Well hello again gents..looks like matters are under control in the galley (floggings will continue until morale improves...........) so I thought I might slide out amongst you all again.
MIKE-nice pix of Waverley-looking across the tracks to Prince`s gardens and Princes Street with the North British Hotel straddling the tracks in the background --very fine
Had many a wild evening when I used to live in that part of the world.
Nothing new to add since earlier so I thought I might throw a couple of pix at you all in advance of sunday
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North & south views of the Welsh Highland Railway station at Dinas Jn taken from the road bridge-dating from probably the mid `30`s
Beddgelert stn W.H.R-same era
Haverfordwest stn,Pembs-mid `90`s
Bled Jezero Stn,Slovenia,Yugoslavia.-late `90`s
And since the booked entertainment failed to show up tonight,a couple for you all to have a giggle at:-
The Hoochie Coochie Band @ the blue rock festival and....
New Rose at the General Picton Inn-utterly shameful posing during Jumpin` Jack Flash
Riptide making the most of a 12,000 watt P.A.system,Haverfordwest carnival
Appreciate the last three are but as its a quiet weekend-have a chuckle at my expense
moonlight mile for me now,see you all soon,take care,nick
Guten Morgen allerseits!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
I see we're off to a rather inglorious start to Saturday at "Our" Place - zero, zip, zilch thus far. Haven't we been at this point before
So, Nick returned with a spate of Pix - good ones, especially those of the band - liked that last one. Must have missed my comments along with railroad metaphors . . . gotta use that RELOAD/REFRESH feature, Mate!
So, what's shakin' this day It's OKTOBERFEST Saturday and as advertised last week, we've got all sorts of activities out back for customers, family and friends. Check us out!
OKTOBERFEST at "Our" Place!
We will feature GERMAN brew all month!
GERMAN sausages will be added to the menu for the month, with all the trimmings!
On Saturday's in Otober The Mentor Village Teutonic Society will sponsor Oompah Music live at the "Our" Place picnic grounds Pavillion and Dance Emporium! Performers include the Sauerkraut Band, Electric Lederhosen and Burst the Wurst Trio
Lederhosen and Alpine hats will be worn by "Our Place"! staff throughout the month!
Full scale LGB trains will be running on the main lines for free round trips toCan-Am Gorge on weekends - 10 AM to 4 PM. First northbound departs the "Our" Place platform at 10 AM sharp. undt ve mean, sharp!
PLAN TO SHARE THIS FALL CELEBRATION WITH US!
And of course - this is ENCORE! Saturday for those who plan to sit amongst us!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tom
Guten Morgen Herr Tom und all. I am tremendously behind in my reading here, but not totally unaware of the many spectacular posts in my absense. I'm not sure Nick would find me prefferable to Boris as a dart partner, as my flights have been packed away for sometime, but maybe they can be found. As for my qualifications, nobody can beat my consecutive record for hitting triple ones while aiming for the 20! Let me know what you think. I can't order a drink until after the completion of job #2, which begins in about an hour. Here's my little ENCORE for today, which again, I stole from my failed thread. I'm looking forward to the day I can participate here more fully.
The Streamline Experiment by Jim Holden, Mar. 1035 Railroad Magazine
Polished like a ballroom floor, smooth as an eel, the New Haven’s “Rail Zeppelin” is just about the slickest streamlined train so far. It has motors and a control room at each end.
Quite a few people talk about the “streamline train” when they mean the U.P.’s latest motor unit. They miss the point, because there are eight or nine other streamlined trains, all different. To be sure, they are all part of the same experiment. And what an experiment! Nothing like it has been seen on rails since 1872, when New York built its wind-blown subway.
In order to understand what is really happening, it is necessary to go back a couple of years. In 1931 Dr. Oscar Tietjen of the Westinghouse Laboratories announced that he had been fooling around with train models in a wind tunnel. He found that a big steam locomotive with two coaches saved 32% of its power at 75 miles if streamlined. This had been suspected for some time, but not measured.
In March, 1931, Railway Age described the experiments and said: “Dr. Tietjen’s tests … open up a new field of possibilities in operating trains and cars faster than at present without increased energy or fuel requirements.
Nothing much happened. About a year later Dr. Tirtjen and his associate, K.C.Ripley, presented a paper which showed that wind was very tricky (everyone knows this, but they had the figures to prove it). For instance, a wooden locomotive model which they had been testing was one day waxed and polished. They were startled to find that this cut down the wind resistance about 40%. Here was real evidence that streamlining pays.
“Railroad companies anticipating the future development of high-speed trains,” they said, “should start now to build experimental trains.”
Even before Tietjen announced his tests streamlining was being championed by Otto Kuhler, well-known engineering artist. He stressed especially the advertising value of streamlined equipment, and designed several streamlined steam engines. This magazine was the first widely circulated periodical to print his drawings and ideas (August, 1931). Since then Mr. Kuhler’s ideas have gained headway, and he is now consulting engineer of the American Locomotive Co., in which capacity he will be responsible for the design of Alco’s future streamlined steam engines.
All this evidently had some weight. During 1932 many gasoline rail-cars were built, most of them streamlined in some way or other.
