly but I'll have to check my Montreal streetcars book to know for sure.
Shane-Ahh the reason for no dinner make sence now , at least the oassengers had the option of a good breakfast once they arrived at their destination.Yes dry rot is a consatnt enemy of old wooden streetcars. That Niles car was used as a chicken coup for twenty eyars before we got it and with the lack of barn space ( barn 3 was still in the design stage ) at the time we were given the car by the owner ( a take it now or we burn it sort of deal )it had to be tarped and stored outside so we lost it unfortunatly it and a Laconia built car from the HSR in Hamilton suffered the same fate.
I like the old work rquipment as well gives the public the working side of street railways when they visit the museum.
here's an interesting piece TTC's RT 6 used to clear the daylighted subway train storage yards of accumulated snow and ice.This is the heavier duty snow remover as opposed to the pushed infront kind I showed earlier,one of the coach yard shunters can be seen in the photo as well, These were used to tow non powered subway trains around the work shops and in the heyday of the Yonge street surface lines they were used to coupler the trailers onto the Witt trains.
Rail grinder W22 sister to the museum's W25. A single truck 1904 built car from the Toronto Railway Companies shops.As built these were semi-convertable cars like their bigger sisters ( the museum's 1326 ) the right side could be removed in the summer making them an open car.Our car is being restored back to full passenger car status. W22 is at Fort Edmonton in Alberta also awaiting restoration.
Here's one from the museum archieve, This shot is 1955 200' of track with no overhead yet , barn one hasn't been cleared out or built yet and you can see the museum's first two cars. Toronto Civic 55 and TRC 1326.This is the museum's first plot of land all 2 acres of it, they added to it as money and time permitted to what we have now over 40 aces and a fully integrated mainline with turning loops at both ends.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Our gas prices are still up there ($3.87) this morning, but about $3.80 one county over - go figger.
Allan - Glad you enjoyed the consist information. Green Mountain Flyer is truly a venerable name in New England railroading.
Rob - I have always liked traction-related work equipment. I remember the PCCs on the Harbourfront line very well. Also recall the Montreal car at Seashore waaaay back a long time ago. As for the double truck Niles car - a keeper! Dry rot and rust are my enemies as well (lol). Also thanks for the collection of F units.
Pete - Pittsburgh-Massena line was daylight for some of the trip depending on the season. I enjoyed your pictures, especially the one at Edinburgh.
OSP sent pichers and posters. CN through Canada is a nice piece of graphic work.
You asked a question about no diner on NYC 12 east of Buffalo. The answer (as always) is in the fine print. Train 12 departed Buffalo at 11:25 p.m. with a 7:30 a.m. arrival in New York. Buffet breakfast was available into New York as the Southwestern handled a 6 double bedroom buffet lounge sleeper between the end point cities.
Friday's Grin
Lines To Make You Smile
I Work Hard Because Millions On Welfare Depend on Me!
<phew> Finally made it - Friday ‘n the end of the work week <for many>! What better way to start the morning that with us Fill up those mugs with our freshly ground ‘n brewed special blend - check out those fresh pastries in The Mentor Village Baker case! And if you have the time, order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast to jump start your morning!
The long awaited rains arrived, providing most welcome relief for the green things ‘n creatures inhabiting the trees, shrubs ‘n assorted holes in the ground. Temps are still very comfortable - unbelievably so, in fact. <yay> Petrol was $3.38 <rounded> at "Collusion Corner." Heard that a "spike" has occurred - so I'll have to check when I'm out later on . . . Situation with the Russians has the speculator AH JOs running in circles. What's new <groan>
Eric departs this day for Sweden - will be gone ‘til September 7th . . . bon voyage, Sandman!
Thursday - August 21st <all times Central daylite>:
Page 10 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:14 PM <4:14 PM Friday NZ time>: Another fine <I3> Post from our Resident Downunder Kiwi Connection!
My guess is it was far more frustrating for you in the projection booth than for me on the mess deck of a ship at sea when it came to rethreading. I had a "captive" audience! <grin>
Must admit that brunettes are high on my list - however, having hair is 1st!
I don't believe we received any storms during my Dallas Rail Adventure, however, there were times when it looked as if we would. It was hot, hot, hot down there on that August day - hitting the century mark <F>. <ugh> <phew> Didn't like that aspect of it . . .
While I refer to the trains in those display cases as "retired," there are a few that are in ‘em simply because there's no room on the layout! The Can-Am Railway is chock-blocked when it comes to siding space. <grin> I don't leave anything on the main lines - so everything must have a "place" in a siding in order to "qualify" for running on the layout. Just a quirk of mine . . . We must have our "rules," eh
Many thanx for your visist, <I3> Post ‘n of course the ROUND of Tui!
Page 10 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:15 PM ‘n 9:32 PM: Back with a two-fer from our Manager - making for another active day at our Saloon by the Siding!
What a fine display of F units in your Pix-Parade! Like ‘em all, but of course that VIA Rail shot is mighty fine as is the Algoma Central - tied for BEST in SHOW!
Appreciate the info on the barn construction ‘n plans. Really is quite an operation to have lasted so long ‘n done so well! CHEERS to all who make Halton County's showcase such a fine place to visit! <clink>
<phew> Pleased to know that we won't be suffering the loss of our Manager AND Bar Chandler at the same time. That surely would hurt . . .
Never saw a car quite like that sightseeing one in your 2nd spate of fotos! All very nice ‘n appreciated - especially when descriptions accompany them!
Always enjoy your offerings ‘n pleased that you've been able to help keep things going ‘round here!
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