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JensChris (195 posts)
Mar-11-02, 11:05 AM (EST) "Just a question..." Hi there !!!I'm thinking about a TRIP to the USA...
It's just at the beginning.
Perhaps I'll make one with my friend.
Then I could see the american locos in real life, perhaps I could get into a cab of such a loco.
And of course :
I would IMPROVE my poor english.well...
Here's the question :Who would be willing and be able to give me a home for some days ?
If you would be willing, where do you live, how much persons could come with me (perhaps 1-4 ?) and how long could I (or we) stay ??
Is there any event near to your town ?
Perhaps a track ?? With some locos running on it ??? I'd love to meet some of you !!!!
I'm asking this, because that trip is much cheaper, if I don't have to pay for a hostel or something like this...Ok, please let me know, it's just a question and it's nothing planned yet.Jens-Chris----------
15 years old, from Germany, MSTS 3D Add-on maker and repainter---- Jens-Chris ----

---- "Power for You" ----
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Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Just a question... calr Mar-11-02 1 RE: Just a question... SD80MAC Mar-11-02 2 RE: Just a question... Starlight Mar-11-02 3 RE: Just a question... MJL Mar-12-02 4 RE: Just a question... magichb Mar-12-02 5 RE: Just a question... CSX_CW60AC_GregMarck Mar-12-02 6 RE: Just a question... PeterVonFrosta2 Mar-12-02 7 RE: Just a question... Lone_Gunman_SG Apr-09-02 16 RE: Just a question... bytebark1 Mar-14-02 8 RE: Just a question... captiandon Mar-17-02 9 RE: Just a question... Lone_Gunman_SG Apr-09-02 17 RE: Just a question... JensChris Mar-21-02 10 RE: Just a question... MJL Mar-21-02 11 RE: Just a question... MJL Mar-21-02 12 RE: Just a question... NickF Apr-09-02 14 RE: Just a question... MJL Apr-09-02 18 RE: Just a question... troub Apr-09-02 13 RE: Just a question... Lone_Gunman_SG Apr-09-02 15 RE: Just a question... gxm149 Apr-10-02 19 RE: Just a question... Lone_Gunman_SG Apr-10-02 20 RE: Just a question... abraxas Apr-11-02 21

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calr (229 posts)
Mar-11-02, 11:41 AM (EST) 1. "RE: Just a question..." Jens,
Although my family is unable to fill your needs for temporary housing during your visit to the USA, I commend you for your courage in making such a trip. There are many places in the USA where you can see both modern and historical railroad equipment. I can personally recommend the Sacramento Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California. Also, if it is still there, there is an excellent railroad park which is located in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. It has been over 20 years since I visited that park.Where ever you go, you will have an outstanding opportunity to broaden your education and learn another culture and language. I only wish I were in a position to make a similar trip to your part of the world. I think it is great that you want to do this. I am sure there are many people here who would be able and willing to help you. You might consider staying and visiting more than one location depending on your budget and time available. Good luck to you and please keep all of us here on the forum updated with reports of your travels. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
SD80MAC (901 posts)
Mar-11-02, 05:55 PM (EST) 2. "RE: Just a question..." Jens,The best area(region)of the USA to see the widest variety of Loco's would have to be Chicago Illinois in my opinion.Just about every Major US railroad has tracks going to & from Chicago...Let me see there's Bnsf,Union pacific,Norfolk Southern,Csx,Metra,Amtrak,CP rail,Canadian national,etc.Sorry ,can't help ya out on the Lodgeing situation. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Starlight (268 posts)
Mar-11-02, 07:08 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Just a question..." *smiles* or you could swing by Savannah...while not totally train related, it's a city everyone should see just once. My family couldn't nessecarily let you room, but I could show you around...Savannah still has its old train terminal; though it's used for concerts....ain't quite anything like sitting on a turntable, listening to a band play in front of the old roundhouse. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
MJL (242 posts)
Mar-12-02, 00:54 AM (EST) 4. "RE: Just a question..." LAST EDITED ON Mar-12-02 AT 00:57 AM (EST)Although I can not help out on the housing/accomidations side of things (my wife might have issues w/ this place becoming an international railfan flophouse)I would gladly offer my services as a tour guide of Denver, and the surrounding Colorado region (Cheyenne -UP Supermainline- is only a hours drive to the north)
--this offer would also be good to anyone else interested --(any excuse to get out of the house and go watch trains) just be sure to present cupon when ordering...........as examples of some of the local color:
http://www.crrm.org/ .........great place http://www.durangotrain.com/ ------WHAT THE HE!! DID THEY DO TO THEIR WEBPAGE????, THOMAS?!?!?!http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/ --you can cab ride in a F-unit for $100http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/http://www.gtownloop.com/http://www.caboosehobbies.com/ --if you need to unload a paycheckhttp://www.nscalesupply.com/ http://www.nscalesupply.com/base/base.html -- great local pics,
you can also unload a lot of $$$ here as wellhttp://www.cograilway.com/
Matt
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magichb (66 posts)
Mar-12-02, 07:18 AM (EST) 5. "RE: Just a question..." Jens it would be great if you could visit America. I live in Michigan about 170 miles from Chicago which would be a good place to see alot of different trains. I could host one or two people for a week. If we here in the community can help you might be able make your dream become a reality.
MagicHB@aol.comBrad
GT the good track road Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
CSX_CW60AC_GregMarck (304 posts)
Mar-12-02, 04:12 PM (EST) 6. "RE: Just a question..." if you ever want to come see Cincinnati, lots of great stuff, I can show you around their, sorry though, I wish I could offer lodgin.Greg Marck
Act. Maker
gregoryis411@hotmail.com Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
PeterVonFrosta2 (30 posts)
Mar-12-02, 06:38 PM (EST) 7. "RE: Just a question..." Hey JensChris,although I am German just like you (Hamburg), I am writing in
English so that all the folks around here will understand what I
am talking about. From my vacations in the United States I know
two great places to go:1. The railways museum in Portola, Calif., 50 miles northwest
from Reno. They have some great exhibts, plus, you can even
drive a locomotive of the museum grounds yourself! (I didn't,
but I would have loved to).
(See: http://www.oz.net/~samh/frrs/index.html)2. The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad near the
Yosemite National Park and just outside of the city of
Oakhurst. It's a 4 mile narrow gauge track with daily
operations, operated with two Shay locomotives from the
early 1900's. (Very interesting technology) That's a
great tour as well.
(See:http://www.ymsprr.com/ Pics are in "Sights&Sounds".
Download the whistle sound! I haven't heard any other
like this one before.)(With all the suggestions posted in this thread, it's
most likely that your trip is going to be pretty long...)PvF
P.S. Wenn Du nähere Infos oder Bilder zu diesen Reisezielen
haben möchtest, mail mich einfach an. Ich habe von allem
die Prospekte aufgehoben. Ausserdem noch ein großes Lob
für deine "Big Boy" hinterher! Die ist echt der Wahnsinn!
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Lone_Gunman_SG (166 posts)
Apr-09-02, 04:25 PM (EST) 16. "RE: Just a question..." Peter, can I ask how you got dots (dont remeber how to spell it put its pronounced unlauht)? Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
bytebark1 (8 posts)
Mar-14-02, 05:27 PM (EST) 8. "RE: Just a question..." I personally can't house anyone, but as far as actually going somewhere, I'd have to reccomend the Chicago area. There's plenty of trains to watch, and if you want to see some older rolling stock to make for MSTS you could head out tho the Illinois Railway Museum. They've got a LOT of stuff up there, and there's always a train running. They're also one of the few museums in the country that has a sizeable electric cllection. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
captiandon (167 posts)
Mar-17-02, 05:19 PM (EST) 9. "RE: Just a question..." LAST EDITED ON Mar-17-02 AT 05:40 PM (EST) Wyoming is the best location to go I think by far Cheyenne is a Major Hub for Union Pacific and there main Roundhouse is located there... you will find the Challenger and located in Denver a 2 hour drive is a Big Boy and A great Train Museam. Also located in Colorado is the Narrow Guage Rail Roads Cumbress and Toltech as well as the Durango and Silverton lines witch run Narrow Guage Trains thru the Spring Summer and Fall.
