"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[coalminer3]

Good Afternoon Again; More coffee, another round, and more quarters.

Lots of interesting posts over the past 10 days or so. They have beeen most informative and enjoyable.

The new Kalmbach publication, Diesel Victory, has a story of EMC/EMD's Cleveland plant. Some very interesting material in there, including some early C&O geeps and some NC&StL power as well. Check it out!

IIRC, some of the postwar Southern Belle equipment did survive into Amtrak. Again, IIRC, one trip I made on the Zephyr had an ex-KCS diner.

The Ken Frazer story brought back some memories of Vintage Rail. Another pub. I miss is Passenger Train Journal; they had some wonderful surveys of passenger service

I bet the subway cars threw some of "Our Place's" patrons off a bit. Reminds me of the ancient story about the two drunks waling along the street in Boston. One of them fell into a subway entrance and the other just kept on walking. A little bit later the first man emerged from the subway exit, and his buddy asked him, "Where have you been?" The drunk answered, "I'm not sure, but you should see the train set that guy has in his basement!"

Aerotrain - another GM one hit wonder.

Finally, I didn't know we had CW buffs around. The mention of the Vermont Central brought to mind the St. Albans bank raid; supposed to be the furthest north incursion of Confederate operatives.

Now as for the Ryman, my, my what a place of memory. Summers in Nashville are brewed in the cellars of hell and the Ryman was not air conditioned...'nuff said. Now, let's roll back the scene a little more. Tootsie's, I assume, is still there, along with Ernest Tubb's Record Shop. I remember going to the Opry and then repairing to ET's establishment which had a radio show that began at midnight. All that, and the Tennessee Central right at the end of Broadway near the river.

BTW, anybody out there remember "Skull's Rainbow Room" in Printer's Alley, and a German restuarant called the Gerst House? Many people didn't remember much of anything after visiting Skull's; the crowd there being a mix of military, locals, etc. made for some interesting interactions, especially as the evening wore on.

Well, enough of that.

work safe.

[West Coast S]

Afternoon Tom and the gang....Round of the best ale at the bar.. Glad all appreciated the SP info, I do indeed miss being a "regular". Howdy to all of you...Ok Boris, with the sudden increase in activity, you have your'e work cut out...please behave...

Ok, some SP trivia, first correct answer wins a rare oppertunity to have Boris prepare their Christmas dinner and entertain any guest ...

When the SP constructed the Bayshore Cutoff, two improvements were incorporated into it's construction, SP never had a need to later implement These accomidations.

What where they?

Ok, won't throw you a bone, without some of the chicken.. Construction begain under the auspices of Bayshore Railway to reduce congestion around San Bruno Mountain, near South San Francisco.. It's construction cost exceeded eleven million dollars in 1903 and only the great trestle across the Salt Lake was more expensive and daunting to complete.

SP assumed complete ownership and abandoned the orginal line via Harrison and Daily City, it also elimanated grades of near 3% and street running, the line was prone to flooding to the point that in one memorable case, the turntable at Harrison floated away and down city streets, causing extensive property dammage and inflating the ire of the local government, who until this incident were opposed to a line relocation ! SP recovered the errant table and henceforth found it prudent to weigh it down with a loco or ballast hopper to prevent a repeat until all facilities could be abandoned.

A three mile remment of the line survive today, out of service.

I will return with the trivia answer, you now have all the clues...Good luck

Set um' up for the crew.

Dave

[West Coast S]

Once again Tom...Harking back to my post of yesterday. This question came to mind: If the Trainmasters would have proved feisible and were assigned to revenue SP passenger trains, would they have been delivered or repainted into Daylight colors?.. I guess we'll never know what SP would have chosen, as history had other events in store for the modest FM fleet. Neverless a Daylight H-24-66 would have been a eye opener.



Inquiring minds what to know such trivial items, thoughts on the subject are welcomed.

Dave

[passengerfan]

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

Dave Remember the SP never planned to use the Trainmasters in Passenger service in their early careers it was only much later. The SP never painted any of the EMD FP7s in Daylight colors either so it is rather doubtful that under the best of circumstances they would have painted any Trainmasters in Daylight colors. In fact I can't recall any of the peninsula commute equipment ever being painted in Daylight colors. Now if the Trainmasters had been St. Louis Southwestern owned who knows as they painted a GP7 and an EMD FP7 in Daylight colors besides two PA1s. About the only time commute equipment was seen operating with equipment in Daylight colors was on the DEL MONTE operating between San Francisco and Monterey. If was quite common in its later years of operation for this train to operate with a couple of Bi-Level commuter cars on the rear between San Francisco and San Jose. Once in San Jose the Commute cars were dropped and the three or four cars of the DEL MONTE continued to the Monterey Peninsula.The same was true for the northbound run they picked up a couple of Bi-Level commute cars in San Jose and forwarded them to San Francisco.

Nick So you like Spam your mother must have given you Cod Liver Oil as a child as well. Don't tell me you liked the taste of that too. My Mother being of English (Canadian)decent fed me the stuff for everytrhing that ails you and I didn't like it either.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

Evenin’ All,

For the second night in a row, what was that comment I made yesterday about the “Feast or Famine Bar ‘n Grill” [?] Just look at the number of afternoon Postings – most welcome indeed! [tup][tup]

To the acknowledgments!

coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:15:51 and 15:02:43

[#welcome] Back! That “sack ‘o quarters”arrived just in time – the guyz have been enjoyin’ Herr Wurlitzer! Read about the snow in Buffalo and figured you’d wind up experiencing winter way before the rest of us. [swg]

Appreciate your taking the time to scroll through the pages of “stuff” since your last appearance. By the by – there’s still a “pending” answer to a question asked awhile ago: what date and time would you prefer YOUR Birthday Bash to take place [?]

Recommend you check out the Monday Index for the page numbers of some really “good stuff’ that was Posted during your absence. [yeah]

Always liked that ‘story’ about the trains in “that guy’s basement.” Gets a yuck, yuck every time. [swg]

It will be a slow go with the subway construction and I’m surely in no rush. The 4x8 ft 2 in. foam insulation board has been purchased. An order for the materials needed to build the subway station and girders for the tunnel will go out tomorrow. I figure this project will take a few months to complete – a bit here and a bit there. The cars are very good looking and it is indeed a shame to “hide” them away, but that after all is what subways are all about!

An interesting bit of history you brought up regarding the St. Albans, VT bank raid. For those who may not know about it, check out this URL: http://www.virtualvermont.com/history/staraid.html

pwolfe Pete Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:53:26

[#welcome] Back! Saw you lurkin’ in the shadows and figured you were playin’ catch up. Logging in always gives you away though! [swg]

If you have some photo’s for Sunday Photo Posting Day! please get ‘em to me ASAP and I’ll add them to your album for Posting. [tup]

Your Email response has been received … all is set for the 14th and KCity, Part Deux! [tup]

Recommend you check out the Monday Index for the page numbers of some really “good stuff” that was Posted during your absence. [yeah]

West Coast S Dave Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 16:18:22 and 17:11:37

Two days in a row! [wow] Just like old times at the bar.

Recommend you check out the Monday Index for the page numbers of some really “good stuff” that was Posted during your absence. [yeah]

Sorry, but I think I’ve “cheated” by doing a web search regarding your quiz. Much too much info out there, fer sure, fer sure. I’ll have to continue the reading in the AM … a bit tired tonight. I do my best “thinking” in the mornings! [swg] I’d say passengerfan Al should “nail” the answer! [tup]

I don’t think anyone took you up on your lunch offer yesterday … can you imagine [?] And the saying goes, “There ain’t no free lunch!” Well, there WAS, yesterday! [swg] Thanx for the round this fine day – Boris Ring the bell – no, no, no – don’t use Tex the Armadillo for a clapper. <geesh> Is it any wonder why that “pet” of yours wants to eat you [?]

passengerfan Al Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 17:48:04

Just the mention of Cod liver oil makes me want to “retch.” We must have had similar upbringing – poor soul! [swg]

During WWII, SPAM was “in,” however it sure tasted awful to me. SPAM and eggs – SPAM between two slices of bread and SPAM as the evening meal’s meat. Oh [yeah] – simply awful. I remember that some idiot ordered several cases of the stuff for one of our deployments (5 weeks) and the guy darn near became a “man overboard!”

Thanx for the round – we’ll enjoy it as you and Dave dialogue on the SP …. [tup]


Okay, that’s it for now ….

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening gentlemen. Tom I'll nab a Keith's wilst I collect my "thots" for the evening.

Ted I have not forgotten about the discs. And I don't think that any belly laughs will be brought on by them anyway. I wasn't able to get them to cooperate with railimages so I will now attempt a go with photobucket. If not for this weekend next. My hind quarters has been dragging with the odd cornicopia of shifts I,ve been logging as of late.[xx(]


Mike Thouroghly enjoyed the speed charts,what can you say,trains in the day were much much more convienient. Like Tom I'd love to see an exerpt or two of your Dad's articles[tup] Having a railroadung pioneer of sorts in the family tree is never a bad thing.

BK glad you are enjoying your visit NOB. One heck of a nice xmas presant I'd say as well. A trip that both my wife and I wi***o take at some point. Maybe for our tenth aniversary ( gives me sven years to save up ) Enjoy the rest of your sojourne !

Dave I have no guess on your trivia question, I must heave to to those on the know aka Tom or Al. Not sure that I fancy first prize anyway [:O][swg]

Tom Loved the winnipegger article. My one cousin lived in Winterpeg for many a year. I visited him out there on two occations. We had lunch at the Fort Gary and wondered over to the Union Station. This was oh 1997 or 8. They still had a few reproduction posters and some old timetables in wall mounted shadow boxes,advertising and showing the schedule for those very trains.

My grandmother liked to feed us cod liver oil as well I understand yours and Al's revulsion.[:(][xx(] Also I have never taken any sort of liking to spam either,I think that you should have made that guy walk home . Or at the very least keelhauled him [B)][oX)][:-,]


Pete & CM3 Good to see the two of you folks back amd refreshed as well. Pete it was Doug that put up those gritty work stories, though I do agree with you they were excellent bits chalk full of realworld railroading. I can't tell you if their job waas the same or not but many NA railroads employed car knockers. They checked cars for visual defects hobo's etc as well as made sure that everything was in order door seals etc. They may have one other jobs as well, hopfully P or someone ekse can shed more light on that for you.

P No need to slpain further I fully inderstand. I have a freind who worked out of Buffalo for NS. He waas not a closet buff but rather in the open. Needless to say he now works for CSX out of Conneaught.

Rob

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang Have a rather busy day ahead so thought I would just drop this through the mail slot before retiring.

PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNER #18

ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS Chicago Burlington & Quincy inaugurated May 311936 Discontinued November 6, 1936 Chicago - Denver overnight each direction 1,034 miles each way in 16 hours.

With the impending arrival of rival Union Pacific's streamlined Diesel Powered CITY OF DENVER trains the CB&Q thought it wise to steal some of that roads thunder until the new DENVER ZEPHYRS would be completed and placed in Chicago - Denver service in the late fall of 1936. The other reason for the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS was to protect a Chicago - Denver U. S. Mail contract.

With that in mind the Burlington ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS entered service on a fast sixteen hour overnight schedule between the shores of Lake Michigan and the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

For operation of the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS the CB&Q assigned the 9900 PIONEER ZEPHYR and 9903 MARK TWAIN ZEPHYR with both articulated train sets reduced to three cars for this fast overnight schedule.

The reliability of the two diesel train sets really proved themselves without question in this service for during the period between May 31, 1936 and Novemebr 6,1936 there was never a recorded diesel failure. Both trains operated over 1.000 miles nightly at high speeds.

In those 160 days of service the two articulated train sets operated 162,560 miles each in revenue service and averaged 64.62 miles per hour while operating those miles.

Without a doubt this made other railroads look long and hard at the diesel proving it had more than just a high initial investment cost going for it .

When the two new DENVER ZEPHYRS entered service the two ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS were returned to their previous duties.

CONSIST ONE PIONEER ZEPHYR IN ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYR SERVICE

9900 Articulated Shovelnose 600 HP Diesel Power Unit with 30' Railway Post Office Compartment and Bagge Room
505 Articulated Baggage Buffet 20-Revenue Seat Coach
570 Articulated 40-Revenue Seat Coach 16-Revenue Seat Parlor Lounge Observation

CONSIST TWO MARK TWAIN ZEPHYR In ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYR SERVICE

9903 TOM SAWYER Articulated Shovelnose 600 HP Diesel Power Unit with 30' Railway Post Office Compartment and Baggage Room
551 HUCKLEBERRY FINN Articulated Kitchen 15-Seat Dinette 20-Revenue Seat Coach
572 TOM SAWYER Articulated 40-Revenue Seat Coach 16-Revenue Seat parlor Lounge Observation

TTFN AL

[nickinwestwales]

Well lordy mama,it`s like the first day back at school round here-all sorts of familiar faces back in their accustomed places,[#welcome] back,one and all !
Well it`s another `rain off` day here in the land of mist & mystery,hence the early call in-very early by your clocks I see.
Good to see the `night crew` hard at work cleaning and polishing-Boris is scrubbing down the galley walls,Leon is polishing the brasswork,Tex appears to be `switching` rows of empty beer cases from the bar to the back door and the approaching grumble of the Can-Am overnight express freight is setting the light fittings to gently swaying-all is well[^]
Right,a couple of quick pick-ups before I embrace the day-PETE,awright mate !-the funicular is at the `coast` end of the yards,not far from the shed where the `Fire Queen` was bricked up and appeared to have served the first level galleries.
Huge amount of restoration work going on around the whole site with new track being laid into the museum complex,monster car-park development,extension of the main line into Llanberis village etc,so funicular could have been restored since your visit
[4:-)]TOM & SIR THEODORE-game much simpler than it sounds-assume 4 players,pl. 1 is the `traveller`,other 3 players each nominate a town or city,lets say Montreal,Denver & Oakland as random examples...with me so far ?[swg]
Since our traveller is dep.fr & ret. to Can-Am Union,a destination that even AL would be hard pressed to find in a timetable,the first and last legs of the journey are givens-we can assume New York,Chicago,Toronto & Vancouver as likely destinations for Can-Am services....still here ?
Therefore the object of the exercise is to figure out which trains will take you from Union-(I.E) Grand Central
Grand Central-Montreal
Montreal-Denver
Denver-Oakland
Oakland-Grand Central,and so back to Union.
Added degree`s of difficulty can be incorporated ( night travel only,streamliner only,must include a ferry crossing,no crossing states beginning with `M` etc.
Most of the info needed should be somewhere within these walls,mostly thanks to AL
Could give a more competative edge by setting 2 players against each other,but given that we all have different time commitments,perhaps better as an intellectual exercise.
Anyhow,just an idle whim....
Best be about things for now,will call back this evening for a "proper chat" as my dear old gran used to say-take care guys,have a good one,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

WEDNESDAY’S INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

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

Mid-week already! Time flies ‘round these parts, eh [?] Moreso as one ages … Okay, you know the “drill” ‘round here – coffee time – pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> breakfast from our menu board should just about “do it.” [tup]


For some men it was too late to get wise the day they were born.


Info for the Day:

(1) Today is “Pike Perspectives Day.”
(2) Thursday is Fish ‘n Chips Nite and maybe something from Nick’s Picks!
(3) Friday is Pizza Nite along with Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
(4) Saturday is ENCORE! Day
(5) Sunday is Sunday Photo Posting Day! and yes, we are CLOSED!

SUMMARY

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

(1) wanswheel P Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 01:29:54 (177)

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 06:09:16 (177) Tuesday’s Info & Summary

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 06:13:24 (177) ENCORE! Note to all

(4) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:22:47 (177)

(5) passengerfan Al Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:26:29 (177) Streamliner #17 – Gopher & Badger

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:27:11 (177) reply to wanswheel

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:30:48 (177) reply to passengerfan

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:34:44 (177) reply to ftwNSengineer

(9) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 08:51:24 (177) Inclusive Post, etc.

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 11:59:23 (177) NOSTALGIA #33 – Ad – Winnipegger (1956)

(11) BudKarr BK Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 12:37:19 (177) from Alberta

(12) wanswheel Mike Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 13:51:27 (177)

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:05:2 (177) Acknowledgments, etc.


(14) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:15:51 (177)

(15) pwolfe Pete Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:53:26 (177)

(16) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 15:02:43 (177)

(17)West Coast S Dave Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 16:18:22 (178) SP trivia, etc.

(18) West Coast S Dave Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 17:11:37 (178)

(19) passengerfan Al Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 17:48:04 (178)

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 19:31:51 (178) Acknowledgments, etc.

(21) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 22:58:20 (178) Inclusive Post, etc.

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

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

[Anonymous]

Good morning all! I see that I'm not the first to be here this A.M.

Great to see you back BK and welcome aboard P. This is an exceptionally busy week for me, and the long and excellent posts being posted here are more deserving of acknowlegment than this quick mention, but I'll have to make it up to everyone later. I won't be around probably until Wednesday of next week. My train trip to Springfield with the 20th Century Railroad Club starts this Friday!

Before leaving though, please accept another "Roundhouse" offering:

Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman by Don Olsen, Vintage Rails Nov/Dec 1998

In 1947-1948, I deferred finishing high school to fulfill a boyhood dream of working as a steam locomotive fireman. Those days spent firing Southern Pacific’s steam engines out of Dunsmuir on the Shasta Division proved to be the most exciting and rewarding days of my life. Following are some recollections of my experiences.

Oil Firing – Aside from the obvious differences in firing locomotives using coal or oil, there were many not so apparent to the casual observer. SP’s grade of fuel oil was just a few levels above tar, but contained more hydrocarbons. It was too thick to flow easily and had to be heated in the tender and burner supply line. For the best results, an optimum temperature of about 160 degrees F was used. If the oil was too cold, the burner would starve, and if it was too hot, the oil didn’t atomize properly and would run out onto the firebox floor. The fireman regulated the temperature with a gauge and small steam valve.

To force oil up to the burner, the oil bunker in Cab-Forward tenders was pressurized at about 5 psi. This pressure had to be bled off before adding oil or checking its level – a bit like opening the cap on an automobile radiator. Failure to do so could result in being sprayed with hot oil.

When engine crews were called, they signed the register in the dispatcher’s office, and went “on the clock” with an assigned run and a locomotive. Usually a hostler had the power on the ready track – oil, water, and sand topped off. However, it was still the fireman’s responsibility to check these items and safety equipment; and woe unto the tallowpot whose inattention to these details allowed an engine to die on the road for lack of fuel or water!

He also had to check the locomotive indicator boxes and put up the proper numbers for the run (or leave blank if the engine was an in-train helper). This was a simple job on Cab-Forwards, whose indicator boxes were accessed from the cab; but on other locomotives, it required clambering out on the running boards along the boiler, which could be treacherous in the dark or bad weather.

In addition to the oil temperature, the fireman controlled the atomizer (a jet of steam which vaporized the oil into a combustible spray) and the blower, which augmented the natural draft from the firebox through the flues to the exhaust. It was normally used only when the locomotive was standing or moving very slowly.

The main control was the firing valve – roughly equivalent to the stoker in a coal-fired engine. In operation, efficient firing required very close teamwork between the engineer and his fireman. A good, thoughtful engineer always called out to the fireman to advise him of his demands on the engine. A call of “opening her up” or “easing off” alerted the fireman of the imminent need to reset the firing valve.

Among the good fortunes in my firing career, I worked only one trick on a switch engine – a former Minarets 2-8-2 used in the Dansmuir Yard on a 1 percent grade. On the road, once things were in balance, one could fine tune the locomotive’s operation and just keep a wary eye on progress. In the yard (where the pay scale was significantly lower), the engineer was continually opening and closing the throttle, and each move had to be followed by the fireman’s valve. Eight hours of this would get awfully monotonous.

Dry sand was fed to the sander nozzles from the dome(s) atop the boiler, and some was also kept in a box in or near the engine cab. From there it could be sprinkled on the deck if it became slippery, but mainly it was used by the fireman to “sand out” the flues.

Another major difference between the two types of fuel is that particulates in coal exhaust tend to scour out the flues. However, solids in oil effluent are mostly soot, which builds up on any surface it contacts. This lining of the flues reduces heat conductivity and boiler efficiency. Thus the fireman periodically used a couple of scoops of sand to clean the flues. How to get the sand into the flues? No problem: A hardworking engine creates a tremendous draft in the firebox, and simply opening the peephole in the firebox door and holding the scoop up to it sucks the sand into the firebox and through the flues. This results in puffs of black smoke caused by the soot exiting through the exhaust.

Southern Pacific designed its own oil burner nozzle, and in my experience, its locomotives, if in a reasonable state of repair, steamed easily and did not need to be “smoked” to maintain steam. A light haze of exhaust smoke was normally adequate. Thus I find it very disconcerting to see oil-fired, steam-powered fan trips with the locomotives belching clouds of liquid oil. This is strictly atypical, and in the age of steam, a fireman who allowed such clouds would soon be out of work!

On steam engines, piston valves control admission of steam to the cylinders. The valve settings are adjusted by the reversing lever, or “Johnson bar”: One quadrant is for forward motion; the other is for reverse, with a “neutral” center position. The longer the stroke, the more steam admitted. The full stroke is used when starting the locomotive, for maximum power. Once the engine is moving, the engineer can “notch up” the Johnson bar and shorten the stroke, using less steam. The nature of the exhaust sound changes noticeably, becoming sharper and more staccato. In fact, it is this characteristic which gives rise to the old saying “running an engine by ear.”

The sharp, blasting exhaust of a working locomotive at a fair speed is one of the moist fondly remembered and thrilling aspects of steam engines. It is also another area where oil- and coal-fired locomotives differ significantly. Use of oil as a fuel permits a much finer response to engine demands. The fireman can instantly go from a spot fire to an enormous one – producing an explosive exhaust. A draft this strong in a coal-fired engine would literally suck the fire right off the grate.

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

[Anonymous]

Here's Part II

Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman by Don Olsen, Vintage Rails Nov/Dec 1998


SP’s Cab-Forward Locomotives – The use of oil as fuel was the key to developing the unique cab ahead engine design. The 195 Cab-Forward 4-8-8-2 articulated locomotives, class AC-4 and AC-10 to 12, enabled the railroad to tame its mountain grades, and the “malleys” became the workhorses of the system. In later years, as diesels gained ascendancy, Cab-Forwards served all over the western lines. They, along with other steam locomotive types, survived longer where good water was available – in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and north to Portland.

Although conceived to conquer grades and minimize crew discomfort from exhaust gasas in tunnels and snow sheds, the ACs’ unorthodox design proved a problem on inclines over 2.5 percent. In a conventional locomotive ascending a grade, boiler water level rises at the rear, over the firebox crownsheet. When the engine runs downhill, water moves to the forward part of the boiler, but since the engine isn’t working hard, does not tend to be drawn into the steam supply.

When climbing steep grade with a “backwards” AC boiler, the water flows away from the crownsheet toward the front fluesheet. There it reduces the steam area and is more easily drawn into the steam line. This saturates the steam in the working engine, and much water will be expelled in the exhaust. If an engine has been standing for some time, the steam cyclinders will condense and can cause severe damage when the engine moves: Non-compressible water can blow off cylinder hears. The purpose of cylinder cocks is to bleed off and water and prevent this damage.

My first run on the Mudoc Line, firing a 4100 from Alturas to Klamouth Falls, was quite an eye-opener. Fortunately, my engineer was patient with his hardly dry-behind-the-ears fireman and monitored operations very closely. As we worked up the 2,2 percent Canby grade, I nervously watched the water in the glass recede to the bottom. However, the hoghead admonished me not to add water. With growing apprehension, I watched him start using the try-cocks below the water glass. (These are three small cocks on the backhead. The bottom **** is three inches above the crownsheet.) The top one first squirted water, then steam – and only when the second **** ran dry did he allow me to “hit the gun” (injector).

My mind’s eye envisioned a nearly dry crownsheet getting ready to let go, but, obviously, this did not happen. The hogger related a story of another fireman who insisted on keeping water in the glass, and so much of it worked out the stack that they had to stop for more as an “emergency only” tank. The conductor later caustically commented that back in the caboose, it seemed like a submarine – half under water!

So, what’s it like to ride in the cab of one of SP’s ACs at speed? Insome ways, I’m reminded of the problem of describing an elephant to a blind man. The Cab-Forwards are an awful lot of machine to encompass verbally. No mere diesel can adequately compare with the feeling of a Cab-Forward’s surging power – the roaring, firebreathing 325 tons of brute force harnessed in its unorthodox design. The dynamics of tons of flailing rods and counterweights precluded any possibility of a smooth ride. In today’s vernacular, it was awesome!

Working as a fireman – Customary work for new firemen was duty on switch engines. However, on Dunsmuir’s extra board, these turns were held down by “whiskers,” enginemen with considerable seniority. They liked the regular hours and being able to live at home. Many of the less senior runs were on helpers, which suited me just fine: I loved blasting out of town and up the long climb to Grass Lake. The usual power was “Decks,” local parlance for the bug 2-10-2s numbered in 36- and 3700 series.

I was never able to determine exactly how this term originated, but some enginemen said it was because the cabs had larger decks, which were roomier than the “Mikes” (2-8-2s) or “hogs” (2-8-0 Consolidations). Others thought it referred to the wheel arrangement, which they called “Decapods.” That is, of course, erroneous, since in the Whyte classification Decpods are 2-10-0s, and 2-10-2s were commonly called “Sante Fe” types (an understandably unacceptable designation in SP country).

The 10 driving wheels of SPs class 2-10-2s created a long rigid wheelbase, at 22’10” the longest of any steam engines assigned to the Shasta Division. Although there was lateral play in the bearing boxes, the Siskiyou Line’s sharp curves took their toll, wearing down lead driver flanges in as little as six weeks.

Decks were the largest locomotives allowed on the old line from Black Butte to Grants Pass, whose 3.3 percent grades required as many as five engines per train to hoist tonnage over the summit. North from Hornbrook, the top of the grade was located in 3,108-foot Tunnel 13, just south of Siskiyou station. With all locomotives working wide open, freights could barely maintain 10 mph, so it took several minutes to pass through tunnels.

On helpers, back in the train, each locomotive added its exhaust to the increasing accumulation of hot smoke and gasses in the bore. Attempting to avoid these noxious fumes, enginemen would lie down on the cab floor, where the air was a little cooler and cleaner, and breathe trainline air through a funnel – a kid of crude respirator. Oxygen in the tunnel atmosphere was so depleted by the hardworking engines that the oil markers on cabooses went out.

Condensation and dripping ground water often made tunnels wet inside, and the rails could be slippery and treacherous. Even sanding didn’t always prevent drivers slipping, and if this occurred, train speed was immediately reduced until the helper engine found its feet again. This further prolonged the stay in the tunnel and forced the crew to get up off the floor and tend to the locomotive. Occasionally, the train stalled completely, and crews stuck in the tunnels were sometimes forced to shut their engine down and flee for their lives to avoid suffocation.

[:I] More to come, as soon as I can get to it [:I]

[siberianmo]

Mornin’ Guyz!

It’s “Pike Perspectives Day!” ‘round here, so let’s hear some updates regarding those model railroads – still lookin’ for some track plans. Perhaps this day should be renamed, given that everyone does not engage themselves in model railroading. Some guys like watching trains as a hobby, others ride ‘em, and still others enjoy readin’ about ‘em. Whatever your activity, today’s the day to talk about it! [tup][tup]


Gripes ‘n complaint department: Once again, it appears that we are slipping back into some bad habits ‘round here. This had been commonplace about 2 months ago, but seemed to have abated.

The daily SUMMARY and Monday Index contain pertinent info about our thread. Surely those who are obviously skimming or ignoring them can find the time to check out what’s going on. Yours is simply to log in and check out what’s happening, whereas yours truly is engaged in putting out the “word.” There is a difference.


To the acknowledgments:

trolleyboy Rob Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 22:58:20

Nice Inclusive Post from one of our “Charter Members” at the bar! [tup][tup] What’s to say, other than hopefully you’ll get some semblance of a normal life once the holiday season passes by. Can only imagine the stress and strain – but then again, there’s the positive side: you are gainfully employed! [swg]

Good idea to start saving up for that cross-Canada rail trip, for it is indeed an expensive way to go, given that you are going to do it “right” and get the drawing room suite in the Park Car. Only way to experience that round trip is to occupy that room. We’ve even begun to “talk” about doing it again – which would be our 3rd. Our 15th Anniversary is next year – so we’re “looking” for something special. However, airline fares can (and will) da***he best of plans …….

passengerfan Al Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 02:42:37

Insomnia out there on the left coast [?] Don’t see much of you during daylight any more. What’s up [?] Nice Streamliner on the Zephyrs …. Watch for today’s NOSTALGIA piece.

nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 05:27:39

I’m either dumb as a box of rocks, or it’s just too early in the AM to comprehend your game. I’ll have to reread this again. [swg] I think it would be a great idea to have the participation limited to Wednesday’s .. would add a little something to our “Pike Perspectives Day!” or whatever new name we come up with. [tup]

barndad Doug Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 06:04:25 and 06:06:26

[wow] Two long “reading exercises” so early in the AM! These too will be put on the back burner for perusal a bit later on. Gotta wake up fully in order to digest it all ….

Hope you plan to take some pix during your rail adventure – and of course post them for a Sunday Photo Posting Day!. We’re hurtin’ for participants and while I have no plans on curtailing the idea, my offerings are just about bottomed out.

Don’t recall if I mentioned it, but your Email was received regarding the Rendezvous info. Thanx!


Okay, Gents, that’s it for now ….. I’ll be at the bar all day, but will try to space out my Posts just to keep us “up” on the Forums.

Later!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[coalminer3]

Good Morning All; coffee, please, round for the house and more $ for the jukebox.

Here's a Christmastime full page ad from the NYC (probably early 50s) that is in my collection. Picture is of Santa opening a sack full of streamlined passenger trains. Each train has a label. From left to right (this'll make you weep): Cleveland Limited, Ohio State Limited, Pacemaker, Detroiter, Southwestern Limited, New England States, James Whitcomb Riley, Twilight Limited, Empire State Express, Commodire Vanderbilt, Merchury, and 20th Century Limited.

Header says: Take Your Pick of the Pack!

World's greatest fleet of newly-equipped trains is ready now to speed you home for the holidays!

Enjoy the New in New York Central: Glide homeward in new luxury coaches or private-room sleeping cars, behind smooth Diesel-electric locomotives. Feast in new diners. Join in the holiday fun aboard new lounge cars. From end to end of New York Central, you'll find world's largest orders for new streamlined equipment are filled at last!

Leave weather out of Your Plans! Let storms sweep the skyways. Let sleet snarl holiday traffic on the highways. Aboard your New York Central daylight streamliner or overnight Dreamliner, you can settle back witha free mind and enjoy every minute. For you're traveling the world's safest way. And you know you'll get there as planned - weather or no!

This Year, make a Holiday Homecoming your Gift! There's no present like the presence of loved ones around the family Christmas tree. So send tickets for a trip home as your gift. Ask your New York Central ticket agent how to send tickets and reservations. Ask, too, about money-saving round-trip fares.

New - New York Central - The Water Level Route - You Can Sleep.

I don't know about you, but I'm on my way to South Station right now!

work safe

[nickinwestwales]

Red face department here-PETE,for reasons entirely beyond me,I have seemingly tried to move an entire railway several miles east-nothing to do with Bala Lake,we are in fact looking at Llyn Padarn,apologies for confusion [#oops]
[4:-)]TOM-shall I just go through it again.....[swg].......
later,nick[C=:-)]

[trolleyboy]

Good morning Tom I'll grab a quick sandwich and coffee as i cruise through on the way to work. No rest for the wicked. I've already got $10 saved up for that trip on the Canadian only $3995 or so to go. [tup][swg] I'm guessing that your third trip on it will deffinatly be before my first perhaps your 5th with conicide with our first. [(-D][:-,]


Nick Okay I'm just as confused and dazed as Tom about your game. ( thats two boxes of sweat sox stinking up the place [:O][xx(] ) Must be an exclusive westwales game. Nice to see that you have been able to make use of the kitchen's biological switcher. I knew Tom bought him for a reason.


Doug Wow alot of reading first thing but quite good. I can feel the heat and smell the smells of that cab.Looking forward to part 3. [tup]


al Another fine streamliner to the collection. always thought those articulated zephers were kind of a neat idea. I didn't realize that the consists could be changed and made shorter or longer though. I figured that they were a set consist.


CM3
Ah the NYC in winter. One would think that the NYC was ressesion proof with all the inclement weather the "upstate" area recieves. Those interstates through Buffalo to Erie and Albany can just be an absolute terror in winter.Trains are the way to go or were[sigh]

Well folks I've not much to report on the pike end. I did manage to run a couple of cars over the revised street trackage,still ahve some tweeking of the trackage to do ( bit close to pedestrians and buildings in places, I wouldn't want to scrape any paint off the streetcars [swg] )


Well gents I'm away for now.

Rob

[siberianmo]

G'day!

coalminer3 CM3 I don't know about the others 'round here, but those railroad ads from "back then" were really something else! Sure makes one want to travel by train p meet up with you at South Station! [tup][tup] I'll have to be sure that I don't submit my own version of this as Christmas Day draws closer ...... [swg]

By the by (again)! You have a PENDING answer to a question ...... <chagrin!>

Thanx for the round and quarters. The "sack" you left yesterday just about got the jar up to half. Perhaps I should find a smaller pickeled pig's feet jar! [swg]

nickinwestwales Nick Nope - let me muddle through it one more time. I'm sure the "key" is in the wording! [swg] <grin!>

Okay - time for the afternoon NOSTALGIA piece ......

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #34

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the BURLINGTON ROUTE in a 1949 advertisement from my private collection:

. . . . . VISIT Colorful Colorado! . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . Land of a Million Thrills! . . . . . . . . . .

* No vacation empire in all the world offers you more variety – more sheer enjoyment! Mile-high Denver and its mountain parks . . . picturesque Colorado Springs and pikes Peak region . . . the grandeur of Rock Mountain National-Estes Park . . . the friendly Dude Ranches. Ride or hike! Fish or golf! Go sightseeing or just be lazy! Whatever you choose, Colorado gives you extra pleasure!

. . . . . For Speed, Comfort, Pleasure . . . Go Burlington! . . . . .

* Choose between two famous diesel-powered streamlined trains - the DENVER ZEPHYR, overnight every night from Chicago to Colorado . . . or the CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, with its entrancing Vista-Domes. Extra speed, extra luxury . . . but no extra fare!

BURLINGTON’S 100th ANNNIVERSARY * 1849-1949
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Way of the Zephyrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . VISIT THE CHICAGO RAILROAD FAIR JUNE 25 – OCT 2 . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

CHECK THE MONDAY SUMMARY and INDEX PAGES FOR MORE GREAT NOSTALGIA POSTS!

[siberianmo]

Hi trolleyboy Rob - Hope you stuck around for a minute or two to catch my Posts! I know you are savy enough to do that .... just need to remind the other guys now 'n then! [swg] Just check the times of the last three Posts! <AMAZING!>

Just wanted to acknowledge your Inclusive Post! before getting some outside things done 'round here.

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and maybe a diest pastry from the Mentor Bakery.

Rob You asked a question about the early articulated Zephyrs. The PIONER ZEPHYR was built as a three car articulated set but a fourth car was added. One of the original TWIN ZEPHYRS also built as a three car articulated added a fourth car. The MARK TWAIN ZEPHYR was built as a four car articaulated train set and when it was operated in the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYR one of the cars was removed the same happened with the PIONEER ZEPHYR that had one car removed during that time period. The reason these two train sets were seleected was due to their 30' RPO compartments something the TWIN ZEPHYRS never had. The CB&Q retained a mail contract on the Chicago - Denver route until all mail contracts were cancelled in the 1960's. It was not an easy job to convert the early Zephyrs from three to four cars or vis versa but it was done quite a few times over the life of the early Zephyrs. The unused cars were stored indoors when not part of one of the ZEPHYR trains. It is my understanding that their were two extra cars made for three car trains and they were interchanged quite regularly.

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone. I'll take a house draught, Tom. Getting psyched up for the Santa train this weekend at the Midland. Think I'll probably have to wear longjohns under the conductor's uniform to stay warm according to the forecast.
FtWnsengineer, I've heard for years that one should keep one's interest in trains to oneself should one get a rail job. Funny, but most rails I know cuss the industry but as soon as they retire, they want to get back into in some manner. I have tried to get on with 2 Class 1s with no luck, and in hindsight am glad I did'nt. I can run trains and enjoy myself hopefully without getting the burnout and bitterness I've observed. This past summer I was handed a job as engineer on a shortline conglomerate but after being lied to, I am still driving truck. Appreciate the info about locomotive quirks and would like more.
WestcoastS, thoroughly enjoyed the Espee bit concerning pass power. That info goes a long way in understanding why certain rrs bought certain power. I wish more PAs were preserved,BTW. One correction, though. PAs were powered by 244s-the 241 was an experimental engine that helped in developing the 244. Unfortunately, the 244 was prone to problems with the crank and other things as it was rushed into production without complete testing, which ultimately soured some rrs on Alco.
Barndad, loved the oilburning fireman's memoirs. Some of this makes sense as I have a tape around here explaining how to fire oilburners, in this case, Espee 2472. Personal recollections put the person in railroading. Without people, the industry would just be a boring collection of statistics. Let's have some more, please.
Tom, I trust you made it thru the high winds the other night. News said wind done some amjor damage in the St Louis area. Another draw, please.
From my perspective as someone who barely caught the end of regular service passenger trains, it can be hard to fathom all the trains that were run everywhere. The ads Tom and others post blow my mind--since I was a kid, the only time rrs are mentioned is when there is a derailment or a crossing incident.
Wish I could post pix for Sundays but not sure how to do it and besides, been using disposable cameras and the Nikon hasn't been used in years.

[siberianmo]

Sorry, but IT happened once again, sooooooooooooo

. . . . . ENCORE! A NOTE for all who Post here! . . . . .

Some of this may be repetitious, however, we have some new guys who may appreciate this info:

When you log in to this Forum (Classic Trains) and see the listings for the topics, you are NOT getting the most CURRENT Posts if you simply click on what you see.

Click on "Active Topics." Use the “Active Topics Since” option (near the top, at the middle) and click on “last 12 hours –or- last 6 hours” etc., and you will then get “refreshed” info.

Another way to ensure that you are reading the MOST CURRENT info, is once you have called up the last page shown for “Our” Place and BEFORE you decide to respond, use the “REFRESH” or “RELOAD” option (usually located at the top bar of your screen). This will call up the MOST CURRENT info.

I cannot explain why the Forums operate this way, but they do. Since I am here more time than most, I see it happen several times a day where someone Posts, but does not respond to information that has been “out there” for an hour or more. Reason [?] Who knows! But one way to circumvent it is to use either of my “procedures” explained above.

For the guys who seemingly have repetitious problems with losing information before it gets Posted – use a word processor program to prepare your material. Cut ‘n paste it to the “message block” on the Thread. Should it get “lost” you always can retrieve it from your WP program. Simple enough, eh [?]

Finally, try to stick around for a couple of minutes AFTER you have Posted – then use the “REFRESH” or “RELOAD” option, just to see if someone has Posted during the time you were preparing yours.


None of this is difficult but will surely keep you “on target” if you are interested in such things. [tup]


Later!

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Just finished with some MORE Christmas decorations for the outside. My bride decided that we should have "something" in the BACK of the house. Hmmmmm. No further comment on that. Anyway, there is now an illuminated train for us to enjoy - Fa La La La La, Lah, La, La, La, LAH! [swg] Gettin' a bit on the chilly side fer sure, fer sure - winds pickin' up and it "feels" like snow. Sure wish it WOULD! [tup]

Man oh man, I check the Posts and what do I find [?] Argggggggggggggggh. Frustration abounds with this stuff. Thought for sure that my NOSTALGIA piece for today would "tweak" the guy who has been talking about the Zephyrs Oh well, win some, lose some and some are rained out. Double - Arggggggggggh.

Okay, so where am I [?] Ah yes, an Inclusive Post from our friend, earlydiesels Dan! Good show and thanx for the positive comments ......

Gotta run - phone's ringing, door bell is too and my wife just came home! [wow] A trifecta.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom, Time for a CR or better make that a double I am on the Blue Ribbon Crime Commission and this is our fourth meeting this afternoon. Sure will need something to get me through the meeting.

Tom loved the piece on the CZ and Denver Zephyr in 1949 that would have been the original Denver Zephyr a fine train that was replaced by the last full service streamlined trains to enter service before Amtrak. Those original Streamlined DENVER ZEPHYRS then became the TEXAS ZEPHYRS on the Colorado Southern/Fort Worth and Denver. I remember reading somewhere how many Million miles those original DENVER ZEPHYRS traveled and i beleive they held the record.

TTFN AL

[wanswheel]

Tom everything in recent "Encore" makes sense except the part about "None of this is difficult." If every sailor had your expertise the Coast Guard would soon be out of the S.O.S. business. Who doesn't love Zephyrs. I think I rode the California Z eastbound in 1960. And there's some Z's in that top ten fastest scheduled trains of 1956, all diesel traction. The fastest electric traction that year was the 83.4-mile stretch of Paoli to Harrisburgh in 71 minutes on the Broadway (70.5 mph). Runner-up: Afternoon Congressional between Newark and No. Philadelphia, 76 miles in 65 minutes (70.1mph). But Steam is King, I think.
Going back to 1893 the NYC&H.R. (Hudson?) "Empire State Express" did a mile in 32 seconds (112 mph) and in 1934 some UP train flew 9 miles from Dix to Potter, Nebraska in 4.5 minutes (120 mph). All this according to the brittle yellowed pages of my trusty 1957 World Almanac and Book of Facts, published annually by the erstwhile "New York World-Telegram and The Sun," cumbersomely named vestige of "The New York World" (first corporate sponsor of the World Series) and Virginia wrote the editor of "The Sun" about Santa Claus.

Can I get a Spam sandwich on white, with ketchup? Be careful lifting off the lid, Tom, the edge is treacherous! And please rinse off that slimy gelatin goo before you slice it. Oh the key is missing? No problem I just happen to have a spare spam key. Actually it's a used coffee can key after uncoiling the strip of metal.

Doug, no one was mere seconds from getting run over this time, but near suffocation in a tunnel is pretty good. Until recently I had thought a Mike was a microphone and a Mikado was something like The Barber of Seville.

Nick, your new game may have a long future, considering that the legendary Boris seemed to have landed here on the wings of one of your idle whims. Reminds me, there was a board game called "Dispatcher" that collected dust on department store shelves decades ago. Based on UP operations I think. Can't remember the object. It was dry.
My father thought it would be a great Christmas present. Speaking of Dad, I did ride the California Zepher in 1960, from Oakland to Des Moines, if that's possible. We went out from Hoboken on the Erie-Lackawanna (don't recall name of that train, it left late in the afternoon) and then the Challenger to L.A. and Coast Daylight to S.F. and Rock Island from Des Moines, where my uncle lived. Good old Uncle John, he was at Hickam Field on Dec. 7. And lately I've hardly read a newspaper in the last two weeks, because there's so much to read in this thread.

Rob, I wouldn't even have a family tree without the railroad. Nearly a hundred years ago my grandfather met my grandmother from the cab of a locomotive. She lived in a house near the tracks and one day my grandfather spotted her over there watching the train go by. He gave her a toot of the whistle and she waved back. From that day on everyday about the same time she waited and waved and he tooted the whistle.

"Track to the left is Central Vermont and the area to the right is the B&M yard."
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cv/cv-wrj-am.jpg

[red p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by earlydiesels
FtWnsengineer, I've heard for years that one should keep one's interest in trains to oneself should one get a rail job. Funny, but most rails I know cuss the industry but as soon as they retire, they want to get back into in some manner.

A friend Of mine that I work with (also a fan and modeler) told me when I was just starting out, that working for the railroad would ruin the hobby for me.

I told him that it wouldnt, well it almost did. Right about the time I was going through my divorice, which I lost everything even my models. I developed a real bad attitude and I got to the point that I hated trains and couldnt stand the sight of them and it lasted for several years.Im not sure what got me back into to hobby again. But I can tell you that present day railroading does nothing for me. I do love the historical aspect though.

Of course im not going to say anything bad about my employer, but the company I do really like is the PC its the railroad I grew up with when I was a kid and it was the PC that fostered my love of trains in the mid 70s
P

[West Coast S]

Afternoon Tom and the gang..Ok.,we have a tough crowd, the offer of lunch still stands

True enough PassengerFan, even after assignment to the commute pool the train masters ventured into freight duty in the off hours until the mid 60s when it was ordered that this must cease so as to preserve them for commute duties. Actually, they were intended for use out of El Paso, the arid/sandy enviorment wreaked havoc on the prime movers, forcing SP to move them west .

Ok Tom and all, here's the trivia answer: The Bayshore Cutoff was designed for the later addition of two main tracks, making a total of four, also clearences where constructed generously for the later addtion of electrification. SP never developed the need for these upgrades as events turned out..

SP was concerned with image and addherance to the schedule in those long ago days. When events conspired to disable the usual commute power, it was not unusual to find Alco RS-32's, GP-35's, GE U-25B's or low nose GP-9's, all the former from the freight pool, assigned as relief power, such oddball power was confined mostly to Bayshore for switching and local service and therefore readily available in a pinch. My last visit, prior to CalTrain takeover had Tunnel Motors spotted at the service tracks, SP had abandoned the practice of building freight trains in SF, so I suspect this is yet another example of creative use of relief power.

Dave

[Anonymous]

Hi everybody, Tom, just a glass of soda (unleaded) for now please. I had a "hit and run" quicky at McDonalds and haven't been the same since.[xx(] Well, I did the "most recent posts" thing so I hope I'm caught up to date. Not good news on the Sears purchase is it? Maybe I'll "luck out" of any major problems, "hope springs eternal." Love all the data on the Denver and California Zephers which you and Al so gereously shared.[tup][tup][tup] As a little shaver during W.W. II, I had more than my fair share of Spam and can attest to the haazards of opening the can mentioned by wanswheel.[:O] The only thing more threatening would be the contents.[V] And yes, I did know of the "steam is king" for setting speed pasenger runs and the Road's that did it come as no surprise.

Sorry for being late checking in but there has been a epidemic of interuptions this day. BK, glad to hear your rail journey wasn't a "bust." Sounds as if the second leg (VIA) was downright enjoyable. Doug, I haven't read installments 2 and 3 yet but the first was very informative and looking forward to finishing them up. WOW, the "nuts and bolts" of keeping a Road competitive and "rolling" entails so many details it boggles the mind. Surely appreciate the time and trouble it takes for postings.[tup] Rob, there is no rush on the pix and I must apologize for "puttin you through the ringer" like this. Had I known of the potential problems, I would have demured from the beginning..."don't sweat it" on my account please. Speaking of Pike Perspectives, I'm making some headway on my Cityscape but as work progresses, I need to do some more "undoing" from previous imprudent choices. Mostly "tweaking," however there is one nagging "glitch" that needs some major surgery. I need to raise the north leg of the mainline about 1" to 1-1/2" for a more prototypical gradient. Since this abuts my work bench, I must raise the working surface of the bench.[#oops]

Pete and Nick, although I know next to nothing of R.R.ing in the U.K, I hope you both know that this information does not "fall on deaf ears." Your interaction is followed with interest indeed.[tup] Earlydiesels Dan, I didn't address your past post on the "flack" that develops with major mergers of different Roads. I suppose it is a natural, if not inevitable, difference in strategies both from management and operations standpoints. From a "burn-out" point of view, I'm sure these conflicts don't help one bit? CM3, "keep them cards and letters coming." [tup] P, glad you're aboard with the rest of us Dinosaurs.[^] I know I'm passing over some other previous posts but the traffic has been pretty heavy lately. Apologies to those I missed! I'll double back to catch the others. Okay Boris, any more tormenting Tex and the S.P.C.A. will "get on your case and in your face" UGH, understood?[alien]

[siberianmo]

Evenin’ Gents!

Okay now, where was I [?] Ah yes – earlydiesels Dan …. As much as you are looking forward to resumption of “duties” at the Midland I know that those of us who “followed” your long absence and recovery hope that you don’t “pu***he envelope.” Take care, man! [tup] And of course, have an enjoyable time – you AND your bride! [swg]

To the acknowledgments:

passengerfan Al Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 15:58:12

Why THANK YOU, Sir …. Appreciate the acknowledgment!

I always got a kick out of that term, “Blue Ribbon.” Have you ever actually seen the ribbon [?] And was it really blue [?] [swg] Seriously, sounds to me as if you are quite the civic minded guy – society can only gain by having the citizenry engaged. That’s not a quote from anyone that I’m aware of, just my thoughts on the matter. [tup][tup]

By the by, thanx for the THREE Posts today! [tup][tup][tup]

wanswheel Mike Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 16:30:47

You may not know this, but the USCG is indeed out of the “SOS” business. The international Morse code was dropped decades ago as the primary method for communications by ships at sea. Consequently, the USCG decided that there was no longer a need to continuously guard the frequency set aside for “SOS” – 500 Khz.. An era ended one in which I spent about 14 years of my career dedicated to. Like the anvil salesmen of the 1800’s, my skills as a high speed radio telegraph operator are no longer needed. Change, my friend, it’s all about …… [swg

I received your Email – thanx! I still think you should Post that info. Just copy the URL on the last page you sent me to – and post it here. The gujys can then go directly to it and get the “story.” See, it’s easy! [swg]

Man oh man have you ever rekindled a thought or two regarding the “SPAM key.” As with the old roller skate key, I haven’t thought about either in years. Why would I [?] And thanks for the reference to the “SPAM slime,” [yeah] a great “after dinner” inducement to “blow chunks!” <ugh>

Your Post is one of your finest and we all appreciate the time you’ve taken to communicate with us! [tup][tup]

I should mention that ANY misstatement of fact regarding passenger trains will be immediately “pounced upon” by our resident Oracle, passengerfan Al! [swg] But you know what [?] It’s really never meant in any other way other than “setting the record straight.” So, “state” away without trepidation …. [tup]

ftwNSengineer P Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 16:59:42

Tweeeeeeeeeeet! Tweeeeeeeeeeeet! Rules violation! Rules violation! Rule #1: Failure to greet the barkeep –and- Rule #2: Failure to order a drink and/or food! Boris Ring the bell, the man called P is buying the house a round! [yeah]

Your WERE forewarned, Mate! [swg] Ahhhhhhh, thanx for the JD on the rocks. [tup]

There are so many aspects to the hobby called model railroading. I find equal enjoyment simply looklng at the layouts as I do running ‘em. The rolling stock and loco’s in my wall mounted display cases bring to mind great memories as well. Then there’s the construction of a layout and the feeling of accomplishment once a scene, structure or rail car brings a smile to the “creator’s” face. Aspects of a hobby that has brought immense satisfaction my way.

Somewhere on these pages you will find a “rant” of mine regarding the Penn Central. I was a “born ‘n bred” Pennsylvania RR fan. It was MY railroad, loved it and still do. The New York Central was a competitor in several of the markets, but rather than dislike the NYC I had great appreciation for it as well. Once they “bit the dust,” and the entire sorry mess wound up with the courts and government essentially mandating the PC I felt very sad. Sad to see the GG-1’s in livery other than tuscan red or Brunswick green. Sad to see the disappearance of the “keystone” herald and the “lightning bolt” livery. Then the New Haven was “folded into” the PC again by “mandate. Another of my “favorite” roads gone, gone, gone. So, for me, I just could never get “into” the PC.

Now, don’t take any of this personally, for my era was completely different from yours. They’re all gone now – and what has emerged, well – a far cry from days gone by, eh [?]

West Coast S Dave Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 17:39:04

Tweeeeeeeeeeet! Tweeeeeeeeeeeet! Rules violation! Rules violation! Rule #2: Failure to order a drink and/or food! Boris Ring the bell, the man called Dave is buying the house a round! [yeah] We’re a tough crowd ‘round here, Mate! [swg]

Dave’s back and he’s offering a FREE LUNCH! Remember, we make the finest sandwiches in the county – freshest breads and lunchmeats. Just check ‘em out on the sandwich board, right over there …… Grinders, subs, heroes, and hoagies, whatever you prefer to call ‘em, we’ve got ‘em!

You and Nick should get together for “mind bender’s day!” Maybe I should incorporate that on our “calendar.” [swg]

Appreciate the elaboration, however – but I really thought your fellow “left coaster” would have jumped all over this … he didn’t! [wow]

Theodorebear Ted Posted: 30 Nov 2005 18:16:10

Hey Ted! I was just about to Post – but first hit the “Refresh” button and found your Epistle.

Another fine Inclusive Post! with some Tedisms thrown in ….. [swg]

Placed an order today for the subway station and tunnel materials along with a few other things for the Can-Am. Finally found those HO scale “Fishbowl” GMC buses that had been advertised by Walthers for months and months, but seemingly always out of stock. They have ‘em now and they’re on sale at $19.98. Anyway, two of ‘em will be placed at my Bus Depot in Can-Am City. Although they still aren’t the modern transit bus I’ve been looking for, they still “fit” for the period I’m modeling. I understand that “Fishbowls” still ply the streets of a couple of Canadian and U.S. cities. Good thing SEARS didn’t make ‘em! [swg]

Later!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[red p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo
ftwNSengineer P Posted: 30 Nov 2005, 16:59:42

Tweeeeeeeeeeet! Tweeeeeeeeeeeet! Rules violation! Rules violation! Rule #1: Failure to greet the barkeep –and- Rule #2: Failure to order a drink and/or food! Boris Ring the bell, the man called P is buying the house a round! [yeah]

OH, #@&% !

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening fellow stop-outs & ne`r-do-wells,managed to stumble back in before Leon noticed me (He takes that bit in his contract about expelling drunks from the premises far too literally IMHO....)
O.K,where am I ,ah yes-
[4:-)]TOM-better set up a couple of those green bottles please,this might take a while:-
ok,first up-still TOM-I hope the tunnel on the `S`Capades has a lift off-looks like a very long piece of track to have out of your control--Nice one on the Soo Line,another one of those maneagable size roads ( C.P. connection helps )[tup]
BAR CHANDLER ROB-Appreciate the offer of a J.D but would prefer a beer ( you`ve never had the pleasure of my company after drinking spirits,it`s a luxury you can spare yourself,believe me--on a different note-([4:-)]TOM also) May looking increasingly promising,sister due home at Xmas,will start final negotiations then and report directly

MIKE-pull up a stool and take the weight off,a long Dr P over T.V advert crushed ice ?-Be good to hear your Old Man`s story [^]-here`s the bribe,you spill the beans,we provide an unlimited supply of Spam & Ketchup on white ( & heres the killer ) fla***oasted under a full-blast Salamander so that the outside is crisp nut-brown but the butter hasn`t softened in the centre -N.B-[C=:-)]`s tip-always chill can for sveral hours before opening-you`ll see why when you do it.
RED P-welcome aboard,Jack + Coke it is
AL-Now-Badger & Gopher,this is more my scale of train-the trans-continentals & such cover more territory than I can comfortably imagine......As to Spam,when I was a kid,Mum made sure we had meat every day-her definition being `part of an animal`.
Spam-nice safe pink stuff with no tubes,bone splinters,strange purple bits,bits of bristles etc
SIR THEODORE MANAGER-I am ashamed to say that I`ve only just re-discovered your E-Mail R.E. your yard throat,will contact you separately once your current situation is resolved
B.K.-Glad you are enjoying the good things in life[tup][^][tup]-If that`s a pre-Christmas `taster`,I don`t suppose we`ll be seing much of you for the holiday season..................
Ho Ho Ho..............
PETE-Auntie Ellen (Mrs Skyrme)-the Trevithick descendant is in fact quite famous locally-not,as one might expect,because of her ancestry but because she is the last of the old Llangwm fishwives & the last who still speaks the old Llangwm dialect-has been on local T.V & radio. a number of times
CM3-Had heard the name Ernie Tubbs,but didnt know any more than that-thanks for the pointer
WEST COAST DAVE-if thats the entry level for the bar-quiz trivia thing------------I`ll be in the galley if you need me
DOUG-keep that good stuff coming [tup]
DAN-Seize the moment--!--for those kids,you ARE-- Mr Conductor-you wont let em down [swg]
right,game abandoned until I can explain it face to face,whoops,-it`s got late early again-strange how that keeps happening............
Well,lovely to see you all but as it`s now 03:17 and counting & I have 11 cubic yards of hardcore to shift tomorrow,almost certainly in the pi**ing rain,I will bid you all a fond fare-thee-well and a peaceful nights sleep nick[C=:-)]