...and they have to be running the blasted diesel:hehe:
But seriously, I've been on a Colorado Train Vacation this past week, and as part of it, i managed to revisit an old friend, the Georgetown Loop RR. I was there around 2000, back when 12 and 14 powered the trains, 40 was in Alaska, and 44 was in the shop for an overhaul to operation. I must say a lot has changed. Back then, i distinctly remember being able to see the train all the way down from Devil's gate to the lower turn (just above Devil's gate station) and the gift shop/depot wasn't there. I (or more correctly, my dad) bought our tickets in the old Georgetown Depot.
Granted, the line has changed operators, and a lot has changed. One major one was, it was sunny the last time i was there:hehe:
. It poured on us off and on the whole way. they even had to stop the train and evacuate the open cars.
One thing that had me confused (and a little peeved) was the fact that, unbeknownst to me, twice a month, the Pineapple Princess goes down twice a month for mantainence and repairs. They had been using the 1203, an end-cab switcher that looks suspiciously like the GE-50 tonner used on the SP Laws-Keeler branch (probably of the same design) but on the train before ours (the 1:35) she had a failure of some sort, and little 21, a tiny 44 ton B+B switcher, had to save the day. I was quick to condemn her as unsuitable for Colorado railroad operations, but she proved me wrong. in the rain, on wet rail, and dragging 5 heavily loaded cars behind her, she dug in and got us up the hill without nary a slip of a wheel. then she doubly impressed me, holding firm to the rail as she descended the steep grades in the pouring rain. To me, she's earned her place there, she's "Baby Dreadnought" to me now.
one thing i've learned from this trip is, despite not having been back for years, Colorado never leaves you, especially her railroads. it gets in your blood. The other railroads here i've visited, the Rio Grande Scenic (a trip i highly recommend, but get the Mile by Mile guide first), the Cripple Creek & Victor, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern (another highly recommended run, but again, get the Mile by Mile Guide) and of course the Georgetown loop, all reinforced that feeling. the Colorado railroad museum, which i visited today, was everything i thought it would be and more. As a plus, i finally got to see the narrow gauge engine of my dreams, IRCA (FEGUA) No. 40. She looks just as good as she does in every picture i've seen of her.
Basically, this is just me expressing my feelings, take if for what you will. maybe i should talk to klinger before i go next time...make sure that blasted diesel stays in the yard where it belongs:hehe:
But seriously, I've been on a Colorado Train Vacation this past week, and as part of it, i managed to revisit an old friend, the Georgetown Loop RR. I was there around 2000, back when 12 and 14 powered the trains, 40 was in Alaska, and 44 was in the shop for an overhaul to operation. I must say a lot has changed. Back then, i distinctly remember being able to see the train all the way down from Devil's gate to the lower turn (just above Devil's gate station) and the gift shop/depot wasn't there. I (or more correctly, my dad) bought our tickets in the old Georgetown Depot.
Granted, the line has changed operators, and a lot has changed. One major one was, it was sunny the last time i was there:hehe:
. It poured on us off and on the whole way. they even had to stop the train and evacuate the open cars. One thing that had me confused (and a little peeved) was the fact that, unbeknownst to me, twice a month, the Pineapple Princess goes down twice a month for mantainence and repairs. They had been using the 1203, an end-cab switcher that looks suspiciously like the GE-50 tonner used on the SP Laws-Keeler branch (probably of the same design) but on the train before ours (the 1:35) she had a failure of some sort, and little 21, a tiny 44 ton B+B switcher, had to save the day. I was quick to condemn her as unsuitable for Colorado railroad operations, but she proved me wrong. in the rain, on wet rail, and dragging 5 heavily loaded cars behind her, she dug in and got us up the hill without nary a slip of a wheel. then she doubly impressed me, holding firm to the rail as she descended the steep grades in the pouring rain. To me, she's earned her place there, she's "Baby Dreadnought" to me now.
one thing i've learned from this trip is, despite not having been back for years, Colorado never leaves you, especially her railroads. it gets in your blood. The other railroads here i've visited, the Rio Grande Scenic (a trip i highly recommend, but get the Mile by Mile guide first), the Cripple Creek & Victor, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern (another highly recommended run, but again, get the Mile by Mile Guide) and of course the Georgetown loop, all reinforced that feeling. the Colorado railroad museum, which i visited today, was everything i thought it would be and more. As a plus, i finally got to see the narrow gauge engine of my dreams, IRCA (FEGUA) No. 40. She looks just as good as she does in every picture i've seen of her.
Basically, this is just me expressing my feelings, take if for what you will. maybe i should talk to klinger before i go next time...make sure that blasted diesel stays in the yard where it belongs:hehe: