to locate and recover the Canadian Pacific 2-8-0, 600 feet down in a lake in British Columbia, has "officially" been rejected! Wonder if anybody has gotten image of her via tele-presence? She should be in good condition, being in A) almost icy water, B) being in fresh, almost icy water, C) being in dark, fresh, almost icy water.

Who said I couldn't write dramatic documentary. Apparently, I can't!

Dick -

Well, I like it, and think it's a fantastic idea! And would make a great show! Can you resubmit the project? If not, there are a couple of other steamers in deep waters. British Columbia Railroad. Maybe another CP engine, or Canadian National. I wonder what subject WAS chosen?

Les

Hi Dick, Have you tried the BBC? This idea may if in line with some of their current programming. Might even make a "Great Railway Journey" story out of it. Traveling the railways in search of "the Lost Steam Locomotives of British Columbia". May not get to recover a locomotive, but may get to locate a few. Also will help generate interest in future recovery. I'll be happy to help. Have fun - David Notarius, London UK, Ex New Hope Pa

I'd suggest maybe Nat-Geo or the History Channel. Both seem to have that kind of air of intrigue when it comes to documentaries like this. However, I think the main problem is who would fund the recovery effort.

I offer the idea to anyone who can generate interest in a media organization, to search the location out. You know, when Ballard discovered "Titanic", he said, "The sucker exists!" I always found that ironic, since we knew it fell to the ocean floor at that location, at a specific time. In this case, the locomotive is known, it was witnessed going in, along with several cars, and exists in a relatively small area. Talking to locals, people who saw it go in the drink, researching the event, and then photographing it from a boat, should be a piece of cake. Artist renderings of the loco on the bottom would make terrific prints, water colors, of course. Recovery would be a terrific long term finish, although big bucks are involved. I'll bet she'd be welcomed at a restoration shop, provided she didn't blow when hit the water.
If you get some company to run with this, we can talk about splitting fees, eh! :-)

Lets talk off the RYPN Interchange! Dave Notarius, London UK

As a sequel, you could go to that quarry in Pennsylvania that allegedly has an ex PRR 0-6-0 in it.....

I regret to say that I've probably had some personal interactions with some of the producers/directors involved, as I was solicited to do a program on a topic with which I have had published familiarity.

I asked for some preview samples of the kind of show they had in mind on similar topics. They sent me advance preview DVDs of three episodes--one of which was that notorious "Under Grand Central Terminal" program where a station superintendent hyped, to no end, that mysterious NYC baggage car as that "secret" "hidden" "FDR" "auto carrier" with a "secret elevator."

That DVD went flying out my window onto the street below. I understand the actual program presented was moderately even MORE hype-filled.

The type of "documentaries" in question seem to adhere to the adage "Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story." So, can you find a way to hype this into a good story--preferably with some Jerry-Springer-like sleeping around, mysterious UFO's, and the Loch Ness Monster, the Jersey Devil, and Champ thrown in for good measure?

The quarry loco! Foolishly, I'd forgotten it!

Let's see...sex, scandal, political intrigue, on a lumber barge, on a lake in British Columbia. It's 1947...it might sell on television, but my mind just hit the sound barrier. Wait! 1947, sound barrier, that's it! We'll call it "The Wet Stuff".

It seems awful early or late for an April Fools joke. Did I miss something on my calendar, like "Duth April Fools Day" or is it April Fools Day in Canada?

I have seen photos of the locomotive resting in her watery grave and she seemed to be in very good condition considering all it went through. The cold, deep lake has preserved her well, even the black paint and lettering were visible on the tender.

I couldn't locate the e-mail with the photos, but I'll try contacting the fellow who forwarded it to me. If he still has it and I can obtain permission from the photo owner, I'll pass them on.

Might take a while to track it down...

Steve Hunter