Hi Roger and Hank. I will be out of the loop from July 3 till about the 15th, so am asking you to kind of monitor the New York Central forum. I know I don't have to ask, as both of you have contributed so much to it. Not too many other members are going to read this, so I want to tell you I am thrilled to have been asked to be a crew member for the SP 4449 trip from Portland, OR to Minneapolis next month. Something I have dreamed of for a long time. Not sure how I will return home, probably Empire Builder Amtrak. I hope to have a ton of pix to post. Might even post them here, since so few members seem to care much about steam excursions anymore. Maybe one of us can photoshop "New York Central" on the side of that beautiful orange, red and black locomotive, eh? :tb-biggrin:
Jim, don't worry, we have your backside covered......:tb-wink: Hope you have a fantastic time, in other words, do what we would do, just don't get caught! :tb-tongue:
Have one heckuva good time Fitz!! I envy you the opportunity! What will your position be in the crew? BTW each and every job is vital in a preservationist group. Work Safely, take lotsa photos! Charlie
I found the schedule: http://www.sp4449.com/trainfest.html Just last night I watched an episode of "Trains & Locomotives" featuring 4449 in the "Freedom" colors, and told my wife how awesome it would be to see that in person. Lo and behold, what do I see on Trainboard today!?!?! Looks like I have some train chasing to do in the near future. Any chance someone on the "inside", perhaps some lucky soul on the CREW, might be able to give some specific times so that I can be in the right place at the right time? :tb-wink: I guess I'd better fire up Google Maps and start locating all of the lines between Fargo and Mpls, and between Mpls & Winona. WOOHOOO!!!! :thumbs_up:
Gee, I guess a lot more people read the NY Central forum than I thought! Thanks for the good wishes. Charlie, I probably will be confined to the concessions, selling tee shirts, hats, etc., though I'm going to agitate to at least get to wipe some side rods or help wash the engine. I have done concession work for the group in the past, at local outings. :tb-biggrin: Tracy, if all goes according to plan, as you now know, we are scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis on Thursday, July 9, from Fargo. Not being familiar with the condition of track and speed limits back there, I can't tell you what time we will arrive. In fact, in any steam operation, it is nearly impossible to predict times, as the steamer is put in the hole often for "real" railroad traffic. I have been told that there will be a GPS tracking system on the train similar to what the UP uses on excursions, but not sure where that will be available on the net. Start with "Friends of the 4449." I am certain that we will arrive at Minneapolis Junction, the home of 261 off Harrison Street. There will be paying passengers, so we may have to go to the Amtrak station first, then back to Minny Jct. The 4449 will remain there, other than its participation in Railfest at Owosso, until October, and will fill in for 261 on her regular fall excursions. Whew, that's a lot of info, and really all that I know so far. :tb-biggrin:
I did my part to help out on your voyage. While touring the Brooklyn Roundhouse last week, I stayed out of everyone's way so they could get the 4449 ready. I did get a few photos though.
Russell, was that your first trip to the northwest's cathedral of steam? A more fascinating place I find hard to find. :tb-biggrin:
Yup. It's to bad the old place has to come down. Hope they find a suitable new home where the endeavor can go on at full speed.
Time to burn a vacation day. I wonder how my boss will react when I tell him I'll be driving up-and-down highway 10 all day looking for a train? :tb-biggrin: Sure would be nice to have someone on board the train, someone with my cell phone number, who could give me location updates <hint, hint> :tb-wink:
Not only will I be attempting to chase the old girl down, but I'll also be getting up close and personal! I purchased tickets tonight for the "Fall Colors" trip to Winona, including the turn-around at La Crescent. Is it October yet?
Good for you. Have you ridden the 261 trips along that route? One of the reasons that 4449 is going to stay back there is to fill in for 261 while she is in overhaul. I sure hope this all comes off according to plan. I have great confidence in Doyle McCormack and his crew. Hope to see you along the line. :tb-biggrin: BTW, to keep this in the theme of New York Central, ONE of us has to slap a NYC oval on the side of the 4449's tender!
