What an EXCELLENT day on the Loop!!!
| August 05, 2005 04:29PM |
I have just come back from a picture perfect day riding on the Georgetown Loop Railroad and I must say that it was every bit as good as ANY of the other times I have ridden it with possibly the single exception of last year's photo run day when all three locomotives were running! (Even then, the weather wasn't as good!)
I have been one of the more vocal opponents of the CHS and their handling of the whole Loop situation but I also have stated that I was going to go up and personally ride the GTLRR and see for myself if everything that we feared might happen was in fact nothing more than idle smoke and steam vapour. I am happy to say that ALL of our fears appear groundless!
In fact, from the first moment that my family and I arrived at the Devil's Gate station we were pleasantly surprised to see that everything was running like a Swiss watch! The people were pleasant and friendly and the passengers seemed to be having a great time!
I snapped a bunch of pictures of the #12 as she backed the train down under the Devil's Gate bridge and then started up the grade. She was running with two converted boxcars (yellow) and three converted drop-bottom gondolas (maroon) that were filled to capacity and she looked great!
Yes, she IS a smaller engine than the #40 or the Shays but what she can do she does exceptionally well! (On a personal note: I am VERY happy that Railstar decided to paint the #12 and replace the yellow lines with silver! It makes all the difference in the world! The engine really looks classy now!)
The trip was uneventful going down (but then it should be if one has ridden the Loop nearly every year since it's re-birth!) I was impressed with the conductor's knowledge and what he was relating to the passengers while the speakers under the seats made it very easy to hear him.
The trip back up was slightly different as I met Steve Toricco (I hope I spelled that right) who graciously took some time to stop and talk with me. Steve, thanks for what you and all of the Railstar staff are doing. I am now confident that, with Railstar operating the Loop, it will continue to prosper for many years to come!
Oh yeah...Jason, NICE job on those cars! I understand that you are branching out a bit (i.e. in the cab) I'm sorry I missed you but I understand that Wednesdays are your day on the Loop. Oh well, hopefully next time!
Bottom line: The Georgetown Loop is alive and well and in good hands. I have never been so happy to have my fears proven completely groundless! Bravo Railstar and thanks for an Excellent day on the Georgetown Loop!
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I have been one of the more vocal opponents of the CHS and their handling of the whole Loop situation but I also have stated that I was going to go up and personally ride the GTLRR and see for myself if everything that we feared might happen was in fact nothing more than idle smoke and steam vapour. I am happy to say that ALL of our fears appear groundless!
In fact, from the first moment that my family and I arrived at the Devil's Gate station we were pleasantly surprised to see that everything was running like a Swiss watch! The people were pleasant and friendly and the passengers seemed to be having a great time!
I snapped a bunch of pictures of the #12 as she backed the train down under the Devil's Gate bridge and then started up the grade. She was running with two converted boxcars (yellow) and three converted drop-bottom gondolas (maroon) that were filled to capacity and she looked great!
Yes, she IS a smaller engine than the #40 or the Shays but what she can do she does exceptionally well! (On a personal note: I am VERY happy that Railstar decided to paint the #12 and replace the yellow lines with silver! It makes all the difference in the world! The engine really looks classy now!)
The trip was uneventful going down (but then it should be if one has ridden the Loop nearly every year since it's re-birth!) I was impressed with the conductor's knowledge and what he was relating to the passengers while the speakers under the seats made it very easy to hear him.
The trip back up was slightly different as I met Steve Toricco (I hope I spelled that right) who graciously took some time to stop and talk with me. Steve, thanks for what you and all of the Railstar staff are doing. I am now confident that, with Railstar operating the Loop, it will continue to prosper for many years to come!
Oh yeah...Jason, NICE job on those cars! I understand that you are branching out a bit (i.e. in the cab) I'm sorry I missed you but I understand that Wednesdays are your day on the Loop. Oh well, hopefully next time!
Bottom line: The Georgetown Loop is alive and well and in good hands. I have never been so happy to have my fears proven completely groundless! Bravo Railstar and thanks for an Excellent day on the Georgetown Loop!
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Steve Stockham | August 05, 2005 04:29PM |
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.