The one thing about this that I wonder about:

If new technology is going to be used to provide a top-notch experience, why pull it with something out of the stone age era (even if it is "modernized")? Why not appeal to GE or a RR and see if you can wrangle up a pair of GEVOs (or at least a lease to some Gevos)? Host railroads may be more willing to participate if common diesel power pulled it, instead of some 'old' steam engine that they'd be worried about breaking down.

Also, the next generation is all about new GEs and EMDs. I just don't really see the need for a steam engine on this train, IMO. Let's put the latest and greatest on it... when the army has public demonstrations, they don't bring out the old 6x6s... they bring out the new Osh Kosh and stryker vehicles.

Good questions and good to be back on topic. Let's stay there.
As to the equipment. Again IF we get the requisite corporate funding then the operating arm of the project will buy the necessary cars for the display section of the train (either surplus baggs or MHC's) and do a total rebuild so that they not only exceed Amtraks standards but exceed the minimums we'll have to meet to satisfy the museum curators from whom we'll be borrowing the artifacts/memorabilia.
As to why a steam engine-Walt Disney said it best-"with a steam engine its a "happenning"-with a diesel its a train"!
The steam engine has a proven track record of generating FAR more media/public interest than a diesel for obvious reasons.
Reason #2 -I love steam and find dismals very boring.
Thanks,Ross Rowland

I know what you're saying about the steam engine, ross. I spend too many hours a day in a dismal. Glorified truck cab, really.

But as you know, some RRs seem to be are hesitant about steam. I know my road restricts steam engines to 40 mph. I've seen plenty of special excursions with a dismal added to the point or consist. All I'm saying, it would be nice to have a diesel all dressed up for the occasion -(graphic shops can do some amazing stuff these days) instead of a dirty, rusty first-in-the-diesel-outbound line thrown on.

No matter what, best of luck.

Hello,

In regards to Mr. Mitchell's raucous debates on the viablilty of renewables, I've had a standing interest in renewables for many years. Some of that originated for once living amidst the farming community.

With efforts like the YRE, we live in a totally differnt world. It has changed in my lifetime. I am a capitalist and not ashamed of it. But I feel that economic prosperity does not have to come at an environmental price. Black smoke from steam locomotives makes for great pictures but I see it as wasting fuel and aside from the pollution, other members for the public would see it that way too.

I market very large Caterpillar stationary natural gas and diesel engines. They may have 35-40% thermal efficiency to the crank but I have a real hard time throwing the excess heat overboard from the exhaust, aftercooler and jacket water.....its simply wasteful.

Kudos for Mr. Rowland selecting biodiesel. It flies in the face of the "war for oil" bit and not only supports or troops but promotes home based fuel production. Hey, for old time sake, let the steam fly so it can make all the right noises. However, ceeping the stack clean makes good marketing sense. Loud stack talk, monkey motion, groundshaking......yes....feel and see the power.

I would suggest to hold judgment on renewables and not throw the baby out with the bath water. With global energy volatility and high prices there are many large research efforts in the works that may change the face of renewable fuels completely. I will hold further comment until these fully go commercial, you may be very surprised.

With a country as great as ours, with our rich heritage of invention and development, I see no reason why we cannot develop a means to be self sufficient. It is a matter of economics.

If the YRE promotes this concept too, bring it on.

Regards,

Randy Musselman

Oh, the irony, the irony................ [shakes head]

If the train was about the future of something, I'd agree, but it's more about the past. That, and NOTHING generates interest in a train like a steam engine does, even among non train buffs. And as for your Army example, well, my main hobby is collecting and displaying WW2 US equipment at various shows and events. And until this past December, I was an Army officer. I can tell you that it is very common for a military command to have a older Jeep or Command car tucked away somewhere for public events. I do know that TRADOC has a halftrack at Aberdeen Proving Grounds they use for pass-in-reviews. The military is well aware of it's history and likes it shown as well. I have been paid several times (mostly to just cover my costs) to display my WW2 Jeep at Army functions for various units and events:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/ ... d05005.jpg

Ross,

Let me introduce you to a lady friend of mine. You may know her. She's liable to have a few upcoming engagements, but she could be free for this project...



