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Post by SantaFeJim on May 26, 2012 6:55:51 GMT -8
I hope we all take time this weekend to remember that Memorial Day is more that just another day to enjoy picnics, cook outs, the beach, baseball, basketball and auto racing. It is a day to honor all those that made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free in the greatest country on earth.  THANK YOU.  |
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Post by calzephyr on May 26, 2012 8:07:17 GMT -8
Thanks Jim for the reminder. We have our flags out for the weekend and I am thankful for our freedom that cost so much for the ones we honor with Memorial Day!
Larry
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Post by middledivision on May 26, 2012 8:51:09 GMT -8
God Bless those who have served and are serving our Country.
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Post by riogrande on May 26, 2012 8:54:23 GMT -8
For those who get holiday's, enjoy the weekend. I'm a contractor and if I don't work, I don't get paid so I'm working on Memorial Day. I'm also working tdday (Sat) and Sunday. I worked last Christmas day and New Years too. So y'all, if you get paid holidays, don't take it for granted, count your blessings! I'm hoping to be made an employee soon so things may be looking up.
My father served from 1951-1973, during the Korean War, the cold war and the Vietnam War as a navigator in Strategic Air Command (tankers KC97's, KC135's, and surviellence SC121's, and later in Military Airlift Command C133's and C141's. I thank him and all his fellow veterans who served.
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Post by nashoba on May 26, 2012 9:36:53 GMT -8
It is a day to honor all those that made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free in the greatest country on earth. Thank you for reminding others of this fact. I posted on my company Facebook yesterday: "I would ask those who read this to keep in mind that Memorial Day is meant for us as a Nation, to stand together to remember, reflect, and to honor those who have given their lives in the service of their country." Mark |
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Post by rhpd42002 on May 26, 2012 13:30:36 GMT -8
I know there are many here who have served, probably some who are serving. I have. A hearty SALUTE and my deep thanks for all who have served and for those who have sacrificed their lives for us. If you care to, join me in Saturday's evening lounge and raise a glass or two in celebration of our Vets.  |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on May 27, 2012 6:09:46 GMT -8
 Thank you all who have served. |
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Post by KIM on May 27, 2012 15:56:02 GMT -8
I was given an "all expenses paid trip" to a wonderful jungle land back in the seventies. I don't think that I ever thanked Uncle Sam for that, and I'm not sure that I ever will. I do thank those that remember the meaning of this day, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, no matter what war.
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Post by SantaFeJim on May 28, 2012 6:04:00 GMT -8
I was given an "all expenses paid trip" to a wonderful jungle land back in the seventies. I don't think that I ever thanked Uncle Sam for that, and I'm not sure that I ever will. I do thank those that remember the meaning of this day, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, no matter what war. Sounds like you and I picked the same southeast Asia resort. I arrived there in 1967 at the tender age of 19. I left in 1968 and spent my last 16 months in Washington D.C. WELCOME HOME BROTHER!  |
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Post by KIM on May 28, 2012 13:03:09 GMT -8
Sounds like you and I picked the same southeast Asia resort. I arrived there in 1967 at the tender age of 19. I left in 1968 and spent my last 16 months in Washington D.C. WELCOME HOME BROTHER! [/quote] I've come to the conclusion that Uncle Sam's travel agents are morons. |
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Post by calzephyr on May 28, 2012 13:58:30 GMT -8
We traveled to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery today west of Dixon California and joined many who were paying their respects to those laid to rest. It is a good feeling to know so many cared and gave it all for us to live free. Thanks to all who have gone before us and to all who have served our country.  This is our Tribute to those fallen. Larry  |
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Post by spookyac47 on May 28, 2012 19:48:15 GMT -8
I was given an "all expenses paid trip" to a wonderful jungle land back in the seventies. I don't think that I ever thanked Uncle Sam for that, and I'm not sure that I ever will. I do thank those that remember the meaning of this day, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, no matter what war. Got to make that same trip . . . 1968-69 . . .  Welcome Home . . . . |
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Post by riogrande on May 29, 2012 7:28:19 GMT -8
We traveled to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery today west of Dixon California and joined many who were paying their respects to those laid to rest. Holy smokes, Dixon is just south of where I grew up (Davis) and lived from 6th grade and well into my 20's! My parents used to take the family to El Charo's mexican restaurant in Dixon after church often - it was the best mexican food! I came back years later in the early 1990's and it was still there, but had been taken over when the original owners moved on - but the place had been kept pretty much the same. Down town Dixon isn't very big as I recall so it's hard not to know about El Charo's! |
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Post by calzephyr on May 29, 2012 12:21:59 GMT -8
We traveled to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery today west of Dixon California and joined many who were paying their respects to those laid to rest. Holy smokes, Dixon is just south of where I grew up (Davis) and lived from 6th grade and well into my 20's! My parents used to take the family to El Charo's mexican restaurant in Dixon after church often - it was the best mexican food! I came back years later in the early 1990's and it was still there, but had been taken over when the original owners moved on - but the place had been kept pretty much the same. Down town Dixon isn't very big as I recall so it's hard not to know about El Charo's! I had attended a service for an elderly friend last year at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, but had not been in downtown Dixon until yesterday. We sort of wandered back to Dixon on the back roads after touring the Memorial again yesterday on Memorial Day. Dixon has what looks to be a Southern Pacific depot for their JC's and Rotary clubs and the town is very small. The building is probably only a few years old, but is patterned after a standard SP depot in the proper colors. We went out of town north on 113 back towards Interstate 80 and went past new stores and several nice new businesses back that directions. Davis as you know is a college town and is very busy all of the time including the train traffic for Cal train between the Bay area and Sacramento. The Union Pacific runs several trains a day also past Davis and Amtrak has # 5 and # 6 daily. The local line north out of Davis is run by California Northern. The picture below was taken about two years ago and now they are using the new Gen sets. .  This is the new power that I got invited to ride along when the safety inspection train was run.   |
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Post by riogrande on May 29, 2012 13:56:51 GMT -8
I'll have to check the photo's later when I get home - they are blocked at work.
Back when I used to visit Dixon, I recall it was basically just a small main street which was only a couple blocks long, and very sleepy/quiet. Of course El Charo's was some of the best Mexican food I've ever had.
It's been 7 or 8 years since I was last in the Dixon, Davis, Woodland area. I have an old high school friend who settle in Woodland and commutes to Folsom where he works for Intel but haven't talked to him in a few years either. Davis was a nice place for train watching when I lived there and it sounds like traffic is still similar save it is UP now *sniff*. The Coast Starlight travelled up from the bay area and went north past Covell Park where I lived and I could see the Amtrak and some SP freights from my house until more houses were built, including the sugar beet trains! Them were the days!
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Post by calzephyr on May 29, 2012 15:18:43 GMT -8
I'll have to check the photo's later when I get home - they are blocked at work. Back when I used to visit Dixon, I recall it was basically just a small main street which was only a couple blocks long, and very sleepy/quiet. Of course El Charo's was some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. It's been 7 or 8 years since I was last in the Dixon, Davis, Woodland area. I have an old high school friend who settle in Woodland and commutes to Folsom where he works for Intel but haven't talked to him in a few years either. Davis was a nice place for train watching when I lived there and it sounds like traffic is still similar save it is UP now *sniff*. The Coast Starlight travelled up from the bay area and went north past Covell Park where I lived and I could see the Amtrak and some SP freights from my house until more houses were built, including the sugar beet trains! Them were the days! Thanks. I forgot the Coast Starlight does go past Davis and turn North at Sacramento up the Old WP tracks on its way North. So there are two more Amtrak trains per day in addition to the almost hourly Cal Trains. The morning train from Auburn also goes by and returns late in the day for commuters from Auburn to the Bay area daily. We rode the Auburn train into Emeryville one Friday a few years ago with the Grand kids and stayed for a tour of the City and Bay area. There is a nice Hotel close to the station and we got a car rental for the weekend. Nice place to visit and the train ride was very good. On our way back, we could see a large ship in the Channel moving east but we raced it to the draw bridge and won so we had no delays either way. Larry |
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Post by riogrande on May 30, 2012 7:34:58 GMT -8
When I lived in Davis, the Coast Starlight turned north in Davis. There was Wye there at the Davis mission style train station so the C/S coming north from down near Fairfield, Vacaville, the Nut Tree, and Dixon would hit the wye and go north and pass by through town and up pasted the Hunt Wesson tomato factory and up through Woodland and points north. Thats how I watched Amtrak back in the 70's and 80's well into the Superliner era. Did Amtrak start routing the train north thru Sacramento later?
Actually there would have been at least four Amtrak trains passing through Davis during my time, 2 of them are the north and southbound Coast Starlights running from LA up to Portland OR and Seatle WA? and the Amtrak California Zephyr which runs from Oakland thru Davis, Sacramento, up over Donner Pass thru Reno and on thru SLC Utah, Grand Junction CO over the Rockies to Denver and finally Chicago.
Anything else would be added since I moved away, commuter trains etc. Kinda makes me miss Davis! The biggest draw back is most homes don't have basement, if any?
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Post by calzephyr on May 30, 2012 8:56:37 GMT -8
When I lived in Davis, the Coast Starlight turned north in Davis. There was Wye there at the Davis mission style train station so the C/S coming north from down near Fairfield, Vacaville, the Nut Tree, and Dixon would hit the wye and go north and pass by through town and up pasted the Hunt Wesson tomato factory and up through Woodland and points north. Thats how I watched Amtrak back in the 70's and 80's well into the Superliner era. Did Amtrak start routing the train north thru Sacramento later? Actually there would have been at least four Amtrak trains passing through Davis during my time, 2 of them are the north and southbound Coast Starlights running from LA up to Portland OR and Seatle WA? and the Amtrak California Zephyr which runs from Oakland thru Davis, Sacramento, up over Donner Pass thru Reno and on thru SLC Utah, Grand Junction CO over the Rockies to Denver and finally Chicago. Anything else would be added since I moved away, commuter trains etc. Kinda makes me miss Davis! The biggest draw back is most homes don't have basement, if any? The Woodland track north which was the West Valley track has not been used for many years now except for the local California Northern use. There was a washout for a bridge somewhere at the Northern end of the line before the year 2000 and all of the rail traffic has been using the Valley Sub for many years now. Another factor to this change might be the after 1982 when the UP purchased the WP, that rail line has been the Amtrak route since Sacramento was added to the station stop. I am not sure of the exact day of the switch, but you probably viewed the last of Amtrak using the West Valley line or close to the end. We do not have basements and space is at a premium for our homes. Most of us run at clubs if we run trains and in a way, it is good since most clubs have fairly large areas to run in. I run now and then at Bakersfield with friends. That club is very large and I have video of a 115 car Autorack with 13 KATO's doing the honors spaced as DPU's. That club was able to run this train end to end without incident. The length of the train was extremely long since each of the 115 cars were scale 85' cars. That is my kind of layout, but most can not handle a train like that. Their sidings are laid out for about 50 normal cars so this one ran the main end to end. Larry. |
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Post by riogrande on May 30, 2012 10:03:23 GMT -8
Larry,
I don't recall when I last saw the Amtrak Coast Starlight pass through Davis going north, but it would have been the early 1980's. In a way it was pretty cool that Amtrak ran through town , I guess a little too good to be true for it to last. I had always assumed if Amtrak ran through Davis north, it must have been a fairly major line but with all the mergers etc, poop happens and it's not a shock that this line was downgraded and the washed out bridge was not replaced. You know I even saw the Daylight GS steam loco pass through Davis. I remember I was down near the north-south track near dusk and heard an erie train whistle blow and low and behold here comes a steam engine through town - it was around 1980. Some days later, from my apt near the tracks in east Davis, I heard it again, and ranout to my 71 Ford Pinto and jumped in to chase it with my Camera going north. I nearly caught up with it and there was a caravan of cars and campers following it and my gas tank was on fumes so I had to give up the chase. No photo that day!
Well, lots of changes. My old buddy who was the war gamer came from a family of Western Pacific railroaders, his father, who lived in East Davis and his grandfather were both WP employee's - the gf probably retired. I never found out what happened with the merger in 82, I was still in the area but being a late bloomer didn't follow the railpress much in those days. I was young and daft (as my sweetie calls me).
I don't think I saw any houses in Davis with basements and only one older house in Sacramento. They're all built on slabs in Davis or have crawl spaces. I guess that is one good thing about living on the east coast - basements!
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Post by calzephyr on May 30, 2012 11:46:33 GMT -8
Larry, I don't recall when I last saw the Amtrak Coast Starlight pass through Davis going north, but it would have been the early 1980's. In a way it was pretty cool that Amtrak ran through town , I guess a little too good to be true for it to last. I had always assumed if Amtrak ran through Davis north, it must have been a fairly major line but with all the mergers etc, poop happens and it's not a shock that this line was downgraded and the washed out bridge was not replaced. You know I even saw the Daylight GS steam loco pass through Davis. I remember I was down near the north-south track near dusk and heard an erie train whistle blow and low and behold here comes a steam engine through town - it was around 1980. Some days later, from my apt near the tracks in east Davis, I heard it again, and ranout to my 71 Ford Pinto and jumped in to chase it with my Camera going north. I nearly caught up with it and there was a caravan of cars and campers following it and my gas tank was on fumes so I had to give up the chase. No photo that day! Well, lots of changes. My old buddy who was the war gamer came from a family of Western Pacific railroaders, his father, who lived in East Davis and his grandfather were both WP employee's - the gf probably retired. I never found out what happened with the merger in 82, I was still in the area but being a late bloomer didn't follow the railpress much in those days. I was young and daft (as my sweetie calls me). I don't think I saw any houses in Davis with basements and only one older house in Sacramento. They're all built on slabs in Davis or have crawl spaces. I guess that is one good thing about living on the east coast - basements! The West Valley line major line for almost 100 years before being down graded into a branch line and leased to a local rail service. Yes, that would have been the 4449 as it used the West Valley line when it came down to Sacramento for Railfair. I got pictures of the 449 in Davis when it was returning back from the Bay Area and they did the servicing on the Y at Davis before Doyle took the train North back to Portland. Now the last time the 4449 came to Sacramento, they had to use the BNSF tracks to Keddie and then down to Railfair since the UP did not allow them to run as their guest for the run into town. The Davis station is really nice and maintained and used during the week. Very nice place to visit and take pictures. Larry |
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Post by riogrande on May 30, 2012 12:28:29 GMT -8
The West Valley line major line for almost 100 years before being down graded into a branch line and leased to a local rail service. Thats kinda depressing but I guess so has been alot of rail news or happenings as time goes by over the past 50 years ain't it! Man, you are really brushing the cobwebs out and making me feel old! I can't remember if I was at the 81 Sacramento Railfair but I did attend the 10 year anniversary since I happened to be in town for it in 1991 IIRC. Scary how much time has gone by! I visited the Sacto Rail museum in 91 with my then wife, and the railfair happened to be going on, many steam engines operating - they did a re-enactment of the golden spike ceremony, honored the a decendant of the Chinese workers who build the tracks through the Sierra's etc. Last time I visited Davis was in 04 and I went up to Woodland and took a few pictures of the green painted short line loco's - I think they were GP15 baby tunnel motors? I'll have to try to dig up the photo's if I still have them. |
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Post by calzephyr on May 30, 2012 13:04:53 GMT -8
The West Valley line major line for almost 100 years before being down graded into a branch line and leased to a local rail service. Thats kinda depressing but I guess so has been alot of rail news or happenings as time goes by over the past 50 years ain't it! Man, you are really brushing the cobwebs out and making me feel old! I can't remember if I was at the 81 Sacramento Railfair but I did attend the 10 year anniversary since I happened to be in town for it in 1991 IIRC. Scary how much time has gone by! I visited the Sacto Rail museum in 91 with my then wife, and the railfair happened to be going on, many steam engines operating - they did a re-enactment of the golden spike ceremony, honored the a decendant of the Chinese workers who build the tracks through the Sierra's etc. Last time I visited Davis was in 04 and I went up to Woodland and took a few pictures of the green painted short line loco's - I think they were GP15 baby tunnel motors? I'll have to try to dig up the photo's if I still have them. The GP15's were all replaced by the new Gensets about two years ago, but they retained one GP15 as a back up power unit when the Gensets go over to Roseville for inspections. I have attended all of the Railfairs so far and the 1981 was the best so far at least for me. The 1991 was a close second since the 3751 also made it to the show. During the 1981 and the 1991 show, the 4449 ran on Southern Pacific tracks so the 4449 could run down the Shasta Line on home rails. They also ran trips to the Bay area with the Daylight train. Don't feel old knowing you got to watch some great happenings. I don't worry about knowing I have seen steam in its glory durning the late 40's and 50's, it just part of history that I got to witness. Larry |
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Post by riogrande on May 31, 2012 12:23:33 GMT -8
Ah, more changes with time - even what I saw last is gone!
As for great happening, they are good memories, but I only wish I would have paid more attention. Now I am relying very much on the photography of others. I'm sure I'm not the only MR who wishes they could take a time machine back to the 70's or whatever and bring a HiDefinition video cam disguised as a 16mm camera and go shoot some trains. Even 16mm film converted to DVD and upscaled on my 48-inch 1080P HDTV looks much less than crisp like my Rio Grande Odyssey DVD. VHS looks worse and so much was shot in VHS or Beta when that became standard. I'll have to check your photo's when I get the chance but I'm moving so it's going to be crazy for a while. Moving from one tiny basement to another tiny basement in the Fairfax VA area. For not it's all I can afford!
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