Guten Morgen allersiets!
Great to see ya this fine day, Wolfman Pete! Thanx for the two Posts and that wonderful URL - really liked those locos - favored the 9Fs; sound of the rails and steam loco is just out of this world!
I should add that your ENCORE! was as good the second time 'round as the first! Good choice!
Parade and celebration inside the stadium is set for tomorrow at 2 PM. Should be lotsafun - Cardinals fans are rather rabid 'round these parts! Took in the 1982 parade downtown when they beat the Milwaukee Brewers (then in the American League). It was during the work week and the crowds were civil, happy and many. Tomorrow should be a fine tribute. Hope they have the Clydesdales in the stadium, for that's always a great treat. When AB owned the team, they were a "fixture" at opening day, playoffs and world series.
Give me a call if you and your bride would like to take in the festivities tomorrow . . . .
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tom
Hi Tom and all.
Another coffee RUTH to go with the sausage I have got left.
TOM thanks for the Silver Jubilee Encore This is what I wrote at the time.
I think I have seen the poster on the Silver Jubilee the A4 engine does look a bit boxy. I think the A4s looked better when the valance over the wheels was removed and not replaced during the war. Also the Silver and Gray livery I do not think suited them. A non-working preserved one was painted in this way a few years ago. Most of the A4s were painted in L.N.E.R. Garter Blue. in wartime they were black. In B.R. days brunswick green was the color as are the 2 preseved in North America today. I think this livery suited them best although #60007 Sir Nigel Gresley was painted in the short lived early B.R. blue(like the Caledonian light blue) it looked superb . #2509 Silver Link soon after being built was used on a Press run in which it ran for many miles averaging over 100M.P.H and setting a then world record of 112 M.P.H. It also worked alone for 14 days faultlessly until the second A4 Quicksilver was ready.
Obviously Teething Troubles hadnt been invented then .
Back to now. I have a link which hopefully will show the A4s in action
http://www.railwaymags.com/nav?page=railwaymags.contentspage&view_resource=5343461
If you click on the "click here" by DVD trailers there should be 3 dvds , then click on the dvd trailer there should be about 3 mins of the A4s. Also the 9F trailer is worth a look as there are some scenes of 9Fs on the Somerset & Dorset, I am sure NICK will enjoy these.
About at this time DL should by enjoying his trip behind the magnificent red machine in the UK. Looking forward to the report and pics.
Pete.
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #4
from multiple sources
first Posted on Page 146Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this 1935 poster out! . . . . . . . . . .”THE SILVER JUBILEE” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SILVER LINK 4-6-2 #2509 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRITAINS FIRST STREAMLINE TRAIN NEWCASTLE AND LONDON IN 4 HOURS AVERAGE THROUGHOUT SPEED 67.0 M.P.H. Weekdays (Saturdays excepted) from 30th. September 1935 NEWCASTLE - - dep am 10.0 ………. KING’s CROSS - - dep pm 5.30 DARLINGTON - - - - - - - - 10.42 ………DARLINGTON - - - - arr - - - 8.48 KING’S CROSS – arr pm 2.0 ……….. NEWCASTLE - - - - - - - - - - 9.30 . . . . . . . . . .Connecting trains serve Tyneside and Tees-side . . . . . . . . . SUPPLEMENTARY FARES: First Class 5/- Third Class 3/- LONDON & NORTHEASTERN RAILWAY Enjoy! Tom
HI Tom and all.
A cup of the great coffee and a German sausage selection please RUTH.
TOM CARDS DO IT.When they were struggling at the end of the season I went down to Pat's Place, which as been temporary named Pujoles Malone the last few weeks, I said to the owner and the bride"If the Cards get to the play offs they will win the title" which brought pitying looks and a question of "How many have you had?"It should be a good time at the parade this afternoon the weather is pleasent in in mid Mo.
Perhaps if one has not been to Our Place for a while they should be greeted by BORIS singing the falsetto part of Stayin' Alive., blame this on the cold medicine.
It looks as though LARS could join us in Montreal which would be great.
JAMES Great info on the Joes and the Box-cabs fine looking locos. The shed is looking great..Congrats for the well deserved medal for the frieght car.
ERIC I have got to put the pics in for devoloping as the were taken on a 35mm camera when I get the disc I will put them on the site.Really enjoyed the pics from Sweeden, thanks to DOUG and TOM for helping to see them.The bus looks a lot like some the UK Midland Red company had in there last years as an independent company.
ROB Good to be back. I thought my darts partner's shaky hands was nerves I did not know you had arrived in the Zepplin with the Bikini team.
Great encore on the Oddball Trolleys, were the pics of them able to be posted? If we ever do get a visit from Our Place to England a visit to Crich and the Blackpool Tramway is a must.
For Encore Saturday and as it is near the 31st a story I done last year.
A tale for Halloween.It was a very foggy October 31st 1944 somewhere in England as they used to say. Actually it is the exchange sidings connecting the L.N.E.R line to the U.S.A.F. airbase in East Anglia. Amos Smith a native of Iowa is in the engineman’s shanty with his young stoker and the crew of the freight train that has brought the trucks he is to take to the airfield. They are holed up in the hut, as there has been an air-raid warning. They had heard the sound of aircraft including one that was very low but the planes were heading further inland.After a while Jed the signalman poked is head in the door of the hut to let them know that the all-clear had been given and they could move off.The loco's used on the line to the base were 0-6-0 switcher tank locos built by Baldwin for the U.S. Transportation Corps. The line followed an original branch line for most of the way until swinging off on a new piece of ROW after crossing over the Big Cut River on an old swing-bridge, which had luckily survived the branches closure.After the young Stoker had brought the steam pressure up, they set off down the branch. The fog had gotten thicker but the Corps of Transport track crew had done a really good job of re-laying the track. Still the short wheel-based 0-6-0 was doing its usual waggle like dance. I'm getting too old for this thought Amos as he peered out into the wet fog. As they approached the curve to the bridge the fog thickened, suddenly Amos thought he could see a light in the 4 foot ahead, with years of experience he closed the regulator and gently applied the brake well aware of the cargo of bombs and other ammunition a few vans behind the loco. As the train stopped the light was still there Amos climbed down off the loco as the young stoker could not understand the locals at all.The source of the light was a lantern in the hand of an old guy in a long overcoat wearing an old railway hat with a badge Amos didn’t reconise. As Amos drew level with him the old guy turned on his heel and headed towards the bridge. They had not gone far when the lantern picked out a sight that took Amos back 40 years, back to the family farm in Iowa when he had gone to the barn and came face to face with a Copperhead. Lying between the rails was a landmine dug into the ballast. Feeling someone next to him Amos looked around to see his stoker who said, "If we had hit that they would have heard the bang back in the States."Amos was about to thank the old railwayman who had warned him but he had disappeared. Very gingerly they reversed the train back to the junction where Amos informed Jed the signalman who had a direct phone-line to the air -base who called in the Bomb disposal squad.Amos told Jed about the old railwayman, as the story went on Jed face turned white."That sounds like old Seth. He fell off the Swing Bridge into the Big Cut and drowned 60 years ago."
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
This is our last weekend for our October celebration! <phew> Back to “normal” on the 1st of November . . . . Coming up: November 11th – Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day – as we’ve done in the past, this is the time to provide some nostalgia related to rail travel and the armed forces during the wars of past decades . . . .
With a finale only fit for Hollywood, the 2006 World Series and baseball season has finally concluded! A win for my Cardinals, some relief from the TV and perhaps some time for other things – like model railroading and real trains! A gutsy performance by Weaver (pitcher) and some outstanding support from the lesser known cast as the Red Birds took advantage of every opportunity presented them by the Detroit Tigers. A shame to witness the ineptitude of defense – but such is the game. You win some, lose some and others are rained out! Well, the inclement weather held off – the game got played and there was a winner and loser. Really happy that it’s over. We’ll be going to the downtown parade and celebration at the ballpark tomorrow afternoon . . .
Really a slow day yesterday – nothing all afternoon and it appeared it was going to remain stagnant until Pete came along to liven us up. Appreciate the late morning visit from Lars – evening reports from Pete – James ‘n Eric and the late night appearances by Rob! Stayin’ alive! (A Bee Gees song . . . .)
Today is our ENCORE! Saturday and was aptly kicked off by Rob . . . so, let’s see what we can do to keep ‘er movin’ forward! The Oddball Trolleys should be read – very enjoyable. Noticed that Rob’s fingers must be getting caught in between the keys from time to time! <grin>
Nice job with the shed, James. Boris slept on top of it the past couple of nites - just didn't recognize the place!
Ruth opens up at 9 AM until Leon comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonite is Steak Nite! So be sure to come hungry!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
World Champions of Baseball for 2006!
OKTOBERFEST at "Our" Place!
We will feature GERMAN brew all month!
GERMAN sausages will be added to the menu for the month, with all the trimmings!
On Saturday's in Otober The Mentor Village Teutonic Society will sponsor Oompah Music live at the "Our" Place picnic grounds Pavillion and Dance Emporium! Performers include the Sauerkraut Band, Electric Lederhosen and Burst the Wurst Trio
Lederhosen and Alpine hats will be worn by "Our Place"! staff throughout the month!
Full scale LGB trains will be running on the main lines for free round trips toCan-Am Gorge on weekends - 10 AM to 4 PM. First northbound departs the "Our" Place platform at 10 AM sharp. undt ve mean, sharp!
PLAN TO SHARE THIS FALL CELEBRATION WITH US!
ENCORE SATURDAY ENCORE SATURDAY ENCORE SATURDAY ENCORE SAT
Here's an encore to get the saturday rerolls a rolling Thsi one was frist posted on pg 354 the first full week of fulltime reactivation of the festivities here at Our Place.
Also looks like Eric mamaged to sneak in right before me and congratulated Tom and his Redbirds first.Oh well I'll be first after him adding my congrats
Rob
trolleyboy wrote: Wierd Tales From The Barn # 2 Oddball Trolley's Pt 1 As we know, railroading can at times be an ecentric thing.The street railways were no exception to this rule. Many times during the early years of electrification 1880's to 90's many street railway companies tended to express themselves in unique ways with unique one off cars. here are two examples one from the US and one from Great Britain. I have poor magazine photo's of both cars an I will attempt to scan and clean them up ( may not be possible ) The text gives one a general idea of what they were if the pictures don't come out. article by Frank Rowsome c1956 " Of all the wierdest trolley's ever built, perhaps none was stranger than the armoured, gun carrying craft that emerged from a carbarn at Fitchburg Mass in the fall of 1896. It was modelled after the Brooklyn , a formidable vessel in the Great White Fleet.It brandished two 6-pounders in barbettes astride the bows, plus a fearsome 18- pounder on the main deck. There appear to have been additional guns in the rear to discourage pursuit. Built on a self propelled faltcar ( work motor ), this armoured trolley was 37 feet long, and 9 feet wide. She had a perfusuion of portholes, a bridge,and, somewhat perplexingly an anchor. Whether she was seriously intended as an exparamental land cruiser or was built simply as a stunt is uncertain.Some evidence points each way. There were sober articles written about such a weapon in the Litterary Digest and the Electrical Review . The Digest called it "an instrument of warfare of infinate use". The Review pondered that " it is not beyond the range of medern mechanics to build a car that would be bullet proof, and that would constitute a travelling fort... it could carry men and guns from one point to another wiht great celerity " Arguing against it's actual marshall uses there are other bits of evidence. 1) It was promptly christenned the Mckinnley and saw imidiate action in the campaining against William Jennings Bryant 2) Although, as James D Hill wrote later about it, it's proponenets laid great stress upon the lead ballasted bow whose speacial design, augmenetd by the brute force of 60 horsepower motors, could shear it's way throuhg any barricade. They overlooked that someone might desend upon the power lines and separate it from iot's power sorce. 3) Inspectiomn opf surviving photo's off it show a small lifeboat suspended on davits on the port side.It's not clear how, in doughty defence of the republic,a lifeboat could come in very handy on an armoured streetcar. The second bizzare trolley comes from England. This one required a lifeboat ! Infact several. A seagoing trolley ran in the 1890's from Brighton to Rottingdean. One of the most cheerfully lunatic vehicles ever made. The 36 ton Pioneer ran on a three mile track that was 14 feet beneth the waves at high tide. It was built on four tubular steel legs had two decks, a sumptuous yacht saloon, and lifeboats for 150 passengers. A weel aftre the Pioneer familiarly known as Daddy Long Legs made it's inaugural run in 1896, it was totally wrecked in a storm. Rebuilt the following spring, Daddy Long Legs had a successfull three year life as a tourist attraction, including one red letter day when King Edward VII, and then Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and Dutchess of Fife made a happy round trip on this seagoing trolley. Enjoy Rob
Good evening Leon , a frozen slushy of spiked punch from the punch bowl if you will. No I was not arrested ( I think ) or otherwise detained by the demented or twisted souls from the second class , nor have I succomed to wounds recieved in action at the dart brawls. Just blew a modem and had to replace it. Alls good now though.
Tom-Nice to see our customer tweeting autocrat back. I'm glad that things went well in Halifax, their gas still seems a bit high , we're getting a bargin in these parts 82.9 a litreBTW let me be the first to congratulate you for your team winning the soggiest world series of recent times.
The reaper actually ran fairly well concidering it gets one run a year.We cahse the service cars with it. This is the last year it will be used for this though as we have to keep it in parallell to keep up with the other cars ( only one motor works )
Pete-Welcome back sir, good to have the wolfman back in the fold or is that den
CM3-A truly amazing blow by blow , impalation by impalation description of the first anual mentor darts grudge matches.I narrowly missed being flattened by the first pacer launched by the catapult !I also was narrowly missed by some stray musket balls from the fusliers.Speaking of which , at last saturday's halloween show, myself and our one member were giving live demo's of Brow bess action ( long story suffice to say he is an 1812 reenactor at brought his BB along as a prop ) He just happened to have some balck powder and well it added some ambiance to the evening
James-Great photo's from wed.Great looking autorack BTW. Your luckey that you only had to deal with the half dollar sized spiders in the shed, those are just the babies Boris must have eaten the bigger ones.
Nick-Loved your pictures from wed as well.I wouldn't worry too much about your hospital room, you only need to fear the big nurse if she says "turn your head and cough "
Mike-Great spats of urls, ad thanks for being the one and only Monon contributer tues. I had a piece but the moden crapped out before I could post it.
DL-Great ongoing VIA dialogue between you and Herr Tom !The ACR is beautifull country, and is worth the visit eventually.I don't think that you will be dissapointed by the ONR either.My best suggestion is the Bus route as opposed to trying to link by train and taxi, when and if you do the ACR the bus will be cheaper.The Sault has alot of other interesting atractions as well , the great lakes locks biot tours and the Bush Plane Museum are definate to do's as well.When you do make it to the HCRY, save a bit of time for a trip into the warplane Museum in Hamilton, perhaps Tom and I can did out some shots from this past May's visit.
Lars-Thanks for missing me I wouldn't leave dis here place not willingly anyway
Eric-Just call me pshycic , actually I road over with the Bikini team in the Zepplin ( they wouldn't let me fly over in the Gotha bombers, they told me I was too interested in the bomb release switch
G-day Captain Tom and all present.
Leon, That Steak 'n fires is sounding so good!! I would like to have that along with some coffee, evening blend, please. Here's some money. Buy the Gentlemen drinks please.
Tom- I did go back into the thread and saw the five dollars for coffee, Tea, etc. if you haven't ordered anything. My apologies. Anyway thought your little "Tilla 'n cashinator was clever. But at the same time was mean!! Thats how life works.
Thanks for the photos Mike. Infact E70 is the little joe that I have for a model. I also know that E70 was one of the passenger units. It lead the Hiawathas (Chicago to Seattle and back) throught the mountains. But, around 1960, is when it took in some work and was converted over to frieght service. It's sister unit, #E71, took in the same work a couple months later. Just a little history behind the two Joes.
I also noticed the box cab pics. I know that an EF1 series locomotive (The one pictured) was used for helper service after there passenger train days were over. Now the bipolars had been around for quite some time and they were having some difficulties with them, so that was one of the reasons for a box cab being in passenger service. They were the most reliable locomotive the milwaukee owned. But when tonnage was increasing the milwaukee had to get with there program so they came up with EF2, EF3, and EF5 sets. EF4 being the little joe. Very interesting history behind the 4 different box cab sets.
Nick- Very interesting history on your layout. It seems like it's saying, "I been every layout." Nothing wrong there. My layout has changed so many times that I've lost count. I just finally came up with a track plan that I like. Keep up the good work.
Well, Tom, you will be happy to know that Boris' shed is done. All the bugs are dead, the shed has been sweeped out and things piled neatly inside, what ever those things are. But it finally looks pretty. What a work out. There were dust bunnies the size of lake Superior in there. Here's another question. When was the last time someone cleaned out this place..Hmmm.
Happy railroading
James
I'll try a rum please Leon to try and shake off this head cold, probably caught on the trip back over,and a round to celebrate our well deserved dart victory so well described by ace reporter CM3.
Well I am now up to date at OUR PLACE and have throughly enjoyed reading the great posts, links and pics, many thanks TOM,ROB,CM3, DOUG,LARS,BK,DL-UK,MIKE, JAMES, NICK,ERICand even a brief visit from AL.Gentlemen you make Our Place the trully remarkable place that it is.
I will go into more detail of my trip to England a bit later, although it was mostly work I did manage a trip to the Bluebell railway in Sussex for their "Giants of Steam"day where they had the two surviving Great Western 4-4-0 double-framers working together #3440 City Of Truro and #9017 Earl Of Berkley" The Bluebell is hoping to connect back with BR at East Grinstead in the not too distant future, at present their is a bus link from Kingscoat to East Grinstead. On the day we were there it was a preserved Routemaster bus which was talked about while I was away.
There is a service from Watford Junction to Brighton which skirts London and saves the hassle of crossing London by Underground. Unfortunatly on the way back there was a fatality on the line at South Croyden and our train was luckily stopped in the platform at Purley. After waiting over an hour trains started moving on the slow lines and Alan and I done a good smaritan act for a fairly elderly lady who was frightened to go on the Underground alone, so we took her with us to Euston and made sure she caught her train north. The railways cant be blamed for this and the driver of our train did his best to keep us informed.
NICK You are right I meant to say Free with All Right Now must have been jet-lag. As for songs with a railway theme how about "The Last Steam Powered Train" by the KINKS( on the Village Green Preservation Society album) and "The One After The 909" by a little known band The Beatles, I belive this was going to be the first track on the Please Please Me album but "I Saw Her Standing There" was chosen instead. Thanks for the Prairie model pics, I think the large prairie tanks were my favourite GW locos.
Looking forward to the description of your trip behind the SEMI. DL
Well TOM I had better go watch the Cards, when they are successful I will tell you what I said to the bride a week or two before the play-offs.
Another round LEONand many thanks all for the welcome back.
Pete
G’day Cap’n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth, set ‘em up if you please – a stein of German lager, your choice! Ah, it’s a bit early for lunch for me, however, I’ll take a foot long hero, ham – Swiss – mustAHd ‘n buttAH along with two large pickles from the barrel and a saucer of brine for Tex. Ok, Boris - you can have a dozen pickles too! <grin>
One game to go and the Cardinals from St. Louis become the Champions of Baseball for 2006. As a National League fan I’m elated at the prospect, however as a Mets fan, I’m still in a state of denial. Mixed bag for sure, huh This series has shown the chinks in the armor of the Detroit Tigers in that at times they surely have been throwing the ball away thereby giving the Cardinals every advantage. Are we ready for some FOOTBALL
I’m booked for a return to NYC early this coming week to wind up this chapter of “In the life of the Larson Family!” Sad to report that things here on the left coast didn’t go quite the way we had hoped and – well, it’s just a sad reality of the way life takes twists and turns. Never pleasant to institutionalize a loved one – but that’s the scourge of some diseases.
