It could and did happen. I have slides of a C&NW passenger train in western Washington State. Well, it was their officials train, (cannot think of the actual title here), but still looked "passenger". It went ripping through on tracks which had not seen any passenger service for many years, so the photos are poor grabs, but still I took them; it was real.
Of course it's real. I saw a C&NW passenger train, what appeared to be an official inspection train run through Oro Grande, Ca. about a year before U.P. & C&NW announced their intent to merge. Tell tales. For sure it's real. You can recreate such things on your train layout as well. Pullman lead the way in transfer service of it's lease fleet. The railroads worked together to provide the best passenger service possible. Pullman was great at providing run through service from one rail line to another. Go to sleep while riding the NYC and wake-up the next morning and you are on Santa Fe tracks. You can recreate this action. Set-up some interesting switching moves on your layout. Try switching out a Pullman sleeper from one train to another. You can do the same with baggage/mail storage and REA cars. Your going to love the fun you can have on your layouts.
Also, this was a seven or eight years before the UP merger, so I do not recall why they ran it. I did find the slides and they are noted "Director's Special".
Hello Ken, Appreciate your in-put here. To the best of my ability to remember the circumstances and tell tales around the C.&N.W. and U.P merger. We were seeing C.&NW. cabooses, diesels coming over the U.P. Trackage rights with Santa Fe, between Barstow and San Bernardino. At least, eight years before the actual announcement. There are times that stock holders who hold the bigger piece of the pie will be treated to a sales pitch as part of the process of making a merger happen. No doubt we saw what we did and it was connected to the merger. For sure!
The Super Bowl, was a train wreck. Not the match up... I thought it would be. I had high hopes for the Kansas City Chiefs. Those Pirates were just to much for them or so it appeared. Way to many penalties. I began to wonder who's playing who. The officials against the players? The commercials I will give them an F grade. Most of them failed to get my attention and most left me wondering what in the wide, wide world of football are they selling? I could of been working on my train layout. Oh well. Sams, brought up something interesting. We've PM'd each other here recently and he mentioned how lucky I was to ride those trains. Well, Sams and everyone else. If I left you with the impression I got to ride those trains. I...it couldn't be further from the truth. Growing up in a family of Santa Fe Rails, you'd of thunk (sp intended) I would of ended up riding the Chief's, Grand Canyon's, El Capitans and/or the local commute trains. How about down to San Bernardino and back. I hear the ice cream cones down there are the best. Sadly! Such was not the case. When I confronted them asking them why? Why, they didn't take me for those all important train rides. There answer. Why? When we can drive the train would we want to sit back with the passengers? Is it obvious? Important to me but not to them. Hummmmmmm and harrumph. I think the real reason is they may have seen me as a difficult kid to take anywhere. I'll never know for sure, after all I was just a kid. Okay, one train I did ride. Keep in mind this is as a toddler. The mixed local (what would be called a Turn today) from Barstow to Phoenix. Riding in a combine, which is part passenger and the other half for mail and baggage. She said I was scared and cried for most of the trip. Until the conductor took me and held me and I fell asleep. Nice of him. Went to visit my mom's side of the family, my other grandparents. In case you were wondering. Getting back to...Why? Because the kid in me would of liked to have ridden in at least one or two of those name trains. You know, before they disappeared from the rails forever. That's why!! I got to watch them from the steps of various train stations, parking lots, at Cajon Summit and Tehachapi Loop. In Barstow, from the station steps the first street bridge (as unsafe as that was back when). I watched them come and go and imagined in my mind what that would be like to ride them. I might of gotten to do some things most kids wouldn't have... but, but, but... that wasn't what I yearned for most. Almost forgot. As a 7th grader. An SP Mail train from Salinas to Gilroy, Ca. And again from Salinas but this time to San Jose, Ca. To visit a promotional train sponsored by SP. In both cases, I initiated the train rides by talking our school teacher into a field trip. Lastly a cab ride I arranged for my Dad at the Sacramento Railroad Museum. That was fun! I now read stories of other youngsters from that era. Those who got to ride Santa Fe's Finest, those other trains S.P.'s, U.P.'s, crack passenger trains. The California Zephyr. Great Northern/s Empire Builder, just to name a few. Envious, that I wasn't one of them. Is it any wonder why I have in N Scale many of these same name trains. Is this a way to fulfill a little boys dream? No question to this big kid, as to what's going on. That's enough personal disclosure. This from the kid of yester-year who could only visit and ride these trains through the eyes of imagination. Later
The super bowl was a train wreck for sure this year. F- across the board. Pregame, entertainment, commercials, the game itself, etc. all were way below an event of that caliber. You know when the commentators are questioning the officials at half time that things are just wrong. Anyway, nothing more that I "should" say on that topic. Rick, you may not have been able to ride those trains but you were there and saw them. That is something special in it's own way. Thank you for sharing the memories with us.
Super Bowl. Don't get me started on the pre-show, the commentators, half time and all the other diversionary garbage. I tuned in to see the Super Bowl. At the end I wasn't impressed with the presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Summed it up as a waste of my time and an insult to my intelligence. Getting back on track. I will always look back at the privilege it was to be a member of a family of Rails. To hear the stories they told. Some I can't prove but does it matter. To listen to the railroad lingo of the time. To be appalled at the use of railroad lingo as used by toy train enthusiast of the time to present. They would speak of the Railfans as Foamers. That isn't an insult just a description. My Granddad loved the Foamers and would entertain them with stories real or imagined. Thinking they were overly inquisitive. Curiosity killed the cat!! Watching those trains was amazing If only my memory would of been iron clad and details could stand out. Some things do but others don't. Proud to say I'm a Foamer. Who did get to work for Union Pacific, in Dayton, Ohio (of all places) as an Agent. Got a day of chores, wiring and some carpentry still ahead of me. Again Later!
I'm with you. I'm totally disgusted with commercials, crass performances, attempting socially significant viewpoints, and political posturing; when it should be about the game.
About the game and the game only. Salute Doorgunnerjg. You weren't the only ones who didn't watch the Super Bowl. My neighbors were having outdoor barbecues while others were on the ski slopes. Anything but. Humm...Don't ask me about how they butchered that National Anthem. Good you didn't. Aiiyiiyii What's this with America The Beautiful. That isn't our Anthem...grrrrrr. With that said, back to Trains and our Layouts. So what's playing in the background as you visit here today? I have some train sounds I either recorded, bought or stole. No, I didn't steal any of them. Nice sounding Pennsylvania yard switcher was working the yard a few minutes ago. I'm off to the shower. Then to the store to pick up somethings I forgot last time I was there. Actually my cart was full and I didn't want to have to carry all that stuff into the house. So back to finish the job today. See you later.
I gave up on sports (except Indy 500 and Chili Bowl) and Hollywood a while back. I used to watch both for entertainment and a break from "The Real World". Now those days are gone.
I haven't been on the A&M train yet but hope to go this fall when the trees turn colors. About ten years ago Cynthia and I followed the old route where Frisco went from Fayetteville to Pettigrew. At one time Pettigrew was the hardwood capital of the world and had several sawmills and a booming economy. All of the track has been removed and it's hard to see any evidence of being there. The only thing we saw was old bridge pilings at a couple of streams and one sawmill in Pettigrew. We stopped at a store and they had a lot of photos and newspaper articles of the area back during their heyday. Interesting stuff, we were there for a couple of hours reading and talking to some old timers about the town's history. Joe
The only super bowl I did was a super bowl of chips...along with a large ice tea...as I redid Jeans Valley. Got the asphalt and the sidewalks in. Still have to plant people. More on my THERR RV Reborn thread. Rick...get under that spaghetti bowl of yours and get that rewiring done !! Quit your yadda yadda yaddaing ! Good thing you arent getting paid by the hour.
wW Say what? You want me to do WHAT? Yeah, well so do I. But first, and then I need to do this and that and don't forget to take out the trash. What kitty boxes. Oh is that what smells so bad. Yep, I'll get there. Just not looking forward to squirming in under the layout and asking self, self can I get back out??? LOL But thanks for the words of encouragement yadda yadda yadda yadda !! Finished lunch and now it's nap time. zzzzzz
Mr. @BarstowRick No worries on the story telling. I dig it. I must have mis-understood everything haha. I might have been paying more attention to the liking part of it then I did actually reading the story. I can say you told the story so well it just seemed like you were on them. Reading about your history with family being in the railroad now makes sense why you have so many stories. I can say the same about my father when I talk to people about horses. They think I own a horse, am a Jockey (hahaha. I'm WAY to tall) or just chill with the horses all day. The fact is I do hang out with the horses all day it just happens to be in the stands or on Xpressbet !! haha. They also dont realize that I "donate" my money to watch them run around in circles. I guess I can see where the train disease came from !! It is way better then horses though. Those memories are awesome to have. Especially with all those old trains. The only train I really rode when I was a youngster was the Metro from the beach to LA or Hollywood. The start of my music career. I also have ridden the BART in san Fran which was fun. Me and my father got lost on it! Foamers !!! haha. I wonder what F1 fans are considered right @Joe Lovett ?!?! The super bowl derailed as soon as Tom Brady joined the Pirate ship IMO lol. They seem to get worse. Especially with the halftime show selection. I was waiting for Katniss Everdeen to show up and pay tribute. These "shows" have become to much. Its not just a game anymore. The game is actually the part they want you to watch the least of. Like did hollyweird get a hold of this or something ? Never was a fan of football... Never will be.. Ill take the heat. At my place of employment we call that a "union break". One co worker a long time ago even had the nick name "Alta Dena". Lets see if anyone can guess why ! The only bowl I had was green.... OOPS ! Grilled Salmon, Potatoes, and zucchini! yum! Lewis Hamilton was a parade(Like Monaco) but he is a good driver. I do also like his class as a top driver. Can't wait to see what is gonna happen though. I haven't been following as much as I'd like but doesn't red bull have a new kid driver Pierre Gasly? My favorite driver growing up was Kimi Räikkönen. He is still a top driver and my favorite Cheers all !
Sams, All is good. Glad you are enjoying and liking to visit here. That goes for everyone. A shout out of thanks to all of you.
