Kevin.... That house looks like a mess. It is good people escaped unharmed.
...
More pictures of Utah trip. These show some of the locomtives and equipment at the UP Museum in Ogden.
In the following picture, you can see a small boiler for a narrow gauge steam locomotive which was being rebuilt at a shop in the museum.
This picture shows a generator car that was part of the special train.
Inside the mueseum, they had a very nice model railroad layout, and they had various railroad artifacts.
More later.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
York1Kevin, Douglas beat me to it. You're almost done with your house. You might be able to pick up some spending money for the layout <SNIP> Does it look like any part of the house can be salvaged?
A few years ago a house about 1/2 mile away, that I drive by all the time burned in a similar fashion.
The cement block walls and concrete slab were OK, but all the interior walls and roof trusses were damaged.
They just cleared out the shell, and built a whole different house within the boundaries of the existing concrete block walls. The floor plan and roof lines were completely different.
I would imagine something similar will happen to this house. This is way beyond anything I am capable of. A job for real professionals.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good evening ...
PM Railfan Garry) Id like to see more of your trip pictures, specifically the Golden Spike celebration. I was not able to attend anything like that. Id like to see what i missed. Looks like it was a great time! Please show us more.
Garry) Id like to see more of your trip pictures, specifically the Golden Spike celebration. I was not able to attend anything like that. Id like to see what i missed. Looks like it was a great time! Please show us more.
Douglas .... I have a few other pictures from that trip loaded into the computer.
We arrived 3 days before the celebration and did other sightseeing. We also rode on the Heeber Valley Railroad tourist train which was very worthwhile.
Our locomotive was pink, and it was not my favorite paint scheme.
They had these two locomotives parked near the station, and I think they have better paint schems.
Steam locomotive number 300 was also parked nearby.
The first re-inactment of the Golden Spike was very crowded. There were numerous Big Shots giving speeches. Huge TV screens showed everything. They had actors wearing authentic costumes performing the re-inactment. The conclusion included a large fireworks display, and a fly-over of Air Force fighter jets.
I already posted a picture of the second re-inactment, and by then most of the crowd had departed.
The next day, we went to Ogden The Big Boy and the Northern were parked at the UP Museum with the special train. It was very crowded.
I'll be back later with more.
gmpullmanToying with the idea of heading to Hay River, NWT, the northern-most point accessable by rain in North America.
Ed, you're the conductor. We'll ride where you want to take us. Make sure the diner and the lounge car are fully stocked before we hit that sparsely populated area.
York1 John
Kevin, Douglas beat me to it. You're almost done with your house. You might be able to pick up some spending money for the layout -- it looks like someone in the neighborhood will be looking for a good carpenter.
That house looks like it's in terrible shape. Does it look like any part of the house can be salvaged?
Two years ago, the house behind us caught fire from smoldering fireworks. Their daughters were sleeping in the basement and there wasn't an egress window. They got out OK, but that scared me. We have our grand kids sleep in the basement when they visit, so we immediately had three egress windows installed.
PS: couple more things i left out folks.....
UP831) A couple pages back you posted a pic of a 'diesel' loco being turned on an ole armstrong turntable. My question is..... why would you need to turn a diesel?
Kevin) WOW! Never had a car stereo that could play that loud.
-Or-
It wasnt a ciggy, it was one of Ed cigars!
But hey, i know where they can get a good construction guy with a brand new laser leveler!
Am i being too fascitious? Its only 3 hours sleep afterall.
A#1 North!
Douglas
PM Railfan Who knows where Ed will have us in a few days.
Toying with the idea of heading to Hay River, NWT, the northern-most point accessable by train in North America. I hear the weather is balmy there. Yes, Alaska RR is slightly more northern but isn't directly linked to the rail network.
https://books.google.com/books?id=x9MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110#v=onepage&q&f=false
Can't recall if we've been in Nevada yet? maybe head a little west, hit Reno before we pick up the Canadian National this time out of Vancouver?
Nevada state line by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Somehow I made it to the Top-O-the-Page!
Is it too late for nuts of dough?
donuts by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Now we have a tremendous eyesore in the neighborhood.
The news reported that the fire was started by a cigarette in the garage, but that is not what the neighbors are saying. They said the teenager that lives there was installing a speaker system in his car, and an electrical fire broke out in the car. He and his friend tried to push the car out of the garage, but it burst into flame.
This is terrible.
Hello Railfans!
Top of the day to ya!
gmpullman PM Railfan So which boxcar was it? Then im hitting the hay. Ophir_Colorado_RGS_3721-crop by Edmund, on Flickr Cheers, Ed
PM Railfan So which boxcar was it? Then im hitting the hay.
Ophir_Colorado_RGS_3721-crop by Edmund, on Flickr
Ed your a character all right! I busted a good gut on this when i scrolled down and saw the explosives part! That was a good one, i wasnt expecting that.
"That was some cigar... what was in it anyway?"
Critter Dave) Sure am sad to hear your latest report. Wanna wish you the best of - if it will help any. Dont feel bad about your posts. Takes me 2 hrs to type one out and i never know what im saying. And thats normal!
Im no doctor, but i prescribe lots of MR'ing. Might not cure what ails ya, but sure will make ya feel better.
In General) I think i might have gotten 3hrs sleep today. Soon as my head hit the pillow here come a knock at the door. One of my Buick buddys came by and brought his dad. The dad, being all googly eyes over the 79 T/A. We hemmed n hawed for a couple hours. You know how car talk goes.
The story ended just about 30 minutes ago (i slept couple hours - they came back). Car sold! Got company coming for the weekend due in another hour or so. I think my low water alarm is going off. i dont think the poker chips will be clanking too loudly tonight.
Not too much going on in the train room. Got my parts orders in so its hurry up and wait some more there. Probably be a lil scarce this weekend with company and all so i will have some catching up to do. Who knows where Ed will have us in a few days.
Well folks, time to straighten up the humble commode before company arrives. I will see yall later perhaps.
Clear Ahead!
Look out. Bear is at his best.
Chicken Rendang Indonesian Style tonite. A cold beer with the fruit salad.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
PM RailfanSo which boxcar was it?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
hon30critterI'll post whenever I can.
Ed: Your guidance through narrow gauge country has been amazing. Thank you for all the pictures you shared.
I had a Rico Station kit on my HO train-set layout when I was very young. I always thought it was a European prototype like so many building kits were back in to 1970s.
Never would I have guessed it was an actual model of a specific American station.
Good Morning,
A frosty one today and more to come. Sending a little to TF as I wouldn't want him to feel left out.
Dave, sorry to hear about your health problems and hope they can be resolved soon. Do send us a short note from time to time. Do you have a tablet? I' m typing this on one sitting on the basement sofa as I'm still under quarantine. This tablet sure has been handy. It has been on 2 trips to Africa as it is almost a requirement now to check flights,etc.
Bear, Dad was glad he was in a RAF squadron rather than RCAF. He tought the Brits were more relaxed about things from experience. For example, they had to abort a mission due to engine trouble and decided to arm a bomb to see how big the splash would be when it hit the water at the ditch spot in the North Sea. The splash was impressive as was the trouble they got in when the base commander found out however he just gave them a scolding and a 'Don't ever do that again'. Dad freely told that story even when I was small. The scary ones I only heard after his stroke when he was 60. At 30 he was the oldest crew on the base still flying.
Grocey pickup today. Not a big order so won't take long to unload.
CN Charlie
Welcome to Salt Lake City. On Time:
DRG_5771-F9_Salt-Lake by Edmund, on Flickr
Hi Ed, thanks for those two photos of Rico station.
I was so taken by the HO model (whilst I was still at big school) that I bought one, even though it was obviously - 'not British' (as my mother said)
Just look at the setting too. The angles of the steep hills with the trees defying them (growing vertically - like trees usually do) Also, the small shacks and houses around, as well as the usuall Railroad clutter. That automobile sets the time, as well.
IMO, the whole scene is enough to tempt anyone to model NG in place of standard gauge. I can imagine a Loco & Train suddenly appearing from around the bend, breaking the quiet as it slogs up the grade and then coming to rest, with steam escaping everywhere and the Brake compressor hammering away.
Bear - well done for quitting smoking. I only wish my late sister had so, too.
Regards, Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
Dave, along with everyone else here, hoping and praying you will through this quickly. Don't worry about writing stuff here that is repeating or anything else -- we are glad to hear from you no matter what.
Utah is a great place for scenery and for railroading. Northwest of Salt Lake City, the UP travels across the salt flats in a long, straight line. You can really see the difference in water north and south of the causeway across the lake.
Last year I drove across the state on I-80, and that stretch of Interstate along the south side of the picture is a pretty amazing site. Miles and miles of brilliant white salt looking like snow, all on what is probably one of the longest stretches of straight highways in the U.S.
The railroad is barely visible in this picture, going west across the top of the picture.
Good morning .
Dave Critter .... Praying you may soon have the needed surgery and you can get relief from pain. .... I was on morphine following surgery to repair some broken vertebrae, and so I know what you mean about its affects.
Ed .... Thanks for the interesting video of Salt Lake.
Because Ed has us in Utah I'll post a few of my photos from our trip in May 1969 to attend the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike.
Good Morning All,
26F and overcast - typical gray New England morning. I'll have a regular in a big mug and a short stack of blueberry pancakes with a side of link sausage. Oh and break out that 3rd run maple syrup I hid in the back of the storage closet too please Zoe.
Dave - when you do get back in to the diner please know we are thinking of you. Hope it all ends up going all right. That's just a lot to deal with.
Yesterday turned into a bit of a rout. One of my primary trucks blew out the hydraulics on the lift gate up in New Hampshire on a trip and they couldn't fix it so it is back to the shop with two cars trapped in the back one without any antifreeze (who the heck keeps a car with just water in it these days?) . We will have to drain it onto the floor of the trailer and hope for the best I guess. the backup trailer needs a DOT inspection so we are scrambling a bit as we are due to leave the 14th for Sebring and West Palm Beach.
We have a motor coming back from rebuild in England and air freight is so backed up it has been bumped from its' flight three times now. It was supposed to be here Monday and it is scheduled to go to Florida as well. Ah the glitz and glamour of racing life.
All for now, I will try to keep up with the rest. Ciao, J.R.
PM RailfanSo which boxcar was it? Then im hitting the hay.
Ophir_Colorado_RGS_3721 by Edmund, on Flickr
With the depot up against that rock face I imagine there wouldn't be much left of those potted plants after the boom!
The Great Salt Lake:
I hope you are better soon, Dave!
Dave. I can understand the pain etc. I hope things turn round soon. May I suggest you post a 'quick note' really so we know you are around. We can 'add the rest' ourself. Obviously if you feel better then make longer posts (if you like). Most important is not to overdo things.
Meanwhile, take things easy. Our thoughts are with you.
Top of the evening to ya! Just passing through on my way out. Not much to report that cant wait til next time.
So which boxcar was it? Then im hitting the hay.
Hi Folks!!
You haven't heard from me for a few days so I thought it would be appropriate to sign in, so here goes:
You may recall that I was having some health problems that required the use of hydromorphone to help deal with the pain. I'm dismayed to report that the morphine based drugs have totally messed up my mind, and it looks like I will be messed up for much longer than I had hoped.
Over the past five days I have begun more threads than I can remember. I have deleted them all because I simply can't get the words to come out right on paper. This post has taken me more than two hours so far!! My mind spins off in repetitive circles and I start saying the same things over and over again. The pain killing effects only last about half as long as they should but the halucinations continue for hours. I am having a really hard time separating the facts from what I am imagining!
So, bear with me please everyone (including Bear). I don't have dates for surgery yet. I don't even know exactly what treatments I will be getting but at the very least I have to have my right Achillies tendon reattached. Most of the pain is coming from the torn tendons in my left shoulder. The doctors may decide to let nature repair that on its own! (i.e. more time on the pain meds).
As an added bonus, I have developed a nasty ulcer on the top of my right foot from the walking cast. That means that I can't use the walking cast so getting down to the computer isn't going to happen very often. Using my iPhone to text is next to impossible because my eyes are also screwing up.
I'll post whenever I can.
Cheers!! (What else can I say?!?).
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good morning all. We have had our first Covid jab. The weather forecasters are predicting severe snowfall this coming week. They have been saying to expect snow for a week now. (One day they will be correct!)
Bear. I would have liked that petite blonde A.T.A. lady to have been my mother. A great story. My mother had darker hair.
When the A.T.A. pilots flew the planes they were unarmed. If they saw an enemy airplane, more often than not it was a case of heading into the 'safety of cloud cover'.
As an aside. Many, many soldiers etc. returning from the war rarely mentioned their experiences. Any mention asked by younger members of family and the subject would be changed to something else.
Kevin. That is some house fire. Glad there were no casualties.
Coffee Time. A 'drop' of Pusser's Navy Rum' added to keep out the cold.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require
Hello all
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
gmpullman Let's hope Bear doesn't sneak into that boxcar to have one of his "smells like a burning rope" cigars
LazersIs there a photo of Rico Station, please.
Scarce as egg-layer's teeth, Paul. Go here and click on the photo to dynamite* it:
https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/id/12435/
and another:
LazersI'm sure Gomez would be more interested in the dynamite for his railroad!
Forget Gomez! Let's hope Bear doesn't sneak into that boxcar to have one of his "smells like a burning rope" cigars!
Good Luck, Ed
* blow it up, ya' know.
gmpullmanThis was the route that featured the ever-popular Rico Station which I'm sure everyone is familiar with thanks to the old AHM kit. Here's a look at Ophir Depot, between a rock and a hard place. Who spotted a carload of dynamite next to the station? Look at all the potted plants in the windows. Who wouldn't want a scene like this on their model RR?
Hi Ed, This is great stuff. Is there a photo of Rico Station, please. I recently aquired a AHM kit (boxed, unmade - manufactured in West Germany) but I've always wanted to see the real thing for comparison, if possible.
Flower pots on window sills - nice touch for a model, but I'm sure Gomez would be more interested in the dynamite for his railroad! Paul
Have we had our fill of Narrow Gauge Country?
Plowing eastbound above Dalton by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
We will travel some of the old Rio Grande Southern trackage from Durango and circle 'round through Ridgway, Delta and on to Grand Junction to reunite with the standard gauge Rio Grande Main line to head west to see the Great Salt Lake.
Map_of_the_Rio_Grande_Southern_Railroad by Edmund, on Flickr
This was the route that featured the ever-popular Rico Station which I'm sure everyone is familiar with thanks to the old AHM kit.
Here's a look at Ophir Depot, between a rock and a hard place. Who spotted a carload of dynamite next to the station? Look at all the potted plants in the windows. Who wouldn't want a scene like this on their model RR?
Ophir_Colorado_RGS by Edmund, on Flickr
Some of the Diner patrons were awake for a portrait during the Galloping Goose excursion:
RGS158 by John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, on Flickr
WIBP photo:
Heart of Little Gore Canyon by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Regards, Ed