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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 14, 2006 12:58 PM
Good Afternoon!

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!

More on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) of the Fallen Flags from The Official Guide of the Railways - Aug 1956 FIRST POSTED ON PAGE 127


B&O DIESEL-ELECTRIC FEATURE TRAINS

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

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

THE AMBASSADOR
Between Detroit, Washington and Baltimore

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

STRATA-DOME CARS*
On 3 Fine Trains

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

(* In service between Chicago and Washington)

Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by LoveDomes on Saturday, January 14, 2006 2:04 PM
Hello Tom and guys at the bar!

Not much happening today around here, but from what I have gathered, most Saturdays are rather quiet.

Dropped off a photo spread over at your other thread, but not to worry, I will repeat them here tomorrow for your Photo Posting Sunday event.

How about a cool one, make it a Knickerbocker in a bottle! Nothing to eat right now, thanks.

Caught the comments from the guys, Rob, Nick and Doug and I thank you for the welcome. This place is a respite from the outside world and also quite different in many aspects fromt those so-called open-forums. Back some time ago there was an effort underway to get the Kalmbach people to squa***he coffee shops, etc. Have no idea what the "decision makers" discussed, but I see they all continue on. Seems to me that if the guys are engaged in healthy dialogue, what's the compaint over stucture? We all have the option to check in or out, or even go elsewhere in the cyber void to find another place to roost.

I like that "Three Horsemen" reference - Siberianmo - BudKarr and LoveDomes - ride again![swg] Somehow, my cyber handle doesn't strike fear into the hearts of very many - if anyone![:I]

Your idea to submit the "oldies but goodies" makes sense. Too many times the pages are much too full of information for digesting in one sitting. Therefore, things get missed. Having an opportunity for a second shot benefits all. I can dig it![tup]

On the subject of model railroads: I have listed it as a hobby, but I am far from active. There are so many boxes of what used to be down in the basement and up in the attic that it would take me quite a bit of time just to sort through what I have. One day I will. Spending time around here will provide the impetus I would suspect.[swg]

Let me see, there is a Lionel O-27 freight set from back in the early 50's and another from later on. Both are powered by steam locos, a Hudson and a Berkshire if I recall. Loads of track, switches and accessories all just waiting to be played with again.

There is a Gilbert American Flyer passenger set that was given to me from someone who purchased it new. Ran great and looked even better - Santa Fe cars and Alco diesels. Also a freight set that I found some years later for a pike I never built. As with you, Tom, I really like the scale of S - just the right size. Some guy offered me a couple of grand for the two - sight unseen. Not for sale. If I do anything with them, it will be to pass them along in the family. Problem is finding someone with the interest in trains. What's that you say about CHANGE, Tom?

Doug I really got into those two letters you provided from the Railway Conductor today and a few days back. Really good stuff and very, very thought provoking indeed. There is railroading in my family - B&O first then on to the SIRT as motormen for the electrified trains that ran the Island years ago. Heard stories of guys getting zapped for keeps because of the 3rd rail and insufficient protection, warning or training. One of the hazards of the trade is the way it was put. Safety first surely is something I have a great deal of respect for. Spent too many hours aboard ship in heaving seas not to understand what that means!

I am still playing the game of catch up with the pages and am actually reading them as I go. I see those first iterations of your summaries were really labor intensive efforts. Good decision to change the format and of course save yourself the time and effort.

Hey Al I caught your comment about the photos, but must yield to the wishes of the Properietor in these matters. Check out his other thread though - you may find them of interest![swg]

Here's a ten spot for a round on me! Anything left over, chuck it into the Lars Box for whatever the next shindig around here will be.[tup]

Enjoy the weekend folks!

Lars
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Posted by West Coast S on Saturday, January 14, 2006 4:10 PM
Afternoon Tom and the gang, got the duty today, non-alcoholic Mentor Ale if you please.

OK where was I? Oh yeh....

Tom.. Those SP passenger specials were a fascanating side show to the norm. Exotic steam power such as GS1's,GS8's MT Class were released from their usual duties to handle the crush of trains, often running in mutliple sections. I have reviewed extensive footage of Boy Scout Specials and the equiptment is truly a hodge-podge of pedigree from the days of heavyweight construction. These specials gained signifience as steam retreated in the fifties, often the only steam on a given district was what ran through on specials, the early diesels got into the duty too, one recorded case involved Baldwin AS616's escaping from helper duty to head a Boy Scout Special out of Dumsmir in 1952,a C-8 consoldation from the logging local pool at Weed was supplied for train heat capability, no other power being available at the time and a most unique power pool thus came to be.

Wanswheel...Your'e atlas does not decieve you, Winnamucca is the nearest metropolis forty two miles away, we do have the Montello Mini-Market and Gas station for those emergencies, hold onto your wallet however, we do have a great watering hole, I suspect some of the local characters could give Boris a run for his money!! Though, i'm curious enough to investigate the inner workings of my neighbors!! If you like solituded, it's for you...

Rob.. In answer to your query...They were full celestory,with stained glass inserts, open sided except for the operator's compartment, some roads equipped such designs with canvas weather breaks, due to the mild climate i've found no evidence of such accesories.

They were equipped orginally with benches running the length of the carbody for side viewing by the passengers and ornate mesh grating was applied for a semblence of fall protection, they were unique among very few in that standard PE red never graced their flanks, being finished in a highly varnished wine red and maintained as such until downgraded to the maintaince of way fleet, were they emerged in Box Car Red, stripped of benches and sometimes the celestory roofs, in this manner they served as line cars, overhead wire maintaince and one explample lost most of the body for a derrick conversion. As far as my info goes they appear to be a one off design, as I previously stated, one toiled in virtual built configuration as the Torrance Shop switcher until the eleven acre facality was shuttured in 1953, despite the preservation attempts of many, the Jigger was not saved for future generations to enjoy.

Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 14, 2006 4:52 PM
G'day Gents,

Can't seem to "get into" today's NFL game - Seattle & Washington - just not doing much for my interest. Nice to watch the games on our 3 large screen TV's, though![tup]

Just a couple of guys this afternoon - Lars and Dave - good to see you both! Thanx for the round, Lars! There's plenty of extra cash going into that "Lars Box" you mentioned.[tup]

Spent a bit of time preparing some pix for Sunday Photo Posting Day! and trying to get a "leg up" on that aspect of it. Not planning on being 'round very much tomorrow - day off, dontchano![swg]

Dave Best I can recall from my 1953 BSA trip to the Jamboree in Santa Ana is all the motive power was diesel. I know that I'd recall steam locos. Can't tell you which roads provided what, though. I suppose somewhere "out there" that info is available - what isn't[?]

Dave - don't take this wrong - but it "sounds" like you are a page or two "off." No sweat - still good to have you stop in![tup]

Lars Those trains from your youth are "cyring" for attention! Get 'em set up, man - what's the point of waiting 'til the 'morrow[?][swg] Sounds as if you have quite enough stuff to put together a couple of nice layouts.

Do you recall the Lionel exhibit and the American Flyer 'storefront' layouts in Manhattan back in the 50s[?] I spent many a Saturday browsing through those two places and wishing - wishing - wishing.[swg] My limirted library of pix from my youth holds several black & white shots of each (Brownie Hawkeye camera, remember those[?]). Good memories.

Okay, 'nuf for now.

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by West Coast S on Saturday, January 14, 2006 5:22 PM
Hello again Tom, No offense taken, must dispense with the prior days business before proceeding to the current, good batch of Mentor Ale, hats off to the yeagermister this afternoon!! Great coverage of those Budd domes, a truly attractive design if ever there was one, shame they don't build them like that anymore, shame nothing is done the way it used to be .

Rob..There was a story several years ago that made the local papers of a long thought extinct PE 850 class being discovered in a city warehouse, shorne of running gear and interior, neverless, the only survivng 850 class. Seems that city officials purchased the car upon the PE ceasing passenger operation, the intention was to mount the body on a trailer so it could be used for parades and similar civic functions, this was not done and the car languished forgotten until the city cleared the warehouse prior to demolition. Restored to as built condition by a dedicated group of volunteers and no doubt a hidden stash of well perserved parts and a dose of city money it now operates on the restored 1.5 mile PE line in San Pedro.

Tom, I'm not suprised that diesels were the power, by the time of your trip, steam operations into Southern california were becoming a rare event, hordes of F7s removed steam virtually overnight in 1952 and had assumed complete command by 1955. Santa Fe and Union Pacific also moved Boyscout Specials, UP dieselized in 1949 and Santa Fe by 1953. I'm sure the info as to special movements of all types is out there, what a interesting research project this would be for the so inclined....

CM3 keep yourself well. What a rough two weeks you have just overcome, As usual excellent thought provoking writings and non par with the coal article.


Well gotta run,,Capt. somebody wants me and what did that quartermaster want? Business before pleasure as they say

I'll front a round for the house to be used as needed and of variety requested and of copious quanity needed.
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 14, 2006 7:05 PM
At last, a period of time I can call my own.[:D] Yes Tom, a Crown and soda w/lime twist sounds intoxicatingly delicious. Please pour your favorite, on me. Don't you dare Boris!!! Thanks for the mail, it certainly is reassuring to be able to participate and contribute in a more complete manner, even vicariously.[tup] I'm sure you know I'm still not "caught up" with previous posts just yet. I will have to "wing it" until all of the links and URLs offered have been examined for comment. Mike, "Bix is my main man" for the era in which he performed Jazz Trumpet/Cornet. His is a tragic tale as so often is the case among "trend setting" young musicians of that genre, a terrible shame.[V] Those URLs on street R.R.ing is a "winnah" for sure. Yes, I too can recall seeing those fiery beasties lumbering down the middle of crowded streets and avenues. Baltimore's Water Front (present site of Harbor Place) was active with shifting freight to and from the warehouse district, nothing on the scale of New York's 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th avenues , however. Throughout the "Old South," mainline service may be seen smack in the middle of downtown business areas. It makes for a rather "rude awakening" for drivers unaccustomed to such R.R. practices.[:O] I made a sojourn to the "Old Sod" for 2 weeks in 2002, waneswheel. I thouroughly enjoyed the unique stamp of Erin's Isle R.R.s. The weather was mostly favorable and sunny (June) though this was not consistent among the Locals in Old Dublin Towne. Rural Ireland is a toal delight, especially around Galway and Cobh.[2c] Earlydiesels, thanks again for the book, it is getting interesting 'bout now.[tup] Nick, once again I'm a day late and a quid short for enjoying the sumptuous "bill of fare" from your kitchens, my humble appologies.

Lars, the CA Zephyr never looked better than in the shot partially shrouded in steam awaiting departure. All of the pix are a "feast for the eyes." BTW, the panorama photo of passenger yards looks suspiciously like N.Y. City environs, could that be? Seaboard cars would not be out of place there, right? Rob and Tom, thanks for the "vote of confidence" on adhering to "what flicks your switch." While I respect all efforts modelers engage in, the uneasy (and unsolicited) stress brought forward by, perhaps, well meaning "purists" in the Hobby is a "turn off" for moi. Great info. again Rob and its always better the second time 'round.[^] Gadfrey, H & H running amoke again? Hope the Gazette doesn't "get wind" of this latest "gag a maggot" sort of ***.[tdn] We have a reputation to uphold hereabouts, don't chya know.[:-^] Hey, between your remuneration of "Blues" to Tom and those I feel obliged to "spring for," we may never leave the Pearson Field lounge.[:O] That first "meet up" evening has all the "earmarks" of a 4 Alka Seltzer morrow.[}:)] Doug, yes I think the oratory from the previous O.R.C. was eloquent and heart felt coming from a fine "polished" gentleman who presented his "case" as well as any professional "man of words." My Grandfather (rest his soul) would write letters with nary a punctuation mark to be found. They are still among my most cherished letters from the past. I haven't read this latest post but will a.s.a.p. Thanks for sharing them with us.[tup] Okay Boris, ring old 101 whilst I savage this Del Monico au jus, button mushrooms and baked, stuffed Idaho please. BWANG.G.G You are too good for this place Boris, so what's keeping you here?[alien] Happy rails.
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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 14, 2006 7:16 PM
Evenin! Gents!

Ah, the return of West Coast S Dave! And a round with unlimited quantity, if I interpret your comments correctly![wow][yeah][tup]<whataguy!>

A word of advice - the stuff you are calling for, Mentor Ale is something rather new and connected with Vito's Brewery & Cement Works. So, I'd recommend a return to the more "traditional" and well known brands. As you know, we stock 'em all, with the only exception being "micro brews." The latter is much too hard to arrange delivery in the quantities needed 'round here.

I'll tell ya this, and perhaps its only because I'm OLD - but, it sure does seem to me that "things" manufactured today do not and cannot meaure up to the quality and longevity of decades past. [yeah] I know that is what we've all heard from our parents and grandparents over the years, but it just seems rather evident to me. Look at the auto industry for cripes sake. America is about to see a foundation block pulled out with the demise of GM. Look at things like toasters. I recall my mother using a toaster that her mother used and it was still in use when I left home in 1955! My 1953 Studebaker Champion got better gas mileage than many of today's vehicles and it was made to withstand a hulluva lot more than the cars of today can. The Lionel trains, like I had as a kid in the 1940s, are not only still running and in high demand, they can't be matched in terms of quality. There are still commissioned vessels in the USCG and Navy with keel laying dates going back to those times. Yet, newer vessels have been laid up with much shorter lifesspans. And the beat goes on. So, when you comment about those wonderfull Budd domes and passeanger cars, you are right on![tup][tup]

Hello Ted, you snuck that Post in on me, so it's time to "edit" and ensure that you receive proper acknowledgment![swg]

Your Email has been received and all is "Go" for tomorrow's pix posting![tup]

The more talk about our Rendezvous in Toronto the more anxious I get![tup] A friend of mine posed a question of me, "Why would a bunch of guys who consider themselves train nuts, go to a train nut convention by any means other than by train?" A legitimate question, wouldn't you agree[?] Of course, when factoring in all of the real-world considerations, incluiding costs, the answer is rather obvious. But I surely wi***hat rail travel either to or from was included in the itinerary. Perahps for the 2nd Annual Rendezvous! (unless of course it happens to be in St. Louis)

That photo of the obs dome sitting in steam inside the terminal really "flicked by switch" big time. Makes me want to climb aboard - right now!

Appreciate your stopping by and thanx for the drink![tup]

Time to settle in for the New England - Denver NFL game. Not suprised at the outcome out in Seattle, but the 'Skins surely could've pulled out a surprise, if only .......

Leon the Night Man has the bar! I'm watching football.

See y'all on Monday - and don't forget - Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by West Coast S on Saturday, January 14, 2006 7:36 PM
Ok tom that explains it..I thought that ale had a dusty aftertaste, might be usefull for repairing that failing brick planter box in the front yard the wife keeps harping about!!

Agree on your observation on sticking with the more usual fare. Nuff said, enjoy the game and the rounds, come one, come all.

Until next week

Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 14, 2006 10:54 PM
Evening Tom, do you carry such a thing as Mentor Meade? If not, I'll have a Killians Red, and allow me to buy a round. Your dome URL, which was a good one, also led me to some interesting info on the RPO! Enjoyed your CP 1965 add, NY New Haven, B&O, and SP Encore, then wouldn't you know it ...Al provides the consist information on the SP! Very impressive. BTW, hope you're doing better, and same for Rus.

OK Mike, I caught that sentence that suggested that I had something to do with a steam loco getting pushed into the river. How'd you know?

Ted, one thing I wi***hese guys would do in the O.R.C. letters is to give definitions for the slang terms and railroad related references used, to assist learning impaired people such as myself. What is "Rule G" for example?

Great to hear from you Lars. These O.R.C. letters are getting a nice response, and I thank you for yours. I've got several issues of "Railroad Stories" from the 30's and 40's on the way to me, which I am hoping will be filled with interesting and factual information that may be of interest to ya'll.

I had prepared several pics and information about railroad depots for my Sunday pix, but the material came 100% from a book, so I don't think I should use it. So instead, I managed to put together random pics of different equipment at the IRM as a substitute. Until tomorrow, have a great evening.
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:11 AM
Good evening Tom. I think just one Keith's tonight. A round for those other's still upright on tier stools as well.

Tom I will have at least one stick of photo's for tomorrow, hopefully some will come form other quarters as well. I'm getting quite anxious to see everyone on may as well. Likely because our weather has been so may like lately. I agree with you BTW Lars get those trains out and running, you likley have better running stuff then today's current offerings from Lionel. I'd love to esa into "S" as well,but noone makes any decent streetcars in that scale yet so I'm sticking to HO for now.


Doug Another sobering letter to be sure. At least the awfull suffering of the early pioneers in any field I suppose, has lead to the safer work places that we enjoy today. I think people need to hear and read those type of letters though, always good to learn from history lest we be doomed to repeat it.

Good new on the Zepher. A silver lining in that cloud anyway. It will likley be better and brighter when you guys are done with it. Hopefully the work night upcomming on it isn't just a think tank of how and when to proceed. I imagine though a certain amount of assessing the damage will need to be done before the work begins in earnest.


Al Thanks for the answer to my query. I guess in the world of today's railroading one doesn't think about how efficient and quick a 600hp diesel could be.I guess when one really thinks of it those articulated cars wearn't much heavier than a bunch of bus bodies. They look more substancial than what they really were.

Dave Thanks for the info on the "jiggers". They sound quite a bit like the Montreal tramways golden chariot sightseeing cars,Calgary and Edmonton had a couple of one offs that were the same ( built by Preston Car and Coach ) Interestingly all 4 of the Golden chariots still exist. Nice to hear the story about that 850 as well. Amazing what one finds when you clean out some old mouldy arehouse once in a while. Reminds me of a similar incident at our museum. About 15 years ago now, there was much disscussion about the longterm survibability of L&PS #8 as an operating car. The main bearings were done and there were no spares left. That and she was the only pn equiped car that we ran regularly figure two of three strikes right there. With some research we found out that the original bearing manufactuerer was still in business. We called them told them wjhat we had and what we needed ( we figured that they would just laugh us off no one would still have patterns for such an obsolete piece of equipment around ). They said they would call us back and we left it at that. two weeks later we get a call from them, apparently in a warhouse they owned in Mississipi some where they had 5 of these bearings still in stock. It gets better they also had the original dies and patterns as well. Needless to say we ordered the bearings and inquired if we could purchase the tooling. They ended up giving us the tooling and whemn the bearings arrived they were still brand spanking new wrapped in greese socked cheese cloth and still in the parts boxes marked with the made in 1915 date! We still have two spares left and if we need to the ability to have more made !

Ted Aren't leftovers just grand [?] I'm glad that you are still enjoyiong the good the bad and the old and the new of my postings.How's your "El" planning comming BTW.

Well folks that mostly catches me up. Till tomorrow

Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:23 AM
Okay first stick of pictures for the Posting day ( Sunday here already at any rate ) Museum stuff this time round. A tickler for those comming to the rendezvous.



London Street Railway # 23 Taken in July 10 of 2004 Museum's 50th Celebration



TCR 55 museum's second car also on the 50th Weekend



Shot of the line up in Yard three at the 50th Weekend



Work flatmotor W4 ex TRC at the 50th celebrations. This car which turned 100 in 2004 wa used to build many lines in Toronto and a good portion of our museum's line as well.



TRC ( Toronto Railway Company ) 1326 our museum's first car breaking the 50th anniversary banner on July 10 2004. First functional run by this car in 15 years !



TRC 1326 and MS&C 107 ( museum's third car ) Sitting in yard two July 10 2004

enjoy Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:37 AM
Okay second stick comming up.



GRR locomotive ( Baldwin Westinghouse 50t type B ) Being moved to the front gate of the museum by linecar OSR 45



Linecar OSR 45 and MS&C 107 getting a bath in Yard two. Photo shot from inside barn two



The beast Snowplow TP-11 ( built for TTC by National Steelcar in 1944 ) A night shot in front of the Rockwood statton.



TCR on display at the CNE august of 1977



TRC 1326 on Display at the CNE august of 1978



Christmas Holly Trolley show. TP-11 and the "beer car" Large Witt 2424 infront of Rockwood station

enjoy Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:59 AM
Okay stick #3 likely last one for this Sunday[tup][:D]



TRC 1326 on Sept 18 2005. Only run this year. Transit day.



TRC going to bed in barn 3 Sept 18 2005



NS&T car number 83 seen operating in St Catharines On. This car was formerly Toronto Suburban car 107. Was last car to operate on bith lines ! ( Great Uncle Wilfs, photo- worked for the NS&T )



TTC PCC 4633 ex Cleveland city car. Stored by barn one at the museum ( car was scrapped for parts in 1993 ) We have two other ex Cleveland PCC's at the museum.



Yard two line up on Transit day Sept 18 2005. LSR 23, MS&C 107 , TTC sweeper S-37,and OSR 45.



Rear end of OSR 45 the buisness end of the linecar. Car was built by the NS&T shops for sister road Oshawa Street Railway in 1927



Ottawa street railway linecar 25 at Shoreline trolley museumin Kennebunkport. Built by Ottawa Car Company in 1912.



Baltimore Peter Witt Type at Rockhill trolley museum. Built by St louis Car in 1919



Small Witt 2894 built by Ottawa Car Co in 1923 on our mainline eastbound.

enjoy Rob
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Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 1:22 AM
Late night/early, early morning Greetings!

I see some revelers have left their works with us as Leon gets ready to close 'er up for the weekend. Best to acknowledge 'em now, rather than wait 'til Monday:

West Coast S Dave Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 19:36:49

Appreciate your stopping by this fine day! Always enjoy your thoughts, company, rounds and good cheer![tup][tup]

barndad Doug Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 22:54:22

Mentor Meade[?] Hmmmmmm, not in our fridge. Perhaps something more suited for baking than drinking, eh[?][swg] Thanx for the round and hope you enjoyed the Killians!. By the by, Michicigan quarters from an earlier visit have been "desposited" in our Coal Scuttle, thanx![tup][tup]

Here's something on Rule G:

QUOTE: Rule G on the railroad is the one that clearly prohibits employees from using alcohol while on duty or subject to call for duty. It also prohibits the use of illegal drugs at any time and certain other controlled substances while subject to call or on duty. There is also a Federal law to back up and support Rule G. (from: railroad.net)


QUOTE: RULE G—"The use of intoxicants or narcotics is prohibited"—one of twelve general rules in standard code adopted by Association of American Railroads, based upon previous regulations made by individual companies. Countless thousands of railroad men, especially boomers, have been discharged for violation of Rule G; not because of railroads' objection to liquor itself but because a man under the influence of liquor is not to be trusted in a job involving human lives and property (from Catskillarchive.com)


QUOTE: RULE G: Rule G is amended to read as follows: The use of intoxicants or narcotics by employees subject to duty, or their possession or use while on duty, is prohibited. (from: trains.org)


trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 00:11:44, 00:23:49 and 00:37:37

Thanx for the round![tup] And of course fine Post and two sticks of pix![tup][tup] That gets us off to a rousing start for Photo Posting Sunday![yeah]

Regarding S gauge/scale trains: Keep checking

http://www.americanmodels.com/ -and- http://www.showcaseline.com/index2.html

These are the two principal manufacturers and distributors of S "stuff" today. All of my S Capades came from them through http://www.portlines.com/, an Internet Hobby Shop that gave me good prices along with free shipping.

Thanx again for those great pix![tup][tup]

Catch y'all on Monday AM![zzz]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]



Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 1:29 AM


SUNDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

The bar is CLOSED on Sundays! However, it IS Sunday Photo Posting Day! So slide those pix through the mail slots on either set of front doors!

We open at 6 AM tomorrow, all time zones! (Don’t ask how we do that!)[swg]


Daily Wisdom

I’m hiding these right here. (Yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

None

SUMMARY

Name …..…………… Date/Time …..…..………. (Page#) .. Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 08:00:15 (219) Saturday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 08:24:35 (219) ENCORE! Fallen Flag – MEC

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 08:50:31 (219) Acknowledgments, etc.

(4) barndad Doug Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 09:44:54 (219) 4.0 Inclusive Post! & Railway Conductor letter

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 10:39:14 (219) repy to barndad, etc.

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 12:58:11 (219) ENCORE! Ad – B&O (1956)

(7) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 14:04:20 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(8) West Coast S Dave Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 16:10:42 (220) Saturday check-in

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 16:52:38 (220) Acknowledgments, etc.

(10) West Coast S Dave Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 17:22:21 Part deux!

(11) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 19:05:17 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 19:16:04 (220) reply to West Coast S, etc.

(13) West Coast S Dave Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 19:36:49 (220) etc.

(14) barndad Doug Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 22:54:22 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(15) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 00:11:4 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(16) barndad Doug Posted: 14 Jan 2006, 22:54:22 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(17) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 00:11:44 (220) Inclusive Post, etc.

(18) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 00:23:49 (220) 6 pack of Pix!

(19) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 00:37:37 (220) 6 pack of Pix, part deux!

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 01:22:43 (220) Acknowledgments, etc.


NOW SHOWING at The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre:

. . . Sunday, January 15th DOUBLE FEATURE The Iron Horse (1924) SILENT MOVIE starring George O’Brien & Fred Kohler - and - The General(1927) SILENT MOVIE starring Buster Keaton.


That’s it! [tup][;)]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 15, 2006 5:00 AM
Union Pacific Railroad 900075
Builder: Lima
Year Built: 1949
Length: 104ft 9in
Width: 12ft 1in
Height: 16ft 5in
Weight: 303000 lbs
Brakes: 6ET
Trucks: General Steel Casting
Description: Rotary Snow Plow & Tender


Maryland MARC 91
Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Year Built: 1953
Model: E-9AM
Horsepower: 2400
Length: 70ft 3in
Width: 10ft 6in
Height: 14ft
Weight: 340000 lbs
Brakes: PS-68
Engine: Two 12-645CE
Motors: 4 EMD
Trucks: EMD A1A
Description: Diesel-Electric (MARC 91 / ex MARC 67 / ex BN 9907 / ex BN 9973 / nee CB&Q 9973)



Chicago Tunnel Company 508
Builder: Baldwin / Westinghouse
Year Built: 1908
Length: 10ft 11in
Width: 3ft 7in
Height: 5ft 2in
Weight: 15000 lbs
Brakes: Hand
Motors: 2 WH 155
Control: WH K11
Trucks: Single
Description: Single End / Single Truck / Tunnel Locomotive


Chicago Burlington & Quincy 9911A
Builder: Electro Motive Corporation
Year Built: 1940
Model: E-5A
Horsepower: 2000
Length: 80ft
Width: 10ft 6in
Height: 14ft
Weight: 314800 lbs
Brakes: HSC-D22ER
Engine: Two 12-567A
Motors: EMD D17 / 3 EMD D27
Trucks: EMD A1A
Description: Diesel-Electric / Silver Pilot (Ex C&S 9952A)


Green Bay & Western 2407
Builder: ALCO
Year Built: 1959
Model: RSD-15
Horsepower: 2400
Length: 66ft 7in
Width: 10ft 1in
Height: 14ft 11in
Weight: 382400 lbs
Brakes: 26C
Engine: 16-251B
Motors: 6 GE 752
Trucks: Tri-Mount
Description: Diesel-Electric / Ex Santa Fe 841


Association of American Railroads X201
Builder: Buda
Year Built: 1936
Length: 22ft 4in
Width: 9ft 10in
Height: 10ft 4in
Weight: 22000 lbs
Brakes: Bendix
Trucks: Buda
Description: Rail Test Car


Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee 160
Builder: J. G. Brill Company
Year Built: 1915
Seats: 58
Length: 56ft 1in
Width: 8ft 8in
Height: 12ft 6in
Weight: 90300 lbs
Brakes: AMU
Motors: 4 WH 557A5
Control: HLF-28A
Compressor: CP-28
Trucks: Brill 27MCB3X
Description: Double End / Double Truck / Arch Roof / Steel Coach

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Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 7:30 AM
Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s we do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!

Ever wonder about those fine pix that have been Posted during past Sunday Photo Posting Days! [?] The guys who took the time and made the effort to provide one and all with some enjoyable pix deserve to have their work preserved. So, here’s something you may want to “bookmark” for future use:

INDEX: 2005 Sunday Photo Posting Days!

Begins on: . . . . . click on the URL

Page 112, 18 Sep 2005 First Photo Posting Sunday!
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=112&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 118, 25 Sep 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=118&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 124, 02 Oct 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=124&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 132, 09 Oct 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=132&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 138, 16 Oct 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=138&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 144, 23 Oct 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=144&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 150, 30 Oct 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=150&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 156, 06 Nov 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=156&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 161, 13 Nov 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=161&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 168, 20 Nov 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=168&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 175, 27 Nov 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=168&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 182, 04 Dec 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=182&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 188, 11 Dec 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=188&TOPIC_ID=35270

Page 195, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=195&TOPIC_ID=35270

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


REMINDER! Read the SUMMARY!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 15, 2006 8:12 AM
Chicago & North Western 7700
Builder: American Car & Foundry Company
Year Built: 1923
Seats: 70
Length: 80ft 10in
Width: 10ft 3in
Height: 13ft 6in
Weight: ??? lbs
Brakes: UC
Trucks: 4 Wheel
Description: Lightweight Coach/Baggage


Chicago Transit Authority 6656
Builder: St. Louis Car Company
Year Built: 1957
Seats: 51
Length: 48ft
Width: 9ft 4in
Height: 11ft 10in
Weight: 45000 lbs
Brakes: All Electric
Motors: 4 WH 1432LK
Control: B2A-XDA1G
Trucks: StL B3
Description: Single End / Double Truck / Arch Roof / PCC


Southern Pacific 1518
Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Model: SD-7
Horsepower: 1500
Length: 60ft 8 in
Width: 10ft 8in
Height: 14ft 1in
Brakes: 24RL
Engine: 16-645CE
Motors: 6 EMD
Trucks: EMD C
Description: Diesel-Electric / First SD Series Built


Union Refrigerator Transit 75524
Builder: General American Transportation
Year Built: 1950
Length: 43ft 5in
Width: 10ft 2in
Height: 13ft 8in
Weight: 64400 lbs
Brakes: AB
Trucks: Barber
Description: Steel Reefer / American Beef Packers


General American Pfaudler Corp. 1021
Builder: General American Transportation
Year Built: 1947
Length: 51ft 5in
Width: 9ft 11in
Height: 13ft 2in
Weight: 74900 lbs
Brakes: U-12
Trucks: Barber
Description: Steel Milk Car


Union Pacific Railroad 907149
Builder: Union Pacific
Year Built: 1939
Length: 40ft 8in
Width: 9ft 9in
Height: 13ft 1in
Weight: 57200 lbs
Brakes: AB
Trucks: Sym Gould Hi-Speed
Description: Hi-Speed Express Box Car / Class B50-25 (Ex 9195)


Chicago Burlington & Quincy 204738
Builder: CB&Q
Year Built: ???
Weight: 65000 lbs
Trucks: 4 Wheel (Single)
Description: Scale Test Car

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Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 8:50 AM
Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s we do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Here’s something a bit different, but on a subject that we’ve been talking about lately at the bar: Part I of II

(from: www.trainweb.org)


Note: If this doesn’t enlarge, click on the URL:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/siberianmo/Dome%20cars/25234c21.jpg


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


REMINDER! Read the SUMMARY!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
Posted by LoveDomes on Sunday, January 15, 2006 9:02 AM
Good Morning Tom,

So the bar is closed on Sunday's, nevertheless this is a good idea to keep things moving while maintaining our interests.

Allow me to provide a few offerings (previously posted over on your other thread yesterday):

GN #1320 (from: www.trainweb.org)


GN #1321 (from: www.trainweb.org)


GN #1322 (from: www.trainweb.org)


GN #1323 (from: www.trainweb.org)


Don't you just love those domes?

I'll try to post a few more, but today is NFL football Sunday in my house.[swg] That's one day the wife can always know where I am, without having to wonder or search![}:)]

Lars
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 9:46 AM
Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s we do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Here’s something from Theodorebear Ted featuring his ongoing efforts in building an HO layout:


A work in progress; looks like a top-level trolley run and a park setting:


A work in progress; upper and lower levels – West Bottom:


A work in progress; note the turnout (switch) in tunnel:


A work in progress; check out the roundtable location and rights-of-way taking shape!



Thanx, Ted for sharing these with us and we look forward to MORE installments for future Sunday Photo Posting Days![tup][tup]


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


REMINDER! Read the SUMMARY!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Sunday, January 15, 2006 9:59 AM
Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Enjoyed your photo montage of the domes this AM so looked like a challenge to me to identify them so here they are.
Clockwise from the twelve o'clock position.

Budd built CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Dome sleeper lounge observation.

Pullman Standard built CN Sceneramic Dome operated in SUPER CONTINENTAL or PANORAMA trains . Originally built for the CMST&P and assigned to MORNING HIAWATHA, AFTERNOON HIAWATHA and OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA.

AC&F or P/S built dome operated by Alaska Railroad originally UP Dome coach assigned to CITY STREAMLINERS or CHALLENGER.

Interior of French built dome coach RDC type or German built dome coach operated in the RHINE at one time?

VIA Rail Canada Budd built Park car Dome sleeper Lounge Observation originally built for CPR CANADIAN and DOMINION. Now operated by VIA in CANADIAN and OCEAN.

BN Business car conversion of GLACIER PARK operated as track inspection car now operated in BNSF Business Fleet originallly GN Budd built Great Dome Lounge assigned to EMPIRE BUILDERS between Seattle and Chicago.

Anoither VIA RAIL CANADA PARK car see previous PARK car

UP Business fleet domes originally built by Pullman Standard or AC&F and assigned to CITY STREAMLINERS and CHALLENGER. Reason for calling it business fleet is none of UP CITY trains operated with more than three domes.

Inset shows a GN Great Dome coach built by Budd

Night View of VIA RAIL CANADA PARK car

CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR SILVER LOOKOUT a Dome Sleeper Lounge Observation (difficult to tell but looks like this is how it appears today in private ownership)

TTFN AL


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Posted by daveklepper on Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:03 AM
The Baltimore Peter Witt with the sloped windscreen was built in 1929, not 1919!

In 1919, the Baltimore system was still buying deck-roof Brill semiconvertables, some equipped for mu operation (up to three cars) on the Sparows Point Line.

These were red and cream two-man cars. When converted to one-man, with treadle exist doors, they were repainted yellow and cream to seperate them from the cars remaining two-man, including the mu's.
  • Member since
    January 2006
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Posted by LoveDomes on Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:09 AM
Good Day!

Here’s a few more dome pix for this Sunday Pix Post Fest:

Wabash #200 (1956, Moberly, MO) {from: www.trainweb.org}



#200 as Amtrak #9560 (1972, Newport News, VA) (from: www.trainweb.org)



Former Wabash #201 as N&W #1611 (from: www.trainweb.org)


Former Wabash #201 as Amtrak #9561(from: www.trainweb.org)



NFL Sunday is about to begin, may or may not return![swg]

Lars
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 3:14 PM
Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s we do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Here’s a bit more on a subject that we’ve been talking about lately at the bar: Part II of II

(from: www.trainweb.org)


Note: If this doesn’t enlarge, click on the URL:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/siberianmo/Dome%20cars/413f56cd.jpg

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


REMINDER! Read the SUMMARY!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, January 15, 2006 5:56 PM
[tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn]

THIS POST IS INSULTING and UNWORTHY OF OUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT!

from page 221:
QUOTE: Posted: 15 Jan 2006, 11:03:43

The Baltimore Peter Witt with the sloped windscreen was built in 1929, not 1919!



Not so much what was said, but the manner in which it was said![tdn] Another interloper bites the dust! [xx(]


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!


[tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn][tdn]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    May 2014
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:09 PM
Evening Tom ( aka the calvalry [;)][tup][:D]

Another quick stick of pics while it's still Sunday. Then I'll see all and chat tomorrow.



Small Witt 2894 climbing the grade into the east ( rock garden Loop at the museum ) You can catch a glimpse of te Meadowvale Shelter- which is an authentic relic of the Toronto Suburban Railway.



TRC 327 1893 type open car and TRC 1326 (1910 )in front of Rockwood station. This shot's from 1983 when 1326 was still in regular service at the museum. The insulbrick is still on the station at this point as well.



Grand River Railway railbonder ( 600v arch welder on wheels )



Grand River Railway line truck M6 ( formerly a Pepsi Delivery truck )



Small Witt 2894 and Grinder W 28. July of 2005



Our museums TTC suburban car 416 while in service. At Glen Echo Toronto summer 1948 (watson/hcrr collection )
enjoy
Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:31 PM
One last stick for this week. All these shots are from the museum's HCRR's historical collection.



Large Brill Witt ( Canadian Brill aka Preston Car and Coach 1921 ) and Harvey trailor on Bloor Danforth Line



Weston Road car EX Toronto Civic 202 built by Niles. (1917) On Weston road Line 1948



Ex TRC TR double truck car sister to museum's 1326 at Russell Carhouse 1937



TTC Y series yard shunter ( trailer movers ) at Hillcrest shops in early 50's



Brantford Street Railway double truck arge Preston ( 1917 ) at Brantford carbarn 1939



NS&T curve sider ( Cincinati Car Co ) car 303. In St Catharines in 1941. Car was built in 1922

Enjoy Rob
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 16, 2006 5:40 AM
Good morning Tom and fellow Mentians, I'll have 2 light breakfasts please. Quite a Sunday photo-day yesterday ... I think. There was Rob's many photos (I especially liked the Grand River Railway M6 ... very unique!), Ted's layout (courtesy of Tom), Lars' and Tom's many dome pix ...which were impressibly indentified by Al, and a handy index of Sunday-photos-past, put together by our very own proprietor! We had a good day, I think, made even better by the active participation of our newest member, Lars! Well done guys !!

Thanks for the definitions of "Rule G" Tom! Do the track guys here know anything about it?

The following is a bit of information on the Chicago Tunnel Company (we seem to be talking a lot about mining recently ... and of domes ... of course) equipment you saw in my pix yesterday:

Chicago Tunnel Company – by Les Ascher and Dave Diamond - selections from 1996 November Rail & Wire

Soon after the turn of the century, a technological wonder was carved into the blue clay 40’ below the streets of Chicago. A system of railroad tunnels unlike any other in the world was created under each downtown street, utilizing the most advanced construction techniques available at the time. By 1909, a 62-mile grid of intersecting freight tunnels connected all major railroad freight houses and many commercial establishments in downtown Chicago.

Operating more than 3,000 diminutive freight cars and 100-plus electric locomotives on this network of two-foot gauge track, the Chicago Tunnel Company moved coal, ash, and merchandise throughout downtown. In addition, millions of cubic yards of excavation debris and cinders were hauled to landfill sites through the tunnels, creating what is now known as Grant Park.

Although is was intimately connected with the political and engineering history of the City of Chicago from 1900 until abandonment in 1959, few people ever saw this system, and virtually no artifacts have been preserved. The existence of the old tunnels finally became big news in 1992, when a contractor knocked a hole into the side of one of the bores, allowing the Chicago River to flood the tunnels and thereby many building basements in the downtown business district and the CTA State Street Subway.

For those interested in this fascinating system, the story of the Chicago Tunnel Company is told in detail in Bruce Moffat’s book, Forty Feet Below, available at the IRM bookstore.

In 1978, IRM members became aware that five cars and one electric locomotive remained intact, stranded in the short section of tunnel connecting to Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. The were used to deliver coal and remove ash and cinders from the Field Museum’s boiler room, which also supplied heat to the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Park District offices in Soldier Field.

Unlike most of the system’s deeper tunnels, this 400’ long section of tunnel had originally been built at ground level, beginning in about 1915. It extended east from a disposal station just east of the Illinois Central Railroad tracks. A connection was made with the rest of the tunnel system by means of elevators down to the normal 40’ depth and then by tunnels under the IC tracks. For several years, what was to become Grant Park was being filled by material hauled through the Chicago Tunnel System and brought to the surface by these elevators. By 1921, Grant Park was filled to about 11’ above this tunnel, the current grade of Lake Shore Drive.

