Steam to the Greenbrier

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:18 pm

Anyone know any details about this?
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200909230555

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:04 pm

Now to make it innovative, I know just the high performance steam locomotive to head up that train! Ross, it's worth a telephone call, isn't it?

EDM · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:44 pm

I wonder what is really going on here. The article states that the train "would be pulled by one of the last steam locomotives manufactured in the U. S.". Such a statement rules out just about everything but the 614 and the NKP Berks, right? And a statement like that, if the speaker is responsible, would indicate that at least preliminary talks have taken place with the owner(s) of such a locomotive. Time will tell-

co614 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:11 pm

LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS

Ross Rowland

jimwrinn · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:29 pm

I still believe in the Easter Bunny too!

Jim

WalterS · **Joined:** Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:19 am **Posts:** 116

I think it's a great idea, but it would take alot to happen. We can dream. Typing this post as I drive past the Greenbrier!

Mike Stillwell · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:43 pm

Don't be silly guys - it has to be the WM Shay 6 at Cass! Last produced of her type, strong enough to pull a long heavy train, slow enough to make sure they sell plenty of booze in the lounge car, already in the state of WV and up to date boiler. What more could you want?!?!

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

Rob Gardner · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm **Posts:** 576

Now this is a rumor I can get excited about. The 614 would have to be the one they're talking about and Ross won't say a peep!

Rob Gardner

Mgoldman · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:53 pm

EDM wrote:

I wonder what is really going on here. The article states that the train "would be pulled by one of the last steam locomotives manufactured in the U. S.".

That's what I'd like to know! Just how many cars can the Laviathan pull?

What ever engine they choose - it's "Progress"!

/Mitch

junior · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:07 am

Maybe once or twice a month (even that's a stretch)...but a week?

C'mon... no way in the world this will make any money...especially considering the initial investment and cost associated with the operation, even if it were diesel. If the AOE went belly up, and the ACES train is barely making ends meet, how is this train going to pull 210 people per trip out of Washington - assuming even 100 would allow them to break even, its just plain pipe dreaming. This is total reliment on the super wealthy, and they are not known to support too much for too long.

This ship is already sinking and it hasn't even left dry dock.

DavidKaplan · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:18 am

Here's the overstatement of day: "The Greenbrier would need approval to run the service on rail lines operated by CSX Corp., the resort's former longtime owner."

But, what could be better than taking a Greenbrier to the Greenbrier. Nothing else would come close.

The term "pipe dream" does come into play here.

Wowak · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:16 am

Somebody is still playing the "who can I sucker into paying for me to fix my toys" game. Sooner or later the right sucker will come along.

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

Surely I am not the only one here who remembers another, newer 4-8-4 that is also nearby. It is also all roller bearing. Seems like the number is 611. Of course I could be thinking of the Easter Bunny.

John Bohon

Dave Crosby · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:06 pm

John, I'm with you, 611 it is! Now, I'm going to leave something under my pillow for the tooth fairy.

Dave Crosby

junior · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:00 am

Wowak wrote:

Somebody is still playing the "who can I sucker into paying for me to fix my toys" game. Sooner or later the right sucker will come along.

I give Ross credit for what he has done over the years, usually with other peoples money, or "OPM" as we here in Philly now commonly call it (thanks Fumo) but reality is his background is that of a wealthy life style, so out of touch with reality that he can't even grasp that the rest of the country is in a melt down and that the people who would be able to buy into this are so few and far between. The real people who have always backed the short line steam operations are the average Joe and June and their little rug rats who have a limited budget to work with.

I see these people out there with money who just think their grand ideas will come to play..... they are just so sure that the plan is going to follow through...and it may very well, but in the end, its just another money losing bid for the poor sap that gets suckered into fronting the cash for a lousy return on the investment, and an embarassment for the individual who came up with the plan to begin with.

If Ross is so sure of his ability, why doesn't he just buy a short line, and run it for a profit... prove the power behind the man.... Andy Muller was able to do it.

No offense Ross, just that some of us are tired of hearing and seeing grand plans that either fail or live a very short life.