Good morning Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, I would like my favorite tonight, Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Thank you!
A lot of interesting info on Southern Railway today! I did not know much about them, basically just that the Crescent Limited was a SR train.
Tom – Thanks for the info on Southern Railway, a road I don’t know much about! Until now, that is. I can see that the former president , W. Graham Claytor,of Amtrak was a president of the Southern Railway for ten years! I talked to him a few times and he was a very nice man! SR had a lot of passenger trains with some fancy names!Mike – A whole bunch of old pitures of Southern! Nice pictures and I think I like one with the train passing a couple of semaphores the best. Thanks!CM3 – Wow, you know a lot about the B & A line. Maybe you have some information about the picture below, also from tha B & A line. There was a guy living in that old caboose nad I was told about him when I took the picture, but now I can’t recall much (= nothing).Thanks for the SR train info!
DL – Those Camping Coaches look real nice. Are they old sleepers or plain coaches?BK – Nice pictures of the SR locomotives. I remember I saw No. 1401 at the Smithsonian Institution 1992-93. In case you don’t have time/possibility to stop by again before your trip to Hawaii I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!Lars – Quite a few book covers with many nice pictures of SR Locomotives!! More to look for.Pete – After checking your link I agree, Class 11 looks almost identical to Class V1. At least one of the two V1 is still operational. It now belongs to a railroad museum in northern Sweden.Hyatt is the same hotel I stayed at when I was in St. Louis 1993 with the X2000.Crescent Limited, one of the few trains I knew about before reading all material about SR tonight. I have a model of a Crescent Limited steam locomotive (#1401?) that is actually a phone. James – Tiny dwarf semaphores? Are they something like the ones you can see on the picture below? I like the SR picture you’ve posted! It is indeed a pretty cool shot.
Doug – Interesting info on the Swannanoa tunnel! Smart way to get the concrete lining in place.
Eric
Hi Tom and all
I'm back LEON,so a pint of Batemans Victory please .
When the bride said we had to out by 5 PM I had no probs but when the internet link was lost I was stuck. Luckily I did not lose the post.
LARS Great to see you in after the problems getting on the forum .Good words on the bar..
The subject of WHEN the best time to go the Train Wreck Saloon did crop up, as it will be a lot harder to leave then to enter,I am really looking forward to getting the beers from the bar in the caboose. So we may see you when we are in Canada? Great.
Thanks for the book covers, they have great photos of the Southern locos on them.
JAMES. The main lines of British Railways went over to electric heat many years ago, it is on the preserved lines that use steam heat,although there may be some steam specials on the main line that are steam heated. In my opinion it is a much more better heat than electric. Up to the late 70s there were quite a few diesel classes that had boilers so they could provide steam heating.
Thanks for the Southern photos. Quite a while ago we had a discussion on the Q1 locos in the bar, as in your pic, they were the strangest looking locos to work on BR, in my opinion.
DOUG Good to see you. Very interesting article on the enlarging of the Swannanoa Tunnel.
I too enjoy reading the old railway magazines, especially those from the 50s..
TOM Enjoyed the Fallen Flag on the Southern. That is quite an impressive list of the Passenger Trains of Note.
For my contribution I have "borrowed" a post from Passengerfan AL on the Crescent Limited from Page 276.
PASSENGERFAN AL'S STREAMLINER CORNER # 74 L&N/A&WP/WofA/ SOU/PRR CRESCENT LIMITED (December 17, 1949) By Al The pride of the SOUTHERN was the all Pullman CRESCENT LIMITED and when its lightweight streamlined replacement entered service it was just in time for the Christmas rush of 1949. The new streamlined CRES-CENT LIMITED was an all Pullman train initially only between New York City and Atlanta, beyond Atlanta to New Orleans the CRESCENT LIMITED operated with Coaches added. The CRESCENT LIMITED was one of only three postwar streamlined trains to carry the most deluxe sleeping car space the Master Room; the other two postwar trains with this space were both PRR trains the BROADWAY LIMITED and the LIBERTY LIMITED. The general makeup of the CRESCENT LIMITED was initially a pair of EMD E7A units south of Washington, They were trailed by a Baggage 60' Railway Post Office Car, a Baggage 21 Crew Dormitory Car, five sleeping cars, a dining Car and five more sleeping cars one being a Sleeper Lounge located next to the Dining Car. As was the case with the NEW ROYAL PALM the streamlined 5 Double Bedroom Buffet 25 seat High Windowed Lounge Observations were not ready for the train's debut as a streamliner. The L&N, A&WP, W of A, Southern, and PRR all contributed cars to the lightweight streamlined CRESCENT LIMITED. TTFN Al
Well LEON one more pint and a round for the regulars please.
Pete.
Good evening Tom and gents! I'll have a bottomless draught and buy a round for the house. I've some catching-up to do here as usual, starting with Mike's little known railroads. Hey CM3 I wish that the Christmas season would go back to starting after Thanksgiving, and not before Halloween, as it does now. Don't know anything more on that trainset Peter. We had our chance. Just snagged a 2007 IRM calendar today, and just as I predicted, neither steam nor the Zephyr will run. I'm hoping for both to happen in 2008. Yep James, the 265 is still at the museum. Come and see her! Not sure if she runs. There are only a few diesels run with any kind of regularity, and the 265 is not one of them. Neat stuff from you Eric. Sad seeing the removed track but nifty shot from the cab! Wow! Look how early Tom put in the SR theme stuff today! Then we got many many URLs from Mike, and 1969 SR routes from CM3. Glad you liked the IRM stuff DL. I too find the old rail magazines interesting. I have some that are almost 100 years old. Great to see BK here today, and his wonderful Southern pix. Good to see manager Lars again too, and his usual collection of theme-related book covers. I may not have any books specific to the Southern, but I do have many of their trade magazine, which are titled "Ties". I think you guys are going to like this. Here is my first offering:
Confronted with the device pictured here, the casual observer might conclude Southern has taken to carting its own portable tunnels around.
Actually, it's a portable form being used for the pouring of the concrete lining inside the greatly enlarged Swannanoa tunnel on the Southern's Asheville division. "Opening up" the Swannanoa is part of the railway's bottleneck-breaking project on the Asheville division, where seven narrow tunnels with low clearances have in the past kept Southern's big new cars from being used most effectively to save money for shippers and the public.
In the past, such equipment as the "Big Boy" box cars and others have had to be circuitously routed to avoid these low, narrow clearances on the division. Work being done on the Asheville division will let our largest cars travel the most direct routes to serve our customers better. Result: Savings in time and money for all concerned.
It was also in the interest of saving time and money that the contractor on this job - Cowin & Company, Inc., of Birmingham, Ala. - conceived of the form shown here at the Swannanoa tunnel.
The form "slips" inside the permanent steel frame (seen projecting from the end of the tunnel) which lies against the natural face of the greatly enlarged bore of the Swannanoa tunnel. When the form is in place, 17 inches of space remains between it and the permanent steel frame.
The outside of the form fits snugly at the bottom against a permanent concrete "curb" that is poured beforehand. This curb is as high as track level, which is two feet higher than the lip of the form.
Once the 30-foot-long form is in place, concrete is pumped through the "doors" which can be detected in vague outline on the form tops and sides. One door near the top in the side of the form (top picture) is open, as are two doors in the top of the form (second picture).
The concrete - while filling the 17-inch space between the form and the steel frame that lies hard against the natural wall of the tunnel - is kept from running out the sides by wooden sheeting which is held in place at the bottom of the curb.
When the concrete has set, the form is "broken loose" through the operation of mechanical devices which swing the bottom of the form inward, causing the form to slip down and away from the hardened concrete. Then the form is moved on the next 30-foot section that is to be poured.
This form is being used in the Swannanoa tunnel only. In other tunnels being "opened up", wooden forms are being used because the curvature of the track inside the tunnels make it necessary to construct each section of form according to local conditions.
The expense of using wooden forms inside the 1,822-foot-long Swannanoa is being avoided through the use of this steel form; and the time-saving use of the steel form is made possible by the straight line of the track going through Swannanoa tunnel.
So the actual work of "opening up" the Swannanoa is being carried out in the same spirit as that which led to the project in the first place - the spirit of doing the job at hand in new ways that will save time and money for everyone concerned.
G-day Tom and all present!
Leon- Just a coffee for me tonight but, get the guys a round, Thanks
Eric- I does make sense to lower the Semaphore, to show the detial. But thanks for clearing that up. At the NSSR in Duluth, we still have the tiny dwarf semaphores used to bring in the passenger trains. They're really cool looking little signals.
Well, since the ore trains no longer use the line, what is it used for now? Anything? And another great Semaphore pic from you, thanks.
Tom- Thanks for the small portion of History on the Southern RR. Now I see how the NS was formed. Thanks
I will have to take your advice on the Via rail run. I would love to see all that I can. So when it comes to that time, I will do so, thanks. Also, Yes I meant to say that the Amtrak train was located at Kirkwood, so that you could better understand. Anywho, Nice pics.
Mike- Thanks for the many pics posted. Nice Semaphore post. I think those are E7s coming through, and by the looks of it, they have a high green too. Nice pics.
CM3- Good little portion on the Southern Railways Cresent passenger train. Must have been quite a ride. Thanks for the info.
Budkarr- Nice selection of steam pics from you. I see you have an IRM steamer in the bunch. They did a good job in restoring that locomotive. Thanks.
Lars- Thanks for all the book covers. There are always a few that catch my eye, thanks.
Pete- Steam heated Passenger trains!!!! I wish we still had that. I now envy the British trains. That goes way back here in the U.S. The steam was taken out quite awhile ago. You guys still have it and thats great. I would love to ride someday! Thanks.
Now it's time for picture posting! Theme of the day!
A little newer southern Railway but still old fashion at the same time. The station maintaner is handing the crew there orders. This is nolonger done with the now more improved radio. Pretty cool shot.
Photo from: focalplanerrblog.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_foca...
I know this is not the southern railway we are talking about but, DL had mentioned something about a southern railway in Britain. This would be located at Keyness station on the Bluebell railrway. The Southern Railway Q1 Class 0-6-0 locomotive.
Photo from: southern.railfan.net/.../e_units/e_unit.html
Photo by: This photo was posted to A.B.P.R by Gary Morris. It was taken in New Orleans during May 1979.
Here is a passenger train that I "believe" is traveling a high rate of speed. It looks good with all the smoke rolling out. Probably not the best for the enviroment but still looks good.
Happy railroading
James
ENCORE! Theme for the Day -
Southern Railway!
Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
first Posted on page 155
Southern (SOU) Headquarters: Washington, DC Mileage in 1950: 6,300 Locomotives in 1963: Diesel: 644 Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars: 40,038 Passenger cars: 587 Principal routes in 1950: (not all)Washington, DC-Charlotte, NC-Atlanta, GA-Birmingham, AL-New Orleans, LA Cincinnati, OH-Chattanooga, TN-Birmingham Danville, KY-St. Louis, MO Chattanooga-Memphis, TN Chattanooga-Morristown-Knoxville-Bristol, TN Chattanooga-Atlanta-Valdosta, FL-Jacksonville, FL Valdosta-Palatka, FL Salisbury-Asheville, NC-Morristown, TN Asheville-Spartanburg-Charleston, SC Charlotte-Jacksonville Danville-West Point, VA Greensboro, NC-Norfolk, VA Rome, GA-Mobile, AL Passenger trains of note: (not all)Aiken-Augusta Special (Washington-Salisbury-Augusta) Asheville Special (Washington-Greensboro-Asheville) Birmingham Special (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxvillle-Chattanooga-Birmingham Carolina Special (Cincinnati-Knoxville-Asheville-Greensboro & Charleston) Crescent (New York-Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans)) Florida Sunbeam (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Florida points) Kansas City-Florida Special (Kansas City-Birmingham-Atlanta-Brunswick & Florida points) Peach Queen (Washington-Atlanta) Pelican (New York-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans) Piedmont Limited (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans) Ponce de Leon (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Jacksonville) Queen & Crescent (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans) Royal Palm (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Jacksonville) Skyland Special (Asheville-Jacksonville) Southerner (Washington-Atlanta-Birmingham-New Orleans) Sunnyland (Memphis-Birmingham-Atlanta) Tennessean (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Memphis) Washington-Atlanta-New Orleans Express (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans) Of note: PRR handled SR trains east of Washington. N&W handled SR trains via Bristol between Lynchburg and Bristol. A&WP handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery. WRofA and L&N handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery west of Atlanta. Frisco handled SR trains between Memphis and Birmingham, west of Birmingham (The Kansas City-Florida Special). Frisco handled SR trains handled the Sunnyland Memphis-Birmingham route. SAL handled SR train The Florida Sunbeam south of Jacksonville. Enjoy! Tom
Hi Tom and all.
I'll join DL in a Bateman's please RUTH.
I'll catch up on the posts before the Theme Day if I may.
JAMES Yes that is a great web site on the Llandudno Junction loco shed, glad you enjoyed it.
The Severn Valley Railway is a wonderful line to travel on as it follows the River Severn in some pleasant scenery; it is a single line with passing loops at the stations. In the autumn they run continuous steam trains for 3 days, to see the original stations some lit by oil lights at 2 AM in a steam heated train is magical.
ERIC Thanks for the e-mail. I have a link to the class 11 diesel shunters, which were the forerunners of the class 08s.
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/pages/12049.htm
When went to St Louis we were lucky, as the bride was able to get a very reasonable rate to stay at the Hyatt hotel which is situated in the upstairs of the Union Station site. The dining room is quite ornate perhaps TOM knows if this part was a part of the original. It was also a very pleasant surprise to find the vintage F units and cars which were stored along side the Union Station site, as I had no idea they were there at the time.
MIKE Thanks for the Southern railway links. I found the 2nd advert rather sad as it announced the end of steam of the Southern Railway. Good selection of SR motive power staring with the "Best Friend".
CM3 The Princeton Junction to Princeton N.J. sounds an interesting line, where the trains very frequent on the line? On the Stourbridge Junction to Town line it seems the driver takes longer changing ends that he does driving. I heard that a vehicle called the Parry People Mover was going to be used on the line. This is powered by a large flywheel, which it 'charged up' at both ends of the line.
Thanks for the details of the SR named trains in 1969. It must have been great to travel on the Crescent in those days. It will be good to hear more about Mr. Clayton.
DL thanks for the info on the computer search; I'm afraid I know next to nothing about computers.
As you say it is indeed a shame about the Llandudno Jct carriage shed. It is amazing, on that great web site, how the former railwaymen at the depot have so much affection for the depot..
Yes it was a great time in 2000 on the Highland steam tour, started by a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William with the first part spent in the bar car until it ran out of beer. I think you would have the ale we had I had at the Train Wreak with Tom the winter ale was very good.
I have traveled on the Far North line by steam. I can quite recall the year but they ran a Stanier 8F 2-8-0 from Inverness up to Wick and Thurso, after a night in Thurso the loco worked Thurso to Wick the next morning for local people while we had busses that we took to photograph the train in the Highland Scenery. Then it was Wick back to Inverness. It was the first steam train to Thurso/ Wick since the 1960s. As there isn't anywhere to turn the loco at Thurso, the 8F worked tender first up to Thurso and chimney first back, a good decision as the weather turned nasty on the way back. On the bride's visits to Britain we stayed in Inverness and visited the Far North line to Thurso, this time it was a 158 Diesel unit.
I don't think steam as been up to Thurso since although I see that next year there is to be a 'Great Britain Steam Tour' that is going to have steam all the way from Penzance to Thurso with nights in hotels.
It IS sad to hear about GNER to my mind they were, by far, the best privatised rail company..
Central Trains a few years ago used to advertise a ticket from stations in the West Midlands to Wainfleet , which included a Bateman's Brewery tour, in the week. Unfortunately I was at work and could not go on it, I don't think it is available now.
That is the first I have heard of the BUDD Silver Princess coaches it will be very interesting to find out more about them.
Good photo of the Camping Coach, at one time they were very popular on UK railways. I believe there are some at Dawlish in Devon.
BK It is really good to see you in the Bar before you leave for your trip. Sorry you have been having connection problems on the computer. Many thanks for the kind wishes for Christmas and may I wish the same to Lydia and yourself.
I think that is a great pic of No 1401 in the Smithsonian. The Southern design of tender to me was one of the best it really improves the appearance of their locos.
Have a great trip.
TOM I see you was up very early doing the Southern Railway posts. I see that is an old and detailed map as it shows the Bagnal line from Jefferson City. The Southern turn it to a great line after its early struggles, a line well worth reading about again, Thanks TOM.
Glad you enjoyed the Winter Tale again.
It looks my turn to have probs with the computer I lost the internet connection and have just got it back, luckily I was able to save this in the Word. I'll post this(I hope) and will call in later as we are going out for a while now.
Greetings Captain Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth, a tankard of Keiths fine ale, some snacks for the critters, a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris and a round for the boys!
Southern Railway it is and a fine job, as always, by our Proprietor, Captain Tom with his early, early morning arrival for the featured road! What in the world were you doing up so late/eary?? Hope it was nothing more than a touch of insomnia. Happens to us old guys now 'n then, huh
Great to see my "bookend" finally make it to the bar, but just a bit sad to know that he'll be gone for quite awhile. Bon voyage to you 'n Lydia and think of us shivering back here in the not-so-temperate zones of North America! <grin> Also, a very Merry Christmas and most Happy 2007 to you both!
I too have received your email, Tom. You're driving the ship, so whatever you decide is fine with me. You know I'm "good" for an opinion or two, and will be danged if I give a rat's patoot about hurt feelings from those who should have the bar's interest at heart and not something else. The only way corrective measures can be taken in life's problems is to recognize there is a problem. Otherwise the ship takes on far too much water and down she goes.
I've held off my rant regarding yet another loss for my Jints. What's to say, other than for a season to begin with such promise and now wind up as it has, well, I think I said it!
That Train Wreck bar looks terrific! What a great bunch of pix and it surely makes for a "must" stop during the Rendezvous in May. Perhaps you should carefully consider the "when" part, for guys could get awfully comfortable, in my not-so-humble opinion! My guess is you 'n Pete had a fine time and it's nice that some of us can get together in real life. Way to go!
Sounds to me as if you and the Wolfman have charted quite an adventure for yourselves. Appears that May is going to be a busy month for you guys. The Rendezvous and then two rail trips plus a trip to that rail museum near Montreal. Sounds great! If you don't mind, would you send me the itinerary when known Never know, I just may be able to join you guys for some of the festivities.
Between the Jints losing, my not being able to log on to the forums and the 'stuff' circulating on email, I simply haven't been in the proper frame of mind to be sociable. However, that's over and I'd like to submit my offering for this Tuesday's Theme - book covers!
Ruth, one more, then I better skedaddle, I think my name is being belowed called . . . <grin>
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
Greetings from Alberta which in all probability will be my last for several weeks. Ruth, a round on me, a steaming mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting, and a couple of crullers from the Mentor Village Bakery; thank you!
I have received many e-mails from several of you and appreciate being placed on the distribution for your thoughts. However, perhaps you should consider dropping my addresss, at least until my return, as I am not planning to access that account. It was established strictly for the bar. Further, I must admit that my habits are rather hit and miss when it comes to checking the in box.
It has been a most exasperating experience since Saturday morning with reference to logging into the forums. For whatever the reason, my efforts were to no avail. I could read what had been provided, but could not contribute. That continued through Sunday and probably yesterday. I was not "up" on Monday, therefore I cannot speak with authority on the situation in the ether. <groan> I can well understand how these experiences can, and probably do, drive some to take their leisure time elsewhere.
Captain Tom, I read your most recent thoughts this morning and since I am not planning to respond in kind, let me simply say that you have summed the situation up quite well. If the bar has relocated prior to my return, I will contact you to find out where.
I enjoyed the feature Theme for the Day that you, Tom, provided and recall that the first time around, the Southern Railway was well received. I have a few photos to offer and then will have to return to helping Lydia with the last minute arrangements before we depart.
Of the Sunday photo display, Tom, I enjoyed those Train Wreck saloon shots along with those taken at the local train station. Even the window display of the Lionel train provided just a bit of a flashback to the days when department stores featured those elaborate layouts. Nicely done, Sir Tom, and if the opportunity presents itself, I would dearly love to hoist a toast to those of you at the Rendezvous!
I shall miss this place. The mascots, the banter at the bar, t he staff, the enormous amounts of reading material, the humor from Doug (if we still are able to call it that!) and the comfort in knowing that there is indeed a special place set aside for those of us with like minds (as Tom mentioned in his e-mail).
A very special Christmas and New Years greeting to all who have been so kind to me over the months I have been a part of this group. In particular, Sir Lars and Sir Rob and Sir Doug and Sir CM3 and Sir Pete and Sir Nick (is he "off" again??) and of course, Sir Tom. Wishing all of you and yours the happiest of holidays!
Southern Railway No. 1401 at the Smithsonian Instiution, Washington, D.C.
Southern 2-8-8-2 #4057 (1938)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Southern 4-8-2 #495 (1950)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Southern Railway 2-8-8-2 #4053 (1946)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!
Hi Tom
I'll have a pint of Bateman's Mild please.
Thanks to yourself and ‘miner for clarification on the NYC and PRR issues, helps increase the knowledge base.
Doug, nice run down on the IRM stock the other day - interesting stuff. Sounds like a great museum.
Takes me on to Rob's comments about the number of preserved steam etc in the UK - I think on reflection we are pretty lucky, reflects a lot of work by a lot of people over the years. EG within about 40 miles of me there are probably 6 good steam preservation places (+ a streetcar museum), some of these being quite big operations with plenty to see.
Tom - the itinerary you and Pete have cooked up for Canada looks like a good one - some of the places I failed to get to, but it will be a very good trip - worth doing the whole thing if you're gonna go that far!
Incidentally - and this touches on something Pete has mentioned about Google searches - I think Google works by ‘remembering' the sorts of websites your PC views, so if you view Our Place frequently and then you search for something that is mentioned at Our Place, then it picks that for you high up - does not mean it would be the same for the next guy. I think this is how it works anyway, someone with more IT knowledge than myself might be able to clarify.
Pete - just back to your previous post, I can't help repeating the gist of the comment Eric made - so essentially what you are saying is you spent 11 days behind main line steam in some of the UK's most scenic locations and this ended up with you finding a bride? Well, all good things follow those who follow the steel rail is all I can say. (And the only downside of this is that it ended up with you living in a place where they not only drink cold beer, but claim to like it cold?)
Incidentally - your Scottish itinerary did not include the Far North line - have you ever ridden that route? - one of my favourites, superb coastline stretches near the most remote beaches and then wild open country that really is seriously remote (by UK standards).
I've stayed in these Camping Coaches on this line, which are really nicely done:
http://www.sleeperzzz.com/index.php
Interesting comments re the Ex Barry locos, I don't read the preservation press so was not aware of that - would be ashamed to loose some stuff after all these years, although using parts to make missing engines is no bad idea.
Good Llandudno link - what a Car shed! Why could that not have been converted to a supermarket instead of the bland building in the replacement photo? Or better still moved brick by brick to a preservation site - You'd get some rakes of coaches in there - I know a few preserved railways are desperate for proper under cover storage for their pre 1948 stuck (eg LNER teak bodied stuff etc) - it would have been perfect!
Batemans tour - I guess Alan knows the proximity of the brewery to Wainfleet station on the Skegness line - I've done the full brewery tour (need to go mid week for that) which is great, and the village where the brewery is sited has a few nice pubs if you can tear yourself away from the brewery site itself. Well worth a trip, and the Skegness line itself is always of interest. They did an evening beer train (train with barrel of beer on baord plus folk band playing in one car) from here to Wainfleet 3 weeks back, but I did not know in advance so missed the opportunity - hopefully there will be another one.
On a topical point you may be interested to know GNER has gone down the pan (announced last Friday) - (this company is owned by Sea Containers which will ring a bell to you statesiders). Essentially they have handed in their franchise but govt are allowing them to continue to operate it until a new bidder is selected in about 18 months. I fear this will result in major cut backs to restaurant cars and a reduction in customer service. Essentially they over bid for the right to run the route and can't make it pay - or so it would appear.
By the way a mate of mine leant me a handful of old Modern Railway magazines he had had from his youth - I avoid buying these when I see them on mass but reading the odd one is of immense interest. The one I'm looking at now is from June 63. Beeching Report just published, much debate about that, some pics of Viscount Garnock just having bought his LNER loco (as you mentioned a few posts back now), pics of pre grouping steam in action, plus pics of an LMS /BR LMR operated Budd built stainless carriage called ‘Silver Princess' built for UK use, no doubt in hope of further orders (I'll have to find out more about this for you Budd fans (eg TOM)). I'll post some more about highlights from this mag in due course.
Yes, I'll keep of the UK southern railway theme for today, but will read and learn more about the US
SR as theme day develops!
Festive greetings all
Cheerio
DL
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
A few comments and then on to the Southern.
Pete - Had to be P&W train you saw. BTW, the P Company had an extremely short branch which ran from Princeton Jct. to Princeton, NJ. It was electrified and served by an MP54 MU car. Nickname for this line was the PJ&BA (Princeton Junction and Back Again.)
Eric - State Line Tunnel - Excellent! Have many memories of that spot. For those not familiar it is very close to the Massachusetts-New York border. It used to have two tunnels, but is now down to one. Thanks for sharing.
Mike provided some interesting URLs re the Southern. The first ad is from the period when Southern was highlighting industrial development, etc. It was fallout from the "New South" movement which came about after what my friends in Nashville used to call the "Recent Unpleasantness." Also, check out the varieties of power in some of the pictures. There were not too many DL109s or PAs on the SOU, but they sure did look pretty. I had the good fortune of making 34 trips on the Crescent over the years; my, my it was a fine train. Recall riding in the lounge car with Mr. Claytor - a good man, still missed today. He was very approachable and easy to talk with. But that's another story for another time.
Herewith a SOU encore.
Southern Railway System - 1969
"Crescent" between New York, Washington, Atlanta
SOU 37/38 Northbound operated via L&N between New Orleans and Montgomery, A&WP between Montgomery and Atlanta and SOU from Atlanta to Washington
Sleeping cars
11dbr: Washington to Atlanta
10 rtte/6db: Atlanta to New York; Atlanta to Washington
Dining Car: Washington-Atlanta
Diner lounge: New Orleans-Montgomery
Coaches: Washington-Atlanta, New Orleans-Atlanta
"Southerner" between New York, Washington, Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans
SOU 47/48 (NOTE: Ran with SOU 37 between New York and Atlanta) Dep. Atlanta 9:40 a.m. (ET), arr. New Orleans 8:40 p.m. (CT)
Sleeping cars:
11 dbr: Atlanta - Washington
10 rtte/6db: Washington-Birmingham-New Orleans
10 rtte/6 db: New York-Atlanta
DR, MR, buffet lounge: Washington-Atlanta
Dining Car: Washington-New Orleans
Tavern lounge car: Washington-Atlanta
Reclining seat coaches: Washington-New Orleans, New York-New Orleans (2 cars), Atlanta to Washington
Coaches: Washington-Atlanta
"Peach Queen" between New York, Washington, Greensboro; New York, Asheville
Southbound Charlotte, Atlanta, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans
PC 175-155-137/SOU 29
Sleeping cars - Northbound sleepers operated in SOU 38
10 rtte/6 db: New York-Atlanta, Washington-Atlanta
10 rtte/6 db: New York-Asheville (in SOU 15 from Greensboro) Northbound in
SOU 16-38
Dining Car: Greensboro-Atlanta, Mobile-New Orleans
Reclining Seat Coach: New York to Atlanta
Reclining Seat Coaches: Washington-Atlanta, Greensboro-Asheville, Atlanta-New Orleans
"Asheville Special" between New York, Washington, Asheville
PC 175-155-137/SOU 29-15
PC 140-4/SOU 16-38
This train dep. Greensboro 7:00 a.m., arr. Asheville at 12:13 p.m.; dep. Asheville 1:35 p.m. arrive Greensboro at 705 p.m.
Sleeping car 10 rtte/6db: New York-Asheville
Dining Car: Greensboro-Washington
Reclining Seat Coach; New York-Greensboro (Atlanta)
Reclining Seat Coaches: : Washington-Greensboro, Greensboro-Asheville
"Birmingham Special" between Washington, Chattanooga, Birmingham
PC 137/107/SOU 17
PC 154/SOU 18
Operated via SOU between Washington and Lynchburg, N&W between Lynchburg and Bristol, SOU between Bristol and Birmingham
Dining Car: Washington-Monroe
Reclining Seat Coaches: Washington-Birmingham
Between Washington-Bristol-Roanoke and Bluefield
Operated via SOU between Washington and Lynchburg and N&W between Lynchburg and Bristol
SOU 41
SOU 42
Reclining Seat Coaches: Washington-Bristol
Between Cincinnati and Somerset (pending discontinuance) - Numbers were the same in TT
SOU 3/4
Coaches
Between Atlanta and Dalton (pending discontinuance) - Numbers were the same in TT
work safe
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way...
A couple ads to start
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/graphics/sr0198.jpg
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T32/T3258-72dpi.jpeg
Best Friend of Charleston 1948
http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P04025.jpg
http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P04060.jpg
4-8-2 at Chattanooga 1929
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015267.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015252.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015261.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015253.jpg
4-6-2 Ponce de Leon at Jacksonville 1932
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015276.jpg
4-6-2 Royal Palm at Jacksonville 1932
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015288.jpg
2-8-2 at Hattiesburg 1936
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015287.jpg
EMD F3 near Chattanooga 1950
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015290.jpg
EMD E7 The Crescent at Inman, SC 1950
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015289.jpg
Alco DL-109 at Johnson City, TN 1950
http://photoswest.org/photos/00015251/00015291.jpg
Alco PA1
http://www.cbu.edu/~mcondren/MRP/images/SRR-Tennessean-2-jpl-3.jpg
Bristol 1941, the new Tennessean ceremonies
http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/spcollimages/av/lane/jpeg/LBCE21-030a.jpg
http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/spcollimages/av/lane/jpeg/LBCE21-036a.jpg
http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/spcollimages/av/lane/jpeg/LBCE21-032a.jpg
Semaphore
http://www.srha.net/photos/SR7201xx07bwL.jpg
Traffic stopper
http://www.srha.net/photos/SR6903xx1143wL.jpg
The Cresent on its last run in 1979
http://www.srha.net/photos/SR79013111bwL.jpg
Mike
G'day Gents!
It's Tuesday morning here at the Saloon by the Siding and time for a cuppa freshly ground 'n brewed coffee, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!
As has been advertised - we will be CLOSED for two days - Sunday and Christmas (Monday). I'm not planning on being here on either day, so the "stuff" I usually Post on Sunday will appear on Saturday along with the ENCOREs!
Yesterday was best forgotten insofar as my activities here were concerned - was engrossed in real life "stuff," then beset by those signing-in diffiuclties previously explained. No time or tolerance for it, so figured I'd try another day. <groan>
Some acknowledgments are in order:
CM3 at 12:29 PM yesterday: Thanx for the "Christmas on the branch" ENCORE! Surely helps maintain the "feel" for the season! Also, appreciate the round and quartes for our Coal Scuttle! [
You're "in" for Mar 15th - appreciate your participation!
Pete at 4:42 PM yesterday: Appreciate seeing the "Winter Tale" once again - an appropriate ENCORE! for this Christmas season!
Enjoyed checking out the URL you provided on the "Vulcan" - some fine looking equipment, as always!
Perhaps you are overdue for a "crash course" in Brit-English <huh> You may be entering the "Americanization" phase of the language of the land.
E-mail received and responded to . . . thanx!
James at 7:24 PM yesterday: A fine inclusive Post and you've touched all the bases! That's the ticket to ensuring that everyone gets a chance to become engaged in the "talk" here at the Bar by the Ballast!
A recommendation regrding VIA Rail: The cross-Canada trip should be taken from Toronto to Vancouver, for to board the train anywhere else would deprive you of some great scenery and the experience of it all. It's an expensive proposition to travel in a bedroom (Silver & Blue class) but very much worth it in terms of capturing the essence of passenger travel in those beautiful Budd streamliner passenger cars, especially the domes. There are less costly trips - but you've seen mention of them here; the "Ocean" and "Chaleur" being just two. Unfortunately the "Ocean" has discontinued use of the Budd equipment except during "tourist season" which apparently varies on the calendar VIA is using. This year it begins on June 15th - that's when they put the observation dome car on - Park car - a great place to enjoy the sights from Montreal to Halifax. Check out: www.viarail.ca for more info . . .
If you were referring to the Amtrak Pix I provided on Sunday - those were taken at the Kirkwood, MO station and of course the train was at a crawl arriving and departing. Otherwise, I'm not sure of the reference . . .
Eric at 12:23 AM today: Another 'early bird' but always welcome! Two fine Pix to put me in the mood for a train trip! Of course, it doesn't take much for THAT to occur!
Highly recommend viewing The Polar Express flick - really well done and surely a Christmas "classic" for watching again 'n again at this time of year.
Hope to see some particpation in our Tuesday Theme for the Day - Southern Railway (U.S. style!). For those who may not know, Great Britain also has a Southern Railway . . . and I expect we'll be reading a bit from DL 'n Pete about it one of these days!
10,000th Post CONTEST entries:
Feb 14th - BK
Feb 15th - Lars
Mar 12th - Pete
Jan 1st - James
Jan 28th - Eric
Jan 18th - DL
Feb 8th - Doug
Jan 31st - Rob
Mar 15th - CM3
CONTEST closes on Fri, Dec 22nd
Reminder: Ruth opens up at 9 AM until Leon the night man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
from Page 276
Now arriving on track #1 ..... Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Ten Southern Railway (SOU) Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Locale: U.S. Southern states Reporting marks: SOU Dates of operation: 1894 - 1982 Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) Headquarters: Washington, D.C. The Southern Railway (AAR reporting mark SOU) was the product of nearly 150 predecessor lines that were combined, reorganized and recombined beginning in the 1830s, formally becoming the Southern Railway in 1894. It was combined with the Norfolk and Western Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982. History 1921 map The nine-mile South Carolina Canal and Rail Road, Southern's earliest predecessor line and one of the first railroads in the United States, was chartered in December 1827 and ran the nation's first regularly scheduled steam powered passenger train - the wood-burning Best Friend of Charleston - out of Charleston, South Carolina, on December 25, 1830. (The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad ran regular passenger service earlier that year.) By 1833, its 136-mile line to Hamburg, SC, was the longest in the world. As railroad fever struck other Southern states, networks gradually spread across the South and even across the Allegheny Mountains. Charleston, South Carolina and Memphis, TN, were linked by 1857, although rail expansion halted with the start of the Civil War. The York River Railroad, which operated from the Pamunkey River at West Point, Virginia to Richmond, Virginia, was a major focus of George McClellan's 1862 Peninsular Campaign, which culminated in the Seven Days Battles and devastated the tiny rail link. The Richmond and Danville Railroad was the Confederacy's last link to Richmond, and transported Jefferson Davis and his cabinet to Danville, Virginia just before the fall of Richmond in April 1865. Known as the "first railroad war," the Civil War left the South's railroads and economy devastated. Most of the railroads, however, were repaired, reorganized and operated again. In the area along the Ohio River and Mississippi River, construction of new railroads continued throughout Reconstruction. Southern Railway, as it came into existence in 1894, was a combination of the Richmond and Danville system and the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. The company owned two-thirds of the 4,400 miles of line it operated, and the rest was held through leases, operating agreements and stock ownership. Southern also controlled the Alabama Great Southern and the Georgia Southern and Florida, which operated separately, and it had an interest in the Central of Georgia. Southern's first president, Samuel Spencer, drew more lines into Southern's core system. During his 12-year term, the railway built new shops at Knoxville, TN, and Atlanta, GA and purchased more equipment. He moved the company's service away from an agricultural dependence on tobacco and cotton and centered its efforts on diversifying traffic and industrial development. Sadly, Spencer was killed in train wreck in 1906. By the time the line from Meridian, Mississippi, to New Orleans, LA was acquired in 1916 under Southern's president Fairfax Harrison, the railroad had attained the 8,000-mile, 13-state system that marked its territorial limits for almost half a century. The Central of Georgia became part of the system in 1963, and the former Norfolk Southern Railway was acquired in 1974. Notable features 1895 map Southern and its predecessors were responsible for many firsts in the industry. Its predecessor, the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road, was the first to carry passengers, U.S. troops and mail on steam-powered trains, and it was the first to operate at night. In 1953, Southern Railway became the first major railroad in the United States to convert totally to diesel-powered locomotives, ending its rich history in the golden age of steam. Every diesel locomotive Southern owned had to be ordered with a high hood and pointed long hood forward, this was meant for crew safety in case of accidents with vehicles and from the first GP7 to the last GP50, they came with this option until the tradition stopped with the SD50. From dieselization and shop and yard modernization, to computers and the development of special cars and the unit coal train, Southern often was on the cutting edge of change, earning the company its catch phrase, "The Railway System that Gives a Green Light to Innovations". Merger into Norfolk Southern In response to the creation of CSX in 1980, the Southern Railway merged with Norfolk and Western Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Railway, further consolidating railroads in the eastern half of the United States. Roads owned by the Southern Railway
Goos morning Captain Tom and all present!!
Just a cup of coffee, Leon!
It has become a habit to visit "Our" Place before bedtime and it is always rewarding!
Doug – OK, lets go for a private car. I actually won $4 last Saturday for a down payment! I am sure it will be more this Wednesday! Interesting story about the CGW. I have to find a picture of the Blue Train. I have heard about it but never seen a picture of it. I like the picture of the Des Moines River viaduct. I have been there and have some pictures from below of passing train. I would like go to Oelwein next May after the rendevouez. You certainly have to be careful planning a Christmas Party! Mike – Interesting story on an unknown short line. The “streamlined” Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railroad rail bus looks unusual! Chicago Great Western’s freight station in Minneapolis and their depot in Rochester are nice additions to Barndad's story on the same railroad.Tom – Kind of fun last night, when I went to bed I turned on the TV and they were showing The Polar Express! But it was too late so I saw only a few minutes of the movie.
So the tavern is closed 2 days this Christmas. That is probably a good idea. If I have something I'll slide it in under the door.CM3 – It looks kind of sad when one or more tracks have been removed. I am adding one more picture from B&A. I like your desciption of Lexington station and what was going on there! I can even smell the Christmas trees!
Pete – It is easy mixing up V3 and V1. They look very much the same. I checked the picture of Class 08 and it looks almost exactly the same as V1. I hope you received the picture of V1.I like your Christmas story! Did you ever go to Union Station in St Louis at that time? James – The semaphore picture was taken at Orange Empire Railway Museum and it was so low on purpose, so people could see the details close up. The track with flowers growing around them is the Eagle Mountain Railroad in California. It was used to ore trains from the Eagel Mountain mine to Fontana, CA. I think the last train ran in 1984. I’ve added a picture of another semaphore below. It is on the way from Elmira Heights, NY to Niagara Falls.
G-day Tom and all present.
Sorry for my absence. Every weekend is going to be busy for me through the next couple of weeks.
Leon- Make it a sandwich and a coffee for me please. keep the change
Erie- Glad you liked the little shuffle unit. The only battery powered units that I knew of where from the Milwaukee road. I know there has to be some more of them out there, I just haven't heard of them.
Well, I won't be getting a ride on the X2000 for awhile. Sweden and China seem quite far to me. And your Semaphore pic.. Got to love them. Thats a Upper quadrent semaphore. Ususally you would find the red blades near diamonds and junctions but it seems so small. I haven't seen one like that before. It must be only five feet high. Do you know what railroad this semaphore came from?
You also had some fine pics to show. Liked the rails with the flowers growing all around them. Very interesting. Do you think it gets used much. Also enjoyed the trolley pics that where there. Very cool. Thanks.
DL- It was a shame that a rialroad like the milwaukee had to go bankrupt. They had many offers for mergers but never took them. If they had merged with the Chicago and Northwestern they would probably never gone bankrupt for the final time.
Tom- Well, I hadn't realized that the New York Central had run to St. Louis. I guess I always thought they had run the east coast. And only there. But since I didn't know the history of the railroad I shouldn't have guessed. There always room for improvement.
I will have to put the Via rail on the top list for traveling by railroad. Iw ould like to see the mountains and all the areas of Canada by train. It would be great. plus I only live a 150 miles from the boarder so I will have to go.
Good to see some Milwaukee road Nostalgia going around. Liked it a lot. Back in 1933 it was most likely (since it said Pudget sound) The electrics. Nicely done. Thanks. Also good Amtrak pics. Do you know hoiw fast it was traveling? By the look of it, it had stopped at the station. So it probably got up to speed really quickly.
Pete- Glad you liked the little battery locomotive. I thought it really cool myself. Plug your locomotive in and go. Liked the llandudno shed link. To bad they tore it down. It was a really nice looking shed. I also liked the sound of the steam engine in the back ground. That was cool to listen to the steamer chug up. Good show of pics on the Severn Valley railway. Quite an impressive steam engine. Thanks.
Rob- Glad you liked the Milwaukee road history. Thanks for the comments on the layout. I like how it has turned out! Good to see another little article from you. This time it was the Candian Pacific. Thanks for posting.
Barndad- A good ahow of pics from you. I really liked the conductor shot. A lot of people symbolize the conductor as the train. Just by what he wears gives this scene away. Thanks. Glad to see a Milwaukee trio. The 265 is a sister of the 261. Do you know if the 265 is still located at the IRM? If so, does it run? Also liked the other two Milwaukee road units. I know for a fact that the F7 runs and still looks great. Also the H12-44 is looking good too. Thanks for the photos.
Another good article from you, this time on the Great Western. This must have been quite a railroad back in it's Hay day! Thanks.
Mike- Also a good show of pics from you. The Minneapolis Milwaukee road Station caught my eye. That is one famous station. There was a steeple like roof that extended about 30 or 40 feet above the clock tower that would light up at night but was taken down in the 1920's. It was quite a sight.
Thanks for the pics
CM3- Well I strongly encourage you to start up with the modeling. Unless space is an issue. It sounds like you've got quite a fleet coming. I say you should go out and get a couple SD45s. It would be a great addition. What ever the case, Good luck with the modeling, whenever you can get around to it.
I will be here tomorrow for the Theme of the Day! Can't wait.
A pint of Holdens Golden Glow please this Monday please RUTH.
It has been quite busy for a Monday.
ROB There is a good number of steam locos in the UK operating on the preserved lines. It probably helped that steam did not finish on the main line in Britain until 1968 and with the relative smallness of the BR locos compared to most of the North American locos it must help with the cost of restoring the BR ones.
Thanks for the info on the LE&N and GRR steeple cabs, it is good to know one of which was saved.
DOUG That was quite a while ago that you mention the Diesel and cars for sale. Is there any more info on them today?
It would be great if your steam loco was running when we have the rendezvous there in 2008..
Thanks for part 3 of the CGW. I had heard of the Mayo Clinic but did not know it has been opened for such a long time or the connection to the CGW and with the connction with Budd.
The joke could well be a true story nowadays
MIKE Good to see you and thanks for the short line info and the links . The link to the Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railway has some great phots and informative text. I am finding reading about the N. American short and industrial lines very interesting..
ERIC Sorry about mixing up the V3 with V1. I am looking forward to getting the pic of the V1 You can see why I though the V3 was built by English Electric. In the link below their is a photo of their prototype loco D226 'Vulcan' preserved on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in Yorkshire
http://www.kwvr.co.uk/dieselpage.htm
The steam locos in the pics Sunday as far as I know are vacuum brake only still. Most of the steam locos working the main line specials today have been dual braked, although I am not sure about the locos working from Tyseley. There are very few locos working for the main companies on British lines that are vacuum brake fitted today. I dont think any freight cars on BR are vacuum braked any more.
CM3 Many thanks for the Christmas on the Branch encore .
We did drive from Providence to Sturbridge. I wish I could recall where the train was seen. I beleve I spelt the name of Sturbridge, Stourbridge, which is how the town is named in England . It is interesting the local folks pronounce it Sturbridge whereas folks from out side call it Stourbridge.
The is a line from Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town at only 3/4 of a mile it is the shortest BR passenger branch, it is worked by a single car diesel unit.
TOM Sorry you are still having problems logging in.
Really looking forward to Canada.I think if you are begining to understand me I had better pop over to England and get my accent topped up.
As you say Christmas is rapidly approaching, here is a winter tale I posted last year about this time, I thought of it after Saturdays trip.
Well I have been thinking of a Chrismas time railway story although not in the Classic Train era, it was my first taste of American trains.
In 2000 my now bride asked if I would like to come to Kansas City over Christmas. while I was here she said that we ought to go to St. Louis although Missouri had gotten a fair amount of snow. I asked was it possible to get by train. So on the New Years Day of 2001 we made our way to down-town KansasCity, after a mild panic on not being able to find the entrance to the Amtrak station( thankfully this has now changed as you board the trains through the main Union Station) we got to the plaform as the Conductor was calling for All Aboard. I was able to get a quick photo of the Amtrak loco as the early morning sun was reflecting off the loco's side.
The cars used that day were Superliners I think where you climbed through the baggage area to get to your seat, the view, amount of leg-room and all the seats facing the direction of travel was so different to Britain. Soon after leaving KC the first of many freights was passed this one had a red Santa-Fe loco at the head. As we passed through the snow covered landscape every loop contained a freight so different from England. After Jefferson City the line runs along side the Missouri river which looked part frozen over and with large chunks of ice floating downstream. We spotted deer and even a bald eagle as we headed to St Louis. Having seen photos of the Union Station in St Louis I wish that it could have been 50 years ago but I am still grateful for such a great introduction to American Railroad travel.
Well back to today, I'll have another Ruthand perhaps a Winter Ale off LEON later.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Have finished plowing through a ton of postings. Comments follow in no particular order.
Pete: Did you drive from Providence to Sturbridge? If so, you could have seen trains either on the Providence and Worcester or on CSX (former NYNH&H or B&A).
Thanks also for Severn pictures - just lovely!
James - N scale; drop dead time is 1960 although I may push it up a little so I can have an SD45 or two. Then, I'll have to mothball the steam engines. BTW, NYC really didn't stick to the east coast, IMHO.
