"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Doug!

A "hit" on the "hitter"[?] And after all we've been through (not to mention the B'day Bash! Well, someone will be sizing YOU for some cement shoes, my man![:O]

Wanted to acknowledge your Post tonight because I'm gonna be on a short-string in the AM. So, consider yourself ACKNOWLEDGED![swg]

Snow![?] Really![?] How much[?] Our weekend forecast has us dropping down to the high 20's with snow, rain, sleet anticipated for Sunday & Monday.<yuck> Lousy, stinkin', rotten so-called winter 'round these parts! I'm movin' back to Alaska. (I wish!)

'fraid I'll have to put off reading your latest until I have a bit o' time. I'll get a roundtuit, fer sure, fer sure![tup] I've read some accounts of the tunneling on the Canadian Pacific and that sure wasn't job for the "faint at heart." Dangerous work indeed. Should be a good read.

Catch y'all later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

I'll have the Fish'n Chips and of course another Bathams please.

DOUG Thanks for the Tunnels article[tup] I found it very interesting if the others are better then we are in for a treat. I think that is the first time I have read how they navigated to keep a tunnel true. I suppose today it is done electronically with GPS etc.

There is an old canal tunnel in the West Midlands of England which has a kink in it where the alignment had gone wrong and the tunnelers were digging past each other at one stage [:I].

TOM I'm with you now about the tenner it was me[%-)]. Thanks for the smillie link the one I was referring to was Badair which I thought was a quaint way of putting it [:)].

I'm glad you liked the photo link, it made me think about transfering some of my slides taken in the 70s on to a disc although they are nowhere near the quality of those pictures. Those photos show that what is commonplace at the time in a very short while is no longer and the photos taken then become classics.

Do you think the BR Deltics have a look of the F series of diesels over here, especially the front end [?] PETE.

[nickinwestwales]

Gentlemen All-Good evening..!!..[4:-)][oX)]TOM-A glass of one of your more user-friendly ales please,one for yourself,a pint of Bathams for PETE,a couple of iced Labatts for ROB and put the rest aside to take care of the rest of the boys when they trickle in.
Sorry I havn`t been about much lately-a touch under the weather,one of those gifts that keeps on giving--Get your `flu jabs folks
Whoops,distracted there-
O.K-Lets start again,should be fish & chip night round these parts,however,to be brutally honest with you,I`m saving myself for the weekend and have handed over the galley to Boris for the evening.
I shall be enjoying a much-needed early night (possibly in a ditch) and look forward to seeing you all this weekend for --The Parade--
--The Sports Pentathlon--
--The Miss Mentor Pageant--
---Mentor World Music Night---
--Mountains,Music & Fireworks ( The Can-Am
Symphonia )----
----Vintage Train Runby`s----
---Shakespeare in the round @ the Mountain Bowl--
--Cookouts & bar-b-q`s too numerous to mention--

O.K-As it`s now 1.54am,17/3/06, I guess we can declare the day open-[4:-)][oX)]TOM-pints of Guinness all round please with large measures of Jamiesons to keep them company.
For Herr Wurlitzer-I think we should keep the rebel songs for later in the day,so how about :- Whiskey in the jar by Thin Lizzy to start,Mary of the forth form by the Boomtown Rats,Gloria by Van Morrison & Them,I will follow by U2,Zombie by the Cranberries and almost anything by Rory Gallagher....( Bullfrog blues,Jesse James,shadowplay..the list is endless..)
Time to wend my weary way I think,goodnight gentlemen all--will see you all during the week-end,no doubt--have fun,take care,be lucky [tup]
see you all soon
nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Evenin'

Just wanted to make note of Pete's "Nite Report" and the return of Nick for another most anticipated "Nick at Nite!" discussion.[tup][tup]

I absolutely LOVE that "Whiskey in the Jar" tune and it's one of those songs that "stays with ya," if you follow my drift![swg] Appears as if things are gonna be a bit lively 'round the place if Nick has his way. Great![tup]

Received and responded to your Email - many THANX![tup] Your "reward" will be in tomorrow's Gazette![swg]

Pete [yeah] I "dig" those Deltics and absolutely concur with the similiarity. I MUST visit GB again, if for no other reason than to check out the TRAINS![tup] But of course, I guess by the time we get roundtuit, we'll need reservations for the Rugby Wolfden![swg]

Tomorrow is nearing and it should be lots of fun! As previously mentioned, I'll be gone for most of the day . . . Watch for the AM Posts![tup]

Nite![zzz]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

(courtesy: www.rpsi-online.org)

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


FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


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

Green beer & green snacks all day!

Daily Wisdom

When told about the election of a Jewish mayor in Dublin, Ireland, Yogi responded, “Only in America!”[swg]
(yogi-ism)


Info for the Day:

Something Special arrives TODAY! – watch for it!

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

* Weekly Calendar:

Friday: St. Patrick’s Day – Special Menu!
Saturday: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and –
ENCORE! Saturday


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 04:44:24 (277) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 04:49:26 (277) Cdn Rwys of the Past Ad

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 07:20:38 (277) Streamliner #76 – Cincinnatian

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 07:22:51 (277) Gazette Ad

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 08:09:54 (277) Daily Report & Cincinnatian

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 10:42:16 (277) Acknowledgments & Comments

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 12:00:00 (278) Cdn Rwys of the Past – HBRY

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 13:16:57 (278) HBRY map

(9) pwolfe Pete Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 14:31:03 (278) Mid-afternoon Inclusive Post!

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 14:32:44 (278) HBRY & Port of Churchill, etc.

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 14:40:41 (278) for pwolfe

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 15:18:45 (278) Acknowledgments & Comments

(13) pwolfe Pete Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 15:35:38 (278) etc.

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 18:52:33 (278) reply to pwolfe, etc.

(15) barndad Doug Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 18:54:18 (278) Inclusive Post, Tunnels & joke!

(16) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 19:12:47 (278) reply to barndad

(17) pwolfe Pete Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 19:45:06 (278) Nite Chat!

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 20:17:57 (278) Nick at Nite!

(19) siberianmo Tom Posted: 16 Mar 2006, 21:37:23 (278) Acknowledgments, etc.



NOW SHOWING:

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

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


Coming Attractions

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


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

[siberianmo]

. . . . . . Mentor Village Gazette . . . . . .

Vol. II, Number 3 . . . . . . . . Friday, March 17th, 2006 . . . . . . . . . Free
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Patrick’s Day Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION ONE of TWO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is a Special Edition and will be a departure from our “normal” bill of fare! So, sit back, relax and ENJOY a bit o’ fun on us!

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

HIGH JINKS IN THE BORDER COUNTRY – Exclusive -
By: Howard Ayhangin, Staff Reporter

As all residents of our fair town will be aware, the annual Saint Patrick`s day celebration is upon us once again, when the sleepy border community of Mentor lets down its hair and parties the weekend away.

Whilst a certain amount of high-spirited or `collegiate` behaviour is both expected and tolerated, this years revels have generated an unforeseen `raising of the stakes` between the two principal factions, The Loyal Lodge-Orangemen with a tradition stretching back to King William & Queen Mary and The Sons of Erin, Greens to a man, who can claim a lineage linking them to the High Kings of Tara.

For the benefit of residents new to our village-and perhaps even in the wider world, some background on why Mentor holds this day so close to its collective heart.

The tradition dates back to one of the most significant days in the village`s history, March 17th,1857-The day the railroad came to town.

Long years in the building, the Atlantic, Borders & Western Railroad was the brainchild of one Herr Kommandant Tomas Weber, a retired navy man with a long history of distinguished service in the Imperial German fleet.

Aided & abetted by his surveyor, "Fast Eddie" Kramer-a dissolute Southern Gent & former saloon bar & riverboat pianist and his engineering Chief, Stoneface Austin, a maverick Canadian woodsman and eccentric advocate of `hanging things on poles, to make the place look neater` and other such heretical notions. Herr Weber chose to employ mainly Irish navvies to build his road through the mountains, which they did with the combination of hard work and harder play that is a tradition of the race.

Mentor was chosen as both the principal division point on the new line and the site for the golden spike ceremony, which was performed by Frau Weber, with her customary grace, on the 17th March,1857.

(As an aside,the ceremony was due to take place the previous week and no reason was ever given for the postponement. The Gazette can now,149 years later, reveal the true reason.
In researching this piece, I came across a hand-written note in the company`s files from one Eammon Ironhand, gang-boss to Mr Austin.

In this, Mr Ironhand petitions most strongly for a delay-his reasons:-That the principal bridge over Mentor Gorge was at that point held together with wooden dowels, the requisite nuts & bolts having been sold out of stock. That the hooch for the Golden Spike party was still at a dangerously combustible stage of the fermentation process and that sure and the boys will be havin` a drink wi Paddy next week anyway so why lose a days work....Advice which it would seem, management were quick to listen to.)

From that day onward, the fortunes of Mentor, and with it, the rest of Can-Am County, have gone from strength to strength with March 17th the day upon which they celebrate thier collective good fortune.

This year however, the customary pranks and pratfalls have started earlier and been far more numerous than in recent years-perhaps in anticipation of next years Centennial & a Half party of a lifetime ( See article in Arts & Ents.section).

My first awareness of this phenomenon occurred when the taxi in which I was traveling intercepted a message on the police band calling for assistance at the Can-Am International Air Freight Terminal (The Zeppelin sheds in village-speak ) a swift re-negotiation of rates with the driver and we were on our way.

On arriving at the launch field I was presented with the bizarre sight of two females, identical in every degree, save for the green & orange sashes across the shoulders of leather dress uniforms that would make anything Hitlers’ Luftwaffe came up with seem camp.

More bizarre was that they were being forcibly ( if somewhat tentatively )restrained from tearing each other apart.

I later discovered that the two ladies-Miss Hilda Gruberschnaffeloberleutnantleipzigschnitzel and her twin sister, Miss Helga Smith had been arguing over a man, an assistant chef in local tavern `Our Place`.

It seems all three are recent immigrants from the same small region of central Europe-Lake Snagow in the Carpathian foothills of Wallachia and are embroiled in clan-marriage agreements dating back to the mass executions of the peasants carried out by local overlord Vlad Tepes during the 1400`s.

This assistant chef, in an effort to integrate himself, had joined the local `Greens` in the mistaken belief that they were a lawn-bowling club, such as he`d seen on B.B.C World Service broadcasts, one sister had joined him ,the other ,in a fit of pique, had joined the Loyalists and the stage was set.

My next exposure to Mentor Madness took the form of the now notorious "Green River" incident-for three straight days, every river in the County ran emerald green-A mystery which remains unsolved, although a number of tech support staff from C-A.U chemistry dept are still `helping with enquiries`.

The retaliation to this was no less bizarre-two days after the rivers turned clear again the first reports drifted in of orange animals being seen up in Mentor Park, initially these were dismissed as being seen through the bottom of a bottle, however, once Rangers confirmed these sightings conclusions were rapidly drawn-the Loyalists were still in the race-Wildlife of all shapes and sizes were being caught, spray-painted(with a henna & turmeric based dye) and then released--reports of a giant Bull-Moose with gleaming VIA blue flanks and the message " Eat at `Our Place`"laid over it in rail yellow ( also a large bruise between its eyes bearing a ring imprint identified with a New York `fraternal organisation`) remain unconfirmed.

Next I found myself back in railroad country.

The track and yard gangs of the two freight carriers through town, the C.P & the C.N are all keen adherents to the rituals-many of them take part in the annual sporting pentathlon (......Baseball, Football<N.F.L>,Ice Hockey, Hurling and Rugby Union...)-Said to represent the five kingdoms of the Isle of the Blessed, and all is normally in good part.

This year however, madness rules the day as C.N staff refuse to handle orange painted cars and in response, C.P operatives threaten to refuse to recognise green signals........

Even downtown the tension is palpable-as soon as you step off of the train at Union Stn and out through the arch, between the new high-rises that occupy the site of the old A.B&W roundhouse than you see the signs—

The G.M. dealership with a row of emerald green & chrome love buggies parked out front-Pacific Import, with no cultural handle but a feel for the moment, showing the latest models in candy-apple orange-

The diner, advertising an all day Belfast Fry-

The Green Guinness and Seafood night ( with live entertainment, apparently) in the Broken Rod Lounge.

The Loyalist Lodge poster--" Join us to watch her Majesty open the commonwealth games, pot-luck supper at the Red Hand Lodge, all welcome, might be a band later.....

Swimming bravely against the tide, local Tavern `Our Place` has registered its premises as a Zen Buddhist Monastery and house of retreat (which by a quirk of fate, excludes it from several of the more onerous local licensing & taxation laws.....) and welcomes all true disciples of the shining path to enlightenment, to join them in informed study groups,-serving from 6 am in all time zones, refreshments and fine cuisine always available.


Just for Laffs

A man was walking on a Belfast street one at night when suddenly he was confronted with a masked man who had a gun pointed right at him.
The gunman said "Are you Protestant or Catholic?"
The man was scared out of his wits but figured that he had to give some kind of an answer.
Praying for guidance he replied - "Neither - I'm Jewish!".
Silence for about 5 seconds, then the gunman's reply - "Is that so? Well let me tell you, you're talking to the first Arab in Belfast!"
* * * * * * * * * *

"Someday, I'd like a little brother," said a boy to his friend.
"There's only so much you can blame on a dog."
* * * * * * * * * *

What do you get when you cross Mexico with Texas?
Oil of Ole.
* * * * * * * * * *

A man was very ill and on the verge of dying. The doctor called the man's wife in and said,"There are three things that you can do to help your husband back to health"
"What are they, sir?"
"One: You must make him three huge meals every day.
Two: Never argue with him.
Three: Make love to him every night.
"Agreed." Said the woman
On the way home when the husband asked what the doctor said, the woman replied,"Sorry, honey, but you aren't going to make it."
* * * * * * * * * *

An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar is closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up.
Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and is sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!"
"What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look.
"The pub called. You left your wheelchair there again."
* * * * * * * * * *

Charles P. (Harlem) Gallagher was in a pub in Charlevoix, Mich. some years ago. A fella down the bar leaned over and said, "Hey, Gallagher, what's the population of Beaver Island?" Charlie leaned out and said, "Oh, mostly beech and maple".! True story!!
* * * * * * * * * *

Many years ago a young Island woman went to the doctor to deliver her first baby. Upon her arrival the doctor asked her into the examining room and told her to remove her pants. Well, she would have none of that. The doctor told her that she had already removed them once too often before now!!
* * * * * * * * * *

Another Island fella and his wife were in the hospital down state after the birth of one of their children. After a time the doctor came into the room and told the fella that he and his wife should abstain from sex for a couple of weeks. The fella said, "Geez Doc, you should told me that 20 minutes ago!"
* * * * * * * * * *

Michael Hoolihan was courting Frances Phelan. The young couple sat in the parlor of the girl's house night after night, much to the annoyance of old man Phelan. One night he couldn’t take any more. Standing at the top of the stairs, he yelled down, "What's that young fella doin' here all hours of the night?" "Why, Dad, " said Frances, "Michael was just telling me everything that's in his heart!" "Well, next time, " roared Phelan, "just let him tell you what's in his head, and it won't take half as long!"
* * * * * * * * * *

Two shipyard horses talking to each other. "Are you a Protestant or a Catholic horse?" "Catholic, why?"
"Keep that quiet, I had a friend last week who told them he was lame and they shot him"
* * * * * * * * * *

Paddy was found dead in his back yard, and as the weather was a bit on the warm side, the wake was held down to only two days, so his mortal remains wouldn't take a bad turn. At last his friends laid him in the cox, nailed it shut & started down the hill into the churchyard. As it was a long, sloping path and the mourners were appropriately tipsy, one fellow lurched into the gatepost as they entered the graveyard. Suddenly a loud knocking came from in the box. Paddy was alive! They opened the box up and he sat up, wide eyed, and they all said, Sure, it's a miracle of God! All rejoiced & they went back and had a few more drinks but later that day, the poor lad died. Really died. Stone cold dead. They bundled him back into his box, and as they huffed and puffed down the hill the next morning, the priest said, "Careful now, boys; mind ye don't bump the gatepost again"
* * * * * * * * * *

A young Irishman sat at a pub in the New World drinking beer and conversin' with the barkeep. Another comes in and sits besides him. He says how you do and hears the lilt and says you be Irish? Yes I am. The first man yells barkeep give us another round and one for my friend here he's from the mother country as well. The second man asks-so where in the old country ye from. Dublin responds the first. Dublin you say - so am I and the second man hollers barkeep bring us another round and a shot of your best Irish Whiskey for me and my friend here. Afterwards the first man asks from where in Dublin and the second man responds with the street and the first man says well I'll be - so am I and yells barkeep another pair of beers and Irish Whiskey for the pair of us. The phone behind the bar rings and the barkeep answers it. The owner of the pub asks - how is business. The barkeep responds - not too bad - The O'Malley twins are here getting drunk again.
* * * * * * * * * *

His wife had been killed in an accident and the police were questioning Finnegan. "Did she say anything before she died?" asked the sergeant. "She spoke without interruption for about forty years," said the Irishman.
* * * * * * * * * *

Mrs. Pete Monaghan came into the newsroom to pay for her husband's obiturary. She was told by the kindly newsman that it was a dollar a word and he remembered Pete and wasn't it too bad about him passing away. She thanked him for his kind words and bemoaned the fact that she only had two dollars. But she wrote out the obituary, "Pete died." The newsman said he thought old Pete deserved more and he'd give her three more words at no charge. Mrs. Pete Monaghan thanked him and rewrote the obituary: "Pete died. Boat for sale"
* * * * * * * * * *

A young Irish girl goes into her priest on Saturday morning for confession.
"Father, forgive me for I have Thinned."
"You've Thinnned?"
"Yes, I went out with me boyfriend Friday night. He held me hand twice, kissed me three times, and made love to me two times."

"Daughter! I want you to go straight home, squeeze seven lemons into a glass, and drink it straight down."

"Will that wash away me Thin?"

"No, but it will get the silly smile off your face."
* * * * * * * * * *

Man runs out of a West Belfast pub with his arms on fire Police catch him and charge him with having an armalite.
* * * * * * * * * *

Irishman, Englishman and a German are caught in Saudi Arabia drinking. "Under Saudi law you are sentenced to 30 lashes then deported. Before you begin you are entitled to something on you back, what would you like?" said the prison guard to the Englishman just before lashing him. The English man, being a bit of a cricket fan, asked for linseed oil. When they lashed him on a post and let him go to catch his flight back to London he groaned and crawled to the airport. Next came the German. "Under Saudi law you are sentenced to 30 lashes then deported. Before you begin you are entitled to something on you back, what would you like?" said the prison guard "Nothing" said the German and, after receiving his lashes spat on the ground, called the prison guards Schisers and started off towards the airport. The guards then came to the Irishman. "Under Saudi law you are sentenced to 30 lashes then deported. Before you begin you are entitled to something on you back, what would you like?" "Oh", replied the Irishman, "I'll take the German".
* * * * * * * * * *

It's revolutionary Paris, 1789, and three spies from across the channel are about to be guillotined. "Do you wan't to be beheaded on your back or your front?" The executioner asked Smith. "On my back," said Smith. "I'm not afraid of death." So Smith was laid on his back under the blade. The executioner pulled the lever. Schlick... and the blade jammed. Smith was reprieved because no man can be sentenced to death twice. Hoskins was next. He too chose to face the knife. Again the blade jammed, and Hoskins was reprieved. Murphy was third. "Back or front?"
"If it's good enough for Smith and Hoskins, it's good enough for me," and so Murphy was laid on his back under the blade. "Begorrah," he said. "Just a minute. I think i can see why it jams."
* * * * * * * * * *

Irishman went to a pet shop and asked how many budgies were in stock. "We have 99" replied the shop owner "Give us the lot" said the Irish man, paid for them and left. He went to a tailors shop and had 99 pockets sewn into a jacket, put a budgie in each pocket, went up to the Post Office Tower and jumped off. He hit the ground with an almighty smack and lay there groaning until a passer-by came and asked him what had happened. "I don't know sur" he replied "but that's the last time I try that budgie jumping"
* * * * * * * * * *

Irish business men have their names printed on the front and back of their business card in case someone looses them.
* * * * * * * * * *

Irishman finds a Genie lamp and rubs it. Out comes the Genie and asks "Master you have released me from the lamp and I grant you three wishes, what would you like" Irishman scratches his head, then answers "A bottle of Guinness that never gets empty. "Granted master" retorted the Genie and produced the bottle. The man was delighted and got drunk on this one magic Guiness bottle for weeks then he remembered that he had two other wishes. He rubbed the lamp again and the Genie appeared. "Yes master, you have two more wishes, what would you like?" "You know that magic, never ending Guinness bottle" he asks the Genies. "Well, for my final two wishes, I'd like another two of them"
* * * * * * * * * *

First time ever on an aeroplane and he is noticed by the stewardess who can see he is quite afraid of flying. "Is there anything wrong sir" she asks "No missus" he replies "Just the first time I ever flew, I'm from Ahoghill, near Ballymena and the first man in the town ever to fly" So she leaves it at that and gets on with he her duties. When the plane is due to land she goes back to the passenger "Well sir were you comfy?" she asks. He looks round at her and answers "I telt ye that afore, joost oot side Ballymena. (all the fine pieces above are fromthe Collection of Mr. Adam Flinn)
* * * * * * * * * *

"Paddy," asked the barmaid, "what are those two bulges in the front of your trousers?" "Ah," said Paddy. "They're hand grenades. Next time that *** O'Flaherty comes feeling my balls, I'll blow his bloody fingers off!"
* * * * * * * * * *

Pat and Mike were doing some street repairs in front of a known house of ill repute in Boston. A Jewish Rabbi came walking down the street, looked the left, looked to right, and ducked into the house. Pat paused a bit from swinging his pick and said "Mike...will you look at that! A man of the cloth, and going into a place like that in broad daylight!".
A bit later, a Baptist minister came down the street, looked to the left, looked to the right, and scurried into the house. Mike layed down his shovel, turned to Pat and said "Pat! Are you seeing what I'm seeing? A man of the Church, and he's giving that place his custom!" Just then, a Catholic Priest came down the street, looked to the left, looked to the right, and slipped into the bawdy house.
Pat and Mike straightened up, removed their hats, and Mike says "Faith, and there must be somebody sick in there."
* * * * * * * * *
from: http://www.beaverislandrealty.com



Stay tuned for SECTION TWO!!



Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

. . . . . . Mentor Village Gazette . . . . . .

Vol. II, Number 3 . . . . . . . . Friday, March 17th, 2006 . . . . . . . . . Free
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Patrick’s Day Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION TWO of TWO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is a Special Edition and will be a departure from our “normal” bill of fare! So, sit back, relax and ENJOY a bit o’ fun on us!

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

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

Glossary O' Terms

Leprechaun:

Irish fairy. Looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes...they also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must
keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

Blarney stone

The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians and William III's troops). Thousands of tourists a year still visit the castle.

The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.

It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support. Can you imagine kissing something that has had people's lips all over it for 500 years? Yuck!
from: http://www.beaverislandrealty.com

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More Laffs

A cop pulls up two Irish drunks, and says to the first, "What's your name and address?"
"I'm Paddy O'Day, of no fixed address."
The cop turns to the second drunk, and asks the same question.
I'm Seamus O'Toole, and I live in the flat above Paddy."
* * * * * * * * * *

Padraic Flaherty came home drunk every evening toward ten. Now, the Missus was never too happy about it, either. So one night she hides in the cemetery and figures to scare the beejeezus out of him. As poor Pat wanders by, up from behind a tombstone she jumps in a red devil costume screaming, "Padraic Sean Flaherty, sure and ya' don't give up you're drinkin' and it's to Hell I'll take ye'". Pat, undaunted, staggered back and demanded, "Who the hell ARE you?". Too that the Missus replied, "I'm the divil ya' ***ed old fool". To which Flaherty remarked, "***ed glad to meet you sir, I'm married to yer sister."
* * * * * * * * * *

Pat and Mick landed themselves a job at a sawmill. Just before morning tea at yelled: "Mick! I lost me finger!"
"Have you now?" says Mick. "And how did you do it?"
"I just touched this big spinning thing here like thi...***! There goes another one!"
* * * * * * * * * *

The Irish attempt on Mount Everest was a valiant effort, but it failed: They ran out of scaffolding.
* * * * * * * * * *

An Irishman went for an interview with one of the major blue chip computer companies. When the interview was over the interviewer told him that all applicants had to complete a test.
The interviewer took a piece of paper and drew six vertical lines in pairs of two on the paper and placed it in front of the Irishman. "Could you please show me a clever way to make this into nine?" After thinking for a while the Irishman took the pencil and drew a canopy of leaves on top of the three pairs of lines, and handed the paper back to the interviewer.
The interviewer looked at the drawings and said: "But that is not nine!" "Oh yes it is", said the Irishman with a broad Irish accent, "Tree + Tree + Tree make nine!"
The interviewer handed the paper back to the Irishman and asked him to make it 99. After thinking for a longer while the Irishman scribbled up and down the trunks and handed the paper back to the interviewer. The interviewer looked at the drawings and said: "But that is not ninety nine!" "Oh yes it is", said the Irishman, "Dirty tree + dirty tree + dirty tree make ninety nine." The interviewer was now a bit cheesed off so he decided to do the Irishman once and for all, therefore, he handed the paper back to the Irishman and asked him to make it 100.
After thinking for a considerably longer time the Irishman suddenly grabbed the pencil and drew a little blop on the bottom right hand side of each three and handed the paper back to the interviewer. The interviewer looked at the drawings and said: "But that is not 100!" "Oh yes it most certainly is", said the Irishman with a much broader Irish accent, "Dirty tree and a turd + dirty tree and turd + dirty tree and a turd make 100!!!!!"
* * * * * * * * * *

O'Connell was staggering home with a pint of booze in his back pocket when he slipped and fell heavily. Struggling to his feet, he felt something wet running down his leg. "Please, God," he implored, "let it be blood!"
* * * * * * * * * *

Then there was the Irishman who sued the local baker for forging the Irishman's signature on a hot cross bun....
* * * * * * * * * *

What are the best ten years of an Irishman's life? Third grade.
* * * * * * * * * *

Two Irishmen met and one said to the other, "Have ye seen Mulligan lately, Pat?"
Pat said, "Well, I have and I haven't."
His friend asked, "Shure, and what d'ye mean by that?"
Pat said, "It's like this, y'see...I saw a chap who I thought was Mulligan, and he saw a chap that he thought was me. And when we got up to one another...it was neither of us."
* * * * * * * * * *

An Irish priest and a Rabbi get into a car accident. They both get out of their cars and stumble over to the side of the road. The Rabbi says, "Oy vey! What a wreck!" The priest asks him, "Are you all right, Rabbi?" The Rabbi responds, "Just a little shaken."
The priest pulls a flask of whiskey from his coat and says, "Here, drink some of this it will calm your nerves." The Rabbi takes the flask and drinks it down and says, "Well, what are we going to tell the police?" Well," the priest says, "I don't know what your aft' to be tellin' them. But I'll be tellin' them I wasn't the one drinkin'."
* * * * * * * * * *

Sean was fishing and it started to rain, so he moved under the bridge for shelter. His pal McGinty saw him and called, "Sean, me boy, are ye afeared of a few spots o' rain, now?"
Sean replied, "I'm not...the fish come here fer shelter."
* * * * * * * * * *

Paddy was trapped in a bog and seemed a goner when Big Mick O'Reilly wandered by. "Help!" Paddy shouted, "Oi'm sinkin'!" Don't worry," assured Mick. "Next to the Strong Muldoon, Oi'm the strongest man in Erin, and Oi'll pull ye right out o' there." Mick leaned out and grabbed Paddy's hand and pulled and pulled to no avail. After two more unsuccessful attempts, Mick said to Paddy, "Shure, an' Oi can't do it. The Strong Muldoon could do it alone, mebbe, but Oi'll have to get some help." As Mick was leaving, Paddy called "Mick! Mick! D'ye think it will help if Oi pull me feet out of the stirrups?"
* * * * * * * * * *

The first Irish National Steeplechase was finally abandoned. Not one horse could get a descent footing on the cathedral roof.
* * * * * * * * * *

Concerning bagpipes: The Irish invented them and gave them to the Scots as a joke, and the Scots haven't seen the joke yet.
* * * * * * * * * *

Murphy was selling his house, and put the matter in an agent's hands. The agent wrote up a sales blurb for the house that made wonderful reading. After Murphy read it, he turned to the agent and asked, "Have I got all ye
say there?" The agent said, "Certainly ye have...Why d'ye ask?"
Replied Murphy, "Cancel the sale...'tis too good to part with."
* * * * * * * * * *

Paddy and Mick were approaching a pub which had been destroyed by an IRA bomb only minutes before. As they passed, a head rolled out of the smoldering ruins and across the pavement before them. Paddy stooped, picked it up and held it for Mick to see. "Shure now Mick, isn't this Sean Murphy?" "No, Paddy, no, it couldn't be. It's an amazin' resemblance, but Murphy was shorter than that."
* * * * * * * * * *

Did you hear about the Irishman who was tap dancing?
He broke his ankle when he fell into the sink.
* * * * * * * * * *

How can you identify an Irish pirate?
He's the one with patches over both eyes.
* * * * * * * * * *

Paddy was picked up on a rape charge. He was placed in a lineup with ten other fellows and the accusing woman was escorted into the room.
Paddy jumped forward, and screamed "That's her! That's her! Oi'd recognize her anywhere!"
* * * * * * * * * *

"Well, Mrs. O'Connor, so you want a divorce?" the solicitor questioned his client. "Tell me about it. Do you have a grudge?"
"Oh, no," replied Mrs. O'Connor. "Shure now, we have a carport."
The solicitor tried again. "Well, does the man beat you up?"
"No, no," said Mrs. O'Connor, looking puzzled. "Oi'm always first out of bed." Still hopeful, the solicitor tried once again. "Well, does he go in for
unnatural connubial practices?"
"Shure now, he plays the flute, but I don't think he knows anything about the connubial." Now desperate, the solicitor pushed on. "What I'm trying to find out are what grounds you have."
"Bless ye, sor. We live in a flat -- not even a window box, let alone grounds."
"Mrs. O'Connor," the solicitor said in considerable exasperation, "you need a reason that the court can consider. What is the reason for you seeking this divorce?"
"Ah, well now," said the lady, "Shure it's because the man can't hold an
intelligent conversation."
* * * * * * * * * *

Tim Kelly was walking through a dim passageway when someone spoke to him. "Good evenin', Kelly," said the muffled figure. "Don't ye be knowin' your old friend Grogan any more?" Kelly stared at Grogan, whose face was a patchwork of bandages and adhesive plaster. One arm was in a sling and he was leaning on a crutch. "Saints!" cried Kelly. "Was ye hit by a train, Grogan, or did ye merely jump from the trestle?" "It could've been both," said Grogan, "considerin' the feel of it. But the truth is, I was in bed with Murphy's wife when Murphy himself comes in with a murtherin' big shillelagh in his hand, and the inconsiderate creature beat the livin' bejazus outa me." "He did indade," said Kelly. "But couldn't ye defend y'rself, Grogan? Hadn't ye nothin' in your own hand?" "Only Mrs. Murphy's ***," said Grogan. "It's a beautiful thing in itself, but not worth a dom in a fight."
* * * * * * * * * *

As soon as she had finished parochial school, a bright young girl named Lena shook the dust of Ireland off her shoes and made her way to New York where before long, she became a successful performer in show business. Eventually she returned to her home town for a visit and on Saturday night went to confession in the church which she had always attended as a child. In the confessional Father Sullivan recognized her and began asking her about her work. She explained that she was an acrobatic dancer, and he wanted to know what that meant. She said she would be happy to show him the kind of thing she did on stage.
She stepped out of the confessional and within sight of Father Sullivan, she went into a series of cartwheels, leaping splits, handsprings and backflips.
Kneeling near the confessional, waiting their turn, were two middle-aged
ladies. They witnessed Lena's acrobatics with wide eyes, and one said to the other: "Will you just look at the penance Father Sullivan is givin' out this night, and me without me bloomers on!"
* * * * * * * * * *
from: http://www.beaverislandrealty.com

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St. Patrick’s Day Facts ‘n Stuff


Saint Patrick's Day (March 17th), is an Irish holiday honoring Saint Patrick, the missionary credited with converting the Iri***o Christianity (in the A.D. 400's).

Saint Patrick was not actually Irish. Historical sources report that he was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland (near the town of Dumbarton) or in Roman Britain (the Romans left Britain in 410 A.D.).

His real name is believed to be Maewyn Succat (he took on Patrick, or Patricus, after he became a priest). He was kidnapped at the age of 16 by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland (I am not making this up). During his 6-year captivity (he worked as a shepherd), he began to have religious visions, and found strength in his faith. He finally escaped (after voices in one of his visions told him where he could find a getaway ship) and went to France, where he became a priest (and later a bishop).

When he was about 60 years old, St. Patrick traveled to Ireland to spread the Christian word. It's said that Patrick had an unusually winning personality, and that helped him win converts. He used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).

Legend has it that Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland -- that they all went into the sea and drowned. Poor snakes. I don't know why he would want to do this, except that the snake was a revered pagan symbol, and perhaps this was a figurative tale alluding to the fact that he drove paganism out of Ireland.

In America, Saint Patrick's Day is a basically a time to wear green and party. The first American celebration of Saint Patrick's Day was in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!" Over 100 US cities now hold Saint Patrick's Day parades, the largest held in New York City.

Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock. Leprechauns are also associated with this holiday, although I'm not sure why. Leprechauns of legend are actually mean little creatures, with the exception of the Lucky Charms guy. They were probably added later on because capitalists needed something cute to put on greeting cards.

What's good luck on Saint Patrick's Day?

Finding a four-leaf clover (that's double the good luck it usually is).
Wearing green.

(School children have started a little tradition of their own -- they pinch classmates who don't wear green on this holiday).

Kissing the blarney stone.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
from: http://www.beaverislandrealty.com

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


THEATRE

Mentor Village Emporium (check local listings for showtimes)

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject all of the time!

Now Playing

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

Coming Attractions

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

. . . Sunday, March 26th thru April 1st:Major League (1989) starring Tom Beringer, Charlie Sheen & Corbin Bernson – and – Bull Durham (1988) starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon & Tim Robbins. SHORT: Plane Nuts (1933).

. . . Sunday, April 2nd thru 8th: Eight Men Out (1988) starring: Jace Alexander, John Cusack & Gordon Clapp – and – Field of Dreams (1989) Kevin Costner, Burt Lancaster & James Earl Jones. SHORT: The Big Idea (1934).

. . . Sunday, April 9th thru April 15th: The Harvey Girls (1946) starring: Judy Garland, John Hodiak & Ray Bolger –and- The Train (1964) starring: Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield & Jeanne Moreau. SHORT: Woman Haters (1934).

. . . Sunday, April 16th thru 22nd: The Molly Macquires (1970) starring: Sean Connery, Richard Harris & Samantha Eggers – and – It Happened to Jane (1959) starring: Doris Day, Jack Lemmon & Ernie Kovacs. SHORT: Punch Drunks (1934).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

RAILWAYS of EUROPE #5 –

Irish Rail (IE) arrives on track #1 at 9 AM –

Watch for it!




Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[LoveDomes]

Good Morning Tom and Gents at the Bar!

Top o’ the mornin’ to one and all! A Happy St. Pat’s Day to those who are and those who aren’t Irish!

‘Tis a sunny mornin’ with a chill in the air and temps expected to get into the mid 40s – good day to parade![swg]

Happy to report that the whole house dehumidifier-air purifier unit is installed and operating. The guys left here around 7 PM after putting in one long day. A bit of a problem with the sheet metal and duct work, but they figured it out and all’s well. Just a long day ‘round this place. Tom Those filters are a bit on the expensive side, huh[?] Funny how those “details” don’t come out until AFTER the installation![swg] Hey! As long as it works and keeps the basement dry and mold-free – that’s the important thing. Once again, we appreciate the ‘tip,’ as I don’t think I would have ever thought of this approach hadn’t it been for you.[tup][tup][tup]

My group is pretty much at the tail end of the parade today, so we have a bit more time than first thought. They will begin the march down 5th Avenue at 11 AM – but it’s a long, long parade, so I figure we’ll probably not begin our procession for an hour or so later. Should be fun – always has been, unless of course it’s a march into the howling gales with temps below freezing. That surely ain’t fun![tdn]

Tom This morning’s Gazette is a “keeper!” Good stuff, lots of laughs and that “exclusive” couldn’t have been written by anyone other than our friend over in West Wales. Correct[?][swg][tup] Great job all around!

That’s quite an impressive list of movies at the Emporium and I like the baseball flicks right at the beginning of the season. All four of those are worth seeing again – and again.[tup][swg]

Ok – time for me to get going, some of the guys have arrived and we’ll be starting our “celebration,” a wee bit early![swg] Here’s a couple of ten spots for the next round – put the change in the Lars Box please![tup]

Happy St. Pat’s Day!


Until the next time!

Lars

[coalminer3]

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

I, for one, can't wait for the evening performance of the Mentor Pro Musica and Catch-as-Catch-Can Celtic Band. I hear that it features Boris on washtuub bass (as soon as he gets done drinking everything that's in the washtub).

Wow - what a start. Hudson's Bay Ry, the Hoosac Tunnel, and loads of local history and Irish lore. what can I say?

The Hoosac tunnel is still with us on the old B&M (now Guilford). Back in the day it had a most interesting electrified segment as it was, of course, impossible to run steam locomotives through the tunnel. BTW, I have had the privilege of riding through the tunnel a few times (including on RDCs).

I hope that maybe the Mentor Theatre can have a special screening tjhis evening of "The Last Hurrah," in honor of the day, of course. Second feature could be the "Cardinal" -also shot around Boston.

Well, better get after it - I leave you with the famous Boston saying,
"Vote Often and Early for James Michael Curley."

work safe

[siberianmo]

Brews of the Ould ‘n Nua Sod


Bell's Kalamazoo Stout . Brewed in Michigan. A relatively small head of medium and large bubbles, brown rather than the much whiter heads of the other stouts. Mouth-filling flavor balanced among roasted, bitter and creamy, with a lingering finish of all of these flavors.

Beamish Genuine Irish Stout Brewed in County Cork, Ireland. Classic downward-foaming head that resolves to about 10 percent of the total glass but lingers in a creamy form. Full-bodied but smooth, with gentle coffee notes at the start and a hint of bitter that goes away at the finish.

Schlafly's Irish Stout Brewed in St. Louis. First pour results in about 40 percent head of medium bubbles, which lingers. Smooth with hints of bitter, resolving back to a smooth finish.

Murphy's Draught-Style Stout Brewed in England. Pour results in parfait layers of foam, resolving to a fine layer of bubbles at about 10 percent of the glass. Noticeable coffee aroma and flavor upfront, otherwise smooth with little bitterness.

Guinness Extra Stout Brewed in Canada. Head takes up about 40 percent of the pour, diminishing slowly. Nice multiflavored character, with a hint of coffee and a touch of warm spices.

Boulevard Irish Ale Brewed in Kansas City. Moderate head, sweet notes in nose that repeat in the relatively complex flavor.

Smithwick's Brewed in Ireland. Medium head, amber-brown color. Good body, remarkable overall balance and smoothness.

Harp Brewed in Canada. Light head, golden color, fairly neutral nose. Light to medium body, nicely smooth and balanced.

George Killian's Irish Red Brewed in the U.S. Medium red-amber color. Notes of malt in the nose and flavor. Medium body, smooth and balanced.

Murphy's Red Beer Brewed in Holland. Formerly known as Murphy's Irish Amber. Gold-brown-red color, large head of medium to fine bubbles, medium body. Pleasantly drinkable, but not much depth.

Guinness Draught Brewed in Ireland. Classic downward-foaming head, with little left when foaming ceases. Interesting sandalwood/incense notes in the nose, decent body and medium bitter flavor, but little dimension to the flavor.

Wexford Irish Cream Ale Brewed in England. Lots of bubbles generated by the in-can "widget," but small head after they resolve. Golden-brown color. Medium-light and smooth body, but with bitter tones that make for an overall unbalanced effect.


So, whadilyahave??


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

RAILWAYS of EUROPE #5 – Irish Rail (IE)

Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) (IE)




Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.


Iarnród Éireann (IÉ; in English Irish Rail), is the national passenger railway system in Ireland. Established on 1 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann. It runs all internal intercity, suburban and commuter railway services in the Republic of Ireland and it operates the Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast jointly with Northern Ireland Railways. In addition to Iarnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways, Bord na Móna operates a 3ft-gauge large industrial railway (the largest railway system in Ireland, but it does not carry passengers).

Organisation



At the time of its establishment Iarnród Éireann referred to itself as Irish Rail, and introduced the four rails IR logo; however, the initials IR were often defaced as IRA on signage. In 1994, the company brought the Irish form of its name and related initials to the fore, and these remain the corporate branding today. The Irish word iarnród translates literally into English as iron road, or formally railway.

Iarnród Éireann services are divided across several separate operating areas.

Services


Advertising for Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) Intercity in Galway, 2005

Iarnrod Eireann's services are branded under three main names; InterCity, Commuter and DART. The InterCity services are long-distance routes (not necessarily to cities, but radial from Dublin). The Belfast–Dublin service run in conjunction with Northern Ireland Railways is branded separately as Enterprise. DMU services out of major cities are branded as Commuter. The DART brand is used for a north-south high frequency EMU service on the eastern side of Dublin. A separate timetable is published for each sector annually. Regional services (e.g. Limerick-Rosslare Europort) are regarded as Commuter services with fairly new Commuter Dmus being used on the service..


Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) No. 215 (IE 201 Class) at Grand Canal Dock DART station, 2001 (GNU Free Documentation)


Ireland: Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) No. 206 (IE 201 Class) at Colbert Station, Limerick (2006) (free use)

Dublin is the main hub in Ireland's railway system. The two main intercity stations are Connolly Station and Heuston Station; intercity services radiate to/from Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Galway, Waterford, Rosslare Europort, Sligo, Westport and Ballina.

The majority of commuter services are based in Dublin, which has four commuter routes as of 2006. These are: Northern (Dundalk), Western (Maynooth/Longford), South Western (Newbridge/Kildare/Portlaoise) and South Eastern (Arklow). Additional commuter services run from Cork (to Mallow and Cóbh) and from Limerick (to Ennis and Limerick Junction). As the Commuter livery is used on all DMU railcars as of 2006, a number of other services also run under the name. These include Mallow–Tralee, Manulla Junction–Ballina and Limerick–Rosslare Europort, as well as the Dublin–Sligo and Dublin–Rosslare "InterCity".

The north-south route along Dublin's eastern coastal side is also host to DART, Ireland's only electrified heavy rail service.

Quality of service varies from route to route. The Enterprise is well regarded, despite problems with punctuality. There have been ongoing problems with excess power drain on the locomotives, with one or two locomotives overheating and bursting into flames while in service. Breakdowns are a regular occurrence as a result. The Cork - Dublin route, also quite well regarded, was the "premier line" of the Great Southern and Western Railway, one of the biggest pre-Córas Iompair Éireann operators. Journey time and rolling stock are quite good on this route with brand new rolling stock (mark 4) about to enter service.

Network Catering

Iarnrod Éireann's Network Catering unit provides a trolley service of food and drink, a snack car and (on some routes) a restaurant service. It also operates restaurants at Connolly Station and at Dún Laoghaire. According to Irish Rail's annual report, the unit lost €270 000 in 2004.


Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


Did you miss any of the first four in the series[?] Click on the URLs:

(1) British Rail, page 247
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=247&TOPIC_ID=35270

(2) Eurostar, page 248
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=248&TOPIC_ID=35270

(3) TGV of France, page 255
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=255&TOPIC_ID=35270

(4) ICE of Germany, page 270
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=270&TOPIC_ID=35270



Waving flags credit: www.3DFlags.com

[trolleyboy]

Morning Tom, I'll have the harps ( go figure ) <grin>

Cindy looks quite good in green doesen't she [swg][:-^]


What can I say truly a masterpiece, the gazette in two parts ! hats off to the "guest" columnist. [tup][tup] The article surly explains alot, I always wondered why my couple times great grandfather left me all those wooden dowels, now I know ["-^].

I might say that the "groan-a-meter " is now truly broken, it blew up and scattered it's gears an wheels all over Boris's sleeze bean patch ( should improve the crop! )

Lars gppd to hear that your "outing" is not going to be walayed by the furnas filter installers ! Must be good to have your basement back together finally. I'll leave a round of Harps for you and your boys once their done their march [:D]

Pete Great site on those deltics, thanks.They do remind me a bit of early F units, two's or threes ! The universal look for early diesels.

Doug Great first article on the tunnlers, I'm looking forward to the rest ! can I intrest you in some of the mentor vilages almost finished fermenting brew [?] [:O][xx(][swg]

Have a great green day folks.

Rob

[trolleyboy]

Tom interesting stuff on the Irish rail as well. Gotta love that logo [tup][:D]Supprisng how much orange is in that locomotive paint job however .[:O]

Nick As sadi before great gazette input my friend. I don't know what you did to make Montezuma take such a heavy revenge on you, hopefully it will pass in the end ![swg] [:O] [:-^] I can make groaners with the best of them, must be something in the green river water's eh [?]


Rob

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

I'm back, but it appears no one recognized that I left![swg]

Thanx Cindy for watchin' the joint . . . . rather quiet, eh[?] I see Rob stopped by this AM . . . did he behave himself[?] NO, NO - don't tell me - I don't wanna know!<grin>

So, where are Doug - Pete 'n Al today[?] And of course, we may as well write off seeing Trainnut484 Russell - West Coast S and (who wudda thunk it) Theodorebear Ted for any of our special events. Been a long, long time since any of 'em particpated. Pity. [yeah] I know - busy.

Okay, boyz - I've done my part for this day - just check out the AM Posts! The rest is up to y'all - either that, or close 'er down.[sigh]

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

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

[siberianmo]

Good Evening!



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

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

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

Here’s to ya![tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[passengerfan]

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

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

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

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

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

TTFN Al.

[siberianmo]

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

Greetings Al!

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

Oh well, we takes what we gets!

Thanx for the round . . . .

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[comechtech]

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

[trolleyboy]

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

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

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

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

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

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


Rob

[trolleyboy]

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

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




CLASSIC STEAM # 14 THE CANADA SOUTHERN ST CLAIR BRANCH


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

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


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


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

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

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

Enjoy Rob

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

[comechtech]

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

[trolleyboy]

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

Okay a bit of new information as well.

CLASSIC STEAM # 17 The Stratford and Huron Railway

The Stratford & Huron RY : Stratford to Wiarton

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rob

[Anonymous]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[siberianmo]

(courtesy: www.trainweb.org)

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


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


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


Daily Wisdom

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


Info for the Day:

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

* Weekly Calendar:

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


SUMMARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



NOW SHOWING:

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

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

Coming Attractions

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


That’s it! [tup][;)]

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

[Anonymous]

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

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

Here's the second part of my Trackwalking acticle:


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

Let’s get to the acknowledgments . . .

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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

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


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


Later![tup]]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


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

Those who acknowledge the other guy, get acknowledged!

[Anonymous]

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

Only in America ...right?

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

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #26
first Posted on page 164

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday