A Social comment on cruise ships .

GMorrison

 

 

Bakster

 

 

GMorrison

Did that a little. Not so much the crews as they usually aren't around, but really really dangerous.

 

 

 

 

Somehow... I knew that you did.   Do tell! Share a story please. I would love to hear. And what are the primary dangers if it is not the crew. I'll never actually do this, but it is fun to think about. I should know better to never say never.

 

 

 

 

 

There were these enormous sugar beet drags that came through my college town. The longest trains in the world. 100 cars, a mile long, multiple helper engines front, middle and rear. 

 

They climbed a really big hill north of town, and got put together in the yards. You didn't want to hop them down there because there were bright lights and lots of people around. But once they got going and headed for the hill they weren't stopping for anything.

Up towards where I lived they were rolling along at a couple of miles per hour, like walking pace. To ride the roots, you run along side and grab the iron at the end, get a foot up in the stirrup and get on the ladder. Then you climb into the car and sit on the beets. Big suckers, like bowling pins, and dirty.

Nice ride though, and there were a whole series of trestles and tunnels on the way up.

At some point past the summit it would stop to uncouple the helpers, that was a good time to get off.

You'd do it in a group, as single folks could get assaulted in the yards, by other bums.

But you are running along on a sloped surface of loose rocks, trying to grab something at head height, at the same time watching for stuff not to trip over further on up, and there's a lot of that like loose ties, loose beets, switch stands.

Trip and fall on that and there's a big round steel wheel coming along that will kill you quick.

But I liked it. Only injury was once a girl fell down getting off and broke her arm.

 

Buddy... you made my day! That is a great post, and what a cool picture! I love it. I wish I was there when you did it. I would have been right there with you hopping the train. Man... I love the southwest landscape. It is my favorite area to travel to.

Yeah those wheels will have no mercy. See the link below. This happened at a RR Museum that I go to at least once a year. It's a really pretty area and I love looking at the trains. In fact--this accident happened just 1 week after I was there. Very sad.

Thanks again!!

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Woman-pronounced-dead-after-slipping-underneath-train-266897441.html

https://www.midcontinent.org/

That President is a straightforward conversion to a General Class P2. Same ship.

E.J.;

Matsonia and Lurline -Matson , Argentina - Moore -Mcormack , Hawaiian Merchant , Again Matson . The large somewhat iffy model of the President Wilson ? would be a good starting point for the Lurline  . The hulls are similar . I think the last time I saw it , it was being offered under the Lindberg label . It's also been Life-Like and Ideal !

 I feel the same way about the Midway ! That's where I served as a fleet marine after two weeks on one of the Mega Carriers  .( They found out my daughter was a pilot of an A-6-E on board ).So the lowly Marine had to go ! At least they sent me to my favorite Bird farm -The Midway !  

Bakster

 

 

GMorrison

Did that a little. Not so much the crews as they usually aren't around, but really really dangerous.

 

 

 

 

Somehow... I knew that you did.   Do tell! Share a story please. I would love to hear. And what are the primary dangers if it is not the crew. I'll never actually do this, but it is fun to think about. I should know better to never say never.

 

 

They climbed a really big hill north of town, and got put together in the yards. You didn't want to hop them down there because there were bright lights and lots of people around. But once they got going and headed for the hill they weren't stopping for anything.

Up towards where I lived they were rolling along at a couple of miles per hour, like walking pace. To ride the roots, you run along side and grab the iron at the end, get a foot up in the stirrup and get on the ladder. Then you climb into the car and sit on the beets. Big suckers, like bowling pins, and dirty.

Nice ride though, and there were a whole series of trestles and tunnels on the way up.

At some point past the summit it would stop to uncouple the helpers, that was a good time to get off.

You'd do it in a group, as single folks could get assaulted in the yards, by other bums.

But you are running along on a sloped surface of loose rocks, trying to grab something at head height, at the same time watching for stuff not to trip over further on up, and there's a lot of that like loose ties, loose beets, switch stands.

Trip and fall on that and there's a big round steel wheel coming along that will kill you quick.

But I liked it. Only injury was once a girl fell down getting off and broke her arm.

There is no doubt that cruise ships are struggling with an image problem.  Some very well publicised cases of norovirus/ gastro etc decimating passengers.  Combined with the antics of some groups of males who are just there for the food/booze/drugs/sex. An infamous case in Australia of a women left to die after drug taking and group sex.

GMorrison

Did that a little. Not so much the crews as they usually aren't around, but really really dangerous.

 

Somehow... I knew that you did.   Do tell! Share a story please. I would love to hear. And what are the primary dangers if it is not the crew. I'll never actually do this, but it is fun to think about. I should know better to never say never.

Did that a little. Not so much the crews as they usually aren't around, but really really dangerous.

GMorrison

Driving in Spain in the 70’s.

Because the rail gauge is (was) not standard, cargo from outside Spain moved on trucks.

Whole culture of passing slow trucks on two lane roads.

 

I'd like to ride the trains around the US like a hobo. The only thing that stops me is getting mercilessly beat up by the rail crew. 

Driving in Spain in the 70’s.

Because the rail gauge is (was) not standard, cargo from outside Spain moved on trucks.

Whole culture of passing slow trucks on two lane roads.

Best Cruise ever, 4 years on a bird farm, ESSEX CVS-9. And they paid ME (kinda).

EJ

CapnMac82

I find the hull forms offensive on these floating flea-bag motels.

The hulls are steel only up to the deck below the lifeboats, then aluminum and flim-flam above that.

All to sell over-pried "windows" to goobers unaware that the "view" is mere steps away.  All intermixed with mediocre food in gluttonous quantities and indifferent food safety conditions.

All while relying on huge condensers to keep up the potable water supply for thousands of shlubs who think a 15 minute hollywood shower is "brief."

But, I'm biased.

 

Lol.

Tanker - Builder

You Know ;

 I guess I have saltwater in my veins . I was born at sea ( On the way here ) . I was adopted by a Sicilian Family that Fished . Grew up around , in and about boats . 

 Joined the Navy late 59 . Did thirteen years . Crossed to the Corps . Was a Birdfarm Marine , then Boots groundside in " Nam " . Retired after third set of orders to "Nam" Went to work for Matson Navigation on the Lurline as engineer .

Hey TB;

Couldn't help but comment on your having been aboard Lurline. 

My dad shipped out on the Lurline in 1942. He was in the Red Arrow, 126 Infantry during the war, beginning with the fight on New Guina. They left San Francisco on 22 April 1942, arriving at Port Adelaid Australia 14 May, 1942. This was the first time an entire Division had been shipped at one time since Pearl Harbor. According to dad's notes, there were several ships in the convoy. He happened to be aboard Matson's Lurline. The other ships he mentions ( I know some are Matson but don't know if they all were) Matsonia, Monterey, Ancon, Washington, Scott, Argentina (freighter), Hawaiian Merchant (freighter), Indianapolis (cruiser escort) and two Aussi destroyers.

Dad came home in April 1945, after 3 years in the Pacific, with 654 days of combat. 16 years later, at 18 years old, I joined the Navy, serving aboard the USS ESSEX, then CVS-9. I had built the Revell kit of her in about 1958 I think, with her angled deck conversion complete, never knowing I would serve aboard that very same ship later. I have a vintage ESSEX in the stash and have collected aftermarket stuff to correct the hull and island errors, plus a full contingent of the correct aircraft, all in 1/530 is scale. That one I want to do right.

I wish there was a kit that could be made into the Lurline as I'd love to do a build of her. I have a few pictures of her just prior to her first troopship run and again after the war ended. She looked pretty rough by then.

EJ

crackers

Driving in Italy can be a hair raising experience at times. Generally, the people are friendly and very courtious, especially if one struggles to speak in Italian, which they sympathize and try to understand you. However, once they get on the road, watch out ! Some steer their cars in death defying maneuvers, especially in Rome. Driving in that city had my fingernails piercing the steering wheel in abject fear I'd be a fatality in a foreign country. However, I never regreted the experience. I would do it all over again if I have the money. This driving senation could never be duplicated on an ocean liner. I've seen foreign ports during my naval duty. You see one port, then you see them all. They almost look and smell the same.

Happy modeling     Crackers    

 

Your a brave man driving in Rome. The Mrs and i went last year for a weekend, it was bad enough just trying to cross the road.

I deffinetly agree with you about the people. neither of us speake Italian, but we managed thge basics, please and thank you and reading menu's and so on, and found people really helpful and understanding. Even went to a couple of small out the way places to eat that probably don't see many tourists and they could not have been nicer.

I don'tlike these modern cruise ships, awful looking things. But then i have never wanted to go on a Cruise. Its one thing to go on a ship to cross and ocean, but not to go hoping fropm one port to the next only getting a brief climspe of whats there. They have Crusie ships stop off in the Falklands and they only go to Port Stanley, which you can walk round in 30 mins, but never get to see the rest of the place.

You Know ;

 I guess I have saltwater in my veins . I was born at sea ( On the way here ) . I was adopted by a Sicilian Family that Fished . Grew up around , in and about boats . 

 Joined the Navy late 59 . Did thirteen years . Crossed to the Corps . Was a Birdfarm Marine , then Boots groundside in " Nam " . Retired after third set of orders to "Nam" Went to work for Matson Navigation on the Lurline as engineer .

 Went to Olympic Steamship And got my Chief Engineer ticket with them . Went to P&O got my masters ticket and went to British Shell  and commanded Tankers till  1981 . All the time guiding the wife on building our businesses ashore .

 Came ashore and finished my sealife aboard Oil Spill Skimmer boats and running and living in a marina on a boat . First wife passed . Gave it up and came inland . I must be crazy though  ,I find myself missing the swish & fluff of water sliding past a hull and a clear sunset from my place on the bridge .

 I certainly appreciate all the comments . The Maritime life can be rough as a  "Swabby "but as you rise through the ranks , if you keep your nose clean , the Sky ( The Command Bridge ) is the Limit . It's no fun being a saltwater man ashore , drowning in paper-work . 

 So rather than rise to Commodore in civilian service  ,Was offered, ( Desk Job .) Cut myself loose with a great Package that went into shore-side work .No Regrets .

Driving in Italy can be a hair raising experience at times. Generally, the people are friendly and very courtious, especially if one struggles to speak in Italian, which they sympathize and try to understand you. However, once they get on the road, watch out ! Some steer their cars in death defying maneuvers, especially in Rome. Driving in that city had my fingernails piercing the steering wheel in abject fear I'd be a fatality in a foreign country. However, I never regreted the experience. I would do it all over again if I have the money. This driving senation could never be duplicated on an ocean liner. I've seen foreign ports during my naval duty. You see one port, then you see them all. They almost look and smell the same.

Happy modeling     Crackers    

crackers

some people probably enjoy this once in a life time cruise.

Apparently so, as I know people who regularly toss the two to two-and-a-half grand on the credit card and go once a year.

The lines are specialized a bit, too.  If memory serves, Carnival is more "family" and Norwegian is more "grown up" and Viking is more "mature folks."

crackers

If it possible, tour a foreign land in a rented car. My late mother, who spoke passable Italian, that could be understood by the locals, came with me after we rented an automobile in Rome in 1985. We toured most of Northern Italy for almost a month. In places where no tourists venture, the prices were cheaper for lodging and food. We saw sights where no tourist brochure ever photographed that were just as scenic. Of course, one does not jump into a car and dive off unprepared. It took much research and planning before the tour began.

Happy modeling   Crackers  

 

Agreed!!!

We went to Germany a couple years ago (me, wife, and my parents). We had a hotel in Nuremberg, which did limit us to how far we could go in a day.

Last year, we went to Ireland. Rented a car for 10 days...started in Dublin and worked our way south...east...then up the east coast, staying at B&Bs along the way. Got to see a lot more of the coutry that way. After getting back home...I had to really think a bit about staying on the proper side of the road...and our roads are HUGE!!!!

Interesting story. I used to feel the same way about the Orient Express, but I think sometimes things are best left to the imagination.

There's a resin kit of Normandie. That's no doubt as close as we'll get, but it's better than nothing.

The QE2 and QM2 still do transatlantic passages, so they are designed to make high speed through the North Atlantic with its bad weather and massive waves. The floating hotel ships don’t have the speed, stability, freeboard, low cross section to the winds  or hull design for cutting through big waves at 30 mph. It is nice that Cunard has been able to find a large enough market for that old style, elegant, and luxurious travel. No buffets, and dress for dinner every night; nice.  I’ve been wanting to cough up the dough for one of these passages, but my wife doesn’t want to spend an extra four days getting to Europe when we can fly and use the time for touring at the destination. I’m hoping that we can do it once we are retired  and have the free time for it. I came here as a baby on an ocean liner and would love to do it again ( and this time know I’m doing it!). I still build ocean liner kits as I find them.

note to the kit manufacturers: how about an injection molded kit of the ultimate glamour liner, the Normandie?

Only that cars don't go to sea. I spent a lot of time in my younger years as supercargo on mail boats, coasters and freighters.

Usually the crew doesn't want to have anything to do with you and leave you alone, while they watch movies on their vcrs in their free time. 

But there's a certain solitude, and port time is fun. And I always found the chow to be pretty good. You get access to a day room where you can eat, read, watch movies or nap, or be out on deck.

If it possible, tour a foreign land in a rented car. My late mother, who spoke passable Italian, that could be understood by the locals, came with me after we rented an automobile in Rome in 1985. We toured most of Northern Italy for almost a month. In places where no tourists venture, the prices were cheaper for lodging and food. We saw sights where no tourist brochure ever photographed that were just as scenic. Of course, one does not jump into a car and dive off unprepared. It took much research and planning before the tour began.

Happy modeling   Crackers  

Went on one for our honeymoon in ‘94. It’s nice to go island hopping on a cruise package but once you depart each port of call for the next destination, you’re stuck on board. 

I‘d like to take the Viking River cruise in Europe I’ve seen advertised on tv.

Last cruise I was on I ended up in Saigon, never take another one.

Hello!

I've stayed for 10 days on the island of Sint Maarten in 2012. I was wondering about those cruise ship folks. While they bring the majority of money to the island, they also make it much less inhabitable. When you go out to Phillipsburg (where the cruise ship piers are), you don't need to look for the see to know if a cruise ship is in port. Just look at the street - if there's a traffic jam, there's a cruise ship there. If there's no traffic jam - they got a day off. A sailor operating a tourist boat told me about one terrible day years ago, before they built additional piers and they had 5 cruise ships in port one day. All the boat owners of the whole island were ferrying people to and from the ships, all the roads jammed, all the taxis hired. Lots of stress and hectic, lots of money lost. That must have been something!

I agree with Tojo - you need to stay adn explore. That's what I did and I felt sorry for the people who had to hurry to reach the cruise ship in time. I watched those ships sail off into the sunset, that was cool.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

 Occassionally I do .

     Lately I've had my time tied up with a project for a client . Sometimes I'll try something on a horrible glue bomb and then toss it . No way I want to have anyone see these travesties I come up with .

Amen , Amen I say to thee ! There's so much of America to see .