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"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD! Locked

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
Posted by LoveDomes on Saturday, June 10, 2006 9:10 AM
Good Morning Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

Somehow not seeing that gorgeous woman behind the bar . . . . oh, I digress! [swg]

How the heck are ya, Tom [?] [?] Good to see you back in your familiar spot and getting the place back into "routine!" As you've found, the guys really stepped up to the plate in your absence and maintained the momentum you had hoped for! [tup] [tup] [tup]

So, how was the Alaskan adventure [?] From the tid bit you've provided, my guess is that the two of you enjoyed it immensely. It is a wonderful place to see and the diversity is quite overwhelming - not to mention the 22 hours (or thereabouts) of daylight up where you were! [swg]

Back in my sailing days, I managed to put into several Alaskan ports and while time was rather limited, did get off the ship for some sightseeing. Love the place and wi***hat I could've traveled the Denali Star train up to Fairbanks as you have. Can't wait for the "report!" [tup]

So, our group has been enriched by one more, huh [?] Congrats to you wanshweel Mike - resident UrlMeisterMonster - and newest Reserved Stool member of the Order of the Stools! A smart choice by our esteemed Selection Committee and once again the element of surprise worked quite well! 5-[tup] Salute to you Sir! [tup] [tup] [tup] [tup] [tup]

That is quite a SUMMARY you put together! [wow] How long did that take you to compile [?] Gives quite a perspective to the posting times and guys who kept things going. Love the Comedy Corner - been there, said that! [swg] Nice job! [tup] [tup] [tup]

Nice Encore to begin the day. Always enjoy that bit about your parrot, Awk - he's quite the character, huh [?] [swg]

Speaking of baseball <grin> how about those Mets! [?] Home runs and winning baseball along with consistent pitching is working quite well for the Metropolitans of New York. [swg] I managed to get through the sports pages this AM and saw that your Cards really pulled one out, having been down 6-0 in the 2nd inning. So, keep the faith, mate - it ain't over 'til it's over! (Yogi-ism!) <grin>

I'll see what I can muster up for an Encore or two . . . but it will have to be a bit later on. Things to do, places to go and people to see - or something like that! <groan>

How about a Bloody Mary to start me off with a crunchy celery stick [?] [yeah] And, ring the bell, Boris a round of OJ, or whatever "works" for the guys when they trickle in.

I see Ted has made it in - good day to you, Sir! [tup]

Always helps to hit that "refresh/reload" capability Tom keeps reminding us of - and to stick around a bit AFTER posting!


Until the next time! [tup]

Lars
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 10, 2006 8:56 AM
Welcome back Tom and Lady Tom, you must have experienced the de ja vu of all time in Alaska. What an inspiring first report of a rail venture that actually played out as it was planned. Let me propose a toast to Tom and Spouse for their safe return and congratulations on seeing a daunting rail venture through that few of us would risk taking.[tup] May I also toast Wanswheel Mike on his well earned appointment to "Permanent" Order of the Stools.[tup] It is a beautiful irony that from the duldrums of covering the lowest points of R.R.ing during the late 70's and early 80's; appearing from the wilderness comes such heartening news of truly "first-class" passenger service.[^] By gadfrey Tom, that really is the "Mother" of Summaries.[^] Here is another example of not missing something until it is gone. Anyhow, it is great to have "Our" Place back running on schedule once again. Juneau must be ecstatic as well.

Now that we are gathering our former strength, perhaps delving into new dimensions of topics is in order? Certainly, the "newest" of input will be forthcoming from our Proprietor and a much anticipated synopsis of his Alaska R.R. trek. Rob, Dave, CM3 surely kept me in awe of their descriptions on the most outlandish "grab bag" consists that bleak era of railroading had to offer.[:O] These past pages have been an excursion from the "ridiculous to the sublime" indeed. Lars, I can't think of better words than yours describing the "safe haven" afforded here at "Our" Place. Now, with proper regards sent and received, we can pull in the step stool, close the fold-up step/door and signal the engineer for our departure on to even better destinations than before.[^] It looks like a "high ball" all the way for some time to come. Speaking of "high ball", please make mine with C.R. and a twist Tom. Boris, if you will stop the spit shine on Tom's Denali Mucklucks, maybe we can get a drink around here.[:(!] Unril next time, happy rails to all.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, June 10, 2006 8:49 AM
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

G'day Gents!

Something to brighten up the start to our weekend!

First Posted on page 136, 13 Oct 2005:

A true story about Awk while staying at Cindy’s place.

Cindy’s dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check."

"Oh, by the way don't worry about my bulldog, Spike. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!" "I REPEAT, DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!"

When the repairman arrived at Cindy’s apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking bulldog he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.

The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling. Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled,

"Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!"

To which the parrot replied, "Get him, Spike!"


Tom[4:-)][oX)]


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, June 10, 2006 1:19 AM



SATURDAY’s INFO & 11-Day SUMMARY of POSTS


We open at 6 AM. (All time zones - Don’t ask how we do that!)[swg]


Back again for the start of a weekend! C’mon in – enjoy a cup of freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee – a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board and of course one or two goodies from The Mentor Village Bakery!


Daily Wisdom


If I didn’t’ wake up, I’d still be sleeping.
ENCORE! Yogi-ism



Info for the Day:

* Weekly Calendar:


Saturday: Steak ‘n Trimmin’s Nite! – and –
ENCORE! Saturday


MVP Award Winners

April 2006 . . . LoveDome Lars
May – June . . To be announced



[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]



Comedy Corner


She told me we couldn't afford beer anymore and I'd have to quit.
Then I caught her spending $65.00 on make-up.
And I asked how come I had to give up stuff and she didn't.
She said she needed the make-up to look pretty for me.
I told her that was what the beer was for.
I don't think she's coming back !


[tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup][tup]



The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject!

NOW SHOWING:

. . . Sunday, June 4th thru June 10th: The Great Escape (1963) starring: Steve McQueen, James Garner & Richard Attenborough –and- The Longest Day (1962) starring: 42 International Stars. SHORT: Pardon My Scotch (1935).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . Sunday, June 11th thru June 17th: Major League II (1994) starring: Tom Berenger & Charlie Sheen –and- Mr. Baseball (1992) starring: Tom Selleck, K. Taukura & A. Takanashi. SHORT: Hoi Poloi (1935).



SUMMARY

Name …..…………… Date/Time …..…..………. (Page#) .. Remarks

Tuesday, May 30th:
(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 May 2006, 05:41:55 (344) Tuesday’s Info & 13-post Summary

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 30 May 2006, 05:47:49 (344) ENCORE! RR from Yesteryear – C&O

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 30 May 2006, 06:37:57 (344) Theme: C&O streamlined coaches

(4) wanswheel Mike Posted: 30 May 2006, 10:13:39 (344) Theme: C& O URLs

(5) passengerfan Al Posted: 30 May 2006, 12:03:52 (345) Theme: C&O streamlined observations

(6) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 30 May 2006, 12:47:49 (345) Theme: C&O –and- L&N, etc.

(7) wanswheel Mike Posted: 30 May 2006, 13:39:48 (345) Theme: more URLs

(8) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 30 May 2006, 14:36:43 (345) Inclusive Post

(9) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 30 May 2006, 15:10:51 (345) Pilof Officer Andrew Mynarski, Victoria Cross recipient

(10) passengerfan Al Posted: 30 May 2006, 15:59:16 (345) Theme: C&O streamlined dining & lounge cars

(11) West Coast S Dave Posted: 30 May 2006, 17:13:04 (345) Left Coast report!

(12) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 30 May 2006, 22:17:30 (345) Inclusive Post!

(13) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 30 May 2006, 22:27:54 (345) ENCORE! Classic Steam #19 – The Booze Line

Wednesday, May 31st
(1) passengerfan Al Posted: 31 May 2006, 07:35:52 (345) Streamlined Dining & Lounge cars of the U.S. & Canada

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 31 May 2006, 08:13:55 (345) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 31 May 2006, 08:56:46 (345) WVA report! ‘n Deep Thoughts!

(4) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 31 May 2006, 09:31:04 (345) Inclusive Post!

(5) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 31 May 2006, 09:41:20 (345) ENCORE! Classic Steam #14 – Southern St. Clair branch

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 31 May 2006, 12:03:50 (345) ENCORE! Classic Steam #20 – BB&G

(7) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 31 May 2006, 12:12:27 (345) ENCORE! Jesse James (from barndad Doug)

(8) pwolfe Pete Posted: 31 May 2006, 16:13:28 (345) from Merry Olde!

(9) wanswheel Mike Posted: 31 May 2006, 19:34:27 (345) URLs – Andrew Mynarski, etc.

Thursday, June 1st
(1) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 00:30:53 (345) Inclusive Post!

(2) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 00:43:33 (345) ENCORE! Classic Steam #24 – Hamilton’s electric

(3) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 07:10:09 (345) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(4) passengerfan Al Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 07:14:26 (346) UP M10000 City of Salina

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 08:24:58 (346) WVA report! ‘n Snakes!

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 10:45:36 (346) Inclusive Post!

(7) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 11:06:08 (346) ENCORE! Classic Steam #24 Central Ontario Railway

(8) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 12:22:39 (346) ENCORE! Classic Juice #28 Brantford Street Railway

(9) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 15:18:25 (346) 5 Pix for Classic Juice #28

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 15:28:34 (346) ENCORE! Classic Juice #25 Hamilton’s Radial, pt II

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 15:49:14 (346) 2 Pix!

(12) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 16:21:55 (346) ENCORE! PC menu (from ftwNSengineer)

(13) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 16:32:18 (346) ENCORE! Classic Juice #18 LE&N

(14) West Coast S Dave Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 18:50:24 (346) Left Coast report!

(15) wanswheel Mike Posted: 01 Jun 2006, 23:07:16 (346) Inclusive Post ‘n URLs!

Friday, June 2nd
(1) passengerfan Al Posted: 02 Jun 2006, 07:12:41 (346) CB&Q Twin Zephyrs

(2) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 02 Jun 2006, 08:41:48 (346) WVA report! ‘n ENCORE! the Comet

(3) wanswheel Mike Posted: 02 Jun 2006, 22:07:56 (346) B’day greeting ‘n URLs

Saturday, June 3rd
(1) passengerfan Al Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 06:29:40 (346) CN&W UP City of Portland

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 07:18:23 (346) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(3) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 09:22:35 (347) A thought

(4) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 09:30:21 (347) ENCORE! A Nick-Post

(5) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 09:36:16 (347) ENCORE! Classic Juice #17 Grand River Railway

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 09:43:52 (347) ENCORE! Russian Decapods (from barndad Doug)

(7) passengerfan Al Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 09:48:01 (347) B’day greeting & CB&Q Mark Twain Zephyr

(8) West Coast S Dave Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 12:58:49 (347) ENCORE! Left coast style!

(9) wanswheel Mike Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 19:22:52 (347) URL-extravaganza!

(10) West Coast S Dave Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 20:02:02 (347) for wanswheel

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 22:03:29 (347) Inclusive Post!

(12) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 22:17:00 (347) ENCORE! Classic Juice #27 WP’s electric

(13) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 22:38:12 (347) ENCORE! A Nick-Post

(14) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 03 Jun 2006, 23:40:55 (347) 5 Pix!

Sunday, June 4th
(1) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 07:27:15 (347) 4 Pix!

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 08:09:09 (347) M10004 & City of San Francisco

(3) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 19:15:55 (347) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(4) rtraincollector Jerry Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 19:58:46 (347) huh[?]

(5) passengerfan Al Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 20:22:03 (347) Northwoods Hiawatha

(6) wanswheel Mike Posted: 04 Jun 2006, 23:47:20 (347) URLs

Monday, June 5th
(1) passengerfan Al Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 06:49:47 (347) B&O Royal Blue

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 07:23:13 (347) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 08:57:35 (348) WVA report! ‘n ENCORE: Boston subway

(4) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 11:02:07 (348) Inclusive Post!

(5) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 11:11:01 (348) 6 Pix!

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 11:26:57 (348) ENCORE! Classic Steam #7 Palmerston, Ontario

(7) passengerfan Al Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 16:51:40 (348) CRI&P Peoria Rocket

(8) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 22:01:53 (348) ENCORE! Classic CNR Steam #9 Special steam freights

(9) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 22:07:25 (348) ENCORE! Classic CNR Steam #10 Special steam, pt II

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 05 Jun 2006, 22:18:59 (348) ENCORE! Sorting on the Road (from barndad Doug)

Tuesday, June 6th
(1) wanswheel Mike Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 07:18:20 (348) URLs

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 08:10:04 (348) City of Los Angeles

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 09:45:58 (348) ENCORE! Schenectady’s Last Stand, etc.

(4) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 11:04:43 (348) Inclusive Post!

(5) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 11:14:20 (348) ENCORE! Classic CNR Steam #13 Forming of the CNR

(6) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 11:24:12 (348) ENCORE! Fallen Flag NH (from siberianmo)

(7) passengerfan Al Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 16:37:27 (348) NYC 20th Century Ltd

(8) West Coast S Dave Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 17:58:41 (348) The Sub Basement, etc.

(9) West Coast S Dave Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 19:24:41 (348) SP motive power

(10) wanswheel Mike Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 20:43:04 (348) URLs

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 23:14:12 (348) Inclusive Post!

(12) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 23:24:37 (348) ENCORE! Classic Juice #11, pt I

(13) wanswheel Mike Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 23:27:39 (349) URLs

(14) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 06 Jun 2006, 23:32:56 (349) ENCORE! The Alliston subdivision

Wednesday, June 7th
(1) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 07:15:00 (349) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 07:27:43 (349) Texas Rocket

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 08:18:40 (349) WVA report!

(4) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 09:18:13 (349) Inclusive Post!

(5) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 12:35:09 (349) The return of the Larsman!

(6) passengerfan Al Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 15:00:20 (349) brief visit x2!

(7) West Coast S Dave Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 15:29:20 (349) Inclusive Post, left coast style!

(8) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 20:31:29 (349) belated B’day greetings, etc.

(9) wanswheel Mike Posted: 07 Jun 2006, 22:25:57 (349) URLs

Thursday, June 8th
(1) EricX2000 Eric Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 00:24:42 (349) brief visit

(2) wanswheel Mike Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 05:59:43 (349) URLs

(3) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 06:52:04 (349) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(4) passengerfan Al Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 07:04:08 (349) Vulcan, etc.

(5) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 07:55:53 (349) Larsman report!

(6) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 08:17:33 (349) Inclusive WVA report!

(7)trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 09:52:23 (349) Inclusive report!

(8) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 09:59:44 (349) ENCORE! Classic CNR Steam #4 – trains to Niagara Falls

(9) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 10:07:47 (350) ENCORE! Classic Diesels #29 The Laggan sub

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 10:34:04 (350) ENCORE! Classic Steam #5 – B&T subdivisions

(11) West Coast S Dave Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 17:18:29 (350) Railfanning, cameras, etc.

(12) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 17:22:16 (350) Larsman report, part deux!

(13) barndad Doug Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 19:25:08 (350) The barndad returns!

(14) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 22:14:45 (350) Inclusive Post!

(15) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 22:28:14 (350) ENCORE! Classic Steam #17 S&H Railway

(16) wanswheel Mike Posted: 08 Jun 2006, 22:53:56 (350) URL

Friday, June 9th
(1) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 06:56:08 (350) Inclusive Gulf Coast report!

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 07:53:49 (350) SP Daylight

(3) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 08:22:23 (350) WVA report!

(4) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 13:39:39 (350) Larsman report!

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 15:18:51 (350) Newest Inductee – Order of the Stools!

(6) West Coast S Dave Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 15:56:25 (350) Inclusive Left Coast report!

(7) West Coast S Dave Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 18:04:15 (350) Congrats – welcome back, etc.

(8) passengerfan Al Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 20:02:16 (350) Welcome back, etc.

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 20:51:07 (350) I’m baaaaaaaack!

(10) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 22:50:26 (350) Welcome back - Congrats ‘n Inclusive Post!

(11) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 23:10:11 (350) Inclusive Post, part deux!

(12) trolleyboy Rob Posted: 09 Jun 2006, 23:28:25 (350) ENCORE! Classic Diesels #18 – Diesel conversions. pt I




That’s it! [tup][;)]


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

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by trolleyboy on Friday, June 9, 2006 11:28 PM
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

Well an encore to start off saturday encore day with.This is brought back because of Ted and CM3 and dave reminding me of the various wierd and wonderfull things done to unsuspecting first gen locomotives in order to squeeze a few extra years out of them.

Rob

CLASSIC DIESELS # 18 DIESEL CONVERSIONS PT 1

Ever wonder what happens to diesel locomotives when they become to old and therfore expensive to rebuild ? In many cases they are scrapped, however allot of times the railroads find other uses for them and squeeze a few more years and a few more dollars out of them. I feel that the railroads are the first recyclers of the world.

Heater Cars

In the early yeasr of passenger trains, passenger cars were most often heated with individual stoves, a ready sorce of ignition and fires in the early days of railway operations.In the 1880's the stove began to slowley give way to steam heat piped straight from the locomotive. In 1890 the Milwaukee Road built a pair of electric-light-and-heat tenders for their Pioneer Limited, as the small 4-4-0's they used for power on the train didn't have enough steam capacity to heat the cars that way, and underframe generators wern't small of efficient enough at the time to electrically heat the cars independantly. The heat tenders carried small coal fired boilers inside and a steam driven dynamo to produce light and heat for the passenger cars.

The next railway to pick up on this was the Great Northern they had four heater cars built by the St Louis car Co in 1928. they were 40 feet long and looked like a short baggage car. These cars were used in the electrified terrotories and therefore drew their power from the electric locomotives thus they had no boiler. GN built a few more boxcar type versions in the 1940's with boilers finally replacing them in the early 60's with less manpower intensive semi-automated cars built from retired diesel locomotives

The first such cars were rebuilt from retired surplus F3B's and F9B's cars 10-19 which were equiped with steam generators for passenger trains. The prime mover was replaced by two 4500 p per hour steam geberators a 220v GM diesel generator to run them and a 12,000 gallon water tank. the cars were mu controllable and saw systrem wide use on passenger trains equiped with steam heat cars.

When Amtrak was formed they bought cars 10-15 ( renumbered amtrak 1910-1915 ).BN kept the others for their business train and speacial passenger runs though Amtrak often rented them these were all retired once Amtrak went to HEP heat on all their passenger trains.

VIA Rail also used similar built cars of CNR parentage these were custom built by MLW into an express reefer body however. CPR did convert three Cliner B units to mobile heater cars for use on the Dominion as well.

The only other major locomotive conversion was by the D&RGW for use on the ski train. They took an old Alco PB1 placed it on emd blomberg trucks and set up a sinmillayly equiped heater car to teh GN ones. They also used a converted locomotive tender as an auxillery steam heat car. Both were retired in 1988 when they purchased the electrically heated tempo train cars for this train from VIA rail.


Rob
  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by trolleyboy on Friday, June 9, 2006 11:10 PM
Hey Leon back again ring up another round on me will you please.My brain just not firing on all cylynders tonight I forgot a couple of people.

Mike Thanks for that Palmerston link. My Greatgrandead was from jolly old originally but he did work his entire CN carreer as a sectionman working out of Palmerston,so thank-you for remembering and digging out that info sir [tup]

Al What can I say another fine streamliner reprise and yet another reason as to why this plac eis such a speacial spot on the forums.

Lars I;m galdthat it sounds like your legal problems are solved. Here's hoping that your family problems can be cured as well. I have found that "Our Place" is a good spot to forget about the heavy stuff, at least for the time that you are on board at any rate. This is an important piece of the internet. Thanks Tom [tup]

Rob
  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by trolleyboy on Friday, June 9, 2006 10:50 PM
Well good evening Leon, I see that you ahev had a fairly full house this evening [tup] You will get paid this week afterall [swg][:-^]

First off [#welcome] home Tom [yeah][:D] I was starting to run out of material, it has been a wonderfull week around here, I'm glad that we were able to pull it off for you. take that to all the naysayers who wished gloom and doom upon this fine establishment. i shall await with baited breath the pregnant "mother of all summeries" that will be heading towards us tomorrow. At least unpack first and take Sir Juneau on several walks [tup]

mike Congradulations sir,nice to have another stool for Boris to keep spit polished around here.yours will have a built in keyboard and monitor for url lookup [swg]

Dave I'm glad that you popped by again as well. Always nice to hear about the monster loco consists which couldn't or could depending on the terrain and train size.The worst I saw was a mixed CP train heading up the Niagara escarpment into Hamilton.A C424 leading which was faded to pink two RS18's so black with Alco soot as to make them almost unrecognizable. A chopnosed RS2 in the action red ( these were generally humpyard units at this point ) and the piece de la resistance a TH&B NW2 and two of their HH GP7's all tenaciusly dragging over 100 mixed cars up the 2% grade.Talk about a fore and brimstone train. the RS2 and the TH&B Geeps were almost on death's door at this point ( 1979 or 80 )

Holy smoke 10 megapixles ! That's enough to photo a space shuttle in orbit isn't it [?]

CM3 That oddball consist out runs my by a country mile. It is amazing what railroads will cobble together when the needs arrise. The 70's and 80's definatly were the high times for the oddball consists. Everything nowadays is boring sam o same o SD what evers and GE-50,000's out the wazzoo. Give me the good old stuff anyday to today's fare.

Ted I'm game for whatever welcome home party that you think will work. Just give me enough warning to bring the H&H trunk fashion show into town for their "big reveal " [:O]

Rob
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, June 9, 2006 8:51 PM
Evenin' Gents!

Thanx a bunch Cindy and Leon for taking on the extra duty 'round the joint while I was away. Really appreciate all the help! [tup]

Been checking the Posts and it surely looks like most days were 'business as usual' - there were a couple of lean times, but given the numbers, it's indeed gratifying to know how many of you give a Rat's Patoot about this place! [tup]

I'll be putting together my thoughts on our Rail Adventure, but let me simply say it was most enjoyable. The Alaska Railroad (ARR) didn't let us down and everything went off without so much as a bump. Really a terrific experience with some stunning scenery. I will just tease you with this: we were booked in Gold Star service which gave us exclusive reserved seating in the upper deck dome portion of the car behind the baggage car. Below was our exclusive dining area - full service with extremely reasonable prices (for Alaska) for the wonderfully prepared meals. Nothing to gripe about whatsoever. [swg]

It's good to be back and of couse Juneau "votes" against us EVER doing that to him again! [tdn] [:O]

Happy to know that Lars 'n Doug have returned to the "fold" and that Eric may stop by a bit more frequently. Undoubtedly this place wasn't quite the same without barndad Doug and those <ah-hem> jokes! [swg] Not having Lars around as a regular surely didn't help matters either. Hope you two remain on board for weeks to come! [tup]

Tomorrow's Summary will be the Mother of All Summaries! [swg] Consider it as my way of thanking each 'n every one who stuck through this portion of our drought. [tup] [tup] [tup]

A special THANX to trolleyboy Rob for the efforts in keeping "Our" Place at the top of the Forum page! [tup] I haven't counted, but it surely appears that you pretty much "own" the numbers game as of late! Those ENCORES! kept the momentum going forward along with your Inclusive Posts! There's no question regarding your enthusiasm for this cyber bar 'n grill and it's gratifying to have you as our "clean up" batter! [tup] [tup] [tup]

Can't forget passengerfan Al and the wealth of great streamliner info that pours out from those hyper-active 20 Fingers! [tup] [tup] [tup] Also want to make a special mention of your contributions over on "my other Thread!" THANX, Al [tup]

Also, nice to see that West Coast S Dave seems to have found his way back to the bar on a regular basis. The "left coast approach" is enlightening, if not a bit puzzling from time to time! [swg] Yeah, I know - time zone differences will do it every time, eh [?]

I didn't intend this to turn into a running narrative of platitudes - but it surely looks that way, doesn't it [?] [swg]

As always, our resident URLMeisterMonster kept the fires burning with those scores of on-point avenues to the visual. Well, done! And of course, a hearty congrats to you for being selected into our Order of the Stools! [tup] [tup] [tup]

Appreciation extended to CM3 regularlity of the Monday-Friday Posts - to Ted for the Inclusive Gulf Coast reports and to Pete for checking in from Merry Olde!

Okay, Gents - time for me to attend to other matters. Can't bear to watch my Cardinals lose another game. What in the world happened to them in my absence [?] Hmmmmmmm, evil spirits at work. <grin> Whoa - hold it! The Birds were down 6-zip to the Brewers - it is now 8-6 in favor of my Red Birds! Only the 4th inning . . . .

Catch y'all in the morning for ENCORE! Saturday

Boris Ring the bell and Leon give 'em all an Alaskan portion of whatever they desire! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Friday, June 9, 2006 8:02 PM
Nice to hear your back Tom. Expect we should give you time to unpack your bags before we can expect you to catch up on your forum. Guess i'll have a CR and a round for the house.

Can't wait to hear about your great Alaska Adventure. Particularly the ARR.

TTFN Al
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
  • 1,619 posts
Posted by West Coast S on Friday, June 9, 2006 6:04 PM
I see i'm not alone[:D][8] I see master Tom is once again in our humbled midst..welcome back, so where is the juicy details of your latest adventure, the "Our place" awaits with bated breath. [^][^][^] CONGRATS MIKE TO THE ORDER, IT IS A PROUND GROUP YOU FIND YOURSELF UPON[^][^]

Let's discusss that taboo topic: The photo line ediquette enforcer

You now the type, you have the perfect spot, your shot is set up, lighting is perfect, camera settings correct/exposure dead on, you are ready for the runby and a cry arises from behind you: If you've been subject to this, enjoy the following.


Photo Line ediquette enforcer- A self appointed bufoon who demands instant command over all other photo line particpants, justice will be sure and swift for those who may stray into his viewfinder. Try as one might, no soil you choose will satisfy him, you will always be in the wrong location at the wrong time for the perfect photo he is never able to attain. Without regard to others present, course language is used to convey his displeasure, sometimes the use of unwarranted gestures and threats of bodily harm will be a physical symbol of his seething anger and indignation at the slightest precieved provacation to his challenge of self-apointed authority. In the end, all within his kingdom, will have to bow to his demands, surrender and retreat like two Yak's during mating season in the presence of a solitary female, one must seek other ground at this Lordships approval of course, provided the self
anoited ruler does wi***o claim it as his own. For all but the tempramental whims of the indvidule who will attempt to destroy the railfanning experience for the many..

I know, a bit off the norm, you may precieve that I speak from experience, as the they say, been there, done that

Ta-Da

Dave[8D]
SP the way it was in S scale
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
  • 1,619 posts
Posted by West Coast S on Friday, June 9, 2006 3:56 PM
Left coast checking in, afternoon, CM3, AL, Lovedomes, Mike, Rob and special to do to our long awaited master of humorous enlightment : Barndad

Some replies are in order, with all the gratis rounds floating about, set me up please

CM3:
I choose not to get out anymore on a regular basis , modern dash who cares and double stacks just don't cut it, now a adventure to a museum or a rare excursion, that will get me fired up. You have far more insight then I had in not failing to capture to ordinary. Guess that's why SP motive power and rolling stock annuals can be had in color!!


Rob:
I gave up anything Kodak, I still use my trusty 25 year old Cannon AE1 but Fuji is my film choice, I too am considering going digital, the PX has great pricing and no tax to boot! I don't think i'll need anything over ten megapixals! Of couse, with this much pixals one could shoot pictures during the total eclipse of the sun!!

Ted:
The mennace of Colton did not go quietly into the night, I heard several weeks later, that while trackside, he stripped ala natural and made a quite a scene trackside by his choice of language and gestures. Of course I was off this jerk for life, but man, what a scene that must have been!!! The lesson to all this was, I gotta find a better class of people to hang out with!!

Returning to bizarre encounters (my wife excluded!) brings this memory back: I had the oppertunity to observe a southbound lumber drag out of Redding, i'd say 1989 or so, power was a bedraggled SD45 worn to the primer and missing several hood doors, cardboard patches over some of the cab glass and mismatched numberboards, a single SD9 and two MP15DC switchers under power and last but not least a
BN C30-7. What a racket and soot field cloud they were raising, i'd guess they were probably shy about 3000hp for the size train they were entrusted with.

Two things made this observation unusual, The MD15DC switchers were at that time assigned to Houston, this was the only time I observed any of the class out west, second, a SD9 in mainline service on the Shasta Route at this late date was unheard of. True, other models of the vast MP15 fleet did get road duty in the immediate bay area, but never this far north in road service.

This was the period of the recovery when all power regardless of age or cosmetic condition or traditional operating bases that could be begged, borrowed or leased was pressed into mainline service. Truly some unusual sights trackside, a torrent of BN/UP GE power, fleets of Cotton Belt GP60's and B23Q U boats reassigned from the sunset Route, the alphabet of UP,CSX,RG,Conrail, CP/CN ,WS, NS and even leased short line power. If any manfacture or builder had available units for lease, those too were aquired to deal with the unexpected upsurge in traffic.

Well, lunch is about over, i'll try to get back later

Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, June 9, 2006 3:18 PM
<bonk> <boInk> <bonk> (What kinda gavel is this [?])

Oye, Oye – All Rise for the Order of the Stools Selection Committee

We are rized ….

Quiet!

Who let that parrot in here [?]

Right!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

You may be seated!

The Selection Committee of the Order of the Stools announces the findings of their Quarterly meeting.

Be it known from this day forth that wanswheel Mike a customer of ”Our” Place has been awarded a Reserved Stool, in the Order of the Stools of the bar known as ”Our” Place! Mike’s regular and unique participation at the bar has earned him this most special recognition and it is with great cheer that we welcome you to the Order of the Stools!


Congratulations to you, Mike! [tup][tup][tup]



The next meeting of the Committee will be quarterly with no date determined.

This session is now concluded.

<bonk> <boRnk <bonk> (We gotta do better than this!)

All Rise as the Selection Committee departs.

We are still rized …

Confound it! (Is THAT an Armadillo I see over there[?])

Awk, Awk, Awk

Quiet!

Drinks on the house! Boris ring the bell, twice! [tup][tup][tup]

Tom, Proprietor of “Our” Place, an adult eating & drinking establishment!
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, June 9, 2006 1:39 PM
G'day Cindy and fellow travelers at the bar!

A bit of a slow day, huh [?] Well, here's a ten spot for the next round and I'll have a frosty mug of Blatz along with one of my "traditional" hero sandwiches. Oh, you aren't aware of what I prefer in sandwiches [?] Ok - a foot long hard roll, ham, Swiss, buttAH & mustAHD with a couple of large pickles from the barrel. That should hold me for awhile! [swg]

Good to see the return of the clan with a visit from barndad Doug - now that is encouraging! [tup] In browsing these pages since my last post on May 18th, it surely was evident that something was missing without those great inputs from Doug and the oh so awful jokes! [swg] Have one on me, mate! [tup]

For what it's worth, here's my [2c] regarding a 'thing" for the return of our leader, Cap'n Tom - I'm in! So whatever it is that we decide to do - perhaps we need to get some e-mails exchanged in order to better coordinate the festivities. Good idea, Ted [tup]

Appreciate the 'support' guys, however, when I'm logged on and engaged in these exchanges, my mind is here and not at all dwelling on the things in life out there just waiting to yank my chain! [swg] We've gotten ourselves a good attorney (if there is such an entity!) along with evidence that we paid to have our property cared for, etc. We're on solid ground and really not as concerned about the outcome as when the news first was dropped in our laps. On the other situation, God will oversee what is to happen - it's totally out of our hands other than prayer and the hope that our family member isn't suffering. Enough . . . . thanks again.

Sure miss seeing the daily blurb from Tom and I for one like those Summaries, etc. Hope we get back to the routine pretty soon as my small talk is getting a bit on the thin side . . . .

One more Cindy as I chew my way through this great hero sandwich!

How about those Mets!! [?]


Until the next time!


Lars
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: WV
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, June 9, 2006 8:22 AM
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present: coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox.

Dave – An interesting tale abt. your encounters with the SP. I don’t do as much rail watching as I used to, largely because of family and job obligations. However, I usually went either by myself or with one other person, which kind of cut down on possible problems. I really used to dread the days when they had steam here on the New River trains because people from all over who were not familiar with the population, and the local fauna would invade the territory. It was amazing to watch them climb on signals, ascend cars, etc. well, enough of that.

You made a really valid point about ignoring the commonplace. You can find all sorts of pictures of exotic locomotives, etc. on different lines. I tried to shoot common locomotives wherever I was, along with as many different pieces of freight and passenger equipment that I could find. It’s all gone now. I know that Tom gets excited when the ‘worms” are mentioned, but even the PC had its own “style. They were especially interesting to those of us who wanted to know where the !@#$ did that come from, and how did it get here. One that sticks in my mind was photographing PC C636s at Beacon Park.

Now, let me give you an example of a bizarre consist. There was/is a coal-fired power plant in Bow, New Hampshire which was served by the Boston and Maine; now Guilford. The coal for the plant came from Consol mines in WV. Coal trains were not that common in New England, so we would try and find when it was running. One consist that I well remember shooting was a PC RS32 (IIRC), B&M F7B/ B&MGP7/ B&M GP9. Cars were all Consol gons.

Lars – Hang in there.

Well, I’d better get out of here.

Work safe


  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Friday, June 9, 2006 7:53 AM
Good Morning gang nice to see the growing attendance. Guess summer does things like that . Time for a Crumpet and a cup of coffee.


SP
DAYLIGHT
(January 5, 1940)
470 miles
By Al

On January 5, 1940 the Southern Pacific Railroad inaugurated two all new fourteen car DAYLIGHT trains to travelers between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Lima Locomotive Works GS-3 class 4-8-4 Northern Locomotives with Tenders painted in full Daylight colors powered the new DAYLIGHT trains. These were the first DAYLIGHT engines to have the Mars light up front. These were larger engines than previous class GS-2 and rode on 80” drivers compared to the earlier 77” drivers of the locomotives assigned to the 1937 DAYLIGHTS. The passenger carrying cars of the new DAYLIGHTS were the first cars in the world equipped with Baggage Elevators to lift the passengers carry on luggage from train side into their car. This prevented congestion in the vestibules when boarding and disembarking no longer did passengers have to struggle through doorways with their luggage and up and down the boarding stairs. The new articulated coaches seated 46 passengers in each half with the rest rooms located at the articulation end. Each articulated coach half provided four seats less than the previous DAYLIGHT articulated seating permitting more space between seats for additional passenger legroom. The Southern Pacific Railroad introduced the first of there famous Triple Unit articulated Coffee Shop-Kitchen-Dining Room combinations with these new DAYLIGHTS. These triple unit combination cars would become synonymous with the Southern Pacific.

4428 Streamlined GS-3 class 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive & Tender

3302 Baggage News Stand 44 Revenue seat Coach

2442 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach
2441 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

2444 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach
2443 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

10252 Articulated 80 seat Coffee Shop Car
10251 Articulated Kitchen Car
10250 Articulated 72 seat Dining Room Car

2446 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach
2445 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

2439 44 Revenue seat Coach

10314 68 seat Tavern Lounge Car

3002 27 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

2952 22 Revenue seat Parlor 19 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

4428 Streamlined GS-3 class 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive & Tender

3303 Baggage News Stand 44 Revenue seat Coach

2448 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach
2447 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

2450 Articulated 46 revenue seat Coach
2449 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

10255 Articulated 80 seat Coffee Shop Car
10254 Articulated Kitchen Car
10253 Articulated 72 seat Dining Room Car

2452 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach
2451 Articulated 46 Revenue seat Coach

2440 44 Revenue seat Coach

10315 68 seat Tavern Lounge Car

3003 27 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

2953 22 Revenue seat Parlor 19 seat Lounge Observation

MP
EAGLE
Later
MISSOURI RIVER EAGLE
(March 10, 1940)
478 miles
by Al

On Sunday March 10, 1940 the Missouri Pacific inaugurated their first pair of streamlined trains the EAGLE between St. Louis - Kansas City – Omaha each way daily. A connecting service was provided between Union, Nebraska and the state capitol at Lincoln. The new six car lightweight streamlined trains were powered with a EMC E3A 2,000 hp Diesel passenger unit. The new EAGLE was painted in light Blue and Cream with the EAGLE in flight across the diesels nose in chrome. Almost from the beginning the Missouri Pacific realized they had two trains in one, they had the one train that operated between St. Louis and Kansas City and a second train between Kansas City – Omaha-Lincoln. The reason was quite simply there were few passengers that rode the train as a through train between St. Louis and Omaha. A year after the EAGLE entered service it was renamed the MISSOURI RIVER EAGLE when MP management decided to name all MP streamliners using the EAGLE suffix. The two lightweight streamlined consists for this first pair of EAGLE trains were constructed by American Car & Foundry in there St. Charles shop located outside St. Louis. These EAGLES would have the distinction of being the only streamliners on the MP to have streamlined Observations bringing up the markers.

7000 EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

700 Baggage Car

710 30’ Railway Post Office Baggage Car

720 76 Revenue seat Coach

730 56 Revenue seat Coach

740 24-seat Dining 20 seat Lounge Car

750 2 Revenue seat Parlor 5 seat Parlor Stateroom 6 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

7001 EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

701 Baggage Car

711 30’ Railway Post Office Baggage car

721 76 Revenue seat Coach

731 56 Revenue seat Coach

741 24-seat Dining 20 seat Lounge Car

751 26 Revenue seat Parlor 5 seat Parlor Stateroom 6 seat Lounge Observation


SP
NOON DAYLIGHT
(March 30, 1940)
470 miles
by Al

On March 30, 1940 the Southern Pacific Railroad inaugurated a second DAYLIGHT between Los Angeles and San Francisco daily using the same coastline route. The fourteen car DAYLIGHT train sets that had recently entered service on January 5, 1940 became the new MORNING DAYLIGHTS on March 30, 1940. The equipment for the new fourteen car NOON DAYLIGHT train sets was basically the 1937 train sets with several new cars added. Coach capacity of the NOON DAYLIGHT was 444 passengers and MORNING DAY-LIGHT Coach capacity was 364 passengers. Parlor Car seating for the NOON DAYLIGHT train sets was for 57 passengers and the MORNING DAYLIGHTS Parlor car seating was for 54 passengers. About the only thing missing from the NOON DAYLIGHT train sets was a triple unit articulated Coffee Shop-Kitchen- Dining Room combination. The NOON DAYLIGHTS popularity would equal the MORNING DAYLIGHTS, as this was the era before the airlines became popular between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The NOON DAYLIGHT would be discontinued for the duration of WW II by government edict.

