#1925 on the GSMRR (PIC)

Matt Bumgarner · **Posted:** Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:04 pm

On Thursday, September 11, a photo trip was chartered on the Graham County RR #1925 running on the Great Smoky Mountains RR (old SR Murphy Branch) between Dillsboro and Bryson City. Check out these pix, and get out there this weekend while she is still there!

Kudos to the NCTM, Jim Wrinn, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. It was a day to remember and a weekend to look forward to.

http://www.tarheelpress.com/1925NC.html
stealthnfo@aol.com

Matt Bumgarner · **Posted:** Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:07 pm

Ooops...

Try www.tarheelpress.com/1925nc.html

Lower Case!!!

http://www.tarheelpress.com/1925nc.html
stealthnfo@aol.com

Matt Conrad · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2003 11:29 am

Neat pix.

I just figured out what it is I like about Shays:

If you're running a Shay too fast for track conditions, you probably shouldn't be on that track in the first place.

Now if we cold only get her down to Rockton...

The South Carolina Railroad Museum
mconrad@compuzone.net

John Bohon · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2003 1:24 pm

Matt you obviously have never ridden from Durbin to Cass on a late Sunday afternoon on one of the oil burners with Red McMillan at the throttle. I do not remember if it was the 2 or 3. After a slow trip to Durbin with lots of runbys I was in the cab when we left Durbin and Red began to really let the shay roll. I had never ridden a shay that fast before. As the shay and train bounced and swayed down the track I was quietly wishing we had the 5 because, as Ted Burdette says, she rides like a baby buggy.

Helping the fireman with the syphon hose at the brief water stop allowed me to get my land legs back just in time for the departure. Red quickly had the little train back up to speed when he caught me watching the valve stem pump in and out. It looked like a Singer sewing machine!

He called the other gentleman riding the cab, an old timer who helped teach me to run steam, over to his side and said "He (meaning me) seems impressed with this engine but I am more impressed with that little caboose.". With a priceless look on his face Clarence ask "Why is that Red?". Red's answer, "That little thing hasn't got any power at all but it has been right with us all day!". At least we provided the crew with a good laugh.

How I would like to make that trip again with such good company.

The GSMR must have made quite an impression on the Spencer crews. I have heard it suggested the museum buy screen wire and plaster by the car load to build a backdrop and a request has been made for a major bridge to be built at the shop.

John

jhbohon@yahoo.com

Matt Conrad · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2003 10:08 am

> Matt you obviously have never ridden from
> Durbin to Cass on a late Sunday afternoon on
> one of the oil burners with Red McMillan at
> the throttle.

Nope, never got to ride the Durbin trips. I waited just a little too long and missed out. The year I'd planned to take that ride was the year after the flood that obliterated the Durbin line. Got to Cass and found out the line was washed out -- I was quite disappointed.

The South Carolina Railroad Museum
mconrad@compuzone.net