As usual lots of good tales about seeing or re-living the days of steam and other memorable railroad events.

BUT, has anyone made it a part of their hobby to visit and keep a log of as many Preservation Sites as they can? For awhile some in our group tried this with the criteria that there be some operating trackage, even if only a few hundred feet. During the visit we would make it a point to walk all that trackage. (You know who you are PJS)

Using this or any other guide seems a worthy pursuit. There is always something to learn; and just as with real rail carriers, the scene is always changing. Anyone got a story about the 'one that got away'?

Bob Kutella

Walking on operating trackage doesn't sound like such a hot idea to me, unless I'm not correctly understanding what you're saying. I kow if someone wanted to walk the line at SCRM, I'd discourage them from doing so.

On past trips, where I have had to choose between preservation activities and sites still owned by railroads, I have always chosen railroad sites as there was no assurance that they would be there tomorrow. Likewise, when visiting museums, I tend to ignore operating equipment and look at the equipment that is in storage or awaiting restoration.

I also like walking track, and had great fun walking the Blackhawk park extension of the Fox River Trolley Museum and the Coleman Grove interchange yard a few years back - after their operations had ended for the day.

Tom Cornillie

I also typically prefer to walk the line.

I also tend to spend a great deal of time in any museums dead line, body garden and shop areas. (with permission)

Walking the track - Well we are not talking New Jersey Transit here.

We would always make our presence known and as 'visiting firemen' were generally welcomed. After ascertaining the schedule of operations - often quite minimal - we would set off on the trek. Usually a lot easier to walk beside the ties since they are never spaced for my gait.

When approached by equipment in operation, always well removed from the track, attentive to the moving equipment, and hand signals to 'flag' our presence and acknowledge the train. Often we were offered a free return trip by the train or trolley in service so we did not have to do a round trip on the old shoe leather.

The goal was to walk the 'route', not step on every tie, or challenge a train for the right of way. Too bad I would not be welcome at your place, but I did get some of your route walked when the Rockton and Rion was still the Rockton and Rion.

Bob Kutella

Did I indicate that you wouldn't be welcome?

In today's litiguous society, I'd be very reluctant to allow anyone I didn't know (and quite a few people that I *do* know) to take an unsupervised hike along our railroad. With a volunteer who knows the railroad along, I might consider it -- and that applies to both the open part of the line and the "west end," whether trains are in operation or not.

Even more likely, I'd offer a motor car ride if time and an operator permitted. Why walk when you can ride?

Thanks for clearing this up - we may yet have a chance to cross paths.

As to your question of why walk when you can ride? - Why drive when you can fly? In the case of preservation trackage it is the journey, not the destination. So much more to see and absorb, note and remember if you can only take the time to do it.

Bob Kutella