Hi Tom and all,
Set em` up please Leon, Tui`s all round for the crew!
Lars. Congratulations on making the 3000th post mate, I had a feeling it would be between you and Tom in the end, so you enjoy your prize trip in the Dome and all the other "goodies". Nice selection from the Larsman Mobile, the L&N covers and the nice GC1 pics were top notch. Hope your wife`s check up was AOK the other day, keep hanging in there! I bet you are looking forward to your wintering over trip to The Keys, have you been to the Maugham museum at all ? He`s one of my favourite writers`.
Eric. Glad to hear your pain is more under control now, it will be a big relief to have the surgery over and done with. Had a close look in the cab of the X2000 pictured in Philidelphia with a magnifier but could`nt see the drivers face clearly.
Pete. Oh what i`d give to be at that A4 anniversary next year, might have to re-mortgage the house methinks! I`m as jealous as you are that the two Alan`s are going to it, am looking forward to when Alan sends you the photo`s. It`s amazing to think that the Silver Link ran one month after I was born, time really flies when your enjoying yourself does`nt it? Enjoyed your posts and pics and Alan`s Hartz pics. That RAF radar joke was a honey, will be passing it on to my mate`s at our ex-serviceman`s lunch on Tuesday. Hot off the ether from BBC World, National Express takes over the East Coast Main Line from GNER on Sunday UK Time!
CM3. Nice to see you on board.
Fergie. Hope your St John`s trip is`nt too rough.
Jan. Real nice NP, GN, and SP pics mate, keep `em coming!
Tom. Many thanks for your kind words, as i`ve found out throughout life, communication and inclusion with everyone is the KEY thing no matter the language barriers. Enjoyed the super GC1 pics and the very comprehensive write up on the TGV, the system, and the different countries rolling stock, they are a MUST save in my book! Nice festive season flicks you chose for this weekend.
See ya, Allan
Hi Tom and all
A pint of Harvey's Christmas Ale (8.2% ABV) please CINDY.
ERIC. I too hope this is a good weekend for you after the rough ones you have had to put up with lately.
A wine car full of beer would certainly save a lot of carrying of the kegs I have to do although we would have to have armored hoses.
I see we are still banned from the Penthouse Suite, although Manager Lars is offering an olive branch in today's post, do you think he wants two waiters for his up coming trip on the Trans Mentor Limited.
Tell Gonzo many thanks for the mouse, is it OK if I give it to ARTIE.
Yes I too at the radar story, glad you liked it and thanks for the photo of the clear track ahead.
JAN Many thanks for the drink Great photos and great descriptions to go with the photos. Thanks for sharing.
FERGIE I can only imagine what it can be like to have to suffer rough seas for days on end, glad the winds seem to be moderating where you are.
LARS Good words indeed for TOM.
Perhaps as train speeds get higher, the airways getter busier and gas prices get higher, high speed rail lines may be an possibility in the United States, although the initial cost is massive, to paraphrase a line from a famous film ‘Build them and they will travel" as the French have found out.
Many thanks for more photos and the encore on the great GG1s. Reading the post it seems as though it is nearly impossible to get a GG1 running today. I am a bit I thought the GG1s were in that famous Tuscan Red from the start but it said it was in 1952 some were painted in that color. I wonder what livery the GG1s were in when they were new.
TOM As you say it is probably good I did not win the contest, HELGA would insist she accompany me, I can escape her clutches, for the most part, at the bar on a train it would be far more difficult. Also have we enough tank cars to carry two days supply of Bathams.
Many thanks for the TGV re-formatted encore. It is interesting to think that if the 1973 oil crises had not happened perhaps they would have gone with gas turbines for the TGV.
It is great to see that on the map at the end of part 2 the dotted line between the Channel Tunnel and London can now be a full line as the UK high-speed line opened last month. I guess the TGVs can now work through to London technically, but it said in the post that the Eurostars that work the route have special fire safety features for working the Chunnel. I read they may be putting a minimum speed limit of 140MPH on the link. I see in part 3 that though they have been involved in some accidents the design of the TGVs have save many lives than if a train of earlier design had been involved. To think of a 155MPH de-railment with no fatalities is remarkable.
It is really good to see that 4 lines are under construction and more planned Thanks again for a very interesting read..
I see two Chritmas films on at the Emprorium. I have just seen Christmas with the Kranks and the Santa Clause looks a pleasant film, with the Stooges as well, plenty of
More photos from the Hartz railway in Germany from Alan.
Narrow gauge No.99.5906 at GERNODE.
A close up of the loco.
Arriving at ALEXISBAD.
The train then returned to GERNRODE and QUEDLINBURG
Plenty of steam in the cold air.
ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!
at "Our" Place!
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!
Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
PLOT SUMMARY: Slapstick humor gets a full-body workout in Christmas with the Kranks. Critics were unanimous in their derision, and John Grisham must have gnashed his teeth over what studio-boss-turned-director Joe Roth did to his bestselling novel Skipping Christmas, to which this broad-stroked comedy bears little or no resemblance. The title characters are played by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, who decide to skip Christmas because their daughter's in Peru with the Peace Corps. Thus begins a rabid program of enforced conformity when their neighbors (led by Dan Aykroyd) coerce the Kranks into changing their holiday attitude--a change that comes easily when the daughter announces she'll be home for Christmas after all. Imagine if a suburban lynch mob said "Have a Merry Christmas or we'll kill you," and you'll get some idea of what spending Christmas with the Kranks is really like. And if you laughed at the frozen cat, you're probably on Santa's "naughty" list. --Jeff Shannon
Slapstick humor gets a full-body workout in Christmas with the Kranks. Critics were unanimous in their derision, and John Grisham must have gnashed his teeth over what studio-boss-turned-director Joe Roth did to his bestselling novel Skipping Christmas, to which this broad-stroked comedy bears little or no resemblance. The title characters are played by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, who decide to skip Christmas because their daughter's in Peru with the Peace Corps. Thus begins a rabid program of enforced conformity when their neighbors (led by Dan Aykroyd) coerce the Kranks into changing their holiday attitude--a change that comes easily when the daughter announces she'll be home for Christmas after all. Imagine if a suburban lynch mob said "Have a Merry Christmas or we'll kill you," and you'll get some idea of what spending Christmas with the Kranks is really like. And if you laughed at the frozen cat, you're probably on Santa's "naughty" list. --Jeff Shannon
The Santa Clause (1994)
PLOT SUMMARY: Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin (Tim Allen of Home Improvement and the Toy Story movies) is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa Claus accidentally topples off the roof of the house and falls with a thud in the snow, Scott finds himself taking the merry old elf's place and earning new respect in his son's eyes. When the night ends, the reindeer take them to the North Pole, and Scott discovers that by donning the fabled red suit, he's inadvertently agreed to become the next Santa Claus. The next morning he wakes up in his own bed and thinks it's all a dream--only Charlie remembers it with crystal clarity. Scott now has to deal with his suspicious ex-wife (Wendy Crewson, Air Force One) and her psychiatrist boyfriend (Judge Reinhold, Beverly Hills Cop), who both think he's playing tricks with Charlie's mind, and also with his own out-of-control body, which is putting on weight and growing a prodigious beard. The Santa Clause probably won't supplant It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street as anyone's favorite holiday film, but it's an enjoyable, straightforward family film, anchored by the affable charisma of Allen. --Bret Fetzer
Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin (Tim Allen of Home Improvement and the Toy Story movies) is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa Claus accidentally topples off the roof of the house and falls with a thud in the snow, Scott finds himself taking the merry old elf's place and earning new respect in his son's eyes. When the night ends, the reindeer take them to the North Pole, and Scott discovers that by donning the fabled red suit, he's inadvertently agreed to become the next Santa Claus. The next morning he wakes up in his own bed and thinks it's all a dream--only Charlie remembers it with crystal clarity. Scott now has to deal with his suspicious ex-wife (Wendy Crewson, Air Force One) and her psychiatrist boyfriend (Judge Reinhold, Beverly Hills Cop), who both think he's playing tricks with Charlie's mind, and also with his own out-of-control body, which is putting on weight and growing a prodigious beard. The Santa Clause probably won't supplant It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street as anyone's favorite holiday film, but it's an enjoyable, straightforward family film, anchored by the affable charisma of Allen. --Bret Fetzer
SHORT: A Gem of a Jam (1943)
PLOT SUMMARY: The Stooges are cleaning a doctor's office when a wounded crook enters. The Stooges try to tell him they aren't doctors, but the crook demands treatment. The crook accidentally falls out of the window and the Stooges escape. They are now on the run from the crook's accomplices who are scared away by Curly, who fell in a vat of plaster.
The Stooges are cleaning a doctor's office when a wounded crook enters. The Stooges try to tell him they aren't doctors, but the crook demands treatment. The crook accidentally falls out of the window and the Stooges escape. They are now on the run from the crook's accomplices who are scared away by Curly, who fell in a vat of plaster.
<from: threestooges.net>
Enjoy the weekend! Tom
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
G'day Gents!
The finale of my 3-parter on the TGV from France . . .
RAILWAYS of EUROPE #3 - TGV (France) "SNCF, gives the train ideas in advance" TGV PART III of III
<A form of this initially was Posted on Page 255, Feb 23, 2006 on the original Thread>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Information NOT corroborated.
France: TGV Duplex in Paris, Gare de Lyon.Existing lines
Lines under construction
Continuing on with the TGV of France - here's Part II for ENCORE! Saturday . . .
RAILWAYS of EUROPE #3 - TGV (France) "SNCF, gives the train ideas in advance" TGV PART II of III
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 255, Feb 23, 2006 on the Original Thread>
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Cindy my sweet, ‘tis a gloomy day outdoors, but with you behind the bar, why one would think it was the brilliance of springtime! A round for the boyz - treats for the crittAHs - the small jar of PPF for Boris (when he feeds the gang o' course) and I'll have a Larsman special hero sandwich (sometimes called hoagie) of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘ buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel. <uhmmmmm> Change is for you!
I WON! I WON! I WON! However, the guy who really deserves the attention ‘n praise is hardly me - it belongs to the man who makes this place GO - that is Cap'n Tom our Proprietor. He made post # 3000 AND perhaps the Lion's share of all the others here ‘n over on the old site. Who in the world could argue that, huh Without Da Bossman, why this joint wouldn't be. So a toast of good CHEER to Da Bossman - Cap'n Tom! <hear, hear>
Many thanks for the trip aboard Can-Am's Trans Mentor Limited. Two nights in drawing room suite with <???????> should be a memory to last for the rest of my days. <grin> Just gotta figure out how to get away with this plan this out!
A couple of visits by Shane yesterday with all kinds of insights to my book covAHs! Then Pete jumped on the bandwagon too with a couple of visits - all helped to keep the joint in operation!
Good news continues from Eric in the sand box - just hope all of this gets resolved quickly so that the Christmas season won't be a total wipe out for him.
Sorry Pete ‘n Eric, buy playing coy ain't gonna change a thing. Youse guyz are BANNED from the Penthouse Suite. <grrrrrrrrrrrr> But of course things change ovAH time, ‘n I've been known to accept a payoff apology!
I see Cap'n Tom has been busy this morning with some trains from France. TGV is always an interesting read. Sorta ticks me off though that we in north America STILL don't get it when it comes to this technology. I'll nevAH understand why or how we let Japan ‘n European countries overtake us with rail transportation. Yeah, it's really not a competition, but there was a time . . . <moan> <groan>
And finally, a visit from Fergie. Had a brief port call in Newfoundland, huh Always thought that was a super port up there in St. John's in terms of being protected. But I don't recall ever departing without immediately getting into the "slop." <grin> Fortunately, I only logged a few trips up there, as the majority of my Atlantic sailings were to Europe.
Well it's Saturday once more ‘n time for some Encore photo material . . . so let me get right to it . . . MORE GG1's for Da Bossman!!
PRR GG1 #4913 (photo credit: Ana Dill)
PRR GG1 #4927 (photo credit: Illinois Railway Museum)
PRR GG1 #4933 (photo credit: Richard Duley)
PRR GG1 #4935 (photo credit: RR Museum of PA)
- and -
From Page 333 on Tom's B'day back in 2006 (May 18th) over on the old site:
Tom - here's something that I know is near & dear to your railroading heart! Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1 The GG1 was designed by the Pennsylvania Railroad based on the need for a locomotive that could pull more than 12 to 14 passenger cars. The railroad thought it had designed the perfect electric passenger locomotive, the P-5a, but as the P-5a locomotives arrived, it became necessary to double head them on many trains in order to protect schedules. Two other factors were involved in the development of the GG1. The chassis and wheel arrangement were a result of experiments with a leased New Haven EP3a and the streamlined body and center crew cab were a Fergmiester Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed 4,240 posts Posted by Fergmiester on Saturday, December 8, 2007 11:13 AM Good Afternoon Tom and Crew!Fill the Thermos please and I'll have a Western with extra Mayo to go. This is the 2nd go at this one as the puter dumped the 1st attempt...Me... count calories? Constantly! especially when they are getting lowPete and Eric: As Tom will attest the weather out here is a relative thing. It was blowing 40 this morning and getting lumpy now it's blowing 30 and less lumpy. It still takes the mickey out of you after a while. Yes I was raised on Tube radios as the MF/HF sets made by Collins never stopped their "chattering" when tuned or their buzzing as they warmed up. coalminer3 wrote: A C&O T-1? Good choice and arguably about the best steam they ever had. Lots of stories about that one for sure.Yes the MESS was one third owned by C&O as a result of a hostile takeover by CN back in 57' gone awry. Seems some of the local talent was in on it too but as luck had it they got found out and were run out of town. Regardless it was the beginning of the end, as the MESS never fully recovered and was saddled with equipment that couldn't be repaired due to lack of spares. (The Story of the MESS thickens)Anyway Gents must relieve later all.Thanks Tom thanks for yet another history lesson. Always appreciated. Jan: Love the pics my man!Later AllFergie 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 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, December 8, 2007 9:20 AM This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.G'day Gents!Here's something in THREE PARTS to keep this ENCORE! Saturday <humming> along . . . RAILWAYS of EUROPE #3 - TGV (France) "SNCF, gives the train ideas in advance" <A form of this was initially Posted on Page 255, Feb 23, 2006 on the Original Thread>Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources. Information NOT corroborated. TGV PART I of III This article is about the French high-speed railway system. TGV trains depart from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to western and southwestern destinations. (Wikimedia Commons) The TGV (train à grande vitesse, French for "high-speed train") is France's high-speed rail service, developed by GEC-Alsthom (now Alstom) and SNCF, the French national rail operator, and operated primarily by SNCF. Following the inaugural TGV service between Paris and Lyon in 1981, the TGV network, centred on Paris, has expanded to connect cities across France. The success of the first line led to a rapid expansion of the service, with new lines built to the south, west and northeast of the country. Eager to share in the success of the French network, neighbouring countries such as Belgium, Italy and Switzerland built their own high-speed lines to connect with it. TGVs under other brand names also link to Germany and the Netherlands through the Thalys network, and to the United Kingdom through Eurostar. Several future lines are currently planned, including extensions within France and to surrounding countries. Towns such as Tours have become a part of this "TGV commuter belt". TGVs travel at up to 320 km/h (200 mph), which is made possible through the use of specially designed tracks, laid down without any sharp curves, and a range of features which make TGV trains suitable for high speed travel. These features include high-powered electric motors, low axle weight, articulated carriages and in-cab signaling which removes the need for drivers to see lineside signals at high speed. TGVs are manufactured primarily by Alstom, now often with the involvement of Bombardier. Except for a small series of TGVs used for postal freight between Paris and Lyon, TGV is primarily a passenger service. Trains derived from TGV designs also operate in South Korea (KTX) and Spain (AVE). Travel by TGV has largely replaced air travel between connected cities, due to shorter commuting times (especially for trips taking less than three hours), reduced check-in, security and boarding formalities, and the convenient location of train stations in the heart of cities. Furthermore, the TGV is a very safe mode of transport, with no recorded fatalities due to accidents while running at high speed since operations began. History Main article: Development of the TGV The idea of the TGV was first proposed in the 1960s, after Japan began construction on the Shinkansen in 1959. At the time the French government favoured new technologies, exploring the production of hovercraft and maglev trains such as Aérotrain. Simultaneously, SNCF began researching high-speed trains that would operate on conventional tracks. It was originally planned that the TGV, then standing for très grande vitesse (very high speed) or turbine grande vitesse (high speed turbine), would be propelled by gas turbine-electric locomotives. Gas turbines were selected for their small size, good power-to-weight ratio, and ability to deliver a high power output over an extended period of time. The first prototype, TGV 001, was the only TGV constructed with this type of engine. However, following the sharp increase in the price of oil during the 1973 energy crisis, gas turbines were deemed impractical and the project turned to locomotives powered by electricity from overhead lines. The electricity was to be generated by France's new nuclear power stations. However, TGV 001 was not a wasted prototype. Its gas-turbine powerplant was only one of many technologies required for high-speed rail travel. The TGV 001 platform also tested high-speed brakes, which were needed to dissipate the large amount of kinetic energy amassed by a train operating at high speed. Other technologies tested by the 001 included high-speed aerodynamics and signaling. The train was articulated, meaning that its two carriages shared a bogie between them which allowed them to move freely with respect to one another. The prototype train reached 318 km/h (198 mph), which remains the world speed record for a non-electric train. The interior and exterior of TGV 001 were styled by British-born designer Jack Cooper, whose work formed the basis of all subsequent TGV design, including the distinctive nose shape of TGV power cars. Changing the specification of the TGV to incorporate electric traction required a significant design overhaul. The first fully electric prototype, nicknamed Zébulon, was completed in 1974, testing features such as innovative body-mounting of motors, pantographs, suspension and braking. Body mounting of motors allowed over 3 tonnes (2.95 tons) to be dropped from the weight of the power cars. The prototype travelled almost 1 000 000 km (621,000 miles) during testing. In 1976 the French government fully funded the TGV project, and construction of the LGV Sud-Est, the first high-speed line (ligne à grande vitesse), began shortly afterwards. The line was given the designation LN1, Ligne Nouvelle 1 (New Line 1). 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 Saturday, December 8, 2007 8:41 AM <"Our" Place Christmas Holiday Train>This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.G'day Gents!At long last Saturday has arrived! Really a gloomy start in these parts with it wet, damp ‘n a bit more than a chill out there. Don't know what it is about rainy late fall ‘n winter days, but the colder it gets when it is snowing or with clear skies - no problems. When it's raining though, then the feel of the day is absolutely different with spitting rain, etc.Oh well . . . time for a hot mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast. That should kick start the morning quite well enough! Comments from the Proprietor: As mentioned at the top of this Page - Lars won the CONTEST with his guess that I would be the one to make the 3,000th Post at our reborn bar ‘n grill. I don't believe we've EVER had someone make such an accurate guess as the FIRST one to participate in any of our CONTESTS! <double wow>Here are the participants with their guesses:Lars sed: Dec 7th (Tom)Rob sed: Dec 24th (Lars)Pete sed: Dec 9th (Lars)Eric sed: Dec 13th (CM3)Fergie sed: Dec 16th (Pete)CM3 Shane sed: Dec 12th (Lars)Allan sed: Dec 11th (Tom)Jan sed Dec 13th (Eric)ALL who joined in are to receive a HAPPY HOUR on an afternoon or evening of their choosing! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative) Friday - Dec 7th:Pete (pwolfe) at 8:56 PM: Sorry Pete, but the trip is for TWO . . . perhaps next time! Nice of you to extend your Bar Chandler duties to the Can-Am Trans Mentor Ltd. Next CONTEST - hmmmmmm, probably when we get near the 4,000th - think we'll still be up ‘n runnin' by then OR who knows Maybe something different will crop up . . . never a dull moment at the Tavern by the Tracks! Thanx for the 2nd visit! Eric (EricX2000) at 11:28 PM: Back in another time, I used to run my model GG1s <one tuscan, one Brunswick green> on my HO layout featuring my four favorite roads of the time: PRR - NYC - NH - B&M. Since I had no overhead wiring, I just "created" dual power GG1s - diesel OR electric. Worked for Moi! Now those, and all the remaining locos ‘n rolling stock are on display in the Can-Am Trainroom's display cases <as you've witnessed at Rendezvous II> Another pain-free day along with a day closer to the 21st all makes for a better day for you. Good to know! "Back in the day," I was a radio operator <responsible for maintenance too> with all of our transmitters ‘n receivers equipped with vacuum tubes. We had one power amplifier <PA> tube that stood over 3 feet from the deck. It was a monster tube, fer sure, fer sure. In fact, all ships had to carry a spare - and "back in the day" <1950s> they cost $750 apiece through the supply system. Anyway, I remember having them air dropped to us while out on station in the north Atlantic when for whatever the reason, our spare either didn't exist or was inoperative. Anyway, your commentary about vacuum tubes brought all of that back . . . Nice right-of-way foto from the old country! Yeah, yeah - you ‘n Pete can "play dumb," but I recall when the two of you were scheming to find this &lsquo Happy Railroading! Siberianmo JanOlov Member sinceDecember 2001 From: GB 376 posts Posted by JanOlov on Saturday, December 8, 2007 7:43 AM Greetings Tom and gentlemen....May I have the usual extra cold Guinness, top up with cigars for the lads please? $$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....Just thought that I'd drop by for a snifter and drop off a couple of pics. Just woke up a wee while ago, still feel a bit heavy headed. I'll stop by again later today. Really enjoy all the posts and pics put up....keep 'em coming!View of Great Northern Railway Oriental Limited passenger train on tracks near a railroad signal. A steel passenger car reads "Great Northern" and "Compartment Observation Car," "9029," and a sign on the railing displays the Oriental Limited logo. Photo by Lucius Beebe."The Oriental Limited grinds to a halt at the division point. Quickly a car "toad" plugs in the phone for milady's call. Alas, such dialings were infrequent enroute as on most long runs. The Oriental theme was carried throughout the train from rugs to paintings. It wasn't unusual, after the lounge shut down for the night, to see brakeman sitting at the rear windows, only the lights from his flagging lanterns on the platform and the leaking gleam from the tail sign weakly illuminating the scene. And every now and then a semaphore would slowly wink back to green in the darkness behind the train."*NP 4-6-2 #2236 and 4-8-4 #2601, with train #1, North Coast Ltd, at Muir, Mont., September 25, 1931. Photo by unknown."The mountains are quiet. Then comes the roar down the line of double-shotted Pacifics talking loud to the sky. Throttles are wide open, stacks blasting soot, cinders and smoke, they charge the craggy portals of Rocky Canyon east of Bozeman"* SP 4-8-2 #4331 in Portland, Ore., June 5, 1926. Photo by Otto Perry."Imagine leaving Portland at night. Darkness surrounds the Columbia River Gorge and hides the whispy tail of Multnomah Falls. Suddenly lightning is everywhere and rain splatters across the big windows as the mountains let loose a storm. The radio crackles with static. A crash of light. The radio goes dead."*Credit: Photoswest and *"Steam, Steel and Limiteds." All the best! Jan EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Friday, December 7, 2007 11:28 PM Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, tonight is the right time for a Filet Mignon and lots of mushrooms! Plus an ice cold Keith's. Another busy day at the office, but now there are only two weeks left, so who cares? It is Friday! Mike – Thanks for some very historic and interesting pictures and links all connected to this day, the Pearl Harbor Day. I have been to the Arizona Memorial and it certainly make you think. Tom – I like your installment for the WWFTS! It reminds me about my time as a radio and TV repairman in the early 60’s when those appliances still were equipped with vacuum tubes (with some exceptions). Those were the days!Another day without pain! Feels good. The last two weekends were very painful though, so I hope this one will be a good one. Very nice pictures of those three GG1’s! To sad there is no one operational today. Lars – Congratulations to the 3,000th Post!!! We will do our best to hang on and keep this place running! Hope today was a successful day for your Mrs. in all her tests! I am glad to see that Ruth has Christmas off! No admin matters to take care of? No, hmmm, future train ride?It is amazing how many books about trains you can find! Wish I had the time (and money) to read them all. L&N is an interesting railroad I don’t know much about. GG1’s! Nice pictures! The picture from Harrisburg looks almost exactly the same as mine of that same locomotive. But I bet the raised pantograph in the bottom picture (PRR GG1 #4903) is faked. Looks like it has been drawn on the picture. CM3 – Would have been interesting to see that Amtrak ad! GG1 running without overhead wire! I wonder if they (responsible Amtrak people) ever saw that themselves? I guess the E7s you mentioned were, said in a polite way, near the end. Good enough for an inside cover of a national timetable though. Fergie – Glad to hear you at least have “good” weather out there! Last “trip” before Christmas I guess. An Egg Nog is okay after a busy day!Pete – I have the same opinion as you about pantographs and how to show them, explaining how an electric gets its power. I think that would be a great idea to convert one of those Wine cars for use by the track gang. There is plenty of room on that old track behind Our Place. No, no, Ruth never complained. Now she is already packing for her trip aboard the Can-Am Railway’s Trans Mentor Limited! Gonzo agrees with you about his name. He is offering a freshly caught mouse as a thank you! He stayed up late tonight in order to catch it. Good story anbout the hand held radar device and the Toronado! Straight ahead! The old country. Eric pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Friday, December 7, 2007 8:56 PM Hi Tom and all.Thought I heard of the free beer on offer from TOM so a Bathams XXX please LEON.Just popped in to congratulate Manager LARS on his great contest win on the 3,000th post at Our Place and his mavellous prizealthough I can quess who will be stocking the rear obs car on the Trans Mentor Limited, no worries it will be stocked with the finest beverages possible.Don,t suppose there is a prize for guessing who will accompany our manager on the two night trip.Well LEON let me get a round in and I had better make sure we have enough supplies for next weeks Happy Hours.Pete. siberianmo Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA 7,214 posts " Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by siberianmo on Friday, December 7, 2007 5:08 PM G'day Gents!After a really slooooooooooow morning ‘n early PM, things picked up with the arrival of CM3 Shane ‘n Fergie the Mariner. And of course our Manager, Lars provided TWO fine Posts . . . Then along came Pete! Customer Acknowledgments since my last narrative:Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:46 AM 'n 2:21 PM: Some super GG1 fotos <for Moi!> and the first batch of covers provided some surprises - especially that road from Tennessee. Have to admit, I never heard of it - good picks! Was thinking that had this been a Friday back in the "old days <daze>" with you on board twice, we'd probably have had some "real time" conversations flowing . . . those were fun. Many thanx for the continuing support 'n rounds . . . CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 2:36 PM 'n 2:59 PM: A fine run down of this 'n that from our Resident WVA Connection. Really "jumped" on those covers provided by the Larsman! Always like to read the insights you provide - means alot in that you were there, when . . Two rounds for the gang along with lotsa quarters! Can't beat that, eh Enjoy the weekend, Mate! Fergie (Fergmiester) at 2:50 PM: Worried about calories!?!?! Are you serious!?!?!?! Sailors don't count calories!!! <grin>A respite in St. John's . . . now that brings to mind some memories from way, way back. Yes, things were indeed "different" . . . Glad you're finding some things of interest to you 'round here. Latching on to CM3 Shane is a PLUS . . . . for when it comes to steam locos of the U.S. - he's your man! As bragged about in other narratives, we pride ourselves on exchanging reliable, interesting 'n fun info . . . that's what this joint is supposed to be all about. Guys don't come in here to rack up "points" on their totals <harkens back to the days of STARS, eh > and for the most part are an interactive group. That's what separates us out from the other Threads 'n my intent is to keep us on that course. Many thanx for keeping us in mind 'n of course the round! <KaChing> <KaChing> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *When Wolfman Pete dropped off his daily (which I'll acknlowledge in the AM), it occurred to me that I couldn't pass up this opportunity presented to make the THREE THOUSANDTH offering at "Our" Place under the reborn mantra! So, here's the deal: Since I'm the Proprietor, no prize comes to me - BUT the guy who picked BOTH the day AND the person wins something very special. That guy is LoveDomes Lars our CONTEST winner! And the prize is <drumroll> . . . .A round trip <two nites!> in the drawing room suite <rear obs dome> aboard the Can-Am Railway's Trans Mentor Limited! Of course meals ‘n open bar are included for TWO! <wonder WHO gets to accompany our Manager?!?!?>Transportation to 'n from Can-Am City's Union Station provided by Vito's Limo 'n Hearse Conveyance, LLC. <uh oh>Thanx to all who participated - and for doing so, a Happy Hour on any afternoon or evening of your choosing! Changing gears . . .Special memo to Rob: According to the NBAs press release appearing in our local gazette <aka: bird cage liner>, the NY Knicks are the number one franchise in the league, followed by the LA Lakers. Don't know where your info came from regarding the TO Raptors, but they ain't #1 . . . <our fone conversation refers> Tomorrow is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day! See ya then! Boris ring the bell - drinks on the house . . . Happy Railroading! Siberianmo pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Friday, December 7, 2007 5:00 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Bathams please RUTH.MIKE Thanks for the photos and the links on this very important day in United States history.ALLAN Great to see you back at the bar after the computer problems. Many thanks for the kind words on the photos.It is going to be quite a year for A4s in Britain next year. As well as three A4s working from London to Edinburgh and back to commemorate the Coronation express introduced in 1938, in April there is a special train with 60019 ‘Bittern' (a former Gateshead engine) running from London King's Cross to York, then 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley to Edinburgh. After a night stay in the Scottish capital it is 60009 over the Forth and Tay bridges to Aberdeen. There the preserved K4 No. 61994 The Great Marquess will run to Inverness for a two-night stay with a trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh where a coach trip will go over to the Isle of Skye.From Inverness the special will run with 61994 and 60009 over the Highland main line to Perth where 61994 comes off and 60009 carries on to Glasgow for another nights stay. The last day 60007 will run from Glasgow to York via Beattock, Carlisle and Newcastle. At York ether A4 60019 or a Deltic diesel will return the train to London. What a trip. My friends the two Alans have already booked on the trip so at least I should get some photos. Me jealous, you bet It would have seemed unbelievable when steam finished on BR, that 40 years later it would be possible to go behind three A4s from London to Aberdeen. The Eagle was the other comic that I used to get, although a few years later than you used to get it. As you say the cut away drawings were really wonderful. I had the Eagle Annual one year, although the details of it are a bit hazy, I do recall there were cutaway drawings in that as well.Yes the Rail Artists site is very good I am glad you are enjoying it as well.Sorry I was not very clear. Dwight D. is at the National Railway Museum in Green Bay Wisconsin and The A4 at ExpoRail is Dominion Of Canada, it is strange of the six A4s in preservation four of them have consecutive BR numbers 60007 to 60010. I have brought over some cassettes that were given free with Steam Railway Magazine many years ago, on one track it is the A4 with the distinctive whistle I think it was 60010 which had a whistle given by a Canadian railway but the notes which came with the tape as been long since lost..ERIC I wonder why museums feel they have to have the pantographs of electric locomotives at full stretch. If they want to show a pantograph why not put a piece of centenary up, which could show the insulators etc and explain about main line electrification.I had not heard of a wine car before we could do with one converted to beer for use by the track gang at Our Place on Friday nights.I too can't recall any discretion with RUTH ether.Gonzo is a great name for a cat.LARS It looks as though you could well be right about the day of the 3,000th post. If you think of how slow we were at the bar this time last year and into the start of 2007 we are not doing too bad at the bar, great quality of the posts as well.Many thanks for another great set of bookcovers with some great color photos from The Larsman Mobile. It is great that you are able to find them still as it must be a good number that you have shared with us at the bar.CM3 Thanks for the details on Lars's bookcovers, it was interesting to read about the SLSF units named after racehorses, I guess Kentucky Derby winners.I remember about talking about a certain class of BR steam locomotive with an old driver about their use on freight traffic, he shook his head and said the locos were "Too big in the wheel". I wonder if that was the problem with the H8s, I agree though, they do look very impressive engines.Enjoyed reading about the ‘artistic license' in the advertising copy. I guess it is even worse now in the age of digital photography,it is hard to know if the image you are seeing is in fact a true rendition.Love to hear the stories about the C&O T1s.I will join you in the Toast, if I may.FERGIE Thanks for the round. Glad the weather has improved up there. coalminer3 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: WV 1,251 posts Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, December 7, 2007 2:59 PM Good afetrnoon Barekeep and all again; more coffee, another round for the hosue and a weekend's worth of $ for the jukebox. Fergie posted right after I left, so here we are again.A C&O T-1? Good choice and arguably about the best steam they ever had. Lots of stories about that one for sure.work safe Fergmiester Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed 4,240 posts Posted by Fergmiester on Friday, December 7, 2007 2:50 PM Good Afternoon Captain Tom and All Lars... Egg Nog? You shouldn't have! The calories are a killer my man about 800 with the Anti Freeze, yes say its not so. But what the hey I earned it!!! We left St John's yesterday after a brief respite and an early night in the bunk (Not like our single youthful days, Eh Tom) and am now on the way to South of Sable Is before we head in. Weather is "good" (ya for December that is) Anyway In know there have been many comments directed my way but I'll have to book back in tomorrow as the time is late. Coalminer~ I am a big fan of the C&O and have three Steamers H-8, T-1 and a Berk. They had lovely engines and yes all I've read on the Alleghenies indicates they were not used to their full potential. Well thanks for the Coffee and put a round on my tab please and thanks. Would have stayed for sup but it was fisherman's platter for lunch and pub night with Potato skins and cheese with... my favourite.... Wait for it... WINGS!!! Later AllFergie 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, December 7, 2007 2:36 PM Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present' coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Gas is down to $2.99 - jeez! Had all kinds of weather here today - sleet, freezing rain, partly cloudy, and now it's raining again. So, we have of course been outside - never fails.Let' see what we have today. Lars has installed LoadLevelers on the book mobile to carry all of the fine titles he has shared with us. There was a lot of good L&N material. Interesting shot of the Pascagoula area before it got rearranged. Let's see, Terminal Station is in the background behind the Frisco E unit. The L&N station at B'ham was a more modern structure. The waiting room was down below and the trains ran on a fill above. Crescent presently uses the old L&N stop there. Many of the SLSF units were named for famous racehorses. They later went to the L&N where they were r# r/p, and lost their names. Incidentally, the TC book is a good one about a line that many people don't know a whole lot about. Nice set of G pictures. For those of you who like this sort of thing, Sunday River has a good program titled "Under the Heat" (or something like that, IIRC), which is about an hour's worth of G motors in their native habitat. Rob stopped by with comments as did DD1 with "shop pictures." Always like to see how different projects are doing. Pete was by with comments and a question. My remark about the C&O H8s goes back to the fact that they were used in coal train service for the most part. People who worked for the railroad at the time told me that was a misapplication as they really worked better in faster service. Anyway, they were truly beasts and a fine looking piece of equipment, IMHO. They never ran up here, but were confined to the main line because of their size and weight. The picture of the C&O steam book, as you suggest, is a painting.Allan - Thank you for the kind words.Eric - A 6-dome wine car? Just like the ones that run in unit train service of the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge, although some of their cars are lead lined, especially the ones in captive service to Second Class. I remember seeing six dome purple-painted wine cars on the NYC at Harmon, NY - No, Artie, I had not ridden from GCT to Harmon in the club car. I'll bet that was a fine vintage after riding over some of that track. BTW, your note about pans brought something to mind about Amtrak ads and unintended consequences of poorly conceived advertising copy. I remember a brochure for the "New" Broadway Limited where they had a color wraparound cover shot of refurbished equipment for the Broadway running behind GG1s with some kind of generic field and weeds background. The fun part was that there was not a pole or overhead wire in sight. Amazing what you can either strip out or eliminate by judicious use of an airbrush b4 you set it up to print. As I said to somebody at the time, the folks west of Harrisburg would have no idea of what was portrayed if they had not deleted the wires. The other one that comes to mind was the inside cover of a national timetable where they had a shot of what was clearly an SCL E7. A rope was attached to a piece of iron above the headlight. The rope was, in turn being pulled by someone in a business suit. My buddies in Nashville who dealt with this equipment said (in rather pungent language) that this was a case of, shall we say, art imitating life as some of those old Es would get over the road faster if the passengers did pull them. Joys of the old "South Wind" and the late, lamented "Fast Flying Flo." Believe me, you had to be there to see some of the power that ran on those trains (a lot of it prewar, too). OSP has been keeping us busy with Pullman material and G motors, as well as some additions to the ever expanding Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Skills and Technologies. We may have to move it to the Mentor and Southern Mallet House if it outgrows its present building. Anyway, here are some more additions; fender skirts, curb feelers, making orange juice at home from real oranges, and using a pocket knife to sharpen a pencil.Mike sent pictures. U.S.S. West Virginia's bell survives, but the rest of her is, of course, long gone.On that note, all rise and a toast to missing friends.Work safe LoveDomes Member sinceJanuary 2006 From: northeast U.S. 1,225 posts Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, December 7, 2007 2:21 PM Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!Ruth my deAH, I'll have a double hit of JD on the rocks as I take in your radiant glow! Yeah, yeah Boris - you can go out back 'n chase the crittAHs. Should be a good day for it 'n don't forget to wipe your feet B4 comin' back in. Don't want that "stuff" all ovAh the pool room floor. <geesh> Just like a big kid that cloven footed Cyclops of ours. Thought I'd swing by again to see what's going on - nothing! <geesh> Nary a soul this day, aside from Da Bossman ‘n me. Hmmmmmm. I'll keep my comments to myself this time. I've had those GG1's on my mind since Cap'n Tom dropped off his group of 4, so here's some others from the files of the Larsman Mobile!PRR GG1 #4933 (photo credit: Jack Humphrey) PRR GG1 #4800 (photo credit: RR Museum of PA) PRR GG1 #4859 (photo credit: Transportation Center, Harrisburg, PA) PRR GG1 #4890 (photo credit: Frank Hicks) (looks like the one Pete posted . . . . )PRR GG1 #4890 (photo credit: National RR Museum, Green Bay, WI) (same engine, different paint job!)PRR GG1 #4903 (courtesy: Age of Steam Museum, Dallas, TX) So Ruth, when's you're break comin' up <blush> Until the next time! Lars LoveDomes Member sinceJanuary 2006 From: northeast U.S. 1,225 posts Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, December 7, 2007 11:46 AM Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!Ruth my deAH, a Larsman special hero sandwich (sometimes called hoagie) of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel if you please. Treats for the crittAHs ‘n give Boris the small jar of PPF (pickled pig's feet) once he feeds the gang! <grin> A round for the house in the form of a toast to all of our soldiers, sailors ‘n airmen who fell on Dec 7, 1941. <To your service!>Gonna be a long day ‘round the hut as the Mrs. is "in" for more tests. Expect to retrieve her sometime later this afternoon. She's an unhappy camper, but has to do what needs to be done. ‘nuf said on that . . .Getting some things organized for our trip to the Keys ‘n right now it looks like one of my sons will drive the buggy down for us, loaded with "stuff" then he'll pick us up at the airport in Miami ‘n fly back. Great that he's got the time to do these things - but he'd do it anyway. That kinda "kid" . . . Looks like some interesting material dropped off at the bar yesterday, highlighted by another of Cap'n Tom's creations - that passenger train nostalgia ALWAYS "flicks my switch" - nice one on Pullman! Todays installment of GG1's also hit the spot form Da Bossman! There IS a light at the end of the tunnel with the return of our Ontario Connection, trolleyMAN Rob - he's providing "stuff" again to keep the guys involved. Not to slight anyone - I have noticed that Shane returned with a fine offering relating to those electric train catalogs, ‘n of course the "hit ‘n run" post from Ron down in "Mississip." (good "stuff," but no interaction)Ah yes, can't forget the man called Wolf(e) - as he too always seems to come up with a few pix, as does Eric in the sand box. Hmmmmm, maybe things aren't as <grim> as I had thought! Keep it up guys . . . Guess the point is we're down to perhaps 4 regulars and everyone else falls in somewhere along the tracks . . . let's hope we can hang on ‘til new blood comes along. A reminder for the gang: The bar is CLOSED on Christmas - that's the policy, so let's keep to it. It's a day off for all, including the crittAHS . . .Today is the day I picked for the CONTEST, with Cap'n Tom making the 3,000th post. Getting' close, huh Got a few more book covers for the crew from the Larsman Mobile . . . . WondAH how many of these I've put up over the years Anyway, here they come . . . L&N Color Guide to Freight & Passenger EquipmentL&N in ColorTennessee Central RailwayTrackside around Louisville - 1948-1958Trackside around Louisville - 1947-1958 Ruth, I'll see you when it's time for your break so we can take care of those <ahem> admin matters! <blush> Until the next time! Lars 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, December 7, 2007 10:49 AM G'day Gents!Mid-mornin' at the bar 'n it doesn't appear as if we're going to have anyone stop by - so, here's some "action" from the archives . . . Pennsylvania Railroad GG1s . . . (1) PRR # 4877 <Courtesy: http://www.trainweb.org - a Corel Corp. foto>(2) PRR # 4935 <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>(3) PRR # 4916 <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>(4) PRR # 4877 (same loco as #1 . . . different livery) <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My favorite is (1) - Tuscan with the gold striping . . . .Enjoy! 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 Friday, December 7, 2007 6:51 AM <"Our" Place Christmas Holiday Train>Friday's GrinLaw of the Alibi: If you tell your boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire. G'day Gents!We made it - FRIDAY at the Tavern by the Tracks 'n time for breakfast! Draw a mugga Joe, a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case 'n make a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast! Comments from the Proprietor: Today is "The day that will live in infamy." <FDR> We refer to it as Pearl Harbor Day - Dec 7th . . . lest we forget. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Here's another installment for the "Our" Place Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills (WWFTS) . . . .Changing channels on a TV set WITHOUT a remote control. . . . .Tuning in UHF channels with a "loop" antenna. . . . . . . . . . Tuning in VHF channels with a "rabbit ear" antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black ‘n white televisions Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative) Thursday - Dec 6th: CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:37 AM: I think Manager Lars said it all regarding Miner's Day . . . Been awhile since we've been treated to a full-fledged inclusive offering from our Resident WVA Connection - well done! Super-fine ENCORE! of your catalog Posting from awhile back . . . kinda makes the season "right," eh I used to acquire mine from our local toy store <wasn't called a hobby shop back then>. Anyway, the guy who owned it always had a stack of Lionel and Gilbert catalogs "at the ready" for any ‘n all who came through the door. Can you imagine THAT in today's way of doing business Yeah, right . . . Anyway, I'd spend HOURS pouring through the pages - wishing, dreaming, thinking, hoping . . . much, much enjoyment from "back in the day" fer sure, fer sure! Round ‘n quarters most appreciated! Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:01 AM: Didn't catch any "dupes" in your book covers, although I'm sure "someone with an Eagle Eye" is closely monitoring . . . <uh oh> Yes, the Rat's Patoot Room awaits . . . <grin>Got a kick out of your mini-blast directed at our Ontario Connection. Look - he's young, what more can you say Dontacharecall when you didn't have ALL the bucks you'd like to have had But, his is a transgression of a different order, fer sure, fer sure. NOT availing himself of the info that's been "out there" for ions - and NOT checking the VIA Rail web site - well, that's really a <duh> in the 1st degree. Perhaps we should develop an "award" for stuff like that, eh We KNOW who'd be the first winner! "Cool" looking Green Bay & Western Alco . . . <sweet>Many thanx again for the continuing daily support, contributions ‘n interaction. That's the kinda "stuff" this place was created for and in large measure has been known for. Round appreciated! Rob (trolleyboy) at 11:31 AM: Now that's more like it - dropping off a "little something" BEFORE heading off to work. Seems like you're trying to get back in the "groove," and doing a fine job of it at that. Just take things on a slow bell - any pressure created can be self-induced. Don't let it happen Happy Railroading! Siberianmo wanswheel Member sinceNovember 2005 4,190 posts Posted by wanswheel on Friday, December 7, 2007 4:48 AM Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house. Good to see Eric posting!Pearl Harbor http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c20000/3c29000/3c29800/3c29810v.jpgUSS West Virginia and USS Tennesseehttp://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e00000/8e00800/8e00810v.jpgUSS West Virginia, USS Tennessee and USS Arizonahttp://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e01000/8e01800/8e01813v.jpgUSS Arizona (1918)http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/hi/hi0000/hi0096/photos/184205pv.jpg EricX2000 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Phoenix, AZ 683 posts Posted by EricX2000 on Thursday, December 6, 2007 11:57 PM Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, I’ll have a double cheese burger! No, no, supersized Root Beer, please! Haven't had a root beer for years!Very busy day at the office so I am tired tonight, but a short stop is better than no stop! Tom – The post gone? Gone-Zo? That must be our cat, Gonzo, who did it. Thanks for the warning, now I know where to look when things are missing here. Good reasons to travel by Pullman, but it is getting harder and harder to do that. At least I have one of those books!CM3 – I found out a few facts about the different looking tank car you saw in the background in one of my photos (below) from Orange Empire Railway Museum. It is a 6-dome wine tank car built 1941 for GATX. 6-dome tank car to the left. Lars – Another nog? Wow, good stuff! Hope all tests will show what they have to do to get your Mrs. well again! Pete and I did to Ruth? We haven’t done anything at all. At least not what I can recall. Some real interesting books! I would love to have them all! Rob – Thanks for the info on your trip! Yes, it will be very nice to retire in two weeks! My gall bladder has been very quiet the last 36 hours but I always have to be very careful what I eat. I am looking forward to my surgery. Ron – Thanks for the pictures of your engine project! It looks very promising as far as I can tell! Looks great!Pete – My regular doctor is a good man. He knows when to help! You are right, the X2000 is on the track nearest the river. Good eyes! You are also right about the sound from that steam loco! Nice pictures! Let me see, the PRR sign was most likely on, hmmm, that electric thingie?! Nice looking GG1! One thing I don’t like when they have electrics on display is when they let one (or both) pantograph “reach straight up into the sky” when there is no catenary above. Allan – Good to see that you are able to connect again! The gall bladder pain is real bad but today I have been pain free all day! The picture of the X2000 in Philadelphia was most likely taken when I was on it. My job was not to operate the train, it was to train Amtrak’s engineers how to run it and always be in the cab when the train was moving. But it happened I was operating it myself. Eric Gunneral Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: NZ 242 posts Posted by Gunneral on Thursday, December 6, 2007 7:31 PM Hi Tom and all, "In memory of all those who fell at Pearl Harbour, Lest we Forget"The usual round of Tui`s for the crew please Leon, it`s great to be back on site again, and many thanks to Tom for stocking up on the Tui since i`ve been off line!Tom. Many thanks for the e-mail`s, it was great keeping in touch while the PC was in the "shop" for the fix! Had a great time catching up on all your posts, the ICE of DB, LRC and Budd cars, Pullman, six pack and Fallen Flags and the model RR`s, will have to re-read them again to digest all the info and pics.Eric. Great to see you are being well looked after by your new surgeon, hope your not feeling so much pain now, they reckon that the gall bladder pain is worse than childbirth, although us boys would`nt know about that would we? Found a pic of the X2000 in a book I have, it was pictured in Phillidelphia, was wondering if you were driving it at the time? You take care now!Rob. Enjoyed that Canadian Heritage site, great pics and info, many thanks. Had an interest in aircraft because of my AA artillery service, used to do a bit of aircraft recognition instructing in those far off days. Really enjoyed all your Canadian RR write up`s, that RSC24 is a very unusual looker, if I remember their was a Model RR article about scratch building one a few years back. Enjoyed all catching up on all your pics and posts.Lars. Thanks for the really great selection from the Larsman Mobile, a nice colourful set of book covers and model RR pics. Sounds as if the competition between NY and Boston is the same as the one between our town and Waipawa our closest neighbor, they are always trying to outdo each other all the time!Jan. Really enjoyed all your Observation car and trestle pics mate, good to see you are catching up on your sleep now!CM3. A toast on Miner`s Day. Nice to see you back on board, nice repost of Lars`s C&O book covers and enjoyed your catalog re-write, very informative.Fergie. Enjoyed your write up on the history of the Mess`s RR. Hope your Thermos is OK now, as we used to say in the artillery "Keep your powder dry".Pete. Had a great time catching up on all you info and great pics mate! Don`t tempt me too much about coming to see Dwight D at ExpoRail, what I would`nt do to see an A4 in the flesh again, last time I saw Sir Nigel was at Doncaster way back when! Nice crop of photo`s of Alan`s, thats a nice looking Irish train set of yours, is it a Hornby set or a local maker? I remember the Wizard comic so well, at least it had a bit of something to read in it, not all pictures like the Beano and Dandy, my other favourite about 49/50 was the Eagle with Dan Dare and the great cutaway drawings in the centrefold pages, their was one of Mallard that I saved but that has gone the same way as my trainspotter books have. That rail painting site is great, i`ll be downloading some pics from there soon, thanks for that. Your wife`s Green Bay pics are top notch!Ron. Nice to see you, enjoyed the photo`s of your engine project, is that scale lumber you are using or do you mill it yourself?See ya, Allan pwolfe Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: mid mo 1,054 posts Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, December 6, 2007 4:14 PM Hi Tom and all.A pint of Harvey's Christmas Ale please RUTH(8.2 ABV), as it is snowing here now.ROB Many thanks for the description and photos of your time in Halifax, there certainly is a lot to see and do there. With Keith's Brewery as well. Very sorry to read of the trouble you had on your outward trip on the Ocean. I was very lucky on our trip to Halifax on the Ocean as Tom had been on the train before and made the arrangements. The Renaissance stock was not quite a shock to me as I am used to the stock and loading gauge in the UK. I' m glad we went on the Ocean first as the Renaissance cars would have been very disappointing if we had traveled on those great Budd cars and Dome on the Chaleur first. Luckily our trip on Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Kansas City went well and the bride enjoyed the trip so she says she is willing to go on another long distance rail trip.That was sad what happened to the model railway.Who would do the cooking if H&H were to leave; they have got the Fish ‘n' Chips down to a treat.ERIC Great to see you back at the bar, real glad you have got the doctor situation sorted out.Glad you enjoyed the photos. Is the X2000 on the track nearest the river.I bet that steam loco in your photo was making a great sound.JAN Thanks for the drink and I hope you can get a good sleep.Try not to work too hard. CM3 A toast indeed to all the miners on Miner's Day. I often think of them when I see one of the very long coal trains passing through here on it way to a power station, they do a difficult and dangerous job to provide us with the electricity which we take for granted. Although I lived outside the mining area in England a lot of our work in the factory I worked at was building the very large D.C mine winding motors. Many thanks for the details on the C&O bookcovers provided by Manager Lars. Interesting about the H8s 2-6-6-6s, were they used on the wrong type of train by the C&O.I think that it is a really good photo that looks like it is a painting as in the one of 7460.Thanks for info on the switch from diesel to electric on the FL9s.Really enjoyed reading the catalog rerun post.LARS I did have a search of Roar of the Rails, the one I found was a TV program from the 1940s it sounded good for its time.Yes Tom and I have discussed how things have changed with the youngsters today although I have to say I have found a lot of them are far more polite over here than most of them in England today.Really appreciate those kind words. Unfortunately the work on the basement has had to be put back this year but things are happening now, so a home for the layout is hopefully is on the way.Some classic diesels on the covers from the Larsman Mobile today. Thanks for sharing.Talking of the Scottish being tight with money, did you hear of the Scotsman who had a big lottery win His wife said to him "Andrew, what about the begging letters". He thought for a while and replied "Och keep sending them oot".To put things right with the Scots. When God created the world he showed Scotland to Gabriel, who looked at Scotland and said, "With those beautiful snow covered mountains, lovely clear lochs and the pleasant green glens you are giving too much to one country. God replied "You have not seen who I am giving them as neighbors".Seriously though I have found the Scottish people to be generous and kind hearted, in fact I met the bride in Scotland. RON Many thanks for the photo of the model it looks to be coming on really well. I am sure your wife will be pleased with the cabinets.TOM Thanks for the kind words.It is really annoying when you lose a post but as you say today's one was extra strange, it being on the site and than vanishing.I talked with Alan yesterday and he is going to send over a magazine that has something on the Silver Princess stainless steel car that was imported from the USA and ran o 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, December 6, 2007 2:41 PM G'day Gents!Good to see the return of CM3 Shane to his normal morning "slot" - also the support continues from Manager Lars 'n trolleyboy Rob is moving up on the inside! Also just caught a Post from DD1 Ron . . . hit 'n run, but some good info provided. It's time once more for a trip down Memory Lane for some Passenger Train Nostalgia from the archives . . . today, the Pullman Company! PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #64<A form of this was intially Posted on Page 111, Jan 25th, 2006 on the Original Thread>Here's something to enjoy regarding the Pullman Company from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection. How to pack more pleasure into your vacation 1. Step into the cool comfort of your Pullman car. Your vacation has started! Because going Pullman turns travel time into vacation time, whether your destination is 300 or 3000 miles away. 2. Relax deep down, like an uncoiled spring. You're mere miles out of town, but years away from the tension of your job. You're enjoying a cool drink, the conversation and companionship of interesting people in the Pullman lounge car. 3. Dream by the miles. You'll never sleep more soundly. Your mind is uncluttered. Your frame's limber in that deep-mattressed, big-pillowed Pullman bed. 4. Arrive ready for the rest of the fun. And - had you noticed? - you're looking forward to your return trip. Because going or returning, going Pullman packs more pleasure into any vacation! See the Chicago Railroad Fair in '49 - June 25th thru October 2nd GO PULLMANTHE SAFEST, MOST COMFORTABLE WAY TO GET THERE!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Enjoy! Tom Happy Railroading! Siberianmo Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 6, 2007 2:05 PM Good day Tom and all at Our place. A round for all if you please. I haven't had a chance to check the new posts, but I will just post a couple of pictures of my engine project for now. Later, I will post a more lengthy dialogue. As you can see, I have most of the parts made and am starting to assemble them. There's still a lot to do. I've embarked on an additional project involving kitchen cabinets and hope that won't take too long. I'm trying to get the cabinets done before my wife comes home . Sort of a surprise, so don't you tell her. BTW, I have a book for those interested in railfan trips. It describes some interesting "Orient Express" type trains throughout the world. If anyone is interested in it, I can mail it to you. P.S. I filled up last night at $2.79 per gal. Edit trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Thursday, December 6, 2007 11:31 AM A quick good morning , just coffee and a number three Ruth as today is a work day.Tom-You must be using the wrong recycled electrons to have lost a posted post ( I know Boris that statement just hurt my head as well ) That or they were made in China and have been recalled for their lead content At any rate I'll leave a couple bucks in the coal scuttle for any required usuage this afternoon and evening while I'l toiling away. Amazing that Exporail is going to expand that much, ah to have government funding !I'm glad that you like that cut and bridge , unhappily all those scenes are gone. The club in it's wisdom ended up tearing them all out to put in stagging the "operators" won out over the those that wanted to complete and upgrade the visuals of the layout, there by increasing the yields at the public open house's.Oh well and the the operations are fine ( and they really were ) people that wanted the visual upgrades actually had more support than those who did the tearing out, oh well train club politics, I've had my shore and don't do it anymore Eric-I'm glad to hear that you are getting some better help/ advice. At least with retirment pending any work stress will be gone from your life , which should help. Our trip was this past July/August.Lars-Ah yes we must keep Pete happy, some nice book covers however What can I say we were away for almost three weeks , believe it or not teh train trip was cheaper than the flight would have been , I'm just PO'd that we were lead down the path, had we known that we would not have access to the dome nervanna,we would have spent the extra couple of bills to be sure. Not to worry I think I'll pass her coarse, besides she wouldn't leave me in the clutches of H&H, and even if she did they wouldn't make my life to horrible as I am the one who sponsered them to come to mentor in the first place ( I had them brought in I can send them back out )Vito said so anyway As to my Scot background , hey I'm only half, Heather's full blooded , she likely has the first dollar bill she made ( and she won't tell me where it is ) My grandmother always said that I was tighter than tree bark, I have improved over the years mind you .Rob LoveDomes Member sinceJanuary 2006 From: northeast U.S. 1,225 posts " Our" Place reborn! An adult bar 'n grill for the discussion of Classic Trains! Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, December 6, 2007 11:01 AM Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!Ruth my deAH, on this "good to be alive day" I'm most happy to see my favorite gal behind the bar! Set ‘em up on me - treats for the crittAHs ‘n a mugga Joe with a Jolt if you please! Boris ring the bell - ‘n the change is for YOU, young lady! Temps around my part of the world are in the low 20s right now - expected to get into the 30s. Not a bad day at all. Got rain ‘n more cold forecast for the weekend. Of course down in the Keys things are much bettAH, right Cap'n Tom Gasoline is at $3.39 and has been all over the map lately . . . expect it to remain above three bucks forever.<groan>Interesting "bit" from Da Bossman - can't figure out these forums. Surely a mystery how things "work," or bettAH put, "don't work"! Sorry that you lost your work AFTER it got posted. Man, that's strange. All kinds of "stuff" from Rob yesterday - must've been your day off, huh Anyway, good to see you back in fine form. Trying to regain your status ‘round here as a regular Well, we'll just have to submit it to the "committee" once you show that you're serious about it. Not trying to tick you off or anything like that - but after reading your "report" from your summertime adventure, I just gotta ask. What is wrong with you!?!!?!? I mean this was supposed to be your first time to the maritimes by train and you elected to go on the cheap?!?!?!? Absolutely don't get it, don't get it. Don't blame it on your Scottish heritage, for I know several from that part of the world who'd take issue with the aspersion. <grin> (Have some close friends not far from here with parents who moved to the U.S. from Scotland - in fact we're all members of the same Lodge . . .)Anyway, here's how it works: whenever you get a chance to ride in a dome, take it. One nevAH knows whether that will be the ONLY time you'll have to do it. And they say youth is wasted on the young. No joke . . . I spoke with Molly Throttlebottom and she assured me that although she "favors" you immensely, she'll cut you NO SLACK when it comes to the course you're enrolled in. Pass it or get rephrased. Pass it or wind up in the Jello Pit. Pass it or one of the H&H gals will "claim" you as their own! Good Grief Charlie Brown, what do you need - a building to fall on you Pass it! As always, Cap'n Tom came through with yet another fine Fallen Flag for us - the Chessie is indeed a fine road to read about ‘n view. The drumheads are "way cool" ‘n it's too bad we no longer have the numbers at the bar for a "theme" day. Would've made a gudun . . . <grin>The coalminer guy we call Shane has made it back to the bar with a "real" post this morning. Great to see your return. Believe it or not, I heard a reference to "Miner's Day" on the radio this morning . . . and this is New YAWK City . . . Anyway, it isn't a "happy day" per se, especially when considering how many have given up their lives in doing that kinda work. A toast to those who do the things necessary for us to do what we do! <klink>Encouraging news from the desert as Eric refuses to give in to the situation. Way to go, mate! Another nog on me! And by the way, I too recalled that photo from Chicago. Steamer shot is ‘way cool' too . . .Thanks for the well wishes for my Mrs. - got more tests tomorrow. Pete it goes like this: YOU aren't allowed in the Penthouse Suite - neither is Eric. After what youse guyz tried to do to Ruth ‘n me some months back . . . <geesh> I haven't done a search on that "Roar of the Rails" - but you could! One can only imagine what the kids of today are "learning" from video games ‘n the like. Hell, I already know - I watched my grandchildren go through that phase. Now, some are young adults, but you can tell that their "socialization" was far, far different from mine or my sons. Just the way it is I supposed as the generations pass us by . . . <groan>Cap'n Tom, that was a nice "thing" you had to say about the fellow sailor you met aboard the Via train. Nice to develop friendships that way. Pete's commentary about a bond between those of us who served in the military is oh so true. Same goes for sailors of all stripes. Once at sea and against the elements, the bond shows through when engaged in conversation - every time. Pete, not to worry, mate - you'd fit in quite well in the "circles" I run in - of course we'd not understand a thing you say <according to what I've heard!> By the way, that's a great looking Irish train you've got there. WHEN does it get a "home" of it's own Kinda past due, isn't it Rob, those two advertisements fit right in with the "stuff" going on ‘round here and the photos for our Toy & Model Trains Day coalminer3 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: WV 1,251 posts Posted by coalminer3 on Thursday, December 6, 2007 9:37 AM Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Nice day here today (approx 11 deg. F this a.m., snow on the ground and on the trees and some sunshine as well).Today is Miner's Day. A century ago 362 miners perished in an explosion at Monongah, WV. The most ever in a mine disaster in U.S. history - a toast to absent friends.I have a mound of material that I have read through and lots of folks had questions. If I let anybody out, I apologize.Fergie provided on deck naraatives and company history. Thank you.Lars provided mannny book covers. A lot of the C&O items reside on the shelves in the east wing. The book cover for passenger cars shows a picture of the Hot Springs mixed, IIRC. Also, very nice steam pictures as well. The MKT, TRRA and SLSF items are goo ones, too. The IT has more than a few devoted fans. Some of their power wandered rather far afield as I remember seeing some in Bluefield one time. I also enjoyed the catalog cover for Challengers of the High Iron - they just don't write copy like that anymore. We have been lucky enough to see several Giants games down here - loved last Sunday's contest. Many folks were surprised by Pitt's defeat of WV. As I told my son, "That's why they play!"Pete - In the Traces is Still in Print. Good luck finding it through a title search on Amazon. Type in Ted Rose and you will find it. IMHO, it's one of the best I have ever seen.You had some questions re some of the C&O book covers that Lars sent along. Here goes.First one is of a C&O H-8. This was a 2-6-6-6 built by Lima; a magnificent machine that never was used correctly by the railroad. The Virginian (always interested in having what their neighbor to the north had), rostered some as well.The PM book has a BL2 on the coverThe third one shows an E8Last, the picture of C&O 7460 is, IIRC, a photograph.Also, thanks for sharing Alan's steam pictures.Rob - I recall the Cartier and R&S low hoods, but it don't mean we have to like ‘em. (lol)Your comments on the CV were thoughtful. Folks who were there at the time said that maybe there was some testing, but they also put whatever was available at the time on a train and sent it south. IOW, it was worth being beside the tracks as you never knew what was going to come along next. Glad you confirmed my memory of what went on.Enjoyed the rerun of the ONR and work equipment material.Canadian Northern summary was appreciated.1941 CN tt? I found one in the box in the archives - thanks for holding the light, Boris.BTW, we all have stories of unintended consequences of trying to save money on travel.Jan sent along observation car pictures, and some nice narrow gauge items. I never contracted a raging case of narrow gauge fever, but they are of interest because of all the mining activity. Also enjoyed the pictures of C&O and N&W steam and the other western pictures you sent. Yes, Frostbite, I have been to Rawlins, WY.DD1 sent some interesting material. The New Haven's FL9s are, of course, the best known diesel/third rail locomotives. Ideally the diesel was shut down and the electric took over from there. Sometimes it was a little different in practice and Grand Central could get pretty nasty at times, even though they were not supposed to run the diesels there. Metro North got many of the FL9s and I recall photographing them both on the Hudson and Harlem Lines. Amtrak got a few after that and they were r/b by MK.Eric - Hope you are doing better,OSP has been keeping us going. Good movies, chief. Also enjoyed the Budd ad."Broadway Cruising Through Metuchen?" I was there! The Broadway ran along there at a pretty good clip, but the "Congressional" was the one that I remember as really hauling it. Incidentally, for those of have not read it, Welsh's book on the Broadway (shown in OSPs post is well worth the money). Thanks also for the CP grafix classix and the AF and Lionel catalogs. Last I appreciated the C&O material (of course)Will mail book on Saturday. Herewith a rerun of the catalogs post I did a long time ago.The catalogs come in November, just as they have for years. The catalogs are books that deserve serious study. The catalogs mean that Christmas is coming. The Lionel catalog is the one that gets the most attention. Its glossy pages contain enough railroad-related material to satisfy Commodore Vanderbilt and all of his vest-wearing, watch chained, cigar-smoking lackeys. Look, here's a Pennsylvania Railroad steam turbine. On the next page is a Tuscan red GG1 electric with a set of Pennsy passenger cars. My father tells me that they look just like the ones he rides to Washington. I want to go to Washington, too, and see the "Congressional Limited" as it passes along the tidal basin by the cherry blossoms - at least it does in the catalog. Here's a GP7 in red, black, and silver from the Burlington Route set against a generic picture of the heartland. Turn the page and there's some EMD switchers decorated for the Seaboard Air Line and for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. My, what we could do with a set of those. Then there are lovely F units in Santa Fe red and silver war bonnet paint and on the next page a pair of Fs for the New York Central. You can get freight or passenger sets with these. Right after that is a monstrous FM Trainmaster lettered for the fearsome, far away, Virginian. Toward the back of the book is page after page of freight cars of all types. Then there are pages of passenger cars. The very back has track, accessories, and transformers big enough to power a small city. It's pretty simple: we want it all. And why not? Christmas is, after all, a time of renewed hope and possibility.Work safeP.S. Will be back at it tomorrw and also next Monday, but I am going to try and do better at visiting - it's been wild the past two weeks. « First«31323334353637»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! 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Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1
The GG1 was designed by the Pennsylvania Railroad based on the need for a locomotive that could pull more than 12 to 14 passenger cars. The railroad thought it had designed the perfect electric passenger locomotive, the P-5a, but as the P-5a locomotives arrived, it became necessary to double head them on many trains in order to protect schedules. Two other factors were involved in the development of the GG1. The chassis and wheel arrangement were a result of experiments with a leased New Haven EP3a and the streamlined body and center crew cab were a
Good Afternoon Tom and Crew!
Fill the Thermos please and I'll have a Western with extra Mayo to go. This is the 2nd go at this one as the puter dumped the 1st attempt...
Me... count calories? Constantly! especially when they are getting low
Pete and Eric: As Tom will attest the weather out here is a relative thing. It was blowing 40 this morning and getting lumpy now it's blowing 30 and less lumpy. It still takes the mickey out of you after a while.
Yes I was raised on Tube radios as the MF/HF sets made by Collins never stopped their "chattering" when tuned or their buzzing as they warmed up.
coalminer3 wrote: A C&O T-1? Good choice and arguably about the best steam they ever had. Lots of stories about that one for sure.
A C&O T-1? Good choice and arguably about the best steam they ever had. Lots of stories about that one for sure.
Yes the MESS was one third owned by C&O as a result of a hostile takeover by CN back in 57' gone awry. Seems some of the local talent was in on it too but as luck had it they got found out and were run out of town. Regardless it was the beginning of the end, as the MESS never fully recovered and was saddled with equipment that couldn't be repaired due to lack of spares. (The Story of the MESS thickens)
Anyway Gents must relieve later all.
Thanks Tom thanks for yet another history lesson. Always appreciated.
Jan: Love the pics my man!
Later All
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
Here's something in THREE PARTS to keep this ENCORE! Saturday <humming> along . . .
RAILWAYS of EUROPE #3 - TGV (France) "SNCF, gives the train ideas in advance"
TGV PART I of III This article is about the French high-speed railway system. TGV trains depart from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to western and southwestern destinations. (Wikimedia Commons) The TGV (train à grande vitesse, French for "high-speed train") is France's high-speed rail service, developed by GEC-Alsthom (now Alstom) and SNCF, the French national rail operator, and operated primarily by SNCF. Following the inaugural TGV service between Paris and Lyon in 1981, the TGV network, centred on Paris, has expanded to connect cities across France. The success of the first line led to a rapid expansion of the service, with new lines built to the south, west and northeast of the country. Eager to share in the success of the French network, neighbouring countries such as Belgium, Italy and Switzerland built their own high-speed lines to connect with it. TGVs under other brand names also link to Germany and the Netherlands through the Thalys network, and to the United Kingdom through Eurostar. Several future lines are currently planned, including extensions within France and to surrounding countries. Towns such as Tours have become a part of this "TGV commuter belt". TGVs travel at up to 320 km/h (200 mph), which is made possible through the use of specially designed tracks, laid down without any sharp curves, and a range of features which make TGV trains suitable for high speed travel. These features include high-powered electric motors, low axle weight, articulated carriages and in-cab signaling which removes the need for drivers to see lineside signals at high speed. TGVs are manufactured primarily by Alstom, now often with the involvement of Bombardier. Except for a small series of TGVs used for postal freight between Paris and Lyon, TGV is primarily a passenger service. Trains derived from TGV designs also operate in South Korea (KTX) and Spain (AVE). Travel by TGV has largely replaced air travel between connected cities, due to shorter commuting times (especially for trips taking less than three hours), reduced check-in, security and boarding formalities, and the convenient location of train stations in the heart of cities. Furthermore, the TGV is a very safe mode of transport, with no recorded fatalities due to accidents while running at high speed since operations began. History Main article: Development of the TGV The idea of the TGV was first proposed in the 1960s, after Japan began construction on the Shinkansen in 1959. At the time the French government favoured new technologies, exploring the production of hovercraft and maglev trains such as Aérotrain. Simultaneously, SNCF began researching high-speed trains that would operate on conventional tracks. It was originally planned that the TGV, then standing for très grande vitesse (very high speed) or turbine grande vitesse (high speed turbine), would be propelled by gas turbine-electric locomotives. Gas turbines were selected for their small size, good power-to-weight ratio, and ability to deliver a high power output over an extended period of time. The first prototype, TGV 001, was the only TGV constructed with this type of engine. However, following the sharp increase in the price of oil during the 1973 energy crisis, gas turbines were deemed impractical and the project turned to locomotives powered by electricity from overhead lines. The electricity was to be generated by France's new nuclear power stations. However, TGV 001 was not a wasted prototype. Its gas-turbine powerplant was only one of many technologies required for high-speed rail travel. The TGV 001 platform also tested high-speed brakes, which were needed to dissipate the large amount of kinetic energy amassed by a train operating at high speed. Other technologies tested by the 001 included high-speed aerodynamics and signaling. The train was articulated, meaning that its two carriages shared a bogie between them which allowed them to move freely with respect to one another. The prototype train reached 318 km/h (198 mph), which remains the world speed record for a non-electric train. The interior and exterior of TGV 001 were styled by British-born designer Jack Cooper, whose work formed the basis of all subsequent TGV design, including the distinctive nose shape of TGV power cars. Changing the specification of the TGV to incorporate electric traction required a significant design overhaul. The first fully electric prototype, nicknamed Zébulon, was completed in 1974, testing features such as innovative body-mounting of motors, pantographs, suspension and braking. Body mounting of motors allowed over 3 tonnes (2.95 tons) to be dropped from the weight of the power cars. The prototype travelled almost 1 000 000 km (621,000 miles) during testing. In 1976 the French government fully funded the TGV project, and construction of the LGV Sud-Est, the first high-speed line (ligne à grande vitesse), began shortly afterwards. The line was given the designation LN1, Ligne Nouvelle 1 (New Line 1).
<"Our" Place Christmas Holiday Train>
At long last Saturday has arrived! Really a gloomy start in these parts with it wet, damp ‘n a bit more than a chill out there. Don't know what it is about rainy late fall ‘n winter days, but the colder it gets when it is snowing or with clear skies - no problems. When it's raining though, then the feel of the day is absolutely different with spitting rain, etc.
Oh well . . . time for a hot mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n an order for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast. That should kick start the morning quite well enough!
Comments from the Proprietor:
As mentioned at the top of this Page - Lars won the CONTEST with his guess that I would be the one to make the 3,000th Post at our reborn bar ‘n grill. I don't believe we've EVER had someone make such an accurate guess as the FIRST one to participate in any of our CONTESTS! <double wow>
Here are the participants with their guesses:
Lars sed: Dec 7th (Tom)
Rob sed: Dec 24th (Lars)
Pete sed: Dec 9th (Lars)
Eric sed: Dec 13th (CM3)
Fergie sed: Dec 16th (Pete)
CM3 Shane sed: Dec 12th (Lars)
Allan sed: Dec 11th (Tom)
Jan sed Dec 13th (Eric)
ALL who joined in are to receive a HAPPY HOUR on an afternoon or evening of their choosing!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Friday - Dec 7th:
Pete (pwolfe) at 8:56 PM: Sorry Pete, but the trip is for TWO . . . perhaps next time! Nice of you to extend your Bar Chandler duties to the Can-Am Trans Mentor Ltd.
Next CONTEST - hmmmmmm, probably when we get near the 4,000th - think we'll still be up ‘n runnin' by then OR who knows Maybe something different will crop up . . . never a dull moment at the Tavern by the Tracks!
Thanx for the 2nd visit!
Eric (EricX2000) at 11:28 PM: Back in another time, I used to run my model GG1s <one tuscan, one Brunswick green> on my HO layout featuring my four favorite roads of the time: PRR - NYC - NH - B&M. Since I had no overhead wiring, I just "created" dual power GG1s - diesel OR electric. Worked for Moi!
Now those, and all the remaining locos ‘n rolling stock are on display in the Can-Am Trainroom's display cases <as you've witnessed at Rendezvous II>
Another pain-free day along with a day closer to the 21st all makes for a better day for you. Good to know!
"Back in the day," I was a radio operator <responsible for maintenance too> with all of our transmitters ‘n receivers equipped with vacuum tubes. We had one power amplifier <PA> tube that stood over 3 feet from the deck. It was a monster tube, fer sure, fer sure. In fact, all ships had to carry a spare - and "back in the day" <1950s> they cost $750 apiece through the supply system. Anyway, I remember having them air dropped to us while out on station in the north Atlantic when for whatever the reason, our spare either didn't exist or was inoperative.
Anyway, your commentary about vacuum tubes brought all of that back . . .
Nice right-of-way foto from the old country!
Yeah, yeah - you ‘n Pete can "play dumb," but I recall when the two of you were scheming to find this &lsquo
Greetings Tom and gentlemen....
May I have the usual extra cold Guinness, top up with cigars for the lads please?
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Just thought that I'd drop by for a snifter and drop off a couple of pics. Just woke up a wee while ago, still feel a bit heavy headed. I'll stop by again later today. Really enjoy all the posts and pics put up....keep 'em coming!
View of Great Northern Railway Oriental Limited passenger train on tracks near a railroad signal. A steel passenger car reads "Great Northern" and "Compartment Observation Car," "9029," and a sign on the railing displays the Oriental Limited logo. Photo by Lucius Beebe.
"The Oriental Limited grinds to a halt at the division point. Quickly a car "toad" plugs in the phone for milady's call. Alas, such dialings were infrequent enroute as on most long runs. The Oriental theme was carried throughout the train from rugs to paintings. It wasn't unusual, after the lounge shut down for the night, to see brakeman sitting at the rear windows, only the lights from his flagging lanterns on the platform and the leaking gleam from the tail sign weakly illuminating the scene. And every now and then a semaphore would slowly wink back to green in the darkness behind the train."*
NP 4-6-2 #2236 and 4-8-4 #2601, with train #1, North Coast Ltd, at Muir, Mont., September 25, 1931. Photo by unknown.
"The mountains are quiet. Then comes the roar down the line of double-shotted Pacifics talking loud to the sky. Throttles are wide open, stacks blasting soot, cinders and smoke, they charge the craggy portals of Rocky Canyon east of Bozeman"*
SP 4-8-2 #4331 in Portland, Ore., June 5, 1926. Photo by Otto Perry.
"Imagine leaving Portland at night. Darkness surrounds the Columbia River Gorge and hides the whispy tail of Multnomah Falls. Suddenly lightning is everywhere and rain splatters across the big windows as the mountains let loose a storm. The radio crackles with static. A crash of light. The radio goes dead."*
Credit: Photoswest and *"Steam, Steel and Limiteds."
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, tonight is the right time for a Filet Mignon and lots of mushrooms! Plus an ice cold Keith's. Another busy day at the office, but now there are only two weeks left, so who cares? It is Friday! Mike – Thanks for some very historic and interesting pictures and links all connected to this day, the Pearl Harbor Day. I have been to the Arizona Memorial and it certainly make you think. Tom – I like your installment for the WWFTS! It reminds me about my time as a radio and TV repairman in the early 60’s when those appliances still were equipped with vacuum tubes (with some exceptions). Those were the days!Another day without pain! Feels good. The last two weekends were very painful though, so I hope this one will be a good one. Very nice pictures of those three GG1’s! To sad there is no one operational today. Lars – Congratulations to the 3,000th Post!!! We will do our best to hang on and keep this place running! Hope today was a successful day for your Mrs. in all her tests! I am glad to see that Ruth has Christmas off! No admin matters to take care of? No, hmmm, future train ride?It is amazing how many books about trains you can find! Wish I had the time (and money) to read them all. L&N is an interesting railroad I don’t know much about. GG1’s! Nice pictures! The picture from Harrisburg looks almost exactly the same as mine of that same locomotive. But I bet the raised pantograph in the bottom picture (PRR GG1 #4903) is faked. Looks like it has been drawn on the picture. CM3 – Would have been interesting to see that Amtrak ad! GG1 running without overhead wire! I wonder if they (responsible Amtrak people) ever saw that themselves? I guess the E7s you mentioned were, said in a polite way, near the end. Good enough for an inside cover of a national timetable though. Fergie – Glad to hear you at least have “good” weather out there! Last “trip” before Christmas I guess. An Egg Nog is okay after a busy day!Pete – I have the same opinion as you about pantographs and how to show them, explaining how an electric gets its power. I think that would be a great idea to convert one of those Wine cars for use by the track gang. There is plenty of room on that old track behind Our Place. No, no, Ruth never complained. Now she is already packing for her trip aboard the Can-Am Railway’s Trans Mentor Limited! Gonzo agrees with you about his name. He is offering a freshly caught mouse as a thank you! He stayed up late tonight in order to catch it. Good story anbout the hand held radar device and the Toronado!
Straight ahead! The old country.
Eric
Hi Tom and all.
Thought I heard of the free beer on offer from TOM so a Bathams XXX please LEON.
Just popped in to congratulate Manager LARS on his great contest win on the 3,000th post at Our Place and his mavellous prizealthough I can quess who will be stocking the rear obs car on the Trans Mentor Limited, no worries it will be stocked with the finest beverages possible.
Don,t suppose there is a prize for guessing who will accompany our manager on the two night trip.
Well LEON let me get a round in and I had better make sure we have enough supplies for next weeks Happy Hours.
Pete.
After a really slooooooooooow morning ‘n early PM, things picked up with the arrival of CM3 Shane ‘n Fergie the Mariner. And of course our Manager, Lars provided TWO fine Posts . . . Then along came Pete!
Customer Acknowledgments since my last narrative:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:46 AM 'n 2:21 PM: Some super GG1 fotos <for Moi!> and the first batch of covers provided some surprises - especially that road from Tennessee. Have to admit, I never heard of it - good picks!
Was thinking that had this been a Friday back in the "old days <daze>" with you on board twice, we'd probably have had some "real time" conversations flowing . . . those were fun.
Many thanx for the continuing support 'n rounds . . .
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 2:36 PM 'n 2:59 PM: A fine run down of this 'n that from our Resident WVA Connection. Really "jumped" on those covers provided by the Larsman! Always like to read the insights you provide - means alot in that you were there, when . .
Two rounds for the gang along with lotsa quarters! Can't beat that, eh Enjoy the weekend, Mate!
Fergie (Fergmiester) at 2:50 PM: Worried about calories!?!?! Are you serious!?!?!?! Sailors don't count calories!!! <grin>
A respite in St. John's . . . now that brings to mind some memories from way, way back. Yes, things were indeed "different" . . .
Glad you're finding some things of interest to you 'round here. Latching on to CM3 Shane is a PLUS . . . . for when it comes to steam locos of the U.S. - he's your man!
As bragged about in other narratives, we pride ourselves on exchanging reliable, interesting 'n fun info . . . that's what this joint is supposed to be all about. Guys don't come in here to rack up "points" on their totals <harkens back to the days of STARS, eh > and for the most part are an interactive group. That's what separates us out from the other Threads 'n my intent is to keep us on that course.
Many thanx for keeping us in mind 'n of course the round! <KaChing> <KaChing>
When Wolfman Pete dropped off his daily (which I'll acknlowledge in the AM), it occurred to me that I couldn't pass up this opportunity presented to make the THREE THOUSANDTH offering at "Our" Place under the reborn mantra!
So, here's the deal: Since I'm the Proprietor, no prize comes to me - BUT the guy who picked BOTH the day AND the person wins something very special.
That guy is LoveDomes Lars our CONTEST winner! And the prize is <drumroll> . . . .
A round trip <two nites!> in the drawing room suite <rear obs dome> aboard the Can-Am Railway's Trans Mentor Limited! Of course meals ‘n open bar are included for TWO! <wonder WHO gets to accompany our Manager?!?!?>
Transportation to 'n from Can-Am City's Union Station provided by Vito's Limo 'n Hearse Conveyance, LLC. <uh oh>
Thanx to all who participated - and for doing so, a Happy Hour on any afternoon or evening of your choosing!
Changing gears . . .
Tomorrow is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
A pint of Bathams please RUTH.
MIKE Thanks for the photos and the links on this very important day in United States history.
ALLAN Great to see you back at the bar after the computer problems. Many thanks for the kind words on the photos.
It is going to be quite a year for A4s in Britain next year. As well as three A4s working from London to Edinburgh and back to commemorate the Coronation express introduced in 1938, in April there is a special train with 60019 ‘Bittern' (a former Gateshead engine) running from London King's Cross to York, then 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley to Edinburgh. After a night stay in the Scottish capital it is 60009 over the Forth and Tay bridges to Aberdeen. There the preserved K4 No. 61994 The Great Marquess will run to Inverness for a two-night stay with a trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh where a coach trip will go over to the Isle of Skye.
From Inverness the special will run with 61994 and 60009 over the Highland main line to Perth where 61994 comes off and 60009 carries on to Glasgow for another nights stay. The last day 60007 will run from Glasgow to York via Beattock, Carlisle and Newcastle. At York ether A4 60019 or a Deltic diesel will return the train to London. What a trip. My friends the two Alans have already booked on the trip so at least I should get some photos. Me jealous, you bet
It would have seemed unbelievable when steam finished on BR, that 40 years later it would be possible to go behind three A4s from London to Aberdeen.
The Eagle was the other comic that I used to get, although a few years later than you used to get it. As you say the cut away drawings were really wonderful. I had the Eagle Annual one year, although the details of it are a bit hazy, I do recall there were cutaway drawings in that as well.
Yes the Rail Artists site is very good I am glad you are enjoying it as well.
Sorry I was not very clear. Dwight D. is at the National Railway Museum in Green Bay Wisconsin and The A4 at ExpoRail is Dominion Of Canada, it is strange of the six A4s in preservation four of them have consecutive BR numbers 60007 to 60010. I have brought over some cassettes that were given free with Steam Railway Magazine many years ago, on one track it is the A4 with the distinctive whistle I think it was 60010 which had a whistle given by a Canadian railway but the notes which came with the tape as been long since lost..
ERIC I wonder why museums feel they have to have the pantographs of electric locomotives at full stretch. If they want to show a pantograph why not put a piece of centenary up, which could show the insulators etc and explain about main line electrification.
I had not heard of a wine car before we could do with one converted to beer for use by the track gang at Our Place on Friday nights.
I too can't recall any discretion with RUTH ether.
Gonzo is a great name for a cat.
LARS It looks as though you could well be right about the day of the 3,000th post. If you think of how slow we were at the bar this time last year and into the start of 2007 we are not doing too bad at the bar, great quality of the posts as well.
Many thanks for another great set of bookcovers with some great color photos from The Larsman Mobile. It is great that you are able to find them still as it must be a good number that you have shared with us at the bar.
CM3 Thanks for the details on Lars's bookcovers, it was interesting to read about the SLSF units named after racehorses, I guess Kentucky Derby winners.
I remember about talking about a certain class of BR steam locomotive with an old driver about their use on freight traffic, he shook his head and said the locos were "Too big in the wheel". I wonder if that was the problem with the H8s, I agree though, they do look very impressive engines.
Enjoyed reading about the ‘artistic license' in the advertising copy. I guess it is even worse now in the age of digital photography,it is hard to know if the image you are seeing is in fact a true rendition.
Love to hear the stories about the C&O T1s.
I will join you in the Toast, if I may.
FERGIE Thanks for the round. Glad the weather has improved up there.
Good afetrnoon Barekeep and all again; more coffee, another round for the hosue and a weekend's worth of $ for the jukebox.
Fergie posted right after I left, so here we are again.
work safe
Good Afternoon Captain Tom and All
Lars... Egg Nog? You shouldn't have! The calories are a killer my man about 800 with the Anti Freeze, yes say its not so. But what the hey I earned it!!!
We left St John's yesterday after a brief respite and an early night in the bunk (Not like our single youthful days, Eh Tom) and am now on the way to South of Sable Is before we head in. Weather is "good" (ya for December that is)
Anyway In know there have been many comments directed my way but I'll have to book back in tomorrow as the time is late.
Coalminer~ I am a big fan of the C&O and have three Steamers H-8, T-1 and a Berk. They had lovely engines and yes all I've read on the Alleghenies indicates they were not used to their full potential.
Well thanks for the Coffee and put a round on my tab please and thanks. Would have stayed for sup but it was fisherman's platter for lunch and pub night with Potato skins and cheese with... my favourite.... Wait for it... WINGS!!!
Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present' coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Gas is down to $2.99 - jeez! Had all kinds of weather here today - sleet, freezing rain, partly cloudy, and now it's raining again. So, we have of course been outside - never fails.
Let' see what we have today.
Lars has installed LoadLevelers on the book mobile to carry all of the fine titles he has shared with us. There was a lot of good L&N material. Interesting shot of the Pascagoula area before it got rearranged. Let's see, Terminal Station is in the background behind the Frisco E unit. The L&N station at B'ham was a more modern structure. The waiting room was down below and the trains ran on a fill above. Crescent presently uses the old L&N stop there. Many of the SLSF units were named for famous racehorses. They later went to the L&N where they were r# r/p, and lost their names.
Incidentally, the TC book is a good one about a line that many people don't know a whole lot about.
Nice set of G pictures. For those of you who like this sort of thing, Sunday River has a good program titled "Under the Heat" (or something like that, IIRC), which is about an hour's worth of G motors in their native habitat.
Rob stopped by with comments as did DD1 with "shop pictures." Always like to see how different projects are doing.
Pete was by with comments and a question. My remark about the C&O H8s goes back to the fact that they were used in coal train service for the most part. People who worked for the railroad at the time told me that was a misapplication as they really worked better in faster service. Anyway, they were truly beasts and a fine looking piece of equipment, IMHO. They never ran up here, but were confined to the main line because of their size and weight. The picture of the C&O steam book, as you suggest, is a painting.
Allan - Thank you for the kind words.
Eric - A 6-dome wine car? Just like the ones that run in unit train service of the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge, although some of their cars are lead lined, especially the ones in captive service to Second Class. I remember seeing six dome purple-painted wine cars on the NYC at Harmon, NY - No, Artie, I had not ridden from GCT to Harmon in the club car. I'll bet that was a fine vintage after riding over some of that track.
BTW, your note about pans brought something to mind about Amtrak ads and unintended consequences of poorly conceived advertising copy.
I remember a brochure for the "New" Broadway Limited where they had a color wraparound cover shot of refurbished equipment for the Broadway running behind GG1s with some kind of generic field and weeds background. The fun part was that there was not a pole or overhead wire in sight. Amazing what you can either strip out or eliminate by judicious use of an airbrush b4 you set it up to print. As I said to somebody at the time, the folks west of Harrisburg would have no idea of what was portrayed if they had not deleted the wires.
The other one that comes to mind was the inside cover of a national timetable where they had a shot of what was clearly an SCL E7. A rope was attached to a piece of iron above the headlight. The rope was, in turn being pulled by someone in a business suit. My buddies in Nashville who dealt with this equipment said (in rather pungent language) that this was a case of, shall we say, art imitating life as some of those old Es would get over the road faster if the passengers did pull them. Joys of the old "South Wind" and the late, lamented "Fast Flying Flo." Believe me, you had to be there to see some of the power that ran on those trains (a lot of it prewar, too).
OSP has been keeping us busy with Pullman material and G motors, as well as some additions to the ever expanding Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Skills and Technologies. We may have to move it to the Mentor and Southern Mallet House if it outgrows its present building. Anyway, here are some more additions; fender skirts, curb feelers, making orange juice at home from real oranges, and using a pocket knife to sharpen a pencil.
Mike sent pictures. U.S.S. West Virginia's bell survives, but the rest of her is, of course, long gone.
On that note, all rise and a toast to missing friends.
Work safe
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!!
Ruth my deAH, I'll have a double hit of JD on the rocks as I take in your radiant glow!
Yeah, yeah Boris - you can go out back 'n chase the crittAHs. Should be a good day for it 'n don't forget to wipe your feet B4 comin' back in. Don't want that "stuff" all ovAh the pool room floor. <geesh> Just like a big kid that cloven footed Cyclops of ours.
Thought I'd swing by again to see what's going on - nothing! <geesh> Nary a soul this day, aside from Da Bossman ‘n me. Hmmmmmm. I'll keep my comments to myself this time.
I've had those GG1's on my mind since Cap'n Tom dropped off his group of 4, so here's some others from the files of the Larsman Mobile!
PRR GG1 #4933 (photo credit: Jack Humphrey)
PRR GG1 #4800 (photo credit: RR Museum of PA)
PRR GG1 #4859 (photo credit: Transportation Center, Harrisburg, PA)
PRR GG1 #4890 (photo credit: Frank Hicks) (looks like the one Pete posted . . . . )
PRR GG1 #4890 (photo credit: National RR Museum, Green Bay, WI) (same engine, different paint job!)
PRR GG1 #4903 (courtesy: Age of Steam Museum, Dallas, TX)
Until the next time!
Lars
Ruth my deAH, a Larsman special hero sandwich (sometimes called hoagie) of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel if you please. Treats for the crittAHs ‘n give Boris the small jar of PPF (pickled pig's feet) once he feeds the gang! <grin> A round for the house in the form of a toast to all of our soldiers, sailors ‘n airmen who fell on Dec 7, 1941. <To your service!>
Gonna be a long day ‘round the hut as the Mrs. is "in" for more tests. Expect to retrieve her sometime later this afternoon. She's an unhappy camper, but has to do what needs to be done. ‘nuf said on that . . .
Getting some things organized for our trip to the Keys ‘n right now it looks like one of my sons will drive the buggy down for us, loaded with "stuff" then he'll pick us up at the airport in Miami ‘n fly back. Great that he's got the time to do these things - but he'd do it anyway. That kinda "kid" . . .
Looks like some interesting material dropped off at the bar yesterday, highlighted by another of Cap'n Tom's creations - that passenger train nostalgia ALWAYS "flicks my switch" - nice one on Pullman!
Todays installment of GG1's also hit the spot form Da Bossman!
There IS a light at the end of the tunnel with the return of our Ontario Connection, trolleyMAN Rob - he's providing "stuff" again to keep the guys involved.
Not to slight anyone - I have noticed that Shane returned with a fine offering relating to those electric train catalogs, ‘n of course the "hit ‘n run" post from Ron down in "Mississip." (good "stuff," but no interaction)
Ah yes, can't forget the man called Wolf(e) - as he too always seems to come up with a few pix, as does Eric in the sand box. Hmmmmm, maybe things aren't as <grim> as I had thought! Keep it up guys . . .
Guess the point is we're down to perhaps 4 regulars and everyone else falls in somewhere along the tracks . . . let's hope we can hang on ‘til new blood comes along.
A reminder for the gang: The bar is CLOSED on Christmas - that's the policy, so let's keep to it. It's a day off for all, including the crittAHS . . .
Got a few more book covers for the crew from the Larsman Mobile . . . . WondAH how many of these I've put up over the years Anyway, here they come . . .
L&N Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment
L&N in Color
Tennessee Central Railway
Trackside around Louisville - 1948-1958
Trackside around Louisville - 1947-1958
Mid-mornin' at the bar 'n it doesn't appear as if we're going to have anyone stop by - so, here's some "action" from the archives . . .
Pennsylvania Railroad GG1s . . .
(1) PRR # 4877 <Courtesy: http://www.trainweb.org - a Corel Corp. foto>
(2) PRR # 4935 <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>
(3) PRR # 4916 <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>
(4) PRR # 4877 (same loco as #1 . . . different livery) <Courtesy: www.trainweb.org>
My favorite is (1) - Tuscan with the gold striping . . . .
Enjoy!
Tom
Friday's Grin
Today is "The day that will live in infamy." <FDR> We refer to it as Pearl Harbor Day - Dec 7th . . . lest we forget.
Here's another installment for the "Our" Place Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills (WWFTS) . . . .
Changing channels on a TV set WITHOUT a remote control
. . . . .Tuning in UHF channels with a "loop" antenna
. . . . . . . . . . Tuning in VHF channels with a "rabbit ear" antenna
Thursday - Dec 6th:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:37 AM: I think Manager Lars said it all regarding Miner's Day . . .
Been awhile since we've been treated to a full-fledged inclusive offering from our Resident WVA Connection - well done!
Super-fine ENCORE! of your catalog Posting from awhile back . . . kinda makes the season "right," eh
I used to acquire mine from our local toy store <wasn't called a hobby shop back then>. Anyway, the guy who owned it always had a stack of Lionel and Gilbert catalogs "at the ready" for any ‘n all who came through the door. Can you imagine THAT in today's way of doing business Yeah, right . . . Anyway, I'd spend HOURS pouring through the pages - wishing, dreaming, thinking, hoping . . . much, much enjoyment from "back in the day" fer sure, fer sure!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:01 AM: Didn't catch any "dupes" in your book covers, although I'm sure "someone with an Eagle Eye" is closely monitoring . . . <uh oh> Yes, the Rat's Patoot Room awaits . . . <grin>
Got a kick out of your mini-blast directed at our Ontario Connection. Look - he's young, what more can you say Dontacharecall when you didn't have ALL the bucks you'd like to have had But, his is a transgression of a different order, fer sure, fer sure. NOT availing himself of the info that's been "out there" for ions - and NOT checking the VIA Rail web site - well, that's really a <duh> in the 1st degree. Perhaps we should develop an "award" for stuff like that, eh We KNOW who'd be the first winner!
"Cool" looking Green Bay & Western Alco . . . <sweet>
Many thanx again for the continuing daily support, contributions ‘n interaction. That's the kinda "stuff" this place was created for and in large measure has been known for.
Rob (trolleyboy) at 11:31 AM: Now that's more like it - dropping off a "little something" BEFORE heading off to work. Seems like you're trying to get back in the "groove," and doing a fine job of it at that. Just take things on a slow bell - any pressure created can be self-induced. Don't let it happen
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house. Good to see Eric posting!
Pearl Harbor
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c20000/3c29000/3c29800/3c29810v.jpg
USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e00000/8e00800/8e00810v.jpg
USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee and USS Arizona
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/fsa/8e01000/8e01800/8e01813v.jpg
USS Arizona (1918)
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/hi/hi0000/hi0096/photos/184205pv.jpg
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!Leon, I’ll have a double cheese burger! No, no, supersized Root Beer, please! Haven't had a root beer for years!Very busy day at the office so I am tired tonight, but a short stop is better than no stop! Tom – The post gone? Gone-Zo? That must be our cat, Gonzo, who did it. Thanks for the warning, now I know where to look when things are missing here. Good reasons to travel by Pullman, but it is getting harder and harder to do that. At least I have one of those books!CM3 – I found out a few facts about the different looking tank car you saw in the background in one of my photos (below) from Orange Empire Railway Museum. It is a 6-dome wine tank car built 1941 for GATX.
6-dome tank car to the left.
Lars – Another nog? Wow, good stuff! Hope all tests will show what they have to do to get your Mrs. well again! Pete and I did to Ruth? We haven’t done anything at all. At least not what I can recall. Some real interesting books! I would love to have them all! Rob – Thanks for the info on your trip! Yes, it will be very nice to retire in two weeks! My gall bladder has been very quiet the last 36 hours but I always have to be very careful what I eat. I am looking forward to my surgery. Ron – Thanks for the pictures of your engine project! It looks very promising as far as I can tell! Looks great!Pete – My regular doctor is a good man. He knows when to help! You are right, the X2000 is on the track nearest the river. Good eyes! You are also right about the sound from that steam loco! Nice pictures! Let me see, the PRR sign was most likely on, hmmm, that electric thingie?! Nice looking GG1! One thing I don’t like when they have electrics on display is when they let one (or both) pantograph “reach straight up into the sky” when there is no catenary above. Allan – Good to see that you are able to connect again! The gall bladder pain is real bad but today I have been pain free all day! The picture of the X2000 in Philadelphia was most likely taken when I was on it. My job was not to operate the train, it was to train Amtrak’s engineers how to run it and always be in the cab when the train was moving. But it happened I was operating it myself.
"In memory of all those who fell at Pearl Harbour, Lest we Forget"
The usual round of Tui`s for the crew please Leon, it`s great to be back on site again, and many thanks to Tom for stocking up on the Tui since i`ve been off line!
Tom. Many thanks for the e-mail`s, it was great keeping in touch while the PC was in the "shop" for the fix! Had a great time catching up on all your posts, the ICE of DB, LRC and Budd cars, Pullman, six pack and Fallen Flags and the model RR`s, will have to re-read them again to digest all the info and pics.
Eric. Great to see you are being well looked after by your new surgeon, hope your not feeling so much pain now, they reckon that the gall bladder pain is worse than childbirth, although us boys would`nt know about that would we? Found a pic of the X2000 in a book I have, it was pictured in Phillidelphia, was wondering if you were driving it at the time? You take care now!
Rob. Enjoyed that Canadian Heritage site, great pics and info, many thanks. Had an interest in aircraft because of my AA artillery service, used to do a bit of aircraft recognition instructing in those far off days. Really enjoyed all your Canadian RR write up`s, that RSC24 is a very unusual looker, if I remember their was a Model RR article about scratch building one a few years back. Enjoyed all catching up on all your pics and posts.
Lars. Thanks for the really great selection from the Larsman Mobile, a nice colourful set of book covers and model RR pics. Sounds as if the competition between NY and Boston is the same as the one between our town and Waipawa our closest neighbor, they are always trying to outdo each other all the time!
Jan. Really enjoyed all your Observation car and trestle pics mate, good to see you are catching up on your sleep now!
CM3. A toast on Miner`s Day. Nice to see you back on board, nice repost of Lars`s C&O book covers and enjoyed your catalog re-write, very informative.
Fergie. Enjoyed your write up on the history of the Mess`s RR. Hope your Thermos is OK now, as we used to say in the artillery "Keep your powder dry".
Pete. Had a great time catching up on all you info and great pics mate! Don`t tempt me too much about coming to see Dwight D at ExpoRail, what I would`nt do to see an A4 in the flesh again, last time I saw Sir Nigel was at Doncaster way back when! Nice crop of photo`s of Alan`s, thats a nice looking Irish train set of yours, is it a Hornby set or a local maker? I remember the Wizard comic so well, at least it had a bit of something to read in it, not all pictures like the Beano and Dandy, my other favourite about 49/50 was the Eagle with Dan Dare and the great cutaway drawings in the centrefold pages, their was one of Mallard that I saved but that has gone the same way as my trainspotter books have. That rail painting site is great, i`ll be downloading some pics from there soon, thanks for that. Your wife`s Green Bay pics are top notch!
Ron. Nice to see you, enjoyed the photo`s of your engine project, is that scale lumber you are using or do you mill it yourself?
A pint of Harvey's Christmas Ale please RUTH(8.2 ABV), as it is snowing here now.
ROB Many thanks for the description and photos of your time in Halifax, there certainly is a lot to see and do there. With Keith's Brewery as well.
Very sorry to read of the trouble you had on your outward trip on the Ocean. I was very lucky on our trip to Halifax on the Ocean as Tom had been on the train before and made the arrangements. The Renaissance stock was not quite a shock to me as I am used to the stock and loading gauge in the UK. I' m glad we went on the Ocean first as the Renaissance cars would have been very disappointing if we had traveled on those great Budd cars and Dome on the Chaleur first.
Luckily our trip on Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Kansas City went well and the bride enjoyed the trip so she says she is willing to go on another long distance rail trip.That was sad what happened to the model railway.
Who would do the cooking if H&H were to leave; they have got the Fish ‘n' Chips down to a treat.
ERIC Great to see you back at the bar, real glad you have got the doctor situation sorted out.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. Is the X2000 on the track nearest the river.
I bet that steam loco in your photo was making a great sound.
JAN Thanks for the drink and I hope you can get a good sleep.Try not to work too hard.
CM3 A toast indeed to all the miners on Miner's Day. I often think of them when I see one of the very long coal trains passing through here on it way to a power station, they do a difficult and dangerous job to provide us with the electricity which we take for granted. Although I lived outside the mining area in England a lot of our work in the factory I worked at was building the very large D.C mine winding motors.
Many thanks for the details on the C&O bookcovers provided by Manager Lars. Interesting about the H8s 2-6-6-6s, were they used on the wrong type of train by the C&O.I think that it is a really good photo that looks like it is a painting as in the one of 7460.
Thanks for info on the switch from diesel to electric on the FL9s.
Really enjoyed reading the catalog rerun post.
LARS I did have a search of Roar of the Rails, the one I found was a TV program from the 1940s it sounded good for its time.
Yes Tom and I have discussed how things have changed with the youngsters today although I have to say I have found a lot of them are far more polite over here than most of them in England today.
Really appreciate those kind words.
Unfortunately the work on the basement has had to be put back this year but things are happening now, so a home for the layout is hopefully is on the way.
Some classic diesels on the covers from the Larsman Mobile today. Thanks for sharing.
Talking of the Scottish being tight with money, did you hear of the Scotsman who had a big lottery win
His wife said to him "Andrew, what about the begging letters".
He thought for a while and replied "Och keep sending them oot".
To put things right with the Scots.
When God created the world he showed Scotland to Gabriel, who looked at Scotland and said, "With those beautiful snow covered mountains, lovely clear lochs and the pleasant green glens you are giving too much to one country. God replied "You have not seen who I am giving them as neighbors".
Seriously though I have found the Scottish people to be generous and kind hearted, in fact I met the bride in Scotland.
RON Many thanks for the photo of the model it looks to be coming on really well. I am sure your wife will be pleased with the cabinets.
TOM Thanks for the kind words.
It is really annoying when you lose a post but as you say today's one was extra strange, it being on the site and than vanishing.
I talked with Alan yesterday and he is going to send over a magazine that has something on the Silver Princess stainless steel car that was imported from the USA and ran o
Good to see the return of CM3 Shane to his normal morning "slot" - also the support continues from Manager Lars 'n trolleyboy Rob is moving up on the inside! Also just caught a Post from DD1 Ron . . . hit 'n run, but some good info provided.
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #64
<A form of this was intially Posted on Page 111, Jan 25th, 2006 on the Original Thread>
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Pullman Company from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection.
How to pack more pleasure into your vacation
GO PULLMAN
Good day Tom and all at Our place. A round for all if you please. I haven't had a chance to check the new posts, but I will just post a couple of pictures of my engine project for now. Later, I will post a more lengthy dialogue.
As you can see, I have most of the parts made and am starting to assemble them. There's still a lot to do.
I've embarked on an additional project involving kitchen cabinets and hope that won't take too long. I'm trying to get the cabinets done before my wife comes home . Sort of a surprise, so don't you tell her.
BTW, I have a book for those interested in railfan trips. It describes some interesting "Orient Express" type trains throughout the world. If anyone is interested in it, I can mail it to you.
P.S. I filled up last night at $2.79 per gal.
A quick good morning , just coffee and a number three Ruth as today is a work day.
Tom-You must be using the wrong recycled electrons to have lost a posted post ( I know Boris that statement just hurt my head as well ) That or they were made in China and have been recalled for their lead content At any rate I'll leave a couple bucks in the coal scuttle for any required usuage this afternoon and evening while I'l toiling away.
Amazing that Exporail is going to expand that much, ah to have government funding !I'm glad that you like that cut and bridge , unhappily all those scenes are gone. The club in it's wisdom ended up tearing them all out to put in stagging the "operators" won out over the those that wanted to complete and upgrade the visuals of the layout, there by increasing the yields at the public open house's.Oh well and the the operations are fine ( and they really were ) people that wanted the visual upgrades actually had more support than those who did the tearing out, oh well train club politics, I've had my shore and don't do it anymore
Eric-I'm glad to hear that you are getting some better help/ advice. At least with retirment pending any work stress will be gone from your life , which should help. Our trip was this past July/August.
Lars-Ah yes we must keep Pete happy, some nice book covers however What can I say we were away for almost three weeks , believe it or not teh train trip was cheaper than the flight would have been , I'm just PO'd that we were lead down the path, had we known that we would not have access to the dome nervanna,we would have spent the extra couple of bills to be sure.
Not to worry I think I'll pass her coarse, besides she wouldn't leave me in the clutches of H&H, and even if she did they wouldn't make my life to horrible as I am the one who sponsered them to come to mentor in the first place ( I had them brought in I can send them back out )Vito said so anyway
As to my Scot background , hey I'm only half, Heather's full blooded , she likely has the first dollar bill she made ( and she won't tell me where it is ) My grandmother always said that I was tighter than tree bark, I have improved over the years mind you .
Rob
Ruth my deAH, on this "good to be alive day" I'm most happy to see my favorite gal behind the bar! Set ‘em up on me - treats for the crittAHs ‘n a mugga Joe with a Jolt if you please! Boris ring the bell - ‘n the change is for YOU, young lady!
Temps around my part of the world are in the low 20s right now - expected to get into the 30s. Not a bad day at all. Got rain ‘n more cold forecast for the weekend. Of course down in the Keys things are much bettAH, right Cap'n Tom
Gasoline is at $3.39 and has been all over the map lately . . . expect it to remain above three bucks forever.<groan>
Interesting "bit" from Da Bossman - can't figure out these forums. Surely a mystery how things "work," or bettAH put, "don't work"! Sorry that you lost your work AFTER it got posted. Man, that's strange.
All kinds of "stuff" from Rob yesterday - must've been your day off, huh Anyway, good to see you back in fine form. Trying to regain your status ‘round here as a regular Well, we'll just have to submit it to the "committee" once you show that you're serious about it.
Not trying to tick you off or anything like that - but after reading your "report" from your summertime adventure, I just gotta ask. What is wrong with you!?!!?!? I mean this was supposed to be your first time to the maritimes by train and you elected to go on the cheap?!?!?!? Absolutely don't get it, don't get it. Don't blame it on your Scottish heritage, for I know several from that part of the world who'd take issue with the aspersion. <grin> (Have some close friends not far from here with parents who moved to the U.S. from Scotland - in fact we're all members of the same Lodge . . .)
Anyway, here's how it works: whenever you get a chance to ride in a dome, take it. One nevAH knows whether that will be the ONLY time you'll have to do it. And they say youth is wasted on the young. No joke . . .
I spoke with Molly Throttlebottom and she assured me that although she "favors" you immensely, she'll cut you NO SLACK when it comes to the course you're enrolled in. Pass it or get rephrased. Pass it or wind up in the Jello Pit. Pass it or one of the H&H gals will "claim" you as their own! Good Grief Charlie Brown, what do you need - a building to fall on you Pass it!
As always, Cap'n Tom came through with yet another fine Fallen Flag for us - the Chessie is indeed a fine road to read about ‘n view. The drumheads are "way cool" ‘n it's too bad we no longer have the numbers at the bar for a "theme" day. Would've made a gudun . . . <grin>
The coalminer guy we call Shane has made it back to the bar with a "real" post this morning. Great to see your return. Believe it or not, I heard a reference to "Miner's Day" on the radio this morning . . . and this is New YAWK City . . . Anyway, it isn't a "happy day" per se, especially when considering how many have given up their lives in doing that kinda work. A toast to those who do the things necessary for us to do what we do! <klink>
Encouraging news from the desert as Eric refuses to give in to the situation. Way to go, mate! Another nog on me! And by the way, I too recalled that photo from Chicago. Steamer shot is ‘way cool' too . . .
Thanks for the well wishes for my Mrs. - got more tests tomorrow.
Pete it goes like this: YOU aren't allowed in the Penthouse Suite - neither is Eric. After what youse guyz tried to do to Ruth ‘n me some months back . . . <geesh>
I haven't done a search on that "Roar of the Rails" - but you could! One can only imagine what the kids of today are "learning" from video games ‘n the like. Hell, I already know - I watched my grandchildren go through that phase. Now, some are young adults, but you can tell that their "socialization" was far, far different from mine or my sons. Just the way it is I supposed as the generations pass us by . . . <groan>
Cap'n Tom, that was a nice "thing" you had to say about the fellow sailor you met aboard the Via train. Nice to develop friendships that way.
Pete's commentary about a bond between those of us who served in the military is oh so true. Same goes for sailors of all stripes. Once at sea and against the elements, the bond shows through when engaged in conversation - every time. Pete, not to worry, mate - you'd fit in quite well in the "circles" I run in - of course we'd not understand a thing you say <according to what I've heard!>
By the way, that's a great looking Irish train you've got there. WHEN does it get a "home" of it's own Kinda past due, isn't it
Rob, those two advertisements fit right in with the "stuff" going on ‘round here and the photos for our Toy & Model Trains Day
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Nice day here today (approx 11 deg. F this a.m., snow on the ground and on the trees and some sunshine as well).
Today is Miner's Day. A century ago 362 miners perished in an explosion at Monongah, WV. The most ever in a mine disaster in U.S. history - a toast to absent friends.
I have a mound of material that I have read through and lots of folks had questions. If I let anybody out, I apologize.
Fergie provided on deck naraatives and company history. Thank you.
Lars provided mannny book covers. A lot of the C&O items reside on the shelves in the east wing. The book cover for passenger cars shows a picture of the Hot Springs mixed, IIRC. Also, very nice steam pictures as well. The MKT, TRRA and SLSF items are goo ones, too. The IT has more than a few devoted fans. Some of their power wandered rather far afield as I remember seeing some in Bluefield one time. I also enjoyed the catalog cover for Challengers of the High Iron - they just don't write copy like that anymore. We have been lucky enough to see several Giants games down here - loved last Sunday's contest. Many folks were surprised by Pitt's defeat of WV. As I told my son, "That's why they play!"
Pete - In the Traces is Still in Print. Good luck finding it through a title search on Amazon. Type in Ted Rose and you will find it. IMHO, it's one of the best I have ever seen.
You had some questions re some of the C&O book covers that Lars sent along. Here goes.
First one is of a C&O H-8. This was a 2-6-6-6 built by Lima; a magnificent machine that never was used correctly by the railroad. The Virginian (always interested in having what their neighbor to the north had), rostered some as well.
The PM book has a BL2 on the cover
The third one shows an E8
Last, the picture of C&O 7460 is, IIRC, a photograph.
Also, thanks for sharing Alan's steam pictures.
Rob - I recall the Cartier and R&S low hoods, but it don't mean we have to like ‘em. (lol)
Your comments on the CV were thoughtful. Folks who were there at the time said that maybe there was some testing, but they also put whatever was available at the time on a train and sent it south. IOW, it was worth being beside the tracks as you never knew what was going to come along next. Glad you confirmed my memory of what went on.
Enjoyed the rerun of the ONR and work equipment material.
Canadian Northern summary was appreciated.
1941 CN tt? I found one in the box in the archives - thanks for holding the light, Boris.
BTW, we all have stories of unintended consequences of trying to save money on travel.
Jan sent along observation car pictures, and some nice narrow gauge items. I never contracted a raging case of narrow gauge fever, but they are of interest because of all the mining activity. Also enjoyed the pictures of C&O and N&W steam and the other western pictures you sent. Yes, Frostbite, I have been to Rawlins, WY.
DD1 sent some interesting material. The New Haven's FL9s are, of course, the best known diesel/third rail locomotives. Ideally the diesel was shut down and the electric took over from there. Sometimes it was a little different in practice and Grand Central could get pretty nasty at times, even though they were not supposed to run the diesels there. Metro North got many of the FL9s and I recall photographing them both on the Hudson and Harlem Lines. Amtrak got a few after that and they were r/b by MK.
Eric - Hope you are doing better,
OSP has been keeping us going. Good movies, chief. Also enjoyed the Budd ad.
"Broadway Cruising Through Metuchen?" I was there! The Broadway ran along there at a pretty good clip, but the "Congressional" was the one that I remember as really hauling it. Incidentally, for those of have not read it, Welsh's book on the Broadway (shown in OSPs post is well worth the money). Thanks also for the CP grafix classix and the AF and Lionel catalogs. Last I appreciated the C&O material (of course)
Will mail book on Saturday.
Herewith a rerun of the catalogs post I did a long time ago.
The catalogs come in November, just as they have for years. The catalogs are books that deserve serious study. The catalogs mean that Christmas is coming. The Lionel catalog is the one that gets the most attention. Its glossy pages contain enough railroad-related material to satisfy Commodore Vanderbilt and all of his vest-wearing, watch chained, cigar-smoking lackeys. Look, here's a Pennsylvania Railroad steam turbine. On the next page is a Tuscan red GG1 electric with a set of Pennsy passenger cars. My father tells me that they look just like the ones he rides to Washington. I want to go to Washington, too, and see the "Congressional Limited" as it passes along the tidal basin by the cherry blossoms - at least it does in the catalog. Here's a GP7 in red, black, and silver from the Burlington Route set against a generic picture of the heartland. Turn the page and there's some EMD switchers decorated for the Seaboard Air Line and for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. My, what we could do with a set of those. Then there are lovely F units in Santa Fe red and silver war bonnet paint and on the next page a pair of Fs for the New York Central. You can get freight or passenger sets with these. Right after that is a monstrous FM Trainmaster lettered for the fearsome, far away, Virginian. Toward the back of the book is page after page of freight cars of all types. Then there are pages of passenger cars. The very back has track, accessories, and transformers big enough to power a small city. It's pretty simple: we want it all. And why not? Christmas is, after all, a time of renewed hope and possibility.
P.S. Will be back at it tomorrw and also next Monday, but I am going to try and do better at visiting - it's been wild the past two weeks.
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