Conway Scenic Railroad (CSRX) discussion thread

One of the long time disputes between the train crews and management was that Conway doesn't pay into railroad retirement. That issue was there long before the current ownership arrived in the valley, but in the grand scheme of things has pushed a lot of the trained personnel to other railroads.

Just an interesting article about the 7470 and the reasons that it didn't run this year.

https://railfan.com/conway-scenic-7470- ... -charters/

It's important to note that the problems that it had were only minor issues, and to quote someone's comment "Do you want it fast and cheap for one weekend, or done right? I'll choose done right." If it's done right, 7470 has many years of service left in her.

Conway Scenic has announced a New Years special for the date and time of Steam in the Snow. Power for the special to be announced morning of the event.

https://www.conwayscenic.com/new-years-special/

Hi
I was just up on the Mass Bay Railroad enthusiasts web page, and they have canceled Steam in the Snow, because of the uncertainty of CNR # 7470.
I also do agree with the above posts FAST & CHEAP is not the way to go, whether its with Steam or Diesel, or the passenger equipment.
Yes I understand because of Covid, a lot of things have changed, but I do agree with, paying a fair wage, with the help they do have. You can't run a tourist line on a shoestring, if you do you are looking forward to another Gettysburg, accident.
Conway Scenic, is it going Downhill????? Pat.

Hi
Just wondering how is Conway Scenic doing on ticket sales for the New years Day run? Now that Mass Bay RRE, has canceled? Pat.

backroadrails wrote: ↑Sat Dec 18, 2021 2:54 pm One of the long time disputes between the train crews and management was that Conway doesn't pay into railroad retirement. That issue was there long before the current ownership arrived in the valley, but in the grand scheme of things has pushed a lot of the trained personnel to other railroads.

I can't name a single tourist line (meaning NO FREIGHT REVENUE - just passenger excursions) that would pay into Railroad Retirement. Working at a tourist line may be a good starting point for getting on-hands railroad experience, but if you are looking for the 30-year Pot of Gold, you eventually have to sign on with a full time freight or passenger/commuter railroad. Tourist Lines wouldn't be able to exist if they had to pay into RRR.

Again - freight railroads that dabble in tourism are a different story. The freight revenues are what drives the majority of the profits at those railroads.

So 7470 was moved to stall 1 and fired up for the first time since January..... could it be possible that we either see it for the New Year special or on select days during Snow Train season?

The combos I would love to see for the snow trains are 255 and 252 or 255 and 7470. It'd be cool to see the newest engine paired with the first engine that ran on Conway Scenic or the two MEC Veterans.

Jonathan wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 6:06 pm Just an interesting article about the 7470 and the reasons that it didn't run this year.

https://railfan.com/conway-scenic-7470- ... -charters/

It's important to note that the problems that it had were only minor issues, and to quote someone's comment "Do you want it fast and cheap for one weekend, or done right? I'll choose done right." If it's done right, 7470 has many years of service left in her.

It sounds like they have every intention to restore the original trucks when money allows. In the meantime, the temporary trucks will allow them to continue to operate the engine.

Instead of recasting the trucks, the railroad plans on using a pair of trucks off an old coal hopper. The replacement trucks will not look completely accurate for the CN 0-6-0 but they will work until the money is secured to restore the originals.

On Conway Scenic's Facebook page in the past day or two, I have seen videos of #7470 up and running on test runs, and on another, the #252 operational once again (paired with #255).

Would this possibly affect steam operations for this year, or is it easily fixable?