I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned on here as of yet...

http://www.wvrails2010.com/

Sadly scheduled the same time as the NRHS Convention in Scranton.

The thing to watch that will be of interest to this group will be the progress (or lack of it) on moving 734 from Cumberland to Green Bank over CSXT - and return. From the folks that won't even move non-rotating end caps without an arguement, this is going to be interesting. It shouldn't be as difficult as it may well become. It's only 16 miles or so so whatever per-mile charge gets levied it could probably be absorbed it they'll just allow it.

I'm hoping this may draw out someone that will have sufficient knowledge to simply call me out and prove me wrong, and happily, I'll be glad to accept it. That would actually be valuable to know.

It is too bad that they are the same weekend as the NRHS convention. What a fantastic line-up of events (I would like to see a little more action for 734). Without a schedule posted yet, the NRHS convention planners might find a lot of folks heading to West Virginia instead of Scranton this year.

Personally I think a decent WV Rails event could be done on the West Virginia Central RR between Elkins and Cass WV when ever the museum gets their roundhouse rebuilt.

Out of Elkins, one could run 3 or more trips on former WMRY rail. Elkins to Beverly on the former WM Huttonsville Branch, Elkins to Belington, or a through train Elkins to Spruce.

734 lugging a train Elkins to Spruce, would be accurate in the since that the GC&E was built primary for tight wheel based engines (shays at the time) and later when WM purchased the line 2-8-0's were primarily the only thing that could traverse the tough terrain.

At Spruce with help from Cass, Shay 11 could be lettered as a GC&E shay, or even WVP&P. WM shay 6 could join in as well for pacing shots along side 734, and WMRY BL-2 No. 82.


The current planned event in June seems interesting, however for the money involved to attend something more will be needed to draw me to the event. Perhaps FPA-4 No. 800 lettered B&O?

Tom,

The NRHS schedule is set. The schedule and registration booklet have already been sent out to those who have pre registered. Ticket orders are now arriving in large numbers.

The detailed schedule/order form will be posted on our website on the first of next month. Pre registration ended on January 31st and we give those who registered early 30 days before we start taking orders from those who did not.

A rough schedule for the convention activities is as follows:

Monday: Opening Reception in the evening.
Tuesday: Diesel excursion on CP Rail to Sunbury area w D&H liveried CP Power.
Wednesday: Bus Trips various locations, night photo session w/ Steve Barry.
Thursday: Steam/Diesel to Delaware Water Gap w/ CN 3254 & 3 RS-3's alternating.
Friday: History Day, seminars, activities, banquet w/ Jim Wrinn.
Saturday: Duryea-Jim Thorpe-Port Clinton w R&N Steam engine 425, bus return.

See the standard disclaimer below.

Dave Crosby

http://www.endlessmountainrails.com

Smartly, this event has been geared toward their regular customer base. Steamtown Event or not, I think this Festival will do very well.

I agree though Tom, would be nice to see a little more with the 734...but maybe they will add more once plans are firmed up for transport from Cumberland, who knows?

Keep in mind the SBVR has two GP9s of B&O heritage. 6604 in B&O paint and 6240 in Chessie paint with B&O sublettering (although it was conveyed to the B&O from the C&O). I personally would love to see a Shay from Cass there, since those Shays have good historical ties to the state of WV.

Not sure how they would move that. Cass to Spruce, Spruce to Belington, then out onto CSX... Would be slow going for sure.

Moore Kepple Climax No. 3 would be easy to load onto a truck or even a flat car and move, however Durbin has no outside rail connections.

I do agree, a geared locomotive is a must when it comes to the WV mountains.

Not going to happen.

2013 is a big year for the CSRR with it being the 50th anniversary of hauling tourists, so look for something then.

From what I've seen so far, except for the 734 trips, I don't think they'll be offering as much as was offered in Owosso last year or even at the Ohio Central a few years ago.

It's too bad Jason couldn't have scheduled this a week earlier or later so that people who come a considerable distance could attend both events.

It'll be interesting to see if he ever schedules an event opposite what another organization is doing again.

Bob H

The scheduling was decided for Jason. Not really the other way around.

KL

That unit is currently either owned or leased by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR, and was facing North the last time I saw it. It also could use some body work and a repaint. Northeast Ohio Winters have not been kind to it.

Thinking of photos of B&O steam on the branch I seem to remember only relatively small locomotives back in the day. Would 734 become the heaviest steam locomotive to have operated on the branch assuming it is at the show?

John Bohon

Looks like a good festival to attend, especially when WM 734 would attend. It reminds me a lot Train Festival 2009.