Nostalgia & History > BB86: UP 8444 and Amtrak at Dale WY

This is Bruce's shot from 8/4/73 @ Dale ... here's what I wrote when I first posted this one: "With Amtrak in the foreground UP 8444 is in the distance, odds that one of you were riding the Amtrak train are pretty long, but what about the 8444's train?" ....
... and 'sierrawestern' responded that he was on that 8444 trip!

Dale was an 'easy' spot then ....
 

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It was only a matter of time before special agents, locked gates and irate ranchers took the fun out of this place.

> It was only a matter of time before special
> agents, locked gates and irate ranchers took the
> fun out of this place.

From what I've heard, it was disrespectful railfans leaving gates open, littering, bothering livestock, climbing on signals, taking apart fences, entering tunnels and causing other trouble that was the problem up there.  The officials and land owners just responded to that.  Unfortunately, I'm afraid a few bad actors ruined this for the rest of us.

Take care,

Mark 

That SFZ has about eight coaches or extra bags and a dorm.

mamfahr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > It was only a matter of time before special
> > agents, locked gates and irate ranchers took
> the
> > fun out of this place.
>
> From what I've heard, it was disrespectful
> railfans leaving gates open, littering, bothering
> livestock, climbing on signals, taking apart
> fences, entering tunnels and causing other trouble
> that was the problem up there.  The officials and
> land owners just responded to that. 
> Unfortunately, I'm afraid a few bad actors ruined
> this for the rest of us.
>
> Take care,
>
> Mark 

I agree with this assement 100%.  Unruly railfans ruined the location... period.  I was witness to their misbehavior on more than one occasion.  Unfortunately, the draw for all these folks was steam.  If only they could behave.  Then again, there is not much that could be done after 911 when security everywhere cranked up.  Those were great times while they lasted, though!

Excellent image!

Posted from iPhone

Conch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It was only a matter of time before special
> agents, locked gates and irate ranchers took the
> fun out of this place.

Yes, sadly the Bad actors among the railfans ruined it for the rest of us .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/21 21:32 by UP951West.