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

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Posted by EricX2000 on Saturday, May 5, 2007 3:28 PM

Hello Captain Tom and all present!!

Hi Cindy, nice to see you! You look gorgeous today, as always! Yes, I would like to have a Filet Mignon with lots of mushrooms! Quiet here today? I know, people have other things to do and I don't blame them! 

I stopped by to get something to eat and post a few pictures.

Tom –  Thanks for those pictures of the PCC outside Kansas City's Union Station! Kind of sad they don't use them!

I'll add a couple of pictures of some other old streetcars from Hamburg, Germany.

 

1970.

 

Here is a picture (for Pete) of a roundhouse in the old country. There are actually two of them next to each other. Both are still used for what they were built for.

I know, it is taken from the wrong side but it shows the old water tower for the steam engines now replaced by a tank for diesel fuel.

An old (very) narrow gauge (600 mm) steam locomotive.

 

Eric 

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, May 5, 2007 1:27 PM

G'day Gents!

It's ENCORE! Saturday 'n  Photo Posting Day! But, there's site maintenance going on and who knows whether this will make it - here goes!

From my recent Amtrak trip to KCity with Pete . . .

Traction on display at KCity's Union Station: 

 

A reminder:

CHANGE is on the way:

Starting yesterday (Friday) - my morning acknowledgments will be provided on Monday - Wednesday ‘n Friday. Also, I'll be scarce on Saturdays too - however, the ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day will continue with Cindy, Leon ‘n Boris attending to things ‘round here as usual.

 

Enjoy! Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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Posted by EricX2000 on Saturday, May 5, 2007 2:54 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Ahh, finally a weeken! Leon, nice to see you smiling! Tonight, sorry, this morning I'll have Balcberry pancakes for breakfast! Lots of whipped cream! While you are ati it, bring me a bisquit with my coffee! Thank you!

Some changes coming here at Our Place! I feel they are necessary and will give the boss some well deserved time off!

Mike –  Thanks for the round! Thumbs Up [tup]

As usual a bunch of interesting pictures!Thumbs Up [tup]  My favorite this time, CN #6769 (Alco)! I like that paint scheme (and the locomotive)!

Tom –  Idiot of the week is certainly well qualified!Yeah!! [yeah] Chevy dealership? That is why I drive a Ford!Confused [%-)]

Received email, will respond this weekend.

The RDC from Germany was (and I think, still is) very common on branch lines in Germany. It is scale 1:1!Wow!! [wow] I guess the main advantages with them were/are light axle load and cheap to operate.

Thanks for the movie list!!Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] I found another of my favorite movies, Emperor of the North Pole! Plus The Titfield Thunderbolt, North to Alaska, Field of Dreams, Crocodile Dundee, A Fish Called Wanda, The Pink Panther, Memphis Belle, Battle of Britain, Tora! Tora! Tora!, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Von Ryan’s Express, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Forest Gump! Just to mention a few!Bow [bow]

A very good story about train travel at its best, on the Canadian!Yeah!! [yeah]
You have a beautiful print in your living room! Snow or not, it is ver beautiful!Wow!! [wow]

CM3 –  I have a model 3-car set of those German railcars (made by Märklin). I guess that was one reason I took that picture that early morning in 1970, on my way to Hamburg.Smile [:)]

Lars –  Ruth to the Keys?! Hey, what is going on?Whistling [:-^] Thanks for the drink BTW.

Some very nice pictures from Canada in the fall!Thumbs Up [tup] I can even see a couple of F40s!

Have a nice and safe trip down to the Keys!!


Pete –  1874? Wow, it looks older to me! Interesting!

Aluminium is spelled the same way in Swedish as in English English!

The German railbuses could be used in multiple operation. As I already mentioned above, i have a 3-car model set of those railcars and I will take a picture of them as soon as my camera is back from California. The camera broke down Thursday morning so now I am without a working digital camera for a couple of weeks! I don’t know if I will survive, I also need it in my job. Grumpy [|(]

Thanks for the link to the pictures of the former DRB (Deutsche Reichs Bahn) railbuses!Thumbs Up [tup] They look very similar to the one I have in my picture.

 

I'll be back later today!

 

Eric 

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Posted by pwolfe on Friday, May 4, 2007 4:35 PM

Hi Tom and all

A pint of Bathams please RUTH and the Steak for later.Thumbs Up [tup]

ERIC. The saddle tank 0-4-0 locomotive in the photo was built in 1874 and was built by Black Hawthorn in Gateshesd, which is across the River Tyne from Newcastle. It worked at the plant of International Aluminium Co Ltd. Hence its name Bauxite No2. The loco retired in 1947 and was very lucky to be saved as a scrap merchant decided to donate the loco to a Historical Society. As footnote aluminium is the word the bride gets me to say to her friends as not only is the word pronounced differently over it is spelt different.Smile [:)]

I was going to take delight in pressing ‘ignore' when the word comes up in the spell checker.Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg] But looking a Wikipedia it seems the American version of the spelling was used first and the British spelling may have been a spelling mistake by Humphrey Davy in 1808Oops [oops]. Hope the bride doesn't read this.Whistling [:-^]

Thanks for the photo of the German railbusThumbs Up [tup], as this type were called on BR. There were some of these built by Waggon und Maschinenbau of Germany and some by a variety of British manufacturers, they did not have a long life in service as the branch lines they ran on closedSad [:(] or were too small for the traffic, I do not think they could be used in multiple operation.

Two of the WuM railbuses are on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Here is a link showing a photo of them, they are just below the middle of the page and lower down it says that one is running now and it is hoped to have both running for next year.Approve [^]

http://www.kwvr.co.uk/dieselpage.htm

I too can remember the Untouchables old TV seriesApprove [^]Thumbs Up [tup], no doubt Tom can tell us who played Eliot Ness.Yeah!! [yeah]

MIKE Thanks for the great Canadian color photos in the linksThumbs Up [tup]. Great shot of the F7 running down the street in Rob's hometown and the railway was close to Fenwick Park in Boston.

CM3 I was surprised to see that the FL9s were so relatively low powered It seems the FL9s were different from the Electro-diesels on BR in that I have read the FL9 s were mainly used the diesel engine where the BR ones were mainly powered by the third rail.

I bet the Hancock chime whistle sounded great.Yeah!! [yeah]

LARS So the caravan to the Keys is delayedSad [:(], still it is good to see you in the barThumbs Up [tup]. That is good news that you should be able to call in while you are down there.Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup]

I agree there is an amazing amount of work by Tom to supply us with all those different movies every week.Thumbs Up [tup]Bow [bow]Thumbs Up [tup]

What's this about trying to entice RUTH down to the Keys.Shock [:O]

Great photos of the VIA OceanApprove [^] and thanks for the drink.Thumbs Up [tup]

TOM It is hard to believe the Idiot of the Week but after what as happened here lately anything is possible.Sigh [sigh]

Mai Fest time again Thumbs Up [tup]and the Lederhosen for H&H, BORIS and the gangShock [:O]. The only worry is what the Bar Chandler has to wear and you know what happens to H&H when the German Band starts up after dark.Shock [:O]Smile [:)]

It is a real pity that BC is not there to run those RDCs on the great route you described.Sad [:(] It seems they had it right with the great food and friendly service not to mention the wonderful sceneryWow!! [wow]Yeah!! [yeah]. It just goes to prove that one must take advantage of trains like this while they are running as it a fact that things can quickly chance and the trains or equipment no longer run anymore.Disapprove [V]

The bride and I would very much like to visit the area around Yorktown and the surrounding area of Virginia.Yeah!! [yeah] Also while we were in the area it would great to visit those great lines in West Virginia like the Cass Scenic Railroad.Approve [^]

That really is an impressive list of films we have seen at the EmporiumWow!! [wow]Yeah!! [yeah]. I see there have been films ranging in dates from 1924 to 2005 and it is amazing the number of the Stooges films there have been onApprove [^] Also we had four Monty Python films over two weeks in the run up to Christmas.Thumbs Up [tup]. Please take a Bow [bow] for all those great filmsApprove [^]

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by LoveDomes on Friday, May 4, 2007 10:55 AM

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

Ruth my deAH, it's time again for a mugga Joe with a "jolt," and a bit o' lunch. This time only a half sandwich if you please. Yeah, the same-ol, same-ol will be fine. Treats all around for Boris ‘n the crittAHs! Thumbs Up [tup] Change is yours! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Just when you think it's safe to plan a trip . . . Jaws XXVI appears! <arrrggghhhh> Another delay and this time it's over absolute nonsense. Sorry, I'm venting . . . <deep breath> <very deep breath> <exhale> <repeat the process>

The Mrs. and I had this all figured out, but leave it to the off-spring to come up with a "better mousetrap." Yeah, right. Huge family "discussion" ensued and we now are pretty much ready to roll, but not today as planned. Shane is correct with his Censored [censored] opinion of family travels . . . <grin>

Number two son is a "hi-tech-techie" and assures me that I will be on-line from down there whenever he can get "things" hooked up. Seems he has some sort of Flash Gordon "stuff" that is totally wireless and hooks into some satellite service where he's able to get "up" whenever he desires. Anyone understand this stuff??? Don't even know how this even entered the conversation, but it did and at least when I have some free time that won't interfere with the Mrs. and her idea of "free time," I'm hoping to "connect" with y'all. <grin>

Really, really impressed with that movie list you provided, Cap'n Tom - that took effort and it's really noticed and appreciated by me. Another thing that took much more effort is putting those movies together week after week. Coming up with new movies for us, finding the movie posters, uploading, downloading, the narratives, etc. THAT's WORK! A platinum-5 Thumbs Up [tup] salute to Da Boss!

Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Also enjoyed the copy of your litho with "The Canadian." Now that's a picture worth starring at, huh Question [?] I always get mesmerized by things like that, just wonderin' . . . . . The story is on the money too and surely a nice way to wind down the "Canadian Passenger RR" theme. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Must make note of your decision to also wind down. Long time overdue and well deserved. What's the point of beating yourself to distraction when the numbers are where they are??? I mean we now can count on one hand who the "regulars" are and even they are off ‘n on. That's NOT a criticism, simply what I'd call "life." So, I support your trimming the sails, surely beats dry dock. Thumbs Up [tup]

Good to see the continuing presence of Pete - Eric ‘n Shane. Always enjoy what you have to provide and hope that in this period coming up where the absences will be long and often, that somehow, some way, you'll be able to help out whenever possible. Thumbs Up [tup]

Thanx to all for the positive comments . . . Thumbs Up [tup]

Kinda ran out of things to say this morning - one more mugga Joe, then I best get a move on.

Ruth my deAH, why the long face??? Remember, that saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way!" We'll figure out a way to get you down to the Keys! Cool [8D]

Boris my man, ring the ding, drinks on the Manager. Be sure to take care of the ladies while I'm gone. <uh oh>

 

VIA Rail's Ocean (from: viarail.ca - photo: Steven J. Brown)

VIA Rail's Ocean (from: viarail.ca - photo: Steven J. Brown)

VIA Rail's Ocean (from: viarail.ca - photo: Steven J. Brown)

 

Until the next time! Thumbs Up [tup]

Lars

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    January 2001
  • From: WV
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Posted by coalminer3 on Friday, May 4, 2007 10:11 AM

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  Lovely day here today with fog, clouds, and maybe some rain.  Gas is now at $3.06/gal.  Can't wait for Memorial Day.

A few comments this a.m. and I've got to get back to other activities. 

Pete sent some good information on the Royal train.  The FL9 was a locomotive unique to the New Haven in that it was a dual power unit - ran either as a diesel or off of third rail in electrified zones.  It had a two axle lead truck and a three axle trailing truck.  They ran all over the NYNH&H, but I especially remember them on the Shore Line.  They had a Hancock chime whistle instead of a horn.  They were not exactly a powerful piece of equipment, either.

Eric sent a shot of a railcar.  That beast bears a very close resemblance to the Mack railcars which ran on the New Haven - thanks for sending it along.

I could not open a lot of Mike's pictures, but I did enjoy the shot of 6218 and also the one of Teddy Ballgame and the Babe.

OSP sent along some fine RDC material, more ads AND a most righteous list of movies - it was inetersting to see how many different classic pictures have been screened.

Lars - Good luck on what I call (when it refers to travel with my relatives) the psychotic road trip from !@#$.

Will try and stop by again later.

Work safe

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, May 4, 2007 9:24 AM

G'day Gents!

My final "tribute" to the Tuesday "theme" - Canadian Passenger Railroads - an ENCORE! presentation  first Posted on Oct 12th, 2005, page 134 on the original Thead:



Good Morning Gents!

My contribution to our 6th Month Anniversary Celebration of "Our" Place's founding - an adult cyber bar ‘n grill!

The train they called The Canadian 


 

There is a rather large, beautifully frame, lithograph print on our living room wall, of the Canadian Pacific Railway's passenger train "The Canadian" at Morant's Curve in Alberta, Canada. It is a winter scene and one that carries with it the images of what railroad travel must have been like when rail artist, Max Jacquiard, first painted it from his vantage point overlooking this rather famous "train watchers" overlook.

(his work may be viewed at: http://www.islandnet.com/~pacific/steam1.html)

The print in our living room:


This then, is my story of a personal reflection of a trip that takes place each and every time I view that picture - a birthday gift from my friend, traveling companion and wife shortly after first viewing it in a shop in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Gather ‘round train lovers ‘n give a listen to a "snippet" of information from long ago when the mighty and proud Canadian Pacific traveled the main line on the banks of the Bow River at a place known as *Morant's Curve in Alberta, Canada.

Best viewed on a winter's day, with the snow and ice capped peaks against the brilliance of a blue sky, the scene of the streamliner winding its way along the Banff-Lake Louise segment of the Canadian Pacific Railway was (and is) perhaps one of the most photographed of all the "rail watchers" sites. Following the steel ribbon of rail, the FP7A #1425 and F7B #4459 maroon & grey diesels with their gleaming Budd stainless steel beauties follow in perfect procession: baggage - coach - coach - coach - Skyline dome - diner - bedroom - bedroom - bedroom - Park observation dome.

Did you catch those Beaver heralds of the CPR Question [?] This train called The Canadian is making its way up to the Spiral Tunnels, thence over the Canadian Rockies into Golden, where there's a Depot awaiting. Did you know the Kicking Horse Pass is 5,340 ft. Question [?]

Inaugurated on April 24, 1955, The Canadian heralded in a new age in passenger railroading for the CPR with what was to become the last of the North American "built from scratch" streamliners. The train offered a "dome" experience covering a distance of nearly 2,900 miles across the land called Canada.

It's a winter's day and inside the train, the conversation flows as freely as the beverages back in the Banff Park car. Named after the National and Provincial parks of Canada, these observation dome cars of the Budd Company are so well appointed that one only wishes the journey could last longer, if for no other reason than to fully take in and appreciate the full fledged ambiance of Budd's creation on steel wheels. An apéritif in the bar-lounge, or perhaps just sitting in the lower level of the rounded rearmost lounge. Then of course there are the 24 seats awaiting the wide eyed traveler up in the dome. Ah, what a splendid experience while traversing the area known as Morant's Curve! For those fortunate enough, the car also contains three double-bedrooms and a drawing room suite (triple). Ah, to be "booked" in the Park car is considered a "coup" in timing. For this trip, we've got the drawing room suite!

First serving for the evening meal in the dining car, forward of the sleepers, will be announced by the attendant. Three seatings and always a fine selection from the menu's sumptuous offerings. Perhaps some Salmon tonight - or Prime rib. Amazing how much of an appetite one can acquire while sitting aboard a train! And those menu selections change each night of the 3 day-night journey from Toronto or Montreal.

After dinner it will be a drink or two in the rearmost lounge, then back to the dome for some nighttime viewing in the mountains. Of course the car attendant is "savy' enough to ensure that the dome lights are out, with just the soft glow of the emergency lighting providing that ambiance and comfort only dome travelers can recognize. Amazing what one can see on a crisp, clear winter's night!

Now, then - the morning will bring ...............


* Nicholas Morant (1910-1999) Special photographer for the CPR. He began working for the railroad in 1929 at $9 per week in their "PR" department. His photo's appeared in the leading magazines of the day, including: The Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic, Life, Look and Time. During the war years, his photos were on the backs of $10, $50 and $100 bills in Canada and on postage stamps. In June 1981, he retired.




Enjoy! Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom
Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, May 4, 2007 8:47 AM

G'day Gents!

Here's something for those of you who've enjoyed the flicks at our theatre . . .  

Movies shown at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre

2006:

. . . GRAND RE-OPENING - Monday, January 9th: DOUBLE FEATURE: Von Ryan's Express (1965) starring Frank Sinatra & Trevor Howard - and - The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) starring Jeffrey Hunter, Fess Parker & Slim Pickens. LIVE STAGE SHOW in between features!

. . . January 10th thru 14th: Silver Streak (1976) starring Gene Wilder & Richard Pryor.

. . . Sunday, January 15th DOUBLE FEATURE The Iron Horse (1924) SILENT MOVIE starring George O'Brien & Fred Kohler - and - The General (1927) SILENT MOVIE starring Buster Keaton.

. . . January 16th thru 21st: Disaster on the Coastliner (1979-TV) starring Lloyd Bridges, Raymond Burr & Robert Fuller.

. . . Sunday, January 22nd: DOUBLE FEATURE Danger Lights (1930) starring Louis Wolheim, Robert Armstrong & Jean Arthur. - and - Runaway Train (1985) starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca De Mor Nay.

. . . January 23rd thru 28th: Denver and Rio Grande (1952) starring Edmond O'Brien, Sterling Hayden & Dean Jagger

. . . Sunday, January 29th: DOUBLE FEATURE Narrow Margin (1990) starring Gene Hackman & Anne Archer - and - North by Northwest (1959) starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint & James Mason.

. . . Monday, January 30th thru February 4th: Oh, Mr. Porter! (British - 1937) starring: Will Hay, Moore Marriott & Graham Moffitt - and - Shadow of a Doubt (1943) starring: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten & Macdonald Carey.

. . . Sunday, February 5th thru 11th: The Titfield Thunderbolt (British 1953) starring: Stanley Holloway, Naunton Wayne, John Gregson & Sidney James - and - Breakheart Pass (1975) starring Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson & Richard Crenna.

. . . Sunday, February 12th thru 18th: Bound for Glory (1976) starring: David Carradine, Ronny Cox & Melinda Dillon - and - Emperor of the North Pole (1973) starring: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine & Keith Carradine.

. . . Sunday, February 19th thru 25th: Fahrenheit 451 (1966) starring: Oskar Werner, Julie Christie & Cyril Cusack - and - Northwest Frontier (1959) starring: Kenneth More, Lauren Bacall & Herbert Lom.

. . . Sunday, February 26th thru March 4th: Fours a Crowd (1938) starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland & Rosalind Russell - and - Holiday Affair (1949) starring: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh & Wendell Corey.

. . . Sunday, March 5th thru 11th: North to Alaska (1960) starring: John Wayne, Stewart Granger & Capucine - and - Lost in Alaska (1952) starring: Bud Abbott & Lou Costello. Short: The Three Stooges - A Pain in the Pullman (1936). (Page 264 w/Pix)

. . . Sunday, March 12th thru 18th: Mystery Alaska (1999) starring: Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria & Mary McCormack - and - Slap Shot (1977) starring: Paul Newman - Strother Martin & Michael Ontkean. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Beer and Pretzels (1933).


. . . Sunday, March 19th thru 25th: Midnight Run (1988) starring: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin & Yaphet Kotto - and - The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) starring: Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde & Charlton Heston. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Hello Pop (1933).


. . . Sunday, March 26th thru April 1st:Major League (1989) starring Tom Beringer, Charlie Sheen & Corbin Bernson - and - Bull Durham (1988) starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon & Tim Robbins. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Plane Nuts (1933).


. . . Sunday, April 2nd thru 8th: Eight Men Out (1988) starring: Jace Alexander, John Cusack & Gordon Clapp - and - Field of Dreams (1989) Kevin Costner, Burt Lancaster & James Earl Jones. SHORT: The Three Stooges - The Big Idea (1934).


. . . Sunday, April 9th thru April 15th: The Harvey Girls (1946) starring: Judy Garland, John Hodiak & Ray Bolger -and- The Train (1964) starring: Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield & Jeanne Moreau. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Woman Haters (1934).


. . . Sunday, April 16th thru 22nd: The Molly Macquires (1970) starring: Sean Connery, Richard Harris & Samantha Eggers - and - It Happened to Jane (1959) starring: Doris Day, Jack Lemmon & Ernie Kovacs. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Punch Drunks (1934).

. . . Sunday, April 23rd thru Apr 29th: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Kathy Ross -and- The Sting (1973) starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford & Robert Shaw. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Men In Black (1934).

. . . Sunday, April 30th thru May 6th: Cobb (1994) starring: Tommy Lee Jones & Robert Wuhl -and- Hoosiers (1986) starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey & Dennis Hopper. SHORT: The Three Stooges - Three Little Pigskins (1934).

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, May 4, 2007 7:56 AM

<from my personal collection>

* Idiot of the Week #14

When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car,

we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department

and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door.

As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and

discovered that it was unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the mechanic, "It's open!"

His reply, "I know, I've already got that side."

This was at a Chevy dealership in Mississippi!

Stay Alert! They walk among us . . . and they reproduce . . . !!!

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

 

G'day Gents!

The end of the week and time for breakfast! Draw a mugga Joe, order a  <light> or <traditional> breakfast and don't forget a pastry or two from The Mentor Village Bakery! Yeah!! [yeah]

Mai Fest will be celebrated under the "big tent" out in the picnic area on all weekends in May. The "Our" Place staff will be adorned in appropriate German attire with our Menu Board listing "specials" prepared by the H&H "gals," under the watchful eye of our Chief Chef Chef [C=:-)] of course! <grin>

CHANGE is on the way:

Starting today - my morning acknowledgments will be provided on Monday - Wednesday ‘n Friday. Also, I'll be scarce on Saturdays too - however, the ENCORE! Saturday ‘n Photo Posting Day will continue with Cindy, Leon ‘n Boris attending to things ‘round here as usual.

 

Two weeks from TODAY the Rendezvous in St. Louis will be underway! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

CM3 Shane at 8:53 AM yesterday: You are correct, the current Classic Trains issue is a "keeper" in all respects. Thumbs Up [tup]

Thanx for the visit, insights, quarters ‘n round! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Lars at 11:26 AM yesterday: A caravan to Florida's Keys - sounds like something to AVOID! Just kidding, but two days of driving doesn't do much for me these days (daze). Makes sense though, as getting "stuff" from where you are to where you want to be leaves only a few options - having ‘em shipped is one and taking them down yourselves is certainly another. Since you wanna get going on outfitting your new place, surely is the way to go. Good luck with it all! Thumbs Up [tup]

Nice shots of those CP ‘n CPR diesels! I like the maroon ‘n grey with the beaver herald! Yeah!! [yeah]

Again, thanx for the "head's up" on the possibility of disruption on the Forums this weekend. Good job, Manager!! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Many thanx for the continuing support! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Pete at 5:51 PM yesterday: Eagle-eye Pete once again has astounded me with the observation made of someone in the RDC taking a photo of the person taking the photo of the train! Amazing eye for detail. Wow!! [wow]

The Cariboo Prospector was a train run by BC Rail from North Vancouver to Prince George in British Columbia. The run took 12 hours through some magnificent scenic terrain. One didn't take the trip for speed, as the train slowed many, many times to permit the passengers to take photos. Onboard meal service was provided with at-your-seat servings rivaling the best I've ever experienced on board trains. Far, far better than anything the airlines could come up with, fer sure, fer sure. The trip was pricey, but well worth it for the experience of traveling in those RDCs and the scenery. A normal consist was 5 cars, if I recollect properly. They ran 2-car consists on shorter routes, but the Cariboo Prospector was their ‘signature' run.

Not quite half-way to Prince George is a town named Lillooet situated in a picturesque valley along the Fraser River with scenery well worth the visit. That location was an ideal "day" round-trip, although when we did it, we departed as the sun was coming up and returned well after it set. A great experience and lotsafun. I'll always hold BC Rail in the highest esteem for friendliness, service and well maintained cars. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Thanx for the info on the Royal Trains and so forth. Interesting Pix too! My guess is that the Queen will find the area of interest and from what I viewed on TV last night, the crowds in Williamsburg were enthusiastic and most welcoming. Nice to see. Thumbs Up [tup]

Officer's Candidate School (OCS) was located in Yorktown, VA, near the site of the final surrender of the Red Coats by General (Lord) Cornwallis to the "rag tag" army of the colonialists. That was the last major battle of the war, but not the end. One more year and it was over. Spent 17 weeks there and had the opportunity to march in their October 19th Yorktown Day celebration of the surrender.

That area is steeped in U.S. colonial history and well worth a visit. Williamsburg isn't that far from where we used to live and is adjacent to Yorktown. Really an impressive place to see, fer sure, fer sure. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Good to see you "in" at what is now your normal "slot"! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Eric at 1:40 AM today: You are correct, there are no wash "facilities" in KCity or StL - However, what ever happened to a bucket of soap &lsqu

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    December 2002
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Posted by EricX2000 on Friday, May 4, 2007 1:40 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, a Cheese-burger, please. I haven't hade a hamburger for months, so it is time for one right now!

Kind of slow day here at the Bar by the siding!  I have been doing some planning for my trip to the Rendezvous tonight. Nothing decided so far except that I am coming.

Tom –  You are probably correct about the reason Amtrak hand washed the X2000. But, at the same time, they washed all regular trains using the automated train wash and that is where the X2000 usually was washed almost every day. One problem is that they most likely don’t have any wash available in St. Louis or Kansas City. Smile [:)]

Yes, my picture was taken in Toronto.

Beautiful pictures from Canada with nice looking RDCs!!Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] Amazing! Are those RDCs still in service? Question [?]

I am afraid I never saw the Untouchables with Kevin Costner and Sean Connery. But I have seen the old TV-series with the same name.Smile [:)]

CM3 –  Thanks for all the info on those pictures!Thumbs Up [tup] Always more interesting to look at pictures with info available! Smile [:)]

Lars –  I have never heard that Märklin shouldn’t measure up to HO in scale. I am quite sure their models do. But I know that Fleischmann’s models were too big in the 50’s and maybe even in the early 60’s. Oops [oops]

Two nice pictures of the CP FP9s!Thumbs Up [tup] Good looking locomotives indeed!Yeah!! [yeah]

Like Pete I am looking forward to a report from your caravan trip to the Keys!

Pete –  I’ll do some more research about the FL9s this weekend. I would like to know if any of them still is being used in revenue service and not only hauling museum/dinner trains.

What is catching my eye in your photo is that old steam locomitve!Wow!! [wow] That the saddle tank is kind of small and those buffers are of a very different design indicate that the loco is (my guess) from the mid 1800’s. Am I right? Question [?]

Not exactly Canada, but Travemünde, Germany 1970. A small diesel rail car is arriving in the early morning. 

 

Eric 

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Posted by pwolfe on Thursday, May 3, 2007 5:51 PM

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Holden's Bitter please RUTH and of course some of H&H's Fish, Chips ‘n' Mushy peas for laterApprove [^]Thumbs Up [tup]

ERIC Many thanks for the interesting link to the FP9s.Thumbs Up [tup]I don't know how up to date the info is but it said that there 7-left working Metro-North work trains and some in museumsApprove [^]. The locos in the photo are certainly in really good condition in their NH livery.Yeah!! [yeah]

Thanks for the photo of Toronto. Thumbs Up [tup]

CM3 I see the Queen, did not look too happy in Mike's link showing climbing on to the cab of the CN 6057 steam loco.  I have seen the Queen twice when she arrived at Rugby by Royal Train. It was good to see as the diesel locomotives that hauled her train as they were always in immaculate condition and usually fresh out of works. The times I saw the train it was double-headed and I think that was the standard procedure with diesel traction. This was I believe brought about after an embarrassing moment in 1961 when the then, nearly new, diesel which was hauling a train, with the special saloon car with the Queen aboard failed. The Train had to be rescued by an ex LNER class B1 steam loco. Her return journey was behind a BR Britannia class pacific which arrived on time.

In recent years there were two class 47 diesels that were dedicated for use with the royal train, these were 47798 Prince William and 47799 Prince Henry. The loco were painted in Royal train colours to mach the coaching stock and mainly worked the train with one loco at the head of the train and one on the rear. After these locos were withdrawn from the service their place as been taken by two class 67 locos, a GM class of loco that was sub-contracted and built in Spain and introduced in 1999. The locos of this class in, Royal Train colours, are 67005 Queen's Messenger and 67006 Royal Sovereign. The last name as appeared on an ex LNER B2 4-6-0 steam loco and later on a class 87 West Coast electric.

I know I have posted this pic recently, but on the right is the front of 47798 in the NRM York in the Royal train livery.

I though you would enjoy the latest Classic Trains,Thumbs Up [tup] I am sure DOUG will enjoy the piece on the CTA.Yeah!! [yeah] Thanks for the info on Greenbrier station and hotel and the C&O stations.Thumbs Up [tup]   

Looking forward to the ‘mushy peas' recipe.Yeah!! [yeah]

LARS Looking forward to your report of your caravan trip to the Keys, Have a safe journey.Yeah!! [yeah]

If I may answer on the models, the first is indeed an LNER Teak set behind 4468 Mallard it was labeled for the Flying Scotsman. The second train behind the Brunswick Green livered A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley is BR MK1 coaching stock as got Atlantic Coast Express, boards on the cars, this puzzled the gentleman in the Hall's Station shop, as the ACE was a Southern Region train. 60007 is a splendid model though. I will put in a good word for you with RUTH as the prize (not that you need it).Smile [:)]

It is a shame that the train you had to Plattsburg was in a dirty condition on the outside,Thumbs Down [tdn] I am hoping the train we have next week is in cleaner condition than when Tom and I traveled. It will be good if the train keeps to reasonable time at least on the way out, or if it runs late on the way back they have increased the stock of Sam Adams from 3.Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Many thanks for the photos of the CP FP9AsThumbs Up [tup]. I noticed there is what appears to be hand rails on the top of the CP FP9s that are not on the NH units in Eric's link, perhaps one of the regulars know something about them and their purpose.Question [?]

TOM Yes just two weeks to the Rendezvous.Yeah!! [yeah]Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup]

It seems that KCS are a company who are really good with public relations and have a good regard to their heritage with the Heritage cars and are now painting some of their new diesels into a livery similar to old colors on their preserved #34Approve [^]. It would be great if they could get hold of a steam loco and run excursions from the KC area.Yeah!! [yeah]

I am sure I read the gentleman in charge of the Union Station in KC is from KCS, I hear that the station should make a profit this year, which is great newsApprove [^]Thumbs Up [tup]. I seem to remember that Trains magazine done a special in one of their issues when Union Station was renovated. I picked one up in England but I'm afraid I don't seem to have it now.

I well remember you showing me the staircase at Chicago Union Station where that scene in ‘The Untouchables" was filmed.Thumbs Up [tup]

Many thanks for those really great photos of the BC RDCs in such great British Columbian scenery.Approve [^] I see in the photos there are 5 RDCs forming the train and in the photo of the Cariboo leaving Marble Tunnel someone in the cab is taking a photo of the photographer taking a pic of the RDC. Thanks again for sharing such great photos.Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup].

Well LEON I will have another and l see Tom is getting them in.Approve [^]

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, May 3, 2007 1:25 PM

G'day Gents!

Ruth, take a break young lady, I'll handle the bar .  .  .

Great to see Shane ‘n the Larsman "in" today . . . I'll catch-up with ya in my next Customer Acknowledgment.

 

Thanx, Lars, for the "heads up" for the weekend. May or may not impact us, but nice to be aware of the possibilities. Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Here are a few Pix not seen on at the reborn bar, although perhaps a few were viewed on the original Thread. Anyway, in keeping with the continuing Canadian Passenger Railways "theme" - enjoy these BC Rail photos of my favorite cars - the RDCs by Budd (of course)!!

Of note is that permission was obtained from the owner of the photos for use on this Thread . . .

 

 

BC Rail: RDCs along Anderson Lake in British Columbia

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

 

BC Rail: RDCs along Anderson Lake in BC

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

BC Rail: RDCs along Seton Lake south of Lilloet, BC

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

 

BC Rail: RDCs along curved fill in the Cariboo (yes, that's correct spelling!)

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

 

BC Rail: Budd Cars at Marble Tunnel up in the Cariboo

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

 

BC Rail: RDCs cross Pine River Trestle

(courtesy: www.scenic-railroads.com)

 

Boris ring the bell, time for a round on me! Thumbs Up [tup]

Enjoy! Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by LoveDomes on Thursday, May 3, 2007 11:26 AM

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

Ruth, I'll have a frosty mug of Schaefer and one of my Larsman special hero sandwiches of ham 'n Swiss, mustAHd 'n buttAH with two extra large crunchy pickles from the barrel. Of course, treats for the crittAHs and a small jar of pickled pig's feet for our man, Boris! A round to be held in abeyance 'til the joint is rockin' and the change is for you! Thumbs Up [tup]

Decision time in the Larsman household has resulted in a caravan to the Keys comin' straight up. The Mrs. has decided that we MUST drive down because of the "stuff" she absolutely NEEDS at the new digs which would be far too much to check as baggage if we flew. Sons all have decided THEY wanna go too and will HELP with carting our "stuff" to the south i ntheir vehicles. Grandma will be in the care of the gals while we're away along with #3 son who can't get away from that thing called WORK! <grin> Stay tuned, this should be a Cecil B. DeMille extravaganza when ready to roll! <yikes>

Really liked those Kansas City model train pix from that store you 'n Pete visited. First rate, for sure! Thumbs Up [tup] My not-so-eagle-eyes tell me that there's a LNER passenge consist in the display case and down further there appears to be a Brit-looking train BEHIND the Santa Fe consist, but cannot make out the roadname. Do I win, huh, huh?? And WHAT do I win?? Or maybe WHO - but that's a story for 'nother time! Mischief [:-,]

The Marklin stuff is great looking too and reminds me very much of what I used to see in the "upscale" stores many years ago when every now 'n then I'd check out the European model trains. Really "neat" and I always liked the way they designed that 3rd rail in the middle . . . very clever for sure. Thumbs Up [tup]

I'm not so certain the Marlin stuff exactly measures up to HO in scale. Appears just a bit smaller. Anyone know for sure??

Noted the comments from Eric regarding Amtrak hand cleaning the X2000. Those people who did that shudda been hired to take care of the train we took up to Plattsburg and back - outside of it was in dire need of both were in dire need of a bath too. <ugh>

See that Shane made it in today and has continued on with his insights regarding this 'n that. Little surprised that there's no baseball being mentioned, but it IS early, huh?? Youbetchaboots it is. I'm still in the 'hockey' mode and am rooting the Sabres on against the Rangers. Don't know why, but I've never really been high on the Rangers, although their games are lotsafun to attend. Rowdy, raucus and just the way I like 'em! Yeah!! [yeah] Islanders have been "my team" since they came into the league decades past. Anyway, good to see the coalminer back with us.Thumbs Up [tup]

Oh yes, Tom's correct - Mets 'til the end. Ain't NO way I'll evAH root for a Florida based team in ANY pro sport over "my" New YAWKERS! <grin>

Also good to see Pete make it in to fill that PM "slot" Cap'n Tom always mentions. It is one of the more critical time periods and as seen lately, has been pretty much the last post for the daylight and sometimes entire remainder of the day. Good seein' ya, mate! Another Amtrak trip comin' up I noted. You must surely be a glutten for punishment! Seriously though, hope you and the Mrs. enjoy the day (when??) and also hope the UP doesn't cause delays along the way. Thumbs Up [tup]

Received an email from BK (also addressed to Tom) and he may be off-line for a bit as things aren't going so well in Alberta. Thought I'd just mention it because we are going to be down, down, down in numbers as these weeks press on. It's one thing to say you're a "regular," it's times like these to demonstrate it if you're free to do so. Just a "plug" for our bar, guys! Thumbs Up [tup]

Noted a "blurb" on our Thread from Rene S from over on the Garden Railways Forum - here's what it says:

Saturday, May 5th through Sunday, May 6th certain portions of Trains.com will be unavailable for website scheduled maintenance. During this time, all content (including subscriber-only features) will be available to all visitors. Account holders will not be able to log-in to their accounts during this time. In addition, no new accounts can be created during the maintenance.

We thank you for your patience and hope you enjoy the free preview of subscriber-only content.

Rene Schweitzer
Garden Railways magazine

That's about it for me as the paperwork for the bar is now in order, the Bar Chandler has the stock inventoried and in sufficient supply to meet demand. Kitchen staff is under the charge of our Chief Chief Chef [C=:-)], trolleyMAN Count Robulla, Ontario Connection, el Supremo, and so on! <grin> Pretty much gave up on having an assistant manager, a good idea, but no serious takers. Oh well, sorry Cap'n, looks like you'll be assuming the role once we pack up the buggy for the trip to the Keys. Sorry. <groan>

Ruth, another if you please, and c'mon over here a second, I have something to share with you . . . . Whistling [:-^]

 

CP FP9A #1432 (photo: John Binley)

 

CP FP9A #1416 (photo: Ted Ellis)

 

Until the next time! Thumbs Up [tup]

Lars

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    January 2001
  • From: WV
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Posted by coalminer3 on Thursday, May 3, 2007 8:53 AM

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. 

We'll go back to some of yesterday's posts.

Mike sent pictures.

I have been accused of being an "industrial archeologist" before, so the picture of Spadina in 1933 was interesting.  Most of it is gone now, but I did get there before it all disappeared.  The inhabitants were more than friendly and gave me the run of the place.  I burned up approx. 10 rolls of film shooting MLW power, passenger equipment, etc.  Of course this was over thirty years ago, now.

The Queen is going to be in Virginia tomorrow, I guess and then will be going to watch the horsies in Louisville.  Closest I'll get to seeing her is on TV and when she probably flies over the house heading west.  I did see her during the Bicentennial when I was living in Boston.  The picture made at the Forum (I KNOW I got that one right - LOL) was a good one although she looked like she would have rather been someplace else.  Montreal truly did have some teams back then.

The shots in Vermont got me all homesick.

Now back to Jimmy Piersall.  The first picture was made in the player's parking lot at Fenway.  The boys sure drove different vehicles back then - and they probably drove themselves to and from work.  The second one would not open, but the third shot of him when he was with the Mets looks to have been made at the Polo Grounds.

Lars - It's stupidity on my part; not inaccuracy; should have read the post b4 I mashed the print button.  You gotta stop sending book covers - the potential purchase list keeps getting longer. I see three more to examine when I get north later this summer.

OSP sent some fine material on Toronto and some great model pictures.  Look what's in the showcase when we enlarge the picture.  Let's see, wrap up the Empire State Express that's on the top shelf, and we'll also give that P Company train and locomotive a good home.  The LNER and the Santa Fe trains are intriguing, but we don't want to be greedy do we?  Lars will be after the DRGW train because of the dome - it would be a nice display piece.

Pete sent some comments.  Re the recipe.  My mom boiled everything.  Anyway, I do have some of her recipe books so I will see what I can find.  She eventually learned how to cook, but that's another story for another time.

The Classic Trains magazine showed up here yesterday p.m. when I picked up the mail.  The overhead view of White Sulphur Springs is a good one.  The layout is not really that much different today.  There are a few passenger cars on display behind the station.  The station building itself is in good shape, and the Greenbrier recently reopened after a remodeling in which they kept most of the Dorothy Draper colors, etc.  Well worth a trip - you can get there by train, and the limo meets the train to take you to the hotel.  Be sure to bring $. 

East is to the left of the photograph.  The White Sulphur Springs tunnel is just out of the picture to the left.  Tough grade eastbound, and sometimes you see pushers on trains.  It's quite a show with lots of noise, smoke going up, and sand going down.

Ronceverte, WV is not too far to the west.  Plans are afoot to purchase the station from CSX and restore it as well.  We are relatively fortunate in that many of the old C&O station buildings are either in use or have been preserved.  Let's see (based on recent posts and photographs):

Charleston - In use

Handley - Gone

Montgomery - Gone

Thurmond - In use - completely restored by National Park service

Prince - In use with additional preservation plans in progress - this building is historically significant as it was about the only station C&O constructed to reflect planned Chessie operation (IOW the train that "never was.")

Hinton - In use

Alderson - Restored to original C&O colors and in use

White Sulphur Springs - In use

Clifton Forge - In use

Staunton - Restored - In use

Charlottesville - 50 and 51 stop at Southern Ry. Station in Charlottesville.  The old C&O station is just east of where C&O and SOU cross at grade.  The building is in use, but not as a station.

Also in the magazine is some color photography of traction operations in north central WV back in the day, and some wonderful CV color photography as well.

Our Canadian friends will enjoy the picture of the old Ottawa station.

Work safe

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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Thursday, May 3, 2007 7:02 AM

<from my personal collection>

G'day Gents!

