Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams this rather humid day please RUTH.
ERIC Thanks for that NASA link to the ICE disaster. It seems that a switch caused the faulty wheel to derail and its proximity to the overbridge made the disaster worse. If I recall correctly a switch near to a grade crossing caused a HST to derail after some (I wont call him a person) committed suicide by stopping his car on a grade crossing. I believe there was a plan to move switches away from crossing wherever possible.
Those figures for the hours locomotive engineers are allowed to work are indeed scary.
I can't quite remember the exact figures, but when a BR driver was involved in a collision caused by passing a red signal quite a few years back, the amount of days the driver had worked without a day off was a major part of the inquiry. I believe new regulations were brought in to stop this. Also in the latest issue (August) of Trains magazine the first item in the News section is that the House Of Representatives is looking into new legislation in to US train crew hours.
Thanks for the photo of Los Angeles Union Station; the building looks in marvelous condition.
DAVE The thought of those locos surviving until the mid 1960s and then being scrapped is sad indeed.
I wonder if those Southern Cab forwards do exist it would be wonderful if they did. Some people in the UK have complied a record of all the thousands of steam locos scrapped, and where they scrapped, in the 1950s and 60s with but a handful not accounted for. There were rumours of a ‘Strategic Reserve' of stored steam locos in the UK, like there was, I believe in Sweden, but it was not to be.
Although two former ex GNR boilers off long scrapped Atlantics were found, which supplied steam to a factory. One of the boilers is being used to build a new London Brighton & South Coast Atlantic, which was of very similar design, on a preserved railway.
I guess one great disadvantage the American steam locomotives had, in being saved, was their greatly increased scrap value over the Brit locos due to their much greater size and weight.
One reason I heard that the steam locos survived at Barry scrapyard in South Wales, was that their was a steady supply of freight wagons for scrap and they were easier to cut up, anyway the British preservation movement owes a great debt to Mr. Dai Woodham and his yard.
TOM Real glad you are all OK, after what sounded like a scary thunderstorm yesterday, the skies looked as though we might get one here but luckily it did not form. How does Juneau get on with the thunder, it does not bother ours too much, although when some tornados passed pretty close to here she acted strange while we sheltered in the basement but seemed to know when the danger had passed. I guess they can sense things we cannot
I am bit confused (nothing new) about Miami Airport and the Metro, it says in the first link that it serves Miami Airport and in the second link it says it will serve Miami International Airport in 2016, I guess there are two airports.
I really think that a light rail link to Kansas City International Airport would be really useful, I read lately that a light rail system increases the prosperity of the area it passes through, even if the KC line to the airport went through sparsely populated areas now (so being cheaper to build) very soon new housing development would spring up along the route greatly increasing land values, but this is just my opinion.
Enjoyed you mention of your trip from LA to New York in 1947 a trip to stay in the memory forever. I guess most of it would be diesel hauled with GG1s into New York.
I know the feeling when going back or traveling a line, after many years, especially concerning railways, what was once a busy freight yard or a locomotive depot, that had perhaps over 100 steam locos allocated to it, is now a supermarket, houses or a car park. Rhyl station in North Wales is particularly poignant to me as I holidayed there for many years when I was young, still there, but just a shadow of its former size and not the special trains bring happy trainloads of holidaymakers for their annual vacation (all steam hauled).
Many thanks for the NYC Passenger Nostalgia. Liked the advert put in poem form. With the competition between the NYC and the Pennsy the passenger in 1950 had a great choice. The NYC colors seems to suit the front end of the Alco locomotive.
Great photos from the gallery at Shed #1, as you say "A great scene". The
Good Tuesday to all from the left coaster, round of Mall's pale ale and rabies shot for Boris
Tom, Quite true that a GG1 must adorned in classic Tucson with five gold pin stripes is undispuitable, Conrail colors or PC too seventies for me. Heck we had several cases of purple power, remember the orginal Auto Train? On the flip side, I do wish I had as much hair now as I did then, otherwise those seventies schemes should be allowed to rest in peace.
Pwolf: Quite true about scrapping retired locomotives , the SP maintained a vast fleet, several hundered strong, at Bayshore until the mid sixties when scrap prices rebounded. Many oppertunities were lost to preserve samples of SP steam. Rumors do persist that several rare early Cab forwards were set aside for a very important online customer that requested them for stationary boiler use at it's mill. If true, where are they today?
Well i'll to cut this short, seems im needed elsewhere, until later
Dave
G'day Gents!
Judging by the number of "hits" on this Thread - SOMEONE must be enjoying these fotos and the other "stuff" Posted by the boyz from "Our" Place. Even noticed a UTB - passengerfan Al on-line and Posting last evening on this Forum! But of course, NOT this Thread.
Continuing on with Pix from Day Four: Sunday - May 27th, 2007 - ExpoRail Canadian Railway Museum at Delson/Saint-Constant, Quebec, Canada
From the balcony - Inside Building #1 (cont'd)
Canadian National Railway (CNR #55361) Rotary snow plow - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1928)
CNR #6765 FPA-1 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1955)
Sydney & Louisbourg (S&L #4) Combine - Built by Rhodes, Curry (1894)
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #2850) 4-6-4 "Royal"- Built by Montreal Loco Works (1938)
Grand Trunk Railway (GTR #713) 2-6-0 - Built by GTR - Pt. St. Charles (1900)
Streetcars (previously Posted)
A great scene!
To be continued . . .
Tom
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #42
Here's something to enjoy regarding the New York Central (NYC) in a 1950 advertisement from my private collection:
<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 190 of the Original Thread>
X marks my Room . . . on a Dieseliner, and no hotel was ever finer. For New York Central travel feels just like a great hotel on wheels!
Having a Wonderful Time you see, Loafing or working in privacy. But when I feel more like a chat, The lounge car is just made for that!
No Need to Step Outside my door To wash and dress next morning, for My Central room's equipped complete, And when I leave, I'm fresh and neat.
My Plans are Sure! Come storm or fair, My Dieseliner gets me there. On New York Central trains I find Comfort is matched by peace of mind!
Make these great trains your Hotels on Wheels New York - Chicago 20th CENTURY LIMITED COMMODORE VANDERBILT
Chicago - Boston NEW ENGLAND STATES
St. Louis, Indianapolis - New York, Boston SOUTHWESTERN LIMITED
Cincinnati - New York OHIO STATE LIMITED
New York - Cleveland CLEVELAND LIMITED
New York - Detroit THE DETROITER
And many, many others!
NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROADThe Water Level Route - You Can Sleep
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enjoy! Tom
<w/permission: http://www.scenic-railroads.com/>
Tuesday - what's new? So here we are at the Saloon by the Siding. Galley crew says the <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts are ready for orderin' - coffee is freshly ground ‘n brewed - and the pastries are fresh in The Mentor Village Bakery case.
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
Lars at 10:15 AM Monday - July 9th: A fine mid-morning visit from our Manager!
So how's paradise these days, eh A bit too warm for my likes, and my guess is the humidity is up there too. My time in the "keys" mainly was in January ‘n February. Had a long stint doing sub-obs with the Navy between Ft. Lauderdale ‘n Key West. A long deployment if I recall - 6 or 7 weeks - but being in "paradise" was far better than suffering through another winter in BahStun (Boston) where we were homported.
Much appreciation for the supplemental Great Northern book covers! Always fits in nicely. Takes work ‘n interest - of which you have lots of.
Thanx for the Email, by the by! Appreciate keeping me in the "loop" . . .
My experiences in the Miami area were all in association with business and most times I had a rental car. Didn't care much for driving down that way. I understand they have some fairly decent rail systems to help with getting people off the overcrowded highways. Fully concur with your assessment of the Miami airport, both inside ‘n out!
Check these out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-Rail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami-Dade_Metrorail
Looks like you made Ruth's day - she's got a grin from ear to ear!
Round appreciated!
DL at 10:23 AM Monday - July 9th: Most welcome visit and pretty much "on top"of Lars. So, my guess is you two missed one another likes ships passing in the night. <grin>
I'm surprised that your "wide page post" appears normal at your end. Hmmmm. No point in going back to "fix" it, for WHO goes back to read ‘em??!! That's a rather confounding reality ‘round here.
Just suggest that whenever you cut ‘n paste links (URLs) that should they appear extra lengthy, then go ahead and reduce ‘em in font size. (Not your text, just the link.) That may eliminate the phenomena for those of us experiencing it. Thanx!
One of these days I'll have to dig out those photos I took aboard the Flexliner and go through the "process" of scanning, uploading, downloading, et al. Lotsa work and I must admit, there are times when I wonder . . . Anyway, thanx for the amplifying info regarding Adtranz . . .
