Running Bear's Coffee Shop XLIX

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


Sherrel that is too funny!

It's great to see you and your twisted sense of humor back in the coffee shop!!!
 
Arrived today! Great books, those three about Milwaukee Road's cabooses and the Beer Line is a wee gem as well...
But, that Hiawatha - NOTHING FASTER ON RAILS, that my friends, is a book, that is not of this world, going through that one left me speechless!

DSC_1408_zpsgvsmtjv4.jpg
 
bsmart I don't have a clue, but I will add a few details and maybe one of the other members maybe able to fill in the blanks.

1st The Key bridge opened in 1977

2nd the area you are showing in the picture is Curtis Bay and there have been many a ship scrapped or just sunk in Curtis bay. They very well could have been being scrapped. There were more railroad tracks in Curtis bay in 1977 then there are now. It has always been a place of diverse industries, it would not surprise me if the locomotives were being prepared for export or shipment to another location in the US.

That's about all I can add.

Bsmart and Louis:
I believe that y'all are referring to Edward L Striegel Supply Company, of Curtis Bay. They were a dealer in used locomotives, locomotive parts and other items of machinery and parts. Several surviving Reading T1s were re-sold through this company. Company still survives based in Mukilteo, WA, but no longer present in Baltimore. When the late Hugh Jenkins owned PRR Gas-electric 4666, he used to by parts from Mr. Striegel. BTW, Has the Key Bridge really been around that long? :confused: Where did the time go? :confused:

Sherrel: Good to see you are back posting.
 



Yes, that's the one.

Incidentally, While following bsmart's link to Curtis Bay, I spent some time viewing the Baltimore Harbor and Industrial area.When scrolling over to Canton, I noticed the NS Savannah was tied up at a pier at the end of Newkirk Street. Does anyone know what the deal is with the Savannah? It was the first nuclear powered US Flag Cargo/Passenger Ship, back around 1957 or so, and Revel had a plastic model of it. The ship was too small to be economically viable, so it was mothballed. I saw it in the James River around 2006, however the reactors were still "hot" so it was kept separately from the rest of the James River (VA) Reserve Fleet. I later learned it went to a facility where the reactor(s) were removed. Now it's in Baltimore.
 
74 and mostly cloudy right now.
I think I'll open some more windows and drive some trains while I wait for the mail to run.
Pollen count (trees) is pretty high. I suppose that means more track cleaning until the A/C gets turned on to stay for the summer.
 

Yes BigE, that's it, the NS Savannah. That's an informative article you linked. Essentially, according to the article the ship is still hot, and awaiting a decision on its fate. Interesting.

Another railroad/maritime story from the Baltimore days. Back in 1984 - 1985, I was a TM for Conrail at Baltimore. Back then, the old PRR Coal Tipple on South Clinton St, was being deactivated, and the coal business transferred to the then new Consolidation Coal Co. terminal in Canton, off of Kieth Ave. The Central Soya Grain pier was still in operation, and with the busy railroad activity, I spent quite a few hours in the Canton area. Adjacent to the grain elevator pier, a derelict passenger liner was tied up, awaiting disposition. It was one of the Grace Steamship lines "Santa" series liners that used to sail between New York, and South and Central American ports. I wish I had a camera with me, I cannot remember the ship's name. In any event, one afternoon, I noticed the access gate was open, and wandered in, walking the pier, the length of the ship. There was an access gangway, so I took the chance and walked up on to the deck, and walked around. Nothing is more eerie than a ship not under power. It was getting dark, so I left the hulk, and returned to my car. Wasn't a soul around. I planned to return with a camera, but never got around to it. Don't know what ever happened to the ship, although most likely, it was probably broken up for scrap.
 
Afternoon All,

Washed throw rugs today then went to ALDI with MOH. I laid down the first set of the W/S risers to see what it looked like. Nothing is glued down yet. Right now they are pushed all the way against the back drop which will make the scenery more difficult.

20150331_143806_zpsrrllouob.jpg


I hope everyone has a good night.
 


Afternoon All,

Washed throw rugs today then went to ALDI with MOH. I laid down the first set of the W/S risers to see what it looked like. Nothing is glued down yet. Right now they are pushed all the way against the back drop which will make the scenery more difficult.

I hope everyone has a good night.

What is that grade? Maybe it's just because of the length but looks a lot more than 2% to me.
 
Thanks guys. BigE you are correct. It is a 3% grade, but what I previously had was 4%. I looked at the 2% but I just did not have the room on both sides. Here is a photo of the actual distance that my new bridge will go in (40 inches).

20150331_143822_zpsayexygkt.jpg
 
makes sense. 3 percent is a bit steep for a main line, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I purposely used a 2 percent ruling grade to limit the train length of a train with a single locomotive. My diesels are mostly a B-B locomotive, Alsco RS-1'a and RS-3's an a 14 car long train could comfortable make the grade, so I set the length of my passing sidings to a 14 car length. Unfortunately, many of mt steam locomotives can't hack the grade with 14 cars. Guess there's always a trade off.

Went to Billings, MT today (150 miles east of me) and while I was there I stopped at the only hobby shop in the area. Planning ahead I was interested in some detail items and some scenery items. Very little luck on the detail items and they were selling the scenery items at full retail (of course). They also said that they could order the detail items I was interested in and ship them to me at an additional cost.

I told them politely that I could order them from MB Klein for a lot less. Put the order in a few minutes ago and even with postage, got what I needed for about $25 less.

My parting photo for the day.

pictures 024.jpg
 
Dang Chet. I hate that for ya. I would hate to travel so far with hopes of bringing something home without at least a little something. I hope you other reasons for such a journey.
Not likely they have any Hooters in MT so I doubt you got a plate of wings and a pitcher. Bummer.
Come on by some time and I'll set you to a plate .... after we visit the HobbyTown of course!!!
It would be cheaper to treat you at Hooters than it would for a taxi ride there and back. Nevermind what I might spend in there.
(basic scenery stuff is all I need from them right now)
E.
 
I was in Billings for another purpose and thought that I would stop by for grins. I have a lot of other things to do and just was thinking of stocking up for future projects so I would have what I needed on hand. No Hobby Town in the area either. Not in a rush.

There is a Hooters in Missoula, MT. Have a bowling tournament up there in a couple of weeks so I may stop by, but there arw also some other excellent restaurants up there too. I like Hooters in Daytona Beach beacuse it was only a couple of blocks from the hotel.
 
Boris in 1984 I worked for Sampling Associates out of Consolidated Coal on Keith avenue. I ran the automatic sampler and also did manual sampling in Curtis bay when they needed help.
 
I was in Billings for another purpose and thought that I would stop by for grins. I have a lot of other things to do and just was thinking of stocking up for future projects so I would have what I needed on hand. No Hobby Town in the area either. Not in a rush.

There is a Hooters in Missoula, MT. Have a bowling tournament up there in a couple of weeks so I may stop by, but there arw also some other excellent restaurants up there too. I like Hooters in Daytona Beach beacuse it was only a couple of blocks from the hotel.

A Hooters in MT is something I would not have imagined. I'll bet those girls sporting those tank tops look mighty nice during the winter months.
Never met one of those girls I wouldn't mind meeting my parents (if you know what I mean). wink wink...
The last South East Regional US Open pool tournament I played in, I got knocked out early. My brother and his wife were there and asked what we do now. "I'm out. Pack up and go home. That's it." They asked what do I want to do now. I said "take me to a bar". They were hungry so we agreed on a Hooters not far away (this was in Charlotte, NC). The girl waiting on us was super-fine (what would you expect) and being all flurty with me. I was too bumfuzzled after my loss to see it. After we left my bro and sis were all up on me what I was thinking. "E, that girl was practically all over you. What's wrong with you?" If anything it's usually the other way around but not that day.
Oh well. No problem. Just another chapter in "Big E's Adventures and Tails/Tales". :cool:
E.
 
Afternoon All,

Washed throw rugs today then went to ALDI with MOH. I laid down the first set of the W/S risers to see what it looked like. Nothing is glued down yet. Right now they are pushed all the way against the back drop which will make the scenery more difficult.

20150331_143806_zpsrrllouob.jpg


I hope everyone has a good night.

When I see a grade like that (there's one or two on the AMRA club layout), that screams "opportunity" for a long multi headed train to make those sound decoders do what they're installed for.
 


My wife will also be bowling in the tournament along with 2 other women. Hooters May be pushing it.

Montanan, if you want my advice, forget hooters and let the ladies choose the restaurant.

If you do insist on hooters I have a very comfortable couch in my basement if your wife kicks you out.
 




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top