NKP 765 returns to Chicago on September 15th-16th

These were pretty darned good trips in 2017.  If you didn't make it then, you sure don't want to miss it in September.

Hmmm...I may just have to ride this one.

OGR Webmaster posted:

Hmmm...I may just have to ride this one.

I may join you, if I don't have a conflict for the same weekend out in the Pacific Northwest.

I live on the far west side of Lake Villa, just next to Fox Lake.  Last year I was coming north on Wilson Rd. and I heard the whistle and saw the smoke.  It had just passed through the intersection by Long Lake.  I knew it was the 765 from the whistle, which I had heard on here.  I asked a guy and he wasn’t sure, but the 765 seemed right he guessed.  Just missed it.  It sure sounded good.  Won’t miss it this year.  Thanks.

Hot Water posted:

OGR Webmaster posted:

Hmmm...I may just have to ride this one.

I may join you, if I don't have a conflict for the same weekend out in the Pacific Northwest.

If I didn't know any better I would take that as a hint about a bigger Lima locomotive but what do I know.

Looking forward to it.  Last year was great. 

You mean ride it as a passenger since you retired from the engineer seat? Is this the only mainline outing for 765 again this year? I realize there aren’t very many opportunities to operate mainline excursions in Indiana, Ohio, etc. much anymore with NS no longer sponsoring excursions and that it’s a lot of work for just one excursion or one weekend of excursions. Do you still plan to go to CVSR since this is in September? The brand new offering, is Metra allowing an open sided car like those railfan cars converted from baggage cars or coaches?

I don't think they are doing the Cuyahoga Valley This Year, at least it isn't showing on the excursions listed on their website. As much as I would love to be able to do the Joliet Rocket Excursion, just don't think it will be in the cards this year.

Steam in the Valley is not our event to announce, which is why it's not yet on our event calendar.

However, if you read the press release, you'll see that Cuyahoga Valley is specifically mentioned. After all these years, I like to think I can anticipate people's questions - now if I could get 'em to read!

I didn't see that apart. Thank you

William 1 posted:

I live on the far west side of Lake Villa, just next to Fox Lake.  Last year I was coming north on Wilson Rd. and I heard the whistle and saw the smoke.  It had just passed through the intersection by Long Lake.  I knew it was the 765 from the whistle, which I had heard on here.  I asked a guy and he wasn’t sure, but the 765 seemed right he guessed.  Just missed it.  It sure sounded good.  Won’t miss it this year.  Thanks.

Wasn't that the "Varsity" excursion from 2016?  Unless I'm mistaken, the Joliet Rocket runs from Joliet through the southwest and south suburbs up to Chicago.

Plenty of good places down here to catch it though. I missed last year, I'd like to get out there this year. You never known when big steam will be back again. Any time could be the last.

Rode this trip last year, loved it!! I'm sure we were doing better than 60 mph in spots, and being able to be in the vestibule with the half-doors open was awesome! Time constraints prevented them from doing a runby on our trip, but they made up for it by backing out of Lasalle St. station and marching back in against the air... The 765 has fantastic stack talk... would absolutely recommend these trips!!! 

Robert K posted:

You mean ride it as a passenger since you retired from the engineer seat?

Yes.

Is this the only mainline outing for 765 again this year?

No.

Is the 765 coming to Houston anytime soon?

NO!

(But I wish it did!)

I will be buying a ticket to ride the Joliet Rocket again this year. I am thrilled to see a live steam engine coming through town in 2018.Is there going to be a run by besides a back up at the Chicago station? The excursion last year was fantastic,but I never really saw the engine move much. I only saw the 765 in action on You Tube. The most important feature of an excursion ride to me is a run by. I hope a real run by is included this year for the Joliet Rocket. 

Appreciate your feedback, Dan. Rather than advertise and then have to scrap a photo runby due to the tight scheduling like we had to do for three of the four trips last year, we'll be revisiting our "dramatic entrance" at LaSalle Street. However, for those wanting the full-steam experience, one of our planned additions to the train should go a long way toward closing that gap...

I was just wondering if the Missouri trip will happen and where

Not this year. They were very close to happening and we were within a week of going public, but because of the distance and routing, it is too cost prohibtive for the time being.

nathansixchime posted:

Not this year. They were very close to happening and we were within a week of going public, but because of the distance and routing, it is too cost prohibtive for the time being.

Ok,thank you very much for answering my question.