Three Rivers Rambler Railfan Days - Input?

[csx6900]

Hi all-

As some of you may already know, I recently obtained a position with the G&O-owned Three Rivers Rambler tourist train in Knoxville, TN.  Starting today, I am a volunteer Conductor with them.  Already, they are asking for my input on a proposed 'railfan day.'  I told them that since I have many contacts in the railfan community, I would ask around about what the RAILFANS want out of a railfan day at the Three Rivers Rambler.

So here we go!  You tell me what you would like to do/see/ride/photograph at this operation for a special railfan day and I will relay it to the organizers of the event.  There are no dates yet, and it is still in the early planning stages from what I can gather, but we want YOUR input!  For information on the train ride itself, check out our website:
http://www.threeriversrambler.com/

Now bring on the suggestions!  I will put them all together and come up with a list you all would like me to submit to the organizers.  Have fun!  Be creative and don't be afraid to ask for something crazy!*

-Evan Lofback
Maryville, TN
Three Rivers Rambler Conductor

*No guarantees that your idea will be used, but we will try to incorporate as many as possible. 

[thpbears]

Photograph would be good and maybe a few NS engines like they have up in NC I think the town is Spencer.

[csx6900]

Thanks for the input!  I will add it to the list.  In fact, here is the list as it stands now:

• Cab tours & rides
• Photo Freight Run/Photo session with 154 & 203
• 154 and 203 Double-header (Period freight and passenger runs)
• Night Photography Session
• Rare trackage run from "station" to Coster Yard
• Food!
• Train ticket drawing for free cab ride
• Excursions
• Norfolk Southern Exhibits (Locomotives, etc)
• Maintenance Shop Tours
• Throttle time with 154 or 203
• Family photo opportunities with the train
• $50-$75 price admission range
• Live music - Bluegrass/Ragtime

If anyone has anything else, be sure to speak up!

-Evan

[Ed Fury]

I'm not sure how operations work at this railroad so some of this might be totally wasted typing it out but...

From my experience rail fanning both the Texas State Railroad and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad the largest problem I had was trying to get a good photo without lots of people in the scene and without having to pay for the actual train ride photo shoot excursions. While I understand selling tickets and making money is the goal a few photo opportunities for the not so financially committed casual fan can also go a long way towards getting future ticket buyers in to seats on the passenger cars.

As an example both the tourist lines I mentioned above when the engine (train) pulls in to the passenger loading area they are immediately swarmed with everyone rushing right up and taking a photo in front of, or beside, the engine. While I guess all these photos end up posted to facebook profiles, blogs, and various other internet picture hosting sites, serve the purpose of good publicity I feel that a good photo op without a bunch of "foam" in the way would also be beneficial. If I had been able to grab a couple of photos without people in the way I might have been tempted to make more frequent visits to these places instead of turning down the opportunity because I knew that a bunch of lil' snot nosed brats I don't even know would be in my shots. Yes some grab shots of the crowd are nice but a more dedicated railfan wants photos of the historic engines and not the crowds. Balancing an event like a Day out with Thomas versus a photo run excursion with a historic steam engine and dedicated hardcore train enthusiasts I guess is what I was trying to deal with. The mass of humanity versus the expense of sharing the rental price of a train for a day.. someone with more tourist line experience and dealing with railfan specific events should be more helpful but I will list some things that would be of interest to myself personally.

I'm not sure logistically how possible the chances of parking the train in a scenic area out of the way from concrete sidewalks and power lines and telephone poles while having a roped off photo line so people can get a nice head on shot of the engine and the trailing passenger cars would be feasibly possible to do but maybe if an hour or so before and and or after a run you had a time slot opened for public photography like that would be my suggestion. I'm sure if I could have done this easier at the Grapevine I would have taken a trip in on the train to the stockyards if I had been able to satisfy the railfan photographer side of the hobby. Instead I was turned off by people running in and out of photo shots and decided to just railfan the local Union Pacific freight line in my free time.

Maybe if the train lays over for lunch like they do on the TSRR when people are eating the whole train would basically be there for photo shots without everyone in the way.

Also I understand the whole riding the train is the actual experience of these excursions and the interaction with other riders and watching the excitement on the faces of the children and the adults, and the social interaction is what makes these experiences so fun maybe having some type of photograph for those riding the trains and not worrying about grabbing the perfect shot while they are living the moment and would like to remember their experience.

Recently Mr. Peanut (the planters peanut guy in costume) was at a local grocery store. The planters peanut vehicle was also there. They offered for free a photo with Mr. Peanut. They gave me a credit card sized piece of plastic with a code number on it and web address and I typed in the code online and got my picture of Mr. Peanut and myself.

I don't know how you could incorporate something like this into the train excursions but maybe if there was a photo buying opportunity so people could have a picture of their train ride that would also be a way to gather additional funds for the steam engines. Maybe a panoramic shot of the train with everyone looking out the windows on the out and then again on the back so that both sides and everyone got a chance to have their face in a window? Or maybe on disembarking from the train those who wanted a family souvenir photo could line up next to the train for a large group shot. That way one photo could be used for everyone interested in purchasing one and would not be as time consuming.  

Also on your (3RR's) website there needs to be a few picturesque photos as an example of the excursion run. Get someone trackside to take a photo of the train as it runs by some scenic location.

That's all I can think of right now and I hope it gives you some ideas from a financially challenged railfans point of view.

[Backyard]

  The scheduling of a train ride pulled by the SW1...not a 'either-or' steam...I have nothing against steam but the six-banger is my quay...

[csx6900]

Hi Ed-

That is some EXCELLENT input and exactly what we here at the 3RR are looking for.  Those suggestions may very well be put into use.  I will do the best I can to emphasize those points.  Thank you for your input!

Backyard-

The SW1's pull the train on all non-special event weekends, but maybe we can get it out for display on this day.  It depends on how much track space is taken up by the trains.  Appreciate the input!

-Thanks,
Evan

[csx6900]

Hi guys-

The list has been finished and the post a few above this one has been edited to show it.  I will submit it tonight, so if there are any revisions you would like to see please let me know by tonight.  Thanks!

-Evan

[thpbears]

Keep us informed of what you all decide.

[csx6900]

Will do.  They told me that they received the list this morning.  It may be a while before I hear anything back from them, but I'll be sure to post when I do.

-Evan