G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!
Message received, WILCO!
These Jints aren't my father's Jints, but they got it done today and at least are still in the hunt for a wild card spot. Can't say that I'm enjoying this season, but still, there's football involved somewhere. <ugh> Shouldn't really be that hard on 'em, for there were more bright moments than not.
Looks like Pete watched a losing cause out their in Arrowhead! Nice day for the game, too bad the Chiefs couldn't pull out a win. That pretty much does 'em in, huh
Nice to see my "bookend" BK on a Sunday at that!! Been awhile, huh Also, some nice stuff from Eric last night and Doug this morning.
9,000 responses Let's shoot for 10,000, that's more like it! How about it Cap'n Tom A contest in the making Also, picked up on the B'day for CM3 I'm NOT Shane! on 29 Dec and of course our Twentieth month of business on the Twelfth! Nice going, Doug!
I put together these pix some weeks ago, figured they'd come to good use. Enjoy my New York Central book and video covers!
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
I see the bar remains closed on Sundays, which is a good thing. But something has been added that Lydia and I have enjoyed, the Sunday breakfast, brunch and lunch idea. We shall have two #3s if you please. Coffee for me, tea for my lady, thank you!
Without delving too far into your email, I will do my part.
Appears as if the contributions are high in quality but rather short in frequency, a far cry from the "old days." So, we are approaching month twenty in the life span of the bar. Amazing, given the twists and turns it has taken. Good show to all who have made it happen!
Those motion picture selections for the week are good ones, and appropriate for the time of the month with Pearl Harbour Day being on the 7th. I always have appreciated the film Bridge on the River Kwai and although somewhat dated in terms of when it was first released, it is a great story of what happened back in the 1940s.
Nice selection of photos from Doug and Eric. You two do something I have never gotten into the habit of, which is having a camera with me on my excursions here and there. It is a good idea, but just something I have not gotten around to doing. Appreciate your efforts in providing such fine entertainment and railroading education at no cost to all who visit here.
Some random photos from my limited files:
SAL EMD E7A #3025 (from: www.trainweb.org)
Hope to see you tomorrow and of course on Tuesday for our 20th month anniversary!
BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!
CLOSED on Sundays -
We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!
Now Playing at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
In tribute to all who sacrificed during WWII . . .
. . . Sunday, December 10th thru 16th: Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) Starring: Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Joseph Cotten, and Tatsuya Mihashi – and – The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Starring:: William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa. SHORT: The Three Stooges – Healthy, Wealthy, and Dumb (1938).
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
PLOT SUMMARY:
In 1941 the Japanese are at odds with the United States on a number of issues which they are attempting to resolve via their Washington embassy. In case this diplomacy fails, the military are hatching plans for a surprise early Sunday morning air attack on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor. American intelligence is breaking the Japanese diplomatic messages but few high-ups are prepared to believe that an attack is likely, let alone where or how it might come.
from: amazon.com
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) PLOT SUMMARY:
British WW2 prisoners of war are given the task, by their Japanese captors, of building a railway bridge in a harsh Asian jungle. Led by Col Nicholson, a stereotypical British officer, the prisoners score a moral victory over the Japanese by not only building the bridge, but running the whole show. Unknown to Nicholson, an allied demolition team are planning a spectacular opening for the bridge.
SHORT: Healthy, Wealthy, and Dumb (1938) PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
Curly wins a radio contest for $50,000 and the Stooges move into the Costa Plente hotel. They wreck havoc by destroying a very valuable bed and a $5000 vase. After the stooges receive their letter from the Coffin Nail Cigarette Company, they discover that after all the taxes they have only won $4.85.
from: threestooges.net Enjoy! Tom
Good morning again Tom. I'll try to get this to post just once. The big thing I noticed that was missing from my original post this a.m. was my guess for when this thread hits 9,000 posts. I say it will be January 4th. Now I must be off to the stable to muck some stalls and bring in the frozen water buckets. Here are some more pix!
Santa Fe's answer to streamlined steam was its "Blue Goose" locomotives, this shown getting the Chief underway
Santa Fe's famed train-stop complex at Albuquerque included the Alvarado Hotel and Fred Harvey Indian Museum. While such trains at the De Luxe, California Limited, Chief, and Super Chief paused for brief servicing, passengers engaged in the railroad's ritual of wandering the platforms and stations at Albuquerque to buy native American arts and crafts.The Indian-detours were a favorite promotion of the Santa Fe in New Mexico. "Harveycars" and buses met the trains at Albuquerque, Lamy and other stations and took passengers on two- or three-day guided tours of "hidden primitive Indian pueblos, Spanish missions, pre-historic cliff dwellings and buried cities," according to the ads.
A dry snow glistens as the eastbound, all-room, all-Pullman Super Chief glides over the highlands near Flagstaff
G’day Gents!
Yes, it’s Sunday once again and the bar is CLOSED! But, as usual, we have our breakfast – lunch ‘n brunch ‘til 2 PM AND today is Sunday Photo Posting Day!
Yesterday was a nice day here in mid-continent USA and today promises to be more of the same as the temps rise to the 50s (F) and the ice shield begins to give way. <awwwright!>
Let me get to a few brief acknowledgments:
Pete at 1:38 PM yesterday: Double treat – another fine Post from you and we had another one of our enjoyable phone conversations! Looking forward to see you and your bride on Saturday!
Running the Mentor Village Gazette from December 2005 as an ENCORE! was a treat. I found myself reading it almost as if it was “news” to me! <grin>
Eric at 12:45 AM today: Back so soon AND with some great Pix at that! A 5- salute to you, Sir! Really appreciate your patronage.
Rob is going to love those shots and my guess is he’ll provide additional background info . . . can’t talk trolleys without our Ontario (Canada) connection jumping in! <grin>
Doug at 5:38 AM today: A double treat as it appears your fingers got stuck between the keys and your Post appeared TWICE! <grin> Nevertheless, a fine spate of nostalgia Pix and descriptions, as always!
Appreciate your picking up on our 20th month anniversary (the 12th) and CM3s B’day on the 29th! A “Pulitzer” for the Gazette! I’d settle for a beer!
Thanx for the SUPPORT!
A reminder: The bar will be CLOSED for CHRISTMAS and of course is always CLOSED on Sunday, which this year will be CHRISTMAS EVE. So, here’s the deal – if anyone wants to Post Pix, fine – but I’ll be gone for both days. Just slip your messages and Pix through the mail slots on either set of front doors.
There will be NO breakfast – brunch – lunch on CHRISTMAS EVE, Sunday, December 24th.
Tuesday’s ENCORE Theme for the Day! willl be Santa Fe (passenger ops).
Be back later with the Emporium Theatre’s slate for the week!
Tom
Good morning Tom and all. I'll just help myself to some sticky buns fresh-baked at the Mentor bakery. I wrote to Bergie, as promised Tom, and that's all I'll say here about that. We've more important things to discuss here than that sort of thing. Nice couple of ENCORE posts with the NYC and CP. Good to see Peter make the rounds and turn in an old copy of the Gazette. There should be a Pulitzer awarded for creating it. A few things came to mind as I read it, but then, my memory, being what it is anymore, quickly forgot what those thoughts could have been. Too many nights with Leon's "hit-me" shots might be responsible.
On the birthday front this month, we have CM3, who says he will be 61-years-young on the 29th. This Santa Fe theme Tuesday will also be the 20-month anniversary of Our Place! Weapons will be collected at the door for all patrons that day, and not just the track crew. Looks like you had an excellent day, Eric for taking pictures at the museum. Your pix were a real treat! The museum looks like an active place, and obviously have some great stock. Imagine how that Santa Fe RPO would look with a little TLC. Here are some random shots from me this AM:
Pullman cars also served as destination hotels. Here, West Point cadets assemble for inauguration of President Truman in 1949
V-J Day was just a month away when this photograph was taken in the soaring rotunda of Cincinnati Union Terminal
Canadian National set up its own radio stations when the medium was young; Maple Leaf passengers tuned in for this PR shot.
Seven sections of Santa Fe's California Limited line up for this classic publicity shot in Los Angeles of the 1920's
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's 4-6-4 Aeolus brings the Black Hawk into Chicago with nine cars on Aug. 10, 1939
A man phones home from his office and says to his wife, "I have the chance to go fishing for a week. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I have to leave right away. Pack my clothes, my fishing equipment, and especially my blue silk pajamas. I'll be home in an hour to pick them up." The man rushes home to grab everything. He hugs his wife, apologizes for the short notice, and then hurries off.
A week later, the man returns and his wife asks, "Did you have a good trip, dear?" The man replies, "Yep, the fishing was great... but you forgot to pack my blue silk pajamas." His wife smiles and says, "Oh, no I didn't... I put them in your tackle box!"
On the birthday front this month, we have CM3, who says he will be 61-years-young on the 29th. This Santa Fe theme Tuesday will also be the 20-month anniversary of Our Place! Weapons will be collected at the door for all patrons that day, and not just the track crew. Looks like you had an excellent day, Eric for taking pictures at the museum. Your pix were a real treat! The museum looks like an active place, and obviously has some great stock. Imagine how that Santa Fe RPO would look with a little TLC. Here are some random shots from me this AM. All pix are from "Night Trains", by Peter T. Maiken
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Back from Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA! A long day, about 700 miles and 5 hours at the museum. It was a nice day and this museum was a positive experience. Visitors are allowed to get around as they wish with very few exceptions. This Saturday they were running a Christmas Train pulled by a steam engine. I did not ride it though. Instead I rode the old interurban from Pacific Electric, #418, a Blimp and an old Brill streetcar, #10.
Orange Empire Railway Museum has a lot of streetcars/interurbans, steam engines, diesels, electrics and cars of all kinds. Plus a number of electric trolley buses. In other words, there is a lot of equipment to see. Here are a few of the 150 pictures I took this sunny day.
Streetcar built by Brill. Do not have any more info at this moment.
PCC 3001. First PCC delivered to Los Angeles, built by St Louis Car Company 1937. In service until 1963 when all streetcar service was abandonmed. Came to the Museum same year.
The rear end of the same car.
Pacific Electric, “Blimp” #418. Built 1913 by Pullman Car Co. Retired 1961. Seats 80.
Ventura County Railway #2, 2-6-2, built by Baldwin 1922. Was used in the Christmas Train.
Santa’s private car last in the Christams Train!
Busy station.
Union Pacific 942, EMD E8-A. Built May 1953. After 19 years of service on the UP this locomotive came to Chicago & North Western Ry. Renumbered to 510, used in commuter train operations in the Chicago area. Metra took later over the service and the engine. Retired in 1988, came to the museum in 1997. Operational.
A few weeks ago we had pictures of old Railway Post Office cars. Here is another one, Santa Fe #2055.
I will be back later today with an inclusive post.
Eric.
Hi Tom and all.
I have a coffee and a bacon sarnie this morning RUTH.I had a check up at theDocs yesterday, then I was in Columbia for the evening.
JAMES it seems mighty cold in your part at the moment, but like Tom I can take the cold better than the heat, although perhaps not that cold. Of course the legal age for drinking in the UK is 18, whether is a good thing or not I am not sure. I thought it was a good thing at the time.
Thanks for the post and pics on the Saint Paul Union Station. The 1886 station really is a fine building, and it is good that the William Crooks loco was preserved.
MIKE Thanks for the links I have looked at a few of the Falls River pics and will go back to them and the link that CM3 posted I was able to view this time very interesting and well written.
They were very sobering photos of Pearl Harbor.
As you say the Jacobean was a named train that ran from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh although I cannot find any info on it at the moment. Today the Jacobite is the name the 6 days a week steam train uses on its journey from Fort William to Mallaig in the summer months.
BK Glad you was OK in the power cut. I too sometimes think of the guys who were at the bar when I joined, they all seemed great guys who were very helpful to a novice to N.American railways. Perhaps seeing the number of Views Our Place gets they look through the windows of the bar from time to time.
Thanks for the Lionel covers and it is always good to see you in the bar.
LARS That looks a great book on the Lionel trains. I had hoped after you had got some of the old regulars to call in for the birthday they may have started to call in again but it was not to be. Still we have some great new guys at the bar.
ERIC I too am looking forward to the Orange Empire Railway museum report and pics, I confess I had not heard of the museum before.
ROB Thanks for the links to Muskoka Fleet. The VandaIII looks a great little vessel. I will find something on the vessels that are on Lake Windermere in the English Lake District next week.
Enjoyed the Nipissing Central Encore.I bet it was very popular on a Saturday night heading for the nearest bar 40 miles away, I wonder what the journey back to Cobolt..
DOUG I, m afraid the exchange rate will have to favor the pound a lot more before I can get that Shay.
The car going to the IRM does not look in too bad condition although I guess there will be a lot of work to get it back into original condition.
Bad news about Ogalvie. I have not seen any news or read the paper yet, that was the first I had heard.
Lovely story of the pipe smoking Spot the dog, very apt with the snow lately.
TOM A bit more on the Maglev at Birmingham.
http://www.bhx.co.uk/page.aspx?type=T0NaZj9WNoU=&id=5sqdhXe0N48=
Thanks for the info on the voltage converters it seems they start about $20 so shound,t be a problem just to get the bride to get me the set..
Thanks for the NYC and the Canadian Pacific Encores, while I was looking at the NYC page I came across this from nearly a year ago, I hope you dont mind me 'borrowing' it TOM.
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday first Posted on page 188 . . . . . . Mentor Village Gazette . . . . . . Vol. I, Number 2 . . . . . . . . Monday, December 12, 2005 . . . . . . . . . Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANNIVERSARY EDITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Our" Place reaches milestone See Editorial barndad Doug Inducted into the ORDER OF THE STOOLS Dec 12th , Mentor Village By: Verbal Funderburk barndad Doug was inducted into the Order of the Stools - Reserved on Nov 22nd. With a crowd of free-loaders on hand along with the list of "usual suspects" (aka: customers), the induction ceremonies were carried out by the Selection Committee. This rather nebulous group of societal wannabees commanded about as much attention as a refrigerator salesman in the Klondike. The induction ceremony was held in the Pool Room of the village bar and grill known as "Our" Place and was attended by the municipalities leadership, janitorial staff and Bee Keepers society. A rather boisterous gathering toasted the new inductee with song and praise. "Who is this guy " was the overriding theme of the background singers, as the party raged on into the late afternoon. Throughout the ceremony, there appeared to be several distractions, least of which were the "buzzing" of the group by an animal resembling a Parrot, and some "quick steps" by the crowd to avoid being bitten by what appeared to be a crazed Armadillo. barndad Doug insisted that his acceptance into the group came as a complete surprise, and rejected any notion that his substantial cash "donation" to the Committee's Railfan Vacation Fund," had any influence on his selection. As has been the practice, a spirited bout of pushing, shoving, punching, kicking and gauging broke about amongst the track gangs of the CN, CP and Can-Am railroads. With considerable help from the cloven-footed mutant known as Boris and the rather quiet and somewhat sullen giant of a man called Leon, Inspector Clueless of the Local Constabularly and his sidekick, Mr. Doyle, Private Investigator, restored order by using a tested strategy. Free drinks and a dance with any one of the "Our" Place staff of beauties. (More on page 17.) Scandal looms, as inquiry widens Local Constabulary Caught Out By Typo Dec 12th, Mentor Village By: Nickin Westwales (and staff reporters) Mentor`s finest,Clueless & Doyle are expected to be called in to head offi
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #51
from Page 209
Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Canadian Pacific (CP) from a 1963 advertisement in my personal collection. Sail away to Europe in a Canadian Pacific White Empress. Come aboard at Montreal, and discover a 1000 miles of beauty as you sail up the St. Lawrence, past Québec’s historic Château Frontenac and on to Greenock and Liverpool. Ride away to the Canadian Rockies aboard Canada’s only scenic doomed streamliner, “The Canadian.” Discover 2,881 miles of spectacular scenery along the Banff-Lake Louise route as you cross Canada in streamlined comfort. Hide away at Banff Springs Hotel a mile high in the Canadian Rockies. You’ll enjoy gourmet food, gracious service. And you’ll find golf, tennis, swimming, fishing – every resort facility. Open May 31 to September 14. Holiday all the way with Canadian Pacific Trains/Trucks/Ships/Planes/Hotels/Telecommunications. WORLD’S MOST COMPLETE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Enjoy! Tom
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #68
from Page 249 Here’s something to enjoy regarding the New York Central (NYC) in a 1954 advertisement from my private collection: A Natural for Slumber Nature made only one low-level route between East and Midwest. And for a hundred years, New York Central has improved on Nature for your comfort. Start your trip with refreshments in the lounge. Chat, read, relax as your diesel-electric dreamliner glides over a roadbed smooth as a garden path. Later, sit at leisure over a famous New York Central dinner. Enjoy it in the diner . . . or in the privacy of your own Pullman hotel-room-on-wheels. Bedtime is best of all! Your big, soft bed is waiting. So drift off to dreamland with a deep-down sense of all weather security no skyway or highway can match. For you’re traveling the naturally gentle Water Level Route. And on the level, you can sleep! For a Headstart on Tomorrow, Go New York Central Tonight! CHICAGO – NEW YORK 20th Century Limited – Commodore Vanderbilt CHICAGO – BOSTON New England States NEW YORK – St. LOUIS Southwestern Limited – The Knickerbocker NEW YORK – CLEVELAND Cleveland Limited NEW YORK – DETROIT The Detroiter CINCINNATI – NEW YORK Ohio State Limited DETROIT – CHICAGO Motor City Special CLEVELAND – CHICAGO] The Forest City New York Central’s Water Level Route Enjoy! Tom
A blue sky morning, temps hovering at 20 (F) but a warm up is on the way, as we’ll be in the 40s later on and 50s tomorrow. Fair-thee-well ice shield – RIP! At last sighting, petrol was $2.28 (rounded) up at “collusion corner.”
Tuesday’s ENCORE Theme for the Day! will be Santa Fe (passenger ops).
To the acknowledgments:
Eric at 10:50 PM yesterday: Don’t leave us in suspense! That photo sure looks like it was taken somewhere along the NE Corridor. Yes/no
Heading west to Orange County, eh My last assignment was in SoCal – based out of Long Beach. Didn’t spend a single day engaging in anything involving railroads, although I saw plenty of trains during my travels by land vehicles. Enjoy and we’ll be looking forward to your “report.”
Rob at 12:59 & 1:05 AM today: As I said, maybe one day . . . Travel for us to Canada has become so overly priced that what used to be round trips for the both of us have now been dwindled down to my going it alone, or remaining here with Juneau while the bride visits with her mom in Halifax. That last trip I made for my late friend’s memorial service pretty much netted me an aircraft of my very own – an Air Canada regional jet. Too bad the fill ups are so costly! <grin>
Yes, that shooting incident did in fact take place. A wonderment indeed, but in this day and age, I’m hardly surprised at anything that goes on.
Thanx for the ENCORE! – something I’ll get to a bit later on today.
Doug at 8:24 AM today: And they say baseball is a game of inches, eh Well, you cudda wound up in a mess had your travels put you in the location of yesterday’s shootings in Chicago. How many times in life have we blindly avoided, simply by chance, those situations where danger lurked Many, I’d say.
Why do these lunatics do what they do Aside from the mental derangement, I’d say quite a bit has to do with getting their 15 minutes of “fame.” I concur, why can’t they simply check out and not take others with them I suppose there’s a reason for these things, but darned if I know what it is!
Thanx for the ENCORE! and it will be added to my “list” of readings for the day!
Ruth comes in at 9 AM and stays behind the bar ‘til 5 PM when Leon the Night Man takes over ‘til closing. Remember guys, tonight is Steak ‘n all the trimmings nite! begins at 5 PM.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the “spiked” OJ they can handle!
Good morning Tom and friends! I'll have a light breakfast please. Seems like days since I last posted. Maybe because it's true! Glad ya'll liked the painted rock and Daylight article. I'm always looking around for things to share, including some photos I'm whipping together for tomorrow. The CM3 snake report was good reading as well. Seems like something that could happen to anyone, really. DL, my railroad navy article isn't done. Hope you'll like the balance. Good to see an appearance from BK. My bride promises me that I'll get my Polar Express set next holiday season (with the additional cars)! Great to see manager Lars pop in with words of encouragement. Always enjoy the insites and experiences of Pete. I have no idea what the G2 cost in 1991, but I've got another collectable for your consideration. It's a hand-built Shay, which apparently the creator only made 5. He'll accept a starting bid of $3,000. I left your name. Wow, Mike. Those URLs of ships buring and exploding in Pearl Harbor were certainly sobering, as well as the captured troops. You find the most interesting pix to share. I actually met a former general who survived the Bataan Death March. He was guest speaker at an Eagle (BSA) dinner. Yepiree, Tom ... it's mighty cold in these parts. I won't be adding any more decorations this year. Today will mostly be an indoor day for me. Going through boxes, finding places for long-lost stuff and making room for a workbench in the basement. Had to completely empty the garage in order to fit the cars comfortably. We just got an Explorer, and it barely fits! Now you're in trouble with the boss, James. You've encouraged my joke-telling, and everyone else here was hoping that would die. I know what you mean about the price of toy trains in relation to the materials used to build them. I look at the models these days, and wonder how it's possible that they're really a quality product in comparrison to former fabrications. Are they really worth the money? I certainly hope so. Anyhow, thanks for the St. Paul Union Depot post. I'm sure you all heard about the lunatic at our Olgilvie station yesterday. Why can't these psychos just take their own lives and not drag others into it? I would have been at the station yesterday about the time time happened if my train club met in December, but I would not have seen anything but the evacuation of the building. The shooter was on the 36th floor, I believe. Can't wait to see Eric's pictures from the Orange Empire Railway Museum. The IRM is soon to get another car, or at least remnants of it. A McDonalds in Crystal Lake is closing down today that used a train car for seating.
Good to see Rob and his Classic Juice ENCORE ! Here's mine:
August 1945 Railroad Stories Memories of the winter of 1908 are recalled by John F. Roden, c/o Mrs. Lena Hilton, Fair Haven, N.Y. He was then working on the old Ho-Jack Line, (the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg, now in the New York Central system). One morning as they were starting out from Rome, N.Y., snow mantled the ground; the weather was crisp and cold. “We backed our train into a freight yard at Oswego,” he writes, “near where an Adirondack Mountains guide named Gill lived with his family. Mr. Gill’s dog, Spot, liked to ride in the engine cab with us. He’d sit on the little drop seat ahead of the seatbox of Fireman Pat Rogan. Pat taught the animal to hold a corncob pipe in his mouth. It was comical to see the two of them, man and dog, sitting there, each with a corncob pipe.” “On this particular morning we took Spot with us as usual, while we picked up cars from various manufacturing concerns. The weather continued sunshiny until about 2 p.m. Then a few snow flurries drifted down. As soon as the snowfall started, our four-legged railroader disappeared, much to our surprise, but we kept on with the job of making up our train.” “Without any warning, a fierce north-western wind blew in from Lake Ontario. It was almost impossible for us to see signals in the swirling snowstorm. This slowed up our work. Not until about 5:30 did we get the train ready. Then we set out to the junction three miles away, where the Gill family lived and where stood a telegraph station at which we received orders before entering the main track. By this time the drifts had piled up so high that we had to do a regular snow-bucking job to get our train through.” “When we arrived at the junction we decided we could go no further without a helper engine; so our conductor, David Knight, barged into the operator’s shanty to explain the problem to the yardmaster on the west side. He was told, in reply, there would be no helper engines available until 8:30 p.m. . It was then about seven. The op went home immediately after our arrival. This left us alone. There was nothing else for us to do, so we climbed into the engine, pulled the storm curtain tight, and sat around telling yarns.” “That morning, as we learned later, Mrs. Gill had been fooled by the nice weather into taking a shopping trip with her small daughter. Of course, she had not expected the blizzard. The two of them had walked three-quarters of a mile to the trolley car and boarded it for a ride to the city.” “But getting back to our party in the engine cab: while we were entertaining each other and keeping warm as we could, we suddenly heard loud and persistent barking. We thought Spot wanted us to take him into the cab. I got down to lift him up, but he would not let me do it. He ran away a few feet, still barking vociferously.” “Well,” I said, “if you don’t care to come up here where it is warm, you can stay there and bark your head off.” “With that I climbed back into the engine and made myself comfortable again. The dog returned, barking louder than ever, a sharp persistent bark. It was still snowing and blowing: you could not see more than 10 or 15 feet ahead. Spot really howled. At length Conductor Knight said: “Boys, there’s something wrong. That dog wouldn’t stay out there barking for fun on a terrible night like this. I’m going to find out what this is. Our helper won’t be here before ten o’clock anyway.” “So Dave started out and I followed. Yelping excitedly, Spot ran ahead of us, occasionally running back to see if we were trailing along. He led us up the road a half-mile. There we found Mrs. Gill and her daughter. The lady had fallen down from exhaustion and the child was too small to help her. Dave and I carried them to their home. We phoned for a doctor and stayed until he came. Mrs. Gill gave birth to a boy. “That boy is now 36. His mother is still living. Both owe their lives to Spot. The dog died long ago. I hope he had gone to some railway beyond the sunset. Only two of my old crew are left. I often visualize that gang in the engine cab, with Spot on his accustomed seat, and he and the fireman grinning happily, each with a corncob pipe in his mouth.”
A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office. After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die." "Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him. Don&#
ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE ! ENCORE !
Just a quick encore to get saturday off and rolling. This is an ooold classic juice from back in the pre history days of the bar. From page 140 to be exact. Hopefully it formats okay as it was first posted before the first new improvemnets by the Kalmbach folks.
