Morning Ruth , figured I would pop in while I wait to see what the weather has in store f us today,thunderstorms in january at least the tornado warning s here were never more than that. I think a number three with extra hashbrowns ( unless Boris made them in the sausage machine )
Tom-just watch your melon while your crawling around underneath the neather regions of the of the Can Am , youi don't want to sang any body parts or leave bits behind Somehow I knew that Boris would,derive some twisted pleasure from the sauasge grinder , still better than him squishing and stuffing by hand .It also will make the mentor village Game and Wildlife folks happy again as now with a machine to feed both he and Leon will be back to their sunday "nature " walks <uh oh >
So they want to do more resto work on that NYC unit do they hmmm upto and including firing it up or is the museum there strictly regulated to static display ie no trackage to run on or out of. Bringing back a steamer to full life is expensive , not to mention the boiler specs and inspections that must be adheared to.
Eric-Interesting shot of the interior spaces of the Big Boy.I'm amazed at how intact the controls are . A lot of times things destined for museum's get stripped of a lot of their furnishings.Needs a good paint job and clean up but all and all it isn't to bad.
We should finally have our snowplow back in service this year. We've had it in pieces on the shop floor for three years, it's been getting a compleet electrical and mechanical overhaul , it was stripped down to basically the bare frame , new brakes and piping new wheels and all four traction motors and all the control wiring have been re-done, it's now in the re-assembly stage. Hopes are to ahve both it and the snowsweeper available for feb 09 when we have a musuem convention comming in, gotta keep the line open.At least it's one more long term project done and we can move onto the raft of minor to major cosmetic repairs required for other equipment as the they have had to wait while Tp-11's sat in pieces in one full bay of the shop.
A couple random restoration shots of sweeper S37
before tired after 50+ yeasr of road service in Toronto Boston, and New York
part way ( east end's wood replaced ) the underlying framework was restored as well.
after during rendezvous # 1 in '05
Rob
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, set ‘em up on the ManagAH if you please - Boris ring the bell! Me Well just a mugga Joe minus the jolt, thank you.
You read it here FIRST - Cap'n Tom ‘n his REAL 1st Mate are heading back to the 49th state! <saw it on his "other thread">
Kinda <blah> today - nothing to worry about, just "down" a bit by the bow . . .
I see the crittAHs have been taken care of ‘n "my" Ruth is as radiant as the sunshine itself! Now THAT will cheer up most men in a NY minute! <grin>
Good to see that our Bar Chandler Pete is ok ‘n unharmed after taking shelter in that "bunkAH" built back during the A-bomb era <cold war, wasn't it? > Anyway, living on canned beans, jerky ‘n powdered eggs ‘n milk can get old in a hurry! Guess as long as the brew was flowing freely - no problem-O, huh
Hey Pete! I already KNOW about Vito ‘n his "collection" of cans, bottles ‘n SHOES! I'd be mighty careful if I were YOU! <uh oh> Cement shoes are "in" according to the latest "fashion" statement in his monthly Men's Quarterly! <huh????>
Good to see the KCS "stuff" rekindled some interest from Cap'n Tom - Eric 'n Shane!
Mike stopped off with some links 'n talk . . . yeah, things are "different" down here. Nothing like New York harbor, for sure! <grin>
I've got to get right to the Larsman Mobile then sorry, but am "off" to a few appointments the Mrs. MUST keep . . . no rest for the wicked as someone once said. <grin> Very uncertain about tomorrow . . .
Caught up on the emails - got some out too . . .
Enjoy these guyz!!
Chicago and North Western in Color - Vol 2 - 1954-1958
New York Central in Color
British Railway Goods Wagons in Colour - 1960-2003
The New Haven Railroad's Streamlined Passenger Fleet - 1934-1953
Chicago & North Western Passenger Equipment
British Railway Steam Locomotives - 1948-1968
Ruth my deAH, why of course I'd love to be in our favorite place! <blush>
Until the next time!
Lars
I see that CM3 and I basically posted on top of each other, oh well nice to ahve a bit 'o' company eh Ruth another spiked oj for myself and the coal miner if he wishes
That's an interesting layout , thanks for providing the link , it's an amazing piece of work, more so tha it's "O" scale to boot a rarity these days (daze)I ahd two critters heer hudlling on my lap for most of the time I ws home yesterday as well, at least teh two of tehm together are only about 30 pounds <groan>
Thanks for the info on KCS passenger service(s) as well .It is amazing that eh KCS has manged to stay clear of the rest of the merger crazy railroading world.I wonder if they could do speed studies on the highspeed mainline freights of today ( specifically roadrailers and intermodal jobs ) a question for another day and or forum I suppose.
Lars-Morning sir, good to see you whirl in and out like a Texas Tornado or is it a MO one I wonder ifliving on the powdered eggs and jerky etc would be all that bad,likely better than some of the stuff Boris has made / will make .I've also noted that Vito has an unhealthy intrest in the saussage mosheen as well <uh oh> Saving on cemment maybe More fin selections from the book o the month club as well ( there should eb a train book of the month club donchathink )fair weather sir we'll keep the "splash" ready for you the next time you are in.
A couple more randome S37 reno shots , these are the interior's all now repainted and functuoning as designed.
"A" end
"B" end
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH
MIKE Yes that is the link to CM3's radio, I had another listen.
Enjoyed the different ways of showing the Statue Of Liberty including on the Jersey Central logo. The L&SWR poster is interesting, I think at that time there was an agreement with the Great Western Railway with ships from the U.S. arriving at Plymouth, where the GWR worked the mails and the L&SWR carried the passengers. I guess the ad was aimed against the London & North Western Railway, who would carry the passengers to London if they arrived through Liverpool.
Great photo of the Statue on its inauguration, with the smoke from the salutes giving a look of the Statue floating on clouds.
Are all those cars on the CV in the photo carrying the sausage.
ROB I thought we would pay for those few days we had here of unseasonably warm weather in January, I believe there was a new record set here for the warmest day.
Yes the NYC steamer is a great looking locomotive. It is really good that some work is being done on her, they have a GG1 at the Museum of Transportation, and I believe it is in Amtrak colors.
Many thanks for the photos of S37 a great restoration job. I hope the restoration of the snowplow goes well in the re-assembly stage.
The car in Canadian National colors we talked about at Kirkwood.
I agree we must keep H&H they are invaluable as bouncers if the track gang get out of hand on the weekends.
ERIC I must try to get to Omaha one day and see that Big-Boy and the DD40AX, do you know if UP has a museum there, which is open to the public.
The DD40AX at St Louis
Many thanks for the # 4014 cab photo.
CM3 Our dog, the 15 lb rottweiller as the bride calls her, was acting strange before the tornado warnings it is strange how they seem to know although thunder storms don't seem to bother her.
I thought there would be a locomotive performance article in a magazine over here. There was an interesting article in the (British) Railway Magazine recently of a number of new found logs of the North Briton, a tightly timed train which ran from Leeds to Glasgow via Edinburgh, it dated from the 1950s into the diesel era with steam locomotives from a Leeds depot. It was very interesting to see which locomotives and drivers produced the best running and how the performance of the A3 locomotives improved after the chimney and blast pipe modifications, although the best running was if the train got delayed and time was being made up
Many thanks for the info on the KCS Flying Crow through sleeping cars to St Louis and the link to that great A&O model layout with the wonderful photography, the ‘night scenes' are very well done, a good ‘un indeed.
With Tom and Mikes help I was able to listen to the Camp car radio broadcast, it seems a lot of the workers who use them now will be sad to see them go.
LARS Like Rob, we were lucky and only had the tornado warnings, but it is best to heed them and we did not lose power (this time).
Yes Vito The Hit's Men's Quarterly is a good issue this time, I particularly liked the pull out section "New local building sites with fresh poured concrete"
Another great selection from the Larsman Mobile. The locomotive on the cover of British Goods wagons is a Class 59/2 Built by GE in Canada in1990, those and the slightly earlier class 59/1 were the first main line American diesel locomotives in the UK. The 4 59/2s are named after villages around the quarry site in Somerset. The BR steam locomotive is an ex LMS class 5 4-6-0 I think the photo is taken in the Northern Fells of England.
Great painting on the New Haven cover.
TOM I really doubt if anyone will come up with that song line, it is off an early 1970s UK album, that why I offered a years free beer.
Enjoyed the new form of the KCS Fallen Flag
Hey Captain Tom...
siberianmo wrote:Hey! Purchase the "steamer" - it's what your pike needs - ONE more! <grin>Tom
Hey! Purchase the "steamer" - it's what your pike needs - ONE more! <grin>
Tom
"Now arriving Track 1" (pictures to follow)
Bought it today! Even got to call the LHS owner an Illegitimate Child front of all the other customers. Should have never shown me but what a gem!
Since I'm here I better get a stiff one to kill the pain if Lisa finds out! Anlters and quills will be the least of my problems.
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
G'day Gents!
Looks like trolleyMAN Rob made the 3,300th reply at the bar! That'll earn ya a couple of Keiths when you're ready . . .
BUT, I really thought Lars had made it, then suddenly . . . that could've been caused by "edits," who knows <groan> Let's go with Rob! It's OH-FISH-UL, Mates! <grin>
Appreciate seeing CM3 Shane, Lars, Pete 'n Fergie too!
Rather sad to note that many of our irregular part-timers have dropped below the radar . . . makes it even MORE special when our small, but active, group of Rat's Patoot Proponents come thru!
And yes, it's true, we ARE heading back to Alaska right after Rendezvous III . . . really looking forward to it - just may STAY there! <wishful thinking> . . . .
Something to keep things moving along . . .
Now Arriving on Track #2
Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #3
(1) Southern - Crescent Ltd
(2) SP - Cascade
(3) SP&S
(4) UP
(5) Wabash Cannon Ball
(6) WP - California Zephyr
(7) ATSF - The Chief
(8) B&O - The Ambassador
(9) B&M/CP - Alouette
(10) Burlington Route (CB&Q) - Denver Zephyr
(11) CP - The Dominion
(12) CN
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy!
Missed any
#1 . . . Page 156
#2 . . . Page 158
Hi Tom and all,
Hi Leon, the same old round of Tui`s for all the crew please!
Mike. Thanks for all those links to the pics and the Statue of Liberty pics as well.
Rob. Is`nt it always the case with vandals, they never seem to catch them, or if they do all they get is a slap on the back of the hand with a wet bus ticket! Liked your great selection of trolley pics and info.
CM3. Some interesting info on the camp trains and the KCS, thanks mate.
Lars. The Larsman Mobile back to it`s usual high standards with a nice selection of Alaska RR covers, Brit goods wagons and various RR covers, really enjoyed them all.
Eric. Enjoyed all the pics on your site, hope you`ve got your op date by now. Looking forward to receiving the Pete`s book from you soon.
Pete. Never got the chance to see an LMS streamliner in the flesh at all for some reason, I was so hooked on A4`s in those days, it will be great to see the Duchess when it`s completed. Enjoyed all your pics and write ups, nice pic of Tom you took at the museum.
Jan. Nice to see you in again mate.
Fergie. Looking forward to seeing the pic of your new steam loco.
Chris. Nice to see you in, was the kit insured at all? Sounds as if you have been very busy, will check out your latest blog ASAP!
Ron. Hope you are getting back to normal again.
Tom. Thanks for all the very interesting pics and info, nice operating pic of the do-nut mo-sheen, and the one of the Road Kill sausage mo-sheen Nice pic of the B&M loco, and Passenger Train Nostalgia #65 on the Milwaukee Road, great link to the Big Boy`s, snow plow`s, and nice selection of drumheads`. Nice of you to let me know Eric has posted the book off , looking forward to it`s arrival soon. Hope you have got SNOW by now!
See ya, Allan
Good evening Leon , I see that things are moving along nicley this evening I think I'll have that Keith's Tom mentioned thank-you sir. Here's a sack 'o' quaters for herr Wurlitzer as well. You will find a large bag ceder chips and pellets in the storage room , they are some high fiber treats for spike.
Tom-I'm humbled for hitting a mile stone of sorts, I'll cherish the keith's .Interesting slew of drumheads this afternoon sir,I particularly liked the last two not sure why really
Pete-Many thanks for the positive comments on S37's rebirth. it's one of teh more interesting and usefull cars at the museum. on work equipment day people line up to ride on it. The plow should go back together realitivly easily as it's an all metal car. It too was always a fan fav on the work equipment days because of it's large open back flat deck.
We too set some heat records two straight days we hit 14 C it's going to saty above the 0 mark for the rest of this week and into monday though the highs will be two to three C with a lot of rain aparently
Nice to hear about the continuing efforts at the St loo museum, nice to know that they have a GG1 not so nice that it's painted for Amtrak <barf> something they need to fix methinks.
Chris-Good to see you back in again, I'm already bracing myself for part two of today's rant great catch-up BTW for the last couple days (daze).
Allan-Good evening sir or morning that's the problem with the bunch of us being in different countries oh well it's the comraderie that counts. What more can I say about those fools and their paint cans. The G cars needed a repaint but it still PO's us terribly. They are the only survivors of the original built in England subway cars that the TTC openned the first subway route on Yonge Street , they are also the only all steel sets left a few of teh alter G car sets are still around but those are the Aluminum bodied ones that Hawker Sydely built in Canada.
I'm gald you liked the shots from the museum, I try to slide some in now and again,the before and afters are always interesting,most people don't realize teh amount of work that's required to restore let alone maintain older rail equipment.
Evening, All!!!Leon, something a bit different tonight - a pitcher of Lynchburg lemonade!! And please put this jar of PPF's in the 'fridge for Boris if you would? I know he's missed me the last few nights, so this is my 'make-up' offering. I do wish Spike hadn't glommed onto me so fast, though - ever notice how hard it is to scratch one o' them cute lil' pincusions under the chin safely?Okay - where was I?Rob - well, we left off with your bit about the iron wheels, dinnit we? Always a pleasure to hear from you, my friend. As always, your museum pics are top-notch, and the info accompanying them is equally good! I'd love to see the blacksmith facilities your museum has - I imagine it's pretty well-equipped, if you're maintaining century-plus-old cast iron!!! I'll have a tidbit of relevence in the following Rampage, so sit tight.Lars - ah, what can I say? You Da Man with the covers, memorabilia, pics, etc. Like Cap'n Tom's work, I can't single one thing out to rave over - it's ALL good!!! I'll just keep enjoying it all, like everyone else does.Another friendly wave to Fergie!!!Allan - double mention, now that we've "overlapped" again. Don't know if the kit was insured or not, but it probably didn't matter much - management back then was quite happy to spend a group $50,000 or more in the hole, then work their a**es off touring for two years straight, just to recoup! Now you know why so many of us musical types have er, "difficulties" with drink! {Myself, I'm digging life at present!} BTW - check out the new vid I put on the profile page - can you Name that "Sir?"Okay - RAMPAGE TIME!!!!!Tonight's installment is going to be "double-plus," so get comfy. The first set of pics is a continuation of my visit to the Frisco's Lindenwood Yard on 5-24-80. Our trip started off well - we got stopped by a westbound {to Springfield} hotshot that was punctuated thusly:
Talk about a good omen - catching one of the elusive 1725-series bay-window jobs was something my brother and I had been trying to do for three years previous!! Once we got into the yard proper, we zeroed in on the caboose track where we found:
This pic accompanys the earlier-posted ones; then as now, it was our last "crummy" shot. I loved this final scheme on the Frisco's cars - too bad both it and the cars themselves were so short-lived.Ambling over to the enginehouse, we found this fellow, who happily held still for us:You've already seen his close-up, which I love because it shows one of my favorite diesel accessories, the nose-mounted Gyra-Lite!! Little did I know or suspect that I would have a close encounter - this time in Springfield itself - with one of 437's sisters, five years later.......... Our Lindenwood jaunt was beautifully capped off with a rousing send-off that would turn ol' Al Gore apopleptic in an instant:
Shifting gears a bit, here's a Kirkwood Hill vignette from 1978:
I'll always remember that magical summer; aside from it being blazingly hot, it was also the time when my brother and I were fortunate to get a glimpse of the past, just before it vanished for good. The subject matter here was fresh out of the Sedalia shops {itself already in it's dying throes} and is part of a rare company-owned track-maintenence outfit. The water/fuel tank car was my fave, but the supporting "tool-boxes" had their own charm, too - like good old Bettendorf caboose-trucks, complete with friction-journal-boxes neatly fitted with brand new roller bearings!If that isn't enough, the visible trackwork in the pics is noteworthy - the MoW cars were parked on the "third main track", about 200 yards east
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, I'll have a coffee and a cheese danish! No, no sugar.
Nice surprise, there was more to read and look at than I expected! Great!
Tom – Why don’t you give me the information you have about those light kit batteries? I have a place here in Phoenix with all kind of batteries. I’ll be happy to check how much they are. Port Arthur, TX, seems like a strange destination for a long distance train. Have I missed something? 3,300th replies? I am aiming for #3,333! How many Keith’s is that? Planning a new trip to Alaska? That is the right thing to do! In the summertime that is! It’s only 126 days until the 3rd Annual Rendezvous in May!!!Very nice drumheads! Hard to pick a favorite. CM3 – Thanks for the info on KCS and “The Flying Crow”! Maybe you know the reason for having Port Arthur as the final destination for “The Flying Crow”? I saw that trains 5 and 6 ended up in New Orleans. Rob – Big Boy #4014 in Pomona, CA, is in pretty good shape and I read somewhere that it is probably the one that needs least restoration to get back in operational condition. I guess sweeper S37 was a regular streetcar from the beginning that was rebuilt and got a new life as a sweeper? Looks real nice in the Rendezvous I photo. Looking inside I see a controller to left in the top photo. Is it just kept there or is it a controller for the sweeper motor? The GG1 at the Museum of Trasportation is (was) green (I think) and is marked Amtrak. It is in need of a complete restoration, but I am not sure how much they will actully do. At least they should paint it in PRR paint scheme. Lars – Hope everything went well tod... yesterday! I owe you an email.Tonight I pick the Chicago & North Western Passenger Equipment book! That would be very interesting to read! The New Haven Railroad’s Streamline Passenger Fleet has a very nice picture on the cover! Pete – UP has a musuem in Council Bluffs, IA, across the river from Omaha. Info on this link:http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/museum/index.shtmlThanks for the photos! I guess they have not started any restoration work on the DD40AX at the Museum of Transportation. It seems like it is still sitting at the same spot as last May. Fergie – Congratulations to your new steam locomotive!! Looking forward to the pictures! Chris – Welcome back! I bet you have been to the Museum many times. You said you got to ride a brand new ICE 1 (that is what is what you see in my pictures) in late '89! It must have been a demo run since they were not put into revenue service until very late 1990 or early 1991 (can’t remember right now). A whole bunch of good old pics! I must say you look kind of tiny standing on the front of #4006! I have to look around next time I get to Kirkwood station. Obviously there was a lot of tracks in the neighborhood. Thanks for the photos and the story behind many of them!Allan – No, I still don’t have any op date. It is very frustrating. Glad you liked my pics on my site. I have many more that I am going to scan now when I don’t work every day. I also have about 6 hrs of video I have to take care of.
UP Class 9000.
UP DD40AX.
SP Class SP-2, #5021.
Eric
"SSShhhhh, Boris - I'm glad to see you too, but if you don't keep it down to a dull roar, you'll wake up Spike, and I really don't want to pet him back to sleep, OK? Besides, it's after-hours, and I can't order anything to drink, so why don't you find the PPF's in the icebox and have a quiet snack - but keep the noise DOWN, please!!"
**~CRASH!!!!!!!~**
Damn!!
Well, since my cover is blown I guess I'll do the drill:Eric - HEY, Fellow Night-Komrade!!! I'll address the Kirkwood half of your post in the next day or so; for now I'll just say that yes, my ride on the ICE 1 was indeed a shakedown run - at that time, the DB saw perfect logic in combining new equipment tests with public-acceptance tests, as opposed to the usual perfecting the design before testing with the public. The trainset was laced with cables and test-data gear {including several then-new video camcorders}, but my ride must have been a "determining practical top speed," because we did roughly 100 miles in 50 minutes, which works out to about 120mph as cruising speed! I was later told that the DB favored the "Fulda Gap Route" I rode as a pretty good test-track - and quite the far cry from say, the East Erie Commercial pike!!!PROST!!!!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffe, pelase; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Just a quick pass right now as "duty calls." Let's go out and play in the rain and the mud! I will try and get back later today.
work safe
<personal foto>
A hitch in the giddy-up for our Alaska trip as what we had hoped to be our itinerary is now in question. Seems that the remote section of Denali Park where we had planned to stay doesn't open ‘til early June, right around when we HAVE to be back home. That just may force CHANGE <my favorite word>. Well, it's a BIG state ‘n other parts to visit - perhaps southeast (Juneau - Ketchikan). Stay tuned. <grin>
So it's Thursday at the Saloon by the Siding with freshly brewed coffee - freshly baked pastries ‘n breakfasts ready to order. Well
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Wednesday - Jan 9th:
Page 165 - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:25 AM: LOVED that link to the model RR. The major "thing" about that hobby is enjoying the creativity each of us comes up with in depicting that which is in one's "mind's eye," if you follow my drift. Just wonderful stuff . . .
Many thanx for the KCS material too - rounds ‘n quarters too! [tuip]
Page 166 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:23 AM: An earlier-than-usual-visit from our Manager, -BUT very much appreciated! Many thanx for those continuing book covers - something I'm sure the guyz really look forward to on a daily basis. You've "spoiled" us, Mate!
Hope all goes well ‘n not to worry ‘bout the bar. As you can see, the "nucleus" is healthy!
Thanx for the covers, round ‘n chat!
Page 166 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 8:34 AM ‘n 8:47 AM: Told my bride about the tornado warnings "blaring away" in your part of the world ‘n she really was surprised. Ontario is her "home" Province, although she really didn't live there very long as her RCAF father was posted pretty much everywhere but . . . including NATO assignments in Europe for years at a time. Anyway, it's a changing world - one can run, but one can't hide, eh Dig a DEEEEEEEEEEP basement, Mate! <grin>
Some time back I had the opportunity to attend a meeting where the CEO <owner?> of the Kansas City Southern was a guest. I found him to be a most engaging sort of guy with a profound sense of REALITY. Really enjoyed my chat with him. He was <at the time> most supportive of passenger rail and didn't "hedge" on what this country needs to do in order to provide that alternative travel mode. Sure wish we had more like him . . .
See my comments <below> regarding the Stl Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO> . . . .
Appreciate the AM visit, chat ‘n fotos!
Page 166 - Pete (pwolfe) at 2:53 PM: Another long inclusive Post from our Bar Chandler ‘n good friend of the Bar by the Ballast! Kinda long time between customers, eh
That's a fine shot of the CN open-ended obs car at Kirkwood! Looks like "the one" we saw out in KCity on one of our trips to Union Station. Gonna have to compare your foto with mine . . . Nicely done!
For those wondering, the fotos were taken on Dec 18th when Pete ‘n I got together for our visit to the museum ‘n the next day at the TrainWreck Saloon.
Why oh why do I even bother with your "quizzes? <grin> Come up with some obscure lyrics ‘n then expect someone to "jump" all over ‘em. You, Sir, should be <tweeted> - consider yourself forewarned. <arrrrrrgggggghhhhhh>
Many thanx for another fine contribution, fotos AND the round!
Page 166 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 3:01 PM: Yeah BLAME it on the LHS owner-operator- booooooo
A quick good morning Ruth just a coffee and a number three to go work calls Here's a sack of odd coin to be used towards rounds for this afternoon ( haven't had a chance to use the bath tub converter yet )
Tom-You know what they say change is good for the sole or $%@#& fine print or something to that nature. I'm sure that you will end up with a very enjoyable and relaxing trip.
I'm supprised that you didn't get yourself hired on by the CEO of the KCS sounds like you guys were almost two peas in a pod or at least a locomotive crew
So railroaded again as an assistant manager no less where have a heard that before at work and at play oh well I accept,small dipper in the large tub
I imagine that the transpo museum is likely more into preservation and cosmetic's than running, having running equipmnet that gives rides etc is a whole "nuther" level of insurance ( the kind that gives great pains tonether regions if you catch the meaning )
Yup the weather here can be changable although ny part of Southwestern Ontario Brantford to London has soem tornado history more so than the rest of the province. Mind you if I build another deeper basement I coulod get a much bigger layout space hmmmm oh Heather SMASH -THUMP apparently i've been out voted
Chris- Some great pictrues my lad really good stuff. Work equipment really is the cats um behind yah that's it One word of warning boris is not the most fleet of foot or dainty of footfall at any time of day but at night his ability to "MUNGO SMASH" is magnified on the order of the power of ten.
Bye the way H&H can likely "whip" up some cooling salve for the porcupine quills.
Eric-Somemore interesting cab shots thank-you sir S37 was purpose built as a snowsweeper. It was part of a class of ten bought from Russell snowplow in 1927 by Boston's transiit system. The whole lot were sold to NYC's Third AVE railway in the late 40's approx then they went on third habd to the TTC in 1953 where they remained until retirement in 1970-74.We recieved two of them in 1973 S37 and S40 .The 40 was for parts only it had had a misshap about ten years before.We pulled what we thought we needed off og it to keep S37 going and then sold it to herritage park in Edmontond they wanted it for it's trucks and motors,I imagine they scrapped the rest of the body.
The extra contoller you see in the photo is for teh sweep brooms there's one at each end teh pulley's and cranks for both wing plows also hang in the interior. In service they used a four man crew. Opertator . and conductor extra motorman for the sweepers and a crew chief that oversaw and operated the wings when needed.
Hello Tom and all in
Happy New Year.
I'll have a pint of Harvey's Bitter and here's enough for a round for the house. Back from the Xmas and New year vacations which involved a fair amount of driving round the country.
Was able at least to pay a family visit to the superb Bluebell Railway on Boxing Day (Pete has posted pictures from there in the past). Haulage by Edwardian steam locos constructed pre 1914, and carried in recently restored Metropolitan Line carriages from a similar historical period. You'll see some great photographs here:
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/bash/index.html
Had chance to read through the posts on this page, and obviously some interesting topics of conversation have been going on. I shall try and engage in a bit of catch up as and when
Pete: Just spotted this on my perusal back through the pages (there's plenty posted by you all I must say)
"If you get the chance to have a look at the December issue of ‘Backtrack' Magazine there are some photos of the BUDD built ‘Silver Princess" car near the back of the magazine."
I expect this is out of the shops now so I missed it, although I'll check - do you subscribe to that mag? Is that the car built for the LMS / BR by Budd that we discussed some time ago and wondered what had happened to it? Did the magazine give any clues / further information?
All the best to one and all!
DL - UK
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. To paraphrase Hemingway, “It is well and truly raining here today,” which is why we got to spend some time outside. Temp is in the upper 30s so it’s not at all bad as long as you keep moving.
Rob was by with comments and pichers. Somewhere I think I have a photo of that sweeper when it was in Boston. Hmmm...we must see where it might be.
Lars visited with another fine set of book covers. For those who have not read it, Doughty’s New Haven book (one of several) is a good one as it gets into car design and use, other historical items and some first hand experiences as well.
Pete – Pretty CN office car on the back of that train.
Fergie – New power and you blame the other shift for your downfall? I’m waiting for a New Haven GP9 which should be here sooner than later.
Mopac visited with some reminiscences and some fine Frisco fotos. I especially enjoyed the MP MOW shots as well as the picture of SR&N 908 which is surrounded by some most interesting equipment. Thanks for sharing!
DL stopped by – Good to hear from you. Also good to see that Allan is with us.
OSP – Remember planning is half of any travel ideas. I always just liked having a fistful of tickets with my name on them and realizing that we were going be underway soon. Thanks for the drumheads. Alouette is a good one – there is a picture of the drumhead itself on the rear car (buffet-parlor-obs) in Steam, Steel and Limiteds. I dug that book out about 10 days ago after not having looked at it in a long time – well, I’ve shot several evenings rereading it.
Eric – The “Flying Crow” did operate to Port Arthur. The confusing part about all of this is that the KCS used the “Flying Crow” name on trains 5 and 6 and on trains 15 and 16. The latter numbers ran to Port Arthur. It wasn’t much as the consist says “Chair cars: between Kansas City and Port Arthur.” The “Southern Belle” also handled cars to and from Port Arthur and Kansas City. I can see we’ll have to do something on this as it is getting complicated.
The SP also served Port Arthur, but with freight trains only (1950). Passengers could ride the bus between Beaumont and Port Arthur.
Work safe
Rainy 'n chilly here in mid-continent USA where I surely wish the precip was in form of SNOW - lots 'n lots of it! <grin>
Good to see visits by Rob - Dan (DL-UK) 'n CM3 Shane (2nd time today!) . . . appreciate the support Gents!
Kinda <blah>, so thought you'd enjoy a "pick us up" in the form of something along the lines of Classic Trains - a REAL train operating railroad station!
Railroad Stations - Terminals & Depots Number Three - Montreal's Central Station
<A form of this initially appeared on Page 370 of the Original Thread on Jul 5th, 2006>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Material NOT substantiated.Central Station (Montreal) Gare Centrale is the primary railway station in Montreal. It is most commonly known by its French name, however the title is officially bilingual and is also frequently referred to by its English name Central Station. The station is owned by CN and is situated in the heart of downtown Montreal at 895 De La Gauchetière St. W. (45°30#8242;0.30#8243;N, 73°33#8242;59.50#8243;W), in the borough of Ville-Marie. With the closure of Windsor Station, Gare Centrale is the main passenger railway hub in Montreal. Embarqument area
History Gare Centrale sits above and next to the old Canadian Northern Railway's now-demolished Tunnel Terminal. CNR plans for terminal consolidation At the end of the 1920s, the newly formed Canadian National Railways struggled with disparate Montréal terminals (Bonaventure station, Tunnel Terminal, Moreau Street Station, and McGill Street) and sought to consolidate them. The solution chosen was to take advantage of the Mount-Royal tunnel and bring all western trains through the tunnel to a big electrified central station, which would then allow the development of air-rights, exactly like for Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Construction started at the end of the 1920s, but was halted during the Great Depression. Construction resumed during World War II and the new station finally opened on July 14, 1943 as the first of a series of large-scale urban redevelopment projects undertaken by CNR and the federal government in downtown Montreal. The opening of a 'central' station was part of a consolidation project undertaken by CNR since 1929 with the enactment of the Canadian National Montreal Terminals Act, 1929 by Parliament; this saw the closure of former temporary stations operated by CNR predecessors Grand Trunk (Bonaventure Station) and Canadian Northern. Gare Centrale was an important CN passenger station from 1943 until the creation of VIA Rail in 1978. Following VIA's full absorption of CP's passenger trains in 1979, intercity rail traffic from Windsor Station was consolidated at Gare Centrale. Intercity transport VIA Rail runs trains from Gare Centrale along the Windsor-Québec corridor to Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec City, as well as long-distance services to Saguenay, Senneterre, Gaspé, and Halifax. Amtrak offers daily service to New York City. Preceding station . . . . . . . . VIA Rail Lines . . . . . . Following station Dorval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toronto - Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . . Terminus Dorval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ottawa - Montréal. . . . . . . . . . . . . Terminus Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montréal - Québec . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint-Lambert Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montréal - Halifax. . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint-Lambert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Ocean Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montréal - Gaspé . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saint-Lambert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Chaleur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montréal - Jonquière. . . . . . . . . . . Anhuntsic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Saguenay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montréal - Senneterre. . . . . . . . . . Anhuntsic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Abitibi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amtrak Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint-Lambert . . . . . . . . . . . . New York - Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . Terminus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adirondack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commuter rail Gare Centrale also serves passengers using Montreal's commuter rail service known as AMT. The station is a hub for the Deux-Montagnes and Mont-Saint-Hilaire lines. Gare Centrale is in Fare Zone 1. It is one of the two downtown terminals for Montreal commuter trains, the other being Lucien L'Allier
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Afternoon, All!!Ruth, I'll have my usual bacon-double cheeseburger, fries, and a Michelob draught, please. Taking a multi-tasking lunch break! I do wish the weather here would make up it's mind - like our Cap'n, I want some SNOW!!!!!!Right - down to business:Cap'n Tom - yeah, I tried to be quiet, but I didn't realize what a klutz Boris is! Put the damages on me tab, if you would? Don't get me started with the penguins; I've had that vid for years - classic!!! Sorry to hear your jaunt to the Land of the Midnight Sun has been postponed; I've long had a desire to get to that corner of the globe myself. I'd probably ride the cruise trains the whole time, though - either that, or hang out on the White Pass & Yukon!! Loving the pics you put up, especially the Ocean pics - seeing a genuine Budd obs still in daily service warms the heart, you know? Rob - happy to be of service, and thanks for the tips! I'll kow better, next time. The Cap'n has been bringing me up to speed with all the "security critters," so there should be no problems in the future.A friendly wave to DL/Dan!! {change "Welcome" to "Hello, Mate!!"}Shane - glad you like the SLSF stuff - I've got a small quantity of it, but not nearly enough. More goodies will be coming in the future though; that much I can promise! As always, you have interesting info on the passenger trains - it's obvious I'm not the only "road-rat" around here!!
Now then, after posting the Kirkwood vignette, I did some spot-research, and came across this:It's a 1971 pic of Amtrak #40, the National Limited. What's interesting about the pic is the construction going on in the lower right of the shot. The land is being re-graded in preparation for turning the tract back into "greenspace" {in this case, the lawn of the then-new Municipal Hall}. The "third main" and remaining team tracks had already been cut back {to the east side of Kirkwood Road/Lindbergh, the main drag in the pic}, and the clock was still ticking for what was left. I have dim recollection of The National behind Jenk's blue E's, so this find was a real treat for me.My last bit for this post {much more on the night shift} is on the silly side - you know the old joke "Want to lose 20 pounds of ugly fat quick? Cut your head off!" Well, my beloved MoP actually did someting similar to one of their U30c's!!
Until next - Salut!!!!
Hi Tom and all
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
FERGIE Looking forward to see photos of your new "steamer". If asked "Is that a new loco" reply "No I have had it ages" and hope.
CHRIS Great to see you in. I think the red on the magazine cover as come out a lot deeper than it was, the Duchess which is being re streamlined and should be finished soon, is having the paint scheme copied from an original LMS panel so will be accurate. It will be great to see photos of her when she is done.
Yes I think the more you learn about locomotives on foreign railways the more you get to appreciate them. I know a guy in England who was a fireman on BR just can't get enough of the large American steamers especially the Big -Boys. I think it helped in the UK that some of the early main line diesel locomotives had an American look about them and model American diesels were very popular from a British model train maker.
Many thanks for those great photos from 1978 and 1980.It is great when a trip starts well like seeing that bay window caboose at the grade crossing. The Frisco equipment looks in clean condition. It is good to see those ex works cars from Sedalia shops what a shame the works were to close soon after your photos. Enjoyed the photos from Kirkwood museum from nearly 30 years ago now.
ERIC Having seen the prize, I will try to help you reach the 3,333th post.
Many thanks for the link to the UP museum in Council Bluffs it is not too far from here.
I think the DD40 AX is in the same position at the museum although I think there may have been something in front of the it that as moved, I could not remember being able to take the photo from where I did before but I could be wrong.
Great locomotive cab photos.
ALLAN From the photos I have seen the LMS Streamliners were not in the best condition paint wise after the war until they were de-streamlined, I think they were in plain black. I too am looking forward to see Duchess and Hamilton when she is completed. I have heard that when she if finished she is going to be along side the A4 Mallard in York museum, with both locomotives looking as they were in the late 1930s it should be quite a sight.
Glad you enjoyed the photos; it was a great day with Tom at the Museum of Transport in Kirkwood.
ROB I am not surprised the Work Equipment is so popular on the days that feature them. It is really great that the examples of work equipment was saved, often they have a great history as they were converted from early vehicles. In the UK many old cars, which have been saved and put back into their former glory, owe their existence to being used for Department use after their normal service was over.
It has settled down to rain and fairly cold here again. I was listening to the Internet radio on a football (soccer) match from England and the wind was blowing so hard the goalkeeper took a goal kick, the wind caught it and it went out for a corner. The one thing I noticed about the weather in the UK was the increase of the wind there.
Who built those G subway cars made in England do you know.
A bigger basement sounds a great idea and many thanks for the S37 info.
Photo from Kirkwood Museum on Tom and my visit
DL Happy New Year and great to see you in the bar.
I bet it was a great time at the Bluebell in those vintage Metropolitan line carriages, hauled by a locomotive from the same period. I have been in some that run on the Keighly & Worth Valley Railway on special occasions. As you say great photos in that link.
Good evening Leon , another keith's from the "free" stash if you will ( now the prize is metted out I'll buy again from now on )Any fish n chips left oh extra mushy peas for Boris he's developed a taste for them as long as a lot of mustard is added Best it's his digestive tract not sure anything could mess it up.
CM3 Shane- Oh I'd love to see pictures of S37 as built I hope you can find them
Dan-Nice to see you back , hopefully bright eyed and bushy-tailed ( no Boris I don't need you to go out and catch some rabbits for the sausage press )Interesting Link thanks for sharing it mate
Pete-Nice shot of the Mentis, looking at it makes me think that it is one of the old IC cars that they converted and repainted a good looker though We're supposed to have a sloppy night here lots of wind 70+ mph ( we've had two days of that ) warm temps and rain mixed with slush by the sounds of it just awfull weather.
There are alot of examples of pieces of railway equipment that has been saved thanks to it's being used as work equipment once they were deemed obsolete in thier original guises.In fact we have many such examples at our museum. in some cases we put them back to passenger car set up others we have left in their as -converted state. More variety that way.
Chris-Interesting pic from the year of my birth Neat to see what was new when it was new.
Tom-Not to bad a day here today. it's kept pretty steady. We may keep our most posted travelled spot for a bit yet.Nice to read and see the Montreal Statuion piece again. I still think I like Toronto's Union better, now that I have had first hand experiance with both. always nice to see photo's of the equipment at the platform too.
Good evening again Leon , I think another Keith's would be most wonderfull and here's a bit o cash for a round for Chris and the rest of the late night pub crawlers. As promised here's part 2 of the pre-history of the TTC.
THE PRE HISTORY OF THE TTC PART 2
THE TORONTO CIVIC RAILWAY 1911-1921
Because of the refusal by the TRC to expand into the new regions of the city that were outside of it's original charter,the city felt something had to be done to promote developement in it's newly annexed areas.The Toronto Civic Railway was created in 1911 to achieve this, and lines were constructed on St Clair,Lansdowne,and Danforth Avenues and on Gerrard and Bloor streets.There was a fare of two cents cahrged with six tickets for ten cents ( cheaper than the five cent six for fifteen that the TRC was charging )and transfer privilages were also allowed between casr on the Lansdowne and St Clair routes ( the only ones of the company that actually touched each other ).No tranfer arrangements were made with connecting lines of the TRC.
The Civic Lines did not utilize turning loops on any lines so all their cars and equipment were double ended.The Civic ran unabated until 1921, when it ws melded into the TTC .Today all teh St Clair and Lansdowne routes and the Danforth are still run as connected TTC lines, Bloor was converted to a subway in the 1960's and the surface lines were removed.The gerrard trackage was pulled up and replaced by trolley buses in the 1970's and is now a diesel bus route. the Gerrard and Danforth carbarns are still used as bus barns today.The St Clair barns have been greatly increased in size and are still streetcar barns.
Toronto Civic #55 in full TCR reagalia at our museum. Car #2 in our museum collection.She currently awaits electrical rebuild,but at one point was one of the main runners in the museum's daily service. Two of her sisters are also at the msueum both run but both were heavily modified into work equipment by the TTC and have been left in the work car set up.
rail grinder W28 formerly Toronto Civic # 57
THE TORONTO SUBURBAN RR
The TSR, which operated radial ( interurban lines ) out of Toronto,( to Guelph and all parts in between ) provided transportation over some in city routes as well.These services ran from the junction area of Dundas and Keele streets to the western and northern city limits and along Davenport road ending at Bathhurst street.
After the TTC operations began in 1921, the TSR continued to operate these services separte of the TTC as well as their interurban runs north and west.The city lines were run in trust by the TSR until they were finally brought into the TTC fold in 1923. The TSR was also a McKenzie and Mann road like the TRC and once the Canadian Northern went under they fell to the control of the CNR as one of it's electric lines.The services weer out of business by 1931. today the only part of the TSR still in daily use is part of the TTC's Harbourfront extention. The only part of the TSR's interurban lines to Guelph still running is the mainline at our Museum.
THE TORONTO AND YORK RADIAL RAILWAYS
The T.Y.R.R also operatedseveral radial lines from Toronto amongst these were separate fare services offered to residents of Toronto.These services ran along Kingston road from Queen street to Victoria Park Avenue,Lakeshore road from the Humber river to Roncessvalles Ave and the North Yonge railway above Woodlawn ave.Thes lines all began in 1912 and continued out of town as radials into what would eventually become the northern and western suburbs of Toronto.
The T&Y lines that were in the city limits were purcahased by the city in 1920 and handed over to the TTC on it's formation in 1921. all remain in servcie except the Yonge street line which was converted to the TTC's first subway in 1954. After a period of operation by the Ontario Hydro Elelctric Power commison until 1927 they were then sold to the TTC. the Lakeshore line was the first retired but for the stretch that makes up the exhibition grounds loop . The last to go was the North Yonge portion to Richmond hill which lasted until 1947 and then and remains a deisel bus route.
Late 40's shot of the TTC 400 series interurban car used exclusivly on the ex T&Y lines
The 416 today undergoing complete to servcie restoration at the museum teh only one of these twelve beautifull double ended cars still existing.
enjoy
Rob.
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hi Leon, I know, I am early tonight! That gives me plenty of time for my favorite, Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Ice cold Keith's, please.
Tomorrow morning I will be happy i could go to bed early tonight! Did finally get a date for my surgery, January 25.
Chris – You better be careful when you get here during after-hours. A shakedown run with the ICE, that makes sense. We started the test runs with the X2000 in August 1989, 13 months before it entered revenue service.It was very busy 13 months! Thanks for the Kirkwood information! Interesting photo of that “headless” U30c! I guess it was in multiple with one or several other locos. Probably used for switching. CM3 – Hope you had a great day in the rain and mud today! You are right, “The Flying Crow” was obviously a very “complicated” train! Or trains. Tom – A night in the Penthouse Suite with that brunette? Wow, did you find her? Thanks for the Montreal’s Central Station article! As we discussed a number of months ago, we never made it to the Central Station with the X2000 while in Montreal. It looks like a nice station. Nice photo of the VIA observation dome car! Rob – Thanks for the info on the S37 sweeper! So it was built for that purpose. Four man crew. I guess that was what it took to operate it. I must say that Toronto has a very interesting history when it comes to streetcars and interurbans! Thanks for the round!DL – Good to see you again, Sir! Thanks for the link to the Bluebell Railway! I thought they used to have a steam locomotive from Sweden, but I could not find anything that verified that. Do you know anything about it? Pete – Post #3,333 is coming up pretty soon. I am curious to see if Tom really found that brunette from Hooters. Thanks for the photo from the Museum of Transportation! Looks different with snow on the ground. I guess the other photo is from Jeff City?
Santa Fe, Class 3450, 4-6-4. Pomona, CA.
Same locomotive, the fireman's side. At least he could keep his feet warm!
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad's JS 8419.
Good Evening, Friends! Leon, a pitcher of porch-climbers, please. What? You did? Well, there's more where that came from, Mate - the band has been booked for the 23rd next month, so keep an eye on the blog for the "gory" OK? Say!!! Who threw the bulls-eye on the dart board - with Spike??? Good shot......
{Gently plucks the 'pine from the board} Sshhhhh - it's okay little {ouch!} buddy. Nap next to me while I type, there's a good lad. Time to dive right in:Cap'n Tom - picking up on something you mentioned earlier, while it's true I'm very familiar with the MOT and all the exhibits, the last time I was there was before they started the Mopac RS-3 restoration - about 3 years ago. I'm making plans to finally return in the near future {with my new 3-gig camera in tow}, so I'll fully accept the "expert" title then; my pending visit will be my "re-certification," if you will. I've got to admit - those Ocean cars {the expatriate Brits} are growing on me; when I first saw them I thought "LRC-wannabe," but now, especially in that wonderful livery, they look just fine to me. How do they ride, I wonder?Pete - Well, I've always been a big fan of colorful locomotives, and the "classic" British rail systems certainly qualified!! Blue, green, red, fancy lettering jobs, perhaps some tasteful gilding here and there - yeah, that gets my attention! Glad you like the photos, Mate. Actually Pete, in looking at them cosely again, I didn't realize how lucky we were to see those cars - take a good look at the first boxcar just behind the tanker. Notice how much smaller it is, compared to it's companions. For me though, it's underframe was a dead giveaway. I did some spot-checking this morning, and it turns out that that particular MoW boxcar was one of the last surviving "Eagle Merchandise" boxcars!!!! Those cars have a fascinating history; built in the early 1950's upon the stripped frames of old wood/composite cars originally delivered by ACF in the 1920's. The all-steel rebuilds kept the compact dimensions of the originals, and lasted only a few short years in merchandise service; after the service expired in the mid '50's, the cars were retained for company use, although a small group was placed in the general-sevice pool. The general-service ones were the first to go, and the company cars thinned out through the 60's and '70's. By the time of my pic, I'd say that there were less than 10 still on the books, out of a fleet of nearly 500. Not bad for a 10-year-old kid, with a Polaroid Instamatic, no? Super snow-shot of the MOT, BTW - makes that UP rotary look right t'home!!!Rob - Pup.Seriously though - glad you liked my modest effort. Future plans call for some shots from the 100th-Anniversary bash for the Kirkwood station I attended with my late Dad - got some fair shots of Frisco 1552 "storming the Hill" among other goodies - stay tuned..... Your interesting info on the TCR jogged loose yet another memory from that summer of '78 - the Kirkwood DOT was having a hell of a time keeping up with the street repairs {the three consecutive winters of '77-79 were the worst on record to that date}, and in more than a few places around the city {Clay Avenue leaps to mind}, the old Muni streetcar rails were clearly visible, still intact!!! And the centers were still paved with pink cobblestones, which came from none other than local quarries served by the original St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern!!
Eric - Now you tell me? TEASING!!! You know us Night-Loons, always into "something," eh? That U30 was actually pressed into service due to a serious power-shortage; it always ran as a B-unit {for obvious reasons}, but only for about 3 weeks or so. N. Little Rock didn't have all the cab components they needed, so they simply removed the whole structure, slapped on temporary cladding to seal the hood, and let her loose. I'll have to check, but it's quite possible that the 3319 was one of the GE's given an EMD cab, when it was finally repaired. Love the cab shots you've been posting, Mate - and your conjecture about the Santa Fe shot of the fireman-side seatbox with the pipes along the floor was spot-on; those pipes were steam-feeds, purposely routed to provide ad-hoc "radiant heat!"Since we're on the subject, tonight's Rampage will focus on my beloved MoP - kicking off logically enough:
And, with all due respect to #635 at the MOT, my all-time favorite Iron Mountain engine was "Old Molly" #4000; seen here on, you guessed it, Kirkwood Hill in 1941 {can you imagine this beast squeezing through the Barrett tunnels? Oh, for a time-machine........}:
Another view from roughly the same time-frame shows a more-orthodox Kirkwood Hill helper; a 1720-class heavy 2-10-2 {look carefully at the tender's rear truck, and you'll see the rods for the booster engine!}:
Here's one for Eric - a shot of a crummy assigned to Jeff City, circa 1980:This next one I love, because I saw this same engine many, many times on The Hill; it retained the paint scheme and hybrid herald until it was retired {albeit with i
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Mopac Chris, wow! keep up the blue ink. Did you rename the UP Unipac yet?
Funny video clip, Big Boys On TV. And a bunch of commercials
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?p=r&user=pentrexvideos&page=2
Googled for news about the possible Amtrak strike at the end of January. Nothing new there but the Kansas City Star says: Remedies sought to unclog Missouri rail line and help Amtrak heal
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/439783.html
If a strike happens it will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the end of the Classic Trains Era.
There is no Classic Trains Era without the PRR and the NYC. I read about the merger in the Stars & Stripes newspaper, days after getting shelled in the Tet Offensive, which is why Allan always seems to remind me of Incoming.
Mike
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Lots of wind and rain here today but we missed all of the bad stuff off to the south and west. Gas went down to $2.19/gal.
Pete stopped in with notes and comments
Rob was by with more Toronto history. The TTc 400 series is indeed a beautiful car. At least you saved one.
Eric was by with comments and pictures.
Mike stopped in with some NYC material. The Empire State Express shot was made at Breakneck (along the Hudson) - the photographer was about standing in the river to get the picture. Incidentally, the Boston Globe has its knickers in a twist about a possible ATK strike. They did mention, however, in the midst of everything else, that folks had been working w/o a contract for 8 yrs. It'll be interesting to see what happens both there and expecially in NY re commuter service, much of which operates on ATK trackage. Stay tuned, I guess...
Mopac was by with some most interesting vintage material. The National Limited is a train, IMHO that could have been (and should have been) saved. There was a truly eclectic collection of cars behind the pair of MP Es. I also enjoyed the steam pictures as well. MP steam is a never-ending study as the more you look, the more you find out about all kinds of changes, r/b's mechanical stuff, etc. The pair of early Es made for a nice picture as well.
OSP was by with a nice write-up on Montreal's Central Station.
Here's another installment relating to "cross-country" Pullmans. This one features the B&O's share of the service. It was nowhere as complicated as that operated by the PRR and the NYC.
Part III: Baltimore and Ohio
The Baltimore and Ohio operated transcontinental sleeping car service between Washington and Los Angeles. This service was coordinated between the B&O's "Capitol Limited" and the Santa Fe's "Chief." A 6 section/6 roomette/4 double bedroom car was used on this line in both directions.
B&O train 5 was the westbound "Capitol." It departed Washington at 5:50 p.m. and arrived at Chicago's Grand Central Station at 8:05 a.m. The sleeper was switched to Dearborn Station and added to the Chief which left at 1:30 p.m. with an 830 a.m. arrival in Los Angeles two days later.
Eastbound passengers left Los Angeles on the "Chief" at 12:30 p.m. and arrived at Dearborn Station at 11:30 a.m. two days later. The car was switched to Grand Central Station for a 4:30 p.m. departure on B&O Train 6, the eastbound "Capitol" which arrived at Washington at 8:55 a.m. the next morning.
Reason "things" happen!
Law of Biomechanics:
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Friday has a nice "ring" to it - so why not order up a <light> or <traditional> breakfast - grab a mugga Joe ‘n check out The Mentor Village Bakery case while you're at it
Getting colder ‘round here with things rather gloomy on Thursday as it rained ‘n rained ‘n rained. Puts one in the "cabin fever" frame of mind! <uh oh>
Petrol still holding below the $3 level - last time I checked it was $2.90 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner."
Thursday - Jan 10th:
Page 166 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 9:19 AM: Okay - that's IT! YOU, Sir are permanently enrolled in Molly Throttlebottom's Adult Learning Centre ‘n Mud Wrestling Emporium for the King's English Course! A quote: change is good for the sole Are you saying that CHANGE is good for shoes OR fish <geesh> Well, it IS Fish ‘n Chips Nite here at "Our" Place!
change is good for the sole
I see your avatar has returned after an absence of a few days - changed it
Here's a link to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO>
http://www.transportmuseumassociation.org/index.html
MUNGO SMASH is a new one on me! Say what <grin>
Many thanx for taking on the job of Assistant Manager! With the Larsman's "situation" these daze, he can use your most able assistance! Just keep H&H away from ME!!! <grrrrrrrr>
Sack o' coins ‘n visit most welcome!
Page 166 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:45 AM: Is that a "new guy" or someone we vaguely remember Hmmmmmm, I seem to recall the "accent" - akin to that of Pete's, methinks!
Quite a link to become immersed in - I'll make a "deal" - you get caught up, ‘n I'll read every word! Thanx, really . . .
Round ‘n return visit appreciated!
Page 166 - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 12:57 PM: Back with an inclusive, interesting ‘n informative Post <I3>!
Couldn't agree more about trip planning - especially with the "tools" available these daze. HOWEVER, disappoint looms ‘round the bend when the best of those plans gets sidetracked as mine did. <groan> Infinite amount of places to go, finite amount of time ‘n resources to accomplish those ideas.
Nice amplifying stuff regarding the KCS Flying Crow, et al . . .
Thanx for the visit, round ‘n quarters!
Page 166 - Chris (MoPacBarrettTunnel) at 3:04 PM: That's a mighty fine looking shot of the National Ltd - too bad it's Amtrak! With that MoPac "Eagle" herald it surely fooled me. A mixed consist of passenger cars - would love to see ‘em in color. Nicely done ‘n thanx!
Don't know if you are aware, but the agreement between Amtrak ‘n Union Pacific has provisions for a 3rd train per day <round trip> along the StL-KCity corridor. Been that way for decades when it was first written up. However, to reinstitute a mid-day train it takes MONEY ‘n the state subsidy surely isn't there, much less anything forthcoming from the "Feds." Sooooooooooooo . . . <groan> Actually doubt whether there's ridership - regardless of the "data." With years of PPP <figure it out!>, thanx to the seemingly never-ending "maintenance" on the route, the traveling few have pretty much given up on reliability insofar as OTP (on time performance) is concerned. <arrrrgggghhhh>
Alaska Yeah, I'm disappointed. It isn't as if I've not been there - as mentioned - spent 18 months there in 1959-60 ‘n we traveled by rail in 2006 from Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks to Anchorage. But I'm just one of those guyz who NEVER gets enuf dome travel - NEVER! <grin>
Your mention of the
Morning Ruth , your looking well concidering your true love freind has flown south for the winter or is it "wintah" at any rate I think i'll partake in a number three and a BK splash herer's a bit extra to keep the whistles wet for the rest of the afternoon.
Tom- Apparently my humour on fish night didn't go over so well oh well, it could be worse, at least we have H&H to help heal the wounds tehy create in the mud tank <uh oh >
I've never been to "Vans" station, but I hear you about Toronto. The great upper hall is almost always empty except at train time , now the Go train and subway concoarses and their never ending supply of fried food and beer (we did find that bar on the Go level remember) are always humming, and teeming with life. You gotta love the fact that streetcars and subway trains enter right into the basement of the Toronto union as well
The White Pass has always intrigued me as well, but to even get to the Yukon side of the operation takes some doing,some of the most beautiful but unforgiving regions in both our countries.
Mungo was a large cartoon ape that was on the CBC when I was a kid, the onl;y thing he ever said was MUNGO SMASH right before he broke something. I always forget that some of the little things like that from my youth never filter south of the boarder.
Thanks for the museum link I intend to peruse that this evening.I'm glad you like the new avatar - thing took a ton of time to load up for whatever reason. Kinda fits a one off oddball like me as it's the one and only MLW built RSD17,thankfully preserved in a museum though now it sports a chopped low nose.
Eric-As always loved the interior shots of the steam engine cabs. I've always been amazed by the amount of stuff that is crammed into a locomotive cab.Good news about getting your date. Soon you shall be free, digestivly anyway.
Chris=-Some more fine photo's my friend. Dying to see the shots of your triumphal return to the museum armed with miodern tech no less. Should be an extravaganza should I wag my tail and beg now The lads from the track gangs have quite the throwing arms don't they. Spike must have been sleeping on one of the barstools again before his little incident<uh oh>
Pink cobble stones I would have expected that from California but not MO Funny that you mention surfacing streetcar rails. Two years ago Brantford was doing some work down town here and puled out a grand union and about two miles of track that had been burried in 1940 when streetcar services ended here in the city, burried treasure to be sure.
Great photo's of that E and an interesting history, too bad one wasn't saved.
Mike-great to see you semi-regularly again keep up the good info sir
Shane-Thanks for the part three of the sleeper info good stuff. I hope that teh Amtrak strike dosen't happen, they already have too amny enemies in Washington,something like this could really cook their goose, which would be tragic for everyone.
416 is unique. they were built by the Ottawa Car Company in 1912.We've ahd a heck of a time with the restorations so far read expence. The interior vestibules were amde from Elm can you say cha-ching !All the interior pannelling is cherry wood as well. Bullet proof once installed but man the price will gag a healthy maggot to use a "Tomism" The car was also used as a house for about 40 years as well , so all teh aluminum wiring needs to go.WE have to amnufacture ourselves all four doors and the door hardware as they are long gone,but are well on their way to being finished. We figure in about a year and a half first full power trail runs will commence not bad concidering,once in service by 2010 we figure itwill ahve been 7 years of restoration. One things for sure ity will run on it's 100th birthday !
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
$ 2.19 - I wish. It is $3.19; must have been the rope ends Boris put in the donuts this a.m.
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH, ‘tis the Larsman "in" for only a brief respite from reality! And you are precisely what the doctor orderAHd! <blush> I'll take a frosty mug of Schaefer it you please along with my "staple of life," a hero sanGwich of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel!
A round for the house - treats for the crittAHs ‘n a LARGE jar of PPF for Boris!
In reviewing the activities of late it surely appears that the bar is moving along quite nicely! Would like to simply say "Ahoy" to the gang: Shane - Pete - Rob - Chris - Mike - Eric ‘n Dan! Surely a fine sight to see youse guyz coming through with all sorts of "stuff" to keep our interest level "up."! I think our Bossman has said it so many times - we're NOT about quantity - it's quality that mattAHs - that PLUS timing. Yeah, timing - by NOT posting on top of one another then facing looooooooooooong gaps, we do ourselves a great service and it surely helps to keep us "up" on that page Cap'n Tom reminds us about!
Thanks Cap'n Tom for those great drumheads AND the Montreal train station "stuff"! What's going on regarding the private "thing" between you ‘n Pete??? Also, how in the world does he "rate" becoming the Senior Bar Chandler??? And trolleyMAN is MY assistant too??? All too much to handle for this bald headed squarehead! <grin> Moved Wolfman up a "notch" with the dippers, too! And what's this about Eric maybe getting into the Penthouse Suite! <arrrrggggghhhhh>
Wish I had time to comment directly to each of youse, but that's just not possible . . . let me just tell ya that the pix are great - comments top drawer ‘n Urls very DISTRACTING! <grin> Far too much for me to digest in one session - but I know they are there when I can get back.
Not sure about my next visit . . . but you gotta know I'll TRY to make it soonAH rathAH than latAH! <grin>
Time again for the Larsman Mobile ‘n another installment of book covAHs for the crew!
Kansas City Southern - Color Pictorial
New Haven Railroad
Chicago and North Western Passenger Service - The Postwar Years
New York Central - In Color
Nickel Plate Magazine - Feb 1957
Vintage Rails - May/June 1999
Ruth, I'll miss ya 'til the next time! <blush>
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