Looking for a Fall steam photo charter to join:Read on another board an unconfirmed message about a planned #734 photo freight special sometime this Fall. Can anyone confirm and give details for ticket purchases? These things are not usually posted on the website, and this is no exception. Alternative is western swing for D&S and C&T, but those are alot farther from home...Thanks,Peter Bowler, Akron

Without attempting to sound "elitist", let me just say that the "usual suspects" in the Eastern photo freight charter business pretty well have their hands very full with their "usual" "A list", "B list", etc. down to a long waiting list of participants for their photo charters on the Western Md. Scenic RR and elsewhere, and that with no advance advertising. Some of these trips sell out within 2-3 days of their firm establishment of dates and prices, usually with priority given to people who have ponied up money in advance sight unseen, and/or been on every trip run by these "suspects". Bonus points given to those who help trim tree branches and brush during the hot, sweaty months.If you really want to get in on a photo charter on certain railroads, your best bet is to contact the railroads that have been known to operate photo charters (Strasburg, Cass, WMSR, EBT, Heber Valley, Nevada Northern, etc.) and ask them "How much would it cost to do exactly what Joe Craftsman does on his photo charters on a different date, and what dates are available?" Once you pick your jaw up off the ground after the shock, round up all your friends, and then ask Cal Franks to send you his waiting list because you're offering a second trip and spreading out the cost, making those who can't get out on his trip able to take the trip on a different date. Maybe he might cooperate with you.Even better yet, try and set up a photo charter on a railroad that hasn't seen one yet--Grand Canyon? Durango & Silverton? Cumbres & Toltec? Tweetsie?Just think, if you manage to pull all of this off, you'll succeed in getting a whole bunch of people to give you a whole bunch of money so you and they can have a whole bunch of fun!

D&S and C&TS have had many photo charters. Trains Unlimited Tours is doing one one each line in Sept.

Hi all, I was in contact with the WMSRR today and they told me that there is a Photo Freight Special this year in Oct. it is being sponcered by Carl Franz . PM me for his phone #. I`ll be there for sure.Len.