Morning Tom , I hope you gave Ruth the day offn so she can doll herself up for tonights festivities,don't worry Lars we will email you the pictures. Anyhow a splashed coffee and a number three I think this morning , oops looks like we need to "greese" the donut machine teh stuff that just ame out of it looks a tad dry by Sven's standards, Boris the lard jar my lad stat.
I think Tom I dislike the P42's for much the same reason as you , they have no sole , they also by VIA standards have no guts. They seem to slip like squirrels down a greesed tree trunk when they are met with any kind of grade unless the tracks are perfectly dry and clear of weeds. Just a freight loco with high speed gearing no thanks , bring back the FP7's in the old solid Blue and Yellow or better yet the FPA4's but ask me how I really feel about them
There were a few "life guards" around when I had you guys up at the museum, most pf them were the more modern style that ride under the front of the car so they don't stick out.Number 23 which is in that picture was in the one dislay barn that day , but if I remeber correctly the life guard was in the shop as it had got caught on a switch stand a couple weeks before you guys got there It was teh first car that went down the line when teh had first put in the new number nine switch and it's stand,it was an after hours test run at least.23's not a car that's in regular service so it's frontal dimentions arew a tade wider than the Witt's and PCC's that make up the bulk of the operating fleet. The only other car we have with that type of catcher is the other open car 327 which you guys did ride on, only it's is not as long or wide as the car is a single trucked critter. Well I think a couple more musuem pics and I'm off to work for six hours get to close both holiday days Christmas eve and tonight mind you store close is six because of teh day off tomorrow so it's all good as the kids say
Happy New year Allan hope you can still see straight and I hope everyone enjoys themeslves today and tomorrow, free asprin will be available along with the rounds tomorrow and to cap teh festivities H&H will appear in their white leather nurse outfits,<uh oh > and Boris as their hunchback ( not a huge stretch for him )
enjoy Rob
i
G'day Gents!
Thanx for coming in today, Ruth - I know it's hard not having Lars around 'n work takes your mind off of . . . <uh oh>
Email comms established with MoPac Chris - good show!
Now Arriving on Track Number Two
Electric Trains at Christmastime
#6 - Lionel & American Flyer Catalogs
Collector's Guide to Postwar Lionel Trains - 1945-1969
Lionel Train Field Guide - 1945-1969
Lionel: A Century of Timeless Toy Trains
Gilbert American Flyer Instruction Book
American Flyer Pocket Price Guide - 1946-2006
American Flyer S Gauge Operating & Repair Manual - 1945-1965
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy!
Tom
Missed any
#1 . . . Page 149
#2 . . . Page 153
#3 . . . Page 156
#4 . . . Page 156
#5 . . . Page 157
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please and $ for the jukebox. Clear weather here today although the roads were plenty slick earlier as it rained most of yesterday and the temperature dropped quick last night.
First off, thanks to all for the Birthday greetings! They were greatly appreciated!
Lars - A fine selection of MP reading. I assume you watched the Gints on Saturday. It was a good game (except for when the wheels fell off for a time in the 3d quarter). Safe travels, sir!
Fergie stopped by - The Rapido passenger cars you mentioned are nice if only because they pay attention to paint and numbering. I have a good handful of old MRC cars in N scale painted and lettered for the C&O. They are still some of the best N scale cars I have ever seen. We're still waiting for anyone to do New Haven LW cars with the correct roof line.
Rob stopped by with CS material and tractionb items as well.
Pete - Cars generally did not linger too long in the station once they arrived. As Eric suggested, it did give passengers a little longer to get ready and get out. At South Station, for example, road power headed into the station so heating was not really a problem. Other places had steam lines which were attached to cars as needed. The bigger problem back in the day was cooling ‘em off, especially if you had set out cars that beaked in sun all day. This became much less of a concern, of course, when decent air conditioning was developed. The Duchess, what can I say? That beautiful LMS scheme.
Eric - The picture of BCT shows how the building was cut "in two" to allow for passage of HW loads and double stacks. They are doing some work with the main terminal building which was really in sad shape. The item on car 23 is, in deed a "people catcher," although Boris thinks it's a lower berth. He still has never been able to figure out that the price of the lower is higher than the upper because its lower.
Mike - Good Buffalo terminal pictures - thank you.
MoPac Chris - Good to read all of your posts and thanks for the kind words. I will be doing some more transcon sleeper stuff as research time permits. I enjoyed the picture of MP slug set.
I didn't want to get caught up with the Sedalia r/bs, but you smoked me out. MP 5321-5327 were all r/b at the Sedalia shops in 1939. Classed MT75, they had smaller cylinders (26½ x30"), but bigger drivers (75"), 225 SP, and 53,720 tractive force. Just looking at the numbers will tell you that they could cover some ground. Here's a list or o/r/n and r#
5306-5321
5303-5322
5305-5323
5307-5324
5303-5325
5302-5326
5301-5327
OSP continues with Pullman ads, and NYC ad, and some more good ‘moom pichers, as well as an all-time list of what has run at the Theatuh. Also appreciated the travel shots and an additional round of toy train guides.
Happy New Year to all!
Work safe
Time for a 2007 finale - a monthly staple here at the Bar by the Ballast:
Significant events in Canadian RR History
during the month of December
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 451 of the Original Thread on Dec 31st, 2006>
Caveat: Much of the information appearing was gathered from internet sources, with credit to "Colin Churcher's Railway Pages" at http://www.railways.incanada.net/
* 1853, December 31st - The Great Western Railway opens its main line between Hamilton and London. The Great Western went on to build, lease or buy other railways throughout Southern Ontario, and it can be claimed to be the first Canadian system. Other sections opened as indicated:
1853, November 10 - Hamilton to the Suspension Bridge at Niagara Falls. 1854, January 27 - London to Windsor. 1854, August 21 - Galt branch.
* 1854, December 25th - Opening of the Bytown and Prescott Railway between Prescott and Bytown (now Ottawa), 54 miles. First rail service to what is now Canada's Capital. Bytown was renamed Ottawa in 1855 and the railway became the Ottawa and Prescott Railway Company, now part of Canadian Pacific.
* 1855, December 3rd - The Great Western Railway "branch" between Hamilton and Toronto is opened to traffic.
* 1859, December 12th - First train operated over the Victoria Railway Bridge, Montreal. The first passenger train crossed the structure on December 17, 1859 and it was formally opened by the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII, on August 25, 1860. The original structure was a single-track iron tubular bridge. The tube, when first constructed, was entirely enclosed and there were ventilation problems. Later a slit 20" wide was cut in the tube the full length of the bridge to permit the emission of smoke.
* 1859, December 27th - The Grand Trunk Railway completes its line between Toronto and Sarnia and establishes a ferry service across the St. Clair River to Fort Gratiot (Port Huron).
* 1860, December 31st - The Brockville and Ottawa Railway opens a tunnel l/3 of a mile under the town of Brockville. This was the first railway tunnel in Canada.
* 1879, December 29th - The locomotive J.G. Haggart is taken over the ice of the Red River into Winnipeg by the contractor Joseph Whitehead to start construction westwards across the Prairies in the spring of 1880.
* 1898, December 13th - First passenger train over the newly reconstructed Victoria Railway Bridge, Montreal. The original 1859 tube had been replaced by a double track steel bridge.
* 1912, December 14th - Canadian Pacific leases the Quebec Central Railway Company, Quebec along with the following companies:
Dominion Atlantic Railway Company, Nova Scotia, on January 3. Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company, Vancouver Island, on July 1.
* 1914, December - The Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway is opened to service the aqueduct between Winnipeg, Man and Shoal Lake, Ont.
* 1916, December 9th - Canadian Pacific inaugurates the 5-mile Connaught Tunnel which eliminated the old route over Rogers Pass and shortened the line through the Selkirk Mountains by 4 1/2 miles.
* 1916, December 19th - an order in council gives authority for the shipment of rails and fastenings from Canadian railways to France for war service. Under this and a subsequent order, some 800 miles were taken up from sidings and divisional yards of the eastern division of the National Transcontinental Railway (98.2 miles from between Moncton and Diamond Jct.; 11.8 miles east of Levis; 206.6 miles from between Quebec and Winnipeg) and a further 300 miles from the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, partly from the portion of line running through the Yellowhead Pass which closely paralleled the Canadian Northern Railway.
* 1918, December 20th - The use of the collective title "Canadian National Railways" is authorized by order in council P.C. 3122.
* 1936, December 6th - Canadian National opens its line between Senneterre and Val D'Or, Quebec.
* 1937, December - Canadian Pacific takes delivery of its first diesel electric locomotive, a switching unit numbered 7000.
* 1938, December 3rd - Canadian national opens its line between Val D'Or and Rouyn Noranda, Quebec.
1952, December 1st - Canadian Pacific launches an intermodal freight system by carrying truck trailers on railway flat cars between Toronto and Montreal.
* 1954, December - Canadian Pacific opens a branch line from Havelock to Nephton, ON to serve the American Nepheline Co. min
Afternoon, Gents!!!Ruth, I'm Mopac Chris, just joined in the last few days. Nice to meet you! May I have a French-dip, fries, and a Nuclear 'Nog, please? Boris - not noshing on anything? I've got some leftover pemmican you're welcome to, but I'd like to retain my fingers, if you don't mind?Oh, where to start? So many good thing have been happening recently {including joining the gang here}, that it's hard to pick a starting point. I guess the kudos are the most logical, so........
Rob / trolleyboy - I LOVE that "band-o-brothers" bit; describes this place to a "T!" And I agree about the way I'm fitting in here - I'm just kicking myself for not doing this sooner!!!!! {keep that last thought in mind - it also applies to something else that happened to me this weekend.}. We're going to become tight and up to speed in short order; I'm certain of that. One last item for now - I too have a fondness for the trolley/interurban/light-rail branch of the hobby, ever since I found out that our good old Museum of Transport here was founded with the acquisition of a retired horse-drawn streetcar!Cap'n Tom - For me, joining this place was like the proverbial "falling off the log," again my only beef is why it took me so long. Your background is most interesting, indeed - I can identify with much of it, but the one thing that really leaped out at me is your Amtrak involvement here. I guess you know Mike Gibbons pretty well then, eh? I retained his services in the ealy '90's, when he helped me out of a mucked-up auto accident situation. Never did get to talking about the rails with him, as he was then on an hourly retainer; I would have been bankrupt in 24 hours, if I had!! BTW - at that time, Mike's legal office was just a couple blocks north of Kirkwood Station - poetic, no?
As for me being the "shot in the arm" this place needed, I sincerely thank you for the raves, but I'm humble about the overall situation. My debut here was a happy fluke; as a musician, I've had more than my share of disaterous opening nights, but this place was one of those times where everything flows easily and naturally. Loyal sideman that I am, I'll do my best to keep the "backbeat" constant, and if you've heard my music, quite busy at odd moments. Railroads and music are my twin passions, so I'm just doin' what comes natural. Good choice in movies - I quite like the community theater idea, and it's always nice to see The Stooges enjoy a marquee-revival...............
Eric /X2000 - First off, I'm not taking your "Nocturnal Steward" position away - all I'm doing is joining you in the odd-hours department. This way, nobody has to have sole responsibility - sharng "the burden" is one of the main ideas of this place, if I'm not mistaken. We'll do the night-Owl routine in rotation, and all shall be well. Now, as for Union Station - no, I was gigging the week that the "real" X2000 was here, although I did manage to see it being ferried to KC {by Amtrak's F69PHAC "Winnebego's," no less}, just after you saw it {and took that cool picture}. And have no worries, my Friend - more Kirkwood Hill tales are in the offing, and we'll get to them when appropriate. For now, I'll just point out my good fortune really IS good, by noting that just behind the Grande Tunnel-Motor in my pic are two SP T-Motors!!! Can you say "All In The Family?" Finally, I'll have to check, but I'm certain that GP-50 3510 {if it's still on the roster, or hasn't been rebuilt} is now in standard UP garb - the last "interim"-painted units were re-done by 1994 or so, if memory serves.Shane / cm3 - Smoked you out on the Sedalia r/b's, eh? I have the odd "good" moment, as y'all are rapidly learning. Seriously though, I appreciate your appreciation, and I'm not in the least bit surprised you have great roster-detail info of your own - whilst doing my homework in the archives here, your posts caught my eye for just that reason; that plus the wonderful memorabilia you share with the group. A toast in your honor, Sir!Shifting back to house-in-general mode, here are a couple quickies:
Both date to May of 1980, and are the results of a fruitful visit to the Frisco Lindenwood yard here in town. I'll always be grateful that my Dad, brother and I spent quite a bit of quality time with the Frisco in it's last year of existence. As for the pics themselves, the first is just an OK pick of one of the International extended-vision jobs the Frisco was long known for pioneering, and the second one is a poor-exposure grab shot of a very young Yours Humbly hamming it up inside a sister crummy. More shots and a full story on this particualr episode are in the pipeline, so don't worry; the good times-memories will turn up in due course............And fnally, I encourage all and sundry to check out my homepage, which I've linked up in my profile here - it'll bring you up to speed pretty much about my background, and how my mind works "away" from our Passion we share here.More shortly - and happy New Year one and All!!!!
Greetings Tom and gentelmen!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!
I'll be back to tomorrow. Been working extra today, I just though that I pop in to wish you a happy new year and all the very best for 2008....
And also to top up the drink tab....drinks on me until Sunday at midnight, cigars included *hands a check to the barkeep*...
To your health gentlemen....SLAINTE'
Hi Tom and all,
Leon a double shot of Johnny Walker Black Label please for all the crew to toast the New Year of 2008 in!
To Tom, Lars, Eric, Pete, Shane, Mike, Rob, Ron, Fergie, Jan, Dan, Sven, Per and Chris, wishing you and all of your families a very HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR for 2008, " Lang may your lumb reek"
Just got back to home base from our trip up to Auckland so have not caught up with all of your posts yet, so i`ve got a heck of a lot of very interesting reading to catch up on. I will acknowledge all your posts when i`ve caught up with the latest info and pics. My brother-in-law is not PC orientated, he has a Fax machine, but reackons a PC would cramp his music interests, he is a complete music nut from the Big Bands up, you name it!
Hope you all have had a great festive season with lots of everything that was going . My wife and I would like to thank you all for your very warm Christmas and New Year greetings,many, many thanks!
Chris. Nice to see a new member of our great gathering since i`ve been away. Nice to meet you! From the skimming of the posts i`ve carried out it looks as if you are a "Frequent flyer", which is great!
See ya, Allan
Leon. How about another double shot for all the crew just for "Auld Langs Syne"
Good evening Leon , that's an interesting hat your wearing , did you kill it yourself Oh I see , how often do you have to feed it then I hope it's house broken. Anyway I think a tankard of Keith's for me sir and a round of whatever those still standing wish
Tom-Hi again , yes I read your addendum to your morning post. I think they have widened the run area for the engine as it has been photographed a few times the last week or so. Have you seen a picture yet
Nice to read the the great events in Canadian railway history again, some interesting bits in that one. The Great Western has a 5' broad guage system.When the Grand Trunk bought them out they apparently mamged to re-guage them to standard guage in 18 hours ! Quite and accomplishment by 1880's standards.The current Brantford train station which is now over 100 years old is on the grounds of the original Great Western depot.
Nice to look at those old Christmas catalogues again as well. Put your feet up and have a nog or two on me.Looks like you need the break after having to polish the boot rails all afternoon.
Allan-Nice to see you back in again sir.Sounds like you had an interesting trip to Auckland. Your brother-in-law sounds as though he has as an ecclectic music tastes as I do.try not to saok up too much sun over the holidays
Jan-Long time no see.I hope that that was a cashiers cheque as I think the tab was quite large,you wouldn't want Vito's boyz have to come around and collect anything that might have bounced<uh oh> thanks for the ongoing <hick up> hospitality sir.
Chris-Hey nice to see you in again today,we truly are quite the band in this here joint jsut wait until you meet some of us face to face.A couple more nice pics from you , I look forward to the stories that will follow.Nice to see you fitting in so well with the gang, I'm sure that you will not be dissapointed or otherwise question your jumping into our little neck of the internet.
Interesting to hear that I may have another traction nut on board, eventually we will wear them all down.
CM3-I don't think we can ever get Boris to understand the ins and outs of life let alone railway pricing. I must say though that the people catcher on 23 might just fit him,he would certainly see where he was going should he ever choose to travel on it.
Leon I think my glass is empty, you agve me the one with teh holes in it again didn't you I think another is needed.
Rob
Happy New Years from the East Coast of Canada!!
Rounds on me so drink up please and no bird sips!
Fergie
Flat bed of Kieth's enroute ! INCOMING!
