"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[siberianmo]

Even though ”Our” Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY’s we do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!! Here are some selected pix from Nick’s Pix Album

But first an excerpt from Nick’s Post on 12 Oct 2005, 20:39:33

QUOTE: O.K-I`m going to go straight for the "Tales from the pool room" train story before responding `cos there`s so much good stuff there I`d get bogged down and run out of steam before getting properly started.......O.K-Is everybody sitting comfortably,...then I`ll begin--My thinking here is that most of you will have main-line journeys to describe,overnight trips on the high iron and such,so It occurred to me that something a little more bucolic might make an interesting contrast--Thus it was--An unexpected offer from missisnick to take a trip up the coast from Pembrokeshire to Merioneth to ride on the Tal-Y-Lyn Rly ( a long-term strategy that resulted in Hannah ,age 4 & a half..............) brought us to Tywyn,where the line connects with the former Cambrian Rlys (later G.W.R ,B.R,etc) std gauge line from Dovey Jn to Pwehelli,For those who have neglected their studies of Welsh narrow gauge lines of late, ,scroll back,a description of the line has been posted on a (much)earlier page-so,where was I-right,arrived at wharf station,eager & ready,train waiting in platform-loco #7-Tom Rolt 0-4-2t (Andrew Barclay 1949 for 3` gauge,rebuilt Pendre works 2`3"),train included original 1865 coach stock,plus former Glyn Valley Tramway 1st class car(supplement payable). Also in the yard,former Corris Railway #4 "Edward Thomas"-0-4-2t-Kerr-Stuart "Tattoo" Class(1921),in Corris Railway livery,waiting to rotate with next down train -onto train and away,through the impossibly narrow bridge at the top of the yard and into a deep,dark but mostly damp cutting,between slate slab fences held together with baling twine,climbing up between the cottage yards to to Tywyn Pendre (Town ) stn-the main depot of the line..here we found #2 "Dolgoch" ( 1865,Fletcher-Jennings) in light steam at the end of the headshunt,diesel shunter#5 " Merseysider" and others on the shed roads,off quickly-As you leave Tywyn,you are following the right side of the valley of the avon Fathew,on a gentle rise to Rhyd-Yr-Onen,steepening up to Dolgoch Falls,then turning across the watershead into the Dysinni valley,up to the new terminus at Nant Gwernol,about a half mile beyond the old pass. stn at Abergynolwyn.At the first passing point (Brynglas) we crossed with #1 " Tal-Y-Lyn" (Fletcher-Jennings,1864) and at the next (Quarry siding) #3 "Sir Hadyn ( ex -Corris 0-4-2t,Falcon wks,1888 ) Arrived at Nant Gwernol (one-engine-in-steam on extension) and decided to"do the tour" of nature walks etc and get the following train down ( a secret plot to get a ride behind "Tal-y-lyn"-a little beauty of an engine) arrived back at staion to find #4 "Edward Thomas" on the point,but managed to get my all-time favourite pic on the run back down-#1 "Tal-y-Lyn" pulling into the bottom of the loop at Abergynolwyn--have sent pixs to TOM-may well appear on sunday,gentlemen its been a joy to read the tales from the poolroom so far

Tales from the Pool Room #1


Tales from the Pool Room #2


Tales from the Pool Room #3


More from Nick later on - enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

SUNDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

SUNDAY PHOTO POSTING DAY! and yes, WE ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS.

Just slip your messages through the mail slot on either set of front doors; photo’s too! [tup]

Info for the Day:


QUIZ WHAT WAS missing YESTERDAY [?]

INDEX

Generic URL: Just insert the index page in place of “106,” copy ‘n paste ‘n “go,”

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=106&TOPIC_ID=35270

-or- insert the index page in the address portion of this page (at the top).

Fallen Flags (passenger ops)

106 SP ..………. 106 MoPac ……. 108 WP ………… 109 Frisco
112 CNR ………. 112 Heralds …… 114 ACL ………… 115 SCL
116 D&RGW ….. 118 RI .………… 119 D&H ………… 120 PRR
122 NYC ………. 124 UP.………… 125 AT&SF …….. 127 B&O
128 CM&StP.…. 129 CB&Q .……. 130 Soo Line ....... 133 C&NW
134 SP&S …….. 136 GN

Passenger Train Nostalgia

112 ………. CNR Ad - Super Continental Time Table
113 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #1 ”Start ups” 1800s & early 1900s
117 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #2 Ad - Vista-Dome sleeper observation-lounge
121 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #3 Ad - CP Hotels & Lodges
124 ………. A tale of Classic Trains BC Rail RDC trip
127 ………. B&O Ad - Strata-Dome
127 ………. B&O Ad – Encor!
129 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #4 Ad - CN Hotels, Ltd.
130 ………. Great Britain Nostalgia #1 Poster - East Coast Route
133 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #5 Poster - CP 1886
133 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #6 Poster - CP 1950s
134 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #7 Poster - Washington & Old Dominion Railway
134 ………. Personal RR journey CPR’s “The Canadian”
135 ………. Great Britain Nostalgia #2 London & Northwestern & Caledonian Railways
137 ………. Great Britain Nostalgia #3 London & Northwestern & Caledonian Railways
137 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #8 Ad – Great Northern
Classic Juice by trolleyboy ROB

116 Classic Juice #1 (The London & Port Stanley L&PS)
123 Classic Juice #2 (The Niagara St. Chatharines Toronto Railway NS&T)
131 Classic Juice #3 (The Montreal & Southern Counties Railway –MS&C)
134 Classic Juice #4 (The Brantford and Hamilton B&H)

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 01:15:55 (137) Inclusive Post!

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 07:12:55 (137) Inclusive Post!

(3) barndad Doug Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 07:17:49 (137) He’s baaaaaack!

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 07:27:44 (137) Saturday’s Info & Summary

(5) passengerfan Al Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 10:02:43 (137) Domes!

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 11:18:57 (137) reply to passengerfan

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 15:19:35 (137) Great Britain Nostalgia #3 – Poster: L&NW&C

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 16:55:28 (137) Nostalgia #8 – ad: GN

(9) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 17:36:52 (137) Inclusive Post! & Awk story

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 18:06:51 (137) reply to nickinwestwales

(11) pwolfe Pete Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 18:56:23 (137)

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 19:17:28 (137) reply to pwolfe

(13) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 20:12:47 (137) an idea!

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 21:13:20 (137) reply to nickinwestwales

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

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

[Anonymous]

Quick comment on shots courtesy {b]Rob's[/b] railimages album. #1=upper level of west end (applogies for leaning Burlesque House). #2=looking south east to Union Station (P.C.C. car on flat on siding). #3=same shot as #1. #4=upper level, Greenlease car dealer next to Station. Many chnages since this early effort.

[trolleyboy]

Okay the next shots are of Manger Ted's home layout. I won't put up descriptions as I'll leave that to the owner of the photographs. Sorry Ted if they aren't the 4 you wanted I deletd your email and lost the scrap of paper I wrote the frame numbers on [banghead]The rest of Teds layout shots and his comentary on them can be found on page 6 of my railimages album. I know several of you have already looked at them, but lets give Ted the large round of kudos and appropriate back slaps for his fine work. Thanks Rob

[trolleyboy]

Okay as is usually the case, I'll lead off the sunday picture fest. I'm going to do it in two post thought one for Ted and one for myself. I'll get my lone shot out of the way first off. Seeing as I had done in the last two Sunday's pictures, I tried to tie the pictures posted to the most recent calssic juice post that I produced. I'll endeavour to do the same this week with one slight difference. I have no pictures of Brantford and Hamilton equipment. I do have one shot of a Chicago Elgin and Aurora interurban car. It's a railway style ( monitor roofed } car built by Kulhman in 1909 same time as the frist order for the B&H. Not entirly the same car but close enough. The B&H cars were essentially "off the rack cars " with few railway specific details so the CA&E car should give the correct impression. Doug can correct me but I beleave this car is photographed at his museum. Or of not it's at Rockhill any how enjoy the shot. Rob

[trolleyboy]

Good evening. Tom Nice continued GN disscussion betwixt your good self and Ted this one really did flick some switches. Nick wan't too far off that Scamtrak train did come up through sarnia and then on up through London and eventually to Toronto. I'm wondering if Via still runs a Sarnia port Huron train then Via has a couple conecting trains from Sarnia to Brantford. A possibility don'tchathink ? Keep me posted on the Churhill thing, heather's never been more west of the Sault so why not more west and more North ?[;)] As to H&H nursing Dan,your probably right let the profesionals do what they do best. assuming the locaal authorities give Boris [alien] thier blessing Why not hitch up to the Hilda ( Helga being the Mom ? )Leon could be the bestman / witness / security guy. Awk might as well marry them as Nick's and your follow up stories would seem to prove hiss exceptionalvocabulary. Might give the Park rangers in the gorge less poaching problems , as the family wierd could regulate the populations of the migratory animals. [#offtopic] wring it up "frankengroom" I wonder how many other people have had similar incidents with their ductwork as you did. Seeing as how the latest Legionaires problem in a Toronto nursing how finished up,you indeed were a luckey man. Pete and Tom Again some more quality info from accross the big lake,trains of all flavours and types are what we are about [tup] You never know tom the selling of the Northeast Corridor may end up being a good thing. In the right hands it may just continue to turn a profit and expand. Who knows that may even make policy makers save other heavy use areas in similar fashion. Your passenger rail may not be dead yet. Al & Nick Some good continuing dome car and passenger train talk[tup] I'm looking forward to the dome pics as well [^] .Good to have seen Doug fly by again makes as feel a bit more complete. well gents think I'm caught up for now. I'll be looking forward to the pictures due jour tomorrow. And I'll be throwing up a couple from Ted's vault as well. See you soon. Rob

[siberianmo]

Yo Nick [C=:-)] Why, mate, I haven't the foggiest what you are referring to [?] Moi using YOUR smilie [?] Couldn't be - wouldn't be - ain't no way. Perhaps you should check again! [swg]

The RDC roster of the Can-Am includes RDC2's and 3's which have compartments to accommodate baggage, with the RDC3 having the greater baggage area. They can easily be placed in a consist to achieve the "look" you suggested. I also have quite an inventory of VIA Rail "smoothsides" in the old Blue and Yellow livery - all kinds of baggage cars and R.P.O.'s. These might even look better. Of course, the RDC3 will provide seating AND baggage, whereas going with a "pure" baggage car, necessitates the use of an additional car. Hmmmmmmm. Your call! [swg]

Unfortunately, the M.E.S.S. cars are 40 ft boxes, not reefers. I do have some reefer equipment in the "reitred" freight display case, just won't have the roadnames we would prefer. My loco inventory does not include F9's, plenty of F7's and E8's in appropriate livery. Let me see what I can muster up. Bon ide, mon ami! [swg]

I'm familiar with the Traveling Wilburys, put out some fine tunes. Check out this URL: http://www.wilburys.info/disc.html

Didn't know of the trivia you put forth regarding E.L.O. but it stands to reason that the talent in any of those bands had starts elsewhere - just makes sense. I'll be waiting to hear "I wish it could be Christmas every day" - has it been released in Europe yet [?]

Dont' sweat the small stuff regarding Amtrak and Windsor. It would be nice, for sure - but the latest news regarding our national passenger rail carrier is that they will most probably sell off their only route that could possible earn them some money - the Northeast Corridor. A shame, but many in Congress are H-bent on having them pack it in. I don't blame our President or the ones before him - the blame goes squarely on teh shoulders of the "lunkheads" we send to Congress. They are too busy trying to engage in the "art of compromise" that at times I seriously doubt if very many of them could tell the forest from the trees. And as "leaders," not too many could lead a starving rat to a mountain of cheese. And I can be quoted on that, thank you very much! Don't ask me how I REALLY feel! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. [tdn] Okay, I know - [soapbox] and [#offtopic], so go ahead you cloven footed wonder Ring the Bell! [swg] Drinks on me! [tup]

Okay, time to think about doing something other than attend to this keyboard and monitor! I'm turning into a Cyclops! [alien]

Enjoy your Sunday and 'see' you at the Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Back again,another Staropramen for me,a pint of Bathams for Pete and an Alexander Keith`s for yourself [4:-)]TOM-notice you have adopted [C=:-)] smilie-is this connected with your widely noted pizza tossing skills ?-the public need to know,P.s-like the Clueless & Doyle smilies-just as I imagined them [tup]..Just been back to O.N.site to double check directions earlier-seems B.C.Rail cars purchased to "satisfy public demand for domes & stainless steel"-the old `heavyweights` dont seem to cut the mustard apparently...apologies for mis-information re Amtrak,looks like Homer Simpson is right-beer burns brains-DOH!--also checked pix album-fine work my friend ! -many thanks. R.E- Brit F F,I`m sure the various companies had some sets of West coast Joint stock which worked through from Euston with Engine changes at Crewe & Carlisle,no doubt completely wrong ,but I`m sure PETE will put me back on the rails,assuming we catch him before his 2nd honeymoon. Back to E.L.O briefly,pop trivia time,did you know that the band was formed by Roy Wood,Later of Wizzard,whose supremely irritating hit " I wish it could be Christmas every day" will soon be infesting jukeboxes everywhere on crimbo compilations-Jeff Lynne was originally down as the bassist and piano player ( a good trick if you can do it ! ) -As you are a fan,you may want to check out "The Travelling Wilburys",the band Lynne put together with George Harrison,Bob Dylan,Roy Orbison & Tom Petty-lots of nice laid back grooves and tunes that stay with you all the way home [^] -now then ,does the Can-Am run a baggage R.D.C ? if not,can we sandwich one of the `Our Place` cars between 2 regular units,I`m thinking of supplies for the great Halloween night birthday/poss. wedding celebrations up the mountain-failing that,how about an `Our Place`chartered "special"--as the branch terminus doesn`t appear to have a run round,how about the O N box,the M.E.S.S reefer & a club car or similar topped & tailed with the FP9`s-naturally pix would be required but suspect this would not be to much of a hardship [swg]-collect revellers from behind `Our Place` 8pm sharp (all time zones),travel via Can-Am Central,return after Clueless & Doyle have completed preliminary interviews of suspects & witnesses.............Right,looks like it`s ten past late so if theres any of that rum left I`ll have a wee noggin `for the road`,share the rest out between you,enjoy your day of rest tomorrow,see you all monday,moolight mile for me,take care,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Hello Pete!

Appreciate your stopping by and hope that you'll be around for Sunday Photo Posting Day! If not, be sure to do so when you return.

Have a great honeymoon/vacation/holiday in New England. Hope the rains are long gone by the time you arrive and that you get to see and do all the things on your agenda. A brew pub in a former rail station - heaven forbid! [swg] What WILL they think of next [?] [;)]

Glad you are enjoying those GN pieces. Yes, it was quite the railroad. By the by, I don't know when the next Great Britain Nostalgia piece will be Posted for I'm having a bit of difficulty locating more. But, I'll keep checkin'! [tup]

Awk at the wedding [?] Well, I suppose he could be counted on to perform a part . I'll have to think about exactly what it should be. Hmmmmmmmm. [:-^]

Be seein' ya! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please And the steak sounds great.

I can see why the Great Northern was so popular that advert from the guide makes it sound like a wonderful route [wow].

Another great G. B. nostalgia. I suspect the Caledonian Grampian Corridor coaches would be quite similar to the L&NWR stock,athough I am not too sure about that.

The Caledonian had some very handsome locomotives and the passenger ones were painted Caledonian blue. There is a magnificent Single Wheeler #123 preserved in Glasgow as part of the Scottish collection.

As NICK says there was great rivalry at the time. In Scotland the Caledonian main competitors were the Glasgow & South Western rly. between Glasgow and Carlisle and the Glasgow suburbs. And the North British Rly. North and East of Glasgow.

Well my bride and I are going on a delayed honeymoon and 1st anniversary vacation. We were hoping to go to Old England but we are going to New England instead.If the weather permits we hope to visit a steam line. I have learnt that the old Union station in Providence has been converted in to a Brew pub. [;)][:-,].

TOM I will call in the bar as soon as I get back. I shudder to think what BORIS and AWK will get up to. [:O] What will AWKs part be at the combined Birthday/wedding [?]PETE.

[siberianmo]

G'day Sir Nick [C=:-)]

Great Awk tale! [swg] I always wondered where he originated. You see, one day while out on the port bridge wing down in the Caribbean, I was "shooting the sun" when something distracted me. Out of no where came this brilliantly colored bird - turned out to be a parrot - made a strange sound, awk, awk, awk - which is now what he, she or it answers to. Awk [swg]

Am I readin' what I'm readin' [?] There is to be a <gasp> wedding of our cloven footed friend, Boris with one of the "matched pair" from Deutchland, Hilda or Helga! Say it isn't so ........ this will definitely have to be looked into from the legal aspect by the authorities who oversee the high country in the Can-Am mountain range. A job for Inspector Clueless of the Local Constabulary and his earstwhile friend and companion, Mr. Doyle, Private Investigator!

Amtrak to Windsor [?] Nope. In fact the train that used to run from Chicago to Toronto has been discontinued due to the problems at the border clearing Customs. The train had a rather poor on-time-performance record anyway, but since "911" it got to the point where some folks felt they could have walked the rest of the way faster. Pity. I'm unaware of any Amtrak that passed through Windsor. Thought the run from Chicago passed well north of there. Rob [?][?]

Your pix are all set to go for our Sunday Photo Posting Day! and I think we were wise not to screw 'round with any copy right stuff. [tup]

Enjoy the weekend, mate!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Evenin Gents-whats new `round here ? [4:-)]TOM-I`ll try a few of your fine ales tonight I think and as its saturday night,a round for the house in the old tradition -As to contests,MANAGER TED proposed a `worst livery ever` contest a little while back,little came of it at the time but it seemed to good to let pass-so how about it guys ? -doesn`t have to be eye-wateringly ghastly -there are some quite subtle `wrong `uns` lurking out there-any loco in burgundy with vermilion buffer beams,British Rail`s `corporate` blue&white ,The M&SWJt Rly`s` diaper `yellow ( sorry,but no other word does it justice)-any takers ? Right,since [4:-)]TOM has wisely declined to put up dome car pix which I abstracted entirely without permission,the easiest method is to send you to the source of the info-Tap (un)official Ontario Northland into your search engine,from there,open Mike Robin`s photo gallery > the photos>quick search "dome cars"-this should give you a selection of views. The cars are part of a 10-car set formerly used by B.C.Rail on the "coast starlight" dinner train and were formerly Milwaukee road stock,full info on site together with some truly stunning photo work of an attractive range of subjects-warning,keep some sandwiches near the computer-you could be there a while [swg] TOM-only software that I can think of that may be of use is marketed by Hornby,but uses different geometry to U.S proprietry track-will make enquiries Thanks for Brit F F-this would all be prior to 1923 `grouping` as noted,when the various independent companies were formed into The L.M.S (in this case),L.&N.E.R,S.R & G.W.R,-east & west coast routes were in competion for Anglo-Scots traffic for many years-the `race for the north` which I touched on about 100 pages ago,back when we were young and carefree................Heard a little tale concerning AWK a while ago,seems that before he turned up here,he was owned by a stage magician,who won him in a card game. Well the magician got himself a gig on a cruise liner and decided to take AWK with him,all was well until the first show-at the end of every trick,AWK would yell out "It`s in his pocket" "Its under the table" or whatever,totally ruining the show-after two weeks of this ,the magician was at his wits end. Worse was to come,the next night the ship hit an iceberg & sank immediately. Happily,the magician got away and eventually found a length of driftwood floating nearby,with the last of his strength he struck out and caught hold. When he had recovered his breath he was astonished to find AWK perched on the other end,before he could say a word the bird fixed him with a steely gaze and enquired "O.K smart****,where did you hide the ******* boat .................Right,since I`ve wandered so far `off topic` as to be barely visible in the distance,BORIS`S BIRTHDAY--Since all the Clan wi***o be present,I feel it would be best to have a `traditional`celebration-I.E way up in the high country,away from human habitation,The Can-Am park rangers concur and are rounding up all edible wildlife. Those of the clan still in the Old Country are being shipped in by Can-Am/ cymru Zeppelin service for the weekend -they are all delighted that`little Boris`seems to have wedding bells in his future,especially given the strange skin condition caused by his much-patched `latex lovelies`...the weekend seems set for traditional pursuits,eating,drinking,attempted murder and the sort of "social interaction" that would be frowned upon even in remote Appalachian communities ( dig them duelling banjo`s y`all ).........ENOUGH,back to reality -Just been back up & down the page and can hear the opening chords of "mr blue sky" ringing out of the juke-I can still remember E.L.O as as The Move,a classic sixties `pop` act out of Birmingham-could this be a sub-concious link to the G.N`s big sky blue paint.....? ROB (& TOM) doesn`t Amtrak #364 / #365 serve Windsor ? or am I thinking of Sarnia-assuming it`s still running. Nice little modelable train-4 car Amtrak set with power by VIA & Amtrak on alternate days, O.K-enough for now,lets have a looksee if anyone else is in and then fire up the galley for steaks,pizza,turkey rissoles (!) etc-catch you all later,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #8

Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with
Classic Trains. Check this advertisement out (from The Official Guide of the Railways – 1956)

Great Northern(GN)

Great Way To CALIFORNIA via the Pacific Northwest

Chicago-Minneapolis-St. Paul-Spokane-Seattle & Portland-San Francisco-Los Angeles

TOWERING PEAKS in Glacier National Park in the Montana Rockies.

LOFTY MT. RAINIER looks over Seattle and Tacoma.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE is only one of the fascinating sights awaiting travelers in San Francisco.

Rail Fare to San Francisco is no more on Great Northern’s incomparable Great Dome EMPIRE BUILDER

To delight travel-experienced patrons who are planning a fall trip to California, suggest that they route themselves via the Pacific Northwest.

Great Northern’s EMPRIE BUILDER, now with Great Domes for both coach and Pullman passengers, takes the northern route across the nation - - more than two thousand miles of truly superb scenery.

Your patrons will thank you for sending them on a route where they can see the Mississippi River Palisades, Glacier National Park, the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Idaho. the Cascades of Washington and Oregon.

Connections with fine trains to and from California in Seattle or Portland. Rail fare from Chicago to San Francisco is no more via Great Northern.

For information:
P. G. Holmes
Passenger Traffic Manager
Great Northern Railway
St. Paul 1, Minnesota


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #3 from multiple sources

Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with
Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this pre-WWI poster out!

LONDON & NORTH WESTERN & CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS

TRAVEL BY WEST COAST ROUTE BETWEEN ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

Comfort – Punctuality – Speed

QUICKEST & BEST ROUTE BETWEEN ALL PARTS of
ENGLAND and SCOTLAND

PASSENGERS BY THE WEST COAST ROUTE
MAY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF TRAVELLING BY THE
NEW “GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR” DINING CAR TRAINS
of the CALEDONIA COMPANY in SCOTLAND.

WEST COAST NIGHT EXPRESS LONDON (Euston) & SCOTLAND

The Finest Vehicles in Europe, Vestibule Throughout.

BREAKFAST, LUNCHEON & DINING CARS.

Passengers
traveling between England and the North of Scotland
can go via EDINBURGH (Princes Street) and break their
journey there, in both directions, without extra charge or inconvenience,
and after visiting the places of interest in Edinburgh, resume their
journey North or South from the same Station by the
”GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR
or other Express Trains.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Howdy passengerfan Al Nice to see ya on a Saturday! Have you gotten the days (daze) of the week mixed up [?] [swg]

So, how do you REALLY feel about Domes [?] Just love readin' what you have to say 'bout 'em and it never gets boring. As I read your documtation, I wonder just how many people traveled in those cars - of course, we'll never really know. The destinations were many and varied, the consists too. Today in the contiguous 48 of America, the domes of old are pretty much relegated to tourist trains and the like. I'm not familiar with any at all in actual scheduled passenger train operation, are you [?]

The most compelling reason for us to travel in Canada is to ride those Budd domes of VIA Rail. Now that they are all but gone from the "Ocean," the run to Halifax from Montreal becomes just one more that will fade into memory for us. Oh yeah, they will continue with a "token" Park car during tourist season - hooked to the end of the "Renaissance" equpment. Barf - actually, double Barf! [tdn] I will go down in flames with my insistence that VIA Rail really messed up with that purchase (Euro cars from Britain) and the line to the Maritimes will suffer. Perhaps not for the tourists, but there are so many along the route who actually depend on the train - so many who book the berths - so many who travel on meager budgets. VIA Rail now has decided to "upscale" the "Ocean," sorta like an eastern version of the "Canadian." Barf - in fact, double Barf! [tdn]

I've heard varying accounts of the type of equipment used between Winnipeg and Churchill - some times with a dome, some times not. In the not too distant past I even saw a string of "smoothsides" in the VIA Rail blue and yellow livery, stting in Winnipeg for the evening departure for Hudson Bay. They looked grand, but of course my preference is and always will be the Budd stainless steel "beauties."

Thanx for the Post and of course the round .... Boris ring it, Al has sprung for the drinks! [tup]

Catch ya later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Morning Guys!

I see we’ve had a few Posts, so I’ll get right to them:

pwolfe Pete 14 Oct 2005, 23:16:32

Hey, you shouldn’t be ashamed of a thing – after all, how many of us do you think are familiar with those great British and European railroads that have been discussed on our thread? The idea is to enjoy the new information and learn, m’boy, learn! [swg] That’s my answer to the way our world community of humans should coexist – education, no matter what the form. Never hurts, always helps. [tup] Ahhh, the bartender Sage strikes again! [swg]

By the by, please be sure to stop by before your departure for that vacation …

trolleyboy Rob 15 Oct 2005, 01:15.55

Hey man, the first 17 are the hardest! [swg] Just think of the “big bucks” you are raking in … more cash for the bar! [yeah] Seriously, we never are concerned about you comin’ back and “tolerate” the fact that you have a life to lead elsewhere! [swg]

Regarding the way to get between the Detroit airport and the VIA Rail station over in Windsor: perhaps one of your associates at the museum may know. I’ve come up with a zero using web searches, almost as if the question would be easier if the discussion centered on Mars or Venus! Good Gawd Gertie – transportation from an airport to a train station! <yikes> Yeah, I know I could take a cab, but I’d like to explore other options first. Doesn’t look promising ….

What do you mean “HAD” a baseball team? C’mon, don’t give me that. Fair weather fans are like the “hit ‘n run” guys at this Thread and on the Forums, who needs ‘em?

Thanx for acknowledging that their even was an Awk story! Amazing, simply amazing that things like that go completely ignored. I maintain that our guys just are not reading, or if they are, it is very, very selective.

Isn’t this exchange regarding the GN great stuff (no play on words intended [swg])! Really flicked a few switches with that one …. Glad Ted brought it up. I have a couple of dozen Fallen Flags already prepared, but just sitting in my “documents” folder. So when Ted began the discussion, I was able to immediately respond with the GN Fallen Flag. It is still going …. Just like the Energizer bunny! [tup]

Yeah, I had “Legionaires” and it *** near killed me. Problem was traced to the duct work in our home. Seems that the operation of a humidifier (installed by a previous owner), connected directly to the furnace and duct work, was the culprit. After all the years of pumping moisture into the ducts, the dust and debris stuck to the sides because of the water content. Over time, things began to “grow” and the rest is history. Of course, I had routinely inspected and cleaned the unit, but never thought one “whit” about the duct work.

Needless to say, that unit is long gone, the ducts were professionally clean – and I mean professionally – cost us a bit of money, but well worth it. I actually discovered the problem after about 2 weeks of being down and out. I got to thinking about what in the world could be affecting my ability to breath, especially since I was taking an assortment of allergy medications for other issues. Then for whatever the reason, “a light went on” – I went to the basement – pulled the unit open and saw the “gunk” sitting in a recess of the duct work near the dehumidifier. I took a sample over to my “Doc” – had had it analyzed and he declared it “Legionella.” Took a total of 7 weeks to get back up and around. No fun, no fun at all.

Hey! If you really are serious about the trip to Churchill, let’s keep talkin’! This is a trip that is on my “must” list – and I’m gonna do it come hell, high water or evermore increases in air fares! You may already know, but the departure for Churchill is an evening thing, so you’d not be ruining anything by sacking out early. I would drive it too if it were possible to make it to Winnipeg in one day from where I am – ain’t no way.
To be continued ……

That Boris Birthday will simply have to be something that you, Ted ‘n Nick oversee. I’m outta that one! [swg] Insofar as Hilda ‘n Helga “nursing” earlydiesels Dan back to full health, I have one word – YIKES! Then taking it a step further, either one “marrying” Boris would probably be more fun than watching a Chimp trying to mate with a bowling ball! [swg]

Theodorebear Ted 15 Oct 2005, 07:12:55

Now a Bloody Mary in the mornin’ really brings back some memories! [wow] Better saved for the Rendezvous in Toronto for “ears only.” [swg]

This GN info has no end! Great stuff, keep ‘er comin’! [tup][tup][tup] There was a time that we had seriously thought of taking the “in name only” Amtrak version out to Seattle – then travel down to Portland for a short run on the “Coast Starlight” for connection with the Portland departure of the “Empire Builder.” Got quickly “priced out” of that idea. We spent the money on our 2nd cross Canada trip with VIA Rail and actually came out ahead. No kidding – 6 days/nights aboard VIA Rail as opposed to 4 with Amtrak; the air fare and hotels – and we saved money by traveling in Canada. Well, maybe one day ….

barndad Doug 15 Oct 2005, 07:17:49

Hey! Great seeing ya again and I’m very pleased to know that you haven’t forgotten us. Each time I think you’ve become a member of the “Legion of the Lost,” you reappear! [swg]

From the gist of what you provided, you’re a rather busy guy with your railroadin’ interests. Here I am retired, with no one to take care of during the day other than Juneau, and I’m not anywhere as involved as I could be. Perhaps I should get going on something – and volunteering isn’t anything new for me. Unfortunately the last bout of that turned me off – two years with our local police force. Wasn’t the cops nor the department, it was the city administrators who have a way of chasing away those who give of their time freely. Oh well ….

Anyway, glad to see you and hope you’ll entertain us with some pix tomorrow for our Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Baseball? Well, it would be great to see a Sox and Cards match up. However, after the collapse of my team in last year’s series, I don’t take anything for granted! Houston is hot, St. Louis isn’t. Plain and simple. And by the way, I concur, Chicago didn’t need that call – they are a great team with a very talented manager. But then again, so are the Angels. Taking that game in Anaheim last night surely didn’t hurt! [swg]

Enjoy the weekend guys!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the gang. Guess its time for coffee and some of those diet pastries from the Mentor Bakery.
Thought I would add some dome trivia thia AM to the forum for all dome trains were certainly classics.
The first car manufacturer to build dome cars was Pullman Standard the four cars for the TRAIN OF TOMORROW. They also constructed the final order of Dome cars prior to the Ultra Domes still being produced today. An interesting note on the final dome cars constructed by Pullman Standard is they used plans supplied by American Car and Foundry. The reason was UP was the RR that placed the order for these six dome coaches and wanted them to match their other dome coaches and American Car & Foundry was already getting out of the passenger car business by the time the order was placed and UP and Waba***urned to Pullman Standard but specified they would match previous dome coaches. Pullman Standard built five for the UP and one for the Wabash using AC&F plans. These cars were constructed for the CITY OF ST. LOUIS operating between St. Louis and Los Angeles. These were also the last dome cars built in the United States prior to the beginning of Ultra-Dome construction that continues to this day. They were delivered by Pullman Standard in December 1958.

In the period between June 1945 and December 1958 a total of 236 domes were produced. Two were railroad shop rebuilt short dome coaches (CB&Q), seven railroad rebuilt 3/4 length dome lounges from older lightweight streamlined cars (SP), thirty new full length domes and 197 short domes were constructed by the three major car manufacturers American Car & Foundry, Budd Company, and Pullman Standard.

Only four railroads owned both short and full length domes prior to Amtrak and Auto-Train (AT&SF, CB&Q, GN, and later BN. Interesting that these four railroads are all part of BNSF today.

Only one railroad owned only full length domes that was the Milwaukee Road and their Super Domes.

Only one railraod owned only 3/4 length domes the SP and they were all rebuilt from older lightweight cars in the roads own Sacramento shops.

Pullman Standard built ten full length domes all for the Milwaukee Road and 24 short domes for AT&SF, B&O, GM (TRAIN OF TOMORROW), MP (and subsidiaries IGN and T&P) UP and Wabash.

American Car & Foundry built 35 short domes all for a single customer Union Pacific.

The Budd Company constructed the remaining 138 short domes (CPR, C&O, CB&Q, D&RGW, GN, MP, NP, SP&S, Wabash, and Western Pacific) and 20-Full length domes (AT&SF, CB&Q and GN).

Pullman Standard built a single Astra-Dome sleeping car, a single Astra-Dome Dining Car, a single dome parlor car, and seventeen dome lounge cars only one an observation (TRAIN OF TOMORROW) six of these were the AT&SF Pleasure domes, and the other ten were the Milwaukee Road Super domes. All other P/S built domes were coaches 2-B&O, 1-IGN, 3-MP, 1-T&P, 6-UP (! originally a TRAIN OF TOMORROW car) and 1-Wabash.

American Car & Foundry built 10-Astyra Dome Coaches, 15-Astra Dome Lounge Observations and 10 Astra-Dome Dining Cars all for the Union Pacific.

Budd Company built 20 full length dome / lounge cars 14-AT&SF, 5-GN and 1-CB&Q. They built 147 short dome cars. Twenty five were dome sleeper lounge Observations, forty-eight were long distance dome coaches with 46-leg rest seats on the main level and seven were dome parlor observations. Twenty-eight Budd built short domes combined food and beverage service with coach or dormitory space. Eleven Budd built domes were day coach versions and fourteen were dome sleeping car types all others built by Budd were classified as miscellaneous types.

Time to start getting ready for work. Saturday is a short day.

Nick look forward to the ONR dome pictures on Sunday. If you are interested I will look up the car histories for you.

Ta Ta for now.

[siberianmo]

SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

Mornin’ Gang! The weekend has begun so why not just relax a bit, draw a cuppa Joe, have some fresh pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, perhaps a <light> breakfast, while you are checking out the Posts you’ve missed. [tup]

Info for the Day:

(1) repeat SOME SERIOUS NEWS: Received an Email from earlydiesels Dan’s wife. Dan is out with pneumonia. She asks that we all keep him in our thoughts and prayers. If you recall he was complaining about feeling poorly during several of his last Posts. For any of you wishing to drop him a note, send me an Email and I’ll forward his address.

(2) Remember Sunday Photo Posting Day!

INDEX

Generic URL: Just insert the index page in place of “106,” copy ‘n paste ‘n “go,”

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=106&TOPIC_ID=35270

-or- insert the index page in the address portion of this page (at the top).

Fallen Flags (passenger ops)

106 SP ..………. 106 MoPac ……. 108 WP ………… 109 Frisco
112 CNR ………. 112 Heralds …… 114 ACL ………… 115 SCL
116 D&RGW ….. 118 RI .………… 119 D&H ………… 120 PRR
122 NYC ………. 124 UP.………… 125 AT&SF …….. 127 B&O
128 CM&StP.…. 129 CB&Q .……. 130 Soo Line ....... 133 C&NW
134 SP&S …….. 136 GN

Passenger Train Nostalgia

112 ………. CNR Ad - Super Continental Time Table
113 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #1 ”Start ups” 1800s & early 1900s
117 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #2 Ad - Vista-Dome sleeper observation-lounge
121 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #3 Ad - CP Hotels & Lodges
124 ………. A tale of Classic Trains BC Rail RDC trip
127 ………. B&O Ad - Strata-Dome
127 ………. B&O Ad – Encor!
129 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #4 Ad - CN Hotels, Ltd.
130 ………. Great Britain Nostalgia #1 Poster - East Coast Route
133 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #5 Poster - CP 1886
133 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #6 Poster - CP 1950s
134 ………. Passenger Train Nostalgia #7 Poster - Washington & Old Dominion Railway
134 ………. Personal RR journey CPR’s “The Canadian”
135 ………. Great Britain Nostalgia #2 LONDON & NORTHWESTERN and CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS

Classic Juice by trolleyboy ROB

116 Classic Juice #1 (The London & Port Stanley L&PS)
123 Classic Juice #2 (The Niagara St. Chatharines Toronto Railway NS&T)
131 Classic Juice #3 (The Montreal & Southern Counties Railway –MS&C)
134 Classic Juice #4 (The Brantford and Hamilton B&H)

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 06:19:04 (136) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 07:36:42 (136) GN info, etc.

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 08:11:00 (136) GN info, etc.

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 08:13:20 (136) Fallen Flag GN

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 08:19:27 (136)earlydiesels Dan

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 09:09:20 (136) reply to Theodorebear & coalminer3, etc.

(7) BudKarr BK Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 12:16:19 (136) more on GN, etc.

(8) wrwatkins *** Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 13:59:32 (136)

(9) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 15:34:20 (136) more on GN, etc.

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 19:05:22 (136) reply to Theodorebear

(11) earlydiesels Dan Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 19:31:09 (136) He’s baaaaaack, temporarily!

(12) passengerfan Al Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 19:55:45 (136) more on GN

(13) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 19:57:27 (36) Inclusive Post!

(14) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 20:01:17 (137)

(15) siberianmo Tom Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 20:34:58 (137) reply to earlydiesels – passengerfan – nickinwestwales

(16) pwolfe Pete Posted: 14 Oct 2005, 23:16:32 (137)

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

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

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and my fellow Saturday early birds! I'll have 3 light breakfasts, grape juice and creatine.
Though you don't see many posts from me lately, be assured that I read everything that's written here. I continue to be amazed at the volumes of information the regulars around here are sharing. It's really remarkable! Kudos to all of you for your efforts, plus you seem like a pretty good group to spend time with.
I continue to put in my time at the Illinois Railway Museum. with my main project being the preparation of our 5383 BN for repainting. This is a project long overdue, and there has been severe pitting on several panel doors. I've pretty much got that taken care of.
Had another meeting of the 20th Century Railroad club (same day as the 6 month anniversary here, so I missed that). This is another group that abounds in information. The evenings presentation was from a member who shared slides from fallen flags, like the Milwaukee RR, as well as final line closing trips. He ended with slides of a store-owned subway system (I can't remember the name .. grrr) in Texas, designed to entice customers into the city that otherwise would have done their shopping in suburban malls. This subway also eventually failed in 1998. It's incredible how many rail routes and companies that are no longer around, but 20th Century members knew all the routes, sidetracks and each train station name and its history. Being a somewhat recent railfan, I sure missed a lot! It's fortunate that other fans in the hobby took so many pictures of subjects that seemed so common for their time.
Hope you're feeling better Dan. We sure have a lot of bad things blowing in the winds these days. [xx(]
Tom, will the Sox be seeing the Cardinals in the World Series? It's sure too bad about that no-out call in the 2nd game over here. The Sox are completely capable of winning without that kind of help. Boris, go ahead and ring the bell ... [#offtopic] I'm buying! Have a great day one and all!!

[Anonymous]

Excellent Saturday mornin' with most of our crew blowing in from all points of the compass.[tup] Oh Tom, the other morning when I suggested the cholesterol breakfast casserole, it really wasn't for me. I was thinking that after [C=:-)] Nick's back-to-back, very brief Posts, that perhaps his "infirm" condition could be rectified by a dawn breaking "Pig Out."[:-^] That, of course would account for [C=:-)] sudden disappearance.[:O] I should've suggested a Bloody Mary instead.[}:)] So much for the subtleties of "theater of the mind."[;)] Come to think of it, a "Bloody Shame" might do it for me this A.M. Just the Tomato juice, please Tom.

Al, Dan, Rob, CM3, Nick, ***, Tom, (did I miss anyone?), you guys really made T.G.I.F. "ring true," great stuff all around.[tup][tup][tup] It would seem most of us have "done" the Chicago encounter for better or worse. Right Al, the St Louis route would've been easier and more convenient. But, when you are twenty some years old, nothing beckons like "...that toddlin' Town." BTW, the Frisco from St. Louis to Tulsa was a real "milk run" in the 1960's.

Perhaps just a bit more on the G.N. at this point? The afore mentioned new smooth side streamline fleet (1947) for the Empire Builder was the second generation by that name. The third, entered service in 1951 and was composed of five sections of 15 cars each powered by three 1500 h.p. EMD diesel units. That same year, the "Western Star" joined as a companion streamliner to the five "E. Builders." The "Oriental Limited" name was dropped in 1951. Dome cars were added in the fall of 1955: 3 dome coaches and one full length dome lounge. The "Twin Internationals" made round trips from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and the "Red River" ran from St. Paul to Grand Forks, N.D. (1960's). All through the 1960's the 45 hour schedules from Chicago to Seattle were maintained. When Amtrak assumed the G. N. passenger duties in 1971, the name "Empire Builder" was retained and very little else. One of my most treasured memories is riding this "classic" from Chicago to the Seattle World's Fair. Athough, our Pullmans were of B. & O. origin, we had "freedom of the train" for the entire run.

Well, that's enough wallowing in the past from me this day. I hope this episode wasn't too boring for our our friends far removed from the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Thanks again Tom for running the G.N. as another inspiring, thought provoking Fallen Flag. Domestic trivialities now beckon my undivided attention, so it must be so long for now. Happy rails.[:D]

[trolleyboy]

Good late evening everyone.Sorry Tom I caught your post but had to run off to work was just too whipped to log back in last night. Retail the long hours start to pile up this end of the year, I'm thinking that the 17 years I've pit in thus far have taken their toll. To your question, I'm not all that familliar with Detroit or Windsor. back in the day when TO had a baseball team we went to Detroit ti watch then ( couldn't get a ticket at home )We always found the Ambassador bridge to be better traffic and attitude wise than the tunnel. My guess would be a cab or bus to cross as I'm sure Amtrak doesn't run to the windsor station. My understanding is that windsors station isn'y too far from downtown aka the riverfront. Perhaps a casino shuttle bus would get you there ( eventually ) [swg]BTW loved the Awk story! Pete Thanks for clearing up the "class" issue. I sort of thought that it was just a general renaming and cost saving for the railroad thing ( ie less classes less different advertising tickets etc ) Similar ti hear with VIA having via 1 or standard coach type fares for the most part. Still it's always interesting to see the old style adds and the differences between rail travel then and now. Ted I'm ready and waiting for your next batch of pictures. Good first installment on the GN as well[tup] I'm looking forward to the next few,it's also nice to see the back and firth it satrted between yours and Tom's good stuff all round.Detriot and Tornoto and Chicago were probably the biggest Witt trailor users. Cleveland had a few but they were a rarity there. I'm guessing that all of the big D's witt's were of the large variety as they were built with the strait air tpiping for trailor power, and had the lower slower gearing for the pulling.You can tell the gear differance by sound and when operating by the feel. The small Witt's were much quicker on the uptake. the larges,loaded slower but they did get there. really till the PCC's came along the Witt was the fastest thing on four wheels in the streetcar world. Dan Good to hear from you buddy[tup] do as Dr Tom says though and do nothing till the docs say your fit as a fiddle again.Don't make me send Hilda and Helga to nurse you. [:O] Tom Wow you had a bout of Legionaires man you are one luckey type individual to have recovered that's one nasty type bug.I might be interested in a trek up to Churhill, Though for me I would like do the drive to" Winterpeg" At gas prices vrs plane fares at the momnet driving aactually is cheaper even with one hotel bill on the way up,less if I drive straight through but that would leave me a bit on edge for the train trip. A Boris Hilda and Helga wedding( they are an unbreakable set and since all are mostly [alien] our laws don't apply,so this is why we must keep the three of them appart ! ) Would be the only thing worse and potentially more damaging than just a good old downhome [alien][bday]on the 31st.Well since i'm now rambling I'm heading out for now. TGwo more ten hour days till I can rest again [xx(] Good night folks [zzz] Rob

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the usual please.

DAN. Hope you are feeling a lot better real soon.

The Great Northern must have been a real popular railroad over here. I am ashamed to say that I knew very little about it. So thanks TED CM3 *** B.K. PASSENGERFAN and TOM for the insight.Isn't GOPHER a wonderful name for a train.

The piece on Mr Hill was very interesting. The railroad "Barons" were certainly men of great drive and determination.

Thanks B.K. and NICK for the kind words. It is great to have a couple more personal railroad journeys to savor. [tup].

NICK we were indeed fortunate to have such great bands that you mentioned in our youth we will see their like again[?]

Well Tom another pint if I may and ELO is just the right music for me tonight also. PETE.

[siberianmo]

Hello Guys!

What a pleasant surprise - just as I thought we were finished for the evenin' - three guys show up! [tup][tup][tup]

First - [#welcome] Back earlydiesels Dan. Glad you are feeling up to sharing a few words with us. Hang in there buddy, "living" in a recliner ain't all that easy to do. I'll share a bit of personal info with you (and all in the Ether) - a few years ago I had a bout of Legionairres Disease. Spent 7 weeks wonderin' ... I mean it was really a tough time., The recliner was about all I could handle for anything even comin' close to sleep. So, I understand .... do as you are instructed (aka: told!) and get fully recovered before you tgry to resume your activities.

passengerfan Al Glad to see you are back in tempo with the rest of us! [swg] And also pleased that the Fallen Flag for this day - Great Northern - flicked your switch. Apparently it's not only your favorite, but hit "home" with a couple of others too. [tup]

I can only imagine what a thrill and pleasure it must have been for those folks who could afford the best of accommodations aboard those wonderful streamlliners. Domes, domes and more domes - now that's the way to go! What's not to like about Rocky the Goat and his railroad [?] [swg]

I have to ask, why oh why didn't you Post that story regarding your GN trip as a youngster on our 6th Month Anniversary Personal Posts [?] It's a very warm snippet of info that all of us can envision. Thanx. [tup]

Okay, Boris ring the bell, Al is back in form and has bought the house a round! [yeah]

Nick The return of our Chief Chef [C=:-)] and resident musician! Another contest - what have I missed [?] Elaborate, man - elaborate. What did Whoopie say in Jumpin' Jack Flash - enunciate, Mick, enunciate (or something like that!). [swg]

I'm in a ELO frame of mind tonight. Just dropped a handful of quarters (5 plays for 25 cents) in the Juke for about 20 of their hits. That should liven up the joint - great music from that band for sure. Sorry I don't share ANYONE's affinity for Hendrix. Problem for me is that if I don't respect someone, I cannot dig 'em. Plain 'n simple. Don't get me started ......

By the by, wonderin' if you've come across anything out there in the Ether comin' close to a track planner for HO and S gauges. Just curious ..... I keep neglecting to do the simple search myself for perhaps a "sample" package. All I'd like to do is put together my Can-Am in plan form along with the S Capades (so aptly named by you).

Got your latest pix in time - but I'll refrain from Posting those copyrighted ones. Appreciate you being up front about those. Thanx! [tup] One never knows ....

So, what are you telling me - Cholesterol ISN'T a Poli***own [?] [swg] Good one! [tup]

I know the Fallen Flag series doesn't always ring true for you over in West Wales, however, I did begin the Great Britain version with you 'n Pete in mind. Problem for me is locating the information in my modest library of "stuff."

Thanx again for stopping in and hope you get a chance to communicate over the weekend.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

just `refreshed` --Dan-good to hear from you my friend,welcome back, AL-check sunday pix for domes on the O.N.R,TOM I am reading them,just half a day behind everybody else n

[nickinwestwales]

Howdy fellow imbibers,enjoying the fallen flags-havn`t chosen to comment before since I know absolutely nothing about most of them except approx location ( top left,sort of down through the middle,etc ) and occ. liveries-however with the help of you good people,the gaps are getting filled-thank you [^].-[4:=)]TOM,despite the tempting gleam of bottles and the warm shine of the brass on the draught pumps,tonight I will try a pint or two of your finest ice cold milk-13 music nights in 17 days has left me a little jaded,the pitcher to oft to the well and all that....MANAGER TED-still researching willfully unpleasant liveries for our next contest,as a late entrant to the plug-ugly loco contest I`ve found a real lulu,built as a one-off for a North Welsh Quarry by a firm who normally specialised in steam-cranes,marine steering gear,winches etc. She appears to have been designed by someone who had heard about locomotives without having previously seen one..will forward to Himself for sunday supplement (last one TOM,I promise !!) ***-Welcome home ol buddy,nice to see you sliding back into the groove[tup]-seems to be a constant with rail journeys in foul weather-the closer you get to home,the slower it gets-although round here that happens in all weathers( ungated grade crossings,suicidal livestock,unscheduled stops "cos I lives in that farm by the line there" etc. BK-nice to see you my man,you too seem very much at home round here[swg]-finally tracked down those T.G.V`s in a (hopefully ) usable format-got a French `Atlantic route` & a broad gauge Spanish version-should appear on sunday,once[4:=)]TOM has waved his digital wand,enjoy they brew & the sandwich,plenty more where they came from,speaking of which ,TOM-that chop is a light breakfast dish in these parts-normally comes with home fries ,mushrooms, toms & onion rings for lunch service ( most folks round here think cholestrol is a town in Poland ) [swg] ......CM3,-so jumping off bridges is a big thing in your neck of the woods eh..........O.K,..........I`ll just move across here a little way,it may be contagious...........should have some dome car action for sunday also-from above the 49........PETE-learned my "chops" playing along to Jimi,Led Zeppelin,The Who et al-30 years back but can still remember a few licks,we wont see his like again-nice stuff on West coast joint ops by the way [tup][tup]-keep the side up and all that !!!. Well,another new toy today-Trainplayer virtual railway thingie-free trial download for 15 days (slap bang in my price range !!) trial version has 4 basic layouts with some others also available. looks a bit silly to start with,but strangely compulsive once you start operating it-highly recommended for anyone who is `between` layouts or stuck on a long journey with a lap top-find it at www.trainplayer.com-I`ve just lost 5 hours playing with it. Right thats me done and dusted,have a good time this night,catch you all tomorrow,regards,nick[C=:-)]

[passengerfan]

Good Evening Tom and the rest of the gang. Guess i'll have my usual CR and a round for the house.
Last night I wrote a rather lengthy story about a passenger train trip then hit the wrong button and lost the entire thing. To many CRs I guess.
Thanks for the GN tribute my favorite RR and the one I traveled the most miles on. At least eleven Seattle - St. Paul round trips and one Chicago - Seattle round trip. I even rode the Cascadian for a birthday present, my dad thought I wasd nuts but made all the arrangements for a young lad traveling on a saturday from Seattle to Spaokane and returning that night on the Western Star. The assistant station agent in Spokane mean't the CASCADIAN when it arrived in Spokane and took the young lad to dinner in the station and gave me a behind the scenes tour of the beautiful old Spokane station now long gone. When the car attendent arrived too go on duty for the waiiting sleeping car to be added to the wesstbound WESTERN STAR he already had his first tired passenger who went almost immediatly to bed and woke south of Everett the next AM about twenty minutes out of Seattle. The monthly trips on the Internationals to Vancouver to visit grandparents were not to be forgotten either. I rode the GN through three paint schemes the Orange and Pullman Green with Dulux gold lettering and separation stripes. The Big Sky Blue scheme and the BN Cascade Greeen and White scheme although very little equipment received the latter scheme. Surprisingly I see a great number of former GN cars are still active privately or in trains like the American Orient Express. I can still remember the electrics through the Cascade tunnel especially the two huge W class 5018 and 5019. Remember standing next to one and still remember I thought it was the biggest engine I had ever seen. And it was to me at the time, I'm not sure if the UP Big blows were larger but I was older when i remembered seeing them crossing Wyoming.
I spent a lot of time around the GN and have nothing but fond memories of this my favorite railroad. I remember having verey mixed feelings about the merger that created the BN but realize today that this was inevitable.
All domes on the Great Northern were known as Great Domes whether they were the short Budd dome coaches or the full length dome lounge cars. Each Empire Builder carried three Dome Coaches and one Dome lounge in the summer consists. Many of these cars survive today. Prior to Amtrak and Autotrain the Empire Builder offered more dome seats than any other dome equipped train.
Well enough of my rambling for this evening.

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone. Received some emails with get well wishes-they are much appreciated. Tom, I have been advised to drink lots of water so anything stronger is offlimits for now, so if Leon complains about me not imbibing you know why.
After feeling terrible for a month now, went to urgent care yesterday and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Haven't missed any work but come home and collapse until the coughing requires me to spent the night in the recliner.
Thanks for the best wishes and the emails. When I return to a sense of normalcy I will be more of a participant and will try to catch up.

[siberianmo]

Good Evening!

From the looks of things 'round here tonight, I may dismiss the Gals of "Our" Place to go about their personal lives - things are that slow.

Ted I would add something to the GN discussion, but methinks no one will be reading, so it's better saved for another day. As always, appreciate your input and optimism that tomorrow will bring more activity. In case you haven't noticed, Saturdays are notoriously slow. Anyway, the GN Fallen Flag is a "sure fire" winnah! [tup]

I think perhaps you meant earlydiesels Dan rather than CM3 - unless of course he's one of those planning to jump from that bridge! [swg]

BudKarr BK Nice Post with that additional info on the GN. Well done and thanx! [tup][tup][tup] You seem to be getting the "hang" of it 'round here. [swg]

I'm going to watch some baseball tonight, so it's time for Leon the Night Man to take over for the evening. We'll close up at midnight ....

Catch y'all later ...... [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

No doubt about it, like the B & O, the Great Northern has "broken the ice" among our associates and Members. But first, I'd like to echo Tom's best wishes for our friends CM3 and Chris for a speedy, still cautiously advised recovery.[tup]

Tom,, let us all join in a pre evening libation before the "week-enders" (track crew, et al.) begin their boisterous, fun loving activities; make mine a Crown & soda w/lime twist please.[^] Your choice of Fallen Flags could not have been more timely or appropriate. BK's thoughtful addition has given the "Builder" the added momentum needed for everyone to "add their [2c]"

If I may, I'll pick-up where BK ended from his last post. Indeed the construction of the "Cascade Tunnel Project" (7.79 miles in1929) and the longest straight bore in the Western Hemisphere, brought electrification to G.N. To give us an idea of the size of these 5,000 h.p. goliathans mentioned, they were: 101 ft. in length (4-8-8-4) and weighed 360 tons (i.e. 720,000 lbs.). So it was, that daily service from Chicago to Seattle began in 1929 and the premier train was named "The Empire Builder." Proper ventilating systems made the use of diesel power in the tunnels possible and saved 1 hours time on the St. Paul to Seattle haul. By 1931, through negotiations with S.P. and meeting up with W.P., Northern gained a direct connection to San Francisco. Later, the severe demands put on the Road during W.W. II found coal/oil steam, electrics and diesel; all could be found on mainline service for the "war effort." After the War, a fleet of five completely new Empire Builders went into service in 1947. But, that is for another installment and all who care to join in now, please "feel free" to do so.[tup]

Okay, I hope the weekend brings more interested parties to the Forum. Meantime, Boris, has dutifully returned Old 99's Bell to its' place of prominence, so without further ado: CLANG Ahhh, a symphony born of a single tone.[^] Happy rails.

[Anonymous]

Good morning Y'all.

I am baaaack, but have been buried in the *** on my desk for being out of the office for almost one month. To celebrate my return I have set some super desserts from the Nana restaurant in the Anatole Hotel on the bar. The pastry chef is Lindsey Purvin and since she is my niece I can highly recommend her culinary creations. To suppliment these creations I also have set out a bottle of Remy Martin top of the line brandy for all of us to sip on. For those of you who would like a cigar to go with the brandy please go to the porch to smoke it.

Theodorebear I can sympathise with you about the weather in Chicago in the winter.
it truely is the windy city, although the nick name did not come from the breezes blowing off the lake. It referrs to the long winded politicians from Chicago. Knowing that Chicago in its hayday had a jillion railroad stations I would have opted for a different town to change trains. The B&O also went to St Louis where a direct connection could be made to Tulsa without any intermediate transfers. However, the trip on the Super Chief, even though short, would be worth the agony of walking and falling between the stations in Chicago. Since I have two artificial hips (too many falls on the ski slopes) I try to avoid snow and ice now days.

A ride in the cab of an engine is better than anythink I can think of. A couple of years ago I was going to Austin to visit grandchildren. My wife had driven down earlier in the week and I was to fly on Southwest. I thought why fly when I can ride the train. I called Joy Smith, the regional rep for Amtrak in Fort Worth and she comped me a ticket and an engine pass. I was in heaven! Looking straight ahead down the track is far better than a peripheral view only. I was a rainy day, however, this was no concern as the cap was water proof and warm. The Texas Eagle has a terrible on time rate thanks to Union Pacific, who controls the tracks they use between Chicago and Fort Worth. Guess who gets put into the hole. South of Temple it really began to rain and lightning. The lightning blew out the signals which went into a fail safe mode. This happened near Taylor, the last control and reporting place for the Eagle. My wife logged on (really my daughter did as my wife is computer illiterate), saw that the arrival in Austin would be at 10 PM, and left for the station as the arrival time was 30 minutes later. Well, you guessed it. Things got worse. With the signals going out after the Taylor check point things got a little slower. A switch had to be manually thrown and all the signals were dark. In this situation you travel at a maximum of 20 mph to the next signal, stop, and call Omaha for authority to pass the dark signal. This happened 5 fimes in getting to Austin. We finally arrived in Austin at 12:15 AM. I climbed out of the engine and was greeted with "Shut up and get in!". I had fun even though my wife did not.

So much for now.

Cheers,
***