The latest news I've heard is that the NW2 is not going to make an appearance, so the Five railroad display may be altered.

Amtrak is offering to bring a locomotive along with 3 empire builder passenger cars, a coach, sleeper and diner... all superliners.

A photo exhibit by Ben Halpern will be part of the RailFest too. He has been documenting the role and demise of the railroad switch tower over the past 30 or so years. This looks to be a powerful event, indoors and out.

If you haven't checked lately, there are some changes on the NPS Steamtown website regarding the Night Photo session. A few of the expected visiting locomotives will not attend, so there will be 2 or 3 scenes, and the cost is lowered to $40. www.nps.gov/stea/

The list of speakers is set, and so are the various yard tour programs. Other good news is the return to steam of Canadian Pacific 2317, which suffered some wheel wear and bearing problems in mid-summer, and came back to life in a LOUD way this afternoon, Oct 26.

Does anyone have a schedule on the Pennsy E8's and special train for the Philadelphia to Scranton trip? I figure it will take about 5-6 hours on Friday, Nov. 2. Anyway, I look forward to seeing all or some of you there.

I looked at the list of presentations and I have difficulty understanding the commercial planning here. Looks like they invited other organizations to send in some nice examples of historically significant diesels just to have them be props to fill space in the yard and the night shot event? No use of the diesels in interpretive presentations, and no diesel historical or technical presentations in an entire weekends lineup of events? It seems like a great opportunity has been wasted.

MX

So in the final analysis what are the firm committments for visiting equipment?? I was unable to determine that from the NPS web-site. Also, are tickets still available for the Sat. excursion to the DWG and is it definite that it will be steam westbound WITH a run-by???
Thanks, Ross Rowland

When I ordered my tickets, I asked if there was definitely going to be a run-by, and the ticket seller confirmed it. I thanked them for adding that feature.

On Saturday, there is going to be a presentation “T-1 Locomotives”, by Dale Woodland. I would have liked to have attended, but it is during the excursion, and won't be repeated. I'm also curious about which railroad's T-1 the presentation is about.

In common with Ross and Mark, I also found the communications lacking and what information was offered sometimes was confusing.

I have got to ask the obvious commercial question here. If it were not for the three beautiful E-units bringing their trains to town, would this be much of an event at all? What if the E-units aren't available next time?

MX

The joint is jumping, and I believe that no matter what arrives, Es or Fs or T1s, the buzz would be significant. The fact that a party is happening is all it takes. One of my friends, a retired engineer, asked me if the Erie 833 was real, and I told him how it came to be saved by Conrail, and recently returned to its Erie markings. He remembered running the 833, but would probably have the same reaction if it was a Conrail Geep he ran.

Sorry for the late response, co614. At noon today, there were about 17 tickets left to sell on the Water Gap train, and Moscow's run for Sunday will probably be a sell out. While this event might be geared for the railfan, I think anyone would appreciate the turnout. Today there were 8 or 9 crews running trains to set up for the weekend, and run a freight RR. That's entertainment.

As for the T1 talk, Dale Woodland is a Reading fan, and I guess it would be mostly about their Ts. Perhaps a PRR fan could make a compelling program about their T1s, also.

I don't have an answer on the internet questions. The web master puts the info up when it is given. If it is unclear, he needs to ask for clarification, so the viewer is informed. If he doesn't ask, we don't get answers.

There are some nice photos posted on RailroadForums

http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/sho ... hp?t=20689

Hopefully he'll post some more today or tommorow.

also a real winner at:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 48&nseq=25

though note the caption info, confirmed at one other source........

You're right, MX. Equipment was simply invited to show and "be given something to do once you get here." Hopefully for future events, the opportunity for outreach and education across all fronts will be maximized!

-W.W.