<from my personal collection>
Wednesday's Witticism
Treat mule-headed men the same way you'd treat a mule your fixin' to corral. Don't try to drive ‘em in. Just leave the gate open a crack and let ‘em bust in.
G'day Gents!
Mid-week in mid-continent USA where petrol is now at
The Mentor Village Bakery case is chock full o' great treats, our Menu Board has some fine <light> and <traditional> breakfasts to order and the coffee's freshly ground ‘n brewed! What are you waitin' for???? <grin>
Rendezvous arrivals TOMORROW!
I expect to be "busy" throughout the get together, so things ‘round here will be "different" - probably no acknowledgments for awhile - we'll see how things work out.
With Eric, Pete, Doug ‘n Moi all doing "things" away from the bar, it comes down to who's left . . . Hopefully we'll get a Post in the AM - Noon ‘n mid to late afternoon from the guys . . . "batch" Postings really don't help when it comes to keeping us "up on the Forum's Page." Space ‘em out, Gents - it makes far more sense that way. Thanx!
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative on Monday):
Pete at 5:12 PM Monday: Great having you aboard as I was beginning to think you were being held captive down there in southwestern MO!! <grin>
Fine inclusive - informative ‘n interesting Post from the Wolfman, Bar Chandler Supreme of "Our" Place!
Sorry, but your Pix didn't come thru - must be those Gremlins again! <groan>
Answered part of your "Quiz" yesterday . . .
Good talking to you on Monday and looks as if we're all set for not only the Rendezvous but our upcoming trip to Canada and the two round trips aboard VIA Rail. Speaking of which, I read some disturbing "stuff" in my quarterly newsletter from Transport 2000 Canada, an organization supportive of rail and public transportation throughout Canada.
This issue discussed the absence of federal funding for VIA Rail in the new budget. IF that were to remain as is, service to 450 Canadian communities by those passenger trains will come to a halt. Ottawa has refused to support VIA Rail's plea for increases in the budget due to inflation and rising fuel costs, holding their operating costs to $169 annually. This time, there's NO money allocated.
An item that "jumped" out at me was the reference to the court-ordered mandate to comply with the Supreme Court ruling to make the Renaissance cars fully accessible to the handicapped. VIA Rail has no money to comply, inferring that those cars may have to be taken off the Montreal-Halifax and Montreal-Quebec routes.
Also a capital program to refurbish the F40 locomotives is heading to a downward spiral as budget dollars dwindle. A major part of this endeavor is to get those locos to reduce energy consumption while cutting emissions and noise - also mandated by government.
Too bad this newsletter isn't available on line, for it is chock full of very interesting and current information for those of us who support passenger rail services in the U.S. and Canada.
We may very well be riding aboard trains destined for sidings down the line . . .
James at 6:35 PM Monday: My guess is that someone must've put out at least one book on the heralds used by the railroads, for they surely are captivating to look at. The drumheads used by the RRs back in the glory days of passenger railroading were reflective of the way the marketing was done then.
Passenger RRs competed with one another for the passengers. There was a real competition going on throughout the nation, and in Canada, for the dollar. Canadian Pacific against Canadian National and Grand Trunk Western. Clean and freshly painted cars with heralds that caught the eye were all part of the scheme. Name recognition of the trains as well. Many used those names as opposed the RR - for example, "I'm taking the Canadian," or the Ocean or the Super Continental etc. Here in the states it was similar with the 20th Century Limited, the Broadway Limited, the Super Chief, and on ‘n on.
Recognition was everything and there was a sense of pride in keeping those trains looking sharp. Life was far different than today . . .
You made reference to being around this week. As you've undoubtedly noted, this is going to be a rather difficult time for the bar and it will extend to the end of the month with the absences of many guys. You and anyone else can help out just by making a Post a day.
Good to see ya!
And yeah, Boris' Shed is in dire need of being taken over to Can-Am gorge and thrown into it! It's not good . . . <ugh>
Saw your Post on "my other Thread" on Tuesday . . .
Eric at 12:59 AM Tuesday: A finale from our Resident Desert Swede who is heading east today! Let the games begin (or something like that)!
I'm not even sure there is a Hooters at Union Station . . . but no shortage on brunettes! <grin>
Maps are deceiving for the distance between Toronto and Brantford may not look that far, but the route Rob took made us wonder if we shudda packed a lunch! <grin>
Good news about the Doc's visit - I'm heading to one of those this afternoon. Hopefully this will be "it" for awhile. Getting to know these guys far too well lately . . .
Sounds like you are experiencing a similar situation with your camera that I had with SONY and a digital photo printer that I had sent away for repair at considerable expense to me. A nightmare in all respects and I wound up getting a new model with far fewer "bells ‘n whistles" than the first one had. Probably the last SONY product I'll ever own.
That X2000 against the background of the CN Tower is a "keeper" fer sure, fer sure!
Just realized that you'll probably not read this ‘til the Rendezvous is either underway or over . . . Getting close, eh
Pete at 4:16 PM Tuesday: Something new ‘n something old, nice blend for your daily inclusive, informative ‘n interesting Post!
Good Evening Gents!
Continuing on with our experiences at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Toronto (2006) . . . .
Initially Posted on Page 338 of the original Thread . . . .More from Day 1 - May 12th, 2006:Toronto (TTC) Subway carsTom ‘n Ted "fuzzy" on the TTC Subway!The best sides of Rob ‘n Ted - exiting the TTC Subway!"Our" Carlton Street (TTC) trolley"Our" Carlton Street (TTC) trolley - interior, looking aft at Ted ‘n RobToronto's Maple Leaf Gardens on Carlton Street - vacated"Our" Carlton Street (TTC) trolley - interior, looking forward - and yes, that's TROLLEYBOY (at least half of him!)"Our" Carlton Street (TTC) trolley"Our" Carlton Street (TTC) trolley
Enjoy! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Have a safe trip Eric! Good to see ya Pete 'n thanx for the visit Shane! Acknowledgments in the morning! Tom
Hi Tom and all
A pint of Holden's mild please RUTH.
JAMES Great to see you in, hope those thunderstorms and the large hail have passed by and you get some calm weather for a long time.
90733 has steamed after her overhaul and I dare say it is back on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for running in turns before taking part in the normal steam fleet on the railway. If I hear some more about 90733 I will let you know, no doubt there will be some photos in the English railway magazines of her working.
There really seems something special about steam heating that electric heating on trains cannot seem to match. Luckily it is still possible to travel in a steam-heated compartment car on preserved lines in Britain, with individual wall lights and the main lights in the compartment with a switch to dim the lights, also a switch to control the steam heat. Most of the heating on the modern trains in the UK seem too hot to me.
Many thanks for that Milwaukee Road video. Great scenes of the electric locomotives, great to see a BI-Polar in action. Liked the music with the video but it would have been great to hear those locos. I guess there were some sound recordings of those electrics in action.
ERIC Sorry to hear about the camera, that sounds a rotten deal on a new one.
Great photo of the X2000 with the CN Tower in the background.
It was an AM-7 we had between Providence RI and Boston when we were up in that area.They seem to have been a really good buy for Amtrak.
No doubt if the Monarch could not get out of a railway car today there would be no end of television cameras to record the embarrassment.
Have a safe journey to St Louis and will see you in a couple of days.
CM3 Thanks for the info on the ‘Pooches', I found a website that had photos of all of the locos in the class, they were impressive looking locos. The site said that all of the P30 CHs were scrapped.
I will ask the bride about the Boy Scout Memorial and next time I am in KC I will try to have a look at those sculptures from Penn Station and hopefully get a photo.
Many thanks for the wishes for the rendezvous it would have been great if you could have joined us, hopefully the next one.
TOM Good to talk to you yesterday. I see it is the same weather forecast in your area as it is here, with after, the rain today, cooler but sunny, although Eric may miss the nearly 90F temps, mid 70sF is fine with me.
Many thanks for the Wyatt Earp answer (I had been told he was born in Missouri) really enjoyed the link to the Illinois breweries. I had to open section called ‘Liquid Solutions'. I noticed they stocked an ale from the UK called Dalesmans ‘Old Legover' (if I recall correctly the was an old stile on the label and it was quite a good ale).
Enjoyed the photos from the first rendezvous, ours is just 2 days away now, perhaps one day I will able to have a beer or two in the St George's Alms.
I have borrowed this from TOM from page 137 of the old Our Place.
GREAT BRITAIN PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #3 from multiple sources Here's something to ponder with regard to our appreciation and fascination with Classic Trains, this time from Great Britain! Check this pre-WWI poster out! LONDON & NORTH WESTERN & CALEDONIAN RAILWAYS TRAVEL BY WEST COAST ROUTE BETWEEN ENGLAND & SCOTLAND Comfort - Punctuality - Speed QUICKEST & BEST ROUTE BETWEEN ALL PARTS of ENGLAND and SCOTLAND PASSENGERS BY THE WEST COAST ROUTE MAY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF TRAVELLING BY THE NEW "GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR" DINING CAR TRAINS of the CALEDONIA COMPANY in SCOTLAND. WEST COAST NIGHT EXPRESS LONDON (Euston) & SCOTLAND The Finest Vehicles in Europe, Vestibule Throughout. BREAKFAST, LUNCHEON & DINING CARS. Passengers traveling between England and the North of Scotland can go via EDINBURGH (Princes Street) and break their journey there, in both directions, without extra charge or inconvenience, and after visiting the places of interest in Edinburgh, resume their journey North or South from the same Station by the "GRAMPIAN CORRIDOR or other Express Trains. Enjoy!
And my reply from the same page
Another great G. B. nostalgia. I suspect the Caledonian Grampian Corridor coaches would be quite similar to the L&NWR stock, though I am not too sure about that. The Caledonian had some very handsome locomotives and the passenger ones was painted Caledonian blue. There is a magnificent Single Wheeler #123 preserved in Glasgow as part of the Scottish collection. As NICK says there was great rivalry at the time. In Scotland the Caledonian main competitors were the Glasgow & South Western rly. Between Glasgow and Ca
Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house; $ for the jukebox. Belated 25th Monthly anniversary greetings, but this is the first chance I have had in awhile to get to the computer. Gas is $3.16 here this a.m.
Lots of material to look at and I am finally getting caught up.
Comments and then answers to questions.
Lars seems to be getting settled in; I'll bet he becomes our resident beach master.
Pete sent comments and Rob forwarded some more Canadian locomotive history.
Eric sent some interesting pictures. I liked the one of the approach to Hell Gate. Folks don't realize what a large structure that is until they ride over it, or better yet stand on the ground looking up.
Barndad provided a 261 schedule. I watched her go right by my father in law's place when they ran over the old BR&P south from Buffalo - Can't do that now can we?
OSP sent all sorts of material including drumheads, a brochure for upcoming "classes" at MADDOG (Mentor Applied Design and Dramaturgy Gatheratorium). What's that Boris? Oh, Gatheratorium is a new word I came up with for "meeting place." It's like an auditorium with a bar and police protection.
The movies are good ones as well; have Wyatt Earp on the shelf at home and have seen Tin Cup.
Some folks had some questions awhile back.
The term "Pooch" is a nickname for the GE P30CH. These were all built for Amtrak between 1975 and 1976, and carried ATK #s 700-724. They were basically U30s in passenger engine bodies. The Pooch ran all over the Amtrak system. I remember seeing (and riding behind) them on AT 50/51 a lot. They also operated on the RF&P. Later, most of them went west and spent a lot of time in California. Eventually they drifted back east and, in their last year if IIRC, were based in New Orleans. They were powerful enough and had that fine U-boat sound when accelerating.
Eric's picture of the operator at Paoli elicited a question about the Main Line. This was and is one of the wealthiest areas in the U.S. A lot of the land was at one time owned by the PRR who subdivided it for the purpose of large estates and "comfortable country" living for the elite of Philadelphia. Paoli is smack in the middle of the Main Line. The "Paoli Local" was a train celebrated for the wealth of its passengers. Sort of like the "Dude Train" on the New Haven.
Speaking of the P Company, I received my R&LHS Newsletter in the mail today. Therein is an article titled, "These Two Ladies Live in Kansas City...They Used to Live in New York." It talks about the sculptures that were on Penn Station in New York which were preserved and moved to Kansas City.
They are now part of a Boy Scout Memorial in a park in KC which is at 39th and Gilham. At least they were saved. The item in the park was once over the 7th Ave. entrance at Penn Station. Lovely stuff. Maybe our Missouri folks can seek them out the next time they go to KC.
Heartbreaking is that a lot of artifacts were dumped in the Jersey Meadows. Quick, barmaid, a couple of fingers of the good stuff - I'll go sit by the window for awhile and ponder all of this.
I hope all of you have a most excellent rendezvous. Wish I could be there, but I will be in the heartland of the Confederacy (no Awk, not Connecticut!) until Friday when I will try and visit again. Safe travels, all.
Work safe
A few more Pix from last year's Rendezvous in Toronto . . .
Initially Posted on Page 338 on the original Thread . . . Just a continuing sample of what we experienced at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Toronto! . . . . . .More from Day 1 - May 12th, 2006:TTC subway at Colllege station stopCollege TTC subway stationTTC subway at College station stopHere comes the subway train!Boarding VIA Rail at Union StationTed boarding VIA Rail coach #8306 bound for Brantford!VIA Rail coach #8306St. George Arms - Day is Done!That's it for Day 1 - the "official" Rendezvous Day!If you are browsing, how about letting the guys know that you've enjoyed their efforts!Enjoy!Tom
Customer Acknowledgments tomorrow (Wednesday) - but mention is made of visits by Pete - James 'n Eric!
WEATHER REPORT for the Rendezvous: Supposed to be a marvelous 4 days with no rain, clear skies and temps in the 70s!! Awwwwwright.
Pete: Wyatt Earp was born in Monmouth, Illinois - but the "beer can" answer is up to you. Here's a link to the Illinois breweries: http://beerme.com/breweries/us/il/index.shtml
So when you provide the answer, remember where Monmouth is geographically located!
Eric: Drive safely, Mate and before you know it, the Rendezvous will be underway! And, my flight was non-stop to St. Louis from Toronto whereas Ted had to fly to Atlanta to get to Tampa . . .
Slim pickin's on Monday and perhaps even moreso throughout the week . . . I'm going to provide "something" each day during the Rendezvous - but it will be just to keep things "up 'n running" - probably early morning. Rest is up to whoever gives a Rat's Patoot!
More 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Toronto 2006 Pix will be comin' up!
Tom
Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, just a cup of coffee! I can't stay long at all. Have to get things ready for the Rendezvous!
Tom – I also like Kevin Costner’s movies! Using a walker? That must be her! I remember she used it to hit customers with a bad attitude in the head! My visit to AZ Heart Inst. went well. I’ll see my doc when I get home. That thing in the sky was something very strange, to say the least. A bunch of very nice pictures from Toronto and the 1st Rendezvous! You certainly had very nice awards! Did you have to fly to Tampa and then back to St. Louis from Toronto? Brantford, where... oh, I found it on the map! Not too far from Toronto. I like Toronto Union Station! As I mentioned before, I don’t understand why I didn’t take any pictures of the inside when I was there? But I took this shot outside of the CN Tower.Pete – I went to Best Buy tonight and asked for my camera. It is still in California! I wanted them to give me a great deal on a new camera and they offered me $60 off!!! Great deal! We will continue our discussions tomorrow, Tuesday. You are right, I miss Nick too! Correct, it is Hell Gate Bridge in that picture! Amtrak AEM-7 is a version of the Swedish State Railways Class Rc4. AEM-7 has more hp, geared for a higher speed and the front looks different. So the King didn’t like that they couldn’t open the door? Bad luck! James – You are right, those cab shots are from the X2000. The city in the background is Philadelphia, we were approaching 30th Street Station.It is not a smoke trail in the sky. It was a bright light that was sitting still in the sky for a long time (changing colors doing so) and then moved and passed in front of us. Don’t ask me what it was, I don’t know. No airplane was in sight. Nice video of the Milwaukee Road’s Electrics! Thanks!!
This will be all for this week! Tomorrow night I am going to bed early so i can hit the road early Wednesday morning.
Eric
G-day Tom and all present!
Well, summer is in full swing with Thunderstorms, and some really nasty ones too. Yike, we had some really big hail here not to long ago. I did get some pictures of it so I will try to get them posted as soon as possible. Outside of that, we have been working on the house and things have been quite busy but that is expected when summer rolls around. But I have time now for a post or two.
Leon- I will have a coffee along with a turkey sandwich, thanks. Oh and a round for the guys too, thanks again!
Eric- I know I didn't bring a camera this time but I will next time. In fact I will be down in Minneapolis a couple more times this summer and I will get some pictures then. For now you will just have to go off from the website. Some nice in cab pictures you have there. I'm guessing that it's the X2000 by the look of the cab. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you also showed the Grand Canyon train. You may have showed it to everyone else but, I hadn't seen it yet. They certainly have a nice train ride.
And some more nice pictures of the X2000, especially the one with the city in the background. What city is it Even though it's a little blurry I can still see it quite well. It's a nice pic indeed. Thanks again. And... Well I don't know what to make of the interesting looking smoke trail in the sky That's a lot of moving for a plane to make. So I wonder what made it. Did you see a airplane or anything that could have made it
CM3- Thanks for the list of sleeping cars on the NKP and NYC. I suppose most of these cars have been scrapped. I wonder if a friend of mine could locate any that survive?
Tom- Some nice ads you have there on the Santa fe. That Indian is how I've always recognized the passenger trains. Just a really classic look into the past! Thanks for sharing.
I noticed that Eric mentioned the "shed"....... Is that thing already a mess!! I just cleaned that less than two weeks ago!! I also hope it doesn't become a tweetable oh-fence. That would be bad for my health.... I always seem to do that when I know I should bring a camera any way.
Thanks for the nice UP heralds. Glad you posted them because I didn't know they had that many of them. I suppose some were used on passenger trains and on special locomotives. Some cool stuff there. Again with the Illinois Central, I didn't know there were that many heralds. Thanks for sharing.
Ah yes, HAPPY 25th MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!!! I'm glad to see that this place has gotten this far. Now let see it go another 25 months. I will certainly be there all the way!!
The learning center.. Now that would be funny to watch.. I really liked the bathroom etiquettes! That was funny. Thanks for sharing. Well, if I'm brave enough, in a couple of years I might have to take one......... and then again, maybe not.
It looks to me like you guys had some fun on those rendezvous. Some really cool pics to go along with them too. Now I have a face to match Rob with. What a nice city to be in too. Toronto is one nice looking city from the water. Thanks for all the great pics.
Pete- A flying Scotsman in O gauge. I have seen one of those before at a train show in Chicago and they are really impressive. $2500 is a lot of money but if the train you have been looking for, it's worth having and you know it will keep it's value for as long as you have it. Also thanks for the link to the steam loco 1931/ 90733. They are doing some really extensive work on that loco. But it is cool that they are doing all that work to get that thing up and running. Plus it will look really nice when it is finished. Do you know how long it's going to take to complete all the work needed to be done
Nice little story you have there on your trip. I would have loved to stay in a car with steam heat. I'm sure it would have been a cozy little ride on a really cold night. I can just imagine sitting back in the coach seat and falling asleep. It would certainly be nice to experience that, but alas. Thanks for the story. Very cool.
Ah yes big UP power. I see some of the UP trains clamor up to Duluth just to "try" and get into the CN's already screwed up train schedule. The CN has been having some problems in Canada and has a back lashing affect across the railroad. So the UP trains are becoming more frequent. But some nice pics of the big SDs and Dash 9s. Also a nice pic of Amtrak.
Quiz Question...... let me get back to you on that...
Mike- Do I wish my uncle could spare me a few million dollars.. I would do some wonderful things in the real world of trains. I tell you, the Penn Central was not looking the greatest. I can't believe the two railroads even when they merged together into one railroad. The railroad need a man who could rule with an iron fist. All this bickering between the green and red teams need to
Hi Tom and all.
A Pint of Bathams please RUTH and a round for the 25th month anniversary of Our Place and for ROB and Doug's very welcome return, at the same time Friday as well.
ROB Glad you have recovered from that nasty illness and it is great to see you back in the bar again, H&H will be pleased they will have another taker for their steak. Congratulations on your promotion.
Many thanks for Part 3 of the Classic Diesels #43.
Interesting that the comfort cab was first introduced in Canada and now is the standard in North America. It is good that the ‘Empress of Agincourt' was saved after its 35 years of service with the CPR.
There is an amazing photo in the latest issue of the Railway Magazine (British). It shows a scene at Sackville New Brunswick of a Canadian National GE 9-44CW hauling no less than 14 new class 66s for transport to Europe, 9 of which are destined for Britain. One of the main things that show up in the photo is the small size of the 66s(due to the loading gauge) compared to the CN locomotive.
I am sure you will have a great time in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Yes come and join Boris and I in Molly Throttlebottoms typing class, it is great fun, and we will have a Guinness for you at the rendezvous.
DOUG. Great to see you in at the bar. What a great set of tours with the Royal Hudson # 2816 and the Milwaukee Road #261. Are you planning to have a ride behind them when the train is running in the Chicago area.
Really hope you are felling OK today after all that hard work you put in on the tilling.
MIKE More Penn-Central merger details; it must have been a very sad time for the employees and fans of the two great lines.
Thanks for the great links. I noticed the streetcar in the 1941 photo and the newsreel was well worth waiting to load, the sound was loud and clear as well. Thanks for sharing.
ERIC I shall probably be using my 35mm camera at the rendezvous.
The trip I posted Friday was planned at fairly short notice once we had managed to get a room at the pub in Penally. We decided on an overnight trip to get the most time in West Wales, while we were there we had a local area Railrover that gave unlimited travel in the vicinity we were staying. In the week it was valid from 9:30 am but at weekends there was no time limit so it was valid from Swansea on the day we arrived. Luckily all the passenger branch lines that were open we went in the early 1970s are still open today. This is the area the much-missed NICK lives.
Many thanks for those photos from the cab Is one of the photos of the Hell Gate Bridge in New York and the Amtrak electric locomotive looks quite European from that angle.
Your photo of the door on the X2000 reminded me of what happen in the early 1900s when the then King Edward used the train to visit Gospel Hall in the East Midlands of England. The nearest station is Shackerstone on an ex L&NWR line from Nuneaton to Coalville/Moira. So the King wound not have too steep a drop to the platform a part of the platform was raised, apparently the portion of the platform was raised too high and when the train was stopped and the King's car lined up with the red carpet the car door could not be opened no doubt causing much embarrassment. Apparently this put the King in a foul mood, according to a local newspaper at the time, with him not acknowledging the crowd who had come to see him.
Shackerstone station still survives today at one end of a preserved steam railway, the other end of the line is at Shenton near to the site of the Battle of Bosworth in the War of the Roses. The raised part of the platform is still visible at Shakerstone, the station holds a great little museum and it is a pleasant train ride in the Leicestershire countryside.
As to the photo from the plane.
LARS Very glad you are able to come to the bar while you are in the Keys. It is great the equipping of the new home is going along well, it is good Phil and his bride is able to give you a hand and help with the local customs there. You certainly earned your day on the boat relaxing yesterday.
Thanks for the good wishes for the rendezvous, it would have been great to have you there, anyway we shall, no doubt, and raise a glass or two for you.
When RUTH finds out about Elena it will be the Bathams through the cooler again
DL Glad you arrived in Canada safely and are able to join us at the bar.
YES the biggest shock to the system here was the beer (and Mosquitoes). Luckily there
Some more from last year's 1st Annual Rendezvous in Toronto . . .
Initially Posted on Page 330 of the original Thread . . .
Just a sample of what we experienced at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in Toronto! . . . . . .Day 1 - May 12th, 2006:Brantford, Ontario VIA Rail stationBrantfordsiberianmo - Theodorebear ‘n trolleyboy!CN GP9 at work!VIA Rail arriving!Way to go, VIA Rail!Toronto bound!Arrived, Toronto!Toronto's Union Station main hallToronto's Union StationUnion Station & CN TowerA keepsake!Enjoy! Tom
Just been thinking 'bout last year's Rendezvous in Toronto and thought some Pix might be in order . . . some of you have seen 'em before, but they're worth a re-visit!
Initially Posted on Page 336 of the original Thread . . .
1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous! Toronto, Canada - May 11th - 14th, 2006 Thursday, May 11th: Arrival day - Check-in at hotel, Brantford, Ontario Evening social & dinner at the St. George Arms, St. George, Ontario (Rob - Ted ‘n Tom) Friday, May 12th: Official Rendezvous Day! (Rob - Ted ‘n Tom) - 9:03 AM VIA Rail #70 from Brantford to Toronto (Union Station) - "Walk about" & brunch at Tim Horton's - 12: 13 PM GO Transit train #916 (Lakeshore Corridor) from Union Station to Pickering - 1:00 PM GO Transit train #917 from Pickering to Union Station - 2:00 - 4:00 PM: TTC subways (Yellow line) ‘n trolleys (Carlton Street line) - 4:00 - 5:00 PM "Happy Hour!" (Union Station bistro) - 5:15 PM VIA Rail #83 from Union Station to Brantford Evening "business" meeting, awards ceremony, drinks ‘n dinner at the St. George Arms! Saturday, May 13th: Extra day! (Heather - Rob - Ted ‘n Tom) - Late morning brunch followed by visits to the Halton County Steetcar and Electric Railway Museum and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton, Ontario. Evening awards ceremony for Heather, ‘n dinner at the St. George Arms! Sunday, May 14th: Getaway Day! (Ted ‘n Tom) to Tampa to St. Louis Enjoy - we did! Tom
A smile to begin the week!
I double checked it six times.
(A Yogi-ism!)
This is Rendezvous in St. Louis Week - 2nd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous - begins with the arrival of the crew on Thursday!
Monday has rolled ‘round once again and time for a hot mug of coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a Menu Board selection of a <light> or <traditional> breakfast!
Petrol dropped to $3.02 (rounded) last time I was up at "Collusion Corner," which by the way is now down to ONE station. The Shell ‘n Phillips 66 are being modernized with only Mobil left. Makes little or no difference, as I've seen the SAME tanker trucks delivering to 2 of the 3 and the prices are more times than not exactly the SAME!
Had a great weekend, weather wise and otherwise - hope the same for y'all as well!
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative on Saturday):
Lars at 2:55 PM Saturday: A visit from Marathon in the Keys by our Manager, the Larsman! Sounds like you and your family have had enough to keep you busy in outfitting your new digs. Figured the bride would find lots of ways to keep the economy down there in a "healthy" state!
So, Elena has found you, eh I KNEW there'd be a "price' to pay for that elegant bar she and the "girls" sent up here shortly after the Super Bowl. I don't even want to know what Ruth will have to say about all of THIS!! <arrrggghhh>
Not trying to be prophetic or anything like that, BUT - things in life happens and it all is "charged" to that thing we call CHANGE! To survive, one simply has to make the adjustments to those CHANGES. Sure, we'll miss not having you with us for the Rendezvous, but life moves on, eh
Nothing more from BK than I've passed to the guys by Email some time ago . . .
Enjoyed the "report" and please pass our regards to Phil - would surely like to see him visit the bar!
Oh yes - CONGRATS are in order for making the 2,000th Post over on "my other Thread"!!
Eric at 8:57 PM Saturday: A rare but most welcomed visit from our Resident Desert Swede! Thought for sure this place was in the "tank" for the rest of the day, but there you were - on your stool and at the bar.
Thanx for the Pix clarification - I still cannot figure out the "original"!! Don't do that, I confuse easily!
All of your cab shots came through in flying colors - looked great!
While I'm no golf aficionado, the movie "Tin Cup" is a good one. But I'm biased, as I enjoy Kevin Costner's flicks. The Three Stooges, now there's a group of nit-wits I NEVER got "into" - just too slapstick for my tastes. Surely "classics" in all regards and the focus of many a "cult" following - just not me.
Count down is nearing the zero hour - drive safely, Mate - we're all looking forward to this get together. Brunette at Hooters?? Hmmmmm, I think there is one using a "walker" if that's what you mean! <grin>
Doug at 9:11 PM Saturday: And another surprise, this time from our Barn Weevil. Hey man - "ditch" that Pix and go back to the Hoss!
I've done my time behind tillers - no thanx! In fact I have one that I'll GIVE AWAY - just too much for me to handle with the maladies that have overtaken my aging body these days. It's a man killer fer sure, fer sure!
Good seein' ya on Saturday nite!
Rob at 9:22 PM ‘ n 9:44 PM Saturday: A double-header from the trolleyMAN to round out the surprises for the nite!
Amazing that we can now say that the 1st Annual Rendezvous was OVER a year past - time flies, eh We had a FULL day of rail travel aboard VIA Rail, GO Transit and TTC trolley and subway, followed by a Saturday at the trolley and heritage warplane museums, with 3 nights at a Pub that one would have to go far ‘n wide to find an equal. It was indeed a fine Rendezvous. Only "downer" is it didn't last another day!
Appears you've been promoted to "something" - so CONGRATULATIONS - drinks on the trolleyMAN!!
Rendezvous Pix appreciated! Wonder if Ted ever "checks us out"?? Probably not.
Hopefully your trip aboard the "Ocean" will be a fun time. With all I've provided regarding the equipment (Renaissance ‘n Budd) you should have everything ‘n more to help you along the way. The observation dome (Park Car) is only accessible to those who purchase the Easterly Class accommodations. Just another way to squeeze some extra bucks from the paying passengers.
Hm, I have to talk to Manager Lars to install better lights here so I can find the mail slot. Here it is!
A warm Sunday/weekend is almost over. Two more days and I'll be on my way!
Doug – Hope you managed to plant everything you intended to this sunny Sunday! Getting old is not always fun. I am going to take some kind of heart test this Monday morning. The first test was not conclusive. I guess that is why we have doctors. Rob – Remembering the first Rendezvous, huh? Too bad you can’t come to this one! You are right about the wide cabs. The workers on the picture didn’t move. Neither did we with the train. They were installing magnets for our tests. Some parts of Penn station are like catacombs, you are right! Thanks for the pictures from the first Rendezvous a year ago!! You obviously did and saw a lot of different things then! Lars – So that is how you make the days pass by, watching paint dry!?! I never tried that one! Living in 100+° would make you strange? Absolutley, that is how one survive here!Elena found you? Wow, was that a coincedence? Just happened to bump into you, huh? I am sure the brunette at Hooters doesn’t look the same today as she did 14 years ago. I don’t, but she was very good looking then and I wasn't. DL – Good to see that you made it across the Atlantic without any other problems than catching the wrong bus.
Talking about the Atlantic, this picture shows something I saw over the Atlantic last August. It was a round object that did not move. It was dark when I took the picture so the camera was open for several seconds and moved. That is why it looks like someone drew a line. Thanks to that it is possible to see that the object changed colors, white, red, green and blue.
Enlargement of the object:
Hello Tom
Pint of good old british mild please. I've borrowed a puter breifly so can thanks those of you who have kindly sent messages. Very thoughtfull. I've not seen any heavy rail action yet, but I did get a good ride on the TTC subway - airport bus I got on was the w rong one - i was too stupid to check the route number - that what 8 hours in the sardine can does to you. Got to see parts of Toronto not seen before though (other half reckoned I did it on purpose) no great harm done cos the great TTC all connects up in such a good way you can never go too wrong!. Family duties most of the time but mya be I'll squeeze in a trip to union tomorrow.
Some great pics up here can see them all heer unlike on my own PC!
Pete - I just gotta ask - no offence to the host nation here - but what do you do for beer? It just is not the same!!!
All the best to you all and once again thanks for the messages.
what would I have given to have dropped down in Halifax and completed the journey by VIA!
DL
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers waiting for the bar to open!
Thought I'd slip this through the mail slot just to let y'all know that things are fine down here in the Keys. A day of rest and we all surely have earned it! Been that kinda week. <phew>
Noticed that Rob, the trolleyMAN, Doug the barn weevil and Eric the Desert Fox turned Saturday night into something special. Nice going guys!
Would've been a real shame to have me as the only customer yesterday, especially on the 25th month anniversary day. Great to see youse guys and I'm sure Cap'n Tom feels likewise.
Man, I'm a sucker for those western flicks, just love ‘em! There were so many good ones in years past, but I think the productions of let's say the last 10-15 years have really been great. Movies like Wyatt Earp, Tombstone and The Unforgiven are a few that come to mind. I like ‘em! Nice selections for the Emporium, for sure. I'm not much on golf though . . . rather watch paint dry! <grin>
Gotta tell y'all, this IS the life! Phil took us all out on his boat this morning and it was just a lazy, layed back day. Caught some fish, drank some brew, told some lies, just an all ‘round good time.
Nice to see Rob back amongst the living and the pix from the Toronto gathering brought back a reminder or two of the way it used to be ‘round here. So what ever happened to Ted?? Last I heard was by email and he said something about being busy and all of that. His loss, I'd say. Liked that "Canucks Unlimited" DC3!!
Doug, it ain't fun getting' old when one thinks of all the things that can happen to us all. Grandma is one heck of a woman and Lord only knows how she does it, but her spirits have NEVER been anything but UP. Amazing person, for sure. Family is where it's at for many and my pity goes out to those who have absolutely no one to love or care for ‘em as they age. Sounds to me as if you and your family may be similar to ours in that regard. I wonder if we're diminishing in numbers as society moves to a more "impersonal" way of addressing these things?
Eric, sure like those shots from the cabs! Each one must represent a special time and place for you. That X2000 shot is a "keeper" too. I must agree with Cap'n Tom though, when I looked at the "other" pix, I wondered what in blazes it was all about!! I guess you guys living in 100 degree heat get a bit ‘strange' from time to time. <grin>
So, what's this about Hooters and a brunette?? Hmmmmm, and you have the gall to cast aspersions in my direction!! <geesh> I can't help it if Elena "found" out that I'm in Marathon and . . . What's a guy to do?? BUT, Ruth IS #1 in my fantasy world. Just gotta keep ‘em separated . . . <grin>
The Mrs. just "caught" me on the ‘puter and is giving me THAT look! <uh oh> Yeah, I know it's Mother's Day, but what does that have to do with . . . I best get going!
Regards to all and here's a twenty to kick off Monday with . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
Wow I think i need to enrole myself in Mrs throttlebottoms keybaording school. two visits wilst I was one fingering my post <grin> No Boris not one finger of rum No Leon I think i'll have another Guiness and raise a glass to the 25th month of oddness and fun here at the saloon by the siding.
Eric-Some intresting shots, hopefully those workers were out of the way iof the train in time Loved the shot of the underground catacombs of the train at Pennstation as well
Doug-Nice to see you tonight. hopefully the rounds to the bar and friends doesn't interact with the ibuprofin I have some back-yard work to look forward to next weekend myself. Victoria day weekend the official start of summer in at least the retail and holiday sence up here. I'm redoing the patio moving stones etc etc. It will be a slow progression as we finally did it. In July I've booked pasage for the Bride and I on the Ocean.Than a nice weeklong vacation in Nova scotia and Newfoundland can't wait, but it puts a dent in the back-yard budget oh well trains more important
Since Tom mentioned the doings and shakings this day in histroy last year at the first anual rendezvous fittingly here are a couple shots from those escapades.
A shot of Tom and Ted just as we were leaving the Go cars following the first leg of our rail running on the friday.
Ted at the museum on the saturday posing with TTC snowsweeper S37
Tom and the CWH museum's DC3 on the saturday afternoon
Enjoy Rob
Evening Leon. I think I can manhandle a tankard of Guiness just for some thing different this evening. I know Guiness and Mai fest don't excactly mix but then again neither does Boris and his size 50 Lederhosen . I'm glad to see that the gals kept it under wraps. i managed to convince bith of them that the form fitting black leatheretteb lederhosen were not for the general consumption of those attending the weekend festivities, even if they did have the "new car sent " added to them. Only Boris was impressed
Tom-Yes you are right this time last year wwe had been at the HCRY Canadian Warplane Herritage, at at this point we were relaxing in the St George Arms.I imagine that this years fest will be just as festive I have to say last weeks illness was one to forget, unbelievable the stuff one coughs up on occation On the upside I arrived at work today to find a gift in my inbox. It appears that I must have impressed someone with all my toilings this spring, that or they couldn't find other cannon fodder to promote, so allow me to buy everyone a round or two in celebration Some interesting movie choices this week, and I had to get giddy again reading all the coarses being offered in the gazette x a million.
I'm with you the Zebra and later North America schemes on the CN just don't match up with the Green and Yellow or the green Yellow Black passenger schemes of old. Modern locomotives don't do all that much for me either. Don;'t get me started on any of the modern CPR schemes either. tuscan and Grey or nothing baby. Mind you CPR has painted one FP7 and one GP38-2 in the classic Tuscan and marron with teh script lettering and they use them in conjunction with 2816 on it's various Royal Canadian Pacific passenger excursions. I also noticed in trains magazine not all that long agao that the CPR brass repainted two D&H GP38-2's in their old Grey Blue and Yellow scheme so at least there is some corporate class out there still.
Lars-i'm glad to hear that you are indeed settling in in the land of almost fuit and nuts <grin>You may want to tread carefully with those ladies down the street mind you the managers bar is a nice piece of furnature. I have always found that a ball peen hammer can be a usefull tool in fixing a recalcetrent computer,good frustration remover, atleast until the tech is done with his bill Tis been a bit thin round these parts but I have a feeling that we can overcome it all,we have the techknology and the right people.
Doug-I missed your sneaking in last night,not sure weather to blame me or the odd ways the forum system boots up.Thanksfor posting the scheduale for the Empress's tour.It is somethinf to see in action. I witnessed first hand her 2005 barnstorming tour of Canada. I've also read as I mentioned before that the West Coast Rail Museum is in the final testing and certifiying stages of fully streamlined Royal Hudson sister 2860. Hopefully by summer she will be back in ecursion service from Vancouver to Squamish Plans are that for the 2010 winter olympics in Vancouver 2816 and 2860 may do some speacial double headed runs. Won't that be a sight
Eric-That was an interesting photo. A subway where I'm wondering your welcome on the wide cab info , I can imagine that the larger cabs do offer alot more creature comfort and protection for the crews. espeacially with the potential of 12 hour shifts in the cabs, any extra comfort i imagine would be welcome.
Rob
Howdy hi Tom and gents! I'll have a bottomless draught and buy a round for the house. Please join me in a toast to the 25th month of operation of Our favorite Place, and the continuation of this incredible thread. Great Costner movies are playing at the Emporium once again, with another Stooge clasic. I think I remember that one. Thanks Tom.
Good to see manager Lars today. Thanks for the update on your doings. We too may have a decision to make concerning parental care, concering my bride's mother. She's been steadily going blind, and if eye surgery cannot correct the situation, she may well be living wih us 6 months out of the year. As my dad puts it, getting old is not for the squemish.
Speaking of getting old, I forgot how much fun it is to have your bones rattled by a roto-tiller bouncing on top of soil that's never been tilled before. I put about 3 1/2 hours into creating our new garden where I removed the rock pile. We'll plant it tomorrow, as the sun went down before I could do it today. If it weren't for Ibuprofin, I'd be one hurting unit.
Once again, congratulations to Tom and everyone who keep this thread going!
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, tody I want that juicy Filet Mignon with lots of mushrooms! The last Saturday before the Rendezvous! A pleasant surprise today, Manager Lars showed up!! Nice to learn that everything obviously went well and that they are getting things in order down in the Keys!
Tom – 25 months!! Happy Anniversary! No sauerkraut for me please, it gives me heartburn! But I’ll have most of the rest on the menu. All drumheads appear in a vertical string on my screen. I tried two different browsers, same thing. I think the picture in my last post is very, very clear!!! It shows the door behind the cab on the cab car. When you open it it slides outside the side wall of the car. There is the same type of door on the power unit, see picture below.See the door on the side of the power unit? Penn Station, New York City.I think those Spring Classes for Women is a great idea, but don't tell my Mrs! Two new movies for the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre! Wyatt Earp is a good one. I have been to Tombstone and O.K. Corral and saw him shoot the bad guys, now resting at Boot Hill. Tin Cup, I actually believe I saw that movie flying some place many years ago. If I am right it was a good one. I have not seen Cookoo Caviliers though. Lars – Glad to learn that your trip to the new, 2nd, home went well!! I kind of wondered why you were so eager to get a place down there, but I think I understand and I don’t think Ruth will be very happy when she finds out! Elena!! Quite a coincedence, huh? House calls? Hmm. See a train during the Rendezvous? Beside the Train Wreck Saloon and the Irish Pub we need time to go to Hooters at union Station too to see if the same brunette is still working there. My best regards to Phil, hope he will stop by sometime in the future. It is not that far from Plattsburgh to the Bar! Thanks for the report, we have been wondering! Now we know! Elena!!
Since it is Photo Posting Day here at the Bar I'll add some random cab shots.
Kind of blurry, but it was dark.
ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day!
at "Our" Place!
We are CLOSED on SUNDAYs!Starting Sunday at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre!
. . . May 13th thru 19th: Wyatt Erp (1994) Starring: Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, David Andrews & Linden Ashby - and - Tin Cup (1996) Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin & Linda Hart. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Cookoo Caviliers (1940)
Wyatt Erp (1994)
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kevin Costner plays the most famous lawman ever to stride the Wild West. In a gritty, complex portrayal hailed as a "classic American performance" (Bob Campbell, Newhouse Newspapers), Academy Award winner Costner (Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard) plays the man who became a myth in acclaimed director Lawrence Kasdan's (The Big Chill, Silverado) epic, action-filled saga. Gene Hackman, an Oscar winner for Unforgiven, as Wyatt's iron-willed father, and Dennis Quaid (The Big Easy, The Right Stuff) as Earp's deadly best friend Doc Holliday add power to this mammoth, hard-hitting Western. From Wichita to Dodge City to the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, Wyatt Earp is a thrilling journey of romance, adventure and desperate, heroic action.
from: amazon.com
Tin Cup (1996)
Roy McAvoy is a failed pro golfer who lives in a Winnebago at a crummy driving range which he owns in the West Texas town of Salome. One day, a beautiful woman, Dr. Molly Griswold, appears at his driving range for golf lessons. She turns out to be the new girlfriend of McAvoy's longtime nemesis, the smarmy PGA superstar David Simms. Molly inspires Roy to start taking himself seriously again, and he decides to try to qualify for the US Open.
From: amazon.com
SHORT: The Three Stooges - Cookoo Caviliers (1940)PLOT SUMMARY: Featuring Moe, Larry & Curly
The Stooges sell fish and are getting no business, so they quit and look for another job. They want to work at a saloon, and they get an offer to run one in Mexico, so they dash down there. To their disappointment they discover they have bought a salon instead of a saloon. So the Stooges try their best on their first customers, four beautiful showgirls. They try to make them look good, but they fail, and it turns out to be a disaster and the stooges must leave on the run.
from: threestooges.net
Enjoy!
Special mention: Great to see our Manager Lars back at the bar! Thus far the ONLY one to recognize our Anniversary day - far cry from days of old, eh . . . Many thanx for the visit and hope all's well down there in the balmy Keys! <envy>
Ahoy Cap'n Tom ‘n fellow travelers at the bar!
Cindy you sweet "thang" you, fill the steins and let's hoist ‘em high for a toast to the best cyber bar ‘n grill in the ether! Refills on me! A most HAPPY 25th MONTH to those of us who can take the credit (or blame) for keeping the joint operating! <grin> Of course, the Lion's share goes to our Mentor and leader, Proprietor Tom! Cheers, mate! Ring the bell, Boris - no, no, no - NOT 25 times! <arrrrggggghhhh>
Treats for the crittAHs if you please, a sack o' seed for Awk, a bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite, a saucer of brine for Tex and a LARGE jar of pickled pig's feet for our cloven-footed Cyclops - Boris, 7th mate of "Our" Place! <grin>
Yes, ‘tis I, the Larsman checking in from the hazy Keys down Florida way. Seems those fires have impacted even the serenity of where we are in the middle Keys. Surely glad we aren't driving north, for the smoke has visibility down to zero in some places, it's been that bad.
Finally got a few things in order and lemme tell ya, something as simple as going to a furniture store takes on a whole different aspect when living in an area like this. We're getting "there" as the house is taking shape on the inside with just about all of the major items in place. As you can imagine, the Mrs. is as happy as a "clam" with a credit card <mine> and doesn't seem to believe that the thing has a limit! <grin>
We've been staying at Phil's place, all of us, as they've delayed their northbound departure for Plattsburgh pending the fire situation. In past years, they've taken the boat north and shipped the car and have also had someone take the boat to the lake and driven the car. They're leaning toward driving home this time. Anyway, we've been spending lots of time driving about trying to locate this ‘n that, picking up and delivering, going back for more and so forth.
Thanks to Phil and his Mrs. we've gotten the utilities all squared away and that wasn't quite as easy as it should've been. They do things a bit differently down here, as we learning very quickly. Must adjust and do so with a smile - it's a small community in comparison from where we came.
There's so much that has happened since we left SINY, but what's the point in boring youse guys, huh?? We made it down safely, although it was a longer trip than I had figured. Seemed like it took forever and a day just to get through south Florida to the Keys. Looooooooooong drive and not fun either.
Don't know if I mentioned it, but Grandma is in a full care facility in that her situation has stabilized sufficiently to where the "imminent" has been changed to "who knows?" That's GOOD. She insisted on getting "a place of my own," so we found something along those lines before we made this commitment. As I've indicated, she's as lucid as any chatterbox could be, it's just the "parts" are unwilling along with the malignancy. So, "she's under the watchful eye of the family gals who've remained behind (wives of the sons) and one son who couldn't get away because of his job.
Number 2 son has me on line with his "gadgets," although Phil is "wired" as well. Not quite sure I understand all of this, but it works and that's all I'm concerned with right now. I'd never make it in today's "techie" environment. Gimme a wrench and a ball peen hammer . . .<grin>
I have been able to check out a few pages and it surely seems like the bar is under drought conditions in terms of filling the bar stools. Very concerned about this and I do recall the warnings given by Cap'n Tom months ago when he said that the spring ‘ summer would pretty much tell the story for the future of "Our" Place. Heck, my situation is a clear example of how "things" change and have impact in areas not intended, such as having time to spend at the bar. Surely isn't the desire that goes, it's the availability.
That is quite a summary of the movies shown at the Emporium, by the way!! Must've taken a month of Sundays to put that one together . . .
I figure if a guy really wants to, he can find a way. So, I'll do the best I can with the time allotted and will support the place for as long as Cap'n Tom keeps her runnin'.
Good to see the guys out ‘n about the decks, although I picked up on the lengthy absences of a few. Too bad, for every guy who has earned the right to sit at our bar matters ‘round here and moreso each passing week it seems.
I urge you guys who have been gone, for whatever the reason, to check through the pages before jumping back "in." Otherwise it's just so much "fodder" . . . or at least it appears that way and we all know that's not what is intended. Cap'n Tom and the guys who are keeping things going deserve bettAH!
Hey Tom - really nice work with those drumheads, book covers and RR advertisements. Stealing some pages from BK and me, huh?? Go for it, mate!
Add my condolences to DL across the pond. I haven't been through too many pages, but it was good to see him at the bar, unfortunately the circumstances weren't the best.
Has anyone heard from BK lately?? I haven't and just accessed my home email account, but nothing in it from Alberta. Hope all's well, but that too is a sad story.
On a more "up beat' note - remember Elena? She's the gal we met at the Super Bowl Party in Miami in February - the one who sent the Manager's Bar up to "Our" Place - well, she's got a place not far from here - Key Largo. Seems that the "girls" and she have a business that is flourishing down this way. Wonder if they make house calls??
Phil passes his regards to the Cap'n, crew ‘n crittAHs! <grin>
Finally, if I cannot connect for a few days, I wish the best to all of youse guys attending the Rendezvous in St. Louis. I surely feel bad about this in that I really thought it would work out for me. Last year, Toronto "almost" happened, this year . . . well, chalk it off to priorities. Anyway, in looking at the agend
ENCORE! Saturday - 'n - Photo Posting Day!
Here's something the "old timers" may remember from the Mentor Village Gazette . . .
It's been updated just a bit, but just as humorous!
SPRING CLASSES for WOMEN at
THE Mentor Village LEARNING CENTER for ADULTS
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, May 14th, 2007 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM. Class 1 Silence, the Final Frontier
Where No Woman Has Gone Before
Team competition
Meets for 2 hours, Monday at 7:00 PM for 2 weeks.
Class 2 The Undiscovered Side of Banking
Making Deposits
Deposit slip preparation & practice with automated teller machines
Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at noon for 2 weeks.
Class 3 Parties
Going Without New Outfits
Round Table Discussion. Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at 10:00 PM for 4 weeks.
Class 4 Man Management
Minor Household Chores Can Wait until After The Game
Video supplements
Meets for 2 hours, Saturday at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 Bathroom Etiquette I
Men Need Space in the Bathroom Cabinet Too.
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets for 2 hours, Monday at 10:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 6 Bathroom Etiquette II
His Razor is His --- not yours, leave it alone.
Practical Exercises
Meets for 2 hours, Wednesday at 10:00 AM for 2 weeks.
Class 7 Communications Skills I
Tears - The Last Resort, not the First
Role playing and counselling
Meets for 2 hours, Tuesday at 2 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 8 Communications Skills II
Thinking Before Speaking
Role playing and critiques.
Meets for 2 hours, Thursday at 2 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 9 Communications Skills III
Getting What you Want Without Nagging
Video examples followed by interactive practice
Meets for 2 hours, Friday at 10:00 AM for 3 weeks.
Class 10 Driving a Car Safely
A Skill You CAN Acquire
Licensed drivers ONLY! Requires a privately owned automobile,
proof of ownership, insurance and medical plan.
Meets for 3 hours, Monday - Wednesday & Saturday at 1 PM for 2 weeks.
Upon completion of any of the above courses,
diplomas will be issued to the survivors!
Today is the 25th Month Anniversary for "Our" Place!
Saturday is ENCORE! 'n Photo Posting Day!
Reminder: The bar is CLOSED on Sundays
Saturday at the Bar by the Ballast and time for a mug of hot coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from our Menu Board!
Mai Fest will be celebrated under the "big tent" out in the picnic area on all weekends in May. Of course the "Our" Place staff will be adorned in appropriate German attire with our Menu Board listing "specials" as well, prepared by the H&H "gals," under the watchful eye of our Chief Chef of course! <grin>
I was going to hold off ‘til Monday under the new scheme of things for ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, but having seen the reappearance of Rob ‘n Doug, thought there still may be a glimmer of hope for this joint.
Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):
DL at 10:08 AM Friday: As previously mentioned - condolences to you ‘n yours . . . safe trip to ‘n fro. Hope to see ya ‘round the premises soon . . .
CM3 Shane at 2:16 PM Friday: Quite surprised at the "report" regarding the line-up for the drumheads. They appear in a vertical "string" on both ‘puters in my digs. Hmmmmmm. Glad you enjoyed ‘em . . . Appreciate the "heads up" on your availability ‘round here . . . Many thanx for the visit, quarters ‘n round!
Pete at 3:38 PM Friday: Break-away-barges on the rivers can be hazardous to downstream obstacles, such as bridges and river bank structures . . . Round-up is quite an art form for the crews working the rivers. Never is as "easy" as one may think . . .
Enjoyed the account of your rail ‘n pub adventures with your Mates! That's the way to have FUN, fer sure, fer sure!
Appreciate the visit, inclusive-informative-interesting Post and of course the business!
Rendezvous is down to a matter of days!
Mike at 9:10 PM Friday: Not-so-silent-Mike has deposited a 2nd narrative for us to enjoy - in spite of it being about the Penn Central <ugh> there's history in them thar sentences!
Can only believe that whoever wrote that article surely had some "insider" info. What a mess, what a grand mess and the worst of it was yet to come.
Thanx for the round ‘n taking the time ‘n making the effort . . . URLs "worked" too!
Rob at 10:02 PM ‘n 11:02 PM Friday: Just when we may have thought the trolleyMAN had disappeared <again> there he was! Illnesses, extra hours at work ‘n problems with power ‘n ‘puters makes for not such a pleasant several months. There's only one way to go and that is UP - so let's hope the sun shines on you and yours PDQ!!
Appreciate the catch up Post, round, and part three of your Classic Diesels! Some fine machines in that spread! I never really got "into" the livery for CN with those Zebra stripes. Same for the PacMan logo used by CPR . . . guess I'm just a traditionalist at heart - or better put, a Classic Trains kinda guy!
This time last year (Saturday) we were at the Halton County Radial Museum after having spent Friday doing EVERYTHING we planned for in Toronto at the 1st Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous! Amazing how time passes, people come ‘n go and the like. Memories, like our photo albums, remain and give light to those wonderful times . . .
H&H "gals" had things in order back in the galley, but of course needed a bit of "leadership" now ‘n then . . . Boris ‘n "H" are doing that "fondly gazing" stuff . . . <uh oh>
Thanx for the Email . . .
Doug at 10:02 PM Friday: Looks like you ‘n trolleyMAN Posted at the same time! Now that's worth a drink on Da Boss!
That rail excursion from Calgary looks like a sure-fire-winner to me! I'd love to experience the run to Minneapolis and return. The layover would be a "killer" for me though and unless there's an airline out there willing to forgo those ridiculous "rules" regarding one-way air fares, it would be a costly event just for the flights! Anyway, thanx for the info.
Recommend you go back to using your HORSE for your "signature" Pix . . . <grin>
In a few days, we'll all be together for what is shaping up to be one fine get together!
Eric at 1:56 AM today: Must be me this morning, but I'm having a difficult time putting that Pix into perspective . .
Leon, just in time. I'll have my Rumpsteak Café de Paris! Can't have that too often.
Some more activities here today, sorry yesterday. 106° today, I mean yesterday.
Tom – 5 days!! I don’t know how I will be able to do everything, including packing, before Wednesday morning! But I am looking forward to it. Yes, I like to look at all those old pictures from “the old days”. Today I just found a bunch of more pictures I forgot about. Have to check and sort those as soon as possible. No, I will bring a camera to the Rendezvous! I never go any places without my camera and it is not going to happen this time either. I still have my old 35 mm SLR and my wife has a nice digital camera I can borrow. Hopefully my camera will be back on Monday or Tuesday. More nice drumheads! UP, including the Challenger Streamliner and City of St. Louis! Never heard about the last one before. The IC drumheads all have the same style/design. Like the City of New Orleans!DL – Sorry to hear about the bad news! Family must always come first, there is no alternative. My condoleances and have a safe journey! Hope to see you back here when you are back and have time!CM3 – Quick stop by! Looking forward to see you at the bar next week! Pete – Yes, I prefer to bring my “regular” camera to the Rendezvous. But under all circumstances I will bring a camera, new or old. WD 79257 had number 1931 in Sweden according to my info. It was built by Vulcan Foundry 1944. #1930 was built by North British in 1945 and had WD# 78529. Too bad it was scrapped. I like your vacation story! Did you plan it ahead of time or just played it by ear? Change trains as many times as possible? Mike – Thanks for the article, a follow up of the previous one! Saunders was fired and plans for something that turned out to be Amtrak was made! Interesting!!I liked the video, both steam and diesel! Rob – Hope you feel more like a human being again! Glad to see you again!Thanks for the info on the wide cab! As an engineer I never liked to sit in a cramped cab. Doug – Too bad I won’t be at any place near Minneapolis or Chicago in August and September to get a chance to ride CPR’s luxury train! But you and James should have a good chance to do it!
