Steam & Excursion > 765 in Chicago

Finally downloaded my pictures from a great weekend in Chicago. I rode and SAFELY chased the Joliet Rocket, but honestly liked riding in the open vestibules most!

Note - I still need to do some "tweaking" to my pictures in Adobe Lightroom, but thought I'd post this one, even with the orange safety vest still present! :)

This photo was taken Saturday, June 17 at 3:46 PM CST in New Lenox, IL at Townline Road, and she was MOVING!

A huge "Thank you" to Metra and FWRHS for a great weekend.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/17 19:12 by mdogg.

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Why can't the crews take their vests off when on the footplate? They must know people are photting the train. Some on the 611 did. Others didn't. Everyone somehow managed to survive for over 100 years without them. Nice to see the loco with no diesel tucked in behind.

Honestly, it does not bother me if the pilot crew wears them. That's what Photoshop is for. 100% cotton is best for the cab of a steam locomotive, not the safety vests. But, we have to respect the pilot crews, so if they wear the vests, then we should just do a little editing on the computer and not make a big deal about it. I just made the comment in the first post because some people flip out about them.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/17 20:35 by mdogg.

Nice shot. It was a challenging chase for sure. No worries as the poster above normally focuses on what's wrong with a shot rather than the awesome aspects of the excursions in question. Vests...so what? Diesel...so what? Consist not arranged to your liking? Stay home. Seeing these beasts out on the mainline in 2017 is more than enough to be thankful for =P

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/17 20:46 by capnskullnbones.

Amen!!
It also helps if they can spell....

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

AMEN!! You nailed it, capnskullnbones!!

mdogg --
That is a gorgeous photo, and you got her with
her rods down! I love the close-up with the tele --
makes her look very impressive and huge -- which she is!
IMO, you don't need to change a thing in this great photo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/17 11:46 by Margaret_SP_fan.

Beautiful photo...very sharp.  I got rid of the offender.

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Re: photo edit....

NICE JOB...
I bet it was tricky, keeping the leaves reflection on the wind-screen, firemas's position.

Well done.
They're keeping my bell, nice and shiny. It had also been on the 759, for an AFT "press" trip trip to Scranton, in 1974(?).
Now, it rings loud on the 765, for all to enjoy.
Can it really be 43 years ago???

W.

[Those brakeman's seats, behind the fireman are tight for large people, ..@192 lbs, I ain't fat, but being 6' '6", it's hard to sit square in that seat..]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/17 13:19 by wcamp1472.

capnskullnbones Wrote:
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> Nice shot. It was a challenging chase for sure. No
> worries as the poster above normally focuses on
> what's wrong with a shot rather than the awesome
> aspects of the excursions in question. Vests...so
> what? Diesel...so what? Consist not arranged to
> your liking? Stay home. Seeing these beasts out on
> the mainline in 2017 is more than enough to be
> thankful for =P

My sentiments exactly. 60mph on a commuter line was impressive. We had a great time, though the preparations were challenging at times. Looking forward to doing it again (but I could use a little break before we start planning the next one).

Jesus Christ, who gives a flying F about a vest. Note to all the complainers: it isn't 1947! Secondly, no one is going to care in a week. Can't we just enjoy this stuff without bitching about something. Ridiculous

Posted from iPhone

Buttons2013 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jesus Christ, who gives a flying F about a vest.
> Note to all the complainers: it isn't 1947!
> Secondly, no one is going to care in a week. Can't
> we just enjoy this stuff without bitching about
> something. Ridiculous

For what it's worth, you all might check out all the various photos and videos of the SP 4449 two day excursion on the weekend of June 24 & 25. I may be wrong, but I don't recall seeing ANY "safety vests" hanging out of the cab. The various pilot crews we had, both BNSF as well as AMTRAK removed their "safety vests" while in the cab.

Yes, it's a shame that while they were speeding down their railroad the engine crew forgot to tell the Metra employee wearing that vest that someone would come up with the deeply unoriginal critique about their vests on the internet.

While I'll toss my vest in the seat box when firing, I'm not sure it matters to the paying passengers. If anyone wants to create a donor sponsored petition to create visual reminders for engine crews and host railroad crews to pocket their vests, send me the link.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> ...I don't recall seeing ANY
> "safety vests" hanging out of the cab. The various
> pilot crews we had, both BNSF as well as AMTRAK
> removed their "safety vests" while in the cab.


I'm sure the temperature had something to do with it ;)

nathansixchime Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > ...I don't recall seeing ANY
> > "safety vests" hanging out of the cab. The
> various
> > pilot crews we had, both BNSF as well as AMTRAK
> > removed their "safety vests" while in the cab.
>
>
> I'm sure the temperature had something to do with
> it ;)

Not really. The BNSF Pilot Conductor was dressed in full bib overalls, and seemed to be VERY cognizant of removing his "safety vest" whenever he entered the cab, and put it back on when he exited to throw switches or perform a roll-by on trains we met. Both the Pilot Engineer and Conductor worked "The Canyon" regularly, and were well accustomed to the terrific high/dry heat.

Also, are you saying that it wasn't that hot and HUMID in Chicago when 765 visited there?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/17 17:49 by HotWater.

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Everyone somehow managed to survive for over 100
> years without them.

You seem quite sure about this. You have reviewed all incident files?

Wes Camps' Geisler Engineering bell works great on the 765. FWRHS thanks him! The American Freedom Train announcement trip between Hoboken and Scranton was July 22, 1973 and carried this same bell.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> nathansixchime Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > HotWater Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > ...I don't recall seeing ANY
> > > "safety vests" hanging out of the cab. The
> > various
> > > pilot crews we had, both BNSF as well as
> AMTRAK
> > > removed their "safety vests" while in the
> cab.
> >
> >
> > I'm sure the temperature had something to do
> with
> > it ;)
>
> Not really. The BNSF Pilot Conductor was dressed
> in full bib overalls, and seemed to be VERY
> cognizant of removing his "safety vest" whenever
> he entered the cab, and put it back on when he
> exited to throw switches or perform a roll-by on
> trains we met. Both the Pilot Engineer and
> Conductor worked "The Canyon" regularly, and were
> well accustomed to the terrific high/dry heat.
>
> Also, are you saying that it wasn't that hot and
> HUMID in Chicago when 765 visited there?


There's far more Hot Air online than in the weather reports ;)

PatternOfFailure Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> andersonb109 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Everyone somehow managed to survive for over
> 100
> > years without them.
>
> You seem quite sure about this. You have reviewed
> all incident files?

Just ask the families of all of the construction or emergency service workers that get struck along side the highway each year. I'm sure they'll agree with that idiotic statement.

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

ALCO630 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PatternOfFailure Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > andersonb109 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > Everyone somehow managed to survive for over
> > 100
> > > years without them.
> >
> > You seem quite sure about this. You have
> reviewed
> > all incident files?
>
> Just ask the families of all of the construction
> or emergency service workers that get struck along
> side the highway each year. I'm sure they'll agree
> with that idiotic statement.
>
> Posted from Android


Yes but like you said--along side the highway. Very little railroad work is similar to this. The most absurd requirement is that an engineer must wear a vest whenever outside the locomotive cab (on most railroads). You'd be hard pressed to provide me with an example of an engineer who avoided an injury because he was more visible when walking from a terminal to his locomotive cab. If he accidentally fouls an oncoming train on another track they won't be able to stop or steer out of his way. And keep in mind--not all railroads require this still. But those who do have simply succumbed to the trend in liability where they don't have to answer the question "what more could you have done to ensure safety" even in a scenario where it doesn't apply at all. Now a trainman working in an intermodal yard, or switching industries near roadways, etc, that's a different scenario, and a vest is arguably safer. But everything is broad-brushed anymore.

andersonb109 Wrote:
"Why can't the crews take their vests off when on the footplate? They must know people are photting the train. Some on the 611 did. Others didn't. Everyone somehow managed to survive for over 100 years without them. Nice to see the loco with no diesel tucked in behind."

Andersonb109,

We were totally focused on running a safe operation, both inside the cab and out of it. We had far more important things to focus on than making sure cab personnel removed their vests. I find it hard to believe that you overlook the fact that we ran a flawless and injury free operation and choose to focus on the petty things you mentioned.

Finally, the photographers should be the last ones to complain about ANYTHING. It is the fare paying passengers and those who donate to the cause that truly matter.

R.R. Conway