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

 

G'day!

A New Year and the start of a new week here at the Tavern by the Tracks! Join me in a toast to a Happy ‘n Healthy 2007 for all of our regulars and their families!

 

I didn't think that the first Post following the creation of our "reborn" Thread would be mine. Must be a lot of you out there on the mend, eh <grin> Judging by the condition of our Banquet Centre (aka: Rat's Patoot Room!) it appears last night's staff party was rather mild compared to other events. That's good, at least we won't have to redecorate the place and check for structural soundness!

 

CHEERS from:

 

Frostbite the Penguin

 

 

Awk the Parrot

 

 

Tex the Armadillo

 

 

 

 

 

10,000^th Post CONTEST results (in order of submission):

Note: Due to the closing of our original Thread and the opening of this new one, the contest ends once the combined total of Pages reaches 10,000.

 

Feb 14^th - BK

Feb 15^th - Lars

Mar 12^th - Pete

Jan 1^st - James

Jan 28^th - Eric

Jan 18^th - DL

Feb 8^th - Doug

Jan 31^st - Rob

Mar 15^th - CM3

CONTEST closed on Dec 22^nd.

Reminder: Ruth has the bar from  9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

 

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

 

Tom

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all the gang at "Our" Place!

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

Ruth, I'll take a "hair of the dog" and put aside the change for a round when the boys begin trickling in.

Nice transition to the new digs, Cap'n Tom, looks like you've thought of everything. But, as always seems to be the case, there's always ONE who will get totally discombulated over this minor change of locations! <grin>

This football weekend is still going strong in my digs and I expect it to continue into the night. Football, food, drink, good cheer, happiness and good health and so forth. Something the Larsman and his family never take for granted, especially the last three.

I'm kinda waiting to see what the guys will bring forth for 2007 and am surprised at the absence of them on this day. In just looking at the list of those who participated in the current Contest, we've got the guys, but there's always that down time that seemingly has wound itself into the routine around the Bar by the Ballast.

A toast to Cap'n Tom and the finest bar in cyber space! Skål (Skoal)

 

Until the next time!

Lars

Good morning Tom and friends! The new place looks great, and familiar. Nice 2007 graphics from manager Lars, and I see all the critters made it, so please watch your step. Here's a little something from me to break-in the new digs:

From January 1947 Railroad Magazine

Out of dusty archives comes this reproduction of America's first numbered patent, a complex little gadget for stepping up tractive effort and preventing slipping on heavy grades.

On July 13, 1836, the United States issued its first numbered patent, and according to the AAR, it was for a locomotive. The patent - "designed to give a multiplied tractive power to the locomotive and prevent the evil of sliding of the wheels" - was issued to John Ruggles, United States Senator from Maine who was largely responsible for the passage of the Act of 1836, which set up the present-day American system of granting patents and administering the system properly.

Ruggles' invention included a check rail and retreating cogs, to increase adhesion and prevent wheels from slipping; and a gear-like arrangement of wheels to multiply the tractive effort of locomotives when ascending steep grades with heavy loads. Under the patent provisions, the engine wheels were made in the unusual form, except that the rim was somewhat wider from the flange to the outside of the tread. This 1 3/4-inch extension of the rim was pierced with 24 holes, or square sockets. When not in use, the cogs were kept in place by spiral springs bearing upon their heads with sufficient force to project them outward easily when pressed up into the sockets. The springs reacted against the top of the caps, which enclose them, to protect them from mud, or other impediments to easy action.

The check rail was placed outside the bearing rails, far enough away that the rim pf the wheel could not reach it when running close to its flange. In this way, they offered no resistance to motion as long as the wheels adhered to the rails. But once the engine began to slip, the cogs shot into gear and held the wheel in check, their own action restored them instantly, as relieved from the pressure against the flank of the teeth, they rose behind the wheel. Their action was attended by very little friction, acting only when necessary to supply the deficiency of adhesion. Thus Ruggles' retreating cogs had the faculty of getting in and out of service without prompting.

Increasing the tractive effort was the second purpose of this patent. By the application of additional wheels to the driving shaft, which could be allowed to revolve freely or put into gear, tractive power of the engine could be doubled, trebled, or quadrupled to adapt it to the grade of the road where it would be used. Thus an engine was enabled to move up a grade with less speed than on the level but with greater pull. When not needed, these wheels turned in conjunction with the regular running gear.

Contrary to popular opinion, Ruggle's invention was not the first to be patented in the United States. Actually, patent procedure dates back to 1790, when the first patent bill was signed by President George Washington. Ruggles' device though, was first to be given a patent number in a manner similar too present-day practice.

Since that time more than two million mechanical patents and one hundred thousand design patents have been issued. Design patent number 100,000 was for railroad air-conditioning equipment. Although American railroads were only in their infancy when Patent Number 1 was granted, six unnumbered patents were issued before 1836 on inventions pertaining to the railroads. One of them was for a cog-wheel-equipped locomotive, forerunner of Ruggles' invention.

Like many other patented inventions, those early six fell by the wayside as American inventive genius changed the locomotive from an eight- or nine-ton' machine to one of six hundred or more tons. Today's average locomotive contains almost a thousand patented features. Railroad development has reached the point where it would take the combined weight of four complete locomotives of Ruggles' time to equal just the weight of coal carried by one locomotive in her tender. Partly because of these improvements modern locomotives can pull loads one hundred fifty times greater at five times the speed of what journals of one hundred and ten years ago described as "our complete engines."

 

Facts About Americans

• Only 30% of us can flare our nostrils.
• 21% of us don't make our bed daily. 5% of us never do.
• Men do 29% of laundry each week. Only 7% of women trust their husbands to do it correctly.
• 40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.
• 67.5% of men wear tightie whities (briefs).
• 3 out of 4 of us store our dollar bills in rigid order with singles leading up to higher denominations.
• 13% of us admit to occasionally doing our offspring's homework.
• 91% of us lie regularly.
• 27% admit to cheating on a test or quiz.
• 29% admit they've intentionally stolen something from a store.
• 50% admit they regularly sneak food into movie theaters to avoid the high prices of snack foods.
• 90% believe in divine retribution.
• 10% believe in the 10 Commandments.
• 82% believe in an afterlife.
• 45% believe in ghosts.
• 13% (mostly men) have spent a night in jail.
• 29% of us are virgins when we marry.
• 58.4% have called into work sick when we weren't.
• 10% of us switch tags in the store to pay less for an item.
• Over 50% believe in spanking, but only a child over 2 years old.
• 35% give to charity at least once a month.
• How far would you go for $10 million? 25% would abandon their friends, family, and church. 7% would murder.
• 69% eat the cake before the frosting.
• When nobody else is around, 47% drink straight from the carton.
• 85% of us will eat Spam this year.
• 70% of us drink orange juice daily.
• Snickers is the most popular candy.
• 22% of us skip lunch daily.
• 9% of us skip breakfast daily.
• 66% of us eat cereal regularly.
• 22% of all restaurant meals include french fries.
• 14% of us eat the watermelon seeds.
• Only 13% brush our teeth from side to side.
• 45% use mouthwash every day.
• 22% leave the glob of toothpaste in the sink.
• The typical shower is 101 degrees F.
• Nearly 1/3 of U.S. women color their hair.
• 9% of women and 8% of men have had cosmetic surgery.
• 53% of women will not leave the house without makeup on.
• 58% of women paint their nails regularly.
• 62% of us pop our zits.
• 33% of women lie about their weight.
• 10% of us claim to have seen a ghost.
• 57% have had deja vu.
• 49% believe in ESP.
• 44% have broken a bone.
• Only 30% of us know our cholesterol level.
• 14% have attended a self-help meeting.
• 15% regularly go to a shrink.
• 78% would rather die quickly than live in a retirement home.
• 46.5% of men say they ALWAYS put the seat down after they've used the toilet, yet women claim to ALWAYS find it up.
• 30% of us refuse to sit on a public toilet seat.
• 54.2% of us always wash our hands after using the toilet.
• 23.5% admit they don't always flush.
• 55.2% will let someone else come in the bathroom while they're using the toilet.
• 39% of us peek in our host's bathroom cabinet. 17% have been caught by the host.
• 81.3% would tell an

G-day Tom and all present.

Ruth- Could you get me a OJ and a sandwich please. Thanks.

I'mn sorry for my absence. Some things happened that I hadn't expected. One of my friends mother died. Quite unexpected.

Had a good New years. I was watching some of the rose parade this morning and most of the bands in that parade are really cool. Some really nice music coming from them.

Anyway I justed wanted to check in and say Happy New year to everyone.

BTW: Barndad- Good little article on the improvement of tractive effort. That drawing looks really complicated. I haven't seen anything like it before. But I would guess so, since it was used on steam engines.

I've got a little article on tractive effort myself. Take a look at the largest steam engines tractive effort. A 2-8-8-8-4 Unbelievable!!

Tractive effort: (abbr. TE) is the pulling force exerted, normally by a locomotive, though the term could also be used for anything else that pulls a load. It is normally understood to be the actual force on the locomotive's drawbar or rear coupler. When a bare figure for tractive effort is quoted without a speed qualification, this is normally for starting tractive effort, i.e. at a dead start with the wheels not turning.

In most cases, especially for steam locomotives, this figure is a calculated, not measured one. The normal formula used (measurements in pounds and inches) is:

where

• t is tractive effort
• c is a constant representing losses in pressure and friction; normally 0.85 is used
• P is the boiler pressure
• d is the piston diameter (bore)
• s is the piston stroke
• D is the driving wheel diameter

The constant 0.85 was the Association of American Railroads (AAR) standard for such calculations, and certainly over-estimated the efficiency of some locomotives and underestimated that of others. Modern, roller bearing fitted locomotives were probably underestimated in this calculation.

European designers used a constant of 0.6 instead of 0.85, so the two cannot be directly compared without a conversion factor.

Tractive effort is the figure most often quoted when people are comparing the power of different steam locomotives, but the use can be misleading, because tractive effort shows the ability to start a train, not the ability to do work by hauling it. Possibly the highest figure for starting tractive effort ever recorded was for the Virginian Railway's 2-8-8-8-4 Triplex locomotive, which in simple expansion mode had a starting T.E. of 199,560 lbf (888 kN) - but this did not translate into power, for the boiler was undersized and could not produce enough steam to haul at speeds over 5 mph (8 km/h).

Of more successful large steam power, the Union Pacific's famous Big Boys had a starting T.E. of 135,375 lbf (602 kN), the Norfolk & Western's 2-8-8-2 Y6a had a starting T.E. of 152,206 lbf (677 kN) in simple expansion mode, and the Pennsylvania Railroad's freight Duplex Q2 attained 114,860 lbf (511 kN) - the highest for a rigid framed locomotive. Later two cylinder passenger locomotives were generally 70,000 to 80,000 lbf (300 to 350 kN) of T.E.

For a diesel-electric or electric locomotive, starting T.E. can be calculated from the stall torque of the traction motors (the turning force it can produce while at a dead stop), the gearing, and the wheel diameter.

A related statistic is a locomotive's factor of adhesion, which is simply the weight on the locomotive's driving wheels divided by the starting tractive effort.

For a locomotive to accelerate from a stationary position, it must apply a force to overcome the inertia of the train, along with the frictional forces in the

Good afternoon Captain Tom and all present!!

Happy New Year to all of You!!!

Hello Leon, I think I start the new year with a juicy Filet Mignon, please. Could you ask Boris to bring a large glass of the spiked OJ? Thank you!

Just stopping by for something to eat. I will be back later tonight with an inclusive post. This place looks like brand new!

Yesterday we (i and the mrs) went on a liitle trip south of Phoenix and look what I found!

 

A car from a very classic train, the California Zephyr! Parked outside Amtrak's station in the town of Maricopa, south of Phoenix. It seems to be used as some kind of bar/restaurant but it was closed yesterday.

I'll be back later!

Eric 

 

G'day Gents!

I see some of you are finally awakening and finding your way to the Tavern by the Tracks! <grin> Well, it IS a holiday, and therefore taking it easy is the first rule to follow.

Speaking of which, I note that no one has made mention of the Posts made on the last day over on the "original" Thread. Some good stuff there and certainly worth checking out and making mention of. Remember, we STRIVE to be inclusive at this Thread!! I brought the tweeter along with me from the other site.

We're starting anew here - so the "ground rules" are right above these comments. No excuses!

So Doug, did I or did I not "win" your quiz on that diagram Perhaps you missed my 2nd "shot" at it over on the "original" site. Anyway, some sort of mention - honorable or not - would be nice! <groan> Hey! That was quite a "list" you provided - I could 'relate' to several of the categories.

Sorry to say that there's just a wee bit of overkill for today's reading matter from Doug 'n James - have to save it for tomorrow. But, your contribtions ARE appreciated.  

Thanx for stopping by, Lars, just wouldn't be "right" to kick off this "new" Thread without our Manager!  

Eric, that's a fine Pix of the Silver Horizon observation dome car! I note that it was a CB&Q car used for the California Zephyr - a collaborative route amongst pariticipating roads. Nicely done!

The only operational units left that I'm aware of are all in the inventory of Canada's VIA Rail - a treat to travel in, fer sure, fer sure!  

Also noted that Kalmbach's "Vossman" has "officially" locked our former Thread and has paid us an honor at this new site. Many thanx! Perhaps one day we can engage you in some dialogue via Email regarding an "issue" that has caused us a bit of pain 'n suffering. But, NOT today!

Enjoy the day and Ruth, serve 'em up a round on me - Boris, ring the bell!

Tom

Good evening Mr Leon, I think I will partake in a Keith's and if there are any left some of the finger foods from the staff party, No Boris not the "fingers" you found out beside your shed I had hoped that witht he transition to this new thread that my no tool bar problems would go away, alas this has not happened, oh well jumbled posts for the forseeable future Doug Nice little story on the Ruggles invention , I wonder if it was he or a family member that started up the Ruggles Car Company which manufactured passenger cars and street railway equipment, something to look into. Eric Quite a nice find on your lil excursion into Phoenix , nice to see a Budd product still serving out a somewhat usefull purpose James Nice start to the new year a fine post on tractive effort calculating, bit heavy for my brain to comprhend just now however lars Nice to see you in this morning as well,I noted that the football watching was in full swing on the lower floors of my sisters house while the rest of us packed in the new years food in snacks this afternoon, for me I just waited for the hockey game to start. sorry CM3 My team kind of manhandled the Bruins this day. Tom top oh the er evening sir, nice to see that things are progressing again this day at Bar MK 2.I noticed that we have managed to pick up many a look in already over 80 at the time of my arriving, so far no unpleasantness, a good sign thus far fer sure fer sure. Hopefully it will saty that way. I'm going to go over and attempt once again to read the finals over at Bar Mk1. Rob

Good morning Captain Tom and all present!!

And good morning to you Leon! Do you think I could have a Rumpsteak Café de Paris despite the early hour? Great, thank you. No rush!

Some more activities at the bar this first day of the new year than yesterday! Except for some football it has been a kind of slow day. 

Doug –  I guess you couldn’t see that game in 1955 then! A lot of young people here!
I think you should leave the big rocks where they are. Don’t break your back.

I looked at that drawing and the only thing I could figure out was that it had to be some kind of gear for a locomotive. Well, it was not a gear so I am glad I didn’t reveal my hmm, lack of knowledge. 1837, no doubt it was for a steam engine!

I agree with what Joe G. Collias wrote, sand is very important for a locomotive to keep it rolling all the time. Southern’s Ps-2 #1231 was from the beginning a Ps. As far as I can tell #1317 was a Ps. Nice pictures!

A lot of interesting facts about Americans!

Mike – Those url’s did not work for me. Nothing came up.

Tom –  Good job transfering everything and every body to the new old Our Place!!! The important thing is that it is still there!

1955, you have a good memory! I actually also remember soem things that happened that year (but no ball game).

Good movies (as always) playing at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre! I have seen both of them.

Thanks for the pictures!  Both from the 1st rendevouez and from Alaska! Oh, I almost forgot the one from Rock Hill!

Lars –  Nice book covers, as always. It is always covers of books I don’t have (I have quite a few)!

Yes, it was a lot of football today! The best game was the last one, the Fieasta Bowl! How could you be surprised so few (just Tom) had made it to the bar before noon today? It was New Years Eve last night! No one went to bad until early this morning and needed some rest.

Skål!!!

James –  Interesting info about tractive effort! If you look at the starting T.E for steam engines like Big Boy the numbers are not that impressive. The starting T.E. is the steam engines weakest point, to get a heavy train moving from a stationary position. Today you can find electric locomotives with a starting T.E. of more than 1400 kN. Interesting topic!

940 kN starting T.E.

Rob –  I think I saw you in one of Tom’s pictures! Sorry to hear you are still having problems with the toolbar.

I would prefer to see that Budd car in operational condition, but at least it is still around.

Happy New Year!!!

Eric
 

foto credit: www.viarail.ca

G'day Gents!

Tuesday and the appearance of things returning to normal as the Christmas-New Year's holiday season draws to a close. People heading back to work ‘n school, while others continue on with vacation time, or in SOME cases, retirement! <grin>

As always, check out the pastries in The Mentor Village Bakery case and the Menu Board selections for our <light> 'n <traditional> breakfasts. Wash it all down with a freshly ground 'n brewed mug of cofee <regular> 'n <unleaded>, then sit back and take in the conversations going on here at the Bar by the Ballast!

Most pleased to see some semblance of the "routine" here at the Saloon by the Siding and of course I didn't expect a "rush" to the doors yesterday. It was difficult enough for some simply to open their eyes! <ooooooooh>

So, what's on tap ‘round here today Not much, as we'll resume the Tuesday Theme for the Day next week. Pretty much whatever one wants to bring up today.

 

Rob at 12:05 AM today: Thought you were still experiencing the ravages of the Format-Scurvy. However, not seeing you for a couple of days over the long weekend is hardly what we should expect from our Bar Chandler. You've got a New Year and another shot at restoring your position ‘round here, otherwise to the "shed" with ya!

Formatting: Just my thoughts BUT have you tried everything available to you regarding this problem Seems to me it has to be an "issue" between your ‘puter and the "recognition" of the Forums. "Bugs" get into the registry and other places that can and do cause difficulties. So, my recommendation is to purge everything that you can through a "cleaning" of your drive and assorted files ("temp" and others). Then try your anti-virus package to determine whether it too may provide a "cleaning" feature. If it does, use it. After all of that is done, reboot and see what happens. Even if you've done this recently, try again. I know it's exasperating, frustrating and down right maddening, I've found that these repetitive "cleanings" have yielded positive results for me. Good luck.

Hockey! I see that your team and mine seems to have done a bit better as of late. The Bloosers (aka: Blues) are on a roll of sorts after having changed coaches. The team is beginning to look much more competitive and has racked up at least one point per game for over a week. That's quite a change from what we've seen this season and last. Doesn't seem "right" to have the Leafs ‘n Blues out of the hunt after so many years of being "right there."

 

Eric at 2:45 AM today: You, Sir, get the "nod" for the first INCLUSIVE Post for 2007! Nicely done and hopefully will set the pace for the rest of the year.

Fine looking electric! Can you tell us more about it I see the pantographs are down, so is this machine simply sitting on a siding

Wanna see a Budd observation dome in "action" Come to Canada with us and travel aboard VIA Rail's Canadian or the Ocean (during tourist season). A wonderful way to watch the world go by. Just check out the Pix at the top of this Post!!

Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!

 

Tom

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

Ruth, a frosty mug of Schaefer and slide the snack tray down my way, wudja please Keep the change, my deAH, you've earned it around this morgue. <ugh>

So, the New Year has begun and the sails are still slack during daylight. Have to drift until the night winds perk us up. <grin>

Good to see Eric & Rob from the wee hours and I suspect we'll see a trickling back for a few more as this day passes. What happened to Pete Thought he was supposed to be back with us on Monday I mean the Chiefs WON their game, made the playoffs and all should be well. C'mon back, Wolfman, we sure could use some activity here at the bar. I'll even spring for your favorite brew!

Nice Via Rail photo for your morning "mast head," brings back some fond recollections of your Daily Summaries. By the way, I miss those, BUT realize they are labor intensive and since we haven't the clientele of days gone by, what's the point They were entertaining and chock full o' info for us, though.

Really liked those Pix you provided over on the "old" thread - MKI as Rob refers to it. Anyway, I don't think we've seen a couple of 'em. Don't recall seeing the Mt. McKinley shot - which by the way is outstanding. No doubt someone will come along and "swipe it" for their own. Anyway, nicely done, Sir! Also, that "threesome" pix of you, Rob & Ted at the tavern says it all! Sure wish I could've been with you, but there's Rendezvous II coming up this May. Something to look forward to.

I did a bit of browsing the forums today and it seems that you managed the transition from old to new without a hitch. Some threads needed to have the "Vossman" make the final post, whereas you took care of everything. Why am I surprised That's why you're the skipper 'round here! <grin>

Time for me to put a lid on it, I hear the Mrs. bellowing calling my name!

One more, Ruth!

 

Until the next time!

Lars

Hi Tom and all.

Youse guys. I go away for a few days , come back, and we have moved house, although Our Place looks exactly the same, BORIS, TEX, AWK and FROSTBITE are all still here. There is RUTH and LEON looking after us and TOM is still the Landlord .I dare say it is a lot easier reading about the change after it is all over, and that we can get to read the wonderful store of knowledge from the old thread has to be the best news of all.The RDC Encore from CM3 from page 2 that Tom posted is a great example.

 Mr. Voss seems a good guy and that is a great honor for the new thread.

As I see TOM has brought the Tweeter over, I had better order a beer, a pint of Holden's Mild after the festivities please RUTH and a round to celebrate A HAPPY NEW YEAR for all..

The old bar was busy up to New Year's Eve with great posts.

A late to CM3, hope you are back at the bar soon.

ERIC Thanks for the trolley, signal and Silver Horizon Car pics. The second picture featuring the ground signal is a very simular design to that used on British Rail, although without the uppermost light.

DOUG Careful with those large rocks.Loved the pics and descriptions from steam's last daysI knew that was John Ruggles tractive effort and anti-slip device, well I did after I had read your answer. Good Quiz.

ROB Hope the puter probs are over soon. enjoyed the Nearside Car Encore. I was thinking, when were power operated doors first introduced on trolleys and subway cars.I hope the new Groan-O-Meter has a good guarantee with it.

MIKE Thanks for the links I was able to view them. The pic of the Irish semaphores was at Killarney, Nick described the operation of the station a while back at the bar.

JAMES Good post on the Tractive Effort (T.E.) of locos, in England a couple of examples of steam locos T.E for some classes are Great Western King class 40,285 lb.LMS Duchess 40,000lb and LNER A4 35,455lb. It seems a lot depends on the driving wheel diameter.

LARS Thanks for the new year greetings. Great set of book covers on the last day of the old thread. I see the Giants have made the play offs. We were at Arrowhead Sunday to see the Chiefs pull off a good win and unbelievably the other 3 results went their way, our new year celebrations started early watching the 49's - Broncos game. Great football weather, cold, rain and even some snow in the 3rd quarter. See you at the Super Bowl. .

TOM. Many thanks for making the change to the new bar a smooth one.

Great Canadian RR history for December. The Prince Of Wales must have been quite young when he opened the bridge in 1860. I suppose the 1979 derailment of the dangerous cargo must have cost a lot to the CP railway in compansation but it could have been so much worse in terms of casualties.

Thanks for the SR Frieght and Plant Site Encores.

Enjoying the '56 baseball, never knew about the "trolley" dodgers. Talking of a railway connection with top sporting teams, does anyone know the connection of one of the worlds most famous soccer teams, Manchester United, has with railways.

Two good Navy films on at the Emporium this week and a great set of photos to round off at the old Our Place.

It was a good time at Kansas City this weekend.The new bridge over the tracks from Union station is now open. There is a great model railroad set up in the entrace hall at Union Station, on the Friday night the layout was running and looked absolutly wonderful in the low lighting with the lights on the locos and cars showing up well. The Kansas City Southern had their Christmas train in the yard it looked great and

Good evening Tom and gang. I'll have a bottomless draught, and but a round for the house. I see some more of the clan have located the new digs. I forgot to compliment Tom on his trolley baseball team. It was news to me. Additionally, Tom did take an accurate guess at identifying my whatchacallit ... so well done sir! Wow James, are you trying to hurt my brain with complex equations? I have quite enough trouble just trying to figure out the birthday list here. Nifty pic of the Zephyr observation car. They sure are purty, aren't they? Great to see Rob, but don't know if the same Ruggle that designed the first patent was related to the Ruggles of the Ruggle Car Company. Fantastic to see Peter today too, who also noticed the five star rating from David Voss. And now, here's a little SR stuff from me:

 

Big Dropper

Here's a brand-new car. It is one of two built so far. Southern designed and developed it for shippers of coal, sand, gravel and other bulk products that can move in bottom-dumping open-top cars, It can carry more than 100 tons of coal or other bulk material, and it can be completely unloaded in the fifteen seconds that have elapsed since this description began. Some of our people call it "the big dropper" because the bottom can open completely from end to end or each one of the four sets of gates can be operated singly. Like our solid-bottom aluminum gondola - "Silversides" - the "Big Dipper" is designed for easy open-top loading, rugged dependability and fast-turnaround service. It can also be used like the "Silversides" and unloaded in big rotary dumpers at power plants where its load is then discharged through the top like sugar is tipped from a teaspoon. This car has 4,600 cubic feet of load space in a cargo compartment 47 ½ feet long and 10 feet 2 ½ inches wide. The over-all height of the car above the rails is 12 feet 3-11/16 inches. Southern Railway spent $125,000 of its own money to research, design and build these two prototypes of this drop-bottom car of the future. These two cars have just completed tests which prove them satisfactory and hundreds of new cars are now being ordered by us. Here's another technological breakthrough that will lower freight costs, which means putting more money in your pockets.

 

A man who had been in a mental home for some years finally seemed to have improved to the point where it was thought he might be released.

The head of the institution, in a fit of commendable caution, decided, however, to interview him first.

"Tell me," said he, "if we release you, as we are considering doing, what do you intend to do with your life?'

The inmate said, "It would be wonderful to get back to real life and if I do, I will certainly refrain from making my former mistake. I was a nuclear physicist, you know, and it was the stress of my work in weapons research that helped put me here. If I am released, I shall confine myself to work in pure theory, where I trust the situation will be less difficult and stressful."

"Marvelous," said the head of the institution.

"Or else," ruminated the inmate. "I might teach. There is something to be said for spending one's life in bringing up a new generation of scientists."

"Absolutely," said the head.

"Then again, I might write. There is considerable need for books on science for the general public. Or I might even write a novel based on my experiences in this fine institution."

"An interesting possibility," said the head.

"And finally, if none of these things appeals to me, I can always continue to be a teakettle."

Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!

Leon, just a ham sandwich, please! Coffee, black!

My last day off today! Back to work tomorrow morning. I got kind of used to sleep in every morning last week and a half!

Tom –  The electric on the picture is (former Swedish State Railways) Class Dm3 built especially to haul ore trains from the iron mines in the most northern part of Sweden (north of the Arctic Circle) to Narvik on the Atlantic coast of Norway, from where the ore is shipped out to countries around the world. The locomotive is articulated electric locomotive, 9,600 hp and weighs 602,300 lbs. Length 105’10”. They were built between 1960-1970. They are now slowly being replaced by Class IORE (for Iron ore) twin units, 14,675 hp, T.E. 1,350 kN, length 149’5” and weight 793,800 lbs.

The Dm3 on the picture below is sitting outside the depot waiting for the next assignment.

Same picture again!

I don't have any picture of Class IORE but it can be seen on a video if you click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k93s3GpUYIc

I guess it has to be a trip to Canada some day to ride a classic train. The picture is very nice, I am glad the deer didn’t try to outrun the train! In the old country the problem is spelled moose, especially in the wintertime.

Lars –  You are right! Rendezvous II is really something to look forward to! Just a few months away!

Pete –  Welcome back and a Happy New Year! It seems like yopu a good time in kansas City!

The ground signal is also very similar to the ones used in Sweden.

Doug –  The Big Dropper, an amazing car! 15 seconds to dump more than 100 tons of coal! That is fast! Southern really did a great job developing new freight cars.

When I was looking for a picture/viceo of Class IORE I also found a video of the X2000 in its new paint scheme:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRP4xc0-mSo&mode=related&search= 

Finally I found a website about the Swedish State Railways. It is a guy in UK who seems to be very interested in Swedish Railroads and is building some real nice layouts. It is a very interesting site!

http://www.adnalm.org.uk/index.html?photos

 Eric

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house.

Did I say Happy New Year yet? Yes, but not since last year. 

Pete, thanks for waiting to see if the semaphore pics would eventually load, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Doug, the steam locomotives you put Sunday are beauties.

Rob, you must have memorized the codes for smileys from doing thousands of colorful posts. It sure is good to see that picture of you guys with Ted. Nice way to bring the old thread to a close.

Lars, thanks for putting the CV up there too.

James, I'm sorry that your friend lost his mom, what an awful thing to happen.

Eric, hopefully this link will connect to pictures of class IORE locomotives in Sweden.

http://www.pbase.com/jakobe/mb200504&page=1

Now this from wwwtrainweb.org:

"Tractive effort is the force that a locomotive can apply to its coupler to pull a train. In the US, it is usually expressed in pounds. Tractive effort is not often directly measured. Most locomotive builders calculate tractive effort based on a percentage of the weight placed on the driving wheels. For rod type steam engines, this factor is usually 25% for clean dry rail. It was found through tests that this factor worked quite well because most steam engines have all their drivers locked together so that slippage of an individual wheel is not possible.

Articulated engines could have half of the engine slip, as would often happen, but the 25% factor was still applied. Application of sand could increase this factor considerably.

Diesel engines can slip axle by axle. Over the years, steadily improving motor control systems have been developed to control wheel slip such that the latest batch of large diesels can apply 1000 hp per axle to the rail without serious slip. First generation diesels had trouble applying 400 hp per axle without slippage. The old 25% constant doesn't hold well with diesels, tractive effort as measured by dynamometer cars have shown that the factor can often exceed 35% with the newest AC powered high-power diesels.

In most cases, tractive effort limits the pulling power of locomotives only at very slow speeds. Above a few miles per hour, prime mover horsepower limits usually prevail."

Mike

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

'Tis I, Larsman the Manager pinch hitting for our Proprietor this morning as he's at the doc's for a follow-up to his surgery. Anyway, I'll try to keep this as organized as he does!

First, I must make comment on something that caught my eye right off the bat this morning:

Rob, you must have memorized the codes for smileys from doing thousands of colorful posts. It sure is good to see that picture of you guys with Ted. Nice way to bring the old thread to a close.

from Mike this AM.

To set the record straight, it was Tom who provided those pix on the final page of the old thread. Gotta give credit where credit is due, after all, "the man" keeps this ship afloat in so many, many ways.

Good to see the guys come out yesterday and into early this AM - Pete - Doug - Eric & Mike. Formatting difficulties aside for some, appreciate seeing youse guys!

That was a most enjoyable post from Pete and we're glad to have you back with us. Kansas City's Union Station sounds like a great place to visit and I'm looking forward to seeing any pix you took during your recent visit.

Can you imagine what the odds must be for the Giants & Chiefs to make it to the Super Bowl?????? Fuh-ged-aboud-it! <grin>

Doug, I know Tom will appreciate the acknowledgment that he got your diagram question answered correctly - in spite of making two attempts! <grin> THAT's what inclusive conversations are supposed to be about, eh You betchaboots!

Nice continuing Southern input . . .

Eric, great URLs of the X2000 and the model train layouts! Can't say that the paint scheme does much for me, I liked the old one better. However, the video clip is entertaining! Thanks, mate!

And yes, the Renedzvous date is approaching and we can now refer to it as being in a matter of months. Surely hope things work out for me to join youse guys! I'd love to hoist a tankard or two at that Train Wreck bar and also the Irish Pub that Tom has mentioned. What, no Norsemen bars <grin>

Mike, good "blurb" on the tractive stuff! With all that has been provided, I'd think most of us should be a heck-of-a-lot more conversant with the terminology than B4.

I had something "special" planned for posting this day, but thus far I cannot get it to "cut 'n paste" onto this window!! <argggggggggh>

 So rather than belabor the continuing difficulties with the forums, let me just say - DRINKS ON ME! Ruth, set 'em up 'n Boris ring the ding!

Until the next time!

Lars

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

Happy New Year to all!  I will post more later when the dust settles at work.  However, thanks to one and all for the birthday greetings.

work safe

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

'Tis the Larsman back with some pix from the "old country." Check these out while enjoying some pastries from the Mentor Village bakery, one of our "light" or "traditional" breakfasts, and of course our famous freshly brewed "Joe."!

Eric, I failed to make mention of something near 'n dear to my old heart (yes, I actually have one! <grin>) Anyway, that observation dome is terrific. Would love to have it in my back yard. Wouldn't the neighbors just go bonkers Anyway, as Tom said, you must go to Canada to travel in one of those these days and I'm all for it! THAT should be what we strive for insofar as a future Rendezvous is concerned - a Bash on the Ballast, or something like that. Nice photo, mate!

Norwegian State Railways - NSB - photo credit: Ian Britton from www.freefoto.com 

(c) FreeFoto.com

 

Norwegian State Railways - NSB - photo credit: Ian Britton from www.freefoto.com 

(c) FreeFoto.com

 

 

Norwegian State Railways - NSB - photo credit: Ian Britton from www.freefoto.com 

(c) FreeFoto.com

 

Norwegian State Railways Class 73 EMU high-speed train - photo credit: Ian Britton from www.freefoto.com  

(c) FreeFoto.com

 

I apologize for the insufficient background data on these pix, however, with the crew we have 'round this joint, someone just may enlighten us with the details! <grin> As you've noted, these pix are from www.freefoto.com , a most generous site that grants private use as long as proper credit is given.

 

Ruth, I'll have my customary Larsman hero sandwich of ham 'n Swiss, mustAHd 'n buttAH with two large pickles from the barrel. Set aside a saucer of brine for Tex, a tray of seed for Awk, ice cubes for Frostbite and a small jar of pickled pigs feet for Boris! <phew> A frosty mug of Keiths Ale should do it for me, and of course, my deAH, keep the change! <grin>

 

Tom had indicated he might be gone for most of the day and perhaps even into tomorrow. So, for those of you just returning from the holiday break, maybe youse guys can step up to the plate a bit. How about it Thanks!

 

Also, the Tuesday "Theme" for next week is the Baltimore & Ohio RR. Hopefully we'll get all kinds of good stuff on this nation's first operating road.

 

Until the next time!

Lars

foto credit: www.viarail.ca

 

G'day Gents!

Many THANX to Manager Lars for taking care of business this morning; much appreciated! Things went a bit faster today than expected, but alas, more of the same in the ‘morrow! <groan>

So, what's up ‘round here Ruth, you seem rather sprightly today, must be the compliments from Lars, eh Always brings a "flush" to that pretty face of yours! Gotta watch those sailors!

Let me try to catch up on the acknowledgments since my last Post:

Lars at 3:40 PM yesterday: The Larsman "came to save the day" - whattaguy! Don't' quite know what this place would be during the daylight hours without having your Posts!

 

Pete at 5:25 PM yesterday: The Wolfman returneth for 2007! Fooled you, eh A new home and a re-start at that, all while you took off for ANOTHER long weekend. Some guys just live right!

Hope you took a bunch of Pix out there in KCity, especially at Union Station. Sounds like the displays were "top shelf," both real and model. Good material for Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Does your question regarding the Manchester Soccer (football) club and railroads have to do with Manchester having been the first place to be credited with passenger rail???? The fans traveled to/from Liverpool and Manchester to view the games, I suspect. Just a WAG on my part . . .

The 1956 baseball season was not quite the same for the Brooklyn Dodgers as it was in '55. The Dodgers lost to the Yankees in '56 and perhaps the highlight of that series was the perfect game thrown by Don Larson - 27 up, 27 down, no runs, no hits, no walks, no base runners, zip, zero, zilch.

 

Doug at 7:46 PM yesterday: Many THANX for acknowledging my "entry"! <grin> Actually, I did quite a bit of searching through my modest collection of railroad books, and came across something close to what you provided in an abstract drawing for early propulsion. I think the "difficulty index" on that question of yours probably was off the scale. We're just a bunch of modest folks ‘round here; hardly the resident experts found elsewhere!

Interesting stuff on the Southern "continuation"!

 

Eric at 12:15 AM today: THANX for the explanation regarding the Swedish electric loco! Nice looking beast and surely was constructed for the long haul (no pun intended!).

Those URLs are terrific additions to our Thread and make for some fine viewing! Nothing like watching a train in motion, eh Well, of course there is - traveling in one! Nicely done, Mate!

All this talk regarding our Rendezvous brings to mind that I'm remiss in getting out the latest "scoop" to those of you planning on attending. Really, no changes to what we've been talking about, but I promise to get moving . . . got kind of side-tracked with some recent personal matters. Sorry.

By-the-by, if anyone wishes to get "in" on the 2^nd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in St. Louis scheduled for this May, now is the time to drop me an Email. I'm going to get some hotel rooms set aside; so let me know if you're interested, ASAP.

 

Mike at 6:57 AM today: A "talkie" from our Resident URLMeisterMonsterManMike! The earlier Post from you with the URLs didn't "load" for me (either). Anyway, appears as if whatever you were contending with regarding the Forum formatting has gone away. Good!

 

Lars at 8:35 AM & 11:33 AM today: Nice work, Mate, you "done good" substituting for the old man! Appreciate your help. Like those Norwegian entries, look mighty fine to me and so does the countryside. I checked out that website you got them from (http://www.freefoto.com/) and found they are a bit shy on giving any detailed info, aside from the photographer, date and camera specifics. Sure would like to know more about the trains and locations. But, "we takes what we gets!".

Appreciate your efforts in making things "right" around here, but don't spend a great deal of time getting yourself tied up into itty bitty knots on anything here in the Ether.

Believe me, there's nothing I'd like better than to get our 2008 Rendezvous scheduled for a rail trip. Canada would be fine with me, but an Amtrak trip aboard the Superliners wouldn't be bad either, as long as the lounge and diners are adequately stocked! Rendezvous on the Rails has a nice touch to it, eh

 

CM3 at 9:36 AM today: Quarters and a round and gone-zo! Good to know you're back, and hope you resume your activities here at the Tavern by the Tracks before week's end.

 

Reminder: Ruth has the bar until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.

Good afternoon dear Ruth , nice to able to get in and see you on occation.I'll just nab a Keith's oh and some of the peanuts to please.Well still the same-o same-o formatting wise after scrub after re-scrub still nothing , it is getting a bit tired. Tom As always thanks for the advice , still no help unfortunatly. I was able to read the final page of the MK 1, some lates thanks for the the the most recent Canadian railway history post , also nice to see our smiling faces one last time ( Blue will do that . ) I have to agree with tthe Larsman, that shot of the Elk and the Canadian are the cat's meow ( both our cats approve , yes we added another to the mix )Mike Nice follow up on young Jame's TE post, my we are getting more smarter around here LOL. And yes I remembered some of the smiley codes , still wish I could make it more readable for all of you. LarsWonderfull keep us going posts today sir , loved the shots from the frozen north as well, some interesting pieces of equipmnet there, perhaps when Eric sneaks back in he can shed some light on their functions and types.Pete Good to see you sir nice to have the whole group essentially back , just missing Nick now that you and CM3 have retutrned.( happy new year to you CM3 ) To answer your question , power doors came about once air brakes came about. With most of the streetcars the doors ooriginally operated off the strait air pipes , oncethe saftey cars were designed more reliable air treadle doors and electric doors began, once the advent of the all electric PCC in the early 40's streetcars had electric treadle and switch controlled brakes.I know clear as mud Doug Top o the afternoon to you as well, interesting hopper car, the Southen seem to me like the "Russian" railway of NA , lets see howmany gigantic car types we can make oh well interesting piece.Oh we did indeed sell our E700 to the IRM or more correctly we traded it to them for some componenets for two of our interurban cars. It's apparently indoors at the IRM in the trolleycoach building awaiting restoration to functional status. Rob

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

Great to see Da Bossman return to the bar! Hope all went as well as you had hoped and that tomorrow is positive for you. All I can say is THAT Via Rail pix is the absolute BEST of 'em all! What a great photo - whoever took that pix really got a "good-un"!!

Ruth, set 'em up, drinks on the Larsman! Boris ring the gong!! Is that you, Rob Must be on at the same time, now that's "different," huh Good to see ya in "my time slot" and hope all's well with you up there in Ontario. I presume that "blue" reference was for the brew, huh Good stuff! But then again, ain't no bad beer, just degrees of it! Kinda like women, or so I've heard. <grin>

Nick Where in the world do you suppose our wandering Minstrel is these days He really is somewhat like the whisp of the wind - here today, gone tomorrow. Always enjoy his presence and all he brings to the group. Just wish he'd give a heads up when it comes to the prolonged and unexpected absences. Sure miss ya, mate!

There are times when I wonder whether we'll ever have a full bar again. I really think that to keep this great idea going, each of us should try like "H" to bring at least one new guy to the bar. Just one for 2007, each, and we'd be in fine shape. Otherwise, we're bound to drop one or two and that surely doesn't bode well for "tomorrow." Sorry, just my mellowed-out-meanderings.

Ruth, set 'em up again, and I'll have a double JD on the rocks if you please!

That's about "it" for me on this day and I'll be back in the AM to help begin the day.

Enjoy these . . .

 

Lehigh Valley (from: www.lvrr.com - photo: Frank Czajkowski)  

 

Southern EMD E8 #6908 (photo: Martin O'Toole)  

 

MKT EMD E7 #101 (courtesy: KATY RR Historical Society)  

Until the next time!

 

Lars

 Hi Tom and all.

 Set the beers up please RUTH for the unannounced but brilliant Sweeden and Norway railway day, not forgetting DOUG's post last evening on the Southern Big Dropper freight car..

ERIC Great videos.Reading about the Narvik line reminded me of an article in a British trains annual of about 1963 vintage on the line, it must have made an impression as for me to recall it now. If I recall right the was a loco that looked very simular to the SSlidJ loco in your second link( the 2nd from last pic) that worked around the mine.

I see that the railways have left hand running in Sweden, is Norway the same 

ALL. In the www. adalm link to those great models, a visit to the RAILWAY HUMOUR item( the 18th item in the menu at the left hand side) is A MUST.Many thanks Eric.

MIKE Those are really great pics on the Sweden link, I ran in the 'slideshow' mode and will have another look later, you can,t beat a railway in a snowy setting.

Good info on the Tractive EffortThe first GM locos to work on British rails was the 1985 built class 59/1 locos, I believe these locos had a traction control system that allowed a certain slippage in starting which increased these locos haulage abilty. The five 59/1s were built in Illinois in the U.S. whereas the other 59s and the later class 66s, now over 400 locos, were built in Canada by GM.

LARS Well done for standing in for the Boss and thanks for the kind words.

I read that if you had bet $10 on Sundays results for the Chiefs  to get to the play-offs you would have got $7,000 back.

It would be good if we can get some more info on the Norwegian locos and units. The loco in the 3rd pic looks a very interesting vehicle.

I would love to hear what a 'Norseman' bar is like. On my first visit here I was taken to a "English"bar in KC, although with 12 giant TV screens it was hardly the tradition English village pub, it WAS called The Fox And Hounds though..

They have done a really great job in the restoration of the Union Station in Kansas City..It is a great train ride from here and St Louis to KC on Amtrak the only trouble is with late running, when Tom and I have gone there, only once did we have time at Union Station. With the old schedule the train was due in KC at 1 30pm and leaving at 3:05pm. the new times are,  arrive at 2:10pm and depart at 4:30pm if this could relied on there is ample time to look round Union station and visit the Rail Experience.

ROB Great to see you in,sorry you are having the format problem still, anyway we can still read your post which is the main thing.

Many thanks for the info on the power doors. I hope that NICK will find us. I think DL said that he would be away for the Christmas and New Year period and should be back soon.

TOM Good to be back.We are doing well at our new home, and CM3 as called in.

 I took some photos at Union Station, although I was using the 35 mm camera( there is a "Trackage Rights" dispute with the digital at the moment) and the light was very poor where the model layout was, very atmospheric but difficult to take pics. I forgot to mention , the Jones Train was giving rides again this year and the Harvey House was open.I did not try it as we had just eaten but it seemed they were doing a good trade.

Thanks for having a go on the Man Utd question, not quite right and I will post the answer soon, I cant get the link for the info at the minute. I think you will like the jokes in Eric's second link, the London Underground ones are a treat.

Hi Tom and all.

Lars. Just caught your post. Thanks for the EMD pics The more I see the more I am begining to like the Southern paint scheme on those diesels.

 A couple of pics of the model layout at K.C.s Union Station last year.

 

A picture of part of the station

Well Leon as Lars as set them up I had better have one more.

Pete.

G-day Tom and all present.

I only have time tonight to contribute some pictures. I will get back to regular posting tomorrow.

Sorry for the absence otherwise.

Enjoy!

Here it is. The dwarf Semaphore I was talking about. This little thing is at the Duluth Museum and was used to guard a crossover inside the shed. As you can see, the lens are missing. I am going to have to talk ti the director about what color lens were used but I believe they were red and green.

For those that don't know what this is, this is called a wig wag. The center Pendulem swings back and forth and the red light in the middle flashes. Kind of cool.

Now for some model pics.

Small accident in the yard tonight. A caboose toppled over and the wrecking crew is out there taking care of it.

 

The whole center stage yard at the club.

 

Happy railroading

James

Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!

Just a quick stop for a cup of black coffee and one of those free drinks Leon! What do you recommend? Okay, that sounds good!

Back to work today, the first day this year. 73°F and pretty nice outside. And a pretty busy day at the Tavern!  

Mike –  Thanks for the url to those pictures of class IORE (and Dm3, Rc6, and a Norwegian El13).

The advantage with an electric locomotive comparing with a dieselelectric is that an electric can produce quite a bit of “extra” horsepower during a limited time if and when necessary.

Lars -  No, I certainly don’t like the new paint scheme for the X2000. It is unbeleivable they changed to grey! I don’t get it and I sent them (the railroad) a mail when they introduced it.

I also hope that you will make it to the Rendevouz in May!! Even if Tom doesn’t know any Norsemen bar I am sure we will find one!

A future Rendevouz in Canada, traveling in one of those Classic cars, would really be something else! Glad you liked the picture.

Norwegian locomotives/trains! To be honest, I don’t know too much about them even though I have been working a lot with people from the Norwegian State Railways. Lets see:

The first and second pictures show Class 69 EMUs of the latest design. Last ones were built 1994. Max. speed 80 mph.

The last picture shows a Class 73 High Speed Train. It is developed from the X2000 and has tilting cars. Max allowed speed 130 mph. Built 1999-2001.

Nice pictures of some very good looking dieselelectrics! The top one is LVRR EMD F7 #562.

CM3 –  Happy New Year. Hope the dust settles soon!!

Rob –  I am afraid I did not have too much info about the Norwegian trains!

Pete –  Could it be the loco in the picture on the below url you saw Ity looks similar to the SSLidJ.

http://www.rail.lu/materiel/lkab62.html

Swedish railroads have left hand running but they can easily run them right hand and sometimes they do. Norway has right hand running but I ams ure they also can run them left hand if necessary.

I tried to find info about the Norwegian “loco” in the 3rd picture but had no luck. It is for track maintenance work that is all I can say.

Very nice layouts at K.C. Union Station!! The station itself is very nice. I have to stop there next time I am in the neighborhood.

James –  That is really a dwarf semaphore! Hope they will find lenses for it. I like those wig wag signals. You don’t see them any more.

Hope no one was injured in that nasty caboose accident. 

 

Eric 

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

Ruth isn't in yet, so I'm handling things behind the bar 'til 9 AM. So, whatilyahave There's the Mentor Village Bakery case, our "light" & "traditional" breakfasts, and of course our famous freshly ground & brewed Java, following Tom's "secret" recipe! Of course we have the "leaded" & "unleaded" varieties!

While hardly a super active Wednesday, the posts were of sufficient quality to make the reading light & interesting. Many thanks to all for stopping by!

I figured those pix of the Norwegian trains would spur a bit of conversation. That's the idea, huh Simply posting stuff and running off is NOT what this place is about. Whereas engaging in two or three-way dialogue surely is! Can ALWAYS count on Pete 'n Eric to keep the conversations flowing smoothly. You guys have figured it out!

Many thanks to Eric for the expanded information on my Norwegian train photos! Such a great place this is, huh Drop a question or a topic and someone surely will pick up on it.

Speaking of which, sorry Pete, I haven't a clue regarding that "blurb" you posted on the Mancester soccer club and railroads. Not a clue.

Nice pix from Pete and we look forward to a "bunch" of 'em for Sunday's Pix Posting event!

Looks as if our "optional" Toy & Model Trains Day slipped by without notice - EXCEPT - for James. Nice layout pix and the "accident" is a nice touch.

As excited as I am regarding the prospect of getting together with you guys in St. Louis this May, there is always the reality aspect looming on the horizon. I'll do my best to make it. However, when it comes to planning in the Larsman family, the hurdles and obstacles surely will find a way to make it difficult.

Ya know, there just may not be a "Norseman" bar in the hinterlands of the American mid-west. Perhaps our Viking friends didn't make it that far! <grin> Columbus Day - ha! We KNOW who should be given "credit" for making it to North America from Europe. As far as "discovering" goes - it was there all along; just a poor choice of descriptors I'd say!

Boris, serve 'em up all of the "spiked" coffee & juice they can handle!

Until the next time!

Lars

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

 

Our unseasonably warm weather continues.  We have a lot of frost to scrape off the car windows b4 leaving but the ground is bare.  In fact, it is warm enough for the K9 Korps to be outside all afternoon.  Gas is $2.33 as the Republic of West Virginia slapped a 5-cent increase on our gas tax.  State now collects 51 cents a gallon - it's o.k. Boris, I don't need to be escorted to the rat room.

 

Now for a few comments, acknowledgements, etc. Again in no particular order.

 

Lars provided some photos for us.  I got the LV and MKT units to come up, but no luck with the SOU locomotive.  The Giants got in the playoffs despite themselves, but IMHO, Kansas City may surprise a few folks although I don't see them standing at the end.  Anyway, that's why they play.  BTW, 43 days until pitchers and catchers report.

 

Pete - Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures of Kansas City Union Station.  Ta least it's still standing unlike so many others.

 

James provided a physics lesson and some layout pictures.

 

Eric also provided some interesting pictures.  I'll bet the lights dimmed downtown when they fired up that locomotive!  Iron ore is extremely heavy.  I get a kick out of modelers who take coal cars and fill them with "iron ore."  The only part of the train that would move would be the drawheads and they'd be on the ground.  That's not to say that coal cars were not used to carry ore.  They were not filled anywhere near to the top, though.  Somewhere I have pictures of ore trains on the PRR with coal cars in use.  The ore jennies you see out there were a little more typical.  Of course, a lot of ore was transloaded to boats and shipped that way.  Zephyr car was lovely.

 

Barndad - Lots of people with too much time on their hands to count things and "figger" ‘em up.  Anyway, the stats were interesting.  Wonder how much money was spent on that stuff?  Also, thanks for the material on SOU rolling stock.

 

Our ‘Steamed Proprietor has provided some good movies with which to begin the year; maybe we can get a showing of "The Cruel Sea" and also "Away all Boats" sometime.

 

A couple of comments re locomotives.  Folks who assign locomotives to trains, of course, deal with more than tractive effort.  Different power has different tonnage ratings which goes a long way toward determining what power is on a train.  The type of train (loads, mtys, cars handled) as you can figure, also affects the power assigned.  Other factors include the profile of where the train will be running.  IOW terrain plays a big role.  As a friend once said, "More hill, more power."   

 

Other things that enter into the equation include weather, winds, etc.  The power people have to calculate all of this.  So the railroad doesn't just grab what's handy and throw it on the next train out.  Another thing that has an impact is traffic flow.  For example, many of the roads in New England received more cars than they originated.  Therefore you had a lot more mtys heading back home than you had loads.  This situation also led to an imbalance of power.  That's why you saw lots of cab hops or light engine moves to get power back to where it was needed.   It was a little unnerving to hear all of this uproar around a curve and then see seven units (many of them shut down) and a caboose.

 

Well, I'd better stop here for now.

 

Work safe

 

G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!

Back again, as it is nearing noon where I am (Eastern) so time for a Larsman special! Ruth, a lager of your choice if you please, a round for the house, treats for the critters and of course, keep the change!

I expect we'll see our Proprietor sometime this afternoon, as he indicated today's appointment was not expected to take as much time as yesterday. Speaking for those who give a Rat's Patoot, we wish you well, Cap'n Tom and hope things get back to normal for you PDQ!

Quite a railroading lesson from CM3 I'm NOT Shane! Can always tell when the Coalminer is back amongst the crew. Aside from the quarters for the coal scuttle and the round for the house, the posts are of the highest quality. You are sorely and surely missed during periods of absence.

Hadn't intended to ramble on, but simply wanted to ensure that things are ship-shape at the "Saloon by the Siding." Ruth has things in good shape, and hers isn't bad either! So, I'll just stick around for awhile just in case we get a conversation started.

Enjoy the lunchtime and check out the menu board for the great sandwich selections for the day!

Oh yes, Leon comes in at 5 PM 'til closing and tonight is "Fish & Chips Night!" at the Bar by the Ballast. As always, begins at 5 PM.

Ruth, another brew if you please.

Until the next time!

Lars

Hello All

Good to be back in the new bar - seems like the same place to me. Assuming the cellar stocks are on good form I'll have a pint of Ringwood Bitter.

Just to catch up on the old 2006 posts and make a few comments on the 2007 ones.

Eric - thanks for your contribution on the Silver Princess Budd car for the UK - as you say it must have been specially contracted to match the UK loading gauge. You mentioned Denver airport - and people switching to Amtrak, then moaning about a 27 hour journey - I can't think of anything better myself, 27 hours of pure pleasure! What was wrong in Denver? Why do people think that getting somewhere fast is important? Often when you get there it's pretty disappointing after all!

Nice pics of the California Zephyr observation dome, with that tail fin it is slightly different from the Via Rail Budd observation cars - anyone got any comments on this?

Anyway, gives me a perfect excuse to post this link on the California Zephyr:

http://calzephyr.railfan.net/

Does not seem to have been updated recently but has some fantastic pics in the Image Gallery and the info and memories of The Zephyrettes is really good - Tom, could we recruit some Zephyrettes to work a few shifts at Our Place do you think?

The scanned pictures of postcards from the trip are also great - take a look:

http://calzephyr.railfan.net/czpc.html

Very much a classic era website I think you will agree.

I mentioned the fog in the UK, and yes rail stepped into the breach, but I noted the industry failed to capitalise on the advantage this gave them, pointing out that internal air fares for short UK distances were both stupid in themselves, and very bad for the environment. Sadly the nature of the atomised UK rail industry means it is incapable of speaking with one powerful voice when the industry needs to argue its corner. All very sad.

We had a call in to the bar from Zoë about a model Blue Streak Freight - I wonder if she got the answer required from the model trains forum, could have been a problem with track connections, or the loco - but it made me wonder what a Blue Streak Freight actually was - any contributions from you North Americans - is it a classic train in real life?

Doug - thanks for the LCL explanation - handy to learn about these jargon abbreviations.

Tom - interesting to read Boxing Day is not a custom in the USA. As the link you posted explained, it is here, although the gift boxes are now given before xmas. A relative of mine is a post man and I asked him about this and he said on his round he only got one Christmas box! I was appalled by this. As we have said before this site is about valuing traditions so I don't mind saying that in our household ‘boxes' go out for mail man, milk delivery man, window cleaner and refuse cart guys, and quite right too in my view.

Mike - some nice semaphore picture links - I must say I always think a semaphore picture helps frame a photo with good interest.

Then an interesting contribution from the Forum Manager - I note he didn't buy us a round, but maybe we should buy him one for providing these forums for us!

Pete - I'll report back on the Swanage trip in due course, but don't forget to post that story about fog in steam days you mentioned. Thanks also for the Silver Princess extra info - it would still be good to know more about that car.

Who broke the coupling on your train set then? Was that a driver error or guard responsibility - or was it due to maintenance shortcomings? Hope nothing was too badly damaged!

Going back to an earlier post I think there is a slight difference in true scale between 00 gauge and HO gauge models but for operational convenience track rail width was kept the same. 00 was of course set out by Hornby Dublo (Double O),

http://www.hrca.net/hornby_dublo.html

which in turn was half 0 Gauge, but I think German toy manufacturers came up with HO (Half 0 gauge) - anyway - no doubt this is a topic easy enough to research somewhere - this is only my memory of the situation.

Hope people go the festive gifts they wanted. I got given a biography of Fred Dibnah (I'm sure Pete will know of this gentleman), but others can see:

http://www.theviewfromthenorth.co.uk/fred_dibnah/fred_dibnah.php

Plus these 2 rather interesting volumes, one about diagrammatic route maps and another about Diesel Electric railcars. Very much UK orientated but others might like a look at these links.

http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=42251

http://www.transportdiversions.com/publicationshow.asp?pubid=4987

Cheerio

DL

 

Good Afternoon Barkeep and All Present; Coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the Jukebox.

There most certainly was a Blue Streak Merchandise.  It was the pride of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt), part of the Southern Pacific.  To give you an idea of how fast it was, it offered two-day service from St. Louis to Los Angeles. 

Fred Frailey's book Blue Streak Merchandise: 6 Decades of the Great American Freight Train is a full-length study of this operation.  It is o/p, but available from Amazon at a relatively reasonable price.

SSW boxcars were painted to promote Blue Streak service; I have several models of SSW cars with the Blue Streak slogan in my collection.

IIRC, Blue Streak service still operates today, albeit under different ownership.  Barkeep, three fingers of the good stuff for a toast to the Cotton Belt!  Yo're getting me all nostalgic....

work safe