Barely room enough for the door to open! From TV.
Good evening again Leon. Another round of Keith's, and I'll see if any of the sirloin is left for a bit of a midnight snack.
So even though there was a bit of as delay in posting it , here's part three of the posts I started back on the Canadian, railways theme day.
CLASSIC DIESELS #43 ONLY IN CANADA YOU SAY PART 3
Continuing with diesels designed for the rugged and sometimes inhospitable areas the Canadian railways had to work in, made the locomotive manufactureres continue to put up some interesting locomotive designs, and make some design features that had previously not been done for the railroad market. One of these techknowlogie was the wide safty or comfortcab. Now a satple on most locomotives this was first a GMD of Canada inovation. For the longest time these wide cabs were known as the Canadian cab option for those few US roads that cared to dable. Once the extra warmth / cool / safety of the cabs was know they have become the norm. Back in 1972 GMD first put these wide cabs on SD40-2W's for CN on GP38-2W's also for CN and the GP40-2W's for CN and for Go transit. The GP40's with wide cabs have since been bought from CN by the KCS and some of the locomotive leasing companies.MLW an dit successor Bombardier also designed sme early wide cab locomotives in the early 70's. two such made it into fairly large scale production.
The M420 was a four axle 2000hp roadswitcher built by MLW utilizing the newer 251C prime movers.They were geared for fast intremodal type service and were geared for 70mph.Only CN and BC rail purchased these locomotives new.BC rail also bought a dozen M420 B's which carried their locotrol mid train raido control equipment and the BC bought them cabless similar to the various first and second generation B units UP bought, the thinking being that why put a cab on the midtrain helper locmotives and therefore save money for not having to have controls and cabs installed in some of your powered locomotives.The M420 was offered by MLW as an export model only the Providence and worchester railroad took them up on the offer buying 5 units in 1974, these differed from teh Candian M420's only in that the P&W traded in some old RS2's and MLW to save them money reused the AAR type B truck off the old RS units, all te Canadian M420's used the new Zero wieght traction truck. Later in 1976 when MLW was bought out by Bombardier the M420 was redesigned as the HR412 again only CN bought these, outwordly they were the same as the M420's in hp and in prime mover, the only difference was that the BBR units had newer microprocessor controls but other than that they were the same locomotive.Today the CN and BCR have retired most of their M420's and HR412's but most have made their way onto short lines and samll regional railways, some even intot eh various locomotive leasing companies motive power pools.
An M420 in CN's Niagara falls yard c 1989
The next wide cab Canada only Model Bombardier came out with was a redo of the old M636 six axle road engine. These were called the HR616's. Though tested by BC rail and CP only CN ordered these units in 1982 buying 26 units, a second follow on order four 20 was shifted over to GE (their first canadian sale since the 70 tonners in the early 50's ! ) Along with the wide candain cab the HR616 was also a full coweled body locomotive designed for Western canada service. They aslo featured the draper taper a cut out in the carbody just behind the engineer so he could have better vision backwards while backing onto a train. By 1999 CN had retired all the HR616's and as such were the last 6 axle big alco's ( 3600hp 251C )to be in regular servcie with a class 1 railroad. I don't believe any of them were saved from the scrapline. GMD also made several CN only full carbody locomotives for CN featuring te widecab and draper taper bodies as well. these were the SD50F's and SD60F's for CP they built full cowel bodied SD40-2F's in 1986.GE's order that finished off the second order of the HR616's by CN was their model 840-CM essentially a straight dash 8 but they had a full cowel body and draper taper. CN BC rail aad te Quebec Northshore 7 labrador railways bouhgt these units.
CN HR616 in Toronto's mac yard 1990
A CN SD50F in a frieght train c2002
The next one off is just that a one off. during the late 1950's when turbo chargers on diesel engines and higher horsepower became all the rage,Fairbanks Morse trumped everyone with teh introduction of the trainmaster and it's enormous 2400hp.Alco in the US countered with the RSD15 aligator with a few sales and GM built thier SD24's. In Canada similar large hp engines were being designed as well CLC did build a few trainmasters 21 for the CPR and 1 for the CNR ( CN of the fifties tended to shy away from heavy 6 axle locomotives as they were still in the process of rebuilding the light branchlines they inherited in the 1920's from thier various predessesor railways. MLW put forth a 2400 six axle roadswitcher in 1956 called the RSD17 powered by a 2400hp 251B motor this unit made the rounds CN, PGE ( BC Rail ) and the CPR all tested it. No one ordered it. In 1958 the CPR purchased the locomotive and ran it unitl it was retired in 1993. Most of it's life was spent in transfer service based out of the CPR Agincourt yard in North Toronto, The locomotive was lovingly refered to as the Empress of Agincourt.In 1984 it recieved a choped nose at the same time CP was rebuilding their fleet of RS18's.the empress still exists todaay in the Collection of the Elgin County rail Musuem in St Thomas Ontario.
The empress in Agincourt yard just prior to her nose job and rebuilding.
Good evening Leon and friends. A bottomless draught and a round for the house please. I've briefly peeked at this particular page, and don't have to tell anyone here what a treasure of information there is on this thread.
The following is from the Fast MAil, which is a membership publication of the20th Century Railroad Club. I meant to share it sooner. Here goes:
Royal Hudson Steam Train edited by Pullman Green
Canadian Railway's 4-6-4 "Hudson" steam engine No. 2816 will pull CPR's luxury pasenger train from Calgary, Alberta, to Chicago in August, and return in September. The trip, which will run Aug. 17-Sept.22, will show off CPR's historic main line across Canada and its former Soo Line and Milwaukee Road lines in the United States.
Ex-Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 steam engine No. 261 will join 2816 for a double-header down the scenic Mississippi River Valley on Sept. 15 between Minneapolis and La Crosse, WI. The trip is sponsored by CPR and the Friends of the 261.
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 17-22: The train will run from Calgary to Minneapolis. One-way passengers can make the ride; a passport will be required to cross the border.
Aug. 29-30: The train will run from Minneapolis to Chicago, with an overnight layover in Milwaukee. One-way tickets will be available.
Sept. 1-3: The train will make round-trips from the Franklin Park, IL. Metra station to Sturtevant, WI. An optional barbeque lunch will be served at Sturtevant.
Sept. 4-5: The train will run from Chicago back to Minneapolis, with an overnight layover in La Crosse, WI.
Sept. 8-9: One round-trip each day will be offered from Minneapolis to Glenwood, MN. The 2816 will be turned at Glenwood on the former Soo Line turntable. On Sept. 9, the train will also make a round trip to Dresser, WI.
Sept. 15: Engines 2816 and 261 will double-head down the former Milwaukee Road main line to La Crosse, WI, and back.
Sept. 16-22: One-way tickets will be available for the return run from Minneapolis to Calgary.
Tickets will be available through the Friends of the 261 Web site at www.261.com or by phoning 651-765-9812. Passengers can also mail ticket order to Friends if the 261, 4322 Lake-point Ct., Shoreview MN 55126 [Trains NewsWire]
Good evening Leon. A rather large keith's if you would be so kind this evening.nice to be back finally gents,a rather unpleasant round of illness's in my house this last week and a half, the least said the bettre I suppose, we are well again now though, so i'll be back in the saddle as it were.
I hope everyone is packed and pumped for rendezvous mk 2 it should be a riot of food, fun ,frolics,oh and some trains thrown in for the heck of it
tom-Thanks for your continued support on the Candain theme's I appreciated seeing all the efforts and the rerunns of the CP and Toronto Union pieces. and this last weeks efforts on UP and Sante fe IC with the drum heads all great stuff more than worthy of your fine establishment.The new way of things around I think should work out quite well. The thread need not be a fulltime job you after all do deserve to enjoy your retirement.
Nice to see those shots of the KC trolley as well. that PCC looks better likely than they did when they were still in service
Dl-Sorry to read about your families loss.I'll echo Tom's sentiments on behalf of everyone here at the bar as well.It's actually nice to hear people say they like the TTC. they do do well for all the funding problems they have had the last few years.Most people in Toronto don't give it a second thought unless the trains late typical of the hiometown sentiment unfortunatly.
Mike-A couple nice readassss the last week or so.Thank-you great stuff,loved all teh canadian shots you put up on those url's as well.
lars-I hope alls settling in well at the new southern home stead, I'll make sure that Ruth gets your private email line.I loved the book covers you put forth to keep the theme going some nice books in that bunch. The CPR faciklities looks like a good one, we just brought several copies in for the gift shop,they should sell through quite quickly at the museum.The FP9's have always been my favourite F unit for some reason, though i prefer the Classic CPR scheme to the gawd awfull red multi-mark, that modern look just didn't go well on the F units or the FA's.
Eric-Woow some great traction shots, loved those classic german single truckers Great shot of the X2000 approaching Toronto union as well. that area has built upm quite a bit more the last ten years or so. You would be hard pressed to recognize it now.
Pete-I hope that you are keeping your feet dry. sounds like you have had quite the week.hopefully everythinbg will stay squared away while you are in St louis with da gang.great shots of the model displays at the station thanks for sharing them again
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
DL, I'm sorry your family grieves. Mortality of loved ones is by far the worst fact of life.
Some follow-up to Penn-Central, from another lengthy article, a few paragraphs here excerpted:
Uncle, Can You Spare Some Millions? Time Magazine June 22, 1970 www.time.com
AS plain as a red signal on the main track, the ominous figures in quarterly earnings reports showed for months that the Penn Central Transportation Co. was in precarious financial condition. The nation's largest railroad and its parent corporation, the Penn Central Co., are among the wealthiest companies in the U.S. (assets: $7 billion). But the railroad is burdened with debt, beset by spiraling costs, tangled operations, a drop in freight shipments and the $100 million annual drain of unwanted passenger service. As a result, a convulsion last week shook the once-mighty Penn Central and spread deep concern among leaders of business and Government.
The company was so desperately strapped for cash that Penn Central directors abruptly dismissed the men they blamed for that plight: Chairman and Chief Executive Stuart T. Saunders, Vice Chairman Alfred Perlman and Finance Committee Chairman David Bevan. Next day, fearful that the collapse of so large a corporation might bring down other companies in the shaky economy, the Nixon Administration took unusual action in order to rescue the ailing railroad from the brink of bankruptcy. Under seldom-used powers of the Defense Production Act, the Defense Department agreed to guarantee up to $200 million in short-term bank loans for the road....
Bickering at the Top. The agony of the Penn Central was aggravated not only by the money shortage but also by civil war within the company. The 28-month-old merger of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central was supposed to eliminate wasteful competition and thus enable two troubled rivals to highball into the future. Instead, executives of the Pennsy's "red team" and Central's "green team" bickered over business methods, and politicked for status and promotions, while service deteriorated amid appalling confusion. Even the computer systems of the two roads were incompatible: they could not transmit information to each other. Thousands of freight cars were "lost" in Penn Central yards or along its 40,000 miles of tracks. Shipments were delayed for weeks or longer, and food, beer and other goods went stale in the cars. While infuriated shippers switched to other carriers, frustrated middle-managers from the New York Central quit in wholesale lots as Pennsy men took over most of the key positions.
Friction became especially grating between the Pennsy's Saunders, 60, a lawyer turned railroadman, and Perlman, 67, former boss of the Central, who had been named chief operating officer of the combine because of his reputation as a wizard at running trains. Strong-willed men, they held each other in low esteem -and showed it. Moreover, the merger that Saunders engineered had long been opposed by Perlman, who had favored another grouping of Eastern railroads. The squabbles became so frequent that last December the board of directors finally moved Perlman upstairs to vice chairman. Other railroaders who had thought that mergers would alleviate their own woes now looked at the Penn Central and began to have doubts....
The Penn Central's passenger service has been a particular plague. The railroad still runs 1,280 passenger trains a day-35% of the nation's total and 75% of the remaining long-haul sched-u'es. By Penn Central accounting, round-trip income from one New York-St. Louis train, for example, recently averaged $5,295 a day; but wages and other operating costs ran to $10,191. To pare such losses, the Penn Central two months ago petitioned the ICC to end all passenger service west of Buffalo, N.Y., and Harrisburg, Pa. Indignant protests from localities, rail buffs and organized passenger groups are likely to stall the commission's decision....
Having lunged to the aid of the Penn Central, the Government now seems headed for a quasi-nationalization of the nation's railroads. Legislation that sailed through the Senate and seems assured of success in the House would create a semipublic, Government-subsidized agency, the Rail Passenger Corp. (Rail-pax), to take over long-haul passenger service from railroads that want to give it up. Railpax would start operations in March 1971. Most of its directors would be named by the President; the Transportation Secretary would establish the routes, and the corporation would set standards of service...
Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower 1943
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/fsac/1a34000/1a34700/1a34785v.jpg
Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower 1941
http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/archives/cushman/full/P02386.jpg
Tom's Flappers enlarged for CM3
http://www.allposters.com/View_HighZoomResPop.asp?apn=370387&imgloc=8-841-F4KY000Z.jpg&imgwidth=634&imgheight=947
Old newsreel of early diesels, lousy lighting and takes forever to download. Interesting though.
http://static.thoughtequity.com/video/aux/warehouse/331/790/331790_017_lp.wmv
Mike
A pint of Bathams please RUTH and the Steak for later.
ERIC I do hope you can get your camera back for the Rendezvous.
It is a pity that the streetcars no longer run in Hamburg, it is odd that they done away with the system when it lasted in to the 1970s.
Thanks for more info on the water tower by the roundhouse; although it is not in use it is great that it was kept.
In the piece I read on the Ex WD loco that ran in Sweden and is saved on the KWVR the loco was WD 79257 apparently the loco still carries the Vulcan Foundry works plate with the number 5200. I don't believe the loco was repainted after arriving on the KWVR and was in SJ livery and carried the Number 1931 when I travelled behind her.
It can be quite hard to find the original identity on some locomotives, one of the Great Western Hall class locos saved from Barry scrapyard in South Wales was thought to be No 4983 ‘Albert Hall' but when the loco was stripped to its frames it was found to be 4965 ‘Rood Aston Hall' the identity it carries today on its main line tours.
Thanks for the photo of that good-looking Grand Canyon locomotive
DL May I add my condolences and thoughts for a safe journey to Tom's special mention to you.
CM3 Glad to see you in. Looking forward to your answers Tuesday.
TOM Certainly the "Law of Probability" rings true. It is amazing how someone is always about when you do something daft.
We had a bit of drama here this morning as two barges broke loose from Glasgow MO last night in the flood on the Missouri. Patrol boats caught the larger one but the smaller one of the two, a 30X80 Footer was heading toward Jeff City and there was talk of closing the Highway 63/54 Bridge here in Jeff City. Luckily the barge was caught before the bridge, by barges belonging to the Capitol Sand Co who are based here, a to them.
I shall look forward to some stories of your time on the inland rivers at the rendezvous.
I am still looking for the book, which has the Bagnal line in it. A local author who we know wrote it, he has written a few books on the local area, which are very good.
Thanks for the info on the Wabash stations between Kansas City and St Louis. On Interstate 70 through Columbia there is a bridge in which the Wabash name can still be read out. The line from Columbia still carries freight; it was featured on one of the local TV stations recently to promote safety on grade crossings, although I have yet to see the line in use personally.
Many thanks for the Union Pacific Drumheads, they certainly added to the appearance of their named trains .Some of the named trains on British Railways in the 1950s and 60s had the trains name and the symbol the train, like the flags of England and Scotland on The Caledonian, on the corridor blanking plate on the last car. The locos hauling the train also had a headboard, with the trains name on the front of the locomotive.
Last night we called in Pat's Place on the way we had a look from the small park looking over the river, a train passed through with a UP loco leading a KCS loco with the third loco in BNSF colors but without any name on the loco. The Amtrak was in a siding waiting for the bus from K.C.
I received two e-mails and I sent a reply, I hope you received it.
Looking back on the old Our Place I found this bit of nostalgia I wrote on page 134.
It was Mid September and the start of the 1970's, a bunch of us had been to Tenby by car and stayed in a friends caravan earlier that year. Having worked a week of the shut-down my friend and I had a weeks vacation owing to us. WE decided to go down overnight and armed with a few cans outside and a few beers inside we duly left Rugby Station when most people were heading home. OUR first change was at Birmingham New Street a semi underground station with 12 platforms and no soul. Luckily it wasn't too long before a steam heat Peak, a 2500 hp diesel-electric loco, arrived to take us to Gloucester. On the train we managed to stay awake to make the connection from the now defunct Eastgate via a short walk to Gloucester's surviving station Westgate. Now feeling the chill of the September night the sight of the Swansea train, hauled by a Western class locomotive, a 2700hp diesel-hydraulic, wreathed in steam from the train heating boiler was a most welcome sight. On the overnight trains at that time the passenger cars were mostly of the Compartment type with a corridor running down one side of the car and 8 compartments each seating 6 with retractable arm rests. To find an empty one was heaven. You could dim the lights and with the steam heat it wasn't hard to drift into a pleasant sleep. After passing the Dante's Inferno that was Port Talbot Steelworks we arrived in Swansea where someone directed us to a cafe which opened early.Fortified with a mug of tea and an egg and bacon buttie it was back to the station for the Carmathan train. This was worked by a Swindon built Cross-Country D.M.U. (DRC) to my mind the finest first-generation DMU there was. Getting a seat behind the driver it was a perfect view ahead not too long after leaving Swansea a morning fog appeared with an almost magical scene as the train passed shrouded woodland. After a change of train at Carmathan heading west we turned on to the single-track Tenby branch. Our stop was a request halt at Penally about 2 miles past Tenby. We informed the Conductor who said, "I'll let the driver know" and dropped the vacuum. I think they weren't getting on too well. As we left the train we could hear the engine revving as the driver restored the pressure. Further along the branch the Conductor had to manually operate set of Level-Crossing gates so if it was raining the driver could get his revenge as the Coductor would have to open and close them. After a wonderful vacation the trip back was not anything too special apart from seeing the pioneer Western D1000 "WESTE
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