Greetings Tom and revered members of the "family"...
Da Larsman, a couple of questions for you as THE dome man.... How many dome observations were built buy Pullman, Budd and AC&F and were those for the California Zephyr the most luxurious?
<personal foto>
A smile to begin the week!
I didn't say everything I said.
<A Yogi-ism!>
Guten Morgen allersiets!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
Another Monday - another week to excel for the boss! <yeah, right!> Coffee, pastries 'n breakfasts are ready! Are you
Comments from the Proprietor:
RED SOX WON! RED SOX WON! RED SOX WON! Did anyone have doubts <geesh> The cream always rises to the top . . .
Halloween party on Wednesday nite! Costumes encouraged . . . <boo>!!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Sunday - 28 Oct 2007:
Eric (EricX2000) at 1:44 AM: Some great fotos - really a treat with the Cascades shot! Nicely done, Mate - many thanx!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:29 AM: GIANTS WON! GIANTS WON! That has to put a smile on that <mug> of yours! <grin> Can't say the conditions or circumstances were the best for a regular season game - I agree with your feelings on this. The NFL should've sent the Lambs <aka: Rams> over to play the Dolphins - as two losers would "deserve" the "honor"! <grin> Yeah, Lambs Lost <again> - what's new, eh
Support for the bar appreciated, especially with those fine dome car fotos! That obs dome is a "winnah," fer sure, fer sure!
Jan (JanOlov) at 11:02 AM & 3:21 PM & 7:05 PM: A little of this ‘n a lot of that! Photos from ???? Your own???? Interesting shots though.
Runaway Train (1985) starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca De Mor Nay was featured at The Emporium Theatre on Sunday, January 22nd, 2006. It's a good one that will be rerun again one day. Thanx for the request . . .
Eric (EricX2000) at 11:11 PM: Good to see ya - sorry ‘bout the ‘puter issues. You'll figure it out!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often! C
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tom
Did I here there was a "frost "warning in the Rockies this morning as things are hot in Boston?!?
On that one Tom. I'm Buy'n!!! Though it wasn't the Jays. Lisa is tickled pink over the win. So if she's happy... I'm happy
And I'll have what ever is on the grill and hot Peas and Tanks.
Presently I'm looking at the MESS inventory and may need addition heavy freight hauling capability for the New Year...
Not much else on the go But let me know what's what on the travel itinarary Tom as I have some planning to do and straightening up of the MESS. BTW we joined the SAW this weekend (Society for American Wines) quite enjoyable as it was an excellent meal with a host of wines to sample Maybe another gathering when you're down here if you're interested... Sorry they don't serve Kieths.
On that one I have to haul out of here.
Later All
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, a steaming hot mugga Joe with a jolt if you will - make that a "BK splash," wudja I see Boris has returned to the fold after a 3-day misadventure with the Dart's Challenge ‘n Grudge Match tourney! No worse for wear <as the saying goes> for our Cyclops with cloven feet! My, my you do look rather . . . different with the lederhosen ‘n alpine hat <with feather!> Just a few more days ‘n it's back to bib overalls, steel toed boondockers ‘n red ‘kerchief!
I see the crittAHs are lined up for breakfast, so best get with it - then you may have that large jar of PPF!
Ruth, fill up the Joe wudja ‘n I'll take a number four from the menu board - a round for the boz ‘n the change is for you!
GIANTS WON! But in horrid conditions - I think it was a lousy game, but we'll take the win!
All kinds of e-mails flying ‘round in response to Da Bossman's comments AND mine! Our "network" is working ‘n it's good to see the opinions ‘n comments being shared! THAT from a guy who checks the e-mail MAYBE twice a week!
Hope you're feelin' bettAH Pete!!
Good to see Fergie in - although he does have some mighty "different" dining preferences!?!? But then again, it has been said <'n noted> that sailors will eat most anything!
Had a time of it trying to get on the forums this morning - just couldn't get the site to load. Got on other places but not Kalmbach's creation. WondAH what in the world . . . best not to expend too many of my few functioning brain cells on that subject! <grin>
Weather ‘round here is delightful for the fall - in the 40s for a brisk start to the morning. Love this time of year ‘n like to walk with the crunch of leaves beneath my clod hoppers!
Gasoline was at $3.02 at our "favorite" station ‘n of course expected to really head higher. Ain't it wunnerful
Not a whole heckuvalot going on this weekend at the bar that I haven't made comment on. So, I'll just skip right to my array of "stuff" from the Larsman Mobile!
UP Streamliner Collection (DVD)
Memories of Eastern Pennsylvania Railroading
Trackside around Sayre-Towanda-Waverly
Trackside around New Jersey
Trackside around Buffalo
Those Incredible Alcos (DVD)
Ruth, don't forget we have to take care of some <ahem> admin matters on your break! {ooooooh>
Until the next time!
Lars
Greetings Tom and gentlemen.....
May I have a black Java please....and the usual top up with cigars for the crew....get yourself something as well....
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Tom, the "sixpack" of pics in my last post are credited at the bottom, if it's doublehead tripplehead pics that you're reffering to.
Da Larsman, nice selection of covers mate ! Those UP Streamliner and Alco DVD's would be nice to have...
EricX2000, I hope that you get your browser and that sorted quickly mate...
Hello Tom and all in
Pint of bitter please.
Thanks to those of you who found the TEE material of interest (Pete, Eric, Rob, Lars all mentioned it). Eric - yes I'm certain that stock derived directly from a Dutch design originally. The TEE concept was a fine one, and as those websites mentioned, was the forerunner of today's Euro High Speed Network (in fact it would have made sense to have branded the cross border systems TEE now - instead they have strange meaningless names like Thalys and Eurostar.
Pete - whereabouts in Germany were those pics of Alan's taken? By the way, I tried to get hold of a Railway Magazine and there were no copies at either the book stalls at Kings Cross or St Pancras.
Tom - yes - London trip went well, breakfast is nicely served and sets you up for the day. The sad thing about this is that the trains on this route have been re-franchised by the government to a new operator as of Nov 12th and their plans for ‘improvement' include the removal of buffet counters from their trains to replace them with a push along trolley (so no ability to provide any sort of hot food) for second class carriages, and for first class the removal of the chef cooked fresh food in favour of some sort microwaved hot sandwiches and light snacks only. This is a serious downgrading of service quality on the route and very depressing.
I had a chance to examine the newly restored areas of London St Pancras Station - they are looking good - but it is not quite finished yet despite the Queen opening it in about a weeks time and services starting to the continent on Nov 14th.
This article says mare than I can say here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/oct/11/communities.architecture
Rob - thanks for your comments and added info on the Hamilton museum stock. Good to see the Lancaster and Spitfire and Hurricane flying together. Thanks for your response to my ONR question. Nice pics of trolleys you placed, makes me more frustrated I was unable to fit in a visit to that museum.
Lars - Interesting pics from Doug's post in the past - I enjoyed that - along with your own clear statement of site etiquette - given in what I can only take to be the clearly made ‘New York' style! Couldn't agree more with your sentiments. Shame to see those cars at the IRM in such rough condition - you can restore stuff like this or worse - but it takes time and money as we know.
Jan - interesting selection of pics esp. about Chicago Grand Central Station - I've never seen pictures of that before - must have been a very impressive building.
Cheerio
DL
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. First freeze of the season today 23-25 degrees when the K9 Korps went out for a.m. rounds. I have been trying to log in since 900 a.m., finally got the page to open. I will comment on contributions later.
We are savoring last night's win - ‘nuff said!
The ether finally cleared and here is some more reportage.
Them Old Camp Meeting Blues
As mentioned earlier, our next stop was the Our Place Camp which is carefully hidden on the flats just about five miles uptown from downtown Mentor. I know, Boris, you know that you're there when you see it - man, is he hard to work with sometimes and he is truly paid what he's worth. It was kind of hard to find the place, but we managed. The camo and inflatable tanks certainly lent an air of deception to the proceedings. But as Boris said, "Follow the cigar smoke; they're in there somewhere."
The boys looked to be rounding into shape - beer and lack of exercise and wholesome recreation will do that. The Our Place team (although tryly scared at being outside in the daylight) is flexible, so flexible they didn't even appoint a captain this year. When asked about this, Eric remarked, "One for all, and every man for himself." Your reporter thinks that this may be a useful attitude to face the upcoming strife and challenges.
Team shirts as always were carefully chosen. The slogans affixed to the shirts read as follows: Pete - Respect Few." Allan, "If Only I Was as Good as I Think I Remember I Was." Lars had the ever popular "Get Boned," And Eric's said "Stroke This." Jan as alternate had a shirt reading "It's a Mind Game." In the spirit of situation, your reporter broke out his old standby shirt which reads "Mine Over Matter - I Don't Mind and It Don't Matter." Boris had his shirt on as well which read "Short Term Memory Loss Runs in My Family - I Think."
They boys look to be ready and when last seen were loading up onto the Twin Coach, generously provided by the Greater Mentor Street Railway and Traction Company and getting ready for the parade.
