Check out the pps file
THANKS for stopping by, I do my best to acknowledge when someone leaves a comment,you do not have to be a member here & everyone is welcome. Ps: This site is monitored but not actively posting on a regular basis. Mostly these are stories & some photos saved from a defunct site known as Verdun Connections which was on MSN Groups initially then on a social network called Multiply.
420 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 420 Newer› Newest»Hi JMH that's the plan I mentioned in the previous post,.but it's usually just 'window dressing ' when a politician says it,.all these same plans have been on in the works for sometime,( a few years now),.and He's just trying to look like the 'green friendly politician' ............the only thing Green about it,.is the amount of 'Green' they extracate from Our Tax's...... Also here on the Island they have been talking about a rail style ( LRT) style rapid transit to get people into town quicker,.but they 've been discussing this since the early 70's ,.and always the same decision ,.'not enough people & too expensive to implement.............Next Year is an election year here in BC,.and so some of these plans may never actually happen,.........Unless of course the party in power manages to fill the pockets of their friends & themselves ............. Remember BC is quickly rivalling Labelle Province ,for less than honest Politicians..................hahahahahah but that's life......... but the idea sounds good,till we get to the part where it has to be paid for......................YIKES !!!!................... HF&RV
Les, Great posting and so true, so true. Luxury Trains are starting to have land cruises like sea cruises on land. The luxury train ride in Western Canada is constantly booked full by Japanese tourists. With crowded highways and high fuel costs it looks like the railways have a really great future-Fresco
A couple more old shots around the back river,Montreal north area,.... the number 40 tram,................some of you may Remember it, HF&RV
more trams ?/ Hope they stay showing & don't disapear: Montreal Street Cars (1950's - 60's) .Just in case the pics disapear,then click on the link & this should bring you right to the site where I came across them: HF&RV
For some of the transit experts,...( JMH, GUY, Fresco...etc etc ) Did any of you know that there was a Transit Garage in Ville Lasalle,...I never heard of that garage ( at least I don't recall it off hand).......but apprenatly it did exist,.& from there in 2006, a bunch of Bus fans,.went on a Bus trip in an old MTC bus..........I'll bet you guys would have liked to be on that one.............. The August 6th, 2000 STCUM Fishbowl Charter Text and photos by Richard Hooles. On August 6th, 2000, about 19 bus fans from Ontario, Quebec, and the US came to Montreal to charter one of the remaining 100 or so GMC New Look "Fishbowl" buses in the Montreal Urban Community Transit Corporation's (a.k.a. STCUM, for the French translation of the name) fleet. These buses are expected to all be retired in 2001 to coincide with the arrival of new Nova LFS buses, ending 42 years of operation for the familiar vehicle. We were fortunate to be able to get 23-101, one of the 150 New Looks to enter service in 1980/81 that was operating out of the LaSalle garage in the island's southwest end. ..............................................................I've talked to a few Bus Drivers here in Victoria & the general consensus is they do not like the replacement Nova Style bus's at all,but they have to drive them........although I think we still have some of those old ones they called the 'Fishbowl' like in the photo of that article above...... HF&RV
Looks like CNR also had their own Bus's too ! This one from a fleet iin Niagara Ontario,......... I'm sure some of the Bus afficianados (sp?) would know what mak and year this one is: hf&rv
Here's one from Winnipeg ,.seems Canadian National ,had quite a fleet Nation Wide,.I can't Remember seeing these around Montreal,but they probably had some I would think: ..Look at the shadows in the foreground,and you can see that one photographer was using one of those cameras with a hood over his head.........have we come a long way or what".You can't walk 10' these days without some taking a digital picture..............hahahahaha hf&rv
Streetcar on Saint James ( Jacques) St......from days gone by hf&rv
More of CN's fleet of Bus's: HF&RV
Had to place this in the More Trams thread ,as it's the same type of Observation Car, that Montreal used,but this baby is in Vancouver ( look at the sign on the front of the tram) .................................................................................HF&RV
Here's the shot of the observation car on StCatherine Street,...we've seen it before ,but worth another look I suppose:................................................................. havefunandrememberverdun
Les, Message 223: Judging from the model of the cars, my guess is that the period would be the 1940s. Also, can you tel me the intersection. Message 224: How come the CN had all those buses ? Message 226: Date of photo probably late 40s early 50s. Look at all those familiar places; Left: Copacabanaclub Capital theatre (Van Johnson) Strand theatre, Right: Woolworth, HFC. And look at all those pedestrians, could be our share of Verdunites in the crowd. Great memories. Guy
Kudos to Les and Flood and---- for those TRAM pictures. So neat to look back and remember olde Montreal, which is always in the background. You guys really work at bringing those memories to life. Many thanks, much appreciated. (By all I'm sure) Victah
Les Great photos of the CN buses..could be Canadian Car like the ones we had in Verdun...figure late 50's or early 60's...best thing all the years I worked there I never heard anyone mention a bus fleet...let alone see one... Thanks Les Lad
Your right Lad: I never knew of the CNR Bus's either,.until finding those pictures,......of course their Trucks were always everpresent on the streets of Montreal,.but a Bus I never saw. maybe this is why ( I found this while looking for other CNR pics.................................. The CN Bus Written by Tom Cahill It was a cold winter's night and not a star was in sight
As we rolled down the hill to Random West
On the CNR bus that had caused quite a fuss
For replacing our Newfoundland express.
Now in a seat in the rear sat a man who was here
To see how long t'would take to make the dash.
Old MacMillian they said a promotion would get
If his buses could save the railway cash.
In a seat just ahead sat a lady in red
Maggy Hawkins from Upper Gullies Trap.
She weighed 23 stone and the bus gave a groan
As she got up and started for the back.
It was Maggie's intent as the floor boards she bent
To enter the powder room in back.
It was a small 2 x 4 with a hatch for a door
Situated beneath the luggage rack.
Now all the crowd gave a roar as she opened the door
And old Maggie to forced herself she tried.
But alas she got stuck like a Lundrigan truck
It was plain she never get inside.
She went back to her seat dripping sweat in the heat
Saying ooh how I miss the good old train.
And if this thing doesn't park until well after dark
My poor kidneys will never stand the strain.
Said a man turning pale, she's been drinking peg ale
Give her first aid - this surely is a crime.
That's when MacMillian did jump up in the aisle and did shout
Keep her rollin', were making record time!
For a hour they drove until outside Arnolds Cove
Old Mag got up and started for the door.
And his stop watch in his hand Gordy MacMillian took his stand
Told the driver to put her to the floor.
Now with a final lashing Maggie sucked in her cheeks
and a brave burst of fire and of steam
And a thunderous roar that shook the valley and the shore
And the bus blew apart beside a stream.
There were 20 men maimed as the rescue squad came
Not a trace of Maggie could be seen.
Old MacMillian went blind, one poor man blew his mind
And the driver woke up in Lamalene.
Well on the crest of a hill just outside of Clarenville
Stands a tombstone to mark Mag's last remains.
May her soul ever fly to that great bathroom in the sky
For she's the lady that gave us back our TRAAAAAIIIIINNNN. .think it's a true story..........hahahahahahah HF&RV
It seems that Toronto's GO Trains are operated by CNR , here's a link to a pdf file that ,explains the operation,they also operate a Bus Fleet there today as well........ but as far as the older pics,I'm still looking for info on them and will post any pics & stuff,when I find it: Here's the link: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/publications/gotransityearinreview2005-06.pdf You will have to scroll downm a bit to find 'Who Operates Go Transit..........but it's there; HF&RV
The date of he Pic of the Tram on St Cathrine's Street was most likely 1954 From the billing on the Capitol Theatre Looked up the actor "Van Johnson" on google In his filmography the movie "Men of the Fighting Lady", which you can also make out on the Capitol Theatre sign was made in 1954. JohnnyO
Recognize these line ups,............& where they are ?? ...........the 2nd photo helps Id the area ,more easily,....................we've all caught the bus there a few times........ hf&rv
Les 107 & 108 Atwater Lad
Thats correct, corner Atwater and St Catherine. That's the Montreal Children's hospital I think it's called or was called in the background. Guy
Absolutely right,...............when you blow up the bustop sign ,you can see it says Verdun across the center and running vertically it says Tra_ Way, only the middle letter can't be seen...... on the BNQ site you can utiliase their Zoom feature,as well as isolate different parts of the original photo. hf&rv
Remember the old bus station,.Dowtown ? also here's another one of those observation cars: have fun and remember verdun
Les I have a good train video I cut from the CBS news podcast for you. Email me and I'll send it on. It's not a large file.
cooperw001@hawaii.rr.com
Bill
Hi Bill,.I sent you an email moments ago ,..it's 9:25 am Sat morning PST. Thanks for the Video, I'll watch it when it arrives.........merci beaucoup HF&RV
Hi Bill ( biking) I forwaded the video podcast to Fresco, as well ,I think he might like it too,.being an afficiando (our resident train expert).................. hahahahahah Thanks Again , HF&RV
Hi there ! The only description that I have for this photo is as follows: Circuit Cartierville à Snowdon en 1945 Is the someone who can identify the street (MAYBE SNOWDON JUNCTION AT DECARIE BLVD or QUEEN MARY ???) and the name of the store which appears on the right ? Something like KRYSTOYS ??? JM
Hi Jean-Marie,
It sure looks like the Tramway is headed west on Queen Mary and coming close to Snowden Junction. I was two years old when this photo was taken. I do not recognize any of the stores but the apartment buildings look familiar. The store that looks like it's "KRYSTOYS" looks like where Chinoy Boys Deli was in the nineteen fifties. Chinoy Boys Deli had fantastic smoked meat sandwiches-Walter
Hi Les,
I remember the Bus Station on Dorchester. You would see a lot of Provincial Busses and a few Greyhound Busses come out of this terminal. You can also see the old Laurentian Hotel east of the bus terminal-Walter
Some streetcars did frieght.