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
<personal foto>
Two Thousand Eight is upon us 'n whowuddathunk it would arrive sooooooooo quickly, eh If you feel that way, you're getting O-L-D in a hurry! Such is the way of aging my friends. But not to worry, there's not a living thing on this planet that doesn't age - so push it to the back burner 'n siddle up to the bar for some breakfast offerings on this First Day of a New Year!
Coffee's freshly ground 'n brewed - pastries fully stocked in The Mentor Village Bakery Case 'n of course our Menu Board listings for <light> 'n <traditional> breakfasts should satisfy even the most discriminating of tastes . . .
Comments from the Proprietor:
Here's the link to the Original "Our" Place for those wishing to look back . . . it will take you to the last Page - ENJOY!
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/451/991587/ShowPost.aspx#991587
Name the DoNut Machine CONTEST underway!
<closes on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 at NOON (CST)>
Lars . . . . GreeseMeister (27 Dec)
Sven . . . . The Halo Creator (27 Dec)
Pete . . . Holey-Moley (27 Dec)
Rob . . . . Track Greeser (27 Dec)
Mike . . . . Greasel Doughcomotive, built by EMD (eat more donuts) (29 Dec)
<Contest Participants may "vote" for any of the above by sending me an "offline" Email - NOT via the Forums pu-leeze!>
REMINDER: Drinks are "on Rob" today ‘n tomorrow!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative) :
Monday, Dec 31st:
Rob (trolleyboy) at 9:05 AM: Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work YOU go . . . <grin> Yeah, I recall those days <daze> . . . kinda miss a lot of it, mainly the interaction amongst the guys ‘n feeling of BELONGING to something worthwhile. Yeah, that's it!
Figured your reasons for the disdain directed at the P42s kinda echo my own <I recall our past conversations!>. Anyway, next visit to Halton County's museum I'm sure my view of things will be far different - always is that way 2nd time around, eh
Fine spate of trolley shots!
Good chat ‘n even better to see ya!
CM3 (coalminer3) at 11:52 AM: Didn't expect to see ya on the Eve . . . but there you were! Seems to me we've had a much better ending to the year than expected ‘n nothing but good prospects for the tomorrow's . . .
MoPac Chris (MoPacBarrettTunnel) at 4:15 PM: Had a friend in this area who used to "talk trolleys" ‘til the cows came home . . . really knew the history ‘n thanx to him, I've seen many, many remnants of what used to be in this area. Such a pity that those lines were discontinued, dismantled ‘n pretty much forgotten. I could go on, but won't . . . <groan>
For whatever the reason, music ‘n trains go together, eh Surely seems that way . . .
Good Afternoon, Friends!Ruth I'll have the Ham-N-Swiss, fries, and a Nuke-Nog, please. I see Boris is happily shredding what looks suspiciously like a Razorback pennant - what in the world has gotten into him?
Great to see this place sailing into the New Year on a bit of a high note - no finer reward need be given to all involved who made such possible, and made my debut here so special. So, let's dive right in, shall we?Cap'n Tom - rather sexy-looking FPA4 you shared with all of us, first off - my kind of "porn," you know? Spot-on with the music/train observation; from my perspective, they're one and the same, in terms of the joy they deliver. I've been fortunte to have a literal lifetime of wonderful experiences with both, and I'm quite willing to share all of 'em with whomever cares to notice! As for me stumbling in here during a point of low morale, blame it on my musical tendencies - drummers are always looked to, whenever a swift kick in the A** is most needed; I'm just doing what comes naturally. The difference here is that I finally seem to have come in right on the beat, for a change!!! No, I don't know how the hell that happened, either -but I think I can live with the aftermath. If nothing else, let my being here help heal the wounds present just before my arrival........ As for my web page, you're most kind, Mate - it has helped me keep my 'Net abilities razor-sharp, among other things. No pressure felt at all, don't worry........Allan/Gunnerall - nice to meet you too, and thanks for the kind words!! I'll plead guilty to the "frequent-flyer" observation, and throw myself on the Court's mercy - it's the only thing to do, right? Hooking up with a Kiwi neighbor is always a blast for me, and I'm looking forward to "terrorizing" the odd billabong in the near future - you with me, or what? Don't beat yourself up about your PC-challenged BIL, Allan - he'll come 'round when he's comfortable, I'll wager.Rob/trolleyboy - oh, CLANG-CLANG-CLANG and be done with it already - SHEESH!!!!!!!{Did I fail to mention my penchant for WICKED teasing, earlier? My error - character flaw, and all that......}Seriously though Rob, this place truly does have a great Brotherhood, and I'm happy to be included. Meeting some or all of you lot is definitely something I'm looking forward to; my only gripe is that we can't do it up "right-n-proper," now that Rail-Cruise America is no more - meeting new friends on a domed dinner-train pulled by F-units is a nice notion, you've gotta admit. D'you think if I tried the "pathetic whipped puppy-dog" routine on What's-his-face Corman, he might toss us an Old Kentucky Freebie, out of pity?
Jan Orlov - thanks for the kind tab that was in place just before I crashed in - dreadfully sorry about running it into the seven-figure total; I tend to get a little silly during the Holidays..........Fergie/Fergmiester - PROST, and looking forward to meeting you.Today's item for group consideration pays tribute to my fondness for all things "offbeat," a trait of mine that will be explored in-depth as we go along. For now, please enjoy the following:Have a great day, Friends!!! More shortly............
2008 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST
<rev. Jan 1st>
Customers at "Our" Place
January 14th (Eric - 65) - Next up!
