While losing WMS #734 dominated the pre-event news (the situation stinks and I feel sorry for the photo charter team and the event organizers) my first hand account from Petersburg, WV tonight is that the missing 2-8-0 was hardly missed.

I had planned to be in Scranton this week, but a scheduling glitch and my son's week off between school and camp intervened. So, we rambled around for a week, with a wrap up at the Fest.

I am posting this on RYPN rather than a rail fan site because of the threads around exposing kids to steam and railroading in general.

The event was VERY well planned. Logistics were flawless. We rode the 45 minute excursion behind New Hope Valley #17 which had whistles coming out of her like a calliope. It was great! We also rode the 4 hour dinner/eagle viewing dinner train. Food was very good, and the eagles were out. We enjoyed all the events and vendors on the ground. Special kudos to the South Branch Valley RR guys for opening all the side doors on an SD18 and making a full photo guide (with labels) as to what parts were what. Combined with a cab tour of the same unit, it was EXCELLENT for kids and the general public. And of course, the Gramling's were there with "Hank" their Vulcan goodwill machine.

I can't say enough about the model railroads and model railroaders who were part of the entertainment. Really great.

Every person we dealt with who was either with the railroad or locos, or wore a yellow "staff" shirt was polite and in the spirit of the event. If anyone is worried that kids don't have a chance to experience railroad preservation, I can say events like this are the best entry way.

I would estimate families attending outnumbered more typical "serious" rail fans by 3 to 1. Not sure how many folks attended, but it was never a zoo of visitors. There seemed to be a nice constant flow.

In fact, the whole event was excellent for families. There were some grumblings from the whistle display guys that too many kids wanted to blow the whistles. I would suggest they organize their whistle demo and give it some interpretive value. By putting out 10 whistles with ropes and little guidance, you get what you get. More than once, apparently, they turned off the steam and waked away. Also adjacent was an air horn blowing station with horns mounted about 6 feet high with the air valve on the post. No one should be that close to an air horn, especially young ones. This was the only blemish on an event that was otherwise perfect for indulging kids quest for sensory experiences. Perhaps clearly articulated age thresholds or a $1 A Blow fund raiser would bridge the gap of visitor expectation and exhibitor expectation.

All the thankless chores of planning bus shuttles to distant parking and displays, getting vendors power, organizing multiple teams and doing it all in the name of a singular goal... Obviously all of that work was well planned as we saw no holes.

Jason and crew, job well WELL WELL done! My son has already asked if we can go to next year's fest.

Rob

PS riding in Eagle Canyon watching eagles and enjoying a cloudless summer eve shall never be forgotten!

Thanks for sharing.

May I echo the above sentiments? I know Jason and company would have had more people in town with 734, but everything ran smoothly in spite of that and the heat. I saw a lot of happy kids and a lot of adults saying "Oh, so THAT's how that works?"

We know the dates for 2011, but not the spot yet. I'm hoping we get to go. Yes, it was that good.