Conway Scenic Railroad (CSRX) discussion thread

[BandA]

If branches are slapping the side of the train maybe they need to trim them. Have you seen the brush cutting machines the highways use these days? The ones that look like vertical lawn mowers & turn trees into mulch.

[Jonathan]

One thing we can all agree though...if steam is running, you're crazy to buy a ticket in a non-openable window car! Give me the cheapest seats in coach and let the dome sit empty!

If steam is running, im not even buying a ticket, im chasing all day long.

[ConwayScenic252]

Who is Leslie Ann? I haven't heard of them.

No open windows has been a question since Covid, the answer is quite simple: they don't want them used. The Silver Cascade made two appearances last year, one was as an extra coach during when the Governor visited and they needed a coach for the valley train, and the 470 Trip as a waiting area for the photo run-bys. See the connection? It was all because for external purposes and not the purpose of an open air car onboard.

[NHV 669]

I understand the trackside clearance concern, having ridden one of the VTR trains up the Pompy (WACR) a few years ago, but those cars still allowed the windows to be opened.

Even more of a shame, hearing that VTR has sold some of that fleet to SMS down in NJ.

[CSRR4266]

I'd expect the Hattie Evans to get bounced

The Hattie Evans is the only dining car with a kitchen. Rhonda Lee has a kitchen for cleaning dishes and such, but is not able to cook anything. Not sure about the Leslie Ann, but I would suspect it would be the same as the Rhonda Lee. So don't expect Hattie to get booted any time soon unless you expect dining service to end.

[NHV 669]

The 470 club has posted a GoFundMe campaign for former B&M 1741:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/restoring-gp ... ive/donate

Isnt 1741 a GP9?

[MEC407]

I continue to be fascinated by an organization that named itself after a famous Maine Central locomotive but is only interested in B&M equipment.

Maybe someone should start a club dedicated to saving Maine Central locomotives, and in the spirit of confusing everyone, call it the 4266 Club.

[p42thedowneaster]

I was up last week and noticed that the open car, Silver Cascade appeared to be getting some attention behind the shed. I'm not sure if it was just moved out of the way, or if it was being prepped for service...There was someone (hopefully from the railroad) inside it. Caught 252 handling the notch run... looked and sounded great rolling EB at Bear Peak. Also saw on Facebook that Leslie Ann was temporarily re-lettered to CSRR in what looks like the same Burlington font as Rhonda Lee.

[CSRR4266]

I continue to be fascinated by an organization that named itself after a famous Maine Central locomotive but is only interested in B&M equipment.

Maybe someone should start a club dedicated to saving Maine Central locomotives, and in the spirit of confusing everyone, call it the 4266 Club.

Considering the fact that the club named itself after the last steam locomotive to haul the last scheduled MEC passenger train rather than as a MEC Historical Society, it works to preserve what it can for New England railroad equipment that still survives, which happens to be mostly B&M. Be happy that there is a group working to maintain these efforts rather than be snarky. Look into their history and their about us profile and you might understand this better.

[MEC407]

I understand them quite well and am very familiar with their history.

• They had a chance to save the last Maine Central U18B — which was operable, blue carded, and coincidentally also priced at $60K — and when asked, they flat out refused.

• When their namesake steam locomotive was rotting away in Waterville and at risk of being scrapped by the city, they were asked to help, and their response was along the lines of "We could maybe donate a few cans of black paint but we won't do more than that."

But sure, by all means, let's beg for donations for yet another B&M EMD, as if those are the endangered species.

[CSRR573]

I for one wouldnt mind them getting ahold of the rs-3 down in CT

[ConwayScenic252]

• They had a chance to save the last Maine Central U18B

Solomon doesn’t want that. I know he isn’t the 470 Club but he wants an “EMD-only fleet” on the railroad. Which limits their power they can use.

[NHV 669]

That definitely occurred long before he was on the payroll, why would that decision have anything to do with him, especially since he's not part of the club?

Furthermore, why would the club, or ownership let a photographer decide what power the club or RR owns and operates?

[Who]

Yeah, the U18B's were scrapped a long time ago, long before the Conway Scenic was sold to Profile Mountain.

[ConwayScenic252]

I made a mistake, also I didn't know that they were scrapped at all or when the thought was made.