Due to conflicts with the Democratic and Republican conventions, there won’t be a repeat of the Colorado State Fair train this year. Story. I only caught the train at Union Station last year and was hoping to catch it along the Joint Line this year. Oh well… I guess there’s always 2009.
Just another example of well-meaning but out-of-touch politicians inadvertently making things worse for their electorate. - a.s.
I think this is more of an example of the railroad’s desire to kiss some political fanny…
If the RR wants to keep the equipment to haul pols around, yes it would indeed be such a fanny-kiss. Otherwise I’m not sure pols would grant many brownie points for something the line did NOT do – less visible.
- “Senator, we’re all part of the same hypocrisy.” Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), GODFATHER II.
We set up at the siding on the Air Force Academy (had to go to the BX anyway) to watch it come through. It sure was impressive, and there wasn’t a lot of people at that location.
It is a dissappointment to hear it won’t be through again for the fair. I was wanting to chase it a little ways this time around, and had considered riding this time as well.
Rumor has it UP wanted to change the consist and run all the white boxcars with shackles (politicians only)…darn!
Are they the same yellow Passenger cars that are used behind the Challenger? What usually powers the CSF train?
Well, last year was the only year they ran it. It was supposed to have the Challenger up front, but she wasn’t ready yet, so it was 844.
[:D]
So I take it that UP Steam will be leading the trains with the Professional Inaccurate Storytellers, er, I mean Politicians aboard?
Those are being readied for use after Big Brother gets done scanning all of the surveilance videos from all of the 2007-2008 Democratic conventions.[swg]
I haven’t heard what’s on the point of the Party Convention trains, but steam would be one option. Of course, the UP also has the E units, the 6936 and all kinds of everyday power that could also be utilized.
My guess is that they don’t go with steam. There’s going to be enough hot air and smoke being blown around by the politicians, who probably wouldn’t like any competition from the Challenger! [:P]
If it were up to me… I would utilize the SD70ACE #4141 for the Democrat’s train… [:D]
But you are right Chris, I would be sure that they would hate the competition from steam…
hey maybe if they cant use the steam there, they can send it to Altoona
Those white boxcars are reserved for the Clintons if Obama gets elected.[oX)]
I spoke with one of the UP Steam reps when I was at the Hostler’s Train Show in Ogden, And she told me that there are 3 planned trips, The Frontier Days Special, and thne one for either Convention. She also said that there should be a steamer on the point of each one, most likely the 844 to Denver, and the 3985 to St. Paul. I inquired about the Challenger’s maintenence issues and she told me that they have had it out around Cheyenne testing it out and whatnot. But she did say that it didnt look good for any other excursions this year due to those conventions.
3985 to St Paul? any dates set yet? i was gonna go to St. Paul for the Jackon Street Roundhouse museum on my birthday. but my work schedule made me postpone it. perhaps i can kill 2 birds with 1 stone and see a challenger AND the GN 400 all in the same trip!!! [:D]
Find out when the political convention is… That really isn’t set in stone though… It could be something else on the point, its just what they are trying to plan.
fair enough. i’d go see it if it was any of those historical units. maybe not one of the heritage units or the E9s (already saw 'em) but definitely the DDA40X or the challenger
Talk about a missed opportunity to do the world some good! Double-darn!