I'm sure some of you are aware of the plight of RailTours in Jim Thorpe. The Carbon County comissioners have not renewed their contract with Railtours, and it ends the last day of 2004. I for one don't want to see them go, but only time will tell.
My first 100 or so train rides (thanks mom!) were with Railtours, I believe pulled by Hawk Mountain's RS3 1554. I remember the short time in '94 that the 1098 was running, steaming up to Hometown with the foliage trains. One of my summer jobs (many years later!) was selling food on the foliage trips, after the last run, I'd stay with the train, talking to the crew, and learning about the operation.
Seeing the F3's at the head of the train-after more than a few saturdays working on them-A hell of a good feeling!
Obviously my views is slanted, but Railtours is still an operation worth seeing and riding. There are people working on the rolling stock, making up for others' lack of attention, and the cars themselves are just as rare as on any other line. RDG Blueliners, two or three coaches off the original Reading Rambles and built in the teens and twenties. CNJ round roof 1300's, you can find Miss Liberty if you look at the right angle!
OK, so it's not like a day in New Hope, but each line is unique, and I don't think anyone wants to see another operation out of business. With some more patronage and attention, things might look brighter.
Mike
My first 100 or so train rides (thanks mom!) were with Railtours, I believe pulled by Hawk Mountain's RS3 1554. I remember the short time in '94 that the 1098 was running, steaming up to Hometown with the foliage trains. One of my summer jobs (many years later!) was selling food on the foliage trips, after the last run, I'd stay with the train, talking to the crew, and learning about the operation.
Seeing the F3's at the head of the train-after more than a few saturdays working on them-A hell of a good feeling!
Obviously my views is slanted, but Railtours is still an operation worth seeing and riding. There are people working on the rolling stock, making up for others' lack of attention, and the cars themselves are just as rare as on any other line. RDG Blueliners, two or three coaches off the original Reading Rambles and built in the teens and twenties. CNJ round roof 1300's, you can find Miss Liberty if you look at the right angle!
OK, so it's not like a day in New Hope, but each line is unique, and I don't think anyone wants to see another operation out of business. With some more patronage and attention, things might look brighter.
Mike
telephone, telegraph, and tell a railroader
-S.E. Miller
-S.E. Miller
