dave2-8-0 Wrote:
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> This is just a hypothetical, from someone
> involved. What do you think the reaction would
> be....If after leaving the yard ( Chama or
> Antonito ) if a bright day glow banner were to
> appear on the side of the locos tender, and across
> the front pilot, until the first photo run by
> location, and re-appear after the run by, and
> etc..
>
> Just a thought. Would it discourage chasers
> crashing the party, or just force them to crash
> the run by site. The organizer basically rents the
> train, and he could do whatever he wanted, with
> HIS train for the day.
>
> Please don't chew me up to bad over this thought.
This has been done before in various permutations over the years including road cones on the pilot. It is usually seen as more work and hassle than it's worth. Remember that someone on the photo special staff has to remove that stuff and store it during the runby (and everyone is riding on the far end of the train). That takes time and slows down the process. It tends to lead to a bunch of griping by those on the train and off it as well. Other ideas have been used as well including a diesel escort coupled directly in front of the steam photo special. Of course, that is an extra train that has to get out of the way, and paying for another crew. That takes time and money. Is it worth it? Depends on the location and the railroad. Sometimes, it has to be done to get enough people to buy tickets for the trip to operate.
Best option is when the coordinator and chasers work together when you end up in the same location. Far easier to convince the other guys to join a pre-planned photo line so everyone gets a good shot. On the recent Trains special, we had one chaser who offered to carry people in his car if they wanted some different shots when we were motorcading the train up the west side of the pass using busses for the photographers. I believe one or two people took him up on the offer and they were able to get a shot that I couldn't bring a group of 80 into. It all works better when we realize that we are in this together.
Kevin
