For those who desire one to "spark it up" with controversy!!!

[Anonymous]

Getting back to invading Normandie (note the change in spelling (French)); I have now visited most of the DDay landing beaches and although thousnds of Aussie soldiers died there , not a mention of us except one very small mention something about the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force). To me the most interesting was not one of the beaches at all; it was the Pegasus Bridge. which was taken by Pommy commandos from Dorset right on schedule and was actually the pivot for the whole thing.

This was right at the northern end and they had to exert so much pressure that the Germanshad to move the forces north to stop them.

When they did this the Americans at "Omaha" i think really got into gear and the whole thing moved like a big axis and the day was won.

Rgds ian

[grandpopswalt]

Ian,

Revisionist history is nothing new. Many years ago I visited a French military museum in the mountains near Toulon. One of the features was a film presentation of the fighting around Toulon and the liberation of Paris. There was virtually no mention of the efforts of the allied forces involved and absolutely nothing at all about the Americans. If I didn’t know better, I’d have left there thinking the French had driven the Germans out single-handedly.

Walt

[Anonymous]

I never met a train I didn't like, and I don't care who made it or where it was made and operated. Most importantly, I don't care a bit what someone else prefers because I don't engage in my hobby to please anyone else. I do prefer steam power over diesels, but that's primarily because I remember the days when steam was still around and in revenue use, and feel that steam locomotives simply have more "character" than diesels.

[tangerine-jack]

Perhaps the other allies should design, construct and PAY for their war memorials as the Americans have. Then they would have one commemorating their sacrifices to the war

[TonyWalsham]

A couple of years ago my sister visited the well maintained, by the nearby French village, grave of my Uncle who died there serving in the RAF during WW2. I believe that this "we will never forget" attitude by most French men and women is widespread and extends right back to WW1 graves which are as equally well maintained.

[grandpopswalt]

Amazing, isn't it? How often two people can go to the same place and come away with two entirely different opinions of what they saw and experienced.

Walt

[FJ and G]

Spent 6 years in Okinawa back in the 1970s. When you go to Mabuni (suicide cliffs), there are dozens of Japanese war memorials but no U.S.

BTW, the island did have a railway but after the war it was abandoned. They might have one now, as the island is sinking from the weight of overpopulation.

Walt writes

"Amazing, isn't it? How often two people can go to the same place and come away with two entirely different opinions of what they saw and experienced."

Good observation, Walt. So true.

------------------

I think that Garden Railways (despite differeing political and other views), is the one hobby that has brought so many of us from varying backgrounds together.

[Anonymous]

My my, we all have something to say on this subject. As another Brit I have to begin by saying that the Welsh/British locos and carriages, trucks and so on will always be romantic and nostalgic for me, even though I'm not really old enough to remember them.

Thomas , yes of course part of my childhood. Before video the books and 78' records with Jonny Morris as the narrator were what gave steam trains real character. Most of the locos, I believe, closely reflect real welsh locos and well known main line locos.

Having said that, the US critters of 0-4-0 size have a romance all of their own. I can imagine them trundling along with a load of whatever needs to go to wherever it needs to go. Some of the US 7/8ths websites have truely inspiring scratch-built critters that send me off to find out whether any of them had ever been brought to Japan.

Here the history of rail began with the British stuff, then other European stock and then the US steam locos, not to mention trams. With that kind of history it is possible to have locos and rolling stock from the US and Europe running on the same line. No US stuff on the Daruma Line yet, but it is early days.

Nice thread though, well worth an extended read.

Matthew [bow]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Matt,

Short consists are really prototypical!

Many a night and early morning I rode a milk train from 30th Street in Philly down to Wilmington; that continued on down through DElaware to Harrington! Usually its consist was 2 or 3 boxes, a flat or two, possibly a tank car, and the tail end brought up by a combine and a single coach!

PRSL did the Cape May run from Philly to Cape May with 2 cars most of the year, only adding cars on summer weekends! Atlantic City trains were often only 2 or 3 cars in length. In winter they often ran the RDCs of both services together splitting off the AC cars at Winslow Junction, an Ocean City car at Tuckahoe, a Wildwood car at Wildwood Junction, and the last car going on to Cape May!

I have also seen short passenger trains on the D&H and E-L trackage in upstate Penna.

[Anonymous]

Ve Cermans have vays of making you like our trains. Don't make us hurt you.

[Anonymous]

Ve Cermans have vays of making you like our trains. Don't make us hurt you.

[Anonymous]

Ok, I'd not heard about those shorter consists - my other problem is one of curves. To get a decent size layout in my garden will mean that the curves would look daft with larger US motive power. I suspect with me it's more a case of already having the US outline HO and wanting something different in G. That said, those USA Trains Geeps look rather good - especialy in C&NW livery with the "torpedo tube" air reservoirs!

[tangerine-jack]

Everybody is wrong about everything, I'm right about all of it. Why can't you guys get that through your heads????


There, that ought to do it!

Flak vest - check
helmet - check
ammo- check
sand bags- check

Lets go........................................

[Capt Bob Johnson]

TJ,
Helmet??? On somebody as thickheaded as you??? Or is it just another way to get your money's worth out of that Spike Topped Motorcycle Helmet you got???

[Anonymous]

TJ I just told someone I thought you were smart !!! could I be wrong?

Couldn't let it pass Kidding
Ed

[Anonymous]

double post sorry

[tangerine-jack]

Rail Fan, as usual your logic is wrong. If I am always right and everyone else is always wrong, then logicaly if you are wrong about me being smart then that would mean that I was not, however, the arguement wasn't about being smart, it was about being right or wrong and since I disagree with you being wrong, then you must in fact be right if I say it is so. If I change my mind and started doing something a different way, even if it was a way that was done before, my way would then be the new right way, and all other ways are wrong. This is a fundamental truth, if someone always lies, then if they tell the truth doesn't that become a lie to themselves?

Bottom line is that I am still right about all of it. See?[swg]

[Anonymous]

TJ Remind me to keep my mouth shut somewhere in there you lost me
he he he............can't argue with lodgic...................I think?????????
Ed

[FJ and G]

I'm always amazed at how slow this forum seems to go with postings compared to LargeScale Forum. But when you hit the right topic like the one on this post, it moves with lightning speed and members come out of the woodwork, some even wearing flak jackets. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hey what does F J & G stand for?
Ed

[FJ and G]

Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad near my hometown of Gloversville, NY. Abandoned in 1983, unfortunately. Nice trail there now though.

They were the first railroad in the U.S. to completely dieselize. Did so in 1945, replacing their fleet of 4-4-0s!

[GP-9_Man11786]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad near my hometown of Gloversville, NY. Abandoned in 1983, unfortunately. Nice trail there now though.

They were the first railroad in the U.S. to completely dieselize. Did so in 1945, replacing their fleet of 4-4-0s!

How far was it from Albany?

[FJ and G]

50 miles west by nor'west

(in its heyaday, the FJ&G went about as far as Albany along the Mohawk River)

[GP-9_Man11786]

Done to death by the Adairondack Northway and the NYS Thruway I presume.

[DannyS]

Great to read so many views expressed, for a topic to run to nine pages must be great encouragement to the Captain who started it rolling!
Regards to all and Happy Easter, Danny Sheehan in Oz.

[FJ and G]

GP-9,
Actually, the FJ&G had just layed new track, acquired an RS-3 and then got bought by a shortline (The Oswego something or other?), which probably bought the line for the scrap metal, b/c they quickly abandoned the line.

There's a network of friends of the FJ&G which continually speculate about it coming back, but ain't gonna happen. Such a shame.

All,

Happy Easter...

[Anonymous]

Dave
that RABBIT would make a big pot of stew, or if it's in your GARDEN RR YOU COULD have a big train wreck, if you hit him with an engine crossing your tracks . BEN[:D]

[FJ and G]

Ben,

Bet BB the beagle could take that rabbit out. Would make a pretty good feast for her!