Thursday and we're heading fast to the week's end. Check out our Menu Board for a <light> or <traditional> breakfast. Down it with some freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee along with a pastry or two from The Mentor Village Bakery! Yeah!! [yeah]

Two weeks from TODAY for the Rendezvous in St. Louis to begin! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

CM3 Shane at 3:24 PM yesterday: Dodgerdogs - now there's a memory for ya! Last one I had was in 1988 at Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles. They knew how to do it right when it came to concessions - prices didn't knock your socks off. Used to attend as many of the Cardinals games as I could, along with the Reds (used to call Cincinnati "home" for decades). ALWAYS rooted against the Dodgers, something that surely would've been out of the question back in the 50s . .

Okay, you're off the hook, but watchitfella! <grin>

Second installment of quarters ‘n round ‘n of course the "dogs" most appreciated! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Mike at 5:13 PM yesterday: More URLs from silent Mike . . .

 

Pete at 5:42 PM yesterday: Glad to note that you finally made it on-line. Those ‘puter issues can drive you mad! <grin>

The Toronto Union Station Pix aren't mine - got ‘em elsewhere in the Ether . . . they are reflective of the way things look today.

I met the CEO of KCS at a meeting in JCity several years ago when I used to attend those quarterly gatherings with state, local (10 communities along the Stl-KC route) and Amtrak people. Nice guy to speak with and he surely had a "vision" for the resurrection of passenger service between KCity and points south. Of course it was envisioned to be Amtrak, but he was all for it back then. Ah, to dream . . .

The recollections are vivid when it comes to a shut ‘n shuttered KC Union Station. Amtrak back then used a rather small, but modern "pill box" just a hop, skip ‘n jump from where KCUS is located. Then, the momentum began to build to reopen the place, but not for trains - but as a Science Center for kids. Took Amtrak many years to finally get back into the station and not without a bunch of "issues" to be settled in favor of the RR. Crazy, eh?? You'd think they wudda been willing to jump through a hoop of fire just to get a place like that. Yes, it is great to have the structure alive ‘n well once again. Thumbs Up [tup]

Nice shots of the HO layout . . .

By the by, the name of THE model train store in Crown Center is Hall's Station.

Thanx for the Post and of course the afternoon phone call . . . Rendezvous arrival is 2 weeks from today! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Eric at 1:06 AM today: Over a 7 hour gap in "chat," but yours always can be counted on! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

I'd wager that Amtrak only washed YOUR train due to the attention it was getting. Wonder if their own equipment received equal attention Question [?] Nope, is my guess. <groan>

Shooting galleries in train stations aren't all that novel. Remember the 1987 flick with the shooting scene in Chicgo's Union Station Question [?] Name, you ask?? The Untouchables with Kevin Costner and Sean Connery. Watch for it at the Emporium Theatre!! <grin>

REALLY "dig" that FL9 in New Haven livery on that link! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Nice photo of your train in Toronto (yes?)!! Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonight is Fish ‘n Chips Nite! Dinner begins at 5 PM. Dinner [dinner]

Cindy is now our Saturday bartender! Yeah!! [yeah]

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle! Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
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  • 683 posts
Posted by EricX2000 on Thursday, May 3, 2007 1:06 AM

Good Morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Thursday morning, Leon! Just a cup of coffee! You'll keep the change!

Some more interesting stuff from and about Canada and its railroads! Plus some model train pictures and info!

Tom –  It was Amtrak who washed the X2000 by hand!


Yes, of course, you are absolutely right, all engineers are very nice people!Smile [:)] Don’t think anything else. Whistling [:-^]

What’s wrong with a 6-axle truck? It will eat the rails in the curves and/or derail. But otherwise it is okay! Mischief [:-,]

Union Station, Toronto!Thumbs Up [tup] I liked that station when we were there. But for an unknown reason I did not take any pictures from the inside! Shooting gallery inside the station? Wow!! [wow] Lots of interesting facts! I like that aerial view of the station!

I like that model train store you visited in KC!Thumbs Up [tup] The HO layout is Märklin! I guess you noticed the two GG1s in the Märklin’s display case!Wow!! [wow]

James –  I would also like to see UP’s DD40X running! Must be something else.Smile [:)]
Thanks for the info on Atlas Model Railroad Company!Thumbs Up [tup] I have an Atals locomotive somewhere. I have to get my model trains out of that cabinet and take some pictures.

Mike –  Thanks for the pictures!Thumbs Up [tup] Interesting to see Toronto back in the “old” times! And the picture from Lytton, BC is magnificent! Plus a bunch of different Canadian locomotives in Cananda and US!

CM3 –  Yes, I remember the brick building at Route 128!Smile [:)] I think I took a picture of it. I have to check my negatives! High level platforms? I guess that was kind of expected after the electrification. I also remember that grade you mentioned! Maybe I don’t have Alzheimer’s? Sometimes I wonder. FL9 is rebuilt!? You are probably right about the trucks being the only equipment close to original today.

Lars –  Some more book(s) covers!Thumbs Up [tup] CP and CN plus James’ hometown railroad (I think)! Hard to pick any book in particular, they all look very interesting!

Pete –  Computer trouble! There is only one advice I can give you, it is called Macintosh! Wink [;)]
I am afraid I did not have time tonight to look up the FL9 info, but I have a reminder on a post-it note in front of me. A quick look gave this info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_FL9

Never thought about the left hand running in the photo of 3090, but you are right!Smile [:)]

Nice pictures of the HO-layout at KC Union Station!Thumbs Up [tup] 

Toronto 1993. 

 

Eric 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: mid mo
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Posted by pwolfe on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 5:42 PM

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Holden's Mild please for another great Canadian Theme day.Thumbs Up [tup]

ERIC Still having trouble with the computerThumbs Down [tdn], I saved the post I done last night in word and it is still there yet the one before wasn't.Confused [%-)]

Thanks for the cab photo from the F40 and I will look forward to the rebuilt FL9 info.Thumbs Up [tup]

I noticed in the photo of Canadian 3090 that there was left hand running.

JAMES We have a very happy BORIS now his shed is clean againApprove [^]

Many thanks for the history of Atlas and Stephen Schaffan JR and his inventions to build a better model track.Thumbs Up [tup]

MIKE Thanks for the great Canadian photos in the links and the ICE photo and mapThumbs Up [tup].

CM 3 I seem to recall that a railway in the UK did experiment with using pulverized coal for use in some steam engines, I don't believer the experiment was long lasting.Shock [:O]

I very much miss the mushy peas are the ones you have home madeQuestion [?], if they were I would love to have the recipeYeah!! [yeah]. I have not seen any in sale in the shops here.Sad [:(]

Glad you liked the steam picsThumbs Up [tup]. I will try to find out about the Jefferson City station from one of the volunteers there.

Certainly not getting involved in the baseball between the OSP, LARS and youShock [:O], although I am on your side after the slight to that most wonderful of foods Mushy Peas.Big Smile [:D]

Stay safe from those stormsYeah!! [yeah]

LARS Many thanks for some more, great Canadian book coversThumbs Up [tup]. I wonder what the structure was used for in the bottom left of the CP facilities cover was used for.Question [?] 

TOM It was great to talk to you todayThumbs Up [tup]. Tried firing up the firing the puter again and so far so good.Confused [%-)]Banged Head [banghead]

 I will let you know if the problem with the dirty Amtrak windows as improved any next week when the bride and I go to K.C.

Many thanks for the Toronto Union Station encore.Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

There cannot be many stations that have a shooting gallery in the buildingShock [:O]. The station certainly had a fine group of people at its opening and it is great that the fine building was not demolished as proposed in 1973.Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup] Were those great photos of yours taken after the Redevelopment mention that was going to take place after 2003.Question [?]

Those photos in the model shop came out really wellWow!! [wow]Yeah!! [yeah]. Looking forward to visiting it again next week.

There was little piece in the KC Star business about the CEO of the KCS had been at Union Station to show the new paint scheme some KCS locos are being painted in, we just a glimpse of them as we were approaching the station, that could explain why the KCS heritage train was there. As you said to James although there is not much passenger train activity at KC Union Station we must be grateful that the station did survive.Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup].

A couple of photos of the HO layout at KC Union Station last New Year


Well LEON I try a Golden Glow and another round please.

Pete .

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • 4,190 posts
Posted by wanswheel on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 5:13 PM
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: WV
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by coalminer3 on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 3:24 PM

Good Afternoon Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, $ for the jukebox and Dodgerdogs all round.

Abject apologies to OSP.  The wheels fell off- I had the right #s for Piersall and put the 1957 figures in for the Dodgers - what next!  We all remember what Brooklyn did in 1956.

Better get out of here as we are having the third violent "chance of a thundershower" of the day.  Just wanted to set the record straight.

work safe

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 1:54 PM

G'day Gents!

Ruth, take a break - I'll handle things behind the bar for awhile . . .

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

James at 8:20 AM today: Fine, fine INCLUSIVE Post!

Wudda thunk that Boris' Shed wudda gagged a healthy maggot, surely NOT the Rat's Patoot Room! Perhaps those spitoons . . . <ugh>

Toronto's Union Station is a REAL train station whereas KCity's Union Station is a rehabbed tourist attraction with a focus on "attractions" - special events and the like. Amtrak only recently returned and operates 6 trains a day - 3 in 'n 3 out. That's it. So to call it a station is a stretch in these times. BUT those of us who travel to KCity are thankful for small favors and it is a nice place to visit, no matter how many times. Thumbs Up [tup]

Apprecite the ATLAS "stuff" for this OPTIONAL Toy 'n Model Trains Day! I think you and I are the only ones remembering what Wednesdays include . . . no matter, good stuff and hope the guys pick up on it. Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Mike at 8:42 today: URLs . . . silent, except for Doug. Hmmmmm.

 

CM3 Shane at 9:44 today: The return of our WVA Connection - midweek at that! Yeah, tell us all about it - work, work, work 'n very little play. I recall those times . . . <grin>

I vividly recall the Piersall story and of course those times. That was a terrific outfield and doubt that it has been replicated since. Sure, there have been some "boppers" come 'n go, but when you think about the 3 you mentioned - Wow!! [wow]

Seriously doubt that the Larsman will turn in his Mets cap for a Marlins fin. Ain't no way! And the Jints over the Dolphins is my guess too. Hockey? Ha. Fuhgedaboudit! Basketball too - he's a New YAWKER and should be quite at home where he is. Between the Canadians down there and New YAWKERS, say no more . . . Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Visit, insights, quarters 'n round much appreciated! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

 

Lars at 11:10 AM today: The return of the Book Mobile and some fine Canadian stuff. Thumbs Up [tup]

Noted a resemblance in that book cover of yours with the CN open-ended observation car and one we saw in KCity . . .

Got your Email and appreciate the schedule. Not to worry 'bout the bar - we'll muddle through as always. As I've been saying all along, EXPECT many, many days of little to no activity as the guys take their respective "leaves" . . . bound to happen.

I think Shane walked right into that one, but then again, it cudda been a "test" - clever man that coalminer and one never really can TRUST a historian these days (daze)! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Ya know, BK may have something in his "claim" to THE sandwich. His Post was far earlier than your first and afterall it's in the "record." Hmmmmmm. But that's okay - it's become your "signature sandwich" and we all KNOW it! <grin> But then again . . .

So what's this business going on of "meeting" with Ruth, eh Question [?] Evil [}:)]

 

And since it is our OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day! - check these out from THE Model Trains store in KCity's Crown Center:

LGB layout 

 

Marklin layout

 

Intriguing model trains

 

Marklin trains display case

 

Display case with O gauge trains - two Brit consists; can you find ‘em??

 

Enjoy! Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: northeast U.S.
  • 1,225 posts
"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by LoveDomes on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 11:10 AM

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

Ruth my deAH, I think a sandwich would be fine today, one of MY specials of course - ham, Swiss, mustAHd 'n buttAH with two extra large 'n crunchy pickles from the barrel. Stealing HIS sandwich, yeah right! Nice try "bookend" . . . . Ah yes, treats for the crittAHs and a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris. Round for the house and the change is for YOU! Thumbs Up [tup]

So, Da Bossman "nailed" Shane on an inaccuracy regarding baseball and Da Bums! Wow!! [wow] He's right, Shane - 1956 was a pennant winnAH for the Dodgers, their very last in Brooklyn, as Milwaukee's Braves won in 1957 'n 1958. Next winnAH was out in LA in 1959 for the transplanted Dodgers.

Obviously I'm still out 'n about the decks and we'll be heading southward in a few days. No rush, but we've got quite a few things to get moving on and they're all fun. Nothing like depleting the "treasury" at this stage of life, huh??? Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Loved the Kansas City Pix from Da Boss and today's installment on Toronto's Union Station. That's a REAL train station for sure and always good thinking about the hustle 'n bustle still going on in places like that. Sure, a far cry from the glory days, but . . .

Looks like Rob came through with all kinds of good material for HIS selection for the Tuesday "theme." Don't even get me started on 'puter issues, for simply to acknowledge they exist is a sure-fire way to derail my system. Shhhhhhhhhh. <grin>

This stuff with the "editing" really does cause problems and I think we should all consider a bit more "care" and etiquette in the way we operate. As Da Bossman said, what's the point of going back to edit when no one is going to read it, especially if they've already been there 'n done that, so to speak??!! It surely isn't rocket science OR brain surgery OR rocket surgery OR brain science OR . . . Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Good to see Shane back at the bar with all sorts of info for the gang. Same for Pete 'n Eric and young James. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup]

Time again for the Book Mobile (nice name!) so here's a few more Canadian Railways oriented covers . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until the next time! Thumbs Up [tup]

Lars

  • Member since
    February 2004
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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:21 AM

G'day Gents!

Was going to hold off in responding, but Shane "flicked my switch" - POINT OF ORDER!

The Brooklyn Dodgers finished 1st in 1956 in the National League. Behind them were the Milwaukee Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants and Chicago Cubs! <geesh> <double geesh>

Don Newcombe was the MVP that year as a PITCHER and he also won the FIRST Cy Young Award after racking up 27 wins. Duke Snider belted a league leading 43 homers for the Bums who lost to the Yankees in the World Series, after having won their first title in 1955! Series MVP, Don Larsen of the Yanks pitched a perfect game #5  in the '56 series . . . quite a year.

I missed the entire fall pennant race and series as I was in the service then and doing "other" things in other places.<ugh>

One more of these "gafs" and YOU Sir may very well receive a <tweeting> for aspersions cast in the direction of OSPs favorite childhood baseball team!! (That's #39 on the "list" of Oh-fence-ez!) So there. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Mushy peas equates to mushy memories . . . <grin>

Tom Captain [4:-)] Pirate [oX)]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: WV
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by coalminer3 on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 9:44 AM

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox.  We're back for a few days now.  Have to do what the boss tells us to do.

 

Some comments, etc. over posts going back more than a few days now. 

 

Rob has been by with all kinds of useful information.  I have enjoyed looking at all of the pictures, diesel bldrs shots, etc.  The CP shot with the SDs at Bayview was a keeper.  Also liked the TH&B yard picture.  CN FM locomotives operated on the CV back in the day.  In fact, they were some of the first diesels to appear on the CV.

 

James sent a lot of material.  The GEVO drawing you're working on shows an eye for detail. Form follows function in design, but they could have done a little better, IMHO.  Incidentally, you want to have some fun around hot environments, spend some time around cement kilns - insanely hot and dangerous.  We also used to do a fair amount with thermal coal dryers.  Don't see too many of them nowadays.  Many of them used pulverized coal to fire their furnaces - this sort of thing gives you pause as well.  It's not the heat, Mildred, it's the possibility of explosions.

 

Eric - you are correct abt. Rte. 128.  I remember when the station there was a tin shelter - sort of looked like an old garage.  Later the NH built the brick station you probably remember.  It's all changed now with NEC electrification, parking stacks, high level platforms and so on.  The racetrack to Boston is still there.  You probably remember going west out of there that you could get a pretty good roll on a train until you got to Sharon which was the ruling grade on the Shore Line.  AT 489 is a r/b FL9; probably the only thing on it that was close to original equipment was the trucks.

 

Pete - Mushy peas indeed - a staple at our hose.  My mom was 1st generation UK in this country.  Thanks also for the steam shots; especially the 0-6-0 saddle tank.

 

Mike sent pictures and industrial information.

 

The second FL9 shot is a time machine for me anyway.  It was made at Providence and was taken early in the a.m.  The train is heading for New York (probably a Penn job given the consist).  The station building is right behind the locomotives.  The old Sheraton Biltmore Hotel is at the right of the picture.  My dad worked there when he was in school.  The building in the center of the picture is a bank which has had several names over the years; Fleet being the last I remember.  We always called it the "Daily Planet" building after the newspaper in Superman.  The entire railroad infrastructure is gone now, although, the station building is still there.  The new station is almost on the grounds of the RI Capitol building; basically behind where the photographer was standing. 

 

Got a kick out of the "Peace Commission" lithograph.  What a crew; "Spoons" Butler - look up about him and the folks in New Orleans, "Fighting Joe" Hooker who got shot up at Chancellorsville, but later redeemed himself.  O.O. Howard, the one-armed commander of the 11th Corps who also got chewed up at Chancellorsville, and was blamed (probably unjustly) for the conduct of the 11th Corps at Gettysburg.  I won't even get into discussing Sheridan.  Would suggest that Hancock was probably the best corps commander of the lot.  Then we have Sherman and Farragut . Interesting selection.

 

Lars is here and gone; but the bookmobile stopped for a visit - more stuff to look at for potential purchases.  I don't think he'll trade his Mets cap for a Marlins hat anytime soon, however,

 

I have enjoyed reading and viewing material from OSP and Pete's excellent adventure.  Thanks for the hotel ads and all of the other pictures.  I enjoyed looking at the lineup of power on that mural in KCUT.  The Jefferson City station reminds me very much of the old B&O station at Martinsburg, WV.  Hobby shops are hazardous to my wallet as are bookstores, hardware stores, auto parts places, etc.  Let's pack sandwiches and spend the day doing the circuit - Borders, Home Depot, Lowes, and Tractor Supply.  Wish we had a LHS in the area.  It's a 110 mile RT to get to one from here.

 

Good movie choices, too.

 

Jimmy Piersall was a truly gifted outfielder. Excellent fielder and a good hitter with some power.  He played for the Red Sox from 1950 to 1958, then went to Cleveland, Washington, and closed out his career with the Mets and the Angels.    Those of us who were around at the time remember him playing the outfield with Ted Williams and Jackie Jensen.  Piersall was in center field most of the time and Jensen in right. The movie is pretty accurate by all accounts.  Of course, the medications and support system(s) we have to day did not exist back then.  Piersall had to be a good outfielder given who was out there with him.  In 1956, he had 455 Pos, 10 assists, and 4 errors; a .991 FA - that's good at any time.  BTW, Red Sox were 84-70 that year; a 4th place finish in the American League behind New York, Cleveland, and Chicago.  OSP's Dodgers finished third in the NL behind the Braves and the Cardinals.

I will get to James's new post and Mike's new pictures a little later.

Work safe

  • Member since
    November 2005
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Posted by wanswheel on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 8:42 AM

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house

Just some stuff, a day and years late.

Thanks Doug for short post to reply to. There's horses below at Grand Trunk

Toronto

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=-1882125510&id=79

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/structures/index_view.cfm?photoid=1778290789&id=37

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=1564810868&id=55

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/scenic/index_view.cfm?photoid=4681503&id=46

Montreal

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-46471584&id=56

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-207375474&id=56

Royalty

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=1411856659&id=29

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-293392633&id=29

Grand Trunk Pacific

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/people/index_view.cfm?photoid=-46633253&id=26

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=-366609279&id=50

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=44127510&id=50

http://www.imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=87166652&id=58

Bluejays Skydome 1979

http://67.15.20.45/images/v/VIA_Power_at_Spadina.jpg.17677.jpg

Lytton, BC 1986

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/w/WeixlCNWhite_Canyon05-86.jpg.92051.jpg

Monticello, Illinois 2007

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CN6789.jpg.73144.jpg

Canadian Pacific

FP7 Dorval, Quebec 1966

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CPR_1404.jpg.87597.jpg

RDC Woodstock, Ontario 1957

http://67.15.20.45/images/c/cp9050-1.jpg.49720.jpg

4-6-2 Leaside station Toronto 1963

http://67.15.20.45/images/c/cp2309-1.jpg.48603.jpg

Caboose Magog 1961

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CP_Caboose_a.jpg.73240.jpg

MLW RS18 White River Jct 1961

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CPR_8824.jpg.37573.jpg

MLW FPA Dorval, Quebec 1964

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CP_4089_upgraded.jpg.95977.jpg

RS3 Magog 1963

http://67.15.20.45/images/c/CP_8434.jpg.33789.jpg

RS2 Lyndonville, Vt 1961

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CP_8403.jpg.15318.jpg

SD 40 Lake Louise, ALberta 1969

http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/c/CP_5534_Lk_Louise_Aug_69.jpg.65219.jpg

Ontario Northland

http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/eisenbahn/pic3/FP7_O.jpg

Iowa, Chicago & Eastern

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=200014

http://www.icerail.com/webmap.html

Mike

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Along the old Milwaukee Road.
  • 1,152 posts
Posted by CMSTPP on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 8:20 AM

G-day Captain [4:-)] Tom and all present!

Ruth- Good to see you.. I need an OJ and a pastry to get the rat's patoot smell out of my mind.

Ok, Ok. Maybe I'm able attend some mornings.. My eyes popped open this morning earlier than usual and I had tears come down my face thinking about the smell of the rat's patoot... What is up???Dead [xx(]Whistling [:-^]

Anyway I have some acknowledgements and an article for you guys.

Rob- Thanks for the interesting Classical Juice and the pictures.Thumbs Up [tup] I wish you had a picture of that trainmaster and its nose. For some reason I can't seem to see the locomotive with that wide nose like that. Very cool though. And another noted locomotive I really liked is the RSC24s. I just love how its short little body sits on those trucks, with that wee little gas tank too. It's a funny looking loco but a cool one at that.Approve [^] Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for catching my little error there. I went back and looked at the web page and found the picture. Your right, I didn't get the right number. Plus the picture has the year the picture was taken so I should have caught that. But I let you know now. Don't mind the dialogue under the 6218, it's wrong. But it's a cool picture!Thumbs Up [tup] Thanks for explaining the locomotive to me. To bad it's not being used anymore. I hope someday someone pics the locomotive up and restores it.Yeah!! [yeah]

Speaking of the GMD1. My dad a few years back had a couple on his train heading down to be sold.. somewhere. He did get pics of them, so I will see if I can find the photo.

Eric- A DD40X....... well I was close.. I think.Big Smile [:D] But a very cool looking interior. And thanks for the true interior of the F40. The interiors look almost the same. I would like to see the one running DD40X someday and time. Thanks for sharing the pic.Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom- Okay, Toronto's Union stating is bigger and much nicer looking than KCitys. Of course it probably handles twice as many trains than KCity's station. Thanks for all of the information and history regarding the station. It's good to see that such a nice looking building is still in use. Thanks Approve [^]

Ya I hope Boris is happy now, because that shed of his is somehow clean.Shock [:O] But by tomorrow that won't be a problem.....Mischief [:-,]

Atlas models

Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. makes scale models in N scale, HO scale, and O scale. The company is based out of Hillside, NJ. They produce a wide variety of locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles. Atlas is well known for their flex track and codes 55, 80, 83 and 100 track. Atlas also makes structures and bridges.

History

In 1924 Stephan Schaffan Sr. founded the Atlas Tool Company in Newark, NJ. In 1933 his son, Stephan Schaffan Jr., came to work for his father at the age of sixteen. Steve Jr. built model airplanes as a hobby and frequented a local hobby shop. Being an enterprising young man, he would often ask the owner if there was anything he could do to earn some extra spending money. Tired of listening to his requests, the hobby-store owner threw some model railroad track parts his way and said, "Here, see if you can improve on this".

In those days, railroad modelers had to assemble and build everything from scratch. Steve Jr. created a "switch kit" which sold so well, that the entire family worked on them in the basement at night, while doing business as usual in the machine shop during the day.

Subsequently, Steve Jr. engineered the stapling of rail to fiber track, along with inventing the first practical rail joiner and pre-assembled turnouts and flexible track. All of these products, and more, helped to popularize model railroading and assisted in the creation of a mass-market hobby. The budding entrepreneur quickly outgrew the limitations of a basement and small garage operation. Realizing they could actually make a living selling track and related products, Steve and his father had the first factory built in Hillside, New Jersey at 413 Florence Avenue in 1947. On September 30th, 1949, Atlas Tool Company Inc. was officially incorporated as a New Jersey company.

Enjoy!

Info from: www.Wikipedia.org

Happy railroadingLaugh [(-D]

James

The Milwaukee Road From Miles City, Montana, to Avery, Idaho. The Mighty Milwaukee's Rocky Mountain Division. Visit: http://www.sd45.com/milwaukeeroad/index.htm
  • Member since
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"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 7:36 AM

G'day Gents!

Continuing on with Canadian Passenger Railroads, here's something from Page 289 of the original Thread back on March 30th, 2006 . . .

 

Railroad Stations - Terminals & Depots

Number One - Toronto's Union Station




Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements.


Union Station (Toronto)

Union Station is a major railway, subway, and streetcar station at 65 Front Street West between Bay Street and York Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Currently, the primary function of the railway station is to act as a terminus for commuters on GO Transit, thanks to which it is busier than any other transport facility in the country, including airports. It also serves as a hub for intercity trains, and many railway companies have their offices within the building.


Details


The main entrance of Union Station.

Union Station is eight storey's tall and features a massive lobby known as the Great Hall, numerous corridors at the top, and a shooting gallery used by CN railway police on the seventh floor.

While VIA Rail, the successor to the railways which originally built Union Station, continues to use it as a major hub for the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor (including the joint VIA-Amtrak Maple Leaf train to New York City) and the eastern terminus of The Canadian, the vast majority of passengers travelling through the station are from GO Transit's commuter trains. Toronto Transit Commission riders likewise outnumber VIA passengers. The station is also used by Ontario Northland trains to northern Ontario.

Union Station is one of the only large railway stations in North America to use through-train operation. That is, the train platforms are through lines rather than lines which terminate in the station, as in stub-end operation. The name 'Union Station' refers simply to the fact that it united two railways in one building.

The platforms in the train shed are very close together. Passengers wait downstairs in a concourse similar to that of an airport prior to their trains arriving at the platform. Once the train has arrived, passengers enter gates which lead via escalator or stairs to the platform where they board the train.


Preceding station . . . . . . . . VIA Rail Lines . . . . . . . . . . Following station


Oakville (some trains) . . . . . . Toronto - Ottawa . . . . . . . . .Guildwood

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toronto - Montréal . . . . . . . .Guildwood

Oakville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windsor - Toronto . . . . . . . .Oshawa (some trains)

Brampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarnia - Toronto . . . . . . . . .Terminus

Oakville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Niagara Falls - Toronto . . . . Terminus

Washago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vancouver - Toronto . . . . . . Terminus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Canadian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oakville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York - Toronto . . . . . . . Terminus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Maple Leaf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ontario - Northland Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Washago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cochrane - Toronto . . . . . . . Terminus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Northlander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

History


Clock outside Union Station.


Columns outside Union Station.


GO Train waiting area inside Union Station's back area.

Toronto's third Union Station (see more on Old Union Station) was the largest enclosed space in Canada at the time it was built. Construction was begun in 1913 and the building was officially opened on August 6, 1927 in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward of Wales who cut the ribbon with a pair of gold scissors. Also in attendance was Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prince George, United Kingdom Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and Mrs. Baldwin, Ontario Lieutenant-Governor William Donald Ross and Mrs. Ross, Ontario Premier George Howard Ferguson, and numerous other members of the Ontario and Canadian governments.

Union Station was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway. The architects were G.A. Ross, R.H. MacDonald, Hugh Jones, and John M. Lyle. Like many stations of its period, it is designed in the Classical revival style developed by the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

In 1954, the Toronto Transit Commission opened a station immediately north of Union Station, which acted as the southern terminus of its new subway line, and as part of 1990's Harbourfront LRT project, they added an underground streetcar loop now used by the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina lines.

In 1972, the station was threatened by the two railways' (by this point the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific)  development proposal. It would have seen new office and retail developments and a communications and observation tower (which was later re-designed and built as the CN Tower) on the site of Union Station and adjacent rail yards. The entire station was to be demolished, and replaced with an underground terminal, similar to New York City's Penn Station. Local opposition to the proposal was successful in having the city council's decision to support the Metro Centre development overturned.

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
"Our" Place reborn! 3rd Year of adults 'n REAL Classic Trains in a special environment!
Posted by siberianmo on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 7:00 AM

<from my personal collection>

 

Wednesday's Witticism

A chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of a blockhead.

G'day Gents!

Mid-week and I'm glad, for this week hasn't started off well here at the bar, nor have things gone quite the way they should have. Sooooo, let's get that freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee, pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and maybe even a <light> or <traditional> breakfast! Yeah!! [yeah]

Heat wave "broke" last night with some fast moving storms roaring through, fortunately nothing severe. Temps are expected to get back to spring-like rather than summer. Awwwright! Thumbs Up [tup]

A request: For the "I don't know how many" times: PULEEZE refrain from using the EDIT feature on Posts that are hours - days or weeks old. All that is accomplished is to skew the "most current" Post information for those logging on to our Forum and Thread.

It is far better to simply Post a new message. After all, how many people do you think go back to see if any Posts have been edited since they were first read?? Think about it!! Makes no sense. This isn't rocket science, guys . . .

Today is OPTIONAL Toy ‘n Model Trains Day!

Oh yes, a comment regarding a Pix I provided yesterday of the Canadian "Shield." That photo was NOT "doctored" and is precisely what we saw from the observation dome car on New Years Eve 2002 heading to Vancouver from Toronto. The reason for the ‘artificial" look is probably due to the brilliance of colors, thanx to a great sunny day along with the combination of melting ice ‘n water. Thought perhaps at least one curious mind would want to know  . . .

 

Customer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (since my last narrative):

 

Rob at 2:37 PM ‘n 2:46 PM ‘n 3:59 PM yesterday: Isn't life grand when things "work" the way they're supposed to??? Man oh man, I'm at THAT point lately  . . .

Some super fine "stuff" from you to save the "theme" for Tuesday. Most likely we'll see a continuation through today, and who knows, perhaps tomorrow . . . Thumbs Up [tup]

Didn't know about CLC, but why not, eh Question [?] Makes perfect sense. A good read, chock full o' informative stuff. Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Always liked those SW1200s - have a couple on the Can-Am as a matter of fact, one custom painted in VIA Rail livery another in "stock" Amtrak grey.

Never, ever saw a GMD1 - an interesting machine, fer sure, fer sure! Thumbs Up [tup]

Always liked the RS series of diesels with my favorites going way back to the RS2 . . .

You are absolutely CORRECT in your appraisal about the Harvey House Girls - NOT! Didn't see a Hooters place there, but . . . . never mind. <grin>

Your Classic Diesels #42 pretty much affirms what we were "talking" about the other day with the condition of the railroad's passenger equipment and loco's as a result of the heavy dependency placed upon them during WWII.

Nice progression through the equipment used and the times. I didn't know that the reason CN avoided domes was because of Montreal's Central Station. Surely not the situation later on and continuing to this day.

Lots of good scoop in that Post and I especially appreciated the emergence of VIA Rail information. CP ‘n CN were surely off the hook and looking at those series of drastic cut backs suffered in the 80s and 90s, things surely aren't as bright ‘n rosy as they could've ‘n should've been, eh Question [?]

Good stuff from our Ontario Connection! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] See ONE GUY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! <grin>

 

Lars at 2:38 PM yesterday: Great Canadian Railways book ‘n video covers from our Manager! Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] Thumbs Up [tup] I too have some of those books and in this regard YOU CAN TELL A BOOK BY ITS COVER! <grin>

Thanx for coming back to keep the "theme" going, I know afternoons are difficult for you, but then again you GIVE A RAT's PATOOT - and it shows! Yeah!! [yeah]

 

Pete at 6:52 PM yesterday: Don't know what to tell ya, Mate - but there's something strange going on with your ‘puter and the WP program you are using. If you saved the work you were preparing to a file then shut down your ‘puter, it surely shudda been there when you turned it back on. For example: I maintain a WP file that I've named "Draft," and in it are the submissions I prepare BEFORE pasting them into the Forum's reply area. Once my Post goes through, I of course delete whatever was in the "Draft" WP file, so that next time I can simply open it and start typing anew . . . The key to all of this is to use the "save" feature - even doing it a couple of times helps if you are experiencing difficulties. Hope this helps . . . Even Molly Throttlebottom cannot be of help with this! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Glad you dropped by, in spite of it all . . . Thumbs Up [tup]

 

James at 7:59 PM ‘n 8:22 PM yesterday: Back with all kinds of "stuff" to support the "theme" and the bar! Thumbs Up [tup] Cleaning the Shed ‘n the Rat's Patoot Room without being "fined" - hmmmmm, now that's worth something. Gotta think about your "reward" for being a very diligent ‘n caring customer! Wow!! [wow]

Your early AM Post showed up on both of my ‘puters as the "most recent," even when using RELOAD/REFRESH. That's why I figured you must've "edited." <weird>

Some mighty fine stuff in those Posts and of course we appreciate it all. That CN steamer with the "white walls" is a terrific photo. Love it! Reminds me of those early days of Gilbert's American Flyer S-gauge trains. They always had those "white w

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 683 posts
Posted by EricX2000 on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 1:07 AM

Good morning Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, time for a Sugar Cured Ham Sandwich on rye! Coffee, please!

A Canadian Day indeed! I learned a lot tonight reading all this and checking all pictures! Took some time but well worth it.

Tom –  What beer bottles? Hmmm, I wonder what happened on that trip? Or, maybe I don’t want to know? Confused [%-)]

I am afraid the status of Amtrak’s equipment is something we can thank the politicians in DC for. Dirty windows is a no-no.Grumpy [|(]

Some more nice pictures from KC!Thumbs Up [tup] That eastbound locomotive certainly needs a wash! I remember in Washington D.C. with the X2000, when they actually washed the whole train by hand on track 17.Yeah!! [yeah] It happened a couple of times.

The engineer looks like a nice guy! That PCC looks kind of lonely under its roof, but at least it has been preserved!Smile [:)]

I like those two pictures from and of the Glacier Park car! Snowy, but sitting here in Phoenix it looks nice!Thumbs Up [tup]

James –  Some nice pictures, especially the top one of the Via-train!Thumbs Up [tup]

The interior pictures are from the cab of DD40X, not a F40. A little bit of a F40 control stand can be seen in this picture:



More nice pictures including one from Duluth!Thumbs Up [tup] No, I will not make any comments about the snow! Your friend has a interesting website! I didn’t know that Amtrak used to run a train up to Duluth! Smile [:)]

Lars –  Going back soon? You are doing the right thing (Ruth has a different opinion though) Must be a nice feeling to set up the new place the way you’ll like it!

Some interesting book(s) covers! I really don’t have any books about Canadian railroads. Added to my shopping list! I saw that Rob likes the first one, Passing Trains!

Upstairs in the middle of the week?Oops [oops] No, I wouldn't tell.

BK –  I am sure you will like Forest Gump!Yeah!! [yeah] A very good movie!

Two weeks from today I’ll take off for the Rendezvous! I am very much looking forwardto it!Yeah!! [yeah]

I like that story about your trip on board “The Canadian”!Thumbs Up [tup] Nice of the crew to open the bar again!

My Best Regards to Lady Lydia!Smile [:)]

Rob –  You have worked hard today!!!Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

Glad you liked the pictures! Normally it is not that easy to get inside the cab of locomotives, but at a museum that is not a problem. Smile [:)]

Interesting reading about the Canada only locomotives!Thumbs Up [tup] Slightly different design. And two RS23s in Guelph Junction! Been there!

I found some more info on The Super Continental from 1955! So the train crew was trained to deal with passengers so they want to come back again and again. They certainly treated the Captain right, he is coming back again and again! Wink [;)]

Must be a typo about the CPA/CPB locomotives. The rear truck was a 6 wheel truck not a 6 axle truck. Interesting info and pictures!!Thumbs Up [tup] Also the the pictures of steam excursion trains are most interesting!Thumbs Up [tup]

Pete –  I think you should call Bill Gates about your Word document! Don’t trust him!Grumpy [|(]

The photos from inside the cab is from DD40X. I know I read about some rebuilt FL9’s still in service. I’ll find out until tomorrow. Smile [:)]

Doug –  We certainly miss you, cowboy!Smile [:)] Glad you could stop by for a brief moment tonight!

I’ll end this post with a Canadian train in Quebéc, Canada.

 

Eric

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: mid mo
  • 1,054 posts
Posted by pwolfe on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 10:52 PM

Hi Tom and all.

Running very lateSigh [sigh] LEON so let me get a round in please.

ERIC Thanks for the kind words on the photos I will pass the message on to Alan.Thumbs Up [tup]

I don't suppose there are any FL9s still in serviceQuestion [?]. I suppose though there must have been some of the class saved for museums.

Are your photos in the cab of the X40 or the DD40X.Question [?]The control panel seems old fashioned to me.Confused [%-)]

JAMES Glad you liked the steam photos.Thumbs Up [tup] Thanks for the info on the Iowa & Chicago Eastern, if you can find out more about the line and any idea how the loco turned up in mid Missouri that would be great.Thumbs Up [tup]

LARS It looks as though you are in for a very busy time, really hope you can get in some fun as well as getting the new house fitted out.Yeah!! [yeah]

According to the schedule it is only until the end of May that traveling to Kansas City by Amtrak will allow 4 1/2  hours in KC, Tom and I were lucky as we had almost the full amount of time there.Thumbs Up [tup] Hopefully if the bride and I go we shall have as much time there.

It is a marvelous way to relax, having a beer on a train in good company.Approve [^]

Tom certainly has some great films on at the Emporium,Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup] The ones I have not seen I would really like too.

Great to see you in BKApprove [^]. Many thanks for the kind wordsThumbs Up [tup]. I would love to hear some more about your time in the UK sometime, did you spend any time in the West Midlands area with their accentQuestion [?]. I worked with a Glaswegian for many years and as you say their use of the language is uniqueShock [:O], but one of the best guys I have come across though.Thumbs Up [tup]

Really great experience of yours on the Canadian and one not to be forgotten, many thanks for sharing it with us.Thumbs Up [tup]

My Best Regards to Lady Lydia.

ROB We had the same problem here with some one digging and hitting something they was told that was there. Thumbs Down [tdn]

 Glad you liked the photosThumbs Up [tup]. It seems Canada was the same as BR in regards to steam locomotives. Some of BR class 9F 2-10-0s, which some regarded as the finest freight locos to run in the UK, were withdrawn after only 5 years service a terrible waste in the rush to get rid of steam locos on BR. A similar thing as just happened in China.Thumbs Down [tdn]Sad [:(]

It is a pity that is no longer possible to get that great shot of the train passing under the bridge at Bayview. It is surprising how fast a favorite location can change.

Thanks for the info on the locomotive painting.Thumbs Up [tup]

TOM NO NO not BORIS and I Mud Wrestling,Blush [:I] although I believe there may be an end of term demonstration involving H&H and BORIS.Shock [:O] Talking of BORIS his is looking very ‘sheepish' lately but I have been sworn to secrecy at the minute but this is dependant on his good behaviorEvil [}:)].

That diesel in the photo yesterday as got me puzzled, it seems strange how the loco ended up here in Mid-Mo perhaps James can helpYeah!! [yeah].

DID you get the latest issue of Classic Trains yetQuestion [?]. I got one on Monday and although I have just had a quick glance through, it seems a good one with pics of double headed GG1s in the Scout story and some articles from CM3s areaApprove [^]. While picking up the mag I noticed the 12:30 from KC was running over an hour and a half late arriving hereSigh [sigh], it was the same loco we had Friday.

I have not seen anything in the KC paper as to what the KCS Heritage train was doing, as you say we were fortunate to see it at Union Station. Thumbs Up [tup]

Many thanks for the KC photosApprove [^]Thumbs Up [tup]. The Harvey House really is in a splendid room; it is only by studying the photo one realizes how grand it isWow!! [wow]. The mural came out really well and it is great they have erected a shelter to protect the KC streetcar from the elements since my previous visit to Union Station, a Bow [bow]to them.

Wouldn't it be great if they would run a public special with the KCS stock hauled by # 34.Yeah!! [yeah]

CANADIAN THEME DAY.

Well ROB what can I say, after the trouble with your word processor such great posts I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Canadian only locos parts one and two great photos to accompany the posts as well, It is good we shall be able, hopefully, to view some at Delson. I think the low hoods of the RS18U make it look an attractive loco.

CN made a real effort to attract passengers after the war with the fare structure a 50% increase in passengers was a good result. It seems the CN Turbo

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