G'day Gents!
Now Arriving on Track Number Two!
Hard Cover Classic Train Books for the Can-Am Library!
Number Four
Portrait of the Alaska Railroad <wanted>
Book Description: In July 1923, President Warren G. Harding visited Alaska to drive in the "Golden Spike" commemorating the grand opening of the new, federally funded railroad linking Seward with Fairbanks. The Government Railroad had taken eight years and the influence of three U.S. presidents to complete. Shortly afterward, it was renamed the Alaska Railroad. In the eighty-plus years since then, America's northernmost railroad has remained a critical transportation link, a working train as well as a touring train that wends through some of the most fabulous country in the nation. Resplendent in blue and gold, the engines and cars of the Alaska Railroad remain disconnected from other rail lines, set apart on a track that travels north through the wilderness to a dead end near Fairbanks, and south to a dead end at the seaport of Seward. But, oh, what beauty lies between. In this lavishly illustrated and authoritative book, the Alaska Railroad rides in the spotlight. Through words and color-rich photos, Johnson and Corral offer an entertaining history of the railroad, the routes, the engines and railcars, the landscape and wildlife, and much more. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: In July 1923, President Warren G. Harding visited Alaska to drive in the "Golden Spike" commemorating the grand opening of the new, federally funded railroad linking Seward with Fairbanks. The Government Railroad had taken eight years and the influence of three U.S. presidents to complete. Shortly afterward, it was renamed the Alaska Railroad. In the eighty-plus years since then, America's northernmost railroad has remained a critical transportation link, a working train as well as a touring train that wends through some of the most fabulous country in the nation. Resplendent in blue and gold, the engines and cars of the Alaska Railroad remain disconnected from other rail lines, set apart on a track that travels north through the wilderness to a dead end near Fairbanks, and south to a dead end at the seaport of Seward. But, oh, what beauty lies between. In this lavishly illustrated and authoritative book, the Alaska Railroad rides in the spotlight. Through words and color-rich photos, Johnson and Corral offer an entertaining history of the railroad, the routes, the engines and railcars, the landscape and wildlife, and much more.
Amtrak in the Heartland <wanted>
Book Description: A complete history of Amtrak operations in the heartland, this volume describes conditions that led to the passage of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, the formation and implementation of Amtrak in 1970-71, and the major factors that have influenced Amtrak operations since its inception. More than 140 photographs and 3 maps bring to life the story as told by Sanders. This book will become indispensable to train enthusiasts through its examination of Americans' long-standing fascination with passenger trains. When it began in 1971, many expected Amtrak to last about three years before going out of existence for lack of business, but the public's continuing support of funding for Amtrak has enabled it and the passenger train to survive despite seemingly insurmountable odds. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: A complete history of Amtrak operations in the heartland, this volume describes conditions that led to the passage of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, the formation and implementation of Amtrak in 1970-71, and the major factors that have influenced Amtrak operations since its inception. More than 140 photographs and 3 maps bring to life the story as told by Sanders. This book will become indispensable to train enthusiasts through its examination of Americans' long-standing fascination with passenger trains. When it began in 1971, many expected Amtrak to last about three years before going out of existence for lack of business, but the public's continuing support of funding for Amtrak has enabled it and the passenger train to survive despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
Baltimore & Ohio Color History <wanted>
Book Description: In the 20th century, the BO gained notoriety for great passenger trains like the Capitol Limited, innovative technology, and a flair for aesthetic touches. This authoritative and highly visual retrospective spans the railroads entire history through its current operation. Colour photography, both period and modern, along with rare archival photos, depict BO memorabilia, promotional materials and, of course, the trains themselves. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: In the 20th century, the BO gained notoriety for great passenger trains like the Capitol Limited, innovative technology, and a flair for aesthetic touches. This authoritative and highly visual retrospective spans the railroads entire history through its current operation. Colour photography, both period and modern, along with rare archival photos, depict BO memorabilia, promotional materials and, of course, the trains themselves.
Bangor & Aroostook Railroad in Color <wanted>
Book Description: The Maine Railroad" has its motive power and operations examined in full color from the early 1950s to its end in 2002. From passengers to potatos, all aspects of this intriguing carrier are covered. <from: amazon.com>
Book Description: The Maine Railroad" has its motive power and operations examined in full color from the early 1950s to its end in 2002. From passengers to potatos, all aspects of this intriguing carrier are covered.
Burlington's Zephyrs <wanted>
Book description: This authoritative, illustrated history of the Zephyr fleet examines the trains, their motive power and landmark streamlined designs, rolling stock (including the Vista-Dome, generally considered the first successful dome car), and services. Dozens of black-and-white archival images and period color photographs depict Zephyrs along routes throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast, and Texas, as well as Burlington uniforms, dinnerware, stations and terminals, and interior views of cars. In the process, the book provides a dramatic visual account of train travel's decline throughout the century. Also featured are period advertisements, and route maps, timetables, and menus. <from: amazon.com>
Book description: This authoritative, illustrated history of the Zephyr fleet examines the trains, their motive power and landmark streamlined designs, rolling stock (including the Vista-Dome, generally considered the first successful dome car), and services. Dozens of black-and-white archival images and period color photographs depict Zephyrs along routes throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast, and Texas, as well as Burlington uniforms, dinnerware, stations and terminals, and interior views of cars. In the process, the book provides a dramatic visual account of train travel's decline throughout the century. Also featured are period advertisements, and route maps, timetables, and menus.
Canadian National Railway <wanted>
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. I drove through four kinds of weather this a.m. Partly cloudy, fice (combination of fog and ice), fog, and then clear. Sun is out now and it looks as though it will be a good day.
Rob - Nice snow shots (Got all homesick, oh for about 15 seconds, then I remember getting the bends having to dig my car out day after day, after day - well, you understand) Cornwall St. Railway was a good rerun. For some reason we used to see Tidewater Southern cars fairly regularly on the L&N when I was in Nashville.
Nick - Hope you are above the water level. Weather Channel here had quite a bit about the storm in your area. Fascinating car shots - spent a lot of time looking at them. We could probably run Kate in my back yard.
Pete - Bellerophon - named for the mythological character or for the ship?
Eric - ORER can be useful as it gives you car numbers, dimensions, etc. Lots of numbers if that's what you want along with summaries of different rules relating to freight car types, interchange, etc.
OSP - Nice selection of past photos. Yikes! A memory lapse! Moi? I don't know why I had the RDCs running out of W-B instead of Lehighton.
You have some good items on your want list.
John Stover's History of the Baltimore and Ohio would be an excellent compement to the picture book you have on your list. I recommend it.
Portrait of the Alaska RR - I have not seen this one, but it may get on my list (thanks a lot - lol).
Angier's a guru on the BAR - Go for that one; you'll enjoy it.
As an aside, I'm presently reading H. Roger Grant's Rails Through the Wiregrass - History of the Georgia and Florida Railroad and am also working through Lamb's Evolution of the North American Diesel Locomotive. Both of them have a wealth of good material/information. The "captains of industry" at the bar (you know who you are) will espcially enjoy Issue 197 of Railroad History. This is a revision/reprint of John White's Short History of American Locomotive Builders in the Steam Era - a must have item. Fascinating stuff; be the first on your block to have a picture of Daylight tenders under construction at Lima.
Here's some more about the Tidewater Southern (c. 1959).
The TS was approximately 50 miles long, operating between Stockton and Hilmar. A line approx 30 miles long operated between Ortega and Modesto. Trains 101 and 102 provided mixed service between Ortega and Modesto. The trip took about three hours.
Hope this works now - tried to post once and the entire page vanished - that's why we do posts in word and cut and paste.
Work safe
Good morning Ruth always glad to see your winning smile in the morning, a tip for you though even though he means well don't follow any of Boris's dentaql regimine, not that you would but I overheard him exposing the virtues of his favourite toothpaste ( with an "H" ) to Leon the other night. Just smile and nod and he'll leave you alone.That said I think a large thermos of the BK high octane to jumpstart the day and a number three. Good gawd gertie how old are those prune danishes we haven't had one with the taste for them here in months.
Eric-Yes concider yourself lucky that you don't have to dig and scrape like that anymore,someone actually said to me yesterday while we were clearing the snowplows leaving s again that at least it was the ligth fluffy snow it's still heavy and it's still several feet deep,kinda like people saying the heat in Azizona while bad is a dry heat ( it's still hot )I try not to eat alot at night either just brings on a world of hurt so why bother coarse here it's glutton yourselves up cause it isn't gonna harm you
CM3-Is it spring yet At least today's snowstorm has been cancelled or at least been downgraded to flurries Ah more tidbits of info on the WP's electrics I figured that someone else would have a word or three about them. It is odd as to how many missplaced freight cars one does see,shows just how far and wide the railcar pools will travel from their home rails,oddly enough I still see the odd covered hopper go through Brantford with very old and faded N&W or family lines markings on them.
Tom-I try not to bother with the formus search features too depressing.Oh well we soldier on eh Great books in todays covers soem grrreat books there
Not sure why the double post happened, I had though I deleted the one without the preamble,I got the email reminder that it was deleted but there it is bigger than life wierdI'll note the proper terminology in my nautical references for alter use though I have seen it used that way, again wierd.
You would have liked the cruise grumpy date or not, besides Kate the bartender would have kept you entertained ( always lots of other pretty things on board as well )
Rob
Here's a few more pics from the missing pot as it were to keep things flowing.
Two shots of a GP40-2W lead train at CN Robbins east which is midway between Welland and Port Colbourne Ontario.
A VIA corridor train heading through Bayview JCT
CP had alot of power shortages in the early ninties and dragged lease locos infriom where ever they could find them,an ex CN SD40 now belonging to Helm leasing on a CP train in Welland Ontario.
enjoy
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
NICK. Hope you survived the storm with no damage. There are some photos of the large waves off the Cornish coast in the Daily Mail web site.
Many thanks for the narrow gauge photos it is good to see those R.N.A.D. vans were saved and looking in such good condition.
ROB Yes lets hope a few more drop in the bar in the next few months.
I bet that is great to have diner on the Segwuin as she steams on the cruise. It is possible to see the engine at work when on board.
I have found some photos of a small steamboat in Scotland I will scan and post them after I send my post.
Many thanks for the Western Pacific Electric Lines Encore. I enjoyed reading about the Sacramento Northern, it must have been a great trip to go from San Francisco to Chico including being on the car ferry Ramon.
In Britain they are ordering more diesel locomotives for freight instead of increasing the already quite considerable electric lines, I wonder why electric haulage for freight seems so out of favor at the moment, if the price of diesel fuel keeps rising, as it is doing, it could be that they wished they had more electrified lines.
Enjoyed the great photos from the ‘lost' set. Good to see the VIA train, there seems to a lot of different liveries on the locomotives you caught on film.
ERIC There was a boxcar here on Saturday from Stockton CA.
Yes I would have need a beer after finding the almost full bottle of soda pop no longer in the bottle but in the bottom of the bag, I think it would have been better if it had been beer that was in the bag.
If I remember correct Bellerophon had not steamed for a long time when I took the photo which I think was in the mid 1970s and the paint was just to add some protection.I have found this link to her.
http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/Bell.htm
V.C. #2 looks a good-looking locomotive, thanks for the photo.
CM3 I think the Haydock Foundry Bellerophon in the photo was named after the Mythological character, built in 1874, she had a long history as it says in the link above. The Mythological names were very popular for names on the early engines in the UK.
There was one locomotive named after the ship I believe, it was LMS Jubilee class number 5694.
Thanks for the info on the books and the Ortega to Modesto line, one of the bride's aunts lives in Modesto; it sounds a leisurely journey with the mixed train, I suppose, doing some switching of its freight cars on route.
TOM Congratulations on the 3,900th reply.
Thanks for the info on the RDC that appears at the top of your recent posts.
Hope the water doesn't rise as high in Nick's part of the world as it does in the Johnny Cash song.
Yes I seem to run late on Mondays, I blame the time change here and where it has not changed yet in the UK, so I am an hour late. Hope this makes sense.
I followed your instructions for the ‘Search' feature but had the usual response from it ‘Not Found' even with my forum name. I will try again later.
Many thanks for the Classic Train Books from the Can-Am Library and the descriptions of the books. In the photo on the front of the Alaska Railroad, it was an everyday scene at one time on British railways and I guess on American railroads as well that has disappeared, that is the single locomotive with just a brake van (caboose) in tow.
I bet it will be a hard decision of which book to get first.
I will post this and I have a couple of photos of that small 'Pug' locomotive in steam,so a round while I scan the photos please RUTH.
Pete.
I'm back LEON with some photos, so a round please.
These are the photos of the steamship. They were taken on September 25th 2000 during the Highland Steam Festival. Between the days on which there was the steam locomotives on the main line there was organised tours, to old lines and other places of transport interest. This is at Loch Katerine and we had a cruise on the S.S. Sir Walter Scott in the photo.
On this day we travelled by the preserved W Alexander preserved classic double-decker bus
I am sure Lars would enjoy this photo.
I found this photos of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 'Pug' 0-4-0 saddle tank working at the Middleton Railway in Leeds.The Middleton Railway celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1758 this year, it was the first railway to have an Act of Parliament to authorise to building of the line.
No 51218 would have been used in dockyards and locations where there were sharp curves when it's short wheelbase would be useful.Looking at a couple of books I see she was allocated to Preston and two sheds in the Liverpool area at some time in the 1950s, which have dockyards. I see also 51218 was at Crewe South shed it would be interesting to know what she was used for there.
Well LEON a quick Bathams please.
Good evening Leon, I think I'll have a keith's and here's some extra for the managers slush fund ie for bar activities such as parties etc.Another slow one at the old bar but still some interesting stuff fer sure fer sure
Pete-Looks like the afternoon was yours sir, thanks for helping out. Indeed would be nice to see a few more even irregulars jumping in once in a while. To answer your question yes you an see into and go down into both the boiler room and the engine room which are back to back midships. The dinners are really good,so are the lunches. There are several different cruises to choose from on both vessels of the Muskoka fleet.Have a peek at their website.
http://www.realmuskoka.com/
Great pictures of that little steam engine as well.Loved the link to the steam locomotive as well.
I would think that with all the network of track and infrastructure in place that they would order more electric loco's for freight. Certainly electric locomotives have more tractive effort as almost all their hp is aplied to the rails unlike steam or deisel's. Diesel locomotives are generally cheaper to buy though so economics at that end may have had something to do with it. Mind you savings at that end,will be eaten up by the cost of the fuel.
Hi Tom and all,
Leon, the usual round of Tui`s for all the guys` please.
Pete. Many thanks for the Rocket 150 Rainhill set of photo`s mate , a really terrific and historic set of photo`s and are all keepers! Thanks also for the nice pic of Blue Peter and all of your other great pics, I remember the Newcastle steam pilot very well, it was always kept in a "*** and span" gleaming polish all the time until it was withdrawn, can`t remember the year? Was that Alexander double decker a Guy or a Leyland? It looks more like a Guy radiator to my old eyes! The Pug loco looked really cute and some nice shots of that Loch steamer trip and the SS Sir Walter Scott. I`ve just about given up hope with the Toon and their continuing losing streak!
Rob. Wow, what a great dump of snow at your place, looks as if you need to borrow Tom`s snow blower to clear that lot. Enjoyed all your nice pics at Battlecreek and Bayview and all the re-posts of your Classic Steam series, the boat train one was neat, and the Weird Tales from the Barn about Trolley`s and Teddy Roosevelt was really interesting, many thanks.
Eric. Have you been to the Cracker Barrel at all yet? Nice pics of the DM 3 and IORE loco`s, Pete`s famous black bag,and all your other pics and info. Very interesting info on the CNW left hand running with most RR`s running right hand over there.
Cm3. Hope your feeling much better now? Some interesting memories of Steamtown and the re-railing frog hanger story.
Nick. A very colourful set of photo`s of the UK trains and the onr of your model Rly, and the RNAD narrow gauge Rly at Trecwn. A very tempting menu you posted, where do I start? Have just about given the Toon away now after their latest loss, will have to send Kevin Keagan an e-mail with a very big "Hurry up" message!
Tom. Congratulations on making the 3,900th post. Could have sworn i`d entered both those competitions, must be that "CRAFT" episode again? That was a great link of Mike`s to that Youtube video on Lars`s favourite Dome cars, nice lot of info on BITD of the California Zephyr and what a great set of pics of your Rendezvous I and II and all the guys` taking part, your`s and Pete`s KC trip, and your Canadian trip pics with Fergies 1st Command, plus the Patron`s Pix #15, and the Can Am Library hardcover book selection, another veritable feast to behold! The NZ government is now in the process of buying back the whole railway system from Toll Holdings, they are at the stage of confirming the final amount of $$$`s, they should`nt have been sold off in the first place! It`s such stategic national asset to be in private ownership. Oh, nearly forgot to mention the weekend flicks`, saw Will Hay`s "Oh, Mr Porter" when Iwas "knee high to a grasshopper", Will usually played a bumbling schoolmaster in most of his movies, can`t remember seeing "Wings" at all? Did that big storm affect you at all? By the look of Rob`s yard it was a gi-normous dump of snow! [A fifer today!]
See ya, Allan
Hi again Leon I see that Allan has popped in always good to see him early in the morning his time Yes it was an absolute dump 'o' snow. mind you I''m not sure what it's likein Missouri where Tom is but in Southwestern Ontario , March has always produced the biggest and nastiest snowstorms.I'm young enough yet that I can still move the snow the old fashioned way,we don't have a garage either so storage for a snowblower is a bit tough as I don't like having gasoline powered equipment stored inside the house with us, we use an electric lawnmower for the same reason.I'm glad that you were / are enjoying the re-rolls of some of the old stuff from the other thread, if anything they hopefully create some disscussion amongst the guys.
With that here is another one for everyone to puruse.
CLASSIC DIESEL'S #8 THE CF7 The CF7 At the end of the 1960's the ATSF found itself with several hundred F7 frieght diesels that were out of a job. They had been bumped from mainline frieght duties by high horse power hood units , and their carbody configuration made them unsuitable for the branchline and local duties where they were needed. Santa Fe could not afford to to buy several hundred new units for this type of work and the F7's mechanically still had many usefull years left in them. So the Sante Fe decided to convert them ( F7's ) to hood units.Two factors influenced this decision : 1) The desire to keep the shop at Clerburne Tx busy , 2) The financial advantage of a capitol rebuilding program, which let them treat the rebuilt locomotives as new, therefore enabling them to depreciate their value over a period of several years. The rebuilding process was complicated by the basic difference between cab units,such as the F7, and a hood unit. A hood unit is essentially a flat frame carrying a diesel engine,and a generator and controls, with sheet metal hoods protecting them and the crew from the weather. A cab unit was designed so that the sides carry part of the weight of the machinery. Remove the sides and the frame will sag. Fabricating new frames was a major part of the conversion process from F7 to CF7 . At first glance, the CF7 looks like a GP7 that has had it's short hood lowered.It differs from a GP7 in having a shorter , short hood and a longer cab ; the side members of the frame are also quite different. Most of the CF7's were built with a curved cab roof ; the last 54 had an angled cab roof that can accomodate a roof mounted air conditioner.Mechanically the CF7's are the same as the GP7 1500hp 567 prime mover and the assosiated gen set. All refurbished as needed, but the original as installed powerplant from their F7 days. Sante Fe built 233 CF7's between 1970 and 1978. In the early 80's the road began to phase them out and discovered a ready market for them in the various short lines and regional railroads. Many are onto their third and forth owners, in may cases running with thier purcgasers longer than with their builder. The CF7 was likely one of the most ambitious rebuilding schemes attempted by a class one. Eclipsd only by some of the switcher rebuilds and GP7 and 9 conversions done by the UP and ICG to name just two. Enjoy Rob
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, a perfect evening for my Rumpsteak Café de Paris! A cold Tui, please! A round for the house! This should cover it, keep the change.
A beautiful day here in the desert in the low 80's. Mowed the lawn and pulled some weeds.
Tom – That is the reason I am buying a laptop, to be able to get in touch when I am traveling! Checked the possibility to take the train to the rendezvous. 55 hrs. Sunset Limited from here to San Antonio, TX and Texas Eagle from San Antonio to St. Louis. $123 each way. Almost 9 hours layover in San Antonio.
I used to be a member of a video club once and I always forgot to return those movies I didn't want. Now we have about 35-40 movies that still are wrapped in plastic and we have never watched them. Crazy!?! Interesting books! The Amtrak book has a former F40 on the cover. One of those that lost its diesel engine and is used as a cab car now. Has big doors on the sides for freight/luggage. You asked for more info on the steam locomotive in my photo. It is a Baldwin 2-6-2 built 1922 for the Cascade Timber Company of Reliance, Washington. In 1942 the Ventura County Railway acquired the locomotive and renumbered it as No. 2. It was used to move war supplies from Southern Pacific at Oxnard to the Naval Construction Battalion supply base at Port Hueneme, CA. Ventura County Railway No. 2. Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA.CM3 – That is exactly the kind of information I am interested in! I have to find one of those books. I’ll try eBay. Rob – It is a dry heat! Shoveling snow is not good for you when you are middle age or older. Can easily give you a heart attack so you better be careful!Who was nice enough to cancel your snowstorm? Must be a nice guy! Nice photos! The VIA train is a short one, only three cars. I can see the signal lights outside the loco numbers. Do they still use those lights?Very interesting info on Santa Fe’s CF7! I didn’t know they had that many. I wonder if there is any of those rebuilt ones left in service today? Pete – Thanks for the link. Bellerophon looks very nice nowadays! Much better with some nice paint job done. If it had been beer in your black bag instead of soda pop you would probably have tried to drink it instead of wiping it!Thanks for the photos. Nice looking little steamer! Seems to be a compound machine. 51218 is a small engine, perfect for the sharp curves you mentioned. Allan – Have I been to Cracker Barrel yet? I was there four times last week and I’ll go there twice this week. Getting close to my 2,500th visit. It takes longer now to get enough visits since I am only working 20 hrs/week. Interesting to learn about the NZ government buying back the railroads! Who is going to operate the trains in the future?
Eric
<Wikimedia foto>
Wednesday's Witticism
Young liars turn into old thieves.
It's mid-week AND our 35th Monthiversary . . . moving right along . . . coffee's ready - donuts fresh ‘n breakfasts to order from our Menu Board!
Comments from the Proprietor
Looks like I made the 3,900th reply AND turned the Page to 196 at the same time! I'll have RUTH, fix me a double hit of JD with that OJ . . . <grin>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Tuesday - March 11th: <all times Central daylite>
Page 196 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:50 AM: Nice book review . . . I've got a couple on back order with amazon.com - try to build the library on "gift days" <B'day - Christmas - Father's day> otherwise things remain static. Will take under keen advisement all recommendations!
The mere sound ‘n sighting of the descriptor "Tidewater" brings to mind another place - the southern Virginia area where I used to live - where Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach ‘n Hampton made up the moniker. Was a great place to live . . . spent a most happy nearly 5-years there . . .
Sage advice regarding preparing submissions on the WP . . . been one of my constant reminders over the years. <grin>
Page 196 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 10:51 AM ‘n 10"58 AM: Nice quartet of fotos along with a twofer from our Resident Ontario Connection!
I use the SEARCH feature quite a bit, but not to check on the UTBs . . . admittedly, when my curiosity gets the best of me - then it's a source of facts. Rather KNOW than GUESS is the way I look at it.
Origin of the Good Gawd Gertie expression <that you stole> comes from way back in my childhood when my grandpa <maternal> used to express his chagrin at my mother in that manner . . . now you <'n everyone in cyber space> KNOWS!
Already have a "pretty thing" from Canada - ain't in the market for ‘nother one! <uh oh> How's that for covering one's . . . caboose
Page 196 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:13 PM ‘n 5:59 PM: With regard to the SEARCH feature - be sure that you type in exactly what your cyber name looks like - pwolfe - I just did it ‘n it worked for me. Once again: Click on SEARCH - wait for the window - click on SEARCH again - two blank lines will come up - fill in your cyber name on the 2nd line - click SEARCH <there will be 2 "SEARCH" areas - click the one inside the "box">. You should get all of your Posts <or the Posts for any cyber name you put in>.
Email responded to . . . thanx!
A bit surprised that no one else picked up on the Johnny Cash song - that was a "biggie" for him ‘n kinda fit the moment for Nick.
Whatever the time is <or should be> in the UK has no bearing on the time in Mentor Village . . . so let's ensure that you not dawdle Mondays away - especially after taking a weekend "off"! <uh oh>
Many thanx for taking the time to provide us with the descriptions to accompany those 5 fotos! That little vessel sure has a fancy name! Yeah, I think Lars would've enjoyed the guy in the engine room. Good looking double-decker bus . . .
We saw a caboose or two in use during our Alaskan Rail Adventure . . . so they haven't been totally relegated to parks, museums ‘n static displays. <groan>
Page 196 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:31 PM ‘n 10:05 PM: No point in lamenting those who haven't been ‘round since Moby Dick was a minnow <yeah, go ahead ‘n steal that one too>- they drift in ‘n out and NEVER catch up nor do I believe they care to. We're now at five who may be considered as regulars . . . one more loss ‘n I'll have to rethink this surreal world of ours . . .
Good read with your CF7 submission!
Thanx for the twofer ‘n cash for "whenever" . . .
Page 196 - Allan <Gunneral> at 9:46 PM: While the eastern portion of what we call the mid-west was getting swacked by that monster storm system, we escaped it all. Today we're heading close to the 70s (F) as spring appears to have arrived. But wait . . . "they" are calling for one last gasp of winter early next week. <grin> Ya gotta luv it . . .
You hit the nail on the head regarding railways being a national asset - bet many people don't think of ‘em that way. Problem in this country is our Congress doesn't seem to recognize the value of passenger rail UNLESS of course THEY need to jump aboard because airlines are grounded. Isn't that always the way
Appreciate the recognition of the Posts ‘n pleased to know they provide the interest ‘n enjoyment intended!
Good eavesdropping . . . and many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n ROUND!
Wednesday - April 12th:
Page 196 - Eric <EricX2000) at 12:41 AM: Cut the grass, eh Surprised you have any! <grin> Sweep the sand is my image of the desert! Anyway, glad the weather ‘n temps please ya . . .
I've said it before - Amtrak is NOT a system. For if it was, there'd be no such thing as that ridiculous "layover" you mentioned. Nor would incoming trains just miss outgoing ones by minutes BY SCHEDULE. <geesh> What a way to run a railroad . . .
"They" are predicting four bucks for gas before too long . . . you'll just have to make up the difference by perhaps skipping a visit to the Cracker Barrel! <uh oh>
Many thanx for the info on that Baldwin . . .
Appreciate the visit ‘n inclusive Post! And . . . a ROUND!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. The sun is out here today, but the Weather Guessers say we are about to head into a protracted stretch of rain, snow, clods, etc. Gas went up to $3.39/gal. here yesterday - no reason, just ‘cause they can, I guess.
Pete was in with comments and pictures. I enjoyed the steamship picture and the 0-4-0 as well. Maybe it was used as a shop switcher at Crewe? Incidentally, NP Slumbercoaches were named for Lochs. I remember having space in Loch Katrine one time.
Allan was by with comments as was Eric. ORER was issued monthly. Thing to do is try and get one from the year of your Official Guide.
Rob visited with pictures and historical information. Lease power is a puzzlement sometimes as you try and figure out where it came from originally. We don't see as much of it here as we did a few yrs back as CSX is apparently able to keep up with their power requirements (for a change).
OSP - I'll try to remember Tidewater pictures for the Rendezvous - which way to Newport News?
Here's some 1950-era agent copy Missouri Pacific material.
The Texas Eagle: Daily between St. Louis-Memphis-Little Rock and principal Texas cities. Through sleepers between New York, Washington, and Texas.
The Missouri River Eagle: Daylight service between St. Louis-Kansas City-Lincoln-Omaha.
The Delta Eagle: Daily between Memphis-Helena-Tallulah.
The Colorado Eagle: Overnight between St. Louis-Kansas City-Pueblo-Colorado Springs-Denver.
The Valley Eagle: Daylight service between Houston-Corpus Christi-Rio Grande Valley and Brownsville.
These Five Eagles Star in West-Southwest
Here's an easy way to solve your routing problems to, from and throughout the West-Southwest. Just remember the word "Eagle." For "Eagle" identifies Missouri Pacific's fine streamlined trains that have won great favor with the traveling public. This one word exemplifies those standards of performance so necessary in modern transportation: Speed, safety, diesel-powered smoothness and dependability. Give your patrons "Eagle" as the answer to their question, "What train do you recommend?" They'll appreciate the beauty, comfort and convenience of the Eagles. You save them money, too, for there is no extra fare on any Eagle!
Hello Tom and all in
Round for the house - just a quick call to drop off a message for Rob (or anyone else likely to be in Toronto at the date below) - Rob I just picked this up off a message board I use re vintage films - these will be good - but I relasie it depends on committments and of course possible costs. Thought I'd mention it in case the 'heads up' was of interest.
BTF = British Transport Films (see www.britishtransportfilms.co.uk )
Regards to all
DL
Something of interest to our North American subscribers
The manager and a programmer of the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival
(WSFF) in Toronto, Canada is planning to include several BTF titles at
this year's event.
The WSFF is North America's premier event for short film, bringing
filmmakers, buyers, distributors, and the public together each June,
and qualifying films for the BAFTA Awards and the Oscars. Each year
they have a special program dedicated to archival titles - including
training and promotional pieces, public service announcements, and
other ephemeral films - that comprise an important and often
startlingly entertaining body of short film work.
The following BTF films are to be considered for inclusion via the BFI:-
Make a Train, 1979
Our Canteens, 1957
Promises, Promises, 1982
Old Sam the Signalman, 1982
People Like Us, 1962
The Finishing Line, 1977
Crossing the Railway Safely, 1967
A Desperate Case, 1958
Emergency, 1962
Joe Brown at Clapham, 1965
I Am a Litter Basket, 1959
Why Bother?, 1956
Last year's selection of archival safety films from the 1930s to 1970s
was received by an extremely enthusiastic audience, and the National
Film Board of Canada has had substantial interest in some of the
titles we screened from their library.
Programming information for the festival should be released around May
22 or 23 on www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com
CM3 Shane kicked off the morning 'n Dan stopped by at mid-day - at least we're still perkin', eh
Email from Allan received 'n responded to - thanx! Spoke with Rob this morning on his day off - man's gotta go back to work! <grin> Said he was "peeking" at me from behind a snow bank. Hmmmmmmm, we gotta get this guy something TO DO!
Sent Rob 'n Pete an Email regarding ExpoRail . . .
Now Arriving on Track #2
Classic Drumheads by the Dozen - #6
(1) ATSF - The Chief
(2) B&O - National Limited
(3) B&M/CP - The Alouette <variation>
(4) CB&Q <Burlington Route> - Buffalo Bill
(5) CP
(6) C&O - Fast Flying Virginian
(7) CN&W - The Flambeau
(8) CMSTPP <Milwaukee Road> - Olympian Hiawatha
(9) DRG&W - Prospector
(10) Erie - The Midlander
(11) GN - Empire Builder <variation>
(12) IC - The Night Diamond
Enjoy!
Missed any
#1 . . . Page 156
#2 . . . Page 158
#3 . . . Page 166
#4 . . . Page 183
#5 . . . Page 186
Good afternoon Ruth figured I would catch you before you left for the day.Since it's afternoon most places I'll have a keith's and a big roast beef on rye with the extra hot mustard oh and yes a couple of the extra crunnchy pickles form the barrell. Here's a bit extra for you and for a round for da boyz. Boris you know what you've gotta do cage and liter box time for the critters once that's done you can give them their treats and since it's the mucking out the satlls day for you as it were you can have a large jar of PPF once your done.Right to buisiness.
Eric-Loved the info on that baldwin nice picture as well. I'm lucky I can't find my grass yet happy mowing I could let my better half shovel instead of me,but if that happemd a heart attack would be the least of my worries <uh oh >
VIA does not usually use the class signal lights much anymore , niether does CN rarely if ever are their second sections etc following that would require the green and red lights. You do see the white lights on once in a while but moreso I think it's that the crew hit the wrong button in the cab.Other than the nine hour wait time the price for that Amtrak trip does not seem all that bad when one looks at the cost of gas for driving or air fare.You could alway's count tumble weeds and winno's at the station.
CM3-Was by with some intresting Mopac info.It seems to me that now we are down to less than ten large railroads in NA, the need for leased motive power seems to have eased off some what. I still see the odd "junker" going by, but mostly it's borrowed time off of one of the other big roads engines. Less numbers of trains running with longer consists seems to be the norm now as well, almost everythings a unit train nowadays.
Tom-Great chat, talking wiht you seems to have brought on more sun around here the temps creeped up over the zero mark and is sitting around a balmy 4 celcius at the moment,I'ev actauly got some puddles on the sidewalk <uh oh > might have to break out the lawn mower soon
Got your email and have fired off a reply thanks Couple neat drumheads as always Liked the Allouettes and the Fast Flying Virginian ( would that be Shane and H&H in the Spruce Goose )
BTW good caboose covering sir or is that ..... no won't use the hated plural for caboose
Dan- Good to see you back intoday Interesting links for those films thank-you. Are you comming down to take them in as well
Well back again with another oldy but I've edited it to make it a bit more readable
CLASSIC JUICE # 29 THE HAMILTON STREET RAILWAY The first public transit in the Hamilton area was provided by the Hamilton Street Railway ( HSR ), it was incorporated in 1873 as a horsecar line.The franchise came with provisions concerning fares,service,etc. And required the HSR to pay the city a $15 fee per car per year, and have free transfers from one route to another for all the riders. Something the people of Toronto did not get till the late 1890's ! The first six cars were built for $850 a piece by Stephanson and co, four more were aquired later from an unknown builder though the St louis car Co is believed to have been the builder. 3 and one quarter miles of track was constructed at $7000 a mile by a local contractor and service began on this first line along James St between Stuart and Bay on May 21 1874. The trackage was extended along King St east and the companies first car sheds were built on King east. By June the tracks were running from King West as far as Locke St, in the downtown core. In 1875 this line which was all single tracked was doubled between Mary and Locke St's and a line extension was built down Stuart street to the Great Western train station ( later GT ) Within six months of openning, conductors were done away with and the horse cars were run with singleman crews.A farebox was hung on the wall near an oil lantern and many confused riders were known to have slipped their fare into the chimeny of the lamp in error ! Sunday Service was begun on the entire line in Oct of 1874, despite conciderable public out cry. Extensions 1877 From Wellington via King to Wentworth St. Blake and Mountain Ave to Prospect street Where the GM of the line lived ! 1878 James street was extended a few blocks north of Stuart; and james South was extended to Charlton St. York Street was built on to Queen Street. KIng St to mary was Double tracked to Wellington 1879 Tracks on Blake were torn up and relaid on the North side of main street to Trolley st ( now Gage ) forming an East Hamilton line. James St S was extended to Hannah and Herkimer St's 1883 Herkimer was extended down to the intersection of James and Queen 1885 James St was double tracked to Burlington and York St's 1888 Barton st was extended down to join James and Wentworth 1890 rails were removed from Wentworth and relayed on Main west and the Barton line was extended to Ottawa, the James line was extended to Bay. New car barns were also built on Prospect at this time to house the additional equipment needed for the longer runs. 1891 Herkimer was extended to Queen and Locke and King west was double tracked to Locke St.. The HSR was now approaching the end of it's life as a horsecar line with 12 miles of track 45 cars,9 sleighs and 160 horses. With the exception of a bad year in 1884-85 it had declared a dividend to it's finaciers from the first year of operation. In 1890 the directors of the company first started looking at electrifying the property. With the franchise due to run out in 1893, and a new company espousing the merrits of electrification was started( backed by the local utility co ) so the old company got a new 20 year franchise well before the expiry date and completed a belt line looping the downtown core in may of 1893. The company then arranged with a firm out of Ottawa called Ahearn and Soper for the electrification of the system, at a cost of $197,000 a steam plant was built on Hughson st near Bay, and 15 of the horse cars ( 10 closed 5 open ) were converted to electric power. Only the wood bodies were reused as new Brill trucks were purchased to power them.The first test run of the new electric system started on June 29 1892 by Jan of 1894 the entire system was under wires,The longest route on the system the belt line which ran on Herkimer & locke to Barton and Wentworth was scheduled and run in 22 and a half minutes by the electric cars up from the 45 of the horse cars. Franchise Problems Three years after electrification the company had problems keeping up with he various mortgages and franchise aggreements. In 1899 it was bought by the Hamilton Cataract Co and this enabled the HSR to begin usuing power from the companies Decew falls Power plant which was much more reliable than the original steam plant.Which was reduced to standby service. Starting in 1904, during rush hours the HSR's cars from the Barton St line were extended for service over the Cataracts other electric radial lines.In several areas the HSR built tracks parallell to the Hamilton radial and both companies would use them as passing tracks. Second Hand Cars In 1901 the first of a number of second hand purchases were made.Ten double truck open cars, only a year old were brought in from an unknown US city( thouight most likely to have been Boston as they were made by the Laconia Car Co ). Six years later six of them were rebuilt as closed cars. In 1904 five 10 bench open cars and in 1905 twelve single truck closed cars were purchased from the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co.Second hand purchases continued with many Pullman Standard and Kuhlman products all PAYE configuration were brought in between 1908-1912 Rehabilitation An agreement was made with the city to help pay for system upgrades in 1908. It also allowed for the ordering of new cars to replace the many old worn out single truck horse car conversions still roaming the rails. Orders were placed in 1910 and 1912 for 36 new double truck cars, the first new city cars bought since 1893 ! More second hand cars were purchased in 1917 when the Canadian builders were teid up with war production. 12 old cars were bought from Cleveland and rehabilitated at the Preston car and Coach Co 4 were lost in the fire that destroyed most of PC&C in late 1917. In 1910 tracks were rebuilt along Burlington St east from James to Wellington and were continued on east to meet the double tracked Hamilton Radial line on Sherman St , this extension was completed in 1916 and gave the HSR service along the interurban lines running on Kennilworth and Barton St's. New barns were built to alleviate over crowding and the south barn which had a fire in 1908 was demolished for a new building which encompassed all rebuilding repair and storage needs for the HSR. The Pay as you Enter system was instituted in august of 1918 on the Belt line and system wide in 1919 along with nearside stops to ensure the safe training and detraining of passengers. Extensions Despite the finacial pinch created, some new extensions were made in the early 1920's. 1920 A line was built west on Paradise Rd to Margaret St 190-22 this line was extended to Cline ave to give the HSR access to the affluent Westdale area of the city. The intension was to build onto the town of Dundas and Linking with the Hamilton and Dundas Interurban but the H&D went bankrupt in 1923 and closed down. The HSR ran service on the Old H&D line but this was ended in 1928 as the H&D line was never double tracked and would have been too expensive to rehabilitate. More New Cars As required over a three year span the HSR ordered 48 cars all steel arch roofed units from Hamilton Steel car, these were built to replace most of the second hand wood bodied fleet aquired nearly two decades before. They were put into service between May of 1927 and March of 1929 these were similar to many of the newer riveted cars in Toronto and Montreal one #521 still exists today at our museum awaiting its turn in the restoration shop. The new era Buses started to operate in the city in 1929 and slowly the retractions of rail service began. the first routes to go were the stub ended single track lines on Barton and King st east.CN openned a new station in 1929 at James street so the old Great western station was torn down and therefore the redundant streetcar line on Stuart St was torn up.In 1930 the Cataract Traction Co's assets were bought by Ontario Hydro and more supurfluous lines were cut in favour of taxis and bus routes.. However in 1939 Ontario Hydro began replacing the old power systems to standard 25 cycle system. This should have ended the HSR once and for all but Ontario Hydro brought in all the 25 cycle compatable equipmnet from it's defunct Windsor Sandwich and Exeter interurban giving the HSR's streetcars a repreive.During the second World war the system ran at it's highest efficiancy of it's life carrying well over 15 million riders a year ( city of 100,000 at the time )Once the war ended Ontario Hydro had a well and truly worn out system requiring millions in upgraddes so a slow abandonment process was began, bus for streetcar. In Feb of 1949 a published timetable for discontinuance was posted. Westdale 1949, Burlington St 1951 and finally the Belt line in 1954. In 1954 new wire was strung over most of the Belt line for twin pole Brill electric Bus services, even Barton and Wentworth street recieved the trackless trolley's. The original Brills were replaced by larger Flyer electric Busses in 1974 and 76. these carried on until 1982-83 when the ressession finally eneded the electric era on the HSR. Today the HSR ( still called that ) continues full natural gas powerd bus service over the entire city of Hamilton and some runs into the surrounding cities of Ancaster and Stoney Creek. Rob
A 400 series car built by the Ottawa Car Co in the twenties
Part of the first round of expansions,the Brantford and Hamilton Radial Trackage shared with the HSR on the Coners of Wenworth and Gage St's .
Hey Leon I see that you made it in,figured that I would be your first customer of your shift so Guinness if you please sir, I think I'll have a small bag of donuts from the mosheen as well ( someone's got to eat them now that we've got the mosheen )here's a couple classic ads for you guys.
ROB Many thanks for the link to the Muskoka cruises, a good web-site with a lot of info and good photos, the steam whistle link would not work this time for me though.
The last electric locomotives built for freight in the UK was the class 92s, introduced in 1993 and these were mainly for the channel tunnel traffic and were going to be used for the night trains which were cancelled, the stock for this are now the Renaissance cars. To deal with this traffic the 92s have a 125MPH speed capability and are able to provide power for the passenger train services. There were some of these electrics stored at Crewe instead of being used for freight I don't know if they are still there now.
In the past it seemed they changed locomotives at the start and end of the electrified lines but now it seems as though a lot of the freights are diesel hauled through out even though it means hundred of miles under the wires.
Many thanks for the CF7 Classic Diesel. It seems a very successful rebuild as the locomotives saw a lot of work after their time with the Santa Fe.
I will read your Hamilton Street Railway post when I have sent this.
ALLAN Glad you enjoying the photos from Rocket 150. I'm afraid I am not sure about the make of the preserved double decker, it was good riding in her, visiting the loch as well part of the old ex Caledonian Railway Callender and Oban trackbed.
Unfortunately I never saw the steam station pilots at Newcastle and York in person only in photos, it sounds the crew at Newcastle kept the engine in great condition. One other station that had a station pilot in old colours was the ex Great Eastern Liverpool Street station in London. With the tank locomotive painted in Great Eastern blue and kept in immaculate condition. Even in diesel days for a time they had a diesel shunter painted in the same colour and even lettered "Liverpool Street Pilot". Today with the units and the driving trailers and no parcel traffic there is little need for station pilots today.
That is good news the NZ Government is buying the railway system.
ERIC Many thanks for the info on the Ventura County Railway; it looks like a Wig-Wag grade crossing signal behind #2 in today's photo.
Glad you enjoyed the photos, it was a good day out on the preserved double decker, of course most people wanted to go on the top deck.
51218 was one of the locomotives that was chosen by an ‘Airfix,' whose plastic model kits were very popular in the 1960s in Britain.
CM3 Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes I think it was likely the 0-4-0 was used as the Switcher, the only other thing I can think of, is perhaps a local factory had the engine on loan while there engine was under repair and Crewe South was the loco's base shed.
It is a small world you have traveled on the NP Slumbercoach with the name and a photo of Loch Katrine appears at the bar.
Many thanks for the MP agent copy on their eagle named trains.
DL Thanks for the round. That looks an impressive list of BTF films to be shown in Toronto, unfortunately I could not get the second link to load but in the first one I see the BTF are releasing a new DVD soon. Perhaps the company over here that released that DVD will release another soon.
TOM I tried my name in the Search feature and it worked today, thanks.
Yes I bet the name Sir Walter Scott has been carried on quite a few different boats and ships, I wonder if a certain name can be carried on only one ship at a time. Talking of ships a certain soccer team here in England, Barnsley F.C. have reached the semi-final of the F.A. Cup this year, they said the last time they were in the semi-final was the year the Titanic sank.
It is good to hear they still use the cabooses on the Alaska Railroad.
Many thanks for the Drumheads by the Dozen #6,another fine selection with some great names. I think my favorite this week is the DRG&W Prospector. There was also a named train on BR in steam days called the Midlander it ran between Wolverhampton and London Euston on the ex LMS route.
Some Electric locomotives that used to work the now closed Trans-Pennine route between Manchester and Sheffield, only the two ends of route remain open with the line through Woodhead Tunnel now trackless.
It was electrified on the 1,500 DC overhead system. The locomotives are class 76s and were built at the ex LNER Gorton Works with Metropolitan Vickers electrical equipment.
A smaller engine for Wednesday(Our Place's 35th anniversary).
Well Ruth a round please to celebrate.
Here's Part VII 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!>
Seven views of the S-Capades!
<A 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk . . . I had a Silver Hawk!!>
That's it!
Part II is on Page 180
Part III is on Page 184
Part IV is on Page 186
Part V is on Page 190
Part VI is on Page 193
Good evening again Leon , I see that we are having a fairly steady day not too busy not too empty all in all I think it's been a good day here at the bar by the ballast.
Pete-Glad that you liked the link to the Muskoka fleet,looks like they are starting up operations later this year than usual , looks like the cruise scheduale is not starting till June, they have traditionally started on the Victoria day weekend in May.But coal and diesel fuel is likely not that cheap.
Thanks for the additional info on the BR electrics.Seems a waste not to run the electrics under the wires, espeacially since the electrics are faster and cleaner I wonder if there is a problem with that class of loco that was supposed to operate the nightstar service and that's why some are stored,that or they are hopping the CDN govt will buy them
Some great photo's as well thanks
Tom-Ahh a late night return for the Great to see teh S-capades again on this wedneday.Got your second email and a responce is already on the way
Good evening gentlemen all-Hope I find you well,Leon,2 bottles of Starop from the back of the fridge please-thats right,the big ones-good man,have one yourself ..........and of course a round for my fellow travellers-I hear the Can-Am night `Borderer`is holed up in a siding near Dearhartov Mine,waiting on the plow extra from Mentor engine yard-could be some track lads in later looking for hot eats fast......
Well back again after the breeze and bluster of the storm--happily it wasnt the expected hammer blow,in fact the only crises locally were a chip pan fire (2 fire tenders,an ambulance and a squad car-all with full blues & 2`s-nice to see they are at full readiness-)-not sure of the outcome yet...and one of the mad old bats that I do work for having her door smashed in by the polis `cos over zealous neighbours hadn`t seen her for a few days--found in bed,blissfully drunk at 10 am and not best pleased at the intrusion-enough already.!!!
O.K gents-I am going to risk if not an out right tweeting,then certainly some well deserved opprobrium by skipping the catch up tonight-I am so many days behind that to do the matter the justice it deserves would take longer than I have tonight -also I would quite like to hit with model stuff on the right day and thats the way I`m going-So...
I guess a track plan would be a helpfull start-so as I cant produce those beautiful overhead views the M.R does so well,here is a spider-scrawl wiring schematic for the lower half of the layout-this is what I have spent most of my spare hours recently installing-and (drumroll,fanfare,girly chorus and really loud guitar.......) it works-about 2 dozen soldered connections and-they all work...unbelieveable-normally,I associate the smell of molten solder with that of scorched flesh and various soothing unguents-this time-not a scorch----I sense destiny at work here-Alans trains are obviously meant to have a run out........
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So here`s how this half of it works-It`s the southernmost part of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Rly-this is ,incidently,all completely non-representational (Is that the word ?)-Southbound trains arrive from the bottom left and ease down the bank to Holes Bay Jn where the line from Weymouth & the Hamworthy goods branch kicks in,then an unavoidable (and far and away the worst problem section on the layout--most definatetely one for the re-think list ) tunnel then straight into the station-originally this station had a second platform and handled most of the terminating local traffic from the north as well as turning trains.
It also has its own local turns-working out of the dead-end rd in the storage yard are usually an old `62 Tri-Ang D.M.U-four cars are available but the motor is old-running a Bournemouth-Weymouth shuttle service and a cute little 0-4-0t with an auto coach trundling down the harbour branch
Freight-traffic generated on this half is slim-the biggest train I can imagine might work is an oil train out of Fawley refinery-this runs as a class 33,brake-barrier wagon,16 tanks,barrier wagon,brake and just fits the long staging road nicely
Also sends and receives `The Pines Express`-I have a halfway accecptable northbound but the southbound is reliant on impossible power-however,under rule 1 (its my train set ) the southbound service will be hauled by a Duchess & a B12 on alternate days..............
O.K-another drink for everybody please Leon-just a shot for me please-that rehearsal earlier knocked me sideways...I rather think I`m for bed--hope this wasnt too boring-promise to play proper catch up as soon as....
take care guys,
N
Hello again Leon,I htink I'll nab a Guinness while I'm in, thanks. I see that Nick did a fly through but dropped of a few Nick type gems. Sounds like your neck of the woods are a regular Coronation Street Still the constables need to have a go at knocking in doors once in a while Interesting trackplan sir, and let me say absolutley nothing wrong with the ole pen and ink drawing,most of Ian Rice's trackplans look drawn up like that. I'm glad to hear that you did not get the soaking and blowing that you originally had been warned about,would have hated to hear that you had to re-wire again due to the weather
Here is another installment of Classic Juice that kind of Dove tails nicely with today's earlier HSR wriet up.
CLASSIC JUICE # 24 HAMILTON"S ELECTRIC LINES Despite being Ontario's second largest city. Hamilton is largely forgotten in the rail industry, yet the railway history in Hamilton is long and verried and viable. This piece will attempt to show the highlights of Hamilton's lost electric railway heritage.Hamilton was the centre of one of Canada's most extensive system of radial electric lines, known locally as the "Cataract". In 1896 the Cataract was first incorporated as the Cataract Power Company to develope hydro-electric power from the cataract at Decew Falls near St Catharines. In 1903 it changed it's name to Hamilton Cataract Light and Traction Company, and brought the separatly operating radial systems in the area under one corporate banner. In 1907 they built a four story terminal building in downtown Hamilton on the corner of Catharine and King streets, this building also served as the head office for the various rail lines in the network, and as such was considered the only "grand" station in Canada built exclusivly for the use of radial electric lines. From this terminal lines radiated out from Hamliton easterly to Vineland,southwesterly to Brantford,northwesterly to Dundas,and northeasterly to Oakville.Plans were to expand right to Lake Erie and down south to St Catharines and to Guelph and Toronto. However other jurisdictions and the roads and buses ended these plans. By the late 30's cars and busses had replaced the these electric radial lines.Many indeed say today that with all this infrastructure lost as most of these lines were running on private ROW's imagine how much less gridlock & pollution would plague southern Ontario's roads and highways, had the shortsitedness of ending this form of wide ranged transportation not been so quickly killed off ! Short synopsis of each line now follow. This is part 1. Part 2 will follow. The Hamilton & Dundas Street Railway Company: Hamilton to Dundas One of Canada's oldest street railways was the Hamilton & Dundas. It began in 1876 using a device known as a dummy engine. Because many residents (and their horses ) objected to a steam engine puffing down the middle of the street,the railway placed the steam locomotive inside the body of a streetcar. Which pulled a trailer behind it.This worked well for two decades until 1897 when the line was electrified. It's route took it from Hatt and Foundery Streets in Dundas, along Hatt St. to Dundas St ,then along Dundas Creek, through Ainslie woods into Hamilton via Aberdeen, Queen,Charlton,Mcnab and Main St's. In the beginning it ended at the GT station on Ferguason,then used the new Terminal station once it was built in 1907. At it's peak, they would run half hour service.By 1923 bus competition became too much and the service was ended.Some portions of the trackage were taken over by the TH&B, while the Hamilton Street Railway assumed control of the in city portions of the track. Hamilton Grimsby & Beamsville Electric Railway Co: Hamilton to Vineland In 1894 when the radials began running between Hamilton and Grimsby, the HGB became Canada's first major electrified radial railway line. In 1896, it was extended to Beamsville where a single stall car house was built, with a small passenger waiting room attached.For a few years it operated as far as Vineland,anticipating a further expansion to St Catharines. However the municipal council of St Catharines,refused to front the cash for the necessary bridge to cross twelve mile creek, so the Vineland portion of the line was scrapped. Many radials carried passengers and freight the HGB was no exception as it had access to the fruitlands between Hamilton and Beamsville.Both the GT and TH&B had connections to the HGB: GT's was at Winnona, and the TH&B's was at their Kineer yard on top the escarpment in Hamilton. Produce was transfered physically from HGB cars to those of the steam railway's,later the larger HGB cars would pull one or two reefer's behind them. From the new downtown terminal which the HGB began using in 1907, it's route took it along Main St to Sherman, then along Trolley ( now Gage St ) to Lawrence, then east on Lawrence to Bartonville. Here it switched to private ROW to Red Hill, and then back to what's now HWY 8 all the way to Beamsville.Station stops were made at Bartonville,Stoney Creek,Fruitland,Smith's ( site of busy cannery now ED Smith )Winnona,Pattisons,Grimsby,Grimsby Beach,and then the car barn/station at Beamsville.Most of the stations were small lean to type flagstops or located inside an existing line side building. Like alot of radials it was involved in speacial recreational excurisions;"blossom speacials, trips to Grimsby Beach, and Grimsby Park etc. By 1927, Cataract started using busses on some of this route, and following the takeover by Ontario Hydro commission on 1931 the bus line was sold to Grey Coach and this part of the electric line was shut down. End of Part one.
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello Leon, just a plain #1, no extras or super sizing. Keith's, please!
More than expected to read today/tonighgt!! But first of all, Happy 35th Monthiversary to Our Place!!! Time flies!!
Tom – Part of our front- and back yards are without grass (lawns). But we like to keep about half ot the yards green. We may get some rain this weekend, that will help. I feel sorry for Amtrak. There is not much they can do about connecting trains since they don’t own the tracks. They have to take whatever time slot they can get for their trains. It is hard to run a railroad that way. I know about those four bucks a gallon so tonight I bought an airline ticket to St Louis and back. I’ll send you an email in a day or two. Very nice looking drumheads! Maybe you should create some stickers with the Empire Builder drumhead on and put them on your suitcases when you go for your trip on the Empire Builder. Thanks for the photos of the S-gauge layout! I noticed there is no snow on the ground! I am adding a couple of pictures showing the training of a new engineer for those tracks!
Here is the train with the student engineer at the control stand.
The General Road Foreman, Engines, to the left and the trainee to the right. CM3 – I haven’t had time to look for an ORER yet, but I’ll do that tomorrow. I agree, one from the same year (1954) as the Guide would be perfect. Thanks for the info on the Eagles! DL – A number of interesting film titles! But I will not be inToronto at that date. Maybe Rob will be able to report something in case he is attending.Rob – Thanks for the answer to my question about the class signals! The Amtrak ticket was not bad, but spending four nights in a coach seat on a train doesn’t sound too fun. Upgrading to a roomette would really bring the price way up. Today I bought an airline ticket to St. Louis for less than $300 roundtrip. Very interesting article on the Hamilton Street Railway! The streetcars were running for almost exactly 80 years! But now long gone. Must have been kind of embarrassing for the riders who slipped their fare into the chimney of the lamp in error! Hamilton Electric Lines must have included Hamilton Street Railway as far as I understand. Same owner, the Cataract Power Company. Looking forward to part two!Thanks for the ads!Pete – Yes, it is a Wig-Wag signal in that picture. Here it is a little bit closer.Nice photos! Are those electrics, class 76, still in service or is there no use for them any more?It was a big little steam locomotive. Or, maybe more correct, a little big one. Nick – Glad you didn’t have any problems with the storm! I can imagine it would not be any fun to be found drunk in bed by the police at 10 am. Interesting info on your layout! I like the way it is laid out! I saved it so I can have a closer look at it.
Here we are once again, THURSDAY - time to rejoice as the end of the week is near!
Our <light> 'n <traditional> breakfasts are ready to go - the coffee's been recently ground 'n brewed 'n of course The Mentor Village Bakery case fully stocked with the best efforts from Mama 'n Papa Grundledink. <ummmmmm>
Wednesday - March 12th: <all times Central daylite>
Page 196 - CM3 Shane <coalminer3> at 8:30 AM: Went out early this <Wed> AM for a Doc's visit <specialist this time> ‘n noticed petrol at $2.98 <rounded> - returned and it was at $3.08 . . . when I returned to "top off" it was $3.10. <groan>
Ommmmigosh, I left Newport News outta the mix for "Tidewater" - for shame! We lived on the other side of the creek in Chesapeake - adjacent to Portsmouth. Remind me to spin a yarn about my VW Beetle ‘n the James River Bridge . . good for Rendezvous III.
Oh if only those Eagles were still on the tracks. We've got a bunch of ‘em ‘round these parts - but they all have wings. <grin> Breaks my heart to think of those "straight runs" long gone - St. Louis to Denver as just one example. Then other roads could take you to Cincinnati - there were so many. Now just memories for old people. <I resemble that remark!>
Enjoyed your write-up - must've been a great looking ad "back in the day," eh
As always, visit, quarters ‘n ROUND appreciated ‘n help to keep this place a bit sane! <just a bit!>
Page 196 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 2:35 PM ‘n 3:03 PM ‘n 3:50 PM: A trifecta on our Resident Ontario Connection's day off . . . someone doesn't have any "toys" to play with OR perhaps too many! Hmmmmmm. Not a bad day to work on the model RR, I'd say . . .
Yes, it was great speaking with you too - always enjoy the topics we wind up kicking ‘round.
All kinds of "stuff" from you today - a fine reworked "oldie" - nice streetcar fotos - insights into the <warped> mind of YOU - ‘n generosity at the bar . . . what more is their to ask, eh Hmmmmm, I'll come up with SOMETHING!
Lawn mower - you mean YOU actually have one Wudda thunk you were more into using a scythe or something like that . . . maybe even some goats. Yeah, that's a great idea! <uh oh> Might create a zoning issue with your community, eh Also, don't they <goats> eat cats Hmmmmm, something to look into - but not right now. <geesh>
Spruce Goose wudda never made it airborne had H&H been aboard . . . <yikes> Also, seriously doubt that CM3 Shane's "tastes" in the fairer S- blank - X <avoided the censor!> include Teuton's recently escaped from the "institution." Somehow, I just don't see the "fit" but we'll soon find out come Rendezvous III. <uh oh>
Enjoyed the CN ‘n Port Maitland ads . . .
Page 196 - Pete <pwolfe> at 4:13 PM: Got your fone message - must have just missed you as it was Juneau's 3rd walk of the day . . . Priorities, man - priorities!
That's an interesting question you pose regarding the names of ships. My guess - ‘n it's only that - is one could "name" any number of vessels with the same name. It's always the registry number that "counts" - ‘n of course they are all different . . .
Thanx for the fotos, especially our Monthiversary "present"!
Don't know the full extent of caboose <van> use on the ARR - but as mentioned, we saw a couple . . . sure would love to see their full-use return on all the roads. A freight train still doesn't look "normal" to me without one. As you've noticed on the Can-Am Railway - all of my freight consists are followed by a caboose, in spite of the "era" that I'm modeling. Just not gonna let go of ‘em . . .
Page 197 - Nick <nickinwestwales> at 9:18 PM: The good news is that Nick ‘n family survived the storm! More good news in the fine tribute to friends past - to Alan <cheers> may his memory thrive through the resurrection of his marvelous trains - now melded with those of his friend ‘n son-in-law! <more cheers - clink>
Won't pretend to fully comprehend all of what is drawn on your track plan <most appropriate by the by for our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! > Anyway, looks to be a rather ambitious undertaking ‘n given that all of your solder connections "work" - hey, that's a hill you need not climb again. <clink>
Most clever arrangement for your staging yard - like the reverse direction scheme too! Nice to be able to transform the mental picture into a diagram - then construct it.
Not sure I can envision the need for all the tunnels - but one day I'm sure there will be fotos to accompany your efforts. Also not too clear on the color-coding . . . but if it all makes sense to YOU, what more to be said, eh
Drunk in bed at 10 AM - police bashing down a door - miffed at being intruded upon - lost is the concern of neighbors, etc. Such are the ways of those blissfully removed from reality. Old bat you say Hmmmmm, given the ages recently displayed on our B'day Watch List - say no more <wink, wink, nudge, nudge>.
Your return along with the ROUNDS ‘n chat very much welcomed . . . glad to see you made it back. No fear of <tweeting> Mate - yours "fit" the bill . . .
Page 197 - Rob <trolleyboy> at 9:12 PM ‘n 10 PM: At the late hour that I'm putting this together <11:15 PM> I must put off ‘til the ‘morrow reading your Classic Juice - much too late ‘n I'm rather weary for any kind of serious reading. However, many thanx for providing the radial insights!
ExpoRail planning Email received - response sent . . . thanx!
Really struggling to keep awake - so let me sign off this segment with a continuing THANX for putting so much into this joint!
Thursday - March 13th: <all times Central daylite>
Page 197 - Eric <EricX2000> at 2:21 AM: Gave up on the idea of driving to Rendezvous III, eh No problem, I'm sure we can find "someone" to pick you up at the airport - hmmmm, maybe the "brunette" will be back from her trip with Mountain Man Mike by then. <uh oh> Please send me your itinerary . . .
Amtrak was ill-conceived in that without the willingness 'n support of Congress it was doomed to failure. Placing the "system" at the mercy of the freight railroads only added to the situation we've had for decades. Another "thing" is that no matter how many "words" are written into the "thou shalts," there just doesn't seem to be an enforcement tool available when the freight roads take away the "priority" of passenger trains. <barf>
Two good shots of the S-Capades with Wolfman at the helm . . .
I recall those days when it was commonplace for stickers to be seen on people's luggage. Don't see that very much anymore . . . Empire Builder "stuff" is available on the Amtrak website . . . last time I looked they had luggage tags.
Don't believe I've ever seen a "wig wag" in operation - nice shot!
Thanx for the visit - rather late, late, late <or early, early, early> one!
TODAY is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Appears we're off to an inglorious morning - so what better time to liven up the "juices" than with a special feature <a bit lengthy, but worth the read!>
Now arriving on Track # 3
Classic Transit - Number Four
Toronto's Transit System
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Information NOT corroborated.
Toronto Transit Commission
Agency overview
Formed
1954
Preceding Agency
Toronto Transportation Commission
Jurisdiction
Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga
Headquarters
Toronto
Employees
10,930[1]
Agency Executive
Adam Giambrone, Chair
Website
http://www.ttc.ca/
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a public transport authority that operates buses, streetcars, subways, and rapid transit lines in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The TTC operates 149 surface transit routes, of which 148 routes make 243 connections with a subway or rapid transit station during weekday rush hours. In 2006, the TTC carried 444,544,000 passengers, 3,229,000 passengers daily (2,033,000 revenue passengers). The TTC employed 10,930 personnel in 2006.[1]
The TTC operates the third most heavily-used urban mass transit system in North America (after the New York City Transit Authority and the Mexico City Metro).[2] As of 2007, there are three subway lines and one rapid transit line (see Toronto subway and RT) with a total of 69 stations, as well as 149 connecting "surface" routes (buses and streetcars). The average daily ridership exceeds 2.46 million passengers: 1,197,000 through bus, 328,700 by streetcar, 35,300 by intermediate rail, and 901,400 by subway.[3] The TTC also provides door-to-door services for persons with physical disabilities known as Wheel-Trans. An approximate 4,500 trips are made through this service daily. Colloquially, the subway cars were known as "red rockets" (nickname originally given to Gloucester Subway cars painted bright red - now retired); hence the use of "Ride the Rocket" in advertising material for the TTC (which uses the phrase to advertise the entire system), and the use of the word "Rocket" in the names of some express buses. The entire system is also promoted as "The Better Way".
History
History of the Toronto Transit Commission
Privately operated transit services in Toronto began in 1849. In later years, a few routes were operated by the city, but it was 1921 when the city took over all routes and formed the Toronto Transportation Commission to operate them. During this period service was mainly provided by streetcars. In 1954, the TTC adopted its present name, opened its first subway line, and greatly expanded its service area to cover the newly formed municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (which eventually became the enlarged city of Toronto). The system has evolved to feature a wide network of bus routes with the subway lines as the backbone.
Finances
Historically, the TTC recovered its operating costs from the fare box. This was especially true during the Great Depression and World War II, when it accumulated the considerable wealth which allowed it to expand widely after the war. It was not until the late 1950s that the newly formed Metro government was forced to provide operational subsidies, required primarily due to the TTC being required to provide bus service to the low-density suburbs in Metro Toronto.
Until the mid-1990s, the TTC received operational subsides from both the municipal level of government, and the provincial level. When the Harris Conservatives in Ontario ended those subsidies, the TTC was forced to cut-back service, and an increased financial burden was placed on the Municipal government. Since then, the TTC has consistently been in financial difficulties. Service cuts were averted though when Toronto City Council voted to introduce new taxes to help pay for city services, including the TTC.
Past transit operators
Yonge Subway Construction 1949
Private
Public
Transit modes
The TTC currently operates an extensive network of subways, streetcars, light rail vehicles, paratransit buses and standard transit buses in Toronto:
Subway/RT system
St. George subway station,Yonge-University-Spadina platform.
Toronto subway and RT
The Toronto subway/RT system consists of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line, a U-shaped line started in 1954 and last extended in 1996; the Bloor-Danforth Line, an east-west line started in 1966 and last extended in 1980; the Scarborough RT, a partly elevated light rail line built in 1985 which continues from the Bloor-Danforth Line's eastern terminus; and the Sheppard Line, opened in 2002. The three subway lines use the same technology, while the Scarborough RT has many differences.
All subway lines provide service seven days a week from approximately 6:00 a.m until 1:30 a.m. (the following day) except for Sundays in which the opening is delayed until approximately 9:00 a.m. During the overnight periods the subway and its stations are closed in order for maintenance at track level and in the stations themselves. Service is provided throughout this period of time by buses operating above ground. These special overnight routes are issued numbers in the 300 series and referred to as Blue Night routes, indicated by a typical TTC bus stop sign with a blue band added.
Plans were made for a streetcar subway along Queen Street, which were upgraded to a full subway in 1964, from the Humber loop to Greenwood, curving north to connect to the Bloor-Danforth Subway. All that ever materialized of this line was an incomplete east-west station structure under Queen station at Yonge, which remains in existence today. The Queen Subway plan was cancelled in 1974 in favour of new lines in North York.
In the mid-1990s, work began on an Eglinton West subway line, but the project was cancelled before significant progress was made. Construction of this line is no longer a priority for the TTC, but this line was recently re-visited in the proposed expansion as part underground LRT running in the central part of the line (between Keele and Laird Rd.) with the remainder a surface LRT route which would span almost the entire length of the city from the Airport to Scarborough.
To a large extent, subway development is being shelved for now, partly due to the exorbitant cost of it, and partly due to the lack of subway level demand. A current focus for the TTC's rapid-transit expansion is a short extension bringing the western branch of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line north-west to York University, Steeles Avenue and Vaughan Corporate Centre in York Region. The Government of Ontario announced on March 23, 2006, that it will provide $670 million for this extension, about one-third of the expected cost. A likely project for the near future is the extension of the Yonge subway line northbound into Richmond Hill at Clark Avenue. For years, this project has been on the backburner due to the lack of additional capacity on the Yonge line for the increased passenger volumes, however a new signal system will allow headways to decrease from the current 150 seconds to as little as 90. Another project long considered to be financially beneficial to the commission is the extension of the Bloor Danforth subway line 1-2 kilometres westbound beside the CP rail line to The East Mall (major artery) near Cloverdale Mall (shopping centre), however this is unlikely to be built in the near future given the recent plans for a regional bus terminal at Kipling Station, the current terminus.
In September 2006, Toronto City Council approved a contract for 234 new state-of-the-art cars from Bombardier Transportation. Much controversy surrounded this purchase, as Bombardier was awarded the contract even though competitor Siemens AG claimed it could fulfill the contract for up to $100 000 000 less by assembling the trains outside of Canada, whereas the Bombardier trains will be built in the plant that has assembled most of Toronto's subways in Thunder Bay, Ontario. One of the reasons the contract was awarded to Bombardier was that it is easier to secure money from other levels of government by buying Canadian. There are also plans for the Yonge subway to be operated on a 24-hour basis, as well as peak headways of as little as 90 seconds once a new signal system is installed.
Streetcars
A TTC streetcar on Dundas Street.
Toronto streetcar system
Toronto's streetcar system is one of the few in North America still operating along classic lines and has been operating since the mid-19th century (horsecar service started in 1861 and electric service in 1892). Streetcar service dates back to the Toronto Street Railways horse-drawn cars and continues today with the current electric cars. New TTC routes since the 1940s have generally been operated by other modes, and the less-busy streetcar routes have also been converted. Streetcar routes are now focused on the downtown area, with none running farther north than St. Clair Avenue, about 5 km from Lake Ontario. A massive expansion of the streetcar network (as "Light Rapid Transit" on private rights-of-way) was proposed by the City of Toronto and the TTC on March 16, 2007, in the Transit City report. As of November 2007 streetcars uses the automated announcement system which is called out over the PA system which dictates the name of the next stop. In addition, an LED board on the streetcar displays the name of the street and changes each time it passes a stop. Now, almost all TTC vehicles have the automated announcement.
The TTC's current fleet of streetcars is nearing the end of their useful life, and the TTC will be buying at least 204 new LRVs. The commission has stated that potential bidders for the new contract must propose a 100% low-floor vehicle. These new vehicles will likely be costly, as the TTC's network has unique challenges such as steep grades on hills and a unique track gauge. The commission intends to customize a model that meets approx 75% of its criteria. So far, only Bombardier and Siemens have shown interest in bidding.
Buses and trolley coaches
Orion Bus Industries Orion VII
Toronto buses and trolley buses
Buses are a large part of TTC operations today, but before about 1960, they played a minor role compared to streetcars. Buses began to operate in the city in 1921 and became necessary for areas without streetcar service. After an earlier experiment in the 1920s, trolley buses were used on a number of routes starting in 1947, but all trolley bus routes were converted to bus operation between 1991 and 1993. The TTC always used the term trolley coach to refer to its trackless electric vehicles. As of September 24, 2007, all newer buses are equipped with an automated announcement over the PA system which dictates the name of the next stop e.g. "Next Stop: Dufferin Street". In addition, an LED board on the bus displays the name of the street and changes each time a bus passes a stop. Now, almost all TTC Vehicles have the automated announcement. It is possible that other transit agencies will eventually have the automated announcements implemented such as York Region Transit, Brampton Transit, Mississauga Transit, GO Transit and Durham Region Transit as a result of the new Ontario-wide stop announcement policy for the visually-impaired passengers. Hundreds of old, aging buses were recently replaced with the new, low-floor Orion VII, and the TTC has recently acquired many hybrid buses. A new order will bring the total of hybrids to over 500, second only to New York City. Most of the TTc's Orion VIIs feature the standard, "bread-box" style, whereas its most recent order of hybrids features Orion's new, more stylish body. Although most of the bus fleet has already been replaced, a number of lift-equipped, high floor buses are reaching the end of their useful lifespan, and another order of buses may be needed around 2012.
Gray Coach
Gray Coach Lines was a suburban and regional inter-city bus operator founded in 1927 by the TTC. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to points throughout Southern Ontario. In addition, Gray Coach operated tour buses in association with Gray Line Tours. The main terminal was the Metropolitan Toronto Bus Terminal on Elizabeth Street, downtown. In 1954, Gray Coach expanded further when it acquired suburban routes from independent bus operators not merged with the TTC as it expanded to cover Metro Toronto. By the 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in the inter-urban service in the GTA. The TTC sold Gray Coach Lines in 1990.
Wheelchair-accessible services
A Wheel-Trans Overland ELF 9777 on a scheduled stop at Dufferin Mall in Toronto, Ontario.
Wheel-Trans and TTC accessibility
The TTC also runs Wheel-Trans, a paratransit service for the physically disabled with special low-floor buses designed to accommodate wheelchairs and to make boarding easier for ambulatory customers with limited mobility. Since the 1990s, the TTC has focused in providing accessible services on conventional bus routes, the RT and subway.
Ferry service
Toronto Island Ferry Services
The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.
The city is studying plans to re-introduce ferry service by the TTC. The plan would see ferry service from Etobicoke and Scarborough into the downtown. Terminals would be located near the current city ferry docks, at Scarborough's Bluffer's Park and at Humber Bay Park. Two ferries would be required on the routes. Of the two plans, the humber service is most likely, because the geography of Toronto would allow a ferry to provide faster service while other modes jog around the Humber bay. From scarborough, a ferry would need to jog around the expansive portlands and Leslie St. spit to reach downtown. [4]
Operations and other information
Most TTC operations are based either at the William McBrien building (TTC headquarters and MDP Office) at 1900 Yonge Street (over Davisville subway station), or at the Hillcrest complex (TTC's Transit Control office) located at Bathurst and Davenport Streets.
Connections
TTC's Greenwood yard
The TTC makes connections with other transit agencies at terminals in Toronto:
Terminals
Most TTC surface routes terminate at loops, side streets or subway station complexes. The TTC system is one of the few mass transit systems in Canada where many surface routes can be accessed inside a paid-fare zone common to other routes or subway lines. This feature allows boarding via the back doors at terminals, reduces the usage of paper transfers, and the need of operators to check for proof-of-payment. However, if an authorized TTC employee, TTC Special Constable Services or Toronto Police officers is/are able to catch offenders, they are liable to face a $500 fine for fare evasion.
There are some larger loops at terminal buildings other than subway stations:
Garages
TTC buses are run out of a number of garages located around the city.
-Arrow Rd. garage: Off of Arrow Rd, beside Highway 400. This garage operates a number of routes throughout North York and Etobicoke, and services mainly Orion VII, Orion VII hybrid and remaining Nova RTS buses, all accessible.
-Wilson garage: The largest garage, located at the Allen Rd. north of Hwy 401, beside the expansive Wilson subway yard and bus terminal. This garage serviced the TTC fleet of natural gas powered buses before they were scrapped or converted to Diesel operation. Wilson services Orion V lift-equipped buses, as well as the TTC's newest Orion VIIs, and some of its last remaining GM 'fishbowl' buses. Like Arrow Rd, it operates many routes throughout North York and North Toronto.
-Queensway Garage: This garage is the major facility for Etobicoke. It is located beside the QEW, and services Neew Flyer D40LF and older D40 models, as well as Orion VIIs.
-Eglinton (Comstock) garage: This garage operates many routes in Scarborough and Toronto, and is the TTC's newest facility, opened to replace the old Eglinton garage at Yonge and Eglinton, now used as a temporary bus terminal for Eglinton Station. Eglinton Garage services the TTC's older Orion VIIs and a few fishbowl buses.
-Birchmount Garage: One of three facilities in Scarborough, and Birchmount and Danforth roads.
-Malvern Garage: This facility, also in Scarborough, played host to the TTC's fleet of articulated buses before their retirement. It now services a large fleet of lift-equipped Orion Vs, among other models.
-Lakeshore Garage: This facility in the Portlands near downtown is the headquarters for Wheel-Trans and TTC Community bus operations.
Streetcars are run from two carhouses on Queen Street:
-Russell Carhouse is located in the beaches
-Roncesvalles Carhouse is located in Parkdale Both carhouses service the TTC's only streetcar model, the CLRV.
Fares
Obverse and reverse of Toronto Transit Commission single-ride token, in use since 2007
Toronto Transit Commission fares
The TTC fare system accepts cash, tickets, tokens, and transit passes. As of November 4, 2007, adult fares are $2.75 for a single trip, or $2.25 each for five trips using tickets or tokens. Passes are available by the day, week, or month, with a 12-month subscription option. The monthly Metropass costs $109.00 since then. Transfers are free (for trips in one direction), and are encouraged by the grid system of routes and by transfer terminals at many subway stations.
The provincial Minister of Transportation has announced plans to introduce the Presto card, a unified smartcard-based payment system for the entire Greater Toronto Area similar to the Octopus Card used in Hong Kong. Union station will be first station to use the card in 2007 and four other stations (Don Mills, Downsview, Finch, and Islington) by 2010. There are no plans for the TTC to actually adopt the Presto card yet, rather the surrounding transit systems. This is why only stations connecting to other systems will be equipped- Don Mills (YRT), Finch (YRT, GO), Downsview (YRT), Union (GO Trains, buses) and Islington (Mississauga Transit). The TTC has indicated that it is not yet willing to invest the required capital to convert to the Presto card.
Schedules and information
Route information can be accessed through the TTC Info number 416-393-INFO. Individual route schedules are available online at http://www.ttc.ca/, but the website does not offer the kind of "trip planner" available from Vancouver's Translink to show connections. Schedules for particular route are also usually posted at TTC transfer points.
Additional TTC information is circulated by "What's On" and "Rocket Rider/TTC Customer News" pamphlets located on some vehicles.
Information can be accessed in person at the the TTC head office (Davisville Station 1900 Yonge St.), but the TTC Info Centre at the Bloor-Yonge Station has been closed.
Before the use of the TTC website, TTC patrons were able to obtain route information from various sources:
Shelters
The shelters used by the systems are split between CBS Outdoor (formerly Viacom Media) (with ads) and Toronto Transportation. A total of 4,100 shelters are managed by Toronto Transportation and most from the former transportation departments of the municipalities that make up the City of Toronto.
Advertising
Advertising is commonplace and prominent in all TTC vehicles and locations. In fact, some subway stops are periodically entirely "repainted" on the inside using large plastic decals, to the wishes of a paying corporate advertiser; this is also done with individual buses and all cars in a particular subway train. In 2005, the TTC began installing video screens in subway stations to display advertising, news, weather, and safety information. This project is run by Toronto based ONESTOP Media Group. The agency contracted to post ads on the TTC is CBS Outdoor. However, the amount of money the TTC receives for allowing advertising on its property is very small. For the year ending 2003, the TTC received 2.3% of its revenue from advertising, or almost $17 million.
The TTC sells a line of merchandise through Legacy Sportswear, which is available online or at their store "TTC Transit Stuff" at the Union subway station. When Matt Blackett, publisher of Spacing Magazine, approached the TTC in 2005 with an idea to sell buttons, each of which represented the colour scheme and design of a particular subway station, the TTC declined. Blackett went on to manufacture the buttons himself. Dubbed "the civic pride fashion statement of the year" by the National Post, the buttons were a success, selling tens of thousands.
Communications
The TTC utilizes several types of voice and data communications. There are three main systems. The first is the system used by Operations, Security and Maintenance. This system operates on five UHF conventional frequencies. Channels 1, 3, 4 and 5 are used for day to day operations, while Channel 2 is reserved for the Wheel-Trans service.
Buses and streetcars use the CIS (Communications and Information System) system. This system is spread out city wide with transmit facilities throughout the city. Each bus and streetcar has a TRUMP set onboard. This is attached to a transponder receiver which allows CIS operators to track the location of the vehicle using Signposts. The TRUMP also allows the operators and CIS operators to send and receive text messages for such things as short turns and route adjustments. There is also the option of voice communications between the operator and the CIS operator. There is also a built in emergency option, whereby a vehicle operator presses a red alarm. This instantly notifies the CIS operator and enables a "hot mic", which allows the CIS operator to monitor all the activity on the bus. The CIS system was conceived in the late 1970s and was fully implemented in 1991.
The third system is used by the subway system. This is called the Wayside system. Replacing the old devices which communicated by the third rail are new UHF MPT-1327 Trunking radio sets. The Subway system is divided into 3 separate systems, each representing its respective subway line. This new trunking system allows Transit Control to communicate directly with a single train, a zone encompassing several trains, or the entire line. The Scarborough RT is not included in this system. They continue to use a single channel UHF system, much the same as the system used by operations staff.
All of these systems can be monitored by a scanner capable of the UHF Low band (406-430MHz).[5] Numeric codes are also announced through the radio and/or the overhead paging system.[6]
Safety systems
Safety features provided by the TTC include:
Auctions
Each year the TTC auctions off items left on vehicles and not claimed. They are sold in lots, rather than individually. In 2005, the TTC launched an online auction via eBay Canada and Rite Auction Services.
Underground Alert system
On June 12, 2007, the TTC in partnership with the Toronto Crime Stoppers and ONESTOP Media Group have launched a new Underground Alert system at the Toronto Police Headquarters. The new Underground Alert system will post pictures and details of wanted suspects on the screens in stations throughout the subway system. Subway passengers will be encouraged to call police if they have any information.[7][9]
Amber Alert system
In addition to the new Underground Alert system, the TTC already airs the Amber Alert messages on approximately 100 subway platform video screens at over 60 subway stations along with Amber Alert messages heard on the public address systems in subway trains and subway platforms and displayed on TTC buses. When an Amber Alert is activated, all TTC operators are notified by their C.B. radio, and make an announcement that an Amber Alert has been activated, and put up the Amber Alert signs on TTC buses. New subway trains coming out in 2009 will have Amber Alert messages displayed on the ticker and on the public address systems.
References
Miss any
#1 Seattle Center MonoRail . . . Page 23
#2 San Diego Trolley . . . Page 127
#3 London Underground <3 parts> . . . Page 183
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; let's see it is lunch time so let's go with a ham club sandwich on rye and a couple of those big pickles in the barrel (No Boris, not that kind of club sandwich), and a cold one (barmaid's choice).
Let's crank up the jukebox for the lunchtime crowd. Here's a few good ones: "She Ran Away With the Rodeo Clown," "Miller, Jack, and Mad Dog," "Too Lazy to Work, Too Nervous to Steal," "Daddy Made the Money, Momma Made the Sense," and one for Nick and the house band, "It Didn't Look Like Alcohol." Whoa! Boris thumped the jukebox just right and we got two more plays: "How Can Whiskey That Six Years Old Whup a Man Who's 33," and "I've Got Red Eyes From Your White Lies and I'm Blue all The Time."
Nice weather here today, with temps. pushing 60 degrees. I apologize for being late but was designated driver to take folks to the doctor. Anyway here we are.
CULINARY NEWS FLASH FROM OUR GASTROMIC GASTROPOD EATING GOURMANDS HIGH ATOP MAJESTIC MOUNT MENTOR.
MISSING MUSHY PEAS LOCATED! (Editorial comment - can't wait to see this on reality TV)
Some of you may be familiar with an outfit called The Vermont Country Store; they sell all kinds of interesting items and I keep their lights on with my orders. Anyway, got home last night after church, was flying the recliner and browsing through their newest catalog and, guess what? They sell mushy peas. Google the company name and browse through the website - you'll find them.
Rob - Thanks for your comment on leasing. A lot of folks confuse "pool" power with "borrowed" power. Back in the day they also had "disappearing" power as well. Engines would go offline and vanish and not return for months and when it did it was beat up with different things missing, etc. etc. Power boys used lots of sentence enhancers when that stuff reappeared.
There was some leasing as well, but not necessarily by leasing companies. For example, Bangor and Aroostook power would head to the Midwest after the potato rush and you would see their stuff around Cleveland for example. Then it would go back north for the winter.
Hamilton rerun was appreciated, especially one of my all-time favorite shots of those lovely houses, fine looking autos, and that bomber of an interurban car in the middle of the street.
Pete was by with comments as well.
DL stopped in. Vintage safety films are great if only for their portrayal of "safe" work practices which curl our hair today. NCB produced lots of them as well as their counterparts in South Africa - fascinating stuff. I remember looking at many of them when I was a "pup" in the safety business.
One which I recall was titled, "Hands, Knees, and Bumps ‘a Daisy," all about PPE; totally off-the-wall but it got its message across.
I saw a picture recently which made me stop as it was a shot of pipefitters and other folks installing lagging and other insulation on locomotive boilers; no respiratory protection, etc. I remember back in the day when books on constructing model railroad scenery recommended using "asbestos furnace compound" because it was easy to handle and "carved and cut" well. Yikes!
Nick - I enlarged and printed your plan and followed along with your writings. You get a lot out of your trackwork.
Eric - Road Foreman and the Trainee? I'm guessing that the Master Mechanic is the four-footed one?
OSP - A nice collection of drumheads. We talked about the Alouette awhile back which reminds me that I have to finish that essay as I got people from Boston to Canada, but we have yet to get them back.
The Flambeau later became the Flambeau 400 and ran with high-level cars.
Good one for the Erie, and the FFV is, of course, close to home.
S Capades series has been a keeper. Like that IC train very much.
A most comprehensive treatise on TTC which brought back a few memories. Construction photo was a good one.
I'll Enterprise my way to the Gateway City as flying machines from anywhere around here are prohibitively expensive and I'd probably have to fly over Lambert to change somewhere else and come back. Spoke and hub? Spoke and hub? I'll show them spoke and hub! Back off Frostbite, I'm feeling better now. Anyway, I'm packing up boxes of trinkets and additions to your collection(s) to bring with me - it's easier to carry it than send it ahead.
I'd better get out of here. Will be in at regular time tomorrow, "If the creek don't rise and the truck don't burn up."
Good day gents...Open the bakery and make it a cup of Maxwell House.. Howdy Tom, by the way S capades looking good, glad to see S being promoted. Note RMC (shameless plug is featuring a canadian based S layout in next months issue.
Well, just returned a from quasi-business/recreation road trip. Sad to see the changes occuring in Cajon Pass, those tunnels have been a fixture sine 1913, now they await the demolition crew. One the plus side, progress on the third main is progressing well, observed three rail trains at various spots on the pass.
Well let's get to classic part:
Rob: Excellent write up on the CF7, it is interesting to note that the very first CF7 was outshopped with dynamic brakes and unique side sills, deleted in later rebuilds. The true piece-de-resitence of skilled craftsmanship was the conversion on a Baldwin switcher that entailed replacing the factory long hood with a truncated geep hood and the application of Blomberg trucks at the expense of a much reduced fuel capacity. Gifted shop forces Santa Fe had in abundance...
The Wig-Wag crossing was developed by the Pacific Electric in 1904, soon adopted by parent SP as a standard and eventually used by many roads until recently. until about 10 years ago they were common on former PE lines in So. Cal. (the one in my collection was rendered obsolete by abandoment of a former lumber spur and was aquired the legal way before the collector crunch made them extinct on the market). Restored with the proper red traget and correct PE lettering in is indeed quite a site and never fails the envoke quiries... Now, if only I had gotten that intact PE mile marker board before street realignment caused its demise. Odd SP never repainted or relettered same....
Great job with the SN coverage, like much of the PE, until recently, considerable portions were discernable to the well informed, I fear the push of progress has erased many a scene since I last explored the remains around 25 years ago.
Good the see the regulars around these parts, Nick, Eric, CM3 and Pwolfe, just wanted to touch on a the points i've had the oppertunity to read, alas the General has a project for me (groin) Don't you just hate it when you get volunteered? So until I free up some time, best to all.
Dave
Good day Tom and to all. A round of drinks on me. I have been quite busy with the construction of my class D, 1-C-1 locomotive, so I haven't visited. I should have some pictures to share with you soon. I have gone through some of the posts and as usual found them pretty interesting. The 7 parts of Tom's "S-Capades" was a fine piece of work, well presented. Due to the war, not much of railway events of 1941 or any other events were notable. It probably won't be until 1945 and on that events will become interesting again. But for now, the few events presented, may conjure up past related memories. Due to my interest in things "unusual", I came across the National Railway Museum site and had to pass it on. It is the weirdest thing I have seen in a while. There was a TV program on train wrecks that stated that over 10,000 people were killed in train wrecks in the U.S. in 1939 alone. This was due to a lack of standards, due to poor signaling practice, engineer disregard, safety equipment, etc. The accident rate has gone down considerably since then, but they will still happen from time to time.
I'll bet not too many of you have heard of a single rail railroad using a ground level monorail. (Courtesy of National Railway Museum)
The following did not print pictures, so you can go to this site to see some.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5WUu0_MFNE
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
Chanakyapuri , New Delhi
The National Railway Museum (NRM) was set up in Feb 1977 and is over 20 years old It is situated at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi and is spread over 10 acres of land. The museum has a wide and varied collection of rare and antique steam locomotives, carriages, saloons and other railway artifacts from the BRITISH COLONIAL ERA . It has both live exhibits (75) as well as working/non-working models in its indoor gallery. The museum runs a toy train around its grounds on regular days. On some days the Old Patiala State Steam Monorail is steamed up and runs on its track around the museum.
Old Patiala State Steam Monorail
Monorail Locomotive: VITALSTATISTICS: Builder: Oresnstein & Koppel of Berlin, Germany Class: None Year Built: 1909 Service: PSMT (Patiala State Monorail Tramway) Wheel Arrangement: 0-3-0T (double flanged), with one 39" dia. outrigger balance wheel Numbering: 4 Named: ---- Unique Features: Monorail (runs on a single rail), balanced by one 39" dia outrigger wheel which runs on the road Gauge: Monorail (single rail)
In 1907, the first section of a very unusual railway opened between Bassi and Sirhind (6 miles) in the Punjab. It was an ingenious monorail (single rail) railway. Col. Bowles, who was appointed State Engineer at the time, soon laid an extensive monorail network totalling about 50 miles, with lines connecting Sirhind with Alampura, and Patiala with Bhavanigarh. Based on the 'Ewing' system, the track was a single rail running on the roadside. On this rail ran the trains. The trains were kept upright by means of a single outrigger wheel which ran on the road. (see pic. above). Hand to mouth existence, maintenance difficulties and competition from faster and more hassle-free and efficient means of transport forced the monorail to close shop in October 1927. Haulage was initially by mules, so as to fruitfully utilize the mules maintained by the State for its army. Subsequently, four steam locomotives were procured between 1907 and 1909 from the German firm of Orenstein & Koppel. A very basic petrol or diesel engine had also been tried at a time.61. Monorail Locomotive: In 1962, the monorail stock was discovered half buried in the PWD scrapyard, quite by accident.One of the engines (pictured above, built 1909) was rescued and restored to working order by the Amritsar Workshops of the NR.
Engine Driver , inspecting his Locomotive . This Locomotive runs on a Single Rail Track , with Driving Wheels mounted on the Centre .
The Above Photograph was taken from the Canteen at the Museum .
Monorail Car: VITALSTATISTICS: Builder: Original not known. This is a replica built on an original underframe by the NR's Amritsar Workshops Class: Not known Year Built: Original not known, this replica was built in 1976 Service: PSMT (Patiala State Monorail Trainways) Wheel Arrangement: Two nos. of 8" dia. each Numbering: Not known Named: --- Rail Gauge: Monorail (single rail), balanced by one 39" dia outrigger wheel which runs on the road
Feel as if I "must" interject a thing or two BEFORE some of our crew go overboard with responses to our UTB 'n irregular part-time one-way Poster . . .
There is NO point in trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Doesn't appear that either of these guys are reading anything DIRECTED their way. Sure, it's easy to scan a few Pages, come up with a comment or two - but is that the way the bar was meant to be Nope.
I'll go down with the ship on this - my ACKNOWLEDGMENTS are simply a matter of courtesy to those who pass thru our portals - going overboard with commentary that will not be read or responded to is absolutely a waste.
Sorry if that OH-FENDS anyone - but actually I'm NOT sorry. It's just time past-due for this.
Now to the substance of the Posts: Our UTB has been pretty much everywhere but at the bar since his last visit. That tells me he's really no longer one of us.
Our one-way Poster just drops stuff on us - seems always too busy to check out the Posts - 'n goes away.
I really anguished about putting this up at the bar - wudda sent an Email, however there's no guarantee it would have been read in a timely fashion. I don't like to single anyone out - but I also don't care about the feeling of being "used" or taken for granted.
This bar is here day in 'n day out - a precious few keep it going NOT for the UTBs nor those who think a drop-off is all that is needed. No, the bar caters to those of you who demonstrate - daily - that you indeed give a Rat's Patoot! And if you can't make it in daily, you at least take the time 'n make the effort to respond to those who have responded to you.
I'm open to discussion on the points I've made - but let's do it by Email . . .
Adios!
TOM Many thanks for the last part of the building of the S-Capades with the scenery and the road vehicles, as you say a freight train does not look complete without a caboose.
I see some ships when they get the name of an older vessel they have II after their name like the new Queen Mary II, perhaps this just because they are owned by the same company or because they are liners.
Enjoyed reading about the various forms of the Toronto Transit System. It seems a good and comprehensive system serving the city. I wonder if the ferry services will be re instated. It did seem a lot of difference in cost between Bombardier and Siemens for the cars. It seems a bit surprising that those two companies are the only ones bidding for the streetcars; I guess there are not many companies that can build streetcars nowadays.
The cars in the Greenwood yard have a bit of the look of some of the London Underground cars.
ROB Many thanks for the Classis Juice encores on the Hamilton Street Railway and the Hamilton Electric Lines.
I don't think there is a problem with the class 92s locomotives. It is just without the Chunnel sleeping trains there is not the work for them and I guess, the way there are different fright companies on the rails in the UK, the 92s are owned by one company and the other companies do not want to pay to hire them. The locos can work on the 750V third-rail system as well as the 25KV overhead. Do you think there is any chance that the CDN might buy some and convert them to diesels to see what they would have looked like hauling the Renaissance cars.
I will try to find a photo of a class 92.
NICK Glad the storm was not as bad as predicted.
Many thanks for the track diagram (it enlarged great) and the details of your model railway. A Duchess on the Pines why not, I believe there was a plan to have the Duchesses used on the Southern London to Weymouth route after they had been displaced on the West Coast but the plan was thwarted by clearance problems in Southampton. If they had have worked the line I bet they would have managed at trip up the S&D.
Looking forward to the photos of the layout.
ERIC Many thanks for those great photos of the S-Capades. The trainee handled the S-Capades a lot better than when he was supposed to be looking after the Can-Am.
No the class 76 were scrapped when the through line closed apart from one example that is in the National Railway Museum in York. Although they were withdrawn from BR service in 1968 the larger Co-Co class 77s have faired better in preservation, owing to the fact that the seven members of the class were sold to the Netherlands State railway in 1969. The NSR kept six and scrapped one of the 77s. Originally the locomotives were scheduled for about 10 years use but they lasted until 1986. Of the 6, 2 of the 77s are preserved in England and one in Holland.
A photo of the preserved class 76 in York Museum wearing its pre TOPS number
The western side of the electrified line had a suburban service from Manchester to Glossop and Hadfield after the Woodhead line was closed the suburban service was converted to 25KV from the 1,500DC. This part of the line is still open today.
A 1,500DC unit at Guide Bridge Manchester.
CM3 Great song titles.
Another Our Place coincidence. The bride and I was talking about how to get some mushy peas over from England, I think the attempts to make them at the local Irish pub have been abandoned and we wanted to get some Bachelors over to show how they should taste. Then today you posted a link to the Vermont Country Store with them on sale. I will show it to the bride and order some, many thanks.
Yes it seems unbelievable now how asbestos was handled and in such common usage say 50 years ago.
DAVE Good to see you in the bar. Glad you able to get one of the original PE Wig-Wag crossing signals.
RON Many thanks for the Railway Events of 1941, the year the Big Boys were introduced.
TOM I found this picture of 45110 in my album it is very simular to the one at the top of your posts..
Well LEON A round please and the Fish 'N' Chips complete with those Mushy Peas.
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