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| The Crystal Ball | ||
| by Jim Wrinn 1 October 1999: | ||
| Too many steam locomotives, not enough time! That's often my lament. Maybe it's yours too. If you, like me, have only three weeks of vacation every year, limited resources and a busy life, but you still harbor a hankering to explore "new" steam in America, you've got to prioritize and plan. Each year, I try to catch a new operation, museum or an engine that I haven't seen, ridden or photographed before. | ||
| It's not too early to start thinking about 2000. Some newly restored steam locomotives worth seeing could be on the road, and at the same time, some old friends that you may have previously missed might not last much longer. | ||
| While everyone has to set his or her own agenda depending on your likes and dislikes (some folks only go for big mainline steam; others get into teetering tank engines and clanking geared engines; personally, I like them all, hot or cold, but the warmer the better), you've got to set some priorities. Use up all your time chasing that 0-6-0T in April on one side of the country and you might not have any time when that 4-8-4 on the other side of the nation rolls in October. | ||
| Predicting the comings and goings of steam engines is a volatile as early rocket science. The activity of our 150 or so operating engines depends on so many variables--people, finances, time, parts, the ravages of unknown wear and tear--that it is down right impossible to say for sure what is running or what isn't. But let's look ahead and try to make some potential highlights during the first season for steam in the 21st Century. | ||
| You Do Dallas. Early 2000 could be a turning point at Fort Worth & Western, whose ancient ex-SP 4-6-0 2248, running as the Tarantula Train, is believed to run out of flue time in February or March. The Tarantula Train web site also makes reference to an annual inspection in January and early February, so 2 January may be your best bet to catch this engine. Not far down the road, the Texas State Railroad promises a steam doubleheader the first weekend in March with a charter for the Gulf Coast Chapter NRHS. Two good reasons to mark up the Lone Star State. | ||
| Get in Gear. Cass Scenic Railroad's newest Shay, 100-tonner No. 11 could be out next spring. The oil-burning ex-Feather River Shay has been undergoing work during 1999 while Cass has relied on Shays 2 and 6 to cover its runs. Receipt of the railroad's new boiler for Heisler No. 6, could further alter the picture (by delaying No. 11) or add yet another active engine to the roster. | ||
| Buckeye Bound. Steam sweetheart Ohio Central brings midwestern common sense to steam opearations with the introduction of its former Grand Trunk Western 4-8-4 No. 6325 next spring. If you caught this line's SteamFest '97 in September of that year with four operating engines, you'll know what a good show Jerry Jacobsen's folks can put on. If you didn't, here's your chance. | ||
| Get out and Vote. UP has said Challenger 3985 will be going to Los Angeles for the Democratic National Convention (scheduled for 14-17 August 2000). Most likely, that means a long journey across Utah and Nevada from steam base Cheyenne, WY, and tackling Cajon Pass on the return home. | ||
| Luck of the Draw. Portland, OR - based ex-SP&S 4-8-4 700 recently got money for new flues. So far there's not been word whether that means a bye in 2000 or full steam ahead. Likewise, ex-PRR K4 4-6-2 1361 is still under restoration at Steamtown for the home crowd at Altoona. Projected steam date is late 2000, but as we said before, predicting any "due date" with steam is tough. | ||
| Narrow your Horizons. Three stellar narrow gauge steam shows take place in Colorado - Georgetown Loop, Durango & Silverton and Cumbres & Toltec. D&S will repeat its late August narrow gauge festival, with ex-Eureka & Palisades 4-4-0 "Eureka" making a return appearance. Given all the wrangling that's gone on at Chama-based C&TS this year, it's always a good idea to work that line into your schedule. | ||
| Steam was supposed to be dead 50 years ago, but thank goodness it lives and has made it into the new millennium. Devise your own strategy, get out and see this stuff while it's there. Be sure and buy a ticket, send a donation or sign up to help. And if you figure out a way to get the time and the money to catch all of the show in 2000, let me know. I want to go too. | ||
| 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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