PBenham wrote:But the point here is that the Rangers at Scranton are, basically COPS! They are not interpretive guides, nor are they there to enhance the visitors' experience. They are there to harass and annoy those visitors that fall outside their narrow view ("Box", if you will) of "correct" behavior, and anyone else, while they are at it! I will not return there any time soon, if ever!
Time for an opposing viewpoint, for balance:
In my five visits over the last several years have always been treated cordially by the park rangers at Steamtown. While their knowledge about trains may not be as extensive as some railfans, they are still able to articulate the basics to the average park visitors -- families with kids who know virtually nothing about steam trains.
If they hired a bunch of "rail freaks" as park rangers, the job of maintaining security and keeping visitors safe at Steamtown would take a backseat to... well, playing with the trains. We're lucky there IS such a place to observe the steam era of railroading -- yet rail freaks want it to be their personal amusement park.
Why are you unfairly criticizing Steamtown park rangers for doing their job -- security? Sorry, but their job description does not include kissing the butts of rail freaks who want to do whatever they please on the grounds. One guy above said he liked a ranger because the ranger let him sneak into a cab when no one was looking. But he'd be the first to sue if he had gotten hurt doing it, I'd bet.
I sure hope the place can continue to operate despite your boycott. It would be a shame if it had to close because of your absence.
Just one?
The museum closest to your home will be the first. Then you can do trips to other parts of the country. P{art of the fun is to visit PA or CA or IL. In Nashville, I'd go to the Tennessee Central RR museum. Then i'd check out the Yellowjacket in Centennial park. Further West, check out Casey Jones home & museum in Jackson. Get something to eat at the General Store.
One of the nearest to Kalamzoo is the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.
Give an operations donation if you can afford it, so they are still around next year.
Andrew
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
QUOTE: STEAMTOWN: you'll see a steamer turned on the turntable, a caboose ride, a visit to the cab of a live steam engine, a shop tour, and an excursion (which takes most of the day, so you'll have to take that on a second day).
QUOTE: Originally posted by passengerfan California State Railroad Museum at both Sacramento and Jamestown.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
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