Fortunate Foamer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Juppo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Personally, I think the operators of the 4449
> are
> > wasting their time and money doing so many damn
> > Amtrak runs in Washington. I've lost count of
> > how many have occurred in the last few years.
> > I know a lot of people, myself included who are
> > sick and tired of seeing the same damn digital
> > 4449 pics with all Amtrak equipment at Vader,
> > Washington.
> >
> > I think if the 4449 only did one or two runs
> every
> > 5 years or so, the demand would be higher and
> the
> > costs cheaper. If you really want to score
> some
> > interest and donations from photographers,
> start
> > planning a trip to CALIFORNIA and leave your
> > Amtrak garbage in the trash. I bet you would
> > have no trouble garnering new interest and
> PLENTY
> > of donations if you planned a California tour
> well
> > in advance WITH DAYLIGHT EQUIPMENT ONLY. Ask
> for
> > extra donations to cover the insurance costs
> and
> > sit down and negotiate wit UP. Develop better
> > public relations and make this happen. Stop
> > playing games.
> >
> > You have no idea how many "foamers" who would
> > otherwise be happy to donate just sit and laugh
> > every time the 4449/P42 combo trundles up and
> down
> > the Northwest. As the Irish say, cop on.
>
> Your comments are really over the top.
>
> Everything I've read about steam excursions on UP
> lines says that UP will not allow an excursion
> using a non-UP steam locomotive over its lines.
> Can you point me to a reference indicating
> otherwise?
>
> Maybe BNSF lines could be used, but that would be
> complicated. Keep in mind that the 3751 group
> finds it difficult to operate its locomotive on
> BNSF lines in CA.
>
> It's nice that 4449 operates so often in the
> Pacific Northwest that you have a jaded attitude.
> There is no mainline steam where I live in Western
> Pennsylvania. I traveled across the country to
> ride the Stampede Pass trip. While the Wishram
> trips have been operated several times before, the
> Stampede Pass trip was not so common and I was
> very much appreciative of the opportunity to ride
> it.

That's good that people are getting enjoyment out of the 4449's Northwest excursions. My response, along with others is that if the people operating the excursions want more donations and an increased interest in what they do, then they need to create higher demand and do something different. Stop doing the same recycled trips over and over with no sense of railroad geography or history. As I already said, a lot of people don't waste their time with mainline excursions because of the cartoonish appearance of the trains. Think its just my "opinion"? Go ahead and keep losing money and interest. I already have nothing at stake in another goofy fake-ass excursion.