Hey Steam fans, are there any left here? This was a year ago at the NRHS convention at Grand Canyon. ATSF 3751 along with GCRY 4960 and 18 at the south rim station with El Tovar and the GCRY depot. Another purpose of this post is to show you the quality of the NEW Railimages site. That's where this image is stored. Photo by my grandson Austin Alameda.
I'm here Jim, and a steam fan (I like all railroading). But sadly I am a bit of a distance from your big steam locomotives. One day I hope to see a big American steamer in action The grandson takes a good picture, by the way
Fitz- Do they have a web site that lists all their equipment? Somehow, Alan needs to get over, and see one of these beauties. The memory of SP&S 700 thundering past as I took her photo in 1990 is still fresh in mind. THUNDER! So much more fun to watch than a little box (modern diseasel) squeaking and buzzing it's way past...... Boxcab E50 [ 12. September 2003, 17:56: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Jim - SP 2472 taken in 1991 at Santa Clara, CA yard. [ 12. September 2003, 17:07: Message edited by: signalguy ]
Alan, yes, you must come over and visit, when one of the monsters is running. Ken is right, Thunder it is. I don't know if GCRy has such a site, but will go search Google. I know they are bringing steamer no. 29 out to run after overhaul, and they have several FPA-4's from MLW on the site, and even created an A-B-B-A lashup of them for the convention. Hey, they're honorary steam locos. Gil, I love those Harriman Pacifics. They are handsome locos, and two still running on the peninsula. BTW Alan, thanks for the comment in RailImages. Keep on steamin'
Jim, I am leaving Monday on a cross country tour and will wind up in Maine. I will have the digital and a laptop so may be able to post some photos on the way. My daughter has made reservations to ride the Hobo Express on and old B&M branch in NH but I think they are using a diesel.
Gil, enjoy the trip! Judging from your B&M logo and past correspondence, that's your old stompin' grounds, right? Are you taking Amtrak to get there? We look forward to trip reports. The kids refer to it as "Road trip" these days.
Interesting that you mention this operation. It was just last Saturday, that I stumbled upon a show about tourist railroads. (PBS?) This was one of many shown. They were using what I seem to recall was an ALCo S class switcher. It was an interesting show. Many existing RRs that I'd never known about until that day. Boxcab E50
Oh, heck I just had to post another photo of that great trip. Unfortunately the insurance picture has curtailed steam excursions in the US this year. Hopefully that will be corrected.
Wonderful picture Jim. Luckily steam excursions are thriving here in the UK, with more steam locomotives being passed for main line running every year. In a magazine I just received, there are listed 23 steam hauled excursions using 11 different steam locomotives during September and October. These are just main line runs, add to this the numerous preserved lines around the country and we have a thriving steam scene.
Fitz- Was this doubleheader photo taken on the Grand Canyon RR? That ATSF loco is fairly heavy, so GCR must have substantial rail and roadbed. Do you know the rail weight? I hope the insurance thing will straighten out. Would think that insurance companies want to make money. But when nobody buys a policy, there may be no risk. But there's also no profit. Apparently the UK insurance situation is much better. Or they don't have the over-active lawsuit system that we do? Boxcab E50
Boxcab, I have a pretty good book on the history of the GCRy, and yes that photo was taken there. When the road was rebuilt starting in 1989 they talk about 225,000 ties replaced, but do not address the weight of the rail. The 3751 had no problems running there, and a long time ago 4-8-4's and 2-10-2's ran there. Alan, it sounds like steam is in much better shape in the UK than it is here in the US, from a railfan's standpoint. [ 26. September 2003, 23:05: Message edited by: fitz ]
