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| The Crystal Ball | ||
| by Jim Wrinn 1 January 2000: | ||
| Welcome to the wide world of steam in the year 2000! | ||
| Have you started doing your trip planning for this year? Research shows that most Americans start planning their vacations around the holidays. But railroaders don't pay attention to research or what the rest of the world is up to anyway, right? Half of the folks who bring us steam are disassembling valve gear right now, and the other half is still reading that new, voluminous set of rules and regulations for operating steam locomotives in the United States. So things are still rather vague at this point as to who is running, what's running and when to call B&H photo in the Big Apple for that bulk order of K64. The old Crystal Ball Wizard, however, has repeatedly said it is not ever too early to start making a list of potential steam riding and photography activities. So, let's take a look ahead. | ||
| One thing is starting to clear up for 2000, and it looks like something orange, black and red is in your future. The good folks who maintain Southern Pacific Daylight No. 4449 have already announced a possible return on BNSF's Stampede Pass line in beautiful Washington state next year. While a water pump failed on 4449's return from Railfair last June, it looks like a replacement has been located and the locomotive that powered "the world's most beautiful train" will enter the millennium in fine style. Tentative dates for Stampede Pass are June 3&4 with single-day Wishram trips set for June 10 and 11. |  | |
| Then we see Buckeyes. We know that Ohio Central continues to work on ex-Grant Truck Western 4-8-4 6325, but we also know that freight traffic at OC is booming, so there's a good chance that big one might get pushed back yet again--as it did in 1999. | ||
| And lastly, I see a Bear, as in the California state bear. One I would suggest strongly watching is the return of McCloud River No. 18, a 2-8-2 that Baldwin put together in 1914. She was in the shop last year on her native northern California shortline and would look absolutely stunning with smaller sister No. 25, a Prairie type with unusual grace. If there's a doubleheader, it's time to pack the bags and go! Oh, yeah, and one footnote about 2000 in California: It's a political year, but think of it this way. Everytime you see a commercial for one presidential candidate or the other, remember that UP's Challenger No. 3985 will be rolling to Los Angeles in August for the Democratic National Convention. | ||
| For now, though, the majority of our steam picture, shall we say, is fogged up? When uncertainty clouds the picture, I tend to return to my basic list of "must do, sometime when finances, vacation, family, steam locomotives I work on, full lunar eclipse, etc., permit" locomotives and rail lines. Some engines that might be good to do unless the Big Boy in Texas DOES emit more than simply hot air include: | ||
| Little River Pacific No. 110. I've never seen it, and it's moved from Indiana to Michigan and hopefully will run in 2000, but this smallest standard gauge Pacific ever built sure is unique and worth a look. | ||
| Western Maryland Scenic's 2-8-0 No. 734. A dead ringer if there ever was a look alike for somebody else's engine, this former Lake Superior & Ishpeming HEAVY Consolidation sure does make for a good stand in for one of Wild Mary's own at Cumberland, Md. I understand she's due for some boiler work at the end of the 2000 season. Like my old friend, Jim Fetchero says, do 'em while you can--who knows what the future may bring! |  | |
| Georgetown Loop. With 2-8-0 No. 40 headed for Alaska for five years, and No. 44 being rebuilt for service, this Colorado line just west of Denver is anything but boring. And if the 2-8-0 isn't running, one of two Shays will be! If you've never been to Georgetown, you'll love it. A true model railroad come to life. Plenty of good places for interesting photography (whoever built that overlook on Interstate 80 gets high marks from me!!) and Georgetown is a beautiful but not ruined (read gambling) mountain mining town. For the more adventuresome, the grade of the old Argentine Central is still in place and hosts a biking trail that begins at the 14,000-foot level! | ||
| A couple of notes for those who love to maximize their time at places with multiple engines: | ||
| Nevada Northern's wonderful ten-wheeler No. 40 is laid up for repairs while 2-8-0 No. 93 handles the NN, but will be back on the road by May. |  | |
| Expect Cass No. 11 to make its first full season in 2000 with a brand new water tank, but still burning oil in contrast to coal burners WM No. 6 and Pacific Coast model No. 2--at least. | ||
| The folks at the Sumpter Valley, in eastern Oregon, have two home-road engines, Heisler No. 3, and Mikado No. 19, in their stable and available. Word has it that both engines occasionally make it out on days when ballast or work extras are called, and a photo freight is possible too! |  | |
| That's all for now. By spring, when we'll warm up the next installment of the Crystal Ball, let's hope the hydros are going smoothly, the coal deliveries are being made on time and we can predict a little more steam in the future. | ||
| Jim Wrinn, a staff writer for The Charlotte Observer and a volunteer at the N.C. Transportation Museum, writes this exclusive preview column quarterly for steamcentral.com. Send updates to crystalball@steamcentral.com. | ||
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