Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, Friday night, a perfect night for a Filet Mignon. With mushrooms and everything else. A Samuel Adams would be great!
Friday feels good even though I haven't worked for so many weeks. Only 272 days to the 3rd Annual Rendezvous!
Fergie – Sorry to hear about the illness in your family. Hope it isn’t too serious and will turn better soon. Tom – Seems like you spent more hours on the train than you asked (and paid) for! Marlene? Who is Marlene? From Canada?My photo is not a regular mystery photo. When we were on tour in Canada 1993 that place (station) is where CP took us and where we spent parts of the day. The station building was closed and I don’t remember the name of it.I was surprised that my post was the last one of the day. I guess I could have posted some more pix. Next time...CM – All I can say is what the Governor of Utah said, it went from a tragedy to a catastrophe! Very sad!Ron – Thanks for that streamliner from Chile! I really don’t much about South American railroads. I can see the catenary over it!Pete – I agree, TT scale was not a very big hit, but quite a few people I know bought it. #6703 is actually a diesel-electric. The Amtrak loco is #104, an ALCO Road Swithcer RS3, 1,600 hp. Built in the early 1950’s. When I took the picture in 1992 it was used for switching at Union Station, Washington D.C.The only thing I know for sure about the picture from Montreal is that it is Montreal. I am trying to find out what the name of the closed station in the background is. Aha, I think I know who Marlene is! Nice picture of Pitchford Hall! It looks very clean.Thanks for the pictures from Jefferson City! I thought I had a pix of UP #5146, but when I checked it was #5116.
A German Class 221. Hamburg - Altoona, 1976.
Eric
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams and around please LEON while I post a couple of pics from yesterday.
These were taken at Jefferson City while waiting for the train to Kansas City.
A UP loco in the center of a coal train, usually locos on the front and one on the rear through here.
The photo is a bit dark but it shows at leaset 5 locomotives on a Westbound.
The Eastbound Amtrak picking up passengers at Jeff City.
They should enlarge.
Pete.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH and is there any Fish ‘N' chips left over from last night.
ALLAN Great to see you back in the bar. Look forward to your posts when you have caught up.
JAN Many thanks for the great US and Swedish electric locomotive photos, the early electrics certainly had the appearance of being powerful locomotives.
They look like mushy peas on the fish and chips, they are almost impossible to get here in mid mo but the local Irish pub had a go a making them recently.
Good link to the model railroad, I was able to view it in slideshow.
ERIC As I said to Tom, the TT scale rings a bell with me I have been trying to think about it. I think it may have been in the early 1960s, when it was being promoted in the UK, I don't recall it being very popular in Britain though.
Thanks for the info and the photo of the Du2s; the class had many years of service. I knew you would have the info on #6703, am I right thinking it is a diesel hydraulic.
Many thanks for the X1 EMU from the cab photos, do you know which type of loco that is in the first Amtrak photo
Glad you enjoyed the Named Locos, I have the LMS one I done, I lost the LNER but I will do it again.
Is the Montreal photo anywhere near the Exporail Museum.
Yes Tom stayed on the train at KC we only had about 20 odd minutes, I had not the heart to tell Tom about the wet Tee-shirt contest going on when I got off the train.
FERGIE Sorry to hear of the family illness.
CM3 I have noticed the air conditioning on the trains over here is very good. One of the worst journeys I had on BR was on a late running train in summer and the diesel loco hauling the train of sealed windows air conditioned stock, was one not fitted with Electric Train Service (I believe it is HEP over here) it was only a two hour journey but it was awful, what it must be like over here where the temperature is 10 to 20 degrees hotter is hard to imagine.
RON Many thanks for the link to the Northlandz model railroad, the sound link and the photos are great, the work it must take to do those bridges, loved the part of the model where the strip mining company had just mined around her house.
Thanks for the info on the DD1 and No 460 preserved at Strasburg PA.
LARS I see you did not mention to Jan the dippers you use for pay come from the " Thimbles are Us" company.
Good selection of Amtrak books and DVDs, those Amtrak electrics still have a ‘Classic look about them.
Rushed ‘admin duties' and away for a few days, methinks RUTH is not going to be too happy. We will miss you at the bar; I will try to remember to give the Mascots their treats
DAVE Congratulation on the promotion.
There was a bit of locomotive interest on our trip yesterday. We passed a SP and a SOO line diesel coupled together on freight, although we only got a passing glance at them. Also at KC there was a Mexican diesel in red livery coupled to a KCS loco.
Thanks for the drink.
TOM A very enjoyable day out yesterday, although the three-hour plus late arrival back was not too good and you had another two and a half hours on the train. It was a pass by of Pat's Place on the way to the house, if the train had arrived on time I may have called in What a great café car attendant we had though.
I am still wondering why Amtrak only stock 3 Sam Adam's in the café car
Hi Tom and All. Drinks for all. I don't have much to add today. I tried unsuccessfully yesterday to post some images, but they didn't work, so I deleted it. As a test, I'm attaching the following image. Hope it works this time. I'm composing this on a word processor and copying it to paste on the forum. Later Ron.
A streamlined diesel-electric from Chile. Looks kinda like a Hiawatha or maybe an electroliner?
Good afternoon Barkeep and all Present
Will dispense with the usual as it is kind a rough day for a lot us.
Keep the miners in your thoughts and prayers.
Work safe
<courtesy: www.viarail.ca>
G'day Gents!
Home again, tired ‘n happy for the time on the rails, but not so MUCH! <phew> Got back to Kirkwood at 12:25 AM today. <zzz> Seems that Amtrak in Missouri stops for freights - at each ‘n every siding between St. Louis ‘n Kansas City! <groan> I believe UP must've had EVERY coal train in their inventory on the main lines yesterday. <ugh>
More later . . .
