QUOTE: trolleyboyPosted: 25 May 2005, 10:19:01 A quick good morning all as I'm shortly out the door to work Passengerfan Glad you liked the shots ,you will be happy to know that small Whitt 2766 is back on the rails of TO(charters only) allot of restoration work a fair bit of it by us at the museum,she got an entire new steal floor so should now last another 80+ years.They keep two 4500 sereies PCC's for excursion work as well/ I'm posting a shot of 2766,4500 and our museums open car 327. This is on the coner of Queen&Bay for the 85th birthday parade of the TTC we lent them 327 for the day and she lead the parade of classic streetcars CLRV"S,ALRV's and buses. the usual speaches afterwards, etc , etc , etc. Have a good afternoon everyone. Rob
QUOTE: wrwatkinsPosted: 25 May 2005, 13:19:25 Just stopping in for a quick one and to spin a few more tales. Have visited Toronto while attending an APTA/CUTA/UIPT joint convention. As many of yo know Toronto has an extensive street car system. I did not see any PCC cars, bud did ride on several of the "modern" versions of the PCC. Even saw a couple Grand Unions that encompass 16 switches and 16 diamonds. These are really rare today. The highlight of our trip to Toronto was an excursion on the GO Transit green and white bilevels to Niagra Falls. We were on a 16 car train which had no problem loading in Toronto. Niagra Falls was a different story. The station there is a small country type of station that is in excellent repair (*AMTRAK pay attention). With the small station platforms the whole train could not be unloaded at once. It was done in groups of four cars with the train jogging between unloading groups. We were in the last set of cars and when I got off I scalled the train. The engine and the first three coaches were across the international bridge and in the United States. The Bombardier cars are as ugly as can be, but they do haul the people (160). The Trinity Railway Express, which I was on the advisory committee for several years, has several. Most were bought from GO Transit and rebuilt. The cab cars were bought new from Bombardier. The PCC cars from Toronto Transit have a soft place in my heart. I am also on the exec committee of McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA), a 5 mile vintage trolley line on guess which street. We bought two of the TTC PCC cars and are storing them at DART's light rail service and inspection facility. As money becomes available they are slowly being rehabbed. We did have them regauged to 4'-8 1/2" track. We do not have them in service as MATA is a stub end line on one end without any way to turn the cars. The PCCs do not doo too well running in reverse for long distances. The other end of the trolley line circles a block and is ready for PCC service. We are working with the city to extend the line to the Arts District and have a loop to reverse the cars. All it takes is money and lots of booze after a meeting with the city fathers. I found out the meaning of the three martini lunch although i tend to hold off until I am home.
QUOTE: nickinwestwalesPosted: 25 May 2005, 19:16:04 Hey,Boss-just stopped in to do the `order` for the wet fish for ` Fish & Chip night at Our Plaice`,a shameless promotion.I`ll take a bottle whilst I`m here,yourself obviously,small glass for Boris,and better keep the Crown Royal handy for when the rest of them stumble in, -just spoken to the fish man and he can do us a deal on some Skate wings I can do in black or brown butter sauce for a "nicks picks" special,plus the butcher had a line on some veal for some authentic schnitzels,if politically correct, Have arranged with Boris that he will do the bar meals on friday whilst I cook for Ted & Ruthie,----Hoping that Chris might let Anne off of his motorcycle long enough to sit and eat as well sometime....... Well,I`m feeling very pleased with myself--intensive burst of applied energy=2 sq yds of baseboard scenicked to "just needs people,barrels & clutter"stage of development also bass player from band came to call and was "blown away" by layout,having not seen it before,sometimes life is good................................nick
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
QUOTE: Ted D. Kramer Posted: 26 May 2005, 05:01:10 Esteemed colleagues, Mesdemoiselles, please accept my profound apologies for such an unaccoutable lapse in communication. I pray you will grant me your kind indulgences when you are apprised of a situation I hoped would never need explanation. The frivolous mention of a "summer cold," (my last post) was a shallow "smoke screen" for events taking a far more serious direction. Yesterday, imperative surgery on my right hand was performed at Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center (St. Pete, Fl) due to an accident back in 1996. Complications arose in glacier like movement to a "second" biopsy on the index finger of my right hand. This time, the results were positive for malanoma and it was neccessary to amputate the entire appendage. This drastic surgery is made with the hope of preventing any farther spread of cancer beyond. I am as much distressed bringing you this intelligence as taking the loss myself. I will be following the events and misadventures of "Our" Place with the same dedication as before, but to my regret, with less participation . Just in a five day absence, there are far too many posts for commentary which actually may be just as well. The Hydrocodone Rx has reduced my already Jello like cerebral capabilities to that of a "loose" omelette (sorry for the inane analogy Nick). And yes Nick, please forge ahead, with the dining arrangements for Rob and Spouse instead. Ruthy understands and is ameanable to the change. Alas, that the former part of this missle were cyber and the latter of substance. Any rate, I am working on a quick adjustment for future, more frequent, participation. Until then Tom, a round for the house please and a "night cap" for Boris before he repairs to the shed for whatever evening formalities he may fancy. Nick, I had considered Wendy's chili but my culinary sensibilities forbid it. All in the bonds, I bid you "happy rails."
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 25 May 2005, 20:10:19 Hey Rob - forgot to tell you, but I checked out your photo album. Very nice! Pretty good diversity of shots ...... For the guys who don't know how to access these photo sites - here's the easy way: When you see a photo on these forums that you are interested in, "right click" it - then "click" on "properties" - that will provide a URL - copy it and paste it on the address portion of your browser. That's it ....... Rob's album may be viewed at: http://www.railimages.com/albums/robertaustin See y'all! Tom
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 25 May 2005, 20:26:46 Tom-will go look for Ted first,lets hope He`s just got locked in the shed again.....will get straight back to you,nick
QUOTE: Fergmiester Posted: 25 May 2005, 20:42:04 OK since I'm new here I guess I'll be buying How about "PinK Ladies" for everyone! Not much on the go Nick invited me so now your stuck with me. I'll be getting off the ship tomorrow for the month so hopefully the weather will warm up and I'll get some gardening in! So some of your photos of the trip Si, very impressive! Anyway it will be a busy trip tomorrow so I'm going to hit the road or as they say in Quebec Frappe le rue Later Gents Fergie
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 25 May 2005, 20:48:53 Message posted,reply awaited---bed time here,over to you, nick
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 25 May 2005, 22:33:55 Good evening everyone. *** I'm glad that TO's PCC's are still out and about. It's not suprising that you didn,t see any when you were on your trip. The TTC has only two left and they are used for excursions only.If you get a group together (20 or more) Phone TTC and you can charter away the whole system is available so long as there is no construction. You can charter their one remaining Whitt (2766) as well but you need a large group as it cannot be on the system by itself. This is a sore point for Trolley fansbut it's a red tape thing. Because the Whitt is an air brake only car it must be lead and tailed by a car equiped with electric track brakes so either the PCC's or a CLRV ahead and behind. Anyway you slice it you need to have enough bodies to fill three cars and enough money to charter three and pay three operators. On a happier note our museum has something like a dozen ex TTC PCC's on property of all sub types and classes as well as a raft of parts. E-mail the museum if you guy's need parts or repair suggestions and help our shop guys are miracle workers. We have people regularly helping out Delson in PQ and the TTC if their Whitt needs attention. Were here to help. Tom Thanks for the photo thumbs up, it's a nice ego boost.I e-mailed Ted last week as well and haven't got a response yet so I'm a biy worried about him myself,hopefully he's not too i'll or indisposed. Passenger Al Here's another museum whitt shot for you. Good night folks Rob
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 26 May 2005, 08:30:32 SPECIAL to TED QUOTE: Ted D. Kramer Posted: 26 May 2005, 05:01:10 Esteemed colleagues, Mesdemoiselles, please accept my profound apologies for such an unaccoutable lapse in communication. I pray you will grant me your kind indulgences when you are apprised of a situation I hoped would never need explanation. The frivolous mention of a "summer cold," (my last post) was a shallow "smoke screen" for events taking a far more serious direction. Yesterday, imperative surgery on my right hand was performed at Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center (St. Pete, Fl) due to an accident back in 1996. Complications arose in glacier like movement to a "second" biopsy on the index finger of my right hand. This time, the results were positive for malanoma and it was neccessary to amputate the entire appendage. This drastic surgery is made with the hope of preventing any farther spread of cancer beyond. I am as much distressed bringing you this intelligence as taking the loss myself. I will be following the events and misadventures of "Our" Place with the same dedication as before, but to my regret, with less participation . Just in a five day absence, there are far too many posts for commentary which actually may be just as well. The Hydrocodone Rx has reduced my already Jello like cerebral capabilities to that of a "loose" omelette (sorry for the inane analogy Nick). And yes Nick, please forge ahead, with the dining arrangements for Rob and Spouse instead. Ruthy understands and is ameanable to the change. Alas, that the former part of this missle were cyber and the latter of substance. Any rate, I am working on a quick adjustment for future, more frequent, participation. Until then Tom, a round for the house please and a "night cap" for Boris before he repairs to the shed for whatever evening formalities he may fancy. Nick, I had considered Wendy's chili but my culinary sensibilities forbid it. All in the bonds, I bid you "happy rails." ========================================= Welcome back Ted .... Here's to a speedy recovery and an adjustment that will have you back at the keyboard real soon and often - Cheers! As you can tell, many of your friends at "Our" Place missed you. Undoubtedly, Boris is happy - he's even changed over to a cleaner dirty white apron, just for you! Take your time with the catching up, and of course it isn't necessary to respond to each and every "one liner" or message of substance. Stick around this place long enough, and some of those things will resurface. That's just the way it is in our cyber bar 'n grill! By the way, that stool - right over there, is YOURS from this point on, as a token of our appreciation for your patronage! See ya! Tom
QUOTE: JimRCGMOPosted: 26 May 2005, 10:33:46 Good morning, Tom - decided I needed to pop in for a quick one before running my errands (which are before I go to work today at 1...). I'm not wild about beer, but if you have wine, I'll have a port - or if you don't, give me a run and Coke! Didn't get through all the posts so it may be already decided, but my vote would be for place #1, just because I'm from the Midwest (Missouri), and that place, with the wide porches, looks more like Midwest to me. Well, I'll try to make it back in later. BTW, my layout is freelance (fictional), in the late 1950's, connecting Cortez, CO and Shiprock, NM (and connects to D&RGW at Farmington, NM) and from there through the Chuska Mountains and down sort of paralleling the Navajo Reservation Road 191 southward until it connects to the (AT&SF) Santa Fe in Holbrook, AZ. Just starting on two 2'X4' modules which will later be part of a layout when I have a more permanent place than my apartment. Blessings, Jim in Cape Girardeau
QUOTE: wrwatkins Posted: 26 May 2005, 11:30:06 God mornin Y'all. That's Texan, my adopted state. I will partake of the light breakfast and sip on the French Blend coffee. Save the good stuff until later. Tom- Our trip is all together. We plan to stay two mights in each of the following: Halifax, Sydney, Sackville, and Charlottetown. Are their any trains today on PEI? Since we have a few juice freaks on board (me included) I thought I would spin a yarn about MATA. Mata has five operating trolley cars, the two PCCs, a charter dining car under restoration, and a few basket cases awaiting restoration. See our web page for all of the gory details. Do a search for McKinney Avenue Transit Authority as there are about 5 sites. There used to be a free trolley in Fort Worth. It originally was built by Leonard's Department store to carry shoppers from the parking lot to their store. The line was about 1/2 mile long. Leonards are out of business, and Tandy Corp (Radio Shack) has their corporate offices at the site of the Leonards store and ran the trolley for workers and tennants in Tandy Center. Unfortunately Tandy decided to build a larger office building on the parking lot so the trolley was shut down. The trolleys were former PCC cars which Tandy "modernized" to look like new boxy equipment including two headlights. Controls were at each end as the Tandy line was stub at both ends. Fortunately they were air conditioned. It tends to get a little hot in Texas during the summer. Tandy had 3-4 of the "modernized" PCCs. I do not know the exact number. When they shut down we bought one of the trolleys plus a wealth of parts for them. We wanted to buy more, but the rivalry between Dallas and Fort Worth only let us buy one. We upgraded several items on the cars and reverted to the single headlight. We still kept the box like shape as parts were not available to revert to the PCC design. We call her Winny, as she looks like a Winnabago. Not true vintage, but air conditioned and has rubber inserts in the wheels for a smoother quieter ride. ***
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 26 May 2005, 13:36:10 QUOTE: JimRCGMO Posted: 26 May 2005, 10:33:46 Good morning, Tom - decided I needed to pop in for a quick one before running my errands (which are before I go to work today at 1...). I'm not wild about beer, but if you have wine, I'll have a port - or if you don't, give me a run and Coke! Didn't get through all the posts so it may be already decided, but my vote would be for place #1, just because I'm from the Midwest (Missouri), and that place, with the wide porches, looks more like Midwest to me. Well, I'll try to make it back in later. BTW, my layout is freelance (fictional), in the late 1950's, connecting Cortez, CO and Shiprock, NM (and connects to D&RGW at Farmington, NM) and from there through the Chuska Mountains and down sort of paralleling the Navajo Reservation Road 191 southward until it connects to the (AT&SF) Santa Fe in Holbrook, AZ. Just starting on two 2'X4' modules which will later be part of a layout when I have a more permanent place than my apartment. Blessings, Jim in Cape Girardeau ===================================== Is it REALLY Cape Jim? to "Our" Place - and the first drink (port) is on the house ...... Thanx for your vote - however - it closed in mid-April. Place #1 was the runaway winner - it was unanimous - you have good taste! "Our" Place is for rail enthusiasts to talk about the "classic" trains that they've traveled aboard or simply know about. Not that we have a prohibition regarding model railroaders - we don't - but the gist is to keep on track with the "classics" - real OR model. How's that for a compromise? I should mention to those of you who haven't done so, take a browse through "The Coffee Shop" over on the Model Railroads forum - some great interaction goes on over there as well as some helpful info and pictures. It's easy to get "lost" in time at the "Shop." Thanx for the visit and I hope we see you 'round here soon ........ Tom (Siberianmo)
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 26 May 2005, 15:21:41 Hello to all of you. Sorry for having been away so long. A cup of that black coffee for me...s'il vous plait. I've been busy at work and my 6 years old engineer, (named Thomas!) had high fever and was sick for a few days. I got him a Bachman Hogwart Express with 2 passenger cars ( a classic???) and he has been busy since then, switching with "Thomas, James, Annie and Clarabel", (hi, Nick!) BTW, my 51st birthday, this year, will be celebrated on july the 25 th. As for "Classic trains", I have tried for weeks now to gather a good story or anecdote to tell you guys, but, unfortunately, in my youth I didn't travel much at all and the steam era was over by the time I was 4! I can remember tramways and trolley buses but that's it! I do enjoy the stories that this learned congregation of Our Place's patrons deliver from time to time I was raised near a CP yard and saw many classic paint schemes and Alco and MLW locos run by me playing near the tracks. I have to run now. I'll be back tonight to drive lil' Annie home... Chris, stuck in a rainy north country...
QUOTE: wrwatkins Posted: 26 May 2005, 15:56:0923 Good afternoon guys. I will skip on the lunch fare and just have a cup of java. Just got back from the monthly board meeting of MATA. We are minutes away from getting all of the approvals in line for our extension along the Nasher Sculpture Garden (well worth visiting) ending at the Pearl Street light rail station. Exciting days lie ahead. I would like to correct a couple facts I mentioned earlier. The Tandy company had 6 operatable "modernized" PCC cars in Fort Worth. In addition to the three basket cases we have stored outside (unfortunately) we have our Carpenter car (so named because John Carpenter, former chairman of TU Electric donated it to us) being rebuilt in Tampa by Edwards Car Co. Total cost ex air conditioning and trucks is $196,000. We are into phase three with an additional $40,000 being required for Edwards to finish it. (Donations are always welcome) We did not send the trucks (heavy) as we rehabbed them in house. The air conditioning we can install cheaper than Edwards. This car should be operational about February. That will give us 6 operational vintage cars in service. The vintage 1910 cars are essentially built of cast iron like a battleship. When we have an altercation with an auto the auto ALWAYS looses, both physically and legally. These vintage cars rarely fail in service. Talking with our compatriots with San Francisco Muni they say the vintage cars on the F Line have far fewer problems than the new modern all electronic cars. Maybe Brill and Niles knew somethng that died off when the closed up shop. ***
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 26 May 2005, 18:58:31 Hey Tom,best have a quick one to wet the whistle before the evening rush,batter is mixed and `resting`,fish is washed & ready to flour,chips are blanched, Boris is in the shed under restraint,all systems go........... On a more serious note,may I add my voice to the chorus raising a glass and wishing TED a speedy and complete recovery (will send you a message off-forum r.e our take out catering & some other stuff that might be useful) -You`d better get back here soon,that Jamaican Blue Mountain I ordered in to go with your Crown Royal is getting raided daily by Tom and the girls,get well soon my friend. O.K-trains,shoot me down if this is old hat,but how about "slowest so-called express train I ever got stuck on"-any takers...? I believe Britains entrant is the long discontinued Cambrian Coast Express,which in its latter days was formed of two 3-car Metro-Cammell sets {R.D.C`s } running between Newtown & Aberystwyth/Pwlhelli in Mid Wales which averaged 29.5 M.P.H over the run.....still,those units had huge picture windows so you could see everything around and best of all,glazed partitions to the Drivers compartment so you could look over his shoulder at the road ahead ..a nice ride if you`re not in a hurry. nice to see Cape Jim & Fergie stopping in earlier,maybe they`ll be back for supper...?, right, the specials are the Skate wings,poached Lemon Sole or grilled Red Snapper plus all the usual stuff,there are a couple of crates of mixed British ales under the bar by your right foot that may move well as an accompaniment,right off to the kitchen,lets get those orders rolling..........nick
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 26 May 2005, 22:52:09 Good evening patrons. Nick if it's still available I'll partake of the red snapper and a Guiness. Ted Here's to a quick and complete recovery my friend, thanks for the offer of Nick's dinner,your goodself and Ruthie are more than welcome to partake with us, we can put it off to a later date once you are feeling better. *** You are so right about the older equipment, simple strait electric motors and parts just keep giving and it's suprising how few things really wear out. In our museums case we don't have to worry about automotive interaction both loops and all the yards and mainline are enclosed in our property(insurance is much cheaper this way,not that it is cheap!) I've a speacial spot in my heart for Niles products they were well built but not completly indfadigable.It's a must to have your cars even the basket cases under cover sun and weather are murder on the metal and paint.Your climate isn't quite as harsh but the sooner you get them indoors the better. We had one niles product a former Toronto Civic line(one of the TTC predisessors) a 200 series what was refered to as a weston road car. We had to scrap it unfortunatly about ten years ago it was beyond reasonable restoration. It would have been a complete remanufacture using the original as a template beyond our skills and resources. Due to the roadsalt use in TO. Even some of our PCC's require continuous body work to reverse the salt erosion on their bodies and frames. I'm assuming that your group is a non-profit charity type group like ourselves. In our case all volunteer, major capital expences have to be raised through donation.some grants are available but governments make us jump through hoops for them and when we get them they usually have stipulations as to what type of "work" they can be used for. One good one we get every summer allows us to hire three or four students to run the giftshop,do grounds work and do some tour guide work. Currently our big push is to get our final car barn #4 built. When complete all of our outside stored cars can finally have a warm dry home. estimates are $325,000 to errect, we are about 2/3 rds of the way there so in our cases all donations are gladly excepted as well. If you are a canadian citizen all monies donated are tax deduction claimable as we are a registered charity.We're hoping to begin construction late summer or early fall on the Beck building,so wish us luck. Well gents i'm off for now all talk to you all tomorrow. Ted remember we are pulling for you stiff upper lip and all that,seriously don't be affraid to confide in us, we are here to support you. Rob
QUOTE: Ted D. Kramer Posted: 27 May 2005, 06:17:03 At the risk of my lapsing into mountainous waves of self-pity, may I just say thank you so much for your kind best wishes. It means a lot. I'll do my best to check in from time to time and rest assured that I am following "Our" Place with the same zeal as ever. My attendance may be spare but enthusiasm will remain stedfast. One question I have for ***, Rob and our other "juice freaks:" Is it the Hydrocodone or is my sieve like memory for a shuttle street car running from Nieman-Markus parking lot (downtown Dallas) to the main building a true "blast from the past?" While in the traction mode, if anyone would like data on the double truck Bernie Clones here in Tampa, I will be happy to send along what I have. Hey, sorry I can't join in with a "Royal" and Jamaican Blue! You can well appreciate what halucinations might ensue in tandem with these "La La Land" potions already present in what's left of this physiological "train wreck." Thank you again, until next time. Happy rails, Ted
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 27 May 2005, 07:20:38 Tom Just a quick coffee and short conversation and i'll be on my way. Big Plans for the memorial day weekend Will be checking out the former Northwestern Pacific all the way to Eureka at least and maybe to the end of line. It will depend on all of those other drivers on the highways this busy weekend.. Let's not forget what Memorial day is really all about and I don't mean the Indy 500. To all the families of those who gave their lives in past wars and conflicts, Thank You! To all of the veterans who will remember their fallen comrades in arms this weekend I will join you in a toast. It seems like we all knew or lost special friends in places spread around the world. And let us not forget great leaders who made America strong and emerge as the only remaining Super Power, particularly the late great President Ronald Reagan. Memorial day means many things to many people . Thanks for letting me share with you my thoughts this morning at the beginning of Memorial Day 2005. Thx Al
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 26 May 2005, 15:21:41 ..... BTW, my 51st birthday, this year, will be celebrated on july the 25 th. ...... Chris, stuck in a rainy north country...
QUOTE: CFournier 27 May 2005, 09:46:46 ..... Tom, up there on this page I said 25th of july...no answer? Chris in the cloudy North
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter