Are there any mainline steam excursions that have open cars, or cars that have windows that can open?


adofmsu@aol.com

oops i didnt mean to attach a pic, it just popped in as a default

adofmsu@aol.com

Steamtown's train has all open-windows and it runs on the Pocono Main. There's a trip to Tobyhanna Monday 10-14-2002. Leaves Scranton 11.00 AM. Call for reservations: (570) 340-5204 [toll-free outside the 570 area code, (888) 693-9391, x5204] daily, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

See: http://www.nps.gov/stea/toby2002.htm


Electric City Trolley Museum Association

> We will have open windows, as pointed out by Mr. Mulligan. However, I would STRONGLY advise you to consider the windows as an ambience thing only for the following reasons.

1.) Windows are heavy and occasionally come down on their own.

2.) Close clearance areas-especially when there is freight tied up on adjacent tracks.

3.) CINDERS! OUCH!

My advice is keep hands, feet, heads, other body parts, children, cameras, tape recorders and anything else you might desire to return with intact inside the train.

Thanks for your support.

> Are there any mainline steam excursions that
> have open cars, or cars that have windows
> that can open?

PPCX #715 in the Milwaukee Road #261 consist is an open window coach. A former Union Pacific baggage car is on the property at Minneapolis Jct and has been considered as an open-door "recording" car but the huge cost of liability insurance sidelined the project for the 2002 season. I'm sure Steve Sandberg would be more than happy to accept any and all donations towards putting this car back into service for all to enjoy. It would also relieve some of the congestion in the concession car as it is a popular place to gather because of the open side doors.
Don C.

old_fxrs@msn.com

> 1.) Windows are heavy and occasionally come
> down on their own.

> 2.) Close clearance areas-especially when
> there is freight tied up on adjacent tracks.

> 3.) CINDERS! OUCH!

> My advice is keep hands, feet, heads, other
> body parts, children, cameras, tape
> recorders and anything else you might desire
> to return with intact inside the train.

> Thanks for your support.

I rode behind 261 up the hill out of Scranton a few years ago, and today the only thing I have to remember the trip by is the video I took by hanging the video camera out the window. It was worth it, as she slipped several times going up the hill and the sanders were plugged up. I could have kept my camera inside the car and taped the back of the head of the person sitting in front of me, but what fund would that be to watch?

I still have that camera today, and my arm is still attached to my shoulder. It is because I had the personal responsibility to watch what I was doing, and pay attention to my surroundings. Oh, and if the window would have fell, it would have hurt for a bit, as a human I have the ability to heal. Couldnt hurt any more than some of the other things that I have done to my body over the years.

BTW, if you stick your head out of the window and a tree whaps you good. Don't sue.


http://www.todengine.org
jrowlands@neo.rr.com

I agree with you rick, but unfortunately one of the things going wrong with this country is everybody want to sue to get the rest of their life paid for so they can sit on their butt.

So I understand why some groups/companies do somethings that take the fun out of events.

The reason I started this thread was to find out if any excursions had a completely open car for the steam buffs, because thats what they want, to experience steam. You cant do this housed inside a sealed plush railcar- which could be a reason ridership is down.

Alan

adofmsu@aol.com

Lake Central Rail Tours used two Open Window coaches behind Pere Marquette 2-8-4 # 1225 for several years. Ex-UP #4802 & #4806. The cars are now on lease elsewhere.

Lake Central Rail Tours
ra1508vh@cs.com

Does the Durango and Silverton still run their open cars? They used to have a couple of converted gons with no walls per se, but only railings. That to my mind was the way to experience an excursion. (D*** the cinders, full speed ahead!) It could be chilly, but dressed properly, it was a true joy. Incidentally, I believe my father still has a small bottle of cinders removed from the eyes of myself and my siblings on a 611 excursion many years back. These things can be memorable keepsakes!

Sincerely,
David Ackerman



david_ackerman@yahoo.com

David,
On our 611 trip my wife rode the air conditioned coach and enjoyed her book. The kids and I rode the open car, right behind the tender until they got bored and then I was on my own. Timing the 50 sec miles listening to the effortless power, thats the way I like to ride behind stean. By the time I got to Columbus, OH I was liberally coated, and quite pleased.

lamontdc@adelphia.net

> Does the Durango and Silverton still run
> their open cars?

They sure did in 2001--I rode in same, and all trains that day were so equipped.

Steam Over Scranton online edition
eledbetter@rypn.org

Ach so; you mean an open air car, similar to SR's Lookout Mountain or a CPR Rocky Mountain Obs.

Great Smoky Mountain has such cars, and I rode a car on California Western that had no roof at all. The scenery was outstanding!



Electric City Trolley Museum Association