Many THANX to Lars (once) ‘n Eric (twice) for making those ‘special' mid-day Posts during my absence. As it turned out, the "flow" was just fine yesterday ‘n it appears all's well!
Looks like the evening was a "bust" though, as nary a customer passed through the portals . . . Feast or Famine Bar ‘n Grill! <grin>
CONTEST underway: All we need is the date when you think we'll hit the century mark!
(1) CM3 Shane sez Monday, Aug 20th
(2) Jan sez Saturday, Aug 25th
(3) Pete says Thursday, Aug 30th
(4) Eric says Tuesday, Aug 21st
(5) Lars says Monday, August 27th
(6) Ron says Wednesday, Aug 22nd
what's YOUR pick????
CONTEST submissions end at noon TODAY!!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Pete (wolfman) at 9:36 AM Thursday - Aug 16th: A fine selection for your get-away to the train! Appreciate the support, of course!
Pitchford Hall looks "cool" - I know we've seen a full shot, but if you can, let's see her again!
Don't know about YOU, but I'm BEAT! After you got off at JCity, we encountered another series of slow downs, making the return to Kirkwood at 12:35 AM - just a tad later than the advertised 8:58 PM arrival! <grin> That run from JCity to Kirkwood in the dark seems sooooooooooo long. And of course they kept the overhead lights on in the seating area, which doesn't help a bit for viewing the little there is to pick out in that area. Oh well . . . "Marlene" says you're "Sweet," but talk "funny!" <hoooo hoooo haaaaa haaaa> I told her only every 1st ‘n 3rd word is "funny"!! <grin>
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:39 AM Thursday - Aug 16th: OUTSTANDING effort with the Sunset Crescent info . . . I too found it a bit of an effort to unsnarl the bits ‘n pieces of info "out there" on those trains. As alluded to, just haven't had the time to do any digging - but obviously you did ‘n have!
Air conditioning was running in the business class-café car, ‘n thank the good Lawd for that! <phew> There were two AMD103s (PA Genesis) on the line for a 3 car consist - first time I ever saw that ‘n found it rather odd fer sure, fer sure. Kinda wondered if one was being used to provide the power for the A/C . . . none of the train staff seemed to KNOW!! <geesh>
Glad that RELAY MAN came through! Also, Wolfman Pete says he's having some incoming Email difficulties. So, if you (AND ANYONE ELSE) has sent him something in the past week or so and are expecting a response - best send it AGAIN!!)
Pete 'n I have tentatively decided to "do" a New England rail trip next spring . . . thinking of a round trip to Portland, Maine from BahStun - then a round trip to Albany. Perhaps 3 nite getway, total, then fly back. Interested???
Quarters, round ‘n input most welcome! [er tup]
Jan (JanOlov) at 9:40 AM ‘n 10:51 AM Thursday - Aug 16th: Focus here is and has been the discussion of Classic Trains along with banter at the bar. Appreciate your enthusiasm for the Chef Chef du jour's job ‘n like the tie in with the menu's from trains of old! Nice touch.
However, the Thursday - Friday ‘n Saturday "featured" meals will remain a fixture at "Our" Place - as shown in the daily acknowledgments. Proprietor's prerogative, or something like that. <grin> The Chief Chef ALWAYS has the option of adding SPECIALS on those days. Kitchen staff does not work on other days . . .
Ron (DD1) at 12:01 PM Thursday - Aug 16th: Don't know if yours was a special effort, or just a "routine" visit - no matter! Good to see ya 'n always appreciate our Southern Gentleman from Mississippi paying a call on the lads at the bar!
Contest entry amended!
Well, Red Barber made is claim to fame with "my" Brooklyn Dodgers. Of course Joltin' Joe made h
Good Morning All
Figured I'd better make an appearance before Tom's Raiders came after me... Again! Not much on the go as In had to disembark from the vessel due to an illness in the family. So not much else on the go, Though I am looking to by a CN Northern by True Line Trains
Later All
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Hi again!
Leon? Oh she is? Hmmm. Okay, no just a ham sandwich and an ice cold Keith's. Thank you!
I have been reading everything posted today and found some interesting facts and pictures!
JanOlov – A bunch of very nice electrics! Great Northern, Milwaukee Road and a number of Dm3’s from the old country! Dm3 was built to pull heavy iron ore trains north of the Arctic Circle. Kind of slow (46.6 mph) but extremely powerful, 9,655 hp and a traction effort of 960 kN. They are now gradually being replaced by even more powerful locomotives, Class IORE. I like those pictures of the electric Class Ma, the diesel hydraulic T21, and the electric Class F! I have been operating all of them many, many times. Thanks for the link to the pictures of the Northlandz layout! Tom – That is what I thought, you being in your early 30’s!! I have the same opinion about life so far as you do! A few things I could have done differently, but as a whole not bad.
Hope your trip today was a ood one without any major delays!Pete – Very interesting info on the British named locos! Looking forward to next part!
How many times did you manage to get away from Captain Tom? Hope it was a good trip!
CM3 – Thanks for the info on the Queen and Crescent Limited”! There must have a lot of negotiations between the different railroads to put all that together.Ron – That is what I call a layout! It is more than a fulltime job to build and maintain it! I have decided to start collecting models of all types and classes of locomotives I have been running. It is going to cost a lot, but I’ll give it a try. Lars – Amtrak! I guess my feelings for Amtrak are kind of warm because of the year I spent with them! Nice book cover with a F40 turned cab car and the video cases! I have been thinking for a long time to get some of the Northeast Corridor videos. Dave – Thank you, everything is going better than expected! Even the doctors are impressed. Congratulations to your promotion and thanks for the round!!!
Where in Montreal is this?
