Re: Omaha Zoo Railroad 9-19-04

Nice shots Kevin...just wish you could make the image sizes a tad smaller, as they are tough to download, and actually knocked me off line once.
Having been to this place I can state its a good show, especially leaving the standpipe(station), as they make a steep climb and a bit of a horseshoe. This engine really makes some noise on that grade and its worth the price of admission to see that a few times.
I was in Austria in 1974 and was lucky enough to visit the Vordenburg Rack Line(IRON MOUNTAIN) which was impressive with rear pushers. Also saw a couple of narrow gauge steam lines. Gross Gerungs to (Can't remember off hand). On this line they had a few NG cars that carried standard gauge freight cars. Really wild looking.
Also shot some Italian side-stackers on that trip. Wild locos!! Class 741 2-8-0 as I recall. Slightly different than the ones in Van Ryan's Express.
I have to admit I was once one of those provincial guys who didn't like foreign steam. 3 trips to Europe later and 2 to South Africa, I can say I don't regret any of those trips in the least, cause it was real everyday steam in action!
I guess today any steam is good steam given the situation. At Omaha Zoo they run the Austrian engine on weekends cause it can pull more, and the crowds are bigger. Have fun Kevin, and Senior Bush!
Greg