Good eveing Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Kind of early tonight! Ah, Leon, a juicy Filet Mignon, please! With fries! Thank you, I'll have some coffee while I wait.
Thursday, the weeks are going extremely fast! Found some nostalgic info tonight! Santa Fe and an interesting picture of an early diesel!
Tom – I will write down everything and send to Wikipedia this weekend. Another picture of the waiting hall Stockholm Central Station in September last year. Late morning, very few people.
Aerotrain looks like a mix of a F7 and a GM car from the fifties! Santa Fe is probably the most well known American railroad in Europe. I don’t know if Pete or DL have another opinion? Nice book covers, wish I had the books!I have tried to figure out what kind of diesel locomotive (rail car?) that is in the picture you posted, but no luck so far. CM3 – There is local opinion in Arizona against UP’s planned yard, but I am quite sure they will build it. The yard is supposed to be 5 miles long. I think I have some video of the coal dock in New Haven. I have to check if my memory is correct. Those kids really came up with some unusual names! Pete – Stockholm Central Station was a great place to work, I agree. Your list of the fastest train services of the world is not 100% correct. According to the latest info I have from November 2005 the list looked like this (average speed):1 France, TGV2 Japan, Nozomi (500 Series)3 International, (from Brussels to Valence) TGV Thalys Soleil4 Germany, ICE35 Spain, AVE (Class 100)6 Sweden, X20007 Republic of Korea, KTX8 United Kingdom, IC225 (Class 91)9 Italy, Eurostar (ETR500)10 USA, AcelaThe list, with more detailed info, can be found on this link:http://www.h2.dion.ne.jp/~dajf/byunbyun/speeds/world.htmDave – Thanks for the info on SP and Rock Island! I am interested in everything Southern Pacific! James – I hope you will get some warmer weather soon!The extra rails you have seen on bridges are there for the purpose you mentioned. But my picture actually shows two separate standard gauge tracks!
Eric
Courtesy: http://www.viarail.ca/
*Idiot of the Week #6
A pair of Michigan robbers entered a record shop nervously waving
revolvers. The first one shouted, "Nobody move!" When his partner
moved, the startled first bandit shot him.
This guy doesn't even deserve a sign
STAY ALERT!
They walk among us .. and they REPRODUCE ..!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
G'day Gents!
Week's end at the Tavern by the Tracks - FRIDAY!
Pour yourself a cuppa freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and then order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
An all around good day here at the bar with a fine cross-section of support from the guys.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
James at 9:06 PM yesterday: I never saw the Aerotrain or Turbo Train in operation. In those times I was doing far more with my life than watching or riding trains. Now, in this segment of it all, I'd surely liked to have had the opportunity to travel aboard ‘em. That's why I sometimes stress the notion to take advantage of what's available NOW, for one has no clue what the ‘morrow will bring!
Good to see ya and thanx for your continued participation.
Pete at 9:19 PM yesterday: Boris ‘n Chandler duties Nahhhhhhhhhh. Best leave him to those things he is most comfortable with. Anything more involved than changing the food trays for our critters is indeed a challenge for our resident cloven-footed-Cyclops! <grin>
A long time ago, in a land far away . . . . I can recall diving off the United Fruit pier in Baltimore harbor back in the late 1940s. If anyone has a remote idea of what that harbor became (way before today's upscale development and cleanup) you'd know it to be safer to swim in a cess pool! <ugh> So, I understand your comments about swimming the canal today. Just the things kids do, eh
Appreciate the 2nd appearance!
Eric at 11:58 PM yesterday: It will be interesting to see how quickly Wikipedia picks up on your updated and corrected info . . . I've been impressed with them in this regard, for I haven't found any other "source" of info willing to admit to, much less accept, helpful info . . .
Really liked that Pix from Stockholm's Central Station - always "wonder"when I see passenger train stations - where those people were going and what kinds of journeys they experienced.
I don't think Pete provided a "definitive list" of the world's fastest trains - his was more conjecture than fact. At least that's my take on it . . . . Figured you'd come up with something substantial though and it's very much appreciated!
Now, you've gotta elaborate a bit on that "3450" steam loco shot . . .
Good to see ya again!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonight is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite! Dinner begins at 5 PM.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
Good morning Tom and all present.
Ruth- oof. I need to wake up. Could I please get a coffee along with one of those wonderful looing pastries. Thanks
Well I'm back this morning with an article that has probably been around these walls quite a few times. But I'm bringing it up again. It's interesting.
The Burlington Northern Merger
The Burlington Northern was the product of a March 2, 1970 merger comprising the Great Northern Railway, the Northern Pacific Railway, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway. Consent for this merger came only on the fourth attempt dating back to the days of James J. Hill, but for many years they shared a headquarters building in Saint Paul, Minnesota until the merger was finally approved. On November 21, 1980, the former St. Louis - San Francisco Railway was acquired. In 1981 corporate headquarters of parent Burlington Northern Inc. were moved to Seattle, Washington, and in 1988, after its non-rail operations were spun off as Burlington Resources, to Fort Worth, Texas.
On December 31, 1996, the Burlington Northern merged with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway.
The route.
The Burlington Northern traversed the most northerly route of any railroad in the western United States. This route started at Chicago, Illinois and ran west-northwest to La Crosse, Wisconsin. From here the route continued northwest through Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota to Grand Forks, North Dakota. From Grand Forks the route ran west through North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho to Spokane, Washington. At Spokane the route split into two routes, one going to Seattle, Washington and another to Portland, Oregon. This route required construction of the Flathead Tunnel through the Rocky Mountains in Montana and the Cascade Tunnel through the Cascade Mountains in Washington.
With the acquisition of the St. Louis - San Francisco Railway, the route was extended into the South Central and Southeastern United States.
The paint scheme.
The Burlington Northern's
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Gas jumped approx 11 cents yesterday between breakfast and lunch. It is now at $2.70, getting ready for spring break, I guess. Nice weather here today with temps supposed to head up into the 50s. What I don't contribute to Mountaineer Gas or Appalachian Power to heat and light our "fashionable" dwelling will now go to Exxon.
Pete stopped by with comments
Dave visited as well. Be careful out there! The anecdote about aging equipment is the truth. Thos of you with some seniority here will remember a note I posted about SP equipment coming up from New Orleans on the L&N in freight service. James would have liked it as they were typically big Alcos, gray with bloody nose scheme. The other side of the situation was that L&N equipment would disappear onto the SP and vanish only to reappear beat to !@#$. I can't believe that my pictures of them are almost 40 yrs old - OMG!
James stopped by with some comments and information re the beginnings of the BN. For our financiers and "Captains of Industry," Saunders's book, Main Lines will give you a lot more background on the BN merger. I remember all of that quite well as it was part of a far bigger round of consolidations, mergers, acqusitions, etc. Some of these worked and others were miserable failures. Thanks for the post.
OSP kept things going with RI Aerotrains and some fine ATSF material. I hope, with your interest in self-propelled beasties, that you have seen John McCall's book, Coach, Cabbage and Caboose - all about ATSF mixed trains. It's one of the favorite volumes in my collection, even though I'm not an ATSF follower all that much.
Incidentally, Tom, the Lords of Baseball have decided that we won't be able to get the Extra Innings package on cable this year. DirectTV or nothing (try and set up a small satellite dish around here with our terrain and trees - good luck! Of course the satellite folks did sweeten the pot with approx. $700 million. Kinda like when the Cardinals broadcasts left KMOX. Boris, unhand me, you mad beast of Transylvania - that's all I'm going to say.
Eric's shot of the waiting area at Stockholm reminds me of Washington Union Terminal back in the day. The inset of the extender on the ATSF locomotive was interesting. IIRC, Santa Fe had several types of these on their locomotives. They were used to either keep the crews from being suffocated, or, as I once heard from somebody, to improve steaming characteristics. Southern used a device called the Wimble smoke duct (always liked the name) to keep crews from being gassed on the Rathole. C&O used air masks on their engines some of their engines again because of the many tunnels en route. Our UP gurus can help me on this, but I think the Big Boys had similar devices, again for crew safety.
BTW, for those interested, the C&O Historical Society offers an 80-page book titled Steam Locomotive Coaling Stations and Diesel Locomotive Fueling Facilities. It has lots of good information with pictures and drawings.
Work safe
Ahoy Cap'n Tom 'n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth, didja miss me yesterday????? Were you "true"???? Oh, what a question, many pardons! <blush> Set 'em up for the bar and I'll take a double "hit" of JD on the rocks please. Nothing to eat, other than those snacks over there if you please. Of course, snacks as well for the critters along with a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris!
Is that "Idiot of the Week" for real???? <geesh>
I've seen the "spike" in gasoline prices here as well, and it's now $2.74 - rounded off - at our favorite Gulf station. Where she stops, nobody knows!
Weather here is on the chilly side, below freezing right now, but expected to get into the middle 30's later on. Why oh why did we leave the Keys???
Don't want to over do it with personal matters, but just let me add that "things" have been somewhat topsy turvy, but not out of the range of being handled. Just a bit more than either of us "need" right now. Life in the fast lane, someone commented? Yeah, that's us. <grin> <groan>
Unless I misread the last post from my "bookend" BK, it appears that he may be slacking off some 'round here. Hope that doesn't mean more than that. Surely can understand trying to come up with something on a frequent basis to maintain a place here at the bar, that can turn into more than intended. However, I know we'd miss our Canadian Connection up there in Alberta. So, let's not have any talk of anything other than, "see ya later!"
Nice pix of the model trains from Europe. Every time I saw those in hobby stores and "upscale" toy departments, I always wondered if they measured up to the stuff we have over here. I'm sure they do. Just that "appearances" always brings forth other thoughts and perhaps incorrect stereotypes. Ahhh, the introspective moment for the Larsman! Surprise, surprise.
I tried to find "that" post from Cap'n Tom on the BNSF "progression" where he put all of the heralds into order. It showed all of the railroads that were in existence, then merged and so forth to become today's BNSF. I thought it would be a nice supplement to the stuff James provided this morning.
Wouldn't ya know it, can't figure out how to find it with this &#%$* search system used on the forums. Why in the world . . . ., ah fuhgedaboudit!
Speaking of the forums, hasn't a reasonable time passed for us to have seen something positive come out of ALL the inquiries made regarding the "trashing" we've undergone. Yeah right, I'll believe it when I see it! Told ya, this guy who oversees the forums isn't showing me that he cares about those who have been the "victims." Just words . . .
Another appearance by West Coast S Dave over there in Iraq. Very happy to know that you're still able to log on and of course participate with us. My guess is that the "down time" probably could drive a sane man over the edge! Sometimes aboard ship if it hadn't have been for a good book, or even a movie we hadn't seen previously, monotony could break into sheer boredom! <grin>
Really nice stuff from Cap'n Tom on the Santa Fe and Stockholm train station, etc. I've said it B4, but it's worth repeating, the efforts you put into making your posts unique really shows and I for one appreciate the way you go about your "business."!
Is it "politically correct" to ask - where in blankety-blank is ROB <geesh><double geesh>
Pete 'n Eric have something going with those "fastest trains." Looks to me like Pete was 'wondering' and Eric was 'factualizing.' Either way, some interesting stuff . . .
Hey Pete - thanks for stopping by TWICE yesterday, picked up the slack rather nicely!
I see CM3 I'm NOT Shane! has been a busy guy thes past couple of days, but not too much to keep him away from the bar by the ballast. Always a treat to have you aboard, mate. Perhaps one day you'll dig up some B&O steam loco material for us (and me!). You have quite a depth of knowledge regarding all things "trains" and surely enjoy reading about it.
Nice to see the turnout from the guys these past couple of days, actually past two weeks is more correct. Keep it going, gang!
Didn't catch anything in particular addressed to me, so if I've missed a comment or question, please lay it on me one more time!
Let's NOT forget that Monday is our 23rd month anniversary for the bar. A TOAST to "us" has been requested from all that day. So let's DO IT when we come in on Monday!
Some recent topics here at the bar:
Until the next time!
Lars
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #7
Seaboard Air Line (SAL)
A form of this was initially Posted on Page 115 of the original Thread
source: Classic American Railroads
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: Norfolk, VA
Route mileage in 1950: 4,146
Locomotives in 1963: Diesels - 531
Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 27,560; Passenger cars - 446
Principal routes in 1950:
Richmond, VA-Homestead, FL (Miami) via Columbia, SC & Jacksonville & Auburndale, FL
Coleman-St. Petersburg, Fl
Hamlet, NC-Savannah, GA
Norlina, NC-Norfolk
Hamlet-Birmingham, AL
Savannah, GA - Montgomery, AL
Baldwin-Chattahoochee, FL
Baldwin-Gross, FL (bypass of Jacksonville)
Waldo-Sulphur Springs, FL
Plant City-Fort Myers, FL
Durant-Venice, FL
Hull-Port Boca Grande, FL
Valrico-West Lake Wales, FL
Passenger trains of note:
Cotton Blossom (Washington, DC-Atlanta)
Gulf Wind (Jacksonville-New Orleans)
New York-Florida Limited (New York-Miami)
Orange Blossom Special (New York-Miami)
Palmland (New York-Tampa & Boca Grande, FL)
Silver Meteor (New York-Miami & St. Petersburg & Venice & Ft. Myers)
Silver Comet (New York- & Portsmouth, VA-Birmingham)
Silver Star (New York-Miami & St. Petersburg & Venice & Boca Grande, FL)
Sunland (Washington & Portsmouth-Miami & Venice; formerly Southern States Special, Sun Queen & Camellia)
Suwannee River Special (Cincinnati-Florida destinations)
Of note: SAL passenger trains were handled by RF&P & PRR north of Richmond.
L&N handled the Gulf Wind west of Chattahoochee.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SAL ad - "Silver Meteor" Streamliner thru Tropical Florida
(from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
SAL #3011 E4A
(Original line drawing art by Stan Lytle, enhanced by Jack Bleiberg - from: www.getcruising.com/rails)
Orange Blossom special ad
(from: multiple sources)
Enjoy!
Note to self, computers are for official use only!! hum?? Then in my official opinion "Our Place" qualifys!!! Just was pounding away of some routine traffic and thought i'd put in a quick visit as i'll be the field next week and incongnito.
Tom..Good day to you sir, your'e to be commended for your attention to the bar..I say you deserve a few rounds on the rest of us, mine is awaiting your consumption.w
Wanted to respond and acknowledge a few..
CM3, True, Can't recall for sure without access to my research materials, but Penn Central comes to mind that pulled to great SP boxcar scam, seems most of the home fleet were ready for the scrap heap and not favored in interchange or else outlawed completely, when along comes brand new SP cars that had been worked east in lumber service.
By slight of car routing and misreporting and much mistruth, they somehow were never forwarded west or otherwise accounted for, the blackhole one might say. SP was forced to use outside law enforcement in conjunction with in house/government resources to investigate and locate the missing fleet.
Hell hath no fury when the truth was uncovered, in addition to SP being owed hundreds of thousand of dollars in usage, the cars were no longer pristine and some the victims of extensive wreck dammage, SP, at great expense was forced to shop the most abject examples at considerable expensive before being returned to service...
Pwolf...Most SP engines were equipped with a fresh air systems for crew use, I belive it was mandatory by the late steam period. I do know compliance was a factor cited by several roads as a reason to dieselize.The UP used smoke hoods, a two piece clamshell design that could be moved in postion via air pressure directly over the stacks for smoke control, adjustable as needed. By that late forties no attention was paid to proper function or not, considered ineffective by crew members and a maintaince headache to the shop personal, neverless, most large power carried them to the scrap yard...
Well, thats about all the time I have, seems a line is forming behind me for ISP time.
Until later
Dave
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of bitter and I'll have the Steak and Fries please LEON.
Running real late but I had to do something I have been putting off and it took a lot longer than I thought it would.
JAMES Thinking about the trailing diesels on the Coal Trains it is a wonder there is not more fires on the locos with the fine coal dust getting on hot surfaces. I guess special attention gets paid to the filters etc.
Those Hornblower books are well worth a read, in my opinion better than the movies.
Many thanks for the Burlington Northern merger. Looking at the map the BNSF does indeed cover a large area. I wonder if they are painting any of their new locomotives in the warbonnet livery .
ERIC Thanks for the photo of the inside of Stockholm Central Station. I guess the way to the platforms is off to the side of the waiting room and down stairs like many of the large N.American stations I have seen in photos. I have been trying to think of any of that design on BR But I cannot come up with any at the moment. Clapham Junction has a wide bridge linking the 16 platforms but the waiting rooms are on the platforms. The main terminal stations the platforms are on the same level as the concorse.
I would agree the Santa Fe was the most well known of the American railroads, at least in the 1950s, a lot of books aimed at the younger generation had a color picture of a Santa Fe F series diesel in warbonnet livery. Although there was quite considerable coverage of North American railroads in the British 'The Railway Magazine' at that time. .
Interesting table of the fastest start to stop tables, still trying to work it out in MPH. It will be interesting to see where the Eurostar is on the table when the Channel Tunnel High Speed Link is opened and up to full working speed.
Thanks for that interesting photo of the arrangement on #3450, and thanks CM3 for the info on the 'Extender' , a term I had not heard of or seen a picture of before.
LARS I agree with what you say about the search feature, I am really grateful Tom puts the page number the original posts the encores were on.
Glad you liked the idea of the fastest trains.In Eric's link to the times and speeds the link to the 1964 speeds are interesting to compare. What stands out to me is the 7th on the list which is UP's City Of Denver which travelled the 1690 miles between Denver and Chicago in 16 hours 15 minutes..
Thanks for the ACL and the Santa Fe book covers.
Great to see you were able to come in the bar again DAVE.
Many thanks for the details on the SP boxcars and the Fresh air systems. the conditions in some of those tunnels in steam days must be very hard to imagine. I suppose a lot of the tunnels were that deep that ventilation shafts were not practical, as was the case in most of the tunnels in the UK.
Keeping track of Boxcars in the days before computers must have been a nightmare,I wonder how many had to be simply written off as the owning company could not find where it had got too..
Keep safe and I will look forward to seeing you in the bar when you can..
TOM Really late tonight, but I will work hard now to make sure the bars are well stocked and the track gang will not have to wait for a beer. I have a feeling though,that the Manager LARS, is going to fine me more for being late then my wages are
The bride called me earlier as she had found a PBS program was showing the White Pass Railway in Alaska, unfortunatly we only caught the last part. I will have to see if they are going to repeat it so I can view the whole program.
We will have to hear more about Baltimore harbor at the rendezvous,as you say what we would do as a kid, makes you wonder how we survived to be this old.
Thanks for the Fallen Flag on the Seaboard Air Line. The names of those trains heading to Florida give the impression of heading to a warmer place names like Palmland and Sunland. The best name thought still has to be the Orange Blossom Special.
Well LEON put my pint on the Bar and I will get it in between my chandeling, and I had better get a round in too.
Pete.
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, Leon, Friday night! I'll have my favorite Rumpsteak Café de Paris as usual! You should try it!
Kind of tired tonight but I had to stop by before going to bed. A beautiful day in the desert! Hopefully the cold days are over for this winter.
Tom – I’ll probably send my info on Stockholm Central Station to Wikipedia on Sunday. My picture from Stockholm Central Station was taken about 11 am on a Monday, that is why it was so quiet. No, Pete provided his list after I mentioned that the X200 was the 6th fastest train in the world. The list might not be exactly the same today though. Santa Fe Class 3450, #3450, 4-6-4 (Hudson), is preserved at Southern California Chapter Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Museum, Pomona, CA. Built 1927 and rebuilt in the late 1930’s with 79” drivers. Retired in the late 50’s. Pictures of #3450 below. Seaboard Air Line sounds more like an airline! Thanks for the info and pictures! I like the paint scheme!James – Thanks for the article, Burlington Northern Merger! I’ve traveled on their tracks from La Crosse, WI to Seattle, WA. I copied the map! CM3 – I am quite sure Big Boy did not have any smoke stack extender. If there were air masks in the cab I don’t know. At least not in this one. But smoke in tunnels must have been a big problem many times.Thanks for the info on the Coaling stations book! I’ll check to see what it is!Lars – I don’t think you have to worry about Ruth. She looks so much happier now since you came back! Gas prices here are sky rocketing right now, 10 cents today to $2.69. Oil prices have not changed much at all though. The scam is on!Weather here is a little bit nicer than on the east side, we will hit 90+ this weekend. Nice book covers as always! And a pretty modern logo. BNSF claims that BNSF does not mean anything anymore. Just a name, BNSF!Dave – Did Big Boy really have smoke hoods? There was hardly room for any thanks to the size of the locomotive.
SP Class M-7 #1774, 2-6-0. On display in Globe, AZ Pete – You are right about Stockholm Central Station. The tracks are to the right. Track 10 is just outside (through the doors), track 11-19 is down the stairs (to the right) and through a tunnel. Track 1-8 are behind my back (but at the same level as the waiting hall).
This is ENCORE! Saturday 'n Photo Posting Day!
"Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
Saturday, the day put aside for the guys (translated: males) to get a move on with the chores, "honey do things," and time permitting, relaxation. So, before things get started, kick off the weekend with a mug of coffee, a pastry or three from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!
A strange Friday here at the Saloon by the Siding as we had a rather looooooooong lapse between regulars. Fortunately, the track gangs kept things hoppin' in the pool room, as the end of the week ALWAYS is a lively time ‘round here!
The "20 Fingers Syndrome" has been observed! Translated: When there's time for only one Post and the decision is made to do so over on "my other Thread" rather than here at the bar. Used to be a common occurrence with a former "regular" . . . . Happening again.
James at 8:09 AM yesterday: A really nice submission on the BN ‘n SF merger . . . was hoping to see some dialogue and supplemental "stuff" follow. It may still . . . .
CM3 at 8:41 AM yesterday: The subject of ENERGY is draining! <barf> We KNOW what's going on and WHO the culprits are, but is surely appears we are at their mercy - which they have very little of.
Subject of the "box car scam" is always of interest. I know we had quite a dialogue going over on the "original" Thread some time back about it. The RRs who paid for the new cars surely got "hosed," eh
I haven't seen "Coach, Cabbage and Caboose," but hope to on our visit to the camp;us library with the extensive RR holdings - thanx!
This business about pro-sports and the electronic media is absolutely maddening. Yeah, KSDK (the new home of the Cards, Blues ‘n Rams) really put the screws to those who used to follow ‘em all on KMOX. Weaker signal, fewer subscriber stations and programming changes have pretty much changed the landscape - and NOT for the better. So, why would anyone be "surprised" that this has extended to satellite as well????
Wimble smoke duct sounds a bit on the "wimpy" side to Moi!
Thanx for the round, quarters ‘n visit!
Lars at 11:51 AM yesterday: Yeah, I got the "feeling" that BK may have discovered there are other things to do in life aside from "hang ten" ‘round the bar. I think the two months (plus) of being away perhaps helped to steer him elsewhere - mentally that is. He's a good friend of the bar and I seriously doubt we'll lose him, just may not see him as much.
Quite frankly, if THIS is ALL one has to do with spare time, then ONE has a huge PROBLEM. Just look at some of the "cyber names" appearing at the bottom of the main Forum Page - shows who is on line right now and who has the most Posts during a given period of time. There are guys who seem to be "on" ALL OF THE TIME and ALL OF THE FORUMS. Good Gawd Gertie - if that's not an addiction, I don't know the meaning.
And speaking of the Forums - ditto on your assessment of "I'm working on it." Hmmmmmm, does appear as if the subject has been dropped from any serious priority list. Oh well . . . we'll just have to keep sending our feedback.
Can't help you with the "Rob thing" and I'm staying on the sidelines with that. It comes down to this and ONLY this in my opinion: one makes the time for the things they want to do. Priorities change, such is life.
Ruth definitely is happier when you're in town and especially at the bar. I'd be verrrrrrry careful, Mate, she's got THAT look! <grin>
Thanx for noticing the "Idiot of the Week" - no one else apparently picked up on it.
Dave at 3:54 PM yesterday: Back with a 3rd visit to the Saloon by the Siding all the way from Iraq. Way to go! [tup ]
In the field and incognito conjures up all kinds of images. Hard to disguise that you're an American and equally hard that you're not a "local." So be vewwwwwwwwwwwwy careful my fweind (As "Elmer Fudd" would say)!!
Always appreciate having you aboard and the subjects you expound on fall right into the dialogue we strive to create ‘n maintain ‘round here!
With 20 minutes of ISP time, you'll never get caught up - however, just stick to the last couple of Pages, if that's possible, and you'll stay afloat. <grin>
Pete at 10:27 PM yesterday: Thought you were a "goner" for the day, and here it is nearly mid-night! Hmmmmmm, Manager Lars is gonna have your HIDE for this!! <grin> Don't sweat the <tweeting> as that's MY "thing" and he's not authorized to use it.
Nice Post and appreciate your taking the time and making the effort to put forth such a fine inclusive offering!
Can't make a comparison between the Hornblower books ‘n videos. However, the DVD sets (8 discs) we have are of the finest caliber and so well done that we watch ‘em all at least annually. These are all available on http://www.amazon.com/ and worth checking out. I'm not speaking of the "old" movies from way back - I'm referring to the more recent "stuff" that aired on A&E a few years back. Outstanding - simply outstanding.
But I do agree, a good book is like a glass of fine wine, hard to put down.
ENCORE! Saturday - ENCORE! Saturday
GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #1
from multiple sources
Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with
Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check out this pre-WWI poster!
first Posted on page 130 of the "original" Thread
ENGLAND & SCOTLAND
EAST COAST ROUTE
GREAT NORTHERN, NORTH EASTERN & NORTH BRITISH RAILWAYS
SHORTEST & QUICKEST ROUTE between LONDON (King's Cross)
and
EDINBURGH, PERTH, INVERNESS, ABERDEEN
&
DIRECT ROUTE TO GLASGOW AND WESTERN HIGLANDS.
DINING CARS - SLEEPING CARS - CORRIDOR TRAINS
LAVATORY CARRIAGES.
London-Hatfield-Hitchin-Huntingdon-Peterboro-Grantham-Newark-Retford-Doncaster-Selby-York-NorthAllerton-Darlington-FerryHill-Durham-Newcastle-Alnmouth-Berwick-Dunbar-Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow.
GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #2
Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this pre-WWI poster out!
LONDON & NORTHWESTERN and CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS
London (Euston) .................. 8h. 0m.
Birmingham ...... To ............ 6h. 45m.
Liverpool .......... Glasgow ...... 5h. 10m.
Manchester ..... (Central) ..... 5h. 5m.
Bristol ............................... 9h. 35m.
Birmingham ...... To ............ 6h. 35m.
Liverpool ......... Edinburgh ... 5h. 0m.
Manchester .... (Prin. St.) .... 5h. 10m.
Bristol ............................... 9h. 45m.
London (Euston) .................. 9h. 55m.
Birmingham ...... To ............ 9h. 25m.
Liverpool ......... Dundee ...... 7h. 15m.
Manchester .... (West) ........ 7h. 20m.
Bristol .............................. 12h. 20m.
London (Euston) .................. 11h. 15m.
Birmingham ...... To ............ 11h. 0m.
Liverpool ......... Aberdeen .... 8h. 20m.
Manchester ........................ 8h. 15m.
Bristol .............................. 14h. 20m.
LUNCHEON and DINING CARS
for the accommodation of FIRST and THIRD CLASS PASSENGERS are run on the undernoted Trains:
.......... From London (Euston)
To ............................... a.m. .... p.m.
Glasgow (Central) .......... 10 0 .... 2 0
Edinburgh (Princes St.) ... 10 0 .... 2.0
... Perth ........................ 10.0 ... 2*0
... Aberdeen .................. 10.0 .... 2*0
*to Carstairs
.......... From Liverpool
To ............................... a. m. .... p.m.
Glasgow (Central) .......... 9^50 .... 5 50
Edinburgh (Princes St.) ... 9^50 .... 5*50
... Perth ....................... 9^50 .... 5*50
... Aberdeen ................. 9^50 ..... 5*50
*to Carstairs; ^Luncheon Car, Manchester (Victoria) to Glasgow,
Liverpool Passengers join at Preston.
........... From Manchester
To .............................. a.m. .... p. m.
Glasgow (Central) ......... 9 50 .... 5 45
Edinburgh (Princes St.) .. 9*50 .... 5^45
... Perth ...................... 9*50 .... 5^45
... Aberdeen ................. 9*50 .... 5^45
New and Improved SLEEPING SALOONS
................... between .........................
LONDON (Euston) & SCOTLAND by Night Trains.
(Note: Sorry for the misaligned columns; format differences make it so )
A bit more usual time for my visit to the bar. As it as gone noon I will try a Bathams Bitter on this sunny Mid Mo day, a change from yesterday, Please RUTH.
ERIC Many thanks for the great photos. I guess by the notice( 2 Short Pulls per person please) in the first photo of a loco cab that the cord sounded the whistle or was it the bell, I wonder how the whistle was worked.
Which loco's cab is in the second cab pic.# 1774 looks a good looking locomotive.
TOM.You are so right, the sun is out, the temperature is pleasant, so it is time for...... YES Spring Cleaning and honey- dos not a phrase I knew about in England but one I am more than familular with nowadays.
I had a look at the Hornblower films in your link thanks. I have seen them on the TV when they were on in Britain. They are very well made and great entertainment with good actors. One of the best roles is played by Robert Lindsay, more known for his comedy acting, but plays a great role as Hornblower's Captain. .
Many thanks for the British pre World War I East and West Coast Joint lines adverts. I see the 8 hour agreement between the companies on trains between London and Edinburgh was in operation. This was what I wrote at the time of your original post on page 131. My view of the Pendelinos as mellowed a bit since then.
On the East Coast route. Today it is still the fastest to the places mentioned, it is run by GNER with mostly MK.4 stock hauled by class 91 electrics and a few HSTs which carry on north of Edinburgh on the non-electrified lines. Although it breaks my heart to say so, living on the West coast main line,in my humble opinion they are the best trains running in Britain FAR FAR FAR better than the new Pendelinos. Also the service on the GNER I have found to be first rate. Getting back to the time of the poster, there was a great rivairy between the West and East routes. IN 1888 and again in1895 there was what was known as the Railway Races to the North. The 1895 race was brought about by the opening of the Forth Bridge thus making the East Coast route the shorter to the Granite City Aberdeen.After a few nights racing in which the trains got lighter and less stops were made the West Coast was the winner. Although the last part of the line to Aberdeen for the East Coast was over Caledonian Railway metals, a West Coast partner,and it is said that the signalman at Kinnerbar Junction gave the West Coast the advantage. Still for that time and the smallness of the locos some remarkable running was achieved One of the West Coast locos a 2-4-0 named HARDWICKE is in the National Railway Museum in York. Not long after the races there were some serious derailments in England which were said to have been caused by speeding the Goverment stepped in and the two rivals signed an agreement of ,I think, of not less than 8 hours between London and Edinburgh. This lasted till the 1930,s. Some of the East Coast Expresses at the time were hauled by Stirling 7feet driving wheel 4-2-0s. The 'single wheelers having a come back with the event ot steam sanding. A trully Classic Locomotive class. The preserved loco #1 was steamed for a short while in the 70s . It is strange to think that this post is getting on to be 2 years old now..
Well Tom I will post this and be back in a bit with some pics.
Back again with the pics RUTH so another Bathams and can you save me a Steak for later as I had better keep my strenght up for tonites chandelling.
TOM Was the 10,000th contest for the number of views at the New Our Place,as I think I said March 12th( you can't blame me for trying)
This weeks pics are from Alan on his trip to the Hartz Narrow gauge railway in Germany.
These should enlarge.
'Tis the man called Lars with a fistfull of cash 'n a powerful thirst!
Ruth, set 'em up, Boris ring the ding and let's have a round on the Larsman!
A better day today than yesterday, but hardly spring. We'll get there, I know, I know!
ANOTHER visit from West Coast S Dave!
Looks like "Brit Day" here at the bar by the ballast! Some interesting ads from Da Boss, as usual.
Surprised we haven't heard from Doug the barn weevil. Wonder what's UP
Yeah, you're right, if a guy WANTS to be here and there's nothing physically preventing him from doing it, then I guess it does come down to priorities. Just another example of that "favorite" word of yours - CHANGE! <groan>
Pete's been a busy guy what with the late night posting and two thus far today. Trying to get on my "good side," huh
Not to worry, Wolfman, no "docking" of the pay - take the mid-sized dipper and draw your money from the tub - you've earned it!
Should make mention of Eric and the consistent night time posts. Really keeps us going and always look forward to them. Also enjoyed the steamers.
Thought I'd go back a bit to just abou this time last year for my Encore & Photo Posting for this Saturday. Here's something from March 12th on page 273 of the "old" thread:
Ok - time for my humble submission: Union Pacific: Lounge area in dome car (from www.trainweb.org) Union Pacific mostly business fleet domes (www.trainweb.org) Union Pacific "special" being made up with business domes (www.trainweb.org) Union Pacific 7001 Columbine (from: www.trainweb.org) Union Pacific 7003 (from: www.trainweb.org)
Ruth, one more, then I'm heading upstairs to check out the Penthouse Suite - THIS is the weekend that BK 'n Lydia are using it! <oooooooooh> Wanna join me
ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!
at "Our" Place!
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . Sunday, March 11th thru 17th: Mission Impossible (1996) Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny & Jean Reno - and - Night Train to Munich (1940) Starring: Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison, Paul Henreid, Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne. SHORT: The Three Stooges - You Nazty Spy! (1940).
Mission Impossible (1996)
PLOT SUMMARY:
Movie based on the television series finds Jim Phelps and his team charged with stopping a traitor from stealing and selling classified material. Everything was going well until the man they are following and all of the team are inexplicably killed except for Ethan Hunt. Ethan then calls the Director and goes to meet him when he discovers that the whole mission was to ferret a mole that they have been suspicious of for some time. The Director shows evidence that hints that Ethan's the one they have been looking for but Ethan knows that he is not, so he escapes. Ethan then arranges to meet the buyer and whom he warns against using the material he has and when they meet he offers to get what he paid for in exchange for telling whom the mole is. Ethan, along with Phelps' wife Claire recruits two disavowed agents to help him which won't be easy.
from: amazon.com
Night Train To Munich (1940)
The unofficial sequel to The Lady Vanishes (also scripted by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat) attempts to recapture the thrills of Hitchcock's charming confection of espionage and romance with generally fine results. Margaret Lockwood reprises her role as the flighty heroine, now the daughter of a Czech scientist captured by the *** as her father leaves the country. She escapes from a concentration camp with the help of a defiant male prisoner (Paul Henreid) and rejoins her father, only to be kidnapped back by the Germans. Rex Harrison costars as a seaside crooner who turns out to be a resourceful British Secret Service agent, whose stiff upper lip and school wit are handled with smiling aplomb. Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne re-create their roles as blasé British tourists (when Britain declares war they, deep in the heart of Germany, worry about cricket and their golf clubs left behind in Berlin: "I'll never replace those," Radford mourns). Reed would find his stride after the war with such accomplished thrillers as Odd Man Out and The Third Man. In light of those classics, Night Train to Munich is an inconsistent but wholly entertaining lark.
SHORT: You Nazty Spy! (1940)PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
Set in the country of Moronica, three men plot to overthrow their king and appoint a dictator. Their choice is a paperhanger named Moe Hailstone. With Curly as his Field Marshal and Larry as his Minister of Propaganda, the boys take control of the country. The citizens are unhappy and drive Hailstone out of power.
from: threestooges.net
Enjoy! Tom
ENCORE! Saturday 'n Photo Posting Day!
Winding down the day for me with TWO acknowledgements . . .
Pete at 1:42 PM & 2:10 PM today: Two afternoon visits; the Pix from Alan provided some interesting perspective to rail journeys. Liked the one "on the curve."
Only YOU ‘n Shane remain in the 10,000th Post Contest . . . Yes, you surely came close - update this Monday!
Lars at 2:29 PM today: Wunnerful UP material. Never a favorite RR of mine - and I really don't know why - but those Pix bring back an era exemplifying what we like to discuss: Classic Trains!
Many THANX to you ‘n Wolfman for taking the time and making the effort to stop in!
Ruth, give 'em a round on me and Boris, ring the bell! I see Leon is just about ready to take the bar . . . REMEMBER, dinner at 5 PM for Steak 'n All The Trimmings Nite!
Enjoy the weekend - see ya Monday!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, I try that Filet Mignon again tonight! Add a lot of mushrooms! Medium, please!
After a busy Saturday it is nice to get some time to relax here. I spent over two hours in line at the landfill today to get rid of a lot of junk. I think half of the 3 million people living in the Valley had decided to do the same. But now it is done!
Tom – It makes me mad every time I think about the gas prices. Last night I checked to see if I should fly to St. Louis and rent a car and then fly back home later instead of driving all the way. But even if the gas price in May is $3/gallon the trip will cost me about $400 more if I fly and rent a car. So I am driving!The temporary platform you saw in the Stockholm picture can be explained by the fact that they had elections in Sweden two weeks after I took the picture. In other words, the platform had a political purpose. It did not help though, that party with that platform lost the elections.I will not talk about 90 degrees, promise. But that is what we will have all next week! I am sure you were meant to live next to the Arctic Circle. The picture below is taken at the Arctic Circle.
The desert in bloom is beautiful! This year will most likely not be that good because we have had too little rain and snow. Great Britain had (and has) a lot of railroads! I wonder how many miles they have today? British Rail had 10,304 miles (16,583 km) in 1991. A lot of facts, travleing times and open times for the dining cars! Thanks!!The movies of next week at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre look very interesting! I have not seen Mission Impossible (even though that is what I am assigned almost every evening when I get home from work) but I saw Night Train To Munich many, many years ago. Don’t remember much of it.
Here are two pictures connecting to James' post yesterday about the Burlington Northern Merger.
La Crosse, WI. BNSF track.
Havre, MT. Still BNSF track.Pete – The cord sounded the whistle. Everyone I heard pulling the cord just blew two short ones. The second cab is the Big Boy. I looked for air masks but couldn’t find any. #1774 is in pretty bad shape, I am afraid. It has been sitting there for many years and I don’t think anyone is taking care of it. Thanks for the extra info on train travel in UK! What is the traveling time between London and Edinburgh today? Thanks for Alan’s pictures! Always interesting to see! Do you know what part of Germany those pictures are from?
Lars – Some nice pictures of UP’s domes, etc! But I think there are a couple of C&NW cars in picture 2 from the top. #1 and 3 from the rear end. Thanks!
Last, but not least, for Dave:
Good evening Tom and friends. Busy days these days. I've only time for a quick beer and buy a round for the house, and please forgive this hasty submission. As I quickly scan through the material, there were many great posts and pictures from the usual supporting cast. I want ya'll to know that I've been rounding up material that I believe will reflect the personal favorites of the patrons of "Our Place." Here's a little something for our Captain: (Got some for Lars and James forthcoming)
RDCs: In service from the mountains to the coast.
Mountain Goats. Four RDCs acquired in 1956 by Pacific Great Eastern were placed in service across the rugged Coast Mountains. The southbound RDC set changes crews at Lillooet, B.C., in 1957
The self-propelled rail passenger car has been a fixture across Canada, where a myriad of rural branch lines made its operations especially economical. At the end of World War II, CNR operated 39 internal-combustion "doodlebugs," while CPR employed eight Electro-Motive Corp. gas-electric cars.
Neither company, though, seemed especially enthused when the Budd Co. rolled out its self-propelled stainless-steel Rail Diesel Car prototype in 1949. Canadian National played host for RDC demonstrator No. 2960's first trip to Canada in February 1951, but no orders were forthcoming.
A three-week follow-up visit in 1953 by the same Budd demonstrator, however, stirred both railways to order RDCs: CPR contracted for three RDC-1s (all-passenger-carrying cars) and one RDC-3 (a combined passenger, baggage-express, and mail car) in September of that year, and CPR signed up for an RDC-3 just two months later.
A third Canadian RDC operator emerged in 1956, when Pacific Great Eastern Railway began using four RDC-3s the three RDC-1s on its mountainous 466-moile line between North Vancouver and Prince George in British Columbia.
By the time the CPR flett had been christened "Dayliners" and the CNR xars were known as "Railiners." Not to be outdone, PGE named its RDC trains Cariboo Dayliners and offered complimentary meals and steward service for passengers.
In all, 87 RDCs were built new for service in Canada: 53 on CPR, 27 on CNR, and seven on PGE. In Addition, Canadian National purchased 19 RDCs from U.S. owners in 1964-66. One of these was Budd's well-traveled RDC-1 demonstrator, leased by CN before its 1965 purchase and notable in Canadian service for its Pioneer III outside-disc-brake trucks.
CN's remaining secondhand RDCs came from Chicago & Eastern Illinois (one RDC-1), Chesapeake & Ohio (one RDC-3), originally a Missouri-Kansas-Texas car), and Boston & Maine (eight RDC-1s, one RDC-2(a combined passenger and baggage-express car) and seven single-engine RDC-9s referred to as "RDC-5" by CN). An RDC-3 built in 1956 for Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific was also transferred to parent CN.
Beginning in 1965, CN upgraded and reconfigured the interiors of many of its RDCs. Reclining seats replaced the original walkover fixtures, and compact snack bars were installed at the cost of four seats. Aboard one RDC-2, conventional seating in the forward coach section was replaced with eight swivel parlor chairs, CN's RDC fleet was bolstered in 1973 by four RDC-2s purchased from CP Rail.
In 1958, Canadian Pacific acquired one used RDC each from Lehigh Valley (RDC-2) and Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (RDC-1). For many years, two RDCs were lettered for CPR's Nova Scotia subsidiary, Dominion Atlantic Railway.
Silver Swan. CN train 679 glides past the 100-foot-high Montmorency Falls in June 1971 on the final leg of its run from Clermont, Quebec, to Quebec City.
When CN and CP passenger operations were turned over to VIA Rail in 1978, VIA inherited 80 RDCs running on multiple routes. Only two of the RDC operations survive in 2006 - one between Victoria and Courtenay on British Columbia's Vancouver Island, and the other between Sudbury and White River in northern Ontario. Five cars, rebuilt in 2001-02, serve these routes.
PGE, which changed its name to British Columbia Railway in 1972, supplemented its RDC fleet with seven secondhand cars of carrying heritage in the mid-1980s - one former Amtrak (ex-Great Northern) car, three former Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (ex-Reading Co.) cars, and three former VIA (one ex-CN and two ex-CP Rail) cars. They continued in service until regularly scheduled passenger trains were discontinued in October 2002. - Kevin J. Holland
Here are some pretty solid reasons why alcohol should be served at work...
It's an incentive to show up.
It leads to more honest communications.
It reduces complaints about low pay.
Employees tell management what they think, not what management wants to hear.
It encourages car pooling.
Increase job satisfaction because if you have a bad job, you don't care.
It eliminates vacations because people would rather come to work.
It makes fellow employees look better.
It makes the cafeteria food taste better.
Bosses are more likely to hand out raises when they are wasted.
Salary negotiations are a lot more profitable.
Employees work later since there's no longer a need to relax at the bar.
It makes everyone more open with their ideas.
Eliminates the need for employees to get drunk on their lunch break.
Increases the chance of seeing your boss naked.
Employees no longer need coffee to sober up.
Not having to worry about your wife being mad when you come home wasted - it's your job!
Any sick days taken would be completely genuine.
You can take longer and more frequent bathroom breaks.
G-day Tom and all present!
Leon- Could I get a coffee and the Steak please, with all of those trimming. Thanks.
Sorry for my, being gone all-day, but we are getting ready for our trip to Chicago. We are cleaning the house for the arrival of all our friends who tag along. So I had to wait until now.
Lars- To bad the forums doesn't have an "adequate" search. I have tried to look things up in the past and I get things I never asked for. What a shame.
Anyway, thanks for all the pictures. I really like the front of that Atlantic Coast line E7. A very nice looking paint scheme indeed. Also, thanks for the pictures of the Union Pacific Passenger train. I can't believe how many dome cars are on that train. Someone or the railroad spent some money keeping those in tip top shape. Great photos.
Tom- Ah, yes, the Seaboard air line. What a great looking railroad. That paint scheme is really quite pretty looking. That E-unit looks good. To bad there on the fallen flags.
Also liked the Passenger Nostalgia on the Great Britain passenger trains. Some pretty cool stuff. I enjoyed it.
West Coast Dave- You're back! Good to hear from you. I hope things are going okay for you. Thanks for stopping by.
Pete- Ya, it isn't good sometimes to get coal dust in the stacks of the locomotives. Infact, I have a picture for you. Now for this to happen, most of the time it's creosote build up in the stack but other factors like coal dust and problems with cylinders can cause this. But it can also happen when you don't keep the engine clean.
Well, if you say the Hornblower books are good, I will have to pick them up sometime and read them. Also, I don't think the BNSF will be painting any new locomotive in the warbonnet livery. But you might still be able to find some locomotive in the Livery.
BTW: Nice pictures of the German Narrow gauge railway. Those are some interesting looking steamers. A couple of 0-4-4-0s. I don't think I have seen anything like it before.
Eric- Glad you liked the map. I thought it was a pretty cool map myself. I did like you're pictures of the Santa Fe steamer. It has been nicely restored, but it's sitting outside were the elements can get to it. They might want to think about moving it inside. Also nice interior picture.
Also some more nice pictures of the X2000. In the picture looking out of the wondow, there seems to be a little snow on the ground. Maybe a couple of "inches."
Great shot of the AT&SF caboose and the SP car. Good to see the SP car still in service.
Doug- Nice little article o the Budd RDCs. I really enjoyed reading about them. I always liked the RDCs and I'm glad the NSSR in Duluth still has one that operates. It's pretty cool.
Now for some pictures!
http://www.sd45.com/SandPatch2003/pages/015amtrak.html
First off, I have a video clip of Amtrak's Capitol limited cruizing at a reasonable speed. You may notice that the train is blowing the horn quite a bit. This is due to the fact that a week before the video was shot a person was killed at the grade crossing.
Here's a picture of a couple of B&O E7As. Now I need to see them on a passenger train and then it's all good.
Happy railroading
James
Good morning Tom and gang! I'll have a light breakfast please.
Let me be the first to congratulate everyone on keeping this most excellent thread running for the 23rd month! Way to go guys!
I see we have some new movies at the Emporium and my personal favorite, a Stooge flick! Did ya'll notice the censor at work on the "Night Train to Munich" summary? Interesting. Fine pix from Eric, who has been so good about posting terrific stuff on a regular basis. Looks like James is warming up for the Tuesday theme, which I am very much looking forward to. Here's a little book review to read with your morning coffee.
The Electric Way Across the Mountains, 2nd edition, by Richard Steinheimer, Signature Press, 2005. 192 pp. $65 hardbound
"Little Joes" E20-E21 slog up the 2 percent grade at Pipestone Pass east of Butte, Mont., in 1973
Covering the history of the Milwaukee Road's electrification, this book first came out in 1980. This edition follows 25 years later with 20 more Richard Steinheimer photos, 12 of those being in color. An endpaper map depicts the entire Milwaukee system and identifies the locations of the two disconnected electrified sections - the Rocky Mountain Division, 440 miles from Harlowton, Mont., to Avery, Idaho, and the Coast Division, 216 miles from Othello, Wash., to Seattle and Tacoma.
While many observers tend to think of the road's electrification as being confined to the mountains (the line crossed five ranges - Belt, Rocky, Bitter Root, Saddle, and Cascade), that notion is dispelled by a stunning photo taken from the cab of a Bipolar electric unit in the 1920s. It looks down a flat tangent that stretches to infinity, with a snow-covered field to the side.
This photo is representative of the unexpected kinds of views that illustrate the chapters covering the early and midlife stages of the electrification. Especially pleasing are views showing the inside of substations, where electricity is fed out to the railroad. Construction shots range from building substations and stringing wire to assembling and delivering the road's first electric units. Particularly poignant is a 1916 view of tiny Roland, Idaho, where steam helpers were based, but which would begin to vanish when electrics started rolling through.
Another section gives meaning to the book's subtitle, Stories of the Milwaukee Road Electrification. One of the first stories, "The Race," shows a neck-and-neck contest one day in 1941 between an electrically powered Olympian and a steam-powered Northern Pacific Railway North Coast Limited. Another tale describes how MUing, or multiple-unit operation, between electric and diesel units came about, holding off the demise of the electrification system until the early 1970s.
Soon the reader is immersed in Steinheimer's own spectacular photos. Stark black-and-white photos illustrate how, even in this remote area, electric railroading was a 24/7 operation. The author ranges widely - snow shots, mountain panoramas, tales of his adventures in getting to good photo locations in winter, the inside of a substation, cab interiors, shops, and, above all, the railroaders who kept it all running for so long. Color shots capture the orange and black on box-cab and Little Joe units against threatening skies.
The book appeals to an audience wider than just the Milwaukee Road fans or those who find the road's electrification fascinating. Those who enjoy the author's photography, mountain railroading, and early electric technology will find the book a worthwhile addition to their library - Frederic H. Abendschein
Airbag Contest a Success!
DETROIT -- With third-quarter sales sluggish and its share of the domestic market down 11 percent since 1993, General Motors unveiled a new instant-win airbag contest Monday.
The new airbags, which award fabulous prizes upon violent, high-speed impact with another car or stationary object, will come standard in all of the company's 2007 cars.
"Auto accidents have never been so exciting," said GM vice-president of marketing Roger Jenkins, who expects the contest to boost 2007 sales significantly. "When you play the new GM Instant Win Airbag Game, your next fatal collision could mean a trip for two to the Super Bowl, or a year's worth of free Mobil gasoline."
Though it does not officially begin until July 1, 2007, the airbag promotion is already being tested in select cities, with feedback overwhelmingly positive.
"As soon as my car started to skid out of control, I thought to myself, 'Oh, boy, this could be it--I could be a big winner!'" said Cincinnati's Martin Frelks, who lost his wife but won $50 Sunday when the Buick LeSabre they were driving hit an oil slick at 60 mph and slammed into an oncoming truck. "When the car stopped rolling down the embankment, I knew Ellen was dead, but all I could think about was getting the blood and glass out of my eyes so I could read that airbag!"
"It's really addictive," said Sacramento, CA, resident Marjorie Kamp, speaking from her hospital bed, where she is listed in critical condition with severe brain hemorrhaging and a punctured right lung. "I've already crashed four cars trying to win those Super Bowl tickets, but I still haven't won. I swear, I'm going to win those tickets--even if it kills me!" Kamp said that as soon as she is well enough, she plans to buy a new Pontiac Bonneville and drive it into a tree.
GM officials are not surprised the airbag contest has been so well received. "In the past, nobody really liked car wrecks, and that's understandable. After all, they're scary and dangerous and, sometimes, even fatal," GM CEO Paul Offerman said. "But now, when you drive a new GM car or truck, your next serious crash could mean serious cash. Who wouldn't like that?" Offerman added that in the event a motorist wins a prize but is killed, that prize will be awarded to the next of kin. According to GM's official contest rules, odds of winning the grand prize, a brand-new 1997 Cutlass Supreme, are 1 in 43,000,000. Statistical experts, however, say the real chances of winning are significantly worse. "If you factor in the odds of getting in a serious car accident in the first place--approximately 1 in 720,000--the actual odds of winning a prize each time you step in your car are more like 1 in 31 trillion." Further, even if one is in an accident, there is no guarantee the airbag will inflate. "I was recently broadsided by a drunk driver in my new Chevy Cavalier," said Erie, PA, resident Jerry Polaner. "My car was totaled, and because it was the side of my car that got hit, my airbag didn't even inflate. But what really gets me is the fact that the drunk driver, who rammed my side with the front of his 2007 Buick Regal, won a $100 Office Depot gift certificate. That's just wrong."
A smile to begin the week!
It was hard to have a conversation with anyone, there were too many people talking.
(A Yogi-ism!)
Another Monday and another week of toil (for many). A good place to fortify yourself is right here, with a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board, a few selections from The Mentor Village Bakery pastry case and of course a hot mug of coffee to put a ‘cap' on it!
Today is the 23rd Month Anniversary of the opening of this cyber bar ‘n grill called "Our" Place! Way back on April 12th, 2005, this idea was sprung on the unsuspecting and guess what? We're still here! We've seen some fine people come ‘n go, we've had some great times and some not so, but through it all, there still remains a bunch of guys who are determined to keep us "up on the Forum Page." To those who fit that category, I hoist my "spiked OJ" in recognition of YOU - Cheers!
10,000th Post CONTEST update (in order of submission):
When will we reach the ten thousand mark in Posts at "Our" Place
<9,013 was the final count on the "original" Thread - 620 is this morning's - add ‘em up and that's how we get the winner!>
Feb 14th - BK
Feb 15th - Lars
Mar 12th - Pete
Jan 1st - James
Jan 28th - Eric
Jan 18th - DL
Feb 8th - Doug
Jan 31st - Rob
Mar 15th - CM3
And only Shane remains "standing"! Nice work from Wolfman Pete - you surely came CLOSE - but as they say, "no cigar"!
Eric at 7:57 PM Saturday: Enjoyed your comments, whether directed to me or the guys. Pix also really "good stuff" - ESPECIALLY that fantastic shot from the cab at the Arctic Circle. Yes, yes - I'm ready, when do we leave
Enjoyed ALL of your Pix, but especially liked the one at LaCrosse, WI - and - the Southern Pacific chair car - sweet! No doubt Dave will get a kick out of it.
An Email has been sent . . .
Doug at 8:20 PM Saturday: What a nice "tribute" you put together on the RDCs - really appreciate it and many THANX!
How in the world did you KNOW that I like those cars
Speaking for the like-minded ‘round here, we all miss having you as a "regular," but we're equally impressed by your continued dedication to this joint and the guys in it! Thanx!
In that "list" of yours, I like #14 ‘n #17! <grin> Nicely done!
James at 10:07 PM Saturday: Some interesting Pix and I'll be the first to ask for some elaboration on the smoke ‘n fire shot. Where, when, etc.
Also curious about any "connection" you have with SD45.com, where it appears you use so many fine Pix. Appreciate the chance to view ‘em here . . .
Doug at 5:51 AM today: A pleasant surprise and good start to our Monday here at the Tavern by the Tracks! THANX for the Anniversary recognition!
In conclusion, our Tuesday Theme for the Day is the Milwaukee Road and James has offered to kick things off with his Post. So, let's WAIT for him to begin the event, then we can follow along. I believe he will begin this evening . . . . no problems! We're looking forward to ‘em all!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
G'day!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #24
Initially Posted on Page 162 of the original Thread
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Santa Fe (AT&SF) from a 1951 advertisement in my personal collection.
Enjoy the Pleasure Dome
only dome car between Chicago and Los Angeles
new Super Chief
The restful observation lounge
"top of the Super, next to the stars"
is only one of many features you will enjoy on the
new Super Chief, the train that sets a new world standard
of travel. Daily between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Santa Fe
Howdy again Tom and friends! It's still too early to order a drink, so howabout more of that spiked OJ? Nifty Santa Fe stuff from the Captain this A.M. Don't think I mentioned that I finally attended another meeting of the Locomotive and Historical Society last Friday. We were treated to hundreds of slides taken in the upper East coast from the 60's to present. I saw many an RDC, and watched their gradual degradation over the years. When the motors stopped working, they were simply push/pulled by diesel engines as passenger cars, but they kept on rolling! Another interesting thing about the locomotive power on the East coast was that most locomotive cab glass was protected by iron grill work, to protect the windshield and engineer from jokers who would suspend shopping carts from overhead bridges which the locos would smash into. I'd love to be the one to catch someone doing that!
Thanks for the kind words concerning my spuradic contributions here. I try to find things that might be of interest, just as so many others have done for the past 23 months. Speaking of which, here's another book review that may be of interest:
Robber Baron: The Life of Charles Tyson Yerkes by John Franch, University of Illinois Press, 2006, 384 pp. $45 hardbound.
In late 19th-century America, the powerful captains of great corporations were leaders of an unfettered capitalism that was building the nation. Jay Gould, J.P. Morgan, Edward Harriman, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and others amassed huge fortunes in a time when limits and controls on personal wealth were minimal. But even among such men, Charles Tyson Yerkes stood out.
Born at Philadelphia in 1837, Yerkes completed high school, then went to work as a bookkeeper, showing a remarkable aptitude for financial matters. He soon went on his own as a stock trader, becoming a power in Philadelphia finance until the great Chicago fire of 1871 brought a financial panic. Caught short in some highly questionable transactions, Yerkes was ruined financially. He was tried and convicted on four counts and sent to prison at the Eastern State Penitentiary. With political help, he was soon out on pardon, but his reputation was permanently damaged at Philadelphia.
Yerkes decided to begin again at Chicago, where he soon developed a sizable business as a stockbroker. Interested in the boundless opportunities in public transportation that he saw in the fast-growing city, Yerkes first invested in a hansom car company, which soon failed. But in 1886 he got an opportunity, with others, to gain control of the North Chicago City Railway, and he made the most of it.
The company then hauled something like 20 million annual passengers. The old management had invested as little as it could in the company, still operating horse cars and obsolete equipment. As the new president, Yerkes equipped the huge system with cable railways, brought in new equipment, and refurbished the tunnels under the Chicago River to avoid delays for open bridges.
Yerkes had the even bigger objective of combining all of Chicago's street railways under a unified system, which never was achieved in his time. But he succeeded in gaining control of the Chicago West Division Railway, and quickly moved to equip it with cable traction. Yerkes and his partners made huge sums from selling stock for the lines and cable car improvements, and promoting real estate development along the streetcar lines.
The businessman was heavily involved in planning for Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, which demonstrated the capability of electric cars for the Intramural Railway installed on the Exposition grounds. He became one of the developers of the new electrified Northwestern Elevated Railroad and managed to gain the necessary approvals required to build the city's Union Elevated Railroad, which made the downtown connections for all of the elevated lines and defined the city center as it still does today.
In building his traction empire, Yerkes became notorious, too, for his skill at financial sleight-of-hand, political bribery, and legislative manipulation. Yerkes finally met defeat in the late 1890s, when he set out to safeguard his traction interests by gaining long-term, 50-year street railway franchises. A thoroughly aroused public would have none of it, and a mob carrying guns and nooses surrounded the aldermen meeting at Chicago's City Hall. The aldermen wisely decided not to pass the legislation that Yerkes wanted.
He began to sell out his Chicago holdings in 1899 and turned his attention to London, which was badly in need of improved public transportation. He began to assemble both existing and new subways into a London underground system, beating rivals J.P. Morgan in one contest for control. Yerkes was well along toward the development of the London system when he died in 1905.
Yerke's career had henceforth been told only in a fictionalized form by Theodore Dreiser's trilogy, The Financier (1912), The Titan (1914), and The Stoic (1947). Happily, John Franch has now brought the biography that this rich subject deserves, and he has done the job thoroughly and well. Franch's carefully researched and entertaining account places Yerkes somewhere in the moral middle between unprincipled buccaneer and great builder. - William D. Middleton
It is once again time to vote for-the Darwin Award nominees for 2007. As you may already know, the Darwin Awards are for those nominees who will not be contributing to the gene pool (thankfully).NOMINEE No.2 [Kalamazoo Gazette] James Burns, 34, of Alamo,Mich., was killed in March as he was trying to repair what police described as a "farm-type truck." Burns got a friend to drive the truck on a highway while Bums hung underneath so that he could ascertain the source of a troubling noise. Burns' clothes caught on something, however, and the other man found Burns "wrapped in the drive shaft."
Monday it is and Ruth is back in her familiar spot, brightening up the joint on this the 23rd month of existence for "Our" Place! Best cyber bar this side of the ether!
A toast to the continued success of the bar and to the good health of our small, but active group of customers. CHEERS! <urp> A refill if you please . . .
Weekend is history and here we go again, huh
Used to be a time when all the days pretty much were the same to me while aboard ship and down in the bowels of the engineroom. Sunday or Thursday, all pretty much were the same. Now I'm retired and guess what?? They still all the same!
What have I missed?? I thought the Tuesday Theme was Milwauakee Road and here I noticed that the barn weevil decided to jump the gun. THAT surely must be worth a <tweet> or three. How come?? Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad boy, Doug.
Really enjoyed that piece you provided on the rail diesel cars for Cap'n Tom. Very well done and a nice gesture. Maybe THAT will keep you on the good side of "management" 'round here. <grin>
Man oh man, Pete really came close with his "pick" for the 10,000th post contest. Perhaps CM3 I'm NOT Shane! will hit it on the head. Those two guys really put some thought into it, which of course was the idea, huh
Just read where a Via Rail train wiped out a car up in Ontario, in a place I think that isn't too far from a guy we USED TO KNOW. Rob, are you there?? I think not.
Anyway, read that a child was killed in the car and two women injured. No one aboard the train was hurt. Apparently the driver of the car was at fault. Not trying to be glib about this, but how many times do we hear of these situations? What a shame.
Cap'n Tom, appreciate the continuing efforts to keep things movin' along at the bar. I see that you were your typcially busy self on Saturday, providing us with a fine movie slate, Encore posts, and some acknowledgments. Guess there isn't much more you can do - wash some glasses perhaps? <grin> Nice work!
Gasoline at our favorite Gulf station is at $2.73 - rounded off - and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the three dollar level reached before we get into summer.
Also, the weather report from here is looking promising. 40's right now, and expected to get into the 50's today - 60's tomorrow and perhaps even higher as the week progresses. Some spring rains on the way in mid week too. It ain't Marathon, Florida, but things are lookin' up!
Gotta few errands to run today and thought I'd pop in to kick off this day. I'll do my best to return . . .
Ruth, set 'em up on me - Boris, ring it!
Good Morning Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
Morning in the Canadian Rockies and we are happy to have made it back to our mountain retreat after a most enjoyable stay at the Penthouse Suite! I must commend the staff at "Our" Place for providing Lydia and I with such a fine weekend to ourselves. From the plush appointments of the suite to the manager's bar to the superb audio and video entertainment console to Boris delivering our meals attired in his tuxedo, we were treated to a degree of elegance that was most unexpected, but thoroughly appreciated. A very enjoyable time and our profound thanks to the Proprietor!
Not sure whether I will EVER catch up! However, I am at a point where I recognize who is and who is not a regular at the bar. Surely am most surprised at the continuing absence of Sir Rob. That has been going on for months, and perhaps back to before we left on our trip. I shall miss the gentleman from Ontario. Also appears that the chap known as DL-UK is not appearing on a regular basis either. Although he is comparatively new to us, I have enjoyed his contributions. A true rail aficionado in all respects and a fine "match" for our own Sir Pete!
Captain Tom, as has been stated, you surely put quite an effort into this place and it shows. Without what you do, I dare say we would be nothing but a memory. Ah yes, add my "dittos" to the commentary regarding "looking into it." Sure! Our thread will carry the blemish(es) for as logn as Kalmbach refuses to recognize the errors of THEIR ways. Pity, but somewhat expected.
My best wishes to Sirs Eric, Pete, Shane (seems to have caught on!) Lars and Doug for doing as much as you have in order to keep this fine establishment functioning! I should add that Sir James has shown considerable enthusiasm as well, and tomorrow should be a "banner day" with the Milwaukee Road featured.
Noticed a bit of banter regarding my continued participation. Not to worry, I'm not bailing out. My plans are to support this place until our Captain decides it is time to put her on the beach.
Thought it time to share a bit of our Australian holiday with you. We have yet to organize the materials collected, or pour through the photo collection amassed by Lydia. However, there are a few highlights readily available.
As I had mentioned, we arrived in Sydney from Hawaii. After a few days there, we decided to take the cross continent railway to Perth. This route is depicted on the map - just click the link.
http://www.railaustralia.com.au/trains.htm
Also, Wikipedia has some amplifying information you may wish to browse:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Pacific
The train is called the Indian-Pacific for obvious reasons. It connects with both oceans. We opted for the Gold Kangaroo class of accommodation (deluxe cabin), which essentially provided us with the bedroom space and amenities for our three night journey of 4352 kms (2704 miles) from Sydney to Perth.
From departure to arrival, we were treated to blue skies and starry nights. To say that the Australian landscape is something to behold is simply an understatement. The service aboard the train was excellent and totally devoid of any annoyances whatsoever. Further, our attendant seemed bent on spoiling us through his diligent attention to our comfort and traveling needs. Very impressed with it all.
So many of our fellow travelers remarked in favorable terms how this "trip of a lifetime" was something they had planned and saved for. Lydia and I felt as if we were interlopers of sorts, as we really did not put very much thought into the journey, other than thinking it would be a nice thing to do. Which it surely was! In retrospect, we were indeed fortunate to come up with the Gold Kangaroo accommodations at our relatively late stage of decision making. We found the personnel with whom we interacted to be extremely friendly and most willing to meet our needs.
We had decided to remain aboard the train for the duration of the trip rather than disembark for tours and the like for further connection with following trains. The schedule is such that this particular route is served by twice weekly trains in either direction. Our return was a combination of air and motor coach, with overnight stays at the lodges located in and near the places we decided to visit. More on that at a later time.
The train was in good repair with cleanliness very evident throughout. We spent some time sitting in the coaches, just to break up the routine of going from our bedroom to the lounge car to the diner. If there is one regret it is that the train does not offer dome cars. What a pity. What an absolute pity. The domes of today, used by the Alaska RR for example, would be perfect for such an adventure.
Tom would dearly love the resemblance of the cars to those manufactured by the Budd Company and in use by Via Rail. Quite similar in appearance. But alas, no domes.
This journey would be the absolute dream for a true rail fan (aka: fanatic) in that there is so much to view. Railroading of all sorts and type going on. Locomotives and cars that appear ‘close' to north American design, and yet distinctly different. Color schemes that catch the eye and of course the ever present Kanagaroo logo. Yes, a very fascinating experience.
As with most trips we have taken, there are some new found acquaintances to add to our "list" and we hope that friendships may blossom from those meetings. We have been invited to return, and have extended offers for stays at our home. Time will tell.
Ruth, I think that it is time for me to have my coffee now, with just a "splash" to make it interesting. I will have two of those apple turnovers if you please! Ring up a round on me and keep the change!
BK in Alberta, Canada's beautiful high mountain country!
Howdy again Tom and crew! Is it too early for a 23rd month celebratory round for the house?
I can't believe that Manager Lars could ever imply that I, the barn weevil, would stoop so low as to "bribe" his way past a tweeting
or expect any special favors for posting RDC related materials
or "jump the gun"
or violate the sacred rules of this bar!
Great to see BK in this fine day, along with a wonderful submission on Autralian rail. If you haven't clicked on the link provided, check it out!
By the way .... the above pictures are of the IRM's RDC-1, built in 1950. Like many RDCs, this one changed hands several times. MBTA had purchased this car from the B&O in 1984. B&O got it from C&O, who purchased it from C&NW. I took the pictures a few hours ago (and now the sun is out, wouldn't you know it), so this is how it looks today!
http://www.funnyjunk.com/movies/599/Awesome+Bowling/
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and fellow sophisticates!
A return visit, but for a single purpose! Ruth, a round on me in commemoration of this, the 23rd month of business for the bar called "Our" Place!
Hoist your tankards, Gentlemen and let us drink to the continued good cheer that comes from the banter at the bar!
It appears as if one "barn weevil" has made his case!
G'day All!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #25
Initially Posted on Page 163 of the original Thread
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Santa Fe (AT&SF) from a 1952 advertisement in my personal collection.
a trip
you'll always
remember
The comfortable way to see
the most colorful part of America
is on anyone of Santa Fe's
five famous trains between
Chicago and California - through
the Southwest Indian Country
Super Chief - Chief - El Capitan - Grand Canyon - California Ltd.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Weather is halfway decent today, although more snow is forecast for later this week. It is March, of course, so we get a little of everything.
Speaking of that, I saw a fine set of pushers on a coal train on the old VGN last week. Two BNSF locomtives in orange with an NS running third. They looked nice in the snow, and, of course, I did not have my camera. I do hardly any photography anymore, but that would have been a good one!
Lars stopped by with book covers and some most enjoyable UP material, along with a little CNW.
Dave also paid us a visit. Equipment scams are not new as you suggest. One of the all time greats was when the rod which OSP won't let us mention, shall we say, "absorbed" a bunch of boxcars which became property of the LS&BC.
Eric was here, too. I motioned air masks on Big Boys, not stack extenders. I know I have seen that UP item somewhere not all that long ago - as Gollum would say, "Must find it!" Incidentally I enjoyed the picture you made in the Far North. Also, I have been to Havre a few times; fascinating place.
Barndad provided some fine PGE material along with a summary of The Electric Way Across the Mountains. I let the first edition get away somehow, so bought a copy of the second edition. The book on Yerkes may find its way to the 20' high "gotta read" stack. Also, thanks for the MBTA RDC shots.
James - Thanks for the shot of the pair of B&O E8s; I recall seeing both of them in Washington, DC back in the day.
BK has stopped in as well - I have bookmakred the travelogue.OSP sent along SAL items, UK nostalgia, ATSF items, and a promo for "Night Train to Munich." I'll be there for the late show. Yeah, I'm still standing; if you don't look too hard, you can't see the props (LOL).
Today, we continue with our material on C&O coal stations in West Virginia. These were on different lines in the coalfields. A C&O system map will allow you to find most of these places.
Marlinton - 200 tons - Coal trestle (Cars were pushed up a trestle and unloaded by gravity)
Rainelle - From cars - Direct coaling machine (See previous post for description)
Raleigh - 300 tons - Elevator
Ansted - As desired - From mine chutes
Dry Branch - As desired - From mine chutes
Cane Fork - 50 tons - Elevator
Whitesville - 500 tons - Elevator
Sproul - 200 tons - Elevator
Danville - 300 tons - Elevator
W. Hamlin - 300 tons - Elevator
Peach Creek - 500 tons - Elevator
Looking forward to MILW day tomorrow - how about a tour of the Beer Line? I heard a rumor that Boris was a car cleaner there back years ago.
Almost forgot - not classic stuff, but CSX had a good one at Oneida, NY this a.m. Go to CNN's website and you can read all about it.
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