New York Division-Bergen Line: Episode III, The Erie Rises

[alanch]

I will be with youse in spirit.

And I'll be with you in beer - if it wasn't for that big pond between us . . . . .

[minerman146]

I will be with youse in spirit.

And I'll be with you in beer - if it wasn't for that big pond between us . . . . .

You know Alan if you could send a keg of Boddingtons in your stead, I assure you I would be fall down drunk for a week. Optionally send Melanie Sykes!

[Chacal]

I think when my current Canadian Club is finished, I'll try a bourbon for a change for my Old Fashioned and my Manhattans. Any suggestions?

[buzz456]

Jack Daniels.

[drjayyyy]

It was reported Willie Nelson once said : "I never had a drinking problem. I had a problem not drinking" !*roll-laugh*!

[minerman146]

I think when my current Canadian Club is finished, I'll try a bourbon for a change for my Old Fashioned and my Manhattans. Any suggestions?

I recommend Bulliet Bourbon for Manhattans. Also wildturkey 101. For the old fashioned bitters, simple syrup a twist of orange rind and rim the glass with that..recommend Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey.
. Note also that each of these neat is also satisfying.

[minerman146]

It was reported Willie Nelson once said : "I never had a drinking problem. I had a problem not drinking" !*roll-laugh*!

In Willie We Trust.
Speaking of Willie...any one here tune to WILLIE'S Roadhouse in Cirrus XM? Or just me?

[alanch]

I will be with youse in spirit.

And I'll be with you in beer - if it wasn't for that big pond between us . . . . .

You know Alan if you could send a keg of Boddingtons in your stead, I assure you I would be fall down drunk for a week. Optionally send Melanie Sykes!

Boddingtons may not be what it once was - they were bought by Whitbreads, who in turn were taken over by Anheuser–Busch InBev, so the beers may have strayed from their Manchester origins.

Amazon have Boddingtons Kegs in this country - are they sold on Amazon US?

Melanie Sykes is definitely not available on Amazon!

[Chacal]

A keg of Guinness will do, in a pinch.
But chilled, please. None of that "room temperature" nonsense. Sorry for my Irish friends, but it's just disgusting.

[ELtom]

Have you guys ever heard about Rule "G"?

[minerman146]

I asked the old man about Rule G - I break that all the time running the Bergen!

As promised, I completed my fieldtrip to Waldwick, NJ. Some points to note. Waldwick is a clean town; no refuse, neat lawns, a little old in spots but not falling down. And yeah, I nailed Waldwick. After I passed Ramsey Rt 17 on Route 17 I got off at Allendale and knew where I was. I also knew that I wasn't paying attention to my GPS as I ended up at Allendale Station.

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I made it to the Tower right on time at noon. They were open and I took this shot from the parking area.

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Quick history is that this tower and another 5 of similar design were built in 1886. This is the last one left. Obviously, this is not a large tower. In 1886 there was one track. By 1910 there were 5 and they moved the tower West 50 feet. The tower was in operation for 99 years and when NJT went all electronic in 1986 this tower and all the others were closed. At that late date it was falling apart. Like many other old railroad things, if its not reinforced concrete, away it goes. Once inside the curator was there, 2 kids, their Dad and 2 old guys ... and me. I noted that none of you were there.

Busy little place is WC. I was there 1 hour and 55 minutes and saw 6 trains which was very cool.

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The interior and exterior is restored, what is missing are the Electric Levers. The Armstrong levers were removed in, get this, 1905. The replacement levers were electric, and the pulls were on a table of sorts, with the levers poking out. They 1905 levers do exist and are in storage. That is a project for another time. There are 3 levels, the upper with the levers, the second level for equipment storage and a basement where the batteries for electrical backup was stored. I saw the batteries, they were extremely old, pre-war maybe pre great-war. OLDEN!

Like some many things that are still around that should not be, it is because it is a labor of love. This tower is 'owned' by the Waldwick Historical Society. Its actually owned by the Town Of Waldwick, the ground it stands on is leased from NJ Transit. The amount of work dealing with the government and the public utility that is NJ Transit takes an immense amount of patience, perseverance and work. Then you get to spend your time fixing it up! You can check out their FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/WaldwickHistoricalSociety/

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Here is the the board for the tower and the cool part is the last time it was refreshed
and got some fresh paint on it was 1974, by an EL employee. The old telephones, relays and the US Signal, relays were all in the cellar of the place. Totally funky smell down there, of oil, creosote and mildew, smelled like the railroad with a touch of OLD.

I did make a 'generous' donation, because I appreciate what it takes to keep something like this going. My takeaway and what I said to the curator was " When something like this is gone, it's gone." So, look around at the things you care about and make it a point to remember them. That is better than a picture - trust me.

Next up is my lunch trip to the 'dive bar'

[minerman146]

So after spending 2 hours at the Tower switching em' out, I was parched. Fortunately, I had virtually reconnoitered a local watering hole - Amster's Prospect Tavern. After a 4 minute trip, by car, I made it to the front door.

Amsters_Prosepect_20210725_140116.jpg

Noting the absence of motorcycles outside or police cars, I made my way in, hoping for sailors, cattle rustlers or rogue policemen. Nope, it was just me and a kindly bartender. My dive bar was a local neighborhood bar. There were a few licks of the 70's in there, but I could tell it had been renovated a few times. I am sure it needed it. So, thinking of Chacal, I know what I needed to order.

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This was a surprisingly good pint by the way.

In the end, I had the burger, as I like it and a Guinness for myself and one for Chacal. And, to prove I was in Waldwick here is my receipt!

The_Bill_20210725_142510.jpg

The burger was top-notch and for that I recommend Amster's Prospect Tavern. I do wish it was more olden.
So, a good trip on one of the key spots on the Bergen: Waldwick, New Jersey. Its a real place with some history, a touch of grit and a darn good pour.

And this goes to show you - when Minerman says he's going somewhere he goes! Until next time.
Carry on.

[AmericanSteam]

Was with you in spirit. I went to my local brewery https://kassiksbrewery.com/ 2 blocks away, no Guinness but they have a wonderful oatmeal stout that I enjoy every time I am in the neighborhood. Fortunately I live in the neighborhood. The picture is looking across Cooks Inlet here in Alaska.Such a wonderful place to live.

[Chacal]

Thanks, that pint was virtually delicious.

[Chacal]

Minerman walks into a bar, orders twelve Guinnesses and starts drinking them as fast as he can.
Bartender: "Why are you drinking so fast?"
Minerman: "You'd be drinking fast too if you had what I have",
Bartender: "What do you have"?
Minerman: "75 cents".