QUOTE: Originally posted by West Coast S The rise and fall of the General Electirc U33C on the Southern Pacific . As EMD gained market shares with the SD45, GE was left wanting and smarting that SP had shifted loyalty, a loyality that dated back to the Alco PA's and U25B. SP shunned all current GE offerings in it's desire to carry out it's longer, heavier, fewer units per train concept. and the SD45 was THAT engine to the tune that SP ammased three hundred and twenty four of them in various configurations. As great as the SD45 was, there were some shortcomings, shortcomings GE intended to exploit to their advantage. The 45 was a thristy beast, overheating was experienced in snowsheds and tunnels, sometimes the flaired radiators would come into contact with tunnel walls, rendering a unit inoperable. GE Designed the U33C to avoid these problems. Weight, horsepower and tractive effort were the equivelent to the 45, the four cycle FDL prime mover proimised decent fuel consumption and the radiator intake was located near the walkway to draw unspoiled air when used in tunnels and snowsheds. SP took a trial set and indeed they did well in fuel consumption, the large capacity traction motors were most appreciated and maintaince cycles were similar to the 45, however, SP had doubts as to the durability and longtivity of the prime mover, but with credit incentives equaling a 3-1 replacement value, agreed to two hundered and twelve units against the wishes of the mechanical and operating department. The mechanical departments mis-givens were bourne out soon after they entered service, they did not take well to the Donner and Shasta route, such severe service caused pistons and cranks to fail, and oil control issues. SP could not afford surprises on these demanding grades and profiles. SP blamed GE for a defective design, GE blamed SP for improperly using the locomotives. After tempers had cooled a bit, GE agreed to study the problem, this infuraited SP to the point that it would be over a decade before another GE would be placed. Immediently they were banished to the Sunset route, it became common for dispatchers and train crews to refuse the U33C's units if they ventured north of Sacramento. The tough shasta and Donners routes would be ruled by the products of EMD. After cycling through the shops, they perfomed within bare acceptable performance margins out of Colton, joining other members of the GE oddball fleet. Maintaince cost became excessive after only a couple of years, the prime mover issues were never fully resolved , thus they became prime targets for storage during business slowdowns , victims of being marginal performers as SP considered all GE products by the early seventies. Very rarely would they be awakened from their slumber as the seventies rolled by, stored in Oakland at first and then moved in mass to the "Bull Ring " in Los Angeles's Taylor Yard , the units were at the mercy of vandals and the elements all but forgotten. Someone once again took notice of them in the late seventies, perhaps there was a way to make them perform using technology not availble when built and the fact that the Santa Fe had sucessfully rebuilt their fleet, in the end this idea too was abandoned as too expensive and time consuming, the units once again returned to the storage lines, As the SP struggled to maintain traffic with insufficent locomtives, the GE's were again roused from their slumber, this time they operated throughout the system, invading the Donner and Shasta routes, breaking the 30 year EMD only tradition, high failure rates forced them from even this meger revival, back into storage they went. The U33C was stricken from the SP roster along with all early U boats by the mid eighties as trade in for newer EMD products. Dave
QUOTE: PLOT SUMMARY: The movie takes place in South Carolina in 1776. Benjamin Martin, a French-Indian war hero who is haunted by his past, is a patriot who wants no part in a war with Britain. Meanwhile, his two eldest sons, Gabriel and Thomas, can't wait to go out and kill some Redcoats. When South Carolina decides to go to war with Britain, Gabriel immediately signs up to fight...without his father's permission. But soon, Colonel Tavington, British solder infamous for his brutal tactics, captures Gabriel and sentences him to be hanged. As Gabriel is taken away, Thomas tries to free him, only to be killed by Tavington, in front of Benjamin. Now, seeking revenge for his son's death, Benjamin leaves behind his 5 other children to bring independence to the 13 colonies. from: www.imdb.com 1776 (1972) QUOTE: PLOT SUMMARY: The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants. from: www.imdb.com Three Stooges Short Subject: Movie Maniacs (1936) PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly The boys are stowaways on a train box-car filled with furniture bound for the "Hollywood Storage Co.," and they hope to break into movies together and become stars. They arrive at the Carnation Pictures Studios. Fuller Rath, the studio general manager, previously received a telegram from the Home Office telling him that a certain "Mr. Smith and his two assistants" will arrive to take over the supervision of the studios. He mistakes the Stooges as the executives and gives them free reign over the studios, where they proceed to disrupt and destroy the production of a romantic drama. Meanwhile, Fuller Rath receives a second telegram stating the executives won't arrive until later, at which he sends the studio guards after the Stooges, who beat a hasty retreat. from: www.threestooges.net If you are browsing, how about letting the guys know that you’ve enjoyed their efforts! Enjoy![tup] Tom [4:-)] [oX)] REMINDER! Sunday Photo Posting Day! is a “sunrise to sunset” event! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 2, 2006 8:48 AM Good rainy morning again guys. You know, it occurs to this unworthy one, that the only to keep these Sunday pix days pages from creating loading problems, is to interject more text so there is less room for memory-stealing pictures. Make sense? In that spirit, here is another “pix” submission from me. I feel it’s also the type of story that’s completely in-line with commemorating the birth of an American city during this celebratory weekend. Boxcar Camp: First Stop to American Dream A fascinating cover story by Crystal Yednak in the Chicago Tribune on June 13 told about Senoblo Nila, a Mexican immigrant who settled in Eola (near Aurora, Il.) in 1923, and went to work with other Mexicans for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad at its scrap plant. Mr. Nila and his co-workers persuaded the railroad to give them old boxcars, which they converted to homes. Soon, a neighborhood was born, and when the boxcar camp was dismantled in 1934, after the CB&Q cut back on the workforce at its scrap plant, many of the Mexican immigrants took apart the boxcars and used the lumber to help build homes in the area, which eventually helped form the city of Aurora. Mr. Nila, now 105 years old, recalled the early days recently at a gathering that was part birthday party and part historical recollection for the Aurora Historical Society. Mr. Nila, with oversized glasses and white hair, still has a sharp memory. His son says he does not take any daily medication, and started using a walker only last year. At the gathering, a small, partial exhibit of the boxcar collection was displayed. The boxcar camp had about 20 cars holding 135 people when it was complete, all lined up along the track near the railroad scrap plant, where the men spent their days. Imagination helped the mothers create warm kitchens in the one-room cars, and children to live their lives without noticing they were poor. In oral histories that are part of the historical society’s collections, the families described how they transformed boxcars into homes. They fashioned kitchens in the center of the cars, around potbelly stoves. They filled pots of water from the faucets between each car. Curtains sometimes divided the living area from the bedroom area. A report from the U.S. Dep’t of Labor in 1926 says that 22 married men who worked for the