Hello, I have posted here before seeking general information for a novel I hope to write about a fictional family that runs a scenic railroad. I received such helpful responses to my general question that I would like to now ask for some information on specific topics. For instance, several people have said that the folks who run scenic railroads are "real characters," or "a breed apart" or that it's a "lifestyle" rather than just a job ... so what I'm looking for are any real-life examples of the types of people my fictional family might encounter while trying to run their railroad. These could be people they work with on the train crews, in the shop, in the railroad office, etc., either paid employees or volunteers ... or it could be a passenger or "crazy" railfan ... I am NOT looking for the names of real people (my story will be fictional after all) but I am looking for realistic types, whether it's the quirkiest, the most annoying, or the most admirable and respected type of person you've known in scenic railroading. Thanks in advance.

Colorful characters? Boy, are you asking for it.So here it is, distilled from 35 years' involvement with railroad museums (not tourist railroads, but close). This has been an enriching experience in terms of personality types. It's given me some of my most treasured memories of great people. Others have enriched me in the same sense that soil is enriched by application of manure. None of these represent single people (I hope) but are compilations that might fit into your book.1. The expert. This is the fellow who doesn't say much until you ask him, but when he answers you'd be well advised to remember every word. He may be a mechanic, machinist, roundhouse foreman, welder or engineer, but he's expert in a variety of trades having to do with metalworking or railroading. This is the fellow without whom no wheel turns. He may be monomaniacal, living in a world of repair manuals, the CFR and Machinery's Handbook. But he's more likely to be well-versed in a surprising variety of topics from history to grand opera, with an enthusiasm for black-powder weapons.2. The "expert." This fellow knows all there is to know about everything on the railroad, and will explain it to you without hesitation. He is especially good at explaining why everyone since Samuel Vauclain has been doing it wrong all these years. He is ready with explanations of how everything should be rebuilt, redesigned, rescheduled and redecorated. He is an astonishing well of knowledge on whatever you are working with. Trouble is, exactly 50 per cent of everything he tells you is wrong. It's your job to decide which half you're listening to at the moment.3. The proprietor. The operator of your (successful) tourist railroad has an ability to absorb information about railroads, tourism, and the territory he's working in, and to put it together into a total that proves substantial, typically after years of patient work and development. After it succeeds, it is obvious to everyone that he fell into a gold mine. The difference between this person and everyone else is that he or she saw it before it existed. Contrast this person with . . .4. The promoter. This fellow also sees something no one else does. Something (to steal a punch line from the old "Taxi" TV show) that isn't there. Nonetheless, he will sell it to credulous city fathers, investors, and customers. He has a particular distinguishing characteristic (that he shares with No. 2, above): he is utterly unable to make any distinction between the truth and variations thereon. I hope there's room in your book for the fellow who told me, within 10 minutes' worth of unparalleled entertainment, that he had run the 5632 for the "Q" and the 6218 for CN, owned No. (insert much-traded steam locomotive here), owned power plants, traded Diesel locomotives, and offered to sell me a steam crane. He gave me a business card with a phone number, but with the name pencilled in.There are many more. Good luck with your book.

I love no. 2! It's so true.