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

[Anonymous]

Good day Tom and all present. Refreshments of you choice and a Guinness for me. If I missed anyone, it isn't intentional, as I'm trying to play catch-up and keep getting behinder.

   Pete: Those British engines are beautiful, but they just look a little naked without a headlight. I get the impression that the workers had to rush to get the loco out of the shop and didn't have time to put on the headlight. In San Francisco (never call it Frisco), cable cars and trolleys are both used for everyday transportation. Not too many cities do that anymore. In fact, public transportation in SF is one of the best around. They also have the BART system and trackless trolleys.

  CM3: I just heard about the illness in your family and glad the young person is doing well. Being young, they bounce back so much quicker than us old guys. I saw the TV ad you were mentioning about the two men going to Sweden. It was a good one.

  Tom: Nice pics from Alaska. I really like the RR posters from the classic era. They would look great framed and hanging on a wall.

  Jan: Nice selection of streamliners from the age of steam. Weren't some of those engines built by Marx and American Flyer?

  Eric and all: I used to ride the cable cars all the time when I lived in SF. Taking the California street cable car, I would jump off at Grant, the entrance to one of three Chinatowns in SF. I spent much time in Chinatown. The food is about the best outside of  China and I've been both places. I may not have mentioned it before, but my father was Chinese and my mother was from Ireland. You can imagine the prejudice back in the 30's. Anyway, I learned to cook Chinese food, as my father was in the restaurant business. I spent a lot of time at the restaurant and learned basic cooking skills. Many times over the years, I thought about going into the business, but a cooler head prevailed. It is hard, long work. My father would leave home at 7Am and return sometimes after 4Am. I didn't really see my father all that much. Most days, I would go from school to the restaurant, do my homework and hang out in the kitchen. My mother also worked at the restaurant with the hat and coat check concession. The restaurant was interesting in that it was located in the heart of downtown Manhattan and surrounded by TV and radio studios, like Rockerfeller center, off Broadway theatres and celebrity hang-outs. I met many famous people from the studios and theatre, including Babe Ruth himself. Newspaper men would frequent the place and give press passes to my father for all the sporting events, the circus, rodeo, ice follies, etc. I would sit in the press box at these events, the best seat in the house.

  Fergie: Glad you survived Noel. What category was it? When Katrina came ashore on the Gulf coast, it was a cat 4, but the storm surge did all the damage. I fled to Florida at the time, but damage to my property which is 20 miles inland, was minimal.

  Per: It's nice to find a MR club you can fit in. I never could find one I liked. The bigger ones like San Diego's, is probably easier to work with as you can do your own thing.

  Black and Tan was a term created in Northern Ireland to describe the constabulary who were trying to put down the IRA. My Grandmother and her nephews and cousins were involved back in the teen's. She used to tell me stories about the old country when I was little. Maybe our UK resident, Dan could fill us in on any points I've missed or might be wrong about. BTW, I used to mix Guinness stout with Fosters. Pretty good, but I favor draught now.

  Eric: It sounds like "Will's Main Line Flake" is a tobacco. Could be a chew, but I don't think it was popular in the UK. My guess is , it's a pipe tobacco.

  Tom: Another fine history on British railways. Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.

  Allan: Glad you liked the NorthlandZ MR. Here are a few more.

 

That's about it for now. See you again soon

Ron DD1

[JanOlov]

Greetings Tom and gentlemen.....

May I please have a double dram of your finest whisky and the same for the lads....give them a top up with cigars as well while you're at it.....keep the change.

$$$$ for the cigar box and Mr Wurlitzer....

Tom, excellent post about the Super Continental....and British Railways As mentioned before, I can't help but wonder what the railroad scene would have looked like if the big four had still been around today....

The railroad ads....YUMMY! Looking forward to more....

pwolfe, great pics as always my good man...looking forward to more....

Gunneral, I have to admit that I wasn't much of a fan of streamlined steam from the beginning, but they've grown on to me, to say the least....nowadays they're as much appreciated as non streamlined steam...well, most of them anyway. I'm not too sure about DL&W's winged 4-6-2 and 4-6-0....

EricX2000, aaah....PRR's Sunnyside.....not the same without the PRR, is it? Imagine those engines being GG1's instead.... Great pic nonetheless.

T&P 4-8-2 #901 with train #16, The Texan consisting of 9 cars near Ft. Worth, Tex., July 24, 1936.

T&P 4-8-2 #905 with train #2, Sunshine Speical in Ft. Worth, Tex., July 26,1932

MP 4-8-2 #5335 with train #2 and #22 combined, Sunshine Special, backing to station at St. Louis, Mo., August 16, 1940.

MP 4-6-2 #6616 in St. Louis, Mo., July 20, 1940.

Credit: Otto Perry and photoswest....

Next round is on me lads....

[trolleyboy]

Hello Ruth , figured I would,pop in before your shift ended to say howdy, oh and to polish my stool while I tank up with a Keith's or two.

Tom-Nice to see the info on the Super Continental and the Brit rail redux both seemed to have smoked some responses from the cheap seats,always a good thing round these parts

Best not to discuss that whole China thing , it is and continues to be a frightening thing,we're getting new recalls it seems daily bad business all around,unfortunatly we have nothing or no one to blame but ourselves. I'll leave the commentary there so as to not infringe upon the forums rules and regs. On the upside I did manage to wangle a good mortgage renewal rate from our bank seems the solid looney has some real upside

I'm glad to see that Sunday will indeed be speacial still around here,you know my feelings on those who did and do serve from all our countries. I have a family member and three close friends currently over in the "Stan" as the CAF is refering to it,fingers are crossed for them to be sure,it makes this time of year all the more pioniant.

CM3-I'm sad to hear of the medical news in your family, but I'm gald to hear that things are progressing for you.We will keep the lights burning here for you.

Pete-Some great shots of those San fran PCC's. Oddly enough a good 90% of those cars they are know using came from Toronto. When the TTC finally ended teh PCC era in the late 80's early 90's several hundred PCC's were still on property,many of them, found new homes. A half dozen at our museum alone ! At the PCC cars height of usage in Toronto early 1960's to teh late 80's 775 PCC's roamed the TTC system ! Only about half of which were bought new by teh TTC, the rest came from various US cities as they wound down thier streetcar operations. KC, St Louis , Cleveland, Birmingham, Chicago and Washington were just some of the doaners,you can see the various body style differences in the cars , depending on who bought them and who they bought them from .

Ron-Some great shots of the Northlandz, it really is a mind boggling creation.

Eric-107 is nominally operational. As of two years ago she's no longer in our daily use pool of cars. She's developed some reverser problems and needs some fairly major and involved body restoration. Trolley boards and both vestibules need re-doing and the baggae end truck has developed some age related stress cracks which need attention. remebering that the car came to the museum in 1956 in a just retired fully operational status.She didn't run under power again until 1971-72 when we finally had enough trackage and wire operational to open to teh general public. The first 20 yeasr of existance for the museum was spent on the aqquiring of the land and rebuildiong the right of way from scratch.The upside to it all is that teh right of way at the museum was itself an old electric interurban which had gone out of business in 1931.The downside is that when teh Toronto Suburban went out of business all teh catenary track poles buildings everything was stripped off the ROW and sold off to cover the railways debts. Our founders bought the origianl three parcels of land for the cost of paying up 30 yeasr worth of back taxes.It was only after all the initail track had been laid and the first car barn went up that any restorations began on our first three cars. toronto Railway company 1326 , Toronto Civic railway 55 and MS&C 107.By this point in 1964 TRC 327 and two of our Peter Witts along with Line car 45 were also on the property.The founders first "live" movement of a car was 55.They hooked up a small railway flatbed ( motor car trailer ) with several truck batteries and a small generator which they jury rigged into 55's system. and she puttered off down the 1000 feet of laid trackage, an inauspicious beginning to be sure , but by 1972 on the officail openning day 55 , 327,1326, and 107 were all operated over the one mile of powered trackage , no passing sidings so when 327 made the first customer run she had to back the return trip as neither of teh return loops had been built yet,107 and 55 were doubled ended casr so they could just change ends. once the east loop was built in the late 70's we could trun the loop cars, the west loop was fin ished in the 80's along with two more yards and cars barns allowing full turning for all city cars with the railway profiled cars 107 and 8 and the subway car sets ( one red Gloster built set )we were at our current 40 odd acre facility we know and love today.

Rob

[Anonymous]

Good day again Tom and all present. A round of drinks on me. I thought I would stop by quickly and drop off some pictures of the loco project. Since this is a railroad model, a couple of pictures showing my locomotive erection shop (aka wood shop) is followed by various stages of construction, the last one is the completed roof, ready for the paint shop.

The sides have been cut out and I'm working on the end pieces. More to follow as the project takes shape.

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.

ALLAN Many thanks for the kind words on the photos. They have done a really good job on those Gresley coaches on the North Yorks Moors Railway. There is another set on the Severn Valley Railway. The NYMR is a good line with a great North Eastern atmosphere, it is possible to walk through an original tunnel that was built in 1834 and attributed to George Stephenson on the original horse worked Whitby & Pickering Railway. The tunnel leads to the NYMR engine shed at Grosmont.

That must have been a great exhibition of LNER engines and coaches at Manors; I bet it was visited by a large number of people. The railways always seemed to be very aware of public relations in British Railways days, with the major workshops holding open days, even running special trains to them.

Hope you are able to get the LMS special issue in NZ.

ERIC Leander and the class 5 were the designs of Sir William A. Stanier who joined the LMS from the Great Western at Swindon and revolutionized the LMS motive power.

Both classes were introduced in 1934. The Jubilees had 3 cylinders with a driving wheel diameter of 6' 9" and given the power classification 6P. The class 5s were a 2 cylinder loco with 6'0" driving wheels. When first introduced the Jubilees were not too good steamers but this was fixed mainly by increasing the superheater elements, they then became very good engines. The Stanier 5s were probably the best steam loco in Britain being designated a mixed traffic locomotive, it was at home on passenger as well as fast goods, with a good route availability. The class could be seen from Thurso in the north of Scotland to Bournemouth on the south coast of England in regular service, also they were getting good mileages between overhauls. The class 5s lasted until the very end of BR steam hauling the last normal steam hauled passenger service.3 members of the class taking part hauling the last special in August 1968(A BR Britannia pacific hauled the train for part of the journey)

Thanks for the photo and the round. That's looks an older type of Amtrak switcher in Sunnyside Yard.

CM3 Great to see you in, glad things are better, health wise for the family member.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I guess some of the unsung heroes of the preservation scene are the guys who work on the signaling installing the old semaphores giving, as you say, a timeless setting to the scene

Many thanks for the details on Jan's photos.

Thanks for the link to the Erie magazine; I'm afraid I can't find the answer to the G motor question. 

RON I think the reason the British locomotives did not have headlights, was that in the very early days of the railways all railways had to be fenced by law. It was strange though that the diesels were not fitted with a headlight, it is only fairly recently that all trains in the UK are now fitted with a high intensity headlight, even steam locomotives running on the main line carry a headlight now disguised as an old fashioned oil lamp.

The only steam locomotive on BR fitted with a headlight was the Lickey Banker (helper); the headlight was used to help the driver couple up to goods trains being assisted up the grade at nighttime.

Many thanks for sharing the very interesting piece about Chinatown in San Francisco and the restaurant in Manhattan, very hard work with those very long hours.

Great NorthlandZ photos. Interesting locomotives outside the roundhouse and a great model of Baden station.

Thanks for the photos of your workshop and it will be good to see more photos as the project progresses.

JAN Glad you enjoyed the photos, and thanks for the round.

Great set of photos it is hard to imagine that scene in St Louis MO with the MP 4-8-1 # 5335 backing its train into Union Station in 1940, when compared to seeing the same location today. Thanks for sharing.

ROB Many thanks for the great info on the PCC cars in San Francisco, it must have been a great time for a streetcar fan with those 775 cars on the TTC. I guess it was fortunate that the cars were kept for a while after they had finished service in Toronto. It is great that the cars that were saved from the US cities to work in Toronto are now still working.

Enjoyed reading about the history of the museum, a to all the people who have worked so hard to make the museum what it is today.   

TOM I was wondering about the domes in Montreal, I wonder if they raised the overhead wires at some time.

The bag does get a clean out, sort of, before a trip but it always seems to fill itself up again real quick.

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A Bathams please LEON.

I have managed to load a couple of pics from the San Diego Model museum.

.

Pete.

[trolleyboy]

Good evening again Leon , just a quick stop in for a cold one.

Tom-You've likely heard that the Union station in  Toronto is up for sale. City wants to unload it and Go and VIA are concidering taking it over and giving it a makeover if they mess with teh grand hall which they are surly to do.I know that they want to completely rebuild the train sheds and make them less dark and dank, but it sounds like the  main hall may get an upgrade along the lines of tfe Go Concoarse <barf and double barf> if that happens. they apparently have tenders out to see if teh St Lawrence market vendors want to set up deli's and street meat shops inside the main hallI do hope it does not happen. some renovations should happen , but here's hoping that it's just restoration not soemthing more kitchy and awful

Pete-Some nice shots of the club, it looks to be a good set up at least by teh photographs you've shown us . Thanks for the kind words on the museum as with all museum's it's a never ending work in progress.

In keeping with teh optional model train day here's a couple shots from teh club I was once member of in Fenwick Ontario.

enjoy guys  Rob

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, I am in a hurry tonight so I will just have a $5 cup of coffee! Black. Need to hit the sack soon!

