"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[BudKarr]

Hello Captain Tom (wherever you are) - so perhaps I should rephrase that to Hello bartender. Today I'll settle for one of your sandwiches and a cold bottle of Moosehead Ale. Thank you.

Why these pages look busy. It took me quite awhile just to get to the point where I felt comfortable with making some comments. Nice to note the presence of some new people. You were absolutely on the mark with your approach. Well done.

I have been back from my rather short trip away and will be gone again next week. My plans are to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with a dear friend, in Canada as a matter of fact. We have been sharing the U.S. holiday for years and sometimes she comes here and it is my turn to head north.

It is difficult and not my style to be as inclusive (as you put it) with my responses. For someone who really is not a rail fan nor a hobbyist, you can well imagine how far down the learning curve I am. My progress is always forward moving, but I have very little of substance to offer, other than expressing my thoughts based on observations.

Sir Nick in Wales, you are quite the wit and I too had to laugh at the continuation of that situation in Captain Tom's Gazette with Inspector Clueless. Very entertaining. Well done.

Msrs. Trolleyboy and Passengerfan your postings are absolutely filled with relevance to what Captain Tom hoped this site (thread) would become. Thanks to the both of you, along with one West Coast S and Coalminer3, I cannot but help learn about trains!

Finally, those nostalgia posts really round out the information exchange. I find them very helpful and they do bring back memories. Very much appreciated here and over on your other site.

Until the next time, then -- enjoy the weekend all.

BK

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening to one and all,looks like I shall be manning the stove single handed tonight. As it is a full moon,Boris has the evening off to attend the monthly Clan Gathering up in the high country,near the gorge.
Since he appears to be sulking about his pet being used to prevent a cut of cylindrical hoppers from running away he is neither use nor ornament and best out of the way.
I`m sure [4:-)]TOM will `lend` me Cindy if things get too hectic [:-^],Right then Bossman,lets have a couple o`them big green beauties to wet the whistle and the customary round for the house to celebrate the weekend---Happy Thanksgiving to one and all,---health,wealth & happiness in equal measure !
DON-As noted by TOM,over here fries are called chips & chips are called crisps...see-easy really [%-)] ( happily,beer is bier wherever you go [^])-I found some nice shots of operations around Bayview on a site called `Ontario Railways Photos`,the print out I have to hand gives an address @ http://www.michaeltaylor.ca/Ontario/via6541.shtml for the pic which should drop you into the site ( I hope-will check it out directly and report back )-yup,it works ( also [4:-)]TOM there are some VIA R.D.C shots there).
I have some pix somewhere of `Flying Scotsman` running on the Dart Valley line in Devon,sadly,She`s in B.R#60103 guise with `elephant ear` smoke deflectors which really don`t suit, will try to dig some out for sunday pix.
As to the cooking,I first learned how to burn a sausage at scout camp ( the Corn Flakes tend to run out by day two and it`s cook or starve) and the whole process is far less mysterious than it seems-if it`s brown it`s done,if it`s black it`s bu**ered is a pretty good rule of thumb.[swg]
BK-welcome ashore,hope you enjoy your down time-We are all on various learning curves here,the beauty of this place is we all come in as equals,with no patronising or condescention and hopefully all leave a little wiser-works for me anyhow[^]
Glad you enjoyed the Gazette,I suspect it may become a regular feature,editor permitting [:-,]
That reminds me--[4:-)]TOM-now that we have a `print run` to fill,perhaps you will be able to take delivery of some of these Ontario Northland newsprint boxcars that are clogging up my transfer yard [:-^]
Right,lets get out to the galley and beat out some steaks whilst I try and find some train stuff that might be of general interest,see you in a bit,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Gents!

I've got the bar, thanx Cindy! [swg]

Nick You are aware that Armadillos hold grudges, aren't you [?] In this case, I can understand our cloven footed friend, Boris being out of sorts with his Boss - YOU - I'd say you may want to double bolt your doors tonight. <Geesh>

Nice pix on that URL - thanx! [tup] Speaking of pix, I doubt that I'll have anything for Sunday Photo Posting Day! - time for me to take a break ..... and of course for others to pick up the slack. [yeah] So, don't rush any pix right now - if they arrive, I'll Post 'em the following Sunday. [tup]

You have a surplus of ONR newsprints [?] Really [?] Bring a couple with you to the Rendezvous where a transfer can take place! [swg]

Just the sound of a sizzlin' steak, a cold brew and just a few trimmin's makes me hungry. Wouldn't ya know it - I have a 7 AM appointment for some blood work and I'm fasting! [tdn]

Catch y'all later (maybe) - Leon the Night Man takes over at 9 PM 'til closing ....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Hey [4:-)]TOM-that `dillo holds no fears for me !!-as well as small demon Hannah this house plays host to three traditional Llangwm cats-size of a fox,disposition of a drunk Welsh rugby fan-will take on anything up to a small saloon car with a fair chance of winning.
No worries on the pix,even barkeeps need time away [swg].
As it happens,the O.N.R boxes are all in use on the regular run from Smooth Rock Falls down to the New York Times print works,but a couple of Can-Am/Cymru International ( The Zeppelin Route) 50` boxes are in the pipeline-what are the `house` colours ?
Hope all goes well with the blood work,will have a medium-rare 12oz sirloin with fries,onion rings,mushrooms,grilled tomatos,a side of slaw & a salad bowl ready for your return,see ya,nick[C=:-)]

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to the new faces. Tom, I'll take a plate of pizza and just leave the carafe of water here, please. Lot of reading tonight and some notes to help me respond.
Theodorebear, I used to be a Civil War reenactor. I was Union infantry but my love of railroads drove me to collect anything related to that era's railroads. I have several books of mostly personal memories and a few broader histories. Numerous photo books, too. If anyone has any CW rr questions I might be able to help. Nothing much before the war, though.
Pete, I have a book about Civil War in the Cinema around here somewhere. If I get any more books, I'll have to emulate John Barriger and reinforce the floor under the bookshelves.
Jlampke, the Katy staged the headon in Crush, Tx, as a publicity stunt. Obsolete American types were painted one green, one red, and set in motion towards each other while folks watched, and IIRC, an early movie camera rolled. One man lost his life when a large bolt pierced his head. Can you imagine this happening today?
Tom, I loved the name train list. My favorite, Frisco, was well represented for a road its size. Typing that must have truly been a labor of love (or insanity).
Trolleyboy, I enjoyed the diesel list of the CN and related lines. Sometimes I wonder how even the professional bean counters can keep stuff like that straight. GTW had a rebuilding program at its Battle Creek shops that some of the Geeps of these roads were cycled thru.
Passengerfan, enjoying the lists of engine and car assignments on name trains. I looked carefully thru the CRIP post for a familiar engine number and sure enough, you did'nt let me down. E6 630 doing what its designer intended. Midland's webmaster had a job transfer so I do not have any idea what the website looks like now, but used to in the pictures section, was a great shot of yours truly firing the 630. Look for my long skinny arm on the window ledge as we cross a road.

[siberianmo]

Good Evenin' Gents!

Just a couple of acknowledgments, then I'm outta here .....

Nick Received your Email response - thanx!

House colors [?] Hmmmmm, since I haven't customized any of my RR, I would consider the Can-Am to be the same as Via Rail's blue/yellow livery. I am not at all inclined or talented enough to get into that aspect of the hobby .... nope, no Sir, not me! [swg]

I'll put my money on the Armadillo - tougher 'n nails from what I've heard. [yeah]

Given the rather sparse contributions of the weekends, the time has come to "chill" a bit. Saturdays have become the ENCORE! with responses and acknowledgments, but not "timely." Sunday of course is "off day," and I'm lookin' forward to it! [swg] I'll still take the boyz up to the Gorge however - that is a given. [tup]

Can't recall the last time you were 'round here on a Friday night! Great to have you back as a regular! [tup][tup][tup]

Why is it that one's hunger becomes insatiable when one is permitted to eat [?] Oh well, another glass of - errrrrrrrrr - water will have to do! [swg]

earlydiesels Dan

Good to see ya again .... I've sent you a couple of Emails and hope all is progressing well for you. I presume your computer/access difficulties have abated .......

You, Sir, have lots to catch up on .... good luck! [swg]

Yes, we have some new guys at the bar and I'm hoping for even more. We've dropped a few of our regulars given that they apparently have dropped us. One significant loss is that of West Coast S Dave who may or may not return. His contributions rank among the finest and I surely hope his situation gets resolved sufficiently enough to permit his resumption of activities here. Just check the SUMMARIES over the past week or two and you'll see who is still 'round here.

Okay guyz - I'm gone - Boris the Night Man has the bar.

Nite! [zzz]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the usual and[C=:-)]NICKS steak and the trimmings please[tup].

Sorry to start with some sad news but in a U.K. Railway Mag. I have just got there is a report of a serious fire that occurred in a Railway Museum in Nuremburg, Germany. About 20 locos were in involved about 10 of which are steam and some Historic cars and railcars, some of which have been damaged beyond repair.[:(]

Thanks for the round AL and the great posts. I find the train consists very interesting,and as ROB says the information gathered at OUR PLACE, especially as a newcomer to N. American railroads is really appriciated[tup].

TED I'm afraid I wasnt very clear about the Double-Track on the G.C.R.Most of the preserved lines in the U.K. are single track with pasing loops mainly at stations.What they have done between Loughbourgh and Rothley is re-instate the track to make it Double-Track all the way(The original track was removed by B.R. when the line was sold to the preserved railway).so that trains can now pass each other at speed. They have also re-signalled the line with semaphore signals it looks superb.On a gala day a few years ago they did have trains running in the same direction with the steam passenger service passing alongside a demonsratation freight train hauled by a steam loco. It was like going back to the steam days 40 years ago on a 4-Track main line.

JEAMPK I think one of the reasons why the use of diesels under the wires is that I believe with privatisation when the tracks were owned by a seperate company and the train operating companies paid for the track use there was a surcharge for using electric traction.Although I read recently that the Goverment is trying to encourage electric traction. At least most of the old passenger electric stock on the Southern and West-Coast lines have been replaced by new electric stock.

NICK This summer the Flying Scotsman was tried without the smoke-deflectors on the York to Scarborough trip but there was a problem with the drifting smoke so they have been refitted.I think that the chimney arrangement must have been changed since the Scotsman was first preserved.

EARLYDIESELS DAN Any railroad Cival-War stories would be great. Was there another staged loco collision in which there were quite a few people hurt when the boiler exploded[?] In the 1980s in the U.K. they staged a collision with a class 46 2500HP 120 ton diesel loco and three cars running at 100 mph in to a container used to carry nuclear materials to test its integraty. It was Container 1 Loco 0.


TOM Liked the ad for the Railraod Officials books 8 dollars a year seems a bit expensive for that time though, what would a railroad magazine cost about then[?].
Over the pond the mags would have been about 25 cents at that time.
Have replied to the E-Mail PETE.

[West Coast S]

Eveing Tom and gang.. Appreciate the messages, to the gang, i'm, very much alive, just not a computer owner at the moment, soon, very soon that situation will be rectified, if only the employment situtation was that positive! . I see Boris is being his usual self. A round for the house, cause it's been so long, good to be back among friends. I'll post as the oppertunity to borrow a puter permits.

Hope all appreciated the WP RDC piece, it got me thinking and sure enough I have photos of the only RDC-1 SP ever rostered, true, it was in the service of new owners, but the trademark SP features were still present, this operation shut down in the 90's I wonder what became it? . Tom, WP was exacting in their specifications, Budd hoped the positive WP sale would cause other railroads to place orders for a model more durable and suitable for long distance travel, history could have been quit different if such a version had ever left the design stage, by that late date, the passenger train had begun its fade into history and not even the RDC concept could redeem it .


A special round of the best Ale of your choice, for our good friends across the pond and and in the land down under , who else would have the forty two year old parts my car requires? Hip-Hip hurray!

I see, Tom some slight changes have occured, too many kiddies with too much time and nothing constructive to share? Well, obviously I have some catching up to do, I promised Tom i'd be by to say hello and see that all have a tall, cool libation of their choice. Ok Boris set um' up, "I shall return".

Dave

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon I'll grab a Keith's and a nice big med/rare sirloin.

Tom I have brought in a selection of ontario wines and micro brews for thanks-giving as well as assorted squash and other fixings,just in case you decide to have an Our Place thanksgiving meal. I figure that we can let Boris and Leon hunt for the main coarse over the weekend when you take them for their day out. One suggestion is keep tex between you and the boyz,he will probalbly deflect any stray rounds.[:O][xx(]

That was an interesting quide book listing , any idea if it's still published ?

Al wonderfull info on the Southern belles as per usual.[bow] Did some of the cars off of them survive to become company inspection trains on the roads involved ? Or were they just absorbed into Amtrak in the 70's ?

BK Glad you made it back,hope your Thanksgiving trip NOB is pleasant, we had a dusting of white stuff today and the temps are becomming more shall we say seasonal. ( pack your long johns ) I find that you are fairly inclusive with your responces and you yourself have added a few well done info posts to our collection[tup] thank-you for enjoying the ramblings I have posted from time to time, always nice to know that it's read and that people are gaining something from them.

Ted I'll send you a dress code email, but for what it's worth dress comfortably, I'm not booking us for any 5 star galas or anything.[swg]

Not to worry I'll make sure that neither Tom or I get into much trouble,if you want we can chaparone you so you don't find yourself dragged to waywardly well in TO. [:-^]



Nick Isn't houswork a joy? Makes you wi***hat you were still living in caves and not nessecarily walking uprigtht. I figure that the Neanderthalls nver had yo sweep out the cave every six months.

Nice url from bayview as well, I liely have chatted with Mr taylor as I used to take alot of shots there myself. If time permits in May I may suggest we spend an hour there we'll see. there is a walkbridge that spans the tracks at the RBG ( Royal Botanical Gardens). Once the railimages is up again you will see several pictures of trains I've shot there,I may add a few more once the upgrades at railimages are finished.


Don yes bayview is a busy hub the third track should make it quite interesting indeed. That's supposed to be finished next summer so time will tell.

In the 60's the"red rockets" would indeed have been PCC cars. By 1965 the TTC was an all PCC car system slightly over 700 cars in total. The boxier cars you saw would have been Peter Witt's, They were the backbone of the TTC from there original purchase in 1921 till their retirement in 1965. To interesting facts about the Toronto Witts are that they were the first cars bought by the TTC. Pre 1921 Toronto had three major streetcar companies. The Toronto Railway company TRC, the Toronto Civic Railway TCR and the Toronto Suberban Railway TSR they were amalgamated along with the North Yonge railways into the TTC in 1921. The Witt cars were also the first cars to be called the" Red Rockets " of coarse that name has continued to the CLRV's today.

If you check the Monday indexes you will find the listing for my Classic Juice series. I did a bit on The Peter Witt cars a few weeks back,it may add a bit of info about the Witt cars that you might find interesting.



Dan & Dave Glad that you both have made it back have a shot of something on me.

Dan glad you liked the CNR diesel thing ( figured you would ) The battle Creek shops did do alot of rebuilding and repair work. alot of it on the specs of the work CN did at the Point Ste Charles shops in PQ. They also did frieght car and caboose rebuilding,again along the lines of the CN built and designed Pte ST Charles cabooses( cabeese )[:D] made from old retired 36' boxcars

Well folks I'll be back in a bit with another BC rail tidbit.

Rob

[trolleyboy]

So I've come back with a bit of BCR info for everyone. This is a general exerpt from BC Rails Time table # 16. It came into effect at 0001Sunday October 26, 1986

Speed Table
Where speed limit is indicated. Minimum time for any one mile.
05 miles an hour ......................... 12 min 0 sec.
10 miles an hour ......................... 6 min 0 sec.
15 miles an hour ......................... 4 min 0 sec.
18 miles an hour ......................... 3 min 20 sec.
20 miles an hour ......................... 3 min 0 sec.
25 miles an hour ......................... 2 min 24 sec.
30 miles an hour ......................... 2 min 0 sec.
35 miles an hour ......................... 1 min 45 sec.
40 miles an hour ......................... 1min 30 sec.
45 miles an hour ......................... 1min 20 sec.
50 miles an hour ......................... 1min 12 sec.
55 miles an hour ......................... 1min 5 sec.
60 miles an hour ......................... 1min 0 sec.
65 miles an hour ......................... 55sec.

All divisions except Port subdivision. To be governed by Pacific Standard time or Pacific daylight savings time.

M.G. Noris President and Chief Executive Officer
A.G. Sturgeon Senior Vice President
J.C. Trainor Manager-Operations & Maintenance
B.M. McIntosh Chief of Transportation


SAFETY is of the first importance of discharge of duty

OBEDIANCE to the rules is essential to SAFETY

[siberianmo]

SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

G’day! Saturday has arrived! [yeah] Why not start your weekend with us [?] Check out our freshly brewed coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> breakfast from our Menu Board. [tup]

Yet another fantastic day of Posts – slow start, fine finish! [tup] Way to go …..

Info for the Day:

Nothing special – “routine” for the weekend:

(1) Today is ENCORE! day. This means the Posting of “stuff’ seen before, preferably something from ‘way back’ on the pages.

(2) We are CLOSED on Sunday[/red. However, it is also [red]Sunday Photo Postsing Day! Slip your photo’s and messages through the slots in either set of front doors, and they will be Posted! Replies may be far ‘n few between ……

(3) We open up at 6 AM (all time zones!) on Monday.

INDEX Mondays only!

The INDEX feature will be REMOVED from the daily SUMMARY. Not to worry, it will be Posted every Monday, immediately following the daily SUMMARY. Watch for it!

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 05:38:32 (166) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 05:56:31 (166) Acknowledgments, etc.

(3) jlampke John Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 06:43:23 (166) Inclusive Post!

(4) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 07:19:33 (166) Inclusive Post!

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 07:29:47 (167) Acknowledgments, etc.

(6) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 08:26:27 (167)

(7) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 08:29:04 (167)

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 08:40:01 (167) Note on RailImages

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 08:44:29 (167) Hours and Food Service at “Our” Place

(10) jdonald Don Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 11:49:35 (167) Inclusive Post!

(11) passengerfan Al Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 12:39:30 (167) The Southern Belles

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 13:29:27 (167) Acknowledgments, etc.

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 13:40:53 (167) NOSTALGIA – Ad – List of RR Officials (1956)

(15) BudKarr BK Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 15:51:28 (167)

(16) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 18:15:44 (167) Inclusive Post!

(17) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 18:38:46 (167) reply to nickinwestwales

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 19:05:49 (167)

(19) earlydiesels Dan Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 20:33:34 (167) Inclusive Post!

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 21:04:01 (167) Acknowledgments, etc.

(21) pwolfe Pete Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 22:12:01 (167) Inclusive Post!

(22) West Coast S Dave Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 23:51:16 (167) He’s baaaaaaaaack!

(23) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 00:45:56 (167) Inclusive Post!

=======================================
That’s it! [tup][;)]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[wanswheel]

Morning Tom and everyone. Scrambled eggs and grits? Coffee, please.

Found this note from New York Central System:

"You are cordially invited to take advantage
of the dining facilities provided on this train for
dinner this evening. The diner will be open for
service until 9:30 P.M., Standard Time.

Liquid refreshments may also be obtained in
the diner, as well as in the lounge car.

And by the way, why not enjoy breakfast in
the diner before you detrain?

The dining car will be open for breakfast
service from 6:00 A.M., Standard Time, featuring
a wide variety of tabled'hote selections and a la
carte items.

The porter of your sleeping car will be glad to
accept instructions to call you in sufficient time to
enable you to have breakfast enroute."
_________________________________________

I grew up in the suburbs and there were no black people in my life at all except the porters and the dining car waiters. They were good men, I really respected them. And I was truly amazed how they poured hot coffee in a cup at 65 mph without spilling a drop, always seeming to anticipate every random lurch and sway .

It's a near certainty that this post will disappear into the ether if I don't post it soon. I'll try to catch up later.

Mike

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and afresh pastrie from the Mentor Bakery. Diet oif course.

Just thought I would try and answer Robs question about the KCS cars I mentioned in the original SOUTHERN BELLES. None of the cars in the original trains survived all were scrapped. The postwar SOUTHERN BELLES I will do at a later date several of those cars survive today and the KCS bought the last coaches delivered by P/S in June July 1965 numbered 270-279 as 72 revenue seat cars. These all went to one of the eastern roads for commuter service and it is my understanding several may still be in service in private ownership. Not sure about the fate of any of the other postwar KCS cars except I understand those KCS cars from the NYC and remodeled being Budd cars one or two may have survived.

Time for me to hit the books my finals are monday need to study.

TTFN

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

Another fine day of Posts with a slow start in the AM, but great wind up in the PM. Nice work, guyz! [tup]

I should mention at the get-go that I will be largely unavailable this afternoon …. So guyz, it’s up to you to keep ‘er movin’ [tup] Cindy will have the bar …… Be nice!

I see that the RailImages photo site is still ‘down’ – not to worry, guyz, they are installing upgraded gear and it will be up ‘n runnin’ before ya know it. Just check the bottom of the SUMMARY – when the pix reappears, the site is back! [tup]

So, on to the acknowledgments:

pwolfe Pete Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 22:12:01

Email received, Mate and we’ll see you at the picnic tables perhaps around 1:45 PM … reservations are for 2 PM ……we are looking’ forward to it! [tup]

Always sad news to learn of disaster striking where one least expects it – what a shame. Lost, except in pix and memories. Hopefully whatever was left, can be restored to some semblance of original condition.

I wasn’t a train magazine purchaser back in the mid-50’s. That’s when my military career began. I can tell you that Model Railroader was selling for 50 cents in the early 60’s, if memory serves correctly. So, that’s $6 per year, which does make that “mini” RR officials book seem out of whack. Keen observation, my man! [tup]

Who is the world is “JEAMPK” [?][?] Got your fingers stuck between the keys, didja [?] [swg]

West Coast S Dave Posted: 18 Nov 2005, 23:51:16

Well, the secret must be to keep mentioning your name, and “walla” you will appear! Kinda like the Genie popping out of the jug! [swg] Great to have you back and needless to say, we’ve missed your patronage! Those afternoon time slots (for most of our time zones) really have been hurtin’ since you left. By the by – thanx for the Emails – was beginning to wonder, but now it’s clear. [tup]

Yes, we’ve had lots of “stuff” goin’ on ‘round here, some new folks, and really insightful and well thought out Posts. Remember, the credit for this kinda input goes to guys like you and coalminer3 CM3, for way back when, you two were on top of these extremely interesting and informative Posts. Just a bit more than “facts,” which always makes for great reading (and learning)! [tup][tup]

Hope you are able to catch up and meld back into the fold!

Appreciate the round! [tup][tup]

[trolleyboy Rob Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 00:45:56 and 01:07:31

Good idea for a U.S. Thanksgiving meal – and I’d like to let those of you who do not celebrate it, oversee it! Deal [?] I won’t be ‘round here that day, and expect we’ll have some other absences as well. But for those who do show up, it would be a nice gesture indeed. Go for it, Mate! [tup][tup] Something you and Chief Chef [C=:-)]Nick can surely handle. [swg]

[yeah] I’d say Tex the Armadillo would indeed be a good “rounds deflector”! Between you and Nick that poor beast hasn’t a chance! <grin>

Nice work on that BCR table – looks great! You appear to have “mastered’ the Siberianmo School of Forum’s Posting Preparation (SSOFPP) quite well! [swg]

I found it amazing that my Toronto (downtown) experiences may indeed be more extensive than yours! I counted up my trips (overnights) and they number a dozen over the years. So, yes, I’m familiar with the “territory” and used to have a couple of special places to frequent. However, when it comes to riding the steel rails, I’m limited to VIA Rail and the subway. No matter, we’ll have a blast and the time cannot pass quickly enough for me. [tup]

That ad for the “Guide Book” is all I am aware of. My guess is that it is long gone from the scene as the North American passenger roads bit the dust. Perhaps a web search would reveal some info – but all I got was the stuff available on eBay, etc.

wanswheel Mike Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 07:20:27

Nice Post, Mike – that’s the idea! [tup]

Also, your comments about the train crews brings to mind a Post or two back on the pages. I think BudKarr BK discussed a friend of his who was a Pullman Porter back in the apex of U.S. passenger rail. I also had an acquaintance with a similar background. Color had not entered my mind, other than the reality of what a difficult time men like the guy I knew must have had to content with. Appreciate the thought. [tup]

passengerfan Al Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 08:42:40

Didn’t catch a reply to my question, so I’ll go ahead with naming your “place” on the redesigned INDEX. Better get crackin’ with those books, Mate! [swg]

The name will be passengerfan Al’s Streamliner’s Corner – watch for it Monday.


Okay, time for me to get about the routine of Saturday AM – then I’m gone for a bit!

Later!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom, and all my good friends. I'll have my usual 3 light breakfasts, and iced tea.
Howdy to all the regulars and a special welcome to others who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. BK, John, Dave, Mike and Don [#welcome] !! I'm just the guy who hasn't had much rail travel, but spends his time working on locos and such at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Il.

It sure took me a long time to catch-up on the posts of the last week. Tom, Ted, CM3, Rob, Pete, Dave, Dan, Al and Nick have us usual, put forth incredible efforts assimilating stories and information. The aforementioned newer peope have really been contributing as well. Seems everyone is contributing but me!

But what's this? International rug smuggling? Cookware stored in Boris' shack?(I wondered how the bootlace got into my soup). CM3's continuing induction into "POOTS"? "This is a Day, that Will"? Man ... this is my kind of place![^]

Thanks to all who complimented the pic of the Illinois Treminal car I posted last Sunday. It really wasn't much of an effort considering the typical post found here. So here's what I'm gonna do. Here's a reprint of an article from the now defunct Vintage Rail magazine. I will submit this article in three parts, cuz it's too long for me to type in one sitting! If you would like to see more of this, I'll start a series on this thread of more of the same from fallen-railfan magazines.

The following article is reprinted from Vintage Rails magazine 1999 March/April Issue.

The Making of a Railroad Signalman – By Ken Frazer

A railroad signalman’s job in the late 1940’s provided an opportunity to experience the end of the golden era of railroads. Steam power was still pounding the rails. Passenger service, while declining, was still viable, and master craftsmen were still available to pass on their skills to apprentices. I was one of those apprentices who had the good fortune to have caring “old hands” show a novice the way to perform his craft while surviving freezing temperatures, heat exhaustion, and the hazards of railroad work.

Railroading came to me naturally. At one time or another, two uncles, and aunt, two cousins, and my father knew a foreman in the Bridge and Building Department. I was able to get summer jobs when I was 14 and 15 years old, painting the fences between station platforms and working on the railroad’s New York Harbor piers.

The Initiation – After graduating from high school and not being able at the time to attend college, I entered the work world as a helper in the signal department on the Lackawanna Railroad. While having family working on the railroad was responsible for getting summer work and my signal helper’s job, at the same time it made the situation tougher, because I did not want to reflect badly on my family, and the foreman didn’t want to take it easy on me in front of the other men.

It was with this background that I reported to work at the signal construction camp cars in Hackettstown, New Jersey, to foreman Bill Brickman. He had a line crew, a wiring crew, and the subterranean excavation group (digging trenches and burying cable). Foreman Brickman felt that I was qualified for the latter group. It was in this group that I learned the Brickman rule; When digging trenches, you do not have one man pick and another shovel while the first rests. Each man in the trench picks and shovels - continuously.

As we worked our way West towards Washington, New Jersey, I learned how the line crew “grunt” ties material onto the lineman’s ground line so that it won’t fall off. I learned the soft, flat (non-tumbling) toss, chest high, to the lineman up on the pole.

About four to six men would take the end of a line wire to be pulled and head into brush-covered hills and gullies, wherever the line people went, and pulled 1,000 feet of the wire at a time. The line crew boss was Mike Schwartz. A slender, wiry man who was absolutely fearless on the pole. However, he had a thing about pulling the lines up really tight. As Fall approached, we had a cool night after a hot day, punctuated by his calls to “pull it up tighter, men.” The next morning we found some of the lines which had been up tight in the heat of the day snapped like high C on the piano during the cool of the night, causing crossarms to spring sideways. After that, the “pull it tighter” syndrome moderated.

The work of the signal changes associated with the installing APB (absolute and permissive block) single-tracking, replacing style B semaphores with style S, and replacing primary batteries with storage batteries continued on up to Washington, New Jersey, where the camp cars were located. Transportation of men and materials was by gang motorcar and by a ¼ ton pickup truck with benches in the truck bed under a canvas top. Today, canvas-topped truck to transport men is unthinkable, if not illegal, and Hi-Rails have replaced motorcars. But every day, 10 hours a day (in order to get home weekends and an early quit on Fridays for travel), “Cookie” would send us out after breakfast with our lunch bags to load either the truck (mostly line crew) or the gang car for the day’s work. Meals were like those in the Army; simple but nourishing, and some very tasty, especially after a day out on the tracks.

Graduation From Grunt – After my first six months, I began to get assigned to the wiremen. This was a wonderful new world for me. They wired the signals, switches, relay boxes, and other devices. While I would still work with the line crew or cable trench excavation sometimes, I spent an increasing amount of time with Joe Swetz and George Will, two excellent wiremen. Since my father was a telephone lineman/maintainer and radio ham, I had some knowledge of electrical circuits. With this knowledge, I would try to figure out how the signals worked from studying the signal circuit prints until I didn’t understand a symbol of how a device worked. Then Joe or George would explain.

As we worked our way West out of Washington towards the Delaware River, my usual duties were carrying their toolbags, putting eyes on wires, and skinning and potheading cables. I would also stand in back of the relay box and push wires through holes in the backboard identified by the wireman poking a straw through his side of the hole. They also let me wire battery boxes by myself. The fact that the fresh creosote in the new battery box wood, baking in the sun, burned your nostrils and wrists may have had something to do with this generous beneficence! With my rapid progress in learning to read the circuits, and just as certainly good recommendations from my wiremen “mentors”, I was promoted to assistant signalman.

I experienced the serious side of railroading one morning when we left Washington going West on our motorcar with two flatcars of cable reels, while a track gang car pulling two flats with rail left Portland, Pennsylvania, going East. We sighted each other in a curved cut, and with wet morning rails and pulling loaded flatcars, it was clear there was no way we were going to stop in time. Foreman Brickman yelled “Jump!” Our exit was followed by all 250 pounds of Brickman. We were still bouncing along the roadbed when the two gang cars met head-on in a cloud of dust and debris. My lunchbox was transformed into an accordion, but all of our men were OK except for bumps and bruises. Three of the track gang, older men who didn’t jump, had some more serious injuries, fortunately not life threatening. Brickman sent a man back East to flag No. 47, which was about 45 minutes behind us, and we all proceeded to clear the track of wreckage. When 47 arrived, the injured were loaded aboard, and we proceeded to push one of our flats back to Washington to lick our wounds and contemplate the inevitable investigation. It should be noted that in this era, motorcars were not given track warrants, orders, or other rights of track. The were given lineups, which together with the timetable provided information on trains. Other motorcar movements were not necessarily part of the lineup information.

[:I] End of Part One [:I]


By the way ... I am seriously considering joining the Rendevous in Toronto. Could someone send me the current plan and particulars? Thanks!

[siberianmo]

Hello barndad Doug

Just wanted you to know that I caught your most excellent Post and I'll have anEmail put together for you regarding our First Annual Rendezvous in Toronto - probably in the 'morrow. Deal [?] We'd certainly love to have you join us .........

Glad to hear that you are still with us and there's little doubt in my mind that you are indeed "one of us." As I've been harpin' for months, it isn't the quantity of Posts so much as the quality. [yeah] [tup]

Nice work and the article is a good "fit" with what we've been readin' 'round here!

Hope you can offer some pix for Sunday Photo Posting Day! as I'm probably gonna be away for most of the time - could change, but doesn't look promising.

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENCORE! ENCORE! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Something from the past .........


The Rat’s Patoot Room

Okay, it’s now official –Thanx to the overwhelming response [?] – ”Our” Place how has a Rat’s Patoot Room! [yeah][wow]

That area just to the left of the Juke, to the right of the pool tables, and catywumpus from the Hizzens and Herins rooms, is where it’s at! [swg] The idea is to use the room in order to vent when whatever overwhelms you takes charge. There are some comfortable chairs in there – padded walls – and a couple of punching bags too! [tup] So, have at it …….

Tom (Siberianmo) [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!
(click to enlarge)

[Anonymous]

Good morning again Tom and friends. I'll have more ice tea and please set-up my esteemed clients with whatever they're having. Thanks for the response, and by the way, I really enjoyed the pics of your subway cars going through your layout! Your fallen flag classic route names was also first rate!

Here's part two of my plagarized signalman article. Hope ya'll approve.

March/April 1999 Vintage Rails Magazine

The Making of a Railroad Signalman by Ken Frazer – part II

As we continued to work our way West past Oxford Furnace, Bridgeville, and Manunka Chunk (where the interlocking tower was removed), the camp cars were relocated to Portland, Pennsylvania. Portland was a good location for camp cars for a number of reasons. The siding was right in the middle of town, and the freight agent let us use the toilet in the freight house – as opposed to Washington, where facilities consisted of a “two-holer” about 100 feet from the camp cars, and which had the unique air flow characteristics whereby paper thrown from one hole would levitate out of the 2nd hole as it followed the mischievous air currents. The down side of Portland was demonstrated when several loaded cement cars got away from the nighttime Bangor Branch “cementer” and sent several freight cars on the siding next to the camp cars sailing over the bumping block and almost into Main Street.

Out of Portland we worked East to Manunka Chunk and West to Slateford Junction in the scenic Delaware Water Gap, where the newer New Jersey Cutoff joined back with the “old road” on which we were working. Manunka Chunk was notable for its curved tunnel, which prevented your seeing if anything was coming as you walked through. Another feature was the snake-infested brush over the top, through which we pulled line wire. There was also an iron grill covering a smoke hole on top, with a rusted ladder disappearing into the dark hole below. With removal of the tower on the West side of the tunnel, an electric lock protected the junction to which the Pennsylvania Railroad came in from Belvidere and ran a passenger train over the Lackawanna to Stroudsburg.

The shorter days brought colder and colder weather in Water Gap country, and the motorcar rides to and from work encouraged close huddling, as near as possible to the windscreen. At day’s end, covering the motorcar with its tarp and putting tools away was followed by the warmth of the camp cars. The combination mess and kitchen car was warmer, with its coal cook stove, than the bunk car. All of these cars were converted wood coaches. The shower, which held about five or six men, was also in the kitchen car, while the foreman had an area at the end of the bunk car with a bed and a small desk. The warmth and hot meal had been eagerly anticipated for several hours preceding quitting time.

My initiation to mainline commuter territory signal work took place while I was home for Christmas. A blizzard struck the Northeast the day after Christmas, and a call came to report for snow duty to Grove Street Tower at the East end of Bergen Tunnel. Here you learned the trick of survival in the dark out on the tracks in a blizzard during the rush, where train separation was just a few minutes apart. The four holes of the Bergen Tunnel spread out to about a dozen tracks over slips, frogs, and switches. The four tunnel tracks were reversible, and traffic could flow in either direction on any track. You had to watch for headlights and look in the opposite direction to see what signal was pulled up, thus determining what route over the interlocking a train would take. During rush hours, there would often be two headlights coming in opposite directions. The trick was to interpret this information quickly and, keeping your feet out of the switches, move through the blinding snow to a safe spot. My spot was usually hugging the mid-span leg of a signal bridge.

With no hours of Service rules in that era for signal personnel, I worked 32 straight hours keeping switches operable. All the while I had to dodge silent MU electrics fed by the overhead 3,000-volt d.c. catenary, as well as steam-powered Boontoon Branch trains. I learned to do a thorough job of digging out the snow to make sure there was drainage under the switch points before hitting them with oil torches; Otherwise, the melted snow would freeze the switch rods into a block of solid ice. An ironic twist of the blizzard was that with the Lackawanna running when no other surface transportation could, it had thousands of riders who rarely, if ever, took the train. That made it impossible for trainmen to get through the overflowing cars to collect tickets, causing discomfort to the regular passengers and giving the non-regulars a free ride.

One week later a monster ice storm struck the same area, and line wires snapped all along the line from the weight of the ice. The electric commuter trains experienced more problems in the ice storm than in the snow, as cantenaries and pantographs iced over in any period of inactivity. It was an interesting electrical show to see a four-car MU (two motors and two trailers) try to pick up an express car on a siding with iced-over catenary and rails. My assignment was to work with a maintainer through the Summit-Chatham-Madison area splicing fallen line wires, usually patching in pieces just to restore signal operation until linemen could get to it later and pull it up in place on the crossarms. The ice made a thick crust on the previous week’s snow, which was piled up in drifts, some of which were five feet or more deep. So at times you were crunching through ice-capped snow, then walking on stronger ice that would support you, then breaking through the ice crust and into snow up to your chin. It was a relief to get back to the Portland camp cars and ordinary rotten weather.

[:I] Thus endith Part II [:I]

[siberianmo]

Yo barndad Doug

We approve! [tup][tup][tup] Nice work and much appreciated. Lot of digest with those, and undoubtedly the boyz at the bar will! [swg]

I got that Email off to you .... hope it addresses your questions.

Gotta run ...... Cindy still has the bar, Gents - don't panic! [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Hi again Tom, as I see you are still here. Hold the ice tea, but chip the patrons ... I just popped-in to post the third part of my article, and then run to read your mail! Here it is!

March/April 1999 Vintage Rails Magazine

The Making of a Railroad Signalman by Ken Frazer – part III

As winter wore on, I was doing some writing of my own. We had reached Slateford Junction, the limit of our division. In addition to my craft, I learned survival tricks, such as putting a canvas wind shield around a relay box and sticking my test lamp inside my parka for warmth. You used a five-gallon can with holes punched in the bottom and a soft coal fire (with coal supplied by your friendly local drill engine) to warn your hands, since you couldn’t wear gloves when wiring signal apparatus. At other Locations you would try to find a gulley to get out of the wind, set fire to an old tire, and toast your lunchtime sandwich on a coiled piece of No. 6 wire, followed by Cookie’s hot thermos of coffee.

A signalman at Last! – As the warmer weather returned, I was officially promoted to signalman and was wiring relay boxes, signals, and switches on my own, with my own signalman’s leather tool bag, made rectangular by a homemade tin interior. Signal wiremen had unique hand tools, small screws, nails, tags, wire eyes, etc., which lent themselves to an ordinary interior. Linemen had mostly hammers and wrenches tossed into the same type of leather bag, but theirs was allowed to assume any comfortable shape.

All of the work we had been doing led up to a series of cutovers. In conjunction with the superintendent and dispatchers, the signal engineer, Jack Heisler; his assistant, Ken Atkinson; and signal supervisor Les Moore would place the new signal circuits into operation. Ken Atkinson was the key to the whole operation. Prior to the cutover he supervised the design work in the Hoboken design office and checked the drawings by tracing each circuit in orange crayon on the finished drawings. The field drawings were original design prints marked with new wiring in red and wiring to be removed in yellow. The signalman in the field followed a similar pattern, placing red tags on new wires and yellow tags on wires to be removed.

When the signal to begin the cutover was given, the signalman proceeded to cut all the yellow-tagged wires and connect all red-tagged wires. You would then stand by until everyone along the line had completed their changes, and then the checking by Ken Atkinson began. He would direct signalmen by telephone at each signal location to shunt tracks, turn a relay over, remove certain wires, and receive information of the results of these checks at the various locations. He systematically accounted for each circuit checked on his master set of drawings by again tracing every circuit with his ever-present orange crayon. These cutovers typically took all day and sometimes all night, if the cutover was a major one.

Moving On- My continuing employment with the Lackawanna was an odyssey of serious, responsible, and fulfilling work, in which I probably walked, at various times, the whole division from Hoboken to Slateford and worked in every cable manhole from Newark to South Orange. Two years in the Army were followed by attending Newark College of Engineering at night. During the Say, work was mostly on interlocking plants and short headway electrified commuter territory. His was capped by cutovers conducted by Assistant Signal Supervisor Harvey Hill and Foreman Canfield Bloom (Bloomy to all), who provided humor and compassion in addition to their signal knowledge. I obtained a BSEE degree, which brought promotions to the signal design office and to assistant electrical engineer. My years with the Lackawanna ended when a merger with the Erie would have required my moving to Cleveland. But the experience of being transformed from a kid out of high school to a SIGNALMAN was unforgettable.

[:I] Thus endith the series [:I]

Humbly submitted by this unworthy one [bow]

[trolleyboy]

Morning Tom. I'll grab a joe and a selection of the mentor's finest pasteries. ( it's the weekend thecalouries don't count [:-^] )

You may indeed have had a few more trips to the big smoke but no matter. My Father in law was born there and between he and my wife i'm sure that I will get a good low down on the TTC surface routes. It's going to be fun. hope Dan can make it, let me know.

Glad to know that this old dog can still pass coarses even if they are just a posting exercise. [swg] Figuered that you would like that one though. Wonder who did the speed test for them when they came up with that chart ?




Wow { Dave ,Doug and Dan The three D's back in a twelve hour span, getting just like old times [tup][:D]

dan Loved the magazine article, far as I'm concerned keep em comming [tup]

mike Fine addition today,great info and reminicance on a definate classic fav around this place the NYC [tup] Nice how we take experiances like that with us. Like Tom said those poor guys had to put up with alot of injustices in the 50's and 60's. For thew longest time a Porters position was all they could attain.

Al Thanks for the car update, I knew that you wouldn't let me down. Good luck filing your brain for monday.

Nice reroll Tom though I don't think too many of us have had need of the Rat's Patoot room lately, I/ve noticed that it's become a play room of sorts for tex , Leon and Boris and the girls H&H when they are in town. ( arm wrestling don't cha know ) Seems Boris still can't beat Hilda though the matches carry on for aat least an hour now [:O]

Looks as though railimages is back again as well. So all's good in the land of pictures. Darn nice of them to do it in time for Sunday. [swg][:-^]


Rob

[Anonymous]

Wow, I'm really running late today. Tom, just a Stoli and tonic w/twist for this evening please. I popped in earlier but was interupted with another of those "friends in need are friends indeed" calls. When I returned, by a lucky chance, there was a T.V. documentary on the Canadian Rockies and the rail development in the region.[^] Couldn't say no to that but it did cause delays. Mike, John, Doug, sure great to hear from each of you. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts that are surely "on the mark" with info. and color "to boot."[tup] In general, I found passenger crew "Trainmen" and Pullman Porters very helpful and even thoughtful for their charges. They somehow never seemed too busy for a cordial answer to any question or request. Rob, somehow my "all smoke and no fire" jive on the Toronto stint was a misfire. Sorry, if anyone took offense to a bit of clowning around in jest. Westcoast Dave and BK good of you to drop in again with your welcome comments and insight.

Earlydiesels and Pete, I wanted to get a "pulse reading" on how the U.S. Civil War (before and after) had a tremendous impact on later technology from the massive movement of personnel and material to rapid train scheduling and routing. I was awaiting some input and since there seems to be interest, I'll "give it a go" on Monday. Another aspect of the post Civil War days was the ever present dangers of rail early rail travel. As we all know, tragedy runs "hand-in-hand" with new technology and the early railroad days had a peculiarly high passenger mortality rate. Partly due to slip shod rail and ballast laying practices plus plain and simple greedy "Robber Barons" cutting corners; the rails West were beset with avoidable carnage. More on that later.

So, the "railimages" site should be all set for tomorrow? That is good news for all of us whom enjoy seeing the labors of other's work and images of an era now in the past. Hey Mike, that was a nice touch of nostalgia on the "invitation" to the dinning cars. It falls into line with Tom's many quality posts in the same vein.[tup] Okay Boris, let's get it right this time. I pay and you ring. BONG...oh well, maybe next time.[V]

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and whoever's here. Thanks Rob andTed, I cannot take any credit for the writing, I literally found that scrap of paper in a box upstairs and copied it word for word.

Wow! that's a dazzling triple transcription Doug, great story .Probably the Dec. 26, 1947 blizzard. Eerie thing about the Lackawanna is how far Hoboken is from Penn Station if you're carrying a suitcase.

Re: pre-Civil War. This excerpt from "Vermont Central - Central Vermont, A Study in Human Effort" by Edward Hungerford, The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Inc., Baker Library, Harvard Business School, 1942:

"The Vermont Central (with its northerly extension, the Vermont and Canada) operating over its curious bridge-and-ferry combination over the foot of Lake Champlain, was completed into Rouses point and the connection with the Northern Railroad (of New York), and opened for regular traffic in the summer of 1851. In that same summer, a rail conection was made through to Montreal. Sixteen years before [1835], a railroad --the Champlain and St. Lawrence, designed largely for summer use -- had been opened from La Prairie, on the south bank of the St. Lawrence, across and above Montreal, to St. Johns on the navigable Richelieu River -- the outlet of Lake Champlain. In those days St. Johns was the foot of Lake Champlain navigation. In a short time this became a busy all-year route. It was extended in 1852 from St. Johns through to Rouses Point, fifty miles distant from the St. Lawrence, which in 1859 was bridged at Montreal by the famous Victoria Bridge of wrought iron, well over a mile in length. This bridge was a tunnel-like, tubular construction of twenty-five long spans. It was fabricated in England by the famous Stephenson engineering firm of Newcastle-on-Tyne, shipped to America [sic] and set up. At that time, and for years afterwards, it was rated as one of the seven wonders of the world."

Mike

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

Okay Cindy your long day is over – thanx for watching the store! [tup]

Back from Hermann, Missouri and a delightful afternoon with Pete and bride, Laura. Hermann is Missouri wine country and they have several great places to spend the time in this German founded Missouri River city. Had a great lunch at the 1847 Restaurant at the Stone Hill Winery., Great ambiance, wonderful location …. No trains! [swg]

I see RailImages is back up – just in time for Sunday Photo Posting Day! [tup]

I see the activity has not slacked, as anticipated for Saturday. Good show!

To the acknowledgments:

barndad Doug Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 11:22:24

All I can say is [wow] – fine effort and I will get to reading those three epistles of yours in the ‘morrow. Original Email sent to your old address – new one one the way.

trolleyboy Rob Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 12:05:05

With the amount of Posting today, the idea of ENCORE’s! appears a bit counter productive. However, the new guys may appreciate the “insights” from Posts-past. [swg]

Copy of Email sent to barndad Doug en route your way ….. Yes, it would be great to add one or more to our “list” of attendees. It is looking evermore “promising” as the interest in our get together increases. The more, the merrier for sure! [tup]

Hey! You’re the man in Toronto – I’m just a participant and have yielded the scepter to you, Mate! You get us lost – it’s YOUR caboose! [swg]

Theodoreber Ted Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 16:26:11

And the beat goes on … the Posts are incredible these days (daze)!

Emails received and responded to … Thanx! [tup]

That TV program you mentioned on rail development in the Canadian Rockies would have been a “keeper” for taping. Wish I had checked our TV listings ….. <groan>

Thanx for the round! [tup]

wanswheel Mike Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 17:43:47

Nice info on the Vermont Central of pre-Civil War times. Never knew any of it. Interesting how the “times” reflect the thinking of what “qualifies” for the so-called Seven Wonders of the World. I’ve always wondered, why only 7 [?] [swg]

The most important aspect of Posting info from other sources is to stipulate to that fact. You have and that’s just fine with us. If it “fits” with our theme of Classic Trains it is most welcome! [tup]

Okay guyz, whaddilyahave [?]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[nanaimo73]

Hello everyone.
I have never been here before. I was just wondering if you guys are going to celebrate (commiserate ?) on Monday, November 21st ?
Do you need any decorations for the walls ?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=SLSF
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/slsf/slsf.html
http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/indexslsf.htm
http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/frisco/frisco.cfm
It sure doesn't feel like 25 years.

Does anyone know when they ended passenger operations ?

[siberianmo]

For: nanaimo73

Always glad to have someone from "north of the 49th" enter our premises. Unfortunately, your profile doesn't really tell us much ... but 'round here we respect that option. Feel free to "check us out."

The best way to get up to speed with the way things are done here is to read page one - then I'd recommend going back 5 or 6 pages just to see the way the guys interact.

We are NOT a "hit 'n run" thread, nor do we acknowledge those who engage in that practice. We like to be inclusive and acknowledge one another's efforts.

Our "protocal" (as you will see) is to greet the bartender on each visit and order something from the bar (drink or food) .... of course we also avoid "flaming" and the other acts of inconsideration seen elsewhere .....

There's lots more - but my thougths are that you've been 'round these Forums long enough to figure it all out! [tup]

Your URL's are interesting - obviously you are a huge FRISCO fan.

From my sources here's what I've found for you:

QUOTE: In late 1966 the railroad (FRISCO) again petitioned to end all passenger service. The Oklahoman made its last run May 14, 1967; the Southland's termination on December 8, 1967, made Frisco the largest freight-only railroad in the U.S. at the time.

[from "Classic American Railroads, Vol III]

We open for business at 6 AM on Monday! [tup]

Next time you stop by, you'll get your "official" welcome and a drink on the house! [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nanaimo73]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

We are NOT a "hit 'n run" thread, nor do we acknowledge those who engage in that practice. We like to be inclusive and acknowledge one another's efforts.

OK

QUOTE: In late 1966 the railroad (FRISCO) again petitioned to end all passenger service. The Oklahoman made its last run May 14, 1967; the Southland's termination on December 8, 1967, made Frisco the largest freight-only railroad in the U.S. at the time.

Thank you for answering my question.

[Anonymous]

Here’s a few photos for y’all. Here’s a “before “ picture of the Davenport Rock Island & North Western 121


Builder: Electro Motive Division Division GM. Year Built: 1950. Model SW-7. Horsepower 1200.
Length: 44ft 5in. Width: 10ft 4in. Height: 15ft 9in. Weight: 240,000 lbs. Brakes 6BL.
Engine: 12-567C. Motors: 4 EMD. Trucks: AAR-A Description: Diesel-Electric (Ex BN 121 / nee CB&Q 9255)

Now take a look at the “after” picture below


Here’s the link that shows the loco being painted: http://www.irm.org/gallery/9255painting

And finally, this picture is for Tom, so he has a reference picture to use for weathering his shiny new red subway trains.

[siberianmo]

SUNDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

We are CLOSED on Sundays! But of course you can always slip your messages through the slots in either set of front doors, and they will be Posted!

Today is Sunday Photo Posting Day! Lookin’ forward to some pix from all of you. [tup]

Yet another great day of Posts – even for a “traditionally” slow Saturday! [tup]

Info for the Day:

Nothing special - We open up at 6 AM (all time zones!) on Monday.

INDEX Mondays only!

The INDEX feature will be REMOVED from the daily SUMMARY. Not to worry, it will be Posted every Monday, immediately following the daily SUMMARY. Watch for it!

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 01:07:31 (168) BC Rail Speed table

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 06:17:52 (168) Saturday’s Info & Summary

(3) wanswheel Mike Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 07:20:27 (168) NYC Ad, etc.

(4) passengerfan Al Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 08:42:40 (168)

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 08:57:45 (168) Acknowledgments, etc.

(6) barndad Doug Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 09:12:21 (168) Inclusive Post! –and- The making of a RR signalman – Part I

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 09:50:11 (168) reply to barndad

(8) barndad Doug Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 10:38:41 (168) The making of a RR signalman – Part II

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 11:06:13 (168) reply to barndad

(10) barndad Doug Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 11:22:24 (168) The making of a RR signalman – Part III

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 12:05:05 (168) Inclusive Post!

(12) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 16:26:11 (168) Inclusive Post!

(13) wanswheel Mike Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 17:43:47 (168) pre-Civil War Vermont Central, etc.

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 18:46:58 (168) Acknowledgments, etc.

(15) nanaimo73 Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 19:26:44 (168) 1st visit

(16) siberianmo Tom Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 21:24:10 (168) reply to nanaimo73

(17) nanaimo73 Posted: 19 Nov 2005, 21:49:12 (168)

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That’s it! [tup][;)]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[red p]

Good morning all, Coffee black.
Brought a pic along since its Sunday Photo Day.
It was taken 5/69 in Elkhart,IN of SD9 #6900