"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[BudKarr]

Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore

Good Day to you all and our Captain on this mild and cloudy day in paradise!


Encore, Encore everywhere I look! Perhaps, then, I should join in with Part I of Captain Tom’s offering in his “Railroads from Yesteryear” that Sir Rob began much earlier this morning . . .

QUOTE: Now arriving on track #1 …..
Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Nine (in two parts)

Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.

The Coast Line/Seaboard Railways – ACL – SAL – SCL


Part I of II

Atlantic Coast Line Railroad



Locale: United States Atlantic Coast

Reporting marks: ACL

Dates of operation: 1840 – July 1, 1967

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)

Headquarters: Jacksonville, FL

There is also an Atlantic Coast Line in Cornwall, England.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (AAR reporting mark ACL) was an American railroad that existed between 1898 and July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. The company was headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (Wilmington, North Carolina before 1961). After several more mergers and consolidations, the former ACL is now part of CSX Transportation, also headquartered in Jacksonville.


History


1914 map

The Atlantic Coast Line Company was organized on May 29, 1889 as a holding company for a system of railroads from Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia south and southwest to Augusta, Georgia.

North Carolina

The Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad was chartered in 1835, opening in 1840 from Wilmington, North Carolina north to Weldon, where the Petersburg Railroad continued to Petersburg, Virginia. The name was changed in 1855 to the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.

The Wilmington and Manchester Railroad was chartered in 1846 and opened in 1853 from Wilmington west to Camden Crossing, South Carolina on the South Carolina Railroad's branch to Camden. After the American Civil War, the company was reorganized in 1870 as the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad, opening an extension west to Columbia in 1873 but never reaching Augusta, Georgia.

In 1872 the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad leased the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, forming a continuous line through Wilmington, which was advertised as the Atlantic Coast Line. That lease was cancelled in 1878 due to the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta's bankruptcy; that company was sold in 1879 and reorganized in 1880 under the same name.

Over the years, the Wilmington and Weldon bought many other lines. Most notable among those was the Wilson and Fayetteville Railroad, built as a cutoff from near Wilson to the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta at Pee Dee, South Carolina. This was chartered in South Carolina as the Florence Railroad.

South Carolina


1885 map, when it was a loose system of affiliated lines

The Northeastern Railroad was chartered in 1851 and opened in 1856 from Charleston north to the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad at Florence. The Central Railroad, connecting this line at Lane northwest to the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad at Sumter, was chartered in 1881 and opened in 1882. From opening it was leased by both railroads in connected to.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad of South Carolina was formed on July 18, 1898 as a consolidation of the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad and Northeastern Railroad with several other lines:

• The Florence Railroad was chartered in 1882, continuing the Wilson and Fayetteville Railroad from the North Carolina state line south-southwest to the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta at Pee Dee. This was part of a shorter route avoiding Wilmington, North Carolina.
• The Cheraw and Darlington Railroad was chartered in 1849 and opened in 1853, running from Florence north via Darlington to Cheraw. The Cheraw and Darlington acquired the Cheraw and Salisbury Railroad, an extension north to Wadesboro, North Carolina, in 1892.
• The Manchester and Augusta Railroad was chartered in 1875, and built a line from Sumter southwest to Denmark. On June 30, 1899, the ACL opened a continuation west-southwest to the Charleston and Western Carolina Railway at Robbins.

The Central Railroad stayed separate, leased but not merged.

Also involved in this was the Charleston, Sumter and Northern Railroad, a failed plan to build a main line from Charleston through Sumter into North Carolina. That company went bankrupt in 1892, and the bridge over the Santee River burned down. In 1895 the ACL bought and reorganized it as the Charleston and Northern Railroad to prevent it from being used by a competitor. The short Wilson and Summerton Railroad acquired a section south of Sumter, the Manchester and Augusta Railroad obtained the southernmost section (cut from the rest by the burned bridge) and the line from Sumter northeast to Darlington, extending the M&A's line to Darlington, and the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad was assigned the rest of the line, from Darlington north to Gibson, North Carolina. All but the Wilson and Summerton became part of the ACL in 1898. That company was renamed to the Northwestern Railroad in 1899, and with help from the ACL built an extension northwest from Sumter to Camden, opened in 1901.

In August 1899 the ACL acquired a half interest in the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company, fully owned by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad since 1898. This gave the ACL access to Atlanta and Macon, Georgia via the former Manchester and Augusta Railroad and the Georgia Railroad.

By 1899 the ACL also owned the Charleston and Western Carolina Railway, running from Port Royal, South Carolina at the south orner of the state northwest into the northwest part of the state, with lines ending at Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg.

Virginia

The Petersburg Railroad was chartered in 1830 and opened in 1833, running from Petersburg, Virginia south to Garysburg, North Carolina, from which it ran to Weldon via trackage rights over the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad (later eliminated with a new alignment). The Richmond and Petersburg Railroad was chartered in 1836 and opened in 1838, continuing north from Petersburg to Richmond.

In March 1898, the Petersburg Railroad was merged into the Richmond and Petersburg, which was renamed to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad of Virginia on November 21.

The Norfolk and Carolina Railroad was chartered in 1887 as the Chowan and Southern Railroad and renamed in 1889, opening in 1890 as a connection from the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad's branch to Tarboro, North Carolina northeast to Pinner's Point, Virginia, serving the Hampton Roads area.

Florida and Georgia

The Plant System was a system of railroads and steamboats in the U.S. South, founded by Florida's west coast developer Henry B. Plant. After his death in 1899, the Plant system was taken over by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1902. The original line of the system, named after its owner, Henry Plant, was the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, running across southern Georgia.

forming the ACL by mergers and later history


1914 map of the lines through Florida

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was formed on April 21, 1900 as a merger of the two companies in Virginia and South Carolina, as well as the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad and Norfolk and Carolina Railroad.

In 1902 the ACL acquired the massive Plant System, stretching from Charleston, South Carolina southwest via Savannah, Georgia to Waycross, with lines branching out from there to Albany, Georgia, Montgomery, Alabama, and many points in Florida (including the main line to Tampa). The Jacksonville and Southwestern Railroad was bought July 28, 1904, running from Jacksonville, Florida southwest to Newberry. Around this time, the ACL built a new line from High Springs south to Juliette, Florida, connecting two Plant System lines and forming a shortcut around Gainesville down the west side of Florida.

The ACL bought the large Louisville and Nashville Railroad system on November 1, 1902, but kept operations separate for its entire life.

A short branch from Climax, Georgia south to Amsterdam opened in 1903.

The ACL bought the Conway Coast and Western Railroad on July 1, 1912, giving it access to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

On October 15, 1913, the ACL acquired the Sanford and Everglades Railroad, a short line near Sanford, Florida.

The Florida Central Railroad, bought February 27, 1915, provided a spur to Fanlew, Florida.

In July 1922 the ACL acquired the Rockingham Railroad, extending the former Charleston, Sumter and Northern Railroad from Gibson, North Carolina to Rockingham.

Also in 1922 the ACL leased the Virginia and Carolina Southern Railroad, running from Fayetteville, North Carolina south to Lumberton with a spur to Elizabethtown.

The ACL acquired the Moore Haven and Clewiston Railway on July 1, 1925, and the Deep Lake Railroad, a short line from the Gulf of Mexico port of Everglades City north to Deep Lake, Florida, on December 8, 1928. These formed short parts of a new line from the main line at Haines City south to Everglades City, with a branch to Lake Harbor on Lake Okeechobee via Moore Haven and Clewiston.

Also in 1925, the ACL leased the Fort Myers Southern Railroad, which continued the line of the Florida Southern Railroad south from Fort Myers to Marco. That same year, the Tampa Southern Railroad was leased, running from Uceta Yard in eastern Tampa south via Sarasota to the Florida Southern at Fort Ogden.

In 1926 the ACL acquired the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad, running from the end of the old Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad at Columbia, South Carolina northwest to Laurens.

The ACL incorporated the Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad on November 22, 1926 as a reorganization of the Atlantic, Birmingham and Atlantic Railway. This gave the ACL lines from Waycross to Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama, with a branch east to Brunswick

On May 1, 1927 the ACL leased the Washington and Vandemere Railroad, extending the old Wilmington and Weldon Railroad branch to Washington southeast to Vandemere.

In 1928 the Perry Cutoff was finished, providing a new shortcut from Thomasville, Georgia via Perry, Florida to Dunnellon, Florida, with a branch to Newberry, Florida. Additionally, the old Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad line was extended northeast from Thonotosassa to Vitis, providing a shortcut between Tampa and the newly-important west Florida line.

The ACL acquired the East Carolina Railway at some point, running south from Tarboro to Hookerton.

Seaboard Coast Line, CSX Transportation

On July 1, 1967 the ACL merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

CSX Transportation was formed on July 1, 1986 as a renaming of the Seaboard System Railroad, which had absorbed the former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Louisville and Nashville Railroad and Seaboard Air Line Railroad, as well as several smaller subsidiaries. On August 31, 1987 the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, which had absorbed the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad April 30 of that year, merged into CSX. The merger had been started in 1980 with the merger of Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries to form the CSX Corporation.

Station listing

For stations on the main line (now CSX's "A" line), see the following articles:

• Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Richmond, Virginia to Petersburg, Virginia
• Petersburg Railroad, Petersburg to Weldon, North Carolina
• Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, Weldon to Wilson, North Carolina
• Wilson and Fayetteville Railroad, Wilson to North Carolina/South Carolina state line
• Florence Railroad, state line to Pee Dee, South Carolina
• Wilmington and Manchester Railroad, Pee Dee to Florence, South Carolina
• Northeastern Railroad, Florence to Charleston, South Carolina
• Plant System railroads:
o Ashley River Railroad, around Charleston
o Charleston and Savannah Railroad, Charleston to Savannah, Georgia
o Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, Savannah to Jesup, Georgia
o Folkston Cutoff, Jesup to Folkston, Georgia
o Waycross and Florida Railroad, Folkston to Georgia/Florida state line
o East Florida Railroad, state line to Jacksonville, Florida
o Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway, Jacksonville to Sanford, Florida
o South Florida Railroad, Sanford to Tampa, Florida

References

• Railroad History Database
• Confederate Railroads
• St. Paul to Camden, Summerton to Wilson - North Western of SC

End of Part I of II


Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

I must announce two things: First my lovely lady has a name – Lydia and second – she spent considerable time putting this Encore together in order to replicate the features it had when first posted on page 267. Never knew how much goes into these things with regard to the formatting, photos and so forth!

Fortunately, there are two computers available and I have had the opportunity to review the postings since my last visit. Well done, Gentlemen - all! [tup] No point in my joining in the summarizations of what each of you had to offer - it has been done far better by others than I could. [tup]

A special mention to Ted - many thanks for the well wishes. by email. Nice of you to offer them! [tup]

A round for the house, Captain Tom and we will partake in a bit of lunch. One of those Kokanee Light brews will do for me and my lady will have a glass of white wine. Thank you!


Enjoy the weekend one and all! [tup]

BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada’s high mountain country!


Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore - Encore

[LoveDomes]

G'day Kapitan Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!

Good to see so many kick off this Saturday morning after a somewhat inglorious ending to yesterday. However, the SUBSTANCE was there - and that's where it's at! [tup]

I LIKE the idea of ENCORE SATURDAY! - wish everyone would "get on board" with the idea . . . isn't hard, just do an "advanced search" on whatever comes to mind - follow the "yellow brick road" and you'll get what you are looking for. Easy, enough[?] [tup]

So, Rob used the "boss" as our lead-in - good choice. For who, other than our "steamed Proprietor" can be matched for excellence in Posting along with constantly coming up with innovative contributions designed to keep us all in tune[?]

Barkeep, I'll take #3 from the Menu Board, along with a couple of those great biscuits from the Bakery case . . . just coffee for now, thanks! [swg]

Liked your Post too, Doug and the cartoon struck a funny bone! [swg] Much, much better than those "lame" jokes! [swg]

G'day to you Ted you've got a knack for the "cheerleading," which never hurts around this joint! [swg] Always nice to get some positive strokes . . . [tup]

20 Fingers You seem to have found your "stride" - now, suggest you do a bit of "research" and dig out those "ENCOREs" of yours that abound in the cyber library! [swg] Save the original stuff for Mon-Fri . . .


I've chosen my "bookend," BK, for this day - so here goes!

QUOTE: Posted by BudKarr Posted: 22 Dec 2005, 12:58:20 page 200

Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen at the bar!

My oh my, seems that I have made it into the history pages of "Our" Place with the turning of the page! Congratulations to you Mr. Barndad Doug, straight away selection indeed.

Captain Tom, thank you for the email communications and we are sadenned to learn that you will be unable to join us at Lake Louise. Perhaps another time, with a bit more notice from us, we will be able to form up.

And now for my contribution to this fine establishment, perhaps my last for 2005:

Here’s a little something from assorted sources from the internet regarding a class of steam locomotive operating in India many decades past.

BESA Class 4-6-0

Tractive effort: 22.590lb (10,250kg).

Axle load: 39,599lb (18t).

Cylinders: (2) 20 ½ x 26 in (521 x 660mm).

Heating surface: 1,467 sq ft (137m2).

Superheater: 352sq ft (32.7m2).

Steam pressure: 180lb sq in (12.7kg/cm2)

Grate area: 32sq ft (3.0m2).

Fuel: 16,800lb (7 ½ t).

Water: 4,000gal (4,800 US) (18m3).

Adhesive weight: 118,000lb (54t).

Total weight: 273,000lb (124t).

Length overall: 62ft 3 ¼ in (18,980mm).

More Briti***han anything that ran in Britain, this archetypal Mail Engine gave over 75 years of service and is still actively in use. This is the British Engineering Standards Association “Heavy Passenger” 4-6-0, introduced in 1905, of which a number (but not one of the originals) are still in passenger service in India at the time of writing (1987).

The railways of India were developed mainly by private enterprise under a concession system whereby the then British Government of India guaranteed a modest return on investment in return for a measure of control, as well as eventual ownership. The government felt that one of their perquisites was to set standards and, having made rather a mess of the gauge question, made up for it with an excellent job of wetting out a range of standards designs for locomotives.

The first BESA 4-6-0s were solid hunks of sound engineering, bigger when introduced than almost anything that ran in the same country. Their closest relations at home seem to have been some 4-6-0s built in 19-3 for the Glasgow & South Western Railway by the North British Locomotive Co. of Glasgow. NGL were to supply the first standard 4-6-0s to India.

The BESA 4-6-0s stayed in top-line work even after their successors the India Railway Standard (IRS), XA and XB 4-6-2s had arrived in the mid-1920s, because of unsatisfactory qualities amongst the new arrivals. The great success of the BESA designs seems to lie in the fact that they were taken from British practice as it existed, with the difference that both average and maximum speeds in India were 25 per cent lower than at home while loads were about the same.(from a web site that did not identify its source, therefore I shall not credit further.)

And with appreciation to Captain Tom for prior arrangements in loading my pictures from email to his photo site, here are a couple you may find of interest:





The HPS was a typical BESA design locomotive, and prior to the advent of the bullet nosed WP, was the standard and most popular express power on the Indian Railways. Several were hard at work well into the late 1980s, especially on the NR and SR. Express passenger locomotives were loosely referred to as 'mail engines' in India, and the handsome HPS class of locomotives was the standard mail engine till the WPs came in. The engines had a maximum speed of 90 kmph, in keeping with their sleek express engine profile. The HPS/2 was in fact a derivative from an earlier HP class of locomotive. Other variants of the HP were the HPS and HPS/1. All (except the HP class) were provided with superheating. (from: http://www.irfca.org/~shankie/nrm/outdoor3.htm)


With best wishes to one and all for a MERRY CHRISTMAS and Joyous New Year!

BK

A Post Script: A nice Christmas gift for our Proprietor would be for those of you who are the regulars here, to pay a call over at Tom's other thread. Simply stop in - say a little something and let those who browse his pages know that he does indeed have a following. My guess is that there are many chortling over the inactivity there, the so called STARS of the Forums. [tdn] to them. Bah Hum Bug!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There you have it - an ENCORE presentation in "honor" of our friend, BK!

Set 'em up on me - Boris ring the gong - my turn to buy a round!


Until the next time!

Lars

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and a crumpet.

So we are resurrecting Frisco on this date.

Here is my first contribution for the day.

ST LOUIS
-
SAN FRANCISCO
Streamlined sleeping Cars
by Al

The SL-SF (Frisco) purchased its first streamlined cars following WW II. These cars were purchased to streamline the two METEOR consists and one of the two TEXAS SPECIAL consists. The second set of TEXAS SPECIAL equipment was owned by the M-K-T who jointly operated this train with the FRISCO. This joint agreement between the KATY and FRISCO dated from March 4, 1917 stated that the FRISCO would operate the TEXAS SPECIAL over their tracks between St. Louis and Vinita, Oklahoma. Between there and San Antonio the responsibility for the TEXAS SPECIAL was the KATY"S. Total distance of the St. Louis - San Antonio route was 1039 miles with the FRISCO operating 361 miles and the KATY 678 miles. The TEXAS SPECIAL was streamlined in 1948 initially using two consists.
Many of the sleeping cars that would operate in the TEXAS SPECIAL were through cars from New York and Washington operating east of St. Louis in the PRR PENN TEXAS and B&O NATIONAL LIMITED. The PRR provided four CASCADE series cars for through service beginning in January 1948 painting them TEXAS SPECIAL colors complete with simulated fluted panels. The four cars repainted and assigned to the new TEXAS SPECIALS were 8073 CASCADE BRIM, 8093 CASCADE MEADOW, 8103 CASCADE RANGE and 8105 CASCADE RAVINE.
For there part the FRISCO purchased seven 14 Roomette 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping cars and one 2 Double Bedroom 1 Drawing Room Buffet 21 seat Lounge Observation for the sleeping car section of the TEXAS SPECIAL pool. The KATY made an identical purchase for their part in the sleeping car pool for the TEXAS SPECIALS. The new streamlined TEXAS SPECIALS were inaugurated May 16, 1948.

14 ROOMETTE 4 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard February - June 1948 Plan: 4153 Lot: 6769 (Built for and assigned to TEXAS SPECIAL)

SL-SF

1450 PIERRE LACLEDE

1451 THOMAS HART BENTON

1452 HENRY SHAW

1453 FRANCIS P. BAIR

1454 AUGUSTE CHOTEAU

1455 GEORGE G. VEST

1456 EUGENE FIELD

M-K-T

1500 JAMES W. FANNIN

1501 BENJAMIN R. MILAM

1502 WILLIAM B. TRAVIS

1503 DAVID CROCKETT

1504 JAMES BOWIE

1505 JAMES B. BONHAM

1506 AMON B. KING

2 DOUBLE BEDROOM 1 DRAWING ROOM BUFFET 21 SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Pullman Standard May 1948 Plan: 4121 Lot: 6769 (Built for and assigned to TEXAS SPECIALS)
SL-SF

1350 JOSEPH PULITZER

M-K-T

1400 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

The TEXAS SPECIAL was discontinued over the FRISCO on January 5, 1959 and the M-K-T then operated the TEXAS SPECIAL as a Kansas City - San Antonio train using just the equipment they owned.
The other group of streamlined sleeping cars delivered to the FRISCO at the same time as the TEXAS SPECIAL cars were those for the METEOR trains between St. Louis and Oklahoma City overnight in each direction. This was strictly a FRISCO operation The new streamlined METEORS debuted westbound on May 14, 1948 and eastbound May 15, 1948. The METEORS were initially assigned five 14 Roomette 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping cars to each of the two METEOR consists. The new METEORS were soon extended beyond Oklahoma City to Lawton providing service to all three of Oklahoma's major cities Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Lawton. The METEOR trains were cut back to Oklahoma City and discontinued altogether September 17, 1965.
The PRR provided two 10-6 Sleeping Cars to the pool of through cars to New York operating east of St. Louis in the PENN TEXAS they were fully repainted into the Frisco red in October 1950 for the New York - Oklahoma City service. The two cars were 8325 SWATARA RAPIDS and 8326 TIOGA RAPIDS.

14 ROOMETTE 4 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard February - June 1948 Plan: 4153 Lot: 6769 (Built for and assigned to METEORS)

1457 MERAMEC RIVER

1458 OSAGE RIVER

1459 GASCONADE RIVER

1460 NIANGUA RIVER

1461 JAMES RIVER

1462 GRAND RIVER

1463 CANADIAN RIVER

1464 NEOSHO RIVER

1465 SPRING RIVER

1466 CIMARRON RIVER

The FRISCO assigned many of the former TEXAS SPECIAL sleeping cars to the KANSAS CITY/ FLORIDA SPECIAL and the secondary train on that route the SUNNYLAND. The Canadian National purchased many of the excess streamlined sleeping cars from the FRISCO.

TTFN Al

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

first Posted on page 109


Here’s another Passenger RR Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)



Headquarters: St. Louis, MO

Route mileage in 1950: 5,100

Locomotives in 1963 (all diesel-electric):

Freight: 286
Passenger: 23
Switchers: 102

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars – 17,889 Passenger cars – 230

Principal routes in 1950:

St. Louis-Quanah, TX
Kansas City-Birmingham, AL via Ft. Scott, KS
St. Louis-Memphis
Amory, MS-Pensacola, FL
Monee, MO-Paris, TX
Sapulpa (Tulsa) OK-Dallas/Ft. Worth
Fort Scott-Afton, OK
Kansas City-Springfield, MO via Clinton, MO
Monett-Ellsworth, KS
Tulsa-Avard, OK
Nash, MO-Hoxie, AR

Passenger trains of note:

Black Gold (Tulsa-Fort Worth)
Firefly (Kansas City-Oklahoma City)
Kansas City-Florida Special (Kansas City-Jacksonville)
Memphian (St. Louis-Memphis)
Meteor (St. Louis-Oklahoma City & Fort Smith, AR)
Oklahoman (1st iteration) (Kansas City-Tulsa)
Oklahoman (2nd iteration, 1965-67) (St. Louis-Oklahoma City)
Southland (Kansas City & St. Louis-Atlanta & Pensacola)
Texas Special (St. Louis-San Antonio & Forth Worth)
Will Rogers (St. Louis-Oklahoma City & Wichita, KS)

Of note:
Southern Railway handled trains east of Birmingham.
MKT (Katy) handled the Texas Special between Vinita, OK and Texas destinations.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday

[Anonymous]

What a resounding start to this Saturday's "Encore Day." Tom, just a cuppa Master Blend and toasted English with butter and Black Currant perserves please. BTW, the attachment with our notes on the "Book Realy" came through loud and clear. As much as anything else, it's really a "kick" to see the diversity of impressions made upon "the eye of the beholder."[^] Five participants and five interesting, divergent reviews, fascinating.[tup] Should the "Relay" come up again as Pete mentioned, I encourage anyone to join in the fun, it is a winner.

My promise of offering further accolades for posts that I missed came to naught. Every adjective I had in mind had already been used in previous posts from other members.[:O] Looks like there are the "Quick and the Dead" if you fall a little behind, doesn't it?[swg] Aside from a little tedium, I thought yesterday was a real "hit." Many thanks to Cm3 for breaking the "chill" with anectdotal recollections of the Metroliners on the N.E. corrider. I too rode those quick trains from Balto. to Philly and the "City" r.t. on several occasions. Depending on the time of day, the Metros could assume the aura of a typical grim commuter or a "laid back" friendly coast-to-coast "extra fares" train. The "Bar Car" was the barometer for which I judged these rail jaunts.[(-D] Then BK came through (like an old "trooper") with his timely shot of the Seaboard EMD E-7 which opened the flood gates for Lars and the whole entourage to "pile on" with great responses, just incredible.

Where Barndad finds time for tending sheep whilst doing United Van Lines "bull work," is an enigma.[bow] I can't walk and chew gum! The "never disapointing" Rob comes in with his ever inclusive commentary and a whole bevy of good stuff on the Seaboard, ACL and SCL evolving to the Auto Train which my late wife and I had the pleasure of riding (Lorton, VA to FL, 1973). That was the second leg of our Honeymoon after traveling U.P., D & R.G.W., and Santa Fe country in the Southwest.[tup] X google. Yes Pete, I figured the U.K features of the book would raise response and sure enough, you spotted the error of station locations, a keen memory indeed. All of these willing contributions, with punctuations and pix from Cap'n Tom, have made for a great weekend.[:D] I put the last obstacle to rest for the "Rendesvous" when an old friend agreed to "Kitty sit" Minnie the Moocher while in Toronto. So, "if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise," I'm "good to go."[^] Take care all and have a good Photo Posting Sunday. Happy rails.

[siberianmo]

from: www.viarail.ca

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


SATURDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

The weekend! - Join us for breakfast – select a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board. Some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, and of course a large mug of steaming hot, freshly ground and brewed coffee![tup]


Daily Wisdom

Be mighty careful in your choice of enemies.


Info for the Day:


Railroads from Yesteryear –
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CBQ)
arrives Tuesday!


* Weekly Calendar:


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


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Comedy Corner


Yarns from the Barn
(from barndad Doug’s Posts)


[:I] The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment. Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it. The next day the kids came back and one by one began to tell their stories. Ashley said, "My father's a farmer and we have a lot of egg-laying hens. One time we were taking our eggs to market in a basket on the front seat of the car when we hit a big bump in the road and all the eggs went flying and broke and made a mess."
"What's the moral of the story?" asked the teacher. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!" "Very good," said the teacher.
Next little Sarah raised her hand and said, "Our family are farmers too. But we raise chickens for the meat market. We had a dozen eggs one time, but when they hatched we only got ten chicks, and the moral to this story is, don't count your chickens before they're hatched." "That was a fine story Sarah. Michael, do you have a story to share?"
"Yes, my daddy told me this story about my Aunt Judy. Aunt Judy was a flight engineer in the Gulf War and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory and all she had was a bottle of whiskey, a machine gun and a machete. She drank the whiskey on the way down so it wouldn't break and then she landed right in the middle of 100 enemy troops. She killed seventy of them with the machine gun until she ran out of bullets. Then she killed twenty more with the machete until the blade broke. And then she killed the last ten with her bare hands."
"Good heavens," said the horrified teacher, "what kind of moral did your daddy tell you from that horrible story?"
"Stay the hell away from Aunt Judy when she's been drinking." [:I].


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The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

NOW SHOWING:

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . Sunday, April 23rd thru Apr 29th: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Kathy Ross –and- The Sting (1973) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Robert Shaw. SHORT: Men In Black (1934).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . Sunday, April 30th thru May 6th: Cobb (1994) starring: Tommy Lee Jones & Robert Wuhl –and- Hoosiers (1986) starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey & Dennis Hopper. SHORT: Three Little Pigskins (1934).



SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 05:14:28 (317) Friday’s Info & Summary

(2) passengerfan Al Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 06:51:00 (317) Early Left Coast Report!

(3) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 06:53:13 (317) Early Right Coast Report!

(4) siberianmo Tom Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 07:58:31 (317) Acknowledgments & Comments

(5) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 09:02:21 (317) Report from WVA

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 10:19:52 (317) Acknowledgment, etc.

(7) BudKarr BK Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 13:39:22 (317) Budd Report supreme & Pix!

(8) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 14:26:08 (317) Lars Report supreme & Pix!

(9) siberianmo Tom Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 15:37:42 (317) Acknowledgments, etc.

(10 pwolfe Pete Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 16:12:40 (317) Inclusive Post, Wolfman style!

(11) barndad Doug Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 18:32:58 (317) 1 Pix, 1 Cartoon & chat!

(12) siberianmo Tom Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 18:55:18 (317) Acknowledgments, etc.

(13) barndad Doug Posted: 28 Apr 2006, 21:33:36 (317) Inclusive Post – Warbonnets in the ‘burg & Pix!




That’s it! [tup][;)]


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

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and all! I'll have the usual 2 lite breakfasts please. Got another big workday planned at the condo and farmhouse. We have more people coming to see the place here, and might not have such terrific weather later on today and tomorrow (not so good for grass-cutting efforts). More painting is planned for tonight at the farm house, and I keep on moving stuff from here every trip we make. I did make a neat find on something stored in the garage (that's now mine) ... a HUGE unbuilt Sopwith Camel model in a monster sized box! Don't know what that's worth, but will probably build it rather than sell.

Liked your twist on the ENCORE today Rob. I don't have any old SAL stuff myself, so ya'll will have to settle for:

The Making of a Railroad Signalman – By Ken Frazer

A railroad signalman’s job in the late 1940’s provided an opportunity to experience the end of the golden era of railroads. Steam power was still pounding the rails. Passenger service, while declining, was still viable, and master craftsmen were still available to pass on their skills to apprentices. I was one of those apprentices who had the good fortune to have caring “old hands” show a novice the way to perform his craft while surviving freezing temperatures, heat exhaustion, and the hazards of railroad work.

Railroading came to me naturally. At one time or another, two uncles, and aunt, two cousins, and my father knew a foreman in the Bridge and Building Department. I was able to get summer jobs when I was 14 and 15 years old, painting the fences between station platforms and working on the railroad’s New York Harbor piers.

The Initiation – After graduating from high school and not being able at the time to attend college, I entered the work world as a helper in the signal department on the Lackawanna Railroad. While having family working on the railroad was responsible for getting summer work and my signal helper’s job, at the same time it made the situation tougher, because I did not want to reflect badly on my family, and the foreman didn’t want to take it easy on me in front of the other men.

It was with this background that I reported to work at the signal construction camp cars in Hackettstown, New Jersey, to foreman Bill Brickman. He had a line crew, a wiring crew, and the subterranean excavation group (digging trenches and burying cable). Foreman Brickman felt that I was qualified for the latter group. It was in this group that I learned the Brickman rule; When digging trenches, you do not have one man pick and another shovel while the first rests. Each man in the trench picks and shovels - continuously.

As we worked our way West towards Washington, New Jersey, I learned how the line crew “grunt” ties material onto the lineman’s ground line so that it won’t fall off. I learned the soft, flat (non-tumbling) toss, chest high, to the lineman up on the pole.

About four to six men would take the end of a line wire to be pulled and head into brush-covered hills and gullies, wherever the line people went, and pulled 1,000 feet of the wire at a time. The line crew boss was Mike Schwartz. A slender, wiry man who was absolutely fearless on the pole. However, he had a thing about pulling the lines up really tight. As Fall approached, we had a cool night after a hot day, punctuated by his calls to “pull it up tighter, men.” The next morning we found some of the lines which had been up tight in the heat of the day snapped like high C on the piano during the cool of the night, causing crossarms to spring sideways. After that, the “pull it tighter” syndrome moderated.

The work of the signal changes associated with the installing APB (absolute and permissive block) single-tracking, replacing style B semaphores with style S, and replacing primary batteries with storage batteries continued on up to Washington, New Jersey, where the camp cars were located. Transportation of men and materials was by gang motorcar and by a ¼ ton pickup truck with benches in the truck bed under a canvas top. Today, canvas-topped truck to transport men is unthinkable, if not illegal, and Hi-Rails have replaced motorcars. But every day, 10 hours a day (in order to get home weekends and an early quit on Fridays for travel), “Cookie” would send us out after breakfast with our lunch bags to load either the truck (mostly line crew) or the gang car for the day’s work. Meals were like those in the Army; simple but nourishing, and some very tasty, especially after a day out on the tracks.

Graduation From Grunt – After my first six months, I began to get assigned to the wiremen. This was a wonderful new world for me. They wired the signals, switches, relay boxes, and other devices. While I would still work with the line crew or cable trench excavation sometimes, I spent an increasing amount of time with Joe Swetz and George Will, two excellent wiremen. Since my father was a telephone lineman/maintainer and radio ham, I had some knowledge of electrical circuits. With this knowledge, I would try to figure out how the signals worked from studying the signal circuit prints until I didn’t understand a symbol of how a device worked. Then Joe or George would explain.

As we worked our way West out of Washington towards the Delaware River, my usual duties were carrying their toolbags, putting eyes on wires, and skinning and potheading cables. I would also stand in back of the relay box and push wires through holes in the backboard identified by the wireman poking a straw through his side of the hole. They also let me wire battery boxes by myself. The fact that the fresh creosote in the new battery box wood, baking in the sun, burned your nostrils and wrists may have had something to do with this generous beneficence! With my rapid progress in learning to read the circuits, and just as certainly good recommendations from my wiremen “mentors”, I was promoted to assistant signalman.

I experienced the serious side of railroading one morning when we left Washington going West on our motorcar with two flatcars of cable reels, while a track gang car pulling two flats with rail left Portland, Pennsylvania, going East. We sighted each other in a curved cut, and with wet morning rails and pulling loaded flatcars, it was clear there was no way we were going to stop in time. Foreman Brickman yelled “Jump!” Our exit was followed by all 250 pounds of Brickman. We were still bouncing along the roadbed when the two gang cars met head-on in a cloud of dust and debris. My lunchbox was transformed into an accordion, but all of our men were OK except for bumps and bruises. Three of the track gang, older men who didn’t jump, had some more serious injuries, fortunately not life threatening. Brickman sent a man back East to flag No. 47, which was about 45 minutes behind us, and we all proceeded to clear the track of wreckage. When 47 arrived, the injured were loaded aboard, and we proceeded to push one of our flats back to Washington to lick our wounds and contemplate the inevitable investigation. It should be noted that in this era, motorcars were not given track warrants, orders, or other rights of track. The were given lineups, which together with the timetable provided information on trains. Other motorcar movements were not necessarily part of the lineup information.

[trolleyboy]

ENCORE ! ENCORE !

Another encore from the past, this also from page 268 this time one of mine. Just to round out the mini theme of the SAL. I won't be able to put up as many greats from the past as I would like today due to the meeting at the museum. I hope everyone can jump in a bit today just to keep er rollling [tup]

See everyone hopefully later tonight.

Rob




Okay I'm back with some on theme info, a short synopsis of the Seaboards frieght ops.

CLASSIC DIESEL BARN # 9 SEABORD FRIEGHT OPS

Freight Service On The Seaboard

The Seaboard railroads position in the Southeast,allowed it to carry a wide variety of freight, it is of coarse best known for it's perishable fruit and produce trains between Florida and Georgia and the North. Carried on today by CSX. Despite the high profile hauling of perishables, the Seaboard carried more minerals than anything. Around 1950 approx. half of the Seaboards frieght traffic was mineral based, mostlyb phosphate, used for fertilizers ( and other things ) such as amunition and match maufactering. Alot of clay,iron ore , cement, and aggregates wwas also carried by the road, these loads also falling under the mineral category.

Next largest cargo type was durable manufactured goods, most of whick caame from the North. General mercjhandise accounted for approx 30 % of the freight moved by the SAL by mid-century. Forest products accounted for 15 % of their freight hauling which included pulpwood,paper,and pine tree stumps ( they actually had speacially designed gondolas for theae some still in use on the CSX ! ) used to make pine oil and turpintine.

The remaing 5 % was aggricultural loads, including grains, cotton products,and the perishables. The perishables accounted for half of the aggricultural loads , however the revnues from this service was important enough that the SAL held an intrest in the Fruit Growers Express, a consortium that operated a fleet of reefer cars, and refridgerated piggy back trailers.

In the 50's the SAL was one of the first other railroads to pick up the TOFC or Piggy Back trailer carrying system started by the Pennsey.By 1959 this mode of cargo handling became a huge hit with the SAL's customers,and they were operating a whole fleet of this type of trains.

As a sidenote the Seaboard was one of the few railroads that would name it's principal freight trains.Among the best known was the Merchandiser between Richmond and Miami,it was one of te few freights that held first calss operational status,putting it on par with passenger trains in the terms of priority handling. A Northbound conterpart was the Marketer , with a section out of Miami and one out of Tampa joining at Baldwin Florida . Other named freights included the Tar Heel ( Richmond-Bostic NC )this had a connection with the Clinchfield RY. The Capitol{Richmond-Birmingham NC }, the Iron Master {Birmingham-Atlanta }, the Clipper and the Alaga { Montgomery-Savanah } and the Pioneer { Montgomery-Jacksonville}.

In the 1960's ,Seaboard championed it's high speed piggy back service, the best train of the TOFC fleet being the Razorback . This hot trailer train ( for yeasr the fastest feight train in NA ) originated on The Pennsylvania RR at Kearny NJ and ran through to Hialeah Yard in Miami, 1000 miles in 30 hours !

During the SAL's last full year iof independance, 1966, it carried 66 million tons of freight the most ever in the roads history.

* info from Diesel era mags and railpace

Rob

[trolleyboy]

ENCORE ! ENCORE ! WITH A TWIST [:D]

Something new for Encore saturday. I would like to try and ebcore at least one example of why this thread is so successfull each week. So here's the enagural encore saturday post.I think that it's more than appropriate that the first speacial ebcore post from me is the work of our "Mentor" Capt Tom! Hopefully we all take time to pull up the best of the best over the saturday encore days from Our Places back pages. This gem came from page 268. Seems appropriate with all the recent talk or showing of SAL photo's in the last day or so.

Rob

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

Now arriving on track #2 …..
Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Nine (in two parts)

Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.

The Coast Line/Seaboard Railways – ACL – SAL – SCL


Part II of II


Seaboard Air Line Railroad



Locale: Florida - Virginia, United States

Reporting marks: SAL

Dates of operation: – 1967

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)


Headquarters: Richmond, VA


The Seaboard Air Line Railroad (AAR reporting mark SAL) was an American railroad that existed between the 1880s and 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. The company was headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

History


1896 map with connections

The SAL main line, now mostly CSX's "S" Line, was built by the following companies:

• Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina Railroad, Richmond, Virginia to Norlina, North Carolina (the immediate predecessor of the SAL)
• Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, Norlina to Raleigh, North Carolina
• Raleigh and Augusta Air-Line Railroad, Raleigh to Hamlet, North Carolina
• Palmetto Railroad, Hamlet to Cheraw, South Carolina
• Chesterfield and Kershaw Railroad, Cheraw to Camden, South Carolina
• Predecessors of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad:
o South Bound Railroad, Camden to Savannah, Georgia
o Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad Northern Division, Savannah to Georgia/Florida state line
o Florida Northern Railroad, state line to Yulee, Florida
o Fernandina and Jacksonville Railroad, Yulee to Jacksonville, Florida
o Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad, Jacksonville to Baldwin, Florida
o Florida Railroad, Baldwin (continuing north to Yulee) to Waldo, Florida
o Florida Transit and Peninsular Railroad Tampa Division, Waldo to Tampa, Florida

On July 1, 1967 the SAL merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

Seaboard Coast Line Railroad



Locale: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

Reporting marks: SCL

Dates of operation: 1967 – 1982

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)


Headquarters: Jacksonville, FL and Richmond, VA


The main lines of the ACL and SAL, now CSX's A and S lines.

The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (AAR reporting mark SCL) was created July 1, 1967 as a result of the merger of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL). In 1982, The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad became Seaboard System Railroad as a result of a merger with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N). For some years prior to this, the SCL and L&N had been under the common ownership of a holding company, Seaboard Coast Line Industries (SCI), the company's railroad subsidiaries being collectively known as the Family Lines System which comprised of the L&N, SCL, Clinchfield and West Point Routes. After the 1980 merger of SCI with the Chessie System, the resulting CSX Corporation combined the Family Lines System units as the Seaboard System Railroad and later became CSX when the former Chessie units were merged into it in 1986.


Innovative SCL trains

Juice Train: a historic model of unit train competition

Juice Train is the popular name for famous unit trains of Tropicana fresh orange juice operated by railroads in the United States. In 1970, beginning on Seaboard Coast Line railroad, a mile-long Tropicana Juice Train train began carrying one million gallons of juice with one weekly round-trip from Bradenton, Florida to Kearny, New Jersey, in the New York City area.

Today operated by SCL successor CSX Transportation, CSX Juice Trains have been the focus of efficiency studies and awards as examples of how modern rail transportation can compete successfully against trucking and other modes to carry perishable products.

Auto-Train

The original Auto-Train operated on Seaboard Coast Line and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (RF&P) tracks. It was operated by Auto-Train Corporation, a privately-owned railroad which used its own rolling stock to provide a unique rail transportation service for both passengers and their automobiles in the United States, operating scheduled service between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando.

The founder of Auto-Train Corporation was Eugene K. Garfield. His approach allowed families to relax en route and save the expense and unfamiliarity of a rental car on arrival. Passengers rode in either wide coach seats or private first-class sleeping compartments while their vehicles were safely carried in enclosed autoracks. The train included dining cars and meals were served.

The equipment of the Auto-Train Corporation was painted in red, white, and purple colors. The typical train was equipped with two or three General Electric U36B diesel-electric locomotives, 76' double-deck auto carriers, streamlined passenger cars, including coaches, dining cars, sleeper cars, and 85' full-dome cars, and a caboose, then an unusual sight on most passenger trains.

Auto-Train Corporation's first auto carriers were acquired used, and started life in the 1950s as a new innovation for Canadian National Railroad. The CN bi-level autorack cars had end-doors. They were huge by the standards of the time; each 75-footer could carry 8 vehicles. The cars were a big success and helped lead to the development of today's enclosed autoracks. The former CN autoracks were augmented by new tri-level versions in 1976.


auto carrier originally purchased by Auto-Train Corp. unloads from Amtrak's Auto Train in Lorton, VA in 2000. Photo courtesy of www.trainweb.com

Auto-Train Corporation's new service began operations on December 6, 1971 The service was a big hit with travelers. Before long, the ambitious entrepreneurs of Auto-Train were looking to expand into other markets. However, only the Lorton-Sanford service proved successful.

High crew costs, several spectacular accidents with the 58- to 64-car trains, and an unprofitable expansion to Louisville, Kentucky put Garfield's company into bankruptcy. Auto-Train Corporation was forced to end its services in late April, 1981.

Operating for almost 10 years, Auto-Train had developed a popular following, particularly among older travelers as it ferried passengers and their cars between Virginia and Florida.

However, no one else offered a service quite like that of Auto-Train: transport a car and its passengers together (on the same movement, at the same time) to and from vacation areas. In 1983, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, a federally-chartered corporation which operates most intercity passenger trains in the United States acquired Auto-Train Corporation terminals in Lorton and Sanford and some of the rolling stock, including the autoracks. Amtrak began its slightly-renamed Auto Train route service between Virginia and Florida on a 3 day per week basis after a 22 month gap, expanding it to daily trips the following year.

Today, Amtrak's Auto Train carries about 200,000 passengers and generates around $50 million in revenue annually. Operating on leased CSX Transportation tracks for the entire distance, it is considered Amtrak's best-paying train in terms of income in comparison with operating expenses.

History

The Western and Atlantic Railroad is famous for the Great Locomotive Chase, which took place on the W&A during the US Civil War in April 1862.

End of Part II of II


Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

Did you miss the previous eight[?] Click the URL:

#1: Baltimore & Ohio (B&O
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=233&TOPIC_ID=35270
#2: Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=234&TOPIC_ID=35270
#3: Pennsylvania (PRR)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=237&TOPIC_ID=35270
#4: New York Central (NYC)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=240&TOPIC_ID=35270
#5: New Haven (NYNH&H)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=242&TOPIC_ID=35270
#6: Santa Fe (ATSF) (Two Parts)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=246&TOPIC_ID=35270
#7: Southern Pacific (SP)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=253&TOPIC_ID=35270
#8: Northern Pacific (NP)
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=259&TOPIC_ID=35270

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon I think I will have a Kokanee since it seems both BK and Lars are enjoyimng it, makes me glad yjay I brought in aa few cases for thier " test driving " [swg]

been a long day and a bit for me couple o 14 hour daze at the ole place of employment,just think in 20 more I can retire [:O][xx(]

An interesting last couple of dats here for sure,I'm glad that our first attempt at a guest bartender worked out well,thanks Lars for being the inital gunniea pig.

Tom Your ponderism's for the last couple of days have absolutley, been right on [tup] Thanks for the email of the book relay comments as well, seems all enjoyed the book.I have recieved your latest couple of emails as well, I will respond to them likley late saturday, as Saturday is the museums anual meeting or the anual screaming match as we lovingly refer to it [swg] at least this year the Sleeman's brewery from down the road in Guelph are going to be on hand, can't beat that fer sure fer sure [tup][:D][yeah]

Dave Thanks for the additional info on the SN, I do hope that you are able to expand upon it, as you have the inside track on that road as it were.

CM3 Thank-you too for your 2 cents on the SN as well. I enjoyed taking a gander at the urls you provided too. Sobering stuff from Port Chicago, eari;y similar to the Great halifax Explosion of 1917 when the amunition ship Mont Blanc blew up in the harbour and destroyed much of the lower city and killed close to 2000 residents.

Mike Your latest batch of web siyes were right on the button as per usual ! You seem to have become our local trivia guy now too. I loved the story on the why and when of why the standard guage occured. I never dreamed that tyhe origin of rail spacing would have dated back to Roman times, of coarse they did say that all roads lead to Rome, obviously they ment railroads as well. [swg][:D]

Al I'm glad to see that you are hitting your stride with being able to do more research and writing again. Nice to see the extra WP and Sante fe streamliners again as well. Just goes to show that when life deals you lemons make lemonaid. Good stuff [tup]

Pete Thanks for your kind words, I also am looking forward to your findings on British HEP, should be interesting fer sure ! Also good plan on satying on the Girls best side,mind you their cooking isn't all bad,I could have them come over to your place and cook and clean for while your wife is away,who knows they may find your lost honey do list [:O][swg]

Lars I'm a bit tired of all the JO posts out there too,way too much fluff and no substance out there, that's why here is where I stay, who needs the rest of that crapola.

BK I'm glad that you approve of Boris's handywork on the new stool restraint systems, proves that he is a jack or in his case a thing of all trades. Enjoyed your photo of the ATSF F unit & friends as well, you are becomming a regular passenger train affricinado, no doubt Sir Tom's influence [:D]

Ted Sooo are you excited yet, basically we are inside of two weeks now ! Hard to believe.We seem to have spawned some good returns on the SN and TS, I think that our love of things electric is rubbing off around here.[;)]

Doug Liked the SAL photo's and the comic strips, they don't even effect the oft broke groan-a-metre our repair bills have been down this week ! [swg]

Rob

[Anonymous]

Good evening again Tom and White Sox fans! I’ll have another bottomless draught please, and kindly change the channel to the “good” game? Neat story on the SN line explorations from Dave the other day (expanded upon by CM3, and another great WP and AT&SF streamliner from Al. Glad you liked the cartoon Lars. Nice Warbonnet and SAL pictures Mr. BK! Hats off to Tom for the successful retain of his book, and for writing-up the participants’ comments, and the pretty pretty SAL loco pic!

Since you guys got a Santa Fe thing going (before the SAL) … maybe I can help keep it going too …..

Warbonnets in the ‘burg – Ron Hatch – Vintage Rail No. 14 1998


Galesburg, Illinois ,has always been a Burlington town. Students of the “Q” know that Galesburg was the junction of three of the four original roads that became the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. By the mid-1880s, the Burlington was the city’s largest employer, with its sprawling yards, car shops, locomotive shops, roundhouses, and division headquarters. CB&Q controlled lines fanned out of town in sic directions.

Then came an intruder. In 1888, Santa Fe forged the final link in its transcontinental chain by building from Kansas City to Chicago. Galesburg made Santa Fe an offer it couldn’t refuse, so AT&SF came to town, sneaking through the north side of downtown along the banks of the Cedar Fork Creek.

The sandstone depot on North Broad Street has been witness to all the glory that was the mighty Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe, including the post-World War II boom years pictured here. Streamlined trains were still the way to travel, especially on one of the Chiefs pulled by those buxom Alco Pas. Never mind that across town the Burlington had more trains to Chicago to chose from; never mind that the Q had a slightly shorter route; never mind that a Zephyr would take a person to Union Station, rather than someplace called Dearborn; never mind all that. The Santa Fe had its own mystique, and that Warbonnet paint scheme on the point told one and all that this was a class act.

Fast forward 50 years. The Pas are long gone; the stately sandstone depot was replaced by a Butler building in 1965; the Santa Fe wed its cross-town rival in 1996 to become BNSF, and the one remaining train called Chief no longer calls at Broad Street Station, but instead keeps company with its Zephyr cousins at the BN/Amtrak Seminary Street Depot. However, if one stands by Cedar Fork, next to the double track main that still sees 30-50 trains a day, and watches the latest generation of Warbonnets – and pumpkins and MACs and blue-and-yellows and green machines – one will realize that Chico is not gone. He has matured into a proud warrior.

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Back again with a Pix . . . can't let the SAL momentum slip by without at least providing something . . . .

SAL EMD E4A #3002 (courtesy: www.trainweb.org)


Nice, eh[?] [tup]


Okay - that's it for now!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Love that cartoon from Doug! The sheep on the other hand look like lamb chops with legs! [swg]

I'd say you have every good reason to be tired, given the hectic stage of things in your life these days (daze!). It's when you get home and don't recall how you got there that may be a "tell tale" sign of time for concern! [swg]

Am I reading that Pete may follow-up with a "RR Book Relay, Part Deux!"[?] Sounds good to me! [tup]

There are some very humorous stories about Siberian Huskies on the web - they are a most intelligent and congenial breed of dog. Having lived with "Fred," our former best friend, for 14 of his 16 years, and now "Juneau" for nearly 3 years - I have more than anecdotal information to base my comments on. Extremely "questionable" regarding authority - very "conversant" (as in "talking back") and rather "insistent" on having things their way. Lots of fun, these Huskies.

Pete More on the sports teams: Another aspect of it all is called "expendable dollars" or "discretionary spending" by those paying for the tickets. Some areas, St. Louis being one, enjoy the presence of major league teams (Cardinals - Rams & Blues) whereas others, like Columbia have only a minor league baseball team. The latter stands a much better chance at survival than would similar teams in major league areas (exceptions: the mega cities like New York - Los Angeles & Chicago). That factor has played heavily into the situation encountered by the hockey team here that just folded their tent. The arena they played at is just a stone's throw from a riverside gambling casino. Say no more, eh[?] Expendable dollars for all of us are getting fewer ' fewer, so it seems.

Thanx for the rounds & quarters! [tup]

Okay, Gents - catch y'all later!

REMINDER! Leon the Night Man takes the bar at 9 PM (Central)!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and all. I'll have the usual bottomless draught and pick-up a round for the house. I found some Michigan quarters in the bottom of one of the boxes I'm moving, so feel free to feed them to the coal scuttle.

Sorry about not being around, but there's been no time to do it, as you know. Every time I sit down for a bit, I get real sleepy. I have have no idea why. Anyhow, enough for the excuses, and I will get my reading here caught-up and make a contribution later tonight. I will mention something about the sheep URL that Mike posted. Here's a picture of the sheep living at the farmhouse we're moving into:


So cartoons are better than jokes? Well ...... maybe


Be back later!

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams and a Steak for later please. Your fish 'n' chips last night were delicious [yeah][tup].

MIKE Great Links again[tup]. Very interesting info on the railway guage. It could have been a lot different if I.K. Brunels Great Western Broad Guage of 7 ft-01/4 inch had won the Goverment's guage inquirery. The reason for the 1/4 inch is, it is said, when the first broad guage loco was delivered the distance between the wheel flanges was 7 ft.

Although N. America adopted the English guage it seems that the RRs (and roads) drove on the right. I have often wondered why that is. Is is said that England being on the left is from the Romans also as it is said they marched on the left side of the road, but in continental Europe they drive on the right. [%-)].

TED I think you enjoyed Tom's book as I did. The author certainly was lucky to be able to travel the world in persuit of his hobby.Given the funds I could probably make the same journey but I know the photos I took would be no where as good.[sigh].
Thanks for the kind words on my posts[tup]

Al Enjoyed your post this AM not rambling at all but I'll gladly have a round with you[^].

CM3 Looking forward to reading about the Metroliners. It seems TOM and BK also have memories of riding them. Your slide collction must have some real gems in it.

BK That Trains book is a bit special. I will have to bring over C. Gifford's Decline Of Steam photo album, it was published in the mid-60s and showed the last years of British steam. The photos are in black and white and capture very well the atmosphere of a steam railway. Good photo of the E7A[tup].

LARS Good to see you and another round[^]. Good words for BK which I fully agree with and a great Seaboard photo, I make it 7 locos on that train[wow]

TOM Thanks for the 'Slinky" link info, I have seen them in the UK but I cannot think what they are called there.
I was reading a while back about the NOME sled race in Alaska,which must be a marvellous sight to see, which told of one competetor whose Huskies took off as he was hitching them to the sled by the time he got them back his chance of winning had gone, they are a great breed [yeah].

It is very[:(] about the loss of local teams. The Mavericks baseball team are not playing this year. We went over to Columbia Mo a few times last year to see them and had a great time. In one game if the oppositions star batter was struck out it was a buck a beer, this happened twice causing quite a stampede and it was two strikes down near the end when he got a lucky hit(as the bar had shut by this time and I dont know what would have happened if he had struck out [:-,]).There is talk of a stadium being built for the Mavericks to play in[^].

Thanks for the E-Mail with the book reviews[tup].

Youre right about the UFO sightings perhaps the [alien] are camera shy[:)].

Well I've had a round off AL BK and LARS so I had better get one in for all. PETE.

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Two of my "dependables" arrived for the afternoon's bill o' fare . . . welcome, Gents! [tup]

Nice touch with the Pix of the Sal diesels from both of you! [tup]

So, BK what's with this nonsense of feeling inadequate[?] That surely doesn't sound like you at all! Must be the mountain air! Gotta get you back down to where the pollutants are! [swg] Ain't no way your contributions are any less meaninful or looked forward to than anyone elses. Always appreciate your" forthrightness" based on life's experiences, education and common sense. A huge dose of that would do all of us some good in our respective lands. [tup]

Lars Don't look a "gift horse in the mouth," as the saying goes! Free time is for idling away at whatever flicks your switch. Surely you've "instructed" the 1st Mate all about that adage by now[?] [swg]

Appreciate the 'endorsement' of "bar policy" regarding leaving the emotional and other baggage checked outside the joint. Works much better for us all . . . [tup]

A bit of activity over at "my other Thread," and thanx to you two and 20 Fingers it keeps rolling along. That comment regarding how the Posts remain for awhile longer without being quickly "lost" due to volume of material is definitely a "plus." It is, after all, an "Encore" site . . . if we attract some "new blood" for this place, we're ahead of the game.

Nice supporting stuff from the both of you regarding the Trains book. (Are you two in collusion or something[?] Sure seems so . . . . ) Anyway, couldn't have summed it up any better. It is a picture book and it is interesting and it is well done. 'Nuf said.

Okay boyz, I'm going to tidy up behind the bar and wait for the evening's onslaught. The Can-Am Track Gang is taking on the CP Gandy Dancers in our end of the month Pool Tournament - should be a riot - oooops, poor choice of words! [:O]

Thanx for the rounds and quarters from all who contributed to our Coal Scuttle!


Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[LoveDomes]

G’day Kapitan Tom and fellow travelers at the bar!


Ommmmmmmigosh! I WAS peeking in – but only to ascertain what I needed to do in order to keep “whatever” the subject might be. Spent lots of time reading through what I missed since my last visit and then over at the “other thread,” etc. Sorry, Budd – we’ll have to figure a way out to get some real 2-way dialogue going – 3-way would even be better if the “boss” could be on with us! [yeah]

The Mrs. had her appointment rescheduled for next week, so I’m “somewhat” free right now. Doubt seriously that will last . . . [swg] Man oh man, I’d hate to have her as the Bos’n aboard my ship! There’d be mutiny, big time! <grin> While I’m waiting for her “shriek,” I’ll have one of my hero specials if you please – yeah, that’s it – hard bread – ham ‘n Swiss, buttAH ‘n mustAHd, with two large pickles from the barrel. G’won and give Tex a small bowl of the “brine” – he’ll love it! [swg] Drink[?] Let me try one of those Kokanees that Budd ordered . . . . Thanks! [tup]


Doesn’t appear there’s much room for me to jump in with my comments regarding “reality vs idealism.” But I WILL [swg]] - Just seems that whenever an historical injustice crops up – and there have been MANY – some are H-bent on passing that guilt on to present generations. No thank you – I’m not a part of what happened nor do I endorse the way “it” was handled. But you know what, I can remember the epithets being “thrown” my way as a kid – “squarehead” this and “squarehead” that. Sure – not as inflammatory as other negative descriptors, but depending on just “where one was in life” back then, they were bothersome, hateful and created all kinds of not-so-nice situations for a developing kid. You know what[?] That’s just life – that’s just the way it WAS. Some of us can “get over it,” whereas others can’t or won’t. My VOTE is to keep this kind of stuff away from the bar – we’re supposed to be about good natured banter and “Classic Trains!”

Ok – ring it for me too Boris! Here’s a couple of ten spots to cover the tab . . . [tup]


Add me to the list of Metroliner travelers. Back in my sailing days, there were times where Baltimore and other ports other than New York were either the beginning or ending for the voyages. Rather than drive or fly, I’d opt for the train and always took the Metroliner. Aside from not having any “domes” – it was a nicely outfitted train! [swg]

Is it me, or has Coalminer (I’m not Shane) Coal-what’s-his-face begun to provide some great summaries of past posts[?] Coupled with the daily SUMMARIES, one really “knows” just what has taken place during the previous day. Nicely done! [tup]

I share those sentiments from my “bookend” regarding the “Trains” book. As mentioned, I have that book and since have retrieved it for a 3rd or 4th review. I don’t have a critique as such, but just offer this: it is what it is! A picture book by a guy who apparently isn’t an Aficionado with regard to trains – but well versed enough to have provided some great diversity and most interesting views. I like it and think that those of you who had the opportunity to have it in your possession were indeed fortunate! Well done, Kapitan! [tup][tup][tup]

BK “let me say this about that” (a famous quote of our late President Kennedy) – you are in no way remiss in “fitting in” ‘round this joint. I’ve taken the liberty to research your posts – along with pretty much everyone elses – B4 I “joined” the group – and thought then and still do – that you provide a perspective vital to any discussion. The “novice” point of view ain’t all bad – keeps we “experts” in check. NowutImean[?] [swg]

Spectator Sports[?] Hey, happens once you find that sex isn’t a 24-hour a day option! [swg]

Ok- I’ll ask: WHERE’s ROB ‘n NICK [?][?][?] One guy is up to his ears in whatever he does for a living up there in Ontario, and the other better NOT be up to his in cement! <grin>


Here’s a pix from me, now that BK “started” something . . .


SAL EMD GP9 #1970 heading up the motive power (from: www.trainweb.org)



Until the next time!

Lars

[BudKarr]

Good Afternoon Captain Tom and all assembled!

Time for a little lunch and that steak sandwich platter looks really fine! Skip the "French" fries - but if you have "Patriot" fries, we will be glad to have those! [swg] (No political message there!) Oh, yes, medium rare for both - I will have a Kokanee and a glass of white wine for my lady if you please. Ah yes - a round on me and please just deposit the change in the "Sack o' Cash" - if it has not been depleted and discarded that is! [swg]

Did I ever tell you that my copy of the "Trains" photo book arrived[?] Wonderful spread of photographs from all over the world. This fellow must have had an unlimited budget, for there does not seem to be a train of note (or obscure ones for that matter) that somehow failed to wind up in his chronicle. Of course, coming from a novice such as I, any of my comments are simply from a different vantage point than your "team of experts" who were fortunate enough to get in on your "good deal." Nice touch, Tom and as always, your unselfishness toward trying to make this a better place for all seemingly has no bounds. Good show! [tup][tup][tup] (Do I get a drink on the house for those accolades[?]) [swg]

Do I see LoveDomes peeking in[?] Come on - check in - we'll have two of the "Horsemen" present! [tup]

Al has provided some fine material on the SAL over on your "other thread" and he has even begun to put them out in parts! [tup] [swg] Anway, here is a photo that I found of a passenger train from years past - thought the guys might enjoy it over here:

SAL EMD E7A #3025 (from: www.trainweb.org


Enjoyed the postings from all this day and especially liked the Sir Coalminer entry. I too traveled aboard the MetroLiner - but always for business. They had a nice set up for people wanting to get some work done (which was always the case for me) and my trips were up and down the "corridor." [tup]

You may enjoy this, Captain Tom - we are strongly considering becoming the "parents" of two Husky pups. I understand they are singularly minded - which is just what I need in this stage of my life - "mind games" with dogs! [swg] Nothing definite at this stage, but we know of a person who has her dogs bred and she is a close friend of my lady, and . . . . We shall see!

When I read through the postings I come away with a feeling that I have missed out on so much with regard to the leisure activities many of you take for granted. All work and VERY LITTLE play in my career that spanned more than several decades! (You figure out what "several" might mean!) [swg] Always enjoy the side comments and am trying to "fit in" . . .

If I may, I would like to chime in with some comments regarding life in general: Too many times on the forum threads I have come across all kinds of gnashing of teeth and wringing of wrists over all things spanning A thru Zed. I mean it gets absolutely nauseating to me how there are no bounds to the "dumping" of opinions and the like - most totally unrelated to the intended use of the forums by our host, the Kalmbach people. Here is the substance of where I am going: Get a life people! Life is NOT fair, it never was, it never will be and as long as there are humans inhabiting this tiny planet within the entity known as the Universe, we will be competing for the limited resources enabling us to climb that ladder to a better life (or whatever it is we strive for).

Ring the bell Boris - here is a twenty for being [#offtopic] and on my [soapbox] - a round on me! [tup]

Time to check out and I really thought my "bookend" would have signed in . . . .

Good weekend one and all - I shall try to pay a call on each day.


BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Just wanted to acknoweldge anyone who's been in B4 I head out to take care of the "south forty." Looks like the skies are greying up - wx forecasts appear to be on the money. Rains are on the way for this PM and all weekend. Hope the ballgames get played! [tup] Critters and green and flowery things need the precip! [swg]

Glad someone is taking in the Emporium's double features PLUS Short Subjects! [swg] Cobb is a great flick and one that simply didn't get the billing in these parts because of "politically correct" opposition to what I believe was a rather truthful depicition of the way the man was. A bigot in every sense of the word. So, I ask - what's wrong with viewing the truth[?] Oh yeah, we are speaking of Hollywood - how foolish of me to forget! <groan>

I only traveled the Metroliner one time and that was from DC to Newark, NJ back in 1981. I had flown to DC from these parts and planned on taking the train, since it had been decades that I had traveled that route. It was an uneventful trip, although I must've looked like a kid with my nose pressed against the window - watching those poles and other "things" pass by . . . [swg]

Cards are doing well - but I must keep telling myself that it's far too early for excitement to overtake reality. I generally get "into" it in August insofar as making my "wagers" regarding who will and who won't . . . [swg]

Hockey playoffs are underway and 'round here you'd never know it. The big news is that our minor league team - The River Otters (who play in St. Charles, MO) are folding the tent. Seems that the UHL team cannot get the attendance needed to keep 'em going. A shame, for the kids (for the most part) played good games. Last year the KCity Outlaws bit the dust in the same league. That followed by a few years the total collapse of the IHL, which had a great following in KCity. Heck, the Blades won the Turner Cup at one time and were really competitive. As with the passenger RR scene - gone, gone, gone! [tdn]

Juneau the Wonder Husky has been driving me to distraction with his incessant "callings" for me to take him outside. There's no way we'd let him run loose - not around here - plus there are leash laws, etc. Anyone who understands Huskies knows they don't come back when on the run! His knowledge of the outside is limited to being on the long end of a 25 ft retractable lead. Works. [swg] Dogs - gotta love 'em! Sure provides me with a great friend and companion . . . [tup]

E-mail on the way to all who participated in the RR Book Relay! - contains the comments of the guys . . . . [tup]

Okay - 'nuf of this. I gotta get movin' . . .

Who's behind the bar[?] My gal Cindy popped in to say that her next class isn't until this afternoon and she needed to get away from the place. How nice that she chose "Our" Place!! [swg]

Tom[C=:-)][oX)]

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the hosue and $ for the jukebox.

'Nother lovely day in the coalfields - we had frost this a.m. - rule here is never plant the garden until after Memorial Day. Tom - half of the K9 Korps went out early this a.m.; big one stayed in until it was time for his a.m. ride to school with the Huns.

Passengerfan - Thans for the ATSF domeology. As I have mentioned before, Grandma was a diehard fan of the El Cap - she always said it was a "friendly" train.

BK gave us a beautiful ATSF picture.

Lars - Whaddya mean there was no ballgame - Cards played (right Tom?) and, mercifully, the Red Sox were blacked out on the MLB Extra Innings package on our cable system. The powers that be consider us to be in the Cleveland and Cincinnati marketing areas, but the way the Olde Towne Team has been playing...

Wanswheel - Thanks for the kind words.

Check out the movie listings - Cobb, Hoosiers and Three Little Pigskins. The last is great for NFL draft time. Mom (aka the world's Greatest Football Fan) already has charts, drinks, and sandwiches ready - won't see her for most of the weekend, so I guess I'll head for the theatuh.

I don't "shill" for magazines, but the June issue of Trains arrived this a.m. I call attention to the CGW picture on p. 82 and the CP picture on p. 84. There's also a couple of better than average pieces on Metroliners and NKP 765.

The Metroliners were, of course, the rage of the age. I can remember buying tickets for them in Nashville. This was, of course, an offline city. The ticket agent had to contact PC for a "Metoliner Code" which was written onto a paper ticket.

Sometimes I rode the flying machine from Nashville to Washington (American Airlaines flew Caravelles on this route - anybody out there remember that aircraft), and then rode NEC from Washington to Boston.

Metroliners ran as far as NY and then I'd generally take the "Merchants Limited" from NY to Boston as it still had a full diner. Anyway, the Metro was a fun ride. I got a chance to ride in the cab once between Washington and IIRC. Newark. It was high tech for the time with a digiatal speedometer and lots of bells and whistles. Closing with another train at speed was truly interesting.

Later on some Metroliner trips ran up to New Haven. By this time I was back living in Boston and used to travel down to New Haven to take pictures. I have somewhere in the stack of stuff slides with Metroliners and GG1s in the same shot as ATK ran G motors into New Haven.

work safe

[siberianmo]

Good Mornin’ Gents!

Another fine looking morning here in mid-Continent USA – blue skies, chirping birds, playing squirrels, scurrying chipmunks, mating rabbits, quacking ducks, honking geese, hooting owls, barking dogs and yeowling cats. All sights ‘n sounds from the “south forty” and all about to drive me nuts – nuts, I tell ya! <argggggggggggggh> [swg]

Okay, where was I[?] Ah, yes – Good mornin’ one and all! [tup]

A rather interesting mix from wanswheel Mike to close out the night . . . URLs always “right on” and captivating.

Early morning visits from both “coasts” – left ‘n right. Now that’s a bit unusual, but a nice way to begin the day! [tup]

Hey, Al please don’t let the boredom drive you to those threads created by the JOs – c’mon, you’re feeding the very ones who are destroying these Forums. Stick with us here and on “my other thread!” Anyone Posting without a way to contact them, without an identity and without a geographic location is saying “volumes” and to me it spells – AVOIDANCE!

Your E-mails have been received, Ted and we’re into the “countdown” fer sure, fer sure.

Remember how we anguished over the airline fares this past fall[?] Well, we should consider ourselves fortunate that we made ‘em far enough in advance to have avoided the horrendous increases of today. Makes me wonder aloud, so if the “traveling public” cannot afford to fly, and the planes are seemingly always “over booked,” what’s the alternative OTHER than not going[?] There isn’t any for long distance travel. Once upon a time there were all kinds of reliable passenger railroads linking us to all kinds of interesting and far flung places.

I’m happy that I at least had the opportunity to travel aboard a few of those fine trains – not for fun necessarily, but simply as a means to get from one place to another. The fun stuff came much, much later when my wife and I began our rail trips in Canada. Anyway, I’ll always revere the experiences and cheri***he memories! [tup]


I urge one and all to consider our “rules” about avoiding any “hot button issues” that detract mightily from what this Thread was created for and many strive to support. I don’t live my life with blinders on, nor do I fail to acknowledge the wrongs along the way, whether it be my country, myself or humankind. Let’s keep on track and stay “light” with the banter and “heavy” with the Classic Trains! [tup]


I expect to be here for the remainder of the day . . . . so, don’t be shy – let’s get some orders in for breakfast, B4 you head out into that cruel, cruel world! [swg]


Tom [4:-)] [oX)]


BE SMARTER, use the “Reload/Refresh” as soon as you get to ”Our” Place It’s the only way to get the most current Posts!

[Anonymous]

My, my, what a yesterday? So many good things happening and more and more action between our honorable personnel. 5 X [tup]. Tom, let me try on a #3 for size this a.m., please. Hey, the early CanAm mail/express arrived and you have a message. Lars done good and keeps the "flow go" hereabouts. Surely is appreciated and I know our "steamed" Proprietor appreciates the support.[tup] So the "Book Realy" made it full circle, eh? Oh, that we could be so well traveled as that book, eh? Doug, the cartoon has special reference here in "Gator" country. Thankfully, the days of once living animal apparel has abated here and is discouraged more and more overseas. It is all kinda creepy when you think of it, isn't it? Still, a good tsk, tsk, tsk.[:D]

In no particular order, I'd like to recognize some "highlights" that came across "big time" for me. CM3, the Port Chicago tragedy spoke volumes of the nearly hysterical years of W.W. II. We often recall only the "pulling together" of Americans for a common cause, winning a war. Too often, that "sinking feeling" of the blatent inequalities which were the "rule" not the "exception;" brings us back to reality. Thanks for the needed "jolt" for us to remember the humility and empathy so sadly lacking during those dark days.[tup] Mike, I haven't had time to delve into all the URL's, re: Port of Chicago and some previous, but I appreciate the "thumb nail" of the standard gauge size of R.R.'s. Yes, your summary holds up to historical scrutinity very well.

I want to get to Pete, BK, Lars, Al, Rob and Dave various posts which deserve more than just a casual mention. They are all made of the stuff we admire and I will return for proper accolades when time allows it.[v] Until then, happy rails and let's all think good thoughts.

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the early risers. Time for a coffee and a crumpet from the Mentor bakery.

Enjoyed this morning ponderisms.

It's kind of nice to get up early and know that I don't have anywhere I have to be for the entire day and do nothing but sleep and relax. I could get used to this real easy. Anyway it will give me a chance to catch up on writing and research, something I haven't been able to do for some time now.

We have a Farmers Market that opens in the heart of the city every Friday beginning today and will be open every Friday until October. In past years it has been just great and will probably wander around that for a couple of hours buying healthy things to eat. Wife says my eating habits are going to take a drastic change in direction.

I guess my rambling will cost me a round for the house this AM so will put the money on the bar now. Heres a couple dollars for the Jukebox as well.

Well time to get a move on around here and at least read the Morning Paper. Boredom is beginning to set in.

TTFN Al

[siberianmo]

from: www.viarail.ca

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


FRIDAY’s INFO & SUMMARY of POSTS

The end of the work week (for most) - join us for breakfast – select a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board. Some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, and of course a large mug of steaming hot, freshly ground and brewed coffee![tup]


Daily Wisdom

The man who keeps a bridle on his temper shoots the truest.


Info for the Day:


Railroads from Yesteryear –
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CBQ)
arrives next Tuesday!


* Weekly Calendar:


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


[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][tup][tup][tup]



Comedy Corner

PONDERISMS


• Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

• Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

• All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

• In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

• How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

• Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

• Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt."

• Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

• If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

• Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their *** when they ask where the bathroom is?


[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][tup][tup][tup]



The Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

NOW SHOWING:

Double Features and Three Stooges Short Subject!

. . . Sunday, April 23rd thru Apr 29th: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Kathy Ross –and- The Sting (1973) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Robert Shaw. SHORT: Men In Black (1934).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

. . . Sunday, April 30th thru May 6th: Cobb (1994) starring: Tommy Lee Jones & Robert Wuhl –and- Hoosiers (1986) starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey & Dennis Hopper. SHORT: Three Little Pigskins (1934).



SUMMARY

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

(1) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 05:21:11 (316) Thursday’s Info & Summary

(2) Theodorebear Ted Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 06:43:43 (316) The talking Bear!

(3) passengerfan Al Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 07:36:20 (316) Comments & WP Streamlined Dome Cars

(4) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 07:56:27 (316) Lars Report!

(5) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 08:29:49 (316) Acknowledgments, etc.

(6) coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 09:20:43 (316) Shane CM3 Report!

(7) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 10:06:13 (316) Acknowledgment, etc.

(8) passengerfan Al Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 12:54:09 (316) Streamlined Domes of the AT&SF

(9) BudKarr BK Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 14:07:34 (316) BK Report & Pix

(10) LoveDomes Lars Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 17:59:48 (316) Lars report, part duex!

(11) passengerfan Al Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 18:48:58 (316) 3rd visit today!

(12) pwolfe Pete Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 18:56:44 (316) Wolfman Howls!

(13) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 20:30:22 (316) Acknowledgments, etc.

(14) siberianmo Tom Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 21:07:56 (316) RR Book Relay – status!

(15) wanswheel Mike Posted: 27 Apr 2006, 22:38:24 (316) URLs ‘n more!




That’s it! [tup][;)]


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

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house

CM3, thanks for links. Because World War II history focuses on
battles and such, we just didn't learn this kind of stuff in school.

Port Chicago before the explosion
http://www.usmm.org/images/unloadtrain.gif
http://www.usmm.org/images/dockbefore.gif
Ammunition arrived by train from Hawthorne, Nevada, where it was made, then held in boxcars between protective barriers, and when needed, a train was moved onto the pier, which accommodated 2 ships. At the upper left are the concrete revetments which protected the boxcars. At upper right are the barracks about one mile from the pier. Lower left, one ship at dock.

Now I don't know if all of what follows is true but it sounds plausible:

The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5
inches. That's an odd number, don't you think? Why was that 'gauge'
used?

Because that's the way they built railroads in England, and English
expatriates built the US Railroads. Why did the English build them like
that?

Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the
pre-railroad tramways, and that's the 'gauge' they used. Why did "they"
use that gauge then?

Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools
that they used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing. Okay!
Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel spacing?

Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break
on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the
spacing of the wheel ruts. So who built those old rutted roads?

Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in Europe (and England)
for their legions. The roads have been used ever since. And the ruts in
the roads?

Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts, which everyone else had to
match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chariots were
made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel
spacing. The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches
is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war
chariot.

And bureaucracies live forever. So the next time you are handed a
specification and wonder what horse's***came up with it, you may be
exactly right, because the Imperial Roman war chariots were made just wide
enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses.

Hamm train station
http://media.nara.gov/media/images/28/13/28-1231a.gif

Amelia Earhardt
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:RAD.SCHL:317040?buttons=y&viewheight=480&viewwidth640

Santa Fe
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/20th/skytop02.jpg

Sacramento Northern
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~ggg9y/ramon-2.jpg

[siberianmo]

”Our” Place RR Book Relay!




Status report:

The sixth mailing is complete with the return of the book to me from pwolfe Pete.

Route of the book:

Chesterfield, MO, USA - to –
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK - to –
Crystal Lake, IL, USA –to –
Brantford, Ontario, Canada – to –
Pinellas Park, FL, USA – to –
Jefferson City, MO, USA – to –
Chesterfield, MO, USA


Thanx to Nick – Doug – Rob – Ted ‘n Pete for participating!

As a token of my appreciation, I will provide you with a copy of the “comments” made by all who received the book. Watch for it by Email!



Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Evenin' Gents!

Can't believe I've stayed out of the conversations since this AM - I've been tending bar, and simply letting the flow "go!"

For Pete check this out:
http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/slinky.htm

Received your Email - thanx! [tup] Didn't realize you've been a "bachelor" - guess I just didn't pick up on itl. Would've been a great time for you to come here! We gotta do better at coordinating our activities, Mate! [tup]

Good to see the diversity of visitors and Posts this fine day. Appreciate the rounds from you guys and that sound I love to hear - "Ka-ching, ka-ching. Music from Tilla 'n Cashinator [swg]

Appreciate the AT&SF streamlined domes from Al and glad to see he's back in form with the Crown Royal! [tup] [swg] Three visits in one day is indeed a rare event, but most welcome! [tup]

Nice Pix from BK - yes, he's come a looooooooong way since those early days (daze!). We've turned him into an "enthusiast" of sorts. [tup] We'll surely miss having you around, but this step you are taking is a big one. Kinda like stepping off that mountain you're living on! <grin> Only kidding . . . . I share the sentiments previously stated and wish you and your bride-to-be the BEST! [tup]

Lars As always, your visits to the bar really are helping to keep us "up on the Forums page." And yes, I've noted the avalanche of crap from those JOs with their nonsense. I just hope our guys keep away from those Threads - no need to enable them any further than they already are.

Don't expect Kalmbach to take a stand on anything like that - unless it gets to "flaming" someone, or profanity in the 1st degree - they aren't about to put the brakes on the crap. Just one of those "unintended consequences" of the technology. Someone takes the time to come up with a great idea and there's always someone to stretch it way beyond the intent.

REMINDER: Leon the Night Man takes the bar at 9 PM (Central)!

Boris Ring the bell - and let's get some of those pitchers of brew movin' to the pool room - I see the Track Gang's are comin' in . . . . Fish 'n Chips are "smoking ready!" and they aren't from H&H these are MINE! [swg]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of the Bathams that LARS has tapped it is a good barrel[^] and some Fish'n' Chips for later please, hopefully [C=:-)] NICK's but H&H's fish are OK, even if they wern't I dare not tell them that[:-^].

MIKE Thanks for the great links. I think the Prince of Wales loco photo was when it was still owned by BR. It is sometimes forgotten that BR ran the 3 Vof R steam locos for quite a few years after steam was finished on the main line. Perhaps NICK can tell us when BR finally sold the line. The link to the Welsh photos is one I shall return to again[tup].

More great WP with DAVE"s and TED's memories, CM3 info of the Sacremento Northern and AL's WP Dome cars, good info on what happened to the cars when their California Zepher days were over. Thanks also AL for the Santa Fe and BK for the photo[tup].

CM3 Glad you liked the Alton Towers post looking at the link brought back memories for me. I had a look at the Busch Gardens site and there was only one photo of the steam loco and that was not a close up, it does look European and I wonder if they got it from the UK. It looks a great park and it brought some good memories for TOM.
Those Port Chicago links were most sad and thought prevoking.

Good to see Lars and Al in again I had better tidy up before the bride gets back or, as we say in England "I shall be in the CART"
.
TOM Those ponderisms are good and oh so true[tup]. By the way what are "Slinkies"[?]

Well I'll have another Bathams and I,ll get a round in PETE.

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a double CR and a round for the house. Took Toms advise after all it is only cyberspace.

Lars if you ever figure out wives please write a book . Guaranteed to make you an instant millionaire.

Really liked the warbonnet picture thanks. I have to agree with many who think it was the finest passenger scheme of all.

I guess I am going to have time on my hands so will try and frequent Our Place more often. Am starting to get used to all this.

Just got company will get back later.

TTFN Al

[LoveDomes]

And then, Q-U-I-E-T, shhhhhhhhhh, you'll wake the Proprietor!

Hello Kapitan Tom and apparently no one else!

Back for a 2nd visit and I'll take a Keith's Ale - nothing to eat, thanks. Been a long day, once again - and we're gonna do it again tomorrow afternoon. Ugh.

Man oh man, has anyone noticed the absolute inundation on our Forum of those JO's with their incessant questions and polls[?] It's really getting out of hand. Yeah, I know, don't "visit 'em" - and I don't. Sure makes me angry, though and I wi***he Kalmbach people would crack down on these characters who have no identities or ways to communciate with 'em. Oh, if I ran the world! [swg]

No ballgame today - off day. So, I'll try to catch up on stuff 'round the house instead of "vegging" in front of the tube.

Good to see that BK seems to have returned to the fold and while I know it's only short term, makes for some interesting reading. You are only weeks away, still time to change your mind! [swg] Only kidding - you seem to be quite happy with this "new life" of yours and of course I wish you and your lady all of the best . . . [tup]

I liked that Santa Fe diesel - those warbonnet colors sure were "purty!" Too bad Trainnut484 Russell doesn't stop by any more - for he has all kinds of great AT&SF pix . . . Nicely done, BK! - imagine how far you've come since your 1st visit here[?]

Two posts in one day from 20 FIngers! - now that's a good sign! Not only helps out here at the bar, but brings to mind some vivid recollections - for some. [tup]

Just wanted to check in - but I best be scramming outta here before the Mrs. raises the Dickens! Things are a bit stressed lately with all these afternoon appointments. Women! <groan>

Until the next time!

Lars