Rob
trolleyboy wrote:Well it seems to have been another semi slow day so i figured that it was time to get "juiced up again" So from the vaults of the Brock street railway(road) library I give you ( Nick will be interested in this one )"Nipissing Central" A bit of local history first. Early last century one could find one of Northern Ontario's most colourfull boom and bust area's around the town of Cobalt Ontario.In 1903 extensiver silver mines were discouvered and the town of Cobalt was built on top of some of the roughest inhospitable portions of the North woods ,and canadian shield one could imagine. The town was literally built ontop of rock out croppings with the roads strewn in and about the rocky terrain.The building of the Temiskaming and northern ontario railway T&NO ( now known as the Ontario Northland )ensured a route out of the mines for the silver producers. So the town soared to a pop of 10,000 people and 52 silver mines boared into the shield rock.This is where the history gets a bit interesting.The railway decided that an electric rail line needed to be built to provide transportation to the ever growing mining camps in the area.Also beacause the town of Cobalt literally sat on so many of the minning claims no alcohol was allowed in the town for safety reasons and the nearest watering hole was in the next town of Haileyberry about 40 miles away as the crow flies. In 1910 the first cars started carrying thirsty minors from Cobalt to Haileyberry at the first terminal which was fittingly the local hotel the Vendome! In 1911 the NC was officailly purchased by the T&NO this was to get a federal charter to build into the crown lands in northeastern Ontario and Quebec. In 1912 the NC ws extended to New Liskeard with it's new terminal on the wabi river. From there branches were built at Kerr lake ,and Crown reserve. It was a fairly short livered interurban. In 1917 a fire destryoed the main carbarns and most of the fleet in Cobalt. The Kerr lake branch was closed in 1925 and a new highway was built in 1927 conecting Timmons and Toronto, so the Crown reserve line was closed. By 1935 a new paved highway ( 11 & 17 ) was completed and the TN&O began running bus service ( ONR still does today )In 1924 the disaterous Hailyberry fire destroyed most of the town. Many of the interurbans cars and several hundred retired TTC wood cars were brought into serve as homes and businesses. After the fire rail ,service ended between the last of the used route between Cobalt, Haileyberry and New Liskeard. The rolling stock was all double trucked built predominantly by Preston Car and coach and Ottawa car co. The line was standard railway guage. None of the equipment still exists todaybut the large "new" carbarns built in North cobalt still stands on Lakeview drive justwest of highway 11B. I'll try to dig up some pictures of the NC cars. More info should be able to be found on the official ONR sites as well. Rob
Good evening Leon , glad to see you still awake. I'll grab a nice frosty Keith's and a medium steak if there are any left . Just a quick pop by for me , not much turn around between shifts so I'll sneak in again latter tomorrow.
Tom-Those train and boat trips we have disscussed are alway's on the table, we'll wait until the times right ( hopefully not when I retire ! ) You are right I'm not all that normal, but that's what makes me interesting and lovable .
Don't get me started on outsorced customer support lines, far too many like that up here as well I concider all the one's based in Montreal and Quebec city as part of another world as well our lot in life I suppose.
BK-Nice to see your return sir and with two interesting days of Lionel catalouges as well. Seeing those brings back memories of lionel trains in Eaton's and Sear's catalogues when I was a kid.Time marches on though. I've noticed that you folks really have been hammered by the weather so far this summer. We've had little snow so far ( not all that unusual anymore )I know that our family in BC are complaining bitterly on how much "eweather " they have gotten so far this winter.
Pete- Loved the article and url on that steamer paddle boat,always nice to see vessels like that. In fact the Seguin was originally built as a paddle wheeler called the Nippissing 2, when she was rebuilt to the ship you see now she recieved the triple expansion steam engine she still usues. The whole ship was rebuilt from the hull up in the 20's to modernize her so therefore she got the new name as it was essentially a new ship. Here's a link if anyone wishes to look into it further.
http://www.muskokafleet.com/
Mike-Wonderfull urls. And as to your warning I've been hooked by this placxe for far to long to just not come in more than once a week. Besoides I'd miss the place too much if I didn't maximize my time in the bar.It's actually really the only reason I stay a member of this forum.
Doug-Loved the lionel article and the rock photo's were very poinant
DL-Interesting conyti uing boat train info, as I said the other day , I love learning about the "big rail" companies and ops from your side of the pond that both you and Pete continue to bless us with.
Lars-sounds like Tom has your back, justa s well sidearms are likely non-transportable by air ! I'm a bit shocked to hear that the guy being shot over beer was actually a real story. Mind you up here if someone changed the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast at the wrong time, I could see it happeneing more often up here as well.
CM3-Yes I did resurface ( unlike our navies non-operational subs ) Loved the snake in the pot story the second time around. A classic fer sure fer sure
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, Steak and Bisquits, please. Coffee.
I missed last night and I will miss tonight. Have to go to bed early (a Friday night!!!) to be able to get up at 3 am tomorrow morning. Going to Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA tomorrow and should be back here Sunday with a report (and pictures).
Eric
Good Evening Gents!
Not much going on, but thanx to BK, Lars ‘n James, the day hasn’t been totally quiet.
BK at 11:28 AM today: Many thanx for those Lionel catalog covers and of course they are very appropriate to the time of year!
I think the subject of guys no longer at the bar has pretty much run its course. No point in my adding to it. They are gone, we are here, so be it. But your point is well taken, there have been many changes in faces, but we've continued on with the way we do things. Last man standing, turn out the lights, lock the doors and put the key under the mat! <grin>
James at 2:02 PM today: To edit, or not to edit, that is the question! <grin> Just remember, that whatever Post is edited will automatically bring anyone logging in tto that place, rather than to the most current information. A glitch in the system.
Good stuff on the St. Paul Depot and I concur with Lars, it’s the kinda stuff we used to see ‘round here all of the time. Spontaneous input of Classic Trains info; good show!
Lars at 3:21 PM today: I’ve said it before and it bears repeating, the three of us surely do have more than a few things in common. Must’ve all been Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! Emergency generators should go with home ownership.
That Lionel book IS indeed a treasure. As chronicled on these Pages, I’ve used it many times to research this ‘n that. But more importantly to try and recreate the Lionel train of my long lost youth. Perhaps I’ll run those Pix again – maybe Sunday or Wednesday. We’ll see.
Enjoy the weekend one and all and keep in mind that tomorrow is ENCORE! Saturday and Sunday is our Photo Posting Day!
Leon, serve ‘em up a drink on the house and Boris ring the bell!
G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. That's kinda the way it is 'round here, from day to day, one never knows what we're gonna get or who is gonna show up.
So, Ruth, I'll have a frosty mug of Rheingold, a ham 'n Swiss hero with buttAH 'n mustAHd, a saucer of brine for Tex, a couple of packets of seed for Awk, a try of ice cubes for Frostbite, a ham bone for Juneau and a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris! <phew> <grin>
Good to see my "bookend" BK for two days in a row! I like those Lionel catalogs and since it is Christmas time, you can keep 'em coming as far as I'm concerned. Makes the place seem a bit more festive.
Emergency generators, a fixture in my house too. Wouldn't be without one and even if we go years without requiring its use, I always KNOW it's there if needed. Good planning!
Interesting that you mentioned the changes 'round this place since you first arrived, BK. I too have seen quite a turnover and while I really don't dwell too much on it, there are times when I wonder. Especially when I see the names of former customers show up on other forums and threads. Aside from that, hey, it's their choice. The ones that have always bothered me are those who haven't had the courtesy within them to let us know why they've left. Enough of that.
Nice submission from James today and definitely in keeping with the way things should operate around here. We surely don't have to schedule special days for this 'n that. A bit of spontaneous posting doesn't hurt. Speaking of James, I've been to Duluth aboard a laker. Way back when, and I mean way back, I had shipped out for a few trips aboard an ore carrier. Duluth was a good port and those that I met were fine people. One has to be a bit on the hale and hardy side to winter over in that part of the state!
Here's a book that Tom put me onto, one that has some great pictures along with everythign one might want to know and more about the trains of that era.
One more Ruth, then I better skedaddle. Things to do, as always and I gotta stay on the good side of the Mrs. these days! <grin>
Don't forget this is Pizza Nite along with Steak 'n Fries Nite! at the tavern by the tracks. begins at 5 PM sharp!
G-day Tom and all present!
Ruth- Make it a coffee with a splash of Vanilla and a Sandwich, Please.
Tom- The groan-o-meter. Well as for being unofficially retired... Oops. But you have to admit that the joke was good!
I'm glad you liked the idea of Fitgers. It will make them quite happy to know another customer is happy.
I did get my post cleared up. I have BK noted for the Lionel posts. Sorry BK. I guess I got your name confused with Barndad.
I have a little something.
The Saint Paul Union Depot (sometimes referred to as SPUD) was the main train station in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota until passenger rail service in the region was restructured in the 1960s and 1970s, with Amtrak taking over most passenger service in the United States. In 1971, Amtrak moved its rail service for the Twin Cities to Midway Station about halfway between the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The entrance to Union Depot is considered a somewhat severe example of neoclassical architecture, with a number of tall columns in front. However, the concourse that extends out to platforms where trains once rolled in is considered to be one of the great architectural achievements in the city. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pf024530-1-.jpg
The first Depot in 1890.
The former depot still exists, with a number of businesses using portions of the front area and the United States Postal Service using the rear train concourse as a staging area for semi-trailer trucks serving the neighboring post office. The USPS plans to move the current postal services to a bulk mail processing center in Eagan, Minnesota, which will make way for rehabilitation of the depot as a rail hub.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pf026545-1-.jpg
The Depot that stood in 1886
There have actually been two Union Depots in St. Paul. The first was completed in 1881, and combined the services of several different railroads into one building (hence the "union"; see Union station). In 1888 the old station had its peak year, handling eight million passengers. That year, about 150 trains departed daily. Around this time, the building was remodeled with a taller central tower and other alterations to the roofline.
The current structure was started in 1917, although it was not completed until 1923 because World War I caused construction to halt for several years.
The first locomotive to run in Minnesota, the William Crooks, was once displayed at the depot, though it now resides at a museum in Duluth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pf028093-1-.jpg
The depot that stood in 1925.
Rehabilitation of Union Depot to accommodate modern trains will likely cost $250 to $300 million. Plans are now being examined to incorporate the depot into future light rail and commuter rail projects, most likely becoming a transfer point between the Central Corridor and the Red Rock Corridor, should the lines ever be built. The station would probably also be used by any high-speed trains that came into the region, possibly as part of the Midwes
Thought I would drop by with a few comments this morning. Things here are cold, which is to be expected, not as much white stuff on the ground as one would expect, but there is sufficient evidence of winter in the mountains, no matter what the calendar indicates.
But first, Ruth a steaming mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting, a round for the house, and the change is yours!
My reading exercises were interrupted by an area-wide power failure, that put us in the dark for several hours. Fortunately, I was able to get our emergency generator on line shortly thereafter, providing the juice for the essentials, which in our retreat does not include computers. <grin> Therefore, I am rather far behind in my desire to catch up.
An observation reveals that when I first was welcomed to the bar over a year ago, only Tom, Rob, Nick, CM3, Doug and Pete remain from that group. Many have gone to other interests. The new crowd has made quite an impact and it is evident that the bar is chugging along as our Captain has designed. It is interesting to me how we have been able to maintain such a degree of continuity in spite of the massive changeover in clientele.
Does anyone know what has happened to passengerfan and West Coast S These two definitely marched to a different drum, as most of us do, and I am surprised they are no longer with us. Something happen that I missed or just another case of drifting away
Again, I am no way near acknowledging one and all, but do appreciate those of you who have kept me in mind as our orbits once again find themselves in synch.
I found a few more Lionel catalog covers and in spite of this not being the Toy and Hobby day, thought I would provide them thereby risking being "tweeted"! After all, it is the Christmas Season and I was told by many of those who helped make this place what it has become, that toy trains and Christmas go together!
1954 Lionel catalog
2005 Lionel catalog
I did manage to provide a couple of postings on your other thread and have noticed that things there are rather quiet, to be polite about it. <grin>
Hope to stop in over the weekend, but if not, for sure on Monday!
Friday at last with the promise of a warm-up coming, which hopefully will relax the hold of the ice shield on this part of mid-continent USA. Love the snow, love the cold temps, but no thanx to the ice.
Already experienced a loss of a Post this AM, so armed with a cuppa Joe and a bit of determination to get this finished – here we go again! <grrrrrrrr>
I see that the Mentor Village Bakery case is full of fresh pastries, the Menu Board has some fine <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts, and of course the coffee is freshly ground ‘n brewed. What better a way to begin the day, eh
I’ve gotten to the details of the Posts mentioned in my last narrative and want to add a couple of thoughts to Pete’s Post of last evening.
The mention of the MAGLEV link between the airport and rail station made me wonder – are things going backwards insofar as technology is concerned – meaning from MAGLEV to cable Wonder what happened and why Seems this technology, developed here in the U.S. back in the 70s I believe – has had many glitches in application along the way. Pity, for it apparently reads better than it runs.
Like those Lord Nelsons – powerful looking beasts with HUGE drivers.
Of course the “black box” exists to convert the power requirements for that Hornby train set your bride WANTS to purchase for you! It’s nothing more than a step-up transformer with a “twist” <grin> I recommend a well crafted search on the web, using www.dogpile.com and my guess is you’ll find it – use the advanced search feature.
Don’t get me started on outsourcing, a subject that infuriates me just to see the word! First time I saw evidence of the downward spiral this country had taken insofar as loss of manufacturing was concerned took place in the mid-60s while living in New England. Many, many small towns pretty much gutted of the livelihoods provided by the textile mills as those works were moved to the 3rd world countries. Then while living in southern Virginia, with many forays into the Carolinas on business and for pleasure, the same thing was happening as some of the plants previously moved from the north were being shuttered for relocation outside of the country.
And it continues into the 21st century with the “service industry” following along. <barf>
Just ticks me off and mid-Missouri has had it’s share of woes with the shoe and textile industries all but gone from this part of the country, not to mention the steel plants located on the Illinois side of the mighty Mississippi. Gone, gone and nearly all gone.
Enjoyed listening in on your conversations with DL 'n Eric – always enlightening and makes me very appreciative for having you guys as customers!
Noted the Post from James at 7:59 PM yesterday and note that you are encouraging bad behavior from Doug. You see the “groan-o-meter” has been unofficially retired – that is until SOMEONE decided to mention it and YOU picked up on it! <double groan>
By the by, it was BK who provided us with those two Lionel catalog covers . . . .
(which you have since edited, thereby skewing the ""latest post" to last night! Instead of the most recent! <grrrr>; so - by my editing this Post - things get back to normal! Get it <grin>)
I’ve been through your state a few times and stayed in Minneapolis, but never to Duluth. Always wanted to get up to that part of Minnesota, but for one reason or another, never have. Seen Superior from the Canadian side a few times, and have flown over it a few zillion times. Maybe one day . . . .
Appreciate the tip on the Fitgers Brewery, we now have a stock set aside in one of our refrigerated cars on our private siding. <grin>
Ruth comes in at 9 AM and stays behind the bar ‘til 5 PM when Leon the Night Man takes over ‘til closing.
G-day Tom and all present.
Leon- make it a coffee and a sandwich for this fine evening. Thanks
Well a quick note. Duluth is suppose to drop to -5 below with a wind chill of -20 below, tonight... cold!
Barndad- Well I'm glad you thought my post a "goody" I enjoy going down there to help out once in awhile on the layout. The Lionel Daylight article that you presented was quite interesting. 3200 dollars for a couple of F-units and a string of passenger cars is quite a lot of money. They aren't even brass!!! Thanks.
Also your joke is 10 on the groan-o-meter! that was funny
BK- The 2006 Lionel cover was pretty cool. Quite a change since 1952. A nice Milwaukee road 4-4-2 streamlined Baltic. I think I heard something about them coming out with the model.
Tom- Thanks for the low down on the mistaken boat train. I will be reading what DL has to say about it. BTW: Fitgers does ship. I would recommend trying the "Northland beer" They say it's there best. It also depicts on the front of the beer bottle a picture of the Northland Business car once owned by the Duluth, Missabe and Northern railroad. Now it runs with the NorthShore Scenic railroad in Duluth.
CM3- Thanks for the comments on the pics. The layout is coming right along. There is a center stage yard in the middle of the layout. That has all the passenger equipment along with Railway Express Agency building. Quite a good size building too. Also glad you liked the DL109. They are an ugly looking loco but I like them. I have two of them. There nice to run.
Pete- I enjoyed the Kansas City Station. I will be looking forward for more info on anything that pops up. Also the Irish run boat train site was really cool. I'm glad you posted it.
BTW: Glad you're enjoying the Fitger beers. I will lay off for another two and a half years. Untill then a coffee does me quite fine.
Eric- I wish the Milwaukee had Boat trains but alas, they did not. Glad you liked the layout pics. You know, I just noticed the car myself. The layout is set in the 1950s. It seems that the car is a little out of place. Hmmm The members probably liked the look of it.
Mike- As always, I enjoyed viewing all the pics you posted. The Pearle Harbor shots are really nice. I don't think I have seen these shots before. Nice attribute though. And to the railroads in Duluth, there were many. The Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Duluth Missabe and Iron range, The Duluth SouthShore and Atlantic, The Milwaukee road, Chicago & North Western, Soo Line, and the list keeps going. Almost all the railroads came to Northern Pacifics Rices Point Yard. Now BNSF. It was quite an operation going.
Rob- Glad you liked the EP-3 article, and the Theme for the Day. Alcos. Who wouldn't like an Alco. I think they are great locos. The chug they gave off is a sound like no other. If I see an Alco it's like a railroad dream, especially if it's running!
DL- Thanks for clearing the Boat train mistake up. I thought I had found one. But oh well, Atleast I know now what to look for. Thanks again
Happy railroading
James
Just returned from a cold walk ‘round the subdivision with the Wonder Husky and I’m here to tell ya that with a 16 (F) temp, a breeze and footing that is only fit for an experienced Himalayan guide, I’m thankful that the return home was without incident.
Some acknowledgments before I check out for the day:
CM3 at 8:37 AM today: Your “accident report” on snakes is a most humorous accounting of something that perhaps could’ve been a skit for the Stooges. Enjoyed it as much the 2nd time ‘round!
No joy in Mudville when it comes to having to communicate with the “outsourced” world. Really grim and a reason that I tuck away for future questioning whenever I engage in checking out warranties for major purchases. The question: Do you provide telephonic customer service in the U.S. And if so, are these people fluent in English I’m equally appalled at having to speak with someone with a “huge” accent, trying to convince me that they are speaking English. Nope – given a choice, I’ll take my business elsewhere.
DL at 10:31 AM today: What is particularly beneficial to those who follow our discussions at the bar is that when a subject is offered, the dialogue seems to catch fire. Such as been the case with the Boat Trains theme for Tuesday. Of course it does take one’s time to READ the words and check out the URLs in order to gain full appreciation for the efforts of others. Nicely done, Mate! [tpu]
Somewhere on these Pages, I’ve mentioned that in a former life I was a wireless operator (dots ‘n dashes; aka: Morse Code) at sea. Spent many, many months in the north Atlantic and communicated with the greats of the sea: Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Ile de France, SS United States, etc. Saw many of them as they ploughed through the shipping routes in either direction as we literally sat there to provide whatever at sea assistance necessary, keep watch on the ice bergs, communicate positioning data to the prop-driven trans-Atlantic air craft, and so forth. An interesting period of my life.
TV The replacement set lasted for over 10 years and I believe was still in operating condition when we “retired” it.
BK at 11:24 AM today: The return of Bud Karr! Glad to learn that your getaway was enjoyable and the loooooooong holiday weekend went well. There’s been mention that some of the guys are planning to stowaway for your trip to Hawaii! Best check those large steamer trunks . . . .
Nice Lionel catalog covers – spanning many decades at that! I’ll take the 1952 trains any day over the newer stuff. Price WAS far better, quality top shelf and the workings were far simpler. Lionel of old, if any of it can be found at less than exorbitant prices, should be a good deal for anyone trying to recreate a trainset from childhood. One day, I’m going to try . . .
Lars at 3:33 PM today: Appears as if you’re trying your level best to burn the candle at both ends – but, we’re happy to have you aboard anytime you’re able!
Don’t be concerned about a sidearm while here for the Rendezvous, I’ll take care of watching your back! <grin> Anyway, warm beer will NOT be served under any circumstances.
Back when St. Louis had a first class hub at Lambert International, TWA used to fly non-stop to Honolulu. A long flight, but either business class or 1st class aboard those 747s could easily make one forget just how long a flight it was. I’ve never really been fond of Hawaii, as I’m more the cold weather kindaguy over the sand ‘n surf. However, it is a beautiful place to kick back and let the world slide on by – that is if one can get away from the larger and more crowded hotels, beaches and resorts. All of my visits to the 50th state involved business, with any personal time on weekends and during some evenings. Did get to experience each of the islands, but not as a tourist.
Pete at 6:58 PM today: Glad you made it in and not to worry about the barkeep on duty! So you came in while Ruth was here and wound up staying ‘til Leon took over. Nicely done! It’s going to take me some time to get through that fine Post of yours, so I’ll withhold my comments ‘til later . . . . Appreciate the business, as always!
Mike at 7:02 PM today: More URLs than one place can handle along with a narrative inclusive Post!
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
Doug, I really enjoyed the maritime article. Thanks for morning pictures..
DL, your story about escaping to France was terrific.
Eric, it's no surprise that you solved the problem. An engineer always gets machinery right.
Pete, the Irish Mail is the route to Dublin, so if I ever visit England I'll be on it.
Also that viaduct in Scotland looks cool. Jacobian, the train to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Lars, I'm late to say thanks for the CV book cover. I think Banana Belt refers to the mild winters in Connecticut as compared to bitterly cold Northern Division.
James, I found Duluth on the map, about the most westerly point on the Great Lakes.
It seems to have half a dozen mainlines in the 1956 atlas, with one south of Lake Superior to Michigan.
Rob, be careful about posting nights in a row, Our Place could become addictive. Like cellphones.
CM3, in case you can't get enough pictures of dingy old steamboats
http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fallriver.htm
And your link to the American Heritage article in case anyone missed it.
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1954/1/1954_1_6.shtml
Tom, I hope these pictures are not too upsetting. They enlarge to full screen. My uncle John joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was at Hickam Field.
He survived his war but many don't and I try to remember them every day of the year.
Hickam Field smoking (photographed from a Japanese plane)
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-125.jpg
USS Shaw exploding
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-126.jpg
USS Arizona burning
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-127.jpg
USS West Virginia on fire
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-128.jpg
American troops at Corregidor
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-129.jpg
American prisoners with their hands tied behind their backs
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-130.jpg
Bataan Death March, no food or water, they carried their buddies who fell
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-131.jpg
USS Missouri, Tokyo surrender ceremony September 2, 1945
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-202.jpg
Troops returning from Europe on the Queen Mary, June 20, 1945
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-201.jpg
The tip of Manhattan
http://www.archives.gov/research/american-cities/images/american-cities-047.jpg
Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal
http://cvrma.org/pictures/MISC/dfrr4077_brooklyn_ny_freight_terminal_1963.jpg
Long Island Rail Road
http://cvrma.org/pictures/MISC/dfrr4050_long_island_rr_barges_icy_east_river_nyc_1945.jpg
I'll try a Fitgars Lghthouse Golden and then a Witchtree ESB from the brewery in Deluth as show in the layout JAMES posted , please RUTH..
ROB It must be a great day out on the SEQUIN. I have found a link to the Paddle Steamer Waverley. Next year is her 60th anniversary, I have read that there are plans to perhaps have her meet up with one of the steam hauled tours at Mallaig , Scotland.
http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/waverley.htm
The cable cars were in quite a few cities in the U.S. At Birmingham International Airport in the Midlands of England, there was a link built between the airport and the nearby railway station which runs on a elevated track. When it was first built it was the first passenger MAGLEV, after a while out of service it is worked by cable now, it is a useful and reliable link.
ERIC When the Lord Nelsons were introduced the Southern Railway boasted they were Britain's most powerful passenger class in terms of Tractive Effort(TE). It is said it was this boast that spurred on the Great Western to build their King class of 4-6-0 to get the title back. The Nelsons had a TE of33,510lb and the King 40,285lb.
After the grouping in 1923 the LMS found it self in trouble as regards to motive power on the West Coast Main Line, and arranged a trial with a Great Western Castle class loco and one of the West Coast locos,the GW Castle won the trial hands down. The LMS asked the GWR if it could have the drawings to the Castle but the GWR refused, at that time the Lord Nelson class had been introduced and the Southern Railway was more accomodating and lent the Nelson drawings which the LMS used to produce the Royal Scot class, or so the story goes.
http://www.hmilburn.easynet.co.uk/library/steam/locos/lms/m6160.jpg
As you can see there is a lot of simularity betwen the look of the Nelsons and the Scots, before the Scots were rebuilt in the 1940s and 50s.
DOUG. That is very good artwork on the rock,I take it that is the artist in the picture , a talented young man, thanks for sharing with us on this special date.
It was strange that a model of the Daylight was not made earlier, it is a classic loco calling out to be modelled. I wonder what the GS-2 cost new in 1991?
CM3 Thanks for the cautionary tale about the snake.Its amazing how one thing can lead to another.
DL Very interesting post. You mentioned the QE2,in the mid 80s it was decided to change the ships propulsion to Diesel-Electric. The two main motors were built in the factory that worked at, in fact I helped in their building. I have a photograph which was taken after their building and testing with a lot of the factory staff gathered around one of them, they were massive.
It is very sad to hear of Stanton Ironworks and Dormer Tools, in my area I have seen factories closed down or very much slimmed down in size with a lot of good men thrown on the scrapheap. It makes one fear for the future of manufacturing nations like Britain when it is all shipped abroad. The money it would coast to build a large manufacturing works today would be enormous and the idea some top managers have of being able to get anyone off the street and start doing a skilled job is a fallacy.Sorry folks if I have ranted on a bit and it is but it is a subject dear to my heart.
Back to railway matters the West Country pacific 'Wadebridge' is currently at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall, quite appropiate as it is near the town of Wadebridge, although the loco has steamed they are asking for funds to build a new tender as she has a borrowed one at the present.
I enjoyed the family info on the General Steam Navigation. a pullman trip on the Golden Arrow to Paris. The Merchant Navy loco named after the GSN was number 35011.She was rescued from Barry scrapyard and was a Brighton where I believe there was a plan to have a museum in the Preston Park Pullman shed, which didn't come about. I have traced the loco to a old R.A.F airfield in Lincolnshire, RAF Binbrook, I don't know if the loco is still there, also there is an ex LMS "Crab" 4-6-0 loco. I have a link showing some photos of her, but I am afraid she is in pretty bad shape
http://mostlyrailways.fotopic.net/c565336.html
In her British Railways days 35011 seems to have worked on the ex London & South Western lines of the Southern Region, she was shedded at Nine Elms (London) in 1950, in 1959 she was at Exmouth Junction depot where she would of worked the trains from the West Country to London from Exeter, I believe the Merchant Navies were too heavy to work the S.R. lines west of Exeter. In the mid 60s she was at Bournemouth and no doubt had her share of Boat Train workings.
Thanks for the info and links on Dover Marine station, I visited there on a railtour where we done both sides of the triangle(Wye) leading to the station. I always enjoyed Railtours on the Southern Region.
When I travelled to Heysham Harbour quite a few years ago now it was a 2-Car first generation Diesel Unit, although when we returned on the ship it was a bus to Lancaster station. I dare say, but for the need to get to the nuclear power station there, the line to the harbour would have closed.
The North Wales Coast will always be special to me. We had a few hoildays at Penmeanmawr just along the coast from Llandudno. The railway ran along side the sands there. opposite the station were some chalets with a flat roof which were great for watching the trains, there was a fair bit of frieght traffic then as well as the passenger traffic all steamed hauled. Unfortunaly the A55 coast road has been realigned there and the chalets have gone and the road between the shore and the railway, Change as Tom often says.
BK Great to see you in the bar.It is good to see the 2006 Lionel catalog cover is still in the tradition of the older ones.
LARS Many thanks for the kinds words on the Boat Day. May I agree what TOM and CM3 said in their posts, to you, they are my thoughs but said a lot better than I can.
TOM There is nothing more guaranteed to spoil your day than a call center, it is the same if not worse the other side of the pond. the last time I tried one of the utilities I spent about 5 minutes following instructions pressing numbers on the phone only to finish up being cut off and not talking to a human at all, as you say when you do get a human it is not a lot better.GRRRRR.
I have made hints to the bride about the Orient Express set they also do a box with 4 extra Pu
G'day Cap'n Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth, a tankard of ale, make it Keiths and a round for the house. Fill up the trays for the critters, including Boris' small jar of pickled pig's feet and slide the snack tray down my way, wudja
What ho! The return of my "bookend" and friend, BK the now-anchored world traveler. Or perhaps that isn't so, since he's been everywhere but home since pulling the plug on international sojourns for monetary purposes! <grin> Good to see ya and am happy to know that you may be able to drop in a bit more, even if there's yet another trip looming on the horizon for you and your Mrs. Hawaii, huh Been a long time since I've seen the "islands," and the last time was for pleasure as my Mrs. and I flew 1st class from Kennedy many years back. Long trip, good time, and a wonderful way to blow a fistfull of money. ;<grin>
Appreciate the kind words of encouragement from you guys. Really not necessary, but nice still the same. Just a matter of being able to keep ahead of what it takes to provide comfort and assistance to someone who has done so much for us in her life. Family taking care of family, perhaps something disappearing from the American scene from what I've been led to believe. Not so aboard my ship!
Sorry to have to be rather abrupt with my visitation, but I found a few minutes and thought I could at least check up on what's gong on.
Great tribute from Doug! 5- to you, Sir!! Nice to know that even the guys who are younger than when that 'day of infamy' took place, understand and appreciate keeping the spirit alive!
Enjoyable Posts from Doug, CM3, DL 'n Tom. Particularly enjoyed that Lionel piece from Doug on the SP Dayliners. Neat!! (an old fashioned term, I know, I know!! <groan>) If I've failed to acknowledge anyone, please excuse my slight - it isn't intentional - just a bit in a press for time.
Also remembered reading that "snake" story from CM3 - a good laugher at that!
Shooting your husband over being served a warm beer, huh Hmmmmmm, would've thought it the other way 'round - usually the guy is the one getting served! Anyway, our trip to St. Louis should prove most interesting - should we pack side arms <grin>
Nice model pix from James and some fine words from Pete 'n Rob yesterday . . . just caught up! <phew>
Gotta run . . . hope to be back tomorrow!
No, Ruth - haven't got the time, but if you'd like to plant one of those 'smackers' right here . . . .
The more things change, the more they stay the same as I have had two posts vanish from sight and the site in attempting to reconnect with my favorite tavern.
Ruth, yes it is I and please pour me a steaming hot mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting. By all means put aside whatever you need for a round on me and of course the change is yours!
I have not taken the time to review the postings since my last appearance, but plan to either this afternoon or in the morning. There are no plans to provide a chronological response, for that would most definitely be far more effort than I am prepared to impart. <grin>
Could not help but notice the fine tribute from Doug and mention by others of this day in history. Pearl Harbor Day carries with it all sorts of emotions, especially as Tom has pointed out, to those who experienced any facet of WWII. I read where the surviving Pearl Harbor veterans are holding their final reunion as their numbers are diminishing rapidly, which is to be expected given that these guys are in their 80's and 90's. Continuing appreciation to them and all who sacrficed for our freedom on that day and ever since.
Hope my U.S. friends enjoyed the Thanksgiving holdiay and long weekend; we did. Our trip took us to two border states for a reunion with long neglected family and friends. Lydia was most impressed with the manner in which we celebrate the giving of thanks, which is quite a departure from what she has grown accustomed to in Alberta. Family took to her immediately, which was really no surprise, and we know have the "official blessings" from all who were unable to attend our modest wedding ceremony.
My ears having been burning, so I suspect my name has been bandied about here in the ether. Sorry it has taken me so long to return, but as we all know, there are priorities in life that supplant those of leisure. Nevertheless, I expect to be here for two weeks, when we will then depart for an extended visit to the 50th state. We have an open-ended return and just may winter over! <grin>
I did note some hobby type photos on my way to preparing this, my third attempt, response! So, let me drop these on you, albeit a bit late:
1952 Lionel Catalog
2006 Lionel Catalog
Hope to reconnect tomorrow!
Hello Tom
I'll have a pint of bitter, and whatever filling item is on the menu since I'm starving!
Well, I think we had an excellent Boat Train day - very informative and enjoyable.
Just to catch up on a few points.
Lars - thanks for your info on the signals and high balls - most informative. Your comments on the boat train to Hawaii reminded me of a lady I met when I was on the California Zephyr a few years back - she was travelling from Paris to Hawaii over land - Paris London via the channel tunnel, London New York via Cunard liner, New York San Francisco via Amtrak, then ship to her home in Hawaii. I think she had plenty of cash!!
Eric - your pictures and formatting is showing loud and clear to me - have you cracked it? Let's hope so! Pete has given you the info on the Lord Nelson - the wider point is that until the ‘Big 4' UK railroad companies were brought into one at Nationalisation in 1948 each more or less pursued their own designs, so you could get classes of machine that were not too large in number. Mind you the LMS railway claimed to be the largest joint stock company in the world in the 1930s - which surprises me as I would think a US company would have held that title by the 1930s, but maybe not? BR introduced Standard Designs of steam locomotive - and some were very good, but in the great scheme of things the writing was on the wall with diesel in the wings, as we all know.
Doug - Pete is correct - cell phones are banned here when driving - sadly does not stop them being used in that manner however, does mean that if you had an accident and it was shown you were on the phone at the time your insurance would not pay out and you'd be treated a lot more heavily by the courts I guess. I particularly enjoyed your RR Navy submission by the way, gave some idea of the scale of operations.
Miner - I managed the Fall River game pretty well - nice link - a boat train in the true sense.
Mike - some great pics (as usual)!!
Rob, excellent article on Canada - really enjoyed the stuff about the north Ontario lakes and cottages. I guess we are all getting busy as the festive season approaches.
Tom - checked that poster - certainly looks bound for the White Cliffs of Dover as you say - I guess the artists hands over the picture to the publicity department and leaves it to them - well spotted!
I enjoyed your story about the TV set - hope the replacement gave trouble free service!
As to age at the bar - yes, I'm old enough to be served in any US state (by quite a few years I might add), but not old enough to remember the classic era - whether you can appreciate it all the more for that I don't know (probably not), but there we are!
Interested in your recollections of the QE2, that is one ship I'd like to go on. I think it was the last liner with a link to the classic era that was actually built in the UK - although I might be wrong about that. My grandfather was fascinated by the big liners and travelled to the USA on the Queen Elizabeth and home on the Queen Mary - that was back in the mid 1960s - I have some mementos my grandparents saved from those voyages, I expect they saved long and hard for those trips in those days! He had been to see the Queen Mary under construction on the Clyde in the 1930s as a young man and I guess always dreamed of taking a trip some day.
James - as Tom points out (and Pete clarified) you've mistaken those boat trains for train ferries, which they are not. They are special services timed to meet the trans Atlantic ocean liners and carry passengers to London - the trains themselves would not have gone on the ship (or been exported). As Tom suggests, not quite scheduled boat trains (as they would not have appeared in the public timetables), but ocean liner passengers would have been advised of their schedules in case they needed to book seats on those trains. The head boards on the loco fronts mark the name of the shipping line they are runn ing in connection with - so ‘Holland America' will be for passengers on a Holland America shipping line boat service to/from South America.
Pete - interesting link to Kansas City Union Station - certainly an impressive building, looks well worth a visit.
When the demolition work was done for Weekday Cross viaduct the local paper had a competition whereby you could win a 100 or so blue engineering bricks from the old GCR viaduct - I didn't need ‘em but I entered the comp. but did not win however. I bet those were the best quality bricks about!
Stanton Ironworks was mentioned here when discussing industrial locos recently - just seen the local paper they are to halve their workforce to 250 as they end the production of iron pipes. . They once employed 10,000 people at the site! Also I read Dormer Tools (a famous engineering tool company) wants to move production to Brazil - 190 jobs to go. Some companies know how to celebrate the festive season...
I did not know West Country Pacific Wadebridge still existed, where is it, do you know?
Also - I believe there was also a Merchant Navy Class loco General Steam Navigation - I ask because my maternal grandfather worked for the General Steam Navigation (GSN) company. I hear d this loco had been rescued but I don't know much more about it - do you happen to know of anything? Due to the work the GSN line gave the Southern Railway family information says my grandfather was allowed to use a free pas to travel on all SR lines, however it was assumed that this pass was terminated on nationalisation and presumably the pass itself returned to the railways. It is not in family possession which is a shame as it would be an interesting memento. My mothers says they took a family holiday to Paris after the war when she was child, using this pass. She believes they travelled on The Golden Arrow, in a Pullman Car.
I enjoyed your info on The Irish Mail. I have only been on that route once, when I had to go to a conference in Llandudno about 10 years back. I took the train (class 37 hauled) through to Holyhead ‘for the ride' and returned back to Llandudno. A scenic run as I recall.
I note the current timetable still has 2 trains per day to connect with the boats from Heysham to the Isle of Man - they run from Lancaster (so at probably less than 10 miles a pretty short boat train). Most other services on this route only go as far as Morecombe, but these 2 services run to Heysham Harbour, as built by the Midland Railway.
Your questions about Dover Marine etc interested me so I have looked into this.
Anyway, it looks like Dover Marine (the most impressive Boat Train station) is a listed building so still exists, although no longer connected to the railway network. It has been restored and turned into a cruise ship terminal as detailed below - this is, I suppose, good news, if it means all of the station has been restored, but it may just be part of it, I could not establish the full details.
see
http://www.dover-kent.co.uk/transport/marine_station.htm
"In 1994-96 the old Marine Station was converted into the new Cruise Liner Terminal, and in 1998-2000 second cruise terminal was constructed, involving the widening of the pier extension"
There is a good aerial picture here which shows that it is no longer rail connected.
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/d/dover_western_docks/index.shtml
Well, I'll have another beer after that long post!
DL
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Before we begin, a toast to absent friends; in honor of the day.
Lars - We're pulling for you - hang in there!
James provided layout pictures and a shot of an MILW DL109 in original paint, yet!
Rob has surfaced!
Eric - You're correct in what you said re boats. The PRR used to haul cars on barges before their line in what later became the NEC was completed. BTW, I REALLY miss having a sleeper on AT 66 and 67. That was one of may favorite runs.
Barndad - Thanks for the memorial material as well as the Daylight article.
To our ‘Steamed Proprietor - I know what you mean about customer service. Our latest round was with someone named Kevin - If he's Kevin, then I'm...O.K. Boris, I'll stop!
The St. Louis shooting that Pete discussed sent me back to my "half-vast" files for something I posted a long time ago. I use it evety now and then when I do AI classes.
Accident Report - Snakes
A couple had a lot of potted plants, and during a cold spell, the wife brought some of them indoors to protect them from a possible freeze. A little grass snake that had been hiding in the plants slithered out and went under the living room sofa. The wife saw it and screamed. Her husband was taking a shower and he ran, naked, into the living room. The family dog cold nosed him on the rear while he was on hands and knees looking for the snake. He fainted. His wife thought he'd had a heart attack and called the ambulance. The attendants loaded the man onto a stretcher and started to carry him out. One of the EMTs saw the snake emerge from under the sofa and dropped the end of the stretcher; that's how the man broke his leg.
The wife called on a neighbor man who volunteered to capture the snake. He decided the snake was gone after poking around under the sofa with a rolled up newspaper. Relieved, the lady sat down on the sofa. Her hand slid between the cushions where she felt the snake moving around. She fainted. The neighbor man tried to use CPR to revive her. The neighbor man's wife, who had just returned home from a trip to the grocery store, saw her husband's mouth on the woman's mouth and slammed him on the back of his head with a bag of canned goods. The cans knocked him out and cut his head so bad that it needed stitches. The ambulance was called again. The noise woke the woman from her dead faint and when she saw her neighbor lying on the floor with his wife bending over him, she assumed he had been bitten by the snake. So she went to the kitchen, brought back a small bottle of whiskey and began to pour it down the man's throat. By now the police had arrived. They saw an unconscious man, smelled whiskey, and thought it was a drunken fight. The women escaped arrest by telling them about the snake. The ambulance took away the neighbor and his sobbing wife.
The snake again crawled out from under the sofa. One of the cops drew his gun and fired at the snake. He missed the snake and hit the leg of the end table that was on one side of the sofa. The table fell over and the lamp on it shattered, and as the bulb broke, it started a fire in the drapes. The other cop, trying to beat out the flames, fell through the window out into the yard on top of the family dog, who jumped up and ran out into the street in front of an oncoming car. The car swerved to avoid the dog, smashed into the parked police cruiser and set it on fire.
Meanwhile the flames from the burning drapes had spread and the entire house was blazing. Neighbors had called the fire department. The fire truck began raising its ladder when it was halfway down the street. The ladder tore out overhead wires, disconnecting electric and phone service in a ten-square block area.
Time passed; both men were discharged from the hospital. The house was rebuilt. The police got a new cruiser, and all was right with the world. About a year later the original couple was watching TV and the weatherman announced a cold snap for that night. The husband asked the wife if she thought they should bring in the plants for the night - she shot him!
Work safe
December 7th still means “a day of infamy”to many Americans, especially for those who experienced the pain of WWII, whether “over there” or at home awaiting the return of loved ones.
It’s also Thursday and time for some freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee, pastries from the Mentor Village Bakery, along with a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Petrol jumped yesterday from $2.18 (rounded) to $2.29 while I was filling the “buggy” – fortunately the folks at “Collusion Corner, station #2” permitted me to keep the lower price. How nice, eh Temps here have dropped to near single digits with the high expected to reach 20 (F) – but the skies remain blue and the ice shield is as hard and ever present as previously described. Warm up into the 40s expected for the weekend.
Yesterday was “my day” (NOT!) for internet connectivity problems. Spent the majority of the morning ‘ afternoon trying to get 4 different “techs” to understand the situation with my cable company high-speed connection. What a treat it is to talk with “Dave – Doris – Mike ‘n “unintelligible” – all with heavy Indian accents – all pretending to be Americans – and all working for the outsourced “customer service” that our cable company has gone with. Awful, simply awful. Finally got everything back in order, but I had to personally visit the HQ of the company (only a 10 minute drive) to arrange for a new cable modem. That’s what it took, along with another marathon phone call to get the thing to connect. <phew> Lord oh Lord do I ever hate these experiences!
Doesn’t appear that I was missed as nothing much seemed to be going on during the daylight hours.
Time for a few acknowledgments, before picking up the pieces from my lost day of yesterday:
CM3 at 9:09 AM yesterday: Enjoyed your rolling back the clock for us – and perhaps you should consider making that a “feature” of yours now ‘n then. Some nice feelings accompanied the reading and my guess is only those who have experienced those “days of yore” can truly appreciate the nostalgia.
As mentioned a time or three on this Thread, I lived in New England for 8 years – 3 in Connecticut and 5 in Massachusetts. Since becoming heavily involved with the discussion of Classic Trains and attendant subjects, I surely regret not having taken full advantage of everything available to me in the form of operating trains back then. I always had the love for trains, but in my particular circumstances then, raising a family of 3 kids, working part-time at night to supplement my military pay, there just wasn’t much time for other things. Isn’t that the way, eh Fortunately, we have so many reminders here in the Ether all supported by a hard core of willing contributors to keep the flow of Nostalgia – flowing!
Pete at 4:07 PM yesterday: Never, but never serve a woman a warm beer in the U.S.A.!! Nope – a guy could get shot over it. Really not funny, but yes – it happened. A Stag beer at that – which used to be a well known local brew some decades back. Today, it’s just a label – bought out once or twice by the “sharks” of the business. Anyway, the guy is deceased, the wife in the lock-up, and if one listens intently, you may hear the scratching of heads in wonderment of it all.
And thanx for the additional info on the Boat Trains headed for the “new world.”
Great looking Hornby Orient Express train set! Wouldn’t ya love to have one of those right about now Surely would look great circling the Christmas tree!
Lars at 7:10 PM yesterday: The return of our Manager after a one-day hiatus. You were missed and it was duly noted by the comments! So you have made an impact ‘round here, not to mention being our most ardent supporter who is unafraid to step up to the plate when needed. Thanx, Lars and don’t be concerned at all with this joint – we’ll still be here when the time is right for you to pick up where you left off!
Must admit that a Boat Train to Hawaii sounds good to me!
James at 9:24 PM yesterday: Nice layout Pix, which of course kept our OPTIONAL Wedne
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