Here are some reflections on attending the Ohio Central Train Fest this past Saturday. A big thanks to all at the Ohio Central folks for making this happen.

Living in Ohio it was really a no-brainer to try to attend Train Fest in Dennison. Due to stresses and obligations at work I was not for sure we could make it (my wife is a steam fan as well) until a few days before. We made the final decision to go for Saturday on the Thursday before. I had second thoughts after 765 and 1225 cancelled out, but steam is steam. That Friday we called the Dennison depot to reserve tickets as it said we could on the Train Fest web site. The plan was to find out what trips still were available and plan our trip accordingly. Well, a person answered and put us on hold as "the gift shop is a mad house." After a few minutes on hold were told it was too late to reserve tickets (there was nothing about a deadline on the web site) then were told to call back after 7:00 and try again. Well, other issues prevented our calling after 7:00 or even getting to bed at a decent time.

Come Saturday we had planned to leave by 7:00 and try to get tickets for the 10:00 run and the Morgan Shop run if it was available. As the best laid plans of mice and men go, we didn't get on the road until 9:00. Just for good measure we tried calling again from home and from the road and got a recording both times. It was about a two hour fifteen minute drive to Dennison. We exactly followed the driving instructions from the web site. They were clear and direct. Unfortunately they took you to the museum which you couldn't drive to and there was little parking. We ended up circling downtown Dennison until we found a street parking spot. Later I realized there was a large lot across the tracks inaccessible from the museum side of the tracks without driving some distance out to another crossing and back. There were no instructions on how to get there. Still we did not have to walk to far.

We arrived at the gate and purchased our admission and entered. We then found out that you could not purchase tickets there but had to go back out and to the museum to get tickets. Looking at the map of the event there were a number of anomalies. The gated area did not reflect the actual gated area. The restroom locations did not correspond to those on the map and few other things were moved around. Most items were in the general area indicated on the map, though.

There was only one person selling tickets which did not seem adequate. When we got up to get our tickets were told that the Morgan Run train was sold out, but it was suggested that the next two one hour trains would go in opposite directions so we could cover some ground that way. We decided to do so.

After stopping at the bathrooms we got in line to board our train. We were near the end of the line and when we got through the gate we went to the car with the shortest boarding line. We found it full and headed into the next car. We luckily found one seat left for us to sit together. The seating seemed cramped, perhaps because the car was filled nearly to capacity.

We were supposed to head west but apparently due to the Columbus train coming in they decided to head east. Diesel #1000 pulled us out. The excursion was quite slow for most of its length. After about 20 minutes we about doubled our speed for about five minutes then came to a stop. #6325, which had been pulled out behind the train then pulled us back. For about the same five minutes #6325 put on quite the show - cinders, smoke, steam, cuffing and the whole works. Then we slowed down to a very slow pace again for the rest of the return trip, and #6325 hardly made a sound other than regular whistling.

There seemed to be very railfans on the train. I'd guess 80% or so was oblivious to the motive power and were just there to ride the train. The rest thought the steamer was neat. The vestibules were not crowded this trip and was able to get footage and shots of the locomotive when she was working hard. It is unfortunate that she could not open up a bit for more of the trip. It looked like MOW work may have been in progress as there were many ties laid out for installation.

We had no problem getting seats on the next train as we just stepped off the car, then back on. We chose the next coach and it turned out to have more comfortable seats and more leg room. The Columbus train had arrived and was fouling the main. As a result the next train had to run east again. This agitated both my wife and I as it was not what we paid for. We really wanted to ride along the track we saw on our drive into the event. As it ended up, all of the one hour trains on Saturday went east. Still, since I knew how the excursion ran now, I was able to get more and better footage with the camcorder. There were more folks watching the steamer this time and the vestibules were pretty crowded. The scenery was nice but not particularly exciting. A rider gon would have been a nice addition for the more hardcore photographers. Shooting from Vestibules is not be best option. The railfans were out on the line in large numbers, especially at the crossings.

On the way in the train made and unexpected stop a couple miles out and the right side of the locomotive was inspected for about a minute and then we continued. At the station the crew was examining the #4 crank pin on the engineers side. The scanner later stated that she would run on the next hour ride but would not be power for the Morgan Run trip and other motive power would be needed. Also the AC had apparently developed a coolant leak in one of the front fixed window coaches. According to the conductor it was quite an oven up there.

During the two trips the conductor spoke at length on the PA bout the OC and the steam program. There was no mention of #33 or why she was not there yet. A few items that caught my attention were that 1) the sanding towers in the old Dennison yard were to be torn down soon. 2) the OC just had winning bids to purchase two more short lines 3) Planning has started for a Train Fest for 2006 which should be twice the size.

Apparently boarding had been a problem with those debarking trying to use the same gate as those boarding. After this trip they had everyone debarking walk up along the train to the crossing and those boarding came in the gate by the station. During the change between our trips, the call went out on the radio for the crossing flaggers to form a perimeter around 6325 as people were getting too close. They were guarding her again as we debarked the second trip.

After the next (and last) one hour trip departed the shifting of trains to prepare for runs to Morgan Run began. The Columbus train pulled through east. #1293, which had been simmering on display, pulled out west and was not seen again that day. The Orrville train came out of its siding and moved off to the west next. At this point I lost track of the shifting as we were going through the displays. Some how the Columbus train and the regular train also got set up to head west and #1293 and #6325 as well. Never did see the Philly train and Bennett Levin's E-8s (I have never seen them).

While all that was going we got chicken dinners, pizza and pop from some of the many food vendors on the north side of the tracks. All were very reasonably priced. This vending area was supposed to be part of the gated area but was not. We then moved to the south side of the track, which was gated, to see the many displays.

The Dennison Museum's rolling stock and Chesapeake and Ohio 2-8-4 #2700 and Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Power Co. 0-4-0 #4759 were on the north side of the track. Both look a touch rough.

On the south side Flag Coal Company #75 was merrily chuffing back and forth on about a hundred yards of track. It looked like freshly installed track and was long enough for her to get a good clip going. When we arrived for the day she appeared to be coupled to a caboose. When we got there again the caboose was parked and she was running solo. It would have been nice if there were rides offered in the caboose. Two track cars were parked on the same track but were not being operated. Free motorized track car rides had been advertised but were not being offered.

LS&I 2-8-0 #33 was not there. Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 #1293 (In CP colors!) was there earlier. There had been steps next to her as if her cab had been open for visitors, but at least one person told me he had been yelled at for starting up the ladder. Buffalo Creek and Gauley 2-8-0 #13 was there for cab tours (In BC&G paint!). Southern Wood Preserving Company 0-4-0 #3 (In OC paint) was there for cab tours. One of the new FM diesels was there for cab tours.

Numerous diesels were lined up on what appeared to the passing siding (the same one the steamers were displayed on). I'd guess there were about a dozen diesels, but only the FM cab was open. A crane, some MOW equipment, and several restored freight cars were on display at various locations.
Most of the equipment had no interpretive displays on them. The steamers did and two or three diesels did. The lines to get into cabs were long and moved very slow, so I chose to forgo them for the time being.

We proceeded down the line. At the stage a very short section of track was set up for the Buckingham Lining Bar Gang, but we never did get a chance to see them perform. There were three tents rather than the two on the map. Two had vendors and organizational booths and the other had several operating model layouts. Clearances were tight inside the tents and lighting was limited, but the content was great. Impressive layouts and all manner of railroad and model railroad vendors.

Beyond the tents was the live steam railroad. They had several hundred feet of track in a dog-bone. A Pennsy steamer and a diesel were operating at the time. Despite the on-and-off showers all day, there was a considerable line to ride the small trains.

Upon meandering back (and getting some ice cream) the lines for the cab visits were shorter so I was able to make it into #13, #3 and the FM.

At the end of the day we had spent about 10 hours and $110. We headed back to the car and departed thinking our day was over. On the way back to I-77 the railfans were still out. It occurred to me they were waiting for the return trip from the Morgan Run Shops. I explained this to my wife who insisted I pull over at the next opportunity to shoot the train (God I love that woman!) No sooner did I find a pull off than the train was in sight. Shot the FP9s passing with the excursion in tow.

We headed out again and as I was turning onto the I-77 ramp I started getting more radio chatter. #6325 was ordered not to follow the excursion train too closely. They replied by saying they were going to make a stop in Newcomerstown for the "drive through". "I know what you're doing!" was the reply. Knowing there was a McDonalds right by I-77 I made a U-turn (again, My wife insisted) and headed back. No sooner did we arrive at the BP next to the McDonalds, #6325 coasted by, stopped and backed up. Two of the crew then merrily walked back to the crossing and down to the McDonalds for some dinner carry out.

The railfans as well as ordinary folks who happened to be there swarmed around the engine for the 15 or so minute layover before she headed on toward Dennison. At that we headed home, for real.

Thanks again to the OC for an enjoyable weekend.

OBSERVATIONS

Overall the event was very nice and worth the time and money. It needs polished up though. There were a lot of nice innovative ideas and great effort, but some more planning is needed.

The trains were very popular and appeared to all run at or near capacity. The grounds were very full. Grounds and equipment was clean. A lot of railfans but a whole lot more normal folks.

A lot of work was clearly done to make the grounds suitable for the event. It was very rainy and wet but we did not get muddy at all. There was standing water in places though. Looks like at least three new tracks had been installed for displays and demonstrations.

Had 765 and 1225 came, there would not have been enough room or places to run. Equipment was wall to wall as it was.

There was a very nice selection of equipment on display, though the lack of signage left them largely ignored save the ones that had the open cabs.

SUGGESTIONS (If anyone is listening)

- Need LOTS more trash cans. Not nearly enough.
- Need more benches. limited places to sit down and take it all in.
- Need more interpretive signs. Teach people some history and technology.
- Make sue the map and directions are accurate.
- Bring out more cold steamers. The normal folks don't care much what pulls their trains but they just love to walk up and stare at a steam engine.
- Run the trains where they are supposed to run. Hold another train if needed.
- Cab tours are very popular. Open more cabs.
- Clear out the old shops area and use it for displays too.
- Display equipment on stub tracks and run demo on the passing siding. That way you can pass trains more easily if needed.
- Keep the sand houses. Repair the roofs and use them as indoor space for the next Train Fest.
- Add a rider Gondola on the passenger trains.
- Add some directional signage (tickets this way, bathrooms that way...)
- Some more variety in excursions (north and south?)
- More dedicated ticket vendors (dedicated ones on the phone?)(Online sales?)

The East Broad Top Railroad Homepage
ebtrr@spikesys.com

Chris,

Thank you for your comments. Depite the massive amounts of rain that fell on Friday and Saturday, the crowds were great. We had estimated the attendance was going to be between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors. We had close to 27,000 visitors over the three days. This was the first time we ever tried to do anything like this and felt it was a huge success. We will do it again in 2006 and we will do a few things different. You need to remember, the event was marketed for families not railfans. Saturday morning was pretty crazy as we received nearly 2 inches of rain that morning. It took us several hours to recover and get everything going again.

Sunday however was beauitful. I will be posting a final overview for the editorial page soon with many photos. Thanks again Chris and make sure to plan to visit in 2006.

Jason M. Johnson
Chairman Train Festival 2004

> Here are some reflections on attending the
> Ohio Central Train Fest this past Saturday.
> A big thanks to all at the Ohio Central
> folks for making this happen.

> Living in Ohio it was really a no-brainer to
> try to attend Train Fest in Dennison. Due to
> stresses and obligations at work I was not
> for sure we could make it (my wife is a
> steam fan as well) until a few days before.
> We made the final decision to go for
> Saturday on the Thursday before. I had
> second thoughts after 765 and 1225 cancelled
> out, but steam is steam. That Friday we
> called the Dennison depot to reserve tickets
> as it said we could on the Train Fest web
> site. The plan was to find out what trips
> still were available and plan our trip
> accordingly. Well, a person answered and put
> us on hold as "the gift shop is a mad
> house." After a few minutes on hold
> were told it was too late to reserve tickets
> (there was nothing about a deadline on the
> web site) then were told to call back after
> 7:00 and try again. Well, other issues
> prevented our calling after 7:00 or even
> getting to bed at a decent time.

> Come Saturday we had planned to leave by
> 7:00 and try to get tickets for the 10:00
> run and the Morgan Shop run if it was
> available. As the best laid plans of mice
> and men go, we didn't get on the road until
> 9:00. Just for good measure we tried calling
> again from home and from the road and got a
> recording both times. It was about a two
> hour fifteen minute drive to Dennison. We
> exactly followed the driving instructions
> from the web site. They were clear and
> direct. Unfortunately they took you to the
> museum which you couldn't drive to and there
> was little parking. We ended up circling
> downtown Dennison until we found a street
> parking spot. Later I realized there was a
> large lot across the tracks inaccessible
> from the museum side of the tracks without
> driving some distance out to another
> crossing and back. There were no
> instructions on how to get there. Still we
> did not have to walk to far.

> We arrived at the gate and purchased our
> admission and entered. We then found out
> that you could not purchase tickets there
> but had to go back out and to the museum to
> get tickets. Looking at the map of the event
> there were a number of anomalies. The gated
> area did not reflect the actual gated area.
> The restroom locations did not correspond to
> those on the map and few other things were
> moved around. Most items were in the general
> area indicated on the map, though.

> There was only one person selling tickets
> which did not seem adequate. When we got up
> to get our tickets were told that the Morgan
> Run train was sold out, but it was suggested
> that the next two one hour trains would go
> in opposite directions so we could cover
> some ground that way. We decided to do so.

> After stopping at the bathrooms we got in
> line to board our train. We were near the
> end of the line and when we got through the
> gate we went to the car with the shortest
> boarding line. We found it full and headed
> into the next car. We luckily found one seat
> left for us to sit together. The seating
> seemed cramped, perhaps because the car was
> filled nearly to capacity.

> We were supposed to head west but apparently
> due to the Columbus train coming in they
> decided to head east. Diesel #1000 pulled us
> out. The excursion was quite slow for most
> of its length. After about 20 minutes we
> about doubled our speed for about five
> minutes then came to a stop. #6325, which
> had been pulled out behind the train then
> pulled us back. For about the same five
> minutes #6325 put on quite the show -
> cinders, smoke, steam, cuffing and the whole
> works. Then we slowed down to a very slow
> pace again for the rest of the return trip,
> and #6325 hardly made a sound other than
> regular whistling.

> There seemed to be very railfans on the
> train. I'd guess 80% or so was oblivious to
> the motive power and were just there to ride
> the train. The rest thought the steamer was
> neat. The vestibules were not crowded this
> trip and was able to get footage and shots
> of the locomotive when she was working hard.
> It is unfortunate that she could not open up
> a bit for more of the trip. It looked like
> MOW work may have been in progress as there
> were many ties laid out for installation.

> We had no problem getting seats on the next
> train as we just stepped off the car, then
> back on. We chose the next coach and it
> turned out to have more comfortable seats
> and more leg room. The Columbus train had
> arrived and was fouling the main. As a
> result the next train had to run east again.
> This agitated both my wife and I as it was
> not what we paid for. We really wanted to
> ride along the track we saw on our drive
> into the event. As it ended up, all of the
> one hour trains on Saturday went east.
> Still, since I knew how the excursion ran
> now, I was able to get more and better
> footage with the camcorder. There were more
> folks watching the steamer this time and the
> vestibules were pretty crowded. The scenery
> was nice but not particularly exciting. A
> rider gon would have been a nice addition
> for the more hardcore photographers.
> Shooting from Vestibules is not be best
> option. The railfans were out on the line in
> large numbers, especially at the crossings.

> On the way in the train made and unexpected
> stop a couple miles out and the right side
> of the locomotive was inspected for about a
> minute and then we continued. At the station
> the crew was examining the #4 crank pin on
> the engineers side. The scanner later stated
> that she would run on the next hour ride but
> would not be power for the Morgan Run trip
> and other motive power would be needed. Also
> the AC had apparently developed a coolant
> leak in one of the front fixed window
> coaches. According to the conductor it was
> quite an oven up there.

> During the two trips the conductor spoke at
> length on the PA bout the OC and the steam
> program. There was no mention of #33 or why
> she was not there yet. A few items that
> caught my attention were that 1) the sanding
> towers in the old Dennison yard were to be
> torn down soon. 2) the OC just had winning
> bids to purchase two more short lines 3)
> Planning has started for a Train Fest for
> 2006 which should be twice the size.

> Apparently boarding had been a problem with
> those debarking trying to use the same gate
> as those boarding. After this trip they had
> everyone debarking walk up along the train
> to the crossing and those boarding came in
> the gate by the station. During the change
> between our trips, the call went out on the
> radio for the crossing flaggers to form a
> perimeter around 6325 as people were getting
> too close. They were guarding her again as
> we debarked the second trip.

> After the next (and last) one hour trip
> departed the shifting of trains to prepare
> for runs to Morgan Run began. The Columbus
> train pulled through east. #1293, which had
> been simmering on display, pulled out west
> and was not seen again that day. The
> Orrville train came out of its siding and
> moved off to the west next. At this point I
> lost track of the shifting as we were going
> through the displays. Some how the Columbus
> train and the regular train also got set up
> to head west and #1293 and #6325 as well.
> Never did see the Philly train and Bennett
> Levin's E-8s (I have never seen them).

> While all that was going we got chicken
> dinners, pizza and pop from some of the many
> food vendors on the north side of the
> tracks. All were very reasonably priced.
> This vending area was supposed to be part of
> the gated area but was not. We then moved to
> the south side of the track, which was
> gated, to see the many displays.

> The Dennison Museum's rolling stock and
> Chesapeake and Ohio 2-8-4 #2700 and Columbus
> and Southern Ohio Electric Power Co. 0-4-0
> #4759 were on the north side of the track.
> Both look a touch rough.

> On the south side Flag Coal Company #75 was
> merrily chuffing back and forth on about a
> hundred yards of track. It looked like
> freshly installed track and was long enough
> for her to get a good clip going. When we
> arrived for the day she appeared to be
> coupled to a caboose. When we got there
> again the caboose was parked and she was
> running solo. It would have been nice if
> there were rides offered in the caboose. Two
> track cars were parked on the same track but
> were not being operated. Free motorized
> track car rides had been advertised but were
> not being offered.

> LS&I 2-8-0 #33 was not there. Canadian
> Pacific 4-6-2 #1293 (In CP colors!) was
> there earlier. There had been steps next to
> her as if her cab had been open for
> visitors, but at least one person told me he
> had been yelled at for starting up the
> ladder. Buffalo Creek and Gauley 2-8-0 #13
> was there for cab tours (In BC&G
> paint!). Southern Wood Preserving Company
> 0-4-0 #3 (In OC paint) was there for cab
> tours. One of the new FM diesels was there
> for cab tours.

> Numerous diesels were lined up on what
> appeared to the passing siding (the same one
> the steamers were displayed on). I'd guess
> there were about a dozen diesels, but only
> the FM cab was open. A crane, some MOW
> equipment, and several restored freight cars
> were on display at various locations.
> Most of the equipment had no interpretive
> displays on them. The steamers did and two
> or three diesels did. The lines to get into
> cabs were long and moved very slow, so I
> chose to forgo them for the time being.

> We proceeded down the line. At the stage a
> very short section of track was set up for
> the Buckingham Lining Bar Gang, but we never
> did get a chance to see them perform. There
> were three tents rather than the two on the
> map. Two had vendors and organizational
> booths and the other had several operating
> model layouts. Clearances were tight inside
> the tents and lighting was limited, but the
> content was great. Impressive layouts and
> all manner of railroad and model railroad
> vendors.

> Beyond the tents was the live steam
> railroad. They had several hundred feet of
> track in a dog-bone. A Pennsy steamer and a
> diesel were operating at the time. Despite
> the on-and-off showers all day, there was a
> considerable line to ride the small trains.

> Upon meandering back (and getting some ice
> cream) the lines for the cab visits were
> shorter so I was able to make it into #13,
> #3 and the FM.

> At the end of the day we had spent about 10
> hours and $110. We headed back to the car
> and departed thinking our day was over. On
> the way back to I-77 the railfans were still
> out. It occurred to me they were waiting for
> the return trip from the Morgan Run Shops. I
> explained this to my wife who insisted I
> pull over at the next opportunity to shoot
> the train (God I love that woman!) No sooner
> did I find a pull off than the train was in
> sight. Shot the FP9s passing with the
> excursion in tow.

> We headed out again and as I was turning
> onto the I-77 ramp I started getting more
> radio chatter. #6325 was ordered not to
> follow the excursion train too closely. They
> replied by saying they were going to make a
> stop in Newcomerstown for the "drive
> through". "I know what you're
> doing!" was the reply. Knowing there
> was a McDonalds right by I-77 I made a
> U-turn (again, My wife insisted) and headed
> back. No sooner did we arrive at the BP next
> to the McDonalds, #6325 coasted by, stopped
> and backed up. Two of the crew then merrily
> walked back to the crossing and down to the
> McDonalds for some dinner carry out.

> The railfans as well as ordinary folks who
> happened to be there swarmed around the
> engine for the 15 or so minute layover
> before she headed on toward Dennison. At
> that we headed home, for real.

> Thanks again to the OC for an enjoyable
> weekend.

> OBSERVATIONS

> Overall the event was very nice and worth
> the time and money. It needs polished up
> though. There were a lot of nice innovative
> ideas and great effort, but some more
> planning is needed.

> The trains were very popular and appeared to
> all run at or near capacity. The grounds
> were very full. Grounds and equipment was
> clean. A lot of railfans but a whole lot
> more normal folks.

> A lot of work was clearly done to make the
> grounds suitable for the event. It was very
> rainy and wet but we did not get muddy at
> all. There was standing water in places
> though. Looks like at least three new tracks
> had been installed for displays and
> demonstrations.

> Had 765 and 1225 came, there would not have
> been enough room or places to run. Equipment
> was wall to wall as it was.

> There was a very nice selection of equipment
> on display, though the lack of signage left
> them largely ignored save the ones that had
> the open cabs.

> SUGGESTIONS (If anyone is listening)

> - Need LOTS more trash cans. Not nearly
> enough.
> - Need more benches. limited places to sit
> down and take it all in.
> - Need more interpretive signs. Teach people
> some history and technology.
> - Make sue the map and directions are
> accurate.
> - Bring out more cold steamers. The normal
> folks don't care much what pulls their
> trains but they just love to walk up and
> stare at a steam engine.
> - Run the trains where they are supposed to
> run. Hold another train if needed.
> - Cab tours are very popular. Open more
> cabs.
> - Clear out the old shops area and use it
> for displays too.
> - Display equipment on stub tracks and run
> demo on the passing siding. That way you can
> pass trains more easily if needed.
> - Keep the sand houses. Repair the roofs and
> use them as indoor space for the next Train
> Fest.
> - Add a rider Gondola on the passenger
> trains.
> - Add some directional signage (tickets this
> way, bathrooms that way...)
> - Some more variety in excursions (north and
> south?)
> - More dedicated ticket vendors (dedicated
> ones on the phone?)(Online sales?)


jmjohnson@ohiocentral.com

It was obvious;y a very chaotic weekend, and I sure had fun. I expected to be riding behind 1293, but ended up riding 6325. Lots of confused photographers beside the tracks, but almost eveyone was wearing a wristband, so there weren't a lot of freeloaders.

Well done! Thanks for a great weekend, and I'll be back on the OC when time and $$ permits.

> Chris,

> Thank you for your comments. Depite the
> massive amounts of rain that fell on Friday
> and Saturday, the crowds were great. We had
> estimated the attendance was going to be
> between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors. We had
> close to 27,000 visitors over the three
> days. This was the first time we ever tried
> to do anything like this and felt it was a
> huge success. We will do it again in 2006
> and we will do a few things different. You
> need to remember, the event was marketed for
> families not railfans. Saturday morning was
> pretty crazy as we received nearly 2 inches
> of rain that morning. It took us several
> hours to recover and get everything going
> again.

> Sunday however was beauitful. I will be
> posting a final overview for the editorial
> page soon with many photos. Thanks again
> Chris and make sure to plan to visit in
> 2006.

> Jason M. Johnson
> Chairman Train Festival 2004


Al's Rail Photos.
acp19809@yahoo.com

> - Run the trains where they are supposed to
> run. Hold another train if needed.

Keep in mind that the Columbus excursion was already running behind schedule (and ran even later on the return trip . . . long periods of unexplained slow running). Holding it longer would have been a bad idea.

I had my share of disappointments too: 6325's unexplained (at the time) absence from the Columbus trip; the mysterious presence of diesals on the back of same (didn't seem to be doing anything judging by how hard poor 1293 was blasting); the long, long stretches of slow running delaying the return trip an hour and a half.

Still, this festival was a major breakthrough. I mention these setbacks not as complaints, but as COMPLIMENTS to the crews for how well things were generally dealt with. As Mr. Rowland has pointed out, we just might be laying a foundation here for something, in Bill Shatner's words: Big, REALLY big!

> - Need more interpretive signs. Teach people
> some history and technology.

> - Add a rider Gondola on the passenger
> trains.

I agree with teaching people history and technology, but this would not be done with a rider gondola. They wouldn't belong on a 1940's passenger train. From the perspective of photographers (which I am not one of), a rider gondola might give marginally better onboard photos, and significantly diminish the quality of photos of the train taken outside. OC has an exceedingly RARE opportunity to run steam power at track speeds with period coaches, as does Steamtown . . . let's not forfeit it! I also have reservations about the gondola's safety. It makes me nervous to see people even leaning out the baggage cars as far as they do . . . if the railing ever gave way, we may as well pack it in for good.

Speaking of safety, I applaud the herculean effort of OC employees to keep people clear of trains (why people wander in front of moving trains is beyond me) in a polite, ultra-professional manner. I saw at least one real jerk loudly griping that the train "wasn't even close" when he was prevented from taking his camera right onto the tracks in front of an approching train. You guys maintained your cool, which is more than I might have done.

Congratulations and thank you!

Jonathan Schneider

ironandsteam@mac.com

Jason. As one of the three dealers who were set up with Railroadiana in the Flea market tent, I say on behalf of Tony, Lance and myself, that your people did a fantastic job to overcome the wrath of Mother Nature, the crowds and anything else that was thrown at you! We had a good time, business was good and we are looking forward to the next one! Consider this one for practice, the next one for speed! A final grade mark for the show from my wife is a "A+" this is from one who want to do it again next time (First time in 31 years!) Keep up the great work!
RL Niblick

> Thank you for your comments. Depite the
> massive amounts of rain that fell on Friday
> and Saturday, the crowds were great. We had
> estimated the attendance was going to be
> between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors. We had
> close to 27,000 visitors over the three
> days. This was the first time we ever tried
> to do anything like this and felt it was a
> huge success. We will do it again in 2006
> and we will do a few things different. You
> need to remember, the event was marketed for
> families not railfans. Saturday morning was
> pretty crazy as we received nearly 2 inches
> of rain that morning. It took us several
> hours to recover and get everything going
> again.

> Sunday however was beauitful. I will be
> posting a final overview for the editorial
> page soon with many photos. Thanks again
> Chris and make sure to plan to visit in
> 2006.

> Jason M. Johnson
> Chairman Train Festival 2004


rrnut@prodigy.net

> Chris,

> Thank you for your comments. Depite the
> massive amounts of rain that fell on Friday
> and Saturday, the crowds were great. We had
> estimated the attendance was going to be
> between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors. We had
> close to 27,000 visitors over the three
> days. This was the first time we ever tried
> to do anything like this and felt it was a
> huge success. We will do it again in 2006
> and we will do a few things different. You
> need to remember, the event was marketed for
> families not railfans. Saturday morning was
> pretty crazy as we received nearly 2 inches
> of rain that morning. It took us several
> hours to recover and get everything going
> again.

> Sunday however was beauitful. I will be
> posting a final overview for the editorial
> page soon with many photos. Thanks again
> Chris and make sure to plan to visit in
> 2006.

> Jason M. Johnson
> Chairman Train Festival 2004
===========================================

I and everyone I know, who attended TrainFestival 2004, take our hats off to Jason Johnson, Chairman, the entire dedicated Ohio Central crew, the hard working folks in the town of Dennison, the history driven Dennison PRR station crews who worked so hard and all others involved who made TrainFestival 2004 a huge and wonderful success in the hills of eastern Ohio.

Congratulations! Job well done!

No doubt we will look forward to the next show here in Ohio!

Ron Widman, Columbus.

lineswest@columbus.rr.com

Just a list of brief suggestions for Train Fest 2006.

Visiting Engines:
Strasburg Railroad 4-8-0 #475- Its the next canidate for a heritage paintjob(N&W), why not bring it? Maybe there could be a photo freight with this on the Sugarcreek Line(its also ex-N&W)
Flagg Coal 75- People loved it this year, bring it back for 2006!
Nickel Plate 765- Could be the engine to pull the Columbus trains.
PRR E8s 5711 & 5809- Also, people loved seeing these!

More Food Places- open them up!
More Vedors!
More Miniature Trains!

No futher suggestions

Michael Huhn

huhnkids@adelphia.net

> Just a list of brief suggestions for Train
> Fest 2006.

> Visiting Engines:
> Strasburg Railroad 4-8-0 #475- Its the next
> canidate for a heritage paintjob(N&W),
> why not bring it? Maybe there could be a
> photo freight with this on the Sugarcreek
> Line(its also ex-N&W)
> Flagg Coal 75- People loved it this year,
> bring it back for 2006!
> Nickel Plate 765- Could be the engine to
> pull the Columbus trains.
> PRR E8s 5711 & 5809- Also, people loved
> seeing these!

> More Food Places- open them up!
> More Vedors!
> More Miniature Trains!

> No futher suggestions

> Michael Huhn
First..make it Train Fest 2005, can't wait that long!

Give the Flagg engine some place to run
have a question/answer type thing with Rich Melvin,Ross Rowland,Jerry Jacobson. Got to talk to Rich and Ross for a few minutes, but they were too busy for a long chat

MORE time at the Morgan Run shop...1/2 hour wasn't enough, and while there a chance to see their storage track, saw a couple of steam engine thru the trees. Like to see them up close.Perhaps the Flagg engine could pull car from the shop to the trains on the storage area

Maybe another siding, to help with the display engines. Make it easier on the crews running the train rides.

LL675@aol.cm

David;

I was fortunate enough to be at the Morgan Run shops for about 1 week. I was also there, trying to answer questions, and keep people safe, in the shops during the 3 tours.

It was difficult making the transition from being a working shop, with equipment all over the place, to being a shop safe for visitors. Saying that, I realize that I/we were deficent in:

1) signs. We should have had more signs up on the equipment.

2) personal knowledge. People asked questions that I did not know the answers to.

3) Safety barriers. People climb on/under anything - including ladders, etc. I did better on the second day of tours at getting ropes around open pits, etc (with the help of one of the "Diesel" employees).

4) Tours of the shop area. We could have led people through, explaining as we went (much like Steamtown and their shop tours).

As a volunteer, I'll say that I was incredibly impressed with the Trainfest 2004 - from the organization to the execution. Especially important are the open minds of Jason Johnson and John Rimmasch - these guys listened to all kinds of comments, and took them all as constructive.

Trainfest 2006 should be a fantastic event.

John Stewart.

> MORE time at the Morgan Run shop...1/2 hour
> wasn't enough, and while there a chance to
> see their storage track, saw a couple of
> steam engine thru the trees. Like to see
> them up close.Perhaps the Flagg engine could
> pull car from the shop to the trains on the
> storage area



freewrl-04@rogers.com