I rode the Mountaineer last Thursday. The valley train was about 20 minutes late. The platform has still been closed for two years now. Thankfully the model rail house was open. After that I saw #255, still in its VTR red, pull into the station with the “1920’s Era Consist” which featured no dining car, a dome, and a random notch coach. Very authentic. Then it left to go back to Conway instead of the usual continuation to Sawyer’s. There’s only one Sawyer’s train now and three Conway trips. Every 5 minutes the announcer would say “10 minutes!” and finally the train left. #216, the infamous ticking time bomb pulled in with the consist. Rode in the CP Reed. Doors are removed from compartments but still feels like British Rail. Empty train. Only thirty minutes at Crawford, then back to Conway with no Sawyer train meet.
The 7470 display was a disappointment. Sure, go in the cab and blow the whistle, crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Swirk stands there and does that. #1751 sits behind the roundhouse (poor thing) and it didn’t go anywhere. Lots of taped off areas, the #501 display with lights and smoke would’ve been nice but ever since Solomon came in that didn’t happen. #7470 would be in better condition going to Strasburg. Not that it wouldn’t be sad to see it leave, but hey, #7312 right?
I became friends with Russ and Paul in their years, they knew what was right. #252 and #216 swapped the notch train. #573 ran, railfans weekend had everything instead of a photo freight, the #7470 ran tall and proud with Court in the cab, everything was the way it should’ve been. It’s truly sad to see the notch train over-marketed over the valley train and Swirk’s leadership change everything. I’d give anything to see Russ and Paul come back. But hey, they have buses now I guess?
The 7470 display was a disappointment. Sure, go in the cab and blow the whistle, crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Swirk stands there and does that. #1751 sits behind the roundhouse (poor thing) and it didn’t go anywhere. Lots of taped off areas, the #501 display with lights and smoke would’ve been nice but ever since Solomon came in that didn’t happen. #7470 would be in better condition going to Strasburg. Not that it wouldn’t be sad to see it leave, but hey, #7312 right?
I became friends with Russ and Paul in their years, they knew what was right. #252 and #216 swapped the notch train. #573 ran, railfans weekend had everything instead of a photo freight, the #7470 ran tall and proud with Court in the cab, everything was the way it should’ve been. It’s truly sad to see the notch train over-marketed over the valley train and Swirk’s leadership change everything. I’d give anything to see Russ and Paul come back. But hey, they have buses now I guess?
ConwayScenic252
Main Power for the Mountaineer since 2011.
Main Power for the Mountaineer since 2011.