"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[Anonymous]

G'afternoon Tom, "luck of the Irish," eh? Now, if only I were Irish. Tell ya what, I'll be havin' a Bristol Cream along widda Guiness dark yale to wash it down wit. Only to "clear me pipes" don't cha know?[swg] Right, enough of the phony Barry Fitzgerald "takes!"[V] Good you stopped Boris from the 2000 strikes. The last 100 left me with a perforated ear drum and Sparky ("the Torch") O'Hooligan (Mentor's volunteer Fire Marshall) thought it was a "four alarmer!" He called in half the Province's fire lorries, all three.[:(!]

Its been knda quiet here today, probably the "calm before the storm." I couldn't let the North Shore, B.M. R.D.C. theme go by without saying what great memories the discussion brought back. There was something almost surreal about watching those sleek silver beautys gliding along near the shore when the tide was in. I too wish I had taken that route "end to end." "Why is youth wasted on the young?" I had just turned 21 and assumed those trains would be around forever. So, I just rode into Boston for my private lessons (Orchestra Hall) and came back the same day, little concerned they would be nearly gone before I could return.[:(]

Only a word on the "blame game" now being waged by the 20/20 hindsight Gurus of the "pie in the sky" persuasion...RUBBISH![tdn] Crime in the Vacuee's Camps? The N.O. jail inmates were released by the same meticulous methods as the evacuation itself...duh, where'd they go, where'd they go? Now that racism has been added to the already toxic waste of Katrina, only one question begs the asking: Who is "casting the first stone?"

Don't want to take up a lot of space at this sitting, so I'll bid all a fond farewell 'til next time. Oh, some new Life Like HO locos in Walther's Sale Catalog(ue) this month. That U.S.R.A. New Haven 0-8-0 looks mighty good. Happy rails.[:D]

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom, Time for a CR and a round for the house.
On one of your earlier postings you mentioned the stations at Sydney and North Sydney. I can't speak of the one in Sydney as my train trip began and ended at North Sydney. When I last rode that train it was still CN and the station was about a half block walk from the ferry terminal to Newfoundland. As I recall the station was modest but a complete station none the less. I remeber that passengers to and from the ferries did not have to carry their bags as luggage carts were pulled by a small tractor to the ferry. The trains did not hesitate long at North Sydney as they did not want to block the loading of trucks and cars on the ferries. I can't for the life of me remember any more about the station other than it was a small structure with baggage and waiting room. I don't think their was a restaurant but remember a coffee machine and a couple of other vending machines.

[Trainnut484]

Hello Tom and all [:D] A frosty mug of the freshest brew please.

Congrats to Ted for posting the big 2000

Sorry I don't have info to provide on RDCs, but the pics are great [tup]

BTW I posted a new topic, "The oldest locomotive I've seen in service today is..." on this forum and another one for those who are train watching and see an old classic still in service today. Feel free to post the oldest one you've seen that day. Pics of the locomotive aren't necessary. I just happened to catch the same ones earlier.

Take care,

Russell

[Anonymous]

hello.richard blacksburg va.i model all roads.i have four rdcs.b&o & new haven.

[siberianmo]

Hello railman1

You've made your first Post in our cyber bar 'n grill. Are you sure this is where you want to be [?] Can't tell much from your profile, which is where many of us share some personal information with one another - just click on the cyber names in the left hand margins and you'll see what I mean.

If this is where you want to be, I suggest you start at Page 1 and go through them to see the types of things we talk about. If you are unfamiliar with the Forums, let me explain a bit:

Kalmbach, the people who publil***he model railroad and trains magazines, have cyber Forums for each of them where any of us may engage in discussion on the things we are interested in. For example: You are now on the Classic Trains Forum - here is where the talk is primarily about real trains. If your interests are with model railroading - then go over to the Model Railroad Forum .... you'll find all kinds of topics to join in on.

Hope this helps you out ... and good luck on the Forums.

Tom, Proprietor of "Our" Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[nickinwestwales]

O.K manager TED,I will take up that baton and run with it-----[4:-)]TOM & Awk-a beer or two if you please,this may take some time-so,gas electrics in Britain-not a common beast,most of the gas (petrol) cars over here were low capacity branch line power-most progress in that area went from Railmoters-passenger car with small steam engine attached-to diesel powered multiple- unit stock in fairly short order-Irish narrow gauge lines made extensive use of Railbusses on under-used routes-Most British examples of petrol cars similar to Saurer & De Dion units made in France & Belgium-pix of the 2 ex S.R units on the W,C&P going to [4:-)]TOM,along with the 2 Terriers before the topic gets stale.........wont dwell tonight,a touch under the weather after 4 nights of music (everything from "Crazy" by Patsy Cline (& Willie Nelson) to"Pretty Vacant" by the Sex Pistols,with all stops between)-....................................................Heavens to Betsy,I`d almost made the door when somebody mentioned fish & chip night-Boris,pass me a fresh apron,looks like we could be here for a spell----O.K-we have a load of trout left over from the Mountain Dew fishing club contribution to the party,a load of Spicy Ribs from GUNNS,some `straight-from-the-water` Cleddau Bass,some Maine Lobster..(..?..) a whole load of what looks like hedgehog baked in mud,which I wouldnt necessarily recommend, and for the diet-concious,locally smoked bacon & fuselli salad platter,tell me how you like your trout or bass & I will make it happen...........right , a cold Staropramen for me ,a round for the silver throttle`s,golden fishplates,respected stools,valued customers and of course,your good self----GENTLEMEN-A TOAST-The next hundred pages-right,off to the kitchen to administer some "summary justice"-ENJOY-nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

G'day Guys!

A bit surprising this Thursday - given it's our Fish 'n Chips Nite not to have a mention .........

Al Appreciate the elaboration on the station in North Sydney. I'll have to ask my friend, who resides in Sydney, if he recalls whether there was a real station there at one time.

Ted & Russell - thanx for stopping by .......

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Evenin' Nick

Once again, you've saved the day! [tup] Glad you popped in .... beginning to feel a bit like spending some time in The Rat's Patoot Room.

From the looks of things, your fine selections of menu choices may go unordered. Our cyber bar 'n grill patrons don't seem to be in the mood tonite ..... just one of those things I guess. Wait a sec - just one min - here comes the track gang <Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To The Bar We Go, We Pay Two Bits To ..........Hi Ho, Hi Ho> Well, that'll liven up the joint. Sure was slow 'round here and the gals were just bored to tears .... no more! [swg]

Cheers to you and thanx for the brew! To the next 100 pages ..... [yeah] And of course, a Happy Natal Day to Rob 34!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Hello there. a cold house draft, please.Well, Tom, we have passed 100 pages and show no signs of stopping! A subject as multifaceted as classic trains means we might not ever run out of things to say. I've learned a lot here in Our Place and had great fun. Here's to many more good times!

[siberianmo]

Evenin' earlydiesels Dan

We're as good as all of you want us to be ........ [tup]

Cheers to us! [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

HI TOM and all
A pint of ordinary Bathams unless there is any XXX left and the smoked bacon sounds just right to go with it please.[tup]

ROB I was thinking of the main generator on the subs. I was told that there was a hatch which they could be brought out of. I was also told that if the motor had a major fault and had to be removed a hole had to be cut in the hull and welded up afterwards. this could only be done a couple of times. I do not know if this is true or not [?].

*** the days of the slam-door stock is coming to an end in the U.K. Most of the cars have powered doors although the H.S.T's have the old style open the window to open the door. The cars which were not due for early withdrawel have been fitted with door locks which the conductor releases when the train stops in the depot. There was a spate of people falling out of trains espiecally in an area which became known as the TAMWORTH TRIANGLE. Of course it was the railways fault not the people.

So you have expierenced the old D.M.U.s towards the end they were getting a bit run down but they gave marvellous service and probably saved many a branch line from shutting [tup].

Even fairly late on we had some cars on B.R. which had a upholstered bench running the full width of the car on the walls of the compartment there was framed photos or prints of tourist places served by the railway . these cars were very popular for commuters as they could be loaded and unloaded very quickly.These cars were pressed into service on summer seaside specials where they were much less popular as there was no way to get to a bathroom [oops]. Was there any cars like that over here

I am real sorry you had to suffer the so called "fans" at least they got their just deserts it is only a small minority but they certainly spoil it for the rest[*^_^*].

THEODOREBEAR TED There are a few THUMPERS in preservation with a Hastings unit travelling to parts of the country it never got to in normal service. I hope you can get to the U.K. sometime [tup]

Thanks NICK for the info do you know if the DONEGAL railcars were petrol or diesel [?].

Well Tom can you get BORIS to ring the bell to celebrate the 2000th post and get a round for all and compliments to the[4:-)] and the[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Mornin' Pete

As always, appreciate your taking the timeto stop by and share your thoughts with us. Nice inclusive Post, by the by! [tup]

Appreciate the round [tup] - although at this time of day, perhaps OJ would be best! [swg]

Gotta run - need to get out the SUMMARY and then I'm away for most of the day. Cindy will be covering the bar, although I don't know just how much of her will be covered! [}:)][:-,]

G'day to you, Sir!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

FRIDAY’s NEWS & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS



The 2,000th Post at "Our" Place belongs to Theodore Bear Ted[yeah][wow]

News of the Day:

(1) Repeat Consider helping those who are suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

(2) Reminder! Birthday Bash for trolleyboy Rob tomorrow, Sep 10th at 10 PM (Eastern).

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 00:27:50 (100) Thursday’s News & Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 07:48 (100) required reading!

(3) wrwatkins *** Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 08:18:09 (100)

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 08:49:54 (101) reply to wrwatkins

(5) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 08:56:44 (101) Post # 2000!

(6) CFournier Chris Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 09:26:16

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 09:31:21 (101) re: Post # 2000!

(8) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 09:50:02 (101) reply to Theodorebear & CFourner

(9) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 09:54:20 (101)

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 10:17:51 (101) reply to coalminer3

(11) wrwatkins *** Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 15:29:34 (101)

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 16:23:41 (101) reply to wrwatkins

(13) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 16:30:05 (101)

(14) passengerfan Al Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 16:44:04 (101)

(15) Trainnut484 Russell Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 17:45:25 (101)

(16) railman1 Richard Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 19:09:50 (101) First Post on Forums

(17) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 19:27:44 (101) reply to railman1

(18) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 19:36:17 (101)

(19) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 19:38:20 (101) reply to Theodorebear – passengerfan – Trainnut484

(20) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 19:53:44 (101) reply to nickinwestwales

(21) earlydiesels Dan Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 20:15:42 (101)

(22) siberianmo Tom Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 21:11:12 (101) reply to earlydiesels

(23) pwolfe Pete Posted: 08 Sep 2005, 22:35:55 (101)

(24) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 05:48:17 (102) reply to pwolfe

=======================================
That’s it! [tup][;)]
Tom (Siberianmo) [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Cindy your lookin' delicious fresh as a daisy, cuppa Maxwell Master Blend and a Hot Cross Bun if you please dear girl. I'd fetch it myself but my knee is acting up again.[:-^] [Ahh, Cindy does have the "right moves," eh lads?] Sorry I missed Tom and Awk. I brought some ballast bird seed for our "fine feathered friend."

Pete, glad to greet another early riser. Thanks so much for the scoop on U.K. "petrol electrics." It seems to be slim pickens even with Nicks supplement. I don't know of any U.S. full-width benches, unless in the very early days of steam (when stops were frequent) cars may have had them. I would love to make a "all a'shore, who's going a'shore" trek to the U.K.[:D] My only exposure has been a couple of layovers at Gatway (Tampa-London-Dublin). What I saw I liked and had one of the best English breakfasts in Christendom at the Terminal. Can't say I'm a BA fan but airlines in general aren't exactly my idea of regal trappings.[2c]

Hey Gunns, good Pennsy pix on tne K-4 thread. Something about the bell pyre boilers on their locos that smacks of european designs. With some sheet metal shrouding to hide the pumps, pipes, etc., some classes could pass for British counterparts. My favorite steam remains with Southern Rwy., B&O, Frisco, A.T. & S.F., N.Y.C and the venerable Nickle Plate Lima Berkshires (2-8-4) leading the rosters.

Say, I don't want to open another "Pandora's Box," but I'll wager that each of you has at least one prototype loco and or passenger car style that literally "hurts your eyes." If one or more diesels, steam, passenger, freight, interurban, commuter, etc. come to mind; why not share your "Ugly Duckling" with the membership? Imagine your least favorite livery gracing the lines of your "least favorite" piece of rolling stock and locomotive and then: "let fly." We should, in no time, be able to lash up the "World's Ugliest Consist" for all to appreciate.[(-D]

Sorry there weren't more folks here to enjoy the Fish and Chips yesterday. Now, every Tabby in the Village has decended upon the "Our" Place dumpster. Their numbers are legion and I can tell you that Awk doesn't appreciate this infusion of furry felines festooned for furlongs fostering future families for one finite flick of the fob!.[:O] A.P.B.: Everyone here knows tomorrow is Rob's Birthday Bash. Let's all have a good showing 10:00 p.m. Eastern for his "mid life crisis" big 34. Okay Cindy, thanks and best regards to Tom. Happy rails all.

[coalminer3]

Good Morning All: Coffee, please; $ for a round and jukebox are on the bar.

There has been some talk recently abt. North Ststion in Boston. Herewith, another few pages from the "memory book" abt. North Station and the B&M.

The heart of the Boston and Maine was the utilitarian North Station, a building that crouched along Causeway Street, hemmed in by the elevated trolley tracks and the Manger Hotel and surmounted by Boston Garden.

I always associated North Station with winter even though I traveled from there in all seasons. Maybe it was the name – North Station – that made me think of ice-encrusted freight cars and steam-heated passenger coaches and trains plowing through deep snow “up country.” North Station’s lobby was neither large nor ornate. It was a low, wide space, somewhat dark, with ticket windows on one side and train gates on the other. It was not a space designed for travelers to spend much time. Buying tickets was simple; tell the agent where you wanted to go, pu***he money under the bars in the window and get your ticket and change back with minimal conversation and no wasted motion; a truly New England process.

To the trains, then, ticket in hand. Umbrella sheds protected the platforms and it was always cold under the sheds in the winter, and cool under the sheds in the summer. From North Station, the B&M sent commuter trains to the suburbs and long haul runs to all corners of northern New England, west to New York State, and into Canada. Passengers could not see much as the tracks were close together and it was dark so the scope of operations at North Station was not apparent until a train cleared the umbrella sheds and moved out into an area that was a little more open.

North Station was a busy place with cars and locomotives come to the big city from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Canada. There was also a horde of commuter trains. In the morning, empty trains backed out of the station as loaded trains arrived. In the evening, this complicated ballet occurred again. Loaded outbound trains threaded their way among empty trains backing down from the coach yard to the station. The station tracks quickly narrowed to a pair of drawbridges; truly a yard “throat.” A tower just east of the bridges controlled all of the activity. Bridge tenders were responsible for raising the bridges to allow shipping to pass, which was mostly tows of barges. The tracks fanned out after crossing the bridges. Mystic was next.

Mystic was truly the operational heart of the Boston and Maine. Across the Charles River from North Station, Mystic was in the shadows of the grim walls of what the newspapers always called the “infamous Massachusetts State Prison at Charlestown.” Mystic combined freight yards, team tracks, and a coach yard. The Boston Engine Terminal was part of the larger Mystic facility.

The names on the cars in the coach yard told where the B&M went and the places it served. There were coaches, lounge cars, sleepers, RPOs and baggage cars from the Canadian Pacific, Boston and Maine, and Maine Central. Commuter coaches were, of course, most numerous.

The B&M (in common with other New England lines) terminated a lot more freight than it originated, so many offline cars were interspersed with home road cars. Framed by the coach window, I could see cars from far away roads. They snapped by like slides; Chicago and North Western “Route of the 400s,” Milwaukee Road, Santa Fe, SLSF “Ship It On the Frisco,” Union Pacific, Baltimore and Ohio, Chesapeake and Ohio. There were a lot of cars from eastern roads; Pennsylvania (with the keystone and lined PRR letters), New Haven, Maine Central, B&M, of course, and New York Central. Dull red (boxcar red or tuscan) was the predominant color although refrigerator cars were yellow or orange and there were some red, white and blue “State of Maine” cars to break up the monotony.

Sometimes there would be cuts of ratty looking single dome tank cars or loaded and empty coal cars on the yard tracks. There were also indescribably filthy hide cars in the yard along with livestock cars with open, slatted sides. Gondolas were there, too, with loads of scrap of other cargo in large wooden crates. There I could see flat cars with loads of machinery or other equipment, sometimes in the open and sometimes covered with tarps. In any case, freight on flat cars was blocked and tied down to keep the loads from shifting.

The engine terminal was a wondrous combination of steam and diesel engines of different types. At the clangorous steam shop, the fleet of aging Pacifics, Atlantics, and Moguls received inspections and running repairs. I also saw 4-8-2s at the steam shop. These engines had enormous pedestal tenders. The diesel house, newer and much cleaner than the steam shop, handled all types of Alco RS-type units and EMD E units from passenger trains and FTs and geeps from freights.

The B&M's splendid red and gold color scheme was highlighted by a herald of the Concord Minute Man. B&M engines shared terminal space with Maine Central's green and gold units that came down from the north on passenger trains. Painted a light green, an E unit's engine compartment was hot and noisy even when the engine was idling.

Steam engines pulled commuter trains when I was young. Diesel power replaced steam in the mid 50s. Every business day a fleet of Alco RS and EMD GP7-powered trains converged on North Station to discharge a host of businessmen, secretaries and others who worked in the city. The B&M's wine-red commuter cars were, at best, spartan. Air conditioning did not exist as steam heat tried to subdue New England's winters and open windows did their best to cope with summer heat and humidity.


The Bruins and Celtics played at Boston Garden (built atop North Station). Other events such as professional wrestling and the circus took place at the Garden, too. My grandmother, who bet on anything that moved, passionately loved professional wrestling. Her two favorite wrestlers were Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and Gorgeous George. The most hated villain was the lantern-jawed blue-jowled "Killer" Kowalski, master of the dreaded claw hold.

Over on the main line west from Boston, Waltham was a good place to watch trains, and it wasn' t too far from home, which made it even better. The Boston and Maine's tracks at Waltham were on the north side of the Charles River. Moody Street crossed the Charles on a concrete bridge and the Waltham station was just east of the Moody Street crossing. The Waltham station was a barnlike building with a tower. Sets of hand-cranked crossing gates stopped traffic on Moody Street to let the trains go through.

There was quite a bit of freight traffic that passed through Waltham and a number of passenger trains which contributed to frequent traffic jams as the gates would bang down and a train would cross Moody Street. A bulk oil plant (Gulf, I think) was just west of the Moody Street crossing and it was not unusual to find a red and gold or red white and black B&M switcher moving filthy black tank cars. The Alcos that were my favorites with the distinctive chirping sound they made while under load. If I was lucky, I'd get to see a freight train gathering speed as it left Boston. Most of the freights carried a mixture of boxcars, refrigerator cars, gondolas, tanks, and some flat cars.

Have a good one - I'll pick up fish fries on the way home.

work safe

[siberianmo]

Mornin' Ted

I'm still here - catchin' up on some last minute things before embarking on my trek to Illinois and Scott AFB. Long day - once a month ritual to take advantage of those ever dwindling retirement bennies! About a 106 mile round trip - so with today's gas prices, hmmmmmmmm. The wagon gets about 27 mpg for a trip like that - used to think that was great. Now ....... [tdn]

Appreciate your Email response; still waitin' for the rest of 'em. Something else to be perplexed about! [swg]

A word of caution - Awk is not to be let out of my private quarters, unless perched on my starboard shoulder! With those felines lurking 'round this place - mince meat for sure! Perhaps I should reintroduce Juneua to the scene. Hmmmmmm.

Hope the festivities tomorrow go off well - it is somewhat late and I doubt that we'll see Nick live for that one. Time zones and all, of course ........

Regarding the posting of pix on this thread - I think it's a good idea if kept within reason (size wise). I've tried my best to get the message out regarding that issue, but ...... URL's really work well. Post a pix or two, then go to the URL for the rest of 'em. That's more better. So, Mr. Manager if yuou want to oversee something like this - GO FOR IT [tup]

Catch ya later today .......

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Morning CM3

Thanx for the round and Juke $$$! [tup] Boris Ring it ... OJ all 'round on CM3 [yeah]

How fortunate you were to have had the opportunity to grow up in an area with such great railroading activity and access. A far cry from what I was able to take in in NYC .... nevertheless, the images locked in my grey matter are also special and call me back to those times every now 'n then.

