Hello Tom and all in
I'll have a pint of Holden's please.
Nice pics of Montréal Tom, brings back memories from my visits to the station there.
Tom - as for your tongue in cheek comments all I can say is it looks like Alaska has won out over this side of the pond - we can't compete (bet we've got more miles of railway and more steam locos in operating order than the state of Alaska though....). Enjoy your holiday planning whatever!
Greetings to MoPac (sorry not sure of your name) - thanks for the welcome and I must say I've enjoyed your pictures from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although as you will see I'm UK based, my father lived in Tennessee in 79 and 80 so pics from that period bring back memories for me as we would visit with my mum during school holidays (giving away my age again!). Funny how pics kind of look ‘of the era' - just the way the slides from 50s and 60s that Mike often posts or links too look the period (great pics in that recent post Mike) - just through the style of the colour image (not just what's IN the picture).
Pete - thanks for your expansion on the Silver Princess - maybe I should give the ref for the 1963 Trains Illustrated I was reading that had the picture to Backtrack - what do you think? Is there an e-mail to send it in to?
On the subject of the Metropolitan Carriages I've seen the ones at the KWVR and they are interesting too - I see they are later (1920 ish) and are longer bogie carriages compared with the ‘Quad Art' set I was in. Like you say, Bluebell know how to do the business. It was a family trip with my father, brother, his two nippers (5 and 2) and the brides. 5 Year old was pretty keen to check out the sheds and take a good look at the running gear of some of the SR locos too.
Thanks for the links to the articles - War memorials interesting - the Euston one is still there (I had a good look at it last year) outside the modern station. Paddington one is good (the Jagger Statue? of the soldier is very impressive, it is outside the first class waiting room which I use if I take the night sleeper to Penzance.). I walk past the Derby one fairly often, did not know it was Lutyens, I'll take another look. Many memorial tablets from various parts of the old closed Derby works and goods yards have been collected together and mounted on the wall of Derby Station platform 1. They seem to be kept in good order by the staff their today - which is nice.
On the subject of the original TTC subway cars I think they were made by Metro Cammel in Birmingham - Rob may have mentioned this in his piece (sorry Rob if I've duplicated this, did not have time to read your interesting TTC post in full).
Eric - a long and happy retirement to you! Bluebell do not seem to have a Swedish loco now, but may once have done. However I think the Nene Valley Railway in Cambridgeshire do have Swedish stuff - so it may have been moved there.
Lars - Ahoy! Love that Vintage Rails cover!
Have a good weekend all!
DL
G'day Gents!
Another interesting day at "Our" Place as we've seen a spate of activity all geared to keeping things rollin' along! Thanx to all . . .
Now Arriving on Track Number One
Back in the Day
# Ten - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Capitol Limited
Caveat: All narrative, fotos & graphics from wikipedia.com with their authority. Material NOT corroborated.
The Capitol Limited was an American passenger train run by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, originally between New York City and Grand Central Station in Chicago, Illinois via Union Station, Washington, D. C. and Pittsburgh. For almost 48 years, it was the B&O's flagship passenger train, noted for personalized service and innovation. At the time of its discontinuation on May 1, 1971, when Amtrak took over most rail passenger service in the U.S., the Capitol Limited operated between Washington and Chicago.
B&O Capitol Ltd <Public Domain>
The Capitol Limited, in common with most name trains in the U.S. by the late 1950s, suffered steadily declining patronage as the traveling public abandoned trains in favor of airplanes and the automobile. The B&O gave up on competing with the Pennsylvania Railroad into New York, discontinuing all passenger service north of Baltimore on April 26, 1958. Thereafter, the Capitol Limited operated between Washington and Chicago as a through train, with a few cars originating in Baltimore, until 1966. Other B&O passenger trains were combined with the Capitol Limited: the Ambassador to Detroit and the formerly all-coach Columbian to Chicago.
Capitol Ltd - Dome car interior - <Public Domain>
With the advent of Amtrak on May 1, 1971, the Capitol Limited was discontinued by the B&O, along with all of its other passenger trains (except for local commuter services). For the final run of the old Capitol Limited on April 29, 1971, the B&O ran the entire trainset from Baltimore's Camden Station, including the dome car. The B&O printed special commemorative tickets and returned its bottled Deer Park spring water and B&O's signature, "all-you-can-eat" giant salad bowls to the final run's dining car, some of the Capitol Limited 's amenities from more prosperous times. A 31-year veteran dining car waiter on the last run of the Capitol Limited recalled to a Baltimore Sun reporter that, "all the vegetables we served were freshly cooked on board - no frozen or canned food at all."
Capitol Ltd pamphlet <Public Domain>
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. I just stopped by for a minute and saw all of that B&O material. Here's some 1950 era ad material about the "Strata-Dome" car.
"The New Columbian
B&O's Diesel-electric Strta-Dome Coach Streamliner between
Chicago-Akron-Pittsburgh-Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia-New York (Strata-dome car in service between Chicago and Washington)
Thrilling Strata-Dome! High above the rails, you enjoy sights at every point of the compass; rippling rivers, shadowy hills, the twinkling lights of tiny towns, the flashingfires ot great steel mills. And overhead, the bright, quiet beauty of the moon and stars."
"Those who Know...Use B&O!"
Pretty good, I think.
As a scheduling note train 5, the westbound Columbian would have been oiperating in the dark hours (depending on the time of year) from about Cumberland to around Garrett. Yikes, going oer Sand Patch in the dark in a dome car with steam engines on coal trains all around. Quick, Boris, let's fire up the time machine. Eastbound you would be in the dark hours fraom about Garrett to Cumberland.
I'd better get out of here as it is dark and abt. time to strike the tent. BTW, I am working on KCS material as promised. KCS heads into MP service as well which makes it even more interesting. This'll will have to appear in parts as it will otherwise become a data dump (lol).
I know, Boris, you have been busy sharpening quill pens for me and I appreciate your work, but did you have to drink up a gallon of our best ink? Indelible, indeed!
Have a good weekend and see y'all on Monday - Go Giants!
work safe
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
ROB The weather sounds real bad in your area hope you all OK with those high winds about.
I agree Mentis does look very good in the CN paint scheme, it would have been interesting to know where the car was going too, on that Kansas City to Chicago via St Louis Amtrak train.
Many thanks for the TCR,TSR and the TYRR histories. Good to see the photos of some of the saved cars in your museum. TCR #55 looks great in that livery and I guess W28 was a rebuild from a service car we were talking about. Great to see #416 being restored to her former glory, it certainly is a good looking car and many thanks for the info on 416's restoration it shows how much work and money goes into the resturation.
Enjoyed the info on Mungo and I like the new avatar.
ERIC Real glad you have got the date for your surgery and you will soon be back to full fitness.
I can't think of a Swedish locomotive at the Blue Bell railway I hope DL is able to help.
Yes it could be today that the 3,333th post is made., I see Tom has warned my off giving you any help in winning the contest.
The other photo was taken at Kirkwood after I had arrived on Amtrak, I was doing a ‘Steathy Pete' while Tom was looking for me.
Many thanks for the cab photos of the SF and the JS 8419.
CHRIS I had another look at your photos from yesterday and it was lucky chance to get the old ‘Eagle Merchandise' boxcar in the photo, as we were talking to Rob about old cars being used in departmental use long after other cars of the same type had long disappeared. Many thanks for the history of the boxcar. I have noticed here that some of the boxcars that pass through here still have names of railroad companies that are no longer in operation.
Thanks for the kind words on the museum photo in the snow, I thought it was one of my better photos, as Tom will tell you I do not have a lot of luck with cameras.
Many thanks for the photos around Kirkwood Hill, as you say, Oh for a time machine to see and hear those helpers in full cry in on the hill. Interesting history of E-3sw # 7000 and 7001.
MIKE Many thanks for the link to that great U-Tube site had great enjoyment looking at some of the videos and I will return to the site again, what great locos those Big Boys are.
I think the only way to relieve the line between here and Kansas City is to double the track although I doubt that will happen.
Great NYC photos and posters, thanks for sharing.
CM3 Many thanks for adding the great details on Mike and Chris's photos. That locomotive on the NYC Empire State Express looks immaculate and fits so well with the train cars. I bet those wheels took a lot of cleaning work to keep white.
Thanks for the B&O sleeping car service to the West Coast, it seems the cars spent a fair while in Chicago.
LARS Great to see you in the bar. See what happens when you are away, a new assistant, promotion for me and a chance Eric will get to get inside the Penthouse Suite, although you will glad to know I still am not allowed near the Suite.
Another great selection of covers from the Larsman Mobile. I guess the Vintage rails magazine was the forerunner of Classic Trains
DL I see in the Backtrack magazine it gives this e-mail address for the editor
mike.blakemore@virgin.net
Yes the Bluebell do a really great job of c
This just in from our Zeppelin mail service Oh Eric, how could you! And here I finally FOUND you, but alas, you've passed up an opportunity for 3,333!
Oh Eric, how could you! And here I finally FOUND you, but alas, you've passed up an opportunity for 3,333!
Oh well, whatchagonnado Guess Wolfman Pete gets the 'stale ale' for this most "significant" of Posts . . . <grin>
Classic Trains Yeah buddy - how 'bout this one!!
Train #5; The Capitol Limited; 10 cars. Photographed: Chicago, Ill., August 11, 1939. <Foto: Otto Perry>
See y'all in the 'morrow!
Tom
Hi Tom and all A quick Bathams please RUTH
CM3 Just caught your post..
Many thanks for the great ad on the Columbian Strata Dome. It indeed must have been a wonderful sight to see those steam hauled coal trains in the night from the dome car.
Looking forward to the KCS/MP material.
TOM owing to a computer glitch my last post,the 3,333 th one I believe, was really done by ERIC.
At least I tried Eric.
Good evening Leon , another great day here north of the boarder ( tongue in cheek ) at least the winds were only gusting to 70kph and the rain and hail bits were only slightly blowing sideways, then it got warmer and the sun actually came out for a few seconds,oh well january in southwestern Ontario gotta love it sort of.Well Leon a Keith's and a bit o steak if there is some left medium with lots of fried onions and mushrooms.
Lars-Good to see you again sir, it made Ruth stop weeping for a couple of minutes. Mind you Boris has been attentive and has been making sure that she has lots of kleenex.Go away a couple of days (daze) and everyone seems to be getting onto the payroll.That just proves how big of shoes you have to be filled Great book covah's as always
Dl-Good to see you again, thanks for providing the info on the G cars to Pete I hadn't yet dug up the info.
The G cars they day they arrived at the museum.
Pete-Evening again sir.Some good german steam shots lots of detail in that picture of the Russian deisel as well.W28 was indeed a conversion car as built in 1917 she would have looked exactly the same as sister 55.All the metal cladding and bus windows make her hard to convert back to a passenger car so it was decided to leave her in the work car format. When converted to the rail grinder she also became single ended and was upgraded to air brakes. 55 remains double ended and still has handbrakes only !
I hope you make it to Molly's choc pudding wrestling / tupperware party tomorrow night. H&H have bought new matching evening wrerstling wear in coodinating red and black leather
Tom- Great info and pics on the B&O passenger stuff, loved it
Shane-Some good follow up B&O passenger stuff as well , dovetailed nicly with the bossman's
Rob
Good morning Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, I think I'll just have a triple hamburger with raw onions, mushrooms and curly fries! A super-sized coke to drink!
A little bit too much activities here today. The 3,333rd post ended up in the wrong place. I am deeply depressed.
Chris – Yeah, you are right about us Night-Loons, always into something. At least almost always. Thanks for the info on that beheaded U30c! Glad to hear it got a cab later.Interesting MoP-photos! The 1720-class had the booster engine on the rear truck. That was kind of unusual, wasn’t it? Thanks for the photo of the Mopac caboose! Here is another one.Atchison, KS. May 2007.Interesting story about engines #7000 and 7001! Good looking locomotives!Mike – Interesting Big Boy videos! Something else, that is for sure. Amtrak’s problems with their Missouri line are well known here at the Bar after Tom’s and Pete’s reports from their trips to Kansas City. Glad to see that the state is trying to do something to help Amtrak.
CM3 – Thanks for part III of the sleeper service report. They certainly had a lot of trains to choose from years ago! Three days across the country. Sounds like a good way to spend some time!If you need cheaper gas, come to Phoenix. Today $2.90 (rounded), going down. I know Tom mentioned the Collusion center has the same price, but it is a little bit warmer here. The Strata Dome Car, is that the one where the interior picture was taken seen in Tom’s post? I agree, B&O’s ad Strata-Dome_car ad is pretty good! Tom – FYI, I did not have any wide page phenomen checking Pete’s post. I would love to visit Montréal’s Central Station. I guess most people speak French there. I probably know 5-6 words in French so that should not be a problem though. Capitol Limited was obviously the train to ride! Nothing like it at all today. The dome car looked different. Can’t you make sure that the brunette takes next flight to Phoenix, I’ll pick her up at the airport! I will never forget how my chance to see her was ruined by too many posts earlier today. As you can see, Pete’s post was actually my post but his computer screwed up. Rob – Yes, there are a lot of stuff crammed into a locomotive cab. Here is another picture from the Big Boy cab.
Lars – Don’t worry, Pete got post #3,333, so I will remain outside the Penthouse Suite. I never had a chance, did I? Nice book covers, as always! I’ll go for the New Haven Railroad book!DL – Thank you for the nice words! I like my retirement so far even though I have promised to work part time until mid December this year. But it is still much better than full time. Nen Valley, okay I’ll will check them. Thanks!Pete – I missed the 3,333th post and guess who claimed it? So I also missed the brunette! Disaster, disaster!! Nice photos of good looking German steam locomotives! As I mentioned earlier, class 44 and 52 are impressive locomotives! The Russiam diesel looks very Russian to me. Thank you, Alan!
I'll be back later!
Eric
<personal foto>
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
R'nR time has arrived on this day called SATURDAY! Alls' ready for ya - so let's get a move on with the coffee - pastries ‘n breakfasts!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Friday - Jan 11th:
Rob (trolleyboy) at 10:12 AM: Oh without a doubt <doot in your parlance!> TOs Union Station is a "going concern." Love the joint - just have found facets of the other "temples" equally impressive. Can't say one is better, all ‘round, than any other. BUT as stated, the outside appearance of TOs Union Station just can't be beat - terrific!
Your humor IS appreciated - always! Just having a bit of trouble figuring out YOUR use of the language (one of two "oh-fish-ul" ones, that is!). <grin>
Thanx for the "Mungo" explanation . . . makes sense now!
Spent a bit of time chatting with a fellow up in the Yukon Territory (YT) today. Looking pretty promising for a trip - just have to work out the air itinerary to ensure we can squeeze in everything we want to do in the rather brief time allotted.
The White Pass & Yukon RR provides a most scenic run (6 hours) from Skagway, Alaska to a place called Carcross, YT. We'd spend a few days in the YT before heading back to Skagway by train . . . Huge "issue" is getting to Skagway from Juneau - no highway, no scheduled air, ferry sked not out yet. Stay tuned.
Many thanx for the $$$$ ‘n visit - Enjoy your weekend, Mate!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 11:32 AM: "Happens" from time to time - hate it when my fingers get stuck between the keys! <grin>
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:47 AM: Another 6-pack of splendid book covers from our Manager!
Received your Email ‘n responded - thanx!
Here's the "deal" regarding Pete, Rob ‘n Eric: Pete's "earned' the promotion - Rob has been "drafted" ‘n Eric has been called to "put up, or . . . ." <grin> Figure it out! I'd not spend too much time fretting about the ‘sanctity' of the Penthouse Suite! <grin>
Many thanx for your dedication to the bar, and of course the ROUND! Have a great weekend!
Dan (DL-UK) at 12:30 PM: When the "wander lust" strikes me, it ALWAYS involves trains. Alaska holds as a most special place for me - and given the opportunity, it's just at the top of my list to visit again <and again>.
And of course there's absolutely no way one could compare the railroading going on in the UK, lower-48 in the U.S. or Canada with our 49th state as so much of it is true wilderness, rugged and inaccessible. But for what IS available by rail - well, one just has to experience it to believe it. ‘nuf said . . .
Another factor that has come into play is the PPoor value of the U.S. dollar. For what we can arrange in the U.S. ‘n Canada compared to many places in Europe these days - staying home makes more financial sense. Canada's buck is just about the same as ours - so no big deal.
We DID explore the air fares to the UK - but couldn't believe the prices for 1st class. Unbelievable - staggering is another word. I'm NOT flying long distances crammed into a coach seat unless handcuffed ‘n under arrest! <grin>
Two visits to the bar in two days! That hasn't been experienced in quite awhile - thanx for the chat ‘n visit! Bon weekend, Mate!
Page 167 - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 3:51 PM: A 3rd visit from our Resident WVA Connection - I don't recall the last time that occurred! AND rounds ‘n quarters with each! <double wow>
B&O material is ALWAYS appreciated ‘n is about as CLASSIC as it gets, eh
Here's something initially Posted on 21 Apr 2006, page 310 over on the Original Thread!
DOME NAMES
Ever wonder about the different names applied to passenger cars with domes I have! Check out this list found on www.trainweb.org
These are "generic" names listed in two parts - 1st by name; 2nd by railroad:
BY NAME
====================================
"Astra Domes" - General Motors
"Astra Domes" - UP
"Big Domes" - ATSF full domes
"Big Domes" - Auto Train ex ATSF cars
"Colorados" - Holland America Colorado Railcar "Ultra Domes"
"Dome Cars" - Amtrak
"Dome Cars" - N&W
"Dome Cars" - Southern
"Domeliners" - UP trains with dome cars (generic)
"Domes" - Holland America (generic to differentiate from 'Colorados')
"Goldleaf Domes" - Rocky Mountaineer (honorary)
"Great Domes" - GN
"Hi-Level" or "High-Level" - ATSF "El Cap" lounges (honorary)
"Hi-Level" or "High-Level" - Amtrak ex-ATSF lounges (honorary)
"Lounge in the Sky" - NP rebuilt sleepers
"Luxury Domes" - Transcisco
"Maxi Domes" - Ferrovias Mexicanas ex US baggage cars cars
"Maxi Domes" - Auto Train ex UP cars
"Mini Domes" - Auto Train ex WP cars
"Park" cars - CP Rail observation domes
"Park" cars - VIA Rail observation domes
"Planetarium" dome - IGN
"Planetarium" domes - MP
"Planetarium" dome - T&P
"Pleasure Domes" - ATSF short domes
"Princess Domes" - Amtrak ex Princess Tours cars
"Princess Domes" - Princess Tours ex-MILW cars
"Scenadomes" - Holland America Westours
"Sceneramic Domes" - CN
"Scenic Domes" - CP Rail (all)
"Sightseer Lounges" - Amtrak Superliner lounges (honorary)
"Skyline" cars - CP Rail 'midtrain' domes
"Skyline" cars - VIA Rail 'midtrain' domes
"Skytops" - Milwaukee Road observations (honorary)
"Stairway to the Stars" - SP
"Strata Domes" - B&O
"Sun Lounges" - SAL (honorary)
"Super Domes" - Milwaukee Road
"Turbo Domes" - Amtrak for their UA Turbos
"Turbo Domes" - PC/USDOT (honorary)
"Turquoise Domes" - ATSF short domes (not official)
"Ultra Domes" - Princess Tours ex SP bi-levels
"Vista Domes" - Alaska RR
"Vista Domes" - C&O
"Vista Domes" - CB&Q (originator of the term)
"Vista Domes" - D&RGW
"Vista Domes" - GN short domes
"Vista Domes" - IC
"Vista Domes" - NP short domes
"Vista Domes" - SCL
"Vista Domes" - SP&S
"Vista Domes" - Wabash
"Vista Domes" - WP
BY RAILROAD
===================================
Hi Tom and all,
The usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please Leon.
Rob. The mindless always lack respect for anyone and any properties, you guys deserve a medal for all the hard work you put in to your restoration work, and to have to do it again must be really disheartening. Enjoyed all your great trolley pics and info and the TTC Part 2.
Chris. Nice lot of Frisco pics and story of your Linwood Yard trip way back when, nice shot of you on 4006, that "smoking" diesel looked as if it needed a "stoker" on board! Nice write up and pics on Mopac and the "cabeese". Was that the Johnny Carson video you asked the Sir question on? for some reason it would`nt load fully on my PC, am on dial up service and some u-tube video`s won`t play sometimes.
Eric. Great to read you have your surgery date now, it`ll soon be here. Thanks for the link to the Council Bluffs museum, great site, and all those nice pics of the engineer`s area`s.
Dan. Nice to see you back again, nice link to the Bluebell Railway, thanks.
Pete. What a great sight those two streamliners will make at the NRM at York, I wish they had saved Silver Link as well, it would have made a great exhibit in it`s silver paint job! Thanks for the Backtrack magazine links and those great pics of Alan`s. Hope your winter weather has improved a bit now?
CM3. Very interesting write up on the B&O pullmans and the New Colombian as well, thanks for that.
Mike. Thanks for those links and great pics and that u-tube link was great.
Lars. Thanks for the really great varied selection of covers from the Larsman Mobile, hope you are having lots of SUN down there on the Key`s?
Tom. Sorry to read about that tourists bad experience on that NZ rail trip, did they mention any specific train? The TranzAlpine has a very good reputation, although the Overlander from Auckland to Wellington leaves a lot to be desired as the rolling stock stems from the late 1930`s, they`ve been rebuilt numerous times and are to be replaced with refurbished BR Mk2 coaches, and the whole rail network was run down and asset stripped over time, here are some links that explain what occured.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranz_Rail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Richwhite
Sorry to read that your Alaska trip is on the back burner at the moment, you would have been really looking forward to all the snow as well as your favourite mode of travel! Thanks for all the great posts, the Montreal Central station and pics, link to the White Pass and Yukon RR, great Capitol Ltd info and pics, that breakfast menu was an eye opener, look at the price`s! and such a big selection of Dome car name`s as well!
