<personal foto>
G'day Gents!
Tuesday at the Tavern by the Tracks ‘n time to fill the coffee mugs, check out The Mentor Village Pastry Case ‘n of course order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Had a day of rain yesterday <finally> - wound up with nearly 3/4s of an inch. We're over 6 inches down for annual rainfall. Petrol holding at $2.87 (rounded) up at Collusion Corner. And beginning to see signs of Christmas <already> ‘round these parts. With temps in the lo-70s (F) it's hard to "feel" like winter. <geesh>
Spent well over an hour talking with our Ontario Connection, Rob (trolleyboy) last night. He's fine - working, working, working - busy, busy, busy.
Comments from the Proprietor:
We've got some planned absences coming up that will make things ‘round here a bit sparse insofar as business is concerned. Happens round Thanksgiving every year - this year is no exception. So if any of you can pick up the slack for CM3 Shane - Wolfman Pete - LoveDomes Lars ‘n yours truly - it would really be a help.
Beginning THIS Friday - I'm gone-zo ‘til Wednesday of the following week. Pete departs for a loooooooooong Thanksgiving weekend on Wednesday of next week - ‘n Shane will be gone for over a week. Lars' situation is such that he's unsure of when he can resume his regular activities. Gonna be tight in the mornings ‘round here, and of course the mid-to-late afternoon "slot" will require lotsahelp!!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Monday - Nov 12th, 2007:
Mike (wanswheel) at 9:26 PM: A surprise visit from the URLMeisterMonster Mike! Was wonderin' if we'd hear from you this Vet's Day - and you didn't disappoint. Most poignant foto along with some fine nostalgia from the place called Sunnyside!
Thanx for the round, fellow veteran!
Eric (EricX2000) at 10:25 PM: Sorry ‘bout the loss of those fotos, but if one had to be salvaged, I think you hit the jackpot!
Perfect Hardly - just try not to make the same mistakes twice!
Appreciate the visit - albeit somewhat EARLY for our Resident Nocturnal Desert Swede!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present: coffee, please (New England Eye Opener Blend today), round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Mist and clouds here today with temps in the 40s. Gas holding at $3.15/gal. I had a tough time logging in, but here I am.
Let's see what's in the electronic inbox this morning.
DD1 Visited with more skills and "forgotten arts" for the Museum. Looks like I started something. IMHO, it's easier to use the handsaw than to get everything out and hook up the power saw. Thanks also for the material on the 3rd Infantry and the Unknowns.
Jan - Jack Delano - one of my inspirations. I remember posting a fair amount about his on the old pages. Anyway, if you can find a copy of Iron Horse at War, get it. "Colorado Club" is an interesting car as it represents what I call the "foreshadowing" of later car construction. Look at the picture and you'll see what I mean; clerestory roof, hw trucks, and then the body which is "starting" to resemble later streamlined cars. Thanks for including it in your collection.
USRA is probably best remembered for its locomotives and rolling stock. These were standard designs that survived for many years. The USRA returned the railroads to their rightful owners in worse shape than when they took over. At least this was something folks bore in mind when WW2 began.
Per - Interesting pictures.
Northampton was served by the New Haven and by the Boston and Maine.
Cy Young (real name Denton True Young 1967-1955) was from Ohio. He pitched for Cleveland (National League - yes, Boris, they had an NL team), the Cardinals, Red Sox, Cleveland (AL) and Boston (NL). Career record was 511-313 with - get this - a lifetime ERA of 2.63. His best years were from 1901 to 1904 in Boston where he had a won-loss record of 210-45. During his career he had 753 complete games, 2804 SO, and 77 ShO.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937. The first group to enter the Hall of Fame was in 1936. Players selected included Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. The 1937 group included Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, and Cy Young.
Incidentally, the main line of the New Haven ran right behind the Huntington Ave. Grounds.
Pete stopped by with comments and pictures, and DL visited as well - good to hear from all.
Lars must have gotten into his vaults with some excellent Merchant Marine material. For those who want to read more, check out Heroes in Dungarees - a Naval Institute Press book which is a good one - don't be put off by the title. Also vols. 1 and 10 of Morsion's History of Naval Operations in World War 2 have some good coverage as well - these two books discuss the Battle of the Atlantic.
OSP - e-mail rec'd and responded to first thing today. Thanks for the good set of ads from WW2. The New Haven's series about the "Kid" is a good one as well - I'll see if I can find it on the web. Also good travelogue material, and en excellent rerun abt. The Remembrance Train. Last, good movies, too. I have the first version of all Quiet of the Western Front, but have never seen the remake.
Don't get me riled up about energy policy or lack thereof (I am a just a bit biased) - Boris would have to taser me and drag me to the rat room.
Anybody I left out - my humble apologies.
Work safe
Ahoy Cap'n Tom 'n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, you are a marvelous sight this morning! <blush> Yes, a mugga Joe with a jolt will do me fine. Treats for the crittAHs, Boris - feed 'em and that small jar of PPF is YOURS! Ah yes, a round for the house 'n keep the change my deAH!
Thought I'd drop this off as a REMINDER that to some of us, the 12th will ALWAYS have special meaning 'round here . . .
From PAGE ONE of the OLD BAR SITE . . . back on April 12, 2005.
The original first post: //retained just for "historical" purposes// My interests are in railroads - real and model. Thanx to Kalmbach, we have these forums to ask questions, post responses, chat about this 'n that, and in general enjoy our hobby and interests. So, how about joining me from time to time in "Our" Place - Where Classic Trains are the subject - those that are and some that should be. As the "bar keep" in this place, all I ask is to keep the dialogue civil and try to stay on point - some of these threads have people popping in simply to run up their numbers - not welcome here! C'mon in - all newcomers get a free drink on the house! ============================================ Which of these places would best represent "Our" Place (click to enlarge)? Place #1 Place #2 ============================================= Tom in Chesterfield, MO, USA (Siberianmo) Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
==============================================
I'll try to get back later on . . . this week is shaping up to be a <killer>!
Until the next time!
Lars
Yes, the 12th does have a "certain ring" to it! No, no - Boris, don't ring the . . . . <bong> <bong> <bwaaaaaaaong> Where did that LAST one come from Awright, Ruth - set 'em up - drinks on the house! <grin>
Excellent reminder from our Manager Lars that a certain nostalgia has taken root 'round this joint - our "Monthiversary" <as once coined by wanswheel Mike> is upon as again. No hoopla - no particular fanfare - just recognition to and for those who made this day possible!
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #29
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 147, Oct 26th, 2005 on the Original Thread>
Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
Wabash Railroad
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Passenger trains of note: Banner Blue (Chicago-St. Louis) Blue Bird Chicago-St. Louis) City of Kansas City (St. Louis-Kansas City) City of St. Louis (St. Louis-Denver-Cheyenne-Los Angeles) Des Moines Limited (St. Louis-Des Moines) Detroit Arrow (Chicago-Detroit) Detroit Limited (St. Louis-Detroit) Kansas City Express (St. Louis-Kansas City) Midnight Limited (St. Louis-Kansas City) Omaha Limited (St. Louis-Omaha) Pacific Coast Special (St. Louis-Pacific Coast points) Red Bird (Chicago-Detroit) St. Louis Limited (Detroit-St. Louis) St. Louis Limited (Des Moines & Omaha-St. Louis) St. Louis Special (Kansas City-St. Louis) The Midnight (Chicago-St. Louis) "Wabash Cannon Ball" (St. Louis-Detroit) Of note: Chicago-Detroit service by PRR between Chicago-Fort Wayne; through trains west of Kansas City handled by UP
WABASH CANNONBALL (unknown author & date) From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore From the green ol' Smoky mountains to the south lands by the shore She's mighty tall and handsome and she's known quite well by all She's the regular combination on the Wabash Cannonball Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hoboes call You're traveling through the jungles on the Wabash Cannonball Our eastern states are dandy, so the people always say From New York to St. Louis with Chicago by the way From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball Now here's to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand And always be remembered through the courts throughout the land His earthly race is over, now the curtains round him fall He'll be carried home to Glory on the Wabash Cannonball! . . . . . and another version! From the great Atlantic Ocean To the wide Pacific shore, From sunny California To ice-bound Labrador, She's mighty tall and handsome, She's known quite well by all, She's the 'boes' accomodation On the Wabash Cannonball Chorus: From the great Atlantic ocean To the wide Pacific shore From the green ol' Smoky mountains To the south lands by the shore She's mighty tall and handsome And she's known quite well by all She's the regular combination On the Wabash Cannonball Chorus: Listen to the jingle, The rumble and the roar, As she glides along the woodlands, Through hills and by the shore Hear the mighty rush of the engine, Hear those lonesome hoboes squawl, While traveling through the jungle On the Wabash Cannonball This train, she runs to Memphis, Mattoon, and Mexico, She rolls through East St. Louis And she never does it slow, As she flies through Colorado, She gives an awful squawl, They tell her by her whistle The Wabash Cannonball Chorus: Our eastern states are dandy, So the people always say,
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, back again with just time for a double JD on the rocks ‘n a minute or three with my favorite bar gal! <blush>
Give the boyz a round on me, ‘n keep the change my deAH! Boris, ring the ding . . .
Meant to comment on those great RAF posters put up by Cap'n Tom!
Manager's Comments: Look guys, if I can find the time to drop off a few lines, so can YOU! I know we only have a few guys who are regulars, but the others can surely say a few words, drop off a pix, or both. I've seen some "names" logged in - but no visits. C'mon - as we approach the holidays, EVERYONE who considers themselves a customer at this bar NEEDS to step up . . . <Good Grief Charlie Brown!>
Direct from the Larsman Mobile to YOU!
Ruth, we've got some <ahem> admin matters to attend to on your break! <ooooooh>
Greetings Tom and fellow worshippers of the classic train era....
May Have the usual extra col.....no, wait....I'll have a black Java please....too close to working hours..... Would you mind topping up the lads with whatever they're having and the usual cigar...thanks. Keep the change...
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Just though that I'd jump on the Wabash Limited here....
Wabash E-7 #1002 with additional diesel units and train #10, The City of St. Louis pulling 12 cars at 70 mph, at Thompson, Mo., July 5, 1953.
Wabash E-7 #1002 again, this time with train #24, The Bluebird consisting of 6 cars, at Mitchell, Ill., June 30, 1951.
Wabash 4-6-2 #663 seen here with a passenger train consisting of 6 cars and hitting 80 mph., near Blue Mound, Ill., June 18, 1946.
Wabash 4-6-2 #673 with #10, The Banner Blue Ltd and 7 cars, seen here leaving St. Louis., Mo., September 24, 1935.
Wabash 4-6-2 #698 seen here with train #17, The Midnight Ltd with 7 cars, at Kansas City, Mo., August 8, 1934.
Wabash 4-4-2 #622 and train #7, The Detroit Arrow; 5 cars, seen here leaving Detroit, Mich., August 8, 1939.
Credit: Otto Perry and photoswest....
Now Arriving on Track #1
Back in the Day - Number Seven
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Information contained herein has not been corroborated.
Reporting marks
WAB
Locale
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Ontario
Dates of operation
1879 - October 16, 1964
Track gauge
4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters
St. Louis, MO
System timetable, 1887
1886 system map
The Wabash Railroad (AAR reporting marks WAB) was a Class I railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. It served a large area, including trackage in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Ontario. Its primary connections included Chicago, Illinois, Kansas City, Missouri, Detroit, Michigan, Buffalo, New York, St. Louis, Missouri, and Toledo, Ohio. The Wabash's major freight traffic advantage was the direct line from Kansas City to Detroit, without going through St. Louis or Chicago.
History
The Toledo and Illinois Railroad was chartered April 20, 1853 in Ohio to build from Toledo on Lake Erie west to the Indiana state line. The Lake Erie, Wabash and St. Louis Railroad was chartered in Indiana on
Hi Tom and all.
Back from the Dentists so nothing too cold please RUTH, an ‘English' temperature Bathams will be just right.
MIKE It was good to see you in the bar again. As Tom says a very poignant photo.
ERIC. Hope you are able to find those missing slides soon, but many thanks for the photo you were able to post.
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army in Britain. A Britannia class ‘Pacific', No 70048, was named in 1958 to commemorate the 50th anniversary. The last Britannia to run in BR service, No 70013, is under overall and should be ready next year, the National Railway Museum is allowing the loco to be fitted with the original nameplates and numberplate off 70048 which have turned up after an appeal by Steam Railway magazine, for a short while, although it usually strict policy that NRM engines are not allowed to change identities.
CM3 I have just seen an ad for the next Classic Trains special issue, it says there are some of Jack Delano's color photos from the war years in it.
LARS Many thanks for the photos from day 1 of Our Place; I am real glad the Mentor Inn won the vote for our home especially as we know now what those Second Class saloon guys are like.
Many thanks for the Wabash bookcovers. I see the Wabash choose a light blue paint scheme for there Alcos as well.
JAN Many thanks for the Wabash photos. It is great to see St Louis and Kansas City in steam days. What a wonderful photo that is of Wabash 4-6-2 #663 at Blue Mound Ill. at sunset, a great photo if the train was standing still, but at 80MPH.
TOM. I think I am right in saying the 8F in the link No 48773 or LMS 8233 or even W.D 307, was the only 8F bought direct from British Railways, although a few others made it to Barry scrapyard in South Wales and have been preserved since. Reading that LMS special from the Railway Magazine, it said there were more 8Fs built than the class 5s, although there was just 663(against 842 class 5s) that were in LMS or BR service. Some 8Fs never returned from service overseas and there were some 8Fs lost at sea during the war.
Yes the volunteers who keep the steam locomotives working do deserve a lot of praise.
For a very short period No 48773 was certified to run on BR tracks and I was fortunate to get a ride behind her.
Many thanks for the RAF posters.
Without those brave pilots in the Battle of Britain the world history would be a lot different today. I have a list of the different countries that had pilots in the Battle of Britain.
http://www.battleofbritain.net/bobhsoc/
Many thanks for the Wabash Railroad ‘Back in the Day' and ‘Fallen Flag' .The Wabash Cannonball song makes me wish there still was a Wabash train from St Louis to New York via Chicago.
It was sad though, reading about how much of the Wabash lines have been closed. The Wabash had some fine looking Drumheads; I think I prefer the rectangular ones best.
I have a couple of photos from the old Wabash station in Columbia MO. Showing from the street the Wabash sign above the door.
This next one is showing the Columbia name so I guess it must have faced the tracks.
.
The station is now a bus terminus, the last time I was there they had some plans to renovate the building inside to more of what it looked like when it was a railroad station..I have not been past there lately, I must go and have a look. .
Well LEON,let me get a round in please..
Pete.
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Okay Leon, I would like my weekly Rumpsteak Café de Paris, please! An ice cold Keith's.
183 days until our 3rd Annual Rendezvous! Time flies! A interesting topic here at the bar today, Wabash Railroad!
Tom – I still don’t understand what happened to my pictures, just can’t find them. I posted kind of early since I wanted to post my only picture while it still was Veterans Day.Talking about Wabash Railroad I automatically remember their most famous train, Wabash Cannon Ball. Very nice drumheads! I did not know they were headquartered in St. Louis! The Wikipedia article is most interesting!CM3 – I am glad Boris didn’t have to taser you! What a mess that would be!Lars – Good to see the Manager again! 31st Monthly Anniversary! Thanks for the reminder. I was too frustrated trying to find my pictures to remember the anniversary. The original first post is certainly a historical post! Interesting Wabash book covers! I’ll pick the third one, Wabash Trackside!JanOlov – Nice Wabash pictures! The newest from 1953 and the oldest from 1934. Pete – No luck yet finding my photos. I am afraid they might have been dumped (I had them in an envelope) by mistake. Interesting info on No 70048! Thanks for the Battle of Britain link! I am glad the Wabash former station building is still standing. Do they plan any kind of museum inside?
Eastbound train west of Flagstaff, AZ.
Eric
Good Morning Captain Tom and Company!
I'll have a French Vanilla latte svp oh and a low fat danish if you have one. Sorry guys I haven't been in as of late but I've been exteremely busy and trying to get a lot accomplished around the house.
Just got this for the MESS
A CPR K-1a 4-8-4 one of two built for CPR and this one is 1 of 300 built for Van Hobbies back in the late 70's
Anyway once I'm finished my course tomorrow I'll have to read up and catch up.
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
Wednesday's Witticism
The West is good country for men and dogs but mighty hard on women and oxen.
Had one of those <blah> days yesterday with the skies overcast, some drizzle, ‘n lots of <gloom>. Petrol rose to $2.99 (rounded) in spite of a significant drop in world oil prices. Figure that!
It's Wednesday here in mid-continent USA ‘n time for the usual bill o' fare for our morning pick-us-up! Coffee - pastries - breakfasts! So what's the delay
Appears as if I've made the 2,800th Post here at the reborn "Our" Place!
All we're asking is a visit with a few words ‘n perhaps a foto . . . doesn't have to be an extravaganza to participate.
Tuesday - Nov 13th, 2007:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:21 AM: Glad to see ya ‘n it makes for a good start to the morning ‘round here when our WVA Connection ‘n everything RR Oracle is on board!
Some diverse but relevant reference material in that Post of yours - I'll be checking into those "merchie" sources.
I believe you'll find the remake of "All Quiet . . . ." to be well done ‘n certainly worth purchasing - that is if you cannot make it to the Emporium this week. <grin>
Email received - thanx!
Appreciate the round, quarters, inclusive ‘n informative Post ‘n vist! <phew>
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:22 AM ‘n 12:54 PM: Two fine Posts from our Manager! The first fit in quite nicely with this 12th of the month day and the second very supportive of the Wabash RR "non theme"!
Appreciate the call for participation during the upcoming holiday season . . . we've always experienced some pretty slooooooooooow times between Thanskgiving ‘n New Years. Happens . . . All it takes though is a Post here ‘n there - just make the effort ‘n it keeps us at the top of the Forum's first Page. That's the goal.
Jan (JanOlov) at 1:48 PM: Pretty quick thinking from our Resident Swede in Scotland to come up with some super-fine diesel ‘n steam powered trains of the Wabash RR! Appreciate the participation in our "non theme" event!
Pete (pwolfe) at 5:57 PM: From the other day - I'm not aware of any operating RR in Hawaii - although I recall a plantation <pineapple, etc.> or two had their own rail set ups . . . but that was a couple of decades ago ‘n I have no specifics on ‘em.
I never heard of the British Territorial Army - but found some info on it thru this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Army
From The Railway Magaz
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Weather here is in the 50s with thunderstorms forecast for later in the day. Gas is at $3.15 until a butterfly burps somewhere. Fear, fear, and more fear. - It's o.k., Boris, I'm stopping there.
Lars stopped by with pictures, comments, and the bookmobile. The third picture must be from the archives of the Mentor Engineering Scientific Survey (MESS) as it shows Second Class with its roof still intact. Wabash books are good picks.
Jan visited with Wabash pictures as well. R&LHS Bulletin 133 has a book-length study/roster of Wabash power.
Eric sent comments and a most interesting collection of BNSF power of all different eras. If you don't like one paint scheme, wait until the next unit passes by. Kind of like it is around here; several different CSX schemes, run-through power, and leased units. What's your choice?
Fergie visited. One of two 4-8-4s, indeed. These engines, IIRC, are pictured in the old Kalmbach book, Canadian Steam. CP continued the trend of "orphan" units in the diesel age. Our quiz today is which units on the CP roster are we talking about here?
Pete - Wide-ranging comments. You can find a lot of Delano color pictures at the Library of congress website.
OSP provided tons of Wabash-related material.
I get to play, too. The Wabash had ties to the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Ry and to the Wheeling and Lake Erie. These ties went back to the early 1880s when Jay Gould tried to cobble together a transcontinental railway. The centerpiece of much of this project was the Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Ry. This and the West Side Belt (coal hauler around southern end of Pittsburgh) were operated as part of the W&LE. N&W now NS operates over much of the former P&WV. Two places for additional information are Maury Klein's biography of Jay Gould and a wonderful book about the P&WV titled The High and Dry - a title definitely worth tracing down if you can find a copy. No, Artie, we'll leave the ties of the P&WV to the extension of the WM for another day.
E-mail rec'd and answered, sir. Thanks for your patience - bring coffee and Dr. Scholl's insoles.
Will try and post tomorrow, but I don't promise much as they have me going to school for a couple of days - new computer stuff.
Patron's Pix - Number Two
Explanation: This series features fotos from the guys who have entertained us over years on the Original Thread and here at the Reborn "Our" Place . . . As long as these fotos "live" in the Ether, why not have ‘em redone right here Many fotos have disappeared from view from deliberate or inadvertent removal, expiration of storage on "host photo sites" or reasons unknown. The first Customer fotos appeared on Page 17 of the Original Thread.
Many fotos have disappeared from view from deliberate or inadvertent removal, expiration of storage on "host photo sites" or reasons unknown.
The first Customer fotos appeared on Page 17 of the Original Thread.
Posted by trolleyboy Rob on 27 May 2005, Page 18 of the Original Thread:
#1 These are two of the three 4600 series that the museum purchased in the 90's (4600,11, and 18).
These are two of the three 4600 series that the museum purchased in the 90's (4600,11, and 18).
Posted by trolleyboy Rob on 31 May 2005, Page 19 of the Original Thread:
#2 & 3 All were to have been used on the rebuilt harbour front line but after two or three months of service the"condo yuppies) complained about the squeeling wheels on the return loops so the PCC's were retired and sold off (18 4600's had been rebuilt for this line)
All were to have been used on the rebuilt harbour front line but after two or three months of service the"condo yuppies) complained about the squeeling wheels on the return loops so the PCC's were retired and sold off (18 4600's had been rebuilt for this line)
#4 thru #6 SEPTA in PHILLY . . . I believe these are from 93 or 94 . . . PCC's
SEPTA in PHILLY . . . I believe these are from 93 or 94 . . . PCC's
Enjoy!
Missed the first one
#1 . . . Page 135
Greetings Tom.....and.....gentlemen.
May I have a pot of black Java please, I need it to stay awake, can I also have the usual top up with cigars for the lads s well? Keep the change....
Thought that I'd pop in for a quick hello, hope everybody's doing well visit...
I'm absolutely knackered, and I'm afraid that it'll get worse the closer we get to x-mas and hogmanay....MORE work and LESS sleep.....
40 hour week...? My a..!
The bootles of single malts over there are for you gentlemen....enjoy!
As we approach this holiday ‘n Christmas season, thoughts of electric trains are uppermost in many minds - the trains of our youth. So, on this OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day at the Tavern by the Tracks, it's time to take a look at two of the foremost manufacturers of electric trains in the U.S.A. "back in the day" . . .
First: A "guide" to the "old" American Flyer S-gauge trains and Erector sets.
Second: A "guide' to the "old" Lionel Corporation, makers of O-27 and O-gauge trains running on three-rail tracks. <thru the post-war era>
The following is from Wikipedia, with permission . . .
A. C. Gilbert CompanyThe A. C. Gilbert Company was an American toy company, once one of the largest toy companies in the world. It is best known for introducing the Erector Set (a construction toy similar to Meccano in the rest of the world) to the marketplace.Gilbert was founded in 1909 in Westville, Connecticut, originally as a company providing supplies for magic (Alfred Carlton Gilbert was a magician). Gilbert invented Erector in 1911, inspired by railroad girders, and the construction toy was introduced two years later. By 1935, Gilbert was also producing microscopes.In 1938, Gilbert purchased American Flyer, a struggling manufacturer of toy trains. Gilbert re-designed the entire product line, producing 1:64 scale trains running on O gauge track. Although these are sometimes referred to as S scale or S gauge trains, they are technically O27. At the same time, Gilbert introduced a line of HO scale trains, which were primarily marketed under the brand name Gilbert HO.By 1942, Gilbert was producing equipment for military aircraft for use in World War II.Gilbert introduced S gauge model railroads in 1946, mostly in response to the shortcomings of O scale utilized by Lionel and Marx. These newer American Flyer trains were smaller and proportioned more realistically than either the pre-war American Flyer trains or its post-war competition. Although these new trains were popular, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1.Other products followed; chemistry sets in various sizes as well as similar sets for the budding scientist, including investigations into radioactivity.Gilbert struggled somewhat after the death of its founder in 1961. Gilbert's family sold out its shares, and the company was never profitable under its new ownership. By 1967, Gilbert was out of business. Erector was sold to Gabriel Industries and American Flyer was sold to Lionel.Although A. C. Gilbert has not existed as a company for several decades, Gabriel continued to use the brand name on its Erector set and microscope products, a practice that subsequent owners of the Erector brand have continued. Current Erector toys have the words "The construction toy from A. C. Gilbert" on their packaging. Lionel also uses the brand name on its American Flyer products, along with the old Gilbert catchphrase, "Developed at the Gilbert Hall of Science," on its product packaging.A collection of Gilbert trains, Erector sets and objects built from them, chemistry sets, etc. is displayed in the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Connecticut.
The A. C. Gilbert Company was an American toy company, once one of the largest toy companies in the world. It is best known for introducing the Erector Set (a construction toy similar to Meccano in the rest of the world) to the marketplace.
Gilbert was founded in 1909 in Westville, Connecticut, originally as a company providing supplies for magic (Alfred Carlton Gilbert was a magician). Gilbert invented Erector in 1911, inspired by railroad girders, and the construction toy was introduced two years later. By 1935, Gilbert was also producing microscopes.
In 1938, Gilbert purchased American Flyer, a struggling manufacturer of toy trains. Gilbert re-designed the entire product line, producing 1:64 scale trains running on O gauge track. Although these are sometimes referred to as S scale or S gauge trains, they are technically O27. At the same time, Gilbert introduced a line of HO scale trains, which were primarily marketed under the brand name Gilbert HO.
By 1942, Gilbert was producing equipment for military aircraft for use in World War II.
Gilbert introduced S gauge model railroads in 1946, mostly in response to the shortcomings of O scale utilized by Lionel and Marx. These newer American Flyer trains were smaller and proportioned more realistically than either the pre-war American Flyer trains or its post-war competition. Although these new trains were popular, Lionel outsold American Flyer nearly 2 to 1.
Other products followed; chemistry sets in various sizes as well as similar sets for the budding scientist, including investigations into radioactivity.
Gilbert struggled somewhat after the death of its founder in 1961. Gilbert's family sold out its shares, and the company was never profitable under its new ownership. By 1967, Gilbert was out of business. Erector was sold to Gabriel Industries and American Flyer was sold to Lionel.
Although A. C. Gilbert has not existed as a company for several decades, Gabriel continued to use the brand name on its Erector set and microscope products, a practice that subsequent owners of the Erector brand have continued. Current Erector toys have the words "The construction toy from A. C. Gilbert" on their packaging. Lionel also uses the brand name on its American Flyer products, along with the old Gilbert catchphrase, "Developed at the Gilbert Hall of Science," on its product packaging.
A collection of Gilbert trains, Erector sets and objects built from them, chemistry sets, etc. is displayed in the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Connecticut.
Lionel CorporationLionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer, specializing in toy trains and model railroads. Its trains, produced from 1901 to 1969, are the most famous toy trains in the United States and among the most famous in the world.Although not the first to manufacture toy trains-its products originally were marketed as toys-Lionel is the most enduring brand name in the United States. Many of the decades-old trains in attics and basements in the United States were made by Lionel, and the products are popular with collectors.Company HistoryThe original Lionel Corporation was founded in 1900 by Joshua Lionel Cowen and Harry C. Grant in New York City. The company's devotees disagree over the date of incorporation, as the official paperwork gives a date of September 5, but the paperwork was not filed until September 22, more than two weeks later.The Pre-War EraLionel's first train was not intended for sale to consumers, but rather, as a storefront display. Delivered in 1901, it ran on a brass track and was powered by a battery and a motor originally intended for use in an electric fan. Cowen hoped to use the public's fascination with railroads and electricity to capture the public's attention and direct it to the goods for sale. Members of the public started approaching store owners about buying the trains instead, prompting Lionel to begin making toy trains for the general public. The earliest trains were larger than the sizes commonly available today, running on two-rail track with the rails 2 7/8 inches apart. In 1906, Lionel began offering a three-rail track that was less prone to electrical shorts. Its outer rails were 2 1/8 inches apart, which did not match any of the existing standards that other manufacturers had been using since 1891. Whether this was an accidental misreading of Märklin's Gauge 2 specifications or an intentional incompatibility is unclear, but Lionel named this non-standard track Standard Gauge, and then trademarked the name. When other U.S. companies began using Lionel's standard, they usually called it Wide gauge. Starting in 1915, Lionel followed most of its U.S. competitors and adopted the smaller O gauge standard for its budget-level trains.By the end of World War I, Lionel was one of three major U.S. manufacturers of toy trains, and it Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:51 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Bathams please RUTH.ERIC I do hope your photos have not been accidentally thrown out, hopefully they will turn up. I am still looking for my guidebook from Exporail in Canada. I do hope they can include a small museum in the old Wabash station in Columbia MO. I would like to see a detailed old map of the railway that served the station. The Wabash served the city from the northeast from a junction at Centralia MO. This line still serves Columbia (it says B.E.Y. but I don't know what B.E.Y. stands for). Columbia Terminal runs the line. Columbia was also served from southwest by a branch off the MKT (KATY) from McBane MO. The trackbed is a cycle and hiking trail as far as the University power station; it follows the Flat Branch Creek. It is impossible now to see how the line reached the station in downtown Columbia. There is an old photograph on the wall in one of the booths in the Boonville Tavern,(as if I would know what pictures are on the wall of a tavern) which is not far from the Columbia Wabash station, showing a KATY train in the station.Many thanks for the great photo showing the Santa Fe and BNSF power.FERGIE Great to see you in. The K-1a is a great addition to the MESS; you will have to tell us how you were able to get hold of the 1970 model.CM3 I'm afraid the CP orphan units has got me beat unless it was some of the U series.Thanks for the info on the Jack Delano photos.JAN I guess it will be the busy tine for you on the run up to Hogmany. It is very important that stocks are well built up; I would hate to be in a Glasgow pub if the supplies ran out on New Year's Eve. TOM How to win a competition when there isn't one. I thought on November 3rd it was a quiz to guess when the 2,800th post was going to be and I guessed today but I think there wasn't a competition. Anyway, congratulations on posting the 2,800th post.Thanks for the link to the Territorial Army, would you say it is a similar organization to the National Guard In the US.I did notice the list of the aircrews in the Battle of Britain; I found it very sad that out of the 9 United States pilots only 2 survived the war, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made.Thanks for the info on the Wabash Drumheads, I must admit when I first saw the drumheads I thought the Wabash had got them right.Talking of the RM LMS issue, in the middle photo on page 61, in the left corner, is a tailboard that was fitted over the last corridor connection on the car at the back of a train, most were plain but some of the major named trains had a decorative one like the one in the photo, which was fitted to the back of the Royal Scot express from London Euston to Glasgow Central. I have had a look on the web but could not find a photo of any tailboards.Many thanks for the second Patron's Pix #2. More great photos from ROB's archives.Some photos from the museum and those PCCs in Philly look very modern in that paint scheme.It was good to read of the AC Gilbert, American Flyer and the Lionel company histories. I wonder what happened to the Gilbert chemistry sets that investigated radioactivity. I see both companies helped out with war production for the military and It seems both companies hit hard times after the founders finished with the firms. I have a couple of photos of the San Diego 3-Railers layout. I believe it is O gauge.These should enlarge.Well RUTH just time for a round before you go off duty Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:18 PM Good day Tom and all present. Drinks on me and the usual for me. Looks like everyone is pretty busy and I really don't have much to add, but since this is "Toy and Model" day, I've sent along a picture of an engine that everyone will recognize. Do you realize these engines are 50 to 60 years old and some are still going strong on layouts everywhere. The photo is courtesy of "Yardbird Classics". This little engine was responsible for many of us getting into model railroading. I've been spending time designing the running gear for the electric engine on my computer. Thinking about the details, kept me awake all last night. I've got to get a life. My better half, is getting ready for her trip to Chile, which begins this coming Tuesday. That means I will be a bachelor for the next 3 to 4 weeks. Being 73, I don't think I will get into any trouble during her absence. I'll have more time to devote to my engine project, so I expect some major progress to occur. Later, Ron Edit EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 11:47 PM Good evening, Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, please! Green beans. No, not tonight, coffee is what I need. "Graduated" from the cardiac rehab today. I even got a certificate! Only 36 days until retirement! What else could I ask for? Fergie – Very nice looking steam locomotive model! I bet it wasn’t cheap! Very nice llayout with a lot of interesting models. Tom – My missing photos were real slides and prints waiting to be scanned. I had them in an envelope and now the whole thing is missing. The photo of the BNSF train was taken a couple of years ago. Quite a few of their freight trains had locomotives of all different colors. Many were leased. Thanks for trolleyboy Rob’s old post! I have always been very interested in streetcars of all kinds. I know I have shown this one before but I’ll show it again.Stockholm, Sweden 1967.American Flyer and Lionel, can it be more classic? Toy trains, but still classic. CM3 – When I took that picture most trains had locomotives of different colors. I really don’t know what I prefer. I like to see an unusual, different looking locomotive in a consist but in this case it was leased locomotives mixed with BNSF’s own. Another eastbound train west of Flagstaff.JanOlov – Take it easy young man! You need all your strength for the Holidays!Pete – I am still looking for my pictures. I am sure you were told about the picture on the wall in the tavern! How else would you know about it? Very nice pictures from the 3-Railers layout! Seems to be a pretty good size layout. Ron – Indeed a very classic locomotive, model or not! Sounds like an interesting problem, designing the running gear for your electric engine! Round for the house! Eric siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, November 15, 2007 6:20 AM <personal foto>G'day Gents! Thursday in mid-continent USA ‘n the trees in the outback are beginning to look bare - not completely, but in another few days <daze> - gone-zo! Picked up fifteen 32-gallon containers of leaves yesterday. <ugh> And that's after mulching ‘em with the riding mower . . . <double ugh> Getting pretty sad to shell out the big bucks to fill the 5 gallon gas container . . . <triple ugh> Price for petrol yesterday was $2.99 (rounded) . . .I smell the coffee ‘n fresh pastries. So it's time to sample both ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board! <what IS IT with these guyz who think we "do" latte ‘round here > <geesh> Comments from the Proprietor: Planned absences:Proprietor - Nov 16th to 21stCM3 Shane - Nov 19th to 26th - and - Nov 28th to Dec 19th <in ‘n out>Pete - Nov 22nd to 26th Per - Nov 21st to 29thLars - <uncertain regarding availability><thanx to all for the "heads up">Now is the time for those of you who frequent this joint to step up with a few words ‘n perhaps a foto during these <down> times . . . doesn't have to be an extravaganza to participate. Heard again from our wandering minstrel ‘n former Chief Chef, Nick (nickinwestwales) by Email and he has been checking out the bar from time to time. Just feels that hit ‘n run Posts are not his style. BUT does intend to come back . . . That IS very encouraging news, especially as we approach this season of planned absences! Allan (Gunneral) reports via Email that he cannot Post any messages on the Forums. Has been trying for a few days with no luck! So, he's able to read what's been Posted, but for now - that's it! <groan> Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative) Wednesday - Nov 14th, 2007:CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:55 AM: Two days in succession - but then a word of caution ‘bout the ‘morrow. <sweet ‘n sour> Figured you'd find something to add to the "non-theme" Wabash RR! Didjano that if you hold a large seashell up to your ear you can hear, "Listen to the jingle, the rumble ‘n the roar . . . ." Appreciate the round, quarters ‘n chat! Jan (JanOlov) at 1:29 PM: Quick hit - a top up ‘n generosities! Thanx for helping to keep the bar active. Pete (pwolfe) at 4:51 PM: I looked for that B.E.Y. marking you saw . . . it doesn't show up in the RR markings list nor as a Class II or Class III RR. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh Found this link for the Columbia Terminal RR:http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/WaterandLight/About_Us/COLT/coltmap.phpAnd yes, you did in fact guess that today would be when the 2,800th Post would be made on this Thread! BUT, you are correct - it WASN'T a contest - simply me wondering out loud! <grin> BUT certainly worth a pint of Bathams on me! BUT you also said Eric would Post it . . . so before you <gulp> down that beer, you'll only have to pay for half of it! You said Congratulations for post 2,700 . I think we will get to post 2,800 on November 14th with Eric posting it. Yes, I guess the National Guard here would be a good comparison to the British Territorial Army . . . Happy Railroading! Siberianmo LoveDomes Member sinceJanuary 2006 From: northeast U.S. 1,225 posts Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:14 AM Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!Ruth my deAH, yes the Larsman has returned! If only for a little while, at least my day is complete now that I can feast these old eyes on your radiant beauty! <blush> Boris, the crittAHs have lined up with their plates in paws . . . so, let's get a move on, it's feeding time! Yes, yes - I missed you too. <geesh> Of course you may have the LARGE jar of PPF - but only after you've fed ‘em. <grin>That's quite a list for planned absences and there will be more as we get closer to Christmas. Just the way it is. Really sorry that my time isn't my own right now, for this place NEEDS a booster shot . . . Figured we'd see our Canadians on either the 11th or 12th. Didn't happen. Thought I had picked up on the trolleyMAN saying he'd be here. Yeah, been there, done that. Sorry - but the dependable crew has really diminished - and I'm in that sorry lot now. <grrrrrrrrrr>I've checked through the material - and as ever, Da Bossman is keeping on keeping on. Really great to see how the non-theme stuff on the Wabash got pretty good play. <sweet> Jan picked up on it and the rest just fell into place. Also good to see the Toy 'n Model Trains Day event continuing on with a fine selection from Cap'n Tom, then those great 3-rail pix from Pete 'n of course the little switcher loco from Ron down in Mississip! Hope that Pete ‘n Eric can hold on to their daily appearances at a minimum. More isn't always bettAH, but there are times when our bar gets awfully lonely . . . SAME for Da Bossman's other thread. Don't forget that one!! Thought I'd drop off my <signature stuff> - book covers from the Larsman Mobile! The Visalia Electric RailroadThe Central California Traction CompanyPacific Electric - The Twilight Years Pacific Electric RailwayPacific Electric in Color, Vol II Hey Cap'n Tom - hope you 'n your Mrs. have a fine time away for a few days - enjoy it, mate! Ruth, we've got some <ahem> admin matters to attend to on your break! <ooooooh>Until the next time! Lars JanOlov Member sinceDecember 2001 From: GB 376 posts Posted by JanOlov on Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:02 AM Greetings Tom and gentlemen....Another hard nights work done....can't wait for the weekend! Barkeep! May I please have the usual for me and the rest of the crew? Make it a dram with each top up and cigar too please....keep the change.$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....Just to let you know Tom and all you others that because of my work, my visits might become a bit infrequent, but only with a day or two..I'll still try my best to visit everyday. Should I be quiet, I'm probably just Pacific Electric Railway Company PCC interurban streetcar 5004 approaches a passenger shelter on the Glendale Line in Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), California. Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 1221 passes palm trees, sedan automobiles, and businesses in Compton (Los Angeles County), California. Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 4600 in Long Beach (Los Angeles County), California. The "Hotel Juanita" and "Imperial Apartments Hotel" are in the distance. Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcars 1222 and 1217 cross the viaduct outside the Main Street Station in Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), California. Sedan automobiles are parked by a gas station and a "Richfield" sign. Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 4644 (Bellflower) and White Bus Lines bus number 2062 wait in the rail yard in Santa Ana (Orange County), California. Shows an Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe boxcar and automobiles. Signs read: "Pacific Electric Lines, Passenger & Freight, Southern Pacific Baggage," and "No Thoroughfare Rail & Motor Coach Operations Only P.E. Ry. Co." The destination sign on the trolley reads: "Bellflower Santa Ana." Texas Electric Railway interurban streetcars 509, 508, 502, and 503 are parked near brick buildings in the rail yard in Dallas (Dallas County), Texas. Credit: Robert W Richardson and photoswest All the best! Jan coalminer3 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: WV 1,251 posts Posted by coalminer3 on Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:55 AM Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Snowing here today and very windy. It's been so warm, however, that we won't get much in the way of accumulation.Pete stopped by with comments and pictures.DD1 was here as well. The B&O engine did, as you suggest, get a lot of people started modeling - good picture and reminiscnce. Eric - a diploma, wow! That a good one to have.Lars - Good to hear from you - PE material looks good. Classic book on the subject is Spencer Crump's Ride The Big Red Cars - I have read that one so many times the covers are abot. off my copy.Jan sent along some evocative PE shots as well.OSP - Thanks for Lionel and Af material. There was always a rivalry in our neighborhood between the Lionel faction and the American Flyer folks. I was in the former camp, but AF did have some fine looking locomotives. I also liked the two rail track as well.My schedule is truly that bad through December as we have a ton on trainees starting out and I get to deal with each and every one of them. I am going to try and get some material prepared ahead of time so I can have something out there for the folks.Work safe siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:05 PM Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre! . . . November 18th thru 24: Flight of the Phoenix (2004) Starring: Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto & Tony Curran - and - Runaway Train (1985) starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca De Mor Nay. SHORT: The Three Stooges - I Can Hardly Wait (1943).<Runaway Train is back by popular demand! It was first shown on Jan 22nd, 2006!> Flight of the Phoenix (2004)PLOT SUMMARY: An action-adventure in which a group of air crash survivors - cast-offs from society who will never be missed - are stranded in the Mongolian desert with no hope of rescue. As they attempt to build a new plane from the wreckage of the old one, in hopes of flying back to civilization, they experience a rebirth of their own.[The 1965 original starred James Stewart, made headlines for the crash-landing death of stunt-pilot Paul Mantz, and now stands as a minor classic of its era. The remake is more spectacular in special effects, whereas the original retains the compelling story line of a crashed cargo plane in the Gobi desert and the ensuing fight for survival. The original was shown at the Emporium during the week of July 9th - 15th, 2006] <from: amazon.com> Runaway Train (1985)PLOT SUMMARY: Tearing up the track at 100 miles-per-hour, Runaway Train features hair-raising footage (Leonard Maltin) and spectacular, Oscar-nominated* performances by Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. Packed with action, suspense and a powerful climax that will sweep you away (The New YorkDaily News), Runaway Train is an intense...stunning...astonishing (Roger Ebert) super-thriller! Manny (Voight) is the toughest convict in a remote Alaskan prison who, along with fellow inmate Buck (Roberts), makes a daring breakout. Hopping a freight train, they head full-steam for freedom, but when the engineer dies of a heart attack, they find themselves trapped, alone and speeding toward certain disaster. Until, that is, they discover a third passenger, a beautiful railroad worker (Rebecca DeMornay) who's just as desperate and just as determined to survive as they are! *1985: Actor (Voight), Supporting Actor (Roberts) <from: amazon.com> SHORT: I Can Hardly Wait (1943)PLOT SUMMARY: Moe, Larry and Curly are defense workers during WWII who come home from the job for a well deserved dinner. During their "rationed" meal Curly breaks his tooth eating a ham bone that Moe allocated to him in during an unfair meal allotment. The remainder of the episode consists of a "dream sequence" where Moe makes multiple attempts to pull the broken tooth. These efforts are predictably fruitless and simply irritate Curly even more. Eventually, Curly is forced to go to the dentist but gets the last laugh when the dentist pulls Moe's tooth by mistake while Moe was sitting in the chair trying to reassure a terrified Curly. Ultimately, Curly awakes from his dream and his problem is rectified when Moe punches him in the jaw knocking out the damaged tooth and allowing the boys to get back to sleep. <from: threestooges.net> Enjoy! Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:18 PM G'day All!Seems like a good time to scroll thru the archives for a Passenger Train Nostalgia piece . . . how's this one grab ya PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #62 <A form of this was initially Posted on 23 Jan 2006, Page 228 of the Original Thread> Here's something to enjoy regarding the California Zephyr from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection. Luxurious comfort at economy saving fares in new VISTA-DOME chair coaches. Feminine as a boudoir in the women's lounge. Men's lounges equally complete. Enjoy delicious meals and personalized service in the California Zephyr's beautiful dining car. "SCENIC-WAY" TO CALIFORNIA TAKE THE VISTA-DOME CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Extra Pleasure * Extra Comfort * No Extra Fare "Scenic way" is right!" Only the amazing new California Zephyr gives you the double thrill of riding the most wonderful train in the world right through America's most wonderful scenery./ And what a way to see it! The new VISTA-DOME way! Now you can look ahead . . . look up . . . look down . .l . look everywhere . . . while you glide in luxurious comfort through the magnificent Colorado Rockies and Feather River Canyon in daylight hours . . . Utah and Nevada by starlight or moonlight. Your choice of low cost VISTA-DOME reclining chair coaches or new type Pullman accommodations, drawing rooms, bedrooms, roomettes and sections. Through sleeper daily between New York and San Francisco. NEW, FASTER DAILY SCHEDULES WESTBOUND (Read Down) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EASTBOUND (Read Up) . 3:30 PM Lv - Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 1:30 PM 11:59 PM Lv - Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 4:55 AM . 1:19 AM Lv - Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 3:40 AM . 8:40 AM Lv - Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 7:00 PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Rockies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:53 PM Lv - Glenwood Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 1:35 PM 10:25 PM Lv - Salt Lake City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 5:40 AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feather River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00-11:00 AM . . . . . . . . . . .Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00-6:00 PM 12:28 PM Lv - Sacramento . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 12:50 PM . 1:34 PM Ar - Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 11:53 AM . 4:00 PM Ar - Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lv 9:44 AM . 4:50 PM Ar - San Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 9:00 AM BURLINGTON * RIO GRANDE * WESTERN PACIFIC * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Enjoy!Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, November 15, 2007 4:38 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of the winter ale please RUTH on this rather chilly day.RON Thanks for the drink. It looks as though that B&O switcher was quite a strong little engine.I am sure the time taken on designing the parts for the electric model will be worth it when it is built. Looking forward to the photos.ERIC Retirement Day is approaching rather quickly. Real glad about the Rehab Certificate.I sent an e-mail to Alan and he wants me to thank you for the info on the locomotives at the line in Holland. I hope to post some more photos on the line Saturday. I see in the photo of the Stockholm Streetcar there is a siding on the left but it does not to have seen any use lately, I guess it was for use of a maintenance car.Is there any of the newish BNSF diesels still in the Santa Fe ‘Warbonnet' livery about do you know.Thanks for the photosLARS OH NO not the large PPF jar.Glad you enjoyed the 3-rail photos. We spent quite a while looking at the layout, there was quite a lot going on, but with the lighting there we could not get a good photo of a moving train as it was blurred. The bride took yesterday's photos, here is one of mine. Great set of bookcovers from the Larsman Mobile on some electric railroads of California. I recall we had quite a discussion on these quite a while back now at the bar. JAN Many thanks for those great old Pacific Electric photos; they had some great old cars running on the system.I wonder why car #508 looks different to the others in the photo of Dallas, I bet ROB would know.CM3 Snow already, although it has gotten cold here there is none of the white stuff forecast here yet.Were there many of those switchers built for use on the B&O. TOM Half a free Bathams is better than no free Bathams.It is good news NICK may be able to come back.Many thanks for the very interesting link to COLT, Columbia's railroad. I see they have two locomotives, both quite old, a 1952 GP10 and a 1954 SW1200. I'm afraid I don't know the north side of town where the railroad is. It seems though it would be a great line to run a passenger train perhaps on a weekend as an attraction, although I guess there would be insurance problems carrying passengers. I still can't think what B.E.Y. stands for.Perhaps ALLAN came remember some of those tailboards that ran on the East Coast of Britain, I seem to have a feeling that some of the named Pullman trains had them but I may be wrong. It is a real pity that Allan is having problems getting messages posted on the forum, really hope Allan is able to get in the bar soon. Good movies for the Emporium next week (My selection of "What the Chandler Saw" would have probably brought the attention of Inspector Clueless to the theatre). I don't think I have seen that version of ‘Flight of the Phoenix" and it will be good to see ‘Runaway Train' again, and of course the Stooges.Many thanks for the California Zephyr Passenger Nostalgia. I see the Colorado Rockies and the Feather River canyon were traveled over in daylight Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:17 PM Hi Tom and all,Tui`s all round for the crew please Leon!Tom. Many thanx for your e-mail and your instructions, they WORKED! Where do I start? Enjoyed all of your posts, nice trolley pics and the info on the Zephyr and a great selection of flicks for the weekend. As Pete was saying your National Guard is very similar to the Territorial Army in the UK, their is also a Royal Naval Reserve and a RAF Reserve too. Have a safe trip, going by train by any chance?Lars. Nice to see you on board mate, a very nice selection of trolley bookcovers, and really great Remembrance/Veterans Day postsPete. You were correct about those tailboards, if I remember the Tees/Tyne Pullman had one as well as the name boards on the coaches and i`m sure all the main express trains had them as well. Very interesting pics and info on the Stanier 8F`s, if my memory serves me right the LNER ran a few over the war years? We used Binyons Ode at the British Legion, the Australian RSL uses it too. Enjoyed all your posts and great selection of pics. Have a safe trip over the weekend, have now seen the pics of your famous bag!Eric. The climate here in Hawkes Bay is very mild on the whole, the temperature`s in summer are from 70 to 90F, we get droughts at times, and the winter temperature`s are from 40 to 60F, the area is called the Fruit Bowl of NZ, their are a lot of vinyards, and pip and stone fruit orchards as well as a thriving meat export industry. Heinz have a giant food packing plant in Hastings, trading under the Heinz/Wattie trade name. Their is a site of the area where we live at Waipukurau at; http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/Enjoyed all your posts and pics.Ron. Many thanks for the Northlandz pics, and those Remembrance/Veterans Day posts of yours were spectacular.Rob. Nice write up on car 107 and a great selection of trolley pics.Per. Could`nt afford a camera back in those far off days. I make up for it now though!Jan. What a great selection of loco`s and now trolleys, enjoyed the T&P, M&P, and UP loco`s, and your Remembrance day write up as well mate!Fergie. Nice addition to the mess.CM3. Very interesting Merchant Navy info and also the Wabash info as well. Mike. Nice to see you in on a quick visit. See ya, Allan EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Friday, November 16, 2007 12:00 AM Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Hmm, Leon, I think it is time for a sugar cured ham sandwich on rye! And some coleslaw. Did I? It doesn't matter, I'll have it again. We got some drops of rain today, this cloudy Thursday! But that was all. We might get some rain in the early morning hours though. Tom – That streetcar is a little bit on the narrow side due to narrow streets in Stockholm when they were ordered in the mid 40’s. I am always doing what the doc tells me, at least almost always. I am going back to rehab early next year to continue getting in shape enough to participate in that 186 mile bike ride in the old country again. I am looking forward to my retirement but I have promised to work part time (50%) for one more year as photographer. Two good movies at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre next week! I haven’t seen The Flight of Phoenix but I have the Runaway Train on tape. Traveling on the California Zephyr in a Vista-Dome must have been something else! Maybe in this one? Maricopa, AZ.Lars – Ruth was happy to see you again today! Nice book covers, electric railroads! Pacific Electric is my favorite!Pacific Electric's Blimp.JanOlov – Adding photos of PE interurbans! Adding a picture of PE streetcars below. CM3 – A diploma for the wall! The problem is that the walls are pretty full of pictures and that kind of things (incl. some diplomas!).Pete – Tell Alan I’ll be happy to provide any info I can find on locomotives in his pictures as long as he lets you post them.The siding in the streetcar photo was mostly used for extra streetcars. The picture shows the a stop just before two amusement parks in Stockholm, so extra cars were needed at weekends. I think it is possible to still see a few BNSF locos in the SF ‘Warbonnet’ livery. I am going to Flagstaff in a few weeks to see what I can find. Where in San Diego is that 3-rail layout located? Nice pictures from Sacramento! That diesel, Sacramento & Southern #2030, is ex-US Army 2030. Purchased 3/1995 from Hawthorne Ammunition Depot. Repainted for SSRR. The loco is a GM-EMD SW8, built 1951Allan – Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu!?!?!! What kind of word is that? The longest place name in the world! I believe that, but what does it mean?It sounds like you have a pretty nice climate in your part of the world (NZ). Good to see you again!Thanks for the link! Eric wanswheel Member sinceNovember 2005 4,190 posts Posted by wanswheel on Friday, November 16, 2007 5:59 AM Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the houseBefore anything else a general thank you to the regulars for keeping Silent Mike amply entertained. Here's an article Pete and perhaps Allan might enjoy reading.Forget Waterloo: London Has a New Route To Paris (The New York Times) By John F. Burns PARIS, Nov. 14 - When it came to promoting the start on Wednesday of its new high-speed rail link between Paris and London, the train operator, Eurostar, took a gamble on French sensibilities."Oubliez Waterloo" - forget Waterloo - declared a cheeky full-page advertisement that ran earlier in the week in Le Figaro, one of France's most widely circulated newspapers. The words were posted atop a full-color reproduction of a painting by the 19th-century artist Charles de Steuben showing a messianic Napolean surrounded by an impassioned hubbub of French soldiers and civilians in 1815, shortly before his final defeat at Waterloo.The Waterloo that Eurostar wanted forgotten was not the battle, but the London railway station that had served for 13 years as the terminus for Eurostar's 185-mile-an-hour trains running to London from Brussels and Paris.That Waterloo, on the south bank of the Thames near the Houses of Parliament, was supplanted as the Eurostar terminus in London on Wednesday by St. Pancras station, four miles away in north-central London. St. Pancras has undergone a three-year, $1.7 billion government-and-privately financed restoration meant to rehabilitate the station from a grimy, semi-derelict drug haven to the "railway cathedral" it was after its soaring canopy of glass and steel and Gothic brick archways were completed in 1867.Britain and France, separated only by the width of the English Channel, have a long history that has made them enemies more often than allies, and both have railway stations named for military triumphs that turned the tide of war between them in 19th-century Europe: Waterloo in London, and Austerlitz, a stop on the Paris Métro, named for Napoleon's victory over the forces of Austria and Russia, allied with Britain, in 1805. But now, St. Pancras station seems likely to bring the two old foes closer in a very tangible sense. Wednesday's opening of the new route to Paris and Brussels served as the official inauguration of the last 20-mile section of what British engineers have called "High Speed 1," the 68-mile, $12 billion stretch of fast track that runs from St. Pancras to the English coast at Folkestone. The opening run from St. Pancras to the Gare du Nord in Paris proceeded despite the strike by French transit workers that began on Tuesday night and shut down most of the Paris train system. Eurostar, run by a separate company, was not affected by the strike. Completion of the final stretch involved building lengthy tunnels under the Thames and through the eastern districts of London. Trains can now operate at full speed along much of the route to Paris, ending a four-year period during which they had to slow to a maximum of 90 miles an hour as they ran the final leg into Waterloo. The change has cut 20 minutes from journey times to the Continent. Eurostar's new schedules post the time for nonstop trains from London to Paris at two hours and 15 minutes, and to Brussels at one hour and 51 minutes. The London-to-Paris round-trip fare ranges from $122 to $1,180.Eurostar had already established dominance in the cross-channel routes, taking as much as 75 percent of the combined air-and-rail passenger traffic between the three capitals. Eurostar's chief executive, Richard Brown, told reporters at St. Pancras on Wednesday that the company expected to expand its share of that market, increasing its annual passenger load 10 million by 2010 from 8 million last year. The 100-foot-high canopy, with 18,000 panes of glass, was only 10 days away from demolition in 1967 when the government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson bowed to a campaign to save the station from the wrecking ball. That campaign was led by the poet John Betjeman, who wrote at the time of St. Pancras's "great train shed, gaping to devour incoming engines." In tribute to Mr. Betjeman, the new station has a life-size bronze statue of him. Officials of London and Continental Railways, the public-private consortium that rebuilt St. Pancras, have said that much of their inspiration came from the restoration of Grand Central Terminal in New York in the 1990s. Their aim, they have said, was to turn St. Pancras, like Grand Central, into a "destination" of its own, with high-end retail shops, restaurants and bars.Many of the retail outlets at St. Pancras were still behind construction hoardings, but most are expected to open before Christmas. One attraction doing a brisk trade was the 300-foot-long Champagne bar, separated by a glass wall from the trains, that is said to be the biggest of its kind in the world. To Mr. Brown, the Eurostar chief, the fact that travelers and sightseers can linger and watch the trains is an advantage for St. Pancras over Grand Central. "The big difference with Grand Central is that the trains here are part of the context," he said. Austi Pierre-Stéphane, a 44-year-old Parisian travel executive returning from a business trip to London, said that the restored St. Pancras was "marvelous" and emblematic of the changes that the city has undergone in recent years."When I visited London for the first time 25 years ago, the place was dirty and sad and gray," he said. "Now it's a different atmosphere altogether. London is a happy, vibrant city, and you feel it everywhere." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/world/europe/15london.html?ref=europe siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Friday, November 16, 2007 6:25 AM <personal foto>Friday's GrinReasons "things" happen!Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.G'day Gents! With only a bit of time to spare, I'll drop this off - then get about doing what has to be done before we get going. You'd think we're leaving for a month . . . <grin>Okay - it's Friday ‘n time again for that end of the week breakfast, along with some fresh coffee ‘n pastries. Best get a move on - for with Wolfman Pete "in charge" ‘round here, one just never knows what will wind up on the Menu Board! <mushy peas ‘n eggs! yikes>From the Friday "Our" Place Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills:Knowing how to change a typewriter ribbon!Knowing what carbon paper was for!Knowing what a "ditto machine" was!Knowing what an inner tube was!Knowing how to unsnarl a pant leg from a bicycle chain!Knowing how to start a car when rolling down hill or being pushed!Knowing what a Vanilla Egg Cream is!That's ‘nuf for me on this Friday . . . Comments from the Proprietor: Now is the time for those of you who frequent this joint to step up with a few words ‘n perhaps a foto during these <down> times . . . doesn't have to be an extravaganza to participate. Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative) Thursday - Nov 15th, 2007:Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:14 AM: A spate of fine covers (one video in the mix) ‘n all should flush out the trolleyboy up in Ontario. But if not, my guess is we have several ‘round here who will enjoy the sights. Thanx! One of my closest buddies during my career lived in Visalia. He ‘n his new bride were heading south to Costa Rica by pick-up truck. He owned some land down there with a new house that he had recently built. They were stopping by old friends on the way and wound up in Texas. Just at the Texas-Mexican border, they got rear ended by someone, spun the truck around - struck an overpass abutment and exploded. Both were incinerated on the spot. Have no idea "who caused it," but it took weeks for the authorities to identify the remains and notify next of kin. A terrible, terrible end for a guy who was indeed closer to me than a brother. The name Visalia brought it back . . . A strange thing - everything inside the truck was burned to a crisp with the exception of his address book that was found in the glove box. That's how I ultimately found out what happened . . .Much appreciation extended to you for taking the time ‘n making the effort to help keep this bar of ours moving forward. Also, thanx for the round ‘n well wishes! Jan (JanOlov) at 10:02 AM: A six-pack of great traction from our Resident Swede in Scotland! The fact that you will try to stop by in spite of a heavy work schedule speaks volumes about your commitment to the bar we call "Our" Place! Many thanx . . . And once again, many thanx for the top up, cigars, cash ‘n considerations! CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 11:55 AM: Inspiring to know that we still have a few ‘round here who find the time ‘n make the effort to help keep things on an even keel! Many thanx for the visit. I've found that preparing in advance is the way to go . . . I've got bytes ‘n bytes stored away for retrieval. Squirrels have no edge on me! Juneau is envious regarding the snow in your neck o' the woods! Thanx for the round, quarters ‘n visit! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Friday, November 16, 2007 10:01 AM Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Ruth, just a cup of black cioffee and a cheese danish, please.Just a quick stop to see how you are doing nowadays. Kind of quiet morning. Mike stopped by and so did Captain Tom before taking off. I thought I would show a couple of photos from Norway, maybe something for Manager Lars? These pictures are from Trondheim, Norway, 1968. Eric « First«91929394959697»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
Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer, specializing in toy trains and model railroads. Its trains, produced from 1901 to 1969, are the most famous toy trains in the United States and among the most famous in the world.
Although not the first to manufacture toy trains-its products originally were marketed as toys-Lionel is the most enduring brand name in the United States. Many of the decades-old trains in attics and basements in the United States were made by Lionel, and the products are popular with collectors.
Company History
The original Lionel Corporation was founded in 1900 by Joshua Lionel Cowen and Harry C. Grant in New York City. The company's devotees disagree over the date of incorporation, as the official paperwork gives a date of September 5, but the paperwork was not filed until September 22, more than two weeks later.
The Pre-War Era
Lionel's first train was not intended for sale to consumers, but rather, as a storefront display. Delivered in 1901, it ran on a brass track and was powered by a battery and a motor originally intended for use in an electric fan. Cowen hoped to use the public's fascination with railroads and electricity to capture the public's attention and direct it to the goods for sale. Members of the public started approaching store owners about buying the trains instead, prompting Lionel to begin making toy trains for the general public. The earliest trains were larger than the sizes commonly available today, running on two-rail track with the rails 2 7/8 inches apart. In 1906, Lionel began offering a three-rail track that was less prone to electrical shorts. Its outer rails were 2 1/8 inches apart, which did not match any of the existing standards that other manufacturers had been using since 1891. Whether this was an accidental misreading of Märklin's Gauge 2 specifications or an intentional incompatibility is unclear, but Lionel named this non-standard track Standard Gauge, and then trademarked the name. When other U.S. companies began using Lionel's standard, they usually called it Wide gauge. Starting in 1915, Lionel followed most of its U.S. competitors and adopted the smaller O gauge standard for its budget-level trains.
By the end of World War I, Lionel was one of three major U.S. manufacturers of toy trains, and it Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
ERIC I do hope your photos have not been accidentally thrown out, hopefully they will turn up. I am still looking for my guidebook from Exporail in Canada.
I do hope they can include a small museum in the old Wabash station in Columbia MO. I would like to see a detailed old map of the railway that served the station. The Wabash served the city from the northeast from a junction at Centralia MO. This line still serves Columbia (it says B.E.Y. but I don't know what B.E.Y. stands for). Columbia Terminal runs the line. Columbia was also served from southwest by a branch off the MKT (KATY) from McBane MO. The trackbed is a cycle and hiking trail as far as the University power station; it follows the Flat Branch Creek. It is impossible now to see how the line reached the station in downtown Columbia. There is an old photograph on the wall in one of the booths in the Boonville Tavern,(as if I would know what pictures are on the wall of a tavern) which is not far from the Columbia Wabash station, showing a KATY train in the station.
Many thanks for the great photo showing the Santa Fe and BNSF power.
FERGIE Great to see you in. The K-1a is a great addition to the MESS; you will have to tell us how you were able to get hold of the 1970 model.
CM3 I'm afraid the CP orphan units has got me beat unless it was some of the U series.
Thanks for the info on the Jack Delano photos.
JAN I guess it will be the busy tine for you on the run up to Hogmany. It is very important that stocks are well built up; I would hate to be in a Glasgow pub if the supplies ran out on New Year's Eve.
TOM How to win a competition when there isn't one. I thought on November 3rd it was a quiz to guess when the 2,800th post was going to be and I guessed today but I think there wasn't a competition. Anyway, congratulations on posting the 2,800th post.
Thanks for the link to the Territorial Army, would you say it is a similar organization to the National Guard In the US.
I did notice the list of the aircrews in the Battle of Britain; I found it very sad that out of the 9 United States pilots only 2 survived the war, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made.
Thanks for the info on the Wabash Drumheads, I must admit when I first saw the drumheads I thought the Wabash had got them right.
Talking of the RM LMS issue, in the middle photo on page 61, in the left corner, is a tailboard that was fitted over the last corridor connection on the car at the back of a train, most were plain but some of the major named trains had a decorative one like the one in the photo, which was fitted to the back of the Royal Scot express from London Euston to Glasgow Central. I have had a look on the web but could not find a photo of any tailboards.
Many thanks for the second Patron's Pix #2. More great photos from ROB's archives.
Some photos from the museum and those PCCs in Philly look very modern in that paint scheme.
It was good to read of the AC Gilbert, American Flyer and the Lionel company histories. I wonder what happened to the Gilbert chemistry sets that investigated radioactivity.
I see both companies helped out with war production for the military and It seems both companies hit hard times after the founders finished with the firms.
I have a couple of photos of the San Diego 3-Railers layout. I believe it is O gauge.
These should enlarge.
Well RUTH just time for a round before you go off duty
Good day Tom and all present. Drinks on me and the usual for me. Looks like everyone is pretty busy and I really don't have much to add, but since this is "Toy and Model" day, I've sent along a picture of an engine that everyone will recognize. Do you realize these engines are 50 to 60 years old and some are still going strong on layouts everywhere. The photo is courtesy of "Yardbird Classics". This little engine was responsible for many of us getting into model railroading.
I've been spending time designing the running gear for the electric engine on my computer. Thinking about the details, kept me awake all last night. I've got to get a life.
My better half, is getting ready for her trip to Chile, which begins this coming Tuesday. That means I will be a bachelor for the next 3 to 4 weeks. Being 73, I don't think I will get into any trouble during her absence. I'll have more time to devote to my engine project, so I expect some major progress to occur.
Later, Ron
Good evening, Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, please! Green beans. No, not tonight, coffee is what I need.
"Graduated" from the cardiac rehab today. I even got a certificate! Only 36 days until retirement! What else could I ask for?
Fergie – Very nice looking steam locomotive model! I bet it wasn’t cheap! Very nice llayout with a lot of interesting models. Tom – My missing photos were real slides and prints waiting to be scanned. I had them in an envelope and now the whole thing is missing. The photo of the BNSF train was taken a couple of years ago. Quite a few of their freight trains had locomotives of all different colors. Many were leased. Thanks for trolleyboy Rob’s old post! I have always been very interested in streetcars of all kinds. I know I have shown this one before but I’ll show it again.
Stockholm, Sweden 1967.American Flyer and Lionel, can it be more classic? Toy trains, but still classic. CM3 – When I took that picture most trains had locomotives of different colors. I really don’t know what I prefer. I like to see an unusual, different looking locomotive in a consist but in this case it was leased locomotives mixed with BNSF’s own.
Another eastbound train west of Flagstaff.
JanOlov – Take it easy young man! You need all your strength for the Holidays!Pete – I am still looking for my pictures. I am sure you were told about the picture on the wall in the tavern! How else would you know about it? Very nice pictures from the 3-Railers layout! Seems to be a pretty good size layout. Ron – Indeed a very classic locomotive, model or not! Sounds like an interesting problem, designing the running gear for your electric engine!
Round for the house!
Thursday in mid-continent USA ‘n the trees in the outback are beginning to look bare - not completely, but in another few days <daze> - gone-zo! Picked up fifteen 32-gallon containers of leaves yesterday. <ugh> And that's after mulching ‘em with the riding mower . . . <double ugh> Getting pretty sad to shell out the big bucks to fill the 5 gallon gas container . . . <triple ugh> Price for petrol yesterday was $2.99 (rounded) . . .
Planned absences:
Proprietor - Nov 16th to 21st
CM3 Shane - Nov 19th to 26th - and - Nov 28th to Dec 19th <in ‘n out>
Pete - Nov 22nd to 26th
Per - Nov 21st to 29th
Lars - <uncertain regarding availability>
<thanx to all for the "heads up">
Now is the time for those of you who frequent this joint to step up with a few words ‘n perhaps a foto during these <down> times . . . doesn't have to be an extravaganza to participate.
Allan (Gunneral) reports via Email that he cannot Post any messages on the Forums. Has been trying for a few days with no luck! So, he's able to read what's been Posted, but for now - that's it! <groan>
Wednesday - Nov 14th, 2007:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:55 AM: Two days in succession - but then a word of caution ‘bout the ‘morrow. <sweet ‘n sour>
Figured you'd find something to add to the "non-theme" Wabash RR!
Didjano that if you hold a large seashell up to your ear you can hear, "Listen to the jingle, the rumble ‘n the roar . . . ."
Jan (JanOlov) at 1:29 PM: Quick hit - a top up ‘n generosities!
Pete (pwolfe) at 4:51 PM: I looked for that B.E.Y. marking you saw . . . it doesn't show up in the RR markings list nor as a Class II or Class III RR. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh
Found this link for the Columbia Terminal RR:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/WaterandLight/About_Us/COLT/coltmap.php
And yes, you did in fact guess that today would be when the 2,800th Post would be made on this Thread! BUT, you are correct - it WASN'T a contest - simply me wondering out loud! <grin> BUT certainly worth a pint of Bathams on me! BUT you also said Eric would Post it . . . so before you <gulp> down that beer, you'll only have to pay for half of it!
You said Congratulations for post 2,700 . I think we will get to post 2,800 on November 14th with Eric posting it.
Congratulations for post 2,700 . I think we will get to post 2,800 on November 14th with Eric posting it.
Yes, I guess the National Guard here would be a good comparison to the British Territorial Army . . .
Ruth my deAH, yes the Larsman has returned! If only for a little while, at least my day is complete now that I can feast these old eyes on your radiant beauty! <blush>
Boris, the crittAHs have lined up with their plates in paws . . . so, let's get a move on, it's feeding time! Yes, yes - I missed you too. <geesh> Of course you may have the LARGE jar of PPF - but only after you've fed ‘em. <grin>
That's quite a list for planned absences and there will be more as we get closer to Christmas. Just the way it is. Really sorry that my time isn't my own right now, for this place NEEDS a booster shot . . .
Figured we'd see our Canadians on either the 11th or 12th. Didn't happen. Thought I had picked up on the trolleyMAN saying he'd be here. Yeah, been there, done that. Sorry - but the dependable crew has really diminished - and I'm in that sorry lot now. <grrrrrrrrrr>
I've checked through the material - and as ever, Da Bossman is keeping on keeping on. Really great to see how the non-theme stuff on the Wabash got pretty good play. <sweet> Jan picked up on it and the rest just fell into place.
Also good to see the Toy 'n Model Trains Day event continuing on with a fine selection from Cap'n Tom, then those great 3-rail pix from Pete 'n of course the little switcher loco from Ron down in Mississip!
Hope that Pete ‘n Eric can hold on to their daily appearances at a minimum. More isn't always bettAH, but there are times when our bar gets awfully lonely . . . SAME for Da Bossman's other thread. Don't forget that one!!
Thought I'd drop off my <signature stuff> - book covers from the Larsman Mobile!
The Visalia Electric Railroad
The Central California Traction Company
Pacific Electric - The Twilight Years
Pacific Electric Railway
Pacific Electric in Color, Vol II
Hey Cap'n Tom - hope you 'n your Mrs. have a fine time away for a few days - enjoy it, mate!
Greetings Tom and gentlemen....
Another hard nights work done....can't wait for the weekend! Barkeep! May I please have the usual for me and the rest of the crew? Make it a dram with each top up and cigar too please....keep the change.
Just to let you know Tom and all you others that because of my work, my visits might become a bit infrequent, but only with a day or two..I'll still try my best to visit everyday. Should I be quiet, I'm probably just
Pacific Electric Railway Company PCC interurban streetcar 5004 approaches a passenger shelter on the Glendale Line in Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), California.
Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 1221 passes palm trees, sedan automobiles, and businesses in Compton (Los Angeles County), California.
Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 4600 in Long Beach (Los Angeles County), California. The "Hotel Juanita" and "Imperial Apartments Hotel" are in the distance.
Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcars 1222 and 1217 cross the viaduct outside the Main Street Station in Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), California. Sedan automobiles are parked by a gas station and a "Richfield" sign.
Pacific Electric Railway Company interurban streetcar 4644 (Bellflower) and White Bus Lines bus number 2062 wait in the rail yard in Santa Ana (Orange County), California. Shows an Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe boxcar and automobiles. Signs read: "Pacific Electric Lines, Passenger & Freight, Southern Pacific Baggage," and "No Thoroughfare Rail & Motor Coach Operations Only P.E. Ry. Co." The destination sign on the trolley reads: "Bellflower Santa Ana."
Texas Electric Railway interurban streetcars 509, 508, 502, and 503 are parked near brick buildings in the rail yard in Dallas (Dallas County), Texas.
Credit: Robert W Richardson and photoswest
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Snowing here today and very windy. It's been so warm, however, that we won't get much in the way of accumulation.
Pete stopped by with comments and pictures.
DD1 was here as well. The B&O engine did, as you suggest, get a lot of people started modeling - good picture and reminiscnce.
Eric - a diploma, wow! That a good one to have.
Lars - Good to hear from you - PE material looks good. Classic book on the subject is Spencer Crump's Ride The Big Red Cars - I have read that one so many times the covers are abot. off my copy.
Jan sent along some evocative PE shots as well.
OSP - Thanks for Lionel and Af material. There was always a rivalry in our neighborhood between the Lionel faction and the American Flyer folks. I was in the former camp, but AF did have some fine looking locomotives. I also liked the two rail track as well.
My schedule is truly that bad through December as we have a ton on trainees starting out and I get to deal with each and every one of them. I am going to try and get some material prepared ahead of time so I can have something out there for the folks.
Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . November 18th thru 24: Flight of the Phoenix (2004) Starring: Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto & Tony Curran - and - Runaway Train (1985) starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca De Mor Nay. SHORT: The Three Stooges - I Can Hardly Wait (1943).
<Runaway Train is back by popular demand! It was first shown on Jan 22nd, 2006!>
Flight of the Phoenix (2004)
PLOT SUMMARY:
An action-adventure in which a group of air crash survivors - cast-offs from society who will never be missed - are stranded in the Mongolian desert with no hope of rescue. As they attempt to build a new plane from the wreckage of the old one, in hopes of flying back to civilization, they experience a rebirth of their own.[The 1965 original starred James Stewart, made headlines for the crash-landing death of stunt-pilot Paul Mantz, and now stands as a minor classic of its era. The remake is more spectacular in special effects, whereas the original retains the compelling story line of a crashed cargo plane in the Gobi desert and the ensuing fight for survival. The original was shown at the Emporium during the week of July 9th - 15th, 2006]
[The 1965 original starred James Stewart, made headlines for the crash-landing death of stunt-pilot Paul Mantz, and now stands as a minor classic of its era.
The remake is more spectacular in special effects, whereas the original retains the compelling story line of a crashed cargo plane in the Gobi desert and the ensuing fight for survival. The original was shown at the Emporium during the week of July 9th - 15th, 2006]
<from: amazon.com>
Runaway Train (1985)
Tearing up the track at 100 miles-per-hour, Runaway Train features hair-raising footage (Leonard Maltin) and spectacular, Oscar-nominated* performances by Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. Packed with action, suspense and a powerful climax that will sweep you away (The New YorkDaily News), Runaway Train is an intense...stunning...astonishing (Roger Ebert) super-thriller! Manny (Voight) is the toughest convict in a remote Alaskan prison who, along with fellow inmate Buck (Roberts), makes a daring breakout. Hopping a freight train, they head full-steam for freedom, but when the engineer dies of a heart attack, they find themselves trapped, alone and speeding toward certain disaster. Until, that is, they discover a third passenger, a beautiful railroad worker (Rebecca DeMornay) who's just as desperate and just as determined to survive as they are! *1985: Actor (Voight), Supporting Actor (Roberts)
Packed with action, suspense and a powerful climax that will sweep you away (The New YorkDaily News), Runaway Train is an intense...stunning...astonishing (Roger Ebert) super-thriller!
Manny (Voight) is the toughest convict in a remote Alaskan prison who, along with fellow inmate Buck (Roberts), makes a daring breakout. Hopping a freight train, they head full-steam for freedom, but when the engineer dies of a heart attack, they find themselves trapped, alone and speeding toward certain disaster. Until, that is, they discover a third passenger, a beautiful railroad worker (Rebecca DeMornay) who's just as desperate and just as determined to survive as they are!
*1985: Actor (Voight), Supporting Actor (Roberts)
SHORT: I Can Hardly Wait (1943)
Moe, Larry and Curly are defense workers during WWII who come home from the job for a well deserved dinner. During their "rationed" meal Curly breaks his tooth eating a ham bone that Moe allocated to him in during an unfair meal allotment. The remainder of the episode consists of a "dream sequence" where Moe makes multiple attempts to pull the broken tooth. These efforts are predictably fruitless and simply irritate Curly even more. Eventually, Curly is forced to go to the dentist but gets the last laugh when the dentist pulls Moe's tooth by mistake while Moe was sitting in the chair trying to reassure a terrified Curly. Ultimately, Curly awakes from his dream and his problem is rectified when Moe punches him in the jaw knocking out the damaged tooth and allowing the boys to get back to sleep.
<from: threestooges.net>
Enjoy! Tom
G'day All!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #62
<A form of this was initially Posted on 23 Jan 2006, Page 228 of the Original Thread>
Here's something to enjoy regarding the California Zephyr from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection.
Luxurious comfort at economy saving fares in new VISTA-DOME chair coaches.
Feminine as a boudoir in the women's lounge. Men's lounges equally complete. Enjoy delicious meals and personalized service in the California Zephyr's beautiful dining car.
"SCENIC-WAY" TO CALIFORNIA TAKE THE VISTA-DOME CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR
Extra Pleasure * Extra Comfort * No Extra Fare
"Scenic way" is right!" Only the amazing new California Zephyr gives you the double thrill of riding the most wonderful train in the world right through America's most wonderful scenery./ And what a way to see it! The new VISTA-DOME way! Now you can look ahead . . . look up . . . look down . .l . look everywhere . . . while you glide in luxurious comfort through the magnificent Colorado Rockies and Feather River Canyon in daylight hours . . . Utah and Nevada by starlight or moonlight. Your choice of low cost VISTA-DOME reclining chair coaches or new type Pullman accommodations, drawing rooms, bedrooms, roomettes and sections. Through sleeper daily between New York and San Francisco.
NEW, FASTER DAILY SCHEDULES
WESTBOUND (Read Down) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EASTBOUND (Read Up) . 3:30 PM Lv - Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 1:30 PM 11:59 PM Lv - Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 4:55 AM . 1:19 AM Lv - Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 3:40 AM . 8:40 AM Lv - Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ar 7:00 PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Rockies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:53 PM Lv - Glenwood Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 1:35 PM 10:25 PM Lv - Salt Lake City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 5:40 AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feather River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00-11:00 AM . . . . . . . . . . .Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00-6:00 PM 12:28 PM Lv - Sacramento . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 12:50 PM . 1:34 PM Ar - Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 11:53 AM . 4:00 PM Ar - Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lv 9:44 AM . 4:50 PM Ar - San Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lv 9:00 AM
BURLINGTON * RIO GRANDE * WESTERN PACIFIC
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A pint of the winter ale please RUTH on this rather chilly day.
RON Thanks for the drink. It looks as though that B&O switcher was quite a strong little engine.
I am sure the time taken on designing the parts for the electric model will be worth it when it is built. Looking forward to the photos.
ERIC Retirement Day is approaching rather quickly. Real glad about the Rehab Certificate.
I sent an e-mail to Alan and he wants me to thank you for the info on the locomotives at the line in Holland. I hope to post some more photos on the line Saturday.
I see in the photo of the Stockholm Streetcar there is a siding on the left but it does not to have seen any use lately, I guess it was for use of a maintenance car.
Is there any of the newish BNSF diesels still in the Santa Fe ‘Warbonnet' livery about do you know.Thanks for the photos
LARS OH NO not the large PPF jar.
Glad you enjoyed the 3-rail photos. We spent quite a while looking at the layout, there was quite a lot going on, but with the lighting there we could not get a good photo of a moving train as it was blurred. The bride took yesterday's photos, here is one of mine.
Great set of bookcovers from the Larsman Mobile on some electric railroads of California. I recall we had quite a discussion on these quite a while back now at the bar.
JAN Many thanks for those great old Pacific Electric photos; they had some great old cars running on the system.
I wonder why car #508 looks different to the others in the photo of Dallas, I bet ROB would know.
CM3 Snow already, although it has gotten cold here there is none of the white stuff forecast here yet.
Were there many of those switchers built for use on the B&O.
TOM Half a free Bathams is better than no free Bathams.
It is good news NICK may be able to come back.
Many thanks for the very interesting link to COLT, Columbia's railroad. I see they have two locomotives, both quite old, a 1952 GP10 and a 1954 SW1200. I'm afraid I don't know the north side of town where the railroad is. It seems though it would be a great line to run a passenger train perhaps on a weekend as an attraction, although I guess there would be insurance problems carrying passengers.
I still can't think what B.E.Y. stands for.
Perhaps ALLAN came remember some of those tailboards that ran on the East Coast of Britain, I seem to have a feeling that some of the named Pullman trains had them but I may be wrong. It is a real pity that Allan is having problems getting messages posted on the forum, really hope Allan is able to get in the bar soon.
Good movies for the Emporium next week (My selection of "What the Chandler Saw" would have probably brought the attention of Inspector Clueless to the theatre). I don't think I have seen that version of ‘Flight of the Phoenix" and it will be good to see ‘Runaway Train' again, and of course the Stooges.
Many thanks for the California Zephyr Passenger Nostalgia. I see the Colorado Rockies and the Feather River canyon were traveled over in daylight
Hi Tom and all,
Tui`s all round for the crew please Leon!
Tom. Many thanx for your e-mail and your instructions, they WORKED! Where do I start? Enjoyed all of your posts, nice trolley pics and the info on the Zephyr and a great selection of flicks for the weekend. As Pete was saying your National Guard is very similar to the Territorial Army in the UK, their is also a Royal Naval Reserve and a RAF Reserve too. Have a safe trip, going by train by any chance?
Lars. Nice to see you on board mate, a very nice selection of trolley bookcovers, and really great Remembrance/Veterans Day posts
Pete. You were correct about those tailboards, if I remember the Tees/Tyne Pullman had one as well as the name boards on the coaches and i`m sure all the main express trains had them as well. Very interesting pics and info on the Stanier 8F`s, if my memory serves me right the LNER ran a few over the war years? We used Binyons Ode at the British Legion, the Australian RSL uses it too. Enjoyed all your posts and great selection of pics. Have a safe trip over the weekend, have now seen the pics of your famous bag!
Eric. The climate here in Hawkes Bay is very mild on the whole, the temperature`s in summer are from 70 to 90F, we get droughts at times, and the winter temperature`s are from 40 to 60F, the area is called the Fruit Bowl of NZ, their are a lot of vinyards, and pip and stone fruit orchards as well as a thriving meat export industry. Heinz have a giant food packing plant in Hastings, trading under the Heinz/Wattie trade name. Their is a site of the area where we live at Waipukurau at;
http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/
Enjoyed all your posts and pics.
Ron. Many thanks for the Northlandz pics, and those Remembrance/Veterans Day posts of yours were spectacular.
Rob. Nice write up on car 107 and a great selection of trolley pics.
Per. Could`nt afford a camera back in those far off days. I make up for it now though!
Jan. What a great selection of loco`s and now trolleys, enjoyed the T&P, M&P, and UP loco`s, and your Remembrance day write up as well mate!
Fergie. Nice addition to the mess.
CM3. Very interesting Merchant Navy info and also the Wabash info as well.
Mike. Nice to see you in on a quick visit.
See ya, Allan
Hmm, Leon, I think it is time for a sugar cured ham sandwich on rye! And some coleslaw. Did I? It doesn't matter, I'll have it again.
We got some drops of rain today, this cloudy Thursday! But that was all. We might get some rain in the early morning hours though.
Tom – That streetcar is a little bit on the narrow side due to narrow streets in Stockholm when they were ordered in the mid 40’s. I am always doing what the doc tells me, at least almost always. I am going back to rehab early next year to continue getting in shape enough to participate in that 186 mile bike ride in the old country again. I am looking forward to my retirement but I have promised to work part time (50%) for one more year as photographer. Two good movies at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre next week! I haven’t seen The Flight of Phoenix but I have the Runaway Train on tape. Traveling on the California Zephyr in a Vista-Dome must have been something else!
Maybe in this one? Maricopa, AZ.Lars – Ruth was happy to see you again today! Nice book covers, electric railroads! Pacific Electric is my favorite!
Pacific Electric's Blimp.
JanOlov – Adding photos of PE interurbans! Adding a picture of PE streetcars below.
CM3 – A diploma for the wall! The problem is that the walls are pretty full of pictures and that kind of things (incl. some diplomas!).Pete – Tell Alan I’ll be happy to provide any info I can find on locomotives in his pictures as long as he lets you post them.The siding in the streetcar photo was mostly used for extra streetcars. The picture shows the a stop just before two amusement parks in Stockholm, so extra cars were needed at weekends. I think it is possible to still see a few BNSF locos in the SF ‘Warbonnet’ livery. I am going to Flagstaff in a few weeks to see what I can find. Where in San Diego is that 3-rail layout located? Nice pictures from Sacramento! That diesel, Sacramento & Southern #2030, is ex-US Army 2030. Purchased 3/1995 from Hawthorne Ammunition Depot. Repainted for SSRR. The loco is a GM-EMD SW8, built 1951Allan – Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu!?!?!! What kind of word is that? The longest place name in the world! I believe that, but what does it mean?It sounds like you have a pretty nice climate in your part of the world (NZ). Good to see you again!Thanks for the link!
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Before anything else a general thank you to the regulars for keeping Silent Mike amply entertained.
Here's an article Pete and perhaps Allan might enjoy reading.
Forget Waterloo: London Has a New Route To Paris (The New York Times)
By John F. Burns
PARIS, Nov. 14 - When it came to promoting the start on Wednesday of its new high-speed rail link between Paris and London, the train operator, Eurostar, took a gamble on French sensibilities.
"Oubliez Waterloo" - forget Waterloo - declared a cheeky full-page advertisement that ran earlier in the week in Le Figaro, one of France's most widely circulated newspapers. The words were posted atop a full-color reproduction of a painting by the 19th-century artist Charles de Steuben showing a messianic Napolean surrounded by an impassioned hubbub of French soldiers and civilians in 1815, shortly before his final defeat at Waterloo.
The Waterloo that Eurostar wanted forgotten was not the battle, but the London railway station that had served for 13 years as the terminus for Eurostar's 185-mile-an-hour trains running to London from Brussels and Paris.
That Waterloo, on the south bank of the Thames near the Houses of Parliament, was supplanted as the Eurostar terminus in London on Wednesday by St. Pancras station, four miles away in north-central London.
St. Pancras has undergone a three-year, $1.7 billion government-and-privately financed restoration meant to rehabilitate the station from a grimy, semi-derelict drug haven to the "railway cathedral" it was after its soaring canopy of glass and steel and Gothic brick archways were completed in 1867.
Britain and France, separated only by the width of the English Channel, have a long history that has made them enemies more often than allies, and both have railway stations named for military triumphs that turned the tide of war between them in 19th-century Europe: Waterloo in London, and Austerlitz, a stop on the Paris Métro, named for Napoleon's victory over the forces of Austria and Russia, allied with Britain, in 1805. But now, St. Pancras station seems likely to bring the two old foes closer in a very tangible sense.
Wednesday's opening of the new route to Paris and Brussels served as the official inauguration of the last 20-mile section of what British engineers have called "High Speed 1," the 68-mile, $12 billion stretch of fast track that runs from St. Pancras to the English coast at Folkestone.
The opening run from St. Pancras to the Gare du Nord in Paris proceeded despite the strike by French transit workers that began on Tuesday night and shut down most of the Paris train system. Eurostar, run by a separate company, was not affected by the strike. Completion of the final stretch involved building lengthy tunnels under the Thames and through the eastern districts of London. Trains can now operate at full speed along much of the route to Paris, ending a four-year period during which they had to slow to a maximum of 90 miles an hour as they ran the final leg into Waterloo. The change has cut 20 minutes from journey times to the Continent.
Eurostar's new schedules post the time for nonstop trains from London to Paris at two hours and 15 minutes, and to Brussels at one hour and 51 minutes. The London-to-Paris round-trip fare ranges from $122 to $1,180.
Eurostar had already established dominance in the cross-channel routes, taking as much as 75 percent of the combined air-and-rail passenger traffic between the three capitals. Eurostar's chief executive, Richard Brown, told reporters at St. Pancras on Wednesday that the company expected to expand its share of that market, increasing its annual passenger load 10 million by 2010 from 8 million last year.
The 100-foot-high canopy, with 18,000 panes of glass, was only 10 days away from demolition in 1967 when the government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson bowed to a campaign to save the station from the wrecking ball. That campaign was led by the poet John Betjeman, who wrote at the time of St. Pancras's "great train shed, gaping to devour incoming engines." In tribute to Mr. Betjeman, the new station has a life-size bronze statue of him.
Officials of London and Continental Railways, the public-private consortium that rebuilt St. Pancras, have said that much of their inspiration came from the restoration of Grand Central Terminal in New York in the 1990s. Their aim, they have said, was to turn St. Pancras, like Grand Central, into a "destination" of its own, with high-end retail shops, restaurants and bars.
Many of the retail outlets at St. Pancras were still behind construction hoardings, but most are expected to open before Christmas. One attraction doing a brisk trade was the 300-foot-long Champagne bar, separated by a glass wall from the trains, that is said to be the biggest of its kind in the world.
To Mr. Brown, the Eurostar chief, the fact that travelers and sightseers can linger and watch the trains is an advantage for St. Pancras over Grand Central. "The big difference with Grand Central is that the trains here are part of the context," he said.
Austi Pierre-Stéphane, a 44-year-old Parisian travel executive returning from a business trip to London, said that the restored St. Pancras was "marvelous" and emblematic of the changes that the city has undergone in recent years.
"When I visited London for the first time 25 years ago, the place was dirty and sad and gray," he said. "Now it's a different atmosphere altogether. London is a happy, vibrant city, and you feel it everywhere."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/world/europe/15london.html?ref=europe
Friday's Grin
Reasons "things" happen!
Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
With only a bit of time to spare, I'll drop this off - then get about doing what has to be done before we get going. You'd think we're leaving for a month . . . <grin>
Okay - it's Friday ‘n time again for that end of the week breakfast, along with some fresh coffee ‘n pastries. Best get a move on - for with Wolfman Pete "in charge" ‘round here, one just never knows what will wind up on the Menu Board! <mushy peas ‘n eggs! yikes>
From the Friday "Our" Place Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills:
Knowing how to change a typewriter ribbon!
Knowing what carbon paper was for!
Knowing what a "ditto machine" was!
Knowing what an inner tube was!
Knowing how to unsnarl a pant leg from a bicycle chain!
Knowing how to start a car when rolling down hill or being pushed!
Knowing what a Vanilla Egg Cream is!
Thursday - Nov 15th, 2007:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:14 AM: A spate of fine covers (one video in the mix) ‘n all should flush out the trolleyboy up in Ontario. But if not, my guess is we have several ‘round here who will enjoy the sights. Thanx!
One of my closest buddies during my career lived in Visalia. He ‘n his new bride were heading south to Costa Rica by pick-up truck. He owned some land down there with a new house that he had recently built. They were stopping by old friends on the way and wound up in Texas. Just at the Texas-Mexican border, they got rear ended by someone, spun the truck around - struck an overpass abutment and exploded. Both were incinerated on the spot. Have no idea "who caused it," but it took weeks for the authorities to identify the remains and notify next of kin. A terrible, terrible end for a guy who was indeed closer to me than a brother. The name Visalia brought it back . . . A strange thing - everything inside the truck was burned to a crisp with the exception of his address book that was found in the glove box. That's how I ultimately found out what happened . . .
Jan (JanOlov) at 10:02 AM: A six-pack of great traction from our Resident Swede in Scotland!
The fact that you will try to stop by in spite of a heavy work schedule speaks volumes about your commitment to the bar we call "Our" Place! Many thanx . . .
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 11:55 AM: Inspiring to know that we still have a few ‘round here who find the time ‘n make the effort to help keep things on an even keel! Many thanx for the visit.
I've found that preparing in advance is the way to go . . . I've got bytes ‘n bytes stored away for retrieval. Squirrels have no edge on me!
Juneau is envious regarding the snow in your neck o' the woods!
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