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

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH

ERIC Many thanks for the photos, quite a selection, from the only bus in Missouri to the X2000 in the snow, with a couple of interesting steam locomotives as well.

ALLAN Glad you enjoyed the pics of Dwight and 26020.

The class 77s were indeed Co-Cos, they were a fair bit heavier than the 76s with the 77s weighing in at 102 tons against the 76s 87 tons 18 cwt and they were more powerful as the 77s were rated at 2,490 HP and the 76s 1,868HP. A note for TOM looking at my book I see that a 76 No 26051 was named ‘Mentor'. The 7 class 77s were named after Roman Gods and 12 class76s were named after Ancient Greek scholars and from Greek Legend. Those last 12 76s were fitted with steam heat boilers for working passenger trains, as the 77s were.

Talking of electric locomotives did you see the two locomotives that worked the North Tyneside line that ran to the Quayside I believe that the two electrics were withdrawn in 1964. I remember the first locomotive No 26500 turn up at a local works in Rugby and was stored there for quite a while it was in a faded red livery, if my memory serves. I think the reason it was there was that the factory it was originally the BTH works and they built the traction motors for the locomotives in 1904.No 26500 is happily now in the National Railway Museum in York in pristine condition as N.E.R. No1. There was quite an extensive railway system inside the BTH works.

I worked with a ‘Geordie' for a few years, to me; it is a unique and great accent.

If I recall correct Newcastle Brown Ale used to have beer mats with sayings in Geordie and a translation.

Photos of the main hall at the N.R.M. YORK. I think NER no 1 electric is hidden in this view, but there are some some great East Coast Main Line of Britain locomotives from over the years with Stirling No 1 to a 'Deltic' and HST 

LARS The reason I wondered about the Maritime Canada was, on the atlas, by the same company, I have that is for Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas it is titled Prairies East and I was told that they have not heard this area called that. I thought the atlas might have been using a bit of artistic license. It is a good atlas though showing the abandon lines and who owned the lines.

There are no worries about the tapes being copied. I had a rather ‘interesting' conversation with VITO THE HIT. He said the tapes were duff as they would not play in Amsterdam (he did not know it is a different system over there) so after paying up what I had left of my meager wages, he handed them back. I don't suppose there is any chance of you overlooking my bar tab this month.

Thanks for the photos of the New Zealand steam locomotives. The semi- streamlined Class G is an interesting engine. They all look impressive, and large locos, especially as I think Allan said the gauge is 3" 6'.

Different and interesting set of book and video covers today.

CM3 Thanks for the info on the railroad operated passenger services. It must have been bittersweet to travel on the last L&N Pan-American.

45407 has 6 feet driving wheels and were capable of a good turn of speed.

It would be great if you do write up the stories from that retirement party as you say everyone at the bar will enjoy them. It is marvelous and a privilege to be in the company of old railwaymen.

That really is ‘truth is stranger than fiction' with the lawyer and the cigars, thanks for sharing.

DL Many thanks for the links. It was a shame that the GT3 had such a short life; I guess it was built too late. I see that great photo of the class 76 on the Woodhead route as caught one of the few named 76s as I have said in my reply to Allan.

That is an interesting coach behind the Metropolitan No11, with the electric pickup on the front bogie; I guess the pickup was connected to the locomotive to ensure supply while the locomotives pick-up was running over a gap in the conductor rail. Also this class of locomotives must have been one of the very few to run on British rails with a rear view mirror.

Good to see that colour photo of that Thompson rebuild of a GCR O4. Thanks for sharing.  

TOM That is very good advice about enlarging the photos at the bar, without enlarging there so much missed in clarity and detail.

Thanks for the kind words for me, and the photos from Alan

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Nice morning activity with appearances by CM3 Shane - Dan (DL-UK) 'n Lars (LoveDomes) - always makes for a good day, especially Monday, when you three show up!

The VIA Rail journey from Gaspé, Quebéc aboard the "Chaleur" continues:

The views from the dome on the final day of our Canadian Railway Adventure couldn't have been better. Blue skies brought out the best of the scenery passing us by as the combined "Chaleur-Ocean" headed west for the final segment to Montréal.

As always is the case, a good sized crowd of people awaited boarding at one of my favorite stops - Drummondville. Seemed like the more knowledgeable of the group always seemed to find their way to the Park Car dome (while traveling the "Ocean") same thing with the "Chaleur" - as the dome car suddenly got a bit crowded. Smart people!

An always bittersweet feeling comes over me at this point, for the trip from Drummondville to downtown Montréal's Central Station seems to pass by quickly.

Got just a tad perturbed over seeing the Park Car observation dome trailing at the far end of the "Ocean." VIA Rail's "info" had repeatedly stated that those cars were not going to be assigned until June 1^st. That "tid bit" of misinformation factored into the planning for our trip. Had I known they were to be put in service at the end of May - even just a few days earlier than the "reported date" - it would have altered my thinking for the planning of our trip. I surely wanted to ride the Park Car one more time - and Pete would've loved it. Oh well . . . such are the turns of events when out of one's control, eh VIA Rail strikes again . . . <gloom>

For whatever the reason, we seemed to be a bit behind the scheduled 08:30 arrival - but no problem - we had all day to catch our plane! <gee golly gosh>

So then, these are the FINAL fotos from the rail portion of our adventure - enjoy!

There's more to this story, but it will be told in segments, as the fotos progress on!

Oh yes, if you haven't been "clicking" on the Pix to enlarge them - you've really missed out!!  Of course you can always go back - they now "reside" in the Ether for your enjoyment - all at no expense in labor or money to those viewing ‘em. My compliments!

Pix from Day Six: Tuesday - May 29^th, 2007 - aboard VIA Rail's CHALEUR in Quebéc, Canada en route Montréal.

Views from the Skyline dome <fotos taken from 07:00 on . . .>

All aboard at Drummondville!

(1)

(2)

Adieu Drummondville!

(3)

Views from the dome!

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

To be continued . . .

Enjoy!

Tom

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, you are the major reason why Monday is a good day! A mug of Colombian with a jolt if you please. Boris, I see the crittAHs are lined up, so get with it - feeding time! And yes, that small jar of pickled pig's feet has your name on it! A round on the Larsman ‘n the change is yours, my deAH! <grin>

Really humid on "the island" but the temperatures are tolerable considering we're almost into August. Pretty decent forecast for the rest of the week with only a slight chance of precip today . . . Gasoline prices? Well that's ‘nother story! <ugh?> Lowest I've seen at our "favorite" Gulf station was $3.05, which has dropped quite a bit lately. Dropped?!?!? Can you believe three bucks ‘n we're apparently "ok" with it . . . crap!

For Cap'n Tom: Cardinals are looking more like they should have all year. Then again, your pitching isn't what I'd call "top shelf." But, youse guys are still in the hunt for the division crown - such as that is. My Mets are still on top ‘n I give ‘em one more month to prove that they can "do it" again this year.

Canadian RR history is a feature that I look forward to ‘round this joint. Lots of good material found in those feature articles. A shame that we haven't got some north-of-the-border people to chime in on the info. So, what's happened to Fergie???? Never thought he'd be a regular or even engage in routine dialogue, but . . . No Canadians out there??? Bet there are, but wondAH why they're so reluctant to join this international crew?!?!

For Ron (DD1): Looks like you've gotten confused with which site is the bar! Ruth, pass whatever he's been drinking over here, wudja?!?! <grin>

Yeah, those NZ steamers are really quite similar in appearance to not only the PRR, but others too.

Since I've pretty much covered the bases on Sunday with my version of recognizing the others, I'll get right to some ‘stuff,' then I'm outta here . . . AFTER catching up on some <ahem> admin matters! Ready my deAH??

 

For Shane (CM3): That story involving the cigars, insurance company, law suit, etc. is poetic justice "in the flesh." WHERE do we find judges like that, huh

Sounds to me like you live in area where there's all kinds of railroading interests ‘n activities. Sounds like a plausible location for a Rendezvous!! Good tales, good brew, good company - sounds like a winnAH to me!

 

For Dan (DL): Good to see ya, mate! Appreciate the Urls . . .

 

Ruth, one more while we check out the "stuff" . . . A potpouri of covers from the "misc" files . . .

Until the next time!

Lars

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom

Well, Leon, I'll have a Traditional Breakfast please. Good to see some good recent posts.

Tom, your mention of the Park Car on the Ocean rtn consist made me look at the VIA website - now - what do you think of the following? When I travelled on the Ocean last year I got a sneak preview in the Park Car bedrooms thanks to a friendly and helpful attendant - she explained that they were being used as crew rooms because the software VIA used could not sell the bedrooms to passengers in the mixed Ren / Park car consist. However, running a journey through their on line booking system today shows an offering of Easterly Class triple or quadruple bedrooms (for double occupancy) - well - am I right in thinking there are no triple or quad bedrooms in the Ren stock? - so do you think I am right to conclude that they are now offering the bedrooms in the Park Car? Allowing Budd overnight accommodation on this train.

CM3 - The LNER had a reputations for use of the more Avant Garde artists for their graphic design work - esp. in the art deco style. Original posters etc from this period fetch a good price when sold here these days.

Ron - one of the words I'm told has been Americanized here is railway station being changed to ‘train station'. I do find the latter annoying and inappropriate.

Pete - I think the weekend close down for engineering work is increasingly becoming a problem here - they are also closing whole stretches of line for weeks to do large work quickly - they seem to have lost the skill of managing the 24 hour railway.

Good point about the Devon Belle observation cars. It is good to know that the LNER observation cars are being restored, and the ex Devon Belle car that has been brought back from San Francisco too.

Eric - as you pointed out cars in those days did not offer strong crash worthiness - in the UK the wooden frame was still standard until the late 1940s I think.

Lars - nice to see those pics from Trolley Boy Rob being revived.

Allan - you make an interesting point about the NER proposed electrification - I'd forgotten all about that - it would have been amazing if the east coast main line had been wired up in those days - as I recall the north east was quite a pioneering area for electric traction in that period - I suppose it reflects the value of the industrial work on offer there in those days.

Well - to finish off with here are some links - I have bemoaned not being able to find colour pics of the quality Mike finds for the US in the classic era - but there are a few here that are good - I particularly like the Gas Turbine loco GT3:

http://www.railwayarchive.org.uk/stories/getobjectstory.php?rnum=L3522&enum=LE130&maxp=18&pnum=11

and here is a particulry good pic of a Class 76 Bo Bo in action on a freight (sadly not colour):

http://www.railwayarchive.org.uk/stories/getobjectstory.php?rnum=L2535&enum=LE130&pnum=11&maxp=18

Pete - here's one of the LT electic locos on the four rail system

http://www.railwayarchive.org.uk/stories/getobjectstory.php?rnum=L2642&enum=LE130&pnum=16&maxp=18

Here's another nice colour pic - steam this time

http://www.railwayarchive.org.uk/stories/getobjectstory.php?rnum=L3523&enum=LE130&pnum=8&maxp=18

Regards

DL

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.

Lots to read and look at today, so here goes!

Pete sent some interesting material.  I enjoyed the pictures, especially the one of 26020 at the York Museum.  Also, folks, check out the size of the drivers on 45407 - truly a beast!  To answer your other question, all railroad operated passenger services (except for Rock Island, D&RGW, and Southern) ceased on May 1, 1971. I did participate by riding the last L&N-operated "Pan American" and the first Amtrak-operated "South Wind."  The "Wind" was an all-SCL stainless consist.  The diner featured SCL menu as I had dinner on the way back from Louisville. 

Eric - Hope you are continuing your recovery.  We saw a lot of coverage of the helicopters on CNN over here.   The Boston picture was a good one (dampest place in the world in the winter).  IIRC, that's about track 12 at South Station.  Coaches in the background belong to MBTA and operate in commuter service.  Also appreciated the Calumet and Hecla 0-6-0T.

Lars has been busy running the Bookmobile, encore posts and commentary I agree with your comments re documentation as I would have, as you say, taken one in the engine room.  My notes saved me from having to deal with a lot of lawyers who reversed themselves.  The steam pictures were most welcome.

DD1 visited - much to be said for BBQ in that part of the world.  Every so often, when I was traveling a lot more than now, I got to go to Alabama.  There are, of course, many places like that down there.  One I remember had pictures of Auburn football players on one wall, and pictures of Alabama players on the other.  Where you sat determined your allegiance.  I generally sat in the middle of the place because, although I did go to an SEC school, it was neither of the ones that were pictured.  Anyway, the food was excellent.  We have several operations like that around there which have the smoker out front. 

Allan visited with comments and observations.

OSP continues with his travelogue.  The shot from the front of the dome is a good one.  The countryside there reminds me of parts of Wisconsin as viewed from the Empire Builder.  Regarding your Rock Island post, I hit ‘refresh" b4 I submitted my last post, and "there it be." I know, "Why is the rum always gone?"

I have Guardian on DVD but have not looked at it yet-my son recommended it.  BTW, the Mentor Theatuh might want to host a viewing of "Fly Boys."  Check it out if you haven't seen it already.  Men of Honor is a good offering as well.  Also thanks for your Canadian history material.

Over the weekend, I was a guest speaker retirement party for "the oldest" person on the railroad in the area.  He had seniority with C&O and with Amtrak going back to about 1965.  It was a bittersweet occasion as many of these are, but it was really great to see approx. 125 people there.  We told a lot of stories, told lies, shared pictures, ate like pigs, etc.  Everyone at the bar would have enjoyed it.  I am going to try and write some of this material up as it is worth sharing.  One story that stuck in my mind went back a few years when the guest of honor went from working on the C&O to working on the NF&G.  The NF&G folks recalled that, "He treated us like we wanted to be treated - like human beings."  Something to think about, for sure. 

Now a little something from the Only in America file:

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON!

(Stay with me.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable, and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable "fire" and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars lost in the "fires".

NOW FOR THE BEST PART..

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine. (Gotta love it!)

Work safe

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Time once more for a monthly feature at "Our" Place called Significant Events in Canadian RR History . . .

This was initially Posted on Page 371 on the Original Thread back on 06 July 2006:

Significant events in Canadian RR History during the month of July.

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/


* July 21st, 1836: - Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad opened. This was Canada's first public railroad. The inaugural train was pulled by the locomotive the "Dorchester". In 1857 the Champlain and St. Lawrence became part of the Montreal and Champlain Railroad which was leased to the Grand Trunk in 1864 and now forms part of the Canadian National system.


* July, 1847: - Incorporation, by the Legislature of the Province of Canada, of La Compagnie du Chemin à Rails du Saint-Laurent et du Village d'Industrie, to build from Lanoraie, on the Saint Lawrence downstream from Montreal, to Village d'Industrie, 12 miles. Village d'Industrie was later renamed Joliette after its founder, Barthelemy Joliette. This railway originally had wooden rails surmounted by iron straps. It was taken over by the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway in 1878 and acquired by CP in 1884.


* July 31st, 1851: - The 5'6" gauge, broad gauge, is adopted as the standard gauge for Ontario and Quebec. The broad gauge was used until about 1870 after which time there was a gradual change to the now standard 4' 8 1/2" gauge.


* July 15th, 1853: - Grand Trunk Railway is formed by the amalgamation of the following companies:

Grand Trunk Railway of Canada
Grand Junction Railway
Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada East
Quebec and Richmond Railway
St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railway
Toronto and Guelph Railway

The Grand Trunk also leased the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railway giving access to Portland, Maine.


* July, 1856: - first section of the Grand Trunk Railway west of Toronto is opened between Toronto and Guelph.


* July 1st, 1867: - Dominion of Canada is formed by Confederation of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. One of the conditions of Confederation was the building of a railway by the newly constituted Dominion Government to connect Halifax with the St. Lawrence at or near Quebec. Sir Sandford Fleming directed the surveying and construction of the trackage to fill in the gap in the railway system between Rivière du Loup and Truro, the Grand Trunk having previously constructed eastwards as far as Rivière du Loup and the Province of Nova Scotia having built a line between Halifax and Truro.

The Canadian Government Railway, also known as the Intercolonial Railway, was formed to take over the lines in Nova Scotia and to construct the trackage between Rivière du Loup and Truro.


* July 12th, 1871: - North America's first public narrow gauge railway, the Toronto and Nipissing, is opened for traffic between Toronto and Uxbridge. The 3'6" gauge line was converted to standard by 1884.


* July 20th, 1871: - British Columbia is admitted to the Dominion of Canada. One of the conditions of entry is that the Dominion Government should, within two years from the date of union, commence the construction of a railway from the Pacific towards the Rocky Mountains and from a point east of the Rocky Mountains towards the Pacific to connect the seaboard of British Columbia with the railway system of Canada.


* July 1st, 1873: - Prince Edward Island joins Confederation. One of the conditions was that the Dominion Government take over and complete the Prince Edward Island Railway which had been commenced in 1871. The Intercolonial Railway became responsible for the Prince Edward Island Railway and opened the line between Charlottetown and Tignish for traffic on January 4, 1875.


* July 1st, 1876: - Through rail travel between Halifax, Quebec and the rest of the Canadian rail system is made possible.


* July 3rd, 1904: - First run of the Ocean Limited passenger train between Montreal, Que. and Halifax. N.S. This is the longest running train in Canada having operated continuously over the same 840 mile route.


* July 22nd, 1906: - The Grand Trunk Railway changes from left to right hand running on double track sections. The change involved considerable alteration in crossovers, switches and semaphore signals.


* July 1st, 1912: - Canadian Pacific leases the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company, Vancouver Island.


* July 31st, 1916: - through service commences on the CPR Kettle Valley line between Nelson and Vancouver, BC., the first regular passenger train having run between Midway and Merritt on 31 May 1915.


* July 15th, 1932: - The Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway is opened throughout between North Bay and Moosonee, Ont. Construction was started on May 10, 1902. The name was subsequently changed to Ontario Northland Transportation.


* July 14th, 1943: - Central Station, Montreal is opened by Canadian National. This completed a project originally begun in 1929.


* July 16th, 1945: - Canadian National opens the high ore dock at Port Arthur whch was built to handle ore from the Steep Rock Iron Mines near Atikokan, ON. The first shipment left the dock on July 20 on the vessel Marquette.


* July, 1950: - Canadian Pacific opens the first retarder hump yard in Canada at St. Luc, Montreal.


* July 8th,, 1955: - Canadian National officially opens its line from Terrace to Kitimat, BC, with a "last spike" ceremony, the spike was made from aluminum produced at the Kitimat plant.


* July 27th, 1955: - Canadian National opens a branch line from Hillsport to Manitowadge, ON.

[siberianmo]

<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>

A smile to begin the week!

"Dad, the guy is here for the Venetian blinds." "Look in my pants pocket and give him five bucks."

<A Yogi-ism!>

G'day Gents!

End of the month is in sight. Summer is still with us 'n petrol has dropped a bit to $2.69 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner." All's well here in mid-continent USA . . .

And nooooooooooooow, it's MONDAY! Settle in with a mug of freshly ground ‘n brewed special Colombian blend coffee - pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!

This definitely should be the week where the wind down to the weekly Postings of Pix from the Canadian Railway Adventure occurs. Hope those of you who've taken the time to check ‘em out are using the "ENLARGE" feature - otherwise you're really missing out on the details. Just "click" the foto . . .

Watched the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies for perhaps two of the finest ‘n greatest modern day ballplayers ‘n gentlemen - Tony Gwynn & Cal Ripken, Jr.  Really something special ‘n thanx to the MLB site, they had streaming video of it, otherwise wouldn't have see it on our cable or regular TV outlets. Thanx to MLB!

Being observant: Saw West Coast S (Dave) signed-in on the Forums Saturday afternoon - but no visit at the bar!?!?

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

Lars (LoveDomes) at 9:57 AM Saturday - July 28^th: You know it's gonna be a good day when our Manager is on board! A day at the bar without Lars - Pete ‘n Eric just isn't complete. This place doesn't run itself, and you three are our most stalwart of regulars with CM3 Shane our Monday thru Friday morning anchor!

Excellent choices for ENCOREs - ‘n my guess is neither of those UTBs will EVER know they were chosen!

Cards took a day-nite doubleheader from the Brewers on Saturday. Go figger! The first game was a real comeback story, having been down 6-zip only to wind up pulling it out in the 9^th inning, 7-6. Then they came back from a 5 run deficit yesterday  to pull out another victory. But it is really far too little, far too late - as I see it.  They are not a good team, in spite of being in a lousy division 'n all the King's horses, 'n all the King's men aren't going to enable them to repeat as WS Champs again.

So when does the NFL begin??

Nice "lesson" in there for our Bar Chandler - and to think that he was IN Maritime Canada!! <grin> Québec - New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - Prince Edward Island ‘n Newfoundland-Labrador, that sums it up nicely.

Thanx for the visit, ENCOREs, chat, round ‘n continuing support!

 

Ron (DD1) at 11:45 AM Saturday - July 28^th: Good that you've found a place to hoist a few, partake in the eats ‘n spend a bit of time with your son.

Figure I'll be carried out of where I'm at too. No plans to relocate, ever again. Been there done that far too many times over my career. Now the anchor is firmly in place ‘n for the most part, it's fine with me.

Regarding the photos - we NEED to "talk," as there's nothing really difficult about this. So, here's what I'd like you to do: You've got my Email address (no need to send anything via the Forums) - tell me what your operating system (Win XP, etc.) is on your computer - I'd like to know what kind of software you use for word processing (MS Word, etc.)- and what kind of computer you have (Dell, etc.) along with the way you hook up to the internet (hi-speed, etc.)

Once that's "in," then tell me exactly what you've tried to do in order to Post Pix. Need to know what "service" you're trying to use (PhotoBucket, etc.) Take your time ‘n document it. We'll figure it out!!

I wouldn't cross the street to look at that POS (you figger it out!). What a joke to call her anything other than what she is.

Round, visit ‘n chat appreciated!

Pete (pwolfe) at 6:46 PM Saturday - July 28^th: Love the music, can't stand the "man." ‘Nuf said about Elton . . .

Point of clarification on the Alaska RR Pix I've been Posting: The dining area shown is on the lower level of the bi-level car (UltraDome) used for the Gold Star passengers. It isn't the dining

[LoveDomes]

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

Yeah, I know it's Sunday ‘n the joint is CLOSED! But, I'm the Manager ‘n figured I'd come in to straighten things up a bit after last night's ruckus in the pool room. The "traditional" Friday night pool tournament amongst the track gangs spilled over to Saturday ‘n what's to say, other than - what a mess!! <groan>

Boris is up ‘n about the decks, so it's time to feed the crittAHs there "due," go for it man <?> tray o' seeds for Awk, bucket o' ice cubes for Frostbite, saucer o' brine for Tex, chewbone for Juneau ‘n take Artie out back for his field mouse! <ugh>

For Cap'n Tom: Nice selection of military flicks from Da Boss. As an old Navy man, there's a good one there on Navy divers. The Coast Guard flick is a keeper too, we saw it shortly after coming out.  The Mrs. has a "thing" about Kevin Costner. <golly gee> <grin>

Couldn't agree more with you regarding the written word. So many times I would've been bitten in the stern tube had I not been able to come up with documentation regarding something gone wrong. When dealing with customer service people these days, it's most unusual to get anything in writing from them - even email. They seem to prefer the phone call response, which of course become very cloudy should the situation persist on a back ‘n forth basis. Nope - I'm for the letter every time, and sending it to the top guy always gets to those responsible. Just have to be patient, which apparently you were with that Via rail fiasco. When it's MY money, you betchaboots I'm going to document my concerns. <grrrrrrrrrr>

So, how was "The Full Monty" last night? We saw it on Broadway about 6 or 7 years ago ‘n must admit it was quite clever how they "fit" that movie into live theater, and a musical at that. Didn't think I'd like it, for I'm "old fashioned" about certain "things." But once I settled in to the fantasy of musical theater, I found it very entertaining.

Those Alaska scenery pix are FANTASTIC! The Mrs. says they look like they're from paintings! Really nice stuff!!

For Allan: The Harvey Girls goes back a few decades, eh Wouldn't it have been a <hoot> to have been able to travel aboard those Santa Fe trains with perhaps a "Harvey gal" or two!

Nice to know that the book covers are appreciated! And oh yeah, check out "the other thread' run by the Cap'n - been putting up some fine steamers you may find of interest.

For Eric: Diversity rules! Nice selection of photos for the gang. That guy working at the rails is doing his "thing" to ensure the flanges "flange"!! <grin>

For Pete: You blew my feeble mind with that comment regarding whether the "maritime" would be the same in the atlas (compared to what I said). Huh??? Why wouldn't it?? Oh well, best to move on . . .

You're very perceptive that the fish would've been a bit "tainted" had those tapes not shown up. Now the question is - how do we know they weren't COPIED??? <arrrrggghhh>

Good shots from you friend, Alan!

I leave you with these ‘n wish y'all a most pleasant Sunday!

New Zealand steam . . .

Class Ka 945 4-8-4 restored and owned by Steam Incorporated (photo credit) - trainweb.org

Ka 969 4-8-4 (photo credit: Steam Incorporated - trainweb.org)

Ka 4-8-4 (photo credit: Steam Incorporated - trainweb.org)

Class G 4-6-2 (New Zealand Steam/trainweb.org)

Until the next time!

Lars

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Leon, a round of Tui`s for all the crew please!

Tom.  You were right about the SF Warbonnet paint scheme "It`s simply the Best" as Tina Turner would say! The GC1`s are great looking machines, I saw a pic of one last year in "Trains" magazine, it was painted in the Penn green,  the consist of coaches was the same colour, I think it was a Conrail directors special lash up?  Once again many thanks for your very interesting pics and travelogue, great reading and your choice of flicks bring back some happy memories.

Thanks for the round.

Eric.  Great to see you on board again so quickly, we were on the page at the same time the day before yesterday. Good to see you are enjoying thr Brit connection, and thank for your pics and posts. As the old saying goes, "Keep on keeping on".

Pete.  Enjoyed your LNER entries, great pics of "Dwight" and the 76. In the black and white pic I have of 6701 in it`s original form it looks as if it`s  in LNER green, it`s got the LNER plates under the cab sides.  Now you and Dan mentioned it I do remember the name "Tommy" the Dutch  gave her. The 76 and 77`s looked very much the same but the 77`s were Co-Co`s were`nt they?

DL. You were correct about the 76`s and Gresley not giving them the same streamlined looks of his A4`s and P2`s, it looks as if he followed the Raven electric loco No13 of the 1920`s that were supposed to run on the York to Newcastle electrification that never took off in those days. Thanks for the Coronation links, Stanier was a great designer as well, a beavertail coach would have looked great on the Coronation Scot!

Lars.  The movie "The Harvey Girls" is what got me into the SF, Judy Garland singing "On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe' clicked somehow, that was in 1947 when I was 12, which is 60yrs ago this year, GEEZ!, time flies when your enjoying yourself! Enjoyed all your book covers and info.

DD1. Must agree with you about the English language, here in NZ the vowel sounds are very different as well. We Geordies from Tyneside have a very strong dialect, as other Brits will confirm, I had 14yrs in the army and lost a lot of my dialect during that time.

Shane. Enjoyed all your posts, some interesting info, thanks.

See ya ,  Allan

 

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, after that good breakfast early in the morning I think it is time for a juicy Filet Mignon with lots of mushrooms and all the other delicious sidings you serve here at the bar by the siding!

Kind of quiet here for the moment. Gives me plenty of time to enjoy my meal and relax. I brought some randomly picked pictures.

 

The first one is another bus, but this is a bus replacing a train. St. Louis in May 2007, a Prevost. For Ron! Kind of blurry (too dark), but I think you can see what it looks like.

 

 

The next is a picture of man at work to keep the trains running.

 

 

This picture is showing a retired steam engine, Class E10, in the old country in 1968.

 

A picture from 1976, the train in the rearview mirror of the locomotive. I may have shown this before, I am not sure.

 

A picture for Captain Tom and Manager Lars. Boston, January 1993.

 

Finally a picture for the rest of us. For a moment I was temped to show a pix of me horseback riding, but that would have been too much fun for one day. After my recent surgery it still hurts when I am laughing so we better keep on the boring side.

 

 

Have a nice weekend!

 

Eric 

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A cup of coffee and one of the bacon butties please CINDY.

 ERIC That was indeed a bad helicopter accident in Phoenix but so lucky that no one on the ground was hurt or worse.

As Tom as said we did tell VIA rail about our experience and we did stress that most of the train crews were excellent but it just needs one to leave a very bad impression, not surely a good idea when a service it trying to attract tourists as opposed to people who have to use the service.

I guess the Beaver tails had the normal frames to protect against a collision.

Glad you liked the A4 and the class 76 photos.

Just a how do you know that RUTH doesn't like the cold.

Received your e-mail, thanks.

LARS Thanks for saving the Fish ‘N' Chips. Although the note taped to the bottom of the plate which read "Think what might have been in the fish if the tapes had not come back" was a bit of a

I just wondered if Maritime Canada was the same in the atlas. I have looked it up and it is, I should have got one before our trip, although they have not done one yet that covers Quebec.

Many thanks for the great Encore photos from ROB and DOUG. I really miss seeing those Trolley pics and Doug's have great info on the equipment in the photos, which, I guess is from the IRM.

 When you think about Our Place not only have we had really great writings we also have had some really wonderful photos as well.

RON. Thanks for the beer. The shed sounds a great place with that excellent Barbecue and the imported beers.

The Bus scene in the UK changed dramatically in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a great variety of buses from different manufacturers, in fact the local bus company used to build their own buses up to the late 1960s, but it all changed and the buses and coaches all started to look very much the same. There are preservation societies who have saved old buses and renovated them. They are often shown at rallies across the UK.

TOM Elton John is due to do a concert in Kansas City later this year.

As you say I am really glad we did take the bus in the end. I have not heard anymore about that the proposed abandonment of the line from New Carlisle towards Gaspe, after that piece in Trains mag about it a couple of months ago, I guess if that does happen it will always be a bus.

The A4 photo came out well the ‘auto- fix' cleaned it up well, of course the bride took it not me thats why it looks good.

