Steam & Excursion > ATSF 3751 Trip to San Diego in Sept?

I received this from a friend at the Central Coast Railway Club:

"While not exactly rare mileage, I know some of you are also steam fans, so I'm providing this information.  

"The Central Coast Railway Club is planning to operate an excursion from Los Angeles to San Diego with former AT&SF 4-8-4 #3751 in September.  The target weekend is September 19-20, however, external requirements mandate that we be flexible on the date, so it may move a week earlier or later, if necessary.  

"The Operations Plan for the trip will be quite similar to the trip we ran in 2010, with the train leaving Los Angeles mid-morning on Saturday, with possibly a photo runby at Poinsettia Station in Carlsbad.  The return trip will be Sunday, leaving San Diego late morning, with hopefully another runby.  One-way and round trip tickets will be available, and there will also be two or three premium cars on the train.  

"Let me emphasize, this is only a "save the date" announcement.  While a request was sent to Amtrak a month ago, we have not even received acknowledgement that the request was received.  And since we do not have a cost from Amtrak, it is impossible for us to determine what the ticket prices will be at this time."

I hope CCRC can make this trip happen!  It would be great to see mainline steam on the Surf Line again.  Stay tuned!

Fingers crossed

Do you need an engineer fluent in speaking Baldwin?

Hoping to have this trip happen too! I had a lot of fun riding behind 3751 on the GCL trip.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Do you need an engineer fluent in speaking
> Baldwin?

Sorry Don, no body is allowed to operate 3751 except Amtrak Road Foreman Bill Stettler.

What it takes to make a public steam trip, as I remember: Two steam engineers and two fireman are a normal necessity, along with a well-prepared locomotive and train staff, both paid and volunteer. Also, a group to organize, sponsor, advertise, and market the trip and ticket sales. Also, a railroad to move from the yard to terminal, provide diesel power with crews, road foreman, conductor, and schedule into traffic. And approval by the host railroad. Also, an insurance underwriter for the trip. Also, public and private cars for the train consist. Also, paying passengers and donations and some capital.  Once all of these are located, then next, the desire of everyone to bring it all together.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/15 19:01 by Spikes.

Spikes Wrote:
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> What it takes to make a public steam trip, as I
> remember: Two steam engineers and two fireman are
> a normal necessity,

That depends on how long the trip is.

along with a well-prepared
> locomotive and train staff, both paid and
> volunteer.

Doesn't matter if they are "paid" or not.

Also, a group to organize, sponsor,
> advertise, and market the trip and ticket sales.
> Also, a railroad to move from the yard to
> terminal, provide diesel power with crews, road
> foreman, conductor, and schedule into traffic.

Really?

> Also, an insurance underwriter for the trip.

That is why all excursions now operate under Amtrak and their insurance umbrella.

Also,
> public and private cars for the train consist.
> Also, paying passengers and donations and some
> capital. Once all of these are located, then next,
> the desire of everyone to bring it all together.

You forgot the up front "approval" by the host railroad to allow the Amtrak excursion to take place.

I was on that first return trip to SD by the 3751.  We did not leave LA anywhere on time, even though all appeared to be ready.  Someone onboard with a radio or scanner told me that when the 3751 engineer told the dispatcher that "the steam special" was ready to depart, the dispatcher replied something like "you're running WHAT on my railroad this morning?"  

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Do you need an engineer fluent in speaking
> Baldwin?

Don -----
That is so creative!  I love it!  And you do speak
Baldwin very well, from what I have read (and seen
in videos).  I really wish I had gotten to see the
awesome 1522 at speed. I really want to experience
her incredible bark -- some day.   You and the rest of
the crew really deserve that to happen.

(Sorry for the thread drift, but that is what happens in
normal conversations).

I really hope this LA-San Diego trip happens.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/15 13:00 by Margaret_SP_fan.

The Pony Express is ready to go.

And it's the best seat in the house, except the cab.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Do you need an engineer fluent in speaking
> Baldwin?

Amtrak has two steam-certified Road Foremen in LA, as well as an engineer in Albuquerque. I believe all three have had experience with the 3751.  That said, that should never stop you from volunteering, you never know what knowing, or even simply communicating with the right people will do for you.

Kimball Wrote:
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> I was on that first return trip to SD by the
> 3751.  We did not leave LA anywhere on time, even
> though all appeared to be ready.  Someone onboard
> with a radio or scanner told me that when the
> 3751 engineer told the dispatcher that "the steam
> special" was ready to depart, the dispatcher
> replied something like "you're running WHAT on my
> railroad this morning?"  

I was on that trip as well.   I think the highlight was seeing the expressions on people's faces as we went by.  No one was expecting it.  Lots of surprised beachgoers.   The amtrak spam can cars are horrible, I would highly recommend paying the extra for one of the private cars if they attach some on the end again.   Something with a platform or a dome, or even windows that aren't scratched and fogged and tinted to hell.   You also can't hear or see the engine for the most part from inside the cars.  If they have a baggage car with the door open that would be a good place to head.

It did leave very late and made for a very long day, I don't think that was their fault.   Just the usual runaround of avoiding scheduled traffic.

-M

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

Jaanfo Wrote:
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> Frisco1522 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Do you need an engineer fluent in speaking
> > Baldwin?
>
> Amtrak has two steam-certified Road Foremen in LA,
> as well as an engineer in Albuquerque. I believe
> all three have had experience with the 3751.
>  That said, that should never stop you from
> volunteering, you never know what knowing, or even
> simply communicating with the right people will do
> for you.

Where, and how, did these other folks obtain main line steam experience?

Really, really looking forward to this! Fingers crossed.