Day One

The Friday before the Labor Day weekend was expected to be relatively light.  But we had a reasonably sized crowd, and there were many interesting things going on.  I had classes in the morning, so didn't arrive until almost noon.  I was expecting to to be in train service, but for various reasons we had enough trainmen available, so I changed clothes and did car work instead.

Frank spent all morning painting the 205, and I think he'll have a more detailed post about that.  I helped him with the 205 a little, he helped me with the 36, and then it was time for him to leave, so I got to do some railfanning.  Maybe these pictures aren't the greatest (where's Chuck Amstein when you need him?) but you will see that this is the start of an exciting weekend.

Correction: Chuck Amstein was there, I just didn't run into him!  He took some great photos, but I won't have time to post them until later.  They will be worth the wait.

The South Shore 803 was pulling the caboose train, and I took a cab ride.  Of course, we have better photographers than myself taking pictures of the action.  And we see the Zephyr passing the 803.  Only at IRM!

While we're waiting to depart, a steam locomotive from the 1860's passes by.  That's funny, I don't remember anything like that when we were chasing the 800's back in the old days.

Jamie was the engineer, and also in the cab were several of the younger crowd: Scott, Wes, and Jeron.   It didn't occur to me at the time, but I was probably the only one who saw these locomotives in service on the South Shore.

  On the other hand, I don't think I'd ever gotten a cab ride before.  What a blast!

The Zephyr and the Leviathan were also providing passenger service.  The saddletanker developed a mechanical problem, but the owners are doing everything they can to get it fixed tomorrow.

The only CA&E car running today was the 308.  I kid you not -- that's actually what this thing is numbered.  I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  So I'm flattered -- Frank, how about you?

 

Here's what the overall toy train layout looks like.

Finally, among other things, the turbine was moved onto the west wye.  Taking a picture of this locomotive from the side is basically impossible, it's just too darn long.  But the UP herald over Barn 3 makes a nice accent to the picture on the left.  Now you just have to imagine the jet engine in the second unit sounding like an airliner taking off!

See what you're missing?  Come out sometime in the next three days, you'll be glad you did!!!!