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Note - to quote the ticket link:
This is not a Steam Powered Excursion (Power Provided by Amtrak)
The Savannah Rambler is part of a series of exciting private
railcar trips the Virginia Museum of Transportation Inc. will
be operating in the Spring of 2018. These trips will
operate behind Amtrak. The 611 will not be pulling these
trips, but the proceeds will go towards the 611’s
maintenance.
bmoran4 posted:Note - to quote the ticket link:
This is not a Steam Powered Excursion (Power Provided by Amtrak)
The Savannah Rambler is part of a series of exciting private
railcar trips the Virginia Museum of Transportation Inc. will
be operating in the Spring of 2018. These trips will
operate behind Amtrak. The 611 will not be pulling these
trips, but the proceeds will go towards the 611’s
maintenance.
Dammit....
I read on Train orders that NS is not allowing 611 excursions this year, hope it isn’t true. But this run would be a bit long for 611, plus DC to Savannah is mostly CSX I believe and even with Hunter gone their stance on steam probably hasn’t changed. We have to wait and see what VMT says about 611 excursions this year. It was mentioned that 611 would not run on the Amtrak NEC because it won’t fit through the high platforms at stations. So, no mainline steam in Baltimore for a long time. 611 couldn’t run on CSX either to reach Baltimore and Philly. Only way for 611 to get to PA would be via Hagerstown, MD.
Robert K posted:I read on Train orders that NS is not allowing 611 excursions this year, hope it isn’t true.
It is indeed true.
But this run would be a bit long for 611, plus DC to Savannah is mostly CSX I believe and even with Hunter gone their stance on steam probably hasn’t changed.
As stated above, 611 is NOT involved with that trip!
We have to wait and see what VMT says about 611 excursions this year.
So far, there are no SCHEDULED "excursions" with 611 this year, especially on NS.
It was mentioned that 611 would not run on the Amtrak NEC because it won’t fit through the high platforms at stations. So, no mainline steam in Baltimore for a long time. 611 couldn’t run on CSX either to reach Baltimore and Philly. Only way for 611 to get to PA would be via Hagerstown, MD.
Why is NS wanting to wash their hands of steam excursions now? Is it similar reasons why they ended their program back in Dec 1994? But VMT hopes to work with Amtrak to run 611 on NS. If NS says no to hosting steam excursions, would they say yes if VMT works with Amtrak? Because then the liability would be with Amtrak but the train would still be on NS property, so NS’s freight trains would still be affected if there were a stall or derailment of the train. Maybe NS no longer wants to take the risk of hosting steam excursions. I guess with Wick gone NS no longer has a reason to continue sponsoring excursions. Jim Squires was an attorney for NS before becoming CEO. He must think that these excursions have more risk than reward. There were also some bad railfans the past few years that NS hosted steam excursions, they got too close to the tracks when the train was coming, among other things. The fans can kill a steam program by their actions.
Robert K posted:Why is NS wanting to wash their hands of steam excursions now? Is it similar reasons why they ended their program back in Dec 1994? But VMT hopes to work with Amtrak to run 611 on NS. If NS says no to hosting steam excursions, would they say yes if VMT works with Amtrak? Because then the liability would be with Amtrak but the train would still be on NS property, so NS’s freight trains would still be affected if there were a stall or derailment of the train.
NS is allowing scheduled Amtrak trains, so this argument doesn't hold water.
Maybe NS no longer wants to take the risk of hosting steam excursions. I guess with Wick gone NS no longer has a reason to continue sponsoring excursions.
I recall that NS freight business is up and running steam excursions would complicate the scheduling. NS still allows ferry moves of steam locomotives.
Jim Squires was an attorney for NS before becoming CEO. He must think that these excursions have more risk than reward. There were also some bad railfans the past few years that NS hosted steam excursions, they got too close to the tracks when the train was coming, among other things. The fans can kill a steam program by their actions.
So, is NS now an evil railroad because they no longer allow steam excursions? I've said it before, all it takes is a change in management one way or the other. Still, there may come a day when no Class 1 railroad will want steam excursions on the rails.
Rusty
Looks like we have to go to Denver or Minneapolis for mainline steam this year unless VMT is able to operate 611 with Amtrak.