CB&Q’s scrap plant lived with their families in the boxcar camp. The report’s author wrote “The cars are kept clean, and at any time one can see a woman or two washing or scrubbing. Chickens, cats, dogs and children play together around the houses.” The families built a church, played music after work, and watched their children play baseball on a makeshift diamond. Mr. Nila planted gardens, according to his son. After the camp was dismantled, the families moved to Aurora and together built homes for each other. Today, Mr. Nila’s home features a plaque from the city of Aurora that’s reads “It began with you. It continues today with you. In recognition of the generations that were, and the generations to come. Aurora salutes the courage, spirit and will of the Nila family.” Now …. Let’s check the progress of my son’s home as compared to mine. Here’s his house, ready to move into on July 18th Here’s my house, projected to be ready on October 6th. [:I] I walked into a bar the other day and ordered a double. The bartender brought out a guy who looked just like me. [:I] Edit siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, July 2, 2006 11:43 AM Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s – We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day! Continuing on for the past three Sundays with two more sets of Pix from our recently concluded Alaska Rail Adventure! See Page 351-352, 357 and 363 for others. Click to enlarge (1) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (2) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (3) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (4) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (5) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (6) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (7) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (8) AAR Denali Star – southbound track scenes (9) AAR Denali Star - southbound crossing the Tanana River on the Mears Memorial Bridge (10) AAR Denali Star - southbound across the Mears Memorial Bridge and Tanana River (11) AAR Denali Star - southbound approaching the Alaska Range (12) AAR Denali Star - southbound approaching the Alaska Range More a bit later today . . . . If you are browsing, how about letting the guys know that you’ve enjoyed their efforts! Enjoy![tup] Tom [4:-)] [oX)] REMINDER! Sunday Photo Posting Day! is a “sunrise to sunset” event! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 2, 2006 1:23 PM Wow Tom! More terrific Denali pix, to be sure. LIke your Independence day theme you have going at the Emporium this week as well. Good choices. Here are some more model RR pix from a week ago: [:I] Our lager, Which art in barrels, Hollowed be thy drink. I will be drunk, At home as in the tavern. Give us this day our foamy head, And forgive us our spillages, As we forgive those who spill against us. And lead us not into incarceration, But deliver us from hangovers. For thine is the beer, the bitter and The lager Forever and ever, Barmen. [:I] Edit siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, July 2, 2006 5:04 PM Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s – We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day! Continuing with some more Pix from our Alaska Rail Adventure! Click to enlarge (13) ARR Denali Star southbound track scenes (14) ARR Denali Star southbound – Nenana River (15) ARR Denali Star – southbound – Nenana River (16) AAR Denali Star – southbound – Nenana River (17) AAR Denali Star – southbound – abandoned RR tunnel (18) AAR Denali Star – southbound – Nenana River (19) AAR Denali Star – southbound – Nenana River (20) AAR Denali Star – southbound – only tunnel on journey (21) AAR Denali Star – southbound – approaching Denali (22) ARR Denali Star – southbound – take the left! (23) ARR Denali Star – southbound – at Denali Park each structure accommodates passengers for certain cars – this first group will board the rearmost cars for the cruise ships (24) ARR Denali Star – southbound – at Denali Park Depot the Depot is actually inside the park boundaries, whereas the hotels and lodges are outside That’s IT for this fine day . . . . a total of 96 Pix over these four Sundays . . . more next Sunday Photo Posting Day! If you are browsing, how about letting the guys know that you’ve enjoyed their efforts! Enjoy![tup] Tom [4:-)] [oX)] REMINDER! Sunday Photo Posting Day! is a “sunrise to sunset” event! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 2, 2006 5:41 PM Couldn't let Photo Posting Sunday go by without expressing appreciation to the the "Producers" Siberianmo and Barndad Doug for such outstanding pix and captions.[tup] X a google. By this time, Alaska R.R., the I.R.M. and the HO model R.R. Layout are book marked as "must see, must do."[^] Looking forward to a gala, festive July 4th. with those participating. Edit passengerfan Member sinceMarch 2004 From: Central Valley California 2,841 posts Posted by passengerfan on Sunday, July 2, 2006 6:11 PM Great photo posrtng day by all concerned . Really enjoyed the variety this sunday. Sorry, I have nothing to contribute to photo posting day but did get some writing done the last couple of days at last seems like I am making some progress on the RDC effort. TTFN Al Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 3, 2006 6:09 AM Good morning Tom and friends! I’ll have 2 light breakfasts, and to start the day with a bang, a firecracker in my bloody Mary! Somewhat along those lines, take a looky at this: BNSF Railway Asks Rail Fans for Cooperation To Keep America's Rail System Safe FORT WORTH, TEXAS, June 7, 2006: BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) is recruiting rail fans to help keep BNSF properties safe by reporting suspicious activities and to help prevent possible security breaches. “Keeping America’s rail transportation network safe from crime and terrorist activity is a high priority for the railroad industry,” says William Heileman, BNSF general director, Police and Protection Solutions. “Every day across the country, rail fans photograph and watch trains as they pass through communities. It seems natural to harness their interest to help keep America’s rail system safe.” Rail fans can register for the program by going to the Citizens United for Rail Security (CRS) Web site (http://newdomino.bnsf.com/website/crs.nsf/request?open). CRS participants will receive an official identification card along with access to news and information on the BNSF CRS Web site. To report suspicious activity, CRS members and the public can call (800) 832-5452. The information will be taken by a BNSF representative and routed for appropriate response. “Supporting homeland security in this manner is positive for everyone," says Carl Ice, BNSF’s executive vice president and chief operations officer. "It supports the nation's security efforts, improves safety within our company and the community, and improves operations by helping to remove the impact of criminal acts and accidents." The CRS program is an outgrowth of another BNSF grassroots program, called BNSF ON GUARD, which encourages employees to report suspicious activities, trespassers or individuals to BNSF’s Resource Operations Call Center (ROCC). The BNSF ON GUARD program, which started in 2003, has been successful, with more than 200 employees reporting suspicious activities since its inception. Employees have reported theft, vandalism, arson, attempted suicide, and other criminal violations, threats to safety, or unusual events on or near railway properties. “Security is everyone’s business. Because of heightened security status, Americans are being asked to be the ‘eyes and ears’ for law enforcement," says John Clark, BNSF assistant vice president, Resource Protection Solutions Team. "At BNSF, our police team continues to educate employees on work, personal and home security, as well as working to change employee behavior to increase awareness of security risks." A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE:BNI), BNSF Railway Company operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,000 route miles in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is among the world's top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulphur coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com. BNSF Headquarters BNSF Railway Company 2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor P.O. Box 961057 Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057 Phone: (817) 352-1000 I signed-up yesterday, and received an e-mail with my official “Citizens for Rail Safety” card. [:I] A man goes to a bar with his dog. He goes up to the bar and asks for a drink. The bartender says "You can't bring that dog in here!" The guy, without missing a beat, says "This is my seeing-eye dog." "Oh man, " the bartender says, "I'm sorry, here, the first one's on me." The man takes his drink and goes to a table near the door. Another guy walks in the bar with a Chihuahua. The first guys sees him, stops him and says "You can't bring that dog in here unless you tell him it's a seeing-eye dog." The second man graciously thanks the first man and continues to the bar. He asks for a drink. The bartender says "Hey, you can't bring that dog in here!" The second man replies "This is my seeing-eye dog." The bartender says, "No, I don't think so. They do not have Chihuahuas as seeing-eye dogs." The man pauses for a half-second and replies "What?!?! They gave me a Chihuahua?!?" [:I] Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 3, 2006 6:36 AM Here's a post that goes hand-in-hand with the previous one, and leads to a link to the Walter Payton Roundhouse. Walter Payton's Roundhouse Complex is a 70,000 sq.ft. entertainment facility which houses America's Brewpub Restaurant and Bar, the International Award-Winning America's Brewing Company, Corporate and Wedding Banquet Facilities, gRoundhouse Coffee Bar featuring Starbucks Coffee, Piano Bar, America's Club, Live Entertainment Night Club, ComedyComedy Club, an open-air courtyard and entertainment area and the Walter Payton Museum. Now a stylish entertainment and fine dining complex, the Aurora Roundhouse is the oldest existing limestone roundhouse in the nation and an historic landmark. BNSF - Chicago Subdivision) Chicago (Union Station) to Aurora AAR Radio Channel 66 - 161.100 Chicago's second railroad was the Aurora Branch Railroad, which in 1850 began operating between Aurora and West Chicago, connecting with Chicago's first railroad, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. The Aurora Branch Railroad gradually extended further west, and was renamed the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad. CB&Q completed its own line between Chicago and Aurora in 1864, and this line is now one of the area's busiest. Through mergers, the line became Burlington Northern, and now Burlington Northern Santa Fe. This line is a favorite of railfans, with an abundance of Metra, Amtrak and freight trains maneuvering around each other on a three track CTC equipped line. The first suburb outside Chicago is Cicero, location of the main freight yard, and historically the location of the Hawthorne Works where Bell telephones were once manufactured. The Hawthorne Works location is now occupied by a shopping center. After Cicero is Berwyn, followed by many quaint old suburbs, which form scenic backdrops for train watching and photography. Brookfield is served by two stations, the Hollywood stop is closest to Brookfield Zoo. A favorite spot along the line is the Highlands station. Trains only stop at Highlands during weekday rush hours, but more regular service is available at Hinsdale, 1/2 mile to the west. Undeveloped land used to exist at the outer end of the line near Naperville. But Naperville has grown rapidly to become Chicago's largest suburb, and new houses have gobbled up almost all remaining land. Service ends at Aurora, which has a new station which was constructed out of what was originally a Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad shops administration building. Next to the station is an old roundhouse, developed by the late Chicago Bears player Walter Payton into Walter Payton's Roundhouse, (http://www.americasbrewpub.com/)serving food and home brewed beer. An outdoor patio dining area occupies the middle, where the turntable had been. The area near the station has become more touristy over the past few years, since the opening of the Hollywood Casino riverboat, a few blocks away along the Fox River. Weekdays are the best days to ride this Metra line, because of more frequent Metra trains and the opportunity to experience the rush hour. The rush hour features frequent express trains racing through on the center track, passing local trains making stops on an outside track. And "flips", which turn around and run empty in the reverse direction to enable more efficient equipment utilization. And trains frequently switching tracks at the many CTC interlockings. The afternoon rush hour is usually the most convenient for railfans, and can be experienced either at one of the stations, or by riding an inbound train and meeting all those outbound trains. Stations/Milepost Locations (Metra stops are capitalized) Direction is westward from Chicago to Aurora 0.0 CHICAGO 0.8 Roosevelt Road 1.7 Union Avenue 1.8 HALSTED STREET 3.7 WESTERN AVENUE 4.8 Kedzie Avenue 6.7 Cicero "B" Plant (east end Cicero Yard) 7.0 CICERO 7.3 Cicero "A" Plant 8.5 CLYDE 9.0 LA VERGNE (west end Cicero Yard) 9.6 BERWYN 10.0 HARLEM AVENUE 11.0 RIVERSIDE 11.7 HOLLYWOOD 12.3 BROOKFIELD 13.0 CONGRESS PARK 13.7 LA GRANGE 14.1 STONE AVENUE 15.4 WESTERN SPRINGS 16.3 HIGHLANDS 16.8 HINSDALE 17.8 WEST HINSDALE 18.2 CLARENDON HILLS 19.4 WESTMONT 20.3 FAIRVIEW AVENUE 21.1 DOWNERS GROVE 22.9 BELMONT 24.4 LISLE 28.4 NAPERVILLE 31.6 ROUTE 59 33.4 Eola 35.3 West Eola (junction-BNSF) 38.4 AURORA (junction-BNSF) 41.0 Montgomery (junction-Illinois Railnet) 2 tracks from Roosevelt Road to Union Avenue, 4 tracks from Union Avenue to Cicero "B" Plant, 3 tracks from Cicero "B" Plant to West Eola, 2 tracks from West Eola to Montgomery, 2 tracks from West Eola via lead to Aurora Transportation Center. CTC in use, controlled from Fort Worth, Texas. Union Avenue Dispatcher controls trackage east of Cicero, and East End Dispatcher controls trackage west of Cicero. East End Dispatcher controls entire line nights and weekends. Cab signals in use. Speed Limit: 70 mph Chicago-Western Avenue: 60 mph All main tracks are shown, along with most switches within interlockings, and other tracks used by main line Metra, Amtrak and freight trains. Not shown are hand operated industrial switches. Information is subject to change, and is based on observations, along with information from employee timetables and from the CORA (Chicago Operating Rules Association) guide dated 2001. The following colors are used to indicate types of operation: BLUE - manual interlocking RED - centralized traffic control (CTC) or bidirectional signals GREEN - automatic block signals (single direction, current of traffic) BLACK - unsignaled Thin lines across tracks indicate signals. In CTC or bidirectional signal territory, signals usually exist for both directions at all locations, except at interlockings where the signals usually are only in the direction entering the interlocking. [:I] A neutron walks into a bar. "I'd like a beer" he says. The bartender promptly serves up a beer. "How much will that be?" asks the neutron. "For you?" replies the bartender, "no charge" [:I] Edit siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Monday, July 3, 2006 6:50 AM We open at 6 AM. (All time zones - Don’t ask how we do that!)[swg] MONDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS Monday – the start of a new work week (for most)! Enjoy a cuppa freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee – a <light or <traditional breakfast from the Menu Board and one or two pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery! Daily Wisdom I need to go shopping for clothes to shop in ENCORE! Yogi-ism Info for the Day: Railroads from Yesteryear – ENCORE! New York Central (NYC) Arrives TODAY! – watch for it! * Weekly Calendar: Tomorrow is Independence Day so in honor of our 4th of July heritage, the bar will be OPEN the gals of ”Our” Place will be working, including for Cindy.Lunch is on the house for all! [tup] [swg] Tuesday: RR Theme for the Day! Wednesday: Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! Thursday: Fish ‘n Chips Nite! Friday: Pizza Nite! & Steak Nite! Saturday: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and – ENCORE! Saturday MVP Award Winners April 2006 . . . LoveDome Lars May – June . . . . barndad Doug [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] Comedy Corner Yarns from the Barn (from barndad Doug’s Posts) [:I] A man went to see his doctor. When the doctor saw him he told him he had some very bad news. "What is it," he asked. "I hate to tell you this," said the doctor, "but you've only got 24 hours to live." "Wow, that is bad news," he said. "I know, I've been trying to get ahold of you since yesterday." [:I] [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] The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre NOW SHOWING: Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject! . . . Sunday, July 2nd thru 8th: 1776 (1972): starring: William Daniels & Howard Da Silva – and – The Patriot (2000) starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger & Joely Richardson. SHORT: Movie Maniacs (1936). COMING ATTRACTIONS: . . . Sunday, July 9th thru 15th: The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) starring: James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch – and – M*A*S*H (The Movie - 1970) starring: Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt. SHORT: Half-Shot Shooters (1936) SUMMARY Name …..…………… Date/Time …..…..………. (Page#) .. Remarks (1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 00:04:43 (368) Sunday’s Info & 19-Post Summary (2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 06:21:46 (369) 15 CP Pix! (3) barndad Doug Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 06:39:04 (369) 6 UP turbine Pix ‘n Joke! (4) barndad Doug Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 07:00:36 (369) 6 IRM Pix ‘n Joke! (5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 07:50:45 (369) Now Showing at the Emporium! (6) barndad Doug Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 08:48:24 (369) Narrative Post ‘n Personal Pix (7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 11:43:11 (369) 12 Alaska Pix! (8) barndad Doug Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 13:23:53 (369) 8 Model RR Pix ‘n Joke! (9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 17:04:30 (369) 12 Alaska Pix! (10) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 17:41:07 (369) Comments (11) passengerfan Al Posted: 02 Jul 2006, 18:11:20 (369) Comments That’s it! [tup][;)] Tom [4:-)] [oX)] Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 3, 2006 7:50 AM A fine good morning to those prudent enough to avoid the 40 million or so on the highways. Thanks to Tom and Barndad for a thouroughly fun Sunday's choices of pix.[tup] I need to stay lucid and clear this day for further negotiations later, so just a O.J. and a Java, okay Tom? That Alaskan wide-open landscape, no matter how baron, beckons to the most rustic instincts in a fellow. You know there are bears, badgers, moose, elk, American Bald Eagles around every mountain bend and trout, salmon, bass, Chinook, perhaps even sturgeon awaiting your Coleman gas grill in every stream and river.[^] I couldn't watch the news yesterday just knowing such a refuge of total abandon is there awaiting we poor creatures of urban stress and hysteria.[:(] Doug, a toast to your piece on the foundation of a Mexican colony of folks who just wouldn't "say die."[tup] This speaks volumes on the positive effect a determined group can have for better living through "bone breaking" hard work and courage. If there is a tacit reference here on the value of immigrants who demanded nothing but rather created their own opportunities; it surely is "spot on" for the moral of Independence Day, July 4th!!![^] Hey, the "Big Blow" sends chills up my spine just imagining the size, weight and raw power of those behemoths.Their whining roar must've been intimidating even to seasoned crews who worked them.[:O] U.P. had an electric counterpart in the form of yet another gargantuan of the rails, the double cab G.E. units plying the western mountain divisions of that Road. An inebriate would swear off tippling when he saw double the double traction motor trucks, double pans and cabs, etc. Tom, glad the e-mail "Forward" touched upon a different personal plateau from the ordinary. I had no idea, it would find its' way to "Our" Place. If it caused rancor from any quarter; I'll take the "heat" in good stride. C. & W. music is not my "bag" by a long shot but I'm a sucker for traditional values.[#offtopic] Speaking of which, hopefully everyone will enjoy a "bang up" Fourth and when the smoke settles, maybe have a quiet "night cap" with thoughts of the Patriots that made it all possible. Right Boris, I see your Uncle Sam costume is back from the cleaners. This year, don't duct tape bottle rockets to your ankles![:(!] Mentor Village Fire Cheif "Mic" MaHorny won't be retrieving you from "Liberty Tree" this time. Ring it again Sam. BRONK...I see, so you put a crack in the Bell did you?[:(!] To paraphrase CM3..."play safe." P.S. Pete, you look jolly good in the Ermine robe, sceptre and Crown. May I fetch you a tankard of Gin and quinine? Edit wanswheel Member sinceNovember 2005 4,190 posts Posted by wanswheel on Monday, July 3, 2006 8:44 AM Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house Doug, thanks for that picture of a vacant lot, or is it of a tree. It's all good though. Your daughter is beautiful! Tom, I could be wrong but the color and texture of the Canadian is about the same in all the photos, that is, they all appear to have been taken by the same camera on the same occasion, including the one leaving Banff in 1955, which doesn't jibe with the modern era automobiles. Very nice pictures in any case. Those old diesels (PA's?) are much more photogenic than GP's in my humble opinion. Ted, have a great Fourth. I'll be glad on the 5th, the firecrackers drive me crazy. Tomorrow is the 230th, and co-incidentally but not incidentally, the 180th of the passing of Adams and Jefferson. It took me 40 minutes to copy the following paragraphs by tapping at each next key with my right index finger. I hope you get something out of it. Double Diners on the New York Central (Railroad Magazine, January 1948) They say the New York Central's in the hole, financially that is. Robert Young has been telling the ICC what he and his C&O can and will do, once he's recognized as a New York Central director. Well, on September 8th, Gustav Metzman and his Central staff made it apparent that they hadn't exactly been sitting around waiting for C&O admen to drop them a hint. Rolling out two of their latest Budd Company deliveries -- ordered way back in 1944 -- on to Track 31 in Grand Central Station, they demonstrated how a meal aboard the Pacemaker and all new Central trains now being built will be added pleasure to rail travelers. Part of a $60-million program to modernize its passenger fleet, the new two-car units include a streamlined kitchen-lounge and a full-length diner, which accomodates sixty-four at one sitting. Entering the forward end, passengers can relax before mealtime in one of the seventeen deep-cushioned chairs or four built-in seats. A passageway leads to the diner beyond, sidestepping an all stainless-steel kitchen. Not many of the reporters present passed up a chance to see the chefs in action that day, however. It was hot inside, after the air-cooled sections adjacent; still the men were good-naturedly holding spoons and forks at artistic angles while cameramen shot portraits. A moment later, though, the place was once again a smooth-running assembly line. There was a luncheon to be served within an hour. The new 41-foot kitchen and pantry outstretches models by fifteen feet. Designed for utility as well as spaciousness, it contains deep stainless-steel wells for storing frozen foods and perishables, a section for ice-making -- 640 cubes at a time -- racks for china and cutlery, beside plenty of footage for the crew to shift about from the steam tables to the ranges. Increasing its efficiency is the use of presto-logs, a composite of compressed sawdust. Used two at a time, these provide a smokeless and almost ashless fire for the big stove, giving off great heat for about two hours. An electric eye gives easy entrance through an outsized door into the diner, where comfort is the keynote. Divided into three sections by partitions of tempered glass, the car seats sixty-four, twenty persons more than usual. NYC innovations are the tables-for-two facing the aisle in the center diner and the lounge waiting-room at the rear of the coach. But all the usual streamlined attractions are there: upholstered chairs and restful combinations of color, air-conditioning, flourescent ceiling lights, wide windows shaded by venetian blinds and vibration-resistant tables, although we sped around no right-of-way curves along the Hudson to test the effectiveness of the latter. Should the scenery prove uninspiring or the conversation dull, the front and rear bulkheads frame color prints which are varied to blend with the terrain. But, as is likely when in the diner, you'll think of just one thing, food. Nobody heard any complaints about the food or the service-with-a-grin of September 8th. Proud of its posh $200,000 passenger equipment, Central officials were also anxious to display a New York Central first, which coupled into the streamlined unit with an easy whack during the luncheon. It's an all-dormitory car for the dining-car crew. Totalling a sleeping capacity of nineteen, the coach contains private compartments for two stewards and triple-decker berths for the rest of the staff. This car has been in use for some time, while the two-car units on exhibition were scheduled for service the following week. To date, the New York Central has received only 233 streamlined coaches, less than half its original order for equipping fifty-two crack trains. The rest are on the way, once material shortages are licked. From the end-to-end view of the Budd units, satisfaction of passengers and crews will remain a permanent feature of the Central's long-distance flyers. NYC ad, New Diners http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2440-72dpi.jpeg C&O ad, Memo to the NYC http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T28/T2898-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Post-war Power on parade http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2456-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Fleet of trains http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2460-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Weather http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T30/T3032-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Vacation http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2438-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, New England States http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2443-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Coach service ( the artwork shows West Point) http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2442-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, New 20th Century Limited 1948 http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T24/T2441-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, 50th Anniversary of the Century http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T30/T3060-72dpi.jpeg NYC ad, Water Level Route http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T30/T3065-72dpi.jpeg Mike siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Monday, July 3, 2006 10:25 AM Now arriving on track #2 ….. Railroads of Today! Number One Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. BNSF Railway Reporting marks: BNSF, BNFE, BNFT Locale: United States Pacific Coast to Chicago, IL and cities along the Mississippi River Dates of operation: December 31, 1996 – present Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas The BNSF Railway (AAR reporting mark BNSF), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the largest railroad networks in North America (only one competitor, the Union Pacific Railroad, is comparable in size). It was formed December 31, 1996 as the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad. On January 24, 2005, the railroad's name was officially changed to BNSF Railway.[1] The BNSF Railway is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, the holding company formed by the September 22, 1995 merger of Burlington Northern, Incorporated and the Santa Fe Pacific Corporation. According to corporate press releases, the BNSF Railway is among the top transporters of intermodal traffic in North America, and moves more grain than any other American railroad. It also hauls enough coal to generate roughly 10% of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF trackage An eastbound BNSF Railway train passes some maintenance of way equipment in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, August 8, 2004. Lead unit is painted in the Heritage II scheme. The BNSF Railway directly owns and operates track in 27 U.S. states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The railway also operates a small amount of track in Canada, including an approximate 30-mile (48 kilometer) section that runs from the U.S.-Canada border to Vancouver, British Columbia and a yard in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For administrative purposes, BNSF is divided into thirteen different divisions: California, Chicago, Gulf, Kansas, Los Angeles, Montana, Nebraska, Northwest, Powder River, Southwest, Springfield, Texas, and Twin Cities. Each division is further divided into hundreds of different subdivisions, which represent segments of track ranging from 300-mile mainlines to 10-mile branch-lines. Not including second, third and fourth main line trackage, yard trackage, and siding trackage, BNSF directly owns and operates over approximately 24,000 miles (38,624 kilometers) of track. When these additional tracks are counted, however, the amount of track that the railway has direct control over rises to over 50,000 miles (80,467 kilometers). Additionally, the BNSF Railway has been able to gain trackage rights on over 8,000 miles (12,875 kilometers) of track throughout the United States and Canada. These rights allow the BNSF to operate its own trains with its own crews on competing railroads' main tracks. BNSF locomotives also occasionally show up on competitors' tracks throughout the United States and Canada by way of lease and other contractual arrangements. BNSF yards and facilities BNSF operates various facilities all over the United States to support its transportation system. Some of the various facilities operated by the railway include yards and terminals throughout its rail network, system locomotive shops to perform locomotive service and maintenance, a centralized operations center for train dispatching and network operations monitoring in Fort Worth, Texas, and regional dispatching centers. The BNSF Railway also operates numerous transfer facilities throughout the western United States in order to facilitate the transfer of intermodal containers, trailers, and other freight traffic. The BNSF Railway has direct control over a total of 33 intermodal hubs and 23 automotive distribution facilities. On February 9, 2005, BNSF announced that it plans to build a new intermodal transfer facility near the port of Los Angeles; the new facility, with direct rail access to the recently constructed Alameda Corridor, would supplement the container transloading abilities of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) built by Southern Pacific in the 1990s. Large freight car hump yards are also scattered throughout the BNSF system. In 2005, Argentine Yard in Kansas City, Kansas processed the largest number of freight cars. The BNSF mechanical division is responsible for operating 8 locomotive maintenance facilities involved with preventive maintenance, repairs and servicing of equipment. The largest of these facilities are located in Alliance, Nebraska and Topeka, Kansas. Furthermore, the mechanical division also controls 46 additional facilities that are responsible for car maintenance and daily running repairs. Meanwhile, the BNSF system mechanical division, a subset of the mechanical division, also operates two maintenance-of-way work equipment shops, responsible for performing repairs and preventative maintenance to BNSF's track and equipment, in Brainerd, Minnesota and Galesburg, Illinois. The system mechanical division is also responsible for the operation of the Western Fruit Express Company's refrigerated car repair shop in Spokane, Washington. BNSF's northern route Northern route overview One of the routes operated by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe traverses the most northerly route of any railroad in the western United States. This route was originally part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Northern Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railway systems, merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad system in 1970. The route starts at Chicago and runs west across northern Illinois to the Mississippi River; it follows the eastern shore of the river through La Crosse and Prairie du Chien before turning west again in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota to Dilworth, Minnesota. From Dilworth the route runs Northwest to Minot, North Dakota, then West to Montana, and Idaho to Spokane, Washington. At Spokane the route splits into two routes, one going to Seattle, Washington and the other to Portland, Oregon. This route required construction of the Flathead Tunnel through the Rocky Mountains in Montana and the new Cascade Tunnel through the Cascade Mountains in Washington. This route is traveled by Amtrak's Empire Builder.Also owned in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada is trackage, running rights and a yard operated by a force of clerks, a switch unit and full crew and the track is maintained by a small track crew. Traveling east from Seattle, Washington to the western portal of the Cascade Tunnel Traveling east from the King Street Station in Seattle, Washington, the main line of the BNSF heads north through a tunnel under downtown Seattle. After exiting the tunnel the main line continues north through the Interbay classification yard and maintenance facilities and across the Lake Washington Ship Canal on the Salmon Bay Bridge. The main line continues north along the shore of Puget Sound through the cities of Edmonds, Washington and Mukilteo, Washington past Rucker Hill in Everett, Washington to the old Everett station. From there the main line makes a 180 degree turn through a partially covered cut through downtown Everett to the new Everett station. From the new station, the main line heads south, then southeast along the Snohomish River through the cities of Snohomish, Washington and Monroe, Washington. From Monroe the main line follows the Skykomish River through the towns of Index, Washington and Skykomish, Washington to the western portal of the Cascade Tunnel. King Street Station, Seattle Salmon Bay Bridge, Seattle Main line heading north out of Seattle, Washington along the shore of Puget Sound Everett Station (old Covered cut under downtown Everett (eastern portal) Everett Station (new) BNSF's commitment to safety As one of the leading supporters of the Operation Lifesaver program to promote safety at railway crossings and right-of-ways, the BNSF Railway, in 2000, established a grade-crossing closure program. This program, wherein BNSF works with communities and landowners to identify crossings that are unnecessary or redundant, has helped close over 2,900 of BNSF's railway crossings throughout the United States. Largely thanks to this program, BNSF has been the industry leader in lowering the amount of grade-crossing collisions. On June 7, 2006, BNSF became the first Class I railroad to actively recruit railfans to help ensure the company's rail network remains safe. Called the Citizens United for Rail Security (CRS), BNSF designed a program that encourages railfans to enter a small amount of personal information on an official company website. After doing so, the website generates an identification card that can be printed off and carried in the same manner as a driver's license or credit card. Along with the user's personal information, the card contains a list of general guidelines for a railfan to follow while near tracks or moving equipment as well as a toll-free telephone number that can be used to alert a BNSF representative of any suspicious activities or potential security breaches. BNSF has had a similar program called BNSF ON GUARD for employees since 2003. The program has been highly successful with over 200 employees reporting suspicious activities since its inception.[2] BNSF facts and figures According to BNSF's 2005 Annual Report to Investors, at the end of 2005, the railway had more than 40,000 employees, 5,790 locomotives, and 81,881 freight cars. • Broken down by specific kind of car, the BNSF owned: o 34,631 covered hoppers o 12,579 gondolas o 8,658 boxcars o 10,973 open hoppers o 8,537 flatcars o 4,983 refrigerated "reefer" cars o 748 automobile cars o 422 tank cars o 27 general purpose boxcars o 323 "other" types of cars • In addition, the railway also owned: o 10,412 domestic containers o 12,649 domestic chassis o 4,091 company service vehicles o 1,916 trailers o 179 commuter passenger cars The average age from date of manufacture for the BNSF's locomotive and freight car fleet was 15 years at the end of 2005. It may also be noted that on any given day BNSF is the single largest consumer of petroleum-based fuels in the world. The only larger consumer is the US Navy during a full force wartime deployment. On January 24, 2006, BNSF announced a $2.4 billion program of infrastructure upgrades for 2006. The upgrade program includes: double- and triple-tracking 40 miles (64.4 km) of track and a second mainline track through New Mexico's Abo Canyon on the former Santa Fe Railroad transcontinental line; expanding the Lincoln, Nebraska, classification yard and double- and triple-tracking 50 miles (80.5 km) of track in Wyoming's Powder River Basin region; expansions at eight of the railroad's larger intermodal facilities, and extending many sidings and expanding and improving refueling facilities. In making the announcement, BNSF chairman Matthew K. Rose cited improvements in the company's return on invested capital, and expressed hope for continued improvement.[3] BNSF paint schemes The assortment of colors used on the BNSF makes it one of the most colorful large railroads in North America. Many locomotives, sometimes affectionately called "pumpkins," are painted in "Heritage I" or "Heritage II" schemes, which are based on the Great Northern Railroad's colors of orange and dark green. Some locomotives are painted in Santa Fe's famous silver-and-red "warbonnet" scheme, sometimes with "BNSF" painted on the sides instead of "Santa Fe". Even more locomotives continue to wear the green and white or blue and yellow colors of the two railroads that merged to create the BNSF. It is to note, however, that all engines are planned to be painted into Heritage colors as they undergo overhauls. Old BNSF logo (new one at the top of the article). On January 24, 2005, the railroad introduced a new logo to replace the circle and cross logo of Santa Fe heritage. The new logo symbolizes the railroad's goals to be "a leader in transportation service and innovation." This logo also marks a move away from the more verbose Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway moniker displayed in the old logo. The "Heritage III" paint scheme was introduced soon after, featuring the new logo painted on the nose and sides of the locomotive and black stripes instead of green. So far, not very many locomotives have this paint scheme, apparently because BNSF wants to use up the rest of the decals used for the Heritage II scheme. BNSF has also rolled out a number of freight cars featuring the new company logo. Several paint schemes were tried out before Heritage I was put into service. One engine, BNSF 9647 was painted in a hybrid scheme, with the shapes used in Santa Fe's "Warbonnet" scheme in Burlington Northern's colors. Reactions to this scheme were generally negative, and the engine has acquired such nicknames as "warvomit" and "barfbonnet." Two slightly different experimental paint schemes were used on one unit, BNSF 9297, The left side had small additional stripes Heritage I The original cross and circle company logo is displayed on the nose of the locomotive. On the sides, BNSF appears in dark green letters in the orange stripe. Solid yellow stripes separate orange and green. Side view photographed by Kevin Andrusia, front view by William H. Davis Jr. Heritage II The green stripes are smaller than on Heritage I. Broader yellow stripes with black bands separate the orange and green. The BNSF text on the sides is now yellow and outlined in black. The logo on the front is the "cigar band" from the ATSF warbonnet paint scheme, with BNSF printed across it. Sometimes the space on the nose under the lower yellow stripes is painted green, sometimes orange as shown here. Side view photographed by Chris Starnes, front view by Dave Touissant. Heritage III This scheme, nicknamed "Powerbar," is very similar to Heritage II. The green stripes are now black and banded yellow stripes like those on Heritage II separate them from the orange stripe. The new company logo is displayed on the nose and sides of the locomotive. One locomotive, number 7695, had the logo in yellow type with a black outline, but BNSF has decided to use the opposite as shown here. Side view photographed by Peter K. Bieber, front view by Chris Lastovich. BNSF 880362, a tank car passing Glen Haven, Wisconsin, shows the new corporate logo on June 3, 2006. Supreme court case: BNSF Co. & White The United States Supreme Court heard a case in June of 2006 brought by Sheila White against her employer, BNSF, over retaliation taken against her when she complained about sexual harrasment. She was moved from operating a forklift truck to a more arduous position involving the use of hundred pound sledge hammers. When she complained about this retaliatory move taken against her, she was suspended without pay for 37 days. Her suspension was later reversed, and back pay was issued. Nonetheless, she won a jury award of $43,500 from BNSF. The jury's award was appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court, but was upheld by a 9-0 ruling. [1] References • BNSF Railway (January 24, 2005), BNSF Adopts New Corporate and Subsidiary Logos and Changes Name of Railway Subsidiary as Part of Tenth Anniversary Celebration. Retrieved January 25, 2005. • BNSF Railway (February 9, 2005), Port of Los Angeles begins discussions with BNSF Railway Company on new intermodal facility. Retrieved February 10, 2005. 1. BNSF Railway (January 24, 2005). BNSF Adopts New Corporate and Subsidiary Logos and Changes Name of Railway Subsidiary as Part of Tenth Anniversary Celebration. Retrieved on April 19, 2006. 2. BNSF Railway (June 7, 2006), BNSF Railway Asks Rail Fans for Cooperation to Keep America's Rail System Safe. Retrieved June 29, 2006. 3. BNSF Railway (January 24, 2006), BNSF Announces $2.4 Billion Capital Commitment Program for 2006; About $400 Million Again Slated for Track/Facilities Expansion. Retrieved January 30, 2006. Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Enjoy! Tom [4:-)] [oX)] Waving flags credit: www.3DFlags.com Happy Railroading! Siberianmo BudKarr Member sinceSeptember 2005 From: Alberta's Canadian Rockies 331 posts Posted by BudKarr on Monday, July 3, 2006 11:54 AM Good Morning Captain Tom and all assembled! A fine beginning to the new week with some rather diverse entries – the BNSF from Doug and the NYC from Mike – all followed by yet another new feature from Tom: Railroads of Today! Nicely done, gentlemen! [tup] I am looking forward to the rerun of the NYC tomorrow as I do have recollections of many of those trains from days gone by. The photo spread from yesterday was most interesting and entertaining. Lydia opines that those CP pictures were all digitally enhanced by whoever initially put them into the formats we viewed. Probably were used in a magazine or brochure back when “The Canadian” was being advertised as “the” train to take across Canada. Once again, we enjoyed the two dozen more Alaska photos and wonder how many more you have in your archives [?] No complaints, mind you, as each photo represents more reasons to make that trip! [tup] Thank you to those who sent Canada Day greetings our way! We had a marvelous time of it in Calgary – and I was able to pilot our way to and from without the trepidation previously mentioned from my passenger! [swg] I enjoy Calgary and would not mind setting up “shop” closer to it than where we are. HOWEVER, the mountain retreat is HOME and the mere mention of relocating causes the earth to quake – just a bit. [swg] That was quite a tribute you put forth on Saturday, Tom – both here and on “your other thread” - the idea of “all things Canadian” worked well as I see Sir Dave provided some very relevant input too! [tup] Cannot ignore the URLs from Sir Mike – all that was missing is locked up in the archives of one Sir Rob – hopefully enjoying a long holiday weekend. Just picked up a tid bit that Sir Mick and the boys (aka: Rolling Stones) are rumoured to be setting up a concert in Halifax this September! Now, that would be quite the idea for a Rendezvous – an overnight train trip from Montreal – an “experience” in Halifax – a night or two in the local lockup – whoooooops – [swg] My guess is there will be some rather expensive tickets on sale for that venue. Are you watching all of this Sir Nick wherever you are [?] [swg] Although a bit late, I appreciated viewing the information provided by Al on the oil fields and the URL from Tom – thank you both! [tup] The Province has realized quite an upswing in the economy, however, one can be sure there will be more ways to spend the revenues than revenue itself will allow. Is that not the way of governments [?] I must say, though, Premier Joe Klein (from Calgary by the way) is not one to fall into the “trap” posed by newfound riches. Enough of that . . . We will have two selections from your Menu Board – the brunch special, #8 with coffee (and a “splash” to make it interesting) for me and tea for my lady. A bit early for a round, however, put this aside for later on! [tup] I note that the Forums will be ‘down’ and appreciate your taking the time to notify us, Captain Tom! Always looking out for the “troops,” which of course is the hallmark of leadership. [tup] My e-mail address is current, so I await the “instructions” from the Kalmbach people . . . [swg] My guess is that the elimination of those “stars” will bother some very much. I happen to like the idea of grouping the contributors in this manner. Unfortunately, some seem to equate the “stars” with expertise and so forth instead of simply looking at them for what they are – quantity of submissions. Since the number will still appear, why the discontinuance of them is my question [?] Perhaps they have received one too many complaints – but for whatever the reason, I cannot determine. Thank you Tom for that URL regarding the song by Diamond Rio – In God We Still Trust. I added my e-mail address to the online petition! This idea applies to both countries and is something that entity called the ‘silent majority’ needs to awaken over. [tup] It is a most entertaining number and one that surely should have been released – especially at this time of year. Hope things are going well for you and your family Lars – it is a wonderful thing that you and your Mrs. are doing for your loved one at this time of great need. [tup] We should be here at the homestead for the remainder of the week and I will try to check back a few times before the week end! Best wishes for a Happy Independence Day! and know that the “Spirit of ‘76” is alive and well in many parts of the world! [tup] BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada’s high mountain country! BudKarr Member sinceSeptember 2005 From: Alberta's Canadian Rockies 331 posts Posted by BudKarr on Monday, July 3, 2006 12:05 PM Hello Again! Greetings Captain Tom - I will have another mug of coffee with the same "splash" used in the first! [swg] Something of relevance to last week and the discussion of the UP turbines: QUOTE: Gas Turbine Locomotives A New Era Union Pacific was the only railroad in the United States to own and operate gas turbine locomotives. The turbine, rather than an internal combustion diesel engine, drove an alternator/generator to supply electricity to electric motors mounted on the axles. Union Pacific's gas turbine fleet totalled 55 locomotives. The first turbine, No. 50, was built by Alco-GE in 1948 and was tested extensively on UP in 1949. Although it was painted in Union Pacific colors, the railroad never owned No. 50, but it paved the way for the GE turbine fleet which followed. The first ten UP turbines, Nos. 51-60, packing 4,500 horsepower each, were delivered to UP by General Electric in 1952. Fifteen more of these units were ordered in 1954 and numbered 61-75. Thirty units of a larger model, numbered 1-30, were delivered between 1958 and 1961. With a hefty 8,500 horsepower apiece, the last 30 units were the largest locomotives ever built. The turbine fleet pulled freight trains between Council Bluffs, IA and Ogden, UT. Although tested on the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles run, their tremendous noise quickly made them unpopular in California. The locomotives were nicknamed "Big Blows" for their deafening jet engine exhaust noise. The huge locomotives, with their big appetite for fuel oil, eventually fell victim to the more efficient diesels, and in 1970 the turbines ran their last miles. Union Pacific also experimented with a steam turbine in 1939 and a coal-fired turbine in 1962. Neither locomotive, however, was successful. Locomotives on Display Although Union Pacific never donated any turbines directly to museums, two of the locomotives did survive and are now on public display. No. 18 is at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL and No. 26 and 26B are displayed at Ogden Union Station in Ogden, UT. from: www.uprr.com BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada’s high mountain country! siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Monday, July 3, 2006 2:31 PM G'day! Just to keep things moving . . . . BNSF SD70MAC #9753 (foto: R. Cody Erben) A few guys showed up this AM to kick off the new week - a bit surprised at the "no shows' of a few though - Anyway, THANX goes to barndad Doug - Theodorebear Ted - wanswheel Mike 'n BudKarr BK [tup] [tup] to all - appreciate your patronage! Ka-ching, kaching "say" Tilla 'n Cashinator! Nice work with your NYC piece, Mike - one finger [?] That's heavy duty stuff for one finger typing! URLs "fit" well and are a good kick off for tomorrow's "theme for the day!" [tup] [tup] I think that "blurb" from BK kinda sez it all regarding those CP Pix - they do in fact look rather "artificial," but through it all, they still look fine to me. Good observation. See what you began, Doug [?] Caused me to start yet another new series! <groan> Is there no relief 'round here [?] <grin> Nice to see ya again BK and I figured you took advantage of the holiday weekend - why not[?] Had we not "shot the wad" with our visit to the 49th State - we would've been out of here like a hot light bulb being splashed with cold water! [swg] I've been doing a bit of reading on the "politics" up your way and see that there's a bit of a test of wills going on between your Premier and the Ottawa crowd. Has to do with the sharing of revenue and the like. Not a topic for here, though - and I'm sure you already are "up" on it. Regards to Lydia! [tup] Enjoyed that piece you provided on the UP turbines! [tup] [tup] Ted The only people who made mention of that "Diamond Rio" song have been you and I - that is prior to today and the note from BK - so any concern could have only come through osmosis, for I doubt that anyone picked up on it 'round this joint. Same for so many other "tid bits" that have been in the SUMMARIES and elsewhere . . . a pratfall of the "business" I suppose. I should make mention that I received an Email from Nick our former Chief Chef [C=:-)] - as suspicioned he's been off 'n running with 3 bands - working to keep food on the table and clothes on the backs of his family and burning the candle at both ends. Glad to know he's still "out there!" [swg] Sad that he's not here. [:(] Also heard from jlampke John our seagoing customer. He's been assigned to a different vessel for the purpose of getting his "quals" in as a requiste to the licensing for Chief Engineer. Been gone, gone, gone and hopes to swing by once he can see the light of day -and that's difficult from the engine room! [swg] Later! [swg] Tom[4:-)][oX)] Happy Railroading! Siberianmo siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts Posted by siberianmo on Monday, July 3, 2006 5:32 PM G'day! Not much going on, so I'll just drop this off and "meditate" behind the bar . . . . BNSF SD40-2 #6737 (foto: R. Cody Erben) Later! [tup] Tom[4:-)] [oX)] Happy Railroading! Siberianmo « First«243244245246247248249»Last » SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter Submit More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
QUOTE: PLOT SUMMARY: The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants.
PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly The boys are stowaways on a train box-car filled with furniture bound for the "Hollywood Storage Co.," and they hope to break into movies together and become stars. They arrive at the Carnation Pictures Studios. Fuller Rath, the studio general manager, previously received a telegram from the Home Office telling him that a certain "Mr. Smith and his two assistants" will arrive to take over the supervision of the studios. He mistakes the Stooges as the executives and gives them free reign over the studios, where they proceed to disrupt and destroy the production of a romantic drama. Meanwhile, Fuller Rath receives a second telegram stating the executives won't arrive until later, at which he sends the studio guards after the Stooges, who beat a hasty retreat.
QUOTE: Gas Turbine Locomotives A New Era Union Pacific was the only railroad in the United States to own and operate gas turbine locomotives. The turbine, rather than an internal combustion diesel engine, drove an alternator/generator to supply electricity to electric motors mounted on the axles. Union Pacific's gas turbine fleet totalled 55 locomotives. The first turbine, No. 50, was built by Alco-GE in 1948 and was tested extensively on UP in 1949. Although it was painted in Union Pacific colors, the railroad never owned No. 50, but it paved the way for the GE turbine fleet which followed. The first ten UP turbines, Nos. 51-60, packing 4,500 horsepower each, were delivered to UP by General Electric in 1952. Fifteen more of these units were ordered in 1954 and numbered 61-75. Thirty units of a larger model, numbered 1-30, were delivered between 1958 and 1961. With a hefty 8,500 horsepower apiece, the last 30 units were the largest locomotives ever built. The turbine fleet pulled freight trains between Council Bluffs, IA and Ogden, UT. Although tested on the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles run, their tremendous noise quickly made them unpopular in California. The locomotives were nicknamed "Big Blows" for their deafening jet engine exhaust noise. The huge locomotives, with their big appetite for fuel oil, eventually fell victim to the more efficient diesels, and in 1970 the turbines ran their last miles. Union Pacific also experimented with a steam turbine in 1939 and a coal-fired turbine in 1962. Neither locomotive, however, was successful. Locomotives on Display Although Union Pacific never donated any turbines directly to museums, two of the locomotives did survive and are now on public display. No. 18 is at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL and No. 26 and 26B are displayed at Ogden Union Station in Ogden, UT.
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