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"Our" Place - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, August 17, 2006 7:19 PM
Good Evening Captain Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

Leon, set 'em up willya Question [?] and Boris, ring the chimes! 'Tis the Larsman and I'm buying . .  . a frosty mug of Schaefer if you please and slide those snacks down my way - thanks! Thumbs Up [tup]

Been a real busy day 'round here and more to come tomorrow. But this is now, so I'd rather just savor the peace and tranquility of the tavern by the tracks. Ooooops, what's that noise in the back room Question [?] Ommmigosh, the Track Gangs are at the pool table and . . . it's Fish 'n Chips nite! That could spell for a long nite, huh Question [?] Looks like Ruth (the redhead) is working the tables - nice, ummmmmmmm. Evil [}:)] Mischief [:-,]

Lots of good stuff once again from the participants - a quiz, a question, some clarification and lots to learn 'round this joint. My mind is akin to mush at this point in the day, so it's pointless for me to engage in anything requiring grey matter to form circuits! Sorry P . . .  what's the answer Question [?]

The subject of set-out sleepers is a subject that perhaps should be elaborated upon. I have no particular expertise in this area, but am familiar with the term and past use. Once upon a time .... nice lead in .... the passenger railroads would leave a sleeping car at the station for passengers arriving late at nite. That car would essentially provide them with a place to sleep and it was staffed and maintained by the RRs. Next day, the return train would pick it up and move it along to its destination, and so forth. Now, as to CM3 I'm not Shane's question about when the last one was used by a US railroad. Hmmmmmmmm - how about Amtrak's California Zephyr in 2001 Question [?] I haven't a source for this, BUT recall talking to one of the Amtrak attendants on our last trip to the left coast aboard the CZ - that's where I got this stuff from! Anecdotal, perhaps, but what the heck!

Rob, you've done quite a job today! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Looks like we're keeping on top of things 'round here . . . . got your email by the way!

BK, glad you asked that question. Even though many may assume we all are up to speed with the ins 'n outs of RRding, from time to time an elaboration really helps. Thanx CM3 for providing the info . . .

Must the the lateness of the hour for me, but I've lost track of what I was going to say!! So, let me have one more Leon, then I'm gonna check out. Hope to get a chance to stop by in the AM, for my PM is going to be busy, busy, busy.

Later Gents!

Lars




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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:02 PM

Good evening Leon .. I’ll have a bottomless draught with the fish and chips, and please set-up a round for the boyz. Got some more Michigan quarters for the coal scuttle, so let’s load up the tunes, and crank-up the volume!

 

I actually left a real nice post early this AM .. but for some reason, it didn’t stick! It looked something like this:

Nice post on the Liberty Limited CM3, and a terrific follow-up with the Pennsy Army/Navy link Captain Tom. I had no idea that trains were involved with this annual match-up. Apparently I also need to educate myself on what is considered “light rail”, and will be doing so courtesy of BK’s link. Really like the URLs of the skyline from a hundred years ago Mike. Absolutely fascinating. Great to see Lars and [red]P[/red], and thanks to Pete for the HO scale Brit steamer. Reminds me that I need to get some Pike material ready for next Wednesday. Finally, Rob reports a coffee nasalectomy from reading my groaner yesterday. Takes me back to old school daze, when you did all you could to get your friends to spew chocolate milk. Now that was fun! Enjoyed your Dover and Stratford article Rob.

 

Anyhow …that’s pretty much what I wrote before it was blown away, which brings me up to present. CM3 seems to be doing an Al impersonation with all his NY Central info. Good stuff sir! I see Manager Lars provided the Our Place re-orientation and summary material. It’s easy to see that a lot of the things that Tom used to do every day would be quite time consuming. Looks like Rob beat me to [red]P[/red]’s answer of Thomas, which be the way, is at the IRM now. Lars guessed the Gravy Train, so maybe I’ll change my answer to the Soul Train. I enjoyed reading your words Lars, and examining your excellent pix. Thanks for the great idea on giving the wife trains for special occasions Tom. I think my bride would like a Polar Express this holiday season! Spiffy Metrolink pix Tom. Wow Rob … great classic steam stuff sir, and I’ll bet you can feel those extra digits starting to grow. You may well one day have more fingers than brother Al.

 

Here’s a little something from me. The 1950’s Railroad Magazines had a nifty section called Information Booth, written by Barbara Kreimer in Question/Anwer format. Here are some examples:

 

Q – As the Pennsylvania operates in anthracite regions, why didn’t it ever use Camelback engines?

A- The PRR did build three camelbacks at its Jaunita shops in 1899, to compete with the Reading, Numbered 698, 700 and 820, and designated as E-1 Class Atlantics, they had 20 ½ X 26-inch cylinders, 80-inch drivers, and a boiler pressure of 205 pounds. The firebox was a combination of Belpaire and Wootten designs. One distinctive feature was the arrangement of the six-wheeled tanks, which were discarded when the engines went over to the Long Island years later. Renumbered 198, 199 and 200, they remained in LIRR service until around 1912, when they were scrapped.

 

Q – I have heard that car wheels are used in interchange service. What does this mean?

A- it means that wheels can be supplied to the cars of any railroad in any one of the thousands of shops. A complete record is kept on every wheel. Data include the road applying the wheel, the serial number, the date and place of casting, and the manufacturer, as well as the weight and diameter – all of which is marked on the outer and inner surface of the wheel itself.

 

Q- Why are the railroads slow in modernizing such structures as signal towers, many of which look positively archaic?

A – They are not slow. Modernization of railroad buildings, including towers, is being pushed as fast as revenue permits. A great many signal towers have been built or rebuilt in keeping with the principles of modern design. One example is the Canadian Pacific control tower pictured here. This structure, located in the new terminal freight yards at Cote St. Luc, Montreal, blends the smooth streamlined touch of up-to-date architecture with the practical planning of improved operation facilities. Looking through Polaroid window, the control operator watches cars roll down the hump, and checks their speeds by means of the electrically-charged retarders.

 

Clown [:o)] A man died and was taken to his place of eternal torment by the devil.

As he passed raging fire pits and shrieking sinners, he saw a man he recognized as a lawyer snuggling up to a beautiful woman.

'That's unfair!' he cried. 'I have to roast for all eternity, and that lawyer gets to spend it with a beautiful woman.'

'Shut up,' barked the devil, jabbing the man with his pitchfork.

'Who are you to question that woman's punishment?' Clown [:o)]

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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:03 PM

Good evening again gents,just a final check in to make sure alls well at the tavern. I see that it is so I'll settle down and enjoy some haddock and chips ( best bet on the menu as H&H cook haddock the best) Seems like Leon has the bell well stocked so I'll grab a guniess to go along with the F&C.Boris and Tex have the track gangs under control and nothing is broken ( yet )

LARS -I see that you did indeed make it back in. Thanks for adding another tidbit of info to the set-out sleepers question. More proof as to why this is the best place to hang out enjoy and learn.Thumbs Up [tup] I've had a busy couple of days here, my two off in a row so my weekend as it were, so I'll be more scarce likely one morning one evening post the rest of this week but that's okay the gangs picking up where they left off.

DOUG -I had wondered if something odd had happened to you, as we were with out our morning giggle or groan dependingSmile [:)]Interesting Q & A story. I would have thought that the PRR would have had gaggles of camelbacks as well, so you see my newly learned info for the day Thumbs Up [tup]And yes making one's friends spew liquids from the nasel cavities was the tour de force in my highschool days (daze ) as well. I imagine that something as mundane as that doesn't happen in todays cell phone toting MP3 player packing teen society of today. Sad but trueSad [:(]

Well I'll leave everyone to their fish and chips and remind one and all of the steak speacials tomorrow evening T-bones sirloins and even some top grade Alberta prime rib as well order early and oftenWink [;)]Dinner [dinner] Also a reminder of "chat" and "encore" Saturday.

Have a good night everyone.

Rob

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 18, 2006 7:24 AM

Good morning Tom and friends! I’ll have two light breakfasts and  an “Our Place” T-shirt, size L, please. Rob, I think my post from yesterday might have actually been removed by the forum gods, because of the joke I attached to it. Not sure, but this is the first time I ever saw one of my posts evaporate! Here’s more Q & A’s from Barbara:

 

Q – How do crane-order cranes function?

A – These are used by operators for delivering “flimsies” to the crews of moving trains. Over the years, patents have been granted to more than 60 such devices. At First, operators delivered the orders by hand, using a rough willow hoop equipped with a handle and a small snap of spring wire to hold the orders. These were superseded by hoops of finished wood, bamboo, or rattan with still larger handles. The hoop was designed to be picked up by the crew man’s outstretched arm. He would then take the orders out of the snap, and throw off the hoop.

More recent developments for delivering train orders include the post and crane structures. A common type is equipped with three fasteners, one above the other, which hold the hoops so that the brakeman and fireman can reach the orders without the operator’s help. A drawback to this type is that it cannot be seen clearly in dark weather, snowstorms, sandstorms, etc. Wherever possible, lights and reflectors have been installed above the hoops.

 

Q – What type of watch are railroad employees required to use?

A – It is a rule that railroaders working in engines, trains, yards, etc., must carry a standard 21-jewel watch which has been tested for accuracy under varying conditions. These watches are subject to inspection once a month.

 

Q – How long is the New York City subway-elevated system?

A – By route miles, the system’s total is 236. Measured in terms of double-tracking and, in many stretches, quadruple-tracking, the number of miles is 729.

 

Q – Is it true that Commodore Vanderbilt once called George Westinghouse a fool?

A – Yes. When Westinghouse perfected his airbrake in 1875 he offered it to Cornelius Vanderbilt, then president of the New York Central & Hudson River. Vanderbilt scribbled a reply to the inventor which read, “I have no time to waste on fools!”

 

Q – What is a business car?

A – This is a Pullman-type car assigned to railroad officials. Equipped with lounge, bedroom, bath, and kitchen. The car is coupled behind whichever train the official is riding. An operating officer’s job involves much travel and inspection. In such cases it is usually better for him to work in the privacy of this “office-hotel-room” arrangement.

 

Q – I understand the Chesapeake & Ohio got rid of its Vista Dome cars because they were too large for certain tunnels. Is this true?

A – Not that we know of. The C&O was designing a new daylight-run train. The Vista Dome cars to be used on it were delayed in production, and while awaiting them the C&O needed the rest of its cars for regular service. Later, when the Dome cars were ready, there was no other new equipment available for the proposed daylight train, so the company decided to sell its Dome cars to the Baltimore & Ohio. They did this in 1950.

 

Q – Is it true that E.H. Harriman once started what was intended to be a “round-the-world railroad?”

A – Yes. He proposed building a railroad to the Bering Strait to connect with a line constructed by the Russian government. The plan was actually launched about 1900. After failing in negotiations with Japan regarding the South Manchuria Railway, Mr. Harriman decided to include the Alaska Railroad in the scheme. With this vital link assured, he was ready to buy the Chinese Eastern from Russia. He hoped to double-track the Trans-Siberian line in exchange for trackage rights between North Manchuria and the Baltic Sea. Unfortunately, his death in 1909 brought an end to the fabulous blue-prints of a continent-to-continent rail system which might have changed world history.

 

Q – Is it true that each passenger trainman has a differently designed ticket punch?

A – Yes, indeed. Ticket punches have distinctive forms, as the identities of thousands of men engaged in passenger service depend upon them. The punches have various shapes – hearts, spades, squares, triangles, circles, semi-circles, and so on When a conductor receives a punch, it is registered in his name at division headquarters and entrusted to his care for as long as he remains with the road. It is not to be duplicated. Some punches have been used for fifty years or more. In rare cases conductors pass them on to sons or friends who succeed them on the same run. When a conductor retires, his last official act is to turn in his ticket punch.

Years ago, trainmen used to void passenger tickets by simply marking them with pencil. However, dishonest travelers often erased the markings, so that tickets could be used again. As a result, the roads lost much revenue. By getting off the train at a stop, the trickster would buy a second ticket, which also would be voided. As the second ticket was cheaper than the first, he would surrender it at the end of the trip. He would hold the through ticket and use it again at the starting point, or sell it. Thus, many a through ticket made the trip several times.

The punch system was adopted in 1852, having been devised by an Erie conductor, “Pappy” Ayres, who was determined to put a stop to this swindle.

 

Clown [:o)] The tour bus traveling through northern Nevada passed briefly at the Mustang Ranch, near Sparks. The guide noted: "We are now passing the largest house of prostitution in America." A male passenger shouted "WHY?!?" Clown [:o)]

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"Our" Place - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, August 18, 2006 7:37 AM

G'day Gents!

Friday has arrived and all's well here in mid-continent USA. Temps are supposed to be in the high 90s (F), but there's a storm front moving in packing a whollop for later on this PM. Petrol up at Collusion Corner was $2.79 (rounded) yesterday . . .

Really quite a return for many of our customers as the Posts keep rolling in, chock full of good 'n interesting material. Quality over quantity is what we strive for and quality we've got! Thumbs Up [tup] Yeah!! [yeah]  Moving into the weekend, I'm going to continue with the "let's see where this takes us" mode . . . but my take on it is that the "regulars" want "regularity" - so let the good times roll! Thumbs Up [tup]

Rob, you've been a rather busy Bar Chandler and contributor, as has Lars with the mulitple Posts. It shows rather evidently just what you two have been plotting! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] Also much appreciation for the efforts from CM3 (twice yesterday) - BK - Doug and red P. Thumbs Up [tup]

I looked into that set-out sleeper question and although nothing has turned up definitively, the references to Amtrak seem to hold true that they were the last to use 'em. Had a brief bout with their use with the "Owl" and appears that the "California Zephyr" was the last. So, looks like that's the best I can come up with - I'll go along with Lars with 2001 as the year. How about it, Shane Question [?] Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

A few "blurbs" about some RRs we like to feature at the tavern by the tracks:

Pennsylvania RR:

An independent railroad from 1846 to 1969, the PRR was the largest line in the United States based on traffic and revenue. Chartered in Pennsylvania in 1846, construction began in 1847, and the first all-rail line reached Pittsburgh in 1852. Eventually PRR connected Chicago with Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Railroad recalls the unique engines and trains of "The Standard Railroad of the World."

Southern Pacific:

The Southern Pacific line was formed out of its parent company, the Central Pacific, which was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1863, signed by Abraham Lincoln. Its original charter was to build east from Sacramento and meet the Union Pacific "somewhere in the middle", thus creating the first transcontinental railroad.

Santa Fe

Chartered in 1863, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway's first trains rolled the next year, and the line reached Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1880. By the 1890s, the line reached across 2,200 miles of track to Los Angeles and Chicago, making it one of the world's longest rail systems. By 1929, at its peak, the Santa Fe had over 13,000 miles of track. Santa Fe captures images of steam and diesel across this vast system.

 

Just caught your Friday AM Post, Doug! Nicely done . . . just what we need, mind benders to start the day! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]  Seriously, good stuff and I'm sure the guys will pick up on it. The punch info is most revealing . . . Thumbs Up [tup]

Enjoy the weekend, Gents and have one on me! Ring it Boris . . .  Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom Captain [4:-)]Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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"Our" Place - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, August 18, 2006 8:07 AM

G'day Captain Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

Looks like I just missed Da Bossman - drat it! Thumbs Down [tdn] However, good to see him up 'n about the decks this day! Thumbs Up [tup]

An early start for me too as the Mrs. has all kinds of plans today. Heading over to "the city" for her "Macy's fix" - even though there are more of those stores than Carters has pills these days. Nevertheless, she loves the old place on 34th Street, so off we go - ta da, ta da. <ugh>

Where to begin with all the posts Question [?] I think I'll draw a bye on the individual accolades and just say, "Well done" to one and all who have made the effort and taken the time to keep us afloat! 5-Thumbs Up [tup] Salute to youse guys! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Nice looking light-rail vehicles out there in St. Looooo, Captain Tom. I know you don't want to take either the credit or blame for the way things have shaken with the system, but the pix reveal something positive, wouldn't you agree Question [?] I researched the system on the web and it is quite expansive since the original construction. Appears as if it goes through an awful lot of countryside over in Illinois on the way out to your Air Force Base. Kinda makes me wonder what in the world they were thinking, as my impression of light-rail is that it serves urban populations. What do I know! Question [?] Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Hey Doug - good to see ya this day and nicely done submissions too I should add. You keep coming up with something special for us and we just might give you a drink on the house! <grin>

Rob, enjoyed your night time visit and hope to see ya 'round the tavern by the tracks this weekend. Can't say for sure what tomorrow and Sunday hold, but the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise - I'll do my best to check in! Thumbs Up [tup]

Gotta work on my NYC submission for Tuesday's "Theme for the Day!"  . . . hope the rest of you are thinking of it too. Thumbs Up [tup]

Finally, after getting thoroughly thumped in Philly for the 1st two games, my Mets finally pulled one out yesterday. Dog days of summer, fer sure, fer sure. August is soooooooo loooooooong, in so many ways, huh Question [?] Let's get to October - like NOW! Thumbs Up [tup] Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

A round on me, Cindy you lovely thing and Boris, ring that bell! I'll have a #3 from the Menu Board, then I'm gonezo!

Lars

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Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, August 18, 2006 8:26 AM

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please, round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Three all-time favrotes today: "If I Had Shot You When I First Wanted To, I'de Be Out of Prison By Now," "Her Teeth Weere Stained But Her Heart Was Pure," and "I Liked You Better Before I Got to Know You So Well." 

Thanks to all for interesting posts and material.

I asked the setout sleeper question because I was not sure of the answer.  My thought was that it might have been Amtrak's "Executive Sleeper" which operated between New York and Washington.  66 picked it up en route to DC and 67 set it out enroute to Boston.  It was usually a 10/6 car.  Now you can't even get a sleeper on anything out of Boston.  Better stop here b4 I get dragged out to the Rat Room for awhile.

Here's some more NYC consists from 1942; our friends who have an interest in things Canadian will find this intriguing, I think.

No.

Train

Depart

Arrive

6

Fifth Avenue Special”

11:20 a.m. (LaSalle St.)

7:30 a.m. (New York)

Chicago-New York Sleeping Cars: 10 roomettes/5 double bedrooms; 14 sections; 8 section/drawing room/2 compartments

Pittsburgh-Boston Sleeping Car: 12 sections/2 double bedrooms (From P&LE 33; NYC 84 @ Buffalo to NYC 28 @ Albany

Pittsburgh-Massena Sleeping Car: 12 sections/2 double bedrooms (From P&LE 33; NYC 84 @ Buffalo to St. Lawrence Division 55 @ Utica

Diner (Lounge): Chicago-New York

Coaches: Chicago-New York

 

Train 28 departed Albany at 5:38 a.m. and arrived in Boston at 10:38 a.m.

48

“Detroiter”

7:00 p.m. (Detroit)

7:40 a.m. (New York)

Detroit-New York Sleeping Cars: 17 roomettes (2 cars); 13 double bedrooms; 4 compartments/4 bedrooms/2 drawing rooms (two cars); 14 sections (2 cars)

Lounge Car: 6 double bedrooms/buffet ( 2 cars): Detroit-New York

Diner: Detroit-New York

No coaches

82

“Ontarian”

11:25 p.m. (Buffalo)

7:50 a.m. (New York)

Toronto-New York Sleeping Cars: 10 roomettes/5 double bedrooms; 4 compartments/4 bedrooms/2 drawing rooms; 14 sections; 6 sections/

6 double bedrooms (Xpt. Sat.)

Buffalo-New York Sleeping Cars: 10 roomettes/5 double bedrooms; 8 sections/drawing room/2 compartments

Toronto-Pittsburgh Sleeping Car: 10 sections/drawing room/2 compartments (In NYC 279 from Buffalo to P&LE 38

Toronto-Cleveland Sleeping Car: 12 sections/drawing room (In NYC 207 from Buffalo)

Diner

Coaches: Toronto-Buffalo;

No coaches Buffalo-New York

20

“Cleveland Limited”

8:15 p.m. (Cleveland)

7:50 a.m. (New York)

Cleveland-New York Sleeping Cars: 10 roomettes/5 double bedrooms; 17 roomettes; 4 compartments/4 bedrooms/2 drawing rooms; 12 section/ drawing room 18 roomettes (Xpt. Sat.); 13 double bedrooms (Xpt. Sat.)

Lounge Car: Cleveland-New York (6 double bedrooms/buffet)

Diner Lounge: Cleveland-New York

No coaches

 

Trains 82 and 20 ran together from Harmon to New York.

work safe

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Posted by red p on Friday, August 18, 2006 8:39 AM

Good morning Tom, Manager Lars, Barndad and the rest of the gang.

Dont have much time, got to go to work. Just need the thermos filled up. well since nobody could answer my question it is the Wabash Cannonball or just Cannonball (as in the the TV show Pettycoat Junction) Yep the Cannonball shows up just about everywhere.

As far as the railroad approved watch goes it must have a white background, black roman numerals, 24 hour dail with 13-24 marked in red, and a sweeping secondhand.Well guys gotta run see ya latter.

P

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Posted by pwolfe on Friday, August 18, 2006 2:19 PM

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and some of H & H's Haddock and Chips if there is any left over.

Another busy time at the barApprove [^]Thumbs Up [tup].

Thanks to all who commented on the BR model yes TOM it is the same one brought over as the bride's present.

Two great Classic Steams ROB. I have noticed here along the KATY trail each town has a feed mill along the trackbed, I suppose the grain harvest is about to take place here soon it must be a major traffic for the RRs today?What a great name for a lake Nippissing isApprove [^].

LARS Good posts. A great idea to post the Our Place Schedule and Protocol list.

BK Glad you liked the link to the model web-site and thanks for the Light Rail topic.

 CM3 Great starter for the NYC theme day next Tuesday.The sleeper info is very interesting. In the UK one of the Scottish sleepers still splits into three in Edinburgh with portions for Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. It is a wonderful experience to catch the sleeper in London, the nearest stop for our town, and to wake up in the Scottish Highlands after spending a couple hours in the bar-car at the start of the journey.

DOUG Thanks for the Information Booth posts for the old Railroad Mag.A couple of British raiway mags used to have a Queston & Answer section until fairly recently, it is a shame they dont run them still as they are very informative. Trains Magazine over here still has this feature although I notice that the Letters section has been smaller of late which is a pity. E.H. Harriman's round the world railroad would have been a great achievement if it had succeeded.

Are you going try to post the joke which may have been cut out againQuestion [?]

P That would be a good quiz question as to how many pints I've had at Our PlaceSmile [:)] , they have all been good.

As to your question I would have gone with Rob and said Thomas the Tank, he seem to be everywhere. Although to be avoided by railfans there is no doubt he has been a godsend to preserved railways with the amount of money he has brought in.

TOM Thanks for answer to the Pennsy Red stripe livery query. I wonder if it inspired the LMS to used a simular paint scheme on the second batch of the Streamliners in the late 30s, one of which is beeing  restored to a Streamline state which it has not worn for nearly 60 years.

In the local paper it says there is now a Harvey House Diner in Kansas City Union Station with the dearest item on the menu at $8.49 and sandwiches selling at $3.99 to $5.99, although there are no Harvey Girls yet. If it is between where we get off Amtrak and the Irish pub (when it opens) perhaps we can give it a try. 

Another Bathams CINDY and let me get a round .

Pete.   

 

 

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Posted by BudKarr on Friday, August 18, 2006 5:10 PM

Good Afternoon Captain Tom and all assembled!

A round for the house, Cindy, and I would like a Kokanee if you please.

 

Kudos all around to the guys for such informative submissions.

 

I never heard of the sleeping car arrangement and enjoyed reading about it. Can you imagine such a practice in this day and age Question [?] I cannot. Then again, how many of us take to the rails for overnight journeys other than for pleasure Question [?] Surely not for business in the world we live in. Glad you brought it up, CM3 - but was surprised that you were seriously looking for an answer rather than quizing us.

 

Those Harvey Houses were very common throughout the U.S. and Canada and were fine eating establishments. Now, that reference to the Harvey Girls that Pete made is only relevant for one who has a fascination for Hollywood. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] By the by, the reference to an overnight rail trip to Scotland, with some time in the bar car sounds pretty good to me! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Given that I have no point of reference for Petticoat Junction, I will not make further comment on that quiz question from P.

 

I enjoyed those Q&As from Doug - very informative as always. Without the As, I would have flunked big time! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

 

Been totally frustrated this day in trying to post some photos . . . appears these forums really have been screwed with and what used to work easily, does not any longer. Sorry, Gents - perhaps another day.

 

Hope to see you over the weekend, if not then Monday for sure!

 

BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 18, 2006 8:38 PM

Good evening Leon! I'll have the usual, and as usual, here's a sawbuck to buy the regulars a round. Busy day here at the bar with all sorts of train info flying around. CM3 has continued to massage the consist lists, and we have friendly banter from Tom, Lars and BK, and P has given us his quiz answer. Speaking of which:

CBS television show "Petticoat Junction" features the Hooterville Cannonball with Smiley Burns in the role of Engineer Charlie Pratt. Burns never smokes or drinks, wrote 200 songs for Gene Autry, was "Ole Frog" in many Western films, and reputedly has earned over $3 million to date (Oct, 1964). Both of his parents were ordained ministers.

I'll be looking for some Harvey House girl info, now that BK has mentioned the subject.

And now ... for the joke (you know the one I mean ....)

Clown [:o)] Neighbor 1: "Hi, there, new neighbor, it sure is a nice day to be moving"
New Neighbor: "Yes, it is and people around here seem extremely friendly"
Neighbor 1: "So what is it you do for a living?"
New Neighbor: "I am a professor at the University, I teach deductive reasoning"
Neighbor 1: "Deductive reasoning, what is that?"
New Neighbor: "Let me give you and example. I see you have a dog house out back. By that I deduce that you have a dog."
Neighbor 1: "That is right"
New Neighbor: "The fact that you have a dog, Leads me to deduce that you have a family."
Neighbor 1: "Right again"
New Neighbor: "Since you have a family I deduce that you have a wife"
Neighbor 1: "Correct"
New Neighbor: "And since you have a wife, I can deduce that you are heterosexual"
Neighbor 1: "Yup"
New Neighbor: "That is deductive reasoning"
Neighbor 1: "Cool"

Later that same day...

Neighbor 1: "Hey, I was talking to that new guy who moved in next door"
Neighbor 3: "Is he a nice guy?"
Neighbor 1: "Yes, and he has an interesting job"
Neighbor 3: "Oh, yeah what does he do?"
Neighbor 1: "He is a professor of deductive reasoning at the University"
Neighbor 3: "Deductive reasoning, what is that"
Neighbor 1: "Let me give you an example. Do you have a dog house?"
Neighbor 3: "No"
Neighbor 1: "***." Clown [:o)]

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Posted by trolleyboy on Friday, August 18, 2006 10:52 PM

Good evening Leon I'll nab a Keith's and one of the prime ribs charred to a beautiful medium if you would sir. Good to see things humming along today a 5xThumbs Up [tup] for the efforts gentlemen fer sure fer sure.

Doug -I enejoyed the extra Q and A lesson again today, really neat stuff that you've been dredging out of those old magazines. Thumbs Up [tup]The jokes have also been their usual caliberDead [xx(]Shock [:O] the graon-a-meter been getting quite the workout.I hadn't thouygnht of Petticoat jct in years. never a show I watched much, it was never rerun much in Ontario when I was a kid growing up.Interesting pictures and info on the rrailway punches as well. Another nowadays dying thing. Most VIA conductors now use the all mighty permanent black marker to mark off the tickets.Not as classy anymore.

Pete - That lake not only has a good name but it's a beautifull deep lake with all sorts of wrecks and islands and the usual cottages etc. North Bay's the largest settlement on it ( approx 60,000 year round souls, that doubles during the spring to fall cottage season )Like BK I like the sounds of that overnighter on scottish rail only if we could do a rendezvous there, wouldn't that be grand ?Yes Thomas was a big boon for alot of the railroad musuen's , ours unfortunatly can't use him becaus eof our oddball track guage, we are wider than standard guage.

CM3-That is an amazing number of set offs for Toronto on those trains. Imagine that many sleeper runs intio the US from Toronto and that's only one railway ! You can't even ride coach into the states anymore from Toronto, truly sad what rail travel has shrunk to.

Tom-Nice little stats complation, jusyt teasers for what's to come I'm guessingEvil [}:)]Laugh [(-D]I'm with you though the quality of posts this week is at the bars usual peek and flow 5xThumbs Up [tup] for everyone that's come through for us here.Boris ring us up another round on me !

LARS -I'm waiting with baited breath your NYC info on tuesday. I'm sure that it will be a masterwork. Thumbs Up [tup] thanks to you for getting us all back on track as well sir.I've got a few pistures again from our North Bay trip linned up for sunday, so we should have some stuff to look at over brunch. I've a couple mouldy oldies for encore day tomorrow so the weekend should be business as usual.

P-Nicee quizz , never would have thought of Petticoat jct. Interesting follow up on the railroad watches. I wouldn't have thought that modern railways would still demand such specifics given the modern computer controlled signalling.

 

Well gents catch everyone over the weekend.

Rob

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 19, 2006 5:46 AM

Good morning Tom and fellow railroaders. I'll have a light breakfast in preparation of another day re-painting the condo. SUre is a great way to spend the day! I see my last post (and joke) survived the night, except that the last word was censored. Let's just say it was a three-leter word, beginning with "F" and ending with "G". Can you guess the vowel that was in between?

Hey Rob, if you want to see Conductor punches in action, you have only to ride the Metra system in Chicago. We also use punches on our little 5-mile short-line at the IRM. Glad you like the old magazine "stuff". Here's some more:

Q - Why is the Southern Pacific’s Golden State equipped with a rear car of blunt design? Why doesn’t this streamliner have a rounded, back-windowed observation car such as those used on the Rock Island’s Golden State?

A – The Rock Island Golden State’s rear car is an observation lounge and therefore has a rounded end. On the SP’s, however, the lounge car is placed near the center of the train – a convenient location for passengers, in view of the trains length. The rear car on this train is a sleeper and so has the blunt design you mention.

Q – What is, or was a tunnel mask?

A – A closely woven canvas hood, provided with goggles, was worn by crew men while riding some steam locomotives through long tunnels to minimize discomfort and prevent suffocation by poisonous gases from the stack. The type pictured here, originally costing $16, had an opening to which was attached a small rubber hose leading to a pipe coming from the engine’s main air reservoir and sometimes including filtration material corresponding to modern water filters or cigarette filters.

A cool stream of compressed air expanded the mask slightly, making it fit snuggly. Air flowed down over the face, past nose and mouth and out the bottom. But even before the Steam Age ended, most of North America’s long railroad tunnels were either daylighted or so ventiliated that the use of masks became unnecessary. These hoods differ from the gas masks worn today by miners, city fire-fighters, soldiers at war, etc., in that the latter are simpler and do not cover the head.

Q - Define the term “gander dancer.”

A – Railroad section worker or trackman. The term came form the dancelike motion of men tamping ties, sometimes with equipment turned out by the old Gandy Manufacturing Co. of Chicago.

Q – Which American trains have master bedrooms and shower baths?

A – The Crescent Limited, the Broadway Limited, and the Panama Limited. Some private cars, such as the one owned jointly by Lucius Beebe and Charles M. Clegg, also boast these luxuries.

Q – How is locomotive tractive power converted to horsepower?

A – It isn’t. In diesel-electric there is no direct relationship between tractive power and horsepower. Says Sy Reich: “Horsepower is normally a function of the diesel motor and the generator design. Tractive power at low speeds is normally a function of the locomotive weight and the factor of adhesion. At higher speeds, tractive effort is related to hp, by factors of efficiency, gear ratio and wheel diameter, and locomotive speed.”

Q – What is a Granuflow car?

A – Granuflow is a trade name of a new high-speed system for pneumatic transporting and conveying of such dry materials as flour and cement in large bulk and for unloading railcars, trailers, and barges, developed by B.F. Goodrich Co. It is based on the principle of moving, through hose or pipe, a high volume of material with just enough air to fluidize the mass for flowing.

Car’s Granuflow system permitted unloading 100,000 lbs. of four in 1 ½ hours, compared with 4 to 6 hours usually needed for ordinary unloading.

Clown [:o)] There was a boy who worked in the produce section of a super market. A man came in and asked to buy half a head of lettuce. The boy told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce, but the man replied that he did not need a whole head, only half. The boy explained that he would have to ask the manager and so he walked into the back room and said, "There is some jerk out there who wants to buy only a half a head of lettuce." As he finished saying this, he turned around to find the man standing right behind him, so he quickly added, "And this gentleman wants to buy the other half." The manager okayed the request and the man went on his way. Later on the manager said to the boy, "You almost got yourself in a lot of trouble earlier, but I must say I was impressed with the way you got out of it. You think on your feet and we like that around here. Where are you from, son?" The boy replied, "Minnesota, sir." "Oh, really? Why did you leave Minnesota?" inquired the manager. The boy replied, "They're all just hookers and hockey players up there." "My wife is from Minnesota", exclaimed the manager. The boy instantly replied, "Really! What team did she play for?" Clown [:o)]

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Posted by trolleyboy on Saturday, August 19, 2006 8:00 AM

Good morning Cindy.In honour of Doug's latest joke, I'll have half a thermos of coffee and half a # 3 from the breakfast board.Mischief [:-,]Laugh [(-D]

Doug -Thanks for starting off this morning with a real "bang".I'm glad to see that the IRM is still using the ole punches , kinda supprised that Metra does , GO transit in Toronto has gone to all electronic date coded passes , basically ride all day between the stops that you purchased for. They have live inspectors that make sure that you have tickets but beyond that , that's the whole ball of wax. Our Musuem's conductors do carry punches , just the usual paper punches that you can buy down at Staples. some of the guys have old railway or TTC ones' we do it for look more than anything.I've seen that guy in the mask on a poster somewhere before haven't I Question [?] LOL

 

Well let's see what shakes loose the rest of today here at the Tavern By The Tracks

Rob

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Posted by trolleyboy on Saturday, August 19, 2006 8:07 AM

ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! EBCORE !

  Since it's saturday our normal chat and encore day , here's an encore from a peice back. Another classic steam offering , in keeping with my other ones from this week. This first posted up on page 326.

Rob

 

 trolleyboy wrote:
Good evening again gents. leon a round of CR while I add a bit o info of the Classic nature. Here's another esoteric amd long forgotten steam road from the pioneer days of Ontario.

CLASSIC STEAM # 24 THE CENTRAL ONTARIO RAILWAY

The COR Into The Hills of Gold

The Central Ontario Railway was a 117 mile run that stretched from Trenton Ontario North to Maynooth and Lake St Peter. It was a road that served the many minning towns and villiages of the area.

Begun in 1873, the line was ultimatly intended to Link with the legondary Booth railway the Ottawa Arnprior and Parry sound Ry ( classic steam # 22 ) near Whitney Ontario.While the line made it through the sheild rock and swamp 3 miles shy of Booth's road is where it ended at Wallace on Lake St Peter. The actuial terminus as far as passengers went was at Maynooth just to the south. Here the railway had it's yards,turntables, and it's largest station.

The stroy starts in Prince Edward County, with the completion of a line between Picton( although the Port of Long Point was the original target ) and Trenton jct, the roads link with the Grand Trunk just north of the town of Trenton itself. ( Trenton is on the Bay of Quinte )However the gold rush north of Trenton and Belleville caught the eyes of the railroads builders and in 1866 they were determined to built to these new found gold fields before anyone else, chiefly their main rivals the builders of the Grand Junction Railroad who were hurrying to build a line from Belleville northwest to Peterborough, this openned in 1879. A branch led north from Peterborough from Madoc Jct to the ill-fated goldfields at Eldorado Ontario. Tyhe gold was not as plentifull as hoped but other more mundane minerals convinced the builders of the COR to continue north : iron ore.

In 1882 the construction of the new lines to the iron ore producing areas began. The first destination was Coe Hill, centre of the earliest of these iron discoveries. later prospectors found more in the hills around Bancroft, the line reached Bancroft in 1900.In 1909 Mackenzie and Mann's Canadian Northern laid it's Ottawa to Toronto mainline through Trenton , and added the branches and mainline of the COR to their ever expanding empire. The COR replaced their wooden depot at trenton with a huge three story and extended the north end of the line through to Maynooth where another larger station was built. It met the Irondale Bancroft and Ottawa ( IBO ) at Bird's Creek just north of Bancroft completing the web of branches that were the COR.All along the route small brancjes radiated like veins out to all of the mining camps in the area. Most were open pit type mines as the ore was close to the surface.

Gradually as the various mines depleted the branches were closed down. The lines in Cordova closed in 1941, to Bessemer and Lake st Peter in 1965 and to Coe Hill in 1966.CNR tried of running the short lines that were left as they felt them to be unproffitable even though several small and large paper plants and other industries were located on them. The Paper plants at Glenn Ross and Glenn Millar particularly of note. The CNR steadily chopped back the COR until all of the liones north of Marmora were gone by 1982. By 1986 the link between Trenton and Marmora was gone as well.


Rob

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"OUR" PLACE - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by LoveDomes on Saturday, August 19, 2006 9:48 AM

G'day Captain Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

An earlier start to my browsings than I'm accustomed to, however, responsibility has no limits! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Cindy my deAH, I would like one of those BK specials - you know, a hot cuppa Joe with just a "splash" to make it interesting! <grin> They say imitation is the best form of flattery, or something like that. Thumbs Up [tup] Ah, the goodies are looking fine in the Mentor Village Bakery case, think I'll help myself to a couple . . .  Boris, ring it - a round of OJ for the boyz! Thumbs Up [tup]

Saturday's 'round the joint have been our day for Encore presentations,  however, under the new set-up, we're going to make that an optional call (which it was all along, but apparently "lost" on some!). Anyway, here's my Encore to kick things off from me . . . . something from just the other day, but appropriate for our "new beginnings" . . .

Weekly Schedule of Events


Sunday - Bar is CLOSED - Food service is available for breakfast, brunch 'n lunch.
Pix Posting Day.

Monday thru Saturday: Breakfast - brunch - lunch.

Tuesday - Classic Trains "theme day" - next up: New York Central!!

Wednesday - Toy 'n Model trains day (optional)

Thursday - Fish 'n Chips nite - begins at 5 PM

Friday - Pizza 'n Beer nite AND Steak 'n Fries nite - begins at 5 PM

Saturday - Steak nite - begins at 5 PM
Encore Saturday (optional)


"Our" Place Staff


Bossman, Proprietor and Mentor: Siberianmo Tom

Chief Cyclops - Boris

Chief Bartender (nites) - Leon

Chief Bartender (days) - Cindy

Gals of "Our" Place - Ruth (redhead) - Ann (blonde) - Lucy (brunette) - Jemima (raven)

Mascots of "Our" Place - Juneau the Siberian Husky -
Awk the Parrot and Tex the Armadillo

Security Force - Inspector Cluess of the Local Constabulary and Mr. Doyle, Private Eye

Bar Chandler - Trolleyboy Rob

Chief Chef - open (temporarily filled by H&H)

Bar Manager - LoveDomes Lars (newly appointed)


Birthday Watch List and special celebrations


Maintained by Tom and continuance to be determined.


Protocol


Greet the barkeep upon visiting the bar - each time.

Order a drink or food. (Coffee and soft drinks are free with food orders, otherwise 5 bucks per cup)

Acknowledge the other guys and be inclusive with comments.


Order of the Stools (reserved and permanent)


Maintained by Tom and continuance to be determined.


Most Valuable Patron - MVP


Maintained by Tom and continuance to be determined.


Daily Summary


Suspended and resumption to be determined by Tom.
=====================================================

With the mainstays back in position, surely seems like olde tymes 'round the tavern by the tracks! This place just wouldn't be without Rob 'n Doug, and of course the man who made it all possible, Captain Tom hisself! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

So, what's on the agenda for this fine day Question [?] A bunch of baseball on the tube - think I'll check out the Yanks 'n Red Sox. After that double bill loss to the New Yawkers last nite up in Fenway, my guess is the natives will be out for more than blood. Mets play at nite - so unless the Mrs. rousts me out of my favorite chair, I know where I'll be! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Ya know, this crap about posting pix is getting to be downright stupid. I too have had a hulluva time with it and don't quite know where to place to blame - PhotoBucket or Kalmbach, or perhaps both. But as with BK, I'm having lots of difficulty getting my pix to show up. Sometimes they do - sometimes they don't. Crazy. Of course, this is all a free medium, so what's to complain about, huh Question [?] It IS irritating though - especially when B4 the massive turnabout, things were working just fine. Don't care for this new setup, but DO like the controls put on the JOs. Can't win for losing, huh Question [?]

Ok guys, time for me to get a move on. The Mrs. was in heaven yesterday and I swear we visited every department in that huge store - at least three times! My feet are killing me, along with my back and dull headache. Ah, the joys of shopping with the Mrs. <grin>

Later . . . .

Lars

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Posted by passengerfan on Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:29 PM

Good morning Tom. Lars and the rest of the gang. Time for a CR and a round for the house.

The better half suggested I postpone the puter tech visit until after I get moved in the next two weeks

She says she has never seen me so ruthless with my RR junk as she calls it. I have thrown away many files that i know longer needed as I have the info on the computer and have backup discs so I can't lose it. Actually some of this stuff I should have done this with years ago. Only had a burner for the last two and never felt comfortable with floppie discs for saving info. I can burn and everything else on the puter and read post etc. but can't send anythig to the forum or buy anything on the internet right now.

Anyway Saturdays their are free work stations at the office that i can use which is what I am doing right now. I hope this will be my last couple of weeks before I can get back to being at Our Place on a regular basis.

TTFN Al 

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"OUR" PLACE - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:31 PM

G'day Gents!

Cindy, set 'em up and Boris ring the bell - drinks on Da Boss! Thumbs Up [tup]

Good to see Doug - Rob and Lars this weekend day. Thumbs Up [tup] A week ago today, "Our" Place returned to life and we're settling in to see where we go from here. Thus far, pretty encouraging signs. Thumbs Up [tup]

Here's my submission for ENCORE Saturday -

something from way back on page 116:

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

 

Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW)

 

 

Headquarters:  Denver, CO

 

Mileage:

 

1950: 2,413

1995: 2,238 including trackage rights routes

 

Rolling stock as of 1963:  Freight cars – 12,610  Passenger cars – 96

 

Principal lines in 1950:

 

Denver-Bond, CO-Salt Lake City, UT

Denver-Pueblo-Dotsero, CO

Pueblo-Trinidad, CO

Walsenburg-Alamosa, CO

Alamosa-Durango, CO

Salida-Gunnison, CO

Mears Junction-Alamosa

Alamosa-Creede, CO

Bond-Craig, CO

Grand Junction-Ouray, CO

Thistle-Marysvale, UT

Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT

 

Passenger trains of note:

 

California Zephyr (Chicago-Oakland, joint w/Burlington & Western Pacific)

Colorado Eagle (St. Louis-Pueblo-Denver, joint w/MoPac)

Exposition Flyer (Chicago-Oakland, joint w/Burlington & WP, replaced by California Zephyr in 1949)

Mountaineer (Denver-Montrose, CO, via Moffat Tunnel)

Panoramic (Denver-Ogden)

Prospector (Denver-Salt Lake City)

Rio Grande Zephyr (Denver-Ogden [later cut back to Salt Lake City], replaced California Zephyr 1970-83)

Royal Gorge (Denver-Pueblo-Ogden)

San Juan (Alamosa-Durango, CO)

The Silverton (Durango-Silverton, CO)

The Yampa Valley (Denver-Craig)

 

Enjoy! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
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Posted by LoveDomes on Saturday, August 19, 2006 5:42 PM

G'day Captain Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

Another rather exciting day watching baseball, quaffing a few brewski's and in general, kicking back.

Here's an Encore from me for this Saturday, bit more subdued than last, but hey - we're HERE! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

This was posted on Jan 24, 2006 on page 229. Thumbs Up [tup]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.



A dome car owned by the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1950s.from: www.trainweb.org

A dome car is a type of railroad passenger car that can include features of a lounge car, dining car and an observation. Its primary feature is a glass dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around the train.

Configuration
A portion of the car, usually in the center of the car, is split between two levels, with stairs leading both up and down from the train's regular passenger car floor level. The lower level of the dome usually consisted of a small lounge area, while the upper portion was usually coach or lounge seating within a "bubble" of glass on the car's roof. Passengers in the upper portion of the dome were able to see in all directions from a vantage point above the train's roofline.
On some dome cars, the lower portion was built as a galley, where car attendants used dumbwaiters to transfer items between the galley and a dining area in the dome portion of the car.

History
The popular story is that the first dome cars in North America were conceived by Western Pacific's President Harry Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was riding in the cab of one of his railroad's diesel locomotives through the Rockies when he thought that every passenger should be able to see the scenery that is passing by on his railroad's passenger trains. His idea was to provide a full 360-degree view from above the train in newly built "vista-dome" cars. The idea really wasn't too radical as railroad cabooses were often built with a cupola above the car's roofline so the train crew could get a better view of the train, and the Canadian Pacific Railway had used 'tourist cars' with raised, glass-sided viewing cupolas on their trains through the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the 1920s. Modern Vista-dome cars were introduced on the California Zephyr inauguration in 1949.



Auto-Train Dome Car 510 began life on the Sante Fe Railroad. from: www.TrainWeb.com

As dome cars became more common on North American passenger trains, some western railroads purchased or built "superdomes". These were dome cars where the upper level of the car extended for nearly the entire length of the car. Starting in the 1980s, the use of the dome car has become rarer as Amtrak has introduced new bi-level passenger cars that reach the maximum possible height over the length of the car. Dome cars are very popular on tourist railways and private charter rail services.

*******************************************************

Catch y'all either tomorrow or Monday!

 

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Posted by West Coast S on Saturday, August 19, 2006 7:34 PM
Howdy all,,, Well, well what have we been up to? A special howdy to the bar keep this fine saturday, I see Cindy and the crew hard at work, and what, even Boris behaving Himself?

Round of Moulsen if you please.

Puter troubles continue.. except for retreiving the past two days can't pull the thread up past that, guess that kills any Encores...

Well i'll do my level best to acknowledge those at the revived "Our Place".

Welcome aboard FTwNSengineer, glad to make your'e company, as per my tradition for newcomers your'e next round is on me.

Barndad: Good info on TO's and tower operations, how well I remember those paper orders being hoop up, heck, i'm old enough to remember when they made out of cain!! Typically, SP employed those of metal construction, but always there was a cain backup.

CM3...Keep it coming...Good to be among fine folks such as you once more

Al, Welcome back, ain't puters fun??

Lars: I see your'e back in fine form..

Rob: Kudos for Mr Interurban.. This may be of interest, this morning UP prepared to unvail the SP 1997 Heritage Unit, spy photos show a combination of Daylight/Black-Widow on the nose, guess when they fully unwrap it the answer to any application of Scarlet & Grey in this scheme will be noted.. Personally I consider the Heritage fleet an abomination to the linnage of these proud roads.. Heck UP could have kept a few around in their orginal owner colors, no need to reinvent the wheel..

And Sir Tom..Appreciate the RR blurbs..You and others might be interested in the orgin of the name Southern Pacific. The orginal SP had no affilation with the big three, the CP or the UP. It was a 47 mile line constructed between San Francisco to San Jose. The line was in operation by 1864 after two years of construction. Being the only rail line in the area, times were good. The CP was occupied with consturction east of Scaramento to fulfill it's charter and had no intention of building west to San Francisco...The SP decided to build east over Altamont and along San Pablo Bay and meet the CP at Sacramento. The board of directors approved this decision and that to secure the wealth and power of the Nob Hill elete to foot the construction cost..

This brash act by a upstart attracted the attention of the big three, CP had the bigger war chest and assumed control via what we now call a hostile takeover, electing and appointing CP officials as directors of the SP.

Eventually, such questionable tactics caught the eye of the Federal Governement, meanwhile construction, east to Sacramento continued under the auspices of the SP which was by now name only, the CP had aquired complete control.

One bad deed deserves another could best describe the CP during this period, shody construction lead to numerous fatalities among personal and passengers, unsavory and questionable leagality business practices gave bith to its nickname " The Octopus" It was not a term of endearment..Many considered the CP more vile and ruthless then the James or Dalton Gangs..

Under pressure and with several prison sentences handed down to certain officals, the Southern Pacific Corporation was adopted as the corporate name in an effort to distance the new enterprise from the old days, new officers were appointed who did not tolerate the ways of the past. The new SP adopted a new attitude and way of doing business. The CP survived as a independent corporation until 1946, whereupon it's assets, personal and equiptment were merged into the SP proper.


Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by trolleyboy on Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:28 PM

Good evening Leon, a round of Keith's for the house please sir, yes Boris you can ring your bell now.Nice to see a few in today enjoying a laid back saturday.

Lars - So far i haven't had any picture issues ( that knocking sound is my knuckles on my own skull )I'm directly typing out the links each time I post one so far that works. I'm wondering are you typing out or cutting and pasting. Perhaps the cutting and pasting option no longer works witht he new set up.Nice to see the Dome article again BTW and the updated rules of engagement for the bar.

Dave & Al -Both of you haveing 'puter problems eh Question [?] a mystery on the left coast seems to be brewing. Do we need to send out the good inspector to look into things Question [?]Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]. I do hope that you both get back fully functional ,we miss our left coast reports around here.Thumbs Up [tup]

Dave -I have to aggree with you on the hereitage fleet. You figure the only reason they are doing it really is to keep their claim on the old names and graffics. This is all still pointing back to their ongoing battles with the hobby and toy industry. They want their royalties.That SP unit sounds like a horrid combination guess I;ll wait to see the whole picture.

Tom -Ah I see you snuck the Rio Grande in. Nice to see it, I've always' loved that older logo.Nice smooth day today quiet and laid back, just the thing for a hot muggy saturday afternoon and evening.

Well Leon another round I think, tilla looks a bit bare.

Rob

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    May 2014
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Posted by trolleyboy on Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:32 PM

ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

One last encore for today, an interurban tale just for Dave.This one first showed up back in january on page 224. Ome of the two main CPR owned electric interurbans.

Enjoy

 Rob

 

 trolleyboy wrote:
Okay a content post for this evening as well. The CPR electric lines were an important part of the Southwestern Ontario Rail scene. I'll do them in a few installments. I'll put them out in very thin format as they literally can fill volumes. < And do >

CLASSIC JUICE # 17 THE GRAND RIVER RAILWAY BEGINNINGS


It began as one of Canada's first electric street railways, four miles of track known as the Galt and Preston Street Railway. In 1894, it was built from the Grand Trunk station in Galt,following King and Main to the speed river in Preston,and the collection of resort hotels known as Preston Springs. The early years were good ones,and by 1896 the line had expanded to Hespler, and thereby remnamed as the Galt, Preston and Hespler Railway. ( All three towns are now known as the City of Cambridge Ontario ) By 1898 it was carrying 35,000 passengers and 1,000 tons of freight each month,thanks largely to connections with the CPR station at samuelson street in Galt.


In the meantime, the Preston and Berlin railway was building from the GP&H at east Preston,following a route that took it through Freeport,Centreville,and along King street in Berlin( preasant day Kitchener ) to it's junction with the Waterloo and Berlin Railway at Albert street. It's Waterloo terminus was at Erb st near the site of what was Waterloo's St Jacobs tourist Raiway line. ( This line will likley be part of the New Light rail system building for Waterloo,Kitchener and Cambridge

Service on this new line the PBR began in 1904 and four years laterthe line merged with the GPH itself. Car barns and a station were built at Preston Jct, on the north side of th speed rivernear the entrance to today's Riverside Park. Another station was built on Guelph street at the popular Idelwyde Park,and a terminus added onGuelph street in Hespler. Later still in 1918 the line recieved it's final name the Grang River Railway.

CPR Ownership

In 1921 the route was realigned trough Kitchener between the city limit and Courtland St. To accomodate this new alignment at station was built at Queen st, a wooden structure initially which was replaced by a Tudor style brick station in 1943. In Galt, a new solid brick station built to CPR's " international" flat roofed style wa added at main street.

Although bus service began in 1925,rail passenger service remained largely uninterrupted until 1938 when it was cut back from Waterloo to the Queen st station in Kitchener. And following the war, a new set iof passenger coaches, the first interurban's built in canada since 1930 were put into service betweenKitchener and Galt. More frieght business was picked up at this point with steeple cabs becomming more common sights on the line than the strings of interurban cars.

The booming frieght business was continued as well,feeding the CPR line in Galt. But the post war auto boom soon began to take it's toll and passenger traffic declined,finally ending in 1955. The old GRR track was cut back from Centreville to Ottawa street,while a new link was built from a point south of Centreville to a CN spur on the West side of Kitchener. Electric frieght operations continued untill 1961 when COP pulled the plug a switched the line over to SW1200RS diesels. In the 1990's more trackage was pulled from between Ottawa street and Victoria park. Trains continue to use the GRR tracks between Centreville and Preston JCt where new spurs were built to the new Toyota assembly plant.


Enjoy Rob

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 683 posts
Posted by EricX2000 on Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:26 AM
Good morning Leon. I am surprised to see that you are awake. I'll just have a cup of coffee this Sunday morning. Keep the change.

And Good Morning to Captain Tom and all the rest of you, gentlemen!

As you probably know by now, I am an evening/night person. Tonight I finally got a chance to catch up and found a lot of interesting reading, with (or without) pictures.

Doug - Tragic history about the Big Lift. The brakeman was really lucky to leave the locomotive when he did. I have a question, It’s about a question from the Information Booth. The first question is: As the Pennsylvania operates in anthracite regions, why didn’t it ever use Camelback engines? Since I don’t know anything about any advantages using the Camelbacks in anthracite regions I really would like to know. I just looked it up and found the answer. The engineer’s cab was superimposed on the boiler, with a platform on the front of the tender so that the stoker could feed fuel into the firebox. Plus some other advantages. Interesting. Deductive reasoning, a good one. Thanks! Interesting info about the tunnel mask.

Mike - I am going to write to Kalmbach. Something is wrong, I do not see the tool bar for instance. Got info from Tom yesterday about what I am supposed to see when answering a post. Thanks for all nice pictures of old steam locomotives!

Rob - Yes, I will email kalmbach. Do you know how many TEE’s that was in service on ONR? I really feel sorry for the NS&T supervisor. I can not even imagine how he felt when he was told about the broken windows. Murphy’s Law (I know it was before Murpy’s time).
How about the shamefaced motorman, did he manage to pull the trolley back to the track?
Interesting stories about the Clasic Steam, as usual.

CM3 - It seems like I am not hte only one with problems with the new format. I am about to write to Kalmbach. My problems are slightly different though. Sleepers in a train really makes you, as an engineer, very careful when you handle the throttle and brakes. You don’t want to wake up people.

BK - Nice pictures from Calgary! The design of the cars remind me of San Diego’s light rail. Are they built by Siemens? I am afraid I don’t know that much about light rail and its equipment. The vehicles for Phoenix are manufactured by Kinkisharyo, a Japanese manufacturer. There is no U.S. manufacturers of light rail vehicles. I think at least some of Baltimore’s vehicles (and San Jose’s) were manufactured by ABB.

Tom - When was the picture of the PRR 5711 taken? Interesting info about D&RGW. I did not know they had that many named passenger trains.

Pete - I really liked the layout (llandudnojunction) you linked to. They ceartinly put in a lot of effort to make it look so real.

P - Nice to meet you, Sir! I understand that you are an engineer so we have something in common. But I am a former engineer from a different continent, even though I had almost a year with Amtrak.

Lars - Thanks for the history of the dome car. I still have to ride one (whenever I’ll get the cance).

Dave - Again I learned something new, like the origin of the name Southern Pacific. Now that name is just history. Too bad.

I have not had a chance to write to Kalmbach yet about my problems with the new format so I am afraid I can't show any pictures this Sunday. Next Friday I am leaving for the old country and will be gone for two weeks, but I'll be back here before the trip.

Have a nice Sunday!

Eric

If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 20, 2006 5:46 AM

Good morning one and all. Quite the busy day around here yesterday. Nice GRR & COR ENCORES from Rob. Thanks to Lars for posting the weekly schedule and Santa Fe dome ENCORE. Great to see brothers AL and Dave of computer-trouble fame, and read Dave's train-related memories. Captain Tom provided a fine D&RDG Fallen Flag ENCORE as well. Great that Eric stopped in, and shared his reseach results on the Camelback. SPeaking of which here are some old photos, starting with a camelback for Eric.

Jersey Central Camelback No. 751 takes on coal in the Jersey City yards for her final day of operation.

 

Water stop. Tender waits under the spout as the Hostler tanks up for the run.

 

Close-up filling the old Camelback’s sand dome in the Jersey Central yards at Jersey city. The 751 takes on enough “seashore” to supply her last run.

 

Towerman at Finch, Ont., where Canadian Pacific tracks across New York Central, faces camera for Canadian National Film Board movie “The Station Agent.”

 

Highballing southward along the Hudson, the New York Central’s Pacemaker, a luxurious, overnight Chicago – New York coach train, pass its northbound running mate.

 

Waiting on the 5:16 and the greatest guy in the world.

 

Did I mention that the Air/Water show is in Chicago this week?

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, August 20, 2006 7:30 AM

Good morning Cindy , you are looking quite wide eyed and bushy tailed this morningSmile [:)].Figured that I would pop in and make sure the coffee urns are on , and that Hilda and Helga are not preparing anything too bizarre for the Sunday Brunch BuffetShock [:O]Dead [xx(]

Eric -Nice to see you on this fine morning. that was a nice all round covered all the bases inclusive post 5xThumbs Up [tup] for that sir.I'm sorry to hear that you are still haveing a few issues with the Kalmbach software, hopefully they can sort it out for you or at least confurm or deny your Mac suspicions.As to the TEE's I beleive that two complete sets were brought in, 4 power cars and the coaches to match. sorry i'm not completely sure on the numbers and make up of the sets.The ONR website may be able to shed some light, that or their was an official railfans website for te ONR. Nick had posted it last year,perhaps if he pops by or if Tom remembers it we can reprint it for you. i know that they had several pictures of the TEE in service on it.

