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Re: The "rude" UP Steam Team
Author: Lincoln Penn
Date: 02-03-2007 - 11:45
Ahh, so they were "indifferent" and "lacked enthusiasm."
Did they not acknowledge you properly? Did they fail to show "proper" deference? Or did you complain to them from the get-go about your Portola trip (like they had anything to do with that!) or that they should not be there and an SP engine should be instead )like they have anythign to do with THAT, either)?
Once again, I have to say that in all my times around the UP steam operations, I have yet to witness any indifference or lack of enthusiasm. I HAVE, however witnessed a lot of stupid and rude behavior by fans and spectators. Self-centered, know-it-all foamers who barge into conversations or get in the way of the work or try to take over the event themselves or who up with an attitude of "Hey, I'm here, look at me, I'm important, I am gracing you with my presence, stop whatever you are doing and entertain me" are not going to come away satisfied.
Whenever those UP guys are displaying their equipment, the abundance of smiles and happy people among the crowds that are always around and dealing with the crew and asking questions tell me you are way off base. The only time I've seen them get after anyone is when someone does something incredibly stupid, like allowing (encouraging) their little kids to climb up on top of the locomotive or tender or go wandering around in the yards or on the mainlines. Or try to get into the toll cars or other places that are clearly off limits. And they always start out nicely, only reverting to being short and direct when all else fails.
How would you handle such situations, Coleman?
And another thing. While you are whining about UP's steam policy as it relates to other locomotives, don't forget that the SP put an end to the SSW 819's runs years BEFORE the merger, and that though the '80's and 90's, 4449 was very seldom allowed to run by SP. And also don't give a free pass to CSX, NS, CN and several others who don't allow ANY steam. Then ask the KCS what they think about overzealous steam operators who think they know it all.
I happen to know that UP has had it's current steam policy since the late 1960's. It has apparently served them well. And every time there is a steam fiasco on some other railroad causee by some "outside" steam operation, the UP policy makes even more sense.
As to your Portola trip experience, do you know for certain whether any of the crews on those freights that got around you were close to going dead on the hours of service, and might have done so if they waited for your train to get into Portola and unload people? Did you get a money-back guarantee that your train would run on time regardless of anythign that might arise?
Hell, I rode one in the 1960's on a midwestern road that arrived back over 14 hours late. I shudder to think how you would have handled that.
Did they not acknowledge you properly? Did they fail to show "proper" deference? Or did you complain to them from the get-go about your Portola trip (like they had anything to do with that!) or that they should not be there and an SP engine should be instead )like they have anythign to do with THAT, either)?
Once again, I have to say that in all my times around the UP steam operations, I have yet to witness any indifference or lack of enthusiasm. I HAVE, however witnessed a lot of stupid and rude behavior by fans and spectators. Self-centered, know-it-all foamers who barge into conversations or get in the way of the work or try to take over the event themselves or who up with an attitude of "Hey, I'm here, look at me, I'm important, I am gracing you with my presence, stop whatever you are doing and entertain me" are not going to come away satisfied.
Whenever those UP guys are displaying their equipment, the abundance of smiles and happy people among the crowds that are always around and dealing with the crew and asking questions tell me you are way off base. The only time I've seen them get after anyone is when someone does something incredibly stupid, like allowing (encouraging) their little kids to climb up on top of the locomotive or tender or go wandering around in the yards or on the mainlines. Or try to get into the toll cars or other places that are clearly off limits. And they always start out nicely, only reverting to being short and direct when all else fails.
How would you handle such situations, Coleman?
And another thing. While you are whining about UP's steam policy as it relates to other locomotives, don't forget that the SP put an end to the SSW 819's runs years BEFORE the merger, and that though the '80's and 90's, 4449 was very seldom allowed to run by SP. And also don't give a free pass to CSX, NS, CN and several others who don't allow ANY steam. Then ask the KCS what they think about overzealous steam operators who think they know it all.
I happen to know that UP has had it's current steam policy since the late 1960's. It has apparently served them well. And every time there is a steam fiasco on some other railroad causee by some "outside" steam operation, the UP policy makes even more sense.
As to your Portola trip experience, do you know for certain whether any of the crews on those freights that got around you were close to going dead on the hours of service, and might have done so if they waited for your train to get into Portola and unload people? Did you get a money-back guarantee that your train would run on time regardless of anythign that might arise?
Hell, I rode one in the 1960's on a midwestern road that arrived back over 14 hours late. I shudder to think how you would have handled that.
