A little bit of an Uh oh at Strasburg

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Don't worry, it's from a while ago, and everything was fine.

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[wm3798]

Boy, good thing that kind of stuff NEVER happens at our ops sessions!

Lee ;D ;D

[davefoxx]

Boy, good thing that kind of stuff NEVER happens at our ops sessions!

Lee ;D ;D

Yeah, near-misses never occur at Lee's.  Cornfield meets, on the other hand...  ;D

Dave

[Bob Bufkin]

He needs to put in some signals.

[wm3798]

Just don't take away my beer! ;D

Lee

[RockGp40]

I wonder why the 475 didn't just back up and let the other train use the runaround to get by him. It looked like 475's train would have fit nicely between the switches.

[davefoxx]

I wonder why the 475 didn't just back up and let the other train use the runaround to get by him. It looked like 475's train would have fit nicely between the switches.

I wondered the same thing.  It would have been a short reverse move, and the tracks would have been cleared for the other train.  And isn't that what they ultimately did anyway at a lot of time expended with two significant reverse moves by each train?  Communication is the key.

Dave

[up1950s]

I wonder how many railfans moved within earshot of the Strasburg just to be able to hear the steam loco sounds in their houses ? Location location location .

[Dave V]

I wonder how many railfans moved within earshot of the Strasburg just to be able to hear the steam loco sounds in their houses ? Location location location .

I can't tell you how many times I've thought of doing that myself post-Air Force.  My dream would be to get a faculty position in Millersville University's meteorology department.  I'd love to live near the Strasburg...

...until I remember what it's like down there around Thomas the Tank Engine weekend.  Bumper-to-bumper minivans from NY and NJ full of crying kids in a collective meltdown.

If I could find a way to make money off of that too...!

[davefoxx]

I can't tell you how many times I've thought of doing that myself post-Air Force.  My dream would be to get a faculty position in Millersville University's meteorology department.  I'd love to live near the Strasburg...

...until I remember what it's like down there around Thomas the Tank Engine weekend.  Bumper-to-bumper minivans from NY and NJ full of crying kids in a collective meltdown.

If I could find a way to make money off of that too...!

Dr. Dave Vollmer's Amish Buggy Rides!  $5.00 per person per ride.  $3.00 surcharge per screaming child.  ;D

[cv_acr]

I can't tell you how many times I've thought of doing that myself post-Air Force.  My dream would be to get a faculty position in Millersville University's meteorology department.  I'd love to live near the Strasburg...

...until I remember what it's like down there around Thomas the Tank Engine weekend.  Bumper-to-bumper minivans from NY and NJ full of crying kids in a collective meltdown.

If I could find a way to make money off of that too...!

Dr. Dave Vollmer's Amish Buggy Rides!  $5.00 per person per ride.  $3.00 surcharge per screaming child.  ;D

Or if that doesn't work, just book your vacation that weekend and don't stick around to deal with it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I wonder why the 475 didn't just back up and let the other train use the runaround to get by him. It looked like 475's train would have fit nicely between the switches.

It's because the switch coming out of that passing siding is a spring switch.
It's rigged up so that while operating two trains, nobody has to get on the ground to throw it. One end (this one) is set for the passing siding (for outbound trains that don't stop at the picnic grove), and the other is set for straight through (for inbound trains stopping at the grove). When the train proceeds out of the siding, the switch automatically "springs" open as each wheel goes through it, but if you backup, it'll be set againsts you.

So, in this case I'm guessing they needed to get clear of it to throw it back straight.

I wondered the same thing.  It would have been a short reverse move, and the tracks would have been cleared for the other train.  And isn't that what they ultimately did anyway at a lot of time expended with two significant reverse moves by each train?  Communication is the key.

Dave

[asciibaron]

in 10 years Lancaster County won't have any more Amish.  Dave will have to find a new way to make a million... i've considered a portable nap center - an A/C tent with cots for kids to sack out in - would be perfect for the Thomas crowd.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Don't forget the sedatives pumped into the air.

[asciibaron]

Don't forget the sedatives pumped into the air.

that's a trade secret, you signed the non-disclosure agreement,  my lawyer will call you ;O