Hi Tom and all,
The usual round for the crew of Tui`s please Leon! And another round please, WE WON, WE WON, WE WON! What a great darts contest, three ZIP!
Tom. I wonder if anyone`s noticed how "ERIE" it has been around these parts just lately? What with the all bats and pumpkin lamps around it sure has been very "ERIE" Great write up on the Train of Tommorow together with all the interesting info and pics , the ERIE RR post, and the RR magazine covers as well! Maybe one day you will get to make that trip down under Tom, you can bet you will be made very welcome down here, we could do that Tui brewery tour as well as all of the train delights here!
Lars. A fine selection of "ERIE" book covers and other pics, enjoying all your sports repartee on the matches you have been watching, did you see that performance by the fans when the Red Sox won?
Pete. Glad you enjoyed that LOR link, Dan came up with some other good links as well did`nt he? Enjoyed all of your posts and pics, that paddle tug was so familiar, it was one of the Tyne Commissoners fleet that covered all of the towing jobs, boy did they used to smoke under strain! Congrats on all the good darts throwing, except for that one in the keester though!
Eric. From what I remember of the Melbourne trams they had entries on both sides, I think this was to save having to turn them round at the termini. That trip over in 1980 was by air, we broke the flight and had a stopover to have a look around for a couple of days, wish we`d done the train trip now, but time was a bit tight on that vacation, would love to do the new Ghan rail trip now they have completed the line to Darwin, that would be one heck of a trip! Enjoyed all the info and pics on your posts.
Dan. Thanks for the St Pancras and LOR links, what a difference to St Pancras with all that glass cleaned up, back in it`s former glory, hope they do to Kings X too! Thanks for the e-mail reply.
Rob. Those trams at Invercargill were Birney cars that were built by Brill, all of them ended up as garden sheds or holiday homes, can`t find out if any were preserverd at all>
Jan. A nice selection of "ERIE" steam loco`s on your posts mate, to your usual high standard!
CM3. Great news of our third darts match, did`nt we do well? Enjoyed your very descriptive report of all the goings on, those 2nd Class saloon guys will try anything wo`nt they? No wonder Tom calls you our ACE reporter mate! Nice info on the "ERIE"
Ron. Nice to see you on board a couple of times.
Fergie. Nice decorations in your Mess, is it a joint effort by the whole crew?
Per. Nice to see you again, looks as if you got away from those fires OK. Arny has really impressed me as State Governer of your state, he looks as if he is doing a good job of supporting all the communities.
See ya, Allan
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams for a great Erie day yesterday please RUTH.
RON Glad the model is coming along well.
I wonder how much as changed at the museum inTemuco in the 15 years since you were last there.
Indeed there is nothing like the taste of Guinness in Ireland
ROB I wonder if AL ever got the book he said he was writing published, it certainly would be a very detailed book.
Alan has sent the next lot of photos with some great pics. He said he will send the details of the German photos. On some photos it was when preserved steam locomotives took over normal freight workings on the main line, they followed one train by bus, Alan said it was just like going back to the 1960s on BR.
CM3 Many thanks for the info on the MBTA diesels. When I was up in Providence I was very green on North American locomotives next time I go there I shall be a lot better prepared, although I did know that those trains on the Green Line in Boston were something special. Will very much look forward to the photos from Boston at the rendezvous.
There is an interesting tale about after nationalization of the railways in Britain, the board was trying to decide a livery for the locomotives, nearly all steam then. A senior man from the locomotive side was given the colors and it was some ex LMS class 5s that were painted to show the new colors. The locomotives where assembled at Willesden roundhouse in London and there was light green, dark green, Caledonian a blue and maybe one or two colors I can't recall. Anyway while the board were inspecting the locomotives what should pass by but a newly overhauled Class 5 in LNWR Blackberry Black with maroon and straw lining (which was not on the list of colors to be shown) this loco impressed the board and the chairman. As they were leaving the roundhouse one of the board when up to locomotive man and said "You(he was a Crewe man)
A sweep for Our Place in the darts, great. One year I will have to stay sober to enjoy all the activities like the subway ride but there again the sight of AWK FROSTBITE and then TEX driving the Edsel would surely send me back on the drink again. Please give the reporter my thanks for the great coverage of the event.
LARS It was a great Erie day yesterday and thanks for your bookcovers on the Erie. It is really great that you were able to find 16 covers to share with us.
OK what have you done with the trophy
JAN Well done on E-Bay. That is a great painting on the cover of Steam Steel and Limiteds, but I could not read the writing under the title can you tell me what it says, I bet it is a great book.
PER I'm afraid I do not know about the names of the sleepers. I did wonder about the 6-6-4 when I read through the post.
I wonder if there were many names that were carried by locomotives that was the same but on different companies. I guess this happened a lot in the early days of the railroads.
TOM. It was great to talk to you today.
For some reason black was chosen for the early diesels and electrics on British Railways, maybe because the first main line diesel No 10000 which was turned out by the LMS just before nationalization in 1947 was in black. I think by the mid 1950s, the colour was Brunswick green which looked a lot better in my opinion. In the 1960s there was a demonstration diesel No D0260 Lion that was painted white, there cannot be many locomotives that were painted all white. Probably one of the oddest liveries for a steam loco was when a wallpaper company used a preserved ex LMS class 5 to demonstrate its product for TV ad, a flowered steam loco.
I have had no luck with that film title but I will keep looking.
Now Arriving on Track #1
A Nickel's Worth of Classic Covers!
Number Three
Caveat: Use of the images presented is made under the provisions of Public Domain. There is no intent to profit or otherwise benefit from the display of these images except for personal pleasure.
(1) RR Magazine - 1943 - Rails Across the Blue Ridge
(2) RR Magazine - 1954 - Adventurous Railroading
(3) RR Magazine - 1942 - A B&O Wood-Burner
(4) RR Magazine - 1952 - Through the Snow
(5) RR Magazine - 1952 - The Limited
Enjoy!
Tom
Miss any
#1 . . . Page 117
#2 . . . Page 123
Good day Tom and all present. Drinks all around and Guinness for me and Rob.
Tom: That is a beautiful shot of the VIA diesel. I haven't been around any trains for a long time and never realized there were so many nice looking trains on the rails. The only engines I see down here are the garden variety GP's and SD's. I wouldn't be at all bothered to ride on a train that looks that good.
I retired 18 years ago, but had to go back to work (money). I finally retired officially 4 years ago. Money is still tight at the moment and that is the only reason I would even consider going back to work. It doesn't look like I will ever go back to work and relax, so I will have to make the best of retirement.
I checked about the passport renewal and the earliest "priority" service is 3-4 weeks at around $120.
Great looking subway cars, but shouldn't a model subway be underground?
Rob: Ever since I came back from Ireland (about 5 years ago), Guinness has been my beer of choice. Many years ago, I used to drink "Black and Tan", a mixture of Guinness stout and lager, but now it's Guinness draught. Have you tried Murphy's? Some like it over Guinness.
I'm getting some replies from other sources re: quartering and they all seem to say the drivers are quartered 90° for balancing purposes only.
Hello everybody at the bar and a very happy November!
Ruth, since it is Thursday, I like a bowl of Pea Soup and some Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam and whipped cream for desert. Yummy!
I see that my feeble attempt at base ball trivia was way too easy. I thought it might be, but that's all I have picked up. My daughter goes to Northeastern, so she pointed out the site to me last weekend. Pictures of Cy Young and what's left of the field will come later, my PC is still in pieces.
We did travel around a little bit while in Boston. The old Union Station (union of what?) in Northampton is now a restaurant, actually two: a Pasta place and a Steak House. We tried the steak house and it was pretty good. The tunnel under the station and tracks is converted to a bar, the "Tunnel Bar", what will they think of next.
On our way through New Hampshire I saw an old BAR box car used as advertisement for a storage place. But that's all train stuff I saw in NH and ME. The leaves were still nice, but they had come off in many places due to the wind, so I was told.
Tom, don't worry, I will not have the time right now to go back and sum up what happened while I was gone. I will try to keep up going forward instead.
Yes, only two months until Christmas, New Years and the Parade! I can do without the shopping experience, though.
When I saw your pictures of your subway cars I was reminded of an article in Model Railroader about modeling subways. They claimed it was a great variation of the MR hobby. If I remember correctly, it was in an April issue
They were pretty good in Boston after the game. The TV news only reported one overturned car and one motorcycle on fire. It wasn't like LA when the Lakers won a couple of years ago.
CM3, I like your articles from the Dart Tournament. Very nice! I hope your Renault was a bit bigger than a CV4 considering Boris rode on the roof! I would have liked to go with you in the Edsel, never been in one of those, heck, I have never seen one in real life, even.
I have no idea what the other school is that have an old ballpark on their grounds. Please tell.
What is the story behind that Erie car I posted? I don't know very much about the prototypes to these Ambroid cars. I have been able to pick up a few things here and there, but I have nothing on this car.
Great explanation of the North and South Stations in Boston. I didn't know there was a connection. I will have to look a bit closer next time. I did the T and Green Line as you described, only I came in on the Green Line from Northeastern. I dropped my wife off n the Silver Line to go to the airport. That's a trolley bus in a tunnel! It seems they have all modes of tunnel traffic in Boston! I didn't have any time this time to explore what could be left over from the EL days. I saw a note at the South Station, though, that the EL structure there was removed in 1939 to support the war effort. And now they are building something on top of the South Station???
Pete, I fight you for the beer carrier position! That's about the extent of what I can do in a sports trivia game also.
Since you quoted Al's post, I have to ask a question about that: Did Pullman decide the names of the sleepers? I see that EL had their 6-6-4 named American, the same as the 60 that went to UP. That made me wonder. We'll leave the typo for another day when Al returns.
DD1, Congratulations on your progress with the D engine. I am not one of the experts on driver quartering, but I would have guessed that the drivers were quartered. Let's wait for Eric to give the final word here. I am eagerly awaiting pictures of your engine.
I hope you get to go to Chile in the spring.
Lars, thanks for the EL books.
And just as I was going to post, Jan posted two eBay finds! That instruction manual looks interesting. I found something similar for an Rc on Tradera, the Swedish eBay.
Ya'll be good now!
Per
Greetings Tom and fellow gentlemen.......
Sorry, I can only stop by for a short while......
Barkeep...! Will you please keep the lads topped up with whatever they're having and cigars to go with it...there's plenty to eat in the kitchen that's hot.....
Here's some $$$$ to keep you all going until closing time.....
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer.....
I managed to lay my hands on these two subjects on ebay....yayyy!
Have a nice day/night and take care everybody.....
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Lars' bookmobile (filled with great E-L material) broke the line of sight from Mt. Mentor to the superhet, but he graciously agreed to move the mobile and we were able to get the final darts report.
Subway Series
Greetings From Our Studios High Atop Majestic Mount Mentor where we have cranked up the old coastal defense rangefinder to see what's going on five miles uptown from midtown downtown Mentor. From what we can tell the cleanup is well underway in the aftermath (make that conclusion) of the 2007 IMWWDT. Boris, did you know that Cat made scrapers THAT big?
When last we reported we mentioned that Our Place was up two with one to go. Even Boris, mathematically challenged as he is, agreed that odds were pretty much in favor of Our Place retaining the trophy. He didn't even have to unlace his brogans to count.
Transportation to the darting parlors was an issue, as always. Your reporter has access to a wide spectrum of vehicles and other ways to get around. The problem with most of them is lack of parts to keep them going. As an aside your reporter feels like his warranty ran out a long time ago. No Awk, not "scrapped."
Today we opted for the black and white Edsel as that had not been out on the road for awhile. Who better to drive this beast than Frostbite if only because his costume matched the paint scheme. Three boxes of Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge timecards (they don't mean anything anyway) and Frostbite was barely able to see over the wheel. Awk was delegated to work the pedals, Boris loaded hampers, PPE, and extra ammunition and, in no time we were ready to head down the mountain to the darting venue. It was easy to find our way there because the Halloween punch bowl was still smoldering. Lead Kindly Light, indeed.
We were stopped along the way by the Greater Mentor Street Railway's wire train. It seems as though they were under contract to some guy in the heartland who was building a subway.
The foreman, Lector Motive, was a little reluctant to comment, when your reporter stopped to find out what was going on. He said, "That guy we were working for will never miss all of this wire." So your reporter asked his assistant, PCC Karr, what was afoot. All that Cat would say was, "We made a deal with the dart guys - you'll have to wait and see what happens." Just then one of the Mentor Street Ry's open cars passed by. Your reporter noticed a sign on the car which read "Barge Pier via Our Place." Passing strange, but we did not have time to investigate more because the start time for the match was drawing near.
The starting lineups were introduced with appropriate banter and greetings from the groundlings (and ground hogs) in the crowd. Your reporter noted that he had seen better looking lineups at the police station. But it was show time. The Second Class guys won the toss - the saw blade had some how gone missing this time and a freight car wheel was used instead.
Second Class was going for broke; probably because they would be if they lost given the amount of money that was changing hands in the back room at Our Place. Mo, Rock, Lance and Doug all did very well - maybe because Mt. Man Mike was standing behind them with a large piece loaded with buck and ball.
Our Place matched them throw for throw. It was tied at the end of regulation so we went to a throw down - no Boris, we don't need to practice the neck breaker today. By dint of furious exertion, Our Place managed to come out victorious by about a point or three, or tee for two, and tie a who, and, jeez what was in that cup?
We knew things were going to get bad when the Second Place guys and their backers phormed a phalanx (what's up with this Spell Chqier?) and charged the victors. As always, your reporter had a planned escapeway. However we couldn't find our driver which meant that much as we hated to do it, valor had to become the better part of discretion. Then we saw what was happening.
Frostbite opened the back door and then the door to the sub basement. Those of you who recall the last tournament remember that the ice machine for the MHL (Mentor Hockey League) resides in the sub basement. Your reporter could not believe his eyes when, from afar, he saw a complete subway station had also been built in the subbasement. The open car that he had seen before was waiting at the platform. As I watched, each Our Place team member showed a Mentor Street Railway pass to the attendant. They (and your reporter) boarded the car (trophy in hand). How did your reporter get aboard without a pass - simple, he jumped the gate, just like he used to do in the long ago.
The Second Place boys were stopped at the gate because they had no tokens for the car line. So your reporter and the Our Place guys made good their escape. We broke out into the daylight after a short underground ride and proceeded rapidly to the Mentor River (better known as Old Sludgy). A barge tow awaited and the Our Place folks jumped aboard and hid under the tarps on the barges. Lars yelled, "Gimme the trophy," as he disappeared under the tarp.
Just then the Edsel appeared with Tex at the wheel and Boris in the back, manning the water cooled Browning which he had remembered to pack. We were heading away from the dock as the barge tow pulled away at the same time the Second Place folks arrived. We made good our escape in the confusion. So another IMWWDT is consigned to the dustbin of history (excuse me), I meant to say, over.
We surely enjoyed the refreshments and the cigars that we purloined (comped, I mean) from Our Place while we were there. After all, in the interestes of scientific reportage, we had to make sure that they were fresh. Boris, there's a good fellow, pass me my fez and the controller. Let's see what's on. Oh here's a good one, "Professional Pumpkin Smashing." Good night all.
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, a mugga Joe with a jolt for me - PPF for Boris after he feeds the crittAHs - a round for the house ‘n the change is for YOU!
First off I wanna THANK youse guyz for coming through on the Erie day (Halloween) - it turned out GREAT! Must mention those who made it happen: Cap'n Tom with that "loaded" Erie advertisement - Jan with those great looking steam locos ‘n narratives - Per with the model of the Erie-Susquehanna hopper car - Shane with the Erie ad - and Pete with the rerun of "20 fingers Al" Erie info . . . . all made for a fine day at the Watering Hole by the Wayside! 5- Salute to y'all!!
Didn't note any woIds for Da Bossman for a fine AM report with Halloween "stuff" then a great follow-up round of acknowledgments that included two pix from the Can-Am RR! Fine looking subway cars - do you realize it's been nearly TWO years! Anyway, nice work, Bossman - as always! Sorta jacks my jowls that guys hard work 'n efforts may be taken for granted . . .
Another entertaining "report" from the Dart's tournament by Shane 'n his Ace Reporter! One more to go B4 we "know," huh?? <grin> I think even Boris could figure this one out!
Noted visits by Dan - Ron ‘n Rob - Cheers, mates! Good to see ya in . . .
Time again boyz ‘n goils for the Larsman Mobile! What do we have on this fine day
EL Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment
Erie Lackawana Trackside
Erie Lackawana, Vol 5 - Merger Memories
Erie Lackawana in Color, Vol 6
Ruth, we've got some <ahem> admin matters to attend to on your break! {ooooooh>
Until the next time!
Lars
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We are getting some fall weather here at last - 20's at night and 60s in the day.
Now let's go through the stack of stuff.
Pete - MBTA trains are all push-pull diesel-powered (F40s and GP40Ps), even though their service between Boston and Providence does run under the NEC wires. F40s haul bi-level coaches in and out of South Station. GP40PS handle single-level cars in and out of North Station. Take a look at my reply to OSPs question (below) and you'll find out some more.
Thanks for rerun on Erie sleepers. Their names were a lot easier to deal with than the ones on the Lackawanna (lol).
