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

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Set em`up please Leon, Tui`s or Steinlager`s what ever the crew prefer`s!

Tom. What a great comprehensive write up on Eurostar, really enjoyed all the current info about it, and also the B&M material was very interesting. Glad to see Pete will be riding the rails on his trip to California. As you have found out, NZ has a lot of differences to the rest of the globe, it still has a lot of the old pioneer spirit around, Kiwi`s are very individualistic in their approach to everything.

Lars. Great selection of steam pics which I thoroughly enjoyed enlarging, and great pics of the B&M too, PLUS the book covers also, a veritable feast!

Eric. Enjoyed your posts and pics, take it easy at work mate, as Lars said it`s GREAT to wake up in the morning above ground at our age!

Dan. Glad you liked the "Fell" site, their is no time frame for the job yet, at the moment they are fund raising like mad and they were lucky to get a Lottery board grant to help out. They are getting some help from local government as well. Great to see that London/Paris record time by Eurostar, saw the video on BBC World news.

CM3. Enjoyed your very intersesting info on the B&M, did you ever ride the narrow gauge in Maine at all?  The Rangley Lakes RR looks very nice and the loco`s look really neat and well turned out.

Ron. Good to see you on board again, looks as if you went through the same posting problem I was going through a while back. Great pics.

James. Glad you enjoyed the "Fell" site, it will be a big task to re-instate the line, at the moment it is walk way open to the public, I have`nt walked it yet tho!

Jan. Nice to see you popped in for a chat and posted some nice pics!

See ya, Allan

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, I know, I amkinf of early (or late) tonight. Tired after a long day at the office so I'll try to get some extra rest. Seems like it was a kind of slow day today at the Bar! Sometimes slow days are nice days, so why not? 

Tom –  Thanks for the info on Lake Bluff! I had my own bedroom with a wide bed and golden faucets. There was a bathroom with shower for every two bedrooms. Nice way to travel! We also had two private cars in the consist where dinner was served every evening at seven. Those were the days!

A lot of interesting info on Eurostar!! I have copied it so I can read it (and save it) this weekend! Pretty fast, London - Paris in just 2 hours and 3 minutes! I noticed the train can stop in 3,5 km (2.17 miles) from 187 mph! That is very good, short distance from that speed.

Interesting to compare the pictures of Class 373 Eurostar and Class 37! Streamlined and not streamlined!

Ron –  I like that, No man is an island! So right! Good luck to your son! I know exactly how it feels when a loved pet is getting close to the end. As long as she doesn’t suffer she should be okay!

Nice calendar pictures! I actually have a picture of the same bridge I took in 1993. It is somewhere along the Philadelphia - Harrisburg line, I don’t remember the name of the place.





Lars –  No, sir! I am not difficult! My intentions are to stay on top of the ground for many years to come! Only 105 days to my retirement!!

More interesting pictures today! The last picture, IC 2-6-6-2, #6003 is a goodie! IC had ten of those locomotives, built 1919, aquired from Central of Georgia 1926 in exchange for ten 2-10-2s. Those Mallets spent most of their time at IC’s hump yard in Memphis.

CM3 –  I agree 100% about Lake Bluff. I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures from “my” bedroom in it.

James –  You better be careful when you put those electric components in place or you will watch some amazing fireworks with sound effects!

Allan –  You are right, it is GREAT to wake up above ground in the morning! I am taking it easy, today I even left work early because I was tired in the afternoon. 

 

Eric 

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

PLEASE READ THESE MORNING ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!!

G'day Gents!

Friday ‘n the end of the work week <for many>, and a loooooooong 4 days for some at that! <grin>

Petrol is holding at $2.58 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner." The rains have come ‘n are supposed to keep us soggy through the weekend. Considering the blistering August ‘n start of September ‘round these parts - bring it on! <grin>

Time again for some fresh pastries ‘n coffee along with breakfast selections from our Menu Board!

Comments from the Proprietor:

None!

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Ron (DD1) at 9:10 AM Thursday - Sep 6^th: A rare morning visit ‘n the first one - after my summary - at that! Can't add anything more to "families" other than to say I'm in total agreement with what Lars had to say. In many ways I'm an "island," some by choice, the remainder by circumstance. Just have to take the hand one is dealt ‘n go forth.

Appreciate the continuing Pennsy calendar fotos! They really represent some fine times for railroading!

Ron, there is NOTHING more devastating in life than having to say "good bye" to a dog. Speaking for myself, of course - I've held them in my arms as they received their final injections - felt the passing of life 'n will NEVER forget it - NEVER. Best I can say is that they had ME in their lives right up 'til the end. Hope that was some solice. As with ALL life, it does come to an end . . . Just have to do what needs to be done in order to make those final moments as "easy" as possible for THEM.

Round ‘n visit most welcome!

Lars (LoveDomes) at 1:27 PM Thursday - Sep 6^th: Great to see the Manager swing by with more CLASSIC steam locomotives! Good choices ‘n hope the guys are picking up on your efforts!

Hey Mate! Why not just take today OFF - okay I mean you're trying to do far too much ‘round this place. It's appreciated ‘n all of that, but we'll be here whether the guys Post a bunch, a little or nothing today. From the "get go" of this cyber bar, I've asked for at least one guy to step up during the morning - noon - mid-late afternoon ‘n evenings. Well, we've seen some "flush" times, some "lean" times ‘n now some fairly consistent times. So not to worry.

Email sent your way . . .

Thanx for the visit, chat, fotos ‘n round!

Jan (JanOlov) at 1:40 PM Thursday - Sep 6^th: A quick visit is better than no visit!

"Top up" ‘n quarters for Herr Wurlitzer along with tips for the cigar box appreciated too!!

CM3 Shane at 3:10 PM Thursday - Sep 6^th: See As it turned out your work schedule was a blessing in disguise for the Watering Hole by the Wayside! <grin> Good to see ya ‘n appreciate your support both here ‘n over on "my other Thread"! Thanx for answering the ‘call.'

Let me look into "Flyboys" - I know we haven't shown that one . . . appreciate the recommendation. More PLEASE!

Yeah, tell me about it - ACC basketball was "King" where we lived. Truly a pleasure to view it. North Carolina was "my" team back then . . . What a treat it must've been to have lived in Chapel Hill, NC during those times . . . Ahhhhhhh.

Quarters ‘n round most welcome - as always!

James (CMSTPP) at 4:09 PM Thursday - Sep 6^th: Quite an extensive Post from our Duluth Connection. Took some reading to come up with those responses - that' s what we like to see ‘n hope everyone does ‘round here!

Five UltraDomes Hmmmmm, not sure I know where you got that info. None of the trains we traveled aboard had five. All had ONE for the ARR with 8 from the cruise ship lines (see the fotos). Now the UltraDomes of the ARR are all NEW ‘n came from Colorado Railcar. The s

[DL - UK]

Hello all in

I'll try one of these Tui's Allan seems to recommend. I'm sure they are good stuff.

I realise people are bemoaning low levels of business here - but there's plenty of quality submissions. I'm trying to catch up on stuff (got to about page 100) but as fast as I can read the stuff I missed, good new stuff appears!

Just picking up on a few things:

James - very interesting to read your description of that commuter line project - I hope they can keep to schedule - seems like they have plans to at least do the job properly - how long would the line of route be? (from Duluth to Minneapolis)

I know several picked up on the Short Sunderland I recall a story my uncle told me about how when he was at the controls one time the flight engineer switched the wrong switch to move to another fuel tank supply and accidentally cut the power to 3 of the 4 engines - pretty soon corrected but apparently there was some torque from the one left running that required some hard work on the controls!

Eric mentioned the one which is indeed at Hendon - - I've not been to that museum since I was a child - probably 25 + years ago - I should visit it again as it is easily accessible - and I see from the web - FREE. They have a pretty extensive collection:

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/aircraft_info.cfm?aircraft_id=135

There is also a Sunderland at the big Duxford air museum in Cambridgeshire:

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.1195

Which also has this gallery which may be of interest to people since it is a dedicated USAAF gallery - I think actor Jimmy Stewart had a connection with this museum in relation to his own service record - and I see they have his uniform on display which his family donated.

http://aam.iwm.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.00h

Ron - I was sorry to read about your dog - not nice when these sorts of decisions have to be made - pets certainly become a part of any family as I think Tom has pointed out before.

Reflecting on your point about Malls in Quebec - I know what you mean from my visit there last autumn - I guess the weather has an impact on it in winter time. Mind you, given mall trips or railroad trips the later wins ever time. I guess the consensus round the bar is probably that malls are best left to the experts - ie ‘the brides'!!! I certainly reckon Lars would sympathise with that sentiment!

Incidentally - I was interested to read of your model making activities a few pages back - my father is a keen modeller - running live steam at O gauge and gauge 1 is his passion.

Jan - thanks for the response on that UP streamliner unit - I'd never have guessed it was a pre war product - the styling made me think 1950s - I enjoyed reading the info - were the trains mentioned all day time journeys (ie a non sleeper service?).

Eric - I liked the pic you posted on P98 of London in 1975 - you could tell that was the period from the style of the trousers - the Routemaster bus though could have been photographed any time up to 2005!

Incidentally - the pics you post from your personal archive are always very interesting - the interiors of the Swedish Railways training school were very good - obviously these are pre digital - do you scan in your archive? Are they transparencies or prints? They have certainly retained their colour quality.

Tom - I liked the sunset / late eve pic of the Park Car you were using on page 98 - I think I read VIA publicity saying they had put Park Cars on the Churchill route now - so that is another reason to think about booking it. Incidentally this reminds me to mention that since a few days back I seem to be getting to see all pictures posted by everyone - whereas before it was only mainly those posted by Eric that I could view - just the weirdness of the way the world of ‘puters work I guess since I've made no changes my end!

Incidentally when in Toronto Union station I picked up a VIA flyer adverting 15% of trips on The Canadian, The Ocean and The Chaleur if booked before Nov 30^th 2007 for travel before March 16 2008 (see www.viarail.ca/15off  and quote code 11054 - can also be booked through their call centre). Not bad for anyone planning a winter trip on those services.