“Take that junk off,” said “Uncle Dan” Willard of the B&O when he first saw this engine. “I want my locomotives to look like locomotives.” This is what No. 1, the “Lady Baltimore,” looks like after they took the junk off her. A 4-4-4 type rebuilt from one of the older Atlantics, she can hardly be considered a streamlined engine. Even though she has a recessed front coupler, closed-in cab, and high-backed tender. However, she is a fast young gal, and the B&O will use her to haul its new streamlined trains between Washington and New York. We are wondering, what did she look like before they took all the junk off her?
True, the idea of streamlining is much older. In 1865 the Reverend S. Calthrop of Rochester patented a very smooth train. It was something like an earthworm. In 1892 there was a regular hurricane of talk by Frederick U. Adams. But though he did much figuring and later tried a train, it was not a true streamline. Adams had no way of administering wind.
Adams wrote a book in which he said: “A train properly designed for minimizing air resistance due to speed can be made to travel 100 miles an hour with less expenditure of power than is now required to move a train of equal weight and capacity at a rate of 50 miles an hour.” (Science has not caught up with Adams on this yeat.)
Most trains then had open platforms. Adams designed one with joined coaches )he was father of the vestibule), a turtle top, underpan, and flush windows. Its rear was pointed, but the head end looked like a pile of flatirons.
Eight years passed. Adams raised $8,000 to streamline a real B&O train, which was called the Adams Air-Splitting (not ear-splitting) train, and made 40 miles in 37 ½ minutes, which was not so startling. The B&O decided the idea wasn’t worth much to them. “If you want to go faster, burn more coal,” they figured.
Today’s motor unit train comes not only form the wind tunnel, but from the automobile. During 1932 and 1933 there was a serious epidemic of rail motor cars. In 1932 the Budd Manufacturing Co. sent to France the “Lafayette,” a typical rail-car except that it had sort of a snoot. It was stainless steel, streamlined affair with pneumatic tires and steel rims. It burned gasoline, made about 60 miles an hour.
Another was the Austro-Daimler pneumatic-tired rail-car. One was bought by Cotton Belt and runs between Dallas and Jonesboro (Ark.). France produced the Bugatti, which made 107 miles an hour on four 200-h.p. motors using alcohol-benzol. Others were built in France by Michelin, Renault, S.O.M.U.A. and Charentaise.
The Pullman Railplane appeared in 1933 with a truss frame and looking as bulbous as a baby blimp sixty feet long. Its maximum speed is about 90 miles, on two 6-cylinder auto engines.
These are only a few of the rail-cars, which are the immediate ancestors of the latest Wonder on Wheels, showing that it did not spring into full glory overnight.
The most startling thing which happened during the rail-car epidemic was the appearance of the new type car in Germany, with a joint in the center. Its picture was first published in the newspapers of December, 1932, and it was the original streamlined train. It looked something like the Pullman trains.
Said the caption: “A streamlined rail motor car now being tested by the German National Railroad Company.”
The picture showed its bulbous front, deep under aprons, slick sides. In the front were three low windows, two head-lamps and two spreading bumpers. The bumpers looked like a mustache and the front was a good deal like a face.
“This new type of rail motor car,” said the account, “which the German State Railroads expect to put into service between Berlin and Hamburg during the early part of 1933, is said to be capable of attaining a speed of more than 99 miles per hour.”
Good Morning Tom, Lars and anyone else that happens to be their. Time for a double CR and a round for the house.
20 fingers is not history. Just having a few problems at the office right now and can't seem to get together with the puter tech. I have missed him twice now once my fault and once his maybe three will be the lucky charm.
The 2006 tax year is going to be a record for us. If early indications are to be judged.
Have just had a chance to glance in the last few weeks will get back soon as home coputer bugs are straightened out.
TTFN Al
Guten Tag allerseits!
Ach zooooooo - 20 Fingers is alive 'n well! Never have so many months passed waiting for a computer tech to fix a home system! (Winston Churchill 2006). <grin> I suppose we'll just have to suffer along until Al gets a ROUNDTUIT!
Wish you wouldn't refer to your earstwhile effort as "failed," Doug! The problem on this Forum is that it is THIS Forum - really believe that's the dilemma we put up with on "Classic Trains - General Discussion." Anyway, good to see ya again - enjoyed your ENCORE! submission. Sorry that it will apparently be largely ignored. <groan>
Okay - Doug has put himself on Team #2 and here's the update:
Bragging Rights DARTS CHALLENGE!
Team #1 - Pete 'n Rob
Team #2 - Nick 'n Doug
Reporter - CM3
When: 3 consecutive week nights in early November.
Where: Match 1 & 3 (if needed) at the Second Class Saloon in Can-Am Village.
Match 2 at "Our" Place.
Rules: According to the British Darts Organization; using the 501 method.
Transportation to the Second Class Saloon provided by Vito the Hit's limo service!
Best two of three takes it!
Just took a break from the baseball game betwen the Cards 'n Padres - my guys are down 3-zip in the 6th. So, it's back to the tube . . . .
Ruth - give 'em a drink and Boris ring the bell!
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, October 8th thru 14th: F Troop – The First Season (1965) Starring: Ken Berry, Forest Tucker, Larry Storch & Melody Patterson. SHORT: The Three Stooges – Back to the Woods (1937)
F Troop (1965) 34 Episodes!
PLOT SUMMARY: Becoming a hero by accidentally leading a cavalry charge the wrong way, Lieutenant Wilton Parmenter is given command of Fort Courage. The Fort's crafty Sgt. O'Rourke has a deal with the local Hekawi Indians to market their wares to the tourists. They must sometimes pretend to be enemies (and the Shugs really are enemies). Jane is out to marry the innocent Parmenter.
from: www.imdb.com
Back to the Woods (1937)
PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly It is colonial times and the Stooges are tried by an English court for fighting some guards. They're sentenced to protect the colonies from the Indians. The Governor tries to make peace, but the Indian chief demands too high a price for the Pilgrims to pay for hunting privileges, so things look grim. The Stooges decide to hunt for the colonists anyway, and run into a lot of trouble with the Indians.
It is colonial times and the Stooges are tried by an English court for fighting some guards. They're sentenced to protect the colonies from the Indians. The Governor tries to make peace, but the Indian chief demands too high a price for the Pilgrims to pay for hunting privileges, so things look grim. The Stooges decide to hunt for the colonists anyway, and run into a lot of trouble with the Indians.
from: www.threestooges.net
Enjoy!
Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a quick chat then back to the taxes.
The other reason for my absense is tax season is still upon us. That is what I am doing in the office on Sunday. Final deadline is October 15 for all of those on extension. This year their were larger numbers of clients on extension then in previous years.
I guess our Oakland A's haven't played to badly either. Now if only the Raiders and 49ers can get it halfway together.
Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang.
Sunday Morning and I'm in the office as the October 15, tax deadeline looms ever closer. Never have so many gone on extension as this year.
See everyone is enthused about baseball. Our Oakland A's not doing to badly. Neither of our NFL teams will be around for the playoffs this season or even the next couple.
Hard for me to believe that it's been OVER a year since my trip to Dallas. Dick Watkins (former "regular") arranged for a delightful day of riding trains - Trinity Rail Express (TRE) RDCs - Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail - and street cars. A wonderful expience and one that deserves a bit of an ENCORE! insofar as some PIX are concerned.
Centrepoint station - Here comes the Dallas bound RDCs!
RDC destination board
In the cab with David the Engineer!
Five TRE RDC-1s and the TRE Inspection & Maintenance Facility (from the cab)
Railroading from the cab (en route Dallas)
TRE RDC #2011 cab controls
Interior of TRE RDC #2011
Approaching Dallas' Union Station
G'day Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!
Since the bar is CLOSED on Sundays! - I'll slip this through the mail slot - however, I am the MANAGER and do have keys! <grin> Sounds like something is going on inside - must be Tex - Awk 'n Frostbite having "their way" with Boris. <groan>
Mets are "in" for the NL Championship series - Giants won in the NFL - all's "right" with my sports world (too early for the other sports for me . . . ). Surely hope the Cards pull it out tonight thereby setting the St. Louis - New York 'show down.' Donchatjustloveit
Nice shots from your Dallas trip, Cap'n Tom, and I can just imagine how much fun that must have been. Too bad about the guy who hosted it all - Dick Watkins. Just pretty much disappeared 'round here, huh Well, weve seen more of that than we need - seems to be the way some guys prefer it. They do the "one way" posting bit - then take off for other things, leaving all kinds of responses lost forever in the Ether of Cyber Space. Rude is a word that comes to mind - something that we simply have to put up with when dealing with all sorts, huh
I'm taking a break from my domestic chores - TV respite as well - and will be center stage for the baseball game in a couple of hours. Been a labor for me this weekend and more to come. We had planned on a break for a trp upstate, not that's a bit in doubt. Things have become a bit more cumbersome with our hospice care and we're just not sure we can get away. We'll see.
Heard from Rob by email - seems he's having trouble logging in on the forums. For whatever the reason, he can't do it. So that accounts for his absence lately - really missed. Hate to "dump" all of this on you, Cap'n Tom - for I know you were under the impression that WE would hold up our end of the bargain in getting this bar back up on the page. Sorry we've let you down and I just wish it would turn about - not very confident. Also heard from EricX2000 Eric and he's close to coming back - getting over his ailment. Will be a plus when he's around - but if I recall, he's more of a late night, early AM contributor - if that's so - well, interaction will be difficult. Anyway, we surely need the guys NOW. I'm having a real hard time figuring out just who the Gang of Five are!
Been following your Bragging Rights Darts Challenge and it looks like fun. Everything has fallen nicely into place with the teams set and "reporter" slot filled by CM3 I'm NOT Shane! Should be a lot of fun once those reports start rolling in . . . . put me down as a "substitute!" Never know when someone comes down with "beer stein elbow!" <grin>
I'd say something to you, Al - however, you've not answered any of my emails - which the first was in response to you - so don't know what the deal is there. I'm not a "one way" communicator, sorry. It will be a plus to have you back aboard - but WHEN is the question. You also should take note that we are NO LONGER the bar you may remember - fewer guys and more interaction.
Finally, running those F-Troop TV shows is a great idea! They were hilariously funny - a bit on the corny side - but good entertainment nonetheless. Excellent choice for a night out at the Emporium Theatre!
Hope to check in tomorrow . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
Well the day of rest rolls around again so lets have a rummage through the photo archives and see what I can find..
A couple of quick notes :- DOUG-you have no idea how welcome a volunteer you are-the prospect of standing adjacent to Boris whilst he has potentially lethal weapons in his paw has been costing me much needed beauty sleep..........Enjoyed the stramliner article-didn`t the writing style date it as much as the contents,nice one -Keep the old nose to the grindstone mate,it won`t last forever.........
20fingersAL-Howdy-I`m sure the good taxpayers of California appreciate your efforts -The Crown Royal awaits your return..!!!
TOM-Caught your overlapping post from friday-yet again you suprise me-I wouldn`t have you down as a Grateful Dead man,another pre-conception bites the dust . The `F`troop show outside my field but seems to have a hint of Sgt Bilko (of blessed memory) about it........
Nice rack of pix from the Dallas trip-those R.D.C`s look well in those colours and interesting to see the Bi-Level cars with the `Lone Star` blaze at the service depot -one pic showed what looked like a meet with an F40/59ph-would this have been hauling Bi-Levels ,a la the GO trains ??
Right-lets to the business of the day-PIX !!
Well since our `steamed proprieter has led off the batting with some urban transit shots,here are a couple of montage shots of operations around Toronto (for the most part)
Right-according to my notes we have,clockwise from top:-C.N.#391 at Copetown Hill,Dundas with a pair of dash 9-44cwl`s providing the horses--1998, GO Train #156 inbound to Union passing Lambton Park,F59ph #528 in charge--20th june,1991, Westbound morning Turbo-Train passes GO train (GP40tc ? ) 11 miles east of Union at Scarborough Golf club rd--June 20th,1970 VIA #75 Toronto-Windsor with FPA-4a & F7b units next to AMTRAK F40ph with Amfleet cars promoting To/NY `Maple leaf` service--undated but 1981 seems likely
In this batch we have,again clockwise from top left:-B.C.Rail #1 nr Pavilion,Fraser River with 2x R.D.C1 + R.D.C3 (although I will defer to TOM on that....)--1986 C.P.Rail R.D.C2 ( same disclaimer )employee shuttle west of Union Stn--1968 Goderich & Exeter trip working at Goderich Harbour--undated,ex-Cartier Rly GP9`s 180,177,179 on the point Southern Ontario local crossing former T.H.B overpass at Cainsville with ex S.P. G.P.9e in charge--2001
And in the interests of balance,as we have had Toronto,a salvo from the rest of Canada-again specifics to follow.
O.K-Lest I be accused of column-hogging (?) ,I will break this into sections-back directly
Although the bar is CLOSED on Sundays, we still have opportunities for dialogue. For those without keys to the place - slip your messges through the mail slots in either set of front doors.
Good seeing you Lars 'n Nick! Thought I'd be the lonesome contributor on this Sunday. Only have a few minutes, as time is dwindling down to the first pitch of tonights "big game" - Cardinals vs Padres at Busch Stadium here in St. Louis. If we win - we play the Mets on Wednesday for game #1 of the next round. If we don't - we plan in San Diego tomorrow for the finale of this series.
Lars, don't feel as if you are holding the world on your shoulders insofar as this joint is concerned. We've taken a new slant 'round here - can't be concerned with those who don't give a "Rat's Patoot" and can't control the comings 'n goings. Simple as that. If it becomes more labor than love - to blazes with it all. Ain't worth ulcers - sleeplessness or any of the other nonsense some of us make of what should be FUN!
Nick, those P:ix are outstanding! Simply put - great work with those montages! A five- to you Sir!
In montage #1 (upper left) a CN freight pulling automobile carriers - (upper right) A Toronto GO train headed by an F40PH pulling those Bombardier bi-levels - (lower left) perhaps best of all - VIA Rail and Amtrak! What a shot!! (lower right) Another favorite - looks like CNs Turbo train on one mainline, with a 2-car RDC consist on the other!
Montage #2 (upper left) 3-car RDC consist headed by an RDC-2 and two RDC-1s - not sure of the road - guess is CN. (upper right) A CP RDC-3. The rest are freights . . . .
Again, really enjoyed those shots!
Me a "Dead Head" Nah. But I do know a bit about music and the groups that engage in it. Can't dismiss the 'sounds,' in spite of what one may think of the personalities.
Catch ya in the 'morrow!
Hello Eric!
Great to have you back! Been a long time and let's hope this is the start of something GOOD!
I see you had a bit of trouble with that Pix - not unusual these days with this "new" format, et al. Here - check this out:
You are correct, there wasn't that much room up there in the control area of the RDC - but sufficient, as they say. It was one of the most memorable of all my rail ventures and I'll always be grateful to our former friend and customer, Dick Watkins, for arranging everything.
Nick - sorry, but I neglected to address you question. Yes - those are the bi-level cars of Bombardier (some actually came from "GO" - others were manufactured for TRE). Motive power in the form of F40PHs when I was there. The facility is really something to see and I was given the opportunity to tour it. Pix had been Posted way back - and perhaps I'll run some again.
Okay - the ballgame is ON - and I've gotta run . . . we're already in the "hole" two-zip in the 1st inning. <groan>
Right-back for more,lets have a look at part 2 of tonights slideshow................
Those of you who were in on friday will have spotted a trio of B/W shots of the erstwhile Welsh Highland Railway,a line upon which I suspect I may have delivered a monologue some time previously (If not I will be happy to do so at some future time-It is one of those lines that only a true enthusiast could love,never made a cent,never should have been built in the first place and (glory of glories) is now being re-built not only from it`s original terminus at Dinas Jn but also the extra 5 miles or so over the old B.R trackbed from Caernarvon down to join the Festiniog Rly at Portmadoc )
Here then,as a taster,the loco stock of the W.H.R:-
Here we have "Snowdon Ranger" one of a pair of 0-6-4t single Fairlie`s delivered to the original North Wales Narrow gauge Railway in (I believe) 1897-sadly,she did n`t survive to be taken into W.H.R ownership in 1923.
And here is sister engine "Moel Tryfan" together with "Russell" (of which more anon) at the south end of Beddgelert stn
One of the very few existing views of "Gowrie"-this engine,another Fairlie 0-6-4t,was purchased to work the Bryngwn branch but was found to be a poor steamer and was disposed of to the war department in 1916 (allegedly for a significant profit...)
The W.H.R was formed of two companies:-the N.W.N.G.R and the Portmadoc,Beddgelert & South Snowdon rly-whose only contribution to the greater whole was this elegant Hunslet 2-6-2t and the undeveloped right of way from Beddgelert to the jn with the horse-worked Croesor tramway just noth of Portmadoc.
The W.H.R eventually fell into the hands of the Festiniog rly and "Russell" was taken into Boston Lodge works and mutilated to fit the Festiniog loading gauge-unsucessfully,as it turned out............(see earlier pics of Moel Tryfan & north end of Dinas Jn)...happily,alls well that ends well and she is now back on the south end of the restored line in original condition once again...
The only other engine owned by the W.H.R was this ex-W.D Baldwin,bought for a song,but apparently unpopular with crews `cos of rough riding,especially in reverse-a common trait it seems-the ALCO 2-6-2t`s were much smoother beasts all round-something to do with angle of inclination of the pistons I`m told-should drive on the 3rd axle not the middle.....ho hum.........
And for completeness---Festiniog rly `England` 0-4-0 tender/tanks also worked over the line-usually on the southern section between Portmadoc & Beddgelert-here an unidentified example draws up by the water crane at the north end of Beddgelert--The Royal Goat Hotel is prominent in the background
Right--here endeth the second lesson.....
back in a bit with the final flurry
Well here we go round again-ERIC- home my man-although we are closed there is a bottle of the special rum available for emergencies........................
TOM-nicely fielded-glad you enjoyed the selection-wouldn`t even think about re-visiting the debate R.E Can-Am Metro bi -levels ( )-in point of fact ,those Athearn cars are not great in propel mode (might be a different story with draw-bars instead of std couplers....)
O.K-a more or less random selection to finish off with-just a second whilst I check the curtains and fish out a few shot glasses and the rum bottle-right-here we go:-
Tralee-Dublin service departing Killarney-Ireland contempory
For young JAMES-Milwaukee road colours in the old country-General Motors power on Dublin-Rosslare & Waterford-Rosslare services (Ireland-fairly recent)
And staying with a theme:- General Motors units in Wisconsin Central colours-Didcot,a couple of years back
And harking back to a recent discourse-S&DJR 2-8-0 plus a couple of freight cars on the West Somerset rly.
Another selection from the W.S.R-again,notes to follow.........
Here we are a little further west-Buckfastleigh on the South Devon rly-again,detail to follow
Well chaps-hope you all enjoy these views from across the water-apologies for `flooding the market` but as noted on friday,looks like a quiet weekend-good luck to all the home teams (just wait `til we get the MENTOR MANIACS registered.............)
Take care fella`s-regards to the various ladies
nick
WOW that "Prinz August" 2-4-0 with the 4-wheel stock is a beaut-the juxtaposition with the overhead wires and the guy in the day-glo vest rounds it out nicely-fine shot..
Right-enough rum for me-looks like a day feeding the old cement mixer tomorrow (whoopee-bloody-do)
waaaah....
Hi Tom and everyone, especially Al and Eric, welcome back.
Thanks for all the pictures today.
Eric, so cool that ancient locomotive still running.
The Royal York Hotel, back in the day.
http://216.94.16.48/_images/common/photos/original/CN002860.jpg
By the way Happy Thanksgiving, Rob, what do you have for a bird, the goose?
Nick, how do you know about Sergeant Bilko, from the recent movie or the original You'll Never Get Rich TV show? If the latter I'm astounded.
It says in this book here that, geologically, Wales is the most ancient soil of Great Britain, that its mountains of Laurentian, Cambrian and Silurnian rocks reared their summits long before England emerged from the sea. The Welsh hills, or Cambrian Mountains, attain their greatest height in Snowden (3,570 ft.).
The pictures at these links are vintage 1898. Only the first one, Snowden Mountain Tramway locomotive at Llanberis, is relatively a close-up. The rest are of tiny, almost invisible trains and Mt. Snowden.
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820002.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820003.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820004.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820005.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820006.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820007.jpg
http://www.geh.org/fm/mismis/m197100820008.jpg
Tom, congrats on (yawn) the Cards Clinch.
Lars, congrats on our Mets Clinch, yeah!
Mike
Origin and History of Canadian Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October in Canada.
Unlike the U.S. tradition of celebrating the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving in Massachusetts, Canadians commemorate a successful harvest. The more northerly latitudes of Canada in comparison to the U.S. provides for an earlier harvest season.
The English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who sought to find a northern passage to the Orient, is largely held as the first to celebrate a Thanksgiving in Canada. In 1578 in an area today called Newfoundland, his formal ceremony gave thanks for surviving the long journey from England, even though he was never to succeed in finding the passage sought. The tradition held as other settlers continued the event. With a northern inlet named after him – Frobisher Bay - and having been Knighted, he is considered as the “father” of Canadian Thanksgiving.
Further south in Canada, and in the same time frame, settlers from France under the auspices of explorer Samuel de Champlaign, also celebrated with feasts of thanks though “The Order of Good Cheer,” freely sharing their bounty with the Indian inhabitants.
The people of Halifax, upon the end of the Seven Years War in 1763, celebrated a day of Thanksgiving.
Americans who remained loyal to the Crown, moved to Canada during the American Revolution. Bringing their customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving northward into Canada, added to the similarities between the two celebrations (cornucopia – horn of plenty - and pumpkin pie, for example).
In 1879, Parliament declared November 6th as a day of Thanksgiving, decreeing it a national holiday. As the years passed, several different dates emerged for Thanksgiving, with the most popular being the 3rd Monday in October. At the conclusion of WWI, Armistice Day (November 11th) and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week where November 11th occurred. A decade later, the two days were made separate holidays, with Armistice Day renamed Remembrance Day in 1931.
“A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed . . . to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.” By act of Parliament on January 31st, 1957.
Canadian Thanksgiving is observed in the homes of trolleyboy Rob - BudKarr BK 'n siberianmo Tom! <eh!>
Cardinals win! Cardinals win! So, it's on to New York and the Mets beginning Wednesday. Enjoy the "moment" Red Birds fans - if we win one against the "mighty Mets" we'll be lucky! But then again, anything can happen in sports - and usually does. It wasn't all that long ago when the BoSox swept the Cards in the World Series - a formidible team in the National League, folded the tent in the October classic. "Stuff" happens . . . <grin>
Good to see that fine spate of Pix from Nick for our Sunday Photo Posting Day! Appeared as if things were going to be definitely dismal until our man "saved the day!" Also, the return of Eric to the 'fold' is encouraging along with the appearance of Mike for a URL Sunday!
No Rob - no Doug on Sundays surely puts a damper on what we' ve been accustomed to 'round here - especially barndad.
Back to sports for a bit, NFL St. Louis Rams are 4-1 and the Arizona Buzzards - oooooops, Cardinals are 1-4. <grin> No sympathy 'round here for the football Cardinals as they abandoned this city some years back and many of us will NEVER forget or forgive the owner of that team - NeVAH!! And before anyone jumps my case about the Rams leaving LA (really Anaheim) - I'm really not that enamored with them either - especially ownership. The league should have stopped that abandoning of the LA greater metro area - but didn't.
So, what's on tap for this day Last time I checked, petrol had dropped to $2.10 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner" - so at least for the moment, we should be "happy" for small favors . . . weather is expected to be fall-like with temps making it into the lower 70s (F) - but beginning tomorrow, the rains arrive and by the end of the week "they say" we may see snow flurries! <yeah> Juneau and I are READY! Hush you Muskies - or is that, Mush you Huskies!!
Enjoy the day, Gents and this will be a CM3 "day off" - so, hopefully someone will fill the AM "slot."
Today is another of those "Monday Holidays" here in the U.S. - one that has lost much meaning over the years. It's called "Columbus Day" - however we all know he didn't "discover" America, but we continue on with the foly of recognition nonetheless. <barf> A holiday for banks, the post office, federal workers, some state employees and some school children. Really nothing more than another day of "sales" at the malls. Ask me how I really feel!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
Good to see ya, Eric! Ruth - take note, the drinks are on our X2000 friend today - have those "taps" at the ready for our German brew!
Not sure I understand the advice given by Kalmbach - I used Firefox and there is no linkage between how I download my Pix for this Thread. Mine are directly downloaded from either PhotoBucket or RailImages using the 'standard' procedures we all got used to prior to the change of things. Firefox may enhance some of the features installed on these Forums by Kalmbach, but I'd surely like to know what they mean when it comes to Pix Posting. Anyway, happy they answered you - good luck.
As you can tell, Nick is able to provide us with Pix - but his do contain some spurious "stuff," which either can be attributed to a "glitch" in the procedure, or a software incompatability - my guess. "We takes what we gets!"
