Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, old friend! Good to see you again. How about a Rumpsteak Café de Paris with all the usual sidings? But today I would like to try Tui's to drink!
Feels good to be back here again after a week at other places. My surgery went very well and everything is pointing up and forward. But even with all the time at home there isn't enough of it. So my first visit will be a little bit on the short side, I have a lot of things to read catching up. This time it is all from today, hmm, Tuesday. I just noticed it is a little bit later/earlier than I thought. Anyway, my comments about the past days will come one of these days!
CM3 – I found it, “Coal Tattoo”! Try this link!http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_kingston_trio/coal_tattoo.htmlTom – ATSF! Interesting info on an interesting railroad! I have to get back to this piece tomorrow and read about the Passenger train service! For whatever reason I couldn’t find the Santa Fe X2000 under the on-time-trains! But on the other hand, that was a roundtrip Stockton - Fresno - Stockton. Hmmm, who knows?Very nice pictures from your trip to Gaspé! It looks like it was a rainy day though.
Received mail today! Response today or tomorrow!
Lars – Thanks! Email received and responded to! Nice SF book covers! The Trademarks of the Santa Fe Railway and Peripheral Subjects is kind of like a book I have, General Instructions for ATSF Car Lettering! DL – Good to hear that you are on safe ground when it comes to all the flooding. I saw all those pictures and videos from UK on TV several times every day while I was in the hospital. Hope your brother will make it without getting wet feet!DD1 – You are right about us taking better care of ourselves! Stents was something I thought would be the result from last week, but I was wrong. So now all I have to do is taking care of my heart and myself. Pete – Hi Pete! Nice to see you again! Mike – Thanks for the nice picture of the X2000 in Washington D.C! I am trying to remember the name of the conductor walking on the platform, but right now my memory doesn’t work at all. Anyway, that guy was a very nice and friendly person and worked on the X2000 for quite some time! I know for sure that I was in the cab when the picture was taken.The future world’s oldest living Swede!? Hmmm, I don’t know, are you refering to me?17” TV set in 1957? That is exactly like the first TV set my parents bought in 1957. Allan – Nice to see you again even if it’s just for a brief moment! So Tui’s is a good beer?
Eric
<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>
Wednesday's Witticism
Some folks can see no higher than the steam from their own pot of stew.
G'day Gents!
The mid-point has been reached once again here in mid-continent USA. The menu board is chock full o' great selections for <light> 'n <traditional> breakfasts. Coffee is fresh 'n the pastries are fully stocked in The Mentor Village Bakery case. Let's GO!
Topped off the wagon yesterday at $2.76 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner." Got some outside work accomplished, but noticed the humidity is on the rise - which chases me indoors quick as a light diminishing from an extinguished bulb.
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:13 AM: What can be better at the Saloon by the Siding than having our Resident WVA Connection begin the day for us?!?!? The clink of quarters, the drawing of the brew along with the discussion topics. Ahhhh, life behind the bar! <grin>
There's MORE going on in that lumber yard than is being revealed here . . . I know about those "false walls" ‘n such. All reminiscent of the "speak easy" days <daze>! <uh oh> The Mentor Village Cyber ‘n Poop Scooper Patrol is keen on finding those portable links to the internet. <double uh oh?>
Well, I know that I was on the correct train - but one can never tell with Stealthy Pete! <grin>
Not HBO connected here, so the answer is "nope." Some years back I watched some really good stuff on the "Boys of Summer," either on ESPN or . . . was at least a week of the Brooklyn Dodgers with all of "my" guys featured. I was in heaven, fer sure, fer sure. Taped it, of course. I "have" Campy - Gil - Pee Wee - Jackie - the Duke ‘n so many others to bring back the best of my early days. Ahhhhhhh.
I HAVE a weather rock! It was given to me as a "gag" gift from my "guys" in one of the places I happened to wind up as boss - a long, long time ago. Also have a "Pet Rock." Remember those?? How I'd love to have been the person to come up with those gimmicks - I know the latter made a zillion. Oh well, we takes what we earns in life, eh
Appreciate the visit, quarters ‘n round!
Lars (lovedomes) at 11:06 AM Tuesday - July 24th: Can't imagine this place without our "man" Lars! [yeah=
That beer tray brings back some memories! Those gals in the annual Miss Rheingold contests were probably my very early first "fantasy" babes!
And to think we used to PLAY along the 3rd rail of the S.I.R.T. <ommmmigosh> "Tommy, get away from THAT!!!" <not good>
Quite possible that our new friend, Jan Olov over in Glasgow may very well be caught up in the disaster unfolding in the British Isles. Rapidly rising waters are nothing to fool with - has a way of sneaking up on you, then . . .
I'm using a software package called "The Print Shop 20," which has more features in it than any twenty people I know would ever need, much less use. Anyway, it does a decent job with enhancements. However, when a foto is blurry - well, that's what you get. It takes out "minor" blurriness, but that's about it. Does well with brightening up ‘n so forth. And yes, of course it's work. I have about a dozen blurry shots that make me feel very sad when I realize there's apparently nothing "out there" to create a fix. <barf>
All not lost in the Ether though, as I print out many of those Pix for my "old fashioned" photo albums. Have a great little digital photo printer that connects directly to the camera or ‘puter, and away she goes with 4x6 prints looking ". . .very well, very well indeed! <Pirates of Penzance in reference to a "different" Ruth, for those who follow these kinds of things!>
Many thanx for those fine book covers of the AT&SF - excellent supportive material for our "non-theme Tuesday."
Round, visit, chat ‘n book covers most appreciated!
Dan (DL-UK) at 11:09 AM ‘n 11:15 AM Tuesday - July 24th: A relief to know that all's still well with you. Hopefully your brothers concerns will not materialize.
Really wouldn't spend too much time being concerned about the "wide page" - it's an anomaly of these Forums. Apparently some "get it," whereas others do not. If you've tried to downsize the font of the URL and keep it on a separate line, that's about all I know to recommend.
Ah, relief! Pleased to know that all's not lost regarding your ability to view the Canadian Railway Adventure!
Many thanx for the visit ‘n chat!
Ron (DD1) at 11:13 AM Tuesday - July 24th: You are correct, Sir! Taking care of ourselves should be priority #1 - the alternative stinks!
Here are two links that you may be referring to:
http://www.richmondhillhistory.org/LIRRcrash.html
The finale to yesterday's "non-theme Tuesday" offering . . .
Now arriving on track #1 ..... Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Six
<Initially Posted on Page 246 of the Original Thread>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
PART II of II Paint schemes & markings Steam locomotives (copied from public domain) Santa Fe #5000, the 2-10-4 "Madame Queen," waits on a Ricardo, New Mexico siding to meet an eastbound train in March, 1943. (courtesy: www.trainweb.com) Santa Fe #3751, a restored 4-8-4 originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927, passes through San Bernardino in January, 1999. Diesel locomotives, passenger (copied from public domain) The 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. Santa Fe's first set of diesel-electric passenger locomotives was placed in service on the Super Chief in 1936, and consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed units (EMD 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. 1 and 1A. The upper portion of the sides and ends of the units were painted gold, while the lower section was a dark olive green color; an olive stripe also ran along the sides and widened as it crossed the front of the locomotive. Riveted to the sides of the units were metal plaques bearing a large "Indian Head" logo, which owed its origin to the 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. "Super Chief" was emblazoned on a plaque located on the front. The rooftop was light slate gray, rimmed by a red pinstripe. This unique combination of colors was referred to as the Golden Olive paint scheme. Before entering service, Sterling McDonald's General Motors "Styling Department" augmented the look with the addition of red and blue striping along both the sides and ends of the units in order to enhance their appearance. In a little over a year the EMD E1 (a new and improved streamlined locomotive) would be pulling Super Chief and other passenger consists, resplendent in the now-famous Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM "Art and Color Section." Reminiscent of a Native American ceremonial headdress, the scheme consisted of a red "bonnet" which wrapped around the front of the unit, that was bordered by a yellow stripe and black pinstripe. The extent of the bonnet varied according to the locomotive model, and was largely determined by the shape and length of the carbody. The remainder of the unit was either painted silver or was comprised of stainless steel panels. All units wore a nose emblem consisting of an elongated yellow "Circle & Cross" emblem with integral "tabs" on the nose and the sides, outlined and accented with black pinstripes, with variances according to the locomotive model. "SANTA FE" was displayed on the horizontal limb of the cross in black, Art Deco-style lettering. This emblem has come to be known as the "cigar band" due to its uncanny resemblance to the same. On all but the "Erie-built" units (which were essentially run as a demonstrator set), U28CGs, U30CGs, and FP45s, a three-part yellow and black stripe ran up the nose behind the band. A "Circle & Cross" motif (consisting of a yellow field, with red quadrants, outlined in black) was painted around the side windows on "as-delivered" E1 units. Similar designs were added to E3s, E6s, the DL109/110 locomotive set, and ATSF 1A after it was rebuilt and repainted. The sides of the units typically bore the words "SANTA FE" in black, 5"- or 9"-high extra extended Railroad Roman letters, as well as the "Indian Head" logo, with a few notable exceptions. Railway identity on diesel locomotives in passenger service: Loco Type.."Indian Head".."Circle & Cross".."Santa Fe"..Logotype.....Starting Year.....Comments ATSF 1 and 1A Yes Yes* Yes No 1937 "Circle & Cross" added to No. 1 after rebuild in May, 1938 EMD E1, E3, and E6 Yes* Yes Yes No 1937 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date ALCO DL109/110 Yes* Yes Yes No 1941 No "Indian Head" on B unit EMD FT Yes* No Yes No 1941 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date ALCO PA and PB Yes* No Yes No 1946 "Indian Head" added to B units at a later date EMD F3 Yes* No Yes No 1946 "Indian Head" on B units only FM Erie-built Yes* No Yes* No 1947 "Indian Head" and "SANTA FE" on A units only EMD F7 Yes* No Yes* No 1949 "Indian Head" on B units only; "SANTA FE" added in 1954 EMD E8 Yes* No Yes No 1952 "Indian Head" on B units only GE U28CG No No No Yes 1967 "Santa Fe" logotype in large, red "billboard"-style letters GE U30CG No No Yes* No 1967 5"-high non-extended "SANTA FE" letters EMD FP45 No No Yes* No 1967 9"-high "SANTA FE" letters Source: Pelouze, Richard W. (1997). Trademarks of the Santa Fe Railway. The Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society, Inc., Highlands
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
A hard time logging in this morning. Kept trying but my password wouldn't "take." Even used Da Boss' sign-in. If you've seen this B4 - sorry - having a "bad 'puter day' thanks to these "new 'n improved" forums. Yeah, right!