Doug-Nice pictures as per usual.Some nice shots of that camelback in it's up close and personal shots of stuff one normally does not see.I'll fave to look up that NFB movie now.

Back with a couple shots in a minute or so

 

Rob

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by trolleyboy on Sunday, August 20, 2006 7:38 AM

Herre's another couple of shots from ONR land, enjoy

 

Two shots of the ONR's main shops yard on Memorial drive in North Bay with a slightly burnt out GP9 awaiting some attention.

A classic locomotibve sand facility at the ONR shops

The last remaining ONR F's all caterpiller repowered, they still take turns on the Northlander and the Polar Bear Express / Little Bear name trains, they are the back up power vto the normal GP38-2 power that the ONR passseneger service uses.

 

Rob

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 20, 2006 7:45 AM

Nice pix Rob! DId I ever mention how much I like McKeen Doodlebugs? Turns out that a few of them ran right out of Woodstock, the humble town I now reside in. Here are some pix:

Car No. 711 on the McKeen Company house tracks in Omaha, Nebraska early in 1910, just prior to shipment to the Woodstock and Sycamore.

Interior view of McKeen car No. 711 looking towards the rear of the car.

A scene that could easily be described as the finest hour of the Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company. The date was July 4, 1910 and the company’s first piece of passenger equipment, McKeen car No. 711, had just arrived from the builder. The officers and stockholders took advantage of the situation and boarded their brand new car for an inspection trip covering the completed portion of the line. The car had already been decorated with flags for the forthcoming Fourth of July celebration when this photo of car No. 711 and its proud new owners was taken just north of Sycamore. Virtually from this time forward the little traction line began a decline from which there was no return.

The public inspecting McKeen car No. 711, newly arrived at Sycamore on July 4, 1910. The flags would indicate displayed patriotism for the Fourth of July weekend.

Southbound McKeen car No. 711 crossing the Kishwaukee River just north of Sycamore in 1911. The Genoa-Sycamore Road bridge parallels in the background.

Southbound McKeen No. 711 in front of the Sycamore Feed Mill. The Sycamore-Geneva road is beyond the tracks.

Automobiles and roads were not sufficiently advanced in 1912 to offer the Woodstock and Sycamore much competition.

McKeen car No. 711 at Washington and Main Streets in Genoa ready to make its trip south to Sycamore. This was taken prior to April of 1913 when the Woodstock and Sycamore was still operating two unconnected sections.

McKeen car No. 711 facing south beside the Pacific Hotel at Washington and Main Streets in Genoa. This was the northern terminal for the south portion of the railroad until April of 1913 when the Marengo section was connected.

McKeen No. 707 was equipped with a baggage and parcel post section. The car is facing south on Washington Street, just south of Main Street in Genoa.

McKeen car No. 707 at Marengo terminus in the late summer of 1911. After the sale of the first two McKeen car, No 707 was retained and operated infrequently as a spare unit for two Fairbanks-Morse cars.

This small nickel plated McKeen car paper-weight was given out to purchasers os Woodstock and Sycamore stock in 1910

[img]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c330/Barndad/McKeenpaperweight.jpg[img]

Clown [:o)] More than anything, Chick wanted to be a cowpoke. Taking pity on him, a rancher decided to hire him and give him a chance.
"This," he said, showing Chick a rope, " is a lariat. We use it to catch cows."
"I see, said Chick, trying to seem knowledgeable as he examined the lariat, "And what do you use for bait?" Clown [:o)]

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
"Our" Place - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by LoveDomes on Sunday, August 20, 2006 9:51 AM

G'day Captain Tom and fellow travelers at breakfast/brunch/lunch!

Sunday once again at the resurrected tavern by the tracks and I see we've had a nice beginning to our day! Thumbs Up [tup]

Time for me to make sure that things are running smoothly at Captain Tom's bar 'n grill and good to see that our Bar Chandler and his gals, H&H have everything in order for our bill o' fare this fine day.

Just finished up editing my post from yesterday with 2 pix that did or didn't show up. Crazy - absolutely crazy. Finally got both of them to display, but didn't do a thing differently. This stuff is really terrible and makes me want to simply stop trying. Haven't got the patience to play a game against the cyber gremlins either here in Kalmbachland or at PhotoBucket. <grrrrrrrrrrr>

Good day in baseball for the New YAWKers  - Yanks are putting it to the BoSox and my Mets are rolling along quite nicely. Let's go October! Thumbs Up [tup] <grin>

Some mention must be made for those who contributed thus far this weekend - Doug - Rob - Al - Dave 'n Eric,  many thanks for keeping us going in a forward direction! Thumbs Up [tup]

In that informative bit you provided us regarding the origin of the Southern Pacific name, my guess is your reference to CP is Central Pacific, huhQuestion [?] Appreciate the background . . . always learning 'round here. Thumbs Up [tup]

Eric - send the email NOW - by the time you get back from Sweden, you MAY have a reply! <grin> Actually, the more of us who send them our concerns, the better chance we all have of getting Kalmbach to recognize that the glitches have to be worked out. Thumbs Up [tup]

Glad you liked the Dome info - I enjoyed putting that together (except for the 2 pix that would and would not post!). Anything to do with Domes is a subject near 'n dear to my aging heart. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

I just tried to put together a collage of pix - no luck. Keep getting just the URL. This is driving me to distraction - haven't changed a GD thing about "how to do it" - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. <arggggggggggggggh>

Just posted 2 pix over on Tom's "other thread" - but not here!! Hope you guys have a better day than mine has started out! &#%#$@

 

Until the next time! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Lars

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
"Our" Place - Adults talking Classic Trains in a special place since April 12th, 2005!
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:27 AM

Even though the bar at ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s

We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

 

 

NOW PLAYING at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

. . . Sunday, August 20th thru 26th: Johnny Dangerously (1984) starring: Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner – and – The Quick and The Dead (1987) starring: Sam Elliott, Kate Capshaw, Tom Conti. SHORT: Disorder in the Court (1936)

 

Johnny Dangerously (1984)

 

PLOT SUMMARY: This spoof of the 1930s and '40s crime tells the story of Johnny Dangerously (Byron Thames as the young Johnny, Michael Keaton as the older), a devoted son to his ailing mother (Maureen Stapleton), so ill that she needs money for several operations. Johnny has nowhere to turn, and because gangsters tend to flourish in his neighborhood he goes to work for Dundee, a benevolent godfather-gangster type, in order to cover his mother's medical bills. Johnny hides his association with Dundee from his younger brother Tommy (Griffin Dunne) and goes so far as to pay for Tommy's law school fees -- supporting him until Tommy joins the staff of the local (and corrupt) district attorney's office for Burr (Danny DeVito). When Johnny starts working for Dundee, he clashes with the evil Vermin (Joe Piscopo) right from the beginning, but things only get worse. After Dundee decides to retire, Johnny ascends to the helm, and it does not look like Vermin is going to take that sitting down.

 

from: All Movie Guide

 

 

The Quick and the Dead (1984)

 

PLOT SUMMARY: A mysterious stranger rides into a homesteading family's life when they are attacked by a ruthless gang. Based on a novel by Louis L'Amour, this made-for-HBO western stars Sam Elliott, an enigmatic gunslinger who comes to the aid of a family traveling through the wilderness.

 

from: multiple sources

 

 

Three Stooges Short Subject: Disorder in the Court (1936)

 

PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly

Gail Tempest stands accused of murdering Kirk Robbin, the owner of the Black Bottom Cafe, and it's up to the defense's three main witnesses - Howard, Fine and Howard - musicians at the club who offer to give witness to her innocence and help clear her name by demonstrating the dance number in front of the jury ... Who killed Kirk Robbin?

 

 

from: www.threestooges.net
 

 

Enjoy!Thumbs Up [tup]

 

 

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • 4,190 posts
Posted by wanswheel on Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:36 PM

Good Sunday afternoon everyone, some 1943 views of Chicago by Jack Delano.

IC So. Water St. Yard

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

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Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

 C&NW Proviso Yard

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Tom, thanks to you and the all the people who checked out the old CV locos and St. Albans Station.

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1274675160&id=51

Mike

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