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YOU ARE BROWSING THE OLD STEAMCENTRAL.COM. TO SEE OUR LATEST ENTRIES, CLICK HERE.   Believe it or not, the following comments are real. . . and I didn't pay for any of them.  And please don't get the idea by some of the comments following that SteamCentral is anti-Discussion Board. In fact, some of the items on the News page are taken from postings on discussion boards that have been confirmed by SteamCentral.       "I really enjoy your Steam Central web page! It's one of the few sites that I check daily. Anyhow, you seem to have quite the newsy news from credible sources . . . [and] all the steam news contacts." [Steve Barry, Editor, Railfan & Railroad Magazine]   "From the day I learned your URL I've been a loyal reader of Steam Central. Thanks for lifting the curtain and giving us a look behind the scenes at the business of operating and restoring big steam." [Erik Ledbetter, Railway Preservation News (www.rypn.org)]   "The site is splendid. I'll be a regular visitor. " [Kevin Keefe, TRAINS Magazine.]   "This is a fantastic contribution to 'the trade.' Everyone owes you a great deal of thanks for doing this, and so well. Wish I had more time to browse!" [Bill Withuhn, Curator of Transportation, Smithsonian Institution]   "Visited your site for the first time today, very impressive. If I can be of assistance, let me know, I've had 27 years of experience at Mid-Continent. I'll be waiting to read Rich Melvin's piece; as you may know we had a main line steam program with the C&NW during the mid-eighties, and it went quite well. There's a lot more to such operations than meet the eye." [Tom O'Brien]   From "Railway Preservation News" (http://www.rypn.org), 21 June 1999 - There is a new website called Steam Central, webmastered by John Craft which bills itself as "your source for steam preservation and operation." Based on initial visits to the site, it looks as if it will perform as advertised, and more. Steam Central features a news section which offers timely information on relevant subjects including recent mishappenings to ex-Soo Lines 2719 and ex-Frisco 1522, as well as happier news about ex-SP 2467 and ex-CPR 2816. There is also an opinion section which this month features a piece titled "Why Don't Our Museums Measure Up?" The essay offers insights into the generally sad state of our RR museums, but also suggests ways to fix and improve them. Future offerings from nationally well known figures active in the steam community are in work. Additionally, the site offers a schedule section where you can keep up with what's running, when and where. The premise of Steam Central is that "there's an awful lot of misconception and lack of knowledge among hobbyists about the nuts and bolts of running steam operations." And, "this page hopes to be an education resource for those who are interested in understanding the "real world" of steam operation and preservation today." I totally agree with this assessment (and count myself among the ignorant needing redemption) and applaud John's efforts. In fact, in many ways I liken SC to RyPN, except it's dedicated solely to steam. The site is simple, to the point, well laid out and extremely informative. I plan to be a regular and frequent visitor. [Hume Kading] Thanks for the kind review. I hope we live up to your praise - and please let me know if we don't.   "I note that for the most part your site covers steam west of the Mississippi. Don't know if you are interested about steam here on the Right coast . . ." [Ned Keller] Actually, Ned, we hope to cover steam worldwide - it's just that most of the US action this summer is west of the Mississippi.   "A fantastic site! Something like this was long overdue on the web. I really like your site's "one stop shopping" to get the latest news (CONFIRMED news and not some rumors or wishful thinking), schedules, and the promised opinions/commentary from experts in the field. Also having the links to the operators/operations right with the news stories is handy. Keep up the great work--it's appreciated!!" [Jim Robinson]   "I really like your new site. I am usually so far out of the loop on this stuff it great to see in one place. Plus your news section is good. The links are also a super feature. Never knew all these steam locos had their own sites." [Bill Botkin]   "I like the home page . . . especially that BIG photo of old #4501!! Dang it, I wish I could have been there for that shot. " [Steve Freer] Get there on time next time, buddy!   "MAC-user here. Your site came up nice and quick. Looks good. I've already had to alter my travel plans after looking at it. . . Glad to see your site -- it will be very handy. " [Jim Boyd]   "Great idea, that news site. I'll certainly send you steam news, or at least tip you off. The only thing I would suggest is on the schedules and news items, to somehow make the engine number more bold, or make it more obvious somehow which engines are tied to which stories. Maybe doublespace between stories. " [Mike Delvecchio] Thanks, Mike, for the great idea. The News page is much easier to read because of you!   "I checked out both opening pages and certainly prefer the larger photo from the alternative page. . . Looking forward to the opinion page being up and running. I have enjoyed your postings on [discusion board] . . . You may get some newbies at your site eventually who could use a little more information about the various engines and sponsoring groups listed. For example, how many people know anything about the Great Smokey Mountain 1702? I looked it up in the annual Tourist Railroad Guide, so now I know it is an ex-US Army 2-8-0, but do most digital railfans have the libraries that us old guys have? " [Mike Allen] Mike: Thanks for the feedback. More detailed locomotive information is on the way in July.   "I'm really pleased to find a refuge that attempts to concentrate on known facts concerning a steam locomotive restoration or operation. [Discussion board] may be a popular place to visit, but there isn't a lot of substance there. I look forward to your commentaries, as I'm sure that they will represent thoughts from a lucid mind, not the rantings about how the railroads are evil by not letting this/or that engine run. . . " [Les Jarrett] Lucid? Me? Les, did you get the right site? Seriously, I hope the Opinion section will set a high standard for thought about preservation, something missing since "Locomotive & Railway Preservation" ceased publication. We may ruffle a few feathers in the process, but our goal will always be to educate and advance the field.   "John my sincere thanks to you for this superb job! So far, playing around has not led me to any "hickups" but I will continue and then let you know. By the way, I think you should charge us for what you are doing or get people like [video producers and tour operators] to put banners on your website ... " [Hans Muench] Luckily, Hans, we won't have to charge the users anytime soon..   "Your Web site looks good! It's obvious that you've done a lot of hard work. A very impressive schedules list! " [Steve Glischinski]   "Hopefully your site will remain somewhat more intelligent, informative and civilized than [discussion boards] . . . " [Rich Melvin] Well, there will be no chat or discussion boards here. As to the rest, I'm certainly going to try!   "John, I enjoyed your steam page, you done good...That Auburn education is paying off... " [John Gieske]   "The site looks great. I often wondered if there is a site that captures (or tries to) everything that's going on..."[Steve Fowler]       YOU ARE BROWSING THE OLD STEAMCENTRAL.COM. TO SEE OUR LATEST ENTRIES, CLICK HERE.