Large Scale Central

Riding the Sumpter Valley RailWAY last week

Prototypes
#1

Well, guys, we finally go to do it - a cab-ride on the Sumpter Valley Heisler was long-held dream for me and the boys, and it finally got to happen last week. A beautiful day was made even better by the friendly crew at the McKewan depot. The ticket seller spoke very knowledgeably about all manner of NG operatrions in the US AND in yUK, the conductor, Jim Ross - a Jon Candy lookalike with a great delivery who travels each weekened from Boise ID, and the fireman, Chuck, the rangy computer geek hails from north of Seattle and was a literal hoot. The engineer, on the other paw, was a real downer, and for the most part ignored the questions by me and my pal Joe, concentrating instead - as I guess he must - on running the locomotive. A ‘Hi there, guys, and welcome aboard this almost unique locomotive’ would not have sprained his larynx overly, but it didn’t happen.

Shame that, after travelling almost 6000 miles to take the ride.

As soon as mrs tac sorts out the baggage I’ll be posting a couple of movies on YT under tac’s trains, as usual.

Kudos to all the crew on the SVR, in general, but in particular, a dose of combined shits and sneezes to Mr Grumpy the engineer.

Recommendation **** out of *****.

tac, ig, ken the GFT and the Elk River Lumber Boys

#2

I was lucky to be a brakeman and learning to be a fireman on the Heisler back in the early 90’s with SVR. Damn hot in July throwing wood into the boiler. Also drove the fire train speeder which was required to follow a ways behind the Heisler just in case. I had lots of fun in the 11 days I spent there and was surprised went I meet another fireman er woman. She was learning to be an engineer. Funny, her instructor was a commerical pilot who also was her husband. Still more as she was a flight attendant with her husband !!! Good times and good memories… Cheers, TOF in Orygun

#3

Well, where’s the pictures? You think we’re gonna take your word for it?..:wink:

#4

Ken, until mrs tac sorts out the THREE cameras, you’ll just have to take my word on it…

Trust me, it really happened - we have two hats and ig has THREE pins, as does your little nephew, ken the GFT.

tac

#5

Ken Brunt said:

Well, where’s the pictures? You think we’re gonna take your word for it?..:wink:

You know? He told me the same story about the cab ride but Ig said there was only room for himself and ken.

:wink:

#6

Time is passing.

#7

He still has not woken up from the dream yet…:wink: