"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[wanswheel]

http://www.midwesthsr.org/graphics/cometbwtrain.jpg
Comet pic ^ (engineer not flinching)

Hi Tom and everyone, since Don has bought a round for the house, thank you, I'll buy a round for the roundhouse, and if there's a pound of ground round in the house, fix me a hamburger and I'll gladly pay you Tuesday.
It's a joy for me to put my Dad's article on the board. He would have loved the Internet, but trainwise his era was about right for him. Steam and streamliners, domes and dining cars on a relatively huge variety of railroads. Also I envy his frame of reference for "big-time" football. Knute Rockne and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. (The Irish are in the Fiesta Bowl Jan 3.)
I've been reading all the posts and looking at all the pictures. The hard part is commentary. Major impediments include attention deficit disorder, non-fluid thought processing, and general forgetfullness. Also I can't type for shh!t.
John, I googled to find the answer to Pete's question as to USS. Do you get to ride in the helicopters?
Al, the extent of your travels by train is vast, clearly you're more than a dry scholar. Here too the VAMC is slow and more crowded than it was 20 years ago. I'm grateful to have it, but it does seem they've trimmed the budget in terms of ratio of doctors to patients and such.
Ted and Nick, interesting dialogue to keep the lights on here. I do look at all the pictures on Sunday, including the '55 Chevy and the lame-duck Studebaker. And I've seen most of the photo bucket thumbs at Tom's and Rob's, including Ted's and Nick's. What can I say? It's all too beautiful.
Except Doug's ghastly grey dangling locomotive conking that poor woman on the sidewalk. Glad to know it was 1895, so she would've died of something else by now. "You can be sure if it's Westinghouse" according to Betty Furness.
Which reminds me of late great Richard Pryor, star of The Silver Streak.

My Christmas train ride that I missed the boat on the other day:
Whole family went up to Vermont on the day train, Dec. 23, 1962. Except one brother stayed home with his girl friend. To visit paternal grandparents. So that's Mom and Dad and 8 of their 9 kids trekking through the snow to the LIRR, westbound and change at Jamaica, which lead us knot into Penn Station, and onto the IRT subway to Times Square and the shuttle to Grand Central, where we got right on board the New Haven coach for the comfy ride to Springfield, at where we needed to move up to the antique B&M coach, which was handed off to the CV at White River Junction for the climb up through the pass in the Green Mountains and the coast down into St. Albans. Slow clang, clang clang into the train shed sometime after dark. The voice of the vendor has been in my head for all these years: "We have sandwiches and candy bars. Who'll have an orange juice, tomahto juice or a root beer? There will be no dining car service on this train all the way to Montreal."

[Anonymous]

Hi Wanswheel, made it just under the wire, eh? That's fne, we appeciate all the business we can muster today.[tup] Its been a long, dry day and evening hereabouts. Great to see you are up and around, guess the Holiday shopping hasn't taken its' toll yet. I can relate to the "no dining car service" that you mentioned. I had two trips via the de Mexico (Padres Negras to Mexico City and Mexico City to Guadalajara amd return) where boxed hot dinners were brought to the first class passengers, it was bloody awful.[xx(] I learned to jump off the train at the first city of any size and get "take out" from the station cantina. Well, I see Leon the night man is here, so Nick, old Chap, it is slumber land for yours truly. We did our best, just couldn't squeeze "blood from a turnip," right?[swg] Tom, she is locked up and secure for another day tomorrow which will hopefully see you back still "in the pink." Good night and thank you to those who dropped by to send their regards.[tup] Happy rails all.

[Anonymous]

Another chilly mornin but fine for getting out and taking care of "loose ends." Well Tom, I'm looking forward to a synopsis of your yesterday, if it is out for "public domain."[(-D] As you can see from the bar being in perfect order (except for the chess pieces scattered about), yesterday was "slim pickens." I'll grab a Hot Java and a prune Danish, then on to the obligatory tasks incumbant to the Season. I can't stay long, but Cindy is pulling a "double shift" this A.M. and will accomodate all the "Breakfast Clubbers" with the usual fresh pastries from Mentor's and beverages of choice. So, Members and guests, hows about a happy greeting for Cindy when you enter this fine morning? I'll be returning after a bit to see everything is humming along. Happy rails.

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Since I mssed work yesterday I must go in early this AM to make up part of yesterday. Just time for a coffee and diet pastry from the Mentor Bakery.

PASSENGERFAN AL's STREAMLINER CORNER #28

COLUMBIAN B&O trains 25 - 26 Inaugurated December 19,1941 Jersey City - Chicago all coach streamliners operating nightly in each direction 981.5 miles 21 hours each way.

The B&O launched their answer to the PRR TRAIL BLAZER and NYC PACEMAKER on December 19, 1941 an all coach streamliner between Chicago and Jersey City. The B&O COLUMBIAN like the rival PRR TRAILBLAZER consistsed of heavyweight cars streamlined in the roads own shops.

Initially steam power was assigned to the COLUMBIANS but diesels were often substituted and by wars end diesels were the power of choice for the COLUMBIAN.

The B&O remodeled and streamlined the heavyweight cars for the COLUMBIANS in the roads Mt. Clare shops in Baltimore. The trains were only permitted to enter service as the government had not yet placed restrictions on new trains entering service.

The COLUMBIAN proved to be a major asset for the B&O during WW II. Each of the seven car consist grew with the addition of heavyweight cars too as many as sixteen cars ber consist. The two consists of the original consists less power are listed below.

CONSIST ONE
1306 Baggage 12-Crew Dormitory Buffet 16-Seat Lounge Car

3558 54-Revenue Seat Coach

3560 54-Revenue Seat Coach

1082 47-Seat Dining Car

3562 54-Revenue Seat Coach

3570 46-Revenue Seat Coach with Stewardess Room

3303 Buffet 37-Seat Lounge Observation

CONSIST TWO

1309 Baggage 12-Crew Dormitory Buffet 16 Seat Lounge Car

3559 54-Revenue Seat Coach

3561 54-Revenue Seat Coach

1081 47-SEat Dining Car

3563 54-Revenue Seat Coach

3571 46-Revenue Seat Coach with Stewardess Room

3302 Buffet 37-Seat Lounge Observation

TTFN AL

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and friends! I'll have just 2 1/2 light-breakfasts today, as I need to watch my weight!

Mike, I surely enjoyed most of your article on the Notre Dame bands fight with the NYC, except the part where the Irish beat Ohio State! Take a lookie at this: http://ohiostatedrummajor.com/images/secrist.jpg . Yep ... that's me in 1976, leading the OSU Marching Band in a traditional "ramp" entrance. I was fortunate to attend a Rose, Orange, and Sugar bowl in my years there, as well as game 3 of the Yankee/Reds World Series.
Anyhow, your article was really terrific, and I know we all appreciate the time it took for you to type. Excellent work!

Hat's off to sir knights Nick and Ted for their continual care of Our Place yesterday. You guys really outdid yourselves!


Thanks for the "El Capitan" Sante Fe ad yesterday Tom, and thanks to Al for his Streamliner series #27 and 28! Good stuff !!

At the risk of not being "classic", I humbly submit a series on rail maintenace, with the spotlight on the Sperry car. I figure that if the company has been around for 75 years, it qualifies as classic. You be the judge:

Maintaining the Way by John Uckley – Rail Classics Jan. 1984



It’s late afternoon along a double-track main line. There are no trains in sight as far as the eye can see. Let’s take a closer look at the railroad landscape on the north/south route. The continuously-welded steel on both sets of tracks has been spiked to creosoted ties and sturdy tie plates that are firmly embedded in a heavy layer of stone ballast that is properly banked and ditched for good drainage and proper track alignment. Freshly painted automatic block signal towers guard their section of the main line as they await the passage of a train; silent sentinels winking green, red, and then yellow when a fast freight goes gliding by. A car storage siding branches off of the main line rails, The switch points have been carefully maintained and an electric switch lock has been installed on the hand-thrown switch mechanism to guard against possible vandalism. Further down the tracks, a crossover has been installed to allow trains to switch from the south-bound main to the north-bound main or visa versa in case of a derailment or a maintenance-of-way crew working in the area should block one of the lines.

Suddenly, the sound of an air horn drowns out the pastoral elements of a country afternoon. The restless chirping of birds, the high-pitched singing of crickets, and the gently rustle of wind through the trees must take second place to the passage of a freight train. In the distance, a high-beam headlight forms in the shimmer of heat and humidity lingering over the rails and ballast. In a few moments, the low rumble becomes immediate thunder as a pair of GP40-2s roar over the main line at 50 miles-per-hour. A colorful procession of freight rolling stock becomes imminent: tank cars, hoppers, auto racks, gondolas, boxcars, reefers, and a sprinkling of piggyback service pound the sturdy rails with a weight of on-rushing commerce. A bay window caboose whisks past our line of vision and the show is almost over. The caboose marker lights fade into the distant sunshine and a hustled stillness descends over the main line and its environment again. It seems so simple for a train to trundle over a main line, but in truth it is so very complicated, expensive, and time-consuming for a railroad to keep the right-of-way in efficient operating condition.

One of the most noticed and most important pieces of railroad maintenance equipment now in use are the Sperry Rail Service detector cars, radiant in their bright yellow paint scheme. Some of the older cars are possessed with a curious aura of nostalgia. They have retained something of their exterior gas-electric doodlebug heritage, while at the same time processing all the efficiency of a modern track surveillance car.

Sperry is headquartered at Dansbury, Connecticut, and is a division of Automation Industries, Inc. The company uses its fleet of 25 detector cars and the techniques of magnetic induction and ultrasonics to identify rails that have manufacturing flaws or other imperfections hidden deep within the metal itself. These flaws might lie embedded in a section of rail for years and then suddenly this piece of high iron might snap under the pressures of extreme summertime or wintertime weather conditions, leaving the way open for a serious train derailment. Magnetic induction scanners spot these problems inherent in the rail itself, while sophisticated ultrasonic scanners search out and discover rail joint defects.

When you see a yellow Sperry car plying the rails of a main line, you can assume the crew and the equipment are conducting a thorough job of testing. During the last 54 years, the Sperry cars have tested over 6.8 million miles of rails and detected over 3.7 million defects. Sperry rail cars comprise the largest rail detection service in the world. They have definitely cornered the market.

Let’s look into the workday of a Sperry rail car and follow its four-man crew through the paces of their daily regimen. 7:00 a.m. is the usual starting time for Sperry crews. The men rise and shine and eat their breakfast. Then it is time for work to begin. The two engines on the test car must be warmed up and all testing apparatus must be visually inspected, lubricated, and calibrated before the car can venture out on the main line.

Two fully-qualified rail testing operators are positioned in the recording room at the rear of the Sperry car where monitoring of the line actually takes place. One of the men is the chief operator, who is in charge of the entire car. Another crew member pilots the car from the head-end. A fourth crew member is usually a trainee who divides his time between learning to pilot the car and testing rail in the recording room.

The Sperry car is usually ready to roll out onto the high iron at about 8:00 a.m. Besides the regular four-man crew, a railroad pilot and a maintenance-of-way official are aboard the car. One of the men carries a set of train orders issued by the railroad and authorizing the car’s testing movements. The Sperry car is subject to the same train rules that govern the railroad’s own freight trains. Railroad employees must be on board the testing vehicle to coordinate the car movements with the railroad dispatcher.

Sperry detection cars test the rails at a speed of 13 miles per hour. The cars have a top speed of 65 miles per hour. Sometimes, the diesel-powered cars require helper service in negotiating mountain terrain out west. Most major U.S. lines receive Sperry inspections every three months or so.

The head-end Sperry pilot receives all instructions from the recording operator seated at the recording table in the read end of the car. These movement indications are made by means of an electric buzzer system. The recording table is placed so that the operator can watch the manipulations of the tape and also keep his gaze on the rail as it appears from under the car. Joints and other rail structures and rail structures and right-of-way surfaces also show up on the sensitive tape and this situation allows the operator to match up the tape indications with the rail structure and right-of-way surfaces, thus separating healthy track from defective track.

The examining operator is also situated in the recording section of the car to give a hand to the recording operator. He keeps tabs on the Car Movement Report which records the amount of time that the car is on the road and also the actual number of miles tested, plus such important factors as delay times and periods when the Sperry car might be running light (during non-testing periods).

[:I] much more to follow! [:I]

[Anonymous]

Good mornin Al and Doug, I was just going out the door when I saw you drop in.[^] First, Al, I rode the Columbian once in the 1960's when it had become obvious that B & O was sliding down that "slippery slope" to poor maintenance, lax schedules and a general disinterest in passenger accomodation and service. The transition from B & O to Santa Fe in Chicago was as if moving from the 19th to the 20th century. The Capitol Limited, Shenendoah, and Royal Blue seem to have a more linguiring fall to their final demise as far as quality of service. It might also just have been an unsual coincidence of course.

Barndad Doug, I was hoping that the Sperry Rail Service would eventually come along and your the brave soul who did it, thanks.[tup] Aside from having a "hot button" for anything resembling a "Doodlebug," I often wondered how a unit moving along at 13 m.p.h. could possibly detect a miniscule fault in something like a 90 to 120 lb. section of "high iron." Certainly looking forward to more on this "tech" end of the Industry. I sort of missed seeing track section gangs working the ROW while on board but ballast agitator machines and "ribbon rail" techniques soon put the "gandy dancer" into the "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" niche oinhistrory.[V] Hey, lookin' sharp in the Drum Major's Shako Tunic and Baton. I was always marching in the first rank behind the Peacock. Remember being the first to encounter the horse hockey in long escorted parades?[:O] I'd like to stay and chat more on this and the integral part of railroadiana you mentioned but Cindy now has the bar well in hand. Besides she's a lot better lookin' than me. Has anyone heard from our venerable Proprietor? I'm getting a little concerned. I'll see you guys "down the raod."

[siberianmo]

Good Morning Gents!

An uncharacteristic first Post of the day for moi - no SUMMARY - yet. Just wanted y'all to know I'm back, but will be in and out for the day, so once again Cindy has the bar! [yeah][wow]

I haven't had the opportunity to peruse the Posts of yesterday and this morning, but I surely willl. I have noted that Theodorebear Ted & nickinwestwales Nick came through with flying colors in my absence in keeping this bar of ours rollin' along. [tup][tup][tup] Thanx to you, very much - and of course the regulars too, who pitched in with what appear to be some typically informative and creative information. [yeah] [tup][tup][tup]

There won't be a "report" as such regarding the Amtrak trip to KCity with pwolfe Pete, however, I plan to "hit the highlights," before the day is done. [tup]

I'll be back in late morning, hopefully by then, I'll have the SUMMARY ready for Posting. <phew>

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #44

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Pacific (SP) from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection.

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


Come to Arizona on the swift “Golden State”

– the only streamliner direct to Tucson, Phoenix, Palm Springs

Smooth-riding, luxurious – Southern Pacific-Rock Island’s fast Golden State from Chicago via El Paso and Douglas is the only streamliner direct to Southern Arizon’a resort country and Palm Springs Pullman and reclining chair car. Moderate extra fare.

Try this famous train on your next trip to Arizona or California.

Through Pullmans from New York and St. Louis,

P.S. Don’t forget that our Sunset Limited (New Orleans-Los Angeles) also goes direct to Southern Arizona and Palm Springs.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S*P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . The friendly Southern Pacific . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

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

[nickinwestwales]

Well good morning SIR THEODORE, AL,DOUG & MIKE,nice to see you all this fine day-AL -hope your `visit` yesterday was uneventful,nice run down on the B&O-the `elder statesman` of U.S roads if I have my history right
DOUG-good stuff on the Sperry cars,always interested in non revenue workings-the oh so essential `poor relation` of the glamourpuss passenger hauls-nice one[tup]
MIKE-Nice festive trip tale,glad you are enjoying the photo albums-mostly through [4:-)]TOM & ROBS hard work & time. I guess its one of the few areas in which I can make a small contribution -pix of stuff the rest of you might not be familiar with.
SIR THEODORE-will E-Mail the PECO factory,I`m certain they still produce `how to` literature for all their products which will explain far more clearly & succintly than I could,failing that its out with the safety crayons-either way,watch this space[^]
My remarks r.e. Uncle Sam were in no way aimed at your good self,but meant to give a longer perspective on your own Rats patoot -will explain more fully in the staff room after work[swg]--did you realise that whilst most of our pastries are available in various sizes,the prune Danish only come in regular........( well,it is Panto season after all).
Safest to assume for now that our steamed proprieter is enjoying his well earned day of rest or that events in the south of the state have `dominoed` traffic snarl-ups and delayed his return-You might check the media for me to see if there are any reports of this ( I wouldn`t know where to begin ) He has mail on his desk,so expect to hear from him soonest.
Right,I`m off to town to check out the fish market ready for tonight so will leave you all to the oh so tender mercies of the ladies,see you all later,nick[C=:-)]

[nickinwestwales]

Have just had updated screen so cancel that last bit[^]
Welcome back Boss-speak in a bit,small one due for collection from school n[C=:-)]

[Anonymous]

Okay, now we can take a deep breath and a sigh of relief Tom. I hope you and Pete left my "adopted" Home Town as you found it.[(-D] Seriously, we are happy to see you both returned probably rested and wiser for the experience. You have mail Tom. Hi again Nick, didn't I see you somewhere very recently? Okay Cindy, Im finally outta here knowing things are back to S.O.P. I'll be checking in again later in the day after some interminable "rat killing." Stay well and warm everybody. Happy rails.

[jdonald]

Good afternoon Cindy-you are looking fine[:I](that will probably cost me) how about a hot chocolate and a round for the house provided the CN CP etc track crews are'nt here yet. Too close to Christmas to afford a round that size.

Its a snowy, snowy day here in S.W.ON. 15-20cm.(6 to 8 in.) predicted. Looks like the snowblower crew will be called out sometime today.

Wanswheel thanks for the pic of the Comet. My curosity is satisfied. It looks something like the Zehhys of the same timespan.

Al interesting piece on the Columbian. The B&O faced pretty stiff competition on the NY-Chicago service. Did they compete on the same level as the 20th Cent. and the Broadway[?]

Doug Looking forward to more on the track maintenance subj. Guess I wasn't the only one was always reminded of a doodlebug whenever I saw a Sperry Car.
Reminds me of my first encounter with a doodlebug as a pre-teen maybe 10 or 11; returning with my family from Huntsville ON after summer vacation, we missed our connection in Toronto. Seems my Dad had found the tunnel that connected Union Station to the Royal York Hotel and decided to have a quick beer. He apparently became disoriented[:D]and didn't find his way back for 2 hours so our connection was well and truly missed. The next train only went as far as London where we had to catch the local to Sarnia. My mother referred to it as the "diesel" but after becoming more train wise I realized that it was a doodlebug. It was about 98deg. inside and the noise from exhaust stacks was deafening especially since all the windows were open. That was the only time I ever rode on one but did see one on the Sarnia-London locals quite often.

Bye for now-keep it on the rails.

Don

[red p]

Hi Cindy, Jack and coke please.
I really enjoyed the Christmas travels, just make sure we dont use up all the red ink..

Heres something you can give to Tom when you see him.

The National Limited 9/10/73
Amtrak -530,531
mail -1000 series
baggage-dorm -1400 series
10-6 sleeper -2600 series
10-6 sleeper -2600 series
diner lounge -8330 series
coach -4440 and 4554 series
coach -4440 and 4554 series
coach -4440 and 4554 series
coach -no series given
coach -no series given

P

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Cindy go ahead and take off for the remainder of this fine day. You've "done good" and as always. Don't know what we're going to do without you once your sabattical from your university is finished. Perhaps you can conduct your classes here at the bar - I'm sure you'd have all kinds of interested listeners! [swg]

Well, Gents - the more I try to get ahead, the "behinder" I get. Know the feelin' [?] I'm not sure it's even worth trying to compile a SUMMARY at the rate I'm movin' today!

I had 18 Emails on two accounts to take care of - that's 18 requiring some sort of a response. [wow] It's been that kinda day .....

Okay - let me at least get this out of the way for those who are interested:

The Amtrak trip to Kanas City yesterday was not quite what it should have been. Fortunately for those of us aboard the train, the disaster that occurred in southwest Missouri had no impact on the route of our train.

For those who may not know, a dam gave way near a place called Lesterville, MO and it sent tons of water cascading down the western slope of Proffit Mountain, overwhelming the east fork of the Black River and a portion of a State Park. It is not known how many died, but there surely were fatalities.

I boarded the train at 8:15 AM at Kirkwood and 5 minutues later, we were sitting in a passing siding, waiting for the backlog of UP freights to run through. We sat for 50 minutes. It was pretty stop 'n go all the way to Jefferson City, where Pete lives - a trip that normally take 2 hours, took 4. Pete and I arrived in Kansas City at 2:45 PM - which was an hour and 15 minutes late, thereby really screwing up any opportunity for some sightseeing of the train display(s) and other "good stuff" at Union Station. Scheduled departure time was 3:05 PM.

Pete did manage to scramble off the train for about 15 minutes, while I remained on board for the trip through the wye, to turn the train around. Love that experience - one that most times the passengers never get. This was my 3rd. Been there, done that before with late arrivals. Anyway, the train returned to the station, picked up the awaiting passengers and off we went back to eastern Missouri.

We booked Business Class accommodations aboard the three car train - two Horizon coaches and an Amfleet Cafe Car. Business class is located within the cafe car. However, Amtrak screwed up royally when they made up the train in Chicago - as the cafe car was backwards. Meaning, the passengers from the coaches who wanted to visit the snack bar and use the tables in the cafe car had to pass through what was supposed to be a private seating area for business class. That's why they charge a premium to sit there! Good grief - you'd think ...... [tdn]

Also, the amenties are long gone - no newspaper, no juices, no coffee or tea, and no voucher for a scandwich. Gone, gone, gone. Just pay the man, sit there and be happy!
Obviously, Amtrak will hear from us about this.

Now, the trip wasn't all negative in that we had a great time delving into this 'n that while seated at a table in the cafe car. During the afternoon return, Pete coerced me into having a drink or three, just to make things "sociable." <grin> I know this much - he owes me a round! [swg]

It was fun, but not at all in keeping with the positive experiences I've had over about 16 years of making that run. There have good, not so good and really poor trips. The overwhelming majority of times, the blame can be squarely and fairly placed opon the shoulders of UP. I'd say that was the case yesterday, with exception of the "Lummox" who had the cafe car coupled "backwards."

After Pete got off the train at JCity, I had another 3 hours to go - as we were in and out of passing sidings for that leg as well. Train arrived at 10:23 PM, about 2 hours and 20 minutes late -and I got home at 11:15 PM. It was a long day. Gettin' far too old for this stuff. [swg]

Pix [?] Pete took some good ones and I'll have them ready for Sunday's Photo Posting Day!

I've read through quite a few Posts - the most current to the older ones, but I'm hardly finished. From what I've seen, you guys really have kept things going not only yesterday but the day before as well. I've had 2 days "away," more or less, and am convinced that our "nucleus" is alive and well! [tup][tup][tup]

Cindy is most deserving of all the praise and oogling one wishes to give! So, Mike you are NOT in trouble for that - HOWEVER - you DO deserve a Tweeeeeeeeeeeet, Tweeeeeeeeeeet, Rules Violation, Rules Violation - Rule #1 failure to greet the barkeep -and - Rule #2 failure to order a drink and/or food for that very well done piece written by your father! [swg] We'll let you off the hook, this time - but I know P is out there somewhere, wonderin', "How come HE gets off, but not me [?]" [swg] Reason - anyone who has a "blinking" signature, surely deserves to be Tweeeeeeeeted <grin>

Later, guys!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

THURSDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

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

Tonight is Fish 'n Chips Nite and Nick's Picks!

Better late than never! [swg]
Looks to me as if Ted ‘n Nick did a splendid job of keeping things on track in my absence – as did Rob the day before! Many thanx! [tup][tup][tup]


Daily Wisdom:

Life is like checkers. When you reach the top, you can move wherever you want.


Info for the Day:

(1) 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
jlampke John . . . . . . . . . Dec 24th (noon) . . . . . siberianmo Tom

CONTEST CLOSED!


SUMMARY

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

(1) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 03:27:36 (191)

(2) wanswheel Mike Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 05:51:04 (192) We brought the NYC to its knees

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 05:59:13 (192) Wednesday’s Info & Summary

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 06:08:46 (192) NOSTALGIA #43 Ad – El Capitan

(5)Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 06:46:27 (192) AM Greeting!

(6) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 07:34:39 (192) AM Greeting!

(7) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 07:36:14 (192) Inclusive Post!

(8) passengerfan Al Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 07:36:38 (192) Streamliner #2- Comet

(9) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 08:36:55 (192) Pick-us-up-Post!

(10) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 08:49:37 (192) Inclusive Post!

(11) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 09:16:04 (192)Inclusive Post!

(12) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 12:21:18 (192)Inclusive Post!

(13) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 14:57:35 (192)

(14) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 16:52:55 (192) Inclusive Post!

(15) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 17:12:42 (192)

(16) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 17:32:41 (192) Huh?

(17) jdonald Don Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 18:40:50 (192) Inclusive Post!

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 20:44:57 (192)

(19) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 21:01:31 (192)

(20) wanswheel Mike Posted: 14 Dec 2005, 21:49:56 (192)

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

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

[nickinwestwales]

Well howdy [4:-)]TOM,nice to see you back at it-have just sent an E-Mail in reply to yours[tup]-not good news on the dam breach,happily the blast this side occured during shift change-5 minutes either side and 40-60 fatals,no question.....
I suspect that it is a measure of the passage of time that what would once have been an interesting added diversion to a grand day out becomes a wretched nuisance.
Have written more fully on this in E-Mail,so will not bore with duplication
So,who have we got today..
RED P-Nice to see you,have a Jack & Coke on me,I`ll have a big green bottle please [4:-)]TOM-you look like a large Southern Comfort on ice would work wonders,where was I,ah yes RED P-good to see that as befits your chosen career,your logo now comes complete with operating running lights-neat[^]-re the `National` what odds on getting sequentially numbered power in this day and age ?
DON-Hi there,know how you feel with the weather,sis in Toronto not hugely impressed either.
Nice note on the Huntsville-Sarnia trip[tup]-So theres a tunnel from the Royal York to Union eh,interesting ( members of the spring touring party take note....[swg])
SIR THEODORE-Come and take your ease dear boy,we owe ourselves a little quality time,whats your pleasure this night ?-Port & brandy is a popular `winter warmer` in these parts,although the homeward journey can be hazardous...
Well,had best be out to the galley and sort out this mornings purchases-not only did I get fish but met a guy who sold me some beans & guess what-they`re magic! ( oh no they`re not , oh yes they are , oh no they`re not.....................)
Right,enough of this festive buffoonery,work to do catch you all in a bit,nick,[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Looks like I've finally gotten to the additional Emails and caught up with reading the Posts from Monday evening to present <phew>! This isn't preaching - just a simple statement of fact, for those who skim, or otherwise miss the written word Posted on this thread - man oh man, it's your loss indeed.

Nick That blast you referred to was about 60 miles from where Pete's house is. I read where the sounds of the explosion were heard on the continent - well why not, actually - it isn't all that far away. Sounds much more impressive than it is. Nevertheless, someone was watching over the place thereby avoiding even more of a tragedy, as you pointed out.

Missouri has a "bunch" of man-made lakes - perhpas more than in any state I've lived in. I have no clue regarding the condition of the dam that let go, but I'm sure the local bird cage liner (aka: newspaper) will fill us all in on hte "skinny" as only they can (and will.)

Your mention of sequentially numbered power brings to mind some pix I posted several Sundays past. One of the VIA Rail "Canadian" lash ups had two of 'em - thought it was rather unique indeed, as you pointed out. Had to be just the luck of the draw, for in no way do I believe that anyone actually "made it happen." The cynic in me says that today's railroad personnel aren't "into" that kinda thing.

Toronto is a mega-metropolitan area. The talk of weather, no matter where one resides always brings a smile to my face. For example, here in St. Louis one wonders why oh why am I here in late July and August when the temps are at 100 (F), the air unfit for an auto exhaust, and the humidity thick enough to choke a healthy horse. But, we stay. So it goes with the winters in places like Toronto. Millions moan 'n groan, but they too remain. Then there's ........ Oh I think you've gotten the point. One man's Valhalla is the other guy's Hades, or something like that. [swg]

Would you believe that I never had glass of Port until visiitng with a friend of ours in Dartmouth (now Halifax) Nova Scotia this past May? True. He's an ineresting chap who settled in Canada from Scotland (where else but Nova Scotia, eh [?]) Anyway, we were in the before dinner stages of imbibing and he offered me a glass. Well, I must say, it was rather - well, rather - hmmmmmm. I'll stick to JD on the rocks! [swg]

Got your response to the response to the response ........ and the beat goes on! Appreciate the communiques, really do. I'll pass the info to Pete and we'll see what develops! [tup]

For the guys: I doubt that I'll ever get to all of your salient commentaries. However, if there's something you feel I should "know" please direct me to the Post! [swg] Also, let's not forget that this is Fish 'n Chips Nite along with Nick's Picks! So be ready to dig in when the [dinner] dinner bell rings at 5 PM! [tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the usual and some of [C=:-)]NICK'S Fish and chips for later please[tup].

Many thanks and a round TED and NICK for looking after the bar yesterday there was some great posts.

As TOM as said the trip yesterday did not go quite as planned.I was lucky that the rain which was forecast for Wednesday daytime had already gone through Jeff. City and it wasn't too cold.May I get a drink for the Volunteers at the station who kept us informed of the trains progress and supplied coffee and good conversation while I waited.
There was plenty of freight movement and the yards at J.C were full of freights.
TOM is kindly going to post my photos they were a bit rushed althouIgh I nearly had a lot longer to take them. It was nearly an article for the Mentor Village Gazette "Strange Talking Man Left In K.C."
I have read that the Amtrak Cafe-cars have got to make a profit. On the way back we done our best to make this happen [:)]. It was still a great day out though[^].

Thanks ROB and DON on the info on the tank loco it will be great to see the photo. there were many classes of tank loco on British Railways. Apart from Switchers were tank engines a rare sight in N America[?]

DOUG Great piece on the R.P.O. The last pick up on the move in the U.K was in 1971 near Penrith in the North West of England. About 3 preserved lines in England have saved the Mail-Exchange lineside equipment and the special cars, and on certain days it is still possible to see the exchange of mail-bags on the move. A great sight[wow].
Looking forward to the next Maintaining the Way installment and great photo[tup].

Interesting piece on the Comet as I have recently travelled the line thanks AL and CM3.
and thanks for the photo Mike, I am glad you was able to post the article from Trains.

On facing points TED, I dont know if NICK can recall but in the 70s there was a bad derailment on the London to Oxford line when a battery box cover became loose on a Western Diesel- Hydrulic loco and caught a facing point locking bar opening the points and causing the de-railment the loco finished up on its side. I believe sadly there was loss of life in the accident.

TOM thanks for the Nostalgia [tup]. Iwas hoping yesterdays train would keep to time after it reached the mainly double track after J.C.

[nickinwestwales]

Well line up boys,it`s chow time-so what do we have tonight,well..
For the boys from north of the border we have a traditional rib-sticker from the soup kettle-Pea & Ham,a thick and nourishing potage,served with oven-fresh cheesy bread rolls (nicer than they sound[swg])
Alternatively,try Vegetable Samosa`s with hot lime pickle & mint & cucumber raita
For the brave-hearts amongst you-Cockles,Bacon & Lavabread on wholemeal toast ,THE classic Welsh dish
Also,[C=:-)] is always delighted to prepare-Black & White Pudding slices in beer batter with mustard dip on a bed of rocket,saurkraut & grated white radish

O.K-a brief pause for refreshment...(another big green bottle for me please [4:-)]TOM..Ta..)

Now then,with palates honed to a fine edge we can move onto the main courses:-

Queen Scallops with a mushroom medley in cream & white wine sauce with a faint hint of tarragon on a bed of wild rice
Langoustines with oven-hot wholemeal breads & garlic & lemon mayo dip
Octopus chunks in a provencal sauce on a bed of Taglietelli tricolore topped with calamari & onion rings
Grilled Swordfish steaks with rum,lime & sweet chilli sauce
Baked baby peppers stuffed with white crab meat
both of the above served with Pommes Duchesse & veg de jour

The Vegetarian special is Cauliflower,Broccoli & Red Pepper Mornay with Garlic bread & salad bowl

We also have:-
Cod in beer batter,
Haddock in breadcrumbs,
Plaice in herbed flour,
Whole-tail scampi
and,by popular request,
Halibut,cooked to order in the customers preferred style
all the above served with chips (not fries,a subtle but distinct difference) & mushy peas

Right that looks like a menu,just going to slip out to the galley and slap Boris into shape,see you all in a bit-by the way ,whose round is it ??-surely not my turn again...[swg]..later,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Boyz of the Bar!

Good to see you made it back to the bar, Pete - after all, I'm sure you are in dire need of a brew, given that we surely didn't get our fill yesterday! [swg] One thing for sure to contemplate is that when "our" train resumed its journey to Chicago from St. Louis this early AM (4:30) the Cafe Car attendant did not have any beer left for the journey. Given his "track record" and apparent disinterest in the passengers, we can be thankful we didn't make that trip.

Emails await you and Nick

Regarding The Mentor Village Gazette I'm always looking for some articles, but no one has responded. So, "go with it," something from you for the next edition would be terrific! [tup]

Nick [C=:-)] Whenever I read through your menu choices, I feel FULL! Obviously mind over matter. I wonder aloud, are there those who REALLY eat "like that?" I can't imagine putting away that much food in one sitting. Those days (daze) are long gone for me. But it sure is enjoyable to read through your work and realize just how talented a guy you are. Sick, perhaps a bit over the edge, but talented! [swg] My kinda shipmate!

Don't be too tough on Boris, whether you realize it or not, he thinks (?) of you as his "Daddy." <yiikes>

Oh [yeah] For all who bought the house a round on this fine day and yesterday, many thanx! [tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and gentlemen all. I'll have a bottomless draught and some of [C=:-)]'s fine grilled swordfish! We surely have an incredible feast going tonight. Sir knight Nick, you have outdone yourself!

Welcome back Tom, and thanks for the Southern Pacific nostalgia add. Sorry your trip was so frustrating, but thanks for the particulars anyway.

Don, I've never had the chance to ride a Doodlebug, but I may get to work on the M35 at the IRM. Here's hoping!

I see P has been by tonight. I'm always enterested in what you have to say.

Here's part II of my latest series ...hope it meets with your approval

Maintaining the Way by John Uckley – Rail Classics Jan. 1984

Sperry Rail Service car No. 143 and a ballast regulator machine set out for a day’s work on the Chessie Toledo-Saginaw line.


If a defect shows up on the tape, the recording operator makes a pencil mark next to the suspect tape indication and then orders the car stopped. The test carriages located under the car are raised to prevent any damage to the delicate mechanisms. This is accomplished by flicking switches that are located on a control panel on the right hand side of the tape indicator. The Sperry car is then backed up to the defective rail and the examining operator climbs off the car. The bad rail has already been marked with a yellow paint blotch, automatically made by the car’s test carriages when they first sensed the defective rail section. The operator then snoops around with a hand-held Reflectoscope to verify the suspected rail defect.

If a defect is located, the type, size and serial number are marked on the base surface of the rail containing the problem. Another crew member on the car records the defect type, size, serial number, rail weight, rail manufacturer, the year the rail was made, and the track number on the Defective Rail Reports, with one copy destined for the Sperry Company head office and another copy prepared for the railroad whose line is being tested.

After this procedure has been followed, the recording operator gives a go-ahead signal and the car resumes monitoring with its test carriages lowered in place again near the rails. The car is quickly brought back up to its 13 miles per hour testing speed. The Sperry pilot is relieved every two hours and the recording operator is relieved every hour. Sometimes the railroad dispatcher will get in radio contact with the Sperry car and have the vehicle run light to the closest siding and wait for the passage of a hot-shot freight train or maybe an Amtrak schedule.

Eventually, the Sperry rail car ties up for the night at a small town depot or a big city terminal. The depot water line is hooked up to the car for testing operations, drinking purposes, and kitchen use. If the car’s energy resources are getting low, a call goes out to the local fuel distributor who will then stop by the depot with his oil truck and fill the two 250-gallon tanks on the Sperry car. Meanwhile, the Chief Operator is busy inside the car typing up the copies of the Defective Rail Reports, the Car Movement Report, plus an Operations Conditions Report. These forms are mailed to Sperry headquarters at Danbury Connecticut, once a week. The other crew members perform routine maintenance chores and cleaning. Everyone is them off duty for the evening. They usually eat their nighttime meal and relax with whatever diversions they may choose.

