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Jdevleerjr posted:
jim pastorius posted:

I only live 2 hrs away but can't afford the event but think it is very cool.  Will be good for the east to have this for the fans. I will buy the video.  Have fun.

What is nice about Strasburg is you can walk around the whole place and explore without purchasing a ticket.   The train rides are very affordable.   Worth the 2 hour drive!  

You can say that again! I'm going Columbus Day weekend and I'm coming from almost 6 hours away just to see the Queen!

jim pastorius posted:

I only live 2 hrs away but can't afford the event but think it is very cool.  Will be good for the east to have this for the fans. I will buy the video.  Have fun.

This stuns me, a coach ticket and a 611 whistle would have been less than $25?

If I knew you personally I would have given you the money myself.
The video will be at least that much.
I am truly sorry for you.

Dan Padova posted:

Who's to say that we can't find a spot along the tracks and take pictures ?   From the website description, it seems like unless we fork out $200.00, we will not be able to take a picture.  I'm only a bit over an hour away, so it will be worth the ride, just to see if I can find a spot somewhere along or near the right of way.  

My grandmother had many sayings.  One of them, "Money comes to money", comes to mind in cases like this.  In my next life, I am going to be born rich, instead go good looking.....LOL

Fine, take the cheap way, but realize that Strasburg has but 4 public RR crossings along its length. At each one there will be hordes of people, not only will parking be scarce, but elbow room for just aiming a camera will be tight. Then you'll have the nuts who will try to drive to every crossing ahead of the train and do NASCAR moves on a country road.
After 4 weekends of potential mayhem in Amish country, "Lebanon Levi" may return to put the trespassing "English" in their place.

I learned my lesson in Virginia 3 years ago chasing 611, these types of arranged opportunities are priceless. I guess you missed the part where the $200 covers 2 trains, 2 engines, and 6 hours worth of prearranged photo ops.

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  • 600x600bb-85: lebanon levi
  • 067: crowd during 2016 611 runs in Virginia
Last edited by Borden Tunnel

Thanks Borden but I don't need help. When you live on SS you look for the best bang for the buck. I have been to Strasburg several times, took multiple rides and toured the shops each time. When I go I want to see the TCA and Pa. museum. It would cost more than $25 factoring in travel & meals plus I have a $900 fuel oil bill that needs paid. I have a 45 min video I took riding in the cab of the Allegheny Central on the Wild Mary  some time ago.  It looks like a greatweek in Strasburg.

Borden Tunnel posted:
Dan Padova posted:

Who's to say that we can't find a spot along the tracks and take pictures ?   From the website description, it seems like unless we fork out $200.00, we will not be able to take a picture.  I'm only a bit over an hour away, so it will be worth the ride, just to see if I can find a spot somewhere along or near the right of way.  

My grandmother had many sayings.  One of them, "Money comes to money", comes to mind in cases like this.  In my next life, I am going to be born rich, instead go good looking.....LOL

Fine, take the cheap way, but realize that Strasburg has but 4 public RR crossings along its length. At each one there will be hordes of people, not only will parking be scarce, but elbow room for just aiming a camera will be tight. 

I learned my lesson in Virginia 3 years ago chasing 611, these types of arranged opportunities are priceless. I guess you missed the part where the $200 covers 2 trains, 2 engines, and 6 hours worth of prearranged photo ops.

I dread this, but me and my son plan to get to the crossing very early, park, and walk in.   I have a place in mind where we will go where we will not be trespassing and we will be far enough from the crossing to keep away from the hords of people.  We will camp out for a few hours and watch the normal trains, along with one run of the 611.   Not ideal but we will take what we can get.  

Kelly Anderson posted:
Dan Padova posted:

Who's to say that we can't find a spot along the tracks and take pictures ?   From the website description, it seems like unless we fork out $200.00, we will not be able to take a picture.  I'm only a bit over an hour away, so it will be worth the ride, just to see if I can find a spot somewhere along or near the right of way.  

Can't you even afford a coach ticket for $15.50?  Railfans who arrive to take photos, then leave without spending $0.05 are what make railfan events generally unappealing to steam railroads.

I'm not familiar with the workings of events of this type.  So the prices I was reading for photo ops, cab rides, whistle blowing, etc., seemed high.  Not out of reach for me, but more than I would spend for a railman trip.  Yes, of course I can afford $15.50.  

Is VMT sending any rolling stock with 611? If 475 and 611 are both pulling freight for the photo runbys (granted 475's is a mixed train), then it seems like the consists would be relatively short considering the cars on-hand at Strasburg. It would also be great to see a N&W caboose tacked onto the end of 611s train.

Regardless, very excited for this rare opportunity. Well done Strasburg and VMT!   

Robert K posted:

Whistle blows are sold out as well, I was lucky to get two for Sunday Sept 29. How about the 611 rides in coach and open air, are they selling quickly? I bought four tickets for us for one ride in open air.

Where are the tickets for car rides behind 611?

I will be there on the weekend off 10/19, and I saw the special event tickets, but I didn’t see the tickets for coach rides behind.  When I looked to book tickets for general rides on that weekend, it make not mention as to what trains will be pulled by 611.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Kelly Anderson posted:

611 Steam Train - General Accommodations 

#611 and #475 will not be pulling passengers the weekend of the 19th.

Mr. Anderson,

Thanks for the reply.  I had an email in to the railroad, but I haven’t received a reply yet, so your info is welcome.  

If I may then ask, will both engines, 475 and 611, be readily available for photos from the sidelines?  Will one of the other engines, maybe #80, be available for the scheduled rides?  I just want to make sure that since that was the only weekend I will be able to make it up to PA from VA, it wont be in vein.

Thanks again.

Kelly Anderson posted:
Carl Peduzzi posted:
Cool.  Will 611 be there for at least spectator photos?

#611 and #475 will both be down the line for their "Hand on the Throttle" operations.  The regular train will be meeting them at some point during each trip.

Such great info.  This needs posted to the Strasburg site (if it isn’t already and I didn’t see it) so that people get an idea of what can and can’t see that day.  

I am assuming the “Hand on the Throttle” is closed ticket and spectators wont be able to view without one.

Thank you for answering my questions.

I understand for those who wish to park in their lot but don't have tickets, it will be $20. If you have tickets, or order parking on line, it is $5. Basically these are all gated events, and charges apply just to enter the property. I am glad 611 is heading north this year, it has played itself out pretty much in NC and VA over the last few years. 

Dates added:

The expanded opportunities include:
  • Friday, September 27: Ride behind the 611, Behind-the-Scenes tours, Cab Tours, and the Whistle Blows
  • Monday, September 30: Ride behind the 611, Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Cab Tours, and the Whistle Blows
  • Friday, October 4: Ride behind the 611, Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Cab Tours, and Whistle Blows
  • Monday, October 7: Railfan Photography Extravaganza (morning and afternoon sessions available)
  • Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27: At the Throttle of Norfolk & Western Steam (engineer, fireman, or sit in the jump seat.)
Carl Peduzzi posted:

I really wish that Strasburg would just say that there will be viewing opportunities that you Don’t need to pay for. 

I understand that this is a big deal and a great opportunity for many.  But I, as I am sure many, would just like to see the locomotives and take pictures without paying for some special event. 

I thought you could still watch the locomotive from trackside...

TrainMan1225 posted:
Carl Peduzzi posted:

I really wish that Strasburg would just say that there will be viewing opportunities that you Don’t need to pay for. 

I understand that this is a big deal and a great opportunity for many.  But I, as I am sure many, would just like to see the locomotives and take pictures without paying for some special event. 

I thought you could still watch the locomotive from trackside...

I would assume so. And maybe I am asking for something that will already exist. 

It seems that there is so much focus on the activities, it would be nice to hear that everyday spectators will have some safe opportunities to view and photograph the engines at some point between all the festivities. 

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