I should have had them on my ressurection list. Not just for reopening the old line, but for constructing the deviation around the reservoir from scratch and returning in tiumph to Blaenau.


eledbetter@rypn.org

Washington Union Station, which was disfigured into a "National Visitor Center" that no one visited and was headed for a death spiral toward joining Penn Station in the what-once-was hall of shame. Unpleasant memories: That rat-maze corridor leading to a shoebox-sized, low-ceiling waiting room (think Greyhound) tucked in the back. Truncated tracks that forced passengers to walk farther to get to their trains. Now restored to most of its former glory, complete with re-extended tracks. Every time I see that 90-foot-high barrel-vault ceiling, I'm reminded of how close we came to losing it.

Dan Cupper
Harrisburg, Pa.

cupper@att.net

In my humble opinion, the award would have to go to the folks in Portland who oversee the preservation/operation of SP 4449.

Think about it.

This engine was pulled from her stuffed and mounted resting place in 1974 for restoration and service on the American Freedom Train. That a steam powered train filled with our nationÂ’s most precious artifacts was able to tour the country for two years isnÂ’t enough of a story in of itself Â…

But, after her AFT tour, 4449 has managed to endure in service for nearly the last 30 years. Be it on trips to Sacramento, service for the SP, BNSF employee specials, and even her most recent escapades in her American Freedom Train livery, Doyle and the entire 4449 crew has a nack for getting it done. Granted, 4449 doesnÂ’t run every day, even sitting in the Portland roundhouse for long periods of time, the Friends of the 4449 still manage to find a way.

Hats off to them Â…. here is hoping 4449 will continue to polish the mainline, no matter what paint scheme 4449 may wear!

Regards,

Burlington John



cbqjohn@msn.com

> Perhaps I am biased, being heavilly involved
> in the organisation, but we have a 30 inch
> gauge steam railway here in Melbourne that:

> * Runs every day of the year (except
> Christmas day) over the original (opened Dec
> 1900) route for 25km (16 mile)

> * Carried 244,851 passengers last year (a
> slight dip from the 202 all time record of
> 259,185)

> * Almost always has at least two locos in
> steam every day (97 days pa), more usually
> three (213 days) and sometimes four (32
> days), five (11 days) or even 6 (10 days per
> annum). The 'almost' is because in dry years
> there can be up to 5 or 6 days of total fire
> ban in the region when diesel haulage has to
> be substituted).

> * Is managed and run predominantly by
> volunteers supported by a core of paid staff
> (that in total account for less than one
> third of the mandays).

> * We believe to be the third such steam
> railway preservation group in the world
> (established 1955, after two of the Welsh
> groups).

While there are (thankfully) many compelling cases which are being recognized, the resurrection of the "Puffing Billy" operations outside of Melbourne, Australia has certainly been one of the most compelling that I aware of. There is so much more that could be said on their behalf that I would probably take many paragraphs to begin an adequate description of their successes.
Suffice it to say, you need to experience it for yourself. It will make a you a believer in what can be accomplished when a tourist based, steam operated railway, largely staffed with volunteers, is well organized and well led with a long range plan and vision.
In the previous post, it is evident that they have a run a lot of steam. Find out how they got that many engines restored and keep them operating. The same with the trainsets, the right of way and their continual upgrading of facilites.
Bottom line - I am certain they are one of the best "case studies" in any country of how to do things right in almost every aspect of their operation. I think it would be most appropriate to have them to do an article on their organization and operation for RYPN.

I was one of their many volunteers about fifteen years ago during a year long assignment in Australia.

Arnie Johnson



johns332@bellsouth.net

> What do you think is the
> best, or some of the best and most
> impressive stories regarding railway
> preservation?

Seashore Trolley Museum, which was the first such museum of its kind.

Ellis D. Atwood buying up the entire rolling stock of the Bridgton & Harrison RR, and starting up Edaville in 1945. Without Ellis, there'd be a lot less Maine Two Footers to see.

The Australian verson of Georgetown Loop - Zig Zag - should not be forgotten either. Nor should the hore drawn tram line near Victor Harbor.

We have much to learn from industrial preservation overseas.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

If you want to start at the beginning, consider the Talyllyn Railway in Wales and the Silverton in Colorado. Both made an early and unbroken transition to preserved railway status. Both could have easily been torn up at a time when preserving railways was rare.

>I think it
> would be most appropriate to have them to do
> an article on their organization and
> operation for RYPN.

I've been intending to do an article since before Christmas and printed off the editorial guidelines, but other things keep landing on top of it in my In tray.

I hope to do a brief soon on a the return to service of a loco this month and an article in due course.



Puffing Billy Railway Australia
Chairman@pbr.org.au

1.) Sorry, I'm going to be partial here ---- for anybody who grew up as a railfan in Michigan, seeing GTW #6325 rusting away in a park in Battle Creek from 1958 until 1995 or so, the restoration of that locomotive is nothing short of amazing. Kudso to everyone at OC who put her back into operation. And the best part --- I believe its just the beginning of the great restoration stories that will come out of OC.

2.) The entire saga of #844/ #8444, #3985 and the UP Steam Program. To continue to preserve steam operation in a corporate culture is nothing short of a miracle, and the fact that locomotive has never been officially retired is simply amazing. Steve Lee and the efforts of the guys there are the reason that many of us "Gen-xers" (god I hate that term) fell in love with steam in the first place.

Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

I keep thinking of new condenders for the honors list. How about two significant roads (one boasting major architectural heritage and a fantastic location, the other a monumental work of engineering with a colorful history) that closed relatively late, only to be reopened and achieve new heights of success as tourist lines:

Grand Canyon Railway

White Pass & Yukon

eledbetter@rypn.org

> I keep thinking of new condenders for the
> honors list. How about two significant roads
> (one boasting major architectural heritage
> and a fantastic location, the other a
> monumental work of engineering with a
> colorful history) that closed relatively
> late, only to be reopened and achieve new
> heights of success as tourist lines:

> Grand Canyon Railway

> White Pass & Yukon

My vote for the most incredible and important example of railway preservation is one that never quit running, saved by preservationists in 1949-- the San Francisco Cable Cars, still demonstrating a pre-electricity rail technology which was obsolete 100 years ago. For 50 years the system has been the only one of its kind operating in the world! It carries hundreds of thousands of riders a year through the streets of a major city and has even become the world-recognized icon of that city even to non-railfans! Hard to beat!

Peter Schmidt



pjslks@ix.netcom.com

> With all of the recent discussion about East
> Broad Top, I've pondered some of the most
> impressive railway preservation
> accomplishments. What do you think is the
> best, or some of the best and most
> impressive stories regarding railway
> preservation? Here are my nominations, in no
> particular order.

> snip Any others?

Sierra Railroad in Jamestown - I love that round house and can't wai to see the #3 restored. What a famous (and old) locomotive.

Oh yea - and when it happens . . . . . CP G-5 Pacific #1278 under steam again on the OC.

G


greg@skittercreek.com

> Oh yea - and when it happens . . . . . CP
> G-5 Pacific #1278 under steam again on the
> OC.

That would be (and was) my vote, too ;-)

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org