"Our" Place <est 12 Apr 2005> Adults talking Classic Trains!

[trolleyboy]

Good afternoon Leon figured I’d stick my head in the door again to make sure everyone is doing their jobs I see that Boris is busy polishing the brass rails and spitoons,make sure you take time out to fed the critters as well , yes the health inspector is still lurking about so I don’t want to see you anywhere near the donut mosheen. ( at least until possum seson starts up [:-^] 0 Just a guiness for me this aft ther Leon thanks , here is a bit for a round for the late afternoon stragglers.

**Tom-**Yes I will have my camera with me, here is hopping that we don’t break it[:O] If memory serves from last years run out to catch the Ocean the only realitivly long stop was at Kingston otherwise they were in and outs. It’s one of the designated smoking stops for those needing a puff.Nice open platform in Kingston just like in Brantford so it should afford a good shot or two.If we have LRC coaches ( with clean windows ) you see some nice views of the older stone stations along the way, Belleville comes to mind. Update on the weather tomorrow supposed to be 11C and rainy off and on now in Brantford,Fridays supposed to be similar but without the rain, of coarse six hours ago they sadi it was going to be partly sunny and 14C tomorrow, oh well.

I just hope I don’t get to the Union sattion in Toronto and find you surrounded by surly RCMP stun gunning the crazy surfer dude. [(-D][:-,]

**Pete-**What can I say wish you were with Tom tomorrow , mind you I would have had to warn the Arms to tap a couple more Kegs,would have been worse if Nick w

[trolleyboy]

Okay folks as the good Captain requested here are the ground rules once again now that we have hit page 20 on the new best Bar By the Ballast .

Rob

G’day Gents!

As determined by Kalmbach, the 2nd “old Thread” has been shut down and the new begins today, 21 Mar 2008.

What’s different Nothing! Same crew, same way of doing things and hopefully the same supporting cast that has kept us afloat all this time.

History: “Our” Place began on April 12^th, 2005 on the General Discussion (Classic Trains) Forum.

Concept: An adult bar & grill for all who are interested in and familiar with “Classic Trains.”

The conversations are as they would be in a neighborhood bar, where people know one another and share stories, photos and other information relevant to the idea of the Forum - Classic Trains.

All of this with some humor thrown in and the rest is simple.

Objective: Have fun!

Ground rules: Leave ALL emotional baggage and “attitudes” on the front porch.

Be inclusive with your comments through the acknowledgment of the other guy’s efforts. Hit ‘n run Posts are not welcome.

Greet the bartender upon entering and order a drink or food. Pretty easy, eh

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Final “stats” for the 2nd “old” T

[wanswheel]

Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house and have a great trip north!

Mike

[nickinwestwales]

Well here we are again-another day another dollar (curse the minimum wage…)

Leon,I think I will join ERIC in a Tuborg or 3 tonight and naturally a round for the boys…

First up,along with everyone else-may I wish [oX)][4:-)]TOM & Count ROBULLA a safe journey and a speedy return-trip reports & pix eagerly awaited–take care now guys-may the force be with you [swg]

ROB-Many thanks for the price check-very useful [tup]-BTW-the R joke is getting high mileage and the two vid clips are hoots–for the record,I have never cooked mouse and any interest I may have in beavers is between me & my maker[:-^]–moving swiftly on…

ERIC-At risk of sounding stupid,did that RTL unit have center cars ?-it looks like a lot of engine room for very little revenue space as is…

[oX)][4:-)]TOM-Appreciate the candid response r.e lifestyle choices-had no intention of prying per se-just idle curiosity …Another splendid set from Can-Am country-gives a good feel for the vertical depth [%-)] you have created—I trust that cut of grain cars is headed for the famed Borderlands Brewery (Mentors finest ales ) [swg]–Cutting in on PETEs post,The real King George V is (or was) kept not far from Bristol,at the Bulmers cider factory just outside Taunton…Keep your eye out for my new cook-book,101 meals you wouldnt feed a dog-the publishers expect great things-this being their first title outside of the specialist pornography market ( the xmas party should be a night to remember…)

CM3-Entirely agree-have never warmed to the later O.N.R liveries-dont look so bad on 2nd gen units but the FP7`s were meant for that Green/Yellow combo…[2c]

PETE-Hot news here is that `Duke of Glouceste

[nickinwestwales]

Silent MIKE-looks like we posted together-what a fine selection of maps,the great W.S.C and a mighty Texas–good hit [tup] [C=:-)]

[nickinwestwales]

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Right then Leon-fill `em up dear boy-its pix time,and to start us off…



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Heres one from the ever reliable Clonakilty line-I believe the viaduct is a model of Ballydehob on the much missed Schull & Skibereen line-not sure where the lighthouse and warehouses tie in tho…



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And just for comparison-here is the real thing…



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Here we are down by the loco shed in the industrial district on the S.O.B lines-camera flash rather lessens the effect



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A full & frank exchange of views concerning the lading of this gon in the M.O.W yard…and yes-those wire coils are guitar strings [:-^]



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[trolleyboy]

Hello Leon , some action again tonight which is always a good thing. No Boris Martha Stewart is not comming in tonight just go see to the critters I noticed something that resembled chew marks on my office door ( possible beaver teeth from the beaver Nick wouldn’t stew[:-^] [:-,] ) I think I’ll have a tuborg with the boys for something different.

**Nick-**Just a great batch ‘o’ photo’s tonight loved the almost not model railroad shot,there is somebody with some deep pockets to be able to design and build that. [tup] I’m gald you liied those vid clips, I hope the little old lady one made it through. Your welcome on the pre-emptive price list for Missnick, remember those are Brantford prices could be higher in the big smoke.Looking at those bus prices in Tom’s link that would be the way for them to get into the city from the airport. Should you change your mind about joining them, I could always find a spot for you to stay as long as you don’t mind cats[:D][:-^]

**Mike-**Nice pictures , thanks for yours and Nick’s well wishes for our trip.

Well Leon another bottle if you don’t mind, here are some pics from the old club layout for everyone to enjoy again to wind out the day with.

Cp train winding up through the south gap and under the scratchbuilt a frame bridge ( my

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, a number 3 special, please. Yes, yes, all of it! Let’s try Tuborg green tonight!

Late again, I’ll make it short!

Tom – As I mentioned yesterday, there was a lot of trouble with those RTL’s. I remember when we were in Boston in January, they replaced the fuel filters on both of them. We took off for a trip to New Haven. When we got there one of the turbines stopped. The fuel filter was clogged!! After a lot of trouble they managed to start the turbine again and we could return to Boston. Same kind of problem in May when we were going from Boston to Elmira Heights, NY. The turbine that provided HEP stopped and we were sitting for 72 minutes until they had fixed that problem. [sigh]

But, at the same time, they were different so I didn’t mind riding in the cab.[;)]

More nice photos from the CanAm Railway!!![tup] I must say the Mountain Village is a cold place. Always snow on the ground! But they have the Second Class Saloon! I like the Land between the Lakes![:)]

Land between the Lakes!

Have a safe trip!!![:)]

CM3 – We could actually control the RTL’s from the X2000 and the X2000 from the RTL’s! Almost like multiple, no, more like using the X2000 or the RTL as a cab car. The photo last night was taken in the morning after spending a night in New Haven. Saw a lot of equipment there. [:)]

Rob – Thank you, I’ll be happy to keep the heat here![:)] 75

[trolleyboy]

Good morning everyone , and an extra speacial good morning to Ruth ( she thought she was going to be alone this morning ) no rest for the wicked however.Right, I think I’ll have a number three with all the fixin’s and the extra large BL blast thermos of coffee.Boris you know your duty sir,cages and litter boxes cleaned and get the mascots fresh water and treats,I’ve got a small jar of the carpathian spiced PPF for you cause you’ve been so good lately.Change as always for Ruth’s travel jar [tup]

Remember folks the baked goods are freshed ( and have not gone through the donut machine )and Ruth has the coffee on regular decaf and the extra speacial BK blast ( well spiked )Boris has the spiked oj ready to go as well.

**Eric-**Better late than never mate , were just glad that you pop in once a day. esides Leon does not seem to mind he likes the company as he’s cleaning the place up at night,and Copperkettles always in the kitchen ( he sleeps by the woodstove )so whipping up a late night snacks not a problem. It is however more likely to contain a certain percentage of road kill that time of night[:O]

I see that those turbine units were as tempermental as the ones that CN/VIA and Amtrak ran earlier,great when they worked but they were known for their quirks,fires in engine compartments fuel problems etc etc.

Glad that you liked the clubshots,so many yeasr and different techniques in the scenery there it just boggled the mind,mind you somehow we manged to get it to meld together.

[coalminer3]

Good Morning Barkeep and all Present (which doesn’t appear to be anybody right now); coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. We’ll kick back for a little while and check out yesterday’s box scores. Nice weather here this a.m with temps supposed to be in the upper 70s. Traffic has been pretty decent; two CSX coal train by the house last night.

Pete - 93" drivers - geez! I’ll bet that locomotive could really fly once it got started - slippery as anything, I imagine. You had a comment of freight pulled by electrics in the NEC. It would be nice to see again, but I don’t think it will happen. Most traffic to New England travels via the Boston and Albany from Selkirk. Some goes via Boston and Maine as well. North-south (what there is) is interchanged with P&W who does the needful. New Haven, years ago, handled a lot of freight, but the industrial base of southern New England has, to a great extent, vanished.

Mike - Good pictures. I enjoyed the one of WSC alighting from the business car - he always had a uniform for every occasion, although in the picture he looks like a cross between a streetcar motorman, a Pullman conductor, and possibly a “naval person.” Always nice to see CV 700s in their native habitat - maps were a good touch as well.

Nick was in with comments and pictures. Lots of reels in that CN gon.

Eric - Did not realize that your train had the capability of “cab car” operation - no reason why not, however, when you stop and think of it.

DL - Appreciated the comments and the insightful trip report. Man, those are expensive meals!

OSP - 66 and 67 still run on their old schedule. Let’s ride to DC overnight in a coach. Benn there, done that, never again if I have a choice. 448/449 used to carry a Boston-Chicago sleeper that was handed off at Albany. Now it’s a plug &n

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A full breakfast please RUTH with plenty of the famous coffee[tup].

I will catch up on the the posts a bit later if I may, as I am off out in a bit. I thought I would post a couple of photos on a Ffestiniog Railway theme in the meantine[tup].

From one of the older carriages soon after leaving Portmadoc.

At Minffordd, with a station on both lines, The Ffestiniog crossed over the standard guage Cambrian Railways, later GWR, line to Pwllheli.A spur ran from the FR alongside the CR.

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At Blaenau Ffestiniog the FR station is alongside the ex London & North Western Railway branch line station to Llandudno Junction. A 3-car class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit, looking quite attractive in Regional Railways livery waits in the BR platform.

Well I see Manager ROB has taken care of the mascots and their treats[tup],I wonder if I covered my bar tab in ants TEX would eat it.[swg].

Pete.

[trolleyboy]

Hello again Ruth my dear , just another quick cuppa and a sandwich while I check in before I think of heading out to meet Tom at the train station. According to the website he’s on time and shouild be landing in about an hour and a half ( my time )Nice to see some traffic throught the doors this morning 5x[tup] for all of us woh give a patoot as Tom would say.

**SHANE-**Thanks for stopping in the usual well rounded all encompassing post that we know and love [tup] It was an interestuing get up that WSC had on wasn’t it. Yes Bayview is a train watchers paradise though if theer is a snag somewhere you can sit for hours with nothing but birds and chipmunks to keep you company. On average upwards of 60-70 train movement occur through there on a daily basis. Go transit Amtrak and VIA provide passenegr fare with CN and CP providing the frieght . It is a three way junction CN’s Grimsby,Oakville and Dundas subs all cross through theer as well as the CPR Hamilton Sub ( old TH&B Toronto route )Nice thing about is the pedestrian walkway over the top of the now tripple tracked DUNdas/Oakville subs,put in to allow pedsetrian access to the Royal Botanical gardens which are on both sides of the railway cut. One can always people watch or go see plant life if the trains dry up [tup]

Thanks for the insights on the Owl sounded like an intriging service,I’d love to see electrified freight ops again too but I know it’s likley not to happen.Nice to know that the Boston and Maine is still handling some traffic still,one wonders how long that Northern New England traffic will continue running,it seems to be an area of constant ups and downs in traffic.

Pete-Thanks for popping in this morning before you head out.Remember if you’re out the limiter goes on the dipper can’t pay off your tab that way [sigh]Oh and know lea

[EricX2000]

Good afternoon Gentlemen!

Ruth! You look gorgeous! Yeah, a cold Tui would be great, thank you!

Captain Tom is out flying around so I thought I would make a brief stop to post some photos in addition to my post last night.[:)]

It is about Amtrak’s RTL’s. They used #154 and 158 to push and pull the X2000 and they painted them in a color that would look a little bit like the X2000.

The top picture shows the X2000 and the RTL coupled and the cables for HEP and some other cables are visible.

The second picture is from Albany, NY. #154 ran out of fuel when we left Albany and forced us back. In order to start the turbine they had to borrow power from the locomotive on the other track.

I’ll be back later in the evening![:)]

Eric

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Bathams please RUTH.[tup]

[4:-)]TOM must be meeting up with ROB just now and no doubt will be in the St George’s Arms soon[^], have one for me gents[tup]. I am sure we will get some great photos of the trip to enjoy at the bar soon.[tup]

One question I must ask though, if draught beer at Our Place is only a buck[^] how come my bar tab is so high.[:D]

DL A chap I knew worked in the railway stables in Rugby in his early years on the railway. I believe a few years back there was a book published called something like ‘The Railway Horse’, which featured horses that worked on the railway. I think I recall reading the last horse BR used for shunting wagons retired from the yard at Newmarket in the 1960s, an interesting subject.

I did not know the Caledonian Railway was the only one of the LMS constituents to operate Pullman cars, I thought the Midland Railway had some in the 1870s[%-)], But perhaps they were a Pullman design but not operated by the Pullman Company.

Yes a gentle ramble with a pannier tank around parts of the Midlands is a great way to spend a day between Christmas and New Year[^]. Hope to be over to the homeland around Mid-September[tup].

Many Thanks for the travel report from Grantham to London and return on the new National Express franchise[tup]. GNER is a hard act to follow if my experiences with them are anything to go by. As you say the dining is on the dear side but the quality was there[^] which is the main thing.[tup] I’m glad they have made a great restoration of St Pancras;[bow] I will be sure to have a visit when I

[nickinwestwales]

Well good evening one and all,as ever on a thursday night I am swaying gently,smiling vacantly and deaf in both ears after practice/therapy night (we pushed the system tonight-have just listened to the playback on the last two tracks-all the meters were in the red zone all night but by the end it was take no prisoners time-20 flight rock by Eddie Cochran -in the style of Little Feat and Shadows in the rain by Sting- in mad jazz mode [^]-Man,that feels better !!! )

Right Leon-a round of gold label Tuborgs for the company and lets have a tray of snacks to sharpen the appetites…We have something of a coup here-possibly the only authentic colour pix of L.N.W.R stock around…As we are a mostly Brit company tonight I thought it might work-anyway here they are:-

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On the left we have the unmistakeable shape of a Crewe saddle tank-right down to the red numberplate on the cabside-on the right ,a rake of chocolate & white 6-wheel coaches -with Premier line signals to complete the scene [^]

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The same stock from a different angle…

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Rather better colour resolution on this one-again 6-wheelers -this time out on the road

These pix date from 1950/51 and are of the Dundalk,Greenore & Newry line in the north of Ireland,not long before it closed it`s doors

Leon-what happene

[Gunneral]

Hi Tom and all,

Leon, the usual round of Tuis for all the guys please![yeah]

To Tom, Rob, Pete, Eric, CM3, Nick, Mike, Dan. and Fergie. Just managed to get on the nephews PC for a quick scan through all the info in the bar, from what ive had time to take a look at its all GREAT, many thanks![bow] We will be traveling home from Auckland at the weekend, the brother-in-law is now out of the wheelchair and walking with the aid of a walking stick, he had back surgery early last week and needed some assistance. Will catch up on all your fine posts when we get to home base, and will acknowledge everyone then.[:)] Hope Tom and Rob are enjoying their rail trip together, Tom will be hoping for some snow![8D] Looking forward to getting back to normal once more at the bar.[tup][tup][tup]

See ya, Allan

[trolleyboy]

A quick good evening everyone. Leon just a small pint of guiness if you don’t mind[:D] someone has to order a proper brew on fisn n chips night afterall.

**Eric-**So glad that you amde it in this afternoon, and with a couple of great pictures to boot [tup] Those helper engines are indeed an interesting looking lot.Tom’s safly tiucked in bed ready for the trip tomorrow 7am my time were off to Montreal should be a hoot [tup]

**Pete-**Another afternoon vist thank-you sir you guys have really kept the joint hopping today a round for all of you on my tab as Pete’s is just waaay to big[:-,] It’s all in the moderation Pete,that’s why the tabs so big, that or you let Molly use it once to often must be why she likes you so much[:I] I can’t think of anyway to make it disapear with out openning the purse strings a tad,I don’t think even putting the tab in the black bag will help even it’s not big enough to contain it[(-D] You a Nick are always welcome , much easier to enjoy rounds of cheer when everyone’s preasant.

Tom’s taken a few good shots already so I’m sure that there will be some good stuff upcomming.

**Nick-**Sounds like you had quite the practice [?] are any of the speakers or amps still functioning[:-^] Great photo’s, lots of interesting scenery.Hopefully you can getout for those photo’s sounds like from what Pete has said that that locomotive is a real and rare treasure.By odd coincidence I had a wonderfull platter of bee

[EricX2000]

Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!

Leon, I think it is time for my Steak & Bisquits! Remember to add a lot of extra marinade! Tuborg Gold, please!

Not much to say about this day, except it was a quiet day here at the bar. Captain Tom in the air and now, at this moment, somewhere abroad. Maybe Canada or…!!!

Rob – I know about the higher percentage of roadkill in the late evening (early morning) food, but it just gives it a little extra flavor! [dinner]

I won’t order any fish of the day, in my opinion fish is for cats. But it happens once in a while I am having Friday Fried Fish.[:)]

Nice collection of photos![tup] Also a nice collection of railroads, CN, GT, CP, Amtrak, GO and VIA!!![wow]

Hope you and Tom will a nice day tomorrow and the upcoming weekend![yeah]

CM3 – ABB designed a special piece of equipment in order to control the RTLs and (later) the F40s from the X2000. But it worked just fine.[:)]

Thanks for the info on sleepers out of Boston![tup] I am kind of surprised that, after arriving at Grand Central 6:20, you had to be out of the Pullmans already at 7:30! That is kind of early in my opinion. Better going to South Station where you arrived at 6:15 and could stay until 8:30.

Pete – Nice photos![tup] Looking at the first one I wonder if Portmadoc is in the northern part of England or maybe in Scotland. I can see some mountains in the background. But other names, like Ffestiniog and Pwllheli sounds more like Wales. Wales is also kind of hilly, ri

[coalminer3]

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

Nice weather here today and we are pleased to see the sun for a change.

Pete was in with comments. Good info. on the Ffestiniog. Horses worked in the mines here as well. Last horse operation was probably close to 50 yrs ago in Iowa. Yes, Boris, they had coal mines in Iowa. Here’s a title for you to look at if you can find it: Pit Pony Heroes. All about horses in mines in the UK.

Rob was in with comments.

Eric - I guess that was the ultimate jump start, except maybe for aircraft. I always liked Albany as there was a lot to look at. It’s all different now with a new station and no real access to trackside unless you are a paying customer.

Nick - I spent a lot of time looking at your pictures; many details.

Allan - Look forward to hearing from you.

Continuing from yesterday, let’s examine overnight Penn jobs to and from Boston. NOTE: we covered the “Hell Gate Express” awhile back, so we won’t go through that again, although it is mentioned below.

Train 172, the “Federal” carried eight Pullmans between Washington and Boston. These cars provided berths/drawing rooms/compartments/roomettes/single bedrooms/double bedrooms. It also carried a roomette/double bedroom car which was set out at Providence every day but Saturday when it did not run. A single Pullman (double bedrooms and roomettes) operated from Washington to Springfield. This car was handed of to NH train 412 at New Haven on weekdays. Sundays, it traveled from New Haven to Springfield on NH train 62. Train 172 picked up a berth/drawing room car at New York for Boston. Washington-Boston coaches filled out the consist. Cars opened at Washington at 10:00 p.m. and at Penn Station at 10:30 p.m. (11:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The eastbound "F

[pwolfe]

Hi Tom and all.

I guess TOM and ROB will be on their train travel today[^], hope you have a great trip gents[tup][tup][tup].

After a hearty breakfast and and few cups of coffe from RUTH [tup]I will post a few photos now and be back later with my post.

A North Staffordshire Railway coach body and other stock at Caverstall Road on the Foxfield Railway a few years back. I am grateful to Alan who provided the details of the pic.[tup]

Steam, diesel, electric and a Cambrian Railways brake van at the same location.[^]

Now to Scotland. Class 37/4, 37428 ‘David Lloyd George’ waits departure from Inverness with a Glasgow train.37428 is one of the 31 ETH(HEP) fitted 37s and was one of 6, 37/4s originally allocated to South Wales.

37428 heads south from Inverness and is crossing Culloden Viaduct near the site of the famous battle. Looks like I am enjoying the ‘snarl’ of the ‘Tractor’ from an open window[^], as she heads to the 1,315ft Slochd Summit from near sea leval at Inverness.

HELP WANTED[]. Does anyone know the location of the mixed gauge track or the use and where that strange looking vehicle came from.[?][tup]

For a younger listeners as the