Clan Line @ Deepcut 15 Apr

[FlyTexas]

I'm not aware of any insurance issues Garry, I think it all boils down to the almighty US dollar. If enough people thought they could make a quick dollar by selling donkey carts as transportation the streets here would be full of 'em. ;-)

Brian

[Garry Russell]

Well then

Maybe one day

Garry

[DispatchDragon]

http://nevadanorthernrailway.net/

There you go Garry (And any other steam fans) Thats their website -- In my opinon US steam loco's are not as Elegant as British ones -- More brute force and ignorance......but they do look spectcular running -- the track at Ely is very impressive going through some beautiful high desert scenery (think Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter) and the Museum does some very nice excursions -- The other museum is over on the West side of the state -- The old Virginia and Truckee line (think Bonanza) its the more famous line having been used frequently it Western movies.


Leif

[Chris Trott]

There are mainline excursions that occur every year around the US, however the problem is that AMTRAK, not the railroads, prevent any scheduled operations of passenger locomotives unless they're owned by them for the most part. They will occasionally lend cars for excursions, but nothing like having a steamer substitute for normal power on a scheduled run. I think if the railroads still ran passenger service it would be different, but when you have a government entity providing an otherwise private service, there are all sorts of idiotic regulations that get put in place to prevent them from ever having to take any real responsibility for anything they do, including how they spend the taxpayer money they receive.

[forthbridge]

:o :o :o

Blimey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been reading up on this steam malarkey.... and then found THIS!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpXt7QX0 ... re=related
and THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneY0rjb ... re=related

WHAT A SIGHT!!!!! :o :o

EDIT:
Also found this: I am becoming a Steam fan! How do you know where to go and see these things?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneY0rjb ... re=related

[FlyTexas]

I wouldn't want to put a penny on the track when that Tornado comes by. Those are great videos.

Brian

[VC10]

I am becoming a Steam fan! How do you know where to go and see these things?

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs09.htm

When you know the route get the OS map out and start looking for a viewing location

[speedbird591]

I am becoming a Steam fan! How do you know where to go and see these things?

Just come to work with me, Jim Look what was parked next to Westbury station car park when I arrived for work today at about 1300 Now we know where she was going!



She was taking on water while a diesel took the train to wherever and then she takes them back to London later on. For some reason I had my camera in my work bag, but last week there were TWO steam engines taking on water at the same time. The week before, the Cathedrals Express sat in platform 9 at Bristol Temple Meads for an hour. Didn't have my camera for either of those. Anyway, I see a lot of steam about without looking for it - more so in the summer. Oh - and I get paid money as well!

Ian

[forthbridge]

Blimey Ian... that looks IMPRESSIVE!

Weirdly, as we drove down to Dorset last year, I exited the M4 for Westbury to show Samantha the white horse. She was a little disappointed at the view from 'up top' (of the cement factory) but I didn't even know Westbury had a train station!

[speedbird591]

I didn't even know Westbury had a train station!

Historically, that is the principle reason for Westbury It's a main junction on the Paddington - Penzance line and the Cardiff - Portsmouth line. It's also a very large freight depot (hence the steam engines being serviced and the freight locos taking the train on) for the Mendip stone quarries. There is nearly always a 5,000 tonne stone train pulled by one or two 66s either coming in or going out. We have about a hundred train crew based there on the passenger side and I don't know how many freight drivers.

Ian