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"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD! Locked

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Posted by West Coast S on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 6:49 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier

West Coast S
I have a black and white picture of WP #60, a 2-8-0, pulling a short passenger train, in a small valley, with a rpo, baggage, and maybe 2 heavyweight coaches. The darn thing is that I still can't post pics on this forum!!! But if I had your E-mail I could send it to you to check it out . Look at my profile, I think I put my E-mail there.
Chris
Greetings from the fortified bunker , there was no passenger service on the high line, so we can rule that out...perhaps it could be the Exposition Flyer with a depression era train. Don't let the presence of a 2-8-0 in passenger service decieve you. The WP had
2-8-0s, 2-8-2s built for and assigned to passenger service until the end of steam.
I forgot to add a diesel powered excursion on the SN to my prior list , using a WP S1 and 22 passenger cars! Good locos those Alcos were!

Speaking of SN I just aquired some 16mm footage of a post war excursion, i'm still working on the locations and the date.

Chris; I urge you to go to www.Cantanaryvideo.com and order a copy of Western Pacific the first 50 years. It is by far the best resource for the WP I have yet reviewed.

What's for dinner tonight? Keep it light, The wife promised me a S scale SP S1 0-6-0 if I loose 20 pounds.. 21 years of marriage has its advantages!

Dave aka West Coast S
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by CFournier on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 10:38 AM
Let's talk classic colour schemes.[;)]
Do you guys have a theory on why western railroads colour schemes, especialy in the 50's and 60's, were so colourfull compared to eastern railroads who had "drab" colours? Example: ATSF's Warbonnet, Westen Pacific's Zephir, UP's yellow, Milwaukee's orange and maroon, CRIP's red and yellow passenger diesels and SP's daylight , compared to Pensylvannia's green or dark red, or CN's green and gold, or NYC's two tone grey? The list could go on and on...
Chris[?]
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Posted by siberianmo on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 9:36 AM
Today's the day! "Our Place" officially has a "home." And the winner is .....


Pool tables are in the back room - and will be ready for play at noon. Man oh man, those things are heavy ...... glad I checked the basement to make sure the floor can handle the load.

Okay - so let's check the conversations .....

QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 14:30:08
Try this site: http://www.quebecweb.com/beaucerail/
To see an ALCO FA pulling a tourist train on the old Quebec Central. I will ride this train this summer...
Chris


QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 14:55:10
Chris,
I checked out the site ... they don't show the 2005 schedule. What can you provide regarding the duration of the excursion and scheduling? We're not really 'into' these type trains, but touring Quebec has been something we've been talking about for quite a while ......
Tom


QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 19:31:44
Tom
Looks like the schedule is not out yet. I'll check it out tomorrow.
Chris


Thanx! The Alco looks great - glad to see one in operation. Those were truly "classics"![tup][;)]

QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 18:39:17
Since its a Classic Trains subject matter how about All Puilman trains. I personally have ridden the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED, BROADWAY LIMITED, CHIEF, SUPER CHIEF, CITY OF LOS ANGELES, FLORIDA SPECIAL and NEW ENGLAND STATES the latter was operating in two sections at Xmas time 1961 one all Coach the other All Pullman. The All Pullman Train I wished I had the pleasure of riding was the ARIZONA LIMITED but it was before my time. I have talked to SP old timers and thirty years after the train ran they still had fond memories of the winter only train.
I have never ridden an All Pullman train outside the US and by the time I rode the CN OCEAN it was coach and first class both.
I always say if I win the lottery I will own my own private car. But I guess that would be just like owning a yacht. Tried that many years ago and found it was a very expensive proposition for the use I actually got out of it. It sure lightened the load on my wallet after I sold it. Maintenance and upkeep doesn't come cheap and i suspect the same for a private car.


Your rail travels are to be envied ..... hope you have a decent collection of photo's ....... and also a "log book" (or two or three........)

As a retired sailor, I know a little something about those holes in the water ... I'll stick to trains and apparently you feel the same way. Wondering - are the costs still "a dollar per mile" for a private rail car coupled to a train? One day ......

Since this is a drinking establishment, whatillyahave? Check out menu too ......

Stick around ..... [tup][;)]

QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 19:56:49
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier
West Coast S,
My sources says WP # 34 was 2-8-0 consolidation, and I think the Mikados where numbered in the 300's ? Am I right?
How about branch lines South of Frisco? Or north of SF ? I saw a picture of a small WP train with a Consolidation pulling a combination and a heavyweight on a branch line.
I'll have a Geary's Pale Ale if you have any Tom...
Chris
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gotta quit putting my glasses on backwards. Here you go Chris: 4-6-0 #94 powered the final revenue steam operations on the point of the eastbound CZ in 1960.

2-8-2 #334 was used for excursion duty as well until sidelined due to mechanical problems, both engines survive today and #94 was operational until several years ago.

Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you.

Well its quiting time, wife gave me the honey do list, so i'd better sign off for today.


Now we're on a roll ..... that's the kind of dialogue we've been hoping for .....

By the way, I can't let you take that with you ... sorry, you gotta finish it here![}:)]

From time to time I'll be reminding y'all to check those posts on previous pages, never know what might 'flick your switch.'[tup][;)]

QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 23:29:01

QUOTE: Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you.

Catanary hmmm my ears just perked up.Would this have been an old Pacific Electric branch? Nothing beats a good interurban story I always say.

Speaking of all things electric Just got back from a weekend spent at the museum. Getting the place spruced up for openning day on the 7th of May.

Being the consumate railfans that we are we just had to let a couple of the cars out of the barn to play. Operated 2894 for about an hour it's an Ottawa car company built small Peter Whitt type streetcar from the TTC. I just love running this car nice and smooth.

Tom any idea which museums were going to aquire the old PGE RDC's. I had heard a wild rumour (two years ago) Long story short the city of Toronto wants to build a direct rail access from TO union to the airport.

The plans being kicked arounnd have been anywhere from a subway line($$$ prohibitive) to various surface options up to and including (wait for it) aquiring some surplus VIA RDC's. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Most people figure it will be a literail electric or a dedicated bus route but who knows those RDC's may get another kick at the can yet.

See you later. Rob


Regarding the BC Rail RDC's (formerly PGE): I've tried to keep track of 'em, but it gets a bit dizzy ..... info only as good as what one can find on the web ....

Last I heard, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, BC had one RDC-1 - gutted - and sold to a museum employee. It is on display ......

The State of Oregon, was supposedly going to use two former BC Rail RDC's for excursion work in connection with their commeration of the Lewis and Clark's 200th anniversary exploration from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean.

The Wilton Scenic RR in New England has two former BC Rail RDC's running from Milford to Greenfield, NH and return.

