Good Afternoon Captain Tom and Greetings from the North Atlantic
BTW some Siren called Betty was asking about cha Tom!
Unfortunately Allen All was not fair last night as we had 40 knot winds on the beam so we rocked and rolled all night I landed up sleeping on the couch
Things calmed down this am as we were able to pick up some science gear and now we are heading towards St John's for refit and we should be in before the Nor'Easter arrives late tomorrow.
Anyway the satelite is lost in minutes so I must run PS got the e-mail Tom and I will respond in kind. Any old Flames you want me to look up in town???
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Cindy my sweet, a tankard of your finest Ale ‘n slide that snack tray down my way, wudja please <grin> Treats for the crittAHs (and Boris!> ‘n a round for the boyz! Keep the change my lovely . . .
I noted that Cap'n Tom made the 3,400th Post at this reborn Watering Hole by the Wayside! Way to go, mate! 5- salute to Da Bossman!
That's a super-fine Encore presentation you came up with today from DL-UK (Dan). Those "chugger" cars have a history ‘n all we need now is to add the info YOU provided to complete "the rest of the story." <grin> Really liked the pix of the cars - very attractive looking paint jobs. My guess is the differences in 'em has to do with the type of car. Good idea. Nice clear day for those pictures! Yours surely do "come out" quite well, mate!
TOMORROW is the BIG GAME (don't they ALL seem BIG when in the playoffs???) Anyway, the butt-freezing temperatures should surely separate the men from the boyz, in a New York minute! <brrrrrrrrr> Oh for the warmth of a shipboard engineroom! <grin> LET's GO JINTS!
Speaking of ships, I see that Fergie character is back at it. North Atlantic in January has a connotation to it - AWFULLY rough. BettAH man than I, Charlie Brown! <yikes> Good sailing ‘n hope the destination is reached without too much topsy turvey events. <double yikes>. Head for the bowels of the ship where it's WARM ‘n the center of gravity makes for a bettAH ride. <grin>
So exactly WHAT IS IT with <tweetings> AND Wednesday toy ‘n hobby postings that you DON'T GET <geesh> Actually, you GOT the <tweeting> but failed to recognize it when it "hit" ya. <double geesh>
Visits since my last from Shane - Eric - Pete - Allan ‘n of course Cap'n Tom has kept this place in good order. Really liked those fine words from Allan to Da Bossman ‘n back. Sez a lot as far as I'm concerned.
Mike comes up with the most interesting of links, just don't quite know how the man does it! Giants of 1958, still crying in my beer ovAH that one.
I liked the NFL games far bettAH back then - far, far bettAH. Don't recall guys running all ovAH the place thumping their chests aftAH making the most routine of plays. The game has really gone downhill in my not-so-humble opinYUN. <geesh> But I could say the same for ALL pro-sports - it's just not the good sportsmanship we used to expect . . . I wondAH how many of the younger set from today even practice that idea Don't wanna know . . .
Pete, between you ‘n Da Bossman you've made a "case" for spending time at the rail museum in Kirkwood. Some nifty shots of those trains from the both of you ‘n a place well worth visiting. AND the proximity to the Train Wreck Saloon ain't bad either!
Eric, it's SATURDAY ‘n you're going to the Cracker Barrel for lunch Haven't you gotten your ‘fill' of the joint during the work week No kidding, when they remove that gall bladder of yours, they'll probably send it off to the Smithsonian's "junk food" wing - oooooooooooops, probably a gross insult to the Cracker Barrel, huh
Seriously though - wish you DA BEST of outcomes on "surgery day" 'n thereafter!
Sorry I didn't get back to you regarding a question you asked a couple of days back. The "Order of the Stools" was a special honor given to the customAHs of "Our" Place by Da Bossman when in his opionYUN they demonstrated giving a rat's patoot about the bar. They earned a reserved spot at the bar 'n of course a stool. Memory tells me their were two "levels" - the reserved 'n the permanent. We had fun with it, but the guyz just didn't keep it going. Fell by the wayside where it probably should remain. Speaking "out of turn," I think Cap'n Tom came to the realization that he was more serious about giving the "honor" than many were in receiving it. Ain't that life So, now you know . . . a trip through
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
G'day Gents!
Time for a bit o' something from our past Pages . . . just to warm up this rather frigid day here in mid-continent USA where the high isn't going to make it out of the teens <F> Blue sky day 'n makes one pleased to be outdoors. Ahhhhhhhhh! <the man is crazy!>
This from Dan (DL-UK) back on 16 Oct 2006, Page 412 of the Original Thread. Sorry for the length - but at least it's NOT a data dump! <grin> This is meaningful stuff . . .
Hi Tom and crew - any chance of a lecture slot today as I've prepared my Chugger Saga? Drinks are on me for anyone interested in listening. Just on the pics - yes can see Our Place at the foot of your post everytime - I assume that is your Corvette parked outside but correct me if I'm wrong.If a story of poor decison making and shenanigans, missed opportunities and railroad tragedy is not your style leave me in the corner, for this is a LONG POST, but hope all assembled don't mind me setting it out for anyone who is interested. I re wrote this due to losing my text first time round so I hope it still makes sense. Anyway - here we are. A monday lecture slot - doesn't need to be a traditon but i feel the hospitaliy round these parts will excuse me (apologies to anyone who gets too bored!)In this contribution I'll refer to the VIA rail chugger cars as ‘Nightstar Stock' - as this was the name they were built under in the UK and is used in some of the material I have dug out from various places - mostly UK govt papers on the web.Hopefully this ‘lecture' will be of interest to those of you who have followed the conversation Tom and I have had about riding these cars. Basically I think we agree that these are good European cars - and this is where they should be running - In Europe (UK and mainland) - where they were designed. They are clearly no great substitute for traditional North American designed and built stock - but my personal view is that if you want to ride a night or day train in Canada they are acceptable given the circumstances. Enough of the debate - lets look at the history.Draw you chairs around, stoke up the fire - on with the talk (beware there is politics here, but I've tried to confine it to the actions of politicians, not my political opinion):I promised to dig out some information because we had wondered about who took the hit when the cars were sold to VIA at a nock down price. Although they were privately owned I was sure it was the UK taxpayer that took the hit. I'm now convinced of this and what follows is why.To start off with you have to go back to the discussion to build the Tunnel. The then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made much of the fact that private enterprise was going to build it with no state subsidy. However, this was never realistic (and the tunnel needed high speed links either side to join the network anyway) and fairly early on it was clear the taxpayer was going to pay for those links. That decision had to be got through the UK Parliament and the way that happened (in the late 1980s I think) was to promise Members of Parliament (MPs) that the tunnel would bring benefits to all the regions and this is why they should vote to support it. That benefit would take the form of trains running from the UK regions (inc Scotland and Wales) during the day and overnight. The state owned British Rail (BR) spelt out the details of those trains which would be a variant of the Eurostar sets that run London / Paris / Brussels (so called ‘Regional Eurostar' sets), and a fleet of night trains with both reclining seats and sleeping cars (so called ‘Nightstar' trains). These required heavy power requirements for the modern services aboard and would have toilets and showers in the rooms (a departure from previous British sleeper car practice where the short journey distances make having showers on board impractical in the design of sleeper cars used on other routes (the BR Mark 3 Sleeper - built in the early 1980s, prior to that the next oldest generation of UK sleeper cars were built in the 1950s and early 1960s - The BR Mark 1 Sleeper).Orders for these cars were placed by the then state owned BR, but delays in procurement meant the cars were not really under construction until after BR as an organisation had been destroyed for sale to the private sector. The international services did not fit well in the privatised structure since they required heavy subsidy to build the high speed link to London. However, given the pro privatisation policy of the then Conservative John Major led Govt it was necessary to get a private consortium together to take that job on (it would not have looked good ideologically for the private sector to get all of BR, but the bit getting the most modern high speed link to still be owned by the state).SO - to give the private sector the incentive to build the line all the relevant international train assets were GIVEN, as I understand it, to the private consortium (called London and Continental Rail Services or LCR) in return for a promise to build the London - Tunnel high speed link. SO THEY GOT GIVEN:A whole load of Eurostar high speed trainsA load of part completed ‘nighstar' cars and relevant locomotivesA massive chunk of ready to develop real estate in London (the so called Kings Cross Railways Lands)St Pancras Station (the proposed international terminal in central London)Some sort of guarantee that the taxpayer could underwrite things even if things went belly up This is the kind of risk taking investment the UK private sector like when it does a deal with government - you'd think they could not lose.HOWEVER - the income stream was to come from hopelessly over optimistic ti Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Saturday, January 19, 2008 11:44 AM Hi Tom and all.A cup of your famous coffee and a bacon sarnie please CINDY .ALLAN Really glad those places from my old notes brought back memories for you. There are some great railway museums in the Newcastle and surrounding area. The National Railway Museum has opened a railway museum at Shildon, County Durham to complement York it is called Locomotion and I will have to pay the museum a call.I was fortunate enough to attend the 150th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1975, which included a cavalcade of locomotives, it really was a marvelous occasion with an estimated 300,000 people attending. I still can recall an announcement over the tannoy for a Japanese speaking person to help out, as some Japanese rail enthusiasts who had charted a jumbo jet to get there, had arrived. We did not have to travel that far but I remember it was a 2AM start on the special train from Rugby and we found the beer tent at Shildon. What could be better than to watch steam locomotives slowly pass by with a Newcastle Brown. The only diesel there was the prototype HST set. I will find my slides from the event and when I get my scanner show a few at the bar.Another great museum in the area is at Beamish where an old town as been recreated although it is a fair while since I have been there it is another place I would like to revisit, I dare say it has changed and been extended since I was last there. The Causey Arch did look in good condition when we visited, I will have to ask Alan if he called there on his recent visit.This is another locomotive normaly in the North East.It is No. 22 from the Bowes Railway at the Foxfield (Staffs) gala in july last year. I recall at the Tanfield Railway they had an electric locomotive that used to work at a local colliery.On a radio phone-in after the TOON cup match, a fan rang in to say the announcement of Kevin Keegan as the new manager had put an extra 20,000 on the gate against Stoke, it would be great if Alan Shearer was made assistant to learn and take over when the time was right. We have Setanta TV channel which shows live and recorded soccer matches. I was up at 6.45 to see the Sheffield Derby and as I write this I am listening to the Mighty Shrewsbury Town on the Internet(They won 2-0). As our small dog is black with a bit of white the bride as decided she is a Newcastle fan.Many thanks for the link to the 1947 bad winter. A great description from the gentleman from Halesowen and enjoyed the photos especially the jet engine on a rail wagon to clear the snow. Heard it was not a complete success as it caused some damage. Fantastic link on the same page to the Snow Drift at Bleath Gill film, there are some other great videos on that site including the A4 hauled Elizabethan, I will go back to that site.Great words to Tom about Our PlaceERIC Great spotting of that flatcar in the tunnel at Kirkwood.The Epson 4490 is the scanner I have ordered, it was unavailable before and after Christmas but is back in stock again now with $25 off the price. I am looking forward to copying my old slides and photos and putting them on a disc, hopefully I will have enough good ones from the 1970s onward to show at the bar.Yes the guy on the bench is my opposite number at the Second Class Saloon he stocks the bar there when he is not looking for strangers arriving on the RDCs, you are right he is not a like me.Next time Tom and I are at the MOT we will have to try to find out more info on the Aerotrain and the bus siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:24 AM <personal foto>This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays. G'day Gents!It's Ssssssssssaturday once again - time to relax ‘n enjoy the warm surroundings provided by this Tavern by the Tracks! Begin the morning with a mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n place an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board! Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Friday - Jan 18th: Page 170 - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:34 AM: Good one for the <largely ignored> Museum of Forgotten Technology! Greenbrier link - didn't! <uh oh>New one on me - never heard of Frenchy! <geesh> "Who are these guys?" <Major League>Another fine bit of nostalgia from "back in the day" in the form of that KCS material! Many thanx for the visit, chat, quarters ‘n round! Page 170 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 9:09 AM: And the mariner returns to the bar - this time from the rolling <roiling> decks of a ship at sea. Glad you've made it ‘n happy to know you're still thinking of us.Here's how it works, Mate - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, etc. . . . get it <grin> <geesh>Won't pursue the <tweeting> that turned to absolute folly - "poor" Pete, he wound up with double duty. <groan> This will be LOGGED ‘n not FORGOTTEN! <uh oh>There's so much "info" occupying cyber space on pretty much "everything" <guess that's why we call the Ether, "virtual"> that at times it is difficult to sort one "fact" out from another. Best to rely upon proven sources, when possible . . . Still have my "Duttons" . . . Of course you're on good terms with the Proprietor - eat heartily ‘n drink merrily, Mate! Page 170 - Mike (wanswheel) at 1:21 PM: Back with a fine spate of URLs ‘n fotos of a most-disappointing memory! <grin> <groan> What "elder" football Giants fan doesn't recall the 1958 NFL championship game! Some still call it the greatest game ever played . . . Yeah, that's Charlie Connerly, #42 throwing that pass . . . Visit ‘n round appreciated! Page 170 - Pete (pwolfe) at 2:59 PM: Earlier than usual, but an appreciated visit nonetheless. Emails received ‘n responded to - thanx! To settle the Settle-Carlisle "issue" - okay, IF we added snow ‘n IF we added sheer rock formations ‘n a mountain ‘n IF we added the telegraph wires ‘n signal lights, there's a resemblance. <geesh> That warm beer will DO IT every time! Good comment regarding Helga ‘n the "Hammocks R Us" bikini shopping . . . <grin> I think Lars will "accept" that situation. <phew> <uh oh>That switcher in Holland is rather "boxy" - but interesting nonetheless! Another fine < I3 > Post from our Bar Chandler! Round most welcome too . . . Page 170 - Allan (Gunneral) at 8:50 PM: Our Resident Downunder NZ Kiwi Connection has returned with Happy Railroading! Siberianmo EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Saturday, January 19, 2008 3:30 AM Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, you are still awake? Barely, I can tell. No, don't worry, I'll have an early breakfast. The usual! Kind of late early morning, but I finally made it. Didn't feel that good last night, but now it's less than a week to go. Tom – I’ll find the brunette. I think there will be food service on all intercontinental flights even in the future. But domestic flights...? Probably not. The Acela deal was so generous that the congress planned to start an investigation if it actually could a bribe. I don’t know if there ever was an investigation though. Nice to see photos from the Museum of Transportation again! But, as I said before, I don’t like the snow. How about picture #5, is that the flatcar that was sitting in the tunnel last May? It looks like it considering the load. The flatcar in the tunnel.3,333 cans of beer on the wall? No, it would be too much noise when they are falling down. Would probably trigger the alarm. The photo of MARC #66 is kind of a surprise! I can’t recall I saw #66 last May. It must be a sibling to former MARC #63 that is hauling the train you rode last fall when you went to Branson. I can tell that you used that platform at the Museum of Transportation for picture taking! DL – I was actually upgraded once to 1st class on a flight from Phoenix to Chicago! That is the only time I flew 1st class. Very nice, but I would never pay for it myself. Fergie – Thursday? Maybe in your time zone, but barely in mine. I think. Or was it the other way around? Lars – The info on Amtrak’s Acela order? I read about in some magazines and I heard about from some people I know. I’ll see if I can find those articles again. I know I still have them. Today, Saturday, I am going to “my” Cracker Barrel for lunch. It is their 10th Anniversary this Saturday. I went there the first day they opened, Jan. 19, 1998 and I certainly have to go there today. Hopefully I’ll get the same table as the first time, in front of the fireplace. Very interesting book(s) covers! Hard to pick just one. For some reason I think I would try Trackside around Granger Country! Burlington, Rock Island and Milwukee! Pete – Interesting question, if the waitress on my 3,333rd visit to Cracker Barrel will be a certain brunette? Hmmm, yeah, that is very likely. I’ll talk to the General Manager to give her a job. No rush though, it will take about four more years to reach that number of visits. Scanner? Today there are so many good scanners it is hard to choose. But I like my scanner (Epson Perfection 4490 Photo), it does a very good job. I’ll check what i can find and let you know. Yeah, I saw that ugly looking guy at Mountain Village Station. Better to avoid him. It’s the guy sitting on the bench, leaning forward. If you see him, pretend you are on your way home. I can tell it was pretty mild weather when you and Tom went to the Museum of Transportation. The first picture shows it all! The Aero Train locomotive is missing next to the Wabash loco. It will be interesting to see what they are going to do to it. Also find out more info on that bus without wheels. I am sure they will put wheels on it again. Nice photo of that Class 08! Rob – Yes, Amtrak’s Acela was built by Bombardier. Looking forward to see the Witt when it is painted! I think you better come to Our Place 3rd Annual Rendezvous in May and I’ll be happy to buy you dinner at Cracker Barrel!CM3 – Thanks for the info on Springfield! I should have remembered. We stopped there with the X2000 in 1993 on the way to Albany. I think I have a picture (or video) from Springfield. I have to check that.Thanks for the final part of KCS Passenger Service! Mike – Thanks for hte links! Interesting to see how the cities have grown over the years. Allan – The cake is gone! Boris helped me finish it off! Eric Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Friday, January 18, 2008 8:50 PM Hi Tom and all,Tui`s all round for the crew please Leon!Pete. Many thanks for your comprehensive write up on your`s and Alan`s rail trip in 1991,, what a great time you had with all the places you visited, you brought back a lot of old memories with some of those place names, one of my Aunt`s lived at Percy Main, and my wife comes from Whickham which is close to Sunniside, small world is`nt it? I remember seeing the Causey Arch in the late 40`s sometime, I suppose it has been fully restored by now? It`s great to see you have kept records of your past rail trips as memory joggers! It`s nice to hear Kevin Keegan is back with the "Toon" again, saw the fans give him a great welcome back to Geordieland on BBC World TV, hope he can get on "al-reet" with Alan Shearer, that loss to Man U was a shocker! Enjoyed all your`s and Allan`s pics, those links to the Settle and Carlisle, and your write up`s. It`s great not having to check for snakes in the "nettie" here at night like we used to have to do in Queensland! To all. "Nettie" is the Geordie name for the WC, it derives from old Roman.Rob. Looking forward to seeing that trolley in it`s full glory when you`ve done the paint job, that site that Pete came up with sure brought back a load of happy memories of my youth.Eric. Nice pics of the Can Am RR and that cute Plymouth Switcher, has all that birthday cake gone now, bet it took a lot of getting through?Lars. Another great lot of very nice covAHS from the Larsman Mobile down on the Key`s, many thanks`.Dan. Wish i`d had a camera back in those day`s, but it`s still nice to be able to revive those memories here and share them with all the crew, the internet is a great scource of of history in picture and writing is`nt it? Thanks for that link to the Settle and Carlisle. Here`s a link to a site about the 1947 winter, it`s got some interesting info and pics. http://www.winter1947.co.uk/Fergie. Hope you have a FAIR weather trip to St John`s this trip!CM3. Enjoyed the last part of the KCS passenger train write up on #9 and #10, and your link. Mike. Nice cartoon of Sir Ed`s Everest achievment as opposed to the rest of the world, thanks for the links too.Tom. Enjoyed all of your nice writing, like you i`ve found that life rubs off the sharp corners as time goes by and one learns by experience, hopefully! You are a lucky man to have such an agreeing bride about your possible MAC trip, it would be great to have you visit us, if you give me the name of that NZ secretary at the consulate way back when I could clear the "decks" for you! You are so right about "Our place" being a great place for reviving happy memories, could`nt agree with you more about that, it`s really great to be able to share them with a really great crew of like minded guys, long may we continue! Pete and Dan have been doing a really good job at getting my old memory banks working just lately I can tell you, and it`s all thanks to the existance of "Our place" with thanks to you and all the guys! Enjoyed all the pics of your`s and Pete`s trip to the museum at Kirkwood, you had a LOT of snow there then.See ya, Allan pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Friday, January 18, 2008 2:59 PM Hi Tom and all A pint of Bathams please RUTH.ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos.I too am very interested about the Acela story I wonder if the full story about them as ever been told.CM3 Many thanks for the link. We are supposed to get -4 wind chill temperatures here tomorrow but no snow until perhaps Monday. Good photo of the CSX train near White Sulphur Springs. I wonder if the there was one locomotive on the head of the train or the locomotive in the photo is the helper.Thanks for the info on KCS trains 9and 10.They seem good trains to see the line between Kansas City and Shreveport in daylight.FERGIE Now you have got me.The punishment for the ‘Tweeting' we got, cleaning BORIS's shed, as been done, it appears mainly by me. So I guess you wont have to do any digging unless you get ‘Tweeted' again, I think. Anyway should you unfortunately do get ‘Tweeted' in the future I will gladly supply you with the Keith's on demand. I would like to know which special article appeared in Classic Trains on the CPR steamers when you get back to shore. MIKE Good to see you in and thanks for the round. Having a bit of trouble loading your links but I will go back to them. TOM A couple of links to the Settle and Carlisle.http://www.railwayphotos.net/images/66/sc_bleamoortunsth_66177.htmlhttp://www.railwayphotos.net/images/47/sc_birkett_47757.htmlDo you think with some snow and the telegraph wires this could look a little like the west side of Mount Mentor on the Can-Am. perhaps at least there are two tracksOf course you can add my photos to your archives, I have been adding yours to my album it is quite easy off the bar site and I can get them to go where I want them, not like the struggle I have when I get my photos back from developing on a disc.Yes RUTH has deserved a vacation she has worked really hard lately especially over the Christmas period and the Florida sun will do her good. I had just sorted out the beer deliveries and made sure we were OK for ale for the weekend, when I decided a Bathams would go down well but Ruth was not behind the bar. I found her in the back room showing the bikini to H&H. I believe Helga is ordering one from ‘Hammocks R Us'.On British Railways locomotive No 3333 was an English Electric 400HP diesel electric 0-6-0 switcher it seems to have spent most of its life in the Sheffield area at Mexbourgh and Shireoaks. Under the T.O.P.S. numbering system she became 08263 finishing her career in BR service allocated to Gateshead shed, across the River Tyne from Newcastle.A class 08 look alike in Holland. I think the problem with a scanner was with copying transparences. By an Our Place co-incidence the model I wanted is back on sale and on special offer.I will look forward to our February trip; I have already lost count of the pints in the TrainWreck Saloon.Many thanks for the next selection of your photos from the Museum of Transportation at Kirkwood. I see you captured that short freight that made such a great sound as it climbed Kirkwood Hill, I recall it was traveling quite fast. I think the UP loco was #326. Yes I sp wanswheel Member sinceNovember 2005 4,190 posts Posted by wanswheel on Friday, January 18, 2008 1:21 PM Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the houseMontrealer changed engines and crew at Springfield, birthplace of basketball and home of The Cat In The Hat. Not to fah from Way-uh. My aunt and cousins live in Springfield. They root for the Pats and the Sox. CM3, how could you forget Worcester? Here's a picture of Frenchy's mustachehttp://books.google.com/books?id=JVv8UIPEJ2kC&pg=PA26&vq=bordagaray&dq=XS-A6HV5Wg_x2TFeaqZ4GibpC3E&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=XS-A6HV5Wg_x2TFeaqZ4GibpC3EBoston 22, Worcester 127, Springfield 151http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-01.csvBoston 5, Worcester 33, Springfield 60http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0027/tab14.txtOld Boys of Summerhttp://s2nblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/1955dodgers.jpgVideoclip of Johnny Podres http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imBbnf4nHKk Mike siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 18, 2008 10:55 AM G'day Gents!And so CM3 Shane AND Fergie graced our decks with their presence this AM! And Fergie STILL has it WRONG! Don't know what you're "thing" is with Thursday - BUT our OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day is WEDNESDAY - that's the day BEFORE! Hmmmmmmm. Hitting that Kickapoo Joy Juice a bit on the heavy side, eh ? <Lil Abner> Comments to both in the Saturday summary . . . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Continuing along with a 2nd installment of fotos from our December 18th visit to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO>#7 MARC #66. Built by EMD - 1954. Model E8A, Former CB&Q. 2.250 hp, upgraded to 2,400 hp.#8 Manufacturers Railway #211. Built by ALCO - 1948. Model S-2. Blunt trucks.#9 US Army #2002. Built by EMD - 1952. Model SW8. 800 hp.#10 Fast moving eastbound UP/GATX "short" freight along the UP mainline at the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO>.#11 There she goes!#12 Can you spot "FRED" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Enjoy! <we did!> Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Fergmiester Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed 4,240 posts Posted by Fergmiester on Friday, January 18, 2008 9:09 AM Good morning Captain Tom and Crewand greetings from the North Atlantic. Since I appear to have this establishment on it's ear's end I will bw more than willing to provide libation in, dare I say it, Liberal proportions.Weather so far is holding true to the forecasts, so Gods be willing and we are able to fetch a Science Buoy at day break tomorrow I should have the "old gal" in for refit, scheduled to start Monday in St John's, either tomorrow night or Sunday morning.Yes I acknowledge my "Tweeting" for posting MR photo's on a Monday when it should have been Thursssssday... I will dig for the prescribed time providing Pete will provide libation on demand!!!Not much else to day besides it would only contribute to my "Tweeting" log. I'm hoping to get photo of the relocated Newfie Bullet now in Downtown St John's, which I will share with you all when posted. siberianmo wrote: By the by, the comments provided regarding that steamer at ExpoRail was paraphrased from their information booklet . . . as is the practice 'round here, we provide the sources for info Posted <or try to!> Fully understood, and with most things the source is what most of us have to rely on. And who's to say the commuter service was not on secodary lines. My information was from Magnetic North and now that i think of it "Classic Trains" 1st special feature released approximately three years ago and had a section in it on CPR's Steam Engines. Hard to look it up with my library 120nm off my stern, sorry to cold to start swimming this time of year.Now if I'm still on good terms with the proprietor I'll have the Mariner's Special, 2 fish cakes, Hash Browns, beens and a couple of runny poached on top. Now that's living!! Lars please pass the HP sauce.Have a good oneFergie http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959 If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007 coalminer3 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: WV 1,251 posts Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, January 18, 2008 8:34 AM Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It's a bit cool here this a.m. with a nice coating of snow and ice on the ground. The K9 Korps was out and after ‘em early this a.m. Let's see, gas is holding at $3.19/gal.Here's a new item for the Museum of forgotten technology - manual and vacuum-operated windshield wipers.For those interested in a pretty picture of snow in Greenbrier County, go to the following link. http://www.register.herald.com/ find the story "Here We Snow Again," open it up and then click on the picture. It's a good ‘un of C&O country.Lars stopped by with comments and some fine New Haven and New England related material, later followed by some more NE and Midwestern items as well.Pete was by with comments and pictures as well.Rob - You did good at the LHS. I truly enjoyed that 1958 St. Catherine's picture - that's the time period I model, so it's always interesting to see buildings, cars, background material, etc. as well as the fine looking beastie in the rain.Allan visited as well.Eric - Springfield, in addition to being 2nd largest city in Massachusetts was (and still is) a more than busy place on the railroad. Three lines connected there - the Boston and Maine, Boston and Albany (NYC), and the New Haven - all with extensive freight and passenger service. Springfield today is a busy point on CSX and Amtrak. Noted your request for C&IM information - will see what I can find.OSP has been here as well with some fine CanAm pictures and some 1:1 equipment pictures as well. IMHO, Cards had a better 3d baseman than the one you mentioned - Ken Boyer. Barkeep, speaking of old 3d basemen, a toast - to Frenchy Bordagary. We'll see if this smokes Mike out with some pictures (lol).Fergie stopped by - be careful, sir.Here is the last part of KCS material.KCS Passenger Service 1950 - Part Four - Trains 9 and 10Train 9, an unnamed run, departed Kansas City at 10:10 a.m. for a leisurely trip to New Orleans. It carried to New Orleans chair cars from Kansas City, a diner lounge, and a 10 section/3 double bedroom sleeper. Train 9 picked up a 14 roomette/4 double bedroom car at Shreveport and took it to New Orleans for a 7:15 a.m. next morning arrival.Train 10 departed New Orleans at 10:30 p.m. and left Shreveport at 7:00 a.m. after a thirty minute stop. Arrival at Kansas City was at 7:45 p.m. that evening. Train 10 carried chair cars to Kansas City, a diner lounge, and a 10 section/3 double bedroom sleeper. Train 10 set out the New Orleans-Shreveport 14 roomette/4 double bedroom car en route. Passengers could occupy the sleeper at Shreveport until 8:00 a.m.Work safe siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Friday, January 18, 2008 8:12 AM <personal foto>Friday's GrinReason "things" happen!Law of Spectators: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.G'day Gents!End of the work week <for many> and it's called the day after Thursday! <confused Fergie???> Anyway, coffee's ready ‘n so are the pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery Case. Place an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board too! Comments from the Proprietor:CHANGE is on the way!There may be times when the morning summary will be Posted later rather than at the early time most are accustomed to. Since the majority of the "Our" Place gang <aka: customers> aren't around in the early AM . . . shouldn't be a problem. Won't be all the time - just when there's an abundance of evening-late nite visitors.Of course if you aren't reading ‘em - no problem-O, right Then again, you wouldn't be reading this either! <uh oh> Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Thursday - Jan 17th:Page 170 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:34 AM: I checked out that info on the Settle to Carlisle Line ‘n while it was most entertaining, I have this to offer: Not having the benefit of those "spirits" imbibed by Wolfman Pete at the time of his observations of my Can-Am Railway, I have no "clue" where or how he came up with that comparison! <uh oh> Not being one to have knowledge hallucinations or the like, let's just say - "he's comfortable in his own world," and let it go at that! Perhaps the warm beer may have contributed - detrimentally of course! <grin>Regarding the 1st class air fares - either you are totally correct OR they are using the seats for crash dummies. In either case, that rules me out! <groan> Once upon a time I'd have dearly loved to experience trans-Atlantic ocean liner service. But that was then ‘n this is now. But you are "bang on" with the suggestion that the booking would most probably come in close to the air fare! Continuing thanx for the mid-day Posts! Helps enormously ‘round here. [tup ]Page 170 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 1:21 PM: I think my 1st Mate (Lars) has pretty well summarized what needs to be said! Say WHAT You danced all ‘round being <tweeted> - that'll cost ya - big time! Totally blew some of us outta the water with that one . . . but, we understand the difficulty in operating with that "delay" phenom . . . <grin>Email was sent off to your maritime address on Thursday <yesterday> before noon (CST) . . . And what's with the "Thursday" thing . . . Hmmmmmmm.By the by, the comments provided regarding that steamer at ExpoRail was paraphrased from their information booklet . . . as is the practice 'round here, we provide the sources for info Posted <or try to!> Wishing you a safe voyage back to the north Atlantic's unpredictable predictableness! <groan>Page 170 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:19 PM: Surprised by the visit, but pleased with the material provided! Those covers keep on keeping on, eh Really fit nicely into what we try to "do" ‘round this place. That Western Pacific steam is a <keeper>! <sweet>Not sure how YOU managed to get yourself into ‘another' one of those "things" with divulging personal plans with Ruth - but you did it AGAIN! Pete ‘n Eric will have a field day with this - ‘n so will Rob. <geesh> Can't help ya, Mate! Not to worry ‘bout your position at the bar. I'm the Proprietor ‘n YOU are the Manager ‘til I say otherwise. Of course, Rob IS coming up fast on the inside . . . . <uh oh>Any other team ‘n I'd be all "for" your Giants; not so on Sunday. <grin> Gree Happy Railroading! Siberianmo trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:09 PM Evening leon , I see things are shipshape so I'll mosey down to the kitchen and see if they left any fish n chips for me. A draft of guiness as well sir if you don't mind.Eric-Interesting thoughts on the Acela & x2000 , I had know knowledge of any Canadian content in the story either. were they built by Bombardier , because if that's the case it makes more sence as Bombardier has always been in the Liberal governments/ parties pockets ( litteraly ) I will be painting the Witt myself once it's done I'll take some more photo's of it for you. Crackerbarrels eh I haven't been in one since my lst trip down to Florida in 1993. A chain I'd love to see set up shop here north of the boarder Yes the NS&T in itself is long gone replaced by St Catharine's transits buses, the frieght operations are still intact for the most part.They were run from 1961-1998 as a CN route after that till the preasant day they are owned and switched by the Trillium Rail shortline.Dan-I know what you mean about the tastes of some of the real estate developers in Toronto , bigger better weirder seems the way. That area of the city though does not usually get many properties up for sale or for sale very long.fairly hot area for buyers.Yes The Governments talk re rail travel and networks up here, but and the big but they don't necessarily like funding it , they do like giving each other digs and pointing fingers though. I'd love to know who did take that picture at lock one.The bridge still looks the same , only it's had the driving lanes widened and there are sidwalks down both sides.Lars-Interesting books today,don't worry I don't want your job<sheesh> I've got a full time one along those same lines. I just don't want the critters and Boris to get soft while your away sunning yourself.Unbreakable whats I don't think Fergie was actually smoking anything. Dabossman tweeted him for talking model trains on thursday so I think that is what he was getting at.Fergie-happy sailing hope you miss the worst of that storm.Sooo you were just suprervising after a tweeting , that might be wteetable in itself. though I do aggree Pete does need help holding his drink while he's thinking or drinking I'm looking forward to those next "vans ' as well Tom-More great pictures from the museum thanks for posting them. I haven't seen any info on that x2000/acsela deal either it will be interesting to see what else we can find out.Sooo the possibility of WVG rendezvous exists eh , that might be interesting keep me posted on that one I wonder how Nick is , I haven't heard from him or seen him online for a long time.Maybe he did take that gig and is touring Utah I don't want to know any more about Boris's Libido than anyone else here either,some things are best left in the shed.Pete-Loved all the shots thanks for sharing them all again.Rob pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, January 17, 2008 4:41 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Bathams please RUTH.ERIC Many thanks for the photo of that attractive Plymouth Switcher it seems to have a very distinctive cab, a great design to give good visibility when running in reverse.Great views from the Can-Am, did you notice the guy by the RDC at Mountain Village Station looking out for any strangers heading to the Second Class Saloon.Do you think on your 3,333th visit to Cracker Barrel the waitress will be a certain Brunette.Many thanks for the info into the Acela deal, it had to be something like that or they surely would have gone with a fleet of X2000s, I think.Glad you enjoyed the photos, unfortunately the scanner I was going to get, which I think it is the same Epson model as you have is not available at the moment. If you any suggestions for a comparable model could you please let me know.DL Received your e-mail thanks. It is good the editor of Backtrack sent his thanks and replied so quickly. That is where my copies of Backtrack went, to preserved lines. Alan takes a few at a time and he says they are always glad to get them as the sell well.The Shamrock was a London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street express that left Euston at 4.45PM and arrived at Liverpool at 8.33pm.to connect with the night sailing to Ireland. A reference from 1960 I have found said it loaded to 14 coaches including the Silver Princess which was classified as a ‘First Reclining Chair Car'The Ulster Express ran from Euston to Heysham to connect with the Belfast overnight sailing. It left Euston at 6.20PM and arrived Heysham at 11.13 PM. These timings were slower than previous owing to the Electrification that was heading south from Crewe at the time. Just from the time of 5.18 to 7.44PM there were 6 named expresses due to pass through Rugby some with ex LMS Pacific locomotives, what a way to spend a summers evening. Unfortunately I lost my notes before 1980 but I have listed all the train trips and some by car to preserved railways since then. I don't think I will ever get used to the chilled beer although some places are worse than others, the Train Wreck Saloon beer seems a good temperature. Many thanks for the link to the Settle & Carlisle Railway with those great photos. That is great shot of Ribbleshead Viaduct with the low sun.FERGIE That is a very important job holding the glass for me, but I did wonder why the shed took so long to clean. I wonder how your shovel had the little wear on it.Thanks for the info on the Jubilee 4-4-4s they must have looked great on the Montreal commuter traffic.Glad you are over the bug that made you sick, and hope you get back to port before the Northeaster rolls in LARS. Thanks for the round. Hopefully cutting down BORIS's ration will make him less ‘lively'.Yes it is indeed fortunate to have a great bar and a great railroad museum close together; it is surprising how fast the time flies at both of them.Many thanks for the covers from the Larsman Mobile. It looks as though there was a bad fire on the bridge in the first one. They do a series of ‘Forgotten Railways' books in the UK they are fascinating reading although a little sad when one reads of the lines that have gone. Great photos on the other covers as well.Who will be covering for RUTH while she is on her trip LoveDomes Member sinceJanuary 2006 From: northeast U.S. 1,225 posts Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, January 17, 2008 2:19 PM Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!Ruth my deAH, <huff, puff> I just made it but MISSED Der Fergiemeister guy! <geesh> Great hearing from you earlier ‘n glad the ticket arrived . . . more by phone, latAH! <grin>A large stein of Schaefer 'n slide the snack tray down my way, wudja Round for the house, treats for the crittAHs AND PUT BORIS BACK ON THE SMALL JAR OF PPF! Libido indeed! <grin>Hey Bossman! I sent you an email this morning . . . just a head's up. NevAH quite able to fully ‘follow' Fergie when he comes aboard. It's almost like speaking to someone with one of those "delays" built into the transmission. I think Da Guy is a day late ‘n a dollar short when it comes to remaining current at the bar. Speaking of which, I didn't note ANY acknowledgment from him that he was <tweeted>! See, I told youse guyz! <grin>What's with the reference to Thursday Did I miss something???? I mean what is this guy smoking or drinking or both!?!?!? <triple geesh>Bon voyage - I thiMk . . . <grin>Hey Bossman <part two>! Love the Can-Am layout shots and today's installment of pix from your most recent visit to that Kirkwood train museum. That's the one "close" to the Trainwreck saloon, isn't it No wondAH you ‘n the Wolfman like to spend the time there! Hey trolleyMAN Rob! What's the deal You're spending so much time ‘round here lately, I'm beginning to wondAH if my job is at risk! <geesh> Even Boris is "different" lately . . . what's the deal, mate No complaints about the visits, as we can always use the business! Great seeing all the boyz show up <well most of ‘em> - Allan in NZ - Shane in WVA <but not today! Yet . . .> Pete in central MO - Dan in the UK <don't know where> ‘n of course Eric in that desert of his. Won't EVEN "go there" with the Cracker Barrel "count" that Eric's into . . . huh Some mighty interesting "stuff" put forth by the gang. I surely had no knowledge of that Canadian government-Amtrak "thing" mentioned by Eric with the X2000. So, how did you come across that info Really unsettling.Good to know that the book covAHs are "reaching" most of youse guyz . . . some nevAH make reference which either means they aren't seeing them <viewing> or just don't care. Either is fine, but it does set the mind to wondAH. Hmmmmm.So where has Jan disappeared to <again> And how about the MoPac guy called Chris Both came on strong, now pretty much tapered off. But as long as they say they will be back, let' s take ‘em at their woId! Probably sounding like a broken record <remember THOSE??!!> but I really don't know when my next visit will be . . . I must get right to the Larsman Mobile, then back to R&R . . . life's a beach, or haven't you heard <grin>Bridging the Hudson - The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge and its Connecting Rail LinesForgotten Railroads through West Chester CountyTrackside around Granger Country - 1952-1955Illinois Terminal in Color - Vol 1Western Pacific Steam PictorialWabash Fergmiester Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed 4,240 posts Posted by Fergmiester on Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:21 PM Good Afternoon Tom and Sundry trolleyboy wrote: Fergie- Belated greetings for you as well sir,sorry to ehar about your "job" but at least you had Pete's sence of humour to keep you company while you dug and dug and dug.... etc.I'm feeling outnumbered I only have one CNR caboose they do look great though,the Mike's also a beaut. I wonder what you may have to clean once Lisa discovers it though Digging? No I'm supervising. Pete needs the encouragement and someone to help him focus and hold his glass so he doesn't imbibe too quickly.As far as the Caboose thing not to worry as TLT is coming out with CP and TH&B Vans later this year.As for the Mike well it does look sweet on the layout. Just have to go out and get me some more sound decoders. Do you notice how I haven't signed up for the Rendezvous... You guyz have far too much dirt on me and well Though I can run, It's hard dodging "bullets". Some things are best left unsaid. siberianmo wrote: Page 168 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 3:23 PM: Some B'day greetings ‘n announcement - some humoUr - some hobby stuff - ‘n an infraction! By the by - there are SEVERAL comments directed to YOU on these Pages . . . gotta READ to ENJOY this joint. We are NOT a hit ‘n run outfit, Mate! <geesh> Yeah, I know it's easy to fall behind, but we surely don't have the volume of "frenzy" some Threads do. Oh well . . . Good to see our part-time Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner found his way back to the Tavern by the Tracks! Nice of you to put a few bucks on the bar for our "cleaners" - but keep in mind, they are being "punished," NOT rewarded! Hmmmmmm, wonder if THAT's a <tweetable> OH-FEN-Ssssssss I'll have to check "the book" . . . Hey I'm all for someone supporting the cause but from what I see below looks like someone is supporting themselves Here Rob use my shovel it has little wear on it, I'll get you a clean glass.As far as finding my way back. Ya right just goes to show you don't look under the tables too often do ya... I neva left kind sir!So this Miss Margaret Landry Moore... Is this our long legged Brunette? coalminer3 wrote: Fergie - Belated happy birthday to you! BTW, nice set of CN cabs - you "done good."Don't I know it! siberianmo wrote: Really need to make sure that the guyz ‘round here get the "benefit" of those fotos that you provide over there . . . much more receptiveness amongst our crew, dontchathink CPR 4-4-4 #2928 at ExpoRail, Saint-Constant, Québec, Canada <trolleyboy Rob foto>This "Jubilee" light-locomotive was designed by Bowen and built by Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) for service on secondary lines. The wheel arrangement was specific to the CPR in Canada and was developed to replace the older, small locomotives used on those lines. <partial quote from ExpoRail literature>And you shouldn't complain about NOT getting <tweeted>! <geesh> As we used to say "back in the day," - "I'll give you something to complain about, if . . . . " <uh oh>It will be interesting to see if the other half of our Canadian Connections picks up on being <tweeted>. Last time it was weeks, with several reminders, before he caught on. Bad, bad habits ingrained from those hit ‘n run joints, methinks. <barf>Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the info I read on the Jubilee's indicate these were used for Commuter traffic in the Montreal area. Some very good reading on these in "Magnetic North" by Zimmerman and ... oops my memory fails me. LoveDomes wrote: Would like to acknowledge Shane - Pete - Eric - Fergie - Mike - Allan - and Dan for keeping things going ‘round here since my last visit! Oh yeah, a belated to Fergie - who most probably will nevAH read this! <groan> <grin> Ha! Another one who doesn't look under the table EricX2000 wrote: Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little b http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959 If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007 DL - UK Member sinceAugust 2006 280 posts Posted by DL - UK on Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:34 AM Hello Tom I'll take one of Allan's Tui's please. And here's enough for the next round.Rob - nice shots of the NS&T - very period atmosphere - that bridge with the streetcar track beside the road in the vertical position frames a great picture - nice work by the photographer.Funnily enough, had my late uncle owned his house in Toronto I think we as a family might well have held on to it for a year or two as a vacation base (it was out near Bay View Village near the 401 a short walk from the newish TTC station built there). Fact is though he figured he could cut down his maintenance responsibilities in old age by selling his home and moving into a rented apartment with the rent paid from the proceeds of the house sale. I think in a way this was quite a brave and sensible decision for him as when he got into his 80s he did not want to maintain a home so a rented apartment saved him worry. The person who bought his former home (a trad Canadian Mortgage and Loan design I think they are called) simply bulldozed it to build a massive house on the plot in the most bizarre French renaissance chateau style - I kid you not! What's wrong with traditional North American architectural house styles I ask? Some people must have more money than sense! Of course after he died we had to terminate the rental lease pretty quickly.Interesting comments on the airport link - is that Federal vs Provincial spat then? What is good is that a politician through a rail link worth mentioning - which suggests passenger rail is still a mode of transport with some life left in it!Pete - I e-mailed Backtrack chap (in fact I copied your email address in so I hope you saw it - if not we've got a communication problem) - he replied to today to thank me and say he had copy of 1963 Modern Railways and would look up the reference I sent.I'll keep an eye out for a Backtrack back number at a preserved railway - as that is the cheap way to procure one AND help a preservation project of some sort!The 1963 pic showed the carriage in Maroon as the Ulster Lounge in the "Shamrock" consist. It said after 1956 it had been used in the "Ulster Express" - both LMR trains I presume on the London Holyhead route. After delivery in 1947 it had been used on the East Coast route (presumably in stainless steel ‘livery').Great note book synopsis by the way! I firmly trust that Tom's suggestion that the chilled beer is something you will have got acclimatised to does not in fact come to pass!Tom - Pete mentioned that the Can Am reminded him of the Settle to Carlisle line - check this link to see what you think:http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/gallery/index.cfmThose first class air line fares on the scheduled airlines - I just don't know who pays them - I guess they keep making economy worse and worse and then people at the margins say enough is enough and trade up to first so that is how they make the money out of them. I reckon you could take a Cunard transatlantic sailing for the cost of some of the fares. The smallest ship cabin could never be worse than the flight!Allan - thanks for the round and interesting to read your memories of the 1947 winter (plus the Silver Link memories). For someone unable to know anything from the classic era (I'm just too young I'm afraid) the personal memories that people put out in Our Place really bring to life for me what I only see on web pages and in books. I really enjoy reading it (and that goes for a variety of people's posts on the site!).CM3 - enjoyed that Southern Belle info.RegardsDLNot sure why this is all in italics but there we are! siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:15 AM G'day Gents!At long last, here are some random fotos from the Dec 18th visit to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO> by Wolfman Pete 'n Moi . . . I'll keep 'em at 6 to a submisison tho . . . It is worth mentioning that our regulars have seen these before - not the same shots -but variations of 'em that were taken during Rendezvous II in May 'n Posted at the bar w/descriptions.(1) Rock Island AeroTrain - One of two built in 1955, each trainset comprised a futuristic locomotive along with 10 cars to accommodate about 400 passengers. Designed by GM this projected low-cost train was tested by the New York Central, Pennsylvania and Union Pacific railroads and demonstrated to many others. None were ordered. The AeroTrains were sold to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) in 1958 for suurban use between Chicago and Joliet, IL. In less than a decade they were discontinued. <paraphrased from literature purchased at the museum>#2 Wabash 3573 2-6-0 Mogul. Built in Rhode Island - 1899. Last steam on the Wabash.#3 Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KATY) #12321. 34-foot wooden boxcar. Built in 1901 by American Car & Foundry (ACF)#4 US Army #7765. Built in 1943 by GE. 150 hp industrial model B-50. - and -US Army #1149. Built in Davenport, IA - 1954. Gas turbine-mechanical experimental unit. #5 Union Pacific #913140 Flatcar. Built by UP - 1951. One piece cast steel body, UP class F50-15 50 ton capacity. Interesting load!#6 Union Pacific #6944. Built by EMD - 1971. Model DD40AX, 6,600 hp - 2 engines.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Enjoy! <we did!> Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 17, 2008 7:10 AM <personal foto>G'day Gents!It's the day BEFORE Friday at the Bar by the Ballast! Time to fill up those mugs with our freshly ground 'n brewed coffee - grab a couple of pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery Case 'n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast before starting off for work <or play>! We're projected to be at 10 (F) in the morning 'n again on Saturday as the cold front from the Arctic has made it's way into mid-continent USA. No appreciable snow fall predicted. <barf>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Hey Guys! Some of you are not using the REFRESH/RELOAD feature on your browser BEFORE 'n AFTER Posting. Doing this will enable you to view the MOST CURRENT POSTS!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Wednesday - Jan 16th:Page 169 - CM3 Shane at 9:08 AM: Back with KCS Part 3 - The Southern Belle! <sweet>Can always count on you for some ball player names from "back in the day" - man oh man, what a great baseball card collection I had. Emphasis on "had." Collected ‘em to "flip" or trade in the school playground. I never used ‘em in the spoke's of my bike, though. <grin> Ah yes, Washington Senators to become the Minnesota Twins; then the Washington Senators to become the Texas Rangers. Yeah, I remember! <I'm old>By the by - STILL no general ticket sales for the Cardinals! Not to worry though, I'll jump on them just as soon as the announcement is made! Thanx for the reminiscence, quarters ‘n round! Page 169 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:29 AM: A fine mid-week visit by our Manager; you've been missed! Quite a bit to <digest> with your comments! Glad we're pretty much isolated ‘round here, for Lawd knows what we might attract otherwise! <grin> Anyway, I think Rob pretty much addressed one of your questions. And by the by, I wholeheartedly AGREE with you about that "thing" atop our main Page . . . why in the world it couldn't have been placed in the ANNOUCEMENTS ‘n FAQs area is beyond me. I COMMUNICATED MY THOUGHTS ON IT shortly after it appeared. No response.Bottom line with Rolen is that he got into a "thing" with the manager a couple of seasons back - had to do with an injury, playing time, treatments, etc. Far too convoluted for my attention span. But his relationship with his manager deteriorated to the point of no return. Perhaps the finest 3rd baseman the Cardinals ever had. A shame that personalities got in the way . . . he'd never have made it in the things I had to do to earn a pay check. Oh well . . . I too think St. Louis got the better of the deal, considering . . . Enjoyed that rather "different" selection of covers! Thanx for the visit, chat, round ‘n everything you do for us! Page 169 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:49 AM: Another mid-day visit from our UK Connection! Getting back to normal Hope so! It was fun thinking ‘n planning for a visit to the UK a few months ago . . . especially when it appeared that we'd get Nick <nickinwestwales> out from "hiding." But, not to be - even the best of plans seem to get sidetracked. Looking back on it - had I "locked in" on the air fares at the time, I'd have gotten a good deal in comparison with those of today. But those were coach ‘n my preference is 1st class for flights of that duration. Those prices were absolutely staggering - no way. Should you ‘n Pete "connect," by all means hoist one to cheer "Our" Place! The way we schedule our Rendezvous for "Our" Place is by vote of those attending them. In other words the guys who show up for Rendezvous III get to decide on IV, etc.Maybe some day we'll return to Canada - but right now, it looks like the USA for 2009 as there's a "pitch" for West Virginia by "you know who"! <grin> Thanx for the round! Page 169 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 2:18 PM ‘n 2:31 PM ‘n 4:35 PM: A threesome from our Resident Ontario Connection! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:46 AM Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, you are still awake? Yes, a sugar cured ham sandwich would be great! On rye bread! Tui, please!A brief stop to eat my sandwich and check who visited Our Place this Wednesday.Tom – You mentioned Plymouth switcher, I know I have shown this one before but it is time for a rerun!Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI.Peanuts or pretzels, I can live without them. At least I want a cup of coffee and a sandwich., sub or something, when I fly. I think you are doing an extremely good job making your posts meaningful. Except when you are downgrading the brunette! I’ll find her. Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little bit too much snow. Here is a part of the same line closer to the equator. No snow!!!Snow. CM3 – Glad you liked the photo. It is a good looking locomotive, that’s why I took that photo. I know hardly anything at all about C&IM. Maybe you can give us a short story when you feel like it? Shreveport must have been a very important connecting point for KCS for most of their trains. Thanks for the info! Lars – The Order of the Stools? That was before I got involved. What was that? She’s gone? Don’t worry, I’ll find her!!! Maybe here!I am a very regular Cracker Barrel customer! I have been to “my” CB 2,461 times (yes I am counting) now, since they opened 10 years ago (on Saturday). I am so regular so I was featured on their website for a couple of years. Green Bay will rub the faces of the Jints in the snow this weekend! Sorry, but that’s how it is (will be). Very interesting books (covers)! Rails Across Boston is my pick! What is making Springfield Massachusetts such a Railroad City? DL – Thanks for the round!Rob – Very good looking Peter Witt streetcar! Are you going to paint it yourself? Hope we will se a photo of it when it is done! Nice photos of the NS&T! I guess NS&T is no more, just a memory. Did you buy any paper weight? Pete – I would say the biggest reason Amtrak bought Acela was the Canadian Government! They offered a generous package of loans worth more than $600 million to help Amtrak buy the trains, a virtual no-money-down deal. The ICE was never a real contender. Thanks for the advice about visiting the Second Class Saloon! Nice mix of pictures! Gas powered streetcar, model railway and a snowy New York Central steam locomotive! Allan – That cake was good!!! Looked good too, before we ate it. Eric pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:35 PM Hi Tom and all.I was just passing the bar when I saw Allan and Rob in so a Tui, Keith's and a Bathams please LEON.ALLAN I though that link to the Stephenson Railway Museum might bring back memories for you. Many thanks for sharing them with us. I was too young for the bad winter of 1947 but I remember the big freeze of 1963 when the canal at the back of my old house was frozen and you could walk along it to Rugby and of course there was a lot of steam about then still.I thought I would look up in my old notes about the day I visited the museum and that brought back some fond memories, luckily it was the first notebook I picked up, I will have to look to see if I can find the photo album. It was on October 4th 1991 that Alan and went by car to Whitby calling at the Darlington Railway Museum then the Timothy Hackworth museum and Soho engine shed in Shildon Co. Durham. On the Saturday it was the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Gala and we had trips behind.Lambton Hetton & Joicey Collieries 0-6-2Tank No5LNER 0-8-0 No 901LNER K1 class 2-6-0 No 2005 BR Standard 2-6-0 No 76079BR Standard 2-6-4T No 80135SR Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 No 34072 257 SquadronAll these locos in one day.The Sunday is when we went to the Stephenson Railway Museum and saw Bittern as Silver Link, We also had two trips on the preserved line from the museum to Percy Main one was hauled by PECKETT 0-6-0 saddle tank Works number 1970 and the other by BAGNELL 0-6-0 ST Works No 2994 this loco was named ‘Thomas Burt MP'Next we moved south of the TYNE to the Tanfield Railway where we had a trip from Andrews House to visit the famous Causey Arch bridge, before heading to the other end of the line at Sunniside, then back to Andrews House. We were hauled by ROBERT STEPHENSON & HAWTHORN Works No 7298 named Progress. After seeing the fine collection of industrial locomotives there it was back to Grosmont.On the Monday before heading home we had time to travel on the NYMR from Grosmont to Pickering and back behind No 80135. On the way home we called to view the site of the Sheep Pasture Incline on the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.It really was a great weekend and I am really glad your post inspired me to look it up. Our Place really is a great place.I will be sure to post my photos from the England trip and wish you could have joined us.I never knew that there weren't any snakes in New Zealand, my kind of place.Just heard that Kevin Keegan is taking over as manager of the TOON (again). After a terrible game against Manchester United at the weekend losing to SIX second-half goals they have come back tonight to win 4-1 against Stoke city in the Cup.Better stop now before I get ‘Tweeted' for too much football.ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes I feel sad when a preserved item as been radically altered from what is once was after being saved. It is a very fine point at the moment with the National Museum in the UK with locomotives that are run on the main line with one engine needing a new cylinder block if it is to run again.I don't know if the reason for choosing the Acela over the X2000 has ever been told. But as Eric said the X2000 performed extremely well on the trains and revenue earning runs it done over here, I am still why it was not chosen.Looks as though I have got excited with my post tonight, as it is getting quite long, I hope you enjoy the reminiscences. By the way the beer was Sam Smiths in Whitby and Strongarm in the pub in Grosmont.Another round please LEON and first drinks on me tomorrow.Pete. trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:58 PM Good evening Leon,I see that you have had some company this afternoon which is of coarse a good thing for the cash registers. I think i'll go with a guiness tonight a I'll leave a bit extra for a round for the track gangs that are having at it over by the pool tables. I see that Boris and the "air corps " have it all under carefull watch. Looks like spike is making himself usefull as a boot cleaner as well Pete-A couple fine shots today. I always cringe when I see a trolley cars that's been converted to gas power,kind of defeats the purpose.loved the model pics as well, a fine rounding out of today's model and hobby day.Interesting to read your comments on the Acela. I had thought that they were a direct purchase resulting from the x2000 tests, and where Americanized copies. You learn something new every day.Allan-I'm glad that you liked the witt shots. I have to confess though ,no work there is really mine other than snapping the bits together. The wiring done, you just have to line up the pin conectors on which ever set up you wish. The dummy plug for DC or the decoder if you want to run DCC That museum sight sounds interesting,I hope you kept a couple lumps of that coal for posterity.Rob Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:31 PM Hi Tom and all,Hi again Leon, the same old round of Tui`s for all the crew please!Pete. That Stephenson Railway Museum at Chirton, not far from Wallsend the old home town, is in an area we used to explore the old dis-used coal wagonway`s as kids, collected a lot of coal droppings there in the big snow of the winter of 1947, you really brought back such a lot of memories of my youth! When we left the old country in 1969 they were thinking about having the museum in the North Tyneside area. I would have loved to have seen Bittern done up as Silver Link! Am looking forward to all those pics you, the Alan`s, and Dan will have to share later on. Wish I could make the trip, and I will try hard not to get VERY jealous about it! Enjoyed all your posts and pics, thanks.Rob. Looking forward to the next lot of pics of the diesel oddities, some nice shots of your DCC installation in your model trolleys, some very neat work! That museum that Pete mentioned is in an area we used to explore as kids, an area of old dis-used coal wagonway`s, in the big snow of the 1947 winter used to seach for coal droppings there, Pete certainly brought back some real old memories of those day`s.Eric. Good to see you enjoyed your birthday so much, that`s a whopper of a birthday cake you posted. Enjoyed those pics.CM3. All the Tui`s on top of the retirement should make me TOTALLY immune to the WORK virus, we have no snakes in New Zealand so the Tui`s must be working too! Enjoyed your KCS passenger train write up`s on the "Flying Crow" and the "Southern Belle"Dan. Unfortunately I will not be able to make the trip over to see such an historic occasion just can`t fit it in, but am looking forward to all the pics you all will be taking then. I`m trying very hard not to be jealous of you all. Did not see Silver Link in it`s original livery, the Silver Jubilee coaches I saw at Manors station in 1948 were in their original colour though, saw Silver Link in it`s wartime black scheme and then in it`s BR green later on. Thanks for those Top Shed links, a very interesting site.Lars. Great to see another fine collection of covAHS from the Larsman Mobile, hope you are soaking up all that sun at the Key`s.Tom. That short word "if" has such a lot of big outcomes looking back at ones life, but you never know do you? Congratulations on making the 7,500th post, what sort of prize is Boris going to give you? Enjoyed your write up and pics of the KCS "Southern Belle" it fitted in very well with Shane`s informative info about it. Nice pic of CPR #2928. That`s a good link to the A4`s at that Yorkshire history site, it`s now on my favourites list! Nice crop of shots of your CAN AM RR. By the sounds of it you are maybe going to get some SNOW at last!See ya, Allan pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:06 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Winter Ale please RUTH.ROB I believe BORIS is already planning a "Lets get the shed back to normal" party with the Mascots. I blame Manager Lars for increasing his daily ration from a small jar of Pickled Pig's Feet to a large one.USA #7765 is a small locomotive. The guidebook says it was built in 1943 and is 150HP.Many thanks for the photos of your new Peter Witt Streetcar. I noticed the seats we talked about, it is a fine looking model. Enjoyed the photos of the NS&T, interesting shot of the canal bridge in the raised position and car 620 looks good after the rain. Thanks for sharing.ERIC Well done noticing Tom's 7,500th post I had missed it.It would be very interesting to know the politics behind Amtrak ordering the Acela when they had seen at first hand the X2000 and the ICE.If you do go to the Second Class Saloon go in disguise and take BORIS and LEON with you, they are still very upset about their loss in the Dart's Contest. They are very cautious and they see who gets off the Can-Am RDCs at the nearby Mountain Village station.Great photo of C&IM # 551.CM3 Many thanks for the KCS Southern Belle I have re-read Toms post and it is good to know the timings of the Belle. I noticed there was a lot less time in Shreveport with the Southern Belles than the Flying Crow.LARS I still wonder why the critters wanted to get into the Penthouse Suite so badly, see I have a weekend away and they run amok. I don't think BORIS would still be getting the large PPF jar if you knew what I found while cleaning his shed, but since my promotion I am going to be a. There surely can't be a worse ‘Penalty' than cleaning BORIS's shed after one of his ‘Friends' exploded unless it is putting my Bathams through a cooler. .Perhaps an Our Place wager on the Giants V the Packers as you say it should be a great game. Very good words on Tom's 7,500th post.Another great selection from the Larsman Mobile. Great painting on the 25 years of the ND&C cover. It surprises me how many of those flat crossings there are over here they are not common in the UK. The Switching Terminal at Maybrook looks a very interesting read, they are generally great books written by an historical society.What's this about tickets for RUTH. DL If you E-mail the editor of Backtrack it may be worth asking if there are any copies of the December issue left, another good place is in the second hand magazines at preserved lines.Does that 63 issue of MR say in what train the Silver Princess was in at the time. The article did say that when the car was modified in 1956 it was one of the first cars in maroon where as the other cars at the time were in the carmine and cream livery.The two Alans have been on a few visits to Holden's pubs so should know the best ones, a visit to the Great Western in Wolverhampton is a must, and it is near the station. TOM I would be interesting to know where the CPR 4-4-4 # 2928 was when we visited ExpoRail, I am sure we would have remembered the fine looking locomotive if we had seen her.AH I see Rob has given an answerAs DL says if we are able to meet up in England we will have many toasts to you and you will be with us in spiritI trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 4:35 PM Hi there Leon , I see alls quiet by the bar by the ballast, so I'll just get a quick Keith's while I re-load the donut mosheen with more batter and lard.Here'a a couple bits of NS&T ( Niagara St Catharines & Toronto RR ) photo's that have been posted at Tom's photo thread the last couple of days.A shot of an NS&T car bringing in the next shift at the Port Weller dry docks. Picture shows the car waiting for the canal bridge to lower.A 1958 shot of interurban car 620 running a charter on the old city line in St Catharines. The cars upbound on Geneva Street and will turn right onto St Paul ( something you can no longer do as St Paul is now one way in the other direction ) the car will pass in front of Niagara Central Hobbies just after it turns onto St Paul street.On an interesting sidenote the NS&T track was finally ug up and removed on Geneva and St Paul about two years ago. I remember the Hobby shop selling small chunks of it as paper weights.enjoyRob trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:31 PM Lets see Hi again Ruth another splashed coffee if you don't mind, I have a bit of a chill comming on seeing those wonderfull wintery vista's on the bossmans wonderfull layout A round for da big guy when he comes back in on me as well.Well since it's optional toy and train day here's a bit 'o' stuff to leep her moving on.Some shots of the recently aquired Peter Witt streetcar.It's optional decoder for those who are of the DCC vein, it has a dummy plug for those like me who blissfully stay ignorant of DCC. A shot of teh circut board and how it's hidden inside the roof which is removable for servicing etc. Roof is leaning against the car.A shot of the interior, the motor and flywheels are below the floorboards small but powerfull the car runs smoothly and quietly almost creeps tie to tie out of the box !Just a general shot with the roof on.EnjoyRob trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:18 PM Good afternoon Ruth, your all smiles this afternoon I wonder why Anyway I think I'll have a splashed coffee and oh what the heck a small bag donuts from the mosheen ! Oh dear I see that Boris is now using spike as a donut caddy well as long as the donuts are on his spines they won't end up ouch on my seat. I'll leave a bit extra to supply the gang this afternoon as well.Tom-Last I heard the 4-4-4 was ( is ) undergoing so cosmetic care . It had been an outside exhibit for about 25 years, I imagine it will be refreshed and remounted this summer.Help yourself to the photo my pleasure We were supposed to get a coupel inches today as well but the temps are hovering around the plus side so "lawd only knows"On the upside I don't have to shovel it No Boris I wasn't talking about your shed <sheesh> I haven'e seen Fergie out and about (aboot )today perhaps he will; come in and remember why he has all that filth under his fingernails <uh oh > Or maybe Lisa found out about the Mike and he's run for the ship Great look at the CanAm again sir , your a credit to the hobby 5xLars-Me burn out "nevah" I'm pacing myself , gotta try to fill your shoes, No Boris Vito isn't mad at Lars Ruth could you maybe get Boris into the kitchen to do dishes he's more dopey than usual today. I won't even take the bet that there will be a bunch o buffoons in their "gitch" and paint on the weekend ,hopefully nothing important gets frostbitten Selector is one of the member moderators that Bergie uses them as a posse to keep the corals quiet, for the most part they are doing their thing, glad it's them and not me. At least he has started moveing some of the model bits over to the appropriate spots. I good selection of books a bit theer for everyone I would think thanks for the round BTW !Dan-I think you should get an appartment over here No preassure just letting you know that the invitation is there.Don't hold your breath on the airport Link the prov gov is still dragging their feet on the environmental impact study. I think they will drag it out even longer now as last week the Federal tarnsportaion minister was in Toronto and wondered aloud and publicly why the link wasn't there. He suggested that it was an embarrasment ( and is )that such a large seemingly world class city was without a rail link to it's main airport. Certain stuff hit the fan as a result. I do hate all things political.Shane-more great passenger info thanks for sharing sir 5x for your efforts the last few days. Great stuff.Rob siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:00 PM G'day Gents!A decent start to our day at the bar with support from CM3 Shane - Lars 'n Dan! Something for our OP-SHUN-UL Toy 'n Model Trains Day here at the bar . . . that's why we keep it going, Larsman - it's OP-SHUN-UL! <geesh> Let's just call these fotos "It's my railroad 'n I'll view 'em if I want to . . . ." <Lesley Gore did NOT sing that!> Mountain right-of-way on the Can-Am Railway . . . that's Mt. Mentor in background!This is the route of BC Rail 'n VIA Rail RDCs <2 cars per consist> from Mountain Village to Mountain Depot - a point to point operation along a circuitous run from end-to-end of the hi-ground portion of the layout. Double track main lines looking northward on the west side of Mt. Mentor.Just love this view . . . reminds me of many a trip in Canada.<don't know how I wound up with this hue, but it really enhances the wintry look!> Boris' friends near Can-Am Gorge Living in a winter wonderland! Main Street, Can-Am City Can-Am City Bus Depot with Union Station train platforms in background * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Enjoy <I did, do 'n will>! Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo DL - UK Member sinceAugust 2006 280 posts Posted by DL - UK on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:49 AM Hello Tom and all inLooks like I'm posting striaght after Lars and CM3 - busy at the bar then!I'll try some of those Do-Nuts and a coffee please, and I'll leave a round for the house - as Tom mentions it. Bit early in the day at the moment for me but I'm sure folk will enjoy it later.Tom - I'd missed that A4 Yorkshire History link - Pete's remarks made me go back to it - some nice period pictures and nice to see the loco lists with full name listings beside them.That Dome site is a good one too - one for Lars I have no doubt!!In terms of detailed linkages I fully understand (and endorse) the off site comms approach - you have my details of course and will no doubt copy me in, even though a visit is a slim chance! As for a mini rendezvous I felt we could mention it (Pete and me) since you will be there in spirit if we are in a bar talking trains! No doubt about that and I'm sure Pete will agree! Would have been larger if Nick in West Wales was still with us although he seems to be L of L nowadays.Pete - I've dug out the pics of Silver Princess (it was June 1963 Modern Railways - so I'll e-mail the Backtrack editor with that info and transcribe the text in case he is interested). No doubt the Dec Backtrack is out of stock now so of course I won't know much about the original article.Sounds like you have a good list of West Mids pubs easy to hand so you had better get looking for a good value flight!Rob - yes, if I'm in Toronto again I'll be in touch. Having made 3 Canadian trips within 12 months in 2006/07 I'm not planning another trip for awhile, but Toronto is a great place and I have no doubt I'll be back in due course. Maybe they will get the TTC link to the airport constructed!Cheerio allDL « First«18192021222324»Last » SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter Submit More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Hi Tom and crew - any chance of a lecture slot today as I've prepared my Chugger Saga? Drinks are on me for anyone interested in listening. Just on the pics - yes can see Our Place at the foot of your post everytime - I assume that is your Corvette parked outside but correct me if I'm wrong.
If a story of poor decison making and shenanigans, missed opportunities and railroad tragedy is not your style leave me in the corner, for this is a LONG POST, but hope all assembled don't mind me setting it out for anyone who is interested. I re wrote this due to losing my text first time round so I hope it still makes sense. Anyway - here we are. A monday lecture slot - doesn't need to be a traditon but i feel the hospitaliy round these parts will excuse me (apologies to anyone who gets too bored!)
In this contribution I'll refer to the VIA rail chugger cars as ‘Nightstar Stock' - as this was the name they were built under in the UK and is used in some of the material I have dug out from various places - mostly UK govt papers on the web.
Hopefully this ‘lecture' will be of interest to those of you who have followed the conversation Tom and I have had about riding these cars. Basically I think we agree that these are good European cars - and this is where they should be running - In Europe (UK and mainland) - where they were designed. They are clearly no great substitute for traditional North American designed and built stock - but my personal view is that if you want to ride a night or day train in Canada they are acceptable given the circumstances. Enough of the debate - lets look at the history.
Draw you chairs around, stoke up the fire - on with the talk (beware there is politics here, but I've tried to confine it to the actions of politicians, not my political opinion):
I promised to dig out some information because we had wondered about who took the hit when the cars were sold to VIA at a nock down price. Although they were privately owned I was sure it was the UK taxpayer that took the hit. I'm now convinced of this and what follows is why.
To start off with you have to go back to the discussion to build the Tunnel. The then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made much of the fact that private enterprise was going to build it with no state subsidy. However, this was never realistic (and the tunnel needed high speed links either side to join the network anyway) and fairly early on it was clear the taxpayer was going to pay for those links. That decision had to be got through the UK Parliament and the way that happened (in the late 1980s I think) was to promise Members of Parliament (MPs) that the tunnel would bring benefits to all the regions and this is why they should vote to support it.
That benefit would take the form of trains running from the UK regions (inc Scotland and Wales) during the day and overnight. The state owned British Rail (BR) spelt out the details of those trains which would be a variant of the Eurostar sets that run London / Paris / Brussels (so called ‘Regional Eurostar' sets), and a fleet of night trains with both reclining seats and sleeping cars (so called ‘Nightstar' trains). These required heavy power requirements for the modern services aboard and would have toilets and showers in the rooms (a departure from previous British sleeper car practice where the short journey distances make having showers on board impractical in the design of sleeper cars used on other routes (the BR Mark 3 Sleeper - built in the early 1980s, prior to that the next oldest generation of UK sleeper cars were built in the 1950s and early 1960s - The BR Mark 1 Sleeper).
Orders for these cars were placed by the then state owned BR, but delays in procurement meant the cars were not really under construction until after BR as an organisation had been destroyed for sale to the private sector. The international services did not fit well in the privatised structure since they required heavy subsidy to build the high speed link to London. However, given the pro privatisation policy of the then Conservative John Major led Govt it was necessary to get a private consortium together to take that job on (it would not have looked good ideologically for the private sector to get all of BR, but the bit getting the most modern high speed link to still be owned by the state).
SO - to give the private sector the incentive to build the line all the relevant international train assets were GIVEN, as I understand it, to the private consortium (called London and Continental Rail Services or LCR) in return for a promise to build the London - Tunnel high speed link. SO THEY GOT GIVEN:
This is the kind of risk taking investment the UK private sector like when it does a deal with government - you'd think they could not lose.
HOWEVER - the income stream was to come from hopelessly over optimistic ti Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
Hi Tom and all.
A cup of your famous coffee and a bacon sarnie please CINDY .
ALLAN Really glad those places from my old notes brought back memories for you. There are some great railway museums in the Newcastle and surrounding area. The National Railway Museum has opened a railway museum at Shildon, County Durham to complement York it is called Locomotion and I will have to pay the museum a call.
I was fortunate enough to attend the 150th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1975, which included a cavalcade of locomotives, it really was a marvelous occasion with an estimated 300,000 people attending. I still can recall an announcement over the tannoy for a Japanese speaking person to help out, as some Japanese rail enthusiasts who had charted a jumbo jet to get there, had arrived. We did not have to travel that far but I remember it was a 2AM start on the special train from Rugby and we found the beer tent at Shildon. What could be better than to watch steam locomotives slowly pass by with a Newcastle Brown. The only diesel there was the prototype HST set. I will find my slides from the event and when I get my scanner show a few at the bar.
Another great museum in the area is at Beamish where an old town as been recreated although it is a fair while since I have been there it is another place I would like to revisit, I dare say it has changed and been extended since I was last there.
The Causey Arch did look in good condition when we visited, I will have to ask Alan if he called there on his recent visit.
This is another locomotive normaly in the North East.It is No. 22 from the Bowes Railway at the Foxfield (Staffs) gala in july last year. I recall at the Tanfield Railway they had an electric locomotive that used to work at a local colliery.
On a radio phone-in after the TOON cup match, a fan rang in to say the announcement of Kevin Keegan as the new manager had put an extra 20,000 on the gate against Stoke, it would be great if Alan Shearer was made assistant to learn and take over when the time was right. We have Setanta TV channel which shows live and recorded soccer matches. I was up at 6.45 to see the Sheffield Derby and as I write this I am listening to the Mighty Shrewsbury Town on the Internet(They won 2-0). As our small dog is black with a bit of white the bride as decided she is a Newcastle fan.
Many thanks for the link to the 1947 bad winter. A great description from the gentleman from Halesowen and enjoyed the photos especially the jet engine on a rail wagon to clear the snow. Heard it was not a complete success as it caused some damage. Fantastic link on the same page to the Snow Drift at Bleath Gill film, there are some other great videos on that site including the A4 hauled Elizabethan, I will go back to that site.
Great words to Tom about Our Place
ERIC Great spotting of that flatcar in the tunnel at Kirkwood.
The Epson 4490 is the scanner I have ordered, it was unavailable before and after Christmas but is back in stock again now with $25 off the price. I am looking forward to copying my old slides and photos and putting them on a disc, hopefully I will have enough good ones from the 1970s onward to show at the bar.
Yes the guy on the bench is my opposite number at the Second Class Saloon he stocks the bar there when he is not looking for strangers arriving on the RDCs, you are right he is not a like me.
Next time Tom and I are at the MOT we will have to try to find out more info on the Aerotrain and the bus
<personal foto>
It's Ssssssssssaturday once again - time to relax ‘n enjoy the warm surroundings provided by this Tavern by the Tracks! Begin the morning with a mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n place an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):
Friday - Jan 18th:
Page 170 - CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:34 AM: Good one for the <largely ignored> Museum of Forgotten Technology!
Greenbrier link - didn't! <uh oh>
New one on me - never heard of Frenchy! <geesh> "Who are these guys?" <Major League>
Another fine bit of nostalgia from "back in the day" in the form of that KCS material!
Many thanx for the visit, chat, quarters ‘n round!
Page 170 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 9:09 AM: And the mariner returns to the bar - this time from the rolling <roiling> decks of a ship at sea. Glad you've made it ‘n happy to know you're still thinking of us.
Here's how it works, Mate - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, etc. . . . get it <grin> <geesh>
Won't pursue the <tweeting> that turned to absolute folly - "poor" Pete, he wound up with double duty. <groan> This will be LOGGED ‘n not FORGOTTEN! <uh oh>
There's so much "info" occupying cyber space on pretty much "everything" <guess that's why we call the Ether, "virtual"> that at times it is difficult to sort one "fact" out from another. Best to rely upon proven sources, when possible . . . Still have my "Duttons" . . .
Of course you're on good terms with the Proprietor - eat heartily ‘n drink merrily, Mate!
Page 170 - Mike (wanswheel) at 1:21 PM: Back with a fine spate of URLs ‘n fotos of a most-disappointing memory! <grin> <groan> What "elder" football Giants fan doesn't recall the 1958 NFL championship game! Some still call it the greatest game ever played . . . Yeah, that's Charlie Connerly, #42 throwing that pass . . .
Visit ‘n round appreciated!
Page 170 - Pete (pwolfe) at 2:59 PM: Earlier than usual, but an appreciated visit nonetheless.
Emails received ‘n responded to - thanx!
To settle the Settle-Carlisle "issue" - okay, IF we added snow ‘n IF we added sheer rock formations ‘n a mountain ‘n IF we added the telegraph wires ‘n signal lights, there's a resemblance. <geesh> That warm beer will DO IT every time!
Good comment regarding Helga ‘n the "Hammocks R Us" bikini shopping . . . <grin> I think Lars will "accept" that situation. <phew> <uh oh>
That switcher in Holland is rather "boxy" - but interesting nonetheless!
Another fine < I3 > Post from our Bar Chandler! Round most welcome too . . .
Page 170 - Allan (Gunneral) at 8:50 PM: Our Resident Downunder NZ Kiwi Connection has returned with
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, you are still awake? Barely, I can tell. No, don't worry, I'll have an early breakfast. The usual!
Kind of late early morning, but I finally made it. Didn't feel that good last night, but now it's less than a week to go.
Tom – I’ll find the brunette. I think there will be food service on all intercontinental flights even in the future. But domestic flights...? Probably not. The Acela deal was so generous that the congress planned to start an investigation if it actually could a bribe. I don’t know if there ever was an investigation though. Nice to see photos from the Museum of Transportation again! But, as I said before, I don’t like the snow. How about picture #5, is that the flatcar that was sitting in the tunnel last May? It looks like it considering the load.
The flatcar in the tunnel.3,333 cans of beer on the wall? No, it would be too much noise when they are falling down. Would probably trigger the alarm. The photo of MARC #66 is kind of a surprise! I can’t recall I saw #66 last May. It must be a sibling to former MARC #63 that is hauling the train you rode last fall when you went to Branson. I can tell that you used that platform at the Museum of Transportation for picture taking! DL – I was actually upgraded once to 1st class on a flight from Phoenix to Chicago! That is the only time I flew 1st class. Very nice, but I would never pay for it myself. Fergie – Thursday? Maybe in your time zone, but barely in mine. I think. Or was it the other way around? Lars – The info on Amtrak’s Acela order? I read about in some magazines and I heard about from some people I know. I’ll see if I can find those articles again. I know I still have them. Today, Saturday, I am going to “my” Cracker Barrel for lunch. It is their 10th Anniversary this Saturday. I went there the first day they opened, Jan. 19, 1998 and I certainly have to go there today. Hopefully I’ll get the same table as the first time, in front of the fireplace. Very interesting book(s) covers! Hard to pick just one. For some reason I think I would try Trackside around Granger Country! Burlington, Rock Island and Milwukee! Pete – Interesting question, if the waitress on my 3,333rd visit to Cracker Barrel will be a certain brunette? Hmmm, yeah, that is very likely. I’ll talk to the General Manager to give her a job. No rush though, it will take about four more years to reach that number of visits. Scanner? Today there are so many good scanners it is hard to choose. But I like my scanner (Epson Perfection 4490 Photo), it does a very good job. I’ll check what i can find and let you know. Yeah, I saw that ugly looking guy at Mountain Village Station. Better to avoid him.
It’s the guy sitting on the bench, leaning forward. If you see him, pretend you are on your way home. I can tell it was pretty mild weather when you and Tom went to the Museum of Transportation. The first picture shows it all! The Aero Train locomotive is missing next to the Wabash loco. It will be interesting to see what they are going to do to it. Also find out more info on that bus without wheels. I am sure they will put wheels on it again. Nice photo of that Class 08! Rob – Yes, Amtrak’s Acela was built by Bombardier. Looking forward to see the Witt when it is painted! I think you better come to Our Place 3rd Annual Rendezvous in May and I’ll be happy to buy you dinner at Cracker Barrel!CM3 – Thanks for the info on Springfield! I should have remembered. We stopped there with the X2000 in 1993 on the way to Albany. I think I have a picture (or video) from Springfield. I have to check that.Thanks for the final part of KCS Passenger Service! Mike – Thanks for hte links! Interesting to see how the cities have grown over the years. Allan – The cake is gone! Boris helped me finish it off!
Eric
Hi Tom and all,
Tui`s all round for the crew please Leon!
Pete. Many thanks for your comprehensive write up on your`s and Alan`s rail trip in 1991,, what a great time you had with all the places you visited, you brought back a lot of old memories with some of those place names, one of my Aunt`s lived at Percy Main, and my wife comes from Whickham which is close to Sunniside, small world is`nt it? I remember seeing the Causey Arch in the late 40`s sometime, I suppose it has been fully restored by now? It`s great to see you have kept records of your past rail trips as memory joggers! It`s nice to hear Kevin Keegan is back with the "Toon" again, saw the fans give him a great welcome back to Geordieland on BBC World TV, hope he can get on "al-reet" with Alan Shearer, that loss to Man U was a shocker! Enjoyed all your`s and Allan`s pics, those links to the Settle and Carlisle, and your write up`s. It`s great not having to check for snakes in the "nettie" here at night like we used to have to do in Queensland!
To all. "Nettie" is the Geordie name for the WC, it derives from old Roman.
Rob. Looking forward to seeing that trolley in it`s full glory when you`ve done the paint job, that site that Pete came up with sure brought back a load of happy memories of my youth.
Eric. Nice pics of the Can Am RR and that cute Plymouth Switcher, has all that birthday cake gone now, bet it took a lot of getting through?
Lars. Another great lot of very nice covAHS from the Larsman Mobile down on the Key`s, many thanks`.
Dan. Wish i`d had a camera back in those day`s, but it`s still nice to be able to revive those memories here and share them with all the crew, the internet is a great scource of of history in picture and writing is`nt it? Thanks for that link to the Settle and Carlisle. Here`s a link to a site about the 1947 winter, it`s got some interesting info and pics.
http://www.winter1947.co.uk/
Fergie. Hope you have a FAIR weather trip to St John`s this trip!
CM3. Enjoyed the last part of the KCS passenger train write up on #9 and #10, and your link.
Mike. Nice cartoon of Sir Ed`s Everest achievment as opposed to the rest of the world, thanks for the links too.
Tom. Enjoyed all of your nice writing, like you i`ve found that life rubs off the sharp corners as time goes by and one learns by experience, hopefully! You are a lucky man to have such an agreeing bride about your possible MAC trip, it would be great to have you visit us, if you give me the name of that NZ secretary at the consulate way back when I could clear the "decks" for you! You are so right about "Our place" being a great place for reviving happy memories, could`nt agree with you more about that, it`s really great to be able to share them with a really great crew of like minded guys, long may we continue! Pete and Dan have been doing a really good job at getting my old memory banks working just lately I can tell you, and it`s all thanks to the existance of "Our place" with thanks to you and all the guys! Enjoyed all the pics of your`s and Pete`s trip to the museum at Kirkwood, you had a LOT of snow there then.
See ya, Allan
Hi Tom and all
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos.
I too am very interested about the Acela story I wonder if the full story about them as ever been told.
CM3 Many thanks for the link. We are supposed to get -4 wind chill temperatures here tomorrow but no snow until perhaps Monday. Good photo of the CSX train near White Sulphur Springs. I wonder if the there was one locomotive on the head of the train or the locomotive in the photo is the helper.
Thanks for the info on KCS trains 9and 10.They seem good trains to see the line between Kansas City and Shreveport in daylight.
FERGIE Now you have got me.The punishment for the ‘Tweeting' we got, cleaning BORIS's shed, as been done, it appears mainly by me. So I guess you wont have to do any digging unless you get ‘Tweeted' again, I think. Anyway should you unfortunately do get ‘Tweeted' in the future I will gladly supply you with the Keith's on demand.
I would like to know which special article appeared in Classic Trains on the CPR steamers when you get back to shore.
MIKE Good to see you in and thanks for the round. Having a bit of trouble loading your links but I will go back to them.
TOM A couple of links to the Settle and Carlisle.
http://www.railwayphotos.net/images/66/sc_bleamoortunsth_66177.html
http://www.railwayphotos.net/images/47/sc_birkett_47757.html
Do you think with some snow and the telegraph wires this could look a little like the west side of Mount Mentor on the Can-Am. perhaps at least there are two tracks
Of course you can add my photos to your archives, I have been adding yours to my album it is quite easy off the bar site and I can get them to go where I want them, not like the struggle I have when I get my photos back from developing on a disc.
Yes RUTH has deserved a vacation she has worked really hard lately especially over the Christmas period and the Florida sun will do her good. I had just sorted out the beer deliveries and made sure we were OK for ale for the weekend, when I decided a Bathams would go down well but Ruth was not behind the bar. I found her in the back room showing the bikini to H&H. I believe Helga is ordering one from ‘Hammocks R Us'.
On British Railways locomotive No 3333 was an English Electric 400HP diesel electric 0-6-0 switcher it seems to have spent most of its life in the Sheffield area at Mexbourgh and Shireoaks. Under the T.O.P.S. numbering system she became 08263 finishing her career in BR service allocated to Gateshead shed, across the River Tyne from Newcastle.
A class 08 look alike in Holland.
I think the problem with a scanner was with copying transparences. By an Our Place co-incidence the model I wanted is back on sale and on special offer.
I will look forward to our February trip; I have already lost count of the pints in the TrainWreck Saloon.
Many thanks for the next selection of your photos from the Museum of Transportation at Kirkwood. I see you captured that short freight that made such a great sound as it climbed Kirkwood Hill, I recall it was traveling quite fast. I think the UP loco was #326. Yes I sp
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
Montrealer changed engines and crew at Springfield, birthplace of basketball and home of The Cat In The Hat. Not to fah from Way-uh. My aunt and cousins live in Springfield. They root for the Pats and the Sox.
CM3, how could you forget Worcester? Here's a picture of Frenchy's mustache
http://books.google.com/books?id=JVv8UIPEJ2kC&pg=PA26&vq=bordagaray&dq=XS-A6HV5Wg_x2TFeaqZ4GibpC3E&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=XS-A6HV5Wg_x2TFeaqZ4GibpC3E
Boston 22, Worcester 127, Springfield 151
http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-01.csv
Boston 5, Worcester 33, Springfield 60
http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0027/tab14.txt
Old Boys of Summer
http://s2nblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/1955dodgers.jpg
Videoclip of Johnny Podres
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imBbnf4nHKk
And so CM3 Shane AND Fergie graced our decks with their presence this AM!
And Fergie STILL has it WRONG! Don't know what you're "thing" is with Thursday - BUT our OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day is WEDNESDAY - that's the day BEFORE! Hmmmmmmm. Hitting that Kickapoo Joy Juice a bit on the heavy side, eh ? <Lil Abner>
Comments to both in the Saturday summary . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Continuing along with a 2nd installment of fotos from our December 18th visit to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO>
#7 MARC #66. Built by EMD - 1954. Model E8A, Former CB&Q. 2.250 hp, upgraded to 2,400 hp.
#8 Manufacturers Railway #211. Built by ALCO - 1948. Model S-2. Blunt trucks.
#9 US Army #2002. Built by EMD - 1952. Model SW8. 800 hp.
#10 Fast moving eastbound UP/GATX "short" freight along the UP mainline at the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO>.
#11 There she goes!
#12 Can you spot "FRED"
Enjoy! <we did!>
Tom
Good morning Captain Tom and Crew
and greetings from the North Atlantic. Since I appear to have this establishment on it's ear's end I will bw more than willing to provide libation in, dare I say it, Liberal proportions.
Weather so far is holding true to the forecasts, so Gods be willing and we are able to fetch a Science Buoy at day break tomorrow I should have the "old gal" in for refit, scheduled to start Monday in St John's, either tomorrow night or Sunday morning.
Yes I acknowledge my "Tweeting" for posting MR photo's on a Monday when it should have been Thursssssday... I will dig for the prescribed time providing Pete will provide libation on demand!!!
Not much else to day besides it would only contribute to my "Tweeting" log. I'm hoping to get photo of the relocated Newfie Bullet now in Downtown St John's, which I will share with you all when posted.
siberianmo wrote: By the by, the comments provided regarding that steamer at ExpoRail was paraphrased from their information booklet . . . as is the practice 'round here, we provide the sources for info Posted <or try to!>
By the by, the comments provided regarding that steamer at ExpoRail was paraphrased from their information booklet . . . as is the practice 'round here, we provide the sources for info Posted <or try to!>
Fully understood, and with most things the source is what most of us have to rely on. And who's to say the commuter service was not on secodary lines. My information was from Magnetic North and now that i think of it "Classic Trains" 1st special feature released approximately three years ago and had a section in it on CPR's Steam Engines. Hard to look it up with my library 120nm off my stern, sorry to cold to start swimming this time of year.
Now if I'm still on good terms with the proprietor I'll have the Mariner's Special, 2 fish cakes, Hash Browns, beens and a couple of runny poached on top. Now that's living!! Lars please pass the HP sauce.
Have a good one
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It's a bit cool here this a.m. with a nice coating of snow and ice on the ground. The K9 Korps was out and after ‘em early this a.m. Let's see, gas is holding at $3.19/gal.
Here's a new item for the Museum of forgotten technology - manual and vacuum-operated windshield wipers.
For those interested in a pretty picture of snow in Greenbrier County, go to the following link. http://www.register.herald.com/ find the story "Here We Snow Again," open it up and then click on the picture. It's a good ‘un of C&O country.
Lars stopped by with comments and some fine New Haven and New England related material, later followed by some more NE and Midwestern items as well.
Pete was by with comments and pictures as well.
Rob - You did good at the LHS. I truly enjoyed that 1958 St. Catherine's picture - that's the time period I model, so it's always interesting to see buildings, cars, background material, etc. as well as the fine looking beastie in the rain.
Allan visited as well.
Eric - Springfield, in addition to being 2nd largest city in Massachusetts was (and still is) a more than busy place on the railroad. Three lines connected there - the Boston and Maine, Boston and Albany (NYC), and the New Haven - all with extensive freight and passenger service. Springfield today is a busy point on CSX and Amtrak. Noted your request for C&IM information - will see what I can find.
OSP has been here as well with some fine CanAm pictures and some 1:1 equipment pictures as well. IMHO, Cards had a better 3d baseman than the one you mentioned - Ken Boyer. Barkeep, speaking of old 3d basemen, a toast - to Frenchy Bordagary. We'll see if this smokes Mike out with some pictures (lol).
Fergie stopped by - be careful, sir.
Here is the last part of KCS material.
KCS Passenger Service 1950 - Part Four - Trains 9 and 10
Train 9, an unnamed run, departed Kansas City at 10:10 a.m. for a leisurely trip to New Orleans. It carried to New Orleans chair cars from Kansas City, a diner lounge, and a 10 section/3 double bedroom sleeper. Train 9 picked up a 14 roomette/4 double bedroom car at Shreveport and took it to New Orleans for a 7:15 a.m. next morning arrival.
Train 10 departed New Orleans at 10:30 p.m. and left Shreveport at 7:00 a.m. after a thirty minute stop. Arrival at Kansas City was at 7:45 p.m. that evening. Train 10 carried chair cars to Kansas City, a diner lounge, and a 10 section/3 double bedroom sleeper. Train 10 set out the New Orleans-Shreveport 14 roomette/4 double bedroom car en route. Passengers could occupy the sleeper at Shreveport until 8:00 a.m.
Work safe
Friday's Grin
Reason "things" happen!
Law of Spectators:
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
End of the work week <for many> and it's called the day after Thursday! <confused Fergie???> Anyway, coffee's ready ‘n so are the pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery Case. Place an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board too!
Comments from the Proprietor:
CHANGE is on the way!There may be times when the morning summary will be Posted later rather than at the early time most are accustomed to. Since the majority of the "Our" Place gang <aka: customers> aren't around in the early AM . . . shouldn't be a problem. Won't be all the time - just when there's an abundance of evening-late nite visitors.Of course if you aren't reading ‘em - no problem-O, right Then again, you wouldn't be reading this either! <uh oh>
There may be times when the morning summary will be Posted later rather than at the early time most are accustomed to. Since the majority of the "Our" Place gang <aka: customers> aren't around in the early AM . . . shouldn't be a problem. Won't be all the time - just when there's an abundance of evening-late nite visitors.
Of course if you aren't reading ‘em - no problem-O, right Then again, you wouldn't be reading this either! <uh oh>
Thursday - Jan 17th:
Page 170 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:34 AM: I checked out that info on the Settle to Carlisle Line ‘n while it was most entertaining, I have this to offer: Not having the benefit of those "spirits" imbibed by Wolfman Pete at the time of his observations of my Can-Am Railway, I have no "clue" where or how he came up with that comparison! <uh oh> Not being one to have knowledge hallucinations or the like, let's just say - "he's comfortable in his own world," and let it go at that! Perhaps the warm beer may have contributed - detrimentally of course! <grin>
Regarding the 1st class air fares - either you are totally correct OR they are using the seats for crash dummies. In either case, that rules me out! <groan> Once upon a time I'd have dearly loved to experience trans-Atlantic ocean liner service. But that was then ‘n this is now. But you are "bang on" with the suggestion that the booking would most probably come in close to the air fare!
Continuing thanx for the mid-day Posts! Helps enormously ‘round here. [tup ]
Page 170 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 1:21 PM: I think my 1st Mate (Lars) has pretty well summarized what needs to be said! Say WHAT You danced all ‘round being <tweeted> - that'll cost ya - big time! Totally blew some of us outta the water with that one . . . but, we understand the difficulty in operating with that "delay" phenom . . . <grin>
Email was sent off to your maritime address on Thursday <yesterday> before noon (CST) . . . And what's with the "Thursday" thing . . . Hmmmmmmm.
Wishing you a safe voyage back to the north Atlantic's unpredictable predictableness! <groan>
Page 170 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:19 PM: Surprised by the visit, but pleased with the material provided! Those covers keep on keeping on, eh Really fit nicely into what we try to "do" ‘round this place.
That Western Pacific steam is a <keeper>! <sweet>
Not sure how YOU managed to get yourself into ‘another' one of those "things" with divulging personal plans with Ruth - but you did it AGAIN! Pete ‘n Eric will have a field day with this - ‘n so will Rob. <geesh> Can't help ya, Mate!
Not to worry ‘bout your position at the bar. I'm the Proprietor ‘n YOU are the Manager ‘til I say otherwise. Of course, Rob IS coming up fast on the inside . . . . <uh oh>
Any other team ‘n I'd be all "for" your Giants; not so on Sunday. <grin> Gree
Evening leon , I see things are shipshape so I'll mosey down to the kitchen and see if they left any fish n chips for me. A draft of guiness as well sir if you don't mind.
Eric-Interesting thoughts on the Acela & x2000 , I had know knowledge of any Canadian content in the story either. were they built by Bombardier , because if that's the case it makes more sence as Bombardier has always been in the Liberal governments/ parties pockets ( litteraly )
I will be painting the Witt myself once it's done I'll take some more photo's of it for you.
Crackerbarrels eh I haven't been in one since my lst trip down to Florida in 1993. A chain I'd love to see set up shop here north of the boarder
Yes the NS&T in itself is long gone replaced by St Catharine's transits buses, the frieght operations are still intact for the most part.They were run from 1961-1998 as a CN route after that till the preasant day they are owned and switched by the Trillium Rail shortline.
Dan-I know what you mean about the tastes of some of the real estate developers in Toronto , bigger better weirder seems the way. That area of the city though does not usually get many properties up for sale or for sale very long.fairly hot area for buyers.
Yes The Governments talk re rail travel and networks up here, but and the big but they don't necessarily like funding it , they do like giving each other digs and pointing fingers though.
I'd love to know who did take that picture at lock one.The bridge still looks the same , only it's had the driving lanes widened and there are sidwalks down both sides.
Lars-Interesting books today,don't worry I don't want your job<sheesh> I've got a full time one along those same lines. I just don't want the critters and Boris to get soft while your away sunning yourself.
Unbreakable whats I don't think Fergie was actually smoking anything. Dabossman tweeted him for talking model trains on thursday so I think that is what he was getting at.
Fergie-happy sailing hope you miss the worst of that storm.Sooo you were just suprervising after a tweeting , that might be wteetable in itself. though I do aggree Pete does need help holding his drink while he's thinking or drinking
I'm looking forward to those next "vans ' as well
Tom-More great pictures from the museum thanks for posting them. I haven't seen any info on that x2000/acsela deal either it will be interesting to see what else we can find out.
Sooo the possibility of WVG rendezvous exists eh , that might be interesting keep me posted on that one
I wonder how Nick is , I haven't heard from him or seen him online for a long time.Maybe he did take that gig and is touring Utah
I don't want to know any more about Boris's Libido than anyone else here either,some things are best left in the shed.
Pete-Loved all the shots thanks for sharing them all again.
Rob
ERIC Many thanks for the photo of that attractive Plymouth Switcher it seems to have a very distinctive cab, a great design to give good visibility when running in reverse.
Great views from the Can-Am, did you notice the guy by the RDC at Mountain Village Station looking out for any strangers heading to the Second Class Saloon.
Do you think on your 3,333th visit to Cracker Barrel the waitress will be a certain Brunette.
Many thanks for the info into the Acela deal, it had to be something like that or they surely would have gone with a fleet of X2000s, I think.
Glad you enjoyed the photos, unfortunately the scanner I was going to get, which I think it is the same Epson model as you have is not available at the moment. If you any suggestions for a comparable model could you please let me know.
DL Received your e-mail thanks. It is good the editor of Backtrack sent his thanks and replied so quickly. That is where my copies of Backtrack went, to preserved lines. Alan takes a few at a time and he says they are always glad to get them as the sell well.
The Shamrock was a London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street express that left Euston at 4.45PM and arrived at Liverpool at 8.33pm.to connect with the night sailing to Ireland. A reference from 1960 I have found said it loaded to 14 coaches including the Silver Princess which was classified as a ‘First Reclining Chair Car'
The Ulster Express ran from Euston to Heysham to connect with the Belfast overnight sailing. It left Euston at 6.20PM and arrived Heysham at 11.13 PM. These timings were slower than previous owing to the Electrification that was heading south from Crewe at the time.
Just from the time of 5.18 to 7.44PM there were 6 named expresses due to pass through Rugby some with ex LMS Pacific locomotives, what a way to spend a summers evening.
Unfortunately I lost my notes before 1980 but I have listed all the train trips and some by car to preserved railways since then. I don't think I will ever get used to the chilled beer although some places are worse than others, the Train Wreck Saloon beer seems a good temperature.
Many thanks for the link to the Settle & Carlisle Railway with those great photos. That is great shot of Ribbleshead Viaduct with the low sun.
FERGIE That is a very important job holding the glass for me, but I did wonder why the shed took so long to clean. I wonder how your shovel had the little wear on it.
Thanks for the info on the Jubilee 4-4-4s they must have looked great on the Montreal commuter traffic.
Glad you are over the bug that made you sick, and hope you get back to port before the Northeaster rolls in
LARS. Thanks for the round. Hopefully cutting down BORIS's ration will make him less ‘lively'.
Yes it is indeed fortunate to have a great bar and a great railroad museum close together; it is surprising how fast the time flies at both of them.
Many thanks for the covers from the Larsman Mobile. It looks as though there was a bad fire on the bridge in the first one. They do a series of ‘Forgotten Railways' books in the UK they are fascinating reading although a little sad when one reads of the lines that have gone. Great photos on the other covers as well.
Who will be covering for RUTH while she is on her trip
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH, <huff, puff> I just made it but MISSED Der Fergiemeister guy! <geesh> Great hearing from you earlier ‘n glad the ticket arrived . . . more by phone, latAH! <grin>
A large stein of Schaefer 'n slide the snack tray down my way, wudja Round for the house, treats for the crittAHs AND PUT BORIS BACK ON THE SMALL JAR OF PPF! Libido indeed! <grin>
Hey Bossman! I sent you an email this morning . . . just a head's up.
NevAH quite able to fully ‘follow' Fergie when he comes aboard. It's almost like speaking to someone with one of those "delays" built into the transmission. I think Da Guy is a day late ‘n a dollar short when it comes to remaining current at the bar. Speaking of which, I didn't note ANY acknowledgment from him that he was <tweeted>! See, I told youse guyz! <grin>
What's with the reference to Thursday Did I miss something???? I mean what is this guy smoking or drinking or both!?!?!? <triple geesh>
Bon voyage - I thiMk . . . <grin>
Hey Bossman <part two>! Love the Can-Am layout shots and today's installment of pix from your most recent visit to that Kirkwood train museum. That's the one "close" to the Trainwreck saloon, isn't it No wondAH you ‘n the Wolfman like to spend the time there!
Hey trolleyMAN Rob! What's the deal You're spending so much time ‘round here lately, I'm beginning to wondAH if my job is at risk! <geesh> Even Boris is "different" lately . . . what's the deal, mate No complaints about the visits, as we can always use the business!
Great seeing all the boyz show up <well most of ‘em> - Allan in NZ - Shane in WVA <but not today! Yet . . .> Pete in central MO - Dan in the UK <don't know where> ‘n of course Eric in that desert of his.
Won't EVEN "go there" with the Cracker Barrel "count" that Eric's into . . . huh
Some mighty interesting "stuff" put forth by the gang. I surely had no knowledge of that Canadian government-Amtrak "thing" mentioned by Eric with the X2000. So, how did you come across that info Really unsettling.
Good to know that the book covAHs are "reaching" most of youse guyz . . . some nevAH make reference which either means they aren't seeing them <viewing> or just don't care. Either is fine, but it does set the mind to wondAH. Hmmmmm.
So where has Jan disappeared to <again> And how about the MoPac guy called Chris Both came on strong, now pretty much tapered off. But as long as they say they will be back, let' s take ‘em at their woId!
Probably sounding like a broken record <remember THOSE??!!> but I really don't know when my next visit will be . . .
I must get right to the Larsman Mobile, then back to R&R . . . life's a beach, or haven't you heard <grin>
Bridging the Hudson - The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge and its Connecting Rail Lines
Forgotten Railroads through West Chester County
Trackside around Granger Country - 1952-1955
Illinois Terminal in Color - Vol 1
Western Pacific Steam Pictorial
Wabash
Good Afternoon Tom and Sundry
trolleyboy wrote: Fergie- Belated greetings for you as well sir,sorry to ehar about your "job" but at least you had Pete's sence of humour to keep you company while you dug and dug and dug.... etc.I'm feeling outnumbered I only have one CNR caboose they do look great though,the Mike's also a beaut. I wonder what you may have to clean once Lisa discovers it though
Fergie- Belated greetings for you as well sir,sorry to ehar about your "job" but at least you had Pete's sence of humour to keep you company while you dug and dug and dug.... etc.
I'm feeling outnumbered I only have one CNR caboose they do look great though,the Mike's also a beaut. I wonder what you may have to clean once Lisa discovers it though
Digging? No I'm supervising. Pete needs the encouragement and someone to help him focus and hold his glass so he doesn't imbibe too quickly.
As far as the Caboose thing not to worry as TLT is coming out with CP and TH&B Vans later this year.
As for the Mike well it does look sweet on the layout. Just have to go out and get me some more sound decoders.
Do you notice how I haven't signed up for the Rendezvous... You guyz have far too much dirt on me and well Though I can run, It's hard dodging "bullets". Some things are best left unsaid.
siberianmo wrote: Page 168 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 3:23 PM: Some B'day greetings ‘n announcement - some humoUr - some hobby stuff - ‘n an infraction! By the by - there are SEVERAL comments directed to YOU on these Pages . . . gotta READ to ENJOY this joint. We are NOT a hit ‘n run outfit, Mate! <geesh> Yeah, I know it's easy to fall behind, but we surely don't have the volume of "frenzy" some Threads do. Oh well . . . Good to see our part-time Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner found his way back to the Tavern by the Tracks! Nice of you to put a few bucks on the bar for our "cleaners" - but keep in mind, they are being "punished," NOT rewarded! Hmmmmmm, wonder if THAT's a <tweetable> OH-FEN-Ssssssss I'll have to check "the book" . . .
Page 168 - Fergie (Fergmiester) at 3:23 PM: Some B'day greetings ‘n announcement - some humoUr - some hobby stuff - ‘n an infraction!
By the by - there are SEVERAL comments directed to YOU on these Pages . . . gotta READ to ENJOY this joint. We are NOT a hit ‘n run outfit, Mate! <geesh> Yeah, I know it's easy to fall behind, but we surely don't have the volume of "frenzy" some Threads do. Oh well . . .
Good to see our part-time Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner found his way back to the Tavern by the Tracks!
Nice of you to put a few bucks on the bar for our "cleaners" - but keep in mind, they are being "punished," NOT rewarded! Hmmmmmm, wonder if THAT's a <tweetable> OH-FEN-Ssssssss I'll have to check "the book" . . .
Hey I'm all for someone supporting the cause but from what I see below looks like someone is supporting themselves Here Rob use my shovel it has little wear on it, I'll get you a clean glass.
As far as finding my way back. Ya right just goes to show you don't look under the tables too often do ya... I neva left kind sir!
So this Miss Margaret Landry Moore... Is this our long legged Brunette?
coalminer3 wrote: Fergie - Belated happy birthday to you! BTW, nice set of CN cabs - you "done good."
Fergie - Belated happy birthday to you! BTW, nice set of CN cabs - you "done good."
Don't I know it!
siberianmo wrote: Really need to make sure that the guyz ‘round here get the "benefit" of those fotos that you provide over there . . . much more receptiveness amongst our crew, dontchathink CPR 4-4-4 #2928 at ExpoRail, Saint-Constant, Québec, Canada <trolleyboy Rob foto>This "Jubilee" light-locomotive was designed by Bowen and built by Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) for service on secondary lines. The wheel arrangement was specific to the CPR in Canada and was developed to replace the older, small locomotives used on those lines. <partial quote from ExpoRail literature>And you shouldn't complain about NOT getting <tweeted>! <geesh> As we used to say "back in the day," - "I'll give you something to complain about, if . . . . " <uh oh>It will be interesting to see if the other half of our Canadian Connections picks up on being <tweeted>. Last time it was weeks, with several reminders, before he caught on. Bad, bad habits ingrained from those hit ‘n run joints, methinks. <barf>
Really need to make sure that the guyz ‘round here get the "benefit" of those fotos that you provide over there . . . much more receptiveness amongst our crew, dontchathink
CPR 4-4-4 #2928 at ExpoRail, Saint-Constant, Québec, Canada <trolleyboy Rob foto>
This "Jubilee" light-locomotive was designed by Bowen and built by Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) for service on secondary lines. The wheel arrangement was specific to the CPR in Canada and was developed to replace the older, small locomotives used on those lines.
And you shouldn't complain about NOT getting <tweeted>! <geesh> As we used to say "back in the day," - "I'll give you something to complain about, if . . . . " <uh oh>
It will be interesting to see if the other half of our Canadian Connections picks up on being <tweeted>. Last time it was weeks, with several reminders, before he caught on. Bad, bad habits ingrained from those hit ‘n run joints, methinks. <barf>
Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the info I read on the Jubilee's indicate these were used for Commuter traffic in the Montreal area. Some very good reading on these in "Magnetic North" by Zimmerman and ... oops my memory fails me.
LoveDomes wrote: Would like to acknowledge Shane - Pete - Eric - Fergie - Mike - Allan - and Dan for keeping things going ‘round here since my last visit! Oh yeah, a belated to Fergie - who most probably will nevAH read this! <groan> <grin>
Would like to acknowledge Shane - Pete - Eric - Fergie - Mike - Allan - and Dan for keeping things going ‘round here since my last visit! Oh yeah, a belated to Fergie - who most probably will nevAH read this! <groan> <grin>
Ha! Another one who doesn't look under the table
EricX2000 wrote: Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little b http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959 If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007 DL - UK Member sinceAugust 2006 280 posts Posted by DL - UK on Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:34 AM Hello Tom I'll take one of Allan's Tui's please. And here's enough for the next round.Rob - nice shots of the NS&T - very period atmosphere - that bridge with the streetcar track beside the road in the vertical position frames a great picture - nice work by the photographer.Funnily enough, had my late uncle owned his house in Toronto I think we as a family might well have held on to it for a year or two as a vacation base (it was out near Bay View Village near the 401 a short walk from the newish TTC station built there). Fact is though he figured he could cut down his maintenance responsibilities in old age by selling his home and moving into a rented apartment with the rent paid from the proceeds of the house sale. I think in a way this was quite a brave and sensible decision for him as when he got into his 80s he did not want to maintain a home so a rented apartment saved him worry. The person who bought his former home (a trad Canadian Mortgage and Loan design I think they are called) simply bulldozed it to build a massive house on the plot in the most bizarre French renaissance chateau style - I kid you not! What's wrong with traditional North American architectural house styles I ask? Some people must have more money than sense! Of course after he died we had to terminate the rental lease pretty quickly.Interesting comments on the airport link - is that Federal vs Provincial spat then? What is good is that a politician through a rail link worth mentioning - which suggests passenger rail is still a mode of transport with some life left in it!Pete - I e-mailed Backtrack chap (in fact I copied your email address in so I hope you saw it - if not we've got a communication problem) - he replied to today to thank me and say he had copy of 1963 Modern Railways and would look up the reference I sent.I'll keep an eye out for a Backtrack back number at a preserved railway - as that is the cheap way to procure one AND help a preservation project of some sort!The 1963 pic showed the carriage in Maroon as the Ulster Lounge in the "Shamrock" consist. It said after 1956 it had been used in the "Ulster Express" - both LMR trains I presume on the London Holyhead route. After delivery in 1947 it had been used on the East Coast route (presumably in stainless steel ‘livery').Great note book synopsis by the way! I firmly trust that Tom's suggestion that the chilled beer is something you will have got acclimatised to does not in fact come to pass!Tom - Pete mentioned that the Can Am reminded him of the Settle to Carlisle line - check this link to see what you think:http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/gallery/index.cfmThose first class air line fares on the scheduled airlines - I just don't know who pays them - I guess they keep making economy worse and worse and then people at the margins say enough is enough and trade up to first so that is how they make the money out of them. I reckon you could take a Cunard transatlantic sailing for the cost of some of the fares. The smallest ship cabin could never be worse than the flight!Allan - thanks for the round and interesting to read your memories of the 1947 winter (plus the Silver Link memories). For someone unable to know anything from the classic era (I'm just too young I'm afraid) the personal memories that people put out in Our Place really bring to life for me what I only see on web pages and in books. I really enjoy reading it (and that goes for a variety of people's posts on the site!).CM3 - enjoyed that Southern Belle info.RegardsDLNot sure why this is all in italics but there we are! siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:15 AM G'day Gents!At long last, here are some random fotos from the Dec 18th visit to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO> by Wolfman Pete 'n Moi . . . I'll keep 'em at 6 to a submisison tho . . . It is worth mentioning that our regulars have seen these before - not the same shots -but variations of 'em that were taken during Rendezvous II in May 'n Posted at the bar w/descriptions.(1) Rock Island AeroTrain - One of two built in 1955, each trainset comprised a futuristic locomotive along with 10 cars to accommodate about 400 passengers. Designed by GM this projected low-cost train was tested by the New York Central, Pennsylvania and Union Pacific railroads and demonstrated to many others. None were ordered. The AeroTrains were sold to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) in 1958 for suurban use between Chicago and Joliet, IL. In less than a decade they were discontinued. <paraphrased from literature purchased at the museum>#2 Wabash 3573 2-6-0 Mogul. Built in Rhode Island - 1899. Last steam on the Wabash.#3 Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KATY) #12321. 34-foot wooden boxcar. Built in 1901 by American Car & Foundry (ACF)#4 US Army #7765. Built in 1943 by GE. 150 hp industrial model B-50. - and -US Army #1149. Built in Davenport, IA - 1954. Gas turbine-mechanical experimental unit. #5 Union Pacific #913140 Flatcar. Built by UP - 1951. One piece cast steel body, UP class F50-15 50 ton capacity. Interesting load!#6 Union Pacific #6944. Built by EMD - 1971. Model DD40AX, 6,600 hp - 2 engines.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Enjoy! <we did!> Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, January 17, 2008 7:10 AM <personal foto>G'day Gents!It's the day BEFORE Friday at the Bar by the Ballast! Time to fill up those mugs with our freshly ground 'n brewed coffee - grab a couple of pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery Case 'n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast before starting off for work <or play>! We're projected to be at 10 (F) in the morning 'n again on Saturday as the cold front from the Arctic has made it's way into mid-continent USA. No appreciable snow fall predicted. <barf>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Hey Guys! Some of you are not using the REFRESH/RELOAD feature on your browser BEFORE 'n AFTER Posting. Doing this will enable you to view the MOST CURRENT POSTS!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative):Wednesday - Jan 16th:Page 169 - CM3 Shane at 9:08 AM: Back with KCS Part 3 - The Southern Belle! <sweet>Can always count on you for some ball player names from "back in the day" - man oh man, what a great baseball card collection I had. Emphasis on "had." Collected ‘em to "flip" or trade in the school playground. I never used ‘em in the spoke's of my bike, though. <grin> Ah yes, Washington Senators to become the Minnesota Twins; then the Washington Senators to become the Texas Rangers. Yeah, I remember! <I'm old>By the by - STILL no general ticket sales for the Cardinals! Not to worry though, I'll jump on them just as soon as the announcement is made! Thanx for the reminiscence, quarters ‘n round! Page 169 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:29 AM: A fine mid-week visit by our Manager; you've been missed! Quite a bit to <digest> with your comments! Glad we're pretty much isolated ‘round here, for Lawd knows what we might attract otherwise! <grin> Anyway, I think Rob pretty much addressed one of your questions. And by the by, I wholeheartedly AGREE with you about that "thing" atop our main Page . . . why in the world it couldn't have been placed in the ANNOUCEMENTS ‘n FAQs area is beyond me. I COMMUNICATED MY THOUGHTS ON IT shortly after it appeared. No response.Bottom line with Rolen is that he got into a "thing" with the manager a couple of seasons back - had to do with an injury, playing time, treatments, etc. Far too convoluted for my attention span. But his relationship with his manager deteriorated to the point of no return. Perhaps the finest 3rd baseman the Cardinals ever had. A shame that personalities got in the way . . . he'd never have made it in the things I had to do to earn a pay check. Oh well . . . I too think St. Louis got the better of the deal, considering . . . Enjoyed that rather "different" selection of covers! Thanx for the visit, chat, round ‘n everything you do for us! Page 169 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:49 AM: Another mid-day visit from our UK Connection! Getting back to normal Hope so! It was fun thinking ‘n planning for a visit to the UK a few months ago . . . especially when it appeared that we'd get Nick <nickinwestwales> out from "hiding." But, not to be - even the best of plans seem to get sidetracked. Looking back on it - had I "locked in" on the air fares at the time, I'd have gotten a good deal in comparison with those of today. But those were coach ‘n my preference is 1st class for flights of that duration. Those prices were absolutely staggering - no way. Should you ‘n Pete "connect," by all means hoist one to cheer "Our" Place! The way we schedule our Rendezvous for "Our" Place is by vote of those attending them. In other words the guys who show up for Rendezvous III get to decide on IV, etc.Maybe some day we'll return to Canada - but right now, it looks like the USA for 2009 as there's a "pitch" for West Virginia by "you know who"! <grin> Thanx for the round! Page 169 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 2:18 PM ‘n 2:31 PM ‘n 4:35 PM: A threesome from our Resident Ontario Connection! Happy Railroading! Siberianmo EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:46 AM Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, you are still awake? Yes, a sugar cured ham sandwich would be great! On rye bread! Tui, please!A brief stop to eat my sandwich and check who visited Our Place this Wednesday.Tom – You mentioned Plymouth switcher, I know I have shown this one before but it is time for a rerun!Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI.Peanuts or pretzels, I can live without them. At least I want a cup of coffee and a sandwich., sub or something, when I fly. I think you are doing an extremely good job making your posts meaningful. Except when you are downgrading the brunette! I’ll find her. Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little bit too much snow. Here is a part of the same line closer to the equator. No snow!!!Snow. CM3 – Glad you liked the photo. It is a good looking locomotive, that’s why I took that photo. I know hardly anything at all about C&IM. Maybe you can give us a short story when you feel like it? Shreveport must have been a very important connecting point for KCS for most of their trains. Thanks for the info! Lars – The Order of the Stools? That was before I got involved. What was that? She’s gone? Don’t worry, I’ll find her!!! Maybe here!I am a very regular Cracker Barrel customer! I have been to “my” CB 2,461 times (yes I am counting) now, since they opened 10 years ago (on Saturday). I am so regular so I was featured on their website for a couple of years. Green Bay will rub the faces of the Jints in the snow this weekend! Sorry, but that’s how it is (will be). Very interesting books (covers)! Rails Across Boston is my pick! What is making Springfield Massachusetts such a Railroad City? DL – Thanks for the round!Rob – Very good looking Peter Witt streetcar! Are you going to paint it yourself? Hope we will se a photo of it when it is done! Nice photos of the NS&T! I guess NS&T is no more, just a memory. Did you buy any paper weight? Pete – I would say the biggest reason Amtrak bought Acela was the Canadian Government! They offered a generous package of loans worth more than $600 million to help Amtrak buy the trains, a virtual no-money-down deal. The ICE was never a real contender. Thanks for the advice about visiting the Second Class Saloon! Nice mix of pictures! Gas powered streetcar, model railway and a snowy New York Central steam locomotive! Allan – That cake was good!!! Looked good too, before we ate it. Eric pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:35 PM Hi Tom and all.I was just passing the bar when I saw Allan and Rob in so a Tui, Keith's and a Bathams please LEON.ALLAN I though that link to the Stephenson Railway Museum might bring back memories for you. Many thanks for sharing them with us. I was too young for the bad winter of 1947 but I remember the big freeze of 1963 when the canal at the back of my old house was frozen and you could walk along it to Rugby and of course there was a lot of steam about then still.I thought I would look up in my old notes about the day I visited the museum and that brought back some fond memories, luckily it was the first notebook I picked up, I will have to look to see if I can find the photo album. It was on October 4th 1991 that Alan and went by car to Whitby calling at the Darlington Railway Museum then the Timothy Hackworth museum and Soho engine shed in Shildon Co. Durham. On the Saturday it was the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Gala and we had trips behind.Lambton Hetton & Joicey Collieries 0-6-2Tank No5LNER 0-8-0 No 901LNER K1 class 2-6-0 No 2005 BR Standard 2-6-0 No 76079BR Standard 2-6-4T No 80135SR Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 No 34072 257 SquadronAll these locos in one day.The Sunday is when we went to the Stephenson Railway Museum and saw Bittern as Silver Link, We also had two trips on the preserved line from the museum to Percy Main one was hauled by PECKETT 0-6-0 saddle tank Works number 1970 and the other by BAGNELL 0-6-0 ST Works No 2994 this loco was named ‘Thomas Burt MP'Next we moved south of the TYNE to the Tanfield Railway where we had a trip from Andrews House to visit the famous Causey Arch bridge, before heading to the other end of the line at Sunniside, then back to Andrews House. We were hauled by ROBERT STEPHENSON & HAWTHORN Works No 7298 named Progress. After seeing the fine collection of industrial locomotives there it was back to Grosmont.On the Monday before heading home we had time to travel on the NYMR from Grosmont to Pickering and back behind No 80135. On the way home we called to view the site of the Sheep Pasture Incline on the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.It really was a great weekend and I am really glad your post inspired me to look it up. Our Place really is a great place.I will be sure to post my photos from the England trip and wish you could have joined us.I never knew that there weren't any snakes in New Zealand, my kind of place.Just heard that Kevin Keegan is taking over as manager of the TOON (again). After a terrible game against Manchester United at the weekend losing to SIX second-half goals they have come back tonight to win 4-1 against Stoke city in the Cup.Better stop now before I get ‘Tweeted' for too much football.ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes I feel sad when a preserved item as been radically altered from what is once was after being saved. It is a very fine point at the moment with the National Museum in the UK with locomotives that are run on the main line with one engine needing a new cylinder block if it is to run again.I don't know if the reason for choosing the Acela over the X2000 has ever been told. But as Eric said the X2000 performed extremely well on the trains and revenue earning runs it done over here, I am still why it was not chosen.Looks as though I have got excited with my post tonight, as it is getting quite long, I hope you enjoy the reminiscences. By the way the beer was Sam Smiths in Whitby and Strongarm in the pub in Grosmont.Another round please LEON and first drinks on me tomorrow.Pete. trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:58 PM Good evening Leon,I see that you have had some company this afternoon which is of coarse a good thing for the cash registers. I think i'll go with a guiness tonight a I'll leave a bit extra for a round for the track gangs that are having at it over by the pool tables. I see that Boris and the "air corps " have it all under carefull watch. Looks like spike is making himself usefull as a boot cleaner as well Pete-A couple fine shots today. I always cringe when I see a trolley cars that's been converted to gas power,kind of defeats the purpose.loved the model pics as well, a fine rounding out of today's model and hobby day.Interesting to read your comments on the Acela. I had thought that they were a direct purchase resulting from the x2000 tests, and where Americanized copies. You learn something new every day.Allan-I'm glad that you liked the witt shots. I have to confess though ,no work there is really mine other than snapping the bits together. The wiring done, you just have to line up the pin conectors on which ever set up you wish. The dummy plug for DC or the decoder if you want to run DCC That museum sight sounds interesting,I hope you kept a couple lumps of that coal for posterity.Rob Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:31 PM Hi Tom and all,Hi again Leon, the same old round of Tui`s for all the crew please!Pete. That Stephenson Railway Museum at Chirton, not far from Wallsend the old home town, is in an area we used to explore the old dis-used coal wagonway`s as kids, collected a lot of coal droppings there in the big snow of the winter of 1947, you really brought back such a lot of memories of my youth! When we left the old country in 1969 they were thinking about having the museum in the North Tyneside area. I would have loved to have seen Bittern done up as Silver Link! Am looking forward to all those pics you, the Alan`s, and Dan will have to share later on. Wish I could make the trip, and I will try hard not to get VERY jealous about it! Enjoyed all your posts and pics, thanks.Rob. Looking forward to the next lot of pics of the diesel oddities, some nice shots of your DCC installation in your model trolleys, some very neat work! That museum that Pete mentioned is in an area we used to explore as kids, an area of old dis-used coal wagonway`s, in the big snow of the 1947 winter used to seach for coal droppings there, Pete certainly brought back some real old memories of those day`s.Eric. Good to see you enjoyed your birthday so much, that`s a whopper of a birthday cake you posted. Enjoyed those pics.CM3. All the Tui`s on top of the retirement should make me TOTALLY immune to the WORK virus, we have no snakes in New Zealand so the Tui`s must be working too! Enjoyed your KCS passenger train write up`s on the "Flying Crow" and the "Southern Belle"Dan. Unfortunately I will not be able to make the trip over to see such an historic occasion just can`t fit it in, but am looking forward to all the pics you all will be taking then. I`m trying very hard not to be jealous of you all. Did not see Silver Link in it`s original livery, the Silver Jubilee coaches I saw at Manors station in 1948 were in their original colour though, saw Silver Link in it`s wartime black scheme and then in it`s BR green later on. Thanks for those Top Shed links, a very interesting site.Lars. Great to see another fine collection of covAHS from the Larsman Mobile, hope you are soaking up all that sun at the Key`s.Tom. That short word "if" has such a lot of big outcomes looking back at ones life, but you never know do you? Congratulations on making the 7,500th post, what sort of prize is Boris going to give you? Enjoyed your write up and pics of the KCS "Southern Belle" it fitted in very well with Shane`s informative info about it. Nice pic of CPR #2928. That`s a good link to the A4`s at that Yorkshire history site, it`s now on my favourites list! Nice crop of shots of your CAN AM RR. By the sounds of it you are maybe going to get some SNOW at last!See ya, Allan pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:06 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Winter Ale please RUTH.ROB I believe BORIS is already planning a "Lets get the shed back to normal" party with the Mascots. I blame Manager Lars for increasing his daily ration from a small jar of Pickled Pig's Feet to a large one.USA #7765 is a small locomotive. The guidebook says it was built in 1943 and is 150HP.Many thanks for the photos of your new Peter Witt Streetcar. I noticed the seats we talked about, it is a fine looking model. Enjoyed the photos of the NS&T, interesting shot of the canal bridge in the raised position and car 620 looks good after the rain. Thanks for sharing.ERIC Well done noticing Tom's 7,500th post I had missed it.It would be very interesting to know the politics behind Amtrak ordering the Acela when they had seen at first hand the X2000 and the ICE.If you do go to the Second Class Saloon go in disguise and take BORIS and LEON with you, they are still very upset about their loss in the Dart's Contest. They are very cautious and they see who gets off the Can-Am RDCs at the nearby Mountain Village station.Great photo of C&IM # 551.CM3 Many thanks for the KCS Southern Belle I have re-read Toms post and it is good to know the timings of the Belle. I noticed there was a lot less time in Shreveport with the Southern Belles than the Flying Crow.LARS I still wonder why the critters wanted to get into the Penthouse Suite so badly, see I have a weekend away and they run amok. I don't think BORIS would still be getting the large PPF jar if you knew what I found while cleaning his shed, but since my promotion I am going to be a. There surely can't be a worse ‘Penalty' than cleaning BORIS's shed after one of his ‘Friends' exploded unless it is putting my Bathams through a cooler. .Perhaps an Our Place wager on the Giants V the Packers as you say it should be a great game. Very good words on Tom's 7,500th post.Another great selection from the Larsman Mobile. Great painting on the 25 years of the ND&C cover. It surprises me how many of those flat crossings there are over here they are not common in the UK. The Switching Terminal at Maybrook looks a very interesting read, they are generally great books written by an historical society.What's this about tickets for RUTH. DL If you E-mail the editor of Backtrack it may be worth asking if there are any copies of the December issue left, another good place is in the second hand magazines at preserved lines.Does that 63 issue of MR say in what train the Silver Princess was in at the time. The article did say that when the car was modified in 1956 it was one of the first cars in maroon where as the other cars at the time were in the carmine and cream livery.The two Alans have been on a few visits to Holden's pubs so should know the best ones, a visit to the Great Western in Wolverhampton is a must, and it is near the station. TOM I would be interesting to know where the CPR 4-4-4 # 2928 was when we visited ExpoRail, I am sure we would have remembered the fine looking locomotive if we had seen her.AH I see Rob has given an answerAs DL says if we are able to meet up in England we will have many toasts to you and you will be with us in spiritI trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 4:35 PM Hi there Leon , I see alls quiet by the bar by the ballast, so I'll just get a quick Keith's while I re-load the donut mosheen with more batter and lard.Here'a a couple bits of NS&T ( Niagara St Catharines & Toronto RR ) photo's that have been posted at Tom's photo thread the last couple of days.A shot of an NS&T car bringing in the next shift at the Port Weller dry docks. Picture shows the car waiting for the canal bridge to lower.A 1958 shot of interurban car 620 running a charter on the old city line in St Catharines. The cars upbound on Geneva Street and will turn right onto St Paul ( something you can no longer do as St Paul is now one way in the other direction ) the car will pass in front of Niagara Central Hobbies just after it turns onto St Paul street.On an interesting sidenote the NS&T track was finally ug up and removed on Geneva and St Paul about two years ago. I remember the Hobby shop selling small chunks of it as paper weights.enjoyRob trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:31 PM Lets see Hi again Ruth another splashed coffee if you don't mind, I have a bit of a chill comming on seeing those wonderfull wintery vista's on the bossmans wonderfull layout A round for da big guy when he comes back in on me as well.Well since it's optional toy and train day here's a bit 'o' stuff to leep her moving on.Some shots of the recently aquired Peter Witt streetcar.It's optional decoder for those who are of the DCC vein, it has a dummy plug for those like me who blissfully stay ignorant of DCC. A shot of teh circut board and how it's hidden inside the roof which is removable for servicing etc. Roof is leaning against the car.A shot of the interior, the motor and flywheels are below the floorboards small but powerfull the car runs smoothly and quietly almost creeps tie to tie out of the box !Just a general shot with the roof on.EnjoyRob trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:18 PM Good afternoon Ruth, your all smiles this afternoon I wonder why Anyway I think I'll have a splashed coffee and oh what the heck a small bag donuts from the mosheen ! Oh dear I see that Boris is now using spike as a donut caddy well as long as the donuts are on his spines they won't end up ouch on my seat. I'll leave a bit extra to supply the gang this afternoon as well.Tom-Last I heard the 4-4-4 was ( is ) undergoing so cosmetic care . It had been an outside exhibit for about 25 years, I imagine it will be refreshed and remounted this summer.Help yourself to the photo my pleasure We were supposed to get a coupel inches today as well but the temps are hovering around the plus side so "lawd only knows"On the upside I don't have to shovel it No Boris I wasn't talking about your shed <sheesh> I haven'e seen Fergie out and about (aboot )today perhaps he will; come in and remember why he has all that filth under his fingernails <uh oh > Or maybe Lisa found out about the Mike and he's run for the ship Great look at the CanAm again sir , your a credit to the hobby 5xLars-Me burn out "nevah" I'm pacing myself , gotta try to fill your shoes, No Boris Vito isn't mad at Lars Ruth could you maybe get Boris into the kitchen to do dishes he's more dopey than usual today. I won't even take the bet that there will be a bunch o buffoons in their "gitch" and paint on the weekend ,hopefully nothing important gets frostbitten Selector is one of the member moderators that Bergie uses them as a posse to keep the corals quiet, for the most part they are doing their thing, glad it's them and not me. At least he has started moveing some of the model bits over to the appropriate spots. I good selection of books a bit theer for everyone I would think thanks for the round BTW !Dan-I think you should get an appartment over here No preassure just letting you know that the invitation is there.Don't hold your breath on the airport Link the prov gov is still dragging their feet on the environmental impact study. I think they will drag it out even longer now as last week the Federal tarnsportaion minister was in Toronto and wondered aloud and publicly why the link wasn't there. He suggested that it was an embarrasment ( and is )that such a large seemingly world class city was without a rail link to it's main airport. Certain stuff hit the fan as a result. I do hate all things political.Shane-more great passenger info thanks for sharing sir 5x for your efforts the last few days. Great stuff.Rob siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts "Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:00 PM G'day Gents!A decent start to our day at the bar with support from CM3 Shane - Lars 'n Dan! Something for our OP-SHUN-UL Toy 'n Model Trains Day here at the bar . . . that's why we keep it going, Larsman - it's OP-SHUN-UL! <geesh> Let's just call these fotos "It's my railroad 'n I'll view 'em if I want to . . . ." <Lesley Gore did NOT sing that!> Mountain right-of-way on the Can-Am Railway . . . that's Mt. Mentor in background!This is the route of BC Rail 'n VIA Rail RDCs <2 cars per consist> from Mountain Village to Mountain Depot - a point to point operation along a circuitous run from end-to-end of the hi-ground portion of the layout. Double track main lines looking northward on the west side of Mt. Mentor.Just love this view . . . reminds me of many a trip in Canada.<don't know how I wound up with this hue, but it really enhances the wintry look!> Boris' friends near Can-Am Gorge Living in a winter wonderland! Main Street, Can-Am City Can-Am City Bus Depot with Union Station train platforms in background * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Enjoy <I did, do 'n will>! Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo DL - UK Member sinceAugust 2006 280 posts Posted by DL - UK on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:49 AM Hello Tom and all inLooks like I'm posting striaght after Lars and CM3 - busy at the bar then!I'll try some of those Do-Nuts and a coffee please, and I'll leave a round for the house - as Tom mentions it. Bit early in the day at the moment for me but I'm sure folk will enjoy it later.Tom - I'd missed that A4 Yorkshire History link - Pete's remarks made me go back to it - some nice period pictures and nice to see the loco lists with full name listings beside them.That Dome site is a good one too - one for Lars I have no doubt!!In terms of detailed linkages I fully understand (and endorse) the off site comms approach - you have my details of course and will no doubt copy me in, even though a visit is a slim chance! As for a mini rendezvous I felt we could mention it (Pete and me) since you will be there in spirit if we are in a bar talking trains! No doubt about that and I'm sure Pete will agree! Would have been larger if Nick in West Wales was still with us although he seems to be L of L nowadays.Pete - I've dug out the pics of Silver Princess (it was June 1963 Modern Railways - so I'll e-mail the Backtrack editor with that info and transcribe the text in case he is interested). No doubt the Dec Backtrack is out of stock now so of course I won't know much about the original article.Sounds like you have a good list of West Mids pubs easy to hand so you had better get looking for a good value flight!Rob - yes, if I'm in Toronto again I'll be in touch. Having made 3 Canadian trips within 12 months in 2006/07 I'm not planning another trip for awhile, but Toronto is a great place and I have no doubt I'll be back in due course. Maybe they will get the TTC link to the airport constructed!Cheerio allDL « First«18192021222324»Last » SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter Submit More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little b
Hello Tom
I'll take one of Allan's Tui's please. And here's enough for the next round.
Rob - nice shots of the NS&T - very period atmosphere - that bridge with the streetcar track beside the road in the vertical position frames a great picture - nice work by the photographer.
Funnily enough, had my late uncle owned his house in Toronto I think we as a family might well have held on to it for a year or two as a vacation base (it was out near Bay View Village near the 401 a short walk from the newish TTC station built there). Fact is though he figured he could cut down his maintenance responsibilities in old age by selling his home and moving into a rented apartment with the rent paid from the proceeds of the house sale. I think in a way this was quite a brave and sensible decision for him as when he got into his 80s he did not want to maintain a home so a rented apartment saved him worry. The person who bought his former home (a trad Canadian Mortgage and Loan design I think they are called) simply bulldozed it to build a massive house on the plot in the most bizarre French renaissance chateau style - I kid you not! What's wrong with traditional North American architectural house styles I ask? Some people must have more money than sense! Of course after he died we had to terminate the rental lease pretty quickly.
Interesting comments on the airport link - is that Federal vs Provincial spat then? What is good is that a politician through a rail link worth mentioning - which suggests passenger rail is still a mode of transport with some life left in it!
Pete - I e-mailed Backtrack chap (in fact I copied your email address in so I hope you saw it - if not we've got a communication problem) - he replied to today to thank me and say he had copy of 1963 Modern Railways and would look up the reference I sent.
I'll keep an eye out for a Backtrack back number at a preserved railway - as that is the cheap way to procure one AND help a preservation project of some sort!
The 1963 pic showed the carriage in Maroon as the Ulster Lounge in the "Shamrock" consist. It said after 1956 it had been used in the "Ulster Express" - both LMR trains I presume on the London Holyhead route. After delivery in 1947 it had been used on the East Coast route (presumably in stainless steel ‘livery').
Great note book synopsis by the way! I firmly trust that Tom's suggestion that the chilled beer is something you will have got acclimatised to does not in fact come to pass!
Tom - Pete mentioned that the Can Am reminded him of the Settle to Carlisle line - check this link to see what you think:
http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/gallery/index.cfm
Those first class air line fares on the scheduled airlines - I just don't know who pays them - I guess they keep making economy worse and worse and then people at the margins say enough is enough and trade up to first so that is how they make the money out of them. I reckon you could take a Cunard transatlantic sailing for the cost of some of the fares. The smallest ship cabin could never be worse than the flight!
Allan - thanks for the round and interesting to read your memories of the 1947 winter (plus the Silver Link memories). For someone unable to know anything from the classic era (I'm just too young I'm afraid) the personal memories that people put out in Our Place really bring to life for me what I only see on web pages and in books. I really enjoy reading it (and that goes for a variety of people's posts on the site!).
CM3 - enjoyed that Southern Belle info.
Regards
DL
Not sure why this is all in italics but there we are!
At long last, here are some random fotos from the Dec 18th visit to the StL Museum of Transportation <Kirkwood, MO> by Wolfman Pete 'n Moi . . . I'll keep 'em at 6 to a submisison tho . . .
It is worth mentioning that our regulars have seen these before - not the same shots -but variations of 'em that were taken during Rendezvous II in May 'n Posted at the bar w/descriptions.
(1) Rock Island AeroTrain - One of two built in 1955, each trainset comprised a futuristic locomotive along with 10 cars to accommodate about 400 passengers. Designed by GM this projected low-cost train was tested by the New York Central, Pennsylvania and Union Pacific railroads and demonstrated to many others. None were ordered. The AeroTrains were sold to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) in 1958 for suurban use between Chicago and Joliet, IL. In less than a decade they were discontinued. <paraphrased from literature purchased at the museum>
#2 Wabash 3573 2-6-0 Mogul. Built in Rhode Island - 1899. Last steam on the Wabash.
#3 Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KATY) #12321. 34-foot wooden boxcar. Built in 1901 by American Car & Foundry (ACF)
#4 US Army #7765. Built in 1943 by GE. 150 hp industrial model B-50. - and -
US Army #1149. Built in Davenport, IA - 1954. Gas turbine-mechanical experimental unit.
#5 Union Pacific #913140 Flatcar. Built by UP - 1951. One piece cast steel body, UP class F50-15 50 ton capacity. Interesting load!
#6 Union Pacific #6944. Built by EMD - 1971. Model DD40AX, 6,600 hp - 2 engines.
It's the day BEFORE Friday at the Bar by the Ballast! Time to fill up those mugs with our freshly ground 'n brewed coffee - grab a couple of pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery Case 'n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast before starting off for work <or play>!
We're projected to be at 10 (F) in the morning 'n again on Saturday as the cold front from the Arctic has made it's way into mid-continent USA. No appreciable snow fall predicted. <barf>
Hey Guys! Some of you are not using the REFRESH/RELOAD feature on your browser BEFORE 'n AFTER Posting. Doing this will enable you to view the MOST CURRENT POSTS!
Wednesday - Jan 16th:
Page 169 - CM3 Shane at 9:08 AM: Back with KCS Part 3 - The Southern Belle! <sweet>
Can always count on you for some ball player names from "back in the day" - man oh man, what a great baseball card collection I had. Emphasis on "had." Collected ‘em to "flip" or trade in the school playground. I never used ‘em in the spoke's of my bike, though. <grin> Ah yes, Washington Senators to become the Minnesota Twins; then the Washington Senators to become the Texas Rangers. Yeah, I remember! <I'm old>
By the by - STILL no general ticket sales for the Cardinals! Not to worry though, I'll jump on them just as soon as the announcement is made!
Thanx for the reminiscence, quarters ‘n round!
Page 169 - Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:29 AM: A fine mid-week visit by our Manager; you've been missed!
Quite a bit to <digest> with your comments! Glad we're pretty much isolated ‘round here, for Lawd knows what we might attract otherwise! <grin>
Anyway, I think Rob pretty much addressed one of your questions. And by the by, I wholeheartedly AGREE with you about that "thing" atop our main Page . . . why in the world it couldn't have been placed in the ANNOUCEMENTS ‘n FAQs area is beyond me. I COMMUNICATED MY THOUGHTS ON IT shortly after it appeared. No response.
Bottom line with Rolen is that he got into a "thing" with the manager a couple of seasons back - had to do with an injury, playing time, treatments, etc. Far too convoluted for my attention span. But his relationship with his manager deteriorated to the point of no return. Perhaps the finest 3rd baseman the Cardinals ever had. A shame that personalities got in the way . . . he'd never have made it in the things I had to do to earn a pay check. Oh well . . . I too think St. Louis got the better of the deal, considering . . .
Enjoyed that rather "different" selection of covers!
Thanx for the visit, chat, round ‘n everything you do for us!
Page 169 - Dan (DL-UK) at 11:49 AM: Another mid-day visit from our UK Connection! Getting back to normal Hope so!
It was fun thinking ‘n planning for a visit to the UK a few months ago . . . especially when it appeared that we'd get Nick <nickinwestwales> out from "hiding." But, not to be - even the best of plans seem to get sidetracked. Looking back on it - had I "locked in" on the air fares at the time, I'd have gotten a good deal in comparison with those of today. But those were coach ‘n my preference is 1st class for flights of that duration. Those prices were absolutely staggering - no way.
Should you ‘n Pete "connect," by all means hoist one to cheer "Our" Place!
The way we schedule our Rendezvous for "Our" Place is by vote of those attending them. In other words the guys who show up for Rendezvous III get to decide on IV, etc.
Maybe some day we'll return to Canada - but right now, it looks like the USA for 2009 as there's a "pitch" for West Virginia by "you know who"! <grin>
Thanx for the round!
Page 169 - Rob (trolleyboy) at 2:18 PM ‘n 2:31 PM ‘n 4:35 PM: A threesome from our Resident Ontario Connection!
Leon, you are still awake? Yes, a sugar cured ham sandwich would be great! On rye bread! Tui, please!
A brief stop to eat my sandwich and check who visited Our Place this Wednesday.
Tom – You mentioned Plymouth switcher, I know I have shown this one before but it is time for a rerun!
Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI.Peanuts or pretzels, I can live without them. At least I want a cup of coffee and a sandwich., sub or something, when I fly. I think you are doing an extremely good job making your posts meaningful. Except when you are downgrading the brunette! I’ll find her. Very nice views from the Can-Am Railway, but a little bit too much snow. Here is a part of the same line closer to the equator.
No snow!!!
Snow.
CM3 – Glad you liked the photo. It is a good looking locomotive, that’s why I took that photo. I know hardly anything at all about C&IM. Maybe you can give us a short story when you feel like it? Shreveport must have been a very important connecting point for KCS for most of their trains. Thanks for the info! Lars – The Order of the Stools? That was before I got involved. What was that? She’s gone? Don’t worry, I’ll find her!!!
Maybe here!I am a very regular Cracker Barrel customer! I have been to “my” CB 2,461 times (yes I am counting) now, since they opened 10 years ago (on Saturday). I am so regular so I was featured on their website for a couple of years. Green Bay will rub the faces of the Jints in the snow this weekend! Sorry, but that’s how it is (will be). Very interesting books (covers)! Rails Across Boston is my pick! What is making Springfield Massachusetts such a Railroad City? DL – Thanks for the round!Rob – Very good looking Peter Witt streetcar! Are you going to paint it yourself? Hope we will se a photo of it when it is done! Nice photos of the NS&T! I guess NS&T is no more, just a memory. Did you buy any paper weight? Pete – I would say the biggest reason Amtrak bought Acela was the Canadian Government! They offered a generous package of loans worth more than $600 million to help Amtrak buy the trains, a virtual no-money-down deal. The ICE was never a real contender. Thanks for the advice about visiting the Second Class Saloon! Nice mix of pictures! Gas powered streetcar, model railway and a snowy New York Central steam locomotive! Allan – That cake was good!!! Looked good too, before we ate it.
I was just passing the bar when I saw Allan and Rob in so a Tui, Keith's and a Bathams please LEON.
ALLAN I though that link to the Stephenson Railway Museum might bring back memories for you. Many thanks for sharing them with us. I was too young for the bad winter of 1947 but I remember the big freeze of 1963 when the canal at the back of my old house was frozen and you could walk along it to Rugby and of course there was a lot of steam about then still.
I thought I would look up in my old notes about the day I visited the museum and that brought back some fond memories, luckily it was the first notebook I picked up, I will have to look to see if I can find the photo album. It was on October 4th 1991 that Alan and went by car to Whitby calling at the Darlington Railway Museum then the Timothy Hackworth museum and Soho engine shed in Shildon Co. Durham.
On the Saturday it was the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Gala and we had trips behind.
Lambton Hetton & Joicey Collieries 0-6-2Tank No5
LNER 0-8-0 No 901
LNER K1 class 2-6-0 No 2005
BR Standard 2-6-0 No 76079
BR Standard 2-6-4T No 80135
SR Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 No 34072 257 Squadron
All these locos in one day.
The Sunday is when we went to the Stephenson Railway Museum and saw Bittern as Silver Link, We also had two trips on the preserved line from the museum to Percy Main one was hauled by PECKETT 0-6-0 saddle tank Works number 1970 and the other by BAGNELL 0-6-0 ST Works No 2994 this loco was named ‘Thomas Burt MP'
Next we moved south of the TYNE to the Tanfield Railway where we had a trip from Andrews House to visit the famous Causey Arch bridge, before heading to the other end of the line at Sunniside, then back to Andrews House. We were hauled by ROBERT STEPHENSON & HAWTHORN Works No 7298 named Progress. After seeing the fine collection of industrial locomotives there it was back to Grosmont.
On the Monday before heading home we had time to travel on the NYMR from Grosmont to Pickering and back behind No 80135. On the way home we called to view the site of the Sheep Pasture Incline on the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.
It really was a great weekend and I am really glad your post inspired me to look it up. Our Place really is a great place.
I will be sure to post my photos from the England trip and wish you could have joined us.
I never knew that there weren't any snakes in New Zealand, my kind of place.
Just heard that Kevin Keegan is taking over as manager of the TOON (again). After a terrible game against Manchester United at the weekend losing to SIX second-half goals they have come back tonight to win 4-1 against Stoke city in the Cup.
Better stop now before I get ‘Tweeted' for too much football.
ROB Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes I feel sad when a preserved item as been radically altered from what is once was after being saved. It is a very fine point at the moment with the National Museum in the UK with locomotives that are run on the main line with one engine needing a new cylinder block if it is to run again.
I don't know if the reason for choosing the Acela over the X2000 has ever been told. But as Eric said the X2000 performed extremely well on the trains and revenue earning runs it done over here, I am still why it was not chosen.
Looks as though I have got excited with my post tonight, as it is getting quite long, I hope you enjoy the reminiscences. By the way the beer was Sam Smiths in Whitby and Strongarm in the pub in Grosmont.
Another round please LEON and first drinks on me tomorrow.
Pete.
Good evening Leon,I see that you have had some company this afternoon which is of coarse a good thing for the cash registers. I think i'll go with a guiness tonight a I'll leave a bit extra for a round for the track gangs that are having at it over by the pool tables. I see that Boris and the "air corps " have it all under carefull watch. Looks like spike is making himself usefull as a boot cleaner as well
Pete-A couple fine shots today. I always cringe when I see a trolley cars that's been converted to gas power,kind of defeats the purpose.loved the model pics as well, a fine rounding out of today's model and hobby day.
Interesting to read your comments on the Acela. I had thought that they were a direct purchase resulting from the x2000 tests, and where Americanized copies. You learn something new every day.
Allan-I'm glad that you liked the witt shots. I have to confess though ,no work there is really mine other than snapping the bits together. The wiring done, you just have to line up the pin conectors on which ever set up you wish. The dummy plug for DC or the decoder if you want to run DCC
That museum sight sounds interesting,I hope you kept a couple lumps of that coal for posterity.
Hi again Leon, the same old round of Tui`s for all the crew please!
Pete. That Stephenson Railway Museum at Chirton, not far from Wallsend the old home town, is in an area we used to explore the old dis-used coal wagonway`s as kids, collected a lot of coal droppings there in the big snow of the winter of 1947, you really brought back such a lot of memories of my youth! When we left the old country in 1969 they were thinking about having the museum in the North Tyneside area. I would have loved to have seen Bittern done up as Silver Link! Am looking forward to all those pics you, the Alan`s, and Dan will have to share later on. Wish I could make the trip, and I will try hard not to get VERY jealous about it! Enjoyed all your posts and pics, thanks.
Rob. Looking forward to the next lot of pics of the diesel oddities, some nice shots of your DCC installation in your model trolleys, some very neat work! That museum that Pete mentioned is in an area we used to explore as kids, an area of old dis-used coal wagonway`s, in the big snow of the 1947 winter used to seach for coal droppings there, Pete certainly brought back some real old memories of those day`s.
Eric. Good to see you enjoyed your birthday so much, that`s a whopper of a birthday cake you posted. Enjoyed those pics.
CM3. All the Tui`s on top of the retirement should make me TOTALLY immune to the WORK virus, we have no snakes in New Zealand so the Tui`s must be working too! Enjoyed your KCS passenger train write up`s on the "Flying Crow" and the "Southern Belle"
Dan. Unfortunately I will not be able to make the trip over to see such an historic occasion just can`t fit it in, but am looking forward to all the pics you all will be taking then. I`m trying very hard not to be jealous of you all. Did not see Silver Link in it`s original livery, the Silver Jubilee coaches I saw at Manors station in 1948 were in their original colour though, saw Silver Link in it`s wartime black scheme and then in it`s BR green later on. Thanks for those Top Shed links, a very interesting site.
Lars. Great to see another fine collection of covAHS from the Larsman Mobile, hope you are soaking up all that sun at the Key`s.
Tom. That short word "if" has such a lot of big outcomes looking back at ones life, but you never know do you? Congratulations on making the 7,500th post, what sort of prize is Boris going to give you? Enjoyed your write up and pics of the KCS "Southern Belle" it fitted in very well with Shane`s informative info about it. Nice pic of CPR #2928. That`s a good link to the A4`s at that Yorkshire history site, it`s now on my favourites list! Nice crop of shots of your CAN AM RR. By the sounds of it you are maybe going to get some SNOW at last!
A pint of Winter Ale please RUTH.
ROB I believe BORIS is already planning a "Lets get the shed back to normal" party with the Mascots. I blame Manager Lars for increasing his daily ration from a small jar of Pickled Pig's Feet to a large one.
USA #7765 is a small locomotive. The guidebook says it was built in 1943 and is 150HP.
Many thanks for the photos of your new Peter Witt Streetcar. I noticed the seats we talked about, it is a fine looking model.
Enjoyed the photos of the NS&T, interesting shot of the canal bridge in the raised position and car 620 looks good after the rain. Thanks for sharing.
ERIC Well done noticing Tom's 7,500th post I had missed it.
It would be very interesting to know the politics behind Amtrak ordering the Acela when they had seen at first hand the X2000 and the ICE.
If you do go to the Second Class Saloon go in disguise and take BORIS and LEON with you, they are still very upset about their loss in the Dart's Contest. They are very cautious and they see who gets off the Can-Am RDCs at the nearby Mountain Village station.
Great photo of C&IM # 551.
CM3 Many thanks for the KCS Southern Belle I have re-read Toms post and it is good to know the timings of the Belle. I noticed there was a lot less time in Shreveport with the Southern Belles than the Flying Crow.
LARS I still wonder why the critters wanted to get into the Penthouse Suite so badly, see I have a weekend away and they run amok. I don't think BORIS would still be getting the large PPF jar if you knew what I found while cleaning his shed, but since my promotion I am going to be a. There surely can't be a worse ‘Penalty' than cleaning BORIS's shed after one of his ‘Friends' exploded unless it is putting my Bathams through a cooler. .
Perhaps an Our Place wager on the Giants V the Packers as you say it should be a great game.
Very good words on Tom's 7,500th post.
Another great selection from the Larsman Mobile. Great painting on the 25 years of the ND&C cover. It surprises me how many of those flat crossings there are over here they are not common in the UK. The Switching Terminal at Maybrook looks a very interesting read, they are generally great books written by an historical society.
What's this about tickets for RUTH.
DL If you E-mail the editor of Backtrack it may be worth asking if there are any copies of the December issue left, another good place is in the second hand magazines at preserved lines.
Does that 63 issue of MR say in what train the Silver Princess was in at the time. The article did say that when the car was modified in 1956 it was one of the first cars in maroon where as the other cars at the time were in the carmine and cream livery.
The two Alans have been on a few visits to Holden's pubs so should know the best ones, a visit to the Great Western in Wolverhampton is a must, and it is near the station.
TOM I would be interesting to know where the CPR 4-4-4 # 2928 was when we visited ExpoRail, I am sure we would have remembered the fine looking locomotive if we had seen her.AH I see Rob has given an answer
As DL says if we are able to meet up in England we will have many toasts to you and you will be with us in spirit
I
Hi there Leon , I see alls quiet by the bar by the ballast, so I'll just get a quick Keith's while I re-load the donut mosheen with more batter and lard.Here'a a couple bits of NS&T ( Niagara St Catharines & Toronto RR ) photo's that have been posted at Tom's photo thread the last couple of days.
A shot of an NS&T car bringing in the next shift at the Port Weller dry docks. Picture shows the car waiting for the canal bridge to lower.
A 1958 shot of interurban car 620 running a charter on the old city line in St Catharines. The cars upbound on Geneva Street and will turn right onto St Paul ( something you can no longer do as St Paul is now one way in the other direction ) the car will pass in front of Niagara Central Hobbies just after it turns onto St Paul street.On an interesting sidenote the NS&T track was finally ug up and removed on Geneva and St Paul about two years ago. I remember the Hobby shop selling small chunks of it as paper weights.
enjoy
Lets see Hi again Ruth another splashed coffee if you don't mind, I have a bit of a chill comming on seeing those wonderfull wintery vista's on the bossmans wonderfull layout A round for da big guy when he comes back in on me as well.
Well since it's optional toy and train day here's a bit 'o' stuff to leep her moving on.Some shots of the recently aquired Peter Witt streetcar.
It's optional decoder for those who are of the DCC vein, it has a dummy plug for those like me who blissfully stay ignorant of DCC.
A shot of teh circut board and how it's hidden inside the roof which is removable for servicing etc. Roof is leaning against the car.
A shot of the interior, the motor and flywheels are below the floorboards small but powerfull the car runs smoothly and quietly almost creeps tie to tie out of the box !
Just a general shot with the roof on.
Enjoy
Good afternoon Ruth, your all smiles this afternoon I wonder why Anyway I think I'll have a splashed coffee and oh what the heck a small bag donuts from the mosheen ! Oh dear I see that Boris is now using spike as a donut caddy well as long as the donuts are on his spines they won't end up ouch on my seat. I'll leave a bit extra to supply the gang this afternoon as well.
Tom-Last I heard the 4-4-4 was ( is ) undergoing so cosmetic care . It had been an outside exhibit for about 25 years, I imagine it will be refreshed and remounted this summer.Help yourself to the photo my pleasure
We were supposed to get a coupel inches today as well but the temps are hovering around the plus side so "lawd only knows"On the upside I don't have to shovel it No Boris I wasn't talking about your shed <sheesh>
I haven'e seen Fergie out and about (aboot )today perhaps he will; come in and remember why he has all that filth under his fingernails <uh oh > Or maybe Lisa found out about the Mike and he's run for the ship
Great look at the CanAm again sir , your a credit to the hobby 5x
Lars-Me burn out "nevah" I'm pacing myself , gotta try to fill your shoes, No Boris Vito isn't mad at Lars Ruth could you maybe get Boris into the kitchen to do dishes he's more dopey than usual today.
I won't even take the bet that there will be a bunch o buffoons in their "gitch" and paint on the weekend ,hopefully nothing important gets frostbitten
Selector is one of the member moderators that Bergie uses them as a posse to keep the corals quiet, for the most part they are doing their thing, glad it's them and not me. At least he has started moveing some of the model bits over to the appropriate spots.
I good selection of books a bit theer for everyone I would think thanks for the round BTW !
Dan-I think you should get an appartment over here No preassure just letting you know that the invitation is there.Don't hold your breath on the airport Link the prov gov is still dragging their feet on the environmental impact study. I think they will drag it out even longer now as last week the Federal tarnsportaion minister was in Toronto and wondered aloud and publicly why the link wasn't there. He suggested that it was an embarrasment ( and is )that such a large seemingly world class city was without a rail link to it's main airport. Certain stuff hit the fan as a result. I do hate all things political.
Shane-more great passenger info thanks for sharing sir 5x for your efforts the last few days. Great stuff.
A decent start to our day at the bar with support from CM3 Shane - Lars 'n Dan!
Something for our OP-SHUN-UL Toy 'n Model Trains Day here at the bar . . . that's why we keep it going, Larsman - it's OP-SHUN-UL! <geesh>
Let's just call these fotos "It's my railroad 'n I'll view 'em if I want to . . . ." <Lesley Gore did NOT sing that!>
Mountain right-of-way on the Can-Am Railway . . . that's Mt. Mentor in background!
This is the route of BC Rail 'n VIA Rail RDCs <2 cars per consist> from Mountain Village to Mountain Depot - a point to point operation along a circuitous run from end-to-end of the hi-ground portion of the layout.
Double track main lines looking northward on the west side of Mt. Mentor.
Just love this view . . . reminds me of many a trip in Canada.
<don't know how I wound up with this hue, but it really enhances the wintry look!>
Boris' friends near Can-Am Gorge
Living in a winter wonderland!
Main Street, Can-Am City
Can-Am City Bus Depot with Union Station train platforms in background
Enjoy <I did, do 'n will>!
Hello Tom and all in
Looks like I'm posting striaght after Lars and CM3 - busy at the bar then!
I'll try some of those Do-Nuts and a coffee please, and I'll leave a round for the house - as Tom mentions it. Bit early in the day at the moment for me but I'm sure folk will enjoy it later.
Tom - I'd missed that A4 Yorkshire History link - Pete's remarks made me go back to it - some nice period pictures and nice to see the loco lists with full name listings beside them.
That Dome site is a good one too - one for Lars I have no doubt!!
In terms of detailed linkages I fully understand (and endorse) the off site comms approach - you have my details of course and will no doubt copy me in, even though a visit is a slim chance! As for a mini rendezvous I felt we could mention it (Pete and me) since you will be there in spirit if we are in a bar talking trains! No doubt about that and I'm sure Pete will agree! Would have been larger if Nick in West Wales was still with us although he seems to be L of L nowadays.
Pete - I've dug out the pics of Silver Princess (it was June 1963 Modern Railways - so I'll e-mail the Backtrack editor with that info and transcribe the text in case he is interested). No doubt the Dec Backtrack is out of stock now so of course I won't know much about the original article.
Sounds like you have a good list of West Mids pubs easy to hand so you had better get looking for a good value flight!
Rob - yes, if I'm in Toronto again I'll be in touch. Having made 3 Canadian trips within 12 months in 2006/07 I'm not planning another trip for awhile, but Toronto is a great place and I have no doubt I'll be back in due course. Maybe they will get the TTC link to the airport constructed!
Cheerio all
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