"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[Anonymous]

re: coalminor3 addage to beer and wv.

Drove through WV in the late 70's. Saw some railroading and great scenery. Went on to Penn and passed a place called Throope PA. It has/had a place called "Throope College of Beer Knowledge", a little hole in the wall/hill.

I dabble in Classics, 1949 Marx NYC set, 1952 2037&6466wx with a whole asst of cars from Lionel and K-Line. Also have Mod era MTH locos and MRC power.

#1 looks like THE place. Yeh I know my vote doesn't count.

Love the VIA variety show. I live in Oshawa ON and we see just about every thing that VIA has pass through.

Again. [8D]

[siberianmo]

SPECIAL RESPONSE TO EDon6400

I see this is your first Post on the Forums and I'm pleased that you chose our thread to start off.

We are a rather unique thread (site) in that we acknowledge one another, try to be inclusive when we Post (submit comments) and remain on topic (Classic Trains) most of the time - well some of the time! [swg]

Your Profile doesn't really tell us very much about you - but feel free to check us out. Just "click" on the cyber name shown to the left of the Posts (comments) and you'll see a block of information come up. That's how you get to learn a bit about those participating on the Forums and individual threads.

I won't go into all of the details concerning "Our" Place at this point - other than to say, read page one - then check out the last 10 or 12 pages. That should give you a pretty good idea of how things are "run" around here.

If you find us to your liking, we'll welcome you and of course buy your first drink here at the cyber bar 'n grill! By the by - your vote WOULD HAVE counted had it been cast back in April of 2005. Again - read page one.

We have two guys from Ontario who frequent this bar - one is a Charter Member meaning he has been with us since we started on April 12th, 2005. I'm a long time VIA Rail traveler and advocate. So I'd say we're off to a great start!

Check us out and hope to see you soon.

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

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening fellow tipplers and otherwise,how are we all this fine day ?
Before anything else,I bear glad tidings from MANAGER SIR THEODORE-mails have been exchanged and it seems he has been hit with a second bout of bronchial & associated problems. He wishes us all well,is taking his medicine and will rejoin us as soon as he is able -GET WELL SOON MATE [tup][^][tup].
[4:-)]TOM,ten green bottles for me please as I`m cooking tonight,keep your own glass full on my ticket (you know you deserve it ! ) and set up the boys please,could you hide the bar snacks,we`ve a lot of fi***o move this night [swg]- you should have a couple of E-Mails on your desk,one of which is clearly redundant....Thanks for the British Railways promo piece-[tup]-I can hear it being read out on the wireless by one of those impeccably polished B.B.C announcers-as noted by PETE this was their first season as a both an integrated national as opposed to independant multi-regional system and as a state-owned and run outfit,how they went from those heady early days to the s*d you indifference of their last days is one of our great shames-the mention of B.E.A. ( and by inference B.O.A.C ) dates it for sure-happy memories of early sixties childhood...( being 4 years old and less than 3 ft tall when high heels and mini skirts came into fashion has had a lasting effect on me......[^][^][^]
BAR CHANDLER ROB-Hi there mate-have a warmer on me-we have some very nice Woods`s rum in stock for PETE just now-R.E. derailments-just guessing here but assume C.N.`s argument is that derailments caused by lateral stresses going through curves caused by excessive train lengths,thus reduce train length and reduce drag factor--surely mid-train helpers (which I understand B.C.Rail were fans of ) would resolve this..as to O.N.R derailments,these seem to happen at yard throats for the main part (Cochrane a couple of times & Kapuskasing also if memory serves)-perhaps this tells it`s own story ?
CM3-Will you take a shot with your coffee ?-If not theres one in for you on the way home[tup]-nice call on the tunes [^]-We used to have a rockabilly band working out of the local R.A.F. station a few years ago that did a brilliant version of mystery train (Bass man `riding` the bull-fiddle,drummer walking round the room playing double time on a marching snare,2 guitarists playing genuine Chet Atkins `Country Gent `guitars that they flew out to Nashville to buy at auction-the real raw deal-[^]-brilliant !)
Nice touch as ever with the B+M piece,I can smell the exhaust [tup][^][tup]
RED P-Well there`s a nice quick turn-around- have a jack`n`coke or two before you get your head down,they`ll help you sleep [swg]-anything interesting happen out in the real world ?-got wannabees here who need to know ( well,me anyway )-plan looks good by the way-what are the dead-end roads near the station building for-engine parking,mail & express,local passenger ?-difficult to guess without scale.
WOLFMANPETE-Awright mate-pint of Bathams coming right up,I`ll get with the plan fish-wise directly. OK,back again-pix of Wexford Town & Broad Gauge repro sent to steamed proprieter by fast zeppelin (the best sort[swg]) mail
R.E.steam heat on C.I.E,all the trains I saw (around Rosslare & district only,to be sure ) had mk1 full brakes attached-presume these were steam heat vans,not sure what the power is classified as but check pix album-would welcome clarity here-have heard them described as `dogbones`-appear to be G.M export model
Right,enough idle chit-chat,lets have a look in the fridge & see whats for supper tonight:-

Well,the soup kettle`s are perking nicely,-looks like we have Clam Chowder(properly thickened with crumbled Jacobs Table Water crackers) and traditional ****`a`Leekie plus a frankly experimental mixed won-tons in sweet chilli & lemon grass broth

moving on we have:-
Flame-grilled Swordfish steaks with mustard,tarragon & butter sauce
Darne of Cleddau Bass poached in rum,lime & ginger
Deep fried Whitebait with mixed dips

And for traditionalists:-
North Sea Cod & Haddock,in a beer batter
South coast Plaice & sole in flour,egg & breadcrumbs
Battered sausages,saveloys,black & white puddings,Mars Bars (A Scots eccentricity) apple & pineapple fritters,
assorted pies & pasties

all with large or small fries-
also available,fries with beans or curry sauce
pickled eggs,onions,pigs feet,otters noses,mixed roadkill & olives are in jars on the counter,please help yourselves

[red p]

Nick No, the 2 large gaps you saw behind the station are where the platforms were.
P

[nickinwestwales]

Whoops,just refreshed-MIKE-how do you prefer your halibut-not a posted dish but we always go the extra mile for valued customers ( Boris-go get some halibut-I dont care,use your initiative-just get the d**m fish-O.K )-Had no idea about the link between the Titanic and the S.N.E,had a long running affection for the idea after reading description of Marty McGuirk`s H.0. S.N.E system in M.R special a few years back (recomended reading if you are a fan,will look it out )-nice one[tup]
EDON6400[#welcome]aboard,theres loads of good stuff inbetween the weirdness,stick around,it can take you in interesting directions [tup][^][tup]--jlampke-I see you there with RED P,stop in and take a drink,hardly any of us bite [swg]
O.K,time to hit the galley & make with the rock`n`roll--25 years to the day since John Lennon got turned into an eternal flame so how about a Beatles night on the juke-She Loves You,Hard Days Night,Dizzy Miss Lizzy,Eight Days a Week,Yer Blues,-there`s my first five-any takers-?
sleep well one and all,see you tomorrow,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Tweeeeeeeeeeeet, Tweeeeeeeeeet, Rules Violation, Rules Violation. Repeat offender. Repeat offender.

Rule #1 - entering the bar without greeting the barkeep!
Rule #2 - failure to order drink or food.
Rule #3 - signature graphic occupies more space than Post!