I would respectfully disagree with your comments re black diesels. The following schemes, IMHO, did very well. Nickel Plate, Rio Grande, New Haven, Western Maryland (especially), and Erie. Oh, almost forgot Norfolk and Western. Well, this oughta get soemthing started.
Jan - Thanks for Erie steam pictures.
Per - Huntington Avenue Grounds. Northeastern University occupies the site. BTW, it's not the only home plate to be in a college building - any guesses where the other one is?
Really appreciated the picture of the Ambroid slab-side NYS&W coal car. A lot of history behind that one in terms of the real thing.
Lars visited with book covers. I have most of them. Diamondbugs is an excellent piece of research - I really had to search for it when it came out, but was able to get a copy.
DD1 and Rob both visited - Good to hear from you! The quartering question is a good one - IIRC, there is something about that in Westing's book on Penn Station. I Know where that one is in the east wing, so I'll look through it and see what I can find out.
OSP sent along material on the Train of Tomorrow and a good question on Boston area connections.
There never was a direct rail link between South and North Stations. Passengers wishing to go from one to other either walked, cabbed, or used the subway. You probably rode from South Station to Park St, and changed there to a Lechmere (Via Subway) trolley, or a North Station trolley. Both of these ran underground and also on an elevated structure. And that's how you would get to the "Gahden." Fade in to Johnny Most (from high above courtside), "Big T, from Holy Cross, stops and pops (pause) it's in the air, it's goood!" He was an unabashed rooter for the Celtics and made even a routine foul on a Boston player sound like a mugging in the Combat Zone. I know we'd better stop here.
There is a physical connection between the B&M and the B&A, however. This is the so-called Grand Junction which originated at Beacon Park, crossed the Charles River and eventually terminated in East Boston. There was a B&A grain elevator and other piers, etc in East Boston. The track is at best suspect and it was always pretty scary to watch trains going along there. It is used presently to move cuts of MBTA and Amtrak cars and equipment from one side of town to the other. No scheduled trains use it. Yes, Boris, we do have pictures and I'll try and bring them to the rendezvous. I always liked the B&A bridge that crossed the river. It was right near the BU bridge and was (is) a deck girder with a fine-looking set of NYC logos on it and the company name as well. I do not know how it is painted as I have not been in that part of the city in a long time.
Appreciated your Erie material. Check out all of the attachments on the long hood end of Erie 1210.
Boris evolved? That throws the whole theory into question.
Speaking of Boris, he sure had a fine Halloween/Birthday party. I got word from our reporter that they found him with electrodes from the superhet connected to his ears, and a sign reading, "Good night sweet prince," draped around his neck. The reporter believes that he'll make it, even though he took a lot of voltage. I'm not sure whether the reporter was talking abt. Boris or himself - we'll probably find out more a little later.
Work safe
<personal foto>
G'day Gents!
A new month ‘n we're getting closer to the holiday season <fa-la-la-la-LA!> Time to begin thinking about the joys of shopping! <arrrrrggggghhhhh>
Comments from the Proprietor:
The Email link: We recently exercised the link that was established way back at the time this bar opened. From time to time issues arise whereby the Proprietor needs to communicate subject matter to our customers that should remain off-line and out of the Ether.
Many thanx to all who participated through being willing to share your Email addresses, offer opinions and accept the precepts of operation here at "Our" Place as guests on the Kalmbach Forums.
I also wish to thank each of you who provided material for our Erie Railroad Theme on Halloween! A good offering from the guyz and most appreciated!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Wednesday - 31 Oct 2007:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 2:52 PM: We Won! We Won! Game #2 is a WINNAH - so let's see - ONE, TWO - that means the 3rd game . . . Excellent account ‘n we certainly are looking forward to the finale!
Seems that Artie <the owl> has fit right in with Awk <parrot> to form our flying brigade. Boris the driver!?!? Now that's a frightening thought - but he did look rather dashing in the outfit you described! <grin> Loaded darts?!?!? Nah, Vito the hit would never stoop that low . . . <hmmmmmm>
Many THANX for the Erie advertisement! A coach club car, now THAT says it all! Your participation in our rather hastily arranged "theme" helped to move things nicely down the line.
Quarters ‘n round appreciated!
Pete (pwolfe) at 3:40 PM: Bat Man has arrived! <grin>
Speaking of black <which Bat Man's outfit includes> I think that the shade looks just fine with steam locos, but ridiculous with diesels ‘n electrics. Wonder why that is Probably because when the "newer" power horses were introduced to the rails, color accompanied them and that's what we've all become accustomed to viewing. I mean every now ‘n then one might've seen a blue steam locomotive <B&O> or a green one <Southern>, but by ‘n large black was IT. Interesting slant on it, eh
You, the beer carrier?!?!? Yeah right - wonder how far you'll carry it BEFORE you decide to take a sample <uh oh> Don't be too hard on yourself with U.S. sports trivia - after all, how many of us would know the minutia behind UK sports teams At least you TRY!
Should you come up with the title of that "bat movie" lemme know ‘n I'll see if it can be found for viewing at The Emporium Theatre . . . sounds like something our crew would enjoy <over a few beers that is!>.
Frightening to see the Encore! return of "20 Fingers" - appropriate for Halloween! <grin> But a good choice to add something different to our Erie Railroad Theme! As one remembers, chock full o' facts!
And finally - only YOU remembered that Halloween is indeed the B'day for our cloven footed Cyclops, Boris! While we aren't really certain of his origin <either UTBs Ted or Nick does> his "legacy" has evolved here at "Our" Place ‘n we've pretty much accepted Oct 31st as HIS day! <grin> Nice going Pete! Better watch it, I think Boris wants to take you to his shed - he has something to "sh
Good evening everyone , well survived another halloween onslaught of kids 'n' critter's. I think leon I'll go for that Guiness seeing as the keg seems well primed tonight.
Tom-Oh I'm deathly aware of the prices on the Canadain , I've already gagged we most likely will fly to Calgary and take the train from there , I know it's cheating but what the heck , we can get internal flights in Canada reasonably cheap from West Jet. Some interesting Erie stuff on this "erie" day.I ahve to say that I'd never in an expo game, my dad and I did make it to the Jays first match all those decades ago however. I have always said and will say that the old exhibition stadium was by and far the better of the ball parks , I just don't like the whole indoor thing when it comes to baseball.I didn't see your plaque at Keith's, they did have several nice stags and boars and such plaque mounted on the walls of the attached pub though.
Lars-Ah some wunnerfill Erie books. Good call on a theme day felt kinda like old times speacially with the 20 fingers repost from Pete ! I still prefer being at the ball game even with the sound down something seems lost in translation on the tube all though really and truly most sports are better in person.
Eric-Yup four 75's. there were a few hills to be climbed on the MS&C though, and they did pull trailers and express cars with these cars. The cars themselves are quite heavy 107 is close to 30 tons being 75 percent wooden in construction. They also were designed four 70 mile an hour runs.
Pete-Sounds like you got the bug a bit worse than me ( only slightly )but a dish rag is the best way one could say they feel with it.Thanks for digging out that Erie post from good ole Al, was nice to read that again.Great news to hear that there are more insatllments of photo's from Allan on the way.
Jan-great steam shots thanks for sharing
CM3-Another tour de farce ( I mean force )Nice to see siome use comming from that old tank. Hear I thought it was just going to be used by Hilga and Helga as a new sensory deprivation tank in their salon.
DD1-Nice to have another guiness lover in da bar with me. i thank you for the round. From what I understand there is no quartering on side rod electrics. My understanding is it was just a left over in designfrom companies that built steam running gear.
Rob
A round please RUTH for ERIE DAY.
ERIC I have never thought black was a good color for diesel and electric locomotives. It is amazing how since privatization of British railways how it has changed from every thing being blue or blue and white in 1970s and 80s to the very many different liveries there are on the different companies rolling stock today.
That mug makes a great souvenir of the ICE's North American Tour.
LARS I see Tom has answered your question. I have decided if we have an Our Place Sports Quiz Team, I will be the beer carrier.
You may be able to help with a question though, the bride wants to know when the game of American Football was first played, and we think the first professional game was in the 1890s.
Diamondbugs what a great name.
DL Many thanks for that great link to St Pancras station, it looks like the arrival hall is in the old beer vaults. In the LMS issue of RM there is a photo of a painting that has been commissioned to new station. It shows various trains leaving St Pancras from a Midland Railway single wheeler other locos including a Jubilee and a Peak to the Eurostar. I wonder if the original painting will be on display at the station.
As you say, Disused Stations is a superb site indeed, enjoyed the then and now photos of the L.O.R. and the maps are a great idea, at some locations it would hard to know it existed but at other places there are some clues.
I think that railway line that still exists in the present Langton Dock location is the line to Seaforth Container Terminal, I have traveled over it once on an enthusiasts special, it is a great line to see. I will send the link to Alan. Many thanks
CM3 Another victory in Match 2. Only hope we do not get too confident of winning the series. Truly a great reporter he deserves the Pulitzer for getting anything resembling a coherent statement out of me during the Tournament.
TOM Yes I don't think I have covered myself with any glory over the bat incident.
That is a very good point about those great trains from the 1940s and 50s they would have been very expensive to travel on with all the supplements for the extras like the domes. It brought to mind, a lot of the articles in Classic Trains about coast-to-coast travel in the 40s and 50s are written by people who were on troop trains.
Talking of bats reminded me of a film I saw on TV years ago it was a comedy horror film starring Vincent Price about Dracula coming to New York. On his first night there he turns in a vampire bat and goes looking for blood. It is a hot night and the windows are open the first place he flies in, the husband sees it and yells ‘It's the first wife, she said she would come back and haunt me" After escaping that commotion the vampire next call is in the poor part of town where the folks in the apartment think it is a black chicken and try to have him for dinner. Anyway the only victim he can get is a wino and he wakes up with a massive hangover. I am not too keen on horror films but this one made me, can't remember the title though.
Many thanks TOM, LARS JAN, PER and CM3 for the great ERIE posts. For my contribution I have ‘borrowed' a post from page from Passenger Fan AL.
ERIE Streamlined Sleeping Cars By Al The Erie owned a total of thirteen lightweight streamlined sleeping cars all built by Pullman Standard. There were three different types of sleeping cars purchased by the Erie. First to arrive on the Erie were four AMERICAN series 6 Section 6 Roomette 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping cars from Pullman Standard. These were part of a large order for these cars that went to Union Pacific, Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, Rock Island, Missouri Pacific and Illinois Central. The four cars received in June 1942 were assigned to the ERIE LIMITED between New York and Chicago. 6 SECTION 6 ROOMETTE 4 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard June 1942 Plan: 4099 Lot: 6669 (Built for and assigned to ERIE LIMITED & LAKE CITIES) AMERICAN LIBERTY AMERICAN LIFE AMERICAN UNITY AMERICAN WAY It would be 1949 before additional lightweight streamlined sleeping cars would join the Erie. In May-June 1949 Pullman Standard delivered seven 10-6 sleeping cars named for persons who had influenced the Erie. These cars were assigned to the ERIE LIMITED, LAKE CITIES and ATLANTIC EXPRESS. 10 ROOMETTE 6 DOUBLE BEDROOM SLEEPING CARS Pullman Standard May - June 1949 Plan: 4129A Lot: 6797 (Built for and assigned to ERIE LIMITED, LAKE CITIES and ATLANTIC EXPRESS) BENJAMIN LODER CHARLES MINOT DANIEL CRAIG McCALLUM ELEAZAR LORD JAMES GORE KING MARVIN KENT WILLIAM REYNOLDS After
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Boris, punch up Dropkick Murphys version of "Tessie." Thank you. Sorry that we are running late today, but it is one of THOSE days.
Is that a smoke generator by the bar? No, it's not; it's the never-ending Halloween punchbowl (aka old Skullcracker) fired up for the festivities. It is truly amazing what can be done with a used Bessemer converter and a little mechanical creativity. My compliments to the track gang and the boys down at Biff's Auto Body and Mortuary; they sure know how to fabricate and weld, especially after what happened at last year's darts tournament.
Following is a piece of advertising for the Erie Limited from approx. 1930.
The Erie Limited
Fast
Modern Luxurious
Individual Seat Coaches, Coach Club car. Superb Dining Car Service, Ultra Modern Sleeping and Parlor Cars. Sun Room Observation Lounge, Radio Equipped
New York - Buffalo- Chicago
Erie Railroad System - The Heavy Duty Railroad
Hark, do I hear the superhet crackling and sputtering? Boris, give it a good bash - thanks again. Hot dog! Another darts report.
T(NT) For Two
Greetings from our studios (and emergency room/shelter/explosion proof enclosure/sawmill) high atop Majestic Mount Mentor as we objectively observe the fluttering flakes of fallout from the furiously fought 2nd match of the 2007 IMWWDT. Those of you (and you know who you are) who have persevered through the several installments of this saga, will recall (or maybe you never knew - that stuff will mess with your head) that Our Place won the first match.
The second match was played at Second Class. Kind of logical when you think about it - believe me, this is as close to logic as we ever get around here!
Given what happened during the first contest, your reporter decided to eschew the Crosley and opt for the Renault tank for transportation down the mountain to Mentor. Boris does look dashing (make that dashed) in puttees, leather helmet, and tanker goggles. To what with the Kaiser?
He is a skilled driver and deftly responded to kicks in the head as we navigated our way along a road that was strewn with shreds of kangaroo hides and other impedimenta that had been cast aside by the fleeing Second Classers.
Second Class is definitely on the other side of the tracks. In fact we had to maneuver our way around the sheep pens and slag heaps in order to get there, but we arrived just in time for the coin toss. The second Class boys were in their throwback Orc uniforms. Your reporter appreciated this because he is about as Old school as it gets. There is a lot to be said for tradition, but he believes that it was because the new unies got torn up beyond all usefulness.
Awk noticed that there was a new coin which looked very much like a circular saw blade (big ‘un, too), and got out of the way as it spun into the air. It was the first time that your reporter saw no one making a dive for the coin.
Our Place won the toss and they were on target for sure as flash grenades were lobbed toward the crowd before each toss was made. As Pete remarked, "We do what we have to do to balance the odds which isn't easy because the room seems to be slanting a bit." This was probably a result of all of the pre game warm-ups that Our Place had consumed. Nevertheless we know Pete to be a trouper and he gazed out from beneath his signature hat and played well. When asked after the match to account for his high scores he cryptically said, "I saw three boards and threw at the one that wasn't moving."
Second Class matched Our Place toss for toss, drink for drink, body slam for body slam. However, they just could not overcome the initial lead posted by Our Place who took the victory. Your reporter noted that about midway through the match Our Place had switched out darts that Second Place was throwing. Nobody, however, was willing to comment on this and we thought that it would be best to let this delicate ethical issue alone because Vito and Leon starting sidling toward us when our questions grew a little too specific. Somehow the idea of a "ride in the country" didn't sound too appealing when they started patting their jacket pockets.
Mt. Man Mike, speaking for Second Class after the match observed, "we're two down with one to play. We'll get ‘em tomorrow." Your reporter raised the question about how that could happen, and Mike remarked, "It's all about the money."
By the way, we had a rough time extracting Boris from the dumpster as somebody hollered "Trick or treat," and he jumped right in. Nothing like being early for Halloween. Needless to say he rode on top of the Renault as we went back up the mountain. Even the sheep gagged as we passed by. Your reporter drove and Artie conned the tank. He has good vision in all directions so we made it back in good shape.
So here we are; Our Place is two up with one to go. Gotta like the odds.
P.S. Will be on schedule tomorrow and answer questions, etc. then - appreciate your patience.
Ruth, give 'em one on the house - then take your break!
Just to get a leg up on the comments!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10 AM: As promised, you came through with your spate of Erie book covers - nicely done, Mate! Given what's going on in your life, I'm very surprised that you're able to be with us on a daily basis - but then again, you are the exception to the norm when it comes to supporting the bar.
Don't be too hard with the guys - some of ‘em just don't check the bar that often so when they finally "get the woid" - they've run outta time. Happens. Ain't at all like the old days <daze> and a good reason why we're no longer doing the Tuesday Theme for the Day "thing" - not enough of "us" to go around.
But "we takes what we gets" at the Tavern by the Tracks ‘n we'll just have to roll with the CHANGES <there's THAT woid again!!>
Still chuckling over the exploits of Bat Man! <aka: Wolfman Pete!>
Since it appears that your fooooball quiz question(s) haves underwhelmed the crew, here's the answers:
For the trivia buffs out there - who recalls the teams that were moved from the old NFL into the new AFC when both leagues <NFL ‘n AFL> merged Now that's the easy part - next, who remembers the Super Bowls won by those "new" AFC teams <dooo dooo doooo do, doooo doooo dooooo do, dooot dooot doot, doot doot doot doot> Yeah, I can't carry a tune - but youse guyz who watch the tube should know that one! <grin>
The NFL Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Colts moved to the newly formed AFC to join the teams from the merged AFL.
Super Bowls won by those former NFL teams were:
1971 - V - Baltimore Colts over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1975 - IX - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Minnesota Vikings (NFC)
1976 - X - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1979 - XIII - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
1980 - XIV - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Los Angeles Rams (NFC)
- and - this from the depths of <trivia>
2001 - XXXV - Baltimore Ravens (formerly Cleveland Browns) over the New York Giants (NFC)
2006 - XL - Pittsburgh Steelers over the Seattle Seahawks (NFC) <a former AFL/AFC team!>
2007 - XLI - Indianapolis Colts (formerly Baltimore Colts) over the Chicago Bears (NFC).
So, there's an argument there when it comes to which is the dominating NFL Conference - especially in the early years after the merger (1970).
<phew> That's all Folks! <grin> Oh yeah, "tune" from the TV game show - Jeopardy!
As ever, appreciate the support, covers, round ‘n chat!
Dan (DL-UK) at 10:13 AM: No Erie "stuff" - however, all kinds of fine links!
Spent a wee bit too much of my "yard work" time perusing! <uh oh> Leaves are falling like snow flakes ‘n I'm sitting here on the patio <enclosed> enjoying the show! <grin>
Can-Am subway system will feature a total of 8 subways cars <which have been shown at the bar over time . . . .> Anyway, they are "typical" of what the New York City subway system had . . . The cars were built by the St. Louis Car Company in the mid-1950s are classified as R17s (4 in brown, 4 in red). The HO models are Proto 1000s.
Since this is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! - why not . . . .
Red Bird (R17) subway cars at Can-Am Gorge! <a demo run>
R17 subway cars at Land-Between-the-Lakes! <a demo run>
Oh yeah, got the "wide page phenom" - but I think it was the 1st URL that caused it.
Fortunately with a short Post, it doesn't cause the <grief> as with the longer ones . . .
Appreciate the
Happy Halloween everybody at the bar!
Ruth, may I have a ham sandwich for lunch, please, and a pint of dark ale, the best you have.
I'm back from a couple of days in Boston, great time even though it rained a bit and the early morning chill woke you up with a bang! The World Series was finalized while I was there so I stayed indoors to avoid the rowdy crowds.
I did see the home plate location for the very first World Series, though, and that's today's trivia question: Where is it located? (I only have what I've been told to go after, so don't tweet me too loudly if my answers is not what you think).
My PC is still sick (but I know how to fix it now; it's just going to take a while) so I need to be short this time.
There have been a number of great posts already today. Tom's expose of the Erie was an interesting reading and the book offers from the Lars Mobile were great as usual. Eerie Lack of Money is a railroad I know very little about, except what I read in a Trains article a couple of years back. Apparently the people who had held on to the stock long after the railroad stopped operating made a killing on the sale at the very end.
Tom, I liked the article on the Train of Tomorrow. I saw a note somewhere, but I forgot where, that UP kept those cars for quite a while in regular traffic.
Jan posted some great steam pictures. It's a great size comparison between the F and the S-3. Whowuddavthought that the F is that much smaller?
Eric, you've got to be kidding: Black electrics! What has the world come to??
As usual there is too much to catch up with, so I'm just going to give you one little picture. It's a combination of today's two themes: Erie and Model Railroading). It's taken from my web site and the photo credit goes to Roger Horne.
Amborid kit H-17 Erie-Susquehanna 50 ton 3 Bay Hopper Car built and photographed by Roger Horne. Picture used with permission.
Ya'll be good now and don't scare the kids tonight!
Greetings Tom and fellow bar visitors....
May I have the usual extra cold Guinness and top up with cigars for the lads please...? Get yourself something as well.....
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
I'll have to get back again later on.....still trying to get some sleep....must be overtired.
Great posts one and all!
The Erie Railroad bought more "Berkshire" type locomotives than any other railroad and was the only one to have purchased them from each of the big three locomotive builders.
In 1927, the Erie purchased twenty-five "Berkshires" from the American Locomotive Company, designated them as class S-1 and numbered them 3300 through 3324. In the same year the Erie placed an order with the Lima Locomotive Works for twenty-five more, this group was designated Class S-2 and were numbered 3325 through 3349.
The Baldwin Locomotive Works received an order for thirty-five "Berkshires" from the Erie in 1928. They were designated as Class S-3 and assigned road numbers 3350 through 3384. A final twenty "Berks" were ordered in 1928 and came from Lima in 1929. This group was designated as Class S-4 and carried road numbers 3385 through 3404.
All four classes were built to the same specifications, which included: 70" diameter drivers, 28.5" x 32" cylinders, a 225 psi boiler pressure and a tractive effort of 71,000 pounds. The Class S-1 locomotives weighed 443,000 pounds, the Class S-2 weighed 457,500 pounds, the Class S-3 weighed 461,000 pounds and the Class S-4 weighed 468,800 pounds.
This fleet of 105 "Berkshires" changed the Erie from a classic drag freight operation to a fast freight railroad in just two years.
Erie 2522 was built in 1912 by Rogers, founded in the on-line city of Paterson, NJ in 1835, and which had become part of American Locomotive Works in 1905. It was in many respects a copy of "Harriman" style Pacifics on the Union Pacific. Originally main-line passenger power, replacing Atlantics and ten Wheelers, it followed the typical path of steam locomotives, being downgraded to lesser trains as larger Pacifics came onto the Erie roster, until ultimately, as here in 1948, it served as North Jersey commuter power. The difference was that the K-5s, which replaced 2522, were not displaced by newer steam engines but by diesels.
Erie 2938 is a K-5, USRA 4-6-2B, or "heavy Pacific". It was built by Alco in Richmond, 1919. As was the case with all of the 2900s, it was equipped after delivery with an Elesco closed feedwater heater. Later K-5A types built by Baldwin in 1923 were also equipped with the same feedwater heater, but also had their boiler pressure raised to 210 psi, with an increase in starting tractive effort to 46,100 pounds. The later locomotives were retrofitted with cast steel engine beds, including airpump shields on the pilot. Some K5 and all K5A locomotives were equipped with BoxPox type disc drivers, not necessarily on all axles. Some K-5A received large Berkshire style tenders.
Credit: Photographers unknown, Steamlocmotive.com, rr-fallenflags.org
Hello Tom and all in
I'll have a pint of bitter please.
Pete - thanks for the German info - must be part of a former East German railway system that retained the steam stuff, something to thank the iron curtain for!
St Pancras - yes, you could not see the vaulted area yet, but to complement that article I posted there is a picture gallery here which others might be interested to see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/gallery/2007/oct/11/architecture.transportintheuk?picture=330936235
CM3 - pretty hot shot reporting I must say! Glad you liked the TEE stuff.
Lars - nice book covers!
Allan - nice link on the Liverpool Overhead Railway - if you are interested in it you will enjoy this link with some superb historic colour shots and then a page by page listing of all the stations with then and now pictures. I know others in have an interest in docks and ships so might like this:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/features/index.shtml
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/p/princes_dock/index.shtml
The whole site is building up a superb archive of pics of closed stations - there may be some others from the north east you knew listed on the A-Z index on this page:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/sites.shtml
Were you in Germany on National Service or as a ‘regular'?
Tom - I enjoyed the Train of Tomorrow info. Subway at Can Am - great - what are you modelling it on? I'd like to think the early days of the TTC with its British built metro cars in their silver livery!
Cheers
DL
Ruth my deAH, it's Halloween ‘n I love that costume! French maids have always been my FAY-VOR-ITES! <blush> A round for the house - treats for the crittAHs - a mugga Joe with a jolt for me, ‘n the PPF for Boris! Change is for you, my deAH! <grin>
Comments to the bare bones:
Eric - As I said the other day, I'll give you a "buck three ninety eight for the two mugs!" <read the woIds!!>
Pete - I think I'd be ashamed of myself! <uh oh>
Go back ‘n read the quiz questions again! <geesh> Cut the man "off"!! <double geesh>
Rob - I like baseball on the tube - just need to turn down the "talk" - gets to me after awhile. Coverage is great though . . .
Jan - If your friend is "into" the Erie, then be sure to get some "stuff" for posting TODAY!!!
Cap'n Tom - Many thanks for the GM Train of Tomorrow that you posted yesterday ‘n the Erie Fallen Flag this morning! Always on top of things ‘round here and quite frankly, without you doing it, this joint would fall flat on it's keester. With only 3 or 4 to be counted on, we're really not as "flush" as one might think. Anyway - nice jobS!
Shane - Hilarious! Only you would ‘n could come up with something like that!
Ah, the arrival of the Larsman Mobile!
Theme for Halloween - The Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad in Color
Diamondbugs - Erie Railroad
Erie Lackawana Through Passenger Service in Color
Erie Lackawana in Color - Vol 3, The East End
Erie-Lackawana in Color - Vol4, The Early Years
A Colorful Look at the Erie Lackawana - An employee's photo essay
Remember guyz - where there's a WILL there's a WAY! It ain't that hard to come up with a little something to help the "cause" - doesn't have to be an extravaganza. <geesh>
Ruth, I'll be up in the Penthouse Suite when you take your break - <ahem> admin work awaits!
As called for by Manager Lars - this day of Halloween is ERIE Railroad day at the Tavern by the Tracks! We're hoping our customers will submit material relevant to this theme!
Didjaknow that CM3 Shane was the guy who came up with using the Erie for our Halloween theme back in 2005
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #27
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 152, 31 Oct 2005 on the Original Thread>
Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
Erie Railroad
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: Cleveland, OH Mileage in 1950: 2,341 Locomotives in 1960: Diesel: 695 Rolling stock in 1960: Freight cars: 20,372 Passenger cars: 519
Principal routes in 1950: Jersey City-Paterson, NJ-Middletown-Hornell, NY-Youngstown, OH-Chicago (Hammond-Chicago via rights on the Chicago & Western Indiana) Marion-Dayton-Cincinnati, OH (Dayton-Cincinnati via rights on the B&0) Hamilton, OH-Indianapolis, IN (rights on the B&O) Leavittsburg-Cleveland, OH Pymatuning, PA-Leavittsburg, OH Hornell-Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Salamanca-Dunkirk, NY Corning (Painted Post)-Attica, NY Avon-Rochester, NY River Junction-Cuba Junction, NY Carrolton, NY-Eleanora Jct., NY (Brockway-Eleanora Jct. via B&O rights) Corning, NY-Newberry, Jct., PA Lanesboro-Wilkes Barre & Scranton, PA Lackawaxen-Avoca, PA Newburgh Jct.-Campbell Hall-Graham, NY Maybrook-Pine Island, NY Croxton (Jersey City)-Nyack, NY Piermont-Suffern, NY NY&NJ Jct.,-Ridgewood Jct. Paterson (Newark Jct.)-Newark, NJ Croxton-Midvale, NJ
Passenger trains of note: Erie Limited (Jersey City-Chicago & Buffalo) Lake Cities (Jersey City-Cleveland & Buffalo; later extended to Chicago) Pacific Express (Jersey City-Chicago) Atlantic Express (Chicago-Jersey City) Midlander (Jersey City-Chicago) Southern Tier Express (Buffalo-Hornell-Jersey City) Mountain Express (Jersey City-Hornell) Tuxedo (Jersey City-Port Jervis)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Some drumheads of the Erie
Wednesday's Witticism
It's all right to take your time in a gun fight just as long as you're the first to shoot.
Guten Morgen allersiets!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
Wednesday - mid-week in Can-Am County! All's ready from the galley for a fine start to the day - so, draw a mug of freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - check out the pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board! No better way to begin the day than right here with us!
Want to thank those of you who have kept to a "slot" while Posting at the bar. Having at least one guy provide material at each of 4 key times <morning - noon - mid-late afternoon - evening> makes all the difference. Many thanx, Gents!
Also should make mention of our Resident Nocturnal customer - while there's hardly a chance to interact during that time, it IS appreciated to have a customer then - if for no other reason than to keep Leon awake!
When you review these daily summaries - check the times of the Posts. It should be most evident where help is needed. If you can - do it!
Fergie (Fergmiester) at 7:44 AM: The MESS is in a mess Tell me it isn't so, Fergie - tell me it isn't so! <awwwwwwwwww>
Assuming your bride never was an Expo's fan, eh We watched the Cardinals play a doubleheader up there while spending an extra day in Montréal before boarding our favorite train <then> the "Ocean" bound for Halifax.
We stayed in the same hotel as the Cardinals ‘n as a matter of fact, Joe Torre was their manager then. Got to speak with him ‘n several others at the hotel. Was quite a treat! We enjoyed all of the games at Olympic Stadium and back then, there was perhaps the FINEST buffet known to man kind located inside the place. It carried the name of one of the Expos more famous UTBs (used to be) - Rusty Staub <Le Grande Orange> - ‘n I can still taste the fresh shrimp, roast beef, etc. . . fantastic way to "fill up" before the game <or after>!! <urp>
Our last game was against the Padres a few years back - you could count the crowd - the buffet was long gone ‘n the handwriting was on the wall for the demise of the team. A shame, as a long history of pro-baseball was coming to an end. Didjaknow that Montréal used to be a farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers Yup, lotsa famous players passed through that area including Jackie Robinson.
Always a Keiths on board, eh Well home come you never offered one last time I visited your abode?!?!?! <you owe me at least ONE!>
Good to see ya ‘n appreciate the visit!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:14 AM: Filled up the bride's car Sunday when it was $2.70 (rounded), topped mine off yesterday at $2.67. Made a "killing," eh Nooooooot!
Email received - response en route . . . thanx!
Have a question for you regarding "back in the day" - in the 1950s, did a rail connection exist between South ‘n North Stations Talking about 1952-55 . . . . wonderin' because for some strange reason, I just don't remember how we got to Boston Gardens after leaving the train from New York . . used to go up to catch the Celtics - doubleheaders on Sundays, if you recall! Anyway, refresh my grey matter, puleeeze!
Concur - Master & Commander is one fine flick - sure wish the "star" would consent to a sequel . . . but I suppose if that ever happens, someone else will assume the role. It's on our list of movies to watch annually . . . some fine extra features on the DVD too!
Live ‘n learn with plug aerating: Lesson One - don't walk on the lawn unless you change your shoes before returning to the abode! Those plugs are everywhere ‘n we can't blame it all on Juneau! <grin>
Kangaroos??? Defenestrated???? We won! We won! The plot thickens for Game #2! <ooooooooh>
Most appreciative of the Ace Reporter's report - funny, the kangaroos are a mere distant memory from night #1 . . . . hmmmmmmmm. Quarters ‘n round always a good thing!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, tonight I would love to have my weekly Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Fries, please. And a cold Tui!
After reading the Match One report I understand why Jan had to clean Our Place again! Considering all Wallabies and the dust and flying debris I am surprised that this place is still standing!
Tom – Tuesday is a better day than Monday because it is 24 hours closer to Friday! Most interesting info on the Train of Tomorrow! Too bad no railroad ever ordered it. It would be a perfect train for “Our” Place! I better get a lottery ticket! Fergie – Halifax must be a perfect place for Tom! Railroads, snow and cold beer! GB should be your first choice!!! Always!CM3 – Sorry for being too fast with the Quiz answer! I was sure you knew the answer! Most interesting report from Match One! That gave me answers to several of my questions. Now I know where all the dust and debris flying around came from. I couldn’t see the target for a long time. Three carloads of wallabies! Quite a few, quite a few!Now I am eagerly looking forward to the Match Two report!Lars – Yes, you tried and Pennsylvania is much closer to Boston than Arizona so I give you 50% right (corret continent!). Nice Erie book covers! Erie has an interesting history but I don’t have a chance to put something together for today. Way too little time. Rob – Thanks for the info on #107! 4x 75 hp motors, that should give them a decent acceleration. JanOlov – I am afraid I don’t have the answer to your question. In other words, I don’t know how many (if any) F’s that are still running in commuter service. Pete – The dark blue color was popular but now they paint the locomotives black!! I liked the orange color they used to have. There were no overhead wires at the South Station in 1993! No, X2000 was not the last train to tour the Amtrak system. The German ICE train did a tour a month after the X2000. See the mug below.
The ICE Train mug, including map of the National Tour!
Eric
Round for all!!
I had better keep on the rum for a little while please RUTH.
Halloween came a little early last evening as we had a bat in the house, we think it came in when the bride left the door open on the deck while she went down to the car, anyway I was upstairs when there was a lot of barking and the bride yelled for me to come down.
Our 15-pound pooch thought it was a great new flying toy, and my first job was to put her upstairs out of the way. I went to find my work gloves but by this time the bride had caught in the bat in a box and we were able to release it with no damage to the bat or us.
ALLAN Many thanks for the link to the Liverpool Overhead Railway, It contain a lot of new features when it first opened. I bet it would have been a great tourist attraction if it could have survived today. I recall that there is a very early moving picture film of the L.O.R., which I am sure I have seen on a video somewhere.
I think what is now part of Merseyrail the Mersey Railway was electrified early on in 1903 after opening in 1886.Their cars had a very American look to them, the grade in the Mersey tunnel was 1 in 27 and the conditions in the tunnel,when steam locomotives worked the line before electrification, must have been terrible.
I see from CM3's match report a victory in the first match from a most unexpected source.
ERIC Did the darker blue on the electrics find favor. With the first AC electrics on BR West Coast line were introduced in the early1960s a lighter blue was used called ‘Electric Blue', later in the 1970s a darker blue called BR Blue the same as all the BR locomotives were painted as they came for overall, was applied to the electrics.
I would have guessed it was Boston South if there had been overhead wires up.
FERGIE That looks a great way of keeping the Keith's cool.
CM3 Does the MBTA have electric or diesel locomotives on the Providence to Boston South line.
ARTIE comes to the rescue in the first match of Darts Tournament. Great report, the sight of the Second Class boys heading up main street heading for home chased by a herd of angry kangaroos will live on in Mentor Village folklore. I fear what the Second Class will do in Match 2.
LARS Was Kansas City the football team in the quiz.
Great start to the ‘ERIE' day tomorrow with those great bookcovers. It seems by the covers, there was a slight difference in styles between the buildings in New York and New Jersey, and the Alcos look good in Erie colors.
ROB If it is the same bug we have both got it is indeed a devious one. I was pretty well out of it all day Sunday and even now when you think you over it an hour later you are like a damp rag again. The cough is the worse.. I hope you get over your bug very soon.
Thanks for the kind words on Alan's photos. Hopefully we will have some more photos from him soon, on the last lot Alan got back from the developers the disc was faulty but he said he will get it fixed for us.
PER Glad you enjoyed the photos. The next ones will be from San Francisco.
TOM It will be good to see the Can-Am subway working at the Rendezvous.
Thanks for the info on the Big Dipper, many times I have seen it here in Missouri and though it would still be visible in the UK. The bride's brother's house in the countryside is a really wonderful place to observe the stars with no light pollution.
I guess I must have missed the hump yard in Moncton, I guess it only sees a fraction of the work it handled in 1960 when it opened.
The GM's Train of Tomorrow is a great inclusion for Back in the Day. The all dome train must have looked a wonderful sight in that blue-green livery, and what price to travel in an all dome train today. I wond
Back in the Day - Number Six
The GM Train of Tomorrow
Caveat: The following material is from http://www.trainweb.org/ and in absence of any prohibition for use is provided solely for the enjoyment of those who frequent "Our" Place. There is no intent to misuse or profit from the use of this material.
The central idea for this train originated with General Motors in 1944, (read about it here)and subsequent practical suggestions from railway officers and transportation experts were combined in a four-car Astra Dome train which included an Electro-Motive 2,000-hp. Diesel locomotive, one chair car, one sleeper, one dining car and one observation-lounge car. Electro-Motive engineers of the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company developed detail engineering designs with the help of GM stylists and built the cars.The E.- M. 2,000-hp. Diesel locomotive was 71 ft. long and had a loaded weight of 318,000 lb. Each of the cars was 85 ft. long. The chair car had a weight of 147,000 lb. and a seating capacity of 72, including the Astra Dome. The dining car had a weight of 160,000 lb. and seating capacity of 52, including 18 in the Astra Dome and 10 in the private dining room. The total refrigeration space supplied in the car was 111 cu. ft., and had ice-making capacity of 225 lbs of ice cubes in 24 hr.The sleeping car had a weight of 150,000 lb. and passenger capacity of 24 sitting and 20 sleeping, exclusive of 24 seats in the Astra Dome. This car was designed with two three-berth drawing rooms, eight duplex roomettes for single occupancy, and, under the dome, 3 compartments, each with 2 lengthwise lower berths. The observation car had a weight of 141,000 lb. and seating capacity of 68. The car was designed with a rear main lounge, cocktail lounge, lower bar and Astra Dome.The total length of the train, including the locomotive, was 411 ft.; car heights, rail to Astra Dome roofs, 15 ft. 6 in.; empty weight, 920,000 lb.; loaded weight, 977,000 lb.; exterior finish, steel and glass, blue and silver; interior finish, metals, wood plastics and fabrics in 37 colors; total passenger capacity, 216.
GM Train of Tomorrow <foto credit: unknown>
The exterior of the train was finished with a glistening blue-green on its sides and roof, punctuated by decorative moldings and sheathing below the windows which had a bright, silver finish.Finally, after the war, General Motors ordered the four-car demonstrator set from Pullman. The all-dome train was delivered in May 1947 and toured the country as the GM "Train of Tomorrow". The consist went on exhibition tours totalling 65,000 miles. After the tour ended in 1950, the Union Pacific purchased the equipment for it's contribution to pool service in the Seattle-Portland run with NP & GN.
Train of Tomorrow <model>
<GM Train of Tomorrow - foto credit: unknown>
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Missed any
Back in the Day
#1 Pullman Company . . . . Page 102
#2 The Singing Brakeman . . . Page 103
#3 The Chiefs of the Santa Fe . . . Page 116
#4 The TurboTrain - Part I . . . Page 126
#5 The Turbo Train - Part II . . . Page 126
Greetings Master Tom and fellow members of the Brotherhood....
Barkeep.....an extra cold Guinness for me, top up with cigars for laddies please....get yourself something as well....
$$$$ cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....better put few in for our (maybe) artclub....$$$$
DL - UK, I completely agree with you mate. I'd love to have been able to go back in time to see Chicago, New York and many other beautiful stations in their busy glory days...
coalminer3, still having a few blanks after the big night.... Anytime mate....
Tom, another fantastic Feature Post from our revered leader.... The GM Train Of Tomorrow is something that I missed, I really look forward to this one mate....
pwolfe, nice pics mate....! I liked that post from barndad as well, great pics and writing.... I look forward to more pics from you....
Gunneral, anytime mate....
EricX2000, you got to be kidding me.....! I was gonna answer Boston, because of the MBTA(?) engine, but though.....naaahh! Any idea how many F's still running today in commuter service? Oh well, better luck next time.....
Da Larsman, great covers mate, one of my best friends back in the old country is a ERIE, DL&W and EL fanatic and I'm sure that he'd love these....
All the best laddies...
Good morning Ruth. I'll just have the splashed coffee and leave some cash for the afternoon stragglers.I'm just fighting off the end of the same plague that's likely felled Pete, not a particuarly happy little bug.
Tom-Some great Alaska photo's, countryside that I would like to get to at some point in my life.Nice to see the Canadian rail events are still arriving on a reguilar basis, thanks for sharing them You always know that the wellcome mat's out for you and your bride should you travel above the 49th. I amy get to see the mountians fairly regularly in the comming years as well,sister #2 and family are moving back to BC sounds like an excuse for a rail journey or three ! Your right looks like I messed up the spelling on 4600's picture code , oh well KI'm not going to go back and edit it that picture can keep for next week.
Lars-Nice to see the domes again, also good to hear that you did indeed survive more or less intact from the darts tourneyI for one am glad the baseball drudgery is over for the year. It's a sport I love playing or watching live but I can never enjoy it on the tube , not unlike golf it's not a made for TV sport.
Eric-107 is an interurban combine car ( built in 1912 ) You can see teh fair sized baggage end on it's number two end. Like all of the MS&C's cars they were designed for inner city service 75hp motoors (4 ) they are all double ended and could MU to all of the MS&C's equipment. 107 and sister 106 were the only baggage combines on the railway.They were used mostly in summer service only carrying golf clubs and vacation gear for the Montrealers heading ouit of the city to the southern counties to their summer and weekend homes.
Jan-Some fine fine posts from Barndad's barn. thanks for dredging them out
Allan-I've ridden on many a Brill product though all were North American prototype. Mind you their are alot of Brill products I've not had the pleasure of seeing or riding on as none exist today. the problem will brill designs is that Brill was the EMD of the electric railway world building everything from box freight motors to buses and trolley coaches and everything in between.
CM3- Another fine set of reports from our roving ( some would say raving mad reporter for the lenghts he goes to imbed himself in the action ) I hear that PETA may be after Boris for his shall we say questionable fishing practices.Their dilemma is that he is not quite human and they are unsure as how to proceed, so they may just go after the narrow guage for their mishandling of the wallabee's.I'm not so sure that the ending of the match could be construed as fair but all's fair in love / war and apparently dartsI'm waiting on the edge of my seat no Boris you don't need to install another stool belt for me <geesh>For the remainder of the report.
Pete-Love the pictures from Allan , still too abd we can't get hiom to settle in here with us, I think he could handle our lot of regulars and irregulars here. Hope you can get past the plague, it really is not a happy sort of cold/flu.
Fergie-They don't serve Keith's that's an outrage that an establishement in NS would deem not to serve Keith's finest.I ahve to say that heather and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Keith's brewery when we were in Halifax this summer.On an unrelated note you amy want to defrost your front door
TTFN Rob
Ruth my deAH, time again for a bit of breakfast ‘n a mugga Joe with a jolt! My, my you are lookin' mighty temptin' this fine day. Dontchajustluv this time of year
Boris, that small jar of PPF has your name on it IF you feed the crittAHs - so hop to, mate - ‘n let's get a move on. <geesh>
Tuesday at the Bar by the Ballast ‘n not really much to report. Baseball is through <finally> - but the New YAWK papers are full of A-Rod this ‘n A-Rod that. I KNEW it was a "bust" when the Yanks got him - I knew it, knew it, knew it! Money talks, huh Well apparently not in his case - for a King's ransom isn't what he wants - it's probably something far more like EGO FOOD <whatever that is!> <geesh> Good riddance - hope my Mets don't fall for this crap. We don't need him, thank you very much!
Do think that Joe Giradi is a good choice. Also am hoping that the other Joe <Torre> takes the job 'n his guys to Dodgerville out there on the left coast. He's good for the game 'n the Dodgers remain one of the bettAH organizations <or-gan-eye-zay-shuns for the Canadians in the crowd!>
Hockey hasn't really gotten off to the start I had hoped for my Rangers - although there's lotsatimeleft for that, huh I'm liking the way the JINTS have rebounded ‘n made themselves into serious contenders for their division championship. Of course, whoever faces the AFC in the Super Bowl is going to have their hands full with either the Colts or Patriots. I'm picking New England to go all the way. AFC seems to have the bettAH of it in spite of my allegiance to the NFC. Oh yeah, haven't even gotten interested in b-ball <yet>.
Hey - I see Da Bossman picked up on my e-mail request to make Halloween also a THEME for Erie <and Erie-Lackawana> Railroad Day! Each one of you should come up with at least one submission with "stuff" that will support this call for participation!
I'm a bit behind in my "in depth" reading- so forgive me if it appears I'm ignoring any one - don't mean to!
Things at the homefront are a bit hectic ‘n I prepare many of these beforehand . . . just to make sure that I have something to submit each morning. Again, sorry if it appears that I'm ignoring anyone.
Yeah Pete - I think you haven't received all of the e-mail "stuff" that has been going on. Da Bossman had requested the guyz to include everyone on his original - but you know how that goes sometimes, huh But I think the support has been terrific ‘n shows that we have sufficient numbers to keep to the precepts (rules) on page one and also keep arm's length from any difficulties with the host! <uh oh>
Glad to see you made it back!
Fergie the sailor - two days in a row! I guess this calls for a Keiths on me for the man from Nova Scotia!
Ok Eric - so Pennsylvania ain't even close - but at least I tried!
Great report from Shane - just got it B4 posting this one . . . good thing our ace reporter isn't doing this for money, for the "news" should be called "archives"!
Trackside in the Erie Lackawanna New Jersey Commuter Zone
Erie-DL&W
Erie Railroad Trackside
Erie Railroad Facilities, Vol 3- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please m(New England Breakfast Blend); round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
Gas went up $.16/gal between breakfast and lunch yesterday. It's now $3.05. We are still savoring the Red Sox and that is the operative word. 2004 was an exorcism, but this year is much different.
Rob stopped by with comments and pictures. I enjoyed the PCC photo.
Jan visited with some interesting steam pictures and a good take on "Mystery Train" as well as a few other tunes.
Eric - You answered the quiz question before I could. Anyway, it's track 16 at South Station. For those not familiar with the place, Amtrak operates on the left three to four tracks if you are in the concourse facing toward the platforms. Commuter stuff runs on the right hand side. The Amtrak tracks (jeez is that a busted construction or what) back in the day belonged to the New Haven. B&A trains operated on the right hand side. Now 448 and 449 run on the Amtrak side even though they operate on the B&A. It is confusing, but at least we still have a train. Now the picture of the electrification is just below New Haven. Interesting part of that is the picture shows an anchor bridge in the foreground. Check out the concrete structures on the right side - all relics of the NH electrification. This has all changed now.
Lars sent dome pictures and some neat book covers. Come to the rendezvous and see LV material.
DL - Thanks for the TEE posts. I am so far behind that I'm going back to get ahead.
Fergie visited as well - any ideas for new power? I have a NYNH&H GP9 on order - if it ever gets here. I hate buying w/o seeing something, but I did make an exception in this case.
Pete must be in sad shape if he's drinking Nelson's blood.
OSP has been keeping things going with more Alaska pictures - like the livery on the SD70. Hornblower and Stooges continue - I have enjoyed all of them. BTW, I finally got a chance to watch my DVD of "Master and Commander." Outstanding! A lawn plug aerator? I could have sent the K9 Korps out to see you - parts of our yard look like Verdun. Thanks also for the Canadian historical material. The GT wireless is sort of like what our reporter uses.
Oh, look! Tex is over by the superhet tapping on the tubes. I think he's got it - wow, what a shot! Rockets red glare, indeed! Even though he's taken a lot of voltage, he keeps coming back. Anyway, our reporter got through.
Match One - Our Place Wins
Greetings from our Vantage Point High atop Majestic Mount Mentor where we are watching a situation that is truly telegraphically tumultuous.
We think that the results of the first match are in. And, as always, it was quite an exorcize (Exercise, Awk!) The first rule of good reporting is to announce the score. All we can say here is that Our Place won.
Initially the match proceeded in a straightforward manner. However, it is a shame that there are no rules for offensive and defensive interference in darts as both sides tried to jostle their opponent off line, off target, and sometimes under the pool tables or in one case behind the jukebox. We wonder where Lars learned to power lift like that.
The Second place boys as we mentioned had new hides for uniforms. They were quite powerful (both the throwers and the uniforms) in the confined space of Our Place. Even Boris looked a little green around the gills, or whatever it is he breathes through.
Our Place lost the toss because one of the Second Place players ate the coin while it was in mid toss.
Your reporter, near the exit as always, noted down the scores. Doug was the last one to throw for Second Class. He put two right in the center of the double bull's eye - a new record for Our Place tournaments, although your reporter firmly believes that there is a lot of bull that flys around there most of the time. Things didn't look too good for Our Place, but they were about to change in a hurry.
Doug stepped off the distance and stood calmly facing the target. I could tell it was a tense situation just from his body language - but, we don't use words like that here. The Second Class backers grew quiet while the Our Place aficionados raised their voices in an attempt to distract him.
It grew quiet on both sides just as he drew back his massive arm to make the toss. Your reporter could clearly hear the sounds of a freight train arriving on the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge. Then the windows burst inward and the genial saloon by the tracks was filled with a herd of very angry kangaroos, fire in their eyes, blood lust raised, well you get the idea; we never want to be accused of over dramatization.
The kangaroos went to work and in no time the Second Class boys were defenestrated and sent rapidly up the street toward their camp. Our Place claimed the victory.
There was a lot of paper and debris in the air as the hide-covered villains ran away. One of the papers turned out to be a crumpled up waybill from the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge. Idly, your reporter spread it out and studied the writing. The line on the bill that had originally said, "Three carloads of wannabees" had been changed to "Three carloads of wallabies." Clearly something had happened.
In the interests of full reportage, I adjourned to the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge freight yard where I found the genial freight conductor, Ruff Track, looking at his paperwork. "I don't have a clue," he said. "The papers said three carloads of wannabees and it got changed to wallabies." He shrugged his shoulders, and said, "They never know what they want, all I do is get ‘em down the road."
I asked the yardmaster and he said that, "Somehow when changing trucks from standard to narrow gauge before heading to Mentor, the wrong cars got switched into the train." He then told me that, "We were supposed to have three loads of people who wanted to learn how to play darts ride the train to Mentor." They're still back at Odoriferous Junction wondering what happened to their excursion train."
Clearly, this was a cause for some thinking. It occurred to me that people wishing to learn to play darts could be called "wannabees." That made sense.
Then the rest of the pieces fell into place as Artie flew in, dropped a quarter in the jukebox and punched up "Hiding Place." I then figured out that the Second Class Boys' uniforms were made from kangaroo hide. Clearly, then, the wallabies had sought revenge. Somehow, the telegraph had been sabotaged and the waybills changed. I asked Artie if he had cut into the wire and sent a new message. I asked him who would do a thing like that. He nodded his head and replied, "Whoo!"
Good Morning Captain Tom and Sundry!
I'll take the Corned Beef Hash Special with a couple of Runny Poached on top Please and Thanks
siberianmo wrote:LotsaSoxfans in the Maritimes - ‘n why not I mean it's called "new" England down Boston way for a reason, eh No Keiths, no Moi! Would love to see some MESS fotos w/descriptions next time you have a "free" Wednesday - which is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day ‘round these parts.
LotsaSoxfans in the Maritimes - ‘n why not I mean it's called "new" England down Boston way for a reason, eh
No Keiths, no Moi!
Would love to see some MESS fotos w/descriptions next time you have a "free" Wednesday - which is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day ‘round these parts.
Before the Jays Lisa was a Bo Sox fan so she has an alternate when T.O. drops the ball.
You'll have to wait for photos as the M.E.S.S. is really messed up at present (looks like a nuclear test site)
Tom rest assured there will always be Kieth's on hand when you visit!
Eric: GB was my second choice for this weeks game but I figured the altitude was a definite factor. None the less "she was a tight one!'
Anyway I must run as I got 2 cords of wood still left o stack
Later
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
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