"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[siberianmo]

Good Evening!

While not the busiest of Wednesday’s, an interesting one nonetheless. Good to see BK – Lars – Mike - Dan ‘n Doug stop by since my noon Post![tup]

So what have we had[?] URLs, conversation and some insight regarding those MoPac Pix I provided yesterday. All good stuff and all appreciated![tup]

For anyone who is paying attention to “details,” Al said he’d like his B’day Bash for April 18th from noon ‘til 4 PM (Pacific). So, for me that’s 2 to 6 PM – no problems! I’ll Post the revised “list” tomorrow . . . .

Last time a couple of us tried to organize a get together with you, Dan at the Midland was right around that illness you came down with. Perhaps we can try again – although I’m not about to visit out there in July/August – no way, no how![swg]

Thanx Lars ‘n BK for the E-mails – responses have been sent!

Our Rendezvous in Toronto can now be spoken in terms of “next month!” That surely sounds good to those of us heading up Rob’s way![tup]

As mentioned a time or two, we will discuss the 2nd Annual Rendezvous place & dates. I still have the E-mails sent to me some months ago by a couple of you regarding your recommendations. My hope is that we’ll come up with a primary ‘n secondary set of locations, then go with whichever will provide us the greater number of attendees.

Hey Doug I just realized that the Sox have fallen out of 1st place. I know for a fact they never were topped all of last season, and that “record’ probably goes back to the season before. Yes[?] Okay, so they dropped a series to the Indians – things could be worse, it could have meant something![swg]

So, Lars Two in a row for the Mets! Ya gotta believe![yeah]

Jays dropped one today – don’t despair, Rob it’s a loooooooooooong season!<groan>

While I’m a huge fan of the Pennsy GG-1s, I’d say the Alco Pas are my “next” favorite when it comes to motive power. Those are beautiful creations and when strung out in something like an A-B-A, they are sooooooooo sharp looking![tup

Doug It is evident that you “dig” these Wednesday Pike Perspective Days! The Lionel ‘stuff’ fits right in and for me, brings back many thoughts.

By the by, you may not believe this – BUT – I had those baseball cards for Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella – and the list goes on. I never put ‘em in the spokes of my bike wheels, BUT we used to ‘flip’ ‘em for “heads ‘n tails” in the school yard. I had about a half dozen cigar boxes full of those cards. When I joined the service in ’56 – they went the way of the trash collector. Arggggggggggh. Didn’t know of their fate until some years later . . . . similar story with my Lionel trains.<groan>


Leon the Night Man takes the bar at 9 PM (Central)!


Later (maybe)![tup]


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening gentlemen all,please excuse a couple of days absence but the combination of 9 hour stints mixing/barrowing/shovelling concrete ( including a lift up a flight of 12 steps,each with twelve inch risers,with a 5-gallon bucket in each hand-I feel like I could scratch the soles of my feet without bending..) and then 4 hours of band practice each evening has sent me to my bed rather earlier than is the norm.
So[4:-)][oX)]TOM-I`ll have a very cold one please,the brews of choice for the company and I will be offended if you don`t have one yourself-so there-![swg]
Right,as I`m way behind the curve here I`ll try and acknowledge everyone but dont be alarmed if the responses are out of time sync with the original comments....
Starting at the top of the list-The boss man-spot on with daily wisdom,also enjoying the funnies-with a public access forum I guess one can`t sail too close to the wind,but it is tempting sometimes......
Nice stuff on the MoPac-definately struck a chord with the house [^]-very sleek looking trains and a seriously cool paint-job [tup]-Screaming Eagle,now there`s a strong image-could just as easily be a straight-backed,steely-eyed Comanche Chief or a next-generation space shuttle...
Those F-unit`s look better detailed than some of the modern stuff I`ve got.
Expect "Editorial" type mail sometime soon (Missisnicks B/Day imminent so may be distracted).

CM3-Nice expansion on the MoPac theme-with all these `varnish heads` around the place,it`s good to have a fellow freighter aboard [swg]
As a fellow music lover I recommend you check out a girl named K.T.Tunstall-she does a track called " Black Horse & Cherry Tree"which I think you might like-might be on B.B.C. website,from a program called " Later,with Jules Holland".....Enjoy [^]

LARS-As above,nice extra texture on the MoPac steamers [tup] -Any kind of plan for the layout in mind or are you still just enjoying all that clear dry space ?

MIKE-A fine spread of URL`s there my man [^]-Finally get to see what Yogi looks like [tup]-That one you posted for CM3 was just dripping with atmosphere-excellent choice,MoPac also-what a pitch-first class.

ROB-Missed your pix on Sun.-loved the service cars and the baggage-motor [tup]-Glad you survived the 24-hr crash-diet program,these things can be brutal-have rarely been so grateful for iced water..............................
P.S-`My Kid`-You wouldn`t believe how close that is-very scary.

DOUG-Thoroughly enjoying the James Gang ( whose family I believe originally emigrated from Pembrokeshire )-R.E. jokes-Mother of child-An ex girl friends mother had just such an encounter,which her husband trotted out with relish at every family or social gathering -Lobsters-this one nearly caused me to drop my beer,-Brasilians-this nearly caused me to wet myself and am still giggling intermittently-best yet[tup][tup]

PETE-Glad you enjoyed the pix-Have fond memories of that M7,a very smooth running model for it`s day,although the malachite livery on #328 (it was moulded in that colour rather than painted) never looked right to me-too bright and obviously plastic-the olive #245 looked better but the B.R lined black one was the one I craved-back in the Hornby catalogue this year I believe.......hmm.
Suspect the choice of models available in the catalogue was dictated by the availability of preserved examples to take dimensions from.
Glad you enjoyed Rosslare detail-it wasn`t until after i`d posted it that it occured to me that you were probably the only one for whom it would make any real sense.
Stay tuned for V.o.R update -due to visit Easter Weekend with the in-laws-will document fully.

JOHN-Good luck with the studies-sleep when you can [swg] Give the wee fella a kiss from us

DAN-[#welcome] back-pull up a seat,Boris-fetch Dans glass over here and fill it up

BK-Hello again in passing.!!!-Sounds like life is treating you well,splendid-imagine that,with the turn of the seasons,you are about to see your newly adopted home at it`s best-enjoy [tup][tup]

Well,was going to do some Pikestuff but rather short on steam again-save it for next week.
Take care one and all,moonlight mile for me,all the best,nick [C=:-)]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon, since Nick's being so kind as to liquer us all up tonight I'll have a bottomless guiness please.

Tom I've found that wearing spf100 keeps me from melting into a pile of goo in the sunlight. [swg] Thank's for digging out those photo's of the old Globe models. When one considers exactly how old they are you marvel at the detail they had.

The fact that the ball season is so long , I don't get into it till june usually. By then the yanks are usually so far ahead that the season's a foregone conclusion. I've always thought shorter seson and more teams in the post seson is the way to go.

One month and 7 days (37) count em till the rendezvous [:D][yeah]
Mike Nice group of photo's in those url's, I hope everyone had a chance topuruse them. I espeacially enjoyed the old Great Western shots. Most of the time you find very few shots of the GWR, and when you do alot of people confuse them for British rail,mostly due to the roads name and the type of locomotives they had. The fct that their trackage was metre guage dosen't help in the determination of them either.

Doug Liked round two of the cows saga as well. Isn't it amazing at the money those old cars are worth. Think how many people like Tom lost or tossed their cars like that over the years. Makes me glad that I saved most of my hockey cards.

Nick Yes the enforced diet is so fun isn't it. At least I was spared the multiple week version of it.Glad you liked the My kid, figured it would stike a chord with you,made me howl anyway. As for the Brazillion's all I can say is sad but true and send me some depends. [:O]

BK & Lars Thank-you to both of you for advertising the shindig on the 12th. Glad to know that Tom has got a couple guys that have his back around here. The more the merrier I always say.

Dan I'm glad to here that you are trying to catch up on the commings and goings on around here. If it helps,I'll have Boris write up a multiple choice test for you once you're done[:0][:D]. No preasure mind you.[;)]

How many years of Thomas is this for the Midland[?] We are still trying to wirk out the details to run one at the HCRY, it's just a few logistical problems. Our track guage for one,we certainly have the facilities to run it,time will tell.

Well folks i think I'm done for the evening.

Rob

[siberianmo]

from: www.viarail.ca


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


THURSDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


Thursday is here! Time to enjoy a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board, a pastry of two from The Mentor Village Bakery, and some freshly ground and brewed coffee! What are you waiting for[?][tup]


Daily Wisdom

There’s always someone to take the slack out of a troublemaker’s rope [swg]


”Our” Place” ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION is Wednesday, April 12th!


Info for the Day:

Railroads from Yesteryear – Illinois Central arrives next Tuesday!

* Weekly Calendar:

TODAY: Fish ‘n Chips Nite!
Friday: Pizza Nite & Steak Nite!
Saturday: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and –
ENCORE! Saturday


This weekend will be a bit “different” in that I will be rather scarce . . . . so it will be up to all of you to keep this Thread going and at the top of the Forum page! I will provide the Summaries and perhaps a few ENCORE! pieces – but I’m not planning much more.


[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

Comedy Corner

Ten Lines To Make You Smile

1.. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.

2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.

3.. I Work Hard Because Millions On Welfare Depend on Me!

4.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.

5.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

6.. Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

7.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me

8.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

9.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.

10.. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are missing.


[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]


The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

NOW SHOWING:

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . 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).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . 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).



SUMMARY

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

(1) barndad Doug Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 05:08:54 (294) Pike Perspectives – Lionel, joke, etc.

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 05:19:35 (294) Wednesday’s Info & Summary

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 07:53:44 (294) Pike Perspectives – Lionel, etc.

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 08:50:45 (294) Acknowledgments, etc.

(5) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 10:14:42 (294) Inclusive Post, etc.

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 10:25:42 (294) Pike Perspectives

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 12:19:31 (294) reply to Rob & 2 Pix

(8) BudKarr BK Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 13:55:21 (294) The BK Report!

(9) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 14:24:17 (294) The Lars Report!

(10) wanswheel Mike Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 18:14:10 (294) URLs

(11) earlydiesels Dan Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 19:31:50 (294) 2 nites in a row!

(12) barndad Doug Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 19:41:54 (294) Lionel operating milk car, cont’d, joke & comments!

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 20:17:09 (294) Acknowledgments & Comments

(14) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 20:35:48 (295) Nick at Nite!

(15) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Apr 2006, 22:00:08 (295) Count Robulla’s NIte talk!



That’s it! [tup][;)]


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



THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[siberianmo]

Good Morning Gents!

Nice finish last nite with the Nick at Nite Epistle! followed by the “Noctural Niceties” from Count Robulla![tup][tup] Good reading and fine examples of what Inclusive Posts are all about. Some guys don’t get it and never will. Tsk, tsk!

Anyone interested in some background on the American train robber/folk hero – Jesse James – may want to check out this URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James

Nick Don’t see any tie to Wales, HOWEVER, I’d say it most probably makes sense![swg] The apples hardly ever fall very far from the tree, eh[?]<grin>

A touch of background for Sirs Nick ‘n Pete – Missouri was the “frontier” for quite awhile in U.S. history. When I first moved to these parts, Jesse James had been terrorizing banks and trains less than a hundred years previous. American Indian names and images were much more commonplace than today, and the symbol of this land – the Eagle – still is revered by many who frequent the river banks and high bluffs throughout the state. So it is only befitting that the railroad of Missouri – the MoPac – would carry on the “Eagle” name and so forth. A might fine road, that MoPac – and those beautiful blue “smoothsides” powered by a “string” of Alco’s or EMD’s surely were impressive.[tup]

Oh I see I ‘blew the score’ yesterday! The Mets LOST! Horror of horrors. The perfect season has been dashed . . . sorry, Lars! Surely thought I saw the final listed the “other way.”[swg]

Speaking of baseball, the Cards won a “squeeker” at Philly last night. They open up at the new downtown stadium next week, and those with tickets are prancing as if they have accomplished something. Whereas the other side is lamenting and calculating just how much they are willing to pay the “scalpers!” Not Moi, thank you very much! Watching it on the tube is just fine with us . . . . [swg]

Rob Received your Email yesterday and appreciate your offer to help out over the weekend . . . the idea is just to keep the flow moving forward. No need to spend a great deal of time here - check the Thread two or three times during the day and let it go at that! Thanx!![tup]


Nothing special planned for today, as I’m in the “preparation mode” for next week’s Gazette and our 1st Year Anniversary Celebration. Takes quite a bit of time to piece these things together. That’s part ‘n parcel why I’m “laying low” this weekend – we’re gonna be out for a good deal of Saturday, and I’m just a bit on the weary side with spending so much of my time at this stuff . . . .


Okay boyz, I’ll be behind the bar for the day!


Later![tup]


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[siberianmo]

[bday] 2006 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST [bday]
(rev. Apr 6th):

March 5th (Nick – 46)
March 13th (Doug – 50)
March 31st (Lars – 66)
April 18th (Al - 64) Next up! Bash: Noon to 4 PM (Pacific)
May 18th (Tom - 68)
May 27th (Dave - 47)
June 3rd (John) – 47)
June 24th (Dan) – 44)
July 30th (Russell – 35) Legion of the Lost
August 11th (Pete – 55
August 16th (Ted – 68)
September 8th (Rob - 35)
October 18th (BK – 66)
December 29th (CM3 – 60)


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


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



NOTE for all: Check the SUMMARIES!

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Just for Nick we'll play the Jim Kweskin Jug Band's version of "Washington at Valley Forge," followed by a tape of the late John Kiley at the organ in Fenway Park playing "Take Me out to the Ballgame" which is what I'm going to talk about today.

There are more than a few former major league players who live in this part of the world. I recall talking with one of them awhile back and in between stories abt. playing against the Braves (and beating Warren Spahn) in Boston, the talk came around to train travel.

I remember (as does our 'steamed proprietor as we have talked abt. this b4) when there were only 16 major league teams, and nobody played west of St. Louis (in either league - in fact there was an American League team IN St. Louis).

So I kicked off the dicussion with that and my goodness did the recollections flow. His memories revolved around an awful lot of travel on the Great Tuscan Father as he played for a National League team (Cardinals, in fact). The longest ride was going from St. Louis either to Boston or New York. Sometimes St. Louis-Boston tripes were on the NYC, and then they would move say from Boston to NY via the New Haven. You can look at a railroad map from the late 40s and early 50s and figure out how they got from place to place.

These were not chartered trains but usually were extra cars for the ball team that were added to a regular train. They did have their own diner, sometimes a lounge, a couple of sleepers, etc. Stars got better Pullman space, of course, along with the manager, medium-rank players rode in lowers and lesser players in uppers (thereby continuing the idea that the uppers were for lowers). Some of his other memories included never-ending card games and lots of talk. As he put it, "You really got to know your teammates."

The media have done some with this.

Awhile back HBO ran a wonderful 2-part series titled, IIRC, "When It Was a Game." In addition to soem childhood flashback inducing scenes of players I remember, there were several segments showing train travel, etc. for ball teams. One particularly evocative sequence was shot at North Philadelphia. Yankees en route west after playing the A's.

The movie, "The Natural," has some interesting segments of train travel (I know don't ask why the New York Knights were riding the Santa Fe); also there is a wonderful sequence of steam in that picture that looks like a Rockwell painting brought to life. Then there were some good vintage CB&Q shots in "A League of Their Own."

On the literary side, some of you may remember the character Nebraska Crane who appeared in several Thomas Wolfe novels. Crane was a boyhood friend of the protagonist who grew up and became a major leage ballplayer. There are several sections in the novels where he talks abt. the life of a ballplayer at that time and train travel.

Finally, there are several segments in the book Summer of '49 talking about the Red Sox traveling to New York via the NYNH&H to play the !@#$ Yankees.

Speaking of which kicks forward the story abt. the time Babe Ruth held Miller Huggins (the Yankees manager) upside down off the back of an open platform observation car (at speed) and threated to drop him unless Hug gave into one of the Babe's demands. The Babe was talked out of dropping Huggins off the train, but did get what was for the time a honking big fine. The Bambino was surely a candidate for anger management.

Well, enough for now. Have a good one.

Work safe

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Well, that's one fine dissertation on the connection between baseball and trains! Great "stuff" CM3[tup][tup][tup]

There are so many stories about the "Babe" and the "antics" attributed to him. Kinda like the "Yogi-isms" - they wind up having lives of their own, eh[?][swg]

Ah, the St. Louis Browns of the American League. Check these out:

Logo (1936-1950)



Logo (1951-1953)


and as baseball Aficionados know, they moved to Baltimore in 1954 and became the Orioles.

There are plenty of web sites "out there" with more info - you may wi***o check this one out: http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/stlouisbrowns/browns.html

I'm glad that being attentive to detail isn't restricted to just Moi![swg] Those comments on the Santa Fe and the New York Knights weren't lost on yours truly![swg]

Ya know, it's just THAT way, isn't it[?] I mean, when one KNOWS of something rather well - say as in whatever career you happen to be in - it's really easy to spot the mistakes and distortions put forth by Hollywood and the TV industry. Really easy. There aren't too many weeks that pass by where I'm not "finding" an error with regard to what I used to do for a living and spotting gross non-truths about my former organization (ships, planes, etc.). Many of these neophyte "reporters" still refer to Petty Officers as "officers" and call ships "boats," etc, ad nauseum![tdn] So, you can well imagine how much we all DO NOT catch as the frames zoom past . . . .

Thanx for a very interesting Post, and of course the round and quarters![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[trolleyboy]

Good morning Tom, I'll just pick up a quick lite breakfast and a coffee before I head on into work this afternoon.Intersting discussions so far on this day,baseball and trains.

Tom I find with movies now one just needs to put on blinders to the various and numerous miscues such as the train sequences you refered to.They do hire people to check for continuty etc but alot of the big companies pay money for their products to be seen,wheather they actually existed in the time and place of the movie,so if ATSF ponied up some dough.... I suppose enjoy it for the enetrtainment value ( if there is any )some movies lately have none [tdn]. BTW I loved a league of their own and the natural, and again I just ignored the obvious wrong background details. Not worth ulcerating over eh ?

The IC's a good choice for tuesday i think, i have an encore of two that will work for it as well as perhaps some new stuff [:D]

CM3 Nice dual talk this morning, classic baseball and classic trains. I think like most sports baseball has added way to many teams,less has always seemed better,better comopetition, better general quality of the players involved as well.Just my two bits anyway.Better yet if the legues were still small they might still travell by train. You see the stories of the old NHL when it was a six and even later a twelve team legue most of the travel was by train. At least VIA rail up here runs the odd passenger speacial still Toronto Montreal games are "hosted" by VIA once or twice a season,and if the scheduallers at the league are helpfull the teams will travel by the train as well,usually once in the 8 or 9 they play each other.

Rob

[trolleyboy]

Okay a quick new piece before I'm gone until this evening.

CLASSIC JUICE # 26 THE GREAT GORGE ROUTE

Niagara Falls Parks & River Railway

As with many municipalities in Canada and the United States Niagara Falls On & Ny owe theirherritage to railways, few will actually admit this or celebrate it now however.An irony for sure is that one of Canda'a shortest lived Railways has had the most written about ( books , videos ) and thanks to the Niagara Parksn Commission plaques for every scenic bit of it's line.This line is of coarse the Niagara falls great Gorge Route.

Like most things about Niagara Falls, there is an American and a Canadian side of it.The Great Gorge Route was no different in this.The Candain side was built first,incorporated in 1891 by E.B. Oesler of Toronto and R.B. Angus( CPR Angus Shops Fame ) of Montreal. Operations started up in 1893 and it was electrified right from the get go ( no supprise there given the location ). Within the first twp yeras it had carried half a million passengers in a single car ! Ferries from Buffalo landed at the Slater dock just south of Chippewa Ontario,from there the trolley cars met the passengers and bounced along the brink of the gorge to Queenston, where a spur carried them into town or up the escarpment to the Brock Monument and the Battle of Queenston Heights National Park.At queenston passengers could board a steamer for a trip out the Niagara River and on into Toronto.This route gave the passengers an amazing view of the Horseshoe falls, te American Falls and the Rapids.

The Americans didn't want to be left out of this tourism tour da force so in 1899 they built a mirror line on the American side of the Gorge,running from Lewiston NY to Niagara Falls Ny.Around the same time the Queenston-Lewiston Brige waas being completed and quickly both side completed the belt line accross the bridge linking the two Gorge routes.

In 1915, the worst accident ona Candain radial line ocured at Queenston.As a badley overcrowded car of Sunday Picnickers,began down the steeply inclined line from Brocks monument Park, the motorman tried to sand the rails infront of the car to help with the braking.To his shock and horror someone had forgotten to fill the cars sander. With no traction the car went out of control and jumped the tracks into the Niagara River, Fifteen passengers were killed about 100 injured ( car was built for 80 passengers ),luckily the companies steamer Chippawa was at the dock and it moved out into the river ti recue the drenched passengers, otherwise many more may have been killed.

Once the auto age hit, it devistated the Gorge route business ( Niagara Parkway was built above the ROW ). Between 1928-1932 the ridership plunged and the 1932 season was the Canadian sides last.The US side ran until 1935 when a massive landslide occurred and took out 200 feet of track and overhead.The repair cost out weighed the possible returns of pasengers so this line too was shut down. Thus ended the era of being able to ride along the Niagara Gorge and enjoy the view from open air streetcars.

Rob

[BudKarr]

Good Day Captain Tom and all assembled!

A round of cheer if you please and I will have a large mug of coffee with just a "splash" of something just to make it interesting, thank you.

I enjoyed the posting that Sir Coalminer put forth, which was expanded by Tom & Rob. So here we are, at a crossroads of opinion. Allow me to offer my thoughts on the errors rather commonplace in our movies, videos and news programming.

When I buy a ticket to a movie, I do not expect to be insulted by inaccuracies unless I know straight away that the presentation is a work of fiction, a comedy or something without any baseline prerequisite understanding. In other words, when viewing the enormously successful animated movies of the past several years, hardly anyone took issue with whether the Polar Express was a real train or simply something out of the imagination. However, when viewing a movie such as that awfully distorted assortment of edited film strips regarding the President of the U.S., then I am insulted. Not so much because of any political bent, but because I KNOW better.

When I view something that is clearly within the parameters of my line of expertise, and it is wrong - how does one put on "blinders" for that? No, I clearly disagree there - that is insulting and should not simply be waved off as "oh well, it is just the movies." Again, that latter attiude applies more to the group of movies and TV efforts previously mentioned rather than careless movie making and script.

Now, when the news media makes mistakes - and they do, quite often. They should NOT be forgiven UNLESS they retract the error in a prompt fashion. To do otherwise allows the mistake to survive and perhaps germinate in an unsuspecting mind.

Consider this: there are people who have huge responsibilities with their lines of employment and one mistake can cost not only money and material, but lives. A mistake on the launch pad - a mistake in the missile silo - a mistake on the operating table - a mistake when setting the swtich - a mistake in probable cause, and so forth. Society is not very forgiving in those instances. However, have a reporter use the incorrect term, call someone by a title either not theirs or improperly applied, cite an inaccuraacy as fact and so forth, and for some reason, forgiveness abounds along with tolerance. No sir, not from me. Not today, not tomorrow not ever. Get it right and keep it straight. If one is paid to do a job - then do it correctly. If all one has to do is read the "news," at least take the time to review it prior to air time. Make sure the "intern" or whoever prepared the "paper" has put something forth that agrees with common sense and fact. How many of these "reporters" do you think actually research anything they say on air beforehand?

Now that I have vented, I feel so much better![swg]

We have put off any departures until late next week, thereby "guaranteeing" my presence here for the 12th!

By the way, good reading from Sir Nick and Sir Rob!

BK

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Good cheer to Rob 'n BK - good to see the both of you this rainy day.

So, how do you REALLY feel, BK[?][swg] Hey! I happen to agree with everything you said AND the way you said it! Just got a kick out of the "emotion" of the moment.[swg]

These daytime Posts from Count Robulla could become confusing, eh[?] I mean, you nocturnal denizens of the dark can cause harm to yourselves while "zooming" around in daylight. Or at least so I've heard.<grin>

Not to worry - there's not a movie made that would or could cause me an ulcer. I'd walk out way B4 anything like that set in. I think there really is a distinct difference between a 'fun' flick and one made with a 'message.' The latter surely better be correct on facts, otherwise the message is a bogus as the messenger!

So, tell me Rob just how many passengers do you think VIA Rail is hauling to Montreal for the EXPOS games these daze[?][swg] . . . . . Just yanking your chain over the comment you made. I know what you meant. Anyway, trains and sports teams - must've been quite the era. The players of today wouldn't know what to do with all that time on their hands. Wonder if the guys spend as much time together as they did "back when"[?] I'm sure they do this 'n that while away and waiting to head off to the stadium. But years back they spent time playing cards in the club cars, had lots of down time to get to know one another - and the press corps as well. Lots of changes along the way. Ah, progress . . . . .

BK That's good news about the confirmation for the 12th![tup]

Thanx for the rounds![tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Those who have been around this bar for awhile know that I'm a huge fan of RDCs. As Lars "Loves Domes" - and Al is "passenger fan" - I'm the RDC guy.[yeah]

I found a couple of sites with some fantastic RDC shots from BC Rail days. Both owners of the Pix provided their consent for me to Post their work on this Thread. So, here's a teaser or two of what may wind up on a Sunday Photo Posting Day!

BC Rail: RDCs cross Pine River Trestle.(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)


BC Rail Cariboo Prospector at Anderson and Seton Lakes (courtesy: Chris Guenzler/trainweb.com)


These Pix bring back some wonderful memories of our round trip from N. Vancouver to Lillooet, BC several years ago. A fantastic journey and a bittersweet realization that those days are now long gone. RIP BCRail and RDCs![tup][tup][tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and gents! I'll have the usual, as usual, and buy a round for the house. Got a couple of Michigan quaters for the coal scuttle as well!

Never knew about the scenic train at Niagra ... thanks for the article Rob.

Nice RDC pix Mr. Tom, but it's no fair posting the Jesse James stuff until the series is done ... so here it is:

The True Story of Jesse James, Train Robber Sep 1932 Railroad Stories

Harry Thomas, rear brakeman, yanked he cord that controlled the automatic air-brakes, stopping the train. He knew that the further they went from the station the further they would be from help. But Jesse James was prepared for that emergency. The gang separated immediately, some going up to the engine, others in the express car. “What the hell are you stopping for?” demanded on of the brigands, pressing a revolver against the forehead of Engineer Walcott. “Keep on going!” “I can’t,” was the reply. “Somebody pulled the air on me.”

The robber fired, his bullet barely missing Walcott’s head. Meanwhile, the fireman had jumped out of the gangway. Walcott, being quick-witted, picked up the only lantern in the cab, which was hanging over the steam and water gages, and tossed it out, at the same time leaping out onto the running board. Then he extinguished the headlight, plunging the whole scene into darkness. The bandits cursed furiously.

Someone in the cab, however, knew how to run an engine – probably Jesse James himself – for after waiting until the air had seeped out of the brake pipes he applied steam, starting the locomotive again. While all this was going on, the men in the baggage car were holding up Charles Murray, The U.S. Express messenger, and Frank Stamper, baggageman. They fired twice, but both shots spattered harmlessly into the baggage. At that moment another fusillade was heard in the smoker, and the bandits rushed out shouting. “Shoot him! Shoot him!”

Murray shut and barred the rear door. He leaned out the side door to see if Walcott were still in control on the engine, dodging bullets as he looked. Then he slammed it shut, just as several man burst into the front door with a hail of lead. The intruders forced him to open the safe, in which was found only about $600 in currency and a non-negotiable $1,000 bond. Enraged, the robbers demanded: “Where’s the rest?” The express messenger responded : “There is no more, except these silver bricks, which are too heavy for you to carry away.”

But the leader was insistent. “We got control of this train, an’ I want the rest of that money of I’ll plug you full of holes. Ain’t you got any more?” “Can’t you take my word for it?” Murray answered desperately. “There isn’t a nickel in the car except silver bullion.” Finally the bandits were convinced and filed out, one of them cracking the messenger on the head with his pistol as a token of disappointment. Then the whole gang jumped off the train, and the darkness swallowed them up. After that Walcott again took charge of the engine. He ran his train on to a sidetrack, where he waited for the westbound passenger train, which later picked up the bodies of the two murdered men and took them to a station at Cameron.

The next train holdup by the James outfit occurred at Blue Cut, Mo., on September 7, 1881. This time a Chicago & Alton express was robbed by Frank and Jesse, Wood and Clarence Hite, *** Liddil and Charles Ford. Several thousand dollars in booty was taken without bloodshed. It was Jesse Jame’s last train robbery.

No Chicago, Burlington & Quincy train was ever held up by the James boys because that road – which had a line going through Kearney, Mo. – is said to have given the mother of Jesse and Frank an annual pass over the C.B.&Q. as a safety-first measure. Meanwhile, Jesse had married under the name of Thomas Howard and now had a son, Jesse, Jr. The family moved to St. Joseph, Mo. As a protective measure Jesse chose a house located on a hill, commanding a good view of the neighborhood. He posed as a railroad man out of work.

Early in 1882 his cousin, Wood Hite – who had taken part in the train robberies at Glendale, Winston and Blue Cut – quarreled with *** Liddil and Bob Ford (brother of Charles). Wood was killed, wrapped in a horse blanket and buried in a shallow grave. Liddil surrendered to the police and signed a long confession, implicating the gang. So did Clarence Hite.

On April 3, 1882, five days after the signing of Liddil’s confession, Jesse James, now 34 years old, was shot dead in his own home. The Ford brothers had been visiting Jesse, who said: “It\s awfully hot today,” then pulled off his coat and vest and tossed them on the bed. “I’ll take off my pistols, too. Somebody might see them if I walk in the yard.”

After Jesse had unbuckled his belt in which he carried two 45-calibre revolvers, laying them on the bed, he turned to dust a picture on the wall. The brothers drew their guns, Bob was the quicker of the two; his bullet pierced the skull of their host. Even in that motion, quick as it was, the click did not escape the keen ears of the hunted man. He turned – a fraction of a second too late – and died without a word in the arms of his wife, who rushed in just as the assassins were making their way out of the rear of the house.

The neighbors swarmed into the scene of the tragedy, the hapless widow, with Jesse, Jr., clinging to her skirts, refused at first to admit it was the bandit leader who had been killed. “No, no!” she sobbed. “It’s not Jesse James! It’s my husband, Tom Howard!” The little fellow burst out pathetically: “It’s not Jesse James, it’s pa!” not knowing his father’s real name.

The body was taken back to the old farm at Kearney on a special train which was furnished – perhaps not reluctantly – by Rock Island officials who retained a vivid memory of the holdup at Winston a few months before. Jesse James was buried under a coffee-bean tree. The grave was dug 7 feet deep and filled with rocks, for fear of ghouls. Twenty years later the body was exhumed, the skull was found with Bob Ford’s bullet hole, and a second burial was made in the local cemetery at Kearney.

Bob and Charlie Ford were tried and convicted of the murder of Jesse James but were pardoned immediately by the Governor of Missouri.

Although they had hoped to share the huge reward, they got only a few hundred dollars of it. Charlie Ford committed suicide shortly afterward. In 1829 Bob was slain in a row over a woman. The man who shot him was killed later in a gun fight in Texas.

Frank James was never captured. He surrendered voluntarily, shortly after his brother’s death. A sensational trial resulted in acquittal; apparently the jurors were taking no chances. The Frank decided to “go straight,” and was a respectable citizen when he died in 1915 at the old homestead in Kearney, which is today a museum.

Incidentally, the Rock Island station at Winston, Mo. – under the curse of Jesse James since 1881 – is about to be deserted in the year 1932. Because of decreased revenue, application was made recently for permission to abandon it. If the wraith of the bandit chief still haunts the scene of his bloodiest train robbery, the news may give him a grim sense of satisfaction.

>> There ..it's done << next!

[:I] A lady gynecologist, was concern that she was be being lied to every time she took her car in to have it worked on, because she knew very little about cars, she heard the local college was having classes in auto repair. She figured this would help her and signed up for the class, she study very hard and was one of the best students, the final exam came and she past with a 150 percent. When she got her grade she couldn't figure it out, so she called her professor, he told her, he gave her 50 percent for passing the written test, 50 percent for taking the engine apart and putting back together, and another 50 percent for doing it thru the muffler. [:I]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Nice fini***o the JJ Story Doug! Not quite sure what you meant by "no fair" . . . . perhaps you got your fingers stuck between the keys and couldn't fini***he thought![swg]

Heard that joke B4 - same effect.<snicker>

Nick For some reason I must not have caught that comment you made regarding "Missinick's" B'day - so of course, day greetings (whenever the day!)[tup] Work on the Gazette continues and I expect it all to be finished B4 Monday. So, don't worry about any "pending stuff" - you've provided some really great material - thanx![tup]

Those RDC Pix are just "teasers," as the others are every bit as good. Some great senery shots too. For anyone who has taken that trip, these will surely bring back some good thoughts (I hope). For those who haven't, these Pix keep alive that which is now gone, gone, gone.

Doug - Thanx for the round and quarters for Coal Scuttle[tup]

Leon the Night Man takes the bar at 9 PM (Central)!

Later (maybe)!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[nickinwestwales]

Hi guys,looks like topics of the day are baseball,Hollywood & U.S politics-3 topics on which I`m either unqualified or unwilling to speak,therefore I shall,as ever,plough my own furrow ( no Cindy,I`m not talking dirty to you )---[4:-)][oX)]TOM-As we seem to be a select gathering tonight,break out the special rum and a few glasses and lets toast our toes around the fire.
Right,last night I made it to the end of `acknowledgments` but by the time I got to `Pikes Perspectives` my arms had gone dead and I was typing with my nose-therefore I shall carry on where I left off,Boris will go and prepare a big platter of DOUGS butterfly prawns as an appetiser and when I`ve finished I`ll go and cook us all a Chinese for supper-make a change from fish and chips....
O.K-Well those old catalogue pix took me off on a walk down memory lane-my first `proper` layout ( as opposed to layouts assembled on the first day of the summer holidays,on the bedroom carpet,and still there 6 weeks later ..)
This one was a take on Seaton in Devon-a small branch terminus owned by the Southern Railway ( At risk of stating the obvious,branch line modelling is a Brit `thing`-We had lots of them to choose from as prototypes and as most of them were served by fairly short trains <tiny by U.S. standards>they can be "selectively compressed"-usually in terms of length,the least visible dimension from normal viewing perspectives,without losing the sense of the original )
Seaton was as good a choice as any,a 5 turnout formation put it within a youthful budget ( platform track with an escape track,an engine shed on the stub of the escape behind the crossover,a bay road( also used for freight ) and a goods siding.
This,backed by a 3-track staging yard was built on a 9`x1` board-the principal compromise being length,the original could accomodate 8 `65 coaches in the run-round,mine could only take three.
The principal spur for the building was an article in the Sept `72 "Railway Modeller" (Brit version of M.R.) entitled "Ashleigh,a branch line terminus in a week" in which the buider (Ian Futers,a well respected man over here) put together a fully decorated 4`6"x 1`mini terminus with interchangeable buidings,signals and stock in a half-term break from teaching.
The seed was sown...........
The layout was operated with 3 locos initially-the 0-4-0 industrial tank worked the daily goods,the M7 0-4-4 tank (prototypically) shuttled a coach to the junction and back (should have been a 2 car push-pull set) and an H.0. scale Playcraft model of a North Briti***ype 2 diesel ran in and out with any three from five matching coaches
It was far from realistic,but gave much pleasure for several years ( the next two aquisitions were `Flying Scotsman` in B.R.green with 3 Pullmans and a Metro-Cammell 3-car diesel Pullman set-gifts from a neighbour with no interest)-these rather blew the illusion-well I wasn`t going to leave them in the boxes was I ?
34 years later and here we all are...........
Right,lets get some food on the go before I lose the plot completely...
How about:-Beef & green peppers in black bean sauce,Chicken chow mein,sweet & sour Pork balls,mixed mushroom chop suey,vegetable spring rolls,Singapore rice,egg-fried rice and prawn crackers,and( I have to do this) pancakes,cucumber,spring onion,hoi-sin sauce and of course <drumroll> PEEKING DUCK !!
I think it`s probably time for me to go out to the galley-I think I can hear Boris singing,rarely a good sign
Well I`d better feed Herr Wurlitzer before I go,an eclectic mix-Vertigo by U2,T-Bone shuffle ( the original ) Eight miles high ,Black horse & cherry tree by K.T.Tunstall and I can see for miles by The Who-after that it just gets silly,take care chaps,nick [C=:-)]

[Anonymous]

Good evening again Leon and friends. I'll have a quick shot of whatever is closest to me, and some of Nick's Doug's-butterfly prawns! I am honored indeed. I want to leave my morning post with ya'll now, as I really need to be off to work as soon as I wake. I've also got my locomotive and historical society meeting in the evening, so you won't be seeing me ... so here's a humble offering to make ammends:

The Rebel January 1937 Railroad Stories

Photo by T.A. Gay, Brooklyn, N.Y.


To many railroad men The Rebel is known as the world’s slowest Streamlined train – which is probably true, for she takes better than fourteen hours to cover the 488-mile run between Jackson Tenn., and New Orleans. But railroad men who know their stuff don’t allow such a statement to represent their serious opinion of the train. They understand that The Rebel may make as many as 55 stops in those 488 miles, and they realize also that this train is making passenger business pat under conditions which would have forced many a big and ”efficient” railroad to give up the game as not being worth the trouble.

The idea behind The Rebel dates back several years ago, when the management of the Gulf, Mobile & Northern decided that if it couldn’t make money hauling passengers in ordinary standard equipment at high rates, the only thing to do was to haul them in extraordinary equipment at lower rates. So management pulled off its steam passenger trains and adopted gas-electric motor cars that could be operated for 35 cents a mile; and when it discovered that people couldn’t afford to pay 3.6 cents a mile to ride in the day coaches, it took the lead in reducing fares to two cents.

Then, early in 1935, the G.M&N. officials looked around for new equipment to make the overnight run between Jackson and New Orleans. The result of that looking around was the streamlined Diesel-electric train now known as The Rebel, built by the American Car & Foundry Co. Unlike most streamlined units, especially those of the Diesel-electric’s variety, this train was not articulated, but consisted of two-trucked cars, which could be coupled into or uncoupled from the other cars at will. The reason for this divergence was based not so much on a distrust of articulation as on the fact that conditions under which the train was designed to be operated called for such construction.

Between Jackson, Tenn., and Jackson, Miss., only three cars are used – the motive-power unit, a day coach, and the combination sleeper and observation car. Early in the morning the southbound train picks up the extra day coach and carries it on to New Orleans and thus accommodates Mississippians who want to go to town for the day; coming back in the evening, it sets the car out again at Jackson. Thus each of the two trains consists of three cars, with the spare used jointly.

Accommodating nearly 100 people, the three-car train weighs about 364,000 pounds, of which 175,000 pounds is represented by the motive-power unit. With the fourth car attached, she weighs 95,000 pounds more and takes 71 more passengers. And while the ratio of weight of train to the weight of the locomotive does not show any great advantages over modern steam power, lower operating costs are calculated to more then offset the high initial cost.

More important than cost, however, is the problem of getting people to ride the rails again; and this The Rebel has done to the entire satisfaction of the men who conceived her. Since the nature of her service with its many stops precluded an average speed higher than that of a modern automobile, it was necessary to offer something a Southern traveler couldn’t get in his automobile or in a bus. That something was comfort and style.

Style was built into the train. The American Car & Foundry hired the noted streamline designer, Otto Kuhler, to design her exterior, and the result was the most modern-looking train in the country. A broad band of Chinese red envelops her at window level, and the roof and the rest of the sides are of aluminum color, with the skirting a darker gray. The anti-climbers, on what might be called the cow-catcher, form an integral part of the design, giving an appearance of swiftness. Even when the train is standing still she looks as though running a mile a minute.

A corner of the Observation Coach


The interior is no less smart and modern, with individual chairs in the coaches, indirect lighting, built-in a***rays, ivory and pastel tones, henna upholstery, and even re embossed antique leather in the “Jim Crow” section. Incidentally, space is saved by doing away with the usual vestibule at the end of each car, and instead, there is an entrance on the side.

With air-conditioning, scientifically designed seats, and the latest in sleeping accommodations, it’s hard to find any kind of passenger transport which can claim to be more comfortable the The Rebel. Her walls have been insulated, and her track have been cushioned in rubber, so that even the click of the widest rail joint is inaudible. But the most necessary part of all the comfort, especially to a Southerner, is service. To see to it that service was given; to make the casual traveler feel he was having the time of his life and to make the professional traveler feel that here was something different, the Gulf, Mobile & Northern hired five girls to act as hostesses.

These girls were the first ones ever to work aboard a train. Chosen for their ability to mix with people without making themselves nuisances, they have transformed the impersonal atmosphere of the old-time accommodation train into one of friendliness and cooperation. Like the Union Pacific after it, the G.M.&N. has discovered that people feel better, act better – never have the trains been so tidy! – and think better of the railroad because of these young ladies.

One of the hostesses retailed the first new railroad joke we’ve heard in years. It concerned the young Mississippian who, watching the Rebel whiz by in one of her speedy moments, said “That’s the first time I ever seen both ends of the train at the same time!” All of which sounds swell, you say, but why the name The Rebel? A lot of other people asked the same question, and some of them figuratively started to fight the War Between the States all over again when they heard of it. To them President I.B. Tigrett hastened to explain that the only rebellion implied was the revolution against traditional methods. “These two trains,” he declared, “will be called The Rebel, significant of our effort to conquer and improve conditions. We are hoping to have the general approval of the people in out territory.”

Well, if increased passenger revenues are an indication, his hope has been fulfilled.

The parlor-observation end of The Rebel is streamlined, too


[:I] Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!" So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one. Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!" The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck and along comes St. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman. The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps. She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on ... very tall, long eyelashes, muscular, and thin. St. Peter chains them together without saying a word. The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?" The guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!" [:I]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon,well well that's quite a spread sir Nick has whipped up for us this evening so I'm going to have to have the sampler,I do have a weekness for good Chinease food.[:p][:D]

Doug I've totally enjoyed the JJ and the Rebel articles thank-you.[^]If you are interested the Gorge route has one well done book out there about it right now. It's called The Great Gorge Route,published somewhere around Buffalo,can't remember the author at the moment. It is still in print however.The Niagara Falls Railway Musuem does sell it, we have carried it at our musuem as well,it is a good read.

Tom The Expos,hmmm never much liked them,as a rule I don't watch National league games anyway so even when they were still in Montreal I didn't watch the games when they were on the tube.I did however usually grab tickets for them when they started playing their once a summer series in Toronto.To me baseball is a sport best watched in person,I find that on TV it tends to be a tad dry,likely cause I'm I died in the wool ice hockey guy.I have a feeling that VIA never sold many tickets for expos fans any as most of them were quite good at dressing up as empty seats the last few years if you know what I mean. To comment on the other thought you had, I would say that for the most part pro players no matter the sport likely dissapear home as soon as the games or practices are over,there isn't the same camraderie as there was in the past. Too much cash I would say.

BK Like Tom said tell me how you really feel. <grin> Actually your points are well taken,in fact with so much senceless drivel comming out of hollyweird anyway my wife and I tend to not go to the show very often. I have litterally walked out in the middle of a couple of movies,and actualli if one is calm but upset in your dealings with the local mgmt we have gotten not arefund but free passes to another movie later on. One place I do aggree with you is though,some of the cable news companies just drive me around the bend anymore,talk about some senceless TV.[tdn] I find that very rarly do they appologise for their miscues either, instead they move onto the next big story and sweep their booboo's under the rug.Give me a newspaper anyday,at least if they mess up the next edition generally has an apolpgy and a retraction in it. Glad to hear you will indeed be with us on the 12th. I myself will be in in the evening after 6pm my time. I was unable to wiggle out of work,however I do intend to make up for it in the evning so hopefully some of us will still be around at the time.


Nick Birthday felicitations of coarse to missNick. You have my intrest peeked though,why all the concrete[?] I hope that it's not an arguement with an "ex -band member "If it is Vito's rubbed off on you waaaaay to much.[:0][B)][xx(]
Rob

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the Bathams and a round please.(Wot no fish and chips).

Another great couple of days at Our Place[tup][tup][tup]. and really good to see DAN back.

ROB Some great Classic Juices on the Hamilton Radial and the Niagara Falls. If the falls railway was open today it would be a great tourist attraction. Your comment on the factories that have disappeared under shopping malls and entertainment complexes is so right in the UK as well, my factory in England as lost half the area to them.[:(].

DOUG Thanks for the Jesse James installment and the Pikes on the Lionel Dairy car it certainly got the memories of CM3 and TOM. Hopefully I may get the chance to see one in action it sounds a novel experience. The MP 4-8-4s must have been a wonderful sight hauling a long frieght where the line runs along the Missouri.

MIKE Great links again [tup]. That are great photos of Central Vermont and Hamilton stations .What a lovely loco the GWR # 82 is and the MP list of photos is one to return to many times. I thought the rhyme to go with the missing link very good. [:)].

LARS Shame about Chris and Russell but you done a great job to make the 12th a success[bow]. Glad you will be there too BK.

NICK As you say Seaton is a great place to model, with even the through coach off the Atlantic Coast Express and the NB Type 2 would look very much at home. The malachite livery always seems to cause some discussion, I know when the Southern Railway #850 Lord Nelson was restored to running order is was turned out in that livery and seemed quite bright. I know there was a lot of letters in the railway press about it from people who could remember locos in that livery. The loco is due out again very soon and it will be interesting to see what livery.(Brunswick Green I hope.)
Talking of M7s 0-4-4 tanks have you heard of a TV programme that was on for a short while, it must have been the late 50s or early 60s in black and white. I have only vague recollections but the programme was based around the Hawkhurst? branch and the M7s were working Push-Pull trains. I cant remember what the story line was and I dont think there were many episodes. I must admit the class look supurb in lined BR black especially when clean [^].

Great baseball and trains CM3 andTOM. There must be some good tales of when the railroads worked some specials for the away fans in the days before major air travel. In England on F.A.Cup Final Day (Soccer) in steam days if it was northern teams in the final the railfans would gather early a the 'Birdcage' bridge, where the Great Central passed over the LMS at Rugby to watch the procession of often rare steam locos.
Then home to watch the match on TV as it was about the only match shown live back then.

TOM I have sent an e-mail it may not seem so but the pics were taken before I went to Pat's.Many thanks for Jesse James info and the links [tup]. PETE.

[trolleyboy]

Good evening again folks.
Tom I just had to say to that I like those couple of RDC shots,something to look forward to on sunday for sure !Okay another short new piece for the children gathered around the roaring fireplace. Okay it's just Boris and Tex but they count as children I'm sure.

CLASSIC STEAM #21 THE HUNTSVILLE & LAKE OF BAYS RY

A true shortline

This is a story of a true shortline, not one in the sence of today's modern railroading. The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway was only slightly over a mile and a third in length.Yet it was a very important transportation link in the Muskoka regions early developement.

It began when a Muskoka sawmill operator named George Marsh entered the steamboat business and aquired a charter to provide steamer service to Penninsula Lake and Lake of Bays. The railroads had arrived in Muskoka with lines through Huntsville and Gravenhurst almost two decades earlier, the entire Muskoka region was quickley developing into a booming resort area. ( which it still is today )Grand hotels were springing up all over and around the numerous pine forested lakes of the Muskoka region. The only way to reach most of these in the pre-auto years was by train and steamboat.

While the Muskoka lakes lay right on the mainline of the Grand trunk,the Lake of Bays,which was one of the regions most stunnung locations was well beyond the reach of the GT's rails. One propposal to reach this area was by the Bracebridge and Trading Lake railway, which was an on again off again economic nightmare. Marsh was working on a plan to build a railway over the height of land that seperated Penninsula Lake and the Lake of Bays. Althouhg this land bridge was only a mile and a half long it preesnted the challengeof a height difference between the two lakes of 165' over the mile.A canal was out of thequestion as this of coarse is Candain sheild type rock ! So his idea was to build a portage railway between his two steamer warfs would be the cheapest and easiest proposition.

In 1895 Marsh was granted his charter to build the railway. In 1900 he started the building of his new railway which he named the Huntsville and Lake of Bays railway. His first thought was to electrify it and build it stabdard guage. There was no ready sorce of electricity,so they went with a steam powered railway built to a narrow 3 and ahalf foot guage instead.This odd size was picked because it matched the wiidth of the locomotives he had for the railway.Small 0-4-0 saddle engines.In 1904 the line was finished and Marsh rode the first train a couple months before he died.

In the early yeasr, the HLB provided the only means of moving people and supplies to the lakeside resorts. In later years once cars and busses and trucks became available they were used instead of the steamers.The train trip became an excursion rather tahn a needed journey. Tourists would travel to Huntsville on CNR's Muskoka express,stopping first at Gravenhurst warf,and then onto the station warf in Huntsville.Here the steamer Algonquin picked them up and carried them to Fairy Lake and then through the canal to Penninsula Lake and to the railways North portage terminus.Passengers would then get on board one of the HLB's two wooden passenger cars for the short bouncy journey to the South Portage on the Lake of Bays. It was not unusual for a heavily loaded train commin gout of the North Portage to not make it up the steep grade on the first try,so they'ed back down to the switchback and have a second go at it ! If trip two didn't work passengers were given the option of walking !

In 1947 the original saddle tank locomotives, were nearing the end of their own line and were sold to an American collector, and replaced with newer ones. These yeasr also marked the improved road and car days so alot of Muskoka tourists began to drive to the resorts.The grand resorts were also beginnuin got be bulldozed in favour of private cottages which now ring the Muskoka lakes. In 1952 the lake steamers were mostly retired so the HLB ran as a novelty tourist line.In 1960 the line was shut down and the equipment was sold to Pinafore Park in St Thomas where it ran for many years as a summer kiddy ride.In the early 90's part of the line near Huntsville has been reactivated as part of the Huntsville Pioneer villiage, the locomotives wree reaquired from the Park and they now offer short rides upto the first portage and back a five minute or so ride. Neat little engine house and two small armstrong turntables at either end turn the trains.


Rob

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a cap of night

Nick, here's the Leadbelly original http://www.jazz-on-line.com/ram/CAP398-3A.ram Rock Island Line

Thanks Pete, here's 3 plates of spaGetty
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=3324372&cdi=0 England
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=3324373&cdi=0
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/details_pop.aspx?iid=3329758&cdi=0

Rob, my post here is kind of your fault if it's too gruesome, you inspired me.

CM3, poor Miller Huggins couldn't live long like that.

"One of the greatest players of the 1890s, Ed Delahanty never played on a first-place team. He led his league in slugging five times, RBI three times, homers twice, doubles five times, and steals once. He was an offensive superstar and once belted four home runs in a game, but his death stamped tragedy on his legacy. In July 1903, while with the Senators and carrying a .333 average, Big Ed (or Del, as he was more frequently known) came unglued. Overwhelmed by marital and financial problems, the star outfielder decided to leave the team and visit his estranged wife. Boarding a train from Chicago to New York (through Detroit) on July 2, he visited the bar car and had a few too many drinks. When they reached Canadian territory, the conductor ordered the drunken ballplayer off the train. As the train sped away from him, Delahanty ran after it, tripped, and fell through the tracks into Niagara River. His disfigured body was found a week later downstream after having suffered the plunge of Niagara Falls." http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/delahed01.php

"IN THE NEWS : Carrying the Cubs from St. Louis, the Pennsylvania Railroad sets a speed record, covering the 191 miles from Columbus, OH, to Pittsburgh in 215 minutes. Arriving in time for the game, the Cubs win, 4–1."
MAY 29, 1911 www.baseballlibrary.com

"IN THE NEWS: The Federal Express of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad, carrying the St. Louis Cardinals to Boston, plunges down an 18-foot embankment outside Bridgeport, CT, killing 14 passengers. The team's Pullmans were originally just behind the baggage coaches near the front. When noise prevented the players from sleeping, manager Bresnahan requested the car be changed. The day coach that replaced the players' car was crushed and splintered. The players help remove bodies and rescue the injured, then board a special train to Boston, where the day's game is postponed. The railroad pays each player $25 for his rescue work and for lost belongings. JULY 11, 1911 www.baseballlibrary.com

From "The Life of The Pullman Porter" by Styewart H. Holbrook

"Porters appear to have different and strongly help opinions about tipping, but seem in agreement on certain things. For instance: They can usually gauge a man's tip before they get it. Of women travellers they can tell nothing at all until the tip is in hand. The ladies are highly erratic tippers; on the whole they tip better than men, and often give tips that are all out of proportion to the service rendered. All foreigners are poor tippers, the Engli***he worst of the lot. New England natives haven't a very high reputation for tips, although regular trippers on the New Haven are said to be consistent tippers and the amount adds up well in a year. Prosperous show folk are excellent tippers and they also demand more attention than anyone else. The late George Cohan http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/guide/mu037001.jpg was a legendary tipper. So is Jack Dempsey, http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics42/00055867.jpg the ex-fighter. The late Calvin Coolidge http://virtuallymissouri.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=0f8319b4825b5d08bbdaaff36ac21721;g=vm;q1=railroad;rgn1=mercic_all;size=20;c=mercic;lasttype=boolean;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;subview=detail;cc=mercic;entryid=x-303;viewid=GDGPS0285.JPG;start=1;resnum=14
was a consistant tipper, and his tip never varied. It was always fifteen cents.

More than one porter has been remembered in the will of some much-traveled man. Diamond Jim Brady http://www.urologichistory.museum/museum/content/collections/uropeople/brady/p1.cfm left $2,500 to a favorite porter. A wealthy Chicagoan left $3,000 for the purpose of putting the son of a porter through medical college. Not long ago a group of hollywood people chipped in to buy their favorite Pullman maid a colossal automobile.
Possible the pet aversions of all Pullman porters are professional baseball players, most of whom, so one intelligent porter has said, are vulgar and uncouth youths. "They tear up the linen," he relates, "destroy pillows in their adolescent horseplay, and abuse every piece of equipment aboard. Cattle cars would be too good for a majority of professional baseball players."
http://www.scsra.org/library/porter.html

http://www.shutterfreaks.com/gallery/album330/DSC_0526_Ebbets_Field_Train All dressed up and nowhere to go
http://www.shutterfreaks.com/gallery/album182/DSCF0068_First_base_line 1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11111
Mike

[trolleyboy]

Hey Pete, good to see you in again this evening.[tup] I was a bit supprised to not see any fish and chips myself , but the chinese buffet was wonderfull,except for the Peeking Duck ( kept popping up out of the pot to look a me ) [:O]

Don't get me started on all the herritage buildings , factiories and rail related that have been buldozed in my home town over the years,it's truly a crying shame.What miffs me the most is that in most cities in Ontario, nice old historic stone or brick factory buildings which are "retired" from being factories have in many cases been gutted cleaned up and made into l;ofts and condos. But not in my hometown, most of the nice old buildings are gone, sad to go back and see what was.

Rob

[siberianmo]

from: www.viarail.ca


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


FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


The end of the week, already[?] Time to enjoy a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board, a pastry of two from The Mentor Village Bakery, and some freshly ground and brewed coffee! What are you waiting for[?][tup]


Daily Wisdom

When you beat a man at his own game, you’ve had all the revenge you need – unless you’re a hog.[swg]


”Our” Place” ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION is Wednesday, April 12th!


Info for the Day:

Railroads from Yesteryear – Illinois Central arrives next Tuesday!

* Weekly Calendar:

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


This weekend will be a bit “different” in that I will be rather scarce . . . . so it will be up to all of you to keep this Thread going and at the top of the Forum page! I will provide the Summaries and perhaps a few ENCORE! pieces – but I’m not planning much more.


[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

Comedy Corner

Yarns from the Barn
(from barndad Doug’s Posts)


[:I] A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a Sheriff's Deputy. He thinks that he is smarter than the Deputy because he is sure that he has a better education. He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the deputy's expense.
Deputy says, "License and registration, please."
Lawyer says, "What for?"
Deputy says, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign .."
Lawyer says, "I slowed down, and no one was coming."
Deputy says, "You still didn't come to a complete stop. License and registration, please."
Lawyer says, "What's the difference?"
Deputy says, "The difference is, you have to come to a complete stop, that's the law. License and registration, please!"
Lawyer says, "If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I'll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket, if not you let me go and no ticket."
Deputy says, "Exit your vehicle, sir."
At this point, the deputy takes out his nightstick and starts beating the ever-loving crap out of the lawyer and says, "Do you want me to stop or just slow down?" [:I]


[:I] On Friendship between women:
A woman didn't come home one night. The next day she told her husband that she had slept over at a friend's house. The man called his wife's 10 best friends. None of them knew about it.


On Friendship between men:
A man didn't come home one night. The next day he told his wife that he had slept over at a friend's house. The woman called her husband's 10 best friends. Eight of them confirmed that yes, he had slept over and two claimed that he was still there. [:I]



[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]


The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

NOW SHOWING:

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . 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).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . 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).



SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 05:20:51 (295) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 08:07:43 (295) Acknowledgments, etc.

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 08:28:46 (295) B’day Watch List!

(4) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 08:59:32 (295) Baseball & trains!

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 10:22:41 (295) reply to CM3, etc.

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 11:07:17 (295) Baseball, movies, & trains, etc.

(7) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 11:43:34 (295) Classic Juice #26 – The Great Gorge Route

(8) BudKarr BK Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 12:37:41 (295) The BK Report!

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 15:20:43 (295) Acknowledgments & Comments

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 18:41:58 (295) 2 Pix – BC Rail RDCs

(11) barndad Doug Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 18:43:03 (295) Barndad’s Yarn – final Jesse James & Joke, etc.

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 19:08:08 (295) reply to Doug, etc.

(13) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 19:52:44 (295) Nick at Nite!

(14) barndad Doug Posted: Today, 21:20:54 (295) Barndad’s Yarn – The Rebel & Joke!

(15) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 22:58:21 (295) Inclusive Post!

(16) pwolfe Pete Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 23:10:32 (295) Wolfman Sez!

(17) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 23:42:52 (295) Classic Steam #21 – Huntsville & Lake of Bays Rwy

(18) wanswheel Mike Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 23:47:09 (295) Baseball & Trains, URLs

(19) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Apr 2006, 23:51:14 (296) and . . .



That’s it! [tup][;)]


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



THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

A bit of activity last night I see![tup] Appears that we are developing a crew of "Nite Owls," led of course by Count Robulla - be cautious![swg]

A spate of URLs from the "Urlmeister" himself - wanswheel Mike and some enlightening material regarding baseball & trains, a fine combo, fer sure, fer sure![tup] See what you started, CM3![swg] - which IS the idea - get some conversation going.[tup]

Rob We saw the Expos play three home games and we enjoyed being there - 2 were against the Cardinals. No matter what I've heard, we found the Olympic Stadium to be an interesting and fun place to watch the games. At the time, Rusty Staub - le grande orange operated one of the finest buffet operations we've experienced. It was in the stadium and a bit costly, but the food was simply outstanding in preparation, abundance and taste. We'd go in prior to game time and that would be "it" for us insofar as dining anywhere else later on was concerned. I had heard that the "theme" had changed and much of the bill of fare disappeared, etc., etc. Probably due to the huge drop in attendance. We were fortunate to experience it.[tup]

No promises for Sunday Photo Posting Day! I believe my comments were that those RDCs would appear on "a" Sunday.[swg] Glad you enjoyed them though![tup]

Pete I received 8 Pix in 4 transmissions - Thanx![tup] They look fine to me and will most definitely wind up on a Sunday Photo Posting Day! - can't say fer sure about this one . . . .

That was quite a menu change from our Chief Chef [C=:-)] but one that really tweaked some of you in a positive way! Good job Nick! And as always, happy to see your Post![tup]

Didn't seem that your Post had caught the latest "stuff" prior to it. Gotta use that "technique" I've been harping about for months - use the "Reload/Refresh" button PRIOR to preparing your Post - it will call up the most current submissions . . . .[tup]

Doug Sorry that we won't be seeing you today - but appreciate your Post from last night![tup] Another "good one" with the Rebel!! You do have a way of finding the most interesting and relevant 'stuff' for us.[tup][tup] Jokes continue, I see . . . . [tdn][swg]

I too am curious about the "cement" use, Nick wazzupwidat[?][?]

Thanx to all who bought a round and of course to Doug for the quarters for Coal Scuttle!!

Okay boyz, gotta get a move on - Dr's appointment this AM followed by a bunch of this 'n that. Not to worry - I'll be checking the Posts throughout the day! In the meantime - check out who is behind the bar![swg]

Cindy has the bar for the morning! Be kind, Gents!![}:)][:-,] Boris will be "guarding" her!

Later![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[LoveDomes]

Good Morning!

Yes, an early visit, but for a purpose!

First, my, my, my - who have we got here this morning[?] Cindy my deAH you look marvelous!! (where have we heard THAT B4, huh[?])[swg] How can I even think of anything to eat or drink with you behind the bar!!!![?][?][?] I'm smitten . . . again![swg]

Ok - make it ham & eggs (easy over) and a cuppa Joe with a couple of pieces of wheat toast. Thanks my deAH!![wow]

Now, why the early visit - BudKarr - BK and I have been exchanging info in the ether by email and have concluded that our Proprietor needs to be given a "shot" of support. So, the following posts is my contribution toward showing Tom that there are guys "out here" who appreciate all the work put into this thread. It isn't simply a place for "takers" - it's a place for exchanges of info, for some fun and for contributions toward the TOPIC of Classic Trains. It is ALSO a place where acknowledgments of the other guys work needs to be reinforced.

BK will be providing his own efforts a bit later on . . . different time zone, ya know![swg]

So sit back and enjoy the following Post - a THANKS to Tom for all you do! A five-[tup] Salute to you, Sir![tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]

Stay tuned!

Lars

[LoveDomes]

Good Morning!

Tom - here is something that hopefully will bring a smile . . . .

Budd Rail Diesel Car


CAVEAT: This material has been reproduced with “blanket” permission from Wikipedia sources at: www.wikipedia.com.


Budd RDC-1 #407 of the Cape May Seashore Lines (GNU Free Documentation).

The Budd Rail Diesel Car or RDC is a self-propelled diesel-hydraulic rail passenger car. During the period of 1949–1956, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These cars were primarily adopted for passenger service in rural areas with low traffic density or in short-haul commuter service, and were less expensive to operate in this context than a traditional locomotive-drawn train. The cars could be used singly or several coupled together in trainsets and controlled from the cab of the front unit.

The Boston and Maine Railroad owned by far the largest number of these units, but they were also very popular with Canadian railways such as the Canadian Pacific Railway (where they were known as Dayliners), the Canadian National Railway, and the former BC Rail. VIA Rail still uses RDCs for scheduled services on Vancouver Island and in Northern Ontario, and the planned Blue22 service connecting Toronto to its airport will use refurbished RDCs as well.

Since 1994 three RDCs are being used for the OnTrack commuter rail line in Syracuse, New York. As well, the Alaska Railroad possesses at least two RDCs. They are typically coupled together and used for the railroad's Hurricane Turn service and the annual Fair Train. The Hurricane Turn is the last remaining flag stop service in the U.S. and is the only transportation to many summer (and year-round) cabins on a stretch of track between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch. (The Parks Highway, the nearest road, is several miles to the west on the other side of a mountain ridge.) The annual Fair Train takes fairgoers from Anchorage to the Palmer stop next to the fairgrounds.

The basic car was adapted from a standard 85 ft (26 m) coach. They were powered by two Detroit Diesel (then a division of General Motors) diesel bus engines, each of which drives an axle through a hydraulic torque converter, a technology adapted from military tanks of World War II. RDC trains were an early example of self-contained diesel multiple units, an arrangement now in common use by railways all over the world.


Variants


An RDC train operated by the former BC Rail. (www.trainweb.com photo)

Budd manufactured five basic variants of the RDC:

• The RDC-1 — an 85 ft (26 m) all-passenger coach seating 88 passengers.
• The RDC-2 — an 85 ft (26 m) Railway Post Office and passenger coach configuration seating 71 passengers.
• The RDC-3 — an 85 ft (26 m) variant with a Railway Post Office, a baggage compartment and 44 passenger seats.
• The RDC-4 — a 65 ft (20 m) variant with only the Railway Post Office and baggage area.
• The RDC-5 (also known as the RDC-9) — an 85 ft (26 m) passenger coach seating 82, with no independent control cab.

The RDC-1 was powered by two 6-cylinder Detroit Diesel engines, each of 275 hp (205 kW).

In 1978, Budd offered a new RDC model, called the SPV-2000 (self-propelled vehicle), but only 24 of them were sold, as they proved unreliable and did not gain marketplace acceptance. The few remaining in service have long been converted to unpowered, locomotive-drawn coaches.

Unusual modifications

In an experiment toward high speed rail, the New York Central (NYC) fitted a pair of jet engines atop one of their RDCs and added a shovelnose front to its cab. This RDC, which NYC had numbered M497, set the United States speed record in 1966 when it traveled at just short of 184 mph (296 km/h) between Butler, Indiana, and Stryker, Ohio.

Several RDC's were built and exported to Australia, to operate with Commonwealth Railways, These cars operated on the standard gauge, running between Port Pirie and various locations, including Whyalla, Port Augusta and Broken Hill.

A variant was built by Commonwealth Engineering for the NSW Government Railways, consisting of five carriages. These cars included the only non-powered version of these carriages. These cars operated the South Coast Daylight Express between Sydney and Nowra

References

• Scheurle, Bob, New York Central RDC3 #M497. Retrieved March 14, 2005.
• Wayner, Robert J., ed. (1972). Car Names, Numbers and Consists, New York: Wayner Publications.

CAVEAT: This material has been reproduced with “blanket” permission from Wikipedia sources at: www.wikipedia.com.


Kick back and ENJOY! You earned it . . .


Until the next time!

Lars

[trolleyboy]

Good morning all. Nice to see Cindy early in the ,morning eh[?][:D] It also seems that when the young lass is in that Boris seems more spit shined somehow ( his own I hope )[:O] Anyhow I think a short stack and a large mug of coffee for me this am.

Tom I never did take in a game at the big O,I remember watching the highlights of the game on the tube when those chunks of the roof decided to fall in however. That seemed to be the beginning of the end,the city refused to build a new stadium, the repairs were slapdash at the best,then the fiasco over the semi retractable fabric for the roof openning [tdn]Too bad really,hopefully they have a better go of it in Washington.Wheather or not those shots show up this week or not they will be as ight for sore eye's I would say [tup]

Don't worry about the crew that comes in with me at night, the only thing bloody that I eat would be the odd bloody Ceasar and a medium rare steak or two. And not the wooden variety either.[:-^][:O][swg]

Lars Wow, great info on the thing of the bosses's desire ( trainwise )I do hope that the airport srevice in Toronto does take off ( no punn intended )[:I] . The various levels of money grabbing ( govts ) are still fighting over the who and the how and the what. That and the cars need refurbishment and some track needs to be laid , land bought etc ad nauseum. It's definatly a needed service,but with the municiple governments of Toronto, one never knows where it's head is.[tdn] Wonderfull picture however of the BCR car,that should bring a tear or two to Tom's eye.One wonders how much damage was done to the NYC ROW during the "jet car " experament, at one point I had a trains magazine with the article on that here somewhere, but I've likley purged it along with alot of my train realated magazines. The blk and wht pictures in the article showed that car looking somewhat like the picture of the headend power of the Gulf Coast reble that Doug posted yesterday,with the glaring difference of the J47 pods on the top of the operators cab,couldn't have been good for the ears of the trainman.

Well folks, I would love to saty around for BK's early piece ( good plan by both of you BTW ) but work calls, I'll be back in my normal crypt / spot this evening. [swg]

Rob

[BudKarr]

Good Day to All Assembled and Cindy!

I have finally made it to the Ether-world after a rather exasperating morning of wireless problems. Seems our router is not functioning quite right and we have been engaged in series of phone fixes and the like most of the morning. Now my bride-to-be is reading through the sheafs of downloaded material before we try any of them. We are now using dial-up, which is archaic at best.

Thank you Lars for getting your submission posted, mine has yet to be prepared, as much of what I intend to provide is from internet sources and must go through the processes of uploading and downloading before assembling the final product. Exasperating to say the least.

Miss Cindy, I would like a Jack Daniels straight up, and of course a round for the chaps as they wander in.[tup]

I suspect Tom will be returning shortly as it is close to noon his time. Surely had wanted this to be done by then. Dratted luck, or lack thereof![tdn]

Let me offer an observation or two regarding what this effort is all about. As Lars said, we have been communicating over the weeks regarding a few subjects, and of course, the bar was one of them. Neither of us are tolerant of rude, ignorant and otherwise unsociable behavior whether it be in public, private or in the Ether. The latter sets a different standard in that a certain degree of anonymity exists with these types of communications, thereby providing one with a sense of insulation. Cannot be seen or heard, sort of thing. Hiding behind the typed letters, so to speak.

When Tom provides the majority of postings throughout a given day - Saturdays are good examples - it always seems that one or more guys will totally ignore his efforts and launch into their own "thing" without so much as a mention of his submissions. This happens frequently and as recently as yesterday.

We decided to provide our Mentor with a respite of sorts - we sent him an email informing him to lay low one day of the week. He chose today because it coincided with pre-existing committments and the like. So, while he knows that somthing is brewing, he does not quite know what. In hindsight, we should have let a few others in on our plan, for my end of the arrangement has fallen flat.

So, Tom Cheers to you and all you do here at the bar! A fine fellow with a talent for the type of interaction we so much enjoy at "Your" Place![tup][tup][tup]

Next post I expect to provide SOMETHING!!

One more Cindy . . .

BK

[siberianmo]

G'day!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! Thanx Cindy for watching the place. I'll take it from here. Okay, Boris - you can let her out from behind the bar now. Down boy, down!!<geesh!>

So, a couple of you have been busy behind the scenes, eh[?] Much appreciated Lars for the great Post. Right up my alley, fer sure, fer sure! BK honorable intentions are just as good as the real thing some times, so don't sweat the small stuff, okay[?] These things happen - just as the "bumper sticker" says![swg] Appreciate the strong words of support and encouragement . . .

Rob Nice to see ya out 'n about (aboot) during daylight again! You must be drinking that sunscreen stuff![swg]

I could launch off into a "thing" regarding my feelings for what Lars 'n BK have brought up - but they've said it quite well. I appreciate the support and it is gratifying to know that there are a few around this place who really give a "Rat's Patoot!" Thanx![tup]

Doc didn't give me the worst news, but not the best either. I'm to continue with the "better living through chemistry" regimine - translated: keep taking the meds!<groan>

Gotta get a few things done today and I'll keep an eye on this place for some activity as well. Looks as if this is going to be one sloooooooooooooow Friday! Not quite the same without Doug beginning things and CM3 to provide his mid-morning "pick us up."

Oh by the way, Petrol up at "Collusion Corner" is not at $2.59 (rounded) - that's 11 cents from yesterday - 20 cents from a week ago. Ideas anyone[?]<double groan>

Looks as if the "monster storms" are about to pass us by - with a minor threat still existing for later today, then a great forecast for the weekend. It should be a nice trip tomorrow over to Hermann, MO where we'll spend a bit of time with Pete 'n Mrs. Pete. Looking foward to it.


Later![tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

THINK April 12th –
The 1st year Anniversary of ”Our” Place!

[BudKarr]

Hello Again Captain Tom and all assembled!

Still on dial-up and thus far the "fixes" have not "fixed." Therefore, rather than permit the entire day to slip by, here are but a few of the offerings I had in mind for Tom's Day! - which we will have to do again, and do it RIGHT!!

Here are a couple of photos of that NYC Jet Powered RDC mentioned in the Wikipedia article posted by Lars:

NYC #M497 Jet Powered (source to credit: unknown)


NYC #M497 Jet Powered (source to credit: unknown)


. . . And a fine looking BC Rail RDC . . . .

BC Rail RDC #BC-11 (source to credit: unknown)


A URL of interest for the NYC Jet RDC:
http://www.trainsmag.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/004/853zeggx.asp

That is about all I can handle right now in tribute to our "steamed Proprietor!"

A round on me if you please![tup]

BK