Also, the Cape May Scenic RR supposedly has one former BC Rail RDC as well.

Don't have anything further .......

Those RDC's traveling between downtown Toronto and Pearson International would be a real treat. But one really has to wonder out loud - just how much more can anyone expect from these magnificant cars?

Thanx for your contributions .... BUT ...... you've got to pay your bar tab before you go![tup][}:)]

QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: Today, 08:23:09
Siberianmo - I am in WV, but spent my allegedly formative years in New England.

Passengerfan - The NE States was a fine train, even thought it was a shadow of its former self at the end. I did have the good fortune to have a bedroom suite on the Broadway once from New York to Chicago.

Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear when the Merchants Limited had 14 parlors and two diners.

BTW, for those SP folks who visit, and there seem to be a few, the most recent issue of the SP Historical Society's magazine has an article called "Last Gasp of Steam." Interesting material to say the least.

Let's get busy. Maybe, I'll have time to shoot a couple of racks this evening...

work safe

Okay ..... now I get it. My connection with New England spanned a total of eight years - three in Connecticut and five in the Boston area of Massachusetts. In those days, I was a "poor" sailor and found living in that part of the country perhaps the most expensive I'd ever experienced ..... including New York City! Anyway, that was then and this is now ....... had some great railroading memories from those places .... used to ride the New Haven quite a bit and of course, the B&M. [yeah]

Those thrilling days of yesteryear that you refer to is what this thing "is all about" for many of us. Thank trhe Lord for the thing we have called "memory."

See ya later - and enjoy the tables![tup][;)]

QUOTE: CFournier Posted: 19 Apr 2005, 09:21:26
West Coast S
I have a black and white picture of WP #60, a 2-8-0, pulling a short passenger train, in a small valley, with a rpo, baggage, and maybe 2 heavyweight coaches. The darn thing is that I still can't post pics on this forum!!! But if I had your E-mail I could send it to you to check it out . Look at my profile, I think I put my E-mail there.
Chris

Having problems with posting pix? Drop me an e-mail and I'll be glad to offer some assistance ....... No expert, but it can be done!

By the way, how about some breakfast - a light menu - but really good![tup][;)]
================================
See y'all real soon![tup][;)]

Tom in Chesterfield, MO, USA (Siberianmo)



Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by CFournier on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 9:21 AM
West Coast S
I have a black and white picture of WP #60, a 2-8-0, pulling a short passenger train, in a small valley, with a rpo, baggage, and maybe 2 heavyweight coaches. The darn thing is that I still can't post pics on this forum!!! But if I had your E-mail I could send it to you to check it out . Look at my profile, I think I put my E-mail there.
Chris
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Posted by coalminer3 on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 8:23 AM
Siberianmo - I am in WV, but spent my allegedly formative years in New England.

Passengerfan - The NE States was a fine train, even thought it was a shadow of its former self at the end. I did have the good fortune to have a bedroom suite on the Broadway once from New York to Chicago.

Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear when the Merchants Limited had 14 parlors and two diners.

BTW, for those SP folks who visit, and there seem to be a few, the most recent issue of the SP Historical Society's magazine has an article called "Last Gasp of Steam." Interesting material to say the least.

Let's get busy. Maybe, I'll have time to shoot a couple of racks this evening...

work safe
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Posted by trolleyboy on Monday, April 18, 2005 11:29 PM

QUOTE: Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you.


Catanary hmmm my ears just perked up.Would this have been an old Pacific Electric branch?Nothing beats a good interurban story i always say.Speaking of all things electricJust got back from a weekend spent at the museum.Getting the place spruced up for openning day on the 7th of May.Being the consumate railfans that we are we just had to let a couple of the cars out of the barn to play.Operated 2894 for about an hour it's an Ottawa car company built small Peter Whitt type streetcar from the TTC. I just love running this car nice and smooth.Tom any idea which museums were going to aquire the old PGE RDC's. I had heard a wild rummour (two years ago) Long story short the city of Toronto wabts to build a direct rail access from TO union to the airport.The plans being kicked arounnd have been anywhere from a subway line($$$ prohibitive) to various surface options up to and including (wait forr it) aquiring some surplus VIA RDC's. It will be interesting to see what happens. Most people figure it will be a literail electric or a dedicated bus route but who knows those RDC's may get another kick at the can yet. See you later. Rob
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Posted by West Coast S on Monday, April 18, 2005 7:56 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier

West Coast S,
My sources says WP # 34 was 2-8-0 consolidation, and I think the Mikados where numbered in the 300's ? Am I right?
How about branch lines South of Frisco? Or north of SF ? I saw a picture of a small WP train with a Consolidation pulling a combination and a heavyweight on a branch line.
I'll have a Geary's Pale Ale if you have any Tom...
Chris
Gotta quit putting my glasses on backwards. Here you go Chris: 4-6-0 #94 powered the final revenue steam operations on the point of the eastbound CZ in 1960.

2-8-2 #334 was used for excursion duty as well until sidelined due to mechanical problems, both engines survive today and #94 was operational until several years ago.

Got me stumped, WP had no branches north or south of SF. Matter of fact they had just two, both nowhere near SF. In that photo is their cantanary wire visible? If so I might have a answer for you.

Well its quiting time, wife gave me the honey do list, so i'd better sign off for today.
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by CFournier on Monday, April 18, 2005 7:31 PM
Tom
Looks like thr schedule is not out yet. I'll check it out tomorrow.
Chris
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Posted by passengerfan on Monday, April 18, 2005 6:39 PM
Since its a Classic Trains subject matter how about All Puilman trains. I personally have ridden the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED, BROADWAY LIMITED, CHIEF, SUPER CHIEF, CITY OF LOS ANGELES, FLORIDA SPECIAL and NEW ENGLAND STATES the latter was operating in two sections at Xmas time 1961 one all Coach the other All Pullman. The All Pullman Train I wished I had the pleasure of riding was the ARIZONA LIMITED but it was before my time. I have talked to SP old timers and thirty years after the train ran they still had fond memories of the winter only train.
I have never ridden an All Pullman train outside the US and by the time I rode the CN OCEAN it was coach and first class both.
I always say if I win the lottery I will own my own private car. But I guess that would be just like owning a yacht. Tried that many years ago and found it was a very expensive proposition for the use I actually got out of it. It sure lightened the load on my wallet after I sold it. Maintenance and upkeep doesn't come cheap and i suspect the same for a private car.
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Posted by siberianmo on Monday, April 18, 2005 2:55 PM
Chris,

I checked out the site ... they don't show the 2005 schedule. What can you provide regarding the duration of the excursion and scheduling? We're not really 'into' these type trains, but touring Quebec has been something we've been talking about for quite a while ......

Tom
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by CFournier on Monday, April 18, 2005 2:30 PM
Try this site: http://www.quebecweb.com/beaucerail/
To see an ALCO FA pulling a tourist train on the old Quebec Central. I will ride this train this summer...
Chris
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
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Posted by siberianmo on Monday, April 18, 2005 9:12 AM
Morning All!
Another Monday - another chance to excel for all of you guys heading off to work![;)] Well, at least is sounds positive .......

What a near-perfect weekend, temperature and weather wise for many of us in mid-continent USA - got some outdoor "stuff" taken care of - and just enjoyed it all.

Tomorrow at noon, the vote closes, and "Our Place" will take a definitive shape in the form of a structure we can call our own! [yeah] Is there any doubt, which will "win"? Number one hasn't even been challenged .......



Let's take a look at what's been said .......

QUOTE: mac 4884 Posted: 16 Apr 2005, 20:26:42
Guess Im late.........

[#welcome]Man of a few words! Late? Hey -we were here ... never to late to drop in and share some "classic" trains info ..... C'mon back ..... and by the way, you may wi***o take a look at the conversations from our beginnings (page 1) ... just so you know what's been said![tup]

QUOTE: passengerfan Posted: 17 Apr 2005, 19:40:02
First rode the RDC's between N. Vancouver and Prince George when it was still the Pacific Great Eastern. Rode between N. Vancouver and Prince George and North Vancouver and Lillooet sine it became BC Rail. Was always impressed with the crews on the trains. Also rode the RDC's of the Malahat on Vancouver Island. Fastest trip on RDC's was on the CN when they operated secondary trains using RDC's between Toronto and Kingston.
Longest and most enjoyable RDC trip was on Western Pacific between Oakland and Salt Lake City using a single RDC -2 The RDC stopped for every meal and it was mostly WP crews using the car. Most just wanted to sleep and there was plenty of room for that as I was the only paying passenger on the car.
Rode the lone GN RDC between Havre and Great Falls on one occasion. I have both RDC books in my collection and am glad I purchased both.
My favorite cars were the domes and I have the following dome equipped trains to count as those I have ridden. GN EMPIRE BUILDER, NP NORTH COAST LIMITED, CMSTP&P OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA, UP CITY OF PORTLANDand 457-458, AT&SF SUPER CHIEF, EL CAPITAN(HilLevel) CHICAGOAN, KANSAS CITYAN, CB&Q DENVER ZEPHYR, KANSAS CITY ZEPHYR, AMERICAN ROYAL ZEPHYR, TWIN ZEPHYRS, CP CANADIAN, ATLANTIC LIMITED, CN PANORAMA, SUPER CONTINENTAL, SP SAN FRANCISCO CHIEF Ogden - Oakland, SP SAN JOAQUIN DAYLIGHT, SP COAST DAYLIGHT, D&RGW WP CB&Q CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, D&RGW ROYAL GORGE,
and SCL FLORIDA SPECIAL

Appreciate you stopping in again ...... I share your opinion of the crews who worked the RDC's of BC Rail. Very positive, very forthcoming and always attentive - at least in our experiences. Then again, that was the idea, wasn't it? Given the fares of those trips, I seriously doubt that too many were traveling back and forth as commuters! It surely was more the tourist train than not, especially when we traveled it ...... Still - very, very enjoyable and the RDC's were in great shape.

Dome cars? Man, you've experienced some dome cars - that's quite a list you've put together! Better be careful, you could wind up with a reputation as being a train fan (hmmmmmm - guess that's what your moniker is all about, huh?[;)]]
==========================
Anyone else traveled that Oakland-Salt Lake City RDC-2? I believe those RDC's were called Zephyrettes - kind of the little sister to WP, Burlington and Rio Grande's California Zephyr.
==========================
Oh yes, for those who don't know and may want to ......
Here's the breakdown on the RDC's:

RDC-1: strictly a pasenger unit at 85 ft in length. With walkover seating, could carry 90 passengers.

RDC-2: Combined a passenger and bagge-express compartment at 85 ft in length. Walkover seating allowed for 70 people.

RDC-3: Combined a passenger, baggage-express, and RPO all in one unit at 85 ft in length. Seated 48 passengers.

RDC-4: Designed exclusively for mail and expresss at 74 ft 10 in in length.

RDC-9: A "blind" trailer car with no windows in the ends and caried 94 passengers with walkoer-type seats at 85 ft in length.
=============================
See ya again, Passengerfan![tup]

QUOTE: easter Posted: 18 Apr 2005, 07:47:50
Good morning ya'll from the sunny south.We are a little far off the beatin path of B&M & Canadian Rail,but love those rdc's anyway.I got one of those Lionel reproduction CP rdc's on my roster. One question about them. Could they run as MU"s to provide more power,or were they only set up to run independant of each other???? Oh by the way I'll just have a cup of "joe."It's a little too early for the hard stuff. Easter

Hey - Easter! Coffee's hot 'n ready ..... help yourself! Glad that you decided to give us another try ......

Those RDC's could be run either way - mulitiple units or individually. It all depended on those things called "variables" that the "bean counters" factored in. For example, on that run between Oakland and Salt Lake City, as long as it was, most times only one RDC traveled in either direction - just not enough passengers to justify more than one. Trunk line operators also used only one, whereas MU's were commonplace elsewhere, especially western Canada and out of Boston. So, your Lionel CP's would be very realistic in MU hookups .....

Where in the sunny south? Didn't see anything in your forum profile .....

See ya again - and by the way, still no vote? Hmmmmmm.[tup][;)]

QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: Today, 08:12:59
Good Morning all - RDCs could mu; saw them that way all the time in Boston. Beeliner was the generic NYC name for Budd RDCs. They were all silver initially, but later had safety stripes painted on them (blcak/white/orange), IIRC. The New Haven called their RDCs "Shoreliners."

The nickname "Bee Line" was used by several different RRs. One application I remember was on the Reading where they had diesels lettered "Bee Line Service."

Siberianmo - The Iron Horse - many flashbackst! Back when they had hockey at the "Gahden," we used to repair there for fortification b4 a game. You needed all the energy you could muster to get up to the cheap seats (all we could afford back then). "Orr shoots, and Esposito scores on the rebound."

Now since it is Patriots Day and the Towne Team plays at 11:00 a.m., can we crank up the dish and watch the game at lunch?

I am glad to see we have a juke box. Lets see if we can find these tunes - Red Necks, White Sox, and Blue Ribbon Beer, Don't Rock the Juke Box, Bubba Shot the Juke Box, and Walkin' After Midnight (of course, any Patsy Cline sides will do).

work safe

Good to "see" you again, Coalminer3 - looks like you're becoming a "regular" around here. Help yourself to the "Joe" - and you may want a bit of our light breakfast. Menu's right over there .......