Another short day went by. Seems like they go faster and faster.

Tom –  We visited Sunnyside Yard a couple of times with the X2000 and it was interesting to look around. For some strange reason I took just a few pictures. Below is a pretty bad picture overlooking parts of the yard.





Interesting story about Marx toys! I can’t recall I ever saw their toys in the old country, but I may be wrong. The company/brand lasted for almost 60 years.

CM3 –  Good news about the young one! Let’s hope for a speedy recovery!!

I am afraid I have missed that commercial. I’ll keep my eyes open. Norway is a beautiful country.

Thanks for the Erie link! Interesting reading from Christmas time 1955. A pretty good layout was shown on two pages.

Ron –  You certainly have a very interesting background! I bet you can speak Chinese as well! Do you still cook Chinese food?

I think you are right about “Wills’s Main Line Flake”.

Very nice pictures from NorthlandZ MR! I especially like the third picture showing all different tracks and bridges on different levels!

And very interesting pictures from your wood shop! Your class D model is going to be a big one!  Wow! I emailed another drawing to you tonight. It does not give so much more info but maybe some more details.

JanOlov –  Very nice pictures of the steam locomotives in Ft. Worth and St. Louis! The combined train #2 and #22 seems to have 20+ cars!

I am sure Sunnyside was a most interesting yard when it was all PRR!

Rob –  Thanks for all the info on #107! And how the museum was built and expanded! Most interesting!

Some dark clouds over the future of Toronto Union Station. Hope they use common sense if and when they renovate the station.

Nice pictures from the Fenwick layout!

Pete –  Thanks for the info on those two similar steam locomotives! I saw that the drivers were somewhat smaller on the 5s! Do you know how many 5s that were built?

The San Diego Model Museum layout is something else. I have to remember to look for my pictures.

 

Round for the house!

Eric 

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

G'day Gents!

It's the day before Friday ‘n time again to fill those mugs with some freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee! Check out the pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery case ‘n order a <light> or <traditional> breakfast while you're at it!

Topped off the buggy yesterday - still holding at $2.88 (rounded).

 

Comments from the Proprietor:

Sunday, Nov 11^th is Remembrance - Armistice ‘n Veteran's Day, all rolled into one - depending on where in the ‘free world' one resides. A tradition at the Tavern by the Tracks has been to Post material featuring the RRs and those who served in the Armed Forces during times of global conflict.

So, as an exception to our "CLOSED on Sundays" rule - we invite one ‘n all to provide your input on SUNDAY ‘n MONDAY!

It's just our way of thanking those who provided us with a chance to have what we have today!

 

 

Manager Lars has reported in by Email. Family matters will be keeping him away for a bit . . . He said he'd try to pop in now ‘n then, but it may be awhile before he can resume his daily "slot." I've sent some inside scoop to a few "off line". . .

 

 

Wednesday was one of those days <daze> when the customers showed up to make the bar a happy place! Appreciate the support! A round for all who Posted on Wednesday - two for Ron, Pete 'n Rob!

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Wednesday- Nov 7^th, 2007

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 10:34 AM: Most happy to witness the return of our Resident WVA Connection ‘n All Things Trains Oracle!

Must be on the same wave length, for I was thinking of that TV commercial too ‘n was going to mention it to Eric! It's a gudun . . .

Regarding Pennsy GG1 paint schemes, I found this for the possible answer to your question:

In 1955 - Three GG1s: Silver with one 8" wide red band and 16" Roman lettering.

Large keystone with white PRR monogram on sides.

A small keystone on noses with locomotive number.

4866, 4872, & 4880 were later repainted Brunswick green with standard livery.

 

<source: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/#paint>

That's a TERRIFIC Erie URL - one that perhaps should be run again ‘round the holidays! Excellent stuff . . .

Like that "Grafix Clasix" moniker - too bad I didn't think of it! <grin>

Good news regarding the improved condition for your youngster!

Your Email was received - thanx!

Many thanx for taking the time ‘n making the effort to keep our cyber bar ‘n grill moving down the line! Round ‘n quarters means a lot too . . . <Ka-ching, Ka-ching>

 

Ron (DD1) at 12:25 PM ‘n 4:44 PM: Two fine Posts from our Resident Southern Gentleman down in Ole Miss <aka: transplanted New Yorker!> - good to have you aboard!

We've been kinda hit ‘n miss lately, so it means even more to have your contributions for this fine day. A fine Post with all kinds of good stuff - just the stuff the guyz appreciate!

Interesting personal insights. I can imagine that you must be one fine Chef. Maybe you'll give Jan a "run" for the Permanent Chief Chef's job here at the bar!

Man, some of those Z shots look almost surreal - nice stuff in keeping with our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day <Wednesdays>!

Most interesting work shop ‘n array of this ‘n that. I'll betcha those dual air conditioner units get quite a workout down there in Ole Miss! <phew>

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please (New England Eye-Opener Blend today); round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Cold here today with temps in the 20s and snow in the area, but it is so dry it's not hitting the ground. 

Let's see what we have today in the way of acknowledgements and comments.

Jan forwarded some more steam pictures.  The shots of the T&P 4-8-2s show the differences that existed in the same type of engines.  Note the T&P herald on the feedwater heater; always liked that! 

Rob - I well remember riding and photographing the PCCs in Toronto.  I have a technical question for you.  How did TTC modify the cars that they got from Washington as the DC cars?  IIRC, did not run off of overhead wire.  I figure that if anyone would know (or could find the answer) you'd be our man.

I hope cooler heads will prevail in Toronto regarding the station.  They did a lot of modifications in Chicago and managed to keep much of the character of the station intact.  I still am impressed every time I walk through the Great Room there.  They also did well in Boston, Washington, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Newark, and Baltimore along the NEC.  GCT, thank the Lord was saved.  However, New York still is trying to undo the wanton destruction of Penn Station.  I'll stop there as Boris will break out the leg irons and taser me.

DD1 sent shop pictures and "builder's photos."  I like the way you have equipment setup - you allowed enough room to work around the equipment - many folks don't, as you know,

Pete stopped by with pictures and comments - BTW, GG1 quiz results are posted below.

Eric sent a neat photo of Sunnyside.  The spot where you are, as near as I can tell shows NH track (NYCRR, actually), LIRR should be behind you.  Now let's look in the coach yard.  

Hmm, I see a former PRR RPO, a couple of former PRR baggage cars, a cut of ATK MOW equipment, and it looks like cars possibly for both the Crescent and the Cardinal, along with some Amtubes.  The AEM7 sitting in the middle of the scene is a nice touch.  Too bad we can't really see the old commissary buildings which would be on the far side of the yard from where you were standing.

OSP wins the GG1 prize!  Silver is the correct answer.  They didn't stay that way too long as they got filthy in a hurry.  Your prize is a ride through the washer in the cab of a GG1 - yes, Awk, they did run electric locomotives through the washer at Sunnyside, generally in strings which is why the sides were clean on most of them and the nose(s) were dirty, unless the y happened to be at the head end of the cut. 

Nice pictures - T&P E8 is beautiful!  IMHO, Pas looked good in any color scheme.

Our patient got sprung from the hospital last night and is back home, although she will be off from school for awhile.  Thanks to all for your expressions of support!

Work safe

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Appreciate the AM visit from CM3 Shane!

What better time than to drop off an "Our" Place Fallen Flag from the Classic Passenger RRs?

 

 

 

The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #28

<A form of this was initially Posted on Page 146, Oct 25th, 2005 on the Original Thread>

 

 

Here's another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads: 
  

Louisville & Nashville

 

Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.  

 

 

Headquarters: Louisville, KY

Mileage in 1950: 4,779

Locomotives in 1963:

Diesel: 732

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars: 59,077
Passenger cars: 483

 

 

Principal lines in 1950:

Cincinnati-New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, Lewisborg, TN & Birmingham
Nashville-St. Louis via Evansville, IN
Louisville-Evansville
Memphis Junction, KY (Bowling Green)-Memphis
Cincinnati-Atlanta via Knoxville, TN & Cartersville, GA
Flomaton, AL-Chattahoochie, FL
Anchorage-Hazard, KY via Lexington
Corbin-Baxter, KY
Lebanon Junction-Sinks, KY

 

 

Passenger trains of note:

Azalean (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and Atlanta & West Point.
Crescent (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and A&WP.
Dixie Flagler (Chicago-Miami via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixie Flyer (Chicago-Florida via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixieland (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)
Flamingo (Cincinnati-Jacksonville via Corbin, KY)
Georgian (Chicago & St. Louis-Atlanta)
Gulf Wind (New Orleans-Jacksonville; joint with ACL)
Humming Bird (Chicago & St. Louis & Cincinnati-New Orleans & Memphis; joint with Chicago & Eastern Illinois)
Pan-American (Cincinnati-Memphis & New Orleans)
Piedmont Limited (New York-New Orleans via Montgomery; joint with PRR, SR and A&WP)
Southland (Detroit-Florida via Louisville & Corbin)
South Wind (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)

* * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *     * * * * *

 Some drumheads of the L&N:

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Tom

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH on this sunny fall day.

ROB Yes the San Diego model railway at Balboa Park is a really interesting exhibition with some great layouts of different gauges. They are working on a layout of the Techipachi Loop, which will be great when it is finished.

Thanks for sharing the photos of the great layout at Fenwick.

I really hope that the Toronto Union Station is not turned into a glorified mall. From what DL has said and the pictures I have seen, the modernization of St Pancras station in London, to get it ready for the new high-speed link to the Channel Tunnel, as been done really well. This is marvelous considering there was plans for its demolition in the 1970s.What really started the interest in the UK of historic buildings was the demolition of the Doric Arch and the Great Hall of the old Euston station in the early 1960s.

ERIC There were 842 Stanier class 5s built. Most were of the standard variety but, from 1947, some 70 of the class were fitted with various modifications such as roller bearings and Caprotti valve gear, which changed their appearance. The last two class 5s turned out in 1951 with improved Caprotti valve gear were said to be a power class above the other class 5s. These last two ocomotives had an American appearence about them I think.

 One locomotive was fitted with Stephenson valve gear and this is the only one of the modified class 5s to survive today. There are 18 Stanier class 5s preserved and of those there is a very good chance that 11 of them will be able to steam next year. Probably the best place to hear a class 5 at work today is when one is allocated to West Highland steam trains that run in the summer months between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands. We had a great trip once with a Double Headed class 5 steam tour on their old stamping ground between Crewe and Carlisle. On the return trip the run through Warrington station at night at high speed with the whistles sounding is something not soon forgotten.

It looks like there are some cabooses in your photo of Sunnyside Yard.

CM3 I was very impressed when I visited Chicago station a while back with Tom.

I guess a good example of what can happen to those old stations is to compare St Louis and Kansas City Union Stations. I think they have done a marvelous job at KC and it is great that you can still get an Amtrak train from KC Union Station again after an absence of some years.

Thanks for the info on Eric's Sunnyside photo.

Will Tom be allowed to take the mascots with him through the washer as his GG1 prize.

Very glad the young patient is back home. 

TOM It was great to talk with you today

Thanks for the kind words.

Congratulations on getting CM3's GG1 question.

Thanks for the photos of those two great looking diesels; they have a lot of white in their livery, which must have taken a lot to keep clean.

I have a couple of photos of the 3-Rail layout at San Diego I will show next week.

Yes the Wills ad as caused a lot of discussion I still have no idea what the locomotive pictured was based on, although the coaches look like Great Western to me.

Many thanks for the L&N Fallen Flag. I wonder if passengers ever got mixed up between the Dixie Flagler and the Dixie Flyer trains.

That ‘Humming Bird' is one of the most attractive Drumhead I have seen so far.

Some photos at Sacramento.

PER sent some photos of the Sacramento Locomotive Works, here is a photo from another side of the works. There is a couple of Santa Fe steam locomotives just visable outside the works.

  

A mural in the Amtrak waiting room at Sacramento.

A UP train passing behind the Railroad Museum.

These should enlarge.

Well RUTH a round please and its Fish 'N' Chip night

Pete

[trolleyboy]

Good evening Leon. I nice cold Keith's and a round fer da boyz if you please sir

Tom-Yup I'll be in Sunday to pass on some appropriate subject matter , after a trip to teh Canadian Warplane Museum for the services.We'll chat soon about China stuff. I can't print what I really think I'll keep you posted on the TO Union plans , hopefully it's more smoke being blown up certain orifaces than reality, I'd hate to see it become a glorified farmers market with an arched roof

Intersting L&N post today as well

CM3-The DC cars took quite a bit of work. Firast and foremost all second hand cars got reguaged to the broad TTC track guage 4'107/8ths. They added a roof pod and pole and rewired for overhead,most recieved new trucks , a couple of them were converted to subway grinders and per,manently coupled with end man doors in them along wiht lowered bodies to navigate the tubes,some were just used as spare parts.

Pete-I hope the Toronto Union ends up tastefully rebuilt not a minimall.It is a vital and important transit link TTC streetcars and subway trains also enetr into the lower levels of teh building along with Go transit Ontario Northland and VIA trains. I'm glad you liked the Fenwick club shots.

Rob-

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!

Leon, don't you ever get any day off? I feel sorry for you! Anyway, a sugar cured ham sandwich on rye would be perfect! A cold Keith's, please!

Close to the end of the work week! Just one more day.

Tom –  Two nice pictures of the T&P EA8A and MP Alco PA in very similar livery!

I know that Pete emptied his bag at least once, see picture.

Thanks for the L&N info! Nice looking drumheads! Just like Pete I like the Hummingbird one the best.

CM3 –  Good news, you got your young patient back home!!! Treat her as a princess!!

You are right about the tracks in (and out of) the picture! Thanks for all the info on the different cars!

Pete –  Thanks for the 5s info!! There were quite a few of them built! I copied the text for future reference. I have to find out about the Caprotti valve gear. Sounds like an Italian designed it.

I am not sure if those coars are cabooses. I kind of doubt it. I have to get back to the original picture to see if I can find any.

Interesting pictures from Sacramento! I am trying to read the number on that Santa Fe locomotive but it is impossible.

Here is my only picture from Sacramento.

 

I found some info on Caprotti Valve Gear (Wikipedia) and here is a picture of 5s #73129 with a Caprotti Valve Gear. (Photo shown with permission from Wikipedia)

 

Rob –  Do you still have the broad TTC track in Toronto?

 

 

Eric 

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

Friday's Grin

Reasons "things" happen! 

Law of Mechanical Repair: As soon as your hands are coated with 

grease your nose will begin to  itch or you'll have to pee.

 

G'day Gents!

Week's end OH-FISH-UL-LEE begins at the end of this work day - so let's get a start on the countdown with a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board - pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case - ‘n a mugga freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee to wash it all down!

 

Comments from the Proprietor:

Sunday, Nov 11^th is Remembrance - Armistice ‘n Veteran's Day, all rolled into one - depending on where in the ‘free world' one resides. A tradition at the Tavern by the Tracks has been to Post material featuring the RRs and those who served in the Armed Forces during times of global conflict.

So, as an exception to our "CLOSED on Sundays" rule - we invite one ‘n all to provide your input on SUNDAY ‘n MONDAY!

It's just our way of thanking those who provided us with a chance to have what we have today!

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Thursday - Nov 8^th, 2007:

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 8:26 AM: Nice inclusive Post . . . Never knew the loco wash routine. Makes sense - dirty noses, hmmmmmm. Only YOU would KNOW that!!

If one looks back on all of the ‘stuff' crammed into our grey <gray> matter, it would boggle the mind <grey/gray matter>! For example, who today gives a Rat's Patoot about the Morse Code? And yet, I still can "pound it out" and copy at an admirable speed. <used to copy at 35 wpm "back in the day">

Who cares about the use of a manual typewriter or even KNOWS the keyboard by heart ? I do - but the former is a relic of the past whereas the latter is simply that "thing" all computers have. It goes on - I still can recite the major USCG Cutter locations <home ports> from "back in the day" - knew the ships names AND call signs <still do!> But many <if not all> of those old ladies are at the bottom of the sea <or sold off to some foreign government> . . . and who gives a hoot about call signs! <geesh>

Then there is the use of a sextant! How about a slide rule? How about . . . . Get my point Oh yeah, I even remember our FIRST telephone number from when I was a kid: Gibralter 80863W <a party line!>

I'll take the GG1 cab ride - loco wash notwithstanding! Is round trip airfare to Sunnyside included

Good news about the return to the digs for your youngster!

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

 

Pete (pwolfe) at 4:30 PM: Enjoyed speaking with you today ‘n finalizing our December plans. <phew> Sometimes Email just doesn't "get it," eh

Regarding your comments regarding the Union Stations here in StL ‘n in KCity - I concur that they have done marvelous restorations. However, KCity is heads ‘n shoulders above StL in that they have TRAINS there - both real ‘n model. They haven't forgotten what the structure was initially built for. In StL they have chased away anything running on the rails and NEVER gave a thought to having Amtrak operate there when it was reopened a couple of decades ago. Structurally, they are as different as Boris ‘n Ruth - however, there's a certain charm that goes with either! <grin>

Most interesting mural shot - do you know what it depicts

Appreciate the round - chat - fotos ‘n inclusiveness of your comments!

 

Rob (trolleyboy

[LoveDomes]

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

Ruth my deAH, yes it's really me - the Larsman back for a bit with a <grin> ‘n some cheer for da boyz at the bar! Boris, I see you've been feedin' the crittAHs during my absence, so that super-sized jar of PPF is for YOU! And my deAH, I'll take a mugga Joe with a jolt if you please ‘n a round for the house - the change, as always, is for YOU!

In keeping with my wishes to remain a bit silent regarding personal things - let me just say it's been a tough couple of weeks. Thanks to youse guyz for stickin' with me "off line" - I've been in contact with Cap'n Tom, so my guess is he's passed some info your way by our e-mail net.

Things are hardly "normal" these times, but I'll try to stop in as time permits - couldn't just fuhgedaboudit!

Sorry if I'm unable to comment on all the posts. I've checked 'em out though 'n see that Da Bossman has really turned-to with more outstanding material to keep the bar afloat. Way to go Cap'n Tom!

Noted that things 'round here are in good order, thanks to Bar Chandler Pete! Acting Manager!?!?!?! <arrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh>

So, what do we have ‘round here Great idea for Armistice Day <Veterans Day> on Sunday! I'll do my best to show up with something to contribute - count on it!

Monday is the legal observance for the holiday - which of course means another round of weekend sales at the malls across the land. Some places will actually hold parades ‘n services honoring those who have and ARE serving in the military. Those events will be sparsely attended. More people show up for anti-this ‘n anti-that than for patriotic events.

A whole bunch of people will be off from work - even those who have nothing but disdain ‘n outright hatred of our military. Can you imagine such a thing? How hypocritical is THAT, I ask Sure, take off the day with pay in honor of our military - but go about your day spitting on those who helped to preserve our freedoms.

Ok, ‘nuf of my rants for this day.

Good to see some activity this week - especially Wednesday. That was a "gudun," huh Guys seemed to show up with "stuff" to say ‘n share.

I see that Fergie the Sailor got <tweeted> for his indiscretions 'round here AND hasn't been heard from SINCE! <yikes>

Love those pix of Doug ‘n Pete <snoozing> aboard the train. Caption should be something like, "Are we having fun yet?" <grin> Then there's Pete ‘n that bag of his. What in the world do you suppose he finds so enticing about that thing A man's purse, maybe????? Hmmmmmmm. Best keep a close eye on him!

Noted the discussion regarding Union Station up in Toronto and all I could think of was the destruction of Penn Station here in New York City. I think Shane made mention of that too. Anyway, those rail palaces of the past have a place in the future. Hope that those who are setting out to make changes keep in mind that you can nevAH bring back something that you destroy.

Can't stay too much longer, but there's time for a few <trade marks> from the Larsman Mobile!

CPs Kicking Horse Pass (DVD)

CNs Yellowhorse Pass (DVD)

B&O Diesel Locomotives, Vol 1 - Switchers & Road Switchers

Triumph VI - Pioneer & Challenger

Boston & Maine - Forest, River & Mountain

Pass

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.   Partly cloudy here today with temps in the 30s - gas holding at $3.15.

Pete has visited with comments and locomotive history.  I have never been to Sacramento although I have heard good things abt. The rr museum there.  The L&N ran better than average passenger service to the end.  I have posted several items about them in the past (including some first hand accounts).  Come to the rendezvous and hear more stores,

Rob - I knew you would have the answer.  I figured changing the trucks on the DC PCCs was, of course, part of the modifications, but I was unsure about what they did electrically - thanks for the information.

Eric - she's always treated that way - they expect it don't they (lol)

Caprotti valve gear shot was a good one.

Lars has been by - good to hear from you - keep the shiny side up, sir!  The  bookmobile had some interesting items today.  Robert W. Jones's books on the B&M are excellent although pricy.  I heartily recommend his two volumes on the Boston and Albany as well.  I have the B&M passenger car book - these books are black and white photographs which are really useful for looking at details, etc.  Captioning is helpful as well because it gives the reader a time frame for when the picture was taken, where, and so on. 

OSP stopped by too.  First, thanks for the L&N summary.

I enjoyed your exposition of Weber's Law of Mechanical arts.  Now, our vaunted research department (believe me, we pay them what they're worth) went to the legal section in the east wing and found a Corollary to Weber's Law which reads as follows:

"The Law also applies to any other activity involving tension adjustments, carburetion, throttle settings, etc., especially when being done outside in snow, sleet, and/or high wind. 

Sub rule A of the corollary says:

"Physical conditions mentioned in Weber's law occur ALWAYS when the truck is several hundred feet away from the job site, AND the one special screwdriver you need is not in your pocket because you left it on the truck."

I see where OSP has opened a museum - kind of like the old Gilbert Hall of science - we'll call it Weber's Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills.

Here are some forgotten technologies CM3 can still use

Morse Code

Manual typewriter

Sextant - A long time ago, but it'll come back

Slide rule 

Let's throw in a few more "old" things that we still know how to do

Stick shift (Three on the tree)

Stick shift (Four on the floor)

Double clutch and downshift

Parallel park

Siphoning fuel - (It was a tough neighborhood)

Carb adjustment  

Tuneup - (Includes gapping plugs and setting timing)

Flush and fill cooling system

Cooling system test

Using a church key to open adult beverages w/o getting contents all over the place

Patch tires

Replace fuses - we don't need no stinkin' breakers

Use math w/o a calculator

Do case lot and percent discounts in my head - used to work for a wholesaler back yrs. ago - b4 calculators even existed

Square roots with paper and pencil

Geometry and trig - to figure stuff out so I don't get ripped off by suppliers

Ventilation calculations w/o a calculator

Get around w/o a GPS (day and night)

Sew

Cook lots of stuff from scratch - Indoors or outside

I'll bet the barflies can add a few more - let's see how big a list we can get.  A word of warning, however: Boris has lots of skills but we don't want to know too much about them if we have to testify.

Work safe

[Anonymous]

Good Day Tom and all present. It may be too early for a little libation, but by the time I finish composing this, drinks all around may be in order.

   First off I want to say, I've learned more about trains in the short time I've been visiting than in the first 60 or so years preceeding my first visit. I realize from the content of these posts, that a lot of time goes into researching what goes into them. We all have to allot time based on our priorities. Some can allot more time than others. If one considers researching material, copying it, composing it, digging through old photos, scanning them and transferring them into a post, much time and effort is expended. it is greatly  appreciated by me, as having done the same myself, I can realize the effort. Without trying to excuse myself, I sometimes don't give credit where credit is due. Enuf said.

   Eric: No, I never learned to speak Chinese, although I wish I had. My father wanted me to be 100% American. He came to this country in 1906 and despite the prejudice he faced, loved his newly adopted land. He was a man of very deep morals who believed in hard work, honor, family, sacrifice and responsibility. Basically, he was a Buddhist, but would attend the Catholic church with the rest of the family. He was a life long Republican and even contributed to the party. I must end this here, as I am writing my memoirs and can go on and on if not stopped. I just thought a little history would be of interest.

   Pete: I haven't seen Sunnyside yard for many a year. I used to spend much time there on the pedestrian bridges watching the trains. Too bad I didn't have a camera at the time.

   In an earlier post, (11/06/2007) you made an interesting point about the UK not adopting diesels early due to the cost of importing oil and staying with coal. With the cost of oil rising to all time levels, day by day, maybe there will come a time when steam might be more economical to operate. Wouldn't that be great! At least in this country, steam could be a way to go. In Europe, electric would rule due to their already extensive electrification network. There was a group here called "COALS" (Coal Oriented Advanced Systems) that was trying to develop a steam locomotive using a mix coal dust and water, converting it into a gas and use that to generate steam. The following link describes the COALS project and it's future. http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/ult.html#TOP

   Tom: A most interesting history of BR. I came across this link that covers railways all over the world. Of particular interest was the chapter on liveries. See http://www.railfaneurope.net/.

   This one is for Trolleyboy:

An old trolley built in 1925 for a Chilean tram. It was made from an old passenger coach in Germany.

  Got to run and cook lunch. See you later,

Ron

[siberianmo]

G'day Gents!

Ruth, go on 'n take your break - I'll be here for a bit to watch things! And yes, a round on the house - Boris, ring the bell!

Have a few things to attend to this afternoon, so figured it's time to get a leg up on the comments . . . .

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Lars (LoveDomes) at 8:10 AM: Ah, the return of our Manager - if only for a brief time - great to see ya again, Mate!

Every now ‘n then I get into a <funk> regarding how the times of today seem so drastically <different> from "back in the day." Of course this is nothing more than what all of us encounter as AGE creeps up on us. I don't attach anything more significant to it than that. HOWEVER, society has indeed changed ‘n along with it comes viewpoints running diametrically opposed to the things I hold near ‘n dear. I've wondered aloud many a time, "Would I be willing to defend these people, if . . . . . ?"

Hang in there partner, we may be dying off faster than being replaced by like-minded individuals, but while we're here - let's never let ‘em get to us!

It's been a long week without your offerings of covers ‘n it surely hit the spot to see those fine selections to help keep our morning humming along. One day I'm just going to have to spring for the DVDs . . . only have a very, very sparse collection, ‘n honestly don't know why! <puzzled>

You're absolutely correct regarding our Resident Canadian Maritime Mariner - Fergie. He's anchored somewhere outta sight OR has placed himself in the Penalty Box <feeling shame, of course!>

Received your latest Email ‘n responded - thanx!

The round for the house is appreciated, but more so having you back amongst the gang! Ruth has a smile that just won't quit - and I think that was a tear coming out of Boris' eye <as in ONE - he is a Cyclops ya know!>

 

 

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 9:39 AM: Now that's quite a listing ‘n of course something to ponder. Surely the guyz can add to it . . . So with this newly created Warehouse of Wondrous Forgotten Technologies and Skills, let's have some fun with it on Fridays!

