Back in the old days we used the outfit cars at the rear next to the caboose, or a rider gon between the caboose and outfit cars. They blended in nicely, except you could kinda tell it was a charter since they got used a lot. One had a potty in it, and the other housed food and other storage for the trips, and provided more room for riders. I actually put a director type chair in there.
I applaud the idea of doing the "Stealth" cars. Pros and cons to each type however. I like the look of the box car and the stock car. The box car will be more stealth from a photographic standpoint, assuming the issue of enter and exit is addressed. The Stock car has an issue since it has open slats, and thus things inside could be seen perhaps from the outside. One thing I might suggest is to have a stealth car that can be put right behind the engine. This would allow for a nice experience with nice stack talk and so forth. As rehunn mentioned weather can be an issue and of course the only heat is inside the caboose. A stock would be great in decent weather, although rain could enter. If some form of entrance can be made where it doesn't show in photos then either box or stock would be nice. If one were behind the engine it would be separated from the other rider cars, but for short segments might be fun. Back in 1992 we were allowed to ride on a flat car ahead of the mid-train helper between runby locations. This was done ahead of time, as segments were first-come basis. A brakeman rode with each group of 2 or 3 people. Several could be put in a car behind the engine and enjoy that experience.
Like on any photo special after awhile the rider cars will become known and thus will automatically be known as give-aways that they are photo trains. But nothing is perfect right? Personally I think a train of box cars or stock cars looks better than gons or flats. I know why they were used on the 315, due to weight I suppose. With the large number of photo specials being done on the C&TS year after year, I would think such cars would get a decent amount of work. Mid-summer trips in the box car could be toasty though! Food for thought! I am sure once one gets done, improvements and modifications might be in order the next time around.
Greg
[
www.gregschollvideo.com]
Have shown this before, but a preview of the "Ultimate Rio Grande" trips 25 years ago.
PS Earl Knoob was running 484 as rear pusher on the shot in the Narrows. Also John Bush was Chief Mechanical Officer at this time.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2017 11:38AM by Greg Scholl.
