"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[red p]

sure i dont mind hanging out here once in a while.It gives me a little break when in trying to do prototype research

[siberianmo]

G'day All ..... I'm here, behind the bar, but oh so busy this fine day ........

Just keep things moving along and I'll be a good listener ....

BY THE WAY, HOW COME NO ONE as in NO ONE has even offered to keep this place functioning in my absence? C'mon -- it's not like real work for crying out loud! Just stop in once a day, make a post or two ..... and that's it.

PLEASE respond to this ...... I'd feel a lot better knowing that "Our" Place isn't going to go the way of so many other topics .... at least, not yet!

I'll try to get one more SUMMARY pieced together before I go ........

Get back to y'all later! [tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Properietor of "Our" Place

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom. The black coffee was great. Thanks for brewing up a pot.
Lets see-what yarn can I spin today. How about WWII stories.
During the big one we lived in the northern panhandle of WV. One of my uncles got on the wrong end of one of Adolph's grenades in Italy and lost an arm and leg. He spent the winter of 44-45 recovering in Atlantic City where the government converted several of the hotels into hospitals. That winter we made 5 trips to Atlantic City to see Uncle Alf. Since gasoline was rationed train was the only way to go. We would go the the Pennsylvania station either in Steubenville Ohio or Wellsburg WV to catch a train east. With luck we would get a train direct into Philadelphia then transfer to the Pennsy partially owned Pennsylvania-Rading Seashore line to Atlantic City. Getting a "sleeper" was almost impossible. Just getting a pillow was a miracle. My mother tells the tale of me waking up and asking "What happened to the whistle?" We were in GG1 territory! Pennsylvania, like all railroads were struggling to get equipment to meet the demand. In one coach you could read under a couple coats of paint instructions for lighting the kerosene lamps. Fortunately the train had been electrified.

I remember one trip returning home. As the train started to cross the Ohio River bridge between Weirton and Steubenville my father got us into the vestibule as the Steubenville station was 2 miles down the line. We met the conductor in the vestibule who enquired why we were there. My father said we were getting off in Steubenville. The conductor said we were in section one, which did not stop in Steubenville. If we wanted off we should be in the third section. The next stop for section one was Zanesville, about 50 miles too far west. My father reached up and grabbed the emergency brake rope and said when he sat the Steubenville station sign he would pull this and we would get off one block later. The conductor said don't do that and he would stop the train. The train slowed to a crawl, we stepped off, and the conductor gave the highball to the engineer. The coal was thrown to the engine and the train left in a hurry. Less than 5 minutes later the second section came through at full speed. I only hope that the first section got out of the way.

PS at this time I was 5 years old.

Time for another slug of coffee.

***

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Gents, I did "burn some midnight oil," caught up with most of the Posts and of course, the "Summaries." Yeah, lots of good information from folks who "have been there." That sure means a lot now, 'cause the days of "Pullman Gypsies" is thinning out fast. My earliest claim to riding "classic Varnish" is pretty lack luster as most of the "name" trains in the East, e.g. Broadway Limited, Capitol Limited, Crescent, et al., had been reduced to "in name only" status by the 1960's. There were still some "hold-outs" in the West as per the Super Cheif (extra fares), plus the El Capitan, Kansas City Cheif, Empire Builder, that maintained full services. I really should count my blessings to have caught the last gasp of that era and I'll never forget the meaning of "first class." Did have some fun on Mexican, Irish and Panamanian rails and hope to do many more now that I'm fully retired. I trust you will forgive the anemic input from my bar stool. Maybe I'll be able to toss in a rag or a bone from time to time as "Our" Place clears the yard and gets the "Hi Ball." Speaking of which, a Crown Royal and soda would hit the spot right about now. It is early but I've been "at it" since 4:00 a.m. and have a long way to go yet. Gotta "hit the bricks" too soon, so its "all aboard" for me 'til next time. Whoever is "subing" for Tom; please keep a tight cap on the soda bottle. Untill then, Ted

[passengerfan]

I guess i am lucky as I have ridden the Budd Canadian cars in three different liveries the original Maroon with Beaver Crests, The CP Rail Red and the Via colors. As much as I like them I have to give some credit to the GN for the magnificent Empire Builder that I rode in five color schemes the original Orange and Pullman Green with Gold, the second Orange and Pullman Green without the gold separation stripes, Big Sky Blue BN Green and Amtrak. The NP North Coast Limited I rode in three paint schemes the original the Loewy paint scheme and BN Green in both cases of the BN Green on the Empire Builder and North Coast Limited neither consisyt was completely repainted. In fact I don't know if a complete train set of either train was fully painted in Cascade Green. Rode the CN in the old green scheme, Green & Black scheme, and the Black and white scheme and rode both the original PG&E and after it became BC Rail. All of this talk qabout the Canadian but the other CPR Transcontinental never receives any mention so will do that now. The Dominion was diesel powered the train consist was a mixture of the new Budd cars and many older heavyweights and some lightweights of older vintage. Although it ran on a slower schedule than the Candaian it was first class in every way. Both types of Budd Sleepers Manor and Chateau as well as Park cars were carried. The dining car was a Budd and the Baggage Crew Dormitory was a Budd. The Skyline Dome was Budd and all other cars were heavyweights in the Maroon scheme with Gold leaf lettering. In summers the Dominion always ran in two sections one Toronto-Vancouver the other Montreal - Vancouver. The Dominion was an excellent train and very little has been written about it. Many people used to mistake the Dominion for the Canadian thinking it was just carrying extra older cars. From what I have learned it never carried the U series Tourist sleepers in stainless steel finish like the Canadian but it did carry Tourist sleepers. The coaches were postwar CP shop built streamlined cars and it carried more coaches than the Canadian. I don't know that it carried any 12-1 heavyweights in its consist bust suspect it did as they were still quite popular. There was more variety of sleeping accomodation then on the Canadian and im quite sure the summer consists carried far more passengers than the Canadian. If anyone else has anything to add about the Dominion I would love to see it in the forum.

[siberianmo]

SUMMARY OF POSTS

Good Evening guys ..... looks like a nice gathering and some interesting talk as well. Before I get into it, I ask again for your help.

"Our" Place needs some volunteers to keep this place fucntioning in my absence. No one is expected to pick up where I left off .... just visit at least once a day ...... keep the conversations going.

There will be bartenders here every day but Sunday - closed then. You'll like the crew that's coming in to provide relief .........

QUOTE: earlydiesels Posted: 02 May 2005, 16:56:24
Hello all! Glad to see some new faces. Welcome. Nice to see such interest about classic trains. I am learning lots about Canada and a region in WV that I've always been curious about.

A cold draught of anything you recommend, Tom. I saw the remains of a human being after being hit by a train yesterday and I need to wa***hat away. Better yet, bring me two cold ones.

Got the latest CLASSIC TRAINS Saturday and just looked at the pictures. Looks like good reading for one of these frost warning nights here in early May.

I have always wondered how all those high density railroads were able to share some of the same space after running through the WV, OH, PA, areas back in the 80s when I was driving long distance. I am anxiously awaiting more tales from the area.

Thanks,
Tom

Good to see ya earlydiesels - try an Alexlander Keith's Pale Ale from Halifax, I just tapped the keg. Good brew .......

Yeah, this place seems to be catching on with the guys ..... we've developed a nucleus and hope to keep it going. It's only as good as the participants make it ...... and you're a valuable contributor.

Nothing pleasant about witnessing human remains, especially under the circumstances metnioned. I saw enough of that pullilng bodies and parts of 'em out of the drink. Stays with you .......

I haven't received the lastest Classic Trains - still marveling at the Spring issue with the Canadian Pacific's "The Canadian" featured on the cover. Great story too - but they really could've done a lot better with the center picture at Morant's Curve. Rather than use the train of the era - for the 50th anniversary - they pictured a CP Rail (action red) instead of the maroon/grey livery with the beaver heralds. Boo hiss - I sent 'em one of those good news/bad news Emails ...... never heard back though. Neverthelss, that's a great issue to hang onto.

Hope one day we get some RRding input about "classic" trains from places down under. Lots of RRding going on in Austrailia - don't really know much about New Zealands RR's - heard some not so encouraging talk about their passenger trains .....

Stick around awhile ........
Tom [tup]

QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 02 May 2005, 18:24:34
Well,hey Tom,looks like I`ve caught you on a quiet spell. Care to sit and join me for one?-good man.

Saw you mentioned the want of an F7 earlier-Not sure if it would be too toy-like for your needs,but Bachman make( made? ) an F9 in zebra stripe,although numbered for an F7. I have a couple that ,with a good fist of lead in them,are very useful performers. One is in factory paint and the other is "faked up" as a VIA FP9 ( A permanent "B" unit satisfies my guilt over the lack of extra train-heat provision-It`s a system that lets the O.N. use freight locos on pass. duties so why not?)

As you are an obvious hard-core passenger man, have you considered a set of Bombardier double-deckers? -custom painted for "Can-Am Metro" with some kind of twin flags logo- just a thought .

Sorry you havnt made it into the O.N. archive yet,sounds like you`ve got Mike`s "pic of the day"archive,you need to go back a page or two to the section marked "pic of the day" "the photo`s " "the stories. tap into the photos and there should be a "quicksearch" option there,tap in either Werkspoor or T.E.E.trains and see what comes up.

I`m just off to try it myself in a minute,so will report back,fill your glass before I
go,cheers,nick

Hey Nick! Always happy to see you 'round here ..... yeah, I can take a load off for a bit.

How about a mug of that Keith's I mentioned earlier?

I know Athearn had a nice CN Zebra F7 A/B set a few years ago ... since these are to be in my wall mounted display case .. they would do. Just cannot locate any.. Didn't know about Bachmann's version of the F9 ... have to check that out too. More than lilkely I'll wind up on Ebay ..... not really thrilled about that, but ....... Thanx for the tip. [tup]

Bombardier commuters? You bet I've thought about 'em ... but ... no place to put 'em. But I like that idea - like it alot ...... [tup]

Really, my Can-Am layout is saturated. I've been thinking about knocking out a
basement wall, buying out my neighbor's house (or arranging to have it condemned), then extend the layout ..........[}:)]

I'll get to that Werkspoor ... just a matter of time. But if you find it for me - the next drink is on me. [tup]

Tom [tup] [;)]

QUOTE: Ted D. Kramer Posted: 02 May 2005, 19:09:05
Hi Tom, sorry it took me so long to drop by but Florida is a "far piece" from here. I would have taken AmTrak but I wanted to get here before June.

You have a cozy looking saloon and, from the posts I've read, great clientele to boot. I won't need a lot of introductions 'cause I already met most of the neighbors in another "saloon" down the road some.

I'll have a Labatts Pilsner if you please...just to cut the road dust, don't ya know?

You really picked the right name: "Our" PLace. From the "laid back" friendly chats, to the slight tremor when a train rumbles by; who could ask for more? Love that bouquet of pale ale, french fries, onions and diesel exhaust too.

Guess I won't be of much use on Canadian 4' 8-1/2" but I'll try to keep up with maps, etc. For now, I'll just say it was worth the trip and I'm mighty proud to meet the "regulars."

Also, have a great "Ocean" trip. Bon voyage, Ted

Welcome Ted Glad you found us ...... this cyber bar 'n grill can be anywhere you'd like it to be ...... one of the "joys" of this medium, wouldn't you say?

You are so right about our ambiance and it gets better. You should be around here on Saturday morning, especially after Pizza night AND Ladies night! Oh yeah .........

Hope you have the time to peruse the posts ..... at least "do" the SUMMARIES ... that will catch you up in no time ...... then you become a "regular." Pretty simple .......

"Our" Place is all about talking "classic" trains and having a good time while doing it. As I mentioned earlier, we've been fortuante thus far in keeping the hemorrhoids away ......

First drink is on me .... so enjoy that Labatts. Just let me know when you're ready for 'nother one.

Appreciate the bon voyage .... no doubt I'll enjoy it! [;)]

Don't be a stranger ........

Tom [tup]

QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 02w May 2005, 20:08:50
Hey Tom,same again,please my friend,plus another of whats doing you good. ah,thankyou,just the ticket,

---well I`ve just been for a mooch around the O.N. site and the only definate sighting I managed of a power car is at WWW.ONRGALLERY.COM where you need to go into the Frank Vollhardt Gallery. He has a Front 3 /4 shot,all the other shots I can recall are with 3-car units trailing FP7`s.

I`ll also have a rummage around in the bottom of the machine here,Frank has been kind enough to mail me a number of pics of the Northlander,and there may well be something down there I`ve overlooked.

If you are looking to model the train,I`ve seen a Marklin version on E-Bay (3 trailers inc. pwr. car + FP7 ) -possible Trix produced a 2-rail version? I`ve a ghost of a memory of seeing them advertised over here in original form as well,although that might require attn. to the wheelsets( sorry--I have an ongoing grumble about the different B2B measurement between Brit,Euro & U.S/Cdn products).

Whilst talking models,-have you considered a mix`n`match like #365-VIA f40 plus Amtrak superliners (The International,I think) Ah yes,I remember now-How about setting up a webcam next time you have a session--I would dearly love to see that layout running

O.K. looks like I`ve scored for the moonlight mile again,Tom,would you hang on to my bike keys for me,I`ll stop in sometime later,thank you you `re a gentleman of the old school, a round for the next shift on and another for yourself before I go,sleep well everybody,nick

Yo Nick Here's your cold one ...... I've gotta remain standing, so I'll take a rain check, thanx though ......

Appreciate your efforts at getting to the bottom of why I couldn't find those pix .... [tup]

One feature about my Can-Am layout is the requirement that any passenger trains running on it must be something that I have ridden in real llfe. So, that accounts for the VIA Rail Budd stainless steel cars, the smoothsides in blue and yellow, the RDC's (BC Rail and VIA Rail) and the Amtrak consists. If I can relate to it .... it gets placed on the layout. Freight is just there for effect .. sorry freighters .... but it's my pike after all![;)]

It happens all the time - I ride a train and i immediately want it for my collection. My bride and I are going up to Anchorage, Alaska either in 2006 or 07. We'll be riding the train round trip to Fairbanks ........ that train will become part of my collection too ..... but probably will never make it to the layout, except for those "commerative runs." So that's the skinny on how the Can-Am "works."

The bike keys are safe with me, just don't want to mix 'em up with that red headed gal over there, sitting with the two blondes, who asked me to hold her car keys. Wouldn't that set you back a bit [}:)]

Have a good night ....... ALL [tup][;)]

Tom

REMEMBER, volunteers are needed before Wednesday AM ......

[nickinwestwales]

Hey Tom,same again,please my friend,plus another of whats doing you good. ah,thankyou,just the ticket,---well I`ve just been for a mooch around the O.N. site and the only definate sighting I managed of a power car is at WWW.ONRGALLERY.COM where you need to go into the Frank Vollhardt Gallery. He has a Front 3 /4 shot,all the other shots I can recall are with 3-car units trailing FP7`s. I`ll also have a rummage around in the bottom of the machine here,Frank has been kind enough to mail me a number of pics of the Northlander,and there may well be something down there I`ve overlooked. If you are looking to model the train,I`ve seen a Marklin version on E-Bay (3 trailers inc. pwr. car + FP7 ) -possible Trix produced a 2-rail version? I`ve a ghost of a memory of seeing them advertised over here in original form as well,although that might require attn. to the wheelsets( sorry--I have an ongoing grumble about the different B2B measurement between Brit,Euro & U.S/Cdn products). Whilst talking models,-have you considered a mix`n`match like #365-VIA f40 plus Amtrak superliners (The International,I think) Ah yes,I remember now-How about setting up a webcam next time you have a session--I would dearly love to see that layout running [^][bow][:-,][swg] O.K. looks like I`ve scored for the moonlight mile again,Tom,would you hang on to my bike keys for me,I`ll stop in sometime later,thank you you `re a gentleman of the old school, a round for the next shift on and another for yourself before I go,sleep well everybody,nick

[Anonymous]

Hi Tom, sorry it took me so long to drop by but Florida is a "far piece" from here. I would have taken AmTrak but I wanted to get here before June. You have a cozy looking saloon and, from the posts I've read, great clientele to boot. I won't need a lot of introductions 'cause I already met most of the neighbors in another "saloon" down the road some. I'll have a Labatts Pilsner if you please...just to cut the road dust, don't ya know? You really picked the right name: "Our" PLace. From the "laid back" friendly chats, to the slight tremor when a train rumbles by; who could ask for more? Love that bouquet of pale ale, french fries, onions and diesel exhaust too. Guess I won't be of much use on Canadian 4' 8-1/2" but I'll try to keep up with maps, etc. For now, I'll just say it was worth the trip and I'm mighty proud to meet the "regulars." Also, have a great "Ocean" trip. Bon voyage, Ted

[nickinwestwales]

Well,hey Tom,looks like I`ve caught you on a quiet spell. Care to sit and join me for one?-good man. Saw you mentioned the want of an F7 earlier-Not sure if it would be too toy-like for your needs,but Bachman make( made? ) an F9 in zebra stripe,although numbered for an F7. I have a couple that ,with a good fist of lead in them,are very useful performers. One is in factory paint and the other is "faked up" as a VIA FP9 ( A permanent "B" unit satisfies my guilt over the lack of extra train-heat provision-It`s a system that lets the O.N. use freight locos on pass. duties so why not?) As you are an obvious hard-core passenger man, have you considered a set of Bombardier double-deckers? -custom painted for "Can-Am Metro" with some kind of twin flags logo-just a thought [:D][}:)][:D] . Sorry you havnt made it into the O.N. archive yet,sounds like you`ve got Mike`s "pic of the day"archive,you need to go back a page or two to the section marked "pic of the day" "the photo`s " "the stories. tap into the photos and there should be a "quicksearch" option there,tap in either Werkspoor or T.E.E.trains and see what comes up. I`m just off to try it myself in a minute,so will report back,fill your glass before I go,cheers,nick

[Anonymous]

Hello all! Glad to see some new faces. Welcome. Nice to see such interest about classic trains. I am learning lots about Canada and a region in WV that I've always been curious about.
A cold draught of anything you recommend, Tom. I saw the remains of a human being after being hit by a train yesterday and I need to wa***hat away. Better yet, bring me two cold ones.
Got the latest CLASSIC TRAINS Saturday and just looked at the pictures. Looks like good reading for one of these frost warning nights here in early May.
I have always wondered how all those high density railroads were able to share some of the same space after running through the WV, OH, PA, areas back in the 80s when I was driving long distance. I am anxiously awaiting more tales from the area. Thanks, Tom.

[siberianmo]

G'day ***,

That's quite a story - ready for 'nother refill? Don't know how I missed you earlier - must have been typing while you were posting. Happens .......

Remember, check out the SUMMARIES to play catch up ...... they help.

Around here you gotta check out the menu - we're light for breakfast - and sandwiches 'round the clock. Steaks 'n fries on Fridays and Saturdays with pizza on Fridays only (first 8 slices on the house providing you buy a mug with EACH slice!). There's two pool tables in the back room along with a vintage juke box (5 plays for a quarter). Lots of oldies ..... we like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Hank Snow and of course, both Hank WIlliams Sr. and Jr. We've got many, many train songs, even some from Canadians like Gordon Lightfoot. So, get yourself settled into "Our" Place - keep the stories coming, and undoubtedly, you'll find one or two to "talk" with. Works every time 'round here. [tup] [;)]

Oh, we are closed Sundays ...... but there's a slot on the door for anyone wanting to "post." It will get read ....... [;)]

Pennsylvania - ah yes - great railroading state, in fact taking in the border states, you've got one fine area that contains so much history, even books have been written on it! (duh .......[:D]) ........ The PRR was my favorite road and I can still see those GG-1's, ummmmmm boy, loved that RR. B&O? Rode it many a time between NYC and Baltimore - even rode in their coaches across the country back in '53 on a Boy Scout trip to a Jamboree in Santa, Ana, California. What a trip ........ But back to the Pennsy, to this day I cannot (and will not) recognize PennCentral. Just irritates the bejeezus outta me (sorry if that offends anyone - but then again, if you offend that easily, perhaps you should patronize someone else's place) .... NYC was the rival and when they all came together, ugh ....... we know the rest of the story, don't we?[:(]

Well, I'm the barkeep and you're the customer ..... so I'm not trying to steal your thunder.

See ya! [tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of "Our" Place

[siberianmo]

Hello Rob - no lunch today? C'mon, these sandwiches are as fresh as a sailor's first night ashore .........[}:)] [}:)] Beers cold too ....... plenty of soda/pop/soft drinks (whatever term suits ya .......)

My Can-Am HO interests are primarily in anything to do with passenger railroads. Fergie (who has never ventured into "Our" Place) and I will most probably wind up in one Halifax hobby shop, the one holding the RDC-1 for me in CP/Dominion Atlantic livery. I'd love to get ahold of an F7 or diesel of the appropriate era that would matchup with my CN black/white 85 ft smoothsides ....... So, keep your eyes "peeled" (however one does that!) - I'd appreciate it. [tup]

There's a great book in my library called "Passing Trains - The Changing Face of Canadian Railroading" by Greg McDonnell. You want to see and read about "classics" - check it out. Or better yet, get a copy. Really something special. I received it as a gift a few years ago from my youngest son and my grandkids ...... jacket cover has VIA Rail's "Canadian" on it in the snow at Parry Sound for the last time on Jan 14th, 1990. Just love the picture ......

See ya!

Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of "Our" Place

[Anonymous]

Depending on the time of the day it may be black coffee or some of the good stuff. Before noon it will be coffee with a little bacon and egg beaters (got to try to be a little healthy). Lunch will be a nice glass of cabernet with a Pinera sandwich. After 5 will be a good gin over ice with a twist or splitting a good bottle of cab. Remember that it is always after 5 somewhere in the world. For "solid" food it may be a good cheese and some French or Italian bread and possibly some hard salami. We find ourselves having a toddy and a snak most nights.

I like the tale of the Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Railroad. Jay Gould built this line as part of his ill fated attempt to cobble together a coast to coast rail line. The WPT was the connection to fill in the gap between his Wheeling and Lake Erie at Pittsburgh Junction, Ohio and the Western Maryland at Connellsville PA. Gould had big ambitions. He bought ROW for four tracks, graded and installed bridges for two, and laid one track. Since all of the "good" ROWs to Pittsburgh were taken he built the WPT high with lots of cuts, fills, bridges and tunnels. Looking at a topo map of their line in Pennsylvania and Ohio where other lines parallel the WPT the WPT is almost ruler straight whereas the other lines tended to follow the course of creeks. You can see why the WPT was called the "High and Dry" due to the flooding in the area. One of the financial panics caused Gould's dream to crumble. The WPT was thrown into bankruptcy and emerged as the Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

South of the town that I grew up in, Follansbee WV, the P&WV crossed the Ohio River an a magnificant double track steel bridge. This bridge looked identical to the P&WV bridge over the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, however, the Pittsburgh bridge was slightly longer. Two tracks were laid on the bridge with one terminating at the WV shore. A walkway with steps from the highway was built on the bridge as numerous mill workers would park on the WV side and walk to their work in the steel mills on the Ohio side. I always wanted to walk this bridge but my Father always said NO. (Father knows best) When I turned 16 and received my driver's license you guessed it: Parked at the bridge and went to walk it. By this time one track had been removed with the remaining track being centered to give more clearance. A four foot ralk with a wood railing was along side the track. This did not stop a dedicated train lover. When I was about 2/3 of the way across the bridge I see this white spot in the tunnel on the Ohio side. To my knowledge only one thing on a railroad is white in tunnels: A TRAIN. I started running towards the Ohio side as it was closer. I did not make it and was caught about 25 feet from the end of the bridge with my back pressed against the railing as the train roared by me less than 2 feet away. The engineer raidoed the conductor in the caboose as he asked if I was ok and told me to not do this again.
I agreed with him and have lost all desire to walk railroad bridges.

Now the steps are gone and there are no trespassing signs on the bridge thanks to 9-11 and idiots like me.

The P&WV did have passenger service, however they were one of the first lines to drop all passenger service. I do not know the exact date, however the burning of their terminal in 1948+/- at the point in Pittsburgh would kill any passenger plans, if not already discontinued. We had family who lived out Cross Creek that the P&WV followed through WV. My Mother often talked about taking the street car from Wellsburg to the P&WV bridge, climbing the stairs, and catching the local passenger train about 3 miles to the family homestead.

Those were the gool days!

[trolleyboy]

Good afternoon all.*** I can agree with you whole heartedly many a city small or otherwise have seen their downtown cores deteriorate,more empty than open storefronts.That's why I model streetcars street running on bustling busey suburban streets. A happy off shoot of this is the museum my wife and I belong to. i can model full size ior HO scale streetcars.Also i work in hamilton Ontario and the steel Industry there is now in the decline as well only half of the plants are still running, with a third of it's former workforce, buyt life does go on. Nick your welcome one the alco heads up thopugh i model mostly CP i may pick one up myself. I can't get enopugh of the RS-10 and 18 locomotives. Nothing quite as canadian as they are and basically all of the major CDN roads operated them. including PGE/BCR Tom. I'll keep you posted as they are produced you can get the PGE RS-18 in the all orange with green trim1 Perhaps you will see one in one of the Nova hobby shops(maybe ask Fergie to scope it out for you) Talk to you all later. Rob

[siberianmo]

SUMMARY OF POSTS

Monday, once again! Good morning all ..... trust all is well as we enter into yet another week of 2005 and the start of the Merry Month of May. By the way, Happy Labor (Labour) Day to those around the world celebrating it today![tup][;)]

QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 29 Apr 2005, 15:06:53
Now for the latest on the Central Valley Amtrak California is growing faster than ever and if it keeps going at its present rate will be looking for new equipment in the not to distant future. There might be lots of Amtrak Superliners for sale at bargain prices if Amtrak doesn't get the funding it needs to survive. I think Amtrak California could very well survive on its own anyway. It would be nice to have some Amtrak sleepers for overnight service between Sacramento and Los Angeles via the valley route and Oakland - Los Angeles via the Coast line.

QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 29 Apr 2005, 16:22:45
Hello again passengerfan
Amtrak California - although perhaps not "classic" may very well be the only U.S. major long distance passenger carrier left - given that Golden State does cover sufficient georgraphy to qualify as long distance and.Amtrak, as we know it, may very well go extinct. Interesting thought that you bring up .......

Thanx for stopping by ........

QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 29 Apr 2005, 21:34:07
Ale thanks. But I still have hopes for the passenger trains in North America at least they will survive here in California even if the rest of Amtrak should fail.

QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 30 Apr 2005, 00:23:48
hmmm Trains and beer quite likely an explosive combination lol Tom

I'm heading out late next week likley,just a tad farther north in ontario.

Nick I'll be in ONR country if I see anything interesting I'll let you know.

Tomorrow will be a busy day actually it's tomorrow now oops must of been that coffee shop party. We are having our annual meeting at the museum directors to be voted in and decisions on what equipment to overhaul/restore thus year. Openning day is may 7 so the spring has finally sprung.

Earlydiesel in order to allow everyone to operate we have an online sign up callender for our crews. We use three or four for weekdays 6 to 7 for weekends all optimal numbers.Most of our cars require two man crews so if we have only two operators we will run the single man cars only (cars with self closed air operated doors) PCC"S and Peter Whitts and the grinding train.

The calender runs first come first serve so if crew show up unanounced they usually get a ground job ie gift shop or tour guide and only operate to spell of lunch breaks if required. This system works well for us. As for the humid days at least most of our line is treed so the ride is fairly cool and rustic.

well i'm off for now. talk to you all soon. Rob

QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 30 Apr 2005, 12:17:22
G'day fellas .... I've been "listening in" on the talk going on and will save up the SUMMARY until Monday ..... things are a bit hectic this day.

The "party" over at "The Coffee Shop" went over just fine, although I noted somewhat of a "rebuttal" thread posted on the MRR forum ..... just can't please 'em all.

A friend of mine has a "lead" on an RDC for my HO layout - actually it will go in one of my display cases for "retired" Canadian roads. Anyway, it's an RDC1 dressed in the old CP livery but with Dominion Atlantic written on the side. That's the "Evangeline Route" of Nova Scotia fame .... He found a "stock" of 'em at one of his favorite hobby shops. Gotta have it ..... and will pick it up this time next week in Halifax.

I'd love to stick around, but as indicated, lots going on ...... so I'll wish you all a happy weekend! Don't forget - we're closed on Sundays - so, see ya Monday!

Tom

QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 01 May 2005, 00:05:55
The station in Halifax is a rather interesting fortress like structure and remember staying in a hotel next door that gave excellent views of trains. I believe the hotel was CN owned at the time but for the life of me cannot remember the name. I guess i'll chalk that up to old age or CRS (can't remember S***)

I made notes on most of my travels but one of these days will have to organise them to find what I want when I need it. I keep telling myself I am going to computerize it but have just never gotten started. Actually it is such a massive undertaking am afraid to go to the storage locker and begin the task.

QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 01 May 2005, 10:16:17
Good Morning passengerfan - Even though we're closed on Sunday, I find myself "here" to get things squared away for the upcoming week .......

The Halifax station? I'll be sure to provide you with some current photo's during our vist later this week and into the following. With two round trips scheduled for me between Montreal and Halifax - then Halifax - Montreal/Ottawa - I'll have ample opportunity.

Yes - time and organizing "this or that" seems to get away from all of us. I have spent days sorting through photo's - putting them in order - placing them in albums, only to stow them away in boxes for my survivors to see! Yes, I understand .......

The hotel? Now called the Westin Nova Scotian (1181 Hollis St.)- adjacent to the station (1161 Hollis St.). Given a bit more time, I'll see what I can come up with regarding the history of the place ......... I do know that it reopened in 1996 after renovations and I believe change in ownership. The Canadian RR owners really knew how to "do it" right when they built their hotels in close proximity to the stations ..... CP's are perhaps the best known across the landscape - "classic" in every sense of the word.

Gotta get going! Nice chatting with you.

Tom

QUOTE: nickinwestwales Posted: 01 May 2005, 19:28:14
Hey Tom,how are you, Molsons for me,one for yourself and send a pitcher over to the track gang in the corner,they look like they`ve earned it!!

fine night on friday-too "tired & emotional" to make any useful contribution,but hung out in the pool room for a while-please thank the team for the food & adult beverages,fine produce,elegantly served. Another late one last night-wandered in to find it was the "end of season" team party,that afternoons game had been postponed so the lads had been "at it" since 2 o`clock,Disco & Karaoke was the flavour of the day,my boss was having to have a sit down because of her sciatica,my other lumpen & surly teenage assistant wanted to spend the evening drinking free beer,so i was left pretty much to my own devices,more than happy to have the last of them out by 3 am.

Now-here`s a question for you all to think on--Why is it that the Welsh,who are world-renowned for thier close-harmony vocal performances,when presented with a Karaoke night immediately discard generations of training and howl like wounded animals until forcibly removed from the microphone----Is this a wide spread tendancy? --Perhaps only affects rugby players........

TROLLYBOY-hi-thanks for the heads-up on the O.N. Alco-had some good results from george`s trains also....

TOM-as you were closed,I thought I`d take the layout tour,for some reason I expected the `50`s ambience of the bar to be reflected on your layout---what a revelation and delight!!!!!--If I can kick up the standard of my modelling to what you are achieving there I will be more than happy. Don`t think I`ve ever seen so many F40/F59ph units at once...have to say though,my favourite shots are of the F.P.9`s with the blue cars.

So tell me,where`s the turn back loop? or do the two sides of the Union stn feed into different directions?....cant quite figure it out from the shots

Does that rock outcrop at the far end have a name,if not,why not?-Thanks for sharing those pix,given me a serious boost-good to know I`m not ploughing a lone furrow--"winter"scenes particulaly useful-a difficult effect to manage if you live somewhere where snow is an occaisional novelty so little first hand observation possible.

speak soon,nick

Hello Nick .... always can count of you for a round .....

Nothing like a night out to bolster my contention that one is only as old as one feels - and man, do I feel OLD! Can't handle it quite the way it once was ..... oh the days of sailoring .......

I'm still trying to find that site with the pix of the Dutch locos! All I've managed thus far is to get the photo album of the current equipment of the Ontario Northland .... I know it's there, just gotta keep trying.[;)]

Thanx for the kind words regarding my Can-Am HO layout. Lots to tell about that project ...... but hopefully the pix do justice to it all.

One day I'll figure out how to develop and post a track plan, but until then, here's the explanation of the way it operates. Two double track main lines, essentially running the outside perimeter of the layout. The mountain line is in the elevated center of the layout and is a point-to-point affair, with BC Rail and VIA Rail RDC's in consists of two each.

The lower level main lines are for trains running in opposite directions. I generally run passengers - my preference - a VIA Rail consist and an Amtrak. My Can-Am "city" is where eight consists of passenger trains embark and disembark their passengers. If you really study the photo's, you'll pick up on the way the tracks lead into the mainlines. VIA Rail occupies four platforms and Amtrak the other four - thus: Can-AM.

There is no turn around - wish I had the space, but simply don't. So, my VIA Rail consists head out and back in with the opposite for Amtrak.

Singing and howling like wounded water buffalo is symptomatic of having a great time. So what's wrong with that?[}:)]

See ya and have one on me![tup][;)]

QUOTE: wrwatkins Posted: Today, 10:50:38
Tom
Thanks for directing me to this site. Agree that it is a lot more friendly.

One of the earlier posts was about West Virginia which you commented on. This hit close to home as my wife and I were born, raised and educated in WVa. My wife is from Wheeling and I am from a dirty steel making town of Follansbee, 20 miles north of Wheeling.

A week a go we were in Wheeling to bury the remains of my mother in law. Wheeling is in the middle of the rust belt and it has more than its fair share of rust. Downtown Wheeling looks like a disaster area. More buildiong are abandoned than occupied. Those that are occupied consist of lawyers, government offices, and the discount dollar stores. All of the large department stores are gone. A far cry from the '50s and'60s when we were back there. We all know the plight of the steel and coal industry which was the economic back bone of the northern panhandle for years. The bright spot is Oglesby Park, a very large city park that has such things as a pool, 72 holes of golf, driving range, zoo, nature center, ski slope, cabins (40), lodge, horseback riding, hiking trails, youth camps, arboretium, museum, and a few more things I cannot remember. All of this from a depressed town of about 30-35,000 residents. It is a place well worth the visit. Check it out on the web page.

Back to the overall subject of this forum: Railroads. As a student of WVa history it was drilled into us that the B&O railroad first reached the Ohio valley at Wheeling in about 1858. The town was a major B&O junction point with lines radiating out to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, and Huntington WVa. The Pennsylvania also reached Wheeling along the Ohio River from their main line in Weirton. The Wheeling & Lake Erie, later Norfolk & Western, also entered the town on a bridge and tunnel in north Wheeling.

Jump ahead to today. The B&O still enters Wheeling from the south along the Ohio river from Huntington and Parkersburg WVa. All other B&O lines are abandoned, however, the beautiful B&O station is being used as West Virginia Northern College and still has "Baltimore and Ohio Railroad" engraved in the stone at roof line. Pennsylvania *Conrail) abandoned their line south of Wellsburg, 15 miles north of Wheeling. The W&LE bridge over the river has been out of service since about 1960. The bridge was removed about 10 years ago and I have a photo of it being demolished on my wall.

Sad times for the state and Wheeling in general. The B&O mainline between Cumberland and St. Louis has been abandoned between Clarksburg and Parkersburg along with some other secitions in Ohio. The B&O north-south line between Grafton and Charleston is abandoned from Charleston to 50 miles north of there. CSX recently sold or leased this line to short lines and the line from Fairmont to New Martinsville also is in the hands of short line operators. The only bright spot for WVa is the eastern panhandle which is 80 miles from Washington DC. Many Washington workers live in the eastern panhandle and there is a MARC commuter train from Martinsburg to Washington.

***

Good Morning *** and [#welcome] aboard!..... one of the requisites of this site is to belly up to the bar, after all, that's what this is all about ..... good times and "Classic" train talk ... "classic" ...... of course, 'round here, we determine what that means! The first drink is on the house! Whatillyahave? [tup][;)]

We have a customer who is a "regular" from WVA and I'm sure he will "hit" on your comments ...... coalminer 3 is his handle ... watch for him.

Better yet, take a scroll though the pages before this one ..... I've summarized many of the discussions, just to keep it a bit easier on the guys ....... help yourself.

QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: 02 May 2005, 11:11:37
Quick lunch stop and back to it...

Previous post abt railroads in WV reminds me of the old saying about the geography of rail construction in southern WV; the C&O got the best terrain, the Virginian got the best engineering money could buy, and the N&W got what was left.

work safe

Good seeing you again - your sandwich is right over there, the large one. Pickles in the barrel and whatever else you need on the table next to it.

Glad you came in, *** has some interesting things to say about WVA, etc. But I see you picked up on some of it .......

Stick around longer next time![tup] [;)]
============================================
Okay - that's it for the SUMMARY.

HELP WANTED! "Our" Place is looking for "A few good men" - yeah, men. Anyway, I'll be off riding trains in Canada starting Thursday and will be gone for a week. I'm hoping a few of you will keep this place operating ......

I surely don't expect you to pick up where I left off ..... but open up in the AM and close up "whenever............" Nothing to it.

By posting something at least once per day keeps "Our" Place on the first page of listings - kind of important if we want to attract some new "customers" ......

So, how about it?

See y'all later! [tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of "Our" Place

[coalminer3]

Quick lunch stop and back to it...

Previous post abt railroads in WV reminds me of the old saying about the geography of rail construction in southern WV; the C&O got the best terrain, the Virginian got the best engineering money could buy, and the N&W got what was left.

work safe

[Anonymous]

Tom-
A couple of things I forgot. When we lived ther eall you could buy in WVa was 3.2% beer. Wine and hard liquor were only sold in state stores for home consumption. The northern panhandle, being 15 miles wide and sourrounded by Ohio and Pennsylvania where wine and alcohol were legally sold for on site consumption, was ripe for some selective law enforcement. I actually thought that liquor by the drink and gambline (long before the days of the casinos in almost every state) until I went to the university in the "Bible belt". Alcoholic drinks are now permitted in restaurants and liquir is sold in food stores. Enough on this subject as it could develop into a complete book by its self.

The good thing in Wheeling was DiCarlo's pizza. It was and still is by far the best pizza we ever had and I am a pizzaholic! They sold it by the piece with a 4" square covered with pepperoni going for 10 cents in the '50s. Last week the cost was up to 75 cents and it tasted great as I remembered. Four of us ate 20 pieces (total) one evening while sitting at a picnic bench in Oglebay Park. Fortunately some things never change. When I am elected president (fat chance) Air Force 1 will be making regular visits to the Wheeling airport, which has not seen commercial air service for over 30 year-another sign of the times.

***

[Anonymous]

Tom-

Thanks for directing me to this site. Agree that it is a lot more friendly. One of the earlier posts was about West Virginia which you commented on. This hit close to home as my wife and I were born, raised and educated in WVa. My wife is from Wheeling and I am from a dirty steel making town of Follansbee, 20 miles north of Wheeling.

A week a go we were in Wheeling to bury the remains of my mother in law. Wheeling is in the middle of the rust belt and it has more than its fair share of rust. Downtown Wheeling looks like a disaster area. More buildiong are abandoned than occupied. Those that are occupied consist of lawyers, government offices, and the discount dollar stores. All of the large department stores are gone. A far cry from the '50s and'60s when we were back there. We all know the plight of the steel and coal industry which was the economic back bone of the northern panhandle for years. The bright spot is Oglesby Park, a very large city park that has such things as a pool, 72 holes of golf, driving range, zoo, nature center, ski slope, cabins (40), lodge, horseback riding, hiking trails, youth camps, arboretium, museum, and a few more things I cannot remember. All of this from a depressed town of about 30-35,000 residents. It is a place well worth the visit. Check it out on the web page.

Back to the overall subject of this forum: Railroads. As a student of WVa history it was drilled into us that the B&O railroad first reached the Ohio valley at Wheeling in about 1858. The town was a major B&O junction point with lines radiating out to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, and Huntington WVa. The Pennsylvania also reached Wheeling along the Ohio River from their main line in Weirton. The Wheeling & Lake Erie, later Norfolk & Western, also entered the town on a bridge and tunnel in north Wheeling.

Jump ahead to today. The B&O still enters Wheeling from the south along the Ohio river from Huntington and Parkersburg WVa. All other B&O lines are abandoned, however, the beautiful B&O station is being used as West Virginia Northern College and still has "Baltimore and Ohio Railroad" engraved in the stone at roof line. Pennsylvania *Conrail) abandoned their line south of Wellsburg, 15 miles north of Wheeling. The W&LE bridge over the river has been out of service since about 1960. The bridge was removed about 10 years ago and I have a photo of it being demolished on my wall.

Sad times for the state and Wheeling in general. The B&O mainline between Cumberland and St. Louis has been abandoned between Clarksburg and Parkersburg along with some other secitions in Ohio. The B&O north-south line between Grafton and Charleston is abandoned from Charleston to 50 miles north of there. CSX recently sold or leased this line to short lines and the line from Fairmont to New Martinsville also is in the hands of short line operators. The only bright spot for WVa is the eastern panhandle which is 80 miles from Washington DC. Many Washington workers live in the eastern panhandle and there is a MARC commuter train from Martinsburg to Washington.

***

[nickinwestwales]

Hey Tom,how are you, Molsons for me,one for yourself and send a pitcher over to the track gang in the corner,they look like they`ve earned it!! fine night on friday-too "tired & emotional" to make any useful contribution,but hung out in the pool room for a while-please thank the team for the food & adult beverages,fine produce,elegantly served. Another late one last night-wandered in to find it was the "end of season" team party,that afternoons game had been postponed so the lads had been "at it" since 2 o`clock,Disco & Karaoke was the flavour of the day,my boss was having to have a sit down because of her sciatica,my other lumpen & surly teenage assistant wanted to spend the evening drinking free beer,so i was left pretty much to my own devices,more than happy to have the last of them out by 3 am. Now-here`s a question for you all to think on--Why is it that the Welsh,who are world-renowned for thier close-harmony vocal performances,when presented with a Karaoke night immediately discard generations of training and howl like wounded animals until forcibly removed from the microphone----Is this a wide spread tendancy? --Perhaps only affects rugby players........TROLLYBOY-hi-thanks for the heads-up on the O.N. Alco-had some good results from george`s trains also....TOM-as you were closed,I thought I`d take the layout tour,for some reason I expected the `50`s ambience of the bar to be reflected on your layout---what a revelation and delight!!!!!--If I can kick up the standard of my modelling to what you are achieving there I will be more than happy. Don`t think I`ve ever seen so many F40/F59ph units at once...have to say though,my favourite shots are of the F.P.9`s with the blue cars. So tell me,where`s the turn back loop? or do the two sides of the Union stn feed into different directions?....cant quite figure it out from the shots Does that rock outcrop at the far end have a name,if not,why not?-Thanks for sharing those pix,given me a serious boost-good to know I`m not ploughing a lone furrow--"winter"scenes particulaly useful-a difficult effect to manage if you live somewhere where snow is an occaisional novelty so little first hand observation possible. speak soon,nick

[siberianmo]

Good Morning passengerfan - Even though we're closed on Sunday, I find myself "here" to get things squared away for the upcoming week .......

The Halifax station? I'll be sure to provide you with some current photo's during our vist later this week and into the following. With two round trips scheduled for me between Montreal and Halifax - then Halifax - Montreal/Ottawa - I'll have ample opportunity.

Yes - time and organizing "this or that" seems to get away from all of us. I have spent days sorting through photo's - putting them in order - placing them in albums, only to stow them away in boxes for my survivors to see! Yes, I understand .......

The hotel? Now called the Westin Nova Scotian (1181 Hollis St.)- adjacent to the station (1161 Hollis St.). Given a bit more time, I'll see what I can come up with regarding the history of the place ......... I do know that it reopened in 1996 after renovations and I believe change in ownership. The Canadian RR owners really knew how to "do it" right when they built their hotels in close proximity to the stations ..... CP's are perhaps the best known across the landscape - "classic" in every sense of the word.

Gotta get going! Nice chatting with you. [tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of "Our" Place

[passengerfan]

The station in Halifax is a rather interesting fortress like structure and remember staying in a hotel next door that gave excellent views of trains. I believe the hotel was CN owned at the time but for the life of me cannot remember the name. I guess i'll chalk that up to old age or CRS (can't remember S***)I made notes on most of my travels but one of these days will have to organise them to find what I want when I need it. I keep telling myself I am going to computerize it but have just never gotten started. Actually it is such a massive undertaking am afraid to go to the storage locker and begin the task.

[siberianmo]

G'day fellas .... I've been "listening in" on the talk going on and will save up the SUMMARY until Monday ..... things are a bit hectic this day.

The "party" over at "The Coffee Shop" went over just fine, although I noted somewhat of a "rebuttal" thread posted on the MRR forum ..... just can't please 'em all.

A friend of mine has a "lead" on an RDC for my HO layout - actually it will go in one of my display cases for "retired" Canadian roads. Anyway, it's an RDC1 dressed in the old CP livery but with Dominion Atlantic written on the side. That's the "Evangeline Route" of Nova Scotia fame .... He found a "stock" of 'em at one of his favorite hobby shops. Gotta have it ..... and will pick it up this time next week in Halifax.

I'd love to stick around, but as indicated, lots going on ...... so I'll wish you all a happy weekend! Don't forget - we're closed on Sundays - so, see ya Monday![tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of "Our" Place

[trolleyboy]

hmmm Trains and beer quite likely an explosive combination lol[:D][:O] Tom I'm heading out late next week likley,just a tad farther north in ontario.Nick I'll be in ONR country if I see anything interesting I'll let you know.Tomorrow will be a busy day actually it's tomorrow now oops must of been that coffee shop party.We are having our annual meeting at the museum directors to be voted in and decisions on what equipment to overhaul/restore thus year. Openning day is may 7 so the spring has finally sprung. Earlydiesel in order to allow everyone to operate we have an online sign up callender for our crews. We use three or four for weekdays 6 to 7 for weekends all optimal numbers.Most of our cars require two man crews so if we have only two operators we will run the single man cars only (cars with self closed air operated doors) PCC"S and Peter Whitts and the grinding train. The calender runs first come first serve so if crew show up unanounced they usually get a ground job ie gift shop or tour guide and only operate to spell of lunch breaks if required. This system works well for us. As for the humid days at least most of our line is treed so the ride is fairly cool and rustic. well i'm off for now. talk to you all soon. Rob

[passengerfan]

Ale thanks. But I still have hopes for the passenger trains in North America at least they will survive here in California even if the rest of Amtrak should fail. Another great Brew that comes from the land down under was Swans. I hope I spelled it right It's been a long time. Probably one of the finest beers I ever tasted. Don't care much for Foster's it tastes like it was brewed in an outhouse after tasting Swans.

[siberianmo]

passengerfan - Just like passenger trains, my friend ..... ain't what they used to be!
Moose Head it is (beer or ale?)

Tom

[siberianmo]

Hey Nick! We are "technically" closed ...... but here's the Kronenbourg .....

See ya over at "The Coffee Shop" ...... Party's on .....

Tom

[nickinwestwales]

hi guys,I think I remember a Kronenbourg brew with that name,one grade above their normal 1665 brew,about 5.3 percent

[passengerfan]

Guess all good things come to an end used to drink the beer during 1970's early 80's Guess I will have to settle for Moose Head instead.

[siberianmo]

Well, pardna .. I just did a site check on Molson's and they apparently aren't making it anymore ...... here's the current list of their products:
Molson Canada

Molson Canadian
Molson Ultra
A Marca Bavaria
Pilsner
Molson Export
Carling
Molson Dry
Carling Black Label
Rickard's Red
Bohemian
Tornade

Partner Brands

Coors Light
Dave's
Heineken
Murphy's Irish Stout
Corona
Caffrey's
Miller Genuine Draft
Milwaukee's Best
Foster's Lager
Milwaukee's Best Dry

Take your pick! Gotta run ..... party starts in 15 minutes!

See ya!

Tom

[passengerfan]

Molsons makes Bras Dor used to be available only in Quebec later available in Toronto as well. It was stronger at 6.5 % alcohol.