Re: Most Important Event of 2017? How about a TOP 10 list?

I wouldn't say the return to steam to Como was THE ONE AND ONLY MOST important event of 2017.

In all fairness to everyone else in rail preservation, there should be at least a "Top 10" list of significant events in 2017.

I agree that Como should be on that list, but I would definitely add the Southern Pacific No. 18's return to steam and its visit to Laws as deserving of a Top 10 award. Realize that it spent far more time on display in the park at Independence than it did working the N-C-O and SPng combined!

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend either event, but they were on my mind. My family has a cabin outside Big Pine for the last 60 years, and as a little kid I always watched for the 18 to cross US395 on our way to or from the cabin, but it never did. While I was at an age too young to understand, I have a very good friend about the same age now who was able to help fire one day at Como, and I heard he was even letting them know when to add water. In the meantime I am a ways further up on US395 and wonder almost every day how it must have been with the 8, 9 and 12 (aka 18) to work here.

Any more nominations for the "Top 10" in no particular order of importance? Do I dare nominate a diseasel? And maybe one of the Top 10 slots should be perpetually reserved to honor some of those we lost last year, including our former host Don Richter?

And one of these days I do need to venture to Maine. I'm not sure I'd even fit in the cab of one of those.


Dan