Gong back to steam rail transport

[3930dave]

Going back to steam rail transport

A few years back I took a trip on a diesel powered excursion train in Northern Ontario, that was hauling passenger cars circa 1960. As opposed to the sardines-in-a-can business flying I was doing at the time, I found it a great way to travel ! Tons of room; even fully stretched out, my feet didn't hit the seat in front.

Canada has dismantled most all of it's short line passenger rail systems. So I can understand the Brits having to go back to the steam era to get what they wanted.

BBC News - Sussex sees first steam train on extended Bluebell Railway

The locals there may get use from the line, as passenger rail travel is even more common across the pond. Being steam powered, it would be a great tourist draw.

I like to see some of this old iron back out, and hope their line is a success.

Rgds, D.

 

[dave1949]

It must have been fun re-opening the two mile cut that had been used as a landfill. What a job.

It sounds like a useful living history museum, sort of. I hope they keep it going too.

I like traveling by train, it can be very efficient if well planned. In Germany I could take a local bus to the train station in Trier, make one train change in Mainz and emerge from the basement of the Frankfurt Airport hassle free and not expensive. I can't come close to duplicating that if I were flying out Boston's Logan Airport. It does require population density to work well I think.

Maybe the economics of highway maintenance will do more for restoring passenger trains than anything else could. Considering the US is loaded with overdue road and bridge repairs and replacements from local roads to the interstates.

 

[3930dave]

I know some of the guys I've worked with from Europe were pretty startled by the lack of passenger rail service here.

It is often pretty easy to commute by rail there - relatively rare here, unless you are a Time Lord !

Rgds, D.

 

[dave1949]

Okay, had to Google Time Lord, but yeah, that's about what it would take.

If I were traveling by AMTRAK to NYC, for example, I could get the train in Portland ME, or maybe Brunswick now. In Boston I would have to take a shuttle across town from the North Station to the South Station before continuing on. It's nuts.

There's no way I could have my 87 yr. old Mom travel by train from her home in Ohio to here for a visit. There is no convenience to it with train changes and layovers. Sad.

 

[3930dave]

Apparently a few people (with really deep pockets) have taken to tracking down and restoring 1930's era private rail cars. Exquisite detail, the best of that era.

A few years back, Amtrak was willing to add these private cars onto their trains upon request. Probably for one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" fees. You have to supply the chef. Life is hard :laughing:.

Now, that's the way to travel !

Rgds, D.

 

[bcp]

Apparently a few people (with really deep pockets) have taken to tracking down and restoring 1930's era private rail cars. Exquisite detail, the best of that era.

A few years back, Amtrak was willing to add these private cars onto their trains upon request. Probably for one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" fees. You have to supply the chef. Life is hard :laughing:.

Now, that's the way to travel !

Rgds, D.

$2.10 per mile, plus lots of fees-waste dumping, parking, switching, electric service, etc. etc. etc.

Private cars
Ride in Your Privately-Owned Train Cars to See North America | Amtrak

Fees
http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/271/180/Private_Car_Tariff.pdf

 

[dave1949]

The parking fees are a bit stiff. Add up all that stuff and it would get expensive, plus the cost of the car to begin with.

 

[Egon]

Travelling by train has gotta be the way to.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

Travelling by train has gotta be the way to.:thumbsup:

I enjoyed it in Europe (when in the Navy).
As others wrote, passenger rail is much more common in Europe. Of course, the US, with it's wide open spaces, and Europe, being relatively congested, cannot be compared.
And, as I'm sure most of you know, passenger rail for US rail companies (other then light rail around cities) is not a money maker.
Kind of a shame, really...rail is a much more romantic way to go...

 

[PhysAssist]

We went on a shortline run in AZ a few years ago, on the Verde Canyon line. It's just a day trip out and back, but we saw some incredible scenery and wildlife, plus had a very pleasant riding experience.