Thanks Steve - appreciate that!

Regarding the crane - I, like many I assume, thing the crane is, uh.. pretty "neat"!
In other words, it's impressive and adds to any existing "what's this over here?" collection.

Is there any merit to moving it where it can be appreciated - maybe the spur track by the new picnic grove (can I even ask what the plans are for the spur yet? Other then a future lead track to a new turntable? Or maybe a lead track to be extended all the way to 30th Street - that would be cool too ; ) I suppose for now, the space is needed which then brings to mind a display across the street at the RR Museum of PA.

As for the caboose drop - seems most appropriate for safety reasons to drop the caboose by the fence negating the need for patrons to cross tracks though photographically... well, it's a bit harder to shoot with the catenary poles between track one and two. This might not be an issue for paying patrons if they are behind the new picnic fence, however.

/Mitch

Just a reminder... as per Sir Topham Hatt, there will be no Mixed this Wednesday or Friday.

Sorry for the very last minute notification. There is no Mixed Train today at Strasburg Rail Road.

Close call - almost went up, noting no notice either here, FB, nor the site itself as of 2 AM the night before.

You might think there'd be a lot of freight pending considering the absence of service last week - or... is it safe to assume the freight actually continued to move with diesel and /or on an unpublished schedule?

Has there ever been any thought towards offering similar rides during the day when the empties are returned? As I understand it, it's always done the same day? Or next day.

/Mitch

Mitch, I can surely tell you that a freight was operated mid-day this past Friday with diesel power...

.

.

I'm picturing Sperry Rail Services running one of their "doodlebugs" down the SRR to ultrasound the rails..... or maybe converting LO&S 10 or the Mack railbus temporarily....

Without intending to derail this topic, does anyone know offhand whether Sperry Rail Services still has any of the old "doodlebug-style" railcars about, or have they gone completely to hi-rail trucks now? At least some of the early Sperry cars were, indeed, converted Class One "doodlebugs", and a couple of them lasted into more modern times.....

Thanks for the update(s) and pics - I feel like I was there without missing work.

Regarding the return trip to Leaman Place - I was thinking if it were advertised, maybe every whatever - every Friday at 4:15 PM, for instance.. maybe you could sell some seats both in advance and on the spot to the attending patrons.

I've always been surprised so few have shared pics from the afternoon trips.

Back to the broken rail - how other then simply running over the broken rail is such a defect discovered? What is the fix? Assume, cut, grind and replace with a specified length that maintains it's integrity when traveled over. What happens when a curved piece is necessary? Can that be handled in house?

Thanks for the insight!

/Mitch

Mitch,

That's why we inspect the line multiple times per week. The rail and its broken mate were swapped out in-kind with inventory we have on hand. Rail is rail; a curve requires barring and setting while spiking.

Here's the culprit - this should set off the armchair metallurgists amongst us ...

Steve -

Rail is an interesting subject in itself. Can you tell from the markings, who the manufacturer was and the date rolled?

Thanks.


Les

Another question - to add to those awaiting a kind investment in time -

1) Is a curved track made from straight rail that is "simply" pliable enough
to bend as needed?

And onto another topic, I noticed on TO's today that the diesel powered train brought the
empties back to Leaman Place today. I thought I had heard that early on, this was typical; empties returned the day before the steam train picked up a new load. Then, it was mentioned that there would typically be a demurage charge on the cars and consequently, they were said to be returned as soon as possible - now, typically, the same day.

What gives, Jeeeves?
(And where did "what gives, Jeeves" even come from?)

Thanks!

/Mitch

PS - How's Wednesday looking?

Rail is flexible enough to be spiked into most normal standard-gage curves (up to about 16 degrees) without needing to be bent to the curve. When building a turnout, the bent stock rail needs to have an offset bend made for one of the switch points; that is done using a rail bender tool.

For sharp "trolley car" curves, the above does not apply.

Howard P.

Steve,

I would contact the manufacturer of the rail and check to see if it is still under warranty.