Guten Morgen allersiets!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
Cardinals lost! Cardinals lost! Good pitching stops good hitting, so “they” say, but good pitching will ALWAYS stop no hitting! So, it has come down to one game that will decide who squares off against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series of baseball. In my not-so-humble opinion, hardly any of the “experts” gave the Red Birds a snowball’s chance of making it this far. I even announced my belief that they would only take 1 game.
Much appreciation to those of you who passed your condolences my way – the loss of a friend is never easy, especially when one considers what friendship can and should be. Thanx.
This time tomorrow I’ll be airport bound and in the “mindset” that will allow me to get through the angst of air travel these days. It isn’t enough that one has to pretty much mortgage the dog, cat and first born in order to purchase tickets, there is also the BS of putting up with the low wage illiterates who are making us feel oh so secure! <barf>
I am looking forward to my VIA Rail journey, although when booked, I hardly expected the weekend to be one where “reflection” would most probably overtake everything else. Train trips are good for that . . .
This morning’s “bird cage liner” (aka: newspaper) contains the details regarding Amtrak’s addition of two additional round trip trains between Chicago and St. Louis. Kudos to the State of Illinois and all responsible for finding the funding and making it happen! These trains will provide a total of five round trips between the two cities and make it much more “friendly” insofar as scheduling is concerned for my one-day jaunts. Love it!
Quite a display of model railroading from Nick ‘n James yesterday. Keeping the idea of Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! alive, eh Good show.
Mention was made of a “flick” that we’ve shown over at the Mentor Village Emporium – check out this URL from back on Jan 30th:
http://www.britmovie.co.uk/genres/comedy/filmography/021.html
Many thanx to Rob – Nick – James – Mike – Eric ‘n Doug for the Posts! If I don’t make it back today, hope y’all have a pleasant and relaxing weekend. See ya next week.
Ruth will open up and handle things until Leon comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. 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
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
A sad day for Tom. I'm very sorry you've lost your friend.
Nice pics James and Nick.
Rob, I think my Dad would like you a lot.
St. Albans, Vermont (photo courtesy of Canada Science & Technology Museum)
One of four CV 4-8-2's built by Alco in 1927 (photo courtesy of Canada Science & Technology Museum)
St. Albans was named for the Duke of St. Albans, England, which the Romans called Verulamium.
The saint himself was the first English Christian martyr.
Thanks BK for the stations, this one is in context of the CV office building, which is the old station pictured above minus the train shed. New England Central headquarters and on the National Register of Historic Places.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006100919175811392.jpg
Eric, it seems that the Town of Essex was chartered in 1763 by authority of King George III. Around 1800, a dam was built on the Winooski River, which provided water power for a mill, run by a fellow named Hubbel, and the area became known as Hubbel's Falls. In the 1840s Gov. Charles Paine, who was president of the Vermont Central, arranged for the new railroad to go through his hometown of Northfield, bypassing important towns like Barre and Montpelier, the capitol. Even Burlington got only a spur line, because Paine colluded with the Vermont & Canada to join forces and lay track to the north from the Hubbel's Falls area, a few miles east of Burlington, in order to deprive the rival Rutland & Burlington of a connection to the Vermont & Canada. The station at first was called Painesville. After Paine was forced from office conductors began to call it Essex Junction, to alert the passengers that it was a transfer point.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006101219265817947.jpg
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2006101219385719946.jpg
CM3, my cousin lived in Monson. I walked down to the tracks one Sunday in 1993 and waited for a train. For about an hour of awol from a party and no train. Glad you clicked the article and found the pictures satisfactory. If the Mets win, don't blame me. If the Cards win I'm going to blame Joe Buck.
Mike
Hello Captain Tom and all!
Tom- I am sorry to hear that your friend has passed. Deepest sympathy.
Eric- I believe the picture ( by the look of it) was taken probably in the 50s. I have no proof backing this up since the site did not hold that information. And I do believe the steamer has four numbers but it's hard to see.
Coalminer3- I really coudn't tell at the angle the picture was at, but thanks for the correction. At what I saw I thought it was a 2-8-4. But now I have learned that CV did not carry this type of locomotive.
DL-UK- Oh.. I thought it was the other way around. But anyway If you do have a Firewall protection on your computer you might want to check it out and see what exactly it is blocking. Some firewalls block pictures thinking they are threats to your computer, but you can go in and tell it to shut the protection off with curtain URLs. Just a thought. Thats how my firewall was like.
Nick- Ok. I was a little confused. But thanks for sorting it out.
I'm glad you liked the info. If you need more information on anything just let me know and I will try to get back to you on it.
Now I have a few layout pics to share.
This would be the entrance to my grain elevator. Now, the elevator when I first got it, I didn't know if it would beable to fit on my layout. But it sat right in there.
Now this is the full scale elevator. This is a three foot long monster. And is one foot tall. This will be the next thing that I put scenery to. I will be putting a base down and adding the gravel and trees and grass to this soon. The layout is HO scale. Just so you were wondering. I may have said that already.
This would be my Cement plant. This is were powdered cement is packaged and sent off by Box car. You can see that it is very busy here.
It's still a work in progress but is getting better all the time. You can see that half of the building is painted with a red color. That would be the brick. The powdered cement bins are next the packing plant. Even room for a truck or two to get loaded.
This will be my last post for awhile. The next time I will be posting is on monday. I will be leaving tomorrow and coming back on Sunday. So make it a good few days.
Happy railroading.
James
Well then Gents,back again-please excuse the delay,combination of factors:-Missisnick has re-organised all our pix files,couldn`t find anything........... also some various band business to attend to--extra New Rose gigs,Hoochie Coochie band tracks now on Myspace,Riptide show on DVD promoting local record label (although they havn`t yet offered us recording time...........this will be dealt with....)
Right,where was I -ah yes -Leon,same round again please and leave the rum bottle on the counter there`s a good chap...
O.K:-pix,back on a guided tour of the S.O.B lines again this week,apologies for the quality of some of the shots-night shooting tends to emphasize the flash,especially close up..........
Also,I make no claims that it is anything more than it is-just the place where my trains live ,It bears no comparison to the Can-Am Lines for example................................................
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Metro area looking south-the old water tower is nearest the camera,behind that is the staff lodging house & the Maple Leaf tavern plus a couple of shops and the local church. The Detroit-Sudbury general merchandise is just drawing to a stop in the main platform road
Looking the other way,we have the M.O.W yard and the outer spurs of the Allendale stn yard on the upper level
Here we have a long view of the industrial area,with a Northbound freight on `the bank` and the Northern terminus at Allendale at top left
Here we are low down an dirty next to the loco shed in the industrial area-the lumber yard and steel stockholders are visible in the background
Newsprint cars at the Globe & Mail warehouse,gondolas in the steel yard and a GP9 with a bad case of flash
The track gang explore the concept of union rates
A home from home...............
The strreet entrance to `Ivo Peter`s yard
The interchange sidings at the top of the freight branch
"A walk down by the lumber yard"
The upper terminus-the FP7 has now been decorated in O.N.R Chevron livery--plywood pacific here-it`s on my list of things to do.....--yes that is a rake of mixed Gresley & Collett coaches in the rear platform road.....
Yes,there are a couple of `Brits`there-They are there for when small demon Hannah and her friends want to play with the trainset-no fragile parts,bullet proof couplings,deep wheel flanges......got to encourage them......
Hmmmm-looks like it`s half past late again,will edit in captions tomorrow,take care chaps
DL-is it you or me in the galley tomorrow ??---Boris and Copaquetzal (to give him his proper name ) are anxious to know who will be shouting and throwing things at them.......
nick
Right gentlemen,I think a round of beers with chasers of the special rum and an extra glass in the middle of the counter.....A last spirit for a departing spirit
JAMES-I am indeed (as has been noted ) a Brit,although as many American towns have names brought across from `Merrie Olde` by the first settlers and this is an American based forum,I can understand the confusion. Thanks for the guided tour of the cab -most informative-now, can we look forward to some layout pix from you today-or you could talk us round the line.............???
ERIC-DL seems to have covered the "Thunderbolt" pretty well-in case it isn`t mentioned elsewhere,the principal loco is the `Lion`-will have to look up more info here but similar loco`s were used on the Furness Rly in Cumbria and were,if memory serves,built by Edmund Bury-poss. in Whitehaven. The other engine used is a standard Great Western lightweight branch line loco of the 58xx/14xx class ,designed by C.B.Collett. Also worth a look is "Oh Mr Porter" starring Will Hay & Moore Marriott (B&W) dating to the mid `30`s As noted,the "Titfield Thunderbolt"with exquisite North Somerset locations and that lovely `warm` film processing gives a delightful rose tinted perspective of the Merrie Olde of half a century ago
DL-The easiest route to the O.N.R site is just to tap `Ontario Northland ` into your search engine-the (un)official site is the one to go for--R.E C.V stock,quite a few of the pix on that site show C.V 50` boxcars,mostly carrying product from the various pulp mills on the line R.E. pix-could it be browser settings ?-apparently,you have to be set up to accept cookies I had some trouble with this when we first aquired a machine-my inherent paranoia stopped me from letting anything in,in case some weird virus ate the software......might be worth checking...
MIKE-yet again a delightful selection,especially enjoyed your dads observations-some useful timetable planning detail there
CM3-Had no intention of doubting your veracity,had always assumed FL9`s were FP units customised for working the tunnel lines into N.Y.
TOM-- shall we retire to a quiet corner and get very,very drunk...................
O.K-back in a bit,off to trawl the pix library for something for models day
take care now
TOM--deepest comiserations on the untimely passing of your friend....Gentlemen,if you would all stand for a moment,the toast is " Absent friends"..........................................................
Good afternoon / early evening folks. Ruth I'll nab a Carlsburg oh and sone of that apple struedal if there's any left. The mentor bakery does make some good pastreies. Oh and I've noticed that our good friend copperkettle's been spear fishing in the mountains with Boris and leon, so we should have some interesting local fish for tonights fish fry !
Tom-First off let me passs on my condolances for your friend as his family and to you as well really.Not a particularly nice form of that disease to deal with.yesterday's CV fest went well, I did have intentions to join in but a couple solid days of 7-5's had left me virtually unconscious last evening. The Monon should be a good read next week however.As always your wikipedia research was spot on !
BK-Good to see you and your back if briefly.I too have had my fill of unusual log in difficulties in fact I went a week and a half with no access to this site at all,I've not yet heard back from any of my emails to them ( assuming that they got through at all ). I loved the station shots you provided yesterday. Most of them show a fine "family" resemblance to GT /CNR structures.Hope your next travels are safe and enjoyable.
Lars-You too eh what a crock these ongoing difficulties <groan> amybe they don't want us taking up their computer space It was nice to see your weekly bookcovers however,nice to see some traditions ongoing.
DL-As I sadi always welcome at the musuem, we'ed love to have you. I was most impressed with monday's lecture as well. Reading the various ( skiming really ) govt papers gives me a sence that we indeed have the same type of beuracracies in both our countries. I'm not sure myself which set of taxpayers got the worst of it, always seems one set or the other does when our two governments make deals.I think you may have got the shortest staw with the railcar deal, I think we got the shortest one on the Submarine deal so we'll call it even ( The Subs still aren't in service )The gent from Crich and his wife were wonderfull. We gave them te grand tour shops included. He mentioned to me that the had an entire grand union donated to them by one of the cities in The Neatherlands. At the moment Crich does not have the funds to use it so it's sitting safely burried under some gravel in a car park they don't use much.
Mike-Nice to read your dad's prose again
CM3-loved the little poem, the difficulties remind me of rush hour on the TTC subway remember Tom and tightly compressed standing room only.
Nick-So Copperketle was an Aztec eh I missed that the first time around, mind you the Dillo language may just come in handy. Perhaps we can get him and Tex to create some diversions during the darts tournament. Oh he and Boris are not to be allowed to dance in dresses and wigs anymore, The Ladies of Perpetual Motion arn't at all happy with the "staining" of thier prized costumes and formal wigs
Eric-I'm with you, I love picking up the rail books but the costs do tend to "gag a healthy maggot " as Tom would say.Alot of the books lar'shas posted the covers of are from Morning Sun Books. They do sell them online,you can usually get a bit of a better price direct from them , and they have produced alot of traction and interurban books over the years as well.
Rob
Guten Tag allerseits!
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one of my dearest friends. This morning I was notified by his wife that my long time Dartmouth (Halifax) Nova Scotia friend succumbed to brain cancer after having been diagnosed with it in late August. That's rather quick. His passing leaves many who knew him with great sadness along with appreciation that we had the opportunity of knowing such a fine individual. A native of Scotland and a man of prominence in his field of Geophysics, he will be sorely missed.
DL - the movie you mentioned was shown at our Mentor Village Emporium Theatre back in February - check out the URL:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/239/928020/ShowPost.aspx#928020
CM3 - hope all goes well with the "reporting" for the Grudge Match Braggng Rights DARTS CHALLENGE! Seems that Nick is doing his level best to keep you in material!
As a reminder, the schedule is:
Tuesday, October 24th at the Second Class Saloon
Wednesday evening, October 25th at "Our" Place
Thursday evening, October 26th (if needed) at the Second Class Saloon
DL: - I had all intentions of reviewing that material you provided within the URLs - however, events have upstaged my attention span. I'll get a ROUNDTUIT . . . thanx for the info!
Surely hope there are more than a couple of guys left standing as this week winds down to keep the place running. I may or may not be back tomorrow - have lots of things to attend to before my departure. Depending on the date of the memorial service and airline availability, I may be heading to Nova Scotia early next week too . . . .
Feeling rather "glum" at the moment, so I'll check out and wish you all the best.
CV painted box vans I should have typed
DL
Hello Tom and all
Can I have the dish of the day and whatever German brew the Oktoberfest has on offer.
Thanks to those of you who commented on the channel tunnel trains ‘paper’. I’m sorry for those who had problems viewing it all – I see I can’t even view it properly now either (as you say BK end of lines off screen)! I prepared the briefing in word then pasted it in, but that should not have impacted.
Tom, you made couple of specific comments – more information after VIA sale – yes I agree – that would be nice – probably needs to be dug out of Canadian websites – I was familiar with UK govt report info so could find stuff easily – but like you I’d be interested in the next chapter!
In terms of Eurostar still losing money, yes it is – not all paid by the UK taxpayer as it is joint owned with other European railways. The situation is now better than it was in those reports I pasted but there we are.
Couple of links worth looking over include this one by a very well respected UK transport journalist:
http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/rail/535.shtml
His archive of articles for the UK rail press is here and well worth a look for anyone interested in aspects of public policy as it affects the services. I realise that might be a bit dry for some people but he writes in a clear style so maybe pick an article that takes your fancy and have a look:
http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/rail/index.shtml
By the way Tom – due to IT problem entirely unrelated to this site my e-mail is not working properly at the moment so I won’t get your message – when I’ve unblocked it no doubt I’ll receive it. My apols! I’ve not ignored you!
Coalminer – you mentioned breakfast on the Pan American – lets have a run down of the options when you have a moment – I’m intrigued!
James – yours were the pictures I COULD see – and always have done – enjoyed them too.
Rob – thanks for the invite re Halton County – would certainly enjoy taking up your offer next time I’m in Toronto – most kind – must have been great to meet the guy from Crich – they run a great operation there, as I think Eric said the cars look like they are brand new – I can tell you it is no photographer’s trick – they really do restore them that well – superb and they run them in a re-created street environment – they have moved buildings brick by brick to the site (an old quarry site) to recreate the historic streetscape – which is all very nice.
Eric – you are thinking of the Titfield Thunderbolt – actually in colour but you must have had a B&W TV last time you saw it ! – any chance of screening in the picture house Tom? One of my favourite films – if you like Merrie Old England – this is exactly how you imagine it!
Check this link for some great film detail:
http://homepages.which.net/~gordon.dudman/titfield2.html
And this link by a guy actually restoring one of the real stations from the line in the film!:
http://eis.bris.ac.uk/~liserc/tit.html
“For the last few years I have been restoring the station building at Limpley Stoke, the junction station for the "Titfield" branch line. Whilst this building does not feature in the film, it is almost identical to that at Monkton Combe, which was the actual station which stars in the film as "Titfield". It is the sole survivor of a unique style and design of building which was peculiar to the Limpley Stoke to Camerton branch line”
Nick – Thanks for ONR stuff – do you have a link for that ONR fan site? – I’d like to have a look at it.
Good wishes to you all.
DL - UK
PS – enjoyed all the CV stuff – how come I still saw SV painted box vans etc in Quebec recently – is that a left over from pre 1995?
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present: Coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Cloudy here today, but the wind and rain have stopped for awhile and the temperature is more than comfortable. Cards win, indeed - interesting game with just enough twists and turns to add some suspense. Interested to see that the veteran, crafty, wily Cards manager was interviewed sans shades last night.
A few comments, emendations, and additions..
Essex Junction still exists.
BK - Thanks for station shots. Have been to every one of them. White River Jct. was (and is) a most interesting spot. The weather vane on the roof is a locomotive - somebody got up there and copped it a few yrs. ago. Nobody saw anything.
BTW, I wonder if the Coolidge Hotel is still in business? They were across the street from the WRJ station. Boris would have loved it - I don't think the building had been painted since the Coolidge administration. Silent Cal came from Vermont, so it's on topic. Engine facilities, etc. are just north of the station. In the day, it was a busy place with both Boston and Maine and Central Vermont passenger service (domestic and Canadian destinations.)
LARS – All of the CV books you pictured reside on my shelves. The first one, abt. the Banana Belt is an especially good one. Safe travels.
Mike – Thanks for the pictures, inside information and articles. Got me all homesick! Sugar bush pictures were most interesting as was the vintage shots of Windsor. The Alburgh trestle was always a scary proposition. Then we have the shot of the “Ti” in service. BTW, check out the first car on the train in the shot of CV 4927/4550 at Monson (pronounced “Munson”), I know, you have to live there. For those who are captains of industry, Monson was noted for large slate quarries.
Nick - The FL9 was not really an F unit although it looked like one. It was a hybrid that could run either as a diesel or as a straight electric. It was unique to the NYNH&H. The biggest spotting feature is the 3-axle rear truck and the third rail shoe. The last of them are about to disappear.
James – Thanks for the pictures. I believe the steam engine in your shot is a 4-8-2. IIRC, CV never had 2-8-4s.
B4 I forget, the CV 709 in the picture was the biggest steam locomotive to run in New England. They were so big that they were barred from the south end of the railroad.
Monon next? Good call.
We are on the chase of more darts material, but got sidetracked by the Miami-FIU fracas the other day – geez!
Work safe
Guten Morgen allerseits!
Cardinals won! Cardinals won! That puts the guys in red just one game away from the World Series of baseball. Who wudda thunk it The Amazin’ Mets have got to be wonderin’ . . . sorry ‘bout that! When one looks back on this baseball season, the National League had two outstanding teams – the Cardinals were far ‘n away the best of the lot in the 1st half of the season with the Mets running away with it after the All Star Game break. So, depending on which team shows up tonight for either side – we shall soon see. Go Birds!
And a good morning it is here in mid-continent USA as the temps today should reach the low 70s, mostly cloudy, but a fall day nonetheless. Yesterday morning petrol was at $1.96 (rounded) up at “Collusion Corner,” and by early afternoon, it had reached $2.20 (rounded)! So, can anyone tell me precisely WHAT HAPPENED to cause an upward spike like that Nope – didn’t think so.
Wednesday at the Tavern by the Tracks, so it’s time to check out our Menu Board, grab a hot cuppa Joe, some goodies from the Mentor Village Bakery case and join in on the info exchange taking place here daily.
I noted an evening contribution from James along with a couple of Pix for our “Theme.” Sorry to bring this up, but last time we looked, “west Wales” is in the UK! Check out Nick’s cyber handle . . . . Anyway, appreciate your input and that’s an interesting thought – a firewall problem for some regarding access, etc. However, I must wonder aloud – why wouldn’t the firewall impact ALL sites visited and not just this one NO NEED TO ANSWER THAT – just wonderin’. . . . Kalmbach has a problem and it has now become ours. <groan> Finally, enjoy your weekend away while railfanning (if that's the term) and other assorted interests!
Eric – jury duty, eh So that makes you a citizen of our land. Good deal, the more railroaders we can attract, the better off all of us will be! Oh I just love and appreciate all who come here with the honorable intentions and do so legally. If it was good enough for both sets of my grandparents, it ought to be the same for everyone else.
I can understand your feelings regarding snow and the elements when working in it. I have many memories of icy steel decks, horizontal sleet ‘n snow, winds that would blow so hard and strong that walking forward was more than a challenge, and temps that would turn a man into a “cube” in a NY minute. Yeah – I can understand all of that. However, when snug WITHIN a Budd streamlined observation dome (Park car comes to mind) with a Keiths in one hand and perhaps your “honey” by the other – what could be better
Glad you enjoyed that FL9, Nick m’boy. “We aims to please!” Anyway, WHAT is going on over at the Second Class Saloon You aren’t stirring the pot, are ya With the first match scheduled for next Tuesday evening – we’re gonna need all of the ‘edge’ we can muster up. We’ll just have to wait ‘n see if whatever strategy you’ve come up with “works.”
Okay guyz – it’s Wednesday – another one of our “special days” – we call it “Toy ‘n Model Trains Day!” an OPTIONAL event for those who give a Rat’s Patoot. Keep the Pix down to the manageable as we settle in for some insights regarding the world of model railroading – CLASSIC TRAINS style, that is.
Appears as if we're heading into more doldrums as this weekend approaches. Planned absences now include: Pete - BK - Lars - James 'n Moi. Add to that those in the "Legion of the Lost" - Al 'n Dave come to mind, and you'll see that whoever is left standing will be ALL we have left!
Next Tuesday's Theme for the Day! will be the MONON (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville - The Hoosier Line).
Ruth comes in at 9 AM and Leon at 5 PM – so, belly up to the bar, boyz!
&nb
Hello Captain Tom and all.
What a fine day here. Leon.. I better have a french vanilla coffee, Please.
Barndad- Now adays it's going to get harder to get into a locomotive cab unless your an engineer. Before you would just need permission. Anyway. I found the picture quite interesting and thought I should post that one. So I did.
Well I'm sorry DL-UK couldn't see the pics I had posted. There might be a firewall protection problem thats causing the trouble and it might not be. Hopefully it can be sorted out.
Tom- I did participate and it's looking better. I have quite a few pictures I have taken and I want to post them with the up coming Sundays. This Thursday I will be leaving for Fargo, Moorhead for some rail action, get some pics taken also. There is also a train show going on this Sunday so I'm going to be gone untill Sunday. So I will miss this Sunday's pics day but I will be here for tomorrow's Layout pics.
Rob- Thanks for the comments on the pics. I will have some more interesting shots coming soon. Like I said earlier have some pictures from back when I took them in September and I want to post them. There on the busiest mainline here in Minnesota. Burlington Northern Santa Fe double track mainline from Fargo to Minneapolis. The trains really rip along this line. Some areas the trains are running 70+ mph. It's nuts.
Nick- I'm guessing you're from Britian.. If so I'm sure you've never seens these control stands before. These are called Desk top controls. The picture show a whole bunch of nobes and dials. The air brakes are the first to levers on the right. Locomtive being the farthest and then train brake, reverser handel and throttle.
This would be the loccomotive that the control stand came out of. Even though that control stand can be found in most GE and later EMD locomotives. This is an SD60M. The M is standard for Wide nose cab such as on the picture above. A lot of engineers don't like the control stand because its not comfortable and is hard to sit behind and control a locomotive. When you said steam was dirty...I don't dought you for one moment. I have seen some steam that has not been taken care of and it si the dirties looking thing ever. We have one down at the Museum in Duluth and it's filthy. Hasn't been worked on since 1997.
Eric- Some of the guys were woundering so it seems I beat you to the punch. But hey I learned something new. When I first saw HEP, I didn't know what it was or what it meant. So thanks for giving me that little piece of info. It just further adds to my train knowledge.
The Central Vermont!!!
Here we go.
This is the last steam Fan trip the CV had. Steam. Thats sad, the last one. This is a 2-8-4 leading a pretty good size passenger train. It looks pretty nice.
Here is a crane thats looks as if it hadn't run since the CV disappeared in 1995. It's still in good condition. Now if only it could run.
Both pictures from: www.geocities.com/.../Prairie/8799/interchg.html
There weren't any names listed for who took these.
Happy railroading!
Hey Bossman-that FL9 pair is a classy looking act ( and nicely snapped also) glad we share a common attitude R.E lifes waifs and strays--as an added bonus,I believe he speaks fluent `Dillo ( an increasingly rare dialect.....)
Enjoy the game
P.S-note to all dart players-with the willing assistance of the Mentor Nomads M.C a little advance planning has been put in place-if at any time during our no doubt embattled retreat from the 2nd class you hear me scream " DUCK" don`t stop to think,just bite the gravel-you will thank me for it in the morning....................
best of luck to all `preferred` teams,speak soon
Gute Nacht allerseits!
As the saying goes, "We takes what we gets!" the outpouring for today's Theme for Day - Central Vermont Railway, when looked upon in totality, was just fine. Thanx to all for your efforts!
Nick, you asked - here's the answer:
New Haven FL9 (from: Wikipedia.com - foto credit: Phil Gengler - free use under Creative Commons)
A most interesting bit of poetry from CM3 and it surely "fit," nicely done!
Great to see the return of Lars with his "book covers" along with those fine CV station shots from BK 'n Lydia!
Mike, hard to believe that a 10-section Montrealer ran that route - but the facts don't lie, eh Also there's a bunch of great reading in that final URL!
Nick - Many thanx for the rehash on "Copperkettle"! As I read through your explanation, much of it came back - just didn't pick up on when and how he wound up in the kitchen of "Our" Place. 'Nuf said - stray dogs 'n lost souls most welcome!
Lars - hope your left coast venture works out for all concerned. Someone rather close to me in life used to say, "Everything works out for the best." I never bought into that back then, but somehow, as I've grown older - much older - there seems to be something to the adage. Miss game #6 Are you SERIOUS Go fer it, Mate - go fer it! You can snooze on the plane.
BK 'n Lydia - really enjoyed that spate of stations and hope that Mike did too. That part of this country is really great to experience and I can only imagine what it must've been like back in the peak of passenger rail travel. Ahhhhhhhhh. Nice choice folks!
Time for me to check out . . . ballgame is ON!
MIKE-ships in the night again-will read & absorb then get back to you
Good evening gentlemen all-how`s your various days been ?
A bottle for me please Leon and a round for the house as ever -first off apologia :- ROB -I inexcusably neglected to mention that fine spread of M&SC trolley shots,Likewise,BK ,I entirely failed to offer you and Lydia a home-please accept drinks on me as a token of contrition................
Right,what else has been happening....
ERIC-The British Isles are indeed blessed with a good number of narrow gauge lines,the greatest concentration is probably in mid & north Wales-well within reach of my roving lens-if they are of general interest I will dig out some of the rest of my collection and see what is usable
TOM-As ever,a spendid `theme day` offering-one of my favourite roads ( not least because of C.N. connections) located in a part of your country I think I would most likely take to quite readily (It has strong echoes of the western parts of `Merrie Olde` ) Sadly I must once again participate as an observer only-if I had anything to offer,I would willingly do so.....
R.E. the ongoing `F`unit debate,I rather think my affections are motivated by the similarity between the O.N.R green and yellow and the green with yellow lining used on the early Brit diesels ( and a fair few steamers come to that ).
The S/F warbonnet is an iconic image,recognisable the world over-it shouts USA as loudly as a balloon-stack 4-4-0 with Apaches in hot pursuit,the K.C.S unit is a fine piece and with a full matching consist would draw the eye anywhere-at risk of causing contention,my take on the C.P.R livery is that it strikes me as somewhat utilitarian-especially when compared to the sleek green/yellow & green/black of the C.N ,or indeed the eye-catching drama of the red nosed zebra stripe-The VIA blue/yellow/black works well for me (I know ROB is also a fan)...horses for courses as they say (apart from France where it`s horses for lunch,but thats another story.......)
Now-Copperkettle---amongst my recent reading was a fairly lengthy historical novel about the Aztecs in the time of Montezuma & Cortez,the character names were all virtually unpronouncable and after a few dozen pages my mind started seeing them as their phonetic equivalents ,thus Copaquetzal became Copperkettle-I made the mistake of musing on this on these pages and presumably as a result of an unusually high background level of ambient weirdness about the place,he sprang into life fully formed-since the Aztecs were a barter based culture,he has no concept of money and doesn`t require paying,he will eat almost anything
and is happy to bunk down in Boris` lair
He also seems completely unfazed by a 600 year and several thousand mile relocation and is pathetically grateful to find himself in a culture where religious observance doesn`t involve obsidian knives and human organs--also he is far less of a health hazard in the galley than our cloven hooved friend...........................what more can I say ??
CM3-A wonderful and indeed unique contribution to theme day --I can hear it with minimal accompaniment from banjo,fiddle,guitar and D/bass
R.E. New Haven `F`units,did they not have FL9`s ,or is my worn old brain playing tricks on me ??
LARS- back-seems the poets muse has caught you also-alliteration already....--a nice selection from your endless cyber-library-happy landings on your upcoming journey
BK & LYDIA-a fine selection of pix to bring the theme day to life-Montpelier looks rather stark without the train order signal blades and Roxbury has the look of a Swiss or Austrian wayside station-possibly the angle of the roof pitch-similar snow levels to contend with I would guess.
Right,Leon-another round for these good people please,I`m just popping out for a while ( a bit of skullduggery to attend to over at the 2nd class saloon-less said the better )
Take care fella`s ,speak soon
Thanks for the theme of the day, which I'll get right to.
These dudes are famous to the cognoscenti, as they say in Italy Yard.
Vermont Central Railroad, Gov. Charles Paine (1799-1853) president
Vermont and Canada Railroad, Congressman John Smith (1789-1858) president
Central Vermont Railroad, Gov. J. Gregory Smith (1818-1891) president.
Central Vermont Railway, Gov. Edward C. Smith (1854-1935) president
My Dad's writing here...
"CV worked with Grand Trunk, and in the 1890's fell so far behind in freight divisions that GT aquired 2/3 stock ownership, the local Smith family holding the other 1/3. The disastrous Flood of 1927 caused the CV to go into receivership; on 7/29/29, out in the hot sun back of the depot, this Class I railroad was sold at public auction for $23 million cash and assumption of all obligations. Central Vermont Railway Company's properties were sold to the only bidder, Central Vermont Railway, Inc., 100% of whose stock was owned by CN. It has operated as a division of CN ever since, though legally and by charter, it must forever be a Vermont corporation, with legal headquarters in St. Albans. CN poured millions into upgrading since 1929; new bridges, 2-10-4 freight engines, and a complete crushed rock ballasting all the way to New London.
"A single track, non-block-signal line... 5 passenger trains each way daily, as First Class Trains; 1 Milk Train each way daily as Second Class Trains; (first and second class trains had Schedule authority, shown in the timetable); 3 heavy fast through freights each way daily, as Extras; 1 or more overflow freights each way daily, as Extras; 1 Way Freight each way daily, as Extra; and usually somewhere on the division there would be a Work Extra, ducking in and out of the nearest siding to clear everybody else.
"Putting all those trains over the Northern Division (St. Albans to White River Jct. - 117 miles) on a single track took some real railroading, with the climb over Roxbury Hill limiting a 2-10-4 to 3200 tons.
"But things got really interesting when there were extra sections on the passenger trains. One morning I saw the Montrealer run in 13 sections, on 10-minute blocks; they all cleared St. Albans in two hours 10 minutes."
New England Central map (practically the CV)
http://www.railtex.com/railmaps/NECR.htm
Ticonderoga
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Franklin/LS02316_000.jpg
Windsor
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Windsor/LS01395_000.jpg
Richford
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Franklin/LS12124_000.jpg
CV 600
http://www.cvrma.org/pictures/CentralVermont/cv600.jpg
CV 709
http://www.cvrma.org/pictures/CentralVermont/cv709.jpg
The Stranger
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1296827531&id=49
CV 1859
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=37475508&id=55
CV 4550
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200610111945321690.jpg
CV 4927 & 4450 at Monson, Massachusetts
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2005102010283532345.jpg
Alburg Trestle, vestige of an old bridge route over Lake Champlain
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200402182104102869.jpg
1927 Flood
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Chittenden/LS11348_000.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Chittenden/LS03683_000.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Washington/LS06677_000.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Washington/LS11332_000.jpg
Maple syrup
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Franklin/LS00674_000.jpg
http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/showpic800.php?fname=Franklin/LS02309_000.jpg
Article
http://www.images.technomuses.ca/?en/stories/central_vermont/b/page/1#d
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
Ruth - where in the world is everyone Has a holiday been declared without my knowledge This place has not had a visitor since the early morning visit by Lars - and that has been quite awhile ago. Very sad to see the bar has deteriorated to this degree - at least in the daylight hours.
I finally managed to connect to this forum after trying on all three computers - two laptops and a PC. We know the internet access is working as there are no problems getting to any other site, other than this one. What an exasperating situation, as someone mentioned.
Ruth, sorry - I will have a JD on the rocks - make it a double, and put the change aside for whoever straggles in.
So, what do we have here today Yes, the "theme" is Central Vermont Railway. Wonderful prose from CM3 and a fine selection to start us off from Captain Tom! And of course, the book cover selections from Lars capped off a fine morning!
Time for me to jump right in with some photos Lydia put together and my hope is whoever browses this page finds enjoyment from them.
These photos are from a site called TheBlueComet.com and as far as Lydia could determine, there are no prohbitions against their use. So proper credit then is given!
CV St. Albans, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV Montpelier Junction, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV Roxbury, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV Randolph, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV Bethel, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV South Royalton, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
CV White River Junction, Vermont (credit: thebluecomet.com)
Hope to see everyone either tomorrow or Thursday - after that, we too shall be "scarce" as they say!
BK in Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!
G'day Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, you are looookin' mighty goooooooood for these old sailor eyes! How 'bout one of those mugs of java with whatever 'splash' you give BK to start me off - a round of whatever the guys would like - and I'll mosey over to the Mentor Village Bakery case to pull out a few tasty treats!
'Tis I, the Larsman - remiss in appearances as of late, but here still the same. Hope all is well with everyone as my Mighty Mets March toward October Madness with Merryment! <awful> Sorry, Tom - but it will be a New York - Detroit World Series. <grin> Got a kick out of the rundown on the "mercenaries" - had we not placed two guys on the DL, there'd be TWO MORE to add (one from Cuba, the other from the Dominican Republic). Whatchagonnado, such is life in the land of milk, honey and greenbacks.
Let me add a comment or two regarding computer problems and these forums: I have been offline since Friday - but not entirely my doing. Couldn't log on - tried several times over the weekend - "no go." To compound the madness - when I tried to read that rather loooooooooooooong post by DL in the UK - simply couldn't. The width of the text far exceeded that of my computer screen. Sorrry - but I NEVER thought to copy 'n paste it to a WP docoment! <duh> (not surprised that CM3 I'm Not Shane! was able to view it - after all GOVT 'puters are top o' the line, state of the art, and leading edge! <grin> So, the beat goes one with this forum crap . . .
Cap'n Tom, my middle son has tickets to tomorrow night's game at Shea and I've been "invited"! BUT, here's the "rub" - I'm departing rather early on Thursday for a left coast flight - so I may pass on the opportunity. We'll see . . . Should be back this time next week, however, not sure right now - open ended return, which cost me dearly with the "blessed" airlines. Looks like we're headin' off in opposite directions, Tom - sure wish I was going with YOU! <groan>
Greetings to all who have kept this place "up on the page" - it means a lot to Cap'n Tom and I appreciate it as well. Kudos to DL - Eric - Rob - Doug - Nick 'n CM3 for "being there"!! Also, back to my "bookend" BK!
Nice start to the day with Cap'n Tom's offering, followed by CM3 and his poetic license!
Without further adieu, here's my "stuff" to support today's "Theme for the Day - Central Vermont Railway" . . . book covers, what else
Boris, you are indeed a sight in that get up . . . German attire and a cloven footed Cyclops, what's next
Enjoy the day one and all . . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Lovely day here – rain and wind. Weather folks say we are getting a lot of that stuff that’s been in the Gulf area and Texas.
A few comments and on to today’s theme.
Dl-UK: Thanks for all of the material you provided along with the political background. BTW, I had no problem with the forum allowing me to look at all of it.
Nick – Take your pick as to which allusion you wish to use re “through a glass...” BTW, the New Haven never had F units, despite what toy train manufacturers would have us believe.
Eric – Well, the Cardinal were ahead when I retired last evening. Then I got up this a.m. flipped on ESPN, and found that they had managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It sort of epitomizes their style. I bet Edge wishes he’d stayed in Indianapolis, although I do think you have the makings of a good quarterback, if the O line doesn’t get him killed first.
Note to our ‘steamed proprietor – we have to be optimistic which is why I made my remark about two out of three.
Now, we have the CV today. Herewith a bit of folklore. Tom mentioned Essex Jct. in his historical post.
Edward J. Phelps penned the following when he mistakenly boarded the wrong train at Essex Junction, VT.
Essex Junction was (is) on CV, approximately 25 miles south of St. Albans. A branch line ran the 7.8 miles from Burlington to Essex Junction. Shuttle trains operated between Burlington and Essex Jct. for passengers wishing to connect to main line trains. This piece of verse is best read out loud (preferably after consuming mass quantities.) The place names will probably be familiar to many of you.
The Lay of the Lost Traveler
With saddened face and battered hat
And eye that told of black despair,
On wooden bench the traveler sat,
Cursing the fate that brought him there.
“Nine hours,” he cried,” we’ve lingered here,
“With thought intent on distant homes.
“Waiting for the elusive train,
“Which, always coming, never comes;
“Till weary, worn, distressed forlorn,
“And paralyzed in every function,
“I hope in hell their souls may dwell
“Who first invented Essex Junction.”
“I’ve traveled east; I’ve traveled west
“Over mountains, valley, plan and river;
“Midst whirlwind’s wrath and tempest’s blast,
“Through railroad’s crash and steamboat’s shiver;
“And faith and courage faltered not,
“Nor strength gave way, nor hope was shaken,
“Until I reached this dismal spot;
“Of man accursed, of God forsaken!
“Where strange new forms of misery
“Assail men’s souls without compunction,
“And I hope in hell his soul may dwell
“Who first invented Essex Junction!”
“Here Boston waits for Ogdensburgh,
“And Ogdensburgh for Montreal,
“And late New York tarrieth,
“And Saratoga hindereth all!
“Form far Atlantic’s wave-swept bays,
“To Mississippi’s turbid tide,
“All accidents, mishaps, delays,
“Are gathered here and multiplied;
“Oh, fellow men, avoid this stop
“As you would plague or Peter Fink shun!
“And ling and late conductors tell
“Of trains delayed or late or slow
“Till e’en the engine’s bell
Takes up the cry, ‘No go! No go!
“Oh, let me from this hole depart,
“By any route, so’t be a lone one!”
He cried with madness in his heart,
And jumped aboard a train: the wrong one.
As he vanished in the smoke
He shouted with redoubled unction
work safe
THEME for the DAY! - THEME for the DAY!
Now arriving on track #1
Railroads from Yesteryear!
Number Twenty Three
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encylopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requiremensts. Some heralds from other sources.
Central Vermont Railway
Reporting marks
CV
Locale
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Quebec
Dates of operation
1848 – 1995
Successor line
New England Central
Track gauge
4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters
St. Albans, Vermont
1879 map
The Central Vermont Railway (AAR reporting mark CV) was a railroad that operated in the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, as well as the Canadian province of Quebec. It connected Montreal, Quebec with New London, Connecticut using a route along the shores of Lake Champlain, through the Green Mountains and along the Connecticut River valley, as well as Montreal to Boston, Massachusetts, through a connection with the Boston and Maine Railroad at White River Junction Vermont.
History
The Vermont Central Railroad was chartered October 31, 1843 to build a line across the center of Vermont, running from Burlington on Lake Champlain east to a point west of Montpelier and then southeast and south to Windsor on the Connecticut River. Construction began immediately, and the first section, from Hartford (just west of White River Junction) west to Bethel, opened on June 26, 1848. Subsequent sections opened to Roxbury September 17, 1848, Northfield October 10, 1848, Montpelier (including the branch from Montpelier Junction) June 20, 1849, Middlesex August 30, 1849,
Sports Extra: Baseball Cardinals did not lose! Game was rained out . . . try again tonite.
Football Cardinals from Arizona DID lose!! Go Bears from Chicago!! (sorry, Eric)
Monday evening Epistle from Nick, which always brings a smile to the faces of the guys at the bar. Regarding the sunrise Pix taken at Edmonton’s VIA Rail station – go for it, Mate! Proper credit: from the Proprietor of “Our” Place, best cyber bar ‘n grill in the Ether! Got a kick out of that “phone number” bit – thought Boris had cleaned that off the wall by now . . . . <grin>
In giving some thought to the paint schemes (livery) of diesel locos (Fs in particular) – man oh man there are sooooooooo many, that to narrow it down to just one, rather impossible for Moi. I always thought the Santa Fe war bonnet was better looking on Alco PAs – but sure looked mighty “cool” on the Fs as well. Then of course the Canadian Pacific in the script scheme with the beaver heralds – just too “cool” for words. Don’t get me started with the great looking New Haven (McGinnis era), New York Central’s lightning bolt, etc., etc., etc. The Kansas City Southern had a great looking livery - check these out:
A great conversation starter, fer sure, fer sure!
Nick, you’re going to have to refresh my aging memory regarding this Copperkettle “stuff” – I either totally missed the orgin, or we’ve got an interloper in the kitchen. Sicne I am the Proprietor, how did this “guy” wind up on the payroll
Eric, you are correct – in my opinion there is no interest at Kalmbach to undo the mess created with these new Forum “innovations.” Regarding the trip across Canada – we’ve taken the trip in mid-May and of course in December-January and our preference is the winter. Much more pleasing scenery and only regret that there wasn’t MORE snow out west. Food Outstanding – as always. VIA Rail does it “right” aboard the Canadian. Three entrees each night – each night all three are different – 2 hour seatings – three seatings per evening meal – just a wonderful experience all ‘round in the diner.
DL – finally got through your “lecture” and must say it is quite a treatise. Had no "clue" that EuroStar is losing so much money. Also, the insights are fantastic regarding everything that took place prior to the ultimate sale of the cars.
However, I thought there would be more regarding the VIA Rail ‘end of things.’ Nevertheless, I feel thoroughly prepared for the final exam on the subject of the Nightstar (Chunnel Chugger) passenger cars! More about this subject a bit later on . . . . A five- Salute to you Sir, for your efforts!
O.K. Leon,same again and bring on the dancing girls........No,sorry, but thats quite obviously Boris & Copperkettle in borrowed wigs and frocks....try again-just look on the board above the phone ,it`s a freecall number-under"Our Ladies,contract entertainments..."
Right.where was I:-ah yes--ROB-O&Q?-was the right of way the one that intersected with the old O.S.H line just north of the Uni. GO stop ? Weird tales:-when my dad retired from driving a London taxi,about 20 years ago it was still on the books that he was legally required to:- (A) keep a bale of hay in the trunk for the horse(s) (B) maintain an adequate supply of oil & wicks for the lamps and (C) if he required a comfort break he could urinate against the front right wheel of the vehicle,providing a policeman was holding the reins-many more where they came from....
by the way -we get palm trees in all sorts of unexpected places -something to do with the Gulf Stream I believe
ERIC-wonderful pix mate -I assume that white mach one Mustang in the 2nd pic was included as classic transport-if you are gonna have a car,thats the one to have.......R.E. `F` units on the O.N.R-the last evidence I had was ROBS pix from a few weeks ago that showed the last 3 (the cats) Caterpillar powered units on the scrap road at North Bay-I understand this is no longer current ,they may be gone now-another era ends............................
DOUG-I tried the same experiment with a slice of processed cheese,entirely failed to see a short film about the dairy industry.................................................................
Man-those pix were something else-I`ve been back for several more looks and the only give away is the last one-the perspective is too high-to be real it would have needed a helicopter as a camera platform........double plus !!!
TOM-nice choice of movies-I can see you as a bit of a Gene Hackman lookalike---(best ask Carol about that...)-fabulous set of pix,showed me some of the countryside, that Edmonton sunrise pic is a winner-can we use it for an album cover ( with due accreditation of course..)...????
JAMES-a fine set from you sir !!-those big ole` units (river grove ?) look extremely well in those colours-very businesslike a nice cab shot (although completely unfamiliar to me ) and if you want to talk pollution you should look up some pix of the last days of British steam,when maintenance had gone right out of the window --filthy dirty engines pumping out s**t all over the place-but we loved them anyway.....
DL-UK-----If you are interested in the O.N.R as a potential journey,check out the (un)official O.N.R railfan site-Mike Robin provides breathtaking pix and they are all good people who are happy to provivide advice-it`s one of my fave`s...
Allow at least 3 days for the journey-the Northlander leaves To. in the evening ,runs up to Cochrane to arrive at about 6 00 am ,change onto either the Polar Bear Express (Dome cars,luxury ,etc) during the summer or the little bear (one of the last `mixed trains` around -runs all year round,stops to switch at every siding-definately my choice....)-end up in Moosonee some time later,take pix,turn round,come back again -power is usually a pair of GP38-2`s,although they have 3 shiny new GP40-2`s to mix in...............
Nice link to Crich museum-a fine day out I`m told
As to the extended article-DEFINATIVE is the only word that occurs-a most splendid piece of trawling and netting-well done mate
CM3-Now then,lets not get all biblical-through a glass darkly-the best of the Rolling Stones (Vol 2) or-Brian`s last stand..........................................
Happy to concede the B+M red & gold had a certain panache and a great fan of both the B+M & NH McGinnis colours but..................I`m never gonna win this argument am I ???................and long may it continue--the spirit of open minded debate keeps this place healthy
Right gents,I`ve hit my quota ( I can tell because my legs have gone numb again) Leon,be so good as to show me to the door again please..theres a couple of bucks on the counter for Herr W. and a round in for the boys,speak soon chaps....
Tomorrow is Central Vermont Railway
"Theme for the Day!"
Watch for the arrival on track #1
and throughout the day . . . .
P.S. I see you out there, Nick
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