Railway General Knowledge.

[Marton]

John Baird recently caused controversy by his association with a rail company. Why?

 

[theageofthetra]

He was a Canadian transport minister- so was it some conflict of interest with his association with Via?

 

[Marton]

He was that. More recently foreign minister.

The rail association is after his recent resignation from politics.

 

[krus_aragon]

He was that. More recently foreign minister.

The rail association is after his recent resignation from politics.

After a spot of digging about online...

Would it be the fact that the former transport minister has been appointed to the board of Canadian Pacific, months after quitting the cabinet? There seem to be some grumblings about lobbying and conflicts of interest.

(And similar talk about his new position at a large mining firm that lobbied him as foreign affairs minister.)

 

[Marton]

Correct. Perhaps it was unfair as I had been reading the Canadian papers that morning!

Your floor

 

[krus_aragon]

Thanks. Let's stay in that corner of the world for a moment...

Hollywood would have us believe that the northern-most station of the New York Subway is in Canada. Why was this station originally built?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is the conundrum nothing to do with the actual station of Wakefield - 241st Street?

 

[krus_aragon]

Is the conundrum nothing to do with the actual station of Wakefield - 241st Street?

No. This is about another station altogether. Hollywood's role is key here.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Bay on the Bloor to Danforth line in Canada was used as a set for the Hollywood production of "Don't say a word" made in 2001.

 

[krus_aragon]

Bay on the Bloor to Danfield line in Canada was used as a set for the Hollywood production of "Don't say a word" made in 2001.

You're getting close, but you'll need to dig a little deeper...

P.S. I think you meant the Bloor-Danforth line.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Are you now referring to Lower Bay, the abandoned lower-level platform below Bay station that was only used for six months in 1966 and used for a film set?

 

[krus_aragon]

Are you now referring to Lower Bay, the abandoned lower-level platform below Bay station that was only used for six months in 1966 and used for a film set?

Yes, Lower Bay is the station in question. But the question is: for what purpose was Lower Bay built in the first place?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

From February to September 1966, with a name plaque of Bay with the word Yorkville below in a small size of type, Lower Bay was used in an unsuccessful interlining experiment by TTC that saw three routes being used. One of which matched the existing Bloor to Danforth line and the other two combining parts of the Bloor to Danforth line and the Yonge to University line.

 

[krus_aragon]

Correct. I seem to have made you sweat for that. Perhaps I need to make my clues less cryptic...

The platforms at Lower Bay were built in 1966 so that Toronto's two subway lines could be interworked, so that it was possible to catch a direct train between any two stations on the network without having to change (though you may have to let one train go past before boarding). For reasons of management, politics or practicality, it didn't work, and after six months the two lines went back to doing their own thing. With the later extension on the University line (Union-St George) north of Spadina, the entire issue became moot, but the route is sometimes used to move rolling stock between the two lines.

The station was hired out to film-makers several times over the decades, often standing in for New York with a few signs or stickers put up, but the crew of Don't Say a Word went the whole hog and painted the ceiling and clad the tiled pillars with mock steel panels. Pictures available here.

Incidentally, the naming of the entire station as BAY YORKVILLE is because of early plans to station Yorkville rather than Bay. The Yorkville name apparently ended up on some early route maps.


But I digress. Your floor, Paul.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I have enjoyed that last one so much that I will now pass the baton to another contestant.....and declare Open Floor.

 

[theageofthetra]

There may be a few contenders but where is generally regarded as the furthest south a steam locomotive has operated and who built it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There was a narrow-gauge railway from the quayside at Dumont d'Urville in Adelie Land in Antarctica that was used to move supplies, but that is all I can offer.

 

[theageofthetra]

If that had a steam locomotive then that is further south than the one I had. The one I had has had some pictures of it turn up.

 

[Marton]

Tiera del fuego? Built by prisoners?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

From 1909 to 1920, there was a narrow gauge steam Norwegian operated railway in South Georgia (Ocean line (?) with a Krauss locomotive. It hauled coal for the boilers for various purposes and carried heavy items such as harpoon heads.

 

[theageofthetra]

Thats the one- your floor.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Open floor

 

[steamybrian]

I will step forward....

On what line and what year was the last gas lit coaches used on BR lines.?
A clue therefore it was after 1st January 1948

 

[Glenmutchkin]

I will step forward....

On what line and what year was the last gas lit coaches used on BR lines.?
A clue therefore it was after 1st January 1948

Isle of Wight?

Wait. Not that one.

The Culm Valley line Hemyock to Tiverton Junction?

 

[steamybrian]

.....

The Culm Valley line Hemyock to Tiverton Junction?

Correct
They were in use until the line closed in 1963

 

[Glenmutchkin]

What connects radio detective Paul Temple with the LM&SR?

 

[Buttsy]

The Coronation Scot

Loco class for LMS, theme music for Paul Temple

 

[Glenmutchkin]

The Coronation Scot

Loco class for LMS, theme music for Paul Temple

Close enough. It was the name of the Euston - Glasgow one stop express introduced in 1937.

Your floor.

 

[Buttsy]

Open floor

 

[krus_aragon]

In what prismatic way did the London and North Western Railway celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee?