Good morning Tom and all. I'll just have a sticky bun frmo the Mentor Village Bakery, while viewing the Swedish train pix at the following link provided by Eric
http://web.mac.com/ericx2000/iWeb/Sunday%20Picts/Sunday%20Pictures.html
Guess I greatly misunderstood about your comings and goings Tom. This old man needs a break! Nifty little suppliment to my little wreck ENCORE yesterday from you sir, supported also by a fine spate of URLs from Mike. Great stuff gentlemen!
Remember those metal signs I bought at the Railroadiana last weekend? Here they are!
Not bad for $20 ... eh? By the way .. I don't know why .. but my little brain sometimes wonders what the translations are to certain Spanish words ... like "Santa Fe" for instance. I know that "Santa" means "Saint". I am told that "Fe" is like religious faith ... where you believe in something you can't see. So Santa Fe means Saint Faith?
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
Doug, thanks for the encore. You always did have a thing for train wrecks.
Spuyten Duyvil
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?200504112304523664.jpg
http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?2005031301271213070.jpg
Washington, January 15, 1953
http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/visitors/seasonal/wrecks/wreck3lg.jpg
Coolidge Hotel
http://www.trainweb.org/theattic/UpperNE.html
The Gipper
http://lamb.archives.nd.edu/rockne/gipp1.html
The General
http://archives.nd.edu/barnard/23.html
Mike
Evening again Tom and friends. Just finished job#2 and am ready for a bottomless bach beer tonight. Since two jobs is making me soooo very rich, I'll even spring for a round, and turn over my Michigan quarters for some tunes. Sure was great to see brother Al make it in today, and to see another ENCORE from the captain! You know, my company (job#1) actually works on a FM part that goes on a huge driveshaft in a ship. I"ll have to take a picture of it the next time we see it, and explain what we do to it. It's easily the largest part that we currently process. Here is the final installment of my ENCORE for today:
Scene of Spuyten Duyvil wreck, looking toward northeast, just after the railroad tracks had been cleared. In the foreground is the creek which marked the boundary line between Spuyten Duyvil and Manhatten. In the center are shown Kilcullen's Hotel and Saloon, to which the victims were taken.
My picture is yellowed because it's from a 1935 edition in poor shape. Your picure of Mr. Wagner is better too, by the way. Here is the rest of the story:
The Wreck at Spuyten Duyvil By H.R. Edwards – Dec 1935 Railroad Stories
Aboard the wrecking train were General Superintendent Toucey, who was in charge of the entire N.Y.C. & H.R. Railroad between New York City and Buffalo, and Division Superintendent Charles Bissell. Both officials remained on the scene of the wreck all night, personally supervising the rescue work and disposal of the ruins.
By 4 A.M. the two tracks were cleared sufficiently for trains to run in both directions. The trains from New York brought a throng of newspaper reporters and curiosity seekers. Kilcullen’s thirst emporium did a land-office business, scores of men all day long drinking and playing billiards on the very spot where bodies of the wreck victims had been laid a short time before.
The first of the dead to be identified was Senator Wagner. The famous inventor had perished in the Idlewild, with which he had sought to equip with every appliance of safety and comfort. Sorrowfully his son-in-law, Conductor Jay Taylor, claimed the body. One of the Wagner cars was draped with black and coupled onto a special train taking the Senator back to Palatine Bridge where he was born sixty-four years before, and where he had served the railroad for seventeen years as station agent.
Another of the dead was the Rev. F.X. Marechal, chaplain for Blackwells Island, New York City – the spiritual advisor for inmates of the workhouse, the insane asylum and the almshouse. He, too, was burned to death in the Idlewild.
So were Mr. and Mrs. Park Valentine, a young bride and groom who had been married the night before at a fashionable society wedding in New England. He was twenty-two; she was nineteen.
Conductor Hanford was the last person to see the newlyweds alive. Forcing his way into the shattered and burning car, he saw the devoted pair standing together in the wreckage. Mr. Valentine was trapped beyond all hope of being extricated. His bride was clinging to him; only her clothing was caught in the wreckage.
Hanford said later that if she had been willing to slip out of her clothing and leave her husband she could have been saved. This he urged her to do, but the hysterical girl refused to obey. The heat was too intense for Hanford to stay in there long enough to force her to do this, to save the woman in spite of herself, and so the young couple died together.
Immediately after the accident, according to A.H. Catlin, who had charge of the road’s air-brake equipment, the brakes on the wrecked train were examined and found to be in good working order. Just who had pulled that cord, at the height of revelry back there in one of the cars, will probably never be known.
Mr. Toucey, however, picked on Conductor Hanford and Brakeman Melius, particularly Melius, as the prime scapegoats.
“The collision,” said he, “was a direct result of the violation of Rule Fifty-three.” Following is the rule he referred to, as stated in the N.Y.C. & H.R. Railroad rule book:
Whenever a train is stopped on a road, or is enabled to proceed at slow rate, the conductor must immediately send a man with red signal at least half a mile back, on double track, and the same distance in both directions if on single track, to stop any approaching train, which signal must be shown while the detention continues.
This must always be done whether another train is expected or not. In carrying out these instructions the utmost promptness is necessary; not a moment must be lost in inquiry as to the cause of stoppage or probably duration; the rear brakeman must go back instantly. Conductors will be held strictly responsible for the prompt enforcement of this rule.
At the coroner’s investigation, the attorney for Melius asked the general superintendent: “Suppose one of the employees cannot read. How should he know what the rules are?”
Mr. Toucey replied: “If there is such a man he ought to leave the employ of the road.”
“Do you know of any such?” persisted the lawyer.
“I do not,” said Mr. Toucey.
Then the truth came out. Although George Melius had been employed in train service on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad for more than twenty years, he could neith read nor write!
It did not take the coroner’s jury long to reach a verdict. They held that eight persons had been killed “by criminal means and culpable negligence in the performance of their several duties” on the part of brakeman Melius, Conductor Hanford, Engineers Stackford, Buchanon and Burr, General Superintendent Toucey, and the railroad company itself.
Later the grand jury indicted Hanford and Melius on the charge of manslaughter in the fourth degree, and recommended:
(1) Discontinuence of the use of mineral oil for illumination in cars.
(2) Use of steam of hot water or hot air heating of cars instead of heating be direct radiation.
(3) Extension of the block signal system
(4) Larger train crews
(5) Employment of signalmen at all dangerous cuts and curves
(6) Trainmen and others holding responsible positions should be required to read and write.
(7) Inclusion of water pails and tools boxes containing axes, etc., on every train.
(8) The practice of giving free passes to legislators and others holding office under our state and city government is contrary to all proper ideas of good public policy and should be prohibited by law.
On account of the death of Senator Wagner, who had been a member of important railroad committees, the Senate of New York State also made an investigation. Its report, June 1, 1882, was vague and obviously written by politicians; but was definite about one point, namely, putting the blame upon brakeman Melius and not upon any of the railroad officials.
An aftermath of this disaster was revealed in a recent letter from Richard McCloskey, of Co. 3, Veterans Administration Home, Va., who wrote to Railroad Stories on his seventy-fifth birthday, June 10th, 1935: “I was a witness of the wreck at Spuyten Duyvil and knew George Melius. About a year after the wreck I boarded a horse car on Second Avenue, New York City, and recognized Melius as the driver. He was well disguised by a long growth of whiskers.”
*** still no joke, as it just isn't appropriate for this subject ***
Well good evening gentlemen all-Leon, a round for the house if you would be so kind-just back from a show up in the mountains,I don`t think they have live music very often..............
Just called in for a nightcap-far too drunk to offer any opinions,will return ( as Gen. McArthur once said) tomorrow-take care one and all,be good boys--mamma`s watching.............
See ya later,nick
Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In modern usage, Spuyten Duyvil (pronounced "SPITE-uhn DYE-vuhl") is the name of a subsection of the Riverdale section of the Bronx in New York City. The area is named after Spuyten Duyvil Creek, a Dutch name with various historical spellings and meanings. Some of the names are Speight den Duyvil, Spike & Devil, Spitting Devil, Spilling Devil, Spiten Debill and Spouting Devil, among others. Meanings come down to the physically based "Spinning Devil" or "Devil's Whirlpool" or the Anthony Van Corlaer legend based, "Spite the Devil." Though once a separate neighborhood from Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil currently refers to the southernmost section of Riverdale, below West 230th Street. This neighborhood was physically attached to Manhattan Island until the Harlem River was rerouted as the Harlem River Ship canal, and Spuyten Duyvil Creek was filled in in the late 19th Century. This produced the oddity that a very small portion of the mainland Bronx was politically a part of Manhattan for many purposes. This neighborhood is home to The Henry Hudson Memorial Park and the Henry Hudson Bridge, which connects it to the island of Manhattan. It is also the location of the Spuyten Duyvil train station, which is served by the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad.
In modern usage, Spuyten Duyvil (pronounced "SPITE-uhn DYE-vuhl") is the name of a subsection of the Riverdale section of the Bronx in New York City. The area is named after Spuyten Duyvil Creek, a Dutch name with various historical spellings and meanings. Some of the names are Speight den Duyvil, Spike & Devil, Spitting Devil, Spilling Devil, Spiten Debill and Spouting Devil, among others. Meanings come down to the physically based "Spinning Devil" or "Devil's Whirlpool" or the Anthony Van Corlaer legend based, "Spite the Devil." Though once a separate neighborhood from Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil currently refers to the southernmost section of Riverdale, below West 230th Street. This neighborhood was physically attached to Manhattan Island until the Harlem River was rerouted as the Harlem River Ship canal, and Spuyten Duyvil Creek was filled in in the late 19th Century. This produced the oddity that a very small portion of the mainland Bronx was politically a part of Manhattan for many purposes.
This neighborhood is home to The Henry Hudson Memorial Park and the Henry Hudson Bridge, which connects it to the island of Manhattan. It is also the location of the Spuyten Duyvil train station, which is served by the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad.
Good Afternoon Tom. Nice to see the old gang still around. Time for a CR and a round for the house.
Still have not got my home computer fixed to get on the forum from their amd goins away for a couple of weeks and will fix it when I get back.
Noticed the blurbs about the FMs. They were great in Submarines and surface ships but a mechanical nightmare for those who had to work on them in the rail environment.
Have read and remember seeing the SP trainmasters in Commute service and they sure could accelerate away from the station when compared with the GP9s that were also in commute service at the time.
Passenger Units that could accelerate were the GN SDP45s assigned to the Empire Builder. Heard they left town on several occasions with the conductor still standing on the platform when they first entered service.
TTFN Al
Good morning Tom. I thought you had left for Toronto yesterday. Boy, am I confuzzled! Enjoyed your ENCORES. Having grown up with TV, it's difficult for me to imagine a time when a hotel would advertize that it had radios in every room. Then it was TV, then cable, then I-Net access. I wonder what technical advances will be common in another 50 years.
Here's part II of my ENCORE before heading to job#2.
But Senator Wagner did not live to see the merger consummated. And all because of that hilarious group of politicians who were riding in his drawing-room cars from Albany to New York on Friday the 13th. At least, that’s what the train crew maintained in the investigations that followed, although no one came forward to name the guilty person.
Everybody agreed that there was quite a bit of drinking among the passengers that afternoon on the Chicago Express, and even two or three of the porters showed signs of intoxication. As Conductor George Hanford testified later:
“We had a lively party on board. All through the cars they were passing bottles, drinking freely, smashing hats, and signing songs. Apparently they were sober when they boarded the train in Albany, but many became drunk after the train started. I had no control over them. Someone, I don’t know who, pulled the rope connecting with the air brakes, and the train came to a standstill, to enable the engineer to pump out the air.”
If pulling the rope was intended to be a joke, it proved to be a ghastly one. The train had stopped a little to the north of Spuyten Duyvil, on the outskirts of New York City. At that point there was a deep cut through a ledge that obstructed a view of the station. On one side rose rocks and high ground. The other side sloped down toward the Hudson River.
Just before entering the cut a south-bound train had to round a long curve, and see what was around that curve ahead of them. Previously the N.Y.C. & H.R. had kept flagmen on duty at both ends of the cut, Bill McLaughlin and Richard Griffon, paying them each about thirty dollars a month, but in a wave of economy they had discharged McLaughlin, leaving the dangerous stretch of track insufficiently guarded at the north.
At the moment the express cam to a sudden stop, Senator Wagner was talking to some of his political companions in the Empire, the second car from the rear. One of them was saying:
“I’ve got a couple of friends here who want to get passes from you.”
Nobody knows whether or not the inventor had a presentiment of tragedy on that occasion, but he certainly betrayed uneasiness over the unscheduled stop. He rose and remarked:
“Well, gentlemen, I think I’ll take a look through the train. These confounded railroads have a passion for smashing up my best cars.”
Mr. Wagner left the Empire and hurried back into the end car, the Idlewild. That was about 7 p.m. It was the last time he was seen alive.
Edward Stanford, engineer on the first locomotive, who had been employed on the New York Central for twenty-five years, made several attempts to start his train, but only succeeded in breaking the drawbar connecting the two engines.
The second engineer on the doubleheading express, Archibald Buchanan, who had eighteen years of engine service on that road, said later that he had seventy-five pounds of air on, and it had dropped at once to forty when somebody back on the cars pulled that cord, and he had tried to relieve the brakes by pumping them off. Recharging an air cylinder, he pointed out, took about fifteen minutes.
Meanwhile, George Melius, the hind brakeman, swung into action. This was his story:
: A minute or two after our train stopped I got my lamps, white and red, and walked back to protect the rear. I stood behind my train about two minutes, and then started back around the curve about six or seven car lengths behind my train. It took me about five minutes to walk that distance” – at the investigation later he was made to walk the same distance, which took only two minutes – “and I stood there perhaps two or three minutes.”
“I waited there ecause I considered the distance sufficient to stop any train. While I was on duty at that poit, the Tarrytown local came in sight, seven or eight car lengths from where I stood. Instantly I started waving my red lantern across the track. I think there was time enough to stop the train, even though I judges she was making about forty miles an hour.”
His brother, who was a conductor on the Poughkeepsie train, advised Brakeman Melius to modify that speed estimate in telling his story to the coroner’s jury – “because,” said Conductor Melius, “the Tarrytown local had just stopped at the Spuyten Duyvil depot and could not possibly have picked up so much speed in that distance.” So George modified his story for the official investigation.
At 6:40 p.m. the southbound local had left Tarrytown, N.Y., fourteen miles away, with Frank Burr at the throttle and Patrick Quinn wielding the scoop. Both were men of years experience in engine service on the N.Y.C.
“We were five minutes behind time when we pulled out of Tarrytown,” Burr explained, “because we had waited for the Chicago Express to pass us there. The express went by at 6:15 at high speed, evidently making up for lost time. We stopped at Spuyten Duyvil depot at 7:04. We were then thirteen minutes behind the express.”
The number “thirteen” seems to run like a theme song through the history of this occurrence. It was Friday the 23th, there were thirteen cars on the express, and the local was running thirteen minutes behind the express.
:After leaving Spuyten Duyvil,” said Engineer Burr, “we entered the cut at the rate of eighteen or twenty miles per hour. There was no danger signal or warning of any kind in the cut. And, I might add, Kilcullen’s Hotel, standing close to the right-of-way, completely shut off our view of the curving track until we were almost on top of the stalled train.”
“We passed out of the cut into the curve – I was looking ahead at the time – when I saw a flagman (Melius) with red and white signals in his hands. He was swinging the red across the down down, upon which we were. At the same time I saw the rear of the express before me.”
“When I first noticed the red light, the flagman was standing not more than two car lengths ahead of me, and the train was not more than thirty-five feet beyond the flagman. Altogether I was not more than three and a half car lengths behind the express when I first sighted her.”
“I put on the air brakes at once, reversed the engine, pulled the throttle wide open, blew the whistle, and did all in my power to stop. But a collision was inevitable. I remained at my post until the engine finally plowed into the rear of the express and stopped there. Then I got out and did what I could do to help with the work of rescue.”
The locomotive of the Tarrytown local was only slightly damaged. Her overhauling was estimated later to be not more than a fifty-dollar job. She was embedded in the parlor-car Idlewild. Her headlight, broken but still shining, had pushed its way a dozen feet within the luxurious car, casting a weird glare upon the terrified passengers.
The Idlewild, in its turn, had been partly telescoped into the car ahead, which was the Empire. It was not known then how many persons had been killed or injured, but the engine had a full head of steam and a boiler explosion was feared. An explosion under those circumstances would have added frightfully to the casualty list.
James Kilcullen, proprietor of the small saloon and hotel near by, had viewed the catastrophe from his doorway, and was one of the first to hasten to the rescue with a ladder, an ax, and a couple of water buckets. Said he:
“If you want to use a shutter or two to carry the victims on, don’t hesitate to tear them off my house.”
Survivors of the wreck who had managed to scramble out of the cars, aided by a number of husky fellows who hurried to the scene from near-by villages, formed a bucket brigade and threw water from the Hudson River onto the last two parlor-cars, which had caught fire almost immediately after the collision.
Engineer Burr was the first to recognize the damage of a boiler explosion. Seizing the fireman’s scoop from Patrick Quinn, he commenced piling great shovelfuls of snow into the furnace. Fortunately, although it was mid-winter, the weather was rather mild, and the snow was soft enough to work with.
Water carriers who had been emptying their pails onto the flaming cars, followed Burr’s example and dashed them against the locomotive boiler instead. Eventually the fire in the firebox was quenched, and attention was turned once more to the Empire and the Idlewild, from which came the agonizing cries of victims who were slowly burning to death.
Conductor Hanford, of the express, noticed that the occasional pailfuls of water were doing very little to check the blaze. “For God’s sake, hurry!” he cried. “Throw snow onto the fire!”
And, although badly burned about the face and hands, Hanford started to roll a snowball toward the terrible mass of burning timbers and hissing metal. Soon hundreds of willing hands were pushing great mounds of snow toward the danger spot. Some, braving the fierce heat, ran alongside the blazing cars and tossed the snow in through the windows. Others risked death themselves to drag out both the living and dead from the fiery hell-holes.
To enable rescuers to keep at work while removing the victims, their companions deluged them with water and pelted them with snowballs.
At the moment of impact, the lamps in one end of the Empire went out. Those in the other end gave a light which, pale and sickly though it was, proved to be a blessing. With this illumination every occupant of the Empire was enabled to get out or be carried out alive before a wall of fire made exit impossible; and no one perished in that car.
Until a year and a half before the accident the N.Y.C. & H.R. had lighted cars with candles. General Superintendent John M. Toucey maintained that these were safer than oil lamps; but the traveling public had complained that they could not read by such light, and so oil lamps were substituted.
The cars were heated by the Baker patented process, not by stoves, and the heating apparatus was concealed from view. Nevertheless, according to Conductor Hanford, who had been in train service on that road for eleven years, this system was the cause of the fire, though oil lamps added to the conflagration.
Tons of snow were thrown upon the two cars, and in a short time the volunteer workers had the hills and roadway scraped almost entirely clear of snow. Even this, however, seemed hardly able to abate the heat. Late at night relief came with the arrival of the fire department from Carmansville, a wrecking train from the Thirtieth Street depot, and two or three ambulances made a long and terrible drive through the dark over snow-covered, muddy roads.
The fire apparatus, pumping water from the Hudson, soon put the fire out. But before this happened, the cars had been reduced to a shapeless mass of charred wood and twisted metal.
James Kilcullen threw open his place to the victims, dead and wounded alike. When the grim casualty list was finally counted, there were found to be eight dead – most of them burned beyond recognition – and nineteen persons were seriously injured.
The bodies were carried into Kilcullen’s saloon and there were laid, a ghastly spectacle, upon the floor and billiard tables. Two rival undertakers who had hurried over from Yonkers, N.Y., quarreled with each other as to which one should take charge of the bodies.
*** no joke for this post ... it would not be appropriate ***
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE Saturday! - ENCORE! Saturday
Here’s something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains. Check these hotel ads (from The Official Guide of the Railways – 1956) [located on the inside, back cover] from page 141OKLAHOMA BILTMORE in the heart of Oklahoma City 600 Outside Rooms with Bath 600 Free Radios MARTIN J. REINHART, President H.P “Johnnie” JOHNSON, Mgr. ”Where courtesy creates its own welcome” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Where Downtown SAN ANTONIO meets the River The PLAZA HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Conditioned . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAN ANTONIO . . . . . . . . . . . The Venice of Texas . . . . . . . . . 500 Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . TOM L. POWELL, Mgr. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IN SAN FRANCISCO . . . KARL C. WEBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 Rooms President and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from $5.00 – Single General Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from $7.00 – Double HOTEL WHITCOMB Market Street at Eighth AT THE CIVIC CENTER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE SQUARE BUFFALO, N.Y. Buffalo’s Most Centrally Located Hotel 400 ROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATH . . . . . . . . . . From $2.75 Single . . . . . . . . . . Delicious Meals at Moderate Cost KENNETH A. KELLY, President and Manager - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IN ATLANTIC CITY IT’S . . . HOTEL DENNIS Boardwalk at Michigan Avenue AMERICAN and EUROPEAN PLANS Walter J. Buzby, Inc. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PHILADELPHIA’S VERY BEST! 1200 Rooms – 1200 Baths The finest of food and entertainment The BENJAMIN FRANKLIN A GREAT NAME . . . . . A GREAT HOTEL JOSEPH F. CONLAN, General Manager. . . . . . . . . WAlnut 2-8600 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE CONRAD HILTON C H I C A G O World;’s Largest and Friendliest Hotel 3000 ROOMS COMPLETELY REFURBISHED - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MARK TWAIN HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . ELMIRA, NEW YORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elmira’s Finest Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 OUTSIDE ROOMS WITH BATH Television and Air Conditioning – Four Restaurants W. C. EMERSON, President and Managing Director - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IN NEW ORLEANS The ST. CHARLES . . . . . . . . A DINKLER HOTEL . . . . . . . . Completely Air-Conditioned J. J. (“Mike”) O’Leary, V.P. & Mgr. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL ROBERT TREAT . . . . . . . . . . ”A KNOTT HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEWARK 1, N.J. SINGLE - $5.25 Up . . . . . . . . . . DOUBLE - $8.50 Up STANLEY J. AKUS, Mgr. . . . .ALBERT W. STENDER, Pres. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One of the world’s distinguished hotels The WINDSOR . . . . . . . . MONTREAL, CANADA . . . . . . . . MAXIME RAYMOND Q. C. President & Managing Director - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Enjoy! Tom
Guten Morgen allerseits!
As you can see, my ENCORE! was the OKTOBERFEST bill o' fare for the month!
Great seeing Rob in action - every little bit helps to keep things in forward momentum, eh Like those "rules" - keep 'em coming!
The 'digs' are looooooookin' goooooood, Doug. When's the PARTY Lock up the wife, kids, dogs 'n cats - the "Our" Place crew 'n customers are comin' to town! <we wish>
Good selection for our ENCORE! Saturday - remains to be seen how many "takers" we've got out there.
I'll be outside for most of the day - great looking morning and we're supposed to have a fine fall day to get some things done in the "back 40." Tomorrow the clouds roll in and along with it some rain - good day to watch football! <yeah>
World Series begins tonight in MoTown - only chance the Cardinals have is to take one of the two games, for #3, 4 'n 5 will be here, with 7 'n 8 back in Detroit. Will it EVER end Good Gawd Gertie, seems like yesterday that all of this ended in EARLY October. <groan>
COMMENT: From time to time there are issues on these Forums that "tick" us off. Best way to address them is to communicate with the Forum's Manager. This can easily be done by checking out the bottom of the page - "click" the "contact us" button after "trains.com" - then be sure to select "Forums Manager" when you pick a topic. Some of us are "into" an exchange regarding being "trashed" over on "my other Thread." Others are communicating their thoughts regarding access difficulties. It works - just be patient.
Remember, we’re CLOSED on SUNDAY – except for Sunday Photo Posting Day! and of course our breakfast – brunch – lunch ‘til 2 PM!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tom
OKTOBERFEST at "Our" Place!
We will feature GERMAN brew all month!
GERMAN sausages will be added to the menu for the month, with all the trimmings!
On Saturday's in Otober The Mentor Village Teutonic Society will sponsor Oompah Music live at the "Our" Place picnic grounds Pavillion and Dance Emporium! Performers include the Sauerkraut Band, Electric Lederhosen and Burst the Wurst Trio
Lederhosen and Alpine hats will be worn by "Our Place"! staff throughout the month!
Full scale LGB trains will be running on the main lines for free round trips toCan-Am Gorge on weekends - 10 AM to 4 PM. First northbound departs the "Our" Place platform at 10 AM sharp. undt ve mean, sharp!
PLAN TO SHARE THIS FALL CELEBRATION WITH US!
Good morning manager Lars. I'll have the usual two light breakfasts, and aspirin. Lots of aspirin. It's lucky that we have CM3, without whom, I would have no way of knowing what we do at these little pre-competition practices! I surely don't remember the burning boxcars. In fact ... I don't remember anything at all! Wonderful writing sir CM3 ... to be sure. Good stuff from Rob, on the handling of drunk customers. I've been on a few trains where I wouldn't have minded assisting the conductor with ejecting certain individuals myself, although I would not have cared if the train was moving or not! Speaking of JO's, I'll take Tom up on anything Vito can dish out to my ex-neighbor. Gets my blood boiling just thinking about him. Hokey smokey! DL must have borrowed some of AL's fingers for that post the other day! I'm going to have to take a speed reading class before tackling that one.
Families are actually starting to close on their homes, and move into the new neighborhood over here. Our turn will be November 9th, and here's how we look right now
Wouldn't you know it. I just happened to be on-site when I noticed someone from the county measuring the outside dimensions of my house for the purpous of determining my taxes .. and we're not even in yet!
I get to work job#2 from noon till 8pm today. No bites on the sale or rent of our other property, but we remain hopeful. And now, here's part I of an ENCORE from me:
A light snow was swirling around the Chicago-New York Express as she double-headed out of Albany at 3:06 – twenty-six minutes late – on a gray January afternoon of 1882, straightened her “string of varnish” after leaving the yards, and settled down for the 142-mile run to New York City.
It was Friday the 13th. Although there were thirteen wooden cars in that train, the possibility of a jinx didn’t seem to worry the seventy-seven politicians who were traveling southward from the New York State Capital on free passes given by the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad.
They laughed and rough-housed like schoolboys on a holiday. As a matter of fact, that’s just what it was. The State Legislature had adjourned for the weekend, and they were going back to the big city – back to the bright lights of Broadway and the three-story brownstone mansions of Twenty-third Street.
Just behind the two locomotives were coupled two mail cars; then a baggage car and four passenger coaches, all the property of the railroad. Lastly, and most important, came six parlor cars: the “Red Jacket,” the “Sharon,” the “Vanderbilt,” the “Minnehaha,” the “Empire,” and the “Idlewild” – all built and owned by the Wagner Drawing-Room Car Company, of New York; each valued at about $17,000.
Mr. Wagner himself was riding that train. Webster Wagner, of Palatine Bridge, N.Y. (some fifty miles west of Albany). Inventor of the sleeping-car, president of the Wagner Company, five times elected to the State Senate, and an influential member of its railroad committees.
Mr. Wagner was sixty-four. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a high forehead and blue eyes, and possessing rare vigor for a man his age. His young son-in-law, Jay Taylor, was riding the same train as parlor-car conductor in charge of the Wagner rolling stock.
The newspapers that day were filled with rumors of a proposed merger between the Wagner Company, capitalized at five million dollars, and the Pullman Company, capitalized at ten million, which soon would be twelve and a half million. Such a combination would monopolize the field, revolutionize railway travel, and bring immense revenue to the stockholders of both concerns. It was expected to be the crowning triumph of Webster Wagner’s long and useful career.
Newspaper reporters were trying to get a statement from Mr. Wagner; but, like the good politician that he was, he shook their hands with a genial smile – and talked about other subjects. As the Chicago Express rumbled through deepening shadows of the late afternoon, winding along the snow-covered bank of the Hudson, he passed around cigars to the political news-hounds and told his life story.
Mr. Wagner revealed that he was born at Palatine Bridge on the second of October, 1817, became interested in transportation at an early age, and was apprenticed to his brother James as a wagon builder. Later the two brothers went into partnership, but Webster soon decided there was more of a future in railroading, so he resigned and got a job as station agent at Palatine Bridge.
He held that job from 1843 to 1860. During that time he watched the long through trains of comfortless cars go by his station, and one day stumbled upon the idea that brought him fame and fortune.
“I never thought of the sleeping-car,” Mr. Wagner admitted to reporters, “until I saw one of a very clumsy pattern built by a man living near Palatine Bridge. The man had no capital, no capacity, and not much inventive genius. I saw right away that his idea was good, but had to be developed.”
“I hadn’t much capital, either, but I applied to William H. Vanderbilt for permission to use an old passenger coach to illustrate my notion of what a sleeping-car should be. I knew that the Hudson River Railroad was sharing a large amount of business with night boats that it should have for itself. Men who needed all the time they could get begrudged the five or six hours lost in traveling between New York and Albany by boat. It seemed to me that much time could be saved by providing accommodations for merchants and others who would be glad to sleep while they traveled rapidly.”
He broke off abruptly, opened the window and peered out. The snow had stopped falling. A tiny station rushed by in the gathering twilight.
“The air feels good!” he exclaimed, and closed the window. “It was quite a problem for me to get the right ventilation in those cars. Oh, yes, as I was saying, my request for an old car was granted, and I went to work to fit it with berths. It took me months to finish that car. Even then it had to be approved by Commodore Vanderbilt before it could be used on this road. I urged his son, William H., to persuade the old man to look at my car. At first the Commodore ignored my request, but finally consented.
“It was a critical Sunday morning in 1858 when old Vanderbilt and his son were to visit the Thirtieth Street depot in New York to look at my new-fangled contraption. Before they arrived I walked through the car a dozen or more times to see that everything was all right. After the Commodore had made his inspection he asked: “How many have you got of these things?” “There is only one,” I told him. “Go ahead!” he said. “Build more! It’s a devilish good thing, and you can’t have too many of them.”
“I realized then that my fortune was made,” Senator Wagner continued. “With my brother’s help four cars were built at a cost of thirty-two hundred dollars each, and they began running on the first of September, 1868. The first car had a single tier of berths, and the bedding had to be packed away in a closet at one end of the car, th
Leon, well I'm still awake so I'll grab another Becks and then help you clean up and close up in a moment or two. One last note to drop off before I call it a day though.
WIERD TALES FROM THE BARN # 9 ASRA RULES PT 3
Here's a couple more excerpts from the asra rules and notes on the how to not get sued rules for trolley and traction companies. And yes floks these were real rules and suggestions !Quoting...
Ejection of unruly or nonpaying passengers proved tobe a particular sore point for the traction companies. Still is today.
" No passenger shall be forcibly ejected from a car for any cause whatsoever , unless the conduct of the passenger is dangerous or grossly offensive. The ejectment must be made by the conductor with the assistance of the motorman after the car has been brought to a stop , using only as much forse as sufficient to expell the offending passenger , and with a resonable reguard to his personal safety."
" No passenger will be ejected for mere intoxication unless said passsenger becomes dangerous or offensive.Such a passenger must then be ejected with great care , and must be guided until free of probable injury. Always get names of witnesses, and make a report of the same as in case of accident.No passenger shall be put off at a point where likely to be exposed to danger. Particular attention must be paid to this rule during inclemant weather , late at night ,or when the passenger in intoxicated. "
Here are examples of the corporate anxiety. The hazzards were in the ASRA's mind twofold. Not only might the ejectee , hurtled into the hazzardous night by the crew end up in a state where he or his widow could win whopping damages, but worse, he might get taken up by the newspapers as an example of the heartless traction company.In a number of cities the relations with the newspapers and the traction companies were distinctly hostile. Newspapers in these towns tended to think that te streetcar company was an orginization that needed to be watched like a hawk.The streetcar companies felt that the newspapers ignorant of te operating problems of railways were merly interested in selling papers and irrisponsibly sensationalizing and distorting the truths.
ASRA rule 57
"No employee shall, under any circumstance, give any information whatsoever concerning any accident of any kind to any person except to a properly authorized representitive of the comany.Mum, in short was the official word."
More examples of the more things are new and modern the more things stay the same.
Rob
Good late evening everyone. Leon a small double CR on the rocks please Nice to see the gang still rolling in on this friday
Lars-Glad to see you think of us while you're out and about ( and yes that is how it sounds when I say it )Sorry bout your Mets there is alway's next year, who knows you may get to play my Jays in the world seriesI can imagine how impressed the two of you guys were with that JO takes all kinds of fruits n nuts unfortunatly.
Tom -I figured that you would like those rules , they made sence to me somehow , amazing how some things change as time goes on but how people and JO's stay the same.That Algoma trip[ is still a go from our end, we do love the country up there. You are right about the other Ferry , I've been on both and the Dartmouth one is the best one.
Gute Nacht allerseits!
A day without baseball - hard to believe, eh At the moment, the NHL St. Louis Blues are "up" one-zip on the Vancouver Canucks. <grin>
Interesting day here at the Tavern by the Tracks, as we host the Grudge Match Bragging Rights DARTS CHALLENGE Practice Session in the pool room. With appropriate "warm ups" from the "Our" Place Cheerleading Squad, led by Cindy and her Ladies of Perpetual Motion, the atmosphere quicky turned to heightened anticipation of good things to come. <swg> Even Boris joined in on the "action" with his "Can-Can" hi-stepping routine, only interrupted by an inadvertent crash into the pool tables.
Most pleased to see our "bookends" make an appearance today - Lars out on the Left Coast and BK up in the Canadian Rockies. Great idea, Lars - I'm all for a "rolling on the rails rendezvous!" However, my guess is it would probably be just the two of us . . . . By the by, thanx to the both of you for stopping by "my other Thread!"
DL - perhaps you are referring to the Woodside ferry. I haven't taken that particular run either, but have heard the destination isn't anything special in comparison to the "downtown" Dartmouth run.
Those special reports from CM3 on the DARTS CHALLENGE should be put into a compilation - they are indeed a special treat!
Good to see the activity from Rob the trolleyMAN this fine day. Another rail experience on my "list" is the ONR run being discussed. Wish the schedule and transfer was a bit more "friendly" from Toronto northward, for that would be a worthwhile venture. Also that Algoma Central trip that we talked about some months back is also one deserving a "look see." Got a kick out of those ASRA "rules" - makes sense, but also makes one wonder . . .
Leon, set 'em up and Boris ring the bell . . . . and WHO let the critters out
Catch y'all on ENCORE! Saturday.
G'day Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
'Tis I, the Larsman, reporting in from the Left Coast, USA! A round for the house, Ruth my deAH, and a triple JD on the rocks for me - I am a very, very sad Mets fan this day. <groan> <groan> <groan>
Give my fellow sailorman, Cap'n Tom, a double of whatever he wants as a token of my respect for him and his Cardinals. They "done us in" and we'll have to wait for another day to try again.
Please forgive me, gents, if I don't get to all of the posts since my last - I'm not at home and am using the facilities of my brother-in-law out here in the land of "fruits, nuts 'n flakes" (as Tom would say!) and don't want to be totally ignorant by spending hours online, instead of with family.
So sorry to learn of the loss of your friend, Tom, and my condolences. I think what you are about to do is a gesture of love for a friend and affection for his family. I'm not sure that I've come across very many peope willing to make such a trip considering you had to change existing plans, etc. Faithful friends, 'til the end - a saying I remember from years past. A toast to friendship!
I've managed to catch those Darts Challenge sports "flashes" by CM3 I'm Not Shane! Terrific - absolutely terrific. And - yes - with BK as the "substitute alternate" or whatever he's calling himself, how can we possibly lose
Not sure when I'll be returning to New York City - now that the Mets are out of it - what's the hurry Only kidding - hope my Mrs. isn't reading this!!! Seriously, it now looks like the earliest return for me will be the end of the week. Sorry if any of this is cryptic - but I'm really hesitant to say anymore than has been said - it's a family "thing" and it's far more involved than should be spoken here at our Classic Trains haven.
References to Kalmbach, I've pretty much decided that some folks there are working against us, rather than with us. BK and I have been communicating by email and you wouldn't believe the 'story' that he has to tell. <quadruple groan> Pretty much began when we tried to get the "adminstrator" to remove the "trashing" caused by a JO over on Tom's "other thread." Really Ps me off . . . Seems llike the "thing to do" is molify the JOs at the expense of the good guys. Way to go liberals!
Good news about Amtrak to Chicago from St. Louis! That should bode well for our Rendezvous this spring, wouldn't you think Actually, you know what I think would be a GREAT rendezvous We should muster in Montreal and take that Gaspe trip. What a blast and what fun it would be!! Yeah, I know, the costs would stagger a tea-totaler! St. Louis sounds just fine - but those Budd streamliners are in Canada!! <ohhhhhhh>
Just wanted to check in, gents and wish you all a great weekend. I'll try to get back at least once more B4 this episode in the "life of Lars" concludes.
One more Ruth, and I'm outaa here!
Until the next time!
Lars
BK - I see that you popped in while I was typing merrily away.I'll take the trolleyman moniker happily. <grin>It almost came to me needing to change complete usernames and passwords so that title was indeed concidered <grin> I suppose great minds think alike eh It is good to have Tom with us for another weekend, and perhaps Sir Pete too by the sounds of it. I'm almost affraid to learn about the latest of the late with the forum issues. Well I'm away to earn my keep, I shall see everyone most likely tomorrow, forum glitches notwithstanding.
"First off allow me to order a number three and leave a round for teh afternooner's.Thanks ruth you are a dear.Also i'm gald to hear that Doug is slowley but surly getting to the moved into his new digs state. Surly will be a load off.
WIERD TALES FROM THE BARN # 8 ASRA RULES PT 2
Here's another couple of ASRA rules for everyone to marvel at or at least scratch ones head at.The ASRA as I had mentioned before was the street railway equivalent to the AARA and as such created a list of over 100 safe practices and rules fro steetcar operators in the early 1900's.many of the ASRA rules were brought about to combat the tendancy of people to the streetcar companies for real or imagined read faked injuries.It was noted that by 1903 after wages, maintenance and power,damamges recieved by plaintiffs lawyers were one of the bigger operating costs.Many of the rules therefore delt with this area. Quoting from the ASRA bits and peices we have at the musuem collection.
" Do not remove the trolley from the wire at the end of a run at night, until ALL passengers have alighted from the car. "Here the problem was apparently passengers tumbling litigously out of darkened car vestibules.
" Conductors and Motormen are to speak in a polite manor and keep passenegers from jumpimng on and off the cars while they are in motion."This of coarse was better said than done until all cars began to recieve either gates or doors in the later half of the 1910's.
" Passengers must not be allowed to carry bulk or dangerous packages aboard cars... or any dogs except such small ones as can be carried on one's lap." Some Conductors developed delusions that a disproportionate number of men carrying brass viols, two man saws,rolls of barbed wire, and kegs of fish fertilizer attempted to baord their cars.When they succeeded to bring these items aboard, it always seemed that fat women would lurch crunchingly into the brass viols, or that a fragile, jury appealing people would wound themselves on the saws or barbed wire. Or that a grandmother type would swoon at one whiff of the fish barrel and land at a lawyers feat,developing low back pain as they fell. "
As publised in 1903, one wonders how the public transportation systems have survibed to these modern times.
Good afternoon Ruth and the gang , I must learn not to sleep under those tank cars <groan>Well the fun and follies of the forum continue as I find that my post from last night seems to be gone Odd since I had previewed it and put it in place last evening right after Nick's menu .I guess the West Wales Aliens grabbed it and carted it off into the either somewhere.
To sumerize it I enjoyed greatly both Nick's and Jame's continued support of both this thread and the steadfast addition of model info on Wednesday's.
Eric-I'm glad that you found the Morning Sun site , I do hope it does not cause you or your freind to mortgage your houses again for the amount of books being purchased.
Mike-Thanks for the second round of pictures of the CV. I've always loved the St Albans Station, and I must add that it looks better with the trainsheds than without.
CM3-The continued reports from te field are some of te most interesting and humourous bits to come by here recently, thanks for your continued creativity Oh and yesterday's pep rally certainly took it's toll on both me and my digestive tract.
Tom-I had wished you a bon voyage yesterday , but now since it's not required I'll just say glad to still see you with us and we shall miss you while you are away next week. Good to hear that Pete will soon be back amongst us.Oh and good show on your cards surviving game 7 ( sorry Lars ) should be one of the more interesting world series in a few years. And it's also good that Amtrak will continue to improve at least your local passenger rail situation,here's hopping ( crossing fingers and any other body parts that will ) that the rest of the states follow suit.( Not Likely , but one can only hope and dream ).
DL-The ONR trains are an interesting experiance.The overnight accomadations are covered by hotels/motels in most cases. If you book the trip you usually have to book the rooms ahead ( unless things have changed, I did the Polar Bear Express over ten years ago ) Another "near noth " train to maybe look into is Algoma Centrals Tour of The Line. Sault Ste Marie To Hearst again hotel accomadations at Hearst with both the up and back legs in daylight.
BK-Good to see you back and functioning. Still a puzzle as to why lars can't log in, but it sounds eerliy similar to my experiance not all that far back. It just went away, and I'm back, no response to any of my email inqueries though, I'm not convinced they ever made it through. Still , I'm with you we still have the same good contnet and soles in here, and any help we can add through Tom's other site is never a wasted enterprise.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It took me awhile to get into the fora this a.m., but here we are. Oh my, the telgraph is working. I'll grab my green eyeshade and pencil as it looks like another report on darts tournmanet activities.
It Was a Great Time, Mom!
Greetings again from our bunker (aka Maalox Manor) high atop Majestic Mount Mentor where we gaze out over the redolent remains left behind by the Mentor team’s roistering rowdy roster of rapscallion rooters. In other words, it was a splendid barbeque and pep rally before the official start of the darts tournament. The Mentor Fire Dept. tells this reporter that it will only take a few more 12,000 gallon dumps of fire retardant from the zeppelin to put out the remaining hot spots. Then they can look into fixing the power poles, repaving the streets, and getting the railroad’s rotary snowplow out of the library courtyard – school kids will pull pranks, but how did they get it in there?
The rally was held at the Mentor freight yard. Rail traffic being low (between the annual fruitcake and toxic waste rushes,) there was plenty of room. Besides, ballast works well to sop up spills, whatever they are.
The railroad spared no effort to make the rally a memorable experience. The attendees were most impressed by them transforming the turntable pit into a bean hole. In keeping with the nature of the celebration, Nick and the rest of the crew at the Our Place galley worked overtime to produce a tasty heart-healthy menu of whole roasted ox, whole roasted boar, warthog surprise (the paper panties on the tusks were a nice touch), and something euphemistically called “old-fashioned railroad stew.” No Boris, we don’t mean the yardmaster. The overall buttons floating in the stew were certainly an epicurean surprise. Your reporter found one from the Modesto and Empire Traction Co; truly a keeper. But we digress.
The meat courses were complimented by generous servings of “beans a la turntable.” This reporter was a little troubled by the barmaids (fetchingly attired in engineer togs and using coal shovels to dish ‘em out) telling me, “Try some, it’s the pits,” but, we did anyway; locomotive valve oil is almost as good as maple syrup. What we go through in the interest of full and fair coverage of the news.
The never-ending Oktoberfest punchbowl, which looks and acts like a Bessemer converter every day, worked overtime as hoses were run from the bowl to the water plugs at the engine servicing area at the rail yard. The Mentor Miraculous Molybdenum Mining folks provided empty bit buckets to all so nobody went away thirsty.
Musical entertainment was afforded by the Mentor Pro Musica. It’s the first time in awhile that all of the members have been out on work release simultaneously. We can truthfully say that they made up for their lack of ability with great volume and enthusiasm. Their selections, strongly leaning to Spike Jones and Spinal Tap were eclectic to say the least. All enjoyed Boris’s washtub bass riff on “Paint it Black.”
Then it was time to introduce the Our Place team. All players ran between lines of burning boxcars and tie piles as they were introduced to the crowd. They all look ready for action (or maybe deep therapy). The crowd went wild as each screamed at (no, make that for) their favorites. No thunder sticks were necessary as the beans had kicked in by then.
That’s all the news that isn’t. Now back to our studios at Mighty Majestic Mount Mentor. Say Good night Awk!
work safe
So, the proprietor is back in the house! Good to see you Tom, I'll take a half pint of bitter whislt I'm here. I'd better take it easy as it is our City Beer Festival here this weekend so a few visits will be made!
You'll have been busy re-organising your schedules Tom. It goes without saying but don't let those stainless tell cars on The Chaleur escape you my friend - I'm sure you know the score.
I took that Dartmouth ferry on the strength of it being one of your suggestions - really enjoyed it - went over in daylight, back to Halifax after dark. I'd have liked to take the other one that runs to the place out to the east (name escapes me at this moment), as it looked an interesting ride but the frequency was less and my time was limited. I'll save it for the future.
Have a good weekend
DL - UK
Guten Morgen allersiets!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
No, it's not a mirage, the Proprietor is still here. But first -
Cardinals win the pennant! Cardinals win the pennant! It's on to Detroit and the Tigers for the opening game of the World Series! Who wudduathunkit Not I, fer sure, fer sure! Couldn't have asked for a better pitched game from both sides last night and more opportunites to break it open than a week's worth of games. Came down to the 9th inning and a most unlikely hero. Isn't that usually the way these things wind up
Congrats to the Mets for a fantastic season - they ARE the National League's best - just didn't happen for 'em in the playoffs.
Back to WHY am I here. The memorial service for my friend in Dartmouth (Halifax) will take place early next week. There was too much of a conflict with my return from Montreal and then connecting with my outgoing flight to Toronto (from St. Louis) for the connection to Halifax. Confused Don't be - just cancelled the weekend itinerary - sucked up the "penalities" and will reschedule the Gaspe train journey for a later date - probably spring. Actually, the weather forecast for the Gaspe peninsula is "awful to horrible" with lots of rain predicted for the time I would have been aboard the train. So, the adage - "everything turns out for the best" applies.
I depart for Halifax Monday - so I'll be around for the weekend. Thanx for all of the well wishes, much appreciated!
A recap of the Posts:
Thoroughly enjoyed the pre-DARTS CHALLENGE "report" from CM3 - the anticipation mounts! Appears as if you will being doing "double duty" on Tuesday night's "opener" in my absence. Keep the boys (boyz) focused, away from the Sirens of the Second Class Saloon (SSCS), limited to a pitcher each per round and all will turn out in our favor - trust me.
Appreciated the upbeat observations from BK and of course welcome the return to the bar!
Your memories of rail stations in the distant past brought to mind my own recollections, which have been chronicled here as well. While it is a given that a return to the glory days of rail travel will not resurface - who knows what the future holds for mass transportation. Considering the situation with energy costs and all the other negatives, we just may see something positive for the railroads. My hope is that one day we will connect our urban centers with hi-tech means (MagLev, or something else on the "edge") to move people rapidly, safely and economically.
Nick - thanx for the Pix captions and the menu. Makes one think of So, you're little one has her designs on living in Toronto, eh Amazin' what goes through the minds of 5 year olds. <grin> Kinda similiar to some thoughts of a 68 year old, come to think of it! <chuckle>
Eric - no need for an apology, appreciate your consideration. That "other Thread" of mine may be found quite easily. It's on this same Forum - the Classic Trains General Discussion. Just look for my "handle" - siberianmo - and the subject is: If you like Classic PASSENGER Trains - including TRACTION, visit here!
Glad you weren't picked up for Jury Duty - last time they called me, I wound up as Forman in a civil action. An interesting 4 days, but a pain in the "patoot" insofar as personal this 'n that was concerned. Biggest problem was trying to ensure that Juneau the Wonder Husky was attended to during the time I was gone. Anyway, good to have you back with us . . .
DL - actually the memorial service will be held at a church within walking distance of the ferry landing in Dartmouth. However, I will be driving from Bedford (where my brides's family resides) and won't be using the ferry.
That Amtrak service here in the mid-west is doing quite well - considering. For example, Missouri (where I live) and Illinois (an adjacent state - across the Mississippi) totally fund trains running within the boundaries of either state. Federal funds only kick in when the trains become interstate (as with the long distance trains). So these extra daily trains will really help alot with the trips between St. Louis and Chicago. Amtrak is in no way healthy and if the expression "hand to mouth" could find a better fit, I'd like to know where.
Good links, by the by!
Regarding
Hello all
I’ll order a breakfast with a large coffee.
Good wishes to you Tom – you’ll be on your travels no doubt by now, but I’m sure you’ll be catching up with the conversation in our place whilst you’re away. Condolences too – no doubt thoughts will be with you if and when you take that Dartmouth Ferry.
Good news on that new Amtrak Service – so there is life in the old beast yet then?
Nice to see you’d had a recent screening of the Titfield Thunderbolt before I wondered into town.
That brings me on to Coalminer’s family connections with the Limpley Stoke area. It is not an area I have great knowledge of but a location I’d be keen to explore in more detail sometime. Were your mother’s relatives involved, by any chance in the coal industry in those parts? – it is almost forgotten to history now that that part of Somerset (seen as something of a rural idyll these days, with close proximity to the tourist attractions of the City of Bath) was a mining area up until the early 1950s (which is why the railway in the film was probably built, and why it was closed when they made the film, enabling them to take the site over for the film.
Couple of links of interest here:
web:www.radstockmuseum.co.uk
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/transportandroads/roadsafety/cycling/NCN24-PlacesofInterest.htm
Rob – I had to look on the web to find out exactly what a Grand Union was – and when you see pictures – pretty impressive – you’d need some good museum space to have one of them laid out and in use – it would be impressive though!
Nick – I found that ONR site no problem – thank you very useful – sounds like you’ve done the trip so how about a bit of a travelogue some time? I take it you go one way overnight – looks like there are no sleeper cars though so is it overnight on the benches or are there any recliners? Any one else done the trip? I reckon I should try and get it into my next Toronto visit. As you say, the Little Bear looks like the service to ride.
Am I covering for you in the kitchen Nick? – fair enough – my training during my college days for British Rail catering should qualify me for the basics – not sure I can run to the exoticism of your menu but can offer the traditional British fry up with no problem!
I wonder how Pete is getting on on his travels?
All good wishes to you all
Well good evening gents-here we all are again--Leon-you might as well knock off now mate,we will shut up behind ourselves---No Worries !!!!!
Have added captions to yesterdays pix
LYDIA-She will be on the next flight over (she has spent most of this evening with several extra layers of clothing on "`cos I`m going to live with Aunty Sarah in Toronto and it`s cold over there")-where this came from is anyone`s guess..............Let me know when you have had enough and send her back......only 5 and she has me beaten already...
Right,It`s thursday-Fishie night at the premier tavern in Mentor County......
Since the Brit contingent are mostly away,lets cast our net out and see what we catch
for starters:-
Smoked Mackerel pate with wholemeal toast
Deep fried Whitebait with green salad
Vegetable Samosa`s with mango chutney
Grilled button mushrooms stuffed with feta cheese with a Greek salad
And for mains:-
Grilled Red Snapper with sweet chilli sauce
Chinese style Sea Bass with 7-spice dressing
Pembrokeshire style Herrings with a green salad
Pint of Dublin bay prawns with herb and garlic butter & wholemeal bread
Darne of salmon with Llangoffen cheese sauce
All the above served with a choice of fresh vegetables and a choice of potato dishes ....(I.E:-fries,boiled ,baked,pommes duchesse,pommes anna etc....)
Right ,it`s midnight mile time for me-----TOM-have a safe journey if I don`t speak with you before you go-look forward to hearing your report..
Gentlemen all-there`s a round of drinks in for everybody............................................
time for bed,speak soon
nick
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; Coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Tom – Cards maybe tonight? Accept my condolences, please. I understand how you feel as so many of my railroad folks (read close friends) have gone on. Be careful flying.
DL-UK Limpley Stoke. Many of my mom’s (maternal side of her family) were from that immediate area. Thanks for sharing. I recall seeing the Titfield Thunderbolt when it first came out. I saw it at the Exeter St. Theatre in Boston. The street to get to the theatre crossed over the old Boston and Albany coach yard – all gone now as it’s under 10 lanes of I-90.
Nick – Many layout pictures; all of my stuff is in boxes.
James – Same as above,
Mike – Thanks for the additional CV material and comments. IIRC, the CV’s boardroom was on the second floor of the station building.
Wait a minute – news is coming in on the old wood-burning teletype.
I Got My Education Out Behind the Barn
Good morning fellow d’artistes from our studios high atop Mighty Majestic Mount Mentor overlooking the crossroads of two or three private lives, where the scintillating sounds of sucking smashers can be heard as they sever, spew and separate saturated sumacs. You can tell that it’s autumn in Mentor because there’s a nip in the ozone. No, Boris, not that kind of nip – put the keg back on the ground! Thank you!
First, I would be remiss if I did not thank to Nick “the String” for providing various bits and pieces of insider information. Our sources will never dry up (or is that dry out?)
It looks as though things are rounding into shape for the upcoming tournament. Herewith the final revised version of the amended initially revised schedule which was rapidly revamped: October 24 @ Second Class; October 25 @ Our Place; Oct. 12 @ Second Class (if necessary.)
It looks as if the never-ending Oktoberfest Punchbowl did the trick as, after prolonged negotiations, media coverage for the tournament has been nailed down. This was the first time your reporter saw a contract signed in a paddy wagon. Coverage will be a joint operation between Animal Planet and QVC. The latter bought in when they perceived the opportunity to hustle t-shirts, replica skulls, helmets, medieval weapons, and various types of PPE.
The yardmaster at Mentor has informed me that the milk car was pulled the other night and replaced by a heated tank car with a variety of placards, and several boxcars loaded with orange 50-gallon drums. No doubt something to help keep the boys clear of eye steady of hand and sharp of...I forgot... sharp of what?
A trip to the Second Class camp has disclosed something interesting as there are large stacks of lumber, coils of rope, and many used vehicles stacked behind their building. The H&H crane is a class touch as well. Man Mountain Mike, between pulls on a goat hide wineskin and a suspiciously smoldering Parodi (sort of looked like a fusee), mentioned “We’re really going to show the upstart Our Place people something.” I managed to look in the site office and found blueprints for a catapult – is it something to worry about? Well, as the old sportswriter once said, “That’s why they play.” The Our Place folks don’t seem to be too concerned; it’s hard to be concerned about anything after imbibing the contents of the never-ending punchbowl.
Meanwhile, the “Our Place” folks keep on keeping on. Practice runs into the wee hours and the lights burn late (maybe it’s a lube oil fire in the kitchen again) at the tavern by the tracks. I have noticed that the track gang folks have been there after hours and that they are conferring with the Our Place team members. When asked, all the Our Place folks would say was “It’s going to be one heck of a road trip.”
Seats are going fast for the all-match transportation package offered by the GMZA (Greater Mentor Zeppelin Authority) and Greater Mentor Street Railway. Remember their slogan, “Arrive Alive, Then Hope for the Best.” I am authorized to say that the first 100 (give or take 95) folks who signed up for the package got a nifty hazmat suit and night vision goggles. Certainly these are appropriate darting togs that will be coveted by all well-appointed Mentorians.
That’s all the news that isn’t. We now return to our studios high atop Mighty Majestic Mount Mentor. Back in the box, Tex!
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