Nice Christmas Presents to receive. Comgradulations. And Merry Christmas.
Re:Baldwin gone too soon....I will add undeservedly so. Lima never had a chance after their magnificient machines contributed so much and were at the forefront. Too much diversity, competition, character and strong stability has been lost. I suppose the remnants/ghost of Alco still exist in Bombardier.
Final exams for the semester are now completed. Off now for 2 weeks although need 2 full days to mark these yet but I can do that from home with coffee and a housecoat. Nice. No family up here and a half a continent away so just me and the dog.
NDG- hope to heck you are feeling better with your lungs after that fall. I unexpectedly recieved 2 of the best Christmas gifts ever yesterday...Doc gave me a clean bill of health, heart near normal as can be after I managed to drop dead 2 years ago...told me to go celebrate. Then the CEO himself came to my classroom just as the last student finished writing the last exam ( Mineral Processing/Milling) and asked me to stay 4 more years ( was going, very reluctantly, to retire in Oct. this year) and then stated he will give me an apprentice to break in for the last two years. My dream scenario. Then he made that same announcement at our end of year meeting with all the young buckaroo profs present, the ones that try to fiqure out how to get me out the door. They were visibly squirming in their seats. Wow, I cannot believe the turn of events. My head is reeling. Too good. Hoping all is well for all of you.
Did not know of that Baldwin site...that will keep me busy for hours! Thanks.
Long Live Baldwin...gone far too soon.
Thank You.
That original paint scheme left much to be desired. Maroon and Grey wether in block or script was very nice...the multimark actually suited this loco just fine. Long Live Baldwin!
I'm starting to parallel the Baldwin Locomotive Works...my contribution to the wealth of this country and the GDP is beyond measure..my many productive years were solid and lasting...then I drew on all that and produced outstanding work that was no longer wanted (T1's). So I went in a new direction, with the trend, ( Diesels)) but long time relationships and friends abandoned me, wrote me off...too old, too this, too that, ( Pennsy ..and others) even if they were wrong. Infrastructure lost, downsizing, and then finally gone and I'm a shadow of what it was. Remembered here and there, little appreciation. Yeesh, its weird. I've become Baldwin.
Now thankfully my students cherish me. Thats whats left. Like railfans admire Baldwin, but that's all.
Suppose i should say something clever like "if I knew I was going to last this long I would have taken better care of myself" or something like that. Meh, it is what it is.
At least I'm working and teaching...keeps something going. Turned down the Director position 4 years ago...who needs all those meetings and budgets...no, I'll take the classroom and lecture hall any day over that.
Health concerns always.
NDGGetting Old Sucks.
I agree, but so far it beats the alternative.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Good one there RME. Frederik Pohl was a pretty prolifc writer, up there with Issac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. The Day the Icicle Works Closed was one of his lesser known and obscure works but fans will know of it. I had the incredible good fortune that my mom and dad had a bookstore, a true mom and pop operation, and they had a book exchange as a part of it where it was 2 for 1 on exchanges. This was 99% paperback territory and as a young teen it was my chosen area to look after. Of course a young male teen is drawn to science fiction and I read these with crazy abandon.
Uranium is a strategic metal with special controls on the buying and selling and ownership. In Canada a foreign company cannot own more than 49%. Areva is French, as in France, and owns 49% of the high tech Cigar Lake mine. Not sure who could step up but I think you are correct. Besides we have such a cozy relationship with the USA that I'm certain there are ways to accommodate while upholding appearances.
There are many uncanny similarities that parallel the novel though, right down to the spin from the media and their controlling interests.
MiningmanUranium mines in the Athabasca Basin limping along. U now at $18.00lb. All time high was 125.00 less than ten years ago and was projected to be $75.00 just a year ago by minds "greater" than my own but those brainiacs were way off. Out of 3 operating U mines, one has been furloughed now, the big one is shutting down for 3 months this summer and everyone worried as CEO has fingers crossed that its only 3 months and the other one is showcase high tech thing with massive cost overruns and big problems. U is the only true clean energy but agenda controlled media bashes it relentlessly.
Made me think immediately of Frederik Pohl's "The Day the Icicle Works Closed" ... and Mr. Soros' play with Peabody a few months ago.
Expect to see the trend reverse when a few strategic acquisitions have changed hands at fire-sale price. All the rest of us can suffer in the meantime.
Good stuff NDG- The North has taken quite a hit over the years. It is a sad situation everywhere though with drug use and pills. Lots of young people here in Northern Saskatchewan and elsewhere with zero employment prospects. Government "programs" benefit the government workers, especially those at the top. Now everyone strives to land a government job.
Resources a plenty up here, especially mineral wealth, bitumen, forestry, water, clean air but going backwards since the sixties.
Remember the McKenzie Pipeline? Report after report. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
Uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin limping along. U now at $18.00lb. All time high was 125.00 less than ten years ago and was projected to be $75.00 just a year ago by minds "greater" than my own but those brainiacs were way off. Out of 3 operating U mines, one has been furloughed now, the big one is shutting down for 3 months this summer and everyone worried as CEO has fingers crossed that its only 3 months and the other one is showcase high tech thing with massive cost overruns and big problems. U is the only true clean energy but agenda controlled media bashes it relentlessly.
3 weeks ago 4 native girls 12-14 years age formed suicide pact and killed themselves. What?
Where have our leaders and nation builders gone? Busy investing in pot franchises for themselves and their buddies.
Thank You
That head rig saw is one mean looking beast. Spent many years in exploration in remote locations across the Canadian North from the Yukon to Newfoundland and its amazing what you can find in remote locations. Mostly ancient vein workings on surface for gold, iron and lead ores. It is quite astonishing what man can do with rudimentary tools. Adits can be especially interesting but also fraught with peril...loose, pockets of gas, no or low oxygen.
Not a great knower of cats but with limited experience I suspect plotting.
My dog on the other hand enjoys Starbucks as much as I do so its essential that the lid is on in the car. When snoozing he just dreams and by the sound of things they are pretty exciting adventures.
NDG A while ago in a thread it was mentioned that EMD/GMD A Units often broke between the Cab/Electrical Compartment and the Diesel Engine/Main Generator when they hit something hard, jacknifing upward.
A while ago in a thread it was mentioned that EMD/GMD A Units often broke between the Cab/Electrical Compartment and the Diesel Engine/Main Generator when they hit something hard, jacknifing upward.
NDGA while ago in a thread it was mentioned that EMD/GMD A Units often broke between the Cab/Electrical Compartment and the Diesel Engine/Main Generator when they hit something hard, jacknifing upward. Well, it happens to other builders, too.
Well, it happens to other builders, too.
I've heard Liberty Ships suffered the same problem, but I forget the frame number.
Back to railroads...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I have a question.
View of 4065 shows complete framing and braces for fourth fan, with place for motor plated over but fourth hole otherwise open.
All other C-Liners with the three fans have the 'fourth fan' location plated over (in fact, roofed from the factory with the fan hole never cut).
Why was the fourth opening left open and screened? Was there anything under it that was naturally vented or 'convected'? Had to be a reason because the SG area immediately adjacent was plated off when no longer wanted.
The French Roast is very good!
Too bad those fine passenger trains were replaced by RDC's.
CPR gave it a shot anyway.
NDG . . . Another event.Three unit train hit rock slide. Two lead units submerged in adjacent Lake. Conductor in rear unit facing train which sunk 1/2 way.His radio lost.Folks on far shore saw pileup and came out by boat. Called in on their telephones. Company had to send Roadmaster by Helicopter, seeing engines in lake, to 'Release Track' so rescue forces could leave by rail 'Against' train in lake, met Conductor on foot walking to nearest town.Conductor just retired.Thank You.
Thank you for sharing these great reminiscences !
- Paul North.
CSSHEGEWISCHZug would know this better than me but I do recall seeing Special Instructions in several Penn Central ETT's from 1969 that clearly state NOT to isolate traction motors in order to comply with restrictions.
I just now noticed this, and have a question.
Back in 1969, wouldn't isolating a TM involve at least one craft, and not be something an engine crew was supposed to do on a voluntary basis? Likewise, reconnecting it when required again?
It's different when a computer control allows you to reach out and touch an icon to do it with all the right electrical adjustments handled for you automatically.
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