Now - for the results of some detective work - which came by complete co-incidence - some time back (regulars will recall the discussion) after a discussion about RDC and railcars Pete and I pointed out that at least one of the British Leyland rail buses built in the 1980s had gone to the USA for trials - but we could not find out what happened to it. Well - last night I was catching up with an article in the May edition of Trains all about the West Virginia Central - an interesting article which I find is now on the web in full here (so I won't reproduce the relevant section).

http://www.american-rails.com/wvc.html

About half way down the article it explains they bought the railcar from a scrap dealer and got it going (with limited success) and used it for a couple of years before replacing it with an Edwards Railcar (I don't know much about them) in about 2000. So what happened to it after that is uncertain. Some other web references include:

"WV Central Railroad Durbin, (877)MTN-RAIL
Unique Leyland railbus glides 34 miles through mountain wilderness to Big Cut. At 4,066ft, it's cool in summer. Black bear sightings common. Also, special guided wildflower, bird tours. May-late October. Call ahead for tickets" - I think this is out of date though.

And also this run down - See entry number 5 - sitting behind a nice looking Western Maryland Loco

http://www.metropolitanrailway.co.uk/pacer2.htm

So it occurred to me that CM3 - is this not your locality? Maybe it is over to you - do you know what the WVR did with it? Is that a location you have ever visited? I think Pete will be interested in this when he returns from his hols.

All the best

DL

PS Tom - just read your post after I prep'd mine on the WP - not got much more info on the Eurostar record run than you have read int he general press (most of their journalists would not know a high speed intercity unit from a commuter train so you can't rely too much on their reporting for the details) - hopefully we'll learn more from the railway press when the magazines are out (editor of the one I get was on board so should get a report) . I've tried to shrink my links so hope no wide page phenomenon appears. Still got my trip repiorts to do but wanted to post an inclusive one on stuff I've read and caught up with at the moment

 

 

 

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, just a mugga Joe with a jolt if you please. Boris, give the crittAHs their breakfast . . . 'n of course the small jar of PPF is for YOU!

Thanks for the offer Bossman, but I'll be ok for the day, I think! The Sarge Mrs. has planned another day with her mother, so the "coast is clear"! <grin> Thought I'd stop by earlier than usual with something to bring a smile to your face - RDC's . . .

Here's a post of mine from the "old thread" on page 296, April 7, 2006:

Good Morning!

Tom - here is something that hopefully will bring a smile . . . .

Budd Rail Diesel Car


CAVEAT: This material has been reproduced with "blanket" permission from Wikipedia sources at: www.wikipedia.com.


Budd RDC-1 #407 of the Cape May Seashore Lines (GNU Free Documentation).

The Budd Rail Diesel Car or RDC is a self-propelled diesel-hydraulic rail passenger car. During the period of 1949-1956, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These cars were primarily adopted for passenger service in rural areas with low traffic density or in short-haul commuter service, and were less expensive to operate in this context than a traditional locomotive-drawn train. The cars could be used singly or several coupled together in trainsets and controlled from the cab of the front unit.

The Boston and Maine Railroad owned by far the largest number of these units, but they were also very popular with Canadian railways such as the Canadian Pacific Railway (where they were known as Dayliners), the Canadian National Railway, and the former BC Rail. VIA Rail still uses RDCs for scheduled services on Vancouver Island and in Northern Ontario, and the planned Blue22 service connecting Toronto to its airport will use refurbished RDCs as well.

Since 1994 three RDCs are being used for the OnTrack commuter rail line in Syracuse, New York. As well, the Alaska Railroad possesses at least two RDCs. They are typically coupled together and used for the railroad's Hurricane Turn service and the annual Fair Train. The Hurricane Turn is the last remaining flag stop service in the U.S. and is the only transportation to many summer (and year-round) cabins on a stretch of track between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch. (The Parks Highway, the nearest road, is several miles to the west on the other side of a mountain ridge.) The annual Fair Train takes fairgoers from Anchorage to the Palmer stop next to the fairgrounds.

The basic car was adapted from a standard 85 ft (26 m) coach. They were powered by two Detroit Diesel (then a division of General Motors) diesel bus engines, each of which drives an axle through a hydraulic torque converter, a technology adapted from military tanks of World War II. RDC trains were an early example of self-contained diesel multiple units, an arrangement now in common use by railways all over the world.


Variants


An RDC train operated by the former BC Rail. (www.trainweb.com photo)

Budd manufactured five basic variants of the RDC:

• The RDC-1 - an 85 ft (26 m) all-passenger coach seating 88 passengers.
• The RDC-2 - an 85 ft (26 m) Railway Post Office and passenger coach configuration seating 71 passengers.
• The RDC-3 - an 85 ft (26 m) variant with a Railway Post Office, a baggage compartment and 44 passenger seats.
• The RDC-4 - a 65 ft (20 m) variant with only the Railway Post Office and baggage area.
• The RDC-5 (also known as the RDC-9) - an 85 ft (26 m) passenger coach seating 82, with no independent control cab.

The RDC-1 was powered by two 6-cylinder Detroit Diesel engines, each of 275 hp (205 kW).

In 1978, Budd offered a new RDC model, called the SPV-2000 (self-propelled vehicle), but only 24 of them were sold, as they proved unreliable and did not gain marketplace acceptance. The few remaining in service have long been converted to unpowered, locomotive-drawn coaches.

Unusual modifications

In an experiment toward high speed rail, the New York Central (NYC) fitted a pair of jet engines atop one of their RDCs and added a shovelnose front to its cab. This RDC, which NYC had numbered M497, set the United States speed record in 1966 when it traveled at just short of 184 mph (296 km/h) between Butler, Indiana, and Stryker, Ohio.

Several RDC's were built and exported to Australia, to operate with Commonwealth Railways, These cars operated on the standard gauge, running between Port Pirie and various locations, including Whyalla, Port Augusta and Broken Hill.

A variant was built by Commonwealth Engineering for the NSW Government Railways, consisting of five carriages. These cars included the only non-powered version of these carriages. These cars operated the South Coast Daylight Express between Sydney and Nowra

References

• Scheurle, Bob, New York Central RDC3 #M497. Retrieved March 14, 2005.
• Wayner, Robert J., ed. (1972). Car Names, Numbers and Consists, New York: Wayner Publications.

CAVEAT: This material has been reproduced with "blanket" permission from Wikipedia sources at: www.wikipedia.com.


Kick back and ENJOY! You earned it . . .

A round of spiked OJ for the boyz!

 

Until the next time!

Lars

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and gentlemen. How are we today then?

Could I have an extra cold Guinness and an large top up around the bar please?

Da Larsman, sure thing matey. I'll supply the silver coins, of course from the old country for traditions sake ....

Some nice pics on those steamers too. I didn't even remember had any mallets like the 2-6-6-2. The 2-10-2 is a keeper for sure

Those RDC's are interesting, are there many of them still running to day?

EricX2000, I wish that you could ride by Pullman today as well. I wonder what their cars would have looked like if they had still been in the bussiness today?

As for D-locomotives and all the others. I have to admit that I almost prefer the old SJ colors to the new ones. A well kept D, MA, MG or F was some beautiful machines. Another thing, I don't think that people have the same pride in their SJ jobs today as they had back in the day...

DD1, another couple of handsome PRR calendar pictures. Some really nice art! As already mentioned my dad have few records of the old guard of C&W and blues. I kinda like their style on the side of my love for Rockabilly.

Tom, great and informative posts as always mate. 2 hours to Paris? Hmmmm... I'm sure that it's all good. Somehow I feel that they miss something todays highspeed trains, difficult to put my finger on what it is though... They'll always be just the one highspeed train for me, and as you probably already know it's the Hiawatha. I bet that she could have done some serious highspeed running on those tracks, eh?

Loved the pics on the old Class 37 and 73.... 

James, I must say that Milwaukee Road had a distinctive style on their stations, I like them alot! The F-7's and the Class A are my absolute favorites of streamlined steam...

I like the style of the M10000's particularly those later "models".

DL - UK, I'm not sure if there was any sleepers in the Union Pacific M-series streamliners. Maybe someone of the gents may be able to tell us both...

Some Milwaukee Road,

Milwaukee Hiawatha locomotive 4-4-2, #1, is seen on a highspeed passenger train near Deerfield, Illinois, 1948. Photographer: Fred C. Stoes

A nice Milwaukee Hiawatha locomotive #4 is seen with train at the crossing near Deerfield, Illinois, 1949. Photographer: Fred C. Stoes

A beautiful Milwaukee Hudson is seen in 1948 powering train #101 west.  Location is unknown other than in the Chicago area. Photographer: Fred C. Stoes

Credit: YESTERYEAR DEPOT

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Rainy day in these parts 'n what better time to introduce a NEW SERIES for the Customers at "Our" Place!?!?!

 

Now Arriving on Track #1

Six Pack Special Number One

RR advertisements from the Classic Era

New Haven Railroad

 

Canadian Pacific Railway

 

Milwaukee Road

 

Euro Railways

 

New York Central System

 

Northern Pacific Railway

 

Good to see Dan (DL-UK) 'n Lars (LoveDomes) "in" this AM . . . two FINE Posts, both will be "absorbed" before day's end! THANX!

<uh oh> Just picked up on Jan (JanOlov) Posting nearly "on top" of mine! Good to see ya, Mate!

Specific comments in my next round of acknowledgments . . .

 

Enjoy!

Tom

[JanOlov]

Great ads Tom, great ads! Really look forward to see more!!

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, yes ‘tis the Larsman back for another "go"! Set ‘em up ‘n Boris ring the bell - drinks on me!

Great idea with those RR ads from Cap'n Tom! Another 5-tup Salute for Da Boss!

Don't recall seeing any of ‘em over on your other site . . . for those of you who do not frequent that thread, you've been missing out on some great stuff. We try to limit our postings to just one pix at a time, just to "wet the whistle" so to speak! <girn>

Couldn't help but take note of "that guy" posting on the Classic Trains forums again. Ya know who - the one who was "coming back" and never did! <barf> DontchajustwondAH what makes some guys think we are so dumb Man overboard! <grin>

Great seeing Dan ‘n Jan (sounds like a team!) this day ‘n will surely give the posts since my last visit the "once over," but not right now. Sorry! Also enjoyed viewing the offerings from Allan ‘n Eric from last night . . . been that kinda day folks!

Anyway, I'm hoping this weekend will be a relaxing one for the boyz. Nothing planned ‘round here, that I'm aware of, but then again one nevAH knows with the Sarge Mrs. ‘n her shopping urges. <arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh>

Some steam locos to keep y'all interested . . . .

MP #5308 4-8-2 (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) (photo: Paul Eilenberger)

MP #1420 2-8-2 (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) (photo: Paul Stringhamn)

MP #1716 2-10-2 (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) (photo: Paul Eilenberger)

MP #5341 4-8-2 (from: yesteryeardepot.com) (photo: Harold Van Horne)

PRR dual K4s (1946) (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com) (photo: Fred C. Stoes)

PRR doubleheader K4s (1949) (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)(photo: Fred C. Stoes)

Ruth, a bit pressed for time - so let's get that <ahem> admin business taken care of! Yeah, I'll be back tonite . . . oooooooooops, wasn't supposed to say that, huh <blush>

Until the next time!

Lars

[coalminer3]

Good afternoon All; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. 

Figured I'd post a quick "hello" and then get on my way - I thought we were done for today, but....have a good weekend all.  With teh site being down, I guess this affords some time to  refelt the pool tables for the upcoming season, swamp the back room, and rotate Boris's boots.

work safe 

 

P.S.  OSP - Here come the Birds!  This time of year we start looking at the loss column - interesting situation in that division.

 

[Anonymous]

Good day Tom and all. Drinks are on me.

We had to take our dog to the vet and after some examination and X-rays, it was determined that the most humane thing to do would be to put her to sleep. We buried her on our property where she had spent all her life. Would you believe she had lung cancer??? My wife took it pretty hard, but life must go on.

Here are a few "Friday is toy train day" pictures

These two pictures are of hard rubber tired locos used to move cars on local streets.

I still have catch-up on my acknowledgements, but can't at this moment. BTW did you know Marklin bought LGB lock, stock and barrel.

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, I'll have a Rumpsteak Café de Paris and a cold Keith's! Thank you!

Friday is gone and so is my first week back to work! I survived!

Tom –  I read your comments comparing railroads in US and Canada with Europe. Interesting enough Don Phillips (Trains) made a similar comparison trying to explain why high speed train service is such a big thing in Europe but not here in the US. A few months ago he pointed out that the distance between Paris and Lyon (the first TGV-line) is very similar to the distance between Chicago and Kansas City and there are no big cities in between. Population density is about the same in that part of France as the midwest. Still, TGV almost killed all airlines between those cities, and people are taking the train. There is no real reason high speed train service couldn’t be a big hit even in the US. Cars per capita in Europe is about the same as in the US. #1: Italy, 539 cars per 1,000 people, #2 Germany 508 cars, USA 478 cars, France 469 cars, Canada 459 cars, and Sweden 437 cars. I would say the difference is the price of gasoline. But we are getting up there too. Up 7 cents here in Phoenix since last weekend.

I will read that Eurostar article very carefully this weekend.

Those ads look like they were designed in the 1930’s. Is that correct? I can see that the World’s Fair Chicago is from 1933. The same about the Nord Express ad from Europe. Looks like pre-WWII.

Snakes won 4-2!

Dan –  I took that picture on my first trip to London. Went back a few more times before starting to cross the Atlantic on my vacations in the early 80’s. The Routemaster is a very classic bus model!

My older pictures (pre 2002) are mostly slides and some prints. I have two scanners, one for film and one for printed photos. Sometimes they pictures need some corrections after scanning. But I must say my old Kodachrome slides (1958-1992) are still in very good shape when it comes to the colors.

I have also tried to find that British Leyland Railbus in the US but the latest I have found says it belongs to Connecticut Trolley Museum and is waiting for restoration. Checking CTM’s website did not give any clues.

Lars –  Thanks for that old post about the RDCs! I have seen it before but it is still very interesting to read.

More interesting locomotives! MP #1716, a 2-10-2 built by Brooks 1917, retired 1953. #1716 was one of five engines coming from Wabash in 1942. They were assigned helper service on Kirkwood Hill.

JanOlov –  I think Pullman’s cars would still look very much the same today as in the 50’s.

Brown was a very practical color for the electric locomotives, especially the older ones. They leaked a lot of oil and that was like a magnet on dust and dirt. I liked the orange color they used to have on Class Ra, Rc, and Rm.

Some nice pictures of very fast steam locomotives!

CM3 –  Thanks for the round and have a nice weekend!

Ron –  Very sorry to hear the news about your dog. But I am sure you did the right thing for her. Lung cancer, I don’t think I ever heard that dogs can get lung cancer. But why not? I think you buried her in the right place!

Another nice calendar picture! I am afraid I don’t have any newer picture from that place though.

I bet those beautiful wooden models were built by you!! I am very impressed!!  Very nicely detailed locomotives and that old car! I don’t recognize what make or model it is.
How about that shiny pick up truck? Are the locomotives powered?

So PRR had rubber tired locos!?! I have never seen them before. But they have air brakes. Interesting!

1975.

 

 

Eric 

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and fellow Knights Of The Turntable,

May I please have some black java (that was ok, right? ) this sunny Saturday morning, too early for my usual Guinness, and the usual top up around the gang as well please?

Puts some $$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....

What's your plans over the weekend lads?

Some steamers to enjoy like those lovely lassies posted by Da Larsman....4-8-2's

PRR 6940...

NYC... 3031...

MP 5338...

GN 2500...

DL&W 1451...

AT&SF 3745...

D&RGW 1514...

Credit: steamlocomotive.com

I guess that it's time to get busy in the kitchen, eh? We can't have you boys starving, right?

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

 

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

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

G'day Gents!

Saturday once again - get the chores done day then kick back for the day. Start off right here with a breakfast from our Menu Board along with fresh coffee ‘n pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery.

A rainy day predicted for this Saturday in mid-continent USA 'n supposed to be wet through Monday . . . we were down over 4 inches of rainfall for the year, so it's time to replenish . . . Good day to get a few things done 'round the house . . . which is what I do for the other 6 days of the week! <uh oh>

Comments from the Proprietor:

The Birthday Watch List 2007! Will be run again today. We've had a few changes - one newcomer along with two "restorations." As participation dwindles to inactivity for a month or more, names are dropped. No point in being "festive" for a guy who doesn't give a Rat's Patoot about us, eh

For example on this day last year the majority of our patrons extended greetings ‘n graphics to one of our guys and he didn't even show up for "his day"! That was the SECOND time one of our "own" did that in 2006. Fool us once, shame on you - fool us twice, shame on US!

So be it - we try hard to avoid making the same misjudgments in character twice.

So, for anyone who has been "wondering," that's the way it works.

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Dan (DL-UK) at 7:01 AM Friday - Sep 7^th: In what perhaps is your finest Post in terms of absolute thoroughness in "reporting," I got "lost" in those links! <grin> I'm a believe that England must be a nation of museums! Outstanding aircraft material - too bad our former regular ‘n now UTB (used to be) up in Ontario isn't around to enjoy ‘n appreciate your efforts! <wow again!!>

Haven't a clue what you do for a living, but your talents surely involve attention to detail. You ‘n Wolfman Pete are the <greatest> fer sure, fer sure!

Very happy to know that you've been able to view the fotos at the bar. No point in asking "what happened?" for that's one of the mysteries of life here in Kalmbach's little corner of the Ether! <grin>

I managed to get through those links involving the former Brit railcar ‘n hope CM3 Shane does pick up on them. If anyone at our bar may have some insights regarding the whereabouts of it, he'd be my choice!

VIA Rail seemingly runs these kinds of "good deals" pretty much year ‘round, at least according the dearth of Email I receive from them on their ‘specials.' Thanx in large measure to a bitter taste from our Gaspé trip aboard the Chaleur, it just may be a snowy-day-in-that-hot-place before I fly up to Montréal for another "go" at ‘em.

The trip to Churchill is something I've ALWAYS been fascinated with and I'm aware of the use of the Park Car. It isn't the first time they've put one on, at least according to what I recall way back in the recesses of this thing of mine called a memory. But to use ‘em regularly, now that's only because the eastern routes gave up the Budd equipment. <barf. While the trip up to Churchill would be "different," the scenery isn't going to captivate too many from Winnipeg northward. Nothing like what one gets to appreciate between Montreal ‘n Halifax for example. However, sitting in a Park Car dome IS by far the best accommodation I can think of for rail travel with VIA Rail.

I had been SERIOUSLY thinking of taking that trip this November - but have been "convinced" to use that time for other things. So WE are going elsewhere around U.S. Thanksgiving time. <grin> Yeah, I'm easy that way . . .

International airfares are keeping me home ‘n thinking less ‘n less of trips to Canada. Just out of my league . . .

You've managed to escape the Wide Page phenom - so keep up the effort, Mate!

Drink of choice on me!

Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:32 AM Friday - Sep 7^th: Surely didn't expect to see you so early, if at all - but there you were!

Although you've provided that fine RDC Post before, I'm always eager to go through it again ‘n aga

[siberianmo]

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

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

 

 

 

 

2007 BIRTHDAY WATCH LIST

(rev. Sep 8th)

Regular Customers at "Our" Place!

 

January 14th (Eric - 64) 

OKRA (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Are tough on the outside but tender on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. You can do something good each day if you try. You go well with most anyone.

 

 

 

 

January 23rd (Jan - 38) (added)

CHITLIN (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of season-ing. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful they may surprise you. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with a Moon Pie but Catfish or Okra is O.K. too.

 

 

 

 

March 31^st (Lars - 67)

MOON PIE (March 21 - April 20) You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies.  Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. A Chitlin would be a good mate but it's not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.

 

 

 

 

May 18^th (Tom - 69)

POSSUM (April 21 - May 21) When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about- it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy but seems to work for you. You are a rare breed. Most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business. You should definitely marry an Armadillo.

 

 

 

 

August 11^th (Pete - 56)

August 14^th (Allan -  72)

CATFISH (July 24 - Aug 23) Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard.  Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.

 

 

 

 

<

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and gentlemen, 

May I please have an extra cold Guinness and a top up for the lads? Could you give some cigars as well please?

Puts a few $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer, which start to play some well selected music....   

Wabash Cannonball...

Verse:

From the wide Pacific ocean to the broad Atlantic shore She climbs the flowery mountains, or'er hills and by the shore though she's tall and handsome and she's known quite well by all She's a regular combination,on the Wabash Cannonball.

Verse:

Oh the Eastern states are dandy, so the Western people say From New York to St. Louis and Peoria by the way To the lakes of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall No chances to be taken on the Wabash Cannonball.

Chorus:

Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar As she glides along the woodland, over hills and by the shore Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the crazy hobos yell to though the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball.

Verse:

Oh, here's old daddy Cleaton, let his name forever be And long be remembered in the courts of Tennessee For he is a good old rounder 'til the curtain round him fall He'll be carried back to victory on the Wabash Cannonball.

Verse:

I have rode the I.C. Limited, also the Royal Blue Across the Eastern counties on Elkhorn Number Two I have rode these highball trains from coast to coast that's all But I have found no equal on the Wabash Cannonball.

Chorus:

Oh, listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar As she glides along the woodland, over hills and by the shore She climbs the flowery mountains, hear the merry hobo squall  As she glides along the woodland, on the Wabash Cannonball.

The Cannonball departing Union Station, St. Louis in 1958 or 1959.

City of New Orleans...

        Riding on the City of New Orleans
        Illinois Central Monday morning rail
        Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
        Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
        All along the southbound odyssey
        The train pulls out at Kankakee
        Rolls along past houses, farms and fields
        Passin' towns that have no names
        Freight yards full of old black men
        And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles

Chorus

        Good morning, America, how are you
        Don't you know me, I'm your native son
        I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans
        I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

        Dealin' cards with the old men in the club car
        Penny a point, ain't no one keepin' score
        Won't you pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
        Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor
        And the sons of pullman porters
        And the sons of engineers
        Ride their father's magic carpet made of steam
        Mothers with their babes asleep
        Are rockin' to the gentle beat
        And the rhythm of the rails is all they dream

Chorus

       Night time on The City of New Orleans
       Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
       Half way home, and we'll be there by morning
       Through the Mississippi darkness
       Rolling down to the sea
       And all the towns and people seem
       To fade into a bad dream
       And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
       The conductor sings his song again
       The passengers will please refrain
       This train's got the disappearing railroad blues

Final Chorus

       Good night, America, how are you
       Don't you know me, I'm your native son
       I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans
       I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

Repeat First Chorus

       Good morning, America, how are you
       Don't you know me, I'm your native son
       I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans
       I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

Wreck Of The Old 97...

        On one cloudless morning I stood on the mountain,
        Just watching the smoke from below,
        It was coming from a tall, slim smokestack
        Way down on the Southern railroad.

        It was 97, the fastest train
        Ever ran the Southern line,
        All the freight trains and passengers take the side for 97,
        For she's bound to be at stations on time.

        They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
        Saying, "Stevie, you're way behind time.
        This is not 38, but it's Old 97,
        You must put her into Spencer on time."

        He looked 'round and said to his black greasy fireman,
        "Just shovel in a little more coal,
        And when I cross that old White Oak Mountain
        You can just watch Old 97 roll."

        It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville,
        And the lie was a three-mile grade,
        It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes,
        And you see what a jump that she made.

        He was going down the grade making 90 miles an hour,
        When his whistle began to scream,
        He was found in that wreck with his hand on the throttle,
        He was scalded to death by the steam.

        Did she ever pull in? No, she never pulled in,
        And at 1:45 he was due,
        For hours and hours has the switchman been waiting
        For that fast mail that never pulled through.

        Did she ever pull in? No, she never pulled in,
        And that poor boy must be dead.
        Oh, yonder he lays on the railroad track
        With the cart wheels over his head.

        97, she was the fastest train
        That the South had ever seen,
        But she run so fast on that Sunday morning
        That the death score was numbered 14.

        Now, ladies, you must take warning,
        From this time now and on.
        Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband.
        He may leave you and never return.

The wreck of Old 97 at Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia, 1903. Photograph is believed to have been taken a few days after the occurrence of the wreck, as the locomotive, which had overturned, has been righted.

The Ballad Of Casey Jones...

        Come all you rounders if you want to hear
        A story 'bout a brave engineer,
        Casey Jones was the rounder's name
        "Twas on the Illinois Central that he won his fame.

        Casey Jones, he loved a locomotive.
        Casey Jones, a mighty man was he.
        Casey Jones run his final locomotive
        With the Cannonball Special on the old I.C.

        Casey pulled into memphis on Number Four,
        The engine foreman met him at the roundhouse door;
        Said, "Joe Lewis won't be able to make his run 
        So you'll have to double out on Number One."

        If I can have Sim Webb, my fireman, my engine 382,
        Although I'm tired and weary, I'll take her through.
        Put on my whistle that come in today
        Cause I mean to keep her wailing as we ride and pray.

        Casey Jones, mounted the cabin,
        Casey Jones, with the orders in his hand.
        Casey Jones, he mounted the cabin,
        Started on his farewell Journey to the promised land.

        They pulled out of Memphis nearly two hours late, 
        Soon they were speeding at a terrible rate.
        And the people knew by the whistle's moan.
        That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones.

        Need more coal there, fireman Sim, 
        Open that door and heave it in.
        Give that shovel all you got
        And we'll reach Canton on the dot

        On April 30, 1900, that rainy morn,
        Down in Mississippi near the town of Vaughan,
        Sped the Cannonball Special only two minutes late
        Traveling 70 miles an hour when they saw a freight.

        The caboose number 83 was on the main line,
        Casey's last words were "Jump, Sim, while you have the time.
        "At 3:52 that morning came the fareful end,
        Casey took his farewell trip to the promised land.

        Casey Jones, he died at the throttle,
        With the whistle in his hand.
        Casey Jones, he died at the throttlle,
        But we'll all see Casey in the promised land.

        His wife and three children were left to mourn
        The tragic death of Casey on that April morn.
        May God through His goodness keep them by His grace
        Till they all meet together in that heavenly place.

        Casey's body lies buried in Jackson, Tennessee
        Close beside the tracks of the old I.C.
        May his spirit live forever throughout the land
        As the greatest of all heroes of a railroad man.

        Casey Jones, he died at the throttle,
        Casey Jones, with the whistle in his hand.
        Casey Jones, he died at the throttle, 
        But we'll all see Casey in the promised land.

Portrait of "The Brave Engineer" himself: John Luther "Casey" Jones, 1863-1900.

 

Credit: Wikipedia, IC and Wabash Historical Societies and Trainweb...

[LoveDomes]

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

Cindy my sweet, even though MY Ruth is off today, you bring a glow to the bar that keeps the boyz coming back! Just a tankard of Keiths Ale if you please ‘n maybe one of the snack trays too! A round for the house ‘n treats for the crittAHs. Boris, let's get a move on - tray of seeds for Awk the Parrot - saucer of brine for Tex the Armadillo - bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite the Penguin - a chew bone for Juneau our Mascot ‘n a field mouse for Artie the Owl <but be sure to take him outback for that!> Ah yes, the small jar of PPF is YOURS too!

I see the baseball world as all "atwitter" with these "revelations" of steroids. The New York Daily News ‘n Sports Illustrated have honed in on two players - one in the Cap'n Tom's neck of the woods ‘n the other up in Toronto (nearby a UTB of ours!). Anyway, from what I'm reading, seems like the guy in St. Louis has things pretty well covered as he was under a licensed doctor's care at the time he was coming off Tommy John surgery. Don't know much about the "how" ‘n "why" of it all, but if a bona fide doctor prescribes something, how is that YOUR fault?? Guess this will just have to play out as another soap opera, huh Guy up in Toronto was the MVP of the 2002 World Series with the Anaheim Angels while he supposedly was taking the stuff. That may be a totally different kettle of fish. As the stomach turns . . .

Let me add my condolences to Ron ‘n his Mrs. down in Mississippi on the loss of their dog. Not a happy time, but as Da Bossman has said - the memories will last forever.

By the way, Ron - where did you come up with Friday as our toy train day??? Never was! Nope - WEDNESDAY is Toy ‘n Model Train Day! here at the Watering Hole by the Wayside! <grin> Enjoyed your pix though ‘n if you made all of those, all I can say is nice work, for sure!

Pennsy calendar shot is a winnAH too! Bet Da Bossman loved it - I'm still WAITING for a NYC or three! <grin>

Good to see Eric ‘n Jan (bookend Swedes) at the bar. Good stuff from both ‘n especially enjoyed those steam locos from our man in Glasgow!

Also noted Jan back in again with a whole lotta RR songs! Seen 'em B4 at the bar, but not in the form or fashion provided by our man in Scotland! <sweet> A mighty fine post with some mighty fine pix to go with the music. 5- Salute to Jan!

Quiz question for Jan: Why do you suppose Saturday is Encore day

 

As today is our traditional Encore Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day! I've dug something up from the "old site" for your enjoyment . . .

This from Nov 13, 2005, on page 161 from a guy we used to see ‘round here a lot - barndad Doug, now one of the ‘used to be's' . . .

Good morning all. Sometimes I think Tom looks over the equipment roster at the IRM to choose his fallen flags! I was amazed to learn that as few cars that the Illinois Terminal Railway had, that we have 12 on the property!Here's a quick pic for the mailslot!

Builder: Electro Motive Division GM . Year Built: 1953 . Model: GP-7
Horsepower: 1500 . Length: 55ft 9in . Width: 10ft 3in . Height: 14ft 6in
Weight: 240000 lbs . Brakes: 6BL .Engine: 16-567BC . Motors: 4 EMD D37B
Trucks: Blomberg . Description: Diesel-Electric (Later No. 1505)

and this one from Trainnut484 Russell (another "used to be") back on Nov 15, 2005, page 163:

Good evening Tom et all, and to the new cyber names that have been welcomed here. Miller Lite for me please, and give everyone their choice of poison on me

This semester is keeping me hoppin', but I've stuck my toe in a few times during the week trying to keep up with what's going on.

I owe a big belated congrats to CM3 for promotion to Permanent Stool