Love ‘n care for ‘em now, for in the not-too-distant-future your precious little ones grow up. Hard for me to believe how fast the time has gone from those days of hearth, home ‘n family. Cherish it all while you can, Mate - it changes right before your eyes. <uh oh>

Mention of Rendezvous III brings to mind that I'll probably have to seek out an auditorium for the "presentations" you'll be putting together on "Everything Rails That Was ‘n Is ‘n May be!"

Thought you'd pick up on those fotos of Doug ‘n Pete who were obviously overtaken by the sheer excitement of Amtrak travel. <grin>

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

 

 

Ron (DD1) at 10:37 AM: And who should appear this morning but our Resident Southern Gentleman down in Ole Miss <aka: transplanted New Yorker>! Good to see ya, but I MUST wonder aloud - are you using that REFRESH/RELOAD/RESTORE feature on your browser in order to pick up on the MOST CURRENT POSTS Seems like you're a bit behind on the offerings . . . If you don't understand what I'm referring to, send me an Email ‘n we'll discuss it.

Seems we had similar upbringings "back in the day." My two grandfathers came to this land back around 1910 from Germany. One grandma from Ireland, the other from Germany. The grandfathers insisted that only English be spoken in the house and most especially if I happened to be in the room. They refused to allow their native tongue to get in the way of adapting to the ways of their new country. So, I grew up without learning it. About all I can recite are some "colorful phrases," if you follow my drift! <grin>

Imagine how great it would be in America if those who are beating a path to our shores ‘n borders had the same attitude as your father ‘n my grandfathers regarding the language   I've yet to read or hear an argument convincing enough to change my claim that NOTHING binds a nation more so than a common tongue. But what do I know

A captivating read on that "COALS" link. So the question is - why aren't we doing it!?!?!? Methinks we already know the answer - but another question is, "How high must the price of fuel get before we see the light?" <groan>

Many thanx for the visit, chat ‘n round! <yes, we ru

[DL - UK]

Hello Tom and all in

 Round for the house, bitter for me please.

Just a quick call - hope all is well, been able to reveiw soem of the recent stuff - lots of interest - hope to be back before too long with a more inclusive posting and up dates!

Bit busy with one thing and another (what with the LMS issue of Railway Magazine, and my Friends of the National Railway Musuem Journal - AND my Settle Carlisle Line journal all turning up at pretty much the same time! Rather a lot of reading matter!)

Couple of links people might enjoy (my guess is this is a place Pete for certain will have spent time at - the web site is nicely done - found it by chance):

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bradshaw/preston/

And this is a serious index with some detailed articles - plenty to read for certain (if you've not got enough already....)

http://www.steamindex.com/index.htm

Best wishes to all

DL 

 

[coalminer3]

Good Afternoon BArkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the hosue and $ for the jukebox.

Just a quick stop as we are abt. to go offline until Tuesday.

I have directed the barkeep to provide bottles of the best available over the weekend.  Feel free to use them (as appropriate) for "Toasts to absent friends."  We do that a lot around here given our line of work. 

I'll start things off a little ahead of time for observances.  I was looking through a group of old family photos the other night - we brought tons of stuff back here this summer and came across a shot of a British soldier (we have had more than a few in the family over the years). 

I turned it over and read the caption (in my grandmothers copperplate script).  It said, "Picture of Cousin Stanley - Gassed in the Great War."  Says it all, I believe. 

Remember a moment of silence for the "Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month," and hope for better days ahead.

Thanks to all who serve and have served.

work safe

 

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.

ROB I think historic buildings are a lot more appreciated nowadays than say in the 1960s lets hope Toronto Union is left as the great building I have seen in photographs.

ERIC Perhaps we could have a quiz as to what was in the black bag apart from loose soda pop.

Those Santa Fe steam locomotives outside the Sacramento Locomotive Works are # 2925 and possibly #5021 according to one of my rare notes. Good photo of the X2000 at Sacramento station.

Liked the photo of the Caprotti valve on BR standard Class 5 4-6-0. The BR Standard 5s were quite similar to the LMS class 5s. There were 172 Standard 5s built,they were introduced in 1951. There were 30 of class fitted with the Caprotti gear introduced in 1956.Originally 20 were allocated to Patricroft depot near Manchester and sheds in the Derby area after the first 10 started at Shrewsbury. Also the were 10 allocated to St Rollex shed in Glasgow Scotland. The class finished up with the English 20 all at Patricroft and the Glasgow ones spending their whole career at St Rollex.

 I think the locos need a different method of handling from the original locos; one working I can remember the Caprottis on was a London to Manchester fast freight that used to pass through Rugby in the evening. A strange thing about these locomotives was that in foggy weather the steam seemed to cling around the locos more than other engines.

The last express passenger locomotive built in Britain for BR was the  Pacific No 71000 'Duke Of Gloucester built in 1954. this 3-cylinder loco also had Caprotti valve gear. The locomotive did not have too good a reputation in BR days. Luckily 71000 found its way to Barry scrapyard and was saved, although there was a lot of items missing, like the outside cylinders. The people who restored the locomotive done a wonderful job and found a mistake in the ashpan dimensions which could have accounted for the locos poor reputation, they have also modified the chimney arrangement and now 71000 is a very strong locomotive and can compete with any of the steam locos running on BR today. 

 

A photo of the 'Duke' at Carlisle on a steam special.

LARS Great to see you in Yes BORIS is doing really well looking after the Mascots treats, all I have to do is make sure the PPF jars arrive on time and send the empty jars back.

 The bag is a wonder I got it from Rugby market years ago for about $10, it must have been over the Atlantic at least 10 times as well as carrying the shopping when I was in Rugby.

I have missing the Larsman Mobile a great selection today; I think my favorites this time are the B&O Switchers and the Boston & Maine ones, great photo of the Alco leaving the tunnel.

Agree with your words on Veteran's Day.

CM3 Yes the Sacramento Railroad museum is a great place, If they can ever get the old Locomotive works open to the public as well it would be a complete railroad experience as they already operate a short steam line.

I shall look forward to more tales of the L&N as well as some slides at the Rendezvous.

I think the new museum of TOM's will be a success. Great list of Things at the museum, which the younger generation can try their hand at.

Off the top of my head a couple of things.

Able to ride a pushbike with no gears.

Circular slide rule.

Ironing

Able to work out exact overtime pay in my head.

Very good words for this Sunday, I will indeed have a moment of silence to remember those who gave and are giving so much that we can enjoy the freedom we some times take for granted.

RON I think the technology is there to make a feasible new generation of steam locos as it says in the link, L. D Porta and David Wardale have done a lot of work in this direction. With a computer controlled firing locomotive able to use a low grade coal it could be economical to run if a you say the gas prices continue to rise at present rates although it would be a massive cost to put in the infrastructure to run the next generation of steam locomotives.

Great link to the railways of Europe there are plenty of great photos.

Thanks for that great photo of the Chilean tram, love the windows.

Great words about Our Place. I too have learned an enormous amount about the railroads and trolley systems of North America from visiting the bar, from knowing very little when I first visited Our Place.

DL Good to see you in the bar. I think Preston station is a listed building, I hope so, as it is a great example of a LNWR large station, now that Rug

[Anonymous]

Good evening Tom and all. A round of drinks and a Guinness for me.

    I can only think of a few skills to add to the list of forgotten technologies.

• Cut wood with a handsaw
• Use basic tools instead of power tools
• Cooking without the use of Teflon cookware
• How to sharpen a knife
• Know how to fix things that others throw away
• How to mix the perfect martini

   I heard on a newscast the other night, that China is becoming very dependent on oil and may surpass us in oil consumption pretty soon. This news is good and bad. Bad because that will speed up oil depletion resulting in higher prices. Good because it will further alternate energy sources, like coal for steam locomotives. If it is to happen, my guess would be that the UK would be in the forefront of steam technology. Most European countries have a good electrification infrastructure in place, so the switch from oil to coal wouldn't have too much of an impact. Here in the U.S., coal would probably be the most logical choice, as a nationwide system of electric railways would be a very costly undertaking. Feel free to jump in with your thoughts and ideas.

   Tom: Those two A/C vents are not for the A/C. They are on an air purifier I built to suck dust out of the air. I have 8 A/C registers in the overhead, which also supply heat on the few times when heat is called for. When I replaced the house heating and A/C unit with a new one, the old one went to my shop.

   That's about all I have for now. See you later.

Ron

[EricX2000]

Good morning Captain Tom and all present!

Leon, I tried to get you some more time off, but it did not help.

Finally Friday and an other weekend! Good to see Manager Lars again!

Tom –  Revealing pictures! I was not aware that so many participants slept through parts of the 2nd Annual Rendezvous! But now we all know!

I guess the last (third) photo shows when Pete found out about the leaking soda pop in the bag!

I agree 100% with you, nothing binds a nation more than a common language. I don’t understand why English isn’t the official language and why the ballot is available in Spanish? One is supposed to be able to read and speak English to become a citizen.

Lars –  Good to see Manager Lars again, even for just a little while!

Thanks for the trade marks from the Larsman Mobile! Starting with an interesting video, Kicking Horse pass! Triumph VI is my choice of the books!

No wonder Ruth was smiling today!

CM3 –  A princess should always be treated as a princess! Of course they expect it. <grin>

I am impressed by the long list of skills you still can use! I know I am still able to stick shift and double clutch.




My old stick shift and double clutch vehicle.

I am also able to do my math w/o a calculator!

Bake real Swedish coffee bread.

Ride a bicycle for hundreds of miles in one day.


Gassed in the Great War, yes, it says it all. A real hero!

Ron –  History is of interest! It is always very interesting to learn about people’s background! I think your father did the right thing, making sure that you became a 100% American!

A different looking trolley! Do you know if it actually was built in Germany or if it was built in Chile from an old German passenger coach?

DL –  Interesting links! I bookmarked them for future use! Thanks!

Pete –  What was in the black bag apart from loose soda pop? I would say almost everything. You can see some samples in the window! As far as I can recall you were never able to get everything out of it!

Thanks for the loco numbers! #2925 is a Class 2900, 4-8-4 built by Baldwin 1943-1944 and retired 1959. AT&SF had 30 locomotives of that class.

#5021 is a class 5011, 2-10-4, built by Baldwin 1944, retired 1959. AT&SF had 25 of those.

Thanks for all the info on the modern days steam locomotives on BR!

 

 

Eric 

[siberianmo]

<personal foto>

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

As an exception to our policy, the bar will be OPEN on Sunday for those who have something to contribute to Remembrance - Armistice ‘n Veteran's Day. Otherwise, we're CLOSED.

 

  

G'day Gents!

Saturday has arrived - fall is in the is still prevailing - petrol is at $2.57 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner" <dropped a cent!> ‘n all is well in mid-continent USA!

It's time for a few pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery case - a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board ‘n of course a mug or two of our freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee!

 

 

Comments from the Proprietor:

Tomorrow, Nov 11th is Remembrance - Armistice ‘n Veteran's Day, all rolled into one - depending on where in the ‘free world' one resides. A tradition at the Tavern by the Tracks has been to Post material featuring the RRs and those who served in the Armed Forces during times of global conflict.

So, as an exception to our "CLOSED on Sundays" rule - we invite one ‘n all to provide your input on SUNDAY ‘n MONDAY!

It's just our way of thanking those who provided us with a chance to have what we have today!

 

 

Proprietor's Observations: Noticed Fergie (Fergmiester) ‘n Per (marthastrainyard) logged in on Thursday ‘n Friday - but no visit. Also noticed Jan (JanOlov) on Friday - but no visits. Hmmmmmmm.

 

 

Customer Acknowledgments (since my last narrative)

Friday - Nov 9th, 2007:

Dan (DL-UK) at 12:18 PM: Really enjoyed the Preston Station link - terrific ‘n well done! Good for us that you stumbled upon it! Could easily become overwhelmed with that steam link . . . will require lotsatime to get through that one! <phew>

Appreciate your taking the time to swing by ‘n provide the gang with some cheer in the form of a round!

 

CM3 Shane (coalminer3) at 3:13 PM: A second visit for the day, but one with quite a message! Yes, the "Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month."

Appreciate your thoughtfulness ‘n will be sure to provide the "good stuff" for those who take the time ‘n make the effort on Sunday ‘n Monday!

Thanx for the round ‘n quarters for Herr Wurlitzer!

 

Pete (pwolfe) at 6:08 PM: Those "Duke" series of steam locomotives are great to look at. Can just imagine what they sounded like while underway. Perhaps you could put together a collage of those you have in your photo archives . . .

Your "take" on the difference between StL ‘n KCity Union Stations is ‘right on." I was here when StL let the station deteriorate ‘n then when it was purchased for renovation. There was absolutely no intent to ever use the place for operating passenger rail. As I understand it, those who owned the place reluctantly let those sidings remain <which are disappearing> along with some privately owned loco's ‘n cars <now gone>.

I witnessed the rebirth of Union Station in KCity ‘n recall how the public support for it was far more energetic than here. In StL the idea was to provide an "upscale" shopping experience with a 5-star hotel ‘n restaurant, etc. Whereas in KCity they featured a Science Center for kids, along with retention of passenger train nostalgia. Amtrak came a about a decade later, but it came!

Found this regarding that mural in Sacramento's rail station:

The Sacramento station was originally the terminal for the South

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo