"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the hosue and $ for the jukebox.

This is my third try at posting this as the squirrels seem to be in the forum this morning, or maybe Boris is not running on his exercise wheel to keep the voltage at the proper level. I never have been able to figure out why when the beer coolers at the bar kick in, the trolley dies downtown.

I appreciated the information on the ICE trains - especially the maps, route information, etc.

The movie offering, 'Slap Shot," is a good one; Mike Ontken played hockey for UNH and I tutored him and some of his brehren back in the day; did what it took to keep the starters eligible to play. Man, there are some stories there which as our 'steamed proprieotr syas are for "another place and another time." Anyway, some of the fight scenes in "Slap Shot" are reminiscent of the days when Nashville had a team in the old Eastern League. The players would go up in the stands and fight with the fans when they got bored with beating the !@#$ out of each other -

We need to start thinking abt. a baseball feature for the movie house for opening day. How about Whose On First?" and for the main film, "Long Gone." This was a real sleeper that never got much play anywhere. I could really identify with some of the stuff that went on in the movie, but again "''nother place, 'nother time." Suffice it to say, who couldn't root for a team called the "Tampico Stogies?"

The interior Zephyr shot was interesting; art deco/transport moderne - looked like the Chrysler building on wheels.

Let's look under the hood of the U33 for a little bit. GE produced a U33B and a U33C. Both FDL 16 powered; 3300 horsepower. They sold approx 137 U33Bs - all domestically, and approx. 375 U33Cs - again all domestically. The U33B was available from 1967 to 1970 and the U 33C available from 1968 to 1975.

The Sulzer engine remarks kicked something forward from the deep recesses of what's left of my memory. In 1936 GE built for the Illinois Central a transfer locomotive powered by a 10-cylinder Busch-Sulzer engine; it was a one-of-a-kind unit. I know there's a photo of it somewhere.

I see where we are doing the Southern next week; I have already gathered some material to share, including information relating to the Central of Georgia which was certainly part of the family. I always got a charge of seeing Southern units at Elmore, WV in the old VGN yards. Whoda thunk of seeing AGS or CNO&TP units in southern WV - of course, there were more than a few NKP units in the mix as well. When the SOU relettered their e units for the Crescent, I got some pictures of them at Ivy City sitting with Amtrak SDP40s and GG1s still in PRR livery.

well, better see if this works this time.

work safe

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

A beautiful, blue sky morning. More rain in the forecast, but right now it’s a glorious start to the day. Juneau was rather sprightly on our trek throughout the subdivision. Fortunately he’s on one of those 25 ft retractable leashes – so he gets to take off and “zoom” as he pleases. Huskies are like that.

A bit o’ news:

nickinwestwales Nick reports that he’s still a bit under the weather, but is definitely on the mend. He said “Thanx” to one and all for making his Birthday Bash! such a rousing success. From the “tone” of the message, I’d say we really “got” to him![tup][tup][tup]

passengerfan Al[ reports that he’s been seriously ill, with temps at or above 103. Now that’s plain dangerous. Anyway. he thinks he’ll be back in shape by Monday. He also said that he did some browsing, but couldn’t concentrate. We all know how THAT goes, eh[?] Happens! Speedy and full recovery, 20 Fingers![tup][tup][tup]


Some acknowledgments and thoughts interspersed:

trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 09 Mar 2006, 23:26:52, 23:35:08 & 10 Mar 2006, 00:41:21

Good to see ya![tup] Looks like your PhotoBucket Pix didn’t make it. May want to resubmit ‘em (edit). Anyway, as my “notice” indicated, this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed this problem. And it’s not with ALL the Pix, just some. Makes me wonder.

Don’t know what to say regarding the “confused” Posts we’ve been getting from our left coast investigator lately. But, I’ve simply had it . . . no more from me, at least until things get back to even keel.


When it comes to the engineering phase of this or that, I surely must yield to those who “know.” All I can say is that German Engineering has quite a healthy respect. That wheel design, in retrospect, does make one wonder . . . However, I’m a novice and hate to jump in with anything that even resembles anecdotal info. I tend to form my opinions based around fact, or at least information that I’ve checked out and believe to be plausible.


LoveDomes Lars
Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 08:02:34

Yes, it IS indeed a surprise to see ya ‘round here so early – but welcome![tup] Judging by the amount of “empties” you left on the table, I’d say you had quite an afternoon for yourself yesterday![swg] However, you DID NOT empty the “stash” of Keiths – lots more where those came from![swg]

Good news about Monday. You’re in a good position – we’ll be celebrating for you and Doug on Monday – then all kinds of well wishes on the 31st, your “real” Natal Day! Win-win, for you, Mate![tup]

coalminer3 CM3
Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 08:31:03

I’m one step ahead of you with the “opening day” baseball movies. Already picked out a double feature . . . however, I’ll add your titles to the ‘stack’ – it’s a loooooooooong season![swg] Thanx![tup]

I suspect that Southern will shake loose a few guys with some Posts, especially 20 Fingers![swg] Looking forward to it all.[tup]

My suggestion to you and anyone else Posting on these Forums – hope you are preparing on a WP program. At least all isn’t lost if the Post winds up in the far reaches of the Ether![swg]

Back to the movies: Slap Shot is one of those “classics,” and we watch it quite often in this haus! Slap Shot II is on the “list,” but not right now. It too is a “goodie,” just don’t want to make comparisons – that’s the way it seems to be with sequels, eh[?] I think “II” can stand on its own, given the number of years between the two flicks. I used to watch minor league hockey quite a bit while stationed and living in Tidewater, VA (Portsmouth – Norfolk – VA Beach – Chesapeake) back in the mid-70s. The “Tidewater Tides,” of the old “Southern Hockey League.”[yeah] Some really good games, lots of fun and most times the arena (Norfolk’s Scope) had a good crowd – 5 to 7 thousand. Big rivals back then were the “Hampton Gulls,” the hated “Gulls,” with lots and lots of “on and off ice extra-curricular” activity![swg] Around here, we have the “Missouri Otters,” of the “United Hockey League.” Rather tame in comparison with the “old” days, but still more fun (in my opinion) than the NHL. Minor leaguers are “hungry,” and that’s good for the sport, eh[?][tup]

Thanx for the round AND quarters![tup]


Okay, boyz, I’ll be here for the day!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


Stick around a few minutes AFTER POSTING - The information you MISS may be for YOU!

Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[siberianmo]

Significant events in Canadian RR History during the month of March.


*March 1836: The oldest Canadian Pacific component, the St. Andrews & Quebec Railroad Company was authorized by the New Brunswick legislature to construct a rail line from St. Andrews to lower Canada. Operations began in the spring of 1851, fifteen years later.


*19 March 1855: The Niagra Gorge vehicle suspension bridge is re-engineered for the use of railroad trains. The structure was built in 1848 with its wooden trusses replaced by steel in 1880.


* 12 March 1857: Fifty nine lose their lives when a Great Western Railway train plunges into the Desjardins Canal near Hamilton. A broken axle was determined to the cause of the accident.


* 20 March 1896: Central Vermont Railway becomes part of the Grand Trunk Railway. CV corporate identity remains unchanged.


* 1 March 1898: The Intercolonial Railway begins through rail service between Montreal and Halifax. Grand Trunk Railway lease and trackage rights are instrumental in enabling the service to commence.


* 17 March 1909: An out of control train slams into the stop blocks at CPs Montreal’s Windsor Street Station. Six fatalities resulted. The cause was determined to be a broken spring hanger on loco #2102 which caused a lurch and a driving wheel to strike a washout plug. Scalded crew escaped the locomotive. Impact was estimated to be 25 mph thanks to the setting of the train brake by a brakeman.


* 1 March 1916: Fire destroys Montreal’s Grand Trunk Railway Bonaventure Station.


* 7 March 1919: An appointment of the Minister of Railways to be receiver for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.


* 8 March 1920: , March 8 - The Canadian Natinal Railways Board of Directors assumes management of the Grand Trunk Pacific.


* March 1949: Montreal Locomotive Works rolls out Canadian Pacific’s its last new steam locomotive Class T-l-c 2-10-4 #5935.


* 15 March 1951: The House of Commons tables the Turgeon Commission’s report on behalf of the The Royal Commission on Transportation.


* 30 March 1954: Canada’s first subway is opened in Toronto by the Toronto Transit Commission.


* March 1961: The MacPherson Commission, on behalf of the Royal Commission on Transportation, publishes its report. The National Transportation Act of 1967 is largely based on their recommendations.


* 17 March 1974: Two CP Rail crew members are killed when a freight train derails at Spences Bridge, BC. A rock slide was the cause. The installation of ditch lights on board Canadian trains resulted.


* 13 March 1978: The first bi-level coaches are introduced by Toronto’s GO.


* 22 March 1985: The Scarborough Rapid Transit Line is opened by the Toronto Transit Commission using linear induction technology.


* 6 March 1990: Vancouver’s Skytrain commences operation on the Expo Line between Columbia & Scott Road.


* 28 March 1994: Vancouver’s Skytrain commences operation on the Expo Line between Scott Road & King George.


* 22 March 1999: Operation is assumed by RaiLink Ltd. of CNs Coronado, Bonnyville, & Lac La Biche subdivisions, NE of Edmonton. The line runs from St. Paul Junction, immediately N of Edmonton, to Boyle and NE to Grande Centre and Elk Point. It also joins with RaiLink's existing Lakeland & Waterways track at Boyle.


Information contained in this compilation was obtained from internet public domain sources and materials from my private RR library collection. The use of this information is strictly for pleasure without intent of monetary reward or profit of any kind.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

Did you miss the previous two “Significant events in Canadian RR History”[?] Click the URL:

(1) January, page 215:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=215&TOPIC_ID=35270

(2) February, page 243:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=243&TOPIC_ID=35270



waving flags credit to:www.3DFlags.com

[siberianmo]

[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]


Sunday, March 12th is the 11th Month Anniversary of the introduction of ”Our” Place on the Classic Trains Forum. Why not stop by during our Photo Posting Sunday! to enjoy the Pix and drop off a greeting[?]


Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

[BudKarr]

Hello Captain Tom and all assembled!

A round of cheer for the men at the bar, and something hot for me if you please. Just a "splash" to make it interesting, thank you!

Many interesting, diverse and spread out postings, Captain! Keeping the flow is something you do quite well. Aside from CM3 there does not seem to be very many daytime contributors to the information bank.

Sorry to learn about Sir Nick & Sir Al although I must admit to being a bit perplexed with the latter. He has been 'seen' perhaps three times with postings on one of those rather innane question type gimmicks since his announced illness during Sir Nick's Bash. What do we make of that[?] Delirium, perhaps.[swg]

Sir Rob when you finish up and have everything cleaned up, perhaps you would consider coming up this way. We have an abundance of that type work, with your name all over it![swg] Hardly a holiday, my friend!

Your "Significant Dates" posting is full of history. Of course, I have been running back and forth between search engines in order to clarify this or that point. Many terms have no meaning for me, and my guess is many others. Nevertheless, this is a great educational tool for one and all. Good show![tup] My guess is that Sir Rob will revel in it - waving flags and all.[swg]

So, you have had an afternoon of delight, have you Sir Lars[?] A hair of the dog should straighten you out this morning! Ah, it is afternoon where you are. By now, then, you should be ready for round #2![tup]

As always, Sir Coalminer very good submissiona and something to think about. I look forward to whatever treat you have in store for Captain Tom's next installment of those "Railroads from Yesteryear." Another feature that has taken hold around here.

I like that term, "For what it's worth," and will begin to use it. First installment directed to Lars - concur wholeheartedly with simply doing to those what they have been doing to us. Recognition is indeed a two way street. Although, I have not contributed very much, aside from words that is.

Too bad about Photo Bucket! Now that I finally arranged for a site, it seems to have gone bonkers. I am preparing a "little something" for Sunday Picture Day and hope it goes through. I am a tad slow with the process, but am learning as I go. Best approach to it, I think.

With tomorrow being your Encore Saturday! feature throughout the day, I think I will remain offline. Spending a bit more time at this than I should or need to. The weather up here is rather dismal with snow, temperatures in the 20s (F) and expected to continue throughout the weekend. Fireplace is fired up, supplies stocked well, home entertainment doing just fine (thank you very much!) so the weekend should be wonderful for us![tup]

See you on Sunday.

BK

[coalminer3]

Good Afternoon (surprise) Barkeep and all Assembled; coffee refill, please; round for the house and more $ for the jukebox.

I don't know what was going on with the 'puter this a.m., I do stuff separately for the most part and then drop it in, so I didn't lose anythign, just had to redo it until it departed from here. Gotta love it.

Thanks for the Canadian information.

Have a good weekend all.

wrok safe

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and a round to build the fund for Monday[tup].

DAVE Thanks for the U33C and U25B info. There were quite a few of the Diesel-Electrics loco classes in the U.K that used the Sultzer diesel engine introduced in the late 50s and the early 60s. These were in the 1,100 to 2,500 horse power range and seem quite successful.Although the locos were mainly outlived by the English Electric products. The smaller HP engines had a very distinctive sound.
There is a book in the UK called RED FOR DANGER which listed the major railway accidents from the early days to the late 1950s, and how the Railway Inspectorate and the railways learnt from them and introduced new laws and practices. It was often a hard battle to get the railways to accept new safety rulesin the early days.

ROB.Glad you enjoyed the link to the web-site. The early Irish diesels also were Metro-Vick locos. They were later re-engined with GM equipment.

AL and NICK Hope you are well on the way to feeling better and hope to see you both back at the Bar very soon.[tup].

CM3 Thanks for the U33B info. Hockey was the first sport I saw live in the US back in 2000 a great game but I still don't understand what ICING is[%-)].

DOUG The story of #107 is amazing, how is it one loco has so much bad luck. On BR if a loco is seemed to have a jinx it is renumbered. this has happened twice to my knowledge. I will have to tell you about diesel loco #47299 some time a strange but true tale.

LARS Glad you are able to be here Monday[tup].

TOM Great Canadian RR History for March although it seemed a bad month for accidents. The last Candian steam loco was produced 11 years before the last one was built for BR at Swindon Works but strangely it was produced in the same month March.
Looks like more good films for the Emporium.
I must agree with you about Minor leagues sports. I dont think I ever will go to a English Premier Soccer game but the atmosphere at a lower division and Non-league games is great, not to mention the price the top teams expect you to pay to see them.

I see in the K.C. Star it says that UP are going to do track improvements from later this month until August between Hermann and Kirkwood also Sedalia and Pleasent Hill.It says the effect on the Amtrak St Louis to Kansas City service will be announced soon. PETE.

[LoveDomes]

Hey Tom! and Gents at the bar!

A round on me if you please - just put the change in the Lars Box for Monday![tup] Me[?] Oh, I'll take one of those Brit brews that Pete always has, Bathams please - but in a frosty mug rather than a pint glass. Thanks![swg]

BK - CM3 & Pete that's not bad for this time of day, huh[?] Could be worse, given the "history" of some recent Friday afternoons.<ugh> Always good to see the guys come through the doors. Sitting over in the corner yesterday, I got a real charge out of the people passing by. Didn't know so many worked at the lumber yard! Some fine looking, errrrrrrr, stock - if I do say so meself!<grin>

Pete If the "host" railroad announces plans to do trackwork, you can bet on one thing. The passenger trains WILL be late - count on it. Even in this part of the country where Amtrak owns the right-of-way in the northeast corridor - when trackwork begins, the schedule suffers, or better put, the passengers do.[tdn]

One day I'd like to take that round trip that you and Tom travel on. I'm familiar with the territory, but of course not so much as Tom. That must have been quite a route to travel when the MoPac was up and running. Those Eagles were fine trains and what I'd give to sit up in a dome - enjoying the view, my brew, and perhaps a "sweet thing" along side. (Of COURSE I was referring to YOU, sweet thing![swg])
<phew!>

Don't get me going on professional sports. I'm a burn out, big time. The prices to watch these Prima Donna baseball, football, basketball and hockey players is outta sight, plain ridiculous. Yet, the good seats are always sold out, season after season. Guess I just was in the wrong profession. Not really - I'd do it over again - twice!tup]

I'll take another one of those Bathams - nah, keep it in the same mug, goes down just as well![swg]

Tonight is Pizza nite! so me & sweet thing will return - or perhaps I'll just sit here and she can drive on over.[swg] As the kids say, "whateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever!" Should be a good time as I love those NY style pies that Tom makes. Got the recipe from a Staten Island Italian Pizza Parlor is my guess. Best pizza there is, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Ok - 'nuf nonsense. I'll just mosey on over to the corner and listen to the tunes. What is it today, oh [yeah] a Hank Jr. song fest! Great stuff - are ya ready for some football[?][swg]

Here's a roll of quarters for your Coal Scuttle - Herr Wurltizer is looking a bit thirsty![tup]

Lars

[trolleyboy]

Good afternoon Sir Tom,a large long island ice tea I think. The bathroom's done ( as done as it's gonna get )[tup][swg]

Tom Great info on Candain railway history sir [tup][tup][tup]. As BK sadi the flags they are a waving ( who said that we aren't a flag waving lot eh [?] ) [swg] Of interest to some that LRT ine in Scarberia is up for replacement, the thing is with what street cars or a subway or buses. The tech didn't work out as well as they hoped and it's been a bear to maintain, those trains run completely remotly no crew onboard !

BK I'd love to visit you but, no more reno's for me [:-^] took alot out of me and I'm young, the house isn't unfortunatly 100+ with 13' ceilings ( yes in that bath as well ) It really needsa afull reno new drywall etc, this bit is just cosmetic works for now [tup] Do yourself a favour let the pros do it [tup]. Don't know what to say about photobucket, I may just flip all my stuff over to railimages I pay for that account.Hopefully it will be up and going for Sunday for you.

Well folks just a quick one I'll return again later tonight with more comments etc.

Rob

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

First: If you guys are being put back on page 270, that's because Rob is trying to "fix" those PhotoBucket Pix. Editing causes that particular Post to be the one that "directs" people there, instead of the most current. Just a quirk of the Forums ....

Good to see the activity this afternoon. Only have a minute or two . . . so just let me say, "chill" with regard to 20 Fingers! Whatever in the world he's doing, it is rather strange - but it IS his call, eh[?] If he'd rather not be here, what are we gonna do[?] Wudda thunk otherwise, but . . . .

BK 'n Lars you guys are becoming "bookends," of sorts![swg] Nevertheless, good to have the company and always enjoy your thoughts. Mirror my own, most times![swg]

Pete An afternoon submission from you is appreciated too![tup] Lars is correct, Sir. When the "host RR" begins trackwork, Amtrak passengers suffer the consequences. Happens every spring 'n summer for as long as I've lived around here. What they really need is double track all the way - but, then they'd find a way to screw that up as well.[tdn]

Lars You are correct, Sir! My pizza recipe came from "The Ventian Gardens & also Genes" on Richmond Avenue in Port Richmond. Best pizza joints in the nation![swg] Of course, they are long gone (so I've been told . . . ) A very big part of my high school years . . . [tup][swg]

BK Sounds like snuggling up atmosphere to me! Go fer it, Mate - you only live once, so I hear![swg]

CM3 - and anyone else - THANX for the rounds and QUARTERS! Always appreciated as was your PM visit to our humble establishment.[tup]

Oh, oh - Rob You got that Post in, eh[?] Good! Glad to hear all's finished. Now, perhaps you can have a "normal" weekend![tup] Figured that Oh, Canada! Post would "get you!"[swg] Cheers![tup]

Okay, Gents - got some things to attend to later on. So, as much as I hate to do this to ya, Cindy has the bar!!! [}:)][:-,]

I'll be back later on in the evening! Boris ring it! Cindy serve 'em what they want![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

Almost forgot, time for:

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #72

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Northern Pacific (NP) in a 1933 advertisement from my private collection:

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

. . . . . . . . . . Washington . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . and the Pacific Northwest . . . . .

Summer fares to the north Pacific Coast are the lowest ever! Only $77.75 round trip. Chicago to Seattle, Tacoma and Portland: $66.50 to Spokane. Bargains in Pullman rates too!

Let us estimate cost from your home. No charge or obligation to you for our booklets and accurate information.

Address: E. E. Nelson,
. . . . . . . . 152 Northern Pacific Ry.,
. . . . . . . . St. Paul, Minn.

For Travel in the West, the NEW

North Coast Limited


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a 7-up and a round for the house.

Give me a few days to catch up and regain some strength and I should be back to my old self by Monday.

Boss says work is piling up so can’t miss much more Tax season.

Congrats to Lars for his elevation to Permanent Stool status.

Sorry I missed Nicks ba***he other day.

As some of you are aware I tried to put some of this sick time to good use and was working on CN research material that I have to write out for the computer.

I’m not ignoring the group just haven’t recovered enough to think straight with the meds they have me on.

See how I feel tomorrow and will maybe can begin to catch up with a week of “Our Place”

TTFN Al

[siberianmo]

Good Evening Gents!

Thanx Cindy, I'm back and will stick around 'til Leon the Night Man arrives at 9 PM (Central}! Quiet up front at the bar, eh[?] But busy enough in the back room for Pizza nite! Good! I see the gals are workin' the tables, and all seems to be hummin' along . . .

Lars & his bride were in, you say[?] And, 20 Fingers Al stopped by as well![tup][tup] Perhaps BK was spot on with that dilusional comment![swg] Whatever it takes, Al we need you in top form to pick up where you left off . . . just remember, READ the SUMMARIES to catch up AND find out what's going on![tup]

Okay - rather than talk to myself, I'll just sit over here by "Tilla" and await the next arrival!

Later![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and all. I'll have a quick light breakfast (gives me strength to get to the IHOP). Yesterday was unusual for me. I was at work for only a few hours when it occured to me there was really nothing more for me that I had to do ... so I caught the Northwest 9am, train into Chicago! From there, I bought a round-trip on the North line, to Kenosha Wisconsin, as I had never ridden it before. I did "attempt" to get a picture of a Rio Grande Engine along the way (through my window, with a cheapie camera), so we'll see how that went. I did manage to fill one camera with shots around Ogilvie and Union stations, and will drop it off at Walgreens this morning. Don't know if pix will be ready for tomorrow. Oh yeah ... also had a meeting of the Train and Locomotive Historical Society last night. The subject was on the elevation of trains in Chicago, starting in 1892 for the '93 Exposition.

Yeah, that was some pretty bad luck for the 107 Mr. Pete. I've run into a few other hoodoo stories that will eventually be told here. Almost seems more appropriate for "spooky story night" near Halloween.

Enjoyed the Canadian RR History for Marh and NP add Capt. Tom

Have a great day all ...not sure what I'm doing with most of it, myself.

[:I] A carrot crosses the road and is hit by a car. He is rushed to the hospital, where he goes through hours of surgery.
After surgery the doctor comes into the carrot’s room and says “Well, I’ve got good news and bad news.”
The carrot says, “Give me the good news first, doc.”
The doctor says, “The good news is you’re gonna live.”
“And the bad news?” asks the carrot.
“The bad news is your gonna be a vegetable for the rest of your life.“ [:I]

[siberianmo]

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


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


Good Saturday Morning! Start the day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast![tup]


Repeat: Birthday Bash! scheduled for Monday, March 13th at 2 PM (Central) Combined party for barndad Doug ‘n LoveDomes Lars


Daily Wisdom

When asked if Joe DiMaggio was fast, Yogi said, “No, he just got there in time.”[swg]
(yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

Railroads from Yesteryear: Southern Railway (SOU) arrives next Tuesday! This will be the THEME for the DAY!

* Weekly Calendar:

TODAY: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and –
ENCORE! Saturday


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 05:22:21 (270) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 07:17:39 (270) Something Special Ad

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 07:24:37 (270) PhotoBucket

(4) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 08:02:34 (270) Lars AM visit!

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 08:31:03 (270) CM3 Report!

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 08:43:12 (271) Acknowledgments, etc.

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 10:59:14 (271) Significant Events in Canadian RR History – March

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 11:21:34 (271) Anniversary notice!

(9) BudKarr BK Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 13:01:33 (271) BK Speaks!

(10) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 13:54:48 (271) Rare PM visit!

(11) pwolfe Pete Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 14:00:33 (271) Inclusive Post, etc.,

(12) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 14:33:07 (271) The Lars PM Report!

(13) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 15:31:57 (271) Daylight Visit!

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 15:37:05 (271) Acknowledgments, etc.

(15) siberianmo Tom posted: 10 Mar 2006, 15:52:23 (271) [navy]NOSTALGIA #72 – Ad: NP (1933)

(16) passengerfan Al Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 18:58:26 (271) 20 Fingers Lives!

(17) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Mar 2006, 20:31:41 (271) Acknowledgments, etc.



NOW SHOWING:

The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre
Double Features! Now with The Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . Sunday, March 5th thru 11th: North to Alaska (1960) starring: John Wayne, Stewart Granger & Capucine – and – Lost in Alaska (1952) starring: Bud Abbott & Lou Costello. Short: A Pain in the Pullman (1936).

Coming Attractions:
Now with The Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . Sunday, March 12th thru 18th: Mystery Alaska (1999) starring: Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria & Mary McCormack –and- Slap Shot (1977) starring: Paul Newman – Strother Martin & Michael Ontkean. SHORT: Beer and Pretzels (1933).


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted on page 154

Here’s another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

New York, Chicago & St. Louis – Nickel Plate Road (NKP)

Headquarters: Cleveland, OH

Mileage in 1950 2,192

Locomotives in 1950:

Steam: 392
Diesel: 117

Rolling stock in 1950:

Freight cars: 29,229
Passenger cars: 117

Principal routes in 1953 (after W&LE merger):

Chicago-Buffalo, NY via Fostoria & Lorain, OH
Toledo, OH-East St. Louis, IL
Toledo-Wheeling, WV & Steubenville, OH
Cleveland-Zanesville, OH
Sandusky, OH-East Peoria, IL via Lima, OH
Indianapolis-Michigan City, IN
Fort Wayne-Connersville & Rushville, IN
Norwalk-Huron, OH
Cleveland-Wellington, OH

Passenger trains of note:

Blue Arrow (Cleveland-St. Louis)
Blue Dart (St. Louis-Cleveland)
City of Chicago (Buffalo-Chicago)
City of Cleveland (Chicago-Buffalo)
Commercial Traveler (Toledo-St. Louis)
New Yorker (Chicago-Buffalo)
Nickel Plate Limited (Chicago-Buffalo)
Westerner (Buffalo-Chicago)


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[Anonymous]

SOS: [#welcome] Hello everybody! will like do me a favor, tell me which works of world produce the couplers for locomotive with UIC standard profile

[siberianmo]

Hello cuizhenjia

Sorry, but you are on the wrong Thread and Forum for your question. Try the Model Railroading Forum.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

I see only one visitor this fine day, barndad Doug![tup]

Now that's the kinda day I enjoy taking advantage of too. Been known for "spur of the moment" trips and if Iived closer to ChiTown, I'd be riding trains to "who knows where!"[swg] Looking forward to the Pix!

That joke as simply awful!<good grief!>[swg]

Looks like we're in for a rather pleasant morning here in mid-Continent USA, however, another front is en route with some severe weather in the forecast. Right now the sun's shining, birds chirping, temps on the rise, and spring is in the air. Ground is mighty wet, as we got another downpour during the wee hours, but much needed. Petrol last night was $2.18 (rounded) and seems to be leveling out. Yeah, right![tdn]

Gotta get movin' - I'll make another ENCORE! Saturday Post, then catch y'all around noon-ish.

G'day to all!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted on page 151

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #16

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC’s from a 1950 advertisement found in my personal collection.

. . . . . . . . . . Single Car “Limited” . . . . . . . . . .

Here is the new railroad car which is a train in itself – the self-propelled, diesel-powered, all-stainless steel RDC-1. The Budd Company created it to perform a service both to railroads and their patrons, by carrying more passengers on short or long hauls at lower operating cost.

The RDC-1 seats ninety in air-conditioned comfort. With power transmitted hydraulically, from an effortless start it picks up speed like a whippet and stops in a fantastically short space . . . with the easy softness of pushing your hand against a pillow.

Railroad men foresee a wide usefulness for this car. It may be operated as a single unit, or a number of cars can be coupled into a train, operated by one engineman.

Improvement in any field of endeavor begins with imagination. The RDC-1 is another example of Budd practice which is first to envision clearly the need and then bring to bear all the resources of inventive engineering. It follows the modern stainless steel streamliner, the all-steel automobile body, the tapered steel disc wheel and so many other products in which Budd has translated imagination into practical accomplishment. The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[Anonymous]

Good morning again Tom and friends! Is it too early for a bottomless draught? Over here, the weather seemed better a little earlier. I think it's going to deteriorate into storms this afternoon. Y'all need to do your riding while it's still nice! Nice Nickel Plate Fallen Flag and RDC encores Capt.

I am more than ready for the Sunday photo pix tomorrow! My pix over at Walgreens are also ready and waiting on me too! For now, I'll leave the 1st article I ever wrote for Our Place (Part I) way back from page 168, and leave an even worse joke than before!

The following article is reprinted from Vintage Rails magazine 1999 March/April Issue.

The Making of a Railroad Signalman – By Ken Frazer

A railroad signalman’s job in the late 1940’s provided an opportunity to experience the end of the golden era of railroads. Steam power was still pounding the rails. Passenger service, while declining, was still viable, and master craftsmen were still available to pass on their skills to apprentices. I was one of those apprentices who had the good fortune to have caring “old hands” show a novice the way to perform his craft while surviving freezing temperatures, heat exhaustion, and the hazards of railroad work.

Railroading came to me naturally. At one time or another, two uncles, and aunt, two cousins, and my father knew a foreman in the Bridge and Building Department. I was able to get summer jobs when I was 14 and 15 years old, painting the fences between station platforms and working on the railroad’s New York Harbor piers.

The Initiation – After graduating from high school and not being able at the time to attend college, I entered the work world as a helper in the signal department on the Lackawanna Railroad. While having family working on the railroad was responsible for getting summer work and my signal helper’s job, at the same time it made the situation tougher, because I did not want to reflect badly on my family, and the foreman didn’t want to take it easy on me in front of the other men.

It was with this background that I reported to work at the signal construction camp cars in Hackettstown, New Jersey, to foreman Bill Brickman. He had a line crew, a wiring crew, and the subterranean excavation group (digging trenches and burying cable). Foreman Brickman felt that I was qualified for the latter group. It was in this group that I learned the Brickman rule; When digging trenches, you do not have one man pick and another shovel while the first rests. Each man in the trench picks and shovels - continuously.

As we worked our way West towards Washington, New Jersey, I learned how the line crew “grunt” ties material onto the lineman’s ground line so that it won’t fall off. I learned the soft, flat (non-tumbling) toss, chest high, to the lineman up on the pole.

About four to six men would take the end of a line wire to be pulled and head into brush-covered hills and gullies, wherever the line people went, and pulled 1,000 feet of the wire at a time. The line crew boss was Mike Schwartz. A slender, wiry man who was absolutely fearless on the pole. However, he had a thing about pulling the lines up really tight. As Fall approached, we had a cool night after a hot day, punctuated by his calls to “pull it up tighter, men.” The next morning we found some of the lines which had been up tight in the heat of the day snapped like high C on the piano during the cool of the night, causing crossarms to spring sideways. After that, the “pull it tighter” syndrome moderated.

The work of the signal changes associated with the installing APB (absolute and permissive block) single-tracking, replacing style B semaphores with style S, and replacing primary batteries with storage batteries continued on up to Washington, New Jersey, where the camp cars were located. Transportation of men and materials was by gang motorcar and by a ¼ ton pickup truck with benches in the truck bed under a canvas top. Today, canvas-topped truck to transport men is unthinkable, if not illegal, and Hi-Rails have replaced motorcars. But every day, 10 hours a day (in order to get home weekends and an early quit on Fridays for travel), “Cookie” would send us out after breakfast with our lunch bags to load either the truck (mostly line crew) or the gang car for the day’s work. Meals were like those in the Army; simple but nourishing, and some very tasty, especially after a day out on the tracks.

Graduation From Grunt – After my first six months, I began to get assigned to the wiremen. This was a wonderful new world for me. They wired the signals, switches, relay boxes, and other devices. While I would still work with the line crew or cable trench excavation sometimes, I spent an increasing amount of time with Joe Swetz and George Will, two excellent wiremen. Since my father was a telephone lineman/maintainer and radio ham, I had some knowledge of electrical circuits. With this knowledge, I would try to figure out how the signals worked from studying the signal circuit prints until I didn’t understand a symbol of how a device worked. Then Joe or George would explain.

As we worked our way West out of Washington towards the Delaware River, my usual duties were carrying their toolbags, putting eyes on wires, and skinning and potheading cables. I would also stand in back of the relay box and push wires through holes in the backboard identified by the wireman poking a straw through his side of the hole. They also let me wire battery boxes by myself. The fact that the fresh creosote in the new battery box wood, baking in the sun, burned your nostrils and wrists may have had something to do with this generous beneficence! With my rapid progress in learning to read the circuits, and just as certainly good recommendations from my wiremen “mentors”, I was promoted to assistant signalman.

I experienced the serious side of railroading one morning when we left Washington going West on our motorcar with two flatcars of cable reels, while a track gang car pulling two flats with rail left Portland, Pennsylvania, going East. We sighted each other in a curved cut, and with wet morning rails and pulling loaded flatcars, it was clear there was no way we were going to stop in time. Foreman Brickman yelled “Jump!” Our exit was followed by all 250 pounds of Brickman. We were still bouncing along the roadbed when the two gang cars met head-on in a cloud of dust and debris. My lunchbox was transformed into an accordion, but all of our men were OK except for bumps and bruises. Three of the track gang, older men who didn’t jump, had some more serious injuries, fortunately not life threatening. Brickman sent a man back East to flag No. 47, which was about 45 minutes behind us, and we all proceeded to clear the track of wreckage. When 47 arrived, the injured were loaded aboard, and we proceeded to push one of our flats back to Washington to lick our wounds and contemplate the inevitable investigation. It should be noted that in this era, motorcars were not given track warrants, orders, or other rights of track. The were given lineups, which together with the timetable provided information on trains. Other motorcar movements were not necessarily part of the lineup information.

[:I] Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."
"Good morning," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque.
"What is this?" Alex asked.
"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex's voice was trembling and barely audible when he asked,
"Which service, the 9:45 or the 11:15? [:I]

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted page 153

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #17

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC’s from a 1950 advertisement found in my personal collection.

RDC – All-purpose Railway Passenger Coach

RDC, introduced a year ago, is the new all-stainless steel, self-propelled Budd rail diesel car. It is good looking, quiet, smooth riding. It is comfortable, clean and air-conditioned.

The New York Central now has two Budd RDC’s operating express service between Springfield and Boston, and a third, providing local service between western Massachusetts and Albany.

Western Pacific has two RDC’s covering the 924 miles which separate Oakland and Salt Lake City.

Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines have just placed six RDC’s in operation between Camden, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May. They leave Camden as a six-car train and end up as two-car trains at each of the three Jersey cities.,

Chicago & North Western has three RDC’s in commuter service; the Baltimore & Ohio will soon haves two and New York, Susquehanna Western, four.

These varied uses to which RDC is being put cover almost every kind of service a railway passenger coach can render.

The general acceptance of the Budd all-stainless steel RDC suggests that the development of railway passenger coach equipment may be headed in a new direction.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Budd Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[West Coast S]

Morning Tom amd the gang.. #2 on the breakfest menu please. Tom what a crock I had to endure yesterday, we had our annual awards bash here on base, not one person from our department was acknowledged or nominated much less presented.

Glad all enjoyed the GE U33C review, I too think they were the last of what a GE should look like.

Tom, I do admit to being in a daze the last few weeks, too many hours on the job and distractions on the home front will do that to you.. Well i'm off to my retreat in the high country at end of shift today, providing I don't encounter conditions for a few days of R&R to return my old self, hopefully!!!

Meanwhile i'll just sit here and enjoy encore Saturday.

Dave

[LoveDomes]

G'day Captain Tom and Gents at the bar!

I see the AHs are at it again on "our" Forum with their JO surveys and nonsense type questions! I just HAD to respond to one - just got me POd![tdn]

Ok - got that off my chest. So how's the world treating ya[?] Fine stuff this day for ENCOREs and it's amazing to me how many pages have passed by since their first submission![wow]

Just took a bit of a break from working down in the basement - cleaning out the mold & mildew areas.<ugh> The installation of our whole house dehumidifier/air purifier should take place this coming week. Can't be soon enough. We are buying the same type unit you have, Tom so wish us luck! Apprecite the "tip!"[tup]

Visited your "other thread" and posted something you may get a kick out of! Might just make you want to board a train and go somewhere - anywhere![swg]

Doug Now you seem like the kinda guy I would enjoy taking a rail trip with. See, I'm not much on cameras, but sure do love the ride! You can take the "snaps," while I keep the brew coming. Deal[?][swg]

By the way, I received your emails, but didn't reply in kind, for by the time I checked the "in box," they were already a few days old. Thanks, though .... one of my bad habits is that I'm an infrequent email user and checkerererer, or something like that.[swg]

Jokes[?] Good Grief Charlie Brown, they are getting worserer and worserer![swg]

Dave Don't sweat the small stuff, Mate. Here's the "deal," recognition is like sex, it's a glorious thing, but then it's "what have you done for me lately[?]"[swg] Admittedly I only spent 4 years in the military, hardly a drop in the bucket compared to our Captain but one thing I do recall is that many times the guys with all the ribbons were really not the sailors we depended upon when the chips were down. I used to want to "heave" when the clerks and typists were recipients of ribbons and medals for essentially doing their 8 to 4 jobs. BS! Havne't a clue what it's like in today's Navy, but from some of the people I've seen, they have more ribbons on their chests at very young ages than people like Nimitiz and Halsey had at the end of their careers! Well maybe not, but it surely seems so. Don't know where I'm headed with this - so I'll quit![swg]

Those GE loco posts from the other day, in your "confused state," were pretty good run downs of the motive power of the day and times. Uboats were among my favorites too for freights![tup]

Okay Tom set 'em up on me and I'll just take a seat over there, listen to some tunes from Herr Wurlitzer and check out the ENCORES![tup]

Until the next time!

Lars

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Just a bit of activity here on Saturday from Doug - Dave 'n Lars! Apprecite the company and of course the business - ka ching, ka ching, say "Tilla the Hun 'n The Cashinator!"[swg]

Lars That unit we have has been working great for the 4 years it's been doing the job. Good luck with yours![tup] There was a time that I couldn't spend any more than a half hour down there before it "got to me." No more. Worth the bucks, fer sure, fer sure![tup]

Been workin' on some Pix for Sunday Photo Posting Day! and also trying to get a "leg up" on the next issue of the Gazette! Not sure that I'll put the paper out this month - runnin' way behind in all the "things" I've got to keep track of 'round here:

(1) Weekly RRs from Yesteryear
(2) Biweekly Canadian Rwys of the Past
(3) Biweekly Euro Rwys
(4) Nostalgia pieces
(5) Summaries
(6) Acknowledgments
(7) Pix for Sundays
(8) Special events
(9) Index update
(10) Monthly Canadian RR dates
(12) Monthly newspaper

It gets a bit "heavy" at times, so something may just have to slide a bit . . . .[sigh]

Okay, enjoy the day, Gents . . . more ENCORE! Saturday en route!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Afternoon Tom and gents! It's definitely time for another frosty bottomless draught. It was so warm today, we finally got to wa***he horse .... not that he needed it! Hard to believe that Tom put up another RDC post. You would think he liked the things, or something.

One day, we'll take that trip Lars, especially if you're buying the drinks! I'll be at next years rendvous no matter what, and you can have all the practice you want!

Here's part II of my ENCORE today:

The Making of a Railroad Signalman by Ken Frazer – part II

As we continued to work our way West past Oxford Furnace, Bridgeville, and Manunka Chunk (where the interlocking tower was removed), the camp cars were relocated to Portland, Pennsylvania. Portland was a good location for camp cars for a number of reasons. The siding was right in the middle of town, and the freight agent let us use the toilet in the freight house – as opposed to Washington, where facilities consisted of a “two-holer” about 100 feet from the camp cars, and which had the unique air flow characteristics whereby paper thrown from one hole would levitate out of the 2nd hole as it followed the mischievous air currents. The down side of Portland was demonstrated when several loaded cement cars got away from the nighttime Bangor Branch “cementer” and sent several freight cars on the siding next to the camp cars sailing over the bumping block and almost into Main Street.

Out of Portland we worked East to Manunka Chunk and West to Slateford Junction in the scenic Delaware Water Gap, where the newer New Jersey Cutoff joined back with the “old road” on which we were working. Manunka Chunk was notable for its curved tunnel, which prevented your seeing if anything was coming as you walked through. Another feature was the snake-infested brush over the top, through which we pulled line wire. There was also an iron grill covering a smoke hole on top, with a rusted ladder disappearing into the dark hole below. With removal of the tower on the West side of the tunnel, an electric lock protected the junction to which the Pennsylvania Railroad came in from Belvidere and ran a passenger train over the Lackawanna to Stroudsburg.

The shorter days brought colder and colder weather in Water Gap country, and the motorcar rides to and from work encouraged close huddling, as near as possible to the windscreen. At day’s end, covering the motorcar with its tarp and putting tools away was followed by the warmth of the camp cars. The combination mess and kitchen car was warmer, with its coal cook stove, than the bunk car. All of these cars were converted wood coaches. The shower, which held about five or six men, was also in the kitchen car, while the foreman had an area at the end of the bunk car with a bed and a small desk. The warmth and hot meal had been eagerly anticipated for several hours preceding quitting time.

My initiation to mainline commuter territory signal work took place while I was home for Christmas. A blizzard struck the Northeast the day after Christmas, and a call came to report for snow duty to Grove Street Tower at the East end of Bergen Tunnel. Here you learned the trick of survival in the dark out on the tracks in a blizzard during the rush, where train separation was just a few minutes apart. The four holes of the Bergen Tunnel spread out to about a dozen tracks over slips, frogs, and switches. The four tunnel tracks were reversible, and traffic could flow in either direction on any track. You had to watch for headlights and look in the opposite direction to see what signal was pulled up, thus determining what route over the interlocking a train would take. During rush hours, there would often be two headlights coming in opposite directions. The trick was to interpret this information quickly and, keeping your feet out of the switches, move through the blinding snow to a safe spot. My spot was usually hugging the mid-span leg of a signal bridge.

With no hours of Service rules in that era for signal personnel, I worked 32 straight hours keeping switches operable. All the while I had to dodge silent MU electrics fed by the overhead 3,000-volt d.c. catenary, as well as steam-powered Boontoon Branch trains. I learned to do a thorough job of digging out the snow to make sure there was drainage under the switch points before hitting them with oil torches; Otherwise, the melted snow would freeze the switch rods into a block of solid ice. An ironic twist of the blizzard was that with the Lackawanna running when no other surface transportation could, it had thousands of riders who rarely, if ever, took the train. That made it impossible for trainmen to get through the overflowing cars to collect tickets, causing discomfort to the regular passengers and giving the non-regulars a free ride.

One week later a monster ice storm struck the same area, and line wires snapped all along the line from the weight of the ice. The electric commuter trains experienced more problems in the ice storm than in the snow, as cantenaries and pantographs iced over in any period of inactivity. It was an interesting electrical show to see a four-car MU (two motors and two trailers) try to pick up an express car on a siding with iced-over catenary and rails. My assignment was to work with a maintainer through the Summit-Chatham-Madison area splicing fallen line wires, usually patching in pieces just to restore signal operation until linemen could get to it later and pull it up in place on the crossarms. The ice made a thick crust on the previous week’s snow, which was piled up in drifts, some of which were five feet or more deep. So at times you were crunching through ice-capped snow, then walking on stronger ice that would support you, then breaking through the ice crust and into snow up to your chin. It was a relief to get back to the Portland camp cars and ordinary rotten weather.

[:I] A guy was sitting quietly reading his paper when his wife walked up behind him and whacked him on the head with a frying pan.
“What the hell was that for?” he asked.
“That was for the piece of paper in your pants pocket with the name Mary Lou written on it,” she replied.
“But you don’t understand,” he pleaded. “Two weeks ago when I went to the races, Mary Lou was the name of one of the horses I bet on.”
“Oh honey, I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have known there was a good explanation.”
Three days later he was watching a ball game on TV when she walked up and hit him in the head again, this time with the iron skillet, which knocked him out cold. When he came to, he asked, “What was that for?” he begged.
“Your horse called!” [:I]

[West Coast S]

Howdy again Tom.

Barndad, it's much worse, we have file/information clerks that are earning qualifications and ribbons formally awarded to astronauts, air crews and similar ratings, that's todays military. We have our own procedure for awards and presentations, with the sole qualification to be a recieptent is if you kissed the right rear. Enough of the current state of the military, i'll reserve any further diatribe and rantings for the "the rats pa-toot room"

Ok gang since you loved the U boat feature, how about the ones that were used in passenger service? Details to come at a later date.

Dave

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted on page 154

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #18

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the RDC’s from Budd from a 1953 advertisement found in my personal collection.

40 RDC’S FOR THE PROGRESSIVE NEW HAVEN

If anybody should know how to carry passengers profitably it’s the New Haven. Nearly half its income is derived from this source in contrast with most railroads where freight is king.

This adds significance to the fact that the New Haven has become the largest purchaser of Budd RDC’s – stainless steel, self-propelled, rail diesel cars.

In the nearly three years RDC’s have been operating in this country and abroad they have compiled an impressive record. In performance, they have improved every schedule they were assigned to. In operation they have proved both reliable and economical – two RDC’s saved one railroad $600,000 in a year. In the comfortable, air-conditioned service they render, RDC’s have increased passenger patronage – one RDC, operating in a new service between Worcester and New London, picked up 944 passengers in its first week.

Both New England and the New Haven will benefit from expanded RDC operation.

. . . . . . . . . . The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . PIONEERS IN BETTER TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[Anonymous]

Hi again Tom and friends. I see another RDC article ..which is always a good thing! Sorry to hear about the foolishness with the military awards Dave. I can see why you and a lot of other people would be frustrated. I also don't want to forget to wish brother Al a speedy recovery. We've really missed all your contributions.

Tom, you forgot to mention that among your many duties, you also have to repair the "groan-o-meter" several times each day! Might I suggest that we purchase the industrial-size model as soon as funds are available?

Here's part III from the SIgnalman series ... and another groaner!

The Making of a Railroad Signalman by Ken Frazer – part III

As winter wore on, I was doing some writing of my own. We had reached Slateford Junction, the limit of our division. In addition to my craft, I learned survival tricks, such as putting a canvas wind shield around a relay box and sticking my test lamp inside my parka for warmth. You used a five-gallon can with holes punched in the bottom and a soft coal fire (with coal supplied by your friendly local drill engine) to warn your hands, since you couldn’t wear gloves when wiring signal apparatus. At other Locations you would try to find a gulley to get out of the wind, set fire to an old tire, and toast your lunchtime sandwich on a coiled piece of No. 6 wire, followed by Cookie’s hot thermos of coffee.

A signalman at Last! – As the warmer weather returned, I was officially promoted to signalman and was wiring relay boxes, signals, and switches on my own, with my own signalman’s leather tool bag, made rectangular by a homemade tin interior. Signal wiremen had unique hand tools, small screws, nails, tags, wire eyes, etc., which lent themselves to an ordinary interior. Linemen had mostly hammers and wrenches tossed into the same type of leather bag, but theirs was allowed to assume any comfortable shape.

All of the work we had been doing led up to a series of cutovers. In conjunction with the superintendent and dispatchers, the signal engineer, Jack Heisler; his assistant, Ken Atkinson; and signal supervisor Les Moore would place the new signal circuits into operation. Ken Atkinson was the key to the whole operation. Prior to the cutover he supervised the design work in the Hoboken design office and checked the drawings by tracing each circuit in orange crayon on the finished drawings. The field drawings were original design prints marked with new wiring in red and wiring to be removed in yellow. The signalman in the field followed a similar pattern, placing red tags on new wires and yellow tags on wires to be removed.

When the signal to begin the cutover was given, the signalman proceeded to cut all the yellow-tagged wires and connect all red-tagged wires. You would then stand by until everyone along the line had completed their changes, and then the checking by Ken Atkinson began. He would direct signalmen by telephone at each signal location to shunt tracks, turn a relay over, remove certain wires, and receive information of the results of these checks at the various locations. He systematically accounted for each circuit checked on his master set of drawings by again tracing every circuit with his ever-present orange crayon. These cutovers typically took all day and sometimes all night, if the cutover was a major one.

Moving On- My continuing employment with the Lackawanna was an odyssey of serious, responsible, and fulfilling work, in which I probably walked, at various times, the whole division from Hoboken to Slateford and worked in every cable manhole from Newark to South Orange. Two years in the Army were followed by attending Newark College of Engineering at night. During the Say, work was mostly on interlocking plants and short headway electrified commuter territory. His was capped by cutovers conducted by Assistant Signal Supervisor Harvey Hill and Foreman Canfield Bloom (Bloomy to all), who provided humor and compassion in addition to their signal knowledge. I obtained a BSEE degree, which brought promotions to the signal design office and to assistant electrical engineer. My years with the Lackawanna ended when a merger with the Erie would have required my moving to Cleveland. But the experience of being transformed from a kid out of high school to a SIGNALMAN was unforgettable.

[:I] There once was pirate captain who, whenever it looked like a battle would be imminent would change into a red shirt. After observing this behavior for a few months, one of the crew members asked him what it meant.
"It's in case I get shot. I don't want you crew members to see blood and freak out."
"That's very sensible, sir." At that moment, the crew member spotted eight hostile ships on the horizon. The captain all of a sudden looked very concerned.
"Get my brown pants." [:I]

[LoveDomes]

Hey Tom!

Great steak - wife and I enjoyed it![tup] Can't beat the prices![swg]

Tom that's quite an impressive "list" of the things that you do around here. Hopefully the guys who take the time to read these posts will understand that it is all for us. Same for the stuff from our contributors - Al - Doug - Dave - Rob, etc. So, let me thank YOU for the hard work you do today and everyday to keep this thread up and running! A four-[tup]salute to you, Captain Tom![tup][tup][tup][tup] Additional salutes to the rest of the guys for supporting our leader and helping to make this place so special![tup][tup][tup]

Well, I'm gonna check out . . . been sitting around here for most of the day, but seems like I've gone a bit unnoticed. For example, I make comment about military awards in response to what Dave said and he thinks it was barndad Doug! Then Doug responds in kind, etc.[%-)][%-)][%-)]

Maybe you should give me whatever it is they've been drinking![swg]

Boris ring it up, man - drinks on Lars![tup]


Until the next time!

Lars