Seeing the photo of Northern Pacific 0-6-0 #1070 on a different thread, got me to thinking. Although a switch engine can look great (as 1070 did, at least in that photo), it is hard to justify running one on a vintage photo freight out on a main line. Although I am sure this did happen during steam days, I would think it was a not too common occurance. I wonder though, if anyone has ever given any thought to having a vintage freight event using such a locomotive drilling vintage cars in a yard. Even just 6 or 8 vintage freight cars would probably be enough to present plenty of different photographs and videos. Spinning drivers might be the norm. And by keeping participants on the "sun side" and in designated areas, unobstructed photos should be easy and "unwanted participants" could be kept on the outs.

Just a thought.

Les

Les, Around here, both the N&W and the Virginian ran local shifter runs with 0-8-0's. When they started out they looked like a regular freight with the loco on one end and the caboose on the other. Of course, by the end of the day, anything could be anywhere in the consist. And on the N&W, you could just as easily find a 4-8-0 or 2-8-8-2 instead of the 0-8-0. The N&W's definition of a switcher (at least until the S1's came along) was the biggest thing you can bolt a set of footboards onto. (if you don't believe me, go to Union Il. and look at the 2050.....:) )

Gary:

I seem to recall seeing a photo in a magazine or book of a N&W 0-8-0 on a mixed train with a combine at the end. Seemed to be a rather short run. Is that possible, or am I imagining it?

Les

Les, I think you are right, but I haven't found any documentation yet in my N&W books. Most likely, it was on the City Point branch out of Petersburg. I don't think the mixed run on that line was discontinued until after the W2 2-8-0's used there were replaced by S1 0-8-0's.

When I planned a photo charter on the Wilmington & Western years ago (which was canceled by the first of the floods that knocked out the line's trestles), my plans were very much along those lines: AB&A 0-6-0 58 masquerading as nearly-identical B&O 58, mixed train with B&O caboose and DL&W combine, with a car or two being picked up from the Hercules siding en route and some more switching at the old industries at Yorklyn. I'd love to look into the possibilities of doing something along that line again, although in the meantime we've lost not only all the wooden trestles, but the Wooddale covered bridge as photo props. Of course, by now we might have a 4-4-0 back in steam, so...........

John, feel like a photo charter in Delaware? <:-)

Sounded like it would have been great! Hopefully something can be done in the future.

Les