January 23rd (Jan - 39)
January 26th (Chris - 40)
March 31st (Lars - 68)
May 18th (Tom - 70)
August 11th (Pete - 57)
August 14th (Allan - 73)
August 14th (Sven - 63)
September 8th (Rob - 37)
October 9th (Ron - 74)
SPECIAL FOR Ron (DD1) . . .
Appreciate your taking the time to stop in . . . wondered about you, but then you told us you'd be an infrequent visitor.
Sorry to learn of your situation . . . take heart, Mate! I've had an arthritic spine for YEARS and it hurts like hell at times . . . keeps me in a reclining chair for more time than I wish to think about. Just gotta go with the hand you're dealt. But you KNOW that, eh
Anyway, go ahead - order yourself a stiff belt of whatever pleases you! Remember: this is a cyber bar 'n grill - DON'T start the year off on the wrong foot by mixing reality with what goes on 'round here! CHEERS to ya!
Good after/morning/evening Leon or is it Cindy ( staggers towards what might be his stool )Just a small Keith's Leon,bit of a quiet one today but that's not too big a deal,ncie to see the place survived the staff party, though I noticed the police tape on the Rats Patoot room's door.<uh oh> Anybody know what happenedLast thing I remember was H&H in their wagner girl outfitsand the Mentor Jug band belting out a spirited version of the Ride of the Valkeries.I haven't seen the inspector or is side kick around either , mind you the moosehead that was on the wall is leaning against the bar and someone's put a Boston Bruins touque on it. Any thoughts Shane
Tom-So the travel bugs bit again has it Well can't keep an experianced traveller down,we still have to do the Tour of the line on the ACR and the Churchhill run,no preasure though
I haven't snapped a picture yet it hasn't made it this far south into Ontario yet,give it time though.One of the guys at the station hobbyshop got a picture off the web somewhere, so some shots are out there in the either.
Like Chris that FPA is my kind of porn too, gotta love anything that Alco or MLW put out,except the LRT's they never floated my boat.
We'll just have to give you a much more in depth tour at the second visit to the HCRY,though on a I'm PO'd side of things. I got an email from one of our freinds from the museum, they were working over the weekend at the museum and after they went to bed on the 30th some JO kids decided to tag the entire side of the Gloster subway cars , first time anything like that happened in 50 years,I wouldn't want to be them if and when they get caught,if our members don't tar and feather them the local population likely will as we are very well liked in town.
Chris-Ding- ding- ding went the bell sang that a bit off key but what the heck,I never was much of a song and dance guy anyway, two left feet and about as much rythum as a potted plant. I too have a bit of a twisted some would say sick sence of humour, so we should get on famously
That's a unique thing that you put the picture up of a re-engined what looks like a cross between an RS3 and a GP9.
Ron-Glad to see you again sorry to hear about the ole back,go see H&H the girls will straighten you outSeriously hang in there and thanks for the round,one less I have to buy today my Scottish side thanks you
You got it spot-on, Leon - EXCELLENT porch-climber!!! Almost forgot my useful contribution for the day, so please enjoy the following random images:
Anyone here besides me ever see a pic of the elusive PRR "G .5?"No matter how you "fancy it up" there's just no escaping the fact that a Genesis unit is really an unholy cross-breed between a Baldwin Shark booster unit, and Santa Fe's "Amos-n-Andy" bocab twins of 1935:{credit for the two above goes to S. Berliner III - both images are from his wonderful boxcab/Pennsy-appreciation site}Speaking of Amos-n-Andy, here's a rare shot of them wearing their as-built {and immediately removed upon delivery} truck shrouds:And finally, here's a link to a presentation you all might enjoy:http://165.91.110.43/Trains/Misc/Bicentennial.htmSYS, All!!!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Four Seasons Blend will be fine), round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Nice and cool here this a.m. (about 10 degrees with a stiff wind. The K9 Korps did not spend too much time outside this a.m. There's enough snow on the roads to make it interesting. Gas is at $3.19/gal. Happy New Year to all!
Let's see what's in the stack of stuff today.
Jan Olov stopped by. Glad to see you are stirring around!
DD1 visited briefly - get better, son! No fun dealing with that stuff.
Allan was in as well as was Fergie!
Rob - Boris on the people catcher? Is that sort of like Paddy on the Railway? Anyway, seeing him in front gives new meaning to the phrase, "Watch Out for the Cars."
MoPAc visited with SLSF material. Zoiks! A builder shot of SLSF 4501 lettered for the "Meteor!"
The G.5 was a misbegotten project form the get go. Take a perfectly good road engine and turn it into a switcher; almost as bizarre as a GP9B. In the east, P Company had some of those and eventually they began to appear in and around Providence when the worms took over the New Haven. It was an interesting sight to see them moving around in the yard with the engineer's sticking his head out of the porthole in the side of the engine. The ATSF with shrouds is a keeper as well.
Last, liked the "Buffalo" picture that you sent along as well.
OSP has been by with general comments, snappy repartee, and another Canadian history installment. Thanks for that one, sir!
Wednesday's Witticism
If you must be a fool, be a rich fool ‘n people will treat you like a king.
Didn't expect much yesterday ‘n we didn't get much! However, for the hearty few that did stop by - many THANX!
Wish to make special mention to Rob (trolleyMAN), CM3 Shane (coalminer3) ‘n Lars (LoveDomes) for supporting "my other Thread" over the past several weeks ‘n months - especially Lars who pretty much kept at it during all or most of 2007! Five Salutes to y'all!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Tuesday, Jan 1st:
MoPac Chris (MoPacBarrettTunnel) at 3:49 PM: An appreciated visit ‘n Post from our Resident MoPac Connection!
