<"Our" Place Christmas Holiday Train>
An Amtrak train bound for Kansas City makes its way through Kirkwood after stopping Sunday to pickup passengers at the downtown Kirkwood train station. <foto: Robert Cohen - StL Post-Dispatch>
G'day Gents!
Tuesday once more ‘n time to fill up the coffee mugs, check out the pastris in The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Comments from the Proprietor:
From the Legion of the Lost Last Posts at "Our" Place:
Per (marthastrainyard) Nov 10th
<has been seen logged in since . . . but no Posts>
James (CMSTPP) Oct 3rd - chair removed from the table area
Dave (West Coast S) Sep 30th - stool removed from the bar
<seen frequently elsewhere - most recently on Dec 9th . . .>
Doug (barndad) Aug 22nd - stool removed from the bar
Nick (nickinwestwales) July 4th - stool removed from the bar
<and a VERY disappointing SURPRISE - seen on Nov 11th elsewhere!>
Dan (DL-UK) Nov 30th
Not completely "in" the Legion - but approaching having a foot in the door!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Monday - Dec 17th:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) 9:55 AM ‘n 11:27 AM: After a prolonged, but understandable, absence - our Resident WVA Connection resumes his place at the bar!
There was an interview on KMOX radio this morning that I think you would've gotten a kick out of. Joe Garagiola was in town promoting a book <Just Play Ball> he's written and spent a couple of hours with one of our talk-show "celebs" talking baseball in St. Loo . . . As you know, he's from "the hill" - grew up across from Yogi ‘n they both made it to the "bigs' as catchers in the same era. Really an interesting bunch of tid-bits, lotsa laffs, et-al - "they" don't make ‘em like that anymore, fer sure, fer sure. Shudda taped it . . . <arrrrggggghhhh>
Cards still haven't put single game tix on sale yet . . . in case you're wonderin' . . . Guess they're trying to "milk" as much outta the adoring fan base as possible before releasing the few that will be left to the "likes of me."
Appreciate the catch-up, two rounds ‘n two sets of quarters for Herr Wurlitzer!
Pete (pwolfe) at 12:27 PM: Glad to note that you've returned safely . . . as you can see, it's been rather quiet ‘round the place and probably will be ‘til after Jan 1st . . .
Looking forward to getting together tomorrow at the Kirkwood Station <see foto above!> Anyway, give me a call when you arrive at Washington . . . that gives me just enough time to get to Kirkwood for your arrival.
Lars (LoveDomes) at 1:42 PM: Hey Mate! Watsamatta-u?!?!? Thought YOU wanted reruns from here on ‘til the New Year ‘n you come up with NEW stuff! <geesh> Trolley Buses at that! <grin>
Sorry that you're feeling a bit under the weather - too much fun ‘ frolic <or was it frustration> at the foooooball game!?!?! Anyway, appreciate your taking the time ‘n making the effort to keep your presence at the bar "up" . . .
Yeah, seems like the Giants are H-bent on making things extremely tough on themselves - giving every opportunity away that comes along. I watched only a bit of the game last nite - as we were totally "footballed out" - far too much during daylite hours. <groan> Ain't able to stay ‘tuned' that long anymore . . .
Thanx for the ROUND!
Pete (pwolfe) at 6:20 PM: Back with a fine, inclusive 'n informative Post! And you haven't even finished the Pages yet!
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH, a mugga Joe with a double "BK splash"" AND a jolt! I'm barely functioning this day . . BUT can't let the guyz down . . . gotta keep the screws turnin' ‘n churnin'!
Thanks Boris for taking care of feedin' time for the crittAHS - take that LARGE jar of PPF, you've earned it my cloven-footed-cyclops!
Why yes Ruth, I do think a "turn" in the hot tub just might make things a bit bettAH! Break time Why yes <yes, yes, yes, yes!> <oooooohhhhh boy>
Sorry to disappoint youse guyz, but this will be another of my abbreviated visits - AND I'll try to scour up some reruns <grin> . . . had those trolley bus pix in the word processor . . . but the cupboard is bare now.
Greetings to Eric - Shane - Ron - Rob - Pete 'n Cap'n Tom!!
Great to see Ron stop by - just goes to show that even if a guy doesn't have the time to visit every day, he isn't of the nature to just abandon us. Merry Christmas to you ‘n your Mrs. too! Hope her return is a safe ‘n happy one . . .
Man oh man, that "list" provided by Da Bossman surely speaks for itself. I didn't realize that West Coast S had turned himself into "that kinda guy" - whowuddathunk it Don't want to spend too much time wonderin' WHY ‘n WHAT happened to chase him off - but apparently he's not the kind to return emails nor be up front - nevAH wudda thunk it. AND Nick too! Now that is truly devastating to my "image" of the man. Not nearly as bad as the previous guy, but still - to pop up on the forums after a long absence from the bar and NOT visit us Guess we live ‘n learn, huh Boss
Looks like Jan Olov ‘n Dan (DL-UK) have taken a reprieve from the joint along with Per (marthastrainyard) . . . a shame. But I think they WILL return - just a mattAH of time. Or at least we can HOPE!
Tape recorders aboard ship used to be a "must" - always had one with me too. Lotsa tapes to keep me mentally sane after hours ‘n hours in the engineroom . . . just relaxing on my bunk, listening to the tunes. Yeah, I did that too. Used to tape all kindsa stuff - especially the Broadway shows (My Fair Lady - Oklahoma, etc.) . . . surprise ya Yeah, even the likes of me have "some" culture! <grin>
Hope you ‘n Wolfman Pete have a great time together in St. Looo . . or is it Kirkwood No mattAH, my guess is you'll have to be pried outta the Train Wreck saloon!
Always appreciate hearing from trolleyMAN up there in snowy Ontario! <grin> Dressing up for the midnight festivities, huh Well, maybe a "formal speed-o" will do. <uh oh> The H&H "gals" are all excited about that dunk tank . . . I see that Helga even has her "best horn-helmet" ready for the event!
Guess I'm getting carried away - ‘n I surprised that I have the endurance for this. I really feel like CRAP - worse in fact. Just gotta remember, "don't barf into the wind!" <ugh>
Now for something along the lines of reruns from my archives of Larsman Mobile "stuff" . . .
Canadian National Railway <page 131>
Canadian Pacific Railway <page 131>
UP Streamliner Collection (DVD) <page 133>
Memories of Eastern Pennsylvania Railroading <page 133>
Erie Railroad in Color <page 134>
Diamondbugs - Erie Railroad <page 134>
Hi Tom and all.
Definatly a hit and run post today. Got to catch the bus to get the train to see TOM.
So food on me today please RUTH
Pete.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (round for the house) and $ for the jukebox. Running a bit late today but was running the medical shuttle for family members - no biggie, regularly scheduled appts.
Lets see what we have today.
Lars is around and about - I don't know what you have but if it is anything like what I have been battling, the worst part was having no energy. Oh, let's see, we'll go out into the living room and do a little ESPN, but before we get to the chair and the controllers, lets, as Dino used to say, "Slide on over to the couch for awhile." It's wicked!
We had lots of trolley buses in Boston (still do). They called them "Trackless Trolleys." Providence was another place in the area that had them as well. Ha! Got all the Erie stuff you posted. BTW, that is a lovely pair of P Company sharks.
Pete - Ride the Empire Builder, ride the Empire Builder, ride the Empire Builder. My work on that score is done. Appreciate the information on white roofs. Safe travels!
DD1 visited. I hope your wife returned safely. Interesting remembrances about sound equipment. I had several friends who did a lot with different kinds of gear so the names sounded familiar. We had a lot of Scott stuff floating around the house.
Rob - Bittersweet observations re the time machine. If I could, two of my choices would be along the NYC east of Elkhart in the 1920s, and Horseshoe in 1943.
In my case, a camera was so far "off the table," it was pointless to even ask. Ours was used for family activities. But I do have the timecards and the memories.
Boris helped me in a monumental crawl through the archives last night. Guess what! The book I was searching for was with all the rest of the B&M material! It's so rare to find anything that's in the correct location because it gets sued and then put with something else so I'll have everything together when needed.
Anyway, the Morning Sun book Trackside Boston and Maine, has a bunch of photographs by Art Mitchell showing the CP E8s on the "Alouettes" in the north country. The three of them were built for service between Boston and Montreal so they would be compatible with the Es the B&M used on their long haul stuff. Yes, Awk, I know they used Lacos in passenger service, but most of the time it was Es.
One of the captions said that 1801 was a "frequent visitor" to North Station - I feel better now since my memories were not completely fried. Then I wasted the entire evening looking through the book and reliving the days of my misspent youth at the Boston Engine Terminal. Don't you hate it when you say "I'll just look at this for a minute," and the next thing you know, the rest of the word is asleep.
Lake Simcoe Jct - good one and thanks!
Eric stopped by with comments. The Boston-Pittsburgh Pullman route was not all that out of the way. It ran on the NH from Boston to Penn Station and then PRR the rest of the way; you have been over the route, I know: NY-Philadelphia-Harrisburg-Altoona-Pittsburgh. I have lots more information and will try and find that, too.
Boris, go out back and find the green barrel, open it and refill our carbide lamps, that's a good fellow! Don't forget to close it back up - that stuff does not do well in rain or dampness. It looks though we are going back to the PRR files. We'd best bring refreshments - it could be a long trek!
OSP is here as well. Enjoyed the Norwegian material.
I will try and post tomorrow but we have one more flurry of activity before things finally begin winding down. I don't suppose I'll get flagged if I post some original material, I hope?
Work safe
With Wolfman Pete "in tow," arrived back at the Haus safe 'n somewhat "sound." Great couple of hours over at the Museum of Transport . . .
Here's a little something that was in the <hopper> for Posting later in the day . . . just to keep things movin' along of course. <grin>
Now arriving on track #1 ..... Railroads from Yesteryear! Number Seven
Southern Pacific Railroad (SP)
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 256 of the Original Thread on 21 Feb 2006>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.
Southern Pacific Railroad
Reporting marks: SP,SSW Locale: Arizona, California, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Utah Dates of operation: 1865 - 1996 Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) with some 3 ft (914 mm) gauge branches Headquarters: San Francisco, CA The Southern Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark SP) was an American railroad. The railroad was founded as a land holding company in 1865, forming part of the Central Pacific Railroad empire. The Southern Pacific's route miles has varied over the years but in 1929 the system showed 13,848 miles of track and in 1994 it had 8,991 miles of track. By 1900, the Southern Pacific Company had grown into a major railroad system that incorporated a lot of smaller companies, such as the Texas and New Orleans Railroad and Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad, and that extended from New Orleans through Texas to El Paso, across New Mexico and through Tucson, Arizona, to Los Angeles, throughout most of California including San Francisco and Sacramento; it absorbed the Central Pacific Railroad extending eastward across Nevada to Ogden, Utah and had lines reaching north throughout and across Oregon to Portland. On August 9, 1988, the Interstate Commerce Commission approved the purchase of the Southern Pacific by Rio Grande Industries, the company that controlled the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The Rio Grande officially took control of the Southern Pacific on October 13, 1988. After the purchase, the combined railroad kept the Southern Pacific name due to its brand recognition in the railroad industry and with customers of both constituent railroads. The Southern Pacific was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1996 following years of financial problems. The railroad is also noteworthy for being the defendant in the landmark 1886 United States Supreme Court case Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad which is often interpreted as having established certain corporate rights under the Constitution of the United States.
Timeline
Good evening Leon oh I think a good belt of Irish coffee is required everything including my hair hurts at the moment spent four hours shovelling snow at the store, the morons that do our parking lot socked in the garbage compactor and well it was garbage pick-up day the rest is well
Tom-I hope you and Pete had a fine and enjoyable day together,train musuem's the CanAm what could be "bettah" as Lars might say.
I can never really know what goes on at the border when it comes to mailings. I've sent stuff out to my sister in Colorado Springs and she gets it in less than a week , I mailed something to my mother who's in the same Province at it takes a week crown corproations you gotta love them oh well at least they stopped using the horses Now my dad and Heather's dad both remember sending packages and letters by RPO on both the CNR and CPR if you got the right crew on the express train the mail would and did arrive at it's end point usually the same day, who says modern ways are best
I here you about the airfares and all. They are the one reason I refuse ti travel by air <bar> and <double barf>I don't like flying in the first place and now with all the extra hassels and costs I just won't do it period. if I can't drive it or hop on a train in a reasonable time frame I just don't do it.
Yup litres are a wonderfull thing aren't they. the worst thing for me is that when the Liberals decided that metric was the thing to do was already in school so my "edumufication" had teachings in both systems , so I'm neither a master in either of them.
Great to see the SP material again, in other days it would have generated a ton of exchanges between many of the Legion of the lost, too abd that list has / had a lot of good friends on it.
Lars-Okay I'll wear the formal speedo with the brass buttons ( strategically located ) that should give the "girlz H&H " something to rememberA fine collection of books from the Larsmobile today,I own a couple of those now I'm going to have to go back and read them again <uh oh> just remember a person as ill as you shouldn't get too much stimulation while in the hot tubif you do you may end up in the Mentor villiage sickbay / house of horrors being "helped" by H&H
Eric-Yes most of that trackage was abandonned , a few spurs are still operated by some of the local shortlines which still ship things out Via the CN connections. Nice interior shot of that little Birney, looks like westinghouse brakes and and early K10 contoller , controls I know well as several of the cars at the museum use the same control and braking gear.
Shane-Sorry that I made you find the old volumes and re-read them well not really. I find myself doing that quite a bit. I can live vicariously through other peoples pictures of the locomotives that I should have taken pictures of but didn't.It's always an interesting read when you look up the CPR's old International of Maine district and all teh bought in the states to diesels that were put on that division to avoid the taxes a US bought locomotive would have incurred if it was run in Canada. still Alco and EMD got to test the CPR diesel waters earlier than they might have because of it, like the C&O and the N&W the CPR was really pushing the envelope with steam engines, as they were still building their own locomotives Pacifics and Selkirk's in the mid to late 40's.
Rob
Hi again Leon, I think I need another Irish coffee you make it at just the right level of kick heer's a bit of reading brought back from the bowels of this current edition of Our Place page 5. A bit from one of the "Theme days" from back in the day.
CLASSIC DIESELS # 36DIESELIZATION OF THE B&O
AS with many of the big railways. The B&O grudgingly headed into the era of no steam and all diesel, piece meal in the early days but by the time the 50's arrived they were full bore into dieselizing all their passenger and freight operations. Covered wagons and early RS's became the mainstay , thought the B&O at least in the early years tended to sample the wares of most of the major manufacturers. Here's a brief run down of those formative years.
THE DIESEL ON THE HORIZON
From the early 1920's until the diesel era, the B&O passenegr engine of choice was the 4-6-2 Pacific.While the actual number of locomotives on the B&O declined by 274 units between 1920-29, the tractive power per engine slowly increeased by 10,000 pounds in the same time period, they were trimming down their fleet but revamping it at the same time, quite an undertaking in those early years of the depression.
The mid twentieth century saw the apex of steam power, with the modern engines putting out more tractive force per pound than ever before,the engines themselves were bigger and more complex, and there in lies the difficulty. The cost of maintaining the "super power steam" was beginning to make less and less ecconomic sence. I imagine had the depression not happened steam power may indeed have hung on longer.Thus the mid years of the 20th century also saw the dawning of the age of the diesel locomotive.
The B&O's first diesel was a 60 ton , 300hp switcher bought for east Coast yard work, it arrived in 1925.The years bewteen 1930-40 saw an increase in diesels on the B&O.That decade also saw the B&O buy the fewest new locomotives in their history only 44. The difference was the breakdown 7 steam vs 37 diesel.
The B&O bought their first road diesel in 1935, for use on the newly inagurated air conditioned streamlined passenger trains. This locomotive replaced the Lord Baltimore on the Washington-NY Royal Blue Passenger train, alternating runs with a streamlined Pacific.This diesel was a two unit locomotive ( boxcab ) from EMC, it worked out so well that the B&O bought two more sets to operate their Capitol Limited. The other diesels bought in the 30's were yard engines to replace aging warn out steam switchers.
The war years saw the B&O continue along with dieselization, with 40% of the 150 locomotives bought during the war being diesel engines.Nine more passenger engines ( EA's and E1's ) and the first of the 5400hp FT sets from EMD, making them the first eastern road to operate the new cab units.
Throughout these early years of diesilzation the B&O saw the advantages of the diesel vs steam,lower maintenance cost less infrastructure to support them, the ability to reverse power to aid in braking, and the better adhesion for greater speed on curves. Not to mention the higher starting tractive effort and horsepower from standing starts, all factors that made up for the higher initial purchase cost of them vs steam engines.
In 1945 , B&O steam units still outnumbered the diesels by a 15 to one margine. In 1958, the then B&O President Simpson proclaimed that all operations were now dieselized, and by years end 1960,there were 1129 diesel locomotives on the roster, and no steam engines.All manufactureres EMC/EMD , ALCO , Baldwin were plying their trade on the B&O.
Wednesday's Witticism
On a roundup, it's ok to eat with your fingers. The food is clean.
Here it is again - Wednesday - the middle of the work week <for many> ‘n time again to refill those coffee mugs, check out The Mentor Village Bakery case - and - order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
A fine day it was ‘round here yesterday as Pete ‘n I spent a couple of hours over at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood> under mostly blue skies ‘n tolerable temps in the 40s (F) . . . Got to view some locos ‘n rolling stock not seen before, along with a tour within a few vintage heavyweight cars - just a fine time all ‘round!
Amtrak was late getting the Wolfman here, but not so much as to screw things up! Today is the TrainWreck Saloon - then he heads back to Jeff City . . . Another "plus" of this bar is the development of good friendships, and Pete surely is in that category. Just wish I could understand whatever it is the man is saying! <grin>
By the by, there are lotsapix to be view prepared for viewing . . . probably provide some for Saturday Photo Posting Day!
Tuesday - Dec 18th:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:43 AM: Mixed bag of thoughts as I read the words from our Manager - always pleased to see him enter the joint. Sorry that he's not functioning on all cylinders <cylindAHs>. Well the man may be somewhat "down," but assuredly not "out," eh
YOU wudda loved the Stl Museum of Transportation visit - we had the place to ourselves. Aside from a handful of volunteers ‘n guys working on refurbishing this ‘n that, there were no others around. For awhile it was ALL ‘ours'! Nice way to pass the time . . . Perhaps one day!
Appreciated the fone call the other nite - but must say that you MUST NOT let this <crap> get to ya. There's NO WAY we can "do" a thing about those who have elected to do the things they've done. I mean how does one turn things back to the way they were Can't. So we move FORWARD with those who give a Rat's Patoot ‘n let those wander through the Ether believing that they have put their best foot forward. We KNOW better <betttAH> eh
Many thanx for the visit ‘n covers!
Pete (pwolfe) at 9:49 AM: Thanx for the "support" with your AM drop-off!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 1:03 AM: Don't know if you pay attention to the NBA, but have you noted the resurgence of the Celtics!?!?!?!? Kinda running away from the pack as they used to regularly do "back in the day!
Good bit of "catch up" - ‘n glad you're over whatever gotcha . . .
And no concern about <tweetings> for "new stuff" - we've just embarked upon a course featuring reruns ‘til the New Year because of the few frequenting the joint lately . . .
Round, quarters ‘n visit most appreciated!
Rob (trolleyboy) at 10:05 PM ‘n 10:19 PM: TONITE is THE NITE for you - as "the Committee" determines your "status" ‘round here. Not very many get the chance to be resurrected - and certainly not any have ever "come back" as you have. Soooooooo, let's see what develops at the midnite hour!
Glad you appreciated the SP material . . . brought back a thought or three to "back in the day" here at the bar. Didjano that NOT ONCE did one of our former friends from the Left Coast EVER make mention of that particular submission over at the Original Thread - ‘n it was Posted twice! And he was the guy who "billed himself" as an SP kinda guy - which he was. What he wasn't was a reader of the material presented . . . his loss.
Ruth my deAH, that <dip> in the hot tub was wunnnnnnnnnnnerful! Let's do THAT again. Right now I'm beginning to feel a bit bettAH, but still haven't the appetite for anything more than a couple of crullAHs, a mugga Joe with a jolt ‘n maybe a refill.
Round on me - treats for the crittAHs ‘n of course the LARGE jar of PPF for our man-about-the-bAH, Boris! He's really been on top of things since I've been feelin' low . . .
Leave it to our leader to keep his end of things movin' along here at the Watering Hole by the Wayside! Even with "company" in town, he's gotten the morning summary out . . . along with a "feature" on the SP yesterday afternoon. Now that's an example for all. 5- to our Cap'n!
Figured you 'n Pete would be having a great time . . . all I can say is <envy>!
Big night coming up for the trolleyMAN - in his speed-Ohhhhhhhhhhhh no less! <gasp>
= = = = =
Continuing with the commentary about the "used to be" crowd. I think what really PO's me is the fact that I've spent a lot of MY time responding to a few of these guys. Many nevAH even read the words. It was always a one-way deal - they would post ‘n create the ILLUSION that they gave a <hoot> but when you responded, it was a rare thing to have them read, much less say anything in return Shudda known bettAH, for I pride myself on spotting Ah's ‘n Jo's a long way out. That isn't gonna happen again with me.
Two guys come to mind right off the bat AND they both represented the LEFT COAST - say no more, huh Sure had me fooled into thinking one of them really was "one of us." Ha, got me fella - but nevAH again.
You wanna belong ‘round here Then at least be man enough to sit at the bar amongst men, or be gone!
Heading right to the reruns again from the Larsman Mobile pages from the recent past . . .
Canadian Railways - Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment <page 131>
Canadian Treasures - Two Trains Across Canada <page 131>
Trackside around Sayre-Towanda-Waverly <page 133>
Trackside around New Jersey <page 133>
Erie Lackawana Through Passenger Service in Color <page 134>
Erie Lackawana in Color - Vol 3, The East End <page 134>
Until the next time!
Lars
A bacon sarnie and a mug of your famous coffee please RUTH.
As TOM says arrived about 1 hour late which was about the time the train arrived in Jeff City so we diid not lose any more time which was very good considering the amount of work that was going on with the track.There was a ex Canadian National private car on the rear of the train which hopefully I got a photo of.
