Am I a bad rail fan because I don't like small steam?

[gabe]

I like all Trains issues, but I have to admit, I didn't like the last one as much as I normally do. Don't get me wrong, it was well written. But it just didn't stike a cord with me.

I really admire the fact that Trains did something different by focusing on small steam instead of superpower steam that usually gets all of the press; that is a hallmark of good publication.

But, for me, all my memories of steam are excursion steam. If I am looking at steam I am doing it for nostolgia purposes. I think most people's view of steam in this country is large super-power steam. For this reason, I think that is where my focus is.

Yet . . . someone is going to disagree with me and they are going to have a good point.

Anyone care to comment?

Gabe

P.S. Sorry for the grammar (I don't have time to edit this week).

[Randy Stahl]

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

[kevarc]

No

I don't like amtrak. And you ought to see the comments I get on some boards when I post my views. But to me it is the same as one who does not like UP, BNSF, etc. Everyone has their likes and dislikes.

[Anonymous]

Truly, I could careless for steam... Yea, I know, its so "romantic","awsome", etc... But I don't care, I like modern trains. period. I mean, yea, their cool and all, but its nothing like 3 Black horse heads flying up the Curve' in altoona with 2 helpers on the end. I think TRAINS magazine should focus more on what is happening now, (!) and how things are done (/!). Now, this is where Classic Trains comes in. They should feature older trains, it fits the title.

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

Wow. Women in the plural. I am impressed Randy.

Gabe

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

So you moved to Maine to work on big, dirty second-hand locomotives that smoke.......how's the dating going??[;)]

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brak710101

Trury, I could careless for steam... Yea, I know, its so "romantic","awsome", etc... But I don't care, I like modern trains. period. I mean, yea, their cool and all, but its nothing like 3 Black horse heads flying up the Curve' in altoona with 2 helpers on the end. I think TRAINS magazine should focus more on what is happening now, (!) and how things are done (/!). Now, this is where Classic Trains comes in. They should feature older trains, it fits the title.

I certainly am not contending you don't have a right to your opinion--and I am glad you gave it to me--but I think there is a lot about railroading of yesteryear (even steam) that can teach us about today's railroading.

Gabe

[Randy Stahl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

Wow. Women in the plural. I am impressed Randy.

Gabe

I never said anything about it working out that way though... just that " I prefer" I can still dream.

[Randy Stahl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

So you moved to Maine to work on big, dirty second-hand locomotives that smoke.......how's the dating going??[;)]

My wife has seriously cut into my dating but ..It appears that most of the women around here fit your description of the locomotives. so I guess I'll get over it.

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small.

So you moved to Maine to work on big, dirty second-hand locomotives that smoke.......how's the dating going??[;)]

My wife has seriously cut into my dating but ..It appears that most of the women around here fit your description of the locomotives. so I guess I'll get over it.

Are most of them on their third of fourth railroad too?

[dharmon]

You might say that several are lease returns.....

[Paul Milenkovic]

I didn't read that issue of Trains yet, but traditionally Trains covers the whole gamut from "small steam" up through the "Iron Highway" intermodal train proposal. I think that's its strength, that it doesn't play one note on the piano, and in so doing, sometimes the music isn't exactly to one's taste.

I started out as a young person only interested in Diesels, and if there could be widespread use of turbines, that would even be better. I guess in my old age I have turned nostalgic, although my variety of nostalgia is for the big piston propliners. A couple years back seeing the Save-a-Connie (SAC) Lockheed Constellation and being part of group of people crowding the fence there in Oshkosh as they cranked those big 18-cylinder radial engines, flight line crew standing by with fire extinguishers as gouts of smoke and then flames came out the exhaust stacks, chug-chug-vroom, oh boy!

You know, put that issue of Trains under your bed, you know you're are not interested, but some evening you fill find yourself lying there, trying to get to sleep, reach out for that old Trains magazine, read the articles, and you may find them a lot of fun.

[tree68]

You're not a bad railfan - everyone has their likes and dislikes. But watching the valve gear on a little 0-6-0 is just as fascinating as on a big Northern, and you might get to watch it more (a lot more on a Shay!). The big guys get all the press, but as the article pointed out in a roundabout way, the little guys are doing most of the work - just as they did when steam was king. If you like steam, be willing to be fascinated by steam in all sizes. Gives you a lot more opportunities to be entertained.

[Randy Stahl]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

You might say that several are lease returns.....

after all , no railroad is perfect !

[dldance]

no - bad railfans are the ones that Ed has arrested.

dd

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul Milenkovic

I didn't read that issue of Trains yet, but traditionally Trains covers the whole gamut from "small steam" up through the "Iron Highway" intermodal train proposal. I think that's its strength, that it doesn't play one note on the piano, and in so doing, sometimes the music isn't exactly to one's taste.

I started out as a young person only interested in Diesels, and if there could be widespread use of turbines, that would even be better. I guess in my old age I have turned nostalgic, although my variety of nostalgia is for the big piston propliners. A couple years back seeing the Save-a-Connie (SAC) Lockheed Constellation and being part of group of people crowding the fence there in Oshkosh as they cranked those big 18-cylinder radial engines, flight line crew standing by with fire extinguishers as gouts of smoke and then flames came out the exhaust stacks, chug-chug-vroom, oh boy!

You know, put that issue of Trains under your bed, you know you're are not interested, but some evening you fill find yourself lying there, trying to get to sleep, reach out for that old Trains magazine, read the articles, and you may find them a lot of fun.

You might have a point about putting the magazine under the bed and saving it for a rainy day. I bought Classic Trains anniversary magazine before going on vacation in Peurta Vallereta about two months ago. There was an article about Shays in it. I hadn't really found Shays that interesting before, but after having read the rest of the magazine--and not wanting to get up from my view of the Pacific or my Corona, I decided to read the article.

I kind of would like to see a working Shay now.

Gabe

[vsmith]

gabe,

It takes all kinds...not liking small steam doesnt make you wierd or guilty of anything. I wouldnt hold it against you but I have to admit I'm just the complete opposite of you. I get more excited by tiny old time Porters than I do by big ol' steam engines (but I do still like them a bunch!) and I have to admit I'm far more excited by the site of a Brooksville Critter than by any Dash-whatever that looks like ever other Dash - whatever out there hauling bland-tastic container cars.

PS If you've never seen a sidewinder (Shay) before, you really should try to, they are neat!

[espeefoamer]

I never saw big steam until the 4449 was rebuilt to pull the Freedom Train.Until I saw this engine I didn't care for steam,as I had only seen it at amusement parks,and tourist lines.The first time I saw the 4449, south of Dunsmuir,I became a steam fan.I have seen,and ridden behind,several large steamers since then. I also think shays are cool.I have seen several in operation.
[:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D][:p][:D][8D]

[techguy57]

Gabe,
My answer is heck no! I like steam, but I'm not gaga over it and really I often would prefer to see a diesel loco any old day. Not to say I don't appreciate the steamers but having never seen one running for anything more than an excursion they don't hold my interest as well. I'm sure some of the steam fan purists might fall over in disbelief but I like the refined look to the raw power, and I don't feel that way often about steamers. Like you, this month's edition didn't necessarily disappoint me, but when I saw small steam was the feature I wasn't as excited as normal. In fact I flipped through looking for the articles on diesels first then went back and read the features. What can I say, steam is not my thing. Give me an F7 or and AC4400 and I'd be pleased as punch. Save this one for a rainy day indeed.

Glad to know that some of you feel this way too.

Mike

[Anonymous]

"I like my locomotives like I prefer my women, small"

Uh, let me finish stuffing this half gallon of ice cream in my mouth...

"You might say that several are lease returns....."

Remember the older units are called "Classic."

