Thanks so much for the heads up. Very much appreciated.

Yep!
My dad and I are planning on a trip sometime in the next few weeks, so the early H/U on the wave off was definitely appreciated.

Next week's weather looks better, anyway.

I'll have to say, #90 is looking good on these freight runs. The weather seemed to behave nicely until 11:00 AM or so on Friday...

As far as I'm concerned, 90 is what steam locomotives are supposed to look like.

Of course, that could be because my parents spent a weekend a month there (or so it seemed) when I was a little kid.

But yeah, I like the current look.

Any word yet on if this is happening tomorrow (July 26th)?

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Kelly, thanks so much for that confirmation. We made the pilgrimage last night and rode this morning.

I know it's been said a million times, but it needs to be said a million more. What you guys do is nothing short of amazing.

My dad and I rode the mixed this morning, then did the shop tour this afternoon. It gave us a glimpse into the inner workings of SRC that we had never had before (and I definitely wish we had, I grew up loving the place, and now feel even more strongly about it).

It's not a museum, it's a working railroad, and I think THAT makes it even more special. It's not all just playtime. But what's better than that is that everyone we encountered today seems to really, really enjoy what they do.

Our conductor this morning, who's name I sadly missed, was excellent. He was entertaining, gracious, and above all, knew what he was doing.

Dave, who ran the shop tour, was also entertaining, gracious, incredibly knowledgeable, and also really knew what he was talking about.

If everyone else on staff is anything like these guys, it's no surprise that you have the successes you have had.

Anyway, I know the railroad internet runs on pictures, so here are a few from the day. My only complaint is that you guys haven't figured out how to pickup the whole place and rotate it 180 degrees so that photography were easier.















Somehow you guys even managed to get NS in on the good timing:

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I was aboard yesterday as well, and it was a very pleasant experience on a perfect summer day. No. 90 had no trouble with the three car-train, and the appearance of an eastbound Amtrak Keystone train and the NS local westbound were added bonuses.

My friend Matt and I were also in the caboose on Friday and had a wonderful time. What a thrill it was to arrive at Leaman Place on the caboose and then see an eastbound Keystone AND a westbound NS freight pass by while #90 gathered three cars for the return trip to East Strasburg. It's "real" experiences like that which go above and beyond a typical tourist spot experience that keep me coming back to the SRR.
I also took the noon shop tour given by Dave and he was an excellent tour guide who kept us all engaged for almost an hour and a half. I'm particularly interested to see how your boiled linseed oil paint holds up on the rolling stock. If it does well i might just spec. it on a few building projects I'm working on.
Btw, I think your caboose rode just as good, if not better, as my Northeast Regional back home to DC Friday night!

Andy Merlo Assoc. AIA

http://www.losttracksoftime.com/p47324941

Bringing this topic full-circle and back to the beginning: another look at some Strasburg sunrise steam freight photos.

Matthew

Glad you all enjoyed it. We appreciate your patronage. I was the stooge in the PPE straw-bossing the switch work at Leaman Place Yard. Ross Gochenaur, the E. Strasburg Yardmaster, was your conductor.

Thanks Steve. You guys seemed to be working pretty hard out there at Paradise. What's going on there?

Oh, just some details on a switch ... There's always something in maintenance of way ...

Steve, you'll have to tell Ross that he was a great host. BTW I really like that new grove you guys installed at Leaman Place. Do you allow the riders to disembark there? I wasn't on any of the passenger trains that day so I wouldn't know.

-Andy Merlo