Appreciate the Bee Liner/Beeliner explanation ..... there were many, many names for RDC's weren't there? But one thing they all had in common is that for so many, they prolonged the passenger service for rail travel. [yeah]

The "Iron Horse" in the late 60's and early 70's AND the Boston Bruins! I was there - I think somewhere in my aging memory banks jare the numbers of each and every Bruin on those two Stanley Cup Champion teams. Although I saw most of the games on Channel 30 (UHF) - had to buy a special "box" for our TV to receive them - the Bruins of that era were something else indeed. So was the "Horse"!! Hey, don't you owe me a beer? I think I remember you .......

Sorry, but Patriot's Day isn't observed at this bar ..... we call it EVERYDAY - so go ahead, turn on the dish system and see what comes through![;)]

So just where are you located? Coalminer3 and the talk about WVA and now Boston? Hmmmmmmmm - maybe I should recheck your ID ....[}:)]

Gotta admit, you've come up with some "tunes" that just may be a bit hard to find for my vintage juke box. If you can find the 45's - bring 'em on in and we'll have a go. Patsy? Oh yeah, we've got Patsy ... remember, one quarter gets you five plays ........

Sticking around for lunch? Well, the bread truck just pulled in and the loaves are as fresh as can be ...... think I'll have a grinder/sub/hoagie/hero sandwich too. (That should cover the bases on those, eh?[;)]

Appreciate your business - pool tables here tomorrow![tup][;)]
=======================================
That's about it for me for now ........ I'll be "here" for the day ...... but will let you do the "talking" until later ......

See y'all real soon![tup][;)]

Tom in Chesterfield, MO, USA (Siberianmo)


Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by coalminer3 on Monday, April 18, 2005 8:12 AM
Good Morning all - RDCs could mu; saw them that way all the time in Boston. Beeliner was the generic NYC name for Budd RDCs. They were all silver initially, but later had safety stripes painted on them (blcak/white/orange), IIRC. The New Haven called their RDCs "Shoreliners."

The nickname "Bee Line" was used by several different RRs. One application I remember was on the Reading where they had diesels lettered "Bee Line Service."

Siberianmo - The Iron Horse - many flashbackst! Back when they had hockey at the "Gahden," we used to repair there for fortification b4 a game. You needed all the energy you could muster to get up to the cheap seats (all we could afford back then). "Orr shoots, and Esposito scores on the rebound."

Now since it is Patriots Day and the Towne Team plays at 11:00 a.m., can we crank up the dish and watch the game at lunch?

I am glad to see we have a juke box. Lets see if we can find these tunes - Red Necks, White Sox, and Blue Ribbon Beer, Don't Rock the Juke Box, Bubba Shot the Juke Box, and Walkin' After Midnight (of course, any Patsy Cline sides will do).

work safe
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 18, 2005 7:47 AM
Good morning ya'll from the sunny south.We are a little far off the beatin path of B&M & Canadian Rail,but love those rdc's anyway.I got one of those Lionel reproduction CP rdc's on my roster. One question about them. Could they run as MU"s to provide more power,or were they only set up to run independant of each other???? Oh by the way I'll just have a cup of "joe."It's a little too early for the hard stuff. Easter
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Sunday, April 17, 2005 7:40 PM
First rode the RDC's between N. Vancouver and Prince George when it was still the Pacific Great Eastern. Rode between N. Vancouver and Prince George and North Vancouver and Lillooet sine it became BC Rail. Was always impressed with the crews on the trains. Also rode the RDC's of the Malahat on Vancouver Island. Fastest trip on RDC's was on the CN when they operated secondary trains using RDC's between Toronto and Kingston.
Longest and most enjoyable RDC trip was on Western Pacific between Oakland and Salt Lake City using a single RDC -2 The RDC stopped for every meal and it was mostly WP crews using the car. Most just wanted to sleep and there was plenty of room for that as I was the only paying passenger on the car.
Rode the lone GN RDC between Havre and Great Falls on one occasion. I have both RDC books in my collection and am glad I purchased both.
My favorite cars were the domes and I have the following dome equipped trains to count as those I have ridden. GN EMPIRE BUILDER, NP NORTH COAST LIMITED, CMSTP&P OLYMPIAN HIAWATHA, UP CITY OF PORTLANDand 457-458, AT&SF SUPER CHIEF, EL CAPITAN(HilLevel) CHICAGOAN, KANSAS CITYAN, CB&Q DENVER ZEPHYR, KANSAS CITY ZEPHYR, AMERICAN ROYAL ZEPHYR, TWIN ZEPHYRS, CP CANADIAN, ATLANTIC LIMITED, CN PANORAMA, SUPER CONTINENTAL, SP SAN FRANCISCO CHIEF Ogden - Oakland, SP SAN JOAQUIN DAYLIGHT, SP COAST DAYLIGHT, D&RGW WP CB&Q CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, D&RGW ROYAL GORGE,
and SCL FLORIDA SPECIAL
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 16, 2005 8:26 PM
Guess Im late.........
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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, April 16, 2005 8:19 PM
Seems like we have a nice gathering here on our first Saturday night ... since tomorrow is Sunday - "Our Place" will officially be closed - kind of like to keep that day for our faith and our families or to just take that one out of seven days "off"! [^]

But of course you may drop your messages through the mail slot in the door ... no problem! I'll be here bright 'n early on Monday to read 'em all![tup]

Looks like we have an abundance of ladies in the back room - perhaps when the train talk diminishes out here in the bar area, some of the guys will take note![;)]

Hope my ramblings about RDC's didn't put any of you to sleep ...... I could talk the ears off a brass monkey when it comes to that subject.[;)]

Well, let's see what's been said ......

QUOTE: csxt30 Posted: 16 Apr 2005, 13:40:29
Good afternoon Tom ! Think I'll just have a Cherry Coke if ya have it. How's the Polar Express runnin' ? Nice place you got here, been noticing it lately & saw you guys talking about the Beeliners. Don't know much about 'em, just that when I was a kid back in the 50's, my Dad and Mom & I would go to Niagara Falls on his vacation in the summer by train. He worked for the NYC & had the Golden pass, so we rode free I think. We would get on the train in Ashtabula, Oh, where we lived & then get on the Bee line in Bufallo the rest of the way to the falls. As I recall, I just was so fascinated with that ride on the Beeline, I talked about it all the time. It seemed like it was just so fast, boy, I sure loved that. The thing is, when I got older, I could never find out anything about it. I'm pretty sure they were RDC's or Budd cars though, & they were silver. Wonder if anyone else remembers them. Well, you have a nice day now, I'll be back if ya lay in the Cherry Coke, & I'll put in a quarter for the Orange Blossum Special! Thanks, John


[#welcome] John! Your Cherry Coke and first refill is on the house! Hope you like bottled soda pop - that's the way we serve it along with a frosty mug.

