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CBCon Quote "We didn't even get wet"......30 seconds later you hear plop, then splash!!!!
Railroads are a link to our history. There is a romance to them, and many people are intrigued by the way they shaped the world. They are an industry filled with colorful, competitive companies that have struggled through decades of losses and mergers. To stand next to a steam locomotive (better yet operate one) while it begins assault on a grade with a heavy train is one of the greatest things....at least for those that appreciate the asthetics in a complex machine coming to life. Granted, railroads don't have the impact on society that they used to (before higways and air travel), but they are still a vital part of shipping and moving passengers. They remain the heaviest vehicle on land, and are more powerful than most people realize. Look at books on rail accidents and see the kind of destruction that results from boiler explosions! The power of steam is something that would still be used today on mainlines, if it weren't for the high maintenance and fuel costs. Not to mention all the labor needed to run them. Steam was by far more powerful than the early diesels, and probably still is. Most of them reached several thousand horsepower, whereas even the largest diesels needed multiple units for some trains. Crews are down to 2 minimum nowadays, and without the sights, sounds and smells of classic steam railroading, watching them isn't quite the same. This doesn't mean that today's diesels aren't a challenge to operate, but 45 things to do compared to 15 or so is a jump! I'm sure lumpy can elaborate.
This is why park railroads are of such special interest.......they preserve the era when living, breathing machines could be heard and felt as they moved freight across the country. I challenge all of you to visit a class 1 railroad's steam excursion sometime. Chuck mentioned Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 Challenger, which I believe still runs on occasion. This locomotive, though not the biggest, was the largest and most powerful used on passenger trains. It is really neat to compare it to the smaller narrow gauge trains seen at Disney, CP and Kings Island. Then, if that's not all, visit a place with 1/4" and 1' scale steamers! It is amazing how steam power works no matter the size of the engine.
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Brad's California Adventure: 8 days, 18 parks, 55 coasters, 2 TV shoots & a winner, Matterhorn!
Model coasters and rides
Hey this weekend was a great example, Dad and I went to Red Power Days (IH convention), followed the IC, and UP and did drive by's of SFStL and Holiday World!! Dads a chicken and does not share our love for coaster so driving by is as close as he comes!
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Whats life if you never get to the Po!nt?
*** This post was edited by kneemeister on 7/18/2002. ***
MagnumForce said:Are there any more engines out there in parks that were not originally built for the parks?
Dollywood is currently operating 2 steam locomotives that are 2-8-2's, #70 and #192. They were built for the White Pass and Yukon in 1938 and 1943. 192 weighs 60 tons and 70 weighs 110 tons. There a little big for a theme park, but they put on a spectacular show pulling trains around a 5 mile track up 5% grades. Dollywood also has another WP&Y 2-8-2, #71, but it is currently not in operation. The trains are narrow gauge.
www.coastertown.com has several pics of them in there Dollywood section.
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"the fish are eating the guest, sir"
*** This post was edited by Dukeis#1 on 7/20/2002. ***
*** This post was edited by Dukeis#1 on 7/20/2002. ***
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