2003 Maricopa Live Steamers ... Fall Meet

For a map of the (CURRENT) trackage, go to this URL: http://www.maricopalivesteamers.com/system_map.html

Moving from the steaming bay to the yard lead track.

Backing into Ford Station

I am driving Mike Nelson's doodlebug

This steam engine is starting to make up the first record breaking number of cars to be pulled at the MLS.

Backing into the station for more cars.

There were two super trains this day. The first was pulled by this set of 4 diesels. Technically, 4 replicas, the prime movers are gas engines coupled to fluid drives on the axles.

Waiting for departure. And yes, that is the end of the train in the center of the photo in the distance,

If I can credit the owner of these engines, please let me know!

Off and running with 110 CARS if I remember correctly.

Unfortunately, when the DS radioed the engineer indicating that the train had cleared the yard, the engineer thought he had said there was a problem and stopped the train to fast, causing a massive derailment.

Looks like a prototypical derailment!!!

Fortuneately, there were no injuries to the people riding!

Al Ford is video taping the action from the inbound track.

Taking out the damaged car

Again underway to Fort Whereami, which is near Waylost.

On the balloon track at Fort Whereami

Looking back at the balance of the train as we go round the balloon track

Robbie Diehl waits for Al Ford to finish video taping at the balloon track

A quick grab shop to Robbie and Al

Nearing Ford Station

Lots of cameras recording the event

Looking back, the train in still entering the balloon track

The next run is with two steam engines, a NYC Hudson 4-6-4 and a UP Challenger 4-6-6-4, pulling around 117 cars.

Starting to pull. Someone calculated how many tons weight these engines were pulling, but I have forgotten. Anybody remember?

You can not see the headend power, except for the smoke.