[WARC] Help needed with Steam Train SP Daylight 4449 Oct 10/11
Daniel L. Goltz
dgoltz at hbci.com
Tue Sep 8 00:19:51 GMT 2009
Erik I would love to help this year as before but unfortunately I am
scheduled to work that entire weekend. Very sorry I won't be
available.If something should change I will let you know.
Dan
Quoting Erik Brom <ewbrom at hbci.com>:
> Hi All,
> It is now official - our help has been requested for SP 4449's
> appearance in Winona Oct 10 and 11.
>
> For those of you new to the list: for several years now, steam
> locomotive Milw #261 has pulled fall color trips from St. Paul,
> stopping in Winona, and then going on to La Crescent. Some
> passengers get off and are replaced by local passengers. The first
> group explore Winona and then get back on for the return trip. The
> combined Winona Hams and Railfans have done a great job providing
> crowd control and security here in Winona. In exchange for our
> help, we can ride the trip to La Crescent if we wish.
>
> This year there are likely to be many more people around, due to the
> unusual engine.
>
> The operation this year is nearly the same as previous years, with
> one major exception: #261 is down for scheduled maintenance, but
> The Friends of the #261 is in a contract renewal dispute with the
> locomotive's owner, the National Railway Museum in Green Bay, WI.
> Work is halted until this is resolved. Instead, SP Daylight #4449
> will be pulling these trips. 4449 normally lives in Washington
> State, but came east for a Steamfest in MI in July, and has hung
> around Mpls to pull our trips. 4449 is currently painted in its
> original bright orange scheme, but it actually passed through Winona
> in 1976 with the American Freedom Train. It was painted Red, White,
> and Blue for that trip.
>
> All help will be appreciated!
>
> Now to the details:
>
> Schedule: the train is supposed to leave Mpls Junction at 8:30 AM
> each day. It will be here between 11:45 and 12:00, then proceed to
> La Crescent where it is turned and watered. It will arrive in
> Winona at 2:15, and leave at 2:30. Its scheduled to arrive back in
> Mpls at 6:00. Adherence to schedule is of course subject to many
> things, including Amtrak's punctuality. Several times the steam
> train has actually arrived in Winona (from both directions) early.
> If its early, it usually stays here until the scheduled departure
> time. If late, it exchanges passengers as quickly as possible and
> the leaves.
>
> If tickets are still available for the La Crescent trip, they can be
> purchased from Judy Sandberg, who will be on-board the train, she
> will also have will-call tickets. She will be located near the
> middle of the train, on the platform. I'll try to let you know
> before the train arrives if there are any tickets available.
>
> There is a possibility that the train will be long enough that it
> won't fit on the platform. In this case there will be a "double
> spot" - that is, the train will stop, exchange some passengers, then
> move a short distance for the rest. Details probably won't be
> decided until the last minute, but I'll try to let you know what's
> going on.
>
> Our biggest tasks are to keep the main line clear when the train
> arrives, and also answer people's questions. The worst crowd
> control problem is always when the train returns from LaCrescent -
> passengers re-boarding in Winona want a picture of the engine, but
> the sun angle is best from the far side of the track. I'm hoping to
> organize a photo line, but I don't have the details together yet.
>
> SAFETY FIRST: Always expect a train on any track at any time in
> either direction. However, the only track likely to have movement
> while we are there is the mainline. That's the second track from
> the parking lot. If a freight train passes through, it will be
> going 30 MPH and can have stuff like steel bands hanging off. We
> need to keep everyone as far back as possible. At least a couple
> feet behind the wood planking of the first track. 4449 will be
> moving slower, but steam engines, especially this one, breath smoke,
> fire, steam, and hot oil. One clue that a westbound train is
> approaching is the block signal near Huff St. It will only light up
> when a train is in the block.
>
> SAFETY FIRST: The #261 has an impeccable safety record. One injury
> could bring the whole operation to a screeching halt, forever. We
> don't want to have the honor of doing that! Be aware of your
> surroundings at all times. Always expect a train on any track at
> any time in either direction! Members of the public don't
> understand this. You have to protect them as well.
>
> Hams please bring a 2m handheld. We will use 146.490. Everyone can
> listen to the CP on 160.770 and/or 146.490 if they have a scanner.
>
> We will try to intermix hams and non-hams, so that we can pass
> messages quickly.
>
> I would like everyone to wear a bright orange safety vest this year.
> Please bring your own if you have it. Otherwise, I have a limited
> number to lend out.
>
> We need to have sufficient people both days, so I need to know who
> is doing what each day. Please don't change your plans without
> asking me.
>
> Details of bathroom availability and the photo line are still being
> worked out.
>
> We are needed at two times each day: 11:00AM until approx. 12:05,
> and 1:30 until approx. 3:30. Please find me at the starting time
> for a quick job briefing.
>
> If you can help, please send me the following information:
> -Your name
> -Call sign if you are a Ham.
> -If you are a Ham, do you have a 2m handheld you can bring?
> -Your cell phone # if you have one
> -Your email address
> -Which day(s) can you help
> -Do you want to ride the train to LaCrescent. Which day to you
> prefer (apparently Sunday is not selling as fast as Sat, so may not
> be as crowded).
> -Do you have your own vest?
>
> If you have friends that are Hams or railfans and are responsible,
> they are welcome to help as well.
>
> Thanks to Steve Donahue for helping me set this up! He reports that
> the 4449's firebox is much hotter than 261's and, like 261, they
> usually let out a sideways burst of steam from both cylinders as
> they first start to move. We need to keep the public out of these
> areas.
>
> Please contact me with any questions.
> My info: cell phone is 507-452-5805, and my callsign in WB0NIU.
>
> Erik
>
>
>
>
> Hello Winona #261 security group,
> The fall trips are now scheduled for Oct 10 and 11. Please keep the
> date open, I think we will need a larger group of security people
> than usual, as this engine is likely to draw a big crowd. I'll let
> you know when our involvement is official.
>
> Erik
>
> =======================================
>
>
> This is quite preliminary, and I don't know anything official, but
> my guess is our services will be needed again this year. Should be
> pretty neat if it happens!
>
> Check out the links in the message below.
> Erik
>
>
> "After Train Festival, no. 4449 will return to Minneapolis, where it
> will lay over until until fall, when the Friends of the 261 will
> feature it on their usual public excursions. No. 4449 will then
> return to Portand to fulfill its duty on "Holiday Express" trips. "
>
>
>
>> Apparently, in addition to appearing at train festival 2009, SP
>> Daylight 4449 will be used on excursions this fall from the Twin
>> Cities. It will be a stand in for the 261 on the fall color
>> excursions.
>>
>> Go to www.steamcentral.com and click on "SP 4449 Rides Again" on
>> the right hand side to see the article.
>>
>> I am really looking forward to seeing this beautiful locomotive.
>>
>>>
>>> http://www.sp4449.com/trainfest.html
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MNRailGroup/
>>
>> <*> Your email settings:
>> Individual Email | Traditional
>>
>> <*> To change settings online go to:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MNRailGroup/join
>> (Yahoo! ID required)
>>
>> <*> To change settings via email:
>> mailto:MNRailGroup-digest at yahoogroups.com
>> mailto:MNRailGroup-fullfeatured at yahoogroups.com
>>
>> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>> MNRailGroup-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com
>>
>> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
> _______________________________________________
> WARC mailing list
> WARC at lists.w0ne.org
> http://lists.w0ne.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/warc
>
Daniel L. Goltz
274 E. 3rd St.
Winona, MN 55987
More information about the WARC
mailing list