Hear That Train A Comin'

[RetroLounge]

Hear That Train A Comin'

The sights and sounds of steam locomotive remain a delightful throwback to another era, in the special which captures the intensity, history, and personality of the Challenger No. 3985, the largest and most powerful locomotive--and only remaining operating engine of its class--in the world. This extraordinary steam train excursion across the Great Plains--from Cheyenne, WY, through Denver, CO, and across Nebraska to the Omaha headquarters of the Union Pacific Railroad--introduces colorful people who keep this temperamental giant running

Today on Channel 10 @ 4:30

http://www.mptv.org/12Mar05.htm#prime

I saw this locomotive a few years back when it came to Milwaukee. Quite impressive, huge, smokey, georgeous piece of machinery.

RL

[sybylla]

1. Was this just on in Milwaukee or on all PBS stations?

I absolutely fell in love with steam locomotives when I lived in Evansville. The tracks passed within 100 yards of my back door and every summer the Circus Train came through town. The first time it came through I got goosebumps when it blew it's whistle on the edge of town. I knew immediately what it was, looked at my husband across the table who looked up at me at the same. In a second we were dashing outside to watch the locomotive pass along our backyard and through town on its way to Baraboo.

Steam trains give me goosebumps ever since. I'm a history buff and seeing a functioning steam train seems like the closest I can ever get to touching the past.

If I could take a steam train excursion across the county, I'd be on it. I guess I'll have to get out my PBS guide.

Thanks for posting this, RL

[RetroLounge]

2. Oooh, a kindred spirit!

Unfortunately, I do not think any steam trains are running in Wisconsin anymore. AT least not at the public excursion level.

Soo Line 2719 and 1003 were kept running in ALtoona, but the Union Pacific bulldozed the 1880's era roundhouse, so they had to go. 2719 has been sitting outside rusting away all winter. 1003 is in Hartland at some transportation museum.

Mid Continent museum in North Freedom near Baraboo has several Stem Locos under repair and hopes to have one back in excursion service this year or next. If you up that way, it's worth the trip.

Camp 5 looging museum in Laona has one runnng I think.

The closest to here is the Milwaukee Zoo, of all places.

RL

[ewagner]

dupe....self deleted

boy...haven't done that in a long time..........

[ewagner]

3. Two or three years ago

There was one that made the run from Superior to Milwaukee and back....had passenger cars attached to it and you could ride for making a donation. I worked with somebody who was close to the event and he told me how much it cost and how much prep had to be done for the train...water, oil, and special soft coal had to be available every ten or twenty miles.....I watched the thing go by, it was impressive.....

[sybylla]

5. Now that's what I'm looking for

If you get wind of anything like that again, you'll be in my will, ewag.

[sybylla]

4. I've done the Camp 5 train

It was very pleasant and the coaches were definitely antiques but not as old as I would have liked. The Camp 5 excursion is definitely worth the trip for me, though from Milwaukee it has to be nearly 6 hours.

Both summers we lived in Evansville, the Circus Train pulled through behind a steam locomotive both to Milwaukee and back. We made quite an event out of it. My oldest was a baby but we'd stand out in the yard and watch it go through. We even had company for a couple of those "passings." Are they even doing that anymore?

I've always wondered about the train excursions in Canada. They make huge vacations out of travel by train and I've wondered if they might have a steam branch.

I'm north of Baraboo and have never been to the Mid Continent Museum. Been to the one in Green Bay, though and really enjoyed that. I may look it up this summer.

So many of these train rides are so short. I would pay big bucks to take a "steaming" vacation.

[RetroLounge]

6. Make sure you go to North Freedom

It's nice and worth the trip, even if they do not have steam.

There's a nice depot, a nice picnic area, lots to see. And then when they get their steam up and running, you can go back.

http://www.midcontinent.org/

Here's the status on thier Steam Program

http://www.1385.org/steam.html



RL

[RetroLounge]

7. I've not gotten up to Laona, quite a drive

I've been to the museum in green bay and rode their train. Very nice facility there. We had a convention there in Green Bay and one night the activities were all in the new wing. Had a catered dinner in front of the HUGE Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive...

RL

[sybylla]

8. Sounds awesome

What a convention that had to be! I haven't been there since '98. If gas prices get so high that a multi-state vacation is out of the question this year, maybe we'll have to make the rounds again.

[RetroLounge]

9. I belong to a Railroad Historical Society

and write a small article for their quarterly magazine, mostly captioning photos, etc. I've attended the past two conventions. Green Bay and then Minneapolis. Had a great time.

This years it's in Iowa. Never been to Iowa...

RL

[sybylla]

10. You're into it much more heavily than I am

The history of our railroads interests me but there is so much to know that I've just enjoyed them from the sidelines.

Do you do the model railroading too?

[RetroLounge]

13. Model Railroading? Oh yeah...

I am building a fairly large layout in my basement. Hope to keep my 6yr old son interested in the hobby. He and my 4yr old daughter are big into Thomas the Tank Engine.

I also helped start a Model Railroad Club here in the Milwaukee Area last year.

RL

[Viking12]

11. There's a steam train line in western WI

This short excursion runs along the beautiful St. Croix Scenic Riverway.

Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway
Diesel and steam train rides. The Osceola & St Croix Valley Railway is a Division of the Minnesota Transportation Museum. All members of the OSV train family are volunteers and love to share their hobby with you. Charter days and times - Thurs 11am and 2pm, Sat and Sun 11am and 2:30 am. Trains operate April through October. Coach and First Class service available.
Call 715-755-3570.
114 Depot Rd, Osceola, Polk County.

I've never ridden, but I've seen it chug by from the river.

[RetroLounge]

12. I've ridden it. It was quite nice. But no steam, for now.

They were using a First Generation Diesel (GP9) when I was there last summer. Their steam power is in Minneapolis or St.Paul at the Jackson Street Roundhouse getting restored, if I remember correctly.

RL