"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[siberianmo]

G"day!

Good to see ya Lars - don't be concerned, we all have the "blahs" from time to time. Happens! <grin> Perhaps the absence of sun shine and lots of rain has contributed to the malaise . . . I remember spending 7 weeks in Seattle back in 1960, and didn't see the sunshine ONCE - not once during a Jan-Feb span. If it hadn't been for a lovely lady who decided that I was her "pick of the ltter" - it would have been an awful time! [swg]

Just say the word, and I'll board that train with you any time, any place! [tup] Ya know, I'm still thinking a trip up to Churchill, Manitoba aboard VIA Rail would be a great time for the boyz. I'm just about at the point where I may go it alone - don't want too many more years to pass before I realize that it's totally out of my grasp to do.

How should I put this, without alienating our Left Coast Super Sleuth [?] Sir Dave! We have been featuring Thursday as "Fish 'n Chips Nite!" since Moby *** was a minnow. Steaks are Friday 'n Saturday . . . Plus, we no longer have a Chief Chef so one takes a gamble with Boris in the kitchen! [swg] Nice gesture, though . . . . and also, we only have food evening food service Thursday thru Satuirday - kinda the way it's been since we first opened the joint, way back when.

Now - to the more substantative stuff - good to have your thoughts on this 'n that - just a bit more technical for me than my aging grey matter can handle. Perhaps you'll get a "taker" later on.

Have one on ME! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[West Coast S]

Tom, drat!! Boris in the kitchen? Katy bar the door!!! Just the thought of Boris with sharp objects and access to fire is beyond my comprehension.. Fish 'n Chips it shall be....The house draft is of particular good vintage tonight I must say, ice cold with a good head and a nutty after taste..Well done....

I knew a girl from Manitoba once who's last name was Churchill, odd now that I recall, her father threatened bodily harm if I laid a hand or had Unpure thoughts of his precious jewel, kinda killed any thoughts of future bliss for this young lad!!!


From my senseless diatribe you can surmise I have a few unoccupied moments this afternoon and many random thoughts of utter uselessness...Speaking of Blahs filled up for $3.45 a gallon, down from $3.56 two weeks ago.

Tom, too technical, a man of your stature must have been number one in his class in nuclear physics during your tenure at MIT...
Too technical indeed, can you fathom how the railroads would have had to maintain a nuclear locomotive, the regulatory inspections into safe vessel operation, radiation exposure levels and containment would have been an unbelievable burden and cost issue. Imagine a critical failure, such as a scram, water leg failure, we won't even discuss loss of reactor cooling upon the local community in which said equiptment would operate? Perhaps it is best that the technology was not applied for railway use...


Enough already,

Until later

Dave

[West Coast S]

Ok Tom, enough with the nuclear, think we have flogged that one to death, final thought, the Russians did test fly a protoype nuclear powered bomber...

Let's explores some good old SP, though the attendees be sparse of late..

During the seventies, SP saw it's fortunes ebb and flow, no longer the dominate player it once was, losses to trucks and rival railroads in conjunction with poor management decisions almost led them to bankruptcy. The stunning rejection by the ICC of the proposed Santa Fe merger made it imparative that they merge or die. In 1985 Rio Grande Industries aquired the Southern Pacific, it was a perfect marriage, Rio Grande had a direct route to Pacific ports for coal traffic, SP aquired routes beyond Utah for the lumber trade which was awaking from a long slumber.

Disenchament over at the Union Pacifc as to run through agreements and the joint ownership of the Pacific Fruit Express led to a seperation between these two long time friendly rivals. SP retained half the reefer fleet, renaming it the Southern Pacific Fruit Express, the timing was right on, traffic congestion and polution caused shippers to seek rail transportation once more, this business was not fully exploited due to the decision to remove many perishable freight feeder branch lines in the 60's and 70's, never the less the Salad Bowl resumed operations.

Over on the Sunset route, Intermodal was a prize beyond compare and it was pursued vigirously when fleets of GP60's and B23's newly delivered for the task.

SP was caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, the Rio Grande provided the clout to purchase over 400 SD70AC's and MK400's and every available lease unit it could lay it's hands on, a significient portion of the Cotton Belt GP60 fleet roamed system wide, until SP's order for 325 were delivered. The deadlines of the Rio Grande and Southern Pacific were scoured for available power, all locomotive retirements were suspended and thus the condition of some lead to the period of the great unwashed, physical appearance mattered not and some truly scruffy examples could be found in all manner of decay..

When the SF/BN merger was made public, SP was in a better position to exploit the many oppertunities of a evolving industrie. SP/RG could not survive against such a power house merger, despite a rebound in earnings, traffic and new locomotive purchases. Union Pacifc extended the olive branch, hoping against rejection, seems they too were concearned with the formible foe.

As a package, UP suggested a three way merger to include the Southern Pacifc/Rio Grande and Chicago Northwestern into a single transaction, the STB agreed, against bitter BN/SF opposition, In September 1997 these legandary roads ofically ceased to exist, now but a cog in the vast Union Pacific system.

Dave

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a Batham's for Pete, a Keith's for Rob's holiday, and I'll just watch the room spin (like a turbine)

Mets can't beat Sox without Bill Buckner.

Thanks for the good review on the typing of the electric list.

SP #1 for Dave
http://content.lib.washington.edu/transportation/image/49.jpg

Churchill in Canada
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=72273687&id=132

Great place to see the Northern Lights or just go fishing Tom
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=345735392&id=27
Station
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=446404880&id=44
Yard
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=1826506705&id=79
Jeeps
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=44542723&id=37
Buses
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=86468882&id=37
Train
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1965209245&id=37
1950s
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1440231814&id=37
1970s
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=-141927584&id=37
Track speeder
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=1093544610&id=27
Buick & Ford Pick-up
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=1703924238&id=43
South
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=757000033&id=43
Grain Elevator
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1737640195&id=43
Port
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1159602773&id=39
Pindar
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/marine/index_view.cfm?photoid=772529726&id=99
Aerobee
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/aviation/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1023531779&id=16
Radio Station
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/comm_comp/index_view.cfm?photoid=1332609374&id=92
Barracks
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=954726570&id=134
Fort
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=1322250743&id=46
Cannon
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-816018324&id=27
Hudson's Bay Company
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-2067956817&id=27
Sled
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=1019833620&id=44
Dwellings
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1693755523&id=44
Boats
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/marine/index_view.cfm?photoid=1020082824&id=97
A doggie
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-2011941280&id=27

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=1974473275&id=27
Kids
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=47583450&id=30

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=584712504&id=27

The other Churchill close to my roots, Prince Edward Island
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=1303665738&id=44

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=781438883&id=58

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-2012935688&id=55

http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/marine/index_view.cfm?photoid=56120571&id=114
Mike

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Gents!

As you can tell, I'm STILL here - gave Leon the nite off - what a great boss, eh [?] <grin>

Really enjoyed those URLs, Mike - no need for me to take that trip now up to Churchill. Yeah, right! I'm going - and after viewing the scenery, I'm anxious. Cannot explain what my fascination is regarding places like that - but I just thrive on 'em. I suppose the Falklands will be next . . . [swg]

Dave - Mighty good stuff from our Left Coast Super Sleuth! Have no fear regarding the culinary skills of our Cyclops like cloven footed friend - he learned well from the "Master," and hs deomonstrated his proficiency from close attention to the recipes and cooking skills from our former Chief Chef, Nick/. Maybe we can talk Pete into taking over the kitchen labors . . . a thought!

A Ruskie nuke bomber, eh [?] Seems I read something about that many, many years back in Proceedings - familiar with that publication [?] Doubt if a civilian would be - but, one never knows! <grin>

Had a friend who was a retiree from SP - suffered through the dying days with the road. Unfortunately, this guy had nothing good to say about his career. Pity. He wasn't into the operational aspects - just an office pogue (polite term) who was more involved with business and the like. Anyway, his take on the demise had to do with what he believed was gross mismanagement at the upper levels. Sure, the decisions of the STB didn't help - but from this guys vantage point out in SoCal - he said they were done far before it all collapsed inward on 'em. Again, just what he told me.

Appreciate the Posts for the day, Gentlemen and I see we've come in with 16 (counting this one) - which really is holding our own . . . [tup]

Cardinals enjoyed one of their better days in weeks - they were off today! [swg]


Catch y'all in the AM!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

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


FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


It’s Friday! C’mon in – enjoy a cuppa freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee – a <light or <traditional breakfast from the Menu Board and one or two pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery!


Daily Wisdom


Grammy has so many clothes, she never wears the same outfit once.
ENCORE! Yogi-ism



Info for the Day:


Railroads from Yesteryear –
ENCORE! New York Central (NYC)
Arrives Tuesday! – watch for it!


* Weekly Calendar:


Tomorrow is Canada Day , so in honor of our northern cousins, drinks are on the house for anyone claiming Canada as home – OR anyone who has blood relatives in Canada – OR anyone who has visited Canada – OR anyone who knows where Canada IS! [swg]

Tuesday is Independence Day so in honor of our 4th of July heritage, the bar will be OPEN the gals of ”Our” Place will be working, including for Cindy.Lunch is on the house for all! [tup] [swg]


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



MVP Award Winners

April 2006 . . . LoveDome Lars
May – June . . To be announced


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


Comedy Corner

Reasons “things” happen!

Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.


Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.


Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.


Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.


Law of Biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.


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



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

NOW SHOWING:

. . . Sunday, June 25th thru July 1st: Blazing Saddles (1974) starring: Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little & Slim Pickins – and – Fierce Creatures (1997) starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline & Michael Palin. SHORT: Ants in the Pantry (1936).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . Sunday, July 2nd thru 8th: 1776 (1972): starring: William Daniels & Howard Da Silva – and – The Patriot (2000) starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger & Joely Richardson. SHORT: Movie Maniacs (1936).


SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 00:34:24 (366) Thursday’s Info & 20-Post Summary

(2) barndad Doug Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 05:14:11 (366) ChicagoLand Report!

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 07:16:43 (366) Acknowledgments ‘n Comments

(4) passengerfan Al Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 07:59:51 (366) Golden State Report!

(5) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 09:27:24 (366) Gulf Coast Report!

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 10:32:31 (366) Ontario Report!

(7) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 11:09:05 (366) Classic Steam #30 – Bruce Mines & Algoma Rwy

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 11:52:07 (366) Acknowledgments ‘n Comments

(9) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 15:37:09 (366) Island Report!

(10) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 15:47:42 (366) P.S. Pix!

(11) West Coast S Dav3 Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 16:37:54 (366) Left Coast Report!

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 17:23:04 (366) Acknowledgments ‘n Comments

(13) West Coast S Dave Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 17:56:49 (366) There once was a gal named Churchill . . .

(14) West Coast S Dave Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 19:30:49 (366) SP, a mighty proud road!

(15) wanswheel Mike Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 22:33:38 (366) ExtravaURLganza!

(16) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2006, 23:48:46 (366) Acknowledgments ‘n Comments



That’s it![tup][;)]


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

[siberianmo]

REMINDER!


Saturday, July 1st is Canada Day!

Let's turn our traditional ENCORE! Saturday into an "all things Canadian" event!



Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

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


SOMETHING SPECIAL arrives on Track #1

THIS morning![tup]

Watch for it BEFORE NOON!


Tom[4:-)] [oX)]


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

[Anonymous]

Wow. excuuuuse moi! Indeed the first reference to the Pennsy S2 was touched upon by none other than our "steamed" Proprietor Cap'n Tom found in a Lionel Tinplate flyer. That, in turn, expanded into a full disclosure of steam generated power. Not sure how I managed to transpose Bandad's follow up into the original.[:I] I was probably still in ecstacy from the latters pix posts of Crystal River.[:O] Tom, hope I get this request for a cuppa Joe addressed appropriatly, ahh thanks.[(-D] Dave, seems the faux pas factor is contagious? From the sublime to the ridiculous, may inadequetly cover atomic power for rail service. Remember U. P's gas turbines? IIrc, a Unit was thoughtlessly parked under a hiway overpass resulting in a melt-down of the asphalt road suface over-head. Then, there was the issue of noise levels which brought the wrath of local town's folk to legal action forbidding the hybrid from "ear shot."[:(!] There were other operating limitations as well which finally determined the fate of that bold innovative step in the evolution of motive power.[V] Strictly from an aesthetic point of view, I personally thought the design was among the cleanest lines of any on offer.[2c] Pete, in keeping with the fine tradition of a Celtic touch for the "Our" Place cuisine, perhaps you will consider Tom's offer seriously?[^] Glad to hear the ravages of Mother Nature have not directly affected our friends in the "great North East." Still, I wonder if CM3 has not encountered some stress from this heavy weather somewhere along his planned route.[:O] Right, T.G.I.F. to one and all. I must scoot or shoot my way outta here for now. Boris, between you and the Teutonic Twins, the galley has never reached such heights of deparvity. Please, do what you do best with that spatula BRAKA-BRAKA-BRAKA. No, not another brains and spleen omelet...the Bell man, the Bell![alien] Somebody HELP!!!

[siberianmo]

G'day!

A fine morning - HOWEVER - the petrol prices 'round these parts are nearing three bucks per gallon - just returned from fueling the bride's vehicle - $2.96 (rounded) - up nearly a dime from yesterday. Someone have a sneezing fit at OPEC or the traders market [?] [tdn]

Here's a Pix for Ted that may bring back a memory or three regarding the Union Pacific's turbines . . .

UP GE Turbo #71 (courtesy: donsdepot.donrossgroup.net)



My guess is we're going to be experiencing a bit of a drought over the next few days - so my Posts will be spread out, just to help keep us "up on the Forum page" and perhaps drive those insane, innane and otherwise idiotic "go no where" submissions from driving us to distraction! <geesh> Suggest our "batch Posters" do the same . . . [tup]

"Brains and spleen omlet," where oh where do you come up with these things [?] Good Gawde Gertie - how's it taste, by the by [?] [swg]

Later! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Canadian Railways of the Past

Number Six: Canadian National’s Super Continental


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



Route map of the Super Continental

The Super Continental was a transcontinental Canadian passenger train operated originally by the Canadian National Railway beginning in 1955 and subsequently by VIA Rail Canada from 1977 until its cancellation in 1981. Service was restored in 1985 but was again eliminated in 1990. The original CNR train had a Montreal - Ottawa - Toronto - Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Vancouver routing with daily service.


CNR passenger service in the postwar era

Following World War II, CNR's passenger fleet was in desperate need of modernization, and between 1946 and 1950 they purchased a total of 75 of new lightweight coaches and sleeping cars. However, post-war material shortages constrained the number of cars that CNR was able to procure commercially, leading to a significant programme of in-house refurbishment of older heavyweight equipment in the CNR carshops. Ultimately a total of 211 heavyweight cars were fitted out with new interiors, roller bearing trucks, and sealed windows. Nevertheless it quickly became apparent that refurbished equipment alone would not be sufficient to remain competitive, and in 1952 CNR placed a large order for new lightweight equipment. This order consisted of 218 coaches from the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in Montreal, as well as 92 sleeping cars, 20 dining cars, 17 parlour cars, and 12 buffet-sleepers from the Chicago-based Pullman-Standard Company.

Inauguration of service

Deliveries of the new cars were essentially completed by 1954, but CNR waited until 24 April 1955 to introduce its new transcontinental flagship Super Continental to replace its former flagship, the Continental Limited. Not coincidently, this was the same date that competitor Canadian Pacific Railway introduced its new streamlined transcontinental train The Canadian. However, despite the new and refurbished equipment and an attractive new black-and-green yellow-trim paint scheme, the Super Continental's mixture of equipment paled in comparison to CPR's gleaming all stainless-steel consist, produced for them by the Budd Company. An additional important distinction was that The Canadian featured scenic dome cars, which the Super Continental was prevented from using due to interference with electrification in Montreal. In 1964, CN started using dome cars on the western portion of the route.

Although the CNR was not completely dieselized until 1960, the Super Continental was from the outset hauled exclusively by a variety of diesel locomotives, including Montreal Locomotive Works FP-2s and FP-4s, Canadian Locomotive Company C-liners in eastern Canada, as well as General Motors Diesel FP9 units in western Canada.

Decline of passenger trains

By the 1960s, Canadian passenger trains were in serious decline, largely thanks to increased competition from automobiles travelling the then-new Trans-Canada Highway and from airlines. However, the CN aggressively marketed its services, even while CPR was losing interest in operating The Canadian. To help combat the perception that the CPR route through the Rocky Mountains was more scenic, CN in 1964 acquired a set of six ex-Milwaukee Road "Super Dome" cars (rechristened "Sceneramics" by CN) that had formerly seen service on the Olympian Hiawatha. These were placed into service between Winnipeg and Vancouver. But despite CNR's best efforts, ridership continued to decline throughout the 1970s, and the train operated at a loss.

VIA Rail takeover and first cancellation

On April 1, 1978, a new federal Crown corporation called VIA Rail Canada formally assumed responsibility for the passenger services of CN. VIA Rail also assumed responsibility for CP Rail's passenger services on October 29, 1978, giving it two transcontinental routes: the Canadian and the Super Continental. VIA Rail reconfigured these routes, making the Canadian a Toronto–Vancouver train and the Super Continental a Montreal–Vancouver train. Sleeping cars were exchanged in Winnipeg between the two trains. The Canadian became the company's premier transcontinental train and the Super Continental was relegated to secondary status. Nevertheless, a confluence of astute marketing, high gasoline prices, and rampant inflation actually led to an increase in ridership during the early 1980s. However, the 1981 federal budget of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government led to fully 20% of VIA's route miles being eliminated. The Super Continental was among the trains immediately cut.

Such reductions in passenger service proved to be politically unpopular, and following the election of the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney in 1984, service was restored on June 1, 1985, but on a truncated route from Vancouver to Winnipeg via Edmonton that no longer lived up to the 'Continental' name. The Toronto/Montreal to Sudbury segment was eliminated, and the Capreol–Winnipeg segment was reduced to a triweekly nameless remote services train. During this period, VIA Rail was also able to re-equip the Super Continental with modern GMD F40PH locomotives. Unfortunately, on February 8, 1986 human error resulted in VIA's eastbound Super Continental colliding with a CN freight train at Dalehurst, Alberta, near Hinton. Twenty-three people lost their lives in what is still the worst accident in modern Canadian railway history.

The end

By the late 1980's, federal budgets were under serious pressure, and the Mulroney government's 1989 budget proved disastrous for VIA rail. The last trains left Winnipeg & Vancouver on January 14, 1990, afterwards the Super Continental was abolished. This left The Canadian as VIA's sole transcontinental train, which today operates three times a week Vancouver to Toronto only over the CN route of the original Super Continental rather than on its original CPR trackage. This gave rise to its nickname — the "Con-adian".

References

• Classic Trains, Spring 2005, Kalmbach Publishing, ISSN 1527-0718 pg. 67

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Continental"


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

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

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)][oX)]
Did you miss the first four in the series[?] Click on the URL:
#1 Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR), page 246
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=246&TOPIC_ID=35270
#2 Northern Alberta Railways (NAR), page 249
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=249&TOPIC_ID=35270
#3 British Columbia Railways (BCR) (Two Parts), pages 261-262
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=261&TOPIC_ID=35270
#4 Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY), page 278
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=278
#5 Canadian Pacific’s “The Canadian”, page 313
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=313





waving flags credit: www.3DFlags.com

[siberianmo]

READ THIS!

QUOTE: Bergie Posted: Today, 13:44:52
Content & Business Manager - Trains.com


Posts: 888
Joined: 22 Jan 2001
Location: US


As you may have heard by now, Trains.com is going through a complete redesign. The new site will launch sometime during the day on July 12 (most likely late afternoon). If you visit on July 12 and the site isn’t functioning, please be patience. Please note that our reader forums will be down July 10 – 12 as we prepare for the new launch of our site.

Please be sure your current Trains.com profile includes your up-to-date e-mail address as we will e-mail you on July 12 or 13 with details on how to re-register at Trains.com.

We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our site. We’re confident that you’ll be happy with the changes that we’re making and once you’ve gotten used to everything, you’ll be happier than ever before with your experience on our site. We know change can be difficult, but we’re certain you’ll find the change to be worth the effort.

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Yes, the current forum content will be moved over in its entirety.

Yes, you will be able to keep your current username, although it will now be referred to as “screen name.” The last step of our re-registration process is unlocking your old forum screen name. (Again, you will receive an e-mail with instructions.) When you go through the process, you’ll be able to unlock your old screen name and get back to business.

Yes, your post count from our current forum will move with you to the new forum.

No, there won’t be stars tied to the number of posts you’ve accumulated. It’s quality over quantity.


PRIVACY

As always, we value the relationship we have with our customers. You won’t receive spam as a result of sharing your e-mail address with us.
--------------------
Erik Bergstrom
Content and Business Manager
Trains.com

I will repeat this message from time to time to ensure that the customers of "Our" Place are made aware of these forthcoming changes.

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[West Coast S]

Afternoon Tom, think i'll mosie into the kitchen and rustle me up a couple of bacon cheese burgers with a platter of home fries, can't forget that coke in the bottle to wash it all down, who's with me[?]

Your retired friend was quite right in his opinion, some of the top SP officals presided over the Penn Central diaster, these same person looted the profits from the rail side and reinvested them into communications and natural gas ventures. With the exception of SPRINT Network the only profitable venture that plowed revenue back into rail operations, the reinvestments were a total diaster, when the debts came due, it was necessary to sell SPRINT to satisfy the payment !! Without this ace, the handwriting was on the wall, and Wall Street took notice, Southern Pacific's Standard & Poor rating was reduced to the point that no lender would provide credit for new equiptment purchases or the level needed to maintain a semblence of basic rail service.

Though it can't be confirmed, some tell of the attempt to discourage shippers from using the SP, practices from the time seem to suggest a hostile attitude toward those who conducted business at all levels with the SP . This anti-rail attitude was pervasive through out a management that envisioned selling the rail side of the business for maxium profits.

The Rio Grande merger was accelerated by the ICC to stabilize the SP, new management and a return to some old proven ideas did increase business, but the long term dammage had been done. However, the Government did avoid being responsible for a second Conrail , what would have been the only option as the demise of the Southern Pacific as a whole would have economic and nation security repercussions...

Doug, I have heard the Turbine under the overpass tale , I once heard of of one that was fired up in the shop and blew out all the windows out[:0][:0]

Rediculas to Sublime, we do it all at "Our Place" See what happens when great minds think alike[:D][:D] preytell the legened of the atomic powered toilet, ouch that one's going to burn[;)][;)]

Until later

Dave

[LoveDomes]

Hiya Cap’n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar (or wherever you may be!!),


Appears as if the ru***o get going on a 5-day weekend – stretching it to 6 – has begun for many! [wow] Quiet ‘round the joint today – really quiet.

I’ll have a frosty cold bottle of Keith’s Ale and a foot long “Lars Special” if you please. No point in plunking down any cash for a round – as there’s still quite a bit left over in the “Lars Box” so I see. [swg]

Uh-oh, is that Dave I see pulling out of the lot in his new Porsche – guess those “Feds” pay better than they did back in my Navy days! [swg]

Some changes are on the way, huh [?] I read that post of “Bergies” and it appears that a modernization scheme is underway in earnest. Awright – ‘bout time. Hopefully they’ll provide a better way to handle the JOs with the nonsense being posted on all of the forums.

Anyway, THANKS a bunch for keeping us clued in both here and by email! [tup] My guess is we’ll probably not have any changes to the clientele ‘round this place.

Hey – no more STARS, huh [?] Well, that’s gonna burst a bubble or two for those people who really thrive on self recognition. I see our “Steamed Proprietor” is way up the Membership page in terms of total posts – so when they strip you of your STARS, then what [? You go back to “Commander” [?] I think the pay is better with the latter than the former! [swg]

So, we’ll all have some time away from the bar – which I hope lets the guys recharge and maybe even prepare some material for when we resume on or about July 12th (which is an Anniversary date for “Our” Place by the way!!). My guess is Tom will surely enjoy the break . . . . [tup]


Haven’t got much to add this day, aside from the fact that the Mets are happy to be rid of the BoSox! [tdn] <grin> Still have that double digit division lead and as long as Hotlanta is buried in the heap – I’ll take that as a successful season! [yeah]


May encounter some down time ‘round my house too – and it is possible that it will coincide with the forum shut down. My computer room/den/office/storage room/catch all locker is being converted over to a hospice room. So, I’ve got to find a place to set up shop in this house of ours – Lord knows we have the room, just a matter of rearranging the “precious heirlooms” that the Mrs. seems to think we’re going to take with us when we depart this Earth! <grin> Should my absence be more than a day or two, I’ll certainly give you a heads up . . . .


With the ‘morrow bringing Canada Day! I’ll yield to you, Cap’n for the posts. Undoubtedly you have more where that one from today came from! [tup] Nice work and I enjoyed checking it out. Dontchajustwi***hat you could board one of those fine trains – right now – and head off to whoknowswhere [?] I surely do – many times!

One more, then I’ve gotta skedaddle.


Until the next time!


Lars

[siberianmo]

[bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup]


”Our” Place has an award recognizing patrons of the bar for contributions made during a given period. The award is known as the MVP – Most Valuable Patron.


The MAY-JUNE winner is barndad Doug! second recipient(s) of the MVP!




Congratulations, Doug! – all food ‘n drink is on the house between the hours of 2 – 4 AM. Oh, I see we’re closed then – sorry ‘bout that! [swg]

In the gift basket accompanying the handsomely designed and framed Award Certificate you will find “chits” for food ‘n drink at ”Our” Place redeemable at your pleasure. [tup][tup][tup]


The criteria used for the MVP selection:
(not necessarily in order shown)

1. Quality of Posts
(offering info relevant to the “theme” of the bar: Classic Trains)

2. Inclusiveness of Posts
(recognizing the efforts of others)

3. Acknowledgment of others
(addressing the questions, comments & contributions of others)

4. Banter at the bar
(engaging in good natured exchanges of humor)

5. Dependability of Posts
(regular participation and relevance to events taking place)

6. Behind the scenes support
(Emails, help with organizing events, etc.)

7. Special events support
(Birthday Bashes - Sunday Photo Posting Day - Encore! Saturday, etc.)

8. Number of Posts
(self explanatory)


Once again, this was a very difficult decision in that we had (and have) so many absences that narrowing it down to one proved most challenging. That is why a two-month period was used. This was a period where most all of the regulars experienced at least one absence – some planned, some not! Every one of the guys who stuck with us during my absence (and the others) are MVPs in all respects! [tup] [tup] [tup]


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


[bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup][bow][tup]

[West Coast S]

Some acknowledgements are in order...Howdy once more Tom,, a round of Johnny Walker Black if you would..


[:D][:D] A hearty congradulation to our esteemed MVP Doug, a well deserved selection[:D][:D]

Lovedomes, yep, that was me in the Porsche, just out for test spin, i'm more a 1958 Chrysler 300D convertible with the 392 Cross Ram Hemi type, nothing like four tons of American engineering cutting a swath through all the foreign junk on the roads today....Of course to actually own one would require me to plunk down over 225K for a decent speciman[:(] Government Pay, shucks I made more in the private sector, I serve my country for the sheer pleasure free from any personal gain...And if you believe that, have I got a deal for you....

I see Tom is reasonably quiet today, what could he possibly be up to, perhaps he had to drive Boris to obedience class???
Apology due, must not wear my glasses backwards, I attributed a response as being Doug when I should have acknowledged Ted, although Doug as our MVP and a great fellow overall is fully invited to partake in my most grevious oversight...[:p][:p][:p]

Well duty calls once more, so I must depart for yonder pastures...

Dave[8D]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

So, let's see - West Coast S Dave drops by for two visits - doesn't see me first hand and decuces I'm quiet today! Hmmmmmmm - there have been a total of 12 Posts thus far (counting this one) and I've put up 8 of 'em! Quiet, indeed! [sigh]

The important thing is not that you've missed my Posts - but that perhaps you haven't picked up on the READ THIS up on this Page . . .

Ahhhh, cars . . . Chrysler muscle cars bring back some memories - back before "Hemi" was an "in" word and back when Chrysler manufactured some mean machines. I never was truly "into" muscle cars - but did have a great Silver Hawk made by Studebaker - 1957 version - and it was quite the car. Long story about that car for another time 'n place - perhaps the Rendezvous in St. Louis.

Appreciate seeing you stop by for your afternoon time slot Lars and don't worry about skipping a day or three - we'll be here.

Thanx for the rounds . . . [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and friends! I'll have my usual bottlemless draught if you please, and here's a sawbuck for your effort (nod nod wink wink) What can one say when he has been elected MVP? (here's another sawbuck, for extra fast service). It is quite humbling, to be sure (here's the sawbuck I forgot to tip you yesterday). I can't figure out how it's possible to have placed ahead of the far-more-deserving patrons that frequent "Our Place." (Whoops ...ran out of cash ... will a check do?) Well, I sure didn't get the award by merit of having the best jokes. Nevertheless, this undeserving-one reluctantly and humbly accepts this high honor. Thank-You very much. [:D]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Forum change Tom. I subscribe to both Trains and Classic Trains (thanks to my loving wife). Hope that gets me something good!

I'm also guessing that getting credit for posts I didn't make, helped tilt the scales a bit too. But I want to make it up, and actually put up a turbine post of my own! (Notice how I use the name "Weber" ... to get-in the good graces of the Big-Guy .... ya'll need to learn this trick [;)])



Union Pacific “Veranda” Gas Turbine locomotive No. 65 is shown leading an eastbound “reefer” block of California produce at Peterson, Utah, on the center passing track along the Weber River. Weber Canyon and Devil’s Gate are in the background.

In 1948, Alco-GE produced America’s first attempt at a revolutionary locomotive, the gas turbine. After shakedown runs on the Nickel Plate and the Pennsylvania, test locomotive No. 101 came to the UP for extensive evaluation. Numbered UP 50, the unit ran in tests for nearly a year and a half in every type of service, over the entire railroad.

In March, 1951, ten gas turbines were ordered built specifically for the UP, embodying the lessons learned from data on the test unit. Numbered 51-60, the first arrived at Council Bluffs on January 28, 1952. All were immediately places in the Cheyenne-Ogden pool.

Their impressive results in service prompted UP President A.E. Stoddard to announce that 15 more turbines were to be ordered from General Electric. Numbered 61-75, this second series had a side walkway or “veranda” and were equipped with 18,000 or 24,000-gallon fuel tenders rebuilt from steam locomotive tenders.

Experience gained from these 25 turbines of 4,500 hp led to the ordering of thirty 8,500 hp “Big Blows”, the largest locomotives in the world. No. 1 arrived August 31, 1958, and the last, No. 30, arrived June 27, 1961. With the coming of the big turbines, the smaller ones were all retired by 1964. The last of the big turbines was retired in February, 1970. The R&LHS Golden Spike Chapter has saved one of these “Big Blows,” and it’s on display at their museum next to the UP’s Ogden, Utah depot. UP Railroad photo.

[:I] An extraordinarily handsome man decided he had the responsibility to marry the perfect woman so they could produce beautiful children beyond compare. With that as his mission he began searching for the perfect woman.
Shortly there after he met a farmer who had three stunning, gorgeous daughters that positively took his breath away. So he explained his mission to the farmer, asking for permission to marry one of them.
The farmer simply replied, "They're lookin' to get married, so you came to the right place. Look 'em over and pick the one you want."
The man dated the first daughter. The next day the farmer asked for the man's opinion.
"Well," said the man, "she's just a weeeeee bit, not that you can hardly notice...pigeon-toed."
The farmer nodded and suggested the man date one of the other girls;so the man went out with the second daughter.
The next day, the farmer again asked how things went.
"Well,"the man replied, "she's just a weeeee bit, not you can hardly tell...cross-eyed."
The farmer nodded and suggested he date the third girl to see if things might be better. So he did. The next morning the man rushed in exclaiming,
"She's perfect, just perfect. She's the one I want to marry."
So they were wed right away. Months later the baby was born. When the man visited the nursery he was horrified: the baby was the ugliest, most pathetic human you can imagine. He rushed to his father-in-law asking how such a thing could happen considering the beauty of the parents.
"Well," explained the farmer, "she was just a weeeee bit, not that you could hardly tell... pregnant when you met her." [:I]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and a round please. I will try one of BORIS'S steaks. I don't know that my usual diet back in the old land of chicken,chips and baked beans or fish,chips and mushy peas would go down too well as the menu at Our Place. [:)].

I have now caught up on all the posts while away and may I say what GREAT posts, links and pics there have been in the last 4 weeks [yeah][wow]. I have written a list of the highlights but it would take me so long to post it can I just say a mighty thanks to you ALL.This really is a great place with great guys as regulars and of course all thanks to TOM.

CONGRATS to DOUG on the MVP [tup][tup][tup] well deserved SIR.

I have put one film in for putting on to disc so hopefully I should have some BR photos soon. although they wont be as good as last Sundays pics, the model railway is superb, it would be great if we could see it as well as the other great exhibits at the IRM. The photos of Alaska show what a wonderful country it is I never knew that Fairbanks is nearer to Glasgow than to Dallas.
The Alaskan Tourist Board ought to send you a big check TOM for getting so many of us wanting to go there I know I would love to one day.

TED You will have to let me know more about your friends trip to the Severn Valley Railway I'm sure he will have a great time.

Happy Canada day ROB and BK. and a Happy Fourth of July to my American friends, we are going to the bride's mom and family tomorrow but when I get back I shall be able to join in as usual at the bar.

To get the free beer for Canada day TOM does seeing a steam loco named CANADA count[?] It was a Jubilee class loco the same class as shown in Tom's BR encore on page 361.She was a Crewe North loco, seeing service on the ex LMS west coast line.
To even things up I can remember seeing a Merchant Navy class 4-6-2 #35012 United States Line passing a town named Fleet (about 35 miles South-West of London) at over 90 MPH in the early 1960s.

Thanks for the info on the change to the forum hopefully it wont change things for us at Our Place.

I,ll have another Bathams and it will be a pleasure to get another round PETE.

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Gents!

Another nite off for Leon - he's bee a work horse 'round here and deserves a rest. [tup]

Good to see Doug 'n Pete stop by!

Not much to add to the "citation" Doug - you da man! [tup] Also, good continuing stuff on those turbines - along with cranking in the family name! [swg]

Pete we've got to somehow keep you in port for a few days! But then again, given how long you were gone, I suppose your bride does have "first dibs" on your company! <grin> And of course, the sighting of that loco does indeed "count" - but you have to be here on Canada Day to collect it! [swg]

Perhaps we need to rethink that Chief Chef opening - given what Pete had to offer <yuck>! So, any takers out there [?} Otherwise, it's Boris . . . except for Pizza nite which is my specialty . . . [tup]

Okay - that's it for me. Catch y'all in the AM. [zzz]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and friends. I'll have the usual two light breakfasts, and a ]red-n-white (tomato juice in milk ...shaken ...not stirred) to celebrate Canada Day. For the record ....I have been to Canada, and pretty much know where it is .... pretty much.

Looks like we got a real nice day, which I'm hoping stays that way, because I want to take the family to one of our local race tracks tonight. Gotta remember to take a camera and some blankets, as the evenings have a way of getting cold.

And now .... here is an ENCORE from page 196!

Caboose History -- Rail Classics Magazine Sept.1988

“Caboose,” a strange word for a strange railroad car that somehow survived more that a hundred years from the days of oil-burning lamps to the computer age. Origins of the car and the word are surrounded by as much legend as fact. One popular version dates the word back to the description of a ship’s galley derived from the Dutch word “kabuis.”

The use of cabooses started in the 1830s when railroads housed trainmen in boxcars or flatcars with shanties built on them. (new photo from IRM)


The addition of the cupola – a lookout post atop the car – is attributed to a conductor who discovered in 1863 that he could see his train much better if he sat atop boxes and watched through the hole in the roof of his boxcar. Cabooses served several functions. It was an office for the conductor. A “waybill” followed every car from origin to destination. The conductor kept the paperwork in the caboose.

The car also carried a brakeman and a flagman. In the days when trains did not have automatic air brakes, the engineer signaled the caboose with his whistle when he wanted to slow down or stop. The brakeman would climb out of the caboose and make his was forward on top of the cars, twisting the brake-wheels by using a stout club. A brakeman riding the engine would work his way toward the rear.

Once the train was stopped, the flagman would get off the caboose and walk back a safe distance with lanterns, flags and other warning devices to stop any approaching trains. Underway, the trainmen would sit up in the cupola and watch from smoke from overheated wheel journals, called hot-boxes, or other signs of trouble.

It was common for railroads to assign a caboose to a conductor for his exclusive use. Conductors took great pride in their cars – despite derogatory nick-names, including “crummy, doghouse, bone-breaker, snake wagon and hearse.” Conductors would decorate the interior of their cars with many touches of home, including curtains, family photos and, most importantly, ingredients for cooking meals that became a part of American folklore.

The car served as a “home away from home” for crewmen who slept in the car on trips away from their home terminals. Cabooses became a uniquely American tradition. Overseas, their use was rare or eliminated many years ago. Even in the United States, technological change began eliminating the need for cabooses before the turn of the century. The spread in the 1880s of the automatic air brake system invented by George Westinghouse eliminated the need for brakemen to manually set brakes. Air brakes were soon followed by the use of electric track circuits to activate signals, providing protection for trains and eliminating the need for flagmen.

Trains became longer, making it difficult for the conductor to see his train from the caboose. Freight cars became so high they blocked the view from the traditional cupola. Friction bearings were replaced by roller bearings, reducing the overheated journal and making visual detection by smoke unlikely. The heavy fast trains made on-board cooking hazardous and unnecessary. Cabooses were put into “pools| and not assigned to individual conductors. New labor agreements reduced hours of service and eliminated the need for cabooses for sleeping quarters as a result of lodging provided by the company.

Electronic “hotbox” and dragging equipment detectors were installed along main lines, which could check moving trains more efficiently and reliably than men in cabooses. Computers eliminated the conductor’s paperwork. Cabooses became expensive anachronisms.

The first major railroad in the United States to eliminate cabooses was the Florida East Coast Railway. Because of the technological advances and sweeping local labor changes, FEC dropped the cars in 1972. By the fall of 1982 the nation’s other major railroads and the United Transportation Union, which represents the trainmen who ride in cabooses, reached agreement on guidelines to begin eliminating the cars.

Studies by the Interstate Commerce Commission and a Presidential Emergency Board, which was appointed to settle the labor situation, concluded cabooses could be safely eliminated. The board estimated U.S. railroads would save approximately $400 million if cabooses were eliminated.

Union Pacific purchased its last cabooses in 1979 for $63,500 apiece. UP System has a fleet of about 1,500 cabooses. There are nearly 11,000 cabooses in service on all U.S. railroads. Cabooses today cost approximately $80,000. Other railroads which have begun eliminating cabooses include Conrail, Baltimore & Ohio, Norfolk Southern, Illinois Central Gulf, Seaboard System and Santa Fe.

[:I] A serious drunk walked into a bar and, after staring for some time at the only woman seated at the bar, walked over to her and kissed her. She jumped up and slapped him silly. He immediately apologized and explained, "I'm sorry. I thought you were my wife. You look exactly like her."

"Why you worthless, insufferable, wretched, no good drunk!" she screamed.

"Funny," he muttered, "you even sound exactly like her." [:I]

[siberianmo]

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


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS


Saturday has arrived! C’mon in – enjoy a cuppa freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee – a <light or <traditional breakfast from the Menu Board and one or two pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery!



Daily Wisdom


Shut up and talk.
ENCORE! Yogi-ism



Info for the Day:


Railroads from Yesteryear –
ENCORE! New York Central (NYC)
Arrives Tuesday! – watch for it!


* Weekly Calendar:


Today is Canada Day , so in honor of our northern cousins, drinks are on the house for anyone claiming Canada as home – OR anyone who has blood relatives in Canada – OR anyone who has visited Canada – OR anyone who knows where Canada IS! [swg]

Tuesday is Independence Day so in honor of our 4th of July heritage, the bar will be OPEN the gals of ”Our” Place will be working, including for Cindy.Lunch is on the house for all! [tup] [swg]



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



MVP Award Winners

April 2006 . . . LoveDome Lars
May – June . . . . barndad Doug



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


Comedy Corner

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


[:I] Joe, who stuttered, was looking for a job and saw a help wanted sign in the window of a book store. He went in and asked the owner, “c c could I h h have a ch ch chance at the j j job?”
The store owner told him it probably wouldn’t work out because it was a salesman job and he would have to talk to people all day. Joe said, “p p p please g give m m me some b books and I’ll sh sh show you”. So the owner went to the back of the store and brought back a case of bibles and told Joe to try and sell them. Joe left with the bibles and came back an hour later with the money for them. The owner asked, “Joe, how did you sell all those bibles so fast?”
Joe said, “I w w went up t t to the d door and r r rang the b b bell and w when th the people
answered, I asked, d d do you w w w want to b b buy a b b bible or d d do you w w want me to r r r read it t t to you? [:I]


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



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

NOW SHOWING:

. . . Sunday, June 25th thru July 1st: Blazing Saddles (1974) starring: Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little & Slim Pickins – and – Fierce Creatures (1997) starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline & Michael Palin. SHORT: Ants in the Pantry (1936).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . Sunday, July 2nd thru 8th: 1776 (1972): starring: William Daniels & Howard Da Silva – and – The Patriot (2000) starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger & Joely Richardson. SHORT: Movie Maniacs (1936).



SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 00:14:33 (367) Friday’s Info & 16-Post Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 00:35:46 (367) Canada Day Reminder!

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 07:29:06 (367) Something Special Notice!

(4) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 08:17:03 (367) Gulf Coast Report!

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 09:22:09 (367) Acknowledgment & Pix!

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 11:24:07 (367) Cdn Rwys of the Past - CN’s Super Continental

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 14:08:29 (367) READ THIS!

(8) West Coast S Dave Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 14:53:41 (367) California Dreamin’!

(9) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 15:02:51 (367) Island Report!

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 16:11:38 (367) MVP Award! [bow]

(11) West Coast S Dave Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 17:00:23 (367) Still dreamin’!

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 17:49:10 (367) Quiet, indeed!

(13) barndad Doug Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 18:35:43 (367) I accept! ‘n Big Blows ‘n Joke!

(14) pwolfe Pete Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 22:00:11 (367) Wolfden Report!

(15) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 Jun 2006, 22:18:59 (367) Acknowledgments ‘n Comments



That’s it![tup][;)]


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

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday




Canadian Railways of the Past

Number One: Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR)



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


Locale: Canada

Dates of operation: 1899 – 1918

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)

Headquarters: Manitoba

The Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) is a historic Canadian railway.

Manitoba beginnings

CNoR had its start in the independent branchlines that were being constructed in Manitoba in the 1880s and 1890s as a response to the monopoly exercised by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Many of these branchlines were built with the sponsorship of the provincial government, which sought to subsidize local competition to the federally subsidized CPR; however, significant competition was also provided by the encroaching Northern Pacific Railway (NPR) from the south.

Two of these branchline contractors, William Mackenzie and Donald Mann, took control of the bankrupt Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company in January, 1896. Mackenzie and Mann expanded their enterprise in 1897 by building further north into Manitoba's Interlake district as well as east and west of Winnipeg. They also began building and buying lines south to connect the U.S. border at Pembina, North Dakota, and east to Ontario.

Connecting the Prairies to the Lakehead

The Canadian Northern Railway was established in 1899 and all railway companies owned by Mackenzie and Mann (primarily in Manitoba) were consolidated into the new entity. CNoR's first step toward competing directly with CPR came at the turn of the century with the decision to build a line linking the Prairie Provinces with Lake Superior at the harbour in Port Arthur-Fort William (modern Thunder Bay, Ontario) which would permit the shipping of western grain to European markets as well as the transport of eastern Canadian goods to the West. This line incorporated an existing CNoR line to Lake of the Woods and two local Ontario railways, the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railway and the Ontario and Rainy River Railway whose charters Mackenzie and Mann had acquired in 1897. To reach Port Arthur which became the lake terminus of the CNoR, the line extended south of Lake of the Woods into northern Minnesota before heading northeast through Rainy River District to the head of navigation on the Great Lakes. The Winnipeg-Port Arthur line was completed on December 30, 1901 with the last spike being driven just east of Atikokan station by Ontario's Commissioner of Crown Lands, Elihu J. Davis.

Throughout this time, Mackenzie and Mann had been busy expanding their prairie branch line network to feed the connection to Port Arthur. This network expanded in subsequent years to cover most parts of the prairies.

In 1914 the Canadian Northern Railway bought a 150 acre homestead north of Winnipeg on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. They purchased the land in order to develop a resort on Grand Beach.

Going it alone

In 1903 the federal government and Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) were seeking a 2nd transcontinental railway for Canada and approached Mackenzie and Mann to seek their co-operation. This effort was spurned and GTR and the federal government would go on to form a system composed of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) and the National Transcontinental Railway (NTR).

Nationwide expansion

Mackenzie and Mann began their first significant expansion outside of the prairies with the purchase of Great Lakes steamships, railways into northern Quebec's Saguenay region and the acquisition of branchlines in southwestern Nova Scotia (the H&SW) and western Cape Breton Island. Other acquisitions were in southern Ontario and a connecting line was built from Toronto to Parry Sound.

In 1905, CNoR reached the newly formed provincial capital at Edmonton, Alberta. In 1908, a line was built east from a connection at Capreol, Ontario on the Toronto-Parry Sound line to Ottawa and on to Montreal. In 1910 a direct Toronto-Montreal line was built, as well as the start of construction on the line west of Edmonton through Yellowhead Pass to Vancouver, thanks to subsidies provided by the government of British Columbia. In 1911 federal funding was made available for completing the line from Montreal-Ottawa-Capreol-Port Arthur.

In 1912, with GTR and CPR holding the ideal southern routes around Mount Royal to downtown Montreal, CNoR started building a double-tracked mainline north by building the Mount Royal Tunnel under the mountain.

Obstacles in the Rockies

CNoR's initial expansion in the 1890s and 1900s had been relatively frugal, largely by acquiring bankrupt companies or finishing failed construction projects. By the 1910s, significant expenses were adding up from the construction north or Lake Superior and the Mount Royal Tunnel, but the largest costs were from building on "the wrong side" of the Thompson and Fraser rivers in the mountains of British Columbia. CPR already had trackage on the desirable eastern side, leading to the port of Vancouver, forcing CNoR to blast tunnels and ledges out of these canyons.

The most infamous construction folly on the CNoR in British Columbia happened in 1913 when blasting for a passage for the railway at Hells Gate triggered an enormous landslide which partially blocked the narrow swift-flowing Fraser River. The resulting damage to Pacific salmon runs took decades to reverse by the governmental construction of fishways.

In addition to difficult construction between Jasper and Vancouver, CNoR started construction west of Edmonton in 1910, fully two years later than GTPR, which had started construction east from Prince Rupert in the Skeena River, leading to Yellowhead Pass.

Bankruptcy and nationalization

The last spike of the CNoR transcontinental railway was driven January 23, 1915, at Basque, British Columbia. Freight and passenger service north of Lake Superior also started in 1915, resulting in a system between Montreal and Vancouver, with lines in Nova Scotia, Southern Ontario, Minnesota, and on Vancouver Island. Between 1915 and 1918, CNoR tried desperately to increase profits during the height of conflict in the First World War when the majority of wartime traffic was moving on CPR. The company was also saddled with ongoing construction costs associated with the Mount Royal Tunnel project.

CNoR was heavily indebted to banks and governments, and its profitable branchlines in the prairie provinces — "Canada's breadbasket" — would not generate enough revenue to cover construction costs in other areas. Unable to repay construction costs, the company requested financial aid. In exchange for funds, the federal government gained majority control of shares and CNoR was nationalized on September 6, 1918, when the directors of CNoR, including Mackenzie and Mann, resigned. The replacement board of directors appointed by the federal government forced CNoR to assume the management of federally-owned Canadian Government Railways (CGR). On December 20, 1918, a Privy Council order directed CNoR and CGR to be managed under the moniker Canadian National Railways (CNR) as a means to simplify funding and operations, although CNoR and CGR would not be formally merged and cease corporate existence until January 20, 1923, the date that CNR was formally consolidated. Legally, CNoR existed until 1956.

Remnants of CNoR today

Today, significant portions of the CNoR system survives under CN (as the CNR has been known since 1960); for example, the Mount Royal Tunnel and lines north to Saguenay, as well as most of the CN main line west from Toronto to Winnipeg, and from Yellowhead Pass southwest to Vancouver. The majority of CN's former CNoR branchline network across Canada has either been abandoned or sold to shortline operators. An important U.S. subsidiary of CNoR, the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway forms part of a key CN connection between Chicago, Illinois and Winnipeg.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Northern_Railway"

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

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

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


waving flags credit: www.3DFlags.com


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday




Canadian Railways of the Past

Number Two: Northern Alberta Railways (NAR)




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


Northern Alberta Railways

Locale: Alberta, British Columbia

Reporting marks: NAR

Dates of operation: 1929 – 1981

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)

Headquarters: Edmonton, Alberta


The Northern Alberta Railways (AAR reporting mark: NAR) was a Canadian railway which served northern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. Jointly owned by both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway, NAR existed as a separate company from 1929 until 1981.


Predecessor railways

Railway construction in northern Alberta during the early 20th century was dominated by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and the Canadian Northern Railway, both of which were building westward from Edmonton, AB to the Yellowhead Pass of the Rocky Mountains.

Following the Dominion Land Survey grants to settlers, the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta was one of the few places left on the prairies with available agricultural land, however there was no railway connection.
Several lines were chartered to serve both the Peace River and Waterways regions of the province, beginning with the Athabaska Railway in 1907. It was to build northeast from Edmonton to Dunvegan, AB, then to Fort George, BC.

ED&BC

The company was rechartered in 1911 under the ownership of J.D. McArthur as the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway (ED&BC). Construction of the ED&BC started in 1912 heading toward Westlock, AB, reaching High Prairie in 1914, and Spirit River in 1915. Deciding not to proceed to Dunvegan, a branch was built south from Rycroft, AB to Grande Prairie, AB in 1916 (400 miles northwest from Edmonton).
In 1924 the line was extended to Wembley, AB and it reached Hythe, AB in 1928. In 1930 the line was extended westward across the provincial boundary to its western terminus at Dawson Creek, BC.

A&GW

In 1909 a charter was granted to the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway (A&GW) to build from Edmonton to Waterways, AB on the Athabasca River. Construction faltered and the line was rechartered in 1913 under the ownership of J.D. McArthur. Construction of the AG&W began in 1914 from Carbondale, AB and reached Lac La Biche, AB in 1916. It reached Draper, AB in 1922 and its terminus at Waterways, AB in 1925.

CCR

In 1913 a charter was granted to the Central Canada Railway (CCR) under the ownership of J.D. McArthur to build from Winagami Junction, AB on the ED&BC to Peace River Crossing, AB in order to access barge traffic on the Peace River. Construction of the CCR began in 1914 and was completed in 1916.

The CCR was subsequently extended to Berwyn, AB in 1921, then to Whitelaw, AB in 1924, Fairview, AB in 1928 and Hines Creek, AB in 1930.

PVR

In 1926, the provincial government passed a statute authorizing the government to construct the Pembina Valley Railway from Busby, AB, where it connected to the ED&BC line, to Barrhead, AB.

Provincial ownership

In 1920, the lines owned by J.D. McArthur entered financial difficulties following the First World War. Coinciding with the problems faced by the McArthur lines (ED&BC, A&GW, and CCR), both the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) and Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) had fallen victim to similar circumstances brought about by the financial strain of the conflict and falling traffic levels. The Dominion government had nationalized the GTPR and CNoR, along with other previously federally owned lines into the Canadian National Railways.

Following the federal example, and in an attempt to preserve rail service to northern and northwestern Alberta, the provincial government leased the ED&BC and CCR in 1920 for five years. In 1921 the government entered into a five year agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to operate the ED&BC and CCR. That same year, the provincial government purchased the A&GW outright and chose to operate it separately.

CPR immediately raised freight rates on the ED&BC and CCR lines, charging "mountain prices", claiming that the cost of operating on grades into the Peace and Smoky River valleys of the northwestern prairie was as much as it cost to operate in the Rocky Mountains. Consequently Peace River farmers paid the highest freight charges on the Canadian prairies to reach the lakehead at Port Arthur and Fort William.

The provincial government purchased the ED&BC and CCR from McArthur in 1925, following the expiration of the five year lease. dissatisfied with the CPR's operation of the ED&BC and CCR, the provincial government allowed the operating contract for the these railways to expire in 1926, with operations subsequently taken over by the new provincial Department of Railways and Telecommunications which was also tasked to operate the AG&W and the newly-built PVR.

In 1928, the provincial government began to solicit proposals from both the CPR and the Canadian National Railways (CNR) for purchasing the provincial railways. In 1924, CNR president Sir Henry Thornton visited the ED&BC line and in 1928, CPR president Edward Beattie did the same.

Northern Alberta Railways

In 1929 the provincial government grouped the ED&BC, CCR, AG&W, and PVR under the collective name Northern Alberta Railways (NAR), which received a federal charter on June 14. The NAR was subsequently sold to both the CNR and CPR in equal portions with both companies agreeing to maintain the NAR as a joint subsidiary. At that time, the NAR was the third-largest railway in Canada. In 1937 the NAR began to show a profit for the first time.

In summer 1942, following the entry of the United States into the Second World War, the Alaska Highway civil defence project resulted in tremendous growth for the NAR, as the system was the only railway to service Alaska Highway mile 0 at Dawson Creek.

NAR also saw increased traffic from defence spending in both the Peace River and Fort McMurray regions as Royal Canadian Air Force training bases for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan were established.

In 1958 the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE), owned by the province of British Columbia, built east to Dawson Creek, BC and then north to Fort St. John, BC. Traffic from Dawson Creek which used to run on NAR now mostly ran on PGE.

NAR completely dieselized its locomotive fleet by October 1960.

Beginning in the 1960s, Alberta's nascent oil and gas industry began to have an impact on the NAR as traffic began to increase on both the Dawson Creek and Fort McMurray branches. In 1964, the federal government built the Great Slave Railway north from the NAR at Grimshaw, AB to Hay River, NWT to carry passengers and cargo which could then be transferred to barges and continue down the Mackenzie River.

In 1966, the passenger train to Waterways was replaced by Budd Rail Diesel Cars, but the experiment was unsuccessful, and it was replaced in 1967 by a mixed train. On June 1, 1974, the passenger train to Dawson Creek was discontinued.

During the 1970s, significant investments also began in the Fort McMurray region as the Athabaskan tar sands deposits began to be exploited.

Canadian National Railway

In 1981, CN (name/acronym) change after 1960 bought out CPR's share in the NAR system and incorporated these lines into the CN network, allowing CN to operate unhindered north from Edmonton to Hay River, NWT and west to Dawson Creek, BC. NAR disappeared as a corporate entity with the departure of CPR from the joint ownership. NAR shops and Dunvegan Yards in Edmonton were demolished and the new Dunvegan Woods housing development was built on the site.

In 1996, CN identified parts of its former NAR trackage for divestiture, either through sale or abandonment. Several lines were subsequently sold to shortline operators.

• Swan Landing, AB (near Jasper) to Grand Prairie, AB (the former Alberta Resources Railway) and west to Hythe, AB (west of Grand Prairie on the NAR) is now operated by Alberta Railnet (ARN), which is owned by North American Railnet. CN has maintained ownership of the portion between Hythe, AB and Dawson Creek, BC where it connects to former BC Rail trackage. The trackage between Hythe and Dawson Creek fell into disuse in 1998, but CN agreed to re-open it as a condition of purchasing BC Rail.

• Edmonton, AB to Boyle, AB (east of Fort McMurray) was purchased in 1997 by the Lakeland and Waterways Railway (LWR), a subsidiary of Canadian shortline holding company RailLink. RailLink was subsequently purchased by RailAmerica.

• Boyle, AB to Fort McMurray, AB is now operated by Athabascan Northern Railway and is owned by shortline operator Cando Contracting.

• CN maintains ownership of former NAR trackage between Edmonton, AB and Smith, AB.

• North and west of Smith, AB, the former NAR to Peace River, AB and Grimshaw, AB, as well as all of the ex-Great Slave Railway north from Grimshaw, AB to Hay River, NWT, was purchased in 1998 by the Mackenzie Northern Railway (MKNR), a subsidiary of Canadian shortline holding company RailLink. RailLink was subsequently purchased by RailAmerica.

References

• Schneider, Ena (1989). Ribbons of Steel:The Story of the Northern Alberta Railways, Detselig Enterprises Limited, Calgary, Alberta. ISBN 0-920490-97-2.

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

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

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

Did you miss the first in the series[?] Click on the URL:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=246&TOPIC_ID=35270



(Waving flags credit to: www.3Dflags.com)


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and crumpet from the Mentor Village Bakery.

Enjoyed the Canadian Northern post and especially the NAR post.

It looks to me like a couple of shortline operators are sitting on a goldmine. The Alberta Tar Sands are conservatively estimated to be from 1 to 3 trillion barrels of Oil. This is the largest known reserves in the world. When Oil was forty dollars a barrel it was not economical to retrieve this oil. Now at seventy dollars a barrel and the price probably will only go up not only is it feasible to retrieve this oil but Fort McMurray is expected to grow to 100,000 to 150,000 people in the next five years. It will be one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The railroad is the best way to bring supplies and everything else that will be need for the oil boom as the one highway between Edmonton and Fort MacMurray is nowhere near first class. Their is enough proven reserves to supply the US and Canada for the next 125 years minimum. The Saudi reserves are only a measley 150 million barrels. At the present time as these huge oil reserves develop one company has even built a runway to fly employees from Edmonton to the tar sands daily in each direction. Young men working these fields are earning incredible weekly paychecks. As this oil develops more and more it is estimated that in ten years their could be somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 employees working in the Tar Sands. And every barrel of oil extracted from the tar puts money in the pockets of Albertan's . Congratulations BK.

The railroads will return to operating passenger trains from Edmonton as air service where temps drop to 40 below in the winter and stay their for days on end is not conducive to daily air service. The heavy equipment must be brought in by rail in pieces and assembled on site. This is one area to keep an eye on rail over the next twenty years.

TTFN Al

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house, congrats to Doug, and a toast to the Dominion of Canada.

Grand Trunk steam car
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=53524081&id=49

First steam locomotive built in Canada
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=6985463&id=49

Roosevelt's Special
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1612610557&id=57

Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway (these can be for Rob)
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1343456064&id=49
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1473039899&id=49
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=16930814&id=53
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1394389230&id=53
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-2028406580&id=53
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-706891618&id=53
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-445390654&id=53
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1445330887&id=53

Railrodder
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/1.jpg
A
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/9.jpg
I
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/2.jpg
L
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/3.jpg
R
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/4.jpg
O
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/p.jpg
D
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/5.jpg
D
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/6.jpg
E
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/7.jpg
R
http://www.nfb.ca/cinerobot/cinerobotheque/IMG428x321_WEB/65/65062/8.jpg

Mike

[Anonymous]

To Rob and BK may I take this moment to wish you a meaningful CANADA DAY! Certainly, your magnificent Country is my choice for "as good as it gets" and my "home away from home" of choice.[bow] Tom, you surely have started the day off with deserving pomp and proper protocol to our brothers to the North.[tup] I raise my glass of C.R. "on-the-rocks" to many more years of friendship between our two countries with far more in common than differences, salute! Canadian National, Northern Canadian R., Alberta Northern R. follow "in-line" with this "All Canadian Day" theme. Bandad Doug, congratulations on the M.V.P. award this Month.[tup] X google.[:D] The credit is entirely your's unconditionally and independent of bribery or mistaken identity.[^] Speaking of which, the day will never come when the importance of the contribution is ever trumped by the name of the contributor; not on my list of priorities. BTW, thanks Tom, Dave and Doug for the amplified data and pix on the gas turbine powered locomotives of the era.[^] This is another example of the willing "spirit" that U.S. Roads epitomized before time began running out for free enterprise and unincumbered business decisions.[:(] Also, the clarification of Espees disasterous management decisions shed light on more vulture like activity toward the "end" than many of us can appreciate.[:-^] S. P. wasn't alone nor did they invent corperate corruption at the highest levels.[V]

Well Pete, after reviewing your "disclaimer" for food service on provencial terms ("Pub Grub"), may I join you in ordering "mystery meat" from Boris' larder? No offence inteneded but "mushy peas, beans, chips," et al. may leave hope for redemption in the Galley after all.[swg] With my current schedule, any culinary tasks would degenerate to T.V. frozen dinners....Ralph- -Earl.[xx(] So, there are to be changes in the format hereabouts, eh?[:O] Let's not be too quick to judge until we see what the good folks at Kalmbach have in mind, "patience is prudence", no? Looks like we will be regrouping and planning during the "down time" from the July 10 thru the 12th. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," right?

Unfortunately, there is still work on the homestead left for improving the "eye appeal" factor that needs attention. Soo, Boris "let there be sound!" Gadfrey, what was that, yodling from his Carpathian Mtns. lineage? Put a sock in it Boris and ring da bell! Happy rails all.

[Anonymous]

Good morning again to Tom and my friends at Our Place. Looks like we get free eats today, but I'm assuming we still buy our drinks. I'll have a bottomless draught and spe=ring for a round for the house. Great CN and NAR ENCORES Tom, and that was certanily interesting news on the tar sands at Alberta Al. Thanks also to Mike for more great URL's!

You know, I just happened to look up "Canada Day", and look what I found:

We should be celebrating Dominion Day
David Menzies, National Post
Published: Friday, June 30, 2006
Ah, today is the First of July. It means a day off work. It's the unofficial start of summer. And millions celebrate with barbeques sizzling, hammocks swaying and fireworks blasting. For 24 years, July 1 has been known as Canada Day. But undoubtedly, some "old-timers" (that is to say, those Canadians who have memories stretching back to the early '80s) likely recall the original moniker for July 1: Dominion Day, a holiday officially established by statute in 1879 but now consigned to the scrapheap of political correctness.

The sneaky process that resulted in Dominion Day's assassination is certainly a story worth retelling. The deed took place in Parliament on July 9, 1982, back when the Trudeau regime was calling the shots. Purging Dominion Day from the Canadian lexicon occurred on an otherwise laidback Friday afternoon, the last day of Parliament before the summer recess. A mere 13 members were present, seven short of an official quorum.

Alas, so much for formalities: a private member's bill seeking to officially expunge "Dominion Day" and replace it with "Canada Day" was quickly rubberstamped. Faster than you could say, "fuddle duddle" more than a century of history disappeared.

The move was "consistent with what Liberal governments have been doing since [Lester] Pearson took over, which is trying to 're-brand' Canada," notes Stephen Clarkson, a University of Toronto history professor who specializes in Canadian politics and Pierre Trudeau. "I think for people like me, I'm sort of the last vestige of the British Empire, so [Dominion Day] has nostalgic qualities."

While it's hard to determine precisely how many Canadians are or were upset over the "re-branding", Clarkson does note that those most likely to take umbrage -- "white Anglo-Saxon protestants" -- were already the "minority in Canada by the early '80s."

Even so, according to the Monarchist League of Canada, "dominion" is a very proud and powerful term. After all, the preamble to the Canadian constitution -- that document so beloved by Liberals then and now -- states there shall be "one Dominion." And Monarchists note that the D-word is misunderstood: Dominion is synonymous with independence, freedom and free association -- not subservience or colonization.

Alas, a contributing factor to Dominion Day's exclusion from the Canadian holiday vocabulary is that dominion does not translate very well into French. Given that pandering to Quebec sensibilities is practically Canada's national pastime, Dominion Day was perhaps doomed for this reason alone.

How sad. After all, the genesis of Dominion Day had much to do with that very positive Canadian attribute of compromise. As noted in The Canadian Encyclopedia, Dominion "refers to Dominion of Canada (British North America Act preamble), to the federal government or Parliament, and to Canada's status in relation to the Imperial government. The fathers of confederation wanted to call the new nation the Kingdom of Canada, but the British Government, fearing the sensitivity of Americans to references to the Crown and anxious not to antagonize them after the American Civil War, insisted the Fathers find another title. Leonard Tilley suggested 'dominion': (Psalm 72). 'He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.' The Fathers said it was intended to give dignity to the federation, and as a tribute to the monarchial principle. Under the Constitution Act, 1982, 'Dominion' remains Canada's official title."

On sober second thought, no wonder Dominion Day was given the axe. After all, it's all so "B&B" (biblical and British) -- neither of which jives that well with Liberals.

Ideological agendas aside, perhaps re-branding wouldn't have been so offensive if only the replacement for the regal-sounding Dominion Day wasn't the appallingly bland Canada Day -- a "McHoliday" if ever there was one. Can anyone imagine Independence Day being replaced by USA Day? The most important American holiday would end up sounding like the name of a national newspaper -- just as our most important national holiday now sounds like a brand of ginger ale.

Even so, wouldn't it be a fitting birthday gift if the Harper Conservatives were to undo this particular example of Liberal vandalism, restoring Dominion Day to its rightful place? While changing the name (again) of our most important holiday is not high on the priority list, it would certainly be something worth celebrating. At least for those Canadians who still care about such things.

[:I] A man had been drinking at the bar for hours when he mentioned something about his girlfriend being out in the car. The bartender, concerned because it was so cold, went to check on her. When he looked inside the car, he saw the man's friend, Dave, and his girlfriend kissing one another. The bartender shook his head and walked back inside.

He told the drunk that he thought it might be a good idea to check on his girlfriend. The fellow staggered outside to the car, saw his buddy and his girlfriend kissing, then walked back into the bar laughing.

"What's so funny?" the bartender asked.

"That stupid Dave!" the fellow chortled, "He's so drunk, he thinks he's me!" [:I]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Welcome to the All Things Canadian Day! here at the tavern by the tracks! [tup]

Good to see Doug this fine day here in mid-continent USA where the temps are rising faster than the Cardinals can give away ball games! <groan> Blue skies, bit of a breeze, but getting oh so H-O-T! [tdn] When's the next train leaving for Fairbanks [?] [swg]

Back to Doug - The MVP for May-June! [tup] So, the MVP comes through with an ENCORE but NOT in keeping with the celebratory nature of this day. A Tweetable offense [?] Hmmmmm, that would be "cold" on his first full day of MVPdom. [swg]

Interesting report from Al and for anyone out there interested in reading about the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta, check out this URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_Tar_Sands

It is a very thorough, revealing and interesting report - worth reading fer sure, fer sure! [tup]

wanswheel Mike has checked in also with some creative URLs to support the events going on 'round the place. [tup] Mets are having a bit of difficulty with the AL teams too, I note. Come October, though, is when it call counts . . . .

Al- back to your comments - the one variable that cannot be depended upon are those minus 40 (F) temps you mentioned. Global warming HAS and IS making a huge difference in that part of the world as glaciers retreat and disappear, revealing green in places where white was once predominant.

Thanx for the rounds and enjoy the day! [tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Greetings!

Back again upon "discovering" two Posts that popped up immediately after mine was submitted!

Howdy Ted 'n Doug!

Doug I see you're "off the hook" [swg] - nice rebound! That's part of the reason you are MVP! <grin> Can't figure out what the other parts are . . . <grin>

Ted That Email you sent regading the Diamond Rio song really stirred something within me. I've already shipped off Emails to some folks who may be able to get things moving . . . While I usually ignore these "mass forwardings," yours truly hit the mark. Thanx! [tup] For those who haven't a clue - check out this web site and PLAY THE SONG! Then do what must be done if you share the thoughts of many on the subject . . . . http://www.ingodwestilltrust.com/ [tup]

So, who is prejudging [?] Apparently I missed that . . . I'm more concerned about the guys who will totally miss the info contained in the Kalmbach notice and wonder whether many of US would have picked up on it had I not sent Emails, etc. . . . .

Doug - That Canada Day - Dominion Day article is most interesting to digest and highly recommended . . .[tup] [tup] Oh [yeah] better recheck the Summary to find out what's "free" and what isn't! [swg]

Later! [tup]

Tom