Fine inclusive offering from our sage, but still YOUNG, customer down there on the 3rd stool from the far end of the bar . . . No problems though, most of us have passed thru where you are in life ‘n perhaps have forgotten so much over time . . . nice to come across someone with an appreciation for the "good stuff"!
I KNOW that designing ‘n maintaining a web site of such high quality takes lots of WORK. Yours is really a 4.0 accomplishment - I'd love to know "how" to get into that aspect of the net . . . maybe one day. <grin>
My late son was a NATURAL when it came to ‘puters ‘n the like. He NEVER had any meaningful formal training - was a commercial artist by trade - AND a musician by night <uh oh>. Anyway, he wound up being hired by one of this area's "premier" companies to run their computer graphics operation. If that talent came from me - I'd never know it! <grin>
Ron (DD1) at 5:45 PM: Aches ‘n pains from our part-time Resident Southern Gentleman down in Mississippi <aka: Transplanted New Yorker!>
I know that at times it hurts to even laugh - but you gotta stay on TOP! This character Arthur Itis is an emissary from the Devil himself - don't let him getcha DOWN!
Have another "belt&
Good Afternoon, Ruth. I'll have my usual Gevalia, and a few donuts from the greasy machine in the Galley.
I am sitting down with a heavy heart on one of your bar stools to let you, and all the regulars, know what I finally have to admit to myself: "I can not keep up with it!"
To read, stay on top of, and actively take part in all that's going on here takes more time than what I am able to set aside. I wish I could take the same step as Eric just did, and many of you have done before, the step into retirementhood, or at least semi retirement. But unfortunately, that is not an option.
It is not easy to say this, but it is more fair than just to fade away and disappear.
I have had some very nice and rewarding weeks at your adult bar, and might pop in from time to time, at least to listen. It's been good to know you all. Thank you for your fellowship, and now understanding.
I wish you all, and the establishement, a very happy and prosperious 2008.
Sven
SPECIAL: for Sven
Hope you reconsider . . . but respect your wishes.
As I've tried to emphasize here 'n by Email, participating at "Our" Place is supposed to be for FUN - that's it!
It is time-consuming to remain on top of each 'n every Post . . . so we've pretty much divided ourselves into those who can 'n those who cannot. It's those who will not who are the problem . . . and that's certainly NOT you.
Being a part-time customer only requires you to check back to see if anyone has responded to whatever it is you've said to one or all of us . . . an option open to you.
Hope all goes well for you 'n remember, there's a stool at "Our" Place for you anytime you can drop in . . .
Best in 2008 to you 'n yours!
Good afternoon Ruth, you look a little lost with out your daily Lars mean chat's with our beloved manager, not to worry he's been sending care packages VIA the Mentor Zepplin Company. H&H and the redoubt Copperkettle ( remember him Tom )Have been flying daily circuts from the south,the fresh oranges and kumqauts have been wonderfull as well as the freshly jarred PPF for Boris alls well. So Ruth I think a nice BK splashed coffee and a nice handfull of fresh greesballs ( need to greese the loops at the museum ) would be wonderfull.
Tom-Yes it twas a bit slow yesterday but at least a couple of us managed to stagger in, mytab for the day was fairly large , know anything about that Chris at least fergies flatbed of Keith's has arrived we had almost run out, no thanks to myself I'm sure
I have one word for the VIA website govt. run piece of well you get my meaning. You have connections though,you must be able to get a speacial travel pack for you and your beloved seriously with the shots you've shown from Alaska I don't think you can really go wrong.
As to the would be "artists" I hope they froze their fingers off. Unfortunatly if they get caught ( which is hard to beleave it would happen ) that sort of thing always gets a pat on the head and chalked upto teenage angst < barf and double barf > I never did stuff like that or even contemplated it.Hopefully the local police find them and not our shop guys,or they might find out what opther things can be dome with overhead wires and switch irons Seriuosly thought the most that will happen to them is a fine and community service <barf>Maybe if mommy and daddy have to pay for the paint job things would change but I doubt it somehow.
I only caught teh third period the overtime and the shootout, but yes these outdoor games seem to be just what the doctor ordered for the NHL,something indeed that they have done right
Sven-Sorry to hear that you aer leaving us. As Tom says I hope you can reconcider, but thank-you for the fair warning.Keep well and I hope we do hear from you from time to time. Sombody has to eat all these donuts,and just cause I'm a cops kid don't expect me do eat more than my share.
Shane-Good afternoon sir,yes Boris on the people catcher, a poster boy of sorts. For what I'm not sure,I would think it would cut down on grade crossing accidents !
MopacBarrettTunnel wrote: Today's item for group consideration pays tribute to my fondness for all things "offbeat," a trait of mine that will be explored in-depth as we go along. For now, please enjoy the following:
Today's item for group consideration pays tribute to my fondness for all things "offbeat," a trait of mine that will be explored in-depth as we go along. For now, please enjoy the following:
Well I'm still thinking I'm stumped,I'm usually pretty good at picking out oddball locomotives but this one's certainly odd. Looks to be either a Fairbanks Morse truck or an old Alco tri-mount,I'm leaning towards an FM something off maybe a baby trainmaster. Looks as though it's had a complete remotoring and rebuild,so in my oppinion it's a Katy or a C&NW franken-rebuild from the 70's and 80's
Lates just say you don't want to even hear me sing in the shower,growing up and singing in the Churc choirs etc ( yup hard to believe but I did that )lets just say that everyone was glad when I sang Solo as in so low noboday can hear him All I can say is look out bar theer's to odd sence's of humour stocking the joint <uh oh >
Hi Tom and all.
Hope everyone a great New Year, back from K.C. so a round for all please RUTH..
Looks like some great posts while I have been away, so I will sit in the corner and catch up..
So keep the Bathams coming Ruth.
Pete.
Good to see our Bar Chandler Pete has returned 'n prior to his "note," a visit from our Resident Ontario Connection, Rob the trolleyMAN! Thanx to both for keeping us AWAKE! <grin>
Something to enjoy on this wonderfully crisp winter's day here in mid-continent USA! <grin>
Now Arriving on Track #1
Six Pack Special Number Eight
RR advertisements from the Classic Era
FEC ad - \"Henry M. Flagler\" Streamliner on the Florida East Coast (from: www.getcruising.com)
Pennsylvania RR - Washington
Santa Fe - Dude Ranches
Erie Railroad
Southern Railway
New York Central System
#1 . . . Page 107
#2 . . . Page 109
#3 . . . Page 115
#4 . . . Page 118
#5 . . . Page 128
#6 . . . Page 136
#7 . . . Page 149
Hey look Pete's back thats grrreet Ruth get that man an intravenous drip for the bantham's Glad to see you've made it back and just in time too the beer fridges are empty,were almost resorting to Boris's liquid lusters from his vats in teh shed basementwe know how well his last microbrews did ( they still are opicking bits of shrappnel out of some of teh downtown buildings ) thank goodness that therush shippment of Keith's Fergie sent along made it here we almost had to drink Boris's Bohemian lager
So Ruth my good freind I think i'll join Peet in a pint or two or three
Here's some reading material from the archieves of threads past
CLASSIC JUICE #21 THE PRE-HISTORY OF THE TTC PART # 1
The Toronto Street Railway Company 1861-1869 1869-1891
This company was incorporated on March 26th 1861, with Alexander Easton becomming president.The company was given a thirty year franchise from the city to provide horsecars servcie on Yonge Street ,Queen and King Streets. Cars were not to exceed a speed of six miles per hour,and would work sixteen hours a day in summer and fourteen hours a day in winter. Headways were to be no longer than half an hour, and fares were to be five cents.
The company proceeded with it's operations until 1869, when it's assets were taken over by appointed Trustee William Cayley. In 1868, the company ahd suffered finacial setbacks and was unable to meet the intrest payments on it's bonds.On march 29th of 1873 William and George W Kiely took over the assets of the old company and were granted a new Act of Incorporation to it's franchise, to continue the companies former obligations.The company remained under Kiely control until May 1891 , when the franchise expired and the city took over operations.
Toronto Railway Company 1891-1921
The city of Toronto continued to operate the street railways until september 1st of 1891 when a group under William MaKenzie ( Of the KcKenzie & Mann Canadian Northern Fame ) bought the operations from the city and began new services on a thirty year franchise.This new company became known as The Toronto Railway Company, and would be the largest operator of street railways in the city until the franchise expired in 1921.
During the days of the TRC , electrification of the Toronto system was brought about and all horsecar lines were withdrawn ( 1893 ).Extentions to the system were made, and the introduction of open cars in the summer and closed one's for winter operation began.Stoves were also installed in the new electric cars.Double truck cars were introduced in service and in 1905 the company installed air brakes on most of the double truck cars.
In 1915, open cars were banned by the Railway and Municiple Board, and all cars henceforth were of the closed type, with doors provided both front and rear. Improved lifeguards were added to the car fronts providing new saftey features.There had been many complaints that pedestrians would suffer permanent and fatal injuries if they accidently fell from moving cars.
Another improvement which the TRC completed during it's franchise was the use of heavier rails.Horsecar rails were too light in weight, and the bigger TRC cars ran better over the heavier ones.Sunday service also became part of the TRC improvements, the first cars appearing May 23 1897 after a vote in their favour on May 15th.Even the old horsecars had a part to play as they were put to use on the heavy traffic lines as trailers for the electric cars.
As a money saver the TRC built most of their own casr in their Connaught and Roncessvalles carbarns buying only the control and brake equipmnet and trucks and motors from the "big" streetcar manufacturers of the day.Over 600 ars and variuou pieces of work equiopment were built for the TRC from 1904-1914 !
Progress came to a halt in 1910,when the TRC refused to extend it's system beyond the franchise bounderies of 1891.This decision was upheld by the courts and as a result aperiod of stymied developement took place in the new areas annexed by the city.The TRC would uphold it's position until the end of it's franchise on Aug 31,1921.The TRC as a company would continue in existance until sept. 2 1930.
Now as luck would have it our museum has preserved several pieces of home built TRC equipment, some still used daily at our museum the rest awaitng full restoration.
The only one left of 400 built between 1905-1914 Double trucker 1326 built in 1910
Flat motor W4 built in 1904
Open car 327 (1896) used daily !
enjoy
Hi again Ruth I think another Keith's could go well right about now I see that the good Tom has come back in. Just in from another brisk walk with Junneau eh Some great rail ads there sir thanks for sharing don't fall asleep in your lazy boy till you read the latest tome Nice cold -14C here today, wanna come up and make some snowmen in my front yard
Leon you look a little blurry eyed this afternoon , oh I see you've been picking up quills all afternoon,what's that oh Boris has discovered a self powered tooth-pick dispenser and he's named it "spike" No your right he never has been that creative in the naming of his pets has he, oh well. Just a small tankard of Keith's for the time being.
Chris-Hmmm so I'm close am I , well if its a Pennsylvania produced "critter" then it must be an old Baldwin locomotive that's been rebuilt , perhaps an RS12 or AS616,Close a guess as I've got at the moment buddy.
It is good hockey weather,I'll have to see if my skates still fit.
I don't think there is anything wrong with that paint jobI'm sure that they will blame it on the shop intern.
