QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 07 Aug 2005, 10:35:32 Good Morning Sorry for the absence but a very strange thing happened the other day. In Fridays mail I received a large manilla envelope without a return address addressed to me and containing a wealth of passenger car information. I hope whoever sent this to me is reading the forum because I want to say THANKS. I have no way of knowing who sent me the info as the cancelation even with a magnifying glass is unreadable. For a passenger train nut such as myself the info in that envelope has saved me weeks of research. I have literally been in hiding since the info arrived going over the info and checking against similar info on some I already had in my collection. The info i received is solid and answers several questions that have bothered me for some time. Now I can get back to my book and do some more writing. Much of the information covers the early years of Amtrak with dates and consists of new trains. The names I had but their were many conflicting startup dates that have been cleared up. Now if Amtrak ever gets back to me with the more recent startup dates etc. It will clear up my Amtrak info. Off topic but was certainly glad to see the Russian submariners were rescued. Ring the bell Boris I'll gladly buy the first round on Monday being a former Navy man myself it was great news
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 07 Aug 2005, 10:50:08 G'day passengerfan Al Sorry that I can't serve you this fine day ... however, if you want to join me in cleaning up this place, grab a broom! I'd say that you could begin to find out who the Mystery Mailer might be by going back through your posts to find out where you were when you requested help here or there. For example, were your requests only at "Our" Place That would really refine it for you ... nope, it wasn't moi. No matter - you've gotten quite a gift and my take on it is the Mystery Mailer is more interested in providing you with some meaningful help rather than self-promotion and notoriety. A nice touch, for sure. Enjoy the day, while I get going on cleaning out the Hizzens & Herins rooms! Glad you've resurfaced - many of our regulars simply aren't ....... Oh, by the by, I received your Email - Thanx! Yes, the rescue of the Russian submariners is good news. A long time ago, I was a radio operator aboard a USCG Cutter participating in the search for the submarine, USS Thresher back in 1963. Monday begins with a round on the house from passengerfan Al Tom
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 07 Aug 2005, 12:18:28 Tom, Just read your tie with the Thresher mine was at the commissioning in Portsmouth. Will never forget that incident and the 129 souls lost in that disaster. I remember July 19, 1960 when the tincan i was aboard collided with another tincan off Huntington Beach CA. Eleven crewmen on the other tincan died. Sad day I still remember like it was yesterday.
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 07 Aug 2005, 13:24:04 passengerfan Al Yes, some things are not forgotten either easily or at all. It does seem like yesterday when we searched our assigned area in the rough waters of the North Atlantic in April of 1963. Scanning their frequencies - hoping to hear something, anything. Checking for debris - something, anything. Hoping against all odds that perhaps they suffered comms problems and nothing more - something, anything. We were bouncing around in the north Atlantic in those days on an assigned patrol - far off shore - used to call them Ocean Stations. Twenty one days on station - which generally equated to at least 30 days away from homeport - actually, any port. Then came the Flash message traffic - sub apparently lost. Sailors anywhere and everywhere shudder at the thought of going down - but when you are already down - well, it's gotta be mind boggling to say the least. 1960 I was just finishing up my tour in Alaska then - radio operator aboard a 180 ft buoy tender in Kodiak. Quite a tour - didn't appreciate it until it was OVER. What do they say about youth being wasted on the young Not to worry about [#offtopic] today - we're CLOSED Tom
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 07 Aug 2005, 22:19:37 Tom Those Ocean Stations you mentioned were the very reason I chose the Navy instead of the Coast Guard. Having grown up in Seattle and that was where several of those Coast Guard cutters were stationed as well as several of the Wind class icebreakers. I worked for a water tour company in Seattle the two previous summers before entering the service. I used to see those cutters return after being on station and the North Pacific was not a kind Ocean to them. Lots of respect for the Coast Guardsmen, chose the Navy to see the world and did see a large part of it. The Navys similar to Wind class, Glacier Icebreaker that went to the CG is being lovingly restored on San Francisco Bay by a much dedicated group of former CG and Navy personel. Remember the Glacier well having being temporarily assigned to ship joining same at Christchurch,NZ for guess where? Could not wait to get off the Icebreaker, it was a poor sea ship compared to a tincan and I thought they were sometimes bad. Anyway after return to NZ flew back to Hawaii for assignment back to tincan where I really belonged. Found the Icebreakers rolled even in calm seas before even reaching ice. And once you have heard the noise of a breaker in the ice its a sound you will never forget. What was I doing their unfortunately was a diver so went wherever they sent me. And all icebreakers were assigned divers, I was a temporary replacement for one who was called away on emergency leave. I just happened to be the the closest one to NZ at the time while my ship was at Pearl. I understand it was one of the last or the last Antarctic cruises by the Glacier as a Navy ship before being turned over to CG. I know off subject once again set up a round and ring the bell Boris.
QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 07:41:00 Good Morning All: Coffee, please and off to work we go...rough time for our friends in eastern Ky. Multiple fatality rock fall and two more injured while trying to recover the victims. I was interested to read abt. passengerfan's work with early Amtrak trains. I don't know how many of our participants took part in "Amtrak day." I rode the last L&N "Pan American" from Nashville to Louisville, photographed its departure as well as the last run of the C&O's Louisville section of the "George Washington." Then rode the first "South Wind" from Louisville to Nashville. The consist was all SCL on this train. The diner had an SCL crew, china (yes, it did!), along with an SCL menu. A good trip back down the L&N to Nashville and lots of news coverage when the train arrived. All in all a good, albeit bittersweet, day. The early Amtrak days in Boston were quite interesting as well. Power changed fairly quickly as we began seeing PRR E units and all kinds of exotic cars. A few that stand out in memory are North Coast Limited lounge cars (in two-tone NP green), and the use of Union Pacific 10/6 "Pacific" series sleepers as parlor cars on some Boston-New York-Washington trains. I also recall riding a fully equipped C&O "Club" series lounge car on a train out of Boston and also seeing a full SCL "Champion" at South Station when it ran from there. Last, I recall riding the transcon sleeper out of Boston on the "Crescent" more than a few times. This was a Southern "River" series car. Hard to believe it was 34 yrs ago. work safe
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 08:09:56 NO SUMMARY for MONDAY
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 08:18:56 Good Morning passengerfan Al Continuing on with the sailor interests ...... Seattle, one of my most favorite ports-of-call! Back in 1959-60, I spent 7 weeks there, ship was in dry dock at the Lake Union ship yards. Never saw the sun one day - it was in Jan/Feb .... however, the places I hung out at over on Pine and Pike Streets had their own lights if you know what I mean! Never had ice breaker duty - and oh how I wish I would have. Of course, that was way back when the breakers were of the "Wind" class and not at all very accommodating as today's are. The ports-of-call were terrific for the Antarctic runs - to this day I really wish .... But, we makes our choices, and sticks with 'em, eh[?] The Pacific Ocean Stations were killers insofar as time away from homeport was concerned - the transit time did ya in. One of the stations, Victor, used to require the ship to do a double patrol, with the interim period in Japan. That at least broke it up some. The Atlantic Stations were far, far rougher over all. Just killers, with pehaps ECHO - south of Bermuda - being somewhat better, except of course during hurricane season! Just couldn't win ..... I believe I pulled 29 of those suckers over my sea going career (Bravo - Charlie - Delta and Echo) - that's about a month per patrol with the closest point of land straight down. I remember the good times HA! Nice to have a fellow sailor on board! Ok - Boris Ring the Bell, OJ all around! Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 08:33:40 Good Morning coalminer3 Amtrak day [?][ Not around here. The local bird cage liner (aka: newspaper) does a poor job when it comes to this subject, as well as the TV. Anyway, when is it supposed to be [?] I know that Amtrak began on May 1st, 1971. I also know that some folks in SoCal like to spend their time mooning Amtrak in July - and the people along the line of the Empire Builder celebrate it on yet another day. So which is yours [?] Appreciate your accountings of the trains of yesteryear - after all, that's what we should emphasize 'round here. For me, I've only recently begun keeping track of the trains I've ridden (say within the last 15 years) as to equipment, et al. The trains of the 40's and 50's - just blurs, really. Of course the images are still imbedded - the long strings of heavyweights with the orange stripe and black livery of the NH, or the tuscan's of the Pennsy. Ahhhhhh, yes! Enjoy the day! Tom
QUOTE: daveklepper Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 09:53:46 I remember the first day of Amtrak, 1 May 1970, very well. I was lucky enough to get a roomette on the last eastbound City of Los Angeles, leaving LA the evening of 30 April, and awakened in Ogden to seem some Cal Zephyr equipment in the Ogden station, and then from Rawlins to Cheyenne we had 844 coupled ahead of the diesels and I had a wonderful front row dome seat to watch the action. After visiting friends in Bartlett, IL, I enjoyed my first ride in a slumbercoach on the Amtrak Broadway, now carrying coach passengers, to New York.
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 10:43:30 G'day Dave and [#welcome] to "Our" Place. Unlilke other threads, this one has a focus - so I recommend you spend a bit of time browsing from page 1 ......... in particular, the SUMMARIES should expedite your experience. Last time I saw you was on my Canadian Passenger Railroads - Let's Talk! thread ..... tried to maintain a semblance of decorum and order, but it didn't work. On this thread it does - we simply pay no attention to those who want to be disruptive or contrary. So, since we are a cyber bar 'n grill, and we engage in adult conversation about Classic Trains - real or model AND like to inject a bit of humor from time to time, perhaps you'll find us to your liking. First drink is on the house - so whatillyahave[?] Tom, Proprietor of "Our" Place
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 11:35:20 Hi Tom and the gang! Long time no see! Any cold drink will do for me now. My sick leave is over now but I'm taking 2 weeks off for my annual vacations. I resumed coaching the local Laval "REDS" in the baseball Little league. Life is coming back to it's daily routine and I should be back in the office by the end of the month. Now, Classic trains: I will be riding the Beauce rail tourist train next week. It is a day ride from Thetford Mines to the Appalachian mountains and back. The train is pulled by Alco's FA's in a blue and white paint scheme. Bye bye for now and see you later guys. Chris
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 11:46:51 G'day Chris and very happy to see you again! No order from the bar [?] C'mon - I'm buying! Not at all like you ...... However, how about a Sarsasparilla in a frosty cold mug [?] I remember those Little League days oh so vividly. My sons played - I got hornswaggled into coaching - it was fun for them - work for me! Good luck! Be sure to tell us all about your train ride next week - perhaps a picture or two of the ALCO's [?] By the time you get back to your career, you'll have to take the Bar Exam again! Take care and don't be a stranger! Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 14:47:07 August 12th represents the 4th month of "Our" Place on this Classic Trains Forum. For those of you who consider yourselves regulars 'round here - plan to stop by and offer a toast to the continuance of our cyber bar 'n grill! Any time of the day or night will work out fine. Of course, adding some Classic Trains stories surely would make the day! [yeah] Actually, 4 toasts would be very appropriate. For all who do - there's a free frosty mug of your favorite draught /or/ a double of JD or Crown Royal waiting for ya! Tom, Proprietor of "Our" Place
QUOTE: Trainnut484 Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 15:23:32 Good Afternoon Tom and everyone . I'll have a nice ice coooolldddd Miller Lite and a sandwich. It is a HHH(Hazy, Hot, and Humid) day here in KC. I'm sorry to hear about the twists in your medical issues Ted. Hope they turn out for the better. Nice pic of 2926's bell Kevin . Too bad this forum doesn't allow sound bytes, otherwise it could probably be used by Boris to ring when we go Off Topic. MMMM I'll have another Miller Lite to help wash down the sammich. Take care, Russell
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 15:49:17 Good Afternoon to all. Guess I will have a Crown Royal and a round for the house. Four months already doesn't seem that long at all. Still devouring the packet of info I received the other day and will soon be putting it on the hard drive. When I look at the information i realize that even though their has been several books on early Amtrak it really hasn't been covered all that well. I have owned the book Zephyrs Chiefs and other Orphans a really excellent book but even it did not cover the subject as well as it could have I am finding out, but excellent for the information it has. The info I received seems to fill in many questions the other book had raised as well as going further as to dates and even times and covers a longer period. I don't know who sent me the info but I just want to say thanks whoever you are.
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 15:58:08 G'day trainnut484 Russell Where ya been [?] Enoying life, I hope! A Miller's Lite it is! My bride and I used to spend our wedding anniversary in KCity - today, as a matter of fact - however, the blast furnace temperatures finally chased us away. We sweltered through some hot, hazy, lazy days of summer out thataway for many Augusts. Loved to take in a Royal's game - night of course! - but even that could be uncomfortable. Somehow, looking at the cascading water beyond the outfield fence made it a bit more tolerable! Beer man! Beer man - hey - I'll take a couple of those ....... Since you've been away - I hope you'll check out the SUMMARIES just to make sure you're up to date with "Our" Place! See ya - and here's that refill ...... Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 16:09:18 G'day passengerfan Al Time flies when you're having ......... Four months it is! And the 12th is the day to hoist the tankards in 4 toasts to the continuance of "Our" Place! We seemed to have done quite well given our small number - and quite frankly, that's what I had hoped to develop. A nucleus - a core - of folks interested and willing to participate. The key is maintaining a level of interest - and that takes effort for sure. Reading those SUMMARIES helps - and it is oh so noticeable when they aren't! Anyway, I hope we continue on in good health and spirit for at least another year. Gotta make that Rendezvous in Toronto! A huge drawback of these forums/threads are the people who simply will not take the time to check out what the topic is - or to do a bit of research regarding how things work - just jump on - make a statement - and leave. Barf. We aren't that way and that's that. Those front doors swing both ways! Oooooops, [soapbox] time! Have you narrowed down your thoughts regarding just where you may have requested info for your book [?] It would be interesting to determine, if not the person, at least the place where the request took root. Bors ring the bell – passengerfan Al has sprung for the drinks! Many thanx! Tell ya what - the Crown and a refill is on me - plus, I've saved a couple more of those purple bags for ya ....... Enjoy! Tom
QUOTE: barndad Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 17:21:18 Good afternoon all! I'm feeling charitable today ... a round of Roy Rogers for the house please Tom? I've been having incredible problems with my I-net connection recently. Makes me want to just give up these days. Grrrrrrrrrr Gunns, it's the Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society that's planning to come out your way. This is for the next annual meeting. They have chapters all across the country. You join the group nationally, and then as many chapters as you want. They put out an excellent magazine publication 2 times a year. It's really a high quality publication. Most impressive. I was at our stable this last Saturday instead of the museum. So I have no news on that front. If we get rid of these 90+ degree days by this Saturday, I'll be in a better mood to go! Have a good evening all
QUOTE: pwolfe Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 17:29:27 HI TOM and all. I hear you sell good beer from the micro breweries and a pint of KATY PALE ALE would go down a treat this hot M.O. afternoon I have been in the corner listening to and learning about U.S. railroads as I am fairly recently in the U.S. from England .Good ale and good railroad chat what more could a man want. I hope to call in to the bar again soon if I may
QUOTE: earlydiesels Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 18:59:45 Hello everyone. A cold Guiness, for me, Tom. Had a good weekend at the Midland. Was conductor Sunday and wore my new shoes. Didn’t need any breakin and my feet weren't hurting on the long drive home. I don't much care for wearing headgear but felt I should and boy was it hot! Tom, I've seen pictures of engineers in passenger service in the late steam--early diesel era wearing ties. We do not have to wear ties at the Midland. Engine crews are encouraged to wear overalls, however. Good to hear about the Russians being rescued. My brother in law was a submariner and the sea floor is unforgiving. Now if we could get our Navy to acknowledge the discovery of a WW2 sub off Thailand so the family members of those fellows could get some closure. Ring the bell, Boris! Off Topic and no hugs, please. I was thinking about another Guiness but if he squeezes me like that, I won't have the stomach for it!
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 19:53:41 Well good evening gentlemen all,- an idea occurs for the 12/8 anniversary---as its the first day of the grouse season how about a highland supper evening,---first the ****`a`leekie soup ,then the haggis piped in with due ceremony and observance, next ,the days bag of grouse( actually the birds shot the previous week) a citrus fruit sorbet, a whole double haunch of Welsh black beef roasted mid-well on the outside & mid-rare in the middle followed at a decent interval by a bottle or 6 of a decent single malt* *please nominate alternative just going to wind back & catch up on summaries,back soon nick
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 21:01:52 G'day barndad Doug I smell a Trick being pulled on the old barkeep ... a round of Roy Rogers means one of two things to me: (1) fast food - which we do not serve /or/ (2) Rock 'n Rye - which we have plenty of. Anything else is news to me! 'Puter problems can drive a sober man to distraction - been there, done that. I gave up my dial-up back in the spring - wen tto hi-speed through my local cable company. When it works - it's great. Still have periods of outages or slowness. One good thing, is if reported - they credit you with a day's service on your bill. At least it's something ...... Glad you've made it back - we think of you as a regular customer 'round here and you've been missed ... Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 21:09:20 [#welcome] Aboard pwolfe! From the little we know of you (profile doesn't give much info!) I would think you'll fit right in with us 'round here. Trains - brew and some lively conversation - that's what "Our" Place strives for ....... Also, [#welcome} to the U.S.A.! As with all newcomers to our thread (that's the term used for a topic appearing on a Forum) - I recommend you do a bit of homework - start at page 1. When you come across the SUMMARIES they will expedite your experience at learning about us. Since this is your First Posts there's no point in my elaborating about how different we are 'round here - that you'll discover as you progress through the other Forums and the zillions of threads on 'em. First drink is on the house - so whatillyahave [?] By the by - if you want to know about us, just click on our cyber names appearing in the left hand margin - that will take you to a "profile." Most of us have provided some info for the curious ....... including a first name. Tom, Proprietor of "Our" Place
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 21:19:05 Good Evening earlydiesels Dan Glad your weekend was enjoyable ... hotter 'n a half f'd fox in a forest fire in these parts, can't imagine it was much better inside a hot loco cab ....... Never knew, nor would I have guessed that RR Engineers wore ties on the job. Seems not only unnecessary, but perhaps a safety issue. Live and learn ....... There's more than one vessel lying on the bottom up near Greenland - a USCG Cutter also went down, victim of a U-Boat attack. I don't know about that term closure - I understand what some people mean by it - but seems to me that if someone was on a vessel during WWII, and he or the vessel hasn't returned - the conclusion should be apparent. Now identifying wreckage, that's another story. If we can do it with wrecks of other vessels - surely with the resources at hand, we should be able to take care of our own - especially those who gave their lives for the defense and protection of us all. Boris put the man down - down, boy, down! Geez, Dan have a drink on me ........ Tom
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 21:25:48 Evenin' Nick Appreciate your stopping by .... Insofar as that Highland Supper goes, I'm not sure there'd be too many takers - however - I've been wrong before, but I like to think I'm right tonight! I have no problem with you putting it on the menu for Friday, the 12th. Somehow, with Pizza Nite and Steak 'n Fries as our advertised Friday Fare - this could make it interesting. Go for it, Chief Chef By the by, looks like you may have a fellow countryman from the British Isles visiting with us ... check out the post from pwolfe Oh, Leon the Night Man has arrived, which means: I'm outta here. Tom
QUOTE: Gunns Posted: 08 Aug 2005, 22:33:54 Hi Tom] An Aother ABC for me, Ahhh Week ends are good..... Have been out on a tool buying spree... making most of my own lathe tools to save the club money. so I am filling up my tool box. On that note, ever thought of the amount of maintenance it took to keep a first class "Name" train up to standard? Did Pullman do their own maintenance or did the leasing roads do it? Later all Gunns
QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 09, 01:08:16 Good evening everyone.Tom I hear you with your computer woes. I'm strictly on dial up at the moment as bell hasn't launched DSL in my subdivision yet.I quite often get bounced off and I'm still logged in. So it seems I'm being aloof but in reality I'm dealing with busy signals and tend to give up till the next day.Ted I do hope you are soon to be over your newest medical woes. We need you and your w(h)it(t) firing on all cylinders.I recieved your picture CD today and will now see if I can't get it to post up to my railimages account for you.Chris Glad your back in the land of the functioning have a good vacation. Tom I don't have a url for it . but the eurotrain that ran on the ONR was called the TEE train. It's no longer with us but I do remember seeing it pull into Toronto Union on occasion during the 70's and 80's. Never had the pleasure of riding on it though. I thought there was some shot's and info on it on that ONR site Nick gave us many a page back. Al Any way that info may have been from the bytown boy's in Ottawa? I've seen some pretty illegible post marks come from that a ways. Well must be off work tomorrow play / work at the museum all day wed.BTW Dan we wear ties abd dreass pants.n.shirts as uniform at the museum as well. Seems to be the museum uniform of choice. Well I'm off fer now. Rob
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