"OUR" PLACE - SEE NEW THREAD!

[coalminer3]

Good Afternoon Again; More coffee, another round, and more quarters.

Lots of interesting posts over the past 10 days or so. They have beeen most informative and enjoyable.

The new Kalmbach publication, Diesel Victory, has a story of EMC/EMD’s Cleveland plant. Some very interesting material in there, including some early C&O geeps and some NC&StL power as well. Check it out!

IIRC, some of the postwar Southern Belle equipment did survive into Amtrak. Again, IIRC, one trip I made on the Zephyr had an ex-KCS diner.

The Ken Frazer story brought back some memories of Vintage Rail. Another pub. I miss is Passenger Train Journal; they had some wonderful surveys of passenger service

I bet the subway cars threw some of “Our Place’s” patrons off a bit. Reminds me of the ancient story about the two drunks waling along the street in Boston. One of them fell into a subway entrance and the other just kept on walking. A little bit later the first man emerged from the subway exit, and his buddy asked him, “Where have you been?” The drunk answered, “I’m not sure, but you should see the train set that guy has in his basement!”

Aerotrain - another GM one hit wonder.

Finally, I didn’t know we had CW buffs around. The mention of the Vermont Central brought to mind the St. Albans bank raid; supposed to be the furthest north incursion of Confederate operatives.

Now as for the Ryman, my, my what a place of memory. Summers in Nashville are brewed in the cellars of hell and the Ryman was not air conditioned…'nuff said. Now, let’s roll back the scene a little more. Tootsie’s, I assume, is still there, along with Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop. I remember going to the Opry and then repairing to ET’s establishment which had a radio show that began at midnight. All that, and the Tennessee Central right at the end of Broadway near the river.

BTW, anybody out there remember “Skull’s Rainbow Room” in Printer’s Alley

[West_Coast_S]

Afternoon Tom and the gang…Round of the best ale at the bar… Glad all appreciated the SP info, I do indeed miss being a “regular”. Howdy to all of you…Ok Boris, with the sudden increase in activity, you have your’e work cut out…please behave…

Ok, some SP trivia, first correct answer wins a rare oppertunity to have Boris prepare their Christmas dinner and entertain any guest …

When the SP constructed the Bayshore Cutoff, two improvements were incorporated into it’s construction, SP never had a need to later implement These accomidations.

What where they?

Ok, won’t throw you a bone, without some of the chicken… Construction begain under the auspices of Bayshore Railway to reduce congestion around San Bruno Mountain, near South San Francisco… It’s construction cost exceeded eleven million dollars in 1903 and only the great trestle across the Salt Lake was more expensive and daunting to complete.

SP assumed complete ownership and abandoned the orginal line via Harrison and Daily City, it also elimanated grades of near 3% and street running, the line was prone to flooding to the point that in one memorable case, the turntable at Harrison floated away and down city streets, causing extensive property dammage and inflating the ire of the local government, who until this incident were opposed to a line relocation ! SP recovered the errant table and henceforth found it prudent to weigh it down with a loco or ballast hopper to prevent a repeat until all facilities could be abandoned.

A three mile remment of the line survive today, out of service.

I will return with the trivia answer, you now have all the clues…Good luck

Set um’ up for the crew.

Dave

[West_Coast_S]

Once again Tom…Harking back to my post of yesterday. This question came to mind: If the Trainmasters would have proved feisible and were assigned to revenue SP passenger trains, would they have been delivered or repainted into Daylight colors?.. I guess we’ll never know what SP would have chosen, as history had other events in store for the modest FM fleet. Neverless a Daylight H-24-66 would have been a eye opener.

Inquiring minds what to know such trivial items, thoughts on the subject are welcomed.

Dave

[passengerfan]

Good Afternoon Tom and the rest of trhe gang. Time for a CR and a round for the house.

Dave Remember the SP never planned to use the Trainmasters in Passenger service in their early careers it was only much later. The SP never painted any of the EMD FP7s in Daylight colors either so it is rather doubtful that under the best of circumstances they would have painted any Trainmasters in Daylight colors. In fact I can’t recall any of the peninsula commute equipment ever being painted in Daylight colors. Now if the Trainmasters had been St. Louis Southwestern owned who knows as they painted a GP7 and an EMD FP7 in Daylight colors besides two PA1s. About the only time commute equipment was seen operating with equipment in Daylight colors was on the DEL MONTE operating between San Francisco and Monterey. If was quite common in its later years of operation for this train to operate with a couple of Bi-Level commuter cars on the rear between San Francisco and San Jose. Once in San Jose the Commute cars were dropped and the three or four cars of the DEL MONTE continued to the Monterey Peninsula.The same was true for the northbound run they picked up a couple of Bi-Level commute cars in San Jose and forwarded them to San Francisco.

Nick So you like Spam your mother must have given you Cod Liver Oil as a child as well. Don’t tell me you liked the taste of that too. My Mother being of English (Canadian)decent fed me the stuff for everytrhing that ails you and I didn’t like it either.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

Evenin’ All,

For the second night in a row, what was that comment I made yesterday about the “Feast or Famine Bar ‘n Grill” [?] Just look at the number of afternoon Postings – most welcome indeed! [tup][tup]

To the acknowledgments!

coalminer3 CM3 Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:15:51 and 15:02:43

[#welcome] Back! That “sack ‘o quarters”arrived just in time – the guyz have been enjoyin’ Herr Wurlitzer! Read about the snow in Buffalo and figured you’d wind up experiencing winter way before the rest of us. [swg]

Appreciate your taking the time to scroll through the pages of “stuff” since your last appearance. By the by – there’s still a “pending” answer to a question asked awhile ago: what date and time would you prefer YOUR Birthday Bash to take place [?]

Recommend you check out the Monday Index for the page numbers of some really “good stuff’ that was Posted during your absence. [yeah]

Always liked that ‘story’ about the trains in “that guy’s basement.” Gets a yuck, yuck every time. [swg]

It will be a slow go with the subway construction and I’m surely in no rush. The 4x8 ft 2 in. foam insulation board has been purchased. An order for the materials needed to build the subway station and girders for the tunnel will go out tomorrow. I figure this project will take a few months to complete – a bit here and a bit there. The cars are very good looking and it is indeed a shame to “hide” them away, but that after all is what subways are all about!

An interesting bit of history you brought up regarding the St. Albans, VT bank raid. For those who may not know about it, check out this URL: http://www.virtualvermont.com/history/staraid.html

pwolfe Pete Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 14:53:26

[#welcome] Back! Saw you lurkin’ in the shadows and figured you were playin’ catch up. Logging in always gives you away though! [swg]

[trolleyboy]

Good evening gentlemen. Tom I’ll nab a Keith’s wilst I collect my “thots” for the evening.

Ted I have not forgotten about the discs. And I don’t think that any belly laughs will be brought on by them anyway. I wasn’t able to get them to cooperate with railimages so I will now attempt a go with photobucket. If not for this weekend next. My hind quarters has been dragging with the odd cornicopia of shifts I,ve been logging as of late.[xx(]

Mike Thouroghly enjoyed the speed charts,what can you say,trains in the day were much much more convienient. Like Tom I’d love to see an exerpt or two of your Dad’s articles[tup] Having a railroadung pioneer of sorts in the family tree is never a bad thing.

BK glad you are enjoying your visit NOB. One heck of a nice xmas presant I’d say as well. A trip that both my wife and I wi***o take at some point. Maybe for our tenth aniversary ( gives me sven years to save up ) Enjoy the rest of your sojourne !

Dave I have no guess on your trivia question, I must heave to to those on the know aka Tom or Al. Not sure that I fancy first prize anyway [:O][swg]

Tom Loved the winnipegger article. My one cousin lived in Winterpeg for many a year. I visited him out there on two occations. We had lunch at the Fort Gary and wondered over to the Union Station. This was oh 1997 or 8. They still had a few reproduction posters and some old timetables in wall mounted shadow boxes,advertising and showing the schedule for those very trains.

My grandmother liked to feed us cod liver oil as well I understand yours and Al’s revulsion.[:(][xx(] Also I have never taken any sort of liking to spam either,I think that you should have made that guy walk home . Or at the very least keelhauled him [B)][oX)][:-,]

Pete & CM3 Good to see the two of you folks back amd refreshed as well. Pete it was Doug that put up those gritty work stories, though I d

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang Have a rather busy day ahead so thought I would just drop this through the mail slot before retiring.

PASSENGERFAN AL’S STREAMLINER CORNER #18

ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS Chicago Burlington & Quincy inaugurated May 311936 Discontinued November 6, 1936 Chicago - Denver overnight each direction 1,034 miles each way in 16 hours.

With the impending arrival of rival Union Pacific’s streamlined Diesel Powered CITY OF DENVER trains the CB&Q thought it wise to steal some of that roads thunder until the new DENVER ZEPHYRS would be completed and placed in Chicago - Denver service in the late fall of 1936. The other reason for the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS was to protect a Chicago - Denver U. S. Mail contract.

With that in mind the Burlington ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS entered service on a fast sixteen hour overnight schedule between the shores of Lake Michigan and the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

For operation of the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS the CB&Q assigned the 9900 PIONEER ZEPHYR and 9903 MARK TWAIN ZEPHYR with both articulated train sets reduced to three cars for this fast overnight schedule.

The reliability of the two diesel train sets really proved themselves without question in this service for during the period between May 31, 1936 and Novemebr 6,1936 there was never a recorded diesel failure. Both trains operated over 1.000 miles nightly at high speeds.

In those 160 days of service the two articulated train sets operated 162,560 miles each in revenue service and averaged 64.62 miles per hour while operating those miles.

Without a doubt this made other railroads look long and hard at the diesel proving it had more than just a high initial investment cost going for it .

When the two new DENVER ZEPHYRS entered service the two ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYRS were returned to their previous duties.

CONSIST ONE PIONEER ZEPHYR IN ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYR SERVICE

[nickinwestwales]

Well lordy mama,its like the first day back at school round here-all sorts of familiar faces back in their accustomed places,[#welcome] back,one and all ! Well its another rain off day here in the land of mist & mystery,hence the early call in-very early by your clocks I see.
Good to see the night crew hard at work cleaning and polishing-Boris is scrubbing down the galley walls,Leon is polishing the brasswork,Tex appears to be switching rows of empty beer cases from the bar to the back door and the approaching grumble of the Can-Am overnight express freight is setting the light fittings to gently swaying-all is well[^]
Right,a couple of quick pick-ups before I embrace the day-PETE,awright mate !-the funicular is at the coast end of the yards,not far from the shed where the Fire Queen was bricked up and appeared to have served the first level galleries.
Huge amount of restoration work going on around the whole site with new track being laid into the museum complex,monster car-park development,extension of the main line into Llanberis village etc,so funicular could have been restored since your visit
[4:-)]TOM & SIR THEODORE-game much simpler than it sounds-assume 4 players,pl. 1 is the traveller,other 3 players each nominate a town or city,lets say Montreal,Denver & Oakland as random examples…with me so far ?[swg]
Since our traveller is dep.fr & ret. to Can-Am Union,a destination that even AL would be hard pressed to find in a timetable,the first and last legs of the journey are givens-we can assume New York,Chicago,Toronto & Vancouver as likely destinations for Can-Am services…still here ?
Therefore the object of the exercise is to figure out which trains will take you from Union-(I.E) Grand Central
Grand Central-Montreal
Montreal-Denver
Denver-Oakland
Oakland-Grand Central,and so back to Union.
Added degree`s of difficulty can be incorporated ( night travel only,streamliner only,must include a ferry crossing,no crossing s

[siberianmo]

WEDNESDAY’S INFO & SUMMARY of RECENT POSTS

We open at 6 AM, all time zones. (Don’t ask how we do that!) [swg]

Mid-week already! Time flies ‘round these parts, eh [?] Moreso as one ages … Okay, you know the “drill” ‘round here – coffee time – pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a breakfast from our menu board should just about “do it.” [tup]

For some men it was too late to get wise the day they were born.

Info for the Day:

(1) Today is “Pike Perspectives Day.”
(2) Thursday is Fish ‘n Chips Nite and maybe something from Nick’s Picks!
(3) Friday is Pizza Nite along with Steak ‘n Fries Nite!
(4) Saturday is ENCORE! Day
(5) Sunday is Sunday Photo Posting Day! and yes, we are CLOSED!

SUMMARY

Name ………………… Date/Time …………………. (Page#) … Remarks

(1) wanswheel P Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 01:29:54 (177)

(2) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 06:09:16 (177) Tuesday’s Info & Summary

(3) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 06:13:24 (177) ENCORE! Note to all

(4) ftwNSengineer P Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:22:47 (177)

(5) passengerfan Al Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:26:29 (177) Streamliner #17 – Gopher & Badger

(6) siberianmo Tom Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 07:27:11 (177) reply to wanswheel

[Anonymous]

Good morning all! I see that I’m not the first to be here this A.M.

Great to see you back BK and welcome aboard P. This is an exceptionally busy week for me, and the long and excellent posts being posted here are more deserving of acknowlegment than this quick mention, but I’ll have to make it up to everyone later. I won’t be around probably until Wednesday of next week. My train trip to Springfield with the 20th Century Railroad Club starts this Friday!

Before leaving though, please accept another “Roundhouse” offering:

Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman by Don Olsen, Vintage Rails Nov/Dec 1998

In 1947-1948, I deferred finishing high school to fulfill a boyhood dream of working as a steam locomotive fireman. Those days spent firing Southern Pacific’s steam engines out of Dunsmuir on the Shasta Division proved to be the most exciting and rewarding days of my life. Following are some recollections of my experiences.

Oil Firing – Aside from the obvious differences in firing locomotives using coal or oil, there were many not so apparent to the casual observer. SP’s grade of fuel oil was just a few levels above tar, but contained more hydrocarbons. It was too thick to flow easily and had to be heated in the tender and burner supply line. For the best results, an optimum temperature of about 160 degrees F was used. If the oil was too cold, the burner would starve, and if it was too hot, the oil didn’t atomize properly and would run out onto the firebox floor. The fireman regulated the temperature with a gauge and small steam valve.

To force oil up to the burner, the oil bunker in Cab-Forward tenders was pressurized at about 5 psi. This pressure had to be bled off before adding oil or checking its level – a bit like opening the cap on an automobile radiator. Failure to do so could result in being sprayed with hot oil.

When engine crews were called

[Anonymous]

Here’s Part II

Recollections of a Locomotive Fireman by Don Olsen, Vintage Rails Nov/Dec 1998

SP’s Cab-Forward Locomotives – The use of oil as fuel was the key to developing the unique cab ahead engine design. The 195 Cab-Forward 4-8-8-2 articulated locomotives, class AC-4 and AC-10 to 12, enabled the railroad to tame its mountain grades, and the “malleys” became the workhorses of the system. In later years, as diesels gained ascendancy, Cab-Forwards served all over the western lines. They, along with other steam locomotive types, survived longer where good water was available – in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and north to Portland.

Although conceived to conquer grades and minimize crew discomfort from exhaust gasas in tunnels and snow sheds, the ACs’ unorthodox design proved a problem on inclines over 2.5 percent. In a conventional locomotive ascending a grade, boiler water level rises at the rear, over the firebox crownsheet. When the engine runs downhill, water moves to the forward part of the boiler, but since the engine isn’t working hard, does not tend to be drawn into the steam supply.

When climbing steep grade with a “backwards” AC boiler, the water flows away from the crownsheet toward the front fluesheet. There it reduces the steam area and is more easily drawn into the steam line. This saturates the steam in the working engine, and much water will be expelled in the exhaust. If an engine has been standing for some time, the steam cyclinders will condense and can cause severe damage when the engine moves: Non-compressible water can blow off cylinder hears. The purpose of cylinder cocks is to bleed off and water and prevent this damage.

My first run on the Mudoc Line, firing a 4100 from Alturas to Klamouth Falls, was quite an eye-opener. Fortunately, my engineer was patient with his hardly dry-behind-the-ears fireman and monitored operations very closely. As we worked up the 2,2 percent Canby grade, I nervously watched the w

[siberianmo]

Mornin’ Guyz!

It’s “Pike Perspectives Day!” ‘round here, so let’s hear some updates regarding those model railroads – still lookin’ for some track plans. Perhaps this day should be renamed, given that everyone does not engage themselves in model railroading. Some guys like watching trains as a hobby, others ride ‘em, and still others enjoy readin’ about ‘em. Whatever your activity, today’s the day to talk about it! [tup][tup]

Gripes ‘n complaint department: Once again, it appears that we are slipping back into some bad habits ‘round here. This had been commonplace about 2 months ago, but seemed to have abated.

The daily SUMMARY and Monday Index contain pertinent info about our thread. Surely those who are obviously skimming or ignoring them can find the time to check out what’s going on. Yours is simply to log in and check out what’s happening, whereas yours truly is engaged in putting out the “word.” There is a difference.

To the acknowledgments:

trolleyboy Rob Posted: 29 Nov 2005, 22:58:20

Nice Inclusive Post from one of our “Charter Members” at the bar! [tup][tup] What’s to say, other than hopefully you’ll get some semblance of a normal life once the holiday season passes by. Can only imagine the stress and strain – but then again, there’s the positive side: you are gainfully employed! [swg]

Good idea to start saving up for that cross-Canada rail trip, for it is indeed an expensive way to go, given that you are going to do it “right” and get the drawing room suite in the Park Car. Only way to experience that round trip is to occupy that room. We’ve even begun to “talk” about doing it again – which would be our 3rd. Our 15th Anniversary is next year – so we’re “looking” for something special. However, airline fares can (and will) da***he best of plans …….

passengerfan Al Posted: 30 Nov

[coalminer3]

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

Here’s a Christmastime full page ad from the NYC (probably early 50s) that is in my collection. Picture is of Santa opening a sack full of streamlined passenger trains. Each train has a label. From left to right (this’ll make you weep): Cleveland Limited, Ohio State Limited, Pacemaker, Detroiter, Southwestern Limited, New England States, James Whitcomb Riley, Twilight Limited, Empire State Express, Commodire Vanderbilt, Merchury, and 20th Century Limited.

Header says: Take Your Pick of the Pack!

World’s greatest fleet of newly-equipped trains is ready now to speed you home for the holidays!

Enjoy the New in New York Central: Glide homeward in new luxury coaches or private-room sleeping cars, behind smooth Diesel-electric locomotives. Feast in new diners. Join in the holiday fun aboard new lounge cars. From end to end of New York Central, you’ll find world’s largest orders for new streamlined equipment are filled at last!

Leave weather out of Your Plans! Let storms sweep the skyways. Let sleet snarl holiday traffic on the highways. Aboard your New York Central daylight streamliner or overnight Dreamliner, you can settle back witha free mind and enjoy every minute. For you’re traveling the world’s safest way. And you know you’ll get there as planned - weather or no!

This Year, make a Holiday Homecoming your Gift! There’s no present like the presence of loved ones around the family Christmas tree. So send tickets for a trip home as your gift. Ask your New York Central ticket agent how to send tickets and reservations. Ask, too, about money-saving round-trip fares.

New - New York Central - The Water Level Route - You Can Sleep.

I don’t know about you, but I’m on my way to South Station right now!

work safe

[nickinwestwales]

Red face department here-PETE,for reasons entirely beyond me,I have seemingly tried to move an entire railway several miles east-nothing to do with Bala Lake,we are in fact looking at Llyn Padarn,apologies for confusion [#oops]
[4:-)]TOM-shall I just go through it again…[swg]…
later,nick[C=:-)]

[trolleyboy]

Good morning Tom I’ll grab a quick sandwich and coffee as i cruise through on the way to work. No rest for the wicked. I’ve already got $10 saved up for that trip on the Canadian only $3995 or so to go. [tup][swg] I’m guessing that your third trip on it will deffinatly be before my first perhaps your 5th with conicide with our first. [(-D][:-,]

Nick Okay I’m just as confused and dazed as Tom about your game. ( thats two boxes of sweat sox stinking up the place [:O][xx(] ) Must be an exclusive westwales game. Nice to see that you have been able to make use of the kitchen’s biological switcher. I knew Tom bought him for a reason.

Doug Wow alot of reading first thing but quite good. I can feel the heat and smell the smells of that cab.Looking forward to part 3. [tup]

al Another fine streamliner to the collection. always thought those articulated zephers were kind of a neat idea. I didn’t realize that the consists could be changed and made shorter or longer though. I figured that they were a set consist.

CM3
Ah the NYC in winter. One would think that the NYC was ressesion proof with all the inclement weather the “upstate” area recieves. Those interstates through Buffalo to Erie and Albany can just be an absolute terror in winter.Trains are the way to go or were[sigh]

Well folks I’ve not much to report on the pike end. I did manage to run a couple of cars over the revised street trackage,still ahve some tweeking of the trackage to do ( bit close to pedestrians and buildings in places, I wouldn’t want to scrape any paint off the streetcars [swg] )

Well gents I’m away for now.

Rob

[siberianmo]

G’day!

coalminer3 CM3 I don’t know about the others 'round here, but those railroad ads from “back then” were really something else! Sure makes one want to travel by train p meet up with you at South Station! [tup][tup] I’ll have to be sure that I don’t submit my own version of this as Christmas Day draws closer … [swg]

By the by (again)! You have a PENDING answer to a question … <chagrin!>

Thanx for the round and quarters. The “sack” you left yesterday just about got the jar up to half. Perhaps I should find a smaller pickeled pig’s feet jar! [swg]

nickinwestwales Nick Nope - let me muddle through it one more time. I’m sure the “key” is in the wording! [swg] <grin!>

Okay - time for the afternoon NOSTALGIA piece …

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #34

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the BURLINGTON ROUTE in a 1949 advertisement from my private collection:

. . . . . VISIT Colorful Colorado! . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . Land of a Million Thrills! . . . . . . . . . .

* No vacation empire in all the world offers you more variety – more sheer enjoyment! Mile-high Denver and its mountain parks . . . picturesque Colorado Springs and pikes Peak region . . . the grandeur of Rock Mountain National-Estes Park . . . the friendly Dude Ranches. Ride or hike! Fish or golf! Go sightseeing or just be lazy! Whatever you choose, Colorado gives you extra pleasure!

. . . . . For Speed, Comfort, Pleasure . . . Go Burlington! . . . . .

* Choose between two famous diesel-powered streamlined trains - the DENVER ZEPHYR, overnight every night from Chicago to Colorado . . . or the CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, with its entrancing Vista-Domes. Extra speed, extra luxury . . . but no extra fare!

BURLINGTON’S 100th ANNNIVERSARY * 1849-1949
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Way of the Zephyrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . VISIT THE CHICAGO RAILROAD FAIR JUNE 25 – OCT 2 . . . . .

Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Hi trolleyboy Rob - Hope you stuck around for a minute or two to catch my Posts! I know you are savy enough to do that … just need to remind the other guys now 'n then! [swg] Just check the times of the last three Posts! <AMAZING!>

Just wanted to acknowledge your Inclusive Post! before getting some outside things done 'round here.

Later!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and the rest of the gang. Time for a coffee and maybe a diest pastry from the Mentor Bakery.

Rob You asked a question about the early articulated Zephyrs. The PIONER ZEPHYR was built as a three car articulated set but a fourth car was added. One of the original TWIN ZEPHYRS also built as a three car articulated added a fourth car. The MARK TWAIN ZEPHYR was built as a four car articaulated train set and when it was operated in the ADVANCE DENVER ZEPHYR one of the cars was removed the same happened with the PIONEER ZEPHYR that had one car removed during that time period. The reason these two train sets were seleected was due to their 30’ RPO compartments something the TWIN ZEPHYRS never had. The CB&Q retained a mail contract on the Chicago - Denver route until all mail contracts were cancelled in the 1960’s. It was not an easy job to convert the early Zephyrs from three to four cars or vis versa but it was done quite a few times over the life of the early Zephyrs. The unused cars were stored indoors when not part of one of the ZEPHYR trains. It is my understanding that their were two extra cars made for three car trains and they were interchanged quite regularly.

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone. I’ll take a house draught, Tom. Getting psyched up for the Santa train this weekend at the Midland. Think I’ll probably have to wear longjohns under the conductor’s uniform to stay warm according to the forecast.
FtWnsengineer, I’ve heard for years that one should keep one’s interest in trains to oneself should one get a rail job. Funny, but most rails I know cuss the industry but as soon as they retire, they want to get back into in some manner. I have tried to get on with 2 Class 1s with no luck, and in hindsight am glad I did’nt. I can run trains and enjoy myself hopefully without getting the burnout and bitterness I’ve observed. This past summer I was handed a job as engineer on a shortline conglomerate but after being lied to, I am still driving truck. Appreciate the info about locomotive quirks and would like more.
WestcoastS, thoroughly enjoyed the Espee bit concerning pass power. That info goes a long way in understanding why certain rrs bought certain power. I wish more PAs were preserved,BTW. One correction, though. PAs were powered by 244s-the 241 was an experimental engine that helped in developing the 244. Unfortunately, the 244 was prone to problems with the crank and other things as it was rushed into production without complete testing, which ultimately soured some rrs on Alco.
Barndad, loved the oilburning fireman’s memoirs. Some of this makes sense as I have a tape around here explaining how to fire oilburners, in this case, Espee 2472. Personal recollections put the person in railroading. Without people, the industry would just be a boring collection of statistics. Let’s have some more, please.
Tom, I trust you made it thru the high winds the other night. News said wind done some amjor damage in the St Louis area. Another draw, please.
From my perspective as someone who barely caught the end of regular service passenger trains, it can be hard to fathom all the trains that were run everywhere. The ads Tom and others post blow my mind–since I was a