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

Classic Trains General Discussion
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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. [tup] [tup] [tup] 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”!! [yeah]

Ruth, set 'em up, drinks on the Larsman! Boris ring the gong!! [tup] [swg] 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.

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! [tup]

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! [swg]

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)

22

Hi Tom and all.

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

ERIC Great videos[yeah].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[tup], a visit to the RAILWAY HUMOUR item( the 18th item in the menu at the left hand side) is A MUST[:D].Many thanks Eric.

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

Good info on the Tractive Effort[tup]The 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,&n

23

Hi Tom and all.

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

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.

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G-day [4:-)] 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[(-D]

James

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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). [tup]

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!![yeah] 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![yeah] 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![tup] The top one is LVRR EMD F7 #562.

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

26

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! [swg]

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! [tup]

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! [tup] Can ALWAYS count on Pete 'n Eric to keep the conversations flowing smoothly. You guys have figured it out! [tup]

Many thanks to Eric for the expanded information on my Norwegian train photos! [tup] 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! [yeah]

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. [tup]

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. [sigh]

Y

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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 - L

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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! [tup]

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! [tup]

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. [tup] [tup] [tup] 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, [dinner] begins at 5 PM. [tup]

Ruth, another brew if you please. [swg]

Until the next time! [tup]

Lars

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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

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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

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foto credit: www.viarail.ca

G’day Gents!

Once again, many THANX to Manager Lars for taking care of business this morning; much appreciated! [tup] [tup] [tup] Appreciate the “well wishes” by Email . . . . ‘nuf said.

Appears as if we’re beginning to see a bit more activity ‘round the Saloon by the Siding with the return of CM3 and DL to the gathering. [tup] [tup] [tup]

Time to catch up on the acknowledgments since my last narrative:

Rob at 4:25 PM yesterday: Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh [?] It was worth a try - but alas, formatting nightmare continues for our Ontario Connection. [tdn] Good to see ya in spite of it! [tup]

Somewhere in my “think tank” there is this unpaid debt and it has to do with BLUE and YOU! Perhaps another time and place, eh [?] [swg]

Isn’t that VIA Rail Pix the absolute BEST of the bunch [?] Really one special photo and something I’d like to find in a much larger format - suitable for framing of course! [swg]

Lars at 4:51 PM yesterday: We made it to PAGE TWO! In comparison to the “frenzy” of activity going on elsewhere, we’re kinda like the tortoise and the hare - but we’ll get there just the same, eh [?] Quality of quantity is the rule of thumb ‘round these parts! [yeah]

Fine “F units” and they all enlarged for Moi. [tup] Interesting selection of road names too. Thought perhaps we’d get something going on the “Texas Special” and Lehigh Valley.

Comments regarding our wandering friend, Nick brings to mind that he’ll pop up again and resume his place at the bar as if he’s n

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

Hey Tom! Check out “your other thread” - there’s an interesting post that I know you’ll enjoy! [tup]

Nice one from DL and let me add my [#welcome] back to the bar! We missed ya, but you proababy knew that already! What happened in Denver you asked [?] Snow, snow and more snow with quite a bit of ice thrown in. Just crippled the transportation industry - but the trains rolled along.

Couldn’t agree more with what you said (pretty much along the lines of what Tom & I said some pages back on the “original” site). People gripe & complain & moan & groan about the rail system, but hardly lift a finger to say or do anything to support 'em. Just ticks me off to the “inth.”

DL, you apparently haven’t taken a good look at the gals who work at “Our” Place (info provided on many past pages). For once captured by their radiance, you’d not be looking at those Zephyrettes from decades past! Anyway, methinks THOSE gals are using walkers these days! makes 'em far easier to catch up with, but . . .

I’m uncertain regarding whether those Zephyr obs domes are indeed different from the Canadian versions. Budd made 'em, at least I’m fairly sure they did. Perhaps a design difference here or there, but the interiors are very much the same. I traveled 'em way back when there was a “real” California Zephyr.

Maybe Tom or another of our resident ‘experts’ can help us here. I KNOW that if 20 Fingers Al still sailed these waters he’d jump right in. BUT, he’s having 'puter problems dontchano!

Enjoyed the links you provided! [tup]

Ruth, make it a JD on the rocks then I’m outta here for this day . . .

Until the next time! [tup]

Lars [img]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/LoveDomes/Miscellaneo

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Well joy and bliss Ruth, tis I the trolleyman er bor er well you know what the heck I mean.What to wondering eyes should appear … but a forum tool bar and all it’s inherent things and formats and well you gus know what i’m driving at. I did get a response from the forum gurus and they were looking into things so I would say that from the looks of things I’m back in business. So Ruth a round on me and I’ll pre-order some of H&H’s halibut supprise ( yes my insurance is paid up Boris ) [sigh]

Lars-I’m glad to see things worked out as well for your day two as the bars oppening guy [tup] for the help you’ve given da bossman.It was actually nice to be on the same page and time as you for a change, wierd though, I can’t always be the “count”. Loved the E’s from yestreday, not my most favourite Classic passenger power , but a third place after PA’s and C-liners. i know Tom will dispute me on my choice , but I’m and Alcophile to the end LOL.I think it is a noble challenge to drag in some newcommers kicking and screaming, a worthwile bar resolution to be sure.

Tom-Yes i still owe you a blue or two, we just needs to do that Agawa canyon trip[:-^]hopefully alls well with you now that you’ve gotten your million mile check up [tup]

**James-**Some fine photo’s of both the real and sureal of tthe railroading[;)] I would think that it would be a red and green lens, if there were three you would have an amber as well. I imagine tough that since it is a dwarf signal it would just be a two aspect absolute stop and absolute go. Though I’m hardly an expert.We have a sometimes functioning Wig wag at the museum and a functional sempahore mounted on the roof edge of our Rockwood station.

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CLASSIC JUICE #38 THE NICOLS-LINTERN A JUICE TECH STORY

Okay a new thread a new continuing story from the “classic” achives,actually this story is as written by our museum’s master mechanic Gord McQuat a master of everything electrical and the guru of the technical from our musuem’s volenteers.

The Nichols-Lintern company emerged in 1892, being founded by one William Lintern.Shortly thereafter, the company incorporated and for many years supplied steam road and electric railway equipment,ranging from sanders and ventilators to streetcar taillights.Today based in Mentor, Ohio ( gotta love that name eh Tom [?] ) the lintern company is a leading manufacurer of severe duty air conditioners.They also offer a line of traffic signals and industrial signal lights.

The two lamp devise I’m speaking of was manufactured in Canada under license, by Dominion Steel Foundries of Toronto and was used on city streetcars throughout Canada, and to a lessor degree in the USA.The TTC made extensive use of this type of tailight on the majority of it’s cars and on most of their work equipment.The former “TR” wooden streetcars sent to Ouebec City Ottawa and Fort william by the TTC during WW2 caried this eqiuipment to those roads and several other Canadian systems also made wide spread use of them, notably the NS&T,Hamilton Street Railway,Ottawa Elelctric railway, and the “80” series Witt cars on the Edmonton Radial Railway.

The primary function of the two lamp “NL” taillight, was to give following streetcarsan indication as to the movement of the streetcar ahead throuhg a display of red

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Hi Tom and all.

A pint of Holdens Bitter and can you put me down for some Fish ‘N’ Chips please RUTH.

JAMES Shame about the de-railment, but that is a good crane to sort it out[yeah]. Thanks for the pics of the signals, the wig wag signal is very interesting[tup]. I see ERIC has posted another pic of a wig wag. I wonder where these signals were used[?].

Thanks Eric for the link to the loco[tup], were there locos of the same design but smaller, working at the Norvik mines[?].

CM3 Great to see you back[tup]. Interesting part on the rostering of certain locomotives to the different type of frieght train.I have often wondered if the larger locos, say on Union Pacific, are allocated to a depot or do they run over the whole system and get maintenance at a depot they are nearest to when the examination is due. I suppose on a intermodel train from California to the East Coast, or a coal train from Wyoming the trains must be re-engined several times during the journey.

DL Great to see you back as well[tup]. Thanks for the link to the California Zephyr, but I will have to go back to it as the computer is being real slow in enlarging the pictures at the moment[:(].

Looking forward to the Swanage report and I was told that the fog in England was as bad as it used to get in the 50s and 60s. I have got the railwaymans fog story on the word proceessor but having a problem pasting it at the moment, not a good day on the puter[banghead].

Thanks for the model railway gauge info[tup]. The pic on my first post yesterday is of the Irish loco after the derailment luckily there was not too much damage, i

36

Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of the gang. This is my first message from home in some months. Puter Tech just left if I was thirty years younger I would marry her. She saw all of my train Library and turns out her grandfather was a SP engineer for over forty years. Set up around for the regulars on me and will get back to being a regular myself from now on.

TTFN Al

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G-day [4:-)] Tom and all present.

Leon- set me up for the special tonight, with a coffee please.[tup]

Eric- A good find there in Arizona. Especially a Zephyr trailing car. Good pic

We do have lens for the dwarf Semaphore but, Tim took them out so that they wouldn’t get stolen. We have people walk around the museum and we don’t want some of the rail buffs to “accidently” take them, if you know what I mean.

Rob- Well I am glad I could get you to think about what was going on with the T.E. Some of those problems would make me go crazy.

About the semaphore. I would think that there would be a green and red lens in there but there might have been a white and red lens for a restricting signal but thats a question for y friend Tim. I always like to read your Classical juice articles. Good read. thanks.[tup]

Tom- I like the elk behind the Via rail passenger train. I suppose you would see a lot of those in the mountains up there. Nice shot![:)]

Glad you liked the small accident around the layout. Someone wasn’t watching what was going on when the caboose picked the switch and derail 20 feet ahead.[oops] But the wrecking crew got out right away and cleaned the mess up in an hour.[yeah]

Pete- Glad you liked the article on T.E. It was interesting “trying” to figure out some of the mathematical eqautions. The layout at the K.C. union station is quite impressive. I think by just looking at it, that it’

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Special for passengerfan Al:

Send me an Email via the Forums - I need to resume comms with you.

Thanx,

Tom

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oops looks like the old error on page is back and my toolbars gone again [sigh] Hopefully it will sort itself out …again. Nice to hear from Al, hopefully it shall continue. Pete As young Jame’s mentioned the wigwags were road grade crossing warnings.Those type usedto be quite common in Ontario as well until they were replaced by the more usual arm type and flashers of today. I had an email address for E hatten’s model train in England but I’ve misplaced it. I would surmise that they may be of some help to you in tracking down the passenger cars that you are wanting. James Glad you liked the latest juice, I’m just glad it was able to be formatted properly so as to be readable.You could very well be right about the white lens,what we need is a signals expert to help us out LOL.

Rob

40

Hello Tom and all in

Thanks for the welcome back from all of you, appreciated. Can I have a light breakfast today please, with grapefruit juice.

Just a few catch ups on recent posts first of all.

Tom, yes, I’d looked through the stuff at the end of the old thread, interesting posts as usual, sorry to muddle up the forum manager with the web develop manager, but yes I see the difference.

CM3 - thanks for the Blue Streak info - sounds like a good freight train. There is not much tradition of naming freight trains here in the UK, although a famous one was the ‘Condor’ - which was named after a shortened version of ‘Container Transport Door to Door’, which ran overnight between London and Scotland as an express freight. Pete will know of this train I’m sure.

Lars, snow in Denver - explains the situation. Interesting to read of your mention of travelling on the ‘real’ C Zephyr - can I tempt you to post some memories of that trip some time?

Thanks to those of you who commented on that Zephyr link (James and Pete), yes the pics are slow to load. I think it is great site, with a wealth of info on it, seems strange to me that whoever ‘owns it’ seems to have left it be with no updates going on. Well worth a look though.

Rob, nice classic juice contrib.

Pete - can’t see your pics at all at the mo (in fact only pics I can see are those posted by Eric, so keep posting them Eric!) - I just get a blank space in the message, but I think the problem is my end. As a consequence I can’t do any loco guess work so you’d better reveal all!

Fred Dibnah book is rather interesting, the biog is written by the film maker who did all the series screened in recent years, which more or less culminated with