Summertime Picture Thread

[dalangdon]

Libby!

Ken, I love that part of the Rockies! My John is the manager of the train that goes from Seattle to Chicago, and it runs through Libby (in the middle of the night, unfortunately) and gets into Whitefish in the early morning (eastbound) or in the early evening (westbound). That's a great place to explore the Rockies from.

Asbestos aside, Libby is a good place.

 

[petek]

OOh you're talking about the Empire Builder, I'd love to take a trip on it one day.

 

[kenb]

Libby!

Dan it sure is a beautiful area!

My Mother grew up outside of Kalispell and I've spent quite a bit of time in Montana over the years. I hope to retire there at some point.

I ride the Empire Builder to Spokane quite often, so it is likely that I would recognize John, small world!

Speaking of a small world, a good friend of mine is a conductor on the Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver, BC, he most likely knows John.

 

[rp2813]

I just took an Amtrak excursion recently, for the first time in 30+ years. It's not the same, except for the being late part. I know Amtrak has been a losing venture since its inception, it's a pathetic system compared to even some third world countries and kind of an embarassment (we had a British film crew on our return train and I wondered what they thought) but considering that air travel is far faster, more reliable and on time, and that not everyone has the time to take four days to get somewhere as opposed to four hours, you can't expect Amtrak to be much more than it is.

I've always been a train fan. Both of my grandfathers were railroad men in Chicago so we took cross-country trains several times when I was a kid, up until I was 13. By that time, most passenger trains had only a few more years left before they ceased operations.

We had a historical narrator on our return trip advise that in 1952 on our same route, the Southern Pacific's "City of San Francisco," which I have ridden, was buried by an avalanche up on Donner Summit in California. A huge multi-agency rescue effort ensued and there were only minor injuries, but the kicker to his story was that along with passengers, there were 30--count 'em--thirty--crew members rescued! I think on this recent trip I could count them all on one hand. Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans" ran through my head a couple of times.

Any train fans/Amtrak users interested in a thread along these lines? I'd like to know how others feel about today's train travel. I never thought I'd feel this way about trains, but the bloom seems to have fallen off the rose for me.

Ralph

 

[filter-flo_rob]

Trains ...

Ralph,

Now you're talkin'. Total train buff here. When I have the time, I do take the train to conferences, etc. I'd taken Amcrash once to Miami for an American Library Association conference -- 1st class. The service was great. Had taken the train several times to DC, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. On the Chicago runs, I had a roomette ... now their fun and cozy.

I miss smoking on the trains as it was great fun to get naked, smoke cigarettes and enjoy a scotch or three before venturing out for din-din complete with china and cloth napkins.

Anyone with experience knows the perils of having to get to your toilet when the bed if fully extended over the toilet ... that's why there is a solid door and a zipper cloth door <blush>

Unfortunately, most of the time it is air transportation, which I might add, I do love to fly as well.

My interest in trains, when not riding them are various aspects of signal control; both autoblock and interlocking, and I can wet myself instantaneously standing in an interlocking station with ca. 30 levers! FASCINATING STUFF.

Wish I had the time to set-up a model. I would be most interested in O-on-2 scale. Of course wouldn't everyone want an outside train similar to amuzement parks -- from 7 1/2 to 12 in. gauge!

Any other train buffs out there?

Rob.

 

[filter-flo_rob]

P.s.

Ralph, I also had a grandfather who worked on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Then for the Upton Grafton Railroad. Although he retired by the time I was born, I heard stories about him when he was a kid having to sleep in a caboose because of a bad storm and having to shovel the tracks for the roundhouse and at switch frogs.

... a different kind of life, from an era gone by.

If you can get your hands on a 1960 atlas of railroads (Rand McNally, I believe) there are tons and tons of lines still listed that have been turned into bike paths, and things of that sort.

R.

 

[jeffg]

Since the 911 hysteria, air travel has become such a degrading and ridiculous PITA my partner and I have blown it off entirely, except when it can't be avoided. So far it's been wonderful, and the first time was a revelation. I mean, you just get to the station and get onboard. No check-in lines, no body cavity checks, no TSA teetsuckers in your face whining about your cologne and shaving cream, no being squished between overweight and/or sick passengers, no trashed and lost luggage, and no sporks! If you want something to eat you can get up, walk to the dining car and be seated at an actual table with actual tablecloths and real metal utensils.

It's just so civilized and stress-free compared to air travel. We arrive at our destinations relaxed instead of completely exhausted.

 

[petek]

It's my favorite way to travel and I worked for the RR for 30+ years LOL
Unfortunately there is only two VIA trains a day outta here heading east to Toronto etc, were' now the terminal. There used to be up until about 3 years ago also the daily Amtrak from Chicago to Toronto but it got cut in the cuts. Now 'd have to go over the river to Port Huron to catch and Amtrak to Chicago which I just might do one of these fine days just for the hell of it.
Of course my favorite was the old CPR Canadian thru the rockies from Vancouver to Banff to Calgary or back. Nothing finer.
It's gone now, since 1978ish, and is run by VIA from Vancouver thru Jasper to Edmonton on the old CN Transcontinental route, not quite as scenic.

On the old CPR southern route theres Rocky Moutain Railtours operating a train but it's very expensive. Here's the link

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www.rockymountaineer.com

 

[rp2813]

Oh yeah, for sure if it were longer than a day trip I'd want a room. And for the same reasons you state, Rob--right down to the clothing optional part. Smoking's an issue for sure, but considering what we smoke, we can bring brownies or something instead.

Jeff, I agree with all you have stated. It's so easy to buzz downtown and hop on the train to either L.A. or Seattle with zero hassle compared to flying. We are headed to Lucky Bear in Vegas next month and I'm not looking forward to the whole airport scene or the Southwest cattle call, but hopefully the LB experience will make it all worthwhile.

I think my partner and I could be persuaded to board Amtrak again for a longer trip if we could find a good deal on a room. Probably would be the Coast Starlight up to Seattle.

Ken B, are you paying attention????

 

[kenb]

Amtrak/Trains

Ralph and Rob, huge railfan/train buff here!

I spent a lot of time track side and on various railroad forums...railroadforums.com, trainorder.com, and several European railway forums.

 

[dalangdon]

Amtrak is what it is: Corporate welfare, starved for funds, ran over lines that have been deterorating for the last 30 years. The equipment is ancient, and the manufactuers are out of business, so it's hard to keep them rolling. Congress makes them beg for funds year after year, Bush, Reagan, Mica and McCain all tried to kill it, but still it limps on (thanks to strong political support from both parties who realize we need rail service) - and has seen record ridership increases for the last ten years or so. Imagine what they could do if it were taken seriously.

With all that said, it's my favorite way to travel. And no, I don't get a discount as an "Amtrak Wife" ;-)

Ken, I think I know who you're talking about. John worked those Cascades trains for years, and knows him well. Lots of family on Amtrak. They don't have a GLBT association, and I don't see why. It would have the perfect name: GLamtrak!

 

[rp2813]

Oh Sandy, your last paragraph above gives me hope. Besides the conductor on both trips, I would have jumped on the snack bar guy on the train up, and both of our waiters coming and going.

For someone who appreciates professionalism, I sure do wish it had been lacking on those two trains!

Ralph

 

[kenb]

Dan, I'm positive we are talking about the same person...he lives over in Port Orchard with his partner.

He has mentioned several times how many "family members" there are at Amtrak in Seattle

Now that I think about it he introduced me to a couple one time when we were at King St. Station.

 

[countryguy]

I work for a railroad but not really a train fan. We operate freight trains from North Bay, ON north to Moosonee on James Bay and passenger trains from Toronto north to Moosonee.

Gary

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www.ontarionorthland.ca

 

[duetboy]

Posted this in the train thread

But figured I'd post it here...at a steam engine show in May.

Jeff

 

[duetboy]

And the other half...

that thinks I'm nuts for my dishwashers and washing machine fascination, Jason.

Jeff

 

[rp2813]

Wow Jeff, I catch You on the train thread and now you throw Jason on this one. The double whammy is too much for me. I need a cold shower!

Ralph

 

[duetboy]

Cold Showers

Well, from the sounds of things, our cold showers will start tomorrow around noon. Ike's headed up to AR and we're to get around 3 to 5". I know, sounds like my wedding night!

Jeff

 

[kenb]

Jeff, after looking at those pictures of you and Jason I'm needing a cold shower too!

 

[electron800]

First time I've put my pic up on the site I think

helloo =]