For those that are interested, the Steamtown 2006 operating schedule is up. As in recent past years, the bulk of the schedule, is yard operations, however the Moscow run is back and the big change is TENTATIVELY scheduled trips to Tunkannock 9/16 and Jim Thorpe on 10/14. There will be still be trips to Toby and on the Carbondale line as well.

The latter trip, would be truly unique and the longest effort since the Binghampton/Syracuse trips last run in the 1990's. The logistics of running Steam to JT would be no doubt daunting, and even if the power is diesel, it will be a spectacular trip.

I count 33 out of park trips, an uptick from last year when there was something like 28. With money tight from Washington, the key to keeping the number of trips up is butts-in-seats. (Hint)

http://www.nps.gov/stea/exc.htm

Seeing that there are two trips requiring operations over Canadian Pacific and no trips to the Delaware Water Gap, is it safe to assume it was possible to come to insurance terms with CP but not with NS? Both were asking for $200 million for liability coverage in the past.

I would assume that the Reading & Northern had lower requirements (or an exisitng policy) as both trips can use D-L rights from Bridge 60 I agree to get to the R&N at Taylor, no? Seems CPR would not be involved.

I agree that the JT trip will be something to see if they use steam (schedule sasy TBD), as it is up hill both ways (really!), but the trip up the Lehigh Valley to Tunkhannock is really the rare mileage collector's dream. I can't remeber the last time a fan trip went up there.


Anyway, good news all around on this schedule.

Rob

Will they have two road engines available for 2006? Jim Thorpe is an exciting option. I have done the R&N trips to Jim Thorpe several times and they are among my favorites.