In 1957, the entire Tunnel System was abandoned and the electricity was turned off, stranding the locomotive and five ash cars in this short section under Lake Shore Drive. The City of Chicago took control of the tunnels, and by 1959 a scrapper had disposed of most of the rolling stock, and other valuable equipment, such as the copper trolley wire, in the main tunnel system. Later, the elevator hoist house was removed and the shafts were capped and covered over, but the equipment east of the elevators remained intact in the spur tunnel. We believe that no other cars from the tunnel system have been saved, other than the two flatcars removed by IRM personnel in 1983 from beneath the now-demolished Steele-Wedeles Warehouse (Rail & Wire; December, 1984). According to Bruce Moffat’s book, the locomotive, number 508, is a 1906-1908 era Baldwin two-motor electric which ran on 250 volts DC. Two of the five ash cars are believed to be of similar vintage.

Resembling a scene from an Indiana Jones movie, locomotive 508 and ash car 532 are exposed to the afternoon sun for the first time in many decades.


After asbestos removal, car 653 is lifted onto a waiting IRM semi for a trip to Union. Dave Diamond directs the “pick”.


Our locomotive and ash cars, currently on display at IRM


[:I] ... as always ... humbly submitted for your entertainment [:I]
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 16, 2006 5:52 AM
... OK ... that was just "warm-up" reading. Here's part I of a new series!

A Brief History of Russian Decapods – by Thomas J. Schneider and Hugh R. Harris – selected from November 1996 Rail & Wire

In 1914 the Imperial Russian government began ordering locomotives like this one from American builders. – courtesy Railraod Museum of Pennsylvania (PHC) – H.L. Broadbelt Collection


In one sense the story of Frisco 1630, one of IRM’s regularly operating steam locomotives begins in 1914 in a city many thousands of miles away. In Sarajevo – then part of Austria-Hungary. In that period the “Great Powers” were France, Germany, Russia and England. (At that time, the United States was not considered a world power since it had not yet developed a military world presence.) The expansionist aims of Germany were in conflict with the established areas controlled by the British Empire and the French Colonial Empire, and tensions had been building for years.

In June the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serb Nationalist and within a few weeks Europe was at war; with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire aligned against France, Russia and England. As those of you who follow current events know, Sarajevo is still a center of conflict. Perhaps history repeating itself!

Although Russia was considered one of the Great Powers, that huge country under the Czarist regime was poorly developed and badly equipped for what was to become the first “technical” war. One of the biggest problems was the transportation system, which was in very poor condition. The onset of war immediately increased the stress on the Russian railroad system. Before the war most of Russia’s coal supply had come from England through the Baltic ports. On the outbreak of war the German High Seas Fleet closed the Baltic Sea to Allied traffic, just as the British Fleet closed the North Sea and Channel to German traffic. The only developed coal fields in Russia were 1,400 miles from Petrograd, the major manufacturing area. So now the Russians, with an outdated railway system and broken-down equipment, had to move over 1,500 carloads of coal every week from the mines to the manufacturing plants by rail.

They urgently needed both locomotives and cars, and they started to buy them from the Allies. The Allies wanted to keep Russia as strong as possible. One of the Allies’ greatest needs was to keep the German and Austrian armies, at that time the best in the world, fighting on two fronts. To do that England and France provided materials and training for Russian armed forces and material support for their transportation system. Both England and France had greater industrial capacity than Russia; however they had their own needs for ammunition, guns, ships and transportation equipment.

The other possible source of railroad equipment was the United States, not yet at war and technically neutral. At that point in time, there was a great deal of industrial capacity available in the U.S. In 1914 and 1915, US railroads had ordered fewer than 2,000 locomotives each year. This compares to the average of over 4,000 locomotives per year ordered in the 10 years from 1905 to 1915. (See Table I.) Both the Baldwin Locomotive Works and the American Locomotive Company (Alco) found the Russian orders very welcome additions in their backlog. In fact Samuel Vauclain of the Baldwin Locomotive Works made a couple of trips to Russia in the 1914-1916 time period to negotiate locomotive orders with the Czarist government.



In 1914 Russia began ordering railroad equipment from the United States. In 1914 and 1915, orders totaled about 750 locomotives and several thousand freight cars. Many of the locomotives were fairly small switching types but a significant number were the “Russian Decapods.” These 2-10-0s were designed and constructed under the directions of A.I. Lipetz, chief of the locomotive division of the Russian Mission. (The Russian government maintained a “Mission” in the US to negotiate and arrange transportation and munitions orders.)

The locomotives were built for the Russian track gauge of five feet (3 ½” wider than the US standard). The specifications were based upon hauling 1,800 metric tons at a speed of 8 to 10 mph over grades of 0.8%. They would burn soft coal, so a wide, radial stayed firebox was built over the rear drivers. The firebox door swung inwards and was manually operated. The firebox was fitted with Security sectional arch supported on water tubes. The locomotive was fitted with two vertically mounted injectors on the backhead.

The boiler was a straight top type and deep throat on the firebox meant that the boiler was exceptionally high, with the center line about 10’ above the top of the rail. As originally built by the locomotives had unusually large steam domes which contained an elaborate system of baffles for drying the steam. Another unusual feature was that, as built, the locomotives had a second whistle which could be operated by a cord from the train.

The Russian decapods were built for a market very different from the US railroads. The labor force was much less skilled and heavy equipment was not widely available, although labor was cheap. With the lower skill levels available in Russia it was felt necessary to provide built-in protection for the locomotive rather than depend upon the skill and knowledge of the engineman.

The locomotives were equipped with a couple of Russian designed valves. One was the Zybaloff by-pass valve, mounted over the steam chest on each side. This valve operated to open direct passages between the ends of the cylinders when the throttle valve shut off steam to the cylinders. The second valve was the Shukaloff drifting valve, attached to the side of the smokebox, which passed saturated steam to the super-heater header and cylinder to improve lubrication and prevent damage when drifting.

As built the locomotives also had variable exhaust nozzles. These were connected through a linkage to a handwheel in the cab and allowed control of draft through the tubes and flues. The main drivers were originally “bland” (with no flanges) to allow the locomotives to pass through curves down to 350’ radius.

The design was obviously successful and several reorders were placed. It was so successful that years later, when World War II started, the Soviet government ordered more locomotives to essentially the same design!

[:I] More to follow !! [:I]

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