There isn't much interest in Canadian Railroading here. Further more, I get the impression that E.S. is very tight lipped about pretty much everything.

Ancient, perhaps you could contact Eric Smith yourself and ask how things are going. It is apparent that nobody on this forum has current info that can be shared.

In the event of past possible "bad blood", perhaps it might be a good time to bury the hatchet?

Not related to your question, but I suspect you'd find most posters a bit more forthcoming if you sign with your real name.

Steve Hunter
Cardinal, Ontario

A new note in FLIMSIES posted by Boyd Owen indicates that former Canadian Pacific 4-4-0 #136 is running again on the South Simcoe Railway. Good to hear that the old girl (originally built in the 1880's as I recall) is back in service. Anyone have any further details?

Les

this would seem to indicate that she is indeed back up and running again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1orfq4z3U&NR=1

and here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW18yIlnInQ

I haven't followed this as I should, but I have to say I enjoyed the video clips, particularly the longer of the two. Impressions:

I had forgotten how handsome these little engines were, and was also reminded of how the late David P. Morgan thought this engine and its two sisters were such treasures when he and Phil Hastings came upon them in the 1950s. . .

Nit-pick--do wish she and the cars were properly lettered for Canadian Pacific, though, and in proper black; I doubt those engines ever wore the maroon tender panels that are on it now. But she does run, and is apparently getting decent care, so I won't complain.

By the way, what is the heritage of those cars? I have to say I love the look of an all-heavyweight train with steam, and that is what is here.

The terminal facility looks great to train fans--old buildings, plenty of older equipment about, some of it awaiting work, lots of the neat clutter we model fans like--but I wonder what the non-railfan neighbors think! I also wonder what some people living in those new houses at one of the grade crossings think of a steam train going past! We railfans would love it, but what if they are not railfans?

Interesting, at about 7:30 more or less, how South Simcoe takes a line from the Strasburg with a ghost train over the hill somewhere. . .

Speaking of Strasburg also recalls how that company has done so much work in recent years to help preserve the timeless view of the train. For what are likely logical and obvious reasons, South Simcoe was not quite so successful in this, but it brings up a possible avenue to explore:

What would be the possibilities of approaching some of the commercial enterprises that have built new structures along the route to "backdate" their structures? I'm thinking of things like a different paint color, and perhaps "retro" signage. Of course, this can be a delicate subject, and it would be a good idea to have decent relationships with the neighbors, but might this help keep some of the past atmosphere alive? Would it even be something affordable by the tourist or heritage road in such a situation, i.e., to pay for some old-style signs on buildings?

Once again, we open the floor for comments.