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Atlas 150-40000155

March 29th, 2011
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Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale Locomotive

CHEAP,Discount,Buy,Sale,Bestsellers,Good,For,REVIEW, Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale LocomotiveAtlas150-40000155,Wholesale,Promotions,Shopping,Shipping,Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale LocomotiveAtlas150-40000155,BestSelling,Off,Savings,Gifts,cool,Hot,Top,Sellers,Overview,Specifications,Feature,on sale,Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale LocomotiveAtlas150-40000155 Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale LocomotiveAtlas150-40000155

Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale Locomotive Overview
C420 PH1 DCC Susquehanna Black/Yellow 260 N

Atlas Susquehanna #260C420 NYSW N Scale Locomotive Feature

  • Colorful painting and printing
  • Accurate Prototypical painting and lettering
  • Roller-bearing or friction-bearing trucks where appropriate
  • Equipped with AccuMate operating knuckle couplers
  • Die-cast chasis

locomotives Collectables , , , ,

CatcliffeDemon » Blog Archive » Americana: 29/11/08

January 19th, 2011
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A pair of ‘yard goats’

LAZINESS, ARTISTIC STATEMENT, or just plain run out of numerals, whatever, SW9 RLCX 1258 has just about the most half-arsed livery application that I have ever seen. The offending owner is Relco Locomotives, Inc., and this ‘gem’ was recorded at the massive ADM plant in Clinton, Iowa, on April 30th, 2002. The yellow switcher was built in 1951 for the Chesapeake & Ohio.

Originally built for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie in 1975, this particular MP15DC was wearing the silver and black paint of Amtrak by the time it was photographed at Albany-Rensselaer, new York, on April 17th, 2002. AMTK 537, one of ten ex-P&LE MPs purchased by the passenger operator, shares its number with one of the big, but sadly unsuccessful, SDP40F locomotives that joined and left the Amtrak roster in the 1970s and early 1980s.

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What do railroads and retail have in common? – Your Financial Watchdog Blog

November 23rd, 2010
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The good news is that some of the railroad owned and fleet owned locomotives are being reactivated and orders for new locomotives are being received.  Caterpillar purchased EMD(Electro-Motive Diesel formerly a division of General Motors(GM) this summer after completing a joint venture of equipping some new EMD locomotives with Caterpillar engines.

I continue to see strip center occupancy rates increasing dramatically on the northeast side of Indianapolis and in Fishers where we live.  Most of these strip centers are anchored by a large store but the remainder of these strip malls I estimate were averaging 50% occupancy rates.  However major portions are now being revamped and signs are posted announcing new businesses will be occupying these vacant areas.

Major new investments and employment at Cummins in Columbus, IN, and Delphi Corporation in Kokomo, IN, mean that manufacturing prospects are also brightening.

Those are my observations for the week.

Dwight Kellams, CFP®, CPA/PFS, MBA

locomotives Collectables ,

Best Bets: Dragon boats, a rare musicians gathering, tracking treasure and more

July 25th, 2010
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Pop Music

The beat goes on, and onSunday.Retro rock. It’s easy to love the oldies but goodies touring America’s intimate venues in the name of their history and their hits. We’ve had years to digest and enjoy some of these classic songs — including Squeeze’s “Tempted” and the English Beat’s “Save It for Later” — and now it’s time to get out there and dance. When Squeeze and the English Beat play the Ogden Theatre on Sunday night, it will be an evening of nostalgia. It helps that the groups still have it — all these years later. (Let’s remember that both bands formed in the late ’70s.) The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets, $35, are available via Ticketmaster.

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Penrith Dolls, Bears, Craft and Collectables Show has something for everybody

July 20th, 2010
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THE Penrith Dolls, Bears, Craft and Collectables Show featured everything from fantasy to realistic dolls with its 230 entries at Panthers Pavilion recently.

The show was held to raise money for medical research and clinical care at Westmead Hospital.

Westmead Medical Research Foundation community fundraising manager Gail Ladner said the event was a success.

GALLERY: Penrith Dolls, Bears, Craft & Collectables Show

“People came from the far north, south, west and interstate to attend the show,” she said.

“The quality of the dolls and bears in the competition was once again outstanding.”

Mrs Ladner said the feature of the show was the doll and bear competition, one of the biggest of its kind in Australia.

Doll maker Pauline Ramage was awarded Doll of the Show for her reproduction of Queen Elizabeth I.

“She is extremely talented and Pauline has won several awards for her porcelain character and modern dolls in recent years at the Penrith Doll Show, Cowra and Canowindra shows,” Mrs Ladner said.

Research on 16th century attire went into making the costumes.

The queen doll wore hand-knitted stockings, pants, corset, chemise, farthingale and petticoat, and the overskirt was made from heavy silk decorated with gold braid and hot crystals. The doll had handmade white leather shoes encrusted with pearls.

locomotives Collectables ,

Trains.com – Model Railroader – Online Community – Paragon 2 dcc …

June 14th, 2010
4 comments

richg1998

locomotives Collectables

Japan: still the future – Daihatsu unveiled Chevy Volt-like …

June 11th, 2010
3 comments

Japan: still the future – Daihatsu unveiled Chevy Volt-like concept 17 years ago

by Nik Bristow

locomotives Collectables , , , ,

What's Happening

May 5th, 2010
5 comments

 ART
South Shore
ART COMPLEX MUSEUM – 189 Alden St., Duxbury.    Through May 16, work by Jessica Straus. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Wed.-Sun. 781-934-6634, artcomplex.org. 
ARTISTS OPEN STUDIO TOUR WEEKEND – Various locations, Hull and Hingham. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 1-2, 28 artists in 11 locations.  781-925-5619, maps  at 1037 Nantasket Ave., Hull. hullartists.com
BRAINTREE ART ASSOCIATION –  Thayer Academy Gallery, 745 Washington St., Braintree. Through April 24, Juried art show. Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 617-335-4675.
HINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY – 66 Leavitt St., Hingham.  Through April 29, Two Artists: Two Views, work by Tony Andrade and Burton Longenbach.  10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. 781-741-1405, hinghamlibrary.org.
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON VISUAL ARTS CENTER –  963 Washington St., Canton.  Through May 2, Isaac Sprague and the Art of Discovery. 1-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.  $4 adults, $3 seniors/children, free to Mass Audubon  members. 781-821-8853, massaudubon.org.
ROCKLAND SENIOR CENTER PAINTERS’ EXHIBIT – Rockland Memorial Library, 20 Belmont  St., Rockland. Through April 30, work by Vincent Giovanni Baier, Deb Coulsey, Chuck McEachern, Elaine McLean, Milly Metcalf, Susan Reis, Barbara Valovic, Joe Waisgerber, Sandra Whitman, Bob Wombolt, others. 781-878-1236.
SOUTH SHORE ART CENTER – 119 Ripley Road,  Cohasset.   Through May 2, Media Mix, exhibit of mixed media artwork. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun. 781-383-2787,  ssac.org.
SOUTH STREET GALLERY – 149 South St., Hingham.   Through May 6, artwork by Ted Gentry, Jack Hobbs,  Bills Scott.  Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.  781-749-0430, southstreetgallery.com.
WEYMOUTH ART ASSOCIATION –  Tufts Library, 45 Broad St., Weymouth. Through April 23, art exhibit. 781-337-8134.

Boston/Cambridge
 ADAMS GALLERY –Suffolk University, 120 Tremont St., Boston.  Through May 21, Chiang Yee: The Silent Traveler from the East.  Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 617-573-8508.
GUILD OF BOSTON ARTISTS  162 Newbury St.,  Boston.  Through April 25, Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition. 617-536-7660, guildofbostonartists.org.
HAMILL GALLERY OF TRIBAL ART –  2164 Washington St., Boston. Through May 8, Counterpoint, the voices of John Walker and African Art. Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. 617-442-8204.
HARVARD ART MUSEUM –   Arthur M. Sackler Museum, 485 Broadway, Cambridge. Through Aug. 28, Rubens and the Baroque Festival. Re-View, selections from the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger and Sackler Museums. (Fogg and Busch-Reisinger closed for 5-year renovation project).  Through June 13, Strolling through Isfahan: 17th Century Paintings form Safavid Iran.   $9, $7 seniors, $5 students. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m Sun. 617-495-9400, artmuseums.harvard.edu.
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM –  280 The Fenway, Boston.  Through May 23,  Modeling Devotion: Terracotta Sculpture of the Italian Renaissance. $12 adults,  $10 seniors, $5 students, free for children 18 and younger.  Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. 617-566-1401, gardnermuseum.org.
   INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART –  100 Northern Ave., Boston. Through Sept. 6. Dr. Lakra. Through June 13, Roni Horn aka Roni Horn.   Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Wed., Sat.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. $15, $10 seniors/students, free for children 17 and younger; free 5-9 p.m. Thursday. 617-478-3110, icaboston.org.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS –  465 Huntington Ave., Boston. April 24-26, Art in Bloom, garden clubs and professional designers create  floral displays interpreting art from the Museum’s collection. Through May 9, Luis Melendez: Master of the Spanish Still Life. Through May 16,  Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC. Through May 23, Tibet/China Confluences. Through  May 31,  Luxuries from Japan: Cultural Exchange in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Patterns of Long Ago: Reflections of China in Japanese No Costume. Through July 3, Harry Callahan: American Photographer. Albrecht Durer: Virtuoso Printmaker. Through July 18, Object, Image, Collector: African and Oceanic Art in Focus.  Through Aug. 8, Cafe and Cabaret: Toulouse Lautrec’s Paris.    Through Aug. 22,  Bharat Ratna! Jewels of Modern Indian Art. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Wed.-Fri.;  10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Admission good for 2 visits in 10 days: $20 adults, $18, seniors/students; free for children 1-17 ($7.50 during school hours). Wed. after 4 p.m., admission by voluntary contribution.  617-267-9300, mfa.org.
SOCIETY OF ARTS AND CRAFTS – 175 Newbury St., Boston.   Through May 22,  Pocket Guide to New Zealand Jewelry. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat. 617-266-1810, societyofcrafts.org.

Region
WALLACE ANDERSON GALLERY – Bridgewater State College, 40 School St., Bridgewater. Through April 16, Brooke Mullins Doherty.  8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 508-531-1359.
FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM –  455 Oak St., Brockton. Through April 19, Nancy Crow: Crossroads Continuing – New and Recent Quilts. Through April 18, Highlights from the Permanent Collection. Through July 18, On the Line: Frank and Francine T. Ozereko, installation made of ceramic pieces.  Through Sept. 26,   Furniture from the Permanent Collection.   $8 adults, $5 seniors/students, free for children 18 and younger. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 508-588-6000, fullermuseum.org.
McMULLEN MUSEUM OF ART – Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Devlin Hall, Chestnut Hill. Through June 6, Asian Journeys: Collecting Art in Post-war America. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 617-552-8587, bc.edu/artmuseum.
NEW BEDFORD ART MUSEUM – 608 Pleasant St., New Bedford. Ongoing: Inviting Response: Celebrating Our First Decade.  $3, $2 students/seniors, free admission for children 16 and younger  with adult. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; noon-7 p.m. Thurs.; free admission 5-9 p.m. on second Thursday of each month. 508-961-3072, newbedfordartmuseum.org.
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM –  East India Square, Salem.  April 17-July 18, The Kennedys, Portrait of a Family: Photographs by Richard Avedon. Through July 18, Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea. Through May 1, 2010, Trash Menagerie. Through April 2011, ReVisions: India’s Artists Engaging Traditions. Through 2011, Fish, Silk, Tea, Bamboo.  Ongoing: Of Gods and Mortals, Traditional Art from India. Intersections, Native American Art in a New Light.   All of My Life: Contemporary Works by Native American Artists. Auspicious Wishes and Natural Beauty in Korean Art.  Of Gods and Mortals: Traditional Art from India. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., and holiday Mondays. $15 adults, $13 seniors, $11 students, free for children 16 years and younger. 978-744-9500, pem.org.
WORCESTER ART MUSEUM –  55 Salisbury St., Worcester.   Through May 30, Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present. Through Aug. 22, What Matters. Through Sept. 30, Wall at WAM: Actions Speak. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. $10 adults, $8 students/seniors, under 17 free. Free on Sat. mornings. 508-799-4406, worcesterart.org.

CLASSICAL
South Shore
HARBOUR CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY –  First Congregational Church, 12 Church St., Rockland. 7:30 p.m. April 24, Voices of Sprin, $10. 781-871-1773.
BARBARA KNAPP MEMORIAL CONCERT–  East Weymouth Congregational Church, 1320 Commercial St., Weymouth.  8 p.m. April 30,  works by Chopin, Mozart, Sibelius, Stravinsky, Isaac, Rodgers,  Ellington, Brubeck with the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra and Herring Run Festival Chorus. $10, $7 seniors/teens,  $30 per family. Benefit for church. 781-340-1403, eweyucc.org.
PLYMOUTH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA  – Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., Plymouth.   8 p.m. May 8, Celtic Pops: A Feast of Irish Music, with  Seamus Mulligan, The Lindsays, Congress School of Irish Music Fiddlers. Steven Karidoyanes, conductor.  $20-$50. 508-746-8008, plymouthphil.org.
SUNG HARBOR CHORUS –  Duxbury Performing Arts Center, 130 St. George St., Duxbury. 7:30 p.m. April 24, Come On Along and Listen To . . . A Medley of Music. $15, $12 seniors/students. 781-934-6492, snugharborcc.org.
WESTON WIND QUINTET – Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., Plymouth. 7 p.m. April 20, works by Debussy, Holst,  Barthe.   Free. 508-830-4250,  plymouthpubliclibrary.org

Boston/Cambridge
MAYA BEISER  – Paramount Theatre, 560 Washington St., Boston. 8 p.m. April 23, cellist presents multimedia program of contemporary music. $31,  $36. 617-482-6661, celebrityseries.org.
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA –  Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston.  April 23, 25,  28, 30, May 2, 4, Mozart., Idomeneo, re di Creta,   $34-$195.  617-542-6772, blo.org.
BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA – Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. May 4-June 20. $19-$105. SymphonyCharge, 617-277-1200, bos.org.
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA –  Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston.   April 15-17, Ligeti, Concert Romanesc. Shostakovich, Piano Concerto No. 1. Tchaikovsky, Symphony Nor. 2.  Marc-Andre Hamelin, piano. Julian Kuerti, conductor. April 22-24 and 27, Strauss, Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 5 in A. Symphony No. 35 in D. Leonidas Kavakos, violin. Bernard Haitink, conductor. $29-$105. SymphonyCharge, 617-277-1200, bos.org.
BOSTON CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY  –  Sanders Theater, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge.   7:30 p.m. April 18, Lyric Journeys, works by Mozart, Rontgen, Mendelssohn. $20-$50. 617-349-0086, bostonchambermusic.org.
BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL  – Sanders Theater, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. 8 p.m. May 5,   Jerusalem: A City of Two Peaces, Israeli, Palestinian, and European musicians play music and texts from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths spanning two millenia. $19-$64. 617-661-1812, bemf.org.
IMANI WINDS –  Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston. 8 p.m. April 16, woodwind quintet with vibraphonist and composer Stefon Harris. $39-$49. 617-482-6661,  celebrityseries.org.
 LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE DE GÉROLSTEIN –  Opera Boston, Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. April 30, May 4; 3 p.m. May 2. $29-$132.  800-233-3123, telecharge.com.
MUSIC AT THE GARDNER –  Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 The Fenway, Boston. 1:30 p.m.   April 18, Claremont Trio. April 25, Belcea String Quartet. May 2, Hahn-Bin, violin. May 9, Musicians From Marlboro. $23, $18 seniors, $10 students. 617-278-5156, wwwgardnermuseum.org.

Region
NEPONSET CHORAL SOCIETY –   St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 116 South St., Foxboro. 8 p.m. May 1, 2:30 p.m. May 2, Cherubini, Requiem in C Minor and works by Barber, Schumann, Pergolesi, Fux. $15,  $13 seniors/students. 508 668-3407,  ncschorus.org.

COMEDY
South Shore
DAVE KANE’S MISGIVINGS   –  John Carver Inn, 25 Summer St., Plymouth.  April 24. $45, dinner theater. 508-771-3000, johncarverinn.com.

Boston/Cambridge
BEANTOWN COMEDY VAULT –  Remington’s, 124 Boylston St., Boston. April 16-17, Harrison Stebbins. $20 per show. 9 p.m. Fri. and Sun.;   8 and 10:15 p.m. Sat.  800-401-2221, dickdoherty.com.
CHEERS COMEDY CLUB – 1 Fanueil Hall Marketplace, Boston.  April 16-17, Joe Yanetty, Darryl Lennox. April 23-24, Frank Santorelli.  $10, $20.  877-548-3237. thecomedyclubatcheers.com.
COMEDY AT THE WILBUR THEATER –  246 Tremont St., Boston.  April 17, Howie Mandel. Russell Brand. May 1, Sommore. May 6-7, Bill Burr. May 8, Lisa Lampanelli. 617/931-2000, ticketmaster.com.
BILLY CONNOLLY – Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont st., Boston. May 5-6, $53-$63.  866-348-9738, citicenter.org.
GEORGE LOPEZ – Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont st., Boston. 8 p.m.  April 30, $45-$75. citicenter.org.
MOTTLEY’S COMEDY CLUB –  61 Chatham St., Boston.  April 29-May 1, Rich Vos. $20 per show. 617-248-9700, mottleyscomedy.com.
TOMMY’S COMEDY LOUNGE – Charles Playhouse,  74 Warrenton St., Boston.   April 15, Frank Santos. April 16-17, Best of Boston. $18-$20. tommyscomedylounge.com.

Region
COMEDY NIGHT  – Orpheum Theater, 1 School St., Foxboro.  8 p.m. April 24, DJ Hazard,Tom Clarke, Chris Fleming,  Peter Bowers.  $15. 800-838-3006,  brownpapertickets.com,  orpheum.org.
  DICK DOHERTY’S BEANTOWN COMEDY ESCAPE –  Brockton Holiday Inn,  195 Westgate Drive, Westgate Mall, Brockton.  April 17, Frank Santorelli, Carolyn Plummer, Karl Zahn. April 24, Jim Laulette, Graig Murphy. May 1, Danny Kelly, Mike K., Ahmed Bharoocha.  $20 per show. 800-401-2221, dickdoherty.com

DANCE 
South Shore 
COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE–  Viking Club, 410 Quincy Ave., Braintree. 7:30 p.m. April 16 with Cindy Lane and True Country. $10. 617-968-5473.
DANCESPORT BOSTON –  Cardinal Cushing Center, Shawn Gym, 405 Washington St., Hanover.  7:30 p.m. May 1, June 5,     ballroom, Latin and swing.  $12 in advance, $14 at the door.617-325-1562, dancesportboston.com.
NEW ENGLAND SINGLES DANCES – Sons of Italy, 161 King Hill Rd., Braintree. 8 p.m.  April 23,  $10.  40+. 508-660-5003, singlesdances-newengland.com.
STRICTLY SINATRA / MUSICAMERICA DANCE PARTY – Raffael’s, Nantasket Beach Clarion  Hotel, Hull. 8 p.m.  April 30, with the Beantown Swing Orchestra, featuring American Idol finalist John Stevens. $35. 617-633-5100, musicnotnoise.com.

Boston/Cambridge
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER –   Citi Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. April 15-18, $35-$70. 1-800-447-7400, telecharge.com.
NORA CHIPAUMIRE –  Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 7:30 p.m. April 23, 8 p.m. April 24, 3 p.m. April 25, Lions Will Roar, Swans Will Fly, Angels Will Wrestle Heaven, Rains Will Break: Gukurahundi, with  music by Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited. $40. 617-876-4275,  WorldMusic.org.
 COPPELIA  Boston Ballet,  The Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston.  Through April 18, $25-$132. bostonballet.org.
DANCE FREEDOM – First Congregational Church at 11 Garden St., Cambridge. 7:30-10:30 every Wednesday, adults of all ages and abilities are invited to dance barefoot  with or without a partner. $8-12. dancefreedom.com.
DANISH DANCE THEATER – Paramount Theatre, 560 Washington St., Boston.  7:30 p.m.  Tuesday, April 27-28. $44, $54. 617-482-6661,  celebrityseries.org.
ELDERS ENSEMBLE OF PROMETHEUS DANCE – Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 8 p.m. April 17; 6 p.m. April 18, two premieres,  two favorites by Diane Arvanites,  Tommy Neblett.  $20,  $15 seniors/students.  617-576-5336, PrometheusDance.org.
 INDIA JAZZ SUITES: KATHAK MEETS TAP –   Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston.  7:30 p.m. April 30, 8 p.m. May 1, 3 p.m. May 2, with Pandit Chitresh Das & Jason Samuels Smith. $40. 617-876-4275,  WorldMusic.org.

Region
COUNTRY LINE AND COUPLES DANCE –  Taunton Elks Lodge, 119 High St., Taunton.    7:30 p.m. dance lesson, 8 p.m. dancing.  Line dancing and couples two step, waltz, east coast and west coast swing, pattern/flow dances, Cha Cha, nightclub 2. DJ and dance instructor. $7. 508-653-7937, 508-695-4548, downeastdancers.com.
NEW ENGLAND SINGLES DANCE – Moseley’s on the Charles, 50 Bridge St., Dedham. 8 p.m. April 16,  free admission, 40+.     508-660-5003, singlesdances-newengland.com.

FILM    
South Shore
FAITH IN FILM SERIES – Hough’s Neck Congregational Church, 310 Manet Ave., Quincy. 6:30  p.m.    April 16,  “East of Eden.”  May 21, “Carousel.” June 18, “Bruce Almighty.” July 16, “The Trouble with Angels.”   Free.  617-479-8778,  hncong.org. 
FILMS AT CRANE LIBRARY –  Thomas Crane Library, Washington St., Quincy.    7 p.m.   April 15, “Sherlock Holmes.” April 22, “The Age of Innocence.” April 26, “We Don’t Live Here Anymore.” 617-376-1301, thomascranelibrary.org.

SPECIAL   
South Shore
ANTIQUE APPRAISAL DAY – Norwell Middle School, 328 Main St., Rte. 123, Norwell.  10 a.m.-3 p.m.  April 24, porcelain, pottery, toys, dolls, silver, paintings, furniture, rugs, and collectibles; bring photos for fragile or large items.  (No coins, stamps, jewelry, or musical instruments). $10 per item,  $25 for three, cash or check. Benefit for Norwell Public Library. 781-659-2015, norwellpubliclibrary.org.
EARTH DAY SUSTAINABLE LIVING EXPO – DCR Mary Jeanette MurrayBathhouse, 204 Nantasket Ave., Hull. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 17,  sustainable living related companies and organizations. sustainablesouthshore.org/expo2009.
KITE DAY  – John Curtis Free Library, 534 Hanover St., Hanover. 10:15 p.m. April 24, kite-making and flying. Free. 781-826-2972.

Boston/Cambridge
BIG APPLE CIRCUS –  City Hall Plaza, Cambridge Street, Boston. Through May 16, Bello is Back! $15-$65. 1-888-541-3750, bigapplecircus.org.
AN EVENING WITH CHAMPIONS – Harvard Business School, Bright Hockey Center, 79 North Harvard St., Allston. , April 16-17, with   Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig,  Brent Bommentre and Kimberly Navarro,  Emily Hughes, others. Benefit  for The Jimmy Fund.  $32, $12  seniors, children 12  and younger, $8  students. 617-493-8172,  jimmyfund.org/skating.
DISCOVERAIL – South Station Main Concourse, Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 17, representatives from New England’s tourist railroads and railroad museums answer questions, provide brochures and other information. Free. Sponsored by Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc. 617-822-4046.
 MUSEUM OF SCIENCE –  Science Park, Boston.  Through  May 2, Identity: An Exhibition of You.  Permanent exhibits: Bees, Beyond the Ex-Ray, Catching the Wind, Mapping the World Around us, others.    Laser Shows: Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon.  Laser Queen.   Laser Beatles. Laser U2.  Friday Night Stargazing: 8:30-10 p.m., weather permitting. Regular hours:  9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays.   Admission:  exhibit halls,  $20 adults, $18 seniors, $17 children 3-11.  Omni Theater, Planetarium, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children 3-11. 617-589-0100, mos.org.
RETURN OF THE SWAN BOATS –  Boston Public Garden, Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 17, opening day. $2.75, $2 seniors, $1.50 children 2-15. 617-522-1966, swanboats.com.
SESAME STREET LIVE – WHEN ELMO GROWS UP –  Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. April 16-18, $15-$39. 617/508-931-2000, ticketmaster.com.
SHAKESPEARE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Winthrop Park, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Noon-6 p.m. April 17, CANCELLED. actorsshakespeareproject.org, harvardsquare.com.

Region
CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE – Tsongas Center, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell. April 23-25, 1 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 5 p.m. Sun. $15-$33. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
PATRIOT’S DAY EVENTS – Minute Man National Historical Park, 174 Liberty St., Concord. Through April 24, parades, reenactments , commemorative ceremonies;  “Battle Road” event with hundreds of Colonial Militia and Minute Men and British Redcoats; other activities. 1-978-369-6993, nps.gov/mima.
   
THEATER
South Shore
101 DALMATIONS –  Academy of The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell. 7:30 p.m.  April 30, May 1; 4 p.m. May 1. $15. 781-871-2787, companytheatre.com.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND –  Priscilla Beach Theatre, 796 Rocky Hill Road, White Horse Beach. 7:30 p.m. April 16-17; 2 p.m. April  18.  $12. 508-224-4888, priscillabeachtheater.org.
ALL STAR MUSIC AND COMEDY SHOW –  Emerald Hall, 120 Bay State Drive, Braintree. 6 p.m.   April 18,  Fitzy From NESN’s Pocket Money;  the Solid Gold Oldies;  Emily Hall, vocalist; Paul Grassia’s Neil Diamond show;  Angela K as Whitney Houston.  Benefit for  Braintree High Scholarship Fund.  $30.  617-773-1160.
AUDITION – North Quincy Community Theatre,  Quincy Community United Methodist Church, 40 Beale St., Quincy. 7 P.M. April  15, casting for production of , “Moving.” nqct.org.
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY  – The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell. 7:30 p.m. May 6, 8 p.m.  May 7-8 , 4 p.m. May 8. Puppets from “Avenue Q”, the witches of “Wicked”, “Billy Joel’s Movin Out”, more. $30- $32. 781-871-2787, companytheatre.com.
HELL OF A KITCHEN John Carver Inn, 25 Summer St., Plymouth. April 17,  $45, mystery dinner theater. 508-771-3000, johncarverinn.com.
JUPITER IN JULY –  North River Theater, 517 River Rd, Norwell. April 17-May 8. Fri.-Sat.  $18. 781-826-4878.
LEADING LADIES –  Milton Players, Milton Woman’s Club, 90 Reedsdale Road, Milton. 8 p.m. April 16-17, 23; 2 p.m.  April 25. $15, $20. 1-617-698-SHOW (7469) miltonplayers.org.
LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL – Hingham Civic Music Theatre, Hingham Town Hall,  210 Central St., Hingham.   7:30 p.m. April 24, 30, May 1; 2 p.m. April 25, May 2. $16, $14 students/seniors,  $12 in advance. 781-837-1499.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Eastern Nazarene College Theatre Department, Cove Fine Arts Center, East Elm Avenue, Quincy.  April 29-May 1. $10, $5 ENC students, children 12 and younger. 617-745-3715.
RENT –  The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell.  Through April 18. $32-$34.  781-871-2787, companytheatre.com.
SINATRA LIVE – Common Market Restaurant, 97 Willard St., Quincy. 6:30 p.m. April 24, with Michael Dutra.  Dinner theater, $50. 617-472-5492, commonmarketrestaurants.com.

Boston/Cambridge
AUDITION –  King Richard’s Faire, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston. April 25, New England Renaissance Festival, by appointment. 952-238-9915, .
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY  – Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston. May 4-16, $35-$81. 1-800-982-2787, ticketmaster.com.
 BLUE MAN GROUP –  Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. 8 p.m. Wed.-Thurs.; 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 4 p.m. Sat.; 2 and 5 p.m. Sun. $46 -$56. 617/508-931-2787, ticketmaster.com.
CATS – Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston. Through April 18, $37.50-$82.50. 1-800-982-2787,  broadwayacrossamerica.com/boston.
A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE  –  John Hancock Hall, Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St.,  Boston. Through April 17. $45-$65. 1-877-548-3237,  backbayeventscenter.com.
DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN –  Wilbur Theater, 265 Tremont St., Boston. 3 and 7 p.m. April 18, $29, $50. 1-800-745-3000, thewilburtheatre.com.
THE DONKEY SHOW – American Repertory Theater, Zero Arrow Theater, Arrow Street and Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Through summer 2010. $25-49. 617-547-8300, amrep.org.
THE EMANCIPATION OF MANDY AND MIZ ELLIE –  Company One, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston. April 30-May 22, $15-$38. 617-933-8600,  bostontheatrescene.com.
FARRAGUT NORTH –  Zeitgeist Stage Co, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston. April 30-May 22, $20. 617-933-8600,  bostontheatrescene.com.
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL – SpeakEasy Stage Company, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston.  April 30-May 30, $30-$51. 617-933-8600,  bostontheatrescene.com.
THE LITTLE MERMAID –   Wheelock Family Theater, 200 The Riverway, Boston.  April 16-May 16, $15-$25. 866-811-4111, wheelock.edu.  
FISHNET NETWORKS.NET –  DoubleTree Hotel, 821 Washington St, in Boston. April 16-June 5,  interactive office humor satire. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. $30,  $15 student rush with valid student ID. fishnet-networks.net.
FROM PLACES UNKNOWN – 11:11 Theatre Co., Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St., Boston. April 30-May 8,  $15 in advance,  $17 at the door. 1111theatre.com.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR –  Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. May 7-9, with Ted Neeley. $28-$98. 866-348-9738, citicenter.org.
LADY DAY  AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL – Lyric Stage, 140 Clarendon St., Boston.  Through April 24. $29-$54. 617-585-5678, lyricstage.com.
 SHEAR MADNESS –  Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. 8 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 6 and 9 p.m. Sat.; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sun. $42. 617-426-5225, shearmadness.com.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – Boston Opera House, 529 Washington St., Boston.  April 20-May 2.  $30-$91. 617/508-931-2000, ticketmaster.com.

Region
13 – A NEW MUSICAL – Un-Common Theatre,  Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St., Foxboro, April 16-18, all-teen cast. $20, $15 seniors/students. 800-838-3006 or order online at brownpapertickets.com
 THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB –  Nemasket River Productions, Middleboro Town Hall,  10 Nickerson Ave., Middleboro.  April 16-May 1. $18,  $16 seniors/students.  866-244-0448, BrownPaperTickets.com.
THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD – Merrmiack Repertory Theater, 50 E Merrimack St., Lowell.   April 22-May 16, $15-$56.1-978-654-4678, merrimackrep.org.
MY FAIR LADY –  Stoneham Theatre,  395 Main St., Stoneham. Through May 2, $44-$48,  $40-$42 seniors, $20 students.  781-279-2200.  stonehamtheatre.org.
THE ODD COUPLE  Trinity Repertory Theater, 201 Washington St., Providence. Through May 9,  $20-$65. 401-351-4242,  trinityrep.com.
OPUS – New Repertory Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown.  Through April 17.  $35-$54, $7 off for seniors; half-price for students. 617-923-8487, newrep.org.
THE SYRINGA TREE –  Dowling Theater, Trinity Repertory Theater, 201 Washington St., Providence.  April 30-May 3. $20-$65. 401-351-4242,  trinityrep.com.

 TUNES
South Shore
THE BEACHCOMBER –  797 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy.  April 16, Hot Mess band. April 17, Hot Protestants. April 23, Itchy Bean. April 24,  16th Graders. April 30, The Take Back. Blackbelt Dynamite. Bombsquad Larry. beachcomberquincy.com.
 BLANCHARD’S COLONIAL TAVERN –  98 North Main St. Avon.  April 17,  Ed Munafo. April 24,  Sally McKnight & Jim Bucannon. 508-587-2884, blanchardstavern.com.   
BRITISH BEER COMPANY – 15 Columbia Road, Pembroke. April 16, Flip Top Head.  April 17, Flydown. April 23, Chain Drive. April 24, Elbow Room. April 29, Ian Richarson, Stu Lee. April 30, Jackson Wetherbee band. No cover. 781-829-6999.
COFFEEHOUSE OFF THE SQUARE –  Old Ship Church Parish House, 107 Main St., Hingham.  8 p.m. April 17, New England Weather, $12. 781-749-1767, bostoncoffeehouses.org/OldShip.
C-NOTE –  159 Nantasket Ave., Hull.  April 16, Diane Blue and the Morblus Band Blues the Italian way. April 17, Steve Smith and the Nakeds. 781-925-4300, cnotehull.com.
BENEFIT DANCE FOR HAITI – Boston Marriott  Quincy, Crown Colony Office Park, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy. 2-8 p.m. May 2, with Erin’s Melody, Andy Healy Band, Noel Henry’s Irish Showband, Fintan Stanley, John Connors & the Irish Express, Larry Reynolds Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eirean. $20 suggested donation. irishheartsforhait.com.
EUNDERGROUND  –  South Shore Conservatory at The Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George St., Duxbury. 9-11 p.m. April 16,  adults can  perform or listen in to an eclectic mix of entertainment, sound system, keyboard, drums, accompanist will be provided.  Register in advance. $10. 781-934-2731 Ext. 11, .
 MARI’S PLACE –  35 Washington St., Quincy. 9 p.m.  second and fourth Thursdays, Mari’s All Stars: The Usual Suspects. Alternating weeks, The Unusual Suspects.  617-471-1200, marisplace.com.
 MY HOUSE LOUNGE – 609 Washington St., Route 3A,  Quincy. 8:30 p.m. Acoustic Wednesday with Russ Costa, Rick Naistad, Bruce McGrath. No cover. 617-201-2918, myspace.com/myhousequincy.
NEXT PAGE BLUES CAFE –  550 Broad St., Weymouth.  April 15, Shake Jake. Blues jam. April 16, Blind Ambition. April 22, Chris Fitz. Blues jam. April 23, Lickity Split. April 29, Mighty Houserockers. Blues Jam. April 30, Dave Howard Band. Young Neal. No cover. 781-335-9796, reverbnation.com/venue/thenextpagebluescafe.
OLD KIDS ON THE BLOCK – Tirell Room, 254 Quarry St., Quincy. 6:30 p.m. April 30, dance band dinner dance, $45 with dinner; 7:45 p.m. show only, $30 with two drink minimum. jmproductionspresents.com.
SHERWOODS OF CORNELL – Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George St., Duxbury. 7 p.m.  April 23; 7 p.m. April 24 at South Shore Conservatory, One Conservatory Drive, Hingham.  $15,  $5 r children. 781-749-7565, Ext. 20, sscmusic.org.
SOUTH SHORE FOLK MUSIC CLUB –  Beal House, Route 106, Kingston.  8 p.m. April 16,  Traditional Ballad Singing Contest for students grades 4-12. $6. 781-871-1052, ssfmc.org.
SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES  – Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington St., Braintree.  3 p.m. April 18,  Give My Regards to Broadway with cabaret singers Bobbi Carrey and Will McMillan, Doug Hammer on piano. Free. 781-413-1327.
 VINE WINE BAR –  47 Court St., Plymouth.   April 16, Richard Mulcahy. April 17, Bear Bones. April 24, Judy Pavadore, Paul Colarusso. April 30, Resonators. 508-830-1942, thevineplymouth.com.
YAZ’S PLACE –  132 E Howard St.,  Quincy. Wednesday, Ricky King Russell and friends.  Sunday, open mic jam with Steve Dicceco Band. 617-773-7775. 

Boston/Cambridge
CLUB PASSIM – 47 Palmer St., Cambridge.  April 15-16, Anais Mitchell & the Hadestown Orchestra featuring the Michael Chorney Sextet. April 17, Christopher Williams, Justin Kopec. April 18, Jonathan Edwards. APril 22-23, Antje Duvekot, Lucy Wainwright Roche.  617-492-5300, clubpassim.org.
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE SUGARCANES –  Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston.  7:30 p.m. April 20, $35-$49.50. livenation.com.
HOUSE OF BLUES –  15 Landsdowne St., Boston.  April 17, Martin Sexton,  Ryan Montbleau Band.  April 21, Snoop Dogg. April 23, Owl City. April 24, Badfish. APril 25, Gipsy Kings. 617/508-931-2000, ticketmaster.com.
JAZZ WEEK 10: MADE IN BOSTON, PLAYED IN BOSTON –  Veunes in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, April 23-May 2. More than 230 events at over 80 venues. See jazzboston.org for complete schedule.
PARADISE ROCK CLUB –  967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.  April 15-16 Soulive. April 17, liars. April 23, Dear Leader. April 24, Los Campesinos. April 26, Echo and the Bunnymen. 617-562-8800, teapartyconcerts.com, ticketmaster.com.
PEARL JAM –  TD Bank, Causeway Street, Boston. 7:30 p.m. May 17, $74.50. 617/508-931-2787, ticketmaster.com.
REGATTABAR –  Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge.  April 6-17, Dave Holland Quintet.  April 21, David Knopfler. April 23, Mike Doughty. April 24, Either/Orchestra. 617-661-5099, regattabarjazz.com.
DIANA ROSS – Citi Wang Center, 270 Tremont St., Boston. 8 p.m. May 15, $72.50-$122.50. 866-348-9738, citicenter.org.
SCULLERS –  DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston.  April 16-17, Christopher Cross. 617-562-4111,  scullersjazz.com.
 SONNY ROLLINS’ 80th BIRTHDAY CONCERT –  Symphony Hall,  301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston.  7 p.m. April 18,  $30- $65, 888-266-1200,  bostonsymphonyhall.org.
JORDIN SPARKS –  Orpheum Theater, 1 Hamilton Place, Boston. 7:30 p.m. April 28, $25, $35. livenation.com.

Region
THE CHARLIE HORSE –  674 Old West Center St., West Bridgewater.   April  15, Country Idol & Country Music.     April 16, World Premier. 508-583-7252, thecharliehorse.com.
COWBOY JUNKIES – Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, Somerville.  8 p.m. April 18, with Mary Gauthier. $38-$41. 617-625-5700, somervilletheatreonline.com. 
DOG ROCK COFFEEHOUSE –  Blackburn Hall, 30 Stone St., Walpole. 8 p.m.  April 16, Jud Caswell. $10, $7 students/seniors. 508-660-6353, WalpoleRec.com, BlackburnHall.org.
OFF THE COMMON COFFEEHOUSE –   First Parish Unitarian Church, 50 School St., Bridgewater.   May 1,  Barbara Phaneuf. June 5, Greg Greenway.  $13 per show. 508-697-5425, offthecommon.org.
JOHNNY D’S –  17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville. April 16, Down The Line.  7 p.m. April 17, Vance Gilbert,  Poodle Rescue Of New England Benefit. 10 p.m. Toussaint & Buru Style. April 23, Bronze Radio Return, Jamie Lynn Hart. April 24, Graham Parker & The Figgs. Playing Dead. 617-776-9667, johnnyds.com.
PATTY LARKIN – Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 7:30 p.m. April 24, with Birdsong at Morning. $22,  $25. 781-646-4849, regenttheatre.com.
BETTYE LaVETTE –   Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. on 8 p.m. April 30, $28. 617-876-4275, WorldMusic.org.
LUNASA –    Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. 8 p.m. April 17,  $28. 617-876-4275, WorldMusic.org.
NARROWS CENTER FOR THE ARTS –16 Anawan St., Fall River. April 16, Catherine Russell. April 17, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. April 22, Tao Seeger Band. April 23, Mary Gauthier. April 24, Howard Fishman and His Band. 508-324-1926, ncfta.org.
NEW ENGLAND HARDCORE & METALFEST –  Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester. April 23-24, $40 Friday, $46 Saturday, $80 both. 800-477-6849,  ticketmaster.com.
ROSE GARDEN COFFEEHOUSE – Orthodox Congregational Church, 17 West St., Mansfield. 8 p.m. April 17, The Tashians, $15. 508-699-8122, rosegardenfolk.com.
 SHOWCASE LIVE  –  23 Patriot Place, Foxboro.  April 15, New England All-Star Hip Hop Showcase. April 22, Gaelic Storm. April 23, Pat Travers & Rick Derringer with The Dan Lawson Band.  April 30, Ultimate Beatles Show featuring Strawberry Fields 617/508-931-2000, ticketmaster.com.
 

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The History of Coin Currency

April 20th, 2010
2 comments

Currency or money has always been used as a means of trading or bartering even during the remotest periods. Before silver and gold were in use, currency took the forms of animals, lambs, oxen, shells, sheep, and many more.

The earliest use of money can be found in the sacred writings of the Bible as it mentions gold in the first book of Moses, which was written around 4,000 B.C. This was found in Genesis in the second chapter, then in the fourth chapter brass and iron are mentioned, and then in the thirteenth chapter the mention of silver can be found.

During early days, different countries used a variety of forms as currency, which include shells in Siam, sugar in the West Indies, and tin in Great Britain. A lot of other items were used as forms of currency. In Germany they used cattle, in Rome they used leather, in Burma they used lead, Russia used platinum, China used brass, and in Scotland they used iron and nails. All over the world copper, silver, and gold have been used as forms of currency.

In ancient Hebrew times, the measure of currency was expressed by the shekel, which were weighed out instead of counted. In the ancient tombs of Egypt, traces of scales were found engraved on the walls, which signified the wealth of their owners. The shekels did not have an equal weight and the main article of currency or barter among Egyptians was the lambs. The term shekel in Hebrew means to weigh, and became a term in the language of currency.

Originally, gold and silver were used in lumps, nuggets, or bars and in these particular forms they could be weighed out, and because they were weighed out they could be used as payments for commercial transactions. On the island of Aegina, the Greeks stamped a turtle on the first silver coins over 700 B.C. The Greeks continued stamping symbols of owls and other images and objects on their coins until Alexander the Great decided that the coins should have portraits or heads of living people and rulers.

This method allowed rulers to show evidence of their prosperity and advancement and was eventually improved by the Romans, to serve as a complete record of all the ruling families of Caesars until the fall of the Roman empire. In this age, the artistry on the coins was not advanced and quickly began to deteriorate from the beginning of the Byzantine period until over a thousand years later.

Queen Elizabeth of England began the first experiment of milling currency instead of striking currency individually. At this time, coins began to gain their round shape and a improved artistic design from England, Germany, and Saxony beginning in the 16th century. The Chinese have been producing coins for at least forty centuries, but the most of their first coins were produced from bronze, then eventually they moved to brass.

China has also made coins with the use of porcelain and tiny sea shells, while Japan and Korea use copper in the production of their coins.

Today all countries tend to make their coins with the same general appearance and shape. Coins are made of gold, silver, brass, nickel, bronze, copper, and aluminum all over the world, and these coins reflect a country’s history throughout the ages.

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On track for high speed

April 15th, 2010
6 comments

Canadians returning from Europe and Japan bring back strange tales of train travel — trips marked by comfort, affordability and, above all, speed.

Expresses such as France’s train à grand vitesse

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The 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials

April 6th, 2010
4 comments

Soon after the railways were nationalised in 1948, the then recently formed British Railways Board (BRB) undertook a review of the locomotive stock which had been inherited from the ‘Big Four’ independent railway companies. It soon became apparent that the whole stable of steam locomotives comprised of a huge variety of different class types, vast numbers of which were getting close to or in some cases, were already life-expired.

Right from the beginning the government-owned organisation needed to reduce costs as soon and as practical as possible. Not an easy task with a war-battered railway. However, work began straight away and in its first year, the BRB had recruited the renowned locomotive engineer Robert A Riddles, formerly of the LMS, to take responsibility for the Mechanical & Electrical Engineering department. Riddles was given the task of developing a new small range of new steam locomotive designs, the intention being that they replace the older pre-nationalisation locomotives.

Riddles’ settled for a plan of action which was to use the best pre-nationalisation designs and incorporate the best qualities of each into his standardised locomotives, thus amalgamating the greatest engineering feats from all of the former railway companies. The first step towards creating the new designs were the ‘Locomotive Exchange Trials’. Riddles started his quest by selecting a number of express type locomotives from each of the newly-formed Regions and utilising them on ”foreign” territory. As an example, LMS locomotives operated over the Southern Region where there were no water troughs. To compensate for this they were married together with four-axled ex-War Department tenders with larger water tanks. These were specifically given LMS lettering for the occasion. Similarly, ex-Southern Region types used elsewhere were married together with ex-LMS tenders with water scoops. This yielded some important information for the design team on how suitable particular locomotive classes were to certain stretches of line.

On completion of the Locomotive Exchange Trials, Riddles’ Chief Draftsmen went back to the drawing board and began to formulate the first of the then new ‘standardised’ steam locomotives. Officially, these trials were to identify the best aspects of the four different approaches to locomotive design so that they could be used in the new BR standard designs. However, the methods used for testing lacked any real scientific value, and taking Riddles’ background into consideration and other political influences, it was almost predictable that LMS practice was largely followed by the new standard designs regardless, and it is therefore hardly surprising that nearly all of Riddles’ final products would bear much resemblance to the designs pioneered by the LMS, particularly those locomotives which were designes of Stanier and Ivatt.

However, the trials were useful publicity for BR to show the unity of the new British Railways. By 1950 the first of the new express locomotive designs had been finalised at Derby and in the same year, the British Transport Commission placed an order with Crewe Works for the construction of twenty-four of the type. What came forth from Crewe on 2nd January 1951 was a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive looking conspicuously like the Coronation class of engines designed by William Stanier, also formerly of the LMS. The imposing engine, finished in a plain black scheme with no lining, was scheduled for a test run between Crewe and Carlisle on 11th January 1951, a dynamometer carriage being one of the consists of the train it was to haul. Following the test run, which proved to be a promising start for the type, the locomotive, numbered 70000, was repainted into the much more familiar lined BR Brunswick Green and delivered to Marylebone station on the last but one day of January to be named. No. 70000 was appropriately called ‘Britannia’, after the female personification of the British Empire, and it marked a very promising step forward for BR.

To commemorate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials, in 2008 Hornby Railways produced a Limited Edition Model of a 4-6-2 West Country Class Locomotive ‘Bude’ No 34006. This model, represents the classic pairing of a Southern Region Bulleid Pacific with a Stanier Tender. For the collectors out there, the Hornby R2685 West Country Class ‘Bude’ with Stanier Tender was only produced in a limited run of 2008 and each of the model trains came with a numbered Certificate of Authentication.

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