Ruth my deAH, it is a grand morning once again as I take in the radiance of that glow of yours! A round for all - a mugga Joe with a jolt if you please. Boris, set up the treats for the crittAHs, ‘n the small jar of pickled pig's feet is for YOU! Keep the change my lovely!
A grand beginning to the day with the return of our very good friend, Eric out there in hot, hot, hot Phoenix! 5- Salute to Eric for a full recovery!
For Eric: As Manager of this joint, all of your food requests will be on MY tab until you get back to work! But, you'll still be responsible for the bar portion!! <grin>
Many thanks for the email response! Hang in there, mate!!
For Cap'n Tom: Some super fine shots in that Chaleur journey you've been providing, Cap'n Tom! I expected those photos to be somewhat diminished in quality (based on your ‘warnings' to us) HOWEVER, that's hardly the case. You may be just a bit too critical on yourself. They look fine to me. Those views from the dome just "do it" for me ‘n takes me back to all of those trips I've made in dome cars. Wonderful thoughts!
Part two of the Santa Fe provides an excellent ending to a great legacy. Good idea to split the information. But then, way back we were "battling" the long-winded and seemingly nevAH ending posts from one 20 fingers Al (aka: passenger fan - permanently installed in the Legion of the Lost - RIP). Anyway, enjoyed the AT&SF material.
Appears as if the Cap'n has started something with that innovative model RR hoist system of his. Maybe Pete ‘n I will follow suit. Mine will be O-27 ‘n S gauge. What will yours be Pete??
For DL-UK: Thanks for the brew, Dan! The links worked out just fine for me. I think you guys are determined to convert Tom ‘n I to becoming Brit Rail Fans! Wouldn't be hard to do in my case. Just gotta find some domes over there . . .
Beginning to wonder if our friend Nick (nickinwestwales) has been kept offline due to flooding. Seems there was some mention of the rains and so forth in his early post of a few weeks back. Hope all's well with our musician friend!
For Ron: I was even younger than Tom when that LIRR wreck occurred, and it doesn't ring a bell to me either. Very little conversation took place at our house, or that of my grandfather, when it came to trains wrecks. Understandable, given they were B&O career guys.
A bit more supportive "stuff" for the Santa Fe, that has wrapped up this morning . . .
Before leaving, I do have to <ahem> attend to some admin matters. Ready, Ruth
Until the next time! [tup
Lars
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Running a little late this morning as I took the huns to the dentists (hitch up the wallet vac). School starts in about a month so we have to get all of this stuff done. At least I only have to purchase uniforms for one this year.
Gas is $2.95. Weather cloudy, cool and rainy - all right! We don't have to mow!
Lots of material to look at today.
First off - welcome back Eric. Good to see that you are able to "Sit up and take nourishment," as one of my old Maine Central buddies used to say. Good to hear from you and also to see the pass voucher (rtte. And metro - not bad!)
Lars stopped by with Rheingold memorabilia and a bookmobile run, as well as a DVD to examine. I have the ATSF Vintage diesels on VHS - it's a good ‘un.
DL stopped by with comments and a weather update.
Pete also visited with comments.
Also, hello to New Zealand and our visitor from there.
Mike's pix, Mike's pix!
I have many memories of Montgomery, not the least of which was photographing GM&O RS1s in service. There was a lot of rail activity there with several yards, all of which were friendly to visitors.
The train shed at Montgomery was very similar to the one at Nashville, down to the glass decorations on the end.
I shot pictures on the hill overlooking the curve along the river. Not that long ago, Frostbite! Anyway, look sharp at the car at the middle bottom of the picture. Egad, Mildred, it's an ACL ventilated boxcar - interesting beast used to haul watermelons and similar cargo. The emblem is for Atlantic Coast Dispatch.
I also enjoyed the shots of the SCL and Georgia units - remember them well. In 1996, Robert Hanson did a History of the Georgia Railroad. About a year ago he released a History of the West Point Route - both of them give a good review of rail activity on those two lines.
Also, for those interested in smaller outfits, check out H. Roger Grant's Rails Through the Wiregrass - A History of the Georgia and Florida Railroad.
Last, I especially enjoyed the shots of Jimmy D in the sleeper. Had a flashback when I saw the portable radio - use that term advisedly - it was called portable because it had a handle. My dad had a radio like that - ran off dry cells - it was a monster to carry. Yes Boris, it had real tubes.
DD1 pictures were enjoyable as well,
OSP has sent a plethora of ATSF items. And dome pictures to accompany his travelogue.
Weather rock - good man! Incidentally, after 10-15 Rheingolds anything would look good. Bobby Thompson also played for the Red Sox, but that was long after he broke Brooklyn's hearts.
Long haul RDCS had better seats. However, I did make a few trip on RDCs from Boston to Vermont - talk about lower back pain.
Last - Classic Trains arrived today. Amazing coverage of St. Louis back in the 60s (in color) - we'll talk more about this later; also a fine piece on steam locomotive engineering and development on the Santa Fe.
We'll close with a bit of humor since we haven't fired up the groan-o-meter in awhile.
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!," says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone."Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Puff! He's gone. "OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch." work safe
Hello there
A pancake breakfast for me please, and yes, coffee and fruit juice please!
Thanks for your comments DD1 - I can't answer for the shopping sales - they all seem to do ‘em. Maybe if we ask the brides we'll get some clarity!!!
There's certainly plenty of steam diehards here - but also a thriving diesel and electric preservation scene. The electric locos in particular are lucky because there are no preserved rights of way wired for 25KV so they can't even run ‘em. One of the Class 86 electrics from the mid 1960s (built for the London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester routes) has just been restored to a standard acceptable to run on the main network however, and has made some trips out.
Here's a picture of a Class 86 on a Pullman train
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10438813&wwwflag=3&imagepos=5
And here are some pictures of a 1950s designed Brit electric locos - firstly a restored one and then some at work back in the day. These locos worked across the Pennine Hills (‘backbone of England') but I never saw them in action as the route was closed and the locos withdrawn about 1980 (despite having been heavily invested in during the 1950s)
http://www.the-siding.co.uk/class77/pages/27000.htm
http://railblue.fotopic.net/p20934909.html
http://railblue.fotopic.net/p20934917.html
I think I am right in saying that Nigel Gresley was involved in the initial design of these electric locos although none were built until after his death. Allan or Pete may know about this?
Pete - I think LT museum is still under closure with refurbishment work underway - so it must be a big re-jig they are doing. I'd like to visit their store in Acton which has open days from titm to time, but I've not got round to it.
Here some pictures of the ex gas turbine loco you mentioned (which I had forgotten about) - and some history which mentions the spell at Rugby. A shame to see it lasted until 1972 but was then scrapped.
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20Loco/Recognition%20loco/Illus_80.html
Here it is in its gas turbine guise prior to the rebuild.
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20Loco/Recognition%20loco/Illus_18100.html
And here is the preserved LT electric loco of the class you mention
http://www.squarewheels.org.uk/rly/stock/otherStock/SSiddonsRMW-NB.jpg
I don't seem to be able to find UK colour slides from the 50s and 60s up on the web like Mike locates of the US scene. Maybe they are all in the possession of Colour-Rail who seem to get credited for great images in the railway press.
I'd like to try and get to the GCR although I have a whole load of home jobs to do too - which is a nuisance.
Mike - Nice pic of the Duchess of Hamilton amongst another great selection of links.
Eric - great to see you back friend. Take it easy, as they say!
DL
PS I prepared this earlier - since then some other posts have come in - which I will address in due course but just wanted to post this anyway.
Good morning Tom and all present. A round all around of whatever pleases you. Tom: I checked out that train wreck link and that was the one. I remember riding my bicycle down to see what happened. I was a bit off on the date. Cobwebs you know. Mike: My best friend's family got their first TV set some time in the early 50's, I remember it was a Motorola. The screens were all ghost images then and you had to fool with the rabbit ears to get the fewest ghosts. Ed Sullivan, Arthur Godfrey, Kukla, Fran and Ollie were some of the shows we watched. I would spend every evening at their house. My father finally broke down and bought a TV. It was a Zenith console. Remember when a common expression was "I'll get one when they've improved them". Lars and DL: I like those pictures of the British engines. I must comment about the track work. It is so neat and groomed with the sleepers and concrete ties. Our tracks never looked that good. BTW, you mentioned the Thames river. We have a Thames river here in Connecticut. I always pronounced it as "Tems", but here they say "Thaims" or even "James". There are many towns here in New England with the same names as in England, but people pronounce them different. Leichester, for example is pronounced "Lie chester". I believe in England it's pronounced "Lester". English certainly is not full of phonetics, but it is a beautiful sounding language. I love the precise sound of an Englishman, the lilting sound of an Irishman and the sound of rolling r's in Scotland. I'm not talking the Cockney or other dialects, but of the Queen's English as spoken by Richard Burton(I know he's Welsh), Alex Guinness, Allister Sim or Hugh Laurie. I cringe when I hear public speakers here. Although ex president Clinton spoke with a southern drawl, he was well versed in the English language. I was fortunate to have been brought up at a time when proper English was taught in schools. It has stuck with me and I regard it as an important asset, especially in the work place. So many people fail at job interviews because they can't speak well enough or able to express themselves. When I was in the work force years ago, when asked what was my greatest asset to the company, my reply would be "the ability to speak and express myself". As the French cherish their language, I cherish English. What with the Ethnic influx in this country and even in other countries as well, English is dieing. It might end up like Latin some day. Sorry for straying away from the main topic, but this being a bar, I'll bend anyone's ear who will listen and I haven't even had my first drink yet. Y'all take care. (Southern slang)
P.S. When I first came here to Mississippi, everyone would say "y'all" and I thought they were talking about a type of sailboat.
Good morning again Tom. I'm attaching a link to a small and little known railroad that has quite a history. It operates in my area and serves the industries in this area, including Northrop Grumman Ship Systems(formerly known as Ingalls Shipbuilding). I forget to mention how much I enjoyed the pictures of your Canada trip. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate.
http://www.All about Mississippi Export Railroad.htm
So it's Wednesday ‘n time for another OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! For the benefit of those guys who haven't seen this before, or who suffer from CRAFTS disease, it goes like this: If you have info or some Pix supportive of model railroading as a hobby, today's the day to Post it. Try to limit the fotos to about a half dozen . . . that's it!
