Railroad Time

[THE PILGRIM]

It's almost time to ride and photo the fun cho-chos. My favorite is the Narrow gauge Cumbres Toltec, which runs from Chama New Mexico to Antonito , Colorado.
The Durango to Silverton train is also a great run. If you need to ride a standard gauge you can always go up to Alamosa , Colorado and ride one of their excursions.
I know there are number of other excursion trains around the country so why don't you tell us about them and show us some pictures.
Here's a link to steam engine 315. It has a checkered past, but then again don't we all. A few ago I saw it get ready for its first run in a long time. That was up at Chama,
It had just been rebuilt up in Denver. I was talking to this English guy who is in the group that provided the money. He was very emotional and about ready to cry. He kept saying I've been given money to this train for years but I never thought I'd see it run.
I like the steam engines a lot myself but I guess I don't get quite that emotional when I see them.

D&RGW 315 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[rcnixon]

I'm not a real railfan but the best news I've heard in a long time is that the Union Pacific has reclaimed UP 4014 from a museum and is taking it their shops in Cheyenne, WY for a complete restoration, estimated to take uo to five years. They hope to have it back on the main line in time for the sesquicentennial of the golden spike ceremony in 2019. I hope to live long enough to see it, one of the largest locomotive ever built. It's actually two locomotives under one boiler. It will be converted to burn oil for ease of servicing and maintenance.

I believe that the steam locomotive is one of the highest achievements of the mechanical engineering arts. Jet aircraft are cool and all but this is over a million pounds of fire and steel yanking a mile or so of fully loaded boxcars on down the road.

I remember hearing the "Weary Erie" horns in the distance on a winter's night as the "Phoebe Snow" crossed New Jersey on her way to Buffalo. I also remember as a small boy, seeing what I now know were small steam switchers working the Westinghouse and General Electric sidings in Bloomfield, NJ, just a few blocks from my home.

Russ

 

[johnjohn]

Durango to Silverton Colo. Nice trip.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I saw UPs engine 844 a few years ago when it was making a run down this way. Maybe they'll bring 4014 down here when they get it going.

 

[GregoryJ]

Photos of Nickel Plate Road Berkshire #765 in Canton, Ohio, September 17, 2011.

Never rode behind this engine, but have seen it in operation many times.

 

[Donn]

My dad and grandfather were locomotive engineers on the New York Central. I had more exposure to diesel locomotives than most kids back then. Didn't think much of it, I do now.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

My dad and grandfather were locomotive engineers on the New York Central. I had more exposure to diesel locomotives than most kids back then. Didn't think much of it, I do now.

A few years ago I rode the Durango train. One of folks I met on the train was a train engineer from up in New Jersey, he runs passenger trains from New Jersey into Grand Central Station.
I think he got as big a kick out of the narrow gauge steam train as the rest of us did.

 

[VAPA]

I worked for a major locomotive manufacturer for 42+ years providing technical support to railroads. I have had some memorable train rides all over the world, it was a hell of a trip!!!!!

 

[shouldazagged]

Lord, I miss the steam locomotives! Wonderful roaring monsters I rode behind until I was in my mid-teens. The diesel-electrics fascinate me to this day too; but not like the steamers, from little yard engines to the road workhorses like the 4-8-4's.