Hi Jason,
You should enjoy the NNry's EFD(Engineer For a Day) Program very much, I did the NNRy EFD in July of 2007, and Loved every minute of it. I had planned on renting the SVRy's Heisler in 2009, but when the economy tanked, it just wasn't in the budget, but still on my "I'm gonna do that Someday" list.
I have done both, and enjoyed both programs, the NNRy has more track(the SVRy, gets it's longer mileage by doing two round trips over the same track). The SVRy's big plus(besides being MUCH closer to my home) is that, on the SVRy you take a complete train(about 5 or 6 cars plus a caboose) where the NNRy program is light engine only. Even with the short train at the SVRy, it was a very different experience. Be very easy on the throttle leaving McEwen, if you get the chance to run at the SVRy, it is on a grade, and the #19's cylinders are a little large in diameter for her weight, it's real easy to get some wheel slip.
When I went to the NNRy, I did the twofer pkg, and ran the SD-9 #204, then the 4-6-0 #40. In June of 2007, I got my first throttle time on live steam on the little H.K Porter 0-4-0T pictured below, it belonged to the Father of a close Family Friend. Unfortunately the reason that I got to run the little Porter was it was the Final Steam Up in Clyde's Honor after his passing, the little Porter has since been bought by a man in Kelona, B.C., but it will always be a Special memory as my first Steam experince.
Years ago, I got my very first throttle time in an Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Grey GP38-2, through the Friendship of an engineer that I met, many years ago, so I have pulled throttles on a GP38-2, an 0-4-0T,an SD-9, a 4-6-0 and a 2-8-2. In the future, I still hope to run the SVRy Heisler and go back to the NNRy and run one of their 2-8-0s and one of their Alco RS units. In my DREAMS, I someday get cab rides in the 844 and the 3985.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Thanks Doug. That's why I asked...I would like to do their engineer for a day program in the Mikado. Sound's like it may be a year or two until #19 is back in service. In the mean time, I am booked in at Ely in mid-August for their rental program.
What was the SVRY's program like? Did they teach you any of the details of the locomotive? etc?
Thanks, -Jason
I hadn't heard before this thread that the #19 was out of service for the FRA mandated inspection. I too Hope that she sees service again soon, I got to do the Engineer for a Day program July 25th, 2008. That also happened to be my Nephew's 4th Birthday. I was very Pleasantly surprised to find out that while I was running the locomotive, my Family was able to ride in the Caboose. they just about had to drag William out of thhe cupola of the caboose at the end of the day. While stopped at the Sumpter Station, I gave Will my present, a Lionel 0-4-0 switcher in Santa Fe, Uncle Doug has spoiled all his Nephews shamelessly with Lionel trains, 2 of whom are HOOKED, this hobby isn''t going to die if I have any say in the matter.
Thanks Jason,
I'd really like to do that some day soon myself, and I'd like it to be on the 19. I hope she will be back in action soon, but this is the 1472 service days or 15 years major boiler inspection mandated by the FRA, so it will be awhile.
Glen
Wow Glen. Beautiful pics on your website. I hope they get the funding and get 19 back soon. I really want to do their engineer for a day program in the Mikado.
Regards, -Jason
Last I heard it would be a few years. Money still has to be raised. Meanwhile Heisler Number 3 is doing the honors.
19 is a really nice looking engine (see my pictures in the link below), I'm anxious to see her back in action.
Riding the Sumpter Valley
Greetings all,
New to the board and this is my first post.
I was curious as to the status of SVRR's #19? I understand it is now due for it's boiler inspection. Any idea when #19 will be running again?
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