Some fotos from my Can-Am Trainroom . . .
The busy east side of the mountain range - looking north
VIA Rail & Amtrak loco yard - and - approach to Can-Am City Union Station
Can-Am City Union Station
RDCs approaching Can-Am Mountain Village
Only on the Can-AM layout would you see this! And yes, the green building is "Our" Place!!
Three generations of "Canadians"
For those with an interest: The Can-Am Trainroom feature layout is the HO pike. This effort represents the best of experiences that my bride 'n I have had aboard VIA Rail in Canada 'n Amtrak in the U.S. (not very many with the latter!!) Anyway, the scenes are representative of things we saw in Canada.
For example, the Can-AM City Union Station arrangement is a combination of Toronto's grand Union Station with Vancouver's Central Station. <Amtrak can be seen at both locales.> The mountain run for the RDCs is a reminder of our fantastic voyage aboard BC Rail's Cariboo Prospector from N. Vancouver to Lillooet, BC back in 1999.
The period represented is 1990 to present and all of the permanent "stuff" on the layout has been selected to fit into that timeframe. Exceptions are when I've created some commemorative runs - as with CPs "The Canadian". Those locos 'n cars are on display in a wall mounted case and are brought to "life" for special occasions!
Look hard 'n you'll be sure to find something to tweak your curiousity . . .
Enjoy!
Tom
Visits from Lars (LoveDomes) - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) - Dan (DL-UK) 'n Ron (DD1) to make it a successful morning at the Tavern by the Tracks!
The journey to Gaspé, Quebéc continues:
About 10 or 15 minutes before reaching New Carlisle, our "Service Manager" graced us with an appearance in the dome. He affirmed we'd be put on a bus to Gaspé. When asked "why?" his response was rather non-committal. Simply repeated that we'd have to take the bus to Gaspé.
This was infuriating to us, as we arranged the trip for a ROUND TRIP aboard the train with no overnight stay(s) in Gaspé and it made no sense to bus us up ‘n back. It was almost comical how our "Service Manager" didn't seem to grasp what I was telling him. And this in a bi-lingual country! <Sorry, but that's exactly how it "struck" the both of us.>
I asked if we could remain aboard the train at New Carlisle because of our return trip reservations to Montréal on that day - answer, "Non." When asked why, his response again was to the effect that we'd have to take the bus to Gaspé. Absolutely maddening, but that's what we did.
It was right before we boarded the bus that we found out from the Skyline car crew that using a bus between New Carlisle and Gaspé is not unusual when the train is late arriving from Montréal. That's when the "light" came on!
Of course! They'd not want to delay the "Ocean" at Matapédia for the return trip to Montréal. Which of course begged the question, "Why not just let both trains continue on separately??" Answer: Not expedient in that the "schedule" just had to be maintained for the handful traveling the "Chaleur." Yeah, right.
So, WHY weren't we informed of this in Montréal BEFORE we changed our airline flights, at considerable costs to us After all, it was the VIA Rail people who advised us to do so given that they thought the train would be late returning on Tuesday. <geesh> <triple geesh>
Our car attendant said we could leave our luggage aboard. She seemed to be the only one who truly understood our dilemma, but was clearly "under the thumb" of the "Service Manager." Had it been up to her, we'd have remained aboard the train, sitting up in the dome, not being a burden to anyone. Or even perhaps taking in the ‘sights' of New Carlisle, whatever they happen to be. A pub Just one wudda done quite well!
The bus was comfortable - sandwiches, snacks ‘n drinks were provided and they tried their best to accommodate the travelers. I think we were the only ones really disappointed in the turn of events, as it didn't seem to bother others.
There's more to this story, but it will be told in segments, as the fotos progress on!
Pix from Day Five: Monday - May 28th, 2007 - aboard VIA Rail's CHALEUR in Quebéc, Canada: <fotos taken from 09:15 on . . . >
Views from the Skyline dome . . .
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Our bedroom car at New Carlisle
(6)
The Chaleur at New Carlisle
(7)
To the bus!
(8)
(9)
(10)
Stealthy Pete made it on board!
(11)
Are we havin' fun yet, or what!?
(12)
To be continued . . .
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
ERIC Great to see you back in the bar and glad your recovery is going well.
I can't get the link to Coal Tattoo at the present, I will try again later.
Look after your self.
MIKE Thanks for the links. They are very detailed links to the LIRR. Duchess of Hamilton is at the present having the streamline casing and being painted to look as she did in the photo at Hartford masquerading as Coronation. The streamline casings were removed after WWII.
LARS See you are having puter problems as well.
If I can get going in the basement I will be doing the modeling in HO gauge with hopefully some Brit trains as well.
Perhaps one day we can get over to Britain I am sure you will like the rail scene over there, unfortunately the loading gauge there would not allow Domes.
Many thanks for the Santa Fe book covers
I don't know how you find the strength to do all those "admin duties"
CM3 Thanks for the details on Mike's links.
The latest issue of Classic Trains seems a good oneI will see if it is in the local bookshop tomorrow.
Enjoyed the joke.
DL I was able to get your links to work.
I remember often going to see, in the early weekday evening, the Manchester Pullman pass through Rugby, the next train was the Liverpool Pullman, which had ordinary coaches, as well as the Pullmans, the Manchester Pullman was all Pullman.
I see the design of the class 76s was credited to Gresley and Metropolitan-Vickers, there was a solitary example introduced in 1941, the year Gresley stepped down as CME of the LNER. The war stopped work on the Woodhead electrification and the rest of the 76s were introduced from 1950. That is a great link showing the 76s. I was fortunate to go on some railtours on the Woodhead route, hauled by 76s in the later days of the line; it was freight only, apart from diversions by that time, although I never saw a class 77 working.
Also around that time I went on a shed visit to Manchester area depots and it included a visit to Reddish Depot.
As you say it was a pity that 18100/E2001 was not saved it was quite an historic loco.
Thanks for the link to Sarah Siddons I tried yesterday but could not find one, as you say it hard to find colour photos on the web of scenes from the 1950s and 60s.
I have looked to try to find out more about those Metropolitan railway Electrics that were at Rugby before they were scrapped (I see Wikipedia is blank on the scrapping dates of most of the class), if you can help point me in right direction it would be great.
RON Thanks for the round.
I really enjoyed your post, when I was in New England I noticed the many English town names there. I noticed though at a museum at Sturbridge it was spelt how the local people say the town of Stourbridge in England. I would like to talk about this a bit more if you like.
I will type in your link to that interesting railroad after I post this.
TOM I have noticed the rise in humidity around here as well and the mosquitoes seem particular mean lately.
I am having a bit of a problem with some links today. I was able to read your second link on the bad LIRR crash. I wonder why the signal behind the stopped train was not red, instead of proceed caution. I read that in 2005/6 there was not a single fatality by a passenger or crew onboard a train in Britain, although there was that Pendelino derailment that cost one life, earlier this year it is a marvelous safety record. I doubt if the media has hardly remarked on this fact but if any thing does go wrong there are pages and pages slagging off the railways.
Perhaps we could go into business opening shopping malls next to railway museums, we could make a fortune.I think where I used to live have escaped the floods, although Alan says he nearly got stranded in a pub during a period of heavy rain, he said the road outside the pub, at the bottom of a hill was like a river.
Many thanks for Part II of the Santa Fe. It so good that the SF adopted the ‘Warbonnet' paint scheme instead of the Golden Olive pai
Hi Tom and all,
Tui`s all round please Ruth, it`s good to be back at the Bar
Eric. Glad to see you back on deck and making such a good recovery, I was lucky a couple of years ago and had only one stent inserted, it has certainly given me a new perspective on life..
Tom. Great Pt II on the Santa Fe. and also top pics of your train room. I did get your e-mail about the bithday list, I think that I mentioned it in a post a while back. Thanks for the grade crossing site address, NZ and the US use virtually the same signage. Cyberspace is such a great font of info as you say, Tui is now world famous, not just in NZ!
DD1. Yep, we are running on 3ft 6in gauge , it was cheaper and easier to build with the variation in terrain over here, they still managed to run big steam such as 4-8-4 Northern type, K and Kb class, and 4-8-2 Mountain type, J and Ja type, which Diana is. Diana is kept in mint condition, we have her over in Hawkes Bay now and then during our annual Wine Festival week in February, our high summer, she sounds great coming up the valley here, as the song goes " Hear that Train blow"! All the loco`s here have to do a lot of reverse running on a lot of rural branches, hence the cow-catchers and head lights on both ends, plus as you said it cuts the cost of installing turntables.
Lars. Super coverage of the Santa Fe, even a shot of Amos and Andy in their original paint job. As you will have guessed SF is my favourate road [after the LNER of course]
Pete. My old spotter books are "lost in space" , with our migration to Oz in 1969, then our move to NZ in 1972, and moving 3 times over here they have somehow disappeared, as the old saying goes "You`ll find em in the last place you look" it does`nt seem to work for me! Those later beaver-tail observation cars were`nt as pretty as the original one on the "Coronation" and the "West Riding"? The later one`s were very angular at the back and I think they looked something like a GWR railcar in some respects. Enjoyed all your posts and pics.
DL. The Gresley thread is really interesting, he did build that Bo Bo electric loco that the class 76 was based on in 39/40, it`s number was 6701, i`ve got a photo of it somewhere, he never ever saw it run due to the war and the work on electrification being stopped, and his death of course. Thanks for the very interesting links on the beaver-tail cars and the 76 loco`s, I heard some of the original Woodhead loco`s ended up on the Dutch railways. As I was saying to Pete I much prefer the original "Coronation" beaver- tail car shape and the original colour of two tone blue, they do`nt look as attractive in the BR maroon do they?[I`m a bit biased!] I liked your bit about no trains to Bude now, we had the Bay Express here, Wellington/Napier daily both ways, but that has gone the same way too!
Mike. Thanks for all the great links, i`ve got a video of The Duchess of Hamilton in steam last year taking QE to Wales for some special visit, [Nick may know about that?] anyway, I had a great session going through the links.
CM3. Good to see you on board again and thanks for the interesting threads.
Ron. Greetings and enjoyed you post.
See ya, Allan
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, my friend! What do you have to offer tonight? Yeah, yeah, my favorite Ham sandwich! Sugar cured! Don't forget the pickles! And som more of that Tui! Yepp, put it on Manager Lars'!
After a day in a not too hot Phoenix, it is nice to be able to stop by here at the Bar by the ballast! After that it is time to hit the sack. Feels good!
Tom – You still pay more for the gas than I do, $2.64 (rounded). We also got a lot of humidity here today. Got over 1” of rain in about half an hour in the afternoon. More is coming very soon. I have to check this new creature, Artie the Owl. I just have to find him. It is very nice to be back to more normal routines again. Took a little bit longer walk today, 2 blocks before the heat started. That was nice! Thanks for all the ATSF info! Very interesting indeed! When I saw the picture of the Santa Fe FP45 I remembered I have a picture of one too. So here it is:EMD FP45 #98.I prefer the conventional Warbonnet scheme (red). I also have a (bad) pix of a Santa Fe in the Kodachrome livery! I took it back in 1984. Nice pictures from the CanAm room! I think I saw Boris across the tracks behind the Bar. Now I understand your frustration, Tom! I am glad I wasn’t there, on that VIA train. I know I would have exploded! Lars – A lot of glow in your eyes every morning you get here and look at Ruth!?!! As a matter of fact, Phoenix did not get that hot today! But we got some welcome storms dumping a lot of rain in our back yard. Thank you very much Sir, for taking care of my food tabs until I get back to work!! So I can spend more in the bar.I hope Ruth was most helpful with your, hmmm, admin matters!Nice book covers, as usual!CM3 – Thank you, it is very nice to be back! I had the same thoughts about the portable radio too. Heavy but, with some strength, it is portable. With real vacuum tubes! What else could you ask for? Kind of a mean manager, don’t you think? DL – Great to be back, thank you! I always take it easy! I just sent the Mrs to the store to get some stuff for me! DD1 – That expression is the one I still use to explain to my friends why I don’t have the latest of everything, “I’ll get one when they have imporved them”. No one believes me, but it kind of works! I beg to differ! I don’t think English is dying. Quite the opposite. But I am concerned about not making English the official language of this country! In order to become an US citizen you have to be able to speak, write and read English! So why the heck are they allowed to use Spanish when voting?????Pete – Sorry to hear about your problems with the link. I tried it tonight and it worked fine. I just had the same thought when I saw you in the picture from that bus, he just got something to eat. After reading Tom’s report it must have been something real good to put that smile in your face.Allan – Stent or bypass surgery, it certainly gives you a different perspective on life. That is for sure. It was just pure luck that my problems were discovered before it was too late!
Time marches on, as they say ‘n here it is Thursday once again! In taking stock of my last couple of decades, I can't believe that my 32-year career ended 19 years ago! Hard to accept that I enrolled at the University of Missouri - St. Louis within months of retiring, and finding it unbelievable that my bride ‘n I are closing in on 16 years of marriage.
What better time than right NOW to get a move on regarding breakfast at "Our" Place? You know the drill - coffee's fresh ‘n hot; pastries are fully stocked in The Mentor Village Bakery Case ‘n our <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts are ready for orderin'!!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:58 AM Wednesday - July 25th: A bit odd, but pleasing, to see the Larsman as our first customer of the day. Seems like yesterday that Doug (barndad) had a "lock" on that slot - but appears he's long gone, eh Great to see ya ‘n appreciate the continuing support for this place of ours. It may not "take a village," but it surely takes INTEREST to keep things moving ‘round here.
Nice gesture on your part extended to Eric - I'll provide the free drinks ‘til he's up ‘n runnin' . . . so that should ease the ‘sting' on the wallet for awhile! <grin>
Thanx for the kind words regarding the fotos. Guess I'm too close to it all, which mounts the self-criticism to a higher level. You see, I have ALL of those shots ‘n know which ones I'd love to resurrect, but can't. Those linger in my mind moreso than the ones you've been viewing. Crazy, but that's the way it is. Anyway, glad you're enjoying ‘em.
Appreciate the spate of book ‘n video covers in support of Part Deux of the Santa Fe non-theme! Your selections are "right on"!
Round, visit ‘n chat always welcome!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:53 AM Wednesday - July 25th: Don't like this start-up for school in August. Seems "un-something" to me! When I was a kid in NYC (that's New YaWk City, we began public school on the Monday following Labor Day. Had the traditional Christmas break - Easter week (we were allowed to say THAT then!) ‘n school let out the last week of June. Seemed to ‘work' just fine.
Upon entering into parenthood ‘n having resided in so many places with differing start-up dates for my kids, it was rather confusing to accept the rationale (or lack thereof) for the dates selected. Our local school district will begin in mid-August, whereas adjacent districts have later dates; and the beat goes on . . .
Universities are another matter - they've been starting up in mid-August for decades. <geesh>
Hoping to see my issue of Classic Trains soon!
Good to see someone with a sense of humor making a contribution ‘round here - aside form my Monday ‘n Wednesday attempts that is <which hardly ever draw comments!!>
Groan-o-Meter squeaked a bit over that one of yours. The needle barely made it to halfway.
Round, quarters, chat ‘n joke appreciated!
Dan (DL-UK) at 10:55 AM Wednesday - July 25th: A report from "Soggy Olde" in the ramblings from our Resident Brit Connection.
I think you are on the perimeter of receiving a <tweeting> for that last Post. What, huh you say!
Where's the greeting for the barkeep!!! That is indeed a rules violation. However, the <tweeter> is being refitted with a new reed - brought in from the marshlands of lower Blovovia ‘n spared no expense, mind you! - so consider yourself forewarned, Mate! <grimace>
Appears you've covered quite a few bases regarding the discussions of interest to you. That's the way to do it! Surely like to see the dialogue result in exchanges of info. Supportive links always put the icing on the cake . . .
Visit appreciated!
Ron (DD1) at 11:37 AM ‘n 11:51 AM Wednesday - July 25th: I too appreciate our language and feel that NOTHING ties a nation together more so than a common tongue. History is replete with examples of what happens otherwise. As much respect as I have for our northern neighbor, Canada's mandate for bilingualism has fractured more than healed from what I've witnessed. Our business interests are "doing it" to us with bilingual advertising and we're accepting it. The government doesn't seem to mind, as we're all "into" the "press 1" nonsense when it comes to communicating by phone with a government agency. A shame. One good thing about
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Breakfast Blend today? Excellent!); round for the house and $ for the jukebox (Rhode Island quarters today in honor of the anniversary of OSPs retirement - have to get the USCG reference in there somehow). BTW, I have my 30 in, but am not planning to leave anytime soon - I enjoy what I am doing.)
DL stopped by with comment as did DD1.
Pete - BNSF has had all sorts of paint schemes over the years, including warbonnet with BNSF on the long hood of the locomotive. There are also several more "modern" variations of the warbonnet scheme out there as well. For those interested X2200 South (reading that is not for the fainthearted) has been running a long series on ATSF locomotives. I think they may be up to part 8, IIRC. Anyway, it's a unit-by-unit summary with lots of pcitures which show different paint schemes.
Allan - Thanks for the kind words.
Eric - I'll bet you have to do your walking early in the morning to get ahead of the heat.
OSP provided layout pictures - enlarge the one of the Union Station and you'll see that there's lots of activity downtown. Also enjoyed the travelogue continuation with the pictures as well as the comments on TV and advertising. "Try the different ale, of course; Black Horse, of course." There was a picture of the factory on every bottle.
Since we have been doing midwestern ands western roads for awhile, here's something about the Burlington and its handling on GN and NP passenger trains. This was kicked forawrd in what's left of my memory by OSPs pictures and comments on trains going in opposite directiopns, etc.
It seems more and more that "You can't get there from here." It wasn't the case not that long ago.
Flipping open the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy pages in an Official Guide of the Railways issued a couple of years before Amtrak gives an example of this.
Table 2 covered service between Chicago, La Crosse, and Minneapolis. It proclaimed, "Burlington Lines - The Twin City Zephyrs, Twice Daily, 300 Miles Along the Scenic Mississippi." Travelers, indeed, had more than a few choices.
Let's begin with service from Chicago to Minneapolis.
Train 7, the "Morning Zephyr," led things off with an 8:00 a.m. departure from Chicago Union Station. It arrived at 315 p.m. in Minneapolis. Train 7 carried reclining seat coaches, dome coaches, and a "buffet-refreshment" car.
Train 25/31/9, the combined "North Coast Limited/Empire Builder/Afternoon Zephyr" departed at 1:00 p.m. Arrival at St. Paul was at 8:00 p.m. The "North Coast and the Builder" split at St. Paul to continue running to the west coast. Both sides carried a variety of sleeping cars and dining cars. The "Lewis and Clark Traveler's Rest Buffet Lounge" was the feature car on the "North Coast," along with dome coaches to Seattle and to Portland. The "Empire Builder," of course, carried the "Great Dome Full Length Lounge," as well as dome coaches from Chicago to Seattle and to Portland.
The "Afternoon Zephyr" continued to Minneapolis with an 8:35 p.m. arrival. Its equipment included reclining seat chair cars, vista dome coaches, and a buffet-refreshment car on Friday. A diner also ran on train 9, except on Friday.
Train 9 ran on a different schedule on Friday and Sunday as it departed Chicago at 4:40 p.m. with a 12:05 a.m. arrival in Minneapolis. The Friday and Sunday consist varied a little. It had reclining seat chair cars, vista dome coaches, and a buffet-refreshment car on Friday and Sunday. The diner did not operate on those days.
Train 51, the "Black Hawk," was an overnight coach run between Chicago and Minneapolis. It also carried a Slumbercoach. Departing Chicago at 10:45 p.m., it reached Minneapolis at 8:00 a.m. The Guide ad copy was quick to mention "Now Slumbercoach on the Black Hawk overnight between Chicago and St Paul-Minneapolis. Enjoy the comfort of a private room at coach rates - plus a modest occupancy charge. Ask about this economical service." There was, however, more to the "Black Hawk" than first met the eye as it ran combined with the "Mainstreeter" and the "Western Star" (all as train 51). The "Mainstreeter" was as venerable name on the Northern Pacific as the "Western Star" had been on the Great Northern. These trains also split at St. Paul.
Cars were shuffled. The "Western Star" handled a Slumbercoach between Chicago and St. Paul. It picked up a 16 duplex roomette/4 double bedroom sleeper at St. Paul for Seattle with a diner lounge (also for Seattle). Chicago-St. Paul coaches were set out and St. Paul-Seattle coaches added.
The "Mainstreeter" handled a Chicago-Minneapolis Slumbercoach and picked up a Minneapolis-Seattle 24 single room/8 double bedroom sleeper at Minneapolis for Seattle. The "Mainstreeter" buffet car was added at St. Paul, Chicago-St. Paul coaches were set out and St. Paul-Seattle coaches added.
Southbound was similar as trains 32 (Empire Builder), train 26 (North Coast Limited) and train 8 (Morning Zephyr) departed St. Paul at 8:10 a.m. with a 2:55 p.m. arrival at Chicago. Cars from the various trains were combined and operated together to Chicago. NOTE: Trains were put together at Minneapolis.
Train 10 was a combined "Mainstreeter" and "Afternoon Zephyr." This left St. Paul at 4:30 p.m. with a late evening (11:15 p.m.) arrival at Chicago. These trains were put together at St. Paul.
Train 52 was a combined "Western Star/Black Hawk." Which was put together at St. Paul, departed from there at 10:45 p.m. and arrived at 7:00 a.m. in Chicago.
So, the traveler had more than a few choices on the "Way of the Zephyrs," even though time was getting short.
work safe
Ruth my deAH, I've got a hunger that can only be quenched with . . . Let's start that over, shall we?? Time for a Larsman special hero sandwich (hard long roll, of course) of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two large ‘n extra crunchy pickles from the barrel. Boris, set up the crittAHs with their treats - a saucer o' brine for Tex - tray o' seeds for Awk - bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite - a chew bone for Juneau and of course a field mouse for Artie <take him outback for that!!> - and yes, the small jar of pickled pig's feet is YOURS when you're through. A round for the house ‘n keep the change my sweet! <blush>
Another day in the life of this retired snipe. There are many times when I long for the rolling decks, clean sea air, spray across the bow, ‘n the team work amongst the gang below decks. Brings back a smile.
Seems like the old water hole is holding its own as of late. Surprising without the "anchors" of old - but the new brood is doing well to help out. Even without our near-regular Per (marthastrainyard), who I suspect is experiencing some sort of difficulties, we're hanging in there. Was only a year ago that this joint was CLOSED 'n just a few were trying to keep it going without our Cap'n. Now, two of those three are gone as well. My, my how time passes and change takes place. (Tom's favorite word - change!)
For Da Boss: That's quite a story with the "dropping of the shoe"! I think they would've had to cart my away, especially after the crap you guys put up with before departing Montreal. Not good, not good at all. What do you suppose was the problem with the JO who was supposed to be looking out after the passengers?? Don't answer that - we all KNOW!
Great shots continue ‘n I'm glad to learn that you may be extending this series of pix into next week. I don't want them to end.
Always a pleasure to view your model railroad. I know that you don't consider yourself in the category of "modeler," but lemme tell ya, mate, you're as close as one can get! Really some fine stuff on that board of yours. I'd really love to see it up front 'n personal (beer fridge too!)
For Eric: My pleasure, mate, enjoy the eats!
Ruth brings out the best in me, that's about all I can offer . . .
Rain in Phoenix, which I'll bet made the humidity rise like a hot air balloon! <ugh> But we all NEED water - just that where you are, it simply isn't a hospitable place for humans. Artificial environment as I see it.
For Allan: How did your love affair with the Santa Fe begin?? Presume you were in Merry Olde back then. They surely had some great looking trains and for me (as my cyber name implies) their dome cars were special! I never had the chance to travel in ‘em, for my father's interests were not in traveling through deserts. He always preferred the California Zephyr - virtually an all dome train. To this day, that's my most favorite of favorites insofar as train travel was concerned. NOT referring to Amtrak's iteration of that named train.
For Pete: HO is cool ‘n my guess is you'll wind up with quite an "empire" of your own one day. Just don't wait as long as I have. Time has a way of overtaking even the best of intentions - so I've heard tell! <grin>
Strength? Never quite thought about it - just happens. Gotta get those <ahem> admin matters attended to when the time is right. Dontchathink??
For Ron: Good to see that you've been able to fit in with the guyz. Figured it would be just a matter of time! Also note that you must've been over on Cap'n Tom's other thread to view those steamers. Drop something off now ‘n then - all helps to keep it going.
For Dan: Another visit from our Soggy Olde friend! You sure put some effort into those submissions!
For Shane: A joke from yesterday - not bad - and a fine rundown on the Zephyrs today! We must be thinking in the same orbit, or something like that. I've had the California Zephyr (of old) on my mind . . .
Here's a bit of nostalgia for the gang for this fine day!
Yeah, I know we recently saw these, but aren't they grand???!!
How about these??
Two California Zephyr express trains meet at a railroad siding (Grizzly) in Garfield County, Colorado, beside the Colorado River on March 21, 1949. The Denver and Rio Grande Western locomotives and passenger cars travel in opposite directions on parallel tracks. Placards on the dome cars read " Silver Hostel" and "Silver Pony." The
A bit of support this day from CM3 Shane 'n our dependable Manager, Lars!
Noted that Lars made the 2,100st Post over on "my other Thread!" Congrats, Mate!
The VIA Rail journey to ‘n from Gaspé, Quebéc aboard the "Chaleur Bus" continues:
The highway pretty much paralleled the tracks as the bus headed to Gaspé. We saw similar cloud-shrouded scenery, just not from the dome.
It took just under 3 hours to reach Gaspé (15:00) as we stopped at each of the stations along the route to disembark passengers. I don't recall any being picked up given the lateness of it all.
With a 15 minute turn around in Gaspé, as opposed to the 2 plus hours we would've had aboard the train had the schedule been met, we then proceeded back to New Carlisle, stopping at the stations to pick up passengers - and there were a few.
Pix shown are all from arrival in Gaspé, then the return journey southward . . .
Arrival at New Carlisle was at 17:50 . . ..
Pix from Day Five: Monday - May 28th, 2007 - aboard VIA Rail's CHALEUR Bus in Quebéc, Canada: <fotos taken from noon on . . . >
Gaspé by the sea
Gaspé VIA Rail station
Back aboard the bus heading to New Carlisle
So long, Gaspé
Percé train station
Port Daniel train station
Leon, psst, don't say anything but I'll pass on the fish n' chip. I'll be happy with a juicy hamburger with all the extras! Yeah, raw onion is a must and some extra strong mustard! Coffee, the real thing, leaded. Thank you!
A very quiet day here at the Bar! Almost everyone must be on vacation or fighting the elements! Well it's summer time so I guess that is how it is. I will try to spend some more time here the next few daysin order to catch up what I missed "the lost week".
Tom – Thanks for taking care of my drinks! I’ll think I’ll be able to recover real fast now! No, wait, it reallly should take longer (I hope). I really have to read real close all about your Chaleur portion of your Candian trip. My impression/opinion so far is that VIA needs to do some serious training of their crew up there.
Nice, but rainy, pictures from your “bus trip”. In my opinion a bus can never really replace a train when it comes to comfort, etc.
CM3 – I’ll try to do my first two walks in the morning and the third one at lunch time. It worked out just fine today. The afternoon is many times a little bit too much on the hot side for a walk.Interesting facts about alternative routes between Chicago and Minneapolis in the late 60’s! Quite a few alternatives I would say. Lars – Artificial enviroment in Phoenix becuase of some rain and heat?? Hmm, no, I don’t think you would... How a about a blizzard (around the Big Apple) with the temp in the 10’s and snow eating its way inside whatever you have in February?? That is artificial to me! If we were meant to live in that kind of weather we would all have been born with furs (like Juneau!!) Remember, Ruth might not be around every day you need her, hmmm, help.
The water in our back yard was gone after midnight and the house still stands!Nice book covers (reruns or not) and some very nice pictures of some California Zephyrs. Especially the picture from the Grizzly siding!!
The old country some 35+ years ago.
Hoist your coffee mugs high, Gents - a toast to the end of the work week <for many> - Cheers! Let's begin this day with a mugga hot java from our <unleaded> or <regular> coffee urns - some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n of course a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:41 AM Thursday - July 26th: On a day that I decided to "slack off' a bit, you came up with that great nostalgia bit on the Zephyrs - well done! Surely a throwback to the way we were . . . here at the bar ‘n in the passenger railroading era.
Can honestly attest to NOT even thinking about my "anniversary" date passing by on the 1st of this month for being retired. I just don't think about it on a regular basis. For me, the career flew by. Last couple of years ‘did it' for me - was in SoCal - family here - commuted about every 3rd weekend, sometimes more frequently. Got old in a hurry. Figured it was time to become a civilian - frustrations seemed more commonplace than job satisfaction. Time to go. Was told I passed up a promotion - but hey, a guy's gotta do, what a guy's gotta do. Haven't regretted the decision ‘n I don't look back.
There's a saying about the rabbit who stopped to "smell the roses" <or something like that!> ‘n when it did, it got shot! For me, it goes like this: Had I stuck it out longer, I never would've experienced 4 great years at the University - wouldn't have met my lady - wouldn't have had two great dogs - Fred the long haired Husky ‘n Juneau the terrible! We does what we does, eh
Any man who can say that he's happy at what he's doing is a most fortunate guy ‘n given good health, supportive family ‘n so forth - why not stick it out?
Quarters, round ‘n that fine submission most appreciated!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:24 AM Thursday - July 26th: Manager Lars at the fore once again with some fine graphics ‘n fotos for all to enjoy!
I see the baseball Gawds are smiling on your Mets whereas they've taken a healthy - something or other - on my Red Birds. I think the most illustrative game for the Cardinals that best represents 2007 for them was Tuesday night's loss to the Cubs. They squandered men on base - gave the game away by means of a critical error along with no support from the superstars (Edmonds - Rolen ‘n Pujols). Pitching was okay, however, they gave up 4 runs to a team that is HUNGRY. Isn't that what always drives a winning season?? I think so. Time to begin planning the 2008 roster . . .
Your assessment of things ‘round here is pretty much parallel to my own. I'm very surprised that we're still afloat - really am. Thought we were on the ropes when both Rob ‘n Doug cashed it in - the latter isn't totally gone, but . . . It's been a fine resurgence of interest with guys like Dan (DL-UK) - Per (marthastrainyard) - Allan (Gunneral) ‘n Ron (DD1) taking up some hefty slack. Even the brief return of our long-lost friend, Nick (nickinwestwales) was a timely ‘n supportive event. Things seem to be working out . . . and of course, that's good. None of this would've happened though without guys like YOU - Pete - Eric ‘n CM3 Shane. Nicely done, Gents all!!
Thanx for the round, chat, "stuff" ‘n support!
Ed. Note: Just when I drop some accolades to the guys, what happens One of the most dismal Thursdays lately . . . <groan>
Eric (EricX2000) at 11:49 PM Thursday - July 26th: Sorry, but Lars is closer to my thinking regarding the artificial environment of converted desert land to what is called Phoenix. Where would that place be without irrigation ‘n air conditioning??? Take away both ‘n it's desert, Nope - I'll take the more temperate climates anytime ‘n bring on the SNOW when winter arrives! <grin>
BUT having said that - to eah his own. If everywhere was the same, how boring it would be!!
Stay tuned to the rest of the Canadian Railway Adventure - the pluses outweighed the minuses, however it surely was a bummer in some regards. Training? I'd fire at least one!
Email received 'n responded to - thanx! By the by, my error - Pix were mailed Saturday!
Visit ‘n chat appreciated, as always - nice Pix too!
Hello Tom and all in.
Greeting the bar keep - this time lag international direction makes it tricky for me to recall whose on (never mind what colour hair they have). I think it must be Leon - hello there and a traditional breakfast for me too! Don't want to get near the Tweeter!
Nice pics of the Can Am layout Tom - and again interesting to read the Gaspe saga - what a blow - the bus trip is, as Eric says, no substitute (not even for a Renaissance Car) - how crazy not to let you just stay at the turn back point! The problem is that there is no recognition that this sort of public transit is always going to serve as a mixture of vital transit for some people (they don't care about the cars, the view etc that much) and tourist travelling for others - enjoying the scenery etc. But quality of service does not cost much so why be grudging about it - I wonder if your train manager was the guy who waited our table with such bad grace on The Ocean last October!!! His attitude really upset my other half. Another JO / AH - as you say - they're out there!
Ron - thanks for your comments about the track work - the permanent way gangs would be pleased you picked up on it - I think part of it is the standards required to sustain high speed passenger services safely - but sadly I note that budget cuts in more recent years have resulted in more weeds along what we call the ‘Four Foot'.
As for the language - the problem Pete and I have from time to time is being taken for being Australians in North America! No offence to our down under colleagues - it juts don't sound the same. Then I guess Canadian and Americans get mixed up by Brits over here so fair's fair!
Lars - water levels seem to be receding here today - but I note no heavy rain in Glasgow so not sure where our Scottish connection is (no more rain than normal that is - since it rains a lot there anyway!).
CM3 - enjoyed that Burlington stuff - no much to comment on as it is all learning material for me - but interesting!
Pete - must have been interesting to travel on the Woodhead route - of course the Trans Pennine routes are overcrowded now so that was another short sighted line closure.
I'm afraid I can't help with LU loco scrapping dates - not sure if that stuff is up on the web.
Allan - I don't think Gresley spent much time on the aesthetics of those electric loco designs compared with his steam or carriage design work! Pretty boxy looking locos but there we are. They looked best on their original lined black livery I think.
As I understand it the Class 77 was the Co-Co electric loco built for passenger services on the Woodhead Route - Passenger service was ended in about 1970 and all the Co-Co Class 77s were sold to Holland where they gave many more years service (and Dutch Railways even ran good Railtours for Brit enthusiasts with them in later years). When they finally withdrew them in the late 1980s I think they preserved one or two - which may still be running in Holland - and at least one was brought back to the UK for preservation. NS - Dutch Railways were very supportive in this.
Meanwhile the BoBo Class 76s (which looked fairly similar) were built for freight work and they were kept until freight ended and the route closed in 1980 (or 81?) - It was the economic recession which finished off the demand for the coal they were shipping from Yorkshire Caolfield to Lancashire I think. One or two of them were preserved too - One is at York in the National Railway museum - and one is in Manchester museum of Science and Industry (unless that is one of the preserved Class 77s). The 1st Bo-Bo - probably the one you mentioned went to Holland after WW2 for some time as the route in England was not ready for it until into the 1950s - I guess this is where they got the idea for buying the 77s. It carried the name ‘Tommy' after the nickname for a British soldier I recall.
I think I'm correct in what I write anyway. I'd welcome corrections from Pete (or anyone else) if I've got this wrong!
As for the Beaver Tail cars - Like you the original 1930s design is the best - so I am very pleased one is being restored that way. Apparently the view was not too good from the back of the observation car (style over function...) so it was rebuilt for use in the Scottish Highlands with a larger window design in the 1950s. I'm lucky enough to have seen some rare colour film of The Coronation train in service before WW2 shown at a Railway Film screening evening I go to regularly. It looked great in silver and blue.
Back in the day it would have been great to see the maroon Coronation streamlined train on the LMS and the LNER silver and blue streamlined train too. I guess the enthusiasts of that time old enough to have travelled in them are not with us any more. A trip north of Newcastle on the LNER Beaver Tail observation car would be worth every penny! I wonder why the LMS did not also have an Observation Car?
Anyway - enjoy these links:
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10170975&wwwflag=2&imagepos=1
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10322164&wwwflag=2&imagepos=6
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10321913&wwwflag=2&imagepos=23
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10173132&wwwflag=2&imagepos=5
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10459953&wwwflag=2&imagepos=8
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10459955&wwwflag=2&imagepos=9
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10277189&wwwflag=2&imagepos=27
PS looks like domestic duties are preventing a trip to the GCR RPO weekend event:
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/spevents/gala0707.htm
Not a situation any of us would want to be in (although I see the fare is quite maggot gagging...) - vintage Diesel and steam in operation - with Gresley Teak TPOs (Allan you'd be impressed with that!)
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We are still standing after several hours of high winds, vivid lighting, sideways rain, etc. The K9 Korps spent the night on the couch in the living room. Not too bad this a.m., but we may get some more fun later today. Forums (fora) are acting squirrely today, so I hope this works.
Eric - Good to hear from you.
DL stopped by with comments and some links. I liked the picture "Preparing to Board the Coronation Scot." We had check-in desks back in the day here, but they were usually for more "elegant" trains. I also enjoyed the brochure for the "Coronation" as well. Excellent color, typography, and layout. Even though I follow the LMS more than other UK roads, I take my hat off to the graphics folks who did that work for LNE.
OSP visited with another installment of the travelogue as well as various philosophical comments. Yep, things have a way of happening. It's called "life." Your RI material is a nice touch for the beginning of the day, especially the drumheads.
Since we have been doing Burlington, here's a rerun of some 1930s era ad copy for the Blackhawk. The idea of "complacent comfort" is somewhat appealing this a.m., so let's adjourn to the lounge and watch the miles roll by.
The New Blackhawk - One of the Anniversary Fleet
Smoothly over a grade leveled by the mighty Mississippi goes the Blackhawk in superb new splendor. A felicitous service already known to travelers between Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis, today has a background of new and exquisite beauty. Designer and decorator have collaborated to realize a harmony of masculine comfort and feminine gracefulness never before achieved in transportation. Low, rakish Pullman seats complements with personal reading lamps and winged head-rests, generous, ceiling high partitions, deep pile, smartly modern rugs...window panes cushioned in rubber... ventilators adjustable by a mere touch...over-sized dressing rooms...cushion-spring mattresses in berths as restful as sleep itself.
Next behind the diner is the unique salon car, which has the comforts and atmosphere of a smart club; in the same car there are single rooms with stationary beds in addition to compartments and drawing rooms available in any combination desired.
On the rear of the train is the Blackhawk lounge...its full length dedicated to complacent comfort. Magazines to read, card nooks, restful chairs, inviting divans, ash trays aplenty, tonight's newspapers when you board the train...tomorrow's when you arise; a special room - and a charming one - for the ladies; a radio, buffet service evening and morning; terminal telephones - a rolling club, no less.
Work safe
A brief flurry of Posting this early AM with Dan (DL-UK) 'n CM3 Shane (coalminer3) . . . good to see you two!
Had a bit of difficulty with this nostalgia Post - wasn't sure it "took." So here it is again . . . things like this generally occur when for whatever the reason, more than one person is Posting at the same time. Anyway, I can't view this as having been previously Posted - BUT - Shane mentioned it! Go figger!!
A Blast from the Past that was initially Posted on Page 194 of the Original Thread!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #45
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island) from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection.
Now! Beat the Winter Crowds to SUNSHINE LAND!
The Golden State
Direct - CHICAGO to LOS ANGELES Serving El Paso, Douglas, Tucson, Phoenix and Palm Springs A perfect travel combination for your winter holiday - luxurious Golden State streamliner via the low-altitude Golden State Route! Here's smooth Diesel Speed; finest of private room and sectional Pullman accommodations; latest type reclining-seat Chair Cars. Coffee-Shop-Lounge, Dining Car, Lounge Car. Through Sleeping Cars from New York and St. Louis. Extra fare - and worth it!
THE IMPERIAL . . . Chair Cars and Pullmans to San Diego - Los Angeles. Tourist Sleepers to Los Angeles. Dining and Lounge Cars. No extra fare.
ROCK ISLAND LINES The Road of Planned Progress
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy! Tom
Ruth my deAH, it's Friday! What are your plans for this weekend?? Can't imagine you'll have trouble finding something to do!
Time for a quick hit of JD on the rocks ‘n if you would, slide the snack tray down this way. Boris, feeding time for the crittAHs, then you can have that small jar of pickled pig's feet sitting at the end of the bar. A round for the boyz ‘n keep the change my lovely! <blush> Lunch?? Maybe a bit later . . . gimme another belt, wudja! <grin>
Yeah, it was a rather odd day on Thursday, capped off with no appearance by the Bar Chandler Pete - AND on Fish ‘n Chips Night at that!! Now something must be going on for our resident U.S. Brit to be kept away from the bar when his favorite selections are on the menu. Perhaps he'll make it up to us with TWO posts today!
Funny how whenever either of us lays some "kind words" on the gang, we get into a lull at the bar! Strange, huh But to my way of thinking, we don't really need to have our most supportive guys to provide "stuff" every day.
I think the definition of a "regular" should apply to the customer who doesn't forget this joint, keeps to the way we do things here ‘n takes the time to review what's been said since his last visit.
If you can't make it in daily, then come when you can. But for the sake of my mental health, don't tell us you've been TOO BUSY. That sends the Cap'n into orbit ‘n it's rather hard to unscrew him from the overhead! <grin>
Compliments to Da Boss for that fine Rock Island entry this morning! A companion to the SP from the other day, huh Both roads share that named-train, but apparently went separately with their advertisements. Nice stuff 'n I like the way you place the "add ons"!!
From what I've seen ‘n read, your assessment of the Cardinals season sounds right on. Mets have had those seasons too - far too often. Anyway, they stomped those little bears last night. I know, I know - where were those bats in games 1 ‘n 2?? Hard to explain, but that's baseball. Win some, lose some and others are rained out. (Isn't that YOUR saying??) Fits well though . . .
Looks to me as if you two made the best of a bad situation with that trip up to Gaspe. The bus doesn't look all that bad, but hardly a suitable substitute for the dome! I think Dan hit it on the head with his comments. Shane see's it as "life." Well, I view it as a bit of a combination, made worse by an inconsiderate ‘n ill mannered person in authority. If the Cap'n thinks he has a short fuse, youse guys need to beware of mine! <arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh>
By the way - nice Blackhawk feature in Shane's post this morning!
Also, your extra-efforts with the links in supplement to your narratives are spoiling us, Dan!! Well done. Don't know what to say about our friend in Glasgow - he's not yet an "official connection" - since his visits were brief ‘n few - BUT - he's been given the welcome, so the rest is up to Jan Olov.
Nice way around the <tweeting>!!
Sorry Eric if I've tweaked a nerve regarding Phoenix! Didn't know you were on the Chamber of Commerce for that absolutely wonderful ‘n most attractive slice of heaven on earth! <grin> Have a tray of FISH, on my tab of course! <uh oh>
An afterthought - I didn't realize that my post over on Tom's other thread was 2,100. Wouldn't mind seeing some of youse guys stop over there once in awhile. It's how we attract customers to this joint. Just drop off a photo or make a comment, nothing more than that.
So what will it be this day? Perhaps just a departure from the "norm" for me. Didn't get much of a reaction to yesterday's offering . . . Unfortunately, that's one of the drawbacks to this type communication - what have you done lately?? Who looks back??
I've been digging around in my rather limited archives of "stuff" and came up with these for your viewing - not seen B4 on these pages:
Ruth, time for your break! I'll watch the bar ‘n then we'll attend to those <ahem> admin matters! <grin>
Good day, Tom and all present. My lunch time is soon arriving, so Gunniness for me and whatever y'all want. Heading out to a rib joint called "The Shed" for some Mississippi style ribs and lots of beer. My son is going to meet me there for lunch. What a bummer having to take a bus, but the buses do look nice. It seems everywhere you go in this world, excepting a few places that I wouldn't want to revisit, the buses stand out as being beautiful and comfortable means of transportation. I've never seen nice looking buses in this country. They all seem to be GMC buses and they all look alike. If buses here looked like the one you were on in Canada, more people would use them instead of driving.
Eric, When I said English is dying in this country, I'm speaking of the English that is spoken in the UK. Here in the USA, we speak an Americanized version of the English language. It might even be considered a "universal" language, as it incorporates words from many different languages. English, like Spanish, Italian, German, etc, are pure languages, that is, they don't change or evolve like the "American " language.
I see that Ron (DD1) joined the gathering just before noon.
The VIA Rail journey from Gaspé, Quebéc aboard the "Chaleur" continues:
We departed New Carlisle at 18:15 on Monday with signs that the skies were beginning to finally clear! Wouldn't you know it . . .
The Skyline car staff informed us that dinner was to be complimentary for us in recognition of unhappy circumstances encountered with our round trip. As expected, Richard the Chef was on top of his game. <ummmm> Nice gesture from the train guys. My guess is that this was ‘done' by the two fellows staffing the Skyline car, as we really had no communications with the "Service Manager" - he remained aloof ‘n apart from us. Not even eye contact. <tsk tsk>
Darkness arrived rather quickly and we were settled into the dome as we arrived in Matapédia at 21:15 for the rendezvous with the west bound "Ocean" from Halifax. Within 5 minutes, she arrived, thereby affirming what we knew to be the case - the 4 hour late departure had been made up ‘n we'd have a better than fair chance of arriving in Montréal at the scheduled morning arrival time. So much for changing our airline reservations - $$$$$ penalties, et al. <groan>
The hook-up of trains took about 30 minutes ‘n we were underway again at 21:45 with the "Ocean" Renaissance joined at the rear. With three F40PHs for motive power it was a long train again!
We found that the day had been very tiring as we both sacked out before 22:30. Skies had cleared with the stars brightly shining. Nice!
Morning arrived early for me - 05:00 - ‘n after a great breakfast at 05:40 it was up to the dome for what always has been a "treat" for me. That portion of Québec's landscape is just as entrancing to the eye as any. It's mostly manicured farm land ‘n just looks nice as the train speeds on to Montréal. Ahhhhhh.
A far, far more pleasing experience than just a few days earlier when we traveled through the same area aboard the "Ocean" Renaissance - sans domes. What a difference a dome makes!
Stealthy Pete arrived in the dome about an hour later . . .
Pix from Day Six: Tuesday - May 29th, 2007 - aboard VIA Rail's CHALEUR in Quebéc, Canada en route Montréal.
Views from the Skyline dome <fotos taken from 06:05 on . . .>
That's the "Ocean" Renaissance behind us - AND with a Park Car at the rear! That was a surprise, as VIA Rail's booking info indicated those cars wouldn't be available ‘til June 1st. So much for that, eh
Nice dome shadow!
Approaching Drummondville
A pint of Holden's Mild and a round please RUTH, I started my post yesterday but ran into ‘technical difficulties'. At least word has saved it; I will bring it up to date.
ALAN It is a pity your old spotting books have gone astray, unfortunately the same as happened to my early ones.
I read the reason they modified the Beaver Tail was that the new look gave a much better view. I agree though the modified version does not look as good as the original. I believe the angle of the back of the original beaver tails was the same as the front of the A4 locomotives that used to haul the Coronation.
A photo of A4 60008, Dwight D Eisenhower at Green Bay WIS
On the 76 electrics, the one completed in 1941 was used in Holland after the war until the electrified Woodhead line was ready for use. This loco became 26000 and was withdrawn before the TOPS class 76 numbering came in. The loco was nicknamed Tommy by the Holland rail crews and after the loco was brought back to England it received the official nameplate Tommy with a short description of its time in Holland on the nameplate.
Unfortunately the loco was not preserved. I believe there is only one of the 76s saved whereas there are a few of the bigger class 77s saved, as you say they worked in Holland after their time on the Woodhead Route.
ERIC Still no luck with the Coal Tattoo link, still I shall try again.
I may have been smiling about what Tom said he like to do to the service manager of the train in the photo. But seriously Tom was very calm on the bus especially considering what we had to put up with. I don't think, (and certainly hope not) that our treatment was out of malice, it was, I think, he could not understand what Tom and I were doing, despite Tom, repeated attempts to tell him, that was we were NOT staying in Gaspe but riding the same train back. We did not realize (nor were told) that the bus would turn 4 hours late into 1 1/2 hour early (or would have been if we had not waited time at a station on the way). Tom took the very sensible decision of keeping the service manager in sight at all times, and staying on the bus, as he had assured us he would be returning with the train back to Montreal.
We were not allowed to stay with the train and we were not told that the train would turned at New Carlisle, we asked about staying in New Carlisle but were told, by another member of the train crew, there was not a lot there but the next town on the way to Gaspe was better. It was a real good job we did not do this as the bus did not stop at that station on the way back, I guess there were no passengers to be picked up, and as the we would have not appeared on the list of passengers from there, we would most likely been forgotten. We could have still been there today.
Thanks for the Santa FE FP 45 photo. I think ARTIE spends the night hours hunting in the Can-Am Gorge.
CM3 Thanks for the info on Extra 2200 magazine. It really goes into detail on the American locomotive scene. I guess it is only available through some model shops or subscription
Enjoyed reading about the Burlington line Zephyrs, and the New Blackhawk advert. When Amtrak took over did most of the trains stop running at once or was it a gradual reduction of the trains.
Yes the LNER posters did seem to catch the spirit of the 1930s. I have a poster by Alexeieff for The Night Scotsman, leaves King Cross nightly at 10.25. The bride picked up in Mid Missouri. The LMS did commission some Royal Academy artists for some of their posters. After BR was formed they had some great posters mainly by Terrance Cuneo. The posters added a lot of colour to station forefronts although they are part of a past age no longer seen.
LARS You are thinking the same as I on Tom's Canada photos.
Hopefully we can make some progress on the basement and get a model railway started, as you say time as a way of flying by lately.
Those Zephyr covers and photos certainly are grand. That is a great color photo of the two California Zephyrs meeting; the ALCO looks at home in the mountains.
Liked today's book covers, thanks I will have to have a look for that SPV Railroad Atlas, I wonder what is meant by ‘Maritime Canada'. SPV is an English company I believe.
H&H have saved my Fish ‘N' Chips, only slightly touched by TEX and FROSTBITE.
Early Saturday morning Leon! I think I'll have an early breakfast! French Toast, powder sugar, and syrup would be perfect! I've lost quite a few pounds so my jeans ara coming down all the time.
A kind of sad Friday here in the desert today. Two helicopters from local TV stations collided midair early this afternoon and crashed into a park downtown. Pilot and photographer in each helicopter were killed but no on on ground was injured. Sad story.
Tom – I am with 100%, you can’t regret what you did or did not do in life! I know if I had been taken som other decisions at a few occasions some things might probably have been better now for a reason or two. Maybe! No, I am happy as it is and I consider what happened a week ago being something very lucky from my point of view, since I did not have any symptoms. I know that Manager Lars is much closer to your way of thinking when it comes to snow, ice, and heat. Which is okay as long as I don’t have to freeze! Or shovel any snow! I know who you would have fired on that train and I think you are right.The Golden State! The perfect train for anyone living in Phoenix! Wow, that really sounds nice, but it is too late. Thanks for the ad!Reading more about about your rail journey I think you should use parts of the text you put together and send it to VIA! Tell the story the same way as you did here, but I certainly think they should know what happened. How do you know that Stealthy Pete arrived in the dome about an hour later? He might have been there all the time!I love those pictures from the early morning! Beautiful! As you know I am not a morning person, but one thing I liked when operating a train through the night, was when the morning broke, enjoying the views and having a healthy strong cup of coffee!!DL – It seems like you and Tom have some common friends in Canada!! Those Beaver Tail cars look very different. What I don’t like is that it seems to be very little protection for the passengers in case of an accident, but I might be wrong (don’t tell my wife). CM3 – Doesn’t seem to be too nice weather in your area! At the same tim, weahter is something people always are complaing about but no one is doing anything about it.Lars – No, you did not tweek any nerve! I’ll get rewarded later anyway. Next winter when tha blizzard strikes Staten Island I will feel sorry for you for a minute, then make me a cup of coffee and bring out into the back yard, sit down, relax and enjoy my strong coffee!! How about that? BTW I just learned that Ruth doesn’t like cold weather! As a matter of fact, I had some fish to eat at he hospital last week! Not too bad, but still fishy. Nice book covers! I have a problem though, I have been trying to find out more about that steam locomotive, #20, on the cover of Alaska/Yukon Railroads, but have had no luck so far. It looks like it was built in the 1890’s. I'll try again tomorrow.DD1 – I think you need some stronger glasses! I have seen many good looking buses in this country. Here is one.
Outside work last spring, a MCI J-4500.
After reading your clarification of the dying language I might even agree. Just a tiny bit, but still. Pete – Oh, was that Artie? I saw something in the CanAm Gorge when I left last night.You and Tom certainly had a rail journey that was different, and as I said to Tom, I think he should put together something using the text from here, telling VIA about that trip. I would if it happened to me.
Nice pictures, the A4 at Green Bay and the Class 76 at York!
I'll be back later with some pictures.
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
Saturday - sssssss Saturday - Saturday night's alright! <Elton John> "Live" theatre nite for us this evening - "The Full Monty" at our favorite summer theatre - all musicals; should be fun.
Finally made it to the weekend, and the morning ‘round these parts features 90 percent humidity, but anticipated temps are expected to be in the hi-80s (F) as opposed to the couple of days of 90s we just experienced. Summer is baaaaaaaaack - well almost! <grin>
Coffee's ready - pastries fresh - breakfasts need ordering! Let's get with it guys!
Dan (DL-UK) at 7:26 AM Friday - July 27th: Couldn't agree more with your thoughts on customer service. These things happen all over the world ‘n no way should provide a lasting blemish on VIA Rail. But you know what? They DO! We all come away from our experiences with opinions based on just that - experiences. I prefer to look back on the nearly 2 decades of traveling aboard those trains as a whole, with far many more positive ‘n pleasant times than not. Sometimes it's very difficult to do, but one has to try, eh
Oh how great it must've been to travel aboard one of those "Beaver Tails"!! I've always wondered why the railroads don't do everything possible to use equipment that will attract the traveling public ‘n steer away from the sterile. Guess we just have the wrong people doing the designing ‘n of course planning. For example here in Missouri Amtrak operates an intra-state service between St. Louis ‘n Kansas City. The consist is most times just a loco ‘n 2 coaches with a café car. The café car features private seating for those purchasing "Business Class" (formerly called Custom Class). Anyway, without that car, much of the "fun" would be lost for the 6 hour run. It's nice to purchase a snack ‘n sit at the tables while watching the landscape pass by. Amtrak tried to drop those café cars over the years, but thankfully the Missouri legislature (through the organization I used to participate in) threatened them with dropping the subsidy if they did. Apparently it has worked.
Many thanx for the dialogue ‘n great links! And not to worry, methinks you've figured out the <tweeter> avoidance procedure!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 7:54 AM Friday - July 27th: Still puzzled with reference to how you saw my Rock Island submission - but I didn't! Oh well, at least it's residing in the Ether along with so many, many others.
New Blackhawk "ad" material hit the spot!
Round, quarters ‘n chat appreciated!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:59 AM Friday - July 27th: Don't even want to talk about baseball - didjacatch last nite's score of the Cards disaster?? Good Gawd Gertie, these guys are awful. When's hockey begin?? <grin>
Some strong support coming from the Manager ‘n you're right on with those comments. It isn't really difficult to get along ‘round here, plus one doesn't have to. There are so many, many other options for those less inclined to interact. Just doesn't "work" here if one doesn't. I like your definition of what a "regular" should be - that's a KEEPER!
And you are soooooooooooo right about my reaction to that string of words, "I'm too busy." Just sends me off . . . a boss of mine from long, long ago used to say that people who overused that phrase really meant to say, "I'm not interested." As I've traveled this continuum called life with all the attendant experiences along the way, I must say I concur with his assessment. More times than not that's what it really comes out as - not being interested. We've seen it here many, many times as guys have faded out of sight without so much as a fair well. But then again, that latter point combines yet another not so welcome attribute - rudeness.
Some rather diverse but interesting book covers - nicely done. Thanx!!
Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!
Round appreciated along with the visit ‘n chat!
Ron (DD1) at 11:29 AM Friday - July 27th: If you are following my foto spread on the Canadian Railway Adventure, you've noted that the transfer to the bus was the only option to get the passengers to their destinations. Our unhappiness was centered about our rude ‘n inconsiderate "Service Manager" ‘n not being informed of the plan in a timely manner so that we could've avoided the exorbitant costs associated with changing our return airline reservations. Of course we were unhappy about being put on a bus, but as the narrative ‘n fotos should reveal, we made the best of it.
Bus comments from me included elsewhere in this morning summary.
Next
Cindy my sweet, you are loooooooookin' mighty fine ‘n there's no doubt why the Cap'n has you on ‘n in his mind constantly!
A mugga Joe with a jolt and I think a menu selection this fine day is in order, make it #3 wudja please? And a round for the house, treats for the crittAHs - Boris, feed ‘em ‘n that small jar of pickled pig's feet is YOURS! Keep the change my deAH!
And so we're once again at that Saturday Encore day, huh Shouldn't be difficult to find something in the archives to help things out here at my favorite watering hole. For the newer customers, we've been doing this kinda thing seemingly forever on weekends. The Cap'n used to hold the photo day on Sundays, with the bar closed of course. Then things pretty much got a bit inactive, so he decided to completely shut down on Sunday, which in my opinion was a good move. I'd even opt for shutting ‘er down on Saturdays too. But there might be a rumbling from those out there who truly enjoy this joint! <uh oh>
For Eric: Checking out the details on bookcover locos!
We'll be in the Keys for winter - but you can still send me your sympathy if you wish! <grin>
Have to agree, fish DOES taste FISHY!
Real tragic event out there in Phoenix. Always wonder about those final seconds when one knows . . .
For Pete: Surprised at you! Maritime Canada is just that - the Provinces boardering the sea. Kinda like the way we call a segment of the U.S. by a "nickname" - New England encompasses 6 states. Maritime Canada has Newfoundland/Labrador - Nova Scotia - Prince Edward Island - New Brunswick 'n Quebec.
I had your Fish 'n Chips put aside figuring you'd want 'em . . .
For Da Boss: Nice wind down to Friday with those photos! I've been picking up on something here. So WHERE does Stealthy Pete go 'n WHO with??? Sounds a bit strange to me that a guy who has never traveled in a dome wouldn't be the first in it! Something to investigate . . . <hmmmmm>
That was a nice gesture on the part of the crew to give you guys a dinner. At least someone had presence of mind to be a bit more than "sterile." Nice.
Thought Via wasn't going to put those observation domes on the end of the Ocean until the so-called tourist season?? Bet that bothered you!
Many thanks for the continuing pix, advertisements 'n fallen flags. Really a treat to hang around this joint!
Sorry 'bout those Red Birds of yours. And they ARE sorry this year. <ugh>
Check these Encore posts out from two guys who used to call this place home . . .
First from trolleyboy Rob back on Jan 20, 2006 from page 220 on the old site:
Okay first stick of pictures for the Posting day ( Sunday here already at any rate ) Museum stuff this time round. A tickler for those comming to the rendezvous. London Street Railway # 23 Taken in July 10 of 2004 Museum's 50th Celebration TCR 55 museum's second car also on the 50th Weekend Shot of the line up in Yard three at the 50th Weekend Work flatmotor W4 ex TRC at the 50th celebrations. This car which turned 100 in 2004 wa used to build many lines in Toronto and a good portion of our museum's line as well. TRC ( Toronto Railway Company ) 1326 our museum's first car breaking the 50th anniversary banner on July 10 2004. First functional run by this car in 15 years ! TRC 1326 and MS&C 107 ( museum's third car ) Sitting in yard two July 10 2004 enjoy Rob Mind the doors please, and move to the back of the car. Visit us at the Halton County radial Railway Museum www.hcry.org My web picture account please have a look http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robertaustin Photobucket pictures http://photobucket.com/albums/a158/streetcarnut/
Mind the doors please, and move to the back of the car. Visit us at the Halton County radial Railway Museum www.hcry.org My web picture account please have a look http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robertaustin Photobucket pictures http://photobucket.com/albums/a158/streetcarnut/
Next is from barndad Doug, posted on Jan 20, 2006 back on page 220 on the old site:
Union Pacific Railroad 900075 Builder: Lima Year Built: 1949 Length: 104ft 9in Width: 12ft 1in Height: 16ft 5in Weight: 303000 lbs Brakes: 6ET Trucks: General Steel Casting Description: Rotary Snow Plow & Tender Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 28, 2007 11:45 AM Good morning Tom and all hands present. The bar is on me. I guess I don't get around much anymore. I can't say I haven't seen some classy looking buses around, but not many in my neck of the woods. The photo of the bus posted by Eric sure proves me wrong. I was really thinking of bus names like MB, Renault, Deutz, Mitsubishi, etc. There just seems to be more variety in bus design offshore than here. I used to travel Greyhound for many years as a commuter in San Francisco, but it was always the same looking bus year after year. They were comfortable enough, but not exciting. Tom, you were wondering why I didn't go to our place for lunch with my son. The rib place we went to, called the shed, is a winner in national barbecue cook-offs. It is also the place where Paris Hilton(that s---) was when she was doing that series on TV called "The Simple Life". After her interview when she badmouthed Mississippi, she is not welcome back. She thought we were backward, had no class and a few other impressions. We already knew that. She didn't have to say so. Having lived all my life around large population areas, the move to Ms was a welcome change. You know I'm going to stay here because I already have purchased a burial site here. The barbecue was excellent btw, with Guinness and many imported beers, both on tap and container. They smoke their meats over Pecan wood that my daughter (the enterpreneur) provides. Our place is probably a safer place. The shed was flooded with five feet of water from Katrina. Next hurricane, I'll check in there. I'm still trying to figure out how to post photos, Sorry, I followed your directions, got to the thread "How to post photos", but still can't figure it out. BTW, I still haven't recovered fully from the beer and barbecue orgy. Take care. See you soon. Ron Edit « First«55565758596061»Last » SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter Submit More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
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