I would love to see a section devoted to movements and excursions of steam engines. Not regular in service steam engines, but emails sent out to people ahead of time when 1 or more steam engines is going to be coming through. I didn’t find out until late saturday morning that CP2814 and the 261 were running around the Twin Cities this weekend. It would be great if this site is setup so you can list where you live and emails would be sent to people in that region. Or you could just sign up for all of North America in case you have the ability to travel all over to see trains. Possibly a site like this already exists.
I dont know if a site such as this exists.
But Im with you all the way on this subject.
Why? Just what is wrong with using this particular thread for the purpose?
But what if you only check in once a month to this site and miss the 611 coming through. What I’m thinking of would need some type of program where someone says the N&W 611 is going through Chicago on Oct 23 and then an alert goes out to all who registered to recieve an alert when a steam engine is on the move through Illinois.
I’m here for the same reason. My kids (OK - me too) would have gone bananas to see CP 6812 come through this past weekend. I check the only one I really know about - UP Challenger - when I think about it.
Guys, would a new and expanded calendar of events work here? I dont’ think we could do every move an engine makes, but at least let everyone know when the big stuff is coming along.
Jim Wrinn
While I wouldn’t mind an expanded calendar of events, if someone such as Boyd says he will only check up on this board once a month or so, it would be wasted effort on your part. I have read several threads on different forums that someone feels left out of the loop on one train movement or another, but he doesn’t suggest how he wants to be contacted. A message board works for some of us, and others want an instant message, others an e-mail, or phone call and still others a typed letter delivered via US Mail. I remember a fellow offering a beeper service to notify fans on train movements, and no one took him up on the offer.
I don’t have the answer to boyd’s dilemma, but then again, I don’t follow special movements that often.
I would love to see an e-mail alert system, too. Often, I hear about special movements after they have happened. For example, the Ohio Central occasionally fires up locomotives for freight service. I only learn about them by seeing pictures posted hear or there. Also, according to the website www.ocsteam.com , the OC is very close to moving the NKP Berk from Roanoke to their home rails-- if this move hasn’t already occurred. See what I mean?
Martin
Cleveland, OH
There WAS talk on the Trains.com forums, and even mention in the newswire, about these movements. It was hardly a secret. It was mentioned in the local railfan newsletters here in Milwaukee so it pays to join the local chapter of the NRHS and division of the NMRA.
In your area if you join the Friends of 261 I think they do have a mail or email alert system – trying to sell tickets but an alert is an alert. Either that or check their website regularly:
Dave Nelson