Monday, August 5, 2013

A Face in Every Window

Sunday the 4th was the 23rd Annual Vintage Transport Extravaganza, and by all accounts it seemed to be a rousing success.  The weather could not have been more perfect - mostly sunny and with highs in the mid-70s.  I have no idea how many old cars there were but the property was blanketed with them, and as for modern cars, the parking lot was full out to the road plus a fair number of people parked in the overflow lot on the old Olson homestead property.  It was wonderful to see the museum so crowded.  Even the Zephyr was full!
I was running the 308 and 309 with Al Reinschmidt as my conductor, though unfortunately I neglected to get a crew photo.  We made six trips and for most of the day we were turning people away.  Mainline operations ran like clockwork, with a train every fifteen minutes; we even managed running meets at Johnson Siding virtually every trip.  The 308 was facing the "wrong way;" typically we've run from the #1 ends of our cars but the 308 had ended up with the #2 end facing out, so that was a bit different.  That motorman's cab has an unusual variant of M15B brake valve that is touchier than on the other cars, but the trombone whistle at that end of the 308 didn't screech once so that was nice.
There were five mainline trains running plus two streetcars on the car line, including West Towns 141, shown here at Electric Park with a gaggle of those newfangled horseless carriages in the foreground.  We kept busy enough that I didn't get a chance to walk around and look at the cars, but it was certainly quite a show.  If you missed it, make sure to mark it down for the first Sunday in August on your 2014 calendar!

6 comments:

Nick Gawriluk said...

Sunday looked pack on the Webcams! Anyone know why 9911 didn't run with the Zephyr and 504 was used instead?

Thanks!

Nick

Dan Buck said...

Frank,
It warms my heart to hear that Vintage Transport operations ran smoothly with running meets almost every time at Johnson Siding. I was the dispatcher that day, and one of my primary goals is to minimize delays for trains and passengers. Fifteen minute headways seem to be optimal in avoiding annoying waits at the meeting point. I had a great day, welcoming many visitors to Spaulding tower; and I'm glad you had a good day too.
Keep up the good work! Dan Buck

Frank Hicks said...

Many thanks for your work, Dan! Everything ran like clockwork and certainly those of us in train service appreciated how well you kept everything running.

Jeron G said...

To answer your question Nick, yes. We didn't run it in order to stay under a certain amount of service days/hours for the year which correlates to certain certifications.

The plan is for 9911A to be running for Railroad Extravaganza, though!

If you haven't made plans for Labor Day weekend to go visit Walley World or any other fine tourist destination with your family, consider visiting IRM for our Railroad Extravaganza Weekend!

Unknown said...

Dan, Several times you announced the chance to ride the century old CA&E wood cars. Turns out if you combined Frank's and my ages we were only 2 years shy of having a century old train crew! LOL

Al

David Wilkins said...

David Wilkins said......

Efficient dispatching makes for a pleasant day as a dispatcher and operator as well as for the visitor. Glad to hear things went well.