Hayfoot, Strawfoot!
Boris managed to get the Crosley downtown ahead of the mob (make that throng) and we were able to set up in the blockhouse for the pre-tournament parade. We got the sandbags into place, and the wires with the can full of rocks attached in case anyone attempter to get through the perimeter.
The parade kicked off promptly (as much as anything does in Mentor) with a Fokker Triplane flyover by the Greater Mentor Flying Preservation Korps (fondly refereed to by the local citizenry as the "Old Bats.") It was sort of a Missing Man formation as one of the planes got lost on the way from the aerodrome - it turned out that one of the flyers thought it was a "Dawn Patrol." Anyway, Artie got him back on track, so it turned out to be the "Lone Straggler." Trust me, it was nothing like the Lone Eagle.
The Mentor Associated Underground Lodge (MAUL) "Stumbling Twenty" band serenaded the flyers with a stirring rendition on zither, tambourine, and kazoo of "Those Magnificent Lads in Their Fokkers and Spuds." No Boris, Spads! Those hoofs are just too big for the telegraph key. But we take what we are dealt.
Then came torch bearers and drum line. Those familiar with Orcs can conjure up a mental picture of what this looked like. Your reporter just wonders where they get these creatures. The barmaid with their trays provided ample reflection for the torches. It was tastefully done, although we did have a nervous finger on the trigger of our water cooled Browning, just in case.
The torchbearers and drum line were followed by each team. The barred wagons contained the Second Class aggregation, while the Twin Coach carried the Our Place gang. Genial insults were exchanged along the route, and trinkets thrown from the transport units to the crowd; some of the trinkets exploded on impact, but it made for a festival-like atmosphere. Your reporter did, however, in the interest of caution and self-preservation, break out the flak jackets and gas apparatus - one can never be too careful in these situations.
Next came a fireworks display with illuminations. Sort of like much of the crowd who seemed to be pretty well illuminated. Evidently, some of the Second Class folks had gotten into the magazine as one of the displays went awry - accidentally, of course. It resembled a cross between a rocket launcher and a recoilless rifle. Your reporter is grateful that he had the foresight to pile up the sandbags else we would have been torched as the infernal machine rocketed past our vantage point. The illumination bounced once on the street, barely cleared the water tower down at the freight yard, glanced off the roundhouse roof, and exploded in the reservoir.
Boris, ever midful of his next feeding (meal, I mean) deserted his post, but returned momentarily with several baskets full of fish. He explained to me that he had never seen it "Rain fish," before. I recalled, however, that he had been out with the track crew awhile back and that they had really gotten into trouble with the local game warden. All of this had something to something to do with using fusees and torpedoes in several local ponds. Nonetheless, a little cosmetic touchup and we should be well fed this winter.
By now, all had arrived at Our Place - site of the first match. All the counts and no accounts from the area were gathered as more than a few good natured wages were being made on the upcoming match. Our next report will deal with the first contest and we will find out what really happened when Artie went railroading. We will now reboard the Crosley and move it to a good escape point.
TTFN
G'day Gents!
Most pleased to see the contributions this fine day from Da Boyz! Will cover what needs to be said in the morning epistle!
Another month is nearing an end, so I best get to the "feature" for this day . . . some of you have seen it before, whereas others not - so here's the October rundown on Signficiant Events in Canadian RR history . . . .
Significant events in Canadian RR History
during the month of October.
<Initially Posted on Page 419 of the Original Thread on 30 Oct 2006>
Caveat: Much of the information appearing was gathered from internet sources, with credit to "Colin Churcher's Railway Pages" at http://www.railways.incanada.net/
* 1854, October 25th: - opening of the Carillon and Grenville Railway.
* 1856, October 27th: - The Grand Trunk Railway opens its broad gauge line throughout between Montreal and Toronto - Brockville to Oshawa secton.
* 1873, October 3rd - 4th: - The Grand Trunk Railway converts the gauge of its line between Stratford and Montreal, 421 miles together with 60 miles of sidings, from 5' 6" to the standard gauge of 4' 8 1/2". The track work was completed in 24 hours and occasioned but 16 hours interruption in the use of the main line.
* 1874, October 26th: - All Grand Trunk Railway lines east of Montreal, 542 miles, are converted from 5' 6" to standard gauge.
* 1877, October 9th: - Locomotive Countess of Dufferin arrives at St. Boniface on a barge towed by the steamer "Selkirk". It was brought in by the contractor Joseph Whitehead to work on the Selkirk - Emerson line and was the first locomotive in Manitoba and on the Prairies.
* 1891, October: - Canada Atlantic Railway completed the conversion of its entire passenger fleet thus becoming the first railway in Canada to use steam exclusively to heat its passenger rolling stock.
* 1902, October 13th: - First demonstration of wireless communication between a moving train and a station. This was on a Grand Trunk Railway special train between Chicago and Portland for the American Association of General Passenger and Ticket Agents. While en route between Toronto and Montreal a wireless telegraphy station was set up by Professor Ernest Rutherford of McGill University.
* 1903, October 24th: - The National Transcontinental Railway Act is passed. In order to expand into Western Canada the Grand Trunk Railway agrees to build a line from Moncton, New Brunswick to Quebec, then on a more northerly route than on any other transcontinental line to a point on the British Columbia Coast, which was to become Prince Rupert. The part between Moncton and Winnipeg was to be known as the National Transcontinental Railway and was to be built by the government. The line west of Winnipeg, to be known as the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, was to be built by the Grand Trunk itself.
* 1905, October 1st: - The Grand Trunk assumes control of the 460 mile Canada Atlantic system by agreement dated August 15th , 1904.
* 1909, October 17th: - first passenger train is operated over the National Transcontinental Railway east of Quebec City between Edmundston and Baker Lake, NB.
* 1914, October 13th: - The Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway is opened throughout between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ont.
* 1917, October 17th: - First train over the Quebec Bridge over the St. Lawrence. This was constructed by the Dominion Government for use by the National Transcontinental Railway. This bridge was notorious in that it fell down twice during construction:
* 1917, October 23rd: - The Canadian Railway War Board holds its first meeting in the Canadian Pacific Boardroom in Windsor Station, Montreal. The name was changed to the Railway Association of Canada in 1919. The RAC represents the interests of all railways operating in Canada.
* 1918, October 21st: - The Mount Royal Tunnel, Montreal, is opened for regular traffic by the Canadian Northern Railway which commences a through service between Montreal and Toronto via Hawkesbury and Ottawa. The first east bound train left Toronto at 23:00 on October 20 and the first westbound left Montreal at 08:15 on October 21.
* 1922, October 4th: - The Canadian National Railway Company becomes a corporate entity (order in council P.C. 2094).
*
Hi Tom and all.A tot of Wood's Navy Rum please RUTH to see if I can shake off this bug, feeling a lot better than I was at the weekend but still a bit fuzzy. Thanks for the good wishes.
ERIC Sorry to hear you are having problems with your computer. I hope you can get them fixed soon.
Many thanks for the link to the Australian Streetcar in San Francisco. I wonder if they had to add doors to the right hand side of the car.
The other Shay at Railtown was in the roundhouse, it is currently under repair but I was told it should be back in service in the next year or two.
Thanks for the photos. The depot in Stockholm looks very clean, is there a reason the middle locomotive is in a different livery. As to the Quiz I'm afraid I don't know the answer, but I know it looks very cold and I think the cameramen were wishing they were some place else, noticed the Amtrak cars in the far platform.
FERGIE. Hope we can get to see a photo of the Heavy Mountain when the MESS touches have been done.
LARS Many thanks for the encore of DOUG's great photos from the IRM, truly a museum well worth a visit. Strange to say but I really miss Doug's jokes.
Entirely agree with you about the NFL game in London, an exhibition game fine but not a league match. I have heard talk of a premier soccer league match being played over here. It seems the fans are being forgotten or ignored; what about a Dolphin's fan who as not missed a home game for years. If they are not careful they will kill the golden goose when the true fan says enough is enough and does not go to matches anymore.
ROB Great trolley photos. I see on the photo of the Witt 2786 it is carrying adverts on the front of the car like 2666 in the 1940s, is there a company where the museum can get these adverts to put on the preserved cars.
JAN Great choice of encore from Doug. What a great place Chicago must have been to a railfan when those photos were taken Thanks for the interesting photos. I guess those water barrels on the snowshed in Summit Mont were to put out any fires caused by the steam locomotives, I bet it was a hard job filling the barrels.
I guess that must have been a first run or another special event of the City of San Francisco but the number of folks around the locomotive.
Enjoyed the songs. It would be interesting to know how many steam locomotives are preserved in each country and of those how many are in working order; perhaps someone will do a survey. As you say Germany must be among the top with regard to preserved steam. Alan as just returned from Germany so I should be getting some more photos soon.
DL The photos of the roundhouse were at Chemitz. 18.201 was the locomotive that hauled a main line steam tour the next day. The tank engine is at the Nauderlausitzer Museumsbahn.
It seems they have done a really good job with St Pancras it is hard to believe that it very well could have disappeared in the 1960s. It appears that you gain access to the platforms from what was the underground vault that was used to store the barrels of beer from Burton-on Trent, for many years of the station's life.
I hope you have better luck in finding a copy of the Railway Magazine, I know the special issues tend to sell really well.
CM3 Really great report from the parade, probably the last time the Our Place darts team was reasonably sober for 3 days. The sight of Boris collecting the ‘Flying Fish' is a sight not easily forgotten.
Looking forward to the match reports.
TOM Many thanks for those great Alaska photos; I guess the restaurant was built on that bridge when the bridge above replaced it. Do all the Alaska Railroad locomotives have the Big Dipper on them. I believe that formation of stars is known as the Plough (Plow) in the UK. Glad there are
Hi Tom and all,
Tui`s all round please Leon, I might have a couple, as i`ve been out of the loop for a couple of days!
Tom. It`s great to be back on the site again! Reading through the posts I see Eric has had problems as well, it`s very frustrating not being able to join in. Really enjoyed all of the posts and pics of yours and Petes trip, the spectacular selection of Alaska pics and the Canadian RR history. I had a lot to ponder over to catch up with all the latest!
Lars. Nice pics on your re-post of Doug`s, and a great selection of book covers as well. Saw the finish of the Red Sox game on the tube last night, now thats what I call being "ecstatic" about a result, all the fans went ballistic!
Pete. Good shot mate, right in the keester! Good job that dart was sharp, it`s your turn for the bar tab next time. Their was a roundhouse at Sunderland if my memory serves me right, can`t find a photo of it anywhere yet despite a lot of search`s on the net. The Dockers Umbrella was, from memory, so called because they used to walk to work under it to keep dry from the rain, found a site about it at;
http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/liv/liverpool_lor.html
Enjoyed your trip info and all the pics and Alan`s pics were great. Keep your eye in for the next match mate!
Eric. Nice pic of the Melbourne tram, had a ride on them last time we were there in 1980, we were on our way to Perth, Western Australia, at the time and had a stop over to sample all the tourist options available, it`s a nice city. Enjoyed all your posts and pics.
Rob. A really nice selection of trolley`s on your posts, did you ever get to ride on a Brill trolley at all? They used to have them in Invercargill, NZ`s southern most city, we used to live there in the 70`s way after the tram`s were scrapped! They run a restored tram service loop in Christchurch city, only for a couple of blocks but it`s very popular with the tourist`s. You will find some info and pics at;
http://www.tram.co.nz/
Hope you find it interesting.
CM3. Really enjoyed your hilarious report of the parade, I do`nt seem to remember anything about it at all, must have had too many Wood`s Navy Rum`s with Pete then!
Dan. Great pics and info on that site about the St Pancras restoration, using King`s X a lot I used to always have a wander around while waiting for the train north if time permited, enjoyed all of your posts and info, nice links to the Royal Border Bridge. Nice write up on the TEE, used to use them in the 60`s from Bremen to Antwerp when going on leave from BAOR, used to be a great "LONG" train trip up to Newcastle and back, all paid for by HM government of course!
Jan. Great selection of steam loco`s mate, and thanks for the entertainment as well, as I said before we will have to call you the "Bar Bard"!
Fergie. Have got the Bachmann Light 4-8-2 in N gauge, it runs like a Swiss watch, do`nt know why a lot of RR modeler`s put down Bachmann so much? Does your`s have sound on board?
Per. Hope all`s going well for you fire wise now, saw that the wind was easing down a bit on the tube last night, hope they nail those arsonist`s soon, locking them up and throwing away the keys` would be the least I would do with them!
See ya, Allan
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, you look tired! Not enough sleep since last Thursday? I believe you. It was a tough weekend for most of us. I'll have a ham sandwich and an ice cold Keith's, please!
Things are back to normal again. My special "forum" browser decided to work again this evening without any help from me or anyone else.
Lars – I am afraid that Pennsylvania is the wrong answer. It’s from the east coast. See answer at the bottom of this post.Always nice with dome pictures! Especially #881 Silver Crescent! Gas here is $2.65. That is more than enough!Interesting book (and video-) covers! I think I’ll pick the last one, Those Incredible Alcos, Volume 3. JanOlov – Cleaning again!? I guess that is necessary after this last weekend. Amazing how dirty everything was after a couple of dart games. Thanks for the lyrics! Just wish I could sing. I can play the recordings though!I really don’t know much about the situation in Chicago today when it comes to railroad stations. Wish Barndad Doug was here to answer that question. Nice pictures of the double- and triple headers! Tom – Interesting to read about the signinficant events in Canadian RR History during the month of October! Converting 481 miles of track from 5’6” to 4’ 8 1/2” in 24 hours is almost unbelievable! It certainly is amazing!What bout General Motors Train of Tomorrow from 1949? What the heck was that? Fergie – I bet it’s even frostier in the Rockies this morning after the Broncos loss to the Packers on OT! But I am happy!DL – It is interesting to see how many countires have a certain style on their railroad equipment, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, whatever. Thanks for all the info on the TEEs! CM3 – Glad the ether finally cleared! A very fine and explaining report about what happened just before the first game! Or was it the third? I can’t say I remember, but I know it was this year! I think. Pete – I am quite sure those Australian streetcars already had doors on both sides when they arrived to Seattle. Thanks for the info on the other Shay!The middle locomotive in my picture was/is in a different livery because the railroad tested a darker blue to replace the other blue color. Interesting pictures with all those signs! And the faked steam locomotive parts! I saw the sign, Gillette, Wyo, which reminds me about a night in a motel in Gillette. Interesting town! Allan – On the way to Perth? By train? That is a long journey! Should be something else. Pete asked about adding doors on the right side on those streetcars but I think they already had doors on both sides. Am I right?
MARC F9 #83 (former Burlington Northern), Union Station, Washington D.C.
The Quiz: The answer.
South Station, Boston, January 1993.
Eric
Tuesday - one of those less exciting days of the week where perhaps the best one can say about it is that it ISN'T Monday! <grin>
The pastries are fresh in The Mentor Village Bakery case - coffee has been freshly ground 'n brewed AND there's plenty to order from our Menu Board selections of <light> 'n <traditional> breakfasts.
TOMORROW is HALLOWEEN - "Our" Place costume party begins at sundown - costumes encouraged!
Also the "theme" will be the ERIE Railroad - so let's see some offerings from the crew in the form of something about the ERIE RR!
Monday - 29 Oct 2007:
Fergie (Fergmiester) at 7:05 AM: Nice way to begin a Monday with a visit from our Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner!
LotsaSoxfans in the Maritimes - ‘n why not I mean it's called "new" England down Boston way for a reason, eh
Would dearly love to visit at this time of year - however, the bride's schedule simply doesn't permit it. College is in session ‘n that means so is she! <groan> However, the "up side" to that is she's contributing to "keeping" me in the lifestyle to which I've grown accustomed! <grin>
No Keiths, no Moi!
Would love to see some MESS fotos w/descriptions next time you have a "free" Wednesday - which is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day ‘round these parts.
Always thinking about additions to the pike, eh So what's wrong with THAT those of us in the hobby say <grin>
Got some news from the Can-Am Trainroom - I've finally begun construction of the subway system beneath Can-Am City! All the materials ‘n "stuff" has been on board for over a year - just haven't had the motivation. It's returning - slowly, but returning - as winter sets in, I'm sure I'll be "good to go"! <grin> Definitely will have it done before the gang arrives for Rendezvous III in May!
Appreciate the visit.
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:17 AM: Wouldn't be the beginning of a new week without our Manager on board - great to see ya, Mate!
Great idea for a Wednesday theme - ERIE RR it will be for tomorrow! Very, very appropriate for Halloween!
As usual, a fine array of covers for us to peruse ‘n enjoy. You certainly provided an interesting mix . . . well done! Of course the Pennsy Sharknose <Baldwin> "did it" for Moi! <sweet!>
Baseball I'm glad it's FINALLY finished! <geesh> Far too long ‘n far too much hype. I cannot STAND that "Fox person" who does the pre-game stuff <arrrrrrrggggghhhhh> I'd put her up on the bow of my ship, hand her a broom ‘n let her call herself a mine sweeper! <Good Gawd Gertie!> Enuf is Enuf! <groan>
Received your personal Email ‘n response on the way - thanx!
Thanx for the continuing support!
Jan (JanOlov) at 11:04 AM: Quick hit - but helps to keep us "up on the Forum's Page"!
Dan (DL-UK) at 12:36 PM: I had heard of the "changes" taking place in the UK regarding the dining cars ‘n it all sounded soooooooo familiar, especially given what VIA Rail has done ‘n is still trying to do. Doing away with a full service diner with a real Chef is simply not acceptable. Terrible - but the "bean counters" are only looking at cost efficiencies, not at making the passengers comfortable, much less well fed! <barf on ‘em all!> In other words: blow it into the wind, Mate! <arrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh>
A fantastic insight to the St. Pancras station - what a structure ‘n what foresight those "back in the day" had when it was erected. Many thanx!
