HI Tom and all.
Back again after a rather bad few days here at the house. Still the plumbers are finishing off so we should be back to normal soon or at least the house is inhabitable.The plumbers have been great and came as soon as we could contact them on Monday morning. Still it will make a story for the rendezvous.
Our trip on Amtrak was cancelled yesterday due to flooding, we had a look at the Missouri here last evening and it is well up moving fast with a lot of branches etc floating in the river. They said on the news today that it would crest about 10 feet above flood stage and will be the third highest, beating the 1995 level, but still well below the 1993 floods. Instead of Amtrak we followed through the small towns,that a long ago railroad used to serve between here and Bagnall, some of the depots are still standing I will have to find out some more about this line, as a local Historian has written a piece about it.
Well RUTH a pint of Batham's and a round for all while I catch up on the posts I have missed.
Pete.
G-day Tom and all present!
Leon- I need a good coffee and a turkey sandwich. Thanks!
Well, my trip to Minneapolis was a good one. I didn't bring a camera so I am unable to show you the O scale model railroad I saw. There is a place called Bandana Square where the Northern Pacific performed all work on there passenger cars. Now it has been changed to a bunch or doctor offices and other small businesses and an O scale Model railroad. http://www.tcmrm.org/index.html Here you can visit the model railroad. It's a very impressive layout. I'm glad my dad likes O scale!!
I will begin the acknowledgements on page 57 and work my way back.
Eric- Nice picture of the Deutsche Reichs Bahn. No wonder they call them railbuses.. they look like them. And few more nice pics from Germany. Those street cars look really nice. Also a nice looking roundhouse there. Is that little round tower for watering the locomotives Thanks for sharing.
Oh my!! An F40 on an Amtrak train.. You certainly don't see that now a days. That also reminds me, I saw Amtrak this weekend at about 11:00 pm on Monday in Minneapolis, heading west. What a cool train.
Oops. Do you think the river over flowed a little. Hmmm To bad the house was hit. Hope there weren't any model trains in the basement..
Tom- Some really interesting looking pictures of that trolley sitting out in back/ front (which ever). Someone took some time and money to restore that back to it's good looking self. Unless it came that way? Thanks for sharing.
And then some nice looking book covers about the UP. Usually Lars gets that but he must be off and running at the moment. But appreciate the work you put into all of this. That steam excursion book looked really good. And some nice advertisements to go along with the UP.
And a few more nice looking book and video covers on the Illinois Central. When Pentrex has a movie it's usually quite good. I have a pretty big collection of there movies. And also a nice few advertisements to go along with the IC. Thanks
And some Fallen flag material to keep this place going. The Santa Fe is one of those railroads that just sparked the love in Children, including me. It was a fascinating railroad indeed.
Mike- You have been busy! Nice little article you had there along with the pictures. Also really liked the video you provided. Some interesting things you had there. Thanks for sharing.
CM3- Thanks for the info on the sleeping cars the IC bought. Interesting to read that they got most of the cars from the C&O, New York Central, and Nickel plate. Thanks for sharing.
Happy railroading
James
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, nice to see you this beautiful evening! A ham sandwich for me, please! How are things going? Slow? Don't worry, it will pick up again!
Nice to see some more guests today!
Tom – I am sure it is life and circumstances. I mean that it is a very slow period here at the bar right now. and that I am sure it get more busy again soon! Hopefully I will get a chance to look for remnants of the train station and righ-of-way, etc. at Yellowstone next year. And take pictures of whatever I might find. F40 pulling or being pushed by the X2000? Hmm, I guess the correct answer is that F40 pulled or pushed X2000. The diesels could be controlled from the X2000 cab car so on all demo runs the diesels were pushing the X2000 in front of them. I did some research but could not find any info about any connection between the Challenger train and Challenger, the steam locomotive. UP’s site did not mention anything. I also prefer Willie Nelson’s version of the “City of New Orleans”. I remember it was very popular in 1984, when I heard him sing it for the first time. Some older posters/ads for Illinois Central! The Road of Luxuray Travel. They look like they (the ads) were created in the 30’s. Thanks for the SF info! I like their drumheads! CM3 – The gas price is the only thing I don’t like about my trip next week! But I actually saw one gas station here tonight where the price went down 2 cents, from $3.11 to $3.09!!! It will probably go upp twice as much tomorrow though. Thanks for the info on the IC cars! Yes, we had a clear signal when I took that picture. But we were not running very fast, just normal speed. Pete – Looking forward to hear the story about your house and the plumbers! Did you take any pictures of theold depots along the old railroad to Bagnall? I think you should write something about what you will find out about that railroad and add the pictures you (hopefully) took! James – Welcome back! But how could you go to that O scale model railroad without a camera? I think the Captain should do something about that! Maybe some more cleaning of Boris’ shed? Interesting layout, concentrated on the Twin Cities! O-scale is real nice, allows a lot of details.
Approaching 30th Street Station, Philadelphia
Getting orders at Paoli, PA.
Eric
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
It's another pretty day in the coalfields. The oak trees are just now starting to leaf out which is a sure sign that spring may be here for real as they are the last trees to come out.
Let's do some more with our IC sleeping car project. Today, we'll look at former NKP 10/6 cars and the 10/5 cars that came over from the New York Central
The former NKP cars came to the Illinois Central in 1965. They were all "City" series cars on the Nickel Plate which were renamed by their new owner.
City of Toledo r/n Calumet
City of Buffalo r/m Canton
City of St. Louis r/n Central City
City of Indianapolis r/n Chandensson
City of Lorain r/n Charles City
City of Peoria r/n Cook County
City of Findlay r/n Council Bluffs
City of Lima r/n Cynthia
The NYC 10 roomette/5 double bedroom cars were purchased in 1958 by the IC They were all "Cascade" series cars on the NYC which got renamed by the IC.
Cascade Channel r/n Decatur
Cascade Green r/n Destrehan
Cascade Summit r/n Durant
Cascade Wonder r/n Dyersburg
In 1950, the IC bought five 10/6 cars from Pullman. These included:
Cairo
Carbondale
Centralia
Champaign
Covington
I went out and looked on some of the book sites for Stover's History of the Illinois Central which I mentioned yesterday. It is o/p but available at a wide range of prices.
Now for a few commets - can't spell acknowledgements.
OSP provided some Santa Fe material with drumheads - always appreciated.
Pete - Hope you are not having to still use life jackets in the house; plumbers, even under the best of circumstances, are never welcomed visitors - nothing personal, it just implies problems with water which is never a good thing. There has been a lot of coverage on the news here re flooding in your section - we have unbelievable floods in WV every so often which are exacerbated (how's that, Boris?) by the terrain around here.
James stopped by for a visit - good to hear from you.
Eric sent us some interesting pictures. Enlarge the first one and check pout the signals. PRR installation with upgraded track. The third one is a good one as well - hooping them up at the fabled location of the "Paoli Local." Lot's of $ in that part of the world, for sure.
Work safe
G'day Gents!
Not much happenin' 'round here or over on "my other Thread." Thought a few Santa Fe ads might liven up things at the bar . . . Acknowledgments on Friday . . .
Enjoy!
Tom
Hi Tom and all.
Well what a welcome from BORIS and the mascots. RUTH get them all the treats LARS usually gets, as I see Eric had the last two Danishes the other night. After the last few days I had better have a Batham's XXX and of course a round.
Not a full house of customers at the bar, since Friday but some great posts.
ERIC It will be good to see your photos of the model railcars when you can get the camera fixed. I think the British railbuses of German origin were new when the came to Britain and did not work on the German Railways.
Many thanks for the great photos. I suppose those Hamburg Streetcars from 1970 have been replaced now or are they still at work do you know. It is great that they still kept the original shape of that fine looking water tower, in the roundhouse pic, when it was converted to hold diesel fuel. Lovely shot of the old 600mm gauge steam loco.
Good to hear that there are still some FP9s still in regular service.
I well remember seeing the 1993 floods on the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers on the BBC TV news at the time, little thinking I would be in the area some years later. The bride was at Rocheport MO, a small town on the KATY trail, filling and positioning sandbags around buildings in the town. I have not heard of them calling for volunteers here in Jeff City.
The WD locomotives, known to us spotters as "Dub- Dees", were introduced in 1943 for the Ministry of Supply known as "Austerity" locomotives. Mr. Riddles who previously had been 2nd in command to Sir W.A. Stanier in the LMS Locomotive Department, in two forms a 2-8-0 and a 2-10-0 designed them. After the war the newly formed British Railways purchased 733 of the 2-8-0s and 25 of the 2-10-0s, although 200 of the 2-8-0 locos had been bought by the LNER before the nationalisation of the railways in 1948. The 2-8-0s weighed 70 ¼ tons with a Tractive Effort of 34,215lb and the 2-10-0s weighed 78 ¼ tons with the same T.E.
The loco that is now 90733 was one of the WDs that worked on the Netherlands Railways, she was one of two locos of the class that went to Sweden to work on the SJ, the locos numbers on the SJ were 1930 and 1931. After working in Sweden the locos was part of the strategic reserve and were kept in full working order. In the early 1970s No 1931 was saved, although her sister loco was cut up before it could be saved for another preserved line in England.
No 1931 was modified in Sweden including a better cab and the tender shortened to fit on to the Swedish turntables, 90733 has had been rebuilt in to the condition of the WDs that ran on BR.
Here is a link with more detail on 1931/90733, it is half way down the page, and details the changes made to the loco.
http://www.kwvr.co.uk/stockbook/index.htm
I was lucky enough to travel behind 1931 on the K&WVR when she ran on that line; I think I have a slide of her in steam as 1931.
I don't think any of the WD 2-10-0s, that were BR engines, were saved but an example of the class that was always an Army loco has been saved and at present is a static exhibit on the Severn Valley Railway although the loco, named Gordon (after a General I believe) and painted in Longmoor Military Railway blue, was a popular engine when it worked on the SVR.
I did take a couple of pics of the old depots we found on the line to Bagnal, I will try to find the book with a description of the line, it is an interesting read.
Many thanks for the great photos from the cab.
CM3 Yes I well remember that line from the Untouchables.
Many thanks for the details of the Illinois Central cars and that wonderful menu from The Panama in 1969 what a great selection, it made me think, that I don't recall anyone telling me in of a great menu served aboard an aircraft.
I had not heard the term GE "Pooches" before.
Many thanks for the info on Mike's links.
Your right about the plumbers, the only thing worse than them coming is them not coming when you need them; luckily the ones we had were good. The only thing what is making us mad is our problem was not due to natural causes but one that should never have happened, but hopefully it is behind us now.
MIKE Many thanks for the very informative article on the Penn-Central merger. Great links. Like the photo of the UP train leaving Chicago. Unfortunately that great video link with the Amtrak F40s, like Eric, I was without sound.
JAMES Glad you had a good time at Minneapolis that certainly is a great model layout in the link.The National Railway Museum in England has had Bachmann produce a limited edition of only 25 of the Flying Scotsman in O gauge, to help the Scotsman's restoration, at about $2,500 each, but I dare say they will appreciate in value..
A link to the model
http://www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman/model.asp
TOM It was good to talk with you on the phone real pity about Amtrak, and the weather was real good that day as well.
RUTH Get TOM a beer for those great Santa Fe posters I have just caught.
The painting on the "Chief Way" is simply brilliant. Many thanks for sharing.
Pete
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Early Friday morning! Leon, how about... no, I'll just have a cup of coffee! Black! Thank you! No, you keep the change.
Nice to have Pete back! I didn't believe he would notice I had the last danishes the other day. It seems liek he has everything under control!
CM3 – Spring? We have more like summer here, 103° F today. Warmer tomorrow/today (Friday) and Saturday. Did IC buy sleeping cars in 1965!? For how long did they run passenger trains? Did they still hope to make money on it or was it more a kind of desperate thing? Thanks for the info!Comments are fine, especially if you can’t spell that other word! Your comment about “Paoli Local” and "Lots of $ in that part of the world" made me curious. Have I missed something?Tom – Nice posters/ads!! I took the train to the Canyon in 1992. I wonder where those pictures are. I like “The Chief Way”! That is a very good one!Pete – I don’t know if my camera will be back before my trip next Wednesday. And I certainly can’t go without a camera. I have a bad feeling I have to buy a new one. To make it less expensive I have offered the company to buy my old one. Bad news, the streetcars in Hamburg don’t run any more! As far as I know they do not have any streetcars at all today. The water tower was not converted, the diesel fuel is kept in the tank on the ground next to the tower. I know I wasn’t very clear about that. The Swedish State Railways bought the WD locomotives from the Netherlands in 1953. They were taken out of service and put in storage in the 1960’s. 1931 had WD number 79257 and was built by Vulcan Foundry in 1944. When I compare these numbers with the numbers on the site you linked to something is obviously wrong. The difference is that 1930 and 1931 have switched identities on one of the sites. I don’t know which one is correct.
I found one of my pictures from the trip to Grand Canyon! I know I have shown it before, but I don't care.
<from my personal collection>
Reasons "things" happen!
Law of Mechanical Repair:
As soon as your hands are coated with grease your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.
Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability:
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of the act.
Friday and the end of the work week (for many). A great time for that pick-me-up cuppa Joe, a pastry or two from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board!
Changes: Morning acknowledgments will be provided on Monday - Wednesday ‘n Friday. Also, I'll be scarce on Saturdays too - however, the ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day will continue with Cindy, Leon ‘n Boris attending to things ‘round here as usual.
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
CM3 Shane at 10:12 AM Wednesday: Some fine material on the IC . . . always interesting to trace the "lineage" from original road to final destination . . . takes effort and it is appreciated! That's one of the "things" I really enjoy with my RDC book, as there's so much in it regarding the transfers, rebuilds and the like. Of course, it is sorely out of date and an update would surely be helpful in the form of an addendum. Guess there's no market for such things . . .
Chicago - "flappers" and the IC - sez a lot, eh <grin>
Getting close to having to fill up the wagon and that should be great fun with a 20 gallon tank . . . <arrrrgggghhhh> Been trying to do it at half-tank mark these days (daze); eases the sting.
Many thanx for the quarters, round ‘n visit!
Pete at 2:03 PM Wednesday: Given all you've been through since your last visit on Friday, I'd say it's time for a well-deserved break! Have a couple on me, Mate! Ruth, fill ‘er up and give the man the snack trays too. <grin> Without you, Doug ‘n Rob, this has been some lousy week. If not for the consistency from Eric ‘n Shane, I might've just closed up the joint . . . Mike saved the day for us on Tuesday late afternoon I should add.
When I first arrived in these parts it amazed me just how many people live on river's edge. Simply amazed me. They get flooded out, they return, they get flooded out, they return . . . and so forth. Then when I was placed in charge of overseeing the flood relief ops for the 22 state area of navigable waterways, my amazement turned to astonishment. Cities and towns were at river's edge! Not really a phenomena so much as taking a turn on the "wheel" against Mother Nature. Happens world wide. I can recall one of my crews having to explain to a family that we couldn't take their TV, chickens or pigs into the flood punts, only people. Of course family pets came too, even if it wasn't "policy." But rivers don't rise as tidal waves and tsunamis tend to do. There's plenty of time to get a move on - they just don't, or won't. Astonishing, eh These are the things books are made from . . . well maybe short stories! <grin>
The Missouri Pacific RR had a branch line running from Jefferson City to Bagnell (45 miles or so). Long gone now and there's a bit of info in the Ether - but hardly enough to get a handle on. Just do a search on MoPac Bagnell branch line and you'll get some "hits."
Appreciated the phone call of last evening . . . at least you and your bride haven't lost your sense of humor (humoUr)!! Emails have been sent to you all week - some Rendezvous ‘stuff' out today as well.
Glad you made it "in" and hope to see ya a bit more before your departure for the Rendezvous! Less than a week from today . . .
James at 8:46 PM Wednesday: Went on a trip to see model trains and DIDN'T bring a camera!?!?!?! Although that's NOT a <tweetable> oh-fence ‘round here, it should be! <geesh>
That trolley in KCity's Union Station is out in the area that used to handle the westbound trains. And yes, restored quite well.
Hope to see ya a bit more often . . .
Eric at 12:04 AM Thursday: Cab shots are outstanding! I'm sure they bring back some great memories for you . . .
We can only hope that things pick up ‘round here, but practically speaking - ain't gonna happen soon. May-June is gonna be ruff . . . <groan>
The countdown is "on" for the Rendezvous as we're into the single digits!
CM3 Shane at 10:03 AM Thursday: Continuing info on the sleepers of the IC by way of other roads . . . good conversation, humor, and of course - quarters ‘n a round!
Flooding in these parts considerably lessened by the breaking of the levees up river. Many of those are "private" as opposed to ACoE constructed. Farm and ranchlands under water in many places to the west of us. Still nothing like the floods of 1993 - thankfully.
Pete at 3:35 PM ‘n 3:42 PM Thursday: Back with a Wolfman inclusive, informative ‘n interesting Post!
According to the 1956 (August) Official Guide of the Railways, the Wabash had stations at St. Charles, Gilmore, Mexico, Thompson, Centralia, Clark, Moberly, Salisbury, Brunswick, Carrollton, Norborne, Hardin, Henrietta, Camden and North Kansas City between downtown St. Louis and Kansas City. In addition, there were many flag stops along the route . . . also a spur to Columbia.
Yeah, ain't hard to find the book covers ‘n RR ads - lotsastuff out there via the search engines . . . glad the boyz like ‘em!
Hello Tom and all in
Quick pint of Harvey's bitter please.
Sorry not been in much - just had a lot to do recently. Anyway I'm just about to prepare to cross the pond, but sadly this is at short notice due to a family bereavement I'll be heading for Toronto for a few days. Not sure if the arrangments will permit time for some GO train travel, but maybe a trip down to Union to see the Budds on The Canadian might be acheived. Family will come first of course as one would expect at these occasions. Just got to put up with the grim thought of 8 hours of jet engine and no room to move to start off with.
I'll certainly be availing myself of the TTC though - one of the world's best transit orgs in my view.
Sorry not to acknowledge other posts but I'm in rather a hurry to get the train as the first leg of my journey. Good wishes to you all though. If i find a puter I'll try and check the bar!
Regards
DL
Special mention for DL: Sorry to learn of the circumstances regarding your trip to Toronto. Condolences to you and yours from your friends here at the bar . . . Safe journey both ways!
Found some drumheads for the Union Pacific, but it appears that with this "new" Forums formatting change that took place last year, they will all be lined up vertically. <boo hiss> Maybe one day I'll figure out how to over come this latest "glitch" . . . but, here goes!
Next round of Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS from me will be Monday!
Boris, ring the bell - Ruth, give 'em a drink on the house!
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Have been "oitside" all day today (started abt 6:00 a.m. and will be on Monday. Then will be around Tuesday and ooffline W-Th and part of Friday - 'tis that time of the year.
I have noted down folks' questions and will reply ASAP which will probably be on Tueday.
DL sorry to hear about the circumstances of your trip; never an easy situation.
OSP - The UP drumheads were all ined up in 4 rows of 4 on my screen - gotta love it!
The final touch to the Illinois Central - some drumheads and that's it for me 'til tomorrow . . .
Noted CM3 Shane 'n Pete stopped by - Customer Acknowledgments on Monday!
USE THE REFRESH/RELOAD feature to get the MOST CURRENT POSTS!!
A pint of Bathams please RUTH and the Steak for later.
ERIC I do hope you can get your camera back for the Rendezvous.
It is a pity that the streetcars no longer run in Hamburg, it is odd that they done away with the system when it lasted in to the 1970s.
Thanks for more info on the water tower by the roundhouse; although it is not in use it is great that it was kept.
In the piece I read on the Ex WD loco that ran in Sweden and is saved on the KWVR the loco was WD 79257 apparently the loco still carries the Vulcan Foundry works plate with the number 5200. I don't believe the loco was repainted after arriving on the KWVR and was in SJ livery and carried the Number 1931 when I travelled behind her.
It can be quite hard to find the original identity on some locomotives, one of the Great Western Hall class locos saved from Barry scrapyard in South Wales was thought to be No 4983 ‘Albert Hall' but when the loco was stripped to its frames it was found to be 4965 ‘Rood Aston Hall' the identity it carries today on its main line tours.
Thanks for the photo of that good-looking Grand Canyon locomotive
DL May I add my condolences and thoughts for a safe journey to Tom's special mention to you.
CM3 Glad to see you in. Looking forward to your answers Tuesday.
TOM Certainly the "Law of Probability" rings true. It is amazing how someone is always about when you do something daft.
We had a bit of drama here this morning as two barges broke loose from Glasgow MO last night in the flood on the Missouri. Patrol boats caught the larger one but the smaller one of the two, a 30X80 Footer was heading toward Jeff City and there was talk of closing the Highway 63/54 Bridge here in Jeff City. Luckily the barge was caught before the bridge, by barges belonging to the Capitol Sand Co who are based here, a to them.
I shall look forward to some stories of your time on the inland rivers at the rendezvous.
I am still looking for the book, which has the Bagnal line in it. A local author who we know wrote it, he has written a few books on the local area, which are very good.
Thanks for the info on the Wabash stations between Kansas City and St Louis. On Interstate 70 through Columbia there is a bridge in which the Wabash name can still be read out. The line from Columbia still carries freight; it was featured on one of the local TV stations recently to promote safety on grade crossings, although I have yet to see the line in use personally.
Many thanks for the Union Pacific Drumheads, they certainly added to the appearance of their named trains .Some of the named trains on British Railways in the 1950s and 60s had the trains name and the symbol the train, like the flags of England and Scotland on The Caledonian, on the corridor blanking plate on the last car. The locos hauling the train also had a headboard, with the trains name on the front of the locomotive.
Last night we called in Pat's Place on the way we had a look from the small park looking over the river, a train passed through with a UP loco leading a KCS loco with the third loco in BNSF colors but without any name on the loco. The Amtrak was in a siding waiting for the bus from K.C.
I received two e-mails and I sent a reply, I hope you received it.
Looking back on the old Our Place I found this bit of nostalgia I wrote on page 134.
It was Mid September and the start of the 1970's, a bunch of us had been to Tenby by car and stayed in a friends caravan earlier that year. Having worked a week of the shut-down my friend and I had a weeks vacation owing to us. WE decided to go down overnight and armed with a few cans outside and a few beers inside we duly left Rugby Station when most people were heading home. OUR first change was at Birmingham New Street a semi underground station with 12 platforms and no soul. Luckily it wasn't too long before a steam heat Peak, a 2500 hp diesel-electric loco, arrived to take us to Gloucester. On the train we managed to stay awake to make the connection from the now defunct Eastgate via a short walk to Gloucester's surviving station Westgate. Now feeling the chill of the September night the sight of the Swansea train, hauled by a Western class locomotive, a 2700hp diesel-hydraulic, wreathed in steam from the train heating boiler was a most welcome sight. On the overnight trains at that time the passenger cars were mostly of the Compartment type with a corridor running down one side of the car and 8 compartments each seating 6 with retractable arm rests. To find an empty one was heaven. You could dim the lights and with the steam heat it wasn't hard to drift into a pleasant sleep. After passing the Dante's Inferno that was Port Talbot Steelworks we arrived in Swansea where someone directed us to a cafe which opened early.Fortified with a mug of tea and an egg and bacon buttie it was back to the station for the Carmathan train. This was worked by a Swindon built Cross-Country D.M.U. (DRC) to my mind the finest first-generation DMU there was. Getting a seat behind the driver it was a perfect view ahead not too long after leaving Swansea a morning fog appeared with an almost magical scene as the train passed shrouded woodland. After a change of train at Carmathan heading west we turned on to the single-track Tenby branch. Our stop was a request halt at Penally about 2 miles past Tenby. We informed the Conductor who said, "I'll let the driver know" and dropped the vacuum. I think they weren't getting on too well. As we left the train we could hear the engine revving as the driver restored the pressure. Further along the branch the Conductor had to manually operate set of Level-Crossing gates so if it was raining the driver could get his revenge as the Coductor would have to open and close them. After a wonderful vacation the trip back was not anything too special apart from seeing the pioneer Western D1000 "WESTE
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
DL, I'm sorry your family grieves. Mortality of loved ones is by far the worst fact of life.
Some follow-up to Penn-Central, from another lengthy article, a few paragraphs here excerpted:
Uncle, Can You Spare Some Millions? Time Magazine June 22, 1970 www.time.com
AS plain as a red signal on the main track, the ominous figures in quarterly earnings reports showed for months that the Penn Central Transportation Co. was in precarious financial condition. The nation's largest railroad and its parent corporation, the Penn Central Co., are among the wealthiest companies in the U.S. (assets: $7 billion). But the railroad is burdened with debt, beset by spiraling costs, tangled operations, a drop in freight shipments and the $100 million annual drain of unwanted passenger service. As a result, a convulsion last week shook the once-mighty Penn Central and spread deep concern among leaders of business and Government.
The company was so desperately strapped for cash that Penn Central directors abruptly dismissed the men they blamed for that plight: Chairman and Chief Executive Stuart T. Saunders, Vice Chairman Alfred Perlman and Finance Committee Chairman David Bevan. Next day, fearful that the collapse of so large a corporation might bring down other companies in the shaky economy, the Nixon Administration took unusual action in order to rescue the ailing railroad from the brink of bankruptcy. Under seldom-used powers of the Defense Production Act, the Defense Department agreed to guarantee up to $200 million in short-term bank loans for the road....
Bickering at the Top. The agony of the Penn Central was aggravated not only by the money shortage but also by civil war within the company. The 28-month-old merger of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central was supposed to eliminate wasteful competition and thus enable two troubled rivals to highball into the future. Instead, executives of the Pennsy's "red team" and Central's "green team" bickered over business methods, and politicked for status and promotions, while service deteriorated amid appalling confusion. Even the computer systems of the two roads were incompatible: they could not transmit information to each other. Thousands of freight cars were "lost" in Penn Central yards or along its 40,000 miles of tracks. Shipments were delayed for weeks or longer, and food, beer and other goods went stale in the cars. While infuriated shippers switched to other carriers, frustrated middle-managers from the New York Central quit in wholesale lots as Pennsy men took over most of the key positions.
Friction became especially grating between the Pennsy's Saunders, 60, a lawyer turned railroadman, and Perlman, 67, former boss of the Central, who had been named chief operating officer of the combine because of his reputation as a wizard at running trains. Strong-willed men, they held each other in low esteem -and showed it. Moreover, the merger that Saunders engineered had long been opposed by Perlman, who had favored another grouping of Eastern railroads. The squabbles became so frequent that last December the board of directors finally moved Perlman upstairs to vice chairman. Other railroaders who had thought that mergers would alleviate their own woes now looked at the Penn Central and began to have doubts....
The Penn Central's passenger service has been a particular plague. The railroad still runs 1,280 passenger trains a day-35% of the nation's total and 75% of the remaining long-haul sched-u'es. By Penn Central accounting, round-trip income from one New York-St. Louis train, for example, recently averaged $5,295 a day; but wages and other operating costs ran to $10,191. To pare such losses, the Penn Central two months ago petitioned the ICC to end all passenger service west of Buffalo, N.Y., and Harrisburg, Pa. Indignant protests from localities, rail buffs and organized passenger groups are likely to stall the commission's decision....
Having lunged to the aid of the Penn Central, the Government now seems headed for a quasi-nationalization of the nation's railroads. Legislation that sailed through the Senate and seems assured of success in the House would create a semipublic, Government-subsidized agency, the Rail Passenger Corp. (Rail-pax), to take over long-haul passenger service from railroads that want to give it up. Railpax would start operations in March 1971. Most of its directors would be named by the President; the Transportation Secretary would establish the routes, and the corporation would set standards of service...
Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower 1943
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34785v.jpg
Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower 1941
http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02386.jpg
Tom's Flappers enlarged for CM3
http://www.allposters.com/View_HighZoomResPop.asp?apn=370387&imgloc=8-841-F4KY000Z.jpg&imgwidth=634&imgheight=947
Old newsreel of early diesels, lousy lighting and takes forever to download. Interesting though.
http://static.thoughtequity.com/video/aux/warehouse/331/790/331790_017_lp.wmv
Mike
Good evening Leon. A rather large keith's if you would be so kind this evening.nice to be back finally gents,a rather unpleasant round of illness's in my house this last week and a half, the least said the bettre I suppose, we are well again now though, so i'll be back in the saddle as it were.
I hope everyone is packed and pumped for rendezvous mk 2 it should be a riot of food, fun ,frolics,oh and some trains thrown in for the heck of it
tom-Thanks for your continued support on the Candain theme's I appreciated seeing all the efforts and the rerunns of the CP and Toronto Union pieces. and this last weeks efforts on UP and Sante fe IC with the drum heads all great stuff more than worthy of your fine establishment.The new way of things around I think should work out quite well. The thread need not be a fulltime job you after all do deserve to enjoy your retirement.
Nice to see those shots of the KC trolley as well. that PCC looks better likely than they did when they were still in service
Dl-Sorry to read about your families loss.I'll echo Tom's sentiments on behalf of everyone here at the bar as well.It's actually nice to hear people say they like the TTC. they do do well for all the funding problems they have had the last few years.Most people in Toronto don't give it a second thought unless the trains late typical of the hiometown sentiment unfortunatly.
Mike-A couple nice readassss the last week or so.Thank-you great stuff,loved all teh canadian shots you put up on those url's as well.
lars-I hope alls settling in well at the new southern home stead, I'll make sure that Ruth gets your private email line.I loved the book covers you put forth to keep the theme going some nice books in that bunch. The CPR faciklities looks like a good one, we just brought several copies in for the gift shop,they should sell through quite quickly at the museum.The FP9's have always been my favourite F unit for some reason, though i prefer the Classic CPR scheme to the gawd awfull red multi-mark, that modern look just didn't go well on the F units or the FA's.
Eric-Woow some great traction shots, loved those classic german single truckers Great shot of the X2000 approaching Toronto union as well. that area has built upm quite a bit more the last ten years or so. You would be hard pressed to recognize it now.
Pete-I hope that you are keeping your feet dry. sounds like you have had quite the week.hopefully everythinbg will stay squared away while you are in St louis with da gang.great shots of the model displays at the station thanks for sharing them again
Rob
Good evening Leon and friends. A bottomless draught and a round for the house please. I've briefly peeked at this particular page, and don't have to tell anyone here what a treasure of information there is on this thread.
The following is from the Fast MAil, which is a membership publication of the20th Century Railroad Club. I meant to share it sooner. Here goes:
Royal Hudson Steam Train edited by Pullman Green
Canadian Railway's 4-6-4 "Hudson" steam engine No. 2816 will pull CPR's luxury pasenger train from Calgary, Alberta, to Chicago in August, and return in September. The trip, which will run Aug. 17-Sept.22, will show off CPR's historic main line across Canada and its former Soo Line and Milwaukee Road lines in the United States.
