Yesterday was the penultimate running of Happy Holiday Railway this year, and it could hardly be more successful. Nine trains, all sold out. And then some, I suspect. But just about everybody seemed to be having a great time. It's a long day, but the general festive mood helps keep people going.
This is a great accomplishment for the Museum, and all those who have been working tirelessly to make it a success deserve a lot of thanks from all of us. Many people have spent nearly every day for the last five weekends working on all the various parts of HHR, and it's made a tremendous difference. Attendance has been growing rapidly, and by the end of today we should have reached another milestone, although I'm not sure the brass hats want me saying exactly what it is.
With the 411 on the head end (above), the train looks especially nice. The operating crew was too busy and too spread out for me to get a crew picture. And our Santas and elves all seemed to be doing a great job. Speaking of which, see if you can tell which is the real Santa:
We'll reveal the answer next week. Now here's something you seldom see in the middle of winter:
The 4391 was running several trips around the car line when the bilevels were out on the main, mostly for training and qualification purposes. But they also carried passengers as a bonus.
Speaking of bonus, the Museum is really a special place when it's all lit up after dark. Here's the Schroeder Store, for instance. It looks great, but I'm not very good at night photography -- where's O. Winston Link when you need him???
The store is loaded with bargains -- I stopped in and found just what I needed for only $0.79. And guess who was behind the register? Dave Diamond, who said (with a laugh) he was being trained as a retail clerk. The labor shortage must be worse than I thought.
The challenge for next year will be to find a way to increase our capacity for carrying crowds. And however that happens, it will certainly require even more effort from more volunteers. Between now and then, however, the best minds in the business will be pondering the possibilities. So we'll see what they come up with.
11 comments:
Quick question regarding increased capacity on the HHR: could it be possible to include one or more of the IC Highliners in the HHR consist, or are the MU and HEP systems incompatible? In any case, Merry Christmas, and thanks to everyone involved in HHR, your blog, and IRM!
Mike G.
Quick answer: no.
Long answer: Highliners do not have HEP. No power of any sort is passed between cars. Heating is supplied by traction power directly; A/C and ventilation comes from the MA set; and lighting power comes from the batteries through the battery charger and MA set.
The MU is incompatible. Just plain totally different, and suited to electric MU cars instead of a diesel consist. Also it is passed through electric portions on the couplers instead of a plug-and-socket arrangement.
The couplers are different. Highliners have SW-800 couplers, sort of a Tomlinson-derived design.
Richard
Well, I must confess I mentioned the same idea to Frank a couple of weeks ago. It didn't take us long to come to the same conclusion, but it doesn't hurt to think outside the box... I hope.
Commuter trains have been around a long time. I have seen pictures on this blog of mixing conventional commuter cars together with the Bi-levels. So how about doing it again, to increase cabacity? Most likely in the middle of the train.
Ted Miles, Blog Fan and IRM Member
Ted- We have no other cars with HEP and MU passthrough. These are necessary for a push-pull train.
Richard
i'm sure that this isn't a new thought - but any other old Metra bi-levels out there?
Too cost prohibitive? Several on Ozark at a pretty good premium.
Are there any more compatible Bi-level cars out there to be had?
C Kronenwetter
What about running a second train of interurbans assuming that the heating system in those cars are functional? And assuming that you could get additional volunteers and a second Santa.
The heating systems are functional in a few cars, but that's not the main issue. There are several possible complications involved in operating the air brake systems in the cars in freezing weather. One of them is the possibility of the brake systems freezing Alcohol could be added into the systems to prevent this, but that could lead to deterioration of the gaskets and seals. The NSL ran in the winter, but the systems were constantly maintained for winter operation. The big nontechnical problem is the hot chocolate that is provided to the kids. It gets spilled on the seats and that will ruin the upholstery. On the bi-levels, that can be cleaned up fairly easily, but not on the upholstered seats.
Gerry Dettloff
I noticed the non cab Pullman car style is not represented in the CNW set yet. I'm guessing the ideal solution for more winter capacity would just be do get the steam working in the Rock cars if chocolate is okay in there.
Didn't IRM purchase a steam generator car some time ago? Could it be used with the RI Capone cars? Other coach cars?
http://www2.irm.org/blogs/archives/1781-New-Acquisation-What-is-CN-15444.html
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