Bob J Wrote:
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> During the last time the Challenger made an
> appearance in Southern California, I recall that
> there were stories of someone getting on the radio
> and impersonating the dispatcher and interferring
> with both UP and BNSF operations. There were also
> reports of some persons shunting signals to make
> them go red so they could get photos at various
> locations.
>
> Stuff like that leaves a very bad taste in the
> mouth of the operations department of both
> railroads for a very long time.


I think that there is some truth in what you are saying about the signal situation and etc but as to the UP steam locos coming to the bay area, they ran into some high fees for air pollution after they were here in '92 for the NRHS convention. They have not come closer to the bay area than Stockton ever since. THe Niles Canyon rwy is not technically in the Bay area air quality sphere of influence and doesn't come under those regs, as I understand it. ALso, the LA air quality people also charged UP with big bucks the last time they were there back in the '90's. It's very complex but we haven't seen a UP steam loco here for 20 years. As to the 4449, since it is not a UP owned loco, they won't allow it on their tracks for excursions so that deprives us even further down here. BNSF will allow it .
C.
C.