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08/09/08
I am back again

    You may have thought I abandoned Edaville but that is not the case. I did visit only three times last year though and since there were no earth-shattering railroad related news I didn't bother writing. But I still receive mail from friends (and strangers who come across the site and have questions about Edaville) so I decided I better get writing again after my last visit. It was the first one for me this year since the pass is not good for the special event weekends.
    I thought it was a very nice touch when I stood at the platform and noticed a plaque on car 114 in memory of Jim Blades. It was a blow for me when I heard about his tragic end, especially after Edaville had lost a couple other wonderful people in the not so distant past. I wonder if we could have a little museum corner again one day to chronicle the history of the railroad and honor some of the passed employees? Am I hoping for too much because it is not fitting for an amusement park to remember its past?
    There are several changes to the track layout that were new to me. You may have read in the forum already about the changes when Savery talked about the new plans in the forum. The old cutoff track was removed and a section of it re-laid with new ties near Eastman Flume. A new switch has been installed in that storage spur leading to the site of a proposed car shop near the Eda Avenue/Eastman Flume crossing. Looking into the direction of the bogs from the crossing a new passing siding is visible where the track runs along the edge of Turtle Creek Reservoir. And the third change is the missing “new” mainline. You may recall that the main line was relocated away from the kiddie rides after Edaville reopened but soon used for a storage track only. Now both switches and track have been lifted.
    The string of standard gauge cabooses has been scrapped and that track removed. The only remains are a string of trucks sitting near the shop. And of course, they kept the Party Caboose.
    No. 21 is still sitting in the shop collecting dust. I was told that she needs a boiler inspection before she will go back into service and nothing has been scheduled yet. She would need to get stripped down and the boiler jacket and insulation removed ahead of any inspection. So it doesn't seem like we will have steam for the cranberry harvest.
    All in all it was a nice visit, especially since I could chat with old friends again. Despite of the many changes it is still worth a visit; friendly spirit of Edaville lives on.

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