4426 Streamlined GS-3 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive & Tender

3300 Baggage News Stand 44 Revenue seat Coach

2402 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2403 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

2404 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2405 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

2406 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2407 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

10400 56 seat Coffee Shop Car

10200 40 seat Dining Car

2454 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2453 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

10312 68 seat Tavern Lounge Car

3000 29 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Stateroom

2950 23 Revenue seat Parlor 19 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

4427 Streamlined GS-3 4-8-4 Northern Locomotive & Tender

3301 Baggage News Stand 44 Revenue seat Coach

2408 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2409 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

2410 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2411 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

2412 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2413 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

10401 56 seat Coffee Shop Car

10201 40 seat Dining Car

2456 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach
2455 Articulated 50 Revenue seat Coach

10313 68 seat Tavern Lounge Car

3001 29 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Stateroom

2951 23 Revenue seat Parlor 19 seat Lounge Observation

CB&Q
AK-SAR-BEN ZEPHYR
(April 11, 1940)
551 miles
by Al

The Burlington introduced a new ZEPHYR on April 11, 1940 between Lincoln – Omaha and Chicago overnight in each direction. This was one of the strangest ZEPHYRS at the time of its introduction to service. First the AK-SAR-BEN name was Nebraska spelled backward but was also the name of an Omaha based Civic Club. In the second place the train although called a ZEPHYR was certainly not a lightweight streamliner. The sleeping cars assigned to the AK-SAR-BEN ZEPHYR were heavyweights while the Dining cars was initially a Budd built 48 seat Dining car replaced by a Budd built Dining Parlor Observations in June, 1940. Since the train was an overnight operation the Parlor seating was used as a lounge as was the dining section after Dinner. For Coach passengers the AK-SAR-BEN ZEPHYR operated with newly built Budd lightweight-streamlined 52 revenue seat Coaches. The head end cars were heavyweights and for power the CB&Q assigned new EMD E5A Units or the older Shovelnose units built for the TWIN ZEPHYRS and DENVER ZEPHYRS after the CB&Q assigned EMD E5A and B units to those trains. The AK-SAR-BEN would be fully streamlined in 1950 except for head end cars but the 1950 train would be one of the finest in the Midwest.

CB&Q
SILVER STREAK ZEPHYR
(April 15, 1940)
250 miles
by Al

On April 15, 1940 the Burlington inaugurated the SILVER STREAK ZEPHYR operating a Lincoln-Omaha-St. Joseph-Kansas City round trip daily. The new train was named SILVER STREAK ZEPHYR for the train portrayed in the Paramount Motion Picture SILVER STREAK, with the staring role by the PIONEER ZEPHYR.
The CB&Q liked the name and assigned it to the new ZEPHYR. This was the second ZEPHYR assigned to this route as the PIONEER ZEPHYR had operated in this service for some time and had actually outgrown it, when it generated more traffic than it was able to handle.
For power the new five car lightweight streamliner was assigned a new EMD E5A unit developing 2,000 hp. Passengers were obviously pleased with the new SILVER STREAK ZEPHYR as rider ship showed a marked increase within days of the new trains entry into service. As with the earlier GENERAL PERSHING ZEPHYR and AK-SAR-BEN ZEPHYR the new SILVER STREAK ZEPHYR no longer operated with articulated train sets or for that matter even articulated cars. The Burlington’s days of ordering articulated equipment were over and no further cars of this type would even be contemplated.

9909 SILVER BULLET EMC E5A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

900 SILVER LIGHT Baggage Car

1600 SILVER SHEEN Baggage 30’ Railway Post Office Car

4703 SILVER GLEAM 52 Revenue seat Coach

4704 SILVER GLOW 52 Revenue seat Coach

300 SILVER SPIRIT 24 seat Dining 22 Revenue seat Parlor Observation

LV
BLACK DIAMOND
(April 20, 1940)
by Al

The closest the Lehigh Valley railroad ever came to having any fully streamlined trains were the BLACK DIAMOND trains of April 20, 1940. For the new trains two consists the Railroad streamlined three of there newest 4-6-2 Locomotives and Tenders 2089, 2093, and 2097 in their Sayre Shops into extremely fine looking streamlined engines to the design supplied by Otto Kuhler. Head end cars were heavyweights and the coaches were new lightweight streamlined cars from Pullman Standards old Osgood Bradley plant. These coaches resembled the American Flyer cars produced in this plant except the Lehigh Valley cars had squared off car ends and Roofs. The Dining cars were heavyweights modernized in the Lehigh Valley Railroads own Sayre, Penn. Shops. The two Parlor cars were also modernized as well complete with skirting on cars BLACK DIAMOND and WHITE DIAMOND. The new trains were painted in the new Black with Cornell Red scheme with White separation stripes. The new BLACK DIAMOND trains replaced older all heavyweight trains on the Buffalo – New York City route by the same name. Exact numbers of equipment varied from day to day.

C&NW-UP-SP-PULLMAN
TREASURE ISLAND SPECIAL
(May 22, 1939 – September 25, 1939)
(June 22, 1940 – September 16, 1940)
2,260 miles
by Al

The TREASURE ISLAND SPECIAL was an all Pullman seasonal train operated for the two summers the Golden Gate Exposition was held on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. This Pullman train was a heavyweight its first year of operation except for the Sleeper Lounge Observation GEORGE M. PULLMAN that all Aluminum lightweight experimental car of 1933. This was the only car to serve in both the 1939 and 1940 train sets of the TREASURE ISLAND SPECIAL between Chicago and Oakland Pier by way of the C&NW – UP – SP Overland route. The second year Pullman assigned newly built lightweight streamlined all room sleeping cars to the train with the C&NW supplying the first two cars a modernized heavy-weight Baggage 12 Crew Dormitory Car, and modernized heavyweight 36 seat Dining Car. Both of these cars were painted in the two-tone gray scheme with Aluminum stripes and lettering to match the cars from Pullman. The TREASURE ISLAND SPECIAL its second season of operation became the first all room streamlined train in service west of the Mississippi River. For power the C&NW assigned one of the railroads new streamlined Hudson Locomotive and Tenders between Chicago and Omaha. The Union Pacific generally assigned one of their 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotives between Omaha and Cheyenne and a 4-8-2 Mountain Locomotive between Cheyenne and Ogden. The SP assigned any available Mountain for the run from Ogden to Oakland pier for the nine car trailing train.

The 1939 heavyweight Pullman owned consist is listed below.
LONG ISLAND Heavyweight Baggage 12-Crew Dormitory Club Car

GLEN FARM Heavyweight 6-Compartment 3-Drawing Room Sleeping Car

GLEN ARDEN Heavyweight 6-Compartment 3-Drawing Room Sleeping Car

POPULAR CASTLE Heavyweight 6-Section 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

6934 (C&NW) Heavyweight 36-seat Dining Car

POPULAR CITY Heavyweight 6-Section 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

POPULAR CREEK Heavyweight 6-Section 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

MILANO Heavyweight 10-Section 1-Drawing Room 2-Compartment Sleeping Car

GEORGE M. PULLMAN 3-Double Bedroom 1-Compartment 1-Drawing Room Buffet 26-seat Lounge Observation


The following is the summer 1940 train listing.

Unknown Power

9301 C&NW Heavyweight Baggage 12 Crew Dormitory Car

6933 C&NW Heavyweight 36 seat Dining Car

IMPERIAL BANNER 4 Compartment 2 Drawing Room 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

IMPERIAL CLIPPER 4 Compartment 2 Drawing Room 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE BANKS 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE BASIN 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE BLUFF 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE BOULDERS 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

GEORGE M. PULLMAN 3 Double Bedroom 1 Compartment 1 Drawing Room Buffet 26 seat Lounge Observation

TTFN Al
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 9, 2006 6:56 AM
"It's alive, it's alive" (Dr. Frankenstein to Igor, Flick circa 1930's). Hey, welcome home Doug, please join Lars and Eric in a O.J. salutation to this "home coming" event. Cindy, I will also raise my tumbler in toast but make mine a Gilby's Gin and tonic.[^] Yes, a "bracer" before pounding the pavement this T.G.I.F. Rob, I thought I would check to see if anything is planned for Cap'n and Mrs. Tom's arrival? Al thankfully, has again stated: "*** the torpedoes, full speed ahead."[tup] Rob the Encores just keep rockin' and rollin' in and WOW, are they good.[:D] I don't want to forget CM3 and his stedfast support of fine memorabilia and tasteful posts throughout the "drought, 2006."[tup] x 1000. Can everyone appreciate the depth of resources "Our" Place archives have amassed in one short year and 2 months? It's just incredible!!! Sooo, how 'bout a big "hand" and many "atta boys" for the Founder that got this whole concept going? Hopefully, we will be hearing Tom's familiar ring of the bell very soon.

Dave managed to bring all of us "back to reality" with his report from the Coast. We know there are fans and then, there are zealots. Every group has that regrettable element that must "go over the top" to bring embarassment and shame to themselves and others.[V] We have seen that "element" pop in here from time to time, haven't we? Any rate, the original thought on what goulish consists were to be found scattered about the "48" during the 1970's to...still beckons for input. As I recall Cm3 gave this "thought" a jump start several pages ago. Perhaps others may recall some fairly grotesque "lash ups" which are still to be found "out there" even now? In my "mind's eye," there are recollections of cross breeding power units and passenger cars (Amtrak transition) along the Santa Fe and Frisco mainlines during the 1980's. It would be difficult to say which was the most bazaar.

Again, welcome back gents. Right Boris, give us a peal...Egad...Put 'em on, put 'em on. Happy rails all.
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • 4,190 posts
Posted by wanswheel on Thursday, June 8, 2006 10:53 PM
Rob, iirc, your great-grandfather was from around there
Canadian National 5548 at Palmerston
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=899992942&id=55
  • Member since
    May 2014
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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 10:28 PM
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

One final encore for today,another classic from the classic steam locker. This one not so far in te past as it first popped up on page 279.

Enjoy Rob[;)]


CLASSIC STEAM # 17 The Stratford and Huron Railway

The Stratford & Huron RY : Stratford to Wiarton

In the heyday of railway building ( 1870's ) communities accross Ontario all dreamed of becomming major railway towns. The town of Stratford though far from any ports was no exception. As early as 1850, the Stratford business community began to lobby for a rail link from their town to Southampton on Lake Huron. This along with proposals for the Port Dover & Lake Huron RY which would connect with the Lake Erie & Northern, could put Stratford on a busy portage railway.

However the reality was that funds could not be found so the project was delayed. In 1877 construction began in earnest of the SHR between Stratford and Listowel, a mill town on the Maitland river a few miles North. By this time Southampton had fallen firmly into the griop of the rival Wellington Grey and Bruce RY , operated by the Great Western,so the terminus for the SHR was changed to the more northerly town of Wiarton.

There was talk of contiuing the line form Wiarton and up into the barren Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory, with a link to Manitoulan Island. This plan fell through.

Continuing financial troubles on the SHR forced the builders to apeal to the Grand Trunk ( Great Western's main rival ) for funds in 1880. In taking over the railway, the GT forced the SHR to build a branch into Palmerston, then a budding railway jct. At the same time teh name was changed to the Grand Trunk Georgian Bay & Lake Erie Ry, to reflect the other lines the GT had assumed as well. Under the new mgmt. , track laying continued and in july of 1882 the new line opened.

In 1882 the Great Western and the GT amalgamated , and the network of lines emanating from Palmerston all came under the same ownership. Almost immediatly, a new more direct link was built from Palmerston to Listowel, and this short section of the original line was abandoned. Then in 1891 , a branchline was built from Park Head into Owen Sound to a terminus immediatly opposite that occupied by the Toronto Grey and Bruce RY, CP's link to Georgian Bay. As the SHR already had a terminus on Georgian Bay, this new branch was built to serve the Shallow Lake Cement plant. Here the chalky deposits on the floor of Shallow Lake proved ideal for the manufacture of cement.

As with most early railways, the first stations were simple designs. Typical buildings on the SHR were squat wide buildings, with a bay window at one corner ( if at all ). Around the turn of the century, the GT upgraded many of it's lines and replaced the earlier depots with more solid structures. Most along the SHR ended up with Towers,high Dutch gabbled bay windows,and steeply pitched hip gable roofs.The stations at Chesley and wiarton recieved rounded waiting rooms with a "witches hat" roof built ontto one end of the building.

In the CN years Stratford finally became a major rail center ahveing the 40 acre big shops built there along with all the locomotive servicinng major and running repair facilities. Palmerston became a major division point for most of Central and Ontario.

The auto age ( post 1957 ) caused drastic service cuts on these branch lines, in 1957 mail was no longer carried on trains in this area , in 1958 the line to Wiarton was abandoned. Then in 1970 passenger service to Owen sound was discontinued, finally by 1995 the entire line was abandoned and the rails removed. Wiarton's station still stands as a general store and home to Ontario's weather groundhog wiarton Willie. Palmerston lost all it's tracks some of the old passenger terminal and station still exist as a museum.

Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 10:14 PM
Good evening again folks. Leon I think a good solid belt of CR this evening, as it's been a day at work I must say. I had to give two of my employees the chioce of leaving or be leaved if you know what I mean [tdn] never a good thing oh well.

lars I'm sorry to read about the ongoing personal stuff and the somewhat less than expected trip. My [2c] unfortunatly your problems with the airline as I said this morning seem to be typical anymore,which is why I don't fly. Hopefully your ship will get righted. I know that you will be here as much as you can which is all that we can expect.

Doug Hey heeee's baaack [tup] good deal a [#welcome] home to you as well. We have tried to keep the barstool warm for you ( at least Boris Has )Thanks for the round BTW gots to keep the ole bathtub full around here donchaknow [tup][:D]

Dave Hey great post this evening from you as well. Ahhh the memnories. Myself I had given up on slides yeasr ago and went back to prints,I've always had more luck that way. Eventually I will go digital, once the SLR I have has a major malfunction I won't bother fixing it and go with the high tech.Those yards around Oakland must have been something,lots o diesel dinos there ! reminds me of my childhood,lots of HH GP9's RS18's S3-4 switchers GMD1's and SW1200RS's, almost all of which are gone now accept for the Geeps which keep soldering on albeit in yard and transfer service now. Like you I never took the shots I should have taken. Oh well that's what Morning Sun Books are for I suppose.


Nice to see so many of us back in the fold. I'm thinking that it's likely safe to satrt up with the new stuff now as we are just about back to our full compliment. Horray we survied [swg] Thanks again to all of you who kept the faith and plugged away the last week and a bit with us here. Leon a round and aToast for the best darn Cyberbar around. 5x[tup] [tup] [tup] [tup] [tup]

Rob
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 8, 2006 7:25 PM
Hi Guys! Drinks are on me tonight!

We're all moved, and I've got my new DSL service operating just this evening, and this was the very first place I needed to visit! I'll be getting caught-up in my reading here as soon as I can. Sure missed Ya'll, and talk to you later!
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Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, June 8, 2006 5:22 PM
Hello Leon and fellow travelers at the bar!

I see that Cindy is just about ready to check out for the evening – how about a round on me B4 you go [?] By the looks of things, this ten spot should cover it . . .

Finally got through the pages, but I must admit that I’ve not read the Encores nor have I gone through the vast numbers of URLs posted by our friend, Mike – the UrlMeisterMonster! [swg] Just wanted to digest the new stuff and make myself ready to resume the daily activities.

Another [wow] to Tom for the splendid photo display of “day 1” at the Rendezvous. [tup] Those pix really tell the story and all told, you’ve given us all quite an insight with regard to the happenings up there. If I haven’t mentioned it elsewhere, I think you really provided quite a keepsake with the plaques you had made for the event. I’ve always figured you for a detail kinda guy and it surely showed well with the Rendezvous. Wish my name could have been amongst the attendees and no doubt a good time was had by all. Well, something to look forward to in 2007, huh [?]

Don’t want to get repetitive with my remarks nor am I at that point where I can make mention of all the comments. Suffice it to say that it’s good to see the place is still here and functioning quite well. A tribute to the man who made it happen by the outpouring of support in order to keep things trim. Nice work, gents! [tup]

Comments regarding the air travel and Amtrak:

The thing that bothered me the most was the unwillingness of the airlines to work with us in order to get us from San Francisco to New York City on a non-stop flight. They had more than a few. However, since we were booked on a Chicago to New York flight (our return leg of the round trip mentioned yesterday) they gave us a “choice” – “eat” the return flight and book the non-stop, or fly to Chicago, change planes, etc. So, what kinda “choice” would you say that was [?]

The idiots lost out on a 1st class booking for the two of us, which is what I would have paid for had they been more accommodating. But it wasn’t to be. Cramped, crowded and rather Spartan in coach; a long, long day.

Now, Amtrak was a different story. The excitement of rail travel was all about as we waited to board the “Zephyr” in Chicago’s Union Station. Just walking to the platform and taking in the sights and sounds that go along with rail travel is a “kick” for me. Then of course, climbing aboard. That’s where the complexion of things changed.

It seems that the “seasoned” and “motivated” crew are far and few between these days. Our bedroom was located rather close to the end of the car, but we were “directed to approach it from the long way around. Then we couldn’t get the door to lock. After that, we found that the shower didn’t work nor did the hot water. Fortunately we were able to get things straightened out, as the train was booked full. They actually delayed our departure until the mechanical “things” got fixed. Good thing for us that I tried everything out before getting underway, huh [?] You betchaboots! The shower continued to be problematic throughout the trip, but at least we had hot water.

Dinner in the diner was supposed to be our special treat – and I suppose it was. However, here’s a train leaving for California from Chicago and they didn’t have the full bill of fare listed on the menu! Now that’s inexcusable as far as I’m concerned.

I don’t know how things are supposed to be in the Sightseer Lounge any more, for at one time it was for the 1st Class passengers. Now it seems to be the hangout for any and all, with quite a few young people “camped out” overnight in the seats. Really put a damper on it for us. On the rare occasions where we saw the Conductor, our gripes and complaints fell on the deaf ears of the car attendants.

So that sums up the left coast Odyssey I had planned for us by rail. Turned out to be more aggravating than fun and more disappointment than pleasure.

It’s good to be back, although much of what we’re doing these days is spending time at the hospital. So, this period of personal concern seems to be continuing on.

Oh, the property in upstate NY is still “there” insofar as the attendant problems are concerned. Haven’t yet decided what to do with the cabin – but it appears that tearing it down and having it rebuilt may be more cost effective than effecting repairs. Can you believe that [?] I think I’ve told one or two of you that the County authorities are taking action against us for letting the property deteriorate. Now that’s the absolute ludicrous part, for we were paying an outfit to look after it – which apparently they didn’t. The beat goes on with this . . .

Ok, now you’ve got the “skinny” from the Larsman and hopefully will understand should my presence be a bit hit ‘n miss now and then. Got lots on my plate these days.

My guess is that our leader should be either home from Alaska or on the way. I don’t recall the itinerary, but somewhere along the line I thought he said 8 days. Oh well, we’ll find out soon enough, huh [?] [swg]

Thanks to all who welcomed me back – much appreciated! [tup]

I’ll have one more, then I better skedaddle as I hear my name being summoned (as in bellowed!) [swg]

Until the next time!

Lars
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Posted by West Coast S on Thursday, June 8, 2006 5:18 PM
Afternoon Ted, Rob, Al, Lovedomes and CM3, did I miss anyone? Those encores sure set the tone, how many discussions have been expanded because of them, plenty i'd say.

If there is no dish soap in the tap today, make mine a good import if you could barkeep..

That adventure to West Colton stands out as one of the low points of my railfanning experiences, Myself and several of my party were detained by the railroad police. Though I was not trespassing, seems a member of the group was being a royal pain in the %^&* and trespassed onto the property and was harassing the employees, they summoned the local police to deal with the rest of us, after the railroad police detained this particular indvidule.

Suffice to say my camera was confiscated, after endless calls and a letter writing campaign to the local police and the Southern Pacific, my camera was returned about two weeks later without film, a promise to return the film was never fulfilled. So no pictures of that weekend or of those Centuries and other exotic power witnessed, to add further insult, there were some Santa Fe subjects, courtesy of a side trip to cajon pass on the same roll..As they say, the sins of the few visited upon the many

Of course had not the above occured there would be no guarentee that I would have the slides today, This was the year I used Kodachrome exclusively, what a mistake.. About all have faded to purple or gone black completely, This was the final year UP operated the DD35's and a special trip to Utah to record them was done at great risk to my long term job security..

Now my frequent visits to West Oakland were more pleasent, I had a pass, courtesy of my father who was a SP employee, once the usual lecture on the dangers of moving equiptment, the facality was mine. SP had concentrated most of the Alco fleet there, no six axle examples were present as all were reassigned to LA, but, several S3/S4 were kicking cars for the Oakland Terminal and several RS32 were being readied for a run over Dunbarton to San Francisco, others stood by for assignments up and down the Sacramento valley.

A few Baldwin S12's burbbled quietly, unusual on this side of the bay, I encountered them often in South San Francisco along with the FM H-12-44 switchers. In contrast to the operating Alcos and Baldwins it was evident that a long shadow into night was cast upon the Alco fleet and all minority builders, nearby sat the deadline where many slumbered, awaiting their ultimate fate.

The unusual was also present, a WP geep in orginal orange and silver stood out among the sea of gray and I got my first close up look at a SD45, Amtrak was very young by several months, and at dusk, running late as usual, the SF Zepher made a appearence with a A-B-B-A set of recently repainted former SP FP7's & F7B's, the sight of cab units in SP colors, but with Amtrak markings could be encountered every day, ocassionaly with a SDP45 in tow. More interesting were the passenger cars, many from roads that i'd only read about in magazines and in a term borrowed from those times, a true salad bowl!


Of course I ignored the usual every day rabble, you know, SD7s/9s, geeps of all descriptions and generations and early GE power that was so common as to not warrant a second glance, ditto for the caboose and those Harriman heavyweights that were so normal in commute service. I regret not being into photography during that era, but I was still wet behind the ears, so to speak, and unaware of the great changes occuring. At least I have the memories.


Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 10:34 AM
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

Another dose of classic steam this morning, this one also hailing from the pits of page 170.
Rob

CNR Classic Steam #5 passenger trains on the Brampton and Thorndale
Subdivisions



Yard assignments

Stratford yard
Five regular jobs midnight to 8 am, 6:30am to 2pm, east and west yard shifts from 4pm to midnight, and Big shop switcher from 8am to 4pm. As with any yard or station agency,shifts began an hour earlier during daylight savings time. De-icing job typically ran from 8am to 4pm

Guelph yard

At the beging of the 1950's, there was three yard assignments here 6:30am to 2:30pm , 2:30pm to 10:30pm ,and a straight day shift which was cut off sometime in the forst half of the decade. All shifts marshalled freight cars and worked industries as well as the coal dock,freight shed and passenger trains at the station.

Kitchener Yard job

Three regular assignments; industrial shift 5:30am to 1:30pm morning yard job 9:30am to 5:30 pm and the afternoon job 3:00pm to 11:00pm .

Industrial shift worked to Waterloo subdivision interchange ( Galt side ). It's territory also included the service track ( where extra cars were stored ) and the freight shed.Besides the yard the9:30 assignment handles the waterloo subdivision industries(Galt side ) Schnieders and the Budd plant ( which evenyually needed a dedicated crew). Crew went off duty after switching out cars and lining up lifts for eastbound and westbound pickups. Engine off the industrial shift also handled the afternoon job,spending mostof it's time making up trains switching the freight shed and working the express cars off the passenger trains at the station. They rarly did industrial switching,although they occationally lifted stock out of the stock yards for no 458 en route to west Toronto.

Passenger Trains

number 10
Daily Windsor to Toronto via Stratford,serving as a commuter train between Guelph and Toronto. From Windsor to London train was handles by a heavy pacific. A Hudson . Mountain or Northern of train 83 the night before handled the train to Toronto.The consist swelled at London,then Stratford or Guelph ( commuters )A block of coachres usually 4 which came off of no 11 would be added to no 10. Due to steam heating requirements, in winter this happened at Stratford. In the summer cars were added at Guelph. Generally this was a 10 to 12 car train with heavy express and mail at the head end.

number 11/111/141

Toronto- London via Stratford, served as a commuter between Toronto and Guelph.(see no 10 ). saturday movement was 111 Sunday 141( added in 1950 ) Consist ws baggage car and a few coaches,with an occational express reeferor two from London. Toronto tail end crew returned on no 80. Bullet nose betty or Hudson normal power

Number 27/137

Daily Toronto-Stratford shorthaul train handling mail and express,operating on modified schedule on sunday's as no 137. Powered by a hudson,pacific or mountain which returned in the afternoon as power on 34 or 36 ,136 on Sunday. An RPO was set out at Stratford for Goderich train 35. Otherwise the train consisted of three or four express cars and a coach. Train carried a 30 foot RPO.At guelph there was a heavy mail transfer with number 173 and custimarily an express car would be set out for 173.

number 28

Goderich-Toronto , daily except sunday.Trains 37 and 28 were cut back to Stratford-Toronto in october of 1957. Passengers and express were exchanged with number168 at Stratford. Consist would swell at stratford,RPO would be set off for 172 at Guelph. Crew would change at Stratford, with both legs handled by Stratford head end crew working trains 28 and 37.


Number 29

Toronto-London daily except sunday. Main passenger train between Toronto and Stratford. Passengers at intermediate stations were lifted by number 27. From Toronto to stratford train was powerd by a hudson or pacific. Hudson or heavier betweenToronto and London

Number 34

Goderich-Toronto, daily except sunday,from goderich toStratford train was powered by a pacific of no 35. Heavier engine came on at stratford ( off 27 or 29 ) Train carried a 30 foot RPO,which was transfered to no 36 ,at Stratford a baggage car and the one or two express cars and coaches were augmented by additional baggage or express cars. An express car would be taken off train 174 at Guelph.

Number 36/138
Stratford-Toronto , operating on modified schedule as train 138 on sunday's.See trains 27/137 and 34.handled head end traffic,mainly express.Tenderfre***urkey' producers in Peterberg filled a car with frozen turkey's five days a week,and express reefers of roses weer lifted at Brampton.

Number 37

Toronto-Goderich daily except sunday and monday. Sometime between april and sept of 1953 the train became daily. Powered by a heavy pacific or Hudson.Returned the next morning as no 28. At Stratford , a pacific took over to Goderich returning the next morning on no 28. Consist was typically several cars including an RPO, baggage car and two or more coaches,and sometimes extra head end cars.

number 39

Toronto-London express and mail train via Stratford daily except sunday and monday changed to daily in 1953 ( see 37 ) Powered by a heavy pacific , mountain ,or Northern which continued on to Port Huron on no 17,then back to Toronto on 17 or 20 until they were deiselized in 1957. On some occations a hudson was assigned to number 39,in which case the engine came off at london and returned to toronto on no 82. One Toronto and two London heaa end crews were pooled on trains 39-80-77-40. Toronto tail end crews known as cleanup crews frequently met freight 516 at Rockwood ( this is where the museum is !!![:D] ) or Acton which ment that the passenger train went into the siding!

number 40

London-Toronto via Stratford, daily. Powered usually by a hudson or occationally a Pacific or northern off number 12. On sunday's a pacific or mountain of number 10. Train carried an RPO and a mail storage car ( from conection with the London and Port Stanley radial ) which had been left at london by train 77 and loaded throughiout the day with transfer mail. There were a number of express cars and a couple of coaches. dinning and sleeping cars were often routed to Montreal on this train. Toronto tail end crew came off number 83 a few hopur earlier would return on this train.When train length warrented a flagman came on at London.

Number 168
London-Palmerston , daily except sunday.In 1956 the schedule was changed so that 168 departed and arrived in palmerston before 169 left.Eliminating a scheduled meet at Milverton. A pacific worked from London to Owen Sound on trains 168/173. Equipment off 168 were left on the "dog leg" ( short dead end track on east side of station ) at Palmerston for m329 mixed train to Southampton.The engine took the consist number 173 for Owen Sound.Equipment returned to palmerston from southampton as M330 the following afternoon and spotted on the east leg of the wye for train 171 to London

Train usually consisted of two or three coaches with an RPO and occationally an express car, box-baggage or express reefer. an RPO operated between London an dsouthampton on trains 168,M329/330 , AND 171 until 1956.At that time the RPOwas removed from M329/330

Ubtill sometime in 1953, the engine generally returned the next day on trains 174 and 171; thereafter it usually returned on172,169,or, 29. London head end crews worked from London to Owen Sound. The tailend crews worked from Owen Sound to Palmerston and were outposted in Owen sound.
Enjoy Rob[:D]
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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 10:07 AM
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

Another encore for this am. This is a forgotton member of my Classic Diesels section. Found quite be accident as I read Tom's page 170 summery and saw it noted there. Sooo the lost is found again, and is now noted for future reference as well. In the end folks read the summeries[tup]
Rob

CLASSIC DIESELS # 29 THE LAGGAN SUB


Tom I'll join al in that CR I'm feeling abit more awake now.Here's a speed chart from the CPR Pacific Region Laggan Subdivision. Time Table 83 which was in effect starting 24:01 sunday October 30th 1960 All times etc are Mountain Standard Time.

Laggan Subdivision Foot Notes and Speacial Instructions

    Permanent Slow Orders/Location Permissable speeds Pass Frieght
    mileage 0.0 to 5.0 (on curves ) ........................................................... 45mph..40mph
    mileage 5.0 to 2.0 (on curves ) ........................................................... 50mph..45mph
    mileage12.0 to 16.6 " ............................................................ 45mph..40mph
    " 16.6 to 16.9 " ............................................................ 35mph..30mph
    " 16.9 to 28.5 " ............................................................ 45mph..40mph
    " 28.5 to 29.0 " ............................................................ 45mph..40mph
    " 30.0 to 36.0 " ............................................................. 50mph..45mph
    " 36.0 to 51.6 " ............................................................. 60mph..45mph
    " 51.6 to 54.0 " .............................................................. 50mph..45mph
    " 54.0 to 57.0 " .............................................................. 45mph..40mph
    " 57.0 to 61.0 " ............................................................... 50mph..45mph
    " 61.0 to 62.0 " ............................................................... 30mph..30mph
    " 62.0 to 77.0 " ............................................................... 50mph..45mph
    " 77.0 to 79.0 " ............................................................... 45mph..40mph
    " 79.0 to 88.0 " ............................................................... 40mph..40mph
    " 81.9 to 82.1 Passing Bamf station & grade crossings........ 20mph..20mph
    " 88.0 to 92.3 ( on curves ) ................................................................ 50mph..45mph
    " 92.3 to 94.2 " ................................................................ 45mph..40mph
    " 94.2 to 104.0 " ................................................................. 50mph..45mph
    " 104.0 to 112.0 " ................................................................. 60mph..45mph
    " 112.0 to 121.0 " .................................................................. 40mph..40mph
    " 121.0 to 122.2 " ................................................................... 30mph..30mph
    " 122.0 to 125.0 " ................................................................... 30mph..20mph
    " 125.0 to 136.6 " ................................................................... 25mph..20mph



Yard limits Calgary extend to yard limit sign west of Sunlta.
Yard limits Kieth extend to yard limit sigen east of Robertson
westward trains must obtain terminal clearance at Calgary and may leave sunalta without clearance.
Trains between Calgary and Sunalta,will be goverened by Terminals Timetable page 9.Times shown at Calgary are for information only.
Eastward trains holding main track for meets on westward trains at Cathedral must stop for clearance sign located 650 feet west of east switch.
The switching lead of the east end of exshaw yard must NOT be used as a meeting for passing trains.Trains MUST enter and leave the exshaw siding by use of turnout immediatly west of bridge mileage 57.0. The position of the siding switch is normal when set for switching lead.


This is taken from the Nick Morants Canada book.

Rob

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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 9:59 AM
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !

This classic steam / passenger's arrived one track one for the first time on page 170
Please enjoy again

Rob


Classic CNR Steam #4 Passenger and Mixed Trains to Niagara Falls


These are the passenger and mixed trains that called on Niagara Falls Ontario in the mid to late 50's. As layed out by Ian Wilson's Steam to The Niagara Frontier.


Number 86

Hamilton to Niagara Falls section of number 83. Modified schedule on sunday's.
Cars off number 83 in Hamilton formed consist of train 86. Engine came off of number 95 from Niagara Falls. Usually a stream lined 6400 or a 6200 class northern.

Number 87 and 84

Fastnight mail train Toronto to Niagara Falls . Did not officially handle passengers: not listed in the public timetable.Most express to Hamilton came in on 87, by the caar load. About 90% , if not all express to Niagara Falls came in on 84. Circa december 1957, carried storage car of box baggage or refridgerator type for Hamilton and Hamilton transfer mail, set off in Hamilton and returned on No. 108. circa may 17 1956 at least one (each) Toronto-St Catharines and Toronto-Niagara Falls express reefers, carried mail in authorized space in baggage car between Hamilton and Niagara Falls. At Merriton , the switcher removed at least one express car from 84 and set it behind the station for unloading and transfer to NS&T Red Onion. The consist of train 84 at Niagara falls wa used to make up numbers 95 and 91. Usually powered by a Bullet Nosed betty until mid 1954. After which older mountains or 6400 class streamilined mountain or older Northerns became the norm. Engine would return on afternoon local 91-92

Number 89-90

Toronto to Niagara Falls leg of over night Maple Leaf CN-LV train to New York city. Normal consist was a LV baggage/smoker two LV pullman cars ( for Philadelphia and New York),CN coaches and parlour cars to Niagara Falls,and LV coach to New York.carried mail in authorized space in baggage car between Toronto and Suspension bridge . Normal power was any variety of Northern or Mountain, with the occastional Hudson. Engine returned to Toronto next morning on 93-94

Number 91-92

Daily afternoon local passenger train,Niagara falls to Toronto. Normal power was a bullet nose betty ( mountain type 6060 series ) , occastionally a northern.Return movement for engine on night train 87/187 - 84/184. Cirac may 17 1956 carried Hamilton/ Toronto express reefer. Did not carry mail,except in baggage during Christmas season.

Number 93-94

Niagara Falls to Toronto leg of overnight Maple Leaf from New York city.Engine was off train 89-90. RPO worked between Toronto and Niagara Falls on 83-86 & 93-94. Discharged mail on the fly at Beamsville. Normal consist out of Niagara Falls was RPO LV baggage/smoker , two LV sleepers(pullmans) , CN coaches and parlour car from Niagara Falls and LV coach.Extra express cars on some days. Power was off of 89-90.


Number 95

Niagara Falls to Hamilton section of number 6. Carried mail in authorized space in baggage car between Niagara Falls and Hamilton. normallt powered by a Pacific assigned to Niagara Falls ( until april or may 1956 )After that time ,powered by engine off train 102.

Number 101-102

Daily passenger train, Toronto to Niagara Falls. Heavy with head end cars. Carried RPO ( not on Sundays ) . Also carried mail in authorized space in baggage car between Toronto and suspension bridge. discharged mail on the fly at Grimsby Beach and Vineland. Circa may 17 1956,carried Toronto - Hamilton express reefer. Consist included parlour car amd Montreal sleeper ( pff number 17 at Toronto ); this equiment returned on train 107-108. normal power was bullet nosed betty untill mid 1955,then streamlined northern ( 6400's ). Engine returned to Toronto on 107/108

Mixed Train 218

Originally Stratford- Fort Erie mixed trains aperating as M218-M219,engine making two-day round trip out from Stratford. Express cars were lifted by M218 at places such as Caledonia,Dunnville,St Thomas. On most days , there was a CN reefer behind the tender on arrival at Fort Erie. On the trip home M219 lifted an express reefer of fish at Dunnville,which was handed to M238 at Caledonia for furtherance to New york city via train 90 from Hamilton. On the trip home M219 luifted express casr at Brantford. Effective april 27 1958 , trains operated between Stratford and Brantford as M218/M219 while former London-Fort Erie way freights 510/511 were modified to run between London and Brantford as 510/511 and between Brantford and Fort Erie as M220/M217.Until early 1957.regular power was a light pacific assigned to Stratford, after which Stratford assigned Mikado's took over. From april 1958 onward,Stratford assigned Mikados handled trains between Stratford and Brantford and Mimico assigned Northerns handled trains between London and Fort Erie.Steam last used on this train in april 1959.

Fort Erie Race Trains

Passenger extras Toronto to Fort Erie and return during the racing season ( spring and summer ). Consist made up of buffer ( non passenegr carriing car ), parlour car and sufficient best available coaches. No stops on Oakville subdivision west of sunnyside. Stopped briefly at Welland in both directions.Returned immediatly following last race. any suitable passenger power was used including Northerns mountains hudsons or heavy pacifics.

Picnic Trains

Anual picnic trains for big industries in the Hamilton area, went to Crystal Beach. Passengers were dropped at the beach,then engine went to Fort Erie to turn. Picnoc trains used commuter coaches laying over. again any suitable passenger power was used.enjoy Rob


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Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, June 8, 2006 9:52 AM
Good morning Cindy my dear. You seem a bit busy this morning [tup] The return of someof the renfiorcements will do that. Anywho a number 3 and a BK "speacial" coffee [:D]

Lars [#welcome] back my son. It will be good to have our afternoonman back ( Cindy ) won't nap as much now [:)].I'm sorry to hear of your bad luck with the airlines.Seems indicative of the industry now [tdn]. As Ted said both he and Tom had their moments with the airlines to and from TO,Tom's to the point that he's contemplating not travelling "Scare Canada " anymore.It was unfiortunate that your rail adventures didn't seem much better, at least for the moment VIA is still giving decent service. Ask Tom about our lady Conductor on our run into Toronto sometime [;)]

Doug's actually in the throws of moving to his temp residence, and is short a computer connection at the moment. We were hoping that he may make it back on this week sometime. Time shall tell.
Eric Glad that you made it back sir [tup] Hopefully you can get back in more regularly,the more the merrier around here I say.

Dave @#$&* Walmart leave it to them toscrew up a perfectly good building, there ougth to be a law. Sounds like something they are trying to pull up hear. The city of Guelph does not want them yet they are forcing themselves on the city.They wanted this downtown spot near an old monestary. the Monks don't want them there and have taken it back to court. The city has offered them another location but they won't accept it so even though the case is in front of tthe court they habve started building. Chances are they will loose and will have to tear down. that would look good on them. Canadian regulations at least have not allowed them to run roughshot up here yet.

That sounded like quite the consist of power on that train, it is too bad they you were unable to save it for postreity on a roll of 35mm film.

Al Great info as always, thanks for continuing to float our boat here [tup]

Mike The shots from the CV/GT were the cats hind end sir. and CM3's descriptions were right on so it made them all the better [tup] You are doing a good job keeping up with the 20 fingered one as far as url photo's to match the posts [tup]

CM3 Thanks for throwing out the descriptions of Mikes shots. I'm glad that most of us take a peek at them. it's quite a bit of work to track all those down for us. Gotta love those T1's thouhg don't you ?

Ted Fair enough , I shall let you keep in touch with the search teams, hopefully we can ferret sir Nick out from wence he hides. Likely with several girlz atached I'm sure. [:O] BTW that "schlong" of bacan was supposed to be saved till Tom made it back in next week. Oh well I'll have to order more. You did bring out the Candian one and not the Carpathian one though right[?] [:O]

If you want , you might still be able to buy a Centurian tank from the DnD up here. At least they are diesel powered. Might have holes in them thouhg as they are uesed as targets now [xx(]


Rob
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: WV
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by coalminer3 on Thursday, June 8, 2006 8:17 AM
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Let’s play “Granny, Does Your Dog Bite?” for our first selection followed by “Frog in the Well,” and “Hell on the Wabash.” All good Civil War tunes.

REALLY enjoyed the CV pictures today. The CV diesel roster changed constantly as locomotives were r# and/or swapped among the Grand Trunk, Canadian National, and Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific. I never knew what I would find on trips to White River Jct., New London, or St. Albans. Therefore, a few add-on notes to them may be in order. With apologies to the non-tech folks out there, here goes.

First off, the picture of the CV GP9 and the RS3 at St. Albans has a real interesting locomotive at the end of the line: a Canadian National “C” Liner. These were used to power freights below St. Albans.

3901 was one of a pair of RS3s owned by the CV. She was originally CV 1860 and was r#3901 in 1957, later sent to the CN, and retired in 1968.

The picture of CV 1859 fills out the pair. She was r#3900 in 1957 and later sent to the CN, and retired in 1973.

CV 8015, the lovely Alco S4 in the photo, was r#8162 in 1957, then sent to the GT and retired in 1973.

One last note. If the picture of CV 703 was taken in 1928, she was virtually new as all of the CV Class T3a 2-10-4s were blt. in 1928.

Al. Thanks for information on the Southern “back alley line” trains. These are something you don’t hear about too often. Also enjoyed the ASLSF and CRI&P items as well.

Seeing the car name “Joe Wheeler” brought to mind a story about him. He had been a Confederate general, but later served in the U.S. Army, and fought in the Spanish American War. While involved in action against the enemy during that conflict he was heard to yell, “Come on boys, we’ve got the !@#$ Yankees on the run!” Old habits die hard, I guess.

Dave – The SP Alco spottings in Nashville were in 1970 and 1971. SP stuff also showed up on the C&O (Chessie, whatever) at Russell, KY in the late 70s and early 80s.

B4 I forget, greetings to Rob and Theodorebear.

Also welcome back to Lars and Eric.

One last comment. Mergers, much as we like or dislike them, back in the day made for some most interesting power sightings. The coming of Conrail was a case in point as Reading power, for example, appeared in Boston. However, back a few years ago, the L&N got involved with mergermania which resulted in the virtual overnight appearance of Monon and C&EI power (in original paint, yet!) in Nashville. C&O GP30s showed up there every so often as well. This was different than run through power.

Also, roads such as the Bangor and Aroostook commonly leased power which is why their motors appeared on the PRR in places such as Cleveland. As Casey once said, “You could look it up.”

This sort of stuff is common nowadays, although I still do a doubletake at solid UP consists running along the old NYC.

Work safe

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, June 8, 2006 7:55 AM
Good Morning Cindy and fellow travelers at the bar!

What a beautiful day, not speaking of the weather around these parts though! The mets won again! They surely are lookin' good - just gotta restrain myself until the All Star break - that's the real test of a predictable winnAH as far as I'm concerned. [yeah]

Special hello's to Ted - Mike 'n Al [tup] You guys have really been keeping "it" all together - and of course cannot leave out our resident vampire, Count Robulla! [swg] Good job guys! [tup] Once our leader returns, my guess is that he'll be most pleased and somewhat surprised at the momentum here at the bar. Oh yes, it IS YOU Cindy my deaAH! <ooooooooooooh>

The Mrs. and I are still grinning over that post by Coalminer3 "I'm not Shane" - what's-his-face - CM3 and the snake story! Really a knee slapper, for sure! [tup] Lots of great stuff coming out of those "hillls" in WVA these days! [swg] Good morning to you too, Sir CM3!

[wow] That pix spread of Tom's of the Toronto Rendezvous is simply amazing! I've gotten through the 70-pix offering of "day 2" and haven't made it yet to "day 1," but I'm surely looking forward to it. Like the looks of that "gin mill" you guys found and looks just like the kind of place this group would appreciate! [tup] Especially enjoyed the descriptions provided by Rob and that accounting of the Victoria Cross recipient is simply heart rendering - thanx to Rob 'n Mike! [tup]

Nice to see Eric back for a bit and I gather he's been away for awhile. The important thing is to stop by when time permits - that surely beats the disappearing acts we've experienced, huh [?]

I'm going to try and resume my "normal" afternoon" time slot in a day or two - probably by Monday. Still have many personal thngs to attend to and of course the "honey do list" continues to grow! [swg]

Set up the OJ on me and ring the gong, Boris!

So, when does the boss return [?]

Until the next time!

Lars
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Thursday, June 8, 2006 7:04 AM
Good Morning Gang. Enjoyed the photos from Mike . Sorry if it seems I am jumping all over the place but am actually posting by dates the streamliners entered service.
Time for a cup of coffee and a crumpet from the Mentor Village Bakery.

SOUTHERN
ALABAMA GREAT SOUTHERN
VULCAN
(August 24, 1939)
By Al

The Southern Railway placed a pair of mini streamliners in service between Meridian, Mississippi and Chattanooga, Tennessee daily in each direction. These two unit train sets were the first of six to be owned by the Southern Railway and its subsidiary Alabama Great Southern. They were constructed by St. Louis Car Company and represented the first application of Fairbanks Morse opposed piston diesel engines to see railroad passenger service. The first car of each two car train featured a shovelnose cab with engine room housing the 750 hp F-M diesel and Westinghouse generator that supplied the power for the two traction motors mounted on the forward B truck. Behind the engine room was a 15’ Railway Post Office Compartment and the remainder of the car was occupied by a Baggage room. The trailing coach seated 76 revenue passengers. The power produced by the lead unit was more than ample for an additional car or two if needed.

40 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M Diesel 15’ Railway Post Office Compartment Baggage Car

MT-40 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

SECOND CONSIST

41 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M Diesel 15’ Railway Post Office Compartment Baggage Car

MT-41 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

SOUTHERN
GOLDENROD
(September 24, 1939)
By Al

A single Southern Railway owned St. Louis Car Company built train set identical to the two built for the VULCAN was placed in service as the GOLDENROD. As the GOLDENROD it was assigned to operate a daily round trip between Birmingham and Mobile with major stops at Bessemer, Selma, Kimbrough, and Calvert beginning September 24, 1939.

1 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M Diesel 15’ Railway Post Office Compartment

MT-1 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

C&NW
400
(September 24, 1939)
419 miles
By Al

The C&NW was at last able to compete with rivals CB&Q and Milwaukee Road beginning September 24, 1939 with the introduction of the diesel powered streamlined 400s. These two Pullman Standard built streamlined consists were powered by a pair of EMC E3A units each operating back to back with a combined horsepower of 4,000. The C&NW lightweight streamlined 400s were excellent competition for the CB&Q TWIN ZEPHYRS and Milwaukee Road MORNING HIAWATHAS and AFTERNOON HIAWATHAS. The C&NW would only ever operate this single daylight streamliner in each direction versus the competitions two daily streamliners in each direction. Later the C&NW would change the name of the 400s to TWIN CITIES 400s when other 400 routes and trains entered service. The new trains were painted a Yellow with Green Letter board scheme with Aluminum lettering.

5001A EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

5001B EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

7500 Baggage 16 seat TIP TOP TAP Tavern 10 seat lunch Counter 10 seat Lounge Car

3410 56 Revenue seat Coach

3412 56 Revenue seat Coach

3414 56 Revenue seat Coach

3400 48 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Room

6950 56 seat Dining Car

6500 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

6502 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

6504 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

7200 12-revenue seat Parlor Bar 20 seat Lounge 9 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

5002A EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

5002B EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

7501 Baggage 16 seat TIP TOP TAP Tavern 10 seat Lunch Counter 10 seat Lounge Car

3411 56 Revenue seat Coach

3413 56 Revenue seat Coach

3415 56 Revenue seat Coach

3401 48 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Room

6951 56 seat Dining Car

6501 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

6503 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

6505 22 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room

7201 12 Revenue seat Parlor Bar 20 seat Lounge 9 seat Lounge Observation

SOUTHERN
JOE WHEELER
(September 29, 1939)
By Al

Another single set of the two-car train sets from St. Louis Car Company built for the Southern Railway entered service on September 29, 1939. This train was named the JOE WHEELER and entered service round trip daily between Oakdale and Tuscumbia.

2 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M Diesel 15” Railway Post Office Baggage Car

MT-2 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

SOUTHERN
CRACKER
(October 11, 1939)
By Al

The final pair of Southern owned two car train sets entered service on October 11, 1939 between Atlanta and Brunswick, Georgia by way of Macon. The train sets would only operate over the entire route for six months when service between Macon and Atlanta was dropped. Thereafter the two car trains offered twice daily round trip service between Macon and Brunswick with connecting train service beyond Macon to Atlanta.

3 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M 15’ Railway Post Office Baggage Car

MT-3 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

SECOND CONSIST

4 Shovel Nose Cab 750 HP F-M 15’ Railway Post Office Baggage Car

MT-4 76 Revenue seat Divided Coach

NYC
MERCURY
(November 12, 1939)
By Al

The NYC Beech Grove Shops rebuilt another series of old heavyweight cars into another streamlined MERCURY consist this time with eleven cars. Although the actual consist for this MERCURY would only be ten cars, the extra car a 56 revenue seat Coach number 1009 was assigned to the 1936 consist of the MERCURY. This gave the NYC two ten car MERCURY consists. The second MERCURY permitted the NYC to extend MERCURY service to Chicago – Detroit as well as the original Cleveland – Detroit. In actual fact beginning November 12, 1939 one MERCURY train set departed from Cleveland and one from Chicago each morning and after lengthy layovers in Detroit proceeded to the opposite terminal from there starting terminal. In actual fact it was like the NYC was operating two separate trains completely one a Chicago - Detroit train the other a Cleveland - Detroit train. Power for the new train was the NYC 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive and Tender 5344 the former COMMODORE VANDERBILT with a new streamlined shroud applied that more closely resembled the streamlined shrouding applied to the J3 Hudson Locomotives assigned to the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED. The 5344 held down the Chicago – Detroit part of the run and the two older Pacific Locomotives operated between Cleveland and Detroit.

5344 NYC J class Streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive & Tender

1007 Baggage 52 revenue seat Coach

1008 60 Revenue seat Coach

1010 56 Revenue seat Coach

1011 56 Revenue seat Coach

1012 56 Revenue seat Coach

1013 22 Revenue seat Coach Kitchen Car

1014 62 seat Dining Car

1016 MICHIGAN 31 seat Lounge Buffet Car

1018 GREENFIELD VILLAGE 25 Revenue seat Parlor Car

1020 CHICAGO 26 Revenue seat Parlor 10 seat Lounge Observation

CRI&P
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET
(November 12, 1939)
1,151 miles
By Al

Running west from Chicago on the same date November 12, 1939 that the NYC MERCURY departed eastbound from Chicago the Rock Island inaugurated a new Diesel powered ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET. Actually the new train required two sets of equipment with one eastbound each night and the other westbound each night in order to provide daily service in each direction. The new ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET was a double destination train at its western end serving both Denver and Colorado Springs from Chicago. The train split at Limon, Colorado westbound in the mornings and was reassembled at the same point in the afternoons for the return overnight run to Chicago. Both Budd and Pullman Standard manufactured equipment for the seven car ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKETS in stainless steel finish. Budd constructed the new ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKETS Baggage Cars, Railway Post Office 44 seat Coach combinations, 52 revenue seat Coaches, and the 32 seat dining 16 seat lounge Cars. Pullman Standard constructed the four sleeping cars and two sleeping Lounge Observations. Power for the new streamliners was a single EMC E3A unit developing 2,000 hp between Chicago and Denver. The Rock Island assigned a steam locomotive initially to the Limon – Colorado Springs section. Two cars the 30’ Railway Post Office 44 revenue seat Coach combination and the 8 Section 2 compartment 2 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car were through Chicago – Colorado Springs cars. Later as the size of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET trains increased the Rock Island would order custom built B units with a cab and Baggage compartment from EMD to power the Colorado Springs Section from Limon to Colorado Springs and back. These units were operated through to and from Chicago as the second unit in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET trains. These EMD AB units as they were known began service in June 1940 at the same time the Rock Island added a Kansas City – Denver section to the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET. These cars were coaches 308 DREAM LAKE operating with Pullman Pool 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car CASCADE MILLS in one direction nightly and Coach 311 JAMES PEAK operating with Pullman Pool 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car CASCADE SHOALS. The two CASCADE Pullman Pool sleeping cars were soon replaced by Rock Island 8 Section 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping cars FOREST CANYON, and THOMPSON CANYON delivered by Pullman Standard in November 1940. The Kansas City cars joined the westbound ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET at Belleville, Kansas having operated as a separate train from Kansas City. Eastbound the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET set out the Kansas City cars at Belleville to be forwarded as a separate train from that point. The eastbound Kansas City sleeping car space was sold as Parlor car space as the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET operated as a daytime schedule to that point. The nightly westbound sleeper space was sold as sleeper space. The Rock Island never able to compete with the Union Pacific on the Kansas City – Denver run dropped the Kansas City section of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROCKET in September 1943.

EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

850 Baggage Express Car

375 MESA VERDE 30’ Railway Post Office 44 Revenue seat Coach (Chicago – Colorado Springs)

309 BEAR LAKE 52 Revenue seat Coach

420 MOUNT EVANS 32 seat Dining 16 seat Lounge Car

650 ODESSA LAKE 10 Section 4 Roomette Sleeping Car

610 GARDEN OF THE GODS 8 Section 2 Compartment 2 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car (Chicago – Colorado Springs)

476 PHANTOM VALLEY 5 Double Bedroom Buffet 26 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

626 EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

851 Baggage Express Car

376 PIKES PEAK 30’ Railway Post Office 44 Revenue seat Coach (Colorado Springs – Chicago)

310 LONGS PEAK 52 Revenue seat Coach

421 CENTENNIAL 32 seat Dining 16 seat Lounge Car

651 LAWN LAKE 10 Section 4 Roomette Sleeping Car

611 GRAND MESA 8 Section 2 Compartment 2 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car (Colorado Springs – Chicago)

477 THUNDER MOUNTAIN 5 Double Bedroom Buffet 26 seat Lounge Observation

ACL-FEC
CHAMPION
(December 1, 1939)
1,095 miles
By Al

On the first of December 1939 the Atlantic Coast Line and Florida East Coast Railroads launched their response to the Seaboard Airline Railroads SILVER METEOR the new CHAMPION. The new seven car streamliners were for daily operation between New York City and Miami with the FEC owning one consist and the ACL owning the other two. These three stainless steel train sets built by Budd were very similar to that built for the SAL SILVER METEOR. The ACL train sets had a purple letter board while the FEC set was stainless steel only. The PRR provided the power and tracks between New York and Washington. Between Washington and Richmond the tracks of the RF&P were used. The FEC EMD E3A and ACL EMD E6A units operated from Washington to Miami. The double track high speed main line of the ACL was used between Richmond and Jacksonville, and between Jacksonville and Miami the FEC tracks were used. The two EMD E6A units for the two ACL consists were numbered 501 and 502. The single FEC EMD E3A was numbered 1002. The FEC cars were named while the ACL owned cars were numbered only except for the Dining cars that carried names.

FEC
1002 EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

NEW SMYRNA Baggage 12 crew Dormitory 14 Revenue seat Coach

BOCA RATON 60 Revenue seat Coach

VERO BEACH 52 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Quarters

FORT PIERCE 48 seat Dining Car

COCOA ROCKLEDGE 60 Revenue seat Coach

POMPANO 60 Revenue seat Coach

BAY BISCAYNE 32 seat Tavern Lounge Bar 21-seat Lounge Observation

ACL
501 EMD E6A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

100 Baggage 12 Crew Dormitory 14 Revenue seat Coach

200 60 Revenue seat Coach

206 52 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Quarters

NEW YORK 48 seat Dining Car

202 60 Revenue seat Coach

204 60-revenue seat Coach

250 32 seat Tavern Lounge Bar 21-seat Lounge Observation

ACL
502 EMD E6A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

101 Baggage 12 crew Dormitory 14 Revenue seat Coach

201 60 Revenue seat Coach

207 52 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Quarters

PHILADELPHIA 48 seat Dining Car

203 60 Revenue seat Coach

205 60 Revenue seat Coach

251 32 seat Tavern Lounge Bar 21-seat Lounge Observation

FEC
HENRY M. FLAGLER
(December 3, 1939)
By Al

The HENRY M. FLAGLER named for the FEC Railroads founder and probably Florida’s most prominent citizen was the name given to the Florida East Coast Railways other streamlined seven-car train from Budd. The HENRY M. FLAGLER was assigned to operate a daily round trip between Miami and Jacksonville. The HENRY M. FLAGLER train set was very similar to the FEC set in CHAMPION service. The FEC assigned a single EMC E3A unit as power 1001 lettered for the HENRY M. FLAGLER. Between Miami and Jacksonville the HENRY M. FLAGLER stopped at Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.

1001 EMC E3A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

STUART Baggage 22 Revenue seat Coach

HOBE SOUND 60 Revenue seat Coach

DELRAY BEACH 52 Revenue seat Coach with Stewardess Room

FORT LAUDERDALE 48 seat Dining Car

HOLLYWOOD 60 Revenue seat Coach

MELBOURNE 60 Revenue seat Coach

LAKE WORTH 32 seat Tavern Lounge Bar 21-seat Lounge Observation

SL-SF
FIREFLY
(December 3, 1939)
By Al

The St. Louis – San Francisco Railway better known as the FRISCO inaugurated a pair of 3 car stream-lined trains constructed in their own Springfield shops from heavyweight cars and a pair of 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotives streamlined to provide the power for the FIREFLYS. The new FIREFLYS were assigned to daily Tulsa – Kansas City service operating in each direction daily. The Frisco streamlined seven cars for the two trains the extra one being a spare coach.

1026 Streamlined 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive & Tender

83 Baggage 15’ Railway Post Office 18 seat Coach Combination

754 62 Revenue seat Coach

1502 24-seat Dining 10 Revenue seat Parlor Car

SECOND CONSIST

1031 Streamlined 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive & Tender

82 Baggage 15’ Railway Post Office 18 seat Coach Combination

752 62 Revenue seat Coach

1501 24-seat Dining 10 Revenue seat Parlor Car

AT&SF
TULSAN
(December 10, 1939)
By Al

The TULSAN is the name the Santa Fe gave to their new train between Kansas City and Tulsa daily to compete with the new Frisco FIREFLY. The TULSAN was made up of heavyweight and lightweight cars both, with the last two cars in the trains consist through cars beyond Kansas City to and from Chicago. These cars traveled in the CHICAGOAN eastbound from Kansas City and returned to the waiting TULSAN westbound by the KANSAS CITYAN. For the TULSAN power was any available diesel or steam with no particular unit regularly assigned. The through cars were the 3109 a 52 seat Coach with 3241 a 32 seat Parlor Observation eastbound one day and westbound the next. On opposite days the cars were the 52 seat Coach 3112 with 3242 the other 32 seat Parlor Observation. These cars were originally assigned as through Chicago – Oklahoma City cars on the CHICAGOAN and KANSAS CITYAN.

SAL
SILVER METEOR
(December 23, 1939)
1,525 miles
By Al

On December 23, 1939 two days before Christmas the Seaboard Air Line Railroad inaugurated daily SILVER METEOR service with the addition of two new seven car consists joining the earlier consist of February, 1939. The SAL received three additional cars to maintain a weekly service between New York and St. Petersburg. The three cars that traveled through from New York to St. Petersburg every third day were a 48 seat Dining Car number 6103 and two 60 revenue seat Coaches 6206 and 6207. The PRR provided three 60 revenue seat Coaches to the SILVER METEOR pool of cars numbers 4015-4017. Budd, with EMC supplying two E4A units for the trains built the cars for the two additional SILVER METEOR train sets.

3012 EMC E4A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

6001 Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 22 seat Coach

6203 60 Revenue seat Coach

6301 30 Revenue seat Coach 30 seat Tavern Lounge Car

6101 48 seat Dining Car

6205 60 Revenue seat Coach

4015 (PRR) 60 Revenue seat Coach

6401 48 Revenue seat Coach 24 seat Lounge Observation

SECOND CONSIST

3013 EMC E4A 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

6002 Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 22 seat Coach

6204 60 Revenue seat Coach

6302 30-revenue seat Coach 30 seat Tavern Lounge Car

6102 48 seat Dining Car

4016 (PRR) 60 Revenue seat Coach

4017 (PRR) 60 Revenue seat Coach

6402 48 Revenue seat Coach 24 seat Lounge Observation

TTFN Al
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 8, 2006 6:52 AM
Welcome home Lars and Eric, it is great to see both of you back in "one piece."[tup] Cindy, please break out that fresh "schlong" of Canadian Bacon on this happy occasion. Both of you will probably notice a precious few, i.e. Rob, Al, CM3, Dave, Wanswheel Mike took up the challenge of "ram rodding" the posts in Cap'n Tom's absence.[tup] X a google. The shocking thing is they managed to, not only, "hold down the Fort" but maintain the superior quality we have grown accustomed to hereabouts.[^] Lars, your unfortunate experience via airlines is verbatim the same as Tom and I experienced to and from the first Rendesvous in Toronto. Ditto for the last AmTrak movement I experienced on the N.E. Corridor.[V] It came down to: "Glad I did it but won't do it again."

As per usual, this a.m. is no different for the "panic post" prior to running the gauntlet. Al, I see the "auto pilot" feature is still engaged and thank heaven's for it. Things would've turned quite desperate without this "force feed" of data. It seems there are more Alco afficandos than any of us realized. Dave S ( I beleive ) opened the flood gates and the deluge continues unabated. More from Cm3 and Dave S this morning with the added "color" of "train spotting" these beasts far from their Road name's origins. That "shot gun" effect of road power was becoming uneventful in the late 70's. Peculiar? Yes, especially the bazaar "lash ups" of one Road's locos to yet another's. This may have been more prevelant in the Mid-West, I'm not sure about farther east and west?

Well, Rob, your advise for something more substantial on the road, short of a Abrams M-1, A-1, is reasonable. I can't think of any other motivation ( survival ) for driving those Hummers and gargantuan SUV's. They are a good defence against the Kamakazis if only to get one to "the pump" where harikeri (sp?) is the only option. We don't wi***o spoil Pete's leave in the U.K. on locating our Cheif [C=:-)] and besides P.I. Doyle prefers working alone. I believe once Juneau is on the case, we may get a "break."[^] Okay Boris, now is the time...I know it's 7:53 a.m. you Cretin...I mean the bell...not the one in Awk's cage...oh, never mind[:(!]

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