Our webmaster, Christian Skidmore, has updated the nctrans.org web page with a nice link to some good photos of GCRR 1925's visit to GSMR in September. I believe most of the photos are from the camera artistry of John Bechtel, our master mechanic, who thankfully had little to do in the way of repairs and had time to document the event. Others are from Christian, our train narrator, and I believe, George Weber, one of our conductors.

This was a nice example of a partnership between a museum with an operating division and a line haul tourist railroad. It gave GSMR's annual railroad festival a boost, got the engine back into its native territory and made a good plug for NCTM in Western N.C. Best of all, we got to ride about 200 school children from Robbinsville behind "their engine" and David Haney, a teacher at Robbinsville Middle School whose father worked on the logging railroad, got to teach about local history, then show kids that history. Live. We also got to host a reunion of the family of Ed Collins, the engineer on the GC from 1927-1965. Even the last fireman on the engine in regular service, Hubert Cole, came out to see "his" engine.

The outing also gave our operating crews some "road time" and we're grateful to our hosts at GSMR who were exceedingly kind to us. My thanks especially to GSMR Operations Manager Ryan Scott and Marketing Director Kim Lyons.

So, think about doing a road trip, making a partnership. You'll be amazed at what it can do.
And the next time you see HTTX 97425 on the mainline, remember, it's not just a flatcar, it's a Shay Sled!



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Wrinnbo@aol.com

What a great spirit of cooperation! Thanks for sharing. Maybe next time #4 could make the trip in BC&G dress!

Tom

Thanks for letting me relive a great trip. And many thnaks to all that allowed this to happen, made it so special, and certainly the folks that clued me in about that photo trip. I won't mention names, John. Hopefully, we can do this again sometime. And did I mention that the Panthers won? LOL

> Thanks for letting me relive a great trip.
> And many thnaks to all that allowed this to
> happen, made it so special, and certainly
> the folks that clued me in about that photo
> trip. I won't mention names, John.
> Hopefully, we can do this again sometime.
> And did I mention that the Panthers won? LOL

I'll second that. Truely an incredible week, and something many of us never thought would happen.

Kevin

P.S. Jim, can we do it WITH the Esso can next time? You now have a reason to request a repeat visit!

k_gilliam@bellsouth.net

> P.S. Jim, can we do it WITH the Esso can
> next time? You now have a reason to request
> a repeat visit!
Pretty please?

WM 6 ran under its own power to Baltimore and some of the Cass shays ran on C&O to Cass. SO:

If NSC had been willing, how long would it have taken to run 1925 up to the GSMR, including stops for supplies, lub, etc. ?

Electric City Trolley Museum Association

> WM 6 ran under its own power to Baltimore
> and some of the Cass shays ran on C&O to
> Cass. SO:

> If NSC had been willing, how long would it
> have taken to run 1925 up to the GSMR,
> including stops for supplies, lub, etc. ?

Phil, On Sunday afternoon, we ran 16 miles from Bryson City to Dillsboro (yours truly on the scoop) in two hours, including 2 stops, one a service stop and one to build up some water in the glass before cresting a hill.

It's 140 miles from Spencer to Asheville and another 64 out to Dillsboro, including 2 serious mountain ranges.

There would have to be extra coal somewhere along the way. Water could go (as it was at GSMR) in a tank car with a pump and hose). At an average speed of 8 mph, would make for a very long, but exciting long day!

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com