Just to catch you up on who's around these days - we're down to rock bottom, or so it seems:
pwolfe Pete (Wolfman) is on holiday in "Merry Olde" 'til near the end of the month - BudKarr BK is away on holiday 'til next week - coalminer3 CM3 is "off" today - West Coast S Dave is also "off" today and apparently has experienced a problem with computer access; not sure - trolleyboy Rob hasn't been seen since last Tuesday morning and apparently is experiencing access problems - barndad Doug is working two jobs; 'nuf said - passengerfan Al is somewhere between getting that personal 'puter fixed and saying he will - and LoveDomes Lars is going to be hit 'n miss for awhile - so, that pretty much tells the story, eh
Appreciate your taking the time to stop by - I was about to "fold the tent" for the day . . . .
Tomorrow is our "Theme for the Day - The Rock Island Line" - so perhaps you'll be able to join us for some enlightening input!
G’day Cap’n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth, a frosty stein of Staffelberg-Bräu and put in on Eric’s tab!
May I extend happy holidays to all who are relaxing today, either with the Canadian Thanksgiving Day or as Cap’n Tom so aptly put it, the contrived Monday holiday here in the states! Maybe one day “they” will get it right and extend the credit of discovery to Leif and his Norsemen – until that is, some other archaeologist can come up with even earlier proof.
As you may recall, “the parade” is the big thing here in “the city,” with all of the politicos taking their spots at the beginning. Queen Hillary, and so forth. Makes me want to “up chuck!” Well, at least the Italian-Americans will make the most of their day – they do it “right” and it is a fun time in Manhattan today.
Okay Cap’n Tom – showdown begins tomorrow night!
Remember 2000 when we took 4 out of 5 to send you guys packing
I agree with what you’ve said, though – one can NEVER count their chickens at this time of year – anything surely can happen. Your bullpen didn’t give up a run during the first round – that’s impressive. Now, IF your hitters really wake up, my Mets will have some serious competition.
Too bad about Rolen though – the guy is a “gamer.” What happened during the regular season doesn’t “cut it” in the playoffs – so these should be good games.
We all should be concerned about the American League though – they definitely have the “whammy” on the NL and either Oakland or Detroit is gonna be a tough row to hoe. Not totally surprised at the Yankee power failure – just bothers me that Joe Torre may be taking the hit for a few of the boy zillionaires failing to produce.
Eric, I didn’t know professional sports are played in Arizona! Only kidding . . . . can’t win “it” every year. The Diamondbacks had their day in the sun – as for the football Cardinals, well that’s a totally different matter. Good to see ya ‘round the place again and thanks for the free brew!
As you always do Cap’n Tom, that’s quite an interesting run down on the Canadian Thanksgiving history – liked the graphic too.
In reviewing the list of our guys and their whereabouts – no wonder things are quiet ‘round the Tavern by the Tracks! Good grief Charlie Brown – our roster has been decimated. Some of these issues are without remedy – or so it appears - and we’ll just have to weather it, huh Just wish our “working guys” could and would provide some posts from home now ‘n then. Just a different ‘mind set” these days I guess.
Enjoy the day one and all . . . .
G-day captain Tom and all.
I have not been here for quite sometime. We have been busier than a horde of elephantes. We're going to be locking the house up for winter in just a few days.
Tom- Thanks for the info on the Aerotrain. I have seen that it is coming into the model world, just never had any background info on it. And I will remember that Tuesday will be the next theme day. Just didn't know, sorry. But hopefully that the "Rock" is a good theme for tomorrow but thats up to you.
Pete- Thanks for the comments on my model cabinent. It will hopefully be growing over the next couple of years. I have a Milwaukee road bipolar but have not displayed it recently. It just came back from a friend who painted it for me.
Nick- Thanks for the compliments. I will hopefully have a few more night shots to come. I have been working on the next one which I hope to have up soon. I know the Model cabinent is below a bunch of books and I know it can get quite annoying... but I will be adding in the wounderful train books so you can read the titles of those instead of novels, and other books.
I have been seeing a lot of CN pics so I think I will add some more up.
Photo by: Donald Nute
Photo from: trains.nute.ws/4-6-2/CNR5288.htm
Shes not looking so healthy at the moment. But hopefully someone will come and fix her up
Happy railroading
James
Gute Nacht allerseits!
What ho! Anyone wondering why the "last" Post shows up as "nickinwestwales - yesterday" is due to the fact that our Chief Chef has been editing his Post. That's what happens . . . causes things to "skew" to an earlier date 'n time. <gotcha, Mate!>
Good to see ya Lars and appreciate your taking the time to stop by. For a holiday Monday, I'd have expected a bit more "action" - but, "We takes what we gets!"
Been awhile since James popped in . . . not sure I understand some of the commentary, but chalk it up to the generation gap.
Actually the reason for this Post is to get things back on track so that when guys log in, they get the MOST CURRENT as opposed to something from a day EARLIER!
Well happy holiday to one and all ,I hope I find you well
A round for the house please Leon, a Starop for me and try one yourself whilst you are about it
I`ve just edited in some info on the first batch of yesterdays pix-more will follow as & when I can find it...............
Right,whose been about..? TOM,of course-thanks for the background on Canadian Thanksgiving-good stuff,glad your team saw off the opposition (not that I know anything about it ,but hey..)
You mentioned strange things with my pix-on my screen I get a wee 3-colour icon before each shot and a couple of seemingly random characters after-is this what you meant ?
ERIC-Can heartily recommend Photobucket-very few teething troubles,mostly through not following instructions-give it a go..
JAMES-A nice old steamer-I`m sure someone will take pity on her............R.E `night` shots-have you considered the old theatre lighting trick of using blue filtered background light for a moonlight effect ?
MIKE-We grew up with old U.S TV programs that the Beeb used to buy in to pad out the schedules-Bilko,I love Lucy,The Munsters,The Virginian,Casey Jones,The Andy Williams Show,Rawhide--to many to name
A note or two on the Snowdon URL`s-first off the date-unlikely to be 1898,only one train ran in that year-the opening day service,when the train engine `LADAS` (acronym for Laura Alice Duff-Ashdon- Smyth--the wife of the biggest local landowner ) rolled off the track,killing her driver. The line was immediately closed until april 1899.
The line is laid to 800mm gauge and uses the Abt rack & pinion system,all vehicles are propelled and are not coupled to the locos The locos & stock are Swiss built.
The engine in the first shot is #4 `Snowdon` -still in use today-although now oil-fired.-The engine and carriage sheds are out of shot to the right ,from a facing lead-have a couple of pix I will dig out
The quarries in the second shot are much larger than they look-they are across the lake (Llyn Padarn ) from Llanberis and had their own quite complex rail system-internal workings were by 2ft gauge `baby Hunslet` 0-4-0ts with wagons then transhipped,4 at a time ,onto 4ft gauge transporter wagons and shipped along the lakeshore from Gilfach Ddu to Felinheli (Port Dinorwic). This line has now been relaid to 2ft gauge as a tourist route (Llanberis lake railway) with 3 of the old Hunslets sharing duties.
The Gilfach Ddu site now houses a substantial museum complex and has a huge underground hydro-electric plant adjacent--again,pix to follow-next sunday if time permits.
The next couple of shots are of Clogwyn ridge-the most exposed part of the line,in extreme weather (of which there is lots) all trains terminate at Clogwyn-the locos are anchored to the track by the rack mechanism-the coaches arn`t........
Summit stn is ,as one might expect, the highest in Britain-the cafe there is currently being rebuilt ( it was famously described by Prince Charles as being "The highest slum in Britain") it is indeed a graceless lump of a thing-difficult to believe it was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis -the man who built the nearby Italinate gem of Portmeirion-which you guys might recognise as the location for the filming of `The Prisoner`,that `60`s gem featuring Patrick Magoohan and a lot of big white balls
Right-looks like its half past late again,moonlight mile for me-Leon,set `em up again and dont feed Boris any more raw meat
Take care guys,nick
Whoops-sorry bossman-this time it really is me
And the first shall be last . . . Eric, here's your Pix that failed to Post:
Swedish State Railways Class T41, license built in Sweden 1955.
If it is any solice at all, many of us have gone through all sorts of adjustments in trying to get our Pix to Post properly since the Kalmbach changeover. They simply do not appear to be concerned enough to address the issue. Oh well, it's a free web site and we all have our options - wonder where and how all of this will end
Happy that you're back amongst us and hope that the pluses far outweigh the minuses as you resume your place at the bar!
Nick - speaking of Pix - yes, I was referring to that extraneous stuff you mentioned at the beginning and ending of your photos. Interestingly, the latter is quite the same as what Eric is experiencing. Must be a Forum "thing" - or to complicate it further, conflicts in software between 'puter and Kalmbach. We can live with it as long as your fine efforts display for one and all to enjoy!
Eric - pro sports in Arizona had some glory years, especially with the NBA Phoenix Suns. They put some quality lineups out on the hardwood and were quite competitive for years. Must admit that when the Diamondback won it all, no one was more suprised than I. They were a good team - but what they achieved put them right up there with the great ones - albeit for a short time. As for the NFL team - as long as Mr. Bidwell is the owner, I'll think negatively about 'em and hope they wind up at the bottom of the heap, season after season. Greed in any shape or form just isn't appreciated by me. He had a good thing here and had he pursued the objective of getting a new stadium in ways other than that of the extortionist, perhaps the Cardinals of football would still be playing in the shadow of the Arch. <groan>
Nick - A word about editing: No problems, the feature is there for the use. However, one of the unintended consequences is what it (editing) does to the "listings" of Posts once someone checks into the Classic Trains - General Discussion page. It will reveal the edited Post as the most current - unless someone has Posted since. So, to circumvent this obvious gltich in the system - if one is to edit a Post that has been sitting for hours, days or perhaps weeks - be sure to come right back with a separate - new - Post. That way everything will get back on track. <phew>
Had hoped we would have gotten something out of our Canadian connections yesterday - but with BK away and "off line" and Rob experiencing whatever this latest problem is, it was not to be. Last time we heard from the man swinging from the trolley wire was a week ago today.
Today is Tuesday "Theme for the Day - Rock Island Line." Will be interesting to see what shakes loose . . .
Remember, Ruth comes in at 9 AM and Leon takes over at 5 PM . . . .
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