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

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Eye-Opener if you have it); round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Yes, Frostbite, I'm here today.  I know hockey is getting closer.  We'll go work on that Zamboni tune up as soon as I post this, O.K.?

Let's see.  There is a lot to cover so here goes (again in no particular order)

West Coast Dave - The L&N headquarters is the brick building you mentioned.  The stone structure is the old Louisville Union Station.  Back in the day it handled trains from the L&N, PRR, and Monon.  Later, the C&O moved over there.   The architecture at Louisville is similar to the L&N stations at Nashville and Montgomery. However, Louisville was a stub on a wye layout while the stations down the line were through stations, although all of them had train sheds.  I spent quite a bit of time both in the HQ and at the Louisville station.  The dining car dept. was in the HQ building and that was always an interesting place to visit to troll for artifacts. 

Walking from the HQ along Broadway to the station, the REA building was between the HQ and the station.  The L&N had a small engine servicing facility just south of the REA building.  The South Louisville shops and the old Strawberry Yard were south of the station.  On the west side of the station was a pretty good size coach yard which used to be filled with private cars on Derby Day.  I used to take the Pan up to Louisville about that time and shoot pictures of all of the private cars when they were set out.  Folks were extremely friendly there and it made for a pleasant afternoon.  Most all of this is gone now, including the shops, but IIRC the big L&N neon sign is till atop the HQ building. 

Also, thanks for all the background information in the SP.

Lars - It's gonna be a long season for the Gints.  Mom's happy anough about Ohio State, but  Red Sox and Yankees had an interesting set over the weekend.  They beat each other's brains out on Friday and Saturday and then settled down to play some ball on Sunday.  I enjoyed Schilling's creative use of sentence enhancers, especially of the first hanging pitch he threw - didn't really need any lip-reading skills on that one.   Fine selection of book - I see one ATSF title I need to track down.  Have most of the MEC books already. 

DD1 - Enjoyed your comments re calendars.  Some of the pictures, as I recall were quite "educational" to say the least.  The VGN electrics were probably photographed around Princeton, WV (in Mercer County.)  I understand what you mean about "things mechanical."  You either have the fever or you don't. 

James - Good to hear from you.  Gotta love manufacturer's license with models.  One did a GG1 in Great Northern colors once. 

Jan - Thanks for the SP pictures.  The L&N picture at Memphis has some interesting details - marker lights on the last car, lantern in the vestibule, and a train gate.  Don't see any of this anymore.  BTW, Phoebe Snow shot was made at Binghamton, NY.

Per - Dispatching is all about physics - you can't have two bodies occupying the same space at the same time.  That was how it was explained to me by a battle-scarred veteran of the C&O.  What was really fascinating when I first moved here was that all mine shifters in and out of Raleigh, WV were dispatched by train order.  It was dark territory and the terrain really can raise Cain with radio transmission.  It was not uncommon to have 3-4 shifters out any one time, trains to and from the main line, and a yard job - that was fun!  The DS was about the calmest man I ever encountered.  Yes, Boris, he used an old fashioned dip pen (with real ink) to record movements on a train sheet.

The UP material you sent was excellent - those young folks in the cab will never forget that experience.  I was even younger than the little one in the cab when I "got bit."  Great stuff!

Eric - Yankee Clipper sign was made that way because there was no "real" rear platform on the train's obs.  I enjoyed looking at the pictures of your "never-ending" road trip. 

Holy cow!  Pete's back!  I wish I could go for a train ride!

OSP has really been keeping the bandwidth busy.  Thanks for the SP material,  The Maine Central coverage is always appreciated - yes, Awk, that MEC book is on the shelf.  Canadian items are copied and put in a binder.  Also, always enjoy looking at Alaska pictures.  There is a good selection of movies this week - airplanes and cowboys - let's get some popcorn.  Oh, we have the Stooges as well?  All the more reason to head over to the Theatuh.  The Hudson Bay material is something different.  Their green paint scheme is similar to that of the late lamented Quabog Transfer RR.  This was a line in central Massachusetts that served a lumber transloading facility.  They had green painted power as well.  B4 I forget - rec'd both emails.  Looking forward to the book, and will replay to the other mail a bit later.

Work safe

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Here's a bit of history from Canadian railroading for your reading enlightenment!

 

 

Canadian Railways of the Past (and present!)

Number Four: Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY)

 

 

 

<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 316 of the original Thread, 16 Mar 2006> 

 

 

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

 

 

Hudson Bay Railway

Locale: Manitoba, Canada

Reporting marks: HBRY

Dates of operation: 1997 - present

Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)

Headquarters: The Pas, Manitoba

Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY) is a Canadian regional railway operating over 810 miles of trackage in northern Manitoba.

HBRY was formed in July 1997 to purchase former Canadian National Railway (CN) trackage running north from CN trackage at The Pas, MB on two branches, one to Flin Flon, MB and on to Lynn Lake, MB, the other to Thompson, MB and on to the port of Churchill, MB on Hudson Bay. Operations began on August 20, 1997 and the company is owned by railroad holding company OmniTrax.

At the same time, OmniTrax also took over the operation and marketing of the Port of Churchill from the federal government's Department of Transport. Previous owner CN had limited tonnage on these lines as a result of the light rail and poor track base; however OmniTrax has been able to successfully operate heavier rail cars and longer trains in recent years without difficulty, resulting in increased business to the Port of Churchill and from various mines and pulp mills.

HBRY is a vital transportation link in northern Manitoba, hauling ores and concentrates, copper, zinc, logs, kraft paper, lumber, and petroleum products. VIA Rail also operates remote services on HBRY using its Hudson Bay passenger train between Winnipeg, MB and Churchill.

Major customers for HBRY include Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, Tolko Manitoba, Inco, Gardwine North, Stitcco Energy, and the Canadian Wheat Board.

History

The original Hudson Bay Railway line was built in stages north from The Pas after a railway bridge was constructed over the Saskatchewan River in 1910-1911 by the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR). Following the CNoR bankruptcy in 1918 and creation of Canadian National Railways (CNR), the federal government undertook to complete the Hudson Bay Railway.

Political interference, financing difficulties, and engineering challenges by the large amount of muskeg and frequent rock outcrops on the Canadian Shield led to inevitable delays. Although initial surveys were done to both the Hudson Bay ports of Churchill, MB and Nelson, MB, it was decided to proceed to Churchill in 1926 and the line to tidewater was completed March 29, 1929.

CNR subsequently built resource railways from The Pas to Flin Flon, opening in 1928, followed by an extension on this line from Cranberry Portage, MB to Lynn Lake, opening November 9, 1953.

On July 27, 2005, heavy rains washed out part of the railroad between between The Pas and Pukatawagan; all service over the line, including VIA Rail trains 290 and 291, was suspended while repairs took place.(VIA) Service was restored on August 2, 2005, two days ahead of initial expectations.(VIA)

References

• VIA Rail Canada (July 27, 2005), Hudson Bay Railway closes line - VIA service form The Pas to Pukatawagan temporarily cancelled. Retrieved August 1, 2005.

• VIA Rail Canada (August 2, 2005), VIA resumes service between Churchill and Winnipeg. Retrieved November 20, 2005.

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

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

 

HBR # 2505 (1997 foto by Bart Hasselfield)

HBR #2505 (1997 foto by Bart Hasselfield)

HBR #2505 (1997 foto by Bart Hasselfield)

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Tom

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

G'day Gents!

Moving along, it's Tuesday ‘n another day closer to week's end - think Friday! <grin>

Fill up those coffee mugs, check out our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast ‘n of course try a couple of pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case!

Comments from the Proprietor:

A hearty welcome back to our Bar Chandler - Wolfman Pete!

A most sincere THANX to our Manager - Lars for filling in during the afternoon "slot" in spite of the <flack> from the homefront! 5 SaaaaaaaLoooooot to the Larsman!

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Monday - Sep- 17^th:

Jan (JanOlov) at 9:26 AM: A few more railroad song lyrics ‘n fotos!

"Top up," cigars ‘n cash appreciated!

Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:09 PM: A slow day ‘round the Watering Hole by the Wayside. Always appreciate having our Manager on board, especially when such fine book covers accompany the visit!

Lambs of St. Louis (aka: Rams) are also "oh ‘n two" for an abysmal start to a season where "they' said it would be "different." Hmmmmmm, perhaps it IS! <groan> Don't even wanna discuss the colossal collapse of the Cardinals! Pitiful, embarrassing ‘n not surprising given the totality of it all. Let's go hockey season!!

Round ‘n chat appreciated!

Pete (pwolfe) at 3:17 PM: Yes, it was good speaking with you today - another "marathon" phone conversation "burning" up the wires! <grin> We'll all be looking forward to your "report" ‘n fotos of the RR museum visits ‘n of course the travel back to Missouri aboard the Southwest Chief!

Glad you swung by, in between catching up on chores at home! The round was appreciated too!

Ron (DD1) at 7:46 PM: A calendar shot, some chat ‘n a round from our Resident Southern Gentlemen from Ole Miss!

I too have some fond memories of growing up in New York City. Used to get a kick out of how people from elsewhere had all of "those" opinYUNS about the place, without ever having lived there. Of course that was "back in the day" - a far cry from today throughout the land.

Hey Ron! You're mixing reality with the Ether - can't do that ‘round here - nope. This cyber bar ‘n grill has an advantage unlike anywhere else - you can eat ‘n drink to your heart's content with NO adverse impact EVER!!

I like the idea for the model RR museum - so IF I ever win the lottery, I'll "kick in" - but first I have to buy a ticket! <ooooooooh. <grin>

Tuesday - Sep 18th:

Eric (EricX2000) at 1:23 AM: A visit from our resident Nocturnal Desert Swede after a hiatus of sorts. Appreciate the chat, mystery foto ‘n of course continued interest in this Saloon by the Siding!

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!

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, it's time for Rumpsteak Café de Paris and an ice-cold Keith's! All drinks on me this beautiful Tuesday!

Kind of slow day here at the Bar today, but that is how it is. Stealthy Pete is back, that is good news!

Tom –  September seems to be an interesting month in Canadian railroad history. And tragic. One dead elephant, hit by a locomotive, and 25 men killed in two days when the suspension span over the St Lawrence fell into the river. Both days!

Maine Central! Don’t know much about MEC, but these smaller railroads are interesting!

Email received and responded to.

JanOlov –  You have been riding the X2000 only twice??? Where have you been? I don’t know what to say. Okay, I can say that I like the lyrics and pictures in your post! But I can only recall the first song, Night Train To Memphis! I certainly would like to hear Southern Pacific!

Lars –  Nice books (and shares) about Maine Central! The last one, Passenger cars of New England looks most interesting.

Pete –  Welcome back young man! Looking forward to the trip report!

Ron –  A book I have has only pictures of three unit EL-3. The reason Virginian electrified 134 miles was to increase the ability of the line over the Appalachians to handle more tonnage. The alternative was to get more steam power and add more trackage, which would have been very costly. Electrification solved the problem.

If I win the Powerball (the jackpot) I will donate money to your model railroad museum. Promise.

 

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, Boone, IA. I don't know anything about this car.

 

 

Eric 

[Anonymous]

Good day Tom and all present. Drinks for everyone and a Guinness for me. I shouldn't be drinking. Yesterday was my daughter's birthday and we had a big celebration barbecue. Brisket, sausages, ribs, deer and all the usual trimmings. Today's calendar brings me near the end of the calendar line.

James: It is a shame how manufacturers pour so much junk unto the train market. They use the same mold to cast a loco body and it is used for all their locos regardless of line used, but there just isn't any way they can do it otherwise. Even a design of a class of locos will have many differences between each other. Scratch building or bashing is the only way you can get exactly what you want.

Eric: I think I've seen a picture of a four unit EL-3, but never a three unit. It seems curious to me that an electric engine would be used in place of steam to haul coal.

Tom: Yes it is a shame that kids today are more interested in keyboards than wrenches. My son who used to be involved in BMX bikes, one day came across a bike sitting out at the curb awaiting trash pickup. He recognized its value at once. The frame alone was a $200 item not counting the gearing. After inquiring at the front door of the house, he carted the bike away. After some cleaning, adjusting and fixing two flats, it rode perfectly and subsequently sold it for $300. The kid who owned the bike tossed it because he didn't know how to fix things, but my son did. I got my first Delta drill press when I was around 12. My childhood was engaged in mechanics and electricity. NYC in those days was a mecca for DIY kids. The electronic parts stores on Cortland St, the tool stores on Canal St and of course, Patterson Brothers, the greatest hardware in the world. I guess I was wrong about the location of the Hall of Science. (Now where did I put that deck of 51?)

DL: I forget to say how much I enjoyed the film of electrification in Sweden.

To all: Great pictures posted by you guys. Although some of the RR's may not be my favorites, I still like looking at trains in any way, shape or form. I'll leave you all with this hypothetical thought. If I won the lottery (big bucks), my dream would be to establish a model railroad museum and have every railroad represented throughout their history. Unless I don't win, I'm accepting donations. What would you do with all that money?

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A round please RUTH and can you keep the Bathams coming as I will sit in the corner and catch up on the going ons at the best bar in the ether.

We had a great time in California and I will tell more when I get some photos back as, I was using a 35mm camera, (not the one that had the soda pop bath at the rendezvous.

It was a enjoyable trip on the Southwest Chief.

It was great to talk to TOM today and it is good to be back at the bar, so I will have a read  of what I am sure are great posts since I have been away.I see the bar is well stocked, so Manager Lars has done a good job. and RUTH still has a big smile..

Pete.      

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, you make this first day of the week something special - five days to bask in your glow! <blush> Oh yeah, a round for the house - treats for the crittAHs ‘n a frosty cold one for me, make it a Rheingold if you please. Change is yours my deAH, as always! <grin>

Boris, you are looking fine for a cloven-footed Cyclops in big overalls! I see Leon has taken you under his wing for all-things-fashion, huh Yes, those boondockers go quite well with your outfit - I'm impressed with the shine on ‘em! <ahem> Of course the PPF is for you - just feed the gang first!

So WHERE's PETE Thought for sure we'd at least get something from him letting us know he's back. Well, no matter, for I'll be going back to my "normal" routine as the mid-afternoon "slot" hasn't been all that ‘friendly' for me, especially where the Sarge Mrs. is concerned. <uh oh> <grin> It was ‘fun' while it lasted, but time for our mid-MO Connection to resume his place at the bar . . .

I'm in mourning this day ovAH the Jints starting out their NFL season at zip ‘n two. That's awful. Thought our QB looked fine, but the team isn't together. Only 14 games to go for a playoff spot, which is really what they are all playing for. So c'mon boy zillionaires, get a move on! <arrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh>

Still think the Mets will hang in there for a division title, but they surely bettAH get their act in gear once the playoffs begin, or they'll be on the outside looking in as they were last year. <groan>

A new look to the morning summary from Cap'n Tom Or are you just experimenting At any rate, I like it ‘n hope you'll take the load off yourself with these things.

Good start to the morning with the monthly Canadian history Post! While it's a shame that we don't have a regular ‘round here to assume the title of "Canadian Connection" - it is good to read about past events in railroading up north. Some mighty fine material ‘n also much appreciated!

Also liked the Maine Central Fallen Flags from Da Boss - seems like he's doing "double duty" in trying to keep things going with CM3 I'm NOT Shane! absent from his "post" today ‘n of course Wolfman Pete being mysteriously tardy in showing up. Hmmmmmm. Anyway, nice FF, Cap'n Tom!

 

Noticed Jan from Glasgow being rather busy with this 'n that . . .

 

 

Here's my supplemental "stuff" to go along with your Maine Central material!

 

 

 

Ok Ruth my deAH, time to get going on that <ahem> admin work . . . yes, the "secret passageway" has been "cleared"! <uh oh>

 

 

 

Until the next time!

Lars

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Time for another Blast from the Past in the form of a Fallen Flag!

 

 

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

The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #24

<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 141 of the Original Thread, 19 Oct 2005>

 

 

 

Maine Central (MEC) 

 

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

 

Headquarters: Portland, ME

Mileage 1950: 981

Locomotives in 1950:

Steam: 74 - Diesel: 57

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars: 4,593 - Passenger cars: 42

Principal routes in 1950 (all within Maine, other than noted):

South Portland-Bangor
Bangor-Vanceboro
Bangor-Bucksport
Bangor-Calais & Eastport
Brunswick-Rockland
Portland-St. Johnsbury, VT
Quebec Jct., NH-Beecher Falls, VT
Lees Jct.-Farmington & Rumford
Newport Jct.-Dover-Foxcroft

 

 

 

 

Passenger trains of note:

Bar Harbor Express (Washington, DC-Ellsworth, ME)
Down Easter (New York-Waterville & Rockland, ME)
Flying Yankee (Boston-Bangor)
Gull (Boston-Halifax, NS)
Katahdin (Boston-Bngor)
Kennnebec (Boston-Bangor
Mountaineer (Boston-Littleton, NH)
Penobscot (Boston-Bangor)
Pine Tree (Boston-Bangor)
Skipper (Boston-Bangor)

Note: B&M handled trains west of Portland to Boston. CN handled trains east of Calais, ME to Halifax,NS. The Mountaineer was a B&M train handled by MEC between Intervale & Whitefield, NH.

 

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

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Tom

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and gentlemen...

May I please have a extra cold Guinness for myself, top and cigars for the boys and here's something for yourself too....

Hmmmm.....let's see.....aah.. Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer...

Tom, really enjoyed your Significant events in Canadian RR History

marthastrainyard, great pics mate ! Steam and a classic '57 Chevy etc. can''t get much better, can it?

Da Larsman, great posts and pictures and covers as always mate .... NHL you say? Go Bruins!!

EricX2000, nice pics my good man I only rode the X2000 for the second time this August when I went to visit my parents....

 

Night Train To Memphis. 

Take that Night Train To Memphis
Take that Night Train To Memphis
And when you arrive at the station
I'll be right there to meet you
I'll be right there to greet you
So don't turn down my invitation.

CHORUS
Halle-lu-jah! [Halle-lu-jah!]
Halle-lu-jah! [Halle-lu-jah!]
We'll be shoutin' hallelu-jah all the day
Oh we'll have a jubilee
Down in Memphis, Tennessee
And we'll shout halle-lu-jah all the way.

Take that Night Train To Memphis
Take that Night Train To Memphis
You know how I'm longin' to see you
Leave at three-fifty-seven; arrive at eleven
And I'll be shoutin' "Halle-lu-jah!"

CHORUS

Take that Night Train To Memphis
Take that Night Train To Memphis
Tell that engineer to pull the throttle open
Keep that engine stack a-smokin',
I'm not kiddin', I'm not jokin'
I'll soon be with my girl, I'm hopin'.

CHORUS

PHOEBE SNOW

I saw her name on the side of a train
Somewhere a long time ago;
I don't know who she was, but I gave my love
To someone called Phoebe Snow
Like a bird on the wing I hear a voice sing
As over the prairies I roll
Well I'd give my life to spend one more night
In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.

I climbed on board through a wide open door
Just as she started to roll
And I rode so light through the warm summer night
In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.
Like a bird on the wing I hear a voice sing
As over the prairies I roll
Well I'd give my life to spend one more night
In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.

(SPOKEN)
I've spent many a night around the fire
In a circle of stone silent men
I've heard the sagebrush whistle and pop
And the coffee boil up in the can.
And the bottoms were filled with the cool river wind;
The treetops chasin' the moon
And I knew without asking to take my guitar
And play up some slow, gentle tune.
Well, I played up a face I used to know,
And the song was the sound of the name
And I knew without looking that every man there
Was each of them feeling the same
Then I played up so hands, so pale and small,
With a touch just as light as the rain
And I knew without looking that every man there
Was each of them feeling the same
Then I played up the booze and the holes in the shoes
Of a man whose life is a cage
And all the things done to make a man run:
The hard luck, the failures of age.
Then I stopped with a crash and we looked into the ash,
Helpless with longing and rage.
Now a travelling life might seem allright;
A life without worry or care;
You're always up and you're always out;
You're always going somewhere
But I tell you, my friend, it's not where you are,
But your reason for being there.

Then I awoke as the day broke
And I gazed out over the plains
Thinking as how I'm better off now
From being in love with a train
Like a bird on the wing I hear a voice sing
As over the prairies I roll
Well I'd give my life to spend one more night
In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.

Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific
Down the mountainside
To the coastline
Past the angry tide
The mighty diesel whines

And the tunnel comes
And the tunnel goes
Around another bend
The giant drivers roll

I rode the highball
I fired the Daylight
When I turned around 65
I couldn't see right

It was "Mr. Jones,
We've got to let you go
It's company policy
You've got pension though."

Roll on Southern Pacific
Roll on
On your silver rails
Roll on Southern Pacific
On your silver rails
Through the moonlight

I put in my time
I put in my time
Now I'm left to roll
Down the long decline

I ain't no brake man
Ain't no conductor
But I would be though
If I was younger

Roll on Southern Pacific
On your silver rails
On your silver rails
Roll on Southern Pacific
Roll on
On your silver rails

SP 4-8-2/#4357 old Daylight Ltd.,1936

Southern Pacific Mountain #4357 pounds the mainline at
speed on the old eastbound "Daylight Limited" #98 near
Aromas, California, 1936.

Photographer: Fred C. Stoes

Texas Silver Zephyr.

She was a young and pretty Coleman county farm girl
Never been more than fifty miles from home
I was just a drifter I was living off the land
Spent the summer on her daddy's farm

In the evening we'd walk along the railroad
We'd hear that lonesome whistle in the night
And she'd pretend we road the rails to Denver
Cause' her head was full of flashin' neon lights

Twas' that big old shiny diesel as it rounded Carter's bend
Was enough to make a

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

That time of the month when we look back on the significant events in Canadian RR History!

Significant events in Canadian RR History

during the month of September.

 

<Initially Posted on Page 401 of the Original Thread>

Caveat: Much of the information appearing was gathered from internet sources, with credit to "Colin Churcher's Railway Pages" at http://www.railways.incanada.net/

* 1839 - September 19^th - Official opening of the Albion Mines Railway between Albion Coal Mines and New Glasgow, N.S. using theTimothy Hackworth steam locomotives "Samson", "Hercules" and "John Buddle" imported from England.

* 1856, September 27^th: Grand Trunk Railway opens from Guelph to Stratford.

* 1860, September 10^th: - the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII, travels between Toronto and Collingwood, Ont and return.  The special train of two coaches and an open observation car, was hauled by Northern Railway 4-4-0 locomotive "Cumberland" and was in charge of Superintendent of Motive Power James Tillinghast with Engineer L.S. Williams.

* 1879, September 19^th: - The Credit Valley Railway is formally opened by his His Excellency, the Marquis of Lorne, Governor General of Canada at Milton Ontario.

* 1882, September 13^th: - The Canada Atlantic Railway is opened between Ottawa and Coteau. This line which was built by John R. Booth was extended, within a period of 20 years, into a system stretching from Georgian Bay to the Vermont border.

* 1883, September 22^nd: - The Grand Trunk Railway acquires the 452 mile Midland Railway. 

* 1885, September 15^th: - the famous circus elephant "Jumbo" is killed by a GTR freight train, hauled by locomotive no. 788 at St. Thomas.  It was struck from behind while being lead along the track to be loaded into his car. Jumbo stood 12' 5" high and weighed 7½ tons.  
The Globe and Mail of 26 Octoober 1951 had the following commentary:

"Jumbo, the Barnum circus elephant killed in St.Thomas on the evening of Sept 15, 1885, literally attacked the old Grand Trunk freight  locomotive which struck it.  Fred R. Arnum, retired veteran train dispatcher, said today, in breaking a long silence on the tragedy.  Mr. Arnum was night operator for the Grand Trunk at the time and is the only one of the 38 railway witnesses who gave evidence at the inquiry in New Yirk City, still living.  He was there for two weeks giving his testimony.
"Mr. Arnum said a circus official disregarded specific instructions given him not to start loading the circus animals until after 9:55 o'clock on the night of the accident and also not until after a yard crew was sent to assist.  The locomotive of a westbound freight struck Jumbo in he east yards at 8:18 o'clock.
"Mr. Arnum said that when Jumbo saw his danger he reared up on his rear legs and struck at the locomotive with such force that he cut off the smokestack.  One of the cylinder heads struck the elephant's tusk, driving it back into his head.  Jumbo did not breathe his last until 4 o'clock the following morning."

* 1891, September 19^th: - The single track St. Clair tunnel under the St. Clair River is opened by the Grand Trunk Railway. Construction had commenced in 1888 upon this tunnel which connects Sarnia with Port Huron.

* 1897, September 24^th: - A new double track steel arch bridge is completed by the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company and the Niagara Falls International Bridge Company. The upper floor of the new structure is leased to the Grand Trunk Railway.

* 1914, April 7^th: - Grand Trunk Pacific Railway main line is completed between Winnipeg, Melville, Edmonton, Jasper and Prince Rupert.  The last spike was driven at a location 93 miles west of Prince George, BC.  The first sod was turned at Fort William, on the Lake Superior branch, by Sir Wilfred Laurier on 11 September 1904.

* 1915, September 14^th:  - a special funeral train conveys the body of Sir William C. Van Horne from Windsor Street station, Montreal, to Joliette, Illinois.  Departing at 11:00, it was hauled by 4-6-2 No. 2213.  Nearly a mile of drapery was used in decorating the train and the front of the CPR station and office building.

* 1916, September 11^th: - The bridge under construction across the St. Lawrence at Quebec falls a second time, killing another 13 men. First collapse occurred on August 29^th, 1907 killing 75 men.

* 1921, September 1^st: - The Toronto Transit Commission takes over the street car system in that city upon the expiration of the 30 year franchise of the Toronto Railway.

* 1924, September 15^th: - Canadian National opens the 30.66 mile Long Lake Cut off from Long Lake to Nakina, Ontario.  It connected t

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

A smile to begin the week!

"What did you like best about school?" "When it's closed."

<A Yogi-ism!>

G'day Gents!

THAT day is here again - MONDAY! <arrrrrrrggggghhhh> Let's make the most of it! Draw a mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!

Comments from the Proprietor:

Acknowledgments from me are in response to customers ONLY! Exceptions have ‘n will be made for those who "engage" in dialogue, but NOT for "hit ‘n run" visitors.

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Saturday - Sep 15^th:

  

Jan (JanOlov) at 8:31 AM -

. . . Dave (West Coast S) at 2:09 PM ‘n 3:51 PM -

. . . . . . Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:51 PM -

. . . . . . . . . Jan (JanOlov) at 5:05 PM -

. . . . . . . . . . . . Allan (Gunneral) at 8:52 PM -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Per (marthastrainyard at 11:46 PM

Southern Pacific fotos ‘n narrative from Jan -

. . . SP insights from Dave -

. . . . . . Southern book covers from Lars -

. . . . . . . . . RR heralds from Jan -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A downunder inclusive Post from Allan!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Awesome Post ‘n foto spread from Per!

Sunday - Sep 16^th:

  

Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:51 AM -

. . .  Eric (EricX2000) at 12:13 PM

. . . . . . Jan (JanOlov) at 6 PM

Chat along with Santa Fe book ‘n video covers from Lars -

. . . Insights, Pix ‘n stuff from Eric -

. . . . . . Visit from Jan w/$$$$ for the bar!

Some fine material from the guyz this weekend! Many thanx to those who bought rounds 'n dropped some bucks into cigar box 'n Coal Scuttle! [yeha]

In the "dead horse department" - I think we've established that the Gilbert Hall of Science is where Lars said it was. Also, the ‘count' of passengers in Toronto goes to Union Station over the international airport. RIP. <geesh>

We eagerly await the return of our Bar Chandler - Wolfman Pete!

Thanx to all for your comments on my Alaskan rail adventure ‘n Emporium Theatre Posts.

 

 

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

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and gentlemen....

Since we're closed I just gonna check our kitchen and make preparations for this weeks dinners. I forgot my railroad cookbook back in Sweden, otherwise I'd offer you some specials at the end of each month. I'll see if I can have it sent over to me....

Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer so that boys only have to press the button to get their music going....

And prepare the coffee for those that likes to have a cup of black in the morning...

Great posts and pictures everybody, really enjoyed them all . Will be back with a more exact post later... Have a nice day and take care!

And of course the usual study in STYLE and ELEGANCE....

[EricX2000]

I was to busy yesterday to stop by so I'll drop this post through the mail slot instead.

I think I saw Manager Lars in the Penthouse suite but I'll pretend I didn't.  

Tom –  I know that one always have to check info from Wikipedia, but in this case the numbers are verified by the City of Toronto. See link below

http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/numbers.htm

More Alaska pictures! Beautiful wilderness! I wonder what that white stuff on the mountains is? I like the last picture/view the best!

Two interesting movies at the Emporium this week, The Aviator and Monte Walsh! Plus, of course, the Three Stoges! Good choices, it is time for a visit.

JanOlov –  You obviously have the same type of memory I do. Very good, but short. I remember everything 0.2 seconds, then it is gone.

Class D with steel cabs were called "parentheses".

Thanks for the SP pictures and the info! Plus all the logos! I collect logos and I did not have all of those. Now I do.

Dave –  Interesting SP info! “Sacramento headlight”, I have to find a picture of one.

Good luck with the polishing!!!

Lars –  Interesting book(s) covers! The locomotive on the top one reminds me of a phone I have, shaped like a steam locomotive (in green).

Santa Fe, videos and books! Can’t help wondering about all the smoke coming from the locomotive on the siding. At least it looks like a siding and that means the steamer is not moving but still all that smoke. Looks more like it is pulling a heavy train at full speed than just a caboose.

Allan –  Yes, I enjoyed the Ormondville site a lot. I don’t know if I missed something, but I am not sure if they still run freight trains on that line?

Per –  Yes, I took the picture of the Daylight car att OERM last December.

A car with no doors? That sounds strange to me. Not even safe in case of emergency.

Very nice pictures! I saw #844 (then #8444) at the World’s Fair in New Orleans 1984. I also noticed the SKF bearings and took a picture of them. Pullman freight car? I did not even know they existed.

 

Since I haven't shown any X2000 pictures for at least a few days I'll do it today. In random order.

 

Windsor, Ontario.

 

The gang, Penn Station, NYC. Yours truly, second from the left.

  

About to break a banner across track 11. Penn Station, NYC. 

 

On static display, Tampa, FL.

 

On track 16, Union Station, Washington D.C.

 

For Amtrak employees only. 

 

 

Eric 

 

 

[LoveDomes]

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

Hope this finds our customers enjoying the weekend ‘n especially this fine Sunday. Used to be referred to as a "day of rest," but then the retail moguls decided we all NEEDED to have access to their stores 7 days out of 7. Around my hut, it's a DAY OF REST!

Getting ready to watch the Jints take on the Pack from Cheeseland this day. Still don't know if our quarterback is gonna start - mystery of mysteries! Gotta win this one as it'll be an uphill climb to start the season "oh ‘n two."

Mets cudda opened up some space, but they are determined to let the Phillies remain in the hunt. Yanks took it on the chin <again> from the Sox up in Beantown <not that I really care!>

Giants ‘n Jets have signed on to a deal over in New JOISEY to construct a new mega-football stadium for both teams right next to where they play now. Really was hoping they'd get back over to New YAWK, but it's pretty much a done deal - wondAH how long it will be B4 they drop the YAWK in favor of JOISEY

Can hockey be that far off Exhibition games have begun!

On to some matters here at the bar. I see we were visited by one of the "hit ‘n run" types that our Proprietor has welcomed in the past - but the guy just won't interact. Reminds me very much of a "used to be" who no matter how many times we asked him questions, just went on his merry way with what he had to say ‘n that was that. Takes all kinds, huh Kinda makes me wondAH though, WHY do guys like these think we give a rat's patoot about what THEY have to say when there's no willingness to engage us I mean no "hello" - no social skills, NONE!

Really enjoyed the offerings from Jan - Dave - Allan - Per ‘n Da Boss over the weekend!

That was one hulluva effort by our guy down in Texas - nice one Per! 5- Salute to YOU!

Yeah, that steamer is the one in the Smithsonian. Also believe the Southern did run passenger trains for awhile after Amtrak began. I'll yield to someone else on this though, if something more supportive can be found.

Nice spate of pix too - looks like you had one great time of it!

Hey Dave ‘n Jan! Here's how it WOIKS - you come in this joint, you get friendly service, adult beverages ‘n conversation along with good cheer ‘n great company. HOWEVER, break Da Rules, ‘n you get <tweeted>!

So how come Wolfman Pete hasn't "surfaced" What's more important than coming back to the bar   You can upack later . . . <Good Grief Charlie Brown!>

My Sunday offering of this ‘n that, just to help keep things rollin' along on a positive note!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[daveklepper]

Ah, Raton, NM.   Once headed to Salt Lake City with stoppover to visit my sister Lillian and the Bernsteins (D&RGW Bernstein) via the Lake Shore, the Amtrak CZ, and the RGZ.   Didn't quite work out that way.   Lake Shore so late that a special Amtrak rep boarded at Elkhart with hotel vouchers and airplane tickets for the those making western connections.  I offered to ride the Chief to Raton and bus to Denver, and so it went.  This was before they replaced the AT&SF equipment on the Chief, and I enjoyed the trip.   Near the rail depot at Raton, which is near the bus station, a supermarket sold me the food that prevented hunger on the Greyhound to Denver.

 

Oh yes, the Gilbert Hall of Science, visited frequently ages 5-10, was at 25th Street and Broadway and Madison Avenue, semi-triangular.   Madison Avenue starts at 23rd Street, and there is a park, probably called Madison Park, from 23 to 25th, with three sides, Broadway, Madison Avenue, and 25th Street.   The only subway is the BMT Broadway line, with stops at both 23rd Street and 28th Street, both local stops.   Before 1936 there were a number of Green Line streetcar lines, replaced by  buses in 1936.

 

Had an American Flyer HO J1 Hudson 5308, the non-prototype arch-roof baggage car, and two coaches 8302.   Did visit the Pitman factory in Sellersville, PA, reachable dirctly (right at trackside) by Liberty Bell interurban from Upper Darby 69th Street, Philadelphia, and bought the permanent magnet to make Hudson reverse by reversing polarity instead of by sequence.

[marthastrainyard]

Good Evening everybody present! Leon, please a round for everybody and a pint of your best dark ale for me! That’ll hold me over until I get my steak. It’s been a long day with chasing trains in Oklahoma, but more about that later. I had “brunch” at a road-side diner up there, but I got a full year’s supply of salt with that meal. So Leon, you better make that TWO pints!

Tom, the move back to So Cal is set for late January (around 20-25, or so). I hope manager Lars can take it in good stride. There is this sort of friendly rivalry between Swedes and Norwegians. You should hear some of the Swede jokes that are told over there! But coming to think about it, you probably have heard many of them already, they are called Polish jokes here…

 

I agree with you about Allied. It was not all it was thought to be, but it was the most well stocked shop in the area, I think. If someone (Dave?) knows of a better store, please let me know. I have not been to the Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena more than once, so there may be another place to look in to more closely.

 

Canada geese? Don’t get me started. They invaded Sweden, and then I see them around here as well. We have a facility in Raleigh, NC, where the green areas have been taken over by these critters. Walking fertilizer machines is a very good  description of them.

 

Ahh, SP. I never really got to know that railroad, except for the dirty engines they had on the Anaheim runs. My office in the early 80’s faced the freeway and the SP LA to Anaheim line. They frequently used a pair of passenger engines for the freight run once they had no other use for them up in the Bay Area (or so I was told).

 

Awesome pictures from Alaska! The contrast between snow-capped mountains and green trees and grass never stops fascinating me.

 

I haven’t seen any of the movies at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre this week, but I think I will try to get some time to watch both the Aviator and the Monte Walsh. Both look interesting.

 

 

Eric, I can scratch build structures, but to try a locomotive, no that’s going to be too tough I think. Is the picture of the SP Daylight car from OERM? There is a privately owned SP car at the LA Union Station. The guy who owns it always have a problem when it comes time to take it out for a ride; he has to borrow one of the other private cars as well, his has no doors.

 

 

DL, thanks for the articles about L.T.C. Rolt. A fascinating man indeed and I’m thankful for his persistence in getting the canals preserved. The the video clip from Sweden is another gem. Can you imagine the amount of work that was involved in setting all the overhead poles by hand? The country is about as long as California, so no wonder it took a couple of years to get it completed.

 

Shane, the crew lists are interesting at our club. There is no seniority involved in the placement of names, I think it’s more if you were there the previous operating session, or not, that determines where you end up on the list. I’m always looking at the MMR requirements so I am trying to get a little bit of everything; dispatcher is something that is totally a mystery to me so far.

 

Lars posted another set of great steam engine pictures! You should have been down here today looking at the UP844 and its train: three domes! Two diners and one coach! Great SR pictures! I like that steamer, is it the Ps-4, the same that’s in the Smithsonian now? Wasn’t SR one of the last roads to run a passenger (well combination train) train long after Amtrak? DRGW was the most famous one, but I think I read that there was a train between Atlanta and Augusta?

 

Ron, that museum site is just one small, local RR museum down south. I’m sure the official Swedish Railroad museum up in Gavle has a whole lot more to enjoy: http://www.banverket.se/en-gb/Swedish-Railway-Museum.aspx

 

James, we are luckily not so demanding about not tying up the mainline in our club, and I’m really glad for that. There are many times that I have hogged the main for too long, but the others just wait patiently. I’m getting better in seeing what moves can be done without hogging the main, so maybe in a year, or so, I can do it like the big boys do.

 

Jan, that was some great pictures of SP trains you posted! I was thinking of your lyrics today when I saw the UP 844 chugging along the track. When I got to Chickasa, OK, there was a whole bunch of people, C&W band and an outdoor BBQ, all prompted this line from Chattanooga-Choo-Choo: “There’s gonna be a certain party at the station”, even though the song didn’t mean that kind of party.

 

You had a couple of great logos there. Isn’t the New Haven a great logo with all that script lettering?

 

Allan, I have to say that I tried Vegemite once and that was once too many. But on the other hand I can eat raw herring, so who am I to talk about food customs?

 

And now to the photo posting part. As I mentioned, I drove up to Oklahoma to catch a glimpse of the UP train with the 844. They are running the “Oklahoma Centennial Sooner Rocket” from Cheyenne to North Texas and back. They reached the southernmost point yesterday so now they are going back home again. I caught it just south of Chickasa, OK, and the in Chickasa.

 

I had found a good spot with the help of Google maps, and for a long time it looked as I was going to be alone there. But soon there were about ten vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs. Everybody behave very well, nobody ran out in front of the cameras. One lady even placed pennies on the track for everybody to have a souvenir afterwards. One of the old-timers came well prepared:

 

Fortunately, UP didn’t need his services this time.

 

Eventually,

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Drinks all round please Leon, Tui`s if they like!

Tom. Thanx for the mail and info. Enjoyed all your posts and pics, the Hornby story was very nostalgic, all my school mate`s were into Hornby Dublo and Meccano erector set`s. Hope your fall weather is`nt too changeble!

Lars. Great book covers and steam pics as usual, steam is a living evocative thing to behold!

Eric. Hope you enjoyed that Ormondville site, I did enter that address you quoted but it would`nt work on the page when I posted it first, must be a glich over here! Enjoyed all your posts, glad to see you are getting back to normal now. All my Hornby stuff has been lost over the years moving around the globe, over here they model mainly NZ railways or the major US lines, i`ve only met the odd one or two who model BR.

Dan. Good to see you found that Marmite van at MOTAT, Kiwi`s prefer their Vegemite but it is just a copy of Marmite, they taste the same to me! The Sunderlands they used over here were ex RAF as you said, before the Sunderlands they were using Catalina`s. Enjoying all the info on your trip, and the links too.

Ron. Enjoying all your info and poster`s and the G gauge info. One good thing, we do`nt have snakes in NZ to worry about, encountered quite a few in Malaya/Borneo during military service and also when we lived in Australia.

CM3. Enjoying all your rail info mate.

James. Am finding a lot of interesting stuff in your posts and links.

Jan. As usual your steam pics are great and the railroad songs as well.

Dave. Nice to see you on board  again.

Per.  Enjoyed all your posts.

Mike. I eventually got round to opening all your last URL`s, thanks for that.

Pete. Does the Southwest Chief still stop at Raton, NM?  SF is my line of choice, I am trying to model the Raton Pass.

See ya,  Allan 

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and fellow classic trains enthuiasts....

May I please have an extra cold Guinness for myself and top up plus cigars for my friends...and get yourself something as well.

Tom, your Alaska pictures are as oustanding as ever mate, looking forward to see more.

Da Larsman, nice post and the Southern Railway gives me a couple of ideas for future books to get for my library.....anything with steam you know.

West Coast S, don't blame yourself mate, I was there just last week or something I think. I can tell you right now that I've helped to increase the population of grey hairs on these gentlemen bright heads.... I've posted pictures before on the great SP as you can see following the below..Daylight's and Cabforwards. SP is one of my favorite railroads among these:  

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/109/991960/ShowPost.aspx#991960

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!

at "Our" Place!

We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!

Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

. . . September 16^th thru 22^nd: The Aviator (2004) Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Cate Blanchett & Frances Conroy  - and - Monte Walsh (2003) Starring: Tom Selleck, Isabella Rossellini, Keith Carradine, George Eads &  Robert Carradine. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Three Smart Saps (1942).

 

 

 

The Aviator (2004)

PLOT SUMMARY:

From Hollywood's legendary Cocoanut Grove to the pioneering conquest of the wild blue yonder, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator celebrates old-school filmmaking at its finest. We say "old school" only because Scorsese's love of golden-age Hollywood is evident in his approach to his subject--Howard Hughes in his prime (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in his)--and especially in his technical mastery of the medium reflecting his love for classical filmmaking of the studio era. Even when he's using state-of-the-art digital trickery for the film's exciting flight scenes (including one of the most spectacular crashes ever filmed), Scorsese's meticulous attention to art direction and costume design suggests an impassioned pursuit of craftsmanship from a bygone era; every frame seems to glow with gilded detail. And while DiCaprio bears little physical resemblance to Hughes during the film's 20-year span (late 1920s to late '40s), he efficiently captures the eccentric millionaire's golden-boy essence, and his tragic descent into obsessive-compulsive seclusion. Bolstered by Cate Blanchett's uncannily accurate portrayal of Katharine Hepburn as Hughes' most beloved lover, The Aviator is easily Scorsese's most accessible film, inviting mainstream popularity without compromising Scorsese's artistic reputation. As compelling crowd-pleasers go, it's a class act from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon

<from: amazon.com>

 

 

 

Monte Walsh (2003)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Tom Selleck is at his iconic best in this made-for-cable remake of Monte Walsh, a poignant Western about the passing of an American age and the people attached to it. Selleck plays the title character, a career cowboy whose rhythms are aligned with the seasons and the annual herding of cattle from Wyoming to Texas. Faithful to his ways, loyal to his best friend (Keith Carradine), and satisfied with his part-time romance with an ailing, aging saloon girl (Isabella Rosselini), Walsh is happy until his 1890s world rapidly unravels. Eastern corporations are buying up land and shutting down ranches; trains are shuttling livestock faster than an army of cowhands. Walsh can't accommodate the future, and those closest to him are moving on. Director Simon Wincer (Lonesome Dove) masterfully balances the epic and elegaic, Selleck is perfect as a fading footnote to history, and Monte Walsh becomes a universal tale of loss and integrity. --Tom Keogh

<from: amazon.com> 

 

 

 

SHORT: The Three Stooges - Three Smart Saps (1942)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Wedding plans for the Three Stooges are cut short when the father of their brides is wrongly jailed. Moe comes up with a plan for them to

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo