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Posted by passengerfan on Thursday, January 26, 2006 2:46 PM
Tom Like that Reno idea. Much to see for those interested in rails. Don't miss the Sacramento Museum or the Sierra Railroad. Both are worth seeing.
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Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, January 26, 2006 3:32 PM
Hello Tom and Gents at the bar!

I'm running a bit late this afternoon as we just returned from one of my wife's impromptu shopping trips. Get the message<grin><ugh>! This Island is only "so big," but she finds a way to shop at every store from one end to the other. Glad that only happens once in ablue moon.[swg]

Okay, what's on tap this day[?] How about a Piels (remember Bert & Harry[?]) Good brew - great commercials. I'll pass on the chow, as we're getting rather close to dinnertime - but - if my spending money is good around here, I'll drop a ten spot on the bar for a round on me!

Been giving a bit of thought to what we can all do to help with the situation around here, and it seems rather simple. Just post when you are able, but try to maintain some degree of consistency with the time of day. I've checked through the past score or more of pages and most guys are all over the charts. Of course we all have differing schedules and the like; everyone isn't so "blessed" to be retired!

I've taken that trip to Reno and to the Left Coast a few times and I'll tell you - it's well worth it. Reno is a blast, even if one doesn't partake in the Casino entrapment. There's lots to check out, the drinks are flowing, the chow is outstanding and as Tom mentioned, the lodging costs are very reasonable. It surely would be a great place for a get together. However, my guess is that it would be rather difficult keeping the ladies at home, wouldn't you think[?][swg] In reading through the parameters of your Rendezvous in Toronto, I see it as a 'stag affair.' Which really makes lots of sense for those of you who are "into" this thread and the love of trains. Taking along someone simply for the sake of going isn't really a good idea insofar as what a get together such as yours is really about. Anyway, I'm off the track here .... Reno would be a great place and the ladies would of course find a way to spend your money (and theirs!)

Hey Al c'mon pal, ease up a bit. Man, I thought my reading glasses had bitten the dust this morning. But it was my eyes going crossed at all of that material you provided. Spread 'em out, man, and make 'em up into sections. Surely would be more friendly in my humble opinion. I've been making copies of your submissions and others, but then decided to stick 'em all on discs. Saves the paper, the printer and is a heck of a lot easier to do.[tup]

Between CM3 and Tom's song titles, we been in stitches around here reading them. Do you suppose the lyrics are as funny as the titles[?][swg]

So is that a hint you dropped a bit ago to CM3 about the SP - does this have to do with your new project[?] We're waiting!

Tom You have the correct approach to things around here - people will come and go and they will find new ways to spend their time. For those who cannot or will not follow the precepts, screw 'em. For those who simply have found other interests, bless 'em. If guys are overtaken by life's events, that happens; support 'em, for they'll find the time to come back.

Time for me to get moving - just one more draught and I've gotta move on.

Until the next time!

Lars
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Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 26, 2006 4:33 PM
G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #65

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Milwaukee Road from a 1933 advertisement in my personal collection.


NORTHWEST WONDERLAND VACATIONS

Along America’s

LONGEST ELECTRIFIED RAILROAD . . .

LOW FARES

YELLOWSTONE
. . . PUGET SOUND COUNTRY
. . . . . . MT. RAINER
MT. BAKER
. . . OLYMPIC PENINSULA
. . . . . . BRITISH COLUMBIA
ALASKA

”A CENTURY OF PROGRESS”

ESCORTED ALL-EXPENSE TOURS

Return via California-Colorado or the Canadian Rockies if you wish.

Costs no more via the OLYMPIAN
The electrified way * Scenically supreme

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 26, 2006 4:44 PM
G'day Gents,

[yeah] I figured you'd like the Reno suggestion, Al - a bit of something for everyone, eh[?]

Lars I like the positive approach - but I'll tell ya, when I see guys "looking in" and they don't Post - well it gets to me after awhile. Especially given our circumstances of late.

So you've traveled the California Zephyr eh[?] Perhaps one day you'll share a story or two with us.

And yes, I remember quite vividly those Rheingold AND Bert & Harry Piels TV commercials quite well. Those babes weren't all that bad on those Miss Rheingold contests! The ships I was stationed aboard in those times all had crews who would have voted for each and every one, if only ..... [}:)][:-,]

For Nick Your Pix have been downloaded, uploaded and downloaded again for Sunday Photo Posting Day! Many thanx for not forgetting us![tup][tup][tup]

Also, it appears that absolutely no one is acknowledging our special days of the week and menu selections. So, why not give yourself a break[?] We can suspend the idea for another time.

Okay - I've done my part for this day. The rest is up to whoever is "out there."

Later .....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by nickinwestwales on Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:53 PM
Well good evening fellow tipplers,welcome to fish & chips night at `Our Plaice`,will get to the menu directly,first a couple of matters arising,-[4:-)][oX)]TOM -received your pic of H/West-have a virtually identical view taken some years later which I will forward to you directly,just read your E-Mail and I suspect some messages have gotten crossed en route-you should have a batch of 5 pix taken this afternoon in addition to the 11 mentioned ( the station shot is facing in the same direction but about 100 yds further down the platform by the way)-as mentioned in the mail,if the pix didn`t all arrive let me know and I will re-post-they were sent as a priority doc. so should be at the top of your in-tray.
O.K-to posts-RUSS -the LifeLike F7a`s are the dead basic cheapo version-$25cdn the pair from Georges Trains in Toronto,shipped back by little sis a couple of years back-I would love the P2K versions but over here they cost big bucks-for example,the Model Power units cost £20 each ( thats about 8 beers),the Bachmann units about the same (2nd hand & needed re-painting & lettering)-P2K,Athearn,Stewart,Kato etc cost about 4 to 8 times as much and are not generally available in Canadian Roads so add on price of paint and decals and remove any intrinsic value `cos they are re-paints........
As to era,I used to think I was working in a late 70`s sort of space,however the more time I spend around these parts,the more anomalies I`m starting to spot-I`m very much a novice in matters pertaining to your side of the pond,up until a few years back all my modelling was of Englands Somerset & Dorset Jt rly c.1962-5.
With my new-found knowledge the current thinking is to split my stock into two era`s-50`s+60`s( early F-Units,40` freight cars,some geeps-perhaps add a `mike` or `consolidation` ) and 70`s & 80`s (F40`s,late F-units & geeps,perhaps some 6-axle power plus 50,60&70 ft freight cars)
Passenger traffic would remain fairly constant between eras( with the exception of the GO train bi-level cars,which are fairly obviously late-era)
To answer your un-asked question (?) the S.O.B. Lines are assumed to be the C.N. routes radiating from Allendale on the south-west shore of lake Simcoe-south to Toronto,south west to Burlington,west to Collingwood & Meaford and north to Orillia,carrying through traffic south from the Ontario Northland at North Bay,C.N at Gravenhurst,Huntsville etc plus the C.P via the Collingwood branch interchange and north from the G.T.W and the T.H.B (N.Y.C)-a mixture of authentic and `imagineered` traffic but sufficient to make for an interesting layout to operate
CM3-Sadly,we dont get anything other than 5 channels of s**te over here-I wish we did,I might turn the thing on occaisionally !
If I ever get the chance to visit your part of the world the acoustic guitar,mandolin and mandocello will be the first items checked in,believe me ! [^] --I would love a hammer dulcimer,to my mind a signature instrument of that school of music (happily,I have a rare facility to be able to coax a tune out of any stringed instument once I know the tuning intervals)
Now who mentioned Reno ?-I seem to have a memory of a M.R. special that ran a feature on a W.P branch that ran into the town,complete with a bedroom size double deck trackplan-struck me at the time that it was a lot of layout for one train a day
Right,as it`s fairly late and an adult bar,I reckon I can get away with this...(prompted by daily wisdom and not entirely my fault.....[:-^]..........)
A nun is in the bath one day when she hears a knock at the door,she cant find a towel so she ignores it but the knock comes again & again,eventually she calls out " Whose there ? " back comes the answer " The blind man from the village "- "Oh poor chap" she thinks " I wonder what he wants"and decides to take a chance and nips down and opens the door--- "Good morning Sister" says he,"fabulous t*ts,now where do you want these blinds?"........
Right[4:-)][oX)]TOM-beer all around whilst I concoct a menu,back in a bit,nick[C=:-)]
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Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:57 PM
Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and some of [C=:-)] NICKS Fish and Chips for later please ( I had better not ask for a large cod as the one we had in Canterbury hung over both ends of a fairly large plate[wow].

I have spent a lot of time in the bar since I got back, in the back room catching up on the posts while I've been away, with BORIS getting the beer and TEX for company no doubt I will have to get a lone from the Second National Bank to pay the tab[:-^].

Reading the last 25 pages or so makes one realise what a special place OUR PLACE is with ability to make one laugh out loud and nearly bring one to tears as well as what must be some of the most knowledgeable people on railroads to be found.[tup][tup][tup]
to ALL.

Thanks for the good wishes on my return and may I add a late[#welcome] to LOVEDOMES LARS. I do hope TED can join us often as I shall really miss his wise and entertaining posts a true gentleman and may I wish GOOD LUCK on the new venture [tup].

Lets hope ROB can be with us soon as well.

On page 209 JLAMPKE mention about seeing a loco in Harry Potter red livery in May 2000 in England and later in the cinema. I suspect the loco seen was a West Country 4-6-2 # 34027 which ran as the Hogwarts Express around this time and worked some specials in the south of England at the time. When the first film was made I believe that the makers thought that #34027 was of too modern appearence and a Great Western Hall class 4-6-0 was selected to be come Hogwarts Castle. An interesting note to the films was that on our way to Scotland,in September 2000 on the overnight, my two mates got talking to two young ladies who were arranging the locations for the first Potter film and the ladies quizzed them on steam engines and what a railfan would notice if the loco was filmed badly. From what I've seen the railway sequences were well done.

DOUG Perhaps Nick can bring over some Enville Honey Ale although the Grindstone Brewery in Columbia MO brews a very good mead ale. great posts on the India railway, Edison and the very moving Railway Conductor posts.

ROB More great Classic Juice and Steam what were the 2500 live foxes moved for [?].
and great luck to find the spares for the museum[tup].

WANSWHEELMIKE thanks for the links and theCoal& Railway theme

Good to see DAVE with the Abandoned Lines, Promotory Point, Decapod and Tahoe pieces

RUSSELL Sorry you was poorly and I hope you are fully back to fitness, great pictures of the steam in K.C.

LARS Thanks for the link to the S.I.RT link the modern photos are very simular to the London Underground cars.

P Great story on the runaway train. scary

CM3 You were in our thoughts when we read about the sad news from W.V. while we were in England.

BK Hope you are enjoying Europe and we shall hear more when you return.

AL What can I say [wow] such knowledge great posts.

NICK It was wonderful to talk to you. Did you say you had some info on the North Wales Rail Cruise Train I travelled on this as a youngster and the memory is a bit patchy any details would be great [tup] A list of your B.R. models would be great too.

TED There was a T.V. programme featuring a British actor named James Bolam as a dectective ,I think, which featured the music of Bix Biederbecke absolutly wonderful.

TOM Great issue of the Gazette it is good to know that with Inspecter Clueless and his team we can sleep safe in our beds[^] It is a shame I missed the opening of the Emporium it looks a fine theatre with some great films and the sight of Boris rising up on the Wirlitzer must be seen to be believed[:-,]. Many thanks for the Nostalgias and Encores loved the Model Logos. I will add a bit to the G.B Nostalgias a bit later if I may.
The Yogisms nver fail to raise a smile a great way to start a post[tup].

Great photo Sundays thanks TOM, DOUG, TED ,LARS, ROB, RUSSELL AND NICK and anyone I've missed. now I have found the [censored] adaptor my humble selection is now on the puter and I will attempt to send to Tom.

I hope I have not missed anyone and as I said earlier its great to be back PETE.
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Posted by wanswheel on Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:19 PM
Hi Tom and everyone. Vote, vote for Miss Rheingold, Miss Rheingold 1956, and
you'll need a church key to open that solid steel beer can or brown glass bottle.

Al, I didn't expect belly laughs, but they're there: the itchy upholstery in the old-time coaches, the sack of mail clobbering somebody on the platform. Walla Walla.

Russ, you must have been a beautiful baby.

Nick, I clicked the link to Welsh Highland and discovered where Maine got Bangor from.

Lars, I think Tom could use a day off, can you tend bar?

Grand Trunk
http://216.94.16.48/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1336483902&id=27

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Posted by nickinwestwales on Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:46 PM
Right then boys and girls,the galley is now open for business and tonight,since there are only so many fish dishes a chap can cook without boring repitition I thought we might ring the changes a bit,therefore,tonight ,we are delighted to offer:-

From the soup kettle-Carrot & coriander or Leek & potato
light bites-DOUGS butterfly king prawns
....................Whitebait
....................Smoked mackeral pate
..............................................................all with wholemeal breads,fresh from the oven
....................Vegetable Samosa`s with hot lime pickle
....................Thai chicken kebabs with sweet chilli dip
.....................[C=:-)]Caeser salad with blue cheese sauce
......................Stuffed vine leaves with salad nicoise

.....................Buckwheat crepes stuffed with scallops,prawns,cockles& whelks in a
.....................provencal sauce topped with gratineed cheese
.....................Salmon steaks grilled in soy,ginger & spring onion sauce
.....................Whole Maine lobster in beurre blanc sauce ( serves two)

.....................Poachers Pie ( layers of venison,rabbit & duck in a rich port wine sauce
...............................................under a puff pastry crust)
.....................Roast Pheasant with black cherry & brandy sauce
.....................Chicken Maryland with toms,onion rings,fried bananas and croquet potatoes
.....................Pork loin chops with green peppers and Calvados sauce
.....................Swordfish steaks with english mustard and caper sauce

.....................All of the above served with pommes de jour,pommes frites or baked potato
.....................and seasonal vegetable platter or [C=:-)]`s salad

O.K guys,if that isn`t enough to win over your lady-loves then it`s down to you.....
I`ll be in the galley if anyone needs me,see you later,nick[C=:-)]
P.S-[4:-)][oX)]TOM-no such thing as a night off around here---[swg]--but I`ll take a couple of beers back with me-working with Boris is never stress-free,even when it`s quiet .......
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Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:51 PM
Good Evenin' Gents!

Well, well, well - I am most pleased to see that three more have "popped in" on this Thursday! Especially happy to [#welcome] back Pete after his 25 page "homework assignment," and a hearty "howdy" [C):-)] to Mike after a rather lengthy (for him) absence.[tup][tup] And to Nick, what's to say, other than this place just isn't the same without our overseas correspondent!

Great URL, Mike! Indeed, a different definition for Grand Trunk]swg]
Those beer cans of old could only be "squished" by "real men!"[yeah] One day I'll tell one and all about a gal I once knew who was "in" the Miss Rheingold finals.[wow]

Pete It would appear that your return may just be the "tonic" we've been waiting for 'round here. As you undoubtedly have determined, we're down to the framework 'round here and really are depending on everyone to pull the oars.

Mike You too could be a relief barkeep. You've got the wit, I won't have to worry about the inventory being used for personal abuse and you're more than familiar with the cast of characters 'round here. Are you up for it[?]

Nick I'll recheck the Email, but I don't think I've missed anything. There was one message with three photo's: one had the station; and the other two had a 5-pix spread each. They all looked exactly the same to me as when I received them separately. Perhaps you should resend whatever it is you think I didn't get.[%-)][%-)]

Pete A request: PLEASE get any Pix you have for Sunday Photo Posting Day! to me as soona s you can. Saturday is rather "full" for me. Thanx!

And by all means add to the GB Nostaligia - the idea is to generate interest![tup]

Nick THAT is one hulluva joke![swg][tup]<grin> Got more than a few giggles 'round here!

Pete I commend you for taking the time to read the pages you missed while gone. You, Sir, are one fine customer and very much appreciated by the Proprietor![tup][tup][tup]

Nick Just caught that menu - [wow][yeah] - I'll have to fix a couple of "carry outs" for the bride and I. Thanx - as always a fantastic effort from our Chief Chef [C=:-)] - who incidentally is the first staff member we had and oddly enough, the only one remaining![tup][tup][tup] (at least until we get Rob, Bar Chandler back on board)

Leon the Night Man! has the bar! Tonight he looks like one of the characters from The Village People!
Y-M-C-A ...... Y-M-C-A ......

Boris Ring the bell .... a round on the house ... Leon give 'em what they want![swg]

Later .....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by nickinwestwales on Thursday, January 26, 2006 8:49 PM
Well looky here-the boys are back in town ( huge blast of Thin Lizzy from the Wurlitzer) PETE-good to here from you,sorry we didn`t get a face to face together-next time for sure[^]-R.E Harry Potter-they used either a Hall or Castle (seriously ugly in red ) as produced in the Hornby commemorative ( cash in ) set-extra note,the viaduct sequence (with the flying Ford Angle-box) was shot on Glenfinnan viaduct on the west highland line I believe.
I recall the James Bolam series you mention-was it not called "the Beiderbecke tapes" or something similar?-a very gentle and quite `English` detective show as I remember and extremely funny in a dry and understated sort of way...
The reference to the `Land Cruise` tours was,I think,in relation to the W.H.R-The phrase had a nice ring to it so I borrowed it,however I`m sure `ive got something somewhere-will get burrowing.
Will throw in the list of the Brit models for next weds. `pikes perspectives`-even if it will be completely meaningless to everybody else ,with the six nations looming and France & Wales both looking disturbingly fit,us Engli***ypes need to stick together ( Swing low,sweet chariot....)
MIKE -nice to see you back amongst us-Bangor is OURS-please send it back,it leaves a large and difficult to explain hole in the map...........Hope you enjoyed the W.H.R `tour`-the only place in Britain where you will find Beyer-Garrett`s in regular service ( If you think those 2-footers are big,you should see the std. gauge monsters )
check out sunday pix for the original stock from the line,plus a couple of context shots of the scenery
Well-band practice tonight and in the quest for new material we have added "Sisters are doing it for themselves " and "Missionary Man" by the sublime Annie Lennox plus "Gimme Shelter" by The Stones-possibly the most sinister and menacing record ever recorded,which,aided and abetted by Fat Steve`s monster drumming reached a level of intensity I would not have imagined possible-A thoroughly exhilarating experience (particulaly as I get to play the Keith Richards guitar part [^][^][^]
Well then good people,it looks like the moonlight mile for me this night-[4:-)][oX)]TOM-if you would be good enough to break out the special reserve rum we`ll have a shot each to toast the ongoing success of the only show in town--sleep well one and all,nick,[C=:-)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:02 PM
Good evening Tom and gents! Long time no see, and sorry about that. My working hours are bordering on insane these days. Please set me up with a bottlemless draught, and here's a whole stack of coins for the coal scuttle. There is no way I have had time to read all that's been written since Sunday to make a truely inclusive post. Even when the thread seems to slow down, there is an awful lot of material that is posted here! I must admit I need to go back and read this weeks postings from everyone, but one thing stands out .... I can't help but think that Al must have twenty or more fingers! I'm going to need an hour of real concentration-time to get through all this great material! Good job to all of you, and Tom did his usually great job running the place and keepping the help in line.

Getting back to the Sunday pix....Tom posted Domes, and Nick's Royal Navy Armory pix, and Ted's layout. Lars posted dome pix, and then my personal favorite ... pix with the information attached to them! Then there was Rus' Milwaukee pix ... then I ran out of time to read the thread. I'll get back to it later to acknowlege the rest of the contributors later.

Glad you liked some of my old stuff Pete. We're both in catch-up mode these days, and you are right ... this is a very special thread frequented by a good crowd!

Nick ... WOW! You made my prawns? I'll have 2 dozen .. please.

At the risk of this being classified a "hit and run" post .. I must share the 3rd part of the smoke deflector series ... and boogie off to bed. 4am comes early ...for me. Take care gentlemen, and here it is:

Smoke Deflectors by Herbert G. Monroe from Railroad Magazine Feb. 1941

The Sata Fe has long used stack extensions on its locomotives. Hinged at the rear, they must be manually raised and lowered; a disadvantage overcome in the instance of the Milwaukee design.


Dusty Rhodes, assigned to Big Liz, a Mallet compound on the Oakdale-Oneida turn, about that time devised a sort of gas mask, which was later manufactured under the name of Rhodes, Guffey & Sheehan Tunnel Mask. This device, which is still in use today, consists of closely woven canvas hood, provided with goggles. The lower portion of the hood or mask is double, with the edges at the bottom so stitched that there can be no leakage of air between them. The outer casing has an opening to which a small rubber hose is attached, and the hose, in turn, leads to a pipe coming from the main reservoir on the engine. Opposite the opening, it is well to have some filtering material, though it is not necessary. Near the top of the double portion of the mask there are a number of vents reaching into the interior.

When the mask is in use, it is simply slipped on over the head with the goggles, of course, in front of the eyes. A stream of compressed air from the main reservoir is admitted to the space between the double portion of the mask. The air slightly expands the mask, making it fit closely to the head, and air escaping from the interior flows down over the face, past the nose and mouth and finally escapes at the bottom. The tube for the fireman’s mask is much longer than that connecting with the engineer’s, and enters at the rear of the mask so as not to restrict his movements. Rhodes’ brainchild worked well enough, but it obviously did not protect human flesh from the blistering flop-over smoke deflectors.

Because everyone was doing his or her part in helping to win the ruckus across he pond, however, the engine crews on the Santa Fes, while doing some grumbling and cussing, knuckled down to their jobs like true soldiers, and the trains went through. But after the Armistice was signed, the thing that had been smouldering inside the hides of engineers and foremen boiled to the surface, and they refused to run these snorting hunks of perdition.

General Manager Horace Baker sent for John ***man, chairman of the Local, and wrathfully demanded the reason for this mutinous conduct. Mr. ***man explained the situation. The boys, he said, would handle the light Mikes but not the Santa Fes. The G.M. banged his desk. “I’ll fire any man who refuses a call to go out on those engines!” he bellowed. However, when he had cooled off, he called in Fred Brown, then officer in charge of operation under Federal control. Mr. Brown scratched his head and loped off to put a bee in the rear of the general chairman, J.L. Whidden, possibly nursing the hunch that where there is smoke there must be at least a little fire.

Mr. Brown and Mr. Whidden teamed up and waylaid Mr. ***man. Mr. ***man spread his hand, and said, in effect, “Gentlemen, those Santa Fes are Satan’s own contraption in a tunnel; you’ve got to do something.” Fred Brown suggested a test run. General Manager Baker was agreeable, and it was promptly arranged. The train was to leave Danville at 11 o’clock, with 1350 tons. The engine was the 6352. Road foreman of engines, Bob Pierce was there, and John Offutt, with Dusty Rhodes in the dynamometer car.

Mr. Brown and Mr. Whidden arrived. It seems that, either they had been to a party, or they thought they were going to one, for they were faultlessly attired, according to Hogger Tom Snyder. He asserts absolutely that Mr. Whidden was wearing a Palm Beach suit and a smart new Panama hat. “The Santa Fes” says Tom, “fitted into those tunnels plenty tight, with the result that what air there was superheated several degrees hotter that Tophet. We had engineer George Guffey along as official heat recorder. His thermometer was only graduated to 160. It registered that.

“How much hotter it was, I don’t know. But I do know that E.B. Turpin, the fireman, and Johnny ***man had a heck of a time keeping Whidden and Fred Brown from jumping out the gangway and ending it all. “When we nosed into King’s Mountain, we had 175 pounds of steam instead of 200. The Santa Fe slipped to her knees and almost blew the roof out of the tunnel. I thought every minute we were going to stall. When we came out, I didn’t have steam enough to blow the whistle, and the old hog died less than a hundred feet from the portal.”

“All you could see of Mr. Brown and Mr. Whidden were the whites of their eyes. I said, ‘What do you think of her gentlemen?’ Mr. Brown gasped, ‘Gosh all hemlock, I thought I was on fire!’ Mr. Whidden, for his part, was standing in the middle of his Panama hat, and when I called this to his attention, he kicked it out of the gangway, and said, ‘To hell with it!’ They were both pretty well done up, but game to the core. We blew the 6352 hot and started for Greenwood Hill and No. 9 Tunnel. When we got through, Mr. Brown headed for KD tower and sent a wire to General Manager Baker. I understand that the message read, ‘You’re not going to fire anybody. Those tunnels are hotter than the hobs of hell.’”

Three days later engine 6368 rolled out of the shops with a boiler-plate duct extending from directly back of the stack to the rear of the cab. It was rectangular in shape, except where it joined the stack. Here it gradually shaped to a half circular pipe, fashioned to receive a sliding duct. This flue was about 12 inches in height and spread from the outer diameter of the stack back about four feet. It divided to pass around the steam dome.

In front of the stack there was a hood, mounted on a sliding carriage. This fitted into the main duct. It was operated from below by an air cylinder, similar to the ones now in service on Wimble ducts. In addition to the smoke flue, two 16-inch fans, connected directly to the headlight dynamos, were installed beneath the seat-box. These whipped the normally cool tunnel air back into the cabs. The “Rat-Hole” was again liveable.

A lot of smoke has blown over the mountain since those hectic days. The Santa Fes were finally sent to the Charlotte Division to run in the mountain district between Greenville, S.C., and Atlanta. The Southern purchased 25 heavy Mikados to replace the light 4500-class engines; eleven of the tunnels have been eliminated and the tracks through the others have been lowered from two to three feet.

The arrangement of the sloping-plane type of smoke-lifter is clearly shown in the picture of the Lehigh Valley’s 2102 (assigned to the “John Wilkes”)

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Posted by nickinwestwales on Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:12 PM
Extra note-Tom,will send station pix again in the morning-had my suspicions at the time that all was not right,also same pic but 15 years later shot from the footbridge-couldn`t believe how much has changed-very sad but march of progress and all that -at least ( most ) of the tracks are still in place-now in occaisional use only as a M.O.W yard-lovely to see the D.M.U in the `down` platform and the class 47 working the yard [tup][^][tup] later chaps,nick[C=:-)]
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Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, January 26, 2006 10:05 PM
Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the usual to go with the great food.

NICK Yes red does not suit the Great Western locos at all, there is talk of when the King Class # 6023 is restored it may appear in the early British Railways Blue from the late 40s and early 50s it can,t be worse than the red
The last Steam Railway mag NO 318 was a special S&D issue with some fine pictures of the line in the period you were modelling it has the newly overhauled S&D 2-8-0 on the cover, which is based on the West Somerset Railway. Did you get to visit the line[?]. Unfortunatly I never did. although I believe it had two helli***unnels on a single-track, steeply graded, part of the line. Which DOUG"s fine post describes what it was like for the enginemen in such tunnels another great series [tup].

MIKE Wonderful photo of the elephant and loco.

TOM Thanks for the kind words[tup]. I have sent the photos hope you got them OK.
On the Nostalgia #60 it surprises me that the L.N.E.R and the L.M.S Railway companies were so cooperative in 1933 although that was the year that W.A. Stanier produced the first pacific for the L.M.S. which lead to the rivalry for speed and the Scottish passengers later that decade. I had thought that the two companies had been serious rivals since the grouping in 1923 which brought them into being.

Well I'll have one more after the [dinner] and be off. PETE.
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 27, 2006 5:48 AM


FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

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

G’day! Here we are again – Friday, time to fill up the coffee mugs, check out the menu board for our <traditional> and <light> breakfasts and sample The Mentor Village Bakery pastry case![swg]


Daily Wisdom

If people don’t want to come to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them? (Yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

* Weekly Calendar:

Today Pizza Nite! & Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! and ENCORE! Saturday

…..and don’t forget Sunday Photo Posting Day!

RR Book Relay – First mailing was Monday![tup]

A new series begins on Monday – watch for it!


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 05:33:14 (230) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 06:22:53 (230) Streamlined Dome Cars

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 06:43:30 (230) Streamliner #49

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 08:20:52 (230) Acknowledgments, etc.

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 10:01:48 (230) Chat & SP info

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 12:30:48 (230) reply to coalminer3

(7) passengerfan Al Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 14:46:16 (230) Reno comment

(8) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 15:32:06 (230) PM Chat, etc.

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 16:33:48 (230) NOSTALGIA #65 Ad, Milwaukee Road (1933)

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 16:44:59 (230) Acknowledgments, etc.

(11) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 18:53:56 (230) Inclusive Post – Nickstyle!

(12) pwolfe Pete Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 18:57:53 (230) Inclusive Post – Petestyle!

(13) wanswheel Mike Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 19:19:51 (230) He’s baaaaaaaack!

(14) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 19:46:37 (230) Menu!

(15) siberianmo Tom Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 19:51:21 (230) Acknowledgments, etc.

(16) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 20:49:23 (230) Inclusive Post, etc.

(17) barndad Doug Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 21:02:44 (230) Inclusive Post & Smoke Deflectors, Part III

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 21:12:36 (231) etc.

(19) pwolfe Pete Posted: 26 Jan 2006, 22:05:50 (231) etc.



NOW SHOWING:

The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

. . . January 23rd thru 28th: Denver and Rio Grande (1952) starring Edmond O’Brien, Sterling Hayden & Dean Jagger

Coming attractions!
Double Features beginning Monday, January 30th!

. . . Sunday, January 29th: DOUBLE FEATURE Narrow Margin (1990) starring Gene Hackman & Anne Archer – and – North by Northwest (1959) starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint & James Mason.

. . . January 30th thru February 4th: DOUBLE FEATURE Oh, Mr. Porter! (British - 1937) starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott & Graham Moffitt – and – Shadow of a Doubt (1943) starring Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten & Macdonald Carey.


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 27, 2006 7:18 AM
Mornin' Gents!

Just a quickie as I've got a "visitor" comin' over this AM. My son is in town and will be spending the morning with me.[tup] Been awhile ..... He's in town for the "Stones" concert downtown ... Interesting that he'd want to attend something like that, given that these guys aren't that far off in age from moi![swg]

Want to pay particular attention to the return of activity at the bar last night! Many THANX to all who stopped in, but especially Nick and Pete for the repeated Posts![tup][tup] Also, glad to see Doug back in "fine form" with another great edition of his Smoke Deflectors, Part III.[tup] Seemed like a return to "normalcy" 'round the tavern![swg]

Apologies in advance if I've neglected to address anything specifically intended for moi - but 'tis time for me to get movin' ..... Pete and Nick your Pix have arrived, but I haven't had time to check 'em. Will do, later on. Thanx![tup][tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by passengerfan on Friday, January 27, 2006 7:24 AM
Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and crumpet from the Mentor Bakery.

PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNER #50

NORTHLANDER ONR/CN Trains 121/122 Toronto – Timmins daily each direction 10 hours 45 minutes each direction Inaugural run June 9, 1977.
The NORTHLANDERS were certainly not new they had been built originally for the Netherlands State and Swiss State Railways in 1957. Those two Railways had operated the five original Trans Europe Express sets from 1957 to 1971 when one trains was heavily damaged in a wreck and scrapped. The four remaining train sets were retired May 24, 1974 and sold to the ONR October 9, 1976. The first two train sets arrived by ship in Toronto on April 19, 1977.
Consist One
1980 Werkspoor 2-1,000 HP Diesels with 300 HP diesel Auxiliary for Hotel power and Baggage Compartment
1980A 9-Compartment 54-Revenue Seat Coach
1980B 32-Seat Dining 18- Revenue Seat Coach
1980C 42-Revenue Seat Coach Control Cab
Consist Two
1981 Werkspoor 2-1,000 HP Diesels with 300 HP diesel Auxiliary for Hotel Power and Baggage Compartment
1981A 9-Compartment 54-Revenue Seat Coach
1981B 32-Seat Dining 18-Revenue Seat Coach
1981C 42-Revenue Seat Coach Control Cab
Consist Three
1982 Werkspoor 2-1,000 HP Diesels with 300 HP diesel Auxiliary for Hotel Power and Baggage Compartment
1982A 9-Compartment 54-Revenue Seat Coach
1982B 32-Seat Dining 18-Revenue Seat Coach
1982C 42-Revenue Seat Coach Control Cab
Consist Four
1983 Werkspoor 2-1,000 HP Diesels with 300 HP diesel Auxiliary for Hotel Power and Baggage Compartment
1983A 9-Compartment 54-Revenue Seat Coach
1983B 32-Seat Dining 18-Revenue Seat Coach
1983C 42-Revenue Seat Coach Control Cab
Ontario Northland Crews who worked on the foreign diesels thought they were named correctly but misspelled Werkspoor but should have been labeled Workspoor.
In 1980 the Ontario Northland rebuilt four FP7A diesels to replace the original power units of the NORTHLANDER trains. Each was equipped with a Harper-Detroit diesel to provide power to the three car consists.


TTFN AL
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Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, January 27, 2006 9:16 AM
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Let's play "I Don't Know Whether to Kill Myself or Go Bowling," and one of Boris's favorites "I Wouldn't Take Her to a Dog Fight, 'Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win." Very cold here this a.m. (11 degrees) but sunny; it's supposed to warm up rapidly today. Gas is $2.39.

Lots of good posts today. Ventian Blinds? Just remember, Tom, "90 percent of the game is half mental."

The Piel Bros.? O.K. How about Fred Narragansett? IIRC, voiceovers for both of these ads series were by Bob and Ray who got their start in Boston. Two of their "sponsors" in later years includend the Eibinder Flypaper Company and the Monongahela Metal Works (Ingots made with the housewife in mind.)

It's gratifying to see many regulars reappearing.

A trip to Reno would be most enjoyable and maybe something to consider. You're also not that far from Virginia City which is quite interesting for the "captains of industry" in the group.

Herewith another installment on mining in WV. This one talks some abt the C&O, B&O and a few more topics. IUf this is a repeat, I apologize in advance.

The C&O was built by Collis P. Huntington as part of a larger planned transcontinental line that was to run from San Francisco, California to Newport News, Virginia. Huntington acquired control of the C&O and set to work running a line west from Clifton Forge, Virginia to the Ohio River. Completion of the C&O's main line in 1873 meant that coal could be shipped east and west from Kanawah valley mines without having to depend on canals. The new railroad benefitted the mines on the south side of the river but those on the north side of the Kanawha still had to ship by water unless they lightered their coal across the river and loaded it onto C&O trains. Construction of the C&O stimulated mining and by 1885 river navigation had also improved as the federal government constructed locks and dams at Paint Creek, Coalburgh and Marmet that allowed slack water navigation. Better transportation and access to western markets accelerated mining investment and development. The mines on the north side of the river got rail access to Ohio and the Great Lakes following completion in 1884 of the Kanawha and Michigan Railroad.

The Fairmont field covered all or parts of six northern West Virginia counties. Coal mined here came from the Pittsburgh seam which was 12 feet thick in places. Mining had existed in the Fairmont field since the early 1830s with the first coal from the area being shipped by steamboat to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and New Orleans in 1835. Steamboats came to the city of Fairmont itself in 1850 and area mines opened immediately after that. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) reached Fairmont in 1853 and coal was soon on its way to Baltimore by railroad for transhipment to other coastal points. Sustained development began in 1857 with the completion of the Northwestern Virginia Railroad (later part of the B&O) from Grafton to Clarksburg and on to Parkersburg. The B&O operated throughout the Civil War (despite the best efforts of the Confederates to destroy it) and Fairmont field produced coal helped to fuel the Union war effort.

Mine operators in the Fairmont field after the Civil War faced difficulties similar to those of their counterparts in the Kanawha Valley - lack of outside investment, and poor transportation Completion of the B&O extension from Fairmont to Morgantown in 1866 helped to improve the operator's situation as financiers from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio saw the potential of the area and invested heavily in coal mining. Smaller coal companies (as in other industries) joined with larger firms. An example of this was the 1901 incorporation of the Fairmont Coal Company which two years later was absorbed by the Consolidation Coal Company. Mining was never the center of life in the Fairmont field as it was in other parts of West Virginia. Many of the towns in the field existed before the mines opened and the area's economy was mainly agricultural. Miners in the Fairmont field came from many nations but most of them were American-born. Italians and African-Americans ranked second and third in numbers after American-born miners.

The Elkins field lay in parts of eight counties. Early mining development in this area was linked with the growth of coal mining in Maryland which had supplied coal to eastern markets since the opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in 1826. The Elkins field was mostly settled before the mines opened. Agriculture again was the economic base of these counties and mining really did not begin here until the railroads came. Labor in the Elkins field was mostly American-born with Italians ranking second.

work safe
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Posted by wanswheel on Friday, January 27, 2006 12:06 PM
Hi Tom and everyone. A swordfish submarine sandwich, is that avail?

Pete, somehow I missed your return last night. Always good to see you.

Doug, I can feel the heat in that tunnel from here.

Here's the text of a brief article from the January 1948 Railroad magazine:

"Retirement. Hale, hearty, healthy and active in his 67th year, Dan MacDonald is beginning to enjoy life as a railway pensioner. Mr. MacDonald lives at ... North Main Street in St. Albans, Vt., where he has long been a prominent figure in civil and social affairs. He has worked for the Canadian Pacific, the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central and the Grand Trunk, but 36 of his 41 years of railway service have been with the Central Vermont. Dan has two brothers, Joe and Marshal, both Central Vermont locomotive engineers.

His last assignment on the Central Vermont was at the throttle of the big Northern type engine which hauls the crack trains Washingtonian and Montrealer, but Dan's 'last run' was made between White River Jct. and St. Albans at the throttle of 603 http://216.94.16.48/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1070650366&id=56 hauling the Ambassador. Upon arrival in St. Albans the evening of May 23rd, Dan was greeted by more than 150 railway and community friends, including delegations from the city government, civic and fraternal organizations, railway officials and employees and townspeople.

MacDonald is a native of Grand River, P.E.I., where he was born in July, 1880, the son of a blacksmith and farmer. His first railroad job was with the Canadian Pacific at Brownsville Jct., Me., in November of 1898. He got a job as a fireman on the Maine Central in 1903 running between Portland and Bangor. Four years later he was set up as an engineer. In August, 1908, he went to work for the Grand Trunk running out of Montreal and in January, 1909, he was transferred to the Central Vermont.

"Running an engine is not real work but a pleasure to me," Dan holds, "and I've never been sorry that I became a railroader." "
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidentally the brothers MacDonald had two sisters in the convent, my great-Aunt Sadie and great-Aunt Veronica. Plus on my mother's side, great-Aunt Grace was Sister Mary Stanislaus. Yes, they were all great.

Recommended to Ted and Nick: A series of radio programs from 1971
http://bixography.com/bix/BIX.html
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 27, 2006 1:29 PM
G'day!

Good visit, albeit much too brief, but time well spent.[tup]

Since my offerings of song title's didn't even get honorable mention 'round here, how about these[?]

Cheryl Wheeler
..... Cow Pattern Clothes

Two Nice Girls
..... Spent my last $10 on birth control & beer

Marcia Taylor
..... Why Forgive & Forget When You Can Remember & Blame?

and <drumroll>

Mark Graham
..... Life Is Hard, But Life Is Hardest When You're Dumb

Another day, another Streamliner![swg]

Thanx for the info, quarters and round - CM3[tup] Don't recall Fred Narragansett , doesn't ring a bell. I lived in CT and MA from 1964-1973 and it just doesn't "click." Drank enough of the product to where I feel as if I was part of the "family!"[swg]

Two days in a row! Does this mean you are back with us[?] Thanx, Mike for the insight to your family's railroading heritage.[tup]

Okay Gents, I'm back to the mundane of putting material together for this bar 'n grill.

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

REMINDER: It is the policy of the Proprietor not to acknowledge those who fail to recognize the efforts of others.
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by passengerfan on Friday, January 27, 2006 1:55 PM
Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a CR and a round for the house.

As promised here is the listing of the first 50 PASSENGER FAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNERS

PASSENGERFAN AL’S STREAMLINER CORNER

Train Forum Page

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET 166
ARIZONA LIMITED 166
SOUTHERN BELLES 167
1 GULF COAST REBELS 169
2 CHOCTAW ROCKET 169
3 MISS LOU 169
4 ILLINI 169
5 CITY OF LAS VEGAS 170
6 LAND O’CORN 170
7 PROSPECTORS 170
8 TWIN STAR ROCKET 171
9 DIXIE FLAGLER 171
10 CITY OF MIAMI 172
11 SOUTH WIND 172
12 ELECTROLINERS 173
13 STREAMLINER 173
14 SOUTHERNER 174
15 CONGRESSIONAL 175
16 SENATOR 175
17 GOPHER & BADGER 177
18 ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS 178
19 COMMODORE VANDERBILT 179
20 CITY OF MEMPHIS 180
21 20th CENTURY LIMITED 181
22 BROADWAY LIMITED 184
23 EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS 184
24 MAN O’WAR 186
25 OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA 188
26 DENVER ZEPHYRS 1936 190
27 COMET 192
28 COLUMBIAN 1941 193
29 FORTY NINER 194
30 CITY OF PORTLAND 1935 197
31 ROYAL BLUE 1935 197
32 ROGER WILLIAMS 198
33 HI-LEVEL EL CAPITAN 199
34 AuRoRa 200
35 OLD DOMINION 209
36 NEBRASKA ZEPHYR 210
37 KANSAS CITY CHIEF 211
38 WINNIPEG LIMITED 212
39 TWIN ZEPHYRS 215
40 CANADIAN 216
41 SAM HOUSTON ZEPHYR 219
42 (skipped)
43 DOMINION 223
44 OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA (see also PAGE 188) 226
45 GOLDEN STATE 226
46 EMPIRE BUILDER 227
47 VISTA DOME CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR 228
48 NORTH COAST LIMITED 229
49 STARLIGHT 230
50 NORTHLANDER 231


TTFN AL
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Posted by pwolfe on Friday, January 27, 2006 2:11 PM
Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and a Sub please[tup].

TOM Looking forward to the films it is a long time since I last saw Oh Mr Porter. Glad the photos got there. Good Yogism and songs[tup].

AL Congratulations on the 50th Streamliner Corner.[tup]. The Trans- Europe Express generated a lot of publicity in Britain when it first came out, quite advanced for Europe in 1957.

CM3 Great song titles[^]. It seems the growth of railroads around the coalfields was very simular on both sides of the pond.InEngland in the mid to late 1700's the network of narrow canals were built to carry the coal often with very tortuous routes.Where I lived it is said that the bargees would hear Newbold Church clock strike 12 times. In the 1840s a lot of money was spent straightening out the canal with embankments, tunnels and viaducts etc., but the railways were soon to take the majority of the coal traffic. Some coal was still carried on my local canal up to the early 1960s. I think making London a smokeless zone was the final straw for coal on the canel. Coal and the railways is a fascinating subject.

MIKE Great post with family connections [tup]. Were there many stations of the same design as the one shown in the photo[?].

NICK The first Harry Potter film steam scenes were on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, The others have used the West Highland line with Glenfinnan Viaduct I believe.
One good effect of the films is that the regular steam trains that run in the summer months over the line have had very good passenger figures with extra trains being run, I read recently.

See you soon PETE.
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 27, 2006 3:51 PM
G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #66

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the SWISS FEDERAL RAILROADS from a 1933 advertisement in my personal collection.


A Treasure-House of Scenery Behind the Towering Alps

Switzerland – fairyland of azure lakes, snowy peaks and quaint century-old villages. Every golden hour spent in this fascinating land remains a precious memory throughout a lifetime.

Visit it NOW . . . such an opportunity may never come again. Costs everywhere are sweepingly reduced. Swiss thoughtfulness provides a unique railroad ticket on which you travel as you please – change your route at will – with rates adjusted to suit all tastes.

You will include in your trip the famous St. Gothard route with ZURICH and lovely LUCERNE, cradle of the Swiss Confederation and unique spot for excursions by boat and rail.

LUGANO-LOCARNO, floral paradise of the Swiss Italian lake district and on the Simplon Line distinguished LAUSSANE-OUCHY, international center for education and travel . . . LOETSHBERG LINE on the BERNESE OBERLAND with the quaint old towns of BERNE, capital of Switzerland . . . and THUN-INTERLOCKEN, for that spectacular trip . . . on the JUNGFRAUJOCH.

Write for Packet NG-1 to the Official Agency of the SWISS FEDERAL RAILROADS, 475 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

. . . . . . . . . . SWITZERLAND . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, January 27, 2006 6:37 PM
Hello Tom and Gentlemen!

Time for a round on me - Boris my good man (?) ring the bell while Tom goes about filling the glasses![swg]

So, tonight is pizza nite! Okay, I'll take a large Italian sausage and cheese pie with a thin crust. Might as well put a pitcher of Schefer (America's first lager beer. F&M Schaefer Brewing Co, Brooklyn, NY) in front of me, for I've got a thirst this Friday evening![tup] Will the twenty cover the round[?]

I really got a kick out of the Switzerland Nostalgia submission. Back in the 30s at that. I've browsed through some archives that I have and it seems like railroad ads were very common in the 30's and 40s, but tapered to pretty much nothingness afer that. Of course that's pretty much when the American love affair with the automobile took off - the 50s was quite the decade for cars.

Yes, we traveled the California Zephyr on round trips twice, when it was a "real" train as opposed to Amtrak. Also took Amtrak for a third trip, which turned out to be quite a disappointment. Poor service, inattentiveness amongst some of the attendant staff and accommodations leaving lots to be desired. We spent about as much for the Amtrak trip as we did for the two CZ trips "back when." One day I'll have to dig out the photo's and see what it takes to have them converted over to digital. Another one of those "projects" retired guys say they'll take on, but somehow it never happens![swg]

My "editorial" for the day: What IS it with people who post here and make it so apparent that they could care less about the submissions of others? Like we need to "gush" over their posts when ignorance seems to be singing out, loud and clear? Not for me. Reminds me very much of one of the "straws that broke the back" some time ago when I finally gave up on the forums. Can't stand rude.

Thanx for the welcome, Pete - have a Bathams on me![tup] Between you and Nick I'd say we have the "makings" for lots of great Brit and Euro information on rail. Keep it coming as it is always enlightening to learn of the other guys interests and experiences.[tup]

Tom I'm trying to maintain a timeframe for visits to the bar, but as you can tell by my last couple of visits, it ain't working![:O] Best I can do is tell you that I'll try to be your "afternoon guy" - give or take a few hours![:I]

A get together in Reno would be a great idea and I echo the sentiments put forth by a couple of the guys. It wouldn't have to be a "full fledged" annual rendezvous if that somehow would make it more difficult. Just a get together of sorts. The only thing that turns me off, sadly to admit, is traveling aboard Amtrak these days and times. I might just fly out and back, for there's quite a bit to do in that area for anyone interested in railroads. For what it's worth, it's pleasant just thinking about it.

I think it is time for you to add me to the Birthday Bash list - so here it comes: March 31st I'll be 66.[sigh]

Not sure about my presence this weekend as the Mrs. has "plans." That never bodes well for the things that I may want to do![swg] However, given an opportunity, I'll do my best to get in on the Sunday pix posting.

Enjoy the evening one and all! It's been nice to see that some of you have returned to the neighborhood watering hole!

Until the next time!

Lars
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Posted by nickinwestwales on Friday, January 27, 2006 9:09 PM
Well hi boys,must admit to being a touch "refreshed" at this point in time-have had an interesting evening,received a call from the other guitar player in my regular band ( not the one with which I have had recent problems ) asking me if I fancied lifting a glass or two-naturally happy to comply,after some fencing we arrived at the meat of the matter--He has arranged an audition for us both with the Hoochie Coochie Blues Band-a nationally popular blues outfit who are unexpectedly found short-handed ( long story) and require a guitarist (him) and bass player (me) with nation wide work waiting...could be the break I`ve been waiting for all these years-at last,a chance to earn a living doing what I love best...........wish me well
O.K-to the posts:-
[4:-)][oX)]TOM-The Yogi`s put a smile on my face every morning-not a bad way to start the day !.....also ,some of those songs have a familiar ring.....Always good to see family,however briefly-but when Mick , Keef & Charlie are in town everything else goes to the wall-The greatest Rock`n`Roll band in the world..............Ladies & gentlemen,will you please welcome............I can feel the buzz from here[^]-just wish I could be there !!!!!!!!!!!
On a more mundane level,I look forward to the film show-Oh mr porter can be watched again & again [tup][tup]
PETE-for my money ,the G.W.R locos didn`t look too bad in the blue livery-at least it `worked` with the `blood & custard` coach stock-not the way they were intended to look but could be worse.............Still,anything that gets kids interested in trains as a hobby is alright by me [^]
AL -so you finally got around to the "Northlander"-nice one !!!!-not wanting to pick holes,but I always thought the FP7a`s were re-motored with Caterpiller prime movers-hence the nick-name `Cats`-would appreciate definative view ( all I know is they spoilt the lines of the original with the extra vents)-but then again it kept some F-Units running for a few more years-see nicks pix for a shot of the `Northlander` just outside Toronto Union with a `Cat` in charge.
MIKE-.......Swordfish sub huh?-how much sword can you manage in one sandwich ?-we are moving into Capt Beefheart territory here-best leave well alone............
LARS-Switzerland (?) is a train-spotters dream-one of my brothers-in-law described it as a whole country laid out like a giant train-set with real scenery.....pretty much covers it from my end.....by the bye-you share a birthday with my little sister,a double celebration is called for.......
Right,Boris-time to call a rickshaw for your devoted master-will speak again tomorrow when I have recovered from all this excitement-take care one and all,the moonlight mile for me.......
O.K-so how does it go-But It`s all right now,In fact it`s a gas,but it`s awl right........I`m jumping Jack Flash it`s a gas gas gas (oh yeah)
right,I`m outa here,nick,[C=:-)]
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 27, 2006 10:08 PM
Evenin' Gents!

Let's get right to it - check this URL: http://www.petera.co.uk/hoochiecoochie/theband.asp
Best of postiive results to you Nick! Give it your best shot, Mate![tup][tup][tup]

Thanx to Lars - Pete - Mike - Al and Nick for the Posts of this day![tup] As I've been known to say, it isn't the quantity so much as quality - and we've got lots of the latter working for us 'round here!

I should mention that I'll be away from the bar tomorrow evening - actually from about 4 PM on .... Cindy has offered to help out, and of course Leon will work the night shift. So don't let my absence be a deterrent to Posting. Saturday night out with the bride - guy has to do what a guy has to do, eh[?]

The last I heard the Stones were going for over 100 bucks a pop and the place has been sold out for months! My son flew in from northern Viriginia to catch this show with a couple of his buddies who still live in these parts. When I asked him if he'd ever seen Mick and the Boyz before he said, "Oh yeah, about 6 other times."[wow] My oldest son (late) was perhaps the biggest fan of these guys. Not the best of influences on him back in his formative years (60s) - but I must admit the music is great. No other R&R band that I'm aware of can even come close to what these characters have achieved.

Lars Always appreciate your upfront attitude. Just don't let this minutia get to ya, okay[?] Just aint' worth the concern. Thanx for being willing to be consistent with the PM Postings - that should help quite a bit. Now if we can get the 10 AM to 2 PM timeframe squared away .....

Nick That's an accurate description of Switzerland rail, fer sure, fer sure! Just as I recall it. I'll have to remember that, "A whole country laid out like a giant train set with real scenery," [yeah] that's about it![swg]

It's time for me to check out, but first - Boris ring the bell - drinks on me![tup]

Leon the Night Man has the bar 'til closing.

Nite[zzz]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 28, 2006 7:09 AM


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

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

G’day! Here we are again – Saturday, time to fill up the coffee mugs, check out the menu board for our <traditional> and <light> breakfasts and sample The Mentor Village Bakery pastry case![swg]


Daily Wisdom

The other team could make trouble for us if they win. (Yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

* Weekly Calendar:

Today Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! and ENCORE! Saturday

…..and don’t forget Sunday Photo Posting Day!

RR Book Relay – First mailing was Monday![tup]

A new series begins on Monday – watch for it!


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 05:48:12 (231) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 07:18:55 (231) Acknowledgments, etc.

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 07:24:48 (231) Streamliner #50

(4) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 09:16:20 (231) Chat & Mining in WVA, etc.

(5) wanswheel Mike Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 12:06:56 (231) Dan MacDonald, etc.

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 13:29:09 (231) Acknowledgments, etc.

(7) passengerfan Al Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 13:55:18 (231) Streamliner Corner Index

(8) pwolfe Pete Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 14:11:12 (231) Inclusive Post, etc.

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 15:51:47 (231) NOSTALGIA #66 – Ad, Swiss Federal Railways (1933)

(10) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 18:37:14 (231) PM Chat, etc.

(11) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 21:09:00 (231) Inclusive Post, etc.

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Jan 2006, 22:08:25 (231) Acknowledgments, etc.



NOW SHOWING:

The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

. . . January 23rd thru 28th: Denver and Rio Grande (1952) starring Edmond O’Brien, Sterling Hayden & Dean Jagger

Coming attractions!
Double Features beginning Monday, January 30th!

. . . Sunday, January 29th: DOUBLE FEATURE Narrow Margin (1990) starring Gene Hackman & Anne Archer – and – North by Northwest (1959) starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint & James Mason.

. . . January 30th thru February 4th: DOUBLE FEATURE Oh, Mr. Porter! (British - 1937) starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott & Graham Moffitt – and – Shadow of a Doubt (1943) starring Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten & Macdonald Carey.


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:22 AM
Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for coffee and a crumpet.
Tax season seemed to get off to a slow start this year but the pace is beginning to pick up rapididly now. Livng just two blocks from my office helps as I can sneak home for an hour or two when things are quite but don't expect that will last much longer.

Nick you asked about the NORTHLANDER FP-7 units and it was my understanding the original Harper-Detroit power packs installed for HEP power were less than successful so they took a page from the CN who tried Cummins HEP units in their Tempo train power units. They were found far more reliable and I believe ONR converted not only the NORTHLANDER units but those FP7A units operating the former GO transit cars converted for long distance services as todays NORTHLANDER. From everything I have on the Subject the prime mover of the FP-7 units of Ontario Northland retain their original GMD diesels. By the way hope your meeting went well with the Blues Band and we will see your name on some forthcoming CD labels.

TTFN AL.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:37 AM
G'day!

ENCORE! Saturday ENCORE! Saturday ENCORE! Saturday

Here’s another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads: First Posted on page 146

Louisville & Nashville (L&N)

Headquarters: Louisville, KY

Mileage in 1950: 4,779

Locomotives in 1963:

Diesel: 732

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars: 59,077
Passenger cars: 483

Principal lines in 1950:

Cincinnati-New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, Lewisborg, TN & Birmingham
Nashville-St. Louis via Evansville, IN
Louisville-Evansville
Memphis Junction, KY (Bowling Green)-Memphis
Cincinnati-Atlanta via Knoxville, TN & Cartersville, GA
Flomaton, AL-Chattahoochie, FL
Anchorage-Hazard, KY via Lexington
Corbin-Baxter, KY
Lebanon Junction-Sinks, KY

Passenger trains of note:

Azalean (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and Atlanta & West Point.
Crescent (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and A&WP.
Dixie Flagler (Chicago-Miami via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixie Flyer (Chicago-Florida via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixieland (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)
Flamingo (Cincinnati-Jacksonville via Corbin, KY)
Georgian (Chicago & St. Louis-Atlanta)
Gulf Wind (New Orleans-Jacksonville; joint with ACL)
Humming Bird (Chicago & St. Louis & Cincinnati-New Orleans & Memphis; joint with Chicago & Eastern Illinois)
Pan-American (Cincinnati-Memphis & New Orleans)
Piedmont Limited (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and A&WP)
Southland (Detroit-Florida via Louisville & Corbin)
South Wind (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday ENCORE! Saturday ENCORE! Saturday
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Saturday, January 28, 2006 9:24 AM
Tom this is the last of the book forwards..

THE STREAMLINED HEADEND CARS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
By Al
Introduction

The headend cars were those cars that were used for the transportation of Mail, Express shipments, Coffins and Passenger Baggage, company mail, packages, bulk mail (magazines, 2nd and 3rd class mail) etc. Head end cars also sorted the mail in route in Railway Post Office cars. Headend cars were also those cars that carried everything necessary in the way of supplies to people, who live in the more remote regions of the country, this is especially true for those living near the Alaska Railroad and along certain remote rail lines in Canada. In many of those places the trains are the sole access to the rest of the world for those who choose this way of life.
Still other headend cars were used for the transport of Thoroughbred Race Horses and Prize Bulls, but only one railroad in North America the Canadian Pacific Railway purchased streamlined cars for this purpose. The other railroads that were involved in the transportation of Race Horses and Prize Bulls had purchased enough heavyweight cars of these types to see them to the end of that segment of rail transport. The early 1960’s saw this business disappear altogether from the rails, with the trucking industry and even air freight transporting the thoroughbreds, it was no longer necessary to transport Prize Bulls as just their frozen semen was transported usually by refrigerated truck transport or Air Freight.
Eventually the railroads operating the Railway Express Agency (REA) would even see this business disappear to companies such as Federal Express and United Parcel Service. The latter began at the end of WW II the other in the late 1950s; between these two they now operate 70% of the overnight package business with the remainder handled by the U.S. Postal service. Several railroads invested in streamlined cars to transport their REA shipments but for the most part REA shipments traveled in Express Boxcars generally in Mail and Express trains or secondary passenger trains along some routes. When all other passenger trains were deleted along a route the premier train or in some cases only passenger train remaining on this route usually added a headend car or two for the shipment of REA shipments. In many cases at major stops these cars required a great deal of loading and unloading the schedule of these trains was usually lengthened defeating the purpose of the premier train being the fastest and able to offer passengers premium service sometimes for an extra service charge. One source for REA Express cars following WW II were the Pullman Standard built troop sleepers that resembled lengthened boxcars equipped with windows and end doors with diaphragms. These cars were not convertible by the railroads to any civilian passenger use. But these former troop sleepers were easily convertible to Express cars and Baggage Cars they were operated by many railroads in the express business following their WW II troop transportation duties. They were perfectly suited for this purpose as the cars rode on high-speed trucks and were able to handle a large volume of Express in their stripped down interiors. The high-speed trucks they were equipped with permitted their operation in the fast mail and express trains. Another use for the former troop sleepers was as baggage cars and many others were converted to M of W cars for the track gangs and even wreck clearing crews, the railroads when using the cars for this purpose usually replaced the high-speed trucks with other trucks.
The railroads would have large numbers of streamlined Railway Post Office cars many operating in the finest streamliners in the country. These were the cars that sorted the mail in route and if an individual so desired they could meet the train at a station where it stopped and drop a letter directly into the Railway Post Office cars mail slot. This mail would then be sorted for delivery and would carry a Railroad Post Office cancellation stamp identifying the railroad it was mailed from. Most often the mail was sorted for smaller towns in route where the streamliners never even paused but roared right through. In those instances a door would open and a canvas sack of mail would be dropped off containing the mail for that town. At the same time a mail Crane located alongside the track held up the out going canvas mail sack to be picked up by a hook located on the side of the Railway Post Office car as the train roared through the town without even slowing. One by one the Railway Post Office routes were discontinued replaced by the post offices doing the sorting and the transportation of the mail was handled by truck and air transportation of the first class mail. The loss of the first class mail sounded the death knell for many of America’s finest streamliners. The money the Railroads had received from the post office was all that had kept many of these streamlined trains operating in the black or close to the black. With the loss of the Railway Post Office business the trains plunged into red ink the passenger revenues unable to support the train. Even much of the storage mail business disappeared to the trucking and air concerns. The railroads would be left with a large amount of the Bulk mail and magazine transport that tied up large numbers of cars but paid very little when compared to first class mail shipments. Much of this bulk mail is today handled in domestic containers or Piggyback trailers. Two railroads the Santa Fe and Burlington Northern began operating special piggyback mail trains from Chicago to the West Coast following Amtrak’s take over of the passenger trains from the railroads. The Santa Fe train was the SUPER C operating between Chicago and Los Angeles at passenger train speeds, and the Burlington Northern operated a similar train named the PACIFIC ZIP. This has mushroomed into a service comprised of high-speed trains carrying United Parcel containers and trailers. This has also led to several large trucking concerns transporting large numbers of trailers over long distances in these same type trains. Today there are container trains that now even act as a land bridge with ships transferring containers to trains on one coast for delivery to a waiting ship on the other coast for delivery to Europe or the Orient. Many of these large fast Container Ships are unable to transit the Panama Canal due to their extreme width and overall size.
The heavyweight head-end cars rode on six wheel trucks, while their lightweight streamlined counterparts for the most part rode on four-wheel trucks. One notable exception to this was the Baggage 30’ Railway Post Office Cars built by Budd for the SUNSET LIMITED trains of 1950. This was also true for the Baggage 30’ Railway Post Office cars built for the SP SHASTA DAYLIGHT and later transferred to the CASCADE after repainting. These Southern Pacific cars even though lightweights were equipped with six wheel trucks enabling them to carry greater payloads. The Union Pacific owned Baggage Cars that were converted to Baggage Train Heater cars with water tanks and train heat boilers installed at one end, it was at this end the railroad installed six wheel trucks while at the Baggage end the four-wheel trucks were retained. These cars were converted to Baggage Train Heat Boiler Cars to provide additional train heat in the winter months when the CITY streamliners were combined and their length made it necessary to have additional steam heat capacity to provide steam at the same pressure throughout lengthy consists. These train Heat Boiler cars were coupled to the rear of the so called CITY of everywhere streamliners to provide additional train heat capacity to the rear half of these long trains during the winter months.
The streamlined Baggage cars were easily recognizable generally by there lack of windows, they were generally equipped with two large sliding doors (6’ to 8’) on each side for loading and unloading, and with few exceptions were equipped with end doors and diaphragms for access to the trailing consist. For those Baggage cars traveling in a roads streamlined trains they were generally manned so the passengers checked baggage and whatever express traveling on the train could be unloaded and reloaded at station stops in the shortest length of time possible. These train baggage compartments were also used for the transportation of human remains in caskets for burial. By limiting the types of Baggage and express and other shipments to a minimum it enabled the train to operate on faster schedules with shorter length station stops. Many schedules called for a train to be in the station for only a short period of time just long enough to unload and reload passengers and the same for their checked luggage. Many of these same Baggage cars also carried Express shipments as well and they were generally assigned to secondary passenger trains or the mail and express trains. Cars that carried Express shipments were generally not manned but unlocked and opened at each station with express shipments for that town or city unloaded and shipments for cities and towns further along the train route being loaded and the doors once again locked.
The Railway Post Office Compartments were for the use of mail crews only to sort the mail while the train traveled from town to town and city to city. Most cars that had a Railway Post Office compartment had mail slots in the car sides where townspeople or passengers of the train could walk forward and mail a letter at longer station stops. These cars were equipped with arms on each side of the car to snatch the mail from a mail crane alongside the track at stations where the train did not stop. At the same time any mail that needed to be dropped off in that city was simply dropped off in one of the heavy canvas mailbags. Hopefully the bag wouldn’t go through a station window or strike someone such as a railfan hanging around the station. The three most common size Railway Post Office Compartments found in lightweight streamlined trains were 15’, 30’ and 60’. The 15’ was generally manned by two to four mail clerks depending on the route, the 30’ was generally assigned 4-8 mail clerks and the 60’ Railway Post Office Compartments were usually manned by 8 or more clerks depending again on route. In many cases the 60’ RPO represented the entire length of the car, while those 60’ Railway Post Office Compartments found in 85’ cars generally the remaining space was for storage mail or for other sacks of first class mail after it had been sorted. The U. S. Mail crew’s who manned the Railway Post Office cars were armed to protect the mail entrusted to their care. There was never an instance of a streamlined U.S. Mail Railway Post Office car being robbed, but the Canadians had a single robbery take place of a streamlined RPO car in the overnight train between Toronto and Kapuskasing a joint CNR-ONR train. This robbery took place before the train had even departed Toronto Union Station on its overnight journey. Canadian Railway Post Office Clerks were not armed like their American counterparts.
Other cars resembling Baggage cars were for the magazines and other bulk type mail that was loaded in one city for transportation to another city where the car was set out. These cars were called storage mail cars and they traveled locked at all times. The storage mail cars as they were called generally traveled in secondary passenger trains or in Mail - Express trains. The one exception that comes to mind is the transport of one of these Storage Mail cars in the Great Northern Railways westbound EMPIRE BUILDER between St. Paul and Spokane daily. The car originated in Chicago and traveled in the Milwaukee Roads MORNING HIAWATHA between Chicago and St. Paul. Since the Great Northern Railway did not wi***o spoil the appearance of the incomparable EMPIRE BUILDER by having a car from another railroad break up the streamliners colors, the Great Northern Railway supplied all storage mail cars used in this service between Chicago and Spokane. The mail has a slogan that it always gets through but in at least one case that was certainly true even if it took awhile. Apparently one of the large eastern railways managed to lose a couple of these storage mail cars on an unused track for several years before they were rediscovered loaded with undelivered Christmas packages and mail. But the Post Office did there part and delivered the years late Christmas bounty to their rightful owners, with very few of the packages being undeliverable for whatever reason.
Many of the Railroads in the United States and Canada were reluctant to purchase lightweight streamlined head end cars in the early years of the streamline era due to the cost involved and most of these roads still had large numbers of perfectly good heavyweight head end cars. Several roads were busy converting older heavyweight cars of different types into heavyweight head end cars. The railroads were slow in purchasing lightweight streamlined head end cars, and at first only purchased lightweight streamlined head end cars for certain all streamlined trains to match the rest of the consist. It would be several years into the streamline era before railroads would begin purchasing large numbers of lightweight streamlined head end cars for general service. After they began purchasing the large lots of lightweight streamlined head end cars it became more and more common to see these cars appear in secondary trains and even the Express and Mail trains of these roads. By the end of the Second World War many railroads were faced with a well worn and tired group of older heavyweight headend cars and many were pressed into maintenance of way service and others were simply scrapped. With these older heavyweight cars nearing the end of their useful service lives the railroads began buying large numbers of lightweight streamlined head end cars.
While the vast majority of lightweight streamlined passenger carrying cars were between 77’ to 85’ in length, lightweight streamlined head end cars varied from 60’ to 85’ in length. The initial streamlined head end cars were those of the Union Pacific and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy articulated streamlined train sets that featured Combination Control Cab Engine Room Baggage or Control Cab Engine Room Railway Post Office Baggage cars. When the single non-articulated lightweight streamlined head end cars were introduced the most common was for the use of passengers checked baggage usually in combination with other car types such as Baggage – Coach, Baggage – Crew Dormitory – Coach, or Baggage - Railway Post Office Cars. In most cases lightweight streamlined baggage cars that carried checked baggage assigned to a roads streamliners were generally manned to speed up station stops thus enabling the streamliner to maintain a faster schedule. Many streamlined head end cars were built for assignment too specific trains and spent their entire operational service careers in those trains, some were even lettered for the specific train they were assigned to such as the EMPIRE BUILDER.
As the railroads discontinued more and more of there passenger trains the remaining trains were assigned additional head end cars. In many cases a result of a road assigning more and more head end cars to a streamlined train was a slowdown in schedule to the point where a passenger could take a bus cheaper and get their faster. For many other passengers the slowdown of the streamlined train schedules forced many passengers and businessmen in particular to the friendly skies. In the late 1960’s many of the nations once proud streamlined trains had been reduced to little more than Baggage – Express – Mail trains with one or two coaches carried for passengers tacked on the rear, this became even more apparent as the birth of Amtrak approached in 1971.
Several railroads streamlined heavy-weight head end cars in their own shops, and in other cases converted lightweight streamlined sleeping cars and other car types no longer needed for the transportation of passengers into lightweight streamlined head end cars. Several railroads built their own lightweight streamlined head end cars such as the Great Northern. As the Railway Post Office routes were discontinued, the railroads needing additional cars for transporting bulk mail and express shipments rebuilt many of the former Railway Post Office compartments for the handling of Bulk mail and express shipments many times without even blanking out the RPO windows. The strangest conversion of a railroad car to a head end car has to be the Rock Islands conversion of a lightweight streamlined Coach Lounge Observation into a Coach Baggage Observation. This car will be discussed in more detail in the Rock Island Chapter of this book.
One railroad’s sole new lightweight streamlined car purchases were three Baggage Cars, that road was the Chicago Great Western.
The lightweight streamlined head end cars were much in demand by the railroads once their passenger trains were gone for use as tool cars by the maintenance of way departments for the roads track gangs they were also assigned to Wreck train service again for transporting tools and other equipment necessary for the clean-up of derailments. In still other cases the former lightweight streamlined baggage cars lost their trucks and were placed on the ground in rail yards and engine facilities for storing parts brake shoes, tools, etc.
There were no lightweight streamlined Baggage Sleeping cars unless one counts those former Canadian National Railway owned 24 Duplex Roomette sleeping cars converted by CN shops to Baggage Crew Dormitory cars using many of the former Duplex Roomettes for the crew space. But these cars Duplex Roomette space was not sold to the public.
Several railroads purchased Baggage cars in the later years of the streamline era that resembled nothing more than lengthened boxcars operating on high-speed trucks. Still several of these car types were equipped with end doors, and diaphragms that permitted access to the rest of the train, many of these cars were even manned Baggage cars and operated in the roads streamlined trains. The railroads that purchased these type cars were the Missouri Pacific, Rock Island and Southern Pacific and they will be covered in more detail in those chapters.
Amtrak originally purchased a number of Baggage cars used from the railroads, and today owns Material Handling cars (MHC) and highway trailers that operate on the rear of Amtrak trains. One all mail train complete with working RPO still remains active on Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor. The former RPO cars assigned to this service are former PRR heavyweights. Amtrak also purchased Superliner coaches with Baggage compartments occupying part of the lower level space, but most of these have now lost that baggage compartment as this is written and converted to additional coach seating space. Manned Baggage cars are found on few of Amtrak’s present trains. Amtrak who for years operated the EMD F40 locomotives as the mainstay of their passenger train power in the non-electrified districts, has retired all of these from service now. Several of these former 3,000 hp diesels have been converted to Baggage –Cabs operating at the opposite end of the train from the power but being used as the engineers cab when the train is operating in the reverse direction. The prime mover is removed and the space is changed to a Baggage compartment with large sliding side doors installed in the engine sides and concrete poured for the baggage floor. This gives Amtrak a versatile unit for push-pull operations of trains operating in the Midwestern and Northeastern states the only regions where these units have been assigned so far.
Amtrak has recently purchased additional trailers on rail for operation on the rear of passenger trains where speeds up to 90 mph are often the norm. These trailers will be operated on the rear of SOUTHWEST CHIEF and CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR initially.
AMTRAK and VIA RAIL CANADA both will continue to operate different types of head end cars and will be listed in those chapters of the book.
The remainder of this book will be a Railroad-by-Railroad documentation of the streamlined head end cars and how the railroads assigned these cars for service.

TTFN AL
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 28, 2006 11:59 AM
G'day!

. . . . . ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday . . . . .

GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #3 from multiple sources
First Posted on page 137

Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with
Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this pre-WWI poster out!

LONDON & NORTH WESTERN & CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS

TRAVEL BY WEST COAST ROUTE BETWEEN ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

Comfort – Punctuality – Speed

QUICKEST & BEST ROUTE BETWEEN ALL PARTS of
ENGLAND and SCOTLAND

PASSENGERS BY THE WEST COAST ROUTE
MAY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF TRAVELLING BY THE
NEW “GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR” DINING CAR TRAINS
of the CALEDONIA COMPANY in SCOTLAND.

WEST COAST NIGHT EXPRESS LONDON (Euston) & SCOTLAND

The Finest Vehicles in Europe, Vestibule Throughout.

BREAKFAST, LUNCHEON & DINING CARS.

Passengers
traveling between England and the North of Scotland
can go via EDINBURGH (Princes Street) and break their
journey there, in both directions, without extra charge or inconvenience,
and after visiting the places of interest in Edinburgh, resume their
journey North or South from the same Station by the
”GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR
or other Express Trains.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

. . . . . ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday . . . . .
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo

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