That would be awesome, considering there is no legit reason why CSX backed out right now.

Alan;

They knew it had solid bearings from the beginning, right? Why wait until the week before the event to pull the plug, why not just deny the move up front, before a lot of people committed a lot of time and money to this?

I don't know any details or specifics, so just a general comment. Don't presume that they did (or didn't) know it had solid bearings or anything else that influenced the move. Maybe they thought it had roller bearings, or didn't even know enough to ask the question.

I would be interested in knowing what ruined the deal, especially for such a short distance with an engine that has a proven track record. Run her at 10 mph if you must, heck even go 5 mph, and do it at 3 AM on Sunday when nothing else is running if need be... I think this move could have been done with a reasonable expectation of success.

But they obviously had some reason, be it related to the engines or to the corporate finances, legal department and whatever. It's just too bad it wasn't decided until the last minute.

It's the railroad guys - Sh*t happens........combined with the entertainment industry, which operates on ignoring the Law of Unforseeable Consequences and hoping Murphy is dozing.

Will: we can add NHVRR to the list on the other thread of railroads having 2 disconnected sections - in NHVRRs case, those sections are seperated by CSX mainline where a diamond used to be, but isn't any more. We might want to get over there some day. As a member of NHVRR, I do wish you would tone down the rhetoric for long term strategic reasons if nothing else, since NHVRR is prominent in your signature. Just a friendly request.

I'd suggest the majority of people at the retail decision making level in Ops these days lack the depth of practical railroading experience that would have been common as ballast in the old days, especially practices that have become obsolete such as plain bearings, 6ET brakes, AAR control stands, stemwinders - whatever. They do a fine job of getting modern stuff over the road and do it in an atmosphere which rewards saying NO to unusual requests rather than taking chances on unfamiliar and unusual less revenue creating activities requiring more babysitting if not actual work. Very few boomers circulate any more, removing one sort of circuit-college of broad experience to be shared. Vision narrows.

We either cultivate higher-ups with vision who will exert their influence, or figure out how to make our obsolete stuff familiar to the functionaries. Thanks to the UP guys and 261, etc for showing it is possible, our best hope for more in the future. Hope you make this one work, Jason.

dave

Are you serious??

This is almost laughable. C'mon Dave, for two guys that have worked along side of each other, I would have thought a PM would have been a little more appropriate from you.

Hmmm, they will move a diesel and not a steamer. I think they just don't like steamers

I think this may be the only way to put this.....if anything just for a good laugh
http://csx-sucks.com/

Anthony

For those people with steam engines, or an interest in steam engines, or a strategic partnership with somebody with a steam engine: Why not offer free admission, special access or whatever to your local roadmasters, trainmasters and mid-level Class One folks who can make or break any future plans of running steam engines? Granted, some/most of those railroaders might scoff, and they (esp management) have an annoying tendency to get relocated, but keeping an open invitation to our class one partners might be the mechanism to demonstrate our professionalism and make handling our product more palatable to those who might otherwise say "NO".

So far as the current debacle, all I see here is a failure to communicate. Hopefully somebody will be willing to find out the root cause and work around that rather than frump and whine--which does none of us any good.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

Do we know they didn't have a legit reason? I've seen plenty of equipment that could not be moved for one reason or another. In the end, it is their sandbox, and their rules.

I do see the endless CSX bashing has started in force. I'd expect that from the more foamerish forums, but not here.

Good call Zug. I would hope for professional curiosity here and foaming on TO or railroad.net

Rob

CSX has been impossible to deal with recently. I have heard a number of stories about equipment that will apparently NEVER turn a wheel on CSX tracks. No idea what caused this turn of events but they are sticking fast to their decision to restrict all but normal freight operations.

T7

Please add me to the list of CSX bashers who think it most pathetic that a Class 1 has decided not run a steam loco Dead In Tow for 10 miles behind a diesel. Of course we're fans on this site but fans must be allowed to vent when something this silly happens.

I would think that Jason and friends got this approved well in advance of announcing it. For that approval now to be pulled by CSX is most sad and unnecessary.

For those of you who justify CSX's bad behavior, I just don't understand you.

There! I fell somewhat better.

Sorry, I hate to sound like the infamous Superheater, but I'm really not interested if there's no big steam and would like to save my money for an occasion that will include some.

I'm something of a believer in you can call me anything you like, just don't call me late for dinner, however: have no fear-in your rush to flatter yourself-you aren't attributing me properly.

I have implicitly expressed a disdain for megaferroequinophilia as that genre is generally uneconomical. See my thoughts on 2926. I wish them well, but wonder how they could find a place to run and turn enough of a buck to have a sinking fund for the 1472, given the difficulties in getting a host road and insurance. Yes, 261 has done it, but the issues with "big steam" have been well covered re: 819, 1522, 2100, 2102, etc.

I'm planning on backing up that sentiment by plunking down a few sheckles this Sunday to do my part so Flagg 75 finds their stay in Scranton profitable; and having been a little late on tix for the diesel powered Sunbury trip, I'm chasing it.

I like big steam, but I'm a realist. I wouldn't skip out on an event because the biggest steam engine scheduled is unable to make it. Who doesn't put the "right to substitute motive power" disclaimer on their tickets. Zugman's right: ITS THEIR SANDBOX, they have a responsibility to the safe and efficient operation of the RR; not to the FRN "community". A tentative agreement is a first date; not a trip to the altar.

Justify? Nah, but a coin has two sides. I've seen plenty of groups/companies that have thought their equipment was super great, but to a class-1, it's just another piece of equipment (and maybe more of a hassle than it is worth).

Some of us are a little more involved with class-1 operations than others on here. Just because you have the blessing of a local trianmaster/roadmaster/roadforeman, does not mean you have the approval of the RR. To move something like the 734, you need someone high up the corporate ladder pulling for you. Most local types are NOT going to stick their necks for a special move like that. Because if something would happen, they will be at the division HQ doing the carpet dance in front of the superintendent. And if the screw up is bad enough, they will end up working 3rd trick trainmaster in some hellhole in the armpit of the system.

Trust me, you're probably not the Superheater (D. L.) I was referring to, since you can communicate in more than two syllable words. Older heads in the East know of whom I speak.

"Trust me, you're probably not the Superheater (D. L.) I was referring to, since you can communicate in more than two syllable words. Older heads in the East know of whom I speak."

Oh, we sure do!! Somewhere, I still have a couple of those infamous single-spaced, right-out-to-the-margins, semi-coherent letters D.L. used to send out. They were saved because future generations would not believe D. L. existed without that evidence. I suspect Ross was the recipient of dozens of them....

No, "our" superheater is on a much higher plane, and there was never any confusion, just a chuckle on seeing your handle for the first time....it did give pause for 30-40 seconds.

Howard P.