Good day gents, well its official, today i'm the head man,#1 boss of my domain, promotion approved!!! Time for some new employees and new ways of doing business!!! Round for all, only the very best barkeep, keep that critter juice out of the mix.
Lars, gawd I hate roof maintaince, especially my desert property where a re-roof is good for only a couple of years, paint life is even less, hoist one for me...
Tom, good to see you again, the highlight of my travels was encountering four former SP geep forties in patched format heading a eastbound mixed manifist east of Tucson, as god intended, two UP dash somethings were in DPU mode at the rear, they were not too grungy or faded a surprising find as its been a loooog time since i've seen something other then Armour Yellow. I've discovered some research material on San Francisco /Transbay ferry service from the golden years that is quite fascinating in its own right and will require further study...
DD1,CMSP&P, good coverage of all things electric, must admit to be being torn between steam and heavy electric operations, I have considered devoting some resources to heavy electric operation in S scale, tough to pass up.....Um? Sacramento Northern in S anybody?
Eric. Wish you a speedy recovery, keep your well being in my thoughts...
Well, heck back to the timeclock
Dave
Good afternoon Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Oh, that is right! The Captain is out traveling by train this beautiful day together with out car chandler! Hmmm. Ruth, good to see you. Most of the times I get here you are busy helping the manager with admin work. No, no, I not going to tell. I would like a double cheese burger, please.
A quick stop to show sa few pictures from years long gone. For 4 years I was mostly running EMU (commuter trains) on a short line (35 miles) south of Stockholm. It was a single track and old fashioned signaling system. Here are a few pictures showing a typical stop at a small town and meeting a northbound EMU.
Approaching the town. The home signal is showing two green lights = max 40 km/h.
After stopping the dispather is coming out to set the switches and signals for the other train.
2 minutes later the meeting train is arriving. Like my own train it is only one unit, Class X1.
Two more pictures from this side of the Artlantic Ocean.
Union Station, Washington D.C.
Philadelphia. Some Amtrak and NJ Transit equipment.
I'll be back later.
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, ‘tis the Larsman with a hankerin' for one of my Specials - talkin' sandwiches, of course! <grin> Make it a hero with ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH and two extra large crunchy pickles from the barrel. Round for the house, a Schaefer for me, ‘n the change is YOURS!
Boris, feed the crittAHs ‘n that small jar of PPF is YOURS! Don't forget to take Artie OUTBACK for his field mouse! <ugh>
I'm on a short-string myself today - so, thanks to all who have shown up (thus far)!!
Boss-lady wants me off this contraption ‘n back to "work" - translated: do what she wants me to do. <arrrrrggggghhhh> I wanna go back to sea!
Wanted to mention:
Da Boss: Good stuff on "TT" scale!! I had pretty much put that out of my feeble mind all these years. I recall seeing ads for them in many model RR mags over the years. Then, gone-zo. Now I know why! Really a nice offering for the OPTIONAL Toy & Model Trains Day!
Wonder if the guys are getting the most current info, as I find it hard to believe some have logged in and not even mentioned your efforts! Almost like it wasn't there.
For ALL: Gotta use the REFRESH feature we used to harp on not that long ago.
One thing I learned early on is to LOOK at your post and the one right before it BEFORE checking out. Many times I've caught one that wasn't there when preparing my "stuff," then when I put it out, zap - thar she blows! So a WOID to DA WISE! <grin>
Jan: No apologies needed, mate! Just a matter of learning the "ropes" if you will.
We've had a few guys over time who'vebeen absolutely rude ‘n ridiculous when it came to being inclusive ‘n the like. Didn't bother reading the posts ‘n hardly ever answered questions directed their way, etc. Totally blew off saying anything about the efforts of others.
What Da Boss has set up is what attracted me. I like the way the bar is operated. As with him, hit ‘n run crap just doesn't get it. We're here to enjoy one another and from what I've seen, you're doing just fine. Reciprocal is the word I like to keep in mind.
I see you've taken on the job as Chief Chef ‘round here. Just let me know when you can make yourself available for the "in house indoctrination ‘n full immersion program"! <huh?>
As Manager, you'll find that I'm tough, but fair. Just ask Pete, our Bar Chandler! <grin> Da Boss has already told ya that the pay stinks, so you won't be disappointed. There'll be a "dipper" on a hook with your name on it - we have an upstairs bath tub full o' cash - on pay day, just take a ‘dip' - whatever your "dipper" holds is yours! Size of the "dipper" to be determined by the Manager! <uh oh>
Ron: Great articles ‘n very insightful. I used to eat like you mentioned - then as with the Cap'n, doctors said put some slack in the table cloth. So I did. Still a big eater, but the Mrs. keeps an "eye" on me . . . <uh oh>
Share your appreciation for electrics, especially the GG1.
Allan: back, Mate! Seemed like a long time away. Sorry to learn that your Mrs. has the SAME malady that mine has. Never met a retail store she didn't want to spend hours in. <arrrrrgggghhhh>
Pete: Gotta hand it to ya, you certainly have learned the old adage well - can't say "no' ‘til you ask. Answer is NO! <sorry>
Enjoy the trip with Da Boss!
Today Da Boss is ridin' the rails with Pete to Kansas City, Missouri. Hope the air conditioning is working!! <phew> And of course, the brew is COLD! <grin> So, let's see what's in the hopper to compliment the day!
[img] http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/LoveDomes/Amtrak/ewiscdvd.jpg " border="0" />
Ruth, we're runnin' just a bit late (for me), so the <ahem> admin work will have to be a rush job . . . <uh oh> Boris, disengage the cameras ‘n lock the stairwell! <grin>
I'm gone ‘til Tuesday - Da Boss KNOWS! . . . .
Until the next time!
Tom and all magicians.....
DD1, WOW! That is some serious work, to say the least. Just passed by to see some pictures of it here http://rides.webshots.com/album/156431384irrjYU?start=0 impressive!
A wee question folks.... Why is it that some companies are called RAILROAD and some other RAILWAY? What is the difference? Is it a southern, northern, eastern or western thing?
Good day Tom and all in attendance, Drinks on me. (I'm going to go broke at this rate).
Tom: I'll change my guess for reaching 100 to Aug 22. Hope you have a nice trip.
Jan/Eric: I enjoy those pictures of the Scandinavian electrics. Being a poor man, I can only dream about owning models of all those electrics, but if I were rich, I would open a museum and have all the electrics (and steam and diesel) on display and in operation. One man did just that, build a museum. Visit the following link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3893040 for an extraordinary model railroad. My visit last year whetted my appetite for HO trains, but I have too many irons in the fire right now. I don't have the actual figures, but there is about 3 actual miles of track, hundreds of bridges and about 15 trains running at the same time. The walking tour throughout the layout is a mile long. I believe he has 15 million dollars invested in it and still adding on to it. If you took any foreign electric, removed the buffers and installed knuckle couplers, they would look right at home here.
Jan: I've never had Haggis nor am I brave enough to try it. Tip: If you have left over Haggis, you can get Haggis helper at your grocer.
Pete: The PRR, E-6 no.460 is preserved and resides in the Railroad museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pa. The actual DD-1 is not, but they have one other DD-1 (two sections back-to-back) on display.
CM3: Although I don't follow baseball anymore (After the Giants left New York), I do have a framed picture of Joe DiMaggio and Red Barber that I picked up at a flea market. I don't know if it's worth much. I will try to scan it and post in the forum.
Greetings Master Tom and fellow railway connoisseurs....
New plans for Fridays. I was thinking that the last Friday we'll have as earlier mentioned a railway speciality. This Month it'll be Northern Pacifics Great Big Baked Potato.
Of course the NP's own dessert comes with it.
May the FORCE be with you.
Lord Tom and fellow gentlemen,
As above mentioned.....
Thursdays: Fish & chips....
Fridays: Pizza with all the toppings imaginable...
Saturdays: Fair sized steaks....
And the rest of the time there'll always be a plate or two out with freshly made sanwiches...
Occasionally We'll make something from the cookbooks of beloved but sadly gone railroads..... NP, Milw, GN, IC, NYNH&H, NYC, PRR......the list goes on.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee please (New England Four Seasons Blend if you have it); round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We are supposed to be back on the hot side of things today, followed by thunderstorms, and maybe "cooler" tomorrow. Gas holding at $2.74.
O.K. Here goes in no particular order.
DD1 - Be watching your snailmail box for an envelope. I enjoyed rereading the story of the Lindbergh films. If you are interested in reading more about PRR E Class locomotives, try and get hold of a copy of Apex of the Atlantics.
Jan Olov - Big Liz was way ahed of her time. She raised all kinds of !@#$ with running gear on freight cars; pulled drawheads, broken knuckles, etc. I'll take a GG1 in any color - red, green, or silver. Incidnetally, the book thread you have going is inetersting. Here's another MUST have for you. Metropolitan Corridor - simply excellemt!
Yes I remember DL&W streamlined Pacifics - not in the flesh, but I have seen pictures of them. The NYC Hudson shot you posted was probably made at Harmon, although it is kind of hard to tell from the angle where the picture was made. The NH I5 was shot at the coal dock at Cedar Hill (New Haven). The coal dock is still there although much of the surrounding area has changed. You can see it coming into New Haven either from Springfield or Boston. NH 0312 was shot at New Haven, the station building which is right behind the locomotive still stands, has been refurbished and is used, OMG, as a railroad station - it's truly a busy place. NH0352 was also photographed at New Haven, in the "motor storage area" just west of the station. Look carefully at the 0352s running gear - look familiar?
Lars Has visited with wide-ranging commentary. Hope you got to check out the Rizzuto slide show on the NYT site. Good coverage of SOU books - see end of this post.
Allan - Good to hear from you.
Pete - I have seen the picture you mentioned.
Eric - You are right; PRR handled the segment between New York and Washington. The sample schedule I included shows who did what. Good deal on the electric and the tunnel motor.
OSP sent information about T gauge. I remember that being the "minority" gauge when I started dabbling with model trains. "O" was still at the top, with "HO" coming up fast. "N" hadn't even been thought of. I made the jump from O to N in the late 60s when it first became readily available in the U.S. "Postage Stamp" trains, IIRC. They had a fine looking (for the time) C&O F unit which attracted my attention. BTW, you "did good" with your relay service as noted above - many thanks!
Safe travels and have one (or five) for me! Know what you mean abiut a/c. Nearly expired in DC one evening when the air on 66's sleeper crapped out - it was like being in the "birdy boiler." They got it fixed but we were late getting out of town.
Now, let's take a look at the "Sunset Crescent." This took a little time to sort out as there were several Crescents.
We have already covered the Crescent Limited.
Another train was the "Queen and Crescent Limited." The Queen and Crescent Route went back to a time before the formation of the Southern Railway, which, like many lines in that part of the country, was put together from a lot of different roads. The "Queen and Crescent" operated between Cincinnati and New Orleans. SOU handled it from Cincinnati to Meridian, MS. The Y&MV (Illinois Central) carried cars from Meridian to Shreveport, and the rest of the train ran to New Orleans from Meridian. Pullmans were available between Cincinnati and New Orleans, Birmingham and New Orleans, and Birmingham and Shreveport. Coaches and diner operated between Cincinnati and New Orleans.
Looking around some more I came up with some advertising copy which said, "Across the Continent to California - via the Washington-Sunset Route." A 1930 ORG had the answer.
"Washington-Sunset Route Pullman Tourist Sleeping Car Daily Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, California via Atlanta, Montgomery, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso." Here is where it got interesting. The westbound car ran on the Southern's "Piedmont Limited" to New Orleans. SP's "Argonaut" carried it from New Orleans. Eastbound the car ran on the "Argonaut" to New Orleans and then on the "Atlanta-Washington Express." Interline routing was as follows: SOU: Washington-Atlanta; West Point Route: Atlanta-Montgomery; L&N: Montgomery-New Orleans; SP: New Orleans-to destination.
The Southern also made much of "Crescent Limited/Sunset Limited" connections at New Orleans.
I hope that gets things sorted out. I think Tex and I will go exploring on the Y&MV side - it's too hot for Frostbite, and Boris doesn't do well in the daylight.
A quick bacon sarnie and a cup of coffee please RUTH.
Just off in a while to catch the Amtrak to Kansas City and meet up with Tom.Looks some great posts since I was in last I shall enjoy reading them when I get back
I thought I would do a post from a while back.
NAMED LOCOMOTIVE OF THE BRITISH BIG FOUR RAILWAY COMPANIES.(Part 1)
The many British railway companies were formed into was became known as the big four in 1923.
As we talked about a while back at the bar the British companies had a way of naming their passenger locomotives. Before the grouping some railways were quite prolific in naming locos whereas others did not name them at all, but the big four all had named locomotives.
GREAT WESTERN
The Great Western was the most unaffected by the grouping and they had always had a policy of naming their passenger locos.
Apart from a solitary pacific built in the 1900s the GWR had no passenger loco bigger than a
4-6-0, and they named even their mixed traffic locos.
The largest class of these was the 4900 Hall and 6959 Modified Hall, these engines totaled 329 locos and all were named after the stately homes although towards the end a lot of the Halls were nowhere near GW territory.
A larger express passenger class was the 4073 class Castles there were 167 of these. As the name suggests the majority were named after Castles mainly in GW territory. The Great Western in 1936 needed some light locos to work on the ex Cambrian lines in Wales so they mated a Duke class type boiler with a Bulldog outside frames, these were much older classes and they looked it. Anyway they named these locos after Earls but it is said that when the noble gentlemen found out that there names were on such old fashioned looking locomotives they objected and the GWR rapidly applied their names to brand new Castle class locomotives. Also some Castles were named after aircraft used by the RAF in WWII, and a couple named Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Daniel Gooch from the GWR's earliest days. The last Castle was a named Swindon after the works where the locos were built. The locos not named after Castles had as small plate below the main name that read ‘Castle Class'
The largest GWR Express passenger locomotives were the 6000 class, which had the largest tractive effort of a loco in Britain at the time of their building. I have read that the strong rumour was that the 30 locos were the named after Cathedrals as a logical step from Castles, but from what I have read at the bar it seems the 'King' name was chosen for the class when the first loco of the class was to appear at the B&O Centennial celebration in the U.S.A.
The locos were named from the King of the time, King George V in a descending order. The last two engines of the class were renamed as two new Kings of England ascended to the throne as the 6000s were in service.
The last named Great Western locomotive class was the ‘County' a total of 30 engines introduced in 1945, these locos had straight nameplates where the others were curved. As the name suggests the class of 30 was named after Counties of England and Wales. F.W. Hawksworth who had followed C.B Collett as Chief Mechanical Engineer designed these locos. The Great western only had 7 CMEs from 1837 until nationalisation in 1948
Other GWR Mixed traffic named locos was, the 1936 introduced Grange class of 80 locos and the 1938 Manor a class of 30.
A GWR nameplate on a 'Hall' class 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotive.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY (SR).
The SR was a bit more imaginative with their naming policy. The N15 class were named after characters from the King Arthur legends, the SR served lines in Cornwall where much of King Arthur's deeds are said to have taken place.
Another class Lord Nelson was another great choice as the SR served Portsmouth and Plymouth to have famous British seafarers for this class of 16.
The Southern built a class of Britain's most powerful 4-4-0s as late as 1930 the locos were named after famous English Public Schools. There were 40 locos in the class.
Another link to the sea were O.V.S. Bullied's 1941 Merchant Navy class of 30 pacifics. These were named after shipping lines that served the ports connected to the SR, like Southampton. These were probably the most handsome nameplates, with the Shipping lines flag in the center of the nameplate. The nameplates were left and right handed so that the flag always appeared to be flying towards the rear of the locomotive. With a weight of 94 ¾ tons the MNs were too heavy for some routes and the West Country/ Battle of Britain class were introduced in 1945, with a weight of 86 tons.
These 110 locos were basically the same with the West Countries named after towns in the West serving that area and the Battle of Britain serving the SR lines in Kent. These locos were named after Squadrons, Air Fields, Aircraft and people involved in the Battle of Britain. Often the West Countries had the crest of the town and the BBs the squadron badge above the nameplate to make another handsome plate.
Mid-week report from HOT mid-continent USA! <phew> Crank the A/C down a bit, wudja Boris - we gotta get this joint back to long sleeves! Set another record with 105 (F) <40.56 (C)> on Wednesday <yuck> . . . .
Just a matter of hours when Pete ‘n I will be riding the rails again. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson in Canada, eh Well, this is one of our "special" trips where we watch the Missouri landscape pass by, enjoying the conversation (every 3rd word for me!), the company ‘n the brew! <grin> I board at Kirkwood ‘n two hours later, Pete climbs on at Jefferson City. Another 3 hours ‘n we're in KCity, MO. A couple of hours there, and it's turn around time. I believe this is our 5th round-trip together aboard the "Mules." Anyway, looking forward to it . . . business class in the café car, ahhhh, life is good (IF the A/C is working ‘n the UP track work doesn't prevent us from being overly delayed!)
Been quite awhile since I've made any positive comments about my Red Birds. But all of a sudden they are 3 games under .500 and within striking distance of the division leader. Last night the "MV3" of Pujols - Rolen 'n Edmonds came thru with homers. That along with outstanding starting pitching will tell the tale . . . Next few days will prove to be make or break . . . <verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting!>
CONTEST underway: WHEN will we reach 100 Pages at the reborn Thread??? All we need is the date when you think we'll hit the century mark!
(6) Ron says Tuesday, Aug 21st (sorry, but only 1 winner for "ties" <frown>; changes permitted!)
CONTEST submissions end at noon TOMORROW!!
Pete (pwolfe) at 4:35 PM Wednesday - Aug 15th: I'm hoping that the air conditioning in the business class ‘n café car sections of our train is running full bore! <phew> Been a hot couple of weeks, eh Don't know WHY I've remained in this part of the continent, for the heat overtakes me year after year . . . Whose turn to buy the beer?? <grin>
Way back before I was born, my father went a few rounds in the ring as a prize fighter. In fact, as a kid I recall seeing a poster with his name on it - somewhere way down on the listings of preliminary bouts for a Jack Dempsey main event. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying - he didn't fight Jack,he was on the same fight card.
Anway getting to yoru question, we always referred to them as "the fights," but I do recall hearing people referring to prize fights as boxing matches. But that was long, long ago - don't know in this day ‘n age.
Glad you found the TT scale Post of interest . . .
Interesting link on the Viking ship . . . wonder how many voyages were blown off course resulting in who knows what to those on board back in the days of the invaders from Scandinavia?!?!
I wasn't sure about Jan accepting the job as Chief Chef, but as you'll see - he's jumped into the kitchen!
Visit, chat ‘n round most welcome!
See ya in a few hours . . .
Allan (Gunneral) at 10:23 PM Wednesday - Aug 15th: Another "victim" of the shop-til-you-drop syndrome! <yikes> Glad you're back with us, Mate! Fill ‘er up - it's on the house!
Round appreciated - regardless of the hour! <grin>
Jan (JanOlov) at 11:33 PM Wednesday - Aug 15th: Appears that you've taken on the duties as Chief Chef with quite an offering for a Thursday Special - that's the way to go!! Just don't tell the guys what Haggis really IS. <ugh> <grin>
As you'll note, we have "fixed' menus for Thursday - Friday ‘n Saturday. However, the Chief Chef is always encouraged to come up with specials . . .
<
Lord Tom and gentlemen.....
Eric, you are most welcome. Also I know what you're talking about, I was once given the chance to drive the T-21 during transfer and switching in and around Stockholm. Whenever you accelerated or anything, you always ended up on the other side of the cab from where you started.
I loved those D, Da, Du, Ma and F's ... They were alive more than any electrics today, beside the Dm-3 of course. I even miss that old SJ brown color that they had. Probably because back in the day , SJ was a safe employer, you had your "free" tickets for yourself and the family and I don't know how many summer holidays I spent in some old station or whatnot beside the tracks . The summers up north on the Malmabanan were the best with the long and heavy oretrains and midnightsun.
Probably some of the reasons why my dad worked for them for over 40 years....
Sorry for the short trip down the memory lane folks.
Ooops, I just discovered that JanOlov posted a whole bunch of electric locomotives! Some real nice ones. I'll be back later today and will make some comments then!
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, I'll have an early breakfast, coffee and a big, fat Cheese Danish! Mmmm, that is good stuff!
Quite an active day here today! Now we have to make sure to keep mit that way tomorrow while the Captain is busy doing other things!
Tom – Thanks for the info on Sunset LImited/Crescent! I checked Wikipedia but they did not mention anything about running Sunset Limited on Southern’s tracks or any other connection to Southern.
Interesting article about the TT scale! I’ve never had anything in TT scale though, but they were popular in Europe in the 60’-70’s as I recall. I remember Tri-ang model trains very well! CM3 – I bought that Tunnel motor as is for $25! A bargain. Runs real nice and I like that dirty apperance. Thanks for the info on Southern’s Crescent! 1930? That was a long time ago! PRR run it Washington - New York. Lars – I don’t need a layout, I need room for one! That is the problem I’ll try to solve when I retire. Good choice of book covers! Southern Railway! It is amazing how much admin work this place is creating for our manager! Maybe he needs more help? JanOlov – Very nice pictures of those streamliners! But I don’t know, pesonally I am not big on streamlined steam locomotives. I like locomotives showing their brutal force just by the way they look. Goes for all locomotives. So I am still thinking about my favorite.No reason was an apology! My heart surgery happened so fast and so unexpected that I still have a hard time to believe it really happened. Thanks for the nice words!GG1 is one of my favorites too. Nice pictures!I’ll take those Swedish Meatballs! They look very good! Including the lingonberries. Ron – I agree that the medical arts have come a long way the last 20 years. The way I have recovered after my surgery is just amazing. Never thought it was possible. But obviously it is and today I started my cardiac rehab. Yes, I used to work as a locomotive engineer, instructor and road foreman for many years. That was in the old country though. I spent about one year with Amtrak when they leased the X2000 for tests in 1992-93. Class Du2 (originally D) was designed in the 1920’s. The first ones were built in 1925. They remained in service until 1988. Several of them have been preserved. As an engineer I liked to operate Class D electrics over shorter distances. You knew you were running a train when sitting in one of them. Whatever you did, applying the brakes, adding more power, you could feel it, you could hear it and you could smell it. On longer distances they were tiresome though. Noisy and uncomfortable.
A Class Du2 in 1975.Interesting story about those two memos! So a DD-1 was the finisher of that “race”! Pete – Class Du2, originally class D, were in service 1925-1988. 333 of them were built. A number of them have been preserved. Locomotive #6703 was originally a Belgian Railways Class 62. 1150 hp diesel engine. Traction effort, 212 kN. Built 1961 for passenger service but used for freight the last years of service. #6703 now belongs to a Dutch railroad, ATSC.Allan – Good to see you back again! No, there is no reason to pull the “Reverse” lever because the numbers are getting high. You are not older than you feel you are. According to my birth certificate I am 64 years old, but I feel like 27. So when people ask my age I am telling them 27. But since people tend to not quite believe me, because of some gray hairs and some wrinkles in my face, I tell them I am 27+. That is not a lie!
Brother Tom and gentlemen,
Just to humour our electric following and myself of course....
And some Swedish "stuff"...
Forgot to mention as well that we've open a nice "salladsbar" in the corner, for those of us that are vegetarian.
Well, I'm to bed after a hard days nightshift..... Have a pleasant day/evening everybody.
Chief Tom and gentlemen.....
Thursdays special: Haggis.
Or: Swedish meatballs.
With this you can choose either wine, beer or soft drinks.
Hi Tom and all,
Ruth a round please for all the crew, whatever they like!
To all the crew, many thanks for all the birthday wishes mates`, I think it is now time to pull the "Reverse" lever, the numbers are getting way too high!
We arrived back home from Auckland last night, Wednesday 15th Aug, we had to extend our trip due to my wife`s sister insisting on them doing a "Shop till you drop" outing "PLUS"!
Have now got to catch up on all the posts` i`ve missed since being away, so I will get back in the groove ASAP! Did not have a chance to get on a PC at all!
Good to see our missing buddies back on deck again, Jan mines a Glenfiddich mate.
Just to remind everyone that New Zealand is one day ahead , we are 12hrs ahead of GMT, so each new day starts right here in little old NZ.
Anyway, my best wishes to you all and I will get the chance to acknowledge you in my next post. It`s good to get back on board again.
See ya soon, Allan
A pint of one of Mauldon's Summer ale please RUTH on this hot Mid Mo day.
DL Glad you arrived in Toronto OK and great to get the postcard to the bar. You will have to tell us more about the Steam Whistle brewery in that old roundhouse, complete with tasting notes on the beer.
DAVE Great to see you in, hope you can get a break from the hard work you have been doing lately.
Many thanks for the drink and the wishes, although the wet kiss from BORIS.
ERIC Many thanks for the great model photos you were able to take. How long did those Du2 electric locomotives remain in service with Swedish Railways. There is a good weathered look to the SP # 8326, I'm sure Dave will enjoy it. I will look forward to more photos when you can.
The picture of the A4 was taken last year on the North Yorks Moors Railway; it was taken by Alan at one of their galas.
Well done with the photo quiz, yes indeed it was taken the Netherlands on July 7 this year. Alan went on the trip. The photo was taken on the OOSTERHOUT WESTSTAD freight branch, it I have read Als notes right. I would be glad if you could have any details on the locomotive #6703, it looks like a variation of the German V200 diesels. I have a few more Alan took on the trip; I will try to post them Saturday.
I see in the paper today, they have sailed a replica Viking longboat from Scandinavia to Dublin, although it was towed part of the way, as the wind would not co-operate, they sailed and rowed the boat most of the way.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/world/story/232218.html
CM3 Some paint schemes, like some locomotives, looked marvelous when clean but worse than awful when they were dirty.
Have you ever seen a photo of the streamlining the Great Western applied to just a single King and Castle class It mainly consisted of a bulbous nose over the smokebox and a continuous splasher over the driving wheels. It did not suit the engines at all IMHO.
JAN Thanks for the streamliner photos, they are good looking locomotives. I am greatly enjoying the talk and the favorites of the streamliners. In the UK, what streamlining there was, was removed soon after WWII apart from the A4s and they lost the valance over the wheels. O.V.S. Bullied of the Southern Railway of England produced the Merchant Navy and West Country/ Battle of Britain Pacifics, which had a casing, and they termed them ‘Air Smoothed' not streamlined. I have heard the reason for the casing was that an automated carriage washer could clean the locos at the same time as the cars, but whether this was done in practice I am not sure. All of the MNs and half of the WC/BBs were rebuilt in BR days with a traditional appearance.
At the present time a preserved LMS Duchess class loco is having a streamline casing reapplied, when its is done the loco will be in the condition it toured parts of North America in the late 1930s
It would be great if you could tell us some of fireman experiences.
LARS Evidence Evidence. I knew all these treats you give to the Mascots would be my undoing.
Commodore Vanderbilt looks a fine locomotive and thanks for the Southern bookcovers. I thought that the Southern locomotive in the Smithsonian is a good-looking engine.
I will have a look in at the other thread.
RON Yes we have all you can eat buffets around here as well, it is so easy to eat too much in one of them.
Enjoyed reading about the E6 No 460 and the DD-1s used in beating the airplanes in 1927. I wonder if 460 was saved as the 1950 memo and where she is today.
TOM Yes still learning the language. In the UK Cricket is always a match whereas Football (soccer or rugby can be both I guess, as in "are you going to the game" or "are you going to the match") Do they call Boxing a Contest here.
Many thanks for the link to the Mercia Charters tour in Luxemburg. They certainly had a good and interesting selection of locomotives as well as traveling over some interesting lines
Gentleman Tom and other gentlemen,
Maybe we can have a trial period in the kitchen....
Maybe I should point out that I prefer the OLD electrics, not much of a fan of the modern ones.
The GG1 IS one grand looking lassie to say the least, how can you not like them?
The only questions is though......Red or Green?
Everybody, I'm off to my nightshift now, so everybody play nice and take care.
Thought I'd get a leg up on the Acknowledgments since I may not have time in the 'morrow . . .
CONTEST underway: It's that time again for an "Our" Place test of judgment! WHEN will we reach 100 Pages at the reborn Thread??? Shouldn't be all that difficult to measure, however, getting PARTICIPATION before I close it up is more of the challenge. All we need is the date (day/month) when you think we'll hit the century mark!
CONTEST submissions end at noon FRIDAY!!
PLEASE check out my "other Thread" for a rather interesting Post from a guy who would "fit in" quite well over here. As Lars mentioned, why not stop by, read what he had to say, then invite him HERE??!! That's how it's done, Gents, IF we want to keep the bar up ‘n running . . .
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:34 AM Wednesday - Aug 15th: I know I'm OLD when the ball players from my youth pass on to the diamond in the hereafter. The "Scooter" was a fine player ‘n broadcaster - but more importantly a person.
Looking back to "my" Boys of Summer - Gil Hodges is gone - Jackie Robinson is gone - Roy (Campy) Campanella is gone - Carl (Skoonj) Furillo is gone - and on it goes. From the "enemy"Mickey (the Mick) Mantle is gone - Casey Stengel is gone - Hank Bauer is gone - Elston Howard is gone - and now Phil (Scooter) Rizutto. <sad>
Cardinals are in no way out of it, but that's ONLY because they are in the Central Division. Still haven't gotten excited about his latest attempt to regain respectability. The super stars will have to become super, the kids keeping on keeping on and the pitching steady as she goes. If all of that falls into place, I'm a believer. <grin>
That's quite an impressive amount of material regarding the Southern's Crescent! I haven't found the time to dig into my RR book archives to do further research on the Sunset Ltd. Anyway, thanx!
Quarters, round, juke box selections ‘n conversation most appreciated!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:29 AM Wednesday - Aug 15th: Figured you'd "hit" on at least one NYC streamlined locomotive! But TWO of ‘em!! Nice selections.
You're "in" for the Contest, Aug 27th is the pick - thanx for playing along!
I like this one from the Pennsy:
PRR Q1 #6130 4-6-4-4 (1948) (fair use)
We had tuckpointing done some years ago and man oh man was it expensive. Got the 3 estimates and so on - but still wound up costing a handful of bucks. Whatchagonnado when the chimney begins to fall apart?? Been there done that, good luck! Glad your roofing problem worked out . . .
Some fine book covers for the Southern! I tried to find some, but you hit the "mother lode!"!!!
Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!
Round appreciated along with your continued support of "Our" Place!!
Jan (JanOlov) at 11:03 AM Wednesday - Aug 15th: Nice looking "shrouded" steamers! Can't say that I'm enamored with any, but they surely introduced railroading to what was to come. Once the diesel era arrived, well it was Katy bar the door!
I'm a diesel kinda fan, so perhaps ‘tis better to yield to those who have more going on the steam side than I.
I see the Manager gotcha! <uh oh>
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:39 AM Wednesday - Aug 15th: Yeah, probably not a bad idea to "remind" every now ‘n then . . . that's what Manager's "do"! <grin>
Jan (JanOlov) at 12:59 PM ‘n 2:17 PM 'n 2:33 PM Wednesday - Aug 15th: I see you "turned us to Page 96 ‘n heading to 100!
We haven't had a Chief Chief ‘round here since
I just thought I would stick my head in the door again rather than edit my previous post. Drinks as usual and a quicky for me.
For Jan: I was brought up alongside electrics on the LIRR. At that time in my life, motive power on the LIRR was composed of DD-1's operating on the electrified portion of the RR. E6 Atlantics took trains on the non-electrified routes. Some routes were handled by MU. Alco and Fairbanks Morse diesels were the first ones to work on the line and handled all the freight traffic. The Sunnyside yards were handled by B-1 electrics and the Alco's and FM's. The electrics were finally phased out except for the trip under the East river to Penn station. Today, they have diesels that convert to electric power alone for the tunnel trips. How I miss that ozone smell of the DC engines when the speed control contactors would make and break.
Sir Tom,
You can't beat a good friendly banter between two friends, it's all in good fun.
Which reminds me of a serious banter I had with one of my best friends in Sweden who's DL&W, Erie and EL fanatic.
Anyhoo, we were at one of the local stores to pick some stuff for dinners etc, as during this time I helped him with the house and modelrailroad.
As we had walking around picking up things to use, the devil flew into us and we started arguing severely with some language and namecalling etc.
"if you weren't so stupid this wouldn't be so diffcult for you to understand. But since your parents dropped you heardfirst into the floor, I guess that it's something I have to put up with.... "
This went on for the rest of time in the store until we reached the checkout. We were still going on back and forth.
The poor lady sitting at the checkout looked worried and said: now, now boys you should argue....blah blah and all that.
Then we couldn't keep our straight faces and began laughing whereupon she looked somewhat confused. We felt rather guilty and explained it all to her....
Master Tom and fellow forum travellers....
DD1, I have to say that I do enjoy electrics as well, indeed I do, may it boxcabs, bipolar, GG1 you name it. But I'm heavy into steam , I used to work as fireman occasionally. I enjoy early and second generation diesel and as mentioned above electrics though.
Just run across Big Liz for the first time today and I thought
Eric, I'm slightly embarrassed here to have missed your heartsurgery and I sincerely apologise for that. My deepest and most sincere well wishes for a speedy recovery goes out to you.
My dad have a heart problem too, which has caused me some scary moments here in Glasgow, since they still live in my native Sweden.
So here's to your health Eric...
For all, I hope that you all are enjoying a good day/night.
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter