Eastern Railroad Discussion > Rare Passenger Train Power

This Friday and Saturday evening the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad operated special trains between Lansdale and Souderton, Pa. Power north was ex-CN SD40-2 #5342 and south the only operating GE C39-8 locomotive in the country ex-CR/NS #8212. Photo one at the newly renovated former Reading Company Souderton passenger  station and northbound waiting room building. Second photo in the rain passing through Hatfield, Pa on the ex-Reading Bethlehem Branch.

---

---

Now that is an unusual tourist line power. 

Tominde Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now that is an unusual tourist line power. 

Actually, it seems anymore, that STEAM at New Hope
is the "unusual power".  Odd considering it had recently
undergone a rather extensive and timely restoration.

I'm surprised that as ambassadors to the railroad,
New Hope would utilize an un-logo'd poorly patched
GE C39-8 locomotive.  Even the Pennsylvania NE loco
seems a missed opportunity to better advertise and
promote the New Hope Railroad.

Glad to see more trips being ran outside of New Hope
but, must add, I was surprised to get wind of the excursion
for Friday via e-mail - on Friday!

Nice shots, Dale - thanks for sharing!

The station serves as a upscale bar and restaurant today,
while the enclosed canopy on the opposite side serves as
a nail salon.

/Mitch

Mitch, The NH&I have laid oiu a mulit year plan that calls for the use of Steamer # 40 on special occassions like the Santa Steam Spectaculars now being advertised on their website for the Nov.-Dec. runs of the Santa season trains so as to get maximimum use of the steam locomotive when folks are willing to pay a premium to be pulled by steam vs. diesel.

   This way they get the most possible revenue use out of the locomotive under the 1472 day rule. Makes a lot of sense.

   Ross Rowland

co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mitch, The NH&I have laid oiu a mulit year plan
> that calls for the use of Steamer # 40 on special
> occassions like the Santa Steam Spectaculars now
> being advertised on their website for the
> Nov.-Dec. runs of the Santa season trains so as to
> get maximimum use of the steam locomotive when
> folks are willing to pay a premium to be pulled by
> steam vs. diesel.
>
>    Ross Rowland

What might that suggest about the once daily /weekly operations
of No. 40?  The market for steam has considerably faded or the
new emphasis at New Hope is profit?  Or perhaps the cost to run
steam has deemed such a scenario unsound?  I was once told by
someone at the Strasburg Rail Road - years and years ago, that
they don't run steam to make money, they run steam because they
can run steam.  Perhaps two distinctly different philosophies.  Of
course, New Hope does not have an 18,000 sq foot shop, err... a
30,000 sq foot shop running at capacity with contract work.

No doubt, this pretty much makes any talk of further restoration of
the 4-8-4 No. 3028 a moot point - the once to be "special operation"
steam locomotive of the line.  Let alone a fantasy I once envisioned
which would've featured 4-6-0 No. 1533 operating on the opposite
end of the line from Warminster to say... Wycombe!

/Mitch

 

Nice photos!  I do think it is really cool the NH&I and Septa are offering these trains.  Hopefully, the public are responding well to them.  And hopefully, more excursions like this can be made.

With respect to the steam engine, I do remember signs being posted at the North Wales station back in May when the steam engine ran trips from there and headed south (west) on the Septa line.  Now, I completely understand that things do unexpectedly pop up with the steam engines, so no blame is being made if the engine isn't being run at this time.  Still an added bonus though.

With respect to the Fall Foliage trains though, I noticed they have been cut back closer and closer to New Hope.  I can only guess it's a combination of factors, but for this year, Fall Foliage trains are only being run from New Hope to None Such Farms (Buckingham) and back.  

Just my two cents worth.  

---