HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: brendan@otc.otca.oz (Brendan Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad,aus.rail
Subject: Re: CityRail (Sydney)
Date: 3 Jan 93 23:40:41 GMT

in article <1992Dec28.004833.13533@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au>, brom@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au (David Bromage) says:
> : I wrote:
> : The CityRail network extends as far as Cowan in the north, Emu Plains
> : in the west, Waterfall in the south, Bondi Junction in the east, RIchmond
> : in the northwest and (I'm not sure) Campbelltown in the southwest.
> Point of order! CityRail is bounded by Dungog, Muswellbrook (sp?), Lithgow,
> Moss Vale, Bomaderry (Nowra) and Port Kembla.

Yes, I've been taken to task for this by others.  I meant to suggest this was
the limit of the Sydney metropolitan area rail network (which is *not*
CityRail), ie the limits of the suburban EMU runs.

I'm probably wrong on that score too :-)

-- 
Brendan Jones  | ACSnet:  brendan@otc.otca.oz.au               | This space
R&D Contractor |   UUCP:  {uunet,mcvax}!otc.otca.oz.au!brendan | for lease
Network Access |  Phone:  (02)287-3128    Fax:  (02)287-3299   | pending new
|||| OTC ||    |  Snail:  GPO Box 7000 Sydney 2001, AUSTRALIA  | .sig
From: jim@specialix.com (Jim Maurer)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: High Speed Rail Questions
Date: 30 Dec 92 02:45:03 GMT
Organization: Specialix Inc.

crh@wam.umd.edu (Craig Hinners) writes:

>b) What exactly is "welded rail"?  I assume this means they actually
>   melt the two ends of the rail together so that if you went up to
>   the rail, you wouldn't be able to tell where the joints were.
>   Correct?  Also, it seems to me that the heating process of welding
>   the rails together would produce some warping in the rails, which,
>   although minute, could cause buggers at very high speeds?  Can some-
>   one describe the actual process of fusing two lengths of rail and the
>   machinery involved?

Yes, they actually weld the rails together.  In the field I believe
they do thermite welds.  (At least they used to.  I've seen pictures
of this.)  Nowadays they weld it at rail welding plants into long
strings that are transported on special cars.  It looks real strange
to see a welded rail train going around a curve.  Just shows how
flexible rail really is.  After making a weld the weld is ground down
so it's flush.
From: nickn@eskimo.com (Nick Nussbaum)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: European Air Deregulation
Date: 1 Jan 93 23:35:12 GMT
Organization: >>> Eskimo North (206)-FOR-EVER <<<


The Economist is rather dubious about the European Air DeRegulation
leading to the same results as the U.S. At least 10 of the major
carriers are part or totally state owned and are likely to be 
protected for national reasons.
The lower prices could be a disproof of course.
From: exudeb@exu.ericsson.se (Dave Breeding, xt-dGR,)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: High Speed Rail Questions
Date: 30 Dec 92 15:16:14 GMT
Reply-To: exudeb@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Richardson TX
X-Disclaimer: This article was posted by a user at Ericsson.
              Any opinions expressed are strictly those of the
              user and not necessarily those of Ericsson.

In article 19001@wam.umd.edu, crh@wam.umd.edu (Craig Hinners) writes:
>Hi everybody.  I'm in the process of reading my recent Christmas gift,
>"Supertrains" by Vranich.  Two questions have come to mind in the 
>meantime:
>
>a) Can anyone update me/us on the status of the Texas TGV/HSR project?
>   Has ground actually been broken yet, or is everything still in the
>   planning stages?
>   Also, it wasn't clear what kind of trainsets they are going to be
>   using ... From what I can gather, they'll be using TGV Atlantique-
>   type trains, although there was some mention of the German-made ICE's.
>

Hi Craig:

I haven't been following this closely, but as far as I know from living
in Dallas and reading the newspapers:

a) The French TGV system was selected over the German system.

b) The plans are stalled now waiting for the necessary private money to
allow construction to begin.

c) As an aside, Southwest Airlines, which flies between the major
cities that would be served, has been fighting the idea with everything
they can think of.  It makes you think that they must believe it will
be tough competition for them.  ;-)

/Dave
From: delbert.big@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us (Delbert Big) 
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Locomotive operation/
Date: 27 Dec 92 09:19:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: HAL 9000, W-NET HQ, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Reply-To: delbert.big@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us (Delbert Big) 

JS>Someone was looking for books on maintenance of steam locomotives.

I think the Monticello Railroad Museum in Moticello, IL made a video 
and/or a printed document on the subject,
---
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Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: pierson@empror.enet.dec.com (dave pierson)
Subject: Re: New York <-> Washington DC: air shuttle was better
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 21 DEC 92 14:42:21    

>Subj:	Can ... forward to rec.railroad
	You betcha...

>RE: Recent thread on why no transportation [rental vehicles] at AMTRAK 
>stations.

>When I was at South Bend Indiana 2 weeks ago, a "nice" taxi driver took the 3 
>of us and 6 bags that we loaded into the taxi to the Michiana Airport, flat 
>rate $10.00. I rented an AVIS car and went about my business. On the return I 
>asked if they would take me to AMTRAK (No, we don't have a bus). Would they 
>reimburse for ground trans? "Yes, if you have a receipt for to trip to AVIS, 
>we will deduct that from your bill. No, we will not pay on the return to 
>AMTRAK."

>All other transportation, bus electric rail and planes go from  Michiana 
>Airport. 

>FWIW-There is a rumor that the AMTRAK agent has been approached to move the 
>station back downtown. Major issue is stopping on the CONRAIL main at the 
>station.

>Howard Pierpont
>Digital Equipment Corporation
>77 Reed Road				P.O. Box 937
>Hudson MA 01749-2895			Dayville, CT 06241-0937 

>I ride the rails, but I work for Digital Equipment Corp, who takes no credit 
>for any of my actions or opinions.

	Done...

	(Two years back, to St Louis by AMTRAK, a lift from a friend to the
	motel (near airport) walk to airport, rent car, drive around all week
	reverse same to go home, except taxi ride downtown.  (Driver had run
	someone out to the motel, who had then stiffed him for the fare.) 

thanks
dave pierson			|the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
Digital Equipment Corporation	|the opinions, my own.
40 Old Bolton Rd		|I am the NRA.
Stow, Mass, USA	
01775				pierson@msd27.enet.dec.com
"He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J Raffles
From: js@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jon Sawyer)
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 20:06:21 GMT
Subject: Re: Locomotive operation/maintenance manuals?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO
Newsgroups: rec.railroad

Someone was looking for books on maintenance of steam locomotives.

I noticed while looking through the Colorado Railroad Museum catalog
(making out my Dear Santa letter :)  that they have a book for sale on
this topic.  Sorry I can't be more specific; I'll try to remember to
bring the catalog in with me soon and post the details.

Or perhaps some other person, better organized than I, can post the
800 number for the CO RR Museum.  As implied above, they are more than
a museum, and sell a range of railroad books, calendars, memorabilia,
etc.
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: M00209@MBVM.Mitre.Org
Subject: Re: Unusual tunnels?
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford MA 01730
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 13:59:47 GMT

In article <1992Dec22.222343.5650@mailhost.ocs.mq.edu.au>
eoliver@laurel.ocs.mq.edu.au (Eddie Oliver) writes:
 
>
>There are two spirals in New South Wales. One, at Border Loop going into
>Queensland, is a "standard" spiral, albeit with an extra tunnel which is
>not required as part of the tracks-crossing-over-themselves function. The
>other at Bethungra (near Junee) is more unusual, because the spiral is on
>only one of two tracks in a double-track route. The downhill track is
>direct, but the uphill track passes over and under not only itself
>but the downhill track as well. At one point, there are three "layers"
>visible along the side of the hill: the uppermost part of the uphill track,
>then the downhill track in the middle, then the lower part of the uphill
>track.
>
>Eddie Oliver
 
That sounds like railfan's heaven!
 
I've been waiting and waiting for someone to mention this one, but nobody has
so here goes.  Unless I am misinterpreting what you are referring to as spirals
there used to be one on the Bonavista Branch (3'6" gauge) in Newfoundland.  It
was called "Princeton Loop".
 
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
 
        *
        *
    *   *   *
      * * *
* * * * * * * * *     "JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!"
      * * *
    *   *   *
        *
        *
 
 
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: gregb@hpsad.sad.hp.com (Greg Brahms)
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 19:18:29 GMT
Subject: Re: Torpedos  (was: Incident on Boston (MBTA) Commuter Rail)
Organization: HP Signal Analysis Division - Rohnert Park, CA
Newsgroups: rec.railroad


Hello,

A torpedo is a signalling device used as a stop indication for trains.  It
is about two inches square and about 0.5 inches thick and has metal straps
on two sides.  The straps are used to keep the device on top of the rail.
The torpedo contains a pressure-detonated explosive which, when run over
by a train wheel, will make a noise similar to that of a cherry bomb.

Torpedoes have been known to cause a number of injuries.  When I worked on
the Western Pacific in the early seventies, I knew a brakeman who lost part
of his hand merely by picking one up from the step of a caboose.  They have
been known to punch holes in motorcar wheels and even derail a motorcar.
I used to carry them in my motorcar but no more!  I do my signalling with
flags, fusees and radios.

Cheers,   
Greg WB6UHH
From: gregg@pinot.zehntel.com (Gregg Fuhriman)
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Track loops in the USA (was:Unusual tunnels)
Keywords: spirals
Date: 24 Dec 92 19:49:29 GMT
Reply-To: gregg@pinot.UUCP (Gregg Fuhriman)
Distribution: na
Organization: Zehntel, Inc. Walnut Creek, CA

In article <H757VB5w165w@1776.COM> bob@1776.COM (Robert Coe) writes:
>jbvb@vax.ftp.com  (James B. VanBokkelen) writes:
>> In the USA, I know of three spirals in service: Tehachapi Loop, east of
>> Bakersfield CA on track shared by the SP & ATSF, Hiwassee Loop on CSX
>> (former L&N) between Copper Hill and Etowah TN, and the Georgetown Loop
>> tourist operation on the former Colorado Central narrow gauge.

There is also one on the UP line (ex-WP) through the Feather River Canyon
in California; it is called Williams Loop.

>
>Isn't there also a spiral on the Roaring Camp, Big Trees, & Pacific (or the
>other RR with a similar name that operates in the same area)?

It WAS on the narrow guage tourist line.
At one time they had something called a "spiral tressle", but it burned
many years ago, and was replaced by a couple of switchbacks.  The remains
of the tressle still stand, but are no longer used.
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: wes@uf.msc.edu (Wes Barris)
Subject: AT&SF 2-10-4 Steam engines
Reply-To: wes@msc.edu
Organization: AHPCRC, Minnesota Supercomputer Center
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 16:08:47 GMT

AT&SF had a number of 2-10-4s.  A book of mine says that these engines
were numbered from 5001 on up and split into a couple of classes as
follows:

5001 - 5010:	Class 5001
5011 - 50??:	Class 5011

One of these engines is located at Santa Fe Park in Amarillo, TX.  However,
my information shows this engine as #5000.  Is this the correct number for
this engine?  Was this engine renumbered?

-- 
                                       o O O O O o o o o o o o o . . . . . . .
 __________    ___           ___      __                _
/_______|--`--|_ _|--=-==---|_ _|--,_|__|_             |-+-------`____________,
| ||_| /        -  |        / - \  |      || ________  |                      |
|_|___/------------|----__---------|------|||__|__|__| |Southern Pacific Lines|
|_|____________/-------{__}---------------{__}_______|=|_________     ________|
/_(o)=(o) ( )( )( )( ) [__]  ( )( )( )( ) [__]--(o)     (o)(o)(o)-----(o)(o)(o)
===============================================================================
Wes Barris                                                   PH: (612) 626-8090
Minnesota Supercomputer Center, Inc.                         Email: wes@msc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: dewi@bnr.ca (Dewi Williams)
Subject: Re: Torpedos  (was: Incident on Boston (MBTA) Commuter Rail)
Originator: dewi@bcrks78
Reply-To: dewi@bnr.ca (Dewi Williams)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ltd
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 16:11:22 GMT


In article <38120@cbmvax.commodore.com>, grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins) writes:
> In article <tgttgv.725013815@tb3.chem.tue.nl> tgttgv@chem.tue.nl writes:
> > emery@dr_no.mitre.org (David Emery) writes:
> > 
> > >Could the loud "pop" be a torpedo?
> > >				dave
> > 
> > 
> > Could someone please expain to me what a 'torpedo' is ?
> > 
(para deleted)
> 
> The name "torpedo" probably dates back to the civil war era terminology
> confusion between naval mines and torpedos.
> 
> -- 
> George Robbins - now working for,     work:   to be avoided at all costs...
 
I think they were (are) called "detonators" in British terminology.
Somebody took out a patent at one time for a detonator-saver.
The idea was that the detonators were deployed in pairs, so that even if
one failed, the other would be heard: the "saver" was supposed to use the
explosion of the first detonator to push the second one out of the path of 
the wheels, thus reducing the number of detonators actually used.

... Dewi
Newsgroups: rec.railroad,aus.rail
From: matthew@cs.su.oz (Matthew Geier)
Subject: Re: CityRail (Sydney)
Reply-To: matthew@cluster.cs.su.oz.au (Matthew Geier)
Organization: Basser Dept of Computer Science, University of Sydney, Australia
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 02:05:22 GMT

In article <7026@otc.otca.oz> brendan@otc.otca.oz (Brendan Jones) writes:
>Yes, I've been taken to task for this by others.  I meant to suggest this was
>the limit of the Sydney metropolitan area rail network (which is *not*
>CityRail), ie the limits of the suburban EMU runs.
>
>I'm probably wrong on that score too :-)

 Well yes .. Suburban EMU's are seen as far south as Port Kembla, and at
least as far north as Gosford.
 The platforms were cut back on the mountains line, so soon Suburban EMU's
will be able to run as far a Katomba.

 These 'long' runs will probably be taken over by the 'super tangara' when
they are delivered. The last 10-15 or so sets have been altered to have
toilets, as people on the longer runs on Suburban EMU's complained that this
was the biggest problem with the use of the Suburban cars..
 Adding toilets to the Tangara will probably alter the weight distribution
and these models will break( ie fall apart ..) ) faster than the current
version...

Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: cal@ee.ryerson.ca (Calvin Henry-Cotnam)
Subject: Re: Deaths on Railroad Property: common sense or am I an Idiot?
Organization: Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Toronto
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 19:34:19 GMT

rrw@sunset.cse.nau.edu (Bob Wier) writes:
>cal@ee.ryerson.ca (Calvin Henry-Cotnam) writes:
>> 
>> On several occasions
>> I have gone train watching with someone from outside the hobby.  Afterwards,
>> they tend to have a real understanding for the dangers that surround
>> trains, such as not being able to guess the speed the way we can with
>> cars.
>
>  The problem is how do you educate them [the general public]
>  short of an experience like this?
>

With reference to my original note about taking non-railfans train watching,
this may be a good way to help spread the word about rail safety in a way
that is easily understood and non-lecturing.

Besides which, it helps the hobby grow.  :=)


Calvin Henry-Cotnam, CATE          | "...My brain IBM"
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute    | "So if you see me, acting stangely..."
Toronto, Ontario, Canada           |                  STYX, Mr. Roboto
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: FBCB@iunsys.iun.indiana.edu
Subject: Sightings last weekend
Date: 24 Dec 92 20:14:19 CST
X-Received: by usenet.pa.dec.com; id AA25533; Thu, 24 Dec 92 18:13:31 -0800
X-Received: by inet-gw-2.pa.dec.com; id AA11473; Thu, 24 Dec 92 18:13:29 -0800
X-Received: (from user FBCB) by IUNSYS.iun.indiana.edu; 24 Dec 92 20:14:19 CST
X-To: rec.railroad.usenet

A couple friends of mine visited Conrail's dispatching center in
Dearborn, MI last week. At my request, they asked the dispatcher
in charge of the line from Porter, IN to Chicago to call down
the motive power units along with the train into his dispatching
territory, to which he obliged. Here, then, is a list of a few trains
along with their power consists.

ENS502  (CR6323, CR3378, CR5001, CSXT8352, CR5003)
ELNP9   (CNW6860,CNW6802)
SFEL0   (CR6747, CR6044, CR6021, ATSF3442, ATSF3614)

ELBN0B  (BN7040, BN4082, BN6032, BN4099, BN8082)
ELSF0   (ATSF806, ATSF835, ATSF813, ATSF831, ATSF2214, ATSF2772, ATSF3417)
UBH199  (CSXT8247, UP9015): Traded NS units at Elkhart
ELSO0   (CR3378, CR5001, CSXT8352, SP8008)
ELNP0   (CNW6860,CNW6802)

AMT284 (AMT284): Return trip of Bears fans from the Bears-Lions game
                  in Pontiac, MI by special arrangement. No private
                  cars.

CSX R32622 (CSXT2127, CSXT4234(CS), NS2681)
   NS2681: Numbers were only located on the front board. Design was
           ex-Southern, but I cannot trace its origin. Paper taped
           to engine window indicated NS marks. The equipment was
           confirmed by the CSX computer and somehow ended up in
           Lansing, MI.

Dave Chary
 (fbcb@iunsys.iun.indiana.edu)

Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: Steve_Hooper@mindlink.bc.ca (Steve Hooper)
Subject: Auto Gates
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 02:47:21 GMT


> khartman@fnala.fnal.gov writes:
>
>         I have been interested in the methods used to "lift the gates"
> while
> a train is close to a crossing, but not moving.  Setups that use the Diesel
> horn to activate the gates, or a slow moving train/timer.
>


I find this an interesting concept.  I have NEVER heard of such a thing....a
gate that operates off horn sounds.  Not to call anyone a liar, but can you
verify 100% that the whistle is what activates the gates?  I just find it
strange that a noise would work the gates.  What would happen if a semi
pulled up to the crossing and blew his horn?

Perhaps (again, I say perhaps, because maybe I am completely wrong here) you
are being fooled by a GCP.  A GCP is a Grade Crossing Predictor.  These are
fancy gates that instead of having the usual activation block in the rails,
actually detect MOVEMENT on the rails.  Thus, if you are going 10 miles per
hour, the gates will go down when you are X amount of feet away from the
crossing.  If you are doing 50, they will go down at Y feet from the
crossing.  If you are stopped, they go up.  As soon as you start moving
again, they go down.

Rule books state that two long on the whistle must be sounded before
movement, so perhaps you are being fooled by the hoghead whistling off, then
starting to move, and right at that second the gates go down (because the GCP
detects movement).

As I said, I could be 100% wrong here, but I can guarantee that in all the
areas of BC and Canada that I have worked, I have never encountered a
crossing acticvated by a whistle.


--

 steve_hooper@mindlink.bc.ca   []  The Great White North in
 OR      a777@mindlink.bc.ca   []   Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Conductor on the Cascade Sub.  []         CP Rail
                     Opinions are my OWN!
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
From: Joe.Russ <Joe.Russ@mixcom.mixcom.com>
Subject: NRM's Hood Jct. Depot fundraiser
Organization: Milwaukee Internet Xchange BBS, Milwaukee, WI U.S.A.
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 19:08:24 GMT


Being newsletter editor of the WISE Div., NMRA's Owl Car, I received
the following letter from the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay,
Wis. and am passing it along in hopes of giving the museum a broader
reach. I am not a member of this museum. JR
 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear editor:
 
The National Railroad Museum needs your assistance. A few weeks ago, a
Platform Bricks Campaign was launched to improve visitor access to the
Museum. By offering people the opportunity to purchase engraved
bricks, we will be able to pave Hood Junction Depot with bricks and
re-create the historical appearance of train passenger boarding areas.
 
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution, the Museum must
make necessary improvements but pay close attention to historical
accuracy in preservation efforts. This campaign provides the
opportunity to fulfill both objectives while increasing community
involvement in the Museum.
 
We need your assistance to help us promote this special campaign in
your newsletter. Please mention the campaign in your publication as a
gift idea or personal memento. Other ideas, especially the
railroader's memorial concept, are outlined in the enclosed
brochure/order form.
 
More information is also available for an article on depots and
methods used for paving loading platforms. Please let us know if you
need more information or additional order forms. Thank you for your
consideration.
 
Sincerely
 Terry C. Misfeldt
 Marketing Coordinator
 ----------------------------------------------------------
 
Various information from the order form:
 
Each 4" x 8" brick can be personalized to recognize your support. A
special sandblasting process engraves the surface with your message,
which is filled with epoxy for permanent protection. A section of the
platform is reserved for the personalized bricks and a plaque will
thank other donors who have made this project a reality.
 
Each order form submitted also entitles you to a one year membership
in the National Railroad Museum. This includes unlimited free
admission, a 10% discount on gift shop items, discounts for Museum
activities and a subscription to the Museum's quarterly newsletter,
"Rail Lines." Each brick comes with a Certificate of Ownership which
can be a memento of your gift or a personal keepsake.
 
Brick prices:
 One brick........$50         Four bricks.....$150
 Two bricks.......$90         Five bricks.....$175
 Three bricks.....$120        Six or More.....$30 each
 
For your order form and more information write to:
 The National Railroad Museum
 2285 S. Broadway
 Green Bay, WI 54304-4832
 (414)437-7623
-- 
Joe.Russ@mixcom.com
WISE Div., NMRA
From: btiffany@pbs.org
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: CSRM Inside Track news
Date: 22 Dec 92 08:11:34 EST
Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA

In article <pfnbms@Unify.Com>, raveling@Unify.com (Paul Raveling) writes:
> 
> 	News excerpted from the California State Railroad Museum's
> 	internal newsletter, the CSRM Inside Track, follows.
> 	[...]
> 	SP has declined to move our replacement tender for 2-6-0 No. 1771
> 	down from Dunsmuir...the air brakes were last serviced 16 years
> 	ago!  Hopefully, we can truck it down late this week.

Isn't the 1771 the engine displayed at Placerville?  I remember seeing an
engine there in 1970, and again in 1982 (in poorer shape than before), and
the number 1771 rings a bell.

-- Bruce Tiffany