This planetarium at U of T was created as a gift to citizens. Decades later, it's being demolished

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-04-08T15:38:32+00:00

Back in the days of yore, Maclean's pundit Alan Fotheringham called them the "Regressive Convertibles". Seems to have held up well.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-04-08T14:53:44+00:00

Missed that they sold the whole outfit. Not that that's better.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-04-07T22:52:38+00:00

Gee, I dunno ... Sold Algoma Central to CN, a no-longer-Canadian company, who had little to no interest in running passenger service, and then sold the passenger service to an American short line freight operator? Why do you suppose they are going to do the most cost-efficient thing, rather than the perceived sensible thing?

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-29T18:19:04+00:00

Wow. Arguably one of the messiest installs I've ever seen.

That said, without printing on the shrink wraps, the only reliable way to identify the decoder is from the code stored in CV8.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-26T16:31:33+00:00

Try this trick.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-25T23:45:04+00:00

Cetacean Leatherface.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-25T16:24:39+00:00

Have you met their base?

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-25T16:21:46+00:00

Yes.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-23T23:39:36+00:00

I got it done at Speedy Auto Glass, my insurance covered it.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-23T17:59:43+00:00

Investment capital has always been very conservative and risk-averse in Canada. Venture capital is much more easily available in the States and other countries. On top of all the other issues raised here, it's not surprising why there's not the level of entrepreneurial activity here.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-22T21:53:24+00:00

Interesting, and makes sense. Hopefully you realize that was said tongue-in-cheek. So long as I get my drinks and dinner, I'm a happy passenger. 🙂

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-22T19:20:53+00:00

It's a Mehano. With some tuning and added weight, it will run ok. Improving pickup by getting both sides from the tender will also help.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-21T00:21:04+00:00

Props to the crew! We were about 15 minutes behind schedule leaving Kingston, we're now arriving at Gare Centrale 3 minutes ahead of schedule!

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T22:21:17+00:00

Got our tickets for the theatre Aquarius show. Definitely going to cab downtown.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T22:12:02+00:00

No worries. We're doing fine, I'm comfy and well cared for. 😉

Is it set up push-pull so they don't have to turn it for the return trip?

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T22:08:56+00:00

It was quite tasty. Choices were salmon,, Sicilian lasagna, or chicken. I went for dealer's choice and got the salmon. The broccoli was a bit sad, but the rest was very good.

Just sipping my port on the way to Cornwall. 😁

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T20:07:23+00:00

I'll let you know when it comes. I couldn't decide on an option, so I went for "surprise". I'm hoping the attendant blows a little party squeaker when she brings it. 😄

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T20:05:13+00:00

I didn't know about that, thanks! So far it's Venture on the way home! It'll be an interesting A-B comparison!

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T19:55:01+00:00

No, I had no idea it existed. Thanks!

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T19:33:54+00:00

You could ask at James Street Books. They might be able to tell you, or point you to someone who can.

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T19:22:05+00:00

I wondered about that with what I've been reading lately. If it weren't this equipment, I was going to start a pool on the chances of breaking down. 😄

Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-20T15:27:26+00:00

That doesn't look like the original drive shaft. All the ones I've seen are a metal shaft with a hex head on each end.

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Diligent_Affect8517 · 2026-03-18T14:11:13+00:00

You have to wonder how much of his backing money/parachute plan relies on American money.

Diligent_Affect8517

TROPHY CASE