As the 2002 Winter Olympics were actually the second to use a historic railroad as transportation, it might be interesting to compare the 1980 Lake Placid operations with those in Utah. The 2002 version was much more successful. Anyone care to compare the rights and wrongs of each?

bobyar2001@yahoo.com

What was right is that inspite of have undermaintained track, unrebuilt steam heated equipment, below zero weather, and understaffing, I am told that they moved 10,000 riders during the 1980 games. And this was done on a 141 mile operation from Utica to Lake Placid. In retrospect the fact they stayed on the track may have been the real miracle of the 1980 Olympics. I am sure others who were there can give more information.

Stone Consulting & Design
garyland@stoneconsulting.com

In retrospect the fact
> they stayed on the track may have been the
> real miracle of the 1980 Olympics.

Gee, and I thought the miracle had to do with hockey.

wyld@oc-net.com

Bob;

I was not at the 1980 games (in university at the time) but did get to do my bit at the 2002 ones.

Your question does have more significance than may at first be thought - if Vancouver wins the 2010 Winter Olympics, their major hurdle (according to Mr. Rogge, head of the IOC) is transportation to the Whistler site. While highway expansion to Whistler woud be difficult, the rail lines exist from North Vancouver to and past Whistler.

Will there be rail if Vancouver wins the bid? probably. Will there be some steam? maybe. Lets all hope that the HVRR/NNRR endeavour can be expanded on in 8 years from now.

John Stewart
Ottawa.

luigi@mainframe.dgrc.crc.ca