(Almost) 1955...East Broad Top coal train during the 2023 Winter Spectacular

Very cool. I know it's narrow gauge, but I would love to see one of the manufacturers make that engine in O gauge.

Fantastic video Dan.......but little Greta Thunberg would be having a serious heart attack seeing all the black smoke drifting up into that clear blue sky😊😊

Love seeing real steam engines working!!!

Peter.......Buco Australia.

Dan, Nicely filmed. Thanks for sharing.

Tom

@Buco posted:

little Greta Thunberg would be having a serious heart attack seeing all the black smoke drifting up into that clear blue sky

So would folks who appreciate competent firing!

I know it’s done purposely for the foamers who seem to enjoy it. But it is cringe inducing for those of us who enjoy firing steam locomotives efficiently. The shot coming into the station was just as dramatic and entertaining (too bad he popped off!).

Very nice stuff.    I really like the EBT.    since I grew up in the east I like the EBT better than the Colorado narrow gauge, I recognize the country and scenery.

There used to be a guy named Karl Franz who sponsored photo special on these RRs.   He did one at the Cass Scenic for about 20  years and I attended one.     He ran a very tight ship.   HIs were expensive and I had to stretch but it was well worth it.

He did some things to mitigate the unpaying crowds invading your photos, some of which are easier to do at Cass, since most of it is pretty remote and hard to access.   First he rented the RR before the season began so they weren't officially open yet.    Next he had a meeting the night before and told everyone what he expected.    It sounded like a drill sergeant and put me off at first but then again it worked great.    He told us he would direct where to put the photo line AND he would not call the train in (with a radio)  until everyone was at the line.    He warned us not to walk down in front.    His setups gave great photos and videos, he has scoped it out well.     He also told us not to start talking after we shoot stills and the loco goes by because the video guys would still be running and recording sound - they didn't want to hear us talking to each other, they wanted the steam sounds.

He also told people with children to keep them back in line and follow the same rules as adults.    He said if you can't control, he prefer that they not go on the trip and spoil it for others.

It as two full days from 8 am to 5 pm or so on the mountain and many great photo runbys and every behaved as instructed.

@prrjim posted:

Very nice stuff.    I really like the EBT.    since I grew up in the east I like the EBT better than the Colorado narrow gauge, I recognize the country and scenery.

There used to be a guy named Karl Franz who sponsored photo special on these RRs.   He did one at the Cass Scenic for about 20  years and I attended one.     He ran a very tight ship.   HIs were expensive and I had to stretch but it was well worth it.

He did some things to mitigate the unpaying crowds invading your photos, some of which are easier to do at Cass, since most of it is pretty remote and hard to access.   First he rented the RR before the season began so they weren't officially open yet.    Next he had a meeting the night before and told everyone what he expected.    It sounded like a drill sergeant and put me off at first but then again it worked great.    He told us he would direct where to put the photo line AND he would not call the train in (with a radio)  until everyone was at the line.    He warned us not to walk down in front.    His setups gave great photos and videos, he has scoped it out well.     He also told us not to start talking after we shoot stills and the loco goes by because the video guys would still be running and recording sound - they didn't want to hear us talking to each other, they wanted the steam sounds.

He also told people with children to keep them back in line and follow the same rules as adults.    He said if you can't control, he prefer that they not go on the trip and spoil it for others.

It as two full days from 8 am to 5 pm or so on the mountain and many great photo runbys and every behaved as instructed.

I went on a number of trips organized by Carl Franz in the early 2000’s. The trips were always well run and enjoyable. For a number of years he also helped organize steam experiences in Poland. I believe he is completely retired from the railroad stuff now.

Very nice job, Dan!  The last time I was at the EBT was about 30 years ago.  It is always nice to see it running.

I was pretty sure Karl had retired.

@pittsburghrailfan posted:

I usually don't participate in photo freights or charters, partially because of the expense, but also partially because they tend to draw crowds and folks are (respectfully) kinda nuts (especially over steam). For once, however, I decided to buy a ticket and rode the East Broad Top's first public photo freight during the 2023 Winter Spectacular. This turned out to be a good decision, for a couple reasons. First, the @EastBroadTopRailroad staff were first-class in their treatment, even giving us a second run-by when the sun popped behind a cloud at the last minute. But also, there were probably a thousand people trackside, and I probably would have lost my mind trying not to get in others' shots or dealing with traffic. Plus, I got to meet Jim of the Big Jim YouTube channel. I'd already been partially sold on the EBT Foundation by the fact that they'd actually managed to revive the line, but riding the train sold me on their competence, and I plan to make a donation to them and the FEBT to keep the revival going.

(0:00) Intro

(0:15) Set-up and my weird snicker

(1:38) First run-by

(3:54) Second run-by

(6:06) Pulling up to the depot for the morning run

(10:41) Reversing into the yard after the 1st run

Fantastic, just think a few short years ago this whole operation was as good as dead.........volunteers and some big names in Railroading brings it back to life !

Henry Posner III

Wick Moorman

Bennet Levin

Ronald L. Batory

Pete Claussen

Joe Kovalchick

Jane Sheffield

Linn Moedinger

Dan Kruger

Brad Esposito

Well Done!