It is good to be back and it will have to be a Winter Warmer on the chilly mid Missouri day please RUTH.
LARS Hope you had a great trip down to the Keys and are having a great time there. Sorry I missed your free drinks but many thanks for the great list of your thoughts.
CHRIS Many thanks for the info on those old track beds on the line from here to Washington MO.
It would be great to hear more about your trips across the pond and see the photos and if you have any questions about British railways I will be pleased to try to answer them. Glad you liked the photo of the ‘Duchess' one my favorite class of locomotives, the ‘Semis' as we knew them, were the top express locomotives that used to pass through my home town on the West Coast main line, which was the LMS before nationalization in 1948. There are three of the Duchess's preserved, No. 6233 running on main line specials (4) 6229 Duchess of Hamilton which has run on the main line in preservation days but is now needing an overhaul before running again, this loco is having a streamline casing fitted, which many of the Duchesses had when first built. The third preserved Duchess is 46235 City Of Birmingham, this loco was given to the city after her days on BR and as always been a static museum exhibit buts looks great in the BR Brunswick Green. I have been fortunate to have traveled quite a few times behind the Preserved Duchess on main line specials.
Really enjoying your photos. That was a good two hours at Kirkwood in 1985, I suppose it is the same in North America as it is in the UK, with a great deal less variation in locomotive classes in the twenty or so years since 1985, in even the short time I have been here I have noticed that the Rio Grande and Cotton Belt livered locomotives I saw when I was first here seem to have disappeared and even the Southern Pacific ones are getting rarer.
ROB Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I would like to see a photo of the new paint job on the F40s it has got to be better than the ‘Spiderman livery'
Loved the museum photos, that looks an interesting car in the blur livery in the 3rd photo of your 11: 29 post on the 29th.
ERIC If I may answer your question to Chris, I have not seen a slug unit here in Jeff City since I have been here, they use two of the smaller locomotives usually top and tailing the freight to the local factories along Industrial Drive, the track, I was told, was part of the line to the Osage River at Bagnall which traffic was mainly timber, the line as been closed for many years now. The local freight train usually works in the late evening and from the new park near Pat's Place it is possible to see the local freight being made up with the switching of the cars for the local.
Thanks for the photos, did they have any more locomotives at the World Fair in New Orleans in 1984.
CM3 Hope you had a great birthday.
Thanks for the info on the sleeping car heating at stations. I read recently that the last normal duty for a steam locomotive on BR was when a loco heated a sleeping car at Preston station, leaving only the last day special, as a farewell to BR steam.
Hopefully will shall be able to see a Duchess should be very soon in the pre war streamlining in crimson with gold-stripped LMS livery.
JAN Great to see you in the bar, hope you had a great Scottish New Year and thanks for the good wishes.
ALLAN Great to see you back in the bar as well, trust you had a great Christmas and thanks for the good wishes.
FERGIE Many thanks for the good wishes.
TOM Great to see Narrow Margin on at the Emporium a great film to start the new year, I don't think I have seen Hour Of the Gun before but as it says it is the most accurate of the OK gunfight films it will be well worth watching, and the explosive ostrich egg of the Stooges as well.
We have seen a lot of really great movies since the re-opening of the Emporium. It is hard to believe it is two years ago now. A though sudde
The usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please Leon!
Tom. Thanks for all the very interesting posts and pics, am still catching up at the moment, but what a super selection of varied info and pics which are too numerous to note here, some great pics of yours and Pete`s visit to the Train Wreck Saloon and Pete`s `Puter den, you both looked real cool at Kirkwood station! My B-i-L has a room full of music from Glen Miller 78`s to the real high brow stuff, in ALL the recording formats, my wife`s sister reackons the room should be totally SOUNDPROOFED! It`s great to be back on the thread and with you all again. Many thanks for all the really nice festive season greetings.
Eric. Hope you are keeping OK and having a great "half" retirement, nice pic of your retirement party, the cake looked great! Got a great 5 disc DVD set for Xmas, on trains of course, and there is a shot of the X2000 at Union Station, Chicago, sitting next to the California Zephyr`s two FPH40`s, don`t know what year it was.
Lars. Really nice Xmas card you posted to us, hope you are feeling a lot better now and enjoying your time at the Key`s?
Rob. Thanks for your kind wishes, had a very quiet New Year all in all, I am enjoying catching up on all your posts and pics at the moment, your new Classic Juice post looks very interesting.
Pete. Hope you had a nice trip and it`s good to see you back again mate. That shot of the Flying Scotsman alongside that Deltic at King`s X is a classic one, thanks for that link to the Transport Museum, and that pic of Tom in the engineers seat is great!
CM3. Nice to see that things are back to normal for you again. Thanks for that link to steam loco #21
Ron. Sorry to hear you have that back problem, my wife did a disc whilst shopping up in Auckland, just getting out of the car, and now has sciatica as well, take care mate. Hope to see you back to normal soon!
Mike. Real nice Xmas greeting mate.
Chris. Great selection of loco pics, especially liked the Amos `n` Andy one, you will find that even as an ex-pat Brit like Pete, after the LNER my next favourite line is the ATSFRR, my favourite steam loco is the LNER A4 Pacific and then the SF Northern! My B-i-l gets a friend of his to download music off the net for his MP3 player, I am not going to mention that he comes from Glasgow, Scotland!
Fergie. Hope things are well with you.
Dan. Nice to see you popped in.
Jan. Take it easy mate. Nice selection of cab forward pics from you, thanks!
Sven. See we share the same birth date, sorry to hear that time is "tight" for you, sometimes I can`t manage to get on the thread as much as i`d like to but I find that everyone is very accepting about it. I`ve found that this is a very easy going place to be a part of.
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter