Hello gang!
Time to move the Diner! Thanks to all who contributed to the tour of California in July.
For the month of August we are going to take the Diner to all sorts of different places thanks to the suggestion made by Paul (Lazers). We are going to visit short line railroads all over the world. Here goes:
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
We need to update the RIP track for rr_mel.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I'm going to take the liberty of starting the short line tour with a visit to the Algoma Eastern Railway which just happens to be one of my favourites.
The Algoma Eastern (AER) ran from Sudbury in northern Ontario to Little Current on the Manitoulin Island. It hauled passengers, freight, cattle, lumber, paper and coal. The railway was chartered in 1888 and the full mainline was operational by 1913. It was taken over by the CPR in 1930.
The most impressive feature of the AER was the swing bridge that crosses the North Channel of Georgian Bay at Little Current. The bridge was opened to traffic in 1913 and continues to operate to this day as a vehicular bridge.
The AER was built through the very hilly terrain of the La Cloche Mountains. The strategy was to go around the major obstacles so there were a couple of spots where the engine was going east while the caboose was still going west.
Here is the Wikipedia blurb about the AER:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algoma_Eastern_Railway
Here are some details about the swing bridge:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Current_Swing_Bridge
Here are some photos of the AER:
The Little Current station built in 1912:
This is a view of the La Cloche Mountains through which the AER ran. The mountains are 3.5 billion years old. They were starting to wear down even before the Rocky Mountains were formed:
MisterBeasleyWe need to update the RIP track for rr_mel.
Hi MisterBeasley,
My bad! Sorry.
Kevin had updated the RIP listing and I thought I had put it into the July Diner which is where I copied the image from. I have replaced the August RIP list with the updated version.
Thank you for the transition to Short Lines of August in the Diner, Dave
I'm going to use my Short line wild card and submit the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway as a contender. Not only is it comparatively short but it's narrow, too!
This railway is certainly on my must-see bucket list!
For those with a little more time to kill with their morning beverage there's this:
Cheers and happy August —
Ed
Good morning Diners. Tea and toast please, Brunhilda.
Dave. Thanks for starting us of on 'Short Lines for August'.
Short lines? How about this one. Stourbridge Town Branch Line. Not only the shortest line in the U.K. but also in Europe. Model this in Z Gauge you could possibly model every blade of grass. Anyway, if you ever travel on it, do not make yourself comfortable in a seat. It would be time to get off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stourbridge_Town_branch_line#:~:text=The%20Stourbridge%20Town%20branch%20line,the%20shortest%20line%20in%20Europe.&text=A%20Parry%20People%20Mover%20approaching%20Stourbridge%20Town%20station.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wQ4ZxQBIYo&ab_channel=TheTrainGuy
Stay Safe Everybody
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Ed has shown the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.
Here is a short film what it looked like in WW2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAhHYCO4RwQ&ab_channel=ACEWEO
Mango Monday
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLionMango Monday
Sadly, no more mangoes for me this year.
I had the last one from the tree just a few days ago.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
There will be more in only about 48 more weeks.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Mornin' Folks.
I'll share some video of present day shortlines. Apologies if the information seems akin to Cliff Clavin stopping by (remember John Ratzenberger)
First off, for the modeler who is looking to answer that question: How can I model origin load and its destination on the same layout? Below is a video of a segment of the modern day Georgia Central, where woodchip hoppers are loaded at the chipper spur in Meldrim, Georgia and then sent about 15 miles to the large corrugated cardboard plant near the Port of Savannah. Just 15 miles back and forth.
Some Genesse & Wyoming with a little RJ Corman thrown in.
Shout out to Delay In Block Productions. No music, mostly the trains with some narrative.
Its a long video. Get your popcorn (And maybe a stimulant, LOL)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwSHYMjymAg
And then there is the G&W Valdosta Railway, also in Georgia. Lots of boxcars to serve a paper mill. Interesting SW1200-3 in use at times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XowWhOcfLhY
- Douglas
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, please.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The walk this morning was a little warm, but for the first of August it was pleasant.
It's good to hear Kevin is feeling better. I wonder how some of the other diners are who were dealing with health issues.
I'll check in later when I have time.
York1 John
DoughlessApologies if the information seems akin to Cliff Clavin stopping by (remember John Ratzenberger)
Please stop by more often.
I enjoyed your contributions, but I did not make it all the way through the video.
Hi Dave and thanks for getting the Diner underway for August.
I got called out to do a Survey today (new School gates) – so I have missed the train as usual.
In the UK, modellers of American Railroads tend to stick to the (more well-known) Cl.1s.
But my own research led to a menagerie of Shortlines that left me slightly amazed.
Nothing like this would be allowed to happen in the UK, with all its political and union interference.
At a Model Rail Exhibition, I found a used book for sale that looked very interesting
“American Shortline Railway Guide” 5th edition by Edward A. Lewis. Kalmbach books.
Mr. Lewis lists all the S/L’s extant at that time + some more recent abandonments.
There is a brief history and who the line’s current owners are.
The Radio frequencies are listed along with location of Engine house, type and roster of locos, freight cars, products and volumes carried annually.
It is also worth noting that (back then) some of the smaller lines supplemented their income with vacation time steam-hauled tourist trains (2-6-0 or 2-8-0)
Which is a good enough reason to run a Steamer on a Diesel only model.
I learned about the CF7, GP16, GP8 & 10, Norfolk Southern’s ‘Thoroughbred’ Short Line Program.
I thoroughly enjoy reading thru this book and finding the Railroads on my browser maps.
It seems that the formation and subsequent break-up of Conrail was a major factor of many Shortlines being created.
I had planned to post some photos of the book (I’m sure there was recent post about converting to jpg on Flickr?)
Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
This is going to be a fun month in the diner.
Even though I grew up in Nebraska, I spent most of my adult life in New Orleans.
The Port of New Orleans owns a shortline railroad, The New Orleans Public Belt. It has about 100 miles of track with ten locomotives.
Probably one of the most important parts of the NO Public Belt RR is the operation of the Huey Long Bridge across the Mississippi.
It's estimated that one-third of all east-west rail freight in the U.S. crosses the Huey Long Bridge.
It has six lanes of car traffic and two railroad tracks. It's 153 feet above the river, and has four spans over the river -- one is 790 feet long and three are 530 feet long.
The NO Public Belt RR connects with six railroads: BNSF, CSX, CN/Illinois Central, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, and Amtrak.
The NO Public Belt RR observation car:
In the UK, anything that resembled a short line was usually a specific Industry system such as a Colliery or Quarry.
One place, where the 20th Century never quite caught on was Seaham Docks in Co. Durham, well known for it's Coalfields.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yglORlMs4pI&t=184s&ab_channel=AlanSnowdonArchive
There was even a Paddle-steamer Tugboat still in operation, in the late 1960's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhF2z1mb79E&ab_channel=agdenyer
These two vids show relics of the Coal Staithes used for exporting, mainly to the domestic market. The Coal would go direct from the Coal Pit, by train to the Staithes for loading onto ships.
Other Collieries would intercange with British Railways and it was at these Colliery lines where NCB steam locos survived well into the early 1970's. Usually 0-6-0 Tanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB0TJi30LU0&ab_channel=steam2music
As you see, not only our railways but cine-cameras were not quite a match for the States, but it's so good that some had the means and forthought to film this - otherwise it would be lost forever. The footage would be in the Blyth area, judging by the Locos.
The Lambton Colliery Railway in Philadelphia Co. Durham was famous for it's Tank Locos and rail system.
Most other UK Shortlines (albeit, we don't actually refer to them as such) are 'Preserved Railways' or 'Tourist Lines', which are of course railways closed by British Railways but saved from extinction by volunteers who operate trains for the public and enthusiasts.
Another UK 'Shortline', this time a bit more like USA Railroads was the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway in East Anglia - inspiration for Toby the (steam) Tram engine and of course his assistant, the lovely Mavis.
Mavis is a BR (Drewry) Cl.04 Diesel Mechanical Shunter (Switcher) and I have a particular interest in these locos, weighing-in at a devastating 204 BHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEz9xE_4mNg&ab_channel=ValerieHaberland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHjxhv4csKM&ab_channel=HuntleyFilmArchives
You can see the difference in the attitude to Railways in Britain compared to the USA
All our lines have to be fenced-off to prevent straying cattle from being killed on the Railway.
A line running next to the road and down the High (Main) Street was just not the done thing. Upwell was one of the exceptions and had to retain its Tramline status.
Hence Toby was limited to 25mph max', and all the road Trucks are overtaking him. Good job the Fat Controller managed to rescue him and Henrietta.
Good morning Diners. Tea and toast please, Janie,
The Isle of Man
Steam on the Manx Electric Railway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ff-pxFOXa4&ab_channel=ManxElectricRailwayOnline
Back later.
Good Morning Diners. Still alive and ticking here. I'm past my 10 day quarantine and isolation period, tested negative last Thursday, but certainly not 100% recovered yet. The occasional cough I can handle. The fatigue is a different matter. Back to work this week and I started to run out of steam about 1:30. Not good considering I had a full slate of things yesterday, both at work and at home. Turned into an 18 hour day yesterday from the time my alarm went off and my head next hit the pillow. Usually I can weather these just fine. Not this time though. I'm thoroughly exhausted today. What's more, I'm staring at another 18 hour day tomorrow. This could be a rough week. Hope the fatigue side of this goes away soon.
My wife and my oldest both ended up testing positive. My wife is not having as mild of an experience as I did, and is still testing positive and symptoms have not really begun to subside after a week and a half. My oldest had very mild symptoms and should test negative today. My youngest has stayed healthy so far (knocking on wood).
John, those New Orleans Public Belt GP's look really sharp! When I thought I wanted to model a freelance railroad set in the 70's/80's, I painted and lettered a GP38-2 and caboose that are a dead match for the loco's you posted. Who knew?! If I remember tonight, I'll have to dig out that old engine and post a photo to prove it. The resemblance is uncanny!
Mike
Have your favourite drink to hand. Sit back and relax and watch 75 minutes of Railways of the Isle of Man. Horse Drawn Trams. The Manx Electric Railway etc. etc..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu0wthurLTY&ab_channel=Albert%2FAlanGreenman
Hey Dave (OP), check the title. Its August 2022 not 2021. Where ya been, doing the Rip Van Winkle thing?
Wife is a nurse and feeling run down. Just got a COVID test. Negative, but its early. I'm thinking that she should take another soon. Eventhough she is a nurse, neither her nor anybody in our family has gotten COVID this entire time, as far as we know. Our oldest daughter is also in the medical field doing and was her clinicals in 2020. She felt horrible and was out a few days then, but the COVID tests came back negative too.
Another shortline. CaterParrott (its the two partners last names smooshed together, unfortunate for them, LOL). Small. Typically a GP40 pulling a few cars. Great for modeling, IMO. Simple paint scheme too.
https://cprailnet.com/
Photos and history about the line in Madison Ga
https://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/cpr/cpr_madison_south.html
CPRailnet is a net work of little branchlines. A video of CPR in Valdosta Ga, like the Valdosta Railway video I posted above.
Its only a few minutes long, enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0--RSdTnh4
Water Level RouteThe fatigue is a different matter.
I am dealing with the fatigue as well. Not enjoying this at all.
I wake up tired, stay tired all day, and go to sleep early. Keeping going is a challenge.
That happened to me after I had Covid.
I had after effects for three months. We had to cancel a cruise because of it. Doctor diagnosed 'Long Covid'.
It is hot and humid out today. All of the fields around us have their irrigation pivots running, so our dewpoint is 74°. You almost become instantly wet when you go outside. So I don't. I'm laying more track on the layout!
In the 1980s and 90s, Union Pacific and BNSF quit running trains to many small towns. In 1993, the shortline Nebraska Central RR was launched.
They have 340 miles of track, all in Nebraska. They have about 20 locomotives, although quite a few Union Pacific locomotives use the tracks to move around.
In my old hometown, Nebraska Central RR has a locomotive shop in a former UP building. Directly east of downtown Grand Island, BNSF has an elevated section of track, crossing the UP. Nebraska Central has connections right at the same location, so it is a great train watching location for the three railroads.
I don't have any statistics, but just from watching, I would guess that 99% of Nebraska Central's business is moving grain and ethanol. It is almost completely covered hoppers and tank cars.
Something that stands out is that their locomotives seem to be a lot cleaner than some other railroads. Either that, or I just catch glimpses of them after they were serviced.
Have a good day, everyone.
Another look at the Isle of Man Railway. This time in 1965.
Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJuk9G7739U&ab_channel=AlanSnowdonArchive
And so, it begins again. It has been 5 years since I took down my layout, packed it up sold the house and got a divorce. I finally started putting it back up. This will be a job. The old layout won't fit in the new train room, of course, but it's not too bad and I probably won't miss much with a rebuild.
But, today I started setting up the layout again. I consulted old photos to see how the legs and supports fit together. Note to self: Next time, take more photos.
Water Level RouteJohn, those New Orleans Public Belt GP's look really sharp! When I thought I wanted to model a freelance railroad set in the 70's/80's, I painted and lettered a GP38-2 and caboose that are a dead match for the loco's you posted. Who knew?! If I remember tonight, I'll have to dig out that old engine and post a photo to prove it. The resemblance is uncanny!
M&S by Michael, on Flickr
MisterB, have fun with the rebuild! I went through something similar in my latest move. Each benchwork leg only bolted on to one matching location. Think I labeled them?
DoughlessHey Dave (OP), check the title. Its August 2022 not 2021. Where ya been, doing the Rip Van Winkle thing?
Hi Douglas,
Boy I really messed up this month's Diner. First I got the wrong RIP artwork and then I got the date wrong!
Thanks for pointing that out. I corrected it.
Good morning Diners. A large coffee pllease, Zoe.
Today we are on one of my favourite railway lines. 'The La'al Ratty'.
A Steam Gala from 2019. Engines from other railways taking part as well as from Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
I love the scenery of this line. Fifty shades of green.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUoxyFCN2aM&ab_channel=pennysteam