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

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, ‘tis Monday ‘n time for a jolt! Need to kick start this day as it's been one of "those" weekends. Can't point my finger to anything in particular, but just weary from it all. Ah, but you've brightened up my morning, as always! <blush> A round on me, ‘n the change is yours!

Boris, feed the crittAHs ‘n the small jar of pickled pig's feet is YOURS!

For Da Boss: Another fine Saturday effort from you ‘n I enjoyed it all! Just love those Alaska photos - the clarity is something else! What's the chief complaint with that camera of yours? Seems to "do" quite well as I see it. Sure, there are going to be times when we "blow" pix - at least with a digital you stand a chance of "fixing" them through software editing, or taking so many that you can find at least one to satisfy you.

Listen to me! I don't' engage in the practice at all. That's the Mrs. responsibility ‘n half the time she forgets the camera is in her carry on! <grin>

I liked that link you provided regarding the names of the dome cars. Didn't you provide that as a post over at the old bar?? I think so. Anyway, really lots of info crammed into that one.

Also, appreciate the dialogue regarding the domes (all kinds). Nice job of putting it all together.

Regarding the planned absences, I'll do what I can to relieve the strain . . . Got some "things" comin' up myself, a day here ‘n there kinda thing. I too have been preparing in advance - really helps a lot for those times when there's no time! <groan>

Additionally, we haven't decided on the dates for our return trek to the Keys. Last of the "kids" tells me that he can close up the place ‘n make it secure ‘til we decide to return. The Mrs. is "pressing" for a trip. I've been putting it off because it's just too humid for my liking. However, we definitely will be "wintering" in the Keys!

Also have a "standing invite" to head back up to Plattsburgh for a long weekend with Phil ‘n Mrs. Just might do it . . . but NOT by Amrak. Going solo, I'd take the train, but the Mrs. would have to be bound ‘n gagged - hmmmm, now there's a THOUGHT! <grin>

For Pete: Very informative piece on your 2006 trip to Scotland. Ladies of the night? Surely you jest!! Anyway, getting back to the trip, makes one want to board the train ‘n get a move on!!

Now look, complaining about the size of your "dipper" is like complaining about . . . oh, well, let's NOT go there, huh You "dip" according to the hours you put in ‘round here. We only require your services on Thursday thru Saturday nights! <geesh>

For Ron: To each his own, mate. I prefer the old domes big time, but when it comes to names - they are all domes to me.

For Doug: You'll probably not even see this - but "hi."

For Fergie: Great to see ya ‘n even better to find out that you're "Da Man!!' Nice gesture from you, the officers ‘n crew! Class act, for sure.

Best to you in your newfound, if only temporary, position! CHEERS to Cap'n Fergie!

For Eric: Spotlight, floodlight - it's all the same! Just as long as we're NOT being filmed! <arrrggghhhh>

The RR Book Relay "thing" is something I figured Da Boss would pick up on it. And yes, I do have a copy . . . but would be glad to participate in whatever book is selected. Waiting for a return to normal ‘round here is a good idea!

Continued best wishes for your recovery!

For Dan: Fine links - one of ‘em has been posted here sometime back (RDC) - but the ONR is a "fresh" one! Couldn't get it to load fully, therefore wasn't able to check out the link within the link. I'll try later . . .

Glad you liked the dome "stuff" Regarding your question about the ONR acquisition of domes from the defunct BC rail, I believe none of ‘em are of the "vintage" variety that we've been discussing. I think they are the Colorado railcar single level domes, but my guess is the Cap'n would know bettAH!

Safe journey across the pond, mate. Also, we'll be looking for your "report" should the ONR idea pan out.

For CM3 I'm NOT Shane! A weekday without our WVA Connection is like summAH without heat! <ugh> So, I guess my Saturday efforts didn't "work" for you, huh Gotta try harder next time! <grin>

Funny,

[coalminer3]

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.  It looks as though we will be heading into what is supposed to be the hottest weather of the season here this week.  Gas is at $2.83.  Now let's see what's in the mailbox today.

DL - I have been interested in LMS since I was a "pup."  No Boris, the dog kind of pup, not a Lehigh Valley switcher.  Geez!  He takes everything literally!  You can put the Cornell Red paint away, please.  I guess it was probably the name, LMS.  One of my departed rr friends was a GWR devotee, so we had more than few debates.

DD1 stopped by.  Comments and reflections on dome cars.

Pete - Thanks for sending the bell code information.   As I mentioned, bells where I spent my formative years served as a warning to the gate tender to get out and lower the gates.  I was interested in the other bits you provided re safety.  Operators along different routes provided such information to the dispatcher, usually by phone.  This call gave train number and time by a particular station.  The dispatcher recorded the information on the train sheet (later on the computer).  It was called an "OS," which was short for "on station," or "On sheet," depending on the railroad. 

Allan - Good to hear from you.

Eric - Was glad to hear you got a good medical report.   Keep it up! 

Fergie is off Sable Island.  Be careful and have a safe return voyage. 

Barndad who - Good to hear from you, sir.

Lars stopped by - Congratulations on Glavine - good to see a homeboy get to #300.

OSP - Happy Birthday to your branch - they were always high profile in our area, of course.  You mention the Navy.  I used to visit a place now and then when I lived in NH which had several crowds - SAC folks from Pease, guards from the naval prison at Portsmouth, submariners from Kittery, factory folks from all points, and a few college students -  good times, lots of stories, and most of the time folks on their best behavior. 

Fire up the popcorn machine - I'm off to the Theatuh.  Now, if we can just find a copy of "Spit Ball Sadie," yes, Awk, its one of the first baseball movies made, supposedly around the time of the Great War.  I can see it now, running with "The Great Train Robbery," and "Fred Ott's Sneeze."  No Frostbite, not Mel Ott.

Well, let's get after it.

Work safe

[DL - UK]

Ah, no not Cindy, it's Ruth, my apologies.

DL

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom and all in

Cindy on duty? I'll have something from the breakfast menu please.

Tom - thanks for your e-mail - you'll hopefully get / have got my reply - much appreciated the info even if I can't now act on it (yet).

Pete - I was in the pub on Saturday and they had Batham's Dark on draught - very nice it was too I must say - a superb pint. Sunday morning I was wondering if I'd had one too many however! Yes, I agree with your comments about some of the staff - very friendly. I recall an occasion when I was about 12 or 13 standing at the east end of one of London Bridge station through platforms with my note book. A commuter train drew up and the cab window was pulled open, the driver gave me a shout and asked how I was getting on, then held out a note book from his own jacket pocket with numbers of EMUs listed and dates - and he explained these were the numbers of units he had driven over the years! The stop would only have been of about 2 - 3 minutes of friendly chat, then he was off - sticks in my mind though 25 years or more later! All this from a guy who probably spent his whole life driving commuter trains around the south east London suburbs - which would not class as glamorous on many people's radars - but it sounded good to me back at the time.

As Tom says I'll be crossing the Atlantic in a few days time, so visits will be sparse (probably limited to a postcard from my travels). Family reasons take me over so there will be a number of tasks and duties but no trip should be without time on the steel wheel / rail. I'm hoping I can make a trip on the ONR route and I see they have some ex BC rail dome cars in action on that route - anyone know what those domes are like? (since we've had some interesting dome themed contributions recently kicked off by Lars):

http://onr.stabler.org/news/ontc042304.htm

I see a number of sites on the web dedicated to ONR - if any one know of any good ones for me to look over, hints and tips about the journey etc I'd happily listen to them.

In my search of sites I came across this one (nothing to do with ONR but I think some regulars will be interested):

http://www.budd-rdc.org/

Eric - indeed you are correct - signal box being the 4^th picture as you say.

Allan - NZ scenery is certainly spectacular as you say. Even more impressive than the north Wales coast!

Nice to see Fergie in, and Lars - I enjoyed that piece on the Milwaukee super domes.

All the best

DL

[siberianmo]

<courtesy: www.viarail.ca>

A smile to begin the week!

If people don't want to come to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?

<A Yogi-ism!>

G'day Gents!

And Monday has arrived once more. No denying "that day," eh Let's make the most of the start by filling up those mugs with our freshly ground ‘n brewed special Colombian blend <unleaded> or <regular>. Some pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n of course a selection from our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!

In a word - HOT - describes where I'm at in mid-continent USA - 80 (F) at 5 AM! Temps should top the century mark (F) with the next 5 days looking mighty <grim> insofar as heat ‘n humidity is concerned. Hooray for air conditioning! <phew>

Noted that petrol was at $2.56 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner," that's about 14 cents lower than this time last year. I expect we'll not see any return to the "good old" days when the prices were BELOW two bucks. Now the bench mark has been set at three - and on the rise is my guess. <groan>

From the Proprietor:

Absences from the bar - Email  info points to some adjustments coming on line as the summer passes.

Pete (pwolfe) will be away for a couple of weeks in early September (‘n this coming weekend!) - Allan (Gunneral) will be gone ‘til Thursday or Friday of this week - Dan (DL-UK) said he'd be in Toronto for awhile ‘n may not be back at the bar ‘til the end of the month. Lars (LoveDomes) says he'll be gone for a few days, but dates haven't been set.

Add those to the continuing absences of Per (marthastrainyard) - Dave (West Coast S) ‘n Nick (nickinwestwales) ‘n it should be evident that the "load" either gets spread amongst those of us still around, or we simply go into a long lull. Lars (LoveDomes) hit it on the head with his plea to make your Postings at times most beneficial to keeping the bar up ‘n running. It's up to YOU!

I plan on taking "off" a day here ‘n there - beginning with this coming Tuesday. However, I'll get the AM acknowledgments out (mainly prepared the night before) . . .

So, if there's anyone left ‘round here to pick up the slack, now is the time! It's up to YOU!!

About the RR Book Relay!

As Lars mentioned - yes, we had such a thing 'n it was a great deal of fun for those who participated.

The idea was to read through a RR picture book of international trains, make some written comments then mail it on to the next guy on the list.

The guys who participated in the spring of 2006 were: Ted (Theodorebear) - Nick (nickinwestwales) - Pete (pwolfe Pete) - Doug (barndad) 'n Rob (trolleyboy). If I remember, Lars said he had a copy of the book . . .

So, we could do this again with either the same book OR another. But I'd recommend waiting until we rebuild our customer base.

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Pete (pwolfe) at 5:09 PM ‘n 6:01 PM Saturday - Aug 4^th: Two fine efforts to wrap up our rather quiet Saturday. If not for you ‘n Lars, the day would've been relegated solely to me. (Sorry, UTB Doug's hit ‘n run Post doesn't "count"!)

Hope the guys avail themselves of the opportunity to review the fotos, narratives ‘n chat!

Your trip report is a fine read ‘n although for me it took place in a place ‘n time far away ‘n removed, there is a rekindling of train trips of my own. Nicely done!

Light at 4 AM would take a bit of getting used to, but no complaints when traveling on the rails, eh Perhaps that early sunrise accounted for the disappearance of those "ladies" you mentioned! <uh oh>

Are there also Liver ‘n Kidney station stops to go along with Pancreas?? <grin>

I can't even imagine 4 mainline straight aways with 125 mph passenger trains!

Mechanically speaking, can you elaborate a bit on what damages result when severe wheel slippage occurs?? (I believe some of this was touched on in past Posts . . .)

Two fine fotos, by the by!

Many thanx for your chronicle, as it rekindles the ‘spirit' for a trip to Scotland by rail . . . don't know if it will ever occur, but I somehow feel I've been there by rail between what you ‘n Dan (DL-UK) have provided!

Round,visit, et al most appreciated!

Ron (DD1) at 9:02 AM Sunday - Aug 5^th: A message slipped through the mail slot for Manager Lars. However, I'd like to add my thoughts . . .

I've recently traveled in three kinds of domes - "standard from days of old"- Superliner Sightse

[EricX2000]

Hmm, here is it, that light bulb is out again. Now back to a warmer place. The winds from Mt. Mentor are kind of cold.

Sorry I didn't make it back here yesterday afternoon, but I had kind of a down day and did not feel like doing anything. Back to normal today and everything feels good again. Ready for another week! 

Tom –  The brunette at Hooters? Have you seen her? I mean, Hooters is no longer there at Union Station.

I am on your side when it comes to bad behavior, baseball or not!

I had only two mugs of decaf today. I think I am losing it. No, I just have decided to follow the advices the doctor is giving me until I am fully recovered.

Oh yeah, of course Pete was thinking about Son... Budd stainless steel train. That sad look? What else could it have been?

Thanks for the info on the Coast Guard! So it didn’t get the name Coast Guard until 1915!?!

I ,love those pictures from Alaska! The grand nature and somewhat different trains!  That is something else!! They ship the coal to Asia?

A laughing week at the Emporium! Good choice of funny films!

Fergie –  Congratulations to your promotion (temporary or not)!
So you are running/sailing around in an 296 feet quadruple ALCO? Wow!

Lars –  I’ll be back to you in a day or two via email about the book relay.

You and Ruth in the spotlight? Of course not, I would say you are in the floodlights!!!

Thanks for posting Dougs encore from last year! Interesting info! I have never heard about using Solar Discs to change the setting of the thermostats inside a car!

Doug –  Good to see you again, Sir! Grand Opening on Friday? Take cover!

Pete –  Sad look because you were heading back to reality? Oh, come on. She looked very real to me!

Thanks for your Scotland encore from last year! A Viking Center in York? I’ll remember that in case I’ll make it to England again!

Here is another Rugby station!

DD1 –  Yes, I would also prefer riding in a Vista dome!

 

 

 

Eric



 

[Anonymous]

Sorry Lars! Those "Ultra domes" just aren't the same as the Vista domes. The beauty of the Vista dome is the ability to see in front of you in addition to seeing to the side. As I saw in the pictures taken from a Vista dome, you were afforded a panoramic view. In an Ultra dome, unless you have the front seats and you are in the first car, only you will have the great view. It's better than the "TV" screen size of a side window, but I think the Vista dome is the best there is.

[pwolfe]

 Hi Tom and all.

Another Bathams please LEON

An encore from last year.

A TRIP TO SCOTLAND JUNE 2006.

Part One Rugby to Newcastle.

A trip I did manage to take while in England was a day trip to Stirling, Scotland. It was an early start with leaving the house at 5:00 AM and walking the mile and a half or so to Rugby station. A pleasant walk, just cool enough in the early morning light to need a light coat, at that time of year it gets light about 4 AM in England.

Arriving at the station a pleasant surprise was that the station buffet was open and plenty of time for a cuppa tea.

In the new timetable which had started earlier that week, a train using an 87 electric loco and coaching stock was timed to leave Rugby for London at 6:20 AM, this was waiting on platform 1. Apart from one train in the evening all services for Virgin are booked for Pendelinos, Virgin's new 9-Car tilting Electric Units, capable of a higher speed but running at 125 MPH at the present, and it was a Pendelino, which arrived on platform 2 with the 6:05 am to London. I did toy with the idea of waiting for the 87 hauled train but decided to go with the 6:05. Come departure time and no movement, and then the conductor came on and announced that some overnight engineering work on the main line was running late although we should be away in a few minutes. A couple of trains had passed us but they were routed via the Northampton loop and as one was an intermodel freight; if we had to go that way we would be delayed. But the conductor was good to is word and after a short while the Beep-Beep of the automatic door closing sounded and we were away for a pleasant 82 mile journey in a hour, with 2 stops, and a on time arrival in Euston.

It is fairly short walk along Euston Road from Euston to Kings Cross station and the rush hour was not yet started at that time. There is an Underground connection but by the time you get your ticket and go to the deep level tube line it is almost as quick to walk plus the minimum fare on the Underground is now 3 Pounds (about $5.30).

There was a fair bit of construction work at St Pancreas station in connection with the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link, next door to King's Cross.

I don't know if it still is, but the King's Cross area was noted as a haunt of the 'Ladies of the Night' but I did not see any, perhaps they had finished their shift.

London King's Cross station June last year. the loco on the left is class 91 91130 'City Of Newcastle' The train on the right is a GNER HST.

The train to Edinburgh was due to leave at 8AM but as the 7:30 to Newcastle had not left I decided to go on that. The loco hauling the train was a class 91 electric loco #91120 and carried the name Royal Armouries(I believe to commemorate a museum in Leeds).

An on time departure had us soon heading out of London with the inbound line busy with Electric Multiple Units of classes 313, 317 and 365 bringing the commuters into the City.

After 77 miles our train arrived at Peterborough passing over the former London & North Western Railway line which ran to Rugby and for the first few miles out of Peterborough is now The Nene Valley preserved railway which has steam-hauled trains at weekends.

Departing Peterborough, past the freight yard which had 3 GM class 66 locos in the blue and yellow livery of the GBFr company we were put on the slow line to allow the 7:35 Leeds train to pass we were soon back on the fast line and up to 125 MPH again passing the sign to mark the place where Mallard achieved the World Record for Steam of 126 MPH. On through Grantham Newark and Retford to Doncaster the next stop, passing the loco depot on the approach to the station unfortunately mostly hidden by trees.

On the west side of Doncaster station is the famous loco works, known as the Plant, where the Great Northern later LNER constructed and repaired such famous locos as Flying Scotsman, Mallard, Sir Nigel Gresley etc. The works is still in operation in private hands though on a very reduced scale. Heading north from Doncaster and onto the 1970/80s constructed line to by-pass the Selby coalfield, now itself about to close or so I hear.

The next stop is the old city of York with its magnificent station.

If anyone gets to visit England a visit to York is a must with the Medieval Shambles, City Walls the Minster, Viking Center, good beer and of course The National Railway Museum which is just north of the station.

A few miles after leaving York our train is on the 4 track, mainly straight racing ground across the Plain of York although the line limit is 125 MPH. The slow lines were quite busy with freight with coal and steel trains hauled by class 60 and 66 locos.

The 4 track line ends at Northallerton where the lines to Teeside veer off to the east we head north to Darlington where the works of the North Eastern Railway was located and a brand new steam loco of the LNER A1 class is being built by railfans.

Shortly after leaving the station the trackbed of the 1825 Stockton & Darlington Railway is crossed. Next station is Durham where the line passes high above the city on a viaduct with a grand view of the Cathedral.

It was here a few years ago, on a steam special, that ex LNER A2 pacific Blue Peter went into a severe wheel slip and wrecked its motion costing many thousands of pounds to repair.

Shortly after passing Tyne marshaling yard our train slowed for the approach to Newcastle. To reach the station the River Tyne is crossed on the King Edward Bridge where we were held for a few minutes awaiting a clear platform as we were a few minutes early. Newcastle, like York is a station on a curve and is quite impressive.

There are two railway bridges that cross the Tyne, not counting the new Metro line one, connecting Newcastle on the north side with Gateshead on the south, with tri-angular junctions on the south side of the two bridges. Gateshead was the site of a large loco depot. With a large allocation of LNER express steam locos. Near the depot was the site of Robert Stephenson's early 19^th century works. 

91120 after arrival at Newcastle on Tyne.

I am about ready for the steak now LEON.

Pete.

 

 

[pwolfe]

HI Tom and all.

A round please CINDY to celebrate United States Coast Guard Day and FERGIE'S elevation to Skipper.

ALLAN It will be good to go to Kansas City again with Tom on Amtrak. Many thanks for the birthday wishes; I will post the encore of My East Coast Main Line trip from last year. We will miss you while you are in Auckland; have a great time at the 50^th anniversary of your wife's sister.

Rhyl was where I spent a lot of our annual holidays when I was a lad, in the late 1950s and early 60s, do you remember the miniature steam railway that ran around the boating lake there.

Thanks for the Hornby link, it is a good site. I would like to see one of their live steam models in action, No 60008 looks a great model, although I would like to see an A4 in the black livery with NE on the tender, if it was in clean condition.

ERIC Really glad your visit to the DOC turned out really well.

As you say with the weeds on the track what could be controlled fairly cheaply now may cost a lot more to repair later. One of the worse to me is, in the UK, you can see bushes, quite large in some cases, growing out of brick retaining walls and the sides of bridges and viaducts, those surely must be causing damage.Thanks for the info on # 6711 it seems quite an historic locomotive; I still can't find that guidebook.

Tom put it very well on my sad look, heading back to reality after 6 great days in Canada.

 FERGIE again on your promotion. I hope it becomes permanent in the near future. Anyway wishing you calm seas and a good voyage.

LARS Enjoyed the maritime banter between Tom and you.

I was about on time with my afternoon posts until Tom compared me to Amtrak.

You are right about the dome cars, now I have been on a journey in one I would like to go on another.

There is a problem with the Zeppelins every since Boris found out the puncture repair kit for the Zeppelins works just as well on his inflatable ‘friends'

Many thanks for Doug's Milwaukee super Domes Encore, That was interesting about the ‘Solar Discs' as an extra temperature control, I wonder if they worked. Although 18 months ago, I can still remember the joke at the end.

A smaller dipper, pretty soon it will be a spoon.

DOUG Great to see you in and thanks for the drink. We have picked up some good new guys but you are very much missed, even the jokes.

TOM Many thanks for the USCG post ‘A Tradition of Heroes' indeed. A very well written first part of the post and an interesting history of ‘Coast Guard Day'.

Those pics from Exporail was three out of the six in Shed #1 that were worth showing as the rest were too blurred. I am very grateful to have your photos as a memento to that wonderful museum.

Many thanks for those wonderful Alaska photos, to be able to ride a train in such marvelous scenery today is a great thing in my humble opinion it would be nowhere near the same experience in a bus.

I do hope the guys enlarge the photos to get the full effect, love the one with the ice on the river, and if the car in #5 lived up to it's labeling. Good to see a fright train on the line as well.

Summer

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!

at "Our" Place!

We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!


Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

. . . August 5^th thru 11^th: THE THREE STOOGES DOUBLE FEATURE WEEK! Hellzapoppin (1941) - and - Butch Minds The Baby (1942). Bugs Bunny CARTOON: A Wild Hare (1940).

 

TheThree Stooges: Butch Minds The Baby (1942)

Features Shemp Howard (solo)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Reformed safecracker Aloyisius "Butch" Grogan (Broderick Crawford) regularly baby sits the infant son of widow Susie O'Neill (Virginia Bruce). When his former cronies come to him with a payroll job, Butch signs on because he is the only one experienced to handle the nitroglycerin needed to blow the safe... and then realizes that it's on the same night that he baby sits. He can't find a substitute sitter, and decides that the only thing he can do is take the baby with him. Complicating matters are Susie's suspicious policeman boyfriend (Dick Foran), and a curious baby with an attraction to nitroglycerin.

 

<from: threestooges.net>

 

Hellzapopppin (1941)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Universal purchased the film rights to Ole Olsen's and Chic Johnson's Broadway hit HELLZAPOPPIN' (1938 - 1941), an 'anything-goes' revue of non-stop jokes and sight gags... with some minor conditions that included the introduction of musical numbers, a linear storyline, and a romantic subplot.  Olsen and Johnson complied, and with the help of screenwriter Nat Perrin, lampooned everything that Universal wanted.

The filmed insanity of HELLZAPOPPIN' is unacceptable to the director (Richard Lane), so Ole and Chic break the fourth wall of reality with the help of projectionist Louie (Shemp Howard), and screen an imaginery film with the requisite studio demands. Louie and his film projector control the goings-on around Ole & Chic, with reality-altering complications provided by his fat, short-tempered girlfriend in the projection booth.

Rich Kitty Rand loves struggling stage producer Jeff Hunter, and Jeff's new high-class production of orchestral music and ballet will premiere at a society affair on her parent's vast estate. Kitty's parents disapprove of Jeff and want her to marry dim-witted playboy Woody Taylor. Jeff's partners Olsen & Johnson bring their inspired insanity to the Rand estate, along with Chic's man-hungry sister Betty (Martha Raye), and Jeff's ballet star Pepi (Mischa Auer), a phony, exiled Russian Prince. Betty's late night pursuit of Pepi launches a series of misunderstandings, leading O&J to conclude that Kitty has fallen for Pepi. The comics decide that Jeff's honor is worth more than the success of the show, so Chic and Ole set out to sabotage the premiere, resulting in... HELLZAPOPPIN'! Throughout it all, zany master-of-disguise PI Quimby (Hugh Herbert) plays the Greek chorus, wandering through scenes with a series of trademark 'hoo hoo's' and nonsensical observations.

Don't worry, none of this is supposed to make sense!

<from: threestooges.net>

 

 

Cartoon Special:

A Wild Hare is considered by many film historians as the first "official" Bugs Bunny cartoon. The title is a play on "wild hair", the first of many puns between "hare" and "hair" that would appear in Bugs Bunny titles.

The basic plot of A Wild Hare, which centers on Elmer Fudd's hopeless pursuit of the much smarter Bugs, would serve as a template for many subsequent cartoons. In addition, many of the specific gags and plot devices in this cartoon became part of the template for later Bugs/Elmer confrontations, with subsequent shorts repeating them or varying them for comic effect. Examples include Elmer failing to recognise Bugs as a rabbit, Bugs kissing Elmer, and Bugs feigning death.

 

 

Special note: The month of August (starting on the 5^th) will be Three Stooges FEATURE Films month! Watch for the double features!

 

 

Enjoy the weekend!

Tom

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!

at "Our" Place!

We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!

 

 

G'day Gents!

For those who have been following along these past couple of Saturday's, I've been Posting some fotos from my 2006 Alaskan RR Adventure. Here is another installment taken from Page 377 of the Original Thread, Posted on 18 June 2006.

 

Continuing on from last Sunday with two more sets of Pix from our recently concluded Alaska Rail Adventure!
See Page 351-352 for others.

Click to enlarge


(1) First sighting of Mt. McKinley (Denali) - from the northbound train
Tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 ft (6,194 m). Native Americans and Alaskans refer to the mountain as "Denali" which means "the great one."




(2) Mt. McKinley (Denali) in the clouds - center, right - from the northbound train




(3) Bridge at Hurricane Gulch - from the northbound train
Built in 1921, is the longest bridge on the railroad - just over 914 ft (279 m) and is poised 296 ft (90 m) above Hurricane Creek.




(4) AAR passing Denali Star trains!




(5) Princess cruise lines car on the southbound Denali Star
Check out the lower right corner of the car - probably pay extra for that service!




(6) AAR Denali Star northbound in the Alaska Range




(7) AAR Denali Star northbound in the Alaska Range
Yes, that's ice in the river!




(8) AAR Denali Star northbound in the Alaska Range




(9) AAR Denali Star passing a southbound coal train
That guy must be traveling 1st class - freight!




(10) AAR Denali Star passing a southbound coal train
One of the "issues" we read about was the enormous amount of coal being shipped to Asia from Alaskan mines.




(11) A room with a view at Denali!
This place is called Denali Bluffs and is situated within a short drive from the main entrance to Denali National Park.




(12) In the wilderness at Denali National Park
The park is larger than the state of Massachusetts and has only 90 miles of paved road, and much of that is restricted access - no RVs, campers, snow mobiles, etc.
 

Enjoy!


Tom

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Great to see the return of Fergie our Maritime Canada Connection at 11:12 AM today - Aug 4th! Took the time 'n made the effort to pass along greetings from out at sea! Even picked up on the Coast Guard Day recognition - much appreciated.

Fair winds 'n following seas, Captain!

Email received 'n responded to . . . thanx!

Appreciate the greetings from the officers 'n crew aboard the good ship Hudson (Canadian Coast Guard Ship - CCGS)! Nice touch . . .

 

Continuing 'n most welcome support from Lars our Manager who stopped by at 11:14 AM today - Aug 4th! Much appreciation for the ENCORE! selection (wonder if Doug even saw it??!!) Anyway, the material goes well with the discussions we've been having about DOMES!  

<barbs> directed at the USCG all taken in good fun - no thin skins allowed at this bar! Anyway, you more than made up for it with that nice finish! Navy guys are welcome 'round here, as long as they're BUYING! <grin>

Thanx for the visit, chat, ENCORE! 'n round!

 

Then Doug popped in at 1:03 PM today - Aug 4th  from The Legion of the <almost> Lost! His was the 1800th Post at the "reborn bar."  Hold the applause, he won't hear it . . .

Glad my Email got you back, if only for a moment . . . Bucks for beer appreciated!

 

Emporium Theatre listings will be my finale for the day . . .

Later!

Tom

[Anonymous]

Howdy hi from the Barndad, located in the break room of the soon-to-be-open Office Depot in Woodstock! I'll just leave money with Tom for your round, as I cannot partake of adult beverages myself. They're working the heck out of me, and all of us, here in preparation for an August 10th opening. Wish I could see all those Canadian pix that the boss uploaded, but these store computers allow very little in from the outside world.

Great to see the thread is so active, and picking up new patrons! Keep up the great work, as usual. Speaking of work ..... TTFN!

[LoveDomes]

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

"That small but hardened nucleus around which the Navy forms in times of war!" Now there's one for ya - the Hooligan Navy speaks! <grin> You shallow water sailors really come up with the one liners! C'mon out to SEA, where the water's over your head!

Cindy my sweet, I think it's time for me to have a DOUBLE jolt in that mugga Joe! A round for the boys while I check out the bakery case. Keep the change my lovely!

Boris, the crittAHs are lined up - so let's get a move on! Yeah, yeah, the small jar of pickled pig's feet is waiting when you finish up!

For Da Boss: So, the photo spread is over and the 400 plus pictures are now "ours" to enjoy here in the ether. Nicely done, Mate ‘n many, many thanks for your untiring efforts along with willingness to share the good (and not so good) times with those of us who give a rat's patoot! 5- Salue to our Cap'n!

I see we've got some absences coming up with Pete ‘n Allan. Probably will be some others as this summer progresses. Let's just try ‘n keep things movin' forward with a bit of help for Da Boss. How can I help?? Provide your submissions at times when perhaps there's a drought. That's what we should be striving for, if your schedule permits of course.

Hey! My Mets are trying to help youse guys - we beat the Brewers, but you're beating yourselves. <Good Grief Charlie Brown!>

 

For example: Pete provides his material in mid to late afternoons (wellllllll, maybe not always!) - so if he's away, maybe someone else can step up. That keeps the burden off of the Cap'n.

Good to see the boys at the bar yesterday ‘n early this morning.

FINALLY: Best wishes for a HAPPY COAST GUARD DAY! There's not a mariner alive who doesn't appreciate all you guys do! When out on the briny deep, the USCG pulled many a sailor out of the drink, in peace ‘n war. And yeah, I know, you guys are all over the world. Just pulling your leg, mate! 5- Salute to the USCG!

For Eric: Good news regarding the progress noted by his Dr. Speaking of the Resident Desert Swede - you made mention of a book you've been given.

Well over a year ago, Cap'n Tom came up with a great idea - he called it the RR Book Relay. He had a great book of train shots from all ‘round the world. The idea was to mail it to the guys. Upon receipt they'd check it out, make written comments - then mail it to the next guy on the list. Really was a lot of fun. Wonder if we could resurrect that idea. Interested???

So, Ruth ‘n me are still in the "spotlight," huh <grimace>

For Allan: I can tell you're a man of great distinction when it comes to choices of brew ‘n trains to ride! Those dome cars are THE BEST ‘n there's just no way to describe it, one has to try. Just like with beer - gotta drink it down, then order another!

50 years with the same boss woman is a long time, for sure. Listen to me - I'm not all that far off with my Sarge Mrs. <grin>

I'm going to look into arranging for Zeppelin flights between "Our" Place ‘n New Zealand. We surely need to sock in a supply of Tui - the imported stuff ain't quite like the real thing! Too bad Nick has taken leave <again> for he's the organizer for those airship flights. Even had a pad constructed out back for ‘em to tie down. <grin>

We'll miss ya while you're gone. But not to worry, Boris will make sure your stool isn't disturbed while you're away. A small token of appreciation will be expected once you do get back though. Boris likes most things RAW. <ugh>

For Pete: Odd, I don't recall seeing a "chit" from you in the form of a request for a leave of absence. Funny that you'd decide upon skipping out on ANOTHER weekend without first checking with the MANAGER! Now where's that micro-dipper when I need it???

I'll leave the stamina commentary alone - I think we'd get into troubled waters with a pursuit of that! <uh oh>

Yeah, I can accept your point of view with the domes. But as the Cap'n mentioned, there were full length domes decades ago - and with forward facing seating too. That's a huge plus in my opinion.

For: CM3 I'm NOT Shane! I'll be sure to check out John White for passenger domes . . .

[Fergmiester]

Good Afternoon Tom and Company!

First off I was unaware today was USCG Day so on behalf of the Officers and Crew of the CCGS Hudson a hearty Happy Coast Guard Day Tom! As Tom pointed out I am Captain on this trip to sable Island and surrounding waters as my Captain had other business to attend to this month and I have the papers, I was temporarily promoted to Captain. I'll take that please and thank you very much!!

CCGS Hudson is powered by 4 ALCO's and has a HP of 7500. She's twin screwed, has a small bow thruster and has an overall length of 296 feet.

We are presently off of sable Is in a location called "The Gully". It's a protected area as it is home to many fragile and endangered marine life. We revovered 4 deep sea moorings yesterday that measures sea temps, density, salinity, water current and speed and so forth. As of now we are doing organic sampling and will do that until the 8th and back in port for the 9th.

So hold the Keith's until I get back in homeport.

Later All

Fergie

[siberianmo]

 

The U.S. Coast Guard has the most diverse missions of the Armed Forces of this nation. Different from the four branches of the Defense Department, the USCG has solid peacetime and wartime responsibilities. In this era of terrorism, we are familiar with the role the organization carries out through port security and vessel inspections. We know of the maritime law enforcement activities in the ongoing effort to interdict drugs and perhaps there are some who know that our icebreakers may be found at both Polar regions.  And who can forget the images brought to us during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when our heroic rescue operations swung into action?

The USCG has fought in all the wars this nation has engaged in where ships have been involved. For those of us who have served, we like to say the USCG is that small but hardened  nucleus around which the Navy forms in times of war!

Whether protecting ports, convoys, operating landing craft, anti-submarine activities, or keeping the seaways open for the safe passage of shipping, the USCG has a proud history and one that I'm pleased to say includes my 32 years of active duty.

 

"A Tradition of Heroes"

History of Coast Guard Day

August 4 is celebrated as Coast Guard Day to honor the establishment on that day in 1790 of the Revenue Cutter Service, forebear of today's Coast Guard, by the Treasury Department. On that date, Congress, guided by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, authorized the building of a fleet of ten cutters, whose responsibility would be enforcement of the first tariff laws enacted by Congress under the Constitution.

The Coast Guard has been continuously at sea since its inception, although the name Coast Guard didn't come about until 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the Lifesaving Service. The Lighthouse Service joined the Coast Guard in 1939, followed in 1946 by the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection. Finally, in 1967, after 177 years in the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard was transferred to the newly formed Department of Transportation.

<On February 25, 2003, the Coast Guard was again transferred to the newly created Department of Homeland Security>

Coast Guard Day is primarily an internal activity for active duty Coast Guard personnel, civilian members, reservists, retirees, auxiliarists, and dependents, but it does have a significant share of interest outside the Service. Grand Haven, Michigan, also known as Coast Guard City, USA, annually sponsors the Coast Guard Festival around August 4. Typically it is the largest community celebration of a branch of the Armed Forces in the nation.

In addition to celebrating their own day every year, Coast Guard members also participate as equal partners in Armed Forces Day activities.

<from: http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/military/coastgrd.html>

 

Tom  

[siberianmo]

<courtesy: www.viarail.ca>

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

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

G'day Gents!

Today is COAST GUARD Day - founded in 1790. A round of cheer to those who serve ‘n have served! <klink>

It's THAT day again - SATURDAY, man's next-best-friend! Time to get those things done ‘round the house, with the kids, with the bride, or just do nothing at all. Yeah, Saturday!

Why not imbibe with us in some breakfast fare, hot coffee ‘n pastries? You know the routine by now - let's get going!

Received an Email from our Maritime Canada Connection, Fergie. He's back out to sea and this time as the Commanding Officer. Don't know the details, but he's the Skipper for this trip - says it's temporary. Hope we'll be seeing him stop by in a few days . . . HOWEVER, Skippers never sleep, so who knows!?!!?

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Pete (pwolfe) at 4:45 PM Friday - Aug 3^rd: Three fine shots from ExpoRail Canadian Railway Museum at Saint-Constant, Quebéc, Canada! I don't think you've provided ‘em before . . .

Regs on weedkiller - hmmmmm, methinks you're on to something!

I suppose dome nomenclature is in the eye of the traveler - so to speak. There were full car length domes way, way back when . . . they aren't new in concept.

Email received ‘n responded to - thanx!

ANOTHER weekend away???? But I suppose you can be excused for your Natal Day! <bride's too>

Round, chat, fotos ‘n visit always welcome!

Allan (Gunneral) at 10:18 PM Friday - Aug 3^rd: Sounds like Tui is a quality brew - will have to hoist a couple when in NZ! <wish>

Appreciate the heads up on the anticipated absence from the bar. Your place at the bar will be kept for you ‘til your return. Boris is good at things like that by keeping an eye out for ya - what else can a Cyclops do?? <grin>

If you're referring to that foto of me on Page 84 - yes, I definitely was feeling ‘n showing my years. Ya think it's easy traveling with Stealthy Pete??

Tired ‘n feeling it - But lovin' the dome!

(6)

From what I've seen of Hornby products, they put out some quality stuff!

Always look forward to a visit from our Resident Down Under Connection!

Round, visit, link ‘n chat appreciated!

Eric (EricX2000) at 2:20 AM today - Aug 4^th: Great news on your return visit to the doc! Just keep on doing what's required ‘n you'll be a "new man" in no time at all. Maybe even "that" brunette at Hooters will seek you out, being "new" ‘n all . . . <uh oh>

Appears that we've traveled a similar road in that I got totally turned off with baseball when they trashed the 1994 season - no playoffs, no World Series. It actually began for me back in 1981 when the first serious walkout occurred. Since those times, my attendance at games has been reduced to maybe once a year - maybe. I don't reward bad behavior - or try not to.

Yeah - now I'm down to 2 mugs in the morning of decaf - that's it! Been that way seemingly forever. "Works" for me . . .

Pete was in denial sitting in that park. Found her, lost her ‘n now heading back to reality. Sad time for Stealthy Pete ‘n who'll EVER know what cudda been!?!!? <grin> Talking of the all Budd stainless steel train, what else

Glad you enjoyed the fotos from the entire series of adventures! Properly, our Canadian Rail Adventure, fer sure, fer sure! Montréal to Halifax ‘n back. Montréal to Gaspé (by train ‘n bus <frown>) ‘n back. The day at ExpoRail - all of it. Just a wonderful set of  experiences.

Thanx for the visit, chat ‘n foto!

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

Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!

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

Saturday is S

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Ahh, finally time to sit down for a while! Leon, an early breakfast, coffee (leaded) and a Cheese Danish!

A pretty nice Friday! A short visit at my doctor's office and lunch with some good friends!

Tom –  Yeah, the snakes are in 1st place in their division! Don’t ask me how, I really don’t follow them that close anymore. They lost my sympathies after they won the World Series and dumped a whole bunch of their best players. Something they have continued to do and when the new owners changed uniforms and everything else I just lost it. I haven’t been to a game for several years now and we used to go to quite a few.

My visit at the doctor’s office today turned out real well. The doctor was very satisfied and so am I. I would say I’m on the right track! He even allowed me to dring a few cups of real coffee every day! 15 -25 mugs of coffee/day sounds like my brother-in-law in the old country!

I think we have to keep an eye on Pete from now on. Something is going on. Maybe he learned something from Manager Lars? Admin duties?

Thanks for all the pictures from Montréal and from the whole trip you and Pete made to Halifax!! It has been very interesting to follow your travel!

I like that green park in Montréal! But Pete looks kind of sad. Wonder why?

Received your mail the other day and responded to it.

Lars –  Taking the heat away? No way. You’ll find out!

Tracks with a lot of greenery look (and are) poorly maintained.

I had lunch today with some people from work and one of them actually gave me a book, Railway Masterpieces! I have had a quick look and I found a lot of interesting stuff in it, including from this country, from NZ, from UK and from the old country. Maybe that was because I mind the doctor’s orders?

Very nice pictures of those Ultra Domes! But in a way I think the old fashion Domes look nicer! I don’t know.

Dan –  Unleaded coffee is... , well I prefer “real” coffee and the doctor gave me okay today to drink a couple of cups (mugs) a day if my heart doesn’t start to rev up.

Thanks for the pictures from the Southern E-Group! But the Signal Box was in the fourth pix from top (not the third), right?

Pete –  Yes, you are right about regulations control the strength of weed killer that can be used, but it doesn’t make it look any nicer.

Stamina for ‘Admin Duties’? You can call it whatever you want! It still is what it is! Hmm.

Thanks for the pictures from ExpoRail! 2 1/2 electrics!?

#6711 was built by GE in 1914. It was the electric locomotive that pulled the first passenger train through the Mount Royal Tunnel, Montréal 10/21/18.  #6711 was designed to haul long distance and commuter trains through the mile-and-a-half long Mount Royal Tunnel for the Canadian Northern Railway.

Allan –  Same time yesterday? No wonder it felt kind of crowded!
No PC? I did not think that was possible today. It would probably be pretty nice once i a while to do other things than sitting in front of the computer all the time! Maybe your brother in law is a smart guy? Or maybe he is hiding it in a closet somewhere?

Have a nice week off and Congratulations to your in-laws from the gang at “Our” Place! Make sure they send you back here when all the Tui is gone!

 

 

I'll be back later with some pictures.

 

Eric 

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Drinks all round please Leon, whatever anyone wants, mines a Tui please.

Tom.  DB [Dominion Breweries] bottle and can there Draught beer for sale, it`s in kegs for the pubs and clubs, so you don`t get that sediment from the bottom of the keg in the packaged brew. Still enjoying all your info and pics on the Cannuck trip, you looked a bit sleepy in that Dome shot.

Lars. That Domes info was great reading and the pics were top draw. You have got that International Date Line difference down to a "T", as I was saying to Tom a while ago, each New day begins right here!

Mike. Thanx for the URL`s, the NZ ones were great, we went to see our son in the South Island in January and drove over from the West Coast following the Midland Line where the coal train and the J loco were running in the pics, the scenery is spectacular, saw the TranzScenic train at Aurthers Pass. My boot camp was at Rhyl, North Wales, Royal Artillery, hence Gunneral!

Eric.  See we were on site at the same time yesterday "here", wish they had voice capabilty on the site, [a hint to Bergie] enjoyed all your posts.

Pete.  Looks as if you and Tom have an exciting trip ahead of you, watch out for those Harvey Girls in KC, and have a very Happy Birthday, on the 11th. two Leo`s on the site. We are going up to Auckland on Thursday for my wife`s sister`s 50th wedding anniversary so will be off line for about a week, my brother in law does not have a PC so will have to go Cold Turkey.

Dan.  We have a great view of the Ruahine Ranges from our place but they are not as spectacular as the Southern Alps! One thing about NZ is the scenery changes in short distances compared to other countries, probably due to being on the edge of the Pacific plate area. Napier, about 40 miles north of us had a big quake in 1931 and they had to completely rebuild the city, Art Deco style. Your posts and links are great.

Ron.  As Dan was saying Hornby has produced live steam in HO/OO run by DCC, have seen it running and it is very realistic, even has a chime whistle! If you click on the site below you will find the relevant info, wish they could do it in N gauge!

                                  http://www.hornby.com  and enter "live steam" in the Search box.

CM3 Shane.  Thanx for the interesting info in your posts, they call Towers signal boxes here in NZ as well even though a lot of loco`s and running was based on US practice, they used to run the Tablet system here until going to CTC.

See ya,  Allan

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A Pint of Bathams please RUTH.

ERIC There certainly is too much green on those tracks, by the shine on the rails it looks a though the line is well used. A couple of the British railways magazines run a series called ‘Weedwatch' in which readers are asked to send in photos of rail line with too much greenery on them, and even major station tracks can look quite bad. Although I think a lot is caused, because regulations control the strength of weed killer that can be used nowadays.

Quite right about the Halifax/Gaspe trains. The combined train was too long for the platform so the Gaspe portion was uncoupled and pulled out a reversed into an adjacent platform.

CM3 Bell codes were used in the signalboxes not only to indicate which line the train was on by a different tone, but by the number of the beats on the bell the type of train. For example

Express Passenger    4 beats

Empty coaching stock 2-2-1 beats.

When the train was entering the box's section the signalman would receive, 2 beats from the box to the rear and when the train had passed his box the signalman would send 2 beats to the box ahead and send the code 2-1 to the box in the rear to inform the signalman that the train had passed and his section was clear and the train was complete and showing a tail lamp. If the tail lamp was not visible there was two codes used, one to the box in the rear 4-5 and 9 beats to the box ahead, who would stop the train. The box to the rear would stop all traffic until the all clear was given.

L.T.C. Rolt's book Red For Danger which tells of railway accidents in the British Isles from the early days up to 1957 and how railway safety was improved,has a lot about signalling.

There is a great quote at the start of the book from HENRY IV (Part 1)

"Out of this nettle, Danger

We pluck this flower, Safety".

LARS Yes my birthday is coming up, we are going down to the bride's moms for the weekend, as the bride's birthday is the day after mine. When I was in England it would be her birthday in my time zone and my birthday in her time zone, after 6PM until midnight here.

 That is very good advice from Tom and yourself about what you put on the web, sometimes it is so easy to forget, at least for me, that it is not just the regulars who are reading this.

In Britain we do not have domes, the loading gauge is too small, having traveled in one they are, to my mind THE best cars to travel in. I am very glad they have the Sightseer lounge and the SuperLiners, but what I would class as a true Dome would be one where there was all round views or at least a forward view like most of the old domes I have seen in photos. It looks like the modern dome cars have a forward view, love the open balcony on the Alaska car. Thanks for the photos.

The tankard goes down a treat this hot weather, thanks

 With the Pete and Sonia thing, if only I had your stamina for ‘Admin Duties'.

DL 1A35 does sound familiar for the Flying Scotsman train, though I have to admit I am not at all sure. I am pretty sure 1M22 and 1S57 was the up and down Royal Scot on the London Midland.

Many thanks for link to Berwick station and signalbox, it is great the LB&SCR station is like that today and with the signalbox manned 24 hours it keeps the vandals away.

When you look back it was remarkable the friendliness of most of the railwaymen, not knowing that their kindness would be remembered for a very long time. A lot of that has changed today and a lot of it is not the railwaymen's fault.

TOM I don't know about the NFL but the English soccer season starts next Saturday. I have just got to tell the bride about NO ‘Honey-Dos' between 9 and 11AM while the ‘Mighty Shrews' are playing, also to remember to shut the door of the computer room in case, as last year, she had a friend round when they missed a winning penalty in the last minute.

It looks as though the hot weather here is going to stay for a while, perhaps Eric would find it cool though.

I may have got it wrong in my reply to Eric about the different arrivals at Montreal, as you say I may have been preoccupied.

I am that your Montreal photos have come to an end and may I join LARS in the salute to you.

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Well, it's been a long haul, but we've made it to the FINAL set of fotos from the Canadian Railway Adventure that Pete ‘n I experienced this past May. There are hundreds of fotos on these Pages ‘n they represent some fine memories for us.

My thanx to those of you who have been courteous enough to acknowledge ‘n offer comments regarding these efforts 'n our experiences. It's what this Thread was created for - interaction amongst the customers.

These then are the last 14 of the bunch as Pete ‘n I spent our final day in Montréal, passing time ‘til our flights back to Missouri. As you can see, it was a splendid day, weather-wise . . .

A park not far from Central Station on René Lévesque Blvd.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Statue of Sir John A. MacDonald - 1^st Prime Minister of Canada and a "father" of confederation.

(7)

(8)

St. Patrick's Basilica - QE Hotel is where we caught the airport transportation (also one of the entrances to the underground to Central Station).

(9)

Views from "our" concourse at Pierre Trudeau International in Montréal

(10)

Gate area

(11)

(12)

Finally, our flight is arriving in Montréal

(13)

One last flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport . . .

(14)

That's IT!

Hard to believe that this foto-journey began back on Page 63 on May 31^st. Since then 466 fotos have been provided . . . That's a bunch! <grin>

Tom

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:41 AM, Friday - Aug 3^rd: I see you've been busy at ensuring we know about the "events" coming up. Thanx - saved me some work!!

Yeah, we used to have some fun at those B'day Bash celebrations. Some fine times, indeed. They were only as good as the guys willing to partake in ‘em . . . So, we'll just continue on wishing the BEST to those as the dates come ‘n go.

Not planning anything special for our Monthiversary (a wanswheel Mike innovation!). Just hope it doesn't slip on by without a notice. Even though it falls on Sunday, and we're CLOSED, doesn't mean a note through the mail slot can't be dropped off!

Enjoyed those UltraDome car fotos - sweet! Domes come in all forms, some are full car length, some aren't ‘n some are bi-level affairs. I too love ‘em!

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

 

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:16 AM, Friday - Aug 3^rd: Email sent to you - you're in good standing!

Sonia said she was going to hang a "Do Not Disturb!" sign on "that guy" in the room! by the by, that was a double bedroom.

I must agree that a BoSox vs Cubs World Series would indeed be a <hoot> - no NOT you Artie!! - anyway, certainly something to think about. Wudda been far better a few years back though when the Bahstun Bullies rolled over my Cardinals. <oooooooooh, still hurts!> Then there was the Super Bowl where the Rams snatched defeat from the jaws of victory . . . ‘nuf of that, I'm feeling ill.

Appreciate the quarters, round, chat ‘n visit!

 

Dan (DL-UK) at 10:50 AM, Friday - Aug 3^rd: Nice work with those excerpts from the VIA Rail web site. They use the "one size fits all approach" to the dissemination of information. I'm not one to accept "evidence" ‘n "suggests' in the same breath. <uh oh>

Let me say this about that <JFK> - the VIA Rail web site is a compound fracture ‘n I've wasted so much time trying to piece together information with which to base trip planning that I've given up. For example, irrespective of the appearance of 2008, take note that the "definition" for off-season does NOT coincide with what you'll be told when asking about the placement of the Park Cars. This year for example, I was told June 1^st, whereas the web site said June 15^th and then we saw one on our return to Montréal in late May!! How in the world is one to plan for such things? Answer: you cannot.

The only reason there are Budd cars still on the line is because of the ongoing retro-fitting for the Renaissance. Perhaps there will be more - one can only HOPE! When we made our trip this past May, all three train sets were Renaissance. A crewman told me that during the late winter, one consist of Budd equipment was put into service because of problems with the Renaissance. I think it would take a Rosetta Stone to figure out precisely what is ‘n what isn't with regard to this subject from their web site.

Much appreciate your continued support of "Our" Place ‘n appreciate your timely and well thought out submissions!

 

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom and all in

I'll cast my eye over the menu please while I take Ron's kind offer of a pint.

Tom - I think the evidence points towards Budd equipment still on The Ocean: check this out from Via - which suggests that winter season Budd stock is in use certain days!

Admittedly it is hard to believe a site that you have to seek out info on 3 different pages of and put together the clues - but one page does have the date 2008 suggesting that it may be correct:

"For couples seeking a more intimate Easterly class experience, choose a triple or quadruple bedroom (for 2 persons) with the distinctive ambience of the Park car and large picture windows! Additional perks include a closet, a call button, a private washroom with vanity, and cosy armchairs that transform into two twin beds once night falls."

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_tour_aloc.html

"If travelling in Easterly class aboard the Ocean between Montréal and Halifax, couples may choose a triple or quadruple bedroom (for 2 persons). Available between mid-June and mid-October, these accommodations offer the distinctive ambience of the Park car and large picture windows for your viewing pleasure."

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_visi_parc.html

"Please note that during the off-peak season (November 15, 2007 to April 14, 2008), VIA alternates between HEP cars and Renaissance cars. During the peak season, Renaissance cars are used exclusively. You can confirm the equipment of your departure by calling us at 1 800 VIA-RAIL (1 800 845-7245) or 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired). "

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_voit_hamo.html

Ron - good explanation on your electric enthusiasm - makes sense to me - my father is a keen modeller and works in Gauge ) and Gauge 1 live steam - in fact it is live steam that he is enthusiastic about - more so than true scale outline since esp in gauge O it is hard to manage true scale within the limitations of the size - although the Hornby 00 live steam launched recently is quite remarkable.

Ron - you certainly need to get yourself up in a Vista Dome - worth every penny (nice contrib. from Lars on that one). I was fortunate enough in that when I rode The Ocean last year to have Tom's hints on when to get to the Dome for great scenery - which meant me and the other half I could beat the competition to the best seats.

Eric - unleaded coffee - that must be like full fat cola?

CM3 - I got the Delano link with the ATSF train - so it does show OK sometimes - GWR certainly does stand for God's Wonderful railway - or Great Way Round to its detractors. If I may ask what fired your interest in the LMS over here? (Which is a great road and at one time was the largest joint stock company in the world - or so I'm told!)

Mike - great links selection - the Ffestiniog pic was good and a great Deltic picture - I think that head code 1A35 is the Flying Scotsman service - Pete may know the answer to that for certain. Loved that LA street scene too.

Amazing scenery in the NZ coal train shot - Allan - is that the view from your front door? I can see why you might have swapped the Tyne for that sort of view!

Pete - when I was a teenager back in the early 1980s (yeah yeah, not so long ago to some of you old lags) I cycled to my local station regularly and if I wanted to leave my bike in secure place overnight etc you could lock it in a staff sore room - if you arrived back when the station was unstaffed I'd have to get the key from the signal man as the box was staffed 24 hours - that meant a trip up to the hallowed portals of the box where there was a great view down the lines. Often staff were quite friendly and would let you have a look - and I recall when I was younger BR were testing the Gatwick Express units on the Coastway East route - station staff suggested I go up to the box to get a good picture from the signal man's view point. Very generous of them and happy memories for me.

Here's a pic of that station - 3^rd pic down is the building where you could lock your bike inside with the informal agreement of the staff:

http://www.semg.org.uk/location/berwick_01.html

Last pic here shows the signal box still in use today - the pink house behind is an ex LBSCR railway constructed staff house - now in private ownership of course.

http://www.semg.org.uk/location/berwick_02.html

Regards all

DL

 

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  O.K., Boris, punch up one of my favorites, "Dying Cub Fans Last Request."  HHH here today and it will continue for awhile - next week is supposed to be the hottest of the season.

Eric - Thanks for the blimp picture.

Lars sent a fine historical summary of dome cars.  The former CZ car is a bit banged up, but at least it's still on the rails.  Heartily recommend any of John White's books.  You will enjoy the passenger car set, for sure.

DD1 - Yes, I remember TruScale roadbed.  How about GarGraves track (there is a name from the dark, deep past). 

Pete - Good remembrances of signal boxes, etc.  The Lake Shore Museum in North East, PA has a former NKP (IIRC), CTC board which they light up every now and then.  Bells were used at certain places that I remember growing up.  However, these told gatemen that a train was approaching.  Signals and routes were set up elsewhere. 

OSP - Getting closer to Montreal - who IS that guy in the roomette (LOL).  If the Pirates played the Cards every day, Pittsburgh would have a much better record.  The Yankees hired gun certainly got lit up yesterday, but his infield didn't help him all that much, either.  It's a little too early to scoreboard watch, but the Olde Towne Team is hanging in there.  Wouldn't it be something if they survived till the end and the Cubs did as well.  B4 I forget, is the email you mentioned a new one or an old one?  If it is new, it hasn't arrived here yet.

Will try and post more later today, but gotta get after it now.

Work safe

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth, my deAH say it isn't so!! This, the final day of the week for me to feast in the glow of your radiant beauty! <blush> Can Monday be THAT far away?!?!

A mugga Joe with a jolt ‘n a handful of treats from the bakery case should do it for me. Treats all around for the crittAHs, with that small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris after he completes the feedings! A round on me ‘n the change is for you my deAH!

It's an early start for me, so I bettAH get right to it . . . the Mrs. is giving me "the look"!!

Surely appears that we've had a decent week here at Cap'n Tom's Main Line Emporium. A steady flow of visits ‘n conversation along with all of those great pix from Da Boss. A fine week indeed.

Just so youse guys don't forget, we've got some dates comin' up to keep in mind:

Saturday, August 11^th is Pete's B'day (56)! Sunday, August 12^th is our monthly anniversary for Da Bar - 29 months of good times by the tracks. And Thursday, August 16^th is Allan's B'day (72)!

Too bad the B'day Bash celebrations "died" some time back. However, let's at least remember to offer our respects on the days indicated! Also, keep in mind that Allan in down under territory will be celebrating his day when it's the 15^th here! Ohhhhhhhh, the International Date Line, huh??? I suppose two days worth of congrats won't hurt for a guy THAT OLD! <grin>

Pleased to see the favorable comments regarding the dome submission. It's an interesting compilation and I found it to be rather exact for wikipedia "stuff."

Happy to see all of this talk about Pete ‘n Sonia. Kinda takes the heat away from Ruth ‘n me. <grin>

For Da Boss: Many thanks for the trip pix ‘n reports! All of this began so far back that it's hard to recall the first one! I've counted well over 400 pix from the Canadian trip. Really quite an effort ‘n my guess is we won't be experiencing the likes of that here at the bar for quite some time. 5- Salute to our Cap'n!

Also the layout pix from the other day weren't missed, just not commented on - sorry! Hate to do that. Anyway, your Can-Am model RR is one to be envied ‘n I commend you on the effort for putting that together too! The guys who attended the St. Louis Rendezvous really were provided with an extra-treat! Love those observation domes.

Agree with your comments regarding personal info in the ether. I know I've yapped too much about my life and now it's out there. Feel exactly the same, who KNOWS what's being done with the "stuff" that's being revealed on sites like these?? One of the major reasons why I dislike the anonymous people who frequent these threads. Of course, we'll never really know if the "names" others use are authentic. So the best thing to do is be careful with personal info put on the thread that you wouldn't tell your next door neighbor! <uh oh>

I got your e-mail, but didn't respond since I'm an "info" guy. Thanx for the update though!

For Pete: Why not?? The Superliner Sightseer cars are domes, just not the conventional type of days long gone. Those ultradomes made by Colorado Railcar that are used on the Alaska RR ‘n many cruise ship lines, are indeed domes too. Just the modern type. What would you classify them as?? Just curious.

Have another tankard, mate!

For Eric: Abandoned or seldom used right of way with grass growing between the ties turns me off.  Can't grow grass on a busy street - say we bald guys! <grin>

So many books, so little shelf space! If you mind the orders from the quacks doctors, maybe Santa will fill your stocking with a couple of RR books (or perhaps some sardines)!

For the enjoyment of the gang!

Colorado Railcar Ultra Dome - ARR

Colorado Railcar UltraDome - Celebrity cruise lines

Colorado Railcar UltraDome- Princess cruise lines

Colorado Railcar Ultra Dome - Holland America cruise lines

Colorado Railcar Ultra Dome - Rocky Mountaineer

Ruth, one more, then we've got to get that <ahem> admin "work" s

[siberianmo]

<courtesy: www.viarail.ca>

G'day Gents!

Friday, the end of the work week <for many> ‘n the heralding of a weekend to come!

We hit 97 (F) yesterday on a bright ‘n sunny day here in mid-continent USA. Supposed to be on the rise, along with the humidity, for the next several days. <groan> It is August fer sure, fer sure.

An Email was sent to all planning to attend our 3rd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Chicago 2008. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE receipt . . . thanx!

Time for breakfast ‘n we've got plenty to select from - check out the Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> dish. The Mentor Village Bakery case awaits ‘n the coffee's freshly ground ‘n brewed <unleaded> ‘n <regular>.

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:10 AM Thursday - Aug 2^nd: Looks like at least one person thinks you are indeed SHANE! There's a ‘story' attached to that moniker - something we at "Our" Place can take "credit" for - same for "CM3" eh, Shane?? <grin>

I haven't gotten to the point whereby "detailing" of those store bought <actually internet> passenger cars has overtaken my wish to restrain spending on that layout!! However, I DID place some "people" within the RDCs, - seating was already there. Those Proto-1000s by LifeLike were "done" right. Anyway, one day when I'm through watching paint dry ‘n grass grow, perhaps I'll begin that aspect of the hobby. <grin> All kidding aside, I'd love to do more, but as you read on, you'll get the reason why not.

Thumped rather soundly on Wednesday nite, beaten on Thursday afternoon by themselves I'd say. Don't like to be a fair-weather sailor about this, but this edition of the Cardinals "ain't your father's Red Birds"!! I see that Eric's snakes are in 1^st place in their division. When did that happen?? Honestly haven't been paying that much attention to the standings, but there they are! So, when does the NFL begin

Round, quarters ‘n chat most appreciated!

Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:11 AM Thursday - Aug 2^nd: Quite an effort from our Manager to liven up things! Nice Post of the dome car background, etc.

Ever wonder whether you've traveled in any of those domes you find fotos of??? I seem to recall that you said your father taught you how to keep notes. But my guess is those are long gone. Anyway, that featured dome was once part of the CZ - a train you know all about.

In all of the trips I've experienced in dome cars, I must admit, there have been very, very few occasions whereby I couldn't get a seat. In fact, more times than not I could count on one hand how many people remained in the dome for more than an hour at a time. Guess it's something with people like us who like to remain "fixed" in the dome! Can't figure out why someone would prefer a one-sided view of the journey when dome seating offers the panorama!?!!?

Thanx for the round, visit, dome piece ‘n chat!

Ron (DD1) at 12:43 PM Thursday - Aug 2^nd: Appreciate the kind words regarding the fotos. I'm hardly an expert at taking Pix with the digital I have. Had all sorts of "operator error" with the thing ‘n honestly don't care for it. However, having spent far too much money on it ‘n not being willing to cast it aside until I get my money's worth <HA> it will have to do! <grin>

Track on the Can-AM HO layout is hardly anything approaching the quality of Tru-Scale. That stuff was something I used to <drool> over way back when I first got interested in HO (mid-60s). However, due to several factors - moving so much (13 times in my career - mainly in the 1^st half), insufficient $$$ ‘n a preoccupation with things like fatherhood, etc., my "desires" had to be postponed ‘til just a couple of years ago when I built the Can-Am.

The track is nothing more than Bachmann's E-Z track with "ballasted" roadbed. I hand laid the ballast you see, gluing over that "cheesy" stuff to get the results you see. Why did I go for such track when there's far better out there? Answer: Arthritis ‘n carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands causes me much grief with things like modeling. However, I've found that the more I use my fingers, the better it is. I have to just "work through" the pain. Anyway, I initially thought that getting something with the roadbed attached would make it easier on me, since I had such terrible luck with cork roadbed some years back. Shudda gone with KATO, oh well . . . There's far too much invested in that pike to rip ‘er out - ain't gonna happen!

You are oh so correct with your commentary regarding the prices of model trains. My HO stuff on the Can-AM was purchased new, two years ago - all of it with the exception of 3 or 4 structures that I had built many decades past ‘n wanted to use again. Everything - autos, trucks, buses, locos, freight cars, passenger cars, power packs, track - all of it. Yeah, I know how much the costs have skyrocketed! <Don't even ask me what the S-gauge stuff cost!> AND I didn't go with the "hi-quality" stuff for HO - s

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, it's time for my weekly Rumpsteak Café de Paris! With all the sidings. I think I'll have Tui. Not bad at all. Thank you!

Another Thursday gone! Who cares, every day is about the same right now. I found some interesting reading here this morning and a lot of nice pictures and that makes the day special!  

Mike –  I agree with you about the strength of bridges!

You found an even more detailed article about Mr Tigrett! Streamliners withgood-looking college girls!! What else could you ask for?

A bunch of interesting pictures tonight! Including a flying Constellation and an Amtrak train in Phoenix pulled by two F40’s!! I am just missing those girls!
Thanks Mike!!

Tom –  You are correct about the pix last morning, Texas Eagle at Springfield! Not too hard to see or guess.

Nice pictures from Montréal! I don’t like when they have too much greenery in the tracks. It is not good for the track and it looks bad. Interesting to see the pictures from Montréal Central Station! Never made it there.




Too much green! Also this is pretty close to Montréal.

 

CM3 –  I have no problem to combine coffee and good sleep! But I have a problem right now because I was told I should drink unled... decaffed coffee and that I don’t like. I am going to talk to the doctor tomorrow morning.




A blimp for Shane!

Lars –  Thanks for the interesting article about the dome car! I put that book, The Railroad Passenger Car, on my "Wanted" list!
Use your brain, go by train!

Ron –  I understand your points about electrics with a direct conversion from the real thing to a model. I like electrics more because of the old types where they used contactors and big relays and you could hear and feel when you operated that locomotive. Modern electrics are so sophisticated and quiet. But they certainly have plenty of power!

Pete –  You were with Tom approaching Montreal? So how come Tom couldn’t find you after you detrained? Where... how about Sonia? Where was she? Hmmm.

Yes, my pix showed Texas Eagle at Springfield.

Different arriving times for the trains from Halifax and Gaspé? Because the Halifax train was backed in first to the platform and then the Gaspé train on the other side of the platform? I guess that could be about 15 minutes difference in arrival time.

 

 

Eric 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Holden's please LEON and, of course the Fish ‘N' Chips later.

ALLAN Those G Pacifics did look different; I wonder how they worked after their conversion.

I too am enjoying the talk on the North East, I was fortunate enough to get the 150^th celebration of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1975 with the cavalcade at Shildon. It was a great occasion. A working replica of Locomotion was built and appeared at the event.

ERIC I know it won't help my reputation but I was with Tom in the dome approaching Montreal. I see Tom has captured me in today's pics.

Is the photo of the Texas Eagle at Springfield Illinois.( I see Tom as beat me to it)

MIKE Thanks for the GM&O links and info, great color photos and map.

I can recall seeing D 9000 soon after she was named and a good photo of a Double-Fairley on the Ffestiniog.

Doesn't 60008 looks in great condition, if only she could be steam and run some tours.

That is a good photo of the NZ steam loco too. I wonder if Kansas City's Union Station is the only station that has a Harvey House now.

CM3 I shall look forward to hearing more about the dispatchers at the rendezvous.

A few years back now I took a mid week trip to the Severn Valley Railway and stopped off a small station, there was a fairly long wait for the next train and I got in to conversation with the volunteer signalman, who invited me into the signalbox and explained how the single line tokens that are used, as the station is a passing place, on the single track line. It really was a time warp with an immaculate signalbox and the signalman in full uniform and as an added bonus one of their 0-6-0 pannier tanks was running light engine and turned up unexpectedly.

Another fond memory, though from much father back, was as a youngster we would often push-bike down a country lane to Newbold signalbox on the West Coast Main Line on a summer's evening. From the road, with the door of the box open you could hear the bell code announcing that a train was on the way. At a certain time each evening there were trains signaled on three of the four tracks that passed the box. Usually it was an 8F 2-8-0 on the up goods line with a slow freight, a Jubilee 4-6-0, often 45689 Ajax on a fast up fitted freight and on the down main line a Duchess Pacific heading north, wonderful memories.

As you can see I was an LMS man too, to some the GWR was known as the Great Way Round I have also heard it called the Gas Works Railway.

Thanks for the info on Mike's links.

LARS Many thanks for the interesting and detailed post on the Domes. I would not personally class the Superliner lounge as a dome car though. Good to see the post mentioned the Alaska Dome cars.

Thanks for the tankard of ale.

RON Thanks for the drink. Yes Tom as taken some really great photos, I was using a digital but I did not get the same results as Tom had.

TOM I was reading about an English railway artist and he always painted the trains in the snow during the hot weather, he said it helped him feel cool.

With the new times it is 2 hours in Kansas City, it should be back earlier as well. It will interesting to see how the afternoon trains keeps to time, if the engineering works are over it should be better, and with that web site you supplied it will be easy to keep a check on it.

As you say it is bad enough when a normal car's windows are dirty but it must be a lot worse when it is a dome car.

Many thanks for the photos on the way into Montreal; I noticed there was not a lot of traffic on the streets considering it was rush hour. Good photos of the commuter train heading out. I see the shoulder bag is missing along with 'Stealthy Pete'  

I wonder if anyone can guess why the trains from Halifax and Gaspe are shown as different arrival times on the board.

Well Leon lat

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Nice to see Ron (DD1) visit BOTH Threads today - must be a slow day down in "Mississip" <grin>

The final leg of our Canadian Railway Adventure aboard VIA Rail's "Chaleur" continues:

Next to last batch of fotos on the final day of our Canadian Railway Adventure as we backed into Montréal's Central Station.

Winding our way to Montréal's Central Station

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

C'mon, Mate - we gotta go!

(7)

Hey look, it's Amtrak!

(8)

One last look at the Chaleur . . .

(9)

(10)

It's OH-FISH-UL, the train from Gaspe made it back !

(11)

That's our gear, but where's Stealthy Pete

(12)

One more batch tomorrow!

Tom

[Anonymous]

Good day Tom and all, present or not. Drinks on me. Tom, those are great shots of your HO pike. I can't tell if the trackwork is hand laid or not. Remember "Truscale" milled wood roadbed? I used to use that along with fiber tie track, usually in 36" lengths. When I got into the larger scales(G gauge), I used individual wood ties, hand spiked. The problem with wood spliting in the smaller scales went away. I still like HO, but the costs have driven me away. A car kit 50 years ago could cost me less than $2. A good car kit, if you can find one today might cost upwards of 10x. In the larger scales, I can mill my own wood and put it together more easily than I could with "splinter" size wood.

You are so right about vista dome cars. I have never ridden in one, but going by your pictures, the view from the dome can't be beaten. The photos too are excellent. I imagine you are using a digital camera. I have a couple a thousand dollars worth of 35 mm equipment, and have never gotten results like that. I too use a digital camera. It's not the most expensive one around, but takes pictures comparable to, if not better than my old equipment.

Mike; Thanks for providing the links to the Mississippi Export RR. There isn't much more I can add to it.

All; Everyone has their own idea about locomotion and model railroads. Some prefer steam, others diesel and some electric. I fall into the last catagory and let me tell you why. Electric provides the most direct conversion from the real thing to a model. Just as the full size engine runs by electric power, so does the model. Steam and diesel doesn't convert directly from full size to model, except in the large scales. There are some live steam models in "O" scale and larger and there is even a diesel-electric in 1-1/2" scale, but in the smaller scales, no such conversion exists. Maybe I'm talking as a purist, but that's how I feel. It's the same to me as the comparison between a formica countertop of maple and a genuine maple countertop, genuine leather vs Naugahyde, real beer vs alcohol free, wooden boat decks covered with vinyl vs teak. I think I have made my point. To each his own, I guess. Over but not out.