What ho , I see that Lars snuck in wilst I was here,a sea anchor you say ! Nah not my thing a trolley catcher maybe then we're talking. Not to worry sir Ruth may like the :"electricity" of the Canadain trolley's but she really is a boiler room kind of girl ( ment in the nicest of ways of coarse )So no worries mate if she rides the streetcars Eric and Boris always are along for chaparones , occationally Leon when he's given time off as well I can arrange for H&H to tag along as well if that makes you feel better.
Some fine Brit covers as well to go along with today's posting, should put a spring in Pete's step once he makes it in today.I think another round Ruth, gotta pay for the ole stool somehow
Rob
Greetings Tom and gentlemen....
May I please have the ususal cold Guinness please? Could I also have an top up with cigars for the laddies.....thanks.....here's a few $$$$ for yourself..
$$$$ cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
Tom, looking forward to the pics and report mate !
pwolfe, great pics on that saddle tank engine ! They have special sharm don't they? I have to admit that I've never ever seen one with a tender though....odd.
Da Larsman, with some british covers....sweet !
EricX2000, enjoyed those pics mate !
trolleyboy, great pics mate ! My dad had a cousing the moved to Vancouver in 1924, he started out in the woods there to later work for a railroad, still to find out which one.......lived out in Pit Meadows. What tasty stuff do you have from Vancouver....?
Terribly sorry for the short post laddies, but I'm knackered. Soooo glad that I have the rest of the week off....! Plenty of time for....
Hello Tom and all in
Round for the house please, to celebrate a few moments to get to make a decent post!
I'm not going to be able to be as inclusive as I'd like - as although I've scanned back over recent contributions it will take me too long to go into detail, and that is actually holding me off getting into the bar. Hope I'm not gonna get tweeted!
Suffice to say people have been making some great contributions, and it is esp. good to see Trolley Boy Rob back in!
I'm going to follow up my Toronto to Cochrane Ontario Northland Railway trip report with the next leg from Cochrane to Moosonee (the really remote leg) - but there were a few comments I recall from the 1st leg of the trip (way back on page 116 for anyone who wants to check it out).
Tom, I recall you had it listed on your things to do - but probably after a VIA trip to Churchill - probably no bad priority order.
Lars - you asked about interior photos of the food service café car - sorry I don't have them but it had rather nice informal seating and a bar survive area at he end (which formed the end of the train) with the area you passed through to get there with the chill cabinets and then the staff member behind a counter with equipment for serving coffee and warming things that could be done in the microwave. Not top quality but probably appropriate for the nature of the train ride and the clientele on board.
Pete - you asked me about if I'd sampled Deltic haulage - and the answer is never - yet they are probably my favourite BR diesel design - so I need to put that right. I was rather too young when they bowed out in 1980 and not local to me - so that was shame. As I say, Deltics, Westerns and Hoovers are probably my favourite designs, although I have a soft spot of the Class 33 (BRCW Type 3 of course) as it was the only diesel that really roamed our territory in the south - apart from occasional Class 47s but they always seemed far too common for me there being so many of them!
Anyway:
ONR Trip Report - Cochrane Moosonee on the Polar Bear Express
Clearly ONR attempt to run the Polar Bear Express in the holiday season as part ‘tourist train' / part local passenger service - and they manage to combine this well. The fares are cheap, the service good, and it comes with domes and diners well worth checking out. The consist also includes flat beds for cars and a vehicle suitable for carrying canoes - the reason being there is no road access to Moosonee - yep - ONR is the only way in by land transit - which means everything in the town more or less goes in and out on this railway line - only constructed in 1932!
We had stayed overnight in Cochrane (in accommodation arranged by ONR) and had breakfast in the station hotel before boarding (it was good breakfast, but the full service diner on the train also served breakfast so in retrospect it would have been better to eat on the train).
As I recall the consist came into Cochrane from the yard about 8.15am to board for an 8.30 am departure or thereabouts.
The service was about 14 cars worth, which included 2 domes, 2 diners, a self service café car, and a bar / entertainment car - which had a live band playing on the return journey which was evening time.
Here's a picture of the train en route:
http://www.onrgallery.com/october/oct200446.html
Immediately boarding it was obvious that ONR had gathered some ancient, but very interesting rolling stock. The seating cars (slab sided vehicles in the pictures) had original Canadian National logos on various bits of chrome work inside - and were upholstered in a high quality deep red upholstery. Seats were enormously spacious both width and leg room.
I don't know the history of these cars, but it looked like they were ex Coach Class CNR stock of some vintage (possible early 1960s construction?). I'd be interested to know more.
Large picture windows allowed great views.
Also of interest were the full length dome car with 6 wheeled trucks:
http://www.onrgallery.com/october/oct200432.html
Full dome interior:
http://www.onrgallery.com/october/oct200428.html
Which had been acquired from BC Rail - although no doubt with an older history.
I must say this was not as good from an interior perspective as the half length dome (you will note the interior view shows that the glazed area is not as fulsome as it could be) :
http://www.onrgallery.com/previews/preview0183.html
The half dome car suffered in 2 minor respects - 1 the seating in the dome was round tables - rather than the forward facing arrangements as restored by VIA on their dome cars - so there are less seats. Also that dome had been designated a ‘family car' with a children's play area in what would have been the lower bar area - that filled me with fear - but in actual fact children where not making use of it so we got ourselves up into this better dome car and enjoyed views from here.
The other classic car was this 1948 C&O Diner - which I was determined to have our evening meal in on the return journey:
http://www.onrgallery.com/october/oct200433.html
Note the further links below this picture to the interior shots.
Here's the line up of the classic stainless steel:
http://www.onrgallery.com/archives/archive001z7pic01.html
If I had a criticism of this stock - which applies to all of it and it is hard to see how ONR can do much about it - the interiors are, lets say - ‘well worn' - a few examples of bits of trip and upholstery needing attention etc - but it is hard to see how on the budget they will have they could carry out the expensive refurbs VIA had managed with its stainless stock. However, the cars had great character and were great to ride in.
More on how ONR acquired them is here:
http://www.onrgallery.com/archives/archive001z7.html
The run is mostly through forested areas - and you get a great sense of the emptiness of this part of Northern Ontario. The train could stop at flag stops to pick up and set down local people - and this seemed to be quite an important service for the local Cree Indian people who made use of it for this purpose.
Two spectacular points en route was when the train passed the massive Otter Rapids Hydro Dam:
http://www.onrgallery.com/august/aug0339.html
And the spectacular Moose River viaduct crossing (where the train paused to allow you to take in views of the river):
http://www.onrgallery.com/other/mooseriver12.html
http://www.onrgallery.com/other/mooseriver07.html
Must be great in winter when it is all iced up!
The track is in rather ‘bouncy' condition, so the service is not fast - but it makes up for that in interest value and the sheer sense of remoteness which is hard to obtain in Europe at least.
Moosonee arrival is about lunch time - (the train returns in the early eve arriving back at Cochrane about 10.30pm so if you are not staying over you can go back the same day).
You could probably see all there is to see in Moosonee in the afternoon, but we had opted to stay on the island just off shore in the river called Moose Factory Island. This was included in the ticket price I'd opted for and we stayed in a superb hotel / lodge overlooking the amazing landscape of woods, forests and river scape. This place must have been built with some kind of economic development grant because the community was clearly not especially prosperous. The accommodation though, was, to my mind, luxurious and very enjoyable.
Here's a view down the line at Moosonee towards the depot - the end of the line from the south - the script on the water tower is Cree Indian:
http://www.onrgallery.com/october/oct200301r.html
Moose factory Island had been a trading post of the Hudson Bay Company and that is how it evolved, but it was tiny community prior to the rail link construction in 1932 as outlined in the rather interesting museums and restored buildings on the island. Part of the island was a Cree Indian reserve, and that was also rather economically depressed.
We also went on a river trip up to the mouth of the Moose River where it meets James' Bay - that was very interesting, although the accompanying bus trip of the island was less good - since it did not allow enough time to visit the interesting things to see - we'd have been better off hiring a bicycle to look round the island or even walking as it was not a great distance.
We retuned on the evening train the next day (although I wish we'd spent 2 nights to really do justice to the stuff to see esp. on Moose Factory Island where there are a number of interesting historic exhibits).
Unfortunately there was a large coach party of people on the return train, and they were all booked into the 1948 diner for an early evening meal, but we asked the staff and they said they would do a second sitting if we wanted to come down later - being more familiar with later European Dining times than North American ones that was no problem, so we waited our turn and enjoyed a meal in the car that was otherwise empty of other passengers.
An anecdote of this was that one of the passengers (and older gent) from the earlier sitting had found the bouncy suspension of this older car together with the track condition had made some of his meal come back the other way if you get my drift! The staff had cleaned all this up and there was no sense of it when we sat down to eat, but to ensure freshness one of the staff simply opened the back door of the train - as seen closed in this pic:
So we got the benefit of great view back down the track through the wide open door with the sun setting over the boreal forest!
Arrival back in Cochrane was a little late, where again we over nighted before taking the train back to Toronto the next day.
All in all this was great trip - and one I would recommend to anyone doing a Toronto based excursion - this is not up there with the luxury of the restored VIA stainless sets - but the price was a lot less too! The staff were great and really friendly - not a single JO (as Tom would say) was encountered by me on the ONR payroll!
Oh - and the traction - sadly not the FP7 that ONR seem to have, I think we were behind GP 38s - although I'm not too good on my north American diesel types so hope I have got this correct.
Hope this is an interesting read for those interested in the Canadian Scene. Happy to try and answer any questions people may have!
Best wishes to all
DL
Hello everybody at the bar!
Ruth, may I have a bowl of soup and some crackers for lunch, please, and a pint of lager, the best you have.
I have anxiously followed the fires in California and it seems that "my" fire has stopped advancing in my direction. It's still spreading, 20,000 acres now, but it is going back in to the wilderness. Not so good for those living in the canyons, however.
It is hard to see from the crude maps that are provided in the papers, but it looks like "Pete's" railroad museum in Poway is spared. The Witch fire passed Poway, but hopefully to the north, on its way to the coast. That one covers 200,000 acres now! The figures are unbelievable!
Tom, OK, was the USCG photo taken in Alameda or San Diego? Enquiring minds want to know...
I, too, like the idea of an art club. Permission to post pictures of paintings may be a problem, but there is soo much out there that it could be really interesting to see what the patrons have to share. Would it be OK (permission-wise) to post pictures of painting we own? Or is that also copyrighted? After all, we have already paid the artist and what is there to stop me from taking a picture of my wall?
It would be so nice to hear your stories from riding the EL in New York as a kid. I have seen pictures but that is as close as I have been able to get. A first-hand impression told by someone who was there, would be the next best thing.
The "Customer Support" did change my email address, so at least they read my mail. That's a good start.
Rob, Thanks for the link to your museum. That is quite a collection you have there!
The two-lamp NL tail light reminds me of a proposed invention I read about for automobile brake lights: by using several lights and turning them on in proportion to the brake pressure that is applied you could warn drivers behind you when you really stood on the pedal! For some reason it has never caught on for cars.
Jan, Congratulations to your very own stool at the bar!
Eric, Thanks for setting the record right on the X4! I wasn't sure what number it was. Do you have any pictures of the X6? I'm not sure I have ever seen that one.
Yes, that control tower at the club is a real gem. There is a helix in the lower portion of it. The only real problem is that there wasn't enough room to build a good stairway leading up to the top, so we have to be very careful going up and down.
I like your coffee mugs. They are a whole lot better than my "umpteenth" Anniversary of Model Railroader.
Is there a street car museum in Tuscon?
Lars, That was some really nice books from England! I think I've learned enough here at the bar to recognize a "Signal Box" on one of the covers, right?
CM3, Do you know if there is anything left of the elevated system in Boston? I'm leaving for Boston tomorrow, so it could be fun to try to catch some time and explore a bit.
Ron, I hadn't thought of the sheer dimensions you have to deal with in building your D locomotive. But you are right, it wouldn't make much sense starting with a piece of 3x lumber and sanding it down from there.
Interesting story about the naval designers at Northrop Grumman. I had a similar situation when I needed to hire an experienced CAD designer. One of the applicants was a guy fresh out of school who fully believed, since he was a "quick learner", that he could pick up the needed experience in a very short time. Needless to say, he didn't get the job.
What, you don't include Disneyland among the places with a Monorail?! Joking aside, what monorail is there in Atlanta? That's something I missed when I was there. Too bad.
I have heard a warning similar to what you gave me about retirement being a busy time. This was before we got our first child. Get all your projects done before the child arrives, because afterwards there will not be any time. That turned out to be oh so true, so I fully believe you this time!
Thank you for the article on Northlandz! I had read about it a couple of times, but I have never visited.
Pete, I read something about the SJ S1 steamer that it was a disappointment. Apparently it didn't turn out as powerful as was expected.
DL, thanks for the trip report on the Polar Bear Express. Interesting to see that the diner seems to have been an "observation" car since it had rounded corners, like an end-of-train car.
Wasn't it ONR that used one of the old TEE trainsets at one time? Is that still in use?
My PC is still at the doctor and I have no idea when I get it back, so I'm writing this at work. Better keep it short. But I'll be back next week after I return from Boston.
Per
G'day Gents!
In an attempt to play catch up - take care of domestic chores - attend to Juneau's every whim, wish 'n wimper - I've fallen woefully behind the Posts.
Per's "marathon" Posts, Ron's most interesting lengthy epistle along with Dan's trip report, have me way behind the scene! BUT I'll get there!! <grin> Ah yes, then there's Rob with his return to rare form! <yikes> Only two eyes, guyZ!! <grin>
Okay - since I've been asked by a few, here's the ANSWER to the location of that great foto of the Hamilton class Cutters! Ready The location is . . . <drumroll>
Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California! Thanx for participating, Gents!
Per - watch your Email. I'll have something for you before week's end!
Dan - watch your Email, something en route before week's end as well - different subject!
Jan - I'd sent you an Email too - but you've opted OUT of the "loop." Sorry . . . .
Okay - I gotta get back to my "life"!!
Ruth - give 'em all a "belt" on me! Boris, ring it!
Tom
AMTRAK Kirkwood, MO to Kansas City (round trip) Tuesday, 23Oct 2007
TRIP LOG (270 track miles between Kirkwood & Kansas City, MO)
8:50 AM - Train #311, Kansas City Mule arrived 9 minutes early at Kirkwood, MO. Visibility conditions were somewhat "glooming" - drizzle had let up, overcast with temps down a bit, requiring a light jacket or sweater.
Boarded Amfleet Café Car # 481987 (business class) - first passenger. "Kristen" was café car attendant - rather young lady with an outgoing personality ‘n willingness to provide the passengers with "top shelf" service!
Car was in fair to good material condition with the exception of one missing tray table in the Business Class seating area ‘n a couple of burned out reading lamps. Cleanliness of interior was marginal. Windows were relatively clean, however grime still prevalent.
Train was powered by one AMD-103 (PA series of Genesis loco #20) - two Horizon coaches and Amfleet Café car made up the consist. Café car (where Business Class is located) was placed directly behind the loco with seating most forward, which is the correct way to arrange it! <yay>
9:40 AM arrived at Washington (4 minutes late). Located on the banks of the Missouri River in the heart of wine country. Missouri Meerschaum Company manufactures the ONLY corn cob pipes in the world is located here. Unmanned station. Skies cleared - blue with fluffy white clouds - great visibility to check out the turning of the leaves for the fall season! <yeah>
10:12 AM arrived at Hermann (8 minutes) late). A town settled by Germans in the 1830s looking for a site replicating the Rheine River Valley. Idea was to establish a wine growing area in the new country. Today has four award winning wineries. Also located on the banks of the Missouri River. Known for May and October "fests." Unmanned station.
12:15 PM arrived at Jefferson City (1 hour 24 minutes late). State capital with dome of capitol building clearly in view. Great place for train watching and also located on the river bank. Volunteer manned station, no ticketing.
Stealthy Pete, the shadowy figure, boarded here!
NOTE: Delays to this point were due to slow orders, waiting in sidings for passing Union Pacific freight trains and continuing construction of what appears to be a 2nd track to the mainline and passing sidings between Washington & the Osage River.
1:25 PM arrived at Sedalia (1 hour, 24 minutes late). Home of the Missouri State Fair. Area is rather depressed and evidence of what used to be is visible from the train. Once known as the "Queen City of the Prairies" with a junction for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (KATY). Great view of preserved KATY depot. Unmanned AMTRAK station.
2:40 PM arrived at Lees Summit (1 hour, 21 minutes late). Final resting place of Cole Younger, infamous member of the Jesse James Gang. Unmanned station.
2:58 PM arrived at Independence (1 hour, 23 minutes late).Home of the 33rd President of the U.S. - Harry S. Truman. World HQ for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints located here along with the Truman Library. Unmanned station.
3:17 PM arrived at Kansas City, MO Union Station (1 hour 7 minutes late). Kansas City is known as the "City of Fountains," and is situated in an area of rolling hills, tree-lined boulevards and distinctive architecture. The down
Just realized today is our OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day! So, here's something from the past - just to keep the idea moving forward!
Posted by BudKarr Posted: 19 Apr 2006, 13:33:09 Good Afternoon Captain Tom and all assembled! . . . . . A bit of European hobby photos for the bar on this Pike Perspectives afternoon: Fleischmann 4117 - Tender Loco Class 17 Fleischmann 4318 - Electric Loco Class E19.1 Fleischmann 4324 - Electric Loco Class 146 Fleischmann 4337 - Electric Loco Class Ae 3/6 Fleischmann 4903 - Passenger Train of the K.P. u. G.H. St. E. 4913 Passenger Train "90 Years of MITROPA" of the P. St. E. V. I do not take credit for retrieving these photos. My computer literate "roomie" does so well at this! I will now enjoy a Southern Comfort on the rocks and a glass of white wine for my lady! Enjoy the weekend, Gentlemen! BK in beautiful Alberta, Canada's high mountain country!
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams please RUTH, after a great day out on Amtrak with Tom.
PER Great to see you in.
I hope your house keeps safe with those really terrible fires in California, The friends we stayed with had to be evacuated, but last we had heard they have be able to return to their house. Those figures in your post today are as you say unbelievable
Thanks for the info on the Dallas museum.
There was a class of LMS steam locomotives they had the nickname of ‘Flying Pigs' but they would not be working through Maidenhead in the 1970s.Introduced in 1947 just one of the class of 162 locomotives was preserved, this is on the Severn Valley Railway, although sadly it is not in running condition at the present.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LMS_Ivatt_Class_4
A link to the 'Flying Pigs'
Liked the control tower in the photo.
I was a shame the S1 did not turn out as well as it was hoped it would. The last BR design the 2-10-0 9Fs were probably the best freight locos we had in Britain but they had such short lives with the inset of dieselisation, a sad waste really in my opinion.
RON Sorry to read you are getting bad weather still where you are.
Thanks for the info on the trolley in my pic, it is great about Our Place that when something appears, like the badge on the side of that trolley, the real facts are told at the bar.
Very interesting about replacing the older experienced engineers with those straight out of collage, there is no substitute for experience.
Many thanks for the piece on Mr. Williams and the great Northlandz Model Layout.
ROB. I shall look forward to seeing more of your trolley photos. I have some more pics taken in San Francisco of trolleys and a couple of the cable cars there. I will post them soon.
It seems that VIA rail is having the same trouble with CN that Amtrak is having with UP on my local line.
Great to see the return of the Classic Juice series.
On the part of our journey I was on yesterday we weren't delayed much and the train mainly kept going, although it was late getting in and Tom was delayed by the engineering work to the east of Jeff City.
It will be good to hear about your trip on The Ocean.
Many thanks for the pics of the Museum cars.
ERIC We had a great time on Amtrak.
That is good news about the new light rail line in Phoenix; they are good looking vehicles used there. It seems once a city puts in a light rail system its popularity gets extensions to the system built. I see they are still arguing about a system for Kansas City.
Are you feeling ready for the start of the dart tournament tomorrow.
I don't think Lars will get you that book of Ellis's after the comment about RUTH and Streetcars. I had not seen the Ellis book before Lars posted the cover.
Great photo of the Japanese Streetcar a long way from home.
CM3 I am very much looking forward to seeing those photos from 35 years ago of Boston and the transport scene there.
Very much agree with the award to Manager Lars.
It does not bode well with the Mascots back on the hydraulic fluid so near the darts match.
JAN. I agree the saddle tanks have a great deal of charm to them, and were very much the unsung heroes of the industrial railscene for many years, after the industrial career was over for quite a lot of them they have put in great work on the preservation scene in the UK.
Hope you are able to get a good rest on your days off from work.
LARS My camera survived yesterday (I hope) although I did leave it switched on all the way from Jeff City to KC, hoping Tom's camera has not suffered any ill effects as Tom had me take a photo with it.
Many thanks for those British railways book covers; I have great fun trying to guess the type of locomotive or the location shown on the covers. On the Glory of steam that is a roundhouse in the North East of England possibly Sunderland, an area Allan knows well. On the BR stations in colour, it is Lincoln on the top, with what looks like a EE class 40 in the station before the yellow warning panes were added to the front of BR diesels, bottom left a Great Western branch line possibly in the West Country and I think Kettering bottom right. The BR Atlas, I would say Norwich.
Enjoyed the second selection of BR bookcovers with a mainly LNER and LMS theme. The locations have got me beat
Another Bathams please LEON.
From the San Diego Model Museum.
Another photo of the great model of the Roundhouse.
In the display case a selection of British model trains.
This Lionel model must be popular there was another of this type in the museum in Sacramento.
These should enlarge.
Pete.
Hi Tom and all,
Set `em up please Leon, Tui`s all round for the crew!
Tom. Great spread on your trip with Pete, it sounds as if you both had a great time, enjoyed the trip travelogue and all the nice pics! Really enjoyed you USCG info and the great ship pics, interesting info on the shipboard artillery equipment, I started on Heavy AAA in the mid 50`s we had WW2 3.7inch guns then, very similar to the German 88mm gun. That FEF name I mentioned is the UP class Northern steam loco #844 that is kept by UP, is still used for revenue service when it`s moved to different locations, their`s a write up at;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UP_844
Looking foreward to the Darts match commencing.
Pete. That video Ref who dis-allowed that try was an Oz one, nuff said! Enjoyed your Railtown pics, that saddle tank looks a bit different to the one`s the NCB used to run. That viaduct was as you say a real bottleneck on the ECML, it must have had a real effect on the timetables at peak times. Glad you had a nice trip with Tom.
Lars. A really nice selection of Brit rail covers mate, and a lot of nice pics of the Supertrams as well! Saw some of the Patriots NFL game the other night, some of those passes were fantastic to watch, in Rugby you are not allowed to have foreward passes at all and to score Tries [touchdowns] you have to carry the ball through all the tackles.
Jan. Enjoyed all your musical renditions mate, we will have to call you the "Bar Bard" giving us all your entertainment! Great SP steam pics you posted for us, can`t get enough of all those great steam pics!
Rob. Enjoyed your Classic Juice write up and all the trolley pics on your posts. Nice to meet you mate.
Ron. Nice info on the Worlds largest MRR, it`s a whopper! Hope your weather has improved by now?
Eric. I also think that viaduct looks more like Toms poster, they used a helluva lot of bricks on that line when the built it, in those days bricks, together with cast iron, were the cheapest forms of building material. Nice tram pics you posted, that new Phoenix tram looks really neat!
Per. Hope you are well away from those fires in San Diego,, they look really frightening on the TV news. Nice write up on the quake strength`s, they had a 4.5 in the South Island again last night, seem to be having a lot of after shocks down there! Broadway turn out some really top model loco`s, they are so realistic in looks and sound, just like the real thing.
CM3. Interesting write up on the Elevated`s, from memory there was only one of them in the UK, at Liverpool, home of the "Beatles" group.
Dan. Nice to see you mate, enjoyed your ONR write up and all the links as well, how many photo`s did you take on the trip? I find it a lot more easier now with a digital camera and the SD cards, compared to the old 35mm film camera I had.
See ya, Allan
Good evening Leon my friend , I think a Harps this evenign just for something different. Nice to see a realitivly busy day here at the saloon by the siding , lots of good stuff to catch up with, good show gents.
Jan-I'll have to do some digging, I don't have any BC Trolley stuff right at the moment, I can find some regular railway things from BC however , keep an eye out for it.Your relitve likely got a job on the Pacific Great Eastern ( PGE ) when he moved to BC in the 20's , this railway was Provincial govt owned like the Ontario Northland and was renamed in the 60's to The British Columbia Railway later simplified in the 80's to BC Rail an interesting RR to be sure. Now of coarse it's been absorbed into Canadian National. he may have worked for teh Grand Trunk Pacific ( CNR ) or the CP railway as well but my bet is on the PGE owing to where he was living.
Per-Glad you liked the Lintern artical. That was an excerpt from the Radial Report our musuem's news letter. It was Writen by Gord McQuat our master mechanic.We've been at it for quite a while ,the museum was founded in 1953 as always it's a work in progress. The ONR Tee train is no longer in use , they had two complete trainsets actually part of one is being restored as a waterfront display in Northbay but is in fairly rough shape at the moment.I can't imagine using a Lintern type system on a car , mind you had air brakes become widspread in vehicle usage ( besides trucks ) it may well have caught on. A lot of us at the museum jokingly say that the Nichols company likely had their Canadian operations salesman picture on the wall as more of the Linterns were sold up hear than to US traction companies
a couple shots of it that I took two summers ago while we were vacationing in Northbay.
Pete-Loved the layout photo's quite the spread they have ! sounds like the two of you had a fairly good outing. Yes VIA's getting semi hosed as well by the slowdowns on CN. Except for teh corridor Windsor to Quebec City where the VIA traffic still enjoys right of way privilages most days.
DL-Thanks for the welcome back, great write up on your Polar Bear trip, it is a unique train ride.Moose Factory is quite desolate. I don't know if you really would have wanted to bike on the Island , the national bird of Ontario ( the mosquito ) grow quite big and hungry up there most times of the year Great photo's along the way however, those were indeed GP38-2's that were powering your train ( most of their passenger trains are now equiped this way ) HEP equipmnet has replaced most of their steam heat now. A couple of the FP7's ( only the caterpillar repowerd ones still exist at their Northbay Head Office and are used only if needed )
A FP7 I caught two summers ago parked beside the shop complex in Northbay
Alan-glad to meet you
Tom-Nice to see the BK model repost thanks for digging it up sir All things concidered your lateness on the train wasn't all that bad mind you it looked like it made for a long day no wonder the "puppy" has been sooo needy. looking forward to the rest of the pics.
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Hello Leon, I'll have a meatloaf sandwich, please! A cold Keith's to drink.
My arm feels great for the darts game! Bring 'em on!
Rob – I feel the same about the design of the new light rail cars for Phoenix. I like the older design better. The streetcar from Kyoto belongs to the Old Pueblo Trolley in Tucson, AZ. It is used during weekends, Friday 6 pm to 10 pm, Saturday Noon to Midnight and Sunday Noon to 6 pm. See link below.http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org/869.htmInteresting pictures of the crane car and the Peter Witt 2786! Is 2786 operational today? What kind of locomotive is shown in those two pictures from Northbay? Tom – Kirkwood! At least I can say I’ve been there! Very nice looking station building, inside and outside. I really don’t think UP is doing their best to keep Amtrak’s trains on time. To lose almost 1 1/2 hour on a 2 hour run speaks volumes about UP. Amtrak should replace the timetable with a calendar. It seems like the big problems are between Kirkwood and Jefferson City.Thanks for re-posting BK’s post from last year!
Thanks for the detailed trip report, including a bunch of nice pictures!Lars – I don’t know if those mugs are worth anything. I am using them for my coffee more or less every day. I have two of each. We discussed Phoenix light rail last year. I was actually out last Sunday and took a few pictures of newly built tracks. See picture. These tracks are now used for test runs.
More nice book covers! Very British! LNER Six-Coupled Tender Locomotives sounds very interesting. JanOlov – The rest of the week off?? Don’t tell Manager Lars, he may get some ideas. DL – Thanks for the trip report, Cochrane Moosonee on the Polar Express! Very interesting and very nice pictures! The bridge across Moose River was something else. Per – I don’t have any pictures of class X6, but you can see it on the link below (Swedish text). Bottom of page.http://www.jarnvag.net/vagnguide/X6.aspYes, there is the Old Pueblo Trolley in Tucson (see link above). They provide passenger service all weekends. Pete – I am ready for the dart tournament any time! It will be an exciting day! I know, Manager Lars was not very happy to hear that Ruth loves streetcars. Nice pictures from San Diego Model Museum! Especially the one of the roundhouse! Allan – The light rail cars for Phoenix look okay, but I would have prefered a more traditional look. But one can’t get it all.
Eric
<personal foto>
Guten Morgen allerseits!
Wie ist jeder? Es is OKTOBERFEST! Partei wollen wir!
Thursday in mid-continent USA where petrol is at $2.56 (rounded) ‘n the temps have definitely returned to more of a fall range. <yeah>
Begin your Thursday right here with a hot mugga Joe, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n a choice of <light> or <traditional> breakfasts from our Menu Board!
Comments from the Proprietor:
Final OKTOBERFEST at "Our" Place this Saturday at noon!
PLAN TO SHARE THIS FALL CELEBRATION WITH US!
Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)
Some specific comments to those previously acknowledged, but not addressed:
Per: A marathon Post requires marathon timeframe to take it all in. <phew>
Kalmbach provides access to all of their "stuff" for those who subscribe to any of their magazines. So nothing was really new or different with their "offer." Anyway, I was totally POd about the entire situation that I could've cared less if they were showing fotos of Cindy in her Victoria's-not-so-secret string ensemble! Wouldn't have taken the time . . . wellllllllllll, maybe just a peak! <grin>
I took my PhotoBucket off the the "public access" many moons ago. Figured that there's enough of my stuff floating around in the Ether - plus I have some albums that have no connection to the bar ‘n what we do here.
Too bad we no longer have a connection with our Dallas friend - he really extended himself to me with that outing described in my report. Just one of those things - he probably has found other interests.
If anyone "knows" about the train you have in the recesses of your mind it would be Shane. I really am a novice when it comes to being placed in THAT kind of company. There were some trains though that I've featured in my Passenger Train nostalgia advertisements - the AeroTrain ‘n the Xplorer come to mind. Then the NYC ran a "jet powered" RDC for an experiment. All over on the Original Thread - probably worth an ENCORE! one of these Saturdays . . .
Really wish to emphasize that when I provide material at the bar, I try to always give the source. Those figures are not mine - but rather are quoted from the source given in the advertisement. So, I cannot provide any additional elaboration - sorry.
However, it wasn't uncommon for freight car inventories to be far ‘n away much higher than the passenger fleet on many of this nation's railroads.
Certainly hope your property in SoCal gets spared the wrath of the fire storm. <grim>
THAT is SOME control tower - and all for a model railroad! <triple wow>
Got a kick out of that quake scale . . . . having lived in San Pedro for a couple of years, it is indeed something one gets used to. Never, ever thought I'd say that!! <yikes>
Pete: Enjoyed the evening Post that was supposed to be the mid-afternoon Post but turned out not to be! Phone call explained it all . . . ‘nuf said, eh Thanx!!
Ron: Enjoyed your effort, although it was in the "wide Page phenom" Format . . . made reading it a bit difficult.
I'm certainly in no position to know the ins ‘n outs of the business you obviously have a handle on. Ship designers, as with so many other walks of life from the past, ain't what they used to be.
Thought you had provided a link regarding the "flap" the USCG ‘n their "designers" got into regarding the next generation of large Cutters for the fleet. A colossal waste of money ‘n something worthy of keel hauling for the brain dead fools who orchestrated it all. <shame>
HAMILTON rode much, much better after the bilge keels were put on at the USCG shipyard in Curtis Bay, MD. Kinda wondered why they weren't included at the "get go." But that's hindsight - one has to live ‘n work aboard a ship in ALL conditions to get the "feel" of her.
And ALAMEDA (Coast Guard Island) is indeed the CORRECT location for those "nested' 378s . . .
Rob: A return to your Classic Juice series with a winner! Nicely done, Mate. You've got a "ton of ‘em" all on the Original Thread, just waiting for ENCORE! Saturdays . ..
Making reefs from sunken naval vessels isn't anything new down here either. Been doing that for decades . . . but with so many ships ‘n the need for targets, well so many fine ladies of the sea have gone that route.
Eric: Pacific Electric #418 - ahhh yes, recall it now! Thanx . . .
Nice looking LRV from Phoenix. Concur with Lars - keep us Posted!
You are correct - HAMILTON was not in the foto - just the CLASS of vessels, of which that group just happened to be in the same port at the same time. <geesh>
Jan: Good to see ya "in," even if only for a minute or so . . .
Pete: Again - appreciate the "last minute" Post before heading off to the station!
CM3 Shane: Emails received ‘n responded to - thanx!
Figured you'd jump in with some elevated rail talk from Beantown!
siberianmo wrote: Second Class and Our Place matched each other dart for dart, drink for drink, claw hold for claw hold, body slam for body slam, well, you get the picture...Your reporter was, in fact, thinking about having to tear up the lead for this story and do a new one as it appeared we might have another tie. Proprietor's Note: Last year's teams were:"Our" Place Team #1 - Pete 'n RobTeam #2 - Nick 'n DougSubstitute - LarsAlternate Substitute - BKReporter - CM3The Avengers from the Second Class Saloon:Team #1 - John (slopehead) 'n Larry (scrote)Team #2 - Bob (cannibal) 'n Tim (tiny)Substitute - George (grommet)Sponsor: Mountain Man Mike (Moose) Proprietor
Second Class and Our Place matched each other dart for dart, drink for drink, claw hold for claw hold, body slam for body slam, well, you get the picture...Your reporter was, in fact, thinking about having to tear up the lead for this story and do a new one as it appeared we might have another tie.
Proprietor's Note: Last year's teams were:
"Our" Place
Team #1 - Pete 'n RobTeam #2 - Nick 'n DougSubstitute - LarsAlternate Substitute - BKReporter - CM3The Avengers from the Second Class Saloon:
Team #1 - John (slopehead) 'n Larry (scrote)Team #2 - Bob (cannibal) 'n Tim (tiny)Substitute - George (grommet)
Sponsor: Mountain Man Mike (Moose) Proprietor
Good Morning Capn Tom and Sundry
Pssst Tom... can you explain to me how this dart thingy is suppose to work? My replacement couldn't understand why the computer screen in the cabin had a hole in it
I think I'll have a feed of Kippers and Beans this morning please and thanks.
Tom: loved the article on the Turbo as I remebered hearing about them as a kid and all the woes they had with them.
Bob: A shame about the Northlander. On weekends we use to visit my Grandparents outside of Newmarket and I remember Dad taking me to the Tracks for 9pm just to watch her scream by. quite the sight for a 9 yr old.
Anyway I'm signed off and home back into the renos so it will be a very busy time!
Here's a site that I'm sure Tom will love! it is part of the international VOS (vessel Observation System) which tracks ship's weather reports around the globe.
www.sailwx.info
Hudson's link is
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=cgdg
Anyway I have work to do
Later All
Fergie
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
Bring ‘em on!
The 2nd Annual Dart's Challenge ‘n Grudge Match
begins tonite right here at "Our" Place!
We expect a full house, so come early - get your pitcher of brew, a vantage point, some munchies ‘n enjoy the competition!
The goons from The Second Class Saloon and their entourage are expected to arrive by means of the back door, which leads directly to the site of the match. Our pool room has been converted to accommodate the boyz who fling those pointy things!
The Mentor Village Home Defense League <a subsidiary of the Can-Am County Self-Defense and Pest Control Forces> is out in full force - you can't miss ‘em in their protective gear comprised of axes, maces and flails along with helmets, mail and shields.
Join Awk - Tex - Frostbite - Artie - and - Juneau
as we greet the thugs from The Second Class Saloon! <arrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhh>
As would be expected, The Mentor Village Street & Honey Dipper Dept. is hard at work - watch for the signs along the only road to "Our" Place!
National Anthems of Canada - U.S. - UK - Sweden - Norway - New Zealand and Slobovia performed by
"Our" Place Teams:
#1 The UK Connection of: What'd he say? - Pete (pwolfe) ‘n Kiwi's are Down Under - Allan (Gunneral)
#2 The Norsemen Duo of: I'm Oaring the Boat! - Lars (LoveDomes) ‘n Deserts are for Swedes! - Eric (EricX2000).
Alternate - Jan (JanOlov) Our Resident Swede in Scotland!
Ace Reporter: CM3 Shane - From high atop Mt. Mentor, we'll be treated once again to some fine reporting of the events as they unfold!
Cheerleading provided by Cindy 'n her Our Ladies of Perpetual Motion Social Club 'n Knitting Circle! [wow]
The Second Class Saloon Teams:
#1 Mo Lester (aka: Eunuch maker) ‘n Rock Pounder (aka: I got stones!)
#2 Lance Butts (aka: Watch your back!) ‘n Doug Graves (aka: Last stop!)
Alternate: Mountain Man Mike (Moose) - Proprietor of The Second Class Saloon
Bring 'em on!
Six to Go! - Number One
Here's a few fotos from my Oct 23rd trip to KCity ‘n back with Wolfman Pete . . .
<Trip Report on Page 130>
UP eastbound freight at Kirkwood, MO
Here comes the Kansas City Mule - Amtrak #311 at Kirkwood
Amtrak Amfleet Café Car # <that's Kristen our car attendant>
Business Class seating in the Café Car
More to follow - 6 at a time!
Enjoy!
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Four Seasons Blend); round for the house and $ for the jukebox. It's still raining here and we are well pleased with that. Gas is at $2.89/gal.
That was no ball game last night, it was an old-fashioned East Coast mugging. Let's see they play again tonight, BC is down the road at VaTech in football, and the darts tournament is upon us. Artie flew over this a.m. with a message from Our Reporter who said he has pitched a tent along the parade route. According to the message, the tent is fortified with sandbags and appropriately placed heavy weapons and other safety appliances. Hmmm.... Artie has more talents than we realized - maybe he worked at the Owlry at Hogwarts?
Lots to review this a.m.
Eric stopped by with photographs of the good china and some engineering material for the konstruktors at the bar.
Rob has been out and about. The Toronto C2 brought back some memories of some of the maintenance equipment in Boston. They had wire cars built from old street cars, side dumps, and crane cars that looked very similar to the one in your picture. I have no idea if any of that stuff is in service now. The small Peter Witt is one of my favorite TTC beasties. I enlarged the shot and was intrigued by the sign for Boat Races - sound good! Also thanks for ONR materials.
Lars, I knew you'd appreciate the award (lol). Bookmobile sure had some interesting items. The locomotive headboard book looks like a good one along with the engineering cyc. PRR used "headboards" on some of their locomotives and IIRC, also the L&N, but I'd have to do a little digging. Other roads had the train name on the sides of the tender. C&O and SAL both come to mind here.
Jan Stopped by - keep on keepin'on.
DL was here with a travelogue and pictures. The C*O diner lounge was especially appreciated. I do not have my car notes here, but IIRC, two of those cars were renamed "Dana" and "Metcalf" when they went to the B&O. Again, and I am truly relying on memory here, both of them went to ATK with the same names. One of them, "Dana," I think, was wrecked and cut up. So there you go.
Per - You picked a good time to be in Boston. IIRC, some of the elevated structure is between still in use between North Station and Lechmere. Interesting part about this is that it is concrete. Don't hold me to this as everything has changed so much because of the Money Pit construction I mentioned awhile back. Enjoy yourself.
Allan and Fergie both stopped by - Good to hear from you.
Pete - OMG! Lionel standard gauge in beautiful condition! I hope you were able to get some shots of the cars, too. Wow!
OSP stopped in with comments, travel report, pcitures, and reflections. Is that really Pete in the picture? Or is it the Shadow? Chocolate cobbler? What if we drown it in brandy? My mom used to make fruitcake which in addition to being excellent contained enough high octane material that it could take its place with anything at the bar. She also made Christmas pudding and home made hard sauce, which, believe me, was not for the fainthearted either. A few swallows of that, your arms and legs went numb, then oyur head, and you could deal with the relatives.
Cigar bands brought back some memories. You doubtless remember Overland Cigars from your time in Boston. They had a neat red and gold band, but what I liked best was the picture of the UP steam locomotive with appropriate cars which was on the inside of the box cover. Kind of resembled a Currier and Ives lithograph. It's funny what a phrase will bring back.
Work safe
BRING 'EM ON!!
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Ruth my deAH, <brrrrrrrrrr> a chill in the air means I'm ready for a warm-up - put a double jolt in that coffee, wudja please? <grin> My, my - you ARE looooooooookin' mighty fine in that outfit you're almost wearing. <blush> Guess you're putting forward your best side for the anticipated crowd this evening, huh
Boris, feed the crittAHs ‘n don't forget to feed ‘em again B4 the tournament begins - it's gonna be a loooooooooong day! Yeah, yeah - you get the jar of PPF when done - make it the LARGE one!
Looks like Da Bossman has been mighty busy with catching up - I don't remember seeing it THIS busy for him in a loooooooooong time! Some good "stuff" in those posts, so I'm hoping the guys take the time to read ‘em . . .
By my count - we have 9 guys at the bar, with Fergie making 10 - but he's an irregular, irregular regular. <huh>> Anyway, the numbers are there - 9 guys helping to keep things ship shape - ‘n when they all drop in all at once, we have that "perfect storm" effect! That's why it seems like there's sooooooooo much material - because there IS!! <geesh> I'm STILL not caught up . . .
So here's the deal for me this week ‘n perhaps into the next . . . I'm gonna be short on exchanges of conversation, but I will provide covers ‘n photos - time permitting - hang in there with my guyz - got some things going on that simply keeps me from controlling my time. BUT I'll do my part to help keep the "flow" by showing up once per day . . . at least that's the plan! <grin>
Red Sox beat the tar outta the Rockies last night. What more needs to be said ‘bout that, huh Shane is grinning ear to ear!
Eric - I'll give you a buck three ninety eight for those extra mugs! <grin>
Pete - what IS IT with you ‘n cameras Really!! <geesh>
Glad the Brit covers "worked" for you ‘n appreciate the supplemental info you provided!
Used to be a radio show way back when people actually listed to it for more than talk shows - The Shadow was a hit show. That photo Cap'n Tom put up of you REALLY reminded me of it! <grin> Stealthy Pete "works" too . . .
Cap'n Tom - thanks for the trip report ‘n photos! Enjoying ‘em as you find the time to put ‘em up at the bar! Screw UP - youse guyz seem to always find a way to enjoy yourselves! Glad the trip was fun ‘n relaxing.
Good to see the "stuff" from Jan - Per - Ron - Rob ‘n Dan! CHEERS guyz, have one on ME!! Boris ring the bell!
Again, my apologies gentlemen - the further I fall behind, the behinder I get <or something like that!>
Ah, the arrival of the Larsman Mobile brings some MORE Brit book covers!
Brunel's Cornish Viaducts
British Railways Brakevans & Ballast Ploughs
British Railways Mark 1 Coaches
British Rail 1974-97 From Integration to Privatisation
British Rail Northern Scene - A 1970s Railway Album
I'll have a Batham's mild please.
Reminds me - last week was our local Beer Festival (400 + brews and ciders and perries too) - I looked out for Batham's Pete but they had none - some other good west midlands milds however!
Per - yes the ONR C&O diner was end of train and the windows gave it an observation car feel (esp. with the door open) - although of course not like full end windows.. ONR did indeed have TEE cars and thanks to Rob who has provided more info. I believe some Swiss enthusiasts have paid for one set to go back to Switzerland for restoration but I don't know how things are going with that project (shame we have no Swiss connection..)
Rob - thanks for your additional info on ONR - I was hoping my report might stimulate your thoughts. You will have missed my Toronto visit highlights - which included TTC action, watching the Canadian depart, a fantastic Toronto RR Historical society behind the scenes tour of Union station and a trip to the Warplane Heritage Museum (all detailed on prev pages) - my one big regret was not getting time to get out to your street car museum - which was on my list of things to do. Afraid it got sacrificed in favour of a trip to see the Group of 7 art collection (which was very good, but it is not streetcars!).
Mosquitoes were not a problem as it was too cold up there - even in Mid august - I think we were lucky!
Incidentally - any further info on the CNR stock I was riding in on the Polar Bear would be much appreciated.
Tom - I'll keep an eye on my e-mail as requested (but if you don't get a reply please prompt me as I had a problem with it a week ago which should now be solved - I've also had to set spam filters to max but I sincerely hope you don't get caught by them!)
I take your comment on the coach class ride to Cochrane - but in fairness to ONR that was fine. Clearly many Polar bear passengers had got to Cochrane by road or tour bus - since there were only 8 of us who got off at Cochrane the prev night - but that is not my style - not when a daily passenger train is in operation ready and waiting for me to use!
I appreciate for you there are other logistical aspects to consider of course!
Very much enjoyed your Amtrak illustrated trip report - is Kristen being invited to apply to work at Our Place?
What would happen if you two got in touch with Amtrak BEFORE the trip and asked for more than 3 bottles of Sam Adams to be stocked? Would they do it?
Also - what are Corn Cob pipes? Sounds intriguing.
Pete - nice one on the location recognitions from the book covers - I thought Lincoln too, but many others were not so obvious to me.
Indeed the full dome did have tables throughout - less of a problem in that respect as obviously it has more seating full stop - the weakness of that design is that the glass does not go too far to the apex of the roof - so it is like a big window - but not a real dome in my view! The 6 wheel bogies must have helped, but it was still a swaying ride!
I often used to take Class 33 hauled MK 1 compartment stock from Brighton to Chichester - Portsmouth - Southampton and Bristol / Cardiff when I could - they provided the fastest train along the coast as all the EMU services stopped more frequently. You could still get compartment haulage as late as 1985 ish - but by about 1986 they had switched to Class 156 railcars - a significant downgrade IMHO!
I'll try and look out the Railway Magazine given your recommendation on LMS pics. Would complement the recent films I saw which I relay soon.
Just got my winter Classic Trains delivered yesterday - so have plenty to read (and not enough time...)
Are you planning any UK trips by the way?
Eric - yes the Moose river viaduct is remarkable (esp when seen from the ground unlike on the train where I saw it from) - it must be amazing in snow melt period / ice thaw - it must take a battering.
Talking of viaducts - I was asked for my opinion on an LNER poster a while back - I think the picture was stylised view of the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick on Tweed with the artist taking some licence
Here's some posters and pictures worth a look.
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10170934&wwwflag=3&imagepos=24
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10173872&wwwflag=2&imagepos=26
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10451582&wwwflag=2&imagepos=27
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10307122&wwwflag=2&imagepos=29
And here is the poster captioned as being such - so maybe that is proof:
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10170922&wwwflag=2&imagepos=28
Allan - thanks for your remarks - I did take a few pics - but I've decided to go back to taking 35mm transparencies - esp since I've got a great projector set up at home. I did have a digital for small scale record shots but I realised I like my SLR too much and don't want to pay out for an expensive SLR digital - which would obviously be the business.
Coal miner - thanks for the info on the C&O diner - much appreciated info, esp having ridden on the car.
Regards all
PS Lars just in (hope you got to check out my recent dome links) - Pete - that BR Mk1 coaches book cover Lars posted - I say location Bristol Temple Meads Station - what about you?
Greetings Tom all gentlemen present at the bar....
Barkeep....may I please have an eye opener and the usual top up with cigars for the crew? Cheers! Here's something for yourself $$$$...
$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....
BRING 'EM ON!!!!
DL - UK, that was one great post, with some great pics to go... ! Your next round is me mate!
marthastrainyard, thank you kindly Sir! It'll take some time to get used to, for sure....
Tom, NICE depot mate ! I really enjoyed reading your post and look at the pics.......
pwolfe, well, started off with 12 solid hours of Wednesday to Thursday night and few hours today....deffinitely needed it seems.... Talking about saddletank engines, weren't some used on the logging railroads on the likes of Rayonier and Weyerhaeuser?? I think that I've seen that somewhere on 2-6-6-2T's or something....
Great pics on the models and that AWESOME roundhouse ! Wouldn't mind build a layout where I could put a roundhouse like that up..... What an engine facility that would be...
Gunneral, I'm sure that you lads have a better voice than me.....I thought that I was alone in here....darn... WHO can possibly get enough of some proper steam....friend of order wonder...trolleyboy, I'll dig into that and see what my dads cousin has come up with. She started some time ago this with......darn.....what's called again.....?...ancestry?? Maybe she's found something.... He was an big game hunter as well....never heard that you could be that up in Canada....always connected big game hunting with lions, tiger, rhinos etc....
Great pics....! Didn't Marklin do the NOrthlander in H0?
EricX2000, shoot! Never thought about that..... Maybe if we pretend like nothing has happened, he won't notice....right? Nice pic of some nice and tidy tracks mate...
Tom, not to worry pardener, been working out all day today, almost anyway....
just to make sure that I get a nice and steady hand if needed...
I was planning to win big and retire at 40, but so far my carefully though up plans hasn't worked to my satisfaction....
Nice pics of interior, depot and those UP diesels mate. Can't help but think of your reaction had they been E-8 or E-9's instead with matching Pullmans, or why not M-10006?
coalminer3, yup mate....have a large one on me...
Da Larsman, another round of nice covers mate.... Have a dram on me mate..
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present: Coffee, please; ropund for the hosue and $ for the jukebox.
Well, tournament time is here. Herewith is a despatch I just received on the old Marconi receiver. It sounds like it was written a few days ago, but who's counting - we run 'em as we get 'em, right, Leon?
Preliminaries - 1
Good afternoon fellow d'artistes from our studios high atop Majestic Mount Mentor overlooking, well, we really can't say what it's overlooking because its too foggy to see much of anything. Through our binoculars, we really can't tell if it's a smoke screen or tear gas. Well, those of our loyal readers who are true cosmopolites (no, Boris, not cosmolines) understand how things can get a little confused now and then. Fog of war, indeed.
As the title suggests, it seems like it was just yesterday when we were running from the sheriff and the Mentor Police and Hunt Club Dog Pack, check that, make it together for the first Annual (sort of) IMWWDT - International Mentor World Wide Darts Tournament. HA! who says four legs are faster than two?
In the interests of historical accuracy, we will remind our faithful readers that the Our Place d'artistes won the first IMWWDT trophy. The plan was for them to hold it for a year, assuming that it was not pawned, melted down, or sold for scrap. You may also recall that they went on a tour to promote their book, How to Do Whatever It Takes to Win at Darts, or Smoky the Bar. The tour was successful (everyone was acquitted) and the boys made JUST enough money to pay their fines. They left in coaches on the Mentor and Southern Narrow Gauge, but returned "riding the blinds." However, as Vito and Leon said to your intrepid reporter at that time, "People forget after while." It turns out that they must have because we are going to have a second tournament.
Our next report will be filed from the holding pen (Boris, I told you, it sound better if we call it a media tent) where we will get to meet the players from both teams (and their alternates), examine the togs that the dapper dashing darters will don, get some inside tips on strategies, plans, and other stuff. For the media watchers out there (and you know who you are - Boris, they're all watching us, I know they are, they're everywhere - sorry about that, got a little carried away), we will also find out who won the honor of covering the tournament on TV, and take a look at the pre tournament parade which is always a high spot (in more ways than one). I have it on good authority that the bands and floaters (I mean, floats) are really going to be something special this year. That being said, we need to take a brief look at how the game is to be played. Remember how it is supposed to be played and how it is played at a true sporting venue such as the IMWWDT can and probaly will vary widely. In short, be skeptical, be very skeptical.
Rules, Rules, Rules
As a refresher for those who may not remember. Oops! Must have nodded out again; thanks for the cold towel, Frostbite. As I was saying, darts is a game played between two players or two teams. Each player throws three darts in a turn. The darts are then retrieved. Darts must stay on the board for at least five seconds after a player's final throw. Throws don't count if they stick in another dart or fall off the board. If a player's foot (paw or tentacle) crosses the line or if a player falls over the line, then the throw does not count. There are no "do-overs" in darts.
Scoring is pretty straightforward. In the wedge; the amount posted on the outer ring. Double ring (outer narrow ring) twice the number hit. Triple ring, three times the number hit. Outer bulls eye; 25 points; double bulls eye (inner); 50 points.
Darts is truly an interesting game, especially when played by the likes of the two groups of escapees (I mean teams) that are featured this year. That will be. As mentioned above covered in future reports.
Right after that, the circuits went dead. Amybe they'll fade in again soon. If they do, you will of course be among the firt to know what's happening.
work safe
Six to Go! Number Two
A few more fotos from my trip to KCity 'n return with Wolfman Pete on Oct 23rd . . . .
<Trip report on Page 130>
Retired MoPac caboose at Washington, MO
Roadside tavern 'n restaurant near "downtown" Washington, MO
Dredging the Missouri River near Washington
Boat ramp 'n park at Hermann, MO
Bridges across the Missouri River to Hermann
<old span behind new>
Missouri River west of Hermann
<dijaknow that the Missouri River is nicknamed "The Big Muddy" Many apply that name incorrectly to the Mississippi . . . . >
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More tomorrow - 6 at a time!
SPECIAL - SPECIAL - SPECIAL
Congrats to CM3 Shane for Posting the 2,600th offering at our reborn bar!
Drinks on Shane - errrrrrrrrr, on the house! Ring the bell Boris!
Many THANX for the Preliminaries 'n Rules report!
BRING 'em ON!!!
P.S. Who darted in here ??? <geesh>
I had better start with a Holden's Mild please RUTH, as it could be a long day with the darts contest, I save the Bathams XXX for later.
ALLAN Interesting link to the UP 844, there can't be many steam locomotives in the world still owned by their original company and have never been retired from duty.
Yes the bride sent me to the sin bin for 10 minutes after I was swearing at the video refs decision.
There is talk now and then about another viaduct at Welwyn although the cost would be enormous I would think, as I doubt if they would be allowed to put a concrete structure next to the historic viaduct.
Did you ever get to see the elevated railway in Liverpool. I believe it was known as the ‘Docker's Umbrella'
I think we are ready for the darts, partner.
ROB Many thanks for the photos. The FP7s look in great condition; I guess they are still kept in that condition today.
Glad you enjoyed the layout photos; they do indeed have some great layouts in the museum. They have a layout with trolleys working, but with the lighting and the glass panels in front of the layout it is hard to get photos.
ERIC Thanks for the link to the Kyoto Streetcar. I think it looks so much better after the renovation into its #869 condition than it was with a center door and surely it deserved better than that advertising livery.
I too have been exercising for the darts match, mainly by bending my elbow by lifting a pint pot.
FERGIE Great to hear from you, I sure you would be a good addition to the Our Place Darts Squad.
I guess you are back in harbour, what is renos.
Have you heard of a vessel called the John Ross Clark I think the name is, that is or was used in Artic surveys.
CM3 There were some great cars with the Lionel model, the bride was admiring them, but we could not get a decent photo unfortunately.
It will be good to hear more about the headboards carried by the name trains over here. Up until the mid 1960s the long distance trains had the route of the train, say London-Liverpool on boards above the windows of the cars, also if it was a named train that was included beside the route board. These boards stopped being used after the spread of overhead electrification.
It seems our fearless reporter is on top form with the Preliminaries 1 report. I think the rules needed to be shown again but who is going to make the Second Class lot abide by them.
ARTIE coming from the Owlry at Hogwarts could explain a thing or two.
Congratulations on post 2,600
LARS As you say the bar is busy now and with great posts as well, and a lot of this is down to you. I am sure we will keep the bar going while your time is going to be tight, who knows I may be able to pay off my bar tab.
I wish I knew why all of a sudden I am having such a problem with cameras. I had one that had lasted years until I fell on it in Denver, since then nothing but bad luck with them.
Many thanks for the bookcovers, mainly from the British Railways era. There was a time when every freight train had a brake van at the rear, like the cabooses here, now almost all disappeared.
The unit on the BR Northern Scene cover is interesting, it is one of the units that worked the Manchester Victoria to Bury service, this line worked on the 1,500 Volt DC side-contact 3rd rail system which I believe was unique in the UK. The line is now part of the Manchester Metro light rail system using overhead wires.
DL How I miss those real ale festivals They have a winter ale festival in Dudley which I think comes up in the next month or two, I will have to check with Alan when it is, Dudley is in the heart of Bathams land,
Good evening gents. Leon I think a Keith's for me this evening and some fish n chips if theer are still some floating about. No boris I don't wish one of the one's from the goldfish bowl <geesh> .I hope the ole darts match comes out with the right teams on top. I myself am still in rehab from wounds recieved at last years tournament.
Eric-2786 is semi functional but is in retirment at the moment. It was our sole running Witt for the better part of 20 years until we got it's younger sister 2894 back from tourtram service in Toronto. "27' awaits a restoration full re-plumbing of wiring at break pipes as well as some cosmetic internal restoration.The ONR locomotives were the power unit from teh one Tee set and a pair of FP7's both of which were part of the reconstructions carried out in the 90's repowering them with catrepillar prime engines and HEP gen sets for car heat and power.
Tom-yes those Tee's are in awfull shape , they are only going to receive cosmetic restoration, hopefully sooner than later. two nice bunches of shots from the Amtrak excursion. We are still game for a Northland run , just bring lots of deep woods off
Fergie-Long time no see sir. Just warn me the next time you hurl a dart I don't need another "darts" injury. I was out in your neck of the woods this summer . We saw several og the Atlantic region cutters in St John's while we were there.
CM3-A yes the prose of a pro darts cover(er) I can hardly wait for tomorrows play by play.I'm a big Witt fan myself. Having experiance of operating both large and small Witt's it's amazing the difference between them.
A picture of the TTC changing of the guard in the early 60's along St Clair Ave. A small Witt leads the new kid on the block in the early 60's just before the TTC retired the 40+ year old Witt's from service . Replacinf them with 700+ PCC's !
DL Dan -I'm sorry that you missed us that trip out. I'm sure that you will be back at some point. The Canadian Warplane Herritage Museum is a treasure to be sure. We generally try to take in the Nov 11th services there. As long as the weather's fine it's usually teh Lanc's last flight of the season. were you able to catch some flight ops while you were there ?
Most of those ex CN coaches on the ONR fall into a couple categories. The larger heavier one's were the "blueline" casr from VIA. So they are CC&F built cars and some of teh cars that CN purchased from the NYC for transcontinental work. The lighter commuter type cars they use are CN's old tempo train corridor cars and the first generation single level Go transit coaches that were built in the early 60's by Bombardier.
Lars-Some more fine fine book covers for sir Pete and the rest of us Good luck in the hurling tonight , hopefully no one will be seriously punctured ! Mind you I'm sure that Ruth will nurse you back to health.
Pete-It's hard to say what the ONR's long term plans are for teh few FP7's left on their roster. All were bought in the mid-50's. Only teh cat repowered ones are still on the property, but the conversions were less than satisfactory and many of the GP38-2's were rebuilt with some HEP equipment and those locomotives are much more reliable and newer some bought in the late 80's. With ONR still for sale ( the Ontario Govt wants out of the railway business ) I'm sure the purcahsers will want only the newset and best.
Jan-Big game is available in Canada espeacially in BC and the territories. Grizzly bears Elk, MTN Lions and carribou and Moose are all native Big Horn sheep as well a veritable taxidermists dreamYou gotta do something when your alone in the north country.
Good (??) morning Captain Tom and the rest!!
Wow, a short break from the Battle at the Second Class Saloon where things are happening in a fast and confusing way. Leon, just give me a cup of coffee, I have to rush back ASAP. Sorry, I am not able to give you any more information at this moment. I don't remember.
Tom – Rule #53? How am I supposed to know? The page with rule #53 is missing in the Mentor Village Official Bar manual and rules. I know UP is a powerful lobby interest, but that doesn’t make their behavior any better. Have you ever been on time traveling to and from Kansas City? Thanks for the pictures! It was obviously a rainy day ( as you have already reported) when you and Pete took the train to Kansas City and back. I think those cars look pretty nice inside.Nice Mopac caboose! Another one below. That roadside tavern near downtown Washington, MO, reminds me in a way of the Second Class Saloon! Same owner? Fergie – Thanks for the link(s)! The first one did not work but Hudson’s link did. After adding the missing part of the first address that link worked too. Interesting to check where the different ships are. CM3 – Congratulations to the 2,600th post!!! Chocolate Cobbler drowned in brandy? That would be something else! Would it be tweetable to order that? Indeed it was and still is very foggy in and around the Second Class Saloon. Lars – Three ninety eight? Did I ever say the mugs are on sale? They are worth at least $4 each! More British book covers! British Rail 1974 – 1997 is my choice! And the last one, The Last Years of British Rail 1980 – 1984.DL – Of course, Kristen is invited to work at Our Place! I bet the ice is “climbing” that bridge across Moose River in the spring. I searched for pictures on the net tonight but didn’t find any.Thaks for all the “vidaduct” links!JanOlov – Stay cool and you will be safe! Or, at least, almost safe.Pete – You are right about #869, it looks better now than with the center doors. That short streetcar line in Tucson will be extended in a near future. Rob – Those TEE power units look like something from the Netherlands. Is there any connection? Nice picture from St. Clair Ave.
Atchison, KS, 2007.
This is the week for our 2nd Annual Dart's Challenge ‘n Grudge Match against The Second Class Saloon! All matches have been sanctioned by the IMWWDT <and so have the players - sanctioned, that is!>
Game #1 was last nite - however sun spot activity has caused a disruption in communiqués from Mt. Mentor. Therefore in keeping with the stringent rules of the IMWWDT, we eagerly await the report from our Ace Reporter! <phew>
Game #2 takes place at The Second Class Saloon tonite!
Game #3 is back at "Our" Place on Saturday evening and will be played irrespective of a 2-zip "white wash" by either side <ooooooooh>
Final OKTOBERFEST at "Our" Place tomorrow at noon!
Thursday - 25 Oct 2007:
Fergie (Fergmiester) at 6:47 AM: Great seeing you again - wondered where you've been - aside from being out to sea! <grin>
Got a kick out of the 2nd link - couldn't load the first one. Hudson link was most interesting . . . would enjoy getting data from the others. I'll have to try again thanx!
Throwing darts at computer screens IS hazardous to the computer screen! <uh oh>
Good luck with the home projects . . .
CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:25 AM: Remember when the World Series was always in early October At least the Rockies made a game outta #2 . . . they surely took a beating in the 1st one . . . BoSox are an awesome bunch <some even moreso in appearance!>
You posited an interesting question . . . chocolate cobbler WITH a liberal dousing of brandy! Hmmmmmm - but - the cobbler would have to come from The Mentor Village Bakery ‘n they are quite "protective" of the manner in which their creations are used <misused>. Hmmmmm. Guess if no one is looking . . . <uh oh>
As a kid one of my childhood "best friends" Mom made the absolute best fruitcake. She was from Wales (as was the Mr. in the family) anyway, it wasn't ‘til we graduated from high school that she let us "sample" the adult version of the fruitcake. What was that - that Jackie Gleason used to "say" - woooooooooooooow! <grin> Fantastic fruitcake, fer sure, fer sure. How sweet it was! <grin>
Nope - never sampled one of those cigars you mentioned. Every now ‘n then when we'd be in the Caribbean, I'd pick up a box of this or that ‘n smoke ‘em up on the bridge. Always kept the mosquitoes away <grin> - actually, used to make an awful stink for those poor kids who got sea-sick at merely the mention. <how nasty!>
I don't think "gramps" was a discriminating cigar smoker - Phillies or White Owls comes to mind . . . the rings held together quite well from those two.
Check out this link!!
http://pages.ripco.net/~whizstrt/value.htm
Thanx for the 2nd installment of quarters ‘n round!
Lars (LoveDomes) at 10:15 AM: Six more Brit book covers - now that should just about put ‘em into orbit! Nice selections, as always!
Not to worry about keeping up with each ‘n every line from each ‘n every Post. Just something that we always cannot do. Anyway, hitting the hi-lites is pretty much what counts - so if you miss something, you'll most probably be reminded! <grin>
Many thanx for the round, visit, covers ‘n support!
Dan (DL-UK) at 11:01 AM: Email sent your way . . .
Regarding the ONR ‘n a trip to Cochrane ‘n back . . . if going solo, I'd take it in a hearbeat. However, when traveling with the bride, I like to ensure that we have the amenities, etc. We both very spoiled when it comes to train travel - especially dome seating ‘n dining cars! But getting back to coach travel - I can handle it during daytime - but once nightfall occurs, I want to know that there's a comfortable place for me to rest my weary <and aging> bones. Sitting in a coach seat just doesn't do it for Moi - nope.
Enjoyed the report ‘n amplifying info provided in your follow-up. Thanx!
Not trying to be funny - but corn cob pipes are precisely that! The bowl of the pipe is made from a corn cob. Yup - if you recall the U.S. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur of WWII ‘n Korean War fame - his trademark was indeed a corn cob pipe - made in Missouri! <ooooooooooh>
I'd have better success getting the orbiting space station to stock a supply of Sam Adam's brew <for Pete> than trying to get Amtra
Continuing on with the fotos from my Oct 23rd Amtrak experience with Wolfman Pete!
Six to GO! Number Three
Crossing the Gasconade River
Someone's toy
All kindsastuff!
A break between farms
Callaway nuclear power plant <telefoto>
The old 'n the new - Coal power plant to the left - Nuclear to the right
<smudge in the center!>
More later - 6 at a time!
Ruth my deAH, time for my daily mugga Joe with a jolt - make it a <double>! Ohhhhhhhhh, my aching head. So who won the contest last night Nocturnalman Eric was in rare form, that much I recall. NevAH heard Swedish yodeling B4! <wow> <ouch - hurts just to think of THAT sound!> <ooooooooooooh>
Didja see Wolfman Pete ‘n Kiwi Allan do their thing Darts, that is!! WondAH if Allan was able to remove that dart from his . . . . oh well, I'm sure Pete was distracted! <uh oh>
Those goons from the 2nd Class Saloon were no match for our crew - what a great brawl - I mean it brought me back to the sailor dives of old times! <grin> <ouch> Is that a FINGER laying of there . . . <grim>
Was that really Jan who dumped those pitchers of beer over the heads of the goon squad from the other team Didn't know a man could run that fast . . . <grin> Anyone seen him lately WondAH where they buried him <uh oh>
Cindy ‘n her cheerleading squad were quite remarkable - THAT I do remember. Didn't know Brittany Speers designed those outfits! <oooooops> Sorry, Ruth - I didn't look that hard <much>! Hmmmmmm, ohhhhhhh boy, I'm in trouble! Another jolt if you please!!
Boris - where's Boris Sleeping in or in jail. WondAH which I haven't checked his shed - but I do see the "tire repair kit," so he mustabeen busy with those inflatable "gals" of his. <oooooooooooh boy!> What a night!
Nice shots from your Kansas City trip, Cap'n Tom! Rainy What in the world is Eric looking at I think he's still <smitten> by those cheerleaders - wondAH if they realized that . . . . oh nevAH mind!
Tonite the bus takes us ovAH to their joint - so BRING ‘US ON! Or something like that . . . <oooooooooooh>
I think I bettAH quite while I'm ahead . . .
Ah, the arrival of the Larsman Mobile!
Canadian National Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Railways - Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment
Canadian Treasures - Two Trains Across Canada
Canadian Pacific Steam, Vol 2 - Montreal & West
Canadian Pacific Facilities - In Color - Vol 1
Ruth, I'll be up in the Penthouse Suite when you take your break - <ahem> admin work awaits! We must "go gently into the night" . . . . my head hurts! <ooooooooooh>
Hello Tom
Half of Holden's please. Just to say e-mail arrived OK - initial reply may be with you by now.
Will be back later with a proper post. Eric and Rob's posts got me thinking about the ex TEE ONR cars - I've found out some v interesting stuff (turns out these cars are very important in terms of euro rail history) - I'll share my findings in a coherent post in due course.
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