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

[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 . . .

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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 . . .

 

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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>

 

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Tom

 

[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

[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 

 

[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!

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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 . . .

 

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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

 

[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

[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]

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]

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 

 

 

[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

[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>

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Enjoy!

Tom    

 

[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. 

[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

 

 

 

[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

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Comments from the Proprietor

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

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

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

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!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

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

 

[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

[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 

[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

[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

[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.

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

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




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

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[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. 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A  cup of coffee and I'll try a bacon sarnie please RUTH. As Tom predicted, after a really marvellous concert by the Irish Fushcia Band a trip to Pat's Place did ensue with the bride opting out as it was getting late.The band members turned up there too and they were great guys. I am feeling, how shall we say, a bit delicate this AM..

I have some ex LMS locomotives photos..

On the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway at Ingrow, a London & North Western 0-6-2 'Coal Tank' No 1054. Introduced in 1882 a F.W. Webb design mainly for the L&NWR lines in the West   part of the coalfields in South Wales some members of the class lasted in BR service until the mid 1950s.As BR No.58926 her last shed was Abergavenny which had a sub-shed at Tredegar.

   

A couple of photos with class 5 no 45110 with some more modern motive power in the background. At Birmingham International station with a class 86 electric locomtive approaching.

 

I think this was on the same tour as the previous pic, The Staffordshire Terrier, at Chester with a class 101 Metro-Cammell DMU in the background.

At Bury Bolton Street station on the preserved East Lancs Railway a H.G.Ivatt 1946 design 2-6-0 class 2MT No 46441. The loco is carring The Mancunian' train headboard although I doubt if this class of locomotive worked that train. These locos worked on the some of the branch lines with a lighter weight limit, including some ex GWR lines in Mid Wales. In 1958 46441 was allocated to Lancaster(Green Ayre) shed. In the background is a MkI sleeping car.

  .

Back later.

Pete.

[siberianmo]

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

 

G'day Gents!

Breakfast on this Thursday morning only requires your interest in it! Coffee ‘n pastries are fresh ‘n the Menu Board contains our <light> ‘n <traditional> kick-start meals!

This is going to be "one of those days <daze>" as I'll be away 'til mid-late afternoon . . .

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Comments from the Proprietor

REMINDER: For the <GoR> plus one, check your Email at least daily! Even the best of plans are subject to glitches . . .

And the drought continued with Eric having modem problems - Shane in a rather unhealthy situation at work - our ONLY irregular part-timer logging in but not visiting, etc., etc., etc.  Do appreciate the efforts from those who take the time ‘n make the effort - YOU are the guyz who are keeping us going!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):

Wednesday - August 6^th <all times Central daylite>:

Page 3 - Pete <pwolfe> at 11:19 AM ‘n 2:50 PM: A fine foto spate in the AM followed by a loooooooooong Epistle in the PM from our Bar Chandler - but both chock full o' enough info to captivate our crew <wherever they may be!>

We've not read nor viewed any of the Potter series . . . one day, perhaps I'll check out the DVDs. Usually not much on fantasy this or that . . . but I've heard enough about the flicks to make me wonder whether they are indeed worthy of an adult look see.

Surprised at your lengthy ENCORE! Hope there'll be some interest in it . . . A wealth of info it for those wanting to know about Brit named trains!

One of these days <daze> we'll have to find a way to Green Bay for a visit to that museum ‘n reunion for you with that A4!

My only question regarding having Pat's Place AND the TrainWreck Saloon within walking distance of Barriger - is WHY would we be frequenting the Library Which reminds me of a story my barber told me this morning - said that the college aged son of a friend of his seemingly was never at his dorm room when the father called. All he would get was a message that said, "Joe is at the library." Turns out, the library was the name of the local pub . . . Great, huh

Hope you enjoyed the concert AND the evening at THE Irish Pub!

A thought: Why in the world would a band from Cork even want to be in mid-Missouri <puzzlement>

ROUND ‘n visit most appreciated!

 

 

Page 3 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 2:59 PM: A report from the WVA hill country! Better late than never, Mate . . .

My high school shop teacher only had 3 fingers on one hand! Hmmmmmm. <ouch>

Appears we both were "targeted" by those Gremlins - you with Pete's Post ‘n Moi with yours. <geesh>

Saw petrol at $3.62 <rounded> ‘n wondering what it will be today, as we're heading "out" for a long day . . . not pleasure, unfortunately. <groan>

Temps here have been too <censored> hot for my liking <or Juneau's either!> . . . today we "cooled" down to 90 (F) with humidity as thick as fog. <barf>

Lookin' like an uphill battle for the Red Birds - but they've seemingly come out of "it" lately . . . but the bull pen is <censored> . . . Manny is burning up his at bats, with the Dodgers, eh Almost a give-away, but these days <daze> the malcontents rise to the top . . . something wrong with that picture, methinks. <barf>

Thanx for the ROUND ‘n quarters!

 

 

Page 3 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 7:15 PM <1:15 AM Thursday GMT>: Didn't expect you on this evening in light of your "big gig" . . . apparently things went well for ya! Hopefully in the not-to-distant-future we'll be rid of "mother hens" . . .

Seven car passenger car siding sounds impressive. Glad to know you've managed to squeeze in some time for the pike! What is the radius of your new curves Not sure that came thru . . .

Thanx for the visit ‘n ROUND, especially in these mighty Spartan times!

 

 

Page 3 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:35 PM: Every now ‘n then a good seeeeeeeeeegar ‘n a JD on the rocks puts the mind at ease. Congrats, Uncle Rob  thanx for the ROUND ‘n smoke! Best to your sister-in-law ‘n lil' one . . .

I think Boris has been watching too many movies - for he's seen the way guys bite the tips of the seeeeeeeeeegars, spit ‘em out, etc. I've warned him about spitting ‘round here - so he's gotten into swallowing it. <ugh> Also thinks it's really a <hoot> to strike a match against those leather outfits H&H wear . . . <yikes>

Yes, the builder's plates are repros . . . would like to find some more, they add a nice touch to the atmosphere in the Can-Am Train Room . . .

I can well imagine how many must feel regarding the planned rail link between Pearson Int'l ‘n downtown . . . If it goes through as planned, I'd surely take it - sounds like a long awaited remedy. Just would be far better-er IF they'd <the powers> reconsider ‘n at least provide a few stops at the major points in between.

When our MetroLink came into being, the planners used existing right-of-way between our airport ‘n East St. Louis, Illinois. It was always planned to build off of that main line - unfortunately, those who "know better" have gone the way most arrogant ‘n self-serving "know it alls" go - the wrong way! But, that's been discussed too many times ‘round here . . . <barf> The "rub" is that none of these systems are cheap nor are they free from taxpayer funding - so why not serve the MAJORITY of people possible <bratzafratz>

Enjoyed your visit ‘n appreciate having you at the bar!

 

 

Thursday - August 7^th:

Page 3 - Allan <Gunneral> at 1:42 AM <8:42 PM Friday NZ time>: I have a recommendation for you regarding that log-in problem: do NOT log out when you are finished at the bar. In other words, just go about your business without using the log-off procedure. That way your computer will remain linked with the Forum next time you visit the bar . . . try it - no harm will result.

We're heading into a dry spell ‘round these parts - but the other night we did have a deluge of sorts. So, we're encouraged that we just may have found the solution to the leaking basement wall. Doesn't mean that there aren't cracks in the wall - but may mean the SOURCE of the water has been interrupted. Hope so . . . bring on MORE hard rains! <grin>

Amazing I didn't' come up with this remedy long ago . . . our gutters are protected from receiving debris ‘n the like with a "cover" system called Gutter Helmet. The water flows in, but not leaves, twigs, etc. Never thought that anything could go down the downspouts to cause a problem - and actually nothing did. What occurred was an overgrowth of thick lawn at the end of the line routed away from the house. Over time, any standing water settled, along with dirt, which in time built up to totally block the egress. Make sense

Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!

Appreciate the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!

 

 

Page 3 - Eric <EricX2000> at 1:50 AM <11:50 PM Wednesday Sandbox time>: Our Resident Nocturnal RETIRED Desert Swede is back amongst us! You were missed!

I think my version of the story regarding you ‘n your associate standing in front of the DMU is better! <grin>

Interesting statistic you came up with regarding my time in the USCG . . . Never thought of it quite like that . . .

Not sure what you mean regarding if that kind of transport existed . . . but those magazine covers supposedly reflected stories contained within the mags . . . Perhaps a good reason for your return to these parts ‘n another visit to the Barriger RR Library!

Back in the day, St. Louis was vying to become the "center" of the country insofar as transportation was concerned. With the major rivers converging in ‘n near this area, the geographic location was thought to be ideal for the railroads. Chicago was in competition - and of course ultimately "won" . . . The railroads found this area to be accessible ‘n centrally located - which of course it is. Too bad the interstate highway system came so late, otherwise perhaps St. Louis would have remained atop the RR industry for truck/rail transfers, etc. Anyway, that's a capsule explanation as I've heard it . . .

Nice shot from atop Pike's Peak, but the one of us at the ball park <ugh> <grin>

Thanx for your return to the bar, good cheer, < I³ > Post ‘n ROUND!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

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

TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!

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

Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!

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

Cindy is our Saturday bartender!

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

 

Tom

 

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, how are you? Good to see you again! A sugar cured ham sandwich would be perfect. A cold Tui!

Back again after missing a couple of days! Got the new modem yesterday but after it was hooked up and running we had a severe thunderstorm so I felt it was better/safer to close down everything and postpone my visit.  

Tom –  Hope you are right about finding the source of your water problem! It sounds very likely that you are right.

We used to have a person who could take care of cats, dog and birds while we were gone, but he passed away a few years ago and right now we don’t have anyone who is qualified. Which means we can’t stay away over night at the same time.

The gal on the bicycle? I have no clue who she is/was. Never seen her before. Or after. Sorry to disappoint you! The caption for the EMU photo is okay, but what we really did was using a steel wire to tie a valve in closed position. The train had hit some debris that hit the valve so it did not stay closed. In open position it let the compressed air out of the reservoirs. But after 5 minutes hard work the train could continue.

Good movies, as always at the Emporium this week! Streets of Laredo and the Harvey Girls (those girls used to work at the Grand Canyon!!!).

Thanks for the SP named trains list! Quite a few! I never heard about Arizona Limited before! Chicago - Phoenix!

Congratulations Tom! You were active in the Coast Guard during 14 2/3% of its existence! That is quite a bit!

Interesting info on Wabash! It is kind of strange, but so many of those railroads had tacks/track rights to St. Louis! I wonder why?

A nice collection of old ads, including one for the Jura - Simplon Railway in Switzerland. I was traveling those tracks in the mid 80’s. Very interesting.

Interesting to see those magazine covers! They all have one thing in common, danger! A woman, a locomtive falling into a sink hole, etc. A short cut for ships looks interesting! Did that kind of transport ever take place?

A good collection of drumheads! Including one of L&N’s The Humming Bird!

Ah, I recognize those signs from the Can-Am room! Pullman’s and EMD’s logos were very nice!

Rob –  Snow plow on the steam locomotive in the summer? Well, you never know when the next snowfall is coming. One has to be prepared.

My butt?? Hmm.

Pikes Peak is nice. When I was there they had a heat wave, 34˚ F, at the top. I haven’t tried the Cog Railway, but I saw it. Maybe next year.

A nice mix of street cars! Radial car? Why radial?

Your museum’s car 55 and 1326 are very classic looking cars! What is the story about locomotive 335?

Thanks for the story on Boat Trains in Northern Ontario! I read it last time but it was good to refresh my memory!

CM3 –  I’ll remember your offer about info on L&N. I am sure some questions will pop up pretty soon. The Class B, 4-6-0, in my photo, was one of the most common locomotives in Sweden during the first half of the 1900’s. They could be seen everywhere in all kinds of trains. Many of them have been preserved and one is running somewhere in Maine.

Gas price is falling pretty rapidly here. The lowest now is $3.65.

Pete –  Riding the train in the winter time? When it is cold outside? But still decent in Phoenix? Wow, you are asking a lot!

The Class E was a light locomotive for lines with light rails. Very common, one is in Hull, outside Ottawa, ON.

The generator is located under the hood so those cable terminals are protected.

Nice photos of those old steamers! The first picture, Green Arrow hauling a special, was it just a one car special? Didn’t give very much braking power with just one car.

I am glad I didn’t have to work on 57566! One of those locomotives with only half a cab (barely). I wonder why they made them som small?

Thanks for the info on The Pacifics! Race horse called Bachelor’s Button? Poor horse and not a good name for a locomotive.

Nick –  Interesting photos! Hopefully Alan will be able to add some comments and info.

Looking forward to photos of your rebuilt layout with the new carriage siding and (I guess) tighter turnouts!

Thanks for the beer!

Allan –  Thanks for the link to KiwiRail! Very interesting! Is there any map of the rail network?

Rendezvous III. 2008.

 

Round for the house!!

 

Eric 

 

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all.

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

Tom. A couple of nice links to those two Johnny Cash versions of The Rock Island Line, the one with his reading intro was a bit different. Lonnie D was in the artillery 1949/51 for his two year national service stint. Some real nice covers in your Nickels Worth of Classic Covers #8. A very nice selection of Classic Drumheads by the Dozen in #7 of the series and a fine lot of signs from the Can Am Train Room in Pt 1. Good to hear you have found the possible source of your basement water problem at last. Had that "Down for Maintenance" problem about 5 hrs ago, 1.30pm, have just posted this after seeing Rob`s post when I managed to get in at 6.30pm here!

Pete. A real nice set of LNER era pix with the "Green Arrow", the B12 and the 04 all in mint condition. It`s amazing that Sir Nigel`s driver had to rein him back going up Stoke Bank, everything must be in top working condition mechanically, a real tribute to the shed staff. They really must class A1 Tornado as a totally new loco by my thoughts about it, she is brand spanking NEW! Some fine pix from the Strathspey Rly and enjoyed your write up on the LNER loco types`, their inception and naming, thanks mate. Have not been too interested in the Tri Nations rugby just lately, it`s become very boring with the media saturating all the news with counter claims and stupid remarks ad nauseum.

Rob. Good to see you in. The government have just announced a NZ$80 million injection into KiwiRail to upgrade the passenger equipment and services, so thing`s are on the up and up here. See you missed that "Down for Maintainence" hassle earlier today.

CM3. Good to see you in sir.

Nick. Good to see you in. Sounds as if you are really chuffed with the results you have achieved from your layout track upgrade work.

See ya, Allan

[trolleyboy]

Good evening folks. Leon a big round of everyone's favourite tonight on the manager.It was a busy day off for me spent most of it at the hospital. ( not  abad thing so don't get excited Boris ) Heather's sister has added another member to the family so we spent a good deal of the day with them.Yes Boris you can break out those Cuban cigars ( just don't eat yorus like the last time )

Tom-I did notice Pete's latest weekend dissappearing act.I guess I didn't react because it happens sooo often anymore ,<grin>That's okay it just means that his tab gets abused by the <gor> on the days ( daze ) he's away.

Great drumheads and photo's from the trainroom sir. I love the builders plates. I'm assuming that they are reproductions and not removed from the real thing.I know that we won't get back to theme days ,but they were a wonderfull part of bar number one and two

What can I say corporate JO's live in both countries.What burns me the most is that the rail mounted Limo's they intend to use are the string of RDC's that VIA is storing in the Mimico yard.They are going to refurbish them with new powerplants seats etc which makes it both a good thing and a bad thing. Good that if the plan goes ahead those RDC's will be prowling GTA tracks,bad that all of us won't be able to enjoy them if the plan stays the same.

Got the latest emails so I'm upto date. I hope that Eric's puter problems are short lived.

Pete-More great photo's and some interesting insights on the various classes of locomotives.

Yes 335 and L2 will be hard on our trackage.They tend to pound the track more than a streetcar does.Beyond the basic restoration ( body, mechanical,and electrical )they will need to be completly rewired.Both the L&PS and the GRR were 1500 volt systems the museum is 600 volt.In teh days they ran on their home rails there never seemed to be a problem, the lines had heavy enough powerplants to keep everything running,both RR's ahd both freight and passeneger operations running all day long.

1326 does only get out on the Gala days ( due to her age built in 1910 ) and the fact that she was last completely restored in 1956 she's due for some major repairs all underframe stuff that you can't see,and a rewiring as the 1956 restorations need to be restored.But come out on those Gala days and she and 55 and our third car Montreal and Southern Counties 107 and a host of work equipment that normally stay parked come out and strut their stuff.

Shane-Good to see you made it in.Glad you liked the re-run of the of the boat trains,updated with some new photo's as well.

Nick-Thanks for the round <burp> Hopefully you won't have too splitting of a headache tomorrow.

Rob

[nickinwestwales]

Good evening all,greetings from the other side of the big water,leon-beer for the entire company please-must confess,am the worse for wear after tonights show,-could go off on one here about our next show,where I am the only guitarist,but would be wildly off topic and we cant be doing with that......... As it happens have managed some work on the layout -the line into the top station has been slewed across to make room for a carriage siding(at least 7 cars) and still clear of the gasworks spur,the line in has been re-laid with 5` radius turnouts and it all ties in very nicely-pix to follow Just for once I feel like I have got it right....the acid test is yet to come-will keep you all posted.....whoppee-here we go then............ enjoy,

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Bar Chandler Pete came by with another fine offering this PM! Anyway - do appreciate the attentiveness to DUTY - too bad that "feeling" doesn't extend to weekends! <uh oh>

Hmmmmmmm, I think I detected some ‘code' in that <ahem> concert you're going to tonite - methinks it will all wind up in an Irish Pub! Hmmmmm, wonder where that could possibly BE Hmmmmmmm.

Then I LOST "this" Post as 'somehow' it must've wound up competing with Shane's submission - probably both hit the "send" button at the same time - or close 'enuf to awake the Gremlins! <arrrrrrrggggghhhhh> Thank heavens for SAVING while in WP! <phew>

Good to see ya Shane - not to worry, we understand the situation 'n will carry on, as best we can, 'til our <GoR> comes back to full strength!

 

 

 

Okay - since it is Wednesday at the Bar by the Ballast, we've had a "tradition" of sorts of providing some fun with Toy ‘n Model Trains - so, here's a continuation of that idea!

 

 

SIGNS from the Can-Am Train Room - Part One

 

(1)

 

 

(2)

 

 

(3)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(5)

 

 

(6)

 

 

More to follow . . .  next week IF we don't get some more daylite "action" today!

 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[coalminer3]

Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Gas is at $3.97 here.  My apologies for not posting but environmental concerns as I explained to OSP have prevented regular appearances.  Hope to be back at regular spot on Friday.

Allan was in - good to hear from you.

Rob - Nice pictures and a rerun of the boat train article.

Pete - Green Arrow is beautiful!  Next time you are at the library see if they have a copy of Apex of the Atlantics - several pictures in there of PRR stenciling.  Your post hit just as I was about (!@#$ laptop) to send this one.  Will copy your article and read it.

Nick was by with comments.

OSP - Mocking Doves?  If it keeps the neighbors happy, why not?  They are good breeders.  Nice Wabash offering, Grafix classics, and classic covers.  Link and pin - dangerous - missing fingers were a brakeman's badge of occupation. 

I have rec'd. read and responded too e mails - I think.

Work safe

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH to celebrate the slightly cooler weather here.

ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Many thanks for the information on #335. Yes I guess a locomotive like 335 would be a bit hard on the track. Thinking about it brought another thought to mind, when locomotives as powerful as 335 were in normal service would there be a limit to the load they could haul so it did not overload the power supply.

So I guess # 1326 is used mainly on gala days at the museum, I am sure it is very popular on those days.

In Northern England there is a preserved line that connects with the steamers on Lake Windermere, and is very popular combining a boat trip and a ride behind a steam locomotive.

TOM I hope Eric can get his modem fixed soon.

I do enjoy finding railroad bridges and buildings with the name of a fallen flag on them; there is one down Springfield Mo. Way with FRISCO still on it.

Yes that must have been it, seeing the Railroad Man's Magazine at the Barriger Library, I still feel a little when we found the last issues of the Railroad Magazine, which I recall had adverts to the British Railway Magazine in a couple of them.

Wouldn't it be great if the TrainWreck Saloon or Pat's Place was within walking distance of the Barriger Library we could enter there and not be seen for weeks.

Fame at last, I shall have to invent some more words.

 Congratulations you are right with the both parts of the quiz. I must admit I do like the Harry potter films. I have probably told this before, but when we traveling north for the Highland Steam Festival two young ladies were on the train and they were going to the North Yorks Moors Railway where the first Hogwarts Express railway scenes were filmed (the others were on the West Highland line in Scotland) to organize things for the film and they quizzed the two Alans on steam engines.

Enjoyed the Classic Drumheads by the Dozen #7, each railroad with its different style. My favorite today is the very attractive The Hummingbird from the L&N Company.

As it is a bit slow at the bar I thought I would do an encore of named trains.

LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY (LNER)

 The LNER, to my mind had the most varied and some of the best names on British Railways. Of the 5 largest companies that formed the LNER 3 the Great Northern, North Eastern and Great Eastern Railways did not as a rule named their engines whereas the Great Central and the North British did. I will use the BR number for the locos as the LNER numbering/re-numbering would give even Einstein a hard time.

THE PACIFICS.

The A4s Silver Link was the first of the class, which have been called Sir Nigel Gresley's masterpiece. This loco went sent into service working the Silver Jubilee from London to Newcastle in 1935. There were 3 other A4s with the ‘silver' theme. The class also carried names of 4 Commonwealth countries including the preserved ‘Dominion of Canada'. The majority of the rest of the class was named after British wild birds, including the world steam speed record holder ‘Mallard'. Although the 100^th Gresley pacific built carried the name of the designer. Later some of the A4s were re-named for officials of the LNER and Eastern Region, another A4 to receive a new name was Dwight D. Eisenhower, this engine is now preserved in Green Bay WIS.

The A3s. The first loco was named Great Northern; the second was the famous Flying Scotsman. The rest of the class, apart from a few exceptions, were named after successful flat racing ‘classic', e.g. Derby, St Ledger etc, racehorses. One A3 was named for the 100^th year of Donacaster Works where the locos were built, but it was not 60048 Doncaster, which was a horse, but 60056 Centenary.

Out of a class of 78 locos only one is saved, and but for Mr. Alan Peglar, who bought the loco from BR, the most famous of all British locomotives Flying Scotsman, could well have gone to the scrapheap.

P2, A2/2 These were the original Gresley 2-8-2s, which were converted by E. Thompson into Pacifics, they kept their original names, all with a Scottish theme, like Mon's Meg (anyone know what the name commemorates) and Wolf Of Badenoch.

The A2s proper were named after more successful racehorses, including Bachelor's Button and the preserved Blue Peter.

The A1s had 6'8"driving wheels as compared to the 6'2" of the A2s. These locos had a mixed bag of names some ‘bird' names and some characters from the novels of Sir Walter Scott. No 60143 was named after the great author. No A1s were preserved but volunteers, the money mainly raised by railfans, are building a brand new A1. The loco has the next number in the A1 series 60163 and is to be named Tornado. It as just moved under its own power

2-6-2s

The LNER introduced a fast freight service between London and Edinburgh the name given to this service was Green Arrow and the first of a new class of V2s introduced in 1936 was given this name. Only 6 other V2s out of a class of 184 locos were named. I guess to make up for the lack of other engines being named, one V2, No 60835, had a name of no less than 58 letters it was (Deep breath) The Green Howard, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment. In 1955 the loco was shedded at Heaton in Newcastle on Tyne.

The V2s came known as "The Engines that won the War" due to the heavy trains (by British standards) they hauled in WWII.

Green Arrow is preserved and impressed the ex LMS crews when it was returned to the main line in the 1970s especially on the Settle & Carlisle line.

Another 2-6-2 to be named was Gresley'sV4 No 61700 Bantam **** there was just two in the class and it was rumored that Bantam Hen plates were cast for the second loco but I don't believe they were fitted, if they were indeed cast.

4-6-0s

 Some of Thompson's successful mixed traffic class of 409 locos, the B1s, were named after, mainly Scottish, railway officials although the first 40 of the class were named after, well can you guess, from these examples, Puku, Sassaby, and Madoqua. (Didn't the spell-checker love those!) Answer at the end.

Gresley introduced some 3-cylinder 4-6-0s the B17s or ‘Sandringhams' the first engines were named after stately homes in the LNER area with the latter engines of the class being named after football (soccer) clubs. These were most attractive nameplates with a brass football above the name and the lower half of the plate was in the team's colours. They are highly collectable today. I believe after the locos ended service one nameplate off the locos was given to the clubs named.

2-6-0s

 A small class of 6 locos built for the West Highland line, the K4s, were given names linked to the area, one 61994 The Great Marquess has been preserved.

4-4-0s 

For use on lines with a lighter loading gauge, Gresley introduced the D49s they were named after Counties and after Fox Hunts.

Just getting into LNER days was a development of the Great Central Director class D11 which were built for the Scottish loading gauge, these locos carried on from an earlier North British design of 4-4-0s and had names from the Scott novels, to me they are some wonderful names, like Wizard Of The Moor, Laird of Balmawhapple, The Lady Of The Lake, Bailie MacWheeble and Luckie Mucklebackit.

These locos did not have a nameplate; the name was painted on as in N.B. tradition.

Unfortunately the LNER engines have not fared well as regards preservation compared to the other big four engines. One main reason being that only one ex LNER engine made it to the famed Barry Scrapyard that was B1 No 61264, now running main line tours.

The answer to the B1 question was that they were named after antelopes. No doubt the officials were hoping that they would be known as antelopes of after the first B1 No 61000 Springbok but the engine crews took the cue from 61005 and the class was known as ‘Bongo's. One of the named B1s has a U.S. connection 61379 was named Mayflower, sadly this engine was not saved but the name is carried on the other B1 to be Preserved 61306, which was the last B1 in service, it is in LNER apple green livery.

From what I believe is the longest name on the Big Four with that V2 name the LNER also had the shortest with B1 Gnu.   

Well RUTH we are off this evening to see a band from Cork, Ireland tonight in concert at the Linciln Universary here in town, so a round please.

Pete                 

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Our Bar Chandler came thru again for us - albeit rather close to noon! - but came thru nonetheless! <grin>

ALSO: An Email has been sent to our <GoR> this AM! Check your in boxes . . .

Here's one not previously seen at any of our bars . . .

Now Arriving on Track #2

Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #7

(1) KCS Lines

(2) L&N - The Hummingbird

(3) NH - Advance Merchants Limited

(4) NYC - James Whitcomb Riley

(5) Nickel Plate Road

(6) N&W Railway

(7) NP - North Coast Limited <variation>

(8) PRR - Cincinnati Limited

(9) CRI&P <Rock Island> - Oklahoma Rocket

(10) Soo - Spokane-Portland - Train De Luxe

(11) Sou - Crescent-Sunset Limited

(12) SP - Cascade <variation>

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

Enjoy!

Tom

 

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

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

A couple of photos from the Strathspey Railway in the Highlands of Scotland. The locomotive in the first pics is a J.F. McIntosh 1899 design for the Caledonian Railway, an 0-6-0 it was known as class 812 on the CR and classified 3F by the LMS.The loco is in its BR livery carring the BR number 57566 at Boat of Garten.

  

57566 gets ready to leave for Aviemore. The loco was shedded at the port of Ardrossan in 1958.

This was from an earlier visit when the loco was in the attractive Caledonian Blue livery running as their No.828. This is at the SR's Aviemore station.

The Strathspey Railway now runs in to a platform at the BR Aviemore station on the Perth to Inverness main line. Here is another of the SR fleet Austerity 0-6-0ST No 9.

.

Back later

Pete.