On the Nov. 23 thread, Simon Reed, one of our British posters said he had something for the 28th. Because Britain is about 6 hours ahead of the midwest, I thought I’d post this now, so Simon would have time to answer it. The funny part is, I have no idea what his post means:
“Today, it’s 23 years since I cracked 1000 miles behind 40044”
I know Simon has traveled extensively by rail, so this should be interesting-whatever it is.[:)]
Anybody else?
I would guess 40044 is the number of a locomotive.
Absolutely correct.
A pic of it is at;
http://www.dreadful.org.uk/class40pics.htm
towards the bottom of the page.
1959: Kinzua Viaduct abandonded by Erie, purchased by Nick Kovalchick of later East Broad Top fame.
Anybody else?
Simon?
Gee, thanks for remembering…
I’m not going into the ins and outs here but the 200 Class 40 locomotives of British Rail were a very big part of my life and I spent as much time and money as possible between 1980 and 1985 riding on passenger trains that they powered, head out of window, listening intently to the songs that only an English Electric 16SVT prime mover can make.
40044 had, along with 40013, become a big personal favorite and when, on November 28th 1982, I learned that she’d been diagrammed for the 19.35 Barrow-Preston I went for her.
Somewhere around Arnside I realised that I’d ridden 1000 miles behind “44” over the preceeding years: my first Class 40 that I’d ridden 1000 behind.
Subsequently I got several more for 1000 miles. “44” worked the second last passenger turn for the class in regular service (16.16 Birmingham - Leeds, January 20th 1985. I rode Birmingham-Derby), was switched off with no defects whatsover and was broken up - a criminal act.
Anything else?
I’ve just read Mr. Jampton’s link. Where it says “bashers”…well that’d include me then!
Thanks Simon![:)] What’s a basher?
1877- The first two-foot gauge railroad in the US opens, the Bedford & Bellerica Railroad.
Maybe a foamer[:p]?
Cool! Where is/was that?[:)]
Northwest of Boston in Massachusetts. Although while looking up more info about the line I may have found that I may be incorrect about this happening today in 1877. No one seems to agree on dates. The best I can find is that the line began FULL TIMETABLE SERVICE today in 1877. And it also looks like the railroads name was actually Billerica & Bedford, not Bedford & Bellerica.
I know how you feel.[:)]. It would be a lot easier,but less interesting to say: “This month, November, in railroad history”. It’s difficult to find much that date specific.
Thanks for contributing.