"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[trolleyboy]

This will likely be the only pictures from me this week, I'm working all day and having a birthday bash for Heather this evening so I may or may not make it back later on. Just some locomotive odd balls this week. Enjoy Rob



VIA's Home Hardware locomotive at Bayview jct.



Ontario railinks GP10 ( ICG rebuild ) at Brantford with the steel train



An MP15 CSX forgiot to repaint july 1995 in Chicago



A Wabash shop switcher (Tilly) preserved by the Elgin County rail Museum in St Thomas On

[trolleyboy]

Evening Leon , I will indeed partake in some of Nick's maagers cider speacial reserve [tup]

An interesting day to be sure around here with most of the regulars at least glancing in through the windows, even after such a booze soaked day as St patrick's day in Mentor[:0][B)][xx(]

Doug as Tom had mentioned the book did indeed arrive, I think that they found the one poney express horse and rider still working[:0][;)] Nice to see the trackwalkers piece again as well.

Nick It was a very good idea to keep the cider underwraps with the trackgangs in, you know how they take to it like babes to mother's milk , with the unfortunate after effects in the pool room[:0][:p][xx(]. Good to know that you are on the mend,also glad that the H&H trauma team did not need to come and nurse you back to health[B)][:0][;)]. On another semi related note, I hear that teh Kommendant of the Zepplin fleet has decreed that the parade flyby will be made by the crews wearing their summer undress uniforms in honour of the Miss Mentor Pagent[;)][:D][:-^]

Lars & Dennis I whole heartedly agree with the 5 [tup] salutes to the good captain of the good ship our place. With his trusty crew and first mate Cindy[;)][:D][:-^] how could we ever get steered wrong[?]

Leon here's a donation for the Monday round slush fund, and a couple of toonies for the coal scuttle.Perpetual railroad trillogy for the Sunday picture posters.[;)]

Rob

[siberianmo]

G'Evenin' Gents!

All's well with the world now that we've heard from Nick at NIte![swg][tup] Two fine Posts, Sir and just the "shot in the arm" this place needed![tup]

Are you teasing us a bit with perhaps a lead-in to the next Gazette article[?] Mr. C. Watts & Mr. Richards, hmmmmmmmm.[swg]

With all of the mentioned activities taking place this weekend, no doubt the patronage of the bar has been somewhat impacted. Wudda thunk otherwise, but we'll remain open 'til there's no call for bar goods.

My guess is Cindy is a "lock" for the "Miss Mentor" title.[yeah] She's MINE - MINE I tell ya, MINE![:O]

Let's go Greens![tup]

A parade of Zeps. What's the chance of getting aboard for a ride[?] Do you have an "in" with the Kommandant Kommander[?]

You've made the wheels not only turn, but spin! Thanx for the round(s)![tup]

Remember, Leon the Night Man has the bar!

Nite![zzz]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

My word,that was one of the least pleasant hours I`ve spent recently-However,I am happy to declare the galley open again and as a gesture of confidence a member of staff will eat the first meal prepared....(.it`s just too easy really.....Boris,little treat for you-go eat dinner........)
Right,time to get to posts,
[4:-)][oX)]TOM--Mouse never made the crossing,but appreciate the verse[tup]-no worries Mate....Serious pat on the back time for yesterday-Huge effort,I for one,thoroughly enjoyed it....[tup][tup][^][tup][tup]--will bring everybody up to date directly.
--By-the bye:-nice touch giving us Milw.Rd orange after all the green [swg]
ROB-How are you dear boy-appreciate enquiries r.e. health-2 bugs doing rounds,one `flu,one gastric,had both in quick sucession ( band pix taken during few days between)-somewhat lighter and paler than previously but making steady progress[^]
Glad the Gazette was able to help with the family jigsaw-Those pegs should be worth a bob or two................
R.E the menu-Irish cuisine is shaped by two linked factors--climate & availability of produce.
As to the first,like Wales,Ireland has 2 seasons-July(often wet,sometimes warm) and winter(varies from "very wet "to "I didn`t know there was this much rain on the planet" )
will discuss produce some other time.
LARS-Are you still here ?-Leon.go fire up the motor,Mr LARS needs to be across town very,very soon-nice URL by the way,further evidence that life is stranger than we could ever imagine-good luck with the pageant [swg]
DENNIS-Nice to see you again [tup]-come and join us,always a spare seat,-so-whats the spark with the modelling-the narrow-gauge trains or the mountain railroading..?--curious minds need to know.....[^]
DOUG-Hey there,glad you weathered the storm-where to start ?-Loved the URL,jokes remain at an unreachable standard,good call on the encore,loved the pix of the old trains last weds.( big thank-you to everybody for that-just caught up on it)
AL-Thats a fine and laudable work-ethic there my friend,drop in and see us when you can[tup]
PETE-What-ho !-desperate day of rugby-we shall speak of it no more[V][V][banghead][V][V]....hope the machine is settling down-you pay for a service,you should reasonably expect to have that service provided...........
Well gentlemen,It`s been an exciting second day of the village`s big weekend-we started straight after breakfast with the junior events,by early afternoon (and an earlier lunch) we were set for the first 4 rounds of the Pentathlon,as you will no doubt know by now,the greens & oranges are tied with the Baseball tomorrow afternoon to decide the contest.
After the Miss Mentor contest we have a late entrant to the programme-Apparently the entire Can-Am International Zeppelin fleet:-The Draig Goch,The Liberty Belle,The Michael Collins and the Red Hand,will be making a low-level fly by along the rail-line,test firing the laser light show for tomorrows grand finale over at Mentor bowl.
Speaking of the bowl,be sure to get over there later for the Symphonia-they are playing different and exciting versions of "Fanfare for the common man","Pictures at an exhibition" and then the "Planets"suite for a climax with the fireworks as a back-drop-should be a drop-dead show.
Mystery still surrounds tomorrow nights` special guests,although The Gazette can reveal exclusively ( through a reliable source at the Can-Am Intercontinental ) that the entire top floor of the hotel has been rented to a Mr C.Watts of Wembley.Middlesex. and the floor below to a Mr Richards who gave his address as "somewhere in Conneticut"
Looks like moonlight mile time for me,a round for all before I go,
Have a good one,nick[C=:-)]

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evenin` yer honors and may Lady Luck favour all here....
Thought I`d better wobble in and relieve the girls for their meal break before the usual weekend mayhem.....will write out the menu as soon as I decide which eye to close for best focusing.
With that in mind-better get `em in:-
So-for [4:-)][oX)]TOM-( when he wakes up from his snooze on the pool-table-actually Cindy,could you stick a cushion under his forehead or he`ll wake up with a face like a relief map of Wyoming again )--A glass,an ice bucket and a bottle each of Jamiesons,Black Bush,Old Paddy and Lagavullin for a blind tasting-A two stage contest,first-which is the scotch,second-which Irish is which.....[tup][}:)][tup]
For ROB-how about a Mangers cider ?-I deliberately kept the crates hidden last night,given the state of the track-gangs it seemed the wisest precaution.........
For LARS-Hmmm...You sound somewhat jaded my friend-this wont do-especially as you are due to judge the Miss Mentor Pageant in the school sports hall at eight o`clock ( Stools bring responsibilities.....[swg]...)-I think what you need is the Keith Richards special Bloody Mary ( Enough vodka to significantly alter the viscosity of the drink plus enough Tabasco & Worcester sauce to cause a heart murmour ................serve near frozen if possible ) followed by a coffee of the sort only your fair City can provide.
For DENNIS-[#welcome]-Hail fellow and well met [tup]-a Killians for you Sir
For DOUG-Along with ROB,I have you down for the Mangers cider for your bottomless draught tonight-just bear in mind,you drink it like beer but it`s as strong as a lot of high-end wines.......[tup][}:)][tup]
AL-A large Crown Royal with water back for yourself...
PETE-The Guinness is at it`s peak-enjoy[tup][^][tup]--bacon butties ALWAYS available
--Right-which bright spark let Tex out into the galley before the party leftovers had been put away---there`s `dillo poo everywhere out there-It smells like a heavy metal band`s tourbus.....
Back in a bit.......BORIS...!!!!!!!!HERE,NOW!!!!!!!
Later[C=:-)]

[comechtech]

Hi, Tom. I knew you were joshing me.[:D] But I do know of several people who work at the brewery proper who don't want to retire because they know where there are taps in the basement where they can get "freebies" any time they want![}:)] Alkies Unanimous, fer sure, fer sure!! Still playing catch-up with the past pages, still got about 180 to go, so I'm off to read some more history. Another round on me, I'll check back in later. Ta Ta fer now. Dennis

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

Here's one that didn't make it on Tuesday for our "Southern Railway Theme Day!"

Here’s another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
first Posted on page 155

Southern (SOU)

Headquarters: Washington, DC

Mileage in 1950: 6,300

Locomotives in 1963:

Diesel: 644

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars: 40,038
Passenger cars: 587

Principal routes in 1950:

Washington, DC-Charlotte, NC-Atlanta, GA-Birmingham, AL-New Orleans, LA
Cincinnati, OH-Chattanooga, TN-Birmingham
Danville, KY-St. Louis, MO
Chattanooga-Memphis, TN
Chattanooga-Morristown-Knoxville-Bristol, TN
Chattanooga-Atlanta-Valdosta, FL-Jacksonville, FL
Valdosta-Palatka, FL
Salisbury-Asheville, NC-Morristown, TN
Asheville-Spartanburg-Charleston, SC
Charlotte-Jacksonville
Danville-West Point, VA
Greensboro, NC-Norfolk, VA
Rome, GA-Mobile, AL

Passenger trains of note:

Aiken-Augusta Special (Washington-Salisbury-Augusta)
Asheville Special (Washington-Greensboro-Asheville)
Birmingham Special (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxvillle-Chattanooga-Birmingham
Carolina Special (Cincinnati-Knoxville-Asheville-Greensboro & Charleston)
Crescent (New York-Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans))
Florida Sunbeam (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Florida points)
Kansas City-Florida Special (Kansas City-Birmingham-Atlanta-Brunswick & Florida points)
Peach Queen (Washington-Atlanta)
Pelican (New York-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Piedmont Limited (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans)
Ponce de Leon (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Jacksonville)
Queen & Crescent (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Royal Palm (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Jacksonville)
Skyland Special (Asheville-Jacksonville)
Southerner (Washington-Atlanta-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Sunnyland (Memphis-Birmingham-Atlanta)
Tennessean (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Memphis)
Washington-Atlanta-New Orleans Express (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans)

Of note:
PRR handled SR trains east of Washington.
N&W handled SR trains via Bristol between Lynchburg and Bristol.
A&WP handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery.
WRofA and L&N handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery west of Atlanta.
Frisco handled SR trains between Memphis and Birmingham, west of Birmingham (The Kansas City-Florida Special).
Frisco handled SR trains handled the Sunnyland Memphis-Birmingham route.
SAL handled SR train The Florida Sunbeam south of Jacksonville.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[siberianmo]

Good Evening!

Pleasantly surprised by the turnout this Saturday … not overwhelming, but sufficient. One just never knows at the “Feast or Famine Bar ‘n Grill!”[swg]

Some brief acknowledgments are in order:

barndad Doug
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 10:30:04

I don’t even want to know what possessed you to not only Post that URL, but even go looking for it![swg]


pwolfe Pete
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 12:27:33

Figured it was something with the ‘puter OR the company you had mentioned . . .


LoveDomes Lars
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 13:50:59

I think I’ve explained to a few just where “sympathy” is located in the dictionary![swg] None from me, Mate! You reaps what you sowz![swg] Maybe the whole dog is what you need, the H with the hair!<grin>

Passing comment – my oh my how times have changed, or have they[?] So it’s “shame” on you guyz, eh[?] Seems to me the “ilk” throwing that around are indeed to be shamed. Thanx for the URL and the round![tup]


passengerfan Al Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 16:51:26

Not sure I’m following your line of thought, however surprised and pleased to see ya!
Thanx for the round![tup]


comechtech Dennis
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 17:11:49 & 17:21:25

Twice in daylight! Awwwwwright – thanx for the round and kind words![tup] Retirement[?] I’ve been in that situation since 1988 – know all about it. Was just yanking your chain regarding working for a brewery.[swg] Not sure about that recipe – I use milk for cereal![swg] Just a “hard core” beer drinker and JD on the rocks kinda guy![tup]


barndad Doug
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 18:01:16

Thanx for keeping “the spirit” of ENCORE! Saturday up ‘n running![tup][tup][tup]

Haven’t commented about your “jokes” because they aren’t![swg] Mine from yesterday, however, were in keeping with the occasion. Why are you H-bent on torturing us[?][swg]

Didja get the word about the RR Book Relay![?] Book received . . .


Some comments for Sunday Photo Posting Day!

For the “Browsers” we appreciate your stopping by, however, there IS a little something you could add to make our efforts a bit more worthwhile. Add some comments – especially if you happen to be one of our customers!

For the “Posters” Also, while all of the Pix are most appreciated, it would really help a whole lot if rather than Posting a bunch at a time – spread ‘em out throughout the day. That achieves a couple of goals: keeps the Thread “up” on the “Forum” page and entices the guys to come back for a “look see.” Pix-dumping” just shoots the wad, so to speak . . . think about it.


Leon the Night Man takes the bar at 9 PM (Central)


Later![tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


Stick around a few minutes AFTER POSTING - The information you MISS may be for YOU!

Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and all. I'll have a Roy Rogers please. Thanks for the Encores sir, and this is the last part of mine for the day:

Walking the Track by John White Jr. From Vintage Rails magazine Mar/Apr 1998

Every efficient business seeks to reduce its number of employees while maintaining the quality of his product. Railroads are no different. The long-term rise in wages and benefits costs have accelerated this process. Some jobs disappear because they become obsolete, as was the case of the trackwalker. As early as 1903, W.H. Camp said railroads were gradually eliminating the trackwalkers, primarily because the introduction of steel rails had made track so much more durable and safe. The section foreman took over the duties of the walker and often made inspection on a hand car. Yet it was considered prudent to patrol dangerous or troublesome sections the old-fashioned way, so the trackwalker did not disappear for some years to come.

Still, labor costs kept the pressure on to eliminate workers. In the 19th century, most track workers were dollar-a-day laborers. By 1916, the average wage for railroad workers had crept up to 28 cents an hour, and by 1941 it was 85 cents. Unions pushed for retirement and health benefits. The 40-hour work week and minimum wage created two more reasons to cut jobs. Railroad managers sought ways to downsize. The most direct way to do this was through technological changes. Diesel locomotives led to the closure of many maintenance shops and so reduced employment by the thousands. Track maintenance mechanization ended the traditional hard labor of the section gang. Advancing technology also made track stronger, more reliable, and less the collection of loose parts that it formerly had been. Welded rail replaced dubious fishplates, bolts, and washers. Screw or clip spikes did a far better job of holding rails in place. Better quality controls at rail mills and superior methods of inspection before the rail entered service greatly reduced the number of rail failures. Track inspection cars, such a s those operated by Sperry Rail Service starting in 1928, made rail inspection more of a science and less of a handicraft service. Simultaneously, many other tasks one attended to by the trackwalker began to disappear as well. Switch stand lamps were electrified, wire fences hooked into the signaling system alerted crews to rockslides, and propane heaters kept switch frogs clear of ice.

Yet, for all of these remarkable developments, some railroad managers believed the trackwalker was essential to railroad safety and that nothing could replace the attentive gaze of a good man moving slowly down the track on foot. Tom Arnold, a B&O brakeman who retired in 1976, told me in a 1995 interview that there were no trackwalkers when he started work in 1936. However, his knowledge was limited to the Baltimore area, and it is possible that the B&O had trackwalkers on the more mountainous divisions to the west.

At least one western railroad, the Southern Pacific, had a few trackwalkers on the staff in 1949-50, for Richard Steinheimer photographed one of them at work. The picture (bottom of Part II of this series) is reproduced in Lucius Beebe’s Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads (1963).

The Lackawanna replaced most trackwalkers with motor cars around 1940, but it retained them on one electrified commuter portion of the line in New Jersey until at least 1969 and perhaps beyond that date, according to Perry M. Shoemaker, a former DL&W president. In a similar manner, the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey retained the use of trackwalkers on the New Jersey City to Elizabethport section of the line also until the late 1960s. The Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum states that the Penn Central used trackwalkers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, area until the early 1970s.

Perhaps the walkers maintained the plodding inspection duties elsewhere on the American railroad network until a later date, but if so, we have found no evidence to confirm such activity. Just where and when the last walker made his final hike is to remain a mystery. Today such jaunts are mode from the comfort of Hi-Rail vehicles. Truck inspectors now must get their exercise at the gym instead of on the job.



Everyone ready for Sunday photos tomorrow?

[:I] A man sticks his head in the barbershop and asks “how long before I can get a haircut?" The barber looks around the shop and says, "About two hours." The guy leaves. A few days later, the same guy sticks his head in the door and asks, "how long before I can get a haircut? The barber looks around at shop full of customers and says, "About two hours." The guy leaves. A week later, the same guy sticks his head in the shop and asks, "How long before I can get a haircut?" The barber looks around the shop and says, "about an hour and a half." The guy leaves. The barber looks over at a friend in the shop and says, "Hey, Bill, follow that guy and see where he goes". In a little while, Bill comes back into the shop, laughing hysterically. The barber asks, "Bill, where did he go when he left here?" Bill looked up and said, "to your house." [:I]

[comechtech]

Tom. To answer your question about retiring, you reach the age where the job is hard on the body, accumulate enough years service to add to the age and make what is called "the rule of 85" and you run like [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] with a pension. Kapish ? Talk more later, the drinks are on me. Bye!! Dennis

[comechtech]

Good day Tom and all present. How about a round for all and some extra on the till for those who come in later, OK? I see from past posts that a Kahlua milk shake isn't unknown so I will order one, please. Next time in I'll leave a couple of bottles of my homemade Kahlua, I make it with everclear!! I'll give the recipe to anyone who wants it, IT'S YUMMY![:D][}:)] I agree with Lars about the kudos owed to Tom. Without his tireless efforts, this string would just be another "HoHum" place, not knocking the input from you other guys, but lets face it, Tom really makes this place!!![^] Sorry if I'm off kilter, but that's how I feel. Al, it's always nice to see you, I've been wanting to say thanks personally for the data you sent my lady on the Columbine. Again, thanks, and the next drink for you is on me, OK Tom?[;)] Will set back for awhile, later. Dennis

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of the gang. Just stopped by for a few minutes to tahnk everyone for the St. Patricks day outpouring . congrats to all. Guess its time for a CR and a round for the house.

TTFN AL

[LoveDomes]

G’day Tom and Gents at the Bar!

Feeling just a bit “fuzzy” this day [swg] and of course, I’ll never learn! Where did I hear that before[?] Oh yes, just this morning, from the wife![swg]

A glorious day it was and not without controversy. The times we live in are most perplexing to an old fart such as I. Check out this URL from the NY Daily News for some pix: http://www.nydailynews.com/services/gallery/
Where it says “Enter Gallary” click – then scroll thru the parade pix and much more . . . . you’ll see what I mean about controversy. Not the place here on the Forums to get into “that!”

Tom You surely deserve a break for all the work you have done for us all lately. Let’s see, just within two weeks you’ve organized and ran two Birthday Bashes – twice weekly “specials” for Railroads from Yesteryear – Canadian Railways of the Past – European Railways and of course the Gazette and St. Pat’s Day “stuff’ I’d say you’ve done more than anyone could possibly expect. A five-[tup] salute to you, Sir! [tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

Don’t quite know what to make of the absences and planned ones. Guess we just chalk it up to “that’s life!” Fellas, I’m really not in the “mood” for much more – so let’s just say, I’ll see ya later!

Buy the guys a round on me . . . nothing for me, though! That “stuff” about a “hair of the dog” might just make me head for the leeward side![swg]


Until the next time!

Lars

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted on page 167

Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with
Classic Trains. Check this ad out (from The Official Guide of the Railways – 1956

. . . . . . . . . . The Pocket List of . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Railroad Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . Containing the Names of Officials in Charge of . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Railroads in the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico & Dominican Republic
Showing the Gauge of each road, Number of Miles Operated and Rolling Stock in Service of Each Company
. . . . . . . . . . Also List of Private Car Companies . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . PUBLISHED QUARTERLY . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . Distributed approximately the last week in the months of
. . . . . . . . . . . JANUARY, APRIL, JULY and OCTOBER . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . SUBSCRIPTION PRICE (Postages Prepaid.) . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . UNITED STATES and Possessions - - $8.00 Per Annum . . . . .
. . . . . FOREIGN, including Canada - - - - - - $8.50 Per Annum . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Single Copies - $3.00 . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . For Advertising Rates Address . . . . . . . . . .
The Railway Equipment and Publication Co. – 424 West 33rd St. (11th Floor), New York 1, N.Y.
John A. Patee, Advertising Manger
424 West 33rd Street, New York 1, N.Y.

James M. Fawcett, Western Representative
1428 Lyton Building, Chicago 4, Illinois


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Guinness and a Bacon Sandwich if there is one left.
I missed a great day yesterday.with TOM NICK CM3 LARS DOUG AND COMETECH.
I was ready to join in early but I had no internet connection. The bride was on the phone for 45 minutes on hold later in the day but there was a technical problem with the broadband. We were connected this morning and it is a lot better .

[wow] What a great Gazette Special Issue[tup][tup][tup]. With the history of the opening of the CAN-AM and the Irish connection, the jokes and the Beer Notes ETC Wonderful . it will be something to go to if I need cheering up sometime.


Great post and photos on Irish Rail. I will add a little on Monday as it is Encore day today.

Thanks for the Encores TOM , ROB and DOUG.

I hope it wont be too long before the Streamliners are back AL.

Well as penance for missing yesterday I will load the empty Guinness barrels in to the cars and try to get the glasses cleaned. If I,m lucky there may be some of the Irish Stew left. PETE.

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #26
first Posted on page 164

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Chicago, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (The Milwaukee Road) from an advertisement in Classic American Trains


”Gee, Daddy, they had a private car just for us ladies.”

That’s right, young lady. There is a combination Touralux-coach, with 8 berth sections and 24 reserved coach seats exclusively for women and children on The Milwaukee Roads OLMYPIAN HIAWATHA.

The tastefully decorated Touralux sleeping cars have individually lighted and air conditioned berths. Yet berth cost and fare on a round trip between Chicago and Seattle is about $37 less than in standard sleepers.

You can travel in comfortable, reclining chair coaches . . . for less than 2 cents a mile . . . round trip between Chicago and Seattle only $76.20 plus tax.

While the OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA offers these unique advantages for the thrifty, it also provides de luxe Pullman accommodations. No matter what your choice, you enjoy fine food, friendly service and a fast schedule of 45 hours between Chicago and the Pacific north coast over a gloriously scenic route.

You can go to California via Seattle-Tacoma at little or no added rail fare. Ask your local railroad agent, or write: F. N. Hicks, Passenger Traffic Manager, 708 Union Station, Chicago 6, Illinois.

. . . . . . . . . .OLYMPIAN Hiawatha
. . . . . . . . . . . . Daily service between . . . . . . . . .
CHICAGO-MILWAUKEE-TWIN CITIES –MILES CITY-BUTTE-SPOKANE-SEATTLE-TACOMA

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad – THE MILWAUKEE ROAD


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[Anonymous]

Morning Tom and friends. I hope ya'll don't kick me out of here, but check this link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4924085173349496686&pr=goog-sl

Only in America ...right?

Guess I'll be buying all the rounds today....

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

Let’s get to the acknowledgments . . .

comechtech Dennis
Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 22:06:38

At last, a “reveler” has arrived – but alas, I’m not behind the bar. Gotta read those Posts, Dennis. Speaking of which, on just a few pages earlier, I revealed my Irish heritage (one quarter) . . . so, I guess the “sensitive” need not frequent the joint![swg]

How does one “retire” from Coors[?][?] I have a mini-fridge stocked with the product in my basement Can-Am Trainroom![tup] Prefer the “light,” meself![swg]

Appreciate the round and of course the quarters for Herr Wurlitzer’s Coal Scuttle! Don’t know what in blazes I’m referring to[?] You’ll get there as you progress thru the pages . . .


trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 00:01:33

Slow is an understatement! Surely wudda thunk we’d have a far better turnout between “sunup ‘n sundown” than was witnessed. Surely felt as if I was talking to myself – and I was gone for 7 hours!<geesh>

That IS a rather catchy “tune,” eh[?] We’ll have to get YOU to sing it for us at the Rendezvous in Toronto![swg]


trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 00:14:07

First ENCORE! for the day – good job![tup]


comechtech Dennis
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 00:24:24

Now you’re getting “into” it! Never know who or when you’ll make “contact” ‘round here![tup]


trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 00:53:16

Well, I knew things were too good to be true – why the NEW stuff on ENCORE! Saturday[tdn][tdn][tdn]


barndad Doug
Posted: 18 Mar 2006, 06:18:20 & 09:26:27

Nice ENCORE! selections! Hope you stay with the “theme” – new “stuff” is totally wasted ‘round here on the weekends.

Regarding the RR Book Relay! Rob sent me an Email indicating it was received.


Okay boyz, that’s IT for my interactive contributions. I’m laying low for the weekend – may or may not participate in Sunday’s Photo Posting Day!


Later![tup]]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


Stick around a few minutes AFTER POSTING - The information you MISS may be for YOU!

Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[Anonymous]

Good morning again Tom and gents! Too early for a drink? The winter sorm that hit us Thursday night turned out to be a lot less trouble than it was projected to be. We ended up with no real accumulation by the next morning, but our temperatures are lower again. Looks like our local groundhog got it wrong this year though.

Rob, did you get the Trains book yet? I'm starting to get concerned.

Here's the second part of my Trackwalking acticle:


Walking the Track by John White Jr. From Vintage Rails magazine Mar/Apr 1998

Even when the force of nature relented, the trackwalker had ample duties to keep him occupied. He was basically an inspector, and like the cop on the beat, he came to know every nook and cranny on his part of the line. His main focus was on the condition of the track. Was anything broken, loose or missing that might endanger a train? He would fix small items on the spot. Loose spikes were tapped down; loose joint nut were tightened. Debris was picked up and thrown clear of the track. He checked frogs, switch points, and switch stands. He cleared ice or junk from frogs or guard rails or roadway crossings with the claw end of his long handled hammer. In winter he swept these same groove ways clear of snow – a broom became standard equipment on snowy days. He looked for broken signals and fencing. He made sure fence gates were closed and secure to keep cattle off the tracks. Hogs and cattle tended to roam, seeking feed or just trying to escape the insects that inhabit grass and bushes. The track, being clear, offered the animals a respite from insect bites; yet the poor beasts did not comprehend that this “safe” area was actually intended for the passage of trains and not the accommodation of livestock. If the walker could not drive the animals away, he would at least advise the dispatcher via telegraph that cattle were on the track at milepost 102, for example.

As the trackwalker approached a siding, he looked for cars overhanging the therefore fouling the main line. He saw that the derail switches were properly lined and locked. It was also his job to clean up ashes dumped on the main line at the water tanks. Firemen would sometimes shake the locomotive grates while filling the tender tank, and such debris was considered a hazard. There seemed no end to his duties, but just to make sure he did not waste the company’s time, they made him a lamp tender, too. Every switch had a kerosene lamp, and it was his job to extingui***hese lamps in morning and refill the oil, trim the wicks, and then relight them in the afternoon. If there were many lamps or if they were widely scattered, the walker was sometimes furnished with a three-wheeled handcar (called a velocipede) to speed the lamp-tending part of his job. The lamp tender was instructed to run his vehicle, if possible, toward approaching trains so that he was not entirely dependent on his hearing to sense oncoming danger.

We must come back to the chief duty of the trackwalker, which was to prevent accidents. No matter what the problem, large or small, his basic job was to warn or stop trains before accidents occurred. If there was a small defect, such as a loose spike, he was expected to fix it. But then let’s say he came upon a washout, or a broken switch frog, or some other defect beyond his capacity to correct. What was he to do? Run off and report the problem to his boss, the section gang leader? No, indeed. He was to stand and flag down trains. He knew to place torpedoes at proper distances from the obstructions, just in case an engine crew failed to see his flag signal. Once traffic was stopped, there would be time to call for help.

Clearly, this job called for judgment and a calm, mature nature and not some hyper schoolboy type who would run off wanting Mom or Dad to tell him what to do next. For this reason, the section boss always picked his best man for the job of trackwalker. It was a position of trust. The best man was sober, trustworthy, and reliable. He was not a dreamer or a thinker, but a down-to-earth sort of fellow who concentrated on the job at hand and nothing else. He was not bored by the routine of his occupation. The repetition of going over the same four miles of track seven days a week did not dull his attention. He looked with open eyes at every detail as he walked along.

The trackwalker carried only necessary tools: a wrench, a hammer, and a flagman’s shoulder bag that held torpedoes, fusees, a red flag, and a few nuts, bolts, and spikes. In areas where rockslides were common, his bag would hold a few sticks of blasting powder to blow up the larger rocks. He carried a watch and an employee’s timetable in order to know what trains to expect. A broom was added to his equipment during the snow season. If he was on night shift, his load would be considerably lighter. He carried a lantern and the flagman’s bag but left the heavy tools back at the tool shed. The night man’s beat was surely a solitary task, for most folks were at home in bed. To stay awake, the trackwalker would occasionally stop at a cold string along the line to splash his face. He had only the company of the owl. And then out of the stillness would come an express. The inspector stepped aside. He was an anonymous blur or speck of light to passengers inside the train – this little nobody of a man who helped them pass safely.

The day man was scheduled to start his inspection just before the first major passenger train of the day passed over his section. In this way, a safe track was more or less assured for the passengers. On a busy main line, he would walk over the section twice each way for a total of 16 to 20 miles. This required six to seven hours. In 1900, a work day was 10 hours, so when his walking duties were over, he would report to the section gang boss and work with the track crew to fill out his time.

The dress of the trackwalker was befitting of a working man. Dungarees or old pants and a coat plus heavy shoes were his usual attire. Yet there were a few dandies even among these rustic folks. One such gent is pictured in Hunger-ford’s The Modern Railroad on page 209, wearing a dark jacket with a double row of buttons and a smart looking billed cap with a large polished brass hat badge.

Just how many trackwalkers were employed on U.S. railroads is poorly documented. The number of track workers is very much a matter of record. The following table gives a clear picture of the decline of the track workers on U.S. railroads:

Year Track Workers Total RR Employees
1905 -- 349,000 -- 1,382,000
1920 -- 480,000 -- 2,022,000
1929 -- 435,000 -- 1,660,000
1943 -- 274,000 -- 1,355,000
1961 -- 105,000 -- 717,000
1976 -- 86,000 -- 482,000
1990 -- 47,000 -- 230,000

We can deduce a rough estimate of trackwalkers from these numbers. Let us agree that a typical section gang comprised eight men including the foreman. If one of the gang was a trackwalker, or even if he was an extra ninth man, it’s fairly easy to calculate that just over 10 percent of the track workers served as trackwalkers.



[:I] Two bored casino dealers were waiting at a craps table. A very attractive blonde woman arrived and bet twenty thousand dollars on a single roll of the dice. She said, "I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when I'm completely nude". With that, she stripped from her neck down, rolled the dice and yelled, "Mama needs new clothes!" Then she hollered..."YES! YES! I WON! I WON!" She jumped up and down and hugged each of the dealers. She then picked up all the money and her clothes and quickly departed. The dealers just stared at each other dumbfounded.
Finally, one of them asked, "What did she roll?"
The other answered, "I don't know, I thought YOU were watching!" [:I]

[siberianmo]

(courtesy: www.trainweb.org)

We open at 6 AM (all time zones!). (Don’t ask how we do that!)[swg]


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


The weekend is here! Time to start up with a cuppa Joe, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and of course a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast![tup]


Daily Wisdom

Speaking to the press before the 1973 playoffs about Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine,” Yogi said, “Tony Perez is a big clog in their machine.”[swg]
(yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

Railroads from Yesteryear – Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RG) arrives Tuesday!

* Weekly Calendar:

Saturday: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and –
ENCORE! Saturday


SUMMARY

Name …..…………… Date/Time …..…..………. (Page#) .. Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 05:12:31 (278) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 05:18:37 (278) Gazette – Part One

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 05:50:06 (278) Gazette – Part Two

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 07:22:44 (278) Rwys of Europe #5 – Ad

(5) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 07:53:35 (278) Lars Report!

(6) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 08:01:46 (278) CM3 comments!

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 08:24:17 (278) Irish Brews

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 09:00:01 (279) Euro Rail #5 – Irish Rail

(9) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 09:06:58 (279) Inclusive Post, etc.

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 17 Mar 2006 , 09:15:06 (279) etc.

(11) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 16:51:13 (279) Comments

(12) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 17:45:41 (279) Nick’s Tribute to the Day!

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 19:07:30 (279) for: Nick

(14) passengerfan Al Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 19:07:31 (279) [tup][tdn]

(15) siberianmo Tom Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 19:13:01 (279) for Al

(16) comechtech Dennis Posted: 17 Mar 2006, 22:06:38 (279) Comments



NOW SHOWING:

The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre
Double Features! Now with The Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . Sunday, March 12th thru 18th: Mystery Alaska (1999) starring: Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria & Mary McCormack –and- Slap Shot (1977) starring: Paul Newman – Strother Martin & Michael Ontkean. SHORT: Beer and Pretzels (1933).

Coming Attractions

. . . Sunday, March 19th thru 25th: Midnight Run (1988) starring: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin & Yaphet Kotto – and - The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) starring: Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde & Charlton Heston. SHORT: Hello Pop (1933).


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and all. I'll have 2 light breakfasts please. Sorry I missed yeterday's festivities and Nick's fine fare, or I wouldn't be hungry for a week!

Incredible stuff Capt. Tom. Loved your festive ST. Pattrick-green posts, but I think you may have lost the right to be critical of my jokes, after what I saw yesterday, but you be the judge. Here's a belated theme joke for you:

[:I] Two Irishmen, Patrick & Michael, were adrift in a lifeboat following a dramatic escape from a burning freighter. While rummaging through the boat's provisions, Patrick stumbled across an old lamp. Secretly hoping that a genie would appear, he rubbed the lamp vigorously To the amazement of Patrick, a genie came forth. This particular genie, however, stated that he could only deliver one wish, not the standard three. Without giving much thought to the matter, Patrick blurted out, "Make the entire ocean into Guinness Beer!" The genie clapped his hands with a deafening crash, and immediately the entire sea turned into the finest brew ever sampled by mortals. Simultaneously, the genie vanished. Only the gentle lapping of Guinness on the hull broke the stillness as the two men considered their circumstances. Michael looked disgustedly at Patrick whose wish had been granted. After a long, tension-filled moment, he spoke: "Nice going Patrick! Now we're going to have to pee in the boat! [:I]

Now ..for the rest of your "stuff". Loved the new Gazette! Interesting pieces on the various brewerie brews, the glossary of Iri***erms, and I think we'll all be looking forward to the movies scheduled to appear at the Emporium. Nice touch posting the article on the Irish Rail. Your contributions of yesterday went way beyond the already incredible level we usually see, and I'm sure we all appreciate your efforts. Top notch sir!

Glad you like the tunnel series CM3, and thanks for adding your personal experiences. As you know, I have no personal experiences with rail travel, and have to rely on ya'll and magazine articles for those! By the way, I have several more pulp books on the way, so I shouldn't run out of material anytime soon.

Rob, great stuff on the Stratford and Huron and the Canada Southern. The tunnel series I'm typing now has some info (and maps) of one of the tunnels you mentioned. I'm also working on a Canadian electric series with you in mind.

AL, we're surely going to miss your 20-finger typing around here, but completely understand how busy this time a year is for you.

I choose for my ENCORE the following series which started back on page 174



Walking the Track by John White Jr. From Vintage Rails magazine Mar/Apr 1998

It is difficult for modern railroaders to imagine the dozens of menial jobs once performed by station attendants, switch lamp tenders, and trackwalkwers. These low-paid workers performed their tasks in a dutiful manner, without the benefit of much education or training. The trackwalker was one of the most humble of these railroad workers. His occupation is largely forgotten today by an industry caught up in high technology, downsizing, job redundancy, and mergers.

But the trackwalker, as part of this lower class, was more than a rustic flunky who aimlessly wandered along the track tapping in a few loose spikes. In their day, these solitary figures were praised as guardians of the public safety. Edward Hungerford in his 19911 book The Modern Railroad said, “A good part of the railroad safety and the railroad responsibility rests upon his broad shoulders.” During the 1920’s and 1940’s, individual railroads even featured the good works of the trackwalkers in magazine advertisements.

When discussing a Pennsylvania Railroad campaign in 1926, Ivy Lee told representatives of the advertising agency about the importance of the trackwalkers’ inspection. “We have the road patrolled day and night by trackwalkers, and they are looking after the loose nuts or anything that affects the track, and you cannot supervise their work. You are dependent upon their efficiency and fidelity,” he said.

It is unlikely that we should ever uncover the name of the first trackwalker or even when this class of railroad employee first began service. The earliest instance for such a worker goes back to 1853 on the Pennsylvania Railroad. After 32 years of trudging up and down the tracks, this veteran was interviewed, but never named, by a newspaper reporter. The anonymous worker recalled the problems with iron rails during cold spells. Hunks of rail, some as long as three feet, would pop with a loud snap just like a musket shot. He once found three broken rails in one night. Sometime later, he found another broken rail and managed to flag down the Night Express just in time.

Walking the tracks required vigilance, not just to detect defective track, but to stay alive. Trains had a way of sneaking up behind a man. Our PRR veteran came close to meeting his maker one dark night, when a passenger train came upon him so close it clipped his coattails as he jumped to one side just in time. After 30-some years, our veteran grew too arthritic to tramp up and down the line, so the railroad magnanimously gave him a less strenuous job, for no one but the top brass retired during the Gilded Age.

Just why was it necessary to patrol every mile of mainline railroad in such an intense manner? Why were hundreds of men employed, at no little expense, to monitor every inch of track that carried more than a few trains a day? The answer lies in the nature of early track itself. For all of its ability to carry heavy and fast moving trains, railroad track was actually a fragile structure of many parts that tended to loosen and fall apart just with the normal passage of trains. Track, switches, guard rails, and other appendages associated with the right-of-way required constant adjustment and repair. Spikes pulled loose from the ties; track joint bolts vibrated and turned so that the nuts fell off. Rail joints, after so many years of flexing as cars wheels pounded over them, eventually fractured. Untreated ties, the norm before about 1920, might give six or seven years of service on a well-drained track before they rotted out. Should this occur below a joint – and there were 135 joints per mike per rail when 39-foot rail was standard – the unsupported joint or fishplate was likely to snap when subjected to a heavy load.

The weather was in many ways the track’s chief enemy, and every track worker learned to be on alert when storm clouds gathered or temperatures dropped. In the bad old days when wrought iron rails prevailed (1830-1890), the trackwalker prepared himself for a harvest of broken rails. During bitter, frosty periods, iron rails would pop and break without warning. Rails that looked like solid rods of iron were in fact cheap, laminated bars filled with hidden pockets of cinder and imperfect welds. Most of the rail was British and specially made to sell at low prices for the export market. It of course proved a poor bargain. W.H. Camp, in his 1903 book on track, confirmed the old veteran’s account, given earlier in the article, by saying that three or four broken iron rails a day was not uncommon in very cold periods. Conversely, on very hot days, rails tended to expand, pull up the spikes, and twist out of gauge, especially around curves. Stub switches were affected by hot weather too, and the trackwalker was required to check if they were working freely during his patrol. Thus the trackwalker learned to watch out for extremes in temperature – a sign of certain trouble.

Indeed, Mother Nature seemed determined to beat down the track with all of the considerable means within her realm. Rain, particularly early spring rains, would swell creeks and rivers to wash out embankments, bridges, and culverts. Trees and telegraph poles along streams were loosened by the rushing waters and seemed to have a perverse tendency to fall across and nearby track. Mud and rock slides were common after heavy rains. Roadbeds, if poorly ballasted or drained, became soft and spongy and so offered an unstable path for the iron horse. Untreated ties went soft when wet, allowing spikes to loosen and rails to spread out over gauge. Many railroads would temporarily double the number of trackwalkers during extreme weather, because so many track problems occurred during these periods. The avoidance of one wreck more than paid for the extra salaries involved. It was common practice to send out the trackwalkers following a major storm.

Dry spells were less troublesome times for railroad operations, yet even they caused problems. Fire was not a small concern. Wooden bridges and trackside structures became tinder-dry and therefore more combustible than ever. Brush fires could race along the tracks burning everything along the railroad’s property. In danger were not just the bridges and buildings, but also wooden cars parked on sidings, stores of ties set out along the line, and the telegraph poles. At the first sign of fire, the trackwalker knew it was urgent to get a message back to the section boss for help. Al all times, the trackwalker checked the water bottles stationed the length of trestles to make sure they were properly filled with water. <end of part I>

[:I] In a crowded city at a busy bus stop, a beautiful young woman wearing a tight mini skirt was waiting for a bus. As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, she became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the first step of the bus. Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise her leg. She tried to take the step, only to discover that she couldn't. So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little more, and for the second time attempted the step. Once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg. With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind to unzip a little more and again was unable to take the step. About this time, a large Texan who was standing behind her picked her up easily by the waist and placed her gently on the step of the bus. She went ballistic and turned to the would-be Samaritan and yelled, "How dare you touch my body! I don't even know who you are!"
The Texan smiled and drawled, "Well, ma'am, normally I would agree with you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured we was friends." [:I]

[trolleyboy]

Thank's for the drink Dennis, glad to hear you are catching up,always good to be upto speed on the goings and commings around here [tup]

Okay a bit of new information as well.

CLASSIC STEAM # 17 The Stratford and Huron Railway

The Stratford & Huron RY : Stratford to Wiarton

In the heyday of railway building ( 1870's ) communities accross Ontario all dreamed of becomming major railway towns. The town of Stratford though far from any ports was no exception. As early as 1850, the Stratford business community began to lobby for a rail link from their town to Southampton on Lake Huron. This along with proposals for the Port Dover & Lake Huron RY which would connect with the Lake Erie & Northern, could put Stratford on a busy portage railway.

However the reality was that funds could not be found so the project was delayed. In 1877 construction began in earnest of the SHR between Stratford and Listowel, a mill town on the Maitland river a few miles North. By this time Southampton had fallen firmly into the griop of the rival Wellington Grey and Bruce RY , operated by the Great Western,so the terminus for the SHR was changed to the more northerly town of Wiarton.

There was talk of contiuing the line form Wiarton and up into the barren Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory, with a link to Manitoulan Island. This plan fell through.

Continuing financial troubles on the SHR forced the builders to apeal to the Grand Trunk ( Great Western's main rival ) for funds in 1880. In taking over the railway, the GT forced the SHR to build a branch into Palmerston, then a budding railway jct. At the same time teh name was changed to the Grand Trunk Georgian Bay & Lake Erie Ry, to reflect the other lines the GT had assumed as well. Under the new mgmt. , track laying continued and in july of 1882 the new line opened.

In 1882 the Great Western and the GT amalgamated , and the network of lines emanating from Palmerston all came under the same ownership. Almost immediatly, a new more direct link was built from Palmerston to Listowel, and this short section of the original line was abandoned. Then in 1891 , a branchline was built from Park Head into Owen Sound to a terminus immediatly opposite that occupied by the Toronto Grey and Bruce RY, CP's link to Georgian Bay. As the SHR already had a terminus on Georgian Bay, this new branch was built to serve the Shallow Lake Cement plant. Here the chalky deposits on the floor of Shallow Lake proved ideal for the manufacture of cement.

As with most early railways, the first stations were simple designs. Typical buildings on the SHR were squat wide buildings, with a bay window at one corner ( if at all ). Around the turn of the century, the GT upgraded many of it's lines and replaced the earlier depots with more solid structures. Most along the SHR ended up with Towers,high Dutch gabbled bay windows,and steeply pitched hip gable roofs.The stations at Chesley and wiarton recieved rounded waiting rooms with a "witches hat" roof built ontto one end of the building.

In the CN years Stratford finally became a major rail center ahveing the 40 acre big shops built there along with all the locomotive servicinng major and running repair facilities. Palmerston became a major division point for most of Central and Ontario.

The auto age ( post 1957 ) caused drastic service cuts on these branch lines, in 1957 mail was no longer carried on trains in this area , in 1958 the line to Wiarton was abandoned. Then in 1970 passenger service to Owen sound was discontinued, finally by 1995 the entire line was abandoned and the rails removed. Wiarton's station still stands as a general store and home to Ontario's weather groundhog wiarton Willie. Palmerston lost all it's tracks some of the old passenger terminal and station still exist as a museum.

Rob

[comechtech]

Hi, Rob. Let me buy you a drink before I leave. Nice to get to meet you, I've been trying to catch up on the past postings, but they go back to Noah's farewell address, we were offline for several months! Oh well, I've only got about 200 more to be up to date. One more round and I'm off. Dennis

[trolleyboy]

Okay seeing as it's now early sat am here's the first Encore for the day.

ENCORE ! ENCORE ! CLASSIC Steam # 14
First appearing on page # 226
Enjoy Rob




CLASSIC STEAM # 14 THE CANADA SOUTHERN ST CLAIR BRANCH


Until 1960 the onlooker would have seen plumes of smoke rising from the stacks of steam engines, or exhaust from diesels trailing strings of passenger cars and boxcars.This was the Candaa southern's St Clair Branch. Part of NYC's Canadian holdings.

It was one of the several southern Ontario branchlines that the founders thought would be a convienient shortcut accross ontario between American cities. In this CSR branches case Buffalo and Chicago. It was launched by Canadians William Thompson and Adam Crooke, albeit financed by the NYC.


While the mainline of the CSR ran arrow strait from Niagara Falls to Windsor, this St Clair branch veered northwestward from a junction just west of St Thomas ON to the St Clair River. Here, at a point on the railroad called Courtright ( named after chief financial contributor Milton Courtright ) the railroad hopped to establish a major rail terminus,with abridge to carry traffic accross the busy river to St Clair on the Michigan side.From there trains would continue on west to Chicago and points further west.


The American link failed however, and the Windsor route with it's tunnel ( GT ) under the Detroit River earned the bulk of the traffic. The grand scheme of a bridge over the river was reduced to barge service. It operated accross the river between Courtright and St Clair for a few years till it burned and sank. With it sank the last vestiges of the American link.

The CSR had pinned it's early hopes for revenue on the oil boom that had started in the early 1860's which put places like Oil Springs and Petrolia on the map. To provide easier access to these prospering places, a new line, The Chatham Sarnia & Erie ( CSE) , was created. Originating at a place called Shrewsbury on Lake Erie,it was intended to pass through Oil Springs, Petrolia and terminate at Sarnia; however, the project never went beyond short spurs from the St Clair Branch, south to Oil Springs and North to Petrolia.

Later , when the oil industry moved to Sarnia, the CSE was absorbed by the Canada Southern,which rerouted the unbuilt section to bypass the oil fields and follow instead the St Clair River into Sarnia. Finally in 1960, the whistles fell silent on the CSR's St Clair Branch and the track was lifted and the stations removed.

Enjoy Rob

Researched with the help of Ron Brown's Ghost Railway's of Ontario- good general reference books on the obscure and unusual rail lines. Two Books Volume 1 and 2 highly recomended reading for those wanting to learn of the Ghosts of railways past.

[trolleyboy]

Good evening gents. A slow one to be sure[tdn] Mind you I loved seeing that picture of MM Tom haven't thought of him in years,now I can't get the tune out of my head[:(!][:0][:p] Oh well must have been the green tap water[:D]

Boris [alien]You clod ring up a round if you will sounds as though things are getting a tad unruly in the pool room,Did you nail the pool tables to the floor again[?] you know it caused many a double hernia the last time you did that[B)][:(][xx(]

Sir Nick Interesting if not cardiovascularly challenging menu for this evening, I noticed that Leon and Cindy are manning the crash cart. I wonder if Cindy is CPR trained[;)][:D][:-^]

It's a good thing that Boris's family generally does not have fingers, his thick fur and hooves saved the young lad alot of damage a regular mortal would otherwise have suffered at that hootch explosion. You should have seen what H&H's still did to the parking lot behind the Zeplin sheds[:0][B)][8][xx(] Wecaren't quite sure when that area will be able to support life again. Something about attempting to ferment green cabbage into some strange Carpathian Liquer. The villages CSI team are still trying to determine what exactly was created in those casks, the government was also intersted[:0]

Al Hope you can come up for air once in a while, won't be the same with out you spinning the pixels as it were[:(]

Dennis Glad to meet you, not sure that i made your aquaintance or not yet, I'm waiting for the next tales of mayhem in the tunnels myself. Doug does spin a good tale [tup]


Rob

[comechtech]

Evening Tom and all and a Happy St. Patricks Day to all ![:)] Not too sure about some of the Irish jokes, having some Irish in my genealogy, I could take umbrage to them, but why? It's all good [:D]. How about a round for all and here is a roll of new quarters for the music (being in Denver where the mint is helps). [;)] Ya'll hafta watch the illegal references, as the father of a deputy sheriff, I'm required to pass on that sorta stuff. [:-^][swg] I'm with the rest, waiting for more on tunneling, being in the Rockies and modeling the South Park with their Alpine tunnel, is all good. [:D] Well, gonna go over in the corner, drink my Killians Red, and watch for a while. (Retired from Coors, what else can I drink?) Ta Ta for now. Dennis

[siberianmo]

Whoa - a Post within .01 second of mine![wow]

Greetings Al!

Good to see ya [tup] - not so good regarding your planned absence![tdn] Just the kinda news that puts a real damper on the "celebration."<groan>

Oh well, we takes what we gets!

Thanx for the round . . . .

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[passengerfan]

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

Haven't had much time today as taxes are beginning to take their toll. Appointments are increasing and have to spend far more time than I like in the office.

Tom I am going to have to postpone any more Passengerfan Al's Streamliners for about a month. Need some time to complete more and tax season is beginning to occupy to much of my time.

Wiil look in as often as possible but not sure how much I will be able to contribute until tax season ends.

Enjoyed the Irish Humor and hope to finish reading before the day is out..

TTFN Al.

[siberianmo]

Good Evening!



Sir Nick! Don’t know how “international” the cartoon character depicted above – Mighty Mouse – was, but his theme song surely fits YOU![swg]

QUOTE: Mr. trouble never hangs around,
when he hears this Mighty sound,
Here I come to save the day!
That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way!
Yes sir, when there is a wrong to right,
Mighty Mouse will join the fight!
On the sea or on the land,
He's got the situation well in hand!

So, you’ve “come to save the day!” and indeed you have! Otherwise, it would be just the staff chasing one another ‘round and ‘round the place, with the Track Gangs havin’ at it in the pool room with no one to give a Rat’s Patoot![swg]

Here’s to ya![tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Well Blessings on this House-how goes the day ?-
Just back from watching the parade-a splendid turnout of floats,with the bands spaced well apart,the first green hot-dog I`ve ever eaten (whilst sober) plenty of green Harp and a large vodka & orange,in the interests of balance.
So, whats about...[4:-)][oX)]TOM-splendid stuff Sir [^]-loved the gags,enjoyed the biog piece and beer review--(Guinness with 40% head-not so very likely).
Nice one on C.I.E-should still have some unposted Irish pix-will forward asap
So-what are we all having this fine day-set `em up Cindy,whilst the Boss puts his feet up for a bit with a beer.
Thought I might stop off for the next showing of Slapshot-an all-time favourite,havn`t seen it in years.
I understand that a distant cousin of Boris` has been hospitalised with blast wounds after dropping a small bottle of Hooch from the Clan stills-according to Insp. Clueless,if the bottle had been full "We woulda bin scrapin the kid off the store-fronts".
Well,looks like CM3`s beaten me to the Wurlitzer-nice choices[tup] LARS is off parading,BK in transit-ROBS organising something to do with the beer cellar so I`d better get the menu sorted:-
We have,of course,Irish Stew-from Mrs Beeton`s recipe ( this uses a whole rack,cut into chops)
The classic Belfast Fry ( the basic energy source of most of the construction sites in N.W.Europe)
Bacon butties with sweet-cured Irish middle back and soda bread
Dublin Bay Prawns with assd dips,warm wholemeal breads and [C=:-)]salad
Dingle Bay Lobster,as above (serves two)
Sewin from the Shannon,baked with butter,lemon & fine herbes served with baby potatoes and julienne of steamed veg.
Looks like time to go bully the lower orders in the galley for a bit then catch the 5.30 showing-guess I`ll see you guys later,Cindy-take a round for the folks please and one yourself-Better send one out front to Leon,he didn`t look at all comfortable in that Buddhist robe-I must say the boots and cudgel struck a slightly jarring note,but what do I know about fashion and style.........
Have fun guys,later,nick[C=:-)]