Ex-Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 steam engine No. 261 will join 2816 for a double-header down the scenic Mississippi River Valley on Sept. 15 between Minneapolis and La Crosse, WI. The trip is sponsored by CPR and the Friends of the 261.
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 17-22: The train will run from Calgary to Minneapolis. One-way passengers can make the ride; a passport will be required to cross the border.
Aug. 29-30: The train will run from Minneapolis to Chicago, with an overnight layover in Milwaukee. One-way tickets will be available.
Sept. 1-3: The train will make round-trips from the Franklin Park, IL. Metra station to Sturtevant, WI. An optional barbeque lunch will be served at Sturtevant.
Sept. 4-5: The train will run from Chicago back to Minneapolis, with an overnight layover in La Crosse, WI.
Sept. 8-9: One round-trip each day will be offered from Minneapolis to Glenwood, MN. The 2816 will be turned at Glenwood on the former Soo Line turntable. On Sept. 9, the train will also make a round trip to Dresser, WI.
Sept. 15: Engines 2816 and 261 will double-head down the former Milwaukee Road main line to La Crosse, WI, and back.
Sept. 16-22: One-way tickets will be available for the return run from Minneapolis to Calgary.
Tickets will be available through the Friends of the 261 Web site at www.261.com or by phoning 651-765-9812. Passengers can also mail ticket order to Friends if the 261, 4322 Lake-point Ct., Shoreview MN 55126 [Trains NewsWire]
Good evening again Leon. Another round of Keith's, and I'll see if any of the sirloin is left for a bit of a midnight snack.
So even though there was a bit of as delay in posting it , here's part three of the posts I started back on the Canadian, railways theme day.
CLASSIC DIESELS #43 ONLY IN CANADA YOU SAY PART 3
Continuing with diesels designed for the rugged and sometimes inhospitable areas the Canadian railways had to work in, made the locomotive manufactureres continue to put up some interesting locomotive designs, and make some design features that had previously not been done for the railroad market. One of these techknowlogie was the wide safty or comfortcab. Now a satple on most locomotives this was first a GMD of Canada inovation. For the longest time these wide cabs were known as the Canadian cab option for those few US roads that cared to dable. Once the extra warmth / cool / safety of the cabs was know they have become the norm. Back in 1972 GMD first put these wide cabs on SD40-2W's for CN on GP38-2W's also for CN and the GP40-2W's for CN and for Go transit. The GP40's with wide cabs have since been bought from CN by the KCS and some of the locomotive leasing companies.MLW an dit successor Bombardier also designed sme early wide cab locomotives in the early 70's. two such made it into fairly large scale production.
The M420 was a four axle 2000hp roadswitcher built by MLW utilizing the newer 251C prime movers.They were geared for fast intremodal type service and were geared for 70mph.Only CN and BC rail purchased these locomotives new.BC rail also bought a dozen M420 B's which carried their locotrol mid train raido control equipment and the BC bought them cabless similar to the various first and second generation B units UP bought, the thinking being that why put a cab on the midtrain helper locmotives and therefore save money for not having to have controls and cabs installed in some of your powered locomotives.The M420 was offered by MLW as an export model only the Providence and worchester railroad took them up on the offer buying 5 units in 1974, these differed from teh Candian M420's only in that the P&W traded in some old RS2's and MLW to save them money reused the AAR type B truck off the old RS units, all te Canadian M420's used the new Zero wieght traction truck. Later in 1976 when MLW was bought out by Bombardier the M420 was redesigned as the HR412 again only CN bought these, outwordly they were the same as the M420's in hp and in prime mover, the only difference was that the BBR units had newer microprocessor controls but other than that they were the same locomotive.Today the CN and BCR have retired most of their M420's and HR412's but most have made their way onto short lines and samll regional railways, some even intot eh various locomotive leasing companies motive power pools.
An M420 in CN's Niagara falls yard c 1989
The next wide cab Canada only Model Bombardier came out with was a redo of the old M636 six axle road engine. These were called the HR616's. Though tested by BC rail and CP only CN ordered these units in 1982 buying 26 units, a second follow on order four 20 was shifted over to GE (their first canadian sale since the 70 tonners in the early 50's ! ) Along with the wide candain cab the HR616 was also a full coweled body locomotive designed for Western canada service. They aslo featured the draper taper a cut out in the carbody just behind the engineer so he could have better vision backwards while backing onto a train. By 1999 CN had retired all the HR616's and as such were the last 6 axle big alco's ( 3600hp 251C )to be in regular servcie with a class 1 railroad. I don't believe any of them were saved from the scrapline. GMD also made several CN only full carbody locomotives for CN featuring te widecab and draper taper bodies as well. these were the SD50F's and SD60F's for CP they built full cowel bodied SD40-2F's in 1986.GE's order that finished off the second order of the HR616's by CN was their model 840-CM essentially a straight dash 8 but they had a full cowel body and draper taper. CN BC rail aad te Quebec Northshore 7 labrador railways bouhgt these units.
CN HR616 in Toronto's mac yard 1990
A CN SD50F in a frieght train c2002
The next one off is just that a one off. during the late 1950's when turbo chargers on diesel engines and higher horsepower became all the rage,Fairbanks Morse trumped everyone with teh introduction of the trainmaster and it's enormous 2400hp.Alco in the US countered with the RSD15 aligator with a few sales and GM built thier SD24's. In Canada similar large hp engines were being designed as well CLC did build a few trainmasters 21 for the CPR and 1 for the CNR ( CN of the fifties tended to shy away from heavy 6 axle locomotives as they were still in the process of rebuilding the light branchlines they inherited in the 1920's from thier various predessesor railways. MLW put forth a 2400 six axle roadswitcher in 1956 called the RSD17 powered by a 2400hp 251B motor this unit made the rounds CN, PGE ( BC Rail ) and the CPR all tested it. No one ordered it. In 1958 the CPR purchased the locomotive and ran it unitl it was retired in 1993. Most of it's life was spent in transfer service based out of the CPR Agincourt yard in North Toronto, The locomotive was lovingly refered to as the Empress of Agincourt.In 1984 it recieved a choped nose at the same time CP was rebuilding their fleet of RS18's.the empress still exists todaay in the Collection of the Elgin County rail Musuem in St Thomas Ontario.
The empress in Agincourt yard just prior to her nose job and rebuilding.
Enjoy Rob
Leon, just in time. I'll have my Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Can't have that too often.
Some more activities here today, sorry yesterday. 106° today, I mean yesterday.
Tom – 5 days!! I don’t know how I will be able to do everything, including packing, before Wednesday morning! But I am looking forward to it. Yes, I like to look at all those old pictures from “the old days”. Today I just found a bunch of more pictures I forgot about. Have to check and sort those as soon as possible. No, I will bring a camera to the Rendezvous! I never go any places without my camera and it is not going to happen this time either. I still have my old 35 mm SLR and my wife has a nice digital camera I can borrow. Hopefully my camera will be back on Monday or Tuesday. More nice drumheads! UP, including the Challenger Streamliner and City of St. Louis! Never heard about the last one before. The IC drumheads all have the same style/design. Like the City of New Orleans!DL – Sorry to hear about the bad news! Family must always come first, there is no alternative. My condoleances and have a safe journey! Hope to see you back here when you are back and have time!CM3 – Quick stop by! Looking forward to see you at the bar next week! Pete – Yes, I prefer to bring my “regular” camera to the Rendezvous. But under all circumstances I will bring a camera, new or old. WD 79257 had number 1931 in Sweden according to my info. It was built by Vulcan Foundry 1944. #1930 was built by North British in 1945 and had WD# 78529. Too bad it was scrapped. I like your vacation story! Did you plan it ahead of time or just played it by ear? Change trains as many times as possible? Mike – Thanks for the article, a follow up of the previous one! Saunders was fired and plans for something that turned out to be Amtrak was made! Interesting!!I liked the video, both steam and diesel! Rob – Hope you feel more like a human being again! Glad to see you again!Thanks for the info on the wide cab! As an engineer I never liked to sit in a cramped cab. Doug – Too bad I won’t be at any place near Minneapolis or Chicago in August and September to get a chance to ride CPR’s luxury train! But you and James should have a good chance to do it!
Barely room enough for the door to open! From TV.
Today is the 25th Month Anniversary for "Our" Place!
Saturday is ENCORE! 'n Photo Posting Day!
Reminder: The bar is CLOSED on Sundays
Saturday at the Bar by the Ballast and time for a mug of hot coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Mai Fest will be celebrated under the "big tent" out in the picnic area on all weekends in May. Of course the "Our" Place staff will be adorned in appropriate German attire with our Menu Board listing "specials" as well, prepared by the H&H "gals," under the watchful eye of our Chief Chef of course! <grin>
I was going to hold off ‘til Monday under the new scheme of things for ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, but having seen the reappearance of Rob ‘n Doug, thought there still may be a glimmer of hope for this joint.
DL at 10:08 AM Friday: As previously mentioned - condolences to you ‘n yours . . . safe trip to ‘n fro. Hope to see ya ‘round the premises soon . . .
CM3 Shane at 2:16 PM Friday: Quite surprised at the "report" regarding the line-up for the drumheads. They appear in a vertical "string" on both ‘puters in my digs. Hmmmmmm. Glad you enjoyed ‘em . . . Appreciate the "heads up" on your availability ‘round here . . . Many thanx for the visit, quarters ‘n round!
Pete at 3:38 PM Friday: Break-away-barges on the rivers can be hazardous to downstream obstacles, such as bridges and river bank structures . . . Round-up is quite an art form for the crews working the rivers. Never is as "easy" as one may think . . .
Enjoyed the account of your rail ‘n pub adventures with your Mates! That's the way to have FUN, fer sure, fer sure!
Appreciate the visit, inclusive-informative-interesting Post and of course the business!
Rendezvous is down to a matter of days!
Mike at 9:10 PM Friday: Not-so-silent-Mike has deposited a 2nd narrative for us to enjoy - in spite of it being about the Penn Central <ugh> there's history in them thar sentences!
Can only believe that whoever wrote that article surely had some "insider" info. What a mess, what a grand mess and the worst of it was yet to come.
Thanx for the round ‘n taking the time ‘n making the effort . . . URLs "worked" too!
Rob at 10:02 PM ‘n 11:02 PM Friday: Just when we may have thought the trolleyMAN had disappeared <again> there he was! Illnesses, extra hours at work ‘n problems with power ‘n ‘puters makes for not such a pleasant several months. There's only one way to go and that is UP - so let's hope the sun shines on you and yours PDQ!!
Appreciate the catch up Post, round, and part three of your Classic Diesels! Some fine machines in that spread! I never really got "into" the livery for CN with those Zebra stripes. Same for the PacMan logo used by CPR . . . guess I'm just a traditionalist at heart - or better put, a Classic Trains kinda guy!
This time last year (Saturday) we were at the Halton County Radial Museum after having spent Friday doing EVERYTHING we planned for in Toronto at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous! Amazing how time passes, people come ‘n go and the like. Memories, like our photo albums, remain and give light to those wonderful times . . .
H&H "gals" had things in order back in the galley, but of course needed a bit of "leadership" now ‘n then . . . Boris ‘n "H" are doing that "fondly gazing" stuff . . . <uh oh>
Thanx for the Email . . .
Doug at 10:02 PM Friday: Looks like you ‘n trolleyMAN Posted at the same time! Now that's worth a drink on Da Boss!
That rail excursion from Calgary looks like a sure-fire-winner to me! I'd love to experience the run to Minneapolis and return. The layover would be a "killer" for me though and unless there's an airline out there willing to forgo those ridiculous "rules" regarding one-way air fares, it would be a costly event just for the flights! Anyway, thanx for the info.
Recommend you go back to using your HORSE for your "signature" Pix . . . <grin>
In a few days, we'll all be together for what is shaping up to be one fine get together!
Eric at 1:56 AM today: Must be me this morning, but I'm having a difficult time putting that Pix into perspective . .
ENCORE! Saturday - 'n - Photo Posting Day!
Here's something the "old timers" may remember from the Mentor Village Gazette . . .
It's been updated just a bit, but just as humorous!
SPRING CLASSES for WOMEN at
THE Mentor Village LEARNING CENTER for ADULTS
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, May 14th, 2007 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM. Class 1 Silence, the Final Frontier
Where No Woman Has Gone Before
Team competition
Meets for 2 hours, Monday at 7:00 PM for 2 weeks.
Class 2 The Undiscovered Side of Banking
Making Deposits
Deposit slip preparation & practice with automated teller machines
Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at noon for 2 weeks.
Class 3 Parties
Going Without New Outfits
Round Table Discussion. Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at 10:00 PM for 4 weeks.
Class 4 Man Management
Minor Household Chores Can Wait until After The Game
Video supplements
Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 Bathroom Etiquette I
Men Need Space in the Bathroom Cabinet Too.
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets for 2 hours, Monday at 10:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 6 Bathroom Etiquette II
His Razor is His --- not yours, leave it alone.
Practical Exercises
Meets for 2 hours, Wednesday at 10:00 AM for 2 weeks.
Class 7 Communications Skills I
Tears - The Last Resort, not the First
Role playing and counselling
Meets for 2 hours, Tuesday at 2 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 8 Communications Skills II
Thinking Before Speaking
Role playing and critiques.
Meets for 2 hours, Thursday at 2 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 9 Communications Skills III
Getting What you Want Without Nagging
Video examples followed by interactive practice
Meets for 2 hours, Friday at 10:00 AM for 3 weeks.
Class 10 Driving a Car Safely
A Skill You CAN Acquire
Licensed drivers ONLY! Requires a privately owned automobile,
proof of ownership, insurance and medical plan.
Meets for 3 hours, Monday - Wednesday & Saturday at 1 PM for 2 weeks.
Upon completion of any of the above courses,
diplomas will be issued to the survivors!
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Cindy you sweet "thang" you, fill the steins and let's hoist ‘em high for a toast to the best cyber bar ‘n grill in the ether! Refills on me! A most HAPPY 25th MONTH to those of us who can take the credit (or blame) for keeping the joint operating! <grin> Of course, the Lion's share goes to our Mentor and leader, Proprietor Tom! Cheers, mate! Ring the bell, Boris - no, no, no - NOT 25 times! <arrrrggggghhhh>
Treats for the crittAHs if you please, a sack o' seed for Awk, a bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite, a saucer of brine for Tex and a LARGE jar of pickled pig's feet for our cloven-footed Cyclops - Boris, 7th mate of "Our" Place! <grin>
Yes, ‘tis I, the Larsman checking in from the hazy Keys down Florida way. Seems those fires have impacted even the serenity of where we are in the middle Keys. Surely glad we aren't driving north, for the smoke has visibility down to zero in some places, it's been that bad.
Finally got a few things in order and lemme tell ya, something as simple as going to a furniture store takes on a whole different aspect when living in an area like this. We're getting "there" as the house is taking shape on the inside with just about all of the major items in place. As you can imagine, the Mrs. is as happy as a "clam" with a credit card <mine> and doesn't seem to believe that the thing has a limit! <grin>
We've been staying at Phil's place, all of us, as they've delayed their northbound departure for Plattsburgh pending the fire situation. In past years, they've taken the boat north and shipped the car and have also had someone take the boat to the lake and driven the car. They're leaning toward driving home this time. Anyway, we've been spending lots of time driving about trying to locate this ‘n that, picking up and delivering, going back for more and so forth.
Thanks to Phil and his Mrs. we've gotten the utilities all squared away and that wasn't quite as easy as it should've been. They do things a bit differently down here, as we learning very quickly. Must adjust and do so with a smile - it's a small community in comparison from where we came.
There's so much that has happened since we left SINY, but what's the point in boring youse guys, huh?? We made it down safely, although it was a longer trip than I had figured. Seemed like it took forever and a day just to get through south Florida to the Keys. Looooooooooong drive and not fun either.
Don't know if I mentioned it, but Grandma is in a full care facility in that her situation has stabilized sufficiently to where the "imminent" has been changed to "who knows?" That's GOOD. She insisted on getting "a place of my own," so we found something along those lines before we made this commitment. As I've indicated, she's as lucid as any chatterbox could be, it's just the "parts" are unwilling along with the malignancy. So, "she's under the watchful eye of the family gals who've remained behind (wives of the sons) and one son who couldn't get away because of his job.
Number 2 son has me on line with his "gadgets," although Phil is "wired" as well. Not quite sure I understand all of this, but it works and that's all I'm concerned with right now. I'd never make it in today's "techie" environment. Gimme a wrench and a ball peen hammer . . .<grin>
I have been able to check out a few pages and it surely seems like the bar is under drought conditions in terms of filling the bar stools. Very concerned about this and I do recall the warnings given by Cap'n Tom months ago when he said that the spring ‘ summer would pretty much tell the story for the future of "Our" Place. Heck, my situation is a clear example of how "things" change and have impact in areas not intended, such as having time to spend at the bar. Surely isn't the desire that goes, it's the availability.
That is quite a summary of the movies shown at the Emporium, by the way!! Must've taken a month of Sundays to put that one together . . .
I figure if a guy really wants to, he can find a way. So, I'll do the best I can with the time allotted and will support the place for as long as Cap'n Tom keeps her runnin'.
Good to see the guys out ‘n about the decks, although I picked up on the lengthy absences of a few. Too bad, for every guy who has earned the right to sit at our bar matters ‘round here and moreso each passing week it seems.
I urge you guys who have been gone, for whatever the reason, to check through the pages before jumping back "in." Otherwise it's just so much "fodder" . . . or at least it appears that way and we all know that's not what is intended. Cap'n Tom and the guys who are keeping things going deserve bettAH!
Hey Tom - really nice work with those drumheads, book covers and RR advertisements. Stealing some pages from BK and me, huh?? Go for it, mate!
Add my condolences to DL across the pond. I haven't been through too many pages, but it was good to see him at the bar, unfortunately the circumstances weren't the best.
Has anyone heard from BK lately?? I haven't and just accessed my home email account, but nothing in it from Alberta. Hope all's well, but that too is a sad story.
On a more "up beat' note - remember Elena? She's the gal we met at the Super Bowl Party in Miami in February - the one who sent the Manager's Bar up to "Our" Place - well, she's got a place not far from here - Key Largo. Seems that the "girls" and she have a business that is flourishing down this way. Wonder if they make house calls??
Phil passes his regards to the Cap'n, crew ‘n crittAHs! <grin>
Finally, if I cannot connect for a few days, I wish the best to all of youse guys attending the Rendezvous in St. Louis. I surely feel bad about this in that I really thought it would work out for me. Last year, Toronto "almost" happened, this year . . . well, chalk it off to priorities. Anyway, in looking at the agend
ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!
at "Our" Place!
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . May 13th thru 19th: Wyatt Erp (1994) Starring: Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, David Andrews & Linden Ashby - and - Tin Cup (1996) Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin & Linda Hart. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Cookoo Caviliers (1940)
Wyatt Erp (1994)
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kevin Costner plays the most famous lawman ever to stride the Wild West. In a gritty, complex portrayal hailed as a "classic American performance" (Bob Campbell, Newhouse Newspapers), Academy Award winner Costner (Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard) plays the man who became a myth in acclaimed director Lawrence Kasdan's (The Big Chill, Silverado) epic, action-filled saga. Gene Hackman, an Oscar winner for Unforgiven, as Wyatt's iron-willed father, and Dennis Quaid (The Big Easy, The Right Stuff) as Earp's deadly best friend Doc Holliday add power to this mammoth, hard-hitting Western. From Wichita to Dodge City to the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, Wyatt Earp is a thrilling journey of romance, adventure and desperate, heroic action.
from: amazon.com
Tin Cup (1996)
Roy McAvoy is a failed pro golfer who lives in a Winnebago at a crummy driving range which he owns in the West Texas town of Salome. One day, a beautiful woman, Dr. Molly Griswold, appears at his driving range for golf lessons. She turns out to be the new girlfriend of McAvoy's longtime nemesis, the smarmy PGA superstar David Simms. Molly inspires Roy to start taking himself seriously again, and he decides to try to qualify for the US Open.
From: amazon.com
SHORT: The Three Stooges - Cookoo Caviliers (1940)PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
The Stooges sell fish and are getting no business, so they quit and look for another job. They want to work at a saloon, and they get an offer to run one in Mexico, so they dash down there. To their disappointment they discover they have bought a salon instead of a saloon. So the Stooges try their best on their first customers, four beautiful showgirls. They try to make them look good, but they fail, and it turns out to be a disaster and the stooges must leave on the run.
from: threestooges.net
Special mention: Great to see our Manager Lars back at the bar! Thus far the ONLY one to recognize our Anniversary day - far cry from days of old, eh . . . Many thanx for the visit and hope all's well down there in the balmy Keys! <envy>
Leon, tody I want that juicy Filet Mignon with lots of mushrooms! The last Saturday before the Rendezvous! A pleasant surprise today, Manager Lars showed up!! Nice to learn that everything obviously went well and that they are getting things in order down in the Keys!
Tom – 25 months!! Happy Anniversary! No sauerkraut for me please, it gives me heartburn! But I’ll have most of the rest on the menu. All drumheads appear in a vertical string on my screen. I tried two different browsers, same thing. I think the picture in my last post is very, very clear!!! It shows the door behind the cab on the cab car. When you open it it slides outside the side wall of the car. There is the same type of door on the power unit, see picture below.See the door on the side of the power unit? Penn Station, New York City.I think those Spring Classes for Women is a great idea, but don't tell my Mrs! Two new movies for the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre! Wyatt Earp is a good one. I have been to Tombstone and O.K. Corral and saw him shoot the bad guys, now resting at Boot Hill. Tin Cup, I actually believe I saw that movie flying some place many years ago. If I am right it was a good one. I have not seen Cookoo Caviliers though. Lars – Glad to learn that your trip to the new, 2nd, home went well!! I kind of wondered why you were so eager to get a place down there, but I think I understand and I don’t think Ruth will be very happy when she finds out! Elena!! Quite a coincedence, huh? House calls? Hmm. See a train during the Rendezvous? Beside the Train Wreck Saloon and the Irish Pub we need time to go to Hooters at union Station too to see if the same brunette is still working there. My best regards to Phil, hope he will stop by sometime in the future. It is not that far from Plattsburgh to the Bar! Thanks for the report, we have been wondering! Now we know! Elena!!
Since it is Photo Posting Day here at the Bar I'll add some random cab shots.
Kind of blurry, but it was dark.
Howdy hi Tom and gents! I'll have a bottomless draught and buy a round for the house. Please join me in a toast to the 25th month of operation of Our favorite Place, and the continuation of this incredible thread. Great Costner movies are playing at the Emporium once again, with another Stooge clasic. I think I remember that one. Thanks Tom.
Good to see manager Lars today. Thanks for the update on your doings. We too may have a decision to make concerning parental care, concering my bride's mother. She's been steadily going blind, and if eye surgery cannot correct the situation, she may well be living wih us 6 months out of the year. As my dad puts it, getting old is not for the squemish.
Speaking of getting old, I forgot how much fun it is to have your bones rattled by a roto-tiller bouncing on top of soil that's never been tilled before. I put about 3 1/2 hours into creating our new garden where I removed the rock pile. We'll plant it tomorrow, as the sun went down before I could do it today. If it weren't for Ibuprofin, I'd be one hurting unit.
Once again, congratulations to Tom and everyone who keep this thread going!
Evening Leon. I think I can manhandle a tankard of Guiness just for some thing different this evening. I know Guiness and Mai fest don't excactly mix but then again neither does Boris and his size 50 Lederhosen . I'm glad to see that the gals kept it under wraps. i managed to convince bith of them that the form fitting black leatheretteb lederhosen were not for the general consumption of those attending the weekend festivities, even if they did have the "new car sent " added to them. Only Boris was impressed
Tom-Yes you are right this time last year wwe had been at the HCRY Canadian Warplane Herritage, at at this point we were relaxing in the St George Arms.I imagine that this years fest will be just as festive I have to say last weeks illness was one to forget, unbelievable the stuff one coughs up on occation On the upside I arrived at work today to find a gift in my inbox. It appears that I must have impressed someone with all my toilings this spring, that or they couldn't find other cannon fodder to promote, so allow me to buy everyone a round or two in celebration Some interesting movie choices this week, and I had to get giddy again reading all the coarses being offered in the gazette x a million.
I'm with you the Zebra and later North America schemes on the CN just don't match up with the Green and Yellow or the green Yellow Black passenger schemes of old. Modern locomotives don't do all that much for me either. Don;'t get me started on any of the modern CPR schemes either. tuscan and Grey or nothing baby. Mind you CPR has painted one FP7 and one GP38-2 in the classic Tuscan and marron with teh script lettering and they use them in conjunction with 2816 on it's various Royal Canadian Pacific passenger excursions. I also noticed in trains magazine not all that long agao that the CPR brass repainted two D&H GP38-2's in their old Grey Blue and Yellow scheme so at least there is some corporate class out there still.
Lars-i'm glad to hear that you are indeed settling in in the land of almost fuit and nuts <grin>You may want to tread carefully with those ladies down the street mind you the managers bar is a nice piece of furnature. I have always found that a ball peen hammer can be a usefull tool in fixing a recalcetrent computer,good frustration remover, atleast until the tech is done with his bill Tis been a bit thin round these parts but I have a feeling that we can overcome it all,we have the techknology and the right people.
Doug-I missed your sneaking in last night,not sure weather to blame me or the odd ways the forum system boots up.Thanksfor posting the scheduale for the Empress's tour.It is somethinf to see in action. I witnessed first hand her 2005 barnstorming tour of Canada. I've also read as I mentioned before that the West Coast Rail Museum is in the final testing and certifiying stages of fully streamlined Royal Hudson sister 2860. Hopefully by summer she will be back in ecursion service from Vancouver to Squamish Plans are that for the 2010 winter olympics in Vancouver 2816 and 2860 may do some speacial double headed runs. Won't that be a sight
Eric-That was an interesting photo. A subway where I'm wondering your welcome on the wide cab info , I can imagine that the larger cabs do offer alot more creature comfort and protection for the crews. espeacially with the potential of 12 hour shifts in the cabs, any extra comfort i imagine would be welcome.
Wow I think i need to enrole myself in Mrs throttlebottoms keybaording school. two visits wilst I was one fingering my post <grin> No Boris not one finger of rum No Leon I think i'll have another Guiness and raise a glass to the 25th month of oddness and fun here at the saloon by the siding.
Eric-Some intresting shots, hopefully those workers were out of the way iof the train in time Loved the shot of the underground catacombs of the train at Pennstation as well
Doug-Nice to see you tonight. hopefully the rounds to the bar and friends doesn't interact with the ibuprofin I have some back-yard work to look forward to next weekend myself. Victoria day weekend the official start of summer in at least the retail and holiday sence up here. I'm redoing the patio moving stones etc etc. It will be a slow progression as we finally did it. In July I've booked pasage for the Bride and I on the Ocean.Than a nice weeklong vacation in Nova scotia and Newfoundland can't wait, but it puts a dent in the back-yard budget oh well trains more important
Since Tom mentioned the doings and shakings this day in histroy last year at the first anual rendezvous fittingly here are a couple shots from those escapades.
A shot of Tom and Ted just as we were leaving the Go cars following the first leg of our rail running on the friday.
Ted at the museum on the saturday posing with TTC snowsweeper S37
Tom and the CWH museum's DC3 on the saturday afternoon
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!
Thought I'd slip this through the mail slot just to let y'all know that things are fine down here in the Keys. A day of rest and we all surely have earned it! Been that kinda week. <phew>
Noticed that Rob, the trolleyMAN, Doug the barn weevil and Eric the Desert Fox turned Saturday night into something special. Nice going guys!
Would've been a real shame to have me as the only customer yesterday, especially on the 25th month anniversary day. Great to see youse guys and I'm sure Cap'n Tom feels likewise.
Man, I'm a sucker for those western flicks, just love ‘em! There were so many good ones in years past, but I think the productions of let's say the last 10-15 years have really been great. Movies like Wyatt Earp, Tombstone and The Unforgiven are a few that come to mind. I like ‘em! Nice selections for the Emporium, for sure. I'm not much on golf though . . . rather watch paint dry! <grin>
Gotta tell y'all, this IS the life! Phil took us all out on his boat this morning and it was just a lazy, layed back day. Caught some fish, drank some brew, told some lies, just an all ‘round good time.
Nice to see Rob back amongst the living and the pix from the Toronto gathering brought back a reminder or two of the way it used to be ‘round here. So what ever happened to Ted?? Last I heard was by email and he said something about being busy and all of that. His loss, I'd say. Liked that "Canucks Unlimited" DC3!!
Doug, it ain't fun getting' old when one thinks of all the things that can happen to us all. Grandma is one heck of a woman and Lord only knows how she does it, but her spirits have NEVER been anything but UP. Amazing person, for sure. Family is where it's at for many and my pity goes out to those who have absolutely no one to love or care for ‘em as they age. Sounds to me as if you and your family may be similar to ours in that regard. I wonder if we're diminishing in numbers as society moves to a more "impersonal" way of addressing these things?
Eric, sure like those shots from the cabs! Each one must represent a special time and place for you. That X2000 shot is a "keeper" too. I must agree with Cap'n Tom though, when I looked at the "other" pix, I wondered what in blazes it was all about!! I guess you guys living in 100 degree heat get a bit ‘strange' from time to time. <grin>
So, what's this about Hooters and a brunette?? Hmmmmm, and you have the gall to cast aspersions in my direction!! <geesh> I can't help it if Elena "found" out that I'm in Marathon and . . . What's a guy to do?? BUT, Ruth IS #1 in my fantasy world. Just gotta keep ‘em separated . . . <grin>
The Mrs. just "caught" me on the ‘puter and is giving me THAT look! <uh oh> Yeah, I know it's Mother's Day, but what does that have to do with . . . I best get going!
Regards to all and here's a twenty to kick off Monday with . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
Hello Tom
Pint of good old british mild please. I've borrowed a puter breifly so can thanks those of you who have kindly sent messages. Very thoughtfull. I've not seen any heavy rail action yet, but I did get a good ride on the TTC subway - airport bus I got on was the w rong one - i was too stupid to check the route number - that what 8 hours in the sardine can does to you. Got to see parts of Toronto not seen before though (other half reckoned I did it on purpose) no great harm done cos the great TTC all connects up in such a good way you can never go too wrong!. Family duties most of the time but mya be I'll squeeze in a trip to union tomorrow.
Some great pics up here can see them all heer unlike on my own PC!
Pete - I just gotta ask - no offence to the host nation here - but what do you do for beer? It just is not the same!!!
All the best to you all and once again thanks for the messages.
what would I have given to have dropped down in Halifax and completed the journey by VIA!
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