I just checked out the Bee Line - really didn't know anything about it! Quite a history and this Internet "thing" is great for quickly locating info ....... So, through a series of mergers, the Bellefontaine became known as "The Bee Line," yes? Looks like a mid-western RR. If so, what's the connection with the B&M? More than one RR claiming that moniker?? More info, anyone, please!

Polar Express is running fine, thanx! The shelf system is nearly complete, only requires just a touch of landscaping and placement of 100 trees with the "snow treatment" I'm giving them. New pictures should be on my photo album next week ...... When the grandkids see it, they'll love it for sure ....... ![tup][;)]

Oh, didn't I mention that our juke box plays 5 songs for a quarter! [yeah][wow]

By the way, where's your vote?

Thanx for coming in![tup][;)]

QUOTE: earlydiesels Posted: 16 Apr 2005, 16:56:04
Hello from southwest Misery. I vote for place no.1. Seems like most everyone on this thread is from the east--have to speak up for the midwesterners. I am a volunteer on a tourist railroad and other preservation groups and have liked railroads all 42 years.
I'd like a tall, cold ice water with plenty of lemon, please.


[#welcome] neighbor! We've got more than a couple of "customers" from other than the "right" coast. There's you - there's me - there's one from Ontario - there's another from Quebec - one from Ohio - there's two from California - there's another from West Virginia ....... and one from Michigan and more (if guys would update their profiles!) ..... hmmmmmmmm.

Better watch that cold ice water w/lemon! Too much will do you in![;)]

The idea of "Our Place" is to share some stories and thoughts regarding "classic" trains ..... bet you have a bunch! Looking forward to "hearing" about them .........[tup]

Thanx for stopping in and hope you become a "regular"![tup][;)]
================================================
See y'all on Monday!

Tom in Chesterfield, MO, USA (Siberianmo)


Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 16, 2005 4:56 PM
Hello from southwest Misery. I vote for place no.1. Seems like most everyone on this thread is from the east--have to speak up for the midwesterners. I am a volunteer on a tourist railroad and other preservation groups and have liked railroads all 42 years.
I'd like a tall, cold ice water with plenty of lemon, please.
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Posted by csxt30 on Saturday, April 16, 2005 1:40 PM
Good afternoon Tom ! Think I'll just have a Cherry Coke if ya have it. How's the Polar Express runnin' ? Nice place you got here, been noticing it lately & saw you guys talking about the Beeliners. Don't know much about 'em, just that when I was a kid back in the 50's, my Dad and Mom & I would go to Niagara Falls on his vacation in the summer by train. He worked for the NYC & had the Golden pass, so we rode free I think. We would get on the train in Ashtabula, Oh, where we lived & then get on the Bee line in Bufallo the rest of the way to the falls. As I recall, I just was so fascinated with that ride on the Beeline, I talked about it all the time. It seemed like it was just so fast, boy, I sure loved that. The thing is, when I got older, I could never find out anything about it. I'm pretty sure they were RDC's or Budd cars though, & they were silver. Wonder if anyone else remembers them. Well, you have a nice day now, I'll be back if ya lay in the Cherry Coke, & I'll put in a quarter for the Orange Blossum Special! Thanks, John
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Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, April 16, 2005 10:31 AM
Good Morning! Our first Saturday and this place is too quiet ....... just fed the "juke" with a handful of quarters .. got some Johnny Cash playing "Orange Blossom Special." Think I'll play a bunch of his songs ...... just love the lyrics ..... "Hey Porter" is next ... then, "Ride This Train," then ........... hey, some Willie Nelson should "work" - "City of New Orleans"![;)]

Okay ... so I left off about RDC's and see no reason why this can't continue ....

BC Rail's all RDC consist, just has to be a "classic" -

Back in march of 1999, my wife and I, along with another couple, were visiting Vancouver, BC and on what was supposed to be an "off day" - (they do what they want, we do what we want), I looked into booking a trip aboard BC Rail's "Cariboo Prospector" (that IS the way they spelled it) from North Vancouver to Lillooet, BC. The round trip was to take the entire next day with a 7 AM departure and return at 9 PM.

When the other couple found out what I had in mind, they too wanted to come along. So, I booked the four tickets and off we went.

The consist awaiting us that chilly March morning was four RDC's - from my pictures, it appears that we had two RDC3's and two RDC1's. The livery was the blue/white striped with blue red heralds.

For those who may not know, an RDC3 was designed as a combined passenger, bagage-express, and mail car. Over the years, BC Rail (formerly Pacific Great Eastern Railway) had these cars "rehabed" to provide a food prepration area in the baggage area. The coach portions were outfitted to include swing down tray tables (similar but larger that what the airlines use) along with much more comfortable seating than I recall when commuting aboard the Boston & Maine's RDC's back in the 1960's.

The RDC1 was initially designed to seat 89 passengers. BC Rail's version appeared to be about the same, but with the upgraded seating.

Our seats were in the RDC3 for both legs of the journey.

That morning was a gloomy, low overhanging cloudy start to the day. As we wound our way out of North Vancouver and followed the route to Squamish, I was a bit saddened that my wife would not get the beautiful view of the inlets off of Howe Sound. Really a picturesque place to see ......

From the train at Squamish we could see the industry of the area along with a couple of steam loco's (and I'm sure many of you will provide commentary on those!!). As I recall, only a relative handful boarded and off we continued to Whistler, gaining elevation as we got into the mountains.

What scenery! This was becoming a great day - as the sky cleared up almost as soon as we got into higher elevations. Waterfalls, gorges, cascading mountains - all of it at about 8 mph - as the engineer slowed the train to permit picture taking. Really something to see and keep etched in the memory banks (and of course, photo albums!).

We had about a 10 minute stop at Whistler - so I got off the train with my friend's wife (who was in dire need of a cigarette) whereas I wanted to snap some photo's of the RDC's (what else!). Surprise, surprise! There was about 4 feet of snow awaiting us - of course the platform was cleared - but the snow was all around us. Absolutely wonderful to see and experience - and the temperatrues were more than tolerable. I wanted to stick around a bit, but the RDC's sounded the horn and we climbed back on board.

Now, I could go on and on and on about everything we saw along the way to Lillooet, but let me just say that the descriptions would somehow all sound alike - breathtaking, beautiful, stunning, great, fantastic, etc. ......

About 45 minutes south of Lillooet, we passed by two large glacial lakes - Anderson and Seton lakes. With sheer cliffs dropping nearly straight down to the water, we all marveled at just how those mountain goats managed to get where they were (much less back to where they came from)!! Unbelievable. Each lake has a story connected with it - perhaps for another session (unless someone wants to "jump" in to expound on them a bit ......[:)])

Lillooet sits in a valley and the town is within reasonable walking distance from the train station, which by the way is a great place to see. We had about 2 hours before the return trip, so we headed into town to see the sites.