The Royal Gorge Bridge where UP runs trains under wich the Bridge is the Highest Suspention Bridge in the World 1072 feet below the Bridge deck is the bottom of the Gorge Arkansas River and along that river is the Union Pacific line. to get down there you ride the Worlds Steepest Incline Cog Railway 45* Incline.
And In Colorado Springs is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway wich will take you to the top of Pikes Peak. Also In Denver is another major Hub for Burlington Northern Santa Fe. So with in just 200 Miles are Major Points for Rail Fans that include a big part of American Rail history. another point I almost forgot is Promentory Point in Utah the Joining of the first Rail link from the East to the west coast of the US. Just a thought about where to go
Here is a picture of that Big Boy that can Be found in Denver
think you would be interested in it look at its number
Don Pottorff Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Lone_Gunman_SG (166 posts)
Apr-09-02, 04:35 PM (EST) 17. "RE: Just a question..." Don, are you sure thats a real pic? it doesnt look real to me (but them my screen is weird). Its a perfect detail shot from my opinion. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
JensChris (195 posts)
Mar-21-02, 11:35 AM (EST) 10. "RE: Just a question..." @brad
Thanks !!
Well it nothing planned yet, I think there must be more than one willing to house, but I'm glad that someone is willing to !!@captiandonDo you live near that Big Boy ??
Could you please take some photos of it, especially of the INSIDE, the Cab !!
That would be very nice, since I need a texture for my Interior of my Big Boy Cab...Jens-Chris----------
15 years old, from Germany, MSTS 3D Add-on maker and repainter---- Jens-Chris ----

---- "Power for You" ----
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MJL (242 posts)
Mar-21-02, 02:00 PM (EST) 11. "RE: Just a question..." I'm up here in Denver as well, captiandon's pic was taken before they moved the bigboy into its home at:http://www.forneymuseum.com/I might be able to visit there sooner, or later...and I'd like to borrow the digital camera from work..
Matt
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MJL (242 posts)
Mar-21-02, 09:08 PM (EST) 12. "RE: Just a question..." Ok, sooner or later is tomorrow(or Sat). I also asked at work and was told that "most likely" I will be able to use the digital camera for the weekend (unless someone needs it for 'work' related uses)So tomorrow afternoon (we get out at noon on fridays) I will head over to the Forney Transportation Museum to take pictures of the #4005 ....but, but, but
I was looking through the museums "flash page" and saw a couple lines that stated:"DEBT-We are over $1 million in debt. Most of the debt was caused by the moving of the Big Boy and train. We invite donations to the museum. We are non-profit, so your donations are tax deductible.""Projects are:
.........
#5. CAB OF BIG BOY-Purchase of valves and guages, some metal work. We already have a volunteer commitment for labor to install valves and guages.
........."so I wounder
--how complete will the cab even be??
--if they are very much in the red, might this project be considered as a "donation ware" item for them??
--should I suggest to them the possibility of a donation ware item, or just take what pics I can and run??
--might they become "irratated" for someone useing "their" engine(then you just change the number by one didget)comments/ideasMatt
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NickF (819 posts)
Apr-09-02, 03:51 PM (EST) 14. "RE: Just a question..." Matt,I know some of the people who run the Forney Museum, and have known several of them for a number of years. If you go this weekend, ask to talk to Steve, and tell him that Nick Fitzsimmons and Gary Vocate suggested that you contact him for help.Nick Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
MJL (242 posts)
Apr-09-02, 04:39 PM (EST) 18. "RE: Just a question..." Nick
wasn't planning on going out much this weekend.....need to stay home and get some skins finished.....(that above message was posted the weekend I saw you there)here is the link to the 4-8-8-4 cab pics in Denver for anyone interested:
http://www.train-sim.com/cgi/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=7532&forum=DCForumID3&archive=I wouldn't have any problem going to Forney to discuss the issue, but before I would go to the officials there, I'd like a word or two from the model's creators --there the ones who "own" the new engine, not me, so it would definately be their call.....I just came up with the idea of making it donation ware.but once I did get an OK, I have the weekends to myself so no problem making a trip up to the museum....Matt
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troub (355 posts)
Apr-09-02, 03:50 PM (EST) 13. "RE: Just a question..." Jens, about Big Boy cab photos, I have a couple of fairly poor ones that I took at the Museum of Transportation here in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. They wouldn't be suitable for textures because they're kind of dark and the museum put a bunch of big yellow signs next to all the controls, but they might be useful for reference? If you're interested anyway, let me know and I'll email them to you.Sorry I can't help with any of your other needs, though troub
MSTS: Illinois Central Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Lone_Gunman_SG (166 posts)
Apr-09-02, 04:05 PM (EST) 15. "RE: Just a question..." LAST EDITED ON Apr-09-02 AT 04:32 PM (EST)Jens, you may not be very interested in Minnesota, (and i dont know if you would be able to stay here) as from what Ive heard its much like Germany. However, our town is split down the middle by the UP/CP/Soo (whatever it is) right-of-way. I know a train goes by atleast every day (pehaps every 2). For a year they were mostly coal drags for the power plant in St. Paul. But now there are many mixed freights, and I swear one day I saw a double-stack or two. There is also much activity south along the Mississippi river, and north in Duluth.
By the way, Ive been in a Big Boy cab (in Duluth) and remember looking in the firebox. Most of the controls were covered up though as to prevent little ones from messing with them. However, the firebox was freaking huge! The door must have been 2 feet across. Keep that in mind as you design the cab. I have also been in a GG1 and a Budd railcar. Hoever it was hard to make out details in the (what seemed like a) roundhouse. Apparently they need more lights in that place or lots of skylights. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
gxm149 (197 posts)
Apr-10-02, 08:43 AM (EST) 19. "RE: Just a question..." Jens, being in graduate school myself I unfortunately can't put you up for a week or two. Sorry. One area I might suggest would be around Philadelphia where I live or Baltimore. I know in the Philadelphia area there is the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum nearby in Strassburg Pennsylvania. They don't have any Big Boys but they have the GG-1 that the Pennsylvania Railroad used as well as alot of other interesting trains there. There is also the Strassburg Steam Railroad there, it is right acrossed the street. There is another steam railroad that you can ride on in Ivyland, PA called the Ivyland/New Hope Railroad alos just outside of Philadelphia. If you are able to travel a little from where you are staying there is also the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad museum in Baltimore MD. That is maybe a 2 hour drive from Philadelphia, maybe 2 1/2. We also have the NEC running through Philadelphia and the 30th Street Station terminal that I modelled in the NEC Extension route I uploaded here. Also in PA is the famous Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. That is a little further though, that is a 4 hour ride just north of where I went to college for my undergrad degrees at Penn State University in State College PA. There are also alot of other sites you could see in the area as well such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge and Gettysburgh. Or if you decided to stay in Baltimore and take a bus, train, or drive to PA or where you want to go then you could also possibly visit Washinton D.C., our nations capitol. There is alot to see down there as well such as the Smithsonian Museums and the monuments. They aren't nescessarily railroad related, but still interesting places to visit. Washington is about 1 1/2 hours from Baltimore. Baltimore is in between Philadelphia and Washington. Like I said, unfortunately I can not give you a place to stay while you are here. Sorry. Hopefully this will help you decide where to go here in the United States though. I hope that you enjoy your trip when you come here and that you have alot of fun while you are here. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Lone_Gunman_SG (166 posts)
Apr-10-02, 04:43 PM (EST) 20. "RE: Just a question..." LAST EDITED ON Apr-10-02 AT 04:45 PM (EST)maybe I will track you down if I go to Germany. Then we could sit down and have some Schokoeis and discuss MSTS, but maybe not. The trip costs $545 or so.Steve
President of
Hastings Central R.R.

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abraxas (2 posts)
Apr-11-02, 05:16 PM (EST) 21. "RE: Just a question..." Try east Tennessee (Knoxville and Chattanooga). There is a RR museum in Chattanooga, and another in Stearns, KY (north of Knoxville). Both of these have steam tour trains. There is another steam tour running from the harbor in downtown Knoxville (The 3 rivers rambler.) While I can't fulfill your lodging requirements, I do reccomend the Knights' Inn or Super 8 motel chains. The rates run about $30-50 (US) per night. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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