I do think we've either seen an article very similar on Pages past . . . nevertheless, there's a bunch to learn ‘n appreciate. Hope the guys take advantage of the link!
I'd think that once inside such a marvelous structure - g
Good Morning Captain Tom and Sundry!
I'll take the Corned Beef Hash Special with a couple of Runny Poached on top Please and Thanks
siberianmo wrote:LotsaSoxfans in the Maritimes - ‘n why not I mean it's called "new" England down Boston way for a reason, eh No Keiths, no Moi! Would love to see some MESS fotos w/descriptions next time you have a "free" Wednesday - which is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day ‘round these parts.
Before the Jays Lisa was a Bo Sox fan so she has an alternate when T.O. drops the ball.
You'll have to wait for photos as the M.E.S.S. is really messed up at present (looks like a nuclear test site)
Tom rest assured there will always be Kieth's on hand when you visit!
Eric: GB was my second choice for this weeks game but I figured the altitude was a definite factor. None the less "she was a tight one!'
Anyway I must run as I got 2 cords of wood still left o stack
Later
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please m(New England Breakfast Blend); round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Gas went up $.16/gal between breakfast and lunch yesterday. It's now $3.05. We are still savoring the Red Sox and that is the operative word. 2004 was an exorcism, but this year is much different.
Now let's go through the stack of stuff.
Rob stopped by with comments and pictures. I enjoyed the PCC photo.
Jan visited with some interesting steam pictures and a good take on "Mystery Train" as well as a few other tunes.
Eric - You answered the quiz question before I could. Anyway, it's track 16 at South Station. For those not familiar with the place, Amtrak operates on the left three to four tracks if you are in the concourse facing toward the platforms. Commuter stuff runs on the right hand side. The Amtrak tracks (jeez is that a busted construction or what) back in the day belonged to the New Haven. B&A trains operated on the right hand side. Now 448 and 449 run on the Amtrak side even though they operate on the B&A. It is confusing, but at least we still have a train. Now the picture of the electrification is just below New Haven. Interesting part of that is the picture shows an anchor bridge in the foreground. Check out the concrete structures on the right side - all relics of the NH electrification. This has all changed now.
Lars sent dome pictures and some neat book covers. Come to the rendezvous and see LV material.
DL - Thanks for the TEE posts. I am so far behind that I'm going back to get ahead.
Fergie visited as well - any ideas for new power? I have a NYNH&H GP9 on order - if it ever gets here. I hate buying w/o seeing something, but I did make an exception in this case.
Pete must be in sad shape if he's drinking Nelson's blood.
OSP has been keeping things going with more Alaska pictures - like the livery on the SD70. Hornblower and Stooges continue - I have enjoyed all of them. BTW, I finally got a chance to watch my DVD of "Master and Commander." Outstanding! A lawn plug aerator? I could have sent the K9 Korps out to see you - parts of our yard look like Verdun. Thanks also for the Canadian historical material. The GT wireless is sort of like what our reporter uses.
Oh, look! Tex is over by the superhet tapping on the tubes. I think he's got it - wow, what a shot! Rockets red glare, indeed! Even though he's taken a lot of voltage, he keeps coming back. Anyway, our reporter got through.
Match One - Our Place Wins
Greetings from our Vantage Point High atop Majestic Mount Mentor where we are watching a situation that is truly telegraphically tumultuous.
We think that the results of the first match are in. And, as always, it was quite an exorcize (Exercise, Awk!) The first rule of good reporting is to announce the score. All we can say here is that Our Place won.
Initially the match proceeded in a straightforward manner. However, it is a shame that there are no rules for offensive and defensive interference in darts as both sides tried to jostle their opponent off line, off target, and sometimes under the pool tables or in one case behind the jukebox. We wonder where Lars learned to power lift like that.
The Second place boys as we mentioned had new hides for uniforms. They were quite powerful (both the throwers and the uniforms) in the confined space of Our Place. Even Boris looked a little green around the gills, or whatever it is he breathes through.
Our Place lost the toss because one of the Second Place players ate the coin while it was in mid toss.
Your reporter, near the exit as always, noted down the scores. Doug was the last one to throw for Second Class. He put two right in the center of the double bull's eye - a new record for Our Place tournaments, although your reporter firmly believes that there is a lot of bull that flys around there most of the time. Things didn't look too good for Our Place, but they were about to change in a hurry.
Doug stepped off the distance and stood calmly facing the target. I could tell it was a tense situation just from his body language - but, we don't use words like that here. The Second Class backers grew quiet while the Our Place aficionados raised their voices in an attempt to distract him.
It grew quiet on both sides just as he drew back his massive arm to make the toss. Your reporter could clearly hear the sounds of a freight train arriving on the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge. Then the windows burst inward and the genial saloon by the tracks was filled with a herd of very angry kangaroos, fire in their eyes, blood lust raised, well you get the idea; we never want to be accused of over dramatization.
The kangaroos went to work and in no time the Second Class boys were defenestrated and sent rapidly up the street toward their camp. Our Place claimed the victory.
There was a lot of paper and debris in the air as the hide-covered villains ran away. One of the papers turned out to be a crumpled up waybill from the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge. Idly, your reporter spread it out and studied the writing. The line on the bill that had originally said, "Three carloads of wannabees" had been changed to "Three carloads of wallabies." Clearly something had happened.
In the interests of full reportage, I adjourned to the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge freight yard where I found the genial freight conductor, Ruff Track, looking at his paperwork. "I don't have a clue," he said. "The papers said three carloads of wannabees and it got changed to wallabies." He shrugged his shoulders, and said, "They never know what they want, all I do is get ‘em down the road."
I asked the yardmaster and he said that, "Somehow when changing trucks from standard to narrow gauge before heading to Mentor, the wrong cars got switched into the train." He then told me that, "We were supposed to have three loads of people who wanted to learn how to play darts ride the train to Mentor." They're still back at Odoriferous Junction wondering what happened to their excursion train."
Clearly, this was a cause for some thinking. It occurred to me that people wishing to learn to play darts could be called "wannabees." That made sense.
Then the rest of the pieces fell into place as Artie flew in, dropped a quarter in the jukebox and punched up "Hiding Place." I then figured out that the Second Class Boys' uniforms were made from kangaroo hide. Clearly, then, the wallabies had sought revenge. Somehow, the telegraph had been sabotaged and the waybills changed. I asked Artie if he had cut into the wire and sent a new message. I asked him who would do a thing like that. He nodded his head and replied, "Whoo!"
Ruth my deAH, time again for a bit of breakfast ‘n a mugga Joe with a jolt! My, my you are lookin' mighty temptin' this fine day. Dontchajustluv this time of year
Boris, that small jar of PPF has your name on it IF you feed the crittAHs - so hop to, mate - ‘n let's get a move on. <geesh>
Tuesday at the Bar by the Ballast ‘n not really much to report. Baseball is through <finally> - but the New YAWK papers are full of A-Rod this ‘n A-Rod that. I KNEW it was a "bust" when the Yanks got him - I knew it, knew it, knew it! Money talks, huh Well apparently not in his case - for a King's ransom isn't what he wants - it's probably something far more like EGO FOOD <whatever that is!> <geesh> Good riddance - hope my Mets don't fall for this crap. We don't need him, thank you very much!
Do think that Joe Giradi is a good choice. Also am hoping that the other Joe <Torre> takes the job 'n his guys to Dodgerville out there on the left coast. He's good for the game 'n the Dodgers remain one of the bettAH organizations <or-gan-eye-zay-shuns for the Canadians in the crowd!>
Hockey hasn't really gotten off to the start I had hoped for my Rangers - although there's lotsatimeleft for that, huh I'm liking the way the JINTS have rebounded ‘n made themselves into serious contenders for their division championship. Of course, whoever faces the AFC in the Super Bowl is going to have their hands full with either the Colts or Patriots. I'm picking New England to go all the way. AFC seems to have the bettAH of it in spite of my allegiance to the NFC. Oh yeah, haven't even gotten interested in b-ball <yet>.
For the trivia buffs out there - who recalls the teams that were moved from the old NFL into the new AFC when both leagues <NFL ‘n AFL> merged Now that's the easy part - next, who remembers the Super Bowls won by those "new" AFC teams <dooo dooo doooo do, doooo doooo dooooo do, dooot dooot doot, doot doot doot doot> Yeah, I can't carry a tune - but youse guyz who watch the tube should know that one! <grin>
Hey - I see Da Bossman picked up on my e-mail request to make Halloween also a THEME for Erie <and Erie-Lackawana> Railroad Day! Each one of you should come up with at least one submission with "stuff" that will support this call for participation!
I'm a bit behind in my "in depth" reading- so forgive me if it appears I'm ignoring any one - don't mean to!
Things at the homefront are a bit hectic ‘n I prepare many of these beforehand . . . just to make sure that I have something to submit each morning. Again, sorry if it appears that I'm ignoring anyone.
Yeah Pete - I think you haven't received all of the e-mail "stuff" that has been going on. Da Bossman had requested the guyz to include everyone on his original - but you know how that goes sometimes, huh But I think the support has been terrific ‘n shows that we have sufficient numbers to keep to the precepts (rules) on page one and also keep arm's length from any difficulties with the host! <uh oh>
Glad to see you made it back!
Fergie the sailor - two days in a row! I guess this calls for a Keiths on me for the man from Nova Scotia!
Ok Eric - so Pennsylvania ain't even close - but at least I tried!
Great report from Shane - just got it B4 posting this one . . . good thing our ace reporter isn't doing this for money, for the "news" should be called "archives"!
Time again boyz ‘n goils for the Larsman Mobile! What do we have on this fine day
Trackside in the Erie Lackawanna New Jersey Commuter Zone
Erie-DL&W
Erie Railroad Trackside
Erie Railroad Facilities, Vol 3- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Good morning Ruth. I'll just have the splashed coffee and leave some cash for the afternoon stragglers.I'm just fighting off the end of the same plague that's likely felled Pete, not a particuarly happy little bug.
Tom-Some great Alaska photo's, countryside that I would like to get to at some point in my life.Nice to see the Canadian rail events are still arriving on a reguilar basis, thanks for sharing them You always know that the wellcome mat's out for you and your bride should you travel above the 49th. I amy get to see the mountians fairly regularly in the comming years as well,sister #2 and family are moving back to BC sounds like an excuse for a rail journey or three ! Your right looks like I messed up the spelling on 4600's picture code , oh well KI'm not going to go back and edit it that picture can keep for next week.
Lars-Nice to see the domes again, also good to hear that you did indeed survive more or less intact from the darts tourneyI for one am glad the baseball drudgery is over for the year. It's a sport I love playing or watching live but I can never enjoy it on the tube , not unlike golf it's not a made for TV sport.
Eric-107 is an interurban combine car ( built in 1912 ) You can see teh fair sized baggage end on it's number two end. Like all of the MS&C's cars they were designed for inner city service 75hp motoors (4 ) they are all double ended and could MU to all of the MS&C's equipment. 107 and sister 106 were the only baggage combines on the railway.They were used mostly in summer service only carrying golf clubs and vacation gear for the Montrealers heading ouit of the city to the southern counties to their summer and weekend homes.
Jan-Some fine fine posts from Barndad's barn. thanks for dredging them out
Allan-I've ridden on many a Brill product though all were North American prototype. Mind you their are alot of Brill products I've not had the pleasure of seeing or riding on as none exist today. the problem will brill designs is that Brill was the EMD of the electric railway world building everything from box freight motors to buses and trolley coaches and everything in between.
CM3- Another fine set of reports from our roving ( some would say raving mad reporter for the lenghts he goes to imbed himself in the action ) I hear that PETA may be after Boris for his shall we say questionable fishing practices.Their dilemma is that he is not quite human and they are unsure as how to proceed, so they may just go after the narrow guage for their mishandling of the wallabee's.I'm not so sure that the ending of the match could be construed as fair but all's fair in love / war and apparently dartsI'm waiting on the edge of my seat no Boris you don't need to install another stool belt for me <geesh>For the remainder of the report.
Pete-Love the pictures from Allan , still too abd we can't get hiom to settle in here with us, I think he could handle our lot of regulars and irregulars here. Hope you can get past the plague, it really is not a happy sort of cold/flu.
Fergie-They don't serve Keith's that's an outrage that an establishement in NS would deem not to serve Keith's finest.I ahve to say that heather and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Keith's brewery when we were in Halifax this summer.On an unrelated note you amy want to defrost your front door
TTFN Rob
Greetings Master Tom and fellow members of the Brotherhood....
Barkeep.....an extra cold Guinness for me, top up with cigars for laddies please....get yourself something as well....
$$$$ cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....better put few in for our (maybe) artclub....$$$$
DL - UK, I completely agree with you mate. I'd love to have been able to go back in time to see Chicago, New York and many other beautiful stations in their busy glory days...
coalminer3, still having a few blanks after the big night.... Anytime mate....
Tom, another fantastic Feature Post from our revered leader.... The GM Train Of Tomorrow is something that I missed, I really look forward to this one mate....
pwolfe, nice pics mate....! I liked that post from barndad as well, great pics and writing.... I look forward to more pics from you....
Gunneral, anytime mate....
EricX2000, you got to be kidding me.....! I was gonna answer Boston, because of the MBTA(?) engine, but though.....naaahh! Any idea how many F's still running today in commuter service? Oh well, better luck next time.....
Da Larsman, great covers mate, one of my best friends back in the old country is a ERIE, DL&W and EL fanatic and I'm sure that he'd love these....
All the best laddies...
Now Arriving on Track #1
Back in the Day - Number Six
The GM Train of Tomorrow
Caveat: The following material is from http://www.trainweb.org/ and in absence of any prohibition for use is provided solely for the enjoyment of those who frequent "Our" Place. There is no intent to misuse or profit from the use of this material.
The central idea for this train originated with General Motors in 1944, (read about it here)and subsequent practical suggestions from railway officers and transportation experts were combined in a four-car Astra Dome train which included an Electro-Motive 2,000-hp. Diesel locomotive, one chair car, one sleeper, one dining car and one observation-lounge car. Electro-Motive engineers of the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company developed detail engineering designs with the help of GM stylists and built the cars.The E.- M. 2,000-hp. Diesel locomotive was 71 ft. long and had a loaded weight of 318,000 lb. Each of the cars was 85 ft. long. The chair car had a weight of 147,000 lb. and a seating capacity of 72, including the Astra Dome. The dining car had a weight of 160,000 lb. and seating capacity of 52, including 18 in the Astra Dome and 10 in the private dining room. The total refrigeration space supplied in the car was 111 cu. ft., and had ice-making capacity of 225 lbs of ice cubes in 24 hr.The sleeping car had a weight of 150,000 lb. and passenger capacity of 24 sitting and 20 sleeping, exclusive of 24 seats in the Astra Dome. This car was designed with two three-berth drawing rooms, eight duplex roomettes for single occupancy, and, under the dome, 3 compartments, each with 2 lengthwise lower berths. The observation car had a weight of 141,000 lb. and seating capacity of 68. The car was designed with a rear main lounge, cocktail lounge, lower bar and Astra Dome.The total length of the train, including the locomotive, was 411 ft.; car heights, rail to Astra Dome roofs, 15 ft. 6 in.; empty weight, 920,000 lb.; loaded weight, 977,000 lb.; exterior finish, steel and glass, blue and silver; interior finish, metals, wood plastics and fabrics in 37 colors; total passenger capacity, 216.
GM Train of Tomorrow <foto credit: unknown>
The exterior of the train was finished with a glistening blue-green on its sides and roof, punctuated by decorative moldings and sheathing below the windows which had a bright, silver finish.Finally, after the war, General Motors ordered the four-car demonstrator set from Pullman. The all-dome train was delivered in May 1947 and toured the country as the GM "Train of Tomorrow". The consist went on exhibition tours totalling 65,000 miles. After the tour ended in 1950, the Union Pacific purchased the equipment for it's contribution to pool service in the Seattle-Portland run with NP & GN.
Train of Tomorrow <model>
<GM Train of Tomorrow - foto credit: unknown>
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Enjoy!
Missed any
Back in the Day
#1 Pullman Company . . . . Page 102
#2 The Singing Brakeman . . . Page 103
#3 The Chiefs of the Santa Fe . . . Page 116
#4 The TurboTrain - Part I . . . Page 126
#5 The Turbo Train - Part II . . . Page 126
Hi Tom and all.
I had better keep on the rum for a little while please RUTH.
Halloween came a little early last evening as we had a bat in the house, we think it came in when the bride left the door open on the deck while she went down to the car, anyway I was upstairs when there was a lot of barking and the bride yelled for me to come down.
Our 15-pound pooch thought it was a great new flying toy, and my first job was to put her upstairs out of the way. I went to find my work gloves but by this time the bride had caught in the bat in a box and we were able to release it with no damage to the bat or us.
ALLAN Many thanks for the link to the Liverpool Overhead Railway, It contain a lot of new features when it first opened. I bet it would have been a great tourist attraction if it could have survived today. I recall that there is a very early moving picture film of the L.O.R., which I am sure I have seen on a video somewhere.
I think what is now part of Merseyrail the Mersey Railway was electrified early on in 1903 after opening in 1886.Their cars had a very American look to them, the grade in the Mersey tunnel was 1 in 27 and the conditions in the tunnel,when steam locomotives worked the line before electrification, must have been terrible.
I see from CM3's match report a victory in the first match from a most unexpected source.
ERIC Did the darker blue on the electrics find favor. With the first AC electrics on BR West Coast line were introduced in the early1960s a lighter blue was used called ‘Electric Blue', later in the 1970s a darker blue called BR Blue the same as all the BR locomotives were painted as they came for overall, was applied to the electrics.
I would have guessed it was Boston South if there had been overhead wires up.
FERGIE That looks a great way of keeping the Keith's cool.
CM3 Does the MBTA have electric or diesel locomotives on the Providence to Boston South line.
ARTIE comes to the rescue in the first match of Darts Tournament. Great report, the sight of the Second Class boys heading up main street heading for home chased by a herd of angry kangaroos will live on in Mentor Village folklore. I fear what the Second Class will do in Match 2.
LARS Was Kansas City the football team in the quiz.
Great start to the ‘ERIE' day tomorrow with those great bookcovers. It seems by the covers, there was a slight difference in styles between the buildings in New York and New Jersey, and the Alcos look good in Erie colors.
ROB If it is the same bug we have both got it is indeed a devious one. I was pretty well out of it all day Sunday and even now when you think you over it an hour later you are like a damp rag again. The cough is the worse.. I hope you get over your bug very soon.
Thanks for the kind words on Alan's photos. Hopefully we will have some more photos from him soon, on the last lot Alan got back from the developers the disc was faulty but he said he will get it fixed for us.
PER Glad you enjoyed the photos. The next ones will be from San Francisco.
TOM It will be good to see the Can-Am subway working at the Rendezvous.
Thanks for the info on the Big Dipper, many times I have seen it here in Missouri and though it would still be visible in the UK. The bride's brother's house in the countryside is a really wonderful place to observe the stars with no light pollution.
I guess I must have missed the hump yard in Moncton, I guess it only sees a fraction of the work it handled in 1960 when it opened.
The GM's Train of Tomorrow is a great inclusion for Back in the Day. The all dome train must have looked a wonderful sight in that blue-green livery, and what price to travel in an all dome train today. I wond
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, tonight I would love to have my weekly Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Fries, please. And a cold Tui!
After reading the Match One report I understand why Jan had to clean Our Place again! Considering all Wallabies and the dust and flying debris I am surprised that this place is still standing!
Tom – Tuesday is a better day than Monday because it is 24 hours closer to Friday! Most interesting info on the Train of Tomorrow! Too bad no railroad ever ordered it. It would be a perfect train for “Our” Place! I better get a lottery ticket! Fergie – Halifax must be a perfect place for Tom! Railroads, snow and cold beer! GB should be your first choice!!! Always!CM3 – Sorry for being too fast with the Quiz answer! I was sure you knew the answer! Most interesting report from Match One! That gave me answers to several of my questions. Now I know where all the dust and debris flying around came from. I couldn’t see the target for a long time. Three carloads of wallabies! Quite a few, quite a few!Now I am eagerly looking forward to the Match Two report!Lars – Yes, you tried and Pennsylvania is much closer to Boston than Arizona so I give you 50% right (corret continent!). Nice Erie book covers! Erie has an interesting history but I don’t have a chance to put something together for today. Way too little time. Rob – Thanks for the info on #107! 4x 75 hp motors, that should give them a decent acceleration. JanOlov – I am afraid I don’t have the answer to your question. In other words, I don’t know how many (if any) F’s that are still running in commuter service. Pete – The dark blue color was popular but now they paint the locomotives black!! I liked the orange color they used to have. There were no overhead wires at the South Station in 1993! No, X2000 was not the last train to tour the Amtrak system. The German ICE train did a tour a month after the X2000. See the mug below.
The ICE Train mug, including map of the National Tour!
Round for all!!
Wednesday's Witticism
It's all right to take your time in a gun fight just as long as you're the first to shoot.
Wednesday - mid-week in Can-Am County! All's ready from the galley for a fine start to the day - so, draw a mug of freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - check out the pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board! No better way to begin the day than right here with us!
Want to thank those of you who have kept to a "slot" while Posting at the bar. Having at least one guy provide material at each of 4 key times <morning - noon - mid-late afternoon - evening> makes all the difference. Many thanx, Gents!
Also should make mention of our Resident Nocturnal customer - while there's hardly a chance to interact during that time, it IS appreciated to have a customer then - if for no other reason than to keep Leon awake!
When you review these daily summaries - check the times of the Posts. It should be most evident where help is needed. If you can - do it!
Fergie (Fergmiester) at 7:44 AM: The MESS is in a mess Tell me it isn't so, Fergie - tell me it isn't so! <awwwwwwwwww>
Assuming your bride never was an Expo's fan, eh We watched the Cardinals play a doubleheader up there while spending an extra day in Montréal before boarding our favorite train <then> the "Ocean" bound for Halifax.
We stayed in the same hotel as the Cardinals ‘n as a matter of fact, Joe Torre was their manager then. Got to speak with him ‘n several others at the hotel. Was quite a treat! We enjoyed all of the games at Olympic Stadium and back then, there was perhaps the FINEST buffet known to man kind located inside the place. It carried the name of one of the Expos more famous UTBs (used to be) - Rusty Staub <Le Grande Orange> - ‘n I can still taste the fresh shrimp, roast beef, etc. . . fantastic way to "fill up" before the game <or after>!! <urp>
Our last game was against the Padres a few years back - you could count the crowd - the buffet was long gone ‘n the handwriting was on the wall for the demise of the team. A shame, as a long history of pro-baseball was coming to an end. Didjaknow that Montréal used to be a farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers Yup, lotsa famous players passed through that area including Jackie Robinson.
Always a Keiths on board, eh Well home come you never offered one last time I visited your abode?!?!?! <you owe me at least ONE!>
Good to see ya ‘n appreciate the visit!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:14 AM: Filled up the bride's car Sunday when it was $2.70 (rounded), topped mine off yesterday at $2.67. Made a "killing," eh Nooooooot!
Email received - response en route . . . thanx!
Have a question for you regarding "back in the day" - in the 1950s, did a rail connection exist between South ‘n North Stations Talking about 1952-55 . . . . wonderin' because for some strange reason, I just don't remember how we got to Boston Gardens after leaving the train from New York . . used to go up to catch the Celtics - doubleheaders on Sundays, if you recall! Anyway, refresh my grey matter, puleeeze!
Concur - Master & Commander is one fine flick - sure wish the "star" would consent to a sequel . . . but I suppose if that ever happens, someone else will assume the role. It's on our list of movies to watch annually . . . some fine extra features on the DVD too!
Live ‘n learn with plug aerating: Lesson One - don't walk on the lawn unless you change your shoes before returning to the abode! Those plugs are everywhere ‘n we can't blame it all on Juneau! <grin>
Kangaroos??? Defenestrated???? We won! We won! The plot thickens for Game #2! <ooooooooh>
Most appreciative of the Ace Reporter's report - funny, the kangaroos are a mere distant memory from night #1 . . . . hmmmmmmmm. Quarters ‘n round always a good thing!
As called for by Manager Lars - this day of Halloween is ERIE Railroad day at the Tavern by the Tracks! We're hoping our customers will submit material relevant to this theme!
Didjaknow that CM3 Shane was the guy who came up with using the Erie for our Halloween theme back in 2005
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #27
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 152, 31 Oct 2005 on the Original Thread>
Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
Erie Railroad
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: Cleveland, OH Mileage in 1950: 2,341 Locomotives in 1960: Diesel: 695 Rolling stock in 1960: Freight cars: 20,372 Passenger cars: 519
Principal routes in 1950: Jersey City-Paterson, NJ-Middletown-Hornell, NY-Youngstown, OH-Chicago (Hammond-Chicago via rights on the Chicago & Western Indiana) Marion-Dayton-Cincinnati, OH (Dayton-Cincinnati via rights on the B&0) Hamilton, OH-Indianapolis, IN (rights on the B&O) Leavittsburg-Cleveland, OH Pymatuning, PA-Leavittsburg, OH Hornell-Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Salamanca-Dunkirk, NY Corning (Painted Post)-Attica, NY Avon-Rochester, NY River Junction-Cuba Junction, NY Carrolton, NY-Eleanora Jct., NY (Brockway-Eleanora Jct. via B&O rights) Corning, NY-Newberry, Jct., PA Lanesboro-Wilkes Barre & Scranton, PA Lackawaxen-Avoca, PA Newburgh Jct.-Campbell Hall-Graham, NY Maybrook-Pine Island, NY Croxton (Jersey City)-Nyack, NY Piermont-Suffern, NY NY&NJ Jct.,-Ridgewood Jct. Paterson (Newark Jct.)-Newark, NJ Croxton-Midvale, NJ
Passenger trains of note: Erie Limited (Jersey City-Chicago & Buffalo) Lake Cities (Jersey City-Cleveland & Buffalo; later extended to Chicago) Pacific Express (Jersey City-Chicago) Atlantic Express (Chicago-Jersey City) Midlander (Jersey City-Chicago) Southern Tier Express (Buffalo-Hornell-Jersey City) Mountain Express (Jersey City-Hornell) Tuxedo (Jersey City-Port Jervis)
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Some drumheads of the Erie
Ruth my deAH, it's Halloween ‘n I love that costume! French maids have always been my FAY-VOR-ITES! <blush> A round for the house - treats for the crittAHs - a mugga Joe with a jolt for me, ‘n the PPF for Boris! Change is for you, my deAH! <grin>
Comments to the bare bones:
Eric - As I said the other day, I'll give you a "buck three ninety eight for the two mugs!" <read the woIds!!>
Pete - I think I'd be ashamed of myself! <uh oh>
Go back ‘n read the quiz questions again! <geesh> Cut the man "off"!! <double geesh>
Rob - I like baseball on the tube - just need to turn down the "talk" - gets to me after awhile. Coverage is great though . . .
Jan - If your friend is "into" the Erie, then be sure to get some "stuff" for posting TODAY!!!
Cap'n Tom - Many thanks for the GM Train of Tomorrow that you posted yesterday ‘n the Erie Fallen Flag this morning! Always on top of things ‘round here and quite frankly, without you doing it, this joint would fall flat on it's keester. With only 3 or 4 to be counted on, we're really not as "flush" as one might think. Anyway - nice jobS!
Shane - Hilarious! Only you would ‘n could come up with something like that!
Ah, the arrival of the Larsman Mobile!
Theme for Halloween - The Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad in Color
Diamondbugs - Erie Railroad
Erie Lackawana Through Passenger Service in Color
Erie Lackawana in Color - Vol 3, The East End
Erie-Lackawana in Color - Vol4, The Early Years
A Colorful Look at the Erie Lackawana - An employee's photo essay
Remember guyz - where there's a WILL there's a WAY! It ain't that hard to come up with a little something to help the "cause" - doesn't have to be an extravaganza. <geesh>
Ruth, I'll be up in the Penthouse Suite when you take your break - <ahem> admin work awaits!
I'll have a pint of bitter please.
Pete - thanks for the German info - must be part of a former East German railway system that retained the steam stuff, something to thank the iron curtain for!
St Pancras - yes, you could not see the vaulted area yet, but to complement that article I posted there is a picture gallery here which others might be interested to see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/gallery/2007/oct/11/architecture.transportintheuk?picture=330936235
CM3 - pretty hot shot reporting I must say! Glad you liked the TEE stuff.
Lars - nice book covers!
Allan - nice link on the Liverpool Overhead Railway - if you are interested in it you will enjoy this link with some superb historic colour shots and then a page by page listing of all the stations with then and now pictures. I know others in have an interest in docks and ships so might like this:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/features/index.shtml
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/p/princes_dock/index.shtml
The whole site is building up a superb archive of pics of closed stations - there may be some others from the north east you knew listed on the A-Z index on this page:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/sites.shtml
Were you in Germany on National Service or as a ‘regular'?
Tom - I enjoyed the Train of Tomorrow info. Subway at Can Am - great - what are you modelling it on? I'd like to think the early days of the TTC with its British built metro cars in their silver livery!
Cheers
Greetings Tom and fellow bar visitors....
May I have the usual extra cold Guinness and top up with cigars for the lads please...? Get yourself something as well.....
I'll have to get back again later on.....still trying to get some sleep....must be overtired.
Great posts one and all!
The Erie Railroad bought more "Berkshire" type locomotives than any other railroad and was the only one to have purchased them from each of the big three locomotive builders.
In 1927, the Erie purchased twenty-five "Berkshires" from the American Locomotive Company, designated them as class S-1 and numbered them 3300 through 3324. In the same year the Erie placed an order with the Lima Locomotive Works for twenty-five more, this group was designated Class S-2 and were numbered 3325 through 3349.
The Baldwin Locomotive Works received an order for thirty-five "Berkshires" from the Erie in 1928. They were designated as Class S-3 and assigned road numbers 3350 through 3384. A final twenty "Berks" were ordered in 1928 and came from Lima in 1929. This group was designated as Class S-4 and carried road numbers 3385 through 3404.
All four classes were built to the same specifications, which included: 70" diameter drivers, 28.5" x 32" cylinders, a 225 psi boiler pressure and a tractive effort of 71,000 pounds. The Class S-1 locomotives weighed 443,000 pounds, the Class S-2 weighed 457,500 pounds, the Class S-3 weighed 461,000 pounds and the Class S-4 weighed 468,800 pounds.
This fleet of 105 "Berkshires" changed the Erie from a classic drag freight operation to a fast freight railroad in just two years.
Erie 2522 was built in 1912 by Rogers, founded in the on-line city of Paterson, NJ in 1835, and which had become part of American Locomotive Works in 1905. It was in many respects a copy of "Harriman" style Pacifics on the Union Pacific. Originally main-line passenger power, replacing Atlantics and ten Wheelers, it followed the typical path of steam locomotives, being downgraded to lesser trains as larger Pacifics came onto the Erie roster, until ultimately, as here in 1948, it served as North Jersey commuter power. The difference was that the K-5s, which replaced 2522, were not displaced by newer steam engines but by diesels.
Erie 2938 is a K-5, USRA 4-6-2B, or "heavy Pacific". It was built by Alco in Richmond, 1919. As was the case with all of the 2900s, it was equipped after delivery with an Elesco closed feedwater heater. Later K-5A types built by Baldwin in 1923 were also equipped with the same feedwater heater, but also had their boiler pressure raised to 210 psi, with an increase in starting tractive effort to 46,100 pounds. The later locomotives were retrofitted with cast steel engine beds, including airpump shields on the pilot. Some K5 and all K5A locomotives were equipped with BoxPox type disc drivers, not necessarily on all axles. Some K-5A received large Berkshire style tenders.
Credit: Photographers unknown, Steamlocmotive.com, rr-fallenflags.org
Happy Halloween everybody at the bar!
Ruth, may I have a ham sandwich for lunch, please, and a pint of dark ale, the best you have.
I'm back from a couple of days in Boston, great time even though it rained a bit and the early morning chill woke you up with a bang! The World Series was finalized while I was there so I stayed indoors to avoid the rowdy crowds.
I did see the home plate location for the very first World Series, though, and that's today's trivia question: Where is it located? (I only have what I've been told to go after, so don't tweet me too loudly if my answers is not what you think).
My PC is still sick (but I know how to fix it now; it's just going to take a while) so I need to be short this time.
There have been a number of great posts already today. Tom's expose of the Erie was an interesting reading and the book offers from the Lars Mobile were great as usual. Eerie Lack of Money is a railroad I know very little about, except what I read in a Trains article a couple of years back. Apparently the people who had held on to the stock long after the railroad stopped operating made a killing on the sale at the very end.
Tom, I liked the article on the Train of Tomorrow. I saw a note somewhere, but I forgot where, that UP kept those cars for quite a while in regular traffic.
Jan posted some great steam pictures. It's a great size comparison between the F and the S-3. Whowuddavthought that the F is that much smaller?
Eric, you've got to be kidding: Black electrics! What has the world come to??
As usual there is too much to catch up with, so I'm just going to give you one little picture. It's a combination of today's two themes: Erie and Model Railroading). It's taken from my web site and the photo credit goes to Roger Horne.
Amborid kit H-17 Erie-Susquehanna 50 ton 3 Bay Hopper Car built and photographed by Roger Horne. Picture used with permission.
Ya'll be good now and don't scare the kids tonight!
Per
Ruth, give 'em one on the house - then take your break!
Just to get a leg up on the comments!
Wednesday - 31 Oct 2007:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10 AM: As promised, you came through with your spate of Erie book covers - nicely done, Mate! Given what's going on in your life, I'm very surprised that you're able to be with us on a daily basis - but then again, you are the exception to the norm when it comes to supporting the bar.
Don't be too hard with the guys - some of ‘em just don't check the bar that often so when they finally "get the woid" - they've run outta time. Happens. Ain't at all like the old days <daze> and a good reason why we're no longer doing the Tuesday Theme for the Day "thing" - not enough of "us" to go around.
But "we takes what we gets" at the Tavern by the Tracks ‘n we'll just have to roll with the CHANGES <there's THAT woid again!!>
Still chuckling over the exploits of Bat Man! <aka: Wolfman Pete!>
Since it appears that your fooooball quiz question(s) haves underwhelmed the crew, here's the answers:
The NFL Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Colts moved to the newly formed AFC to join the teams from the merged AFL.
Super Bowls won by those former NFL teams were:
1971 - V - Baltimore Colts over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1975 - IX - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Minnesota Vikings (NFC)
1976 - X - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1979 - XIII - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1980 - XIV - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Los Angeles Rams (NFC)
- and - this from the depths of <trivia>
2001 - XXXV - Baltimore Ravens (formerly Cleveland Browns) over the New York Giants (NFC)
2006 - XL - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Seattle Seahawks (NFC) <a former AFL/AFC team!>
2007 - XLI - Indianapolis Colts (formerly Baltimore Colts) over the Chicago Bears (NFC).
So, there's an argument there when it comes to which is the dominating NFL Conference - especially in the early years after the merger (1970).
<phew> That's all Folks! <grin> Oh yeah, "tune" from the TV game show - Jeopardy!
As ever, appreciate the support, covers, round ‘n chat!
Dan (DL-UK) at 10:13 AM: No Erie "stuff" - however, all kinds of fine links!
Spent a wee bit too much of my "yard work" time perusing! <uh oh> Leaves are falling like snow flakes ‘n I'm sitting here on the patio <enclosed> enjoying the show! <grin>
Can-Am subway system will feature a total of 8 subways cars <which have been shown at the bar over time . . . .> Anyway, they are "typical" of what the New York City subway system had . . . The cars were built by the St. Louis Car Company in the mid-1950s are classified as R17s (4 in brown, 4 in red). The HO models are Proto 1000s.
Since this is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! - why not . . . .
Red Bird (R17) subway cars at Can-Am Gorge! <a demo run>
R17 subway cars at Land-Between-the-Lakes! <a demo run>
Oh yeah, got the "wide page phenom" - but I think it was the 1st URL that caused it.
Fortunately with a short Post, it doesn't cause the <grief> as with the longer ones . . .
Appreciate the
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Boris, punch up Dropkick Murphys version of "Tessie." Thank you. Sorry that we are running late today, but it is one of THOSE days.
Is that a smoke generator by the bar? No, it's not; it's the never-ending Halloween punchbowl (aka old Skullcracker) fired up for the festivities. It is truly amazing what can be done with a used Bessemer converter and a little mechanical creativity. My compliments to the track gang and the boys down at Biff's Auto Body and Mortuary; they sure know how to fabricate and weld, especially after what happened at last year's darts tournament.
Following is a piece of advertising for the Erie Limited from approx. 1930.
The Erie Limited
Fast
Modern Luxurious
Individual Seat Coaches, Coach Club car. Superb Dining Car Service, Ultra Modern Sleeping and Parlor Cars. Sun Room Observation Lounge, Radio Equipped
New York - Buffalo- Chicago
Erie Railroad System - The Heavy Duty Railroad
Hark, do I hear the superhet crackling and sputtering? Boris, give it a good bash - thanks again. Hot dog! Another darts report.
T(NT) For Two
Greetings from our studios (and emergency room/shelter/explosion proof enclosure/sawmill) high atop Majestic Mount Mentor as we objectively observe the fluttering flakes of fallout from the furiously fought 2nd match of the 2007 IMWWDT. Those of you (and you know who you are) who have persevered through the several installments of this saga, will recall (or maybe you never knew - that stuff will mess with your head) that Our Place won the first match.
The second match was played at Second Class. Kind of logical when you think about it - believe me, this is as close to logic as we ever get around here!
Given what happened during the first contest, your reporter decided to eschew the Crosley and opt for the Renault tank for transportation down the mountain to Mentor. Boris does look dashing (make that dashed) in puttees, leather helmet, and tanker goggles. To what with the Kaiser?
He is a skilled driver and deftly responded to kicks in the head as we navigated our way along a road that was strewn with shreds of kangaroo hides and other impedimenta that had been cast aside by the fleeing Second Classers.
Second Class is definitely on the other side of the tracks. In fact we had to maneuver our way around the sheep pens and slag heaps in order to get there, but we arrived just in time for the coin toss. The second Class boys were in their throwback Orc uniforms. Your reporter appreciated this because he is about as Old school as it gets. There is a lot to be said for tradition, but he believes that it was because the new unies got torn up beyond all usefulness.
Awk noticed that there was a new coin which looked very much like a circular saw blade (big ‘un, too), and got out of the way as it spun into the air. It was the first time that your reporter saw no one making a dive for the coin.
Our Place won the toss and they were on target for sure as flash grenades were lobbed toward the crowd before each toss was made. As Pete remarked, "We do what we have to do to balance the odds which isn't easy because the room seems to be slanting a bit." This was probably a result of all of the pre game warm-ups that Our Place had consumed. Nevertheless we know Pete to be a trouper and he gazed out from beneath his signature hat and played well. When asked after the match to account for his high scores he cryptically said, "I saw three boards and threw at the one that wasn't moving."
Second Class matched Our Place toss for toss, drink for drink, body slam for body slam. However, they just could not overcome the initial lead posted by Our Place who took the victory. Your reporter noted that about midway through the match Our Place had switched out darts that Second Place was throwing. Nobody, however, was willing to comment on this and we thought that it would be best to let this delicate ethical issue alone because Vito and Leon starting sidling toward us when our questions grew a little too specific. Somehow the idea of a "ride in the country" didn't sound too appealing when they started patting their jacket pockets.
Mt. Man Mike, speaking for Second Class after the match observed, "we're two down with one to play. We'll get ‘em tomorrow." Your reporter raised the question about how that could happen, and Mike remarked, "It's all about the money."
By the way, we had a rough time extracting Boris from the dumpster as somebody hollered "Trick or treat," and he jumped right in. Nothing like being early for Halloween. Needless to say he rode on top of the Renault as we went back up the mountain. Even the sheep gagged as we passed by. Your reporter drove and Artie conned the tank. He has good vision in all directions so we made it back in good shape.
So here we are; Our Place is two up with one to go. Gotta like the odds.
P.S. Will be on schedule tomorrow and answer questions, etc. then - appreciate your patience.
A round please RUTH for ERIE DAY.
ERIC I have never thought black was a good color for diesel and electric locomotives. It is amazing how since privatization of British railways how it has changed from every thing being blue or blue and white in 1970s and 80s to the very many different liveries there are on the different companies rolling stock today.
That mug makes a great souvenir of the ICE's North American Tour.
LARS I see Tom has answered your question. I have decided if we have an Our Place Sports Quiz Team, I will be the beer carrier.
You may be able to help with a question though, the bride wants to know when the game of American Football was first played, and we think the first professional game was in the 1890s.
Diamondbugs what a great name.
DL Many thanks for that great link to St Pancras station, it looks like the arrival hall is in the old beer vaults. In the LMS issue of RM there is a photo of a painting that has been commissioned to new station. It shows various trains leaving St Pancras from a Midland Railway single wheeler other locos including a Jubilee and a Peak to the Eurostar. I wonder if the original painting will be on display at the station.
As you say, Disused Stations is a superb site indeed, enjoyed the then and now photos of the L.O.R. and the maps are a great idea, at some locations it would hard to know it existed but at other places there are some clues.
I think that railway line that still exists in the present Langton Dock location is the line to Seaforth Container Terminal, I have traveled over it once on an enthusiasts special, it is a great line to see. I will send the link to Alan. Many thanks
CM3 Another victory in Match 2. Only hope we do not get too confident of winning the series. Truly a great reporter he deserves the Pulitzer for getting anything resembling a coherent statement out of me during the Tournament.
TOM Yes I don't think I have covered myself with any glory over the bat incident.
That is a very good point about those great trains from the 1940s and 50s they would have been very expensive to travel on with all the supplements for the extras like the domes. It brought to mind, a lot of the articles in Classic Trains about coast-to-coast travel in the 40s and 50s are written by people who were on troop trains.
Talking of bats reminded me of a film I saw on TV years ago it was a comedy horror film starring Vincent Price about Dracula coming to New York. On his first night there he turns in a vampire bat and goes looking for blood. It is a hot night and the windows are open the first place he flies in, the husband sees it and yells ‘It's the first wife, she said she would come back and haunt me" After escaping that commotion the vampire next call is in the poor part of town where the folks in the apartment think it is a black chicken and try to have him for dinner. Anyway the only victim he can get is a wino and he wakes up with a massive hangover. I am not too keen on horror films but this one made me, can't remember the title though.
Many thanks TOM, LARS JAN, PER and CM3 for the great ERIE posts. For my contribution I have ‘borrowed' a post from page from Passenger Fan AL.
ERIE Streamlined Sleeping Cars By Al The Erie owned a total of thirteen lightweight streamlined sleeping cars all built by Pullman Standard. There were three different types of sleeping cars purchased by the Erie. First to arrive on the Erie were four AMERICAN series 6 Section 6 Roomette 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping cars from Pullman Standard. These were part of a large order for these cars that went to Union Pacific, Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, Rock Island, Missouri Pacific and Illinois Central. The four cars received in June 1942 were assigned to the ERIE LIMITED between New York and Chicago. 6 SECTION 6 ROOMETTE 4 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard June 1942 Plan: 4099 Lot: 6669 (Built for and assigned to ERIE LIMITED & LAKE CITIES) AMERICAN LIBERTY AMERICAN LIFE AMERICAN UNITY AMERICAN WAY It would be 1949 before additional lightweight streamlined sleeping cars would join the Erie. In May-June 1949 Pullman Standard delivered seven 10-6 sleeping cars named for persons who had influenced the Erie. These cars were assigned to the ERIE LIMITED, LAKE CITIES and ATLANTIC EXPRESS. 10 ROOMETTE 6 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard May - June 1949 Plan: 4129A Lot: 6797 (Built for and assigned to ERIE LIMITED, LAKE CITIES and ATLANTIC EXPRESS) BENJAMIN LODER CHARLES MINOT DANIEL CRAIG McCALLUM ELEAZAR LORD JAMES GORE KING MARVIN KENT WILLIAM REYNOLDS After
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