We learned that Lillooet's history really goes back to the "gold rush" days when this was the staging area for the hordes of people heading north to stake their claims. We also met some very friendly and forthcoming folks who were more than willing to answer the questions so many had. My wife and I decided to hike up one of the hills - all developed - just to get some photo's looking down on the town. Glad we did, for those pictures really are now keepsakes. One of the people we met came out of her house and asked if we had "see the bear?" Hmmmmmm - apparently there had been a bear meandering around, but had not been seen for about an hour or so. That was comforting[:0]

The return trip was also something to remember, but alas, much of it was in dusk then darkness. The meal served on board and at our seats was fantastic. We had a choice of entrees and the food was plentiful, hot, and tasty. Forgot to say the same about our breakfast .......

Well, BC Rail no longer runs those RDC's or anything else. The trains all the way to Prince George (Lillooet is about half way) no longer run. Sad times for many along the route. I know, from friends we have in BC, that it was a heated debate right up until CN took over ...... The RDC's? Well, they've been "dispersed," another way of saying "sold" and from the best of what I've been able to ascertain - have all seen much better times. A couple have been relegated to tourism trains in the U.S., others as spare parts, and one or two either have or are supposed to wind up in a RR museum. There had been a rumor that VIA Rail wanted to purchase them, for the "Malahat," but apparently that fell through - budgets being what they always are - "insuffient"![:(]

So, that's it! Another chapter in riding Canadian Passenger Railroads (which is where this was first posted) comes to a close. But - wait, not so fast. My model railroad - Can-Am layout - has a mountain line. It is a point-to-point run, with LifeLike Proto 1000's RDC's in the BC Rail livery, making the run whenever I want them to! Even have mini-versions of Anderson and Seton Lakes! Check 'em out on my photo site - http://www.railimages.com/gallery/thomasweber
=================================================
Looks like a bunch of great looking gals are about to c'mon in ..... I'm sure they'd just love to talk "classic" trains![}:)]

See ya![tup][;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, April 15, 2005 4:34 PM
Hey Coalminer - now that's talkin' RDC's![tup][yeah]

I can relate to the B&M's RDC's - used to commute in from Melrose, Mass. to North Station back in 1967-70. I lived within walking distance of the station and it was GREAT - those memories of the morning commute really aren't bad at all - now the trips home - that's another story!

North Station had a popular "water hole" called the "Iron Horse" - located beneath the "Gahdens." So, from time to time, I would get "Shanghied" into having "just one more" in that place ....... always made the next-to-next-to last train home! (Before someone decides that I'm really a "sot," ain't true - just would stop off with the "boyz" now and then - a few brews, a trainride - hey - life was good!

Moved down to Dedham and that was the end of my RDC (and "Iron Horse") days! Left the Bay Area in 1973, not to return again (except for plane changes at Logan on the way to Nova Scotia ........).

Now - you just happened to "hit" it right - tonight is pizza night! Yeah - my buddy is a great chef and makes NY style pizza (is there any other kind?) - the best part is that it's on the house - the first 8 slices that is![:D]

Sorry, the pool tables remain where they are until one minute after noon on Tuesday the 19th ... voting closes at noon. [:(] Looks like it's a "no brainer" for #1 ....

Another thing - I'm a bit familiar with Huntington, WVa - used to have "business" on the river back in the late 70's to mid-80's ....... Nice town, great people ......

Thanx for coming back and your vote is in the jar ......

Check cashing services? Hmmmmmmm - just for "regulars" and buying a round is a great idea![tup]

See ya![tup][[;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, April 15, 2005 3:05 PM
One of my favorite Berraisms - "Ninety percent of the game is half mental."

Now, let's move on to RDCs.

When I was growing up in the frozen north, the Boston and Maine had commuter trains pulled by a fantastic variety of steam locomotives. Then came the diesels and we saw locomotive hauled trains pulled by GP7s and RS3s (I am sure there are a few out there who'll remember the B&Ms maroon and gold color scheme.) The RDCs came after that, and IIRC, the B&M had the largest fleet of RDCs anywhere.

As a sidebar, Boston and the RDC have a long history as some of the first RDCs ran on the Boston and Albany - they were called "Beeliners." The New Haven had an extensive fleet of RDCs as well including the "Roger Williams" which had RDC cab units; the "Roger" survived throught the Penn Central days and onto Amtrak. I had the good fortune to have a cab ride on this beast from Boston to Springfield and on to New Haven; an interesting trip. I believe it's been preserved and is undergoing restoration.

The B&M had all models of RDCs; 1s, 2s,3s,4,s and 9s and they ran all over the system. I'm reaching back again, but IIRC, the RDC4s were the model with the RPO compartment. I rode on one of them on a trip from Vermont back to Boston. The RPO was long gone, but it was interesting to see what had once been there.

The Lexington Branch of the B&M (which is now a !@#$ bicycle path) provided a most interesting RDC trip. The branch's track was questionable in spots, and the RDC gave the impression of being on boat rolling in a good sea. Once you got off the main line, a ride on the branch became more like a time machine as there were certain crossings that had to be flagged by the train crew and some really interesting stations including a depot with a wooden train shed (Lexington). Many of the buildings along the branch have been saved and are being used for other purposes. The station in Bedford, MA has a B&M RDC on display along with an ongoing project to reconstruct part of the B&B which was a 2' gauge operation.

The RDC was a utilitarian machine, at least on the B&M; walkover seats, vinyl covered and a tile floor. They could get noisy now and then (sort of like a bus on steroids), but thay had good acceleration and rode pretty well once they got up to track speed.

I hope this is enough to get you started on RDCs. BTW, the C&Os U25Bs ran out their last days, virtually going by the house - you always knew when they were coming; some stories, there, too, if anybody's interested...

BTW, Siberiamo, appreciate the comments on WV. I'm at the opposite end of the state - blessed to be in former C&O, VGN, N&W, K&M and KGJ&E country. The terrain here is mostly vertical but we have good fishing.

My vote goes to Place#1 - any Friday evening specials for the workin' folks? Place #1 looks like they'd cash a check as long as you bought a round. Now let's move the pool tables out front.

work safe
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, April 15, 2005 2:48 PM
Hey Chris! Nice to see you again ...... one Geary's coming right up ...... frosty bottle of Ale ...... delivery just got here from Portland, Maine. Nice choice!

My favorite is Alexander Keith's Pale Ale from Halifax, Nova Scotia ...... like it especially while traveling on board the "Ocean," sitting in the Park Car dome - ummmmm, great way to enjoy a fine brew![;)] As a matter of fact, in about three weeks, I'll be doing that very thing while heading "home" to see family and friends for our "annual" visit .........

