HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: wh20@iastate.edu (Gregory D Westwater)
Subject: rail grinder in ames
Keywords: railgrinder in ames
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 23:16:13 GMT

I was driving down Lincoln Way and saw an unusual piece of equipment on the CNW mainline.  I took a side road to look at it and identified it as a rail grinder.  The grinder is parking overnight on a siding just west of Grand Ave.  I talked shortly with a crew member, and he said they will be leaving for Marshalltown at seven am on the third of september.  If you go to see it be sure to take a camera.  I hear that they are particularly awesome to see working.

 happy train watching
From: dfl@panix.com (Danny O'Bedlam)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: more on Amtrak's purchase of NY GPO
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:19:00 GMT
Organization: Panix, (New Yawk City)

In <4993@bacon.IMSI.COM> jordan@IMSI.COM (Jordan Hayes) writes:
>	The proposed 42nd street Light Rail (!) ...
>Hasn't this been scrubbed along with the rest of the Times Square/42nd
>Street expansion plans?
>/jordan

	NO!  Not at all.  The plan to light-rail-ify 42nd st from river to
river is NOT connected to the times square redevelopment plan at all.
THAT plan has been put on permanent hold it would seem, what with the
dips that the economy and commercial real-estate market have taken.  the
number of new buildings already added to THAT part of town have contributed
to a GLUT of space.

	the plan for light rail across 42nd street is still in planning,
and still a go, from what I hear.  and yes, having this LRT line connect
with the JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER has been suggested.

-- 
***********************************************************************
* Danny O'Bedlam  = dfl@panix.com = cmcl2!panix!dfl = Danny Lieberman *
* PO Box 3131 Church St Station, New Yawk, New Yawk, 10008-3131 (usa) *
***********************************************************************
From: jtbell@hubcap.clemson.edu (Jon Bell)
Subject: Re: Most spectacular passenger routes
Organization: Presbyterian College, Clinton SC
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 13:46:15 GMT

In article <sam.1ajy@terapin.com> sam@terapin.com (Sam Lewit) writes:
>We've seen the thread on the 10 top western RR shrines, how about this one...
>The most spectacular PASSENGER rail routes in the world.
>
>I can't remember seeing anything as amazing as Norway's Flaam-Myrdal route.
>This short route is 12 miles long with a descent of 2,838 feet. 20 tunnels and
>a gradient of 1 in 18. At one point the route is gouged out of a mountainous
>rock face wall. Words can not describe this trip.
>
>The Oslo-Bergen route (which stops at Myrdal) is another memorable route which
>seems to glide along on the top of the world through glaciers, lakes, and
>rugged mountains.

The Oslo-Trondheim and Trondheim-Bodo (Nordlandsbanen) routes aren't quite
in that league, but they're pretty spectactular in their own right.

Closer to home, my own favorite (in the East, anyway...I've never ridden
any of the Western routes, alas) is the route along the Hudson River from
Albany to New York, preferably in that direction, in the morning.  I 
lived in the Albany area for two years, took that trip several times,
and always had my nose glued to the window.

I suppose if you had to commute along that route every day, you'd eventually
get blase about it.  But for me, coming from Ohio which doesn't _have_ 
any scenery, it was magical.

Jon Bell / Dept. of Physics & Computer Science / Presbyterian College
Clinton SC, USA / jtbell@presby.edu

Xref: sparky rec.railroad:6958 ba.transportation:2188 talk.politics.misc:42532 talk.environment:3432
From: lip@s1.gov (Loren I. Petrich)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad,ba.transportation,talk.politics.misc,talk.environment
Subject: Re: Cost of transit systems vs highways
Date: 28 Aug 92 14:16:38 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: LLNL

In article <o8g8PB1w165w@Garg.Campbell.CA.US> zio@Garg.Campbell.CA.US (Zio zZz) writes:

@ 	And it works -- only half of the San Francisco -- East Bay
@ commute traffic goes by the Bay Bridge. The other half goes by BART,
@ which travels in a tunnel beneath the Bay. Guess who has the more
@ comfortable and less stressful ride?

>Well, only one minor quibble...when the train goes into the transbay tube 
>I get a bit stressed...from my ears responding to the air pressure.  I 
>sure wish there was a way to avoid that.  It's an extremely minor 
>quibble, sure, but one that I'd love to fix!

	The fix I suggest: swallow. That should do it. And you won't
need anything in your mouth.

>But yes, it's a hell of a lot better than putting up with the crap on the 
>bridge!!!

/Loren
From: strasser@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Viewpoints on what is history
Date: 31 Aug 92 20:53:35 GMT
Organization: Western Michigan University

Regarding diesel-electrics at museums, I used to only go for the steam, however
in the past few years I pay more attention to the Es and Fs.  I lived in
Evanston, Illinois in the early 80s and watched the old Es on the RTA, they
were impressive.  I also like the "Centennial" (UP 6900 I think), at the St.
Louis Transportation Mus.  Would be great to see a couple of those thundering
across the plains!  I guess we must remember that the commomplace of today is
always of interest tomorrow, or down the line.

At Elkhart Indiana (the NYC Mus.) I also finally got to stand at the controlsE
of a GG 1.  Granted it was dirty, beat up, and small but impressive all the
same.  Consider those RR fans who in the year 2030 will consider the common
F-40 a bit of history.  Dennis Strasser, Western Michigan Univ. Kalamazooooo
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: ryanm@milton.u.washington.edu (Ryan Mcneilly)
Subject: Addresses (was: D&RG Durango Yard Drawings...)
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 03:00:06 GMT

So far I have some great leeds as to where I can find drawings of the
yard plans of Durango.  However these are libraries and I was given
no addresses with them.  Could anybody that knows the address of the
Denver Public Library and the Colorado Historical Society please 
send them to me?  Thanks for all the replies from those of you on
the net!  I appreciate your help.

--Ryan


==========================================================================
  Ryan McNeilly 

  Internet: ryanm@u.washington.edu
==========================================================================
From: btarbox@sw.stratus.com (Brian Tarbox)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Re. Top Ten Shrines ...Western Railroading
Date: 26 Aug 92 14:50:14 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc.

Jim Burrill writes:

>I might add I believe the area around Portola and the Feather River Canyon
>may be the best kept secret in California. 

I just got back from a trip to Portola and teh Feather River Rail Society
and have to agree.  This place is incredible!

First, they have dozens of engines, tons of cars, several crains, lots of
cabboses...all of which you are encouraged to climb on, climb in, poke around
and generally check out.  This 'hands-on' approach was exactly what I've
been looking for.

The best part however, is that you can rent locomotives to drive.
For $75/hour you can drive an Alco S-1, WP EMD F7 or a variety of other
engines (roster varies).

You drive the engine on a relatively short track but its really an experience.
They also have a gift shop, engine shop and various other rr attractions.

Their phone is 916-832-4532.

I have no affiliation with FRRS except for having enjoyed them.
From: larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Paul Larsen)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: questions about the history of the Great Western
Date: 31 Aug 92 23:53:27 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Purdue University

I have a few questions about the Great Western Railroad (the part in 
Colorado).  

1. How long has this been in existence?  Obviously it is an offshoot of the
BN but did it acquire its lines through the disposition of BN lines after
the BN merger in the early '70's?

2. Is their paint scheme similar to BN's for any particular reason (i.e. is
it partially controlled by BN)?

3. Why is there a rabbit on the short hood?  Is this something like the state
bird of Colorado? :)             

4. What happened to all of the sugar beet cars they used to have and why did
the sugar beet business crash so bad?

5. Finally, how did they get a hold of the rights to serve the Coors brewery
in Golden?  I can't imagine that BN would give up the rights to a company
that ships about 90% of its product by rail!

6. Oh, yeah.  One last question.  Anyone know the motive power roster of the 
GW?

Thanks,
Paul Larsen
larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: M00209@MBVM.Mitre.Org
Subject: Re: I need historical info.
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford MA 01730
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 22:45:12 GMT

In article <10040@jthome.uucp>
dtyler%jt_home.uucp@amber.athena.lkg.dec.com (David Tyler) writes:
 
>
>Hey everybody!, I need infomation on the Rio Grande and Westren. I seem to
>only be getting part of the story all the time. How big was the Railroad at
>it's height of operations and was it always 3-foot gauge or standard gauge.
 
The correct name of the railroad is (was - it's now absorbed into the Southern
Pacific) "Denver and Rio Grande Western".  It was the result of the merger of
the "Denver and Rio Grande", the "Rio Grande Western", and the "Denver and Salt
Lake" - all accomplished circa 1940.  It had both standard and 3-foot gauge
portions.  The original Denver and Rio Grande was all 3-foot gauge, but most of
the system was converted over the years to standard gauge, and many lines were
abandoned also.  All that remained narrow into the 1960s were the lines from
Alamosa CO west through Chama NM to Durango CA, and from Durango to Silverton
CO and Farmington NM.
 
>I also have reason to belive that there was trackage between the D&S RR
>(former Rio grande) and CATS. (Crumbres and Tolec Seanic (sp?) Railroad.
>
>
The surviving narrow gauge lines are the "Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge
Railroad", between the towns of Durango and Silverton, and the "Cumbres and
Toltec Scenic Railroad" between Antonito CO and Chama NM.  As mentioned above,
both were part of a through line between Alamosa and Durango, Silverton and
Farmington.  Trackage between Durango and Farmington and between Chama and
Durango was abandoned circa 1965.  The "extra" rail on what had been three-rail
trackage (standard and 3-foot) between Alamosa and Antonito was removed at
about the same time.
 
 
Len Bachelder        Archives Committee, Boston and Maine RR Historical Society
MITRE Corp.           Secretary, Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts
Bedford MA 01730      Member, 470 Railroad Club
<M00209@mbvm.mitre.org>
 
"Amazing love, how can it be that Thou, my God, should'st die for me!"
                                                 - Charles Wesley
From: ggg9y@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Garth G. Groff)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: CSX in Atlanta
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:24:40 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Virginia



CSX QUESTION

MIKE:

You're probably going to get a lot of traffic on this one, but
I'll take the first shot.  CSX corporation was formed by the
merger of the Chessie System (C&O, B&O) with the Family Lines
(Seaboard Coast Line--ex-Seaboard and Atlantic Coast Line--
plus the Louisville & Nashville, plus a lot of smaller lines
this system controlled).  It is not uncommon to still see odd
mixes of their diesels since many older units are running out
their last miles in pre-merger paint schemes.  Get your pictures
while you can.

If you would like to learn more about these lines, may I 
suggest you contact the various historical societies and ask
for membership information and a sample of their magazine.
I am a satisfied member of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical
Society, P.O. Box 79, Clifton Forge, VA  24422.  Our society
puts out a very nice monthly slick paper magazine with current
news, motive power and car features, historical articles and
model railroad articles.  Current membership is $17 per year.
The society also maintains an extensive archive, sponsors
fan trips, conventions, and has a number of preserved cars.

There are also societies for the L&N, the SAL/ACL and other
parts of this system.  I don't have their addresses handy, 
but they are frequently printed in RAIL MODEL JOURNAL, 
PROTOTYPE MODELER and some of the other model magazines.
There is no overall society that I know of for the CSX, but
most fans tend to focus on geographic areas formerly served
by the line's various pieces, and most societies keep up 
with system news as it affects those areas.

Disclaimer:  I am not an officer, nor official spokesperson,
for the C&OHS, just an enthusiastic member.
~S
--
Garth (Haridas) Groff
"Not yet famous author"
ggg9y@poe.acc.virginia.EDU         Chant "Govinda Bohlo Hare"
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: pierson@empror.enet.dec.com (dave pierson)
Subject: Re: Signal/communication technology
Keywords: signaling, communications
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Distribution: na
Date: 28 AUG 92 12:05:51    

>In article <16i5uvINNdrc@darkstar.UCSC.EDU> haynes@cats.ucsc.edu (Jim Haynes)
>writes, in part:
>>So what are they
>>using for signal communication these days?  Buried wire? Buried fiber?
	All of the above.  Depends on the road.  The CONRAIL (ex Boston &
	Albany line) to Boston has a multi fiber installation, of which some
	(fibers? bandwidth on one fiber?) are reserved for RR use.  Buried
	cable gets used, too.

>>I also noticed some trackside equipment cabinets had poles with little
>>Yagi antennas on the top, looked like maybe 1GHz frequency.  Is this
>>using radio for signal communication?  Or cellular phone? Or something
>>else?
	Reportedly, Conrail is equipping some locos with cell-phones.
	Raises some interersting wrong number possibilities.  (The implication
	was that these would be cell-phone cell-phones.  Clearly, it is possible
	to have a PBX type arrangment with cell-phone (type) equipment.

thanks
dave pierson			|the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
Digital Equipment Corporation	|the opinions, my own.
146 Main St			|I am the NRA.
Maynard, Mass	
01754				pierson@majsty.enet.dec.com
"He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J Raffles
From: mcghee@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Glenn McGhee)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Pacific Shore Limited
Date: 1 Sep 92 16:08:09 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA

GOLDEN GATE RAILROAD MUSEUM                  EDITORIAL CONTACT:
PROJECT 2472, INC.                           Douglass, Rosewater & Brown
P.O. BOX 3315                                Ray Brown or Grace Sun
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94064 TEL:          (408)-943-0515
PH # 415-363-2472  FAX# 415-363-0682         FAX: (408)-943-1904


NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


  Restored Locomotive ex-S.P. #2472 to pull the


     Pacific Shore Limited(TM) Steam Excursion

Redwood City, CA, August 7,1992) The Golden Gate Railroad Museum,
formerly Project 2472, announced today plans for a unique historic
California steam excursion trip from San Jose to Los Angeles. This
will be the first long distance journey for the recently restored
P8 Pacific class (4-6-2) locomotive. The Pacific Shore Limited(TM)
will depart in the morning on Saturday, September 12,1992, make an
overnight stop in San Luis Obispo, and arrive in Los Angeles in
the afternoon on Sunday, September 13th. This is strictly a one-way
excursion trip; it is part of planned move of #2472 and passenger
equipment to Los Angeles for a private excursion scheduled later in
September.

Tickets may be purchased for the entire two-day trip, or for either
one-day segment of the journey. Connecting transportation and
accommodations are not included. The museum has made arrangements
with some hotels in San Luis Obispo for discounts associated with
this trip. The museum has also contracted with specific tour groups
to handle connecting transportation and accommodations as a full
excursion package. Ticket prices start at $280 per person for Coach
Class (SJ to LA), or $150 per person Coach Class for either segment
(SJ to SLO, or SLO to LA).  Excursion packages include Deluxe and
Premier class seating. All tickets are non-refundable.

For ticket Information and reservations, call 1-800-949-2472.


               -END-
----
 Glenn McGhee  Hewlett-Packard Company                     _____
 Bldg. 53U/87  5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.         __  .  .    |DD|____T_
 408-553-2517  Santa Clara, CA 95052-8059      / _` |\/|C   |_ |_____|<
 HP0200/UX     glenn_mcghee@dtc.hp.com         \__| |  |-     @-@-@-oo\
From: jordan@IMSI.COM (Jordan Hayes)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: more on Amtrak's purchase of NY GPO
Date: 30 Aug 92 13:41:54 GMT
Organization: Investment Management Services Inc., NYC

Rich Rubel <Rich.Rubel@bbs.oit.unc.edu> writes:

	The proposed 42nd street Light Rail (!) ...

Hasn't this been scrubbed along with the rest of the Times Square/42nd
Street expansion plans?

/jordan
From: Steve_Hooper@mindlink.bc.ca (Steve Hooper)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Signal type (was: Re: Semaphore Signals)
Date: 29 Aug 92 07:52:37 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world


Regarding the permanent approach signals to an interlocking:

We have one here that is basically exactly what you described...a "dark" line
that has a foreign railway crossing and is equipped with a permanent approach
signal.  To me, this is an "extra" warning that we may be approaching a red
board on the actual crossing, because the UCOR and CROR state that all trains
must approach an interlocking (that is not inter-connected with a signal
system) prepared to stop anyway.

                - Steve

--

 steve_hooper@mindlink.bc.ca   []  Conductor on the High Iron of
 OR      a777@mindlink.bc.ca   []     CP Rail - Cascade Sub
 The Great White North in      []
 Vancouver, BC CANADA          []   Opinions are mine, NOT CP's
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: leveret@warren.demon.co.uk (Nick Leverton)
Distribution: world
Subject: Re: Queries about some obscure Brit-Rail stuff
X-Mailer: cppnews $Revision: 1.14 $
Organization: Indexed; Access: Random.
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 02:37:18 +0000

In article <2447@tymix.Tymnet.COM> burke@doright.Tymnet.COM (John Burke) writes:

[questions about Tube Trains on the Isle of Wight]

Until last year, the short remaining line on the Isle of Wight was
worked by ex-London Transport tube stock dating from between 1923 and
1935. This was of a design which has long been obsolete on LT itself,
with the electrical equipment mounted above the car frames, rather than
underfloor as in more modern stock. These trains were purchased by BR in
the middle 1960's as an alternative to building special diesel railcars
to fit into the Island's restricted loading gauge, which would have been
highly uneconomical.

These trains have now been replaced by *slightly* more recent stock.
Following the final withdrawal (except for one preserved unit) of the
1938 tube stock, the best remaining units were purchased to replace the
1923 stock before it finally fell to pieces. These 1938 units,
resplendent in Ryde Rail livery (which bears a startling resemblence to
Network SouthEast blue/white/red), now work the line exclusively.

Best way to reach the Island from London is to take a Portsmouth express
train from London Victoria and use the Portsmouth/Ryde ferry.


Nick Leverton
-- 
leveret@warren.demon.co.uk  |  Lies, damned lies and Department of
                               Transport statements.
From: 737ochs@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: rail grinder in ames
Date: 2 Sep 92 23:00:22 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

In article <wh20.715475773@vincent1.iastate.edu>, wh20@iastate.edu (Gregory D Westwater) writes:
> I was driving down Lincoln Way and saw an unusual piece of equipment on the CNW mainline.  I took a side road to look at it and identified it as a rail grinder.  The grinder is parking overnight on a siding just west of Grand Ave.  I talked shortly with

Which company was this? Speno, Loram or Pan(something) Jackson (I can't seem
to recall the name off the top of my head)
I've seen the Loram units working before, and it is GREAT!!!! They had
a caboose(bay window) 3 or 4 tank cars for water, and 2 grinding units, that
when looked at from the side, remind me vaguely of a shay, because of the
shape. There's dark smoke, sparks flying everywhere, a great site. They
photograph good too.

Fred Ochs
(different account, same person ;^)

Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: jadams@vixen.uucp (26070-adams)
Subject: Re: Cranbury, NJ branch of NEC
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 17:35:21 GMT
Summary: Monmouth Junction, Camdem & Amboy

In article <1992Aug30.233206.1876@Princeton.EDU>, jsm@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (John Scott McCauley Jr.) writes:
> There seems to be a single-track branch of the NEC heading SE from
> New Brunswick NJ to Cranbury Station. It still has catenary, so I'd
> guess it was used recently for passenger service.
> 
> Anyone have further details? If it wasn't used for passenger sevice,
> why does it still have catenary? Most of the other lines around here 
> with catenary support passenger traffic. 

That point on the NEC is known as Monmouth Junction with the single track
branch known as the Jameburg branch of CONRAIL which joins up with
CONRAIL's line (originally the Camden and Amboy Railroad, one of the first
in the nation!) at a junction in Jamesburg.  By the way, that portion of
CONRAIL still has its catenary intact, and according to a friend of mine
(CONRAIL engineer), still had juice on it as of a couple of years ago.

The Camden and Amboy heads north to South Amboy and south to Camden from
the junction in Jamesburg (Pretty clever huh?).  Another CONRAIL single
track line leaves the Jamesburg junction and continues East to
Farmingdale, NJ via Englishtown and Freehold.

Why does it still have catenary?  I don't know.  However, about twenty
eight years ago, when a tug with its tow creamed the drawbridge over the
Raritan River, all PENN CENTRAL (North Jersey Coast commuter trains) were
diverted via Monmouth Junction through Jamesburg and back to South Amboy
where they picked up their normal routing.  Could it be that this is the
sole purpose of keeping this high wire alive?  The double tracks on the
old Camden and Amboy are a thing of the past.  Why keep the juice up
there?

Jack (John) Adams		| Bellcore RRC 4B-259
(908) 699-3447 {Voice}		| (908) 336-2871 {Facsimile}
jadams@vixen.bellcore.com	| kahuna@attmail.com
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: CZ94000 <CZ94@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject: Re: Most spectacular passenger routes
Organization: McGill University
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 14:40:08 GMT

In article <Bty5Jq.Ez2@cs.vu.nl> peter@cs.vu.nl (Grunwald PD) writes:
>
>To me, by far the most spectacular ride was the train on the (Italian) island
>of Sardinia from Arbatax to Cagliari (in fact,the fun bit is from Arbatax to
>Mandas: great, I mean great mountains...and what a ride!)
>
>If you're ever out there, don't miss it!
>
If you're in that part of the world, another ride well worth taking
is the Corsican train from Ajaccio to Bastia, 158 km of (I think)
metre-gauge line, traversed in about 4 hours (with occasional
delays while the engineer honks his two-tone horn at a cow on the
track).  There's also a 73 km branch from Ponte-Leccia to Calvi.

I haven't been to Sardinia, so I can't say how the Corsican and
Sardinian lines compare.

I've heard that Corsica is overrun with tourists in summer, but in
late May, the weather was perfect and it wasn't crowded at all.

Tom Box
CZ94@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA