Conway Scenic Railroad (CSRX) discussion thread

[b&m 1566]

I did my leaf peeping with the wife today and ended up at Crawford's a few minutes before the notch train arrived, with the train being 10 cars long, they did something I didn't expect them to do, by the time the train stopped the Ronda Lee was alongside the rest room building, with the dining passengers getting off in between the station and restrooms. It didn't take long for hikers to start complaining when they realized the trail head was going to be blocked for some time. We didn't stay much longer having decided to go to Fabyan's for lunch. We finished up lunch in time to catch the train outside before departure and I can tell you for certain, we won't be seeing more than 10 cars on the notch for the foreseeable future. The engines blocks half of Base Station Rd for the duration of the brake test with 2 engines and 10 cars in tow. Adding more than 10 cars will require the siding to be extended westward or restore the other siding that's just west of Fabyan's, if that siding is longer.

[gokeefe]

Would be great to see video if there's any out there ... Fascinating to think of such a long train up there ...

[shadyjay]

Wow... 10 cars seems impressive indeed, but then I remember we had 8 cars (and a tanker) on the Railfan Weekend trip:
Tank car (for #7470), Rhonda Lee, Hattie Evans, CP Reed, Dorothy Mae, Table Car, Coach, Open Car, Coach

Still, very impressive, and given the scenery up there, I bet it was sold out, or close to it!

[BandA]

longer than the largest MBTA Commuter Rail train...

[b&m 1566]

Would be great to see video if there's any out there ... Fascinating to think of such a long train up there ...

Sorry I'm not big into taking pictures or videos, my wife did take a couple of pictures and videos but they are all on her phone right now. I'll see if I can get her to share them publicly.

[John Smythe]

Thank you for that info. So, it works out to be about $60 per mile to operate the steam engine. As for personnel, that too makes perfect sense, so I'm not surprised that you said that and it did cross my mind but it was after I submitted the post. The Conway Scenic certainly hasn't been immune to the struggles of finding help, that seems to be the reoccurring theme among every sector or business you can think of.

Well... I was pretty close. If estimating that each Conway trip ( 3 ) per day on average sold 200 seats at say an average of $20.00 each, it comes out to some $12,000.00 per day +/- it comes out to about 16% costing factor set-aside.

[b&m 1566]

It would be interesting to know what the ballpark comparison is per mile for diesel.

[davidp]

Would be great to see video if there's any out there ... Fascinating to think of such a long train up there ...

I posted one this morning over on Trainorders.com on the Passenger forum.

[#7470]

It would be interesting to know what the ballpark comparison is per mile for diesel.

The number I got was around $80/day but that could be higher or lower depending on how many runs it does per day. Since diesel will run less pulling miles per day when 7470 does the Conway runs.

[John Smythe]

Diesel locomotives replaced steam powered locomotives because they were cheaper to operate,eliminating the need to buy huge quantities of coal, store huge amounts of water at various locations, stopping to take on water cut into time to get from point A to B. Time for boiler washings, what to do with the vast piles of coal ash that needed to be disposed of all the time. The men in the engines either suffering with heat or cold conditions, curtains helped but it was still a pain. Folks living around rail yards began to object to the constant smoke & soot in the air.

Diesels have weatherized cabs, have huge fuel tanks that enable them to travel long distances without having to stop for coal or water, the air was much cleaner as these diesel engines were pretty efficient, polluting less smoke. Still like the steam locomotive diesel engines, traction motors, generators, wheels still need to be serviced.

One big thing especially in today's world, steam locomotives are a minority, insurance & liability factors should something catastrophic happen costs plenty.

However.... there is something about seeing a part of our history of railroading that is still around, chugging, whistling, the smell of coal smoke, all the moving parts are visible for the most part, we can see what makes it move, the sights, sounds & smells of a steam locomotive makes guys like me lust for more, brings out the kid in me. Yeah.

[Dick H]

Woman Struck by Train in North Conway. From the Union Leader.
https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety ... db820.html

TV9 reported the area of the accident was to the rear of McDonald's.

[Backshophoss]

Is there a fence between the mickyD's and the track??

[b&m 1566]

I don't recall there being any type of fence anywhere a long that stretch of tracks. This incident is an absolute tragedy, there's really no other way to word it. I'm not going to speculate as to why that lady was on the tracks, I understand the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the incident. I hate sounding cliché but my thoughts and prayers go out to the railroad, the train crew and especially the engineer. I don't know what was done to keep the train full of little kids distracted and entertained for the 45 minutes while the train was held up for police and fire to attended to the emergency outside, I hope the parents were understanding and cooperative throughout the process. My thoughts and prayers also go out to the lady struck by the train and her family.

[Dick H]

Further update with photo on CSRX Mishap, from the Conway Daily Sun.



https://www.conwaydailysun.com/news/loc ... bed19.html

[BandA]

Further update with photo on CSRX Mishap, from the Conway Daily Sun.https://www.conwaydailysun.com/news/loc ... bed19.html

the woman “had a dog with her, safely tied to a tree nearby.” The dog was not injured and taken by rescue personnel to the Conway Area Humane Society