They always had extras.
Hi Walter ! Thanks for the infos on the 17-Cartierville streetcar. Here is a track diagram of Montreal tramways (Clegg & Lavall챕e, 1948). http://emdx.org/rail/MTC1941/TopologieReseauMTC-1948_Lavallee-Clegg.gif Do you find an error on that map about the Snowdon Junction ? JM
Thanks Jean-Marie, The Snowden Junction Map looks correct to me-Walter
BOSTON GREEN LINE STREETCAR TRAGEDY Streetcars Collide On Green Line In Newton, Ma.
Train Operator Trapped Killed In Collision
May 28, 2008 NEWTON, MA (WBZ-TV) ̢ۥ Two above-ground MBTA streetcars collided on the Green Line near the Brae Burn Country Club in Newton Wednesday evening, trapping and killing the operator of one of the trolleys. Ten other people were injured in the wreck.
Hi Walter, I think that there is an error ... Shouldn’t we read Decarie instead of Monkland (Monkland is correct below) JM
Thanks Walter for the history of Snowdon Junction and Garland terminal. The Monkland Theater http://www.imtl.org/image/big/DSCN3097.jpg 5504 Monkland
The SnowdonTheater http://www.imtl.org/image/big/theatre_snowdon.jpg Near Metro station Snowdon, Borough Cì²™te-des-Neiges Interesting: Architect: Daniel John Crighton http://www.imtl.org/montreal/architecte_montreal.php?architect=Daniel_John_Crighton Do you remember a theater on Marcil Ave. just North of Sherbrooke St. West ? (with Egyptian sculptures on it) Some photos of 17-Cartierville streetcars Have a nice weekend ! JM
Hello JMH,....what a neat compilation of old photographs Very Well Done Sir............................Mucho Gracias HF&RV
This message has been deleted by the author.
Thanks Les ! Correction: on Message # 251: Do you remember a theater on Marcil Ave. just North of Sherbrooke St. West ? (with Egyptian sculptures on it) Should read: Do you remember a theater on Sherbrooke St. West (South side) at the corner of Girouard ? (with Egyptian sculptures on it) JM
Hi again JMH ,.seems I lost few response to cyber-space today,.......... keep getting the old hmmmm: Can't Find that Page.....notice...........etc etc the only theater I can recall off hand on the south side of Sherbrooke St ( W) ....is the old Monkland Theater,..I do have however a lot of photo's of old Montreal area Theaters,.and I will see if I have a picture of the one your speaking of. I'm busy for a while today ,so I will try to get back to you later on,.or over the weekend: HF&RV
Les The theater I think was called Cinema 5 and it faced the park right across the street. Went there to see Godfather and the park used to hold Saturday in the park to raise money for Head and Hands. Any chance you or JM can get hold of picture of the rebuild metro cars...they took out seats and rearranged the bars..more room and don't have to hold hands with your fellow passengers.. Lad
Hi Les and Lad ! The Monkland theater is located at 5504 Monkland Ave. http://www.imtl.org/montreal/architecte_montreal.php?architect=Daniel_John_Crighton I found Empress Theater in Lovell (1955) Empress Theater 5560 Sherbrooke St. West. More on Empress Theatre ... Cinema V-Salle Hermes Montreal, Quebec 5560 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal Originally opened as the Empress Theatre in 1927, it was initially a vaudeville theatre. Soon after opening movies began to be shown and the theatre was listed as having a seating capacity of 1,350.
The Cin챕ma V-Salle Hermes theatre was opened in 1968 with Cinema V downstairs and the Balcony known as Salles Hermes.
During the 1970's this theatre showed the cult film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". In 1988 Famous Players took over the theater, but unfortunately a fire shut it down in 1992. http://cinematreasures.org/theater/2107/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/73416633@N00/263107966/ JM
Hi Jm Any chance you get a picture of the new rebuilt metro cars? Lad
A busy intersection Downtown Montreal ...............................................here's another Downtown shot: ...............................................................................HF&RV
St Denis street tram,.passing in foront of Magasin Teco ??? ( I don't remember this store......... .....and here's Peel & StCatherine........................a little before my time: amazing how many streetcars are always on the route............HF&RV
Vancouver to spend $8.5M on streetcar route Looks like the old streetcar line to Granville Island will be brought back to life in time for the Olympics. At 1.8 km, it's a distance you could probably walk, really, but if additional segments are eventually approved the line could become more useful.
Hi Lad ! re: http://groups.msn.com/VerdunConnections/thebadside.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=53662&all_topics=1 Here is one « new » metro car special art-deco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWRtRmUVb8 JM
JM here's one you reconize. Here's an oldie Snowdon Junction winter of 1904 Steve
Good morning Steve ! Thanks for the photos, specially the one on Snowdon Junction taken in Feb. 1904 JM
JM Thanks just like being there.They don't look too bad. Lad
I suppose this could go under the Montreal Spots,..but it does have a streetcar in it as well...................Also you can just see the tail end of Dow delivery truck,.. .You can barely see the 'D' ......................... HF&RV
Car 1688 on Decarie Blvd. Montreal on 18/09/1957 Car 1676 at Cartierville Terminus, Montreal on 18/09/1957 Car 1688 on Decarie Blvd, Montreal. The tracks to Garland Terminus can be seen at the right, on 18/09/1957 Car 1688 leaving Garland Terminus, Montreal on 18/09/1957 Steve
Thanks Steve, Great photos. Riding the Cartierville 17 out to Belmont Park was some of the happiest days of my life. That could be me looking out the back window. That was the seat I always went for-Walter
15th Street NW in the early 20th century,Washington, D.C. Horsecars on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Here's a shot of one of the local gendarmes recieving some sort of a document from somebody,.right in the middle of a street in Montreal ,does anyone recognise the street.?? you can see a few Diamond Cabs,as well as a streetcar, & a number of restaurants.......... HF&RV
Here's another Montreal Tram/Streetcar leaving the yards......... ...Btw: the previous photo is listed as being at the intersection of Peel & StJames ( StJacques,as it's known today) HF&RV
Here's a Montreal Spot can you pinpoint the location ? Yes of course it's Peel & StCatherine,from many years ago: Here's a webcam site from today's Peel & StCatherine & I see almost 'no' Montreal character like the older shot,.today's version is rather boring http://www.montrealcam.com/en-visitation.html ...............What do you think? hf&rv
ELECTRIC STREETCARS downtown, February 1956. These were Montreal's main public transportation in the days before subways and the widespread use of diesel buses. Trams were in use in some parts of the city until 1959. Steve
http://www.exporail.org/public/ http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/alltime/montreal-qc.html
How's this for being 'off the beaten track'.........hahahahahaha this tram seems to have been derailed...................also checkout the kids homemade cart in the leftside foreground: hf&rv
Hey, Pass me your 'transfer' out the window.............hahahahaha Remember doing that to get your friends on the Bus....... Checkout the crowd at this stop,.Yikes !!! the transfer scam always worked best,in a big crowd..........& any of you Remember splitting the 'bus ticket' in half and showing the still good side ,so the driver could see it,and drop it in the box,hoping it wouldn't flip over exposing the fraud.......hahahahahaha They used to peel apart perfectly ( or so I'm told).........hahahahaha .......Yikes ...........not much chance of getting a window seat. hf&rv
Hi Jean-Marie, Hi Les,
I'm certain this is the Montreal West Parkside Avenue wye turn we talked about a few months ago. The streetcars were wye'd differently here during the fifties. The streetcar would have gone to the end of the track on Westminster and then backed in to Parkside. Thus in a fifties photo we would see the front of the streetcar in this position. I remember in the fifties you could see a mark in the pavement at the end of the track on Parkside where a streetcar had backed up too far and gone on to the pavement for about six feet. I'm not sure if the streetcar was able to get back to the track on it's own or had to be towed. The trolley wire on Parkside Avenue extended a few feet longer than the track so there would have been power for the streetcar to return to the rails. I have no answer as to why the streetcar backed up off the track in the fifties but the grove cut in the pavement proved that one had. I wonder how the streetcar derailed in this photo? Check out that fancy bike with the steering wheel. Great photo Les, Thanks so much-Fresco
Remember the old Coach's / Bus's that you could take ,I Remember taking one to Beloil/McMasterville,.by myself as a kid,.being told when I left to just watch for the stop.......hahahahaha nowadays we wouldn't think of sending a kid by themselves on a Bus trip ,..... This Bus shot reminded me of that old Bus Trip.....maybe some of you have travelled on this Bus,.... Vallleyfield/Beaharnois, ..................Have a look at the make,... REO, of course that's the company that the Band REO Speedwagon got their name from,..I posted a picture of a Truck years ago, which was an REO speedwagon,.well here's it's Bus counterpart..............................................................................HF&RV
Les, I love this photo. I see a General Motors Bus passing on the left hand side. I believe this GM model came out in 1946 but check the old jalopy on the right hand side. I believe this photo would be from the late forties but I would love to hear what Jean-Marie Hachey has to say about it. Is this the Dorchester Bus Terminal? Is that the church in the background that was across the street from Windsor Station? When I was in Panama in 1977 they still had those old jalopy busses in service. I remember an old Humphrey Bogart movie where he rides one of those busses from Miami to New York. Anyone remember when the Dorchester Street Bus Terminal closed? 1964? I see on the web that Provincial Transport became Metropolitan Provincial in 1964. Provincial Transport was amazing. They went to so many places in Quebec Province-Fresco
Hi Fresco ,....glad you liked the photo,.....I will try to find more hf&rv
Hi The bus station on Dorchester I seem to remember it open in 69..went to grey cup parade and some friends got on there to go home.. Great pictures Lad
Thanks Les-Fresco
Hi The bus station on Dorchester I seem to remember it open in 69..went to grey cup parade and some friends got on there to go home.. Great pictures Les Lad Thanks Lad. I left Montreal in 1964 but at some point on one of my many Montreal visits I noticed that the bus terminal on Dorchester had closed and moved east. I just can't remember what year it was-Fresco
Now this shot,just says JMH,............Fresco you may like it ,kind of a stylis rig ,........but checkout the old Woolworth's in the background: .here's a brief description of the photo & it's whereabouts...... right in your neck of the woods Jean-M. Port챕e et contenu
Autobus de la compagnie Autobus & Taxis Ltée en 1934, stationné devant son terminus de l'époque (coin Racine et Riverin), en face du magasin Woolworth. À droite, sur la photo, est situé l'emplacement du futur restaurant Chez Georges. À l'époque, l'édifice abrite le
commerce Gaudreault & Tremblay, tabaconistes. On y trouve 챕galement un salon de barbier.
Les renseignements proviennent du volume Chicoutimi 150 ans d'images ............................................have fun & remember Verdun
The 'designer' of the interior of this bus,.didn't stay up all night with any complicated,charts & graphs.....................................Yikes ! can you say 'stark' ...the good thing about this one is that ,if the driver applied the brakes quickly,then you were 'getting off at the next stop' whether you wanted to or not.if you were sitting on those side benches............. hahahahahah hf&rv .............here's the forward view of this old school bus: ........the sign on the front of the bus,.says "Speed limit" 20MPH when carrying children.......... cause you don't want to end up needing these .................................hf&rv
JMH this shot also is from Chicoutami...circa 1905........guess we missed that bus....................................(LoL) .............................................................doesn't exactly scream 'compfortable' hf&rv
Thanks Les,
Love this photo. Check out where the bus is headed...To Chicoutimi, home of Jean-Marie Hachey.
Hi Les and Walter ! Thanks Les for these photos of Chicoutimi, some of those are new to me. Another old one ... Can you find the place ? Easy !!! JM
... on a larger scale ... JM
Yes I will be driving by that street in about a half an hour,.That's Douglas Street looking towards (away from Downtown Victoria) the Parliamnent Bldgs & the Emperess Hotel (Fairmont Emperess) ,..would be behind the photographer in this case.......... as you can see Victoria once had a streetcar system too. Thanks for the picture .......... hf&rv
Australian Trams Completely restored X-1 class single truck car, currently available for purchase
Try this link you'll find some interest stuff on Trams and Trolleys. http://www.btm.org.au/links.htm
Fresco After they closed the station they moved it to Berri Street..Remember going to car show across the street from there.Memory not sure if they did have both open for a time... Lad
Hi Less and everyone,
I'm doing a special project and need to see or at least get a description of the old Verdun buses. What color were they? I know the buses there now are blue, but I don't think they were that color back in 68. Could someone post a colored picture or let me know what color they were then? I couldn't find anything on the internet.
thanks
smac
Hello Sandy, Les here (with one less s, more or less).......hahahahaha the bus most of us would have seen alot of,were usually light brown with white top and an MTC logo on the side,.those were actually bus's from the late 50's ..and there were lots of them..then the blue/white came in,...I will or someone here will find you a colour photo for your project: JMH probably has a ton of them,or we may even have one in one of our albums,.I'm just heading out for dinner ,so i will try to find one either later on tonight or tomorow after supper.... have fun & remember Verdun
I looked through my files and didn't find any for that era.But they wher a light shade of brown with a stripe around the middle and a silver gray upper. I don't have a coloured one but it's simular to the one on the far right in colour stature bottom brown a stripe and a silver gray top Steve
Sandy, The attached B&W's won't help much but the busses were light beige on top and light brown on the bottom. The #8 went from Atwater&St. Catherine down Atwater under the canal and along Verdun Ave. to God knows where as I always got off at 4th. Matt
Attachment: VERDUN - 8 (later 108) Bus Atwater and St. Catherine.jpg
Hi Matt
Thank you for that. I thought the color was two tone brown but wasn't sure. perfect! Now I can finish my project.
Sandra
MTC..logo on the side .....here's an old one on Saint Catherine Street: the Tr6 beside the bus indicates the picture is from the very least '69ish but more probably into the 70's ,.but the car immediately behind the TR6 is a '58 Pontiac,....but then the car in the immediate left foreground is ,or looks like a '68ish Cortina or something like that with it's more square rear side window.......... I will still find you the actual color photo,...but I have to search the hard drive,.and I'm busy till later tomorow or later Wednesday ...........but you seem to have enough ammo to proceed with your project,.......The actual STCUM site is informative,but has no real good color pics.............. hf&rv
Onesmac ,...the previous photo must be earlier 60's ( The TR6's didn't ever change much,as I had a '75...& it looked the same basically.....but the fact that Saint Catherine Street in this photo,is a two way street ,..would make it more like mid -to- early 60's ..........As I'm not sure when it switched to one way, but in '66 I was in the Sea Cadets at HMCS Donnacona, on Drummond ,near the old CKGM building & that would have been '65-'66 ......and Saint Catherine I think hadn't changed yet hf&rv
Here's one of the 'newer at one time' fishbowl bus's that still had the brown & white paint scheme with the silver being the polished aluminum trim,..... We didn't see many of this type in the old Bus colours,.generally they became the familiar Blue & White like this exapmle ..but have no fear,we will soon post a colour photo of the older style ......... HF&RV
This example shows a fleet of Montreal's Trolley Coaches,....this shows the silver top,red line and cream coloured bottom.... .......these colours never made it to the Bus Fleet,though: hf&rv
Here's two other exapmles of 1960 era Bus's .......yikes they are different too: Bus's .....Trolley's ...& Streetcars...........oh my!!! hahahahahahha don't forget Trams............. hf&rv
thanks everyone
You've been a great help. The brown and white one is the style I ended up using for my project, but I did mess up a little on the color. I only had a b&w of this model and now that I see the color combo, I didn't quite get it. It's not the kind of detail you notice when you're a kid. How did you all find pictures? I typed in everything I could think of in Google and all I found were new buses and a couple of old black and white ones.
Sandra
You've all been such a good help. I have another question?
This is not related to buses. I was trying to find the message board with the discussions about coin and there worth. who was the expert on that subject? What would a pure silver dollar be worth now?
Smac
here you go http://www.coinflation.com/coins/silver/-coin-calculator.html back then the bus driver watched and collected real dimes, quarters going into the box as the passenger enters the bus.
Hi onesmac0 ! re: http://groups.msn.com/VerdunConnections/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=54150 Additional photos of some Montr챕al old buses _______________________________________________________ MTC #644: « Canadian Car », CC&F, model CD-40A, 40 seats (1950) _______________________________________________________ CTM #2705: « Canadian Car », CC&F, model CD-44A, 45 seats (1952) (Restauration by the Fondation de l’Héritage du Transport en Commun du Québec (FHTCQ)). _______________________________________________________ CTM #3119: « Canadian Car », CC&F, model CD-52, 45 seats (1957) _______________________________________________________ CTCUM #14-008: « New Look, Fishbowl », GMDD, model T6H-5307N, 42 seats (1972) (Restauration by the Fondation de l’Héritage du Transport en Commun du Québec (FHTCQ)). _______________________________________________________ More at: http://gmnewlook.fotopic.net/ JM
Thank you for the information. it appears that a canadian, old silver dollar is now worth almost $10.
Thank god I don't have to count coins on the bus now. Years ago out here in BC the driver actually had a change machine that could be hooked onto your belt or attached to the transfer rack. When I first started driving we had to punch the zones on the transfers and change the times every 15 minutes while working. If we had to deal with coin at the same time I don't think I would have been such a calm and friendly driver.
Smac
Hi JM
Great photo's of the old buses. I love all the background pictures , with the old buildings. Fantastic!
JM I was trying to remember the word for the old buses that used a long hand brake to stop the bus. I imagine some of the Montreal buses had them too, back in the day. I keep thinking the word is something like Brillo????? lol
smac
Ooooooppps !! Not quite finished yet.........Yikes , looks a little drafty too................hahahahahaha Now that's an old one.................hf&rv
the problem is that's got 10 dollars of silver value, selling it to a buyer you may get 8 to 9 dollars, the buyer has to make a profit also the risk it may drop the next day?? you need lots of 500 silver dollars to make it worth while in the long run the buyer can give close to market value then sell it asp for the profit. last year there was lots of half dollars, silver dollars to buy, rite now forget it there's none out there to buy. even silver bullion bars, silver maple leaves, yes you can get 1 or 2 etc but if you want large amounts forget it, people are starting to learn themselves that silver is cheap rite now. the next 6 months you will see silver, gold skyrocket also for the next 5+ years yes we are in a rude rollercoaster ride, if you have those silver dollars keep them you may need them to buy gas, food etc. don't think like the average joe six pack, get out of debt, save a wealthy person today is a debt free person, a very rare person to find debt free. also i have nerves of steel, can handle pressure, knowing you drive a bus public transport. a bus driver has more strength than i have, more nerves of steel, its one hard thinking and responsible job to have. i don't have the courage for that line of work, thats one tough job and i have respect for you as a bus driver.
that is the saddest looking bus I've ever seen. hahah
smac
Hi Metalman
The silver dollars I was wondering about are long gone. I just wanted to guilt my sister a little, for I'm writing a kid style story book for my sister about a time she and a friend took 8 silver dollars, that were sent from our grandfather in NFLD for her when she grew up and spent the works at Alexis Neon Plaza. lol .. I was going to put todays value of the coins at the end of the story. That is also why I needed to see a picture of a bus in 68 for one of my drawings in the book.
Thanks for saying I must be brave driving a bus. We call it STUPID over here. lol I guess it does take a certain amount of quick thinking, a fairly good understanding of human nature, and lots of patience. I always tell kids in fun "don't mess with me, I'm from Quebec". (whatever that means) But it seems to work!
One of the shifts I do occasionally is called the "night bus" which picks up the last people from downtown, out of the bars and clubs and drives them back to the suburban areas. It would be the same distance as driving drunks from downtown Montreal to Lachine. It can be fun and sometimes a little nerve wracking. I often get new drinkers (19th B-day) who can't make it all the way and I have to pull over to the side of the road for them. It's a sort of "throw the rules out the window" route. I don't care if they pay as long as they get off at their bus stop, otherwise you end up with a stranded drunk miles away from home and no way to get back until the morning. I often stop mid-way and wake up anyone who is sleeping and ask where they are getting off. It's actually a fun route, bongo drums and all. haha
Smac
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Hi Smac ! You wrote: « [...] I Remember the word for the old buses that used a long hand brake to stop the bus. I imagine some of the Montreal buses had them too, back in the day. I keep thinking the word is something like Brillo » http://groups.msn.com/VerdunConnections/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=54174 As to the use of the word Brillo, I’m quite sure that it refers to Brill bus (J. G. Brill Company). Many people used to call those buses solely by the name Brill BTW, my previous descriptions were not complete (no ref. to the name Brill): CC&F should be replaced by CC&F/Brill. re: http://groups.msn.com/VerdunConnections/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=54167 Some ref.: The J. G. Brill Company Records, 1877-1930
(240 boxes, 15 volumes, 50 linear feet ) Collection 1556: http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/brill1556.htm J.G. Brill Company Photographs: http://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=56 J. G. Brill and Company: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._G._Brill_and_Company JM
Jm Remember the 25 was a small version of the one on the 107 route and was a stick shift..smelled of diesel and Church was 2 way at that time...just big enough to get down the street...always remember the guy shifting gears.. Lad
Thank you jean-marie
You're right, it was called the Brill. I wasn't far off. I recall when I started driving the old-timers would kid us about how easy our job was compared to driving the old Brills.
They made it sound like it was a major work-out.
I book marked the website you sent me on the Brill company. Looks like lots of great history.
Smac
onesmac i had the same experience as you did, i collected silver dollars as a little kid years later i asked my brother were's the silver dollars i had collected as a kid. my mom replied your brother took them and used them at the corner beer store for beer and smokes. every one is different in this world and everyone can do something the other person can't do. we are all important in this world
This shot just made the old song pop into my mind: I owe , I owe, it's off to work I go.........hahahahahah ..Although everyone on this bus is dressed up it seems . so I doubt they are off to work.. (anyway it's a Bus shot) HF&RV
i think they look more like a school of traveling encyclopedia salesmen. haha
Les,
Message 320 looks like a Provincial Transport Bus. Note the overhead luggage racks plus the fancy seats. These were not items on the MTC busses-Fresco
Hi Fresco,..I would agree ,I think this is a field trip of some kind,....good shot though,you can make out the cars on the road behind the bus,............Gives the photo ,that Alfred Hitchcock ,type of feel to it.......'Rear Window' ......hahahahah Aside from the luggage racks ,the upholstery is a little more plush too..... As for the other Snowdon Junction shot,that is the spot,......I figured it would be recalled by a few people,.....We did see some major changes in our time spent in Montreal,.the city was changing & basically coming in to it's own ,as they ramped up to meet the World in Expo67.........highways ,expressways,,,etc etc I liked the shot because it had a lot going on in it,,,, I see a sign advertising Dinty Moores,........also a Grocery Store called Queen Mary blah blah blah...................glad you liked the shot..I'll keep looking for various stuff & post when possible: How are things in Quebec South,?hahahaha I see Len Barrie from Victoria here just bought the Tampa Bay Lightning, they will do well I think . Len Barrie ( with a group of others,) built a first class resort & golf club here in Victoria (actually Highlands/Langford) it's called Bear Mountain,......a real golf ball eater......YIKES !!!! Golf carts have GPS onboard, and everyone goes by cart ,no walking ......... best Regards from Canada's Westcoast ( Les & Teresa,Victoria BC) hf&rv here's a link to Bear Mountain, if you want to see what he's built here ( he's made a lot more money developping than he did playing hockey,he's a smart guy.Btw along with buying the team,he gets the arena & over 5 acres of nice property,that happens to be vacant (for now) look for 'condo's' at some point.... http://www.bearmountain.ca/
Nueces Transportation Company 1950s Steve
Had to slide the few pics in ,as they are definetly Montreal Bus's and on a familiar street ,.....has that Downtown feel... .....That's today's tour of Montreal for a bit,.....I'm getting ready to head out to a BBQ///// Hope you all Have a Good Canada Day weekend ( I know it's not till Tuesday,.but have a BBQW anyway... HF&RV
Les,
Rear Window was on The Turner Classic Movie Channel the other day and I caught part of it. What a great movie-Fresco
Concerning my message 533 I posted on Montreal Spots and wich I confused with More Trams, I am repeating my following message so that it can be on the correct thread for future consultation: "What is it that fascinates us so much about streetcars. Here we are with a total of 532 messages (this should be 327 as of today). they certainly had an impact on our psyche as the have disapeared from our roads 50 years ago and we are still talking about them. Hurry, get those streetcars back before we get a breakdown." Guy
Guy,
I think that those of us who were lucky enough to ride Montreal Streetcars in the fifties remember what a great transportation system it was. Riding the trolleys of Montreal was really fun and a really nice way of getting around. The trip on The Cartierville 17 to Belmont Park was as enjoyable as the park was. And who could forget on those cold winter days how great it felt stepping inside a toasty warm streetcar. I'm going to have my breakdown now, check in to The Douglas. Call me when the streetcars return-Fresco
Do I have to put this in Moore Trams..........................hahahaha Ok ,but I don't see why?............................Is that the number 12 Sure doesn't look like Yvon, but I guess it does look like a 'roadrunner' HF&RV
For the Bus people , JMH Fresco & co. Here's an article in this morning's Gazette ,mentioning the start of an ongoing story about Montreal's Transit Sysdtem & answering any questions people might have: Might be of interest to some of you...starts Monday Morning In Montreal: Squeaky Wheels The GazettePublished: Thursday, July 17 On Monday, we're launching a new column, Squeaky Wheels, dedicated to answering your questions about public transit in Montreal. Confused by the MTC's refillable transit card, Opus? Or have you ever wondered why your regular bus runs so infrequently? HF&RV
Thanks foe Squeaky Wheels alert Les-Fresco
Here's a great National Film Board short movie of Paul Tomkowicz. Paul kept the Winnipeg streetcar track switches free of snow in the wintertime. A wonderful little documentary. You can hear the sounds of the fifties. The clang of the trolley cars, a train whistling in the night. The cold wind of Winnipeg. I saw this film two times when it was shown in school. I was ten years old at the time. I always remembered it. In 1998 I found info about the film on the web. I called The National Film Board and the cost was $45.00 for a VHS Tape. I passed at the time but just found it on the web. The video runs nine minutes. It really shows life in 1953 Winnipeg. Enjoy-Fresco http://beta.nfb.ca/film/paul_tomkowicz_street_railway_switchman/
Thanks for posting the website with the wonderful film of Paul Tomkowics. I found it very touching, almost sentimental as he spoke about his life in Winnipeg and his family in Poland. I really enjoyed watching it and also watched "Wings on her Shoulder" about the Canadian women recruits in 1943. Definitely worth watching.
Smac
Thanks Smac, Really glad you enjoyed the film. This video really brings back the fifties memories. Paul was something else. The sounds and sites of Winnipeg were fantastic. The old 7up signs and Orange Crush Clocks looked bran new in the film...which they were at the time. Jean-Marie Hachey wrote me about the video. He even knew what Winnipeg Streetcar route it was that we were watching. Jean-Marie really knows his streetcars for sure. Fresco
For the train & tram fans ,........... Fresco ,Guy , JMH this means you................hahahahah & a few more of us I guess. but in todays Gazette, it appears Montreal is buying ,more locomotives for their proposed commuter rail service ( I guess modernising their exisiting one. City of Montreal to buy 20 locomotives The GazettePublished: 2 hours ago MONTREAL - The city of Montreal will buy 20 new locomotives for its fleet of commuter trains, the Agence M챕tropolitaine de Transport announced Monday afternoon. The locomotives feature new duo-mode technology - the first of its kind in North America - which allows the trains to run on either diesel fuel or electricity at full speed and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, noise and commuting time. Bombardier won the bid for the $263.3 million project, 75 per cent of which is funded provincially, the remaining 25 per cent by the city of Montreal. The announcement follows a decision in December 2007 to add 160 new commuter coaches to the transit fleet, at a cost of $386.2 million. The two projects make up the largest provincial investment in transportation infrastructure to date. The bulk of the new locomotives will be used on a new east-end commuter route, starting in 2010. HF&RV
This is for onesmac (Sandy) ,.I cannot remember how I came across this site,it may very well have been sent to me by one of our existing members,or I found it surfing.....who knows.. but since you drive for BCTransit then you may appreciate it,some of our other members may like it too. http://www.transitworkers.novatone.net/PUBLIC/a_brief_history_of_transit.htm ........................................................................................hf&rv
Hi Les
Thanks for the article on BC transit. I read all of it and was quite impressed to know, that I knew very little about our transit system. lol It stated by 1948 Vancouver had the largest trolley bus service in Canada. I think it still does. Excellent article, and would love to read more on the subject. Smac
The Arizona Republic A pedestrian crosses the light- railtracks during lunch hour in downtown Phoenix on Central and Adams streets. Light-rail trains running now, but passenger pickup still months away Metro light-rail trains began test runs through downtown Phoenix on Monday. Light-rail passenger service launches on Dec. 27, and officials are estimating that trains will have 26,000 riders a day on the 20-mile starter route. Regular test runs are running from Main Street and Sycamore in Mesa to Central Avenue and McDowell Road in central Phoenix. Testing this fall will eventually go the entire route, ending just south of Bethany Home Road in north-central Phoenix. The vehicle is relatively quiet, so drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to pay attention to traffic and pedestrian-crossing signals to avoid accidents.
Here is an amazing CTV Video on Vancouver http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080518/BC_Video_Vancouver_Past_080518/20080518/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Hi Fresco I see your keeping up to date with the We_tcoast out here,......That is a great video, I saw this on the news a few months back,but this is the first I see access to the video. Sandy will appreciate this ( onesmac) ..... Merci HF&RV
Fresco here's a site I've posted before,but it has some interesting stuff on BC Transit History..... If I was living in those days ( & some days I feel like I'm old enough (lol) ) I may have taken this old streetcar to get home. Streetcars allthough being phased out when I was still young were still an adventure, so were bus trips for that matter. http://www.transitworkers.novatone.net/PUBLIC/a_brief_history_of_transit.htm hf&rv
Thanks Les, A great site. BC has some fantastic transit history. Glad you liked the video and I hope Sandy enjoys it also. I'm a big fan of Sandy's-Fresco
Les, Here's two You Tubes on Vancouver Streetcars-Fresco http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmphXsUL70 http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=BPxcTM4MOhc
Thanks Walter ( Fresco) ,...I will have to view them later, as I'm just heading out for the afternoon,..Thanks Again I'll see them later..glad you liked the transit site I thought you would ,...I haven't seen Sandy on here for alittle nit, but after experiencing all the MSN woes ,I think many people just opted to take a siesta,.....but I think I posted that Transit link for BC once before, for Sandy or maybe emailed it????? Hope Florida is not too drafty these days,....take care . HF&RV
Thanks Les,
MSN has been nasty lately. Florida is hanging in pretty good today but Nova Scotia is in for a bumpy ride unfortunately with Hurricane Kyle pushing northward. Hope all is well in God's Country today-Walter
Sandy, Les, I really hope you guys get streetcars in Vancouver. Here's a story from CTV-Fresco
Streetcars more viable for Vancouver: UBC study A new rapid transit line along Vancouver's Broadway corridor to the University of British Columbia would cost taxpayers 15 times more than it would to build a streetcar line along the same route, according to a new report. The report by the UBC Design Centre for Sustainability is based on above-ground transit systems in the U.S. and European cities. Researchers found a streetcar rail system would not only cover more ground at much less cost to taxpayers, it would also have the potential to improve the quality of life in affected neighbourhoods by making a smaller environmental footprint, in comparison to a subway-like system. Redevelopment of the Broadway corridor is part of the province's $14 billion plan to expand transit lines in the city over the next 10 years. The plan includes an Evergreen Line to the Tri-Cities and an extension of the existing Expo Line through Surrey. When you look at what it would cost to build a streetcar system, the $2.8 billion earmarked for a SkyTrain route to UBC looks too expensive, says Professor Patrick Condon, one of the authors of the study. Based on the amounts of money that are being discussed he suspects TransLink is leaning towards a 12-kilometre underground subway system. But a streetcar system would pay for itself within two decades, he said, and should be seriously considered as an option for Vancouver. "I don't think (a streetcar system) has been given serious consideration (by TransLink)," he said. The report shows the historic streetcar system that operated in Greater Vancouver in the early 1900's for more than 60 years could be rebuilt and expanded to meet the needs of transit users in Vancouver today.
Les, I just received a telephone call from my Son and Grandson. They were at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers footbal game today. They are having dinner right now at a restaurant where the Tampa Streetcar goes by. Unfortunately there is no time for a ride as they have a two hour drive back to Cape Coral. The good news is that we've now all planned to go to Tampa together for a streetcar ride. BTW, Tampa beat Green Bay 30 to 21 today
Les, Charlotte, North Carolina brought back streetcars. This streetcar in Charlotte almost looks like it could be the Wellington 58. It is a new replica trolley car made to look like the old streetcars that we knew
The new Charlotte light rail streetcar and the new replica car made in the old style pass by each other. This could be Vancouver if you guys choose to construct some light rail
"Am I in Heaven?" "No, you're in Charlotte!"
The Charlotte Car Barn looks just like the St Henri Car Barn did
"Am I in Heaven?" "No, you're in Jean-Marie Hachey's back yard!"
Hi
Vancouver have been discussing for years to develop some sort of rapid transit down the Broadway route. For those who don't know, Broadway is a very long road that turns into a highway called Lougheed Hwy. It's actually the route I do on my Night Bus.
It is one of the most used routes through town. Most UBC university students take that route to go to school. The artic., buses are overcrowded, so they are considering some other form of commute. Street cars I don't think have been suggested but they certainly have talked lots about another "Sky-train line or rapid light-rail system down the middle of the road. Whatever they choose I probably wont get a chance to drive them as it will take Van., five years to talk about it and another five to build the system. lol. I'll be long gone.
Smac
Sandy & Fresco , I found an old newspaper from the mid 70's ( I think it was) that talked about a light rail link from Victoria's Western Communites to Victoria........the idea was shot down in those days for reasond they still use today to shoot down the same idea...... Too Expensive....not enough ridership;......etc etc ...maybe when they have a larger popultation they could do it.........35 years have passed & the same arguements are used & now we have 3 times maybe more population & they still dance around the topic. Mean while we have govt's sending & promising money to every where in the world ( except here,where it's needed) Perhaps a lesson in the old school type of thinking is in order for today's officials " Charity Begins at Home" Let's do stuff for us, where we can see a tangible effect of OUR MONEY in use......instead of pretending to help country's abroad where the money or food & supplies is stolen by the elite thieves in power ........ HF&RV
Hi; I'm adding this Pic ., Taken inside street car New Orleans. Piror to Katrina. Ron Larman
Attachment: New Orleans.jpg
Hey Fresco I notice the number on the new car is reverse numbers of the old 58 car. Co-incidence? George
Hi Smac, Sorry, I may have said Streetcar but would actually mean Light Rail. Light Rail is kind of the modern day streetcar. Very interesting about your run on Broadway. Is Broadway a trolley bus run? I have to find a good BC Transit Map. I would imagine Broadway is like the Ste Catherine Street 15 line or St Lawrence Boulevard route where there are tons of passengers. The Wellington 58, Cote Des Neighes 65, Sherbrooke 105, the 107 and 108 busses would come to mind also as very busy Montreal routes. I loved Montreal's Trolley Busses. I rode them a few times but it was for the enjoyment of the ride only as I had nowhere to go in Montreal's East End where they ran. Thanks for your info. I'd love to hear any crazy transit stories you have. A friend and neighbor of mine on Long Island drove a New York City Subway. Through him I met the Subway Motorman who was in the famous subway scene in The French Connection movie.They nick named him "Hollywood" after he was in the movie. Hope to get out to BC one of these days. I have been to Calgary where I rode the Light Rail past The Stampede Grounds. Thanks for the news from God's Country-Fresco
Les, Too expensive? Have you been taking too many deductions on your income tax? Just remember the good things in life cost money. If Vancouver paid the extra bucks for Light Rail they'd earn it back with higher ridership. Hopefully as Vancouver see's all the other cities with Light Rail that they'll see the Light (pun intended) Fresco
Hi George, Wow, I didn't think of that. I don't think there's any connection. Here 's the Wikipedia info on car #85. Streetcar #85 This historic significance of Car 85 was that it was the final electric streetcar to run in Charlotte on March 14, 1938. Following its final journey, the city would rely solely on bus transit to serve its citizens. Following its final journey, it was sold for $100, along with all the reaming cars, and lost into obscurity for nearly 50 years before its discovery in a Huntersville neighborhood in November 1987. Upon its discovery, the Charlotte Historic Landmarks Commission led the charge in its restoration. Its restoration commenced at SpringFest `89, and was completed in 1991 at a cost of just over $100,000.
We have govt's sending & promising money to every where in the world ( except here, where it's needed) Perhaps a lesson in the old school type of thinking is in order for today's officials " Charity Begins at Home" Let's do stuff for us, where we can see a tangible effect of OUR MONEY in use......instead of pretending to help country's abroad where the money or food & supplies is stolen by the elite thieves in power ........ HF&RV BINGO, you really hit the nail on the head here Les. Perfectly said. I'll bet Vancouver and Victoria could have massive Light Rail systems with the money that has been given away in foreign aid. There are dictators living the life of luxury in Switzerland from Canada and US foreign aid-Fresco
Hi,
Broadway is quite different than St Catherines. Vancouver is so different and much smaller than Montreal, so you don't have to drive far to reach suburban area or even fields of cattle. lol. Broadway runs through many cities and reaches out to the countryside. In the Vancouver area if your on Broadway and want to go downtown Van., you have to cross a bridge over the Georgia straight.
I have to leave for work but will write more later.
Smac
And Fresco,
When I get home at 4:00 am I'll write you a bus driving story.
Smac
Hi Smac, 4am wow. Well like they say "Night time is the right time." Is the Broadway Bus a trolley bus? I forgot to mention that my neighbor at the end of our street is a retired New York City Bus Driver. I was the mailbox the other day when he drove by and yelled "The bus doesn't stop here." When I next saw him I told him he was wrong and that the M10 came by three minutes later. The M10 is the New York City Transit Bus that runs down BROADWAY to Times Square then continues to lower Manhattan on 7th Avenue. Lot of Broadways here, Vancouver and New York. Hope you have a great run tonight. Thanks for your postings-Fresco
Hi Fresco ,.My answer is No ,..I actually was suggesting that the 'same old arguements are being used as an excuse 'Not' to go ahead with this....... My opinion 30 years ago was, What the F^&k are you waiting for,it will Never get less expensive..........so let's just build it with the Do-Re-Mi we like ( read Gov't) to give away to feel like big shots........Stop the Bleeding here first then help everyone else........... I will try to find that old newspaper,that listed the same modern negativity,with reasons why 'it can't be done' I beoeive you & I and many others are on the same page with ,wanting our representatives to Do things for us & Never mind the BS..........hahahahah Which allows me to 'segway'( I know that's the wrong spelling, but I'm an idiot ,what can I say)........hahahahhaha Here's another Poem which is entitled " It couldn't be Done" by Edgar A. Guest It Couldn’t Be Done Edgar Guest
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
Who wouldn̢۪t say so till he̢۪d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it. Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he̢۪d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn̢۪t be done, and he did it. There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn̢۪t be done," and you̢۪ll do it.
maybe we need our elected officials to have to read these 'Can Do' type of poems,.as they all seem to be of the mind that they 'can't do anything' cause of lack of funds,However I have yet to see many politicians leave office without being a lot wealthier than they were when they went in,.....so how about spending some of our dough on us,.& stop stealing it for their friends.........Yikes......how's that for a mini rant..........hahahaha have fun & remember Verdun
Hi Fresco ,.the answer 'No' was in relation to your other post, have I been taking too many deductions.................hahahaha Recommend Delete Message 359 of 365 in Discussion From: Fresco750 in response to Message 355 Sent: 9/29/2008 3:11 PM Les, Too expensive? Have you been taking too many deductions on your income tax? Just remember the good things in life cost money. If Vancouver paid the extra bucks for Light Rail they'd earn it back with higher ridership. Hopefully as Vancouver see's all the other cities with Light Rail that they'll see the Light (pun intended) Fresco ..............You know Fresco I once tried to tell 10 jokes in a row,to make people laugh,..............but sadly "No Pun in 10 Did"............HF&RV
Love the poem.
I think I'll copy it and hang it on my wall to remind me to stop whining and just bloody do it.
hi Fresco,
Well here I am. It's 4:33 am and I just got home from work. Monday is a boring night to do the NIGHT BUS. Just a few people heading home after a late shift. No real drunks etc.
Trolley buses are only in Vancouver. Any buses that have to head out of Vancouver are deasel (can't spell ) or natural gas. My night bus run takes close to three hours to do a return trip. I'm pretty well driving around by myself on monday and tuesday nights. But friday is unbelievable. Vancouver is a young town compared to how I remember Montreal's night life. Any age goes there, but Vancouver's night life is really for anyone under 35. So needless to say, friday is busy with wall to wall kids, half cut, hoping to make it home before they get sick. It can be very entertaining and sometimes I have to stop to let someone step off to be ill or we all suffer the consequences. It usually shocks them that I'll wait. This may even happen twice before the trip is completed. I feel like a mothers helper on wheels. A mobile babysitter. Before I completely leave Vancouver I always stop at a bus stop and look around to see if anyone is out cold. I wake them and ask where they want off, for if I don't, I end up with a drunk who is 30kg away from their stop and they can't get back. Also we don't wake up drunks when we are alone and have to wait for RCMP. Our buses don't run all night. Vancouver still thinks it's a little city.
Sometimes there is entertainment on the bus, like this group of dread-lock white guys (5) who get on with their bongo drums, and play the most amazing bongo I've ever heard. I usually hate bongos, but these fellows play with a large band and are fabulous. I've actually had people get up and groove to them and eveyone applauds. As you can see the NIGHT BUS is like no other. Or maybe it's just my night bus. I'm not sure.
Hi Walter ! Thanks for this impressive collection of Charlotte’s streetcars. Funny to see the old and new trams together. http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/images/Charlotte/200804/Lynx85Bland.jpg You’re right, St. Henri garage looked very similar to Charlotte’s one. http://www.stm.info/en-bref/tramways/images/S174/S1746_12.jpg (MSN very slow this morning) Have a nice day ! JM
Hi Fresco: Thanks for the information on the 85. George
Hi Onesmac: My oldest brother worked as a bus driver in Vancouver. He is now retired. His name is Robert (Bob) Edwards. Do you know him? George
Hi Sandra, Enjoyed your story about the late night bus trips. Your writing style reminds me of a book I read recently - you might like it. "Late nights on air" by Elizabeth Hay. Takes place in Yellowknife at an all-night radio station. Great characters and interesting stories about the people and the area. This book won Hay the Giller prize for writing last year - quite an accomplishment. Pat
Hi Smac, You're the best. I love it that you wait for the "Heavers" to do their thing then get back on the bus. I'm certain they appreciate that. How long would they have to wait fot the next bus? Twenty minutes at least I would guess. Love your stories. If one of the Bongo players doesn't sound good on any night just tell him to take his drum and beat it !!! Sorry, couldn't resist. I took many a night bus in Montreal. Summertime wasn't bad but oh those winter nights. Nasty. At least the busses were always toasty warm. Thanks again-Fresco
Hi Jean-Marie, At least you and I were lucky enough to have known the Montreal Tramways back in the days. What a beautiful system the MTC was. Mayor Jean Drapeau's only mistake was getting rid of the streetcars. Montreal Mayor Camillien Houde wanted to keep the streetcars. He refused to have a road replace the streetcar tracks an Mt Royal Mountain. The good news is we may see the trolleys return. Has the cold weather started to move in on Chicoutimi yet? Hope you are well and that all is good up north-Walter
You're welcome George-Fresco
I have yet to see many politicians leave office without being a lot wealthier than they were when they went in,.....so how about spending some of our dough on us,.& stop stealing it for their friends. Les, Someone I was watching on TV the other day said this very thing. The politicians come to office with a net worth in the thousands or less. Their salary is $150,000 per year but when they leave office a few years later they are multi millionaires. Where did the money come from? Remember during Hurricane Katrina Congressman William Jefferson kept a Coast Guard Helicopter over his house for two hours while he retrieved ninety thousand dollars that was in his freezer. The $90,000, believed to be bribe money, was wrapped in tin foil packs of $10,000. Nothing ever happened to Congressman William Jefferson. He still enjoys the good life-Fresco
Hi Pat,
I read lots of books. The name Elizabeth Hay sounds familiar. I'll look the book "Late nights on air" at the library. If she writes like me I'm bound to enjoy it. lol Thanks
Smac
Hey Fresco,
The heavers are usually young kids on a first drunk. Being a mom, I just couldn't bring myself to leave them on the side of a dark road. I couldn't live with myself if something happen to them because of it. I know its not part of the job description but its just the way I am. Guilt ridden. haha. They would have to wait for 20 minutes for the next one. There are only three suburban night buses. I'm the first one. I'd rather wait for I know I would do that. Not too many drivers would.
I like your drum jab. In the past I've said similar to bad bongo players. There are many! I told a kid once "you bong that bongo one more time and kabong you both off the bus." I think it is the most irritating instrument when not played well. Back a few years ago every where you went, you'd hear the thumping, droning stoned out bongo playing of some new age hippies having a sit-in on the sidewalk. Real headache material.
Goodnight for now.
Smac
I thought I would repost this photo of the 58 Wellington Tramway. Guy
I forgot to mention that the 58 Wellington Tramway on the photo is turning at Woodland. Guy
Fabulous picture.
Thanks for posting. Again I ask how do you post a picture in here?
Guy don't forget the #58 coming out of the Wellington tunnel. Steve
Here's the 25 and the bridge over the Lachine Canal. Steve
Winter Time Steve
OnesmacO OK, lets try this: Click on small yellow box below Font Style Click My Computer Click Browse Select Photo from your file Click Open Click Add Photo Let me know how you make out. Guy
Thanks Steve, i am adding it to my collection. Guy
The Destruction of Montreal's PCC Streetcars Les, A heartbreaker. The PCC streetcars should have stayed in service in Montreal and Vancouver well into the seventies-Fresco
Vancouver PCC Streetcars
OnesmacO OK, lets try this: Click on small yellow box below Font Style Click My Computer Click Browse Select Photo from your file Click Open Click Add Photo Let me know how you make out. Guy Guy, As an unhappy Mac user it doesn't work this way with Mac. With Mac there is no Font Style, Font Size or Attach a file option in MSN Groups. I got talked in to buying a Mac. Fortunately I still have a Windows laptop-Fresco
Smac, You are the best. I still remember my first heave. I was walking home with a buddy after a New Year's party. We both heaved in a snowback. Next morning, New Year's Day, we felt like hell. We went downtown, had a milk shake at some place and we went to a movie. We got in the movie around noon, fell asleep in the theater. We woke up around 5 pm and our hang overs were gone. We then watched the movie, left the theater about 8pm and we felt great. Hangovers are nasty. I don't think I've had one in about 15 years. It took me a long time to learn my lesson but I learned-Fresco
Smac, What a story. Thank God it worked out well for you. I got nervous just reading your story but what a story. I've never been on a bus, streetcar, subway or commuter train that has made a mistake that I know of. I did notice in this National Film Board movie of the Winnipeg Streetcars that at 3 minutes and 33 seconds in there is a mistake. A streetcar takes the wrong turn and has to back up. I have never seen a streetcar or bus take a wrong turn but I'm certain they all have. I think of you guys as professionals on top of your game. One Driver who my friends and I loved was "Junior" who drove a Sherbrooke 105. Junior looked 15 years old. I used to say "Junior, You sure you didn't lie about your age to get this job?" Junior would just laugh at the question. Junior was a fast driver who took the corner at Sherbrooke and Atwater so fast that you thought the bus was going to roll over. "You're going to roll the bus Junior" we'd say. "Can't be done, I've tried " he'd say. Here's the Winnipeg Streetcar video: http://beta.nfb.ca/film/paul_tomkowicz_street_railway_switchman/ This kid on the Montreal Trolley Bus could be me. That's where I used to sit, in the single seats in that section. I loved the cream colors of the Montreal trolley Busses. Thank's again Smac for your story-Fresco
Hi Sandy ,great story,& nice of you to keep thinking of the welfare of some of tese kids,......I know if it was my kid you waited for I'd certainly be appreciative............. I'll bet you have some interesting story's to tell...... We' 'd love to hear them................................. HF&RV
Yes why not.................a repost it is. hahahahha .............I'm thinking every 10th post.......what say you? ......hahahahhaa Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Hi Guy,
Fresco is right, Mac's are pretty frustrating in many ways. People send me attachments that I cant' open. Certain programs or videos won't let you watch or open because you have a Mac. So I give up. I can post pictures in the picture section but not here in the messages. Fresco you had a good idea keeping your laptop. Maybe I'll buy one.
Smac
Hey Fresco,
Great story. Maybe we should start a new subject called The first time I got drunk.
I don't recall the first heave but I do remember my first real drunk. I was 14 and one of my pals asked me if I wanted to go to a wedding with her and eat food. We went to the reception hall which I believe was on Verdun Ave., walked in and had a great time eating food and ordering drinks from the bar. It took about three drinks for me to get completely fried and then we left. I asked her who got married and she didn't know. hahah. I don't think I would have ventured into a private wedding if I had known ahead of time. We staggered over to the Pav., and sat outside laughing our heads off. Smac
Hey Sandy: Are you going to reply to my question on Message 371. Curisoity is killing me. LOL George
Hi George,
I thought I did....what's the next thing you loose when you get old???? lol.
I'm really bad at names and at work it's "hey you, or hey pal, hi hon, etc." I was going to look up his name at work and see if I can recall him, but whenever I get off work at 4 am there is only a modicum of brain activity left, just enough to get behind the wheel of my car and auto-pilot home. In other words I forget.
Did he only work out of Vancouver? His name does sound familiar and I will look him up or ask at the Depot. These guys know everything. Smac
Hi Sandy: I believe he only worked out of Vancouver. I've sent an e-mail to him asking if I'm correct. I'll let you know when I get the reply. George
Good Morning Sandy: My brother tells me he worked one year out of Oakridge and the rest of his career out of Burnaby Depot. George
Hi George,
If he only worked out of Vancouver for one year and then moved onto Burnaby, I probably didn't know him. I worked out of Oakridge for five years and the rest of the time in Poco.
I've often wondered what it would be like in Burnaby, but every time I think of switching, I chicken out. I'm not fond of learning new areas.
Smac
Hi Jean-Marie, I love the Montreal Tramway Map you sent me. http://bp3.blogger.com/_H_qVyVvy8AI/Rt_3PniUVMI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/3Hx9mXhLxK0/s1600-h/Image0046.jpg I think I see one omission. It's at the corner of Girouard and Upper Lachine Road. I remember that there was a track from the southbound Girouard track turning on the the westbound Upper Lachine Road track. It was a rusty never used track but I remember it as being there. Do you or anyone else have any memories of that track? The track configuration at Upper Lachine Road and Girouard would look exactly like the track configuration at Claremont and Sherbrooke. Hope all is well up north-Walter
Fresco here's what's near there now: NDG (UPPER LACHINE -Girouard) Price: $430,000.00 Ad ID: 57982272 Visits: 190 Street address: upper lachine rd.., montreal View map
Location: Montr챕al
Date Listed: 14-Sep-08
Well maintained semi-commercial building for sale..Great location!! close to metro, highway.. , new mega hospital.. Same owner for the past 20 yrs. - Upper can be residential apt.. 5 1/2.. + balcony.can easily be rented $900++ .. lower is commercial. + large basement.. plumbing , electrical..updated.. roof 7 yrs. old.. all bricks repointed.. exterieur parking for 4 cars.. Double occupancy..!! approx. 1100 sq. ft. per floor.. Motivated vendors.. !! open to offers!! Please call for infor. or visits at 514-923-6376 Here's your chance to move back to Montreal.....but you always said you liked the train trip around Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh,...so maybe you rather find a spot near Gus's Michigna Red Hots & the old Plattsburg beach.............................................................................HF&RV
How's this Fresco a 1941 map of some transit routes ...may show the area your thinking of ...........here's the web link to the site with this map: http://www.tundria.com/trams/CAN/Montreal-1941.shtml hope it's of interest. have fun and remeber verdun
and last but not least, Fresco here's a little blurb on the Girouard / Upper Lachine area,.......................... NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE, Quebec (1947 - 1980) S.C. 1947, c.71 NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRACE consisting of that part of the city of Montreal bounded by a line commencing at the intersection of Upper Lachine road with Girouard avenue; thence northerly following Upper Lachine road to its intersection with St. R챕mi street; thence following St. R챕mi street to its intersection with the southern limit of the city of Westmount; thence following the southern limit of the city of Westmount to its intersection with Kingston road; thence following Kingston road to Cedar Crescent; thence following Cedar Crescent and Miller avenue to Queen Mary road; thence following Queen Mary road to Macdonald avenue; thence following Macdonald avenue to Aumont street; thence following Aumont street to Dufferin road; thence following Dufferin road to the northern limit of Notre-Dame-de-Gr창ce Ward of the city of Montreal; thence following the said limit in a southerly then easterly direction to its intersection with Lachine canal; thence following Lachine canal to the easterly prolongation of Girouard avenue across the Canadian National Railway yard (Turcot); thence following said prolongation of Girouard avenue to the point of commencement. .....just alittle Montreal / NDG history ,............................................hf&rv
meant to ad the link to the previous post .......it's all about Federal Voting Ridings over the years , but it sure maps the areas out & sparks a memory bank or to into gear. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Include=Y&Language=E&Search=Det&rid=505 hf&rv
Thanks Les, A little history I did not know and that is that NDG went all the way over to Queen Mary Road. I always thought NDG ended at Cote St Luc Road. We're never too old to learn. Very interesting information-Fresco
Fresco here's what's near there now: NDG (UPPER LACHINE -Girouard) Price: $430,000.00 Street address: upper lachine rd.., montreal View map
Location: Montr챕al
Date Listed: 14-Sep-08
Well maintained semi-commercial building for sale..Great location!! close to metro, highway.. , new mega hospital.. Same owner for the past 20 yrs. - Upper can be residential apt.. 5 1/2.. + balcony.can easily be rented $900++ .. lower is commercial. + large basement.. plumbing , electrical..updated.. roof 7 yrs. old.. all bricks repointed.. exterieur parking for 4 cars.. Double occupancy..!! approx. 1100 sq. ft. per floor.. Motivated vendors.. !! open to offers!! Please call for infor. or visits at 514-923-6376 Here's your chance to move back to Montreal.....but you always said you liked the train trip around Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh,...so maybe you rather find a spot near Gus's Michigna Red Hots & the old Plattsburg beach.............................................................................HF&RV Les, When I saw that price of the NDG home I thought that this should be posted on the YIKES board. I wanted to move to Plattsburgh near Gus's Michigan Red Hots & Plattsburgh Beach but my Better Half said it wasn't to be. She grew up in Puerto Rico and just doesn't have that same feeling for Plattsburgh that we do-Fresco
The Top Ten Reasons to live in Plattsburgh # 10...Your house will cost $200,000 less than a house in NDG. # 9.....You won't have to smuggle stuff across the border, you are across the border. # 8.....You are ten minutes from Plattsburgh Beach. # 7.....CJAD has a great signal in to Plattsburgh. # 6.....A Gus's Michigan Red Hots are just a couple of blocks away. # 5.....You can watch all the Montreal TV Channels. # 4.....You can enjoy downtown Montreal and be home in an hour. # 3.....If the Lake Champlain Monster stomps on Plattsburgh you will witness it before your Montreal friends. # 2.....You can become a regular at The Butchers Block Restaurant. And the number one reason to live in Plattsburgh... Brodies has closed so you won't get in trouble on Friday Nights
Hi Walter ! re: http://groups.msn.com/VerdunConnections/vhsreunionpoll.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=55419&all_topics=1 You make an accurate observation concerning the track from the southbound Girouard track turning on the the westbound Upper Lachine Road track. I looked at the Montreal Tramway’s maps for 1923, 1929 and 1941: no trace of that track. However, there was a wye at that intersection between 1913 and 1929 So you were right again ! See this diagram of route 31 Glen: Everything is fine here ... hope the same for you. JM
Here's a few photos of olden days trams in the NDG area. a compilation put together by Yvan Pelland a real estate agent in Montreal, he has an interesting website and has had for years relative to NDG history:
Horse drawn tramways were usually pulled by 2 horses.
During snow season, tramway’s wheels were replaced by skis. They were then pulled by 4 horses.
This photo, taken at the beginning of the century, shows D챕carie Boulevard, looking north, from Queen Mary Road. We can see the Montreal Park and Island Tramline coming from Cartierville. The little building on the left bears a Snowdon sign that probably was a tram stop. The centre sign reads : 짬These valuable lots for sale, Beaudry Realty Co 쨩. The Beaudry family established itself in the area in 1666 with the arrival of Toussaint Beaudry. (Photo Fraser-Hickson Library)
This view of Girouard Avenue looking south, shows another tramline car. It ran down Girouard along Sherbrooke and into Westmount. When it was extended west along Sherbrooke in the 1910's, another axis for urban development was created between Girouard and Wilson.( Photo Fraser-Hickson Library) ........I'm not sure if the Fraser-hickson library still exists, but I would bet it would be an interesting spot to find some old photos of Montreal etc etc : HF&RV
Here's the headline message on the Fraser-Hickson Library site: THE LIBRARY IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND IN STORAGE, PENDING ITS MOVE TO A NEW SITE. http://www.fraserhickson.qc.ca/index.html I don't know how old this message is hf&rv
I think a couple of the photos in the previous post in this thread I had previously posted in the Montreal Spots thread.......Yikes , senility creeping in ever so slowly ,did I mention that I thought I may have previously posted the same ..................blah blah blah......hahahahahah HF&RV
a Lachine tram sitting derailed, were these old cars heated at all? Maybe JMH or Fresco might know,.I remember the pitiful neaters in the old bus's .....and unless you couyld get the seat with the heater under it, It could be real cold on a bus trip & you'd dread the door opening to pick up anyone ,cause some of those old Montreal Winter days could be bitter for sure: Trudging through slush , was always fun,,,,,,,,,hahahahah Look at the sign on the front of this tram,----- "Trams are on Time" I dunn thin so Lucy..... HF&RV
Les, How about these oldies. Hard to imagine that our ancesters used these tramways back in the beginning of the 1900s wich was also the beginning of the internal combustion engine and of the automobile. I posted these before but I think its nice to re-post them again. Guy ARCHIVE SHGV
There were heaters under the seats in the old trams, but in sub zero teperatures, you would hardly feel heated. The 91 Lachine would go full out, and realy rock along tracks in the long stretches between stops, and there was 5 cent surcharge after leaving Mtl. for Lachine.Notre Dame Steet. Ron Larman
Les, These old streetcars did have heat. I remember a few really old jalopy streetcars that had coal stoves by the rear Conductors station. Those stoves were toasty warm. I think I was about seven years old when I was on my last coal heated stove streetcar-Fresco
Les, I love this photo but you have to feel sorry for the delayed passengers. I notice a second streetcar has pulled up behind the derailed streetcar. This section of Lachine track had two crossover switch tracks. I wonder if the passengers got on the second streetcar, backed up to the crossover and headed west on the east bound track to the next crossover where they would return to the west bound track? Jean-Marie Hachey may have thoughts on this move. This section of Lachine track was also used to test streetcars and I believe the crossover tracks were used for test purposes. The funny thing was that the two crossover tracks in this location did not have trolley wire over the crosover track. I never saw a streetcar use these crossovers but I guess they must have coasted across the crossover. Montreal Streetcar Motormen were pros and I'm certain they had a way of using the control by the rear window with one hand on the control and the other hand on the trolley pole wire. Somewhere way back in Verdun Connections there is a photo of a new PCC streetcar being tested on this section of track. The PCC streetcars were purchased in 1944 and ran on the Outremont 29 line. I loved these streetcars and took them often to visit my aunt and uncle who lived on Bernard Avenue in Outremont-Fresco Here's info on Montreal's PCC Streetcars http://www.education.mcgill.ca/profs/cartwright/railways/pcc.htm
Thanks Jean-Marie, If you look at the map the Tramways had this same south to west turning track at every intersection of track in this region of Montreal. Examples where this track was in place but seldom used were Cote Des Neighes & Westmount Boulevard, Claremont Avenue at Sherbrooke Street, Girouard at Monkland, Girouard at Sherbrooke and Atwater & Ste Catherine Street. This same track was in place at Greene and Ste Catherine Street however this track did see use by streetcars returning to the St Henri Car Barn-Walter
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