Russo:
Back in 1959, the Sierra RR of California was having a major excursion for the Central Coast Railroad Club. I saw an announcement in a RR mag and my girlfriend (now my wife of 49 years) and I decided to go see what it was all about. We were Seniors in college. I sent for info and the Central Coast Club provided two choices in their reply: (1) ride the train for what was, to us, a prohibitive price; or (2) railfan the trip in our car for a much lower price.
We went for the railfan trip. IIRC, we got two tickets, a pass to put on our dashboard or tape to the inside of the car's window, details of the trip including an itinerary, suggestions regarding the best photo places, info on photo runbys (when and where), possibly a pin, and some other stuff. We also got a pass to the Sierra's roundhouse, etc., which people who did not have a train ticket or a pass could not visit.
It was done very successfully and I remember seeing a lot of cars with the passes on their windows. We very much felt that we were part of the excursion.
I've never seen that done again but I've always thought it was a good idea. In today's economy, and with people still wanting to come to Colorado for the narrow gauge trains, it might be the way to go.
It would give "chasers" a souvenir, some good photography hints, perhaps lodging ad eating hints [maybe ads from providers of such things?], etc., and the railroad some more revenue.
The C&TS and other lines should explore "train chasers packets" further.
Hart Corbett
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Russo Loco Wrote, in Part:
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> As it's becoming more and more expensive to run
> special trains - primarily due to rising insurance
> costs - hopefully some way can be found to
> encourage chasers to chip in. I have done so in
> the past and would do so to an even greater extent
> in the future if the trains looked reasonably
> authentic ...
>
> - Russo
