Good morning Ruth , a thermos of Joe and a number three if you would please thank-you. Had one H e double hockey sticks of a night at work yesterday busier than a cathouse on payday No Boris I wasn't talking about a supermarket , good grief. Well some quick responses , I'm sure that they are but perfect by times a tad short this am.
James- Nice to see your train submission, the work looks like it's progressing well. I do haev a bit of background knowledge on lil Joe's but my main love is the lighter electric rail vehicles ( streetcars and interurbans )
Nick-Those scalples were steilized right great shots from the trains and I had to laugh at the money salesman story never overlook a "resorce" as I say.
Tom-great replay of that article from last years train. At least the proper procedures were done at the train, too bad that the media missed out ( not supprised really ) This yeasr hasn't had much TV coverage , but the local cage linners have run colums so that's a start at anyrate. Sounds like the train satrted out yesterday with a load of warbrides ( parliament is calling this year the year of the warbride )
Pete-yes that RM car's body was saved, unfortunatly when the car was retired in 1930 OC transpo used it for salt storage until the end of streetcar operations in 1956 ( ie much restoration required as it's an all wood car save the running gear which was scrapped )
Eric-yes most of the city system disappeared in the 40's an 50's big oil and bus comapnied I'm affraid. Hopefully more systems will spring up all will be of te light rail type I should think though.Toronto had a scare recently as well. One of the leading mayoral candidated ( elections monday ) wants streetcars gone she thinks that they are ugly and inefficient. Right now she's at least 30 pioint s behinfd the sitting mayor. Unfortunatly local ie city elections in the province are never well turned out for so we shall keep our fingers crossed/
Well I know I've missed a fee apologies I sahll return agian tonight and atempt to right the wrong. Oh Tom email sent to the manager and one to you as well.Thanks for the free rounds.
Rob
Hi Tom and all.
A cup of the excellent coffee and a bacon butty please RUTH. An early call as we shall be going out a bit later.
ERIC The locomotive in the pic is the Duchess of Sutherland # 6233, she is a member of what was officially called the Princess Coronation class. These were the premier express passenger locos of the LMS. After Corontion the first 4 were named after members of the Royal Family then another 10 named after Duchess,s with the remainder after cities which were served by the London Midland and Scottish Railway, apart from two #s 6244 King George V1 and #6256 Sir William A Stanier FRS who was the designer of the class. They were numbered 6220 to 6257 in LMS days gaining the prefix 4 in BR numbering.
There are 3 preserved of which 6233 is the only one in working order at the present. of the others, # 46229 Duchess of Hamilton is at present being fitted with a streamline casing in which the majority of the class appeared in when first built. It was like this when 46229 toured N. America desguised as the first of the class in 1939. This loco was the first Coronation to run in preservstion days. The third one preserved is # 46235 City of Birmingham in a museum of is namesake city, she has not run and is in the same condition as Crewe works prepared her for preservation.
Looking forward to the Post Car Pics Sunday.
DL Another great link to the Passenger Trains over Unusual Lines.
We had a railtrip up one of the Collery lines which passed close to the Colwich yards although it was long past when the yard was working it could be seen how large the yard once was. We occasionally used to get Colwich allocated locos usually B1s through Rugby on the Great Central line.
Interesting articles from the Guardian they are quite good as I have found that railways are a real blind spot with the main stream media in the UK.
Have recieved a Email from Alan thanking you for the info, he did not now about the Brewery tap or the saved station, searching old lines and railway buildings is a particular favourite of his..He his on a railtour Saturday which is visiting the Old Dalby Test Track and the Great Central line to Ruddington.
ROB Good to see you in and thanks for the Info on Car #1.
TOM Many thanks for posting that excellent and so well written article on the Veteran's train run by VIA .
I would like to mention a preserved loco which as been dedicated to the British Military Railway men who lost their lives in the World War II. It is a ex LMS 8f class of frieght locomotive which was built by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow Scotland in 1940. The loco was used in Persia in 1941 ferrying supplys to the Russians and was later in Egypt. It was in very poor condition after the war and was due to be scrapped , but instead was shipped back to England and was repared at Derby Works. It was saved and now runs on the Severn Valley Railway and no doubt will be involved at a rememberance service held on the railway this Sunday.
I have a link to the loco.
http://www.8fsociety.co.uk/home.
http://www.8fsociety.co.uk/002.htm
Click on RE WW2 for a view of the plaque the loco carries.
Pete.
Greetings Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth - a round on me and I'll take a frosty mug of Piels draft - thanks! Slide the snacks down my way wudja
My contribution for this 2-day recognition of the veterans of all the armed forces AND merchant marine who served their respective nations on the side of freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
First though - a Happy Birthday to the U. S. Marine Corps - by my count, they are 231 years old today! and many thanks for your service! 5- to all who wore the uniform!
Now for some WWII posters:
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
Semper Fi
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/257227.html
The Great War
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3g00000/3g09000/3g09800/3g09841v.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/26500/26565v.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b10000/3b14000/3b14400/3b14477r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b10000/3b14000/3b14400/3b14478r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/23100/23116v.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a50000/3a53000/3a53000/3a53008r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/pan/6a35000/6a35600/6a35638r.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a50000/3a50000/3a50200/3a50203r.jpg
Troop trains
http://www.firstworldwar.com/photos/graphics/nw_brit_infantry_01.jpg
http://shelbymt.com/histor18.jpg
http://www.45thdivision.org/Veterans/RaySherman179/Historical_Troopcar.jpg
http://thompsonian.info/Ben-trainhome.jpg
http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/crumley/tour10.htm
http://www.allangrant.com/newsevents3.htm
http://www.lakemirabel.com/Railroad/TroopTrain1.html#TroopTrainSlideShow
http://arhs.railfan.net/media/images/photos/other/LV9-606x.jpg
2005 Train of Remembrance
http://www.herald.ns.ca/20051111/
Mike, U.S.Army 1966-68
Good evening again folks. Leon a large cr and a round for anyone else who's interested. Also a nice thick sirloin if there is one left,medium with the side of sauteed mushrooms. thanks one and all for the emails reguarding the recent unpleasantness,nice to see so many in Tom's corner , 5 x [tup for that fer sure fer sure.
Mike-Wonderfull set of theme related urls this evening good job.
Pete-Thanks for the link to that preserved loco and it's plaque. It truly is wonderfull to see things like that.Your friend Alan sounds like a man after my own heart. I have always found it enjoyable searching out the remanents of what was railway wise myself. Alot of history can still be found even in spote where tracks have been absent for many decades.
Lars-Those are two very powerfull and poinant posters, they do say it all. wishes to the corps from this side of the fence as well. I did a bit of checking ( my best man from our wedding is a retired CF reserve officer ) His unit and one that many memebers of my family served in, just celebrated it's 250 th.+ the actual date of the regiments start is a bit of a mystery as they were originally part of Rogers Rangers ( loyalist cavlry unit ) During the war of 1812 they were know as the 1st and second Lincoln Miltia reg. A many times great grandfather of mine was the captain in charge of their flank ( grenedier ) company during the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812 and later , the Battle of Lundy's Lane in 1814. Just after the turn of the last centruy they Became the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, they still are today, they are CF reserve group attached to the Second RCR ( Royal Canadian Regement )Currently 40 of them are attached to the first RCR in Afganistan.
LEST WE FORGET LEST WE FORGET LEST WE FORGET LEST WE FORGET
Hello here's the first of my Remeberance day posts for everyone to puruse.As everyone know's the need to keep supplies constantly flowing to the front line trenched throughout the First World War was a logistical nightmare.Roads and supply trenches were constantly bombed,shelled and otherwise damaged by nature when the enemy wasn't. In order to keep supplies flowing, narrow guage raillines and lighter rail tramways ( usually animal powered ) had to be built and maintained all while in the sight of and under constant harrasment by the enemy. Here's a short story and description of the Canadain Railway corps and their involvement in keeping the supplies moving.
Story originally from the Esprit De Corps magazine the magazine of the Canadian Armed Forces.
" Thge Canadian contribution to railway construction on the Western Front was conciderable. In October 1914, as the Allied war effort was gearing up, the British War Office expressed it's need for railway troops. Many Canadians , fresh from the experiance of pushing railways accross the Dominion, answered the call. The Army Council said that it wanted formed units and not just a labour gang.Initially this was not acceptable to the Candian Govt. However in Feb,1915 Ottawa authorized the provision of 500 railway troops organized into two companies of the new Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps. In the first instance, all the soldiers in this unit came from the CPR and all had to pass a test of their abilities ( boot camp ) to join.Thus the quality of these railway troops was very high. They deployed to France by Oct of 1915, after training a moving to Europe they were first employed with the Belgians building 60cm gauge tramways. The following month, these companies joined the second British Army with their communications troops at Reningelst.
The existing railheads were 10 to 12 miles from the front lines.It was here that supplies were transhipped to mainly horsedrawn ( sometimes trucks )transports for movement of supplies and amunition to the staging areas immidiatly behind the trenches and artillery positions. In the preperations for the Battle of The Somme , it was decided to begin a program to move the railheads closer , by June 1916 to within 3 miles of the front. By this time tonnages of supplies and ammo that had to be moved were massive.For instance , 1,934 tons of supplies per mile of front were needed daily in the Fourth British Army Sector alone !
As it transpired, given the horrible condition of the ground over which the supplies had to be transported, three miles was still not close enough. Therefore , it was decided to install tramways to move supplies even further forward, sometimes right upto the rear trenches to replace as many horse drawn transports, mules or man-pack requirments as possible.Tramways were narrow guage tracks that could be laid and repaired quickly. Locomotion was provided by mechanical ( small gasoline locomotives ) animal or manpower.
The Canadian Corps was the leader in this type of tramway building.At Vimy Ridge, tramways were used to move soldiers and supplies forward quickly to perpare for the battle and to reneforce succcess.Small steel lines were laid right upto the assembly areas of attack,and then after sucess, forward into new positions.Casualties and prisoners were moved quickly backward. In preperation for the Passchendaele operation, Canadian unitscame into the Ypres salient.Because so much of the area was suseptable to German shellfire, there were about 100 breaks in the line that needed repairing every day.
Usually the railway units had the help of attached labour units,sometimes drawn from rear Allied troops, but often orienta workers were recruited espeacially for the job.Nor were railway troops only employed in the biuilding and operating of the lines.During the German offensive of 1918,some units had to act as infantry as well ! Luckily unlike the British and some of the others,Canada had always maintained that all soldiers engaged on work on or a near the front had to be basic infantry trained.
Throughout the coarse of the war,Canada eventually commited more and more railway troops.After the intial two companies, the contribution became two Battalions, then 5, then finally 10 Battalions eventually reaching 13 Battalions.3 speacialized companies and a railway shop company. Outside the western front a Canadian railway Bridging Company was employed in te middle east. The Director General transportation ( Construction ) of the whole of the British armies in France was Canadian Brigadier Jack Stewart.He formed an administrative HQ of Canadian Railway Troops at GHQ of The British and Empire armies.
From April 1917 to the end of the war, these units had built ( and maintained )1,169 miles of track, 1,404 miles of ligth tramway track.each and every day there were 8,000 men employed on construction of new track and 4,000 men on maintenance of existing track and tramways.From 1917 to the end of the war all light railway construction was done by Canadian troops and attached labour.Most of this work was done under the conditions of enemy action and from april 1st 1917, to end of war, Railway troops suffered 1,977 casualties.
An encore from May, appropriate to today's theme of rememberance of our war dead and what they did to preserve the lifet we all enjoy today.
Gentlemen,the next post I'm putting out, is a piece I had ment to put out for all to read yesterday, but a late thunderstorm of some strength forced me to shut down earlier than I wished yesterday. This is new info and as such I intend to encore it again later in the year when rememberance day does roll around. This is Andrew Mynarski's story, hiopefully explaining why he was awarded the Victoria Cross, and why he was chosen by the Canadain Warplane Herritage Museum to be honoured by their flying Lancaster Bomber which is also a moving tribute to the thousands who flew combat missions for bomber comand in RAF and RCAF squadrons during WW2, and to the 20,000 that did not return. So Andy's story a bit late for Memorial day, but worth the time none the less. I must also say that both Ted and Tom were moved by both the Lanc itself and by Andy's story, I get shivers typing it out as I do reading it and seeing the Lanc up close and touch it as well. A bit of background, Pilot officer Andrew Mynarski was a trained airgunner hailing from a small town outside of Winnipeg Man. he enlisted early in the war 1940 just after the Battle of Britain and trained for his trade at the Commenwealth air training facilities in Canada.he was then posted in 1943 to the 419 Moose squadron a Canadian bombing group originally supp,luied with Wellington Bombers but by 1944 they were flying B1 Lancs, like the bomber at the CWH. Andy was the mid upper gunner on bomber KM469 or VRA as the squadron call letters were. This is the paint job and numbers that FM213 carries as a living memorial at the museum.His best friend was pilot officer Pat Brophy who was the crews tailgunner ( a P/O is equiviant rank to an army sgt ). They often spne ttheir down time together at the sgt's mess on the airbase and always jokingly saluted each other and called each other "sir" even though they were of equal rank. The entrie crew of VRA were a typical 'family" in it for king and Country June 13th 1944 ,419 squadron was on a bombing mission along the boarder of Northern France and Belgium, the target was some railyards which the german army was transporting armour and supplies from. The mission finished the squadron was headed back to base ( 10th mission for VRA's crew ). On route home they were conned by the search lights but pilot Art Debyrne and his co pilot were able to get out of the cone but not before a JU88 night fighter spotted them. In a typical anto bomber attack the JU88 hit the belly of VRA with its upward firing 20mm cannons causing fatal damage to the airframe of the bomber. A fire broke out midline in the fusalage just forward of the midupper turret. Lt debryne orderd everyone to bale out as the hydro,.ics were shot through and the plane was going down. With the crew baling out Andy left his mid upper mount and headed forward to the escape hatch, he noticed that his friend Pat was stuck. The fire and shock damage from the cannon strikes ha warped the frame of the turret and he could not rotate it to allow him to escape. Seeing his friends predicatment Andy grabbed a fire axe and crawled aft through the burning hydrolic fluid to aid his friend. Pat tried to shout him off and pleaded him to jump but Andy spent several minutes hammering on the stuck turret hatch all while the plane fell from the sky and his uniform pants burnt.Unable to release the turret Andy finally followed pats advice and dropped the axe and turned to jump out the hatch,saluting his trapped friend an saying to him " I'm sorry Sir " Andy jumped his flight suit still ablaze. The bomber spiralled in with Pat still trapped in his turret, and when it hit the ground the force of the impact broke the rear ball turret and it's occupant free,rolling under a tree some 1000 yards from the wreck of the plane where it burnt out. Pat brophy shockingly survived the crash and walked away with bruises on his briuses as hesatted but beyond that no worse for thh wear, He and 4 of the other crew members became POW till the end of the war. Andy did not survive the burns he sustained as was the only member of the crew to perish, he's burried in Belgium today. Pat Brophy told the bomber command Andy's story after they were set free and Andrew Mynarski was given the Victoria Cross Posthumously in 1946. The crew stayed good friends and along with Andrew Mynarski's sister have attended the naming of schools and libraires and even a Lake in Manitoba that have occured over the years in his name. In 1987 on the eve of CWH's eneaugural flight for the Lancaster ( after close to 15 years of restoration ) the entire crew and Andy's sister were on hand as guests of honour,FM213 carries the sqaudron marks of the original VRA along with the decal Tom photographed on the nose that Comemorates air gunner Mynarski's selfless act. In fact CWH has the fire axe that Andy tried to save Pat with, it was donated to the musuem by a Belgian family in the 1990's their father had found the axe in the wreckage and had used it on his farm for years ! VRA has had the sad but important task last performed in 2003.It has overflown each funeral ceremony for the original VRA crew, the last in St Catharines Ontario for tailgunner Pat Brophy. A humble thank-you to all the air land and sea vets of every world war and conflict. Rob
Eric-Nice to see someone else in to enjoy some late evening drafts and snacks Nice to see the ongoing info exchange still bouncing back and forth here on the ole thread.For what it's worth the numbers you speak of don't lie, unfortunatly the big fuel companies and the bus lobbies still have the louder voice in most cities ( ie the most cash )I'd vote against her if I could but alas I do not live in Toronto.She's fallen even farther behind in the last poleI had seen around 6pm, she's got the proverbial snowballs chance which is a goof thing.
Another round, Tom, and a good Veterans Day to you, sir, who have served our country 32 years and Our Place a year and a half. I believe there are natural born leaders and that includes you. They invited me to attend officer candidate school at Fort Jackson 40 years ago. I knew to say nope. A not unrealistic fear of failure had a lot to do with it, boot camp had been plenty on my plate, but mainly I didn't want to hasten a journey to Vietnam.
When I was in third grade I made friends with a kid a named Robert (1947-1968). He was such a good guy.
Rob, thanks for your Remembrance Day posts, and thanks to your great country for helping to make the world a better and hopefully one day safer place.
Same to the Brits, where would we be without them?
Eric, you are a fellow citizen and one who would thrive anywhere. You continue to serve your native land well as a good will ambassador.
Mike
G'day Gents!
A rather chilly morning here in mid-continent USA as the front came roaring through late yesterday afternoon. Temps dropped 25 degrees (F) in about an hour as we were spared the worst of it. All happened shortly after I picked up a "ton" of fallen leaves! Now, as suspected, the ground is littered once again. <groan> Petro was at $2.13 (rounded) yesterday afternoon - dropped a cent after a rise of about 15. Go figger, as they say! <grin>
The front of our home is adorned with the flags of the U.S. 'n Canada, flying side-by-side as is the case whenever appropriate holidays from north of the 49th warrant. Long live the respect and friendship between our nations!
Wonderful Posts during my brief hiatus and many thanx to DL - Pete - Lars - Eric - Rob 'n Mike for the fine efforts! Loved those WWII "merchie" posters from Lars - the on point URLs from our Army alum, Mike along with Rob's terrific inclusions throughout the evening into the wee hours. Nice job all 'round guys - always appreciate the activity.
While I have those Pix from the VIA Rail 2006 Remembrance Day train that Mike provided - I'm still looking for shots of the train itself. It was an awesome sight - from what I've been told - with about 24 cars and 3 loco's moving along the rails with hundreds of flag waving people awaiting the passing of the train at crossings and stations along the route from Halifax to Montreal then on to Ottawa.
So, we've arrived at Veterans - Remembrance 'n Armistice Day 2006. Simply put, let us never forget all who wore the uniforms of their respective lands and most especially all who have given lives 'n limbs, loss of senses, and ability to lead happy 'n normal lives for the rest of us.
Rob, the accounting of Pilot officer Andrew Mynarski is made more meaningful now that I've visited the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and viewed the Lancaster bomber with the tribute to this remarkable young hero. Always will appreciate your including that visit in our "extra" day at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Toronto 2006. Also, I really learned something (what's new??) from your fine Post of the Canadian Railway Corps - another well done!
Pete, while I couldn't get a Pix of the Stanier 8F to come up, the narratives told quite a story. Thanx!
And yes, Semper Fi to our USMC friends!
As today is ENCORE! Saturday, I plan to provide as many of my Nostalgia Posts from last year as possible. They all require editing due to Forum's formatting changes - which of course translates to TIME! <ugh> Watch for 'em!
Later!
Tom
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
"Our" Place 2006 Commemoration of Veterans - Remembrance - Armistice Day!
from page 159
Number 1 of 9: . . . . . . . . . . more Vital than gold . . . . . . . . . . All the gold buried in Fort Knox, Ky., is less important to Victory than the rich iron ore deposits of the Mesabi, Cuyuna, and Vermillion ranges of northern Minnesota. The Mesabi range along contains the world’s largest developed deposits, and much of this ore lies in open pits. From these pits giant shovels scoop the vital “red dust” into Great Northern cars which dump it a few hours later into the docks in Duluth and Superior, at the Head of the Lakes. There ore boats are swiftly loaded for delivery to the nation’s steel mills. When the shipping season closed December 5, new mining records had been set on the mining ranges, and Great Northern Railway handled nearly 29,000,000 long tons – a third of the Lake Superior district’s total production. With the necessity of preserving equipment, Great Northern, between shipping seasons, is reconditioning motive power, cars, trackage and its Allouez docks in Superior making ready for a still bigger job in 1943. The fabulous iron ore deposits in Minnesota are only part of the wealth contributed to America by the Zone of Plenty – and delivered by this vital artery of transportation. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY ROUTE OF THE EMPIRE BUILDER - BETWEEN THE GREAT LAKES AND THE PACIFIC IN THE ZONE Of Plenty More to follow …….. Tom
from page 160
Number 2 of 9 ”OVER HILL, OVER DALE, WE WILL RIDE THE IRON RAIL . . . AS THE PULLMAN’S GO ROLLING ALONG” Growing and GOING that’s the story of our armed forces. Growing every day and going every night, for long distance troop movements are usually under the cover of darkness, in Pullman sleeping cars. It’s a big job for the railroads to haul so many cars. And a big job for Pullman to provide them. But it’s a welcome job for both of us, one we’re proud and happy we were prepared to handle. Prepared? Oh, yes. The way Pullman and the railroads worked together in peacetime – through the Pullman “pool” of sleeping cars – fitted right into the wartime picture. Here’s how that “pool” works: > Railroad passenger traffic in different parts of the country fluctuates with the season. Travel south, for instance, is heaviest in winter. And travel north increases in the summer. > If each railroad owned and operated enough sleeping cars to handle its own peak loads, many of those cars would be idle most of the year. > With the Pullman “pool,” however, over one hundred different railroads share in the ability of a sleeping car fleet big enough to handle their combined requirements at any one time. As the travel loads shifts north, south, east or west, these cars shift with it. They are seldom idle for when fewer cars are needed on one railroad, more are needed on another. Now that war has come this “pool”operation of sleeping cars enables troop trains to be made up on short notice – at widely scattered points – and routed over any combination of railroads. That’s what we meant when we said that Pullman and the railroads were prepared to handle the tremendous mass movement of troops that goes on constantly. It takes a lot of sleeping cars to do it. Almost drains the Pullman “pool” at times. As a result, civilian travelers are sometimes inconvenienced. But the war comes first with the railroads and first with Pullman – just as it comes first with you! AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 25,000 TROOPS A NIGHT NOW GO PULLMAN Buy War Bonds and Stamps Regularly!
More to follow ……….. Tom
Number 3 of 9 One passenger – or one million Those carefree days when a man could almost as easily as he’d are out for the duration. Folks have to share the railroads with the Army and Navy, just as they’re sharing everything else these days. We wish we could still offer you an unlimited choice of departure times and accommodations, but more than a million and half troops per month must be cared for first. That takes a lot of cars and a lot of locomotives. It takes the time of a lot of railroad men, for these movements must be handled swiftly and secretly. After meeting all the vast demands of a nation at war, we are not always able to serve the public as well as we’d like to – but nevertheless with a little cooperation, we’ll get you where you have to go. Transportation is our business as well as our duty - and we want you to know that every railroad man worthy of the name has his heart in the job. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Association of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . American Railroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington, D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United for Victory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More to follow ……….. Tom
The U.S. Merchant Marine SongHeave Ho! My Lads! Heave Ho!
Give us the oil, give us the gasGive us the shells, give us the guns.We'll be the ones to see them thru.Give us the tanks, give us the planes.Give us the parts, give us a ship.Give us a hip hoo-ray!And we'll be on our way.
It's a long, long way to go, It's a long, long pull with our hatches full,Braving the wind, braving the sea, Fighting the treacherous foe,
Heave Ho! My Lads! Heave Ho!
Let the sea roll high or low, We can cross any ocean, sail any river, give up the goods and we'll deliver, Damn the submarine!
We're the men of the Merchant Marine!
Words and Music by Lieut. (jg) Jack Lawrence, USMS, 1943.Performed by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Regimental BandCaptain Kenneth R. Force, USMS, Director of Music
Nice work from Lars! As I await the warming up before taking on some chores outdoors, I've spent some time in the Ether. Here's an interesting foto that some of you may find of interest, particularly our resident "Merchie" Lars. This foto shows Bedford basin in what is now known as greater Halifax, Nova Scotia. If the Pix were just a tad wider - one could see where our relatives reside along the shoreline of the lower right hand corner- at the end of the basin. Enjoy the URL!
This well-known photo shows a convoy of merchant ships getting ready to sail to Britain from Bedford Basin, the splendid harbour of Halifax,Nova Scotia. The photo is from A Nation Forged in Fire by J.L. Granatstein and Desmond Morton.
URL: http://members.tripod.com/~merchantships/merchantseamentribute.html
Back to the foto: Note the curve of the shoreline on the right - that's where the mainline tracks of the CN lead into Halifax proper (in the direction of the "bottleneck"). The VIA Rail trains we have taken over these 16 years or so go directly past the house, follow the landscape into downtown. A beautfiul sight for anyone interested. Too bad the domes have given way to those sterile "Chunnel Chuggers." <barf>
As I look at that foto, I wonder whether any of my father's ships anchored in that basin. Many of our convoys formed up in Halifax for the journey to Great Britain and Murmansk - runs he made over the entire duration of the struggle. Although the article in the URL indicates that after the U.S. entered the war the U.S. convoys formed in NY harbor, I do recall being told that "poppa was in Nova Scotia." I wonder . . . .
Although it is early in the day here I will raise a glass as, CM3 suggested, to all Veterans and Absent Friends.
Many thanks for the Thoughtful and Knowledgeable posts for Veteren,s/ Remembrance Day which is so typical of Our Place.
Thanks MIKE for the links With the bravery from Marine CPL Jason Dunham to those photos of the Vets on the Train Of Remembrance.
ROB The conditions that the Canadian Overseas Construction Corps had to work in must have been unbelievable. Many years ago, I' m afraid I cant remember where, there was a 'N' guage model of the Western Front showing the narrow guage railways serving the front line, with small petrol "Simplex " locos hauling the supplies, although as I said it was long ago, I have never forgotton it.
Thanks for the chance to read of Andrew Mynarski V.C. courage again.
ERIC Great words from your late night visit.
LARS A very fine tribute to the Merchant Marine. In the dark days of 1940s it is in no doubt that Britain would have been in very dire straits without there courage and sacrifice. My father,Grey Funnel line, as some called the Royal Navy had a great deal of respect for Merchantmen.
TOM Many thanks for the Wartime Encores There is no doubt that the railways on both sides of the Atlantic performed wonders in those dark days.
I' m sorry you could not get a picture of the 8F, I have found this one in my album.
The loco is in the condition it would have been in when it was used in the Middle East as WD 307. the loco in front No 45110 has carried the name R.A.F. Biggen Hill in its preservation days.
My Encore is a post from 11/11/2005
A toast please for all Veterns Past and Present. Very good posts on this most noteworthy of days showing how the railroads Stepped up to the Plate, as I believe you say over here, in the most diffecult of times. The skill needed to drive the often overloaded trains in the blackout many with hazardous cargos with the danger of air-raids is trully amazing. After WW1 some railway companies in the U.K named a loco in Honour of the Fallen who had previously been in the sevice of that Company. The London Brighton and South Coast had a 2-6-4 tank it named REMBERANCE. The London & North Western had a 4-6-0 named PATRIOT and the Great Central a 4-6-0 named VALOUR . The name Valour is carried today on a North American built diesel loco Class 66 owned by the GBRf company. In Britain Rememberance Sunday as it is known is commemerated by the sale of paper poppies which benifit the Royal British Legion. You may have noticed Prince Charles was wearing one on his recent visit. At the factory I went to work for in Rugby, outside the main gate is a Memorial to the Fallen of the two World Wars. In steam days on Rememberance Sunday the loco depot prepared the locomotive Patriot by covering it in poppies. the loco was then parked on a bridge which gave access to the works ajacent to the Memorial. A service was held there. After Patriot was withdrawn the loco used was a Royal Scot class 4-6-0 #46170 British Legion. this engines nameplate was a replica of the Legion emblem with a lion's head and the words to the top and bottom. I'm Afraid I dont know why Rugby was singled for this honour. Today the bridge and the Engine Shed have gone. Thankfully the Memorial and works(though much smaller still survive. Back to now I was fortunate to see the GM class 66 loco Valour on my visit to England in June.
TOM Have just caught your post and most excellent link to the Merchant Seamen I sure ROB will see the Part two which is dedicated to the author's father who was a Purser with the CPR Liners.
Reading your post caused me to wonder if our fathers ever sailed in the same convoy? I dont suppose we will ever know.
Finally a tribute to all the North American railwaymen who have served in conflicts.
A pic of the type of N. American 0-6-0 switching locos that were used in Europe during and after WWII.
Number 4 of 9 . . . . .”Keep “Em Rollin’ . . or Else!”. . . . . says grandpappy engine 2414 to a 1942 Santa Fe Freight Diesel “Back in ’98, in the Spanish-American War,” reminisces little Old-Timer 2414, “20 cars was an average-length freight train. By World War I, we’d upped our Santa Fe freights to an average 35.9 cars. Not bad railroadin’, that.” “Not bad is right,” answers the big new freight Diesel, “but not good enough for World War II. Now we’ve stretched ‘em out another 41% to 50.9 cars, and those cars are bigger, loaded heavier, and rolling farther and faster.” “Good work, son,” says Old-Timer. “Yours is the BIG war job. Keep ‘em rollin’ – or else!” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KEEP ‘EM ROLLIN’ – OR ELSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * No nation that does not possess efficient mass transportation can hope to win a modern war. In America that mass transportation job is squarely up to her railroads. If they fail, we lose. Neither battle gallantry nor industrial wizardry alone will turn the tide. To meet this tremendous responsibility, we ask for every possible consideration in the allocation of materials for vitally essential repairs, maintenance and new equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAILY THE LOAD INCREASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To date, the railroads haves met 100% the staggering demands born of this global war. Many have helped make that record possible – the War Department, the Office of Defense Transportation, civilian shippers and travelers everywhere. In the first six month of 1942 with 25% fewer locomotives, the Santa Fe moved 94% more freight ton-miles and 27% more military and civilian passenger miles than in the first six months of 1918 in World War I. Daily the load increases. No man knows what the peak will be. We do know there is a limit to the performance that can be squeezed out of existing equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SANTA FE SYSTEM LINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SERVING THE SOUTHWEST FOR 70 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buy U. S. War Bonds – They Identify You” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More to follow ……….. Tom
Number 5 of 9 Like Father in 1917 ~ Like Son, in 1942 ~ . . . . . Americans feel at home in Britain. . . . . Americans have always felt at home in Britain . . . in peace time . . . or in war. Whether they have come over, equipped with guide books, golf clubs and cameras for a quiet sojourn among Britain’s peaceful hedgerows, historic landmarks, and the ancestral beginnings of American ideals, laws and traditions or whether they have come, as in 1942 with steel helmets, bayonets, tanks and bombers in defenses of these very ideals, by which both nations are so closely bound together in common heritage, Americans feel that they are truly among friends – in Britain. Year after year, in happier times, British Railways have brought American travelers along the magic trail that leads into the heart of Britain – the glorious, colourful panorama of History, Literature, Tradition and Ideals. Until Victory comes, as it must and will, British Railways continue to maintain their contact with their American Friends, through their General Traffic Manager, C. M. Turner, 9 Rockerfeller Plaza, New York, N. Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRITISH RAILWAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More to follow ……….. Tom
Number 6 of 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A BOY ON A HILL-TOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . He used to wave at me from that hill . . . we lived just beyond it. He knew the exact time I’d be by . . . and I’d wave to him from the cab. And on my time off, I’d go to the hill with him, and we’d sit together, my son and I, and wait for the trains to come along. We’d hear their whistle calling across the distance . . . then see the long plume of smoke come into view, racing like the wind . . . and as they thundered by, we’d both wave to the engineer. Maybe there’s something in heredity – he seemed to have the railroad in his blood. When he finished school . . . well I rolled into the yards one day, and there he was – long longer my little boy, but a man. A railroad man! He might someday have taken over my run. But, last December 7th, he was twenty-one . . . I don’t know where he is now. He got is two weeks leave before he left. But whenever I pass that hill, I seem to see him, as he used to be, before he became a man and had to shoulder the responsibility of being a man. I know he wants to come back to the railroad . . . and I’m going to see that he does come back! These Japs and *** who started all this – when they creep up on him and all his fellows in arms – even if they come with a thousand tanks and mobile guns and all the dive-bombers they can find in hell – he and his buddies will meet them with fifty thousand tanks and a hundred thousand planes and two hundred thousand guns. My job, now, is to get that equipment to the ships that’ll take it to him and to all the other American boys like him, no matter where they are. And it can rain and snow and sleet and it can blow, and nothing will stop me. I’ll get the stuff through to him. I am getting it through to him. You only have to lie still in the night and listen to the rumble of the trains – the trains everywhere – to know that I’m speaking the truth. It’s my son, and it’s my country, whose lives are at stake, and I can’t fail and I won’t. . . . . . . . . . . Published as a tribute to the railroad workers of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEW YORK CENTRAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Invest in Victory . . . . . Buy United States War Bonds and Stamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More to follow ……….. Tom
Good afternoon again gentlemen. Ruth a perpetual round on the chandler for the rest of the afternoon and evening.It's heartening to seeall the supportive posts today
Tom-As with last year you have outdone yourself.I know howe difficult it can be to reformat the material from before the switchover.All still good reads , thank-you again. I chanced to go to warplane again this morning for their 11th service.Needless to say no dry eyes by the end of it and at 11:30 The Mynarski Lanc The Dakota, and the fairy Firefly did a formation flyby. The PBY Canso followed shortly afterwards.The hanger was absolutly packed 90% of the collection was outside and a full two thirds of the buildiong was packed chairs of veterns their families and the general public,had to be close to 10,000 people ! The Hamilton International Airport allowed free use of thier parking lots for the overflow.
Lars- Nice to see you in again this afternoon,with the continued Merchant Marine material.Finally the Canadian MM sailors have recieved thier recognition for their part in the war.
Pete-I loved reading your encore again as well sir.I can't imagine myself working on a railway of any type under such conditions, truly a testiment to the dedication and tenacity of all the Allied troops.
Mike-I'm glad to see that you made it back in this afternoon.I know that Tom will appreciate your kind words.
LEST WE FORGET LEST WE FORGET LEST WE FORGET
Here's a few supportive photo's from trips past to the CWH.
Our Good Captain posing with 436 SQD DC3 a vetern off over 100 resupply missions in Burma this aircraft is the most flying hours DC3 still flying it was built in 1939
Two shots of the Mynarski Lancaster
Shot of CWH's B-25 Mitchell painted in #98 RCAF SQD. Also painted as would have appeared for D-Day operations
Finally two shots of The Mynarski Lanc In Flight
Here are two more shots of rail related military pictures.
L&PS ( London And Port Stanley ) Car number twelve loading up more men for their trip to London then on CNR troop trains from their to their embarcation points in Halifax. Photo from the OERHA Collection.
Shot of TTC Small Peter Witt 2666 sporting join the RCAF posters on the ad boards, photo from the early 40's (43 or 44 ) Shot at the TTC's Hillcrest Shops. Again photo from the OERHA collection Al Patterson photographer for both shots.
Number 7 of 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HE WHO ”steps up” ALSO SERVES . . . . . . . . . . UNION PACIFIC is doing its share to meet the nation’s vital need for dependable transportation. It’s a job we’re proud to do. Over the “the strategic middle route” connecting East with West, our gigantic locomotives are hauling not only war materials but also thousands of Uncle Sam’s men in uniform. Thus, it is apparent that travelers may not always find it possible to obtain their preferred accommodations. Perhaps only coach seats or upper berths will be available. To Union Pacific patrons, who we have had the pleasure of serving and will continue to serve to the best of our ability, we would like to say, “he who steps up also serves” and express our thanks for your cooperation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Progresssive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Strategic Middle Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Buy U. S. War Bonds – They Identify You” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More to follow ……….. Tom
Number 8 of 9 ON THEIR WAY Shades are drawn down. Lights dim low. The landscape is blotted out . . . there’s just the hum of the speeding train. These boys know what it means – the troop train is approaching the troop ships. Some draw a deep breath. A soldier fumbles for a letter. Another wonders if he can make a last telephone call. Another draws out a crumpled photograph. No, travelers don’t see this – but the trainmen of the Pennsylvania Railroad do, daily. And more so than ever now. As the swelling tide of American youth – fine and fit streams overseas . . . Of course, it takes a lot of equipment for these troop movements – but with what remains we are doing our best to serve all essential travelers . . . efficiently, courteously. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS AND STAMPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pennsylvania Railroad More to follow ……….. Tom
Number 9 of 9 A NEW DAY DAWNS IN RAILROADING War traffic has more than doubled the volume of freight hauled by the Western Pacific Railroad from Salt Lake City to San Francisco. Wherever the going it toughest n this rugged route, General Motors Diesel freight locomotives have kept this vast stream of vital munitions moving steadily. War building is being rushed ahead with reliable General Motors Diesel power. In the days to come this dependable, economical power will be ready to do the hard jobs of peace. Throughout history, wars have set up new milestones of transportation progress. And with this war, it is the General Motors Diesel Locomotive that is ushering in the new era. What advances the future will bring are already apparent in the present performance of these locomotives and the way they are helping to meet the abnormal demands upon the railroads today. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KEEP AMERICA STRONG * BUY MORE BONDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOCOMOTIVES . . ……………………ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIVISION, La Grange, Ill. ENGINES . . 150 to 2000 H.P. …….. CLEVELAND DIESEL ENGINE DIVISION, Cleveland, Ohio ENGINES . . . 15 to 250 H.P. ……… DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE DIVISION, Detroit, Mich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL MOTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DIESEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . That’s it! It has been my pleasure to provide these 9 WWII Posts to all of you. Tom
Well good evening gentlemen.I want to thank Tom again for his final set of three wonderfull tributes I would like to declare this day well done. . One final post of interest from myself and I shall call it an evening.In the year 2000 as part of the national millenium celebrations Canada finally took that huge step forward in remembering our past history , by officially creating a tomb of the unknown soldier at Parliament Hill as part of the national cenotaph.The following is a brief discription of what transpired.
At the instigation of The Royal Canadian Legion , andwith the assistance of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission , the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier were repatriated from the Caberet-Rouge Cemetery at Souchez France , near Vimy Ridge.Where this soldier was killed in action on Easter Monday 1917. The original headstone from the cemetery is now on display in the new Canadian War Museum on Ottawa, and is situated in such away that a shaft of light will shine on it at 11 O'clock each November 11th .A New headstone marking the date of the removal of te remains was placed in the cemetery back in France. each Nov 11th the national act of rememberance occurs at the National War Memorial and quite spontainiously on the first ceremony over the unknown's tomb the people who gathered at parliament hill have placed their poppies on the tomb's lid.That first ceremony at the Tomb of the unknown in 2000 attracted 25,000 people and the numbers have steadily increased each year. The following is an excerpt from the May 28th of 2000 burial ceremony for the unknown soldier. It is the eulogy read by the then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.
Quoting the moving address by GG Clarkson.
"It is a frightening thing for human beings to think that we could die and that no one would know how to mark our grave, to say where we had come from,to say when we ahd been born and when we had been born and when exactly we had died. In honouring this unknown soldier today,through this funeral and burial,we are embracing the fact that the anonymity and saying that because we do not know him and we do not know what he could habe become,he has become more than one body,more than one grave.He is an ideal.He is a symbol of all sacrifice . He is every soldier in all our wars.
Our veterns who are here with us today, know whatit is to have been in battle and to have seen their friends cut down in their youth.That is why rememberance is so necessary and yet so difficult because pain is never forgotten.
Wars are as old as history. Over 2000 years ago, Herodotus wrote "in piece, son's bury their fathers, in war fathers bury their sons.Today, we are gathered to bury someones son.The only certainty is that he was young. If death is a debt we all must pay,he payed before he owed it.
We do not know whose son he was.We do not know his name.We do not know if he was a MacPherson or a Chartrand. He could have been a Kaminski or a Swiftarrow.We do not know if he was a father himself. We do not know if his mother or wife recievedthat telegramwith tthe words "Missing in action " typed with electrifying clarity on the anonymus piece of paper. We do not know whether he had begun his life as a truck driver or a scientist, a miner, a teacher, a farmer or a student.We don not know where he came from.
Was it the praries whose rolling sinuouis curves recall a certain kind of eternity?Was he someone who loved our lakes and knew them from a canoe?Was he someone who saw the whales at the mouth of the Sagunay?was he someone who hiked the rockies, or went sailing in the Atlantic or the gulf Islands ? Did he have brown eyes?Did he know what it was to love someone and be loved back ?Was he a father who had not seen his child ?Did he love hockey? did he play defence ?did he play football? Could he kick a field goal ?Did he like to fix cars? Did he dream of owning a buick ?Did he read poetry?Did he have freckles?Diid he think no one understood him? did he just want to go out and have fun with the boys ?
The unknown soldier was not able to live out his allotted lifespan, to contribute to his country.But in giving himself totally throug duty,commitment,loveand honour he has become part of us forever. As we are part of him. "
Good Evening Gents!
Day is done and time to acknowledge the Posts from yesterday thru today (some previously mentioned):
Eric at 1:03 AM yesterday: Looking forward to your Pix spread on Sunday! Also, thanx for the explanation regarding "Cracker Barrel." We'll have to find one for you while in town for the 2nd Annual Rendezvous!
DL at 5:32 AM 'and 9:48 AM yesterday: Another outstanding Post, replete with classic trains info 'n URLs. You've quickly become the "oracle" at the bar! Pendolino line speed and ensuing "flap" very well chronicled!
Really enjoyed that article fromt the Guardian. "Sold off to a Canadian firm, "eh Interesting way to put it . . . Apparently the demise of the sleeper is simply taking a bit longer in Europe than here. Amtrak's long distance trains are for tourists - I'd bet "my boots" that hardly any passengers take those for necessity. The cost associated with bedroom accomodations would gag a healthy maggot, plus the uncertainty of on-time-arrival leaves very little alternative to those who "must" get from point A to point Zed within a reasonable degree of tolerance. Just
VIA Rail's Canadian is as close to a tourist train as you can get - plus it only operates 3 days per week from either terminus (Toronto or Vancouver). The Ocean is no longer the Ocean Limited serving the scores of communities in the Maritimes. Nope - tourists have pretty much taken over the bedroom accomodations with the prices putting those students and others back in the coach seats. No more berths, no more single bedrooms - a shame.
Lars at 9:36 AM yesterday: Gotta go easy with that "TWEETER" stuff - the Proprietor holds the key to the locker where it - the "TWEETER" is stowed! <grin>
Thanx for picking up the ball with this latest round of ignorance by the bottom feeders! Your support is always appreciated and counted on.
Rob at 10:58 AM - 4:34 PM - 4:44 PM and 4:53 PM yesterday: Thanx for the support! Appears the Forums Manager has taken action - but the "source" of it still remains. Don't understand why the media and VIA Rail are so reluctant to provide Pix of the special trains.
Wonderful shots of the Heritage Museum and other aircraft. Is that really moi Trolleys are a good "fit" too!
Pete at 12:02 PM yesterday: As always, great dialogue regarding the trains of the UK! You'll have us all converted before too long! By the by, I got a kick out of your Phil Collins discussion from the other day - still grinning.
Lars at 4:03 PM yesterday: OUTSTANDING posters of the U.S. Merchant Marine! 5- Salute to you, Sir!
Mike at 6:53 PM yesterday: Always appreciate your URLs and the effort it takes to locate 'em and provide them for us. If no one has told you lately, I appreciate and respect the service you gave to us during your tour in the U.S. Army. I have ALWAYS felt that the guys on the ground REALLY fight the wars - the rest of us fall in somewhere behind. Not there aren't casualties and dangers lurking on and under the seas or in the air - but the grunts take the hits, plain 'n simple.
Rob at 12:54 AM today: Interesting offering of history with that regiment . . .250 years.
Eric at 1:31 AM today: Thanx for the Salute, Sir!
Rob at 1:40 AM - 1:46 AM and 1:51 AM today: A most interesting story about the Canadian Railway Corps and Pilot Officer Mynarski. 5 Salute to you, Sir! Thanx for participating!
Mike at 6:24 AM today: My service is a mere token in comparison to those who gave so much more than I. The heros are in the graveyards, MIA, POW, in VA hospitals and other institutions, or at home living with the wounds and scars of battle. I salute you, Sir! Thanx for participating!
Lars at 10:31 AM today: Another fine Post featuring our U.S. Merchant Marine! Thanx for participating!
Pete at 12:23 PM today: Many thanx for the 8F loco Pix and the fine ENCORE! from last Nov 11th. Just as good the 2nd time 'round, Mate! Looking foward to seeing you 'n your bride tomorrow at our favorite winery! Thanx for particpating!
Finally,
11/11/06-gentlemen,2 minutes silence please:-...
Tonight,engines on the fields of Flanders ,tomorrow,engines in retirement....
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Baldwin 4-6-0 on troop train
0-6-0t by Hudswell-Clarke of Leeds
4-6-0t by Hunslet of Leeds
4-6-0 by Baldwin of Philadelphia
2-6-2 by ALCO
Reproduction of Hunslet 4-6-0 in action
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Simplex 20 hp petrol tractor in use-mid 20`s
Wear your poppies with pride.................................................................
Take care ,nick
Thanks for the drink TOM I,ll have a Navy Rum on this special day please LEON and let me put a round behind the bar.
Before I turn in I would like to comment on the posts since I was here last if I may.
ROB Thanks for the pics . By the appearance of The Mynarski Lancaster it certainly gets a lot of loving attention at The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, A salute to all who look after her.
I think that Address by Governer General Clarkson is one of the best speeches I have ever read.
TOM Thanks again for the Encores. They are all great but I think "A boy on a hilltop"(#5) has that little extra. Thanks for the kind words.
NICK Great Pics of the Locos working in the Field Of Flanders. North American & British engines working together in wartime. The comment at the end of the post says it all.
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