G-day Tom and all present!
Leon- Thanks but I'm good for now!
I have some pics from the Threshers reunion but unfortunately I do not have a pic of that little plymouth switcher. This next Spetember I will get some more pics.
This is a chot of a couple of shovels working the dirt pile. pretty neat to watch.
One of the shovels up close!
Here's one of the steam power electric motors actually making electricity for the area. You can see the big wheel in the back ground where the steam engine does all the work. Notice the belt running from the wheel to the electric motor. You should have heard this thing going, what a monster!!
Here is the train. This is a Soo Line 0-6-0 switcher used to carry the passengers around the show. The Round house with the Plymouth is actually behind me. Now give me a bit of a break, i was so excited I forgot to get pics of the roundhouse!! I know bad me.
Here it is up close. It was pretty cool to watch it take on water at the water tower.
Enjoy!
Happy railroading
James
G-day Tom and all present!!
Leon- I will take the steak and fries with a coffee please, and a round for the guys. Thanks
Eric- Must be busy in your part of the world. But you have contributed some nice pictures. I have a question. The pic taken at the Santa Fe Museum, Are those streamliners used at all They look to be at that stage where they could use a little help, or maybe it's just the reflection of the stainless steel sides. Anywho, nice pic.
Doug- Ah so that GM unit was an FT. That's all I needed, Thanks for looking that up for me. Alright, who's up for putting there car on the open auto rack?? Anyone..... Well, I have not see any of those except when I built my NP open Auto rack. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.
CM3- One step above dirt.. Now I like that!! Ya, I have heard many stories about engineers who's trains stalled on the way because they couldn't keep the stuff lit in a rainstorm. Usually the flames where so hot that it would instantly evaporate the water but this lignite turned into moosh with the rain, and it was like feeding dirt to a flame. So they would have a tarp over the tender just to keep the rain off. Some pretty neat stories from the steam days.
Tom- My, you come back with a lot of pics in hand. What a great set of Via rail pics. I was also a bit astonished to see Spiderman on the side of the F40.. I can say this. He certainly gets around.. Also some great pics of the passenger cars on the train. I have not seen them before. Where did they come from
Per- I see that's what everyone is calling you so I will too. The difference between Little Joe E-75 and E79, there really isn't a difference. There pretty much the same locomotive but they have different #s. The only difference that you might find was, In later years, like in 1970s, the Milwaukee road blanked out a cab on one end. The cab windows where covered up and only one end of the locomotive had the controls. This was for saving money. The Milwaukee road was in a financial crisis and they did just about anything to save money. With only one end of the locomotive with a control stand they only had to maintain one instead of two. But outside of that there aren't any differences between the two.
Well, what initially destroyed the electrics and eventually the railroad was they made it to Seattle Tacoma too late. The GN and NP had gotten there before the Milwaukee by thirty years and Seattle was not to impressed with the Milwaukee getting there. The NO and the GN also had a bunch of towns established along the way which gave them some business. A couple of railroad cars per town and by the time you got to Seattle you had a 200 car train. Well, the Milwaukee's route came to be and most of the towns had been established along the GN and NP and people didn't want to move away from the railroad that was already there. And to make matters worse, North and South Dakota really don't have a lot of towns and people weren't willing to build there because the ground was undesirable or for some other reason. Also Montana really doesn't have a lot of land people can build off of so the Milwaukee really didn't have any business when it came to the Western part of the states. Back then the one or two cars per town did a lot with the trains and helped make revenue for them. The Milwaukee Road had the best way over the mountains to get to Seattle just not a lot of business. Now if the Milwaukee road where built today this one or two cars per town wouldn't happen. The railroads don't want to be paying the money to keep the turnouts in place for all of these small businesses. So today the trains run from Chicago all the way to Seattle without really stopping, and the Milwaukee Roads route was the best for this. Here the Milwaukee road would have done best since they ran trains from Chicago to Seattle without really stopping. Back in the day though, that wasn't how it worked.
Hopefully you understand what I just said. It was an interesting problem. I just wish they were still around.
Anyway, I really liked those shots of the end of the train. You could see stuff no one else could. That station really caught my eye. It really upset me to see the roof ripping off like it was, and unfortunately it may not have a lot of time in this world. I am also surprised to see catenary wires around too. I thought all had disappeared around the Chicago area. But I do recall a passenger line that was electric in Chicago. Maybe this is it. And I was quite surprised to see the... the turtle?? Who ever thought this "little" thing up had to be a bit out of his mind... right!? He certainly had something envisioned. I think it was you......
Pete- At the thresher reunion you see a lot of old steam powered tractors and a quite a bit of railway action too. I couldn't believe how many tractors, farm equipment, and huge power generator they had collected. I can't imagine the amount of money spent on this place. It's amazing.
An engineer in both cabs, ya that's how it was. Usually they wouldn't have two Bipolars on one train so it was unusual to see this. I really couldn't tell you why, unless it was a really big passenger train. But the Bipolars were not set up for muing (Multiple unit setup).
Hi Tom and all.
A pint of Bathams and a round for the house please RUTH.
It is really good to see you kept busy now.
JAMES Looking forward to your photos of the Plymouth Switcher at the meet. What goes on at a Steam Threshers meet is it where there is steam farm equipment.
It was good to view the link to the Milwaukee Road Electrics again. One thing I noticed this time was when the train was headed by 2 Bi-Polars there looked like an engineer in each locomotive, do you know if these locomotives were ever fitted for multiple operation, or did each loco require its own crew when working in multiple.
Thanks for the info on why the steam locos lasted longer around Duluth.
ERIC Thanks for the photo from the Santa Fe museum and I will look forward to your post later.
DOUG Sometimes the freight cars in a railroad museum tend to be overlooked and I must admit I am guilty of this myself so I am glad you took some, many thank for the descriptions as well.
In the link to the Coors visitor site (The old Bass museum in Burton on Trent England) there is a section on the Shire Horses that are kept there. It says they weigh an Imperial ton, is this about the same as a Clydesdale
CM3 It was quite a shock to see your post and realize that indeed it was 1967 that Sgt Pepper album appeared, some still say it was the best album, when I first heard them words never, in my wildest dreams,would I think I would be in North America 40 years later. I was a youth of 16 and BR steam still had a year left then. Many thanks for invoking the memory.
PER Thanks for the round. I am glad you are enjoying Our Place as Tom says, "What is there not to like" and it is great to have you at the bar.
Bass used to be quite a strong beer. I have found a link to the museum,when I was there a few years ago,they had a perserved steam loco that worked at the brewery and a model layout of the very large railway system that served the different breweries there was in Burton On Trent at one time.
http://www.coorsvisitorcentre.com/vc_home.asp?section_id=0
Holden's is local brewery in the West Midlands; Tom posted some photos of some beer coasters I brought back. I will try to find the page and post them again.
Many thanks for the photos of your trip from Boston to Chicago and in Chicago I am sure CM3 will know whose tracks you rode. That is a remarkable photo inside the ‘Turtle"
DL Real pleased you enjoyed the Blue Anchor it is indeed a great pub. When we were there we did try to find where the line to Helston had a station in the town but could not find any trace. We believed that a supermarket is on the site as there was a steep hill leading from the town and a local said it was in that area. It will be a hard job to return the tracks but if they can it should be a good location with a good tourist trade in the summer I would think.
Many thanks for the description of your journey to Cornwall and the links, the tin mine looks well worth a visit.
Tom has given a good description of the Budd versus Renaissance cars. They are not such a culture shock to me as I am used to the size of the BR Mark 3 sleepers but when I first saw them at Montreal station I was shocked to see the large gap between the coach body and the platform, they have to put a small bridge across so you can board. We were lucky as we were able to use the seating area after a while and with the large windows and 2 by1 seating are far better than what we have on BR at the minute I think. To have been kept in the sleeping berth with that grand scenery would have been a great disappointment.
I think Tom has summed up the food well, although the first meal we had was not too bad, but at that stage I think we could have ate a scabby monkey.
Their one redeeming feature is that the cars rode very well indeed and we did have a most excellent crew on the train.
I was really glad we had the trip in the Renaissance cars before the Budd ones as the Budd cars and Dome car was a revelation to me. Not to mention the great food on the Challeur.
The Renaissance cars do look a lot like the Mk3s to me and when the cars were being marshaled to connect to the Challeur at Matapedia at night, it was very reminiscent of a Scottish station on the Perth to Inverness line with the scenery
TOM Loved the RDCs at the start of your post.
I was looking for the link to the Bass Brewery Museum and found out it is now called the Coors Visitor Centre
G'day Gents!
I see we've had two very special Posts this fine day - so let me address them while the "iron is hot," no telling what the 'morrow may bring!
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
Per at 10:15 AM Friday - June 1st: What a fantastic Post and one that pretty much has a little something for all. Many THANX for taking the time and making the effort to put forth such a marvelous offering! That deserves a 5- Salute to our Texas Connection!
I think perhaps we should be referring to you as the "Our" Place Swedish Cowboy! - or - perhaps, YEEEE-HAW! <grin>
VIA Rail still assigns the observation dome cars (referred to as Park Cars - named after the national ‘n provincial parks of Canada) to the Canadian which runs from Toronto to Vancouver on a 3 day per week (each way) schedule. They also have one on the Skeena, which is the train from Jasper, Alberta to Prince Ruppert, British Columbia (via Prince George, BC) also on a 3 day per week schedule - both trains are all Budd stainless steel corrugated side streamliners.
The "Ocean" that runs from Montreal to Halifax on a 6 day schedule only has a Park Car assigned from June 1st through the end of October. (Although we saw one on our return to Montreal on Tuesday, May 29th!! when the "Ocean" was attached to the Chaleur at Matapedia, Quebec.) Those Budd cars were all formerly "stock" of the Canadian Pacific's passenger fleet and have wound up with VIA Rail when that entity took charge of passenger rail service in Canada. I LOVE riding in the Park Cars - we used to ALWAYS book our bedroom in it (there are 4 bedrooms below - a triple (drawing room) and 3 doubles) - but now when the "Ocean" has that car, the bedrooms are no longer available for the paying passengers - we must use the Renaissance equipment. <boo hiss>
The Canadian and the Chaleur (Montreal to Gaspe) also provide a Skyline dome car and it is situated pretty much in the middle of the consist. The interior has a dining area - the dome - and a lower lounge area with a snack bar. The "old" Ocean had one of these cars as well.
I never heard of TWA referred to as "teeny weenie" anything. Actually, it was at one time the largest airline in the U.S. and perhaps the world. Over the last couple of decades of existence it underwent some traumatic changes that in fact denigrated what once was a premier airline to that of 2nd rate, in my not-so-humble-opinion. And my opinion is based on being a rather frequent flier in connection with 7 years of rather intensive air travel - I retired with over 300 thousand miles in my account. So my thoughts are a bit more credible than the anecdotal crap so prevalent here in the Ether.
My first visit to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado was in 1953 while a Boy Scout en route to a Jamboree in Santa Ana, California. (Much has been Posted on this Thread and the original Thread over the years.) A fantastic work of nature and something worth seeing, fer sure, fer sure!
Really enjoyed viewing your 13 Pix and wish you had been with Pete ‘n I to be our "official" photographer. I'm hardly adept at using the digital and wind up with more unhappy moments with my SONY than not. It's most probably my fault - and I'm leaning more ‘n more to going back to the 35mm just gathering dust at home. Anyway, some great shots and appreciate the narratives accompanying them.
DL at 11:11 AM Friday - June 1st: Very good to see you again and your links make for some interesting diversions!
Thanx for the trip report - you seem to have quite a knack at putting those together in a manner most "digestible" to the eye! <grin>
Regarding our Canada rail adventure - it's really a 2-parter and I've been weighing whether or not to undergo the labors of putting it all to writing. So very few at the bar these days <daze> - but let me make a comment or three regarding the Halifax portion of the trip.
As commented on over on the original Thread a time or three - I dislike the Renaissance equipment and will not EVER travel in those cars again unless the circumstances are quite extenuating (such as accompanying a friend who has never done so). After having made the Montreal - Halifax run so many times that I've actually lost count since 1990, there's hardly a favorable comparison I can find between the Chunnel Chugger Euro cars and the Budd stainless steel beauties of MY past. I will say this - the Renaissance cars ride better - much smoother ride attributable to a more modern suspension system. That's where the positives end as far as I'm concerned.
The absence of dome cars on the Renaissance is a bummer, big time. The "old" Ocean had two - a Park Car (obs dome) and the Skyline car (dome and lounge).
A real Chef in a real diner is missing from Renaissance as the food is prepared is some "morphed" cooking system betwixt microwave and convection, making most of the offerings come out rather "mushy" - not for me - no thanx! <ugh>
Community areas for socializing is sorely lacking aboard Renaissance. Yes, they have designed two of the cars to be "Service cars," which essentially means one may partake in a beverage and snack in an area more designed for fast food service than for sitting, chatting and taking in the sights passing by. These "Service cars" are attached to either side of the dining car, thereby providing the people in coach with a place to go and those in the sleepers with one as well. Unfortunately, the seating is very limited and once the movies are shown, you either listen to the soundtrack or leave the car. Not a good set up at all. The "old" Ocean had plenty of places whereby people could gather, have a leisurely chat and simply enjoy the ambiance of rail travel the way it was mea
Ruth, take a well deserved break - I'll watch things for awhile.
Good to see Per 'n DL in this morning - more specific commentary either later today or certainly in the 'morrow. Appreciate the conversaton, PIX and of course - the business, Gents!
Continuing on with the Canada trip by foto . . .
Day Two: Friday - May 25th, 2007
VIA Rail's eastbound Ocean at Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada - Renaissance cars
Our bedroom car - #21
VIA Rail's F40PH #6408 w/Spiderman II ad at Moncton, NB
Refueling the locos at Moncton, NB
VIA Rail's F40PH #6425 ‘n Ocean Renaissance consist at Moncton, NB
VIA Rail's F40PH #6408 (again) at Moncton, NB
VIA Rail's Renaissance baggage car (converted coach)
Departing Moncton - eastbound
Departing Moncton
Fish ‘n Chips Nite!! in Moncton <grin>
To be continued . . .
Tom
Well hello Tom and all in
I'll have a pint of Bitter and something from the menu.
I'm back from Cornwall now and will say staright away Pete that the Blue Anchor in Helston has to be one of the UK's best pubs - nice building - traditional style, nice beer that really tasted good. Thanks for the suggestion. They had 2 of their 5 brews on at the time of our visit (which was very wet day after having done an 8 mike hike on the Lizard pennsinula - we were able to take in the lighthouse there and passed by the location of the huts used by Marconi to make / test the first radio signal in 1901).
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-thelizardandkynancecove.htm
By the way did you know there was a group trying to re-open the Helston line - I think they have got their work cut out but here's the link.
http://www.helstonrailway.co.uk/index.html
We also managed a short visit to this Tin mine at Geevor. CM3 this may interest you, but I expect others will be interested. We should have left more time for this as it is an extensive site with lots to see and do.
http://www.geevor.com/
This is a remarkable location - stuck out in a remote corner of the country is what must be amongst the best industrial museums in the UK - it is run by the local community and they have done a great job of telling the story of Tin mining and the associated work to process the mined rock to obtain the metal (at one time the area was thought to have most of the tin deposits in the known world). Unfortunately we did not have time to walk to the nearby Levant Mine where a restored stationary steam engine operates.
All went well with the sleeper trains in both directions - although it was sad to see that even on a public holiday weekend the railway only had the facilities to add one extra sleeping car to the consist making up a train with 4 sleeping cars and 3 seated (coach class I suppose you would call it) cars. Still - at least the service still exists - it was under threat not too long ago.
It is funny to wake up early in a platform at London Paddington Station in your sleeper berth whist countless commuter train arrive and disgorge people rushing to work! The ticket includes use of the first class lounge and showers at Paddington which is a nicely restored room with large Black and White pictures of GWR trains in the 1930s the Cornsih Riviera at Parsons Tunnel and also a large scale model of GWR King Class King George V in the reception area - nicely done. Comfy leather arm chairs too - it is beside the World war One war memorial to GWR staff who were killed in action whilst serving in war time (A large bronze statue on Platform 1).
Anyway - on to some acknowledgements from recent posts - Doug - I certainly enjoyed your detailed captions on some of the pictures - some very informative text.
Eric - thanks for the pics from the re-union - enjoyed looking over them - if you post some more with the regulars / proprietor in them I can see them loud and clear.
Per - enjoyed your Spanish photos - that terminus station is quite a site - nice architecture - some similarity to Paris St Lazare station I thought. Intwerestign trip report from your Amtrak journey too (with great pics to enjoy)
CM3 - condolences regarding the bereavement - always sad.
Tom / Pete - I look forward to more reports from your travels - one heck of an eastern Canada trip - Pete I'm interested in your views on the Ren stock vs the Mk3 sleeper. Sounds like you felt standards of service were up to scratch Tom - that is good to hear after the poor service I encountered in The Ocean Dining Car last autumn. More of your thought on Delson would be of interest too - sounds like you had a great time.
I trust you had a time to check out the Halifax waterfront and the museums / attractions there too.
Mike - enjoyed your memorial day links page. Some good pics there.
James - some more good info from yourself too over the last few days. Reliably ‘minding the shop' as we say!
Regards
DL
Good Morning everybody present!
Ruth, may I have a pint of Bass please, and a round for everybody present.
Sorry to miss the Pizza again tonight, but I have to post during the day for bandwidth reasons.
Tom, I thank you for the kind words. I wish you and Pete welcome back. It's good to have you back "down south". I will try to keep up the appearances, even if it will be once a week only. There are many, many pictures to share and a story, or two, that goes with them as well. I guess a little bit more details about our cross-country trip is in order this time. And I do agree with you that this is a rather unique place in that all of us recognize each other and appreciate what's published here.
I'm not that familiar with Canadian railroading, but do they still have the observation car you use in your avatar? I think I read in some earlier posts that there is a risk it will be taken out of service. If that happens I guess it is the last of its kind in regular service, isn't it? I understand there are a couple preserved here and there.
I had not heard "Tom Weber Airlines" as a name for TWA. "Teeny, Weenie Airline" or "Tears, Worries and Aggravation" are the two names I have heard.
Thank you Erik, for the C3 drawing. It brings back memories from years long gone. I had forgotten the steam heat regulators on the wall but the gas lamps were still in my memory! Now afterwards the car looks nostalgic and interesting, back then it was just uncomfortable. These cars were later replaced by 4-axle cars, B015-LÅ, and that was a great step up in comfort! Padded seats! Don't ask me how I can remember that class designation, but it is stuck in my memory forever.
And yes, there is snow in Skåne every now and then, but the extreme you showed in your picture is luckily very rare. My parents used to talk about the bad "war winters" when the river (Helge Å) in my home town froze so they could drive cars across.
Garden of the Gods. We had visited the Carlsbad Caverns and went straight up north (probably along US 285 for a while) to Santa Fe. I realize I was wrong about the name of the garden, but there was an area with a name like that along the road. Now, my wife thinks I'm totally off and am thinking of a place in Utah. Oh well, as I said before, the memory is the second thing that disappears with age. From Santa Fe we went to Taos and Alamosa (had to get some rail fanning in on the trip ), so we missed Raton Pass altogether.
The COLA "detoured" because I needed a picture of the depot on my club's layout and since I am collecting the cars for the COLA I figured I take one of those down to the club a snap a picture.
The old train hall at Atocha is a really nice looking building. There are restaurants, coffee shops and shops inside and I found it is one of the few places where you can consistently order in English and be understood. The little pond inside is full of turtles.
When I see your picture of the Amtrak Genesis I wonder how that engine measures up in length compared to the old E8/E9? It looks longer, but I'm not sure.
It is a nice picture from the Santa Fe Museum in Atchison. I didn't even know there was such a museum. It will be worth a visit if I ever travel in that direction.
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your K9 friend, Shane. I remember the grief in town when one of the local K9 members passed on. She had been the favorite of all kids in all Elementary schools where she went.
I don't recall seeing any SD-45, but the Tunnel Motors (was it SD-45-T2?) were quite common on SP in Southern California when I lived there. I think there was also a couple of SDP-45 that SP had moved down from the Peninsula to the LA area. In the mid-80's they used two of these to run a local daily freight down to Anaheim. What a sad way for a passenger engine to spend its last days! But at least they got to see Disneyland every day! (sort of)
Looking at old time tables or old maps is a dangerous thing, isn't it? I get lost in those so easily and it can take hours before I come up for air again. But it IS interesting reading, I agree wholeheartedly with you on that. I like your summary of the Wheeling branch operations. That could be used in an MR operation almost everywhere. I had thought of something similar for my fictitious Central California railway empire; now I have a prototype time table to use, thank you!
Doug, that's one whopper of a tank car! Wasn't there a kit produced for this car? In wood, even? It must have caused many problems on the tracks with a length like that. It's almost like the Schnabel cars that are built in Germany, even though they are longer still.
It's OK with the Aerotrain. I just remember seeing an old train at the Tennessee Valley RR Museum right next door to NMRA, and I was curious as to the origin of that. I think I remember seeing this train with the DOT logo on it. I was there long before the DCA (Digital Camera Age) so it will take a while to locate those pictures. I checked their website but it gives no information about what they have in the museum, just their train rides. But according to Wikipedia, one is kept in Saint Louis and one in Green Bay, Wis., so it must be another train I saw there.
I visited the web site you reference, James, and saw what looks like two "Little Joe" engines, E-75 and E-79. I must have missed it in your earlier posts, but what's the difference between the two?
I really liked the video you linked to. The snow scenes looked COLD! Interesting looking engines all of them. I have always wondered what killed the electrics, was it just too much maintenance cost? Maybe because the lines went through some rather isolated areas, or was there other reasons?
Your advice for the airbrush is probably right on. I have an old brass model that's in a very bad shape and I have thought of using that as my test object. When I get that far I'll let you know about the outcome.
Well, Pete, I thought the 5% beer would be on the lower end of the scale. I have this problem with beer in large quantities, you see, so I would probably have to take it easy with the stronger stuff. But Holden? I had a car named that when I lived "Down Under".
If I can stay awake after arriving in Madrid in a couple of weeks I think I am going to pay another visit to that museum and get some more information.
<w/permission: www.scenic-railroads.com>
Friday again and the start of a new month! Amazing to think that this time last week, Pete ‘n I were traveling aboard VIA Rail's Ocean en route Halifax. Right about now we were in New Brunswick riding along a not-so-well-maintained right-of-way of the New Brunswick East Coast (NBEC) heading to Moncton. Ahhhhhh, was a wonderful trip with only the dome car and a Chef in the diner lacking to make it PERFECT!
There has been quite a bit of material Posted during these past weeks and my hope is the guys are taking the time to read it ALL.
This Thread - as we all know - is for the enjoyment of the gang at the bar. Keeping it as an inclusive place with acknowledgments of the other guy's efforts is what makes us rather unique here in the Ether. Dontchathink???
I haven't decided whether a narrative of the entire Canada rail trip will be put together. We'll see - uploading ‘n downloading the Pix takes pretty much of my available time these days <daze>. Just follow along and you'll get the "scoop" in bits ‘n pieces . . .
CM3 Shane at Noon, Thursday - May 31st: Enjoyed your piece on the PRR in WVA. Brought back a memory or two of a round trip I took from Penn Station in New York City to Cincinnati's Union Terminal in 1960. Went out to be the best man in a buddy's wedding. Was a great trip although the signs of decay was evident as the clock was ticking for the end of the Pennsy.
Many thanx for the quarters ‘n round! Without you, this joint would be hurtin' at the Coal Scuttle! <grin>
Pete at 6:41 PM Thursday, May 31st: Good to see ya back in full-form! Catch-up does take a bit of time and it is really nice to see so much material from the guys during our absence. The Rendezvous Pix have no end - thanx to Doug ‘n Eric - and I've got zillions left to Post.
Sent ya an Email yesterday . . .
I'm sure Fergie enjoyed himself with us as we took him on that Halifax to Dartmouth (where he lives) ferry ride. The Halifax harbor (harbour) is really a special treat with the views all ‘round. He's a great guy and it was very typical of him to spend his Saturday morning with two "sightseers" - he's just that kindaguy!
I recall my first trip to what was then the RCN Navy Base and that was 1957! The Canadian sailors and ours got along quite well with lotsfun ‘n laffs at the local joints we frequented during our overnight stay. Good memories then - good ones now.
That I-Max film was absolutely fantastic and I'll do a bit of research to see if there's a link or two to share with the guys. Just haven't got the time at the moment. Anyway, when Pete ‘n I were at the ExpoRail museum (Saint-Constant/Delson, Quebec) we were treated to a film without peer. It was an absolute joy to sit back and take in the sights ‘n sounds of a Canadian Pacific steam loco and consist in the Canadian Rockies. With musical background and NO narratives, this was a marvelous work of film-art, fer sure, fer sure!
Don't be concerned about Posting Pix of our trip - in due course, Mate! I have plenty . . .
James at 10:05 PM Thursday, May 31st: You've come a long way since your first visit to "Our" Place and surely have provided the gang with some fine Posts! Great to see ya and appreciate your help both here and on "my other Thread" to keep things going!
Eric at 1:08 AM today: Thanx for the ATSF streamliners! And not to worry, we'll be here when time allows for another "go" . . . Thanx for your Email - also the bride appreciated the kind words too!
Doug at 6:30 AM today: Great way to begin the new month with a couple of Rendezvous Pix and an awful joke! <groan> <grin> Been a great month of May with everything accomplished at the Rendezvous and the trip to Canada. Hope to continue at least one spate of Pix each day, perhaps two, of our trip - then back to Rendezvous fotos. By the time all of that gets done, we'll be planning for CHICAGO!
Sure like that camera of yours - ship me an Email with the "details" please - I'm about to deep six my super-expensive SONY in favor of something smaller and more dependable. Thanx!
CM3 Shane at 8:20 AM: Petrol here is at $3.02 (rounded). Saw it in Montreal at $1.17 (rounded) per litre!! That's about $4.76 per gallon. <yikes> Forty years, eh Has it been THAT long . . . <groan>
Check those Pix again - there's more than 3 airlines visible . . .
And yes, without TWA (Tom Weber Airlines) St. Louis' Lambert Field is a mere shadow of what it once was. No more hub, far fewer direct flights and the beat goes on . . . <groan>
Great to see ya and your quarters 'n round for the guys!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Thursday is Fish ‘ Chips Nite!
Friday is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
Saturday is Steak ‘n All The Trimmings Nite!
Dinner begins at 5
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. O.K. Boris, I know it's hard to believe that it was 40 years ago today, "Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play..." Where did the time go?
Gas has dropped down to $3.19/gal. here; approx. 30-cent decrease since Memorial Day, hmmm...
The FTA was manufactured from 1939 to 1945. It had a 567 or 567A engine (16 cyl.) and 1350 HP. FTB statistics are the same re dates, engine, and HP.
OSP sent pictures. Lambert looks about the same as I remember it, except that the looming presence of TWA is, of course, gone. I counted three airlines in the picture at Montreal.
Pete stopped by with comments as did James. Lignite (one step above dirt). IIRC, NP and GN burned it in their locomotives. Takes a wide firebox; keep the fire thin and it will work.
Barndad visited as well. Interesting shot of auto carrier. How many out there remember bilevel auto cars, and/or the transition period when there were side panels on the cars - later, as he explained, they became totally enclosed to reduce damage, pilferage, etc. Thanks for sharing.
Eric sent pictures as well.
Will try and post more later, but we must go "outside" today.
Work safe
Good morning Tom and gang! I'll have a light breakfast. I tried to look up the information on the engine of the GM#103 for James, but the book just says D model FTA B-B Demonstrator, 1,350 hp. The sign hanging from it says it has a 567 series engine with 16 cylinders. We've had the quite the outpouring of information from CM3 and pix from the VIA trip taken by Tom and Pete. Keep ‘em coming!
Here is another car I thought was interesting at the MOT in St. Louis
1960 SL-SF #3000
Built by the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, number 3000 is the first tri-level rack built to carry automobiles. Its inside dimensions are 83' long, 8'6" wide, and it used concrete for ballast. Due to vandalism to the automobiles, this type of open car was replaced by enclosed auto transporters
The manager of a large office noticed a new man one day and told him to come into his office. "What is your name?" was the first thing the manager asked the new guy. "John," the new guy replied. The manager scowled, "Look... I don't know what kind of a namby-pamby place you worked at before, but I don't call anyone by their first name. It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority. I refer to my employees by their last name only... Smith, Jones, Baker... that's all. I am to be referred to only as Mr. Robertson. Now that we got that straight, what is your last name?" The new guy sighed, "Darling. My name is John Darling." "Okay, John, the next thing I want to tell you is..."
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, no I can't stay tonight, I'll just a cup of coffee before I have to leave again!
Just a short note to tell I will be back tomorrow with an inclusive post. Other things have to be taken care of tonight. I had a very quick look at most of the pictures from Canada and I will certainly look again later!
The Santa Fe Museum, Atchison, KS.
Eric
Leon- Could I get some of that fish with a few chips to go along with it, Thanks... Oh Ya and a coffee to go along with that, Thanks again.
Things are going quite well, and have been busy lately helping down at the museum here in Duluth. I am about to start working on some Semaphore masts here in the next month or so, and have a little fun restoring those back to running order. I will also be working on some of the mechanisms for the semaphores, so I hope to have one running.
Eric- Some nice pictures of that model RDC. I hope it wasn't to bumpy for them. And thanks for the pic of the Milwaukee reefer. They had some neat stuff fer sure. I have seen some of those diesel electric snow blowers in a couple of movies and they are quite impressive. Thanks for sharing all of those great pics.
When I saw that little Plymouth switcher it reminded me of a place I went to this last September. It was the Steam threshers reunion in Rollag, Minnesota, and for transportation around the place was a railway. And in there collection was a Plymouth switcher. I was really impressed with the set up and "YES" I did get a lot of pictures. So I will post them here soon.
Neat drawing of that little passenger car. I do quite a bit of tech drawing and have been working on a passenger car called a Business Dome. It is completely my idea but it looks like it could roll right off the assembly line. I will scan that pic in a little later and show you guys.
Doug is at it again with all of his great pics. I really liked the Kirkwood station inside and out. That is a piece of time saved indeed. Also thanks for the pic of the GM Demonstrator unit. Looks like an F3 to me. But I can't tell for sure. And then it might be an F2. Some type of F-unit but one you won't see much of anymore since most have no been long gone. What a large tank car. I have seen some big ones and that's up there But I have seen them bigger than that even. But it's amazing what they could carry and some pretty nasty stuff at that too. Thanks for all of the great pics.
Mike- Thanks for all the great Memorial day pics. I was certainly thinking about all that serve for our country. Thanks. Also great pics of the DSSA. The round House was located at Rices Point Yard. It couldn't tell today where it sat but I know where it sat and if I find a pic of it I will post it and show you. The NP yard is still around but not as big as it once was. But it still serves quite a few trains today.
Marthastrainyard- Ya you probably won't here of any other locomotive that had the gearless design. As far as I know the Bipolars where the only ones with that design but I might be wrong. But it was certainly very affective when it came to pulling passenger trains. Infact I have a video for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfYNaPA3yTg See what you think of a Bipolar in action.
When it comes to an airbrush, it just takes a little practice. What I did was started out practicing on a sheet of plastic or an old rail car and just practiced until I was good enough to take on my project, which turned just fine. Just give it a try.
There were three trains built with that observation car called a Beaver tail. You are correct, one in 1928, the first edition of the Hiawatha with the 4-4-2 Atlantic steamer leading the way. The second edition set came out in 1935 but this time it was lead by the 4-6-2 F7 Hudson, and the last was built in 1939 with the 4-6-2 F7 Hudson leading the way again.
CM3- The Bipolars first paint scheme was Black which it has been painted that. It's going to be # 10241. I just haven't been able to decal it. #10241 was one of the first Bipolars to hit the Milwaukee rails. I would like to see the inside of a little joe. I would also like to run one too. I have wanted to run one as long as a I remember. I know there is one at the IRM also and that one looks to be runable. Maybe someday......
Tom- WELCOME BACK!! Good to see you back and some great pics to follow too. I have not seen to many photos out of an airplane and it certainly looked spectacular. Montreal from the air is pretty big. Also some nice pics from the Montreal Central station. Something I don't really see everyday, which makes me happy I am here. I learn a lot about the world around me. Thanks for all of the great pics. Oh and BTW: Your other thread is still rolling along. I will be back there soon.
Pete- WELCOME BACK!! Glad to here your trip went according to plan and from some of Tom's pics it looked like a lot of fun. If you ever get up here in Duluth I will certainly take you around to all of the museums and train hotspots in the twin ports. Until then I will be in the clear and waiting. I believe the reason for why steam was around longer was because of the lake. They had an unlimited and pay free water supply. Just take it from the lake and run trains. Plus the Northern Pacific mined a coal called Lignite that the railroad could use for firing there locomotives even though it wouldn't burn worth a darn. But it was free. So the NP used it which there steamers were still in service in the 60s.
I'll have a pint of Clancy's please RUTH and it is back to H&H's Fish ‘N' Chips tonight.
Many thanks to all, for the welcome back after our Canada trip.
ERIC Glad to see you made it back to Arizona OK after the great Rendezvous we had, it was a real pleasure for Tom and I to meet Doug and yourself.
Many thanks for the great photos. I used the brides digital for the trip although it seems as though I am going through a rough time with cameras as the memory stick did not hold anywhere near as many photos as it did when it was cleared. I have probably lost my pics at the rendezvous as the wind mechanism is ruined in the 35mm although the electrics have come back, anyway I will see if I can find a camera repair shop in town here.
The advert on the L&NWR &Caledonian trains is a bit unclear. I think in the first column they are the times from the cities named in the left hand column to the city named just before the times. For example the time to Glasgow was 8 hours 0min from London, 6 hours 45 min from Birmingham and 5 hours 10 min from Liverpool etc. Looking at the dining cars arrangement that does not seem too clear as well.
Thanks for the Swedish carriage drawing, which Per was talking about.
JAMES It would be great to see the museum in Duluth one day and it always better to have someone who knows the museum to show you around.
I have not studied the Classic Trains special magazine on the last days of steam yet. It seems though,that steam survived in the Duluth area longer than in a lot of other areas in North America.
We are lucky there are so many good books that have been written about railroads. I am hoping that I will be able to visit the library in St Louis again, reading the old railroad magazines, from the 1950s and 1960s seeing how the railroads changed in those decades.
Enjoyed the photos from your museum.
ZEKE. I hope you can join us at Our Place.
DOUG Many thanks for your great photos and the descriptions. It is hard to imagine the Aerotrain on suburban services. I wonder if anyone has any film of a Big Boy traveling at its 80 MPH maximum.
It is really great to see the jokes, I shall probably get tweeted but I have to say I have missed them.
Really looking forward to Chicago next year.
FERGIE It was great to meet you.
Many thanks for letting the regulars at the bar how Tom and I were getting on with our travels. I really enjoyed the ferry ride and the tour of the city, you are very lucky to live in such a beautiful and interesting city Halifax is.
Have a beer on me.
MIKE Thanks for those very special links for Memorial Day.
PER. Watney's and Bass. I will have to take you to some pubs around the Dudley area of the West Midlands of England for some Batham's and Holden's. The 5% ale at the Blue Anchor is the weakest they brew, we were there they two others on tap. At the moment I am drinking Black and Tan at the local Irish Pub when I visit, the pub runs an annual trip to Ireland each year.
I also have managed to see three of the preserved Big Boys, although different ones from the ones you have seen. The ones I have seen are at St Louis, Denver and Green Bay WI, they certainly are impressive engines.
Many thanks for the photos and information on Atocha station, and the link to the railway museum in Spain.
DL I hope you are having a great time in Cornwall.
CM3 I was very sorry to read of the loss of one of the K9 Corps, as Tom said they are part of the family.
Many Thanks for the interesting post on the PRR Pullmans and their various destinations, I guess it is part of the passenger railroad scene that has vanished now along with the switching moves. It was interesting to watch the switching move at Matapedia in Canada on Tom and my trip when the combined Ocean and Challeaur trains are split with the 3 diesels at the front of the combined train, splitting the train with 2 locos going on to Halifax NS and 1 loco taking the Gaspe portion.
Braxton Bragg sounds an interesting person.
TOM Many thanks for the Rendezvous and the first sets of the Canada trip photos.
I will try to load my pics up and get them in a format I can show at the bar. Let me know if you want a poster size one as the setting on my camera must have been very fine as I only got such few photos.
It truly was a wonderful few days
MORE from Day One: Thursday - May 24th, 2007
Trainboard at Montreal's Central Station - Our train is the Ocean
VIA Rail guys - Claude (an old friend) ‘n Ken at the Ocean's bedroom check-in
Our bedroom car - Renaissance equipment
Pete through the window into the bedroom compartment
Day is done! Pix a bit fuzzy - so were we! <grin>
To be continued tomorrow . . .
Ruth, time for a Larsman Special Hero for me! Take a well deserved break, 'n I'll watch things for a bit . . .
Some Pix from the recently concluded Canada 2007 trip . . .
Day One: Thursday - May 24th, 2007
Our Odyssey begins at Lambert Field, St. Louis, MO as Pete ‘n I await our NWA flight to Detroit for the Montreal, Canada connection.
At the gate in Detroit
From the plane over Montreal (in the haze) - 4 vessels west bound in the St. Lawrence Seaway
Montreal's Olympic Stadium - former home of the MLB NL Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals)
Montreal ‘n Mt. Royale in background
Touchdown at Montreal's International Airport - Pierre Trudeau
Heading to the gate in Montreal
To be continued . . . .
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; rpound for the house and $ for the jukebox. Boris, if you please, punch up "The Boys are Back in Town." Glad to see that OSP and Pete made it back in one piece.
Eric - I stopped with the SD45s on the EL list. There were, as you suggest, additional units. EL #s 3669-3681 were SD45-2s. I know, picky, picky - anyway, there's the "rest of the story."
Here's some material about the PRR in West Virginia. It all started when I was looking through an old tt awhile back. You can see what happened when I started to unravel a copuple of schedules. The more I looked, the crazier it got, and the next thing I knew I was on the L&N in Birimingham. It's always interesting to see where the Pullmans went and how they were switched in and out of different trains, so here's how it worked in 1942.
The Pennsylvania Railroad operated passenger service in West Virginia on a 65.5-mile long line that ran betwwen Pittsburgh and Wheeling.
Train 551 (coaches only) departed Pittsburgh at 3:45 p.m. every day but Sunday. It arrived in Wheeling at 6:15 p.m. On Sundays, train 861 covered the route with a 4:05 p.m. departure from Pittsburgh and a 6:05 p.m. arrival in Wheeling.
Train 539 handled an 8 section/4 double bedroom New York-Wheeling Pullman. This sleeper departed New York at 8:05 p.m. on PRR 39, the "Clevelander." Train 39 arrived at 4:53 a.m. in Pittsburgh. The Wheeling sleeper was handed off to PRR train 539 which left the Steel City at 5:30 a.m. and pulled into Wheeling at 8:00 a.m.
Train 520 ran every day between Wheeling and Pittsburgh, departing from Wheeling at 9:30 a.m., with an 11:35 a.m. arrival at Pittsburgh.
Train 538 carried the Wheeling-New York Pullman. PRR 538 departed Wheeling at 8:00 p.m., and arrived in Pittsburgh at 9:50 p.m. The sleeper was handed off to PRR 16-22 at Pittsburgh.
Train 16-22, the "Iron City Express/Statesman," was a typical P Company operation. It carried an 8 section buffet from Pittsburgh to New York. A pair of 12 section/drawing room cars originating on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Memphis and Birmingham were in the consist. Both of these cars operated via the L&N to Cincinnati where the PRR picked them up. A 12 section/drawing room car and a 10 roomette/5 double bedroom car ran between Pittsburgh and New York.
Typical of most eastbound PRR trains, 16-22 also carried cars to Washington, DC. These included a 6 double bedroom buffet from Pittsburgh, and an 8 section/5 double bedroom car from Pittsburgh to Washington along with a 12 section/drawing room sleeper. Shorts rode in a 12 section/drawing room car which operated from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg. The Washington cars were cut out at Harrisburg and handed off to PRR train 50.
Since 16-22 originated in Cincinnati, it carried a diner from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh as well as coaches. Additional coaches ran between Pittsburgh and Washington.
work safe
<from my personal collection>
It's good to be back home and at the Tavern by the Tracks once again! Pete ‘n I had a great time in Canada and there will be plenty of material to share in the coming days ‘n weeks.
An upfront THANX to all who kept the place ship-shape and also to those of you who helped keep "my other Thread" up ‘n running. A fantastic job, fer sure, fer sure and very much appreciated!
As a departure from what has been the "norm," I'll simply make mention of those of you who provided info in my absence with perhaps just a "one liner" here ‘n there. Otherwise, I'll NEVER catch up! <grin>
From Page 62:
Pete at 6:31 PM, Wednesday - May 23rd: A grand finale (for awhile) packaged in the Wolfman's inclusive, informative ‘n interesting manner of communicating! Well done, Mate! Hope the "question" gets an answer!
Eric at 11:59 PM, Wednesday - May 23rd: Thanx for letting us know you arrived home safely - love that Pix of "Our" Place!
Zeke at 7:39 AM, Thursday - May 24th: A new face at the bar - and I hope you'll find this place of interest to you. Recommend you read Page One of this Thread - especially the first Post. Then you'll get a "handle" on how we do things ‘round here. Come on back ‘n the first drink is on the house!
DL at 11 AM ‘n 11:01 AM, Thursday - May 24th: Many thanx for stopping by. We'll be sharing many of our Pix ‘n narratives with the gang as these days <daze> approach - so watch fer ‘em!!
James at 9:20 PM, Thursday - May 24th: An inclusive Post from our Duluth Connection! Perhaps one day some of us will find our way to your part of the world. Don't know about a "full fledged Rendezvous" though. Next year it's CHICAGO!
Eric at 2:26 AM, Friday - May 25th: A fine catch-up for the gang in typically fine Desert Swede fashion! The "rain" in Toronto was actually in a place called St. George and that was in the evening before our "social" time. Didn't impact us at all during the "oh-fish-UL" Rendezvous! <grin>
Zeke at 3:03 AM ‘n 4:58 PM, Friday - May 25th: You came back - so the 1st drink is on the house! Don't forget to READ Page One - would also help to check out the last several Pages too. This Thread is INCLUSIVE which essentially means we acknowledge one another and READ what is Posted from the gang.
CM3 Shane at 1:58 PM, Friday - May 25th: Even a brief visit is better ‘n no visit! Many thanx for the round ‘n quarters!
Eric at 2:50 PM, Friday - May 25th: Eight Rendezvous Pix! Nice Post (again)!
Doug at 7:29 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Nine Rendezvous Pix w/narratives! Nicely done!
Doug at 9:06 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Seven MORE Rendezvous Pix w/narratives!
Fergie at 11:53 AM, Saturday - May 26th: Given the differences in time zones, you provided your Post just about the time Pete ‘n I were pulling into Truro, Nova Scotia aboard VIA Rail's Ocean. Alas, Renaissance cars and no dome <ugh>. However, a great crew and a fine ride, fer sure, fer sure! Thanx, Mate - it was good seeing you again - even if for only a few hours.
Doug at 2:22 PM, Saturday - May 26th: Back with seven MORE Rendezvous Pix ‘n narratives!
Good morning Tom and friends! I couldn't peek and leave without welcoming the boss and Pete back from their trip. Oh yeah ..a light breakfast to go please. The bride and I begin our Parelli horsemanship course today, and I leave in a few minutes. Have to get back to you on the Aerotrain question Pers. I am not an authority on anything unless I happen to stumble accross the answers. Sure enjoyed your informative post!
Sorry about your loss CM3. I have not lost many canines in my life, but each was just the same as losing a member of the family.
Before I run ... here's another set of pictures from the MOT
1965 General American Transportation Company #96500
Built by the General American Transportation Corporation, number 96500 is the world's largest tank car. Used for experimental purpouses, transporting anhydrous ammonia and LP gas, this "Whale Belly" unit carried 60,200 gallons, weighs 220 tons fully loaded and is 96' 7-5/8" long. The Association of American Railroads has since adopted a maximum length not to exceed 89'.
A Russian walks into a bar and orders a beer. "That will be one ruble," says the bartender. "One ruble!" the customer protests, "last week it was only fifty kopeks!" "Well," replies the bartender, "it's fifty kopeks for the beer and fifty kopecs for the perestroika." Reluctantly, the customer gives the bartender a ruble, and is surprised when the bartender gives him back fifty kopecs and says, "We are out of beer."
Leon, just a b... no, wait, I'll have a ham sandwich on rye! Coffee, please!
The boss and his companion are back! Looking forward to a complete report from them ASAP!
Fergie – Tom and Pete are back! Thank you for making sure they didn’t stay for ever! Hope to see you more often here in the future!CM3 – Thanks for the info on Dollywood! I found it on the map in the far southeast coner of the state! I took the picture of the Plymouth at Greenfield Village (Detroit). E&L had 68 SD45, is that correct or did they have some more that aren’t included in your notes? Hope to see that picture some time in a near future! Tom – Welcome back home!! Glad you survived the trip even though you were lost for some time! You better get some rest! Thanks for the drink!Pete – Welcome home!! Hope you had a working camera on the trip!
Not far from Union Station!
A round please RUTH for all.
As TOM has just said we are back from our travels to Canada it was indeed a great time and one which will live in the memory. I will always feel grateful that I was able to sample how the great days of North American railroad travel must have been, with Budd Sleeping cars and a Dome car in a regular service train.As well as a visit to the superb Exporail museum and see, amongst other great exhibits, an ex British Railways A4 Pacific locomotive, Dominium Of Canada and a wonderful time in Halifax NS where we met Fergie.
I, as well, am feeling a bit weary today, so I will read through what look to be some great posts and do my post tomorrow. It is impossible to stay in the sleeping berth when the sun comes up knowing there is a great breakfast and then the wonderful scenery to view from the dome car.
Pete.
Da Boss has returned - but just to let the gang know that Pete 'n I have returned from our jaunt north of the border. A grand time was had and there's lots to show 'n tell - but in due course.
Rather tired as we got back to my haus close to mid-night after a rather full day of reroutings and the like from Montreal to St. Louis. Nothing we couldn't (and didn't) handle, just a very loooooong day.
Suffice it to say that we had a great time riding the rails - Montreal to Halifax - Halifax to Montreal - Montreal to Gaspe - Gaspe to Montreal. A total of four nights aboard - 2 in Renaissance 'n 2 aboard the Budd sleepers! The EXPORAIL facility in Saint-Contstant/Delson, Quebec is FANTASTIC - best I've ever seen - Pete says the same. Just an all 'round wonderful experience. So much to talk about - so little time right now. Later, fer sure, fer sure.
I see the place is still standing and that our Rat's Patoot Brigade has done a commendable job in keeping us "up" on the Forum's Page!
Very, very sad to learn of your loss - CM3 Shane - I KNOW how much it hurts to say goodbye to a great 4-legged buddy. It's perhaps one of those most difficult times we all come to in this thing called life. I consider myself most fortunate to have had so many canine friends - I have a feeling you look at it pretty much the same.
Many thanx for your efforts at the bar - quarters 'n rounds notwithstanding!
Great to see Fergie drop by - twice - to help out here at the Saloon by the Siding. It was a blast seeing him in Halifax and rather sorry we only had hours - not days - to spend there. A great place to visit, over 'n over again.
Thanx for the Email - Eric - and fine Posts since my last.
I see that James provided a Post over on "my other Thread" and here too - good show!
Doug's Pix 'n humor has no equal! Appreciate seeing your efforts as well and hope things have settled down some since we last were together . . .
Haven't had the time to peruse Mike's URLs - but will do! Memorial Day is hardly a "happy" event the way I look at it - but one where sincere appreciation is to be shown and felt by those of us who are reaping the benefits provided throught the sacrifices of others.
Good to see Per again - just unable right now to respond in kind.
If I've missed anyone along the way - apologies in advance!
Ruth, give 'em a drink on me and Boris - ring the bell!
Hope to resume a "normal" schedule beginning either tomorrow or Friday.
Later . . .
Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please, round for the hosue and $ for the jukebox. I'm getting to be like Braxton Bragg, the Confederate general who wrote memos to himself (and answered them!). Anyway, this is something I put on the other of OSP's threads. If, like me, you don't get overe there too often, I thought you might like to see this.
Good Afternoon All.
I don't wander over here all that often, but the picture of the C&O diner caught my attention. The "George Washington" entered service in 1932. The railroad billed its new operation as "The Finest Air Conditioned Train in the World." The special dining car china used on the train was and is extremely populer with dining car china collectors. You might want to take a look at the October, 2006 issue of C&O History which has an excellent, color illustrated story about George Washington China.
If you want to get an insight into how the C&O did things take a look at the article "Chronicle of Ashby's Tavern." This is an excellent survey of dineroperations. You can find it by doing a Dogpile serach, type in Chesapeake and Ohio dining cars and follow the links.
Last is an article titled "Captain of the George." This is on the C&O Historical Soceity's website. Go to the section titled reprinted articles and follow the links.
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. Extra round for Fergie who is keeping track of the folks north of the border.
We did lose a member of the K9 Korps yesterday; he will, indeed, be missed.
I have finished reading through all of the recent posts, so here goes (in no particular order).
Per returns - Good to see you. I enjoyed your architectural/railroad survey of Madrid.
Pete and Dl were by as well.
James - I have the same question - when are you gonna paint the bipolar? Thanks for sharing the pictures. There is a Little Joe on exhibit at the Lake Shore Museum in North East, PA. I spent the better part of a morning g a few years ago crawling all around and though the locomotive. Simple cab layout, for sure; their Joe came from the South Shore Line. Anyway, it was certainly worth getting dirty - not that we ever mind that (LOL).
Eric has been around, too. Dollywood is at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; not too far from Sevierville. Thanks for sharing the pictures of the rendezvous and all of the exhibits. I enjoyed the picture of the Plymouth. I remember being in an underground mine in TN one time that had track haulage and gravity chutes - really neat stuff. They moved cuts of cars around inside the mine with an itty bitty Plymouth. I remember seeing the ELs SD45s in action more than a few times. I may even have a shot of that one somewhere in the slides as I think I photographed most all of them at one time or another. Here's a little info. re E$L SD45s from the notebooks.
3601-3634
EMD
SD45
1967-1968
3635-3653
1969
Leased from N&W; EL 3637 wr. in 1975, ret. to N&W r/b as slug
3654-3668
SDP45
1970
Leased from Girard Trust Bank; EL 3657 and 3667 wr. r/b as SD45-2s
Barndad sent lots a pictures and commentary as well. The shots of St. Louis back in the day were surely a reminder of the way it usta be. I remember seeing somewhere that the TRRA Historical Society (Yes Awk, there is such a group) has recently released a book on the L&N in St. Louis - I think this may be something we will have to add to the collection (it's a curse, I tell you!) The chemical tank car is like one we used to move the punch around at the darts tournament - it also doubles as a chili transporter. Note that's it's lettered for Monsanto in Boston.
OSP sent pictures from everywhere. My, those cars could use a trip through the washer. I enjoyed the shot of da boyz in da Sightseer. We used to have Superliners on 50 and 51 - made for a nice ride along New River, especially in the winter. The tracks through Springfield brought back memories of the old Monon in Lafayette b4 they moved everything around. Also, thanks for the ‘moom pichers at the Theatuh. Good picks all.
My apologies to all if I left anybody out.
Looks as if I'll be holding down my usual a.m. spot here for awhile now that things have quieted down for a few days..
Good Morning All
No sign of our heroic duo yet?
Martha and company: Thank you for the warm greetings. I have frequented this establishment in the past but as I also hang out in the MR and MRF Coffee Shops my time is limited.
Wonderful photos none the less and I look forward to seeing Tom and Pete's latest efforts.
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
Leon, still awake? How about meatlof and mashed potatoes? Haven't had that for a long time.
Very quiet day here today. But I found some interesting info to read!
Per – The latest news about my camera is that there are no parts available. Best Buy has to give me a new camera instead. I think it is strange there are no parts for a camera only 2 1/2 years old (Nikon D70). I like my new camera I bought the evening before leaving for the Rendezvous though. You could say I am coming from Stockholm. But I am 50% “skåning”. My mom was from Skåne and I have a lot of relatives there. I remember those old Class C3 cars you mentioned. I added a diagram of one below. Also a picture showing snow in Skåne (Ljungbyhed) in the 1920’s.
Class C3d.
The AEM-7 is called Toaster because it kind of looks like one (the shape of it) and it radiates heat from the dynamic brake resistors on the roof. Each X2000 trainset is semi permanent coupled together. But when you couple two (or three) trainsets together it is done with an automatic coupler. In Sweden they are configured with one power unit and 4-6 cars (including the cab car). Driving from the Garden of Gods to Albuquerque? Didn’t you drive Interstate 25 then? I-25 will take you through the Raton pass.I have the same opinion as you about St. Louis Union Station and the few remaining tracks. Thanks for the article on the Atocha train station and the museum! I have never been to Spain but I know a few Spanish words!! At least they replaced the old station building with a new terminal. I think the old one looks nicer. RENFE has 11,829 km (7,350 miles) of broad (1668 mm) gauge track, 953 km (592 miles) of standard gauge and 19 km (11.8 miles0 of narrow (1,000 mm) gauge track.Do you know why the COLA was detoured? Through Wylie of all places??CM3 – Sorry to hear the sad news about the K9. I know how it feels to loose a family member.
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; rpund fopr the house and $ for the jukebox.
Won't be able to say too much today as we had to have the oldest member of the K9 Korps put down this a.m. Tough time all 'round.
Will stop by tomorrow.
Good Afternoon everybody present!
Thank you, Tom for those kind welcome-back words and the lunch, both solid and liquid!
Thanks for all the pictures from the Rendezvous. It looks as if it was a success! Maybe another time, if it isn't too far away, I can join you for a Rendezvous.
Yes, it has been a slow couple of days around here, but I guess people have better things to do on a long weekend than to hang out in the Tavern. I can't understand why, but...
I liked the line-up at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre. My favorite was "The Silver Streak" closely followed by "The Lady Vanishes". A good Hitchcock movie is always welcome, especially on a rainy day like we have right now.
I must be an aficionado for train travel. I got used to it early. The first trains I rode had some 2-axle passenger cars with wooden benches, the C3 class, pulled by a J, or Sb class steam engine. Comfortable? NO! But in the summer the great pleasure was to stand outside on the rear platform and watch the landscape go by. It didn't go very fast, but it was fun. And then there was the smell of coal smoke! We don't get to feel that very much any more!
The trip to Fullerton was really good, really! My daughter enjoyed it very much, but she said she was going to write to BNSF and complain about the track! But I must admit it was a bit more than the $300 you paid in 1953! If we had those prices today, Amtrak wouldn't be without passengers. I quickly realized that the sleepers on our train were full, but there were hardly any passengers in the coaches. I tried to get to the last car to take some pictures, but the last car was dead-heading, and thus closed. Bummer.
DL. Yes, I was attending Our Place last year and found the group of people really enjoyable and with a great deal of knowledge that everybody would share freely. Now that I seem to have a little bit more time on my hands, I decided to come back and join you guys again.
Thank you, CMSTPP, for the explanation of the bipolar engine. I have always wondered why it was called that, and now I know! And it looked to me that those long hoods, were just wrapped around the electric motor! Isn't it unusual with gearless motors? I haven't heard of that many engines that have the motors built right on to the axle.
I wish I had done more painting on my cars. I just haven't had the courage to "fire up" that compressor and spray yellow stuff all over the brass. I know I will have to one day and I am slowly building up courage by spray painting other stuff at the club, using just spray cans. I figure if I can get that done, it shouldn't be too much more difficult to do it with an air brush.
The 1928 Hiawatha, was that the train with the very distinct observation car? Or did that car come later?
Pete, thank you for the kind words. Yes, I take a Whatney's or Bass any time over the Bud or Coors. I must say I like it much better than I can spell it, but when I stroll up to the bar, they always understand me. I ordered a Black and Tan at a pub in Knightsbridge once many years ago, and the barkeep wanted to know where I had learned about that. That just happens to be my Father-In-Law's favorite beer. It does taste much better in England (or Scotland - the only two areas of UK I have visited so far) than here in the US. That Blue Anchor you mentioned seems to be a nice place! 5%, eh? I probably shouldn't have too many pints of those.
I'm glad you liked the Feather River story. I had to look it up because it was really strange that Amtrak would be running a loco with a logo from a different road. Now I know why. I just wonder if it was coincidence that the same engine did two WP excursions, or if Amtrak planned it that way. Yeah, I know: "Amtrak planning, you've got to be kidding me".
By the way, Tom added an "S" to my name in one of his posts; it's not supposed to be there. I could make a bad political joke about that, but that's not allowed according to the rules, and I don't want to get the tweet.
Erik, it was too bad about your camera. Hopefully you will get it back soon. Mine turned pink on me during a trip to Boston. It took the almost 4 weeks to "fix" it; all they did was to send me a factory reconditioned camera of the same model.
Where in Sweden do you come form? I'm from the South, Skåne (or Scania - ever heard of the trucks?), and just as in this country, we speak funny in the south, but on the upside, we don't have that much snow in the winter as the folks up north.
Why is the AEM-7 called a toaster? Does it set itself on fire? That's the criteria for me to call something a toaster. Like the "box" (we shall not mention any names) that my wife brought home from work for live testing. Yes, toaster was a very appropriate name for that. Needless to say, it never made it to the market.
Joking aside, are the X2000 units coupled together with an automatic coupler, or is it always a manual task to separate them? The reason I ask is that I believe they run in different configurations, so depending on how easy it is to break them up, they would have to keep different sets on hand at the different terminus (termini?)
I have some more pictures from the trip that I will post eventually. There are some Raton Pass pictures in there as well. I have driven a couple of times through Arizona to New Mexico and Colorado, but I have never come the Raton Pass way. It was close once, but we took another route (through Garden of the Gods - is that the name?) up to ABQ (Hurrah for airport codes, I still can't spell that name).
It's sad to see the tracks going away from the stations, like in your St. Louis picture, but it is better than to tear down the whole building. I wish I had seen the Pennsylvania Station in New York. I stayed at the "Y" across the street and saw the big hole in the ground from where the station had been, but that is as close as I got. But Mike posted a link to a post card from yesteryear. That's a station! Thank you for that link, Mike.
Barndad. Is it an Aerotrain that is on display at the NMRA headquarters? Or is that another train? The CB&Q Silver Rocket is the same type of train as they have at the museum in Chicago, isn't it? I saw that one and I'm glad it's kept in such a good condition. Now, if they only had done the same with the UP M-10000, but that one is long gone.
So there are eight Big Boys left. I have seen three of them: One in each place I li
Leon! Just a cup of coffee! You keep the change!
A new work week is about to start. My vacation is just a memory. But a very good memory!
Doug – More nice pictures from the Rendezvous! So that is why our pictures are similar!? You followed me? I thought it was the other way around. You certainly got a better picture of EMD #103 than I did.
Mike – Thanks for all links with appropriate picutres for this day! I liked the pictures of St. Louis Union Station. It looked kind of different back then.
Not from the Rendezvous.
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the heroes
Brooklyn Army Terminal in World War II
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/13300/13355v.jpg
Coast Guard vessel in the Pacific
http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-191.jpg
FDR
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c20000/3c28000/3c28700/3c28758v.jpg
Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic
http://photoswest.org/photos/00011501/00011509.jpg
http://muse.museum.montana.edu/rvndb/rvnjpeg_img_rec.php?objno=RVN33281
Kirkwood station
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/mo/mo0200/mo0264/photos/098305pv.jpg
Postcard
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/data/505/94MO_-_St_Louis_-_Union_Station_1_-_Birds_eye_View.jpg
New York Central
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c00000/3c01000/3c01900/3c01996v.jpg
PRR
http://photoswest.org/photos/00014376/00014453.jpg
Burlington
http://www.gatewaynmra.org/articles/photos/mtz-stlouis.jpg
Mopac
http://www.mopac.org/photos_diesel/mp8018.jpg
Calvin Coolidge
http://virtuallymissouri.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=1bcca18264f80baeaf41a006614d3318;xc=1;g=vm;q1=union%20station;rgn1=dc_de;c=arpostic;c=bchsic;c=bchspostic;c=beckeric;c=bollingic;c=claytonic;c=devilic;c=fruitic;c=greenwoodic;c=joplinic;c=jplcarthageic;c=jplpb02ic;c=jplpb13ic;c=jplzincic;c=kelleyic;c=mainstreetic;c=mercic;c=merclibic;c=missakianic;c=mizzouy19kic;c=mobotic;c=platic;c=porteric;c=scoresic;c=slamic;c=sluwewic;c=ucityic;c=umcaairic;c=umcabasketic;c=umcadairyic;c=umcahomeic;c=whistleic;c=zephic;evl=full-image;quality=3;view=entry;subview=detail;lasttype=boolean;cc=mercic;entryid=x-gdgps0203.jpg;viewid=GDGPS0203.JPG;start=1;resnum=18
Mike
Hi guys! I'll have a bottomless draught, and buy a round for the house. I think the of us did pretty good today! Guess that Tom and Pete are doomed for certain in the Canadian snows though. Glad you liked the pix James. I have to post them before anyone else does, so it's a bit of a race to post first, since I followed Eric everywhere he went, and took the same pix! Here's a good example, as Eric already posted Kirkwood Station photos. Here are my pictures of the Kirkwood Station
This station is manned by a completely volunteer organization.
Tom takes a picture of a model of the station
Wartime artwork inside the Kirkwood station
Back in the St. Louis MOT, we see Eric examining General Motors #103
Number 103 is a cab unit of the first successful main line, diesel-electric freight locomotive in America, built by GM in 1939. Two cabs and two booster units comprised the 5,400-hp locomotive, which was known as "The Diesel That Did It." The demonstrator proved the efficiency of diesel power compared to the steam power on freight trains (diesels had already been replacing steam for switching and passenger duties). Geared for a top speed of 75 mph, the diesel consistently out-pulled steam power, including the modern Santa Fe 5000-class engines. It was eventually sold the Southern Railway, which it donated in 1960. The locomotive was declared a National Engineering Landmark in 1982.
A ducks walks into a bar and asks, "Got any grapes?" The bartender, confused, tells the ducks that no, his bar doesn't serve grapes. The duck thanks him and leaves. The next day, the duck returns and says, "Got any grapes?" Again, the bartender tells him that, no, the bar does not serve grapes, has never served grapes, and, furthermore, will never serve grapes. The duck, a little ruffled, thanks him and leaves. The next day, the duck returns, but before he can say anything, the bartender begins to yell: ''Listen, duck! This is a bar! We do not serve grapes! If you ever ask for grapes again, I will nail your stupid duck beak to the bar!'' The duck is silent for a moment, and then asks, ''Got any nails?'' Confused, the bartender says no. ''Good!'' says the duck. ''Got any grapes?''
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