"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Hope this finds Russel well on the way to a full recovery. Enjoyed the Sunday pix especially the Budds on Via as I have a long standing love affair with those going back to CPR and CP Rail days. Just time for coffee and a crumpet.

Tax season begins for me today ten hour days seven days a week until the end of April.

PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNER #39

TWIN ZEPHYRS CB&Q trains 21-22/23-24 December 17, 1936 Chicago- St. Paul/Minneapolis two round trips daily 437 miles 7 hours 45 minutes each way.

After the three car 1935 TWIN ZEPHYRS had entered service it didn't take the CB&Q long to realize that if they hoped to hold onto the increased traffic the new ZEPHYRS were generating they would need additional passenger capacity.
With this in mind the CB&Q ordered replacement TWIN ZEPHYRS within months. But the Burlington themselves delayed the new TWIN ZEPHYRS completion puttting greater emphasis on the DENVER ZEPHYRS being completed first.

Once the DENVER ZEPHYRS were rushed to completion by Budd work resumed on the incomplette new TWIN ZEPHYRS in Philadelphia.
The new TWIN ZEPHYRS were powered by a single shovelnose diesel unit with two 900 hp Winton 201-A diesels producing a total of 1,800 hp. These cab units for the new TWIN ZEPHYRS were identical to those built as the lead units of the DENVER ZEPHYRS and were not articulated to the consists as previous Shovelnose diesel units had been.

The six car articulated train sets would be the last of their kind built for the CB&Q. All future lightweight streamlined passenger cars would be individual cars and not articulated.

A seventh articulated car was added to each consist in September 1937 to increase coach seating capacity
The two new cars were 4850 PSYCHE added to the TRAIN OF THE GODDESSES and 4851 CUPID added to the TRAIN OF THE GODS. These would be the last two cars built for the CB&Q that would not have SILVER prefix names. Management assigned SILVER prefix names to the DENVER ZEPHYR cars and soon decided that all future CB&Q cars would carry SILVER prefix names.

All cars and and the power unit of one of the new TWIN ZEPHYR trains were named for Greek and Roman Gods, while the other new TWIN ZEPHYR train sest was named for Greek and Roman Goddesses.

These two trains were always known throughout their years of operation as TRAIN OF THE GODS and TRAIN of the GODDESSES. An abbreviated version of the TRAIN OF THE GODDESSES is operated today at the Illinois Railway Museum and has appeared in one or two motion pictures in recent years.

TRAIN OF THE GODS

9905 ZEPHYRUS Shovelnose 1,800 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

961 APOLLO Articulated Auxiliary Power Unit Baggage Bar 34-Seat Lounge Car
4629 NEPTUNE Articulated 60-Revenue Seat Coach
4630 MARS Articulated 60-Revenue Seat Coach
151 VULCAN Articulated Kitchen 32-Seat Dining Car
4628 MERCURY Articulated 19-Revenue Seat Parlor 5-Revenue Seat Parlor Drawing Room Car
226 JUPITER Articulated 24-Revenue Seat Parlor 10-Seat Lounge Observation

In August 1937 an articulated 40-Revenue Seat Coach 16-Seat Dinette 4851 CUPID was added to the above consist between 4630 MARS and 151 VULCAN.

In August 1942 42-Revenue Coach seats replaced the 19-Revenue Parlor seats in 4628 MERCURY.

TRAIN OF THE GODDESSES

9904 PEGASUS Shovelnose 1,800 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

960 VENUS Articulated Auxiliary Power Baggage Bar 34-Seat Lounge Car
4626 VESTA Articulated 60-Revenue Seat Coach
4627 MINERVA Articulated 60-Revenue Seat Coach
150 CERES Articulated Kitchen 32-Seat Dining Car
4625 DIANA Articulated 19-Revenue Seat Parlor 5-Revenue Seat Parlor Drawing Room Car
225 JUNO Articulated 24-Revenue Seat Parlor 10-Seat Lounge Observation

In August 1937 an additional car 4850 PSYCHE an articulated 40-Revenue Seat Coach 16-Seat Dinette car was added between 4627 MINERVA and 150 CERES.

The 19-Parlor Seats in were removed from 4625 DIANA in August 1942 with 42-Revenue Coach seats.

For further details see the NEBRASKA ZEPHYR and 1947 VISTA DOME TWIN ZEPHYRS.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

”Our” Place RR Book Relay!





If you wi***o participate, send me an Email with your mailing address and we'll get this idea off 'n running!

I will mail the book to the first person on the list. Within two weeks after receipt, that person forwards the book to the next person, and so forth.

Ground rules:

(1) Additional blank pages have been provided inside the front cover for comments by each recipient.

(2) Comments should include:

. . . (a) Date received and from whom.

. . . (b) What in particular you enjoyed the most.

(3) I will provide the mailing address for the next recipient on the list.

(4) Send me an Email when you receive the book and again when you send it to the next person. That will be our “tracking system.”

(5) The last person to participate, ships the book back to me.

Pretty simple, eh[?]


Enjoy!

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

[coalminer3]

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

It looks as if most are in recovery after the b'day bash - wait a minute, though - whose size 14s are those under the pool table? Oh well, let him slumber a bit longer.

As for identity, I prefer to fly under the radar, just like WVU did in their game with Villanova. We won't even discuss the Giants performance or lack thereof - they're not quite ready for prime time.

Twinkies and beer - breakfast of champions! I also appreciated the picture of the electric deer; not as good as the deer head my neighbor had hanging in a tree in his front yard. We drove by it every day when taking the Huns to school, and the neighborhood kids had a pool going as to when just the skull would be there.

Enjoyed the pictures - I'll have to dig up some old prints and send them to our 'steamed propriator - he may see fit to post some of them.

The list of accidents tells us what a dangerous job railroading, like other industrial work, was (and still is). I carry a lot of pins and wire in my knee form a slip and fall accident that kept me off work nine months.

Also the conductor's work rules, etc. were most interesting. 100 miles for a days work doesn't seem like much today, but it was back then.

trainnut 484; hope you are on the mend and feeling better - you must have had one !@#$ of a cough to move some ribs.

Awhile back somebody mentioned starting a thread on coal and railroads. Sounds good to me. So I'll begin it with some material on mining conditions back in the day. This talks a little about mining conditions, hand loading, etc.

Some letters written in the 1830s vividly described conditions in a Virginia coal mine. The miners (mostly hired slaves) labored in drifts which were three to five feet wide. Timbers supported the roof as the miners advanced into the coal. Pressure often forced these timbers down and caved the roof right behind where the miners were working. Haulage was primitive. The miners dragged baskets of coal to the loading point where they were hoisted to the surface. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane all made for dangerous conditions. Methane explosions occurred in Virginia coal mines. Roof falls, inundations, and fires were other common dangers in the mines. Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of information available about them.

Early anthracite miners dug coal from outcrops and loaded it for shipment, but by 1852 over 110 surface and underground anthracite mines were operating in Schuylkill County. Most of these were slope mines but one had a shaft more than 1,000 feet deep. Geology played a major role in anthracite mining. Mining engineers in the late 19th century commented that anthracite seams could range from 3½ feet thick to 100 feet thick but were “never flat” for long. Most all anthracite was mined by the “chamber and pillar” method. in rooms or chambers 18 to 30 feet wide with 12 to 20-foot-thick pillars left behind to support the roof. Pitching seams prevented the use of mining machinery of any type in many anthracite mines. In the 19th century approximately three miners were killed for every two days worked in anthracite mines. The anthracite miner worked alone without close supervision and was responsible for his own safety.

Inadequate ventilation allowed gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane to accumulate in the mines. Miners had no way to determine the quality of the mine atmosphere except to sometimes lower dogs into the mine to test for gas. Miners assumed that the air was good if the dog was still alive when brought back to the surface. Canaries were also used to help detect gas in the mines. Double shaft ventilation, common in British mines, was not used in American mines because of the cost involved in drilling two shafts.

Blasting accidents were common because black powder was notoriously unstable and fuses were not very reliable. Sometimes when misfires occurred miners would go back to check them only to have the shot explode. Miners would then be blinded by coal dust, buried alive, or blown apart. Explosions and fires from other sources such as gas could be spread by suspended coal dust. Roof falls crushed miners so flat that sometimes their bodies could only be removed from the mine by scraping them up with shovels. Poor illumination exposed miners to the danger of being run over by mining equipment. Miners were electrocuted when electricity came into use in the mine.

The foreman was the first line supervisor in an anthracite mine. He had a tough job as he was responsible for both safety and production. It was virtually impossible for a foreman to make more than short visits to the working places during an average day. Foremen relied on their memories as they kept no written records of their activities.

Appalachian coal miners worked 12 to 14 hour days digging coal by hand. Miners supplied their own tools which they usually bought at the company store. A typical set of tools used by a hand loader included picks, shovels, a slate bar, *** auger, tamping bar, and powder bag. The miner was expected to buy his powder, too.

Hand loading was a nine-step process. The miner would first undercut the coal. The undercut was a three-to-four-foot deep slit at the bottom of the face. The miner lay on his side and used a pick to make the undercut. The work was frequently done in wet and dusty conditions in confined spaces as low as 30 inches. The average undercut took from two to five hours to complete - depending upon the mining conditions encountered. The miner than moved on to the next step- drilling - when the undercut was completed. A long *** auger was used to drill holes in the face for explosives. The miner loaded the shot after the holes were drilled. He used a device called a needle which was left in the hole as powder was loaded, tamped, and stemmed with dirt. The needle was turned as it was withdrawn to leave a channel under the dirt for the fuse. The fuse was inserted, lit, and the miner sheltered from the blast. If all went well, the shot would drop about a ton of coal to the mine floor while leaving a clean roof and face. Shot firing was an art as much as a science as the miner needed to keep the shot from damaging the roof. This was especially a problem if a shot was overloaded. Shots could blow out and kill miners, damage the roof, or (if conditions were right) ignite tremendous explosions of gas and dust that could demolish a mine. The miner removed the coal from the working place after firing the shot. He loaded the coal by hand into mine cars that were pushed from the face to the room entrance. The miner was expected to remove rock and slate from the coal as he loaded it out. If he didn’t do this, then his pay would be docked for loading “dirty” coal. Loaded cars were gathered into “trips” and hauled to the surface by mule teams or by locomotives. The miner placed a numbered “check” on each car that he loaded. The check number corresponded with his payroll number. The check was removed at the tipple when it was dumped, and the checkweighman recorded the tonnage dumped so that the miner could be paid.

A miner was paid by the tonnage he loaded during the day and could leave whenever chose to do so. The average West Virginia miner in 1900 produced 1,104 tons of coal a year for which he received a little over $500 in wages. This averaged out to about $42 a month.

Once the coal was brought to the surface it was fed into a structure called a tipple which overhung the tracks of the railroad that served the mine. This structure allowed the mining company to dump coal into railroad cars that were spotted under the tipple’s chutes. As mines became more complex, the coal was sorted and graded, cleaned and sometimes washed in the tipple - or preparation plant as it came to be called - before being loaded into rail cars for shipment. Some tipples had chutes that moved along the length of the car to fill it evenly.

At other operations, employees repositioned cars as they were loaded or, at some operations, stood inside cars as they were filled and spread the load evenly.

Miners generally worked without supervision, and were responsible for their own safety. They had to keep the floor clean so that cars could be moved to and from the working face, were expected to lay track for mine cars, bail water, check the roof, draw down loose slate, and support the roof in their working area. They were not paid for this so-called “dead work.”

Operators looked at these safety and health concerns as a necessary cost of doing business. They did not begin to address safety problems until after the turn of the century when states passed mine safety laws and began to inspect mining properties.

Now for one last story about nutrition. This memory was triggered by the Twinkies and beer (the picture, Boris, not consumption thereof.) One time I was riding from Nashville to Atlanta on the pathetic remains of the Georgian. This usually was a lone E unit a couple of head end cars, and one or two coaches (one of which was a former C&EI car that had been sort of converted into a snack car - I think that's where I first saw Boris - anyway, after a comfortable night's sleep on an L&N coach seat, I went back to the snack car and was informed by Boris (or his twin) that, "All we have is coffee, Zingers, and beef stew." No need to say what we breakfasted on that morning as we coiled along the Tennessee River. I believe that all items were used to feed Andrews' raiders, but we survived. BTW, things were much better later that day on the Southern Ry train I rode north out of Atlanta.

work safe

[siberianmo]

Good Morning Gents!

A collective [sigh] sigh of relief regarding the success of our return to Sunday Photo Posting Day! as the quality and quantity was much better than expected – excellent in fact! Thanx to Rob – Doug & Russell for your fine contributions and efforts! [tup][tup][tup] The ONLY way this feature will continue is for more of you to join in. It is that simple!

Words of encouragement to our friend, Trainnut484 Russell – SPEEDY RECOVERY! As mentioned by CM3 that must have been one hulluva cough to move a rib or two! [tdn] Hope you are comfortable and doing what is necessary for a complete return to your daily routine! [tup]

Wondering aloud: How many will “pick up” on a special date coming up this week at ”Our” Place[?][?]

RR Book Relay Want to participate [?] Check out the Post on this page and ship me your mailing address by Email. [tup] By the by, this is a PICTURE BOOK, no heavy reading whatsoever and spans the globe insofar as train PIX are concerned.

Many THANX for the support illustrated in the Emails following my Commentary on Saturday. The policy of this bar ‘n grill will not change – no acknowledgments for those who do not reciprocate. Appreciate the endorsement! [tup][tup][tup]

Time for some acknowledgments before this morning disappears into afternoon!

barndad Doug
Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 05:49:05

Nice photo spreads yesterday! Appreciate seeing the pix from your recent Chicago trip over the Christmas season! [tup][tup]

That insurance claim list, although probably intended to be quite serious, has some humor in it as well. [swg] You know the bumper sticker saying: “BLANK” Happens! The comment in the cartoon says it all, “What has not happened in the last ten years – may happen in the next ten seconds.”

passengerfan Al
Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 07:08:0

Not trying to make you feel bad, BUT – there are people who put in the hours you mentioned all year long. Count your blessings, my friend, it could be worse! [tup]

As ever – good stuff on the Streamliner piece. Pictures – pix – photos – even a URL or three, would most certainly enhance your efforts. [yeah]

coalminer3 CM3
Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 08:21:58

Always good to see you ‘round here and I’m wondering, how come never on weekends[?] Mystery in WVA[?] [swg] We can handle the low profile approach, but only Mon thru Fri [?]

Anyway, good stuff on the RR’s and coal, along with “nutrition!”

And by all means, ship off those Email attachments of your pix to me ASAP – no problem and I’ll create an album for you for display on Sunday Photo Posting Day! [tup][tup]

Thanx for the daily infusion of quarters for our Juke, Herr Wurltizer and of course the round! [tup][tup] Looks like the Coal Scuttle got a workout this weekend! [swg] It was Johnny Cash, Ronnie Milsap and Willie Nelson extravaganza! [yeah]


NOTE for WEDNESDAY, Jan 11th: HELP WANTED! Just need a couple of guys to make their Posts sometime between let’s say 10 AM (Central) and 3 PM. I’ll be gone during that time and we’d surely like to keep things rolling along. That’s all it takes, a Post or two. No need to baby sit, as Leon the Night Man will be handling the bar in my absence. [swg]


Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[Anonymous]

Good morning everyone. I began this post around 8:00 A.M. (E.S.T.) and this "throw back" to Tom Edison's first electrification in N.Y.C. (Progress Energy Florida) has failed twice. Speaking of Tom, I won't even have time for dry toast this morning as I want to get to Wal-Mart for CD on the layout.[:O] Your e-mails received and answered sans .39 cent stamps, thanks. Yes, please put me in for the "Book Relay" a.s.a.p.[^] It seems like a fun thing and "doggon" innovative to boot.[tup] I can't leave without wishing trainnut Russell a safe recovery and appreciation for yesterday's contributions under extreme duress.[tup] Earlydiesels Dan, many thanks for mailing the B & O Civil War book, can't wait! Mike, right "on target" with the Joel McCrea flicks of yore. Rob, you have mail pending an advisory of "delayed enroute" notification. Hopefully, "Homeland Security" will send it along presently.[(-D] The PPS (Photo Posting Sunday) was a great pleasure thanks to our "Magnificent Four."[tup] Rob, thanks for clearing up the confusion on the P.C.C. heritage for the later C.R.T. cars; it could only happen here at "Our" Place. I'll get back here after I complete these obligatory chores with a respectible, "inclusive" post a.s.a.p.! In the meantime, I've taken my old Tux and Tails out of mothballs for this Evening's Gala Event. Hope to see everyone by the searchlights in front of the "New Emporium" later on. Happy rails for now, later.[:D]

[siberianmo]

All of our regulars know about the Birthday Watch List .... however, it needs to be posted repeatedly, just as a reminder regarding who is coming up next for the Birthday Bash ......


[bday] 2006 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST [bday] (rev. Jan 9th):

March 5th (Nick – 46) Next up!
March 13th (Doug – 50) Just added!
April 18th (Al - 64)
May 18th (Tom - 68)
May 27th (Dave - 47)
June 3rd (John) – 47)
June 24th (Dan - 44)
July 30th (Russell – 35)
August 11th (Pete – 55
August 16th (Ted – 68)
September 8th (Rob - 35)
October 18th (BK – 66)
December 29th (CM3 – 60)


Not on the list [?] Send me an Email with your birth date (month-day-year). Corrections too!


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



NOTE for all: Check the SUMMARIES!

[siberianmo]

GRAND Re-opening of The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre



The Lobby


Views from the balcony


Tonight! : DOUBLE FEATURE: Von Ryan’s Express (1965) starring Frank Sinatra & Trevor Howard - and - The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) starring Jeffrey Hunter, Fess Parker & Slim Pickens.

And a “live” stage show in between features!

Plan to be with us tonight, as Mentor Village’s Gentry mingles with the “balcony crowd” and Track Gangs at the newly refurbished Emporium!


Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Signficiant events in Canadian RR History during the month of January. Part I of II – 1800’s to 1900:


*January 27th, 1854: - The Great Western Railway opens its Hamilton to London, Ontario section of its main line between Windsor and Niagara Falls. Moving on to acquire other railroads throughout Southern Ontario, it can be claimed to be the first Canadian railway system.


* January 4, 1875: The Intercolonial Railway of Prince Edward Island opened the line between Charlottetown and Tignish for rail traffic.


* January 31st, 1880: The Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa & Occidental Railay opened an Ice Railway between Longueuil and Montreal by placing railway track on large timbers laid on the ice of the St. Lawrence Seaway. A car ferry was used by the QMO&O during warmer months. The ice railway continued each winter until 1883.


* January 1st, 1882: The Canadian Pacific Railway appointed William Cornelius Van Horne as General Manager. Under his tenure, 480 miles of track was laid across the Prairies in the summer of 1882.


* January 13th, 1899: The joining of the Winnipeg Great Northern Railway with the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company formed the Canadian Northern Railway. By 1915, under the leadership of Donald Mann and William Mackenzie, the Canadian Northern system expanded to 9,362 miles of track.


Information contained in this compilation was obtained from internet public domain sources and materials from my private RR library collection. The use of this information is strictly for pleasure without intent of monetary reward or profit of any kind.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone. A photobucket of popcorn and we're all set.

Good pictures.

Russ, I've never been to a chiropracter. And I was born in Davenport, where the famous Dr. Palmer hired the young unknown Ronald Reagan at radio station WOC, which stands for "World of Chiropracty." Get well soon.

Doug, your Twinkies may be heavenly but I'll take the devil's food. My grandfather lost half a finger in a mishap of some sort as a fireman on the Central Vermont.

CM3 your first 60th birthday party is already on the horizon. Time flies around here.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/historicalminingreports/historicalpictures/pic053.htm mule
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/historicalminingreports/historicalpictures/picture_thumbnail_01.htm

Tom when did Mentor Village get a 10-story building? It seemed so rustic once. That's a beautiful theater, where is it really, St. Louis?

http://tuxjunction.net/media/lobby.mp3

[siberianmo]

Good Evening Gents!

Just ducked in between features over at the Emporium - a grand night, fer sure, fer sure! [tup][tup]

The strangest thing happened before the show started - I was reading a Post from BK - went to refresh and HIS Post disappeared! Now how in the world did THAT occur[?] It was a very interesting piece and I hope that BK discovers it has found a "home" somewhere in the Ether and perhaps will submit it again. Only thing I can figure is he was trying to edit or delete it at the same time I was reading. Strange, indeed! [:O][alien][%-)]

It also has been a rather dismal day insofar as Posts are concerned. A long period of time has elapsed between customers. But then again, perhaps everyone is over at the Emporium! [swg]

wanswheel Mike - Mentor Village is a name - can't tell a book by its cover, dontchano[?] I live in a place called Chesterfield a "city." HA - it's no more a city than an outhouse is a house! And finally, in cyber space one can conjure up just about anything 'n everything imaginable!![:D]

The pictures of the theatre actually are from two locations: the Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis and the interiors from the Fox Theatre also in St. Louis.

Gotta get back to the show! Leon the Night Man still has the bar!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

TUESDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

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


Good Morning! Time to check out the pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, our <light> and <traditional> breakfasts, along with our freshly brewed coffee (regular and unleaded!) [swg]


Daily Wisdom

The future ain’t what it used to be. (Yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

(1) Wondering if anyone will pick up on a “special date” coming up this week at ”Our” Place[?][?]

(2) Have you taken the time to read about ”Our” Place’s RR Book Relay[?] If not, check page 215.

(3) Back to our weekly routine (check page 213 for bar hours & food service):

. . . Wednesday is “Pike Perspectives Day” at the bar. Time for all model railroad hobbyists to discuss and display a couple of pix. [tup]

. . . Thursday is Fish ‘n Chips Nite! and maybe something from Chief Chef [C=:-)] Nick [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

. . . Friday is Pizza Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite! [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

. . . Saturday is Steak & Trimmin’s Nite! [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

(4) HELP WANTED! A couple of good men needed tomorrow – Wednesday – between 10 AM and 3 PM. What for[?] Provide some Posts during this timeframe in order to keep the bar ‘n grill "up.” That’s it! No need for anything else, as Leon the Night Man will have the bar in my absence.


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 01:21:07 (215) Monday’s Info & Summary

(2) barndad Doug Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 05:49:05 (215) Acknowledgments & Ins. Claims paid

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 07:08:09 (215) Acknowledgments & Streamliner #39

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 08:05:14 (215) RR Book Relay!

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 08:21:58 (215) Acknowledgments, & Coal & RR’s, etc.

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 09:26:47 (215) Acknowledgments, etc.

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 11:02:19 (215) Birthday Watch List!

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 11:47:11 (215) Grand Re-opening!

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 16:12:59 (215) Significant Events in Canadian RR history, Part I

(10) wanswheel Mike Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 19:57:50 (215) etc.

(11) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jan 2006, 21:40:40 (215) reply to wanswheel, etc.

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

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

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and fellow Emporium goers. Nice interiors in there. If I ever manage to have an imporium here, it will be lucky to have a few grain-o-wheat light bulbs inside. I'll have a light breakfast and some soda to get the Twinkie stains out of my tux. Ya know ... I dressed for the grand opening, and showed-up outside the red carpet, thinking I'd be taken for a celebrity and bluff my way in without a ticket.... but no dice. Even the extra Michigan quarters I tried to use for a bribe didn't work. Go figure.

Special date this week for "Our Place" ..... Hmmmm ..... could it be the 9 month anniversary on the 12th?

Terrific post on the history of Canadian railroading Tom ... you've been a busy boy. Noticed your disclaimer too. Guess I shouldn't think about posting pix from books? As for the insurance claims I posted yesterday, you are quite right about some of it being humorous, and strange too. I'd love to know the story behind the "Conductor stepped on toes" incident. It also seemed that the payout for some of those serious injuries were inconsistant with some of less serious injuries, but then again, we really can't know the extent of damage. Sure would be interesting to know all the details!

CM3, terrific article on coalmining. You paint a picture far worse than anything I had in mind. Good read, and very informative. Speaking of pix ... great link to historic coalmining Mike. You always come up with the greatest links for the material being discussed here. Nice touch on the "Let's go out to the lobby" MP3 at the end of your post!

The following is an updated summary of the articles I have posted here, should you be interested:

168 ….. The Making of a Signalman, Part I
……….. The Making of a Signalman, Part II
……….. The Making of a Signalman, Part III
171 ….. Through Thick & Thin, Part I
……….. Through Thick & Thin, Part II
……….. Through Thick & Thin, Part III
172 ….. Through Thick & Thin, Part IV
174 ….. Walking the Track, Part I
175 ….. Walking the Track, Part II
175 ….. Walking the Track, Part III
178 ….. Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman, Part I
……….. Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman, Part II
184 ….. Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman, Part III
……….. Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman, Part IV
188 ….. Granville-Paris wreck in 1895
189 …. The Great Pickleworks Wreck, Part I
190 …. The Great Pickleworks Wreck, Part II
……… The Great Pickleworks Wreck, Part III
191 …. Sorting on the Road, Part I
……… Sorting on the Road, Part II
193 …. Maintaining the Way, Part I
……… Maintaining the Way, Part II
194 …. Maintaining the Way, Part III
……… Maintaining the Way, Part IV
195 …. Maintaining the Way, Part V
196 …. Caboose History
197 …. Steam Delights of India, Part I
……… Steam Delights of India, Part II
198 …. Steam Delights of India, Part III
……… Steam Delights of India, Part IV
201 …. Steam Delights of India, Part V
210 …. Steam Delights of India, Part VI
210 …. Train of Life (poem)
211 …. Genius at the Junction, Part I
……… Genius at the Junction, Part II
213 … Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company 1894 Wages
214 …. Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company 1894 Rules
215 ….. 1931 June Insurance Claims list

[:I] HAve a great day! [:I]

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a morning coffee and a crumpet from the Mentor village Bakery.

PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNER #40

CANADIAN CPR trains 1-2 Montreal/Toronto - Vancouver daily each direction2,881.2 miles 71 hours 30 minutes each way.

An April 24, 1955 the Canadian Pacific Railway launched their long awaited new flagship the CANADIAN between Mnotreal/Toronto and Vancouver.
This was the first dome equipped train to enter scheduled Canadian service. The new cars were from Budd with a large amount od Candain content such as trucks and interior fittings and artwork.
It would not take the CANADIAN long to earn the reputation of one of the world's truly great trains. The CANADIAN was the first new train in a numberr of years to operate with Tourist sleeping cars , the reason for this was Canada was experiencing a surge of European immigration at the time. The Tourist sleeping cars were the only non Budd built cars in the consists of the CANADIAN. The were old heavyweight tourist sleeping cars complete with their original clerestory roofs intact, remodeled and equipped with fluted stainless steel panels to match the rest train.

The CANADIAN often averaged twenty cars in the summer months and their were seven sets of equipment assigned to the CANADIAN pool to provide daily operation. The CANADIAN was actually two trains that came together westbound and split eastbound at Sudbury, Ontario with one section then continuing to Toronto the other to Montreal.

The first westbound train between Toronto and Sudbury and Montreal and Sudbury are listed below west of Sudbury after being combined. The following cars that operated in the first westbound CANADIAN from Toronto remained in Sudbury waiting the first eastbound CANADIAN for their return to Toronto.
3006 Baggage 21-Crew Dormitory Car
517 Skyline Dome Car
KENT 48 seat Dining Car
TREMBLANT PARK Dome Sleeper Lounge Observation

Due to the length of the cross Canada trip two onboard crews were operated one between Montreal and Winnipeg and the other between Winnipeg and Vancouver.

FIRST WESTBOUND CANADIAN

1405 GMD FP9A 1,750 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

1900 GMD F9B 1,750 HP Diesel Passenger Booster Unit

1408 GMD FP9A 1,750 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

3000 Baggage 21-Crew Dormitory Car (Montreal - Vancouver)

UDALL Heavyweight Stainless Steel Sheathed 14-Section Tourist Sleeper (Montreal - Vancouver)

UGANDA Heavyweight Stainless Steel Sheathed 14-Section Tourist Sleeperr (Toronto - Vancouver)

ULLSWATER Heavyweight Stainless Steel Sheathed 14-Section Tourist Sleeping Car (Toronto - Vancouver)

500 SKYLINE 24-Seat Dome 17-Seat Coffee Shop 8-Seat Buffet 26-Revenue Seat Leg-Rest Coach (Montreal - Vancouver)

100 60-Revenue Seat Leg Rest Coach (24 smoking 36 non-smoking) (Toronto - Vancouver)

CHATEAU ARGENSON 8-Duplex Roomette 1-Drawing Room 3-Double Bedroom 4-Section Sleeping Car (Toronto - Vancouver)

ABBOTT MANOR 4-Roomette 5-Double Bedroom 1-Compartment 4-Section Sleeping Car (Toronto - Vancouver)

CHATEAU BIENVILLE 8-Duplex Roomette 1-Drawing Room 3-Double Bedroom 4-Section Sleeping Car (Toronto - Vancouver)

YORK 48-Seat Dining Car (Montreal - Vancouver)

ALLAN MANOR 4-Roomette 5-Double Bedroom 1-Compartment 4-Section Sleeping Car (Montreal - Vancouver)

CHATEAU BRULE 8-Duplex Roomette 1-Drawing Room 3-Double Bedroom 4-Section Sleeping Car (Montreal - Vancouver)

AMHERST MANOR 4-Roomette 5-Double Bedroom 1-Compartment 4-Section Sleeping Car (Montreal - Vancouver)

ALGONQUIN PARK 24-Seat Dome 3-Double Bedroom 1-Drawing Room 12-Seat Mural Lounge Bar 13-Seat Lounge Observation (Montreal - Vancouver)

TTFN AL

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. How about some Merle Haggard this a.m. "Old Man From the Mountain," and "Mama Tried."

An Egyptian revival building in Mentor? "Whoda thunk it," as ol' Diz used to say. I had onbe question - who was that swinging from the flky rope on the stage? Also was it that long ago that the Great Locomotive Chase appeared? Battles and Leaders of the CW has some first-hand accounts of that operation. I'll see if I can find my set of these books in the "east wing" of the house and get you some citations.

So much Canadian information - most interesting and appreciated.

For those of you interested in more about mining history, here's a list of sources that cover all sorts of stuff.

Primary Sources

“A Brief History of the Bureau of Mines (1970).” Typescript in Historical Collection, National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Beckley, WV
Alexander, John S. “The Monitor Coal-Cutter.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. III. (1874-1875): 23-31.
Burrell, G.A. The Use of Mice and Birds for Detecting Carbon Monoxide AfterMine Fires and Explosions - Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 11. Washington: The Bureau, 1912.
__________ . Black Damp in Mines - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 105. Washington: The Bureau, 1916.
Chamberlin, R.T. Notes on Explosive Mine Gases and Dusts With Especial
Reference to Explosions in the Monongah, Darr, and Naomi Coal Mines - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 26. Washington: The Bureau, 1911.
Church, John A. “Accidents in the Comstock Mines and Their Relation to Deep Mining.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, VII. (1880): 84-96.
Clark, H.H. Approved Electric Lamps for Miners - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 131. Washington: The Bureau, 1917.
________. The Factor of Safety in Mine Electric Installations - Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 19. Washington: The Bureau, 1912
________. Safety Electrical Switches for Mines - Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 44. Washington: The Bureau, 1913.
Eastman, Crystal. Work-Accidents and the Law. New York: Charities Publication Committee, 1910.
Fay, Albert H. Coal Mine Fatalities in the United States: 1870-1914 - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 115. Washington: The Bureau, 1916.
Firmstone, “Sketch of Early Anthracite Furnaces.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. III (1874-1875): 152-157.
Flinn, Robert H. Soft Coal Miners Health and Working Environment – Public Health Bulletin 270. Washington: GPO, 1941.
Forbes, W.H. Accident Prevention in Coal Mining - Bureau of Mines Information Circular 6409. Washington: The Bureau, 1931.
Hall Clarence. A Primer on Explosives for Coal Miners - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 11. Washington: The Bureau, 1911.
___________. The Selection of Explosives Used in Engineering and Mining Operations - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 48. Washington: The Bureau, 1914.
Harden, John H. “Chart Showing the Production of Anthracite Coal in the Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Wyoming Regions; Anthracite, Bituminous, and Charcoal Pig Iron in the United States and Petroleum in Pennsylvania From 1820- 1876.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. V. (1876-1877): 504-505.
Heinrich, Oswald J. “An Account of an Explosion of Fire-Damp at the Midlothian Colliery, Chesterfield County, Virginia” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. V. (1876-1877): 148-161.
“History of the Bureau of Mines - Draft - 1953.” Typescript in Historical Collection, National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Beckley, WV
Hodges, A.D. jr. “Amalgamation at the Comstock Lode, Nevada.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. XIX. (1890-1891): 195-231.
Hoffman, F.L. Miners’ Nystagmus - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 93. Washington: The Bureau, 1916.
Hood, O.P. Gasoline Mine Locomotives in Relation to Safety and Health - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 74. Washington: The Bureau, 1915.
Horton, F.W. Coal Mine Accidents in the United States and Foreign Countries - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 69. Washington: The Bureau, 1913.
_______ __. Coal Mine Accidents in the United States, 1896-1912 - Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 48. Washington: The Bureau, 1913.
Hotchkiss, Willard E., et al. Mechanization, Employment and Output Per Man in Bituminous Coal Mining. Philadelphia: WPA, 1939.
Huff, J.A. State Mine Inspectors - Their Appointment, Qualifications, and Remuneration - Bureau of Mines Information Circular 6484. Washington: The Bureau, 1931.
Humphrey, H.B. Historical Summary of Coal-Mine Explosions in the United States, 1810-1958 - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 586. Washington: The Bureau, 1960.
Ilsley, L.C. Approved Explosion-Proof Coal Cutting Equipment - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 78. Washington: The Bureau, 1920.
________. Permissible Electric Mine Lamps - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 332. Washington: The Bureau, 1930.
Keenan, C.M. Historical Documentation of Major Coal Mine Disasters in the United States Not Classified as Explosions of Gas or Dust, 1846-1962 - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 616. Washington: The Bureau, 1963.
Lanza, A.J. Pulmonary Disease Among Miners in the Joplin District, Missouri - Bureau of Mines Technical Paper 105. Washington: The Bureau, 1915.
Legislative History of the Bureau of Mines. Washington: The Bureau, 1966.
Lewis, James F. “The Hematite Ore Mines and Blast Furnaces East of the Hudson River.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. V. (1976-1877): 214-235.
Lord, Eliot. Comstock Mining and Miners. (Reprint of 1883 ed.) Berkeley: Howell-North, 1959.
Nelson, John P. Labor Productivity and the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Washington: U.S. Department of Labor/ASPER, 1975.
Paul, J.W. Flame Safety Lamps - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 227. Washington: The Bureau, 1924.
Pennsylvania Inspector of Mines. Reports of the Inspectors of Coal Mines of the Anthracite Coal Regions of Pennsylvania, 1870-1888. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, n.d.
Report of Investigation - Underground Coal Mine Explosion - Dutch Creek No. 1 Mine, Mid-Continent Resources, Inc., Redstone, Colorado, April 15, 1981. Arlington, VA: MSHA, 1982?
Report of Investigation - Underground Coal Mine Explosion - No. 11 Mine, Adkins Coal Co., Kite Kentucky, December 7, 1981. Arlington, VA: MSHA, 1982?
Report of Investigation - Underground Coal Mine Explosion - No. 21 Mine, Grundy Mining, Whitwell, Tennessee, December 8, 1981. Arlington, VA: MSHA, 1982?
Report of Investigation - Underground Coal Mine Explosion - McClure No. 1 Mine, McClure Virginia, June 21, 1983. Arlington, VA: MSHA, 1984?
Report of Investigation - Underground Coal Mine Explosion - Pyro No. 9 Slope...September 13, 1989. Arlington, VA: MSHA, 1990.
Rice, G.S. The Explosibility of Coal Dust - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 20.
Washington: The Bureau, 1911.
________. Safety in Coal Mining (A Handbook) - Bureau of Mines Bulletin 277. Washington: The Bureau, 1928.
Richmond, J.K., et al. Historical Summary of Coal Mine Explosions in the United
States, 1959-1981 - Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8909. Washington: The Bureau, 1982.
Rothwell, Richard P. “Avondale.” Engineering and Mining Journal. (September 28, 1869).
________________. “The Coal Production of the United States.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. V. (1876-1877): 375-381.
________________. “The Mechanical Preparation of Anthracite.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. III. (1874-1875): 134-144.
St. Clair, Hillary W. Mineral Industry in Early America. Washington: Bureau of Mines, 1977.
Sherman, Allan and MacMurphy, Allen B. Facts About Coal. Washington: Bureau of Mines, 1955.
Tams, W.P. The Smokeless Coal Fields of West Virginia: A Brief History. Morgantown: West Virginia University Library, 1963.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Technological Change and Productivity in the U.S.Bituminous Coal Industry, 1920-1960, Washington: GPO, 1981.
U.S. Coal Mines Administration. A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry. Washington: GPO, 1947.
U.S. Department of Justice. Competition in the Coal Industry. Washington: GPO, 1979.
U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States, Vol. II - Coal Mines - 1959-1998. Arlington, VA: The Adminstration, 1998
___________________________________. Historical Summary of Mine
Disasters in the United States, Vol. III - Metal and Nonmetal Mines - 1885-1998. Arlington, VA: The Administration, 1998.
U.S. President’s Commission on Coal. The American Coal Miner. Washington: The Commission, 1980.
U.S. Public Law 91-173. “Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.”
U.S. Public Law 91-173 as Amended by Public Law 95-164. “Federal Mine Safety& Health Act of 1977.”
Wetherill, J. Price. “An Outline of Anthracite Coal Mining in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.” Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. V (1876-1877): 402-422.
Williams, T.M. “Fires in Anthracite Coal Mines.” Transactions of the American
Institute of Mining Engineers. III. (1874-1875): 449-457.

Secondary Sources - Books

Abbott, Carl. Colorado: A History of the Centennial State. Boulder: Colorado Associated University Press, 1976.
Bakerman, Theodore. Anthracite Coal: A Study in Advanced Industrial Decline. New York: Arno, 1979.
Barger, Harold. The Mining Industries, 1899-1939. New York: Arno, 1975.
Bimba, Anthony. The History of the American Working Class. New York: Greenwood, 1968.
Bird, Frank E., jr. and Germain, George. Practical Loss Control Leadership, Revised Edition. Loganville, GA: Det Norske Veritas (USA), 1996.
Blegen, Theodore C. Minnesota: A History of the State. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Press, 1975.
Blodgett, Peter J. Land of Golden Dreams: California in the Godl Rush Decade, 1848-1858. San Marino, CA: Huntington Library, 1999.
Brown, Ronald C. Hard-Rock Miners: The Intermountain West, 1860-1920. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1979.
Chandler, Alfred D., jr. The Visible Hand: The Managerial Revolution in
American Business. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1977.
Cohen, Stan. King Coal: A Pictorial Heritage of West Virginia Coal Mining. Charleston, WV: Pictorial Histories, 1984.
Conley, Phil. History of the West Virginia Coal Industry. Charleston, WV: Education Foundation, 1960.
Corbin, David. Life Work and Rebellion in the Coal Fields: The Southern West Virginia Miners, 1810-1922. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981.
___________ , ed. The West Virginia Mine Wars: An Anthology. Charleston, WV: Appalachian Editions, 1990.
Corn, Jacqueline. A History of Coal Mine Health and Safety, Part I. Pittsburgh: Morton Corn and Associates, 1978.
Craigo, Robert W., ed. The New River Company: 70 Years of West Virginia Coal History.
Mt. Hope, WV: The Company, 1976.
Curran, Daniel J. Dead Laws for Dead Men: The Politics of Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Legislation. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1993.
Dilley, J.W. History of the Scofield Mine Disaster. Provo, UT: Skelton Publishing Co., 1900.

Dix, Keith. What’s a Coal Miner to Do?: The Mechanization of Coal Mining. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1988.
Dixon, Thomas W., jr. Appalachian Coal Mines and Railroads. Lynchburg, VA: TLC Publishing, 1994.
Dolph, Jerry. Fire in the Hole: The Untold Story of Hardrock Miners. Pullman, WA: Washington State University Press, 1994.
Douglass, Elisha P. The Coming of Age of American Business: Three Centuries of American Enterprise, 1600-1900. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1971.
Dunbar, Willis F. Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1970.
Eavenson, Howard N. The First Century and a Quarter of the American Coal Industry. Pittsburgh: n.p., 1942.
Eller, Ronald D. Miners, Millhands, and Mountaineers: Industrialization of the Appalachian South, 1880-1930. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1982.
Foner, Philip S., comp. First Facts of American Labor. New York: Holmes and Meier, 1984.
Gibson, Arrell M. Wilderness Bonanza: The Tri State District of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972.
Graebner, William. Coal-Mining Safety in the Progressive Period. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1976.
Graham, Otis K. and Wander, Meghan R. Franklin D. Roosevelt, His Life and Times: An Encyclopedic View. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1985.
Greever, William S. The Bonanza West: The Story of the Western Mining Rushes, 1848-1900. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1963.
Haine, Edgar A. Anthracite Coal. Chicago: Adams Press, 1987.
Harris, William H. The Harder We Run: Black Workers Since the Civil War. New York: Oxford, 1982.
Herr, Kincaid. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad: 1850-1959. Louisville: L&N Magazine, 1959.
Horrell, C. William. Southern Illinois Coal: A Portfolio. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1995.
Huddleston, Eugene L. Appalachian Crossing: The Pocahontas Roads. Sterling, VA: TLC Publishing, 1989.
_________________. Riding That New River Train. Alderson, WV: Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, 1989.
Johansen, Dorothy O. and Gates, Charles M. Empire of the Columbia: A History of the Pacific Northwest, 2d ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1967.
Jones, Jacqueline. American Work: Four Centuries of Black and White Labor. New York: W.W. Norton, 1998.
Kesler, Stephen E. Mineral Resources, Economics and the Environment. New York: Macmillan College Publishing Co., 1994.
King, Frank A. The Missabe Road: The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway. San Marino, CA: Golden West, 1972.
LaLone, Mary B. Appalachian Coal Mining Memories: Life in the Coal fields of Virginia’s New River Valley. Blacksburg, VA: Pocahontas Press, 1997.
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Lee, Howard. Bloodletting in Appalachia. Morgantown: west Virginia University, 1969.
Lewis, Lloyd D. The Virginian Era. Lynchburg: TLC Publishing, 1992.
Lewis, Ronald L. Black Coal Miners in America: Race, Class and Conflict 1780- 1980. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987.
Licht, Walter. Industrializing America: The Nineteenth Century. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1995.
Long, Priscilla. Where the Sun Never Shines: A History of America’s Bloody Coal Industry. New York: Paragon, 1989.
McCarty, Harold Hull. The Geographic Basis of American Economic Life (Reprint of 1940 ed.) Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1971.
McCulloch, David. Truman. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992.
Malone, Michael P., and Roeder, Richard B. Montana: A History of Two Centuries. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1976.
Michrina, Barry P. Pennsylvania Mining Families: The Search for Dignity in the Coalfields. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1993.
Miller, Donald L. The Kingdom of Coal. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985.
Misa, Thomas J. A Nation of Steel: The Making of Modern America, 1865-1925. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1995.
Montgomery, David. Worker’s Control in America: Studies in the History of Work, Technology, and Labor Struggles. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1979.
Pelling, Henry. American Labor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1960.

Petersen, Dan. Human Error Reducation and Safety Management, 3d. ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996.
Phee, Catherine. “The Centralia Mine Disaster of 1947.” St. Louis University -- Thesis, 1971.
Paul, Rodman. Mining Frontiers of the Far West, 1848-1860. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1963.
Pomeroy, Earl. The Pacific Slope: A History of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. New York: Alfred A, Knopf, 1965.
Quiett, Glenn Chesney. Pay Dirt: A Panorama of American Gold Rushes (Reprint of 1936 ed.) Lincoln, NE: Johnsen Publishing, 1971.
Ramirez, Bruno. When Workers Fight: The Politics of Industrial Relations in the Progressive Era, 1898-1916. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1978.
Rodgers, Daniel T. The Work Ethic in Industrial America: 1850-1920. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978.
Rohrbough, Malcolm J. The Trans-Appalachian Frontier: People, Societies, and Institutions, 1775-1850. New York: Oxford, 1978.
Savage. Lon. Thunder in the Mountains: The West Virginia Mine War, 1920- 1921. South Charleston, WV: Jalamap, 1984.
Schmidt, Richard A. Coal in America. New York: McGraw Hill, 1979.
Sheppard, Muriel Early. Cloud By Day: The Story of Coal and Coke and People. [Reprint of 1947 ed.]Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991.
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Wallace, Anthony F.C. St. Clair: A Nineteenth Century Coal Town’s Experience With a Disaster-Prone Industry. New York: Knopf, 1987.
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Yungkurth, Chuck. The Steam Era of Lehigh Valley. Andover, NJ: Andover Junction Publications, 1991.

Secondary Sources - Articles

Arrington, Leonard J. “Abundance From the Earth: The Beginnings of Commercial Mining in Utah.” Utah Historical Quarterly. 31. (Summer, 1963): 193-219.
Aurand, Harold W. “The Anthracite Strike of 1887-1888.” Pennsylvania History.
_______________. “Diversifying the Economy of the Anthracite Regions, 1880- 1900.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 94. (1970): 54- 61.
_______________. “Social Motivation of the Anthracite Mine Workers.” Labor History. 18. (1977): 360-365.
Bailey, Kenneth R. “A Judicious Mixture: Negroes and Immigrants in the West Virginia Mines, 1880-1917.” West Virginia History. 34. (1973): 141-161.
Barrett, Robert. “Retrospect: We’ve Come a Long Way.” MESA Magazine. (March-April, 1976): 12-22. NOTE: There were two issues of MESA Magazine dated March-April, 1976. This article is in the first issue.
Berthoff, Rowland. “The Social Order of the Anthracite Region, 1825-1902.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. (July, 1965): 261-291.
Brier, Stephen. “Industrial Organizing in the West Virginia Coal Industry: The Participation of Black Miners in the Knights of Labor and the United Mine Workers, 1880-1894.” in Fink, Gary M., and Merl E. Reed, eds. Essays in Southern Labor History, Selected Papers, Southern Labor History Conference, 1976. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1977, pp. 18-43.
Campbell, Sandra. “For 110, the Fine Avondale Mine Was a Tomb...” Mine Safety and Health. (January-February, 1980): 17-21.

Corns, Jacqueline K. “Dark as a Dungeon: Environment and Coal Miner’s Health and Safety in the Nineteenth Century.” Environmental Review. 7 (Fall, 1983): 257-268.
Foster, James C. “Western Miners and Silicosis: The Scourge of the Underground Toiler, 1890-1943.” Industrial and Labor Relations Review. 37. (April, 1984): 371-385.
Foster, Jim. “Health and Safety versus Profits in the Coal Industry: The Gateway Case and Class Struggle.” Appalachian Journal. 11. (1983-1984): 122- 141.
Fox, Kenneth M., and Stone, Judith F. “Black Lung: Miner’s Militancy and Medical Uncertainty, 1968-1972.” Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 54. (1980): 43-63.
Gordon, Richard L., et al. “Simulating the Effects of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.” Resources and Energy. 3 (1981): 55-63.
Hoyle, Steve. “I Yelled; Then I Ran Like Hell - The Milford Mine Disaster.” Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. (January, 2000): 18-20.
__________. “Only Two Men Were Actually Burned: The Granite Mountain Mine Fire - June 8, 1917.” Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. (May - June, 1999): 14-17.
__________. “The Red Ash Mine Disaster.” Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. (Novermber, 1999): 18-21.
__________. “There Were No Weeping Women: The Marianna Disaster, November 28, 1908.” Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. (September, 1999): 17-20.
__________. “Waiting on the Smoke to Clear - The Mulga Mine Explosion, October 15, 1937.” Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. (December, 1999): 17-18.
Johns, Robert D. “Retrospect: He Gave Birth to Modern Mine Safety.” MESA Magazine. (March-April, 1976): 17-20. NOTE: There were two issues of MESA Magazine dated March-April, 1976. This article is in the second issue.
Kanarek, Harold K. “The Pennsylvania Anthracite Strike of 1922.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 99. (1975): 207-225.
Lankton, Larry D. “Died in the Mines.” Michigan History. 67. (November- December, 1983): 33-41.
Lewis, Ralph. “How Mining Fires Can Happen--Lessons Learned From the Past.” Mine Safety and Health. (March-April, 1981): 11-17.
__________. “Orient Mine Tragedy: The Last Shift Before Christmas.” Mine Safety and Health. (November-December, 1980): 11-15.
__________. “Orient Mine Tragedy, Part II: The Conditions Were Ripe for an Explosion.” Mine Safety and Health. (January-February, 1981): 14-19.
Lewis, Ronald L. “The Darkest Abode of Man: Black Miners in the First Southern Coal Field, 1780-1865.” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 87. (1979): 190-202.
Neumann, George R., and Nelson, Jon P. “Safety Regulation and Firm Size: Effects of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.” Journal of Law and Economics. 25. (October, 1982): 183-199.
O’ Gorman, Frank., and Stafford, Sam. “Jefferson Island: When Courage, Training Saved 52 in Mine Flood.” Mine Safety and Health. (January- February, 1981): 8-13.
Powell, H. Benjamin. “The Pennsylvania Anthracite Industry, 1769-1976.” Pennsylvania History. (1977): 3-27.
Stafford, Sam. “America’s Worst Mine Disaster.” MESA Magazine. (February- March, 1978): 12-18.
Steel, Edward M. “Mother Jones in the Fairmont Field, 1902.” Journal of American History. 57. (1970): 290-307.
Stout, Steve. “The Cherry Mine Disaster.” Mine Safety and Health. (June-July, 1979): 14-18.
Weinstein, James. “Big Business and the Origin of Workmen’s Compensation.” Labor History. 8. (Spring, 1967): 156-174.
Wells, Merle W. “The Western Federation of Miners.” Journal of the West. 12. (Summer, 1963): 18-35.
Wiebe, Robert H. “The Anthracite Strike of 1902: A Record of Confusion.” Mississippi Valley Historical Review. 48. (1961): 229-251.
Zieger, Robert H. “Pennsylvania Coal and Politics: The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1925-1926.”

The last time I looked, I am working up material on the City of Memphis, the 1927 New England flood, and some material abt coal and railroading.

BTW - Tom could you pls. contact me offline - have a couple of questions for you re pictures.

work safe

[Anonymous]

Mornin' folks. "The best made plans of mice...." Tom, it's too early for anything stronger than caffeine and a Danish but if I were a "drinkin' man", now would be the time.[V] Murphy's Law has been "in effect" for the past 24 hours and just getting out of bed this A.M. is probably ill advised. Certainly enjoyed the Premier opening and first Feature. Don't know about the second as I was lost in the catacombs under the Theatre.[:O] That searchlight "shot" reminded me of 1940s and 50s Hollywood premiers. Tom, I can "hang in there" for the first part of Tomorrow morning. However, I must pick up my car (check book in hand) at the Toyota service center by noon. Then, its off to Bradenton, FL to see my closest friends from Chicago. They just arrived and "made an offer I couldn't refuse." Hey the origins of the first Canadian cross continental R.R. is fascinating. There are obvious parallels between the U.S. and Canada's beginnings. I see Al followed with a timely Streamliner Corner.

Great posts yesterday! CM3, the information on early mining puts a whole new dimension on the Tennessee Ernie hit: "16 Tons." The miner did indeed "...owe his soul to the company store..."[xx(] Doug, you are probably "right on" with the gestation period of the very "pregnant idea" for "Our" Place. Are you having any labor pains Tom? Hey Rob, how 'bout those pix of the McKeene "Motor Car" and Jordan Spreader? The lineage from the McKeene to Doodlebug to R.D.C. to L.R.V. really shows, doesn't it? Mike, I agree with Tom that much of the "high tech" mentioned in the article p. 215 was on drawing boards here in the Sates but remained dormant due to "lack of interest." The grinding weight of our Federal rail transportation bureaurcracy has played a major role in putting the kabash on R. and D. alas these past 40 years or so.[V] Maybe when we notice concrete X-ties being laid on major I-State systems; there will confirmation of the "need" for mass rail transport. 'Course, that won't happen until the last drop of recycled oil is squeezed from the earth's bounty.[2c]

Well the approximate time for a Progress Energy "black out" is due any time now. I will return when the "critical" time frame passes. appy rails for now.

[red p]

Tom,
good morning. Coffee and a bagel please. By the way great pictures. I really enjoyed them. I still dont have my modem fixed yet, but I did save my old Computer its a good thing too.

Modelrailroadernut That show sure brings back memories. I think if you want to model that line though you would have to freelance it. [2c]

trainnut 484 Hope you get get feeling better.

cm3 Thanks for the info on coalmining. Boy what a life !
P

[siberianmo]

Good Morning Gents!

A rather dismal morning here in mid-continent USA, rainy, windy and gloomy Tuesday. Raining too hard for Juneau’s morning walk, and that ain’t good! [tdn] Petrol up at “Collusion Corner” is at $2.29 (rounded) and expected to keep rising. Home heating has hit the $400 mark for natural gas, according to reports of the December bills for some! <good grief>

The Gala Grand Re-opening of the Emporium was quite the success. The local Constabulary did not have any reports of “incidents” nor any reason to be concerned as the citizens of Mentor Village were in a most festive mood.

Here at the bar, Monday was rather quiet and in fact somewhat disappointing in terms of visits to the bar. Gets lonely ‘round here during the late morning and afternoons. Speaking of which, tomorrow I’m looking for some HELP! The idea is to get some Posts between 10 AM and 3 PM in order to keep us “up” on the Forum. That’s it! NO NEED TO BABY SIT, just plan to make your contributions during those times. Thanx! [tup]

For: Trainnut484 Russell Cheers, Mate, hope the mending process is working in your favor! [tup]

To the acknowledgments:

barndad Doug
Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 05:45:33

You hit it on the head – the 12th is the 9th month anniversary of ”Our” Place! Shows you are following what’s going on ‘round here and it is very much appreciated! [tup][tup][tup]

From the “For what it’s worth department:” The Posting of material from sources where it is clearly copyrighted is a risk one takes. There are ways to circumvent it and the best is to get permission. Another way is to use the source for research and background, essentially write your own version, but give credit where credit is due (similar to writing an academic paper). Then there are “things” in the so-called “public domain.” Sometimes we wind up making copies of copies without ever having knowledge of the original source. That’s kind of where some of my “stuff” comes from, unless otherwise annotated. For example, my Fallen Flags and NOSTALGIA pieces come from other sources, but they are not exact copies and have been “credited” accordingly, where possible. I have a “ton” of magazine pictures, some without further identification (dates, publication name, etc.) which makes it pretty close to impossible to give “credit.” Bottom line: Use caution, the same as when approaching a RR crossing! [swg]

Glad you Posted your Index and I hope the guys have “bookmarked” it. Good stuff along the way! [tup]

passengerfan Al
Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 06:23:50

I wasn’t going to comment, but given that you hit upon my Achilles heel with “The Canadian,” I must say: Good job! Now if we could get you to be Inclusive with the recognition of the other guys efforts AND provide some pix, photos, pictures, even URLs to supplement your “Streamliners,” why we’d all be better for it! [tup][tup][tup]

I have traveled in many of those cars you listed – some merely walking through en route the Diner or back to the Park Car observation dome. Fantastic equipment and a wonderful set of memories from all of the VIA Rail trips we have made over the last 16 years aboard the “Canadian” (note the subtle difference – “the” was dropped when VIA took over) and the “Ocean.” Love those Budd stainless steel beauties as my most recent Sunday photo spread attests along with my 4 part series of my May 2005 eastern Canada rail adventures, re-Posted as ENCORES!

By the by: They still have crew changes at Winnipeg – that practice still continues with VIA Rail.

We value your participation and contributions ‘round here! That’s why you have been made a Permanent Member of the Order of the Stools! [tup]

coalminer3 CM3
Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:20:44

What are you trying to do to us, turn this bar ‘n grill into an annex of the WVA Industrial Library[?] [swg] What a listing and what an effort! [tup][tup]

Appreciate your attention to detail regarding the Emporium, the St. Louis Fox Theatre. The architecture of the theatre’s interior has been described as Siamese Byzantine. It is a truly amazing piece of architecture, and we have attended many a performance in this fine venue since it was renovated back in 1982. The theatre seats over 4,200, down from its original capacity of 5,060 when opened in 1929.

Something Ted might pick up on:

QUOTE: The Saint Louis Louis Fox Theatre Organ is one of five essentially identical instruments. Having 4 manuals, 36 ranks and 348 stops the “Crawford Special” has become almost a legend in the theatre organ world. Today this Wurlitzer Organ is one of only two surviving in their original homes. The other being the Detroit Fox Theatre, twin of the Saint Louis Fox.

from: http://www.sltos.org/fox436a.htm

Quarters appreciated as is the round – thanx! [tup] Oh yes, Email sent …..

Theodorebear Ted
Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:27:16

It was quite a night over at the Emporium, eh[?] [swg] The searchlights did the “trick,” glad you mentioned them. Took me awhile to find what I wanted and the pix really looks “close” to being at the actual site, wouldn’t you agree[?]

Appreciate the offer for tomorrow – BUT – there really is no need to “baby sit” at all. Maybe just make a Post between 10 AM and 3 PM, that’s it. Thanx! [tup]

Right on with the 12th being our 9th Month Anniversary! [tup][tup]

Yes, there are times when the labors ‘round here do mount up, but never quite thought of them as akin to “labor pains!” [swg] My plumbing doesn’t quite work that way! <grin>

Enjoy your day with friends and return safely! [tup]

ftwNSengineer P
Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:52:25

Good to see you and again and especially in a more inclusive mode! [tup] You have lots to catch up on, though, if you really want to keep that red stool of yours! ‘Puter problems ain’t no fun, fer sure, fer sure. Can’t live with ‘em and surely can’t without ‘em – reminds me of the opposite sex! [swg]

Perhaps you can find some pix to help with our Sunday Photo Posting Day! I would think you have a far better vantage point than many of us will ever have for some real RR shots. Just send them to me via Email attachments (4 to a “set”) and I’ll see they get Posted, unless of course you want to establish your own photo account on the web. Would really like to have you join us.

You may or may not have noticed that several of us have taken a rather firm stance on NOT responding to those who cannot or will not “play the game” on this thread. Case in point is that person you responded to. Not welcome here. Your choice, but people like that can take it elsewhere as far as many of us are concerned. I will never understand what goes through the mind of the mindless newcomer when they make a Post about a subject not even close to the topic of this Forum and thread and then expect a response! <good grief> Not here.

On a more positive note, I hope you are able to visit us more frequently and participate in what this thread was intended to be. That’s why you were invited in the first place! [tup]
**************************************************************************************


Just got some rather sad news from a friend and neighbor, the kind that brings a tear to the eye. Over the years we have been visited by a great Siberian Husky (tan & white w/blue eyes), named Jessie. We’ve known him since he was a pup and he’s always found a way to our house for a “cookie,” some lovin’ and gentle play until his “people” come to retrieve him. While waiting, he would love to play with our Siberian, Fred a long haired, grey & white, with blue eyes, who lived to be 16 years and 2 months. They played quite well together.

It seemed that whenever Jessie got out, he would come directly to our house, push his nose through one of our screen doors on our patio porch and then simply lay in wait for recognition. One day, a few summers ago, I had left a good sized Angus sirloin out on the patio table to thaw. Jessie managed to find a way out of his house and ambled over, across his street and through some woods to our back yard. He found his way into the patio and guess what[?] The steak was history! Probably the best “meal deal” that dog ever had! We’ve had lots of laughs over that one, being not just dog lovers, but of the breed – Siberian Husky.

This past weekend, Jessie suffering the ravages of hips that didn’t function along with arthritis, he managed to visit us once again. This time he stood outside a little fence I had erected around our patio room – kind of a “Jessie Proof” arrangement. When he saw me, he began whining and howling at the same time. I could tell by the look in his eyes and his trouble with standing and walking, that Jessie was in his last days. With Juneau our over active pup safely out in the patio room, Jessie came into our house to say “goodbye.” He died last evening at the age of 11, far too soon. [:(]



Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[siberianmo]

Gentlemen at the bar!

For those who consider yourselves regulars at this watering hole, I offer once again an opporunity to make "Our" Place perhaps a better place. Why not invite others to join us while you are Posting elsewhere on the Forums[?] Many times over the past several months I have seen several familiar cyber names, some belonging to our Permanent Stools Members, sharing information in other topic areas. Why not "drop a dime" for us[?] It surely cannot hurt, especially when one considers that as people leave our bar 'n grill, replacements surely must come from somewhere.

Try it - you may be successful!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[BudKarr]

Good Morning Captain Tom and whoever else is at the bar!

At the onset I must say, the events at the Mentor Village Emporium last night were splendid. We had a most enjoyable time of it and found the live entertainment to be just what the doctor ordered. Where in the world did you find those people who sounded and acted just like the characters from days gone by? It was amazing just listening to them, took me back to the days of radio and gathering around the green tuning eye in our parlour, many, many years in the past. Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante and the rest were all wonderful reminders of what vaudeville must have been like. Kudos also to the orchestra, did you mention that the Mentor Village Philharmonic performed marvelously? Who was the Conductor? He looked rather familiar and at first I wondered whether Boris really does come from a cultured lot, but quickly dashed that hallucination. <grin> It was a grand night indeed. The photo spread was equally splendid!

A drink of your VO on the rocks if you please and perhaps one of those fine looking monsters you refer to as sandwiches. Half of one will do it for me, thank you!

That posting of mine from yesterday afternoon did indeed disappear into the ether. You are correct, I was editing it when for whatever the reason, the screen went blue and that was that. I never was able to retrieve it. It is on my word processor, as you have repeatedly recommended. However, much of what I had to offer really is dated and inappropriate as an after the fact narrative. I will include whatever is meaningful within this diatribe of mine. <grin>

May I, once again, express my gratitude for this thread? What a wonderful place to visit and what amazing pieces of information is shared amongst you all. Of course there are those who are more the takers than the givers, that is life. However, in looking over your recently published list of those in the Order of the Stools, especially the ones who have maintained the recognition of being regulars, I would say this place is supported by a strong nucleus. Good show! A thought, somewhere back on these pages is a listing of your customers, perhaps time for an update, given everyone is not a member of the Order. Just a thought.

I have to agree with your assessment that yesterday was a rather sorry day for participation, after the morning flurry that is. Seemed that you were indeed by yourself for most of the daylight. However, once again you made the most of it and provided us with some entertaining photos and a great Part I to what I hope will be a continuing effort regarding the historical events of Canadian railroading. Excellent work!

Mr. Coalminer3, you have outdone yourself, Sir, with that exhaustive listing. And, Mr. Barndad, you have treated us very well with your contributions as well. While I have no place right now to store any of your information (index material) it is a good idea, one that our Proprietor started and you are following through with.

I have some advice for the very few who appear to be ignoring the efforts of our leader to get you on board with the spirit of this bar. Join in or find somewhere else to go. What is the point of posting here if you have no intent on becoming part of the group? In my case, one where I had absolutely minimal interest in real or model railroads, it did not take very long to understand that this is a special thread with very creative minds who have something in common that binds. I enjoy being included, perhaps the first time I have ever felt that way about something as nebulous as the ether. I like the way Tom puts it, take it somewhere else. When I saw a response made to an absolute ignoramus, but no mention of the fine work others have submitted, it really bothered me to where I feel compelled to spout off. Sorry, Captain, just had to get that off my chest before logging off! <grin>

I have visited your “other thread,” as you refer to it, but do not see any of the guys from here. Why not? What in the world is the hang up? Support comes in all forms, and what you are trying to do is build a dynamics for the future of this bar. Creating that “other thread” is a fine effort, but so poorly attended. Pity.

Tomorrow is my departure day, flying to Toronto from Calgary then on to Europe for a series of destinations that will have me out of touch for some time. Perhaps I will be able to log in from my hotel rooms, as the new laptop has all the bells and whistles the “company” can afford. You already know my feelings about using “company” equipment for personal business, however, I can somehow work around that when it is on my time. We shall see.

The future? I expect to resume my retirement before the spring and settle in at this mountain retreat in Alberta. It is time and we both are ready. After that, well it is rather open ended. I know that the wander lust is coming to an end, and my solo trips are winding down. It really is time.

Tom, that piece about your canine friend brought a gusher from the eyes of my soon-to-be. She wants you to know that you must really be a special person to have experienced the love and friendship of such fine creatures. In what I have done and am still engaged in takes me far from the personal, and more into the calculated, there was a time when a story such as yours would have meant absolutely nothing. Today, you tweaked me as well. What is it you say about that word, change? Can an old dog really learn new tricks? These past several weeks have done wonders as has my connection with you and this bar called “Our” Place.

Best to all and be kind to our Proprietor! Where else can you go for such profound information and good times rolled into one?

BK

[siberianmo]

Signficiant events in Canadian RR History during the month of January. Part II of II – 1900’s to present times:


* January 3rd, 1912: The Canadian Pacific Railway leases the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company of Nova Scotia.


* January 1st, 1914: Twelve miles of what was to become the Pacific Great Eastern Railway opens between North Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia.


* January 19th, 1923: , January 19 - The Grand Trunk Railway is amalgamated into the Canadian National System by governmental order. The system took in the Canadian Government Railways (including the Intercolonial, the Prince Edward Island and the National Transcontinental Railways); the Hudson Bay Railway; the Canadian Northern and subsidiaries; the Grand Trunk Pacific; and the Grand Trunk (including the Grand Trunk Western and the Grand Trunk New England routes).

* January 31st, 1930: This day commemorates the first use of the new elevated tracks through the new station platform at Toronto’s Union Station.


* January 13th, 1955: The Terrace to Kitimat, BC line was opened for traffic on this date by Canadian National Railways, although the official “last spike” ceremony took place on July 8 with the driving of an aluminum sp-ike produced at Kitmat.


* January 20th, 1960: Canada’s northernmost railroad (at the time) began operations by the Quebec Cartier Mining Company between Port Cartier to Gagnon, QC.


* January 31, 1964: The Canadian National Railways extended its Optic and Chisel Lake line to Stall Lake, MB.


* January 7th, 1969: Technical problems forces the suspension of Turbo Train service between Montreal and Toronto.


* January 12th, 1977: Inter-city passenger rail service is officially granted to Via Rail Canada.


* January 3, 1986: Vancouver’s Skytrain begins operation between downtown Vancouver, Waterfront and New Westminster, BC.


* January 15, 1990: Half of the VIA Rail Canada passenger network gets the budget axe. As a result of this action, a decision is made to run just one transcontinental train between Toronto and Vancouver via CN through Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper, thereby discontinuing the use of CP trackage.


* January 16th, 1990: The Minister of Transport approves the Canadian Rail Operating Rules.


* January of 1993: The Rivard Commission the report of the National Transportation Act Review Commission is published.


* January 7th, 1995: The New Brunswick Southern Railway begins operation over former CP tracks from McAdam to Saint John, N.B. with a line between McAdam and St. Stephen.


* January 7th, 1995: The Wisconsin Central Railway acquires the Algoma Central Railway.


* January 1st, 1998: The Guelph Junction Railway (formerly the Goderich subdivision), is acquired by the Ontario Southland Railway. This line had been leased by CP from the City of Guelph since 1888. The Ontario Southland also took over the 3.1 mile segment of the CP owned Guelph and Goderich Railway.


* January 19th, 1998: The CN tracks between Mont-Joli, QC and Moncton, NB is acquired by the Quebec Railway Corporation through its owned subsidiaries:

(1) New Brunswick East Coast Railway between Pacific Junction, near Montcton,
and Campbellton, NB.

(2) Matapedia Railway between Campbellton, NB and Mont-Joli, QC.


* January 15, 1999: Formal ceremonies of the handing over of the former CP line between Sicamous and Kelowna, BC (including operating rights over the CN tracks between Vernon and Kelowna) takes place under the operation of the Okanagan Valley Railway.


* January 8th, 1999: CP relinquishes operation of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway which is assumed by RailAmerica, Inc.


* January of 2000: The acquisition of 21.9 kilometers of track between Prince Albert and Birch Hills, SK is announced by OmniTRAX.


* January 5th, 2002: Vancouver’s Skytrain opens the Millennium Line section from Columbus to Braid.


* January 9th, 2003: The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Company begins operations through the acquisition of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad and its subsidiaries, the Canadian American Railroad, the Northern Vermont Railroad, the Quebec Southern Railway and the Van Buren Bridge Company.


Information contained in this compilation was obtained from internet public domain sources and materials from my private RR library collection. The use of this information is strictly for pleasure without intent of monetary reward or profit of any kind.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all,

I'll have a pint of your Bathams to compare to the 1, 2, ...several...I've tried over here.

I'm afraid I only have time for one....got to be quick as I'm using a friend's computer. Hope all are having a great New Year, and I'll catch up with all of you when I return to my adopted land!

Cheers! The next round is on me! PETE

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Two friends have paid a call this gloomy afternoon, but otherwise cheerful inside this hideaway from reality! [tup]

Pete How good to hear from you! [tup] I received your Email and was preparing a Post to let the guys know of your whereabouts, when - there you were, right here at the bar! [swg] I'd say that compared to what you and your bride are experiencing, the start to the New Year for me has been rather dismal, abysmal and rather dull. But, there's always hope for an upswing, eh[?]

We'll be sure to serve up a round on you, however, some customers would be nice to see! [swg]

BK Always good hearing from you too! I wish you and your lady the best of health and togetherness in 2006! [tup][tup]

We did indeed have a grand time last night and I appreciate your mentioning it along with the on stage entertainment at the Emporium! When the word got 'round in the theatrical world, it's simply amazing how many lined up for our opening night. Glad you and your lady enjoyed the evening! [tup]

On a serious note, I do appreciate your comments and know they come from a guy who is a staight shooter. Of course, shooting straight also tends to tick off those who can't, won't and don't. I've come pretty much to tne end of the line with the "Molly coddling" stuff and there won't be any more of the reminders. Guys who participate and do it within the framework of what I have created will be well received. Others can take it somewhere else. Pretty straight, wouldn't you agree[?]

Pete had mentioned in his Email that any pix from England will have to wait until his return. That isn't all so bad, given that we surely need to plan for the future of our Sunday Photo Posting Day! The more we have to look forward to, the better the chance of survivial. [tup] Also, no mention of communicating with Nick so we'll have to wait 'n see whether they hook up by phone. Doubt if they will actually meet - according to what Pete's plans are. Good hearing from him though and hope he gets the chance to communicate at least once more before his return on the 22nd.[tup]

BK Have a safe journey, my friend and I hope you will be able to find a way to communicate with us from Europe.[tup][tup] Oh yes, I did receive your latest Email and will communicate with your intended as time draws closer to your "big day!"[swg]
********************************************************************************

Well, it appears this day is a near carbon copy of yesterday. Nothing much after the morning "flurry." Remember my "call" for some "orchestrated" Postings some time back[?] You know, pick a slot - and stick to it. We seem to be bunched, like shorts three sizes too small![swg]

Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Well Gents, it doesn't appear as if we'll have much going on tonight, so perhaps an ENCORE! is in order on this cold and rainy night in mid-continent USA:

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!

Here’s another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

Boston & Maine (B&M) – (passenger ops)

Headquarters: Boston, MA

Mileage:

1950: 1,700 1995: 1,350

Locomotives in 1963: Diesel: 235

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars – 5,490 Passenger – 155

Principal routes in 1950:

Boston-Dover, MA-Portland, ME
Boston-White River Junction, VT
Boston, MA-Troy, NY
Boston-Portsmouth, NH-Portland, ME
Springfield, MA-Berlin, NH
Worcester-Lowell Junction, MA
Worcester-Gardner, MA
South Ashburnham, MA-Bellows Falls, VT
Dover, NH-Intervale, NH

Passenger trains of note:

Alouette (Boston-Montreal, QC)
Ambassador (New York & Boston-Montreal)
Cheshire (Boston-White River Junction)
Day White Mountains (New York-Berlin, NH)
Flying Yankee (Boston-Bangor, ME
Green Mountain Flyer (Boston-Montreal
The Gull (Boston-Halifax, NS)
Kennebec (Boston-Portland-Bangor)
Minute Man (Boston-Troy, NY)
Montrealer & Washingtonian (Washington-Montreal)
Mountaineer (Boston-Littleton & Bethlehem, NH)
Pine Tree (Boston-Portland-Bangor)
Red Wing (Boston-Montreal)
State of Maine (New York-Portland)

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!

Leon the Night Man has the bar!

Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and gents! Please make mine cold...and bottlemless, and set-up a round for my friends if you would. Sorry to hear about your friend Jessie. The animals in our lives sure have a way of endearing themselves to us, and it's no fun to lose them. As for your caution on gettting material from copywrited sources, point taken. Besides, I don't need to steal from books when I can get so much terrific information right here! Well done on Part II of your Canadian RR history.

CM3, must be the winner of the cramped fingers award for today. I can't believe how many references you typed-up! Ido enjoy information on coal mining, and will be printing your list to seek out some of this material. Thanks!

Al, you're one of the reasons I don't have to go far for quality train related info. Thanks for another great Streamliner series on the Canadian.

BK, always great to see you here. Same for Pete and Ted

I'm not going to be around tomorrow, as it's time for my monthly meeting of the 20TH Century Railroad Club in Chicago, so I'm going to post another article tonight from "The Railway Conductor" May 1931. This is a letter written from a member of the Order.

I have been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors since 1887. I have always been very active and loyal in the movements of the Order, paying my dues and assessments promptly as they came due, and I have labored faithfully to induce others to become members of the Order, sometimes detrimental to my own personal interests with the managements of the railways upon which I have labored. I still have the interests of the Order at heart, and will never fail to retain that interest so long as there will be an organization called the Order of Railway Conductors. I also have a very great interest in my brother conductors, from every standpoint, willing to extend my help and sympathy to any conductor who has been less fortunate than myself in the movement of the transportation system, through the fact that in recent years I have seen many of my brothers unfortunate enough to lose their positions on account of increased power which has taken the place of the smaller engines and caused our trains to become larger, thereby reducing the number of trains moved upon the railroads of this country, lessening the demand for conductors so that many of them have been cut off; and not having any seniority as brakemen, they have no place to go, and for this reason they are without a chance to work because they have been shut out by men who hold greater seniority.

Our present economic situation, with thousands of unemployed, and its attendant misery, must not only be food for thought for all good citizens, but must stir our conscience to a realization of our duty to mankind, whether we occupy a position of power to command, or a position in the lowly rank and file of railway employees. I realize that a period of depression comes and goes like the pendulum of a clock, but present unemployment in American railroads has reached a chronic stage caused by a system as well as by an evolution in transportation, and unless we are big enough to meet this intelligently, courageously, and fairly, there is no telling what the outcome will be. Whether we like to admit it or not, the whole railroad fraternity has been pitifully lagging along the march of progress. Safety appliances as well as the treatment of the public and employees were often only achieved by compulsory measures. The various labor organizations have often been plagued by selfish ambitions to gratify personal selfishness of individuals. This has not been my reason for entering into the movement, for I am satisfied that whatever the goal might be in reference to taking care of the unemployed will not affect me to a very great extent to better my condition in the evening of my life.

I am working today for a smaller compensation for my services than at the close of the war. My salary is $7.44 per day and it has been so since 1916. If putting into operation a six-day week and a six-hour day would reduce my salary beyond my present limitation, I would have to work hard to met the obligations which come to me daily, and I do not believe, with the conditions existing among the railway workers of today, that we would be able to put into effect a six-day week and a six-hour day and still maintain our present pay, and am led to believe that the only solution which will take care of the unemployed railway worker of today will be to put into operations, a pension system that will retire the old man who is in the evening of his life, upon a reasonable pension, and thereby make way for those who are holding seniority sufficiently strong to come up to the best positions upon the railways, and as they move up they will open the way down at the beginning to put into service the unemployed railway worker.

The writer has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors for forty-three years and has never been delinquent but six months during that time, nor do I ever expect to become delinquent until the curtain falls upon my life, unless I am involuntarily set aside. Moreover, I have been loyal and active in inducing my fellow railroad men when they come to the place where they became eligible to become members of the Order. However, it does not follow that I am a mental slave with no right to think and no right to offer an honest criticism. I believe we have permitted a situation to arise upon the American railroads that is indefensible in the light of modern thought. Many of our members in passenger service are required to work seven days a week, thirty days a month, in order to earn a month’s salary, that is generally conceded to be inadequate for the class of service performed. The seven-day week is as obsolete as the wooden wheel wagon. Moreover, although we have the basic eight-hour day, thousands of our members insist upon and are permitted to work sixteen hours each day, and instead of basing a living and cultural wage on an eight-hour day it is based upon overtime measured by the yard stick of human endurance, which leads to premature broken health, and at this time when thousands walk the streets for want of shelter.

I have been told that we should be able to save money out of our present salaries. I have also been told that railway workers spend too much money foolishly and fail to supply themselves with sufficient means to take care of them in the declining years of their life. This may be true in a very few cases, but the greater part of railway workers are making every effort to save something for the rainy day, and I have been working along this line, but, like many others, I have found in my lifetime too many rainy days, and am now standing at the close of my life, just like thousands of others, unprepared to meet conditions when the railway company will say to me “You are too old, we cannot use you any longer,” and turn me loose, stopping my pay check without any future that holds out to me an opportunity to obtain the necessities of life.

I told you in the beginning of this article, that I am still working. I am seventy-four years old and there is no future in confronting me other than my own personal resources which has not one spark of cheer in it, and I know that no one has worked any harder to fix a future bright enough to dispel all the darkness and gloom that might confront an individual who has nothing to depend upon save his daily wages. I have also investigated very carefully and find that there are not more than five per cent of the railway workers of today who have any brighter future than I. The present agitation for an adequate pension can no more be abated than the flow of the tide can be stopped. Instead of holding a gun at the heads of those who are courageously and intelligently promoting it, the various officers should give encouragement, because the rank and file over this broad land believe the plan of the National Pension Association, as approved at the Chicago meeting of December 15, 1930, contains no sinister provision to be condemned, but has much to offer for the relief of human suffering. They further believe that its adaptation would go a long way toward restoring the morale of our members, which, unfortunately, is today at a very low ebb.

I have been agitating the adoption of a pension plan for the railway workers for the simple reason that I believe they are as much entitled to consideration in their declining years as any other class or workers in this fair land of ours, and I am still laboring as faithfully for the adoption of the pension plan that will be sufficient to place a man in a position to maintain a standard of living somewhat near that which he has been used to while he was working. The agitation for an adequate pension for railway workers has for many years been met with the declaration that the matter is under advisement, but the fact remains that nothing has been done to relieve an unbearable situation. Moreover, a pension plan which provides merely for certain classes represented and does not embrace every employee in the industry is, to my mind, unsound. A principle as fundamental as an industrial retirement fund which is not applied to all employees alike will never be sustained by public opinion. Moreover, a retirement fund that is subject to the whims of either party can be disturbed by the thirty-day notice which governs schedule matters is built upon sand and the instability and frequent changes which would naturally follow would not spell happiness for those whose daily bread and comforts were dependent thereupon, and that is why the plan of the National Pension Association for the federal law is regarded by the vast majority of railway employees as the most satisfactory solution.

I have not been foolish enough to believe that a matter of this kind could be put into operation as a law without passing through a very rigid examination of wiser minds than such as my own, but I do believe that there never will be a pension suitable to meet the satisfaction of the railway workers only through the efforts made by the workers themselves urging the official staff of organized labor to co-operate upon this question and make every effort by the co-operative forces upon the part of the membership of organized labor with the official staff to bring it to a final solution.

Brother Curtis said to me one time that we should let the machinery of the organization do this work. I understood him thoroughly and am satisfied that every well-thinking member of the organization in connection with the railways of our land is perfectly willing to let the machinery of the organized railway crafts take the lead in putting this pension plan into operation, and in my personal investigation, as I have conversed with many railway workers in various crafts throughout the United States, they feel as I fel, that we have waited long enough; that the time is now here and we should commence to do that which will brighten the future of the railway worker who is passing down the incline of life; for there is nothing else for him, and as the statement is made in the little pamphlet which has been circulated through the United States, that the greater part of the railway workers will be subject to the charitable inclinations of relatives, friends or the public unless something of this kind is adopted.

Now I believe, after many years of supporting the Order of Railway Conductors financially and morally, I should be entitled to a little consideration on the part of The Railway Conductor by their feeling disposed to permit this letter to be published in the columns of the Conductor. I am perfectly willing to subject myself to all reasonable criticism that might be advanced from any brother conductor.

W.B. Henderson – Division 409

[:I] Lots to think about here ... I think. Have a great evening! [:I]

[Anonymous]

Good evening one and all, where ever you are. Tom, just a Blackberry Brandy with a water "back," if you please. That should take the chill out of the air. I certainly am getting some mileage out of the extensive background on the various Canadian Roads. This is quite an education in and of itself.[tup] The relative pristine vistas of the Canadian Rockies along with the meticulous attention by the CPR to passenger comforts have made that Line "the favorite" of mine above the 49th.[^] I've never had the pleasure of enjoying those magnificent trains and the prospects of it happening are nearly null and void by now.[V] BTW, the searchlight scene was "top shelf."[tup]

Barndad Doug, I didn't realize the Summary of your articles was so prolific until I saw it this A.M.[tup] That is what happens when the material just "flies by" like the wind, excellent reading all. BK, keen observations but in all deference to the supplemental Thread, it is "Our" Place that is nourished from "feeders" not the other way around. In spite of the dreary assessment concerning the health of this Thread, to date, I've been unable to locate any other as diverse and positvely motivated as in our own "back yard." Indeed, some are so cluttered as to be nebulous or painfully provencial due to a lacking "central core." I think this is the reason for the quality of the partisipation.[2c]

CM3, Gadfrey, what no appendices? I could be a candidate for a PHD by the time I read all these references. BTW, where can the "hard bound" version be found?[:D] What a resounding tour de force and the time it took alone must be admired as scholarly, many thanks. The Disney mining train ride is as close as I've come for braving the clostraphobic constrictions of this unenviable trade. It is great to hear Pete is taking in all his Native Land may offer in rekindled frienships and Family.[tup] I'll wager the Batham's in "Merry Olde" goes down a tad smoother than the imported variety, what say you? I just wanted to stop in to say howdy to those here assembled. Tom, I can impathize with the story of Jessie. Perhaps the longest trip I ever made was the day I had to take my friend "Lil' Caesar" to our Vet for his last car ride after 14 years. From Maryland to Oklahoma to Florida, I went through it all with him at my side. Finally, his suffering from kidney failure became too much to bear. Oh, that "last car ride" to the Vet was 4 blocks from my house.

Okay Boris, let's get some cheer back into this Joint. Hit that sucker and and let the corks fly from the case of Champagne I "requisitioned" from the Emporium basement. BWONG,G,G, good Lad [alien] Boris. Happy rails.

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a round of Bud to celebrate great minds.

Al, in The Canadian consist:
ABBOTT MANOR 4-Roomette 5-Double Bedroom 1-Compartment 4-Section

CM3, in the Mining references:
Abbott, Carl. Colorado: A History of the Centennial State. Boulder: Colorado Associated University Press, 1976.

www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml

Doug, I'll read your latest post soon. Thanks for clicking on "Let's All Go To The Lobby" from Tuxedo Junction (www. tuxjunction.net) Jukebox of Big Band tunes, all well known to Ted, when he's in the mood to slide. www.tuxjunction.net/media/inthemoodext.mp3

BK, if you like Groucho, Jack Benny and Jimmy Durante you can't be all bad. And neither is anyone else. Try to forgive those who assault the established order by posting wrongly or wrongly posting. Tom's got it covered in any case.

Tom, sorry about Jessie. He won't depart his human friends. I remember my dog 50 years ago.

Pete, always good to see you.

Rob, thanks for the info the other day. Here's an excerpt from "Don't Talk To The Motorman"
"There was a noticeable air of bravado among the first trolley riders. Men would hand their pocket watches to their stay-behind womenfolk be cause the powerful electric currents flowing invisibly about a car might magnetize them. Some riders joked about how in 1888 New York State had decided to electrocute murderers. Riders believed it prudent to debark hastily if a thunderstorm sprang up. On some lines it was a regular practice to stop and pull-down trolley poles whenever thunder rumbled nearby."
www.bobbrooke.com/trolleys.htm

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Tom and the gang. I had lost a rather long post from yesterday, similar incident to what BK said he experianced so I won't bother to repost it now I'll go for a shorter economy version.

Tom The two parts of Candain railway history are quite well done. A nice cross section of the who and the what from our railway past. A couple minor comments of note. The great Western railway was built to continental metre guage when it's first tracks went down. Later of coarse it was converted to North American standard guage when the GT took them over.

An absolutly heart warming story about Jesse. Not to many dry eyes here I can say.

The shorts of the Emporium were quite wonderfull. Some how I am glad that H&H's live version of a Teutonic Streetcar named Desire was cut out of the between movie live entertainment section. My feeling is that such a psuedo-burlesque performance such as that would have had grave consequences amongst the population of the mentor villiage.


CM3 A wondrefull piece yesterday on coal mining, and today's follow up listing of books and articles truly boggles the mind. Hopefully typing that wonderfull tome does not cause a bout of carple tunnel. I have to say reading your post yesterday really shows what thoses poor soles ( minors of the last century and early this ) were forced to endure. As Ted stated the song 16 tons was so, so true.


Doug I've thouroughly enjoyed your last two posts.[tup] on the index as well we can now pull some of this back up on those slow encore type days.I had thought yesterday that from reading the accident payouts, you could really tell which ones involved crew and which one's likley involved the general public.

BK As always your thoughts are on target, and valid. I do hope your latest business trips are short lived so that yiou can enjoyd the retired life. You may find yourself busier than when you were working. I know that both my Dad and my wifes father seem to be more busy now than when they worked. Are propriter here seems to have fallen into that same category as well. safe trip, and I do hope that we hear from you again soon.

Ted I'm glad that I was able to help you decifer those old Chicago transit cars. Hopefully that come May when we are at the museum 48 will indeed be fully up and running. It's undergoing prep work this winter for it to take the place of the 94 year old MS&C 107 which needs some extensive electrical system and truck and vestibule maintenance ( $ budget pending ) 107 was (over)used the last two seasons as it was the only interurban regularly available, with &8 down for some roof work and a pantagraph rebuild. Which is now complete so she should be back into reg service this year as well.

Well folks I'm most go back to the hockey game. I'm on afternoon's tomorrow so i should be able to pop by in daylight tomorrow.

Rob

[trolleyboy]

Mike I'm glad that the info was usefull. Thanks for the excerpt from " Don't talk to the Motorman ". You likely couldn't use that term in todaysb stomache churningly politically correct times. ( Wow can you tell how I feel about that ? ) [swg]

We to as a matter of coarse at the museum pull the poles in inclement weather. We do this as a preservative to the equipment. Our tack is properly grounded, but our budget isn't such to replace the substaion should a major lighteneing strike occur to it while it is energized. It is true though that until the first world war alot of the smaller trolly companiesdidn't have their track work and poles protected against electrical storms, so some of those early fears were well "grounded"[:O][XX(]


Tom Something I noticed yesterday as well. Since the chief chef is the next birthday party, it may behoove us to start the preperations. I'm thinking it will be a no holds barred exciting affair. Rivelling that of H&H's sponsored mud and sleeze bean patch wrestling tournaments. Methinks thatTed and the girls and myself need to satrt the preperations sooner as opposed to later.

Pete Good to see you pop by as well. Hopefully the next time you are in we can have a proper chat. I'll pick up,t he first round when you come back.

Remeber that now Boris.

Rob

[siberianmo]

WEDNESDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

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


Good Morning! Time to check out the pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, our <light> and <traditional> breakfasts, along with our freshly brewed coffee (regular and unleaded!) [swg]


Daily Wisdom

We have a good time together, even when we’re not together. (Yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

(1) Wondering if anyone will pick up on a “special date” coming up this week at ”Our” Place[?][?]

(2) Have you taken the time to read about ”Our” Place’s RR Book Relay[?] If not, check page 215.

(3) Back to our weekly routine (check page 213 for bar hours & food service):

. . . Today is “Pike Perspectives Day” at the bar. Time for all model railroad hobbyists to discuss and display a couple of pix. [tup]

. . . Thursday is Fish ‘n Chips Nite! and maybe something from Chief Chef [C=:-)] Nick [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

. . . Friday is Pizza Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite! [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

. . . Saturday is Steak & Trimmin’s Nite! [dinner] Dinner at 5 PM.

. . . Sunday is Sunday Photo Posting Day! and the bar is CLOSED!


(4) HELP WANTED! A couple of good men needed tomorrow – Wednesday – between 10 AM and 3 PM. What for[?] Provide some Posts during this timeframe in order to keep the bar ‘n grill.” That’s it! No need for anything else, as Leon the Night Man will have the bar in my absence.


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 01:07:28 (216) Tuesday’s Info & Summary

(2) barndad Doug Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 05:45:33 (216) Inclusive Post, Index, etc.

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 06:23:50 (216) Streamliner #40, but not inclusive!

(4) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:20:44 (216) Inclusive Post, Mining “Primary/Secondary Sources” index, etc.

(5) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:27:16 (216) Inclusive Post, etc.

(6) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 08:52:25 (216) Somewhat Inclusive Post! [wow]

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 11:24:15 (216) Acknowledgments, etc.

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 11:39:00 (216) Drop a dime

(9) BudKarr BK Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 12:33:15 (216) Until later, etc.

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 14:53:23 (216) Significant events in Canadian RR history, Part II of II

(11) pwolfe Pete Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 15:27:10 (216) Checking in!

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 16:44:54 (216) Acknowledgments, etc.

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 19:55:43 (216) ENCORE! Fallen Flag – B&M

(14) barndad Doug Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 19:59:48 (216) Inclusive Post & Order of Railway Conductors

(15) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 20:30:39 (216) Inclusive Post, etc.

(16) wanswheel Mike Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 22:09:16 (216) Inclusive Post, etc.

(17) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 22:33:53 (216) Inclusive Post, etc.

(18) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 10 Jan 2006, 22:45:03 (216) Inclusive Post, etc.

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

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

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Lovely day today - heavy rain and bottomless mud - let's play Lou Ann Barton's version of "It's Raining."

Thanks for the kind words on the mining list. Ain't no "carpool tunnel," as a buddy opf mine calls it, involved as I keep the list in a separate file - copy and drop it in. Our Canadian material continues - maybe we need to add dates for swallowing of D&H, and CN's expansion to the south.

The letter from the Railway Conductor journal was very revealing. If you can, try and find some old issues of the UMWA Journal - there's some fascinating reading in there as well. You are, I think, on target when you said that the letter gives us a great deal to think about. Now, I'll stop on that before the 'steamed proprietor orders me to the Rat Room.

I appreciated the post abt. "Jessie." Our K9 Korps requires a great deal of work and attention, and although they do have their moments, they give back a whole lot. Thanks for sharing.

In line with our thread on coal and reailroads, here's some material from the notebooks on the history of coal mining in sotuhern WV and the railroads. It'll give you an outline anyway at least through the late 19th century.

Coal Mining in Southern West Virginia

The first known reference to coal in what later became West Virginia was made by John Peter Salley, a native of Augusta County, Virginia, in his diary. While traveling in what is now Boone County, West Virginia, he noted outcrops of coal along Coal River.

West Virginia eventually had 16 coal-producing areas including g the Kanawha, Fairmont, Elkins, New River, Flat Top/Pocahontas, Winding Gulf, Logan, Williamson, and Northern Panhandle coalfields.

The Kanawha Field stretched across seven West Virginia counties but salt manufacturing was the first major industry in the Kanawha valley. By 1808 flatboats carried Kanawha salt from Malden to Ohio River cities such as Cincinnati, Wheeling, and Pittsburgh. Met packers along the Ohio used most of this salt. Supporting industries such as coopers, boatyards, ands sawmills grew along with the salt trade.

Steamboats appeared on the Kanawha in about 1820. Towboats went to work on the river about a decade later and barge tows quickly replaced flatboats.

Steamboats and salt furnaces used wood for fuel, but wood quickly became expensive and demand increased and supplies decreased. This meant that there was a need for a new fuel for valley industries. Kanawha Valley residents had used coal from area outcrops in forges, but they gave little thought to more extensive mining operations. This changed, however, as the price of wood increased.

In 1817, John Turner, a New Yorker, opened a coal mine on the north side of the river some seven miles east of Charleston. Turner at first sold coal to salt works, but it was only a short time before the salt makers opened their own mines. By 1827, these “captive” mines produced nearly 69 thousand tons of coal a year. Outside money poured in from New York and other cities to help finance new Kanawha Valley mining ventures.

The fledgling coal operators looked to expand their markets. They knew that businesses in Cincinnati wanted to but their coal, but they could only ship their product when the Kanawha’s water level was high enough to float barges. The problem was that coal needed to be shipped in the late summer and fall – just when the river’s level was at its lowest.

The coal operators began to agitate for locks on the Kanawha to make it navigable all year. The operator’s need for better transportation led to the organization of the James River and Kanawha Company in 1832; a privately owned canal company but sponsored by the Virginia General Assembly. They spent a lot of money improving the James River for coal traffic but did comparatively little in the western part of the state. Many along the river, in fact, believed the company’s network of sluices along the Kanawha to be more a hindrance than an aid to navigation. Canal tolls also aggravated the salt makers. During periods of high water, salt producers and coal operators alike avoided paying the tolls by floating their barges over the company’s dams instead of using their locks.

In the 1840s Scottish inventors were investigating a process to extract kerosene from cannel coal (a coal with much volatile matter that burned very brightly). Colonel Aaron Stockton, a tavern keeper from Kanawha Falls, in 1848 found seven foot thick seams of cannel coal near Smithers Creek. His discovery caused an immediate boom in cannel coal, and investors financed by capital from New York, London, and Philadelphia bought up “can’t miss” properties throughout the Kanawha Valley.

Stockton by 1850 had started to make oil from cannel coal by cooking the coal in large iron kettles, similar to the “try pots” used on whale ships. The process evolved from these crude beginnings, and by the 1850s Kanawha County coal oil was being shipped to Cincinnati and to Maysville, Kentucky.

Local coal operators kept prodding the canal company to improve navigation on the river. By 1857 navigation aids such as dams and locks had been constructed along the Coal River from St. Albans to the Forks of Coal. The Paint Creek Company built a 3-½ mile long railroad from its mines to Kanawha River and the Winifrede Mining Company constructed three miles of tracks from its mines to the river.

The coal industry continued to grow until political upheavals and the Panic of 1857 combined to seriously depress coal mining in Kanawha County. The development of the Pennsylvania petroleum industry meant the end of the coal oil industry in the Kanawha valley.

The Civil War halted industrial development in western Virginia. Raids and skirmishes brought mining to a standstill and a series floods in 1861 destroyed the dams and locks on Coal River. The Confederacy could not hold the Kanawha valley and withdrew its forces to the west and south after which coal operators in the new state of West Virginia began reopening their mines and looking for new markets.

Conditions improved as the 1860s ended and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O) built closer to Charleston. The C&O was built by Collis P. Huntington as part of a larger planned transcontinental line that was to run from San Francisco to Newport News, Virginia. Huntington set to work running a line west from Clifton Forge, Virginia, to the Ohio River as soon as he acquired control of the C&O. Completion of the C&O main line in 1873 meant that coal could be shipped east and west from the Kanawha valley without having to depend on canals. The new railroad benefited the mines on the south side of the river, but those on the north side still had to ship by water unless they lightered their coal across the river and loaded it onto C&O trains. Construction of the C&O stimulated mining and by 1885 river navigation had also improved as the Federal government constructed locks and dams at Paint Creek, Coalburgh, and Marmet which allowed slack water navigation. Better transportation and access to western markets accelerated mining investment and development. The mines on the north side of the Kanawha got rail access to Ohio and the Great Lakes following completion of the Kanawha and Michigan Railroad in 1884.

work safe