The Blue Parrot

History repeats. Almost…

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Roger Colton

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So, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we (the long suffering commuters) have survived another meltdown between management and labor. This time it was BART and some of it’s union workers. After a series of “will they or won’t they strike” moments, things came to an impass and the strike finally happened.

Oddly enough, almost 50 years ago, folks here in the East Bay went through the same experience. The Key System, which had trains, streetcars and buses, was at odds with it’s own union workers over similar issues to those faced by BART in 2013. Pay hikes and work rules. And a management unwilling to accept binding arbitration.

In 1953, that strike lasted 76 days. In many ways, it helped cement feeling against the transit system. People could commute in their own cars across the Bay Bridge. And so they did. The last Key System train ran into San Francisco in 1958. Less than two years later, AC Transit was created by voters to create public transit.

Glad to say that so far, we are not being held hostage this time around. Votes have yet to be taken on the proposed BART contract by both the unions and the BART board of directors. Things could go back to the negotiating tables. Like many of you, I hope not. We have suffered enough and it is past time for the unions and management to move forward.

Learn from the past…

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Roger Colton

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When last I left you, loyal readers, it was aboard the Napa Valley Limited heading from San Luis Obispo for Los Angeles. Safe to say, that trip was indeed completed. And the quick turn around back to Oakland and Sacramento came the days following.

A long trip out on the road with the Two Rivers. All of 17 days from start to finish, from Sacramento and back again. From what everyone had to say, enjoyed by one and all. Lots of good people, places, food and beverage along those miles.

We’re thinking on another trip next year from Oakland to New Orleans, perhaps in April. Another big trip as it takes 5 days to get there and another 5 days back to Oakland. Throw in 2 or 3 days in New Orleans along with overnights in Chicago each way and it has promise.

So, along the way, I managed to add a couple of duties. I am now the administrator for the AAPRCO Facebook page. And when the smoke clears, I am also taking on running the AAPRCO blog.

You know that old line about needing a vacation from my vacation? I kind of felt that way after this one.

But, there is much to come. First up, the Friends of the Walt Disney Family Museum on Facebook will be having a bit of a gathering on Saturday, November 2nd at 2 pm. A chance to meet one another, say hello and trade a Disney pin or three.

November also sees the start of the Dickens Fair at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Running 5 weekends this year, 11/23 through 12/22, from 10 am to 7 pm, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. Cuthebert’s Tea Shoppe as usual, although I’ve heard rumblings about some changes. More as I learn the details. But plan on the usual, especially High Tea.

Beyond all that? Candlelight beckons at Disneyland, 12/7 and 8. And who knows what else along the way… Stay tuned!

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Roger Colton

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In sympathies with Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Cincinnati and now Oakland:

As penned by Ernest Thayer in 1888 –

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville Nine that day;

The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,

And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,

A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest

Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;

They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that –

They’d put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,

And the former was a pudding and the latter was a fake;

So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,

For there seemed but little chance of Casey’s getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,

And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;

And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,

There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;

It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,

For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile on Casey’s face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt ’twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.

Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

Defiance gleamed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-

“That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one,” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.

“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;

And it’s likely they’d a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, “Strike two.”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;

But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;

He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.

And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

All quiet tonight in San Luis Obispo

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Roger Colton

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A long day for the penultimate on the road. And now all are in for the night, safe aboard the 21 cars remaining of the 2013 Napa Valley Limited. Parked just south of the former Southern Pacific station here in San Luis Obispo.

Depart was before 0600 from Napa. The dawn came as we head down through Cordelia. A windy day greeted us as we came into Suisun. Mount Diablo was easy to make out across the Bay.

Several Capitol Corridor trains and number 11 the southbound Coast Starlight passed before we finally were back on the Union Pacific line to Oakland.

From there it was a quick ride to the Benicia Bridge – the longest rail crossing of a navigable waterway in the west. Bright sunlight greeted our approach on the Benicia side.

A nice ride along the shores of San Pablo Bay brought us to Emeryville, where train 6 the California Zephyr was waiting to depart with the Pacific Cape and the Georgia 300 on the rear.

This was not the only PV sighting of the day as we caught up to number 11 adding the Colonial Crafts and two matching Pennsylvania cars. With this delay we departed San Jose after a crew change and ran ahead of number 11.

Crossing the Cuesta Grade we rolled down to hold the siding at Chorro as both 11 and 14 passed us. This was the traditional meeting spot for the SP’s Coast Daylight trains. With the cooler breeze from the ocean coming inland, it was a pleasant wait high on the hill above San Luis Obispo.

Plenty of great photos were taken as the Starlight’s passed our 21 car special here.

After that it was everyone back aboard and down to SLO.

Tomorrow is the last day of the convention train – complete with the fabled 113 miles along the shore of the Pacific Ocean. A wonderful finish to a great trip.