Good afternoon everyone , hopefully the food put out by H&H and Cindy is to the passers by's liking. I'll nab a Kieth's and go sit by the fireplace. Hopefully everyone is having the happiest of thanksgivings with their friends and families .Our Place will be here for the after dinner alka seltzers and turkey sandwiches
Tom-great little animations sir gives the place some character on this fest day donchathink I will likey take some corespondance coarses who knows wher it may end, never can learn too much I've always said.Nice to see most of the regulars who are still in town have popped by for a happy thnaks giving wish, something not to be seen in most parts of this forum,truly is what sets us apart , that and Boris I've go all my outside decs up today, nice 60 degree day here today with a bright shining ball in the sky , given all the rain and grey skies latley I hardly recognized it. also had a new high efficiancy furnace installed today good timing weatherwise anyway, replaced an old 40 yeaar old model.
Mike-good to see you in with the usual high output urls hope you folks have a happy holiday as well.
Ditto Doug n James glad to see the two of you pop in today as well.
Eric-I would have to aggree with you , I couldn't get used to 90 degree christmas's either , no way no how. My family went to Florida once none of us actually enjoyed the trip , just seemed wrong. We should have been building snow forts not sand castles.My understanding is that the F40's are to soldier on for many years to come, their just to reliable like most of the 40 series locomotives.I'm certainly not complaining, I just have never liked those GE genesis passenger engines they just don't have the charactor. Mind you FPA4/s and FP9's and FP7's are my true passenger power of choice.
Rob
CLASSIC JUICE # 36 QUEBEC CITY ELECTRIC LINES
Well it's been a while since a new classic juice has surfaced so figured that I would fill up some dead space with it this afternoon , keep the wheels turning as it were.Quebec City is the oldest city in Canada, and indeed one of the oldest in North America having been temporarily settled by cartier in 1535 and permanently settled by Champlain in 1608.Always a strategic city in that it was sited at tyhe Narrows of the St Lawrence River, the city grew to be a safe anchorage and a city with alot of import export business. Beginning in the early part of the 19th century,Quebec City underwent massive growth, becomming the third largest port city in North America just behind New York City and New Orleans.principle exports through the Port of Quebec became potassium, wheat,and forest products.Numerous small scale manufacturers set up shop in the walled city as well, and the period between 1800 and 1861 the population of the city expanded from 8,000 to 57,000.
Now by the early 1900's the city began to suffer from it's outdated port facilities and more and more traffic was diverted away to Montreal and Halifax so starting in 1901 when the cities population hit around 70,000 a concerted effort to modernize and expand the city and it's Port facilities was undertaken. Including a new and more modern and reliable public transit system. Part of this new system ws of coarse the Quiebec bridge which we have disscussed at length on this thread satrted in 1904 but not finished until 1919 due to it's two tragic collapses while under construction. The first in 1907 and the second in 1916.Once the bridge was finished however it was openned to rail traffic on dec 3 1919 finally linking the city to the South shore.As built this magnificent structure was 94 feet wide ,3,239 feet long and boasted three lanes of highway one track for the railway and two pedestrian walkways. The third centre highway lane carried the streetcar line accross.
So in 1901 it was decided that the city needed a more dependable public transit system that was clean reliable and quicker than the horse railway that was started up in august of 1865. Thus the Quebec Light and Power Company ( QRL&PC ) became the transit company of choice operating city streetcar lines and an interurban district.
The company operated the 6 routes of the in city transit as well as oversaw the construction and operation of the neighbouring streetcar systems in St Foy,Levis,and Sillery PQ.The interurban district ran from teh city centre conected the ajoining comunities and ran down to Montmorency and the Ste Anne De Beaupre Shrine and the sisters of Charity Hospital. In all 50 miles of trackage bewteen the interurban districts and the city system.
Owing to the cramped streets of old Quebec the streetcar service(s) ended in 1948 in favour of motor busses. The interurban line continued on until March of 1959 , abandonning 5 months before the Provinces largest streetcar system in Montreal bowed out of the passenger moving buisiness.Once these last two electric line abandonments occured the only electric transit left in te Province was te CN run commuter service from Montreal to Deux-Montagne which still operates today.
The CN had trackage right s over te 40 mile Montmorency district, and interchanged both paseneger, as well as mail express and frieght with the QRL&PC. Most in town switching was handled electrically by the various express motors and steeple cabs operated by the QRL&PC.
Most of thre QRL&PC's streetcars were built by te Ottawa car Company and were doubled ended as the narrow city streets did not allow for turning loops.All were painted an attractive dark crimson with leaf brown roof and window sashes.An interesting design was that they carried their resistors grids on the roof as due to the extreme amount of snow which typically clogged Quebec City Streets would cause endless electrical shorts had the grids been left beneath the cars.Heavy wedge plows and pilot mounted snowplows were the order of the day for the interurban district which also was serviced by Ottawa Car Company products. The First wood bodied cars of similar design as the Montreal and Southern Counties. Then the famous 450 series metal high speed interurbans were built by Ottawa and became synonimous with the St Ann De Beaupre Shrine and the entire Montmorency Division. One can still be seen today , restored and operational at the Seashore Trolley Musuem in Kennebunkport Maine.
Good morning Tom and friends! I'll have a light breakfast please, with a side of leftover turkey, stuffing, green bean salad, cranberries, sweet potatoes and gravy. Interesting "Little Joe" info and pix James. I can tell from your photo that the picture was taken in barn 9 at the IRM, but Like I said, I'll just have to be on the lookout for it since I somehow missed taking any photos of it. There's about 1/2 mile of track inside barn 9. It's our longest barn, and houses about a third of our steam engines. It would have been nice to have worked on the Little Joe, but I can't take any credit. Great to see new stuff from Rob yesterday, and the visit from Eric. I started to clean-up the the fence line between my yard and the farmers field behind me yesterday. If I put down some topsoil and seed between the end of my lawn and the fenceline, I can double the apparent length of my back-yard. We also became the first house to light holiday decorations yesterday. Bet my new neighbors are cursing me for that! Today I run to Home Depot for an over-the-oven microwave oven, and to get myself a nice sized grill for the patio. But in the meantime, and continuing the Pullman theme, here's a little something to read with your coffee:
Floyd River by Roger W. Kramer & William F. Strauss
Between 1923 and 1927 the Pullman Standard Manufacturing Company built a total of 266 sleepers with the 10-section, 1-drawing room., 2-compartment configuration. In December 1948, when Pullman was forced to divest itself of its large fleet of sleeping cars, Chicago & North Western purchased a total of 51 sleeping cars. 17 of them with the 10-1-1 arrangement, six of them with the 10-1-2 arrangement and five with the 10-section, 3-double bedroom arrangement. Over the course of the next several decades these cars ran on a variety of C&NW overnight trains.
Plans for an all new “North Western Limited” in 1923 prompted Pullman to build more 10-1-2 sleepers for C&NW service. These cars were built in 1924 to Plan 3585. Four of these sleepers which C&NW purchased in 1948 were Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Gardner, and Lake Geneva. None of these cars exists today. Among the 10-1-1 sleepers purchased in 1948 was the Floyd River, 1 1928-built Pullman sleeper. This car does exist today at the Illinois Railway Museum. We acquired the car in work train service in 1985. It was last assigned to the Wisconsin Division, used as a storage car in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
The cars were constructed with steel floors, steel plate sides, and had Pullman wide-style letterboards. The Fort series cars were originally built with canvas roofs that were later changed to galvanized steel when air-conditioning ducts were installed during the late 1920’s. Our Pullman did have three of these ducts installed but its air-conditioning system consisted of blocks of ice in bunkers underneath the car, These bunkers are still on the car but in a rusted condition with some hinges missing.
Cars in both series of Pullmans had a sleeping capacity of 24 to 26 patrons. The drawing room and each of the sections slept two people, one on the upper fold-down berth and another on the lower seat. The cars were electrically lighted, having a 32-volt DC battery set and a belt drive generator to supply power. At night all lights would be turned off and aisle lights underneath every other section would be turned on to supply night lighting. It was quite an interesting atmosphere, especially if you were on your honeymoon!
Inside the passengers were greeted with plush and imitation leather Pullman seats. Carpeting covered the section, compartment and drawing room floors. The only remaining example of carpeting in the Floyd River is in the compartment. The lavatories and corridors had tile flooring. Some of the tile still exists in the Floyd River. Drawing Room A had its own private bathroom and a couch. Unfortunately, the C&NW removed not only the bathroom, but also all fixtures and appointments in the drawing room of the Floyd River. Basically, our C&NW Pullman car is stripped of many of the interior parts it once had. But through the determination of IRM volunteers, we have acquired many of the parts needed to restore Floyd River to resemble its former self.
When the “North Western Limited” was streamlined after World War II the Lake sleepers were assigned to other trains operating over the Wisconsin Division. Most of these trains were destined for northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan. During the 1940’s, these cars had been used on trains 211-212, the “Ashland Limited” and on trains 510, the “Chicago Limited”, and 511, the “Duluth-Superior Limited.”
In 1928, the exterior color scheme of the sleepers was changed to the standard Pullman green from the bright yellow and green color schemes of years past. It was not until 1939 that these cars again wore the C&NW’s yellow and green colors. This time the roofs were painted North Western’s forest green to match the letterboards and ends of the cars. Two two-inch black stripes were painted the length of each car; one separated the yellow and green on the letterboards, and another ran along the windowsill. The heavyweight equipment was repainted so it would match the new streamlined “400” equipment which had been delivered in November 1939. The only lettering on these cars at the times was the traditional “Pullman” on the letterboard and the car name centered on the side of the car and below the windows. In 1948 when C&NW purchased the cars, the words “Chicago & North Western” were painted on each end of the letterboard in three-inch aluminum letters. This proclaimed the cars were Pullman sleepers but were owned by the Chicago & North Western. This paint scheme is the style we would like to paint the Floyd River in. It’s the color scheme many of us remember the C&NW by – yellow and green.
These cars were operating in sleeping car service for over 30 years and the Floyd River survived by being converted into maintenance-of-way service. She is one of the last remaining Pullman sleepers from the C&NW, symbol from an era of first class passenger travel.
G’day Gents!
The biggest shopping day of the year is upon us here in mid-continent USA as many of the retail stores opened their doors at 5 AM or earlier! People actually lined up before midnight to get first chance at the “bargains.” Amazin’, simply bloomin’ amazing’
A blue sky morning, temps again to be in the 60s (F) as this wonderful week of great weather continues. We’ve got a rare treat for this afternoon – going to see “Spam-a-lot” at a live performance. Should be lotsalaffs. For those who have no clue – this is a spoof of the Monty Python flicks – supposedly original stuff, but along those lines. An early Christmas treat for us.
Hope one and all enjoyed the feast day, gave proper thanks, and took a relaxing loooooong walk after dinner!
So, the call went out for the Brits to help out, and where were they Nary a one – not ONE! However, kudos all ‘round to our Canadian connection for keeping the tempo going here and on “my other Thread.” 5- to you Bar Chandler Rob! Some of our regulars “done good” too, as there’s all kinds of interesting stuff to check out! So, what happened to the Brits
The acknowledgments:
James at 10:16 AM yesterday: OJ and vanilla Good Gawd Gertie, a cast-iron stomach. <grin>
Rob at 3:52 ‘n 4:29 PM yesterday: If that furnace you had actually functioned over a 40-year period – where can I find one like THAT Amazin’
Something of interest from Quebec City traction, eh I think that’s a first for this Thread – good reading!
Eric at 1:20 AM today: Survived the day, eh The one day of the year where “excess” seems to be in vogue, so to speak. Couldn’t do that anymore than once a year in our Haus!
Doug at 6:32 AM today: Better late than never, as the wee-bit late Pullman “theme” continues on! Appreciate the time ‘ n effort you put into your submissions, and I’ll be sure to read it before day’s end!
Have a great day one and all – I’ll try to check in this evening.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
Remember: Ruth comes in at 9 AM and remains behind the bar ‘til Leon takes over at 5 PM! And this is Pizza 'n Beer Nite along with Steak 'n Fries Nite at the Tavern by the Tracks!
G-day Tom and all present.
Well, I'm glad to see that everyone enjoyed there thanksgiving day. I know I will today. Unfortunately the father was not home yesterday (due to work) We held off so that father could join in with the whole family.
Ruth- Today I'm just going with a coffee. I have a bigger meal coming, but later I'm thinking leftovers is going to be good. Thanks.
Anyway.
Rob- A slime green F40. Now that one would be hard not to notice. I'm going to have to say that it might be a bit ugly for my taste, but no one asked me how it should be painted.
Your Quebec City electric line was great to read. I enjoyed the history. Glad one of the street cars is still preserved. Thanks
Eric-I know there is a BN unit stuck in with Milwaukee power. But I like U-boats. They are really cool, and even better with sound. Glad you liked the Little joe link. I thought it might surprise you as it did me. I didn't think there was another still surviving. BTW: glad the gobbler and pumpkin pie were good. I always enjoy this time of year. Good eating.
Mike- You always bring in some nice pics and adds. Thanks for the Milwaukee add. And especially the Little joe running down the street. (street running) I guess I'm so used to seeing little joes in the mountains that I never realized they ran right down the street with the South Shore railway. Thanks for those.
Barndad- Well I'm glad you recognize the building it's in. I thought I was seeing things when the caption said, Located at the IRM. Now I really want to go and visit!! To bad you didn't help with some of it's restoration. That would have been cool.
BTW: I read your C&NW sleeper article and I noticed that the one train, #511 to Duluth, Superior. I have a book with me called, "Trackside around Duluth 1957-1960 by David Schauer, and one of the main passenger features in the book is the C&NW passenger train #511. Its pretty cool to look at the train and see the only heavey weight sleeper on the whole train. Most of the train is consisted with stream line cars and a heavey weight baggage. But the sleeper points itself out. I can't read the name on the side of the car. But thanks for the article. It was great.
Tom- A rock hard stomach I have. I am one of those thats needs a cup of OJ once per morning just to give me that head start. Otherwise.... I'm pretty inactive.
Thanks for the comments on my layout. I work hard keeping the thing up to par and I hope it gets better as I go. Especially on the scenery part.
The Little joe was a find. I didn't realize they had finished restoring something like that. It said, under Wikipedia, that they had restored it to working condition. I want to get down there and get a good look at it.
Happy railroading
James
Hello all of you
Holden’s mild please. Nice to see you are in too Tom.
I hope those of you with holidays have been enjoying them – to be honest you have the right idea – we have the haul in from Aug 30th roughly to Dec 25th with no public holiday – it is a long stretch – and frankly a bore. Maybe when you guys stop experimenting with this ‘independence’ idea and re-join the Queen’s commonwealth we can borrow this idea from you?
Lars – NE corridor and mobile phones / lap tops – don’t get me started on this one – drives me so crazy in fact I had a stand up row with some fools last week on a train I was on who persisted in playing MP3 files from their mobiles to the obvious annoyance of other passengers - which did little to retain the peace I admit – I always reserve in the so called quiet coach here when this is possible but you always get one or two jerks who think their mobile phone conversation is more important than them going to sit in another car where they can use the mobile no problem. I only wish the cars were protected by a Faraday cage which I think would interrupt the signal (according to a scientist friend of mine). I genuinely think this technology (useful though it can be) has meant people have lost the ability to sit down, shut up and be quiet. I’ve heard of the occasional pub that bans them- good news in my view.
Mike – nice Pullman links the other day – was that car being loaded up with ice for the air conditioning – or for the bar? The LMS 4-6-2 Coronation on US tour was good – a preserved one of these is being re-streamlined here in UK as Pete mentioned a while back – it will look like that picture again (minus the headlight and bell) – the streamline casing was taken off during world war 2 to make maintenance easy. It will be impressive when work is finished, probably next year.
Tom – you commentary on those arrival connecting times with Amtrak is depressing – but then the host rail roads seem to think Amtrak timekeeping is optional do they not – sad really as pride in the job should mean timekeeping is a priority for any road – whoever the customer is.
Eric – glad you got that link working.
James – some interesting updates – helps me learn about the US scene
I hope Nick calls in to verify (or otherwise) Mike’s suggestion on the Neil Young lyrics !!!
Pete – did not realise the South Devon Railway and the Paignton line were at one time linked. I’ll certainly give a report back on Swanage in due course – they do a good job there I think with some nice restorations. The line serves a great area and of course they are lucky to run preserved steam right in to the centre of the town.
Good wishes to you all
DL
Good evening Leon and all the other ships at sea. Figured that i would pop in for a quick brew or three oh here's a couple extra bucks to squeeze off a round for everyone. Bit of a sloooow day but to be expected with the festive season now officially upon us. I haven't heard yet Tom any crushed bones , dead or otherwise grusome casualties from this years black friday sales stateside. all sorts of live video feeds of people being trampled in walmarts from last years crazyness. Just don't understand it. i've worked in retail up here for 20+ years and haev yet to see one punch even thrown. Just crazy.
Tom-I;m glad that you enjoyed spamalot , Heather and I had intended to get a set of tickets for the last block in the Toronto production but they sold out and we missed out. From what i've read and understood it was well worth the price of admission. coarse we are both Python-heads from way way back. "Would You Lime to Buy a slug " LOL
Glad that you enjoyed the Quebec city bit.It was quite the interesting operation, frieght pasenegers street running and a fine bridge crossing what more could one ask of a railway line
Doug-I thouroughly enjoyed the Pullman piece more great reading for the Our Place Archieves , what a storehouse of information this thread is. an dit's fun too I am a bit jealous though Barn 9 Good Gawd Gertie realistically our musuem need five barns and we're still struggling to get number 4 funded and built.
James-Yup the slimiest of slime green. No way in any place you could miss it. A blind person would feel the heat from the brightness of it's lime green paint job. Oh well these paint job and advertising wraps put quite a bit of cash in VIA's coffers
Eric-There is no pending plans for any light rail into Quebec City, not even a dedicated commuter line. The City is moreof a tourist trap then a heavy industrial centre. Montreal is by and far the main port and main hub of commerse for the province. Quebec the capitol but beyond that. Nice city to visit though. The old town still has it's fortifications and the narrow cobblestone streets. You would easily mistake the old town for any city in France.
Dl-I kinda wish VIA had those quiet cars. I concur with Tom's rant, this high tech wonder of a world we are living in is just a plain rude at times. Nothing irks me more than when a customer I'm giving attention to and trying to help is yapping away on their cell phone to someone else at the same time I'd love to see "tech bans" in doors
,
ENCORE SATURDAY ENCORE SATURDAY ENCORE SATURDAY
Here's another sampling of the thread past for everyone's purusal.Another classic juice to start off the encore saturday for this week.This time the opposite side of the country from yesterdays piece on Quebec City and It's transit system.
trolleyboy wrote:Well some meat to go along with our potatoes today. I'm not sure where to classify this so I will put it into the stable with the Classic Juice series. CLASSIC JUICE # 19 BC HYDRO RAIL & POWER AUTHORITY This company is owned by the Province of British Columbia. The BCHPA supplies electric power and gas to much of BC and Victoria. The rail service was reorganized from the BC Electric rail Company LTD ( BCER ), an electric interurban and street railway system that began operations in Vancouver and it's surrounding areas in 1897,when it took over public transit in Vancouver,Victoria,North Vancouver,and New Westminster-the principle cities in the province.Along tthe Fraser valley, BCER provided a vital link between towns isolated from one another by distancce and absence of good roads. The BCER's electric rail cars brought dairy and other produce to market reguardless of weather,supplied farmers with feed,machinery and supplies,carried logs to the mills in return for lumber and shingles and supplied convienient transportation for the settlers and their families. A major setback for the BCER came in 1913 through competition from jitneys ( small busses and motor cars ) which were independantly owned. These offered extremely flexible schedules and routing, and were often enclosed against weather,wheras the BCER's city streetcars were not. Dr Adam Shortt, who investigated jitney competition in 1917, noted that many people rode them for plasure and social contacts. He pronounced them "an irresponsible service, with no permanent commitment to meet public transit needs " In 1918 the Vancouver city council declared them illegal,ending the competition that had crippled regular transit service. Though sturdy and dependable, the rail cars fell victim to progress. Vancouvers first motorbus line went into operation in 1923 and from that time, the electric railcars were replaced gradually by motor and trolley bus lines. BCER's freight service inherited much of the original ROW and most is still in use today. In 1935 a freak snowstorm dropped between 19.7 and 25.6 inches of snow on the area cutting overhead and telegraph wires.The intercontinental trains were stopped in the mountain passes and the services were not fully restored for svereal weeks. After WW2, the 12MPH speed limit for BCER vehicles was increased to 18MPH, and 15MPH in school zones. In the early 50's, BCER carried out a rails to rubber program. City streetcars were replaced by trolley coaches and busses, and the interurban cars were replaced by the busses of Pacific Stage Lines now Pacific Coach lines. Prior to 1950, the greater part of eastbound freight was from the forest industries. Then as additional industries were established on the lower mainland the railfreight business beacame more diversified. The steeple cabs were replaced by heavier diesels and the light 85 and 70 pound rail was replaced by heavier 115 pound rail The rail service, now concentrated on frieght handling was aquired by the BC Hydro Rail and Power co ( BCHPA ) when it was formed in 1962 from the amalgamationof BC Hydro and the BCER. In 1965, BC hydro completed a new 21 acre marshalling yard in Burnaby ( outside Vancouver ) it ws large enough to store 450 cars. In 1967 a new repair and service centre was completed at the same location. Significant changes came with the introduction of computers in 1979 controlling car control and signalling. This has continuously improved customer relations with the rail carrier. In 1980, the provincial gov. reorganized the passenger transportation system, and the service is now a responsibility of BC Transit ( Van City )This still operates the electric trolley busses and reg busses in Vancouver and suburbs and the new sky train electric light rail. The BCHPA, as of 1984 operates a diesel powered freight service between Vancouver and Chilliwak carrying automobiles,food and forest products. Still a small railway-104 miles of track 20 locomotives and 264 cars. Enjoy Rob
Good morning Tom and friends! You know, I just got around to looking at one of Mike’s URLs of the 1901 Pullman menu. Scotch Broth? Green Corn? Pickled Lamb’s Tongue? I’ll settle for a Mentor light breakfast please, and nothing from the G. Goldsmith Commissary. Did a little shopping yesterday. Got my microwave oven for over the stove, and an industrial-sized grill, and holiday decorations. Three houses have decorations as of last night. Then we went to the annual “lighting of the square” ceremony in our little town of Woodstock. A few of the pix turned out, and you’ll see those tomorrow. Looks like my little Pullman article generated some discussion from James and Eric. I have no idea where the Lake Bluff is today. It’s not at the IRM. Rob, we have more than 9 barns at IRM. Some of our barns aren’t even numbered, like the steam shop. Hmmm .. now you have me thinking about popping in today and getting a few pix. Hmmmm
Thanks for starting our ENCORE day with your submission, by the way. Here’s an ENCORE from me:
A heavy Union Pacific freight heads west, working up the 16th St. hill out of Omaha. The lead unit is the new EMD SD60 No. 6065. Interestingly, the balance of the all-EMD power consist reflects the “Triple Merger” of UP with Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific, announced in 1980 and approved by the ICC in September, 1982.
The first unit, No. 6065, is less than a year old in this photo, having been built in April 988. The second unit is No. 2307, a former MoPac locomotive inherited in the merger, and painted in temporary “UP-style” MP lettering, that is, the standard red characters, outlined in black on the yellow locomotive, but spelling out “Missouri Pacific” instead of “Union Pacific” on the locomotive side. This 200-hp unit, built in 1981, is a GP38-2, a model produced from 1972-86; its MoPac number was also 2307. The trailing unit is No. 785, a 2500-hp GP35 built in 1963 (and rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen in 1981) which came to UP from Western Pacific as No. 3004; GP35’s were produced during 1963-66. Both GP units have left the UP roster; No. 785 now wears that number for Eastern Idaho RR.
As is typical of freight trains in recent decades, most visible cars in this photo are of much higher capacity than in former times, often 70 or 100 tons in place of the 50-ton cars which dominated freight car rosters as late as the 1960s. Accordingly, much more horsepower was and is being used to manage these trains, and a train of, say, 60 cars today carries far more cargo than the same size train 30 years earlier. This today’s railroad moves more freight with substantially fewer trains. George R. Cockle photo, Sept. 10, 1988, courtesy of Union Pacific.
There was a competition to cross the English channel doing only the breaststroke, and the three women who entered the race were a brunette, a redhead and a blonde.After approximately 14 hours, the brunette staggered up on the shore and was declared the fastest. About 40 minutes later, the redhead crawled up on the shore and was declared the second place finisher.Nearly 4 hours after that, the blonde finally came ashore and promptly collapsed in front of the worried onlookers.When the reporters asked why it took her so long to complete the race, she replied, "I don't want to sound like I'm a sore loser, but I think those two other girls were using their arms..."
The weekend is here – somehow with a Thursday holiday, there’s been a spate of “Saturdays” this week! <grin> Blue skies continue – temps predicted to make it into the 70s today – outside work continues as we prepare the ranch for winter. <grin> Petrol was $2.17 (rounded) up at “Collusion Corner” as we passed by yesterday. Raised about 15 cents, dropped 2 – yeah, that’s makes sense.
A bit of activity since my last narrative of yesterday, let’s get to the acknowledgments:
Rob at 11:45 ‘n 11:51 PM yesterday: Put SPAMALOT on your “must see” list – no kidding. It’s really that good. I believe the traveling cast we saw yesterday is the same as appeared in Toronto. They are that good! Almost as if one were watching and listening to John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman. Not that this cast is imitating, for they aren’t. But the lines and the delivery is so “familiar.” <grin>
What’s this A Saturday ENCORE! on Friday!! Ah, yes – I see, it WAS Saturday where you are. Okay – you squeezed it thru. Avoided a TWEETING at that. Anything from BC has to be worth it, eh
I dropped off a couple of Pix on “my other Thread” in response to your contributions. Seems that the continuation of that Thread is nearing an end. I’ve always known it would be a hard sell to attract and find some guys for the bar – but that experiment has pretty much run the course. Perhaps I’ll keep ‘er going ‘til year’s end; we’ll see. Thanx for your support. Over time it’s been Lars ‘n BK who have provided the Lion’s share of contributions in supplement to mine. Without them, it’s most times just a one-man-band.
Eric at 1:40 AM today: Welcome aboard and happy to note that you (and your wallet) survived the so-called “Black Friday.” <grin> We’re fare beyond that craze in our Haus as neither of us want any part of enraged shoppers at some ungodly hour H-bent on some “bargain hunting.” Anyway, I’ve found that shopping the internet is so much better and easier on the psyche, if you follow my drift. <grin>
Yes, having that young fellow in the Can-Am trainroom was really a treat – for Moi! I have 5 grandchildren, with only one interested in trains (big time). Alas, he lives very far away, so that visits are far ‘n few between. I built the Lionel Polar Express shelf system just for him – but he’s not seen it yet. Hoping the day isn’t too far off . . . .
Cell phone etiquette is like any other form of “doing the right thing” these days, in my not-so-humble-opinion. One cannot count on people being considerate of others, just ain’t gonna happen. I firmly believe that and it is based on overwhelming observations of behavior in public. Whether in automobiles, in restaurants, at live theatre presentations, shopping, traveling aboard public conveyances, etc. It’s a pandemic of rudeness. It is called the unintended consequences of technology. Had I been at that Cracker Barrel you mentioned, I would’ve asked the offender to quiet down a bit. If that didn’t work, I would’ve found the manager and at least lodged a complaint. If they valued my business, they’d do something about it – otherwise, find another place to dine. If we all stuck to those principals . . .
Doug at 6:50 AM today: Nice ENCORE! and good way to start off our Saturday. Joke Was THAT a joke <groan5>
Be back with an ENCORE! a bit later . . . .
Remember: Ruth comes in at 9 AM and remains behind the bar ‘til Leon takes over at 5 PM!
Tom
Good morning Tom and gents! Nice European ENCORES yesterday, to be sure. As you know, we don’t see so much variety of equipment and colors in the USA. Here’s your link Eric. http://web.mac.com/ericx2000/iWeb/Technical%20stuff/Technical%20info.html. Nicely done link!Glad you liked the joke … not many here do!
I took my own advise yesterday, and snuck into barn #9 to find James’ Little Joe. I think you’ll be pleased with the results!
Chicago, South Shore & South Bend 803
1949 “Little Joe” Electric Locomotive
The South Shore provided service between Chicago and South Bend, Indiana. Unlike most interurban lines, the South Shore handled considerable freight, including traffic to the industries and mills on the Indiana shoreline.
Following WWII, the Russian RY system ordered a fleet of 20 locomotives. During the Berlin crisis of 1948, then President Truman embargoed export to Russia. The South Shore bought 3 of the 273-ton locomotives, Nicknamed “Little Joe’s” for Josef Stalin. Twelve similar units went to the Milwaukee Road. #803 to IRM by the Chessie System following replacement by diesels. It is the most powerful, heaviest and longest electric locomotive at IRM, and is operational.
The three locomotives purchased by the South Shore operated regularly in freight service until 1981, and were the last electric locomotives used by the railroad. In 1981, the railroad converted all of its freight service to diesel power, completing a process that had begun several years previously. Following the conversion, Locomotive 803 was donated to IRM by the railroad. A sister locomotive is presently in the Baltimore and Ohio Railway Museum in Baltimore Maryland. The South Shore continues to operate electric passenger trains between Chicago and South Bend.
In 1950, General Electric was able to sell twelve more of the locomotives to the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, which operates nearly 650 miles of electrified main line on its transcontinental route through the northern states. Five more were sold to the Paulista Railway in Brazil in 1951. When constructed, the locomotives were the most powerful electric locomotives ever built in North America, having a continuous rating of over 5,000 H.P.
The Little Joes purchased by the Milwaukee Road continued in service until 1974, when the railroad dieselized the electrified portions of its transcontinental rail route. Much of this route was abandoned in the 1980’s as a result of the Milwaukee Road’s final bankruptcy.
Good morning again! Here’s the other car I went to find at IRM yesterday …. the 1928 Pullman Floyd River. (Please excuse the filing cabinets on the steps)
The “Floyd River” is typical of heavyweight steel sleepers once operated throughout the nation’s railroad system by Chicago’s Pullman Company. The car has 10 open sections, each with a facing pair of seats that form a lower berth at night; an upper berth folds down from the ceiling, with heavy curtains between the berths and center aisle to provide some privacy. The car also has one compartment with two berths, and a single drawing room.
As a result of an anti-trust suit, all of Pullman’s equipment was sold to 57 railroads in 1947. The “Floyd River” operated on C&NW’s trains to the Twin Cities and other Midwestern points from 1948 until retirement in the 1960’s.
C&NW donated the car to IRM. It arrived in Union in 1986, where it is under restoration. It is the only remaining C&NW heavyweight sleeping car. Here’s a shot of some of the ice-bunkers for the air-conditioning.
Oops …. The truck on the end has run out of track!
I could only get the smallest peak of the interior of the car, which looks nothing like a sleeper, and more like the maintenance-of-way car that it became in its later years. Maybe one day in the future, we can add this car to the list of restored cars at IRM.
Sunday breakfast – brunch – lunch ‘til 2 PM! Yes, the bar is CLOSED on SUNDAYs, however, we do observe SUNDAY PHOTO POSTING DAY!
One of the most disappointing Saturdays in a long time – appears as if I was entertaining myself. Hmmmmm, something definitely wrong with that picture. Guess we can chalk it off to a holiday weekend (for many) – the Monday thru Friday guys – and of course, those who must work. Put that all together, and we get DOLDRUMS. <geesh>
Appreciate Eric popping in at a rather late (or early) hour 2:21 AM today with some chat and a URL for us. I see that Doug provided the link – but here it ‘tis again, for anyone who may have missed it:
From Eric: http://web.mac.com/ericx2000/iWeb/Technical%20stuff/Technical%20info.html
In my brief travels in Europe, I was able to take a short trip from some forgotten place on the German-Austrian border to Ulm, Germany where a connection with the Paris bound train was made. Really a memorable trip coming down out of the mountains – but that was in 1971 and memory is really, really faded. <grin> Pix A few, but all on 35mm slides and I have no plans to get into that kind of conversion nightmare. <ugh>
Glad you enjoyed the Euro ENCORES! from yesterday.
Doug at 5:03 ‘n 5:29 AM today: Great Pix and narratives of the “Little Joe” along with some nostalgia featuring Pullman’s heavyweights. Memories ARE indeed made of these.
Thanx for kicking off the day for us and of course, a laff at the end!
Be back with the Emporium Theatre bill o’ fare a bit later . . . .
Boris, serve ‘em all of the OJ they can handle!
Even though the bar at "Our" Place is
CLOSED on Sundays -
We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!
Now playing at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . Sunday, November 26th thru December 2nd: Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975) Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones – and – Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones. SHORT: The Three Stooges – Start Cheering (1938).
Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
PLOT SUMMARY:
The movie starts out with Arthur, King of the Britons, looking for knights to sit with him at Camelot. He finds many knights including Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. They do not travel on horses, but pretend they do and have their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves. Through satire of certain events in history (witch trials, the black plague) they find Camelot, but after literally a quick song and dance they decide that they do not want to go there. While walking away, God (who seems to be grumpy) come to them from a cloud and tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search. While they search for the Grail, scenes of the knight's tales appear and why they have the name they have. Throughout their search they meet interesting people and knights along the way. Most of the characters die; some through a killer rabbit (which they defeat with the holy hand grenade), others from not answering a question right from the bridge of Death, or die some other ridiculous way. In the end, King Arthur and Sir Bedevere are left and find the Castle Arrrghhh where the Holy Grail is. They are met by some French soldiers who taunted them earlier in the film, so they were not able to get into the castle.
from: amazon.com
Monty Python’s The Life of Brian (1979) PLOT SUMMARY:
Brian is born in a stable on Christmas, right next to You Know Who. The wise men appear and begin to distribute gifts. The star moves further, so they take it all back and move on. This is how Brian's life goes. The Jews are looking for a release from the Romans, Spiritual and political decay, keep looking for signs and a group decides Brian is the Messiah. He cannot convince them he is not. He joins the Peoples' Front of Judea, one of several dozen separatist groups who actually do nothing, but really hate the Romans. While not about Jesus, it is about those who hadn't time, or interest to listen to his message. Many Political and Social comments.
SHORT: Start Cheering (1938) PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
Film star Ted Crosley is fed up with Hollywood and quits the movies to enroll in college under a false name, but his manager tips off the press and the school. Ted falls in love with the Dean's daughter Jean, and gets into a rivalry with the school's football hero Biff (Broderick Crawford). While Ted tries to fit in, his managers (Walter Connolly and Jimmy Durante) scheme to have him thrown out so he can return to his Hollywood career.
from: threestooges.net Enjoy! Tom
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi again, and it's great to have the Monty Python films at the Emporium, as well as the stooge short courtesy of our proprietor Tom. The Holy Grail is one of my all-time favorites. Mindy and I just have to see Spam-a-Lot when it returns to Chicago. Been meaning to see it for the longest time, but stuff has a way of keeping us from the things we want to do. Real nice books and magazines Lars. I'm guessing that I own that particular copy of Vintage Rails. At least I hope I do!
Continuiing with my IRM theme, the IRM is busy adding more track. Just look at the latest projects
View from the other end
Here’s a freshly ballasted empty section
I’d like to know more about this little wooden boxcar. It could sure use some help!
This is actually a flattering picture of the inside. Notice the load lines for corn verses wheat
A philosophy professor stood before her class and had some items in front of her. When the class began, silently she picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks. She then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. She shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. She then asked the students again if the jar was full. They again agreed it was.The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.But then... A student then took the jar which the other students and the professor agreed was full, and proceeded to pour in a glass of beer. Of course the beer filled the remaining spaces within the jar making the jar truly full. The moral of this tale is that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for BEER.
Hi Tom And all.
Back from a great Thanksgiving in southern MO, Hope you all had a great Tanksgiving too.
Caught on the posts since I have been away ,and the usual high standard of posts.. to ALL.
LARS Thanks for the London to New York and New York to San Fransisco distances. Yes in Britain it is great to know if you fancy a train trip you can go down to the station buy a ticket and just hop on, but there again there is only the smallest fraction of the frieght there that goes on N.American railroads.
I am in agreement with Tom Eric DL and you on the mobile phone theme especially on public transport, even in the quite coaches.The mobiles are handy tools but it is getting to a ridculous state. Seeing as much as been said about Monty Python, if they were doing sketches today no doubt they would do one called "The day the mobile phones woundn't work", where everybody was fighting to use phone boxes. I mean before the mobiles you did not see people running from one phone box to the next, yet today some folks can't walk without one stuck to their ear..
Thanks for the book covers, did the Vintage Rails magazine become Classic Trains do you know.
DOUG Great info on the Chicago South Shore & South Bend, Little Joes and the C&NW Floyd River car with the great pics at the IRM. I have no doubt with the skilled volunteers at the IRM Floyd River will be restored to her former glory and in the same great shape the Little Joe is in. Good to see the track laying at the Museum as well.
Enjoyed the pic of the three UP locos from different companies, I have noticed the locos in Southern Pacific colors are getting rearer around here nowadays..
A practice rendezvous sounda a great idea.
JAMES Glad the computer problem was not as bad as first feared. I agree the Little Joe at the IRM looks superb and is able to run as well. Liked the new additions to the layout, in the pic of the new U25B with the longer nose, is that a U with the shorter nose in the background # 132.
ROB Thanks for the info into the Kansas City Streetcar. I should have said as some others have noticed, in The KC Star there was a picture of the car being unloaded at Union Station, on the front of the local section of the paper, the article was on another page.
Great history (no mention of General Wolfe) and Classic Juice on the Quebec City Electric Lines And the B.C. Hydro Rail & Power is well worth another read.
The Thanks giving spread was quite a feast for those at Our Place.
ERIC Thanks for the technical data on the X 2000 .( thanks DOUG and TOM) Looking forward to the pics.
I envy you on the rail trips in Switzerland, I have seen some films of the railways there mainly the rack railways but one thing I cannot recall reading about, was Steam locos apart from the narrow guage lines, I suppose the Swiss main lines were electrified very early on.
MIKE As Tom said a great set of links. Highlights for me was the Pony Express Ad, I think the Milwaukee Road produced some of the best ads there were. The Little Joe running on the street is a gem and of course the pic of the Coronation.
DL I have gotten a E Mail from Alan and if it is OK with Tom I will post it. It is on the trip to Kimberley and describes the two stations there as well as the brewery ,also some pubs in Nottingham.
As you say about the mobile phones in Britain, I think I have only once heard a conductor tell someone off and make them stop using the thing once when someone was using one in a quiet coach on a Virgin train despite telling about the quite coach on the PA.
I enjoyed the swanage Railway when I was down last year. I will post a pic.
TOM Loved the Thanksgiving Graphics. It is great to hear of another youngster who has got a love of trains at an early age, one of the youngsters next door is mad about trains especially Thomas the Tank. It is amazing how Thomas, Hogwart's Express and the Polar Express has caught the imagination of some of the newest generation.
Unfortunatly, as I have said I have seen the same thing happen with the connections and timings to some services in the UK which appear to be happening to the Missouri line. It seemed the ridership figures were increasing quite well until this summers fiasco with the track work, although as I believe you have said before, it is not always Amtrak's fault. whats the betting there will be a whopping fare increase in the near future, another BR trick.
Great Encores and pics on the Swiss and French railways. Those two countries are certainly a model on how to run a rail system. I think the French have certainly got it right in building new high speed lines as a very viable compition to the air lines, it will be interesting to see what the affect the new Channel Tunnel high speed link, which opens next year, has on air travel to Europe from the UK.
Glad you enjoyed Spamalot, I guess it was playing in St Louis. By the link there was a lot of songs in the production. Now we have two Monty Python films on at the Emporium
Hi Tom and all.
Forgot to mention the heralds thanks TOM.
A pic of Corfe Castle on the Swanage Rly.
Two pics of UP diesel locos, sorry I dont what type they are
Two London Brighton & South Coast Rly"Terrier" 0-6-0 tank locos and South Eastern & Chatham Rly 0-6-0 at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway in October.
Pete.
Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I have been volunteering for the Museum with there Polar express runs. But I wouldn't miss Sunday.
DL- I'm glad you're learning some more stuff about the U.S. rails as I am learning more about british rails.
Rob- Well, if painting a locomotive slime green and then placing billboards all over it makes the railroad money... I have no problem with that.
Tom- Some of the scenery in the photos of the Switzerland pics are breath taking. Riding in one of thpose trains must be quite a thrill. I would love it. Also, the pics of the TGV were cool. I noticed that the rails were hled by "concrete" ties.. Gee, I wonder why you need those heavey things... Thanks for the pics.
Barndad- WOW!! You found it. What a great looking electric. But it seems that it has been surrounded by other equipment for quite sometime, and not out like the pic I had. I also saw the pics of the IRM outside. What is all the other rail for.. Mostly for storage? I have also been wondering, I know the IRM has rides, and they have CTC, but how long of a main line do you have. Just wondering.
I saw in the back ground of your photos that there is DD40X.. What a monster locomotive.
Pete- Thanks for the comments on the layout. The locomotive you saw in the picture, #132 is a U28B. It's a 2800 horsepower loco with a set of "B," AAR standard trucks under it. I also noticed some of the pics you posted. Great pics. The Union Pacific loco you're looking at is a B40-8. I believe they have 4000 horsepower. There quite a locomotive to see and getting quite rare to find too. Thanks for the pics.
Now I belive it's time for Milwaukee road News issue 4!!
G-day Tom and all present!! Issue 4
Milwaukee road News
The EP-2 Bipolar.
Photo from: www.Wikipedia.com
A side view drawing of how the locomotive looked.
The Milwaukee Road's class EP-2 comprised five electic locomotives built by General electric company in 1919. They were often known as Bi-Polars, which referred to the bi-polar electric motors they used. Among the most distinctive and powerful electric locomotives of their time, they epitomized the modernization of the Milwaukee Road. They came to symbolize the railroad during their nearly 40 years of use and remain an enduring image of mainline electrification.
Photo from: www.wikipedia.com
In 1917, following the tremendous success of the 1915 electrification of the Mountain Division, the Milwaukee Road decided to proceed with electrifying the Coast Division. As part of this project it ordered five new electric locomotives from General Electric for $200,000 apiece. Their design was radically different from the boxcab locomotives provided by GE for the initial electrification of the Mountain Division two years earlier.
The most remarkable mechanical improvement was arguably the electric motors used on the new locomotives. They were known as bi-polar motors because each of the locomotive's 12 traction motors had only two field poles, mounted directly to the locomotive frame beside the axle. The motor armature was mounted directly on the axle providing an entirely gearless design. This design was almost entirely noiseless as it eliminated not only gear tooth growl but also the whine of higher-RPM electric motors typically used in standard nose-mounted applications.
This Bipolar is just leaving Seattle, Washington with it's passenger train.
The layout of the bi-polars was unusual as well. The locomotive body was in three sections. A small center section contained the steam generator for generating heat for the train, while the much larger end sections contained the locomotive's electrical equipment in distinctive round-topped compartments. The locomotive's frame was in four pieces, hinged at the joints, with the two middle sections attached to the end sections of the locomotive body. There were twelve sets of drivers plus a single-axle idler at each end, for a 1B+D+D+B1 wheel arrangement. All buffering forces were transmitted through the locomotive frame.
The bi-polars were designed to be able to pull any Milwaukee Road passenger train singly, and were delivered without multiple unit controls. GE claimed a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h) for the locomotives but the Milwaukee Road performance charts rated them at 70 mph (115 km/h). They were rated at 3,180 continuous horsepower with a continuous tractive effort of 42,000 lbf and a starting tractive effort of 116,000 lbf.
The five EP-2s, numbered 10250-10254, were placed into regular service in 1919 on the Coast Division. The Milwaukee Road saw immediate cost savings over the steam locomotives previously in use, as the bi-polars could run from Tacoma to Othello without stopping for servicing and could haul trains up grades that had required doubl-haeding steam engines.
The bi-polars operated on the Coast Division from 1919 to 1957, for most of that period without any serious rebuilding. In 1939 they were renumbered E1-E5. In 1953 all five of the EP-2s, which were 35 years old and worn out from heavy wartime service, were heavily rebuilt by the Milwaukee Road at a cost of about $40,000 per locomotive. The rebuild included additional traction motor shunts for increased speed, roller bearings, multiple unit capability, flash boilers, and streamlining.
In 1962 all except for E2 were towed to Seattle and scrapped. Locomotive E2 was donated to the Museum of transportation in St. Louis. Missouri in 1962 and moved there that year. It still sits with the museum today.
The Information Wikipeadia had was so good, I couldn't word it better myself. Information from Wikipedia.
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