Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
CM3, thanks for digging Delano. I put 4 links to Santa Fe 1943, they all enlarge. Unfortunately the thousands of his black & white photos online are not as clear, kind of blurry and fuzzy. Otto Perry was also great, a rabid railfan whose amateur pictures are indispensable to the historic record.
Frank Sinatra rolled himself up into a big ball and died. That's Life.
This is Time:
"1928 Marx got the greatest idea in toydom's history. Rounding a corner in Los Angeles one day, he stopped to watch a Filipino whittle away at a circular block of wood, attach it to a string and then bounce the block up and down the string, as his fellow-countrymen had been doing for as long as anyone could remember. The Yo-Yo, transformed by Marx from a primitive, island plaything into a universal preoccupation, sold more than 100 million and is still going strong."
Louis Marx
http://img.timeinc.net/time/magazine/archive/covers/1955/1101551212_400.jpg
James, I'm glad you liked the semaphores, PA1 and the steaming William Crooks, which had to be taken apart for shipment to Duluth.
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf032/pf032557.jpg
However I think MPI #100 (Metal Processing Industries) actually is in the Santa Fe department.
http://atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/mpi100.jpg
Hudson River tunnel (Thank you Eric!)
http://homepage.mac.com/ericx2000/.Pictures/For%20transfer/The%20Hudson%20Tunnel.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/ericx2000/.Pictures/For%20transfer/Hudson%20Tunnel.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/ericx2000/.Pictures/For%20transfer/Penn%20Station%2C%20NYC.jpg
Greyhound Bus
http://images.nypl.org/?id=482565&t=w
Empire State Building 1930
http://www.archives.gov/research/american-cities/images/american-cities-079.jpg
Anyway, to make a tall tale short, this is a road on a truck.
http://muse.museum.montana.edu:16080/rvndb/rvn-jpgs/RVN20600.jpg
Mike
G-day Tom and all present!
Leon- I would like a sandwich and a coffee, please. Also get the guys a round. I'm in the giving spirit.
Mike- Nice contribution of pics you had there. The Semaphores caught my eye the most. I just can't get enough of the Semaphore. They are a really cool looking signal. The PA1 also caught my eye. Good looking train. Thanks.
Eric- Glad you liked the pics. The Fairbanks Morse H-12-44 locomotive you found there is not Santa Fe. The Santa Fe had numbered there locomotives in the 600s series. I will do a little research on it and I will get back to you that.
Barndad- Good Marx trains article. I really am not a collector of that kind of model but I know some guys who would be. None the less, Good show!
Tom- You're right. The Warbonnet is a good sight to see. I do like that scheme.
Also a nice article on Marx trains but, I didn't know they made plastic figurines. I was a bit surprised to see "Donald the Demon." That's just a little scary!
Time for some Model pics!!
Remeber how this looked with the Cement plant and the diamond........well......
This is how it looks now. It isn't done but it's close. It took a drastic change. The diamond has been moved and a junction put into place. This is Des Moines Junction. This summer I will be putting in CTC. The Semaphores will work according to where the trains are running.
Another view of the new Junction.
You can see that the grain elevator will still be in place. I just don't have the tracks leading to the elevator. They will be in shortly.
What do you think!!
Happy railroading
James
G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
BOO! Wake up sunshine, and gimme a beer! A Rheingold in a frosty mug will do fine, thank you Ruth! Sloooooooooooow, huh Can't quite get used to this at what once was really a busy place. As the numbers dwindle, as the regulars become irregular, as the stomach turns, etc. <swg>
I read "it," have YOU Seems like there's more than one "message" in "it" - intended for whom Hmmmmmmmmm. So, the idea is to enable the JOs and castigate those who buy the products, support the forums, and . . . . Really, really getting close to packing it in, guys, I'm not here for any other reason than to enjoy the good times at the bar Tom created.
Does anyone have any ideas about where we could move the bar If so, let's get an e-mail "thing" started and look at the alternatives. Maybe a web site of our own. Something to think about.
Really had quite a bit of material for the Santa Fe and I never get tired of looking at that color scheme (aka: livery) especially in the war bonnet layout on those diesels from days gone by. That's CLASSIC TRAINS! Great job to those who contributed!
Southern for next Tuesday - I can handle it! Should be fun, as that's another U.S. road with lotsa history. Good choice, bossman!
Think I'll swing by your "other thread" just to keep 'er going a bit longer. I see where you've tapered off your activity a bit. Can't say as if I blame you; you've really put a lot of effort into that, which is your Hallmark! The rest of "youse guys" should check it out, why not There's "stuff" over there that hasn't appeared here. It's all not reruns as some would believe.
I see Doug started something with the Marx toys, huh I remember those from my days as a kid. Could find 'em in Woolworths, Kresge's and other ten-cent stores. Really were low on the totem pole in terms of quality when compared with Lionel and Gilbert's AF line. No comparison. But, still nice to have some of it brought back. Thanx to Tom too for the ENCORE! Makes for one of those "everything and more" regarding Marx. when you put the two posts together.
Is it just me, or have things really gotten a bit "lonely" without Pete - Rob - Nick 'n DL
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please, round for the house and $ for the ju8kebox.
I will now retype my entire post as it vanished when I posted it the first time. Sheesh! Probably a loose nut behind the keyboard.
Some belated acknowledgements.
Pete - Thanks for UK steam shots.
Eric provided a shot of the B&A summit "sign." Back in the day this was a white sign with black letters. I wonder where it is now?
BK - Bon voyage (again) be safe out there.
James sent along some ATSF shots
Barndad came through with a condensed ATSF history, pictures, and some mighty fine Marx material.
Click on that Delano picture in Mike's collection of items and, if your computer will let you, the photo will fill up most of your screen. Looking at this, you can see why he's on my short list of inspirational rr photographers. Now, there's a thread waiting to happen.....
Our ‘Steamed Proprietor ran a double header yesterday, Looking at the photos gives you a good idea of what ATSF paint looked like over the years. The blue/yellow scheme applied to the F units when they came on the property during WW2 was not in the article, but (how's this for linking things), you can see a shot of that on the cover of Santa Fe Locomotive Development (gotta get this book), in the latest installment of Lars' Library list which, BTW, is most appreciated. I have a pretty extensive library, but am always interested in what's new. Just got your Marx post; Donald the Demon lives down the street from me; he drives an ancient Pontiac.
My apologies if I left anyone out. I'll try and get back later today, but everyone is trying to finish up stuff b4 the holidays, so we are in and out a lot; at least the weather is much better than it was last week.
Work safe
OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day!
first Posted on Page 332
Another Toy 'n Model Trains Day! here at the bar. I was going to hold off on providing anything new, given that so many of our number are away for an assortment of reasons . . . however, in deference to those of you who "give a Rat's Patoot!" - try this one on for size! Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements.
G’day Gents!
Gonna be a busy day for Moi here in mid-continent USA – so, after a cuppa Joe, some pastries from the Mentor Village Bakery and a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast, I’m outta here (for awhile)!
Appears as if the Santa Fe ENCORE! Theme for the Day! worked out well as we had quite a few contributors – but some noticeable absences too. Never know ‘round here who is gonna show up, eh <grin> We’re pretty much entrenched as the “Hit ‘n Miss Bar ‘n Grill”! Also noted that the Pages were a bit slow in loading this morning – must be all the Pix, does it every time.
Note to Pete: I’ve sent you 3 E-mails! Are you there
Note to all: No response from the Forums Manager, although there is a “blurb” on all of the Forums regarding the “rules” and so forth. Read ‘em.
To the acknowledgments:
BK at 1:07 PM yesterday: Many thanx for the AT&SF loco Pix AND the drumheads! Nicely done, and my guess is Lydia was hard at work.
Hate to think of you disappearing again for a long period of time, but I’d be doing the same thing if our situation permitted. Love traveling and never seem to get ‘nuf of it.
Appreciate your taking the time to stick it out with us, especially during these times of “on again, off again” at the Saloon by the Siding.
Lars at 2:45 PM yesterday: Another fine spate of book and video covers from you! A real touch of class for our Theme for the Day! (Also on our Sunday Photo Posting Days!) Well done, Mate!
Sports in St. Louis at this time of year isn’t a pleasant subject. Blues lost again last night to the hated Blackhawks from ChiTown , 3-2. Hawks scored three goals in 2:04 minutes to keep the Blue Note at the bottom of the heap. New coach may change things around, but it’s gonna take time. Let’s go Cardinals! <grin>
Doug at 6:58 PM yesterday: Now what is it you don’t understand about our B’day Watch List! It’s a rather simple thing, you see – the year is 2006 – the ages shown reflect the age one will reach during the year of the list. <geesh> When the 2007 list comes out – if it comes out! – all one needs to do is add “one year” to each name, and so forth. <double geesh>
A raise Volunteers don’t get paid from the upstairs tub. However, if you want a job ‘round here that does pay, looks like we’re gonna have an opening if our on again, off again Bar Chandler keeps up the disappearing act. <groan>
Many thanx for the second installment on the AT&SF – good stuff!
James at 8:42 PM yesterday: Reach the 20th month is a milestone indeed. There are times when I wonder how much longer this will go on. I’m hoping to reach the two year mark, then . . . .
Fine inclusive Post from you and I really “dig” those warbonnet liveries of the Santa Fe. Used to be that the blue was set aside for freight and the red for passenger – although, there are many, many exceptions out there in the Ether where pictures show otherwise. We used to have an Aficionado ‘round here on the Santa Fe, but alas, no longer. Therefore, we must rely on one another for the ‘straight skinny’ on how the liveries were matched with the service employed.
Thanx again!
Mike at 9:22 PM yesterday: URLs Rule! And you haven’t let us down for our Theme for the Day!
Eric at 11:23 PM yesterday: We’re getting spoiled by your late nite/early AM Posts – something we look forward to. Thanx for being one of us here at the Tavern by the Tracks!
Enjoyed the to
Good morning Tom and friends. I'll have a light breakfast, and then I must be off. Please except this humble offering to read with your morning coffee:
Marx Electric Trains by Allen W. Miller - VR6 1997
At the peak of his long career, toy maker Louis Marx was crowned by Time magazine as America's Toy King - a fitting tribute both to the man and to the multitude of gaily-colored, often animated, and eminently affordable playthings produced at his Wheeling, West Virginia, and Girard and Erie, Pennsylvania, factories from the early 1920s through 1975.
And a benevolent kings he was, for during his tenure Louis Marx bestowed to generations of youngsters a bounty of childhood treasures that were as near as the local five-and-dime store. There, one could find Marx-made toys ranging from action figures to a wide variety of vehicles - all available at prices befitting childhood financial resources more often measured in silver coins than folded paper currency. And, of course, there were the electric trains!
Most of the trains were produced at Girard plant. Over the years, Marx created underpowered, wind-up, battery-powered, and electric toy trains in several sizes and gauges, ranging from early, non-scale floor toys and wind-up trains for homes not yet electrified to scale HO models in the later years. But among toy train enthusiasts, the Marx trademark is most closely linked to the firm's extensive range of lithographed tinplate O gauge electric trains and their related accessories. Actually, they were O27 size - somewhat smaller than true O scale - but the trains were never advertised as such because Louis Marx believed consumers would too closely associate his product with the O27 assortment widely touted by Lionel Trains.
Marx's six-inch, four-wheel tinplate cars from the 1930s and early 1940s had a charm all their own, and were produced in a wide variety of styles and colors
Marketing deceptions aside, Louis Marx bestowed a legacy of lithographed tinplate toy trains surviving the tests of both time and evolving technologies. Although Marx himself was not the creator of either the manufacturing technique known as tin-plating or the printing method known as lithography, he was an erstwhile proponent of these processes used in combination. Indeed, in the art of applying four-color printing to tin-plated metal sheets, Marx Electric Trains took a back seat to no competitor, then or since.
In the years leading up to World War II, virtually everything in the Marx O27 gauge train line was made of lithographed tinplate. In part, the process was a logical extension of the Marx philosophy of providing durable and attractive toys at a reasonable price. Molded or added detail parts such as handrails or window frames increased manufacturing time and costs, and could be broken or damaged during active play. Skillfully applied lithography - printing on thin metal sheets much as a commercial printer prints pages of a book or magazine - visually represented with details too fragile or expensive to manufacture separately. Even shadow areas could be depicted in printing, providing the illusion pf dimension and depth. Perhaps best of all, from the manufacturer's point of view, Marx could use the same basic punched-metal sheets and other equipment to produced what appeared to be a variety of different locomotives and cars, but which were, in fact, essentially the same items dressed in different livery. The lithography was changed, but not the actual component or assembly. The result was a product that was visually effective, manufactured at considerable savings of time, labor, and money.
But the sun began to set on tinplate toys in America when forces of the Rising Sun struck at Pearl Harbor. During the war years, the defense industry's insatiable need for metals of all kinds precluded their use for toys or other consumer products. Also during those years, new materials and manufacturing methods evolved that would, in peacetime, lead to more efficient and economical ways of producing both real trains and their toy counterparts. After the war, Lionel and American Flyer (both of whom had also produced tinplate trains in the prewar period) turned increasingly to die-casting for steam locomotive bodies, and to newly developed plastics or lightweight aluminum for production of diesels and most rolling stock. Marx itself employed some die-casting, but relied even more on the cost-efficient plastics. The fine art of lithography remained on an extended hiatus.
Still, tinplate trains are truly the keystone of the toy train heritage, and they have never really been forgotten. Even today, toy trains (as opposed to scale models) are often generically referred to scale models) are often generically referred to as "tinplate" - a term applied despite the fact that, aside from the tinplated steel track they operate upon, few electric trains manufactured today are faithful to their tinplate past in composition or form. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions, and it is entirely fitting that when tinplate toy trains re-surfaced early in the 1990s as an adult collectible, their packaging would again bear the familiar circular Marx logo with the large "X" in the center.
The tinplate Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 steamer (top), the first locomotive model released by the New Marx Trains, remains faithful to the pre- and post-World War II Marx heritage. A CP passenger car is displayed in front of unformed and uncut steel lithographed sheet
During a visit to a mental asylum, a visitor asked the director what the criterion was which defined whether a patient should be institutionalized."Well," said the director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.""Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the teaspoon or the teacup.""No," said the director, "a normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, I'll have a Rumpsteak Cafe de Paris!! Medium, please! The usual to drink.
A lot of interesting reading and pictures today!! It took some time to read it all, but it was time well spent.
Doug – Very interesting, the history of Santa Fe! Just imagine, 22 westbound and 23 eastbound sections at one time!!! That is amazing, to say the least. I would have loved to travel by the De Luxe! Love those bumper stickers!I like that picture of the snow plow from 1976-77 (but I hate snow). I have to show a similar picture from the old country. My grandad took it sometime during the 20’s.
CM3 – Where do you see nurses on the trains today? Nowhere! Thanks for the info about the different SF trains! No diners west of Kansas City! I don’t think I would like to get off the train to get something to eat. Tom – Happy 20th Month Anniversary!!! I am glad I found this place last spring. Interesting to see the numbers from 1870 compared with 1945, going from 6 locomotives to 1,759! Not to mention the number of cars (or miles). I really don’t understand why ICC denied the merger with SP on the basis that it would create too many duplicates. Were they afraid that some lines would be closed? SF had quite a few named trains. I wonder if the vice president is related to B. P. Cheney who was a director of SF? I had to copy and save Part II, paint schemes and markings. Very nice pictures of different locos in different liveries. Can’t recall I have seen any pictures of black SF locos before. I like that FP45. I took a picture of #98 at the Orange Empire Museum last Saturday.
BK – Some nice pictures of some very nice looking locomotives (and a doodlebug). I mentioned above I would have liked to travel with SF’s train De Luxe. Now I even know what the drumhead looked like on that train! Thank you! I am always learning something.Lars – More interesting books (covers). I better make sure I’ll win Powerball soon so I can start some serious shopping! I like the picture on the Santa Fe Waycars. Saw a very similar caboose last Saturday. Of all those books I think I would like Santa Fe’s Early Diesel Daze the most.
James – Thanks for the pictures of those nice looking locomotives. Interesting to see that Fairbanks Morse engine. I saw a very similar one last Saturday, but missed its history. Maybe someone here can identify it, #560?
Mike – Thanks for the URLs to all those old Santa Fe pictures!
Eric
Lots of great pictures today, especially that #5000 in color.
Doug you inspire me all the time. I went and found a side view of those 7 trains
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics27/00048169.jpg
California Limited 1893
http://photoswest.org/photos/20103001/20103091.jpg
California Limited at Los Angeles 1899
http://photoswest.org/photos/20104126/20104180.jpg
Los Angeles old Santa Fe station
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics28/00033987.jpg
Union Station
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics26/00047620.jpg
Pasadena
http://photoswest.org/photos/20103001/20103062.jpg
South Pasadena
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics24/00046624.jpg
Streamlined steam engines
http://photoswest.org/photos/00001501/00001606.jpg
http://www.cvrma.org/pictures/MISC/dfrr4023_santa_fe_chief_1938.jpg
Electromotive 1939
http://photoswest.org/photos/00002001/00002123.jpg
Alco PA1 1950
http://photoswest.org/photos/00002126/00002186.jpg
"Little Buttercup" at Chicago Railroad Fair 1948
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/cushman/full/P04059.jpg
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/cushman/full/P04058.jpg
Semaphore signals 1943
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34738v.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34732v.jpg
KC Argentine Yard 1943
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34716v.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34711v.jpg
The Chiefs
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/T/T25/T2523-72dpi.jpeg
Cajon Pass 1943 Jack Delano (Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division)
Leon- Make it a coffee and a sandwich, please. And here's a little extra for the guys.
I would also like to join in on the celebration of the 20th month anniversary! It's been a good show while I've been here. Keep it up!!
CM3- Thanks for the comments on the Milwaukee road article. They weren't really in the best shape from the start. BTW: The Santa Fe passenger article was a good read. Really enjoyed it. Thanks
Lars- Glad you liked the Milwaukee article. It was interesting to read. But it left a grim scene. Thanks again for the book cover pics. Good selection to look at. Thanks.
Mike- That was one Big Ice breaker/ car ferry boat. I have never seen an Ice breaker that big before. But it helps when you carry cars too. Also. Glad to see that you found the William Crooks. It's an extremely old Great Northern locomotive. I have finally seen it running in a photo. Thanks.
Barndad- Very good read on the Santa Fe. Throughly enjoyed some of the History on the railroad. Good show. Also liked the pics of the swing bridge. I don't see to many of them left. I know where two are. One in Duluth, and the other in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There a pretty cool bridge, Thanks.
Pete- Nice steam pics you have there. Do those little steamers run on 4 foot 8 and a half wide track or are they a narrow gauge locomotive? BTW: Glad you liked the Milwaukee article. It had almost all the history of the railroad in short.
Eric- AAhhh. So that's the X2000.... So I wonder why I haven't heard of it. I've heard of Midway station but not that train. But thanks for the help. appreciate it. Also, The E8 looks great. There aren't to many left in the world. So any that survive are still a magnent toward railfans. BTW: The F45 was a nice looking unit. I would also like to see any of those in operation today.
Budkarr- Glad to see the doodlebug or the Gas electric. They are a cool looking little passenger train. Thanks for the pics.
Tom- The 20th month is quite a long time. Glad it has survived so long. That would be thanks to all you guys who contribute everyday. I very much enjoyed the Part 1 and 2 of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad. There were a lot of pictures within those two posts. I especially like the H-12-44 in the secong post. If only I could see one in operation. What a locomotive. Thanks for the pics and the aryticles on the railroad.
