Thank you for your Service!

Mandy

The idea for the second American Freedom Train (nearly three decades after the original one in the late 1940’s) was first conceived by successful broker Ross Rowland, Jr. who first thought of the idea in 1969 when he saw the popularity of the Golden Spike ceremony in Utah, which celebrated the centennial of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion.  However, Rowland realized that for the train to become reality would require a lot of work in a short period of time.  He first began soliciting the idea for a second coming of the Freedom Train in 1971 but found little success in the way of sponsorships; no one believed that a steam-powered, cross-country excursion to celebrate the nation’s upcoming Bicentennial would be very successful.  Additionally, the concept of spending millions of dollars on something that would not earn a dime in returned investment seemed even more frivolous.

In the end, all the financial hurdles were overcome, sponsorships were provided, and the American Freedom Train toured the country in 1975–76 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. This 26-car train was powered by three newly restored steam locomotives. The first to pull the train was the former Reading Company T-1 class 4-8-4 #2101. The second was the former Southern Pacific 4449, a large 4-8-4 steam locomotive which remains in operating in operating condition today. The third was former Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 #610 which pulled the train in Texas. Due to light rail loadings and track conditions on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad diesels hauled the train from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. Diesels were also required in Chicago after the steam locomotive derailed attempting to negotiate tracks by the Chicago lakefront.

The train itself consisted of 10 display cars, converted from New York Central and Penn Central baggage cars. They carried more than 500 treasures of Americana, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of Oz, Joe Frazier’s boxing trunks, Martin Luther King Jr’s pulpit and robes, replicas of Jesse Owens’ four Olympic gold medals from 1936^. (one of which was stolen somewhere along the way), a pair of Wilt Chamberlain’s basketball shoes, and a rock from the Moon.

Its tour of all 48 contiguous states lasted from April 1, 1975, until December 31, 1976. More than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour, while millions more stood trackside to watch it parade past.

The tour began in Wilmington, Delaware, and headed northeast to New England, west through Pennsylvania, Ohio to Michigan, then around Lake Michigan to Illinois and Wisconsin. From the Midwest, the tour continued westward, zigzagging across the plains to Utah and then up to the Pacific Northwest. From Seattle, Washington, the tour then traveled south along the Pacific coast to southern California. The train and crew spent Christmas 1975 in Pomona, California, decorating the locomotive with a large profile of Santa Claus on the front of the smokebox above the front coupler. For 1976, the tour continued from southern California eastward through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, then turned north to visit Kansas and Missouri before traveling through the Gulf Coast states and then north again to Pennsylvania. The tour continued southeast to New Jersey then south along the Atlantic coast before finally ending December 26, 1976, in Miami, Florida. The last visitor went through the train on December 31, 1976.

In early 1977, National Museums of Canada bought 15 of the cars and from 1978 to 1980 toured across Canada as Discovery Train, a mobile museum focusing on that country’s history. 

I had the good fortune to be trackside 43 years ago (in 1977) at the horseshoe curve on CSX (former B&O) near a town called Mance, PA (yes, ANOTHER horseshoe curve) on Sand Patch grade. Perfectly timed, as former AFT’s Reading RR 2101 (which was still operating at that time), dragged a heavy excursion train of vintage passenger equipment. She dug in and worked hard uphill westbound, just before entering Sand Patch Tunnel at the crest of the mountain. 

With apologies to Phil Spector (creator of the “Wall of Sound” music production formula), I will never forget the “mechanical wall of sound” made by 2101 as it crawled past! (Wish I could find the recording I made of it during its climb….)

Enjoy!

Mandy

See the circular building on the other side of the river farthest from the camera? That WAS Three Rivers Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. (The fountain seen just above the bridge in the foreground is located on “the Point” which is at the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. The two become one, and from the Point, they become the Ohio River which flows south and west (left in the pic) 981 miles toward the west, emptying into the Mississippi at Cairo, IL.

Built as a replacement for Forbes Field, which opened in 1909, the US$55 million ($383.5 million today) multi-purpose Stadium was designed to maximize efficiency. Ground was broken in April 1968 and an oft-behind-schedule construction plan lasted for 29 months. It opened on July 16, 1970, when the Pirates played their first game there. In the 1971 World Series, Three Rivers Stadium hosted the first World Series game played at night. The following year, the stadium was the site of the Immaculate Reception. The final game in the stadium was won by the Steelers on December 16, 2000. Three Rivers Stadium also hosted the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team for a single season each.

After its closing, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded in 2001, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers moved into newly built stadiums: PNC Park and Heinz Field respectively. Like most stadiums demolished during this time whose replacements were located nearby (including the Civic Arena over a decade later), the site of Three Rivers Stadium mostly became a parking lot. Much like the Pittsburgh Penguins would do with the site of Civic Arena, the Steelers retained development rights to the site of Three Rivers, and would later build Stage AE on portions of the site, as well as an office building that hosts the studios for AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, the headquarters of StarKist Tuna, and the regional headquarters of Del Monte Foods.  On December 23, 2012, on the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Steelers unveiled a monument at the exact spot where Franco Harris made the reception in the parking lot. In 2015, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette moved into a new office building also built on a portion on the site after 53 years in the former Pittsburgh Press building and more than two centuries in Downtown.

After its closing, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded in 2001, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers moved into newly built stadiums: PNC Park and Heinz Field respectively. Like most stadiums demolished during this time whose replacements were located nearby (including the Civic Arena over a decade later), the site of Three Rivers Stadium mostly became a parking lot.

Much like the Pittsburgh Penguins would do with the site of Civic Arena, the Steelers retained development rights to the site of Three Rivers, and would later build Stage AE on portions of the site, as well as an office building that hosts the studios for AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, the headquarters of StarKist Tuna, and the regional headquarters of Del Monte Foods.  On December 23, 2012, on the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Steelers unveiled a monument at the exact spot where Franco Harris made the reception in the parking lot. In 2015, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette moved into a new office building also built on a portion on the site after 53 years in the former Pittsburgh Press building and more than two centuries in Downtown.

You can see the new stadium on the left (above) and Three Rivers (shortly before implosion) on the right (above).

Thanks for stopping by!

Mandy

About 3 weeks before the “toe issue” developed (see previous post). I had to discuss a banking matter with a new bank. It required an in-person visit to get general information. So I showed up, in a stirrup pants outfit, flats, with freshly-done nails and hair, and all my usual accoutrements. The greeter and the teller addressed me properly, and referred me to a 50-something female staffer “at a desk.” She had a bit of confusion about my gender at first, but got herself squared away (as to my being female) as we talked.

Then she mentioned that I would need to have the joint-account holder come in with me to accomplish our goal. So I did, a few days later. And introduced her to my wife without hesitation. From some of the small talk which occurred, where she complimented my wife’s jewelry, my nails, and both our outfits, it became obvious that she was either firmly convinced that we were two girls, or was being very accommodating. And hearing “Ms. (enter wife’s first name here)” and Ms. (enter my first name here)”, it really seemed like she was “with the program.”

One more trip to the bank was required to finish the paperwork. I went without wifey, as her presence was not required this time. And without hesitation, I was addressed as Ms. _________.

Wow…a good day for sure!

Hugs,

Mandy

I’ve developed an issue with a middle toe on my right foot.

Initially I suspected the problem was a wart on top of the knuckle, which quietly rubbed inside my shoe – till now.  But no such luck…the Doc says it’s a pressure point from a likely-previously-broken toe, which healed with the bone in a strange position.   And there is now a big callus on top, where it rubs the inside of my shoe.  He said he can send me to a foot doctor, who will likely want to do surgery on it.  Since I’m not overly anxious to go anywhere for avoidable surgery during a pandemic, he said I might gently use a fine nail file to remove a bit off the top.  That may buy me some time.  He also recommended wearing sandals which don’t cover the affected area, and stay barefooted as much as possible at other times. Sounds like a good compromise to me…for now. 

I recently had ordered a relatively inexpensive pair of womens’ sandals ($24.95) on-line, and they arrived the day before my appointment.  So I tried them on right after I got home.  Surprise!  They’re cut perfectly to protect the affected toe.

I wore them the rest of that day for the first time, with no problem – and my callus doesn’t touch the shoe.  No “break-in” period was needed. And a big bonus: when I walk, they make that feminine flip-flop noise… But Wifey isn’t a fan.  She says “with your pretty white nails on display in such girly sandals, you look even more like a woman than you usually do. I’d really prefer your sandals be black, brown or some other color than white.”

Unfortunately, they’re discontinued – thus the reason for the low price. So I had to tell her that in this case, it’s truly not an option. Because they fit so nicely, she reluctantly agreed that I order a second white pair – before they’re all gone. I’ll wear them as long as I can, till the weather gets really bad. (Stirrup pants with sandals aren’t exactly high fashion, but what’s a girl to do?)  And I do have a pair of flats and sling-back clogs which also work for colder weather.

In return for her toleration, I promised to clean out several pairs of sandals and some older flats which I haven’t worn for a while – like several years – because my size has changed a bit.

It’s never dull around here – we’ll see what happens!

Mandy

It started out with just a few errands to run…so I threw on a woman’s everyday capri outfit.  Like this…

First stop was a visit to a tire shop which does general car repairs too.  I had been there before, and was addressed as, and given preferential treatment as last time, as a woman.   When I walked in this time, there were four women seated and waiting, with kids in tow.  And a man in line waiting to be served.   He moved me ahead of him in line, saying “ladies first.”   Fortunately my repair was simple (patching a nail puncture) so he wasn’t delayed long because of his courtesy…

Second stop was at an auto parts store, with burly guys buying parts and non-burly guys perusing the shelves.  This was the store where the “guy in the skirt” worked at one time, but I haven’t seen him in a while.   Nobody raised an eyebrow, including the elderly man at the cash register, who addressed me as “Ma’am.”    And on the way out two clerks who had been on break (one male, one female) held the door open for me and thanked me for shopping there.  And then she said, “have a nice day, Ma’am.”

At the shoe shop, the proprietor addressed me as “Ma’am” – just like he usually does.   And he did a small job for me right away, while the guy who came in with a similar job had to come back at noon.  “Thanks for stopping in again, Ma’am.”

Last stop was the pharmacy.  The lady clerk used all appropriate female terms, and complimented my sandals.

Needless to say, this was one of my best days in a while!

More later!

Mandy

We made a quick sightseeing stop in Downtown Chattanooga on our way home from visiting our son and his little family earlier this fall.

Chattanooga has a rich railroad history, with Southern Railway as perhaps the most important train company in the area. No doubt the former railroad terminal, which is now a hotel (the Chattanooga Choo Choo) is an important part of the town’s history. 

However, the following is a lesser-known historical treasure:

The above freight station, just a couple of blocks down the road on Market St.- has a rich history as well. This building originally started as an iron foundry in 1871. By 1894, it was converted into a freight depot by the old Eastern Kentucky and Georgia Railroad, which became part of Southern in 1901. 

As the railroad industry went into decline, this depot fell into disuse. John’s Railroad Salvage was located here in the 70s. In 1983, the Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By the late 1980’s, Chattanooga decided to have urban revitalization here and at Warehouse Row next door, with the ultimate goal of having upscale stores at both places. Since then, historic renovation has been completed with modern additions removed, bringing back the 19th century facade.

And then there is the seamier side of life in the pandemic age. This Chattanooga resident was not home when I stopped to take a picture, or I certainly would have been challenged. I wonder how he or she charges their cell phone – there is no nearby outlet. What a dilemma!

Be safe, dear readers!

Mandy

Lately I’ve begun to convert some of my late father’s old pictures from film to digital. And there actually are some real gems in there…

It’s the summer of 1941, and it’s time for a family picnic. In Detroit, where does one go? To the bank of the river, of course – across from the Ford Motor Company plant. With the big boats steaming by, there’s plenty of goings-on to keep the kid(s) busy, while Mom and Dad relax a bit before putting out the spread!

No, the folks in the picture are not relations of mine… My folks didn’t even know each other at that point, and Dad was over 30, working in the area. He liked sightseeing. BTW, I never questioned why I now like it – guess it just runs in my genes (jeans? No – dresses! LOL)

So, enjoy this little trip back in time, courtesy of Dad’s old Kodak adjustable camera and ASA 25 film!

Mandy

PS:  Anyone know if the plant is still there?

Quite shockingly, I found this political sign, over on our side of the bridge. Along with many more “blue” signs than usual. It’s a very strange year…

But in Maryland, how any one person or family votes, really doesn’t matter “in the big picture.” Given 3 large Democratic counties and Baltimore City on the Western side of the bay, Maryland almost always goes blue! Well, except for “east of the bay”, as well as occasionally statewide (for gubernatorial elections.)

Guess that’s why Delmarva folks occasionally talk about seceding from their respective states (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), and forming a new state…Delmarva. Depending on the results of this election, who knows? That discussion may surface once again!

IMHO, it won’t actually move forward, though. Nobody can agree on anything nowadays!

Whomever you choose to vote for – please vote! It’s very important this year.

Mandy

Not much has been happening lately…you can tell that’s the case, by the paucity of posts about excursions or adventures in this blog.

And I suspect that’s pretty much universal, due to the virus issue – like Chicken Man, “It’s Everywhere, It’s Everywhere.” And unlike some people in high places, who seem to think having lots of people out and about getting infected at superspreader events (while waiting for Herd Immunity to develop) is the best course of action, wifey and I will continue to try to avoid getting caught up in the virus. We don’t have any desire to knowingly play Russian Roulette!

We’ve scaled back all unnecessary traveling and trips to stores. Recently we’ve been putting only about $30 total of gas in our cars per month, instead of over $100, and our other bills have shrunk “majorly.” That’s great news, since we’re retired. Masks are needed everywhere, including when we visited the ballot collection box (in front of the Board of Elections to deposit our absentee ballots.) Stores here all require them. Even visits to see the kids are carefully considered first, and data is analyzed before leaving. Thus far, none of those have needed to be cancelled…keep your fingers crossed.

Full-fledged, multi-day Mandy excursions will most likely not see the light of day in the near future. But if that “near future” holds a solo trip across the bridge, and I can pull my black skirt on over my stirrup pants…or capris, if the weather isn’t too cold, a Quickie Mandy trip may happen. Masks can eliminate the need for a lot of makeup, but I can find my way clear to apply a light coat of foundation and lipstick in the car. Unfortunately, my multi-day fall antique show is toast, as have been pretty much all local car shows. And my annual January trip died already, as well. So, unfortunately, Mandy is SOL ( translation: S**t Out of Luck) for a while.

Yes, I’m still wearing dresses, and barefooted (or wearing flats) around the house, my hair is still long and my nails are done…the only constants right now. I truly envy my blogger friends who have the freedom to stay girlie much of the time. (And I pray for their continued well-being.) Perhaps some day soon, I’ll get to enjoy a taste of that freedom as well!

Till then, stay healthy!

Mandy