"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!

[nickinwestwales]

O.K boys-this is my third attempt at getting in here-happy 4th to you all-mugs of tea all round,was looking forward to sharing pix with you all but the evil *** machine won`t have it,enjoy the day,speak soon, Nick

[nickinwestwales]

Right-will not be beaten by software.....Here`s what I did on my holidays........ " border="0" /> here is base camp-an old (1810 ) rectory-the nearest neighbours were a nest of shrews Our first expedition was to the South Devon Railway-running between Buckfastleigh and Totnes The engine in steam was a 57xx pannier tank,in immaculate condition and hauling 5 coaches [img]" border="0" /> We missed the first train of the day by a couple of minutes so decided to spend an hour or so wandering around the butterfly and otter sanctuary " border="0" /> After a delightful hour here,we caught the next train to Totnes-- [img] As can be seen from this view from the footbridge,the weather was not kind to us....... [img]" border="0" /> found this "grand Dame" resting on the back road-looks ready to steam but note the lack of a piston rod on the left side... So-onto the train and a wonderfully gentle ride was had to Totnes:- From the steam railway station one has a short walk to the town,passing by the main line stn where we have.. " border="0" /> on the right, a Virgin spaceship departing northbound and a single car local R.D.C arriving southbound A good lunch was had in Totnes before returning to the train,the passing Virgin unit swapped horns with the pannier in a most acceptable fashion " border="0" /> Once we returned to Buckfastleigh,small Hannah and self set out to find the maze,despite biblical weather.............. In the shed we found a prairie in the elagant B.R lined black " border="0" /> and a couple of coaches in the matching carmine and cream livery " border="0" /> Before I go I feel a little taster for traction fans is due:--- here we have a former Scotrail class 37 awaiting its next turn [img]" border="0" /> and one of a pair of class 20`s ---more to follow but sleep beckons Enjoy the day chaps -and raise a glass for us in the old country best to all ,nick

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Sorry Leon, too much to eat today so I just have a cup of coffee! It is time to hit the sack in a few minutes. Tomorrow is another work day.

After a hot Independence Day (116°F) and a lot of activities I'll just stop by for a moment to check what happened here today, sorry, yesterday.

DL –  I checked the site om Marmite and decided against trying it even though I found a store in New Jersey that has it. Engine- grease!? No, I’ll pass.

I saw pictures of buses with just one front door and some with two front doors (side by side). Bad design in my opinion! I remember those London buses with rear platforms.

Thanks for the HST 125 info! It was what I thought it would be.

That Carnforth Station looks very nice! They certainly did a very good job restoring it!

Tom –  Interesting stuff about the Freedom Train! Do you know if the locomotive or any cars have been preserved? Maybe it is time to run it again!?

Shoot, the snakes didn’t make it tonight!

Glad you liked the graphic! No, it is not a mirror image of Boris, he insisted showing that side beacuse “That is my good looking side”.

The Amtrak shot is from Union Station, Washington DC,  June 1993. We were about to leave for Florida.

Doug –  Interesting story about CA&E. Why did they close so abruptly? I found a picture of CA&E #308 that now can be found at IRM!

Shown with permission from Wikipedia.

I don’t know if I tolerate 114°. I mean, I accept it, but it is kind of hot. Today it was supposed to get up to 117° but it reached “only” 116°F. Hot enough!

Lars –  I enjoyed this holiday a lot, it was my 10th Anniversary as a citizen of this Great Country! Glad you liked the picture af the crittAHS! They sent a special hello to you!

Fergie –  Thanks for the Keith’s! Looking forward to see you again soon!

Nick –  Obviously you are having some problems with this forum! You are not the first and most likely not the last. Most of your pictures do not show at all.

But I can tell the weather was not so nice but I hope you still had a nice time! The pictures from the footbridge and the one of the “Grand Dame” are showing like the ones of the beaver/otter and the Class 20 diesel locomotive.

 

 

Eric 

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom and all in - hope you've recovered from the holiday spirit - and had an enjoyable day - as Doug pointed out - hopefully there were plenty of special events at RR museums conveniently placed for one and all!

I'll have a Keith's as kindly offered by Fergie - thanks for that!

Tom - well Brief Encounter is very much a ‘human interest' kind of film - but the key location is at a Railway Junction and the film makers chose this place Carnforth in the north west of England as it was considered sufficiently far away from Europe for the risk of enemy aircraft to spot the lights of film making at night (it was made towards the end of WW2) - There are a lot of action shots of LMS local and express trains arriving, departing, and running through non stop.

Pete will be familiar with the designs and I'm sure will have seen the film.  Back in the day Carnforth was a busy location with an important steam shed which was one, if not the, last steam shed on British Railways. The location is a junction between the busy London - Glasgow mainline, the line east across to Yorkshire (cities of Leeds and Bradford), the line west to the port of Heysham on the Irish sea and also the line north west to Cumbria and the port and shipbuilding communities of Barrow and steel making towns on the coast of Cumbria - all of these lines, albeit some downgraded, still exist today.

The steam sheds at Carnforth were preserved and opened as a museum for some years, which closed some time ago now, but they still exist as a shed for private railway operation, maintaining steam and diesel - the concrete coaling tower, the last one to exist in the UK I think, is still in existence - some pics are here.

http://home.clara.net/gw0hqd/media/railmod0878/railmod0878.htm

Anyhow the station was downgraded over the years and by the 1980s all staff were removed - the buildings were becoming derelict and no one was maintaining them - it was proposed to demolish them all. However, the location was well known because of the film and a local campaign was waged to get them restored. Eventually this came to pass and they have done a pretty good job. Some of the rooms have a superb photographic exhibition of stills from the film and other historic photographs of the railway in the area, and the ‘refreshment rooms' - or station cafeteria - where much of the film takes place, have been recreated in the traditional style and of course you can get a meal there if you want to. The station is staffed again now.

If you are a Stanley Holloway fan you will enjoy the film - although not a key part, he has the role of station ticket collector who fancies his chances with the manageress of the refreshment rooms!

Nick - looks like a good time was had in Devon - I've not visited the Totnes line but it has a good reputation that seems well deserved.

Anyhow - now on to a long promised Trip Report

It was over a couple of weeks ago that I had to head for Norwich - which is an interesting train journey over the flat lands of eastern England.

The route from here is a pretty ambling cross country journey served by trains that run coast to coast from Liverpool to Norwich. Usually 2 or 3 car diesel railcars which run on an hourly frequency. This is the type of train:

http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=453

The route covers bits of the network that are not too modernised, so on some stretches semaphore signalling is much in evidence, traditional signal towers and along one lengthy part of the line even the old telegraph poles and wires dipping up and down as you pass by.

One of the scenic highlights of the route is the spectacular views of Ely cathedral - dating from medieval times (they kicked off construction back in the year 1081) which can be seen from the train - some pictures here -  http://www.easterncathedrals.org.uk/ely.html#mhi

Also of interest in this location will be these pics of a far more ‘on topic' nature:

http://www.signalbox.org/branches/dg/elynorthjcn.htm

The line passes through several remote (by English standards) communities as it crosses the flat Fen lands of eastern England - basically reclaimed marsh areas that are very fertile - so agriculture is the main activity - in a way the landscape is reminiscent of parts of the mid west USA I often think.

En route we passed through the once significance railway junction of March - sadly now a shadow of its former self but once the location of the important sorting sidings at Whitemoor (now mostly long since closed and the site of a present day prison!).

Some classic posters showing the site are here:

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10173736&wwwflag=2&imagepos=1

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10174118&wwwflag=2&imagepos=3

Although half of March station seems rather derelict now, the other half is in use, and the station is still part signalled using semaphore signalling - with I think at least 2 signal towers at the location - there were a number of sidings in use - some with maintenance wagons, and others with a rake of redundant Mk2 carriages ex Gatwick Airport Express cars - maybe they are waiting for scrap - or maybe for export to New Zealand - who knows!

If you scroll down this page you will see some pictures of the station environment:

http://www.trainspots.co.uk/locpage.php?ts_number=110

It is also of interest because in the area are a number of semaphore signals - some of which I think are of the old Great Northern Railway type (so dating back to before 1923) with the posts made of pre cast concrete rather than the more usual wood or steel.

See this example:

http://www.signalbox.org/signals/gn.htm

Anyway, on to Norwich station which is an impressive terminus - built in the French renaissance style

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/3642766.stm

I had plenty of time - so decided that I would head off on one of the branch lines from Norwich to a small railway junction called Reedham where I have visited for holidays before - it is on the edge of one of the rivers that make up an area called the Norfolk Broads - a network of rivers and low lying land that is rather atmospheric.

I was looking forward to this because you can take a nice walk down by the river, and look over the railway rotating bridge across the river (watched over by a signal tower that also operates the swing bridge mechanism). The station itself is again a classic ‘country junction' with all its tracks in place including short sidings that once would have been used for wagon deliveries etc. You can walk up the lane which overlooks the classic signal box as pictured here from the narrow bridge behind:  

http://www.signalbox.org/gallery/e/reedhamjcn.htm

On occasions I have stayed there I have walked past at night on the bridge on a summer evening when you can see into the lit up box and watch the actions when trains come and go, listening to the bells and leavers etc as the signal man does his work. It must have been a fascinating location back in the days when rural freight trains would have been part of the activity here.

Sadly the station buildings are rather derelict - although part of one has been converted into a house (not very sympathetically) the other part of the building is in need of serious restoration.

Opposite the station I knew of the existence of the superb pub the Railway Tavern - which served good food and beer and had accommodation too last time I visited the location 4 or 5 years ago. I planned to look round the visit and then have a pint prior to a return to Norwich. Imagine my shock when walking out of the station to find a sign up outside the pub saying "Under conversion to 5  two and three bedroom flats"! How depressing this was!!! Once a pub gets converted like this there is never any going back to being a pub - it was the classic Victorian Railway pub - now destroyed - It is a great shame the powers that be did not refuse permission to change its use from a pub to a residential location (which they could have done I think).

Out beyond the village the line goes across the marsh land through this fascinating location of Berney Arms - where this tiny station stands all alone in the drained marshland - only accessible by foot - I have hiked across this area and was pleased to see as here that the old fashioned style sign at Berney Arms has recently been restored. The older pictures on this link are fascinating:

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/berneyarms/html/berneyarms/railway/berney_railway1.htm

Anyway - I had a look round the village and again had a chance to look at the memorial to a tragic accident from WW2 when two USAAF B17 aircraft collided near the village over marsh land at low altitude when returning from their mission - the memorial - erected relatively recently - was probably put up after the incident was featured in a TV programme as here:

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/archive/reedham.html

The memorial is placed next to the village war memorial commemorating the dead of village in two world wars - and names the crew of both aircraft - all of whom must have died in this crash. This part of England was home to a lot of USAAF bases at that time.

Anyway - regards to all

DL

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Runnin' a bit late today, which is fine as it IS summertime, summertime, good ole summertime! <grin>

Acknowledgments a bit later on, but want to make mention of visits by Lars - Fergie - Nick - Eric 'n DL - GREAT to see all of you!

Now baaaaaaack to those Pix from our Canada trip!

Continuing on with Pix from Day Four: Sunday - May 27^th, 2007 - ExpoRail Canadian Railway Museum at Delson/Saint-Constant, Quebec, Canada

 

Inside Building #1 (cont'd)

 

Montreal Park & Island Railway (MP&IR #1046) suburban streetcar - Built by Montreal Steel Railway (1902)

 

MP&IR # 611 wooden interurban streetcar - Built in Ottawa (1917)

 

Montreal Transportation Commission (MTC #3200)converted from a fare box car to a tool car - Built by MTC (1928)

 

Canadian National Railway (CNR #6711) Boxcab electric locomotive - Built by GE (1914)

 

CNR #49 4-6-4 bi-directional tank locomotive - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1914)

 

Hydro Quebec 15 ton switcher - Built by Plymouth (1922)

 

Inter Colonial Railways #531 sleeping car - Built by Crossen (1904)

 

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR M-235) - Built by Buick (1938)

 

To be continued . . .

 

Tom

[siberianmo]

<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>

G'day Gents!

And a Grand Time was had by all on the 4^th in the Big Tent out back . . . The Can-Am County Scrub Board, Spoon Playing ‘n Jaw Harp Philharmonic Band was simply terrific!

The turn-out for our Independence Day celebration was terrific, especially when one takes into account just how few we are in number compared to days <daze> gone by.

Many, many THANX to our "internationalists" who took the time ‘n made the effort to help out ‘round here while the handful of we Yanks tended to things like family, food ‘n fun! 5- Salute to Allan in New Zealand - DL in England - Nick in west Wales and Fergie aboard ship in off of Canada's eastern shores!

Makes me think a bit about this time last year - in my opinion, we may have had more Posts back then, but the quality is still top shelf and I think we have MORE who are demonstrating their willingness to participate in this interactive cyber bar ‘n grill of ours!

SPECIAL MENTION: Many THANX to our Manager Lars for coming up with the idea to get our "internationalist" customers to stop by on the 4th . . . it WORKED WELL! 5- Salute to the Larsman!

And so, it's time again for a cuppa Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and of course a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Lars at 11:59 AM Wednesday - July 4^th: Glad you were able to get a few minutes "off" to spend some time with us yesterday! Wouldn't be a ‘special' day ‘round here without our Manager!

Nice lookin' DAYLIGHT Freedom Train . . . have a speedy ‘n safe trip and we'll be awaitin' your return!

Round most appreciated too . . .  

 

Fergie at 4:40 PM Wednesday - July 4^th: Many THANX for helping to keep things movin' along! Glad you found us all out in the BIG TENT! <grin>

 

Nick at 5:52 PM ‘n 7:44 PM Wednesday - July 4^th: A man of his word, fer sure, fer sure - we're always put in fine spirits when our West Wales Connection makes a visit!

The Pix that turned out look just fine. Methinks there's a Resident Gremlin at work with your PhotoBucket account. If you wish, I'm willing to give you a hand with this problem - just ship me an Email and we'll take a look at the situation!

Sorry - but we spilled the rounds of TEA into the harbor (harboUr)!! <grin>

 

Eric at 1:01 AM today - July 5^th: This just in - Red Birds pluck another snake from the grass at Busch! <grin>

Congrats to you on your 10^th year anniversary of U.S. citizenship!

Here's a link that will answer your questions regarding the American Freedom Train of 1947 (and the one from 1976 too):

http://www.freedomtrain.org/html/whereabouts.htm

Thanx for the info on the Amtrak at WashDC Union Station!

Nice looking Chicago, Aurora & Elgin coaches!

 

DL at 6:21 AM today - July 5^th: Always a pleasure to have you aboard, Mate!

What's to say OTHER than a super-fine job with your "trip report"! 5- Salute to our Resident Brit Connection!

Really spent some time checking out those links - very well placed and great selections I should add. The Signal Box is enthralling in that it clearly depicts what was going on and how much attention had to be payed to the business at hand.

Liked those Posters too - there's one that reminds me of a "boy" with a "train set" - nicely done! <double wow>

Some years back there was a demonstrator train run by Amtrak called the Flexliner. In fact, I rode it several times - once on a round trip from St. Louis to Kansas City, MO (6 hours each way). Anyway, that train surely resembles many viewed on your recent and past links . . .

An Amtrak press release from 1997:

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo

[LoveDomes]

Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!

Ruth my deAH, it's lunchtime for me and I'm ready for a Larsman special of ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH with two extra large ‘n crunchy pickles from the barrel. Boris - feed the crittAHs their treats from me, wudja Saucer of brine for Tex - tray of seeds for

Awk - bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite and when you're done, that jar of pickled pig's feet is for YOU! A round for the house and the change is YOURS, Ruth my sweet! <grin>

My last visit for awhile as we're outta here in the early morning - expect to be down in the Keys by early afternoon. Must admit, I'm looking forward to it, just not thrilled to death about the traveling. Don't know WHAT my Mrs. thinks of when she packs, for we just may need an extra plane to stow the gear she figures we NEED! <groan> <moan>

What a fine turnout from the guys over the holiday period, dontchathink???? I do! Many THANKS to all for helping out, but ESPECIALLY to our guys from places outside the U.S. - Allan in New Zealand - Fergie in Canada's Atlantic waters - DL in the UK & Nick in Wales (west)!!

As the Cap'n said - a FIVE SALUTE to youse guyz!

Must agree with Da Bossman, we've found a fine group of patrons eager ‘n willing to keep the place open. UTB's were pretty much daily customers. Now we're seeing a stready trade, not always daily, but a bunch that keeps comin' back. That's good and I know our Cap'n appreciates all of you!

Should make special mention that the U.S. Freedom Train spate of pix ‘n info from the Cap'n was most enjoyable. Really appreciated the link in this morning's  acknowledgments . . . never enjoy knowing that fine machines of the past wind up being scrapped, but same can be said about some ships I used to call "home." Nice to know that the Daylight #4449 has been saved, even if back in its SP livery . . . Thanx, mate!

Also, great spate of Expo Rail photos today . . . you must have ‘shot the wad' with pix taking up there! Really enjoying them!

Yo Eric! You can have MY share of the heat, for now and for evermore. How in the world any living creature can put up with temperatures upwards of 110 (F) is beyond my comprehension. <yikes> <double yikes>

Here's to YOU on your 10th year of U.S. citizenship! Boris, ring it and let's have a toast to our Desert Swede and his continued good cheer at the bar!

Yo DL: Some nifty Urls to supplement your fine account of rail trips in the UK. Ever wonder what it IS that gets a man SO interested in trains?!?!?

Yo Allan: Take heart, mate, in sports, there's ALWAYS another day. The trophy goes on the mantle or within a case. Another gets manufactured and made ready for the next winnAH - it seems to perpetuate itself, wudntyathink?!?!

Yo Fergie: Work - sleep ‘n eat sounds like old times for me. Shipboard routine. Been awhile for me and there are times when I think about signing on for "just one more" . . .

Yo Nick: Enjoyed the pix, but sorry to see those gremlins gotcha. I'm not help in these things, but there's surely a remedy. Why not take the "old man" up on his offer?

 

D&H #500/507 (from: www.trainweb.org - photo credit: Robert Staples)

Ok crew, time for the Larsman to get some <ahem> admin work squared away B4 shoving off. Are we ready, Ruth???? <grin>

Until the next time!

Lars

[wanswheel]

Right-will not be beaten by software.....Here`s what I did on my holidays........ here is base camp-an old (1810 ) rectory-the nearest neighbours were a nest of shrews Our first expedition was to the South Devon Railway-running between Buckfastleigh and Totnes The engine in steam was a 57xx pannier tank,in immaculate condition and hauling 5 coaches We missed the first train of the day by a couple of minutes so decided to spend an hour or so wandering around the butterfly and otter sanctuary   After a delightful hour here,we caught the next train to Totnes-- As can be seen from this view from the footbridge,the weather was not kind to us....... found this "grand Dame" resting on the back road-looks ready to steam but note the lack of a piston rod on the left side... So-onto the train and a wonderfully gentle ride was had to Totnes:- From the steam railway station one has a short walk to the town,passing by the main line stn where we have.. on the right, a Virgin spaceship departing northbound and a single car local R.D.C arriving southbound A good lunch was had in Totnes before returning to the train,the passing Virgin unit swapped horns with the pannier in a most acceptable fashion Once we returned to Buckfastleigh,small Hannah and self set out to find the maze,despite biblical weather.............. In the shed we found a prairie in the elagant B.R lined black and a couple of coaches in the matching carmine and cream livery Before I go I feel a little taster for traction fans is due:--- here we have a former Scotrail class 37 awaiting its next turn and one of a pair of class 20`s ---more to follow but sleep beckons Enjoy the day chaps -and raise a glass for us in the old country best to all ,nick

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT 4th OF JULY 

A round please RUTH to celebrate an excellent 4^th of July at Our Place. Wonderful graphics and pictures by ERIC TOM LARS AND BERGIE.

ALLAN Great to see you at the bar. I hope you can give us a report of your trip behind the WAB tank; it sounds a great day out.

MIKE Many thanks for those great links.

Great photos of Duluth station I am amazed at how they used to do those colored postcards. Wonderful photo of the Classic diesel line-up

ERIC Glad you liked Alan's photos, I will pass your message on, thanks.

I am sure the Railway Magazine did an article fairly recently on British train acceleration, steam one month and modern traction the next, I will go to the basement and try to find it I am sure it will mention the HSTs. When the East Coast Main Line was being electrified the first section to Leeds was ready but the MK4 Driving Van Trailers for use with the class 91 electrics built for the line, were not ready. So some HST power cars were modified (which included fitting buffers) for use with the class 91s. While in this formation they had the 6,000+ HP of the 91 and the 2,500 hp of the HST for the 8 cars, it was said the acceleration from a stop was brilliant. Although I did not travel behind this combination, I did see them start away from Doncaster and the HST power car was doing its share of the work.

You have got admit there is something good about a painting or photo of a steam loco in the snow..

Congratulations on your 10 years

DL Great link to the Marmite, no wonder I liked it, being linked to the brewing process. Yes defiantly add the crisps just before eating, although sometimes it was difficult to pries the sandwich apart and if you did not spread it out enough you knew when you had a lump of it.

Enjoyed the Nottingham bus pics and that was interesting about the Cuban train services. I noticed in the timetable that the morning train from Havana to Cienfuegos took 11 hors to get there but the evening one took only 5 hours to do the same journey.

The museum at Liphook is also called the Hollycombe Collection. I have a link to it (Loved the graphic at the top)

http://www.hollycombe.co.uk/

I used to enjoy my visits to Carnforth when it was open as a museum; it was one of the last steam sheds on BR along with Rose Grove and Lostock Hall. There was, at least until fairly recently, a concrete coaling stage in the confines of Immingham diesel depot although I am not sure if it is still there today, but I am fairly sure that Carnforth not only has the coaling stage it has the only concrete ash disposal tower left. As you say there are some great steam scenes in Brief Encounter 

Many thanks for that great Norwich trip report and links. It reminded me of, in the mid to late 1970s, BR ran some what they called Round Robin tickets from our area using service trains. One of which was a trip from Birmingham via Leicester and Peterborough to Ely with a break. Then back from Ely to March then on to Spalding and Lincoln on the now closed Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint RLY, through Whitemoor yard at March. At Lincoln it was a change of station from Central to the now closed St Marks for the Class 120 DMU trip to Derby via Newark and Nottingham, to connect with a ‘Peak' hauled train back to Brum. There was the option on these trips to pay another pound to travel 1^st class. Happy days.

I can feel your pain at finding that pub in Reedham being converted to flats. This was happening to a lot of pubs when I was there, and I have just learnt that one of my favourite pubs in my home town is being converted, as you say once they have gone that wont come back and in a small town when a pub goes a lot of the character of the village goes too in my opinion.

Berney Arms is one place I would to have loved to get off the train there.

On a brighter note I was able to find a bottle of Black Sheep ‘Riggwelter' and Lees Moonraker in a shop in Kansas City.

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

Just caught NICK's photos, well done MIKE

Pete.

[EricX2000]

God morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, a ham sandwich would be perfect! Sugar cured ham. Cold. Coffee!

Back to work after five very short days off. It's like I never had any time off. But I will in 168 days!

DL –  Very interesting trip report!! If I understand this correctly that signal tower (signal box) is still in operation today, right? I think you should send those Gatwick Airport Express Cars to NZ and Allan! What kind of cars are they?

Sad news about that pub! Was it closed against the will of the owner?

I think I have read about that crash with the two B17s during WWII. Tragic, getting back from the raid over Germany and then crash just before landing back on their own base.

Tom –  More nice pictures from a very interesting museum! Just wish Rob could give us more info on those streetcars! That electric boxcab seems to be in good shape. And the Buick has white walls on the wheels!

Thanks for the congrats! I think the Red Birds were just plain lucky, don’t you?

Bad news about the 1947 Freedom Train, just one car is still around! That is sad. Not much better for the 1976 AFT! Most cars scrapped 1995.

The Flexliner was basically the same train as the one on this link:

http://www.jarnvag.net/bild/vagnguide/extY21371.jpg

It is a Class Y2 belonging to the Swedish State Railways. Called “Rubber nose” in Sweden.

Lars –  Thank you for your share of the heat! I’ll save until December! We had 115° today and no wind!

Thanks for the toast!!

Have a safe trip! Hope to see you again soon!

Nice dome car!!

Mike –  Thanks for fixing Nick’s pictures! Now I can see them all! I did not even know that they are running spaceships on British railways! Nick?

Pete –  Painting or a photo of a locomotive in snow? Good!? Brrr, no way!!!! If the human being was ment to live in snow we would all have a fur like Juneau!

Thanks for the congratulations! Time flies!

About the Flexliner and the position of the engineer, there was a bad accident in Sweden about  a year and a half, or maybe two years, ago when a Class Y2 (same as the Flexliner) collided with a big rig at a grade crossing. The train was running at  a speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The engineer was killed instantly. 

 

 

 

Eric 

 

[siberianmo]

<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>

 

G'day Gents!

The end of the work week <for many> and it's amazing what a mid-week holiday can do with one's perception of what day it SHOULD be! I've been thinking it's Tuesday rather than Friday! <grin>

Heat ‘n humidity has arrived here in the St. Louis area and we're to have it through early next week. Heard the days are getting SHORTER, so that can only mean FALL is due "up" - but not too soon.

Been really thinking about the future of this joint and how the summer isn't going to get any shorter. Without Lars 'n Shane in the mornings for awhile, this place is going to be awfully quiet . . .  We used to have so much interaction and now it pretty much has been relegated to responding to this ‘n that after HOURS of down time. Can't remember the last time we had a "good" interactive session with guys online at the SAME time. Ahhh, the good ole days <daze>. "We takes what we gets," eh

Okay, time for a cup of Joe, a <light> or <traditional> breakfast ‘n of course some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery.

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Lars at 1:11 PM Thursday - July 5^th: So it has come ‘round again, eh Off you go winging on down to Florida for some R ‘n R in the Keys.

We'll keep things "ship shape" in your absence ‘n of course make sure that Ruth isn't spending her time in despondency! <grin>

The D&H dome "says it all"!!

Thanx for the visit, chat ‘n round! And of course those treats for the critters . . .

 

Mike at 9:35 PM Thursday - July 5^th: Don't know whether to <tweet> the man or <thank> the man. At any rate, nice work with resurrecting Nick's Pix!

A "hit ‘n run" Post by any other name . . .

 

Pete at 9:51 PM ‘n 9:55 PM Thursday - July 5^th: Back with the guys after ANOTHER absence. Hmmmmm, however, at least you do come back with LOTS to say!

"Wonderful graphics and pictures" from BERGIE?!?!? You gotta be kidding! <grin>

I too wind up spending time over at the original Thread after retrieving some "stuff" for Posting here. Just so much great info, interaction 'n good times. Amazing that the "count" keeps on climbing in spite of the Thread being "locked."

The Flexliner was an "okay" ride to KCity ‘n back. Really don't think the equipment was designed for such a long run. Never thought about that aspect you brought up regarding the grade crossings, and it's one that surely makes one think. Anyway, I'd have thought the train could've been put to use for short hauls moreso than trips that take 6 hours or more. Get's a bit weary and I noted it was rather noisy in comparison to being inside "regular" Amtrak cars. Thought the food service by cart was a good idea and of course did enjoy the large windows and change of pace to what was the "norm" for that trip.

The absolute BEST Amtrak experience along that route for me was when they ran the Superliner cars WITH a Sightseer lounge back in the winter several years ago. Was truly an experience well worth the fare. Superliner coach travel beats the Horizon ‘n Amfleet equipment any day - but when in a Sightseer lounge, well what more needs to be said, eh Always wondered if they ‘screwed up' with that one . . . but I took advantage of it, fer sure, fer sure - TWICE, once with and once without the bride!

As an aside, I noticed that Amtrak has a "promotion" on for Missouri travel - companion goes free. Worth thinking about, eh

Figured someone would decide you'd look good in a "lobster" suit! Why didn't YOU surrender in the FALL!?!!? Surely wudda been far better than the sweltering heat of the summer! <geesh> <grin>

Now before someone "jumps my case," yeah I know - the Revolutionary War continued on for nearly a year AFTER the victory at Yorktown . . . Hollywood "revisionists" notwithstanding.

I believe the term, "Fare box car" is just that. A trolley or streetcar where one deposited the fare into a box.

Wishful thinking regarding the Barn Weevil . . . at least he's checking in now 'n then.

Can't find the guide book, eh Check that bag you carry ‘round with you. The one with your most precious ‘n required possessions in it! <grin> Watch out for the soda . . . . <arrrggghhh>

Thanx for the visit, inclusive - informative ‘n interesting Post ‘n round!

 

Eric at 1:07 AM today - July 6^th: This just in: Cardinals rid Busch Stadium of Arizona reptiles!  Away serpents, away!! That's 3 out of 4, which is more than luck. However, in t

[siberianmo]

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #40

<Initially Posted on Page 185 of the original Thread>

 

Here's something to enjoy regarding the BRITISH RAILWAYS  in a 1948 advertisement from my private collection:  

25% Reduction IN TOUR FARES

For Americans Visiting The BRITISH ISLES

When planning your British Isles holiday, make a list of all the places you want to see in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Your Travel Agent will be glad to help you prepare your complete individual itinerary. That way you'll effect substantial savings on planned tour tickets offered by British Railways. 

 See More in Britain!

Naturally, you'll visit our great cities, our world-famous historic and scenic shrines (all within a day's train trip from London) . . . but with more time you can enjoy so many equally memorable travel experiences in our less publicized byways. So plan to stay longer - discover for yourself the charm of our villages, countryside and rugged coastline. 

 Travel means BRITISH RAILWAYS

 

TRAINS . . . Swift, comfortable transportation to every corner of the British Isles.

HOTELS . . . 45 hotels associated with British Railways, strategically situated for your tour or business trips.

CROSS-CHANNEL FACILITIES . . . Railway-operated steamer services over a wide variety of routes to Ireland and the Continent. Depend on the all-inclusive travel services of British Railways for every phase of your tour of the British Isles. We suggest you secure your rail transportation, as well as Pullman, cross-channel steamer and hotel reservations before your leave.

British Railways - official agents for air tickets on British European Air Corporation routes in the British Isles.

Write for British Railways - new and amusing booklet, "WHAT, NO ICE?" - written especially for Americans planning to visit us; as well as the full-color map folder, "THE BRITISH ISLES" both free upon request to Dept. 25 at any of the offices shown below.

For tickets, reservations and authoritative travel information on the British Isles

CONSULT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT or any British Railways office:

NEW YORK 20, N. Y., 9 ROCKEFELLER Pl.
CHICAGO 3, ILL, 39 So. Lasalle St. 
LOS ANGELES 14, CAL., 510 W. 6th St. 
TORONTO, ONT., 69 Younge Street 

  BRITISH RAILWAYS

Enjoy!

Tom

[siberianmo]

The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #15
 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) 

<A form of this was initially Posted on page 127 of the "original" Thread>


Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.  

Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)

Headquarters: Baltimore, MD

Mileage in 1950: 10,000

Locomotives in 1963: Diesel: 491

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 59,152 Passenger cars - 654

Principal routes in 1950:

Jersey City, NJ (New York)-Baltimore, MD-Pittsburgh, PA-Chicago
Washington, DC-Point of Rocks, MD
Cumberland, MD-Cincinnati, OH-St. Louis, MO
Detroit, MI-Toledo, OH-Cincinnati
Hamilton, OH-Beardstown, IL
Pittsburgh-Buffalo & Rochester, NY
Akron-Cleveland, OH
Midland City, OH-Columbus, OH-Pittsburgh

Passenger trains of note:

Ambassador (Baltimore-Detroit)
Capitol Limited (Jersey City-Washington-Chicago)
Cincinnatian (Detroit-Cincinnati; later, Baltimore-Washington-Cincinnati)
Columbian (Washington-Chicago)
Diplomat (Jersey City-Washington-St. Louis)
Metropolitan Special (Washington-St. Louis)
National Limited (Jersey City-Washington-St. Louis)
Royal Blue (Jersey City-Washington)
Shenandoah (Jersey City-Washington-Chicago) 

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * * 

Some drum heads of the B&O

Enjoy!

Tom

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

An early start RUTH as I am being put to work to get ready for a party some friends are holding tonight so I had better just have a coffee please.

ERIC It was sad to hear about the Swedish engineer who lost his life in the crossing accident. In the UK they are spending a great deal of money doing away with grade crossings on the main lines, even the ones with gates. But with the Y2 there looks so little protection but perhaps the appearance may be deceptive.

Is that wheel set off the Aerotrain.

Stay cool in all that heat you are having there.

TOM Sorry about mixing up Bergie with Fergie, at least I got the name right in the text.

Yes my first trip on Amtrak between KC and St Louis in winter of 2000/1 was in the Superliners a great trip in a snowy and cold landscape, hopefully they be on again this winter.I think they could market a sightseer lounge along the Missouri and pick up some leisure passengers although they would have to get the timings a lot more reliable than they are at the present. I will have to have a look at the Amtrak two for one promotion, thanks for the tip.

I have looked in the ‘Bottomless Bag' and it is not there ,it has probably made friends with the magazine I am looking for Eric for and they hiding together somewhere .

Many thanks for the 1948 British Railways Ad. That was the first year of the formation of BR and no doubt the railways were trying to get back to normal after the war. It was also the year of the Locomotive  Exchanges when different locos from the big 4 were tried on other companies lines.

 I have a theory on the Revolutionary War. I think it just got too hot for the Brits so they went home.

Here are some photos from Exporail.

Two rather small pieces of railroad equipment.

An open trolley

One for LARS.

Pete

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Summer doldrums have set in and thanx to Bar Chandler Pete, we've had at least some activity 'round here . . . Here's to a great weekend!

 

Continuing on with Pix from Day Four: Sunday - May 27^th, 2007 - ExpoRail Canadian Railway Museum at Delson/Saint-Constant, Quebec, Canada

 

Inside Building #1 (cont'd)

 

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #144) 4-4-0 - Built by CP-Delormier (1886)

 

CPR #492 4-6-0 - Built by CP-Angus (1914)

 

Canadian National Railway (CNR #3684) RS-18 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1958)

 

CNR caboose #78214 - Built by CN-London (1939)

<is that a cute scene or WHAT?!!?! - Daddy 'n his little girl!>

 

CNR # 9400 FA-1 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1950)

 

CNR #77 diesel switcher - Built by Canadian Locomotive Company (1929)

 

In the belly of a beast!

 

In the cab of the FA-1

 

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #8905) - H-24-66 - Built by Canadian Loco Company (1955)

To be continued . . .

See y'all on Saturday - ENCORE! 'n Photo Posting Day!

 

Tom

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A quick call in LEON before I go to the party, to get me in the mood a Holden's Golden Glow and the Steak and Fries please and a drink for all.

TOM Enjoyed the B&O Fallen Flag Encore. Those Drumheads certainly added some style to their named trains.

Many thanks for the great photos from Shed #1 from Exporail. Many I did not get.The shots in the Engine room of the FA-1 are brilliant.

I have a photo of the drivers side of the 'beast' 

Well LEON its off I go. Its a BYOB party,which I believe means Bring Your Own Brewery, well it would in Mentor Village

Pete.

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Leon drinks all round please, the tab is on me

Tom.  Your entries are very educational and interesting, I do`nt seem to have the time to get as much info on the site as you do. That query of yours and James about Wisconsin Centrals involvement with NZ Rail was as it`s controling shareholder.

Mike. Great pic of Mt Cook, our son was assistant manager at the "Hermitage Hotel" there for a couple of years , it`s a great tourist area.  NZ is a very compact country and the scenery changes quickly over a short distance.

Pete. There is a good site of restored NZ railcars at http://www.railcar.netfirms.com

Lars.  Your url`s are great. A bit of info about the DX loco`s they run over here, they are GE`s narrow gauge version of the GE U25C introduced between 1972/75.  There are three preserved Rogers 2-4-2`s of 1877/78 vintage over here, two are in running condition at the moment, eight were brought over. There is a good site on NZ preserved steam at http://internationalsteam.co.uk/anz/nzop.htm

Eric. The Americas Cup is held by the Swiss syndicate "Alinghi" and they again won the cup in a best of nine sail-off against Team NZ by 5 to 2.

DL. Marmite is very much the same as Vegemite over here in NZ, used on toast mainly, the NZ Embassy in London keeps a supply for "homesick" Kiwi`s over there!  If you have a look in Wikipedia under "BR Mk2 coaches" you will find the latest info on the NZ refurbishments, they brought 69 of them over.

See ya all,  Allan

 

 

 

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Breakfast, Leon, an early breakfast! French toast, coffee, a large 'spiked" OJ, and a cheese danish!

A Friday on the quiet side here at the bar by the siding! But still interesting pictures and info!

Tom –  D’backs lost again tonight, 1-8! I think the trolleyMAN will show up again soon!

The Flexliner has one big weakness in the front. The whole part with the windshield and headlights is actually a door to make it possible to open a passage between the units when they run in multiple. I would say it is pretty safe to sit in the X2000 in that kind of accident. Under the nose cover it looks more like a Tiger tank from WWII, a very strong construction designed to protect the crew in case of accidents like that.

Interesting British Railways advertisment! It was different then! No chunnel, instead you took a ferry across the channel!

B&O! I am kind of surprised to see they had 59,152 freight cars and 654 passenger cars but only 491 locomotives! They had three trains (of note) to St. Louis!!! Hmm. The drumheads, with one exception, all look very much alike.

Interesting pictures from ExpoRail!! I think that dad was trying to indoctrinate his daugther to love trains! Which is just fine! Interesting views of the inside of the diesel switcher!

Pete –  As I said to Tom, the Flexliner has one big weakness in the front. The whole part with the windshield and headlights is actually a door! As an engineer you want more protection in front of you. The accident happened at a grade crossing with gates. The gates came down over the big rig and the driver stopped across the track, went outside trying to lift the gates by hand! The right thing to do is just drive through the gates. They are designed to break off. The driver of the truck was sentenced to prison.

Yes! You are correct! That wheelset is off the Aerotrain!

It is getting a little bit cooler here now, just 113° toaday (Friday).

Interesting theory on the Revolutionary war!

Thanks for the ExpoRail pics! I like that little electric! And the controls of the FA-1!

Thanks for the drink!

Allan –  Thanks for the links!! Very interesting info on NZ railroads and trains! I was surprised to find that they built railcars 1936 with wooden framing! I hope they will be able to get it operational again!

You’ll take them next time in America Cup!!

 

Thanks for the drinks!

 

 

Eric

[siberianmo]

<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>

 

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

 

G'day Gents!

Believe it or not, as I'm preparing this Saturday ‘round of acknowledgments, the time is 07:07 on 07-07-07! <grin> That's not gonna happen again, eh

So, another weekend is upon us ‘n for the guys who've been so supportive to this Tavern by the Tracks, breakfast is on the house! Plenty of pastries for all in The Mentor Village Bakery case - coffee's freshly ground ‘n brewed <unleaded> ‘n <regular> - and the Menu Board selections or <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts are ready for preparin' back in the galley!

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

 

Pete at 12:15 PM Friday - July 6^th: An early afternoon visit, which took me by surprise as I just Posted that B&O Fallen Flags piece. Good to see ya and many thanx for remembering this Bar by the Ballast. Must be the summer brew, eh

I see YOU TOO are mixing reality with "life" in cyber space. Can't have this or that because . . . <geesh> Belly up to the bar, Mate - this is the Ether for crying out loud! <grin> Anyway, that lone cuppa Joe cost ya five bucks! Yeah, the policy is <and has been> that coffee or soft drinks cost a "Fin" without food. Otherwise they are included with an order. <double geesh>

Four Pix from ExpoRail turned out well . . . For the guys: the descriptions may be found on past Posts of mine. Just go back through the recent Pages . . .

 

Pete (again) at 7:09 PM Friday - July 6^th: Second visit and this time you got it right! Glad you "caught" the B&O Post . . . and the foto inside the "beast" is a "keeper"!

Thanx for the round!

 

Allan at 9:47 PM Friday - July 6^th: And our Resident Down Under Connection is heard from! Pleased that you are getting something out of our efforts here at the Saloon by the Siding. It's a reciprocal thing, Mate - we learn from one another, eh Youbetcha!

America's Cup happenings are hardly ever mentioned on local TV in this part of the North American continent or in the local newspaper (aka: bird cage liner). Having spent so much time on the coasts of this country, it used to be so commonplace to read about sailing - but those days <daze> are gone-zo! <frown>

I have a "keepsake" coffee mug given to me by a friend in SoCal (southern California) for the 1987 America's Cup. Still use it to this day . . .

Two fine links ‘n THANX for the round!

 

Eric at 2:12 AM today - July 7^th: Our Nocturnal Resident Desert Swede is at it again - <phew> what an hour to be Posting! Good to see ya, Mate!

Cardinals reverted to their inept selves again last night, making the game into a mockery with 3 errors and just plain indifferent play. Most difficult to watch and really wonder why we do!!?? So, when does hockey begin?? <grin>

Description of the construction on those Flexliners is interesting. Ah yes, the famed Tiger tanks of WWII - so where's the turret?? <grin>

I rechecked those B&O "stats" in the source book and they are as shown. It IS indeed an interesting figure and something that I suspect only YOU ‘n PETE would pick up on!

Speaking of you two - your continued support of this place is most appreciated. Without either, we'd be "under" - and that's no kidding. I find it amazing that only 3 of us are actually "regulars" at this. Fortunately for all, we do have a fine supporting group of guys <guyz> too, which all goes to help make this place an overall success.

Whether our UTB guyz come back or not, the facts are that the more time spent away from this place, the less likely one can "meld" back in. Conversations, fotos ‘n material missed, plus new "faces" all make it quite difficult to pick up where one may have left off. Best to move on down the line . . . Just my two cents worth.

Another "challenging" foto - where - when??

 

Reminder: Cindy the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!

Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!

Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!

Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!

[siberianmo]

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

Featured Locomotives #1

PRR GG1

<Initially Posted on Page 355 of the Original Thread>

Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds and logos from other sources.



Amtrak #928, a former PRR GG1, speeds through North Elizabeth, New Jersey in December, 1975


Built by: Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), Altoona, PA

Power type: Electric

Build date: 1934 - 1943

Total production: 139

AAR wheel arr.: 2-C+C-2

Gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)

Length: 79 ft 6 in (24.23 m)

Total weight: 477,000 lb (216,000 kg)

Electric system: 11,000 V AC, 25 Hz

Collection method: dual pantograph

Engine type: quill drive

Top speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) (passenger) 90 mph (144 km/h) (freight)

Power output: 4,920 hp (3,660 kW)

Tractive effort: 70,700 lbf (314 kN)

Career: Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Amtrak

Class: GG1

Locale: Northeast United States

Disposition: most scrapped, several preserved in static display around the U.S.


The Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1 class of electric locomotives were built between 1934 to 1943 at the PRR shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a total of 139 units constructed. They remained in service with the PRR's successors until the early 1980s. The GG1 became one of the most recognized and famous classes of locomotive worldwide.

Technical information

The GG1s were large locomotives, 79 ft 6 in (24.23 m) long and weighing 477,000 lb (216,000 kg). The main body was a single unit formed as a bridge-truss framework and clad in welded steel plate. The driving cabs were set up high about a third of the way along the locomotive from each end for greater crew safety in an accident. A narrower section of nose in front of the cab windows enabled view forward, although the nose remained full height to carry the current-collection pantographs. The bodywork as a whole was smoothly rounded.

This was mounted upon two great cast steel locomotive frames linked by a hinge at the locomotive's middle which allowed side-to-side movement. Six driving wheels (three axles) were fitted towards the center of the locomotive on each truck (twelve in total) and a four-wheeled, unpowered guiding truck was mounted toward each end. In the Whyte notation for steam locomotives, each frame comprised a 4-6-0 locomotive; in the PRR's classification system, 4-6-0s were class "G". The GG1 consisted of two such locomotive frames mounted back to back, so it was classified GG-4-6-0+0-6-4. This arrangement is called 2-C+C-2 in AAR wheel arrangement notation. Each driven axle was powered by two 410 hp (305 kW) GEA-627-A1 traction motors mounted above and to either side of the axle. Drive was through a reduction gear and a quill drive assembly.

While the famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy did not design the shape of the GG1 electric locomotives, he did improve their looks by recommending a smooth welded construction be used (rather than riveted construction), along with a pinstriped paint scheme to highlight their smoothly rounded forms.


Penn Central #4801 and #4800 haul freight through North Elizabeth, New Jersey in December of 1975.

The GG1 was designed to run on the standard Pennsylvania Railroad catenary power of 11,000 V AC, 25 Hz. This high voltage was stepped down by a large transformer mounted in the center of the locomotive body for the traction motors, cooling blowers and all other onboard equipment. The locomotive's power was controlled via a tap-switching arrangement; the number of secondary windings in use could be varied, thus adjusting the output voltage. The units were rated at 4,920 hp (410 hp per motor) continuous rating and a maximum of 9,500 hp at 49 mph (intermittent duty). For passenger service, the GG1 was geared to run at 100 mph maximum although it achieved 110 mph in testing. For freight service, the locomotive was geared to run at 90 mph maximum.


History

A GG1 crash

One of the more interesting moments in the history of the GG1 locomotive took place on the morning of January 15, 1953 at Washington's Union Station. Due to a brake line **** (valve) that closed due to poor location (its location caused the valve to close due to contact with the bottom cross member of the car), the Federal Express from Boston was unable to apply the brakes on part of the train. Pushed by the unbraked cars, the GG1 engine and two passenger cars ran off the end of Track 16 and crashed through the floor of Union Station and into the baggage room. In a remarkable demonstration of the durability of the GG1 engines, Engine #4876 was later cut into three pieces, removed from the baggage room, and reassembled at the Altoona (PA) shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It then re-entered commercial service and went on to be one of the last-serving GG1 engines.


GG1 4876 after the crash.

Disposition

[siberianmo]

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

G'day Gents!

One year ago on this date our friend BK (Bud Karr) up in Alberta, Canada dropped off this fine Post . . .

Good Morning Captain Tom and all assembled!

Everything smells like burning - smoke, smoke and more smoke, and none of it desired. Things here at the mountain retreat are somewhat tenuous as of late. The Province seems to be burning up as the multi-year drought continues in this beautiful slice of heaven on Earth.

We are engaged in some serious thinking regarding a move, and as difficult as the thought is for my lady, she initiated the discussion. We are at a point where our travel plans are being held in abeyance due to the uncertainty regarding the threat to our area. We would surely not want to be elsewhere should the situation worsen. Belongings and the like take second place to securing our personal safety, however, we would like to have the opportunity to save some of the material things within our home.

On the plus side, we are not in the path of anything ominous, however, everything is so very dry that it would not take much to begin an incineration.

Captain Tom, as it is morning, my lady and I will partake in two of your #3s from the Menu Board - bacon and coffee for me, sausage and tea for Lydia. Throw in two of those great looking blueberry turnovers from the Mentor Bakery if you please - thanks!


I have assessed the past week of activity and do not believe we are seeing the end, as perhaps our "steamed proprietor" may be thinking. Rather, it appears that we simply have several people caught up in their own activities - which is not really anything new - and perhaps having the bar & grill as a non-priority of things to do.

Yes, we have seen the numbers diminish and yes, we have witnessed a significant decrease in tangible contributions. Sorry, if this offends our friend with twenty fingers - but the ‘dump and run' approach of pages long material is not what Tom had in mind when he created this site. I have gone back through my earlier submissions and have noted quite a change in direction here at the bar. Perhaps it would be far better to engage one another in dialogue rather than providing reams of reading material that may never be fully read through. A thought.

So, Gentlemen, I raise my tankard in toast to our Proprietor and the clientele who still hold true to the notion that this cyber bar & grill is indeed the finest that may be found in cyber space. Long live "Our" Place and those who frequent it. Cheers!

I have sent my thoughts to my "bookend," Lars and wish he and his family the best. Circumstances of death imminent are not easy to deal with. However, providing the loving care and consideration at this chapter of their loved one's life is most commendable - most commendable indeed. Certainly hope to see your return as those before me have expressed.

There is a "coffee table book," The Flags of Canada, by Alistair B. Fraser, that my lady brought out for me to peruse. In it one may find chapter and verse of the history and results of the debate regarding the change to Canada's national flag.

While I too enjoyed Rob's 9 beavers and frog reference - in all seriousness, many believed and still believe that a rather new nation, deserved a distinctly new flag. My family was clearly in that camp.

A quote from the book

QUOTE: In the battle for public opinion, Pearson took his campaign into the lions' den. In 1925, and again in 1945-46, the Orange Lodge had been the main force opposed to breaking the imperial link and losing the Union Flag. In 1964, the Royal Canadian Legion was the most vocal supporter of the status quo in the form of the Canadian Red Ensign. For months, every issue of their magazine, Legionary, had carried a picture of the ensign with the caption "This is Canada's Flag-Let's Keep it Flying." Prime Minister Pearson took his case to the 20th RCL Convention in Winnipeg on May 17. But, unlike King before him, Pearson was a veteran, having enlisted for service at the age of 17 during the First World War. The Prime Minister told a bemedaled and ensign-flying crowd at the convention that he meant no disrespect for the Union Flag, or the Canadian Red Ensign, but declared, "I believe most sincerely that it is time now for Canadians to unfurl a flag that is truly distinctive and truly national in character," to which the Legionnaires thundered "No! No!" There was an irony in the fact that the Legionnaires, who had recently replaced the Union Flag on their own badge with a maple leaf, rose to their feet, booed, and continued to yell "No!" after Pearson said: "I believe that today a flag designed around the maple leaf will symbolize and be a true reflection of the new Canada." But Pearson had sought a flag which would be "Canada's own and only Canada's" and the next day public reaction ran strongly in his favour.

Tom I enjoyed your Norewegian trains submission and it brought to mind some memories of travels past. While you all are aware of my rather noncommittal stance regarding rail travel, I have had experience aboard a few trains in Norway. Great countryside, warm people and interesting points of view.

In closing for this morning's "reading from the Book of Karr, I leave you with this thought: Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Time for a touch of the spirits, Captain Tom - just a splash in the coffee, if you please!

Hope to rejoin all of you once the forums resume operation.


BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!

Hope all's well with BK 'n Lydia . . . haven't heard a word in weeks 'n weeks . . . BK is on Indefinite Leave of Absence - precursor to The Legion of the Lost and the dreaded title of UTB (used to be)!

Later!

Tom

[EricX2000]

G'day Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Ahh, Cindy, you look lovely as usual!! What is my favorite drink on Saturdays? You remember? Yeah, yeah, that's it! I'll have one, please! Thank you!

Just a short stop to post a few pictures before heading out on store safari.

First some cabooses caught this last May in Atchison, KS.

ATSF.

 

Burlington Northern.

 

 

Kansas City Southern Lines. 

 

 

Narrow gauge turntable. Orange Empire Railway Museum. 

 

An important feature for passenger trains of yesteryear.

 

UP locos in Atchison, KS. 

 

 

Have a nice weekend!

Eric 

[siberianmo]

Hi Eric!

We've Posted pretty much "on top" of one another . . . saw you were still on line.

Why would anyone go shopping in heat that's over a hundred degrees (F)???? Good Gawd Gertie!

Nice spate of Pix . . . only can wager a guess about that "one" - will save it for the Monday Acknowledgments . . .

Email received 'n responded to . . . thanx!

Thanx for stopping by . . .

Enjoy the weekend!

Tom

[siberianmo]

This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

G'day Gents!

And here's an ENCORE! from TWO YEARS ago on this date . . . all the way back on Page 42 of the Original Thread . . .

UTB #1 - Theodorebear - Ted

Hooorah! Sounds to me like Chris has made a dramatic "turn around" You see Chris; all of those "Toasts" to your health by "Our" Place Clientele was not in vain. Great to hear you are catching-up on "quality time" with Thomas and Family. It is early Tom but this is a special occasion; a 'round for all of "the willing," please. Chris, some new faces: Gunns, TrainNut are steady contributors and PurpleJude dropped in to "test the waters."

Tom, it looks as though this Thread has reached the point of "critical mass." There logically will be some individual Posts that seem to be, well, exclusive for one or another esoteric subject. However, I have great faith that this "membership" will not allow "Our " Place to collapse under its' own weight.

I'm going out today to check on the "tech" end for uploading pix before it gets hotter than Boris' "Gloria" (Latex Bunny). We have an univited guest on the way, Dennis, a.k.a. "Wind Bag." I'm all set from last years' onslaught for a quick "board-up." Now, would be a good time for that AmTrak excursion...to Canada, not New Orleans! An old friend needs a ride home from the Chevy agency right now. So, if you could pour me a "bracer" of Anisette, I would appreciate it Tom. U.S. 19 (Fl.) isn't called "Kamikaze Road" for nothing. Be back a.s.a.p. with something actually "on topic." Hey, keep those SUMMARIES happening Tom. We wouldn't know whether to take a "dump" or "draw small stores" without them! Happy rails You's guys.

- AND -

UTB #2 - wrwatkins - Dick

Glad to be in "safe" old Dallas. Welcome to our group PURPLEJUDE. I am sure that you will find it enjoyable as I have. We are a fun group who keeps from slurring other people and things. Tom, our housekeep, will more than ply you with good liquid and solid refreshments. While we are at it, Tom, could I have a strong cup of coffee and a Danish? It is a little too early to hit the hard stuff. Thanks, Tom.

Ah my birthday. How about 9AM central time for the bash on Friday July 15. I will be on then and will be letting off a little steam.

I think I am going to request hazardous pay. As you know I am going to London on July 16 for a week of work. After what happened on the Underground and busses this morning hazardous pay is definately warranted. I will be using, if they are back in service, the lines and stations that were bombed. London has a great transit system and I enjoy using it extensively. Have toured several of their facilities and even rode from Westminister to Stratford three months before the line opened. We rode on a work train. This line goes through the Docklands area and is laid out with minimal curves as opposed with the rest of the Underground. Remember that the Underground is over 125 years old. The new line has some of the highest speeds anywhere on the Underground. The terminus, Stratford, also is a station on British Rail, Docklands Light Railway, and the Central line. Tourists constantly go to the Stratford station and ask where Shakespere's house is located. The answer is about 200 miles north as it is at Stratford on Avon, not Stratford.

Cheers,
***

And so, time marches on, eh New "faces" in the same "old" place . . .

Later!

Tom

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

Well CINDY I had better have a coffee and something light out of the Pastry Cabinet as I have a non-cyber hangover and the $5 for the coffee will knock a big hole in my wages.

ALLAN Thanks for the drink I will have it a bit later.

Many thanks for the links to the Pahiatua Railcar Centre. They are good looking railcars and RM 31 is looking great after restoration. The photo of RM5 shows how much work is involved in restoring these historic vehicles. I see the Centre gets visited by steam excursions including the WAB Tank engine.

That is a great site showing the steam sites in New Zealand. There are many interesting and some different looking locos, although some I see were built in Britain. I noticed the Double-Fairlie locomotive similar to those working on the Ffestiniog railway in North Wales. Many Thanks for sharing the web site.

ERIC I actually got one of your photo quizzes right double

It seems as though that rig driver panicked. I believe all locomotives and railcars in the UK have to pass a strict crash worthy test on the front ends before being allowed on the rails.

In February this year the safety design of the Pendelinos was sadly tested in a high speed derailment in England caused, so I believe, by a set of faulty points. Although sadly one person lost their life in a train, with over 100 passengers, aboard and with 5 of the 9 car set on their sides but for the strong design of the train the loss of life would surely have been a lot worse, apparently no windows broke in the accident.

Only 113 F, that's still 60 F hotter than I like. 

I guess today's photo was taken at the St Louis Museum, it looks a 4-4-0 but the flangeless driving wheels as got me beat.

Many thanks for today's photos. I had not seen the BN and KCS types of caboose. They seem to be the smaller types of UP power at Atchison KAN on the day of your visit.

TOM 7 07 on the 07-07-07 and it was so nearly on page 77 as well.

I should have stuck to the beer at Our Place; even the thought of beer is not appealing at the moment. I know out of practice and getting old.

The GG1s are very worthy locomotives to be Featured Locomotives #1. It was good to read about these classic locos again. It had slipped my mind how the class had got the GG1 classification I see it was based on the PRR steam locomotive wheel classification.

It was remarkable how #4876 was rescued and rebuilt after that accident.

Many thanks for those great photos of the class. I think that Freight livery, as on #4859 really suited them, although I thought that faded red on #4916 looks good. It is good to see that so many GG1s were saved, although it sounds as though seeing one in action again is remote.

What a good idea to encore some posts from 1 and 2 years back, they are some interesting posts indeed (2 years since the London Underground bombings). I hope they are all doing well.

Alans photos are in Devon and Cornwall in March this year

 

This is ex LMS class % 4-6-0 No 45407 working a special from Plymouth to Bere Alston and the Ex Sourthern railway station at Plymouth Friary.

Class 37 No 37410 was on the rear of the special, to haul the train back from the branch lines.

Something a bit different. A pic of the old railway tunnel than ran to the Great Western station in Devonport(Plymouth).

The photos should enlarge.

Pete

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!

at "Our" Place!

We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!


Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

. . . July 8^th thru 14^th: The Illusionist (2006) Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell &, Eddie Marsan - and - Road to Perdition (2002) Starring: Dylan Baker, Michael Brockman, Jobe Cerny, Daniel Craig & Diane Dorsey. SHORT: The Three Stooges - In The Sweet Pie And Pie (1941).

 

 

The Illusionist (2006)

 

PLOT SUMMARY:

Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon

from: amazon.com

 

 

Road to Perdition (2002)

PLOT SUMMARY:

In Road to Perdition, Tom Hanks plays a hit man who finds his heart. Michael Sullivan (Hanks) is the right-hand man of crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), but when Sullivan's son accidentally witnesses one of his hits, he must choose between his crime family and his real one. The movie has a slow pace, largely because director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) seems to be in love with the gorgeous period locations. Hanks gives a deceptively battened-down performance at first, only opening up toward the very end of the film, making his character's personal transformation all the more convincing. Newman turns in a masterful piece of work, revealing Rooney's advancing age but at the same time, his terrifying power. Jude Law is also a standout, playing a hit man-photographer with chilling creepiness. This movie requires a little patience, but the beautiful cinematography and moving ending make it well worth the wait. --Ali Davis

from: amazon.com

 

 

SHORT: In The Sweet Pie And Pie (1941)


PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly

Three rich heiresses must get married before Midnight to collect their inheritance, but their Navy fiancees have to ship out to Hawaii. Their lawyer arranges for them to marry three convicts about to be hanged - Moe, Larry and Curly! Unfortunately (for the girls), the Stooges are freed when real killers are caught.

from: threestooges.net

 

Enjoy the weekend!

Tom

[West Coast S]

Greetings to all this fine encore Saturday round of house special if you please.

I see we have a bit of activity of late.

Tom:

Wow, now that's a locomotive CNR #77, has to be among the best perserved i've seen in quite some time. Quite a collection indeed!!  Were not cabooses known as vans in Canada?  Seems i've heard/read that somewhere..Appreciate the B&O review as well, tragic to recall that a  EM1 2-8-8-4 and a T3 4-8-2 were initally set aside for enshrinement in the B&O museum only to be scrapped when management suffered a change of heart, a sitiuation far too common  in the early sixties, Cab Forward 4294 almost suffered that same fate as SP grew weary of storing it and demanded that it be relocated off it's property or else, thankfully private storage was obtained until such time that it could be  enshrined in the California State Railroad museum . What could have been for those affecinados of B&O steam.. but on a more positive note, as you so aptly conveyed by your fine GG1 review, it is indeed a true legend and enough common sense prevailed to preserve a few. Personally, I thought that bicentenial GG1 was outstanding!!!!

Eric:

Chilling tale of the Flexiliner, kinda brings to mind a similar tragedy involving a PE shop train using modified motorized wooden steam road coaches that collided with the extremely heavy Torrance scrap steel turn powered by three steeplecab motors, motorman on both trains and the brakeman on the freight lost their lives and 76 passengers were injured, the accident occured at speed when the shop train motorman misread the mile markers in limited visibilty, ignored a stop signal and neglected to take siding for the priority freight. 

Allen:

Alco, Alco? Gotta love em'. Great coverage, i'll take mine in Daylight colors please

Pwolf:

Great coverage and photos,  I may yet get educated!!! Perhaps you could provide some insight into this topic: Didn't a great number of NZ steam engines end as rip-rap for errosion protection? On the WP&Y in the great White North several were so disposed that have been unburied for needed parts to maintain the current small steam fleet, seems they recently retrieved a feedwater pump from a former RGS rotary which was dumped into the river in the forties as fill material. Makes one wonder if there wasn't a easier way to aquire a replacemant pump as two sister rotories exist on the Cumbres & Toltec.

Happy travels to Sir Domes...

Well, got to follow up on my missing associate who called in a sick day (forcing me to work today), except I discovered from his wife that he is actually in Vegas!

Dave

[LoveDomes]

Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!

Thought I'd slip this through the mail slot just to keep things livened up a bit at my favorite saloon. Was gonna open up the joint, but thought bettAH of it as it IS Sunday'n I know how Cap'n Tom feels about keeping things QUIET ‘round here on this day.

My son provided his "magic" ‘puter know how and got me online with the laptop. Everything is wireless this ‘n wireless that these days, huh?? I don't wanna know what he pays for his service. <groan> <grin>

Hot, humid, sunny ‘n hardly a breeze down here in the Keys (Marathon), but no complaints. This is great! One son ‘n his tribe arrived early this morning after a long drive south towing a boat at that! Grandkids (2) are having a blast ‘n it's probably gonna be like summer camp for awhile ‘round here. <grin>

Got some thunderstorms in the forecast, but that's pretty much every day this time of year or so I've been told. Noticed that gas prices are really wild down here - lowest was $3.15 (rounded off) and highest at $3.42. Now that's a swing, huh?? Don't need to drive anywhere right now, so no big thing for us!

Saw some interesting comments from a few of the guyz since my last visit on Thursday. Appreciate the well wishes! Flight down was rather uneventful, crowded, noisy, but uneventful. Man, do I hate that Miami airport. A loser if there evAH was one, in my not-so-humble opinion. <ugh> Couldn't get a connecting flight to Marathon without having to wait "forever," so it was just as practical to rent a car for the few days we're gonna be here. It's not that bad of a drive once you clear Miami that is! <double ugh>

Thought I'd make it PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE that this Thursday is July 12^th. So what you say?!?! Well it so happens to be an ANNIVERSARY DAY for "Our" Place - the 27^th month of existence in the ether for our cyber bar ‘n grill.

Last month NO ONE picked up on it, other than yours truly, which kinda is sad when you think about where we were this time LAST YEAR. In case youse guyz have forgotten, our Cap'n closed the joint on July 12^th . . . We surely don't need to stoke those coals again, but facts are facts . . . We need to at least make mention of the special day ON the day!

Of course we have a far different crowd now, and even though we are reduced in number, there's INTEREST out there. So let's get it on for Thursday!

Enjoyed the nostalgia stuff from yesterday, Cap'n Tom - two oldies for sure! Made me wonder about the "Theodorebear" guy down here in Florida. Guess he just never intended to stop back in, huh? As for the Texan, well if I recall, he was an interesting character, who hardly EVER acknowledged anyone. Isn't he the guy you rode those RDC's with down in Dallas??? Anyway, too bad he pulled the plug as he had lotsa knowledge about the things we like to talk about. Again, good nostalgia stuff!

Got a bit sad when I read through that post from my "bookend," BK . . . sure wonder what's going on. My guess is that things aren't good. Last time I called, I didn't even get the answering machine - just kept ringing.

Always like the B&O material and apparently so did West Coast S (Dave). For such a historical RR, there's just not that much "out there" for our use that isn't "protected" in some way, shape or fashion. Hardly like the stuff our leader provides for one ‘n all through all of his photo postings. But that's ‘nother story . . .

Pennsy GG1's - more pix from Expo Rail ‘n a Nostalgia piece along with a Fallen Flags too. You've been pretty much doing double duty, huh?? Hopefully that will soon change, as I know the mornings are a bit tough without Shane ‘n me.

Good to see Pete ‘n Eric still providing support through their daily efforts. Way to go, guyz! While you're at it, be sure to check up on Ruth for me, willyaplease?? She's been calling my "private" cell phone number three or four times a day, which is fine - but it does make for some "interesting" looks I'm getting from the Mrs. . . . . <uh oh> <grin>

Ok, ‘nuf of this stuff. Gotta get going as the grandkids have decided we need to "launch" the boat! It's not a huge vessel, nothing on the order of what Phil  has, but nice and something they'll surely get a kick out of.

Hope to be back tomorrow - but if not, for sure on Tuesday!

Boris, is that you behind the window?? Of course it IS - who else could it be with THAT look!?! Anyway, feed the crittAHs willya? And the pickled pig's feet jar is behind the bar, next to the can of spittoon polish. <grin>

Conrail GG1 #4800 (photo credit: Joe Testagrose)

Check this out for more shots . . .

http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/elec/gg1/gg1.html

 

Until the next time!

Lars

[EricX2000]

These dark Sunday nights! Where is the moon when you need it? Ah, there is the slot!

Tom –  D’backs has lost 9 of the last 11 games! Says it all.

The turret? It blow off during the test runs, we were going a little bit too fast. It would be too costly to put it back.

Oh, come on, you know where and when I took that picture! It is at St. Louis Museum of Transports, the Camelback. I never managed to get a good picture of it so I took some details instead.

Interesting reading, the history of GG1! That story about the GG1 with cars that ran into Union Station was one of the first I was told when we came to Washington with the X2000. The X2000 had its home on track 16 during the year it was with Amtrak, so they told us to be careful not to lose our brakes when arriving to track 16.

I think the GG1 is a very interesting locomotive and it is too bad no one is operational today. The only one I have on a piture is #4859 in Harrisburg, PA.
You did a great job finding all those different pictures of GG1s.

I remember that post by BK from last year. Well worth reading again! Just wish he and Lydia would stop by again!

You wonder why anyone would go shopping in the heat (100°+)? I guess a lot of people do it because the malls are well air conditioned and the temperature is in the 70’s.

This week you found a couple of movies for the Emporium I know nothing about! The Illusionist and Road to Perdition! I’ll go anyway to see Tom Hanks and the Stooges!

Pete –  You are right, the rig driver must have panicked. I don’t understand it, a couple of gates on top of a trailer will not stop any rig.

The German ICE train was involved in a very bad derailment in Germany a number of years ago. I don’t remember how many people were killed but som cars were more or less torn apart in the crash. The sides of those cars are made of aluminum and that does not give any good protection. The X2000 is all thick stainless steel.

The photo shows the Camelback at the Museum of Transportation. Right location!

More nice pix from Alan! Steam at one end and a diesel at the other! The picture of the diesel must have been taken when it pulled the train back. Exhaust fumes coming out and a “Clear” signal at the end of the platform!

Dave –  There have been too many accidents and disasters on the railroads over the years. What is needed is some kind of ATC on all tracks. It is coming but it takes an awful long time because of the cost.

Lars –  Good to hear from our Manager down in the Keys! The gas prices are way too high though. I filled my car yesterday for $2.74 (rounded) per gallon. I read in the paper that the prices are expected to go up again now. They have closed a refinery in Kansas. They (the oil companies) do whatever is necessary to keep the prices up.

I “traveled” by train around the entire Miami Airport back in 1993. The track is running just outside the fence long stretches! I have it on video.

Ruth is not a very happy person right now. She looks kind of depressed, mumbling somthing about “another woman”.

Nice picture of the GG1 in a a very special paint scheme!

Received your mail, thank you!

 

 

 

Eric