Ok, well, these are all good questions which would need to be asked at some point, but I think I can touch on some of the more obvious ones:
daylight4449 wrote:
Alright, let's entertain that idea then. Assuming you ran to Middletown, what would you need?
A train!
daylight4449 wrote:Will there be a need for water infrastructure and other equipment (i.e coaches) for the service so primary operations aren't effected by a day-trip?
Of course there will!
daylight4449 wrote:What's the distance, and how could the extra mileage translate into fuel costs and maintenance?
1) The Valley leases 22.7 mi from the State from MP 0 to were it meets the P&W (Railroad) at P&W (Pratt & Whitney) in Maromas, with PAX rights all the way to Hartford. Essex is at MP 4, to that brings us down to roughly 18.7 mi, but then it's close as you please to another 4 mi to Middletown anyway, so you get roughly 22-25 miles one way.
2) Like they always do. More operation means more cost.
daylight4449 wrote:Would it be more economical to run it with one of the center cabs,
Of COURSE it would, diesels are always more efficient/cost effective, but:
Cosmo wrote:
ones that DO go out there would be "specials" like the MBRRE, NHRTHA and Lerro charters, as well as trains for the above mentioned events.
Same rule applies here, so you'd really WANT steam on most anything going up there.
daylight4449 wrote: or would the existing steam roster be able to accommodate such a run?
Given we're talking at least 10 yrs in the future (for Middletown, at least) I think it's safe to assume that VRR would likely have had time to insure that at least 2 locomotives are operable and at least one would be available for said run. Chances are good that if the Valley ever 1) restores 97 to operation and/or acquires an additional operable steam engine, that it would have happened by that time.
daylight4449 wrote: Assuming you run with steam, do you leave the engine as is, or do you institute draft and firing modifications to increase efficiency to reduce fuel consumption? What would the crew requirements be, and how would that effect the operating costs?
These are ongoing concerns/considerations for VRR's engineering/mechanical dept. Beyond whatever they do to keep the engines as efficient as they possibly can at present, I see no major changes on the horizon even with such a trip pending.
daylight4449 wrote:What sort of maintenance requirements would be necessary for a run to Middletown?
The same as any on or during any given week/weekend of operation.
daylight4449 wrote: Then what sort of time-frame would the trip be?
Bring a lunch.
daylight4449 wrote:Most people can really only handle a two hour event as far as attention span goes, so what do you offer to convince the people that do ride that the ticket price is worth the dollar they're spending on the trip, so they generate repeat business?
See my above answer re: "special trains".
daylight4449 wrote:Do you bring the track to higher standards to cover higher speeds, as to reduce trip time, or do you run with the standard operating practice as it presently exists?
Improving the track for higher speed
IS the SOP. As it is, the entire line North of GD will have to be "improved" just to get train over it at all.
daylight4449 wrote:Do you stop in Middletown for say, half an hour, to let people get off and stretch their legs, or do you just run-around and go home once you get there?
Stopping at Middletown would likely include a run-around, photo ops, maybe a chance to visit Amatto's Hobbies, grab a quick lunch... all subject to change, of course, (which may happen many times over in the roughly 10-15 years between now and when it actually happens.)
Here's another "think" for you, Dylan, ...
Actually going all the way to Middletown (or anywhere North of Maromas/Pratt & Whitney,) would undoubtedly require co-ordination with the P&WRR, so... taking that as a given, what are the chances for a photo op on the swing bridge?
