G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH you simply radiate beauty! Betcha never heard that one, huh
No sandwich today, but I'll surely take a frosty mug of Keiths Ale and if you would, slide those snack trays down my way, wudja please
What's this A visit from DL, but hardly time for anything more than a "blurb" for Pete! Wellllllll, I'd say that ought to be a <tweetable offense>!
Some very good news via the e-mail route as Pete's relay of the info we've been discussing appears to have gotten the attention it deserves. Skeptic that I am, I'll believe it when it happens. However, we surely seem to be on the RIGHT TRACK. I saw what Cap'n Tom sent and now this, surely makes me feel a bit more positive. 'nuf said here. Way to go!
Those Via Rail pix really are something else! Surely brings to mind that I am very remiss in getting my aging butt up to Canada to travel aboard 'em B4 they are assigned to the scrap heap. Great looking cars, just "begging" for someone to travel in 'em!
Things around here are a bit on the disjointed side as we've encountered a domestic "issue" that is taking far more of our time than we'd like. Never, ever want to get "into" the personal lives" of relatives, especially off spring. However, we are a close knit family and because of it, "Mom 'n Pop" are putting on their Counsellors hats. <arrrrgggghhhh> This too shall pass!
Was really pleased to see the continued activity spill over into yesterday and especially last evening. That PLUS the visit from my "bookend" BK this morning makes me see a ray of "hope" for the health of the bar. Do youse guys realize that we've had visits from pretty much all of the guys with the exception of Rob 'n James these past few days
Aced Part Three of the QUiZ - bring on the final chapter! And by the way, the "key" came through just fine for me for Part Two. I'm somewhat confused about what took place.
Just caught CM3 I'm NOT Shane! - nice Post!
South Station in Beantown, been there once or thrice in my lifetime. Of course, my guess is the nostalgia is heavily in your favor. After all, I boarded at the Grand Lady of 'em all - Grand Central Terminal in New Yawk City!
Have a cuppla pix to drop off, then I've gotta skedaddle. Life in the fast lane, dontchaknow! <grin>
MKT EMD E7 #101 (courtesy: KATY RR Historical Society)
Lehigh Valley (from: www.lvrr.com - photo: Frank Czajkowski)
One more, Ruth and by all means keep the change! Key Oooooops, that's for BK 'n Lydia, sorry 'bout that! <blush>
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please with a splash to cut the smoke; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We got to play outside today and the weather was nice - controlled burn with some DNR and IUOE folks; interesting. No Boris, the smoke is not due to the fact that gas went up 14 cents in an hour yesterday - we are now at $2.49 - let's call it @2.50; nobody on the news "knows anything," of course. BTW less than 2 weeks ago it was $2.19 - oh yeah!
Now to the stack of stuff.
Pete - Even the mighty GG1s had problems with snow. Back in the day, much of the PRR fleet was stopped dead because of snow getting into things electrical. The railroad modified the G motor's body and solved the problem. Can provide more info if anyone is interested. Will see what I can find abt. Kanawha locks.
Lars - You are right re properties - worked for you and not for me which I why I had to guess the location. I was only off by abt 45 miles (LOL).
Barndad keeps us going back to Happy Valley. I'd like to try a model of that Bellefonte Central coach - now let's see, first we need two old Ambroid kits, and then...
Mike - Sent along more links. IIRC there are several train scenes in "Knute Rockne - All American." Maybe we can get the Theatuh to run it for us some evening.
Gorgeous CNW equipment and a lovely set of F3s on the CGW, although the track was a little scary. The B&M Alco is in its as-built color scheme. Also liked the WSC pictures.
Eric's photo of South Station shows it after the initial round of rebuilding. The small section of the head house is all that remains of the old station. In the day, Railway Express tracks were on the FAR left of the property. The Boston and Albany (NYC) operated on tracks to the left and New Haven on tracks to the center and to the right. The postal annex (which was in the RDC shots yesterday) is on the far right of the property. A couple of buildings in the background are interesting. The Keystone bldg. is the one with the big windows. The aluminum structure with the "louvers" on the side is the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. They were at the corner of Milk and Pearl Sts. Downtown for years and then moved to the new building on Atlantic Ave which you see i9n the picture. Almost forgot the walkway on the right side of the head house connects to the Stone and Webster Bldg. Changes since the picture include an intercity bus facility and, of course, electrification. I know, really more than you ever wanted to know.
OSP - e-mail rec'd. Remember as I often say, "Never underestimate the stupidity..." Many thanks for VIA and CN material.
BK - Just think, about 20 more pages and you'll be caught up.
Work safe
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
Time for some breakfast for my lady and I. Ruth we would appreciate two of the number three selections. Tea for Lydia, coffee with a "splash" for me, biscuits for both and we shall take our seats over by the window overlooking the main lines. Thank you!
Appears to have been a fine couple of days and my review has taken me back about ten pages. I am using the "preferred method" of catching up beginning with the most current pages and working backwards. Works for me, but it is a "slow go" as I easily get bogged down with the Url and assorted reference material. Remember, gentlemen, I am the NOVICE around here and freely admit it!
I must say that there are some notable accolades to be given if what I have seen is indicative of the way things have been since this new thread was established. A rather small nucleus is keeping everything active and our Captain certainly has a way of maintaining course and speed. Good job!
I find it very difficult to accept the absence, or perhaps loss, of Sir trolleyboy Rob from this bar. That is astounding in and of itself, at least according to the way I "connect the dots." No Sir Rob at the bar?? That does not ring true.
Also, I have not come upon the reason for Sir barndad Doug not being here as often, but he was here last night! Some help, please.
Thank you for the emails that have come through. I did not realize that my email account automatically cancelled out after 30 days of inactivity. As I had mentioned back in December, before we left, there was no intention on my part to use that email during our vacation. Hope no one sent me anything that cannot be resent. I reactivated the account and it is "up" now.
My emails from Hawaii and Australia were sent by way of the personal account for Lydia (who added the "caveat" that it not be released).
I am still quite a long way from being as interactive as in the past. Therefore, please tolerate my narratives and rather general discussion points.
That montage of Via Rail photos brought back some pleasant memories of the trip we took from Jasper to Vancouver last year. Fine equipment and as I recall, the Budd cars have pretty much been reassigned to the western routes. Is that true, Sir Tom?
I detected there is a trip in the works for Sir Pete & Sir Tom. Perhaps either of you can enlighten me so that I fully understand the references I have come across thus far.
The rendezvous in St. Louis appears to be still "on," which is a good thing. While our plans will prevent me from attending, my guess is those of you are are lined up to "go" will have a fine time.
Lydia has copied the daily Quiz and we will give it a try on Friday, once I have had at least sufficient time to reacquaint myself with the bar and characters within in. Nicely done Sir Tom!
I must say that my bookend, Sir Lars, has had quite the adventure down in the Florida keys! Now that is the way to get away from winter and the wrath associated with it.
Keys to The Penthouse Suite!! Now that is quite a gesture, one that we will happily take advantage of this weekend, if that fits into the schedule. Saturday night would be just fine for us. No Boris, you must remain down stairs in your shed!
The associated railroad information is extremely enlightening, especially to me, for I have very little recollection of and for any of it. I am familiar with the highway to Key West and recall seeing the remains of the railroad route, but it is all rather vague to say the least.
Sir Eric seems to have most impressively taken up the night time slack and is as "regular" with contributions as any of us could hope for. A fine asset to the bar and perhaps one day we can share some stories about your homeland; one of my favorite places on earth by the way.
Before I secure this effort for the day and head off to the "low lands" with Lydia, I do want to say that I appreciate the positive thoughts many of you put into words during the time we were away. I cannot say that I spent a great deal of time locked in thought about "playing" in the ether. That surely was not the case. However, I did think of the bar and all of you who frequent it. Wondering whether you would survive the diminishing customer base and so forth. Obviously you have and have done so in fine fashion.
Nice to see the continuing presence of CM3 - Mike - DL and James.
Ruth, here's a twenty for the "kitty" and please use it for a round next time you feel we have sufficient numbers at the bar!
BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!
Hello Tom
I must say straight away I'm getting annoyed with calling in to aplogize for not calling in but the weight of tasks I seem to be landed with is getting worse and worse.
Anyway - another quick call in - and I'll have a pint of Harvey's Bitter please. I've not had time to reveiw past posts (which I want to do) but did want to catch Pete.
Pete - I was at the GCR on Saturday and had time to search the old book stalls for a Colin Gifford book (as per your rec a while back) - after soem lengthy searching I found a 1966 copy of The Decline of Steam - 15 quid (7.5 pints of beer in international currency) - so I was pretty uncertain if this price warranted purchase for a second hand book - the dust cover was rather torn (great pic) but the book itself was pretty much vergy good condition. What decided it was your own recommendation - I thought 'Pete seems to know what he is talking about - I'll go for it" - well all I can say is I am very pleased - superb book, great pictures (I think the quality of paper they tended to use for these books in 1966 is not as high as a similar photographic collection would be printed on now, but not much I could do about that), really pleased.
So Pete, what are you drinking? It's on me.
All the best to all
DL
G'day Gents!
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #5
Canadian National Railways (CNR)
A form of this was initially Posted on Page 112 of the original Thread
source: Classic American Railroads
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec
Mileage as of 1955: 24,220
Locomotives as of 1963:
Steam: 0
Diesel: 2,125
Electric: 27
Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars- 105,177 Passenger cars - 2,808
Principal routes in 1955:
Halifax, NS-Montreal, QC (two routes)
Halifax-Sydney, NS
St. John's-Port aux Basques, NL (42" gauge)
Montreal-Portland, ME (via subsidiary Grand Trunk Railway in U.S.)
Montreal-New London, CT (via subsidiary Central Vermont in U.S.)
Quebec City-Montreal-Toronto-Windsor & Sarnia, ON-Detroit, MI & Chicago (via subsidiary GTW in U.S.)
Toronto-North Bay, ON
Toronto-Niagara Falls, ON
Quebec City-Winnipeg, MB
Montreal-Winnipeg
Winnipeg-Churchill, MB
Winnipeg-Duluth, MN (via subsidiary Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific in U.S.)
Winnipeg-Vancouver, BC
Winnipeg-Regina, SK
Saskatoon, SK-Calgary, AB
Calgary-Edmonton, AB
Jasper, AB-Prince Rupert, BC
Passenger trains of note in 1955:
Super Continental (Montreal & Toronto-Vancouver)
Continental Limited (Montreal & Toronto-Vancouver)
Ocean Limited (Montreal-Halifax)
Scotian (Montreal-Halifax)
Caribou (St. John's-Port aux Basques)
International Limited (Montreal-Toronto-Chicago)
Inter-City Limited (Montreal-Toronto-Detroit & Chicago)
Northland (Toronto-North Bay & Timmins & Kapuskasing, ON)
Maple Leaf (Toronto-Philadelphia & New York City)
Montrealer & Washingtonian (Montreal-New York City-Washington, DC)
Ambassador (Montreal-Boston)
Gull (Boston-Portland, ME-Saint John, NB-Halifax)
Of note:
Montreal & Toronto-Chicago route with GTW Detroit & Port Huron-Chicago.
Toronto-Philadelphia & New York route with Lehigh Valley, Niagara Falls, NY-New York City.
Montreal-New York City & Boston & Washington route with CV, B&M, NH and PRR.
Halifax-Boston route with CP, Maine Central and B&M.
Toronto-Timmins & Kapuskasing route with Ontario Northland Railway.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CN Transcontinental (1963) (Canada Science & Technology Museum, Ottawa - foto credit: unknown)
Canada: CN Skyview Car, circa: 1965-69) (courtesy: http://www.trainweb.org/ - foto credit: unknown)
CN #2405 "Columbia" Sceneramic Dome (courtesy: http://www.trainweb.org/ - foto credit: unknown)
Enjoy!
Tom
"Our" Place QUIZ
Here's PART III of the "Our" Place Knowledge Quiz! (Part II was Posted yesterday!)
Each part has an "answer key" lettered from A thru P (more answers than questions, of course!) Simply place the LETTER of your answer next to the question (printing the Quiz will really help!).
Answers for all 4-parts will be Posted on Saturday morning!
PART III - Skill level: JOURNEYMAN
(1) What "Our" Place customer can "relate" to the Central Vermont Railway (CV)?
(2) Who at "Our" Place provides "chapters" of nostalgia on the railroads terminating in Boston?
(3) What "Our" Place customer can "relate" to the Baltimore & Ohio RR?
(4) Who at "Our" Place ‘loves' RDCs?
(5) What "Our" Place customer routinely "peaks" the Groan-O-Meter?
(6) Who at "Our" Place was a railroad engineer outside of North America?
(7) What "Our" Place customer claims dual-citizenship of the U.S. & Canada?
(8) Erstwhile companion of Inspector Clueless of the Local Constabulary?
(9) Chairman of The Mentor Village Second National Bank?
(10) President of the Our Ladies of Perpetual Motion ‘n Knitting Circle Social Club?
Select answers for JOURNEYMAN group:
A. siberianmo Tom I. DL-UK
B. Vito the Hit J. BudKarr BK
C. wanswheel Mike K. barndad Doug
D. Cindy L. Ruth
E. Wolfman M. CMSTPP James
F. coalminer3 CM3 N. Mr. Doyle
G. LoveDomes Lars O. Joe Matavatz
H. EricX2000 P. Mountain Man Mike
(Sorry ‘bout the formatting - still can't get it!!) <groan>
So, how many times through did it take you to answer the 10 questions
Denali Star - from my personal collection
Wednesday's Witticism
Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
Mid-week in mid-continent USA and time for some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery, freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board!
Another fine day ‘n night at the Bar by the Ballast as the guys have emerged to keep us movin' forward!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
CM3 at 2:45 PM yesterday: A rare afternoon visit, but a welcomed one at that!
Appreciate the elaboration on the NH RDCs and so forth . . . figured you'd be "there" with insights when it comes to BahStun railroading!
By the by, Lars hit it on the head with the location for one of the Pix! I shudda inserted it . . .
Pete at 3:45 PM ‘n 8:15 PM yesterday: I too enjoyed our phone conversations (morning ‘n evening) - bottom line is that we're conjuring up ‘nother trip to the TrainWreck Saloon along with a train trip!
Strangest thing happened regarding Part II to the QUIZ: Pete couldn't "see" all of the answers, whereas Lars claimed he got ‘em all correct. Hmmmmmm. Upon checking it out, I found that I COULD SEE all the answers on the Thread, but NOT in my DRAFT (Word) in the WP. Let me say that again - I COULD SEE it online, but not in the WP! So, I edited the Thread version and all should be well . . . . Regarding Lars - he must've simply known the answers as he progressed thru the questions, without needing to see the answers OR there's some strange Cyber Gremlin activity working at Pete's Haus! <grin>
Too bad we've lost guys like earlydiesels Dan and Trainnut484 Russell (Permanent members of the Legion of the Lost), for they surely would know the answer to your question regarding railroading in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Seems to me that the Kansas City Southern (KCS) has trackage in that area, but there are others too.
Regarding the VIA Rail cars: We will travel to Halifax in the Renaissance (Chunnel Chuggers) equipment and to Gaspe in Budd (streamliner) cars like those shown in the spate of PIX - with the exception of the obs dome (last car).
Congrats on making it to the APPRENTICE level (even with help!)
Lars at 4:13 PM yesterday: Great to see the Larsman onboard and Ruth seemed to be rather happy about it too! <grin>
GREAT news about getting your "liberty pass" for the Rendezvous! Received your Email and have made your hotel reservation too.
Surely figured you'd make it thru the APPRENTICE level! <grin> Who needs "blankety blank" answers, eh <grin>
Doug at 8:37 PM yesterday: Great to see ya out ‘n about in the evening! Appreciate your thinking ‘bout us and your Post really filled a void - always chock full o' info!
Saving up your reading matter for a bit later this AM . . .
Mike at 10:33 PM yesterday: "Silent Mike" wasn't quite so silent with that Post, eh Good stuff and always good to see ya here at the Saloon by the Siding! No time right now to delve into the URLs, but I will later on . . . .
Eric at 12:21 PM today: Nice way to "cap" the activities with a visit from our Resident Desert Swede!
Thanx for the insights regarding Talgo ‘n ICE . . . I knew about the "passive" nature of Talgo and the adaptability factor with the locos, etc. However, I question the merit in purchasing that stuff, especially in comparison to X2000 ‘n ICE as "train sets." My guess is had the powers that be purchased sufficient numbers of these fine machines from Sweden ‘n Germany, they'd still be running to this day and without the debacle experienced with Acela and Bombardier. Just my thoughts . . .
Made it the 2nd time thru the QUIZ, eh
Always appreciate an HONEST man - congrats!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
PART III of the QUIZ will be Posted this morning . . . .
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Just a cup of coffee, Leon! I can't stay long tonight. Thank you!
A quick stop to see what happened here today.
Tom – I think the reason they bought Talgo was because they could use any locomotive they have to pull those cars. Talgo does not have an active body tilting system, it is passive. The reason Amtrak wasn’t interested in ICE is because it did not pass all tests and needed more complicated maintenance. More info on RDCs from Budd! I wonder how many RDCs they built and when the last one was built? The RDCs are certainly great looking DMUs! New haven did not put much paint on them, kept the stainless surface! I still have to buy me a model of a typical RDC!I had a quick look at work today (don’t tell my boss) and could see all answers in the table format. I can also see them in “what works for you” format tonight. I passed the quiz at the second try!I love those pictures from Halifax! No doubt train is the way to go!CM3 – Thanks for the info on the RDC pictures! South Station, Boston! I have not seen the new station but I liked the old one. The picture below is from South Station. I had breakfast there at McDonald’s one morning and had to wait for 25 minutes. But it was worth it, they charged only $1 and gave me five coupons for free meals!
South Station, Boston, 1993.Pete – Snow should be outlawed! It only brings trouble, snow is sucked in by the blowers and ends up in the traction motors or some other sensitive places. It freezes to ice and block switches, etc. No fun at all!The pic from the cab shows a Gauntlet track at New Carrollton northeast of Washington D.C. Counting from the left our train is running on rail #1 and 3. Rail #2 and 4 are used by freight trains with wide loads. Lars – You are bringing good news!! I am looking forward to see you in May! Make sure you provide all this and that!Doug – I was looking forward to more about the Battle Over Coal and there it was! PRR really tried to force Penn State to skip trucking its coal!
Eric
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Rule of thumb: "fame" is determined by quickness of recognition. For example, the Flying Scotsman is a famous train but the Flying Yankee is, well, I have to think for a second, oh yeah, that. Blackstone is not Boston but as of today I've heard of it. Amazingly there was once a canal from Providence to Worcester.
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ma/ma1600/ma1608/data/005.gif
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ma/ma1600/ma1608/data/008.gif
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/images/blstMainMap.gif
Doug's Penn State articles remind me of Knute Rockne
http://archives.nd.edu/bagby/45g0374.jpg
Notre Dame & Western
http://www.monon.monon.org/rr/ndwrr.html
Chicago & North Western
http://67.15.20.45/images/c/CNW_E7A_5012B_WB_Clinton_St_Int_Chicago_IL_05_56.jpg.70360.jpg
Chicago Great Western
http://67.15.20.45/images/c/CGW106CnearBellwoodIL10-50MacOwenColl.jpg.42512.jpg
http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/b/BM_1271.jpg.72493.jpg
New Haven
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/photographs/58-126.jpg
Maris, Truman and Mantle
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/photographs/77-2422.jpg
Churchill, Truman and Stalin
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/photographs/58-797.jpg
Truman and Churchill in Jefferson City
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/photographs/59-1106.jpg
http://www.cityofjefferson.net/chill.htm
Mike
Good evening Tom and friends. Only have time for a quick shot of Daniels, but always happy to buy a round for ya'll. Looks like RDC's are still making it big. Really great material captain! Got your mail, and will take the requested action. Looks like most of the "boys" have visited and have left the usual compliment of quality "stuff". I'll need to comment more on that later. Please forgive this hasty posting, but I promised another part of the Penn State coal story, and here it is:
Battle Over Coal by Michael Bezilla
Patchell was livid at what he perceived to be Penn State's disloyalty toward the railroad industry. He warned Walker that truck delivery of coal would set a bad precedent for other Penn State traffic and undermine the profitability of BFC's overall service to State College. Walker later wrote that "Patchell swore that he was not going to permit us to bring coal by truck," and talked publicly about the issue, violating the board of trustees' long-held custom of keeping internal squabbles out of the newspapers. It was at that point that the president considered his job to be in jeopardy.
But Walker's hand was strengthened on July 31, 1959, when the trustees' executive committee opined, after much discussion, that coal deliveries did not involve university policy and therefore should be left to the administration to handle as it saw fit. Board Chairman James B. Long, a consulting engineer from the Philadelphia area, summed up the committee's reasoning: "I have no doubt that the difference in cost is even more than the $.75 indicated. This, multiplied by our tonnage, becomes folding money and should not be ignored."
Walker took heart from this vote of confidence, yet the issue was far from resolved. Patchell was attempting to enlist support from a group of trustees on the full 32-member board whom Walker disdainfully labeled "brickyard specialists" - industrialists whose companies had dealt comfortably with railroads for generations and whose penchant for the status quo rankled the Penn State president. If they became hostile, they could still pose a threat to his job.
At the same time that Patchell lobbied his colleagues on the board, he also took his case to PRR President Symes. The two men decided that more forceful tactics were needed. The railroad's chief state legislative lobbyist, William Reiter, convened a meeting in August 1959 with the university's legislative liaison, C.S. "Sam" Wyand, and key members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee at the state capital in Harrisburg.
As Wyand remembered the meeting, "Reiter was very disturbed" by Penn State's decision to truck its coal and warned "by Penn State's decision to truck its coal and warned that it would eventually lead to abandonment of rail service to State College altogether, putting "the truckers in a position to take monopoly advantage of all local shippers.
Reiter became more agitated as he spoke, according to Wyand, "and with some heat stated that "if the university is going to take that attitude, and say the hell with the railroads, then I'll go there (pointing toward the Senate chamber) and say the hell with Penn State. If they don't know who is paying the tax money they are spending, it's time they learned."
Wyand and Reiter "made it plain that he would have no option but to see to it that our appropriation was adjusted in keeping with the support we gave major contributors to the state's general fund, from which we derive our subsidy." To what extent Reiter attempted to carry out his threat is unknown. In November 1959, the Legislature allotted Penn State the full $34.2 million that Governor David L. Lawrence had recommended before the coal issue erupted.
Stymied in Harrisburg, PRR's Symes informed President Walker in November 1959 that "we have decided to conduct an investigation to ascertain the facts involved in the arrangements whereby coal will be trucked to the university. If this investigation discloses facts and circumstances pointing to any unlawful practices, we shall take appropriate steps to bring them to an end."
Symes said he was concerned primarily with "buy-sell coal transactions, whereby coal truckers purport to buy coal and truck it as their own for sale to a consumer under circumstances which result in the "profit" from the transaction being nothing more than a transportation charge."
He reminded Walker that the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) prohibited railroads from adopting that practice. As common carriers, railroads had to publish their rates for all to see. By contrast, the trucking industry was far less regulated than railroads. A large number of truckers technically were not common carriers but nevertheless functioned as such - truckers who bought the coal they hauled, for example. They held, in Symes' view, an unfair opportunity by which to underbid their railroad competition.
Arguing that buy-sell transactions were illegal, PRR approached Gov. Lawrence (an ex-officio Penn State trustee), an old-line Democrat and New Dealer who would not normally be considered an ally of the conservative and very Republican PRR management. The railroad prevailed upon Lawrence to have state Attorney General Anne X. Alpern look into the situation. She seemed more interested in the fact that Penn State was saving money than in any point of law. "The amount of savings to the university by the use of trucks for coal purchases rather than the use of rail fully justifies the present procedure," she reported to the governor's office. "We found no illegality in the proceedings."
Next, PRR turned to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Four out of five state institutions that burned coal got it by truck. If PRR could get PUC to rule against buy-sell transactions in the Penn State case, the railroad industry might have a stronger hand in winning back some of that institutional traffic statewide.
To buttress its case, PRR positioned plainclothes members of its police force near the campus power plant to observe trucks entering and leaving the property, and strike up conversations with the drivers. On the basis of information gathered, PRR initiated a series of complaints with the PUC, alleging that about a dozen of the truckers who were hauling the coal were not "certificated" by the commission as common carriers.
Hi Tom and all.
Just called in for a another Batham,s LEON and to thank LARS for the drink..
Really great news you are coming to the rendezvous all being well.That is a great tip on finding info out on the computer, it took me ages to get a message to Bergie but I think it as got there OK.
I agree they are some really great pics of the RDCs. I wonder if the prize in Toms Quiz is the first use of the private bar.
TOM I see you have posted, the language difference strikes again.Really glad you have posted though showing those great cars on The Ocean are these the ones we will travel in May
Many thanks for the quiz up date, now I have gained the apprentice level and like LARS looking forward to the next round.
Talking of rounds let me get one in and another for me please LEON.
Pete.
Good Evenin' Gents!
Just a quickie to let ya know that I've re-Posted the answers to Part II of today's QUIZ. Seems that all of the answers weren't showing up. I scrapped the "table format" and went back to what "works" for me . . . crazy formatting! <ugh>
Anyway, apparently Lars had no problems "flying thru" the answers - whether they were there or not! Hmmmmmmm, HOW did THAT happen.
Acknowledgments in the AM . . .
An ENCORE! Pix Posting of mine from 30 Oct 2005,
Page 151 of the original Thread . . .
Eastbound "Ocean" and Chateau Varennes bedroom car at Halifax, NS, Canada Eastbound "Ocean" at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" and Banff Park Car at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" and Banff Park Car at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Kent Dining Car at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Chateau Bienville Bedroom Car at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Revelstoke Park Car at Halifax VIA Rail Dining Car Acadian at Halifax Track entrance to VIA Rail Station at Halifax That's it - Enjoy! Tom
Eastbound "Ocean" and Chateau Varennes bedroom car at Halifax, NS, Canada Eastbound "Ocean" at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" and Banff Park Car at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" and Banff Park Car at Halifax Eastbound "Ocean" at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Kent Dining Car at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Chateau Bienville Bedroom Car at Halifax Westbound "Ocean" and Revelstoke Park Car at Halifax VIA Rail Dining Car Acadian at Halifax Track entrance to VIA Rail Station at Halifax
Set 'em up Ruth my deAH and the Larsman will have a frosty stein of Rheingold Extra Dry! Ah yes, treats for the critters all, including Boris and this time give him a large jar of pickled pig's feet! He's earned it with all the help he provided in getting the Manager's Bar installation completed. I should say, his brute force was definitely a plus in lifting and moving!
Two bits of news today from Da Bossman via e-mail and appreciate being kept in the "know." Not very pleased to know that Rob may not be back with us for awhile - maybe a long while, that's a bummer. Happy to know he's all right though. Long days and nights at work will do ya in everytime.
Noticed that "Wolfman" and I are on at the same time! Have one on me, mate!
I ask for SOLIDARITY regarding the 'call' from Tom to all of us.
No point in continuing to "reward" the spinless few who have taken it upon themselves to try and disrupt the forums.
Been in a bit of a "behind the 8 ball" today and can't quite put my finger on any one thing that has set me off. No doubt the slush factor outside isn't helping at all. <ugh> <double ugh>
Youse guys should be pleased to know that the Mrs. has given her "blessings" to my attending the rendezvous, of course the "providing this" and "providing that" applies!
Life was far, far simpler in the engine room!
Doesn't appear as if my "bookend" will make it in today, but no doubt they are still trying to orient themselves to life back in north America. Crossed far too many time zones not to have an impact. Anyway, a couple of months away will "do it" every time. We're still adjusting from our few weeks down south.
Nice material from Da Boss today and of course as always. Aced the 2nd Part too! Bring on Number three! <grin>
Whaddyamean you can't figure out a couple of those answers, Wolfman <geesh> <double geesh>
Eric, no "Grand Opening" planned, but it IS a good idea! Figured that since the place is rather intimate and can really only hold no more than 4, it should be kept as private as possible. Penthouse Suite is what it is!
CM3, those RDC pix from Tom are terrific and lemme enlighten you on one of them - the picture with the two RDC's was taken in a place called Blackstone, MA. How do I know that
I did a right click on the Pix - went to properties and checked out the Url. Presto! Sometimes that works and sometimes not. This time - BINGO.
Nice details to add to the Cap'ns Post!
Really enjoyed that one Pix with the passenger cars off to the side. Great shot from "B. Coolidge"! There's so much fine stuff out there, huh Figure that as long as proper credit is given, what's the problem in using these things, especially when no upfront prohibition is indicated.
The FRISCO is one of those railroads I've heard about but really had no particular background with. Appreciate seeing it again and makes me wonder just how many fine people were "thrown to the wolves" (sorry Juneau!) when that railroad bit the dust <arrrrrggggghhhhh>
Best to the boyz and hope to see y'all again right here at our favorite watering hole! [tup
One more Ruth, then I gotta skedaddle . . .
A pint of the Bathams Mild please RUTH. and a round please..
ERIC I know some units in Britain had bad trouble with the snow getting in the electrics when they were new, although there is nowhere the amount of snow in England than there was years ago. I believe the units were modified. I have not heard how the units got on this year when Britain had some bad weather.
Thanks for the info on the pic from the cab of the X 2000 in the snowI was wondering about the photo you posted Sunday morning of the train approaching the station with two more rails between track the train is on, wether it was a narrow gauge track or just rails ready to replace the rails the train is on.
TOM It was great to talk to you this morning. I will send a note to Bergie.
Great posts last evening and today The Frisco ran some interesting passenger routes. Loved the name 'Will Rodgers' for a train.It would be good if they could run a passenger service today linking Kansas City to Springfield MO like the Frisco ran. I wonder who owns the KC to Springfield line now and how busy it is with frieght traffic
Great photos of the NH Budd RDCs and many thanks CM3 for the details on the pics.As you say the the photo of Boston is indeed full of interest. I wonder if that MOW car was saved for a preserved line. A lot of the interesting pre British Railways passenger stock on preserved lines, survived long after other cars of the same type were scrapped, in departmental use( which was what MOW was known on BR).It must have wonderful to have travelled those New England branch lines on the RDCs, especially in the Fall..
If you get the chance to desribe the operation of the locks on the Kanawha I would be glad to hear them.
TOM On todays part of the quiz I'm afraid that questions 2 & 5 have got me .
You have no worries about CINDY and I, she has made it plain that she has eyes for the owner not the part- time assistant staff
As far as I know they only do the Bathams in bottles. That Special ale is the same as the Bathams XXX that is served on tap for a very short time usually around Christmas time.They serve the Bathams Bitter in full pint bottles as well. These are usually available from the buffet cars on the Severn Valley Railway, it is a wonderful way to travel; on a steam hauled train through the Worcestershire and Shropshire countryside in a pre or early BR carriage, with steam heat if the weather is cold.
All this talk about Bathams as made me feel a bit thristy Ruth so I had better have another.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
All kinds of job-related activities have kept me away from the keyboard until now. Anyway, here goes.
BK returns! What else can we say?
Lars paid a visit as well.
Pete stopped by with comments and other information. Locks around here are river-related, e.g. on the Kanawha River. They handle coal barge tows - fascinating to watch.
Eric also stopped by with comments.
Our ‘Steamed Proprietor paid a visit with SLSF material. You probably know that several former SLSF Es (named for famous racehorses) found their way to the L&N where they ran in passenger service up to and after Amtrak. Neither of the units pictured, to the best of what's left of my memory made it to the L&N.
The NYNH&H RDC material has some interesting details.
The picture of the RDC3/RDC1 was taken at South Station. You can see a corner of the South Station head house and also part of the Boston Postal Annex if you look in back of the drawbridges. Now the equipment at the right hand side of the picture is interesting as well. The coach was used for maintenance folks and was there for a long time. However, if you blow the shot up, you will find another RDC beastie beside the MOW coach. To wit, an RDC 4; these were built c. 1953. Incidentally, everything in the picture (except for the post office) is gone or unrecognizable from what it used to be - progress? Humbug! Boris, put me down!
The shot of New Haven 37 may have been made at Needham Jct. I wish the picture had been a little wider and showed more of the surroundings as I probably could have made a better identification. Used to ride that line often - a lot of fun, especially in a snowstorm.
BTW, New Haven had the famous slogan, "Train Yourself to Relax."
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #18
Initially Posted on Page 154 of the original Thread
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC's from a 1953 advertisement found in my personal collection.
40 RDC's FOR THE PROGRESSIVE NEW HAVEN
If anybody should know how to carry passengers profitably it's the New Haven. Nearly half its income is derived from this source in contrast with most railroads where freight is king.
This adds significance to the fact that the New Haven has become the largest purchaser of Budd RDC's - stainless steel, self-propelled, rail diesel cars.
In the nearly three years RDC's have been operating in this country and abroad they have compiled an impressive record. In performance, they have improved every schedule they were assigned to. In operation they have proved both reliable and economical - two RDC's saved one railroad $600,000 in a year. In the comfortable, air-conditioned service they render, RDC's have increased passenger patronage - one RDC, operating in a new service between Worcester and New London, picked up 944 passengers in its first week.
Both New England and the New Haven will benefit from expanded RDC operation.
The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary
Budd
PIONEERS IN BETTER TRANSPORTATION
NH RDC1 #41 (foto credit: unknown/www.trainweb.org)
NH RDC3 #125 w/RDC1 (foto credit: B. Coolidge/www.trainweb.org)
NH RDC1 #40 and #37 (foto credit: B. Coolidge/www.trainweb.org)
Here's PART II of the "Our" Place Knowledge Quiz! (Part I was Posted yesterday!)
PART II - Skill level: APPRENTICE
(1) Site for the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous?
(2) RR Theme Day at "Our" Place?
(3) OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day at "Our" Place?
(4) Only remaining Charter Member at "Our" Place?
(5) What "Our" Place customer "digs" the Milwaukee Road RR?
(6) Who at "Our" Place lives in central Missouri and is from Rugby, England?
(7) What "Our" Place customer resides in England?
(8) Site for the 2nd Annual Classic Trains Rendezvous?
(9) Challengers for the "Our" Place Annual DARTS Tournament?
(10) The name for the Mentor Village Theatre?
Select answers for APPRENTICE group:
A. Emporium I. Monday
B. Montreal, Quebec, Canada J. Wednesday
C. St. Louis, MO, USA K. pwolfe Pete
D. Chicago, IL, USA L. trolleyboy Rob
E. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M. DL-UK
F. Gazette N. James
G. Second Class Saloon O. Dew Drop Inn
H. Tuesday P. Mountain Village Tavern
<Sorry 'bout the formatting - still TRYING! <groan>)
Manager Lars called for it AND Monday turned out to be a better than average Monday day!
It's Tuesday at the Saloon by the Siding, pull uppastool and enjoy a cuppa Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and of course a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Wonder how many of you can lay claim to getting all of the Part I Quiz questions correct the first time through <grin>
Stick around, Part II will be Posted this morning . . .
CM3 at 9:02 AM yesterday: A fine Monday Post from our WVA connection. Good to
know that all's well in the hinterlands of southwestern WVA!
I've only been to Cumberland, MD on one occasion, and that was to ride the restored dinner train of the W&M. Anyway, it IS quite an area to check out and the railroading history is unbelievable! Very much worth the time to experience . . .
For a continuing annoyance of unexplained rationale, I still cannot get the formatting to ‘work" properly, whether I use Word or not and whether I use tables or not. Just won't "take" AND I've got the most current downloads for my browser and all associated "stuff". Go figger! Surely was easier with the OLD format . . . <bah humbug>
Thanx for the quarters, round and great descriptions for the URLs from "silent Mike."
Lars at 10:09 AM yesterday: Great seeing ya in the AM, something rather unusual to say the least! Didn't figure you'd be up ‘n about the decks today, especially with the inclement crap in the form of weather going on in your part of the world. <ugh> Retirement is supposed to mean HIRING KIDS TO SHOVEL THE WALK! Yeah - right! Can't find a kid in these parts who will do anything for a buck. Nope - parents give ‘em all they need, therefore they aren't out there "humping" for a buck the way we did back in the dark ages. <grin> <groan>
Appreciate your ‘call to arms' as we really had quite a Monday in comparison with some extremely slow ones over the past several weeks. Nicely done!
I do concur with your thinking, given that most guys are now able to get away from the Forums (if they so desire) on weekends, Monday could really become THE day of the week for "stuff." That would be a refreshing change . . .
Great looking D&H locos!!
BK at 11:17 AM yesterday: back to our Alberta connection!
Great having you back with us and it truly has been a looooooong time. I imagine you ‘n your bride are somewhat "jet lagged" and pretty much trying to figure out which end is up, eh
Well take your time insofar as the bar is concerned. We'll be here when you're ready to resume activity. Appreciate the Emails and cards during the time you were vacationing. Please convey my "welcome home" to Lydia!
Best way to play catch up is to participate in the Quiz!! You'll be surprised how quickly "it" will all come back. Just like that Encore! of yours, you (or Lydia) figured out how to copy ‘n paste it from the "original" Thread to the new. Just liking riding a horse, eh <grin>
Some things around here have changed, whereas others have stayed the same. In the latter category Ruth ‘n Lars are an "item" - so I'd be careful if I were you!
Really liked those Southern "steamers" and no matter how many times we see ‘em, they look mighty fine to Moi!
Lars at 2:31 PM yesterday: Back for a second go ‘round, eh
Well, no problem as Ruth "glows" when you walk through that doorway. Yeah, I know, some guys just "have it" whereas the rest of us mortals "chug along." <grin>
Pete at 3:19 PM yesterday: Quite the inclusive Post from the Wolfman! Begun on Sunday and completed on Monday. Now that's the way to do it - you ‘n Lars must be on the same wave length!
Fascinating "stuff" with the Dudley tunnel URLs - thanx!
Yes, you are correct about what a great place this bar is and has been. A shame that so many fail to recognize the quality of information being exchanged, but then again, I think the majority of those who frequent this particular Forum aren't interested in engaging in anything other than a "quick" response (if that) and then move on . . . We on the other hand treat this Thread as if it was in fact a "place" where adults gather to do the things we do best.
Is it true that the Bathams STRONG Ale comes in bottles because it is far too TOXIC for cans <grin>
CINDY was here MY Cindy How in the world did she manage that without my seeing her Hmmmmmm. Could it be that Pete ‘n Cindy . . . . Nah, I don't wanna believe it. Nope, not today.
Eric at 12:14 AM today: Not to worry, even the best of us get caught up in THAT moment - y
Hello Leon, you look happy tonight! I'll have a ham sandwich on rye, please! Coffee. No, sugar cured ham. Cold!
Monday, and I survived it! Some interesting posts to read tonight!
Doug – Thanks for the contiuation of the Battle Over Coal story! Very interesting indeed! Is Penn State still running that power plant? I copied the translation table for future use on my travels! Like in May going to St. Louis. It is always good to understand what they (the hotels/motels) really mean when I read their ads!
Tom – $2.19 for gas? This last weekend it jumped to $2.39 here! A week ago I paid $2.21. “United Pacific”? All I can say is that you should not read what I typed, you should read what I meant!! I wonder if it could be my new Mac that did that? No way, I think Bill Gates did it after I posted it. Thanks for the Night Train link! It seems like a complicated story, the police taking the wrong guy and so on. I have to ask a lady at the office, she is from Poland. I think that is a good idea to save the X2000 and ICE analysis for the Rendezvous! That will give me more time to add some more stuff to it, including some clippings. I could not answer all questions in the Quiz tonight so I have to try again tomorrow. I wonder why Ruth is mentioned as number 1 though? Thanks for the Frisco info! A railroad I don’t know much about. Maybe their headquarters (the building) is still standing and worth at least a drive by in May? I like their paint scheme! Nice pictures. CM3 – Yes, it was a little bit chilly here this last weekend but at least in the 60’s. Thanks for all info on those pictures Mike linked! I remember Binghamton for a fueling stop on the way back from Canada. What I remember the most from there is a lot of hot air ballons. The X2000 was unbelievable easy to push. When operating it under its own power one can tell it does not take much power to get it going. Lars – That time was the only time I have been pushing the X2000! You should have seen when the capacitros blew and made the train inoperable, that was what I call fireworks!How about the new bar? Are you going to have a Grand Opening
I like the picture of those two D&H diesels!! BK – Welcome back to Our Place!! You have been missed!! It sounds like you have had a most relaxing and interesting time away from this place. Nice pictures of the Southern Railway locomotives. I saw No. 1401 at Smithsonian and did obviously not take any pictures of it (can't find any)!!! Shame on me! It’s a beautiful locomotive! Looks very fast.Pete – The track you can see to the left in the picture is the main line. The snow covered track is a branch line going to a iron ore mine. Actually there was an EMU in Sweden that derailed last week trying to run through a 4-5 ft deep and 300 ft wide snowdrift (snow mixed with dirt) last week. No big deal, but the passengers had to be evacuated to a train on the other track.
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #4
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (SLSF)
A form of this was initially Posted on Page 109 of the original Thread
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Route mileage in 1950: 5,100
Locomotives in 1963 (all diesel-electric):
Freight: 286
Passenger: 23
Switchers: 102
Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 17,889 Passenger cars - 230
Principal routes in 1950:
St. Louis-Quanah, TX
Kansas City-Birmingham, AL via Ft. Scott, KS
St. Louis-Memphis
Amory, MS-Pensacola, FL
Monee, MO-Paris, TX
Sapulpa (Tulsa) OK-Dallas/Ft. Worth
Fort Scott-Afton, OK
Kansas City-Springfield, MO via Clinton, MO
Monett-Ellsworth, KS
Tulsa-Avard, OK
Nash, MO-Hoxie, AR
Passenger trains of note:
Black Gold (Tulsa-Fort Worth)
Firefly (Kansas City-Oklahoma City)
Kansas City-Florida Special (Kansas City-Jacksonville)
Memphian (St. Louis-Memphis)
Meteor (St. Louis-Oklahoma City & Fort Smith, AR)
Oklahoman (1st iteration) (Kansas City-Tulsa)
Oklahoman (2nd iteration, 1965-67) (St. Louis-Oklahoma City)
Southland (Kansas City & St. Louis-Atlanta & Pensacola)
Texas Special (St. Louis-San Antonio & Forth Worth)
Will Rogers (St. Louis-Oklahoma City & Wichita, KS)
Southern Railway handled trains east of Birmingham.
MKT (Katy) handled the Texas Special between Vinita, OK and Texas destinations.
foto from internet sources - credit: undetermined
A pint of Holdens Mild and a round please RUTH for a busy Saturday and a great start to Monday, I earned my pay this weekend with the heavy chandelling.
DOUG Glad you liked the pics, I will pass on your compliments to Alan.
Thanks for that well written piece on the Battle over Coal about the Penn State University. It is a most in depth piece I have read about how the railway lost the trade of a substantial customer I am looking forward to the next installment.
Liked the joke and the hotel translations.
ERIC Many thanks for the details on the German class 204s and the suspended railway at Wuppertal, This is a good link and I will pass it on to Alan.
The line had a good safety record with only one accident in over 100 years to sadly involve loss of life, although that publicity stunt in 1950 involving Tufti the elephant who wrecked a car and ended up in the river could have had much more serious consequences. I bet poor old Tufti made a big splash when she landed in the river, luckily suffering ‘minor injuries'
It must have been a bit unnerving on the X2000 in that snow not being able to see the track. Talking of track what is the second pair of rails in the pic you posted, is it a narrow gauge line or new rail waiting to be laid, Interesting.
MIKE I would not have remembered the book in which Hornblower traveled on the narrow boat on the canal was Hornblower and the Atropos, Many thanks. It is OK tying the boat up when the lock is filling to go up the level; it is not such a good idea when the lock is emptying. YES I have done it. I knew someone who worked on the maintenance of some Narrow boats and he arranged a cheap hire of one, for a weekend, although it was February and very cold, luckily there was no maintenance being carried out on the canal and we went from Brauneston to Newbold and back which involved going through some locks.
Anyway a bit further on in the story you posted, is when the barge Hornblower is on gets to a canal tunnel and Hornblower ‘legs' the boat through the tunnel. The older tunnels had no towpath and two people lying on their backs with their feet against the tunnel wall and ‘walked' the boat through the tunnel. The horse was taken over the top of the tunnel to meet the boat on the other side.
There is a place near Dudley in the West Midlands of England where there are boat trips to old limestone mines where you are carried in Battery powered narrow boats and you can have a try at ‘legging' the boat.
http://www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/Trips/prices.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Tunnel.
They used to do, once a month, a trip the whole length of the old Dudley Tunnel. I will have to find out if they still do this.
It seems that Eric as answered your quiz, can I add a couple more lines with Pacific in the title. Canadian Pacific. Chicago Central and Pacific, Texas & Pacific, Pacific Electric.
CM3 Many thanks for the details on the pics in Mike's links. I think I have picked out the hammerhead having looked at the photo again. As you say, I too enjoy the photos of locos both steam and diesel at engine sheds. I can remember visiting Crewe South loco depot on a Sunday in the early to mid 1960s and there were over 100 steam locos on shed. It was a great feeling waiting out side a depot on a shed visit wondering what locos were waiting to be seen inside.
Congratulations LARS being the one who posted the 500th post.Your prize is.
I see you are settling in back at home although the cold I guess is none too welcome. Many thanks for the great pic of the D&H locos. I guess the locos are painted in the same color but with the different lighting the nearer loco seems in a much deeper blue. It is also the same with the LNER A4 ‘Mallard when she ran for a short time again the 1980s. She is painted in the LNER garter blue and never seemed to be exactly the same color twice depending on the lighting conditions.
Back BK. I see Lars has just posted on how the bar is and it is real great to see you back. That sounds a fantastic holiday you have been on it will be good to see some photos when you are settled back in.
Enjoyed reading the post from December and seeing those Southern loco pics. What a lovely sight No 1401 makes in the Smithsonian.
TOM What a great place Our Place is. I had forgotten all about our mishap in the lock and reading the piece Mike posted on Horatio brought it all back and brought a at the memory. Alan has sent some good pics on a German Narrow gauge railway I will share at Our Place.
I see you have found the same ‘Pacific' names I have (I wrote them yesterday). Thanks for the link to ‘Night train' the reviewer did not seem to think too much of it but I would still like to see the film.
I enjoyed part 1 of the "Our Place Quiz"
Just got in from a bit of snow shoveling! Can you imagine THAT!! <groan> Wet 'n heavy stuff and should be gone in a day or two as the temperatures will be on the rise. Just a messy bunchaslop!
Ruth, just your presence warms the "hackles of my aging heart"! A double hit of JD on the rocks if you please and set 'em for the guys at the bar.
Awwwwwwwwright, my "bookend" has indeed made his presence known and things may indeed be getting back to a healthy point here at the tavern by the tracks!
Great having you back with us, BK and I surely hope that our downturn in frequency of visits by some of the guys won't turn you off as it had (and has) with me. Anyway, there's lots of quality posts to catch up on and if I know you, it won't be long B4 you're up 'n running!
Like that Southern spread of pix - anytime is fine with me. Hey! The guys who used to make such a big thing out of Sunday pix day aren't doing it anymore, so Da Bossman changed things around to Saturday and we still haven't set the world afired with pix. So, I say THANKS for yours!
Apprecite the e-mails while you were gone and there's one on the way to ya today. No rush in answering, just FYI.
Looks as if we're "down" in numbers as Nick 'n Al are definitely in the legion of the lost and Rob is heading that way. Don't know about DL, as he posted something a week or so ago indicating that wouldn't be his situation. Also haven't seen the regularity from James (the youngster) but then again, consider where he is in life, huh
You'll also note that Doug isn't quite the regular he once was and we rarely see him durng the work week. However, he's still showing up on Saturdays, and every so often suprises us with a weekday visit - like this morning.
So, things are not perking, but we're still "up on the page" as Tom used to put it and there's no shortage of quality material, for sure.
When you get the time, take Lydia up to the Penthouse Suite! There's something special up there that you'll surely enjoy (aside from the "normal" stuff! ) The keys are in the "regular" place and Tom has authorized me to "judiciously" hand 'em out. So, feel free!
Better WATCH OUT for those comments regarding "my fair lady" Ruth! While I'm being WATCHED very closely by the Mrs. the old saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way," applies.
One more Ruth, then I'm outta here. Where's the bricks for the boots
Be careful what you wish for, Lars, otherwise it just MAY come true and wind up biting you in the "keester"!
Yes, I've returned and have all sorts of pages of postings to sort through before I feel comfortable with engaging this fine group of classic train enthusiasts in conversation.
So, first let me say to Ruth, you are a magnificent looking lady and if it weren't for Lydia "boring holes" in the back of my head with her "look," why I'd give Lars a run for the money for your affections!
I'd like a steaming hot mug of cofee with just a "splash" to make it interesting. Two number 3s from the Menu Board and a pot of tea for Lydia. Keep the change!
Certainly appears as if you are all settled in here at the new thread and I'm not quite sure why the move was made, but I'm sure I'll get to it as I begin to play the game of catch up.
As some of you may recall, we departed our mountain retreat on December 20th and arrived in Hawaii (Honolulu) on the 22nd. Christmas was spent on the "big" island, at a rather intimate resort, and from there on we pretty much "hopped" from island to island, spending a week here, two weeks there and so on. Don't want to bore any of you with this personal "drivvel."
After that we set our sights on the territories "down under" and arrived in Sydney on the 20th of January. A wonderful place, Australia, and we enjoyed each and every day of our experience. We were able to get over to New Zealand for a week, and in fact that's where we departed for Vancouver from. Lydia took all sorts of photos and perhaps she'll one day share some of the more scenic ones with the group.
While in Australia, we did take a few train trips, but more along the lines of getting from one place to another, rather than simply for the joy of it. Expensive, well used and on time would be my assessment of things in that regard. We were able to visit many of the continents major cities and left no grass to grow beneath our footsteps. It was a very active couple of months, minus a few weeks of total "chilling out" in Hawaii.
Thought I'd drop off an Encore from my very last submission made on December 19th over on the former thread. This will have to "do" until I can get totally caught up!
Good to be back and hope to check in again in a day or two!
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!Greetings from Alberta which in all probability will be my last for several weeks. Ruth, a round on me, a steaming mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting, and a couple of crullers from the Mentor Village Bakery; thank you! I have received many e-mails from several of you and appreciate being placed on the distribution for your thoughts. However, perhaps you should consider dropping my addresss, at least until my return, as I am not planning to access that account. It was established strictly for the bar. Further, I must admit that my habits are rather hit and miss when it comes to checking the in box. It has been a most exasperating experience since Saturday morning with reference to logging into the forums. For whatever the reason, my efforts were to no avail. I could read what had been provided, but could not contribute. That continued through Sunday and probably yesterday. I was not "up" on Monday, therefore I cannot speak with authority on the situation in the ether. <groan> I can well understand how these experiences can, and probably do, drive some to take their leisure time elsewhere.Captain Tom, I read your most recent thoughts this morning and since I am not planning to respond in kind, let me simply say that you have summed the situation up quite well. If the bar has relocated prior to my return, I will contact you to find out where. I enjoyed the feature Theme for the Day that you, Tom, provided and recall that the first time around, the Southern Railway was well received. I have a few photos to offer and then will have to return to helping Lydia with the last minute arrangements before we depart.Of the Sunday photo display, Tom, I enjoyed those Train Wreck saloon shots along with those taken at the local train station. Even the window display of the Lionel train provided just a bit of a flashback to the days when department stores featured those elaborate layouts. Nicely done, Sir Tom, and if the opportunity presents itself, I would dearly love to hoist a toast to those of you at the Rendezvous! I shall miss this place. The mascots, the banter at the bar, t he staff, the enormous amounts of reading material, the humor from Doug (if we still are able to call it that!) and the comfort in knowing that there is indeed a special place set aside for those of us with like minds (as Tom mentioned in his e-mail). A very special Christmas and New Years greeting to all who have been so kind to me over the months I have been a part of this group. In particular, Sir Lars and Sir Rob and Sir Doug and Sir CM3 and Sir Pete and Sir Nick (is he "off" again??) and of course, Sir Tom. Wishing all of you and yours the happiest of holidays! Southern Railway No. 1401 at the Smithsonian Instiution, Washington, D.C. Southern 2-8-8-2 #4057 (1938)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) Southern 4-8-2 #495 (1950)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) Southern Railway 2-8-8-2 #4053 (1946)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Greetings from Alberta which in all probability will be my last for several weeks. Ruth, a round on me, a steaming mug of coffee with just a "splash" to make it interesting, and a couple of crullers from the Mentor Village Bakery; thank you!
I have received many e-mails from several of you and appreciate being placed on the distribution for your thoughts. However, perhaps you should consider dropping my addresss, at least until my return, as I am not planning to access that account. It was established strictly for the bar. Further, I must admit that my habits are rather hit and miss when it comes to checking the in box.
It has been a most exasperating experience since Saturday morning with reference to logging into the forums. For whatever the reason, my efforts were to no avail. I could read what had been provided, but could not contribute. That continued through Sunday and probably yesterday. I was not "up" on Monday, therefore I cannot speak with authority on the situation in the ether. <groan> I can well understand how these experiences can, and probably do, drive some to take their leisure time elsewhere.
Captain Tom, I read your most recent thoughts this morning and since I am not planning to respond in kind, let me simply say that you have summed the situation up quite well. If the bar has relocated prior to my return, I will contact you to find out where.
I enjoyed the feature Theme for the Day that you, Tom, provided and recall that the first time around, the Southern Railway was well received. I have a few photos to offer and then will have to return to helping Lydia with the last minute arrangements before we depart.
Of the Sunday photo display, Tom, I enjoyed those Train Wreck saloon shots along with those taken at the local train station. Even the window display of the Lionel train provided just a bit of a flashback to the days when department stores featured those elaborate layouts. Nicely done, Sir Tom, and if the opportunity presents itself, I would dearly love to hoist a toast to those of you at the Rendezvous!
I shall miss this place. The mascots, the banter at the bar, t he staff, the enormous amounts of reading material, the humor from Doug (if we still are able to call it that!) and the comfort in knowing that there is indeed a special place set aside for those of us with like minds (as Tom mentioned in his e-mail).
A very special Christmas and New Years greeting to all who have been so kind to me over the months I have been a part of this group. In particular, Sir Lars and Sir Rob and Sir Doug and Sir CM3 and Sir Pete and Sir Nick (is he "off" again??) and of course, Sir Tom. Wishing all of you and yours the happiest of holidays!
Southern Railway No. 1401 at the Smithsonian Instiution, Washington, D.C.
Southern 2-8-8-2 #4057 (1938)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Southern 4-8-2 #495 (1950)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Southern Railway 2-8-8-2 #4053 (1946)(from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
BK in Alberta, Canad
Ruth, time for a mugga Joe with one of those "BK splashes" and I'll take 3 pastries from the bakery case! Ah yes, some treats for the critters and of course a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris! My oh my you are lookin' mighty fine this mornining!
Hey Tom! I "aced" the first part of the Quiz! Guess that makes me a bonafide NOVICE, huh
Bring on Part Two!
Really great idea and if the guys get with it, this could turn out to be lotsafun.
I've been thinking that Mondays shoul dbe the BEST DAY of the week for material. Why
Well, since Sunday is a day of rest and most guys don't show up on Saturday, that gives plenty of time to have something prepared for submission on Monday. How difficult is THAT
Of course I'm in hopes that the guys who give a rat's patoot will take this to heart and make "it" happen!
I just barely remember the John Wayne flick and never did see the one from Poland. Poland! Man oh man, I don't think I've EVER seen a movie made in Poland. Where do you find these movies <grin>
Some fine stuff from Doug on Saturday and again early this morning! Got me all interested in things I either forgot about or never knew! Nice going.
Eric pushing the X2000. I was thinking pretty much along the lines of CM3 I'm NOT Shane! when it came to the bearings that would permit such a thing to take place. Just appears rather odd, huh
Pete, those pix from your friend Alan are surely different as were the ones of the hanging railroad. Provided yet another interesting twist to the conversations taking place in this great bar of ours! And who says one can't enjoy adult conversation, beverages and good times in the ether
So, the question IS WHEN do we see the return of my "bookend" - BK - from the far reaches of the Canadian Rockies Surely have missed him these past months. What has it been, at least two months. That's too long.
The way things appear to be heading, BK may be our only "Canadian connection" as Rob surely seems to have dropped of the earth with no effort made to communicate his situation. Not good and very surprising. Surely HOPE all's well with the trolleyman!
Should make mention we're not thrilled about being back in the winter climate! That respite down in the Keys just about ruined the both of us (for life!). Ain't no way I'm intersted in living through a full winter up here, evAH again!
But home is where the heart 'n hearth are, or something like that. It IS good to be back in many ways. We've called this place home for so many years and our grown up sons still do. For those of you with "ties" like that, they are most difficult to let loose of, huh Also, just being around "our stuff" and in familiar territory means a lot as well. The Mrs. is in "hog heaven" now that she can resume her shopping schedule. <arrrrgggghhhh>
Hope y'all have a great week and let's remember to keep this thread alive 'n well. How hard is it to pick a time slot for posting and then come through Let's give it a try, shall we
One more, Ruth, then I'm headin' up to the Penthouse Suite to check on "things," wanna join me
Down Boris, down - no "threat" intended. I know you're her "guardian," but <geesh> man, I'm the Manager!!
So, what's not to like about THESE
D&H Baldwin RF16 & Alco PA1 (photo credit: Jay Winn)
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It was certainly quite a weather weekend and I hope the lights are on, heat working, and buildings still standing wherever you are. Most of the really bad stuff went around us.
Lots of material to look at this a.m.
Mike sent along some links. Continuing in my role as archivist (euphemism for he's so !@$ old he remembers this stuff," here are a few comments.
The LVs Hazleton Branch was the home of RDC service on the Valley. The branch was 40.7 miles long and ran from M&H Junction to Midvalley. Hazleton was about midway between the two end points.
The shot made at Sayre, PA brought back more than a few memories. Much of what was shown in the picture is long gone. The Sayre station, just outside of the shot to the left still stands. The LV shops are the buildings in the background - yes, Awk, the ones with the big smokestacks. The D&H train is on the main line. It was most interesting to see all of the red-painted power at the engine facility. The gray-painted unit is an Alco C-420; if you look real hard in the middle of the picture you will see a so-called "hammerhead" RS3; this is an RS3 with a high short hood.
The LV FA's are in an early color scheme; red with black stripes.
On to the Erie pictures.
The one with the passenger train(s) was, I think, made near Jersey City. An Alco HH series switcher is working the cut of refrigerator cars at the left of the picture; first car in the cut belongs to the MILW. The Erie Berks were monsters - you can get an idea of the size of them from the picture. The last shot is probably of a fan trip.
The shot of the Phoebe Snow obs was made, as near as I can tell, in Binghamton, NY; the train is eastbound.
Both of the Pennsy diesel shots were taken in Chicago. The first one shows an E8 and E7 near the coach yards just outside Union Station. The E8 is a newer locomotive, but has an older paint scheme. PRR 5791 is crossing the 21st St. Interlocking. My initial thought is that it might be the "Broadway," but the cars don't look right - we'll have to study this one some more.
The electric pictures are all good ones. The E44s were what a friend's son used to call "big ‘uns." They were the last PRR electrics. The G motor in the snow brought back a lot of memories - cold, damp, and just a great thing to see.
Thanks for the Hornblower reference. I rememberd the narrative, but could not remember the book title.
Barndads Penn State story is an interesting one. PSU is not easy to get to from here, anyway; we have to go through Cumberland (tough for those of us who are interested in railroads).
Lars provided a travelogue, comments, and a good-looking builders shot of an NYC PA. BTW, the Lehigh Valley had PAs as well, which were very striking in red and black color scheme. Lars, any day that I am not in an airplane is a good one to me. As our ‘Steamed Proprietor would say, "I did my time, thank you."
Pete provided more commentary and pictures from Belgium. Thanks for sharing - quite a lineup outside the engine house. Reminds me of seeing a bunch of C&O U25s lined up at Clifton Forge one time.
Eric - Thanks for pictures and reminiscences - I assume that the X2000 was not only light enough but also had the kind of bearings that would allow you to push it around. IMHO, common sense is in even shorter supply than gasoline. Boris, unhand me you mad beast of Russia, put me down, that's all I'm going to say!
Our' Steamed Proprietor has a fine selection of moves. I have never seen the first one and have not seen the "Train Robbers" in a long time. The Stooges one is a classic, especially the scenes when they are trying to repair the pump. As my man Curly said, "It's a geezer!" I'll have to get after your quiz.
Before I forget, for those interested in canals, a good book is Ronald E. Shaw, Canals for a Nation: The Canal Era in the United States, 1790-1860. I believe its o/p, but you can probably get it as an interlibrary loan.
P.S. Tom - If you use Word, setting up your quiz as a table really helps. I still miss WordPerfect which had column features and block protection which made life a lot easier for thos of us "in the trade."
Just how familiar with "Our" Place are you? Wanna take a crack at this 4-part test of your skills?
Here's how it works:
The levels of knowledge begins at NOVICE and progresses through APPRENTICE, JOURNEYMAN to ORACLE.
One Part of the QUIZ will be Posted daily, ending on Thursday.
PART I - Skill level: NOVICE
(1) Four letter word for the Red Head who tends bar during the daytime at "Our" Place?
(2) Cloven-footed Cyclops who watches over "Our" Place?
(3) Night bartender at "Our" Place?
(4) Pizza Nite & Steak ‘n Fries Nite at "Our" Place?
(5) Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite at "Our" Place?
(6) Fish ‘n Chips Nite at "Our" Place?
(7) Flying Circus at "Our" Place?
(8) Ankle Biter at "Our" Place?
(9) Wears a tuxedo all of the time?
(10) First mascot of "Our" Place?
Select answers for NOVICE group:
A. Frostbite I. Friday
B. Tex J. Ruth
C. Leon K. Cindy
D. Awk L. Boris
E. Juneau M. Lydia
F. Thursday N. Tuesday
G. Saturday O. Penguin
H. Wednesday P. H&H
(Sorry ‘bout the formatting - still can't figure it out!!) <groan>
A smile to begin the week!
What time is it? You mean now?
(A Yogi-ism!)
Coffee ‘n pastries are fresh and the breakfasts <light> ‘n <traditional> are ready for serving, so whaddyawaitinfer
Monday at the Tavern by the Tracks and a new work week (for many) has begun. Good to see those of you who've taken the time and made the effort to drop by!
Hope y'all had a fine weekend! In spite of the nasty weather here in mid-continent USA, it was relaxing ‘round das Haus! <grin> Noted that Petrol has dropped to $2.19 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner," perhaps a positive sign as spring approaches.
A really nice Saturday from the guys and some interesting follow-ons after my closing narrative.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!
Mike at 9:39 PM Saturday: Something totally different and unique from "silent Mike"! The answer to Pete's QUIZ question. Figured it wasn't an episode from the DVD series as the Atropos isn't one of ‘em. Anyway, nicely done and now we all know!
With a QUIZ of his own, "silent Mike" wants a listing of 10 railroads with "Pacific" in the name. So, here's my offering: (1) Canadian Pacific - (2) Union Pacific - (3) Missouri Pacific - (4) Western Pacific - (5) Northern Pacific - (6) Southern Pacific - (7) Texas & Pacific - (8) Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific - (9) Northwestern Pacific (10) Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific.
Eric at 1:30 AM yesterday: A fine early AM Post from our "Desert Swede"! Always looks forward to your contributions to the conversation "at hand."
Now, I've gotta know - are you sure about "United Pacific" Hmmmmmmmm.
You are correct, Sir! Night Train (1959) is indeed a flick from Poland. Check out this URL for even more info:
http://www.moviehabit.com/reviews/nig_le06.shtml
How about "saving" your X2000 ‘n ICE "analysis" for the Rendezvous in May
Many THANX for the clarification on the RDC Pix . . . figured what I was viewing surely wasn't my favorite rail car! <grin> Also got a kick out of that Pix in an earlier Post of you guys pushing the X2000. That's a one in a million shot, fer sure, fer sure!
Doug at 5:54 AM today: Just caught your Post . . . Surprise, Surprise! A morning start-up from the barndad!
More reading material than most can handle first thing off in the AM - however, will get to it and much appreciated!
Special note: There will be an "Our" Place QUIZ begun today and will be in FOUR PARTS! Watch for the start-up this morning!
Good morning Tom and friends. I'll have two light breakfast after shoveling all that snow and ice off the driveway this A.M. I see that Eric has the answers to Mike's quiz. Here's a little reading material for ya'll to start the day:
Frozen coal posed a growing problem because transit times on PRR were lengthening. Although most Penn State coal for many years had come from the Snow Shoe area, about 40 miles distant, underground mines were playing out and strip mines usually shipped by truck.
PRR had reduced service on its 21-mile-long Snow Shoe branch - a line that climbed the Allegheny Front via a series of switchbacks - to a train or two weekly in the early 1950s. In May 1959, the branch was abandoned altogether.
Even before the abandonment Penn State began buying more coal from Clearfield district mines, served by trains from PRR's yard at Osceola Mills, 28 highway miles and 70 rail miles from University Park. That service too, was deteriorating. Cars sat longer at loading tipples, in the yard, and at Tyrone, where Osceola crews placed them for pickup by eastbound trains operating over PRR's Bald Eagle branch to Bellefonte.
The 1958 Penn State study found that coal typically was in transit on the rails to State College for one to two weeks - ample time to allow the black diamonds to freeze. Trucks could make the trip to State College in one to two hours.
A third issue was coal storage. The university's physical plant managers lack confidence in the short line's ability to maintain a steady flow of coal as consumption grew. The power plant had an outside storage bunker capacity of only 900 tons: additional coal was stored in the cars in which it was delivered, either in BFC's five-track State College yard or on a siding at Alto, about five miles north of town.
Normal operations saw the train from Bellefonte arrive in State College around noon, Monday through Saturday. On three or four of those days, the power plant had to be served. In that case, the locomotive's first chore was to push three loaded cars across busy North Atherton Street (U.S. Route 322) onto a trestle adjacent to the plant's west wall. Penn State personnel began discharging the coal into the bunker below the track, while the train crew departed with the locomotive to switch other local customers.
Before returning to Bellefonte, the crew pulled the now empty cars from the plant and placed three more loads - the maximum the trestle could accommodate. If the power plant increased its coal consumption as expected, more fuel would have to be stored in hopper cars, requiring more switching activity because there was not adequate space nearby for ground storage.
Penn State had asked the railroad to base one of its two Electro-Motive diesel switcher locomotives in State College. BFC's longtime vice president and general manager, George E. McClellan, declined. He pointed out that on those rare occasions when the university stockpile ran low, he had dispatched a locomotive to the campus just to place more hoppers from the storage siding - a practice the railroad would gladly continue.
The university was not satisfied, contending that McClellan's solution did not take into account car shortages, or strikes by railroad or mine workers. Penn State then considered buying a small industrial locomotive to handle power plant switching. It was still pondering this alternative when Eric Walter ordered the 1958 trucking feasibility study.
Even if the problems of coal handling and storage could be resolved, truckers still underbid PRR and BFC's combined rate. Railroad rates were, by regulatory law, a matter of public record. If truckers bought the coal they carried and sold it to the university as their own - a common practice - they were not subject to common carrier regulations and thus did not have to disclose transportation charges, giving them a competitive advantage in any bidding process. McClellan and PRR executives knew of the 75-cent-per-ton differential identified in the 1958 study only because Patchell had told them.
In May 1959, the university informed the Bellefonte Central that, beginning in September, coal shipments would come by truck. (Penn State did not mention that 500 tons of bituminous had already arrived by truck for test burning, so that the university could be sure that the trucked product met its quality standards. The shipment were delivered in the dead of night so as not to arouse BFC suspicions). PRR had already lowered its rate at least once over the past few years, and was willing to consider another reduction only if the university guaranteed a long-term contract - a proposal that PSU summarily rejected. <End of part II>
We all know how misleading the description of hotels and motels can be. So we put together a translation table to help you out... So when you see one of the phrases listed on the left, you will know what it really means by reading the translation on the right!
Old world charm ................................. No bath
Tropical ............................................. Rainy
Majestic setting ................................. A long way from town
Options galore ................................... Nothing is included in the itinerary
Secluded hideaway ............................ Impossible to find or get to
Pre-registered rooms .......................... Already occupied
Explore on your own ........................... Pay for it yourself
Knowledgeable trip hosts .................... They've flown in an airplane before
No extra fees ..................................... No extras
Nominal fee ....................................... Outrageous charge
Standard ........................................... Sub-standard
Deluxe .............................................. Standard
Superior ............................................ One free shower cap
Cozy ................................................. Small
All the amenities ................................ Two free shower caps
Plush ................................................ Top and bottom sheets
Gentle breezes .................................. Occasional Gale-force winds
Light and airy ..................................... No air conditioning
Picturesque ....................................... Theme park nearby
Open bar ........................................... Free ice cubes
Concierge ....................................... Stand with tourist brochures
Continental breakfast ..................... Free muffin
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
I guess you will not be in until Monday morning though.
Leon, thanks for keeping this place open this late/early. Saturday evening, I think the right meal tonight is that super good Filet Mignon! No, no coffee tonight. I'll have an ice cold beer! You surpirse me with something extra good!
Found some very nice posts tonight. Something strange happened when I refreshed this page before posting, more than half of Mike's latest post disappeared! Most of the text is gone!
Tom – Thanks for the link to info on WP’s RDCs! Most interesting info about the service WP used the RDCs for. Don’t worry, I have to use my grey matter almost every day at work! They call me the investigator because one of my tasks is to help engineering to figure out what is and what went wrong with defective sockets returned from customers. It is like being a detective and I like that part of my job. It is amazing how much information one can find on some pieces of metal and plastic just by using a microscope and some common sense.Time will tell how things will be around this bar in 300 days! You never know, things might turn for the better all of a sudden! At least that is what I hope. Maybe that is a good idea to keep my thoughts about the failure to sell the X2000 to Amtrak out of the ether. Especially since some people, if they read it, easily will recognize themselves and others. Thanks for the Cast of Characters!! I know most of them by now. One question though, when and where are those lingerie shows taking place? Good movies coming up on the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre! I saw Night Train on TV many years ago but I don’t think that was an American movie. Is it Polish? A John Wayne movie is always right! Add Ann-Margret (from the old country) and it is perfect!The passenger cars you can see on the “exhaust” pix are the X2000. The RDCs were sitting on track 15 to the right. It is kind of a fun feeling to run a train on a completly snowed over track! Mike – Thanks for the rounds!Very nice pictures. I love those color pix from the fifties! Especially the RDC in Hazleton!You are providing the answer to Pete’s quiz! Nice job! But what happened to your post?10 railroads “Pacific”?
United Pacific; Southern Pacific; Northern Pacific; Western Pacific; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Butte, Anaconda & Pacific; Cincinnati, New orleans & Texas Pacific; Denver, Northwestern & Pacific; Grand Trunk Pacific; Missouri Pacific.Pete – Thanks for the info on the canals! 2,200 miles of canals! I have to check my slides from UK, maybe I took some pictures of a canal or two. The picture of the snow covered track was taken during the X2000 winter tests almost exactly 17 years ago north of the Arctic cricle. The snow did not stop us. The suspended railway in Wuppertal, Germany, opened in 1901. The line is 13.3 km (8.3 miles) long (30 minutes). On both ends turning loops are installed. The cars used today were built in the 70’s and each car seats 48 and take 100 standing passengers. The average speed is 27 km/h (16.8 mph). Top speed 60 km/h (37 mph). During weekdays the trains are running every 3-4 minutes and every 8 minutes on week ends. More info:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwebebahn_Wuppertal#_note-12The locomotives on Alan’s pictures are German Class 204 Bo-Bo diesel hydraulic locomotives, rated at 1050 kW, 1408 hp and have top speed of 100 km/h, 62 mph. They were built in the 1970’s. Railion is the same railroad as former Deutsche Bundesbahn and are running trains in several different European countries. I am afraid I have to pass on your quiz tonight. Hm, I guess Mike solved it!Lars – Couldn’t stay away from the bar and Ruth, could you? The new bar, is that where we will find Ruth in the future? A very nice picture of a very good looking locomotive, NYC PA3!Doug – Thanks for the round! I start feeling round under my feet now!Thanks for the article Battle Over Coal! Interesting to read and learn facts that are not known to most people. Explains a lot of things. The sad thing is that the railroads lost a lot of freight to the trucking industry. Today they are winning back a lot of it though!Pushing the X2000 was kind of different! You can see me in the middle of the pushing people, dressed in dark blue. That soldier learned the some facts of life the hard way!
See you on Monday
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.
."Heave us that line, Captain," he cried, and Hornblower obediently threw up the bow line for him to secure forward. The law of the sea applied equally in inland waters - the ship first and personal dignity a long way second.
Already the lock-keeper was closing the gates behind them and the lock-keeper's wife was opening the paddles of the upper gate, the water swirling in. The lower gates closed with a crash with the mounting pressure, and the boat rose with the gurgling water. The horses were changed in a twinkling; the postillion scrambled into his saddle, and proceeded to tilt a black bottle against his lips during the remaining few seconds while the lock filled. The steersman was casting off the lines - Hornblower took the bow line from him - and the lock-keeper's wife was thrusting at one upper gate while the lock-keeper, running up from the lower gate, thrust at the other. The postillion yelled and cracked his whip, the boat sprang forward while the helmsman leaped to his place astern, and they were off again with not a second wasted. Assuredly this canal traffic was a miracle of modernity, and it was gratifying to be on board the very fastest of the canal boats, the Queen Charlotte, that took priority over all other traffic. On her bow she carried a glittering scythe-blade as the proud symbol of her superior importance. It would sever the towline of any approaching boat which did not drop her line quickly enough to let her through. The two score of farmers' wives and wenches who sat aft in the second class with their chickens and ducks and eggs and butter were all of them travelling as much as twenty miles to market, in the confident expectation of returning the same day. Quite astonishing.
Here, as they climbed to the summit level, lock succeeded lock at frequent intervals, and at each the postillion held his black bottle to his lips, and his yells to his horses became more raucous and his whip-cracking more continuous. Hornblower obediently handed the bow line at each lock, despite Maria's urgings to the contrary.
"My dear," said Hornblower, "we save time if I do."
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