Life on board the Sperry cars is pleasant. The crew is warmed by an efficient furnace during the winter months and cooled by air conditioning during their summertime travels. They ca also enjoy color television, radio, stereo cassettes for individual music tastes, a fully-equipped kitchen with a trash compactor, and a cozy lounge area. Living areas in the car are wood paneled and create a nice rustic touch. The cars have two single bedrooms and one double bedroom. Crew members take turns cooking and washing dishes (just like any well-run household). Sperry gives each four-man crew a weekly food allowance of $107.00. Extra goodies like soft drinks, candy, or say, a banana split, come out of the employees’ own pockets.

The four-man crew works nine and ten-hour shifts daily except Sundays. The pay rate is $4.75 an hour, plus all medical benefits. A crew works on a Sperry car for six months at a time. When a man hires on with the company, he is assigned to a Sperry car and learns the rail detection craft as an apprentice trainee. There is a specified amount of study from books and manuals that must be accumulated, plus written tests have to be taken periodically to see that operators are doing their jobs at peak proficiency. Crew members sign on from all areas of the United States. Frequently, a job with the Sperry Rail Service leads to employment with one of the major U.S. railroads. I should mention that Sperry crews seem very happy with their work and enjoy the variety that is inherent in their jobs and they also find travel fascinating.

The 25 Sperry rail detection cars are used in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Three Sperry rail cars are used on the Australian railroads and manned by Aussie crews. Sperry rail cars have even seen limited service in Western Europe. Sperry cars have been shipped by ferry to Alaska to work on the Alaska railroad. They are also used occasionally on the remote Quebec, South Shore and Labrador Railroad located in Northern Quebec.

Of course, not every railroad company uses the services of Sperry. Burlington Northern has its own fleet of tree rail detection cars for use on its various ;lines. Union Pacific also performs its own rail detection work with several Ultra-Sonic rail evaluation cars that are much sportier in appearance than the somewhat clumsy appearing Sperry cars. The U.P. units are painted yellow and carry the famous Union Pacific shield on the side of the cars.

In order to keep a main line in pristine form, all manner of maintenance-of-way trains must traverse the actual right-of-way that needs their services. There are slow moving ballast dumping trains composed of long strings of ballast hoppers accompanied by workmen walking alongside the cars with shovels and brooms and opening the bottom chutes so that gravel can cascade onto the right-of-way. Diesel locomotives pull specially designed gondolas and flatcars that are loaded with long ribbons continuously welded rail. Other trains are made up of tie cars which will transport creosoted railroad ties to the work sites along the main line marked for renovation. Still more work trains are necessary to haul bunk cars and converted passenger cars to a given area for maintenance-of-way crew accommodations. Tool cars (usually old 40-ft. wooden boxcars) and flatcars that are crammed with a bizarre assortment of M of W machines, from tampers to bulldozers, are also parked on sidings close to the job at hand.

And then we must not forget the Speno and Loram ballast cleaning trains, Speno rail grinding trains, plus any odd pieces of machinery that might rumble along a main line, with the goal of extending the longevity of those rails. When a fast freight or passenger tain derails and dislocates all that carefully manicured main line hardware and ballast, the railroad must dispatch its wreck train to the site so that the big hook crane can clean up the mess while the M of W gang tries to straighten out the damage done to the T-rail and the right-of-way itself.

Quarter-mile-long lengths of welded rail are carried on these special rack cars. Rail readily bends as necessary to follow curves.


[:I] even more to come! [:I]

[wanswheel]

Good evening Tom and all. Now, if it's not oFISHally time for dinner, let the CHIPS fall where they may.I know, you've about haddock with me! Scallops are great, Nick. A round for the house for 3-point credit on phantom post.

Doug in '76 you were instrumental in Ohio State's 9-2-1 season. Too bad you got swept by the Tide in the Orange Bowl.
I like Columbus, my dad took me there when I was 15, on a one-day, 2-night business trip. He charged one round-trip first class fare to his expense account, but actually bought 2 sleeper-coach tickets, paying the difference out of pocket. We arrived Columbus very early a.m. He went off to attend to his meetings and I had a great day sightseeing on my own.
I went to the top of the Leveque Tower and to a movie at the magnificent Capitol Theater, where I fell in love with Carol Lynley. (This was early 1960s. She was a blonde, kids.) New York Central System, wake up to great view of Hudson River and plenty of time for breakfast. For Rob a pic of Union Station in Columbus, a great old hulk of architechture: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~rocky/PostcardHTML/unionsta_columbus.htm
_____________________________________________________________________
As a post script to my father's article this statement by J.V. MacDonald on 4/23/74:

"Senator Aiken has informed me that I have been appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate, to the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), as one of three Consumer Representatives on the Board.

I am very happy to be given this opportunity for public service, in an area in which I have always had a strong interest.

For over 40 years, I have travelled on passenger trains throughout the country, and I have experienced both the best and the worst of rail passenger operations.

It is my hope that in representing the consumers as a member of Amrak's board, I may make the contribution towards providing the people of our Country with a rail passenger service that will truly meet our public needs and that will become a strong part of our Nation's assets.

I am most grateful to Senator Aiken for having nominated me, and to all those who have supported the appointment. Especially heartwarming was the Burlington Free Press editorial of last July.

But most of all, I am grateful to the people of my native State of Vermont. In my opinion, their outpouring of support for restoration of The Montrealer was the most effective demonstration of consumer activity we have ever seen in this country. I am certain that Vermonters, by their successful campaign, aroused awareness in the Federal Government of the public demand for rail passenger service, that stimulated the creation of the Consumer Representative posts in the Amtrak Improvement Act of 1973.

From the earliest days, Vermont, and its Railroad City, St. Albans, have played an important part in American railroad history. I hope that I may a useful part in continuing that history and Vermont's contribution to it."
_____________________________________________________________________
April 25, 1974 editorial in The Burlington Free Press titled "New Man for Amtrak"

"The fortunes of Amtrak grew brighter Tuesday with the nomination of Joseph V. MacDonald as a consumer representative on the Amtrak board. Hopefully, his nomination will be confirmed by the Senate without delay.
MacDonald is the son of a St. Albans, Vt. railroad engineer. He travels 40,000 to 50,000 miles a year by rail and has traveled that way for years.
His thorough knowledge of railroading and his meticulous research into potential ridership costs were largely responsible for resumption of passenger rail service through Vermont.
His knowledge -- and his perserverance -- are extraordinary. few thought that Amtrak could be moved to restore rail service between Washington-New York-Montreal when MacDonald first suggested that it could be done.
Our hearty congratulations to MacDonald and our thanks to President Nixon for nominating a person who can really help Amtrak."
_____________________________________________________________________
Tom and Pete, I am very sorry that your trip was so disappointing. My dad would be on your side I guarantee it. He saw Amtrak as a great opportunity to salvage what was left of the great days of the past and build on it. He saw the folly of Amtrak signing contracts with the railroads that essentially let the railroads control Amtrak's schedule by dispatching the passenger trains at their convenience.
_____________________________________________________________________

Final post script: Letter my father did not read, delivered on the day he died, June 17.
Dated June 14, 1978 from Senator Patrick J. Leahy:

Dear Joe:

I am writing to thank you for all you have done to improve passenger rail service in Vermont and throughout the country. I know that many Vermonters who wrote to express concern for the Montrealer in the past few months also conveyed their respect and appreciation for your efforts. I want you to know that I share that respect and appreciation and that is the reason why I wanted my staff to contact you in the hopes that you would be able to return to the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Please be assured that I will do all that I can to retain the Montrealer and passenger rail service in New England. There is no doubt in my mind as to the importance of your contribution in this regard. I know that we could not have been successful for as long as we have without your able assistance.
I wish you the best of luck in your present battle, and hope to hear that all works out well.

Sincerely,
Patrick
______________________________________________________________________
Ad Art
Comet http://www.ephemeranow.com/trucks/trucks035.htm
Empire Buider http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av043.htm
El Capitan http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av312.htm
Chief http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av315.htm
Super Chief http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av311.htm
C & O http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av264.htm
Diesel http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av125.htm
American Locomotive: http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av227.htm
Lionel http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av219.htm
Westinghouse Air Brake http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av240.htm
Memphis Flyer http://www.ephemeranow.com/av/av251.htm

[jdonald]

Evening Tom & all: I'll have the usual A.K. and I guess its my round.

Nick Tempting to try a little bit of everything from your menu, but I'll go with the cod in beer batter and chips(not fries) but hold the mushy peas[xx(]Never have tasted them but well......

Tom & Pete Sorry your train ride wasn't a positive experience but there was more good points about it than bad.

Pete the tank engine was a pretty rare breed in mainline service here. The few that CN had were the only ones I can think of. Maybe someone else can think of any.

Doug 2nd part of the track testing looking good. Like to hear if anything progresses on the M35.

Tom can you handle a few more pics for this Sunday[?] Your plate has been fuller(more full?) than usual this week so a later Sunday would work just as well. Let me know on here or by E-mail.

Bye for now-keep it on the rails.

Don

[nickinwestwales]

Well it looks like everything is under control out there so lets sit a moment and grab a swiftie,DAN-I see you lurking in the corner,come and sit by here and try a couple,you`ll feel better for it
DOUG-One Swordfish steak coming right up [^] ,nice one on the Sperry`s pt2-sounds like quite a nice life for a single man-wouldn`t you know the U.P. (tm) have to gild the lily
[4:-)]TOM-wot me,sick,weird,over the edge-and I thought I was the `straight guy` in the band-at least I have a normal sort of hobby..............by the way,the deal with the food is you just choose one dish from each section,they aren`t huge portions-the idea is that when you have finished your dessert & coffee liquers,you have just enough room left to wonder what the other dishes taste like,thus encouraging you to come back next time & try another selection. These are all dishes that I have offered successfully in the various establishments in which I have plied my trade-those that havn`t worked are lost to obscurity-One of these fine days I shall have to cook for you all in the real world-perhaps we can borrow my sisters kitchen for the spring tour-If you think I`m strange you should meet her !!!-right,another green bottle and back to it -P.S-dont worry about Boris,he appreciates a firm hand on his collar-like all children he is most comfortable with clearly defined limits,right,I`m away-see you all for the next thrilling installment,sleep well,nick[C=:-)] --P.S[4:-)]Tom,will get this sundays offerings with you A.S.A.P[tup]n

[Anonymous]

Hello Nick, I was just trying to catch up--we haven't felt like being on the pc all week, but while I'm here I'll have a house draught.
Theodorebear, sent you an email earlier this week in response to the Western Union wire. Been years since I've read one. Sent another email tonight will pick up the book this weekend for you.
Lots of good posts lately but then again there has never been a bad post at OUR PLACE.
Not a whole lot going on around Spfld except I received the brand new truck at work today that has been promised since I started the job.
Kansas City Southern's Christmas train will be at Union Station in KC this Saturday. The better half is supposed to work then due to Christmas rush but we have debated going to see the train. Never even seen Union Station anyway.
Believe I'll take another house draught, Tom or whoever is behind the bar(too dim in here to see who's working--is the HVAC system working right/) I'm going over to feed Herr Wurlitzer's creation if the track gang will let me thru.

[trolleyboy]

Good evening everyone. As don had mentioned earlier I'm just back in the house after digging out of 5" of Tom's favourite thing. At least with the forcasts we will have our first white Christmas in about 6 years.

Tom I'll grab a AK and a round for those still standing. Looking at Nick's wonderfull menue I think I'll do a sampler. Some Cod some scallops and a swordfish ,
steak.

Good to reread the 3 fine nostalgia posts as well. Havinfg attempted to walk one day in your shoes here on tuesday , I was thankfull for the executive fringe benefit at the end of the day. Ruthy and Lucey gave me a most wonderfull foot massage. When did you add that to the staff benefits ? [:O][swg][;)]

Tom & Pete To bad about the less than fab train trip,hopefully it can be chalked up to "UPitis" though I'm sure that some ineptness is also responsibble for it.

Nick & Ted [/b ] Wow capital job gents on Wed and a good part of today. I was tired out after my efforts on Tuesday and have run out of preprepared amunition,thanks for stepping up.[tup] I'm not sure about some of the things that happened the last couple of days,but I giggled along with quite a few if them. Nick I think the paint job on Tex will work and his master does not seem to care,he follows him around with the wooden train whistle I gave him and blows it on all the grade crossings on the timesaver. Ted we just need to sound proof the upstairs room a bit more fully. [:O][;)]

Doug Nice bits on Sperry. I have been meaning to get one of the powered walther's versions of one as they do seem to be a regular visiter to the CN lines around me.

Don You are going to love the London book. Lots of good info on ouir neck of the woods. Great little story on your summer vacation and the doodlebug as well. And yest Nick the passage to the Royal York still exists. Remenber though no shirt no shoes no service there,you will be dinning and drinking with the high and mighty of TO.

Mike Great article and the follow up letters you posted about your dad.I've said it before ,but you must be awfully proud of him. Absolutly amazing how many miles he racked up on passenger trains. Mindbogglinng in fact.


[b] Al Two more great on topic streamliner posts. I just can't wait to read the book !!! If your pictures and full text are half as good as your spot posts here it will be a sure fire hit. [tup]

Well everyone have a good rest of your night. Rob

[siberianmo]

Evenin’ Guys!

Straight to the acknowledgments:

barndad Doug
Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 18:47:39

It’s good having you as a regular ‘round here! Having dependable customers means a lot and you’re doin’ just fine! [tup][tup]

It’s a sad commentary indeed about Amtrak and so much of the problem isn’t really of their making. Insofar as having people working in an environment that has been full of doom ‘n gloom for years, can you imagine how hard it is to recruit people who give a Rat’s Patoot [?] Like offering the deck chair concession aboard the sinking Titantic to someone. Impossible, comes to mind.

Seems like your “typing practice” has taken off as well! You ARE typing these things, aren’t you [?] Scanning is a taking the easy way out! [swg]

wanswheel Mike
Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:31:42

Hoooooboy – that’s quite a lead in to your Post! You do know the country is full of unemployed comedians, dontcha [?] [swg] Don’t give up your day job!

That Post of yours is one of the finest yet and a “must read” for the troops. Thanx very much for the extremely interesting narratives and the URLS. Really, really appreciate the effort. Hope the guys do too.

The situation with Amtrak and “host” railroads is pretty much the same today as it’s been all along. Amtrak is authorized to pay an “incentive” to UP if they (Amtrak) keep to schedule. In other words, pay more for what they (UP) are contracted to do in the first place! <yikes> I remember going to meetings in Jefferson City with Amtrak people from Chicago, UP people from Omaha, a “bunch” of politicians (they were legislators!) and a host of others. The idea was to try and get Amtrak and UP to work together for the benefit of the traveling public. Need I continue with this [?] Ever try to make a sand castle at the water’s edge as the tide is coming in [?]

jdonald Don
Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:41:23

You are correct, Sir. There was far more positive than negative. However, the negative always has a way of putting a cloud over the best of plans. We enjoyed ourselves in spite of it all, at least my wallet and my aching head said we did! [swg]

Send the pix ASAP – I’d rather not have to deal with them at the last minute. Actually, this coming Sunday is the last Sunday Photo Posting Day! for 2005. We are CLOSED on Christmas and I’m not planning to log in at all – no SUMMARY, zip, zero, zilch that day in cyber space for moi.

nickinwestwales Nick
Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:54:37

Portions you say [?] Not in America. We order it ALL and devour the plates as well, haven’t you noticed the “axe handle” measurements of late [?] [swg]

One day, perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer of yours for a Nick inspired and created meal. Maybe even in West Wales! Could happen …..

Hey, I know nothing of the personalities in your band. But I do know the guys here at the bar. You’re the leader of the pack, Mate, far ‘n away. In order to carry on at the rate you demonstrate, I’d say the leading edge trails you. That puts you in the categories described! [swg]

Nick m’boy, please try to get those pix to me in the ‘morrow. Saturday is filling up – we’re out pretty much all afternoon – Christmas revelry and the like.

earlydiesels Dan
Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 20:06:49

Hey Dan I almost Tweeeeeeeted you for not greeting the barkeep – which is and has been me since about noon. Gotta keep track of the players, Mate. Need a scorecard [?] [swg] However, since Nick is staff, no sweat – he’s ‘authorized’ to tend bar – just try and stop him! [swg]

Sounds like things in your life have returned to your “normal” pace. Busy, busy, and busier. The idea is to also be happy, happy and happier. If you can mange both, good show! [tup]

Nice of you to pick up on Ted’s “telegram.” Sometimes the guys get a bit tied up in their own “doings” and miss the direct questions. That’s where some help is really appreciated. [tup]

trolleyboy Rob
Posted: 15 Dec 2005 , 23:23:16

Foot massages [?] Well, whatever floats your boat! [swg] I DIDN’T add that to the staff benefits, I think they have “ulterior” motives!

Thanx to the “Inner Circle” you all now know, first hand, what it is like to keep this joint jumpin’ – it just doesn’t operate on auto pilot. Thanx to the three of you – Nick – Ted – Rob it is gratifying to know that we’ve a got a fall back position should the need arise.

I’d like to see a couple of other guys step up the plate now ‘n then – you know, “run” the joint for a day, or even half of it. Get some new ideas and a break at the same time.

We had 4 inches of my favorite stuff last week (Thursday). Supposed to get some Sunday and Monday. As I’ve indicated before, it can be rump-deep to an elephant, and it’s not enough for me. Snow, puppy dogs and a warm woman. What more can a guy ask for [?] Oh yeah – a great model railroad (or two, or three…..)! [swg]


I gave Leon the Night Man the night off. He’s been putting in lots of hours overtime, helping Cindy and yours truly. So, I’m closing up tonight. Whaddilyahave [?]


Later (maybe)!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[trolleyboy]

Hey Tom since your closing I'll park my caboose next to yours and have a blue or two with you. ( Gotta get a taste for it again with May fast approaching )

I hope they ulterior motives you imply are not to "dire" if you know what I mean,I'm the quiet shy and sensitive one you know. ( If you beleave that there is some prime tower real estate in Toronto I can sell you )

Snowing more as I type this. If you want you can move here. coarse that would mean havin got rebuild three layouts and counting ? Carol would have two universities in town to choose from as well. Think about it.

Well everyone have a great night. Oh BTW Boris wring up a round as i've fallen completely of the train track with this one.

Rob

[siberianmo]

Hey Rob

Great having some company at this hour .... a Blue sounds pretty good to me! Thanx ... [tup]

[yeah] I'm shy too AND low mileage. Believe that, and I'll have some more at the Rendezvous! [swg]

We HAVE thought about coming up for a couple of years, with Carol teaching and me - well, taking care of the house, dog, trains, etc. Anyway, it's not quite as simple as some would believe.

I haven't research all the Provinces insofar as work visas, temporary residence, and other requirements are concerned, but I can tell you this. We have two friends, both Professors, who went through a veritible nightmare of beaurocratic crap in order to get into Canada to teach. Get this - they were recruited by a very presitgous unviersity and wound up having to pay $8,000 in taxes on their own personal goods before it was permitted to cross the border(cars, furniture, appliances, etc.) I'm not making any of this up - it happened and it happened within the past 8 years. Can't and won't say whether that was directed solely and only toward Americans, but I'll tell you this - we wouldn't do it. Again, that was a different Province and they all have varying requirements. Anyway, if I want snow, I'm sure a couple of the 50 states will be able to accommodate my needs! [swg]

Okay, Sir Rob - if no one else wanders in within the half hour - we're closed 'til 6 AM!

Cheers!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

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

The last day of the work week (for most) is upon us. Just think – we have one more weekend to go before the merriment begins in earnest! [swg]

Check out the <light> breakfasts, freshly brewed hot coffee and the pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery!


Daily Wisdom:

Some folks can see no higher than the steam from their own pot of stew.


Info for the Day:

(1) 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
jlampke John . . . . . . . . . Dec 24th (noon) . . . . . siberianmo Tom

CONTEST CLOSED!


SUMMARY

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

(1) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 00:07:11 (193) Nite Cap!

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 06:29:23 (193) A new day!

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 06:50:55 (193) Streamliner #28, Columbian

(4) barndad Doug Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 06:51:44 (193) Inclusive Post & Maintaining the Way

(5) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 07:54:08 (193) Inclusive Post, etc.

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 08:20:44 (193) I’m baaaaaaaack!

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 08:22:08 (193) NOSTALGIA #44 – Ad – SP, Golden State

(8) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Dec 2005 , 08:55:10 (193) Inclusive Post, etc.

(9) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 08:57:57 (193)

(10) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 09:38:11 (193)

(11) jdonald Don Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 11:43:26 (193)

(12) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 12:19:54 (193) National Limited

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 12:58:41 (193) KCity trip, ,etc.

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 14:11:31 (193) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(15) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 15:17:12 (193) Inclusive post, etc.

(16) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 16:22:23 (193) reply to nickinwestwales, etc.

(17) pwolfe Pete Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 17:00:31 (193) Inclusive post, etc.

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 18:26:23 (193) Nick’s Picks

(19) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 18:44:07 (193) reply to: pwolfe & nickinwestwales

(20) barndad Doug Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 18:47:39 (193) Inclusive post & Maintaining the Way, Part II

(21) wanswheel Mike Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:31:42 (194) A MUST READ POST!

(22) jdonald Don Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:41:23 (194) Inclusive post, etc.

(23) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 19:54:37 (194) Inclusive post, etc.

(24) earlydiesels Dan Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 20:06:49 (194) Inclusive post, etc.

(25) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 23:23:16 (194) Inclusive post, etc.

(26) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 23:40:37 (194) Acknowledgments, etc.

(27) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Dec 2005, 23:49:48 (194)

(28) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Dec 2005, 00:03:43 (194) reply to trolleyboy

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

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