Kelly Lynch

Uhh, Lee...A crummy old Jeep displayed with some hi-tech, state of the art aeroplane....What were you thinking....linking (coupling) the future with the past for historic continuity?....Madness...

Cheers, Dave

Kelly, Thank you for that initial intro. Is she presently dating anyone? What does her social calendar look like from June 2009 through 2012??How does she feel about older men???
Thanks for finding out,Ross Rowland

Another option for the train would be to do the same thing that the folks from Siemens did with the Exider. They used structures the same size as standard containers. They were able to ship this train around the world, and load it on whatever that particular country used to handle standard shipping containers. Gauge didn't matter, as the operating railroad provided the cars.

Here are some photos of the train in Mexico
http://exider-mexico.tripod.com/

As for why steam, a recent event on the 844/4449 trip to Seattle sums it up best. A friend of mine works in a local bank. I had told her the train was coming by, and to watch/listen for it. Later I asked if she'd seen it?

She (a non-railfan in her early 20's) said that she had indeed seen it, and that it was incredible. Not only that, but the entire bank had stopped talking as everybody listened and watched the train go by. This was on a Friday, at about lunch time. The place was packed and she said "everything just stopped. People were looking at one another and listening and saying 'What is that?' and running outside to look at it"

The other 50 or so trains that passed by that day (this double track mainline is very busy) hardly rated a glance from anyone, as usual.

That, my friends, is the true "power of steam"....

Amen, amen, I say unto you...

KL

Due to circumstances beyond our control, recent years have produced an environment that has made it nearly impossible to operate mainline steam, as we all know. There have been some glimmers of hope (NJTransit '96-'98) the yeomans job Steve Sandberg and his crew do in the mid-west, and of course the wonderful UPRR program (actually growing year to year!!!) and the 700,4449,3751 crews and their valient efforts. For us steamaholics East of the mighty Mississippi it's been a looooooooooong dry spell.
Therefore it's easy to understand how someone (especially if they've only known dismals) could pose the question-why bother with steam. Hopefully, one of the INTENDED consequences of the YRE will be to show a whole new generation of folks, the hard to explain magic of steam, and thus for us create a new group of torch bearers for the future. How many current serious steam fans were first exposed to the magic of steam by the travels of the AFT??? I can testify that it must have numbered in the thousands-maybe in the tens of thousands???
Thus, we 'ole timers who have had the opportunity for total immersion need to say to our younger dismal raised fellow train lovers-just you wait 'till you see her 'comin at 'ya with that 24 car long train, and you feel the ground tremble and your ears vibrate-then you'll know the real answer to the question-- Why bother with steam!!!
In a very practical business sense for the YRE, steam is a no brainer,as an integral piece of the project is show business (attract media/public attention,sell tickets etc.) and there's zero debate that steam will garner FAR, FAR, more media AND general public attention than just another boring dismal!
Ain't complicated at all!!
Ross Rowland

Another Amen from a steam nut. And regarding all the "sooty black smoke" comments, there's no need for that, regardless of what fuel we're burning, if the fireman does his (or her) job right.

[quote="co614"]Kelly, Thank you for that initial intro. Is she presently dating anyone? What does her social calendar look like from June 2009 through 2012??How does she feel about older men???
Thanks for finding out,Ross Rowland[/quot

And for my next question...Is the plan to have the 614 pull the train the entire time, or are you enlisting the help of other locomotives , as you did with AFT? A Royal Blue 4449?...Doyle??...Oh, Doyle??
Not that I have any issue with the 614 doing the honers, I haven't seen her since the Ace3000 tests, but that's another story.....Dave

If,repeat IF, we are able to get the all critical $50 million dollars in corporate sponsorships and thus execute the project-the answer to Hillcrests question is a resounding YES.
It is an integral part of our game plan to invite all tourist railway /museum properties within a 50 mile radius of that particular display site to have a presence on our site so that they can take advantage of our 15,000 visitors a day to get their word out. In most cases it would be a display with hand out literature but in some cases I'm sure it will be equipment on display with us.
I'm also hopeful that all or nearly all the capable,active mainline steam locomotives will help "relay" the YRE across America in partnership with the 614.
BUT again, first the full biz. plan (currently in production) then the sponsor acquisition program and THEN if the funding is there we'll start on the details of the physical train etc.
Thanks for the good questions/comments.
Ross Rowland