I enjoy how people are so concerned with how I enjoy the hobby. So thank you. Maybe I’ll come to Strasburg in the hopes of meeting you. Reading my posts for 6 years? I feel internet famous!
It’s nothing against the engine; I’m not a fan of huge crowds.
I’m not crazy about crowds myself, but I try to be philosophic about it.
I mean, if if weren’t for the crowds it would bring the engine, any steam engine, wouldn’t be there in the first place.
One has to decide what one wants to come away with. If it’s video, you can do that static and in motion. Same for photos, although you have to know what you’re doing if trying to aim from an automobile at 50+ mph. Of course, doesn’t one need to have his/her camera figured out if all you get are a couple of burst shots from a tripod while deployed atop an embankment or an overpass (the latter of which bounce, BTW)?
Static, and mobile in between, you must be very organized. You’ll only get three or four good opportunities for those gee-whiz shots. Do your recce, if possible, a couple of weeks ahead of time and keep detailed notes! Take GPS details of that perfect 300 sq ft spot. Get there 30 minutes early; you may find three other tripods there already and feel you have to find another spot…which you also recce’d two weeks ago. You noted it/them as well.
On the move, you’ll need a good driver who is responsive, but calm, as you yell and swear beside her. And you’ll do both aplenty. Trying to video this one event in one of 200 automobiles is almost going to be setting oneself up for disappointment…methinks.
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It’s no biggie, you just play the role of a foamer-hating, somewhat embittered modern day railroader so well. [swg]
BTW, at 2:30pm on Columbus Day I’ll be the old, fat, and bald guy up in the cab of 611 blowing the whistle with a big grin on my face. If you come by, you can take my picture, lol!
Just somewhat? I have to work on that. I’m going for full-blown embitterment.
230pm Columbus day. May have to give me a better description than old, fat and bald. Probably describing like 95% of the attendees with that.
Oooh the snark! This is getting interesting!
Nah, that’s not snark in the least.
Savage tunnel will probably have a good time with the 611, and who knows… maybe I’ll even go.
“Old, fat, and balding…”
Hey listen, the May 2019 issue of “Classic Toy Trains” has an add on page 6 for portable oxygen concentrators, complete with a picture of a happy male customer sashaying along with one slung over his shoulder.
OK, I understand the stereotype of toy train fans being “…retirees and their parents…”, but come on now! [:O]
I think it a few good pictures of the train, the events in odgen will be worth a bit of bumbling, since this will be the event of the decade.
I have thought for some time that the ideal vehicle for following trains would be the Sikorsky S-97 Compound Helicopter. It has a top speed of 300 mph. I haven’t checked the range but I’d expect it would be adequate. Contra-rotating rotors to allow high speed and a pusher propeller to provide the speed.
A couple of high quality cameras (at least one video and one still) mounted in turrets under the nose.
All you need is permission to fly low enough to get the photos you need.
You would of course require both a pilot and a systems operator (photographer).
It might be necccesary to have small calibre guns to shoot down drones that get in your way…
In fact, the S-97 would be good for everyday railfanning allowing you to take advantage of interesting sightings in neighbouring states.
Not all of us could afford the cost. I have no idea what it would cost even if it were in regular production.
Peter
If you had a dollar for every look the video people gave you when flying one around, I’m sure it would be quite affordable.
You might have to keep it above 500ft AGL, but I’m sure there’s military grade camera equipment that would fix that problem, too.
3 rides and 5 chases of 611 since 2015, but October will be 1st time on the engine, and yes it’s been fun, even after I tore a heel ligament at Villamont,VA.
I poke a little fun at myself and you take a shot at everyone in the hobby?
I think I get it; Zug is so embittered, his real enjoyment is making fun of others having fun. Kind of sad, I’m sure you had a better upbringing than that…
Making fun of fun? I did say it was getting interesting. But, about drones- there will probably be a lot of them, don’t you think? Don’t most railroads ban them from above the right of way?
Yes UP bans drones directly above the right of way, although I’d expect plenty of drone photographers will be flying besides the right of way outside UP’s controlled air space all the same! (Not to mention those who won’t follow the rules…)
Good use for a deer stand 
We all interpret the actions and words of others by superimposing our own experiences, feelings and preconceptions on those actions and words. I have always appreciated Zug’s sense of humor.
Zug’s got a sense of humor, trust me! A great one, as a matter of fact.
Peter mentioned a “…small caliber gun to shoot down drones with.”
Hmm, looks like 54light15 might have to change his dream biplane to chase the train with from a Stearman or a Tiger Moth to a Sopwith Camel or a SPAD 13!
Me, I’d want a Fokker Triplane! Hey, good enough for The Baron, good enough for me!
Wouldn’t a shotgun work best on drones? Best get over to Purdey,then. Me, I’d go for a Fokker D7 or my favourite, an SE 5 but I imagine that there is going to be a LOT of drones.
Shotguns DO work on drones. I know of two instances.
One was outside of Philadelphia in a semi-rural area. The property owner got annoyed with a neighbor’s kids drone flying over his home day after day after day, so he got out the ol’ 12 gauge and blew it out of the sky. Nailed it to his fence where passers-by could see it, too.
He didn’t get in trouble, but a guy in New Jersey who did the same thing DID get in trouble, but only for violating a local ordinance prohibiting the discharge of a firearm within town limits.
Gotta be careful in New Jersey. Everything’s illegal in New Jersey. [:-^]
So that’s why you moved to Virginia. I guess Lady F was tired of bailing you out!