Very interesting, just what we need, more unrealistic reality tv. Actually if it helps pay the bills, it's not a bad idea.
As for the new engine, it is a positive step. I would expect a little boost in business because some people will want to see the new engine first hand.
Two steam engines at a competent operation would mean that they would be able to operate steam all the time. At Edaville, the best we can hope for is that somehow they will be able to have at least one steam engine in operating condition some of the time.
As important as steam power is, it's only part of the equation. Track is just as important. After all, you don't want to just look at the engine, you want a good ride behind the new engine.
Unfortunately, at this time, they cannot provide a suitable ride. Their new engine will be little better than a static display.
But, it is a step in the right direction.
Discerning railfans will not go down to Edaville, even if they got 10 new steam engines, until the former loop around the reservoir is restored.
At that point, it will be worth visiting and paying admission.
Non-discerning railfans who do go down to see the new engine should not pay to get in but should watch from the parking lot, grab a video and a few pictures then go off and do something productive.
So, it's too bad we have to wait another year to get an answer to the 64 dollar question. Are they going to build the engine using plans from one of the original Maine two footers?
It would be nice if they did.
It's important to not get sidetracked by the new steam engine. Yawn, it's a new engine. I am modifying an old slogan to cover this situation.
Instead of "It's the economy, stupid" we need to constantly remind them that "It's the track, stupid".
This new engine is a small step in the right direction. Couple that with a 5 mile loop, more static displays, the chicken BBQ, the return of the water tower, cranberry jct station, Peacedale put back where it was, restoration of the bypass track and all of the former sidings, and a decent museum and you return to a place of quality.
It's like an orchestra, the loss of any one instrument is not a problem, however, in order to get the full rich sound, all of the instruments are required. No single instrument can do the job on it's own.
It's also like a model railroad, cut a model railroads mainline down to 1/3 what it was, remove it's water tower, remove most of the sidings, get rid of the turntable, lose the station, scrap any engines that aren't running and all of a sudden you are left with a rather boring layout. If you add another engine to your layout, it's a step in the right direction, but taken as a whole, the layout is still pretty dull.
Everything that those fools tore down or ripped up added character to the railroad. Unfortunately they didn't have the intelligence to see that even an unused and rusty siding with a broken down old boxcar on it adds character to the railroad.
Even if you don't use it or need it, leave the turntable in, it add character, it's something to look at.
Same thing with the water tower.
Cranberry Jct station was not there just as a station, it was there to enhance the railroad experience. Everything that they tore down and ripped was there to enhanced the railroad experience in addition to it's other functions.
That reminds me, I remember seeing a picture taken by Savery Moore I think it was. It was a picture of Mr. Priscoli after he left the front passenger coach and got up on the side of the diesel engine just as the engine was passing by the main parking lot. I'm surprised he didn't tip the thing over. I'm still trying to figure out why he felt the need to go from the front coach to the engine while it was in motion. Was the engineer disabled or was Priscoli just being an idiot? Yeah, I'd say that is probably what it was.
So, before getting too excited about a new engine, don't forget that we're still missing a station, a water tower, numerous sidings, several miles of rail, a turntable, lots of sidings, as well as static displays. In other words, they've still got a LONG way to go. What's sad is that if they go that long distance, they'll only be back where they started before Priscoli took the wrecking ball to the place.