We really had a great time at the museum,some of the exhibits have been moved around making for some different photo oppertunities and in a setting of snow on the ground.An added bonus was two smaller locomotives on a short frieght making a really great sound has they climed Kirkwood grade along side the museum, plus very friendly volunteers at the museum.
Very much enjoying Tom and his brides hospitality and Juneau seems to remember me and it is always great to see the Can-Am in person. Viewed subway system progress - to be completed by Rendezvous III!
LARS It looks as though there may be some very good news about a fine looking steamer of your favorite railroad and it would have been great to have had you with us.
ERICTOM as a great photo quiz coming up
Well RUTH better go now as we are off to the TrainWreck Saloon soon, just for lunch you understand , so a round please.
Good Afternoon, Ruth!
How about some Gevalia, while you fix up a plate of cheese tortillas, and a bottle of my favorite Roth beer? I'll have donuts as dessert. Hope that is OK. I am sorry if I offended you by asking for grease dropping donuts earlier. You see when touristing in this country about 30-40 years ago, that was what I really enjoyed. I remember one place where they made the donuts fresh at the counter. There was a kind of a machine with a conveyor belt. The dough dropped down on the belt in the shape of a donut. Then the belt run through some hot liquid stuff, lard?, and then they landed on a tray, from which the customers picked up the hot, fresh donuts. I think you can make a lot of business if you install a donut machine here. Tom Thank you for the write up on NSB. I worked closely with them at two occasions. First when I worked at SJ central commercial dept, in the section for Nordic freight contracts. Then as a sales/transportation representative in Northern Sweden. At that time there was no road between the Swedish town of Kiruna and the Norwegian town of Narvik. Only the railroad.
As there were no roads at all in that area, all, including emergency vehicles, were running on the tracks. There was a special ambulance trolley? (trolley is how my dictionary translates dressin, and I do not think that is correct), for the people living along the line. The latest "ambulansdressin" was built 1961 by Hilding Carlsson.
Below are some pictures and information if somebody is interested in more details about the line.
http://www.pbase.com/jakobe/mb200408
http://www.pbase.com/jakobe/mb200504&page=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmbanan
It was an interesting geographic area to work in . Half of my district was above the Artic Circle.
Rob If Boris found the spare part for the Groan-A-Meter MK3, and fixed it, here is another one - true too! At least 30 years ago when I saw it. On the signal poles on NSB in Narvik there is/was a sign reading: "Red means stop".
DD1 Thank you for the Christmas wish.
Tom DaBossman I am still reading your entry about Southern Pacific. Great and inclusive stuff. My knowledge of US rails is still very limited, but I see that hanging out here at the bar will for sure vastly improve my skills.
Soo much to read and say -- soo little time. I'll be back. I really enjoy your company.
Sven
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We had a little more snow this a.m., just enough to make it sloppy on the way to work. Let's see what's in today.
Rob - Interesting comments re C&O and N&W steam. C&O bought theirs mainly from Lima and N&W built theirs at Roanoke. Both roads engaged in several flings with experimental coal-fired power. The results were mixed at best, but with a little more time, who knows what might have happened? The reason for this, of course, was to keep their on-line customers happy. Go back and read some of the trade press from that time and you will see what I mean.
Lars stopped by with the bookmobile. More Erie stuff, and some Canadian material as well. Sayre, Towanda, and Waverly - know ‘em all. Glad you are sort of coming around. Whatever this is, it's a bear - you get some energy and then after you do some things you feel like you hand fired a K4 over Horseshoe in midsummer. Each day does get a little better, though.
Pete - On the road with comments. Enjoy yourself!
Sven - Thanks for the "inside information" and the links - enjoyed them
Last but not least, OSP provided a fine snapshot of the SP, one of my favorite roads. Thank you.
Now, maybe I can get after Christmas cards, etc. I know, it's about time.
Wolfman Pete is on his way back to JCity aboard Amtrak . . . and as expected, it was a grand time at our favorite real-life watering hole - the TrainWreck Saloon! <grin> Took the bride with us for lunch - then she returned home with the car, leaving us to do as we do - designated driver duties fell to her!
Yes, it's our OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day! here at the bar on Wednesdays . . . even with only a skelton crew about the decks, may as well try to keep 'er going.
Now Arriving on Track Number Two
Electric Trains at Christmastime
#3 - Lionel & American Flyer Catalogs
1957 Lionel catalog
1958 Lionel catalog
1959 Lionel catalog
1958 American Flyer catalog
1959 American Flyer catalog
1960 American Flyer catalog
Enjoy!
Tom
Missed any
#1 . . . Page 149
#2 . . . Page 153
Hi Tom and all,
The usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please Leon.
Rob. Thanks for the info about the Halifax bomber at Trenton, amazing story about the pilot getting his thermos back after 63 years, enjoyed your posts and pics, great write up`s on Classic Steam #38 and Classic Diesels #36, very interesting info.
Eric. Congratulations on your retirement, ENJOY! These day`s I don`t even know how I found the time to go to work. Those were some nice pics you posted, you look very smart in your suit and tie, was it your usual uniform?
Lars. Nice choice covers from the Larsman Mobile collection, nice selection of trolleybus and Canadian RR covers.
CM3. Nice to see you back, sorry to hear you hav`nt been feeling too good, i`ll have to get Leon to give you a couple of shots of the "hard stuff" to give you a boost.
Pete.Good to see you got home OK after your trip to Tom`s, sounds as if you both had a great time together. Look forward to seeing your latest pics.
Ron. Have always liked that "Don`t worry" song too!
Sven. Thanks for those links to the Swedish railway sites, you must have seen a lot of wolves and reindeer in the arctic circle area you worked in up there.
Tom. Totally agree with all your comments, it sounds as if we both react the same way to profane language in public with women and children in earshot, I just can not help putting my oar in and making it plain to the offender that it`s NOT acceptable in public! Boy Entrants in the Brit army is the same as your Military Academy system, only they are fully attested and are part of the regular forces, you are not able to serve oversea`s or in combat until reaching 18 years of age, the training is aimed at providing the future Warrant Officers and N.C.O`s of the Corps. Enjoyed all your fine posts, what a great selection, the Bayonne Bridge write up and links, [must have been a great experience to walk over that arch in your youth!] the Norwegian railways, SP RR, and the nice model RR covers.
To all you guys. Here`s wishing a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours, have a great festive season together, ENJOY! We are going up to Auckland for Christmas with my wife`s family, unfortunately I will be off line for over a week because my brother-in-law does NOT have a PC! Will try to get on line somehow whilst we are up there anyway!
CM3. Here`s wishing you a very on the 29th Shane, just in case I don`t get to see you before then! Have a GOOD ONE mate!
See ya, Allan
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello Leon, I would say it is time for my weekly Rumpsteak Café de Paris! How about a cold bottle of Tui? Good!
Back again after a less nice evening last night. Getting close to Friday. My last regular Friday!!! Then 11 days off before I start my part time year with the company. I will mostly work at home. Tom – You are right! Focus on the positive! There is way too much negative as it is, just ignore it. SP, my favorite of them all! Too bad they were swallowed by UP. Thanks to SP the X2000 tour was extended to California 1993. SP wanted a diesel version running between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Interesting to read about the locomotive paint and apperance! I guess everyone knows the Daylight scheme. I should be able to start showing some model trains on Wednesdays in the near future when I start working part time after Christmas. That should give me more time to take some photos. Nice Lionel Catalogs!! Lars – Always good to see Manager Lars around the Bar. It certainly keeps Ruth smiling for some reason! Hope you will get well soon!!More interesting books! Diamondbugs, I remember I read about those motor cars a number of months back and I think they were not a big success. CM3 – Looking forward to more info on NY-Philadelphia-Harrisburg-Altoona-Pittsburgh. Rob – I have another question for you. In 1984 a Belgian inventor named Charles Van Depoele met with J. J. Wright and constructed an electric railway running between the Crystal Palace, inside the Canadian Industrial Exhibition fairgrounds, and Strachan Avenue near the terminal of a Toronto Street Railway horsecar line. It was in service for five years, see this link.http://transit.toronto.on.ca/streetcar/4155.shtmlDo you know any more facts about this electric railway? Thanks for the Classic Diesels piece! I guess B&O were early buying their first road diesel 1935. Pete – I am ready for any photo quiz! I am sure you had a good lunch at the Trainwreck Saloon! Sven – Above the Arctic Circle? Snow and ice. That is where we tested the X2000 to make sure it could handle snow and ice in the trucks and tilting mechanisms. The summer up there is okay though. Except the mosquitos.
Kiruna 1990.
Allan – Thanks! I am working my last day tomorrow, Friday! In January I will start working part time, 20 hrs/week. I am very much looking forward to get some more time for myself! Yeah, that was my usual uniform with Amtrak. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your brother-in-law must be a very unusual person, not having a PC. I guess he has other interests!
Eric
And all of a sudden it's the day BEFORE FRIDAY <again> ! So, time to fill up the mugs with our freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee. While you're at it, place an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board ‘n sample a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery while waiting . . .
Apparently all went "well" for Rob during the "ceremony" or at least it seems so. Don't know HOW the dunk tank got assembled in the Rat's Patoor Room ‘n don't know HOW they managed to drain it without making a total ruination of the joint! <geesh> But all's well that ends well - as trolleyboy Rob has been REINSTATED to "Regular Customer" at the cyber bar ‘n grill known as "Our" Place! So sez the Committee!
No Boris, we'll NOT be showing those fotos of Rob in his speed-ohhhhhhh <or is that, speed-arrrrrgggghhhh?> We DO have a few "standards" left ‘round the joint!
Wednesday - Dec 19th:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:52 AM: What's to say other than "you da man!" Continuing on with the support ‘n book covers - what MORE can we ask from our Manager
Pete ‘n I thought of you as we spent yesterday afternoon at the TrainWreck Saloon! Here's something you ‘n the guyz might get a kick out of from the "back bar" . . . .
<look closely - those are G gauge trains "in" the wreath!>
Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n covers - ROUND too!
Pete (pwolfe) at 10:34 AM: Here's an "action" shot of Wolfman preparing his Post . . .
Sven (Sven Olov) at 12:51 PM: Congratulations to YOU for making the 3,100th Post <REPLY> at our reborn cyber bar 'n grill! The bar is 'open' for YOU as is the Menu Board - for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Really appreciate those fine links on the Malbanan ! Some super-fine fotos ‘n enuf info to keep the fires stocked for quite awhile. Very good stuff, fer sure, fer sure!
On my "list" of Hopefully One Day <HOD> I'd dearly love to travel throughout Norway ‘n Sweden by train . . . ahhhhhhhh, just the thought of some blonde gal carrying me off . . . . <ooooooooooops> that's from another dream!
Don't know WHAT it is about you guys from Sweden - but a cast iron stomach must "come" with the "standard issue," eh Cheese tortillas, Roth's beer AND donuts <yikes> However, we aim to please ‘round here - so enjoy! Now the Gevalia - well, that probably needs a bit of explaining for the crew. <grin>
Some things one just has to see to believe, eh "Red means stop" must've brought a laff or three out of you! <grin> Kinda "budged" the Groan-O-Meter, just a tad . . .
Thanx f
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Eye Opener Blend will be fine); let's see what's in the pastry case; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Interesting weather here this a.m. as we are having "frog." Freezing fog which puts a nice, thin, coat of ice on everything - so we pay extra attention crossing the bridges on the way to work.
Allan stopped by - Thanks for the birthday greetings.
Eric - One more to go! The SP material you sent enlarged very nicely. Did this tour actually happen or was it something the SP wanted to do but never did. Anyway, if you followed that route you got a good sampling of things. Also, nice "frozen north" picture.
OSP visited with catalog covers - I remember all of the Lionel ones. As you mentioned, there was a great rivalry in our neighborhood as well between the Flyer folks and the Lionel people. Anyway, the 1958 and 59 Lionel covers are interesting. Cold War, indeed!
Bar pictures were great - I like the Santa hat on the buffalo, also the wreath. Who is that mad man at the keyboard? Be afraid, be very afraid! Seriously, that was a good picture, too.
Last, I close with an item which shows the geographical retardation in our country today. The other day one of the news outlets had pictures of a rescue operation from a ship which had run onto some rocks in the north. I was doing fine with watching this until the commentator said, this accident happened at "Murmansk, Norway." Lord, I hate it when they move things without telling me. BTW, you'd be surprised how many people don't realize that west Virginia is a separate state. Boris, put me down! I'll stop now.
Will try and stop back later today,
#4 - Lionel & American Flyer Catalogs
1954 Lionel Catalog
1955 Lionel Catalog
1956 Lionel Catalog
1954 American Flyer Catalog
1955 American Flyer Catalog
1956 American Flyer Catalog
#3 . . . Page 156
2007 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST
<rev. Dec 20th>
Customers at "Our" Place!
January 14th (Eric - 64)
OKRA (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Are tough on the outside but tender on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. You can do something good each day if you try. You go well with most anyone.
January 23rd (Jan - 38)
CHITLIN (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of season-ing. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful they may surprise you. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with a Moon Pie but Catfish or Okra is O.K. too.
March 31st (Lars - 67)
MOON PIE (March 21 - April 20) You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. A Chitlin would be a good mate but it's not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.
May 18th (Tom - 69)
POSSUM (April 21 - May 21) When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about- it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy but seems to work for you. You are a rare breed. Most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business. You should definitely marry an Armadillo.
August 11th (Pete - 56)
August 14th (Allan - 72)
CATFISH (July 24 - Aug 23) Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard. Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.
September 8th (Rob - 36)
September 11th - (Per - 62)
GRITS (Aug 24 - Sept 23) Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter, or eggs and a good time. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well. You are pure in heart.
October 9th (Ron - 73)
BOILED PEANUTS (Sept 24 - Oct 23) You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best, your friends and loved ones, may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.
December 29th (CM3 - 61) - NEXT UP!
The age reflected is what you will be on your 2007 B'day!
Not on the list Send me an Email with your birth date (month-day-year) Corrections too!
Believe it or NOT! We once had a guy (UTB) who was on the list for a couple of YEARS! Then when his "day" arrived for a Birthday Bash <which we no longer do> - he let's me know that the age listed was incorrect AND he failed to show up for his party! Takes all kinds, eh Speaks volumes about paying attention to what's being Posted at the bar, eh Soooooooooo, IF your listing is incorrect - TELL ME ABOUT IT! <grin> I'm working from the info sent to me by Email . . . . <
Soooooooooo, IF your listing is incorrect - TELL ME ABOUT IT! <grin> I'm working from the info sent to me by Email . . . .
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, a lunchtime visit from the Larsman . . . didn't think I'd make it in today. Still feelin' like crap, in fact last night thought I'd be heading off to the ER, as everything went upside down for me - just had major difficulties sorting things out. Dizzy, nausea, aching ‘n all the rest. Finally had a chance to get some air outside - which probably was stupid, but the stiff breeze kinda refreshed me, although the chill of it wasn't smart for me to be exposed to. <ugh> Sorry to prattle on like this . . .
Boris, thanks for feedin' the crittAHs - take that LARGE jar of PPF, you've earned it!
A round for the house, ‘n I'll settle for a small bowl of chicken noodle soup, some crackAHS, a few slices of sharp cheddar ‘n some of that Nog Da Bossman made! <ummmm>
Hey Bossman! That was a really nice photo you provided for us on the morning summary from Tuesday . . . the Amtrak train looked really <cool> in the snow at Kirkwood. I'd love to see 'n ride that little train to Kansas City with you 'n the Wolfman! They'd nevAH be the same . . . <Amtrak that is!> Wuddathunk the guys wudda jumped all over that great shot . . . but no one did! Go figger, huh
Also sorry that I totally missed the optional toy & model trains gala yesterday. Although I've noted that our Cap'n made up for me by providing another on this day!
Really got a kick outta the pix in your morning report, Cap'n Tom! Been wonderin' about that "mystery" one for Eric . . . interesting looking bus. Never saw one like that before. WondAH who made it - where did it operate - and so forth
So did Wolfman try to get that hat away from the Buffalo at the Trainwreck Looks like something Boris might try to do . . . Nice touch with the wreath! Now that's the way to decorate . . .
You actually permitted Wolfman to operate your ‘puter You sure do live dangerously, huh <grin>
Changing gears - I'm not feeling like Christmas, in the least. Just hope this passes before the "day" arrives as I don't want to be that ‘wet blanket' when we go visiting the grandkids ‘n so forth.
We're supposed to be heading down to the Keys next Sunday (30th) - all booked on the airlines. One of our boys is driving the buggy down, laden with all kinds of "stuff" the Mrs. thinks we'll "need." Yeah right! We brought ‘n bought so much that is down there now, I'm wonderin' where in the world we're gonna find room to stow this new load. <grin> <groan>
An observation: Really seeing some great evidence of the resurgence of this bar of ours. I agree with Cap'n Tom that we've got not only an eager bunch, but guys who really are "into" what we're all about. Sure, we don't have the numbers of "back when," but so what I'd much rather have guys who READ what's provided ‘n respond in kind when guys have something to pass along. We all have been through that frustration of asking a guy this or that, only to be "blown off" <ignored> time in ‘n time out. Became almost expected' with some of the bunch. Those two from the left coast immediately come to mind. But they weren't the only ones. I just like this crew . . .
So, Rob "made it' back to the fold, huh As bad as I felt last nite, it was hilarious watching H&H trying to unsnap those snaps on his Speed-Oh! Crazy "gals" huh Didn't appear to me that trolleyMAN minded being "handled" like that either! <uh oh> Anyway, he's baaaaaaaaack, ‘n life is good ‘round the bar once more. 5- salute to our friend the trolleyMAN!
A B'day coming up for the man called Shane, huh So, who's counting <grin>
Regards to those who've come in since my last - Pete - Eric - Allan - Sven ‘n Shane!
Yeah, I hate it when that happens too - moving geographic locations without letting anyone know. How awful! <grin> Don't wanna get me started on those who "report" the news in this country of ours . . .
Hello Tom and all in
I'm back from the legion of the lost (as no doubt you have been thinking) to put a round on the bar and ask what people would like to drink.
Gives me great pleasure to weigh in with a post after Lars' superb set of catalogue pictures etc!
Apols for the absence - just as things get near the festive season the work load cranks up and the personal task crank up too - but I can't get near the festive time without thinking of the regulars here at our place and an enthusiasm for ensuring said festive season does not pass off without at least me managing to pass on good wishes of the season.
Not sure if I'll be able to post as frequently as I'd like, but I'll certainly be back as soon as I can. Not had the time to review any of the recent stuff I'm afraid (so that is the reason I'm not pitching in to recent topics), but hope I can review it in due course. I'm sure there is plenty of quality there to enjoy!
All the best to everyone
DL
A pint of Bathams please RUTH. Back after two great days with TOM.
LARS Hope you able to get to the warmer Keys for the New Year. It seems as though the snow and rain around here is mainly keeping itself for the weekends. At the moment I have a learner's permit for a car, I never drove a car in the UK the bike and public transport was my usual form of transport. I am getting a friend to teach me as lessons, in the car, with the bride usually end in tears
Real sorry you caught that cold at the Giants game it looked terrible conditions to play the game in.
Great domes for the encore and the usual great covers from the Larsman Mobile. I can recall the Trolleybuses running in a part of the West Midlands of England around the Walsall area, I have found a link and it says they ran as late as 1969, which I believe was a lot longer than those in London, although I can remember seeing photos of the last run of the trolley buses in London it was a big event.
http://www.thetransportmuseum.org/transhis2.asp
I agree with what you say about Tom's listI doubt if they will find a better place in the ether than Our Place.
What this I go away for a couple of days and a ‘Hot Tub' appears
ALLAN I well remember the name of Dorman and Long, I believe they were a very big firm of steelmakers as well.
That was a great programme about when the Flying Scotsman ran the 40th Anniversary of the non-stop run although it has been a long while since I have seen it. I recall the non-stop run was achieved despite being down to walking pace at one point. I guess the run was only possible as the water troughs were still in place on the ECML. I think at the start of the trip Scotsman left London King's Cross alongside the Deltic hauled Flying Scotsman service train.
While Scotsman was still an A1, and just before its conversion to an A3, she was allocated to Leicester Central depot and was a regular through Rugby on the Great Central line, sadly though just before my time, I can recall the V2s and B1s on passenger trains and the L1 tank engines on stopping passenger trains.
It is hard to believe that next year it will be the 40th anniversary of the 1968 40th anniversary train. In the Steam Railway magazine that recently arrived here, it features the LNER steam, although I have not read it yet there is an article written by someone who fired the Flying Scotsman on its tour of the USA.
Thanks for the kind words on Alan's photos
ROB Come and join BORIS and I at Molly Throttlebottom's class it is great fun, especially at the mud wrestling when one of BORIS's inflatables get involved.
Yes BORIS's shed is the place to look for lost items at the bar but if Tom sees the present state of the shed the next one to get a ‘Tweeting' will be made to clean it up.
It is so right what say about a camera in the old days locomotives or liveries that were seen every day would disappear from the scene without a photographic record of them. Although today if I go down to the line with a camera not a lot comes through but leave it at home and some thing unusual generally turns up.
Many thanks for the Lake Simcoe Jct encore. I am about to read of the ‘Ceremony' at Our Place.
ERIC Many thanks for the great photos loved the X2000 alongside the steam locomotive. I bet the controls of the X2000 are a lot more complicated the Pacific Electric car.
Have you solved ‘The Mystery of The Laughing Woman', it sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story.
Have you any more info on the NSB ‘Talent' Train it
Good evening Leon, nice to be back in the warm bar room, the cold dankness of H&H'schamber of horrors dunk tank is still fresh in my mind ( and everywhere else <uh oh > )I think a nice tall keith's and here's a twenty to put in tilla for a morning round for the gang as the meander in tomorrow.
Tom-Some great old catalogues for us to all enjoy and remember.I'm glad to have been re- enstated here at the saloon.That bus photo is an interesting looking critter any more info that you may have on it would be interesting to hear,looks kind of like an old Ford transit from the 40's but it seems longer.
I don't know when we will drive down but don't count it out. My sister is do to leave Colorado Springs this comming summer, looks like they will be posted to BC so perhaps we can work something out. The big thing for me is getting enough time off to plan a long and inclusive trip.The transport museum and the CanAm , not to mention the Train Wreck are all must see things.
I liked the festive decors at the Train Wreck , not a Martha Stewart job but at least as goodOh one question , was that astrological chart for our birthdays created by Larry The Cable guy ? Not sure that I like being a Grit but oh well you can't pick the month you were born in
I agree with Lars letting Pete use your computer was a gamble, espeacially since he hasn't yet successfully completed Molly Throttlebottom's coarse.
Shane-I'd love to do a bit more digging into the ins and outs of the big coal roads and their steam power,it seems to be a given that the C&O and N&W would be heavily swayed by the industries and their owners and backers that they served. You saw that to a point up here as well in that both CN and CP used to serve the major steel plants in Ontario and you will find that alot of the trucks and wheels on CDN rolling stock and locomotives bear a Dofasco manufacturing stamp.
Lars-Wow kind of sounds like you managed to pick up the same plague that I've been fighting off. the most annoying thing is that it comes and goes, and never strikes the same body partHopefully you can have an enjoyable holiday with the grandkids, and once you make it down to the keys perhaps the change in weather will clear it all right up.
Loved the "covah's" and the catalogues sir, we can always count on sage advice and thoughts on the bar and it's commings and goings. I ahve to say that for the most part I'm pleased with teh corps of people that we now have, it's cozy and there seems to be lots of good info and chats happening ,so all in all I think life is good.
I'm just glad that the re-enstatemnet ceremony is over. I have promised the swiming atire to Boris , he wants to make a kerchif out of them for his mother,I guess the Boris clan celebrate Christmas by making things for each other.
Eric-Thanks for that link , that little line was set up as a "look at the new techknology" type of a thing, essentially hopping to gain backers and money to build a huge network of interurban and city electric railway systems.Basically a show and tell if you will of teh brave new world of electricity.An interesting sidenote is that Van Deepole sold his system to the NS&T in St Catharines and they ended up being the first all electrified system in the country, right down to the overhead "troller" that was dragged along behind the cars on the overhead wires.
Sven-Hmm I think a donut machine might indeed be a good idea, we can insatll it in teh rats patoot roon , that way the Mentor bakery won't get too upset by it's operation, I think all the needed parts are in Boris's shed. thanks for the links as well some inetersting stuff there Just take it easy on the old groanameter it is working but we have used up the supply of spare parts,Boris is searching for more spares but still it's a sensitive piece of equipment.Congrats for hitting the latest posting milestone. Leon an extra Roth's for him on me when he comes in tomorrow.
DL-Nice to see you pop in if just for an instant, hopefully things are well for you and yours and I look forward to seeing more from you in the new year.
Allan-I'm glad that you enjoyed the story about the Halifax. I fully intend to get some shots of it the next time I'm in Trenton. I have family in Kingston Ontario that we are intending on visiting next summer ( if all goes well ) Trenton is on the way , so hopefully we will be able to catch the air museum when it's open and get a couple good shots of her.
Pete-Sounds like you and Tom had a real blast over the last two days I hope the shots of that ex-CN exec car come out it will be interesting to see it.
So you are trying to get a drivers licence eh Remember keep on the right side of the road or better yet just hire a driver. Tom's retired he might be able to ferry you about.I will see you next week at Molly's. Eventually one of us will end up not typing with one fingerAs far as the wrestling goes , I only partake on the chocolate pudding nights, H&H are less aggressive once they have consumed massed quantities of Belgian chocolate mousse.
It's early, early morning Leon! I would like an early breakfast, let's see, French Toast with syrup, powder sugar and some butter. A large OJ, yes the spiked one, and coffee.
Finally Friday and finally time to retire! At least partly. And in a few days Santa will stop by! What else could I ask for? The bikini team? Yea..., no that would probably not be a good idea.
Tom – Thanks for the Rumpsteak!! Much appreciated! I think I am doing pretty good keeping my gall bladder/stones quiet most of the time. Just a few days/evenings with some trouble. Sorry I missed the St. Louis Museum of Transportation this time! A photo quiz for me? As far as I can tell it must be the rear end of the Rock Island's Aerotrain 3 locomotive. I actually thought there was a passage between the cars and the locomotive. But that was obviously wrong. Interesting shot! Here is the same locomotive from May this year.
The 3rd (and last) axle at the rear end of the locomotive.
Interesting bus you found at the museum! I believe it is a Twin Coach Model 44-D or 44-S from 1946. 44-D had two 180 hp gasoline engines, 44-S had a single engine. It looks like it was converted to rail service.Nice photos from the Trainwreck Saloon! And one of Stealthy Pete ready for action!Good idea to show more model train catalogs just before Christmas. The problem in my case is that we need a much bigger house so I can build a layout for all the stuff I already have. CM3 – The SP tour did happen and we followed that route! We had a helicopter following us almost all the way from Oakland to Santa Barbara. I just wish I could get a copy of the video they shot. Lars – You are doing the right thing! Get away from snow and ice to warm and nice weather in Florida! Thanks! Yes, today is my last day as a regular, full time, employee! In January I’ll be a retired man who is working a few hours every week (mostly at home) till the end of the year! More model train catalogs! I remember as a kid how exiting it was when a new catalog was released, to open it and find out what was new! DL – Good to see you again, sir! Hope you’ll be back soon!Pete – The mystery of the laughing woman? It really never was a mystery, but I don’t want to say too much before we are going on the CanAm train trip, helping Manager Lars. The Talent train belongs to DSB, the Danish State Railways, not NSB. I have some info somewhere. Give me a couple of days and I’ll find it. So the Stratford Depot is just a memory today?! Too bad.Good luck getting your driver’s license!! Rob – Thanks for the info on the exprimental electric railway! I have to look up St. Catharines on the map. Are there any photos of that system?
Friday's Grin
Reason "things" happen!
Bath Theorem:
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.
Friday before Christmas ‘n my guess is we'll be rather sparse for customers ‘round here. But, for those passing through our portals - the coffee ‘n pastries are fresh ‘n the breakfasts are ready for orderin' from our Menu Board!
Thursday - Dec 20th:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:31 AM: Fog in "Almost Heaven," eh Not good - so exercise great caution behind the wheel ‘n on foot!
My "merchie" father would be grimacing big-time had he read or heard of Murmansk being in Norway! <triple geesh> He made those WWII runs - but I've told the stories before. Anyway, it appalls me to be exposed to this kind of incompetence. Think of it this way: Just how much are these "readers of the news" responsible for How about those writing the news When they err, which they do often, how many timely retractions <aka: corrections> do we get Yeah, we've dumbed down big time ‘n it really, really bothers me.
I was long gone from electric trains ‘n my youth when those "cold war" Lionel covers came out. Some say the "turning point" for Lionel trains occurred when they transitioned from toy model trains <perhaps an oxymoron> to the more current themes of the day <rockets - boats - ‘n things gimmicky> - as in "action" type cars other than the typical log dumping ‘n milk cars "back in the day."
Should the day arrive when I try to reconstruct the Lionel trains of my youth - which I think about doing from time to time - the period will end around 1953 for me. But of course I'll have to "win the lottery" to afford the stuff - then again, I must first buy a ticket, which I rarely do! <grin>
One of the motivators for me getting into S gauge <re: my ceiling suspended S-Capades layout> was this nagging "want" for American Flyer trains of old. A friend of mine said he had a "lead" on not one but two vintage sets <ATSF diesel passenger & ATSF steam freight> a friend had stored away, I got interested. That never materialized - but I began looking around to see what was "out there." The paths took me to where I wound up - not Gilbert, but S-gauge trains of today with much more realism, quality and scale. I'm super thrilled with the stuff on that 8x7 board ‘n the scale is Da Best for model trains, in my not-so-humble-OH-PIN-YUN.
S-gauge is oh so expensive and oh-so limited in terms of road names, accessories ‘n the like - especially if one is trying to create a model railroad and not simply playing with toy trains. These S-gauge trains are not "your father's toy trains." HO is by far the leader when it comes to availability of just about anything one can think is needed or required on the pike. Not so with S. <sad> But my vote goes to the 1/64th scale when it comes to "the right size" and so forth.
Anyway, you ‘n the guys will have operating "turns" during Rendezvous III!
Many thanx for the AM visit, round, quarters ‘n chat!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 12:13 PM: A fine spate of Gilbert's American Flyer toy train covers to keep us all in the spirit of electric trains at Christmastime! Love those AF Alco diesel units!
A Florida Keys get-away sounds terrific for the winter - especially where you're heading. Can't imagine being away from our digs for so long - but that's what happens when one sets the anchor, eh
For my likes - I'd probably opt for an even colder climate as my get-away! <grin>
Glad you liked the Amtrak foto on Tuesday's summary. When I saw that in our local paper <aka: bird cage liner> I immediately checked their website and was fortunate to retrieve it. Unfortunately, it doesn't enlarge . . . but still a fine foto.
Pete ‘n I spent some time discussing the bar <figure that, eh?> Anyway, a couple of things kinda jumped out (1) the number of "hits" this bar gets - and - (2) how great this current bunch of guys are when it comes to providing meaningful material ‘n obviously reading what is Posted.
As far as the "personalities" of those guys we now refer to as UTBs - well, they're GONE-ZO, RIP. ‘nuf said, eh
Wolfman behaved himself at the TrainWreck Saloon, although he did try to do one of his
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England 4 Seasons Blend), and pie, round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Clouds are right on the deck today and it is damp and raw, but it's not raining or snowing and I get to be inside and feed the system (get caught up on paperwork).
Lots of good reading today.
Eric - a toast, sir! You made it! Also, thanks for the info. on the Sp routes. That is a segment I would have enjoyed covering. Most of my experience with the SP was on the Overland side of things, although their power used to wander offline every now and then which was a nice find when out photographing.
Lars - Hang in there, lad. I'm still coughing up body parts although I feel a tad better every day. I even gross Boris out sometimes during a coughing fit. Thanks for the AF catalogs.
DL visited. Glad to see you are still with us!
Pete had a question. Most mines were/are switched by the railroads that handled their cars. That being the case, as my old Latin teacher used to say, "There are always exceptions." Some mines have their own switchers. Many of these are units that long ago ran out their time on Class I lines. Some mines will customize units to fit their needs. This can include remote control, or in some cases other extensive modifications. One that sticks in my mind is a mine along the Clinchfield which used EMD F7Bs as switchers. That is a whole subfield of diesel studies as some of these units appear and reappear on different properties in the same area; or they shuttle from mine to mine as needed. It'll drive you crazy trying to keep up with them.
Rob - I contributed the southern birthday chart a long time ago - it was e-mailed to me by somebody who thought I'd appreciate it and I thought it worth sharing with the other barflies.
OSP has been out and about with more catalogs. The 1956 Lionel is a good one. The New Haven EP5 was for some reason not as popular in our area as the GG1. Anyway, I remember seeing the EP5s on display layouts at dept. stores and hobby shops. The Trainmasters were truly something to be plotted for and lusted after. A friend had one lettered for the Virginian. That thing was a beast. I'd bring a bunch of coal cars (of course) along when I went to his house and we'd run ‘em behind the TM. It really looked nice. These were the big LV cars (black with white lettering). One of the AF books showed the only AF item I ever really coveted. This was the North Coast Limited set with the PAs. I saw a set at the train show in Buffalo and it was pricy, but not all that out of line.
What modeling I do at present is in N scale. I got involved with it back in the late 60s when it first became available and never left. Yes, Boris, I can see the trains! Sheesh!
I figured the Murmansk comment would smoke out a few people. I hve a friend here who is a former "merchie" as well. He went to Murmansk - I usually see him when I'm out grocery shopping and we stop and tell a few lies. His remarks abt. that part of the terrioty were less than favorable - it wasn't the people so much as it was the weather and the politics once they got there.
"Narrow Margin?" I have not seen it - looks like a good 'un.
I also enjoyed your selection of photos.
Here's a site that will interest all of those who are GG1 devotees.
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/
Take time to explore some of the links that are here as they will lead you to all sorts if material about color schemes, dispositions, etc. Enjoy!
If I don't get back today, best wishes to all for a safe and blessed Christmas. I'll be back on the 26th for sure.
Here's my Christmas card for the Cap'n - and - crew at "Our" Place!
[Christmas cards (www.wikipedia.com - GNU Free Documentation/credit: Malene Thyssen]
The Merriest Christmas and happiest of holidays to all who have helped make this the finest cyber bar & grill in the ethAH!
ERIC - Eric X2000
. . . PETE - pwolfe
. . . . . .SHANE - CM3 coalminer3
. . . . . . . . . ALLAN- Gunneral
. . . . . . . . . . . . PER - marthastrainyard
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAN- DL-UK
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RON - DD1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SVEN - Sven Olov
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAN - JanOlov
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROB - trolleyMAN
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FERGIE - Fergmiester
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAP'N TOM - siberianmo!
And a special mention: BK - BudKarr - CHEERS to you, mate - wherever you may be! <clink>
Ruth
. . . Boris
. . . . . . Cindy
. . . . . . . . . Leon
. . . . . . . . . . . H&H
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Awk - Tex - Frostbite - Artie ‘n Juneau
and all the rest!
May the coming year bring all the best in happiness ‘n health to you ‘n YOURS!
Another round for anyone in - and again seasons greetings to all. Again a quick visit to soak up the festive cheer and wish all well - thanks to those of you who passed on their regards after my recent visit - at least I've been able to reveiw the pics since then, and some fine postings of pictures onthe site (long time since I had any photo viewing probs so I can now see all the great pics people are posting, some particularly good ones from Tom I note!).
All the best to all of you and those close to you for the season, and of course thansk to all those working on the rails to move the large numbers of people seeking to link up with their families and friends over the festive season - a great job well done!
Regards
DL - UK
What a fine looking Christmas "card" from Lars! Nicely done, Mate 'n I can "feel" the sincerity! Many, many thanx!
Good to see CM3 Shane stop by - never fails when he's not being forced - coerced - pushed <all of the aforementioned> to work outdoors. Anyway, appreciate the visit!
Also just "caught" Dan's Post from the UK! Two days in succession! <grin>
As is my practice - I'll withhold specific comments 'til the next round of ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!
A NEW feature at the bar - but chock full of many things seen before <not all> . . .
Now Arriving on Track #2
Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #1
(1) ATSF - Super Chief
(2) B&O - The Royal Blue
(3) B&M - The Flying Yankee
(4) Burlington Route (CB&Q) - Pioneer Zephyr
(5) CP - The Canadian
(6) Algoma Central Railway
(7) CN Railways
(8) GTW - The International Limited
(9) VIA Rail
(10) C&O for Progress
(11) CN&W - North Western Limited
(12) Milwaukee Road (CMSTPP) - Sioux
A cup of coffee and a bacon sarnie please RUTH.
Just a short call in as I have to go out in a short while. I am still catching up but would like to offer best wishes to ERIC on his retirement and I noticed DL had been in and a great Christmas card from Manager LARSand a great new theme from TOM.
Hope to back in later but let me get a round.
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