Hi friends,

Putting together flecks and specks spun off the rumour mill, it seems that the last week of October-first weekend of November might be a pretty special period in eastern PA for a number of different lines and steamers. At the VERY least, it should be the steamiest fall in PA in over a decade as the M&H and R&N get back to coal power. My count says that from Williams Grove east to the Delaware there will be no fewer than 12 operable steam locomotives - and if you throw in right-across-the-border operations in DE and NJ that number goes up to 15. Are there any guests coming? Rumors say yes. Truth says?

Most of the secrecy surrounds what Steamtown is planning for the weekend of November 2nd. It has been suggested to make room reservations now, as it will be worth it... but what "it" is has not been clarified.

I did confirm that my dreams for the announcement of a replica D&H Challenger are not to come true... yet. :-)

Are there any facts that can be shared yet?

Rob

PS: Not to diss the diesels, either, as this fall will see a PRR 44-ton GE in Strasburg and hopefully an Erie E-8 in Lackawaxen -- in addition to all the ALCo's of the region.

PPS: What are those 15 potentially operable steamers?
1. PRR #643
2. CN #91
3. GW #90
4. N&W #475
5. CN #89
6. CN #7312
7. L&C #40
8. WK&S #65
9. GM&N #425
10. LVC/Pioneer Tunnel "Henry Clay"
11. CPR #2317
12. CN #3254
13. NYS&W #142 (in NJ)
14. W&W #98 (in DE)
15. W&W #58 (in DE)

Sure sounds great!! Must admit I personally find it difficult to believe that anything the NPS produces will be worth a room reservation-but I'd SURE like to be proven wrong!!!
Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Ross Rowland

To cross the line to the south, and earlier in the month: October 6 & Sunday, October 7 in Baltimore:

St Liz #4
B&O #25 ?
or Lafayette or Tom Thumb

Bob

The Middletown & Hummelstown is hosting the TRAIN (Tourist Railway Association) Convention in Harrisburg November 6 - November 11. Visits are planned to a number of operations. For more info you can go to the TRAIN website -www.traininc.org

>The Middletown & Hummelstown is hosting the TRAIN (Tourist Railway >Association) Convention in Harrisburg November 6 - November 11.

A little farther east, you will find the East Broad Top in operation through the end of the October. They'll also be operating for the TRAIN convention. I don't have a date for this yet.

While I won't say that the Steamtown event is an intended secret, it is more of a case of non-confirmed invitations. I am not privy to the planning of this event, and am not certain who is actually producing it. There may be several "whos" involved. Just about every railroad and railroad club has been asked to support the event, and some may have said yes. The scraps of rumor I have heard don't quite add up to me, so I am looking forward to some details, too. I am hoping for the best.

If I can give a plug for an event in November, it would be to attend Steamtown on an average weekday. Show up before the first turntable demo at 9:30 am. You will definitely have the experience all to yourself, with a first class locomotive running without any early season "bugs" to work out. At times like this you catch a glimpse of real steam railroading...without being rushed to the next big event.

Well I'd be willing to be what locomotive won't be featured - and that is PRR 1361.

Actually, I'd say this locomotive is a feature every day, and its restoration status, with all its ups and downs, continues to draw visitors to Steamtown NHS after 11+ years.

I have been told by one of the planners some of the details for the Lackawanna Railfest, which I will reveal in a separate thread. Hope to see you there.