I was to busy yesterday to stop by so I'll drop this post through the mail slot instead.
I think I saw Manager Lars in the Penthouse suite but I'll pretend I didn't.
Tom – I know that one always have to check info from Wikipedia, but in this case the numbers are verified by the City of Toronto. See link belowhttp://www.toronto.ca/union_station/numbers.htmMore Alaska pictures! Beautiful wilderness! I wonder what that white stuff on the mountains is? I like the last picture/view the best!Two interesting movies at the Emporium this week, The Aviator and Monte Walsh! Plus, of course, the Three Stoges! Good choices, it is time for a visit. JanOlov – You obviously have the same type of memory I do. Very good, but short. I remember everything 0.2 seconds, then it is gone. Class D with steel cabs were called "parentheses". Thanks for the SP pictures and the info! Plus all the logos! I collect logos and I did not have all of those. Now I do. Dave – Interesting SP info! “Sacramento headlight”, I have to find a picture of one. Good luck with the polishing!!!Lars – Interesting book(s) covers! The locomotive on the top one reminds me of a phone I have, shaped like a steam locomotive (in green). Santa Fe, videos and books! Can’t help wondering about all the smoke coming from the locomotive on the siding. At least it looks like a siding and that means the steamer is not moving but still all that smoke. Looks more like it is pulling a heavy train at full speed than just a caboose. Allan – Yes, I enjoyed the Ormondville site a lot. I don’t know if I missed something, but I am not sure if they still run freight trains on that line? Per – Yes, I took the picture of the Daylight car att OERM last December. A car with no doors? That sounds strange to me. Not even safe in case of emergency. Very nice pictures! I saw #844 (then #8444) at the World’s Fair in New Orleans 1984. I also noticed the SKF bearings and took a picture of them. Pullman freight car? I did not even know they existed.
Since I haven't shown any X2000 pictures for at least a few days I'll do it today. In random order.
Windsor, Ontario.
The gang, Penn Station, NYC. Yours truly, second from the left.
About to break a banner across track 11. Penn Station, NYC.
On static display, Tampa, FL.
On track 16, Union Station, Washington D.C.
For Amtrak employees only.
Eric
Greetings Tom and gentlemen....
Since we're closed I just gonna check our kitchen and make preparations for this weeks dinners. I forgot my railroad cookbook back in Sweden, otherwise I'd offer you some specials at the end of each month. I'll see if I can have it sent over to me....
Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer so that boys only have to press the button to get their music going....
And prepare the coffee for those that likes to have a cup of black in the morning...
Great posts and pictures everybody, really enjoyed them all . Will be back with a more exact post later... Have a nice day and take care!
And of course the usual study in STYLE and ELEGANCE....
<personal foto>
A smile to begin the week!
"What did you like best about school?" "When it's closed."
<A Yogi-ism!>
G'day Gents!
THAT day is here again - MONDAY! <arrrrrrrggggghhhh> Let's make the most of it! Draw a mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Comments from the Proprietor:
Acknowledgments from me are in response to customers ONLY! Exceptions have ‘n will be made for those who "engage" in dialogue, but NOT for "hit ‘n run" visitors.
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Saturday - Sep 15th:
Jan (JanOlov) at 8:31 AM -
. . . Dave (West Coast S) at 2:09 PM ‘n 3:51 PM -
. . . . . . Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:51 PM -
. . . . . . . . . Jan (JanOlov) at 5:05 PM -
. . . . . . . . . . . . Allan (Gunneral) at 8:52 PM -
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Per (marthastrainyard at 11:46 PM
Southern Pacific fotos ‘n narrative from Jan -
. . . SP insights from Dave -
. . . . . . Southern book covers from Lars -
. . . . . . . . . RR heralds from Jan -
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A downunder inclusive Post from Allan!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Awesome Post ‘n foto spread from Per!
Sunday - Sep 16th:
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:51 AM -
. . . Eric (EricX2000) at 12:13 PM
. . . . . . Jan (JanOlov) at 6 PM
Chat along with Santa Fe book ‘n video covers from Lars -
. . . Insights, Pix ‘n stuff from Eric -
. . . . . . Visit from Jan w/$$$$ for the bar!
Some fine material from the guyz this weekend! Many thanx to those who bought rounds 'n dropped some bucks into cigar box 'n Coal Scuttle! [yeha]
In the "dead horse department" - I think we've established that the Gilbert Hall of Science is where Lars said it was. Also, the ‘count' of passengers in Toronto goes to Union Station over the international airport. RIP. <geesh>
We eagerly await the return of our Bar Chandler - Wolfman Pete!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5 PM so come early ‘n often!
Cindy is our Saturday bartender!
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
Tom
That time of the month when we look back on the significant events in Canadian RR History!
Significant events in Canadian RR History
during the month of September.
<Initially Posted on Page 401 of the Original Thread>
Caveat: Much of the information appearing was gathered from internet sources, with credit to "Colin Churcher's Railway Pages" at http://www.railways.incanada.net/
* 1839 - September 19th - Official opening of the Albion Mines Railway between Albion Coal Mines and New Glasgow, N.S. using theTimothy Hackworth steam locomotives "Samson", "Hercules" and "John Buddle" imported from England.
* 1856, September 27th: Grand Trunk Railway opens from Guelph to Stratford.
* 1860, September 10th: - the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII, travels between Toronto and Collingwood, Ont and return. The special train of two coaches and an open observation car, was hauled by Northern Railway 4-4-0 locomotive "Cumberland" and was in charge of Superintendent of Motive Power James Tillinghast with Engineer L.S. Williams.
* 1879, September 19th: - The Credit Valley Railway is formally opened by his His Excellency, the Marquis of Lorne, Governor General of Canada at Milton Ontario.
* 1882, September 13th: - The Canada Atlantic Railway is opened between Ottawa and Coteau. This line which was built by John R. Booth was extended, within a period of 20 years, into a system stretching from Georgian Bay to the Vermont border.
* 1883, September 22nd: - The Grand Trunk Railway acquires the 452 mile Midland Railway.
* 1885, September 15th: - the famous circus elephant "Jumbo" is killed by a GTR freight train, hauled by locomotive no. 788 at St. Thomas. It was struck from behind while being lead along the track to be loaded into his car. Jumbo stood 12' 5" high and weighed 7½ tons. The Globe and Mail of 26 Octoober 1951 had the following commentary:
"Jumbo, the Barnum circus elephant killed in St.Thomas on the evening of Sept 15, 1885, literally attacked the old Grand Trunk freight locomotive which struck it. Fred R. Arnum, retired veteran train dispatcher, said today, in breaking a long silence on the tragedy. Mr. Arnum was night operator for the Grand Trunk at the time and is the only one of the 38 railway witnesses who gave evidence at the inquiry in New Yirk City, still living. He was there for two weeks giving his testimony."Mr. Arnum said a circus official disregarded specific instructions given him not to start loading the circus animals until after 9:55 o'clock on the night of the accident and also not until after a yard crew was sent to assist. The locomotive of a westbound freight struck Jumbo in he east yards at 8:18 o'clock."Mr. Arnum said that when Jumbo saw his danger he reared up on his rear legs and struck at the locomotive with such force that he cut off the smokestack. One of the cylinder heads struck the elephant's tusk, driving it back into his head. Jumbo did not breathe his last until 4 o'clock the following morning."
* 1891, September 19th: - The single track St. Clair tunnel under the St. Clair River is opened by the Grand Trunk Railway. Construction had commenced in 1888 upon this tunnel which connects Sarnia with Port Huron.
* 1897, September 24th: - A new double track steel arch bridge is completed by the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company and the Niagara Falls International Bridge Company. The upper floor of the new structure is leased to the Grand Trunk Railway.
* 1914, April 7th: - Grand Trunk Pacific Railway main line is completed between Winnipeg, Melville, Edmonton, Jasper and Prince Rupert. The last spike was driven at a location 93 miles west of Prince George, BC. The first sod was turned at Fort William, on the Lake Superior branch, by Sir Wilfred Laurier on 11 September 1904.
* 1915, September 14th: - a special funeral train conveys the body of Sir William C. Van Horne from Windsor Street station, Montreal, to Joliette, Illinois. Departing at 11:00, it was hauled by 4-6-2 No. 2213. Nearly a mile of drapery was used in decorating the train and the front of the CPR station and office building.
* 1916, September 11th: - The bridge under construction across the St. Lawrence at Quebec falls a second time, killing another 13 men. First collapse occurred on August 29th, 1907 killing 75 men.
* 1921, September 1st: - The Toronto Transit Commission takes over the street car system in that city upon the expiration of the 30 year franchise of the Toronto Railway.
* 1924, September 15th: - Canadian National opens the 30.66 mile Long Lake Cut off from Long Lake to Nakina, Ontario. It connected t
Greetings Tom and gentlemen...
May I please have a extra cold Guinness for myself, top and cigars for the boys and here's something for yourself too....
Hmmmm.....let's see.....aah.. Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer...
Tom, really enjoyed your Significant events in Canadian RR History
marthastrainyard, great pics mate ! Steam and a classic '57 Chevy etc. can''t get much better, can it?
Da Larsman, great posts and pictures and covers as always mate .... NHL you say? Go Bruins!!
EricX2000, nice pics my good man I only rode the X2000 for the second time this August when I went to visit my parents....
Night Train To Memphis.
Take that Night Train To Memphis Take that Night Train To MemphisAnd when you arrive at the stationI'll be right there to meet you I'll be right there to greet youSo don't turn down my invitation.CHORUSHalle-lu-jah! [Halle-lu-jah!]Halle-lu-jah! [Halle-lu-jah!] We'll be shoutin' hallelu-jah all the dayOh we'll have a jubilee Down in Memphis, TennesseeAnd we'll shout halle-lu-jah all the way.Take that Night Train To Memphis Take that Night Train To MemphisYou know how I'm longin' to see youLeave at three-fifty-seven; arrive at elevenAnd I'll be shoutin' "Halle-lu-jah!"CHORUSTake that Night Train To Memphis Take that Night Train To MemphisTell that engineer to pull the throttle openKeep that engine stack a-smokin', I'm not kiddin', I'm not jokin'I'll soon be with my girl, I'm hopin'.CHORUS
PHOEBE SNOWI saw her name on the side of a trainSomewhere a long time ago;I don't know who she was, but I gave my loveTo someone called Phoebe SnowLike a bird on the wing I hear a voice singAs over the prairies I rollWell I'd give my life to spend one more nightIn the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.I climbed on board through a wide open doorJust as she started to rollAnd I rode so light through the warm summer nightIn the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.Like a bird on the wing I hear a voice singAs over the prairies I rollWell I'd give my life to spend one more nightIn the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.(SPOKEN)I've spent many a night around the fireIn a circle of stone silent menI've heard the sagebrush whistle and popAnd the coffee boil up in the can.And the bottoms were filled with the cool river wind;The treetops chasin' the moonAnd I knew without asking to take my guitarAnd play up some slow, gentle tune.Well, I played up a face I used to know,And the song was the sound of the nameAnd I knew without looking that every man thereWas each of them feeling the sameThen I played up so hands, so pale and small,With a touch just as light as the rainAnd I knew without looking that every man thereWas each of them feeling the sameThen I played up the booze and the holes in the shoesOf a man whose life is a cageAnd all the things done to make a man run:The hard luck, the failures of age.Then I stopped with a crash and we looked into the ash,Helpless with longing and rage.Now a travelling life might seem allright;A life without worry or care;You're always up and you're always out;You're always going somewhereBut I tell you, my friend, it's not where you are,But your reason for being there.Then I awoke as the day brokeAnd I gazed out over the plainsThinking as how I'm better off nowFrom being in love with a trainLike a bird on the wing I hear a voice singAs over the prairies I rollWell I'd give my life to spend one more nightIn the arms of my own Phoebe Snow.
Southern Pacific
Southern Pacific Down the mountainside To the coastline Past the angry tide The mighty diesel whines
And the tunnel comes And the tunnel goes Around another bend The giant drivers roll
I rode the highball I fired the Daylight When I turned around 65 I couldn't see right
It was "Mr. Jones, We've got to let you go It's company policy You've got pension though."
Roll on Southern Pacific Roll on On your silver rails Roll on Southern Pacific On your silver rails Through the moonlight
I put in my time I put in my time Now I'm left to roll Down the long decline
I ain't no brake man Ain't no conductor But I would be though If I was younger
Roll on Southern Pacific On your silver rails On your silver rails Roll on Southern Pacific Roll on On your silver rails
SP 4-8-2/#4357 old Daylight Ltd.,1936Southern Pacific Mountain #4357 pounds the mainline atspeed on the old eastbound "Daylight Limited" #98 nearAromas, California, 1936.
Photographer: Fred C. Stoes
Texas Silver Zephyr.
She was a young and pretty Coleman county farm girlNever been more than fifty miles from homeI was just a drifter I was living off the landSpent the summer on her daddy's farmIn the evening we'd walk along the railroadWe'd hear that lonesome whistle in the nightAnd she'd pretend we road the rails to DenverCause' her head was full of flashin' neon lightsTwas' that big old shiny diesel as it rounded Carter's bendWas enough to make a
Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads.
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #24
Maine Central (MEC)
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: Portland, ME Mileage 1950: 981 Locomotives in 1950: Steam: 74 - Diesel: 57 Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars: 4,593 - Passenger cars: 42
Principal routes in 1950 (all within Maine, other than noted): South Portland-Bangor Bangor-Vanceboro Bangor-Bucksport Bangor-Calais & Eastport Brunswick-Rockland Portland-St. Johnsbury, VT Quebec Jct., NH-Beecher Falls, VT Lees Jct.-Farmington & Rumford Newport Jct.-Dover-Foxcroft
Passenger trains of note: Bar Harbor Express (Washington, DC-Ellsworth, ME) Down Easter (New York-Waterville & Rockland, ME) Flying Yankee (Boston-Bangor) Gull (Boston-Halifax, NS) Katahdin (Boston-Bngor) Kennnebec (Boston-Bangor Mountaineer (Boston-Littleton, NH) Penobscot (Boston-Bangor) Pine Tree (Boston-Bangor) Skipper (Boston-Bangor)
Note: B&M handled trains west of Portland to Boston. CN handled trains east of Calais, ME to Halifax,NS. The Mountaineer was a B&M train handled by MEC between Intervale & Whitefield, NH.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy! Tom
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, you make this first day of the week something special - five days to bask in your glow! <blush> Oh yeah, a round for the house - treats for the crittAHs ‘n a frosty cold one for me, make it a Rheingold if you please. Change is yours my deAH, as always! <grin>
Boris, you are looking fine for a cloven-footed Cyclops in big overalls! I see Leon has taken you under his wing for all-things-fashion, huh Yes, those boondockers go quite well with your outfit - I'm impressed with the shine on ‘em! <ahem> Of course the PPF is for you - just feed the gang first!
So WHERE's PETE Thought for sure we'd at least get something from him letting us know he's back. Well, no matter, for I'll be going back to my "normal" routine as the mid-afternoon "slot" hasn't been all that ‘friendly' for me, especially where the Sarge Mrs. is concerned. <uh oh> <grin> It was ‘fun' while it lasted, but time for our mid-MO Connection to resume his place at the bar . . .
I'm in mourning this day ovAH the Jints starting out their NFL season at zip ‘n two. That's awful. Thought our QB looked fine, but the team isn't together. Only 14 games to go for a playoff spot, which is really what they are all playing for. So c'mon boy zillionaires, get a move on! <arrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh>
Still think the Mets will hang in there for a division title, but they surely bettAH get their act in gear once the playoffs begin, or they'll be on the outside looking in as they were last year. <groan>
A new look to the morning summary from Cap'n Tom Or are you just experimenting At any rate, I like it ‘n hope you'll take the load off yourself with these things.
Good start to the morning with the monthly Canadian history Post! While it's a shame that we don't have a regular ‘round here to assume the title of "Canadian Connection" - it is good to read about past events in railroading up north. Some mighty fine material ‘n also much appreciated!
Also liked the Maine Central Fallen Flags from Da Boss - seems like he's doing "double duty" in trying to keep things going with CM3 I'm NOT Shane! absent from his "post" today ‘n of course Wolfman Pete being mysteriously tardy in showing up. Hmmmmmm. Anyway, nice FF, Cap'n Tom!
Here's my supplemental "stuff" to go along with your Maine Central material!
Ok Ruth my deAH, time to get going on that <ahem> admin work . . . yes, the "secret passageway" has been "cleared"! <uh oh>
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi Tom and all.
A round please RUTH and can you keep the Bathams coming as I will sit in the corner and catch up on the going ons at the best bar in the ether.
We had a great time in California and I will tell more when I get some photos back as, I was using a 35mm camera, (not the one that had the soda pop bath at the rendezvous.
It was a enjoyable trip on the Southwest Chief.
It was great to talk to TOM today and it is good to be back at the bar, so I will have a read of what I am sure are great posts since I have been away.I see the bar is well stocked, so Manager Lars has done a good job. and RUTH still has a big smile..
Pete.
Good day Tom and all present. Drinks for everyone and a Guinness for me. I shouldn't be drinking. Yesterday was my daughter's birthday and we had a big celebration barbecue. Brisket, sausages, ribs, deer and all the usual trimmings. Today's calendar brings me near the end of the calendar line.
James: It is a shame how manufacturers pour so much junk unto the train market. They use the same mold to cast a loco body and it is used for all their locos regardless of line used, but there just isn't any way they can do it otherwise. Even a design of a class of locos will have many differences between each other. Scratch building or bashing is the only way you can get exactly what you want.
Eric: I think I've seen a picture of a four unit EL-3, but never a three unit. It seems curious to me that an electric engine would be used in place of steam to haul coal.
Tom: Yes it is a shame that kids today are more interested in keyboards than wrenches. My son who used to be involved in BMX bikes, one day came across a bike sitting out at the curb awaiting trash pickup. He recognized its value at once. The frame alone was a $200 item not counting the gearing. After inquiring at the front door of the house, he carted the bike away. After some cleaning, adjusting and fixing two flats, it rode perfectly and subsequently sold it for $300. The kid who owned the bike tossed it because he didn't know how to fix things, but my son did. I got my first Delta drill press when I was around 12. My childhood was engaged in mechanics and electricity. NYC in those days was a mecca for DIY kids. The electronic parts stores on Cortland St, the tool stores on Canal St and of course, Patterson Brothers, the greatest hardware in the world. I guess I was wrong about the location of the Hall of Science. (Now where did I put that deck of 51?)
DL: I forget to say how much I enjoyed the film of electrification in Sweden.
To all: Great pictures posted by you guys. Although some of the RR's may not be my favorites, I still like looking at trains in any way, shape or form. I'll leave you all with this hypothetical thought. If I won the lottery (big bucks), my dream would be to establish a model railroad museum and have every railroad represented throughout their history. Unless I don't win, I'm accepting donations. What would you do with all that money?
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, it's time for Rumpsteak Café de Paris and an ice-cold Keith's! All drinks on me this beautiful Tuesday!
Kind of slow day here at the Bar today, but that is how it is. Stealthy Pete is back, that is good news!
Tom – September seems to be an interesting month in Canadian railroad history. And tragic. One dead elephant, hit by a locomotive, and 25 men killed in two days when the suspension span over the St Lawrence fell into the river. Both days!Maine Central! Don’t know much about MEC, but these smaller railroads are interesting! Email received and responded to.JanOlov – You have been riding the X2000 only twice??? Where have you been? I don’t know what to say. Okay, I can say that I like the lyrics and pictures in your post! But I can only recall the first song, Night Train To Memphis! I certainly would like to hear Southern Pacific! Lars – Nice books (and shares) about Maine Central! The last one, Passenger cars of New England looks most interesting. Pete – Welcome back young man! Looking forward to the trip report! Ron – A book I have has only pictures of three unit EL-3. The reason Virginian electrified 134 miles was to increase the ability of the line over the Appalachians to handle more tonnage. The alternative was to get more steam power and add more trackage, which would have been very costly. Electrification solved the problem. If I win the Powerball (the jackpot) I will donate money to your model railroad museum. Promise.
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, Boone, IA. I don't know anything about this car.
Moving along, it's Tuesday ‘n another day closer to week's end - think Friday! <grin>
Fill up those coffee mugs, check out our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast ‘n of course try a couple of pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case!
A hearty welcome back to our Bar Chandler - Wolfman Pete!
A most sincere THANX to our Manager - Lars for filling in during the afternoon "slot" in spite of the <flack> from the homefront! 5 SaaaaaaaLoooooot to the Larsman!
Monday - Sep- 17th:
Jan (JanOlov) at 9:26 AM: A few more railroad song lyrics ‘n fotos!
"Top up," cigars ‘n cash appreciated!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 2:09 PM: A slow day ‘round the Watering Hole by the Wayside. Always appreciate having our Manager on board, especially when such fine book covers accompany the visit!
Lambs of St. Louis (aka: Rams) are also "oh ‘n two" for an abysmal start to a season where "they' said it would be "different." Hmmmmmm, perhaps it IS! <groan> Don't even wanna discuss the colossal collapse of the Cardinals! Pitiful, embarrassing ‘n not surprising given the totality of it all. Let's go hockey season!!
Round ‘n chat appreciated!
Pete (pwolfe) at 3:17 PM: Yes, it was good speaking with you today - another "marathon" phone conversation "burning" up the wires! <grin> We'll all be looking forward to your "report" ‘n fotos of the RR museum visits ‘n of course the travel back to Missouri aboard the Southwest Chief!
Glad you swung by, in between catching up on chores at home! The round was appreciated too!
Ron (DD1) at 7:46 PM: A calendar shot, some chat ‘n a round from our Resident Southern Gentlemen from Ole Miss!
I too have some fond memories of growing up in New York City. Used to get a kick out of how people from elsewhere had all of "those" opinYUNS about the place, without ever having lived there. Of course that was "back in the day" - a far cry from today throughout the land.
Hey Ron! You're mixing reality with the Ether - can't do that ‘round here - nope. This cyber bar ‘n grill has an advantage unlike anywhere else - you can eat ‘n drink to your heart's content with NO adverse impact EVER!!
I like the idea for the model RR museum - so IF I ever win the lottery, I'll "kick in" - but first I have to buy a ticket! <ooooooooh. <grin>
Tuesday - Sep 18th:
Eric (EricX2000) at 1:23 AM: A visit from our resident Nocturnal Desert Swede after a hiatus of sorts. Appreciate the chat, mystery foto ‘n of course continued interest in this Saloon by the Siding!
Canadian Railways of the Past (and present!) Number Four: Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY)
Hudson Bay Railway Locale: Manitoba, Canada Reporting marks: HBRY Dates of operation: 1997 - present Track gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) Headquarters: The Pas, Manitoba Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY) is a Canadian regional railway operating over 810 miles of trackage in northern Manitoba. HBRY was formed in July 1997 to purchase former Canadian National Railway (CN) trackage running north from CN trackage at The Pas, MB on two branches, one to Flin Flon, MB and on to Lynn Lake, MB, the other to Thompson, MB and on to the port of Churchill, MB on Hudson Bay. Operations began on August 20, 1997 and the company is owned by railroad holding company OmniTrax. At the same time, OmniTrax also took over the operation and marketing of the Port of Churchill from the federal government's Department of Transport. Previous owner CN had limited tonnage on these lines as a result of the light rail and poor track base; however OmniTrax has been able to successfully operate heavier rail cars and longer trains in recent years without difficulty, resulting in increased business to the Port of Churchill and from various mines and pulp mills. HBRY is a vital transportation link in northern Manitoba, hauling ores and concentrates, copper, zinc, logs, kraft paper, lumber, and petroleum products. VIA Rail also operates remote services on HBRY using its Hudson Bay passenger train between Winnipeg, MB and Churchill. Major customers for HBRY include Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, Tolko Manitoba, Inco, Gardwine North, Stitcco Energy, and the Canadian Wheat Board. History The original Hudson Bay Railway line was built in stages north from The Pas after a railway bridge was constructed over the Saskatchewan River in 1910-1911 by the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR). Following the CNoR bankruptcy in 1918 and creation of Canadian National Railways (CNR), the federal government undertook to complete the Hudson Bay Railway. Political interference, financing difficulties, and engineering challenges by the large amount of muskeg and frequent rock outcrops on the Canadian Shield led to inevitable delays. Although initial surveys were done to both the Hudson Bay ports of Churchill, MB and Nelson, MB, it was decided to proceed to Churchill in 1926 and the line to tidewater was completed March 29, 1929. CNR subsequently built resource railways from The Pas to Flin Flon, opening in 1928, followed by an extension on this line from Cranberry Portage, MB to Lynn Lake, opening November 9, 1953. On July 27, 2005, heavy rains washed out part of the railroad between between The Pas and Pukatawagan; all service over the line, including VIA Rail trains 290 and 291, was suspended while repairs took place.(VIA) Service was restored on August 2, 2005, two days ahead of initial expectations.(VIA) References
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds from other sources.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
HBR # 2505 (1997 foto by Bart Hasselfield)
HBR #2505 (1997 foto by Bart Hasselfield)
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Eye-Opener if you have it); round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Yes, Frostbite, I'm here today. I know hockey is getting closer. We'll go work on that Zamboni tune up as soon as I post this, O.K.?
Let's see. There is a lot to cover so here goes (again in no particular order)
West Coast Dave - The L&N headquarters is the brick building you mentioned. The stone structure is the old Louisville Union Station. Back in the day it handled trains from the L&N, PRR, and Monon. Later, the C&O moved over there. The architecture at Louisville is similar to the L&N stations at Nashville and Montgomery. However, Louisville was a stub on a wye layout while the stations down the line were through stations, although all of them had train sheds. I spent quite a bit of time both in the HQ and at the Louisville station. The dining car dept. was in the HQ building and that was always an interesting place to visit to troll for artifacts.
Walking from the HQ along Broadway to the station, the REA building was between the HQ and the station. The L&N had a small engine servicing facility just south of the REA building. The South Louisville shops and the old Strawberry Yard were south of the station. On the west side of the station was a pretty good size coach yard which used to be filled with private cars on Derby Day. I used to take the Pan up to Louisville about that time and shoot pictures of all of the private cars when they were set out. Folks were extremely friendly there and it made for a pleasant afternoon. Most all of this is gone now, including the shops, but IIRC the big L&N neon sign is till atop the HQ building.
Also, thanks for all the background information in the SP.
Lars - It's gonna be a long season for the Gints. Mom's happy anough about Ohio State, but Red Sox and Yankees had an interesting set over the weekend. They beat each other's brains out on Friday and Saturday and then settled down to play some ball on Sunday. I enjoyed Schilling's creative use of sentence enhancers, especially of the first hanging pitch he threw - didn't really need any lip-reading skills on that one. Fine selection of book - I see one ATSF title I need to track down. Have most of the MEC books already.
DD1 - Enjoyed your comments re calendars. Some of the pictures, as I recall were quite "educational" to say the least. The VGN electrics were probably photographed around Princeton, WV (in Mercer County.) I understand what you mean about "things mechanical." You either have the fever or you don't.
James - Good to hear from you. Gotta love manufacturer's license with models. One did a GG1 in Great Northern colors once.
Jan - Thanks for the SP pictures. The L&N picture at Memphis has some interesting details - marker lights on the last car, lantern in the vestibule, and a train gate. Don't see any of this anymore. BTW, Phoebe Snow shot was made at Binghamton, NY.
Per - Dispatching is all about physics - you can't have two bodies occupying the same space at the same time. That was how it was explained to me by a battle-scarred veteran of the C&O. What was really fascinating when I first moved here was that all mine shifters in and out of Raleigh, WV were dispatched by train order. It was dark territory and the terrain really can raise Cain with radio transmission. It was not uncommon to have 3-4 shifters out any one time, trains to and from the main line, and a yard job - that was fun! The DS was about the calmest man I ever encountered. Yes, Boris, he used an old fashioned dip pen (with real ink) to record movements on a train sheet.
The UP material you sent was excellent - those young folks in the cab will never forget that experience. I was even younger than the little one in the cab when I "got bit." Great stuff!
Eric - Yankee Clipper sign was made that way because there was no "real" rear platform on the train's obs. I enjoyed looking at the pictures of your "never-ending" road trip.
Holy cow! Pete's back! I wish I could go for a train ride!
OSP has really been keeping the bandwidth busy. Thanks for the SP material, The Maine Central coverage is always appreciated - yes, Awk, that MEC book is on the shelf. Canadian items are copied and put in a binder. Also, always enjoy looking at Alaska pictures. There is a good selection of movies this week - airplanes and cowboys - let's get some popcorn. Oh, we have the Stooges as well? All the more reason to head over to the Theatuh. The Hudson Bay material is something different. Their green paint scheme is similar to that of the late lamented Quabog Transfer RR. This was a line in central Massachusetts that served a lumber transloading facility. They had green painted power as well. B4 I forget - rec'd both emails. Looking forward to the book, and will replay to the other mail a bit later.
Work safe
Greetings Tom and fellow bar visitors....
Could I have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the lads and here's something for yourself as well....
Tom, nice and interesting posts as always mate. Maine Central and Hudson Bay Railway . It's always good to see some of the smaller railroads figure here .... Any chance to see more of those wonderful railroad ads?? PLEEAASSSSE.....
Da Larsman, great follow up on Tom Maine Central . New England gives me a home feeling you know....
pwolfe, looking forward to your photo report, have a round on me mate.
DD1, I like your idea mate. Should I win big bucks (few months back Euro lotto was about $250 000 000 here! No winner so it was split in fours for $ 60 000 000+), I'd have some locomotives/streamliners built new, like the Hiawatha and one or two of the UP's M10000's.... It's a good thing that daydreaming is still taxfree. Great calendar pic !
EricX2000, I know! Only twice, I should be ashamed.....hangs head in shame and scratches the foot in the ground......
Sample Consists
Westbound train #25-20th Century Limited, 1938-03-17; Sampled at New York, New York.
Westbound train #25-20th Century Limited, 1965-03-30, sampled at Cleveland, Ohio.
Eastbound train #26-20th Century Limited, 1943-09-06; Sampled at Chicago, Illinois.
Eastbound train #38-Advance 20th Century Limited, 1930-02-07; Sampled at Chicago, Illinois.
Credit: Smithsonian Institution, steamlocomotive.com, art.com, nytsore.com, trainweb.org, wikipedia
So what's a RR BOOK RELAY
The book gets mailed from person to person, with comments made by the reader on the forms provided. At the conclusion, all comments will be put into an Email "report" 'n sent to the participants.
Simple enough
Signed up are:
(1) Lars (LoveDomes) - (2) CM3 Shane (coalminer3) -
(3) Eric (EricX2000) - (4) Allan (Gunneral) -
Now WHO ELSE wants "in"
Let me know by EMAIL because sometimes things Posted at the bar have a way of getting misplaced (ie: not read)!!
The book has been mailed to CM3 Shane in WVA after having been read by Lars in SINY . . .
We're having fun with this!
Ruth my deAH, ‘tis the Larsman, back at a more "civil" time for my liking! A mugga Joe with a jolt would do me fine this day ‘n I'll just enjoy your radiance while figuring out whether to sample the pastry case or have a half sandwich! <grin> <blush>
Boris, the crittAHs are awaiting - so feed ‘em ‘n that small jar of PPF is for YOU!
A round for the house ‘n keep the change my lovely! Ah, I see Da Boss ‘n Jan are logged in - so give them another on me!
So, it appears that my wOIDs shook our Bar Chandler out of his stooper ‘n back to the bar! So what kept ya Glad you're back ‘n there's a pile of work waiting for ya! The reefer car on our siding has been stocked with brews from Europe ‘n Merry Olde in particular. Boris ‘n Leon took care of unloading the kegs ‘n cases from the Zeppolin. Now it's up to you to get that stuff into the cellar. <phew>
Looking forward to the accounting of your travels . . . welcome back, Pete! Have a Bathams on me! <I may regret that!!>
Hard to tell whether we're settling into a "thing" here at the bar, but it seems to me we're becalmed these days. Well, no matter to those of us inside this joint - we'll make the most of it, huh
Don't even wana think that my Mets are about to do the "fall fold" - once again. <Good Grief Charlie Brown!> Even the Cardinals tried to help us out, but fell short in that comeback last night. Must've been quite a game. Anyway, Mets are now in a funk ‘n bettAH snap out of it, otherwise they'll be looking at the wild card - or nothing. <yikes> <double yikes>
Thinking about the comments from Ron down in "Mississip." I like that term, "back in the day" - something from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! if I recollect! Anyway, having never given up my permanent residence as a New YAWKer, my memories cover a vast span. My "island" has undergone so many changes, and not all for the bettAH I should add. But those changes have pretty much put this "paradise" into orbit with the other 4 boroughs of the city.
We always enjoyed having the best of both worlds - somewhat rural like parts of New JOISEY, ‘n city like at the same time "belonging" to NYC. Now with the "gang plank" to Brooklyn a well established link, our "secret' is no more. The Verrazzano Bridge was our downfall in more than one way.
Manhattan will always be "the city" to us and going over by ferry is a way of life for Staten Islanders. The Mrs. still shops at 34th Street at a place called Macys ‘n I march in the St. Paddy's Day parade every year with my group of "squareheads." (A story told back on the pages . . .) I'm a deeply rooted Brooklyn Dodgers fan in a family of New York Giants rooters. When they took off for California, I became a Yankee fan by default. Then the sun shone brightly upon us with the creation of the New York Metropolitans - known as the Mets. I quickly rejoined the NL ‘n have been faithful evAH since.
Yeah, NYC has problems ‘n life at times gets very stressful with so many jammed close together. But, here we remain - at least until we make our escape to the Keys for the wintAH! <grin>
Just noted the material posted from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! and Jan over in Glasgow. Nicely done, gents both! Of course being PARTIAL to the New YAWK Central - I really "dig" the 20th Century Ltd stuff - the more the merrier! That advertisement is something else when enlarged - try it guyz, you'll like it!
Hey Bossman! That was a fine post for the Hudson & Bay RR this morning! Pretty far north ‘n I'll bet quite the challenge with the frost heaves ‘n such. Anyway, I enjoyed the way you put the material together along with the map ‘n pix! Good job, mate!
This time ya got me, couldn't find anything appropriate to supplement your material with. <arrrrrrggggghhhhh>
So, how about these instead
Wheeling & Lake Erie 2-6-6-2 #8003 (from: www.yesteryeardepot.com)
Greetings Tom and gentlemen,
May I have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the lads and here's something for yourself too.
Puts some $$$ in the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Just for you Da Larsman....
NEW YORK CENTRAL.
I snapped this photo of Niagara No. 6003 at the Englewood terminal in Chicago in July 1954. Sadly, the Niagaras had little chance to prove their mettle before the NYC opted for diesel power. By the time of this photo they had been bumped from the Central's premier varnish and relegated to local or mail and express trains, or placed in freight service. The S1s had Baker valve motion, in common with all modern New York Central steam power except the lone S2, No. 5500. They were fitted with a diesel-like air horn as well as a steam whistle, and this sometimes foiled steam photography buffs lying in wait for a shot at this fast-fading breed. They featured the 14-wheel "centipede" or PT tender that carried 18,000 gallons of water and 46 tons of coal. Like other high-speed New York Central steam power, the Niagaras were equipped to scoop water on the fly from long pans set between the rails.
Here we see No. 5450, first member of the second streamlined group of J3a Hudsons delivered by Alco in 1938. These last five locomotives were similar to the first five, but had roller bearings on their connecting and coupling rods as well as on all axles, plus Scullin disc drivers instead of Boxpok. My father took this photo at Englewood Station, Chicago, on a sunny afternoon in 1938 or 1939, shortly after the previous photo.
According to information from George Elwood, No. 5450 experienced a boiler explosion at Canastota, New York in September 1943. It was out of service for more than a year due to the World War II steel shortage, and when returned to service had lost her disc drivers and her newly assigned centipede-type tender. However, a photo of her reportedly taken at Englewood Station in 1945 shows the Scullin drivers, with the side skirting missing over the third set of drivers. A vignette of No. 5450 at this same location appears in the Herron video The Glory Machines 3, and she is also shown in the now hard-to-find Chicory Productions The Century of the New York Central, Part I.
Introduction of the J3s shortened the schedule of the Twentieth Century Limited between Chicago and New York to 16 hours. After a run of some 922 miles from Englewood to the steam terminal at Harmon, New York, the train would proceed under electric power into Grand Central Station, where its elite consist of passengers would receive the famous "red carpet treatment."
In 1934, Chrysler Motor Car Company introduced the "airflow" design, inaugurating the era of streamlining in transportation. Carl F. Kantola, a longtime New York Central employee, proposed a streamlined steam locomotive and his design was accepted by corporate officials. Hudson No. 5344 of class J1e, built by Alco in 1931, was undergoing repairs in the West Albany shops and was selected to receive the streamlining treatment. Kantola's design was modified by the Case Institute of Technology. In late December of 1934, No. 5344 appeared in its new form as the Commodore Vanderbilt, named for the founder of the New York Central. After a public relations tour of the NYC system, she was assigned to haul the Twentieth Century Limited between Chicago and Toledo. Movie cuts of her in that role appear on the Chicory Productions video The Century of the New York Central, Part I.
The New York Central issued a publicity leaflet introducing the Commodore Vanderbilt as "the world's first streamlined high-powered steam locomotive." The leaflet claimed that the streamlining could decrease head air resistance by as much as 36 percent at speeds of 70 to 90 miles per hour, with a corresponding saving in fuel. It is not known whether this claim was verified by testing, and the extra weight of the streamlined shrouding (probably about six tons) may have reduced any such savings. Nevertheless No. 5344 made history as the first steam engine with the simplified lines of the "upside down bathtub" style of streamlining, and became the prototype for countless electric or wind-up toy trains sold by Marx and other manufacturers into the post-World War II era. In 1939, No. 5344 was re-streamlined with Henry Dreyfus' "bullet nose" design that had been introduced with the J3 class of 1938. In this guise she differed in dimensions from other J1e Hudsons, having 23¾x28-inch cylinders and a boiler pressure of 250 pounds. Her tractive effort was 42,480 pounds, with the booster adding 12,100 pounds, and she weighed 370,000 pounds.
My father's collection of railroadiana included a copy of the Commodore Vanderbilt publicity leaflet. To view the outside and inside pages, click the links below. A 1937 photo from the Gary Overfield collection on George Elwood's NYC Steam Photos site shows the disc drivers and roller bearing side rods that were applied in 1935.
The last set of Mohawk 4-8-2s acquired by the New York Central were the 25 members of class L4b, delivered from Lima Locomotive Works in 1943-44. Like the L3 class, the L4s were equally at home in heavy freight or fast passenger service. Many representatives of both classes were later fitted with the "elephant ear" smoke deflectors visible on No. 3137, which I photographed at Mackinaw City, Michigan in August 1954. The L4s carried a boiler pressure of 250 pounds per square inch, and had 26x30-inch cylinders. With 72-inch drivers, they exerted 59,900 pounds of tractive effort and had a grate area of 75.3 square feet. Their tender held 43 tons of coal and 15,500 gallons of water, and the total weight of both locomotive and tender was 766,700 pounds. Class L4b was the first class on the NYC system to feature the multiple-bearing crosshead instead of the "alligator" type still used on the J3 and L3 classes. (The multiple-bearing crosshead also appeared on the Niagara 4-8-4s and the P&LE A2 2-8-4s.) By the time I was photographing steam, even these modern Mohawks had been displaced from most of the NYC's main lines and relegated to more lightly traveled lines like the Mackinaw City branch.
Above credit: Richard D. Leonard New York Central collection.
Above credit: Gary Overfield, Gary Stuebben collections....
I'll have that Bathams Manager Lars has kindly got me.. Many thanks for the kind words on my return all..Still catching up on the posts since I have been away,unfortunatly the computer is as slow as ever, with it taking ages to get back to the page when I visit a link or even when I enlarge some photos but it is well worth the effort as the posts are as good as ever..
If it is Ok I will I will add some comments and I have one or two questions I will ask when I am up to date,as the questions may be have been answered. I have got to load the digital pics the bride took and I should get my films back later this week.
So many thanks ERIC, JAN, JAMES, MIKE, RON, DL,CM3, ALLAN, LARS and of courseTOM.It is easy to see why we get so many views at Our Place when you read a few days worth at a time as the great facts, links and photos and the interaction on the posts, one example is the B&H post by Tom. A to all.
I see Manager Lars has left a lot of work for me so I had better get on with it.
I,m afraid I wont be in tomorrow as I have to go to St Louis, so a round please RUTH.
Good day Tom and all present. Drinks for all and Guinness for me. Well it is finally cooling down. The past three days have been perfect starting with my daughter's birthday party. One doesn't need too much of an excuse to have a party around here. We also had an unwelcome visitor, a cottonmouth. He (it) went under the porch and wouldn't come out to join the party. We had a load of buckshot waiting for him, but he never showed. Today's calendar: Tomorrow's will be the last.
Eric: Thanks for the info on the Virginian Railway. I wish I had bought more books, but electrics hold my attention with steam second. (Besides electrics are easier to build).
Tom: I had a lot of adjusting to do when I moved down south. I was called a damn Yankee, that's a Yankee that comes down here and stays.
Lars: Yeah, I know what you mean about New York City. I've been away from the big city for a looong time, but when I was back two years ago, I felt at home there. I guess we never forget our roots. NYC was a great place when I left there and went to Boston. That was great also until I moved to San Francisco. I got there just a few years too late. I was able to enjoy the few good things left at the "Baghdad-by-the-Bay", but that too also changed. All I can do now is reminisce about the good times of years gone by, never to return. BTW, I used to march in the St Patricks day parade each year, as I used to go to the Irish Christian Brothers schools. I went to Power Memorial Academy where that basketball star went, Amhad Jabar or something like that, but he came after I graduated HS. I like to watch the Sopranos on TV. That is something I can relate to. When I watch it, I feel I'm back in New York. I hope to make a few more trips up there and with my son who has never been there, but would fit in perfectly. He kinda takes after me.
Jan: You gotta admit those Scullin-disc and boxpok drivers don't look as good as the spoked drivers do. Some real nice NYC pictures.
G-day Tom and all present!!
Leon- Could I get a coffee and a turkey sandwich...... make that two coffees. It's going to be a long night.
Tom- Well, a tweeting just for me......... How did I do that!!!! Boris! Did you know I was going to get into trouble You seemed to have picked me out quick. Well, anyway, I will be out back cleaning his little shed.. But, Boris will be helping me.
Now when you said, this was your perferred time of year... How could you like this?? Some white stuff falling from the heavens, the temperatures dropping to ungaudly lows... Oh, wait. This is "ride the train" part of the year.. I can see it all now.
Photos are still looking good. That Alsakan railway is just a wonder. Some of the scenery along that line must be fantastic. I know for a fact that you will see mountains almost the whole way along that line. It must be facinating riding on a train and watching the land change right before your eyes. Some neat stuff indeed. Great photos.
Eric- The Yellowstone put out 6000 HP. But I'm not surprised that the Mallets had a higher tractive effort. Atleast the yellostones here in Duluth and on the iron range delt with some pretty extensive grades with those ore trains. One such hill is Proctor hill. It's a 2.2% percent hill decending down from Proctor on to Dock six in Duluth and it is about 4 miles long. Even todays locomotives have a hard time getting up the hill with there empty trains. One train is about 180 ore cars. When the steamers were on, they had to make a pretty good tractive effort. That hill has stalled quite a few trains. Anyway, Nice pics there. That SP car looks like it needs some help on the outside. I can see where the roof and the car side meet, there is quite a bit of rust and stains. But I'm glad to see it still running. As it would be, they were scrapped before I was born... I just wish I was able to see more of the Milwaukee Road fleet in action..... Thanks for the pics.
Jan- I would have to agree with you on the Milwaukee Road... Except one thing.. I don't like how the managers ran it back in the seventies... But outside of that, the neatest railroad in the world! You always seem to spark this place up with your pics. Those SP photos were great. And you got the right type of train too. Passenger trains are some of the greatest things that happened to this country. Just watching an older group of passenger cars run down the track at speed is something that can't be explained. Always a great experience if you ask me. And it's even better if someone takes the time and money to restore a steam locomotive. keep the photos coming.
I don't know if I have told you guys, but I am going to be taking on a modeling dream. Walthers has come out with a replica of the Milwaukee Road depot that was located in Milwaukee. Well, I decided to go ahead and order the depot along with an extra shed. So I have laid out how this station is going to go together. I have figured out that the station itself (this is in HO scale) is over two feet long and almost a foot wide. The train shed will take up an impressive four feet and over a foot in width. When I'm done the station will be lit up. It will be a neat station.
Lars- I see your back with some more great book covers. There's one thing I have always liked about the Southern railway. They seemed to do everything backwards from everybody else. Most of there regular power was actually run longhood forwards, instead of the standard. There U boats all had high noses, unlike the regular nose.. It was a great railroad. Thanks for sharing. Also great covers of the AT&SF. There Warbonnet scheme was unlike no other. A really great railroad. Thanks.
Per- Ah heck. If I were a member of that layout, I would be know as "mainline hogger" all the time. Just like the real thing back in the dazes of real railroading. I like to be the little stinker that holds the main to long. Then all of a sudden I would die out on the line somewhere and a crew would have to come and rescue the train. It would be fun.
Good show on the pics. That UP challenger is quite a sight to behold. I am always a bit astounded on why the Union Pacific would keep the steamer going. You look at railorads today and you see them always upgrading to higher levels in technology and erasing the dazes gone by. But not the UP. There Heritage locomotives and there steamers and that great DD40XA. They seem to keep all the good stuff around. Always was an interesting railroad. Thanks for sharing.
Allan- Glad you're liking my posts. I hope to giving out some useful information in the future. And I hope to have some more fun as I have in the past. It's just a great little place here.
Alright, Boris!! Lets go and clean that barn of yours out.
I will have more acknowledgements tomorrow.
I have a small piece I want to share.
The 2-8-8-4 YELLOWSTONE!!
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, a 2-8-8-4 is a locomotive with two
Leon, last week a had a hamburger with a lot of raw onions. Super good! I'll have the same tonight! A large cold Root Bee, please.
Another "cool" day here in the Valley of the Sun! It must be fall already.
Tom – Did you buy a lottery ticket today? Interesting info on Hudson Bay Railway! Believe it or not, but the Port of Churchill is a place I would like to take the train to. It must be something else! Way up in the middle of nowhere and polar bears but still not as far north as where I used to live. I like the paint scheme on thier locomotives!CM3 – There is usually an explanation for everything. I'm talking about the reason the Yankee Clipper sign was made in a certain way/design. JanOlov – I would say you have a lot of catching up to do, riding the X2000. Nice 20th Century Limited ads and pictures! And of course the train consists! Very detailed indeed!Very interesting pictures and info on NYC locomotives!Lars – I have actually been driving across the Verrazzano bridge once! Many years ago though. I guess that should be in my resume if it wasn’t just 93 days left until my retirement. Your pictures caught my eye as usual! But I think there is a little typo, Western Maryland #924 was a 2-8-8-2. I have never heard of any 2-8-6-2. It is very hard to see all drivers in this picture. The linked pix below shows the same locomotive from a different angle.http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/wm924s.jpgIt would be interesting to learn at what place you meet Ruth. Pete – Two weeks is a long time when it comes to catching up! Take your time, just glad to see you back here! Ron – You are right, one can’t uy too many books!I agree about the Scullin-disc drivers compared with the regular spoked drivers. In my world steam locomotives should have spoked drivers!
Heading south to Seattle, WA.
Wednesday's Witticism
A cow chip is paradise for a fly.
Mid-week in mid-continent USA ‘n it's called WEDNESDAY! <grin> On this day we feature freshly ground ‘n brewed Colombian coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n Menu Board selections of <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts! Hmmmm, come to think of it, we feature those EVERY DAY!
Temps on the rise ‘round these parts with the mid-80s making things more summerlike than Fall! <groan> Supposed to be this way for at least another two weeks according to what "they" have to say! <barf> C'mon Fall!
RR BOOK RELAY 2007! My error - mea culpa! Here's the particpant list again . . .
(1) Lars (LoveDomes) - (2) CM3 Shane (coalminer3) - (3) Eric (EricX2000) -
(4) Allan (Gunneral) - (5) James (CMSTPP) - (6) Tom (siberianmo)
<Thanx for the Email, Allan!>
Tuesday - Sep- 18th:
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 10:01 AM: Was hoping you'd return - ‘n you did! Yeah, the Beantowners ‘n Pinstripers always seem to have a "go," irrespective of the meaning of it all. BUT this year with the BoSox about 30 games over .500, ‘n the Yanks 20-something over, well - I'd say with a couple of weeks left, there shouldn't be a worry for the BAHSTUN bunch.
Not so for the CAHDinals of St. Looooooo - really have imploded, pretty much since the Ankiel "thing" hit the wires. That's when it went spiraling downward. However, the entire season has been a downward spiral! So, this latest round of adversity is simply the icing on the bund cake. <ugh>
Patriots looked awesome in their 2nd game. Ya know, if the new Kommish had any "marbles," he'd have turned the win into a loss for the game where "cheating" was detected, imposed suspensions AND fines ‘n be done with it. Nahhhhhhh, instead they are looking at NEXT year. Hmmmmm, something doesn't ring "true" with that in my-not-so-humble OH-PIN-YUN! <groan>
Our Zamboni machines are rarin' to go. Boris ‘n Leon have been in "training," over at the Mentor Village Speedway ‘n Auto Parts Centre! <grin>
Some fine material in your Post ‘n I hope the guys avail themselves of yet another opportunity to delve into the experiences of our WVA Connection! Rail - of course - what else
Email response to RR Book Relay 2007! received.
Round - quarters ‘n chat most appreciated!
Jan (JanOlov) at 10:43 AM: What a fine Post from our Resident Swede in Scotland! Nicely done, Mate! The 20th Century Limited will surely get our friend in WVA to foam at the mouth with responses in kind!
Really a nice spate of info on the 20th Century ‘n the consist info capped it all off quite well! Very well done (again)!!
Glad you enjoy my version of those nostalgia RR ads - there will be more, but I kinda like to space ‘em out a bit before the well runs dry! <grin> Then I'll have to get going on creating more - which means work, which means less time to enjoy these "golden years" I've been reading about!
"Top up" ‘n cigars always welcome!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 11:37 AM: And our Manager is at it again with quite a fine spate of steam locos! What's not to like about those monsters, eh <grin>
For a guy with little to say, you're doing quite well ‘round here! Just a bit of this ‘n that for one ‘n all to pick up on.
Yeah, we seem to have some similar recollections about life on Staten Island "back in the day." I've never been one to think of where I grew up as the ONLY place worth a Rat's Patoot on this globe. Nope, been to far too many places where I've liked things better. However, there is a special place in my mind's eye for Staten Island ‘n of course as long as those images "reside" there, I'll have instant recall for the scene
Greetings dear friends Tom and all......
May I please have an extra cold Guinness, top up and cigars for the gang and here's something for yourself as well mate.
Some $$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer.
Tom, thank you kindly (blushes), as you already know it's mighty hard work to keep up with you, Da Larsman and everybody else around here when it comes to quality posts. It's all you guys that inspire me. Also, no stress about the railroad ads, I'm sure that they'll be more than worth the wait.
DD1, I have to admit that personally I like the Boxpok and Scullin drivers. BUT, they should match the rest of the locomotive, you don't just throw them on to any engine . Streamlined NYC and Milwaukee Road Hudsons would look strange with spoked drivers. Even worse is when they're mismatched like on some Erie Pacifics, right? So I'd have to say that I like them all just as much mate.... Beautiful calendar picture as always
CMSTPP, I was actually for a few years ago talking to someone on the D&H about applying for a job there. Got their rulebook and everything sent over to me. Had Milwaukee Road still been around and going strong, things would have been mighty different for sure. But then I met my ex and I moved to Scotland..... C'est la Vie!
Too bad that Milwaukee Road wasn't run as was back in the day when it managed properly...
My first interest in good ol' American railroads was actually the freight trains. I first didn't look much at the passenger trains and the Limited and so on. Then I stumbled across some books and the interest changed "slightly" and now the interest is just the same for both freight and passenger trains. Almost like speed freight or Limited trying make up time with open throttle and stoker hard at work... You can't just beat heavy freight fighting its way up a grade or a high speeding passenger train with whistles blowing, can you?
As for the Milwaukee Road depot in Milwaukee, I'm gonna by that one and the shed too.
EricX2000, I sure have some catching up to as you put it. Your namesake was just the fine ride as I remember it to be. Still couldn't help to slip back into daydreaming riding a new Hiawatha with a 4-4-2 on the same tracks.....talk about speed!
This Baldwin builder's photo of Pennsylvania Railroad 4-4-4-4 No. 5526 shows the T1 class as originally built, with the "portholes" reminiscent of Buicks of the 1940s and 1950s.
The T1s handled the PRR's premier passenger trains in non-electrified territory in the mid-1940s. They were known for their speed, and had the horsepower to pull a 16-car passenger train at a steady 100 miles per hour - outperforming the 5400-horsepower diesels of the day. They were equipped with oscillating-cam poppet valves for more precise timing of steam admission to, and exhaust from, the cylinders. Their dual drive, plus the absence of valve gear cranking on the drivers, meant their reciprocating parts were lighter than those of a conventional 4-8-4. The dual drive also made possible a shorter piston stroke for the same power output.
At the same time, the T1s were placed in regular service before all their "bugs" had been worked out. They were known for hard-to-control driving wheel slippage, not only while starting a train but at speed. (However, some authorities claim this was due to poor throttle handling by inexperienced engineers.) Their streamlining caused smoke to flow low over the engine, sometimes obstructing the enginemen's view and making it difficult to keep the engines from becoming dingy. The PRR tried to fix the slippage problem by outfitting one engine (No. 5547, reclassified T1a) with conventional Walschaerts valve gear, while another was given rotary cam poppet valves. But the engines began to be placed in storage around 1948, and thus were not in service long enough to correct the defects. None of the T1s survive - the last few went to scrap in 1954, according to one source - but they will be remembered as a bold attempt to meet the challenge of the diesel on its own terms.
Above credit: Richard D. Leonard New York Central collection and northeast.railfan.net.
Ruth my deAH ‘tis the Larsman with a hunger - order me up a #3, wudja please ‘n a hot mugga Joe with a jolt too! And how are you this fine day, young lady If you feel as good as you look, you're on top o' the world! <blush>
Boris, the crittAHs are looking at YOU - so let's get a move on, huh Feeding time for Awk, Tex, Frostbite, Juneau ‘n Artie - make in snappy! <geesh> Yes, yes - that small jar of PPF has your name on it!
Zapped by Da Boss with the <tweeter> Drat it ... <frown>
What AGAIN!!??!!?? <triple geesh> I can't "win" for the life of me with Eric constantly checking out my pix! But then again - they AREN'T mine! <grin> Ok, I'll make the correction ‘n go with your supposition. Makes sense to me - never heard of such a wheel arrangement either - shudda known bettAH - but didn't! <for shame>
I see Jan has been active all over the place again! A bit confused as to why one would even want to make a post on a "one way" thread that was begun so looooooong ago ‘n the guy who started it probably isn't even around today! Oh well, to each his own . . .
One of the major irritants for me about these "open" forums. I'd much prefer a pay as you go web site ‘n keep the junk ‘n anonymous JO's off. We had discussed such a thing about a year ago ‘n I thought we were moving in the right direction, but then . . . I'm all for our OWN web site! ‘nuf of that . . .
I don't believe it!! <gasp> The Bar Chandler is skeeeeedaddling outta here again??? Hmmmm, wonder what's SMALLER than a "thimble" for a "dipper"?? <groan> C'mon Pete, you can do bettAH than that for an excuse to get away. St. Louis???? <grin> Is that where Sonia happens to be today Hmmmmmmm. Makes sense - she could fly down from Canada to St. Louis, then they could . . . Hmmmmmmm.
Back to Jan in Glasgow: Nice spread of pix on the NYC ‘n Milwaukee Road! Discussion points always help with stuff like that - I'm just too lazy! <grin>
By the way, this isn't a competition for who can post the most! Nope, no way. We're supposed to be about discussing Classic Trains ‘n using the photos ‘n narratives to supplement the "talk." That's kinda what set us way apart from the other threads. I'd like to see more on the "talk" between the guys.
My contribution to the Optional Toy & Model Trains Day!
Here are some Euro model trains from my old friend ‘n bookend, Bud Karr (BK) that were seen over on the "old" thread . . .
Fleischmann 4117 - Tender Loco Class 17
Fleischmann 4318 - Electric Loco Class E19.1
Fleischmann 4337 - Electric Loco Class Ae 3/6
Fleischmann 4324 - Electric Loco Class 146
Fleischmann 4903 - Passenger Train of the K.P. u. G.H. St. E.
4913 Passenger Train \"90 Years of MITROPA\" of the P. St. E. V.
Ok Ruth my deAH - I'll meet you in that "other" place when you take your break. Now that I'm "banned" from the Penthouse Suite ‘til October . . . <geesh>
Ahoy Cap'n Tom 'n fellow travelers at the bar!
<geesh> Ruth, when IS your break I'll have a double hit of JD on the rocks, if you please, 'n another round for the boyz!
Doesn't appear as if we're off to a "normal" morning 'round here without the guy who says he's NOT Shane! Also, looks a bit bleak for the PM without Pete! So, I'll provide a few more pix of toy trains on this Optional Toy & Model Trains Day at the bar!
Hell Gate Bridges (from: Terry Johnson layout)
Lionel Hudson #2056 4-6-4
Lionel Trains (1945-1969)
Gilbert American Flyer loco
Hello Tom and all in
I'd better have a pint of Batham's Mild as Pete has drunk the bitter dry now he is back!
Greetings all - sorry not enough time to catch up and acknowledge recent interesting stuff but I will do that ASAP.
I did promise some info on Meccano for today so I want to keep that promise and here we are.
I'd wanted to find out about the connection with Meccano and Erector in the USA - and I found out that they were originally different, but for a while Meccano owned Erector but then they went their separate ways, but it seemed like by agreement meccano was not heavily marked in the USA (unlike Canada). Is this true?
I also saw some modern meccano in a shop in Toronto recently (it is less common in England now but still available from good shops) and this was made in France - where it has been made since the famous Binns Road, Liverpool factory was closed in 1980.
I thought this was remarkable because this was pretty much the only toy in any toy shop not made in china and to be frank the French deserve credit for that! However, I found on the web that recently the Meccano brand has been bought by a Japanese toy firm and they do carry out some production in China - with some also in France - it may be that French labour laws preclude them closing the factory which I think is in Calais.
Here is some information on the famous Set 10 (or 9) the super top set of the range - a mythical set to any child I think - but not a total myth as you always knew it existed - juts not in your average pocket money range!
http://www.internationalmeccanomen.org.uk/REFERENCES/Meccano/CollandHistseries/1948nr9SetOakbox/1948.html
Also this site gives lots of other historical information.
http://www.internationalmeccanomen.org.uk/
Last but not least the famous Meccano Magazine which ran from about 1920 or before to about 1970 ish in its original format - amazingly some people have scanned every page of every edition to sell on CD - given it was monthly for 3/4rs of the 20th century that is some achievement! - And you thought you were busy!!
http://www.mmagazine.co.uk/
Cheerio
DL
Good Morning (Well, it still is in some parts of the country)Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Ye of little faith - thought I wasn't going to be here. Management decrees we do stuff in the morning, so we do stuff in the morning - that's why I'm late. It looks as though it will be the same tomorrow.
Some interesting material to look at while I am souping and sandwiching for lunch.
Jan sent some classic NYC material. The consists are interesting because they give a snapshot of what was on 25 and 26 at different periods. For example, you have a grille-diner and a twin-unit diner on the 1956 version.
6003 at Englewood was indeed late in the game for steam. Is it just me or did they really mess up the looks of 3137. Elephant ears are one thing, but disc drivers? Egad sir, up with this I will not put!
Pete visited.
DD1 stopped by with thoughtful comments. "Reminds me of one of my favorite lines form the movie Home Alone; "Snakes? Snakes? I don't know no snakes."
James stopped by also. The N&W also ran long hood forward - scariest thing out there was a set of long-hood forward SD45s. Thanks for the 2-8-8-4 information.
Lars visited as well - Fleischmann material was a good pick. And, check out the Hell Gate Bridge picture AND all of the neat items that are in the background - wow!
OSP stopped by with comments, etc. The book showed up yesterday. I am looking forward to getting after it. Incidentally, NHL wizards are supposedly trying to come up with a balanced schedule for next season. Buffalo and Pittsburgh will be playing an outdoor game at Buffalo on January 1, 2008 - it pretty well sold out already, according to the Buffalo Whizbang this a.m. Enormous flushing sound you heard is the Red Sox bullpen.
DLs post hit at the same time as this one - I will look at the links you mentioned. Now if somebody would do some of the old rr employee publications. I have a few from the PRR from about the time of the Great War - fascinating stuff.
Now, I did not plant anybody in the audience, but it is kinda strange, all the conversation about New York as I had prepared the following yesterday to post today.
Every so often, I like to post information about short lines and other "smaller" operations. We did something on the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Co. awhile back which elicited a lot of response from the folks at the bar. Today we are going to stick around New York and take a look at another line; the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal Railroad (BEDT).
This road was in the Borough of Brooklyn and received traffic via car float as follows
PRR - Greenville
CRR of NJ/B&O/LVRR - Communipaw
DL&W/Erie - Hoboken
NYC (West Shore) - Weehawken
NYNH&H - Oak Point
The BEDT had three yards: Kent Avenue, Pidgeon St., and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Their entry in the ORG mentioned that the BEDT operated, "For receipt and delivery of freight only for and within New York Naval Shipyard."
They had a most interesting collection of motive power, some of which has survived. This website will give you a tour of the BEDT, explain their operations, etc. There is a link to car floats within the website. Enjoy!
http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/bedt.html#BEDT
work safe
Ruth- How are you this morning? Here it's raining and a bit cold.. But I'm happy!! So I think I will go with an OJ and one of those pastries if you will. Thanks, keep the change.
Eric- Looking good with the X2000 pics. Some great shots of that train. I really like that sign. Amtrak employees only... Glad you got shots of it. What, was the public not allowed to see this magnificent train. <grin> Cool stuff.
I have heard the Boone & Scenic vally train rides. That observation car has a couple features that make it a little weird. First the observation end is bigger than a normal car and second there isn't any scurting?? So I'm a bit boggled. It seems a bit funky. Thanks for the photo. Now I want to go and see if I can't learn any info on it.
Jan- Ah the Atlantics. Some of the greatest passenger trains the Milwaukee had. When I fist got a glipse of these trains in books I really didn't appreciate them that much. And now there something to go off of. Just reading about how the design came to be and how they got to the tracks was quite a story. I always enjoyed reading about these trains. I also got to see some video of them. They are some of the fastest steamers that ever rolled the rails. When the 4-6-4 F7s came out in the 1930s, they were almost instantly classified as the fastest passenger train. These locomotives were capable of over 120 mph, and the record was set at 123 mph. I can't imagine the speed of that train. especially with a steamer..
You have some neat songs there. All took some thinking to get those written. I really liked the southern pacific song. That one just had the right zing to it. Thanks for sharing.
Now if you were a NYC fan those steam engines would be a dream to model. The thing that gives those away is there odd shaped nose and that single headlight in the middle of that nose. An odd shape, but a very famous train, and I respect that.
As I have probably said before, you certainly know how to spruce this place up with your dialogue and pics. Great piece on the NYC. One thing though. There was a paragraph about a steamer that had exploded. Wasn't there a photo that went along with that? He gives mention of it. Outside of that. Nice piece. Greatly enjoyed it.
Tom- Finally, Boris' shed is completely cleam. I finally got it done at about 5 this morning!! <aargh> Boris should be a happy little monster for awhile anyway.
Jumbo dies!!!! What a mean elephant. Of course all of that could have been avoided if the instructor had listened. Those were some interesting significant events. I enjoyed that group. Thanks for sharing. Also thanks for the fallen flags passenger train info. The Maine Central ran through a neat part of the states. I don't think there would have been a day that you couldn't enjoy the scenery on that line. The fall time would probably be the best. With all those colors and the mountains all around you. There's nothing better than running a few Alcos and enjoying the scenery. Thanks.
I have to say, that the Hudson Bay railway was an interesting one to read. Those locos are pretty nice looking. I was impressed that it was a regional and had 810 miles of trackage. They were similar to the Wisconsin Central in many ways. Do you know how fast there able to travel on there line I saw that some of the line was down to 10 mph. A really good read.
Lars- Looking good with the book covers. The Maine Central was one of those railroads that was more than interesting. Your passenger car cover intrigued me. I would like to see what they had for passenger cars. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Also good show on the steam locos. That 2-6-6-2 is my favorite of the bunch. It's a pretty small loco. Those drivers and wheels are smaller than a usual steamer. Thats why I like it. Would you happen to have any stats on that loco
DD1- Ya I know what you mean. But the manufacturers are trying to save money.... If I were one, I would make each loco specific to the railroad. But since they don't, I go ahead and detail them to how the prototype looked. It gives me something to do for quite a while.
CM3- Ya they even painted that GG1 in the Milwaukee Road colors too. I guess they wanted to replicate the Little Joe..... Not very close. But it's just a sample of how companies want to save money.
Pete- good to see you back. Hope your trip went well. Can't wait for more good stuff to roll around from you.
Happy railroading
James
Ruth- Thanks, but I'm still munching on my pastry. Thanks.
Well, since it's model train day, I thought I would go ahead and share some pics with you guys.
This is the station that I have ordered. At the moment I am trying to find some interior shots of the Depot, so I can build it. But I have not had much luck. I am also going to build chandeliers that hang from the cieling and light up. This thing is going to be the ultimate of stations when I'm done. This is a close replica of the Everett street station in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It served the Milwaukee Road from 1887 until it's demise in 1965. This kit comes with the station and a shed.
Since the shed that comes with the station is too small, I also ordered a second shed. When both sheds are together, it will be 4 feet long. It will be quite a shed. There will be 4 tracks inside the shed and 5 track to the right of the shed. There will be enough room to hold one 8 car train on each track when I am done with this depot.
And here's the frieght house and Depot that will go with the five tracks to the right. This will be quite a complex when I am done with it.
All pictures courtesy: www.Walthers.com
Enjoy!!!
Dear Tom and friends....
May I please have the usual for me the boys? Here's something for yourself too.
Cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer.....$$$
I apologise Da Larsman, I didn't mean post as much as possible that's just no fun... I was talking quality wise....
Alright fellas... This round is on me, grab your drinks and come and sit down here in the corner by the fire....(we do have an open fire?) and let's talk about the three BIG steam locomotive builders... just let me put some more wood in.
Which of the three BIG one would you say did most for the development of the steam locomotive, had the best quality on their products, had the best follow up towards the customers in case of any problems, best to listen to customers ideas and needs....etc?
Enlighten me!
PS. CMSTPP, maybe Milwaukee Road Historical Society can help you with the interior, or Milwaukee itself?
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