Well hello and happy saturday to one and all-have just returned from a rare-(1st time in about 2 years) visit to our village pub so am fuelled with equal parts of Carling lager and Cleddau Redeye (along with Pembrokeshire new potatoes,a key element in the local economy...) and am determined to stick to my task-apologies to those who have posted since I was last here but I WILL catch up-theres too much good stuff out there to miss...
So,without further ado-Leon-A round for the house please old love-yes-the back room as well-and also that bunch of Canadian backpackers that are having a swimwear B-B-Q out in the snow in the back yard
Now where was I-aaaaah yes.....
SUN:-
TOM-The pix from the rendevous-lovely !!-that second one of you Ted & Rob looks like the most rubbish I.D parade ever ...."O.K. miss-can you identify the man that made that TERRIBLE remark to you.....?" -Nice one--The stewardess on the VIA train looks spookilly like my doctor-A lovely girl who I see every day on the school run (stop it you lot-it`s neither clever nor funny....
PETE-More from the cavalcade-and all fine shots--a once in a lifetime chance-how cool is THAT !!!!!-saw Cookham Manor in steam at Didcot-something not right with seeing a good road engine stuck shuffling up and down a quarter mile of track
LARS-A marvellous swansong-A fine selection of sepia tones-the embodiment of the classic trains ideal...
ERIC-Enjoyed the guided tour round Havelock shops-nice one mate -you got a genuine double-take out of me with that first `Old country` pic-normally in Britain,the old country is Ireland-as refered to by the many emigres to the states during the desperate years-and to add to the confusion the livery on those railcars is the exact same as the County Donegal Rly over in Ireland-lovely pix by the way-thanx also for the GO Train site
TOM-a footnote-fine movie selection
MON-
DD1-An excellent recipe-will try it on my family/captive audience as soon as may be..may I say that as a life long musician and free thinker,the idea of the slogan "Hemp for Victory" has a certain curious charm.......
ROB-full marks for the VIA power pix--I`ve got it now-Alcos have straight windows at the front,G.M`s have curved................
TOM-A fine selection of drum-heads-and the London underground -oh man-from the first pic I could SMELL the place-a complete broadside !!
more soon
Good evening Leon, figured that I would pop in and help yopu lock up the joint,was a tad slooow today,oh well the young Canadian ladies and lads going bareback behind the bar were a refreshing change from the normal railroad hobo's and the Fusiliers practicing.I'll take a Keith's though and a nice medium rare T-bone though.
Tom-Good thoughts about Vito,we gotta watch that guy he's always trying to buy into the local busineses.I guess he's made to much money over the years at Molly's mudwrestling side of her establishment.
Nice touch with the encore's from the bookends,good way to round out the week
As for those two trouble makers their pictures are plastered all over the Mentor village<uh oh> Mr doyle assures me that he will keep tabs on them,no Boris he dosen't mean to hang them up with the tabs <sheesh>go back to your sheds I think your inflatables are lonely
Pete-thaks for the headboard info, looked like a neat tradition on the name trains, the board did not look as good looked sort of out of place on the diesel,one of the reason's I'm guessing that the practice was discontinued in the 60's, that and I guess the powers at be figured it was an old fashioned notion.Glad you enjoyed the round your welcome. Perhaps one day we can share a real one together,so long as the "black bag" isn't involved
Today's steam shots are keepers for sure. looks like you are getting the hang of your new toy
eric-Loved the shot of the Altoona loco facilities, they look to be the same size as the Once massive Stratford big shops in Stratford Ontario,all now torn down. At one point likley half the abled bodied working males in straford worked there,full steam locomotive building and rebuilding happened there. there are pictures of the big 6200 series CNR staemers travelling fully assembled ( minus the tender ) on the main shops over head gantry cranes.
Allan-Thanks for the thumbs up on the rather massive shoes whose job I'm attempting to fill.Sounds like street racing teens are not just a problem here in Canada. I aggree that 16 ( the legal driving age here ) is way to young I can't imagine giving younger than that a set of keys and four wheels.
Nick-Hmmm another carling man good choice, though I suppose that you really haven't met a beer that you didn't likeI hope that you have healed up from the festivities from Valentines eve,I'm still trying to decide if those really are authentic scalps that Helga came home with
Rob
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, I am glad I made just in time before you close this place, "Our" Place! Do you have any... you do?! Good! Medium, please and lots of mushrooms! A cold Tui, please!
A pretty cold Saturday, it is nice to come into this warm and nice Saloon by the Siding for a while!
Tom – I feel like I am one of the group who “ease” into the retirement. It feels good! I love these long weekends! I think you have all reasons in the world to be concerned about what is going on at the Second Class Saloon! Very concerned. Thanks for re-posting Senior Manager Lars’ and BK’s old posts! Interesting info on Thanksgiving Day in Canada!Pete – Thanks for the info on your Royal British Legion Tour! 1989? That is 19 years ago! Yes, you can easily hear when the wheels start slipping and you can also feel it. The worst part is when you have to stop at a certain place a gray day in the fall, when it is kind of wet outside making the rails extremely slippery. When you apply the brakes and can hear how quiet it gets when the wheels (and traction motors) stop spinning you know you might be in trouble. Nice photos from Shildon. Did they run just the locomotives on that track or did they also have them pull any trains? Allan – I have been to Cracker Barrel many times. I go there for lunch every workday. Since “my” particular CB opened in January 1998 I have been there 2,472 times. I keep track of all my visits! There are now 6 Cracker Barrels here in the Valley. More will open soon. Nick – The old country is Ireland? Hmm, I don’t feel very Irish. I don’t even know how it feels to be Irish! I know an Irish guy, have to ask him. Irish? Hmmm, no it wouldn’t work, they don’t even speak Swedish! I have to check the County Donegal Railway! Rob – Stratford Shops, what railroad did they belong to?
Some pictures of signals.
Eric
"Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays!
<However, use the mail slots to drop off any comments that just can't wait!>
G'day Gents!A Sunday morning round of ACKNOWELDGMENTS, just to get a "leg up" on things before the new week begins in earnest . . .
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Saturday - Feb 16th: <all times Central standard>
Page 185 - Allan (Gunneral) at 7:29 PM: Been thinking about New Zealand these days - no particular reason for it, but on my mind. Have you been to Christchurch As I understand it there's a U.S. presence there pretty much year ‘round for the support of the Antarctic bases . . . also a port o' call for our USCG ice breakers who are part of Operation Deep Freeze. And to think that I cudda been there - but turned down the opportunities for 7 month deployments. <grin> Yes indeed, youth IS definitely wasted on the young. <aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhh> I'd go in a NY minute today . . . but then all I could offer up would be "tales from back in the day." ‘Fraid my seagoing skills have diminished with the ravages of this ‘n that . . . <groan>
Don't know if you've ever heard of this gal - Dr. Jerri Nielsen, but she wrote a compelling real-life account of her experiences at the U.S. South Pole base. She came down with a "lump" in places where women don't ever want to fine them. Anyway, the account of what she went through in that oh-so-remote ‘n inaccessible place in the winter months is absolutely riveting. The book is entitled Ice Bound . . . a great inspiring read, fer sure, fer sure.
And speaking of books - Eric sez he's almost ready with to ship if off . . . so, give it a few more weeks, Mate! The 2007-08 RR Book Relay "lives"!
A fine < I3 > Post from our Resident Downunder NZ Kiwi!
Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!
Page 185 - Nick (nickinwestwales) at 8:14 PM: Not the most ravishing of lasses - however, dontchajustluv a woman in uniform She was a gal from Québec, but not all that willing to chit-chat - especially with the likes of Moi! <uh oh> Probably still wonderin' how two of those three characters made their escape from the "home"! <grin>
There were smells of the old NYC subway system that will never leave me - sorta like the old "oleo margarine" from back in the 40s - but only mixed with just a smattering of spoiled onion ‘n garlic. <yikes> <barf> Some things just won't depart the old cranium storage bin. <grin>
Something to ponder:
Musha[G] ring dum a doo dum a da, [C]Whack fol de daddy o, [F]Whack fol de daddy o There's[C] whiskey[G] in the[C] jar.
Just makes ya wanna break out the ole Gibson ‘n go for it!
As always, appreciate the visit, ROUND ‘n chat!
Page 185 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 11:21 PM: Good of you to pick up on the "trouble maker" situation. They definitely require lots of surveillance . . . AND ensure that neither gets anywhere close to the stairwell leading the 3rd level Penthouse Suite! That's "off-limits" yesterday - today ‘ tomorrow to the both of ‘em.
Speaking of "tabs" - we most times don't run ‘em - but of course exceptions ARE made for our regulars . . . Our Bar Chandler has one so long that at times we think of it as "necessary room paper" . . . <uh oh>
Just finished up with some music of the Maritimes. Have you ever heard of Evans & Doherty or Sons of Maxwell Got turned on to these groups over 10 years ago when up in Cape Breton. A friend of mine owned a record store in Sydney <since closed> ‘n that began our collection. Used to order by internet from him too. Great stuff, fer sure, fer sure! Needless to say, lots of "sailor songs" to <mutter> along with.
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs
Starting TODAY at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . February 17th thru 23rd: Gettysburg (1993) Starring: Richard Anderson, Royce D. Applegate, Tom Berenger, Bo Brinkman & Dwier Brown - and - Whale Rider (2003) Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis & Grant Roa. SHORT: The Three Stooges - If A Body Meets A Body (1945).
Gettysburg (1993)
PLOT SUMMARY: Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose. --Robert Horton
Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose. --Robert Horton
Whale Rider (2003)
PLOT SUMMARY: One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium. Despite the discouragement of her gruff and disapproving grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), who nearly disowns her because she is female and therefore traditionally disqualified from tribal leadership, 12-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is convinced that she is a tribal leader, and sets about to prove it. Rather than inflate this story (from a novel by Witi Ihimaera) with artificial sentiment, writer-director Niki Caro develops very real and turbulent family relationships, intimate and yet torn by a collision between stubborn tradition and changing attitudes. The mythic whale rider--the ultimate symbol of Maori connection to nature--is also the harbinger of Pai's destiny, and the appealing Castle-Hughes gives a luminous, astonishingly powerful performance that won't leave a dry eye in the house. With its fresh take on a familiar tale, Whale Rider is definitely one from the heart. --Jeff Shannon
One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium. Despite the discouragement of her gruff and disapproving grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), who nearly disowns her because she is female and therefore traditionally disqualified from tribal leadership, 12-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is convinced that she is a tribal leader, and sets about to prove it. Rather than inflate this story (from a novel by Witi Ihimaera) with artificial sentiment, writer-director Niki Caro develops very real and turbulent family relationships, intimate and yet torn by a collision between stubborn tradition and changing attitudes. The mythic whale rider--the ultimate symbol of Maori connection to nature--is also the harbinger of Pai's destiny, and the appealing Castle-Hughes gives a luminous, astonishingly powerful performance that won't leave a dry eye in the house. With its fresh take on a familiar tale, Whale Rider is definitely one from the heart. --Jeff Shannon
SHORT: The Three Stooges - If A Body Meets a Body
Hello Leon I see that you are buffing and polishing the bar for tomorrow morning. Ruth does like to see herself in the shine on the counter ( so do the rest of us )Anyway i think I'll grab a Keith's while I do some necessary paperwork,best to do it when it's quiet. ( Boris and the critters are off in the woods )I see that we have gone through more PPF already this month than last hmmm I'll need to have a word with H&H I hope that they aren't adding it to the the mushy peas again on Fish and Chip night.
Tom-Looks like a couple good ones for the Emporium this week . Loved Gettysburg !
I hope that Nick hasn't openned up about Valentines night for the reasons your thinking ,mind you gentlemen don't tell tales.
I do indeed like the old downhome music from teh Maritimes we have a fair collection iof it ourselves. personal fav's of the Bride and I are Stan Roger's,Great Big Sea ( highly recomended) ,The Barre MacNeils ,The Rankin Family,with honourable mentions to Rita MacNeiland Ashly MacIssac.
You know if tabs get too long we can always resort to Vito's collection services<uh oh >,that or do as we always do , and let Boris hold the late payers up by the ankles and shake till we're paid in full or at least we've collected the gold fillings.
Ron-Hope the comp isn't down for extended periods,not to worry we shall be here wehn your back up and running.
Eric-The Stratford were a CNR facility , it rivaled thier Pointe Ste Charles shops in Montreal in size and output.Six CB's and over 2400 visits , good lord man you need to expand your horizons try the Keg or Red Lobster once in a while
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house tomorrow
Going to try to slide this monster through the mail slot. New York Central 60th Street Yard.
Great Grain Elevator The New York Times December 22, 1876
The New Structure Of The New York-Central And Hudson River Railroad Company -- One Of The Largest And Most Complete Elevators In Existence -- The Manner In Which Grain Is Stored And Graded
The new grain elevator of the New-York Central and Hudson River Railroad, at Twelfth avenue and Sixtieth street, is not only one of the largest of its class, but possesses the greatest storage capacity of any similar structure in the country. The building, which, from the outside, resembles a ship-house of the Brooklyn Navy Yard somewhat magnified, is 354 feet long by 100 feet wide, and covers nearly seven-ninths of an acre. It is constructed of brick and wood, with a heavily slated roof, and is 152 feet in height from the ground to the summit of the "lantern top," or upper story. The foundation consists of 7,000 piles, eighty feet in length, driven into the ground up to their full length. On the piles are the main timbers, 12 inches by 12, running latitudinally, these being covered with a double thickness of 6-inch planks, the tops of which are level with the surface of the river at low water. The immediate foundation consists of 32 rows of stone piers, six in each row, making 192 piers in all, each 10-1/2 feet square at the bottom and 3 feet square at the top, constructed of granite, in five courses. Upon these piers are laid the floor-beams, and upon the latter are mounted the main posts, of yellow pine, 20 feet long and 14 inches square. The walls of the ediface are 24 inches thick for the first twenty feet, and beyond that are composed of 8 inches of brick, with an inside backing of wood of equal width, making 16-inch walls. There is also an additional support in the shape of brick pilasters, 12 inches thick, distributed along the inside of the wall at intervals of 26 feet. The entire building is divided into seven floors, the ground or "track" floor being occupied by three railway tracks for the reception of grain cars, and the second, or bagging, floor consisting of an immense, low apartment, not unlike the between-decks of a ship, and crowded with heavy beams and supports for the main floor above. The third floor is occupied by the immense grain-bins, the largest of which are 80 feet high and 12 feet square, each built to contain from 1,500 to 8,000 bushels of grain. There are nearly 300 of these bins, with an aggregate storage capacity of 1,500,000 bushels. Above them is the peculiarly-shaped central story called the "lantern top," 44 feet wide and nearly 40 feet high, running the entire length of the building. This contains four floors, the first for spouts, the second for weighing hoppers, the third for a receiving house, and the fourth for the main line of shafting. On the second floor of this top story are twenty-two great weighing scales. Eleven for receiving and eleven for discharging grain, each capable of weighing a car-load at once.
The work of handling the grain is done by twenty-two large elevators, ranged in two rows of eleven each, each row occupying the interval between two tracks. The grain is raised by continuous lines of tin buckets, attached to rubber beltings, 300 feet long by 22 inches wide, which revolves at such a rate that 60,000 bushels, or rather more than 100 car-loads can be discharged in an hour. Along each elevator is a speaking-tube, through which directions can be given to the workmen at either end, and by which the work of unloading cars can be regulated to a nicety. Between the tracks are rows of iron tanks for receiving the grain from the cars, each capable of containing 1,000 bushels. The main belt by which the shafting revolves is said to be the largest in the world, being 325 feet long and 4 feet wide, and composed of seven-ply rubber of the total thickness of half an inch. Ample steam power is supplied by an engine of 500 horse power, situated at the north-eastern end of the building. An isolated chimney, of brick, 150 feet high and 15 feet square at the base, conveys the smoke to a safe distance above the slated roofs, so that the chance of a spark entering the interior of the structure is reduced almost to nothing. About six million feet of lumber, and 2,000,000 bricks have been used in the work of construction, and the entire cost of the structure, exclusive of foundation and land, is over three hundred and seventy thousand dollars. Messrs. Gill & Mansfield are the builders, and Mr. Charles Hillen, Chief Engineer of the New-York Central and Hudson River Railroad the architect. Including the cost of ground, (which is entirely made land,) the foundation of heavy piling, and the side railway tracks twenty-six in number, the cost of the whole establishment borders closely on $750,000. The ground to the eastward of the ediface, to the extent of some twenty acres, has been filled in to a depth of fifteen feet with gravel brought in daily trains from Croton, forty miles up the river.
One of the chief benefits which will accrue to the grain trade of the Metropolis from the erection of this elevator, will be the practical application of the grain grading principle so long advocated by the Produce Exchange. The building is leased by the Hudson River Railroad to Mr. Charles Whitney, by whom it is employed for the storage of grain belonging to individual members of the Exchange and others. Storage fees are paid by the owner. All the wheat, corn, oats &o., stored in the building is to be divided into different grades, each grade often comprising hundreds of thousands of bushels, the property of scores, or it may be hundreds of owners. The grain of each consignee on arrival is discharged into the general mass of its own kind and grade. When the time comes for its removal, a proportionate amount of grain of the same grade then in store is delivered, although not a particle of it may have belonged to the original consignment. By this means large stocks of carefully graded grain are kept constantly in store and are transferred from hand to hand without the complications and expense attending their storage in separate parcels. The work of examination and classification is in the hands of a Grading Committee appointed by the Produce Exchange, to inspect and classify the stock on its arrival. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy on the 20th inst. An average force of 250 workmen has been employed upon it since the last of August, and the entire superstructure has been erected within the past four months.
Mike
<personal foto>
A smile to begin the week!
After a night at the Opera with his wife, he was asked if he enjoyed it. He replied, "I really liked it. Even the music was good."
<A Yogi-ism!>
G'day Gents!
Blue Monday <for some> ‘n a great day <for others> - Mondays are like that! <grin> Check out our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast; fill up the coffee mug ‘n grab a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case. "Second best" way to begin the week . . .
Another "Mall Holiday" here in the USA - I'll put up the title to this joint if more than a handful of citizens do ANYTHING to reflect on the meaning of this day we call President's Day. Used to be George Washington's Birthday ‘til the PC crowd took over the Congress. <barf> Well, at least CM3 Shane has the day "off" . . . <grin>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Comments from the Proprietor:
CONTEST - CONTEST - CONTEST
When will we reach Page 200
Bonus: Who will make that Post
Participants thus far:
(1) Rob sez Mar 15th (Lars)
(2) Pete sez Mar 19th (Rob)
(3) Allan sez Mar 15th (Pete)
(4) Eric sez Mar 1st (Lars)
(5) Mike sez Mar 12th (Tom)
(6) Lars sez Mar 21st (Tom)
(7) CM3 sez Mar 8th (Rob)
(8) Fergie sez Mar 21st (Tom)
(9) Jan sez Mar 23rd (Tom)
Contest CLOSES today!
Sunday - Feb 17th: <all times Central standard>
Page 185 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 4:49 PM: A rare Sunday appearance by our newly anointed Manager - way to go!
Normally I don't let Boris go a-wanderin' without adult supervision! <grin> But I see he made it back with all the critters in tow . . . <grin> Anytime you want to take him, Leon ‘n the gang up to our cabin at Can-Am Gorge - go right ahead. The keys to the place are right over there . . .
We are music listeners in this Haus ‘n weekends are great for it. I try to mix it up, so Saturday we listened to the Kingston Trio - over ‘n over ‘n over. Those CDs should be worn out, but keep on playin' Then yesterday it was our "Maritime Day," really puts one in a good frame of mind, eh Youbetcha! Thanx for the names - I'll do some surfin' . . .
Last weekend was Big Band on Saturday - then Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass along with the Baja Marimba on Sunday . . . Ahhhhhh, music is good for the soul.
Just the mention of "The Keg" brings to mind one of our favorite places in Vancouver ‘n Winnipeg. Found the most wonderful restaurants while there. We've had dinner at the one in downtown Vancouver several times over the three visits to that wonderful city.
Appreciate the visit ‘n chat!
Page 185 - Ron (DD1) at 11:18 AM: <uh oh>
Page 185 - Mike (wanswheel) at 9:27 PM: And another rare visit on Sunday - this time from Not-So-Silent Mike!
Hi Tom and all.
A cup of your coffee and an egg and bacon sarnie please RUTH.
TOM It was a privilege to travel on that train in Support of the Royal British Legion, I think they had requested the Princess Elizabeth locomotive to haul the train and I if I remember right it was the first Princess class to work over the North Wales Coast Line since BR steam days.
Yes MacDonald's Farm was a very popular song when I was a kid in England, I wonder if the kids of today still know it.
Great choice of Encores from Lars and BK we were very fortunate to have those two at the bar.
I have heard the UP called the Overland Route but had forgotten it took the name from the Overland Mail Company later taken over by Wells Fargo.
Not only did Sir Martin Frobisher have a bay in Canada named after him but two steam locomotives as well. Southern Railway Lord Nelson class No.30864 and LMS Jubilee No 45640. In 1958 the SR engine worked off Bournemouth shed while the Jubilee was allocated to Carlisle (Kingmoor).
I did notice in BK's post that we were on page 400 and the replies were approaching 8,000. I just wonder what the views were then, I don't think we were getting as many views then as we do today, as you say at the top of your post, it is a pity that some of those viewing can't call in the bar if only now and then.
I see you are getting ready for St Patrick's Day; it is only a month away now.
I thought my bar tab was well under control.
Two more good films it looks like on at the Emporium this week,that I have not seen. Gettysburg seems a good action movie and Whale Rider looks a different type of film that is usually on but looks well worth watching and, of course the Stooges.
ALLAN Good words for Senior Manager Lars..
Glad you are enjoying the Shildon photos, we are getting on to the more modern types of steam locomotives.
The British Legion had a lot of clubs when I was younger, there was even one in my village, but together with the working men's clubs their number seems greatly reduced during the last couple of decades or so. I wonder how many of the working men's clubs are left in the Newcastle area nowadays, I believe there were some really large clubs in the 1960s and 70s.
I think the Rugby 7s were well received in San Diego, I just found out there is a Rugby Union team here in town.
NICK Glad to see the catching up at the bar is going well.
It will be interesting to see if there is any cavalcade or really big eventon BR to celebrate the Stockton & Darlington 200 in 2025.
I think the only time I saw Cookham Manor in steam was at Shildon. I see the Severn Valley Railway is hoping to have two Manors in steam for their Autumn Gala this year.
ROB Yes I agree the headboards did not look anywhere as good on the diesels as one the steam locomotives. Another thing that disappeared at the same time was the destination boards that were fixed above the windows on the carriages.. As well as showing the route of the train e.g. London - Glasgow on the named trains there was a board with the train name on it as well. A nice touch was the Royal Scot boards were in tartan like the headboard.
One reason the carriage boards were discontinued was the spread of the overhead electrification posing a danger to staff as they took the boards on and off.
I'm afraid the black bag goes everywhere, ask Tom.
Good reading about the Stratford shops. Those cranes must have had a large lifting capacity.
Hope you are getting on with the paper work and the ‘Admin Duties'
ERIC Yes it must be very scary to be driving when the wheels of the train just slide when you are approaching a stop. I believe that the modern units are not fitted with sanders.
What did you do when the wheels slid like that; I guess release the brakes and try agai
Hello Tom and all in
I'll have a pint of Harvey's please. I enjoyed that link to the Eugene electric railway station - very informative. Thanks for posting.
Well, now I've done the catch up I can see that Lars left as he lived. A great play out of covers and a typical post - I can't say more than others have done - he'll be missed by me!
Eric - I enjoyed those pics of the Havelock shops - and the family connection as nice to hear about too. Also liked the pics of the DMUs from Sweden that you posted - which others have also complemented you on.
As you've already established the Jubilee Line of London underground was named for the silver Jubilee of the Queen - and the lines colour on the map is a kind of silver. It must have been pretty new when you rode it in 1979 - as you will have seen it was extensively extended in the late 1990s and now serves a larger area of south and east London. I recall that it was originally going to be called by another name - Fleet Line I think - but I can't recall if that is correct and if so why that was the name.
Mike - some great pic displays - esp liked GM&O colour shots - reminds me of a film I enjoy - In the Heat of the Night - great GM&O scenes in that picture.
Our Home Railways - looks like a book that covers the early days of UK railways.
Jan - epic catch up - with great illustrations! What more is there to say.
Rob - again - nice illustrated posts - esp a few days back with some vintage Via equipment - enjoyed the pics - and the comment!
Ron - nice to hear more details on your VW K-G - what was your MG? I would think given the vintage perhaps it was a TF? The last of the classic designed MGs some would say. Talking of car ownership the idea that the MG brand - for that is all it now is - is in Chinese ownership really is a turn up for the books (never mind who owns Jaguar and Land Rover - with their production plants in continuous operation I think the culture of the vehicle is continued - hard to claim that is the case with MG). Their factory in Abingdon near Oxford was wiped off the face of the map very early in the 1980s after MGB construction was terminated.
To answer your question - I've never been a spam fan myself - seem to recall it got served cold at school with salad!
Nick - your story of time on Guildford (sounds a bit high security....) reminded me of a time as a young teenager at the end of London Bridge station. EMU driver pulled up and leaned out of his cab to talk to me (this was on the through platforms) - asked what I'd seen that day and then showed me his own note book with the numbers listed of every unit he'd driven over the years! A fleeting conversation - but one that has stuck with me for 20+ years since!
Allan - enjoyed your recent posts mate. Thanks for posting the Westoe link. Allotment sheds - you're talking about Pot Leeks are you not? The tradition has transferred to round here - esp around Mansfield where lots of Geordies came to work the collieries after the NE pits shut down and the NCB transferred them to the new pits being opened up here - now all closed of course. Bringing with them the ‘pit yacker' language you probably know far better than me!
Pete - going back to your earlier query I don't know much either about coach scrapping - I bet that was at BR works and also contractors - I expect there was less to salvage so done very quickly - (wooden stock being burned out probably to get to metal quickly). Earlier generations sometime made it to build holiday homes by the seaside in various places - some still exist - I think you are right about the LNER buffets being used on Harwich inter regional services in the last days (I've only seen pictures) - but your pic of a 156 DMU reminded me that I went on one of these in about 1990 to Harwich - it originated in Liverpool - and this must have been the final version of this service - does not run through any longer as the services on that route go to Norwich. I was heading for Amsterdam via the Hoek of Holland and a sea crossing by ferry of course.
I agree with your verdict on the 156 class DMUs - they have good windows to seat alignment and are more comfortable than 158s - with no air conditioning you can open the windows to drown out the noise of the mobile phone / i-pod nuisance too!
Coalminer3 mentions the book on safety that was doing the rounds - I've been reading the first part of Tom Rolt (the author) autobiography (Landscape with Machines) - this covers his time as an apprentice at Kerr Stuart's loco works and other matters. It also mentions the Shropshire and Montgomery Light Railway - so I was looking something up about that and I think regulars will enjoy this link:
http://www.hfstephens-museum.org.uk/pages/topics/potty/potty1.htm
Coupe of good quotes:
"I particularly enjoyed this work when the Rattlers broke down away from Kinnerley. A platelayers' trolley was acquired, and Sid and myself pumped our way to the scene of the disaster. This seemed to often take place when they were doing a run to Criggion, and failure usually took place in the vicinity of the Tontine Hotel!"
And concerning repairs in their antiquated workshop (this was the late 1920s):
"To use a naval expression, this was all done "handraulic" hacksaw, ratchet drill and hammer and chisel."
Hand-raulic - I like it!!
Cheers
DL
PS - Pete - you are in early doors? Fancy a pint on me?
Was beginning to think that this was going to be one of "those' days - with only Posts from Moi. Thankfully, Wolfman came along at a most unusual time for him ‘n saved the morning!
And then Dan (DL-UK) arrived with the 3,700th Reply on our Thread! A libation of your choice, Mate!
Specific comments in the next round of ACKNOWLEDGMENTS! [tup]
Now Arriving on Track Number Two!
Hard Cover Classic Train Books for the Can-Am Library!
Number Three
Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited <in the library>
Book Description: This authoritative, illustrated history tells the story of one of the country's premier passenger trains, Pennsylvania Railroads Broadway Limited, an institution in New York to Chicago rail travel from 1902 to 1955. Text and pictures introduce readers to the posh cars and powerful engines, the luxuries and amenities on board, the stations, terminals, and timetables everything that made the train the pride of the Pennsylvania. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: This authoritative, illustrated history tells the story of one of the country's premier passenger trains, Pennsylvania Railroads Broadway Limited, an institution in New York to Chicago rail travel from 1902 to 1955. Text and pictures introduce readers to the posh cars and powerful engines, the luxuries and amenities on board, the stations, terminals, and timetables everything that made the train the pride of the Pennsylvania.
20th Century Limited <in the library>
Book Description: This authoritative history of the 20th Century Limited from 1902 to its 1967 demise examines the train; its steam, electric, and diesel motive power; and its swank passenger cars, services, and amenities. The Century was a train of magnates and movie stars, with a red carpet rolled out for departure from Chicago to New York City. With the finest of food in the diner and a full array of amenities - barber, secretary, shower, maid - the 20th Century Limited set the standards against which all other passenger trains would be measured. This book tells the complete story of this extraordinary train, from its illustrious beginning in the days of opulent wooden cars through its demise in the era of passenger-train cutbacks that lead to the formation of Amtrak. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: This authoritative history of the 20th Century Limited from 1902 to its 1967 demise examines the train; its steam, electric, and diesel motive power; and its swank passenger cars, services, and amenities. The Century was a train of magnates and movie stars, with a red carpet rolled out for departure from Chicago to New York City. With the finest of food in the diner and a full array of amenities - barber, secretary, shower, maid - the 20th Century Limited set the standards against which all other passenger trains would be measured. This book tells the complete story of this extraordinary train, from its illustrious beginning in the days of opulent wooden cars through its demise in the era of passenger-train cutbacks that lead to the formation of Amtrak.
Classic American Railroad Terminals <in the library>
Book Description: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the train represented the apex of high-speed travel, railroad companies spared no artistic or monetary expense in the design and construction of their stations. Structures coast to coast, past and present, are represented in this history of American railroad terminals. A blend of archival photographs, both black-and-white and color, combine with modern color shots to relate the stories behind the design, the architecture, and the use of terminals like Grand Central Station and Pennsylvania Station in New York City, Washington, D.C.'s Union Station, Chicago's Dearborn Station and Union Station, Minneapolis' Milwaukee Road Station, and the Union Passenger Terminal in Los Angeles, to name a few. <from: barnesandnoble.com>
Book Description: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the train represented the apex of high-speed travel, railroad companies spared no artistic or monetary expense in the design and construction of their stations. Structures coast to coast, past and present, are represented in this history of American railroad terminals. A blend of archival photographs, both black-and-white and color, combine with modern color shots to relate the stories behind the design, the architecture, and the use of terminals like Grand Central Station and Pennsylvania Station in New York City, Washington, D.C.'s Union Station, Chicago's Dearborn Station and Union Station, Minneapolis' Milwaukee Road Station, and the Union Passenger Terminal in Los Angeles, to name a few.
All Aboard America - Classic American Trains <in the library>
Book Description: All Aboard America is a glorious collection of photographs from America's greatest era of passenger railroading. These trains were more than just machines - they had personalities of their own. Their very names evoke the image of romance: the Aztec Eagle - the Broadway Limited - the Canadian - the City of New Orleans - the Dixie Flyer - the Olympian Hiawatha - the Orange Blossom Special - the Pioneer Zephyr - the Super Chief - the Twentieth Century Limited - the Wabash Cannonball. This book is a nostalgic look at those glorious days when riding the train Happy Railroading! Siberianmo trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Monday, February 18, 2008 11:30 PM Evening Leon , I see that it ws one of those days (daze) oh well concidering our low numbers today I still found us in position two on the page,one would have thought a holiday weekend would have dragged them in in droves.I think a Keith's will do me well this evening.Tom-Ah yes music does calm the savage beast dosen't it. Like you we have wide ranges of music likes and loves,do try to find some Great Big Sea, they have a concert DVD available as well which is quite good. We've bought all their CD's and the DVD seen them in person twice as well they really are good,and they still live in St John's as well,just good country boys and they are quite well known in both countries I had forgotten about the cabin,mind you we have a radio tracking collar on Boris and all of the menagerie,Inspector clueless keeps tabs on them that way,this way he doesn't react to townfolk's cries of alarm if they see good ole Boris stalking through the woods.Loved today's book covah's as well,I had a copy of the NYC book in my hand at the last train show I went to Iput iot down and figured that I would come back latter for it ( the guy only wanted $30 bucks for it )as expected I missed it It's one I will get eventually. Donchajustlove these holiday weekends. Brand new long weekend for us as well,family day,the provincial gov. promised it as a campaign promise last fall <barf> they got re-elected and at least they followed through ( which is something for them )main difference is that it's been declared a stat. holiday sooo stores were closed except those in tourist areas.Love the Keg myself just don't like the prices they would and do gag a healthy maggot up here.Mike-great photo's and a great read 5xDan-More interesting info on DMU's thank-you. Lars will be missed but he definatly left with the class and head held high attitude he always carried while he was at the bar.Pete- Good to see you in again. Thanks for the extra info on those headboards and why they were removed. I'd mail you a copy of your tab but the bulk mail rates are quite highI've heard the stories of the "Black bag" I think we might be able to make a movie about it.Rob EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Monday, February 18, 2008 11:51 PM Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Time for a good ham sandwich! A tick slice of real rye bread and two slices of sugar cured ham on top of it. Some lettuce, pickles and mayo. And fries! It seems like President's Day affected Our Place today! Or, maybe I am wrong. Tom – Stopping a train at a certain spot is about knowing what you have, length of train, weight, brakes, etc. What is hard is in the fall when the leaves are falling of the trees, especially in combination with a drizzle that makes it wet. It can be ubelievable slippery and that makes it very difficult or impossible to stop at a certain spot. I can imagine a sea going vessel is har to stop at a certain spot, but in a different way. Maybe a topic for the Rendezvous? Only 86 days away!!!I did not provide any information about the signals because I don’t know enough about all of them. That could be something for a future Saturday though. I'll work on it. When I started to go to Cracker Barrel I signed up for their Neighborhood program in which they promised that one would get this after X number of visits and that after Y number of visits, etc. To make sure I got everything they promised I started to keep track of my visits. I did. A number of years ago they canceled that program but tracking the visits had become a habit. But after they canceled the program I am only counting the visits to “my” restaurant. That is why I know I have been there 2,474 times now. Irish heritage? Me? Hmmm.Good movies. I actually have Gettysburg on tape! But I’ll be happy to see it again at the Emporium! Including the Whale Rider and The Three Stooges! Hope Allan can make it to see the Whale Rider!Good collection of hard cover books! I think it is Cincinnati Union Station on the cover. I’ve been there but did not take any picture of the building.Demonstration of the tilting system at Cincinnati Union Station 1993.Ron – Hope you will get your computer up and running again soon!Rob – I don’t think there is any Keg here in the Valley. Red Lobster? Hmmm, fish is cat food. Mike – Wow, interesting story about the Great Grain Elevator! Is it still standing? Thanks for all the photos! Pete – Most locomotives have sanding equipment. Yes, when the wheels are sliding all you can do is to release the brakes and try again. Very carefully. As far as I know there are still some wig-wag signals in use in Wisconsin. There should be at least one in Baraboo. DL – Yes, the Jubilee Line was brand new when I rode it in 1979. I have been to England and London three times and I used the Underground many times when in London. I hope to get back there again some time. Hand-raulic! That is a good expression. See this link:http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=handraulicEric siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:29 AM <personal foto>G'day Gents!It's Tuesday ‘n the start to a new work week for those who had a holiday yesterday. Also time to join us for a mugga Joe, a pastry or three ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Comments from the Proprietor:Now that we've made it to the 3,700th Post here at the reborn bar, there will be another CONTEST coming up to select the date ‘n person to achieve the 4,000th! Watch for it . . . Yes, Boris - we'll have TWO CONTESTS running at the same time <simultaneously> or <together both> - just watch for it! This ought to really blow the minds of those guys who <traditionally> never read through the criteria for entering . . . <grin>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Monday - Feb 18th: <all times Central standard>Page 185 - Pete (pwolfe) at 11:52 AM: As previously mentioned, was beginning to think this day was a "wash" - but pretty much expected it as without Lars, there's just no more dependability to the morning "slot." And of course, this being a federal holiday across the land, no CM3 Shane . . . add those together ‘n one gets "doldrums." But I'm preaching to the choir <again> for the guys who COULD help out, just don't seem to want to . . . <groan>Don't feel like the Lone Ranger - I didn't know the origin of the Overland Route until being exposed to the material here at the bar over these years. That couple with the modest hardcover RR book library I've amassed has surely ED-U-MUH-KATED me. We're not going to get into anything elaborate for St. Pat's Day ‘round here. Just the "usual" wearin' o' the green ‘n some Irish influence here ‘n there. We don't have the numbers to do much more . . . But I do have to figure out who wears the Leprechaun suit <'n it ain't gonna be Moi!> Methinks your definition of "under control" is a tad different from mine. Your bar tab is being kept on a "roll" - wonder why that is <uh oh>Observations <bang on> regarding the "look ins" we get on this reborn Thread ‘n over on the Original site. Amazing - simply amazing. One can pretty much count on being directed to "Our" Place if doing a search on a myriad of railroad/railway topics in the Ether. That says something about us, eh Honestly don't care about dozens of steady customers - would just like to have some occasional visitors who give a Rat's Patoot - the guys on the periphery have most times bailed us out of long-term droughts. But, we're runnin' low these days. <groan>Appreciate your recognizing ‘n mentioning the movies at the Emporium Theatre . . . there are times when I wonder . . . but you've always been right on top of ‘em! Many thanx for your fine < I3> Post, visit, chat ‘n ROUND! Page 186 - Dan (DL-UK) at 12:27 PM: As previously noted, your Post - the 3,700th on our reborn Thread surely helped with the <blahs> of the day. ‘Tween you ‘n Pete, the day was salvaged after a long period of inactivity. Enjoyed eavesdropping the Post of our Resident Railway ‘n Pub Aficionado in the UK! <grin> Appreciate the catch-up < I3 > Post, visit ‘n chat! Page 186 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 11:30 PM: Can't tell you how many times I've picked something up at a train show, put it down, walked away - then after a time, wondered . . . <geesh>My guess is it's our numbers moreso than the holiday that has made things rather slow 'round here. Just think about WHO our regulars are, then it should be evident - we don't have the numbers. Now for the guys on the periphery, well as muc Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 3:53 PM Hi Tom and all.I'll join DL in a pint of Harvey's please RUTH.DL Congrats on the 3,700th reply at the bar.I had not realized that the Liverpool to Harwich direct service does not run today. I guess to travel the cross country route today would need 3 changes or travel via London with a change of station. I think the bride summed it up when we traveled to Dumfries, after a Pendelino trip to Carlisle, we changed on to a 156 and the bride said, "This is a real train".Very much enjoyed the link to the Shropshire & Montgomery Railway, known locally as the ‘Potts' I believe. I will send the link to Alan as he is from the area. If I recall right, Gazelle was in the Army museum at Beverley Yorkshire, I think that museum as closed now so I do not where Gazelle is nowadays. Thanks for sharing.ROB. That is so true about seeing something at a train show and thinking I will get that a bit later it as nearly always gone when you get back, on the other hand if you do buy it generally you see the same item on another stall at a cheaper price.Glad you found the info on the headboards useful.There was going to be a movie about the black bag but they could not find a stunt double.ERIC Thanks for the info on stopping a train in slippery conditions, a hard job not realized by many passengers.Did you get to travel on many of the overground lines of the London Underground while in London.Thanks for the photo of the ‘tilting' X2000 at Cincinnati Union Station.TOM Many thanks for the covers and the descriptions of the books from the Can-Am library. In the Classic American Railroad Terminals is great that some of the stations are still standing today although there have been some sad losses like New York's Penn Station. They are a hard hitting, but true, notes to Super Trains.I see Nick's band is due to play at the bar on St Patrick's Day, any volunteers for the wearing of the Leprechaun Suit yet.Yes it would be great if I knew the answer how to get some of the ‘viewers' into patrons of the bar.Thanks for the information and the photo of Cincinnati Union Station (any idea how the city got that name, by the way). It is great the building as survived and is a museum but surely it deserves a better rail service than the 3 times weekly Cardinal.Looking forward to the new contest.As promised some Irish diesels.001, originally A, class diesels outside the depot by Dublin Connolly station These locos were built by Metropolitan Vickeres in 1955-56, they were later re-engined with a General Motors diesel.The right hand loco could be 001. Northern Ireland Railways class 111 No 111 at Dublin Connolley station. These 3 NIR locos were simular to the GM Irish Rail class 071.Irish Rail class 071 at what I believe is Sligo station having arrived from Dublin. These GM locomotives were built in 1976.Class 141 from General Motors built in 1962, No 157 is at Limerick Junction..These should enlarge.Well Ruth a round for those that come in please RUTH.Pete. siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:26 PM G'day Gents!Saw a couple of our guys "peeking in" several times . . . Don't know what to say other than we're in calm winds 'n waters . . . no movement about the rigging. <uh oh>Good to see Pete swing by if for no other reason than to get rid of this offering! <grin> Figured I'd NOT Post 'til at least one guy came thru those doors . . .And Email sent to Rendezvous III attendees - answer needed! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Now Arriving on Track #2Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #5(1) Nickel Plate Limited(2) N&W Cavalier(3) NP - North Coast Limited(4) PRR Broadway Limited <variation>(5) CRI&P <Rock Island> Corn Belt Rocket(6) Soo Line(7) Sou - The Crescent(8) SP - Daylight(9) SP&S - Columbia River Express(10) UP - Streamliner(11) Wabash - Banner Blue(12) WP - Exposition Flyer* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Enjoy! Tom Missed any #1 . . . Page 156#2 . . . Page 158#3 . . . Page 166#4 . . . Page 183 Happy Railroading! Siberianmo trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:29 PM Good afternoon Leon , I think a Keith's and a large reuban sandwich with several pickels from the barrel will serve me well thank-you.Here's a couple extra "bobb" for a round or two this evening.Tom-Must be a four day weekend oh well we does what we does I suppose . Funny you mentioned food prices,I didn't find the restaurant prices all that bad or out of line when we were out east this past summer,mind you we don't go for the four star jobs generally as well ( don't do Mc barfburgers or the like either )I'm wondering if it's the place,salaries are not as big out east as they are here yet prices are the same could have some influence on it , taxes are taxes most of us don't bat much of an eye at it anymore Loved the latest batch 'o' drumheads to keep us on the rails thanks Eric-Interesting shot of the Station and the tilt, a drunken sailor might get a bit confused by that shot or feel right at home.Pete-Nice shots of the Irish deisels the shots enlarged quite well. A nice Great Northern esk livery on some of them I had heard that it was not a stunt man problem but that Sean Connery wanted to big a price to play youmaybe we can get oneof the H&H girls to wear the leprican outfit,Green Leather is in isn't it Rob nickinwestwales Member sinceApril 2005 901 posts Posted by nickinwestwales on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:36 PM Well good evening one & all-I do hope you have all had as fine a day as I have -At this far eastern end of the bar counter we have just been blessed with 4 straight days of pure spring-like weather-got collared for a honey-do list of Byzantine complexity for the first 3 ( but managed to sneak in some train-shed upkeep on `company time`)--however-today is country band rehearsal day-PLAYTIME.....!!!!!!Had a wonderfully productive day setting up and balancing mics & lines and recorded a quick sampler to test the mix-As an added bonus,somebody actually knows how to operate the desk we are using-and even better-this time it isnt me--result-so have spent best part of day sitting in an acre of very carefully managed nature friendly garden watching,variously,the mist burning off the old colliery field,more different birds than I can remember ( altho the Jay stands out ) circling the feeders in a huge ballet and,sometime later,watching the sky to the west-`cos of the mist forming,the sunset got diffused and the whole sky turned a soft hazy peach colour-Seemed to be quite a few empy Czech Pils bottles when we all left-perhaps theres a link................Right -Leon...Best set up a round or two dear boy-I can no longer be doing with this constant gossip and innuendo-So who wants the low-down on my hot date -What all of you -dear lord what ??*%$£_-no,never mind.......Welll....I am sure I can trust you all to respect a confidence.....so....We met under the Union Station clocktower -me with a posy of spring flowers and a bottle of rose wineHer with a posse of Can-Am Nomads M.C and a medium calibre firearm...........an evening made in heaven (-ok you lot-pace yourselves.)A venue is decided upon-the second class saloon-they will serve anyone -with which ,the cycles are started--I am a helpless passenger-I squat down on the buckboard of Helga`s Cossack 650 twin as she boots it into rude life-O.K -looks like we are gonna get there---NOTE-dont EVER get onto a sidecar unless you know what you are doing...pleaseMy word-that was a ride-I`m just gonna go and sit quietly for a minute or two--Mmmm -ok-Right,I finally make it into the bar and its the intermountain village domino championship tonight-passions are roused-I`am sure Pete remembers the rare thrill of a handfull of 6`s &3`s during a cup game......O.K- EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:48 PM Good evening Captain Tom and all present!Leon, nice to see you this early! A number 4 special, please! Yeah, all of it! Hey, what is Ruth doing her? I think she is singing! Did he? Did they! Talked for two hours? Yeah, it sounds like Senior Manager Lars! I guess today was a quiet day at the bar! Not too much to do. Tom – Ahh, Union Terminal, not Station! I am always learning something! So Cincinnati is your military home? I have only been there once and didn’t see much of the city. But I actually have a cousin from the old country living there. I haven't seen him for many years though. Nice drumheads! SP - Daylight. Between what cities did it run? Mail recevied and responded to. Thank you!Pete – I would say the fall with all the leaves coming down is the worst time of the year as an engineer. Didn’t travel that many overground lines in London. One was to the RAF museum in Hendon. Very interesting museum. http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/Thanks for the Irish photos! Interesting! Do you have any photos of any electrics? Or are they all EMUs?Rob – It was always a popular thing to do when the X2000 was on display, to run the tilting system on one of the cars. Much appreciated. Never saw a drunken sailor though! By the way, my next weekend will be a six day weekend! Usually they are four or five days long but six is even better. Nick – Seems like you had an eventful and rough day! Interesting report! It must have been Helga’s Cossack 650 twin I heard earlier this afternoon. A lot of decibels! I have shown this one before, but I don't careBrill Model-55 Combination Car, built 1930. Eric siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:48 AM <personal foto> Wednesday's WitticismImmigrants coming West to look for gold were born silly and had a relapse. G'day Gents!You guys know the drill . . . coffee's ready - pastries freshly baked 'n breakfasts ready to order. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Tuesday - Feb 19th: <all times Central standard>Page 186 - Pete (pwolfe) at 3:53 PM: ‘Twas indeed a long time between customers - just check the times! However, yours is a Post to enjoy ‘n my hope is that the guys will do just that . . . Kind of pointless to make such a fine effort IF none of our guys are around to read it . . . That's kind of why I'm not putting anything up after my AM summary ‘til someone else comes along. <groan>To answer your question: In 1790, Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, changed the name of the settlement to "Cincinnati" in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. The society honored General George Washington, who was considered a latter day Cincinnatus -- the Roman general who saved his city, then retired from power to his farm. To this day, Cincinnati in particular, and Ohio in general, are home to a disproportionately large number of descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers who were granted lands in the state. <from: wikipedia.com>And just as a point - it's Union Terminal . . . Used to be quite the place for trains "back in the day" and a bit thereafter. I made my first trip there aboard the PRR from New York City back in 1960 - round trip for a buddy's wedding. Had a great time aboard the train <discussed over at the Original Thread if I recollect . . . . > Wedding wasn't bad either. When I used to spend vacations with the family at "home" - Grandpa ‘n I would take the kids down to one of the more familiar train stations nearby. We'd sit in the station wagon ‘til we heard the approaching sounds - then they'd get all excited as the train came roaring through. Standing on the platform, the kids just couldn't believe it. All freights in those times - but still exciting to little kids. Good memories . . . Fine looking spate of Irish equipment! May want to "save" a few for Mar 17th! I do hope Nick's band will make it "in" . . . With some advance notice we'll have to tighten up on security as you know how crazy the local gals get when "new blood" from across the pond arrives in the village. <yikes>A movie about the "black bag" You DO have a vivid imagination! <grin> See comments to Rob . . . Much appreciation for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND! Page 186 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 6:49 PM: Good to see ya in the early evening hours! The later the Posts, the more difficult it is for me to get out an early morning summary . . . so THANX! I do believe that Leprechaun's are small creatures, which of course would rule out H&H! <yikes> Just the thought of green leather outfits for those two . . . BUT, you Sir are the Manager. Therefore I'll yield to you with regard to those details.Neither one of us fancy fast foods either . . . When in Bedford <Halifax> we go out to eat wherever ‘n whenever without regard to the prices, for it's all part of what we like to do. Just that the "local" folks have other preferences, like staying at home. We can do that HERE! <gee Happy Railroading! Siberianmo trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:12 PM Good afternoon Ruth and the rest of you folks huddling in the corner ( most likely due to the visuals of Nick's story )Been another slow one by the trackside today hmm long weekenditus I'm afraid ,nothing an hour or two in the ministrations of H&H can't fix <uh oh >Eric-Interesting photo of the combo car from brill. Theer is one of those critters plying the rails of a dinner excursion train in Florida,mind you it had been re-engined with an Allison V8 so it sort of spoils the mood.Mind you always nice to see the photo Nick-Wow, what a tale of woe and love and well... we won't go there.If you did I hope a suit of armour was part of the costume I have to tell you though a 50 cal desert eagle does not constitue a medium caliber side arm Have you noticed that her side car is supported by a fully tracked tank tread Tom-I can see the title now." IT CAME FROM THE BLACK BAG" or an alternate the "INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHING BLACK BAG IN 3D". Vito is looking at various sights to shoot the action scenes,he has an operating budget of at least $8.50 which he's say's he can stretch to cover all the costs. Guido has promised an extra $10.00 if any over runs should occur in the editing. More overruns than that and well... you know how they operate <uh oh >Boris is supplying the film and cameras ( another hobby he's been baned from by the order of the Mentor city council )Vito has flown in two speacial cases of imported Bavarian PPF's to cover the camera crews cost,yes folks stay away from Boris's shed while during and shortly after the filming beginsLeon will act as the soundman his cost were a lifetime supply of imported Italian leather boondockers adn Italian cut overalls in the finest Neopolitan Denim,Vito's boyz are supplying the security and H&H are catering so we should amke a profit somehow as they will use the shed and kitchen for pre and post production,that and the rental fee for teh use of our facilities will lets just say keep the bathtub full for a while.I hear you about the staying in to eat while away from home , when one travels why would you want to actually cook and do all the things you have to do at home.Back in a bit.Rob siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 1:01 PM G'day Gents!With a visit from our Manager, trolleyMAN Rob - that's all I need to drop this one on y'all! But first - something for you . . .Picked this up from cbc.ca - At the NHL meeting of General Managers in Naples, FL: Several cities, including Montreal, Chicago, Denver and New York (at Yankee Stadium) have expressed interest in playing an outdoor game. No decision has been made, but there will be an outdoor game next season. Many THANX for helping out over on "my other Thread" . . . Hard to believe, but we've now gone three days in succession with nary a visit in the morning day lite hours . . . STILL waiting Email responses from a couple of our Rendezvous III attendees . . . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Here's Part IV of the Building of the S-Capades for this Wednesday's OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day!<Check out Page 176 for Part I; "must" reading if you wanna understand all of this!>Tunnel completedNewly arrived MoPac GP35 <American Models> ‘n freight cars!Landscaping continues* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * More next week <maybe>! Tom Miss any Part II is on Page 180Part III is on Page 184 Happy Railroading! Siberianmo trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:08 PM So Ruth my dear, now that you are off the phone I would like a nice Keith's oh and what the heck I'll abuse my tab and there by my salary for the rest of the week and offer all libations on me.Boris ring them up and of coarse do your feeding of the critters and have a small jar of the new PPF's Vito left for you as well.Normally I would not put out new info on the slow days but we need a new injection to keep the trqack gangs and those who give a patoot some new reading material.CLASSIC STEAM # 41 STRATFORD'S BIG SHOP The CNR locomotive shops in Stratford Ontario sat on 19 acres of land, and for more than 80 years was the cities largest employer.many said that it's whistle regulated the pulse of the town.It was composed of many buildings the original ones masonary with the add on's done in concrete.A tall smokestack marked the site and toweerd over the "big shops" and it's network of trackage.Cars of supplies constantly shuffled in and out of the complex.a self porpeled crane and it's tender and the two 0-8-0 shop switchers were constantly in use.An 85 foot turn table rounded out the big shops outer facilities,wiht teh large 36 stall roundhouse in the ajacent Stratford yards with a 115 foot table capable of handling the large Northern and Mountain type locomotives. Following the 1870 reorganization of the Grand Trunk came the decision to build a large shop complex,Stratford was chosen as the hub by virtue of it's central location to the spider web of branchlines in southwestern Ontario.This web of trackage was constatntly expanding as the GTR bought up the myriad of small railroad companies all struggling to survive in the area.Two main buildings were built comprising Stratford's first heavy equipment shop and were completed in 1871 adjacent to teh old Buffalo and Goderich mainline.The absorbtion of teh Great Western in 1888 prompted the first expansion,which incorporated a transfer table for tenders in the erecting shop.In 1904 a new tender shop , light repair shop and electric ligthing were introduced.Larger locomotives forceda major expansion in 1907-08.consisting of a new erecting shop,gallery,longer turntable,insatllation of a telephone system and the replacement of the erecting shop transfer table with a new 120 ton overhead crane. In 1919 , the crane was upgraded to a 150 ton model to handle the new large Mikado type locomotives.With the introduction of the Mountain and Sante Fe class engines the final 200 ton crane was added to the main shop in 1928.Postwar expansion included a tender inspection porch in 1948, the erecting shop annex and new boiler system were added on and completed in 1949,and an engine light up shed was built in 1950. All classes of locomotive repair were handled by teh big shops from minor repairs and inspections to ful flegded re-building and recertifications.Tere were three main types of repair work done at the big shops.Any work which is concidered minor,but to heavy to be done in a roundhouse was concidered calss 6 repairs.Machinery repairs ( usually involving new tires ) but not requiring full disassembly were labelled as class 5. General repairs including compleet disassembly and retubinmg qualified as class 3 rebuilds.After a full class three including renewal of flues and full rebuilding and insapection an engine was good for four years. The big shop comprised of six main departments with as many as 33 additional sub departments.Beneath the main windows of the main building were the three asiles that comprised the main portion of the shop.In the centre are the erecting pits,with the machine shop joined on the northside of the building.Oposite the machine shop was the annex that contained the electrical brake,spring,stoker.air brake and pipe shops.Welding,material cleaning,truck wheels and firboxes were also handled in the annex.Nine separate plumbing systems supplied the shop with pure water,oxygen,acetylene,compressed air and hydraulic preasure.Throughout the shop complex an old narrow guage railway for push carts and a series of trucking asiles for gasoline powered trucks helped bring the parts to the various dept's and sub depts.All replaced in the 1920'a by several overhead cranes.A separate power house suplied all the electricity needed for the shop building and was also piped to some company greenhouses which grew and supplied over 80.000 plants a year that were used to decorate the provinces train stations ! With the annex completion in 1949, the Stratford shop surpassed the Point Ste Charles shop in Montreal as the largest on the CNR system.Prior to the annex being built it could only fit five large locmotives at a time due to the lengths of the pits.Once the annex was completetd 24 large pits and twelve small were available all under the cover of the building and it's 200 ton crane.In 1951 all eastern region manotoba to teh amritimes steam rebuilds were transfered to teh Stratford shop complex as Pte STE Charles became a diesel loco only shop, at teh big shops peek in 1956 350 locomotives were servcied the usual output was 280 basically one locomotive a day was turned out by the shops. The shop forces began to decline satrting about 1948 when 1600 workers were employed there by teh end of '48 it was down to 1300 by '56 only 900.By 1956 teh CNR had wholly embraced the replacement of steam with deisel locomotives so teh big shop was on borrowed time. In 1958 all remaining usable steam had been converted to oil burning and transfered to teh Western region and the car of teh transconna shops in Winnipeg ( also a deisel mainteneance shop still is today )In July of 58 the last loco was out shopped and the shops were closed. Some minor deisle maintenance went on during the 60's and in 1971 loco's 6060 and 6218 were both overhauled for excursion servcie after that teh shop buildings were condemmed most have now been torn down save part of the 1948 annex which CN uses for track mainteneance crews.1951 shop of the fron of the big shops,a Sandusky shot from the OERHA archieveMountain type going for a ride inside the big shopenjoyRob trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:15 PM Howdy there captain Tom join me in a drink won't you Keith's allright for you Loved seeing the next part of the s-capades.I'd love to ahve the room for S guage lots of fine streetcar equipment available oh well , next life with abigger house and a bigger budget I'm not supprised that so many are jumping on the outdoor band wagon, it's a good thing provided that the NHL does it right. Once a year should be a good grabber espeacially if they keep to their New years Day format,best way to compete witht the football . Bit odd that we are so slooow hopefully things will turn round tomorrow .come on guys belly upto the bar ,as I am buying for the bulk of the week.Remember your likley one and only chance to abuse the managers tab , lets try to make it longer than Pete's Rob siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:23 PM G'day Gents!I see two of you logged aboard - Rob 'n Pete! Good to see ya at the bar today, Rob . . . yes, it's been quite puzzling, but we've been there 'n done this before, eh Thought I'd get you with a <tweeting> for NOT using the REFRESH feature - you didn't "look" before Posting that 2nd one . . . but I'll let you off easy as you recouped nicely with your follow-up! <grin>Thanx for the Keiths! <urp>Peter! Check your Email!! Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:28 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Bathams XXX, on this chilly, day please RUTH.TOM Many thanks for the Classic Drumheads by the Dozen #5. All good but I think my favorites this time, are the Wabash Banner Blue and the WP Exposition Flyer, I guess this train only ran while the Exposition was on.Thanks for the kind words on my post; I will have to remember to put some Irish photos in for March 17th before I go to Pat's Place. How come the local girls did not go crazy when I arrived, after all I am from across the ‘pond'. All I got was "You speak funny"It is great what you learn at Our Place thanks for origin of the naming of Cincinnati.I guess it was, what is now, classic diesels that were hauling those freights you used to watch from the local stations, thanks for sharing the story.Yes the black bag survived the soda far better than the camera did, but still, this new camera I borrowed from the bride seems a lot better.Many thanks for the next installment of the building of the S-Capades. Enjoyed the close up photos of the freight cars and the Mo-Pac GP35.I will check my e-mails now.ROB Glad you enjoyed the Irish Diesels, it was good to have a ride behind them as it was becoming rarer in the UK to have diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains, sad to say it appears now that the Irish Railway is going over to multiple units, with I believe just the Dublin to Cork and the Dublin to Belfast route using loco haulage.Many thanks for that very interesting post on the Stratford Big Shop. Like the factory I worked at, in the past, the works hooter was used by the towns people to set their watches. What a difference it must have been from 1951, with those great locomotives fresh from overall outside the works, to 1958 when the works closed.I guess that is the 200-ton crane lifting No 6001; our biggest crane was 120 ton. Thanks for sharing. I have never been compared to Sean Connery before, no wonder he wanted a lot of money to play me. I'm afraid if the filming does go ahead, the Black Bag has demanded its own caravan and make up artiste, sorry about that.I only hope there are two Leprechaun suits or else H&H will be scraping to see who gets to wear it.NICK That sounds a wonderful setting to have your country band rehearsals.Very much enjoyed the account of the date with Helga, I guess she has removed the machine gun that was on top of the sidecar. OH yes I remember the feeling, a few behind, my drop and a handful of sixes, then the opponent drops a one in and s it all up. . Even better, when both are in the dead hole, and it takes about three rounds to end the game.Looking forward to the next installment of the evening with Helga,or is it.ERIC Yes in the UK they have special trains that are fitted with high-pressure water and a special solution that is used during the leaf fall season.Many thanks for the link to the RAF museums, unfortunately I could not get the ‘virtual tour' to load but I will try again. It would be the Northern Line to Edgeware if you went to Hend trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:55 PM Man Named Pullman There are volumes that have been written about George Mortimer Pullman (1831-1897) and the long lasting contributions his innovativeness of the railroad car and management of them made to North American railroading. Some highlights are in order: (1) Born into a Brockton, NY family of farmers and mechanics in 1831, it is appropriate to state that he was NOT the inventor of the sleeping car. That distinction, according to history, goes to the Cumberland Valley Railroad, who began operation of those types of cars several years before Pullman's birth. (2) His first venture into the adult world was as a cabinet maker, turned contractor. The latter brought him to Chicago where he met a man named Benjamin Field, who would become a long time partner and associate in the rail car management, design and operation business. (3) The first railroad to adopt the Pullman-Field approach to sleeping cars was the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad in 1859 when they accepted the offer to have two of their coaches remodeled into sleepers. (4) In 1865, the largest and most costly car of the day was built by Pullman himself, appropriately named the Pioneer for the westward expansion of the railroads to the Pacific Coast. This car had the distinction of costing $20 thousand, about 5 times the cost of a coach, had 16 wheels, and 12 sections of sleeper units. IT was longer, wider and higher than the standard coaches of the day. In fact the Pioneer was used in President Lincoln's funeral consist and required the stations along the way to make structural changes to their platforms in order to accommodate the passing train! The Pioneer was credited with having the first fold down berths, and while perhaps not the most luxurious in design and accommodations, was at least as well appointed. (5) By the end of 1866, every major railroad serving Chicago signed on the Pullman-Field sleeping car operation. Field decided that Pullman was better off on his own, and stepped aside. (6) Early in the 1870s, 800 of Pullman's cars operated over 30,00 miles of track in an association between his company and the ACL, CRI&P, DL&W, MP, NP, AT&SF and SP. It was to be that Pullman's "Empire" would buy up the contracts of the association railroads, thereby providing him with the sole access desired. (7) Upon his untimely death in 1897, the heirs of the family took over and moved forward with the innovations many take for granted even to this day: (a) PULLMAN 12-1: Usually this heavyweight trailed the streamlined consist - with the exception of a heavyweight lounge car midway in the string. The car was a 12 section, 1 drawing room Pullman rather common back in the 40's. (b) PULLMAN SECTION SLEEPER: Provided the most basic in terms of sleeping accommodations for the first class traveler. This arrangement may be posed an awkward situation for some, as complete strangers wound up sharing the unit. The protocol was passengers who purchased the upper-berths were obliged to sit in the rearward facing seats during daytime travel, whereas the lower berths entitled the passengers to the forward facing ones. The upper berth was without windows, and was accessed by a ladder. Heavy, dark curtains provided privacy for the sleepers in each unit. (c) THE ROOMETTE: A 1937 innovation provided the privacy and space demanded by the traveling public. These were smaller than double bedrooms, but much more affordable for the single traveler. By day, there was a wide, plush seat with a toilet facility. At night, the bed folded out of the wall, covering the toilet, but gave a window level, wall to wall, bed. This accommodation became the most popular following the end of WWII. (d) THE DOUBLE BEDROOM: This was the choice for traveling couples. With two beds, two collapsible day chairs and a fully accessible toilet (at all times), a cozy environment was provided for the train travelers. There were two types: (1) a couch that folded into a bed, crosswise to the rails, with a second bed folded down from the ceiling. (2) Then there were the fold down bunks parallel to the rails. (e) MASTER BEDROOM: Some referred to this as a "cousin" to the Drawing Room. Both featured three beds, but the difference was the fully enclosed shower in the Master Bedroom. The bunk beds were perpendicular to the rails, whereas the third bed was at window level and parallel to them. (f) PULLMAN RESTAURANT CAR: In the 1930s, Pullman converted many heavyweights into "Parlour - restaurant" or "restaurant-sleeper" cars. This was done to supplement the operating railroad's usually full dining cars. Pullman's own employees were assigned to these cars and they quickly became the "car of choice" for Pullman travelers. Elegance in dining was commonplace at these tables. (8) THE END: The Pullman Company ceased collecting money and staffing cars after December 31, 1968. Shortly thereafter the maintenance for the cars ended, thereby leaving the host railroads with a choice: staff them on their own, or discontinue the sleepers. POST SCRIPT: There is so much not said within this submission about this fine company. Those who created it, nurtured it and operated it have a place in railroad lore, just as well as those who staffed and maintained those wonderful Pullmans of days gone by. BK Hello Leon just back in again with a bit of a nostalgia post from our gone but not forgotten friend BK.Let me have a large draft of Guiness. 'm gald to see that Pete's at least taken up my offeer of libations Tom-I took some of your advice from our chat this afternoon and palyed with teh ole copy n paste from the old thread,got it to work after a couple of tries. I guess that you can each an old dog new tricks.Pete-Another fine picture from you thank-you. Funny that we morn the old railway equipment when it's use stops being the norm. The Diesels on passenger trains in the UK and Ireland and Steam loco usage here. At least they still have a fine tradition of passenger train servcie over the pond be it steam , diesel or MU sets Sooo the bag wants more money and perks does it I don't know Vito might be able to craft a cement carying case for it <uh oh > We could after all use CGI for the bags part.Sean Connery seems aggreeable to do the part much more aggreeable to the price than was Harrison Ford BTW make-up can do wonders for actorsH&H will not have to share a costume they each made one for each other,I have asked them to add a few more green sequins to make them more "PG" rated.Helga sent the MG42 off the si Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:43 PM Hi Tom and all,Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please!Rob. Looks as if we are cursed with the same teenage problems as well, it must be a world wide problem? Enjoyed your write up`s on the Classic Steam #4 with pics of the Statford Big Shops, and the Pullman story, all very interesting. You are doing a TOP job at the Bar!Nick. Good to see you in again with some humerous dialogue.Eric. Interesting lot of signal pics, a nice pic of the Brill railcar and the X2000 in Tilt mode, and a very interesting link to the RAF museum at Hendon, thanks for that. Whale Rider was filmed North of us on the East Coast of NZ.Ron. Hope you get rid of that `puter bug soon.Mike. Very interesting write up and pics of that Grain Elevator.Pete. Some of the Miners Clubs only sold "Federation" beer which was brewed at their own brewery, it tasted like "Gnats P" , at least we had Newcastle "Broon" Ale at the Legion. Enjoyed all those Irish diesel loco pics and info of yours. Forgot to confirm your info on the named train headboards, from what I remember your write up was spot on.Dan. Congratulations on making the 3700th reply at the Bar! You were correct about the "pot Leeks" competitions, all the miners had special recipes of fertilising brews for their "Babies" and they were grown in "hush hush" conditions. Pit Yacker must have been very difficult for anyone to understand out side of Geordieland, Kiwi`s always reckon we are from Scotland or Wales, or even Holland when they try to place our accent. Glad you enjoyed that Westoe link, I enjoyed your link to the Shropshire and Montgomery Railway.Tom. Have been to Christchurch many times, my wife`s eldest sister over here lives there, it`s a very "English" city with lots of superbly kept gardens and parks. That Dr Jerri Nielsen you mentioned was big news here in the late 90`s, their was a lot of press and TV coverage of her predicament at the South Pole, I have`nt read her book but will now you have recommended it. Nice choice of flicks for the weekend, Whale Rider was filmed on the East Coast, North of where we live, it`s a nice family movie. Enjoyed all your great posts and pics of the hardcover books for your Can Am Library, the classic Drumheads pics, and those great pics of your S-Capades RR, many thanks to you.See ya, Allan trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:47 PM The Nearside Car A Classic Juice tech story Since the beginning of public transportation, fare collection and how it was handled has always been a determining factor of car design.When horse cars were first introduced the driver handled the horses and the conductor collected the fares from the passengers as they entered the rear of the car and exited at the front. This is ( was known) as pay as you enter. ( PAYE ) This continued into the electrification of the street railways.The conductor would signal the stop and starts for the motorman via bell signals.Howerevr because passengers entered at the rear of the car the motorman did not always have a clear view of them and accidents were unfortunatly common as the motorman would start off and passengers would grab for a handrail etc miss and fall. This resulted in injuries sometimes deaths and lawsuits against the company. To combat these problems and lawsuits, an English born Thomas E. Mitten ( who was the acting chairman of the executive commitee of Philladelphia Rapid Transit, initiated and oversaw the design of a new type of car.This car was ultimatly named the "Nearside" car.Passengers boarded and departed through the front doors on these cars, this gave the motorman much better control. The conductor sat behind the motorman and called out street names and destinations as well as still collecting the fairs and issuing the transfers.Passengers could still exit the car via the back doors if they wished In the days before the Nearsides the car would pull through the intersection to line up the back doors for the passengers to board. So they stopped on the farside of the intersection. Mitten's design called for the passengers to enter at the front, so the cars stopped on the "near" side of the intersection, hence the name. For political reasons trhe first cars of this design were built by J. G . Brill of Philladelphia. Both cars were sent to Buffalo and tested there for assesment as Buffalo's street railway was once served by Mitten as General manager. The first prototypes #6000 and 6001 were built in 1912. The standard specs for these cars was as follows 45' 6" in length over the anticlimbers.width of 8' 5" ,top of the rail to top of the roof 12' 0". The original design called for the use of Brill's maximum traction truck 33" driving ( powered ) wheels and the second axel with 22" non powered. IN typical Brill fashion the cars had a high arched roof for summer time ventilation. The Brill records show that slightly more than 2000 of these casr were built. Used by Buffalo,Chicago,Philladelphia,Atlantic City ,and Lincoln Nebraska. One of these cars was made for Canada for the British Columbia Electric Railway ( BCE ) in Vancouver. It was number 501 and was to be the prototype no more were ordered however. Philly not supprisingly had the largest fleet numbering 1500 cars Hello Again Leon I think that I would like another Keith's. Remember everyone the rounds for the rest of the week are on me so step up one and all. I'm not usually this givingHere's another reprint from teh old thread to give everyone a bit more bedtime reading. actually i'm just drunk with a new found skill LOLenjoy again Rob « First«121122123124125126127»Last » SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter Submit More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Evening Leon , I see that it ws one of those days (daze) oh well concidering our low numbers today I still found us in position two on the page,one would have thought a holiday weekend would have dragged them in in droves.I think a Keith's will do me well this evening.
Tom-Ah yes music does calm the savage beast dosen't it. Like you we have wide ranges of music likes and loves,do try to find some Great Big Sea, they have a concert DVD available as well which is quite good. We've bought all their CD's and the DVD seen them in person twice as well they really are good,and they still live in St John's as well,just good country boys and they are quite well known in both countries
I had forgotten about the cabin,mind you we have a radio tracking collar on Boris and all of the menagerie,Inspector clueless keeps tabs on them that way,this way he doesn't react to townfolk's cries of alarm if they see good ole Boris stalking through the woods.
Loved today's book covah's as well,I had a copy of the NYC book in my hand at the last train show I went to Iput iot down and figured that I would come back latter for it ( the guy only wanted $30 bucks for it )as expected I missed it It's one I will get eventually.
Donchajustlove these holiday weekends. Brand new long weekend for us as well,family day,the provincial gov. promised it as a campaign promise last fall <barf> they got re-elected and at least they followed through ( which is something for them )main difference is that it's been declared a stat. holiday sooo stores were closed except those in tourist areas.Love the Keg myself just don't like the prices they would and do gag a healthy maggot up here.
Mike-great photo's and a great read 5x
Dan-More interesting info on DMU's thank-you. Lars will be missed but he definatly left with the class and head held high attitude he always carried while he was at the bar.
Pete- Good to see you in again. Thanks for the extra info on those headboards and why they were removed.
I'd mail you a copy of your tab but the bulk mail rates are quite highI've heard the stories of the "Black bag" I think we might be able to make a movie about it.
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Time for a good ham sandwich! A tick slice of real rye bread and two slices of sugar cured ham on top of it. Some lettuce, pickles and mayo. And fries!
It seems like President's Day affected Our Place today! Or, maybe I am wrong.
Tom – Stopping a train at a certain spot is about knowing what you have, length of train, weight, brakes, etc. What is hard is in the fall when the leaves are falling of the trees, especially in combination with a drizzle that makes it wet. It can be ubelievable slippery and that makes it very difficult or impossible to stop at a certain spot. I can imagine a sea going vessel is har to stop at a certain spot, but in a different way. Maybe a topic for the Rendezvous? Only 86 days away!!!I did not provide any information about the signals because I don’t know enough about all of them. That could be something for a future Saturday though. I'll work on it. When I started to go to Cracker Barrel I signed up for their Neighborhood program in which they promised that one would get this after X number of visits and that after Y number of visits, etc. To make sure I got everything they promised I started to keep track of my visits. I did. A number of years ago they canceled that program but tracking the visits had become a habit. But after they canceled the program I am only counting the visits to “my” restaurant. That is why I know I have been there 2,474 times now. Irish heritage? Me? Hmmm.Good movies. I actually have Gettysburg on tape! But I’ll be happy to see it again at the Emporium! Including the Whale Rider and The Three Stooges! Hope Allan can make it to see the Whale Rider!Good collection of hard cover books! I think it is Cincinnati Union Station on the cover. I’ve been there but did not take any picture of the building.
Demonstration of the tilting system at Cincinnati Union Station 1993.
Ron – Hope you will get your computer up and running again soon!Rob – I don’t think there is any Keg here in the Valley. Red Lobster? Hmmm, fish is cat food. Mike – Wow, interesting story about the Great Grain Elevator! Is it still standing? Thanks for all the photos! Pete – Most locomotives have sanding equipment. Yes, when the wheels are sliding all you can do is to release the brakes and try again. Very carefully. As far as I know there are still some wig-wag signals in use in Wisconsin. There should be at least one in Baraboo. DL – Yes, the Jubilee Line was brand new when I rode it in 1979. I have been to England and London three times and I used the Underground many times when in London. I hope to get back there again some time. Hand-raulic! That is a good expression. See this link:http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=handraulicEric
It's Tuesday ‘n the start to a new work week for those who had a holiday yesterday. Also time to join us for a mugga Joe, a pastry or three ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Now that we've made it to the 3,700th Post here at the reborn bar, there will be another CONTEST coming up to select the date ‘n person to achieve the 4,000th! Watch for it . . .
Yes, Boris - we'll have TWO CONTESTS running at the same time <simultaneously> or <together both> - just watch for it!
This ought to really blow the minds of those guys who <traditionally> never read through the criteria for entering . . . <grin>
Monday - Feb 18th: <all times Central standard>
Page 185 - Pete (pwolfe) at 11:52 AM: As previously mentioned, was beginning to think this day was a "wash" - but pretty much expected it as without Lars, there's just no more dependability to the morning "slot." And of course, this being a federal holiday across the land, no CM3 Shane . . . add those together ‘n one gets "doldrums." But I'm preaching to the choir <again> for the guys who COULD help out, just don't seem to want to . . . <groan>
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger - I didn't know the origin of the Overland Route until being exposed to the material here at the bar over these years. That couple with the modest hardcover RR book library I've amassed has surely ED-U-MUH-KATED me.
We're not going to get into anything elaborate for St. Pat's Day ‘round here. Just the "usual" wearin' o' the green ‘n some Irish influence here ‘n there. We don't have the numbers to do much more . . . But I do have to figure out who wears the Leprechaun suit <'n it ain't gonna be Moi!>
Methinks your definition of "under control" is a tad different from mine. Your bar tab is being kept on a "roll" - wonder why that is <uh oh>
Observations <bang on> regarding the "look ins" we get on this reborn Thread ‘n over on the Original site. Amazing - simply amazing. One can pretty much count on being directed to "Our" Place if doing a search on a myriad of railroad/railway topics in the Ether. That says something about us, eh Honestly don't care about dozens of steady customers - would just like to have some occasional visitors who give a Rat's Patoot - the guys on the periphery have most times bailed us out of long-term droughts. But, we're runnin' low these days. <groan>
Appreciate your recognizing ‘n mentioning the movies at the Emporium Theatre . . . there are times when I wonder . . . but you've always been right on top of ‘em!
Page 186 - Dan (DL-UK) at 12:27 PM: As previously noted, your Post - the 3,700th on our reborn Thread surely helped with the <blahs> of the day. ‘Tween you ‘n Pete, the day was salvaged after a long period of inactivity.
Enjoyed eavesdropping the Post of our Resident Railway ‘n Pub Aficionado in the UK! <grin>
Page 186 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 11:30 PM: Can't tell you how many times I've picked something up at a train show, put it down, walked away - then after a time, wondered . . . <geesh>
My guess is it's our numbers moreso than the holiday that has made things rather slow 'round here. Just think about WHO our regulars are, then it should be evident - we don't have the numbers. Now for the guys on the periphery, well as muc
I'll join DL in a pint of Harvey's please RUTH.
DL Congrats on the 3,700th reply at the bar.
I had not realized that the Liverpool to Harwich direct service does not run today. I guess to travel the cross country route today would need 3 changes or travel via London with a change of station. I think the bride summed it up when we traveled to Dumfries, after a Pendelino trip to Carlisle, we changed on to a 156 and the bride said, "This is a real train".
Very much enjoyed the link to the Shropshire & Montgomery Railway, known locally as the ‘Potts' I believe. I will send the link to Alan as he is from the area. If I recall right, Gazelle was in the Army museum at Beverley Yorkshire, I think that museum as closed now so I do not where Gazelle is nowadays. Thanks for sharing.
ROB. That is so true about seeing something at a train show and thinking I will get that a bit later it as nearly always gone when you get back, on the other hand if you do buy it generally you see the same item on another stall at a cheaper price.
Glad you found the info on the headboards useful.
There was going to be a movie about the black bag but they could not find a stunt double.
ERIC Thanks for the info on stopping a train in slippery conditions, a hard job not realized by many passengers.
Did you get to travel on many of the overground lines of the London Underground while in London.
Thanks for the photo of the ‘tilting' X2000 at Cincinnati Union Station.
TOM Many thanks for the covers and the descriptions of the books from the Can-Am library. In the Classic American Railroad Terminals is great that some of the stations are still standing today although there have been some sad losses like New York's Penn Station. They are a hard hitting, but true, notes to Super Trains.
I see Nick's band is due to play at the bar on St Patrick's Day, any volunteers for the wearing of the Leprechaun Suit yet.
Yes it would be great if I knew the answer how to get some of the ‘viewers' into patrons of the bar.
Thanks for the information and the photo of Cincinnati Union Station (any idea how the city got that name, by the way). It is great the building as survived and is a museum but surely it deserves a better rail service than the 3 times weekly Cardinal.
Looking forward to the new contest.
As promised some Irish diesels.
001, originally A, class diesels outside the depot by Dublin Connolly station These locos were built by Metropolitan Vickeres in 1955-56, they were later re-engined with a General Motors diesel.The right hand loco could be 001.
Northern Ireland Railways class 111 No 111 at Dublin Connolley station. These 3 NIR locos were simular to the GM Irish Rail class 071.
Irish Rail class 071 at what I believe is Sligo station having arrived from Dublin. These GM locomotives were built in 1976.
Class 141 from General Motors built in 1962, No 157 is at Limerick Junction.
.
These should enlarge.
Well Ruth a round for those that come in please RUTH.
Pete.
Saw a couple of our guys "peeking in" several times . . . Don't know what to say other than we're in calm winds 'n waters . . . no movement about the rigging. <uh oh>
Good to see Pete swing by if for no other reason than to get rid of this offering! <grin> Figured I'd NOT Post 'til at least one guy came thru those doors . . .
And Email sent to Rendezvous III attendees - answer needed!
Now Arriving on Track #2
Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #5
(1) Nickel Plate Limited
(2) N&W Cavalier
(3) NP - North Coast Limited
(4) PRR Broadway Limited <variation>
(5) CRI&P <Rock Island> Corn Belt Rocket
(6) Soo Line
(7) Sou - The Crescent
(8) SP - Daylight
(9) SP&S - Columbia River Express
(10) UP - Streamliner
(11) Wabash - Banner Blue
(12) WP - Exposition Flyer
Enjoy!
Tom
Missed any
#1 . . . Page 156
#2 . . . Page 158
#3 . . . Page 166
#4 . . . Page 183
Good afternoon Leon , I think a Keith's and a large reuban sandwich with several pickels from the barrel will serve me well thank-you.Here's a couple extra "bobb" for a round or two this evening.
Tom-Must be a four day weekend oh well we does what we does I suppose . Funny you mentioned food prices,I didn't find the restaurant prices all that bad or out of line when we were out east this past summer,mind you we don't go for the four star jobs generally as well ( don't do Mc barfburgers or the like either )I'm wondering if it's the place,salaries are not as big out east as they are here yet prices are the same could have some influence on it , taxes are taxes most of us don't bat much of an eye at it anymore
Loved the latest batch 'o' drumheads to keep us on the rails thanks
Eric-Interesting shot of the Station and the tilt, a drunken sailor might get a bit confused by that shot or feel right at home.
Pete-Nice shots of the Irish deisels the shots enlarged quite well. A nice Great Northern esk livery on some of them
I had heard that it was not a stunt man problem but that Sean Connery wanted to big a price to play you
maybe we can get oneof the H&H girls to wear the leprican outfit,Green Leather is in isn't it
Well good evening one & all-I do hope you have all had as fine a day as I have -At this far eastern end of the bar counter we have just been blessed with 4 straight days of pure spring-like weather-got collared for a honey-do list of Byzantine complexity for the first 3 ( but managed to sneak in some train-shed upkeep on `company time`)--however-today is country band rehearsal day-PLAYTIME.....!!!!!!
Had a wonderfully productive day setting up and balancing mics & lines and recorded a quick sampler to test the mix-As an added bonus,somebody actually knows how to operate the desk we are using-and even better-this time it isnt me--result-so have spent best part of day sitting in an acre of very carefully managed nature friendly garden watching,variously,the mist burning off the old colliery field,more different birds than I can remember ( altho the Jay stands out ) circling the feeders in a huge ballet and,sometime later,watching the sky to the west-`cos of the mist forming,the sunset got diffused and the whole sky turned a soft hazy peach colour-Seemed to be quite a few empy Czech Pils bottles when we all left-perhaps theres a link................
Right -Leon...Best set up a round or two dear boy-I can no longer be doing with this constant gossip and innuendo-So who wants the low-down on my hot date
-What all of you -dear lord what ??*%$£_-no,never mind.......
Welll....I am sure I can trust you all to respect a confidence.....so....
We met under the Union Station clocktower -me with a posy of spring flowers and a bottle of rose wine
Her with a posse of Can-Am Nomads M.C and a medium calibre firearm...........an evening made in heaven (-ok you lot-pace yourselves.)
A venue is decided upon-the second class saloon-they will serve anyone -with which ,the cycles are started--I am a helpless passenger-I squat down on the buckboard of Helga`s Cossack 650 twin as she boots it into rude life-O.K -looks like we are gonna get there
---NOTE-dont EVER get onto a sidecar unless you know what you are doing...please
My word-that was a ride-I`m just gonna go and sit quietly for a minute or two--Mmmm -ok-
Right,I finally make it into the bar and its the intermountain village domino championship tonight-passions are roused-I`am sure Pete remembers the rare thrill of a handfull of 6`s &3`s during a cup game......
O.K-
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!
Leon, nice to see you this early! A number 4 special, please! Yeah, all of it!
Hey, what is Ruth doing her? I think she is singing! Did he? Did they! Talked for two hours? Yeah, it sounds like Senior Manager Lars!
I guess today was a quiet day at the bar! Not too much to do.
Tom – Ahh, Union Terminal, not Station! I am always learning something! So Cincinnati is your military home? I have only been there once and didn’t see much of the city. But I actually have a cousin from the old country living there. I haven't seen him for many years though.
Nice drumheads! SP - Daylight. Between what cities did it run? Mail recevied and responded to. Thank you!Pete – I would say the fall with all the leaves coming down is the worst time of the year as an engineer. Didn’t travel that many overground lines in London. One was to the RAF museum in Hendon. Very interesting museum. http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/Thanks for the Irish photos! Interesting! Do you have any photos of any electrics? Or are they all EMUs?Rob – It was always a popular thing to do when the X2000 was on display, to run the tilting system on one of the cars. Much appreciated. Never saw a drunken sailor though! By the way, my next weekend will be a six day weekend! Usually they are four or five days long but six is even better. Nick – Seems like you had an eventful and rough day! Interesting report! It must have been Helga’s Cossack 650 twin I heard earlier this afternoon. A lot of decibels!
I have shown this one before, but I don't careBrill Model-55 Combination Car, built 1930. Eric
Wednesday's Witticism
Immigrants coming West to look for gold were born silly and had a relapse.
You guys know the drill . . . coffee's ready - pastries freshly baked 'n breakfasts ready to order.
Tuesday - Feb 19th: <all times Central standard>
Page 186 - Pete (pwolfe) at 3:53 PM: ‘Twas indeed a long time between customers - just check the times! However, yours is a Post to enjoy ‘n my hope is that the guys will do just that . . .
Kind of pointless to make such a fine effort IF none of our guys are around to read it . . . That's kind of why I'm not putting anything up after my AM summary ‘til someone else comes along. <groan>
To answer your question: In 1790, Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, changed the name of the settlement to "Cincinnati" in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. The society honored General George Washington, who was considered a latter day Cincinnatus -- the Roman general who saved his city, then retired from power to his farm. To this day, Cincinnati in particular, and Ohio in general, are home to a disproportionately large number of descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers who were granted lands in the state. <from: wikipedia.com>
In 1790, Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, changed the name of the settlement to "Cincinnati" in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. The society honored General George Washington, who was considered a latter day Cincinnatus -- the Roman general who saved his city, then retired from power to his farm. To this day, Cincinnati in particular, and Ohio in general, are home to a disproportionately large number of descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers who were granted lands in the state.
And just as a point - it's Union Terminal . . . Used to be quite the place for trains "back in the day" and a bit thereafter. I made my first trip there aboard the PRR from New York City back in 1960 - round trip for a buddy's wedding. Had a great time aboard the train <discussed over at the Original Thread if I recollect . . . . > Wedding wasn't bad either.
When I used to spend vacations with the family at "home" - Grandpa ‘n I would take the kids down to one of the more familiar train stations nearby. We'd sit in the station wagon ‘til we heard the approaching sounds - then they'd get all excited as the train came roaring through. Standing on the platform, the kids just couldn't believe it. All freights in those times - but still exciting to little kids. Good memories . . .
Fine looking spate of Irish equipment! May want to "save" a few for Mar 17th! I do hope Nick's band will make it "in" . . . With some advance notice we'll have to tighten up on security as you know how crazy the local gals get when "new blood" from across the pond arrives in the village. <yikes>
A movie about the "black bag" You DO have a vivid imagination! <grin> See comments to Rob . . .
Page 186 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 6:49 PM: Good to see ya in the early evening hours! The later the Posts, the more difficult it is for me to get out an early morning summary . . . so THANX!
I do believe that Leprechaun's are small creatures, which of course would rule out H&H! <yikes> Just the thought of green leather outfits for those two . . . BUT, you Sir are the Manager. Therefore I'll yield to you with regard to those details.
Neither one of us fancy fast foods either . . . When in Bedford <Halifax> we go out to eat wherever ‘n whenever without regard to the prices, for it's all part of what we like to do. Just that the "local" folks have other preferences, like staying at home. We can do that HERE! <gee
Good afternoon Ruth and the rest of you folks huddling in the corner ( most likely due to the visuals of Nick's story )Been another slow one by the trackside today hmm long weekenditus I'm afraid ,nothing an hour or two in the ministrations of H&H can't fix <uh oh >
Eric-Interesting photo of the combo car from brill. Theer is one of those critters plying the rails of a dinner excursion train in Florida,mind you it had been re-engined with an Allison V8 so it sort of spoils the mood.Mind you always nice to see the photo
Nick-Wow, what a tale of woe and love and well... we won't go there.If you did I hope a suit of armour was part of the costume I have to tell you though a 50 cal desert eagle does not constitue a medium caliber side arm Have you noticed that her side car is supported by a fully tracked tank tread
Tom-I can see the title now." IT CAME FROM THE BLACK BAG" or an alternate the "INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHING BLACK BAG IN 3D". Vito is looking at various sights to shoot the action scenes,he has an operating budget of at least $8.50 which he's say's he can stretch to cover all the costs. Guido has promised an extra $10.00 if any over runs should occur in the editing. More overruns than that and well... you know how they operate <uh oh >Boris is supplying the film and cameras ( another hobby he's been baned from by the order of the Mentor city council )Vito has flown in two speacial cases of imported Bavarian PPF's to cover the camera crews cost,yes folks stay away from Boris's shed while during and shortly after the filming beginsLeon will act as the soundman his cost were a lifetime supply of imported Italian leather boondockers adn Italian cut overalls in the finest Neopolitan Denim,Vito's boyz are supplying the security and H&H are catering so we should amke a profit somehow as they will use the shed and kitchen for pre and post production,that and the rental fee for teh use of our facilities will lets just say keep the bathtub full for a while.
I hear you about the staying in to eat while away from home , when one travels why would you want to actually cook and do all the things you have to do at home.
Back in a bit.
With a visit from our Manager, trolleyMAN Rob - that's all I need to drop this one on y'all! But first - something for you . . .
Picked this up from cbc.ca - At the NHL meeting of General Managers in Naples, FL:
Several cities, including Montreal, Chicago, Denver and New York (at Yankee Stadium) have expressed interest in playing an outdoor game. No decision has been made, but there will be an outdoor game next season.
Many THANX for helping out over on "my other Thread" . . .
STILL waiting Email responses from a couple of our Rendezvous III attendees . . .
Here's Part IV of the Building of the S-Capades for this Wednesday's OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day!
<Check out Page 176 for Part I; "must" reading if you wanna understand all of this!>
Tunnel completed
Newly arrived MoPac GP35 <American Models> ‘n freight cars!
Landscaping continues
More next week <maybe>!
Miss any
Part II is on Page 180
Part III is on Page 184
So Ruth my dear, now that you are off the phone I would like a nice Keith's oh and what the heck I'll abuse my tab and there by my salary for the rest of the week and offer all libations on me.Boris ring them up and of coarse do your feeding of the critters and have a small jar of the new PPF's Vito left for you as well.Normally I would not put out new info on the slow days but we need a new injection to keep the trqack gangs and those who give a patoot some new reading material.
CLASSIC STEAM # 41 STRATFORD'S BIG SHOP
The CNR locomotive shops in Stratford Ontario sat on 19 acres of land, and for more than 80 years was the cities largest employer.many said that it's whistle regulated the pulse of the town.It was composed of many buildings the original ones masonary with the add on's done in concrete.A tall smokestack marked the site and toweerd over the "big shops" and it's network of trackage.Cars of supplies constantly shuffled in and out of the complex.a self porpeled crane and it's tender and the two 0-8-0 shop switchers were constantly in use.An 85 foot turn table rounded out the big shops outer facilities,wiht teh large 36 stall roundhouse in the ajacent Stratford yards with a 115 foot table capable of handling the large Northern and Mountain type locomotives.
Following the 1870 reorganization of the Grand Trunk came the decision to build a large shop complex,Stratford was chosen as the hub by virtue of it's central location to the spider web of branchlines in southwestern Ontario.This web of trackage was constatntly expanding as the GTR bought up the myriad of small railroad companies all struggling to survive in the area.Two main buildings were built comprising Stratford's first heavy equipment shop and were completed in 1871 adjacent to teh old Buffalo and Goderich mainline.The absorbtion of teh Great Western in 1888 prompted the first expansion,which incorporated a transfer table for tenders in the erecting shop.In 1904 a new tender shop , light repair shop and electric ligthing were introduced.Larger locomotives forceda major expansion in 1907-08.consisting of a new erecting shop,gallery,longer turntable,insatllation of a telephone system and the replacement of the erecting shop transfer table with a new 120 ton overhead crane.
In 1919 , the crane was upgraded to a 150 ton model to handle the new large Mikado type locomotives.With the introduction of the Mountain and Sante Fe class engines the final 200 ton crane was added to the main shop in 1928.Postwar expansion included a tender inspection porch in 1948, the erecting shop annex and new boiler system were added on and completed in 1949,and an engine light up shed was built in 1950.
All classes of locomotive repair were handled by teh big shops from minor repairs and inspections to ful flegded re-building and recertifications.Tere were three main types of repair work done at the big shops.Any work which is concidered minor,but to heavy to be done in a roundhouse was concidered calss 6 repairs.Machinery repairs ( usually involving new tires ) but not requiring full disassembly were labelled as class 5. General repairs including compleet disassembly and retubinmg qualified as class 3 rebuilds.After a full class three including renewal of flues and full rebuilding and insapection an engine was good for four years.
The big shop comprised of six main departments with as many as 33 additional sub departments.Beneath the main windows of the main building were the three asiles that comprised the main portion of the shop.In the centre are the erecting pits,with the machine shop joined on the northside of the building.Oposite the machine shop was the annex that contained the electrical brake,spring,stoker.air brake and pipe shops.Welding,material cleaning,truck wheels and firboxes were also handled in the annex.Nine separate plumbing systems supplied the shop with pure water,oxygen,acetylene,compressed air and hydraulic preasure.Throughout the shop complex an old narrow guage railway for push carts and a series of trucking asiles for gasoline powered trucks helped bring the parts to the various dept's and sub depts.All replaced in the 1920'a by several overhead cranes.A separate power house suplied all the electricity needed for the shop building and was also piped to some company greenhouses which grew and supplied over 80.000 plants a year that were used to decorate the provinces train stations !
With the annex completion in 1949, the Stratford shop surpassed the Point Ste Charles shop in Montreal as the largest on the CNR system.Prior to the annex being built it could only fit five large locmotives at a time due to the lengths of the pits.Once the annex was completetd 24 large pits and twelve small were available all under the cover of the building and it's 200 ton crane.In 1951 all eastern region manotoba to teh amritimes steam rebuilds were transfered to teh Stratford shop complex as Pte STE Charles became a diesel loco only shop, at teh big shops peek in 1956 350 locomotives were servcied the usual output was 280 basically one locomotive a day was turned out by the shops.
The shop forces began to decline satrting about 1948 when 1600 workers were employed there by teh end of '48 it was down to 1300 by '56 only 900.By 1956 teh CNR had wholly embraced the replacement of steam with deisel locomotives so teh big shop was on borrowed time. In 1958 all remaining usable steam had been converted to oil burning and transfered to teh Western region and the car of teh transconna shops in Winnipeg ( also a deisel mainteneance shop still is today )In July of 58 the last loco was out shopped and the shops were closed. Some minor deisle maintenance went on during the 60's and in 1971 loco's 6060 and 6218 were both overhauled for excursion servcie after that teh shop buildings were condemmed most have now been torn down save part of the 1948 annex which CN uses for track mainteneance crews.
1951 shop of the fron of the big shops,a Sandusky shot from the OERHA archieve
Mountain type going for a ride inside the big shop
enjoy
Howdy there captain Tom join me in a drink won't you Keith's allright for you Loved seeing the next part of the s-capades.I'd love to ahve the room for S guage lots of fine streetcar equipment available oh well , next life with abigger house and a bigger budget
I'm not supprised that so many are jumping on the outdoor band wagon, it's a good thing provided that the NHL does it right. Once a year should be a good grabber espeacially if they keep to their New years Day format,best way to compete witht the football .
Bit odd that we are so slooow hopefully things will turn round tomorrow .come on guys belly upto the bar ,as I am buying for the bulk of the week.Remember your likley one and only chance to abuse the managers tab , lets try to make it longer than Pete's
I see two of you logged aboard - Rob 'n Pete!
Good to see ya at the bar today, Rob . . . yes, it's been quite puzzling, but we've been there 'n done this before, eh
Thought I'd get you with a <tweeting> for NOT using the REFRESH feature - you didn't "look" before Posting that 2nd one . . . but I'll let you off easy as you recouped nicely with your follow-up! <grin>
Thanx for the Keiths! <urp>
Peter! Check your Email!!
A pint of Bathams XXX, on this chilly, day please RUTH.
TOM Many thanks for the Classic Drumheads by the Dozen #5. All good but I think my favorites this time, are the Wabash Banner Blue and the WP Exposition Flyer, I guess this train only ran while the Exposition was on.
Thanks for the kind words on my post; I will have to remember to put some Irish photos in for March 17th before I go to Pat's Place. How come the local girls did not go crazy when I arrived, after all I am from across the ‘pond'. All I got was "You speak funny"
It is great what you learn at Our Place thanks for origin of the naming of Cincinnati.
I guess it was, what is now, classic diesels that were hauling those freights you used to watch from the local stations, thanks for sharing the story.
Yes the black bag survived the soda far better than the camera did, but still, this new camera I borrowed from the bride seems a lot better.
Many thanks for the next installment of the building of the S-Capades. Enjoyed the close up photos of the freight cars and the Mo-Pac GP35.
I will check my e-mails now.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the Irish Diesels, it was good to have a ride behind them as it was becoming rarer in the UK to have diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains, sad to say it appears now that the Irish Railway is going over to multiple units, with I believe just the Dublin to Cork and the Dublin to Belfast route using loco haulage.
Many thanks for that very interesting post on the Stratford Big Shop. Like the factory I worked at, in the past, the works hooter was used by the towns people to set their watches.
What a difference it must have been from 1951, with those great locomotives fresh from overall outside the works, to 1958 when the works closed.
I guess that is the 200-ton crane lifting No 6001; our biggest crane was 120 ton. Thanks for sharing.
I have never been compared to Sean Connery before, no wonder he wanted a lot of money to play me. I'm afraid if the filming does go ahead, the Black Bag has demanded its own caravan and make up artiste, sorry about that.
I only hope there are two Leprechaun suits or else H&H will be scraping to see who gets to wear it.
NICK That sounds a wonderful setting to have your country band rehearsals.
Very much enjoyed the account of the date with Helga, I guess she has removed the machine gun that was on top of the sidecar. OH yes I remember the feeling, a few behind, my drop and a handful of sixes, then the opponent drops a one in and s it all up. . Even better, when both are in the dead hole, and it takes about three rounds to end the game.
Looking forward to the next installment of the evening with Helga,or is it.
ERIC Yes in the UK they have special trains that are fitted with high-pressure water and a special solution that is used during the leaf fall season.
Many thanks for the link to the RAF museums, unfortunately I could not get the ‘virtual tour' to load but I will try again. It would be the Northern Line to Edgeware if you went to Hend
Hello Leon just back in again with a bit of a nostalgia post from our gone but not forgotten friend BK.Let me have a large draft of Guiness. 'm gald to see that Pete's at least taken up my offeer of libations
Tom-I took some of your advice from our chat this afternoon and palyed with teh ole copy n paste from the old thread,got it to work after a couple of tries. I guess that you can each an old dog new tricks.
Pete-Another fine picture from you thank-you. Funny that we morn the old railway equipment when it's use stops being the norm. The Diesels on passenger trains in the UK and Ireland and Steam loco usage here. At least they still have a fine tradition of passenger train servcie over the pond be it steam , diesel or MU sets
Sooo the bag wants more money and perks does it I don't know Vito might be able to craft a cement carying case for it <uh oh > We could after all use CGI for the bags part.Sean Connery seems aggreeable to do the part much more aggreeable to the price than was Harrison Ford BTW make-up can do wonders for actors
H&H will not have to share a costume they each made one for each other,I have asked them to add a few more green sequins to make them more "PG" rated.
Helga sent the MG42 off the si
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the crew please!
Rob. Looks as if we are cursed with the same teenage problems as well, it must be a world wide problem? Enjoyed your write up`s on the Classic Steam #4 with pics of the Statford Big Shops, and the Pullman story, all very interesting. You are doing a TOP job at the Bar!
Nick. Good to see you in again with some humerous dialogue.
Eric. Interesting lot of signal pics, a nice pic of the Brill railcar and the X2000 in Tilt mode, and a very interesting link to the RAF museum at Hendon, thanks for that. Whale Rider was filmed North of us on the East Coast of NZ.
Ron. Hope you get rid of that `puter bug soon.
Mike. Very interesting write up and pics of that Grain Elevator.
Pete. Some of the Miners Clubs only sold "Federation" beer which was brewed at their own brewery, it tasted like "Gnats P" , at least we had Newcastle "Broon" Ale at the Legion. Enjoyed all those Irish diesel loco pics and info of yours. Forgot to confirm your info on the named train headboards, from what I remember your write up was spot on.
Dan. Congratulations on making the 3700th reply at the Bar! You were correct about the "pot Leeks" competitions, all the miners had special recipes of fertilising brews for their "Babies" and they were grown in "hush hush" conditions. Pit Yacker must have been very difficult for anyone to understand out side of Geordieland, Kiwi`s always reckon we are from Scotland or Wales, or even Holland when they try to place our accent. Glad you enjoyed that Westoe link, I enjoyed your link to the Shropshire and Montgomery Railway.
Tom. Have been to Christchurch many times, my wife`s eldest sister over here lives there, it`s a very "English" city with lots of superbly kept gardens and parks. That Dr Jerri Nielsen you mentioned was big news here in the late 90`s, their was a lot of press and TV coverage of her predicament at the South Pole, I have`nt read her book but will now you have recommended it. Nice choice of flicks for the weekend, Whale Rider was filmed on the East Coast, North of where we live, it`s a nice family movie. Enjoyed all your great posts and pics of the hardcover books for your Can Am Library, the classic Drumheads pics, and those great pics of your S-Capades RR, many thanks to you.
See ya, Allan
Hello Again Leon I think that I would like another Keith's. Remember everyone the rounds for the rest of the week are on me so step up one and all. I'm not usually this givingHere's another reprint from teh old thread to give everyone a bit more bedtime reading. actually i'm just drunk with a new found skill LOL
enjoy again
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