Re: Accommodating the photogs & phoamers

JoeK Wrote:
===================================
> A variety of people have agreed to help
> with various projects to make this a suc-
> cess.  I've volunteered for onboard con-
> cessions.   The cook car is a kitchen on
> wheels.

Which fits perfectly with JBWX' suggestion for box lunches to maximize time out on the line.  In addition to snacks, have bread and various ingredients for sandwiches available.  That way riders can eat when they get hungry so the only time spent at Osier will be that needed to turn the engine and for photo ops at the water tower before and after.

> Any suggestions for snacks, beverages?

Much as I would enjoy an Arrogant Bastard or GRAMPS Triple Chocolate Stout, I have to suggest NO ALCOHOL on board.  Unlike the parlor car and the dinner / wine-tasting trains, phraud-o-graphers will be getting on and off the train several times, often in rough locations.  The last thing you need is some Wild-Eyed Phoamer from California tripping on the tracks!

> Others are in a group to operate OP
> or OB.   ????

It has been announced that the demo(s) of OB and/or OP will be on Sunday, in the yard at Antonito.  As one of those asked to help with this trip, I STRONGLY suggest that you stick to that plan.  ANY attempt to set up a demo out on the line will GREATLY impact the schedule, to the point that you will probably not even make it past Big Horn - and there's not much in the way of Fall Colors until you get to Sublette ...

> If someone's got a good idea, call or e-
> mail the Friend's Albuquerque office and
> get involved now.  Other than the idea by
> Bob Reib, this is a group effort.
>
> The venue is set and the prices for tickets
> seem reasonable.  I did hear that Alan has
> agreed to be the conductor.

Based on which announcement, I bought a caboose ticket earlier this morning.  Alan Loomis has many years experience running photo charters - IMHO, with Alan in charge things should run smoothly and lots of good photos will be taken.

> In another words, things other than date
> and consist are open for good ideas.

What about the time?   Is it too late to postpone departure by a couple of hours to take advantage of afternoon light at the west portal of Rock Tunnel as suggested by John West (above) & Kevin Madore (below), and evening light at Osier as was suggested by yore's trooly??   How do other potential customers feel about this???

> Sunset for October 3 is approximately 18:45.*
> Sunrise will be 07:00.  The hardest thing to
> predict is peak fall color.   In some recent
> years, peak color was rather late.  However
> I'm hoping for an early snow.     Octo-
> ber 11 a couple years ago was about 8-12"


Sounds like fun, Joe -

My basic advice is to keep it simple, not complicate things by trying to do too much, and above all don't over-promise and under-deliver.

As to snow, if there's a storm a few days before it will help turn the leaves (if it doesn't blow them away).   A cold, dry snow on the day of the trip can make for some beautiful photos - if you're dressed right to take advantage of it.  OTOH let's hope you DON'T get a cold rain that later turns to slushy, sticky snow like we did on the Jim Trowbridge charter in mid-September, 1996:


- El Greengo Curmudgeoño Viejo y Verde de la Costa del Oro
aka  Der DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHaber

* You don't need full darkness for a night photo shoot. In fact, IMHO, twilight is actually better, with a bit of color still in the sky - like this one set up by Michael Ripley back in August, 2010:




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2015 12:43PM by Russo Loco.