Authorized.

http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readin ... /44295.pdf

Related topic:

We saw advertised originally a 765 trip from Scranton to Binghamton RT, and then a Scranton-Nicholson trip to coincide with Nicholson Viaduct's centennial celebration.

These trips, of course, appeared to be dependent upon the NS acquisition going through. But now the notices of these trips have seemingly disappeared, with reports that trips on the (non-NS) Steamtown route are in the works instead.

As someone who was making plans to ride or chase the Binghamton trips with a friend, am I allowed to ask the current status of whatever proposed 765 trips out of Scranton?

trip to Binghamton not going tom happen noyhing for passangers to do while train is there.
Nicholson still going to happen.

Fixed that for you.

And your hypothesis is irrelevant anyway. Other NS steam trips are operating as out-and-back outings with no discharge of passengers at the far end while the loco is being wyed and serviced, ostensibly for "safety" reasons, just like trips to Horse Shoe Curve were last year with 765.

I personally believe NS is shooting themselves in the foot with this newfangled approach. Let me get this straight: We're supposed to shell out $109 (basic coach) and up for a four-hour-or-so trip that is limited to 40 mph, where we most likely can't open a single window or vestibule door, where we go right back to where we started without detraining? That's not a journey. That's a glorified amusement park ride. That will work for a "mileage collector" or diehard railfan, but I certainly can't justify spending that kind of money to take my very tolerant wife along, and it won't attract the "daisy pickers" or history buffs.

I see that the Allentown to Pittston trip has now disappeared off the Fort Wayne's website this morning as well too.

That's what I get for not proof reading fat fingers. According ti Rich On the o gage forum that is why the trip is not going to happen.
Al

"We're supposed to shell out $109 (basic coach) and up for a four-hour-or-so trip that is limited to 40 mph"

What's the rush?

According to a report on another forum, the Fort Wayne RR Historical Society sold 600 tickets in the first 12 minutes the tickets were on sale.

Actually, Sandy, the Lewistown-Gallitzin HSC trips with #765 did have a long stop in Altoona. Plenty of time for lunch at the Railroader's Museum. Passengers had time to snack, check out the museum and do a little personal catch up (I had a blast introducing my son to some his favorite photographers).

It seems to be a trend (and a positive one, at that) to have steam excursions with "something to do" along the way. Perhaps that's why many of the all-day R&N trips lay over in Jim Thorpe? I think #1225's outings this spring have been timed around destination events, too.

I am not suggesting there is anything wrong with an "out and back," just looking at the trend. The idea is not new, of course. The Southern did the "cool town during servicing" thing with both Front Royal and Charlottesville on a regular basis, and Ross tried to make Port Jervis as cool as Port Jervis can be on the 1990's #614 trips (the runbys helped).

All the best,

Rob

Rob

For a single run or weekend, that would be spectacular.

If, like the 611 trips, that is actually for all the trips that went up for sale at the same time, then that probably represents a car or two per outing. On the 611 trips so far, it appears all the cheap seats sold out instantly on most of the trips, deluxe coach is still easily available, and sales are QUITE slow for dome, observation, and First Class. . . .

Yeah, that was for the first few minutes, which didn't include the pre-sales to members either.

The number has more than doubled. I'm sure once 611 starts rattling the countryside the last few tickets will sell themselves. We haven't even started marketing our trips yet.