ozinoz Wrote:
===================================
> A great set of pics Russ at an unusual angle
> (and one that I didn't get). Thanks for posting.
You're very welcome, Grant -
IIRC, I haven't climbed up the hill west of Cumbres (the back side of Windy Point) in more than 40 years (see third photo on [ngdiscussion.net]). As it turned out, I was the only one there - otherwise I probably wouldn't have posted, as most of the participants were better photographers than me with better cameras than mine.
> To be honest I think there has been a lot of
> un-necessary negativity towards Bernd's /
> Pete's efforts in regards to this trip, from
> many different quarters. I did the full 8 day
> trip, bus and all and yes, there were some
> issues and yes, there are some things I would
> change given the opportunity, but certainly
> nothing like I have experienced on other trips
> over 25 years.
To be honest myself, I think much of the criticism is justified. I have been riding C&TS (and D&RGW & D&SNG) charters for more than fifty years, and even in terrible weather (see third photo on [ngdiscussion.net]) I have never experienced such discomfort, so many delays and so much chaos. IMHO most of the problems were due to having two leaders (one of whom seemed completely unfamiliar with the C&TS) and - with so many participants involved - the lack of organization regarding photo lines. Had I seen the following beforehand, I most likely would not have bought a ticket - certainly not for the first three days:"On FarRail Tours trips there is no compulsory position given. Everyone can choose his favourite position on his own ..."
In several years of riding tours conducted by Alan Loomis I have never noticed any serious problems. IMHO, it's too bad he waited until late on the morning of the fourth day to have a serious talk with Bernd and somewhat enforce the following: "If there is a situation which can’t be worked out by the participants alone, the tour guides [conductor] will fix photo positions for everyone without any further discussion."
At least the rest of the day Monday seemed to me to go a lot smoother, though by Tuesday - as shown by my posts above - a good deal of chaos was still in evidence.
> The biggest issue for me was communication, both
> between the two operators and the operators and
> participants. The first time we heard about car-
> pooling was by chance during the trip - I would
> have [done so] given the opportunity.
That's unfortunate - I'd have been happy to have had you ride with me, Grant.
> There were issues over artistic licence in regards
> of photo-lines [See above.]
... and hours spendt
> sitting on our butts in a field while the loco(s) had
> to run off for
servicing [water] also seemed a waste.
AMEN to that - see first sentence on [
ngdiscussion.net].
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
