QUOTE: coalminer3Posted: 18 May 2005, 09:15:44 Thermos fill and outta here...Happy Birthday to "ye owner," I left some cash for a round for the house in honor of the big day. Regarding passengerfan's crew "list." I made 34+ trips on the Crescent during that timeframe and all of them were more than decent. Any problems that occurred were quickly (and cheerfully) solved. Let's add a couple of other southeastern roads into the mix. L&N folks not only knew their business, but many of them had lots of knowledge of local history, etc. which they were more than willing to share; this was not only on the "Pan," but also on the remnants of the late, lamented "Georgian." BTW, the breakfast on the "Pan" was simply the best. The N&W's "Pocahontas" was a well-kept secret; coach fare plus a small surcharge would get you a roomette and a meal - not only that, the train had a dome car. Finally, a word for the New Haven - they tried right up to the end, especially on the Merchants Limited. work safe
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 17 May 2005, 20:31:21 Right,that`s better-now,where was I, ah yes F40`s -No disrespect intended towards this machine,I rather like them,they even carry off the GO train "toothpaste" livery with some dignity but for me,those cars should have an FP9 plus a couple of `B` units on the point,matter of aesthetics I guess. Now Euro cars...............as a Brit,I can only apologise-Of course they`re rubbi***hats why we sold them(think submarines here) but at the same time these vehicles,like the TEE cars on the northlander were never designed to operate in the range of temp. and climate in Canada-I can`t imagine them lasting as long as the stock they`re replacing...... AL-unmasked at last ! welcome,-If you are seeking poor service,look no further than good `ole G.B.-on the run between W.Wales & Paddington,the first third of the journey is by all-one-class D.M.U with trolley service,if it`s working,the remainder on a (cheaply)refurbished 35 year old Inter-City unit with the original rest. cars replaced by a snack counter. At any point in the journey you may be required to transfer to a `bus for some or all of the remainder of your journey,owing to extensive track refurbishment-a system wide upgrade after official enquiries into some recent major incidents revealed some very scary stuff............ O.K. the lunch specials,well,I got a little note in with my wages this morning from the real boss of "Our Place"-the lovely Carol,reminding me that it`s Himself`s birthday today so I figured that he`ed better have one of his favourites for lunch to soak up all the pale ale. So how about Clam Chowder with whatever is the traditional local accompaniment or,as the weather here is given as `orrible for later-a nice little warmer,Goulash with mixed rices.............. Well I`ve told the rest of the band to turn up about 9pm local time,the ladies will cover the bar,Ive thrown a few plates together for munchies,the cellar is sorted-right lets kick back and party!!!! [bday][bday][bday][bday]............Have a good one mate!!! nick
QUOTE: trolleyboyPosted: 17 May 2005, 23:56:55 Tom I guess the jig is up. [bday][bday][bday]and one more for luck,happy young man!Funny how wives will sneak in like that when you least expect it. NickI suppose not all things we have bought from the UK are Rubbish,but I do have to agree with you on those subs what were we thinking.On a side note at least they figured out what happened and apparently the Victoria is putting to sea next week. Fully Canadianised and right as rain.Enough of that however. Nick I think we need an extra nice dinner entree for tomorrow in honour of Tom's birthday. I'm partial to turkey and steak but we won't do that to him.How bout an honest to goodness pig roast apple in the mouth and the whole nine yards.We get the girls to play Don Ho's music and turn it into a luau grass skirts and everything what do you think? I know Ted and Chris will approve.I see that you had fond memories of the F40's wearing the Go paint. Their old F7AU's werer quite interesting as were the GP40TC's and the later GP40-2Ws some of which CN is still running. I remember ten years or so ago Go sent 12 of the old F7AU's and a bunch of the bombardier cars to Cal for the start up of a couple of SO-CAL commuter lines. The cars were leased untill their own equipment was ready but I beleave the old F's stayed down there. Did I tell you that I did see one of ONR's Cat repowered F7's when we were in Northbay 2 weeks ago. It was stored but according to some of the local railfans it's still operational. Well gentleman good night for now. I'll stop back in soon. Rob
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 18 May 2005, 03:32:52 Happy birthday Tom And may you have many more. I'll keep it short as it is 1:30 here on the right coast.
QUOTE: Ted D. KramerPosted: 18 May 2005, 05:58:36 Happy Birthday Tom and many happy returns. Thank you Mrs. siberianmo for "spilling the beans," lest our favorite Manager of Merriment's founding day go by without ceremony. Isn't it fortuitous that so many worthy happenings would culminate on one day? From all quarters, there appears to be nothing but positive reports of events involving this estimable "like minded" fraternity. Nick, your menu selection for the 27th is inspired and I can only imagine the forthcomng subtle nuances from palate sating course to course. Rob's imaginative proposal for a luau is befitting the occasion and perfect timing for ushering in the great "thaw." I couldn't help noticing a parallel between the locomotives, carriages, etc. in Ireland being of English origin with that of some Canadian Roads. Are the latest Euro replacements for the Budd cars an exception to any previous rule of favoring U.S. purchases? This question is not of any political inference and if any exists, please forget that I asked. A bloke I met on the Cork to Dublin leg on my "run outs", hailed from London and over a few Guinesses, let it drop (surreptitiously) that Irish rail equipment could pass for a museum of vintage English stock. I didn't press for him to elaborate (now I wish I had) but with a number of locals whithin "ear shot," I demured from the subject. Once again, happy birthday Tom. May we all raise a cup to Tom's continued, unflagging attention to all of his clientele's wishes and that sobering morsel of "salt water wisdom" prevailing when it is most needed. I bid all of you a G'day.
QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: 17 May 2005, 09:42:33 Just a quick fill of coffee for the thermos and back to it...Many thanks for sharing the pictures of the VIA cars, scenery, and other activities. I still find it hard to get used to VIA F40s. BTW, what were the entrees in the diner? Dome cars at night are definitely a highlight of any trip; brought back memories of the CZ, Pocahontas and the Southern Crescent. Note to passenger fan: I recall the N.E. Wolverine behind steam (4-8-2s) out of Boston and later behind diesels. It was, indeed, a mix of HW and LW cars. work safe
QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 17 May 2005, 10:56:56 Hi there. A light lunch for me, N.Y. style smoked meat will do. Tom, You are right, the N.de M. electric loco you saw in Montreal has been there for a long time, maybe over a year now, waiting for repairs at a loco repair shop siding, alongside highway 20. You can see odd equipment at this shop, like old S-2 switchers and ex CP RS-18. Have a good day now. Chris
QUOTE: earlydiesels Posted: 17 May 2005, 14:09:18 Welcome back, Tom. Enjoy reading about your adventures aboard real classic trains.I'll take an Alexander's Ale, please. Went and rode the freight rr Saturday. Got to the depot and changed into my conductor uniform. As more club members showed up. someone made a joke that we might have more penguins(uniforms) than passengers. Even the women dress similar. So I changed back into my overalls and was introduced to the engineer. So I became the head brakeman all 3 trips and put the engines to bed afterward. This includes throwing all the switches for operating around the wye-- and I did'nt know the engineer or the trainmaster from Adam. The wife and I had a blast-like to do it again. I'm still scratching my head on this, I guess 8 years around railroads shows? Thought I'd have a cold one and share my latest adventures. No where near as classy as riding transcons in Canada, but trainriding nonetheless.
QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 17 May 2005y, 18:49:43 Hey Tom,evenin fella`s-Same again all round,including your good self and a bottle for me,thank you. Now where to start...Ah,yes Fish Suppers as the Scots would have it-no problem ! THE traditional British dish-best eaten straight out of newspaper wrapping whilst strolling along the seafront. Have placed the orders for thurs. a.m. delivery for maximum freshness,hake,halibut ,cod plus "rock salmon"(a favourite of my father and many other London cabbies) plus a sack of King Edwards and a jar of pickled eggs(obligatory,I`m afraid) participating customers should be encouraged to take a stroll out back by the tracks whilst eating-perhaps Can-Am management could be persuaded to run a demonstration freight,just for the novelty value [{:)] I suspect the Sunday activity to which Ted referred was the Can-Am retired employee`s domino & line dance social,which had been double-booked at their usual venue and threw themselves on our mercy at the last moment-how could I refuse,ordinarily I quite agree with your `dry sunday` philosophy-Indeed,until a handful of years ago the counties of Merionith & (I think) Ynys Mon in North Wales were still `dry`. The Ffestiniog narrow gauge steam line used to make good money from sunday jazz trains. The line runs from (again unsub.) Gwynedd into Merionith and moving trains are not subject to local licensing laws.....all the bar and catering cars on the line full of happy,drunk Welshmen and jazz musicians puffing through Snowdonia behind Fairlie articulated locos-although I would think these non-enthusiast runs more likely to get diesel power. cant scan back beyond this page without losing this lot so back in a bit,nick
QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 17 May 2005, 17:42:03 Evening all, round for the house and a Crown Royal with water back if you please! Tom, laughed when you were talking about crewman who couldn't serve as ballast. That has been a touchy spot for me for some time. In pre-Amtrak days the crews with whiskers another words the old timers always did their companies well. In the last couple of years before Amtrak only the oldest onboard personell were around. The young crew members were generally summer or peak season extras. I thought it would be interesting to rank the crews of the different roads in say the last ten years prior to Amtrak. We are talking onboard crew only such as dining car: cooks, waiters. sleeping car porters and coach attendants, as well as the Conductor Brakeman and any others that came in contact with passengers. These are the ten I ranked tops between 1961 and 1971.in order. 1. Santa Fe, 2.Great Northern 3. Canadian Pacific 4. Northern Pacific 5. Seaboard Coast Line 6. Chicago Burlington & Quincy 7. Southern Pacific 8.New York Central 9. Southern 10. Canadian National. During that ten year period I rode trains on each of those roads at least twice and they included at least one night on board as well. This little poll of mine reflects the crews only and not the trains. Maybe we can have a little fun with this for a day or two. There were many other trains I rode in the above time frame but they did not include overnight on them so I did not take them into my count.
QUOTE: trolleyboyPosted: Today, 00:04:03 Tom thanks for your kind words.It was a pleasure not a chore helping you out in this fine establishment. BTW some very nice shots there,those euro-cars look small and insignificant when shot from the dome of the park car. Here's hoping that they keep the Budds going as long as the wheels will carry -em. I've noticed quite a few Budd cars through here latley though we never see anything more interesting than the coaches and an occastional baggage on the montreal bound train. I had a rare treat on Sunday I was up at the museum helping set up the gift shop and a couple of the guys came in and asked Heather's mom and I if we wanted to be "ballast" So we said sure. We got to be the first ever passengers on London Street Railway #23 the guys had her out to stretch her legs after we closed for the day. She needed some resistor work ( re- made fabricated from scratch by our workshop boys) it's hard to get parts for 1901 streetcars.Quite a ride she's a big car and I wasn't sure what it would be like. 23's an open bench car but a double trucker so it's not like riding on our normal use open car 327. 23 is the big yellow car Heather is sitting on in the pictures I sent you Tom. I hope this means the rest of us will now get operational training on her so we can use 23 on busy weekend days,instead of always having her as a barn display. Well folks it's late I'm off for now talk to you all later. Rob
QUOTE: Ted D. KramerPosted: 15 May 2005, 21:11:09 Hi Tom, I'll have the usual (Crown Royal & soda) in case you forgot and a round for yourself and the "regulars." There was an interesting cameo on the "Travel Channel" tonight about this eccentric millionaire who bought Lucias (sp?) Bebee's old excursion car (Observation/Diner) along with a second "Party Car." The cars are heavy weight std. Pullmans and he hooks them up to AmTrak runs from time to time, just to "get away from it all" for a week or two. I wish I had known earlier so I could have sent out an "A.P.B." for the gang. Hopefully, one or two of the guys caught this because I was away from the T.V. in a compromising position (I won't elaborate) for the first portion of the segment. I did manage to see the oppulence of the interior furnishings which favored a French brothel circa, 1880's or so. This show is probably available on their web site, I'll check later. The costs for the lash-up and rate per mile was less expensive than I ever would have guessed. I suppose if you can afford the coaches, provisions, cooks, waiters, and staff; any other fees would go unoticed. Oh well, that is why I'm a modeler. Say hello to the gals for me please. Oh yes, Ruthy and I are having a little tete-a-tete on the 27th in the back booth over-looking the mainline. Nick has generously consented to perform the culinary artistry for the occasion and I leave it to you for choosing which waitress will be ours for the evening. We shouldn't be later than mid-night; earlier if our relationship gravitates to either extreme. Naturally, I'll leave you an envelope for our waitress in advance. I'll check with Nick to see if 7:30 p.m. is too early for aperitifs. While this all sounds a bit stuffy and formal; not to worry. The dart board, juke box, shuffle board, hearty laughter are all "part and parcel" of this venue we both like so well. Its late, so I bid everyone a good night until tomorrow.
QUOTE: Ted D. KramerPosted: 16 May 2005, 06:57:53 "DUHH, WHERE'D THEY GO, WHERE'D THEY GO, YUK, YUK.?" You know, when you're retired (retarded), the days go by seamlessly without distinction between say, Sundays, holidays, weekdays and so on. My last posting (had it not been cyber) would have found us all in the "hoosecow" for imbibing on a Sunday. Sorry Tom, I won't let that happen again. Unless, of course, you should decide to open the cellar Sunday p.m. for the "after Sunday School crowd." Nah, too risky...maybe the attic instead. Passengerfan absolutely astounds me with his knowledge of fairly esoteric data on railroadiana! Such dedicated research in any other field would undoubtedly garner a Nobel Peace Prize. I promised yet another anecdotic episode of some past train travels. So I thought of my Mexico trek for brightening a dull Monday morning. My friend felt the urge to answer Mother Nature's call shortly after we departed from Piedras Negras, Mexico. No more than a minute or so had elapsed when a veritable explosion imminated from the wash room in our compartment; then an expletive; then the door slowly opened revealing my friend's forlorn, lamentable condition. He had failed to lower the lid on the commode...well no need to go any farther. I took my leave and exited to the open vestibule on the last car for the purpose of recording the sounds of the train at high speed. I later incorporated this tape with additional sundry sounds on a master recording which I use as background while operating my "city scape" model R.R. All was back to snuff by the time I returned to our car and a Porter delivered our hot meals in styrofoam cartons directly. Mexican rail had cancelled all dining and club car services after we had made our reservations and this catered "room service" was their pitiful excuse for the omission. Had we been anywhere else but a train, I would've been really upset. More cars were added to our section in Saltillo bringing the consist to a 23 car train. I don't need to tell you there was one long walk ahead of us when we detrained in Mexico City. Later, I will apprise you of more sordid details of this Mexican adventure by rail. But, for now, I must say hasta la vista 'til another time. Tom, I hope this eases your anxiety for reduced services on your latest trip.
QUOTE: passengerfanPosted: 16 May 2005, 18:41:46 Noticed the picture taken inside the Park dome . When I last rode one they did not have that shiny speaker on the front bulkhead and the trash recepticle is new as well don't ever remember seeing them in CPR or CP Rail Day or even early VIA. There was a speaker as I recall but it was painted the same color as the rest of that front bulkhead. Most interesting front bulkhead in a dome was that of the P/S built Columbian domes of the B&O they featured a speaker, speedometer and altimeter as well as temp gauge.
QUOTE: passengerfanPosted: 16 May 2005, 21:46:32 Tom I envy your trip and the real name is Al. I really need a double Crown Royal with water back tonight and while I'm at it a round for the house. The war department said it was time to clean my desk area (research department) or she was pouring expensive gasoline on it and getting rid of the mess once and for all. I tried my usual plea that I knew where everything was at the way it was and if I straighten it out it might take me months to find what I am looking for. It all fell on deaf ears even the crocodile tears didn't work or ranting and raving. I even tried a new argument that genius was supposed to be a little messy, and she said slobs are a whole lot messyI finally relented just to please her and it probably will take me a month to find anything again, serves her right. Actually I found some things I have been looking for for days. But can't let her know that she finally bribed me with a lunch at my choice of dining tablishments. I will never understand that if it bothers the war department so much wouldn't it be simple to just close the door and not look at it. Somethings I will never understand and as I get older I am coming to the conclusion that I am not supposed to. Will have to find my research material on the eastbound Wolverine and start all over again Make that one more double Crown Royal for the road and phone a taxi for the ride home please! And don't forget the house they deserve a round too listening to my rantings this evening.
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