You don't need me to praise your efforts again - but I'll say this: If anyone 'round here has taken up the mantra for Classic Trains with a flair for the personal reflection, it's you! There's no competition for plaudits going on - believe me - for there are several of our number who have Posted some rather captivating accounts of railroading past. Yours just seem to take me back in time from the moment I start reading .... Well done! [tup][tup][tup]

I particularly liked your reference to the passing scenes through the passenger car windows as slides. That's precisely what they appear to be! When I read that, it sort of hit me like a ton of bricks - what a great analogy indeed. [tup]

Somewhere within this thread I've revealed a bit of personal history regarding my comings and goings at North Station. So, it's only proper for me to admonish you for one glaring ommission: The Iron Horse Bar 'n Restaurant! Now, that was a fixture in the place and one whose Siren Song called to me many an evening ....... [swg]

Catch ya later and thanx again for a great Post! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

CONTEST

Okay guys - who do you think has the most Posts on this thread through the first 100 pages excluding me[?]

I've got the tally - but thought you'd like to engage in a bit of chance. Winner gets Open Bar - any Mon, Tues or Wed nite 'til closing!

Bonus prize: Keys to the Penthouse Suite for a weekend nite if you come closest to the leading number of Posts.

(1) Guess the customer who has the most .....
(2) Pick a number for the most Posts ....

EXCLUDE ME IN BOTH CATEGORIES

CONTEST CLOSES MONDAY - tally released on TUESDAY!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Proprietor of "Our" Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[Anonymous]

Good morning Y'all.

Tom, I will have a Guiness stout. Must get in practice for England in a week. I drink very little beer here. I like a strong one such as in Europe and tha American stuff is a little like yellow foamy water. Something else looks like that that I will not delve into. At home I usually dring one six pack a year (yes, one per year). Now in Europe it is a little different. Looking forewsrd to some good bubbly there. We do have Guiness here but at about $4 per bottle I do not want it that bad.

Thank you Passengerfan for the info on the North Sydney depot. Unfortunately we did not see this station while in Sydney last month. Spent most of our time in Louisbourg at the reconstructed fort, the railroad museums on the way to the fort and along the coast.

And thank you Nick for the info on the slam door cars. I did not know what their official name was. The ones I have ridden on you had to open the window to access the exit handle. No conductor override at that time. I fully understand why they are being phased out for safety reasons. The English are overly caucious regarding safety which is good. Every time I go into an office building I am handed a sheet detailing the fire evacuations procedures. No problem with this as I do not want to be fried. Even the new trains with vestibule doors have to be actuated by the conductor to be opened.

On to trains. Nick, once I boarded a train at Gatwick going to Brighton that had slam doors. The train just started to move, having gone less than one foot, but still in motion, when a lady opened one of the slam doors and got in. The train immediately went into emergency stop. The train crew went through the train looking for the person. She was wearing a trench coat which I assumed she removed to evade identification. Do not know if they ever caught up with her.

The UK has a marvelous train system. I think that you will pass more passenger trains on the 35 minute ride from Gatwick to Victoria than we have in all of North America. Once a coworker was going to the UK on vacation and wanted to go to Brighton and asked me when the trains run. Having traveled to Brighton several times I replied "on the hour, 20 after, and 20 before" He asked which hour and I replied "Every one". Such a great system, however, the press, like here, seems to kick BR or the current operators for every little glitch. I probably have ridden the nonstop Gatwick Express atleast 300 times. I have yet to have it be a non stop. Somewhere between Gatwick and Victoria it will get a red signal and we will stop in the middle of the country. The stop will only be for a minute, but never the less it has never been a true non stop.

London has about 10 major rail stations that still have loads of trains out of them Not like Chicago where almost all stations have been demolished. I have been at Waterloo where they will have two trains on one track at rush hour and this is a station that has about 30 tracks. BR has, in my opinion, the bad habit of not posting what track a train will be departing from until they are ready for boarding. You will have a mass of people in the station concourse all looking at the overhead monitors waiting for their train to be announced then they ru***o that gate. They could post the gate earlier and that would curtain the mob scene in the concourse even if they do not open the gate until ready for boarding. You might have 3-4 trains going to the same place within 30 minutes. The secret is to look where it is "calling at". If a lot of stations are listed this means it is a milk run as opposed to an express train. Anyway it still is a great system.

Well, the Guiness has been downed so I better get to work. I seem to work better with a buzz on. (just kidding. As tom will attest I never drink at lunch while working. Now come 5 PM and it is a different story.

Cheers,
***

[siberianmo]

G'day ***

Just wanted to acknowledge your Post before checking out for most of the day .....

Off to Europe again, eh [?] Well, that doesn't mean you can't partake in the Birthday Bash for Rob tomorrow or the Contest!

When it comes to brews in Great Britain - I'm a pansy. Don't like 'em that well - prefer what we have here in the states. Plus, in my time over on the other side of the Pond - they served 'em all warm. Ugh - couldn't handle it. Then in one Pub, they offered to put ice cubes in the brew to chill it .... oh well. Guess it's all what one gets accustomed to. Now in Germany - well, that was a different story .... [swg]. But, I'm referring to long, long ago and as with the rest of the world - undoubtedly things have changed.

Gotta run ........

Cindy has the bar - and anything else she wants, methinks![}:)][:-,]

See ya!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day Guys!

I've returned ..... Cindy said not ONE regular customer stopped by during the time she was behind the bar - not ONE! Good grief - feast or famine once again.

NICK has a photo album - check it out:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b222/siberianmo/Nicks%20pix/

Nick said he'd provide the details once they got posted .....

For Nick: You may want to resend these pix to me in a larger format ....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Well Good Evening one and all,just stopped in to relieve Cindy for a couple of hours (...stop it you lot ) catch up with some post,prepare for the evenings festivities (board up windows on inside,cover upholstery in plastic sheeting,remove any furniture likely to be used as a weapon,pay Leon up front,prime Boris with black coffee & Slivovitz and shackle him to the stove,build stage out of beer crates and plywood.......usual stuff) and most importantly,hang up loads of banners proclaiming.......[bday] TROLLY-BOY ROB [bday]---these were produced by Clueless & Doyle and I suspect the precinct house copier may well be involved. Right,to posts-WOLFMAN-awright mate! -have yourself a beer,the donegal cars were diesels-effectively road buses with rail chassis-single ended so required turntables ( slightly short -sighted for a branch line unit )---have a couple of B/W shots which I will get scanned in asap COALMINER3-nice submission -good to have some classic freight rumbling past-If it wasn`t for the Oil trains running out of the Milford Haven refineries we wouldn`t have a line round these parts,passenger numbers wouldn`t make the case and with the Navy mine depots closed `secure status` has been lost -the only full trains are the Fishguard-Rosslare boat-trains 2 2-car multiple units per day. ***-Have another Guinness,you may need the practice-Your notes on the Gatwick Express brought the memories flooding back-I was born and raised by that line-not far from Coulsdon Sth,Nth & Smitham Stns-between East Croydon(originally the only booked stop on the G/W exp.) and Redhill,where through traffic from Reading on the G.W main connects. Did much early trainspotting leaning over a pre-cast concrete foot bridge crossing 8 main 2 local & 2 freight lines where `main` and `quarry` lines divide a mile or so south of the junction at Purley...remember the first Gatwick Express units-"refurbished" CEP & VEP units (lots of seats torn out and replaced with luggage racks plus a coat of paint-either unpowered units or traction motors removed I suspect since power provided by class 73 Electro-Diesels,initially single units at N end of 2 4-car units,later a `73 at each end of 3 4car units after adhesion problems All units dedicated to G/E service painted in U.K. Pullman colours of Cream & Umber-very smart but rather spoilt by bright yellow end-warning panels,have a safe journey my friend ! MANAGER TED-How are you Sir ? Ugly Ducklings,well this could get ugly in more ways than one[^]HO HO HO![^]---I,for example consider the G.G.1`s to be lumbering characterless leviathons compared to the sinuous grace of the Swiss "Krokodil"s,but not all would agree........................................[}:)]. So-to the party,ah yes before I forget,[4:-)]TOM has some pix of small petrol cars on W.C&P,have found some others also Schull & Skibbereen #4 running along the roadside ca. 1937-will scan in soonest--party,yes where was I-Food -thats the stuff! How about an Indian Night tonight.....?----An initial survey of my desmenes suggests We can be fairly safe in offering As starters or side dishes, Lamb or Vegetable samosa`s,poppadoms & chutney tray,Mixed Pakora,Chicken Tikka Tandoor ,Keema Naan`s and Mixed Bhajii`s . for main dishes we have Beef Madras,Chicken Jalfrezi,Lamb Bhuna,Red Thai King Prawns,Vegetable Korma or Dhansak ,all served with Pilau Rice & Garlic & Coriander naan bread or the special platter-Chicken & Prawn Biryani with Gobi Saag Aloo,Tarka Dhal,Green Salad with Raita,Poppadoms & chutney tray, right,that should hold `em-make sure we have huge reserves of very cold beer-My other contribution to Tonights Natal Day festivities is another pic lodged with [4:-)]TOM-this one of an engine in distress-I thought it might make a caption contest,as to contests My [2c] bet for greatest number of posts would be the Birthday Boy Himself-a contributer from early days and a `several quick ones a day` man back in those far off days if memory serves. Aha,here is Cindy,glowing with wholesome goodness-my cue to retire to the kitchen and grind spices,torment Boris and generally prepare for the Ball-tonights band,"The Tie-walkers" are supposed to be a top class Bluegrass act out of Hazard Kty fresh off a world tour with Michelle Shocked......................O.K.-I`m out of site for a while.enjoy the party and once again [bday]ROB take care now,nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Hello Nick

Glad you stopped in to wake us all up! [swg] Good Gawd Gertie, is this ever a slow Friday ........ [%-)]

As you know, Sep 8th was Rob's Natal Day but he elected to schedule the Birthday Bash for Saturday the 10th at 10 PM (Eastern). So, where you are - it is already Saturday (for those who are wondering why the [bday] wishes). Therefore, you are the first reveler on board! [yeah][wow]

By the by, I appreciate your Email response to my request for input ....... [tup]

That is some menu you've put together for the Birthday Bash and I would encourage one and all to come hungry for [dinner] dinner! [tup]

Go easy with Cindy my man - she's been here all - filled in for me for about 7 hours while I tended to other business in my life. For unpaid "staff," she's a gold mine! I thought she had departed the scene - but I should have known she'd stick 'round just to see if you'd show up![}:)][:-,]

My assumption is that you've viewed your pix on the URL I posted - if you wish, send 'em again to me in a larger format and I'll repost 'em.

Lumbering characterless leviathons! Them's are fightin' words to Pennsy fans who revere the GG1's ........ [censored][banghead] Indeed! [tdn] To my way of looking at it, one simply cannot make those kinds of comarisons. Diesels with diesels - steamers with steamers and unique with unique (as in GG1). It's kinda like trying to make a case for the greatest athelete of all time. Just can't be done - far too many variables. Best athelete of a particular era, perhaps - but of all time [?] Nah. So, lay off my GG1, buddy - or there could be trouble brewing ........

As always, you've managed to include those who have had something to say in your Post - which is what makes you such a valued customer and member of the Order of the Permanent Stools.[tup]

Okay, you're in for the CONTEST with Rob as your pick. How about the Bonus question - have a total number for whoever has the most Posts [?]

Hope you get a chance to check in again this weekend.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[nickinwestwales]

Evening Boss-Long day ?-just sit back and let the place run itself tonight,-Cindy,attend to the master,he is fatigued from his travels and in need of comfort,the implied slur on a revered Icon of his youth has been too much to bear..........I dare not raise the possibility of Camelbacks as all-time uglies although the French came up with some fairly serious contenders,both aesthetically and mechanically-Crampton and his ilk were concerned with function over form during Victorian era- A Brit guy named MIKE SHARMAN has built a Victorian multi-gauge layout with termini,works and main lines all staffed with his hand-built collection of period locos,stock etc. He also markets loco components so should have a website-if so should be worth a look----------now [4:-)]TOM-many thanks for photo site-now,how do I make it work....I am,to quote A.A.Milne,a bear of little brain & easily confused--right back to the galley with me,should be about time to start on the sauces-party on guys[^] nick[C=:-)]

[siberianmo]

Hey Nick

[yeah] Long day, indeed. A bit of strress on crowded highways - 2 hours of driving a rather boring route - best part of the day were the tunes on the FM. Forgot my CD's ....

Well, any country that could take responsibility for the Citroen and Renault, surely should have stayed away from rail locomotive design! [swg]

Regarding loco design, et al - for me, my favorites were the U.S. and Canadian diesels of the 50's - just beautiful machines. The present day passenger loco's just don't do it for me - they all look like those cardboard toy trains given away by the railroads to kids - fold along the dotted line and press into place. That's kinda the way they appear to me; no charm - no pizzazz at all. Now, there were some great looking steam engines as well - but I'm guilty of bias on the side of what I recall seeing as a kid.

Are you serious about the photo site [?] There aren't very many options, really. Just call up the URL and look at the pix. Now, if the site was in your name, you could do some eidting and the like. Unfortunately when it comes to sizing the pix, they can't be enlarged on this site - just reduced. I'm going to try them out on another site - just to see if I can get 'em to grow ....... [swg]

Thanx again for the Posts and I know you've got to sleep some time - so hit it, man - hit it! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening folks. This is a replacement for last nights post which the computer ate[:(!][xx(][tdn]. First off thank-you everyone for the warm birthday greetings makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside and it isn't the cr.[:p][}:)][;)]BTW Tom I loved the birthday card Boris and Awk made for me. Though are the little bird footprints willinly placed there by Awk's choice or was there some carpathian persuation?[B)]. *** Your tome on your rail travels in jolly old and in europe made me feel as though I was right there riding with you[tup] Tom I'm thinking that that post needs to be considered a silver throttle candidate.[^] Ted Again thank-you for the warm [bday] greetings I'm lookinmg forward to tomorrows festivities. My crack at your little ugliest of the uglies would be a BL2. Not sure what EMD was thinking there. The worst paint scheme I can think of is the passionate purple / silver of the old ACL. ( imagine that on a BL2! ) pwolfe Any major generator work would have been done in house by St. John's shippbuilding. Considering the length of servive 62-63 to 2001 on the "O" class I'm sure that they were refurbed or replaced and yest they would have had to cut them out. My guess is that when all three underwent the SOUP refits in the early 90's this was done. The after torpedo mk37 tubes were removed than and the forward T room was updated to mk 48's from mk 46's. Tom my navel passion is just that. I love history and you and I have had a few discussions in that theater. Canadian navy history is espeacially interesting. Guess I just like old machinery[tup][;)] My guess on your little contes t would be our friend a stool member ***, I hazard him as 100-150 posts. Well gents have more catching up to do. See as many of you as I can tomorrow evening. Rob

[trolleyboy]

Hello again Leon or Cindy ( why are you still here hmmm ) a small cr to nurse please. CM3 another wonderfull tle of passenger mayhem traffic in old Boston. I would dearly loved to have seen soo many wonderfull old fallen flags parading in an dout of the city[tup][^] Alas I was born a couple of decades late for that[V] Mind you with such vived and detailed exerpts from you and *** and Al the glory days of the old fallen flags are still alive,please keep them comming. This goes to show the awsome power of this thread! [tup][:D] A question for you did n't the Boston light rail surface or subway run into the North station as well ?Well gentle man I must depart, See you all tomorrow. Rob

[siberianmo]

Hi Rob

Well, your Birthday Bash date has finally arrived! Hope you had a great time on your Natal Day, where several of us wished you [bday]. I mean, just how many days does one require [?] [swg]

Your reference to traffic in Boston brings to mind a story: Back in the 1960's, I was an instructor at the USCG's Radioman School in Groton, Connecticut. We used to take the senior class (in their 6th month) on a field trip to our communications and rescue coordination center in downtown Boston. The trip up from Groton was by bus, driven by one of the First Class Petty Officer instructors. It came to pass that we were running short of drivers for the bus (a rather large "school bus," painted grey and affectionately called the Grey Goose - along with a few other names!). Anyway, I was told to get a bus driver's license, as I'd be driving the class to Boston. So, off I went for instructions - took the test - passed it - and I became a bus driver. What a trip. The bus was one of those double clutch affairs, with more gears than Carters had pills. I mean this was a challenge to say the least. Rolling along the highway was a piece of cake - getting in and out of rest area parking lots was an adventure. Navigating in downtown Boston - well that's where it got interesting. We rolled into downtown in the midst of morning rush hour traffic. Mayhem would be the polite word to describe the scene. I wound up heading down a one-way street, in the opposite direction, and man oh man was that a riot. Coming to a full stop, I'll never forget the look on the Boston traffic cop's face, as he sauntered over to the bus and asked, "Hey, sailor, just where do you think you're going [?] Mustering up the best response I could think of, I replied, "I was heading over to the Custom's House, until all those cars decided they wanted my parking spot." He laughed - blew his whistle several times and began to disperse the cars all in front of me. A path was made, and I rolled the bus to a "No Parking" spot, right at the curb of where I wanted to be. The cop said that I shouldn't worry about it - "Just park it and when you are finished, we'll get you headed in the right direction." I never lived that episode down amongst my shipmates, and of course the members of that class. Okay, so much for that.

Okay - you're in for the CONTEST, but NOT for the bonus. Sorry - you gotta pick a number - not a series. [tup][tdn]

Enjoy the day and see you tonight, for sure! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

SATURDAY’s NEWS & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

Mornin' All!

Not much to say, other than I hope this weekend is restful and pleasant for all of our customers and families ........ Let's keep in mind that tomorrow is a Special Day of Remembrance for all Americans and our friends 'round the world.

News of the Day:

(1) Repeat Consider helping those who are suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

(2) Reminder! Birthday Bash for trolleyboy Rob tonight at 10 PM (Eastern). If you think you cannot make it, drop him your best wishes anytime convenient! [tup]

(3) CONTEST

Okay guys - who do you think has the most Posts on this thread through the first 100 pages excluding me[?]

I've got the tally - but thought you'd like to engage in a bit of chance. Winner gets Open Bar - any Mon, Tues or Wed nite 'til closing!

Bonus prize: Keys to the Penthouse Suite for a weekend nite if you come closest to the leading number of Posts.

(1) Guess the customer who has the most .....
(2) Pick a number for whoever has the most Posts .... (doesn't have to be the person who has the most Posts)

EXCLUDE ME IN BOTH CATEGORIES

Participants thus far:

Nick says trolleyboy Rob ….. with no guesstimate for the number.
Rob says wrwatkins *** ….. with no guesstimate for the number.

CONTEST CLOSES MONDAY - tally released on TUESDAY!

SUMMARY

Name - Date/Time - (Page#) – Remarks

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 07:07:39 (102) Friday’s News & Summary

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 08:08:53 (102)

(3) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 08:08:53 (102)

(4) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 08:15:20 (102)

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 08:26:16 (102) reply to Theodorebear

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 08:40:08 (102) reply to coalminer3

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 09:07:13 (102) CONTEST

(8) wrwatkins *** Posted: Today, 09:27:58 (102)

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 09:45:28 (102) reply to wrwatkins

(10) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 17:31:58 (102) Nick’s photo album

(11) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 19:47:16 (102)

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 20:22:53 (102) reply to nickinwestwales

(13) nickinwestwales Nick Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 21:27:52 (102)

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 21:47:21 (102) reply to nickinwestwales

(15) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 09 Sep 2005, 23:47:56 (102)

(16) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 10 Sep 2005, 00:09:03 (102)

(17) siberianmo Tom Posted: 10 Sep 2005, 00:47:53 (102)

=======================================
That’s it! [tup][;)]
Tom (Siberianmo) [4:-)] [oX)]
Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and fellow early-birds. I'll have some coffee grounds to rub the sleep from my eyes
My guess for most posts other than Siberianmo, is the Birthday-Boy himself ... Trolleyboy Rob

Since you asked "whoever" for the most posts (which means to me that Tom is to be considered) .... my guess is 700.
My Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society chapter had their first meeting after the summer break last night. A former engineer from the CNW brought 5 trays of slides he took in the Chicago area while on the job since 1962. A lot of the content was structures that are no longer here anymore. I was amazed that the members of this club knew so much about the capabilities of the equipment, when they were used, their numbers and or names, how long they were in service, the exact location each picture was taken from, the number of switches in the area, the names of the customers the trains were servicing ... and so on! It was amazing.
This will be another day I don't make it to the IRM. The HAHS (hooved animal humane society) is having their annual fundraiser, and my bride expects me to be there with her.
Have a great day all!