See ya, Allan
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
A ham sandwich would be great, Leon! A cold Keith's, please!
A very quiet Saturday at "Our" Place this Saturday! I guess people are busy taking care of whatever is on their "to do" list.
Tom – "put up or...", hmm wonder what that could mean? Put up or... ahh, I know, put up or come up (to the Penthouse Suite)! That's it! Let me just find the brunette and we'll be there shortly!
Thanks for the dome car lists! I have copied them for future reference!
Allan – It will be nice to get it (the surgery) done so I can start eating things I like again. Glad you liked the photos.
Here is a short info on
X2000 in Revenue ServiceWhen Amtrak leased the Swedish X2000 in 1992-93 they wanted to test it to find out if it was a train that could be used as a base for their future high speed trains. Testing was not enough, they also wanted to use it in revenue service to find out how their passengers would like a train like X2000. 02/01/93 was the date for the first run with paying passengers. X2000 operated from Washington D.C. (WAS) 12:00 PM as Metroliner 112 to Penn Station, New York City (NYP). Media was on the platform already at 7 in the morning! The train was almost full at departure time. We arrived to Penn Station 10 minutes early.
Time for the first departure in revenue service, Washington D.C. 02/01/93
Train 112.
Timetable.
Before departure a bottle of champagne was smashed against the coupler. As shown on TV. The return trip was as Express Metroliner 223. Departure from NYP, at 4:30 PM. 02/15/93 we changed to train 114, departure WAS 1:00 PM. Stopped in Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Metropark and Newark.Back to Washington as train 125, departure NYP 6:00 PM arriving WAS 9:00 PM. Stopped in Newark, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, BWI Airport, and New Carrollton. Starting 03/22/93 the X2000 operated as Express Metroliner 202. Departure time from WAS 6:50 AM. Only one stop at New Carrollton and then straight to New York. From NYP as train 223 leaving 4:30 PM stopping in Baltimore and New Carrollton. Arrival time WAS 7:10 PM. According to the conductors the number of passengers on train 223 after a couple of weeks had increased from 40-60 to 175-200.
Penn Station, the crew is ready for the return trip to WashingtonAccording to Amtrak’s marketing they saw a 10% increase of passengers on all Metroliners two weeks after the X2000 was put into service thanks to the big interest from media. Beginning with the April, 1993 timetable, the X2000 operated in Metroliner Service between Washington and New Haven (NVH). Departure WAS 6:50 AM as train 202. Arriving NYP 9:25 AM. 202 was extended to NHV where it arrived 11:15 AM. Returned as train 223, departure NVH 2:30 PM, departure NYP 4:30 and arriving WAS at 7:10 PM. The trains between New York and New Haven were never officially announced/advertised so the number of passengers were small. Last day of revenue service for this period was May 7. After arriving to New Haven as train 202 we continued to Boston with help of two RTL’sMonday May 10 the Western New York Demo started. The X2000 was then on tour around the country with just a few short breaks until July 22. The Canadian Tour started July 25 and we came back to Washington 9:53 PM August 1. August 5 period 2 of revenue service started. Now as train 106, departure WAS 9:00 AM. Returned as train 117. The last day of revenue service for the X2000 was September 29, 1993.After that the ICE train was operated in revenue service until November/December 1993. I am not sure about the dates for the ICE. It was very interesting to listen and talk to the passengers riding the X2000 during these periods of revenue service. They were very enthusiastic about the train. People came from all over the country to get a chance to ride the X2000. When the train was operated from the cab car, we had the door to the cab open and let people come in and have a look when the train was running. That was very much appreciated.
Good evening Leon, I see that you have the taps closed for maintenance oh well a bottle of Keith's then if you please. Bit of a slower one today but still some good material all the same
Tom-Sounds like a bit of work still needs to be done to get your trip all squared away,I'm sure you can get something worked out.The YT is indeed a wild place, I haev a friend that was a field geologist for a good ten years most of which was spent in the wilds of the YT and Northern BC's interior , he's told many an interesting story . few places left in North America where one can't just jump into a car or fly into without difficulty,makes it all the more reason to go I figure.
Thanks for all the dome names and info, neat to know how different everyone's descriptions can be for the same thing.
I got a happy shock last night.We went down to St Catharines to see my folks, and on those trips on a friday night I always take about an hour and swing by the Hobby shop down town, to see my old modelling freinds. Anyway what to my wonder Ray the owner had just brought in a huge shipment of stuff from Bachman mostly On30 he has a huge group of On30ers in St Kitts, anyway on a whim he brought in a new product from Bachman's spectrum line, an honest to god Small Peter Witt streetcar, just like the one's you rode at the musuem, they are undecorated but have full lights are DCC compatible if you are of that stripe and they haev a small underframe type motor with flywheels and a full interior.Needless to say I bought one and put another on hold. Painted one's are comming out in the next few month's. Brooklyn , Chicago, Baltimore and Cleveland are the first painted one's. The TTC opperated over two hundred of them so hopefully they will eventually be offered as well,I have some CDS dry transfers for TTC Witt's but factory painted one's will be nice as well.only $100 CDN as well
Allan-Thanks for your kind words. It is disheartenning seeing hardwork get destroyed by some ungratefull Yuppie larve,but we shall perservere and make the G's better than ever. the biggest kicker is that we have got them operational and fitted with an overhead pole so we can run them on the museum's trackage ( we don't use third rail at all )They will be back.
eric-great info on the x2000 and some neat pictures. thanks for last nights shot of ebven more bigboy plumbing. If you want I think H&H have aquired the services of a certain Brunette,come to Molly's and you amy yet meet her
"Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAYs!
Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
National Treasure (2004)
PLOT SUMMARY: Like a Hardy Boys mystery on steroids, National Treasure offers popcorn thrills and enough boyish charm to overcome its rampant silliness. Although it was roundly criticized as a poor man's rip-off of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Da Vinci Code, it's entertaining on its own ludicrous terms, and Nicolas Cage proves once again that one actor's infectious enthusiasm can compensate for a multitude of movie sins. The contrived plot involves Cage's present-day quest for the ancient treasure of the Knights Templar, kept secret through the ages by Freemasons past and present. Finding the treasure requires the theft of the Declaration of Independence (there are crucial treasure clues on the back, of course!), so you can add "caper comedy" to this Jerry Bruckheimer production's multi-genre appeal. Nobody will ever accuse director Jon Turtletaub of artistic ambition, but you've got to admit he serves up an enjoyable dose of PG-rated entertainment, full of musty clues, skeletons, deep tunnels, and harmless adventure in the old-school tradition. It's a load of hokum, but it's fun hokum, and that makes all the difference. --Jeff Shannon
Like a Hardy Boys mystery on steroids, National Treasure offers popcorn thrills and enough boyish charm to overcome its rampant silliness. Although it was roundly criticized as a poor man's rip-off of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Da Vinci Code, it's entertaining on its own ludicrous terms, and Nicolas Cage proves once again that one actor's infectious enthusiasm can compensate for a multitude of movie sins. The contrived plot involves Cage's present-day quest for the ancient treasure of the Knights Templar, kept secret through the ages by Freemasons past and present. Finding the treasure requires the theft of the Declaration of Independence (there are crucial treasure clues on the back, of course!), so you can add "caper comedy" to this Jerry Bruckheimer production's multi-genre appeal. Nobody will ever accuse director Jon Turtletaub of artistic ambition, but you've got to admit he serves up an enjoyable dose of PG-rated entertainment, full of musty clues, skeletons, deep tunnels, and harmless adventure in the old-school tradition. It's a load of hokum, but it's fun hokum, and that makes all the difference. --Jeff Shannon
<from: amazon.com>
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Hi Leon fogured that I would,pop in and make sure the floors were swept and waxed for the morning crowd. I noticed that the door to the penthouse suite has had some strange scratching damage done to it , almost like someone ws trying to use spike to gain entry. anyone know hmmm might have to call the good inspector.
Tom-Couple heavy movies this week, I hope the temperance legue in the Mentor Villiage will allow them to be shown all week. both are good flicks though Figured I would drop off a couple pictures to brighten up a soggy wet day.
some deisel oddities for Chris and everyone else to enjoy.
C&NW AS16M a rebuild only Dr FranKenstein and perhaps Boris could love
A CF7 in Florida another ugly duckling of sorts.
An old Wabash shop switcher that lives at the Elgin county Musuem in St Thomas
A 44t switcher in Florida that got a Caterpiller motor rebuild
An old Brill interurban that had it's electric guts switched out for an eight cylinder allison gas motor ( used on a Florida dinner train )
enjoy See everyone Monday
A smile to begin the week!
Slump? I ain't in no slump. I just ain't hitting.
<A Yogi-ism!>
HAPPY 65th BIRTHDAY ERIC!
January 14th (Eric - 65)
OKRA (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Are tough on the outside but tender on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. You can do something good each day if you try. You go well with most anyone.
THAT day has rolled ‘round again - it's MONDAY at the Bar by the Ballast! Time to fill up those coffee mugs, grab a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order up a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Couldn't be more pleased with the NFL playoff results! Giants beat those Cowboys! That gives the Packers a great shot at the Super Bowl <sorry, Lars 'n CM3 Shane!> Patriots are 17-0 and Indy bit the dust.
Comments from the Proprietor:
Remember when The 12th of the month used to MEAN something at the Saloon by the Siding!
* * * * *
Tragedy strikes with little warning: http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2008/01/12/nb-crash.html
Saturday - Jan 12th:
Page 168 - Allan (Gunneral) at 7:57 PM: Really appreciate the info regarding NZ passenger rail service! If I recollect correctly, methinks we asked you about this shortly after you became a customer AND you came thru! Anyway, in reading your material, perhaps what I read reflected experiences on the Overlander <come to think of it, that does "ring a bell">. Links of interest as well. Five to our Resident Downunder NZ Kiwi!
My bride came up with an idea the other day that rekindled a thought or three . . . As a U.S. military retiree, we're eligible to fly with the Air Force pretty much anywhere they have bases or regular "stops" ‘round the globe. The two of us could wind up in New Zealand, for example. The problem with it is that one cannot "count on" schedules nor getting seats. So, it's a "catch as can" operation for retired folks - as I've been led to believe. We have rather "narrow" windows of opportunity when it comes to vacation - all built ‘round her time away from <the> university AND the other MAJOR consideration is leaving Juneau behind for long periods of time. The latter just ain't gonna happen . . . Anyway, it's an OPTION for perhaps ten days or so, which includes the travel. Wonder if we could get "booked" in a stealth bomber Hmmmmmmmm. <uh oh>
And who in this world doesn't know of SIR EDMUND HILLARY [?}RIP.
Always look forward to seein' ya at the bar - the Tui's "help" a lot too!
Page 168 - Eric (EricX2000) at 8:20 PM: Remember when 65 sounded "so far off" when it came to birthdays I guess the idea is to not dwell on it - everything living ages! Some do it much better than others! You don't look a day older than . . . .
Ask ‘n ye shall receive! Many THANX for that fine offering on the X2000 Revenue Service! Explains a lot ‘n helps in understanding so much more - in particular, an OPPORTUNITY missed by the U.S. to modernize passenger rail service. <arrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhh>
You, Sir, are a veritable gold mine of knowledge when it comes to experience ‘n knowledge regarding what we love to talk about at this bar - Classic Trains! The nice "thing" is that you bring an aspect of the conversation to our bar that I'll bet isn't fou
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH, let's have a round of CHEER on Da Manager! It's BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to our friend Eric! And MANY more, mate! 5- Salute to ya!
JINTS WON! JINTS WON! JINTS WON! Wudja believe Put those "boys" to rest, but it wasn't easy, huh I didn't think it was a particularly "good" game, but loved the outcome. Eli had me squirming more than a few times. <geesh> But it' the final score that counts! JINTS WON! On to Green Bay ‘n who knows what might happen!
Yeah, I kinda wondAHd how many guyz would REMEMBER that the 12th of the month represents an anniversary for "Our" Place. None did. It used to be a "big deal" 'round here, but as with lotsa other things, that too has gone by the boards. Let's REMEMBER that April 12th is the THIRD YEAR ANNIVERSARY for our favorite Watering Hole by the Wayside!
Loved that dome submission from Da Bossman! That's a real "keepAH" ‘n should be copied. I'm gonna see if it will "come out" on Phil's color copier. <grin> Nice work, Cap'n Tom!
Good flicks at the Emporium - and you're right about the Bourne Euro trains stuff. Some really fine shots! My Mrs. "loves" the creep! <grin>
Good seeing Allan from Kiwi-land - Eric from the desert - Rob from cold ‘n windy Ontario ‘n of course Da Bossman ovAH the weekend! Also a fine "goodbye" post from Wolfman Pete on Friday - do you evAH stay HOME?????
Yes, "someone" was screwing ‘round with the entryway to the Penthouse Suite ‘n we've got our "force" involved as Inspector Clueless ‘n Mr. Doyle have taken the "case." <uh oh> Good to see our Assistant Mgr is on top of things . . .
IGNORANCE must surely be "bliss" for some. Anyone notice a "used to be" on our forum?? A guy who was given all kinds of attention 'n accolades from our guyz, then just disappeared only to return again ELSEWHERE. <triple barf>
Got a few more covAHs from the Larsman Mobile . . . then I'm off for a day or more.
The New York Central Railroad - A History in Advertising - 1940-56
New York Central's Mercury
New York Central and Trains of the Future
New York Central's Great Steel Fleet - 1948-67
New York Central's Lightweight Passenger Cars, Trains & Travel
Good day Tom and all at Our place. Breakfast or a drink on me. Just dropped by to wish Eric a very happy birthday as he begins the best part of life and the most meaningful. Sorry I haven't been able to visit lately. I'm on a two week treatment for my back which includes Demerol and muscle relaxers. The first to kill the pain the latter to relax the back muscles. The pain is pretty much gone now. The problem with reducing pain is, if you don't feel the pain, you tend to ignore the muscle repair. I just have to work on the muscles. Because of this, I haven't been able to spend much time at the computer. I'm mostly lying down in bed and when sitting, can't do that for long. Of the little I've been able to view at our place, it looks like much great material from the patrons. I also realize that most of the patrons are well traveled and can relate their experiences better than I. I really don't have much to contribute as I'm not a frequent traveler. Chile is about the only place I'll be going to so between that and progress on the model, there won't be much from me.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Cold here this a.m. with just a skiff of snow, which always makes the back roads interesting. Gas is at $3.19.
First off - Happy Birthday, Eric! Also, many thanks for your "first-hand" story as well. It was most enjoyable to read of your experiences.
Pete was in with comments and pictures
Rob - Interesting shot of G car and I appreciated your hobby store anecdote. It's always the way, you know?
Allan stopped by with comments and observations - good to hear from you!
Lars - Yes, they did beat the hated Dallases. Now it's on to Green Bay. I am afraid to look at the weather forecast for that part of the world. Nice to see that I have most of the NYC items you posted along with the New Haven book from your previous post.
DD1 visited - I hope you will continue to get better.
OSP sent along a lot of items including a fine picture of the "Cap." I was channel surfing the other evening and came across a program title "Extreme Alaska" on the National Geographic Channel. They repeat stuff endlessly so I am sure it will show up again if you have not seen it. Thanks also for the list of dome car names. Good looking movies as well. ‘National Treasure" is a favorite among the younger set at the house. BTW, I think we should hoist a tumbler of the good stuff to the memory of Johnny Podres.
Today's offering is the first part of what I found out about KCS passenger service in 1950. As I said earlier, I'll post it gradually so we don't have a data dump. This first part is an intro to the KCS in 1950 and covers trains 205/206 and "Shreveporter" service.
Kansas City Southern Passenger Service - 1950 - Part One
The Kansas City Southern (KCS), in 1950, ran straight north and south between Kansas City, MO and Shreveport, LA. Three short branch lines operated off of this north-south line of the KCS. One line ran from McCurtain, OK to a point between Spiro and Panama, OK. The second branch operated from Ft. Smith, AR to Poteau, OK, and the third line between Heavener, OK and Foster, AR.
The KCS split into three parts at Shreveport. One line ran west to Dallas. A second line ran southeast from Shreveport to New Orleans via Alexandria and Baton Rouge. The north-south line, mentioned above, continued south to Beaumont, TX with a short connecting line from Beaumont to Port Arthur.
East of the north-south line KCS operated a line between Hope, AR, and Alexandria, LA. A piece of track between Shreveport and Minden afforded east-west access between these segments of the railroad.
Trackage between Shreveport and Dallas was freight only and prospective riders between Heavener and Forester were warned that service between these two points was "irregular."
KCS provided extensive service over most of the rest of its lines.
Trains 205 and 206
Unnamed trains 205 and 206 ran between Minden and Shreveport. A study of the timetable reveals that this daily operation was probably covered by one set of equipment. Train 206 departed Shreveport at 12:45 p.m. with a 1:42 p.m. arrival at Minden. Train 205 left Minden at 3:30 p.m. and was back in Shreveport at 4:25 p.m.
"Shreveporter"
Train 3, the "Shreveporter," departed Hope at 4:30 a.m. and reached Shreveport three hours later. It carried coaches between Hope and Shreveport. Train 3 also carried a 14 roomette/4 double bedroom sleeper en route to Shreveport from St. Louis. This car was handed off from MP 31, the "Sunshine Special," to KCS 3 at Hope.
MP 31 operated between St. Louis and San Antonio/Houston. It featured an ever-changing consist with a bewildering variety of setout sleepers, "short" coaches (some listed in the timetable as "divided" cars), and dining service along various segments of the route.
Train 4 left Shreveport at 5:00 p.m. with an 8:10 p.m. arrival at Hope. This was a coaches only run as the Shreveport-St. Louis Pullman traveled north on a different route.
Last, in honor of Eric's birthday, I received a transmission from High Atop Majestic Mt. Mentor. As near as I can tell, it is a public service announcement from the Mentor Emergency Service Squad (MESS) - govern yourselves accordingly, folks.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues, or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT! This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises. Take two good friends to the nearest grocery store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.
Work safe
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Eric, have a very and many happy returns. Thanks for X2 and for your great disposition.
CM3, your writers are back, wonderful.
Ron, keep us posted on what to expect if we're lucky.
I better put a train, the Silver Link
Johnny Podres
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1091735.jpg?size=67&uid={de4a11c8-61b3-4829-b581-d3aa5605a507}
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1091780A.jpg?size=67&uid={5762e36b-92f5-4879-a193-9e202e66f13f}
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1294018INP.jpg?size=67&uid={bc442439-b181-4f3c-ac4e-8e5d9db0a2d8}
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1294022INP.jpg?size=67&uid={d9cff943-f005-4330-814e-eed3c8b907de}
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1091822.jpg?size=67&uid={20122032-f34b-4795-9b9b-41f1adeb7acb}
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1310447INP.jpg?size=67&uid={4136747b-1fec-434b-8a77-06a2773579e9}
Pint of Harvey's Bitter please.
B& O - strata dome car interior looks rather like the Dome Car used on the Ontario Northland trip I took to Moosonee (in terms of the outline of the window design fore and aft).
1st class transatlantic fares are not gonna be cheap - I think the problem is that UK - US fares are only cheap on the routes where charter operators work - plenty of them to Canada because of the historic links (no doubt held up by the way they respected those men in red coast back in the day!!) and the only US routes seem to me to be to Florida (for Disney) and sometimes to New York. Appreciate your point about the currency situation too - not helpful, although it is why I'm wondering about a 2008 trip to NY City as I have the offer of some accommodation there. Your point is well made - and taken on board!
Maybe your US AF travel options could be a runner. Gotta be better than Cattle Class in scheduled! Mind you a trip on the Empire Builder sounds a good plan to me!
Pete - are you thinking of crossing the Pond in 2008?
Thanks for the e-mail for Backtrack Pete - I'll drop him a line even though I've not read the magazine with the page ref for that Silver Princess article. Will be good to know if they turn up any decent info. I take it you will watch out for it if you get another edition of Backtrack - but I guess that is dependant on your UK contacts?
Bluebell is OK for shed looking, but not the real workshop area (like GCR) - it is more an undercover area where out of action steam locos are stored that you can walk through - so you can get close up - but not quite the atmosphere of the GCR shed where you are walking amongst the area where they are doing the work - sort of next best thing though!
Nice German pics by the way!
Rob - nice pic of a TTC G car - I admit I had wondered if any had survived (or indeed if any were still on the TTC) - nice you got some although my understanding is you have had vandal problems recently in respect of these cars (or have I misunderstood the situation?).
Eric - Nene Valley Railway UK, stock lists: http://www.nvr.org.uk/stock/
Good to read your memories of the X2000 revenue service runs (complete with cab visits!) Happy Birthday wishes are in order it would appear!
Allan - good to see you! Like wise for Lars and Ron!)
CM3 - interesting read on the KCS - no comments but I enjoyed it!
Mike - enjoyed that pic of the Silver Link leaving London Kings Cross.
Cheerio
Good afternoon Ruth, my don't you have a big smile on your face today.Anyway I think a great big roast beef on rye with all the usual fixings,oh and a Keith's to wsh her down with thank-you. Keep the change and here's a sack'o'coin for herr wurlitzer as well.
Tom-Well the trip on Amtrak to the wet northwest does not sound like too abd a second if the extremly north of the boarder trip does not work out. Heck it's a train trip over a few days,I'm sure you can deal with that ,<grin> Try not to stir up the natives too much if you go there, you know how liberals cry afterall
The trolley you swapped me is O scale, the little guy I bought is actually HO and a wonderfull running little guy too,I'm still shicked that someone made it. Takea look on bachman's website,key in Peter Witt in their search engine and the pics will come up of teh undec and the painted one's they are producing. Brooklyn and St Louis are two of the paint schemems thata er comming out ( in case you need one ) and no worries they will run off either track power or over head.
I don't have much info on On30 as it's not my thing, I can see what I can dig up though.
Eric-A great big - greeting for you,I see that H&H baked you a speacial cake ,it's in teh shape of the x2000 as well. They are talented pastery chefs, they also make wonderfull choc pudding
Lars-Good to see you in this morning from the sunny south The NYC books and material are apreciated as always 5x for that.Keep the faith don't listen to Tom the Gints are gonna make soem noise yet I think
H&H are helping with some forenzic testing on teh chips taken from the penthouse door ( their mom gave them a junior CSI kit for Christmas and they've been finger printing everyone since ) So far Boris Leon and Ruth have been ruled out, we'll keep you posted.
Yes I do hope everyone rememberd birthday three for Our Place in april, everyone needs to buy at least a round that day
Shane-Interesting KCS pasenger info sir thanks for sharing.It is amazing how one falls into teh unexpected at the hobby shop once in a while isn't it.
I see that Ron and Mike were both in today as well, nice to see both you gents. Boris is ahppy too as he gets to ring the bells each time a new face comes in. Everyone's new to him as his short term memory is... well short.
I haven't purused the urls Mike dropped off yet but shall later on today. Ron take her easy don't wrench the newly repaired back.No worries about yoru lack of travels we are all eher for teh love of trains model and real so fear not, there's always a stoll by the bar for you.
Dan-Yes we saved the one G car set a two car unit. Some of the clones that were built by Hawker Sydeley in Thunder Bay are still on the TTC.These were built to the same specs and dimentions as the G cars but were built of Aluminum instead of steel. The serviving clones aer all in work train service in the subway though and are not used for paying opassengers.
We did unfortunatly have a repainting of the G cars in december, they recieved a three foot high blue and white "tagging" by some young "artists" along the length of both cars. the culprits have yet to be found no lilley will they be .
It wouldn't at all supprise me if the Dome you road in on the ONR might have been an ex B&O piece. All the equipment the Northlander uses has been bought second and third hand by the railroad.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH while I catch up on the posts over the weekend.
to ERIC on your 65th .
By my calculations I think it was you, Eric, who had the 100,000th post so a special prize of the Penthouse Suite and a reunion with the brunette would be OK.. I am still feeling guilty of doing the 3,333th post, so I am trying to help you out.
Pete.
SPECIAL for PETE!
What in the world are you SMOKING or DRINKING?!?!?
100,000th Post???? Nope! I think you are speaking of visit . . . anyway, the Penthouse Suite is NOT YOURS to dole out nor is the brunette in town!
<triple geesh>
You Sir are now OH-FISH-UL-LEE <tweeted> for exceeding authority 'n misinterpreting the "count"! Rules #63 'n #87. To the Shed with ye . . . <uh oh>
Good to have you back - I think! <groan>
Afternoon again Ruth, could I get another Keith's, thank-you.
Pete-Nice to see you 100,000th post Ruth I think you had better cut off the bar chandler_BTW Pete the inmspector and his aids need to chat with you <uh oh > don't worry H&H won't hurt you much while they hog tie and finger print you
THE PRE_HISTORY O F THE TTC PART # 3
THE TORONTO TRANSORTATION COMMISSION 1921-1953
With four different companies controlling nine different systems , public transportation in Toronto was in utter chaos.The cost to the public for rides to work , and home, was becomming increasingly difficult to uphold, so something had to be done.Citizens exercised their voting franchise on Jan 1st 1920 and decided that all of Toronto's public transit systems should be placed under the direction of one orginization.By this vote the Toronto Transportaion Commission was created.
On Sept. 1, 1921 , the new commission took over all operations of the TRC and Civic Lines.It bought and introduced the new Peter Witt streetcars which were a complete improvement over any of the older cars still running.New routes were introduced,trackwork was heavily replaced and upgraded between 1921-23, and routes were aquiredf rom the TSR in 1923 and the T&YRR in 1927.Many of the Civic lines were extended and joined onto the old TRC lines enebling more system wide usage of turining loops, eliminating the need for most double ended cars.
Other improvements included the withdrawl of many of the older single truck car types and the old horse car trailers.The introduction of new Peter Witt trailers on the busy routes such as Collage and Yonge streets,and the upgrade of buildings ,loops, and finally teh building of a new state of the art repair centre at Bathurst street and Davenport road ( Hillcrest Shops ) allowed the replacement of the old worn out TRC shops at front and Frederick street.
In 1938 , the TTC was instrumental in the introduction of the new PCC car design,which in one fell swoop resigned all other streetcar designs to the past.During the war years, the TTC maintained it's fleet,ordered new PCC cars and introduced women to it's workforce for the first time. They hired on as operators and as shop workers.
In 1953 , The Metroploitan system of government ws introduced to Toronto and the Toronto Tansportation Commission, which had sole responsibility for city transportation metro area wide.The company was revamped into the Toronto Transit Commission and in 1954 they oppened the first subway line on Yonge street,which is the forerunner of the modern rapid transit systems in Cananda.
TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION 1954-PRESANT
In 1963 came the University Ave subway, followed by the Bloor-Danforth Lines. These replaced surface operations on these increasingly busier streets in 1966.The Spadinna extention was added in 1978 and Bloor -Danforth was extended twice in 1968 and in 1980.Extentions to the original Yonge line were completed in 1973-74.The newest "tube" is the Sheppard Ave line completed in 2002 and work is beginning on extending the University line down to the campus of York University scheduled for completion in 2012.The TTC also buiklt the Scarborough rapid Transit in the 80's and they are looking at a further $2B in light rail to finally extend rail corridors out of the city into Mississauga and hopefully the Pearson Airport. thes will be surface LRT type lines running in a dedicated streetcar only right of way similar to what is being done currently to the St Clair Ave line.
The TTC will still be an in city streetcar bus , subway system. At preasant replacement subway cars are comming from bombardeir to replace the oldest T and H series subway cars currently in use. New streetcars are being tendered for as well as the well tried CLRV's are now approachng 30 years old
An almost as new CLRV in the 1980's.
enjoy Rob
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Sundry
Eric but I beat ya to it as mine was yesterday... No I'm not bragging I'm lamenting I don't know if it's the flu bug in the house, the beer (Kieth's on Tap from the local German Ale house) the wine or the rusty nails (plural)... Had so much planned for the day
siberianmo wrote:You Sir are now OH-FISH-UL-LEE <tweeted> for exceeding authority 'n misinterpreting the "count"! Rules #63 'n #87. To the Shed with ye . . . <uh oh>
as to this I say...HA... HA HA... HAHAHA HAa
looks good on ya bud!
Trolley Boy: 30 years old?!? Oh you just aged me as I remember riding them when they first came out! Ohh that hurts
For me Birthday I got
Though Lisa doesn't know about the "Mike"
Later All
Fergie
Here Pete this one is on me. Hate to see a grown man cry. Tom can be awful hard on ya can't he!
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
SPECIAL for FERGIE!
And a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU, Sir Mariner! However, you are NOT part of our "Birthday Watch List" <given ample opportunity to join by "offline Email," I should add!> and therefore NOT entitled to all the PERKS 'n STUFF associated with being an "Our" Place Natal Day Celebrant! <sorry>
I do think there's a pony Keg of Keiths lager with your name on it 'round here somewhere . . .
Now to the BEST PART! <tweeeeeeeeeeet> <tweeeeeeeeet> You have violated Rule #39 - Posting model or toy trains material on a day OTHER THAN Wednesday - or - Saturday! <uh oh> Punishment: Assist Bar Chandler Pete with the thorough cleaning of Boris' Shed. <ugh>
Laff 'n the world laff's with you - frown 'n you're all ALONE, Mate! <grin>
Oh yeah - thanx for the visit - love the steamer 'n trailing cabooses <can't say "cabeese" <ugh>! <grin>
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #66
<A form of this was initially Posted on 21 Jan 2006, Page 231 of the Original Thread>
Here's something to enjoy regarding the SWISS FEDERAL RAILROADS from a 1933 advertisement in my personal collection.
A Treasure-House of Scenery Behind the Towering Alps Switzerland - fairyland of azure lakes, snowy peaks and quaint century-old villages. Every golden hour spent in this fascinating land remains a precious memory throughout a lifetime. Visit it NOW . . . such an opportunity may never come again. Costs everywhere are sweepingly reduced. Swiss thoughtfulness provides a unique railroad ticket on which you travel as you please - change your route at will - with rates adjusted to suit all tastes. You will include in your trip the famous St. Gothard route with ZURICH and lovely LUCERNE, cradle of the Swiss Confederation and unique spot for excursions by boat and rail. LUGANO-LOCARNO, floral paradise of the Swiss Italian lake district and on the Simplon Line distinguished LAUSSANE-OUCHY, international center for education and travel . . . Loetshberg Line on the BERNESE OBERLAND with the quaint old towns of BERNE, capital of Switzerland . . . and THUN-INTERLOCKEN, for that spectacular trip . . . on the JUNGFRAUJOCH. Write for Packet NG-1 to the Official Agency of the SWISS FEDERAL RAILROADS, 475 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
SWITZERLAND
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Switzerland: Crystal Panoramic Express (courtesy: www.trainweb.org)
Switzerland TEE, built by (Deutsche Bahn AG), Germany (courtesy: www.trainweb.org)
Enjoy! Tom
Leon, Tui`s all round for the crew please!
Eric. Hearty congratulations on your birthday mate, to YOU! Have a GOOD ONE, take it easy on all those GOODIES. Thanks for the nice write up and great pics on the X2000 revenue services in the US.
Rob. A nice lot of interesting pics of those diesel oddities, have saved them all on file. Nice continuation of the TTC story in Pt 3.
Lars. A welcome visit from the Larsman on the Key`s, and a nice selection of covAHS of the NYC from the Larsman Mobile, GREAT!
Ron. Nice to read your back pain is pretty well gone now, hope you get back to your model engine work soon.
CM3. A really informative write up on the KCS passenger services, very interesting thanks. Now i`m retired it looks as if i`m immune from that WORK virus!
Mike. Nice to see you in again so soon, thanks for the great pic of the Silver Link, my favourite train and loco! I was one month old when the Silver Link first ran in 1935 so that pic held a lot of nostalgia for me. Nice links to those pics of Johnny Podres.
Dan. Good to see you in again.
Pete. Nice to see you in on a quick visit.
Fergie. Many belated greetings mate, hope you had a good ONE! Nice pics of your MESS RR, is that a shot of your new loco?
Tom. Glad you enjoyed the info on the NZ passenger services, I thought it would have been the Overlander trip that was the cause for complaint. OnTrack have a really tough job of upgrading all that big lack of track maintainance over the years, at least something is being done about it now. It would be really great if you could get one of those MATS flights, the USAF flies into Christchurch on a regular basis for the Antartic base project, just MAYBE? We had a similar scheme in the Brit forces called "Indulgence flights" but only for serving personnel. Nice selection of flics for the weekend, had the Bourne Identity DVD out a few weeks ago, a great action movie with great sound effects. Nice Swiss Federal Railways write up and pics, see we were both in at the same time!
All of New Zealand is in mourning for Sir Ed Hillary, he prefered being called Ed, he is a Kiwi icon and a great example of the Kiwi "can do" attitude, they are having a full State funeral for him in Auckland on Tuesday week, he was the only living New Zealander who`s face was printed on a NZ banknote, the $5 note. May he "Everest"!
A pint of Bathams please LEON.
ROB Glad you enjoyed Alan's German photos Thanks for the info on W28 and the photo of the G car.
What a great find in the model shop, I will have a look at the Bachmann web site for the photos.
Many thanks for those interesting diesels photos and the history of the TTC part #3.It is good to see the CLRV streetcars has some of style of the earlier streetcars.
I have nothing to fear from Inspector Clueless I wasn't there Guv.
ERIC Yes Friday was a very busy day at the bar I was hoping you could get the 3,333th post; I did try to get another reunion with the brunette for you.( and see what happened to me)
Glad you enjoyed Alan's photos and thanks for the big-boy cab photo.
Many thanks for the very interesting X2000 in Revenue Service and the photos. It seemed the train performed well and drew in extra passengers, what a shame the X2000 was not bought and used in fleet service on the East Coast corridor.
ALLAN Yes it was a shame Silver Link was not saved, It certainly deserved a place in preservation for the work it done when it was first built on the Silver Jubilee and setting a new speed record at the time. In 1988 A4 Bittern was painted in the silver livery and was numbered 2509 and named Silver Link. It was lined up with the Garter blue Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley outside the museum at York. For a while 2509, although not in working order was at the North Tyneside railway museum where I saw her. A link to the museum
http://www.ntsra.org.uk/museum.html
60019 has recently returned to steam and is in BR Brunswick Green and due to work on the main line working specials.
Glad you enjoyed Alan's photos. Many thanks for the links to the New Zealand railways.
Yes Sir Ed Hillary was a credit to New Zealand, no only conquering Everest but his great humility and good works made him very special.
LARS Well done to the Giants, what a shame it can't be the Giants and the Packers in the Super Bowl still should be a good game next week.
At least I can't be blame for the attempted forced entry to the Penthouse Suite, as I was not around, personally I think it was the brunette looking for Eric.
Many thanks for the NYC covers from the Larsman Mobile. Love the one on the NYC Mercury cover.
RON Real sorry to hear your back is giving you so much trouble. It is always good when you are able to call in the bar I always like to read about the railways in Chile.
CM3 Many thanks for Part 1 of the KCS Passenger service from 1950. I don't think I have heard the term ‘Short Coaches' before. I see the KCS and Northern Southern F units were in Meridian MISS for a railfest recently.
Good advice to Eric from the Mentor Emergency Service Squad.
MIKE Many thanks for that great photo of Silver Link leaving London King's Cross on the Silver Jubilee express to Newcastle On Tyne. By the number of people on the platforms it could have been the first run of the express.
DL Yes I should be over to England this year, when I get the dates sorted out I will be sure to let you know and we can meet up with Alan and have a few pints
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