Boris Ring the bell three times - that's three rounds, one for each infraction to be placed on ftwNSengineer's P bar bill.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

RED P-think we may be working at cross-purposes here-I`m talking about the stub tracks 1;:-between Calhoun & Harrison & 2:-just below the scissor crossing-try another J&C-it will all resolve itself soon enough,[tup]nick

[nickinwestwales]

Hey boss-rule 3 is a bit sneaky [swg] n

[siberianmo]

Yeah - it's fun being Boss! [swg]

[siberianmo]

Evenin’ Gents!

First and foremost a Theodorebear Ted report: Received an Email from our Manager and he’s having a difficult time battling the illness which has put him out of commission recently. He’s on the mend, but just not up to par – a slow go. He shall return! [tup][tup][tup]

It was a glorious day today with the snow, Juneau, the snow, and well, the snow! [swg]

To the acknowledgments:

ftwNSengineer P
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 12:48:50

That’s a “grind” in anyone’s book. Not something to be envied or worth repeating. But then again, we do what we do for the means to survive in this world, wouldn’t you agree [?]

Thanx for the station info …. Also looking forward to your pix for Sunday Photo Posting Day!

pwolfe Pete
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 16:53:41

I’m really enjoying the information on those ferries and the rail trips in Ireland and Great Britain. Sure would love to share those experiences. How many rooms in that house of yours in Rugby [?] [swg] Perhaps we should schedule a Rendezvous AT YOUR HOUSE! The neighborhood would never be the same! [swg]

Tex the Armadillo and snow don’t seem to mix. He’s rather like a turtle on ice, if you follow my thoughts. <grin> Now, why would you be thinking of Tex and snow [?] Hmmmmmmm.

Nah – blame it on the Gremlins – always works for me when ‘puter problems crop up. [swg]

Figured you’d like that NOSTALGIA piece for this day! [tup]

wanswheel Mike
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 18:05:46

That line is one I’ve used for years – just for the halibut! [yeah] Fish ‘n Chips are ready and just flag down one of our gals and she’ll bring you a tray. [tup]

Roger Miller WAS indeed the “King” – of the road! [yeah] We’ve got that on our Juke – just punch M12.

Nice “stuff” on the CV history ……. Was particularly taken by the info on Charles Hays and the Titanic. Sobering, eh [?]

EDon6400 Ed
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 18:47:55

My comments above apply ……. Come back and we’ll “officially” welcome you! [tup]

nickinwestwales Nick
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 19:37:54 and 20:11:48

Great menu for Nick’s Picks! Don’t know how you do it, but one could easily become accustomed to eating ‘round here every night! Good thing we only serve [dinner] dinner three nights a week!

Emails received and responded to! Pix “good to go” for Sunday Photo Posting Day! Appreciate your getting them to me before week’s end – helps a lot with the processing time by avoiding the “crunch.” [tup]

Thanx for the drinks …. As always. [swg]

Beatles on the Juke “works” for me – we’ve got ‘em all! That’s the beauty of Herr Wurlitzer undergoing the “digitalizing” procedure. Even have the Dave Clark Five and their Greatest Hits …. [tup] Try, Glad All Over – Catch Us If You Can and Bits and Pieces [yeah]

Check out this URL on the latest regarding those CN derailments in BC: http://www.cbc.ca/bc/story/bc_cn-restrictions20051207.html


Okay, that’s it for me this fine night. Leon the Night Man has the bar at 9 PM …..

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]



REMINDERS, especially for those who Post only once per day or on occasion:

(1) Check to see if you are getting the MOST CURRENT info before Posting.
(2) Check to see if anyone has Posted during the time yours was being prepared.
(3) Stick around a few minutes after Posting, just to ensure that someone may want to “talk” to you or has Posted.
(4) It’s a long wait until your next visit and perhaps by then some pertinent info directed your way will be missed.

[siberianmo]

SPECIAL FOR jlampke

Been seeing you browsing the bar 'n grill several times the past few days .... What's up, John [?] Haven't seen you at the bar for a couple of weeks or so. You're most welcome 'round here. [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Yes-string lining-thats the expression I was looking for-this restriction may have wide reaching consequences,I understand C.N.450 &451 ( North Bay-Toronto & return ) reg. runs up to 130 cars,so there`s one train that will have to double up in both directions.
Inevitable consequence of building single track main lines I guess,throw as much traffic as you can out of the yard on any given train and build very long passing sidings-RED P-you`re on the `sharp end` here -any thoughts ? later,nick[C=:-)]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening gents. Tom I'll grab a Keith;s and Nick the menue looks quite good so I have to have a heaping helping of the chowder, and even though it was not on the official menu I will partake in some halibut as well ( best fish ever created IMHO )


Tom & Nick Yup the big boys do need to learn, Big trains single track and sharpe cuvres and gradients don't mix.

I too have had contact with Ted so it's good to know that the supply of prune danishes I order will not go to waste[tup] [:D]


Tom Excellent nostalgia piece as per usual, nice that Pete was able to jump in as well, I do like hearing about how things are done on the t'other side of the pond.

BTW your email was recieved and responded to [tup][tup]

CM3 Wonderfull bit on the B&M, I don't suppose that in your formitive years you were able to snao many colour pictures of those beautifull red and gold loco's plying their trade.I did not know that the GG1's had steam generators, you see even old dogs can learn new tricks on occation [tup][:-^]


Mike Great CV/GTW info, Mr Hayes was Canada's lesser known rail guy. I figure that had he lived he would have pulled it off instead his successors and indeed the Candian Northern guys never could get it right. To much money wasted on the ill fated Grand Trunk pacific and the CnoR's transcontininetal lines. Still had both companies not fallen on hard times in the late teens early twenties CNR would not have been formed. I suppose in an alternate reality without the rival transcontinenal CPR may have become the biggest road NOB.


Pete To attempt to answer your steam generator question. I seem to remember reading about Palace cars using steam heat in the late 1880's early 1890's. I could be wrong so hopefully Al, guru [bow] of passenger trains can shed the light to the rest of us beleavers. [swg]

Many Canadian railways used steam generator cars to heat cars when suitable boiler equiped loco's were unavailable or before HEP units became the norm. I know that CNR had several cars purpose built, tghey were painted like express reefers but wer a box car containing the steam heat units. ONR amd Go and Via also had rebuilt B units as steam gen later hep units for passenger train heating.

Well folks have a good one.

Rob

[jlampke]

Evenin' Tom, Nick, et al.... I'll have a double Absolute & grapefruit juice for a good pre-dinner buzz, with a bowl of that clam chowder. And please, a round for the rest of the boyz in the house and two-bits for Herr Wurlitzer. Five for a quarter you say? How about
"Let it Be" (Beatles) "Mind Games" (John Lennon) Green, Green Grass of Home (Tom Jones) Sitting on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding) & Downtown (Petula Clark)?

Sorry for the extended absence.... Actually, as you observed earlier, I do stop by nearly every day. As I pointed out way back, I usually just slip in & out quietly. Plus, me usually being on the Western side of the Pacific means that you gents are sawing wood while I'm visiting Our Place after work hours. We're actually headed East now to WA. Still a couple time zones out. I logged on at about 1430 today and read back through some of the previous pages. It's 1900 here now. (I see Rob stepped in.) Evenin' Rob. Tom, put whatever Rob's drinkin' on my tab, please.

Well, next year it'll be 30 years since I first enlisted in the Navy. Having said that, you boyz should understand why I don't have many railroading experiences to contribute to the thread. (Does the steamer at Knott's Berry Farm count? [?]) I'm not prepared to risk general ridicule [D)] in the presence of the "Big Four". And I don't mean Huntington, Standford, Crocker & Hopkins; I mean Tom, Ted, Nick & Rob.
As per your suggestion, I sent a "Get well" e-mail to Ted.
Dave; Very interesting item on the snow sheds. [tup] Thank you. I would like to get up there some day to look around and contemplate the history of the place. I heard that the UP removed the rails from Donner Pass after they took over the SP. Is that true? [?] Sad if it's true. [:(] Being from the West, I relate mostly to and am especially interested in the Western railroads. (SP, CP, UP, NP, WP, etc.), and their late steam operations.
Doug; The articles on the SP Fireman were great. [tup] Thank you. I have been to Dunsmuir and up & down through that area. A couple years ago I drove to Delta and walked down the tracks to see if I could figure out exactly where they re-routed the line when they built Shasta Dam. Was by myself that day. Just looked around and tried to imagine what America, life and railroading must've been like back then. I'd like to get pictures of some of the submerged SP tunnels some time when the lake is way down.
Talking to Doyle M. one day last summer, he commented that a steam locomotive at speed was a machine trying to tear itself apart.

KENNETT Established in 1884 as a railroad town beside
the Sacramento River when the California & Oregon
Railroad extended its tracks from Redding to Delta.
The place was first used as an emergency brake-testing
station and was named by the railroad for Squire
Kennett, a railroad stockholder and financier. Became
a copper mining boom town that once boasted a
population of over 5000. Was home to the famous
Diamond Bar Saloon; the offices of the Justice of the
Peace were located in the saloon building basement.
The town was home to an Opera House. The Kennett Post
Office was established in 1886 and discontinued in
1942. Goldminer Charles Butters arrived in
approximately 1885 and began purchasing land. He
owned over 6000 acres by 1905 and began building the
town complete with roads, churches, and schools. The
town suffered a devastating fire in 1904. In 1905
electricity arrived. In 1907 the Mammoth Copper
Company built a copper smelter whose thick fumes
sometimes enveloped the whole town in a haze of bluish
smoke. The smelter operated continuously until 1919
when it was shut down by court order, operated again
briefly in 1924, and dismantled in 1925. Was the 2nd
largest town in Shasta County in 1910 and the most
prosperous mining town in the West. In 1911 Kennett
became incorporated and in 1930 was disincorporated.
The remains of Kennett lie in the deepest part of
Shasta Lake just north of the dam.

KENNETT DAM What Shasta Dam was originally unofficially called.

KENNETT FERRY Crossed the Sacramento River. 20
Greek workers drowned in the Sacramento in 1907 when
it tilted up and they slid into the water while on
their way to work. [Cottonwood Enterprise 3- 16-1907]

KENNETT ITEMIZER Newspaper. First printing was in
1909. Editor was Charles Hodkins. See Newspapers.
[Cottonwood Enterprise 8-21-1909]

KENNETT, SQUIRE Stockholder in the California & Oregon Railroad.
Kennett was named for him by the railroad.

There is what is known as the Diversion Tunnel through Shasta Dam. It was first used to divert the SP line while the dam was being built until the new line opened, then it was used to divert the river. I've been in it. Blackened from soot from about midway up to the top. The bottom 1/2 was washed clean while the river was diverted through it.

Tom; Who drives that fancy blue 'vette I always see parked in front of Our Place?[?][tup]
Speaking of driving, I'll take another double, and another round for the boyz, please.
BTW, please do add King of the Road to the listing in the juke box. I remember as a little kid seeing it performed on the Lawrence Welk Show. Great song.

Well, our last stop was Guam. Miserable humid place. I sure welcome the cooler climate as we proceed North. Exactly as you said; I never feel more alive than in the cold and especially so with the snow. It's actually kind of nice down in the engine room right now.

Mike; Very interesting item on C. M. Hayes, the GT and the Southern New England RR. [tup]

Well gents, that's it for now.

John

[wanswheel]

http://nkphts.org/sounds/straub587_765.mp3

Who's here at this hour? Oh yeah, Leon. I need a Playbill to keep track of the cast of characters in this joint. The only bar in the world that serves both halibut on short notice and prune danishes. Thanks Nick for impelling Boris to break into the frozen food warehouse, and to the lass I'll call Lovely Rita, for bringing the tray of goodies over. Thanks for reading Tom, Nick, Rob, and John! if I knew you were in the neighborhood I wouldn't have typed all this to burden the eyeballs, but glad to see you. I did also quick e-mail to Ted and hope he's not mad at me for calling you hobbyists nuts. But now, as a nightcap to put me to sleep, and it will, here's more from the CV story:

"Once organized, the Canadian National Railway -- parent of the Central Vermont -- sought for a competent executive, worthy of the longest single railroad in the world. It found such a man in the late Sir Henry Thorton, who had just retired as general manager of the Great Eastern Railway of England. Thorton, like his predecessor, Hays, approached Canada by way of the railroads in the United States, only his alma mater was the Pennsylvania, instead of the Wabash. But he too was a product of the Middle West. Born in Logansport, Indiana, son of an officer of the Pennsylvania, he came easily and naturally into railroading as a profession. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and immediately went into the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, rising to be a general superintendent of that system. When, in connection with the development of its passenger terminal in the heart of New York City the Pennsylvania acquired the Long Island Railroad, Thorton was sent to that busy short-line road as vice-president and general manager. He showed a regular aptitude in its management...
Overseas, the Great Eastern Railway of England -- also compact and possessing a heavy suburban traffic -- was looking for a capable executive. It had heard of Thorton and took a bold step and sent to America for him. He went to England at once and on January 1, 1914, began service as the operating head of the Great Eastern. He was already beginning to do radical things with that conservative old property when, at the end of July of that year England was suddenly plunged into war with Germany. Within a matter of months, Thorton was given a far bigger job than the management of Great Eastern. He was brevetted a brigadier-general and placed in charge of the entire rail movement of the British Army on the European continent. Here again, he made a signal success. He was knighted and acclaimed as one of the outstanding railroaders of Europe.
But that was all. Things were happening to the railroads of Great Britain. Fifty-two of them were being gathered into four dominant systems. That meant a great lessening of rail executives. Thorton, with all his ability, was an outlander. The Great Eastern ceased to be -- it became part of the London and North Eastern -- and Henry W. Thorton was out of a job. But not for long. The Canadians had long since heard of him. They quickly reached across the Atlantic and brought an American back -- to America. He went at once to the bulky Montreal offices of the new Canadian National (formerly the Grand Trunk) and slipped into the office and chair of Charles M. Hays -- and was a railroader comparable with him. Against much interference, political and otherwise, he began the fabrication of a railroad that would be competent to battle for traffic against the all-powerful Canadian Pacific, which was no small task.
The Central Vermont portion of the property which, for obvious reasons, never merged into the Canadian government-owned and operated Canadian National, attracted Thorton's keen interest and supervision. He rode on it often and saw to it that the road was well maintained and well operated. When some of its officers proposed the rather audacious step of running a through de luxe night train over it from Montreal and Ottawa to Washington, by way of St. Albans, White River Junction, Springfield and New Haven, the idea found instant and warm support from Thorton."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, that train, The Montrealer-Washingtonian, was my grandfather's train.
Discontinued in 1966 and re-instated by Amtrak in 1972 after a grass-roots campaign lead by my father. It no longer makes it all the way to Montreal, but it did put Vermont on the Amtrak map and today it survives as The Vermonter.

NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS CONFERENCE
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
TO
JOSEPH V. MACDONALD, LOYAL SON OF NEW ENGLAND
ST. ALBANS, VERMONT
OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS
TO RESTORE
NEW YORK - MONTREAL RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE
VIA THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY
SEPTEMBER 15, 1972

Governor Francis Sargent, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Governor Frank Licht, State of Rhode Island
Governor Kenneth M. Curtis, State of Maine
Governor Thomas J. Meskill, State of Connecticut
Governor Walter R. Peterson, State of New Hampshire
Governor Deane C. Davis, State of Vermont

[siberianmo]

FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

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

Good Morning!

Steak ‘n Fries Nite! In the meantime, why not draw a cuppa freshly brewed coffee, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> breakfast from our menu board [?]


Daily Wisdom:

If it takes liquor to build your courage, you may have to prove it.


Info for the Day:

(1) CONTEST – CONTEST – CONTEST

What date (time optional) will ”Our” Place reach the next plateau – page 200 [?] BONUS question: WHO will be the one to “turn the page” [?]

Participants . . . . . . Date chosen . . . . . . (Bonus) Who will put us over the top [?]
(in order of participation)
pwolfe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 20th . . . . . . . . . .siberianmo Tom
trolleyboy Rob . . . . . . . . . Dec 18th (12:05 PM) . siberianmo Tom
coalminer3 CM3 . . . . . . . .Dec 18th. . . . . . . . . . siberianmo Tom
barndad Doug . . . . . . . . . Dec 22nd . . . . . . . . . none
nickinwestwales Nick . . . .Dec 27th . . . . . . . . . .trolleyboy Rob
ftwNSengineer P . . . . . . . Dec 23rd . . . . . . . . . .trolleyboy Rob

CONTEST CLOSES TODAY!

(2) MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

This coming Monday, December 12th represents the 8th Month Anniversary of ”Our” Place! An appropriate way to celebrate our “founding day” is to Post information relating to travel by rail during the Christmas holiday season!

(3) Monday Index to be suspended after Monday, Dec 12th, due to time constraints on yours truly and questionable utility for our customers.

(4) An idea regarding the maintenance of telephone numbers for our members was Posted yesterday by the Proprietor. See my 08 Dec 2005, 11:55:10 Post. Anyone wishing to participate may communicate with me by Email.


SUMMARY

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

(1) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 00:16:24 (185) Inclusive Post, etc.

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 05:55:45 (185) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 08:20:21 (185) Inclusive Post, etc.

(4) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 10:09:58 (185) Track plan, etc.

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 11:55:10 (185) Acknowledgments, etc.

(6) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 12:48:50 (185)

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 15:04:35 (185) NOSTALGIA #40 – Ad – British Railways

(8) pwolfe Pete Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 16:53:41 (185) Inclusive Post, etc.

(9) wanswheel Mike Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 18:05:46 (185) Inclusive Post, etc.

(10) EDon6400 Ed Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 18:47:55 (185) 1st Post and Visit

(11) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 19:34:28 (185) response to: EDon6400

(12) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 19:37:54 (185) Inclusive Post, etc.

(13) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 19:49:21 (185)

(14) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:11:48 (185)

(15) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:13:08 (185) [redTweeeeeet![/red]

(16) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:23:07 (185)

(17) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:25:35 (185)

(18) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:32:43 (185)

(19) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:33:45 (185) Acknowledgments, etc.

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:42:53 (185) for: jlampke

(21) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 20:57:58 (186)

(22) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 22:35:28 (186) Incluisive Post, etc.

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

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

[red p]

Hey Leon could fill my thermos for me its time to go to work again.

Nick well 130 cars would be about 6500 ft. not really that big of a train. Usally sidings run about 7000-8000 ft. and some run even bigger. Now if you have a train that doesnt fit anywhere, then you have to run him all the way and put everybody in the hole for him regardless of priority.

As far as the track diagrams go follow these links, they should answer your questions.

http://www.trainweb.org/fwarailfan/images/prrschem-broadway.jpg
http://www.trainweb.org/fwarailfan/images/prrschem-station.jpg
http://www.trainweb.org/fwarailfan/images/prrschem-mike.jpg
P

[passengerfan]

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

Was just on here trying to answer some of the questions on steam heat and steam generators guee I will try again.
Steam Heated passenger cars came into being in the late 1880's early 1890's and kind of developed at the same time as the Pullman Palace cars came into use.

When the GG-1's cut off at Harrisburg and the switch was made to steam or later diesel power they simply turned off a valve on the baggage car to keep the cars from momentarily using heat. Some railroads did not turn the valves off and let the steam exhaust. The change from one type of power to the other generally took no more than five minutes. As soon as the new power was coupled and the valve reopened steam was once again coursing through the train. In order to try and prevent freeze ups the last car always had its valve partially open and steam could always be seen exhausting from it. Thats when everything worked perfectly.

The UP and CN both used steam generator cars in the case of the UP they were converted baggage cars and were used on the rear of the CITY OF EVERYWHERE in winter months to provide steam to the entire train. The diesel provided steam at the head end and the steam generator car coupled to the rear provided the steam heat across Wyoming.

The CN used their Steam Generators for the same purpose on long winter SUPER CONTINENTALS but also used their to supply steam heat to trains pulled by freight diesels that were not equipped with steam heat. They provided the Newfie Bullet with steam heat as the diesels lacked steam generators.

PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER PASSENGER CORNER #24

MAN O' WAR inaugurated June 24, 1947 between Atlanta and Columbus twice daily round trips. Distance was 117 miles each way and the train covered the distance in 2 hours 30 minutes each way including stops. Owned by the Central of Georgia Railway the four car Budd built train was powered by a single E7A unit from EMD.

The stainless steel cars carried a Red letterboard and the train was named for famed triple crown winner MAN O' WAR with each individual car named for an Army Fort located along the railroad. The four car trains seating capacity was 152, In the latter half of the 1950's the CofG added numbers to the cars as well.

CONSIST

808 EMD E7A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

FORT MITCHELL Baggage 44-Revenue Seat Coach

FORT OGLETHORPE 54-Revenue Seat Coach

FORT McPHERSON 54-Revenue Seat Coach

FORT BENNING 40-Seat Tavern Lounge Bar 20-Seat Lounge Observation

TTFN AL

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep, coffee (with a litle xtra in the botom of the cup from the dust covered round bottle behind the bar (it's that cold here this a.m), round for the house and $ for the Jukebox.

Schedule changed a little due to bad weather so I am able to visit. Excuse me for a minute while I adjourn to the "Rat Room" to vent my wrath over people who yack on
!@#$% cellphones while driving on ice-covered roads.

Much better now, thank you.

My , my there's a lot of material posted today.

There's is an excellent book (still in print I believe) on the GT of New England. The title is New England's Titanic Railroad. Fascinating material and as the the post suggested, there's a lot of "artifacts" in the area if you know where to look. Yrs ago, my paternal grandfather worked in Palmer, and my dad tells stories of seeing a lot of the cuts and fills in that part of the country.

Palmer is still an active rail center today as the main lines of the CV and B&A cross at grade (I know I'm one of those who will never adapt to "new" road names). The B&A station survives and after many incarnations has been turned into a restaurant.

Seeing the names "Montrealer/Washingtonian" brought something to mind. Back in the day, the overnight train on that route had the nickname the "Bootlegger" for obvious reasons. IIRC, that name lasted up into the ATK days. wanwheel can probably verify this, but I do recall CV folks talking about the "Boot."

BTW, the southern end of the CV, that is the track betwen Palmer and New London was known as the "Banana Belt." This did not refer to the climate, but again IIRC, some of the refrigerator car traffic that was carried yrs ago.

In answer another post, yes, I did photograph extensively on the B&M. Awhile back I posted some material on a B&M GP18 handling a local freight on the Lexington Branch. B&M 1753 (a GP18) was the diesel that I had the most trouble finding. I had photographed virtually every locomotive they had (dead or alive) at the time, but could never find 1753. It was sort of like Capt. Ahab and the whale.

One morning I was out shooting on the New Haven line which crossed Rte 2 just above the prison at Concord, MA. I heard something on the B&M, and knowing that the NH would be quiet I went after this train. There was 1753 on point. Mission accomplished! I never saw it again on the point.

I knew our gurus would fill in the blanks on the GG1 steam generators. Somewhere I have shots of them in cold weather in Washington with plumes of steam from the s/gs. Neat stuff. I used to like going to Ivy City because you could see all kinds of power (diesel and electric) mingled together.

Man O' War - excellent! Leave us not forget the Nancy Hanks - one of the few trains named for women. Others I can think of include the Kate Shelley 400 (there's a bridge named for her, too), the Anne Rutledge, and for the PRR folks out there, the Nellie Bly.

Now, I just couldn't resist the following 1930 era ad from my "pile of paper."

See England and Scotland
By
London and North East Railway

The Track of the "Flying Scotsman:

The line for historic places such as Ely, Cambridge, Norwich, Lincoln, York, Durham, Edinburgh, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Ancestral Home of the Washingtons, etc.

The route by which you can visit seaside resourts, inland spas, golf centres, mountains, dales, moors, lochs, cathedrals, abbeys.

Special round tours saving time and money

Scotland from London (King's Cross)

Shortest and Quickest Route
So much of interest to be seen from the train
Restaurant and Sleeping Cars

The Continent via Harwich
Flushing-Daily
Hook-of-Holland - Nightly
Antwerp - Nightly (except Sunday)
Zeebruge - Summer season

Luxurious Steamships

The idea of a luxurious steamship sounds pretty good right now - maybe the Mauretania to Havana.

work safe

[Anonymous]

"The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." (Mark Twain) Mornin Tom, I think I can hold down a cuppa Joe and a Prune Danish now. First, thank all of you so much for the good wishes for coming back still breathing.[^] Don't want to "bring you down" dweling on the prognosis, symptoms or the rest of that mundane history. I'm trying to foget it myslef.[V] My Gosh, the amount and quality of input since my forced absence has been incredible.[tup] There have been so many positive and enlightening Posts, that it will take several replies to reach equilibrium. Mike, yes the old Glenn Miller tune was Pennsylvania 65 oh oh oh. Wish I had a buck for every time I played that old chestnut.[:D] Rob, superb job of "holding down the fort" while I was goofing around with anti biotics, et al. Many thanks for the Pix made available of my primative efforts in HO.[:(] Some day, I'm going to "get it right." Barndad, surely enjoy the "real life" takes on those who made the Roads what they were.[tup] Pete, Nick and now P, things truely are different in the U.K. and the "difference" is compelling. Great descriptive analysis and fine pix (courtesy our Proprietor, Capt Tom.)[tup][tup][tup]

CM3, passengerfan Al and now jlampke John, you three contribute so much to this gang of "rail rascals," it is hard to imagine "Our" Place without your invaluable input, thanks so much.[tup] Mike, it is a distinguishing honor to have the legacy of such an illustrious railroad family in our group.[^] I could listen to the "trials and tribulations" of those competitive struggles during the "golden age" all day long.[^] Dave, the "snowshed" piece made this old Displaced Person yearn for the "high country" and the pristine vistas of mountains, frozen lakes and snow drifts.[tup] I just don't want to shovel the stuff anymore.[-D]

I know I have missed some well deserved accolades and I'll make every effort to correct that in following posts. Still not quite "up-to-snuff" but making steady measured progress. Tom, thanks very much for the thoughtful mail. Sorry I blew the Contest but I'll put my "side bet" with Pete on the "QT." Right now, I'm dredging up some thoughts on "Christmas Past" for December 12th. Every rail trip home, while in the service, brings back special memories, more so than the other line-of-duty type. Christmas and long train journies are simply inseperable for me. Okay Boris, any more rumors of your shinanigans and it will be you who goes to the Vet, not Tex or Awk, okay?[alien] HIT IT!.....CRASH, tinkle, tinkle! Gadfrey, he missed and hit the Pigs Feet Jar.[:(!] Happy rails all.

[siberianmo]

Mornin’ Gents!

This appears to have the makin’s of the good ole days (daze) when the Posts came fast ‘n furious and I provided them all with the SUMMARY. Glad that’s been changed! However, simply to acknowledge ‘em all takes considerable time – but then those of you who regularly submit Inclusive Posts already know that! [tup]

First order of business is a [#welcome] Back to our Manager Theodorebear Ted! Perhaps not up to 100%, but here with us nonetheless. You were missed and there’s plenty of time for catch up – the important thing is to know you are up ‘n about and ‘functioning.’ [swg]

Second is to recognize the return of jlampke John to the bar! [#welcome] Back to you too! Just when we were getting used to seein’ ya ‘round here, you disappeared on us. Well, we respect your right to come ‘n go as you please – but we are pleased that you chose to return. [tup]

Third is to mention the disappointment many of us have regarding the apparent “loss” of jdonald Don as a contributing customer. Again, the reasons are his, but we also enjoyed his presence amongst us. We won’t be “bugging” you further, but we do hope you’ll return.

Fourth, a couple of you have picked up on the telephone list idea that I mentioned yesterday. Again, those numbers will remain with me and will not be released unless you authorize it. The purpose is simply to have another means to communicate with those who fall into the long-term absences, such as the ones experienced with our friend in Montreal some months back.

Fifth, the CONTEST closes today! So, there is still time to participate – just keep in mind that duplicate choices means you are conceding to the guy who picked that date first.

Last, time to acknowledge you guys (guyz) who have Posted!

trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 08 Dec 2005, 22:35:28

I can always count on you and Pete to make comment on my NOSTALGIA pieces on a regular basis. Sometimes it is almost like my other thread on this Forum, where I post ‘em and that’s that ….. depressing. So, thanx for the thanx! [tup][tup]

Received your Email and responded this AM – appreciate it! [tup]

jlampke John
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 00:13:32

Again, [#welcome] Back! Given that you are at sea, isn’t it just amazing how the technology has changed over the years [?] In “my day” things like Email – computers – clear as crystal voice comms – and instant messaging were unheard of. The radio shacks were equipped to handle continuous wave (CW) communications (dots & dashes for those who have no clue) and voice. That’s it. Later came the radio teletype, and then the rapid emergence of technology that forced so many of my compatriots into the tar pits. Anyway, good to have you back and we’re happy that you’ve taken the time to catch up.

