Wednesday Streetcar Blogging and NOLA Kossacks Open Thread

2000-series Von Dullen streetcar #2012, receiving a new paint job in the shop at Carrollton Station, uptown New Orleans.  The federal flood forced 6' water into the streetcar barn at Canal Station, ruining the 2000s.

In the wake of the storm, all of the Von Dullen streetcars have been stripped and are getting new paint jobs.  This was 2012's turn in the paint shop.  Carrollton Station has a full paint shop, which is one of the reasons I'd love to get NORTA a PCC streetcar or two.  PCC streetcars could easily be painted to meet the needs of movie production companies that come to town to film.

All of the Von Dullens now look great, and we're waiting for BMC to get the first of the new propulsion units and trucks down here.  They should start arriving over the summer.  If all goes well, BMC will fabricate new units at the rate of two per month.  These are custom-made units, and nobody expected that the entire fleet would have to be re-made, hence the time delay.

•  tip jar

  streetcar mojo!

  by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:49:11 PM PDT

•  open thread

  go!

  by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:49:26 PM PDT

  •  do you want to bring the addy over

    to Bookflurries, too?

    We are almost dying for tonight, but not all gone...

    :)

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Thanks for your diaries...I love streetcars!

    by cfk on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:59:24 PM PDT

    •  oh my way :-) n/t

      by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:04:34 PM PDT

•  Super tipped and rec'd

  My love-the New Orleans streetcars. I left NO a couple years ago but you know what it means to miss New Orleans.

  When Obama said "The streetcars are rattling down St.Charles again" (or something like it) I got a bit teary. Man I love riding those old streetcars.

  I got hundreds of pics of every inch of those things and Carrolton station. I have photos of the hands of the drivers on the controls. Old ladies-chins held high-going to  work the same way they have gone since they were teenagers. Wish I knew how to upload.

  Sorry to see Bush in NO yesterday. He doesn't deserve New Orleans. He should be banned from the glorious avenues of that city I love so well.

  by bradreiman on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:54:37 PM PDT

  •  i can't agree more...

    the disrespectful piece of crap who lives in the white house has no business coming here.  whatsoever.

    and yup, the 900s are just awesome.  they're running on Canal now, because of the storm, until the 2000s get fixed.  It's odd to see, but fun.

    by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:57:50 PM PDT

    •  Yeah I was there for MG...

      ...and saw it. I don't like the red ones so much. Well of course I adore them but-love the greenies.

      by bradreiman on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:02:52 PM PDT

      •  prior to the storm

        i thought they made a good balance, the classic on st. charles, the new ones on canal.  Canal is the transit hub, the  busiest line.  Makes sense for it to have the new ones.

        by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:16:23 PM PDT

•  I took a ride down St. Charles...

  NBA All-Star weekend.... I'm going to have to go downtown and take another spin.

  by Moxie Gurl on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:16:17 PM PDT

  •  definitely!

    ride the Canal line from downtown to the cemeteries and back.  totally different neighborhoods and perspective on the town.

    by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:17:29 PM PDT

    •  Rode the streetcars...

      ...when the Mrs. and I were there in February.  Great time, although I seem to have come away without a single picture of the streetcars themselves.  :-(

      I did snap this little guy in the sculpture garden at the city park on one of our streetcar trips:

      

      Don't remember what it's called.  I want to say "Choking the Chicken", but I don't think that's it...
      ;-)

      by dsteffen on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:41:59 PM PDT

      •  some of those sculptures are great... n/t

        by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:51:53 PM PDT

•  Insurance Question....

  My sister lives on the WestBank.  She got a notice from her mortgage company stating that she does not have enough money in her escrow account to cover her home owners insurance.  

  Now her mortgage company is demanding $6000.00 immediatly to deposit into the escrow account.

  We've talked to neighbors and friends and it seems that a ton of people are in the same boat.  

  Have you hear of such a thing?  Are the mortgage companies trying to make homeowners cover their Katrina loses?

  Any advice?  Suggestions?

  by Moxie Gurl on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:24:58 PM PDT

  •  escrow is standard for lenders

    but they can't take escrow money.  she should make mortgage company show her the insurance company's policy increase documentation.

    by YatPundit on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:29:47 PM PDT

    •  Thanks....

      I will pass along that information.  Yes, I know about the escrow account from my early days working at the Road Home Program...

      It's just they sent the notice without warning and was demanding the money in full.  The mortgage itself was paid ontime.

      It just seemed like they were trying to pull off the same shame the cable, electric and water company has been pulling on the locals.

      Over charging those who have returned to make up for lost revenue because of Katrina.

      Thanks again!!!!

      by Moxie Gurl on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:54:59 PM PDT

  •  it's a little odd

    that first notice is coming from the mortgage company, and not the insurer... I'd give a call to the office of the insurance commish to check on the propriety of that

    by commonscribe on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 08:08:22 PM PDT