After it was blown off its wheel chocks due to the strong winds on the 27.12.17, pushing it down the slope of Apron 4 through the fence and coming to rest in a building, the aircraft underwent several months of repairs to be serviceable again. Departing for good from Malta international Airport. Note the Front area with the replaced skin.

The doctor has given me twelve tablets a day and two inhalers

dear body, PLEASE GET BETTER SOON

I need to get you fit and serviceable for exams and Florence in summer

oh yeah, did I mention I'm going to florence in summer? ;p

if anyone has any recommendations for off-the-beaten-track spots, restaurants, days out, things to do etc, please let me know!

Hugs x

The failed experiment converting ALCo 600 class locos into booster units by MKA is captured during their very short life span as ALF22-BU1-ALF25 (and a couple of helpers 603-GM47) with a loaded grain train #22981 passes the grain silo complex at Murray Bridge on Jan 29, 1996. The disastrous conversion of the four serviceable 600 class locos into 4 useless blocks of concrete with traction motors is remembered in this photo!!

(96.007.12_ALF-BU-ALF_GrainVMwt)

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

New Haven 2011 and 2026 (blt. Sep. 1960 ans Sep. 1957 as NH 2038 and 2007 respectively) are leading the first of three trips back to the festivities in Hyannis from Bourne as they hustle past the osprey nest and over Bridge Creek through the tidal marsh at MP 70 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline.

Barnstable, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

With only 5 serviceable DRS class 20s remaining on the 30th December 2014 2 of them, 20305 and 20304, cross Eckington Bridge at 13.42 running 58 minutes early. I had been set up for the photo just 6 minutes! The working was 6M56, the 13.41 Berkeley to Crewe Coal Sidings.

A return working from earlier in the week with the exception of the 'Top and Tail' locos being 66/5s as opposed to 66/6s. Seen here departing Blackburn 66587 'As One We Can' [which I think is the first time this loco has ever worked along the East Lancs Line] and bringing up the rear is ex 'Heavy Haul' 66546. The ensemble in the consist being 90048 is this the last serviceable loco in the country in Grey Livery? and 90012 'Royal Anglican Regiment' and 90016.

Traditional mechanical signalling is still very much in evidence on the secondary Wolsztyn-Leszno line, and the Nowawies Mochy station area is no exception. With the extraordinarily long signal pull for the signalman, especially for the signal protecting the northern approach to this country station, hefty balance weights are necessary, the cabin situated just behind me in this scene. On 20th January 2020, Wolsztyn shed's solitray serviceable 2-6-2, Ol49-59, works away from its station stop, the 77544 11:48 Wolsztyn to Leszno passenger service.

© Gordon Edgar - All rights reserved. Please do not use my images without my explicit permission

A Plymouth and Lincoln passenger train (DBA Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad) is deadheading south as they pass over Jewett Brook a half mike north of the station in downtown Laconia where they will load their passengers. This is just north of MP 28 (measured from Concord) on the old Boston and Maine White Mountain mainline owned by the state of New Hampshire since 1975. Jewett Brook flows from Opechee Bay through the center of town draining into Lake Winisquam which drains into the Winnipesaukee River and will flow downstream under the Lochmere Bridge that is the destination of this rare mileage dinner train later this evening.

Per Jay Gadon:

The train was being brought down for a rare mileage passenger excursion from the historic Laconia Train Station to Silver Lake Road in Lochmere. Riders on this sold out train were treated to a delicious feast catered by Hart's Turkey Farm, and while the railroad hosts many Hart's turkey trains from Meredith to Lakeport, this special dinner train run from Laconia to Lochmere was about as rare as it gets. This ride coincided with the NH Pumpkin Fest in Downtown Laconia October 27th and 28th.

The four car train consisted of two demotored ex B&M Budd RDCs and two ex Lackawanna MU cars bracketed by SW1000 1012 on the south and GP7 302 on the north. The 1012 was blt. Dec. 1970 as Burlington Northern 438 and was acquired in 2014 thru LTEX and is a regular on all their summer passenger runs. 302 was blt. Aug. 1950 as Rock Island number 438 and came north in 1985 when the start up New England Southern acquired it from the bankrupt ROCK's estate. It hauled freight on all the remaining ex B&M lines north of Manchester as NEGS 302 until 1998 when it was sold to the Plymouth and Lincoln, who promptly chopped the nose and repainted it maroon and silver.

Again, per Jay the old geep usually sits around Meredith Yard as a spare engine and has seen very little use. But it was kept serviceable and returned to revenue service from October 14th thru the 28th for the first time since October 2018! This was my first time seeing her turn a wheel since the late 1990s when my Dad and I rode behind her still in green and yellow on the NEGS's short lived passenger operation operation out of Canterbury.

To learn more about the history of this line check out the detailed caption with this image taken last year: flic.kr/p/2oXC9oc

Laconia, New Hampshire

Friday October 27, 2023

From left to right, South Shields 204, Rotherham 37, Bournemouth 99, Nottingham 493 and Maidstone 72. All but Bournemouth 99 are serviceable. 99 requires some bodywork attention and a new resistance bank.

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

The railfan festival has wrapped up in Hyannis and this is the third train of the day headed back south to Hyannis as an empty deadhead move after dropping off visitors at the Bourne Station who had parked and ridden in from there. This is the view from the canal overlook off Sandwich Road above about MP 57.2 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline. Leading the train are the stars of the day, New Haven 2011 and 2026 (blt. Sep. 1960 and Sep. 1957 as NH 2038 and 2007 respectively).

First opened as a private enterprise in 1914 after five years of construction, the seven mile long Cape Cod Canal was originally a for profit tollway. In 1928, the government purchased the canal for $11.4 million as a free public waterway, and $21 million was spent between 1935 and 1940 increasing the canal's width to 480 feet as seen here and its depth to 32 feet. we

Bourne, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

Hobo Railroad S1 958 hauls train 106 south along the banks of the Pemigewasset River in Woodstock, NH on the former B&M Pemigewasset Valley Branch (later the White Mountain Branch.) The 958 is a veteran of Northern New England, having started life on the Maine Central before being acquired by the Maine Coast in the early 1990's and finally joining four other ALCo switchers on the Hobo in the early 2000's. It now serves as the normal power for the daily trains out of Lincoln and is one of only two ALCo's still serviceable on the railroad.

Argyle Stairs.

Argyle Street, The Rocks takes its name from Gov. Macquarie who gave it the name in honour of his childhood home, County Argyle, Scotland.

In the early days of the colony The Rocks was an isolated community which was separated by a steep rocky outcrop of which buildings occupied which in turn meant that people were forced to travel to gain access to the other side of Sydney.

This was often undertaken by travelling around Dawes Point or the alternative route to access the eastern side was to negotiate a series of barely serviceable stairs.

It was not an ideal situation and it remained unaltered until 1911-12 when the Sydney Harbour Trust realigned Gloucester and Cumberland Streets and Argyle Cut was widened to 9 metres and the Argyle Stairs were constructed to replace the original wooden stairs that provided access to Bunker’s Hill.

Today the Argyle Stairs provide pedestrian access to Cahill Walk that runs above Circular Quay and beside Cahill Expressway and if you follow it you will find yourself on the walkway that takes you across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Rocks.

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

My current machine has started to leak and is not really worth fixing, so it's off to the recycler with it. A friend suggested this replacement.

This 'Bambino Plus' arrived today after a long Ebay search for the right machine at the right price. This one has come from an area with soft water so hasn't furred up inside like a London kettle: An important consideration when it comes to serviceability and longevity.

The Guardian calls this "the perfect espresso machine for beginners" although I tend to disagree. It is fairly simple to operate (although you need to read the guide book to find out how to switch it on and off - that's truly a first for me), but my Krupps machine in the 80s was way simpler. This machine scores big-style in the way it steams milk, with use of a microchip and a heat sensor. Put milk in the jug, insert the wand, place the jug on the drip tray, and push the button. Silky, smooth, and well-textured in less than a minute. My cappuccino in the picture is the evidence.

Will this become my all-time fave? No; it doesn't have the temperamental nature of my old Faema, or the obviousness of my Pavoni. But for now, it will do nicely.

Once a serviceable industry in a thriving railroad town, the iconic Owanka elevator is still standing today watching over the few trains that still pass under its shadow. A combination of a dried up Boxelder Creek, a bank robbery, a shooting, and a school scandal eventually brought the town to its demise. As it sits today, Owanka is just another ghost town found throughout rural America.

Today's trains are operated by the Rapid City, Pierre, and Eastern Railroad but were previously operated under Chicago and Northwestern and later Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern and Canadian Pacific ownership. The line has seen countless changes over the years but the classic EMD power sightings on the west end is one thing that has not changed over the past several years.

For my video; youtu.be/q9cvAtCwKOc?si=AEWq0YtCkzQ48rUQ,

Meadowbrook, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada,

Downtown Port Coquitlam, Car Show, 2024.

The fixed-roof MGB GT was introduced in October 1965. Production continued until 1980, although export to the US ceased in 1974. The MGB GT sported a greenhouse designed by Pininfarina and launched the sporty "hatchback" style. By combining the sloping rear window with the rear deck lid, the B GT offered the utility of a station wagon while retaining the style and shape of a coupe. This new configuration was a 2+2 design with a right-angled rear bench seat and far more luggage space than in the roadster. Relatively few components differed, although the MGB GT did receive different suspension springs and anti-roll bars and a different windscreen which was more easily and inexpensively serviceable. In 2019, Road & Track named the GT one of the "16 of Pininfarina's Most Beautiful Designs That Aren't Ferraris.

Although acceleration of the GT was slightly slower than that of the roadster, owing to its increased weight, top speed improved by 5 mph (8.0 km/h) to 105 mph (169 km/h) because of better aerodynamics.

The last two running U30C's on the LS&I roll around the corner at Eagle Mills Jct. with the 7 Tilden as fog blankets everything. The #3003 was stored serviceable this winter but it appears it is being used for parts to keep these two going.

GB Railfreight's 92020 rolls along Crewe UDL (Up & Down Loop) on 12/03/2019. The loco was running to Garston Car Terminal to make it's debut on the 6L48/6X41 circuit and work it's first revenue-earning train since 2001.

The start of revenue-earning work is the culmination of countless hours spent by engineers from Brush, GBRf and DB working to get the loco back into a serviceable state after nearly 18 years of storage.

All that work and investment seems to be paying off. It looks to have only suffered one blip on the Southbound 6L48 and a seemingly faultless return trip on the returning 6X41. It's working its 3rd train as I type and it appears to be behaving at the time of posting - long may that continue!

LSRM's ex-NP SD45 3617 rests in the morning sun at the former NP Rices Point yard. Next up - Monad logos, correct number boards and horn then eventually serviceable.

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

The railfan festival has wrapped up and this is the third train of the day headed back south to Hyannis as an empty deadhead move after dropping off visitors at the Bourne Station who had parked and ridden in from there. The train is hustling south past the West Barnstable station at MP 69.4 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline. Leading the train are the stars of the day, New Haven 2011 and 2026 (blt. Sep. 1960 and Sep. 1957 as NH 2038 and 2007 respectively).

The stucco clad and tile roofed station was built in 1911 and is identical to the surviving depot in Buzzards Bay and the long demolished Sagamore depot which were all built that same year. This station is owned by the town of Barnstable and leased to the Cape Cod Chapter of the NRHS which has been caretaker of the structure since 2001. A small museum is contained inside and excursion trains operated by Cape Cod Central do regularly serve the station, though the CapeFLYER between Boston and Hyannis flies right by.

Barnstable, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

Not one of the best photographs I have ever taken (shot into the light) and subject matter in the form of ex-works 37075 is no doubt what saved it from the waste paper bin forty five years ago. March MPD, 21st August 1976.

Locomotive History

37075 was built as D6775 by English Electric at the Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn works, Darlington and entered traffic in September 1962. Initially allocated to Thornaby it transferred to Dairycoates in May 1964, Thornaby in December 1967, March in February 1974, Healey Mills in May 1984, Tinsley in September 1984, Thornaby in March 1986, Stratford in January 1987, Thornaby in July 1989, Tinsley in July 1991, Thornaby in March 1994 from where it was stored serviceable in August 1994 and unserviceable in December 1994. Officially withdrawn in November 1999 it was sold for preservation and has spent time on the Great Central Railway, Great Central Railway (North), Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Churnet Valley Railway and arrived on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in May 2012.

Praktica LTL, Orwochrome UT18

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

New Haven 2011 and 2026 (blt. Sep. 1960 ans Sep. 1957 as NH 2038 and 2007 respectively) are seen on the south end of the excursion consist bringing up the rear as the second train of the day starts out of the yard headed to Bourne about 22 miles away with Mass Coastal 2012 leading on the north end. This view was taken from the high level platform at the very end of track at MP 79 (as measured from South Station in Boston) on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline.

Visible at left on public display for the first time is the star of the show, MBTA 1129 a GP40MC recently rebuilt by contractors at the MBTA's shop in Wareham and dressed in this 'heritage' scheme designed to mimic the 'cranberry' image that was applied to some of the FP10s in the mid 1980s. At right is MBTA 1117, a sister GP40MC also recently rebuilt at Wareham but dressed in a fresh purple and silver version of the scheme she was originally delivered in after being rebuilt in 1997 by AMF in Montreal from CN GP40-2W number 9500.

Village of Hyannis

Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

Conway Scenic Railroad's ex Canadian National FP9s (6516 & 6505) built in 1957 and 1954 respectively passed from CN to VIA Rail in 1978 before being picked up by the Conway Scenic in 1995 when they expanded into Crawford Notch. 6516 & 6505 would become PAR 2 & 1 when traded to Pan Am Railways in March 2010 for GP38 252 and GP35 216.

Here they are posing for fans during their last Railfans Weekend at Redstone, the then current end of serviceable track on the eastern end of the old Maine Central Mountain sub in the Granite State.

Conway, New Hampshire

Saturday September 19, 2009

In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the founding of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, a series of excursions were conducted on various Reading lines. With no serviceable Reading steam locomotives available for the celebration, Canadian Pacific 4-6-0 972 was tapped for the duty. On October 1, 1983, a trip ran from Reading to Pottsville, Pennsylvania on the former Reading main line. A cold rainy day greeted the riders as they filled the ex-Reading coaches to be pulled by the ten-wheeler, now sporting “P&R” lettering on its tender as well as “Philadelphia & Reading Railroad” lettering on its auxiliary tender. Here the special crosses the Schuylkill River near Tuckerton on the Peacock’s Lock Viaduct, completed in 1856. The stone structure is notable for its pierced spandrels, the openings between the arches. This feature is common in Europe, but the Peacock’s Lock Viaduct may be the only structure in the United States to have pierced spandrels.

They came. They saw. They conquered. Back in September of 2010, an abbreviated Cleveland Mafia contingent traveled east for a week of P&W that was stellar to say the least. Weather and operations meshed perfectly for the best out of town slay job that could possibly be accomplished. It began on the night of the 18th with night shots at Worcester and Plainfield and continued for 7 straight days, conveniently ending with Massachusetts Central's NW5 for the icing on the cake.

The lead off single was GP38-2 no. 2008 at the Worcester shop. So much has changed. The big sign on the building is long gone (donated to the P&W Railfan Museum in Webster, MA). The "Owned & Operated" badge above the front truck is probably in Steve Carlson's basement. I'm sure the 2008 is looking ratty and filthy...if its even serviceable. Most importantly, the orange borg has completely annihilated this company as we knew it. Their "management" has beaten the morale, productivity and pride out of the workforce, decimated the motive power fleet, and alienated a good portion of the customer base that took years of hard work to build & maintain. Operations (if you can even call it that with a straight face) went from Swiss watch to Timex and then some. Impressive to pitiful. Congratulations on spending 125 million dollars you will NEVER get back. This RR is proof that safety vests, brake sticks, safety slogans, catch phrases, "safety stops", posters, signs, decals, Excel spreadsheets, and meaningless titles on business cards carried by people with ZERO practical experience don't always miraculously get the job done. Arrogance and ignorance don't help either.

Here's to the good ol days. Flashbulb lighting by the one and only Terrance Chicwak Esq.

2020 International LT 625 6x4 Sleeper Truck Tractor on display at Rush Truck Centers formerly Tru Nor Truck Centers on Riverside Drive in Mountjoy Township in the City of Timmins Northeastern Ontario Canada

DESCRIPTION

2020 INTERNATIONAL LT625 Cabover Tractor, Cummins, 500 HORSEPOWER, White IN COLOR, 2020 International® LT® Series As a matter of fact International LT® Series with A26 leads the industry in fuel economy Features may include:Optimized for uptime Don’t sweat the small stuff The HVAC system is all new and re-engineered from the ground up to provide best-in-class reliability – proven through extensive field testing. Access granted Many features of the LT® Series are designed for easy service. Bulbs can be replaced without tools. Interior fasteners are visible and accessible. The fuse panel is located in the passenger side dash for easy access.LED headlamps Long-lasting LED lights improve night vision with their best-in-class light pattern and intensity. Polycarbonate lenses resist impacts and fit tight to the hood for reduced vibration and bulb longevity.Front bumper We designed the three-piece front bumper for easy serviceability. Mounting tabs and bolts on the grille make access and repair easier.Fuel-efficient performance Fuel-efficient powertrain The LT® Series with the International® A26, Eaton AMT, and Lightweight design deliver up to 9% fuel economy improvement.Improved aerodynamics We improved the aerodynamic contours of the hood, fenders, wheel openings and chassis skirts. We minimized trim and sealed portions of the hood. A new aero-enhanced three-piece bumper and contoured pedestal mirrors complete the profile. Driver-centric design By drivers, for drivers To develop the LT® Series, we listened and learned from hundreds of drivers, leading to design improvements that helped us create a truck that drivers want to drive. More space We increased elbow room, hip room and legroom. For better comfort, we adjusted the armrest height. To improve entry and egress, we increased the door’s opening angle. Everything within reach We positioned displays and controls for intuitive, easy-to-reach operation. We even relocated the air horn based on driver feedback.Peaceful ride Improved door seals reduce wind noise for a quieter cabin.

©Copyright Notice

This photograph and all those within my photostream are protected by copyright. They may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written permission.

Its May 1979 and the Milwaukee Rd has there six E9's stored serviceable inside the round house at Western Ave .The rails are rusted and grass is growing over the rails .I'm surprised with these engines being built in 1963 and only being 14 years were stored when the Milwaukee Rd was leasing power because half of there fleet of units was out of service.The Erie & the Rock Island and Penn central was even using E-units on Frt .These units were just as good as GP-35's but never ran again under the Milwaukee Rd

The Galileo shuttlecraft model I built as a youngster in the 1970s. Like me, it’s a bit beat up and missing a few parts but still serviceable.

celebrating her 50th birthday this month is Vintage Locomotive GP35 # 631 , this old girl was built as GM&O # 631 and still rides on Alco trade in trucks . Unit sat in Mobile Alabama many years after being repainted but the southern sun wasn't kind to the paint, unit was later moved to SARM at Oak Ridge, TN where it was rumored to be restored and made serviceable. I guess that didn't happen and it was enroute from TN to Kansas City on NS train # 112--08 where it will enter a shop and be made serviceable for a new owner Brooklyn, IL Jan 10th 2015

The Plymouth and Lincoln (DBA Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad) special dinner train from Laconia station has just about reached the south end of their run as they step on to deck truss bridge over the clear cold water of the Winnipesaukee River just upstream of the Lochmere Dam and MP 22 on the old Boston and Maine White Mountain mainline owned by the state of New Hampshire since 1975. This 2 hr catered turkey dinner train was operated in conjunction with Laconia's weekend long Pumpkin Festival and after making a short trip north just shy of Lakeport they reversed direction and ran south along the shore of Lake Winisquam to just south of this bridge at Silver Lake Road in Tilton before returning after dark.

The four car train consisted of two demotored ex B&M Budd RDCs and two ex Lackawanna MU cars bracketed by SW1000 1012 on the south and GP7 302 on the north. The 1012 was blt. Dec. 1970 as Burlington Northern 438 and was acquired in 2014 thru LTEX and is a regular on all their summer passenger runs. 302 was blt. Aug. 1950 as Rock Island number 438 and came north in 1985 when the start up New England Southern acquired it from the bankrupt ROCK's estate. It hauled freight on all the remaining ex B&M lines north of Manchester as NEGS 302 until 1998 when it was sold to the Plymouth and Lincoln, who promptly chopped the nose and repainted it maroon and silver.

Per Jay Gadon the old geep usually sits around Meredith Yard as a spare engine and has seen very little use. But it was kept serviceable and returned to revenue service from October 14th thru the 28th for the first time since October 2018! This was my first time seeing her turn a wheel since the late 1990s when my Dad and I rode behind her still in green and yellow on the NEGS's short lived passenger operation operation out of Canterbury.

To learn more about the history of this line check out the detailed caption with this image taken last year: flic.kr/p/2oXC9oc

Belmont, New Hampshire

Friday October 27, 2023

Think I more or less finally nailed these guys after months of failure.

Metamorpho: Not much you can do about this guy. His design is kind of horrendous. Voldemort head, reversed Two-Face henchman torso, 2011(12?) castle hips, Chewbacca leg, Ultron leg. I'm sure a million people have done something similar.

Plastic Man: I need an official one. Until then, have this one. Doc Ock head, reversed Robin torso, Robin legs. Arms are Ms. Marvel's cut in half and inserted into the Robin body. The hands are trimmed and glued the arm-ends. I find it amusing and serviceable.

Elongated Man: I really wish he was called Elastic Man. Elongated Man sounds awful somehow. Superman head, reversed Wonder Twin torso, Calculator leg, CMF Snowboarder leg.

And yeah, that's all for these. Just chipping away at the wider DCU. Let me know what you think!

Back on a very frigid December day in 2006, CP's Doug Phillips gave me up close personal access to the Alyth back lot and Steam Shops.

At this time the sole remaining Canadian Locomotive Company CPR C-Liner had just been repainted into CPR Tuscan and Grey paint by the Alyth shops, and was still serviceable. Unfortunately when H. Hunter Harrison took the reigns of CPR he booted the privately owned locomotives off the protected property, and the unit have succumbed to vandalism, and will take considerable work to ever operate again.

CPR 4104, Alyth Calgary AB. Dec. 17, 2006

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

The railfan festival has wrapped up in Hyannis and this is the third train of the day headed north to Bourne to drop of visitors, and then it will return later empty under the cover of darkness. The northbound train is seeng crossing the marsh around Dock Creek south of the station at about MP 62.4 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline. Bringing up the rear of the train are the stars of the day, New Haven 2011 and 2026 (blt. Sep. 1960 and Sep. 1957 as NH 2038 and 2007 respectively).

Sandwich, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

The Cape Cod Central / Mass Coastal Railroad welcomed a big crowd to their second annual Railfans Day on Saturday August 17, 2024. The big draw for photographers this year was the operation of their two serviceable (they also own a third) classic original New Haven FL9s coupled back to back just as they would have operated leading the Neptune or Day Cape Codder up from New York City back in the early 1960s.

The railfan festival has wrapped up and this is the third train of the day headed back south to Hyannis as an empty deadhead move after dropping off visitors at the Bourne Station who had parked and ridden in from there. The train has just ducked into the 2000 ft long Sagamore siding at MP 59.6 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Railroad Cape Mainline. Here on the north end of the train is MC 2012, a rebuilt GP38-2 that began life as a straight GP40 in October 1966 as Milwaukee Road 2011. Passing them on the main is the northbound CapeFLYER from Hyannis to South Station in Boston led by rebuilt MassDOT blue GP40MC 1137.

First opened as a private enterprise in 1914 after five years of construction, the seven mile long Cape Cod Canal was originally a for profit tollway. In 1928, the government purchased the canal for $11.4 million as a free public waterway, and $21 million was spent between 1935 and 1940 increasing the canal's width to 480 feet as seen here and its depth to 32 feet.

Bourne, Massachusetts

Saturday August 17, 2024

Former Missabe SD's sit outside at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth MN. SD18 193 is currently in service and SD-M 316 is in stored serviceable condition. The yellow caboose is a former BN cab that was purchased by a private party several years, repainted, and give a Missabe logo. It never saw service and was until recently stored up in Two Harbors MN.

The Portland - a sailing hold scow, built of kauri in 1910.

She traded in and around Auckland until 1932

when she came to Nelson, and traded between the Tasman Bay harbours and Wellington for over 40 years.

The Portland is one of the few surviving serviceable hold scow in New Zealand,

most of these ships were taken to the Pacific for war use and never came back.

The Portland is currently moored at Pounawea in The Catlins.

But I hear rumours she's sold and may be moving back to Auckland. Rumours...

ehive.com/account/3021/object/42312/Photograph_[Scow_The_Portland]

www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-otago/158184/all-hands-pumps-...

After grabbing this shot off the bridge as seen here: flic.kr/p/2mntm3o I figured it was worth a little walk down the hill for a closer look at a couple of holdovers from the ever dwindling fleet of units in pre-merger colors now more than a quarter century since Burlington Northern and Santa Fe dissapeared into BNSF.

Argentine Blvd. runs along the northeast edge of the yard providing public access to the diesel shop and it afforded me the opportunity to get a closer look at a couple veterans and grab this roster over the fence.

BNSF 1837 still wears Cascade green and is a survivor from BN's once ubiquitous fleet of EMD SD40-2s having been blt. Dec. 1974 ad BN 6704. BNSF 709 despite wearing red and silver warbonnet colors with Santa Fe proudly proclaimed in the cigar band was actually blt. Jun. 1997 nearly two years after the merger in the era when BNSF still maintained two separate paint schemes. Dubbed 'fake bonnets' by fans they still look pretty good when you can find one even if they are not true ATSF units. As for these two, I have no idea on their status and if they are active, stored serviceable or retired awaiting disposition. If anyone here knows I'd be grateful for the information.

Argentine Yard

Kansas City, Kansas

Sunday August 29, 2021

SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line (former Philadelphia & Western interurban). Fantrip with the last of the serviceable Brill-built "Strafford" cars of 1927, the immediate predecessors to the line's famed Brill "Bullet" interurbans. More on the history of these cars can be found here: www.phillytrolley.org/strafford.html

"Forgetfulness is not just a vis inertiae, as superficial people believe, but is rather an active ability to suppress, positive in the strongest sense of the word, to which we owe the fact that what we simply live through, experience, take in, no more enters our consciousness during digestion (one could call it spiritual ingestion) than does the thousand-fold process which takes place with our physical consumption of food, our so-called ingestion. To shut the doors and windows of consciousness for a while; not to be bothered by the noise and battle which our underworld of serviceable organs work with and against each other;a little peace, a little tabula rasa of consciousness to make room for something new, above all for the nobler functions and functionaries, for ruling, predicting, predetermining (our organism runs along oligarchic lines, you see) - that, as I said, is the benefit of active forgetfulness, like a doorkeeper or guardian of mental order, rest and etiquette: from which can immediately see how there could be no happiness, cheerfulness, hope, pride, immediacy, without forgetfulness" Nietzche, On the Genealogy of Morality.

Hágale pues A.

Yesterday I posted this shot of Valley Railroad 2-8-0 number 97 running light here: flic.kr/p/2qyJ23H

Exactly six minutes after 97 passed, the 3 PM train finally showed up headed northbound nearly thirty minutes late. And since number 97 had left sans train on her rescue mission this run was led by Valley Railroad 80 tonner number 904. It is seen here at the open field near MP 4.5 on the old New Haven Valley Line north of the bridge over the Falls River.

This locomotive is relatively new to the line, having been acquired in 2023 in a government auction after beeing stored serviceable at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach where they had last served. 904 still wears its USN yellow paint but received a green cab with nee number and logo that mirrors but does not match the green and orange New Haven style colors of the rest of the road's original. GE center cab fleet. To learn more about this unit check out this article:

railfan.com/ex-navy-80-tonners-find-new-home-in-connecticut/

Essex, Connecticut

Saturday November 16, 2024

Wow, Doctor Strange! Where to start....

I'm gonna go out and say it... it was just a movie. Like it didn't blow my mind, but it wasn't terrible, it was just a good time and then it was over.

Admittedly, I don't know everything there is about Dr Strange. I'm semi fluent with the Marvel's magic universe, but not enough to quote anything. That being said, even as a casual fan I didn't find a whole lot to latch onto and enjoy or take away with me. Not to say that this was a bad movie! More that it feels like I've seen this movie before....

Perhaps because it's an origin story? Perhaps it's the "entire world is in danger" cliché? Or maybe it's because of the "fall from grace/emerge a hero" arc? This really could have been something else entirely. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting tired of the Marvel Formula.

Back when Dr Strange was announced for production, I was hopeful for an established character. Mostly the impression was from the name drops he'd receive every so often in the MCU. But it's a shame because that's not what we got. What we got was serviceable, it was fine, but not what I was hoping for. Marvel just stuck to their formula. It worked okay, but I don't feel all the concepts landed.

The mere fact that this has been advertised as something entirely different that will change the way you see movies... ehh that's not entirely true. Yes the animation and visual spectacle was impressive, and that stems quite a lot from the source material. But visuals aren't always the reason a film is good. Substance is pretty crucial. Then to retort, I found it difficult to focus on one thing at a time when fights or conflicts happened. Being torn between looking at the visuals or the fights, I found myself missing things. So maybe I didn't like the animations as much...?

I don't know.... It's not like this was a bad movie by any stretch, but something about the over saturation of the superhero genre is really getting to me. Like why did the conflict have to be the end of the world? Could there have been something like... I don't know, some students mess with a spell they shouldn't, they get stuck in the dark dimension, and Strange and Mordo have to rescue them. Even if you wanted his origin in the movie, it could be slipped in through dialogue and flashbacks. But what we got, I was kinda bored with the linear story telling.

Additionally, I didn't find the conflict or even the villain that much of a threat, mostly due to the Superhero Troupe that the good guy wins all the time. I had no sense of danger or concern for any of these characters. Hell, when the Ancient One dies, that brought on the "student in now the master" cliche. It wasn't a surprise to me, or seemed to bother anyone in the film for more than a few minutes.

Also the Marvel humor felt a little forced, but that could have just been me. Somebody sitting behind me lost their mind at the vending machine scene and I got nothing out of that. These jokes are all the same old same old.

I've listened and read a handful of reviews now, and it's a very mixed bag. Some say it's their new favorite Marvel Movie, some think it's all flair and no beef.

It's not like this was a bad movie, just myself personally, I wasn't very satisfied. I'd almost want to see it again to see if I feel the same way after typing and thinking about it for so long :P

Anyway, I'll cut this short! I'd like to hear what you guys thought though! Did Dr Strange feel like Marvel was phoning it in? Did it knock your socks off into The Astral Plane?

Let me know what you think!

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This build was heavily mutated from the original set (76060)! In the set, the bookshelves and the Sanctorum's fancy window are actually bigger than the wall it's placed on, so I felt inclined to give that some height. Patreon has some more images of the build if you guys wanna check it out!

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Want something all new all different?! Patreon has early photography, behind the scenes images, and WIPs of upcoming projects! ...Excelsior!

www.patreon.com/andrewcookston

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewcookstonphotography/

B&O 2-8-8-4 #7626 is going through inspection at the shops in Cumberland, MD, April 1954. The big steamer and it's brothers would work out of Cumberland another two years before being bumped to the Ohio coal fields by diesel-electric locomotives. There they worked for another two years being retired in 1958. Stored serviceable for a few years, all were stricken from the roster and scrapped by the mid sixties.

Photographer is unknown. Original Kodachrome slide.

At the end of a day pulling freights for a 2014 Lerro Photography Charter, Rayonier Willamette #2 heads for the "House of Gears" at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, Washington.

This 1929-vintage, 3-Truck Willamette is the last of 33 such engines built by the Willamette Iron & Steel Co. Although it looks for all the world like a Shay, the Willamette Co. was able to take advantage of the fact that several key patents held by Ephraim Shay expired in 1921, allowing them to produce a similar, competing locomotive, but with numerous improvements, notably superheating. Initially, the Willamette proved popular, and became known as the "Cadillac" of geared steam locomotives". Unfortunately, the competition lit a fire under the Lima and Heisler Companies, forcing them to incorporate some of the same improvements in their products and the bigger players in the business eventually won the battle for the marketplace. Of the 33 Willamettes that were built, only 6 survive today, and the engine seen here is the only operable example. She was restored in 2009 after decades of inactivity in private hands. Today, she is stored serviceable at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, WA.

RJ Corman Baldwin's # 301 and # 1007 are seen in the former Texas South Eastern engine house at Dibboll, TX. The # 301 is a serviceable backup to a SW1500 while the # 1007 is O/S. Taken with permission 10/24/2016

Many rejoice, some mourn, others don't have a opinion. With CN deciding to store the fleet of C40-8M "saggin wagons" there comes a time where you realize how special these guys really are. Some argue that they are pieces of junk that don't load and slip, and they are glad they are "gone". I would beg the latter, I would expect these to return sometime in the future. The when and where are to be in question, but when they come back they will be a hot commodity, at least for the railfans.

CN 2401 sits at the engine rack at Point on the evening of October 25th, 2019. She had been paired up with a sister barn running trains North out of Point and always returning in the next day or so. I am glad I had the opportunity to capture this unit many times within the past month, even though most of the time it was idling at the racks. Within a week, CN would make the announcement and she would be gone. Who knows where, when, and why she might come back? Nobody. Thats the fun about it.

New fleet number with retro gold leaf. This tram is still serviceable to date and currently (2023) on assignment in the Arnhem based Nederlands Openluchtmuseum (Dutch Open Air Museum). (c)Henk Graalman 1968

SEPTA Norristown Highspeed Line (former Philadelphia & Western interurban)- three October 1989 shots illustrating the brief period of operation of former Chicago Transit Authority 6000-series L cars. SEPTA obtained them as one of the stopgaps to keep operations going until the new fleet arrived (these were later replaced by some modified Philly L cars), the serviceable original fleet of Brill "Bullets" and Strafford cars having dwindled in numbers.

I was "rest day" on Saturday.

For some time now the fact that there is only one serviceable DBSO at Kingmoor has meant that one coastal set has reverted to T&T 37s. On Friday heavyweight 37716 found itself on the southern end of this particular set but I was at work and unable to phot' it in the West Cumbrian sun. "No matter", thought I, "I'm off tomorrow so I'll be able to shoot it in the forecast Saturday sun".

WRONG!

The bloody thing burst itself at Barrow on Friday afternoon and so initially had 37259 bolted on ahead of it at the Citadel, working the last southbound of the day D.I.T.

The whole shooting match then went ECS to Kingmoor via the WCML at the close of play where 716 was levered out and 259 reattached for the Saturday shift.

A 37/0 on passenger work in 2016 would be a top prize on any day of the week, especially in the sun.

You'd think.

A 37/7 would've trumped it big-time.

Anyway, it is what it is and here's Saturday's 08.42 CAR - BIF passing the site of the former Moss Bay steelworks at Salterbeck.

The combination of night photo shoots and smoke machines allows railfans to get creative with making the least serviceable of steam power look alive. Such is the case this October evening with the SP 5021, on display at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona. With lighting and smoke effects brought in by Steve Crise, this three cylinder giant appears ready to tackle the next job it's assigned to.