Re: Accommodating us Curmudgeonly phraud-o-graphers

JoeK Wrote:
===================================
> Don't let your imagination run a wee bit.

Why not??   I have an obligation to be Curmudgeonly - otherwise JBWX will suspend
my membership and Willie & Steve will NEVER let me out from behind bars!

> As I mentioned, this isn't my idea. However long
> time ago in a galaxy far away I asked Russ Hans-
> com if he'd run or demo OP if it ran on a charter.
> He said yes.  So there's the OP group!

It doesn't have to be THIS charter, Joe.   In fact, IMHO, it shouldn't be.

> Russ is immensely talented.  As well, super nice
> guy.  In addition to OP, he's the talent behind the
> pole barn and the currently being built passenger
> trucks.  Where can anyone ride in a charter like
> this and chat with the guy who rebuilt OP?

I have no problem with that, in fact I'm looking forward to meeting Russ and thanking him in person for the fantastic work he has done on behalf of The Friends and the C&TS.*   I do have a BIG problem with mixing a Fall Colors charter with an OP Demo charter.  Even with your VERY optimistic estimate of 30 minutes (below) to set up OP out on the line - and another 30 minutes (I presume) to put her away afterward, plus 30 minutes(?), 45 minutes(??) or and hour(???) for the demo itself - you have eaten up half of the time - or more - available for Fall Colors run-bys.   It's simple arithmetic - a ten-hour day, minus 3 hours or more each way just to get to Osier, with a little slack to allow for problems - and believe me, there are ALWAYS problems - leaves less than four hours for run-bys -OR- a demo.

> Only parameter I was told is this ... it takes 30
> minutes to bring OP operational.  For photos
> OP is one thing.  However for those of us who
> like video, OP running with 463 is priceless.
> Doesn't matter where, when.  OB group is John
> Engs.  If there's questions, he's the guy to ask.

Again, NO PROBLEM with photos OR videos of #463 pulling OB and OP across Ferguson's Trestle, up Gravity Hill, past Lava Tank, through the Aspen groves west of Sublette, around Phantom curve, out of Rock Tunnel into afternoon sunlight, or along the cliff near mp 317.35.   BIG PROBLEM if setting up for a demo of OP or OB takes so much time that the train has to head back to Antonito before it even gets TO said Aspen groves.  Tim Tennant has, VERY wisely, IMHO, decided that the demo(s) of OP and/or OB will take place in the yard in Antonito on Sunday, and that Saturday's trip will be to get photos and videos of an MOW train running though Aspen groves that are (hopefully) at the peak of Fall Colors.  That is what is being advertised, and that is what I have bought a ticket for.

> There is also no parameters with food, beverages.
> However I'm no fan of a dried out sandwich, chips
> and a soda. I'd like some reasonable snacks for
> the ride along with something tasty for a meal.

Sounds good to me!  Apparently you're in charge of the cook car, so make up a BIG pot of Irish Stew and/or lots of tamales, rellenos, enchiladas and refried beans - that's what your cook car is for - and I'll look forward to a mid-afternoon sammidge & veggie drink and then a hot meal on the way back - after an long day of taking phraud-0-graphs of a gen-you-wine D&RGW maintenance-of-way train out on the line.

> I do like Tim Tennant's idea of wine, cheese,
> crackers on the annual moonlight train. The
> wine, cheese and crackers is immensely pop-
> ular.  However this might not be a wine
> and cheese crowd but beer 'n' chips.

It's also NOT a non-stop or maybe one-stop dinner train, but a photo charter with (hopefully) SEVERAL stops - most of them in rough country - where people will be getting on and off the train, usually in somewhat of a hurry, to get 'er done quickly and then on to the next one.  A photo stop is NOT a good place to add alcohol to the list of potential problems (which Alan undoubtedly remembers happening with a certain caboose full of Zugfanatikers back in 2012 ... )

I usually have a beer with lunch (whether an enchilada, pizza or liverwurst sandwich), and wine with dinner (almost always red wine - even with Salmon).  But IMHO - primarily for insurance reasons - the beer and wine should be saved until AFTER the last run-by, when everyone will be staying on board until the train is safely back in Antonito (if for no other reason than the tendency of certain notorious foamers to sing and/or yodel when the least bit tipsy).

> Like I said, questions, concerns or want to
> help, call, email the Friends Albuquerque office.


It's MUCH more fun, Joe -

And more efficient, IMHO, to hash things out right here in public - so nobody gets mis-quoted and various ideas can be supported or opposed by all concerned in more-or-less real time.  Tim and Alan can review this thread if and when they wish, and make appropriate comments and decisions as they see fit.

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

* Anyone named Russ can't be all bad ...    



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2015 07:18PM by Russo Loco.