Back to the discussion regarding cathedrals . . . yes, they surely were dominating on the landscape, fer sure, fer sure. There are places in Quebec ‘n New Brunswick where the most dominate structure in the town is the church. A carry over from Europe no doubt.
That "booklet" you mentioned is probably long out of print and if available at all, perhaps on eBay, where all the world's material refuse is up for sale! <grin>
Undoubtedly,the "booklet" had its origins with warm beer as opposed to COLD!
Not to worry, "Our" Place will remain a tavern. You may have noted that we do rent rooms though, see the sign above our front porch! Hardly any takers, as this place is rather noisy most times especially when the Track Gangs ‘n Second Class Saloon Bikers get together for their pool "tournaments." <ugh>
Enjoying a meal at 125 mph on the rails! I've never experienced such a thing . . . must've been a grand time. Brings to mind just how special it is to dine aboard a train. Even the Renaissance dining cars had a certain ambiance about them - it's just the food preparation that is awful! <groan>
Always enjoy having you aboard.
Per at 12:47 PM Monday - July 9th: Our Resident Cowboy Swede has returned! <yippee yahoo!> Or something like that . . .
Hey man, you gotta get new prescription glasses for that's RUTH who was tending bar and she DOESN'T look at all like LEON! <ugh> <grin>
Check out the "daily" acknowledgments (bottom portion) for staff ‘n menu selections.
Take your time, there's no rush to catch up just as long as you make the effort. Suggest you begin at the most recent ‘n scan backwards. Seems to "work" for most guys.
There's absolutely no "requirement" to condense everything or even anything. Just check ‘em out and comment where you feel you must. Having you back at the bar is what's important! Have one on me while we're at it . . . The photos are a MUST, for it would be indeed a shame to pass ‘em by.
A bit of nostalgia in that Los Angeles Union Pacific Terminal (LAUPT) info you provided. Brought back a memory or two from days gone by. Not that I was a frequent user of the place. But back in 1947, 48 or 49 (I just can't recall the exact year!) my father, who was a Merchant Marine officer, put me aboard a Santa Fe gleaming streamliner bound for Chicago with a change of trains to the Pennsy for the final leg to New York City. It was a thrill of a lifetime to say the least. The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to say it WAS 1947. I was 9 - yeah, that's about right. <grin>
While assigned to the LA area back in 1986-88, I took the time to check out the terminal and
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, I'll just have a Cheese Burger! Coffee! Thank you, my friend!
Monday, do I need to say more. At least it is gone and Tuesday is here. Glad to see that Per is back! And Manager Lars stopped by to see Ruth (?!?!). Hmm.
Tom – Congratulations! You won 500 points! (sorry, no megapoints this time) The important feature is for the steam/train heat! I remember The Little River Band but I can’t say I remember any night owl outfits! But don’t worry, my memory is almost completely gone. About that crash at Washington DC Union Station, I am sure it was a terrible feeling for the engineer and fireman, knowing that they were going to crash without any possibilities to stop the train. Everything in Phoenix is air conditioned, even our dog’s dog house. The brake wheel is from a box car at the Museum of Transportation!I like that Great Northern Railway ad! Glacier National Park, we actually traveled at the edge of the park with the X2000. It was pretty late and getting dark. I shot some videos. Very beautiful place! Thanks for the pictures from ExpoRail!! The more I see of that museum the more impressed I get! Interesting pictures from the inside of the cars!Lars – I spent a few days in Miami 1993 and I can’t say I liked it very much. Too humid! But at the same time it was interesting! Thanks for the book covers! Great Northern had good looking locomotives! I like especially the top one! DL – Black Pudding!? Is that what I think it is? If so I’ll pass. Glad to hear that the signal box at Reedham is still in operation! It reminds me of past times when things were a little bit less automatic! Thanks for HST info!Per – Good to see you again, Sir! I did not spend a lot of time at LA Union Station. The X2000 was on display for a few hours and there was some kind of “party” one evening, but that was it. But the station building is certainly easy to recognize.
Los Angeles Union Station 1993.
Hope your stomach will recover soon! I had the same problem once on vacation in Italy. Not fun at all. Pete – Thanks for the info on the HST acceleration! Diesels usually have a slower acceleration than electrics. I don’t know what kind of improvemments that came out of the ICE train accident in Germany, if any. I guess there wasn’t much they could do about that first version of the ICE, they were already built. You can find some info on this link. It is NASA’s study of that disaster.http://pbma.nasa.gov/docs/public/pbma/general/derailed.pdfI am sure most of the photographers were taking pictures of the steam locomotive when the diesel pulled away with the train!
I found some interesting numbers when I checked about the ICE train disaster. It is about how many hours these people may work:
• A commercial airline pilot can fly up to 100 hours per month;• Shipboard personnel, at sea, cannot be required to operate more than 240 hours per month;• A truck driver can be on duty up to about 260 hours per month; and• Locomotive engineers can operate a train up to 432 hours per month. That equates to more than 14 hours a day for each of those 30 days.
These numbers are from 1999 and might be slightly (but not much) different today. Kind of scary.
Eric
A round please RUTH and something to cheer you up later.
DAVE Great to see you. It was very sad to read of those two B&O locomotives that were scrapped after being laid aside for preservation. Were the steam locomotives in the U.S the same as in Britain, where there the steam locos were got rid of in indecent haste to the diesels and electrics. It was first said that steam on BR would be around until the early 1970s but the last BR (Standard gauge) steam loco ran in August 1968. But for a scrapyard in South Wales that did not cut up the steam locos straight away, allowing about 200 to be saved, the preserved scene in Britain would look a lot sadder.
I'm afraid I had not heard of those NZ locomotives being buried perhaps Allan could shed some light on this interesting subject.
I know there is said to be an old Furness railway locomotive still underground when the track gave way into a large hole. On the Irish Rail opposite their main works at Inchicore, in the suburbs of Dublin, about 12 old diesels were lined up to act as a sound barrier for a housing estate there. I don't think the locos are there now. I hope some of them got preserved
LARS Glad you made in down to the Keys without a lot of problems, it sounds as though you are going to have a great time and hope you avoid those thunderstorms, no doubt we will have one here after this hot spell.
Many thanks for the link to the GG1 photos of the class I guess in their last years.
Sounds as though you had a great day yesterday and thanks for the Great Northern bookcovers
I will remember to give the Mascots their treats while you are away. I will let Eric console Ruth.
E-mail replied to (I hope).
ERIC You asked a question about the acceleration of the HSTs It seems on the East coast main line where the HSTs run the services from London to Scotland, beyond Edinburgh, where the electrification ends,the HST has a quicker acceleration over the first mile than the usual class 91 electric plus 9 coaches and DVD, mainly due to the HST train being lighter and the heavier adhesion weight of the HST power cars. It seems the newer Voyager and Meridan diesel units, not to mention the new Electric Multiple Units, have better acceleration than the HSTs
I remember that very bad ICE accident in Germany, do you know if there were any safety improvements made after the crash to the cars.
Good observation of the Class 37 at Plymouth.37410 and train was probably heading for the depot at Laira about a mile up the line. I guess most of the photographers would be at the other end taking pics of the steam loco. It looks as though in the photo before the steamer is heading backwards, something I had not noticed.
DL Glad you liked the link to Hollycombe.
I am sure the ash plant works in the way you described. If I remember correctly the is a water filled pit between the rails by the tower and the ashes are raised in the tower and deposited into wagons.
Thanks for the info on the 10-pound Central tickets. I will tell my friends, although they have their senior rail pass, it would still be cheaper to use the special offer, do you know if its available on the trip from Birmingham to Liverpool, is this still operated by Central trains do you know.
Many thanks for the link to map of East Anglia ,this area was indeed hit very hard with line closures in the 1950s and60s. The line from Peterbourgh to Doncaster through Lincoln used to be used by trains diverted from the East Coast Main Line, when track maintenance work had closed the line. To tell how long ago since the last time I done this was behind a Deltic class 55.
It shows how much as changed in rail travel, when the speed Mallard done once is achieved many many times a day now by trains on BR.
PER back. Glad you had a great time in Madrid.
That was interesting about Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal. We may be using the station a bit later in the year. It is a shame there are only 3 long distance trains today compared to the number in 1956.Still the station is being kept busy with the great number of local trains.
TOM Another two movies I have not seen on at the Emporium this week. Both look well worth watching, and of course the Stooges.
It was remarkable how well we both felt after that evening on the Ocean. The problem was I think Friday was the different beers I had, and it is hard to
Good to see Per 'n DL today! More specifics in the morning . . . Hope you two will be able to scroll back to catch up on the fine Pix 'n other material since your last visits!
