QUOTE: mac 4884 Posted: 16 Apr 2005, 20:26:42 Guess Im late.........
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 17 Apr 2005, 19:40:02 First rode the RDC's between N. Vancouver and Prince George when it was still the Pacific Great Eastern. Rode between N. Vancouver and Prince George and North Vancouver and Lillooet sine it became BC Rail. Was always impressed with the crews on the trains. Also rode the RDC's of the Malahat on Vancouver Island. Fastest trip on RDC's was on the CN when they operated secondary trains using RDC's between Toronto and Kingston. Longest and most enjoyable RDC trip was on Western Pacific between Oakland and Salt Lake City using a single RDC -2 The RDC stopped for every meal and it was mostly WP crews using the car. Most just wanted to sleep and there was plenty of room for that as I was the only paying passenger on the car. Rode the lone GN RDC between Havre and Great Falls on one occasion. I have both RDC books in my collection and am glad I purchased both. My favorite cars were the domes and I have the following dome equipped trains to count as those I have ridden. GN EMPIRE BUILDER, NP NORTH COAST LIMITED, CMSTP&P OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA, UP CITY OF PORTLANDand 457-458, AT&SF SUPER CHIEF, EL CAPITAN(HilLevel) CHICAGOAN, KANSAS CITYAN, CB&Q DENVER ZEPHYR, KANSAS CITY ZEPHYR, AMERICAN ROYAL ZEPHYR, TWIN ZEPHYRS, CP CANADIAN, ATLANTIC LIMITED, CN PANORAMA, SUPER CONTINENTAL, SP SAN FRANCISCO CHIEF Ogden - Oakland, SP SAN JOAQUIN DAYLIGHT, SP COAST DAYLIGHT, D&RGW WP CB&Q CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, D&RGW ROYAL GORGE, and SCL FLORIDA SPECIAL
QUOTE: easter Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 07:47:50 Good morning ya'll from the sunny south.We are a little far off the beatin path of B&M & Canadian Rail,but love those rdc's anyway.I got one of those Lionel reproduction CP rdc's on my roster. One question about them. Could they run as MU"s to provide more power,or were they only set up to run independant of each other???? Oh by the way I'll just have a cup of "joe."It's a little too early for the hard stuff. Easter
QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: Today, 08:12:59 Good Morning all - RDCs could mu; saw them that way all the time in Boston. Beeliner was the generic NYC name for Budd RDCs. They were all silver initially, but later had safety stripes painted on them (blcak/white/orange), IIRC. The New Haven called their RDCs "Shoreliners." The nickname "Bee Line" was used by several different RRs. One application I remember was on the Reading where they had diesels lettered "Bee Line Service." Siberianmo - The Iron Horse - many flashbackst! Back when they had hockey at the "Gahden," we used to repair there for fortification b4 a game. You needed all the energy you could muster to get up to the cheap seats (all we could afford back then). "Orr shoots, and Esposito scores on the rebound." Now since it is Patriots Day and the Towne Team plays at 11:00 a.m., can we crank up the dish and watch the game at lunch? I am glad to see we have a juke box. Lets see if we can find these tunes - Red Necks, White Sox, and Blue Ribbon Beer, Don't Rock the Juke Box, Bubba Shot the Juke Box, and Walkin' After Midnight (of course, any Patsy Cline sides will do). work safe
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier West Coast S, My sources says WP # 34 was 2-8-0 consolidation, and I think the Mikados where numbered in the 300's ? Am I right? How about branch lines South of Frisco? Or north of SF ? I saw a picture of a small WP train with a Consolidation pulling a combination and a heavyweight on a branch line. I'll have a Geary's Pale Ale if you have any Tom... Chris
QUOTE: Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you.
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 14:30:08 Try this site: http://www.quebecweb.com/beaucerail/ To see an ALCO FA pulling a tourist train on the old Quebec Central. I will ride this train this summer... Chris
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 14:55:10 Chris, I checked out the site ... they don't show the 2005 schedule. What can you provide regarding the duration of the excursion and scheduling? We're not really 'into' these type trains, but touring Quebec has been something we've been talking about for quite a while ...... Tom
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 19:31:44 Tom Looks like the schedule is not out yet. I'll check it out tomorrow. Chris
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 18:39:17 Since its a Classic Trains subject matter how about All Puilman trains. I personally have ridden the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED, BROADWAY LIMITED, CHIEF, SUPER CHIEF, CITY OF LOS ANGELES, FLORIDA SPECIAL and NEW ENGLAND STATES the latter was operating in two sections at Xmas time 1961 one all Coach the other All Pullman. The All Pullman Train I wished I had the pleasure of riding was the ARIZONA LIMITED but it was before my time. I have talked to SP old timers and thirty years after the train ran they still had fond memories of the winter only train. I have never ridden an All Pullman train outside the US and by the time I rode the CN OCEAN it was coach and first class both. I always say if I win the lottery I will own my own private car. But I guess that would be just like owning a yacht. Tried that many years ago and found it was a very expensive proposition for the use I actually got out of it. It sure lightened the load on my wallet after I sold it. Maintenance and upkeep doesn't come cheap and i suspect the same for a private car.
QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 19:56:49 QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier West Coast S, My sources says WP # 34 was 2-8-0 consolidation, and I think the Mikados where numbered in the 300's ? Am I right? How about branch lines South of Frisco? Or north of SF ? I saw a picture of a small WP train with a Consolidation pulling a combination and a heavyweight on a branch line. I'll have a Geary's Pale Ale if you have any Tom... Chris ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gotta quit putting my glasses on backwards. Here you go Chris: 4-6-0 #94 powered the final revenue steam operations on the point of the eastbound CZ in 1960. 2-8-2 #334 was used for excursion duty as well until sidelined due to mechanical problems, both engines survive today and #94 was operational until several years ago. Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you. Well its quiting time, wife gave me the honey do list, so i'd better sign off for today.
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 23:29:01 QUOTE: Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you. Catanary hmmm my ears just perked up.Would this have been an old Pacific Electric branch? Nothing beats a good interurban story I always say. Speaking of all things electric Just got back from a weekend spent at the museum. Getting the place spruced up for openning day on the 7th of May. Being the consumate railfans that we are we just had to let a couple of the cars out of the barn to play. Operated 2894 for about an hour it's an Ottawa car company built small Peter Whitt type streetcar from the TTC. I just love running this car nice and smooth. Tom any idea which museums were going to aquire the old PGE RDC's. I had heard a wild rumour (two years ago) Long story short the city of Toronto wants to build a direct rail access from TO union to the airport. The plans being kicked arounnd have been anywhere from a subway line($$$ prohibitive) to various surface options up to and including (wait for it) aquiring some surplus VIA RDC's. It will be interesting to see what happens. Most people figure it will be a literail electric or a dedicated bus route but who knows those RDC's may get another kick at the can yet. See you later. Rob
QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: Today, 08:23:09 Siberianmo - I am in WV, but spent my allegedly formative years in New England. Passengerfan - The NE States was a fine train, even thought it was a shadow of its former self at the end. I did have the good fortune to have a bedroom suite on the Broadway once from New York to Chicago. Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear when the Merchants Limited had 14 parlors and two diners. BTW, for those SP folks who visit, and there seem to be a few, the most recent issue of the SP Historical Society's magazine has an article called "Last Gasp of Steam." Interesting material to say the least. Let's get busy. Maybe, I'll have time to shoot a couple of racks this evening... work safe
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 19 Apr 2005, 09:21:26 West Coast S I have a black and white picture of WP #60, a 2-8-0, pulling a short passenger train, in a small valley, with a rpo, baggage, and maybe 2 heavyweight coaches. The darn thing is that I still can't post pics on this forum!!! But if I had your E-mail I could send it to you to check it out . Look at my profile, I think I put my E-mail there. Chris
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier West Coast S I have a black and white picture of WP #60, a 2-8-0, pulling a short passenger train, in a small valley, with a rpo, baggage, and maybe 2 heavyweight coaches. The darn thing is that I still can't post pics on this forum!!! But if I had your E-mail I could send it to you to check it out . Look at my profile, I think I put my E-mail there. Chris
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier West Coast S I can see Berry Creek on my map but where is "Intake"? And what about the Exposition Flyer? Can you tell me more about this train? What was it's route? What was it's consist... Chris
QUOTE: Originally posted by joseph2 Hello from Indiana.Cfournier asked why classic eastern railroads had such a drab paint scheme.The NYC gray paint scheme was designed by a color blind person who could only see in shades of gray.Seriously,I read that somewhere.PBR is good enough for me.Joe G.
QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 20 Apr 2005, 12:45:34 Morning Chris and the crew, coffee with some biscuits and gravy with a side of ham please..Had the oppertunity to study that photo, here's my analysis: Without a doubt taken in the Feather River Canyon. This portion of the WP was unique for its geological features. Location wise, between Berry Creek and Intake on the old line now sumerged under the waters of the Oroville dam. . It helps that this location was well photographed by company photgraphers. Time frame is prior to 1936, WP aquired ex FEC 4-8-2s and they became the principle power for the Flyer. I'll relate a story about the hazzards of standing too close to trackside..Back when the world was young and dinosaurs and SP SD9s roamed the planet. A aquaintance and I skipped our afternoon classes, out the back fence and behind the bull pen one could gain unauthorized access to the right of way. After a short wait headlights appeared to the east, soon after the sounds of EMD 567s could be discerned. A SP beet train! Three SD9s and two SD40s on the point. My euphoria was short lived, as the lead SD9 passed by me, my father stuck his head out the cab window and gave me a stare that sent chills down my spine! Suffice to say I got a talking to that night about the importance of attending my classes!
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 20 Apr 2005, 13:33:29 West Coast S I can see Berry Creek on my map but where is "Intake"? And what about the Exposition Flyer? Can you tell me more about this train? What was it's route? What was it's consist... Chris
QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 20 Apr 2005, 14:26:26 In response to CFournier Post 1957 WP timtables did list a Berry Creek, on the new alignment. BC 1and Intake no longer exist. The timetable desgination of intake was replaced by Pulga where the new line regains the orginal alignment through the canyon. The Exposition Flyer (also know as the Scenic Limited prior to 1938) debut in 1925, operating from Chicago to Denver via the CB&Q, D&RGW from Denver to Salt Lake and WP from Salt Lake to Oakland. Due to WPs superior alignment in the canyon and the 1% average grades light power such as 4-6-0s, 2-8-0s,2-8-2s provided all the power needed in the early years . Makeup included heavyweight lounges, coaches, usually a through Pullman sleeper off one of the connecting roads , RPO and observation car. WP owned very few passenger cars so relied on the D&RGW and the CB&Q for the bulk of its passenger equiptment. Seven to nine cars would be avarage for this train in the off season, during the summer this could increase due to vacation travel. The Flyer was discontinued in 1946 being replaced by the California Zepher
QUOTE: joseph2 Posted: 20 Apr 2005, 17:21:35 Hello from Indiana.Cfournier asked why classic eastern railroads had such a drab paint scheme.The NYC gray paint scheme was designed by a color blind person who could only see in shades of gray.Seriously,I read that somewhere.PBR is good enough for me.Joe G.
QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 20 Apr 2005, 18:24:18 In response to joseph2 ------------------------------------ Sound economic sense I suppose, most eastern roads seemd be involved in the movement of coal or engaged in heavy industry that took a toll on equiptment . There were a few brave souls who defied convention and did a fantastic job with the B&O royal blue, IC orange/brown and VGR black and yellow for example. A caustic rumor claimed SP staved off bankruptcy by retiring all wash and paint facalities. No evidence to support such a claim, but at the end, SP power were some filthy, paint peeling or no paint animinals so who can say?
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