Ok, now what is the deal with this Darts Tournament ?? I’m trying to follow along, but honestly must say that I’m either not in synch, or it appears our “reporter” and “proprietor” are on different frequencies. So, when’s the next game?? Thought it was supposed to be a three-night “thing” – Tuesday thru Thursday. Did I miss something?? Also looks as if either of them are using different names for the tournament. Maybe there are two different challenge matches going on and some of us just haven’t picked up on it!
Now before CM3 I’m not Shane! gets offended – don’t take any! Mixed signals, that’s all – love the reports, and they really are creative and all of that. Hard to figure out where things were, are or are going. Looking forward to the final chapter of things . . . Also, good news about the event becoming an annual thing. Now the idea is to generate sufficient interest in this place to guarantee that we'll be here!
Good dialogue underway, once again, between Cap’n Tom and DL in the UK. Makes me want to book a trip on one of those routes being kicked around. Also, back to Pete! You’ve been sorely missed ‘round the Saloon by the Siding and we’re looking forward to your posts, insights and banter at the bar! I'd surely like to be added to that itinerary that Cap'n Tom mentioned for the Gaspe trip and visit to the Delson museum.
Anyone seen or heard from the man called trolleyboy Has he dropped off the Earth again Also, looks as if my “bookend” hasn’t made a return for awhile either. All adds up to limited interaction, fewer bucks in Cashinator ‘n Tilla and of course a quieter environment than we prefer here at the Tavern by the Tracks.
Good to see our Proprietor break out the TWEETER – unfortunately there was an erroneous accusation – but I see amends were made. <grin> Nice penalties!
I’ll try to make it back later . . .
Until the next time!
Manager Lars
In a most bizzare and thrilling conclusion, the "Our" Place team in the Grudge Match Bragging Rights DARTS CHALLENGE! overcame the misfits from The Second Class Saloon in a finish that could have been only orchestrated in the mind of a demented, tortured, but happy soul! WE WIN! WE WIN! Oooooooooops, WE WON! WE WON! there's another game to go in order to conclude the series. Most strange set of circumstances and we await with heightened anticipation . . .
Continuing thanx go to CM3 Ace Reporter for the "report" - and given that it is Friday, perhaps we will know by Monday of the fate of it all . . . Final match is over at The Second Class Saloon.
Did any of you catch that great URL from wanswheel Mike of the "tribute" to Mountain Man Mike from The Second Class Saloon It's a "keeper" - especially if you've been following the reports from CM3 and the barrage from the catapult, Gremlins, Pacers, Edsels 'n Corvairs! Here it is again:
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/cushman/full/P06176.jpg
Aside from a somewhat confused schedule - which fits well within most things taking place in and around Mentor Village - match #3 should indeed set the stage for an annual event. Yes, Mountain Man Mike and I have penned the contract - approved by the Committee What's In Charge (CWIC) for each establishment - that in the month of October, there shall be a Grudge Match Bragging Rights DARTS CHALLENGE! between the two taverns. Next year, match #1 opens at "Our" Place, etc.
I see Ruth has arrived, so I'll head out back and check to see if the work has been done in and around "Our" Place, including the fumigation of Boris' habitat!
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
My, my! We finally got to see a baseball game last night. One more and the Cards take it all.
A Frozen Dainty
Greetings from our dugout high atop Majestic Mount Mentor where we watch the Greater Mentor Electric Telegraph Authority’s wire train in action. The line crew, between pulls on the water jug (how come it’s leather?) is performing the last bit of restoration work on the trunk line to the outside world. Boris, please put the steamer trunks back in the crypt.
The second match of the IMWWDT is in the bookies (make that books). The Our Place folks earned the victory by superior skills and creative help from the mascots.
The pre-match parade was much more subdued, if only because the Ancient and Honorable Mentor Fusiliers were activated (first time since their campaign in the Crimea) for crowd control. They lined the streets in full battle regalia; Brown Bess muskets at the ready. In addition, the annual Greater Mentor Sheep Drive went through town as the parade was about ready to start. The boys on the 3-foot gauge Mentor and Southern sure have a gift for timing. When interviewed, the trainmaster said, “We couldn’t hold them back!” Your reporter is not sure whether he meant the sheep or the brakemen as both had been on the road for a long time.
The crowd, not being able to parade, was a bit sullen, but their morale perked up a little as they watched the pregame festivities led by the cheerleaders and the bikini drill team.
Our Place won the doubloon toss. Your reporter noticed that they were using the “Steamed Proprietor’s infamous two-headed coin. Also, Tim (Tiny) fell for the old “Heads I win, tails you lose” opening gambit. There’s something satisfying about seeing old school stuff now and again. No Boris, not power sweep, put the breaker panel back on the wall!
Second Class and Our Place matched each other dart for dart, drink for drink, claw hold for claw hold, body slam for body slam, well, you get the picture...Your reporter was, in fact, thinking about having to tear up the lead for this story and do a new one as it appeared we might have another tie.
We now channel Hemingway (no Boris, the author; not the trucking company). Late in the contest. Larry up for Second Class. He needs a double 17 to tie; anything better wins. Larry toes the line and the crowd grows quiet. He’s about ready to throw when Awk suddenly darts forward toward the punchbowl and extracts the bowl’s drain plug. The contents of the bowl gush out on the floor. Strong women tremble and men swoon as a tidal wave of punch surges forward. Larry is undisturbed – ready to do or die for alma mater (dear old Mentor License Plate Making and Auto Boosting Academy). He starts to throw and the flood of punch suddenly freezes solid! There, I’m myself again, I think – these flashbacks are wicked! It couldn’t have been the lobster; it must have been the beer.
To continue; Larry slipped, stepped over the line and fell, striking his head smartly on the left front corner of pool table #3. His throw went wild, but Ruth, ever agile and quick (she has to be with this crew!) managed to deflect the errant dart with her bar tray. According to the rules the throw did not count, thereby awarding the victory to Our Place.
The ensuing riot was rapidly quelled by the Fusiliers who formed into hollow squares and fired over the heads of the rioters.
Your reporter slipped out the back door and found the entrance to the Our Place building’s sub basement. There he found Frostbite seated at the controls of a monstrous ice making machine. It turns out that the MHL (Mentor Hockey League) is getting ready for their season and they will be using Our Place for practice. Frostbite was downstairs testing the equipment when Awk unplugged the punchbowl. I asked Frostbite if he had planned this. All he did was give me a sly look and hold up a Pittsburgh Penguins sweater.
One more to go. Our Place takes the upcoming match; they win it all – if not, it’s a three way tie. Somehow, I don’t think that Vito and the boys are going to let it happen.
Well, back to our studios high atop Majestic Mount Mentor courtesy of the Greater Mentor Sedan Chair and Portajohn Company, LLC. Say good night Frostbite!
And a rainy morning here in mid-continent USA with temps still comfortably in the low 50s (F). All is to change later this evening with a warming trend and dry throughout the weekend. Petrol up at “Collusion Corner” mysteriously jumped to $2.10 (rounded) per gallon. Well, perhaps no mystery, as someone surely must have sneezed at OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Extorting Countries).
And so, the St. Louis Cardinals (aka: Red Birds) are but one game away from this year’s World Series Championship! Up 3 games to 1, should things continue on has they have, it could all be over tonite in the new stadium downtown.
Mike – enjoyed the spate of URLs and that Pennsy parlor car really brought a rush of nostalgia – not that I ever traveled within one! Appreciate no visuals of the PC though! The CV steamers are terrific!
RR routes of the major league baseball teams Now that’s something to research – my guess is someone has put all of this together, just a matter of finding where. And yes, I do recall when this part of the country was “it” for the traveling teams of both leagues.
The first team to relocate “west” were the National League’s Boston Braves who departed for Milwaukee, WI at the conclusion of the 1953 season. The American League’s Philadelphia A’s packed up and moved to Kansas City, MO at the end of the 1954 season. Then a move east by the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore, where they became the American Leauge's Orioles. And of course perhaps the most controversial of all the relocations occurred at the end of the 1957 season when two teams departed New York City for California as the Brooklyn Dodgers settled in Los Angeles and the Giants headed for San Francisco. After that – well, do a web search!
Nick – ransom arranged – bathtub funds in upper hallway have been depleted. You were set free in the “nick of time” to participate in last night’s thriller-diller here at “Our” Place.
DL – a very fine Post this morning and surely well within our parameters for meaningful exchanges of information on Classic Trains, with a bit of humor (humour) thrown in!
Can’t really recall how many times I’ve mapped out a rail journey to include the itinerary you’ve mentioned. I seriously could spend the remaining years of my life doing nothing but traveling on the rails. Of course I’d wind up in the poor house in short order! Anyway, by pacing myself, I have managed to squeeze in at least one annual event where an overnight train trip is involved. 2006 has been a bit rough in that the 1st Annual “Our” Place Class Trains Rendezvous in Toronto along with my recently concluded trip to Nova Scotia pretty much put the damper on anything else. However, the year hasn’t ended – yet!!
Regarding your observations – yes the Malahat on Vancouver Island is an RDC run from Victoria – Nanaimo - Courtenay. VIA Rail has been operating it for quite some time. I’ve not had the opportunity to experience it, although we’ve been to the Island. I understand the equipment is pretty much on its last legs and while the route is enjoyable, the comforts are in the austere range.
The Skeena does have cars manufactured by the Colorado Railcar Company – Ultra Domes – 85 ft single level cars with very large glassed dome windows. Two of these cars wound up in the VIA Rail inventory as a result of the “folding” of BC Rail. The Skeena, when operating “in peak season” uses one car along with a Budd consist of a Skyline dome and a Park car. The trip from Jasper, AB up to Prince Ruppert, BC requires an overnight stay at a hotel in Prince George, BC. It is indeed a trip we’ve discussed many times. One day . . . .
It is indeed interesting to note how the lexicon somehow simplifies when one engages in the discussion of traveling by rail!
I bookmarked that site for the closed stations in the UK – great stuff indeed – thanx!
Finally - have a most enjoyable weekend on the rails!
Ruth opens up at 9 AM until Leon comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonite is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! along with Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Hi Tom
Thanks for the pardon – glad to see you operate a traditional approach to these things – ie what the landlord says is the rule!!
Pancake Breakfast for me today please (or am I coooking it myself whilst Nick is a hostage).
Good run down on those Canadian routes. The more you have mentioned it the keener I have become to do that Gaspe journey some time. Obviously The Canadian is a classic journey – but that no doubt means it is tourist orientated too perhaps – That Churchill – Winnipeg route does look like a good one.
Of course the ideal would be to take the Canadian to Winnipeg, do a Churchill Round Trip, onwards west and investigate the Skeena with an out and back trip (looks like it has a Park Car and some sort of modern glass roof car – is that like a Rocky Mountaineer car perhaps?), then press on to Vancouver and while the time away there with a trip on The Malahat (is that an RDC operated service? – I’d be interested in going on one of them). In fact if so much time did not have to be spent (wasted) at work then there’d be plenty of time for these escapades!
By the way love your use of words re 'Flannel Shirt' run - a clear picture emerges in my mind immediatly - Flannel Shirt / Skyline Dome - 4 words and all you need to know, and all you need to make you want to ride it! Maybe there is no transatlantic communication breakdown between us after all!
Interestingly enough, at least with the charter flights from the UK it does not seem to me that the price alters too much irrespective of destination (eg Halifax, Montreal, Toronto or Winnipeg – Vancouver may be more). I think this is probably because of the large ex-pat Brit population in Canada there is a market for these charter flights (eg when I’ve taken them there is always a healthy contingent of seniors travelling to visit friends and relatives). Also price was the same for my recent trip Open Jaw (ie out to Montreal – rtn from Halifax, whereas traditionally Open Jaw was an excuse for the airline to rip you off.
In contrast, from memory when travelling to the USA the charter flight market from UK is more or less confined to Florida with people going to Disneyland, and some cheaper flights to New York due to the competition on that route. I don’t really know why but Brits seem to think much of the USA is limited to New York City and Disneyland (with a clear awareness of Hollywood of course, although probably an inability to locate it on the map). Perhaps they think all the rest is the Wild West?
Anyway – here is another link (rather melancholy) that people may be interested in:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/sites.shtml
The author seems to have made it a life’s work travelling round closed stations and documenting them. In my view the best pictures on the sites are the ones from the period 5 – 10 years after closure where and air of dereliction has set in but the place is still extent – more recent pics simply show a place wiped off the map, or if lucky, converted into a new purpose. Obviously this is UK in focus but my hunch is many of the Our Place regulars will be interested in this.
In fact it is a sub site of this Subterranea Brittanica site – which is dedicated to obscure underground and (disused) semi secret locations (eg cold war bunkers etc) that exist around the place. Worth a look.
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/about.html
Full trip report on the LMS Pacific London excursion after the weekend!
DL - UK
PS - Pete - hope you're catching up in the corner there!
Nick - think we've got one of those collecting tins on the bar for the ransom mate. I've been putting the catering tips in there - there's only so much stand in cooking I want to do whilst you're away. When you're out maybe you can look out that ACR-ONR trip report you mentioned a while back for me?
Well good evening gentlemen--still in a locked-room bed in the county hospital-will somebody please pay the ransom ,I`m sure I can look after myself..
TOM-welcome home mate-good job done there..
Moving on :- Leon,beers all around please--splendid fellow
JAMES--thank you for kind words about my trains--
The layout was originally conceived as an homage to the Somerset & Doset line -A famous English cross-country route linking Bath & Bournemouth-I have a complete set of stock needed to operate it but having completed that jigsaw suddenly I found myself with a new interest-The Canadian rail scene,my existing layout provided exactly the right template for the Toronto--Allendale section of the C.N. and witha little `imagineering` it has become the South Ontario Bridge lines-----the S.O.B route--VIA & ONR pass. services,C.N,O.N.R,G.T.W and C.P.R freights and through cars from all over....
Right-looks like that large and muscular nurse is intent on me taking my medicene-wow,that is a HUGE woman..........................................................................................................................................................
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
That was refreshing, tweets galore. Haven't heard the tweet since the days of red P
Nick, that museum in Bilbao, you couldn't have missed it, I presume. The architech Gehry is from Toronto and has a project going on up there.
Eric, thanks for reading about the New Albany & Salem.
It was entirely in Indiana and entirely in the first five letters of Monongahela.
http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/dc014&CISOPTR=61&REC=15
James, if you click these links you'll see black & white pictures and data in the Library of Congress
Milwaukee Road electric locomotive E50
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mt/mt0000/mt0038/photos/100924pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mt/mt0000/mt0038/data/008.gif
Milwaukee Road electric locomotive E70
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mt/mt0000/mt0038/photos/100914pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mt/mt0000/mt0038/data/006.gif
The Tigers and the Cardinals were in the 1934 World Series. The Dean brothers each won 2 games.
I wonder what trains they took. The Tigers of course were accustomed to traveling to St. Louis to play the Browns. Back then all of major league baseball was in the East and Midwest, or within the combined routes of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central.
Speaking of Penn Central, Tom, I found a Pennsy parlor car on the New Haven
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ct/ct0300/ct0346/photos/024723pv.jpg
CM3, thanks for explaining the game of Darts, finally. Actually I almost remember playing darts about 40 years ago.
Mountain Man Mike's 2nd Class Mountain
Central Vermont locomotive 601
(photo courtesy Canada Science & Technology Museum)
(photo borrowed with much gratitude to Mr. Mitchell)
Mike
Gute Nacht allersiets!
Just a quickie before the game begins - yes, the Cardinals and Tigers are going to start the game on time. Rains have held off - just drizzle for most of the day. Heavier stuff coming in later on and throughout tomorrow. Oh to be a weather forecaster - imagine getting paid for being right 50% of the time!
Appreciate the business from Pete 'n James! Always like to keep the jingle in the cash registers known as "Tilla 'n Cashinator"! <grin> KaChing - KaChing . . .
James - as revealed in past commentary - we charge five bucks for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soda IF nothing else is ordered. Otherwise those beverages are FREE! Wasp spray Yes, we have it - just remove the top from the water barrel (old beer keg) to the left of the Glockenspiel - you'll find it in amongst the assorted "outside" stuff. . . .
Pete - stay tuned to the game - we need all the postive vibes we can get! It ain't over 'til it's over (a Yogi-ism) and my guess is there's plenty of life left in those striped beasts from Detroit!
Don't forget guyz - TONITE is match #2 of the DARTS CHALLENGE - unless of course CM3 Ace Reporter has continued with his slight of hand! This all began as the best 2 of 3 . . . how does THAT work with a tie???? Methinks there has to be a Dart-off to square match #1.
Leon - give 'em a round on me, Boris ring the bell!
siberianmo wrote:Guten Tag allersiets!James - good man - five dollar coffee it is! A tip - be careful when entering Boris' shed - it can be a rather harrowing experience. Definitely will clear your sinuses! <grin>Auf Wiedersehen!Tom
G-day Captain Tom.
Yow!! Five dollar Coffee!! Well I will deffinenetly be ordering.
Ruth- Fish n'd chips please with some more of that five dollar coffee please.
Yes I know I am ordering a little later in the day but that shed... There spiders the size of half dollars in there. I hate spiders. And what is up with all the stuff just piled randomly in and OUT of the shed... Yike, I will be changing at how I do some stuff around here.
Anyway, Things have finally slowed down. Dang shed.. As I had said I had gone to Fargo this past weekend and got in some railfanning. There are a couple of places to visit when you're out there.
#1. The Moorhead juction. The double track Northern pacific (Now BNSF) crosses over the other BNSF line (Was Great Northern) and the trains just come through at 40 mph. Over the diamond.. what a noise. The loaded coal trains going over the diamond are almost deafening.
#2 Casselton, North Dakota. They can only come through at 40 but you can watch them disappear in the distance. This section of the line is the second longest straight piece of track in North America. At almost 50 miles long on the prairie. You can see the trains from almost 7 miles away. And it takes them forever to get to Casselton. Just outside of Casselton there able to run along at 60 mph. I will have pics of those soon.
BTW: Can we get wasp killer! You have a nest on the back of the shed.
Happy railroading!
A pint of Holden's Mild after the excess of the darts night ( I thought it was a nine PINT warm up not a nine DART warm up), please RUTH, and I should be recovered enough for some of NICK's Fish ,N, Chips later.
It was great to talk to you this morning TOM and many thanks for the welcome back all. I am still catching up on the posts and will do a normal post when up to date.There has been great posts, pics and links while away, just been reading about the Rock Island wonderful info.
Well Ruth a round for all while I sit in the Corner and catch up
Ruth- I have not been ordering from you lately and I have been tweeted! So before I go out and clean the shed, I think I will have a nice coffee. Breakfast blend please.
Sorry there Captain Tom, I just forget. I know I've had the time to order and I knew the rule so I will try to be more dilligent. But as you say, a shed needs cleaning.
