Whoa! This is a stunner! Hidden under the Waldorf Astoria is the railcar that FDR used, a secret railcar elevator from Grand Central... wow

Lying forgotten two hundred feet below one of America’s most iconic buildings lies the closely guarded secret of one of America’s finest presidents - rusting away when it could be a monument to his greatness. Hidden under the Grand Central train terminal in New York lies a vast area that was unknown to the outside world until the late Eighties. It houses the power network that is responsible for the electricity that runs the entire station - and was a key target for Hitler during the Second World War. But there is also the little known Waldorf-Astoria platform, which is known by Grand Central staff as the Roosevelt Platform. And there is parked the decaying hulk of the train the four-times elected president used to hide his disability, the paralysis from the waist down which forced him to use a wheelchair in private.

In such difficult times, Franklin Delano Roosevelt did not want anybody to know of his own problems and arranged to journey in and out of New York via Grand Central in a personal armoured train. ‘The platform is directly under the Waldorf Astoria and after Roosevelt’s 6000 horse powered diesel train would pull up on the tracks it would let his personal car out of the side,’ said Dan Brucker, 52, spokesperson for Metro North, the company that runs Grand Central Terminal. ‘The car would then drive off the dark and secret platform into an elevator which would take it directly into the Waldorf Astoria garage. ‘This served to protect Roosevelt’s safety and protect his disability through polio from the public at large.’

Constructed as part of the redesigned terminal in 1913, this colossal top-secret area ten storeys deep - known as M42 - was left off all blueprints for the station and its existence was only officially acknowledged by the station owners in the late 1980’s. Accessible via a lift that is almost 100 years old, M42 is still one of the most closely guarded areas. The exact location of M42 is still classified information,’ said Mr Brucker. ‘Its history is one of denial and subterfuge, as you can imagine given its importance not only to New York City today but in the war effort during the 1940’s.

http://outsidethecubicle.tumblr.com/post/66750149028/destroyed-and-abandoned-fdrs-secret-armored#notes

the clever company logo designs impress me, their innovation and style with design

It't pretty clever to incorporate the o and r in the word Tour with the yellow sun to represent a bicycle

And you've probably already heard this on, that the space between the E and X are the arrow pointing toward movement, progress, going forward

Found on http://twistedsifter.com/2011/08/20-clever-logos-with-hidden-symbolism/  which has a dozen others not vehicle related

how a nation changed dramatically from biking, to driving, and back to biking

the animated history of aviation

The American Gumball Rally is staging a comeback!

It started off as an annual Woodward Dream Cruise party and has grown into a statewide event that travels over 1000 miles of Michigan every year in August. In his first press interview, Randy Kohler, the founder of the National Gumball Rally said "Anyone can sign up for this fun road-trip especially if you're a fan of Detroit or an automobile enthusiast "​ Randy has also taken this idea of a weekend road-trip and applied it to other states as well. "Instead of driving all the way across the country, let's set up weekend road rally's in each and every state. From the beginning our intentions were to do something different and build this company to a national level of recognition."

The Michigan Gumball Rally was the very first rally started in 2010 when entrepreneur (Randy Kohler) noticed an opportunity. Behind every fun event is a driven force of advertising that many people do not notice. The National Gumball Rally claims they can generate hundreds of millions of impressions per year for advertising sponsors through outdoor vehicle advertising, social media strategy and event planning. In 2009 Randy, 27, first came up with the idea during a road trip and decided to bring the idea to reality after Nelson House, the original founder of The Woodward Dream Cruise died of cancer in 2010. "Someone needed to step up to the plate and lead by example. I set out to organize fun, positive events that anyone can participate in. The Woodward Dream Cruise is the largest one day auto event in the whole world, with an annual attendance of over two million people, and it started as a small fundraiser to earn money for a children's charity."

http://www.americangumballrally.com/

NationalGumballRally@gmail.com​

The origin of the word "gasoline"

[In 1859], oil was struck in Pennsylvania. John Cassell, publisher, coffee merchant, and social campaigner, was soon importing the new and wonderful stuff to London. New and wonderful stuff demands a new and wonderful word so Cassell devised one, inspired presumably by his own name: cazeline

Cassell was soon supplying shops across England and Ireland. Business boomed. Then, in Ireland, sales began mysteriously to fall away. Cassell discovered a shopkeeper in Dublin, Samuel Boyd, selling counterfeit cazeline and wrote to him to ask him to stop. Boyd did not reply but instead went through his stock, changing with a single dash of his pen, every ‘C’ into a ‘G’: gazeline was born...

Boyd claimed he had coined gazeline himself in 1862, from the French word gasogène (which is a device for producing fizzy water), and ordered his own labels. But, he said, the labels had been misprinted. The coincidence of Boyd’s printers producing in error the name of the market leader was more than the judge could believe and he ruled for Cassell.

Yet cazeline did not endure. Its latest mention so far found is from 1920. It was gazeline (or gasoline) which flourished.

Found on http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com/2012/04/origin-of-word-gasoline.html

If you've enjoyed the animation and art from the past couple days, you can still catch some in person at the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con this weekend

ABOUT THE LONG BEACH COMIC & HORROR CON

The Long Beach Horror & Comic Con is being held on November 23 & 24, 2013 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are available http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/comic-con-about.php  , or at your local comic book shop. Additional details about the event can be found on the FAQ SECTION of this site or by emailing customerservice@longbeachcomiccon.com .

Exhibit Floor Hours:
Saturday, November 23 - 10:00am - 7:00pm (advance ticket holders enter exhibit floor at 9:30am)
Sunday, November 24 - 10:00am - 5:00pm (advance ticket holders enter exhibit floor at 9:30am)

Some programming activities continue after the exhibit floor closes at 7:00pm.

About Long Beach Comic & Horror Con Long Beach Comic & Horror Con is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center each fall. It's a celebration of comic books and pop culture that showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture.

At Long Beach Comic & Horror Con you'll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs, guest signings, and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. For more specific information about the show, please use the LBCHC FAQ button on this website. Long Beach Comic & Horror Con is a production of MAD Event Management, LLC.

Long Beach Comic and Horror Convention is proud to announce a record number of artists at its Artist Alley this year. The heart of the convention floor and with over 200 artists, Artist Alley is a place where fans have a chance to meet their favorite artist, creators, and writers.

With a guest list too long to name them all, here are a just a few highlighted artists and writers at Artist Alley this year: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Len Wein, Gena Ha, Brian Pulido, While Portacio, Mike Kunkel, Jim Mahfood, David Mack, Cat Staggs, Steve Scott, Mark Texeira, Mark Waid, Marv Wolfman, Darick Robertson, and Sara Richard.

“We are thrilled that we topped over 200 artists and writers at Artist Alley this year. We always try to make this the center of the floor, and this is a testament to the draw of creators to the show. We experienced a complete sell-out of our Artist Alley and Exhibitor booths this year –a huge milestone in the show’s history.

Union Pacific has begun restoration process by reaquiring a Big Boy (4-8-8-4), #4014 that has been in Pomona Ca since 1961

Photo by Chris Stark who drove his 1941 Cadillac down to the Pomona fairgrounds (Wally Park Museum/Grand National Roadster Show/LA Roadster show location)  to take this photo of his car with a Big Boy locomotive.... a rare opportunity. Both were made in 1941

They have to move the locomotive about 5,000 feet to join a live Metrolink track, and that will necessitate a few back-and-forth movements to get it aligned with the live track. As of today it has been moved about 1,500 feet. The wheels and bearings have already been inspected, so the first thing UP will do is move it to the Colton yard and put it over a pit to examine everything in detail.

No. 4014 will be restored to operating condition by Union Pacific’s Cheyenne, Wyo.-based Heritage Fleet Operations within the next five years. 4014 will join UP’s two other famous steam locomotives—4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985 and 4-8-4 Northern 844—in excursion service when her restoration is completed. She will become the world’s largest operational steam locomotive.

In July 2013, UP announced that it had reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter of the Railway &  Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of 4014 back to UP. The railroad will relocate 4014 to Cheyenne, where the Heritage Fleet Operations team will begin restoration, including a fuel conversion to No. 5 oil

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) between 1941 and 1944

The Big Boys were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds (engine and tender) in working order.
4014’s 14-wheel tender can hold 24,000 gallons of water and 28 tons (56,000 pounds) of coal.

UP donated eight Big Boys for public display to several U.S. cities—Pomona; St. Louis, Mo. (No. 4006, Museum of Transportation); Dallas, Tex. (No. 4018, Museum of the American Railroad); Omaha, Neb. (No. 4023, Kenefick Park); Denver, Colo. (No. 4005, Forney Transportation Museum); Scranton, Pa. (No. 4012, Steamtown National Historic Site); Green Bay, Wis. (No. 4017, National Railroad Museum); and Cheyenne (No. 4004, Holliday Park) http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/mechanical/locomotives/up-a-return-to-steam-for-big-boy-4014.html?channel=

Auto cross at Good Guys events, here are the simple rules

2013 Goodguys AutoCross Rules
The classes for 2013 will be as follows:
 PRO-Class, Street Machine, Hot Rod, Truck and All American Sunday Late Models.

 All classes will have the following general rules:
 No alcoholic beverages allowed for driver or crew member in the pit or track area.
DOT tires and tread wear will be limited to 200 minimum. Any tread wear rating below 200 will be exhibition only and times will not be recorded or promoted.
No tires can be down to the wear indicators.
 Must have all lug nuts on each wheel and must remove hub caps during runs if equipped.
 Wheel bearings must have no play.
Batteries must be mounted securely by mechanical fastener to the body or chassis.
 Overflow catch can on the radiator is mandatory.
All hoses must be in good condition with no cracks, swelling, deterioration or leaks.
Brake pedal must have good resistance and not go to the floor.
 All wheels must have working brakes of at least 50% of original thickness and fluid must be full with no leaks.
Steering column must be tight and secured no binding or looseness.
 Seats must be mounted secure to body or chassis.
Seat belts must be a minimum of a lap belt and secured to the body, bar, seat anchor bolt or frame. Any passenger riding must also have a seatbelt of the same caliber of drivers.
 Gas cap or tank vent must not leak on the track and tank must be securely mounted.
 Fuel tank must be mounted in stock location or SFI fuel cell mounted securely. (Trucks see rules)
 Exhaust must exit outside of the body or behind driver and securely installed.
Mufflers are required with no open exhaust or open headers allowed.
 All entries will have all body panels of such vehicle. (Fenders, doors, hood, deck lid and bed sides on trucks) body must be within 10% of original production.
Must have front and rear glass or lexan and side windows must be rolled down during run times.
 Throttle must have a return spring with no binding.
 No leaks under vehicle.
 All entries must be registered participants with Goodguys at the event and must be street licensed, insured, street legal and no race cars or purpose built vehicles. (No comp entries)
 The registered name on the vehicle window sticker will be the only driver that times can be counted or displayed. If you have two drivers you must have two window stickers with the different driver names. If someone else drives the car that is not listed times will not count.
All entries must run a Goodguys AutoCross decal to run on the track, you will get this after the vehicle has passed tech.
 All Pro-Class participants must run a windshield decal all season. (provided by Goodguys at tech) You must be present at the end of your class competition if you are the winner of the class for pictures and the awards. If you are not, the runner up will become the new winner.
 All competitors and passengers must sign an event waiver.
Driver must have a state issued license.
All loose items must be removed from the vehicle. Including floor mats.
Helmets are not required; the course will be designed to keep speeds below 35MPH.
 After any situation the vehicle may have to be re-inspected at the discretion of track official.
All decisions made by race official will be enforced and are final.
No unsafe driving will be tolerated.
No burnouts to or at starting line or outside the safety area.
 Smoking is not permitted in the pits, grid area or inside the racing area at any time.
Each participant is responsible for any and all damages brought on by themselves or their vehicles at the event. They are responsible for any damages, legal fees and clean-up fees by facility or event coordinators.

So, I deleted a couple about the awards, etc. This list is more about what the car must be like to compete.
Full list at https://www.good-guys.com/events/goodguys-autocross

Optima Batteries is growing the Ultimate Street Car Invitational in the coming year

New locations and 2014 dates
 - instead of focusing on any single geographic location as previously outlined:

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas, CA – March 7-9
Texas Motor Speedway Tx  – March 21-23
Daytona International Speedway Fla – May 23-25
Auto Club Speedway Fontana/Riverside Ca – June 13-15
Road America Elkhart Lake, WI – June 20-22
Gateway Motorsports Park Madison Il /St Louis Mo –  July 18-20
Portland International Raceway Or – Aug 1-3
 Michigan International Speedway near Ann Arbor Mi – August 22-24
Sebring International Raceway Fla – September 19-21
Pittsburgh International Raceway Pa –  October 3-5
SEMA Pahrump/ Las Vegas, NV – November 8-9

The Ultimate Street Car Association website was launched today to allow current and future competitors, sponsors, media and fans to communicate and to learn more about upcoming and past events and participants. If you’re thinking about participating, you can use the USCA website http://ultimatestreetcarassociation.com/  to receive more information and to sign up.

or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ultimate-Street-Car-Association/194586587394638

You will also be able to get a complete rule book, and the site will include a discussion forum that will be available after the end of 2013.

The USCA has made a commitment to produce 10 national events in 2014 that will establish a consistently formatted series for enthusiasts of all skill levels. From simple membership, social and vendor interaction activities, to serious competition, the USCA will offer something relevant to all street car and performance enthusiasts, manufacturers, and service providers.

 The USCA is an independent organization outside the control of any specific sponsor or organization. The USCA managing staff is comprised of industry professionals that have years of experience creating and producing competitive on and off-track automotive events throughout the country. Safety, professionalism, education, and fun will be our key initiatives for all enthusiasts and each event will encourage participants of all levels. From great social activities to camaraderie on the road, USCA promises to offer a valuable and memorable experience.


All vehicles entered into the USCA competition will be judged on their construction and modifications that enhance the look, performance, and/or functionality of a stock vehicle while maintaining or enhancing the “Daily Driver” comfort features and accessories.

The competition is for high performance “Street Cars” and must strike a balance to:
reach the highest performance on the track
contain features that allow it to be driven daily
achieve high quality fit and finish
involve the use of innovative and cutting edge ideas and parts

 The end result should be a clean and pleasing overall package. A panel of Judges will use exacting criteria to evaluate each car using a numerical rating.

some facts on gas and the USA consumption

Source: FinanceDegreeCenter.com

thanks to Cara Delany and http://www.financedegreecenter.com/gassed/

Raymond Loewy's 120th birthday is the Google Doodle today!

The Studebaker Avanti, Shell Oil logo, and Sears Coldspot refrigerator were all the creations of the iconic industrial designer, Raymond Loewy, whose work spanned 70 years and is honored today by a Google Doodle. http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2013/1105/Raymond-Loewy-How-his-designs-defined-the-modern-era-video

here is a good idea, giving cars to nonprofit organizations that can do wonderful things if they can just travel to make things happen

https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/
http://www.toyota.com/letsgoplaces/100-cars-for-good/



this may have already completed it's course, but I can hope that by spreading the word, someone gets inpsired to give something useful to a charity, a non profit, an organization that needs some help, or someone that needs a helping hand. Pay it forward friends, make the world a bit better

and by the way, I am impressed with other things that Toyota does... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/08/toyota-tacomas-recalled-for-frame.html  and the long lasting durability of their trucks too, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/11/374000-mile-toyota-original-owner-and.html  and that they are the largest car company I can think of, selling more cars than GM, Ford, Chyrsler... and broke into NASCAR

I'm still not over their offering a larger discount to college students than military. Nope. Not going to be happy til there is equality

I just found a site where you can read the entire issues of some of the latest magazines. No sign up, no registration

above, Trucking Magazine http://www.scribd.com/doc/148167986/Magazine

or AutoWeek: http://www.scribd.com/doc/177196833/Autoweek-14-October-2013

or Off Road http://www.scribd.com/doc/177581585/Off-Road-2013-12

also Mopar Muscle http://www.scribd.com/doc/177575431/Mopar-Muscle-December-2013  which is more advertising than content, when comparing square inches of  copy of either, that I stopped wasting 30 bucks a year for a subscription. I really am not going to rebuild my trans 3 times a year, the engine 2wice a year, and do intake swaps 2wice a year either... seriously, just show me cool cars and throw away all the tech/rebuild crap

Good news, the FAA has finally pulled their head out of their ass, and will allow dvd players, tablets, e-readers during all phases of flight

The FAA announced Thursday that the agency will be relaxing half-a-century old guidelines on passenger electronic device use during takeoff and landing, allowing the use of tablets, e-readers, dvd players and video game consoles during these critical phases of flight. Phone calls and texting remain banned.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/faa-allow-tablets-e-readers-during-all-phases-flight-8C11504132?ocid=msnhp&pos=1

Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational info, a week and a half away, but the 2012 is getting rebroadcast tomorrow on Fox 2

2012 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational broadcast will re-air on Wednesday, October 30 at 8pm EST on Fox Sports 2.

and the 2013 WORLD PREMIERE!
2013 OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car series (Road America episode) will air on Thursday, October 31 at 6 pm EST and 9 pm EST on MAVTV.



on MAV TV on Oct 31st http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/3-weeks-until-optima-street-car.html

More info on http://www.youtube.com/user/optimabatteries

But the news that really blows my mind at what a brilliant marketing use of SEMA can be, Optima is going to GIVE batteries away to the feature and booth cars in the convention

Free OPTIMA Batteries for SEMA Feature Vehicles
OPTIMA Batteries will provide complimentary batteries to SEMA Show feature and booth vehicles on Saturday, November 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST and Sunday, November 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. Batteries are available on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees and exhibitors can look for the OPTIMA rig and representatives near the feature vehicle check-in within the vehicle holding area in the Green Lot

OPTIMA Batteries is honored to be a veteran exhibitor at the 2013 SEMA Show, and is once again proving to be The Ultimate Power Source TM, cranking up the voltage in its booth with a new integrated marketing campaign, an expanded OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational series announcement and exciting vehicle displays.

 Final Chance for an Ultimate Street Car Invitation –
As in years past, a committee made up of OPTIMA Batteries and industry representatives will walk the SEMA Show floor in Las Vegas, looking for the best potential competitors across all vehicle segments. The committee will identify and notify 20 “Golden Ticket” candidates prior to Thursday morning. New for this year, all 20 candidates will be given a certificate that they can proudly display on their vehicle throughout the SEMA Show floor.  http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/some-of-cars-that-are-going-to-be.html

Ten final “Golden Ticket” winners will be announced at the OPTIMA Batteries press conference at 11 a.m. PT on Thursday, November 7 in the OPTIMA Batteries booth (#22755). Those who are not awarded as final “Golden Ticket” winners will walk away with a certificate for a complimentary OPTIMA Battery, a free ticket to the event and will serve as alternates for the existing 2013 OPTIMA Invitational participants. OPTIMA will conclude the week by producing the sixth annual OPTIMA® Ultimate Street Car Invitational TV special.

a back up gas tank for trucks (post 1999) to locate in the spare tire under bed area... 30 gallons

full write up at http://titanfueltanks.com/sparetirepr-images.html/

The first-of-its-kind fuel system is designed to repurpose the space commonly used to stow a vehicle’s spare tire and fits most American-made diesel pick-up trucks made after 1999. The tank essentially doubles the fuel capacity of most pick-ups and unlike in-bed auxiliary fuel tank solutions, its underbody location means that it has no impact on the truck bed’s storage capacity.

 The lightweight, one-size-fits-all 30-pound tank is easy for one person to install and includes mounting hardware, a filler kit and an electronic fuel transfer control unit that can be operated from the comfort of the cab. Titan has engineered the system for fast installation and all components come in a standardized package. 

It will be displayed at SEMA

About Titan Fuel Tanks

Based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Titan Fuel Tanks engineers and manufactures ultra-durable, extra-capacity aftermarket fuel tanks made from advanced military-grade, cross-linked polyethylene. Titan offers a broad selection of replacement fuel tanks, designed to seamlessly integrate with and extend the fuel capacity and driving reach of a broad range of truck models, including Ford, GMC, Chevrolet and Dodge vehicles. Titan serves the aftermarket fuel tank needs of the United States, Canada and Australia, and is recognized as an innovator in aftermarket fuel tank design. Titan’s engineering staff employs the latest technology in its design process, including finite element analysis (FEA). To learn more about Titan Fuel Tanks, please visit: http://www.titanfueltanks.com

the SkiWay Cloudliners of Mt Hood (Portland Oregon) worlds longest and largest tram at the time

Steve (http://serviside.blogspot.com/ !) found the background

 these were modified municipal/school buses on a modified logging cable system.  Built on Mt. Hood (east of Portland) in Oregon, it was the world's longest and largest tram at the time - running from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge (old WPA project).  It took ten minutes to run the 3 miles, lifting 2,100 feet in elevation. 

Known as Skiway Cloudliners, each coach (there were two) was assembled from a pair of Kenworth Model T-216 Pacific School Coaches.  Two front halves were mated together for dual-control, since they couldn't be turned around.   Each had an under-floor engine powering the rear wheels, which had the cable wrapped around them, and around the front wheels which acted as idlers - creating a self-propelled tram.  They were 35 feet long and could seat 36 passengers.  They had six extra inches of headroom (to accommodate skis), had reversible seats, and cost $40,000 each.

The system went into operation on February 3, 1951, and shutdown about 3 years later due to competition - the road to the lodge was improved in 1952 and the ground-bound shuttle bus to it cost 50 cents compared to the 75 cent fare for the Cloudliners.  The whole system was removed in 1961.

Pre-opening news article:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1028&dat=19510112&id=aswkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7Q4GAAAAIBAJ&pg=425,854535

The newsreel below is from 1956, but was probably filmed earlier:



found on fifties50s.blogspot.fr

rip off traffic cameras in the UK

from the thread http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/england-cobra-club/123025-ripped-off-uk.html

I've got a picture of me 'driving' a Cobra that was sent from the Office of Speeding Fines (whatever). It was a right-hand drive Cobra so I was the passenger. The fact I didn't have a steering wheel in my hands didn't bother the money collectors....

making life easy with simple shortcuts

just a couple from http://sarcasticcharm.com/99-life-hacks-that-could-make-your-life-easier