What a neat location and wonderful photo. Thanks for posting and for your description.
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| Posted by on August 23, 2013 | |
This was a memorable excursion--although I skipped this one. This was to be an Erwin to St. Paul r/t behind Ten-Wheeler number 1, but she came up lame with a broken eccentric. At the last minute, the railroad offered the sponsor (the East Tennessee NRHS Chapter) an alternative: a diesel trip from Erwin to Elkhorn City and back, with many additional photo stops. Some of the folks from out of town arrived that morning to learn of the change, and were quite upset. The club said if they rode--and didn't have fun--they would refund their fare. After a long day of photo stops in great weather, everyone was fully satisfied. Everyone who wanted a cab ride in the 200 got one. Who wouldn't agree to that if the trip ran today?
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Great stories and detail by Kyle & Ron. I absolutely agree with Ron: the solution to their problems of 38 years ago would be a dream come true today.
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Ron describing this trip as memorable is an understatement. My Dad and I were in the group of out of towners that drove all night to get to Erwin expecting to ride to St Paul behind #1 and 2 coaches. Although initially disappointed we never considered not riding. And it turned out to be the best railfan trip ever. What a way to see the whole north end of the railroad. With the extra power, an added bonus was that the railroad included office car #100 on the rear which #1 would not have been able to pull. The best part of that was the air conditioning that we all enjoyed after the sun burned off the early morning fog into a blazing hot but clear day in the mountains. I probably spent more than my share of time in the cab listening to stories with the Hatcher brothers. I timed my turn in the cab for the southbound ride over Copper Creek. Memorable for sure.
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