Eric- Thanks for the comments. I was surprised to find that medal. It was quite a heart warmer. You have some Fs yourself hmm. Well, I would like to see those things next Wednesday if possible. I like Fs a lot. If I am able to buy them I do. But you said, "They're around here somewhere." Uh oh. hopefully you can find them. Anyway thanks for the comments
Nick- I like your layout. It gives me ideas and the need to finish up my layout. Good string of F-units there. Those Fs and the GP coming down the hill with there train is quite a sight. How steep of a hill is it? The Athearn Genesis is a great line and is the maker of some of the most detailed and most impressive F-units out there. Broadway limited is another maker but they don't put as much detail in to them as Athearn does. So if you're thinking about buying them do so.
Hey Tom - make mine the evening dish of the day - but what I need to do is check if there is any system of appealing these Tweets!!
No order of the day you say? But check again:
"Well - trebles all round today for all in as we have some big news to celebrate"
To celebrate the good news I bought trebles all round - I can only assume we have some trans atlantic communication breakdown here - what that is supposed to meam is that I'm buying a triple order of any drink anyone in the bar at the time wants to help join me in the celebration - not making an order you say? It's the bigest order I ever made!
So guys, did anyone get those drinks I ordered - if not better get them in now - I'm buying after all.
But, in good grace I'll acept the punishment - but I'm looking for a pardon. I've got a nasty feeling you're not running any of that stock with controlled emmission toilets either on this line - I bet those Nightstar carriages are fitted with them though!
Guten Morgen Allersiets!
Continuing with the acknowledgments - this time from the current Page!
Pete - it's a slow go when trying to play catch up - appreciate your taking the time to do it! Something that many of us used to ALWAYS do upon return from an absence. Only way I know of keeping up to date . . .
Lars - great to see ya pop in! Read through your Email - and once again, take heart - we'll be here when things settle down for ya - not to worry. Do what you can, when you can and we'll all be a bit better off for it!
James - nice Pix - kudos for the medal Of course, you have been TWEETED! This current Post should count as yet another - but I'll let it go. Time for you to straighten up and fly right (a WWII lyric from a song . . . )
Nick - happy to know that you survived the first nite! Seems that the DARTS CHALLENGE has taken on a new twist, along with the dates! Our "reporter" has run with the ball and still is . . . .
Appreciate the Wednesday Toy 'n Model Trains Day! Pix . . .
Eric - all of this talk 'bout the Bikini Team has me wonderin' - WHAT did I MISS
DL - that's a fine looking Pacific you will be trailing behind! My envy goes out to ya - sure would love to experience the trip. Ummmmmmm - sure would! Thanx for the URL!
CM3 - so it wound up in a DRAW!!! And the dates have all changed because of rain Must've been the hole in the roof at the Second Class Saloon, eh Well, appears as if you'll have us all in "stitches" (as in laughter) and suspense (as in "what huh?") as this saga continues on . . . . Enjoying it all! A five- Salute to you Sir for all of the "reports," enthusiasm and energy!
Ruth, a round on me - Boris, ring it! By the by, Boris - it's OUT WITH THE BAD AIR . . . <geesh>
Back again – this time with a few acknowledgments of Posts Past!
from Page 416:
CM3 – I wudda thunk that snow in late October is the “norm” in your part of the world. Somewhere in my mind’s eye, there was a trip through Wheeling en route Cincinnati (back before the Interstate) and I recall lotsa white stuff – and that was just around this time of year. Had existed the Pennsy Turnpike at New Stanton for my “run” to southern Ohio via highway 40 and route 22. Ah, the good ole days! <grin>
Strategic Air Command (1955) with Jimmy Stewart – ah, yes a good selection – will do!
DL – The URL regarding the “Train Defecator” reminded me of a similar set of incidents – but aboard ship. Yes, seems we had a crewman who for whatever the motivation, took great delight in making “deposits” into the SHOES of his sleeping shipmates. NEVER did catch the guy and it remains one of those “mysteries of life” we all encounter from time to time!
Nick – Intriguing references to fire power and adornments for the Darts Challenge team uniforms! A sure-fire-fit!
Many thanx for the Pix from the Welshpool & Llanfair light Railway!
Rob – Interesting “spook” trolleys! Also, appreciate your efforts at trying to get the Tuesday Theme for the Day! kicked off . . . can’t do much more than try, eh
Eric – So, let me get this straight – are you the Coordinator-in-charge for the Swedish Bikini Team
And yes, dining aboard a rolling train IS one of the most pleasurable of experiences!
CM3 – A most entertaining piece regarding the catapult – a fine use for discarded Gremlins, Pacers – Edsels and Corvairs, I should add!
Nick – Help is on the way! Stay low and go slow, Mate!
Pete – Good to see ya, Mate and glad you made it back just in time for match #1 – along of course with shirt #1
Mike – Appears as if ONLY YOU followed thru with some MONON “stuff” – albeit not identifiable in the Pix – but the history was and is appreciated! Wonder how many others “caught it”
James – Congrats on your entry! Also, consider yourself TWEETED! Rules violation – rules violation – failure to order a drink or food! Reminder: You’ve had ample time to get with the program – so you now must clean out Boris’ shed out behind the building!
Doug – Good to see ya! Consider yourself TWEETED! Rules violation – rules violation – failure to order a drink or food! You, as a Permanent Stool holder SHOULD KNOW BETTER! So, you now have the responsibility of collecting the Awk, Tex and Frostbite droppings in and around this place!
DL – Great news about the light rail expansion plans. Always happy to hear of forward momentum in that department, no matter where on this globe of ours! Consider yourself TWEETED! Rules violation – rules violation – failure to greet the barkeep AND failure to order a drink or food! No more dispensation for you, Mate – you’ve been ‘round the block sufficiently to know the way we operate! Yours is to patrol the trackage (2 main lines) to ensure that the ‘deposits’ left from the passing passenger cars are scooped and disposed of properly!
To be continued . . .
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present: coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
The forum is randomly formatting stuff this a.m.; so this post may look a bit raggedy - apologies in advance.
Late news from Mentor – boy is it late – we were doing o.k. until the Second Class folks, in line with present metal prices, copped copper from the chattering telegraph lines. Anyway, communications have been restored and here’s a report on the first darts match. Note that because of the rain in the heartland; other matches have been pushed back a day (or two); IOW work, work work...have no feah! We will provide full and complete coverage (probably more than you ever wanted to know)
Let the Games Begin – There’s No Crying in Darts
Greetings from our studios high atop Majestic Mount Mentor. I am tonight hunched over the old Underwood upright and am at a loss (Boris, give me back my wallet, thank you) to try and describe the first game of the darts tournament.
The pregame festivities resumed once the parade (not the contestants) reformed. The Greater Mentor Vintage Flight, Balloon and Social Club provided a flyover of several Gotha bombers. This was followed by a parade of flags, and the national anthems of all contestants involved in the tournament. The Transylvanian national anthem is, indeed, a toe tapping ditty. Not too many folks paid attention to the opening ceremonies as the refreshments flowed and the bets were heavy.
As a refresher, darts is a game played between two players or two teams. Each player throws three darts in a turn. Then the darts are retrieved. Darts must stay on the board for at least five seconds after a player’s final throw. Throws don’t count if they stick in another dart or fall off the board. If a player’s foot (paw or tentacle) crosses the line or if a player falls over the line, the throw doesn’t count. There are no “do-overs” in darts.
Scoring is pretty straightforward. In the wedge; the amount posted on the outer ring. Double ring (outer narrow ring) twice the number hit. Triple ring, three times the number hit. Outer bulls eye; 25 points; double bulls eye (inner); 50 points.
Genial banter ensued among the players as each team took their obligatory nine warm-up tosses; a few of which actually hit the board; several narrowly missing other participants and the Second Place cheerleaders. The trash talking among the players was not nationalistic, although it did involve pungent references to different ancestries and various social habits. Your reporter, used to such repartee (and having been known to indulge in it now and then, but only when under duress) was not overly shocked, but ear plugs were provided by the Mentor Visiting Nurse and Veterinary Korps for the more sensitive folks in the audience.
A doubloon was flipped to determine who would go first, as the Mentor Police Dept. said it would not be a good idea to determine “firsts” with anything that had a point on it. Second Place won the toss, thereby making Second first.
As the match progressed, it was clear that both teams were evenly matched with identical scores at the end of the first game (yes Boris, they were the same, too). By that point both the audience (the school kids had been sent home earlier) and the players were face down and nobody was in fit shape to continue; the Greater Mentor Ambulance and Animal Disposal Authority was summoned and Pulmotors used to revive the participants. Nobody wanted rescue breathing from Boris as his remark, “Out with the good air, in with the bad,” scared folks away. The game was declared to be a draw and will be entered into the books as such. The second game will be on Oct. 25 at “Our Place.” It sure looks as if the third game will “be necessary.” NOTE: See remarks above this story - telegraph problems prevented dates being changed after the paper (and reporters) "went to bed."
I’ll be heading back to our studios high atop Majestic Mount Mentor availing myself of transportation graciously furnished by the Metropolitan Mentor Nash and Hupmobile Club. Say good night, Tex!
Greetings to all on this wet morning in mid-continent USA. Been raining here for over 24 hours and more on the way. “They” say we’ll probably receive a couple of inches when all of this is expected to conclude on Friday night. Managed to get Juneau the Wonder Husky off on his AM treak throughout the “mean streets” of our subdivision <grin> - he missed last night due to the downpour and couldn’t justify two in a row!
Let’s see, game #4 of the World Series will be played tomorrow night – IF the weather cooperates – however, game #5 is to be played tonite – again, weather permitting. Should tonite’s game be washed out, then Saturday will be game #5, but if Friday is also a rain out, Sunday will be game #4. Following all of this ONLY Major League Baseball could come up with something as screwy as this. You see, they have the tickets printed well in advance and game numbers only have relevance to those holding them. Poor folks who came from afar are now wrestling with what to do regarding air reservations, hotels, etc. Bummer.
Noted that petrol was at $1.99 (rounded) up at “Collusion Corner” a far cry from the $.96 (rounded) per litre I noticed in Nova Scotia. Multiply that by 4 and you’ll get an idea of the per gallon price for them. <ugh>
Uneventful trip back, all connections were made and aside from being a bit worn at the edges, things are back to normal ‘round here. The Memorial Service was held in the oldest Anglican church in Dartmouth and was well organized. So much diversity – so many people and so very heartwarming. A true celebration of a wonderful man’s life. Most flattered to have been a part of it through the reading of one of the scriptures. Thanx to all of you for your well wishes and positive thoughts – really appreciated!
Appears as if the place has been perking along in my absence – as it is designed to do. Noted a question regarding “how things work” in my absence – ANSWER: the same as when I’m here. Simple as that. Greet the bartender – order a drink or food and get on with the discussion of Classic Trains.
I KNOW the outcome of the games and am eagerly awaiting the delivery of this morning’s Gazette for the sports coverage. From the looks of this place, the party atmosphere ‘round here last night was indeed – festive. Not that much broken, bent, or otherwise mangled – for that I’m thankful! Having the Track Gangs watching the goings on surely didn’t hurt and I’m amazed how easily they picked up those pool tables to make room for the Bikini “team”!
Permit me to peruse these pages in order to better address some of the commentary in my absence. Everything has “loaded” so I want to take advantage of it while I can!
Be back in a bit . . . .
Hello Cindy - full breakfast for me please.
Yes yesterday was a good day - one on the tram news front as mentioned, then postman arrives with the latest issue of Classic Trains - good timing or what? I must say only glitch with the mag is there is not enough Canadian stuff in it - but trailer for next issue looks like there will be some canadian focus - not that there is anything wrong with the content of course.
Pete - good to see you back and nice to see you are catching up with recent posts and links - no doubt we all look forward to hearing about your travels - I never did make it to the GCR for that steam weekend - a situation I regret but there we are.
Rob / Nick - ONR and ACR - I spent some time looking at the ACR website - looks like a darn good run - I see that public transport wise from Toronto you are looking at taking the Canadian to Oba and then workign south towards Sault St Marie and back, or Taking the Canadian to Sudbury Jct - then taxi to Sudbury - then the White River VIA train to Franz where it looks like it connects (geographically if not timetable wise) with the ACR - or I suppose you can get a road coach or something Toronto Sault St Marie?
I think I'll head for the ONR next visit to Toronto if I can + Halton County Tram car museum of course.
Nick - I'd really like to read that Railway Mag ONR / ACR 1960s article you mentioned - my e-mail is dud at the mo though so the only way would be if you can scan and post up here - is that feasible?
Anyway - guess what - Sat morning I have tickets with 3 others for dining car service on steam trip to London and back behind 4-6-2 Princess Coronation Duchess of Sutherland - lets hold out for no mechanical failures. That is about 150 miles each way behind one of the UK's top notch express passenger steam locos. Tell you all about it next week.
For those of you who want to know what it looks like - check the link:
http://www.prclt.co.uk/New_Collection_Locomotives.htm
Good wishes to you all - and enjoyed the various recent contribs from others not mentioned above - thank you.
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