It is annoying when you see a magazine in the shops but you have not received your subscription copy, it used to happen a few times to my mag in the UK, but I think this issue is worth waiting for.

Many thanks for The Alaskan Rail Adventure Encore. That is a fine looking train both on the outside and on board, I really like how they have done the dining car and of course that simply wonderful scenery.

Good movies again at the Emporium. I see The Guardian is a recent film, I have not seen it but it sounds a good story line, I would like to hear your opinion on it. Men of Honor is playing on the TV this afternoon, I have seen it and thought it a very good movie, and of course the Stooges. What a great title ‘Cactus Makes Perfect'. And August is to be the Stooges feature film month.

This weeks photos from Alan are from,as CM3 put it, Drake's Drum country.LMS class 5 No 45407 ran a trip to the preserved South D

[siberianmo]

ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!

at "Our" Place!

We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!


Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!

 

. . . July 29^th thru August 4^th: The Guardian (2006) Starring: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Sela Ward, Melissa Sagemiller & Clancy Brown, - and - Men of Honor (2000) Starring: Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlize Theron, Aunjanue Ellis & Hal Holbrook. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Cactus Makes Perfect (1942).

 

The Guardian (2006)

PLOT SUMMARY:

The US Coast Guard version of "Top Gun" with a little "An Officer and A Gentleman" thrown in: an aging USCG rescue swimmer's team is killed in a horrific rescue mission. Immediately prior to this terrible event, his wife also announced that she cannot take anymore. His first love is always the rescue mission. This leaves him an obviously emotional wreck. His Commander gives him a choice - quit or take a position as an instructor at the USCG training facility in Louisiana. Reluctantly he takes the position. Moving into the school, he immediately increases the 18 week curriculum that routinely fails half of the people that attend. Here he meets a young man with unlimited potential, but with some secret that seems to hold him back as a team player. Delving into his past, links are found that make him a psychic twin to the older man. Thrown into the midst of the story is a romance with a local girl. Rescue missions punctuate the beginning and end of the story with the training sessions the center of the film.

<Coast Guard Day is August 4^th - established 1790>

from: amazon.com

 

Men of Honor (2000)

PLOT SUMMARY:

Men of Honor presents a great role model for younger viewers, yet it's rated R due to abundant use of the F word. With appropriate discretion, parents should allow their preteen and teenaged children to see this rousing if altogether conventional biopic inspired by the life of Carl Brashear. Played with gravity and gumption by Cuba Gooding Jr., Brashear was the first African American to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, despite the lingering effects of segregation, opposition from Navy brass, and the amputation of his left leg following a tragic on-duty accident. Robert De Niro adds marquee value and salty bluster as Billy Sunday, the drunken, redneck (and fictionalized) Master Chief who watches, with gradual admiration, as Brashear attains his ultimate goal through sheer force of will.

from: amazon.com

 

SHORT: Cactus Makes Perfect (1942)


PLOT SUMMARY:

Curly has invented a gold collar-button finder, and the Stooges immediately try their luck prospecting using their new invention. As they do so they run afoul of some grizzled desert rats, and discover the Lost Mine. After taking refuge in a ghost town hotel, they lock themselves and the gold in the safe, where the villainous prospectors immediately try to dynamite them out.

from: threestooges.net

 

 

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

 

 

Enjoy! See y'all on Monday . . .

Tom

[siberianmo]

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

Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.

G'day Gents!

Good to see Manager Lars "in" on Saturday with some chat 'n two great ENCORE! submissions! Those two guys used to "own" the weekends with their contributions - but that was then, and here we are.

Nice to see Ron (DD1) stop by as well! Appears you weathered the lunch with your son quite well!

More specifics in the Monday AM summary . . . Thanx guys!

Last week I began some ENCORE! Pix Posting from our 2006 Alaskan Rail Adventure - here's another segment, previously Posted on Page 352 of the Original Thread back on 11 Jun 2006 . . .

Even though "Our" Place is CLOSED on SUNDAY's -
We do observe Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Here are some more Pix from our Alaska Rail Adventure!
Click to enlarge!


(13) ARR Anchorage Depot




(14) upper level interior of car #651 en route Denali




(15) ARR lower level dining area of car #651 en route Denali




(16) ARR Denali Star en route Denali
Consist of train: 2 loco's - 1 baggage - 1 double-deck full length dome for Gold Star Service (1st class) - 1 conventional diner - 1 coach - 2 conventional domes - 1 coach - 5 Holland-America cruise line double-deck cars - 5 Princess cruise lines double-deck cars




(17)ARR Denali Star en route Denali




(18) ARR Denali Star at Talkeetna




(19) ARR Denali Star - reflections at Talkeetna




(20) ARR Denali Star at Talkeetna




(21) North to Alaska! at Talkeetna

(22) ARR Denali Star in the Alaska Range en route Denali




(23) ARR Denali Star in the Alaska Range en route Denali




(24) ARR Denali Star in the Alaska Range en route Denali



That's IT for this fine day . . . . more next Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Enjoy!

Tom

[Anonymous]

Good morning Tom and all hands present. The bar is on me. I guess I don't get around much anymore. I can't say I haven't seen some classy looking buses around, but not many in my neck of the woods. The photo of the bus posted by Eric sure proves me wrong. I was really thinking of bus names like MB, Renault, Deutz, Mitsubishi, etc. There just seems to be more variety in bus design offshore than here. I used to travel Greyhound for many years as a commuter in San Francisco, but it was always the same looking bus year after year. They were comfortable enough, but not exciting. Tom, you were wondering why I didn't go to our place for lunch with my son. The rib place we went to, called the shed, is a winner in national barbecue cook-offs. It is also the place where Paris Hilton(that s---) was when she was doing that series on TV called "The Simple Life". After her interview when she badmouthed Mississippi, she is not welcome back. She thought we were backward, had no class and a few other impressions. We already knew that. She didn't have to say so. Having lived all my life around large population areas, the move to Ms was a welcome change. You know I'm going to stay here because I already have purchased a burial site here. The barbecue was excellent btw, with Guinness and many imported beers, both on tap and container. They smoke their meats over Pecan wood that my daughter (the enterpreneur) provides. Our place is probably a safer place. The shed was flooded with five feet of water from Katrina. Next hurricane, I'll check in there. I'm still trying to figure out how to post photos, Sorry, I followed your directions, got to the thread "How to post photos", but still can't figure it out. BTW, I still haven't recovered fully from the beer and barbecue orgy. Take care. See you soon. Ron

[LoveDomes]

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

Cindy my sweet, you are loooooooookin' mighty fine ‘n there's no doubt why the Cap'n has you on ‘n in his mind constantly!

A mugga Joe with a jolt and I think a menu selection this fine day is in order, make it #3 wudja please? And a round for the house, treats for the crittAHs - Boris, feed ‘em ‘n that small jar of pickled pig's feet is YOURS! Keep the change my deAH!

And so we're once again at that Saturday Encore day, huh Shouldn't be difficult to find something in the archives to help things out here at my favorite watering hole. For the newer customers, we've been doing this kinda thing seemingly forever on weekends. The Cap'n used to hold the photo day on Sundays, with the bar closed of course. Then things pretty much got a bit inactive, so he decided to completely shut down on Sunday, which in my opinion was a good move. I'd even opt for shutting ‘er down on Saturdays too. But there might be a rumbling from those out there who truly enjoy this joint! <uh oh>

For Eric: Checking out the details on bookcover locos!

We'll be in the Keys for winter - but you can still send me your sympathy if you wish! <grin>

Have to agree, fish DOES taste FISHY!

Real tragic event out there in Phoenix. Always wonder about those final seconds when one knows . . .

For Pete: Surprised at you! Maritime Canada is just that - the Provinces boardering the sea. Kinda like the way we call a segment of the U.S. by a "nickname" - New England encompasses 6 states. Maritime Canada has Newfoundland/Labrador - Nova Scotia - Prince Edward Island - New Brunswick 'n Quebec.

I had your Fish 'n Chips put aside figuring you'd want 'em . . .

For Da Boss: Nice wind down to Friday with those photos!  I've been picking up on something here. So WHERE does Stealthy Pete go 'n WHO with??? Sounds a bit strange to me that a guy who has never traveled in a dome wouldn't be the first in it! Something to investigate . . . <hmmmmm>

That was a nice gesture on the part of the crew to give you guys a dinner. At least someone had presence of mind to be a bit more than "sterile." Nice.

Thought Via wasn't going to put those observation domes on the end of the Ocean until the so-called tourist season?? Bet that bothered you!

Many thanks for the continuing pix, advertisements 'n fallen flags. Really a treat to hang around this joint!

Sorry 'bout those Red Birds of yours. And they ARE sorry this year. <ugh>

Check these Encore posts out from two guys who used to call this place home . . .

First from trolleyboy Rob back on Jan 20, 2006 from page 220 on the old site:

Okay first stick of pictures for the Posting day ( Sunday here already at any rate ) Museum stuff this time round. A tickler for those comming to the rendezvous.



London Street Railway # 23 Taken in July 10 of 2004 Museum's 50th Celebration



TCR 55 museum's second car also on the 50th Weekend



Shot of the line up in Yard three at the 50th Weekend



Work flatmotor W4 ex TRC at the 50th celebrations. This car which turned 100 in 2004 wa used to build many lines in Toronto and a good portion of our museum's line as well.



TRC ( Toronto Railway Company ) 1326 our museum's first car breaking the 50th anniversary banner on July 10 2004. First functional run by this car in 15 years !



TRC 1326 and MS&C 107 ( museum's third car ) Sitting in yard two July 10 2004

enjoy Rob

Mind the doors please, and move to the back of the car. Visit us at the Halton County radial Railway Museum www.hcry.org My web picture account please have a look http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robertaustin  Photobucket pictures http://photobucket.com/albums/a158/streetcarnut/

 

Next is from barndad Doug, posted on Jan 20, 2006 back on page 220 on the old site:

Union Pacific Railroad 900075
Builder: Lima
Year Built: 1949
Length: 104ft 9in
Width: 12ft 1in
Height: 16ft 5in
Weight: 303000 lbs
Brakes: 6ET
Trucks: General Steel Casting
Description: Rotary Snow Plow & Tender