Eric - The B&A shot was excellent. The double track was removed sometime before you rode back in the 90s. I remember when a lot of it was 3-track and there was a fair amount of 4-track main line nearer to Boston.
DL - As our ‘steamed proprietor suggested, the NYC and PRR were fierce rivals. The interesting thing is that they sometimes worked together regarding car design, etc. Other than that it was strong competition. The P Company, although it billed itself as the "Standard Railroad of the World," was anything but; especially in the days of steam.
Barndad sent some nice traction shots and more CGW material.
Rob - Been there done that re hours; especially lately. We have been covered up.
Mike - Thanks for the B&HS and FC&G pictures - you can see why reading/studying about southeastern short lines.
Tom gave us a mighty fine survey of VIA - plus encores, and some good ‘moom pichers to watch. I got to see "Walk the Line" recently - not bad, if you haven't seen it yot.
Herewith an encore holiday piece.
Christmas on the Branch
The Lexington station was a white and gray-colored wooden structure; one of the few stations in New England to have a train shed. Under the shed it was dark and damp and smelled of oil, creosote, and coal smoke from long ago engines. The platform was cement and dirt; mostly dirt. A taxi company occupied the north end of the station, and the rest of the building was devoted to railroad business.
A small yard east of the station handled cars picked up and set off by local freights. Other industries scattered along the branch, such as coal and lumber yards usually received loads. The lumber yard received aromatic loads of wood from Canada and the west. Local trains spotted coal hoppers at different industries along the branch.
More than a few residents still heated with coal so anthracite often came on Lexington branch trains. There was a small coal yard in North Lexington that had a wooden storage facility. Metal signs advertised the different brands of coal that were available such as Blue Coal, Reading Anthracite, and D&H Anthracite. These signs were very colorful with red and white, blue and white, and blue and orange lettering. Conveyors carried the coal to different pockets where it would be loaded into trucks that carried the coal to the customer.
Late in November, from Canada, came my favorite cars; wooden Canadian National boxcars loaded with fragrant Christmas trees. The tree cars didn't arrive until late November because back then the Christmas holidays did not "officially" start until after Thanksgiving.
Southern tomorrow - I'll be there, for sure in my accustomed a.m. time slot for a change.
Almost forgot - my 10,000 entry is March 15.
Work safe
Tuesday's ENCORE! Theme for the day will be:
Watch for the arrival on Track #1 before NOON
and hopefully throughout the day!
G’day Gents!
Monday has rolled ‘round once again, but this time it’s THE last one before the jolly old man himself drops down the chimney! Last one for shopping; last one for work; last one to enjoy a cuppa Joe here at the Tavern by the Tracks. While you’re at it, try the bakery goods and of course a <light> or <traditional> breakfast.
As has been advertised – we will be CLOSED for two days – Sunday and Christmas (Monday). I’m not planning on being here on either day, so the “stuff” I usually Post on Sunday will appear on Saturday along with the ENCOREs!
Gotta ‘nother round of appointments this AM, so this will be a “shortie” – many thanx to Doug – Pete – Rob ‘n Eric for stopping by. Yes, Eric – you MUST see The Polar Express – it’s really entertaining and before one realizes it, the animations become rather life-like. A well done flick, fer sure, fer sure!
Good speaking with you (again) Pete – I’m even beginning to understand YOU! Anyway, looks like our plans are falling into place for our trip to Canada. We’ve decided on this itinerary: VIA Rail from Montreal to Halifax aboard the “Ocean” – overnight in Halifax to visit the Keith’s Brewery and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – then back to Montreal by train. A day over at the Canadian Railway Museum at Delson/Saint Constant) – then the train to Gaspe aboard the “Chaleur” for a round trip. Yup, we’re gonna DO IT ALL!
I began this modest Post about 1 ½ hours ago – still cannot log on without long delays. The log-in screen is “blank” except for the top and bottom, with nothing in the middle to enter my cyber name and password. Then when it finally came up, I kept getting redirected to a “Customer Service” screen. Then no “tool bar” on the Thread to make entry selections from. Go figger! <huh>
Noted that Mike has checked in . . . Good morning to you, Sir!
Catch y’all later . . .
Feb 14th – BK
Feb 15th – Lars
Mar 12th – Pete
Jan 1st – James
Jan 28th – Eric
Jan 18th – DL
Feb 8th – Doug
Jan 31st – Rob
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
This is about railroads we never of.
"In 1923 W.S.F. Tatum, owner of the Tatum Lumber Company of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, established the Company in order to purchase the Hattiesburg Branch from the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio Railway. This twenty-seven mile branch connected Hattiesburg to the GM&O main line at Beaumont, Mississippi. Using the Hattiesburg Branch Tatum would be able to gain access to a new logging operation near Denco, Mississippi and transport lumber from Bonhomie, Mississippi, where Tatum owned a sawmill, to the GM&O junction at Beaumont where there was a connection to Mobile, Alabama.
"The Interstate Commerce Commission approved the sale on January 5, 1925, and the Bonhomie & Hattiesburg Southern Railway went into operation on January 17, 1925. The entire capital stock of $335,000 was sold to the Tatum family, and all equipment for the railroad was leased from the Tatum Lumber Company including five locomotives, three of which were new Baldwin locomotives. The B&HS showed a profit for several years, but slipped into financial deficit as its profit from lumber traffic declined. Tatum's logging operation near Denco ended when the GM&O abandoned its Blodgett Branch, a dummy line from Denco to Piave, Mississippi. In 1953 Tatum sold the then unprofitable B&HS to the Fernwood, Columbia, & Gulf Railway." (Univ. of Southern Mississippi)
Bonhomie & Hattiesburg Southern 2-6-2
http://www.yesteryeardepot.com/BHS250.JPG
http://www.taplines.net/August/augindex.htm
Minneapolis: Milwaukee Road
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf026/pf026992.jpg
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf092/pf092212.jpg
Rochester CGW depot
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf016/pf016282.jpg
Good morning Tom and friends. I'll have two light breakfasts please. Got a strange workweek ahead, with two days off and my parents in from California. We'll be visiting with them tomorrow and take a trip (train of course) into Chicago on Friday. Got my Grandma's annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange on Saturday too. More nice Alan pix from Peter yesterday. Sure would like to see some steam action in these parts. Hopefully 2008 will do it! Thanks for the comments Tom and Rob. Irish was turned-out with his horse buddies yesterday and looks like his old self. Eric, I tried to get the guys at Our Place to purchase our own prototype trainset a while back, but we didn't have sufficient funds in the upstairs bathtub to pull it off. Hope you win that powerball so we can at least have a private car.
And now, here's the last part of my CGW article, as promised
The Amazing Great Western - Railroad Magazine - Sept. 1953
Came now the ominous year of 1929. Before the stockmarket crash, two amazing CGW innovations occurred. The first was a companion train to the Venetian-red consist on the Cities-Rochester run. Called the Blue Bird, it not only differed in color but also in general appearance, from trucks to ceiling. A three-unit, deluxe gas-electric train made from the underframes of the old McKeen cars, the Blue Bird fluttered into the lime light on the CGW right-of-way, in the newspapers and in the trade press. The headend car, powered by a six-cylinder, 300-hp EMD engine, had an RPO and a baggage compartment. The middle init, a 74-passenger coach, had deep seats, wide aisles an large windows. But the ohs and ahs were reserved for the last car, a parlor-observation-club unit with a rounded end like today's streamliners. Low-back reed chairs, deep yielding Wilton carpets and ornamental lamps made it the last word in travel splendor. Two Pullman sections were provided for the comfort of people in ill health going to the Mayo Clinic.
The other innovation was a train-plane hookup patterned after the PRR-Santa Fe air-rail service just inaugurated in conjunction with the Transcontinental Air Transport (The Lindbergh Line). The Great Western Alliance was with Universal Air Lines at Chicago. Through-ticketing arrangements and a bus transfer from Grand Central to the Municipal Airport made it possible for CGW patrons to fly to St. Louis or to Cleveland by UAL tri-motor planes. One took the road's crack Legionnaire from Minneapolis, for example, at 7:45 p.m. and arrived in the Windy City at 8:15 the next morning. A waiting bus ferried him to the airport for the 9:45 plane to St. Louis, arriving at that city at 1:00 p.m. The Cleveland flight, however, did not leave until 4:00 p.m.; it arrived at Forest City three hours and forty-five minutes later. The Great Western Magazine carried a full-cover ad of this new service, as did the road's timetables. But the CGW's pioneer attempt at air-rail coordination was not successful, and it was soon discontinued.
The Blue Bird was not a success, either, due to curtailed travel habits resulting from the Great Depression, along with severe automobile and bus competition on the short Twin Cities-Rochester run. The CGW used every trick in the bag to retain its dwindling passenger business. In 1935, for example, it provided tourist-Pullman service between Chicago and the Twin Cities at coach fare. A coach ticket plus the cost of a berth did the trick. The cut-rate tariff met with intense opposition from competing rail lines, and had to be withdrawn.
While there is a little CGW passenger service today, the fact remains that the road once operated an abundance of through trains with dining, sleeper and parlor-car facilities. Trains like the Great Western Limited, later called The Legionnaire, and even later The Minnesotan, held their own in Chicago-Twin Cities operation. Probably the heaviest train of all, however, was the Mills Cities Limited, linking Minneapolis-St. Paul with Kansas City. At least three Pullmans were generally in the consist, and five were by no means uncommon either.
Throughout the years the comparatively small Iowa town of Oelwein assumed an importance to the great Western travelers out of all proportion to its size. Why? Because all through trains, except those from the Twin Cities to Omaha, stopped there to set-out and/or add sleepers or coaches, generally both. Usually this shunting was done around midnight, and it took a hearty traveler indeed to sleep through Oelwein.
The Depression years left their mark on the CGW, as they did on all American railroads. Nathaniel L. Howard had succeeded Felton to the presidency in 1925, and in late 1929 the former gave way to Victor V. Boatner. Next (in 1931) came Pattrick H. Joyce, a former railway supply man. The plight of the road was so serious that it went into receivership in 1935, but five years afterward was reorganized as the Chicago Great Western Railway, since Stickney's company in 1892 had exactly the same name.
Presidents came and went on the Great Western, and many pf them hardly remembered today outside railroad circles. In contrast, the road had its full quota of men who once worked for it in other capacities and may have achieved lasting fame. Among them, of course, was Walter P. Chrysler. No less important was Frank . Kellogg, author of the famed Kellogg Pact to outlaw war, who for many years headed the road's legal department. Again, there was Charles H. Mayo, one of the brothers who founded the internationally known Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Mayo served as consulting surgeon for the railroad. One board member had the distinction of resigning from the Great Western to take office as vice president of the United States during Coolidge's administration. He was the late Charles G. Dawes, and, like Kellogg, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Probably the best known living alumni of the CGW are Sewell L. Avery, the outspoken board chairman of Montgomery Ward, and Ralph Budd, distinguished ex-president of the Burlington and current board chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority. Mr. Avery served for several years on the Great Western's board of directors, and Mr. Budd started his long railroad career in the CGW's engineering department.
Extra-heavy motive power like Texas type 866, had long been CGW tradition, leading up to present day six and seven-unit diesels
In the second World War the CGW made a very satisfactory showing in handling heavy defense traffic with its modern Texas-type locomotives. Equipped with boosters and modernized with lightweight rods and roller bearings on all drive wheels, they generated a starting tractive force of 97,900 pounds.
The first step in post-war modernization came about when President Harold W. Burtness, who succeeded Joyce in 1946, ordered three 1000-hp diesel switchers and six 4500-hp diesel road engines. After that diesels came to stay. With the inauguration of four-unit 6000-hop road freighters, it became evident that even the Texas-type steamers were on the way out.
Another CGW experiment, and one that seems to be paying off, is shown in this picture. Several flats loaded with highway trailers are cut in behind locomotives. Photo was taken at Des Moines River viaduct.
A change in ownership of the road led to Grant Stauffer's being made president in 1948. His untimely death on March 31, 1949, resulted in Assistant to the President, William N. Deramus III, being elected in his place. Mr. Deramus took off
Good evening/morning Captain Toma and Gentlemen!!
I just want to slip this post in under the door. Another weekend is gone, but I am having a vacation day tomorrow (Monday)!
Doug – Good news about Irish!! A very good looking horse! I forgot about those matchbooks! My wife has hundreds and hundreds of them, all different. I have to check for RR-matchbooks.I like the pictures from Gardiner and Glacier National Park. I don’t remember if we stopped at Glacier National Park with the X2000 or if we just passed by. I know I took some video then. I have to check and see what I have on it. IRM has an impressive collection of everything running on rails. Very nice pictures. The Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 looks very nice, especially comparing with the FM I saw at Orange Empire Railway Museum a week ago. When I win the powerball I will buy myself a private car! That is the way to travel. Tom – Looking forward to visit the TrainWreck Saloon in may. Seems to be a very nice place. I like the caboose. Nice selection of Sunday movies. I guess I really should see the Polar Express when I get a chance. I can see Pete was traveling behind a GE P42DC on his way to Kirkwood. 4,250 hp. Nice pictures of the train and the Saloon!FYI. I have had no problem to log on to the forums at any time.Pete – The picture showed a Class V3, the diesel-hydraulic from Germany. I will mail you a picture of Class V1 (English Electric). V3 had (has) a 450 hp 6-cyl. diesel engine. You start the engine using compressed, stored, exhaust fumes.Nice pictures of British steam!! Looking at the pictures I wonder if those steam engines have vacuum brakes? Rob – I just found out that Brill #10 belonged to Pacific Electric. I don’t know when it was retired, but Old PuebloTrolley, Inc. in Tucson, AZ, leased it from Orange Empire Railway Museum in 1985 and have used it on their 1 mile short line in Tucson. I am not sure when the car was returned to Perris, but I guess it was sometime the last few years. Thanks for the info on CPR - CP, and now CPR again!
Well good afternoon gents and others ( gotta keep Boris feeling loved and appreciated ) Nice to get back in again as I fear I will be hit n miss for the next week as well
Pete- Loved today's pictures sir some wonderfull English steam , I'm always amazed to see how many are still operable over there. Not good that Tom and lars are unable to communicate with us, at least they can look at and enjoy. it has happened to me as well and is very frustrating.To answer your question the LE&N and GRR steeple cabs did run until discontinuance of electric service in 1961. they were all sold off to Illinois Terminal after that, all accept 335 which we have at our museum ( currently non operational )
Tom-I did indeed mean the 31st of january, just shows what the "holiday brain " does to me this time of year. At least folks in the store have been for the most part been on the pleasant side this year Great shots of the trainwreck , in my ,minds eye it looks exactly like the kinda gin joint we would all hang out in, I can even see Boris lurking in the corners wearing his white apron LOL.Looks like a good outing for both you and sir Pete
Eric-Wonderfull museum shots. The control stand on the "blimp" are quite similar to L&PS 8's at our museum and LE&N 797's which is getting more and more restored, we hope to have it operational in 3 or 4 years.( it does take time to bring em back espeacially with an all vollenteer force ) That little brill #10 looks like an austerity or safety car from the late teens or early 20's the paint job looks familiar, I'd almost say Boston or Baltimore. To answer your question yes teh CPR stood for Canadian Pacific Railway, shortened to CP Rail in the late 60's early 70's now they are refering to themselves by the old title once again times do change then change back
Doug-I see that we habve an unoffical musuem theme with pictures going on today, great crop from you toaday as well. I think James will like the Milw. set . Great news on the health of Irish just shows that a little compassion can go a long way
Rob
What an afternoon! Unable to log into the Forums since my last Post and wouldn't have tried if not for an Email from Lars. Seems that he received a message from BK asking whether there was trouble on the Forums, since he (BK) couldn't get on. Lars tried, and he couldn't either. Apparently has been that way since Saturday for the both of 'em. I've tried both 'puters and the antiquated "dial up" along with the hi-speed, neither seemed to make a difference. I could read the Posts, but that's it . . . Now, for some unknown reason - here I am!
Good to see Doug 'n Pete carrying on our Sunday Photo Posting Day! activities. Remember when this used to be "owned" by Rob Then, Doug Then Doug 'n Rob Yes, things do CHANGE here at the Tavern by the Tracks, but one thing remains constant and that is the interest is what we're doing on this Thread. Don't believe me Check out the numbers of those who "browse" - it's quite impressive.
Doug, you're doing a fine job setting the table for the 2008 Rendezvous in Chicago - just gotta visit the IRM! Pete, many thanx for continuing to provide us with some fine Pix from the "other side" - much appreciated! Also glad you enjoyed the TrainWreck - as the saying goes, "What's not to like"
Eric, I received your Email and thank you for a fine analysis. I'll hold my comments 'til we get some responses from the guys. Well done and much appreciated! Hope Lars got it, but from the "sound" of his Email, chewing nails would be better than "playing" in cyber space! <grin>
Catch y'all on Monday - gotta get back to the "feetsball" game!
I will just pop this through the mail slot.
ERIC. Thanks for the link showing the English electric V1 switcher. I guess she was a lot more powerful than the 350 HP class 08s.
More great pics at the Orange Empire Railway Museum the PE #418 is a classy car and it is good you were allowed to take a pic of the controls.
#1624 looks a loco full of caracter as well.
DOUG Really glad to hear Irish is getting along much better. He has the Luck of the Irish to have such goodfolks looking after him..
Great old pics on the trains to the two National Parks.
I wonder what someone would have said if they were told when those matchbooks were free that one day they would be sold for #30.
TOM The train was late arriving in Jeff City but it was a good trip when we got going it fact we made up a bit of time, I was lucky as there was a good deal of frieght traffic ABOUT. It was a really great suprise to go to the Trainwreak Saloon as Tom had not said anything about going. I know it was easier to get me in there than getting me out.. Great set of pics thanks TOM..
Two great Christmas films at the Emporium. I see that Polar Express is beIng shown on TV recently, it is one of those films that can be seen again and again but it is so much better on the big screen in my opinion. I have not seen Scrooge but is sounds a great musical and the Stooges as well..
For this weeks pics from Alan. They are of English preserved railways.
Two pics on the Severn Valley Railway.
This is a pic of Stanier class 5 4-6-0 No 45110 at Kidderminster Town station. On the bottom of the smokebox door is a plate that reads 6J, this is the shed-code that donates that the loco is allocated to Holyhead shed
At the other end of the SVR this is Bridgnorth showing the loco shed built in preservation days. The locos on shed, from the right, are Ex LMS Stanier 2-6-0 No 42968, and Great Western pannier 0-6-0 Tank locos. The one in the center No 1501 was used in BR days mainly around Paddington Station in London moving the empty cars in and out of the station. After its BR days it was sold to the National Coal Board and was used at Coventry Colliery
Two pics of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at their Fall Gala.
This a Midland designed 2-8-0 loco No 53809 class of 10 that was used solely on the Somerset & Dorset line to haul freights over the Mendip Hills, although they were used on Summer Saturdays to haul the heavy holiday passenger traffic between Bath and Bournemouth on the South Coast over the S&D.
This shows the Double-Chimney on B. R. Standard 4-6-0 No 75029 also a headboard for the Pullman dining train on the NYMR. The headboard is in the style used in BR steam days for most of the named trains, although there were more elaborate ones mainly on the Great Western or the Royal Scot and Caledonian trains The southern Region used a different, larger and rectangular design fitted it the middle of the smokebox.
NOTE. TOM AS GOT IN TOUCH TO SAY HE AND LARS CANNOT POST AT OUR PLACE AT THE PRESENT ALTHOUGH THEY CAN VIEW THE POSTS.
DOUG I see that you have posted some more pics so I will post this and have a look.
Howdy again gents! I failed to mention that Peter was the only customer at the bar yesterday. Thanks also for your words of encouragement for "Operation Irish". I think we'd all rather hear more about "Operation Bourbon Winter" though. Great pair of pix for the Emporium Tom. I'd sure like to know more about "swinging the alphabet and Stooge basketball! Wonderful pix of your trip the Trainwreck Saloon. Can't wait to see it in person!
Since Eric is showing museum pix today, I think I will too. Here are some pix from Rail & Wire of some of the many cars at the IRM. I'll start with a little something for James.
A trio of Milwaukee Road locomotives lined up in mid-1984 for the 1985 IRM Calendar photo - diesels 760, a 1944 Fairbanks Morse H10-44, and 118-C, a 1951 Electro-Motive F7a; and 265, a Class S-3 Northern type (4-8-4). The 188C was purchased from the Milwaukee Road Salvage Disposition Department while the road was in bankruptcy. The cost was $6,500, arriving at IRM April 16, 1984. The locomotive was operable, but the exterior was in poor condition.
For years it was assumed that a set of CTA 6000 series cars would be saved by IRM, and that became a reality on December 22, 1984, when two cars arrived - 6125 and 6126. The choice of these two cars was simple because they were the only cars left of the eight 6000's that ever had trolley poles.
In 1983, Aurora, Elgin & Fox River 306 was purchased from Trolleyville USA and donated to IRM.
MTA (Boston) 10 was one of three RDC's originally purchased by the Chicago North Western in 1950. It was originally Car 9934, and was purchased by the C&NW in an attempt to modernize commuter service. The C&NW was disappointed with the performance of the self-propelled cars. They traded the RDC's to the Chesapeake & Ohio who in turn sold them to Boston where our car was used as a coach in commuters service. You might remember the pictures I took showing the interior as it is today.
The completion of an eight-year, $100,000 restoration was celebrated in February 1991, with the 50th birthday party for the Electroliner.
Hey ...what's this? Sure looks like a former Southern Railway car. I believe the SR is also our theme for Tuesday, if I'm not mistaken. This is the Susan Marie, a former Southern Railway office car, which was donated to IRM by Carl M. Michaelson. This magnificent car, complete and in good condition, provides us with an excellent example of a modern private rail car - the rail equivalent of a luxury home. The car was converted by the Southern Railway in 1948 from a heavyweight Pullman for use initially by D.E. Brosnan then general manager of the Central Lines. Over its 25 years of service for the Southern, it was assigned to various division superintendents carrying the number 5 and finally 10 before being retired in July 1973.
Even though the bar at "Our" Place
is CLOSED on Sundays -
We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!
Just a few "teasers" from yesterday with Pete . . . .
Amtrak arrived at Kirkwood, MO
Amtrak at Kirkwood, MO
Amtrak departing Kirkwood, MO
Kirkwood window display (note broken box car door)
The TrainWreck Saloon (note the glass block windows where the doors used to be)
The TrainWreck Saloon (note the building addition on the rear)
The Caboose at the TrainWreck Saloon (in warm weather, this serves as the courtyard bar service)
The TrainWreck Saloon (one of the stops we'll make at our 2007 Rendezvous!)
Enjoy!
Now playing at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . Sunday, December 17th thru 23rd: The Polar Express (2004) Starring: Tom Hanks, Leslie Harter Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, and Nona Gaye – and – Scrooge (1970) Starring: Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Edith Evans, and Kenneth More. SHORT: The Three Stooges – Violent Is The Word For Curly (1938).
The Polar Express (2004)
PLOT SUMMARY:
Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy (voice of Daryl Sabara and Tom Hanks), an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa's sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine's roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.
from: amazon.com
Scrooge (1970) PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a delightful musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol. Cold-souled Ebenezer Scrooge has a change of heart after spirit visitations on Christmas Eve. Folks might not have had much to sing about in 1840's England, but this musical will make you believe otherwise. Kenneth More's musical number as the Ghost of Christmas Present is especially entertaining.
SHORT: Violent Is The Word For Culry (1938) PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
Moe, Larry and Curly are gas station attendants who blow up an automobile with three foreign professors going to Mildew's Girl College. The Stooges change into the professors' clothes and impersonate them at the school. In class, the Stooges teach the girls how to "Swing the Alphabet," and follow up by teaching Mrs. Catsby how to play basketball, Stooge-style!
from: threestooges.net Enjoy! Tom
Sunday once again and the bar is CLOSED! However, we do serve breakfast – brunch ‘n lunch ‘til 2 PM; and of course this is Sunday Photo Posting Day!
A rather dismal day at the bar yesterday, but a fun time for Pete ‘n Moi at the tavern known as the TrainWreck Saloon. As has been mentioned several times, this is the structure that “Our” Place is fashioned after and was originally known as the Nine Mile House. The building has had modifications, but is still “alive ‘n well” serving a local population as well as the lunch goers. A definite stop for those of us who attend the 2nd Annual “Our” Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in St. Louis!
Amtrak brought Pete to my area, but was late (again), thereby cutting into some serious socializing! <grin> Snapped a few Pix of the train and will see if they are ready for “prime time” use a bit later on. Had it not been for a change in plans brought on by some personal “stuff” at my end of things, we’d still be sitting at the TrainWreck with Pete’s Mrs. wondering where is my man <grin> Thanx, Mate - good time, fer sure, fer sure.
Don’t know why we couldn’t have a Tuesday Theme for the Day! as you mentioned. Be sure to “push” for it when we enter the new year!
Appreciate your Post of 9:53 PM yesterday. Always can count on Pete to keep us in mind!
Eric at 2:11 AM today: An early start, but a most appreciated one for our Sunday Photo Posting!
Thanx for the F40PH info – I’ll have to compare it with the number I came up with a few weeks back . . . Anyway, VIA Rail is still a heavy user of those machines and apparently is doing quite well with the required and preventive maintenance programs.
Thanx for the Pix from your recent foray into SoCal and the museum. Always a bit sad to see the deteriorating condition of railroad equipment, but then, these have been saved from the scap heap and perhaps will eventually be restored to better condition; we can hope.
Doug at 6:42 AM today: Great looking horse and good to learn that he turned the corner. Here’s hoping for brighter days for “Irish”!
Thanx for the spate of diverse Pix for this fine day! Always look forward to your “surprises” and the narratives are appreciated as well.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, or something like that. How is one to know whether that item in your hand will someday be worth “big bucks” later on down the road Match books!
Reminder for Monday: Ruth opens up at 9 AM until Leon the night man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the OJ they can handle!
Good morning Tom and all. I'll have a light breakfast if you please. Looks like it was just the Tom-Show yesterday. Sorry about not providing information myself. Thanks for the kind words in reference to saving Irish. It was a big effort, but it paid off! When we first heard of his problems Thursday evening, and went to see what we could do, he was about as bad as he could be. I thought we had arrived just in time to see him die. The vet arrived for the 3rd time, and gave him a 50/50 chance. We kept him up and moving all night, and about 3:15 AM started seeing a bit of progress. By 5AM, when the vet showed for the 5th time, chances for recovery had improved to 70/30. By evening Friday he had cleared his blockage, but needed to be force fed to get back to normal. By early evening yesterday, he seemed to be his old self finally. Here's Irish in happier times
I see Eric has led the way with Sunday pix. I can't find out anything about that #10 Brill car myself. I can't find it in museum's roster. Enjoyed your other pix, sir.
Remember my little post on matchbooks, and this one in particular?
It went for about $30 plus shipping costs on E-Bay. How would you have liked to have picked-up several for free when they were first made? That's quite a net gain, wouldn't you say? Here are some pix from me this AM:
America was still in the horse and buggy era in 1905, when this NP train pulled into the loop at Gardiner, the railroad's entrance to Yellowstone Park
A generation later, a special help train arrives June 15, 1930 with mostly college youths who will spend their summer working at the park.
It's 1934, in the middle of the Depression, but people are still riding the posh Empire Builder to Glacial National Park
At Wishram, Wash., across the Columbia River from Oregon, the SP&S eastbound Empire Builder takes orders on the fly.
Bye for now. I'll be back with more!
A new arrival, about to enter hospital, saw two white coated doctors searching through the flower beds."Excuse me," he said, "have you lost something?""No," replied one of the doctors. "We're doing a heart transplant for an income-tax inspector and want to find a suitable stone."
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