That Cowl unit is one you just can't miss. It is one great looking locomotive. I can't imagine what it would have been like to watch one of these coming down the tracks at 70 miles per hour. That would be fun. Sante Fe F45 #92 gets ready for an intermodal run.
What about this old paint scheme. This F7 was probably from the first order of diesel locomotives that the railroad ordered. I have to say that I don't like this much from the other locomotives.
Another of the Great looking Fairbanks Morse units. I just can't get enough of these locomotives. They were great switch engines. We have one here in Duluth at the NSSR, but is is leased out to Halet Dock at the moment. I want to see it running one of these days.
If I were to guess, I would say that this looks like a GP20 but it certainly could be GP9. Not really sure. But I think it is a GP20. It's nice what ever it is. I would like to own that.
Good evening Tom and gents! I'll have a bottomless ... anything, please, and purchase a round for the bar! Happy 20th, again, and I see a rather fine holiday post of musical mayhem by our raving, or was that roving reporter, CM3! Saw the updated B-Day list, and correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the ages listed the current ages, and therefore requiring me to add "1" on the actual natal day? I want a raise if I am to perform complicated math! Glad you liked me stuff CM3 and James. Makes my heart go lub-dub. Nice bit of reading on the Milwaukee James. You're doing a real fine job here. Bears just got lucky Lars. Next week we'll be wanted to fire Grossman again. Glad my stuff provided some inspiration for Mike. Forgive me for having to look over your submission later, but folks here want me to do some grilling. Great to see Pete, and I can't believe your question. It's not what the Green Bay Packers did wrong ... it's what can they do right? Thanks for recognizing the anniversary of my membership to the order of stools. I still can't remember much about the night, but at least the OotS brand on my heine no longer hurts. Wonderful pix from Alan, once again, and even more from Eric. Good info and pix, including a theme-day SF diesel! Fantastic Santa Fe submission today from CM3, followed by our steamed-proprietors 2-part Wikipedia first rate submissions. Absolutely wonderful work gentlemen! I'll drink to your toast, your trip, your Santa Fe pix and drumheads BK. Then I'll drink again with manager Lars who got us all back together again. Wonderful SF material from you today too sir. I didn't see the book I just purchased, which is where I got the following Pix and info, "Route of the Warbonnets" by Joe McMillan.
The winter of 1976-1977 was the worst of the century in the Midwest and the storm of Friday and Saturday, January 28 and 29, was the worst of the season. The blizzard buried Santa Fe's Pekin District with snowdrifts of up to 12 ½ feet. The 60-mile line, Santa Fe's only branch in Illinois, was closed for four days, but on Tuesday, February 1, the plow broke through to Pekin clearing the way for the first train.
When constructed in 1927, the 525-foot swing span of the Mississippi River Bridge was the longest and heaviest of its kind in the country. The huge span is opened many times each day to allow passage of river boats. Marine movements have the right of way over rail traffic and a train having to stop at the bridge approach to let a boat pass is said to have been "boated." Tow boat Tara Ann shoves 15 barges downstream past the bridge in August 1975. Swing span operations, once controlled from the station-like building at the top of the structure, are now handled from the white toll booth on the roadway deck.
Ruth, a frosty mug of Piels, a Lars-hero sandwich and treats for the critters and a round on me! I join with BK in offering a toast: Cheers to all who have made "Our" Place the finest watering hole this side of heaven! Happy Twentieth Month Anniversary to US!
A fine outpouring on this Tuesday for an Encore production of the Santa Fe theme for the day. Really some great material, much of which I hadn't seen B4. Well done to all who made it happen!
Really liked that two-parter from the bossman and what's not to like about the Santa Fe, huh
Even my "bookend" BK got into the act today with a spate of visuals that perhaps are his longest to date.
Before I get to my offering for this day, I would like to offer my condolences to those in St. Louis who have lost their football AND hockey teams. <grin> Can't knock the baseball team, though - but that's yesterday's news, huh But, B4 anyone jumps my case on this, I know, I know - my Knicks got beat by the Celtics from Beantown last night. <groan>
Now to my "stuff" for this theme day - some book and video covers!
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
Ruth, a round for the house and a hot mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting. Thank you. Let us toast to the continued good health of "Our" Place, the best cyber bar in the ether! A most happy 20th month anniversary!
In deference to those of you keeping this bar of ours humming along, GOOD SHOW! Some very fine material has been put forth on the Santa Fe, some from the past, others on the creative side, but all very much in keeping with Tom's idea of a thread whereby the participants decide the conversation!
I believe I have mentioned that we are departing for the Pacific islands next week and have an open ended return. One of my desires has been to head southwest until Australia is in sight. Just may do that. We have things at the mountain retreat taken care of to the extent whereby if we remain away for months at a time, our world will keep spinning quite nicely. Should we ultimately wind up "down under," we shall experience the railways of Australia. Thanks to the indoctrination received on this thread and at this bar, how could we not
If anyone has received a reply from the manager of these forums regarding the latest of situations, please forward it (them) to the rest of us. Nothing has been returned to me.
Santa Fe is next up from my meager archives of rail "stuff."
Drumheads
Hope to see you before the end of the week!
BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!
ENCORE! THEME for the DAY! - ENCORE! THEME for the DAY!
Now arriving on track #1 ….. Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Six
first Posted on page 246
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway PART II of II Paint schemes & markings Steam locomotives (copied from public domain) Santa Fe #5000, the 2-10-4 "Madame Queen," waits on a Ricardo, New Mexico siding to meet an eastbound train in March, 1943. (courtesy: www.trainweb.com) Santa Fe #3751, a restored 4-8-4 originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927, passes through San Bernardino in January, 1999. Diesel locomotives, passenger (copied from public domain) The 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. Santa Fe's first set of diesel-electric passenger locomotives was placed in service on the Super Chief in 1936, and consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed units (EMD 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. 1 and 1A. The upper portion of the sides and ends of the units were painted gold, while the lower section was a dark olive green color; an olive stripe also ran along the sides and widened as it crossed the front of the locomotive. Riveted to the sides of the units were metal plaques bearing a large "Indian Head" logo, which owed its origin to the 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. "Super Chief" was emblazoned on a plaque located on the front. The rooftop was light slate gray, rimmed by a red pinstripe. This unique combination of colors was referred to as the Golden Olive paint scheme. Before entering service, Sterling McDonald's General Motors "Styling Department" augmented the look with the addition of red and blue striping along both the sides and ends of the units in order to enhance their appearance. In a little over a year the EMD E1 (a new and improved streamlined locomotive) would be pulling Super Chief and other passenger consists, resplendent in the now-famous Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM "Art and Color Section." Reminiscent of a Native American ceremonial headdress, the scheme consisted of a red "bonnet" which wrapped around the front of the unit, that was bordered by a yellow stripe and black pinstripe. The extent of the bonnet varied according to the locomotive model, and was largely determined by the shape and length of the carbody. The remainder of the unit was either painted silver or was comprised of stainless steel panels. All units wore a nose emblem consisting of an elongated yellow "Circle & Cross" emblem with integral "tabs" on the nose and the sides, outlined and accented with black pinstripes, with variances according to the locomotive model. "SANTA FE" was displayed on the horizontal limb of the cross in black, Art Deco-style lettering. This emblem has come to be known as the "cigar band" due to its uncanny resemblance to the same. On all but the "Erie-built" units (which were essentially run as a demonstrator set), U28CGs, U30CGs, and FP45s, a three-part yellow and black stripe ran up the nose behind the band. A "Circle & Cross" motif (consisting of a yellow field, with red quadrants, outlined in black) was painted around the side windows on "as-delivered" E1 units. Similar designs were added to E3s, E6s, the DL109/110 locomotive set, and ATSF 1A after it was rebuilt and repainted. The sides of the units typically bore the words "SANTA FE" in black, 5"– or 9"–high extra extended Railroad Roman letters, as well as the "Indian Head" logo, with a few notable exceptions. Railway identity on diesel locomotives in passenger service: Loco Type.."Indian Head".."Circle & Cross".."Santa Fe"..Logotype…..Starting Year…..Comments ATSF 1 and 1A Yes Yes* Yes No 1937 "Circle & Cross" added to No. 1 after rebuild in May, 1938 EMD E1, E3, and E6 Yes* Yes Yes No 1937 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date ALCO DL109/110 Yes* Yes Yes No 1941 No "Indian Head" on B unit EMD FT Yes* No Yes No 1941 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date ALCO PA and PB Yes* No Yes No 1946 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date EMD F3 Yes* No Yes No 1946 "Indian Head" on B units only FM Erie-built Yes* No Yes* No 1947 "Indian Head" and "SANTA FE" on A units only EMD F7 Yes* No Yes* No 1949 "Indian Head" on B units only; "SANTA FE" added in 1954 EMD E8 Yes* No Yes No 1952 "Indian Head" on B units only GE U28CG No No No Yes 1967 "Santa Fe" logotype in large, red "billboard"-style letters GE U30CG No No Yes* No 1967 5"-high non-extended "SANTA FE" letters EMD FP45 No No Yes* No 1967 9"-high "SANTA FE" letters Source: Pelouze, Richard W. (1997). Trademarks of the Santa Fe Railway. The Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society, Inc., Highlands Ranch, CO. pp. 47–50. In later years, Santa Fe adapted the scheme to its gas-electric "doodlebug" units. The standard for all of Santa Fe's passenger locomotives, the Warbonnet is considered by many to be the most recognized corporate logo in the railroad industry. Early in the Amtrak Era, Santa Fe embarked on a program to paint over the red bonnet on its F units that were still engaged in hauling passenger consists with yellow (also called Yellowbonnets) or dark blue (nicknamed Bluebonnets) as it no longer wanted to project the image of a passenger carrier. (courtesy: www.trainweb.com) Santa Fe #300C, an EMD F7A unit photographed in 1972, wears the conventional Warbonnet scheme. Due to space limitations, the "Indian Head" logo was omitted from FTA/F3A/F7A units. (copied from public domain) An EMD F7B unit, photographed
ENCORE! Theme for the Day! - ENCORE! Theme for the Day!
first Posted on Page 246
Now arriving on track #1 ….. Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Six Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway PART I of II Locale: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas Reporting marks: ATSF Dates of operation: 1859 – 1995 Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AAR reporting mark ATSF), often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the largest railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859. Although the railway was named in part for the capital of New Mexico, its main line never reached there as the terrain made it too difficult to lay the necessary tracks (Santa Fe was ultimately served by a branch line from Lamy, New Mexico). The Santa Fe's first tracks reached the Kansas/Colorado state line in 1873, and connected to Pueblo, Colorado in 1876. In order to help fuel the railroad's profitability, the Santa Fe set up real estate offices and sold farm land from the land grants that the railroad was awarded by Congress; these new farms would create a demand for transportation (both freight and passenger service) that was, quite conveniently, offered by the Santa Fe. History Startup and initial growth Cyrus K. Holliday, the first president of the railroad. The railroad's charter, written single-handedly by Cyrus K. Holliday in January 1859, was approved by the state's governor on February 11 of that year as the Atchison and Topeka Railroad Company for the purpose of building a rail line from Topeka, Kansas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then on to the Gulf of Mexico. On May 3, 1863, two years after Kansas gained statehood, the railroad changed names to more closely match the aspirations of its founder to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. The railroad broke ground in Topeka on October 30, 1868 and started building westward where one of the first construction tasks was to cross the Kaw River. The first section of track opened on April 26, 1869 (less than a month prior to completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad) with special trains between Topeka and Pauline. The distance was only 6 miles (10 km), but the Wakarusa Creek Picnic Special train took passengers over the route for celebration in Pauline. Crews continued working westward, reaching Dodge City on September 5, 1872. With this connection, the Santa Fe was able to compete for cattle transportation with the Kansas Pacific Railway. Construction continued, and the Santa Fe opened the last section of track between Topeka and the Colorado/Kansas border on December 23, 1873. The Santa Fe's tracks reached Pueblo, Colorado on March 1, 1876. Serving Pueblo opened a number of new freight opportunities for the railroad as it now could haul coal from Colorado eastward. (copied from public domain) An ATSF passenger train in operation circa 1895. Building across Kansas and eastern Colorado may have been technologically simple as there weren't many large natural obstacles in the way (certainly not as many as the railroad was about to encounter further west), but the Santa Fe found it almost economically impossible because of the sparse population in the area. To combat this problem, the Santa Fe set up real estate offices in the area and vigorously promoted settlement across Kansas on the land that was granted to the railroad by Congress in 1863. The Santa Fe offered discounted passenger fares to anyone who travelled west on the railroad to inspect the land; if the land was subsequently purchased by the traveller, the railroad applied the passenger's ticket price toward the sale of the land. Now that the railroad had built across the plains and had a customer base providing income for the firm, it was time for the railroad to tackle the difficult terrain of the Rocky Mountains. Crossing the Rockies, competition with the Rio Grande Construction over the Rocky Mountains was slow, difficult and went as far as armed conflict with competitors such as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico, and after capturing Raton Pass, the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona and California. The troubles for the railroad were more than just skirmishes with competitors. In the late 1880s, George C. Magoun, who had worked his way to become Chairman of the Board of Directors for the railroad, was progressively losing his own health. In 1889 the railroad's stock price, which was closely linked in the public's eye with the successes of the railroad's chairman, fell from nearly $140 per share to around $20 per share. Magoun's health continued to deteriorate along with the stock price and Magoun died on December 20, 1893. The Santa Fe entered receivership three days later on December 23, 1893, with J. W. Reinhart, John J. McCook and Joseph C. Wilson appointed as receivers. Expansion through mergers A brief look at some key figures comparing the railroad's extent between 1870 and 1945 shows just how much the railroad had grown: …………………………………………….1870…………………1945 Gross operating revenue………………$182,580…………….$528,080,530 Total track length..……………………...62 miles (100 km)…..13,115 miles (21,107 km) Freight carried……………………………98,920 tons………….59,565,100 tons Passengers carried……………………..33,630……………….11,264,000 Locomotives owned………………………6..…………………….1,759 Unpowered rolling stock owned……….141…………………….81,974 freight cars ….………………………………………………………………….1,436 passenger ca
Happy 20th Month Anniversary to “Our” Place and all who have helped to keep us “up on the Forum Page” ever since April 12th, 2005! I suggest reviewing Page One of this Thread just to refresh your memory regarding our humble beginnings . . . .
Tuesday and time for a cuppa Joe, pastries from the Mentor Village Bakery case and a selection from the Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!
Warm up is here with temps expected to reach 60 (F) and the ice shield is but a memory. The Ice Storm of “Ought Six” is history! <yay>
Today’s theme is “Santa Fe (passenger ops)” so let’s see what we can do to keep things movin’ forward!
James at 2:17 PM yesterday: In what has to be one of your longest Posts (reminiscent of the days of “20 Fingers Al”) we were treated to some Wikipedia narratives on the Milwaukee Road.
CM3 at 3:21 PM yesterday: Fine follow-up regarding Eric’s question regarding the Water Level Route . . . . always learn something new ‘round here.
Lars at 4:06 PM yesterday: I neglected to pick up on your suggestion regarding a contest for the 10,000th Post on this Thread – good idea, more on it later.
You were half correct regarding last night’s NFL game – the Lambs (aka: Rams) made a game out of it for the 1st half – 2nd half, no contest. Da Bears are THE class of the NFC.
Mike at 6:07 PM yesterday: And the Boat Trains continue, along with other innovations in the form of URLs!
Pete at 10:09 PM yesterday: Good to have you back in the fold – and appreciate the Pix from your friend, Alan!
Eric at 1:03 AM today: Always enjoyable Post from you and the Pix were well placed and relevant to the points being made! Thanx.
Barndad at 6:02 AM today: Many thanx for kicking off our “Theme for the Day! – AT&SF (passenger ops)!! Sets a good pace for the rest of us to follow . . . .
CM3 at 8:54 AM today: Looks like we Posted pretty much on top of one another. Anyway, many thanx for your efforts in providing some fine input on the AT&SF in support of our "theme."
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
Good Morning Barkkep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Just a quick stop this a.m. I will try and write more later today. Herewith a combined encore ATSF offering. First is some ad copy from 1930, the second item is something I put together from different ATSF train brochures, ads, etc. in my stack of stuff.
Santa Fe/Fred Harvey Railway Meal Service - It Stands Alone
The Santa Fe Dining Station Service, managed by Fred Harvey, is a distinctive feature of this Railroad.
Conceived with high ideals and proceeding consistently upon the principle that nothing but the best is satisfactory, it is an examples of a complete unit developed with rare genius by a master caterer working for superiority, It has been almost fifty years in the building.
Convinced of the value of an outstanding service of this character, the Santa Fe early provided appropriate locations for its dining-stations, affording sufficient frequency to meet varying schedules and emergencies, and determined to feature such stations in the character of its improvements and the standard of its service.
Each year refinements have been introduced and important improvements effected until today, in consequence of wise foresight and the pursuit of broad liberal policies, the Santa Fe Dining Station System has a achieved a reputation for excellence and efficiency in providing for the wants of the overland traveler which has become international and without a parallel in American railroading.
Trains 9 and 2 - the Navajo - Nos. 1 and 10 - The Scout - Nos. 21 and 22 - The Missionary - and No. 8 - the Hopi are served at dining-stations west of Kansas City. These dining-stations are located about 125 miles apart and ample time is allowed for meals - the average stop being about thirty minutes. The dollar table d'hote meals have no equal the world over. East of Kansas City meals for these trains are served in dining cars.
For those desiring a light repast, there are lunch room with a la carte service, operated in connection with the dining-rooms, serving same quality of food.
Trains 3 and 4, the California Limiteds, and Nos. 23 and 24, the Grand Canyon Limiteds, carry a dining-car through between Chicago and Los Angeles. Frequently these trains are stopped at dining-stations for the evening meal, offering patrons choice of dining either aboard the train or at one of our artistic station-hotels - a unique feature.
Trains Nos. 19 and 20 - The Chief - carry a dining-car through between Chicago and Los Angeles.
1930 - Santa Fe ad copy.
Remembrance of Things Past
Services on the El Capitan, San Francisco Chief, and the Super Chief
In its advertising copy the Santa Fe billed the El Capitan as "...America's most popular economy service between Chicago and California." The railroad assured potential passengers that they would do their "...best to make" a trip on the El Capitan "...an enjoyable travel experience." What could the passenger expect?
The El Capitan had a hi-level diner which offered a "...fine selection of food at popular prices." Breakfast started early and lunch was served beginning at 11:30 a.m. Dinner was "served immediately on departure from Los Angeles (7:30 p.m.) and Chicago (6:30 p.m.), at and 5:30 p.m. the next day."
The lounge car on the El Capitan was "...a friendly meeting place for all passengers with attendants serving "...refreshments from morning to midnight." The car also featured current magazines and newspapers and a writing desk. In the Kachina Coffee-Shop Lounge (located on the lower level of the lounge car) passengers could purchase "...coffee, milk, fruit juice, sweet rolls and sandwiches." Service was available throughout the day "until late at night."
A courier-nurse traveled on the El Capitan. She was an RN whose job was to "assist mothers traveling with children and any other passengers requiring her assistance."
The El Capitan was an all-coach train. Chair car attendants were on duty to "...assist passengers with their luggage at no charge." They would also assist passengers who needed help in operating the chair car's leg rest seats. Pillows (50 cent rental) were available. Dressing rooms and lavatories were "...on the lower level of each chair car." Lavatories could also be found on the upper level of the lounge car. Passenger's luggage was carried in the lower level of each chair car. Luggage was checked and could be retrieved by the car attendant en route as needed. The Santa Fe recommended that passengers not "...store heavy luggage in racks...on the upper level of chair cars" as the racks were "...designed for personal items needed during" the trip. Although it was an all-coach train, the El Capitan featured "radio, music and train announcements throughout all cars."
Last, the Santa Fe explained why the conductor collected passenger's tickets. Tickets were collected to "...avoid bothering" passengers "each time there [was] a change of crews. If part of the ticket was to be returned, the passenger would get it back before reaching their destination.
Now, let's take a look at the "San Francisco Chief."
This train was advertised as "Sleeping Car and Chair Car Service - Chicago, Kansas City, and California." The consist included hi-level chair cars, dining car, a big dome lounge, and 10 rtte/6 db sleepers between Chicago and Los Angeles and Chicago and Richmond. Cars were added and subtracted at Barstow depending upon their destinations.
The dining car was at the "...center of the train serving meals at popular prices." Breakfast was at "...an early hour; Lunch 12 noon; Dinner 5:30 p.m."
The Big Dome Lounge Car was also at the center of the train. Upper level seats were "...arranged to give an excellent view of the passing scenery. The lower level ha[d] a lounge section for refreshment service until midnight. Magazines and newspapers [were available]."
Sleeping car porters were "...anxious to make your trip pleasant and comfortable." They provided a range of services such as handling luggage, "placing your hats in dust-free bags; shin[ing] shoes at night, and furnish[ing] pillows for daytime riding comfort. In addition, he will prepare your room for daytime or nighttime at your request, arrange refreshments or meal service in your rooms, and perform other similar services for your travel pleasure."
Chair car attendants were on duty to "...assist passengers with their luggage at no charge." They would also assist passengers who needed help in operating the chair car's leg rest seats. The San Francisco Chief's chair cars had seats equipped either with fixed headrests or adjustable headrests. Pillows (50 cent rental) were available. Passenger's luggage was carried in the lower level of each chair car. Luggage was checked and could be retrieved by the car attendant en route as needed. The Santa Fe recommended that passengers not "...store heavy luggage in racks...on the upper level of chair cars" as the racks were "...designed for personal items needed during" the trip.
Porters and chair car attendants took car of San Francisco-bound passenger's luggage. Their bags were tagged, unloaded at Richmond and trucked "...direct to the Santa Fe passenger terminal in downtown San Francisco to arrive when you arrive."
Again, the Santa Fe explained why the conductor collected passenger's tickets. Tickets were collected to "...avoid bothering" passengers "each time there [was] a change of crews. If part of the ticket was to be returned, the passenger would get it back before reaching their destination.
The "Super Chief," of course, was the Santa Fe's premiere train. This was listed as "All Private Room Sleeping Car Service, Chicago, Kansas City, and Los Angeles." In the late 60's passengers could select among 10 rtte/6 db cars; 11 double bedroom cars, or a 4 compartment/4 double bedroom/drawing room sleeper. The railroad their goal to "...make the Super Chief a train you'll always remember providing the type of service you'll never forget." Each sleeper had radio and music available. Passengers if they desired could use their "...personal portable dictating machines" in their rooms.
The dining car featured "...delicious food served in the traditionally fine Santa Fe manner." Meals could be served in passenger's rooms for a small service charge.
The Pleasure Dome Lounge provided "...a delightful dome observation, as well as a specious main lounge and lower cocktail lounge." Market bulletins were posted in the lounge, and the lounge car porter handled telegrams and mail service.
Passengers could consult with the steward to reserve the Super Chief's Turquoise Room, a "...distinctive private dining room located in the Pleasure Dome car." The Turquoise Room was designed to "...serve private parties of 6 to 10 persons." It had to be reserved in advance for "...private dining parties at night, or private cocktail parties in the afternoon."
The Super Chief also carried a courier nurse.
work safe
Good morning Tom, friends, and 20month HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Our Place! Please forgive this unworthy one's hasty post, but I must be off. I'll be back later to party properly and comment on the many fine posts. Here's a little something for me:
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe started construction in 1868, the year before Promontory, with the relatively modest ambition of hauling cattle in its home state of Kansas. But with a land grant and prospects of Colorado minerals over the horizon, it soon raised its sights and, despite Indian thievery and stampeding buffaloes, continued pushing west.
In Colorado, the Santa Fe encountered the Denver & Rio Grande, whose goal was to reach El Paso. Both railroads wanted Raton Pass - on the border of Colorado and New Mexico - through which the historic trail to Santa Fe passed, but the AT&SF crews beat their rivals to it one day in 1878 and forged on, south and west.. by 1883, the Santa Fe had reached California, and two years later, with the opening of its line to San Diego, it became a transcontinental with its eastern terminus in Kansas City.
Within the next few years, the railroad built a line to Chicago, straight and fast, and in 1888 began operating vestibuled trains from Lake Michigan to the Pacific. The time was right, for Southern California was in the midst of a land boom. The year before, a rate war had broken out between the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific, and both sold tickets at bargain levels. Town sites were hurriedly laid out on the railroads' land-grant holdings, and passengers flocked West in every sort of conveyance, from luxury sleepers to Zulu cars, which were designed to carry the heads of families and their livestock. Los Angeles added 120,000 new landowners, San Diego 50,000.
The Santa Fe's Hopi, a Los Angeles-Chicago train, departs Kansas City Union station with 11 cars on Sept. 13, 1931.
One of the great attractions of the Santa Fe line was a longtime railroad tradition, the Harvey Houses. During the early years, western cooks were generally innocent of what later became known as quality control. The well-to-do, eating in posh dining cars of the period, did quite well, stuffing themselves with the abundant prairie game and the already rich selection of food and beverage brought from the East. In lower circles, however, the food could be gritty and mean.
Before dining cars were common, railroads stopped their trains at appointed restaurants, usually their own, and allowed their passengers all of 20 or 30 minutes to wolf down a meal before the whistle sounded. Fred Harvey, a man of sensibilities, was appalled by what he saw the Santa Fe's dining halls dishing out, and he persuaded the railroad to give him control of all its restaurants, in return for which he would operate them under the same high standards set at hi Harvey House in Topeka.
Harvey advertised in the eastern and Midwestern press for well-mannered young women to come work as waitresses, thereby giving restaurants the aura of gentility they had lacked. The quality of the food was high, and prices reasonable.
Harvey Girls came west in ample numbers, and luckily so, for they were in great demand among the local men of means who wanted to marry well. The girls thrived and so did the houses, even though dining cars eventually reduced their numbers. But even with change, the Santa Fe continued to label its dining car cuisine with the proud hallmark of the Fred Harvey name.
The Santa Fe had trains that offered more luxury and panache, but none ever performed the sheer volume of yeoman service between Chicago and Los Angeles that the California Limited did. This all-Pullman train operated from 1892, with minor interruptions, until well into the post-World War II era. Although it boasted such amenities as valet, maid, barber, and bath service, the California Limited also wrote the book on doing volume business.
Santa Fe's northbound Texas Chief departs Oklahoma City with 11 cars on July 8, 1948.
During summers of the 1920's, as many as seven section of the train - each carrying eleven Pullmans - operated within a half hour of one another. The Santa Fe achieved a record with twenty-two westbound and twenty-three eastbound sections of the train under way at one time. Each section required at least fifteen locomotives and train crews over the length of the route.
But while I relied on the California Limited to do heavy work, the Santa Fe took pride in operating some of its trains, the Santa Fe took pride in operating some of its trains for the select few. In December 1911, the railroad inaugurated its first train in this class, the De Luxe, which operated once weekly during winters on a sixty-three-hour schedule, five hours faster than usual The service, which carried a twenty-five-dollar surcharge, was far beyond the usual. The De Luxe offered all manner of personal attendants, and at Cajon Pass in California, a flower boy boarded the westbound section and gave complimentary bouquets to the women and boutonnieres to the men. The luxurious Pullman accommodations for the train's maximum of sixty passengers included some of the earliest all-room sleepers. The De Luxe was discontinued during World War I.
In November 1926, the Santa Fe introduced the Chief as its new standard bearer. An all-Pullman train with a ten-dollar extra fair, the Chief immediately became the favorite of Hollywood celebrities, and Variety picked up the scent by publishing the train's daily "sailing" list. But despite the full retinue of servants and the comforts the heavyweight Chief provided, its fifty-eight-hour travel time would not be good enough in the era that was dawning. Something even finer and more fleet-of-foot was necessary, and the Super Chief was the answer.
From the yellow and red herald on its diesel units to the purple and red drumhead on the observation car, the Super Chief was one shimmering, energized shaft of stainless steel. Its external dress was brash and exciting, as if the train were the sun's own centurion. Inside, it bore a muted elegance derived from tones of the earth, from veneers of ebony, rosewood, and teak, among other exotic woods used in the Pullmans, to the turquoise ceiling and copper walls of the lounge.
While greeting passengers in the diner, where yellow roses graced the tables, the maitre d'hotel always wore the appropriate morning coat or dinner jacket. This who knew the Fred Harvey favored the freshly caught Colorado mountain trout. The extra fare from Chicago to Los Angeles was the considerable Depression-era sum of fifteen dollars. But the sort of person who rode the train was not the sort who would think twice about such an expenditure, for this was the Super Chief. If the New York Central's Twentieth Century Limited was the train of choice in the East, then the West belonged to the Santa Fe's new super-star.
Bumper stickers 16
"All generalizations are false.""Time is what keeps everything from happening at once."Seen on an old, beat-up car: "This is not an abandoned vehicle.""Born Free. . . . .Taxed to Death""Cover me. I'm changing lanes.""The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.""Sometimes I wake up grumpy; Other times I let her sleep""Work is for people who don't know how to fish""Montana --- At least our cows are sane!""I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian."
Good morning Captain Tom and all!!
Time again for a visit to "Our Place." Thanks Boris, yeah that is enough! No, no, keep the change.
Found several very interesting posts this morning.
Doug – Happy Anniversary!!! I was afraid that McDonald’s would have ripped out all chairs etc But since it wasn’t a diner I guess they did not have much of a choice. There is a McDonald’s in Barstow, CA, that is also using a rail car for seating. Not to talk about a restaurant in Eugene, OR, that is using a number of cars. Had dinner there once. Interesting article about the RR tug boats. Never seen barges with tracks live, only on pictures. CM3 – The picture of New Haven was taken in 1993. Just 13 years ago! Like yesterday. Wow, that Mentor Pro Musica’s Holiday Extravaganza must have been something very special!!! The best report I have read for a long time!!! I can understand it will take some time to recover. Thanks for the answer about the Water Level Route! It is always interesting to learn the background.
Highest point on the Boston - Albany line.
Tom – I thought that was the explanation and reason for NYC slogan. I have traveled along the Hudson River and it is flat. James – The train in the picture with the Amtrak train is the X2000. I took that picture when we stopped in New Haven on our way from Boston to Washington D.C. The E8 seems to need some paint but otherwise it looked great. The SP car is a Daylight car.
This is the Midway station.
Thank you for the Milwaukee history. Interesting about the car leasing they practiced. I think that is a bad way to go in the long run. Too bad they decided to scrap its electrification scheme. Lars – Yes, I think you are right about NYC’s Water Level Route - You Can Sleep slogan.
The Water Level Route.Mike – Thanks for the links! I like the picture of the Glenfinnan viduct in Scotland!Pete – Glad you liked the pictures. The weather was almost perfect, a little bit chilly in the morning though. Thanks for the pictures of the tank locos! #917 seems to be out of service.
Today it is Santa Fe that is the theme! I'll give it a soft start with this old picture from 1981.
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of the usual please LEON and a round for Sunday Photo Day.
ERIC Great pics at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, you had real good sunshine for the day. As Tom says Rob will love those Trolleys with the PCC and the blimp #418 looks a great car and with #2 in steam and working as well. Looking forward to some more pics of more stock at the Museum out of the 150 you took.Great pics of the Daylight car and the Navy diesel as well.
DOUG As Eric said it is coming up to your 1st anniversary of the Order of the Stools as noted in the Gazette. Really enjoyed the pics . I wonder how succesful the radio cars were?
A great set of pics to set the scene for the Santa Fe Theme day. and thanks for Part 3 of the Railroad Navy.
What did the Packers do wrong?
BK Thanks for the selections of the Classic Diesels.As to carrying a camera, it seems when I take a walk, with the pooch, down to the small park that overlooks the Missouri River and the railroad tracks here in town when I take the camera it seems there are no trains about, if I dont take it there is something worth takiing a photo of, last time it was a diesel in Cotton Belt livery in a perfect position for a pic.
LARS Enjoyed the day out at the Chiefs, I see they are saying that the Chiefs still have an outside chance of making the playoffs but it will be very hard after the last 2 weeks. The Ravens are a good team but for the 2 interceptions near the end zone it could have been a different result.Still glad the Giants won.
Great set of NYC book and video covers, thanks.
JAMES Very good Milwaukee history. It seems the Milwaukee was like the Great Central railway of England in that it was late on the scene and the large cities were already served by other lines.
It seems the way the Milwaukee de-electrified the line was very badly handled it seems the $39 million it cost to buy the diesels would have paid for the refurbishment of the electrified system.
CM3 Really enjoyed the Christmas Extravaganza report,such mayhem I think the Second Class Saloon lot have got it in for us Mentors, and no doubt the Mentor police will have a good party when they have collected all the fines.
Great selection of Atlantic movies,In Which We Serve was on Turner Classic Movies lately and IMHO The Cruel Sea was one of the best navel films ever made.
MIKE Thanks for the info and pics on the Abegweit, and also many thanks for the links to steam in the West Highlands of Scotland, the three classes of loco shown all worked the line in B.R. days, so the locos look at home on the line, especially the class B1 # 61264.
TOM It WAS great fun to read the Gazette again although it is hard to believe it was a year ago.
It was good to talk to you on Saturday and we got to Lee Summit in time to see the concert of the local Symphony Orchestra in which the bride's friend plays in. The highlight for me was when they played an illustrated suite from the Polar Express, it was a very good concert indeed .
I have booked the ticket on Amtrak for this Saturday and looking forward to seeing you.
Another two great films at the Emporium this week. I think Tora Tora Tora has some of the best air action scenes of any film, and Bridge On The River Kwai is another classic.
I,m afraid I am running late again but I thought I would post four of Alans Pics of some Industrial tank locos. I believe they are on the Cannock railway in the Midlands of England. the last pic is on the Tanfield railway in the North east.
Well LEON I'll have a Bathams XXX to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Our Place tomorrow.
Pete.
Doug's picture of a boat has induced some copying and pasting here with a tad of editing.
Abegweit is from the Mi'kmaq word for Prince Edward Island, Epekwit'k, meaning "cradled (or cradle) on the waves."
At launch a school holiday was declared and almost half of the population of the province turned out to see the boat, 372 feet long and 61 feet wide. In 35 years "The Abby" made 123,207 crossings and sailed almost 1,145,585 miles. Nowadays she lives in Chicago at the Columbia Yacht Club.
From wwwAlliant.net: Captain Herb McKenzie crossed the strait, over and back, thousands of times in his lifetime. Born on the Island, the 87 year old retired ferry captain now lives in Halifax. He was, for almost 30 years, a ship's Master sailing PEI ferries. He began making crossings the year the old Abby started, in 1947.
An impressive vessel, the Abegweit carried about 100 cars, 21 train cars and almost a thousand passengers on the voyages between Borden, PEI and Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick. McKenzie recalls trips through heavy ice that took 8 hours; one was 13 hours. But Abegweit was built for it.
"She was the biggest and best ice breaking car ferry in the world," said Captain McKenzie.
This workhorse of the Strait boasted 13,500 horsepower, with propellers 13 feet across. Two props at the front would pull the water from beneath the heavy ice, allowing the bow of the ship to bully its way on top of the thick ice, crushing it under the bulk of the vessel.
"When she really got stuck, I just let her claw away at it," said Captain McKenzie.
http://members.aol.com/trackdogs/abby3.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Bay/8898/ABBLU.jpg
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/marine/index_view.cfm?photoid=40660686&id=100
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/marine/index_view.cfm?photoid=-786506481&id=115
Pete, the Glenfinnan viaduct train in Scotland is the one for me.
http://www.paradiseconnections.com/barges/uk/scottishhighlander/images/sh-glenfinnanviaduct.jpg
http://www.steamtraingalleries.co.uk/jacobite.html
William Crooks, probably James has seen it once or twice.
http://content.lib.washington.edu/curtis/image/1695.jpg
http://muse.museum.montana.edu/rvndb/rvn-jpgs/RVN12533.jpg
http://muse.museum.montana.edu/rvndb/rvn-jpgs/RVN31126.jpg
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf031/pf031111.jpg
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf033/pf033092.jpg
http://collections.mnhs.org/VisualResources/VRDbimages/pf032/pf032359.jpg
Ruth, a Keiths Ale if you please and slide the snack tray down my way, wudja please
A bit of activity this day from Doug - James 'n CM3 I'm NOT Shane! (twice!!), and of course our Proprietor, Cap'n Tom. By the way, I really like the Christmas tree added to the morning wake-us-up from Tom!
New York Central has been my favorite road since I was a kid, which in my family was really going against the grain, since there's a couple of generations tied to the Baltimore & Ohio. Guess it was those lightning bolt stripes that got me! <grin> I think that Water Level Route - You Can Sleep slogan of theirs was a combination of what Tom 'n CM3 had to offer.
Water level implying that there were no grades to worry about interrupting sleep and dining pleasure. In fact, the trackage did follow the Hudson and the lakes, thereby remaining at water level. Did a cursory check of the net, but couldn't come up with anything more definitive than that for Eric's question.
Enjoyed the reading from Doug 'n James but the highlight of the day just has to be the submission by CM3 I'm NOT Shane! and that report of the"Mentor Pro Musica's Holiday Extravaganza" over at the Emporium. Really a great read and lotsa laffs! Well done, mate and perhaps if Tom brings back the Gazette, you'll consider doing a column.
Not much to offer today other than gab, and I hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for this whirlwind of a holiday season. Christmas presents - ho, ho, ho! <groan>
Monday night football, St. Louis & Chicago out in Tom's part of the country. My guess is that it won't be much of a contest, the Bears are on a roll.
Drinks on me, Boris ring the bell!
Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
James - Thanks for the MILW history. Much of that road never should have been built, IMHO, but it had a lot to interest folks.
I apologize for not picking up on the Water Level Route question earlier today, but am still in recovery from the Pro Musica's performance (LOL).
"The Water Level Route - You Can Sleep" was the NYC's "signature" slogan for years. As is the case with much of the NYC's story, the history of this bit of advertising goes back to the never-ending rivalry and competition with the Great Tuscan Father. It implied that NYC passengers would not be tossed around as their trains did not go up and downhill as they did on the PRR.
In truth, the Central did have some rugged terrain on the Boston and Albany. You can get a sample of this today by riding ATK 448/449 between the B&A's namesake cities. I recommend this trip if you have not done it before.
They also had some tough grades in western PA and, as you might expect, in WV. On the main line, Albany Hill was the big headache as some train used helpers heading west out of Albany, that short grade past, they rolled.
Hope that answers your questions.
g-day Tom and all present.
I'm sorry for the weekend absence. I have been out and about.
Ruth- Make a coffee for me and a sandwich, Please.
Lars- Glad you liked my Article on the Twin cities station. I was quite interesting read about and learn actually how many depots were built at that location.
Tom- Still glad to see the Nostalgia going around. Good little part on the NYC and the CP.
Eric- You posted an interesting picture with a Amtrak train in it. But the train looked like a bullet train. What kind of passenger train do you have there?
Your pics on the street cars were really cool. But.. That pic with the E8 in it was really cool. Glad to see that the locomotive is still around. I was also surprised to see that you have visited the Midway station. Thats pretty cool. For me, I have never been to the Midway station or the Union station in the Twin cities. Your pic with the Southern Pacific passenger car was pretty cool. Was that one of the cars that road with the daylight?
Barndad- It still surprises me about the price of that model passenger train. But It's a collectible and it's obviously wanted by many. But I don't know if I would be willing to spend that much on a model!! You had quite a story there, 1945 story! Had fun reading that. Thanks.
Also a good selection of pictures. Especially the Santa Fe Super Chief! That had to have been quite a passenger train. I would have liked to ride it, but I would have liked to ride a lot of the passemger trains back in the 40s and 50s.
Pete- It's getting quite cold. But it did warm up here over the week end. I was a little surprised when you told me that you a person would need to be 18 to drink in the UK. I would have never guessed but I won't do so since I'm in The U.S.
budkarr- Good selection of pics you have there. Especially the Milwaukee road Pioneer limited. Nice going!
I have an article about the Milwaukee but, i'm not going to consider it a news since it's not a Sunday.
The Milwaukee Road appeared as the Milwaukee and Waukesha Railroad when incorporated in 1847, but soon changed its name to Milwaukee and Mississippi. After three years, the first train ran from Milwaukee to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and the first passenger train ran on February 25, 1851. In 1874 the name was changed to Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul. By 1887, the railroad had lines running through Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and the upper peninsula of Michigan.
Expansion
In the 1890s, the Milwaukee's directors increasingly felt that they had to extend the railroad to the Pacific in order to remain competitive with other roads. A survey in 1901 estimated costs to build to the Pacific Northwest as $45 million. In 1905, the board approved the Pacific Extension, now estimated at $60 million. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1909. The route chosen was to be 18 miles shorter than the shortest competitor's, as well as better grades than some. It was an expensive route, however, since the Milwaukee, receiving no land grants, had to buy the land or acquire smaller railroads. In addition, the five mountain ranges that had to be crossed (the Saddles, Belts, Rockies, Cascades, and Bitterroots) required major civil engineering works and the use of additional locomotive power. The completion of 2,300 miles of railroad in only three years was a major feat.
Some historians question the choice of route, however, since it bypassed some population centers and passed through areas with limited local traffic potential. Much of the line paralleled the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was primarily a long-haul route.
Electrification
The Milwaukee soon found that operation of steam locomotives over the mountain passes was difficult, with winter temperatures that reached -40°F. Electrification seemed to be the answer, especially with abundant hydro-electric power in the mountains and a ready source of copper on-line at
Back again and time for a few acknowledgments:
Doug at 7:37 AM yesterday: Some interesting AT&SF Pix along with descriptions! Many thanx for helping to keep the Sunday Photo Posting Day! event up ‘n running!
BK at 1:28 PM yesterday: A rare Sunday visit AND some fine Pix as well! Like those diesels and from roads we don’t normally get to see ‘round here. Good job!
Lars at 3:21 PM yesterday: Very nice spate of NYC book covers and video Pix ! Sundays and book covers are becoming one in the same and we LOVE it!
Eric at 1:50 AM today: Outstanding thoroughly inclusive Post! Enjoyed the SP smoothside and USN switcher!
Was hoping CM3 would pick up on your question – but I’ll give it a try. Water Level Route, I believe, had to do with the run from New York City up to Albany along the Hudson River, pretty much at water level. Then too, the NYC operated along several of the Great Lakes, again at water level. Just my best guess . . .
Doug at 5:54 AM today: More on the RR Navy! Something to read a bit later on – thanx!
CM3 at 8:44 AM today: A terrific reporting job on the Sunday matinee only performance over at the Emporium Theatre for the live, on stage, Mentor Pro Musica's Holiday Extravaganza! Glad you were there, as I didn’t catch ANY references at all by our guys – but the place was jammed with tuxedos and evening gowns. The all reserved show was a hit, but quickly degenerated into a parking lot brawl – but I digress. Your report sez it all! <grin>
No more B’day Bash celebrations that I’m aware of. At least as far as my coordination is concerned. Doug is in charge. I did re-Post the B’day Watch List and noted that you were in fact listed at 60 in it. Hmmmmm, perhaps Doug is operating in another dimension. Well, considering he’s in Illinois . . . <grin>
Movie recommendations added to the list . . . thanx!
2006 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST
(rev. Dec 11th)
March 5th (Nick – 46)
March 13th (Doug – 50)
March 31st (Lars – 66)
May 18th (Tom - 68)
August 11th (Pete – 55)
September 8th (Rob - 35)
October 18th (BK – 66)
December 29th (CM3 – 60)
Not on the list Send me an Email with your birth date (month-day-year) Corrections too! I'll ensure that Doug gets the "word" . . . .
Tom (Siberianmo)
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Decent weather this a.m. It is supposed to get into the 50s today.
Lots of posts to read through so here goes (anyone that got missed, I apologize).
Eric - The shot of New Haven goes back a bit as it was taken before the overhead was changed, more high level platforms installed, etc. I enjoyed your Orange Empire material; a PCC, and a PE car, and a gorgeous little 2-6-2.
Barndad provided a plethora of material (and lots of stuff, too). The Hojack story was a good one. Lots of history up there (and the Rutland as well). A member my wife's tribe was a NY State trooper all over that part of the world for more than a few years including such garden spots as Watertown and Malone, arguably the coldest spots on the NYC outside of the Tupper Lake line which served such frozen climes as Saranac Lake.
That was a most interesting shot of the Pullmans at DC. IIRC, that part the rail complex around Washington was usually the produce terminal. If you look in the background to the left of all of the Pullmans, you can see a long cut of refrigerator cars.
Then we have tugs and carfloats - excellent!
Aeolus - I have not seen a shot of her in a long time. Check out the hw cars behind the streamlined locomotive.
Also enjoyed the shot of the Blue Goose.
BK dropped in with some interesting pictures. The SAL material brought back more than a few memories.
Lars - Got to see the boys play yesterday; scary stuff as more than a few of them seem to have Tikiitis (can't hold onto the ball for those of you who don't follow the Giants); says a lot for the NFC East that they can stink out the place for about a month and still be in contention. Also thanks for the book covers and video cover. The 20th Century book is magnificent. I do have the book on NYC electrics as well. I picked up a good one on Cleveland Union Terminal electrification when I was at the train show in Buffalo over Thanksgiving.
Tom: e-mail rec'd. Thanks for the NYC and CP ads. I'm ready to book a trip on the New England States. Also a good choice of "'moom pichers" for the Mentor Theatuh. Maybe we can do a Battle of the Atlantic evening some time. Choice among "Sink the Bismarck, The Cruel Sea, In Which We Serve, and Action in the North Atlantic." Also let's put in a request for "Away All Boats," and "The Enemy Below."
BTW, it's 60 - not 61 - most days I don't feel over 112. Maybe we can postpone the celebration till after the first of the year as most everybody will be busy doing other stuff.
New for something completely different
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas(?)
Greetings from our studios high atop Mighty Mount Mentor (no Boris, studios, not witness protection program safe house). It's a beautiful day here as the sun is glistening off new fallen snow, the gob piles are steaming quietly, old number 1 is stuck nose down in the turntable pit (Frostbite, I'm referring to the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge's fast flying, frolicking Forney; not the division superintendent), and all's right with the world.
We are still in recovery from the Mentor Pro Musica's Holiday Extravaganza, and All Round Wassail Workout and Wing Ding. My head. Boris, why does Awk have to breathe so loud - almost forgot, that's what happens to parrots when they smoke cigars.
The Christmas follies (er, festivities) began bright and early with a flyover by the Mentor Flying Circus, aka Those Magnificent Lads in Their Fokkers and Spads. This was followed by the annual Santa drop from the Zepplin which floated majestically over the freight yards.
It wouldn't seem like the Holidays if Santa's parachute did not fail to open. This year was no exception, as the jolly old red-suited gentleman did a cannonball into the tempering tubs at the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge's blacksmith shop.
It looked to this reporter that Santa really didn't need to go see the blacksmith as he seemed to be well-hammered before he was unceremoniously tossed out of the Zeppelin. Anyway, he was pretty relaxed when he landed, so the damage was minimal.
The reindeer, however, failed to hit the drop zone and were scattered all over the GMMA (Greater Mentor Metropolitan Area). It's our understanding that the Second Class Rod and Gun Club plans a reindeer hunt later this week; weapons will be participant's choice. Nothing like being into (I mean, in) the Holiday spirit. BTW, this reporter noted how tastefully the Second Class boys spelled out "Bah Humbug" in lighted fusees in front of their hovel (I mean, establishment).
The highlight of the celebration, as always was the Mentor Pro Musica's holiday songfest. This year they did some fine, old classics which catered to the peculiar tastes of the audience, many of whom were festively attired in chain mail, bowler hats, pickelhaubs, streamers, elf shoes, and tree lights. The float with the pictures of Queen Victoria and the Kaiser was a nice touch - not something you see every day.
Herewith a sampling of the choir's offerings.
For the hypochondriacs, they led off with the old favorite, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Johnson's Pills Are Just the Thing." About three verses in, the Mentor police, using water cannons, had to break up a theological debate among the groundlings as to who Harold Angel was. It was not a pretty sight.
Order restored, they continued with the ever popular paranoia medley featuring a classic blending of animal howls and voices in two songs: "Do You Hear What I Hear," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me."
All those who partook of too much stimulation before and during the concert were able to work off some of their excess energy by participating in a sing-along featuring two rounds (your reporter had to have several rounds after this one) "Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Office and Town and Trains and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees," and Silent Night, Holy oooh Look at the Froggy, Can I Have a Chocolate, Why Is France So Far Away?" The fire engine sirens were a splendid counterpoint to these ditties as the crowd had to be hosed down.
Then followed a short break with "Coney Island Washboard Rondelay." All joined enthusiastically in the chorus as the hillsides and scrap piles echoed the well known refrain, "Thimbles on her fingers made the noise, she played Charleston on the laundry for the boys, she could rag a tune right through the knees of a brand-new pair of BVD,s..." well, you get the picture. The high point on this was when the trap door on Boris's union suit exploded, but we will defer description of this as we don't want to frighten the younger set who might be listening. Just think of the Hindenburg.
The final selections included "We Three Kings Disoriented Are," and "You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why."
The program included lighting the tree which was done by the Mentor Fusiliers Auxiliary Flame Thrower Corps. Marshmallows were toasted from several hundred yards away as the tree fell down and the flames spread to the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge Tie Treatment Plant.
My, my creosote does add a certain something to eggnog. The chorus rose to the occasion by singing an a capella version of "Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire" As the flames rose higher, the crowd was dispersed by several whiffs of grapeshot fired over their heads by the Ancient and Dishonorable Mentor Artillery and Trebuchet Corps. All in all a fitting conclusion to the afternoon's activities.
Your reporter, wishing to beat the traffic (and the dragnet) headed up the mountain via sedan chair and is eagerly awaiting the annual Mentor New Year's Manhole Cover Toss and Belated Winter Solstice Festival. It should be a most noteworthy event.
Thank you for listening - say goodnight, Tex!
A drizzly morning, temps hovering in the mid-40s (F) with our continuing warm up doing it’s thing to the ice shield! <yay>
Good day for some hot coffee, breakfast selections from our Menu Board and of course a couple of pastries from the Mentor Village Bakery case!
Tuesday’s ENCORE Theme for the Day! will be Santa Fe (passenger ops).
Doug - Thanx for the correction to the Emporium Theatre’s bill o’ fare for the week! Took care of it . . .
No time for acknowledgments right now – gotta get going for an early AM appointment.
Be back later . . . .
Ruth comes in at 9 AM and stays behind the bar ‘til 5 PM when Leon the Night Man takes over ‘til closing.
Good morning Tom and friends. Gotta do the work thing once again, so I’ll be needing a few light breakfasts. I hope everyone plans to pop in for the 20month anniversary of Our Place tomorrow! The Santa Fe theme should be popular. Good flicks from Tom as usual, but I believe the Stooge short is an ENCORE from last week? Nice groups of pix from BK and book covers from manager Lars yesterday. I managed to score a few more books off E-Bay yesterday, but lost out on several as well. Can’t win ‘em all, and certainly can’t afford to. Nice picture of the SP car Eric. We only have two pieces of SP equipment at the IRM, and they’re both locomotives. We use the 1518 diesel a lot, and it needs painting badly. I’m guessing it will be taken out of service when the newly painted BN 5383 is back underway, which should be soon. Green Bay Packers are the NFL’s loathsome and lowly creatures that the NFL Gods have chosen to punish by making them Green Bay Packers. It is possible for the members of that team to redeem themselves through superior play and exemplary behavior, but not likely, even though the bar has been set pretty low in the NFL. Do we care? What can we do to help? You can be a part of their rehabilitation by generating Green Bay Packer jokes. These jokes are the very tools needed to snap these lowly players out from their delusions and denials of being Green Bay Packers. Once they come to terms with their lowly position in the NFL, healing can begin. Anyhow, enough of that. Getting back to the rail car at the Crystal Lake McDonalds, I really don’t know all that was changed. I should have gotten back to it for some pictures, because I remember there being articles inside the car that showed what it used to be. I can tell you that whatever was inside, was removed to make table seating.
Everyone have a good day … I must be off! Here’s the last of my railroad navy post:
When ice piles up in Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the Canadian National’s Abegwelt, world’s mightiest icebreaker, plows through. Her capacity is 19 railroad cars, 69 automobiles, and 950 passengers Diesel power accounts for much of the strengthening of railroad naval companies. Comparatively new on land, this power has been driving marine engines for many years. In 1924 the Pennsylvania Railroad commissioned its first diesel-powered tugboat, the Erie coming second. One dramatic gain was in the time-cost of refueling. Take the case of a steam boat requiring twelve tons of coal a day. She was out of service for a substantial part of every 24 hours while voyaging to and from the coaling dock., blowing out her tubes, and having tons of ashes hauled out of her hold – woe to any man who dropped ashes into a harbor! – and while her water tanks were filling up and while she was recoiling. But the diesel jobs, even the earliest ones, refueled but once a week. A modern craft carries enough fuel and lubricating oil to keep her running 24 hours a day for as many as 61 consecutive days. Radio and radar have also brought about huge gains in the over-all efficiency of fleet operations. Back in the late 1920’s, radio first enabled the railroads to apply the principles of train dispatching to their water-borne units. The saving of tugboat time and power by this means alone, according to Marine Department men, has passed beyond their ability to count. Painting day on an Erie tug. The Erie was the first railroad to operate a navy In the old days there had been no way to change the running orders of a tugboat captain except by sending a faster tug in pursuits of him. Today, with radio dispatching, it’s standard practice to assign the next job to a tugboat skipper before the old job is finished, to change the destination of a carfloat or coal barge while the tow is in mid-course, or even to direct a captain in midstream to turn over part of his tow to another tugboat. In 1947 both the Pennsy and the New Haven took up radar. Up till that time fog had a way of halting tugboat operation, sometimes for three or four days at a stretch. The railroads paid dearly for that. Freight piled up in boatyards and on the sidings for as much as 100 miles back from the coast. That never happens anymore. Today, no matter how thick the fog, the tugboat fleets continue to move, and the freight goes through to its destination with hardly a pause. Yes, the passenger ferries are sailing into the sunset, but the rest of the railroad navy faces a bright future. With modern carfloats and giant barges, with radar and radio tugs and trainferries, the navy continues to knife its way through billowing waves and howling gales. With the Baltimore & Ohio Navy in New York Harbor: the tug W.L. Price moves carfloats from the Jersey Central waterfront in New Jersey to the big city.
How come Green Bay Packer gingerbread men can’t run? Because they have crummy legs
An early visit to push this in under the door before I go to bed. I spent a good portion of the evening catching up on what happened here the last few days. Very interesting indeed!
Doug – Nice pictures of the painted rocks! I did not realize the size of them until I saw the last one.
Lionel and SP Daylight colors, I actually got a chance to take a picture of one of those cars yesterday (see picture below). Not a Lionel car, but a real one. I have never seen those locomotive(s) live though.
Come on, how could you present such a bad story about Green Bay Packers? They are just a little down right now. That is all!
What kind of changes did McDonald’s do to that car? It looks nice from the outside. Nice story about Spot! We have some animals and they are smart!I wonder who was allowed to operate that radio in the Maple Leaf car? I like that picture of the all-Pullman Super Chief outside Flagstaff. Just two hours from here. I am glad you liked the pictures. It is a very active museum and they have finished building a huge new car barn (the size of two football fields) and after laying the rails they will be able to put most (or all?) cars and locomotives (that now are stored outside) indoors. Tom - I agree 100 % with you about all this outsourcing of customer services, etc. I think it is too important to be able to understand everything a customer representative says to outsource it. I hope we will find the four stub tracks at Union Station occupied by private cars in May next year. Yes, the picture from Thursday night is from the NE Corridor, New Haven to be more exact. New York Central’s Water level Route, why did they called it that? Was it because they never had to "climb" over any mountains?Good movies this Sunday. I have Tora Tora Tora on DVD and The Bridge on the River Kwai on tape. Very good choice!
I am adding a picture of an old Navy locomotive, US Navy No 8. It is a VO-1000 switcher that ended its active life in the Port of Los Angeles.
CM3 – There is only one thing to say, leave your plants outside and beware of snakes! <grin> DL – Swedish State Railwas had the same problem when most railroads in Sweden were nationalised. In 1951 they had 190 different classes of steam locomotives in service! I would say Dover Marine has been downgraded! No tracks, just a cruise terminal.BK – Nice Lionel catalog covers! I’ll probaly buy a Lionel set one day just to be able to say I have a Lionel train!I have always brought my camera on my vacations and ecursions. What I regret is that I almost never brought it to work. I missed a lot of good RR-pictures because of that. Thanks for nice pictures of nice looking locomotives!Lars – That book, Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains, what kind of info does it have about trains? Is it about the real locomotives and cars or just the models?Nice book covers! I almost bought Santa Fe Facilities In Color yesterday, but picked The Electric Interurban Railways In America instead.Pete – Interesting story about Lord Nelson and the Royal Scot Class. They certainly are kind of lookalikes. I learned about the Orange Empire Railway Museum from a friend in Sweden who wants a lot of information about Pacific Electric’s old interurban Blimps. I am glad you borrowed the Mentor Village Gazette. Now I know more about what happened at the bar before “my” time. Barndad is having his 1 year annivarsary on Tuesday being Inducted into the Order of the Stools!!!Mike – Thanks for the kind words, but I think I solved because I am so stubborn! Sometimes too much so.
Interesting pictures from WWII! I have a copy of a Japanese picture taken during hte Pearl Habor raid from a high altitude. James – I guess one could say that the old car on the club layout was an oldtimer already in the 50’s! By reading your Friday post about the Saint Paul Union Depot I learned that we stopped at the Midway Station in 1993 with the X2000! Rob – Interesting story about a short lived railway. I understand that all cars are gone, even the ones that was used for homes and businesses?
That will be all for tonite!
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