<personal foto>
G'day Gents!
Friday has arrived - the BEST day of the work week, eh
Begin the day with a freshly ground ‘n brewed mugga Joe - pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Friday - Sep 20th:
Jan (JanOlov) at 8:05 AM: Real ‘n model trains all rolled up in one fine Post from our Resident Swede in Scotland! Sorry folks, the man just can't figure out where Wednesday falls in the week! <uh oh>
As always, appreciate the "top up," cigars ‘n cash!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:27 AM: And along comes our Manager with some dialogue, some fine steam loco fotos ‘n insights that only could come from our Resident Staten Islander!
Many thanx for the round ‘n daily "pick us up"!!
Jan (JanOlov) at 11 AM: Second visit of the day with Milwaukee Road "firsts" - presumably from an advertisement . . .
More cigars ‘n another "top up"!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 2:48 PM: An afternoon visit from our WVA Connection!
As Willie Nelson's song goes, "On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again . . . " <grin> Well, at least we'll see ya for a couple of days next week before you head out.
Thanx for the visit, quarters, round ‘n chat! AND appreciate the visit(s) to "my other Thread"!!
Pete (pwolfe) at 3:06 PM: Well, it's NOT a Sears catalog or corn cob that Wolfman is holding! It's an Olde Towne souvenir book . . . no "sanitary" paper <grin>
Lars ‘n Ruth subscribe to the old saw - "Where there's a will, there's a way!" <grin>
Santa Fe mosaic tile is a "keeper"!!
Thanx for the visit ‘n round!
Reminder: Ruth has 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!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
Long awaited visit from Wolfman Pete 'n surprise PM visit from CM3 Shane!
Final installment . . .
Six Pack o' Fun - Part III
(13) MoPac caboose annex - serves as a bar for the patio!
(14) ditto
(15) Yeah, that's Stealthy Pete at the Kirkwood Amtrak Station!
(16) The man 'n his bag! <grin>
(17) Define "objects" for us - so says Boris! <uh oh>
(18) Worth reading! But ENLARGE first . . . <ooooooooooh>
That's It!
Hi Tom and all.
A Bathams please Ruth on this return to summer day in Mid Mo.
My business in St Louis was done at lot quicker that I though it would and I was able to send a very pleasant time with TOM at the TrainWreck saloon . The photos of the saloon have come out really great but most important the saloon has a truly wonderful atmosphere and of course I was in great company. The only problem this was my overnight accomodation after the session..
.
Seriously though it was a great trip back on Amtrak along the Missouri with a near enough on time arrival and a very friendly Amtrak train crew.
I hear that Manager LARS got a very rare "Tweeting". I wonder where the admin duties will be done for the rest of September.
I still have to catch up to date as it took ages to load the brides digital photos. I have one here of taken inside San Diego station.
So keep the Bathams coming while I get up to date please RUTH, and a round for all. It will be good to have the Our Place Fish 'N' Chip after a two week break..
Pete.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Here we are again - better late than not at all. Nice day here for weather and gas is down to $2.89.
DD1 sent a good calendar shot; Tri-Motor and a K4 what else do we need? PRR used a similar design in some advertising copy they did for the "Spirit of St. Louis" when it went into service. Lindbergh's plane was flying over the train, the graphic was otherwise the same. Thanks also for the model pictures.
Jan - Thanks for electric pictures. I remember reading somewhere re design questions that "form used to follow function." The writer went on to say that it didn't anymore because of fabrications costs, etc. IOW, "Boxes R Us."
Lars sent some good Wabash pictures. The 4-8-2 on the turntable - gotta like the front end treatment, shielded pumps, marker lights, etc. The one of Wabash 2804 has a C&O coal car lurking in the background.
OSP sent general comments along, too. Our friend, Pete, looks like a satisfied customer.
Well, gotta get out of here. Apologies to anyone I left out of this post, but time is short right now. Will be back on regular schedule tomorrow and Mo-Tu of next week, then on the road for the balance of the week.
Work safe
Really slow today - so go ahead Ruth, take the rest of the day for yourself - I'll watch things 'til Leon comes in!
Six Pack o' Fun - Part II
(7) Corner of back bar . . . who cares about TV
(8) Back bar
(9) Dining area - entrance to rear dining room 'n patio
(10) Sure looks like the Penthouse Suite up there!
(11) Reworked entry way - where glass blocks are was location of original set of doors (one set at either end).
(12) Yes, a fine place to meet!
Enjoy!
Good to see Lars 'n Jan about the decks this fine day . . . so far, no one else has ventured in. But, we takes what we gets, eh
Here's something to liven up the joint from yesterday's shennigans over at the TrainWreck Saloon with Wolfman Pete!
Six Pack o' Fun - Part One!
(1) Wolfman Pete with THAT bag of his!
(2) G-gauge at the TrainWreck (no flash - that's the sun's reflection!)
(3) Pete 'n Sonia, errrrrr Sylvia errrrrrr - oh never mind!
(4) One of Boris' pets!
(5) Lunch crowd vanished!
(6) Pete has the hat!
More later!
Greetings Tom Almighty and fellow bar habitants.....
I think that it's time for my second extra cold Guinness for the day. So if I may that for myself, top up and cigars for the rest of mafia it would very much appreciated. Here's something for yourself as well....
Da Larsman, no need to explain my good man. If you want to have great place like this watering hole to hang out in cyberspace, you need someone to hold the whip to keep people staying straight in the line.... I wouldn't say anything about getting carried away, just remember my thread about Hank Williams was it? Now, THAT is getting carried away mate... i have nothing over for those ""know it alls" ‘n "flamers" who seem to delight in causing grief, but are less than men when it comes to honesty in terms of identity and the like"" either and for what it's worth I think that you're doing a grand job I have met nothing but decent and honest people around here and I'm proud to call you all my friends.....
Great pictures as always mate !
First! Again and Again-- The Milwaukee Road!First line between Chicago and the Twin Cities -- the only double tracked route.First and only road to operate over its own rails all the way from Chicago to the North Pacific Coast.First to adopt roller bearings for through passenger trains.First to operate all-steel trains between Chicago and the Twin Cities; between Chicago and Seattle-Tacoma.First to use open observation cars on transcontinental trains
First to use steam heat and electric lights on trains between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
First to operate long distance trains by electric power.
First with radio between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
First with coil spring mattresses.First with streamstyled luxury coaches one-third lighter than standard and offering one-third more room per passenger.
And Now - -First to have designed and built a streamlined, highspeed steam locomotive.
First to introduce a completely streamstyled super speed train of the light-heavyweight type.
First with buffet section such as is exemplified in the Tip Top Tap Room.First with a Beaver Tail rear-end car.
Ruth my deAH, what a glow to brighten up the morn! A number # from the board, a mugga Joe with a jolt ‘n a couple of pastries from the case! That should kick-start the day for me! And of course a round for the house ‘n treats for the crittAHs. Yes, Boris - feeding time again AND the small jar of PPF is for YOU!
What's THIS I hear Da Boss ‘n Da Wolfman spent the day at a saloon OTHER than "Our" Place!?!?! Isn't that a oh-fence?!?!? BUT, how does one the guy who has the !?!?!
Must be nice having a buddy to hook up with now ‘n then for some imbibing at a place with the atmosphere of "Our" Place though! Honestly can't tell ya the last time I did that - hmmmmmmm, on second thought, I can! St. Paddy's Day in "the city." Always stop off at a few "favorite" watering holes on the way back home. Yeah, yeah - I KNOW, that's NOT "in vogue" these days ‘n times, but we do it anyway! Glad you guyz had a good time. Photos AND was Silvia in town
Was quite the day yesterday with flurries of activity to keep things going. Glad my posts helped a bit to keep us "up." But more importantly, the conversations going on are what this joint is all about ‘n it's good to get in on "stuff" being discussed.
Got your e-mail Cap'n Tom ‘n thanx. I'll have to give some thought to your idea, but you KNOW that if my schedule permits, I'll do everything possible to meet up with youse guyz!! Really mean that. Also, once wintAH sets in, IF you ‘n your Mrs. evAH change your mind about Florida, c'mon down ‘n spend some time with us in the Keys!! It would be a blast for sure!
Sorry ‘bout the RR Book Relay "thing"!! Don't have the foggiest what I was thinking about. Just prepared it for mailing, ‘n used the return address on the envelope I received from you. Wasn't thinking - "my bad"! BUT, don't you think the "punishment" is a bit too severe for the "crime" I mean - banished from the Penthouse Suite ‘til October.
YOUR office Now you know bettAH than THAT! Drat it - foiled again!
On the sports front: Mets are in trouble - but the Cards helped last night with a victory over the Phillies. I see the Yanks have really come on strong, or is it the Sox in Bahstun are experiencing a bit of METitis Isn't September a grand month for baseball
For Eric! Not to worry, mate - I'm only kidding around. Not offended at all regarding constructive pointers regarding info to make my posts more accurate. Heck, what's the point in perpetuating misinformation, huh Youse guyz with da Eagle Eyez -
Silvia Now you KNOW I can't "talk" about it here . . .
For those who contributed to Toy & Model Trains Day! 5- Salute! ] It's an idea that seems to have been "reborn" at the "reborn" Watering Hole by the Wayside! That's the idea guyz - keep it for Wednesday ‘n it will remain SPECIAL! Nice going.
So what's with Fergie, our sailor friend in Nova Scotia Have seen him logged in ‘n really thought he'd provide some pix for us yesterday - but not to be.
For Jan! As Da Bossman said - don't mind me. I just get a bit carried way when it comes to the crap, junk ‘n otherwise inane stuff put on these forums ‘n threads. I'm only here because of "Our" Place - spend very little time elsewhere (Tom's other thread being the single exception!). Don't care for the "anon" people - can't enjoy "one way" people ‘n absolutely refuse to give any slack to the JO's out there . . . nope, no way, now how!
I used to have a pretty good thread working on the forums some years ago. Had a different cyber handle back then. Got totally turned off by the "know it alls" ‘n "flamers" who seem to delight in causing grief, but are less than men when it comes to honesty in terms of identity and the like. Hiding behind the keyboard turns me OFF. "Caught" a couple at it - reported ‘em - but haven't really seen anything tangible take place to control things. I'm not talking about "free speech," I'm talking about those who are complete AH's - they know it, ‘n so do we.
Anyway, when I returned, it was ONLY because I found "Our" Place. I like the way things are here - for the most part we've had some really great guys over the years ‘n this present crew is simply outstanding. Just like in real life at a real bar, there are those you engage with ‘n th
Greetings Tom and gentlemen in the Fellowship of the Turntable....
Nice and quiet morning I see..... May I please have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the boys and here's something for you as well...
A few $$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
If you excuse me there's some work to be done in the kitchen.... Fish ‘ Chips to be made and served....
CMSTPP, Milwaukee Road had definitely two of the most beautiful streamlined steam locomotives ever built in the A's and F-7's......HALLELUJAH! Their home made offspring doesn't look bad either.... I currently have 7 Milwaukee Road books with another two in the mail which I sincerely hope show up before the weekend so that I have something to read. Always looking for more, like the ones from Morning Sun Books in all color.....yummy!
DD1, I'm for all kind of drivers you could say as I already mentioned. But as you say spokes are timless and I wouldn't mind to have a pair from a NYC Hudson or Niagara in the livingroom as a centre piece....
EricX2000, to be completely honest with you, I wasn't a fan of streamlined steam at all from the the beginning. But, then along came N&W with their J's and later Milwaukee Road with their A's and F-7's, kicking me while lying down....not much chance to fight back then, have you?
Tom, not to worry mate. Should our beloved Da Larsman cross the line, I'll just show him a selection of steamers from a not entirely unknown railroad company to keep him at bay... He's like a wee poodle, barks worse than he bites.....
coalminer3, 3137 you say....errmmm... I have to agree with you on this one, no doubt. Those Scullin discs would have looked much better on a streamlined Hudson than on this Mohawk. Now the girl looks just odd, no...back on with the spokes again and she'll look just fine..
Looking at everybody's posts for Optional Toy & Model Trains Day and the style of some of the electrics it makes you wonder if there's ANY design schools around at all today, or if they just hand out a pair of rulers and tell them to "knock themself out"? Where's class, soul, where's THE the magic in todays designs?
Some studies in style, Europe/SBB:
Be 4/6, passenger locomotives for the Gotthard line, nrs. 12301-12342.
Ce 6/8 II, High-power early electric "Crocodile" locomotives, nrs. 14251-14283
Ae 3/6 II, Electric locomotives with side rods, nrs. 10401-10460.
Credit: railfaneurope.net
Not saying that ALL things were better back in the day, but some truly was though. I only have to say GG1 compared to E-44 to make my point.... I honestly think that designers today see what they more as a job and career than anything else, I don't know if the word "call" would fit in here.... Where's todays Loewy, Kuhler and Dreyfuss I ask?
From Roco for Optional Toy & Model Trains Day (if not too late):
Class E-32
Class E-16
Class Ae6/8
Thursday in mid-continent USA ‘n here we are AGAIN - one more day ‘til week's end! Why not join us for some breakfast The coffee ‘n pastries are fresh. And our Menu Board is chock full o' <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfast selections!
Comments from the Proprietor:
A good day for Wolfman Pete ‘n I over at the TrainWreck Saloon on Wednesday. We "managed" to squeeze in a few hours between the end of Pete's reason for being here ‘n the departure of his train back to JCity . . . What better place to wait for a train than where we were, eh Haven't done that in some time . . . . most enjoyable day, fer sure, fer sure Sir Pete!
Wednesday - Sep 19th:
Jan (JanOlov) at 8:32 AM: And the man in Glasgow didn't disappoint with another spate of fine fotos - this time "shrouded steamers"! Good choice w/narratives too!
Don't let the Larsman getcha - he's pretty much a bona fide "stay at home" when it comes to the bar. Not interested in "flitting ‘round" those other Threads on the Forums - and quite frankly, neither are the majority of us who've been keeping at this site for years. But, as was said - to each his own.
Lars IS right on about his comments regarding ‘competition.' We had a guy who was really "into" this place - and at one point pretty much kept it running with his well thought out and LENGTHY submissions - no, NOT 20 Fingers. Anyway, he told me once that he felt "intimidated" by the amount of material being Posted at "Our" Place ‘n felt that he'd have to keep up in order to fit in. That's is absolutely the WRONG way to approach this joint . . . but I think you know that, eh
Enjoyed your Post ‘n thanx for the "top up," cigars ‘n cash!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:19 AM & 11:16 AM: TWO morning visits takes a bit of getting used to, especially since you've been our PM guy for a couple of weeks. Great to see ya!
Nice spate of Toy ‘n Model Train submissions, which have enabled me to "lay low" on that score for this Wednesday! You've "done good," Mate!
We didn't pursue the independent web site for "Our" Place because the idea pretty much died on the vine. I had received quite a few Email responses, but no one came up with the "How to" - so I let it go. I'm still in favor of getting away from these Forums, but until we figure out what the "landing" will be like - best to stick it out for now.
That "other" place wouldn't be MY office, now would it!?!!? <grimace>
Mets folding the tent Cards took 14 innings to lose - again on Tuesday, but pulled one out last night in the 10th.
Many thanx for the rounds, chat, fotos ‘n visits!
Dan (DL-UK) at 11:25 AM: An appropriate submission for our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! Fit right in. I had not heard of Meccano before, but now am certainly well up to speed! Thanx for the info ‘n links.
Unfortunately, your Post came through in the ‘wide page' format. The good thing is that because it wasn't a lengthy epistle, scrolling back ‘n forth was easier to do than most times when the narrative takes up more vertical space than a Page will hold. Guess those long URLs are the culprits. Oh well . . .
Appreciate the visit ‘n fine material!
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 11:28 AM: Figured you were tied up at work - but there you were! Had us fooled, fer sure, fer sure.
Glad the RR BOOK RELAY 2007! made it to WVA! <
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
No, no, Leon. Just a cup of coffee. I can't stay more than a few minutes.
Kind of tired tonight after a stressful day at work.
Tom – Most likely a trip to Churchill will be a “solo” trip. But I guess such a trip would not take place until 2009 as it looks now. If you could come along would be great, but let’s discuss that via email. I’m not blaming Lars for those typos. One can find faulty information all over the web. We are just human beings! I guess I am looking close at those pictures because they are interesting. Did not know about the beginning of Cardinals’ slide. The Snakes seem to have big problems hanging on to the lead, just one game ahead of the Padres.
JanOlov – Nice pictures of the streamliners and information! I am not a big fan of streamlined steam locomotives, but for whatever reason I kind of like Milwaukee’s streamliners!
That was a tough number of questions about the three BIG steam locomotive builders. I can’t say I have any good answers, because I don’t know enough about them. ALCO? I saw CM3 voted for Lima. He knows so much more and is very likely correct. Lars – Please, continue to post pictures! I find them very interesting and am looking forward to many more! What do you know about Sonia and her trip to St. Louis? Very nice Fleischmann models! From old steam locomotives to modern electrics. Hell Gate Bridge(s)! That is the first model of that bridge I’ve seen! The last picture shows an old toy locomotive that very much looks like my very first train. I don’t think it is, but it certainly looks like it. DL – Interesting info on Meccano! I had something similar, but a different brand, when I grew up and I built all kinds of things. I still have a few pieces of it in a box. I loved to construct vehicles of different kinds. CM3 – Thanks for the info on BEDT! But I could not find the map on that site. James – The very first time the X2000 was on static display it was for Amtrak employees only, that is when I took the picture of the sign. The public got many, many chances to see the train. I checked Boone Scenic Valley’s web site for info on that car, but did not find anything. Maybe they do not even have that car any more. I took the picture in 1987. Some very nice buildings for your layout! You will get a very nice station on your layout!!Ron – Very nice models! All but one electrics! That E-95 has very nice details! I have a GG-1 myself. Got it from Amtrak when I left them.
NJ Transit ALP-44. Penn Station, NYC, 1993.
Good day Tom and all present at the bar. Drinks all around and a Guinness for me. Here is the last calendar from me for a while.
I have a few model pictures I would like to share with you. Most are of foreign engines, but the detail is incredible. All are HO except for the last one.
Class 110 by Lima models
GG-1 by Trix
Hogwarts Castle (Harry Potter)
Class BB by Jouef (correction, not a model)
E95 by Brawa
E95 detail
E77 by Brawa
E73 by Brawa
Type 142 by Brawa
Class E19 by Arnold (N scale)
James: Sounds like a nice project you have with the Milwaukee Road Depot.. Try to use LED's for lighting. They are more realistic. I don't know why more modelers are not using them instead of GOW's. Imagine a UP engine with a belpaire firebox. There were a few instances where other railroads used belpaire fireboxes, but they were used mostly by the PRR.
Jan: The boxpok drivers look OK on some engines, but I just can't take a liking for the Scullin discs. I'll stick with spokes all the way (although they are much harder to make for a model). I would have to guess it was Alco who did the most to develop steam power. Interesting question and a good topic for discussion.
DL: Meccano was produced in England and came out before erector sets did here. I understand erector sets are still being made, but they are no way anything like the original.
P.S. I might change my handle to "E-95".
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.
One vote for Lima, please.
work safe
Dear Tom and friends....
May I please have the usual for me the boys? Here's something for yourself too.
Cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer.....$$$
I apologise Da Larsman, I didn't mean post as much as possible that's just no fun... I was talking quality wise....
Alright fellas... This round is on me, grab your drinks and come and sit down here in the corner by the fire....(we do have an open fire?) and let's talk about the three BIG steam locomotive builders... just let me put some more wood in.
Which of the three BIG one would you say did most for the development of the steam locomotive, had the best quality on their products, had the best follow up towards the customers in case of any problems, best to listen to customers ideas and needs....etc?
Enlighten me!
PS. CMSTPP, maybe Milwaukee Road Historical Society can help you with the interior, or Milwaukee itself?
G-day Tom and all present!!
Ruth- Thanks, but I'm still munching on my pastry. Thanks.
Well, since it's model train day, I thought I would go ahead and share some pics with you guys.
This is the station that I have ordered. At the moment I am trying to find some interior shots of the Depot, so I can build it. But I have not had much luck. I am also going to build chandeliers that hang from the cieling and light up. This thing is going to be the ultimate of stations when I'm done. This is a close replica of the Everett street station in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It served the Milwaukee Road from 1887 until it's demise in 1965. This kit comes with the station and a shed.
Since the shed that comes with the station is too small, I also ordered a second shed. When both sheds are together, it will be 4 feet long. It will be quite a shed. There will be 4 tracks inside the shed and 5 track to the right of the shed. There will be enough room to hold one 8 car train on each track when I am done with this depot.
And here's the frieght house and Depot that will go with the five tracks to the right. This will be quite a complex when I am done with it.
All pictures courtesy: www.Walthers.com
Enjoy!!!
James
Ruth- How are you this morning? Here it's raining and a bit cold.. But I'm happy!! So I think I will go with an OJ and one of those pastries if you will. Thanks, keep the change.
Eric- Looking good with the X2000 pics. Some great shots of that train. I really like that sign. Amtrak employees only... Glad you got shots of it. What, was the public not allowed to see this magnificent train. <grin> Cool stuff.
I have heard the Boone & Scenic vally train rides. That observation car has a couple features that make it a little weird. First the observation end is bigger than a normal car and second there isn't any scurting?? So I'm a bit boggled. It seems a bit funky. Thanks for the photo. Now I want to go and see if I can't learn any info on it.
Jan- Ah the Atlantics. Some of the greatest passenger trains the Milwaukee had. When I fist got a glipse of these trains in books I really didn't appreciate them that much. And now there something to go off of. Just reading about how the design came to be and how they got to the tracks was quite a story. I always enjoyed reading about these trains. I also got to see some video of them. They are some of the fastest steamers that ever rolled the rails. When the 4-6-4 F7s came out in the 1930s, they were almost instantly classified as the fastest passenger train. These locomotives were capable of over 120 mph, and the record was set at 123 mph. I can't imagine the speed of that train. especially with a steamer..
You have some neat songs there. All took some thinking to get those written. I really liked the southern pacific song. That one just had the right zing to it. Thanks for sharing.
Now if you were a NYC fan those steam engines would be a dream to model. The thing that gives those away is there odd shaped nose and that single headlight in the middle of that nose. An odd shape, but a very famous train, and I respect that.
As I have probably said before, you certainly know how to spruce this place up with your dialogue and pics. Great piece on the NYC. One thing though. There was a paragraph about a steamer that had exploded. Wasn't there a photo that went along with that? He gives mention of it. Outside of that. Nice piece. Greatly enjoyed it.
Tom- Finally, Boris' shed is completely cleam. I finally got it done at about 5 this morning!! <aargh> Boris should be a happy little monster for awhile anyway.
Jumbo dies!!!! What a mean elephant. Of course all of that could have been avoided if the instructor had listened. Those were some interesting significant events. I enjoyed that group. Thanks for sharing. Also thanks for the fallen flags passenger train info. The Maine Central ran through a neat part of the states. I don't think there would have been a day that you couldn't enjoy the scenery on that line. The fall time would probably be the best. With all those colors and the mountains all around you. There's nothing better than running a few Alcos and enjoying the scenery. Thanks.
I have to say, that the Hudson Bay railway was an interesting one to read. Those locos are pretty nice looking. I was impressed that it was a regional and had 810 miles of trackage. They were similar to the Wisconsin Central in many ways. Do you know how fast there able to travel on there line I saw that some of the line was down to 10 mph. A really good read.
Lars- Looking good with the book covers. The Maine Central was one of those railroads that was more than interesting. Your passenger car cover intrigued me. I would like to see what they had for passenger cars. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Also good show on the steam locos. That 2-6-6-2 is my favorite of the bunch. It's a pretty small loco. Those drivers and wheels are smaller than a usual steamer. Thats why I like it. Would you happen to have any stats on that loco
DD1- Ya I know what you mean. But the manufacturers are trying to save money.... If I were one, I would make each loco specific to the railroad. But since they don't, I go ahead and detail them to how the prototype looked. It gives me something to do for quite a while.
CM3- Ya they even painted that GG1 in the Milwaukee Road colors too. I guess they wanted to replicate the Little Joe..... Not very close. But it's just a sample of how companies want to save money.
Pete- good to see you back. Hope your trip went well. Can't wait for more good stuff to roll around from you.
Happy railroading
Good Morning (Well, it still is in some parts of the country)Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Ye of little faith - thought I wasn't going to be here. Management decrees we do stuff in the morning, so we do stuff in the morning - that's why I'm late. It looks as though it will be the same tomorrow.
Some interesting material to look at while I am souping and sandwiching for lunch.
Jan sent some classic NYC material. The consists are interesting because they give a snapshot of what was on 25 and 26 at different periods. For example, you have a grille-diner and a twin-unit diner on the 1956 version.
6003 at Englewood was indeed late in the game for steam. Is it just me or did they really mess up the looks of 3137. Elephant ears are one thing, but disc drivers? Egad sir, up with this I will not put!
Pete visited.
DD1 stopped by with thoughtful comments. "Reminds me of one of my favorite lines form the movie Home Alone; "Snakes? Snakes? I don't know no snakes."
James stopped by also. The N&W also ran long hood forward - scariest thing out there was a set of long-hood forward SD45s. Thanks for the 2-8-8-4 information.
Lars visited as well - Fleischmann material was a good pick. And, check out the Hell Gate Bridge picture AND all of the neat items that are in the background - wow!
OSP stopped by with comments, etc. The book showed up yesterday. I am looking forward to getting after it. Incidentally, NHL wizards are supposedly trying to come up with a balanced schedule for next season. Buffalo and Pittsburgh will be playing an outdoor game at Buffalo on January 1, 2008 - it pretty well sold out already, according to the Buffalo Whizbang this a.m. Enormous flushing sound you heard is the Red Sox bullpen.
DLs post hit at the same time as this one - I will look at the links you mentioned. Now if somebody would do some of the old rr employee publications. I have a few from the PRR from about the time of the Great War - fascinating stuff.
Now, I did not plant anybody in the audience, but it is kinda strange, all the conversation about New York as I had prepared the following yesterday to post today.
Every so often, I like to post information about short lines and other "smaller" operations. We did something on the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Co. awhile back which elicited a lot of response from the folks at the bar. Today we are going to stick around New York and take a look at another line; the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal Railroad (BEDT).
This road was in the Borough of Brooklyn and received traffic via car float as follows
PRR - Greenville
CRR of NJ/B&O/LVRR - Communipaw
DL&W/Erie - Hoboken
NYC (West Shore) - Weehawken
NYNH&H - Oak Point
The BEDT had three yards: Kent Avenue, Pidgeon St., and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Their entry in the ORG mentioned that the BEDT operated, "For receipt and delivery of freight only for and within New York Naval Shipyard."
They had a most interesting collection of motive power, some of which has survived. This website will give you a tour of the BEDT, explain their operations, etc. There is a link to car floats within the website. Enjoy!
http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/bedt.html#BEDT
Hello Tom and all in
I'd better have a pint of Batham's Mild as Pete has drunk the bitter dry now he is back!
Greetings all - sorry not enough time to catch up and acknowledge recent interesting stuff but I will do that ASAP.
I did promise some info on Meccano for today so I want to keep that promise and here we are.
I'd wanted to find out about the connection with Meccano and Erector in the USA - and I found out that they were originally different, but for a while Meccano owned Erector but then they went their separate ways, but it seemed like by agreement meccano was not heavily marked in the USA (unlike Canada). Is this true?
I also saw some modern meccano in a shop in Toronto recently (it is less common in England now but still available from good shops) and this was made in France - where it has been made since the famous Binns Road, Liverpool factory was closed in 1980.
I thought this was remarkable because this was pretty much the only toy in any toy shop not made in china and to be frank the French deserve credit for that! However, I found on the web that recently the Meccano brand has been bought by a Japanese toy firm and they do carry out some production in China - with some also in France - it may be that French labour laws preclude them closing the factory which I think is in Calais.
Here is some information on the famous Set 10 (or 9) the super top set of the range - a mythical set to any child I think - but not a total myth as you always knew it existed - juts not in your average pocket money range!
http://www.internationalmeccanomen.org.uk/REFERENCES/Meccano/CollandHistseries/1948nr9SetOakbox/1948.html
Also this site gives lots of other historical information.
http://www.internationalmeccanomen.org.uk/
Last but not least the famous Meccano Magazine which ran from about 1920 or before to about 1970 ish in its original format - amazingly some people have scanned every page of every edition to sell on CD - given it was monthly for 3/4rs of the 20th century that is some achievement! - And you thought you were busy!!
http://www.mmagazine.co.uk/
Cheerio
DL
Ahoy Cap'n Tom 'n fellow travelers at the bar!
<geesh> Ruth, when IS your break I'll have a double hit of JD on the rocks, if you please, 'n another round for the boyz!
Doesn't appear as if we're off to a "normal" morning 'round here without the guy who says he's NOT Shane! Also, looks a bit bleak for the PM without Pete! So, I'll provide a few more pix of toy trains on this Optional Toy & Model Trains Day at the bar!
Hell Gate Bridges (from: Terry Johnson layout)
Lionel Hudson #2056 4-6-4
Lionel Trains (1945-1969)
Gilbert American Flyer loco
Until the next time!
Lars
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH ‘tis the Larsman with a hunger - order me up a #3, wudja please ‘n a hot mugga Joe with a jolt too! And how are you this fine day, young lady If you feel as good as you look, you're on top o' the world! <blush>
Boris, the crittAHs are looking at YOU - so let's get a move on, huh Feeding time for Awk, Tex, Frostbite, Juneau ‘n Artie - make in snappy! <geesh> Yes, yes - that small jar of PPF has your name on it!
Zapped by Da Boss with the <tweeter> Drat it ... <frown>
What AGAIN!!??!!?? <triple geesh> I can't "win" for the life of me with Eric constantly checking out my pix! But then again - they AREN'T mine! <grin> Ok, I'll make the correction ‘n go with your supposition. Makes sense to me - never heard of such a wheel arrangement either - shudda known bettAH - but didn't! <for shame>
I see Jan has been active all over the place again! A bit confused as to why one would even want to make a post on a "one way" thread that was begun so looooooong ago ‘n the guy who started it probably isn't even around today! Oh well, to each his own . . .
One of the major irritants for me about these "open" forums. I'd much prefer a pay as you go web site ‘n keep the junk ‘n anonymous JO's off. We had discussed such a thing about a year ago ‘n I thought we were moving in the right direction, but then . . . I'm all for our OWN web site! ‘nuf of that . . .
I don't believe it!! <gasp> The Bar Chandler is skeeeeedaddling outta here again??? Hmmmm, wonder what's SMALLER than a "thimble" for a "dipper"?? <groan> C'mon Pete, you can do bettAH than that for an excuse to get away. St. Louis???? <grin> Is that where Sonia happens to be today Hmmmmmmm. Makes sense - she could fly down from Canada to St. Louis, then they could . . . Hmmmmmmm.
Back to Jan in Glasgow: Nice spread of pix on the NYC ‘n Milwaukee Road! Discussion points always help with stuff like that - I'm just too lazy! <grin>
By the way, this isn't a competition for who can post the most! Nope, no way. We're supposed to be about discussing Classic Trains ‘n using the photos ‘n narratives to supplement the "talk." That's kinda what set us way apart from the other threads. I'd like to see more on the "talk" between the guys.
My contribution to the Optional Toy & Model Trains Day!
Here are some Euro model trains from my old friend ‘n bookend, Bud Karr (BK) that were seen over on the "old" thread . . .
Fleischmann 4117 - Tender Loco Class 17
Fleischmann 4318 - Electric Loco Class E19.1
Fleischmann 4337 - Electric Loco Class Ae 3/6
Fleischmann 4324 - Electric Loco Class 146
Fleischmann 4903 - Passenger Train of the K.P. u. G.H. St. E.
4913 Passenger Train \"90 Years of MITROPA\" of the P. St. E. V.
Ok Ruth my deAH - I'll meet you in that "other" place when you take your break. Now that I'm "banned" from the Penthouse Suite ‘til October . . . <geesh>
Greetings dear friends Tom and all......
May I please have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the gang and here's something for yourself as well mate.
Some $$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer.
Tom, thank you kindly (blushes), as you already know it's mighty hard work to keep up with you, Da Larsman and everybody else around here when it comes to quality posts. It's all you guys that inspire me. Also, no stress about the railroad ads, I'm sure that they'll be more than worth the wait.
DD1, I have to admit that personally I like the Boxpok and Scullin drivers. BUT, they should match the rest of the locomotive, you don't just throw them on to any engine . Streamlined NYC and Milwaukee Road Hudsons would look strange with spoked drivers. Even worse is when they're mismatched like on some Erie Pacifics, right? So I'd have to say that I like them all just as much mate.... Beautiful calendar picture as always
CMSTPP, I was actually for a few years ago talking to someone on the D&H about applying for a job there. Got their rulebook and everything sent over to me. Had Milwaukee Road still been around and going strong, things would have been mighty different for sure. But then I met my ex and I moved to Scotland..... C'est la Vie!
Too bad that Milwaukee Road wasn't run as was back in the day when it managed properly...
My first interest in good ol' American railroads was actually the freight trains. I first didn't look much at the passenger trains and the Limited and so on. Then I stumbled across some books and the interest changed "slightly" and now the interest is just the same for both freight and passenger trains. Almost like speed freight or Limited trying make up time with open throttle and stoker hard at work... You can't just beat heavy freight fighting its way up a grade or a high speeding passenger train with whistles blowing, can you?
As for the Milwaukee Road depot in Milwaukee, I'm gonna by that one and the shed too.
EricX2000, I sure have some catching up to as you put it. Your namesake was just the fine ride as I remember it to be. Still couldn't help to slip back into daydreaming riding a new Hiawatha with a 4-4-2 on the same tracks.....talk about speed!
This Baldwin builder's photo of Pennsylvania Railroad 4-4-4-4 No. 5526 shows the T1 class as originally built, with the "portholes" reminiscent of Buicks of the 1940s and 1950s.
The T1s handled the PRR's premier passenger trains in non-electrified territory in the mid-1940s. They were known for their speed, and had the horsepower to pull a 16-car passenger train at a steady 100 miles per hour - outperforming the 5400-horsepower diesels of the day. They were equipped with oscillating-cam poppet valves for more precise timing of steam admission to, and exhaust from, the cylinders. Their dual drive, plus the absence of valve gear cranking on the drivers, meant their reciprocating parts were lighter than those of a conventional 4-8-4. The dual drive also made possible a shorter piston stroke for the same power output.
At the same time, the T1s were placed in regular service before all their "bugs" had been worked out. They were known for hard-to-control driving wheel slippage, not only while starting a train but at speed. (However, some authorities claim this was due to poor throttle handling by inexperienced engineers.) Their streamlining caused smoke to flow low over the engine, sometimes obstructing the enginemen's view and making it difficult to keep the engines from becoming dingy. The PRR tried to fix the slippage problem by outfitting one engine (No. 5547, reclassified T1a) with conventional Walschaerts valve gear, while another was given rotary cam poppet valves. But the engines began to be placed in storage around 1948, and thus were not in service long enough to correct the defects. None of the T1s survive - the last few went to scrap in 1954, according to one source - but they will be remembered as a bold attempt to meet the challenge of the diesel on its own terms.
Above credit: Richard D. Leonard New York Central collection and northeast.railfan.net.
Wednesday's Witticism
A cow chip is paradise for a fly.
Mid-week in mid-continent USA ‘n it's called WEDNESDAY! <grin> On this day we feature freshly ground ‘n brewed Colombian coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n Menu Board selections of <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts! Hmmmm, come to think of it, we feature those EVERY DAY!
Temps on the rise ‘round these parts with the mid-80s making things more summerlike than Fall! <groan> Supposed to be this way for at least another two weeks according to what "they" have to say! <barf> C'mon Fall!
RR BOOK RELAY 2007! My error - mea culpa! Here's the particpant list again . . .
(1) Lars (LoveDomes) - (2) CM3 Shane (coalminer3) - (3) Eric (EricX2000) -
(4) Allan (Gunneral) - (5) James (CMSTPP) - (6) Tom (siberianmo)
<Thanx for the Email, Allan!>
Tuesday - Sep- 18th:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 10:01 AM: Was hoping you'd return - ‘n you did! Yeah, the Beantowners ‘n Pinstripers always seem to have a "go," irrespective of the meaning of it all. BUT this year with the BoSox about 30 games over .500, ‘n the Yanks 20-something over, well - I'd say with a couple of weeks left, there shouldn't be a worry for the BAHSTUN bunch.
Not so for the CAHDinals of St. Looooooo - really have imploded, pretty much since the Ankiel "thing" hit the wires. That's when it went spiraling downward. However, the entire season has been a downward spiral! So, this latest round of adversity is simply the icing on the bund cake. <ugh>
Patriots looked awesome in their 2nd game. Ya know, if the new Kommish had any "marbles," he'd have turned the win into a loss for the game where "cheating" was detected, imposed suspensions AND fines ‘n be done with it. Nahhhhhhh, instead they are looking at NEXT year. Hmmmmm, something doesn't ring "true" with that in my-not-so-humble OH-PIN-YUN! <groan>
Our Zamboni machines are rarin' to go. Boris ‘n Leon have been in "training," over at the Mentor Village Speedway ‘n Auto Parts Centre! <grin>
Some fine material in your Post ‘n I hope the guys avail themselves of yet another opportunity to delve into the experiences of our WVA Connection! Rail - of course - what else
Email response to RR Book Relay 2007! received.
Round - quarters ‘n chat most appreciated!
Jan (JanOlov) at 10:43 AM: What a fine Post from our Resident Swede in Scotland! Nicely done, Mate! The 20th Century Limited will surely get our friend in WVA to foam at the mouth with responses in kind!
Really a nice spate of info on the 20th Century ‘n the consist info capped it all off quite well! Very well done (again)!!
Glad you enjoy my version of those nostalgia RR ads - there will be more, but I kinda like to space ‘em out a bit before the well runs dry! <grin> Then I'll have to get going on creating more - which means work, which means less time to enjoy these "golden years" I've been reading about!
"Top up" ‘n cigars always welcome!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:37 AM: And our Manager is at it again with quite a fine spate of steam locos! What's not to like about those monsters, eh <grin>
For a guy with little to say, you're doing quite well ‘round here! Just a bit of this ‘n that for one ‘n all to pick up on.
Yeah, we seem to have some similar recollections about life on Staten Island "back in the day." I've never been one to think of where I grew up as the ONLY place worth a Rat's Patoot on this globe. Nope, been to far too many places where I've liked things better. However, there is a special place in my mind's eye for Staten Island ‘n of course as long as those images "reside" there, I'll have instant recall for the scene
Leon, last week a had a hamburger with a lot of raw onions. Super good! I'll have the same tonight! A large cold Root Bee, please.
Another "cool" day here in the Valley of the Sun! It must be fall already.
Tom – Did you buy a lottery ticket today? Interesting info on Hudson Bay Railway! Believe it or not, but the Port of Churchill is a place I would like to take the train to. It must be something else! Way up in the middle of nowhere and polar bears but still not as far north as where I used to live. I like the paint scheme on thier locomotives!CM3 – There is usually an explanation for everything. I'm talking about the reason the Yankee Clipper sign was made in a certain way/design. JanOlov – I would say you have a lot of catching up to do, riding the X2000. Nice 20th Century Limited ads and pictures! And of course the train consists! Very detailed indeed!Very interesting pictures and info on NYC locomotives!Lars – I have actually been driving across the Verrazzano bridge once! Many years ago though. I guess that should be in my resume if it wasn’t just 93 days left until my retirement. Your pictures caught my eye as usual! But I think there is a little typo, Western Maryland #924 was a 2-8-8-2. I have never heard of any 2-8-6-2. It is very hard to see all drivers in this picture. The linked pix below shows the same locomotive from a different angle.http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/wm924s.jpgIt would be interesting to learn at what place you meet Ruth. Pete – Two weeks is a long time when it comes to catching up! Take your time, just glad to see you back here! Ron – You are right, one can’t uy too many books!I agree about the Scullin-disc drivers compared with the regular spoked drivers. In my world steam locomotives should have spoked drivers!
Heading south to Seattle, WA.
Eric
Leon- Could I get a coffee and a turkey sandwich...... make that two coffees. It's going to be a long night.
Tom- Well, a tweeting just for me......... How did I do that!!!! Boris! Did you know I was going to get into trouble You seemed to have picked me out quick. Well, anyway, I will be out back cleaning his little shed.. But, Boris will be helping me.
Now when you said, this was your perferred time of year... How could you like this?? Some white stuff falling from the heavens, the temperatures dropping to ungaudly lows... Oh, wait. This is "ride the train" part of the year.. I can see it all now.
Photos are still looking good. That Alsakan railway is just a wonder. Some of the scenery along that line must be fantastic. I know for a fact that you will see mountains almost the whole way along that line. It must be facinating riding on a train and watching the land change right before your eyes. Some neat stuff indeed. Great photos.
Eric- The Yellowstone put out 6000 HP. But I'm not surprised that the Mallets had a higher tractive effort. Atleast the yellostones here in Duluth and on the iron range delt with some pretty extensive grades with those ore trains. One such hill is Proctor hill. It's a 2.2% percent hill decending down from Proctor on to Dock six in Duluth and it is about 4 miles long. Even todays locomotives have a hard time getting up the hill with there empty trains. One train is about 180 ore cars. When the steamers were on, they had to make a pretty good tractive effort. That hill has stalled quite a few trains. Anyway, Nice pics there. That SP car looks like it needs some help on the outside. I can see where the roof and the car side meet, there is quite a bit of rust and stains. But I'm glad to see it still running. As it would be, they were scrapped before I was born... I just wish I was able to see more of the Milwaukee Road fleet in action..... Thanks for the pics.
Jan- I would have to agree with you on the Milwaukee Road... Except one thing.. I don't like how the managers ran it back in the seventies... But outside of that, the neatest railroad in the world! You always seem to spark this place up with your pics. Those SP photos were great. And you got the right type of train too. Passenger trains are some of the greatest things that happened to this country. Just watching an older group of passenger cars run down the track at speed is something that can't be explained. Always a great experience if you ask me. And it's even better if someone takes the time and money to restore a steam locomotive. keep the photos coming.
I don't know if I have told you guys, but I am going to be taking on a modeling dream. Walthers has come out with a replica of the Milwaukee Road depot that was located in Milwaukee. Well, I decided to go ahead and order the depot along with an extra shed. So I have laid out how this station is going to go together. I have figured out that the station itself (this is in HO scale) is over two feet long and almost a foot wide. The train shed will take up an impressive four feet and over a foot in width. When I'm done the station will be lit up. It will be a neat station.
Lars- I see your back with some more great book covers. There's one thing I have always liked about the Southern railway. They seemed to do everything backwards from everybody else. Most of there regular power was actually run longhood forwards, instead of the standard. There U boats all had high noses, unlike the regular nose.. It was a great railroad. Thanks for sharing. Also great covers of the AT&SF. There Warbonnet scheme was unlike no other. A really great railroad. Thanks.
Per- Ah heck. If I were a member of that layout, I would be know as "mainline hogger" all the time. Just like the real thing back in the dazes of real railroading. I like to be the little stinker that holds the main to long. Then all of a sudden I would die out on the line somewhere and a crew would have to come and rescue the train. It would be fun.
Good show on the pics. That UP challenger is quite a sight to behold. I am always a bit astounded on why the Union Pacific would keep the steamer going. You look at railorads today and you see them always upgrading to higher levels in technology and erasing the dazes gone by. But not the UP. There Heritage locomotives and there steamers and that great DD40XA. They seem to keep all the good stuff around. Always was an interesting railroad. Thanks for sharing.
Allan- Glad you're liking my posts. I hope to giving out some useful information in the future. And I hope to have some more fun as I have in the past. It's just a great little place here.
Alright, Boris!! Lets go and clean that barn of yours out.
I will have more acknowledgements tomorrow.
I have a small piece I want to share.
The 2-8-8-4 YELLOWSTONE!!
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, a 2-8-8-4 is a locomotive with two
Good day Tom and all present. Drinks for all and Guinness for me. Well it is finally cooling down. The past three days have been perfect starting with my daughter's birthday party. One doesn't need too much of an excuse to have a party around here. We also had an unwelcome visitor, a cottonmouth. He (it) went under the porch and wouldn't come out to join the party. We had a load of buckshot waiting for him, but he never showed. Today's calendar: Tomorrow's will be the last.
Eric: Thanks for the info on the Virginian Railway. I wish I had bought more books, but electrics hold my attention with steam second. (Besides electrics are easier to build).
Tom: I had a lot of adjusting to do when I moved down south. I was called a damn Yankee, that's a Yankee that comes down here and stays.
Lars: Yeah, I know what you mean about New York City. I've been away from the big city for a looong time, but when I was back two years ago, I felt at home there. I guess we never forget our roots. NYC was a great place when I left there and went to Boston. That was great also until I moved to San Francisco. I got there just a few years too late. I was able to enjoy the few good things left at the "Baghdad-by-the-Bay", but that too also changed. All I can do now is reminisce about the good times of years gone by, never to return. BTW, I used to march in the St Patricks day parade each year, as I used to go to the Irish Christian Brothers schools. I went to Power Memorial Academy where that basketball star went, Amhad Jabar or something like that, but he came after I graduated HS. I like to watch the Sopranos on TV. That is something I can relate to. When I watch it, I feel I'm back in New York. I hope to make a few more trips up there and with my son who has never been there, but would fit in perfectly. He kinda takes after me.
Jan: You gotta admit those Scullin-disc and boxpok drivers don't look as good as the spoked drivers do. Some real nice NYC pictures.
I'll have that Bathams Manager Lars has kindly got me.. Many thanks for the kind words on my return all..Still catching up on the posts since I have been away,unfortunatly the computer is as slow as ever, with it taking ages to get back to the page when I visit a link or even when I enlarge some photos but it is well worth the effort as the posts are as good as ever..
If it is Ok I will I will add some comments and I have one or two questions I will ask when I am up to date,as the questions may be have been answered. I have got to load the digital pics the bride took and I should get my films back later this week.
So many thanks ERIC, JAN, JAMES, MIKE, RON, DL,CM3, ALLAN, LARS and of courseTOM.It is easy to see why we get so many views at Our Place when you read a few days worth at a time as the great facts, links and photos and the interaction on the posts, one example is the B&H post by Tom. A to all.
I see Manager Lars has left a lot of work for me so I had better get on with it.
I,m afraid I wont be in tomorrow as I have to go to St Louis, so a round please RUTH.
Greetings Tom and gentlemen,
May I have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the lads and here's something for yourself too.
Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Just for you Da Larsman....
NEW YORK CENTRAL.
I snapped this photo of Niagara No. 6003 at the Englewood terminal in Chicago in July 1954. Sadly, the Niagaras had little chance to prove their mettle before the NYC opted for diesel power. By the time of this photo they had been bumped from the Central's premier varnish and relegated to local or mail and express trains, or placed in freight service. The S1s had Baker valve motion, in common with all modern New York Central steam power except the lone S2, No. 5500. They were fitted with a diesel-like air horn as well as a steam whistle, and this sometimes foiled steam photography buffs lying in wait for a shot at this fast-fading breed. They featured the 14-wheel "centipede" or PT tender that carried 18,000 gallons of water and 46 tons of coal. Like other high-speed New York Central steam power, the Niagaras were equipped to scoop water on the fly from long pans set between the rails.
Here we see No. 5450, first member of the second streamlined group of J3a Hudsons delivered by Alco in 1938. These last five locomotives were similar to the first five, but had roller bearings on their connecting and coupling rods as well as on all axles, plus Scullin disc drivers instead of Boxpok. My father took this photo at Englewood Station, Chicago, on a sunny afternoon in 1938 or 1939, shortly after the previous photo.
According to information from George Elwood, No. 5450 experienced a boiler explosion at Canastota, New York in September 1943. It was out of service for more than a year due to the World War II steel shortage, and when returned to service had lost her disc drivers and her newly assigned centipede-type tender. However, a photo of her reportedly taken at Englewood Station in 1945 shows the Scullin drivers, with the side skirting missing over the third set of drivers. A vignette of No. 5450 at this same location appears in the Herron video The Glory Machines 3, and she is also shown in the now hard-to-find Chicory Productions The Century of the New York Central, Part I.
Introduction of the J3s shortened the schedule of the Twentieth Century Limited between Chicago and New York to 16 hours. After a run of some 922 miles from Englewood to the steam terminal at Harmon, New York, the train would proceed under electric power into Grand Central Station, where its elite consist of passengers would receive the famous "red carpet treatment."
In 1934, Chrysler Motor Car Company introduced the "airflow" design, inaugurating the era of streamlining in transportation. Carl F. Kantola, a longtime New York Central employee, proposed a streamlined steam locomotive and his design was accepted by corporate officials. Hudson No. 5344 of class J1e, built by Alco in 1931, was undergoing repairs in the West Albany shops and was selected to receive the streamlining treatment. Kantola's design was modified by the Case Institute of Technology. In late December of 1934, No. 5344 appeared in its new form as the Commodore Vanderbilt, named for the founder of the New York Central. After a public relations tour of the NYC system, she was assigned to haul the Twentieth Century Limited between Chicago and Toledo. Movie cuts of her in that role appear on the Chicory Productions video The Century of the New York Central, Part I.
The New York Central issued a publicity leaflet introducing the Commodore Vanderbilt as "the world's first streamlined high-powered steam locomotive." The leaflet claimed that the streamlining could decrease head air resistance by as much as 36 percent at speeds of 70 to 90 miles per hour, with a corresponding saving in fuel. It is not known whether this claim was verified by testing, and the extra weight of the streamlined shrouding (probably about six tons) may have reduced any such savings. Nevertheless No. 5344 made history as the first steam engine with the simplified lines of the "upside down bathtub" style of streamlining, and became the prototype for countless electric or wind-up toy trains sold by Marx and other manufacturers into the post-World War II era. In 1939, No. 5344 was re-streamlined with Henry Dreyfus' "bullet nose" design that had been introduced with the J3 class of 1938. In this guise she differed in dimensions from other J1e Hudsons, having 23¾x28-inch cylinders and a boiler pressure of 250 pounds. Her tractive effort was 42,480 pounds, with the booster adding 12,100 pounds, and she weighed 370,000 pounds.
My father's collection of railroadiana included a copy of the Commodore Vanderbilt publicity leaflet. To view the outside and inside pages, click the links below. A 1937 photo from the Gary Overfield collection on George Elwood's NYC Steam Photos site shows the disc drivers and roller bearing side rods that were applied in 1935.
The last set of Mohawk 4-8-2s acquired by the New York Central were the 25 members of class L4b, delivered from Lima Locomotive Works in 1943-44. Like the L3 class, the L4s were equally at home in heavy freight or fast passenger service. Many representatives of both classes were later fitted with the "elephant ear" smoke deflectors visible on No. 3137, which I photographed at Mackinaw City, Michigan in August 1954. The L4s carried a boiler pressure of 250 pounds per square inch, and had 26x30-inch cylinders. With 72-inch drivers, they exerted 59,900 pounds of tractive effort and had a grate area of 75.3 square feet. Their tender held 43 tons of coal and 15,500 gallons of water, and the total weight of both locomotive and tender was 766,700 pounds. Class L4b was the first class on the NYC system to feature the multiple-bearing crosshead instead of the "alligator" type still used on the J3 and L3 classes. (The multiple-bearing crosshead also appeared on the Niagara 4-8-4s and the P&LE A2 2-8-4s.) By the time I was photographing steam, even these modern Mohawks had been displaced from most of the NYC's main lines and relegated to more lightly traveled lines like the Mackinaw City branch.
Above credit: Richard D. Leonard New York Central collection.
Above credit: Gary Overfield, Gary Stuebben collections....
Ruth my deAH, ‘tis the Larsman, back at a more "civil" time for my liking! A mugga Joe with a jolt would do me fine this day ‘n I'll just enjoy your radiance while figuring out whether to sample the pastry case or have a half sandwich! <grin> <blush>
Boris, the crittAHs are awaiting - so feed ‘em ‘n that small jar of PPF is for YOU!
A round for the house ‘n keep the change my lovely! Ah, I see Da Boss ‘n Jan are logged in - so give them another on me!
So, it appears that my wOIDs shook our Bar Chandler out of his stooper ‘n back to the bar! So what kept ya Glad you're back ‘n there's a pile of work waiting for ya! The reefer car on our siding has been stocked with brews from Europe ‘n Merry Olde in particular. Boris ‘n Leon took care of unloading the kegs ‘n cases from the Zeppolin. Now it's up to you to get that stuff into the cellar. <phew>
Looking forward to the accounting of your travels . . . welcome back, Pete! Have a Bathams on me! <I may regret that!!>
Hard to tell whether we're settling into a "thing" here at the bar, but it seems to me we're becalmed these days. Well, no matter to those of us inside this joint - we'll make the most of it, huh
Don't even wana think that my Mets are about to do the "fall fold" - once again. <Good Grief Charlie Brown!> Even the Cardinals tried to help us out, but fell short in that comeback last night. Must've been quite a game. Anyway, Mets are now in a funk ‘n bettAH snap out of it, otherwise they'll be looking at the wild card - or nothing. <yikes> <double yikes>
Thinking about the comments from Ron down in "Mississip." I like that term, "back in the day" - something from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! if I recollect! Anyway, having never given up my permanent residence as a New YAWKer, my memories cover a vast span. My "island" has undergone so many changes, and not all for the bettAH I should add. But those changes have pretty much put this "paradise" into orbit with the other 4 boroughs of the city.
We always enjoyed having the best of both worlds - somewhat rural like parts of New JOISEY, ‘n city like at the same time "belonging" to NYC. Now with the "gang plank" to Brooklyn a well established link, our "secret' is no more. The Verrazzano Bridge was our downfall in more than one way.
Manhattan will always be "the city" to us and going over by ferry is a way of life for Staten Islanders. The Mrs. still shops at 34th Street at a place called Macys ‘n I march in the St. Paddy's Day parade every year with my group of "squareheads." (A story told back on the pages . . .) I'm a deeply rooted Brooklyn Dodgers fan in a family of New York Giants rooters. When they took off for California, I became a Yankee fan by default. Then the sun shone brightly upon us with the creation of the New York Metropolitans - known as the Mets. I quickly rejoined the NL ‘n have been faithful evAH since.
Yeah, NYC has problems ‘n life at times gets very stressful with so many jammed close together. But, here we remain - at least until we make our escape to the Keys for the wintAH! <grin>
Just noted the material posted from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! and Jan over in Glasgow. Nicely done, gents both! Of course being PARTIAL to the New YAWK Central - I really "dig" the 20th Century Ltd stuff - the more the merrier! That advertisement is something else when enlarged - try it guyz, you'll like it!
Hey Bossman! That was a fine post for the Hudson & Bay RR this morning! Pretty far north ‘n I'll bet quite the challenge with the frost heaves ‘n such. Anyway, I enjoyed the way you put the material together along with the map ‘n pix! Good job, mate!
This time ya got me, couldn't find anything appropriate to supplement your material with. <arrrrrrggggghhhhh>
So, how about these instead
Wheeling & Lake Erie 2-6-6-2 #8003 (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
So what's a RR BOOK RELAY
The book gets mailed from person to person, with comments made by the reader on the forms provided. At the conclusion, all comments will be put into an Email "report" 'n sent to the participants.
Simple enough
Signed up are:
(1) Lars (LoveDomes) - (2) CM3 Shane (coalminer3) -
(3) Eric (EricX2000) - (4) Allan (Gunneral) -
Now WHO ELSE wants "in"
Let me know by EMAIL because sometimes things Posted at the bar have a way of getting misplaced (ie: not read)!!
The book has been mailed to CM3 Shane in WVA after having been read by Lars in SINY . . .
We're having fun with this!
Greetings Tom and fellow bar visitors....
Could I have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the lads and here's something for yourself as well....
Tom, nice and interesting posts as always mate. Maine Central and Hudson Bay Railway . It's always good to see some of the smaller railroads figure here .... Any chance to see more of those wonderful railroad ads?? PLEEAASSSSE.....
Da Larsman, great follow up on Tom Maine Central . New England gives me a home feeling you know....
pwolfe, looking forward to your photo report, have a round on me mate.
DD1, I like your idea mate. Should I win big bucks (few months back Euro lotto was about $250 000 000 here! No winner so it was split in fours for $ 60 000 000+), I'd have some locomotives/streamliners built new, like the Hiawatha and one or two of the UP's M10000's.... It's a good thing that daydreaming is still taxfree. Great calendar pic !
EricX2000, I know! Only twice, I should be ashamed.....hangs head in shame and scratches the foot in the ground......
Sample Consists
Westbound train #25-20th Century Limited, 1938-03-17; Sampled at New York, New York.
Westbound train #25-20th Century Limited, 1965-03-30, sampled at Cleveland, Ohio.
Eastbound train #26-20th Century Limited, 1943-09-06; Sampled at Chicago, Illinois.
Eastbound train #38-Advance 20th Century Limited, 1930-02-07; Sampled at Chicago, Illinois.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution, steamlocomotive.com, art.com, nytsore.com, trainweb.org, wikipedia
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