Hello,I am a writer with three young railfan sons. I am interested in writing a novel about the challenges of running a scenic railroad. The story is meant to be an affectionate, lighthearted look at operating such a train line, though I also need to understand the serious issues.Can anyone point me to some good resources with information about this topic? Here are some of the questions I'm trying to answer just to get started (there will be more later, of course:-Are many (or even any) scenic railroads run privately by a family that's been invovled in the project for at least two generations? Or are most of these railroads owned by the state in which they operate?-Are new scenic railroads being started up? If so, can you point me to any?-What are the daily/weekly/monthly activities of running such a railroad, and what are the major challenges or obstacles invovled? (This can cover the equipment, the personnel (paid and volunteer), the ridership, the finances, local or state or federal governemnt regulations, neighbors, etc.)

You have a very cool idea. You should pick up a copy of the Guide to Tourist Railroads and Museums, this has been printed each year starting in 1966. Many of these places also have websites these days as well. I am sure each is filled with stories that are amazing, interesting, funny, heartbreaking, etc... Some tourist railroads have been around so long they have history that needs to be recorded. Good Luck!

Thanks ... by the way, you've got a great name for the subject matter. I'm thinking of calling my fictional railroaders the Rollin family, but 'Gears' would also have been a good choice.

I like your idea - but really, truth is stranger than fiction! People just won't believe some of the stuff that happens on railroads - any railroad, not just tourist railroads. I would suggest that you attend the Tourist Railroad Association Convention next month in Chattanooga. This way you could meet the people who run them, and hear their experiences first hand. I often threaten to write a book after I retire -"Tall Tales of the Huck"

Thanks for the suggestion. I will not be able to attend that convention but might try another year. In the mean time, would it be possible to pick your brain sometime about those very things you mentioned? No real names would be needed, but I am just starting with this project and so would love to know about the kinds of personalities and situations you mean.

Robert:Yes, there are several private operations. I can't name them all, but, here's a start:Durango & Silvertonthe old Georgetown Loop and now ? CanyonThe Grand CanyonThe more I think about it - ALOT of them are.Go searching for "tourist railroads" - you will get a lot. Now, do they have the time to sit down and talk with you? Running any business, especially a small, family one, takes alot of time.

The story takes place in Wales, not America, but get a copy of LTC Rolt's Railway Adventure. It is the true story of saving the first preserved steam railway, the Talyllyn in Wales, and it is a wonderful and entertaining look at the humour and hard work of saving a steam railroad.

Check the weekly "At the Throttle" columns written by Mark Bassett, executive director of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely. They are available online through the museum's Website: http://nevadanorthernrailway.net

This series of postings got me to wondering what is the oldest tourist line? My first guess would be the Mt Washington Cog, which started back in 18 something.A long running modern one is of course the Strasburg RR which started in something like 1959. Pennsylvania was a hot bed of steam operators in the 1960s and some of them only ran for a year or two.I have neer seen a publication about them beyond the history of individual lines. Are there any histories that do several lines? Something similar to Andrew Young's Trolley To the Past?Ted Miles

Roaring Camp is still run by the family of the late Norman Clark, who started the railroad back in the early '60s (first public run in 1963). His wife, Georgie, has been the CEO since his death, and their daughter Melani is in the administration/operations end of the company.The former Georgetown Loop Railroad, Inc.(Royal Gorge Route) and Kettle Moraine, as well as Strasburg, are the first that come to mind after that in terms of operations that are 'family run'.The oldest tourist lines still operating I've always heard were considered to be the Pine Creek in New Jersey (about 1954) and Edaville (1947/48)

Thanks! That's very helpful

And don't forget East Broad Top.

Kurt Bell of the RRMPa is writing a history of "first generation" tourist railways. As you noted, many were in Pennsylvania, trying to emulate the success of the Strasburg. Just a couple of them managed to survive. If Strasburg had been located 30 miles in any direction from where it actually is, I doubt it would have survived, either.