For: Gunns-Kevin
Must be a run on something cold tonight! Here’s one of those bottomless beers - they go down real smoooooooth - [tup] [swg]
What you do with these loco’s seems to me to be something that is representative of skills long gone from most of America. From the reading I’ve done regarding the numbers of people employed when railroading in our country was KIng, it must have been quite a let down when those skilled people were thrown out of careers. Perhaps the worst part of it had to be knowing it was coming - the handwriting was on the wall.
If our country were to wake up one day and find that rail just had to be modernized and done so quickly, my thoughts are that we’d have a helluva hard time trying to line up the skilled workers to do the jobs. Suppose - just for the sake of discussion - that America wanted to embark upon a serious effort to link our major metropolitan areas by high-speed rail. Suppose that the idea was to go balls to the wall in order to get it up and running. Suppose we wanted to build our own loco’s and rolling stock … where oh where would we ever find the people to make it happen [?] Oh, well - just supposing.
I’ll have a nice ice cold Miller Lite. Trip to the DMV was more pleasant than last time. They have installed an automated “take a number” system that speeds up the waiting time.
Gunns-Kevin, [tup][tup] Have fun with the foot board Saturday. I would like to see some pictures of the 2926 restoration, if you have any to share. “EDIT UPDATE” I just visited the website, www.nmrs.org, and all I can say is [wow][bow][bow][wow] It is great to see the progress! The 2900 class are my favorite steamers. And not just because the last four digits of my phone number are 2921[(-D][(-D][(-D]
earlydiesels-Dan, thanks for reminding me the number of the Frisco engine in Spfld, 4524. And that is a CNW commuter coach. Earlier I wasn’t sure (for some reason I was thinking SP, although they had their own commuter coaches). My wife is originally from Springfield, and one of her best friends (from school days) lives very close to the main line. Her back yard edges close to the East end of the yards. I poke my head out of the back door when we visit, and set up a lawn chair w/tea if traffic looks promising. I also make sure I pack my camera.
Good evening all well guess I’ll have a Crown Royal with water back and a round for the house.
Tom just read your suppose.
Remember it wasn’t that long ago they built the Alaska Pipeline and they found skilled workers to complete that project in record time.
After the pipeline was finished had occasion to visit Valdez and saw hundreds of pieces of construction equipment just rusting away seems it was cheaper to write it off this way than send it to the lower 48 for scrapping.
If and I say if they ever decide to extend the ARR to the lower 48 in my lifetime then i will book the first seat on the first train. Having drove the Alcan for six years I have nothing but praise for the Army Corps of engineers who built the original highway now much improved but constantly being improved even more. As a trucker for those six years winters were the preferable time to drive the Alcan. Summers their were to many tourists and to many RVs and drivers that didn’t know whatt they were doing. Winters we could drive a complete round trip from Seattle to Anchorage in six days. Summers the same trip took seven to eight. Two winters in a row while in the Yukon territory I hit Moose on the highway. The first time I killed the Moose and he killed my truck to the tune of $7000.00 in damages. The second year that Moose I hit at seventy and believe it or not he got up shook himself and ambled off into the brush. The Mounties unloaded a Snomobile and followed his tracks for about a mile and said he was really picking them up and laying them down. Their I was stuck with $15,000 damage to my tractor. My boss gave me a 30-30 rifle for Xmas that year and said it had to be cheaper to hunt Moose with a rifle than my truck.
But seriously it is the most wild unspoiled land in North America and I would love to see a rail line completed in my life time.
I think if Highspped rail gets off the ground anywhere in the US besides the NE Corridor it is going to be here in California. Connceting San Diego, Los Ange
Winding down for the night,
Just a Apfelsaftschorle, <1/2 apple juice 1/2 mineral water>
For Trainnut484 here is a link to our web site, http://www.nmrhs.org/
It has a few slide shows, more to come soon, it is just that we have recently aquired, a Machinist and a pair pf stamp certified welders. So lotsa jobs that were piling up are getting knocked out. Soon we will have the tender back together and the boiler work will start. The worst potential damage will be the upper wrapper over the fire box, that is where we will probably find the worst pitting and rust damage. Luckely, the new FRA regs have recognised the advances in welding and inspection methods, and has made repairs easer to compleate and certify. We keep telling the world, 6 more years, but really hope to be done and certified by 2012, the Centenial of New Mexico. Also rumor has it that the 3715 will be out here for the Tricentenial of Albuqurque, if I get any confermation, I’ll let you know. Edit… 2921 eh… check this out… http://www.barstowrailmuseum.org/2921_1.html
Trolleyboy-Rob one of our members was up your way last week for his 50th Grade school reunion. He might have run in to you, he is named Paul.
Sat. I am going to fire up our riivet forge, much easer than indivadual heating with a torch, but temp will still be over a 100deg, <low Humidity though, prob about 15%>. In unision “But It’s a DRY heat”
Gunns
Hello everyone. Gunns I don’t think he made it by,coarse I was only at the museum on thursday last week so if he hit them over the weekend he may have met my father-in-law. I’ll have a guiness tonight I think Tom and some of the beernuts.BTW we should stop talking about lighting off Boris for the fourth,I saw him trying to do the old “blue flame” in the bathroom. Lord what a mess scortched toilet paper everywhere[:O][XX(] Tom as long as it’s high speed electric I’m all for it coarse I’m likley biased that way. But seriously if your going to do the highspeed route maglev or electric is the way to go.Just a quick stop by this evening.Didn’t Nick say something about going away for a week? That maybe why he’s not been around,that or the good inspecter and Nick really tied one on at the birthday party. Did anyone check the shed? See eneryone tomorrow. Rob
Morning all - Another hot and muggy one today. Will be offline for a few days (time for trip to NYC country.) Best wishes to all for a SAFE and happy 4th.
Hi y’all – here’s hoping you’re keeping out of the sun and looking forward to the end of the week! Glad you stopped by, so whatillyahave [?] [tup] [;)]
Still nothing from or about Chris up in Montreal. [%-)]
And WHERE’S NICK [?]
Birthday Bash REMINDER – Friday, July 15th – ***’s 65th!
Okay some ”Our” Place news:
Tomorrow is Canada Day, so in honor of our northern cousins, drinks are on the house for anyone claiming Canada as home – OR anyone who has blood relatives in Canada – OR anyone who has visited Canada – OR anyone who knows where Canada IS! [swg]
Monday is Independence Day so in honor of our 4th of July heritage, the bar will be OPEN the gals of ”Our” Place will be working, except for Cindy – haven’t seen nor heard from her since last Friday’s Birthday Bash – anyway, lunch is on the house for all! [tup] [swg]
To the SUMMARY
[quote]
QUOTE: siberianmo Posted: 29 Jun 2005, 10:32:07
For: Gunns - Kevin a
Wow! Its either “feast or famine” at “Our” Place, isn’t it? First, let me catch my breath and an ice cold Molsins, if you please. It took all morning just to check out the “Links” posted since my last toot, I mean visit. Very impressed with the progress made on your S auage (suspension table) layout Tom. What are you using for ballast? The textured effect is nice. I had some doubts on the “suspension” concept before I saw the “method in its’ madness” (construction). Good show![tup]
Gunns, I read through the much of the restoration of 2926 and, at the end, didn’t know whether to shout “hoorah” or cry. Godfrey Daniel, the “blood sweat and tears” that’s gone into that project is staggering. In railroad preservation, you and the team are doing the work of Gaurdian Angels. Trainnut484, my memory is something like a sieve but I believe the Frisco Northern inTulsa is # 4500. If anyone missed the pix of the Herzog Car Topper being loaded/unloaded on the Midland Rwy. site; it is “must see to believe.”[:O] Al, know what you mean about the Alaskan Moose hazaards. During the first days of diesel on the Alaskan R.R., huge Bulls were charging trains headlong. Some thought the locomotive’s air chime presented a territorial “challenge.” I never did hear the final answer to the mystery. Maybe the low growl of the engine, or just plain panic?? Couldn’t agree more about the granduer of that State; even the mosquitos are the size of 747’s. R.D.C’s used to carry a lot of the passenger load before, don’t really know how they managed the -40 F.?
Boy, that’s a tough one: mass passenger rail transport! Anything that is chosen (MagLev, Bullet elec., et al.) will come to gargantuan expenditures for which most bureaucrats will never present before the tax paying voters.[:(!] Before, there were the Henry Flaglers, Harrimans, Vanderbuilts, Stanfords and others that recognized the needs and “went for it.” But today, while the “need” stares us square in the face; where are those people o
For: Ted Good to see you this fine, but oppressively hot day. Enjoy the brew! [tup]
[yeah] We’ve had some posts lately - nice, isn’t it [?] Keeps ME hoppin’ in my desire to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot at being “heard” … [swg] That’s the strong feature of “Our” Place over those post 'n run threads … don’t need that 'round here. [:(!]
Appreciate your taking the time to look at and comment regarding the S-gauge layout. The track is manufactured by an outfit call S-Helper Service (SHS), Inc. http://www.showcaseline.com/index2.html if you’re interested in checking out their track, etc. S-Trax (is what it is called) features realistic weathered ties on roadbed. Very impressive - but oh so pricey.
The F7 and Caboose is made by SHS, whereas the EMD E8, passenger and freight cars are made by American Models: http://www.americanmodels.com/
An interesting size - 1:64 - what many would refer to as the old American Flyer - but these aren’t toys by any stretch. Really impressed with it - but I’d never be able to afford this stuff in the quantities of my HO layout. No way, no how. I’d have to retire thrice from the military, mortgage my home, hock the valuable, and lease out Juneau for the Iditerod just to purchase the loco’s alone. For example, my most expensive HO loco ran about $50 (within the past 2 years) whereas those S-gauge jobs go for 600 percent more! They DO have sound boards and really operate wonderfully well - but they should at those prices! Would gag a healthy maggot, no doubt. [^]
Borisding-a-ling time, drinks on me - [#offtopic] once again! Ring the bell, Boris the bell! Geesh! [swg]
You are absolutely correct, Sir regarding high-speed rail and its obstacles for implemtation these days in the US. Couldn’t have stated it better … We almost got a leg of the mid
Tom, I don’t know what happened to the mail message I sent this a.m. I’ve been having some “issues” with Verizon DSL w/MSN Premium. I hate to infringe on this thread with “two party” data but its the only certain method for now. The possible AmTrak event I’d hoped for can’t be in K.C., Mo afterall. My Uncle (77 yrs.) is in failing health and a visit would cause a great inconvenience. My plan is now for St. Pete to New Orleans (date T.B.D.) and return. It involves a charter bus (to Orlando) and the Sunset Limited to N. O., LA. leaving here Sunday 10:05 am, arr. N.O., LA Monday 9:20 am-- --Dep. N.O., LA. Tuesday 10:30 pm, Arr. St. Pete 11:40 pm Wednesday. I’ll have Monday and Tuesday in N.O. (daytime) to ride the trolleys and two nice meal at Arnaud’s. I don’t “do” Bourbon St any more since “Heavy Metal” supplanted Dixie groups (might hit Preservation Hall). Possibly a roomette on return leg. Coach is only $100.00 + fees, so I can “spring” for the “sack time” returning. Sorry to take up valuable space so I’ll keep it short. Ted
Ted Understand the frustration with the thrilling world of hi-tech, et al. Just got off a 2-hour phone call trying to get wireless and router difficulties straightened out. For awhile there I thought I was in the United Nation’s General Assembly. [:(!]
Should the occasion come up for KCity, let me know. Your Narlins itinerary sounds great … Once upon a time in a different life, I’d get down there about 4 times a year over a 5 year span … Insofar as Amtrak is concerned, couldn’t handle coach anymore - even the comfort of a Superlliner is in the past for me. Oh but those bedroom prices are outta sight!
Okay - Boris ring it again - once for Ted and once for me! Argggggggh [#offtopic] Tom
I’ll just take a Diet Coke this time. There’s a post in the TRAINS forum about “Train chasing vehicles.” Instead of starting a different thread, I thought I’d just share mine here.
My first train chaser was a 1977 chevy 1/2 ton pickup. The best thing about it was I could drive on maintenance roads that were so rugged that a regular car would get “high centered” or bust an axle somewhere. Nothing like sitting on the tailgate close to trackside with scanner, camera, and “liquid refreshments”. It has found its way into some of my train pictures. Sometimes I miss that truck, but with today’s gas prices [:0], I’m glad I don’t have to worry about filling those dual tanks.
For: Trainnut484-Russell
Never did it - never even thought of doing it - but I can well imagine the fun of chasing trains. Why not dig through some of those photo’s and post a few of your shots here [?] Maybe even a Classic Train or two!
Diet coke [?] You gotta be kidding! No diet anything in thisjoint place! Herer’s a real Coke … [swg]
OK, I’m back home and finally off the hook,( chest tube…)
Sorry that I was unable to communicate by email or post on this forum, but I was in a lot of pain, had strong medication and had a few setbacks as the surgeon said. I will not go to work untill early august and will take it easy to recover fully from this ‘faux pas’…
Gee, I have 6 or 7 pages of forum posts to catch up !!!
See you all later, and thank you all for the good words.
CHRIS [xx(]
Good evening folks.It’s officially Canada Day my time so Tom do I get a free nightcap?[:D] A happy and safe upcomming fourth as well for those of you bellow the 49th. I’m spending the first at the Museum with Heather and her Dad. The three of us don’t generally get to crew together so it will be a fun day. Tom[.b] email recieved and replied to. Gunns I concur whole heartedly persistance and one tracked, dogged determination makes the restoration wheels turn. We lost the reverser on one end of our MS&C car but in true HCRY fashion we will run with the one end till the parts can be fabricated in our shop. Thank God for double ended cars. Speaking of which[b]Ted Enjoy the Pearly Thomase’s hope to see some photo’s.have a good safe trip even though the reason for going’s not the best. Well gents sfe and happy trails i’ll catch up with you all tomorrow. Oh Tom the contents of the shed more info than any of us wanted That’s just plain wrong![:O][XX(] Later all Rob
Chris i’m glad to see you back. We were all quite worried about you.I hope this ends up being a good long weekend for you! Tom I like the start on your “s” experiment. from what I understand there are quite a few good traction models available! I may have another convert for the dark light side(electric) Nite all Rob
Coffee please,
First rounds are over, one squeekey air handler adjusted…, have time to set. I have another question for all, “what tools do you consider essential for working on trains?” My first one is an accurate mesuring device, and lotsa others.
Gunns
Back, Coffee, and a sandwich.
I appreciat ya’ll leav’n the dor open at night for me
just had to fix a #@$%#@%$ electronic door latch… 3 built in points of failure, but I wrestled it in to submission. some times I wonder what is so wrong with a “Key”
Rob My daughter just moved down from Chatham Ont. We wanted to get her here closer so we could help with the Kids. It’s been a real change for her, low humidity and no green, on the positive side we have a ski resort on the other side of the mountain that borders the East side of town. And she has found a job and an apartment with in a month and a half of getting here. I need to build an adapter to fit our impact wrench that will also fit the square tang of the cleanout holes of the siphons in the firebox, any Ideas? I was thinking of turning down a chunk of 6" stock to fit the plug, drilling a hole and carving in the corners for the female side, and indexing the male side on the crosshead of the lathe with a mill in the chuck, for the tang that fits the impact tool.
Also I compleated the layout of the Builders Plate tonight, now I need to start carving it out, and sealing it so I can cast the plates, the biggest chalange will be getting the lettering right, and maintaining the beval on the letters so that I can get the pattern to release from the sand.