I spent Monday at Strasburg with my wif e and our 19-month old... proud to say that Sodor #1 and Strasburg #475 are the lad's 3rd and 4th operating steamers of his young life! Linn, I wanted to say Hi, but you seemed pretty busy when I saw you... I need to come out on a regular day to soak up all the new experiences.

Anyway, I want to share three thoughts -- experience, trains and longevity.

Experience --

From a controlled parking environment, to site maps, loads of potties and a boxcar-load of staff members on site, the rail road kept the event moving on-time and very, very well organized. Communication to visitors was outstanding. We rode the 11:45 Thomas and the 3PM Paradise train. The Day Out with Thomas really can be a full day, without even taking in the other rail attractions on the area.

Trains

I've never been on a steam train that was being passed by a steam on the left, a caboose on the left of that and a gas car on the right... until yesterday. Yes, two steam trains, a gas-mechanical powered caboose hop, the LO&S gas car, a pump car and the Cagney were all available at no extra charge to the Thomas visitors. Outstanding!

Longevity --

I am sure the rail road crew will say how much better Strasburg is now than it was 30+ years ago, but for me it was a very nostalgic visit to come back with my son and take his picture by the very same rolling stock that our family album has pictures of me standing next to as a 3 year-old. Strasburg was great then, and it is great now.

Rob

PS: Kurt, what's up at the museum? Looks like a lot of work is going into the big PRR locos outside. Wish we had time to stop in and say Hi, but we were exhausted after Mr. Tank Engine. I want to bring the family out for a full day at the museum soon.

trains@robertjohndavis.com

Hi Rob,
Sorry we missed each other. I was a brakeman on the hour train on both Saturday and Sunday, and did the narration part of the day on Sunday. The Strasburg folks typically put a lot of time and planning into each of the Thomas events and they really do a superb job at every level. Their staff are indeed true professionals and run what is arguably the largest (and most logistically complex) Thomas event in the country! It is exciting to be part of the team that pulls each event off, though I play a very minor role at best as a member of the train crew! :-)

What's new at RRMPA? We are making considerable progress on restoring the PRR Air Brake Instruction Car in the Restoration Shop, and it is fast nearing completion. When finished it will join the other vehicular exhibitions in Rolling Stock Hall. We are also repainting our operable Plymouth shifter and are doing considerable work on GG-1 4800 in the abatement shed. No new vehicular acquisitions in the pipeline for the moment. And we are continuing to plug away in our preparatory efforts toward applying for Museum Accreditation with the AAM.

Never a dull moment!

K.R. Bell

> I spent Monday at Strasburg with my wif e
> and our 19-month old... proud to say that
> Sodor #1 and Strasburg #475 are the lad's
> 3rd and 4th operating steamers of his young
> life! Linn, I wanted to say Hi, but you
> seemed pretty busy when I saw you... I need
> to come out on a regular day to soak up all
> the new experiences.

> Anyway, I want to share three thoughts --
> experience, trains and longevity.

> Experience --

> From a controlled parking environment, to
> site maps, loads of potties and a
> boxcar-load of staff members on site, the
> rail road kept the event moving on-time and
> very, very well organized. Communication to
> visitors was outstanding. We rode the 11:45
> Thomas and the 3PM Paradise train. The Day
> Out with Thomas really can be a full day,
> without even taking in the other rail
> attractions on the area.

> Trains

> I've never been on a steam train that was
> being passed by a steam on the left, a
> caboose on the left of that and a gas car on
> the right... until yesterday. Yes, two steam
> trains, a gas-mechanical powered caboose
> hop, the LO&S gas car, a pump car and
> the Cagney were all available at no extra
> charge to the Thomas visitors. Outstanding!

> Longevity --

> I am sure the rail road crew will say how
> much better Strasburg is now than it was 30+
> years ago, but for me it was a very
> nostalgic visit to come back with my son and
> take his picture by the very same rolling
> stock that our family album has pictures of
> me standing next to as a 3 year-old.
> Strasburg was great then, and it is great
> now.

> Rob

> PS: Kurt, what's up at the museum? Looks
> like a lot of work is going into the big PRR
> locos outside. Wish we had time to stop in
> and say Hi, but we were exhausted after Mr.
> Tank Engine. I want to bring the family out
> for a full day at the museum soon.

Rob,

Thank you for the kind words. As Kurt said, our staff puts a huge amount of time and effort into these events. It is true that we have some pretty neat toys, but they are worthless without our people.

There is no question that the Thomas events are about money in the bank but for us it is also about longevity. If we put on a great event and people really have fun, they will remember that they were at a tourist railroad for the event and it was a pretty neat place. Hopefully that will bring them back.

When you cut corners just to get the cash - people notice and are less likely to leave with a good impression. Our first priority is to put on a good event. The rest will take care of itself.

It means a lot to us when someone notices.

Thanks,
Linn

Strasburg Rail Road
linnwm@supernet.com