Steam & Excursion > Golden Pacific Pics

Some Golden Pacific pics from a week ago.

Ted Curphey
funnelfan@yahoo.com

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You got to love a T-1 in action anywhere, But boy, She sure looks like crap, Can the Golden Pacific please spruce her up the way a T-1 is suppose to look...

I'm glad to see the T-1 running and extend my
gratitude to Golden Pacific for the courage to
start such an endeavour.

Looking at the photos as posted here and on RP,
however, it doesn't seem the current formula
will be a huge sucess. An engine of this caliber
could (should) be generating much more interest
and, consequently, dollars.

This is not apparent based on the ridership or the
excitement being generated. I hope the operation is
willing to adapt to the market to be as successful
as possible.

One suggestion:
Attempt to run a series of excursions in a fashion
similar to the Milwaukee 261 group which runs at
a profit.

Another would be, excuse me Tacoma, move to a better
location - Reading, PA would be nice!

In short, the operation seems akin to white water
rafting in a lake. It can be done, but what's the
point?

/Mitch

The idea is indeed noble. An excursion train pulled by a vintage steam engine with it's related sounds and sights of powerful steam escaping, a whistle blowing, exhaust chuffing et.al. But what good is all this to the riders if they're couped up in those horrible commuter cars? Surely it makes for a unique view and sound from the ground, but spectators don't pay the bills. Without open vestibules, windows and platforms, or topless coaches of some kind, this can hardly be considered a thrilling experience. From a passenger's viewpoint, one can get the same type of window scene from a seat in a Greyhound bus. Most certainly praise should be credited to the hard work, sweat and money put into restoring a most important part of this country's heritage in this steam engine, regardless of it's outward appearance. But if the organization expects to attract the kinds of numbers other steam operations do, they must make the trip more exciting than sitting in a coach with no more ambient sights or sounds than you can get any day of the week in any metropolis which has commuter service.

Does 2100 run forward all trip or is it one of those railroads that has no wye and runs tender first back?

Ted, those are great pictures. I have been planning to get up there, and wonder if you would share the locations you shot those?

the 2100 runs head end to Fredrickson then backs using the Cab car to Tacoma.

There is a wye at Fredrickson, but I overheard someone say that on that grade, running forward downhill, the water won't cover the crown sheet. Any experts out there?

Ed

MILW ran steam loco's down the hill with the grade (MRSR as well). While it is steep (3.8%), it would probably be better for the GPRR to worry more about running UP hill with a fire in the locomotive, instead of with no fire and still moving.

Something about this loco makes it look incredibly ugly...

>>MC>> now what is it?

Was this a test run? One coach and one diesel plus steam does not make a profit for any one. Yes I am glad that the locomotive was saved and restored and running, but I totally agree with the above discussion, get different cars. Nothing sound better than hearing the steamer work, the whistle, the sights the sounds. Put the diesel on the back, if possible.

Could any of us imagine taking the Durango or Cumbres trains and sitting in a commuter car? No, the outside cars are the best.

mc5725 Wrote:
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> Something about this loco makes it look incredibly
> ugly...
>
> >>MC>> now what is it?

The big red stripe and the silly name on the tender. Not to mention the F40 and the double deck communter coaches.

A shame, too, as the engine looks to be in great shape, and it runs through some real pretty scenery.