Regarding your comments - I'll keep to tending bar on that one ... I really don't like jumping in when I'm not at all familiar with the subject matter! Best to opine when you understand what's being discussed - wouldn't you agree?

Stay awhile![tup][;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)
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Posted by CFournier on Friday, April 15, 2005 2:16 PM
West Coast S,
My sources says WP # 34 was 2-8-0 consolidation, and I think the Mikados where numbered in the 300's ? Am I right?
How about branch lines South of Frisco? Or north of SF ? I saw a picture of a small WP train with a Consolidation pulling a combination and a heavyweight on a branch line.
I'll have a Geary's Pale Ale if you have any Tom...
Chris
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Posted by siberianmo on Friday, April 15, 2005 12:52 PM
G'day Gents (don't see any Ladies)!

Things were a bit slow this morning, so I took care of some chores that have been piling up at home ...... never know what the weekends will bring, so best to get rid of the "excess" before Saturday arrives.

Check out the lunch menu ...... pretty much stays the same, but always fresh!

You newcomers are most welcome and the first one is on the house![tup]

I'm seeing more and more visitors passing up the opportunity to vote ..... that means perhaps the "opening" thread isn't getting the point across, or ....... oh well. Can't make the horse drink the water, only can lead him to it .......[}:)]

Let's see what the discussions have been since last night:

QUOTE: trolleyboy Posted: 14 Apr 2005, 23:43:34
QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo
Hey Rob!
Thanx for popping in ....... we start serving lunch in about an hour from the time you sat on that stool ..... check out the menu - sandwiches are ample and made from only the freshest lunch meats in town. Cheeses are cut in the back room - need a mask back there, especially with the empty kegs, etc.! Would gag a healthy maggot, someone said one day. Still hungry?

Anyway, that site you mentioned is pretty interesting. What's your connection with the museum? Sure don't know why traction, if indeed it's "classic", cannot be included in our discussions ...... GO FOR IT!

Stick around!
====================================================
Well I don't generally eat lunch meat the Dr frowns on that but what the hey once in a while won't kill me much.

Actually this is the museum that the wife and I are card carrying members of. This year is it's 51st season. Heather's mom and dad have been members for 32 years and Heathers been there since she could crawl. I've been a member for almost 4 years now. I'm on the operating crews I run the cars or conduct. We also help out in the shops keeping things humming along.

The museum was started to save two old ttc relics which were going to be scrapped and it's snowballed from there. Close to 100 pieces of electric railway equipment and a few buses and non street car railway equipment as well. One big artifact we have is CN's ex Grand trunk Rockwood station which we had moved to the museum in 1972. We have three cars barns and are working on raising the final funds for #4 which if you go to the museum site you can read up on. It will be called the Sir Adam Beck centre in honour of Ontario hydros first chairman who was also a major propnent of electric interurban systems and helped found several.

A large portion of our operating and non operating fleet is TTC but we have equipment from the City of London(ontario) Hamilton, Guelph, Oshawa. as well as interurban equipment from the Montreal and Southern Counties the London and Port Stanley. The Grand River railway and the Lake Erie and Northern. We even have an old Chicago "L" car for giggles.

Anyone interested in more info please hit oursite ior ask away I'll be happy to attempt to answer. Better yet come see us and ride the cars. Until later Rob


As always, Thanx Rob! Your contributions are the kind we are looking for and I knew that you'd be one of the first in "Our Place" to kick this thing off ...... As we've discussed by e-mail, once my bride and I return to Toronto and hook up with you and Heather - the museum will have to be on the "list" of all the things we want to do. {tup][;)]

QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: Today, 10:46:52
I'll lend my experiences on Beaumont Hill, back not too long ago it was the place. It was where helpers were added or dropped in addition to a Intact water tank and helper wye until the yellow machine came along and razed and realigned.

This was grade that SP had to contend with out of West Colton on the Sunset Route with a single track rolling profile all the way to Indio, 10-15 units on a train were not uncommon, placed midtrain or on the rear or both in addition to the front set to tackle the 2%+ grades with the usual SP tradition of running the longest, heaviest trains possible on a tight schedule. The GE units reigned supreme on the Sunset route, U33Cs, U25Bs, U30Bs were all assigned this district. Spent many a hour on that hill back in the day... Well enough from me, time to refresh my coffee for the day ahead.

I'll let Espeefoamer give you the word on the Kaiser operation.


Thanx for the insight - those "U-boats" were great train watching loco's ...... I've got a couple of 'em in my "retired" display cases from a previous HO layout - which is the next-best-thing to seeing 'em for real.

The coffee pot is always fresh and go ahead - take a large cup with you. Appreciate your "business"!![tup][;)]

QUOTE: easter Posted: 15 Apr 2005, 11:52:01
say "bar keeper" I'm not sure this is such a nice place. You know what Yogi Berra use to say about certain establishments. " Must not be a good place. nobody goes there anymore more,because the place is always crowded." I'LL give it a try though as long as there's no cover charge. Easter


Well, Easter[#welcome] anyway. Not really sure just what you said - but if you know what you meant - that's good with me.

Yogi Berra? Ha - I can tell YOU stories about Lawrence "Larry" Berra from "The Hill" right here in St. Louis ....... But my memories go to NYC when he was perhaps one of the best catchers in baseball - the Yanks of the '50's ..... Oh, yeah, I know about Yogi .......

Cover charge? Only for people who can't take the hint to not let the door hit 'em in the caboose!

Should you take the time to stop in again - the vote closes at noon on Tuesday April 19th. What's your pleasure?

See ya![tup][;)]
================================================
One thing I'm wondering about is, are there any RDC fans out there? I've always enjoyed them - real or model. Now, I know that in the history of railroading, these Budd Rail Diesel Cars were "the last gasp" for the passenger railroads and their trunk lines. I also know that some roads passed 'em by, whereas others thrived, for awhile, with them. Love 'em or hate 'em - they are a huge part of passenger railroading history in the U.S. and Canada. In fact VIA Rail of Canada still operates a few ....... Up until a couple of years ago, BC Rail in British Columbia, Canada, also had a great operating route from N. Vancouver to Prince George. But all of that is gone, gone, gone. The cars? Dispersed to the four corners of the railroad world ......

Sure would like to have someone come in with some stories about the RDC!

See y'all real soon ......[tup][;)]

Tom in Chesterfield, MO, USA (Siberianmo)
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 15, 2005 11:52 AM
say "bar keeper" I'm not sure this is such a nice place. You know what Yogi Berra use to say about certain establishments. " Must not be a good place. nobody goes there anymore more,because the place is always crowded." I'LL give it a try though as long as there's no cover charge. Easter
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
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Posted by West Coast S on Friday, April 15, 2005 10:46 AM
I'll lend my experiences on Beaumont Hill, back not too long ago it was the place. It was where helpers were added or dropped in addition to a Intact water tank and helper wye until the yellow machine came along and razed and realigned.

This was grade that SP had to contend with out of West Colton on the Sunset Route with a single track rolling profile all the way to Indio, 10-15 units on a train were not uncommon, placed midtrain or on the rear or both in addition to the front set to tackle the 2%+ grades with the usual SP tradition of running the longest, heaviest trains possible on a tight schedule. The GE units reigned supreme on the Sunset route, U33Cs, U25Bs, U30Bs were all assigned this district. Spent many a hour on that hill back in the day... Well enough from me, time to refresh my coffee for the day ahead.

I'll let Espeefoamer give you the word on the Kaiser operation.

SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, April 14, 2005 11:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

Hey Rob!

Thanx for popping in ....... we start serving lunch in about an hour from the time you sat on that stool ..... check out the menu - sandwiches are ample and made from only the freshest lunch meats in town. Cheeses are cut in the back room - need a mask back there, especially with the empty kegs, etc.! Would gag a healthy maggot, someone said one day. Still hungry?

Anyway, that site you mentioned is pretty interesting. What's your connection with the museum? Sure don't know why traction, if indeed it's "classic", cannot be included in our discussions ...... GO FOR IT!

Stick around![tup][;)]


Well I don't generally eat lunch meat the dr frowns on that but what the hey once in a while won't kill me much. Axctually this is the museum that the wife and I are card carrying members of. This year is it's 51st season.Heather's mom and dad have been members for 32 years and heathers been there since she could crawl.I've been a member for almost 4 years now.I'm on the operating crews I run the cars or conduct we also help out in the shops keeping things humming along.The museu was started to save two old ttc relics which were going to be scrapped and it's snowballed from there. Close to 100 pieces of electric railway equipment and a few buses and non street car railway equipment as well. One big artifact we have is CN's ex Grand trunk Rockwood station which we had moved to the museum in 1972. We have three cars barns and are working on raising the final funds for #4 which if you go to the museum site you can read up on. It will be called the Sir Adam Beck centre in honour of Ontario hydros first chairman who was also a major propnent of electric interurban systems and helped found several. A large portion of our operating and non operating fleet is TTC but we have equipment from the City of London(ontario) Hamilton, Guelph, Oshawa. as well as interurban equipment from the Montreal and Southern Counties the London and Port Stanley. The Grand River railway and the Lake erie and Northern. We even have an old Chicago "L" car for giggles. Anyone interested in more info please hit oursite ior ask away I'll be happy to attempt to answer. Better yet come see us and ride the cars. Until later Rob
  • Member since
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Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, April 14, 2005 7:43 PM
Evening guys - welcome aboard and have "one" on me! That's the "policy" in "Our Place" - first drink always on the "bar keep" so belly up and let's talk!

QUOTE: West Coast S Posted: 14 April 2005, 15:27:38
Hi gang...sounds like my kinda folks, mind if I join you for a cold one and impart a couple of examples? The WP had branches? Being sarcastic of course, the Reno branch and the Loyington branch.

Chris this one is for you:
WP ran an excursion in conjunction with the 50th anniversy of the Nevada Northern. The special operated from Oakland CA. to the NN interchange at Cobre NV. where passengers boarded a steam powered NN special. A-B-B-A F7s from the freight pool along with a Zepherette provided the power (The Zepherette was removed at Cobre and continued on to Salt Lake on its regular run, talk about efficient power movement). The second set of CZ equiptment was tapped to provide a source for the domes, diner, and lounges along with heavyweight equiptment from the D&RGW .

There were two seperate excursions using 4-6-0 # 94 and 2-8-2 #34 from San Jose to Stockton in the late 50s.

So ok. Are there any additional WP excursions I have missed?


[#welcome]Thanx for the input and I'm sure we'll be hearing from Chris up in Montreal.
The only thing that you missed was voting! C'mon - #1 or #2?[tup][;)]

QUOTE: coalminer3 Posted: 14 April 2005, 15:46:46
Greetings from the coalfields. We have lots of small places around here for beer, etc. so your off to a good start---BTW - where's the pool table? I know, behind all the mt kegs.

Look forward to seeing more in this section of the forum.

work safe

[#welcome] Appreciate the way you "talk" and the pool tables (two) are in storage - just waiting to move 'em into whichever establishment we decide on - #1 or #2 - c'mon and vote![tup][;)]

Some years ago - 1960-62, I used to drive from NYC, where I was stationed to Cincinnati on a regular basis - was a looooooong drive in those days. I still remember getting off the PA Turnpike at New Stanton, PA and taking highway 40 through Wheeling, WVA in the wee hours of early morning (1 or 2 AM). Then it was highway 22 into Cincy - if I recall. During the trips back, that's when I got to see just how rugged a place WVA really is .... and it's my kinda landscape. Spent 18 months up in Alaska (Kodiak) and my ship took us all over that state - Nome - the Aleutians - you name it - rugged is where it's at (for me!) ........

What's that have to do with "Classic" trains? Took a train from Anchorage to Fairbanks in 1960 - believe it was operated by the U.S. Army in those days - mostly everything was - but the crew was all civilian. Quite an experience and it "lives" in my memory to this day .........

Make yourself at home and come back often![TUP][;)]

QUOTE: espeefoamer Posted: 14 April 2005, 16:59:22
This sounds like a great place to enjoy a pastrami sandwich, onion rings, and a tall frosty root beer.
We can reminisce about the days when we could go to Beaumont Hill and watch the Kaiser ore train with 3 U28Cs on the point,3 in the middle and 3more pushing just ahead of the caboose.
I vote for #1.


[#welcome]Two out of three ain't so bad - the "tall frosty root beer truck" didn't deliver today! Now, we have lots of old fashioned soda pops - all in bottles - including sarsaparilla. So make another choice! What kinda bread you want that on, by the way?

Tell us more about the Kaiser ore train and Beaumont Hill - don't know much about either ..... Glad you stopped by.[tup][;)]
============================================
Guess you've all noticed that we don't have an evening menu - sandwiches 'round the clock and of course the bar pretzels, peanuts and trail mix doesn't quit. Even have some fresh hard boiled eggs in the back ........

See ya'all in the AM![tup][;)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Thursday, April 14, 2005 4:59 PM
This sounds like a great place to enjoy a pastrami sandwich, onion rings, and a tall frosty root beer.We can reminisce about the days when we could go to Beaumont Hill and watch the Kaiser ore train with 3 U28Cs on the point,3 in the middle and 3more pushing just ahead of the caboose[:)].
I vote for #1[oX)].
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.

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