[jeaton]

Although I am old enough to have been around during the last decade of steam, I was consigned to a life in a remote rural community in Northern Wisconsin and really missed the last days of big steam. I was sold on the article's point that small steam is financially practical and does provide a sample of this type of power. But... having seen UP 3985 and MILW 261 up close, starting out and running at track speed...
Think about liking a Mazda Miata after youv'e had the Mazarotti.

Jay
Jay

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs



Remember the older units are called "Classic."

and generally preceded with an "Ex-"

[ajmiller]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs



Remember the older units are called "Classic."

and generally preceded with an "Ex-"

But that's only if they're sold or sent to the dead line. Otherwise they are made into helpers or are seldom used. Some units can be rejuvenated by reconstruction and thus are once again more desirable for use in every day service. Units that are sold are usually bought by less affluent roads that spend most of their cash propping up old and decaying infrastructure and are desperate for any power they can get their hands on.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ajmiller

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs



Remember the older units are called "Classic."

and generally preceded with an "Ex-"

But that's only if they're sold or sent to the dead line. Otherwise they are made into helpers or are seldom used. Some units can be rejuvenated by reconstruction and thus are once again more desirable for use in every day service. Units that are sold are usually bought by less affluent roads that spend most of their cash propping up old and decaying infrastructure and are desperate for any power they can get their hands on.

So during the rebuild, they are brought up to da***wo specs complete with silicon inverters? Meanwhile the railroads get new higher priced units with newer features ...

[Anonymous]

thanks ajmiller. I appreciate the info. I like to learn new things and I have alot to learn.
thanks dharmon, lol I am. I need to do that, too. laugh that is!

[ajmiller]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by ajmiller

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbkcs



Remember the older units are called "Classic."

and generally preceded with an "Ex-"

But that's only if they're sold or sent to the dead line. Otherwise they are made into helpers or are seldom used. Some units can be rejuvenated by reconstruction and thus are once again more desirable for use in every day service. Units that are sold are usually bought by less affluent roads that spend most of their cash propping up old and decaying infrastructure and are desperate for any power they can get their hands on.

So during the rebuild, they are brought up to da***wo specs complete with silicon inverters? Meanwhile the railroads get new higher priced units with newer features ...

Well, the big railroads have deep pockets and can afford to buy silicon inverters for their older units and can pay for many newer and faster units with fancy bells and whistles. The smaller roads have to content themselves with merely fresh coat of paint on their old units every now and then. But sometimes, if they're clever, they can shmooze with the big railroads and get some of their castoffs at a good price. The real problem for the smaller lines though, aside from not having the newest or fastest units, is that a lot of their units just can't or won't go everyday. That and trying to keep their infrastructure up can lead to a lot of stress and unhappiness.

[dharmon]

LOL......That's why I like the Green Goats.....they're constantly recharging.....

mbkcs -- this is what we're here for...

gabe -- sorry about hi-jacking your thread......don't sell yourself short...you're a tremendous slouch...

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by techguy57

Gabe,
My answer is heck no! I like steam, but I'm not gaga over it and really I often would prefer to see a diesel loco any old day. Not to say I don't appreciate the steamers but having never seen one running for anything more than an excursion they don't hold my interest as well. I'm sure some of the steam fan purists might fall over in disbelief but I like the refined look to the raw power, and I don't feel that way often about steamers. Like you, this month's edition didn't necessarily disappoint me, but when I saw small steam was the feature I wasn't as excited as normal. In fact I flipped through looking for the articles on diesels first then went back and read the features. What can I say, steam is not my thing. Give me an F7 or and AC4400 and I'd be pleased as punch. Save this one for a rainy day indeed.

Glad to know that some of you feel this way too.

Mike

I thought the article on the SD-50 was awesome.

Gabe

[spbed]

Well I consider myself a real passionate railfan as I travel considerable distances to watch trains. Steam to me is oh well. Does not do what a 4 loco set of diesels flying by on a main track does trucking along at a good clip[:D][:o)]

Originally posted by gabe
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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