Photos attached are from the WF&P's first official passenger Sunday of 2007. The official count for the day was 269 passengers. The first day of 2006 had 420 passengers and 2005's number was 218. The weather was warm with a very cloudy morning but we missed the rain as it hit northern Missouri. Power was provided by 13, 535 & 400. 928 made a successful trip the prior Sunday and was put in stand-by service with the boiler drained. 704 was used with the fire train and 5205 provided back-up & MOW power. Except for some minor issues all the equipment ran well, especially the rolling stock which is in both excellent mechanical & cosmetic condition. The ROW with 300 new ties installed is in equally fine shape. The signals were in service and the new roundhouse lead dwarf signal is functional.
Thanks to all the members present who made our opening day a success. Bell, Brennan, Dale, Devin, Foster, Fritschle, Haack, Hardt, Hunter & Gina, J & J Scott, Jim & Dawn G., Lorance, Ed Moore, Nichols, Owings, Paula & Elliott, Dennis Smith, Welch, Wayne & Carol, Herold & Louise, Kevin & Ian, Bob & Forrest. We had a visit from John Errante who is recovering nicely from heart by-pass surgery and Neubie & spouse Eileen who made time to take a train ride. Ralph Voelpel also dropped by as did Ron & Sam Spicer.
We ran two trains most of the day but by 3pm the crowd had lessened to where TM Mosbacher took one train out of service and in it's place 5205 and a work train headed to Mohan where the turntable switch was finished and then 3 ties were installed at Yeatman.
Wednesday saw the first passenger special of 2007. The engineer was none other than Joe Geders who was in St. Louis for a short visit. Joe promised to be back for members day and will be here a full week. Joe says he really is enjoying his new home in Jackson Wyoming but certainly does miss the WF&P's unique group of volunteers. Bob Tabernacki was back & feeling much better after missing the weekend due to sinus surgery. Lorance, Welch & Neubie continued the track construction in the carbarn extension while the Scotts, Brennan & Keeton were putting finishing touches on the 52 caboose. 52 is being used in photo service on Sundays with Jimmy Scott & Devin offering passengers a printed photo of their kid(s) in the caboose for $5. On the first day they sold 5 photos, good job.
Jim Strain
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