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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 19, 2008 13:40:59 GMT -5
Vin..... What a GREAT Story!!!!! Having spent some of my military time in hot dry deserts...(smile).... I can picture that entire event and bet everyone of you were grinning ear to ear while devouring your cool treasure!!!
That's what great stories are all about...... to remember and share!!
Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Jan 19, 2008 15:25:08 GMT -5
...... This practice became standard for the Southern Pacific Railroad on Donner Pass following the January 1952 stranding of the City of San Francisco; ..... This incident is replicated in the Donner Pass package and is covered by about seven individual, but linked, Activities. Bruce
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Post by kbr on Jan 19, 2008 17:03:47 GMT -5
Some good stories there. Until ten year ago I always was within hearing distance of trains myself, though for me it was diesel trains. I tried to keep the train I was taking down the Big Hill around 15m, but it was during the last bit that I was having a but of trouble. I hadn't known about the real world 12m limit. Had I been following that coming down, the last bit may not have been as difficult. ;D I would like to get that Donner Pass route. It looks very well done. I wish the Storm of '52 activities were included and didn't come in a second addon as that is what I want to see.
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Post by bhk on Jan 19, 2008 19:58:42 GMT -5
Between 2000 and 2005 I had a website dedicated to train sims and some railroading stuff. One of the things I did was to provide information and personal comments on various routes. Even tho' I terminated the site in 2005 I held onto all the data and images. Here's the page of images I did for The Donner Pass, which I've just uploaded to my existing web-space. The text is referring to the Cajon Pass route, for some reason! I have no idea what happened originally....maybe a "cut 'n' paste" went awry. www.netspeed.com.au/bhk/rail/donner/trainsim_3dts_5.htmBruce
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Post by kbr on Jan 20, 2008 4:56:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to your covering of the route, Bruce. I've been thinking for a while that this is a route I'd like to have and your review and pictures reaffirm that. It's definitely on my 'to get list.'
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Post by Dan on Jan 20, 2008 15:54:19 GMT -5
and the night would be disturbed by the roar of regenerative-braking fans (on the Class 46 and Class 85 electrics) and the grinding sound of brake-blocks against steel wheels. Music to my ears! As a kid I grew up 4 blocks North of the main line running through our town. (Santa Fe..... along the old Santa Fe Trail.) I loved laying in bed at night hearing the whistle blowing and wondering where it was going or where it had been. I think that is one reason I joined the military as I wanted to "see the world." (smile) Last week while on my business trip, I was awaken every night by the sound of the train which was just up the street a few blocks. Once again I was back in my childhood. You can bet I'll be staying at the hotel this year while in that area. Love it! Cheers As a 'kid' today, I still listen to the trains going by in the night. We live not a mile from a CSX track and at least two or three times, if not more, a night I can hear those big engines blowing their horns and the clickety clack of whatever their pulling. Depending on the time, I'm either working on a deadline, taking the dog out, siming somewhere, or just putting my head on the pillow . . . the best is the 510 - or thereabouts. Whatever the time, it is music to my ears as well, Bruce. For some reason, the sound of a train in the distance at night is a calming and reassuring feeling that everything is right with the world . . . There's nothing like a good story - either planes, trains, or automobiles - always great to listen to. So keep bloviating Vin and Sgtmajor - what a great wake-up call. ;D Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by beana51 on Jan 20, 2008 16:21:48 GMT -5
Its strange that most people would not be caught dead living near tracks,or airports.Often they move into an area like these ,and start to complain about a Lotta things.Like nobody asked or forced them to move there.As far as rail tracks,they often were a dividing line among people of the same community. "Well he's from he wrong side of the tracks!" was a not so subtle class distinction phrase.Well for me,living near railroads,and airports ,is one of the great pleasures in life.As a pilot ,my head was always pointed upwards,as a lover of railroads,my ears were always listening,to the distant wail of steam engines.Days off were spent at the local airport,with stops to the "Yard" watching the switchers,making long lines of trains.....Of course that still exists.Would like to see more fathers take their kids to these places.Its cheaper than fake amusement parks,and so much more to have an effect on kids...it always worked and it will continue to do so,unless it just fades away into the land of reminesing.....Vin
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 20, 2008 23:31:05 GMT -5
Its strange that most people would not be caught dead living near tracks,or airports.Often they move into an area like these ,and start to complain about a Lotta things.Like nobody asked or forced them to move there.As far as rail tracks,they often were a dividing line among people of the same community. "Well he's from he wrong side of the tracks!" was a not so subtle class distinction phrase.Well for me,living near railroads,and airports ,is one of the great pleasures in life.As a pilot ,my head was always pointed upwards,as a lover of railroads,my ears were always listening,to the distant wail of steam engines.Days off were spent at the local airport,with stops to the "Yard" watching the switchers,making long lines of trains.....Of course that still exists.Would like to see more fathers take their kids to these places.Its cheaper than fake amusement parks,and so much more to have an effect on kids...it always worked and it will continue to do so,unless it just fades away into the land of reminesing.....Vin Vin.... you hit the nail on the head again. I remember my lovely bride one time telling me that the yard work would go a lot faster if I didn't have to stand and watch every plane that was flying over. (smile) I have a 29 year old mentally handicapped daughter who I've probably talked about here from time to time. She just loves truck rides and every week we take at least one... usually a couple and end up at the airport or somewhere in the area. Today we took a ride out looking for trains and was not disappointed. To her the wonderment of airplanes and trains never cease....... and yet society label her as "handicapped." If there is another second life somewhere..... I want to come back and be just like her...... perfect contentment and all is always well in her world. (smile)
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2008 23:46:19 GMT -5
..........To her the wonderment of airplanes and trains never cease....... and yet society label her as "handicapped." If there is another second life somewhere..... I want to come back and be just like her...... perfect contentment and all is always well in her world. (smile) I can think of a whole truckload of more mundane and boring things to be fascinated with rather than aeroplanes and trains. At least Fate kindly directed her focus in an enjoyable direction. Bruce
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Post by beana51 on Jan 21, 2008 0:05:15 GMT -5
Hi Sarge,Often it is so called "normal people" who are trully handicapped.The ability to feel ,observe,touch and smell,without any preconceived concepts,is pure appreciation of life,and nature..We of course bring our Old concepts,prejudices,and ego's to our selfish world..But the pure of heart,who are the children of god,receive the gifts of God.Most of us just go on bumping into things,and not really seeing.We are often really the inadequate ones.Thanx for sharing this wonderful story with us.Her world is Gods world.Thru her ,as she indicateds to you , shows that life is beautiful thru the eyes of the pure of heart.. Thanx Vin
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Post by sgtmajor on Jan 21, 2008 13:44:38 GMT -5
Bruce & Vin.... many thanks fellas.... I truly do appreciate your kind words and thoughts!
My Meg is a joy to me and has enriched my life beyond imagination.
Again Thanks!
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