Per, our Resident Cowboy Swede has been in Madrid! Lotsa Pix 'n material on these Pages - hope you can scan thru 'em, would be a shame to miss out!
Inside Building #1 (cont'd)
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) "Neville" 12-1 sleeper - Built by CP-Canadian Car & Foundry (1921)
Canadian National Railway (CNR #3684) RS-18 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1958)
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #51) School car - Built by CP-Hochelage (1898)
Inside a vintage sleeper!
Inside a vintage combine!
Views from the balcony
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP #284845) Express Reefer - Built by National Steel Car (1923)
CPR #4744 M-640 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1971)
Good Afternoon everybody present!
Leon, may I have something from your lunch menu and a pint of your best bitter, please.
Yes, it has been a while since you saw me around here. My trip to Madrid was great and so was the food, except for that one dish (and I don't know which one). You can guess the outcome and it wasn't pleasant.
I had hoped to make a nice inclusive post when I got back, but looking back at the conversation around here, I must admit there is no chance I will be able to go through all posts and condense it into something meaningful, so let's just start over.
Hi, I'm Per (well, maybe not that much "all over").
Quite a while back my wife and I talked about the changes at Los Angeles Union Station (including the name - it used to be Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, LAUPT - or did I get it backwards again?). She grew up with the trains, seeing her grandparents off on their trips back east and she remembered it being a very busy place. Well, with nothing else to do (and keeping a close proximity to the bathroom) I checked my old Official Guide from May 1950, a couple of online time tables from June/July 2007 and came up with the following: (I will add the file to my website when I can get in there - right now it doesn't work)
In 1956 there were 56 train movements at LAUPT, 28 arrivals and 28 departures. Chicago was by far the most popular destination: ATSF had 6 trains, UP had 3 and SP had 2 for that city. Santa Fe had 5 trains for San Diego and SP had 6 for San Fransisco. The remaining trains were for Seattle, Sacramento, New Orleans, Memphis and Denver/Omaha. It seems that the local traffic was all by railroad operated buses.
In 2007 there were only 3 long-distance trains left, 1 each for Chicago, New Orleans and Seattle. What has changed is the local and regional traffic. There is now 28 train pairs on the San Diego line, 6 pairs for Santa Barbara and 6 for San Luis Obispo on a regular day. Add to that 129 Metrolink trains to and from various places in the surrounding counties and 162 Light Rail trains on the MTA Gold line to and from Sierra Madre (home of the terminating point of the Rose Parade every January 1st), and you have a total of 335 train movements a day! Not bad for an old station!
Well, it's back to work. See you soon.
Per in Plano
Hello Tom and all in
Let's have some of those Mentor village bakery stuff please, and a coffee.
Firstly Tom, thanks for the pics of the Flexliner (and Eric has added further info) - I've seen pictures of units like that in Europe - the rubber ends look strange. The link you sent said they were made by Adtranz. Adtranz owned the factory (the former London Midland and Scottish Railway Derby Carriage and Wagon works - they bought it from British Rail Engineering Limited (who had come to own it under nationalisation) and they sold it on to Bombardier I think - who own it now) who built the DMU cars I gave the link to - so it is not so surprising they look similar maybe.
Those Cathedrals are spectacular - several can be seen from the train in Eastern England - on that trip you can also see Peterborough cathedral - but not as clearly as the one at Ely. When they were built - and all around was tiny wooden homes it must have seemed like an amazing structure.
I'd like a copy of this publication your post mentioned:
British Railways - new and amusing booklet, "WHAT, NO ICE?" - written especially for Americans planning to visit us
I wonder what it said!
Incidentally - are you saying that my post has wide page problems? When I view it it does not, but if that is the case I'll try reducing font size.
Lars - hope all is well in The keys - the only thing I know about that area is the picture painted in the film Key Largo - I'm assuming your accommodation is just like the situation Bogart walked in to in that classic film?! (minus the bad weather hopefully).
Allan - I enjoyed that link to the vintage NZ railcars - the restoration projects look ambitious, but well worth while. I think Vegemite is pretty similar product but I'm told by aficionados that there are subtle differences in taste - so the two don't make great substitutes for each other - I guess that is why the Embassy keep emergency stocks!
Pete
I'd not heard of the Hollycombe place - thanks for the link - looks like an interesting collection - with vintage farm equipment too.
I think the coaling stage and ash tower at Carnforth might be protected structures (how does an ash tower work? Is it to raise ash to put in wagons to then take away - as opposed to raising wagons to tip coal into tenders?).
The round robin trip certainly sounds of interest - and good value - of course you don't get those sorts of things now (although in fairness Central Trains has an offer where you can travel across their network for a tenner if you are over 50 years of age - so that is good value - you might want to mention it to any mates you have who could use it - you have to print a voucher off the special offer pages of the Central Trains website - so Nottingham - Norwich 10 quid return is a lot less than the standard fare of about 47 quid.
It seems to me that the only chunk of the joint line closed was the bit from March to Spalding through Whitemoor - which is not that far - and thus an important diversionary route to the East Coast line (now also very congested) has been lost.
This 1960 map may be of interest - it shows it is an area that has suffered badly with line closures.
http://www.leytransport.i12.com/railmapb.htm
I've not travelled on the section of Joint Line that remains from Doncaster through Gainsborough, Lincoln, Sleaford and Spalding to Peterborough - which is something I aim to do, but the service is rather limited (only 2 or 3 trains per day) - but I think it would be interesting. I must set aside a day to do that some time! I think there is a day rover ticket you can buy that would permit it for a good price.
Eric - I had to travel to London last week and the train I took was an HST 125 of the GNER company. I was able to sample the acceleration - which is not too bad at all - even though these trains were designed in eh early 1970s. I was travelling south along the stretch of mainline where the Mallard locomotive broke the steam speed record - so this HST set was running at the full 125 mph line speed at that point. I was enjoying a full cooked breakfast in the dining car at that point - including Black Pudding!
The signal box at Reedham is certainly still in operation - there are still a good few traditional boxes when you get off the main lines and this is one of them. The pub there was probably closed because more money could be made out of converting it to flats than from running it as a pub. The owner probably went along with this (or the owner could not make a good living from the pub and the bank had the debt, closed on it and sold it to someone who wanted to turn it into flats - lets hope that does not happen to Our Place!!)
Regards to all
DL
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, yes ‘tis I, the Larsman - back at the bar this Monday morning! My oh my you are as radiant as evAH ‘n just what this old sailorman needs to jump-start my day! <blush>
A mugga Joe with a jolt, a few pastries from the case ‘n of course treats for the CrittAHs - Boris, feed ‘em ‘n the jar of pickled pig's feet is YOURS! A round for the house (when they come tricklin' in) and the change is yours, my deAH! <grin>
Had a wonderful day yesterday with the grandkids out on the water - looks like we've got some homegrown sailors in the family. What am I saying?!?!? I was Navy - my 3 sons all took a turn at it, did their 4 years on the briny blue, and so it goes. Anyway, here we are, enjoying the best of life in the Keys. Why did it evAH take so long to do THIS!?!!? <grin>
As with all things in life, this too shall pass. We'll be winging it back home on Friday afternoon. Probably won't be returning ‘til mid or late August to "close up" after the last of the brood departs for SINY.
An e-mail was sent to a group of you ‘n thus far I've received 2 responses. Thanks! By the way, please forward it on to anyone you feel would be supportive of the idea . . . I found that my e-mail address book doesn't contain as many listings as it once had! For those who may be wonderin' - just trying to get some "activity" going for our Thursday 27th month ANNIVERSARY.
I've been able to get a few hours on the ‘puter while Sarge Grandma is otherwise occupied! <grin> Don't know how long this will last, but I'm trying to prepare some stuff in advance. Just doin' my best to help out in the absence of so many of the guyz.
One thing about being down here is that you really don't CARE about what's going on in the rest of the world. Or at least it seems that way. Very little TV watching ‘n I can't recall the last time I gave a rat's patoot about reading the paper (such as it is!). <grin>
For Eric: I never traveled ‘round the Miami airport, EXCEPT when trying to figure out where to drop off the rental car! <groan> Anyway, Miami has nevAH been a place I've enjoyed. EXCEPTION: 2007 Super Bowl!
Put into Port Everglades a few times, but really not much "merchie" activity down this way for me. While in the Navy I did make it down to Key West a few times, but always in connection with trips to GTMO (no "I" in those days). Probably where my fascination for the Keys began.
And of course things are much more expensive the further one gets from "civilization." Cost of transporting the "things" we want ‘n need rises, just as the tides do! <grin>
I see our Cap'n has gotten back to those nostalgia pieces. So, let me add a little something from my "archives" to this "non-theme" - just to provide some enhanced matter!
Should make mention of the week's movies at the Emporium. Good ones! Let's have MORE "Roadrunners!!"
Hope to be back tomorrow or Wednesday, but if not, Thursday for sure!
Oh yes, Ruth my deAH - I see there's some <ahem> admin matters to attend to . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #41
<A form of this was initially Posted on page 186 of the Original Thread>
Here's something to enjoy regarding the GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY in a 1949 advertisement from my private collection:
Glacier National Park
IN THE MONTANA ROCKIESHIKE on high trails. RIDE to ancient glaciers. SEE snowclad mountains. FISH in great trout waters. TOUR in open top motor coaches. EAT and sleep in fine hotels. ON THE MAIN LINE OF THE GREAT NORTHERN
A smile to begin the week!
How can I find it if it's lost?
<A Yogi-ism!>
Monday has rolled ‘round once again. As with the tides, some things just keep on keepin' on, eh
Best way to begin this new work week <for many> is to draw a mugga Joe, select a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board. While you're waitin' - grab a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case!
Eric at 12:32 PM Saturday - July 7th: Didn't expect to see our Resident Desert Swede in DAYLIGHT! <geesh> You look "different" without those "night owl prowling" outfits . . . Recall that great hit from |The Little River Band?? <grin>
Some fine Pix to check out and the "one" with the "important feature for passenger trains of yesteryear" makes me T-H-I-N-K (which hurts at times! <grin>) Anyway, looks to me like some sort of a hose linkage - steam perhaps for heat?? Hmmmmm.
Liked the track work in that foto of the UP locos in Atchison . . .
Lotsa Pix of cabooses (or as some refer to, cabeese - but not MOI!!) Vans, as they are or were known as in Canada, are my favorites after the passenger fleets!
Pete at 3:52 PM Saturday - July 7th: And another of our StL Rendezvous "bunch" arrives to help keep the Saturday "thing" alive!
Very observant of you to note how close my Post came to Page 77 at 07:07 on 07-07-07!! [wow
Been a loooooooong time for Moi and "hangovers" - probably shudda had one after THAT first nite aboard the Ocean, eh <grin> Was a good nite, fer sure, fer sure!
Anyway, as you're finding out, "recoup" time takes looooooooonger as one ages! <grin>
While checking out the Original Thread, I got myself "glued" to reading some past Posts and it occurred to me that some of those are surely worth turning into ENCOREs! Glad you enjoyed ‘em . . . I'll find some more as these Saturdays come ‘n go, especially from the guys who are now UTBs. <groan>
Alan's 4-Pix are truly outstanding! Sure wish we could get the man to swing by the bar now ‘then - he'd surely be a "natural" for this joint. And it isn't as if we don't need the business!
Thanx for stopping in, feeling grim ‘n all . . . <grin>
Dave at 6:27 PM Saturday - July 7th: Our Left Coast Connection has returned and with a fine inclusive Post at that! Some mighty fine observations ‘n comments to help keep things movin' here at the Bar by the Ballast.
GG1s for me are "it" and my favorite scheme is tuscan with the 5 gold stripes. Anything else just has to fall in place - worst I've ever seen was Conrail, followed by Amtrak ‘n Penn Central in that order.<ugh> Awful, simply awful.
That CNR #77 is a fine looking machine ‘n when I first saw it, I thought it was an electric. Surprised that it's a diesel, for the "look" is otherwise.
Don't know what your future travel plans hold - personal of course. But should you ever make it to Quebec, Canada - set aside at least one full day for ExpoRail Canadian Railway Museum at Saint-Constant. It's THAT good and a "must see" place for those of us who appreciate "things RR"! Short of that, avail yourself of the Pix that have occupied so many of these past Pages . . . scroll back ‘n they're just waitin' to be viewed! More comin' up this week too . . .
And yes, a caboose is a van in Canada. Also England - Australia ‘n New Zealand too I'd suspect.
Round appreciated and hope to see soon . . .
Lars at 1:00 PM Sunday - July 8th: Hey, the return of the sailorman! Great to see ya, Mate and appreciate the long-distance visit! Fun in the sun and with the grandkids at that. Life is good, eh
Very good of you to give up a part of your time away AND Sunday to share a thought or three with us. Always like having our Manager on board, but it is especially gratifying when I know that you're away from home and STILL keep us uppermost in thought. Many thanx!
Yeah, this Thursday is "it" - another monthly anniversary for the bar. Must admit that I've pretty much shelved the idea of making announcements for these things, for it just seems to go by the boards without ‘em. There are exceptions of course, and you are a huge one! <grin> We'll see what develops . . . guys first have to READ what's being Posted in order to figure out what's going on, eh Admittedly, this new crew seems to be much more inclined to read the words than some of our UTBs . . .
Speaking of g
These dark Sunday nights! Where is the moon when you need it? Ah, there is the slot!
Tom – D’backs has lost 9 of the last 11 games! Says it all. The turret? It blow off during the test runs, we were going a little bit too fast. It would be too costly to put it back.Oh, come on, you know where and when I took that picture! It is at St. Louis Museum of Transports, the Camelback. I never managed to get a good picture of it so I took some details instead. Interesting reading, the history of GG1! That story about the GG1 with cars that ran into Union Station was one of the first I was told when we came to Washington with the X2000. The X2000 had its home on track 16 during the year it was with Amtrak, so they told us to be careful not to lose our brakes when arriving to track 16. I think the GG1 is a very interesting locomotive and it is too bad no one is operational today. The only one I have on a piture is #4859 in Harrisburg, PA.You did a great job finding all those different pictures of GG1s. I remember that post by BK from last year. Well worth reading again! Just wish he and Lydia would stop by again!You wonder why anyone would go shopping in the heat (100°+)? I guess a lot of people do it because the malls are well air conditioned and the temperature is in the 70’s. This week you found a couple of movies for the Emporium I know nothing about! The Illusionist and Road to Perdition! I’ll go anyway to see Tom Hanks and the Stooges! Pete – You are right, the rig driver must have panicked. I don’t understand it, a couple of gates on top of a trailer will not stop any rig. The German ICE train was involved in a very bad derailment in Germany a number of years ago. I don’t remember how many people were killed but som cars were more or less torn apart in the crash. The sides of those cars are made of aluminum and that does not give any good protection. The X2000 is all thick stainless steel. The photo shows the Camelback at the Museum of Transportation. Right location!More nice pix from Alan! Steam at one end and a diesel at the other! The picture of the diesel must have been taken when it pulled the train back. Exhaust fumes coming out and a “Clear” signal at the end of the platform!Dave – There have been too many accidents and disasters on the railroads over the years. What is needed is some kind of ATC on all tracks. It is coming but it takes an awful long time because of the cost. Lars – Good to hear from our Manager down in the Keys! The gas prices are way too high though. I filled my car yesterday for $2.74 (rounded) per gallon. I read in the paper that the prices are expected to go up again now. They have closed a refinery in Kansas. They (the oil companies) do whatever is necessary to keep the prices up.I “traveled” by train around the entire Miami Airport back in 1993. The track is running just outside the fence long stretches! I have it on video. Ruth is not a very happy person right now. She looks kind of depressed, mumbling somthing about “another woman”. Nice picture of the GG1 in a a very special paint scheme!Received your mail, thank you!
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!
Thought I'd slip this through the mail slot just to keep things livened up a bit at my favorite saloon. Was gonna open up the joint, but thought bettAH of it as it IS Sunday'n I know how Cap'n Tom feels about keeping things QUIET ‘round here on this day.
My son provided his "magic" ‘puter know how and got me online with the laptop. Everything is wireless this ‘n wireless that these days, huh?? I don't wanna know what he pays for his service. <groan> <grin>
Hot, humid, sunny ‘n hardly a breeze down here in the Keys (Marathon), but no complaints. This is great! One son ‘n his tribe arrived early this morning after a long drive south towing a boat at that! Grandkids (2) are having a blast ‘n it's probably gonna be like summer camp for awhile ‘round here. <grin>
Got some thunderstorms in the forecast, but that's pretty much every day this time of year or so I've been told. Noticed that gas prices are really wild down here - lowest was $3.15 (rounded off) and highest at $3.42. Now that's a swing, huh?? Don't need to drive anywhere right now, so no big thing for us!
Saw some interesting comments from a few of the guyz since my last visit on Thursday. Appreciate the well wishes! Flight down was rather uneventful, crowded, noisy, but uneventful. Man, do I hate that Miami airport. A loser if there evAH was one, in my not-so-humble opinion. <ugh> Couldn't get a connecting flight to Marathon without having to wait "forever," so it was just as practical to rent a car for the few days we're gonna be here. It's not that bad of a drive once you clear Miami that is! <double ugh>
Thought I'd make it PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE that this Thursday is July 12th. So what you say?!?! Well it so happens to be an ANNIVERSARY DAY for "Our" Place - the 27th month of existence in the ether for our cyber bar ‘n grill.
Last month NO ONE picked up on it, other than yours truly, which kinda is sad when you think about where we were this time LAST YEAR. In case youse guyz have forgotten, our Cap'n closed the joint on July 12th . . . We surely don't need to stoke those coals again, but facts are facts . . . We need to at least make mention of the special day ON the day!
Of course we have a far different crowd now, and even though we are reduced in number, there's INTEREST out there. So let's get it on for Thursday!
Enjoyed the nostalgia stuff from yesterday, Cap'n Tom - two oldies for sure! Made me wonder about the "Theodorebear" guy down here in Florida. Guess he just never intended to stop back in, huh? As for the Texan, well if I recall, he was an interesting character, who hardly EVER acknowledged anyone. Isn't he the guy you rode those RDC's with down in Dallas??? Anyway, too bad he pulled the plug as he had lotsa knowledge about the things we like to talk about. Again, good nostalgia stuff!
Got a bit sad when I read through that post from my "bookend," BK . . . sure wonder what's going on. My guess is that things aren't good. Last time I called, I didn't even get the answering machine - just kept ringing.
Always like the B&O material and apparently so did West Coast S (Dave). For such a historical RR, there's just not that much "out there" for our use that isn't "protected" in some way, shape or fashion. Hardly like the stuff our leader provides for one ‘n all through all of his photo postings. But that's ‘nother story . . .
Pennsy GG1's - more pix from Expo Rail ‘n a Nostalgia piece along with a Fallen Flags too. You've been pretty much doing double duty, huh?? Hopefully that will soon change, as I know the mornings are a bit tough without Shane ‘n me.
Good to see Pete ‘n Eric still providing support through their daily efforts. Way to go, guyz! While you're at it, be sure to check up on Ruth for me, willyaplease?? She's been calling my "private" cell phone number three or four times a day, which is fine - but it does make for some "interesting" looks I'm getting from the Mrs. . . . . <uh oh> <grin>
Ok, ‘nuf of this stuff. Gotta get going as the grandkids have decided we need to "launch" the boat! It's not a huge vessel, nothing on the order of what Phil has, but nice and something they'll surely get a kick out of.
Hope to be back tomorrow - but if not, for sure on Tuesday!
Boris, is that you behind the window?? Of course it IS - who else could it be with THAT look!?! Anyway, feed the crittAHs willya? And the pickled pig's feet jar is behind the bar, next to the can of spittoon polish. <grin>
Conrail GG1 #4800 (photo credit: Joe Testagrose)
Check this out for more shots . . .
http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/elec/gg1/gg1.html
Greetings to all this fine encore Saturday round of house special if you please.
I see we have a bit of activity of late.
Tom:
Wow, now that's a locomotive CNR #77, has to be among the best perserved i've seen in quite some time. Quite a collection indeed!! Were not cabooses known as vans in Canada? Seems i've heard/read that somewhere..Appreciate the B&O review as well, tragic to recall that a EM1 2-8-8-4 and a T3 4-8-2 were initally set aside for enshrinement in the B&O museum only to be scrapped when management suffered a change of heart, a sitiuation far too common in the early sixties, Cab Forward 4294 almost suffered that same fate as SP grew weary of storing it and demanded that it be relocated off it's property or else, thankfully private storage was obtained until such time that it could be enshrined in the California State Railroad museum . What could have been for those affecinados of B&O steam.. but on a more positive note, as you so aptly conveyed by your fine GG1 review, it is indeed a true legend and enough common sense prevailed to preserve a few. Personally, I thought that bicentenial GG1 was outstanding!!!!
Eric:
Chilling tale of the Flexiliner, kinda brings to mind a similar tragedy involving a PE shop train using modified motorized wooden steam road coaches that collided with the extremely heavy Torrance scrap steel turn powered by three steeplecab motors, motorman on both trains and the brakeman on the freight lost their lives and 76 passengers were injured, the accident occured at speed when the shop train motorman misread the mile markers in limited visibilty, ignored a stop signal and neglected to take siding for the priority freight.
Allen:
Alco, Alco? Gotta love em'. Great coverage, i'll take mine in Daylight colors please
Pwolf:
Great coverage and photos, I may yet get educated!!! Perhaps you could provide some insight into this topic: Didn't a great number of NZ steam engines end as rip-rap for errosion protection? On the WP&Y in the great White North several were so disposed that have been unburied for needed parts to maintain the current small steam fleet, seems they recently retrieved a feedwater pump from a former RGS rotary which was dumped into the river in the forties as fill material. Makes one wonder if there wasn't a easier way to aquire a replacemant pump as two sister rotories exist on the Cumbres & Toltec.
Happy travels to Sir Domes...
Well, got to follow up on my missing associate who called in a sick day (forcing me to work today), except I discovered from his wife that he is actually in Vegas!
ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!
at "Our" Place!
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . July 8th thru 14th: The Illusionist (2006) Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell &, Eddie Marsan - and - Road to Perdition (2002) Starring: Dylan Baker, Michael Brockman, Jobe Cerny, Daniel Craig & Diane Dorsey. SHORT: The Three Stooges - In The Sweet Pie And Pie (1941).
The Illusionist (2006)
PLOT SUMMARY:
Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon
from: amazon.com
Road to Perdition (2002)
In Road to Perdition, Tom Hanks plays a hit man who finds his heart. Michael Sullivan (Hanks) is the right-hand man of crime boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), but when Sullivan's son accidentally witnesses one of his hits, he must choose between his crime family and his real one. The movie has a slow pace, largely because director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) seems to be in love with the gorgeous period locations. Hanks gives a deceptively battened-down performance at first, only opening up toward the very end of the film, making his character's personal transformation all the more convincing. Newman turns in a masterful piece of work, revealing Rooney's advancing age but at the same time, his terrifying power. Jude Law is also a standout, playing a hit man-photographer with chilling creepiness. This movie requires a little patience, but the beautiful cinematography and moving ending make it well worth the wait. --Ali Davis
SHORT: In The Sweet Pie And Pie (1941)PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
Three rich heiresses must get married before Midnight to collect their inheritance, but their Navy fiancees have to ship out to Hawaii. Their lawyer arranges for them to marry three convicts about to be hanged - Moe, Larry and Curly! Unfortunately (for the girls), the Stooges are freed when real killers are caught.
from: threestooges.net
Enjoy the weekend! Tom
Well CINDY I had better have a coffee and something light out of the Pastry Cabinet as I have a non-cyber hangover and the $5 for the coffee will knock a big hole in my wages.
ALLAN Thanks for the drink I will have it a bit later.
Many thanks for the links to the Pahiatua Railcar Centre. They are good looking railcars and RM 31 is looking great after restoration. The photo of RM5 shows how much work is involved in restoring these historic vehicles. I see the Centre gets visited by steam excursions including the WAB Tank engine.
That is a great site showing the steam sites in New Zealand. There are many interesting and some different looking locos, although some I see were built in Britain. I noticed the Double-Fairlie locomotive similar to those working on the Ffestiniog railway in North Wales. Many Thanks for sharing the web site.
ERIC I actually got one of your photo quizzes right double
It seems as though that rig driver panicked. I believe all locomotives and railcars in the UK have to pass a strict crash worthy test on the front ends before being allowed on the rails.
In February this year the safety design of the Pendelinos was sadly tested in a high speed derailment in England caused, so I believe, by a set of faulty points. Although sadly one person lost their life in a train, with over 100 passengers, aboard and with 5 of the 9 car set on their sides but for the strong design of the train the loss of life would surely have been a lot worse, apparently no windows broke in the accident.
Only 113 F, that's still 60 F hotter than I like.
I guess today's photo was taken at the St Louis Museum, it looks a 4-4-0 but the flangeless driving wheels as got me beat.
Many thanks for today's photos. I had not seen the BN and KCS types of caboose. They seem to be the smaller types of UP power at Atchison KAN on the day of your visit.
TOM 7 07 on the 07-07-07 and it was so nearly on page 77 as well.
I should have stuck to the beer at Our Place; even the thought of beer is not appealing at the moment. I know out of practice and getting old.
The GG1s are very worthy locomotives to be Featured Locomotives #1. It was good to read about these classic locos again. It had slipped my mind how the class had got the GG1 classification I see it was based on the PRR steam locomotive wheel classification.
It was remarkable how #4876 was rescued and rebuilt after that accident.
Many thanks for those great photos of the class. I think that Freight livery, as on #4859 really suited them, although I thought that faded red on #4916 looks good. It is good to see that so many GG1s were saved, although it sounds as though seeing one in action again is remote.
What a good idea to encore some posts from 1 and 2 years back, they are some interesting posts indeed (2 years since the London Underground bombings). I hope they are all doing well.
Alans photos are in Devon and Cornwall in March this year
This is ex LMS class % 4-6-0 No 45407 working a special from Plymouth to Bere Alston and the Ex Sourthern railway station at Plymouth Friary.
Class 37 No 37410 was on the rear of the special, to haul the train back from the branch lines.
Something a bit different. A pic of the old railway tunnel than ran to the Great Western station in Devonport(Plymouth).
The photos should enlarge.
This is ENCORE! Saturday - and - Photo Posting Day!
Remember: "Our" Place is CLOSED on Sundays.
And here's an ENCORE! from TWO YEARS ago on this date . . . all the way back on Page 42 of the Original Thread . . .
UTB #1 - Theodorebear - Ted
Hooorah! Sounds to me like Chris has made a dramatic "turn around" You see Chris; all of those "Toasts" to your health by "Our" Place Clientele was not in vain. Great to hear you are catching-up on "quality time" with Thomas and Family. It is early Tom but this is a special occasion; a 'round for all of "the willing," please. Chris, some new faces: Gunns, TrainNut are steady contributors and PurpleJude dropped in to "test the waters." Tom, it looks as though this Thread has reached the point of "critical mass." There logically will be some individual Posts that seem to be, well, exclusive for one or another esoteric subject. However, I have great faith that this "membership" will not allow "Our " Place to collapse under its' own weight. I'm going out today to check on the "tech" end for uploading pix before it gets hotter than Boris' "Gloria" (Latex Bunny). We have an univited guest on the way, Dennis, a.k.a. "Wind Bag." I'm all set from last years' onslaught for a quick "board-up." Now, would be a good time for that AmTrak excursion...to Canada, not New Orleans! An old friend needs a ride home from the Chevy agency right now. So, if you could pour me a "bracer" of Anisette, I would appreciate it Tom. U.S. 19 (Fl.) isn't called "Kamikaze Road" for nothing. Be back a.s.a.p. with something actually "on topic." Hey, keep those SUMMARIES happening Tom. We wouldn't know whether to take a "dump" or "draw small stores" without them! Happy rails You's guys.
- AND -
UTB #2 - wrwatkins - Dick
Glad to be in "safe" old Dallas. Welcome to our group PURPLEJUDE. I am sure that you will find it enjoyable as I have. We are a fun group who keeps from slurring other people and things. Tom, our housekeep, will more than ply you with good liquid and solid refreshments. While we are at it, Tom, could I have a strong cup of coffee and a Danish? It is a little too early to hit the hard stuff. Thanks, Tom. Ah my birthday. How about 9AM central time for the bash on Friday July 15. I will be on then and will be letting off a little steam. I think I am going to request hazardous pay. As you know I am going to London on July 16 for a week of work. After what happened on the Underground and busses this morning hazardous pay is definately warranted. I will be using, if they are back in service, the lines and stations that were bombed. London has a great transit system and I enjoy using it extensively. Have toured several of their facilities and even rode from Westminister to Stratford three months before the line opened. We rode on a work train. This line goes through the Docklands area and is laid out with minimal curves as opposed with the rest of the Underground. Remember that the Underground is over 125 years old. The new line has some of the highest speeds anywhere on the Underground. The terminus, Stratford, also is a station on British Rail, Docklands Light Railway, and the Central line. Tourists constantly go to the Stratford station and ask where Shakespere's house is located. The answer is about 200 miles north as it is at Stratford on Avon, not Stratford. Cheers, ***
And so, time marches on, eh New "faces" in the same "old" place . . .
Later!
Hi Eric!
We've Posted pretty much "on top" of one another . . . saw you were still on line.
Why would anyone go shopping in heat that's over a hundred degrees (F)???? Good Gawd Gertie!
Nice spate of Pix . . . only can wager a guess about that "one" - will save it for the Monday Acknowledgments . . .
Email received 'n responded to . . . thanx!
Thanx for stopping by . . .
Enjoy the weekend!
G'day Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Ahh, Cindy, you look lovely as usual!! What is my favorite drink on Saturdays? You remember? Yeah, yeah, that's it! I'll have one, please! Thank you!
Just a short stop to post a few pictures before heading out on store safari.
First some cabooses caught this last May in Atchison, KS.
ATSF.
Burlington Northern.
Kansas City Southern Lines.
Narrow gauge turntable. Orange Empire Railway Museum.
An important feature for passenger trains of yesteryear.
UP locos in Atchison, KS.
Have a nice weekend!
One year ago on this date our friend BK (Bud Karr) up in Alberta, Canada dropped off this fine Post . . .
Good Morning Captain Tom and all assembled! Everything smells like burning - smoke, smoke and more smoke, and none of it desired. Things here at the mountain retreat are somewhat tenuous as of late. The Province seems to be burning up as the multi-year drought continues in this beautiful slice of heaven on Earth. We are engaged in some serious thinking regarding a move, and as difficult as the thought is for my lady, she initiated the discussion. We are at a point where our travel plans are being held in abeyance due to the uncertainty regarding the threat to our area. We would surely not want to be elsewhere should the situation worsen. Belongings and the like take second place to securing our personal safety, however, we would like to have the opportunity to save some of the material things within our home. On the plus side, we are not in the path of anything ominous, however, everything is so very dry that it would not take much to begin an incineration. Captain Tom, as it is morning, my lady and I will partake in two of your #3s from the Menu Board - bacon and coffee for me, sausage and tea for Lydia. Throw in two of those great looking blueberry turnovers from the Mentor Bakery if you please - thanks! I have assessed the past week of activity and do not believe we are seeing the end, as perhaps our "steamed proprietor" may be thinking. Rather, it appears that we simply have several people caught up in their own activities - which is not really anything new - and perhaps having the bar & grill as a non-priority of things to do. Yes, we have seen the numbers diminish and yes, we have witnessed a significant decrease in tangible contributions. Sorry, if this offends our friend with twenty fingers - but the ‘dump and run' approach of pages long material is not what Tom had in mind when he created this site. I have gone back through my earlier submissions and have noted quite a change in direction here at the bar. Perhaps it would be far better to engage one another in dialogue rather than providing reams of reading material that may never be fully read through. A thought. So, Gentlemen, I raise my tankard in toast to our Proprietor and the clientele who still hold true to the notion that this cyber bar & grill is indeed the finest that may be found in cyber space. Long live "Our" Place and those who frequent it. Cheers! I have sent my thoughts to my "bookend," Lars and wish he and his family the best. Circumstances of death imminent are not easy to deal with. However, providing the loving care and consideration at this chapter of their loved one's life is most commendable - most commendable indeed. Certainly hope to see your return as those before me have expressed. There is a "coffee table book," The Flags of Canada, by Alistair B. Fraser, that my lady brought out for me to peruse. In it one may find chapter and verse of the history and results of the debate regarding the change to Canada's national flag. While I too enjoyed Rob's 9 beavers and frog reference - in all seriousness, many believed and still believe that a rather new nation, deserved a distinctly new flag. My family was clearly in that camp. A quote from the book QUOTE: In the battle for public opinion, Pearson took his campaign into the lions' den. In 1925, and again in 1945-46, the Orange Lodge had been the main force opposed to breaking the imperial link and losing the Union Flag. In 1964, the Royal Canadian Legion was the most vocal supporter of the status quo in the form of the Canadian Red Ensign. For months, every issue of their magazine, Legionary, had carried a picture of the ensign with the caption "This is Canada's Flag-Let's Keep it Flying." Prime Minister Pearson took his case to the 20th RCL Convention in Winnipeg on May 17. But, unlike King before him, Pearson was a veteran, having enlisted for service at the age of 17 during the First World War. The Prime Minister told a bemedaled and ensign-flying crowd at the convention that he meant no disrespect for the Union Flag, or the Canadian Red Ensign, but declared, "I believe most sincerely that it is time now for Canadians to unfurl a flag that is truly distinctive and truly national in character," to which the Legionnaires thundered "No! No!" There was an irony in the fact that the Legionnaires, who had recently replaced the Union Flag on their own badge with a maple leaf, rose to their feet, booed, and continued to yell "No!" after Pearson said: "I believe that today a flag designed around the maple leaf will symbolize and be a true reflection of the new Canada." But Pearson had sought a flag which would be "Canada's own and only Canada's" and the next day public reaction ran strongly in his favour.Tom I enjoyed your Norewegian trains submission and it brought to mind some memories of travels past. While you all are aware of my rather noncommittal stance regarding rail travel, I have had experience aboard a few trains in Norway. Great countryside, warm people and interesting points of view. In closing for this morning's "reading from the Book of Karr, I leave you with this thought: Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. Time for a touch of the spirits, Captain Tom - just a splash in the coffee, if you please! Hope to rejoin all of you once the forums resume operation. BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!
QUOTE: In the battle for public opinion, Pearson took his campaign into the lions' den. In 1925, and again in 1945-46, the Orange Lodge had been the main force opposed to breaking the imperial link and losing the Union Flag. In 1964, the Royal Canadian Legion was the most vocal supporter of the status quo in the form of the Canadian Red Ensign. For months, every issue of their magazine, Legionary, had carried a picture of the ensign with the caption "This is Canada's Flag-Let's Keep it Flying." Prime Minister Pearson took his case to the 20th RCL Convention in Winnipeg on May 17. But, unlike King before him, Pearson was a veteran, having enlisted for service at the age of 17 during the First World War. The Prime Minister told a bemedaled and ensign-flying crowd at the convention that he meant no disrespect for the Union Flag, or the Canadian Red Ensign, but declared, "I believe most sincerely that it is time now for Canadians to unfurl a flag that is truly distinctive and truly national in character," to which the Legionnaires thundered "No! No!" There was an irony in the fact that the Legionnaires, who had recently replaced the Union Flag on their own badge with a maple leaf, rose to their feet, booed, and continued to yell "No!" after Pearson said: "I believe that today a flag designed around the maple leaf will symbolize and be a true reflection of the new Canada." But Pearson had sought a flag which would be "Canada's own and only Canada's" and the next day public reaction ran strongly in his favour.
Tom I enjoyed your Norewegian trains submission and it brought to mind some memories of travels past. While you all are aware of my rather noncommittal stance regarding rail travel, I have had experience aboard a few trains in Norway. Great countryside, warm people and interesting points of view. In closing for this morning's "reading from the Book of Karr, I leave you with this thought: Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. Time for a touch of the spirits, Captain Tom - just a splash in the coffee, if you please! Hope to rejoin all of you once the forums resume operation. BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!
Hope all's well with BK 'n Lydia . . . haven't heard a word in weeks 'n weeks . . . BK is on Indefinite Leave of Absence - precursor to The Legion of the Lost and the dreaded title of UTB (used to be)!
Featured Locomotives #1 PRR GG1
<Initially Posted on Page 355 of the Original Thread>
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements. Some heralds and logos from other sources. Amtrak #928, a former PRR GG1, speeds through North Elizabeth, New Jersey in December, 1975 Built by: Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), Altoona, PA Power type: Electric Build date: 1934 - 1943 Total production: 139 AAR wheel arr.: 2-C+C-2 Gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) Length: 79 ft 6 in (24.23 m) Total weight: 477,000 lb (216,000 kg) Electric system: 11,000 V AC, 25 Hz Collection method: dual pantograph Engine type: quill drive Top speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) (passenger) 90 mph (144 km/h) (freight) Power output: 4,920 hp (3,660 kW) Tractive effort: 70,700 lbf (314 kN) Career: Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Amtrak Class: GG1 Locale: Northeast United States Disposition: most scrapped, several preserved in static display around the U.S. The Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1 class of electric locomotives were built between 1934 to 1943 at the PRR shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a total of 139 units constructed. They remained in service with the PRR's successors until the early 1980s. The GG1 became one of the most recognized and famous classes of locomotive worldwide. Technical information The GG1s were large locomotives, 79 ft 6 in (24.23 m) long and weighing 477,000 lb (216,000 kg). The main body was a single unit formed as a bridge-truss framework and clad in welded steel plate. The driving cabs were set up high about a third of the way along the locomotive from each end for greater crew safety in an accident. A narrower section of nose in front of the cab windows enabled view forward, although the nose remained full height to carry the current-collection pantographs. The bodywork as a whole was smoothly rounded. This was mounted upon two great cast steel locomotive frames linked by a hinge at the locomotive's middle which allowed side-to-side movement. Six driving wheels (three axles) were fitted towards the center of the locomotive on each truck (twelve in total) and a four-wheeled, unpowered guiding truck was mounted toward each end. In the Whyte notation for steam locomotives, each frame comprised a 4-6-0 locomotive; in the PRR's classification system, 4-6-0s were class "G". The GG1 consisted of two such locomotive frames mounted back to back, so it was classified GG-4-6-0+0-6-4. This arrangement is called 2-C+C-2 in AAR wheel arrangement notation. Each driven axle was powered by two 410 hp (305 kW) GEA-627-A1 traction motors mounted above and to either side of the axle. Drive was through a reduction gear and a quill drive assembly. While the famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy did not design the shape of the GG1 electric locomotives, he did improve their looks by recommending a smooth welded construction be used (rather than riveted construction), along with a pinstriped paint scheme to highlight their smoothly rounded forms. Penn Central #4801 and #4800 haul freight through North Elizabeth, New Jersey in December of 1975. The GG1 was designed to run on the standard Pennsylvania Railroad catenary power of 11,000 V AC, 25 Hz. This high voltage was stepped down by a large transformer mounted in the center of the locomotive body for the traction motors, cooling blowers and all other onboard equipment. The locomotive's power was controlled via a tap-switching arrangement; the number of secondary windings in use could be varied, thus adjusting the output voltage. The units were rated at 4,920 hp (410 hp per motor) continuous rating and a maximum of 9,500 hp at 49 mph (intermittent duty). For passenger service, the GG1 was geared to run at 100 mph maximum although it achieved 110 mph in testing. For freight service, the locomotive was geared to run at 90 mph maximum. History A GG1 crash One of the more interesting moments in the history of the GG1 locomotive took place on the morning of January 15, 1953 at Washington's Union Station. Due to a brake line **** (valve) that closed due to poor location (its location caused the valve to close due to contact with the bottom cross member of the car), the Federal Express from Boston was unable to apply the brakes on part of the train. Pushed by the unbraked cars, the GG1 engine and two passenger cars ran off the end of Track 16 and crashed through the floor of Union Station and into the baggage room. In a remarkable demonstration of the durability of the GG1 engines, Engine #4876 was later cut into three pieces, removed from the baggage room, and reassembled at the Altoona (PA) shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It then re-entered commercial service and went on to be one of the last-serving GG1 engines. GG1 4876 after the crash. Disposition
Believe it or not, as I'm preparing this Saturday ‘round of acknowledgments, the time is 07:07 on 07-07-07! <grin> That's not gonna happen again, eh
So, another weekend is upon us ‘n for the guys who've been so supportive to this Tavern by the Tracks, breakfast is on the house! Plenty of pastries for all in The Mentor Village Bakery case - coffee's freshly ground ‘n brewed <unleaded> ‘n <regular> - and the Menu Board selections or <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts are ready for preparin' back in the galley!
Pete at 12:15 PM Friday - July 6th: An early afternoon visit, which took me by surprise as I just Posted that B&O Fallen Flags piece. Good to see ya and many thanx for remembering this Bar by the Ballast. Must be the summer brew, eh
I see YOU TOO are mixing reality with "life" in cyber space. Can't have this or that because . . . <geesh> Belly up to the bar, Mate - this is the Ether for crying out loud! <grin> Anyway, that lone cuppa Joe cost ya five bucks! Yeah, the policy is <and has been> that coffee or soft drinks cost a "Fin" without food. Otherwise they are included with an order. <double geesh>
Four Pix from ExpoRail turned out well . . . For the guys: the descriptions may be found on past Posts of mine. Just go back through the recent Pages . . .
Pete (again) at 7:09 PM Friday - July 6th: Second visit and this time you got it right! Glad you "caught" the B&O Post . . . and the foto inside the "beast" is a "keeper"!
Thanx for the round!
Allan at 9:47 PM Friday - July 6th: And our Resident Down Under Connection is heard from! Pleased that you are getting something out of our efforts here at the Saloon by the Siding. It's a reciprocal thing, Mate - we learn from one another, eh Youbetcha!
America's Cup happenings are hardly ever mentioned on local TV in this part of the North American continent or in the local newspaper (aka: bird cage liner). Having spent so much time on the coasts of this country, it used to be so commonplace to read about sailing - but those days <daze> are gone-zo! <frown>
I have a "keepsake" coffee mug given to me by a friend in SoCal (southern California) for the 1987 America's Cup. Still use it to this day . . .
Two fine links ‘n THANX for the round!
Eric at 2:12 AM today - July 7th: Our Nocturnal Resident Desert Swede is at it again - <phew> what an hour to be Posting! Good to see ya, Mate!
Cardinals reverted to their inept selves again last night, making the game into a mockery with 3 errors and just plain indifferent play. Most difficult to watch and really wonder why we do!!?? So, when does hockey begin?? <grin>
Description of the construction on those Flexliners is interesting. Ah yes, the famed Tiger tanks of WWII - so where's the turret?? <grin>
I rechecked those B&O "stats" in the source book and they are as shown. It IS indeed an interesting figure and something that I suspect only YOU ‘n PETE would pick up on!
Speaking of you two - your continued support of this place is most appreciated. Without either, we'd be "under" - and that's no kidding. I find it amazing that only 3 of us are actually "regulars" at this. Fortunately for all, we do have a fine supporting group of guys <guyz> too, which all goes to help make this place an overall success.
Whether our UTB guyz come back or not, the facts are that the more time spent away from this place, the less likely one can "meld" back in. Conversations, fotos ‘n material missed, plus new "faces" all make it quite difficult to pick up where one may have left off. Best to move on down the line . . . Just my two cents worth.
Another "challenging" foto - where - when??
Reminder: Cindy 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!
Breakfast, Leon, an early breakfast! French toast, coffee, a large 'spiked" OJ, and a cheese danish!
A Friday on the quiet side here at the bar by the siding! But still interesting pictures and info!
Tom – D’backs lost again tonight, 1-8! I think the trolleyMAN will show up again soon!The Flexliner has one big weakness in the front. The whole part with the windshield and headlights is actually a door to make it possible to open a passage between the units when they run in multiple. I would say it is pretty safe to sit in the X2000 in that kind of accident. Under the nose cover it looks more like a Tiger tank from WWII, a very strong construction designed to protect the crew in case of accidents like that.Interesting British Railways advertisment! It was different then! No chunnel, instead you took a ferry across the channel! B&O! I am kind of surprised to see they had 59,152 freight cars and 654 passenger cars but only 491 locomotives! They had three trains (of note) to St. Louis!!! Hmm. The drumheads, with one exception, all look very much alike. Interesting pictures from ExpoRail!! I think that dad was trying to indoctrinate his daugther to love trains! Which is just fine! Interesting views of the inside of the diesel switcher! Pete – As I said to Tom, the Flexliner has one big weakness in the front. The whole part with the windshield and headlights is actually a door! As an engineer you want more protection in front of you. The accident happened at a grade crossing with gates. The gates came down over the big rig and the driver stopped across the track, went outside trying to lift the gates by hand! The right thing to do is just drive through the gates. They are designed to break off. The driver of the truck was sentenced to prison. Yes! You are correct! That wheelset is off the Aerotrain!
It is getting a little bit cooler here now, just 113° toaday (Friday). Interesting theory on the Revolutionary war!Thanks for the ExpoRail pics! I like that little electric! And the controls of the FA-1!Thanks for the drink!Allan – Thanks for the links!! Very interesting info on NZ railroads and trains! I was surprised to find that they built railcars 1936 with wooden framing! I hope they will be able to get it operational again!You’ll take them next time in America Cup!!
Thanks for the drinks!
Hi Tom and all,
Leon drinks all round please, the tab is on me
Tom. Your entries are very educational and interesting, I do`nt seem to have the time to get as much info on the site as you do. That query of yours and James about Wisconsin Centrals involvement with NZ Rail was as it`s controling shareholder.
Mike. Great pic of Mt Cook, our son was assistant manager at the "Hermitage Hotel" there for a couple of years , it`s a great tourist area. NZ is a very compact country and the scenery changes quickly over a short distance.
Pete. There is a good site of restored NZ railcars at http://www.railcar.netfirms.com
Lars. Your url`s are great. A bit of info about the DX loco`s they run over here, they are GE`s narrow gauge version of the GE U25C introduced between 1972/75. There are three preserved Rogers 2-4-2`s of 1877/78 vintage over here, two are in running condition at the moment, eight were brought over. There is a good site on NZ preserved steam at http://internationalsteam.co.uk/anz/nzop.htm
Eric. The Americas Cup is held by the Swiss syndicate "Alinghi" and they again won the cup in a best of nine sail-off against Team NZ by 5 to 2.
DL. Marmite is very much the same as Vegemite over here in NZ, used on toast mainly, the NZ Embassy in London keeps a supply for "homesick" Kiwi`s over there! If you have a look in Wikipedia under "BR Mk2 coaches" you will find the latest info on the NZ refurbishments, they brought 69 of them over.
See ya all, Allan
A quick call in LEON before I go to the party, to get me in the mood a Holden's Golden Glow and the Steak and Fries please and a drink for all.
TOM Enjoyed the B&O Fallen Flag Encore. Those Drumheads certainly added some style to their named trains.
Many thanks for the great photos from Shed #1 from Exporail. Many I did not get.The shots in the Engine room of the FA-1 are brilliant.
I have a photo of the drivers side of the 'beast'
Well LEON its off I go. Its a BYOB party,which I believe means Bring Your Own Brewery, well it would in Mentor Village
Pete.
Summer doldrums have set in and thanx to Bar Chandler Pete, we've had at least some activity 'round here . . . Here's to a great weekend!
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #144) 4-4-0 - Built by CP-Delormier (1886)
CPR #492 4-6-0 - Built by CP-Angus (1914)
CNR caboose #78214 - Built by CN-London (1939)
<is that a cute scene or WHAT?!!?! - Daddy 'n his little girl!>
CNR # 9400 FA-1 - Built by Montreal Loco Works (1950)
CNR #77 diesel switcher - Built by Canadian Locomotive Company (1929)
In the belly of a beast!
In the cab of the FA-1
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR #8905) - H-24-66 - Built by Canadian Loco Company (1955)
See y'all on Saturday - ENCORE! 'n Photo Posting Day!
An early start RUTH as I am being put to work to get ready for a party some friends are holding tonight so I had better just have a coffee please.
ERIC It was sad to hear about the Swedish engineer who lost his life in the crossing accident. In the UK they are spending a great deal of money doing away with grade crossings on the main lines, even the ones with gates. But with the Y2 there looks so little protection but perhaps the appearance may be deceptive.
Is that wheel set off the Aerotrain.
Stay cool in all that heat you are having there.
TOM Sorry about mixing up Bergie with Fergie, at least I got the name right in the text.
Yes my first trip on Amtrak between KC and St Louis in winter of 2000/1 was in the Superliners a great trip in a snowy and cold landscape, hopefully they be on again this winter.I think they could market a sightseer lounge along the Missouri and pick up some leisure passengers although they would have to get the timings a lot more reliable than they are at the present. I will have to have a look at the Amtrak two for one promotion, thanks for the tip.
I have looked in the ‘Bottomless Bag' and it is not there ,it has probably made friends with the magazine I am looking for Eric for and they hiding together somewhere .
Many thanks for the 1948 British Railways Ad. That was the first year of the formation of BR and no doubt the railways were trying to get back to normal after the war. It was also the year of the Locomotive Exchanges when different locos from the big 4 were tried on other companies lines.
I have a theory on the Revolutionary War. I think it just got too hot for the Brits so they went home.
Here are some photos from Exporail.
Two rather small pieces of railroad equipment.
An open trolley
One for LARS.
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #15 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O)
<A form of this was initially Posted on page 127 of the "original" Thread>Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)
Headquarters: Baltimore, MD Mileage in 1950: 10,000 Locomotives in 1963: Diesel: 491 Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 59,152 Passenger cars - 654 Principal routes in 1950: Jersey City, NJ (New York)-Baltimore, MD-Pittsburgh, PA-Chicago Washington, DC-Point of Rocks, MD Cumberland, MD-Cincinnati, OH-St. Louis, MO Detroit, MI-Toledo, OH-Cincinnati Hamilton, OH-Beardstown, IL Pittsburgh-Buffalo & Rochester, NY Akron-Cleveland, OH Midland City, OH-Columbus, OH-Pittsburgh Passenger trains of note: Ambassador (Baltimore-Detroit) Capitol Limited (Jersey City-Washington-Chicago) Cincinnatian (Detroit-Cincinnati; later, Baltimore-Washington-Cincinnati) Columbian (Washington-Chicago) Diplomat (Jersey City-Washington-St. Louis) Metropolitan Special (Washington-St. Louis) National Limited (Jersey City-Washington-St. Louis) Royal Blue (Jersey City-Washington) Shenandoah (Jersey City-Washington-Chicago)
Some drum heads of the B&O
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