Well it's that time of the year again and I'll be having the pleasure of being on the engineers roster at the NH&I from 12/13-12/23 running # 40 on the Santa and North Pole trains.

I'd welcome any fellow RyPN ers who are in the area and would like to do a cab ride with me to PM me for exact dates so we avoid what happened last year when 3 showed up without reservations for the same departure. By the NH&I rules we can only carry one cab rider at a time.

The schedule and other details can be found at....www.newhoperailroad.com

This is a far cry from being aboard 614 at 80 per but it is steam and watching youngsters especially in the 3-8 age range get their first exposure to steam is really special.

Allow me to take this opportunity to wish all a wonderful Christmas and a healthy, rewarding, steamy 2013.

Ross Rowland

It has been a pleasure to have had 4 Rypn'ers ride with me on # 40 and to have met them in person and now be able to put a "face" with their postings.

Just as a heads up the remaining trips have all been spoken for with the season ending on 12/23.

Glad to report that our ridership has been good and we're looking forward to setting a new NH&I record ridership this coming weekend. Also pleased to report that # 40 has been running like a Swiss watch.

Merry Christmas to all. Ross Rowland

Mr. Rowland, I just wanted to take a second to thank you for putting on a great show for my 2 daughters, Penelope and Jillian this morning (Jillian was the little 2 year old who told you 614 and 40 are her 2 favorite engines!). Jillian has always been a big fan of 40, but was especially mesmerized this morning at Reeder Rd. on the first trip. Never saw or heard 40 sound so good! Thanks again for giving my girls an early Christmas gift and for posing for a photo with them (even if Jillian did cry!). Here is a photo of Jillian sitting in "Mr. Ross's seat". Merry Christmas to everyone here!!!

Darryl

Darryl you're entirely welcome as it was my pleasure!! There's no doubt that the single most important reward I receive from running steam is witnessing the "magic" that steam holds for folks of all ages, particularly the little ones on their first exposure.

That combined with having Santa and Mrs. Clauss show up on the same day is truly spectacular for them and their unabashed enthusiasm keeps me coming back for more year in and year out.

Yes, the shop crew at the NH&I deserve a big thank you for the superb job they've done making # 40 a better engine year after year. She's a stout performer and does a very credible job handling that 3 mile long grade out of New Hope despite lack of superheating and her approaching her 90th. birthday.

Today will be our last operating day before Christmas wrapping up a very good Santa season. My best wishes to all for a blessed Christmas and a healthy, rewarding and steam filled 2013!!

Ross Rowland

Mr. Rowland, I just discovered this site and when I saw this topic I had to join to give you a huge thank you. I was able to catch a cab ride with you on 12/13 while up from Florida visiting family. You and the fireman, I believe his name was Jeff but I`m terrible with names, made me feel as welcome as if I were part of the crew. It was a beautiful night and 40 put on a great show. I still get as excited as a little kid every time I get near a steam engine and that was a night I won`t soon forget. I`m still smiling ear to ear thinking about it. Thank you again and everyone at NH&I for a great night and can`t wait to visit again. Drew Young

You're entirely welcome Drew, and welcome to RyPN. It was a pleasure having you aboard and I'm pleased that it proved to be such a positive experience.

All together I had the pleasure of hosting 11 Rypners during the Christmas season and all seemed to have a good time.

The shop crew at New Hope deserve a big thank you for doing such a great job keeping # 40 in tip top shape as evidenced by her flawless performance again this year.

Also pleased to report very strong ridership and an incident free season.

Happy New Year. Ross Rowland