Starring the Reading & Northern’s fabulous 2102!
Here’s an absolutely wonderful video of the R&N’s February 14th excursion shot by that nice young “Garden State Railfan.” He’s done a marvelous job recording the trip and I think you’ll all enjoy it. I sure makes me wish I was there, either trackside or on board!
I rode that train, in the Superdome. My first time riding behind steam, and even got to experience a stop due to an unintended emergency brake application. (It only felt like a firm application, nobody was thrown about at all). Those guys know how to run a steam engine - great trip!
Glad to hear it, I’m envious! I’ll get up there one day!
Oh, on another site I learned the emergency brake application was due to an air hose separation, quickly fixed.
I’ve wanted to see the T1 in action but I hear that it’s just a madhouse when it runs. The chasers seem to take “stupid and dangerous” to a whole new level. Someone was complaining that a video shooter was complaining because some excited children were making too much noise when the train came by.
Well Teddy Roosevelt said it a long time ago, any field of endeavor, pastime, or movement is going to attract a lunatic fringe. Railfanning’s no different. I can’t tell you what to do but personally I wouldn’t let the actions of a few loons deter me from visiting the R&N and their magnificent machines.
I did see a video on-line of one such loon trying to beat 2102 by running through a tunnel, just to get that “One shot nobody else will get!” Well, he didn’t beat 2102 though the tunnel but by the grace of God and generous tunnel clearances he didn’t pay for his stupidity with his life.
Roosevelt’s right, there’s always some crazies in any group. Drives me nuts!
I’ve visited the R&N several times and enjoyed their hospitality in Port Clinton. I just don’t like crowds of foamers.
I can concur that people were out in droves. It was pretty common to see 5 - 10 vehicles on either side of any grade crossing. Being the 10th car in the train, I also saw plenty of people literally running back to their vehicle to resume the chase to the next spot. Most crossings had a police car on hand, which probably helped to restrain some of the knucklehead activity.
Here’s Mister Tunnel. You’ve just got to shake your head in disbelief. Listen to the whistle when the head-end crew spots him. I can imagine what was said in the cab!
Darwin almost collected his “Stupidity Tax”.