Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bitter please LEON and a round on this cold Mid-Mo day.
What can I say but what excellent posts and pics on the railroads, history and the growth of Florida, mainly the work of Henry Morrison Flagler, from DOUG and TOM, a to you both. I am sure LARS and PHIL will enjoy reading them as much as I did.
DOUG Hope your cold gets better soon, although it is great to see you at the bar in the week again Glad you liked the pics.I wonder what form the specialized restoration of The Nebraskan Zephyr will take and I wonder if the Zephyr will be going on the main line when it the restoration is complete. Silver Pilot is a classic loco.
Thanks for the jokes.
MIKE Another great set of links and a great job of the Rat's Patoot Room.
I have not seen to many photos of the street side of St Louis Union Station I will have to have a good look at the building when I am there. The pic of Glasgow station is a bit different from the Central one in Scotland. The loco in the pic of the LMS Coronation at Toledo is having the streamline casing re-fitted at the present. In the Flying Scotsmans both locos still surviveNO1 at the NRM at York and 4498 is running with its BR number, 60007, at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after a recent overhaul. 4498 is named after its designer Sir Nigel Gresley.
Other great pics as well and thanks for Margaritaville on the link to Jimmy Buffitt.
CM3 Glad you liked the pics and Oscar Wilde was a wise man.
ERIC In my last pic from Sunday showing the front of loco No 80154,it shows the headcode that was used by the Southern Railway of Britain to donate the route a train was taking. The white discs (lamps were used at night) were replaced by the numbers on the front of the EMUs DL and you was talking about.
The SR was unique in the way the headcode was used as the other regions used the headcode to denote what type of train it was, also the Southern had two additional lamp brackets, on ether side of the smokebox that locos on the other regions did not have.
Apparently there was 30 different combinations that the Southern could use, of course there were a lot more routes than 30 so the same code was used for different trains in different areas. The code displayed by 80154 was known as No 13 and it could apply to 11 different trains although there would be only one train with this code on a certain route. Therefore two trains with the same headcode would not be going to different places past the same signal box.I bet the signalmen were glad when the numbers were introduced.
The code shown on 80154 means the train was an Oxted to and from Brighton via East Grinstead ( Low Level) and Lewes, which was an authuntic code for the Bluebell line as the train would have run on the section of the Bluebell that is preserved.
TOM I will see if DL comes in to give him a chance at my question if I may.
It will be good to read LARS report of the Superbowl it was a shame the weather was so rotten for the game. What a great way it would have been to go to the match on one of those Pullmans mentoned in the posts today.
I thought today was a great one at the bar.Thanks again and let me get another round in.
Pete
Hi again Tom and gang! Whiskey on the house? How can I refuse? Here's some more stuff on these Florida railways, and I'll apologize in advance for another groan-0-meter bustin' joke!
The west coast traffic of the Atlantic Coast Line in the twentieth century was largely the railroad's heritage from the efforts of Henry Bradley Plant to develop on the state's western littoral a resort and transportation empire similar to the glittering success of Flagler's Florida East Coast. Plant, consumed with jealousy of Flagler imagined himself in social competition with the superb and aloof Standard Oil partner and, once encountering Flagler at Delmonico's, enquired snidely "Friend Flagler, just where is this place you call Palm Beach?" "Just follow the crowd, Friend Plant, just follow the crowd," Flagler told him. Regardless of the less elegant status of the West Coast resorts, the A.C.L. ran handsome seasonal trains to serve them, its diners continuing in their décor the theme of Spanish moss and palm trees the patrons were enjoying through the window.
Below, The Gulf Limited rolls towards St. Petersburg with seventeen cars on the drawbar of a superbly maintained Pacific whose silver cylinder heads, smokebox candlesticks and ornate bell cradle symbolize railroading in the very grand manner of its happiest hour.
The transition in railroad styles which saw the shift, largely accomplished in the 1920s, away from the designation of name trains as "Specials" in favor of "Limiteds" is aptly illustrated by the disappearance from the Atlantic Coast Line's timecards late in the twenties of The Pinellas Special and the listing in its place of The Gulf Coast Limited. The Limited like The Special before it, was the ranking train on the west coast run, but the steel-sheathed Pullmans and observations of the early twenties were replaced by Pullman Standard equipment. The customary assortment of sleepers out of New York was, interestingly, supplemented by a Montreal Pullman which went all the way through St. Petersburg on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday during the winter months.
Named for the Pinellas Peninsula which separates Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, the "Sunshine City" of St. Petersburg was the terminal of the Atlantic Coast Line's Pinellas Special when this photograph was taken in 1920 at a time when Florida was enjoying one of the most spectacular of its several hysterical real estate booms which, inevitably, ended in dismal bust. St. Petersburg, The Coast Line's promotional literature was quick to point out, has sixty miles of paved city streets and the motorist of the period could "travel to any town in Pinellas County without leaving the brick highway." "St. Petersburg," it added reassuringly, "while many a tourist resort, is an eminently clean town hygienically, and a place where the visitor may sojourn with every comfort." The Gold Coast route from Pam Beach to Miami envisioned by Henry Flagler was barely getting under way at this time and West Coast spas such as Sarasota, Tampa and Tarpon Springs which, like St. Petersburg were Coast Line territory, still had delusions of grandeur in the elegance sweepstakes, although the world of fashion had already indicated that the East Coast of the state would be its chosen parade in winter months.
Florida East Coast dining cars which were incorporated into the consists of trains such as The Flamingo and The Seminole for the run south of Jacksonville were light and cheery of décor with murals depicting scenes of historic interest to the Florida-bound vacationist. Until the new leisure and universal wealth made seasonal tourism a mass production business, diner crews knew many of the Palm Beach regulars from one year to the next and F.E.C. travel approximated a familial status.
With eighteen Standard cars on its drawbar as it takes water at West Palm Beach to take its big 4-8-4 to Miami, the combined Royal Palm-Dixie Flyer has no room for head-end revenue cars, and mail and express are handled by the Florida East Coast in separate trains during the winter season.
A married man left from work early one Friday afternoon. Instead of going home, however, he squandered the weekend (and his paycheck) partying with the boys.
When he finally returned home on Sunday night, he ran into a barrage of epithets from his wife. After a couple of hours of nagging and berating, his wife asked "How would you like it if you didn't see me for a couple of days?!?"
"That would suit me just fine!!" the man said.
Monday went by, and the man didn't see his wife.
Tuesday went by with the same result.
Wednesday went by with the same result.
Thursday, the swelling went down a bit and he could see her a little, just out of the corner of his left eye.
G'day Gents!
Back with a few ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Doug at 8:43 AM today: That's quite a piece on Henry Flagler's railroads in Florida. Quite the empire builder, eh No, not THAT one! Honestly never knew much about the man until recently. Once Lars headed south, I began checking out the railroads down thataway and came across this guy's legacy. Most impressive to say the least!
CM3 at 10:03 AM today: Acknowledging your acknowledgments! Thanx for the quarters ‘n round!
Somewhere ‘round this place there's a "Far Side" cartoon book and I KNOW that bear ‘n skull you refer to! Wasn't really a laughing matter back then. <grim>
Doug at 10:49 AM today: Great Pix and narratives on the Florida Special! And the beat goes on . . .
Mike at 12:48 PM today: He lives! The return of "silent Mike" from the depths of the Rat's Patoot Room. Thought perhaps the "beasts" lurking in the nooks ‘n crannies of the place entrapped you!
Wonderful spate of URLs from our resident URLMeisterMonsterMike! As usual, something for all!
Doug at 12:54 PM today: The whiskey is on the house! Appreciate all the activity regarding the Florida Special (and . . . awful jokes!!)
I'm "fresh out" as what I've provided over the weekend 'n today should be more than enough, especially when added to what you've come up with. Great effort!
Ruth, give 'em a drink on the house and Boris, ring the chimes!
Tom
Hi Tom and gang! I believe it's time to order some whiskey to help chase this cold away, and buy a round for the house of course!
Look at all the activity! Great material Tom and fantastic URLs from friend Mike! Let's keep it rolling!
In his classic treatment of surface travel in the grand manner "Some Classic Train," Arthur Dubin compares The Florida Special to The Twentieth Century Limited on the grounds that, of all the great name trains, The Special more often went in multiple sections than any other excepting only the Central's No. 25 and 26. He might well have extended his comparison to include other aspects of this most favored and desirable of varnish runs. It was the special pride and joy of its owning Atlantic Coast Line and Florida East Coast; its clientele was a very special classification of the elect to whom the best of everything, while entirely accustomed, was none too good; it commanded the best and newest of Pullman equipment as it came from the car shops and its sailing list, had there been one as was maintained for The Century, would have bristled with names that made news in every category of distinction. Like The Century, too, the Florida Special attracted members of the private car club who could easily have ridden their own varnish equipment but found the company congenial and the atmosphere of The Special as mannered and unobtrusive as that of a gentleman's club. There were indeed Hawaiian type guitar players in the observation lounges at dinner time, but in the diner one might encounter headliners of the conservative establishment, monocled banker Jules Bach who purchased old masters from Lord Joseph Duveen on a scale comparable to that of Andrew Mellon, Evalyn Walsh McLean, inevitably wearing the Hope Diamond and Star of the East, Cissie Patterson, publisher of the Washington Times Herald who demanded that her stateroom be smothered in fresh cut flowers which were renewed at strategic intervals, Bernard Baruch, Gene Tunney, Mrs. Harrison Williams or Ogden Mills. The cars that met The Special at West Palm Beach were the Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and Hispanos of assured privilege and when the Pullmans ground to a halt at Miami their patrons in predominant measure headed for Alfred Barton's Surf Club in Collins Avenue. Embarking or descending from The Special, its aloof clientele trod a crimson carpet whose only counterpart of American usage was that of The Century. It was that kind of train.
For a stateroom passenger aboard The Florida Special in 1931, Frank Crowninshield's Vanity Fair and Town & Country to read en route.
Having jeweled the East Coast of Florida with a string of superb resort hotels that, in effect, turned the Palmetto State into a feudal domain of the railroad that connected them, Henry Flagler conceived the idea of one more monument to his genius for spending money profitably in the form of an extension of the Florida East Coast over the water to Key West and a foreshortened steamship connection with Cuba. It was an engineering feat that captured public imagination and the phrase "the main line that goes out to sea" had a pioneer ring about it. It also cost the lives of more than a score of construction workers and more Standard Oil money than it was ever to pay back, a matter of supreme indifference to Flagler who, when an awed secretary brought him the news that Standard had just been fined $29,000,000 in an anti-trust suit, nodded absently. "Do you happen to have those Whitehall plumbing bills handy?" he asked. The Key West extension was completed in 1912, a year before Flagler's death and lasted until it was so badly wrecked by a hurricane in 1936 that it was abandoned as a railroad right of way and a motor road laid over it. F.E.C. trains such as The Havana Special pulled up to pierside in Key West and discharged passengers directly aboard ferries bound for Havana itself.
A pregnant woman from Chicago gets in a car accident and falls into a coma. When she wakes up, she sees she's no longer pregnant and she asks the doctor about her baby.
The doctor replies, "Ma'am you've had twins! a boy and a girl. Your brother from Indianapolis came in and named them."
The woman thinks to herself, "No, not my brother ... he's an idiot!"
She asks him, "Well, what's the girl's name?"
"Denise."
"Wow, that's not a bad name, I like it! What's the boy's name?"
"Denephew."
Hi and a round for the house Tom
I'll just hang these pictures in that clean-as-a-whistle rat's patoot vvvvvvrrrrrrroooom
Florida East Coast
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr09204.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc09823.jpg
St. Louis Union Station
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mo/mo0900/mo0954/photos/098710pv.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/majordanh/images/wabash%20leaving%20st.%20louis%20union%20station.jpg
Chicago
http://www.wabash-railroad.com/images/Trains/WB8T124L.jpg
West Virginia
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/nw3343.jpg
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/F1/NS3329.JPG
http://content.lib.washington.edu/transportation/image/156.jpg
Stockholm tram
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/183610244_2fea300810_b.jpg
X-2000 and Arlanda Express
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/64/169636800_80c40b18e4_b.jpg
http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/rcs_photo_project/RCSPC-CHRISTY-Y304A-366.jpg
Glasgow
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns413.jpeg
King Edward's Coronation at Toledo, in the US for the New York World's Fair
http://66.213.36.5/images/ldrive/archive/series90/468ea18b.jpg
Some people claim there's a Dutchess to blame
http://irocknroll.com/JimmyBuffett.html
Flying Scotsmans
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/371777477_67cbb9ddb8_b.jpg
White Pass & Yukon
http://content.lib.washington.edu/hegg/image/93770312002_481.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/ppmsc/02000/02064v.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/64/218097018_a6b961bace_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/202222015_66ff196319_b.jpg
New Jersey
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/37169212_79e929484a_b.jpg
Super Chief
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/20/73072357_8e19b66055_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/73070036_9d6fee087b_o.jpg
Mike
NOW ARRIVING ON TRACK #1
Railroads from Yesteryear #22
Florida East Coast Railway
FEC route map
St. Augustine, Florida
Good morning again Tom and CM3! Is it time for my medicine yet? Can't wait!
Shane is quite correct about the IRM Zephyr being used in the movie "A League of Their Own." It was also used in "The Babe", and more recently "Flags of Our Fathers". By the way, the 20th Century outing is scheduled for March 31st, which is a Saturday!
Here's a little more stuff relevant to the Florida East Coast Railway:
Aloof and conservative elegance was the hallmark of the all-Pullman Florida Special which in 1927 cut the running time between New York and Palm Beach-Miami to approximately twenty-four hours. Much of The Special's cachet of distinction derived from its two all-room Pullmans which came down over the New Haven from Boston in the Colonial Express and one of which, together with its New York counterpart, was cut out at West Palm Beach by the Florida East Coast night switcher and rolled across the Flagler Trestle to Pam Beach itself where they were spotted on the palm-fringed private car track of the Royal Poinciana Hotel. Essentially The Florida Special was a Florida East Coast train and showcase for that superbly aristocratic carrier, and its public cars bore the proud legend Flagler System on their name boards. By far the larger portion of its sailing list descended from the green cars at the Palm Beach stop where a red carpet (vide supra) was laid out much in the same manner, albeit in abated dimension, as was rated by The Twentieth Century Limited in New York. Rich but not gaudy was the livery of The Florida Special.
Not only was The Florida Special the only train of its time other then The Twentieth Century for whose passengers a red carpet was spread, it was the first aboard which strolling bands of minstrels made music in the club car with Aloha melodies on string guitars.
The feature was later copied by the competition together with personable hostesses, first-run moving pictures and ballad singers, but The Special furnished its music unobtrusively behind potted palms like the fiddlers at the Ritz Carlton in Madison Avenue at Forty-sixth Street. Fresh pompano on the northbound menus and The Miami Daily Herald under every stateroom door were taken for granted.
If dancing to the strains of a stringed orchestra of Hawaiian youths may seem frivolous in the light of the austere and eminently solvent clientele of The Florida Special, it should be remembered that back in 1888 when the train was placed in service by Henry Morrison Flagler himself had commissioned the circulation of the sheet music of "The Florida Special March" and that by the twenties or early Scott Fitzgerald age of New York society, the era of the great tea dance was already recognized. Largely, of course, the dancing was accomplished for the benefit of publicity photographs if only because, by the time the Special rolled over the Atlantic Coast Line tracks, one of the fastest roadbeds in the world, it wasn't altogether practicable.
Just minutes before the church services started the towns people were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon everyone had exited the church except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence. So Satan walked up to the old man and said, "Don't you know who I am?"The man replied, "Yep, sure do.""Aren't you afraid of me?" Satan asked."Nope, sure ain't" said the man." Don't you realize I can kill you with a word?" asked Satan." Don't doubt it for a minute," returned the old man, in an even tone."Did you know that I could cause you profound, horrifying, physical agony forever?"" Yep," was the calm reply."And you're still not afraid?" asked Satan." Nope."More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, "Well, why aren't you afraid of me?"The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for 45 years."
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please (hot potatoes to put in my pockets - I'll bet our ‘steamed proprietor remembers those), round for the house, and $ for the jukebox.
How cold is it? Temperature is dropping here; it was five degrees when I got up and zero when I left the house this a.m. K9 splash and dash for certain.
Manny posts to look at
DL stopped by with general comments.
Rob contributed all kinds of advertising material; we can probably walk across the lake today.
Eric - Thanks for warbonnet picture and the ICE in DC. I remember seeing it there in '93. Look sharp in the picture and there's some vintage AMTK equipment as well.
Lars stopped by to spotlight the sports in the sportlight spotlight.
James - Thanks for the EL picture. One RS2 and one RS3. Also enjoyed the Chessie shot.
Barndad sent along a ton of material. The card of Punxy shows a classic BR&P station. Then we had the pictures of the estate. I have heard of the place, and envy you the opportunity to visit it. Last we had that most beautiful E5; IIRC, was that not the same engine and train set that appeared in "A League of Their Own?" Always good to hear from Lucius (one !@#$ of a wordsmith even though he was not that strong on research).
Pete - Thanks for sharing pictures.
Our ‘steamed proprietor sent CP and CN material as well as a fine set of movies. I have not seen "The Package." Also, how about those E units; ACL, FEC, and SAL. Many thanks, sir. The bear story reminded me of the Far Side cartyoion with the bears and the skull - some of you out there mey remember it.
I'll try and stop by again later.
"Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same." - Oscar Wilde
Work safe
Morning again Tom. I'll just gnaw on my light breakfasts from earlier today until it's time to partake of "medicinal" strength liquid libations. I have to agree with your overall assesment of yesterdays game. Can't help but wonder what the next season will bring though.
Glad you enjoyed your brisk walk with Juneau this morning. Personally, I ain't setting foot outside the house today! Love that Denali engine, but I was thinking more along the lines of a railroad that operated in warmer areas of the country, which you provided pix of yesterday ...
Henry M. Flagler's memorial: The entire East coast of Florida, Trains We Rode by Beebe & Clegg
More perhaps, than any other part of the United States, excepting the Great Northwest empire of James Jerome Hill, it is possible and, indeed, almost mandatory to think of Florida in terms of the personality of a truly imperial railroad builder whose equally imperial whim was the organization of a vast geography as his pleasure dome and lasting monument. Henry Morrison Flagler, a partner in Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller who retired with an immense personal fortune in vigorous middle age and full possession not only of millions but the will to spend them grandly, was able before his death to claim Florida almost in its geographical, economic and social entirety as his own creation. Call it enterprise or call it megalomania, no Roman proconsul or magnifico of medieval Italy ever brought into being so grandiose a concept as railroading and its incidental and collateral expansion in Flagler's Florida. Other railroads, the Seaboard Air Lines, Atlantic Coast Line and smaller enterprises followed the pattern of expansion of Flagler's East Coast Railway. They built railroads and located cities, resorts and industries along their rights of way. They were successful, too, but not in the epic dimension of a Rockefeller partner, who with $200,000,000 in a time of hard money, undertook to make pleasure his business. Flagler's first hotel venture was the Ponce de Leon at St. Augustine, costing a then astronomical $1,250,000 and advertised as the finest resort hotel in the world. More investments followed in dizzying succession as Flagler, indifferent to considerations of profit or loss, began the realization of a vision that embraced all Florida as the playground of the nation with amenities of relaxation for every taste and purse. In 1893 he added a new dimension of splendor and costliness with the opening at Palm Beach of the incredible Royal Poinciana Hotel while the iron of the Florida East Coast was still sixty miles away at Fort Pierce. From then on resorts palatial and modest leapfrogged the railroad down the seacoast: Hobe Sound, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Biscayne and Miami. At each the Florida East Coast served the resort; the resort peopled the Pullmans of the Florida East Coast. Such radiant success naturally suggested competition, most ambitious of which was that of Henry Bradley Plant whose Plant System of railroads and steamships serving the Florida west coast were to become the principal Florida elements of the Atlantic Coast Line. Florida endured cycles of recurrent boom and bust, but by the 1920s there arrived a prosperity that has hardly slackened to this day. Some of the most splendid name trains of the years of steam and steel converged from New York, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City and Cincinnati, most of them funneling through Jacksonville before again diverging to their disparate destinations. Of this splendid company come to mind such names as Miamian, Gulf Coast Limited, The Florida Special, Havana Special and East Coast Limited, all-Pullman trains, never, in their golden hour, defiled by coaches. In their wake, barreling through the night along the beaches and under silhouetted palms, pass the long tally of the names of luxury on the move: The Gulf Stream, Dixieland and Dixie Flyer, the Seaboard's all-Pullman Orange Blossom Special, Florida Sunbeam, Royal Palm, and Ponce de Leon, The Floridian, Seminole and City of Miami, The South Wind, Florida Arrow, Sunnyland, Southland Express, Pinellas Special, The Everglades, Royal Poinciana and Palmetto Limited and, at long last, The Champions and two trains that were named for the magnifico who started it all, The Henry M. Flagler and The Dixie Flagler. In the annals of transport, only two other railroaders have had trains named for them, and Commodore Vanderbilt and James J. Hill rated but one each. If other monuments than those which still bear his name everywhere south of Jacksonville are required for Henry Flagler, one might be the memory that in the most spacious years of Florida travel, a thousand Pullman cars were in service every night.
When the woman walks into the psychiatrist's office he can't but help notice she has a duck under her arm. A real, live duck, with a beak. But he's an experienced psychiatrist, he's seen some weird things in his time and he decides not to mention it until the patient does.
So he says, "How can I help you, Mrs Brown?"
And she replies, "Oh goodness, there's nothing wrong with me. I'm here on behalf of my husband. He thinks he's a duck."
Denali Star - from my personal collection
A smile to begin the week!
Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.
(A Yogi-ism!)
"Cold" is simply a word - one step outdoors this morning will define it quite well! At 3 (F) and just a bit of a breeze, the trek around the subdivision with Juneau the Wonder Husky was in quick step! <grin>
Monday - the day after - Super Bowl and attendant hype is OVER! So, no matter how your hopes turned out, why not either bask in the glory (or drown your sorrows!) with a hot cuppa Joe, some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!! <yeah>
We'll be interested the "report" from Lars and his thoughts at "gameside" - hope they didn't get drenched during that rain "squall" - lasting throughout the entire game!! I think the weather people were just a tad to optimistic with their forecasting! <groan> However, I'm one of "those" who firmly believes - and prefers - football to be played outdoors, no matter what the weather.
So, the Colts put a hurtin' on Da Bears - OR - did they do it to themselves Loved the opening run back, however . . . At least I didn't lose any money!! <grin>
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Doug at 1:49 PM yesterday: An interesting spate of "stuff" and my guess is the tour of that estate you mentioned will be more than worth the time ‘n costs to view it. Mid-week for us is "out" as my bride is working - but thanx for the invitation!
Thanx for the two visits AND Pix!
Pete at 6:51 PM yesterday: Appreciate your continued efforts at providing CLASSIC TRAINS Pix for us on Sundays! I have "no clue" regarding your question with anything "wrong" regarding the Pix of the steam locos . . .
Not to worry about being <tweeted> for Posting during "slack time" during the Super Bowl. Hadn't even thought about THAT!! Hmmmmmmmmm. Anyway, the <tweeeeter> most times is at "rest" on Sundays - not always - but most times! <grin> Anyone other than Moi take note that we haven't seen "silent Mike" ‘round here since he got "caught" with that editing "cover up" last week Hmmmmmmm. He did a commendable job squaring away the Rat's Patoot Room though . . .
Thanx for the Pix!
Doug at 6:43 AM today: Back with MORE Pix! Good to see ya this bright, shiny ‘n COLD Monday morning!
Yeah, real BUMMER man about all those poor souls who were deprived of experiencing all of the hoopla and assorted other "entertainment" before and at half-time of the Super Bowl. Great point!! I'm not thrilled with the outcome, but as you've seen me say several times over, I expected as much. My heart was in the right place as I cheered Da Bears on from the moment the game began ‘til it was evident that all was lost. <groan> Have to hand it to the Colts though, they really didn't let that 1st quarter get ‘em down and played the style of game that brought them to the "show." Chicago can hold it's collective heads HIGH - they ARE the NFC Champs and all that is needed is a quarterback for 2007-08 to get ‘em right back for another shot.
Glad to know you'll be around this day, but sorry it has to be because of a cold. Better watch it fella, you ain't getting' any YOUNGER! <grin>
Zephyr shots are ALWAYS welcome ‘round here!
COMMENT: Sundays are put aside for the Posting of Pix relating to CLASSIC TRAINS. Over time, we've "bent the criteria" to include toy ‘n model trains, as long as they somehow fit into the CLASSIC theme. Now it appears we've gotten into "just another day."
We have so few providing input these days that I'm seriously thinking of scrapping the idea. Far too much work in the preparation end of it for so very few participants. When I opened up this joint on April 12th, 2005, we were CLOSED on Sundays - period. Who doesn't enjoy a day off
Thinking of "folding" the Pix Posting into the ENCORE! Saturday - two for the price of one! I'll keep ya Posted should any changes be forthcoming . . .
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Good morning Tom and crew. I'll have a few light breakfasts and sit by myself in a corner, as I'm keeping my cold home from work today. Well, the Bears did pretty good considering that they never had a quarterback all year. Some of the games we won, our offense did not even score a single point! I kept saying throughout the season that our team, with anyone elses quarterback could win it all. I've got a few more beefs to take out on the punching bag in the Rats' Patoot room as well, like why the Superbowl isn't played at a stadium that accommodates at least 100,000 people? Just think of all the people who really wanted to see Prince at halftime, and couldn't. (That's sarcasm ... in case anyone was wondering). Oh well
Wonderful pix from Pete to be sure. That train set looks wonderfully shiny and new. Most impressive. Speaking of pix, here's are a few of a trainset we might not be seeing for awhile. The IRM's Nebraska Zephyr has temporarily moved to Avalon Rail in Wisconsin for "specialized restoration", where it will stay for a year or more. Bummer for us, because I'm guessing that the length of time it will be gone will be directly proportional to the funds collected to fix it, and that's a considerable amount. Bottom line is that I don't expect the train back in time for our 2008 Rendezvous, but who knows?
The Nebraska Zephyr cars were built for the Burlington Route in 1936 by Budd as one of two Twin Zephyrs between Chicago and the Twin Cities. In November of 1947, the train set was reassigned to Nebraska Zephyr service between Chicago and Lincoln, NB.
It was used in this service until retirement on February 28, 1968, making it the last articulated streamliner in regular service in the United States. It arrived at the Illinois Railway Museum later that year, and has been in use by the museum since then, usually pulled by Burlington 9911A, the sole-surviving EMD E5A unit.
Doctor's son: Hello, old man. What's the matter? You're looking glum.
Doctor: No wonder. I'm attending that wealthy Mr. Golddig, you know, and I've sent him the wrong medicine.
Son: Indeed! Is it a serious blunder?
Doctor: Very, very serious. The medicine I've sent him will cure him in two days.
pwolfe Great pics!!!
underworld
I am late getting in this afternoon, but the sun is still up and the match as not started yet, although it probably will by the time I get finished.
I must say some thing about the great posts before I post my pics..
LARS Great to hear from you again from FloridaLooking forward to your report of the Superbowl. It is very easy indeed to believe this a real Bar and I am glad PHIL is enjoying the bar.
ROB Thanks for the info on the CNR formationand a few years ago I don't suppose there were many who thought the railways would be as profitable as they are today.
Great set of Classic Canadian railway posters.
ERIC I,m glad you liked the Encore by AL it was indeed great and we do miss him.
I will try to look up on The Coronation, I did think it was a Non-Stop run but that was still The Flying Scotsman.
Thanks for the great pics, that is a great shot of Durango. Have you any more details on that old 0-6-0 switcher,is it still in existance and in a museum.In the pic from the cab can you tell me what the signal showing the 2 greens signifies, I dont think they have signals that show that aspect in the UK.
JAMES Thanks for the pics. That is a great pic of the Chessie Diesels on the passenger service, have you any more details on the pic
DOUG Great to see you in.This brutal cold weather is indeed hard on our four footed friends but your horse and his friends are lucky to have you to look after them.
Enjoyed the pics of the Woodstock Groundhog day celebrations, it looks a great time, still I think it is a good job groundhogs aren't the size of Woodstock Willie. Has Punxsutawney still got a railroad station.
What a wonderful place the Sanfilippo Estate At Barrington Hills is.
TOM Hope it isn,t a tweetable offence to write posts during the adverts of a Superbowl. I have a DVD here mainly filmed from the cab of a Pendilino on its trip from Glasgow to London you will have to remind me to show you when you come over to Jeff City.
I have not spotted LARS yet at the game I think he will enjoy those great pictures of the Florida Diesel locos and trains.
Two great films at the Emporium this week, although I have not seen The Package it looks a good plot and the French Connection II was a good follow up to the classic first French Connection.Gene Hackmanis a great actor. Another good Stooges as well.
This weeks pics are of BR Standard locos on the Bluebell Railway at their Giants of Steam gala last October.
4-6-0 No 75027 at Kingscote the present northern termanus of the Bluebell.
75027 ready to depart Kingcote for the other terminus at Sheffield Park.
Standard 2-6-4 Tank uncouples and moves off from its train at Kingscote.
Classic style Pullman car and loco at Horsted Keynes.
These should enlarge.
A quick question. "Who says the camera can't lie". What is wrong with the loco in two of the picsPerhaps DL will know. I will give the answer tomorrow..
Well back to the game.
Pete.
Great photos everyone!!!
EricX2000 Nice variety of pics....I really like the Swedish switcher.
Back again folks, with some news. My 20th Century Railroad club has an event planned this March 21st which may be of interest to ya'll. It's a tour of the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills Illinois, and is open to 20th Century members and their guests. Attendance is limited to 125, and this estate is never open to the public. The estate is 57 acres and is the location of the Victorian Palace and Carousel buildings which total 50,000 square feet.
See this photo in color and more details at www.wurlitzer2003.com/victorian_palace.htm
Divided between the Victorian Palace, the Carousel building and a new steam-power building are musical instruments of almost every description.
These incluse an incomparable 80-rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ with a five-manual console, plus many other vintage mechanical organs. The enormous scale of the three-level music room includes a 13-foot-tall chandelier
A steamer built by the Grant Locomotive Works in Patterson, NJ, in January of 1881.
20th Century V.P. John Mueller took this photo in the Carousel building, with a steam engine in the foreground.
Anyhow ... I plan to go, hopefully with my bride. The cost is $60 a person and includes a shuttle from the Metra train station in Barrington, parking, admission and light refreshments. The event runs from 12:30 to 4:30.
I sure wish we could have this trip available for the 2008 Rendezvous, but this is an opportunity that doesn't come by very often. If anyone is interested in coming, I need to know ASAP!
Nifty Florida East and Atlantic Coast pix Tom! As for your question concerning the usage of "L" as opposed to "El", I always thought that "L" was more or less an acronym of sorts, that stood for "the Loop", which is the downtown area encompassed by the elevated tracks.
There was once an aspiring veterinarian who put himself through veterinary school working nights as a taxidermist.
Upon graduation, he decided he could combine his two vocations to better serve the needs of his patients and their owners, while doubling his practice and, therefore, his income.
He opened his own offices with a shingle on the door saying, "Dr. Jones, Veterinary Medicine and Taxidermy -- Either way, you get your dog back!"
Even though the bar at "Our" Place is
CLOSED on SUNDAYs -
We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!
I see the Sunday breakfast - brunch - lunch is doing well as the Track Gangs have arrived en masse! <groan> Makes for a busy time of it in the kitchen . . . Boris has the H&H gals <???> hoppin' - and THAT's quite a sight!
James dropped off a couple of Pix for us at 10:43 AM, followed by Doug's personal Pix at 12:19 PM! Was beginning to wonder about the man called barndad . . . But now I realize his rather "strange" avoidance of us yesterday most probably had to do with more serious matters - like taking care of his "hoss" and perhaps others. Commendable 'n understandable!
James, I think our Chicagoland connection would tell you that they use the letter "L" as opposed to "El" in reference to their elevated trains. If I recollect, it was done that way to distinguish themselves from New York City who used "El." How about that, Doug
Riding any of those trains is quite similar to what one experiences on the subways in NYC or elsewhere. The "herky jerky" fore 'n aft, side to side sway. All part of the experience!
Doug, appreciated getting those Pix via Email and am glad you provided them here for the gang!
My guess is Lars is en route Miami or there already. Anyway, here's some Pix that pretty much take one back to the days when rail travel to Florida was "in" . . .
ACL #538 E7A (Original line drawing art by Stan Lytle, enhanced with road colors and other details by Jack Bleiberg - from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
ACL poster "The Champion" Streamlining through wonderful Florida
(from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
ACL poster "The Champion" Speedy New York - Miami Streamliner
FEC #1001 E3A (Original line drawing art by Stan Lytle, enhanced by Jack Bleiberg - from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
FEC poster - "Henry M. Flagler" Streamliner on the Florida East Coast
(from: www.getcruising.com)
SAL #3011 E4A (Original line drawing art by Stan Lytle, enhanced by Jack Bleiberg - from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
g-day Tom and all present.
Well, it's good to be back again.
Rob- I enjoyed your article on classic stem, the Canadian northern. To bad the railroad didn't survive. It would have been a cool railroad. Atleast you can see some of the old line still in use. Thanks.
I also enjoyed looking at the classic adds. Those are some pretty cool adds. I wish I could see some of those with the passenger trains of yesterday. Unfortunately I was not able to.
Eric- Palm Springs, California. I saw one of those trains in Arizona and the terrain was the same. It didn't look any different. Mountains in the back gorund, nice sand, and rocks. It so hard to tell where the train is located down in the south western part of the U.S. Also like the picture of the BNSF Auto rack train near Flagstaff, AZ. I was there once to visit the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is about thirty or so miles from Flagstaff. And what a sight it is too.
I also liked the picture of the Durango and Silverton Railway. They are one of the coolest little steam operations I have seen. It would be an enjoyable ride.
Tom- Idiot of the week. Being fired is the least of there worries... If you know what I mean.
DL- So the Class 442 is like the EL in Chicago. The EL uses a third rail for its electricity. When the contact hits the rail, it makes quite a spark. It's actually really fun to ride too. They would accelerate to about 30 mph and then slow down to 10 mph in 200 hundred feet or so. So you're your body is constantly moving side to side and back and forth. It's an interesting experience.
Now it's time for pictures.
A pair of Erie lackamoney......lackawanna RS-2s stand by near Niles, Ohio.
Got to love Alcos.
A pair Chessie system GP40's race along with a passenger train. I think there notched out too.
Happy railroading
James
Even though the bar at "Our" Place isCLOSED on Sundays - We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!Now playing at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . Sunday, February 4th thru 10th: The French Connection II (1975) Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, Jean-Pierre Castaldi & Charles Millot - and - The Package (1989) Starring: Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy, Tommy Lee Jones, John Heard & Dennis Franz. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Yes, We Have No Bonanza (1939).
The French Connection II (1975)
[imghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/siberianmo/Movies/6300247384.jpg] [/img]
PLOT SUMMARY:
"Popeye" Doyle travels to Marsailles to find Alain Charnier, the drug smuggler that eluded him in New York. The New York City narcotics detective follows the trail of the French connection smuggling ring where he teams up with the gendarmes to hunt down the ringleader.
from: amazon.com
The Package (1989)
Gene Hackman, A sergeant is sent with a prisoner from Germany. The prisoner escapes in the men's room at National Airport and Hackman begins his search for his man. Enlisting the help of his ex wife (Joanna Cassidy) and various old friends he finds that the prisoner is part of a plot by senior military figures on both sides to kill the Soviet premier in order to sabotage arms control talks.
SHORT: Yes, We Have No Bonanza (1939)PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
The Stooges are singing waiters who find out their girlfriends' father will be jailed if their debts are not paid off. This makes the boys become prospectors. What they find is buried money stolen by their boss. Their boss discovers his stolen loot and the chase is on. The Stooges lasso a cigar store horse to the crooks' getaway car which crashes into the local jail.
from: threestooges.net
Enjoy! Tom
Another frigid morning here in mid-continent USA - it's 4 (F) - which is minus 15.54 (C) - at any rate, the walk with Juneau the Wonder Husky was brisk to say the least! <grin>
We've got our usual Sunday breakfast - brunch - lunch bill o' fare up ‘n running ‘til 2 PM, so take advantage of it on this Super Bowl Sunday. Let the hype begin! Go Bears! (But, place your bets on the Colts!)
An interesting day yesterday culminating in a fine display of support from trolleyboy Rob! Many thanx and I hope the guys appreciate your efforts - I do!
Don't quite know what to make of barndad Doug these days (daze). Appears on "my other Thread" three times - but NOT here! Now that's something we used to see from a guy who is now a permanent member of the "Legion of the Lost." Very puzzling . . .
Rob at 8:27 PM - 8:32 PM - 8:38 PM & 10:58 PM yesterday: A fantastic conclusion to our ENCORE! Saturday from you, Sir! Very well done and in keeping with the "high" standards we have ‘round this joint! <grin>
The decision made in Canada to form a governmentally controlled railroad might appear to be far different than what was going on down here at the same time. However, there were similarities of thought. Mainly the fear factor in the hallowed circles of government (circles, as in chasing their tails!). Anyway, there were many legislators who feared the power of the railroad moguls with their enormous land holdings with the attendant wealth and influence going with it. Restricting all of that through legislation was the course taken and the results are felt to this day. We of course wound up with the decimation of so many railroads and the complete dismantling of a once thriving passenger rail system.
I can imagine the discussions in the Canadian Pacific's board room in those times. My guess is the dialogue wasn't intended for the faint of heart or overly sensitive! <grin>
Smart move about ordering dessert!
Many thanx for the ENCOREs of the Classic Ads! Picked up on the attempt by GTR ‘n CNR to emulate CPR with their "Complete Transport System" theme. I'm unaware of ANY organization in the world that could ever approach what Canadian Pacific achieved in it's apex. Fantastic to say the least.
Eric at 1:38 AM today: Fine work with the brass rail! Excellent as a matter of fact. Must be that northern European work ethic coming thru, eh Yeah I know, one has to keep moving in those climates otherwise one would surely freeze in place! <grin>
That URL provided by DL is surely a "keeper" when it comes to the always enlightening history of what happened behind the scenes during the WWII years. I'd be surprised if any of our guys ever heard of those oil fields. Pete ‘n DL had no idea, and it's their country! Amazing, simply amazing.
MANY THANX for the enlightenment regarding the time zone question contained in my Nostalgia piece. That question has been "sitting" there since originally Posted on several Threads and NO ONE has ever picked up on it. So it was 1988 when the changes were made in Canada, eh Didn't know that - but I do now!
I had thought Rob would've come up with the answer to your question a bit ago on the time for travel between Ottawa and Vancouver. However, the schedule Posted in my ENCORE! Was intended to help you with it! "Killed two birds with one stone" on that one.
All of your Pix to help kick off our Sunday Photo Posting Day! are splendid. My favorite is the approach to Stockholm. Just love Pix like that!
Enjoy the day, Gents and I'll be back a bit later on with the EMPORIUM movie selections . . .
Reminder: Monday, Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the OJ they can handle!
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello... Hello... ohh hello Boris! What are you doing here at this hour? Oh, you brought the brass polish for me? And a glass of spiked OJ? I know, Leon and Ruth are having a day off. She has? No, I am sorry but I don't have Lars' phone number in Marathon. I am afraid she has to wait until he is back. Okay, let me polish these foot rests while you are fixing med a juicy Rumpsteak Café de Paris.
It seems to have been a pretty nice Saturday at the bar! Even Lars stopped by for a while! Hope you will have a Super Sunday!!
Rob – I missed your post last night! Before I posted I reloaded the thread but your post did not show up until after I posted it.
Yes, the PCC’s in Stockholm were equipped with pantographs. At least one of the two his still in running condition. They were built in Sweden and delivered in 1952.
The map store I will visit has maps from all over the world and I would be surprised if they don’t have what I am looking for. Nice ad for the CNR Super Transcontinental! Pete – 6 hours for 393 miles, that is pretty good! Do you know how many stops the Coronation did? We have a kind of antique (electric) fork lift in our warehouse at work. Maybe we should send it to that museum?
You are right, I prefer (!?) to clean the foot rests over the Rat’s Patoot Room. But don’t tell the Captain, he might remember that next (?) time. Thanks for the encore! It is perfect complement to Tom and Rob’s encores!Tom – Thanks for showing me DL’s link to the Midland oil field! Most interesting! never heard about it before. Coffee shop? Candy store? Soda joint? Who... What happened? Did Leon...? He promised not to... I mean, I don’t remember what happened. Did I? OK, OK, I will take care of those foot rests. They certainly need some cleaning and polishing anyway. You and your buddy were lucky because they were not too hungry and you brought them some fish! You should have bought a lottery ticket that (following) day. Time zones in Canada (at least some of them) were changed in 1988. Your encore gave me the answer to the question I was going to ask Rob, what was the traveling time from Toronto to Vancouver? Almost 67 hours! What a trip!Rob – i agree with your (OT) comments about driving habits. I spent almost 11 years behind the steering wheel in buses and 18-wheelers and have seen some scary things. Esecially in the winter time. Some people never learn!Nice ads, Grand Trunk Railway System and CNR! Never heard about the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Company before. Are they still around?
Some mixed pictures for this Sunday!
Durango, CO 1991.
The German ICE train, Union Station, Washington D.C. 1993.
Old steam locomotive still in use for switching in 1966 at a paper mill in Sweden.
Class X3 train (built in UK) in service between downtown Stockholm and Stockholm International Airport. Stockholm 2006.
Approaching Stockholm Central Station in 1980.
Eric
ENCORE SATURDAY ! ENCORE SATURDAY ! ENCORE SATURDAY !
here's another classic ad encore to wind out saturday's festivities this week.
CLASSIC AD'S # 8 PORT MAITLAND TRAIN AD
This ad first appeared on page 401 of the old thread.
enjoy again
Rob
Here's one more classic ad to help speed us along our way on this cold saturday encore day ( well cold in most places at any rate )
CLASSIC AD'S # 7 CN SPANS THE WORLD
This ad first appeared in the old thread on page # 311
enjoy again !
SATURDAY ENCORE ! SATURDAY ENCORE ! SATURDAY ENCORE !
Here's another classic ad from the archieves !
CLASSIC AD'S #6 CNR/GTR PASSENGER SERVICES
this ad first appeared in the old forum on page # 270
Good evening Leon and the gang. I'll take a nice thick top sirloin ( medium ) with the baked and the mushrooms please oh a I think a nice tall Guiness to wash it down ( I won't order desert as I'm not in a cleaning mood )
Tom-Nice to see the CN post a good read again I'm not that supprised that you missed the Classic Ad's I put them out infrequently usually on the less busy days (daze) I'll repost a few more of them this evening. I'll drop one off after this post then I'll head out for a bit as I have some new photo's to uplink to photobucket for tomorrow
I have to say that I've seen my life flash before my eyes on too many occations with the drivin gof the other JO's out on the highways.Of note I find that every storm ( winter or summer ) if some one's in the ditch it's generally a suburban commando SUV with 4x4.just can't understand some people.I learnt to drive in this crap, I truly believe that anyone wishing to drive needs to be manditorily taught how to drive in the bad weather. I know that makes too much sence. ( looks like I'll need to work off some steam in the patoot room )
Pete-I'm glad to see you and DL still at it with the Brit rail passenger car's,great ongoing info as always.Intersting reasonning behind those train numbers,I'm supprised someone wrote a book about it. Our hobby does do that for some reason though.
The CPR was very upset by the CNR's formation. By the time CN happened they were making money ( mind you even tough they were a private company govt funds paid for most of their construction ) the CPR actaully wanted the govt to give them control of the failed lines, but the powers that were in gov at the time didn't like the implications off all rail activity being run by the same show.For theeir part the CPR didn't like the thoughts of having to compete with a government agency, still both roads thrived and both are now still vital and profitable and both are now private companies
Nice to read the words of Passeneger Al again. It is a pity that he's decided to saty alouf from this place.
Lars-UI'm glad to hear that we have struck a chiord with Phil. that is indeed high praise for the captain and this thread 5x for that fer sure fer sure.try not to enjoy yourself too much tomorrow
What a surprise in having both Pete 'n Lars swing by during the daylight on a Saturday! We've been notoriously slow on this day and it's really great to have you guys aboard!
Pete at 1:49 PM today: Nice compliment to the Super Continental "stuff" begun by Rob. Too bad we aren't treated to passengerfan Al's works anymore, but he's elected to become a permanent member of the Legion of the Lost - so what's to say other than RIP! His "stuff" lives in the Ether!
I seriously doubt that anything can or will revitalize that area beneath Highway 40. It simply wasn't meant for revitalization - a parking lot is about all it's good for. I'll have to check it out a bit closer to determine precisely where the Multi-Modal Station will go. I just hope that there will be a safe way for those using the trains (Amtrak 'n MetroLink) - buses (Metro 'n Greyhound) and taxis, to get from place to place.
Lars at 2:58 PM today: Still chuckling over your comments regarding your wife's thoughts about the time you spend with us, and then your "zinger"! Had to read it to my bride - she got a kick out of it. I've wondered the same thing and also, WHY do they go in pairs every time they're out at a restaurant or some other place Could it be they worry about falling in and there'll be no one to yell for help A mystery, fer sure, fer sure! <laff>
Sounds to me as if you've rapidly become accustomed to this way of life down in the Keys. Hey, it's pretty easy to handle. I happen to LOVE the snow and cold temps, but when there isn't any snow to enjoy, then I'd just as soon be basking in a place where there's more to gaze upon other than trees without leaves and brown, brown, brown landscapes. Why not stay down there 'til those little green things begin popping up back home
Don't sweat not having anything to drop on us for ENCORE! Saturday. It's always a pleasure to have you 'round the joint. Too bad about Ruth - but the gal deserves a break. Even got Leon to agree to a night off too. Why not
Don't quite know what to make of Doug and his appearing over on "my other Thread' but not here. That's not at all like him. Our regulars all know that this should be the FIRST STOP of the day - not the last. Oh well, I'm sure he'll come up with some "meely mouthed excuse" to avoid getting the <tweeting> deserved! <grin>
All I can say is have a great time tomorrow, which I'm sure you will. Should be a full day and long night. So, take care on the highways, and we'll see ya when you come up for air!
Catch ya in the AM!
G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
Back for a "cold one" and perhaps just a half sandwich today - make it a Lars Special, of course - ham ‘n Swiss, buttAH ‘n mustAHd and two large pickles from the barrel. A saucer of brine for Tex, a sack o' seeds for Awk, a tray of ice cubes for Frostbite and of course a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris! That should do it - and a round for the boys!
Want to mention that I like the infusion of humor on Mondays - Wednesdays & Fridays from our Proprietor - nice work! Seems that CM3 I'm NOT Shane! is also trying to take up some slack for barndad Doug with some humor of his own from the hills of West VA! Also nice work!
As you can imagine this relaxatio thing isn't too hard to grow accustomed to. Had a marvelous time of it Thursday afternoon and evening with some good living aboard the boat. Phil is an accomplished sailor and not a bad chef. Watched the sun set over the Gulf and it was just a sight for sore eyes. The Mrs. says we aren't going back - ever!
The gals have decided they WILL accompany us to the game tomorrow. Drat it! Thought we could "get away" with a little something. Perhaps they thought the SAME! Anyway, I doubt that I'll be of any help here for the pix posting event. However, should I rise early and catch a break with the internet connection, I might surprise y'all. <grin>
The Mrs. is a bit unhappy with my "devotion" to the bar ("fixation" is what she calls it!) and can't quite figure out why I "need" to do this. Oh well . . . I'll never know why THEY take so long in the bathroom - so there!!
Phil passes his regards to the "crew" and wants you all to know that "Our" Place appeals to him. Spending time at the ‘puter just doesn't. He admires the way the Cap'n has put things together and offers that while reading through the posts, he actually has found himself "believing" the bar is real. Now THAT's a compliment, huh
Thanks for the well wishes, gents, they are much appreciated! Not a doubt in my feeble mind that we'll continue to enjoy ourselves. Don't really have a return date in mind, but the Mrs. will be heading north next week to check on "things" at home. Should be gone for 3 days, then back here. She INSISTED that I remain with Phil for some "male bonding." Yeah right, I know she's got a rendezvous planned with some Chip ‘n Dale JO in NYC. <grin>
So, tomorrow is THE big game and I'm going! If I have a regret, it's that my Jints aren't in it. However, just to have this chance is something I never thought of, never ever. Phil is a "connected" kinda guy from his very successful career. As I mentioned, we were shipmates on more than one "merchie" for years. Then he took on a different course and wound up in the board room of the company. He's asked, and I surely wouldn't "blow his cover," that I say no more than that here in the Ether.
Hey! This is a CLASSIC TRAINS forum, right For REAL trains, right How come then I'm seeing so many posts for toy trains and model trains and the like I mean it is really getting out of hand and doesn't appear as if there are any "controls" in place to separate things out. I'm not at all interested in being the "hall monitor," just an observation that brings to mind our still unresolved "issue" we've had with the FM (forums manager).
Want to add my congrats to all who have been holding the line with regard to the nonsense posted on our thread by someone who plainly doesn't get or doesn't want to get it. Best thing to do is continue with what WE do.
Noticed some activity over on Cap'n Tom's "other thread" and will be checking that out in a bit. Am I correct in stating that Mr. Barndad Doug posted over there but NOT here How's that work out Surely the Proprietor will have something to say about THAT! <grin>
I know this is our Encore day, but I'm kinda fresh out of material, plus don't want to be away from our hosts (and my Mrs.) for much longer. So, just let me wish y'all a great weekend and enjoy the big game tomorrow. Go Bears (but place your bets on the Colts!).
How come you gave Ruth the day off I was looking forward to at least a moment or more of basking in her radiant glow!
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi Tom and all
Hopefully a post at a more reasonable time for me, a pint of Kimberley Mild please TOM, as RUTH got a flight to Florida for the weekend.
ROB Sorry to read of that bad accident caused by the weather, there was a simular one in Kansas City although, luckily, without the loss of life partly due to the skill of a semi driver according to the report.
Thanks for the poster on The Super Continental from 1955.
The reporting numbers on the front locos and units on British Railways were mainly as an aid to signalmen to set the route. In the 60s BR introduced the 4 character head code panel on the front of locomotives and some units, although the southern electric units stuck with the 2 number code. The 4 character code was phased out on the front of locos from the mid 70s. I have a small book on the subject, if any one wants to know a bit more about BR headcodes I will find it.
ERIC If it is any consulation cleaning the brass rail is a better job than cleaning the Rat's Patoot Room.
It seems that there has been a lot of moving about of DMUs in Britain lately with the introduction of the new units, hopefully the units the new units will allow the units that they displaced will replace the Pacer units 4 wheel units.
TOM I had looked at the link DL provided to the American oil workers in Sherwood Forest during WW II. as you say a very interesting link and something I had no idea about until I read the link.
Lets hope the new Multi-Modal Station does revitalise that area of St Louis, but I can help but think that Union Station missed out on trade by not having Amtrak use it.
Thanks for the Super Continental ad with the timings, which fits in well with Rob's poster
For my encore I have borrowed Passengerfan ALs post on the Super Continental and other Canadian trains from page 113
AL wrote
Good Morning Tom Just Time for a coffee and a couple of those diet pastries from the Mentor Bakery. I don't belive that any railroad in North America made the effort to save passenger service more than the CN in the late 1960's and early 1970's before Via Rail took over all Canadian Passenger services. The CN purchased dozens of used cars from U S roads mostly sleeping cars but including six full length domes from the Milwaukee Road and six Sleeper Observations.
CN offered Red White and Blue fares and litterally filled their trains. The CN shopped most cars and brightened the interiors up to give them a more modern appearance. They took old Fort series heavyweight observations and converted them to modern full length lounge cars for sleeping car passengers on such trains as the OCEAN, SCOTIAN, CHALEUR PANORAMA and SUPER CONTINENTAL. The full length domes were given bright attractive interiors and assigned to the SUPER CONTINENTAL between Edmonton and Vancouver and to the PANORAMA between Winnipeg and Vancouver. They introduced the RAPIDOS between Montreal and Toronto in 4 hours 59 minutes using conventional equipment and adding high speed geared A-B-A sets of GMD built FP-9 - F9B - FP-9 to power the trains. They then introduced The TURBOS articulated nine car trains with a turbo dome at each end so turning at terminals was unnecessary. These trains managed to operate between Toronto and Montreal in 4 hours 30 minutes.
CN next turned their attention to Southwestern Ontario introducing the TEMPO trains between Toronto - Sarnia and Toronto - Windsor . They usied existing Alco RS-18 roadswitchers initially with Cummings Hep units installed in the short hoods and high speed gearing for pulling the lightweight Aluminum Tempo cars (Rough riding at high speed). The cars today operate in Ski Train service in Colorado where they don't encounter high speed running and are far more successsful. No one made a more determined effort to fill passenger trains then CN and were far more successful at it then Amtrak in its first years. While rival CP let the CANADIAN become threadbare and worn CN proved that if you offered bright attractive trains with reasonable fares you could fill the trains. What happened a change of government and a different outlook to passenger rail services. But while it lasted the CN offered the best passenger rail services in North America throughout the late 1960's and early 1970's. It's to bad no one at Amtrak or Via paid attention.
P.S. And who could forget the Prime Rib dinner served in the CN dining cars they were scrumptious. Or how about the drinking areas of the lounge cars offering the free saltiest pretzels I have ever eaten, but they sure incouraged patrons to drink more.
Real great info I think so another beer and a round please Tom.
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
first Posted on page 112 of the "original" Thread . . . More on the Canadian National Railways of the Fallen Flags from The Official Guide of the Railways - Aug 1956 Canadian National Railways Super Continental - Dieselized all the way Faster daily service between MONTREAL - OTTAWA - TORONTO - WINNIPEG - SASKATOON - EDMONTON - JASPER - VANCOUVER No Extra Fare Westward - Read down ..................................................Eastward - Read up Example..........Daily ......................................................... Daily .........Example Sunday............4 00 P.M. ..... Lv. Montreal ... E.T. .. Ar. ...5 05 P.M. .... Wednesday Sunday............6 00 P.M. .... Ar. Ottawa........E.T....Lv......3 05 P.M. .....Wednesday Sunday............6 10 P.M. .... Lv Ottawa.........E.T. ..Ar. ....2 50 P.M. .... Wednesday Sunday............6 00 P.M. .... Lv. Toronto.......E.T. ..Ar. .....2 15 P.M. ... Wednesday Monday..........10 25 P.M. ....Ar. Winnipeg.....C.T. ..Lv. .....8 20 A.M. ... Tuesday Monday..........10 50 P.M. ... Lv. Winnipeg.....C.T. ..Ar. ....7:55 A.M. .... Tuesday Tuesday......... 8 00 A.M. ... Ar. Saskatoon....M.T. ..Lv. ....8 50 P.M. ... Monday Tuesday..........8 10 A.M. ....Lv. Saskatoon....M.T. ..Ar. ....8 40 P.M. ... Monday Tuesday..........3 10 P.M. ...Ar. Edmonton......M.T. ..Lv. ...1 50 P.M. .... Monday Tuesday..........3 25 P.M. ...Lv. Edmonton......M.T. ..Ar. ...1 35 P.M. .... Monday Tuesday..........8:55 P.M. ...Ar. Jasper............P.T. ..Lv. ...8 15 A.M. .....Monday Tuesday..........8 05 P.M. ...Lv. Jasper............P.T. ..Ar. .. 7 05 A.M. .....Monday Wednesday....1 05 P.M. ....Ar. Vancouver .... P.T. ..Lv. .. 2 45 P.M. .... Sunday Through deluxe coaches with reclining seats between Montreal and Toronto and Vancouver. Parlor Car between Montreal and Ottawa only. Dining Room Refreshment Lounge Car between Toronto and Winnipeg. Coffee Shop Car between Toronto-Capreol. ............................... between Montreal-Vancouver (until May 31). ............................... between Winnipeg-Vancouver (first trip June 2). Dining Car between Winnipeg and Vancouver. Tourist Sleeping Cars between Montreal-Toronto and Vancouver. Drawing room, compartment, double bedrooms, duplex roomette, lower and upper berth accommodation available in latest type standard sleepers between Montreal-Toronto and Vancouver. Attractive lounge accommodation for standard sleeping car passengers. NOTE: Perhaps our Canadian friends can elaborate on what appears to be discrepancies with the time zones. In current times, Saskatoon is on Central Time and Jasper is Mountain Time. Don't know why in 1956 the time zones were listed this way ... Perhaps the zone maps were different back then. Anyone know Enjoy! Tom
It's Saturday here in Mentor Village and the bar is OPEN! Ruth ‘n Leon have the day off and the Proprietor will be handling things ‘til closing . . .
Coffee's fresh ‘n hot, pastries just in from The Mentor Village Bakery and the Menu Board lists our <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts. So, what's stopping ya
Did anyone notice that we nearly went 12 hours between Posts Yup . . . . check out the times in the acknowledgments. That surely is an oddity, but one that we're beginning to see more ‘n more of as our numbers dwindle down to this precious - and most appreciated - few.
Another blue sky morning here in mid-continent USA with the temps again in the teens - supposed to be single digits in the ‘morrow. <brrrrrrrrrr> Petrol up at "Collusion Corner" is holding at $1.98 (rounded). Amazing, I really thought it would "spike" given the world oil prices. Go figger, eh
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!
DL at 12:40 PM yesterday: Mainly because it IS such a revealing article and also because some of our guys may glide past it, here's a URL from DL that is very much worth the read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/eastmidlands/index.shtml
Thanx, Mate - learn something new ‘round here most every day!
Regarding the St. Louis Union Station and development back in the 80s: It was determined then that "upscale" was to be the mantra. Thereby eliminating any semblance of encouraging "train riders" to frequent the place. After all, we all KNOW what ilk they represent! That was then and apparently still holds to this day for the next ‘round of refurbishings. Really is a shame to absent this marvelous structure from the presence of a relative few active Amtrak arrivals and departures. Once this palace in mid-continent claimed to be the busiest terminal in America. Right on up ‘til the demise of passenger railroads, one could book passage for just about all major destinations in the U.S. and Canada from there and not have to leave your car (if traveling in a bedroom that is).
Amtrak today has the Texas Eagle passing through on it's north ‘n south bound runs, the Missouri Mules (intra-state between St. Louis ‘n Kansas City) have a total of 4 trains each day and the Ann Rutledge (Chicago - KCity) ‘n Lincoln service (StL ‘n Chicago) running two trains each daily. So, there'd be a modicum of traffic ‘n people to browse ‘n shop ‘n partake in the food court ‘ restaurants. But nooooooooo, not to be. Better to relegate all of this to some 4th rate facility beneath a highway in a blighted area. Ah, but there IS hope as the St. Louis Multi-Modal Station is supposed to be the panacea long awaited. We'll see.
YOURS was the final Post for the day (Friday)!
Rob at 12:01 AM today: Minus 10 C looks ‘n sounds much colder than it is - that's about 17 (F) to put it in my perspective. Anyway, a half inch of snow is just about our normal these days (daze) and it is confounding to say the least. Still hoping for a "whopper" to dig out from - we're ready - bring it on!
A shame about traffic fatalities that most probably could've been avoided had it not been for careless ‘n imprudent driving practices (that's what they are called ‘round here!). Overdriving the conditions for the road, whether they be slick from ice ‘n snow or rain or leaves on ‘em or fog or whatever - doesn't appear as if many drivers give a rat's patoot regarding their own safety much less anyone elses. <groan>
Love the ad and for some strange reason I don't recall it! Don't even recall the others in the series!!! Why not run ‘em all again over here Seems like a good thing for ENCORE! Saturday.
You know MY feelings regarding VIA Rail as I think for the most part, they still do things correctly! There must be a cadre of employees who give a rat's patoot who are keeping things rolling. Thank the RR Gods for ‘em.
Eric at 12:25 AM today: NOW WAIT A MINUTE!! This is NOT a coffee shop, a candy store or a soda joint! We are a bar ‘n grill - a tavern - a saloon - a gin mill - das bier haus, etc. and so forth! So, anytime I see or hear reference to things like "Chocolate Cobbler and Ice Cream" I lose it! <arrrrgggghhhh> <tweeeeeeeet> <tweeeeeeeeeet> Rules Violation! Rules Violation! Rule #26 - Attempt to turn this place into something it wasn't designed to be! Your penalty is: polishing the brass foot rests running the length of the bar! Enjoy! "Chocolate Cobbler and Ice Cream" indeed! <arrrrrgggghhh>
No pity needed for 6 more weeks of winter - bring it on! <grin> Honestly believe I'd have been a most happy fella living in places north of the Arctic Circle.
To say that my camping buddy and I were "lucky" regarding the visit from the bears is an understatement. Kodiak bears are the world's largest carnivore, weighing in at an average of 2,000 pounds and standing 10 ft tall; need I say more
Pete at 12:41 AM today: A most early Post (or late) from the Wolfman! Better late (or early!) than never, eh Thanx for not forgetting us.
CPRs "The Canadian" as opposed to VIA Rail's "Canadian" traveled the route to 'n from Vancouver via CPs trackage, whereas VIA uses the CN right of way. The motive power was all diesel for "The Canadian." Both routes are extremely picturesque, with the CPs being the r
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