Live Steam at the Syracuse Show

[freddy (Fred Mills)]

I hear that Tom Bowdler has posted a note on another web page about the “Annual Syracuse Train Show Steam up”.

I do wish they could team up with a modular group of some sort and have a real pike to run on. (Maybe young Clem’s)

Tom does have a nice circle or two of track; well constructed, and it serves to prove that a loco can run.
But, after watching a Shay go around the circle several times, it gets a bit boring.
It’s a good thing from my perspective, that I enjoy the great people I meet there, or I’d find little reason to watch the efforts.

I like the idea of OPERATING live steam in an “Operating Railroad” enviorment; but find that running in circles is boring at the best of times.

We have proved that Live Steam can do more than operate on level track; and can take part in an operatin senario. The live steamers seem to learn that their locos can do more than just run in circles, very quickly.

I’d just like to see more effort put into combining the operation of the loco, and the operation of a railroad…I see from our experiences that more fun is had by all.

[Squeeky (Warren Mumpower)]

I agree with you whole heartedly. But there seems to be too much of the locomotive chasing it’s tail in this scale/guage live steam or not…too much of a spectator sport…and not enough hobby. Operating sessions would require the rethinking of a lot of layouts too…and more raised layouts like Richard Smiths. Us old f*rts have a hard time on our knees. I’ve also noted that many come to this aspect of the hobby (not necessarily live steam but LS in general) with a “shake and bake” mentality. In the area I live in operations are unheard of and live steam is unknown unless you model in 7 1/2" guage.

Warren