You want to feel really like a kid [?] Your talk of 30 years since you enlisted brings to mind that it has been over 49 years since I did! Best thing that ever happened to me, for nothing else in my adult life could have happened without that first sensible choice made back in 1956. A bit of personal revelation: E-1 thru E-7; W-1 & W-2; O-1 thru O-5 – all in a mere 32 years! “Rate grabber, I.” [swg]

Thanx for the drinks and don’t worry about the “tab,” we’ve arranged for an allotment to be deposited in our account with the 2nd National Bank of Mentor Village. You don’t want to know what happened to the 1st … [swg]

The Corvette belongs to “my gal” Cindy – sometimes reluctantly “shared” with Nick – but that’s ‘nother story! Anyway, she leaves it parked there as a bit of of “class” for the passers by. My oh my, aren’t they fooled once they amble in [?]! [swg]

Never have figured you ‘snipes’ out with your love of the engineroom – but then again, I’m sure you all have your questions regarding the ‘deck apes’ and the like, dontcha [?]

wanswheel Mike
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 00:29:32

What a great URL – a bit of a wait for the ‘finishing touch,’ but well worth it. Good job! [tup][tup][tup]

You, Sir, have quickly become one of our more dependable and very much appreciated of customers. Great sense of humor with all kinds of relevance to the purpose of our thread – the discussion of Classic Trains. Very pleased that you took me up on the offer to ‘stop by.’ Addictive, isn’t it [?] [swg] Gotcha!

Good stuff on the Central Vermont Most educational reading, fer sure, fer sure. Thanx! [tup][tup]

For all the times I’ve been in Montreal’s Central Station waiting to board the “Ocean” to Halifax, I always wonder about the Amtrak’s “Vermonter” having it’s last stop in St. Albans, VT on the way from WashDC.

I’ve heard a couple of reasons why, but the one heard most is that the right-of-way between St. Albans and Montreal was sold off, thereby curtailing the direct service. Is that true [?] It’s a common occurrence with railroads, especially those accommodating passenger carriers. The train once called the “Atlantic” that ran between Montreal and Halifax was discontinued for a couple of reasons, but the major one had to do with the selling off of track in Maine, the route followed by that particular VIA Rail train. Fortunately, the “Ocean” remains a viable alternative – a train with over a 100 year continuing history in Canadian railroading.

ftwNSengineer P
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 06:22:36

Let’s see, a thermos full of “free” coffee will cost ya five bucks! And if you can get Leon the Night Man to wake from his slumber to do it, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!” (Rudyard Kipling) [swg] Boris will help you with that. [swg]

Ah, the working man departeth! You don’t know this – yet – but one day when retired and wondering what day of the week it is – you may find yourself longing for those work days (daze) once again. Hard to imagine right now, but it happens!

We’ll keep your RED stool safe ‘n sound for ya, until you get back. Only thing is, one of our gals seems to have taken a likin’ to it. She’s the red head – know who I’m referring to [?] [swg]

Thanx for the track plans – interesting stuff, especially that last one. [tup]

By the by – didn’t catch that “greeting” for the barkeep this AM. We’re going to have to figure out a way – perhaps it IS time for VITO THE HIT to pay you a call.

passengerfan Al
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 07:49:58

Good to see ya this fine day; missed yesterday, eh [?] No problem, we still rang up a round on your tab! [swg] Old habits are hard to break!

Good stuff on those steam generators and of course your continuing Streamliner info …..

So, tell me – what’s the most significant detail difference between an EMD E7A and and E8A [?]

coalminer3 CM3
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 08:45:06

There’s absolutely nothing quite like a trip to the Rat’s Patoot Room to cure what ails ya – especially given the situation you described. ‘Round here road rage is the “norm” for so many, really a problem. I recall pulling some jerk over as he was flailing his arms about and giving the one finger salute to the cars on either side of him, all the while exceeding the speed limit by at least 15 mph in AM rush hour traffic – he was so busy with that, he didn’t see the flashing lights or hear the siren behind him. Takes all kinds ……

Glad you are with us this fine day and hope that whatever it was you had planned, if in your best interests can be rescheduled. Otherwise, the “halibut!” [swg]

As always, a fine Post chock full of something for everyone! Appreciate the time and effort you put into these submissions. Sometimes it’s rather easy simply to gloss over long Posts – but not for me. If I can’t get ‘em right away, I surely do later on. After all, it IS someone else’s effort just for US, isn’t it [?]

Departing from my “norm,” I’m going to take you up on that drink, along with the round for the house. Just feel like a bit of Southern Comfort on the rocks – just a touch, of course! Oh [yeah] quarters are much appreciated too. [tup][tup]

I can say that I was in Havana, Cuba in 1957. Was a poor sailor, pocket change and hardly any prospects for anything more. From what I recall, that city wasn’t for the “likes of me,” the “good stuff” required big bucks and plenty of ‘em. Sea cruises [?] Not for me – I’ll take the cross-Canada VIA Rail instead! [swg]

Theodorebear Ted
Posted: 09 Dec 2005, 09:05:50

And now – to our esteemed member of the Order of the Permanent Stools – [#welcome] Back (again)! [swg]

Take your time with the catch up – and perhaps some browsing of the Summaries will help, especially when trying to figure out who has been here and how often. On and off again for a few, but the “mainstays” have kept it together.

Prune Danish it is <gulp> and a cuppa ……. No charge!

Oh [yeah] you can still participate in our CONTEST – entries accepted all day! Just try to avoid picking the same date as someone else, for the first one with the correct answer wins.

We’re looking forward to a productive day on Monday for our 8th Month Anniversary and the Posting of the Christmas and holiday RR travels. [tup]


Later <phew>!


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]



REMINDERS, especially for those who Post only once per day or on occasion:

(1) Check to see if you are getting the MOST CURRENT info before Posting.
(2) Check to see if anyone has Posted during the time yours was being prepared.
(3) Stick around a few minutes after Posting, just to ensure that someone may want to “talk” to you or has Posted.
(4) It’s a long wait until your next visit and perhaps by then some pertinent info directed your way will be missed.

[trolleyboy]

Afternoon Tom I'll grab a sandwich platter and a thermous of coffee to go as I'm soon away to work ( have the 2-11 this weekend )On the upside only two more weeks of insanity,then i can give the rat's patoot room a break[:D]

John Glad to have you back,guess i'll out my lunch on your tab from last night since I was in the not eating or drinking mode at that point.

Wonderfull info and recollections from cali. Reading the stories of how Kennet became an Atlantislike town after the daming brings another similar tale to memory.

When the St lawrence seaway was built in the 50's many small Quebec towns were closed down and flooded for the channels and spillways of the canal. This was also the main reason for the Montreal and Southern Counties interurban to bow out in 1956 . The victoria bridge was removed for the canal construction and a good third of their ROW and a couple of the samll towns they served were in the flood zone.


CM3 I'm glad I'm not the only anti cell phomne person out there. Try trying to help someone in the store and have them interupted repaetedly by the &%78#@ things. Height of rudness eh Tom? Great info on the Flying scotsman as well[tup]


Mike What can i say another fine fine post chock full o railroady goodness. I'm guessing that the letter you posted at the end was directed to your dad ?

Ted You old sea dog you glad that you've made it some of the way back. I was almost at my "Witt's end" LOL with trying to keep Boris and tex on the strait anfd narrow wilst you were away. You have several daze worth of sloppy Boris and tex kisses owed to you and they are more than willing to give them to you[:X][:0][:D]


Al Thanks for the coroberation on the steam generators. Yeah for me I do pay attention to your teachings and retain them. amazing for on of my advanced age[;)]

Tom Though not directed at me I'll make astab at your E unit question. Main differences I can rcollect E7's square windows E 8's had portholes. Both IIRC had the same dimensions and powerplants.


Have a good afternoon folks.

Rob

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #41

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY in a 1949 advertisement from my private collection:

. . . . . Glacier National Park . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN THE MONTANA ROCKIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HIKE on high trails.

RIDE to ancient glaciers.

SEE snowclad mountains.

FISH in great trout waters.

TOUR in open top motor coaches.

EAT and sleep in fine hotels.

ON THE MAIN LINE OF THE GREAT NORTHERN

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


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

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

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents,

Only because I'm still on line and only because I'm trying to keep a leg up on the Posts is the reason for this acknoweldgment ....

Sir Rob! Nice to see ya during daylight and I hope your return to some normalcy with regard to work, play and sleep is not too far off. [tup]

Thanx for the scoop on the EMD's. As you already are aware, I'm a fan of the E8's, but now that you've clarified the difference between them and the 7's, heck I can "dig" ' em too! [swg]
---------------------------------------------------------

I see jlampke peeking in again. Must have let him topside for some fresh sea air! [swg] You just don't know how much I miss that.

I digress - I earnestly "petitioned" a Canadian friend for a chance to travel up north into the ice aboard his ship. In the USCG (and I don't know if this is still done) on occasion we'd take retired guys along on our patrols. In "my day" the trips were well over a month in duration and could be longer depending on SAR (search & rescue) calls. They were all rather routine in terms of excitement.

Sitting out on Ocean Station in a make believe grid system off the coast of Labrador - Greenland -the Grand Banks or south of Bermuda wasn't always the most exciting thing to do. Anyway, the retirees ate it up. Why [?] Because they missed their sea going days. I surely thought they had a screw loose - but now, I fully understand where they were coming from.

Anyway, apparently the CCG doesn't have the same policy - of course it's not a military organization and therefore gets all tied up in knots over things like the POTENTIAL for law suits should someone get hurt, etc., etc. Sure would love to take a month or so and revisit the Arctic. Oh well ........ can always buy a DVD! [swg]
---------------------------------------------------------------

Ah yes, something for all who help keep this place functioning:

I will need some HELP on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Tuesday I'll be gone for most of the daylight hours. Wednesday, all day into the evening. So, what I'd like to see are some guys who will keep the place movin' forward - spread out the Posts and keep us up on the page. Any takers [?] Please don't volunteer unless you mean it - not a good thing to depend on someone who doesn't follow through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also I sent an Email to all members of our Order of the Stools on Monday of this week on "The State of the Bar." Following that, I requested an acknowledgment here on the thread on three separate occasions. Only four have done so. Not reading [?] Seems like it. C'mon guys, how hard is it to simply let me know that you received my message [?]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, what's going on with West Coast S Dave, Trainnut484 Russell and earlydiesels Dan [?] No responses to direct questions and haven't seen hide nor hair for awhille. Hope you three can participate on Monday's Posts for our 8th Month Anniversary. Of course, if you haven't been reading the SUMMARIES .... oh well. <exasperated> That's me! Kinda like trying to get all of the Lions into the center ring when you discover they are all male, and the females are hanging around somewhere else! [swg]

See y'all later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all

A pint of Bathams and is the Plaice and Chips I left last night still out the back. [?]
Great night at the bar Good food Fine ale great music and a busy time .

[#welcome] back TED and JOHN.

Thanks ROB CM3 and AL for answering the steam heat question. I cannot recall ever reading about its introduction in the U.K. The Midland Railway had some American cars about the time it was introduced over here so they may have been the first over there.
In the days before steam heat, I have seen a very old photo of a station where, on the platform, was a barrow with some footwarmers on. These were made of metal and contained a chemical which gave off heat. When they grew cold a good shake produced a bit more heat. These could be changed at stations for a new one, no doubt for a fee.

NICK the Irish diesel loco in the photo looks like a 071 class I think of GM origin. These took over from the smaller classes and worked the principle passenger trains until the 200 River class were introduced. They still may be used for the Rosslare trains today but I am not sure about that. By the way is the Bathams XXX ready this year yet [^]

JOHN thanks for the info on Kennett and the Submerged tunnel.

WANSWHEEL MIKE Great posts on Charles M Hayes and Sir Henry Thornton. It is Quite possible that Sir Henry when with the Great Eastern that he wasresponsible for the introduction of what became known as the JAZZ trains into and out from London's Liverpool St. station for the commuters into the City. It got the Nickname for the Bright colors on the cars used to donate class etc. At the time it was known as the most intense STEAM worked system in the world during the rush-hours. By the time the passengers had boarded or got off, the loco which had brought the train in had been un- coupled and the outbound loco coupled and ready to go. The locos were tank engines of the 0-6-2 wheel arrangement. One of the N7 type still exists and as been recently overhauled and can be seen in steam on the North Norfolk Railway not too far from Norwich U.K.

CM3 Its amazing how certain locos are elusive.Your post brought to mind in the 60s I was one a visit to some of the loco sheds in the Liverpool area. One of the older lads just wanted one of Stanier's Class 5 locos to have seen them all. There were 842 locos
in the class and they could be found from the the North of Scotland to the South coast of England with the locos not usually straying too far from their home shed. Any way the lad said he was not going on the trip as the loco he wanted was not allocated near any of the sheds we were visiting. But sure enough there the loco was, miles from home, his great rival, who was with us.( who also wanted one of the class) was so delighted at his friend misfortune that at the next shop, our tour got to, he bought us all an ice-cream.
Happy Days.

Great ad on the L&NER from the 30s although the LNER would not I would have thought to be the first choice of getting to Stratford upon Avon although there were throgh coaches that went via the Great Central route.

TOM Thanks for the Nostalgia It would be good to have a gathering over the pond [yeah][wow]. I think the neighbourhood could survive it . Pehaps one year the bar could go on one of the Railway Preservaton Society of Ireland's three-day steam tours which usually takes place in May of each year. Perhaps this link may be useful
http://www.rpsi-online.org/
Really enjoying the Daily Wisdoms[tup]

On mobile phones On one railtour we were on, one guy was either ringing up or being called it seemed like every half hour or so. All his conversation(in a loud voice) seemed to be where the train was. After quite a few calls it rang again and as he answered it, half our car yelled out PASSING CREWE at which, with a face like thunder, he went in to the vestible but at least we got some peace after that.
Another pint please and can you put me down for a steak for later PETE>

[passengerfan]

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

Tom Great Northern and Glacier National Park what more could one want.

Tom when I was writting about the steam generators this AM i remembered something else about a different use for one on the Santa Fe so spent some time looking it up.
Sure enough the Santa Fe converted at least one baggage car into a steam generator equipped car but instead of using it to supply passenger cars with steam heat the Santa Fe had downward facing jets of steam for cleaning the ballast. Apparently it worked quite well. I should also mention that those Union Pacific Baggage Car equipped with steam generators were4 easy to spot as the end the steam gebnerator was installed in was also fitted with a six wheel truck while the other end with the baggage compartment retained its four wheel truck.. I have the informationj somewhere on these oddities as to car numbers and numbers of cars converted will have to spend some time looking.
It might also be noted that the NP equipped their passenger B units with large steam generators and thus the first baggage car behingd the power was a water baggage with 6,000 gallon water tanks for the steam generators located in the power units.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Just a comment or two for pwolfe Pete and anyone who happens to be peering in tonight.

I can always count on you to catch something that I had thought would have attracted some attention. Those little "one liners" that have appeared in the daily SUMMARY since Nov 25th apparently have escaped comment until you recognized them. Now called Daily Wisdom the intent was to start the day with a smile. After awhile mine turned to a grimmace when I realized no one - absolutely no one made any comment at all. Thanx to you, the smile has returned! [swg] [tup]

If it wasn't for one thing, we could surely arrange for a great time at your place, as "Our" Place descends upon Rugby! The one thing [?] Money! Always an annoying obstacle, eh [?] The way things are going these days with the airlines, one may have to take out a 2nd mortgage just to fund a long distance flight! <good grief>

Good link - makes me want to book a trip straight away! [tup]

Very interesting comments that you've made regarding the Posts of others. You, Sir, should run this idea of Inclusive Posts for you surely have the knack! [tup][tup][tup]

Had to grin regarding that story about the cell phone user. Just a difference in England's English and that of the U.S. Pehaps we both need one of those translation books you mentioned in a recent Email! Speaking of which, I'll have one for you before our KCity trip. Watch for it over the weekend, or definitely on Monday.

Steaks are all set to go - just tell any one of our gals what you'd like (from the kitchen!) and they'll take care of you!

Hey Al good to see you this evening! I've never been to Glacier National Park and from what I've been reading, before too very long, there won't be any glaciers left. And we have those who contend that the planet isn't warming! If not, what in blazes is happening to the ice [?] But, the idea is to envision how wonderful a trip through that area on board a GN train must have been. Ahhhhhhhhhh. [swg]

Good scoop on those steam generators and as always, I'm learning so much at this bar, that I just may become a rail aficioinado myself! [swg]

Okay, I'm gonna stick around for awhile ... so whatillyahave [?]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[jlampke]

Afternoon Tom. A round for yourself & the gang and I'll take the usual, please, and for Herr Wurlitzer how about Sailing (Christopher Cross) Brandy (Looking Glass) My Maria (B.W.Stevenson) & Durham Town (Roger Whittaker)?

BTW,P; going back, I wouldn't have minded spending Thanksgiving Day watching those two silver rails. Not one bit. [tup] I guess it's always going to look a little more interesting from the other side though...... When I was a kid, you are what I wanted to be. [^] Really. But, I joined the Navy and the rest is history. [banghead]

Tom; My last minute submission to the contest is that you will hit 200 at noon on the 24th.

Our Place. Is that a part of your layout? [?] What's the scale? Also, if I'm not mistaken, it seems like I've seen a couple different pictures of it with the vehicles and people out front changed around. (Customers comin' and goin') Is that correct? Or are they ex-Amtrak exect's looking for a new line of work?

Well, when I joined in the '70's, we had regular old mail and on occasion we were allowed to make calls via the ship's radio to a HAM operator ashore. Had to say "over" after each sentence, and all that. As you pointed out, no phones and e-mail. Now it's taken for granted out here. And you're right; There aren't as many Radiomen out here anymore. Well, I know the feeling. I began my career as a Boiler Technician. [xx(] Any room left in those pits? [?] Almost 50 years? [?] Well, it's a different animal these days. Some changes have been good, and some, political correctness for example, are infuriating. Like you, I have no doubt it was the right thing at the right time, for me.

I'm not sure I understood you correctly...... You and Nick are sharing the car or the girl? [?] [}:)] [:O] Reminds me of the dayz when Subic was still in operation! [:-,] [tup]

Mike; Interesting item on the life of H. Thorton. What a life. Makes mine seem so boring by comparison. [zzz]

Ted; Glad to see that you're up and about. As they say: That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Well boyz, thanks for making me feel welcome. [:)] [:)] [:)]

John

[siberianmo]

Boris Ring it loud - drinks on me before I check out for the nite!

I see John made it back to the bar - hope this is the start of somethin' good! [tup] Let me try and address your comments and questions -

Good song selections in this and your last Post ....

Click on my cyber name (left margin) then go to my photo site with RailImages - take some time with the pix and you'll find the Can-Am layout, Polar Express shelf system and S-Capades, along with all kinds of other RR related pix.

On page one of this thead we had our contest to select the "official" site for "Our" Place - then it was suggested to make the signature photo one that depicts the era of "Classic Trains," so the bar was shot again, but with "period" auto's and loco's in the background. So, yes - there are several assortments of cars parked out front and loco's in the rear. The official pix is the one appearing at the bottom of the daily Summary.

I spent 14 years as a radio operator and in my day we were trained as techs as well. Anyway, you aree absolutely correct - right thing at the right time for me as well.

Served aboard a vessel with high powered steam and always thought the BT's were a crazy bunch indeed. Good shipmates, but - well, just on the "different" side. [swg] Then again, I can imagine what they thought of the ditty-dum-dum-ditty guys up in the radio shack. [swg]

Cindy is mine, mine, mine - mine I tell you - mine. But alas, she has a "thing" for Nick must be the Chief Chef [C=:-)] uniform! [swg] Sharing [?] Not on your life!

Back to the layouts - my primary layout is HO and is situated in my trainroom. I call the layout Can-Am for reasons that will be obivous when you view it. The Lionel Polar Express is an 0-gauge run fashioned after the movie. Was a lot of fun constructing it. The S-Capades is S-gauge and was made on a foam board base constructed to raise up into the rafters of my basement storage room. Again, the pix will walk you through it all. Enjoy!

Okay boyz - Leon the Night Man has the bar!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[trolleyboy]

Evening Leon. You're looking more dapper than usual. Must be the festive green and red suspenders. I'll ring up a tab for those remaining a round of what they wish sir.

Tom Your welcome for the E unit info, but don't take my word as strictly gosple on it , I'm sure that some of the others will be able to add to it

I should be able to help you out on Tuesday at the moment it's a day off, I do have to take an ailing car in for a bit of work that day but I'm sure that I can come up with a few bon mots for tuesday. Wed I'm working a crazy shift so it will be my usual graveyard shift post.

I'm sorry that I failed to mention your " thot's " of the day,if it helps I've giggled as I have read most of them,[:I]


Pete isn'[t it funny as to how rude cell phone people seem to lurk everywhere nowadays. I'm one of those mutant people that does not own one. I figure if I'm not home, that's what the answering machine is for,nothings that earth shaking that one can't do without a phone for a few hours.I've noticed ads in some travel agensies around here advertising trips in which the use of cell phones are not allowed, you have one they won't book you on that tour group, A small oasis for those of us who can't stand rude people.[tup][tup]


John Nice to see you a couple times a day. [tup] It's funny, you wanted to be a train crewman but ended up in the navy. I wanted to join the RCN but became a store manager and volenteer at a rail museum as a crewman. An extreme lack of ships and the fact that I don't swim real well nesessitated my not following the career of choice. I do have freinds in our navy so I live my dream through them. Ones a LCMDR on shore at the moment, as his ship was retired he is awaiting a new posting. My other friend is the leading ping wizard on HMCS Halifax .


Well folks I'm away for now.

Rob