"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[siberianmo]

Good Evening Guys!

Seems like a slow enough night for me to contribute a story of my rail travels. This was Posted some time ago on another thread that I created, before "Our Place - only Rob and *** may recall this one ........

Okay - time for MY story about a VIA Rail trip with a and a not-so-happy conclusion.

In December of 2002, my wife and I departed Toronto aboard VIA Rail's "Canadian" bound for Vancovuer. Having made the round trip once before, but in May, we were exicited about the prospects of a winter voyage across most of Canada.

We were able to book the drawing room suite in the Park Car (Glacier Park) and settled into our seats in the dome as the train pulled out of Toronto's Union Station. The day was rather gloomy, a bit of light rain and sleet hitting the windows as we wound our way through and out of the city.

The further north we got, the clearer the skies and by the time we started see evidence of that magnificant Canadian Shield, the skies were blue with some white puffy clouds. Great picture taking with some memorable sights indeed.

Now I could continue this dialogue in the style aforementioned - but then it would just drone on and one - for really, the trip WAS fantastic. The snow amounts were far, far less than what we had hoped for - but then again, those of you living in Canada - especially the mountainous regions, know full well what the drought conditions have been like for quite some time. Nevertheless, we were undaunted in our optimism that the trip would hold true to our high
expectations - and for the most part it did.

On Friday, January 3rd, our train was struck by a rock slide just north of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon. Fortunately, this event did not seriously damage the train or harm any people within it. The delay of six hours wound up being a PLUS in that once we resumed our voyage, we got to view some sights that would have otherwise been "voids" to us. For had the train kept to its schedule, we would have passed through that area in darkness. (Same for the eastbound - darkness..........). Saw things that were all new to me (and have been alluded to in my previous posts) - for example, the rock slide 'sheds' that deflect the slides OVER the tracks rather than on to them. Interesting and effective concept indeed. Also the tunnel carved out of the rock - no portals - pretty rugged and functional. Can just imagine the work those people put into building that railroad! Wow.

Now - fast forward to the day of departure from Vancouver, Sunday, January 5th.

Talk had been heard in the "Silver & Blue" waiting area set aside for bedroom passengers at Pacific Central Station, that the "Cruise Ship Virus" had been detected on the train that had arrived from Toronto that morning. The train, was "quarantined" - not the passengers - and another had to be assembled rather quickly for the eastbound "Canadian" that evening (our triain).

Now for those of you who don't know - this particular virus is a real doozy. Once it hits you - expect to be "out of it" for 48 hours, working very well from all 'ends' I might add. It probably is better known as the "Norwalk Virus" to most people who follow these things.

It was said that 15 passengers in the coach portion of the morning train had come down with the virus and they were in very poor shape as some were carried from the train. All of this talk didn't bode well for what we had expected to unfold.

We board the "new" train - deposited our belongings in the drawing room of the Stathcona Park Car and headed up to the dome to take in the sights of the train departing Vancouver. Just a marvelous way to travel - my wife had a complimentary glass of champagne and I had a local brew - and all was well with the world as we left Vancouver behind us.

The next day was a picture taking day indeed. Just to give you one example, check out this photo of Mt. Robson - the tallest mounain in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 ft/3,953 m. (click to enlarge ......)



That should give you an idea of the great sky very conducive to picture taking (and keeping!).

Fast forward to the next day as the train pulled into Winnipeg. We noticed all kinds of activity alongside the south side of the tracks as we neared the station. TV cameras, reporters, microphones, et al. When we asked our car attendant what was going on - he indicated that he had no idea, so we let it go at that. We arrived at the station to an announcement that if anyone wanted to stretch their legs now would be the time, but that they would NOT be permitted to reboard until further notice. Hmmmmm - we stayed on board.

After about 2 hours of sitting up in the dome,and the train already late for the scheduled departure, we began to ask of the "new" attendant, what was going on. She said there was a "work issue" and that several new crew members refused to board the train. No further elaboration was given.

About 2 hours after that - we heard an announcement that the train would be delayed further pending arrival of Health Canada officials. Hmmmmmmm.

Fast forward to the bottom line:

The virus had stricken a half dozen passengers, one in the bedroom compartment adjacent to ours. We had noticed that all during the trip, the handrails were being constantly wiped by attendants wearing latex gloves and spraying a solution wherever one might be expected to touch ....... That was the only overt indication of preventative measures being taken to safeguard us from this virus. The replacement crew refused to board at Winnipeg until assurances were given that they would not be adversely impacted.

That evening - after the train finally left, a total of 6 hours in delay - we had dinner. Within a half hour of that event, I got sick - and did I ever get sick! I'm an "old guy" and have experienced feeling bad in my life - but I assure you, NEVER quite like this.

The remainder of the trip to Toronto was spent in the toilet - got to know that rascal "up close and personal" or comatose in bed. Awful experience to say the least.

We were met at the station by VIA Rail and Health Canada officials. The latter wanted to take "samples" and the former wanted me to sign something similar to a "release." I provided the sample - but refused the release.

We remined on the train for about 45 minutes after everyone else had departed and then we were "cleared" to go. The VIA Rail official arranged for our baggage to be taken to a taxi - put us in it - picked up the tab (for the cab, that is) and sent us on our way to the hotel we had made reservations with. Stayed at the Renaissance in the Sky Dome.

Fast forward to today: Haven't heard a word about the incident since and the replies to my inquiries regarding exactly what was done with my "samples" and confirmation from VIA and Helath Canada that this was the "Cruise Ship Virus" have NEVER been addressed. I even provided photo copies of the newspaper accounts of the virus aboard the trains (that earlier train I alluded to, and ours) - but it was if the recipients closed their minds to the facts ......[tdn][tdn][tdn])

Case closed.

P.S. Am I angry with VIA Rail over this? NO - absolutely NOT. I love those trains and I enjoy the experience. However, I think ineptitude and rudeness on the part of ANY indiviudal can NEVER be excused. So, I will probably always harbor a feeling of ill will directed toward those who should have:

(1) Informed the passengers on the train of the situation when it became apparent that the virus was indeed detected.

(2) Permitted those of us who were not yet effect, to get off the train in Winnipeg in order to make other travel plans.

(3) Been a bit more helpful to those of us stricken with the illness to include arranging for a doctor to check us out either on the train or at our hotel.

(4) etc. ......
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay - that's it for me. Have a great day and I hope to see a bit more activity tomorrow on OUR discussion topic.[tup][tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Hi Pete

Appreciate the kind words and pint ....... [tup] Mine is the easier 'round here - it's the guys who make this place of ours what it is. I strive to ensure that no one gets left out.

Missouri not only has some interesting names of towns - but by now you've discovered the pronunciation oddity as well. Took me quite awhile to get used to it ....

As the cooler weather arrives, the closer we'll get to the Amtrak trip! [yeah]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.
A grand do yesterday[tup] and it certainly seems to inspired the regulars with some great posts and TWO SILVER THROTTLE AWARDS both very well earned may I add[tup][yeah]
Tom in Britain we do not generally have a tip jar but wheh we order the drinks we often add and one for yourself . So i'll have a pint of Bathams and whatever you are having to celebrate your award[tup].

ROB Thanks for the info on the Subs did you have any British subs built a bit earlier perhaps P or O class[?].

THEODOREBEAR Excuse my ignorance but over here is GAS what we call petrol or does it include diesel fuel as well [?]
I was reading in the K.C. Star that there is a small town in Missouri named Gas where a roadside cafe does a good trade selling mugs and T-shirts which read "Don't pass GAS call in[:-,]

EARLYDIESELS I keep leaving the advert for your railway out so the wife sees them hopefully we will be able to come this year when does the season end [?]I am getting withdrawal symptoms from not being on a train[sigh]

Hope to call in soon. Tom those photos of the CAN-AM ARE great[yeah][wow].

[siberianmo]

”Our Place ORDER OF THE STOOLS

Permanent Stool Chris First customer, [^] Barrister and Quebec connection.

Permanent Stool Ted Manager of “Our” Place and customer with unparalleled good cheer [swg] and determination. Florida connection.

Permanent Stool Nick Chief Chef [C=:-)] of “Our” Place and customer supreme from West Wales. British Isles connection.

Permanent Stool Trolleyboy Rob If it concerns street cars, talk to me! – and Ontario connection.

Permanent Stool Passengerfan Al Walking, talking “Classic Train” aficionado [2c] and author. California connection.

Permanent Stool *** Watkins Rail aficionado [2c], enthusiast, world traveler – and Texas [C):-)] connection.

Reserved Stool earlydiesels Dan Restorations are us! … And train lover at large [2c]. Southwest Missouri connection.

Reserved Stool West Coast S Dave California man of mystery [8D], real and model rail enthusiast, and West Coast connection. Recipient Silver Throttle Award

Reserved Stool coalminer 3 Northeast rail aficionado [2c] and West Virginia connection. Recipient Silver Throttle Award

Reserved Stool Gunns Kevin Machinist, loco restorationist supreme [2c] and New Mexico connection.

Reserved Stool Trainnut484 Russell AT&SF and rail enthusiast, model railroader [:D] and Kansas connection.

A customer may be considered for membership in either category through their participation in the discussions at "Our" Place. The quantity of posts does not mean as much as quality of them.

Further, willingness to participate in the banter goes a long way toward convincing the Selection Committee of one's eligibility. A rule of thumb: (1) Greet the barkeep and (2) Order a drink! It's that simple to get off to a good start with your posts! [swg]

Being a regular customer simply means that you've taken the time to drop in, have something to offer, respond to others, and enjoy the atmosphere of "Our" Place! Inclusiveness is what we're trying to achieve - repetitive one-on-one stuff should be relegated to Email.

Tom, Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[siberianmo]

G'day All,

Just a reminder once again - we have a Birthday Bash coming up for trolleyboy Rob this Saturday, Sep 10th at 10 PM (Eastern).

While that may be a bit late for some, there's no reason why we can't make a Post or two prior to the appointed hour just to let our Charter Member and good friend know we're thinking about him! [tup]

Let's make this a Ba***o remember!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day earlydiesels Dan

Glad you made it back to your Reserved Stool at the bar! [tup] [yeah] We had quite a picnic yesterday and for those who were able to partake in the festivities, I'm sure they won't forget what a fine time was had by all .... except perhaps Nick who was creased by a Clydesdale horseshoe ....... [tdn]

Appreciate your taking the time to read thru the Posts since your last one - that's the idea, isn't it [?]

Sounds like you had quite a RR'ing weekend for sure! Anyone hurt in that pickup [?] Can't fix stupid, as the saying goes ........

Looks like we may hit our 100th page without a winner! [wow]

You asked, and here it is!

QUOTE: Artist Lyrics: C.W. Mccall
Song Lyrics: The Gallopin' Goose
Album Lyrics: Roses For Mama

(Chip Davis, Bill Fries)

On a cold November mornin'
Back in nineteen-thirty-seven
With an early snow a-fallin'
On the three-foot tracks at Ames
Came a mighty strange contraption
Known to trainmen as a motor
But to folks in Colorado
She was known by another name

Up the canyons south of Sawpit
Past the red Cathedral spires
'Cross the yellow mountain switchbacks
And the rapids far below
On the high and lofty trestles
Near the fabled mines of Ophir
In the silver San Juan Mountains
Came a goose a-plowin' snow

[Chorus]
With a Pierce-Arrow engine,
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came the Rio Grande Southern
The Gallopin' Goose
With a Pierce-Arrow engine
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came Number Five, The Gallopin' Goose

'Twas a four-door auto-mobile
On a dozen wheels of iron
Sixteen feet of rockin' boxcar
Spot-welded to her tail
Loaded down with mercantile
Ten bags a' high-grade ore
Two mothers nursin' babies
Seven miners an' the mail

Up the side a' Sunshine Mountain
By internal gas combustion
Eight Pierce-Arrow pistons pullin'
Fifteen thousand pounds a' lead
At the snowshed on the summit
The conductor said his prayers
He declared a busted driveshaft
On the pass at Lizard Head

[Chorus]
With a Pierce-Arrow engine
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came the Rio Grande Southern
The Gallopin' Goose
With a Pierce-Arrow engine
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came Number Five, The Gallopin' Goose

[Musical interlude here.]

Down the three-percent to Rico
In the valley of Dolores
They still talk about the Southern
An' her flock of flyin' geese
From the roundhouse at Ridgway
To the depot at Durango
All the tracks are gone for scrap iron
And the ganders rest in peace

Up the canyons south of Sawpit
Past the red Cathedral spires
'Cross the yellow mountain switchbacks
And the rapids far below
On the high and lofty trestles
Near the fabled mines of Ophir
In the silver San Juan Mountains
There's a legend in the snow

[Chorus]
With a Pierce-Arrow engine
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came the Rio Grande Southern
The Gallopin' Goose
With a Pierce-Arrow engine
Runnin' hot and on the loose
Came Number Five, The Gallopin' Goose

We've got this song in the Juke - punch C5 and she's all yours!

See ya later! [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day Ted

Awwwwwwwshucks! I didn't expect such recognition and had to research your contract to ensure that you indeed have such authority. You do - I accept and thanx! [swg] So, we now have three recipients of The Silver Throttle Award, I'm honored.

Nice sidestep - Inspector Clueless of the Local Constabulary and his trusted friend and associate, Mr Doyle, Private Investigator indeed! I don't think that between the two of 'em they'd be able to toss that Clydesdale horseshoe any further than a couple of feet, much less the distance to the ring in our bona fide, certified and otherwise official Mentor Village horseshoe pit ....... [swg]

That Rheingold tune keeps rattling 'round in my aging grey matter, "My beer is Rheingold the dry beer, think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer. I's not bitter, not sweet .........." Takes me back. Those gals of the Miss Rheingold contests were yesterday's centerfolds of what was to come later. I preferred the way it was done back then ....... [yeah]

I thought that was you in the Music Tent last night .... it was an amazing sight and the sounds were fantastic. The Streamliners and the RDC's from BC really put on quite a show ....... [yeah] Nick was observed jumping in to lend a bit of pizzazz to it all. A good nite was had by all ....... [tup]

Thanx for all you do 'round here, Ted! [tup][tup][tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Egad, this is a double pleasure and honorable observance. Whilst I was composing my last entry, Coalminer 3 has been bestowed the "Silver Throttle Award" in my absence. May I be the second to congratulate you both. How 'bout it gents? Two choruses of "For He's a Jolly good Fellow" in 2 flats (right, B flat major Nick). Hear, hear.

CM3, like Tom, I too arrived at South Station. In July 1962 we made a rail movement to Boston from Baltimore for a Fourth of July Concert and parade. By Gadfery, the trek (bag and baggage) through South Station to the old Essex Hotel across the street was just as you described the scene in every detail. Congratulations again on capturing such vivd mental imagery with your Post. Happy rails.

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone. Tom, I'll take black coffee and some plain donuts, please. Sounds like the picnic was a success(except for Nick catching a horseshoe with his head). It's taken about an hour to read all the posts since my absence.
Theodorebear, I have some books about the SLSF and can find no doodlebug pix with a fan over the cab. There is a roster of the cars, however. The Frisco Modelers Information Group has a website that you might find more info. I found it last using the sidebars that are on the Kalmbach home page under historical societies, et al. Good posting on the soapbox.
Nickinwestwales. At the rr this weekend someone left a brochure about a NG rr in Wales that runs excursions. I glanced at it and remember its name had a couple of Ts at the beginning. Was SO BUSY that did not get to read it completely. It had a roster with some small steamers dating back to the 1860s. Always interested in NG, even if I can't understand the language.
Passengerfan, as Midland's book reviewer, my next project is Rock Island Streamliners by Greg Stout. I've glanced at it and already found some errors. Midland's own Rockets, E6 630 and E8 652, are pictured several times.
3.2 beer. I remember this beer was only available on Sundays from certain places. In Springfield, we had to drive across town to the only place that could sell beer on Sunday, which was a steakhouse. All the bars were closed and c stores locked the alcohol cases and even liquor stores were closed. This ended late 80s or early 90s. I don't believe 3.2 beer can be found now. When I was pre 21, we could go to Kansas where the age to buy was 18 to get beer. As we were always broke and pooled our ca***o get beer, we never had enough left to buy gas, even back then when it was lots cheaper!
Tom, liked the G.Lightfoot song. Listened to him a lot back in the 70s when disco was what everyone else my age was listening to. Since you are so good about coming up with words to songs, how about Gallopin Goose by CW McCall--or should I go back to the previous post where you furnished words to Silverton?
Was extremely busy at the Midland this long weekend. We topped over 600 riders on just the trains. Also sold cab rides in our NW2 and sold hamburgers and hot dogs, which was also successful. I ran 8 trips and let another engineer run the last so could help the wife and the GM take down tents and cleanup. All 3 days I was training people--have much more respect for those who do this professionally!!! I'm about wore out.
There is some justice in this world. We cross a busy major 2 lane hiway and the state has'nt got active warning devices installed yet, so are always close calls here. Well the first trip Saturday a pickup was too close as I approached but there was a county sheriff watching and the pickup got nailed!!! On the way back across, the deputy was parked on the shoulder waiting for anyone else stupid enough to try to beat us.
Lots more to talk about this past weekend but I have probably rambled enough. We were at 98 pages when I started writing and might get to 100 today. I missed on my guess for that occurence but I've never had much success at gambling. I really regret not being able to see the gals of OUR PLACE in their abbreviated overalls, especially Ruthie.

[Anonymous]

What more can be said about our first annual Labo(u)r Day picnic. "And a fine time was had by all"...'cept [C=:-)] Nasty bruise stout fellow. I don't thnk it will leave a scar in spite of one of the kids mistaking it for a Musk Melon.[^] I had to leave before the "horse shoes" competition in order to warm-up for the Streamliners Big Band segment. BTW, has anyone found the horse shoes I loaned Insp. Clueless and P.I. Doyle yesterday?[:-^]

Tom, the clean-up has gone very well. We've learned a lot since my B.Day Bash![:O] Let's have a nice tall, cold Rheingold draft ("the light beer, the right beer') before the keg goes flat. Then we can survey the refuse for odds and ends left over for Boris' "Carpathian Compost."[:O] Passengerfan Al, I echo Tom's previous accolades for your unfailing erudition on any given aspect of "Classic Trains." You certainly aren't resting on the laurels of your engraved "Brass Buckle Award." Sorry old chap; still no sign of your Inlaws.[:(] Clueless and Doyle are doing forensics on the B.B.Q. grills as we speak.

Pwolfe and Nick, there is a British counterpart to U.S. gas electrics, right? Barndad, still enjoying the pix on your site (rail images). The Cincinnati Car is a real treasure for any museum. Hey, the additional graphics have brought a whole new dimension to "Our" Place. Soon, we will scarcely need to type a word for self expression.[tup]

Well folks, "we've done it again." There is no end to the scope of this stalwart consortium of "good ole boys."[tup] Just when you may think we have fallen into the pit of pedantry Tom proposes provencial poetry pertinent to every person's posture...gasp![8D] Should this entry not merit the "Silver Throttle Award" by proxy? If there be no objections, by the managerial powers vested in me, I hereby present for your approval said "Award" to Commander Thomas Weber. Hearing no objections, it is now official. Congratulations Tom[tup] Boris, the bell please. Champagne all round...the bell please Boris...BOINK That does it![:(!] We don't "want to go there."[alien] See ya's at the 100th page pagentry.[:D]

[siberianmo]

Let it be known from this day forth (06 Sep 2005) that: The Second Silver Throttle Award for Excellence in Classic Trains Postings at "Our" Place goes to -----

<drumroll, please!> ------

coalminer3 [yeah][wow][tup][tup][tup]

To CM3: Your Post of 06 Sep 2005, 09:18:30 was an outstanding capstone to many informative and well thought out contributions to what "Our" Place strives to maintain. Congratulations from all of your friends at the bar! [yeah][wow]swg][tup][tup][tup]

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

[siberianmo]

Hello coalminer3

Hope your Labor Day weekend was relaxing and finds all is well with you and yours ....

[wow] Once again regarding your descriptive narrative and well thought out Post. You have quite a gift for being able to project the reader back in time. As I read through your account, there were times when I could see 'n hear the goings on at Back Bay Station. I'm familiar with the area you described - but never boarded or departed a train there. My trips, as previously discussed, were mainly in and out of North Station - but I did make a trip or two up from New York City and New London, CT to South Station. Love the NH - did then and still do (era: 1957-63).

PRR's Congressional and Senator may be viewed at:

http://www.banksofthesusquehanna.com/MMprr.html

Sure brings back good memories! Just loved to look at and of course travel in those gleaming corrugated stainless steel cars witht the tuscan red strip. [yeah]

By the by, when you're finished checking out the PRR - go to the HOME PAGE - some pretty nifty options to browse there as well. Enjoy.

Check out: http://www.nhrhta.org/htdocs/history.htm for some quick history on the NH. Perhaps some of our guys just don't know ....... [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day passengerfan Al

That's indeed an impressive array of reference material you are using. It's small wonder that you call yourself passengerfan - a nice fit, for sure! [tup]

Very surprised you haven't located anything with regard to CP's inventory. There are several books out there on Canadian Pacific' s passenger runs - however, these perhaps are more picture and narrative than for research purposes. I'm sure you've checked the familiar URL's .........

National Geographic came out with a disc set of their volumes - from 1888 to 1998. I purchased the set as a gift to my bride - as she's a fan of NG. We were able to discard shelves upon shelves of magainzes as a result of this purchase. Lightened the load, so to speak. The discs contain everything that the magazines contained - ads, everything, except yellowing pages and the like. Perhaps one day, Kalmbach will do the same. While I really prefer the appearance and feel of the real thing, space is an issue and it would surely be my preference to go with the technology .......

Thanx for the info!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[coalminer3]

Good Morning All:

Coffee, please. Here's some $ for the "good of the house," aka Boris's Bail Fund, and some quarters for the jukebox. Gas is holding at $3.19 this a.m. and West Virginia fans are happy.

Herewith some more from the New Haven memory book. I have been working on some of this stuff forawhile, b4 the memories disappear completely.

South Station was the end of the line, but most of our trips began and ended at Back Bay Station. It took five minutes for New Haven trains to travel from South Station to Back Bay. There were four tracks at Back Bay separated by a fence; the two tracks on the north side of the fence belonged to the Boston and Albany railroad and the two tracks to the South were the New Haven’s. The B&A called their side of the station Trinity Place.

A trip to Back Bay was exciting as we traveled through streets lined with brownstone houses only to suddenly come upon the station’s parking area. My grandmother said that the streets in this section of Boston reminded her of those in Bristol, England from when she was a young woman.

Back Bay was a winter kind of place. It was cold, snowy, and damp as only areas near the ocean can be. Wooden doors, handles polished from countless hands opening them, gave onto the station lobby which was a large, square, room of light colored stone. The ticket counter was on one side of the lobby which was hot, humid and smelled of wet woolen coats, rubber galoshes, steam heat and cigar smoke. On the other side of the lobby stairs and an elevator led down to the tracks. The elevator was closed on three sides and open on the fourth which was a cage-like gate that was closed once the passengers got on. The same elevator handled baggage and passengers. O much preferred to ride with the loaded baggage carts rather than with the passengers. I never thought I would see an elevator like that again until years later when I started going into underground mines and encountered the same thing. The wet, dimly lit, trackside smelled of salt air and decomposing offal from the nearby Fort Point Channel. The station platforms curved westward into the distance and there were dwarf signals in the ground at the ends of the platforms. The tracks emerged from the east (South Station) after exiting a short tunnel that was lined with some sort of tile. I recall no announcements of arriving or departing trains but passengers knew a train was coming because they could hear the locomotives in the tunnel. The train suddenly appeared, its PAs, C-Liners, FL9s or GP9s passing in a thunder of diesel noise accented by the hard hissing of steam from beneath the cars and the “screah” sound of the brakes.

The engines were scary but the cars were wonderful. The New Haven had an eclectic collection of passenger equipment that included everything from ancient commuter cars to up-to-date lightweight parlor cars, sleepers, diners, and grill cars. Through cars from the Pennsylvania Railroad operated via the New Haven to Penn Station in New York where they were handed off to the P Company who carried them on from there to cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Pittsburgh. The New Haven also originated and terminated Pennsy sleepers from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. I knew about them from studying the maps and consists in the timetable. I remember seeing the stainless cars from the platform. These cars had green or orange window stripes. Some of them were named for on-line counties or cities, while others had the names of famous people. The Pennsy cars were red with gold lettering. The cars that ran on the “Senator” were stainless with red letterboards with gold lettering that spelled out “Pennsylvania” in a dignified style.

work safe

[passengerfan]

Good Morning again Tom, Time for one more coffee. I have a great set of Canadian National Passenger car books in two volumes. If I have the time in the next day or two I can get the complete history of those two particular cars.The reference type books provide everything about every individual CN and predecessor passenger car. I just wi***heir was a similar set of books for Canadian Pacific passenger cars. My primary reference for streamlined cars is The Pullman Standard Lbrary and Budd Library that provides car plans as built and intereior and exterior pictures of the cars. The P/S set is fifteen volumes and the Budd set is seven and also covers AC&F and SLC lightweight streamlined passenger cars. I also have many books on the old Pullman heavyweights for reference as well. My library numbers over five hundred hard cover books and 300 Soft Cover plus many years of trains magazines and other railroad magazines. recently sold all of my forties and fifties magazines as I was running out of space once again.

[siberianmo]

Mornin' passengerfan Al

That's an interesting site that Rob provided for the Port Stanley Terminal Rail - www.pstr.on.ca - really worth checkin' out. [tup]

May I inquire as to what reference you use to find the history on passenger cars like 51 & 52 on the site [?] Also, I know from my experiences trying to keep track (no pun intended!) of RDC's listed in my RDC Rail Diesel Car book since publication really becomes quite involved. What do you use for passenger cars in terms of updates to your library of info [?]

Catch ya later and thanx for checking in this AM! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom Just time for a quick coffee and one of those diet goodies from the Mentor Bakery.
Rob the two passenger cars 51 and 52 were what were originally known as Canadian Flyer coaches built for the CN pre WW II. Those cars were so well built some lasted into Via. CN certainly got their monies worth from those cars. I see their other passenger carrying cars are rebuilt cabooses, this is similar to those found here locally on the Sierra Railroad. Those on the Sierra were rebuilt in Oregon to passenger car standards and are popular on short excursion runs.

[siberianmo]

TUESDAY’s NEWS & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

G’day! Movin’ rather slow this mornin’ ….. Our Labor Day Picnic was a success and many thanx to those of you who took the time to participate ……. [tup]

There’s plenty of food left over – so help yourself, including the pastry case from The Mentor Village Bakery. Freshly brewed coffee’s all ready ……. [swg]

News of the Day:

(1) Repeat Consider helping those who are suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

(2) updated When will we reach 100 Pages [?]

Chris says September 5th Eliminated!
Russell says September 9th
Nick says September 11th
Al says September 5th (by Noon!) Eliminated!
Doug says September 5th (by 6 PM!) Eliminated!
Rob says September 8th
Dave says September 5th Eliminated!
Pete says Sepember 12th
Dan says September 3rd Eliminated!
Ted says September 16th

CONTEST CLOSED!

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 00:25:20 (97) Monday’s News & Summary

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 07:45:53 (97)

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 09:04:33 (97) reply to Theodorebear

(4) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 09:12:44 (97)

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 09:19:38 (97) reply to nickinwestwales

(6) passengerfan Al Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 09:36:29 (97)

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 10:54:19 (97) reply to passengerfan

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 12:53:48 (97) Canadian RR Trilogy

(9) barndad Doug Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 13:28:37 (97)

(10) pwolfe Pete Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 14:25:54 (97)

(11) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 14:34:49 (97) At the Picnic

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 14:43:12 (97) reply to barndad & pwolfe

(13) passengerfan Al Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 14:55:30 (97)

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 16:05:02 (97) reply to passengerfan

(15) nickinwestwales Nick 05 Sep 2005: 05 Sep 2005, 18:10:19 (98)

(16) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 18:42:06 (98) reply to nickinwestwales

(17) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 21:15: (98)

(18) siberianmo Tom Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 21:38:14 (98) reply to nickinwestwales

(19) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Sep 2005, 23:02:58 (98)

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 06 Sep 2005, 00:05:17 (98) reply to trolleyboy

=======================================
That’s it! [tup][;)]
Tom (Siberianmo) [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[siberianmo]

Hi Rob

Back so soon! Good to see ya .... [tup]

Only have time for a couple of quick responses as I want to get the Summary out and then hit the sack! [zzz]

Picnic turned out well .... given that many were away for the long weekend; sorry you missed it. Next year [yeah]

Regarding the subs - I was referring to diesel boats in the U.S. inventory - not nukes. Moot point .... doesn't matter.

Thanx for the URL on the Port Stanley Terminal RR - I'll check it out more thoroughly in the mornin' [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[trolleyboy]

happy labour day evening one and all. managed to make it by for the grand finally of fire works. Too bad about Boris trying to catch that last rocket. Kept mumbling something about if he caught the shooting star it would bring him good luck. I'm sure the skin/hair/fur[?] on his back will grow back, at least the burnt hair smell is outside the bar and should dissapate quickly.[XX(]. We had a good trip ( minus the hideious fuel prices ) Tom wonderfull party here's hoping for a repeat next year [tup] Ted It was a pleasure to post the pics you sent along, and I agree with Tom, the work is quite good[tup][:D] I'm still endeavouring to get a couple more up for you as well.Nick Fire when ready on those questions I'm more than too happy to attempt to help you out. pwolf &Tom Once we get them fully Canadainized ( air conditionong and polar cap operational ) the Victoria class should serve well for our lil navy. None of them have much sea time on them British or Canadian, they were built in the eighties and then put on a shelf . I suppose that the US did have piles of subs available but our navy wasn't funded trained or politically willed to operate nuclear powered vessels. We can refitt and work on the boats we have which is cheaper than sending boats to the US for refits and upgrades. Probably is pride, but pollitically we tend to want to keep as much work in our own shipyards as possible. Had we bought nuke boats that wouldn't have been an option . Al While out and about in our travels I've come accross a couple of old heavyweights in excursion service up here in ontario. Have a peak at this url www.pstr.on.ca This is a little excursion road running on the remainder of what was the London and Port Stanley Radial electric line. They are a neat little group/ museum take a peak. Well gentlfolks and [alien]'s I've got unpacking to do and posts to catch up on, so I'll see everyone tomorrow. Rob

[siberianmo]

Yo Nick

[yeah] We had quite a picnic and while things are now settling down to an evening of drinking, dancing and all that they bring - I'd say our First Annual Labor Day Picnic was a success. [tup][tup][tup]

I suspect we'll have some rather slow to start staffi n the morning ...... but we'll get 'round to putting everything back in order.

We're but two pages shy of our 100th as we approach our 5th month of existence on the Forums ....... Couldn't have done any of it without the continuing support and contributions from our hard core of customers. Thanx for the drink and Cheers to you! [tup][tup][tup]

TIme for me to sign off and turn the bar over to Leon the Night Man.

Catch ya later ........ [zzz]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

What ho chaps,back again-nice to see all the locals contributing to the feast,the Can-Am Park Rangers dropped off a haunch of venison,the Mountain Dew angling & social club pitched in a bathfull of trout and black-tooth Ronnie & Paddy the Greek from the track gang brought in a wheelbarrow full of their best roadkill (well,that`s Boris taken care of for a week or two)--right,I`m off to find the smilies--Boogie `til you puke-Whoops nearly forgot to greet ( and more importantly,buy a drink for ) the master of the house--[4:-)]TOM-a splendid party-I suspect it may over-run into an unexpectedly early centennial page bash ( and why not) in which case,may I be the (premature) first to congratulate you on hosting a hundred coherent,lucid,informative and good natured pages of entertainment and information................long may we continue.............Best wishes to one and all,staff have everything under control,seem to have peaked early-large egg-shaped lump on head may be responsible-slow and wandering moonlight mile for me,ENJOY!!! nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Sir Nick

Sorry about that horseshoe episode. If it was one of those Clydesdale shoes - I'd say your fortunate indeed to have been spared ....... T. Bear of Fla [?] Wonder who that might be[?] [%-)]

Labor Day celebrants are having a blast - which actually will commence once it gets dark! Wish you had been here a bit earlier if for no other reason than to keep Boris in check. He was doing fine as Yogi Bear, then all of a sudden he shows up wearing one of the Gals costumes![?] Don't wanna know ........ Then he tried to catch Awk, thought he'd make a fine dish ........ then ......... it never stops with him! [alien]

Enjoy the festivities!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Happy Labour Day one & all.-Apologies for my late arrival,I have just been discharged from Mentor cottage hospital out-patients dept. Whilst wandering through the fairground earlier,I was struck a violent blow on the temple by a poorly aimed horse-shoe-according to the letters embossed on my forehead, owned by one T.Bear of Fla -ring any bells anyone ??................Right,Good evening [4:-)]TOM,-think these new graphics could really liven things up-or is it only me that can see them...................? general warning-dont go for the "Traditional Carpathian Mountain Dish"---It`s Boris`s contribution,and whilst it does represent an authentic local dish,not everybody wants to eat hedgehog baked in mud...O.K-well I think I might wander over to the music tent-sounds like the "Streamliners" showband limbering up-that bass trombonist looks strangely familiar..........Gonna try and watch that young rock band tonight--The R.D.C`s--understand they rode in all the way from B.C. to be here tonight...........see you next drink[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

G'day passengerfan Al

And the info regarding Doodlebugs gets better 'n better - as in more comprehensive. No doubt any of the guys who've had questions or perhaps required some amplifying info - you've provided it quite well. Thanx! [tup][tup]

Gotta get back to the picnic - by the by - you've saved some money today - there's no one at the bar! Everyone's outside ........ [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom Guess I'll have y usual CR and a round for the house.
McKeen Patent only covered the shape of his cars and the gasoline Mechanical truck monstrosity that it was. McKeen cars had a knife edged prow not unlike a ship and a rounded stern. lookekee like he took the hull of a ship and turned it upside down and put windows in it. It was only some years later that it was discovered he had it all wrong. If he had had operated it round end forward with knife prow rear it was far more aerodynamic. In any event many companies held patents for doodlebugs among them EMC, GE, Westinghouse, Brill, Mack, St. Louis Car, Pullman and numerous others. In any event UP eventually threw McKeen out after the company went into receivership. The McKeen cars were anything but reliable yet still the UP, and SP put their money into them. The EMC/Pullman cars were very dependable and outlasted the McKeens by a number of years. Look at Santa Fe they had one with 900 hp another with 600 hp both were dependable. Most of the GN cars even wore the Orange and Pullman Greeen scheme with gold stripes. Many built as gas electrics were rebuilt to diesel electrics. Even the Southern Railway had some St. Louis car built doodlebugs powered by Fairbanks Morse diesels that gave years of dependable service and they were capable of pulling three or four coaches if necessary in additrion to the trailers they were delivered with. For short branch lines some railroads even had battery powered cars, knowing the size of WW II submarine batteries these must have been monstrous in size and I wonder how long they lasted before being replaced.Probably were charged nightly before each days run and as soon as they completed their run went back on the charger for the next day. Ingersoll Rand and St. Louis Car teamed up for some of the earliest of all doodlebugs even before McKeen got in the picture. Enough of my rattling time to get on with the festivities.

[siberianmo]

Hey barndad Doug & pwolfe Pete!

Didn't see you guyz over there - with everything happen' today. Glad you stopped by and thanx for your contributions.

Pete Thanx for the info on the pix ........ and Doug appreciate the tip on those additional smilies ... [tup]

Be sure to check back in ... [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Meanwhile - out in the Picnic Grounds at the "Our" Place Labor Day Picnic, here's what's going on .....

In the Music Tent:




In the Sports Tent




In the Trampoline Tent


At the Picnic Area






And when it gets dark


Enjoy!

Tom and Awk!

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all HAPPY LABOUR DAY. sorry LABOR DAY

It looks like the picnic is going well and can I try something exotic out the cooler please.

Thanks for posting the photos they were taken in May this year at the NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM in GREEN BAY WISCONSIN.
The GG-1 is #4890. I have no details on the diesel #106 or the passenger car, no doubt some of the regulars will know more about them.
The leaflet says the AEROTRAIN was built in 1955 and the coaches were converted bus bodies. It says there are two trainsets the other is located in ST LOUIS.

The song lyrics were very good I will pop a quarter or two in the juke and have a good listen
[tup]
Well Tom I ve got to run now hope I can call in later when i get back.

[Anonymous]

Happy Labor Day to Tom and all my friends at Our Place!