Friends,
Bobby T. is right. The 2011 Un-Meet is a pleasant memory now. But I do believe some of those memories are going to last a life time for a few young live steamers. And a couple of old live steamers to boot. The picture above with young David G. at the throttle of ole 7597, and myself standing next to him, speak volumes, as far as I’m concerned. As our dear departed friend and mentor, John Cassady used to say,,, and practice, “each one teach one”. My closest live steam friends and myself have done exactly that.
I already know that this post is going to pi$$ off some people. Some of whom are friends and associates. But the truth is the truth and facts are facts, and lies are still lies. But this needs to be brought to light. Like it or not !!!!
Because I’m a live steamer with forty years behind me in the hobby, I know a lot of people. And converse quite often with many of them. But the misinformation that comes my way in conversation by means of these well meaning but misinformed people is astounding. Particularly when it comes to facts about the Buckingham Central. Only when some of them visit with us at the Buckingham Central, do they realize that they were “lied to”. Or at least given very erroneous adn inaccurate information pertaining to the facts and figures of the railroad . How it is run, what we run, and when we run. And this seems to be done with the express purpose to discourage fellow live steamers from visiting the Buckingham Central. This, to me at least, seems petty and rather childish. I certainly did’nt realize that a number of people in the live steam hobby had sunk to such a low level of personal integrity. It is their own actions that say this, no me.
Whitin the last two years, I’ve been told, by unsuspecting visitors, that they had been informed that “only steam is ALLOWED to run at the Buckingham Central”. No diesels! Total lie. We run ‘steam only’ “ONE WEEK PER YEAR”. The last week of Feb. Otherwise we run everything and anything that is scale. We own and run six diesels and one Galloping Goose that call the Buckingham Central home.
One year ago, a very good live steamer was visiting another track in Florida. When he suggested, in conversation, that he might like to visit the Buckingham Central, he was told,”Don’t waste your time going there, the curves are too tight for your locomotive.” He was given this grossly incorrect information by someone who is “not even remotely” associated with the Buckingham Central. Fortuneately, he did’nt listen to this know-it-all, he came to the facility anyway and had a great time. He came back this year, 2011, for even a long stay and participated in the mega train for a few days running. Of which there is video posted. But no comments of course. Its just too mundane to comment on!!
Another, more insulting comment, was made a year ago, AT the Buckingham Central by a supposedly expierienced live steamer to other visitors. This expierienced man made hs his comments, unfortuneately as I was passing by. And I heard them. It went like this, ” that curve out back is a tight curve”. I stopped, and asked how tight is it? What is the radius? I was told, “Bruce, its tight”. I said, “No, that is not the question. I asked what the radius is”. Of course, there was no answer from this man. Except that he again said it was a tight curve. Which it is not, BTW. Then, I proceeded to explain to both the know-it-all, who did’nt have a clue as to what that radius was , and the other visitor that I was the the guy that swung the radius and that it was a 68 foot radius. This is just some of the negative information that has been spread unfairly about the Buckingham Central.
The reason we run steam during “one dedicated week per year” is because the owner of the property and the railroad has the desire and wish to host a “steam only meet” on HIS track for those that want to run steam only this one time a year.
I have to admit, I’m amazed and somewhat “underwhelmed” by the (lack of) comments and responses(next to none) generated by the latest Live Steam Un-Meet hosted by the Buckingham Central crew. All five of them!! The pics and vids have been posted on some of the most looked at web sites available to the live steam hobbyists, yet almost nothing. And I mean damn near nothing!! Like it did’nt happen!! Even some of the self proclaimed “enthusiasts” that permiate these same web sites, did’nt even remark at some of the most remarkable video ever done at a live steam gathering. And this kind of running would be remarkable, no matter who’s track facility it is. I know that I was always impressed, as a long time live steamer, when I had seen this kind of motive power and rolling stock put together at other facilities in the past. Then, run for not only hours, as had been done at other well known tracks, but for days and NIGHTS, trouble free, as was done recently at the Buckingham Central RR.
But, I guess this type of equipment and rolling stock is so common place in the live steam hobby of today, that it was just such a “ho-hum” event, that it did’nt merit even minor recognition!! Or honorable mention! Three LARGE locomotives, 62 ASSORTED cars, quite a few passengers, and over 6,000 feet of railroad. A railroad with S curves, curved diamonds, a 1.7 gradiant, 1000 ft long trestle, and numerous other intricate pieces of trackage to negotiate. And hardly a peep. Even from “supposedly” dedicated live steamers/railroaders. Add to the strung out mega train, another twelve or thirteen nice running steam locomotives, that ran through one complete week. Hour after hour into the night. And nothing !! . I find this Very strange indeed! But, maybe not so strange !!!!!!!!!
Perhaps not so strange at all. For, as an owner of a major rail enthusiast web site recently said to me via e-mail,”you few guys there at the Buckingham Central have evidently generated some jealousy or maybe even some envy because of what you guys have accomplished”. If this be the case, then it is pretty sad that some grown adults, who call themselves live steamers, have such shallow and I might add, insecure personalities.
If the moderators of this “blog” want to eliminate my post,feel free to do so. But there is not one word of lie in it. Sorry and sad to say.
The reason for the recent long post of mine is that during the evening of the 5th of April, a very well know and respected supplier of live steam parts and assemblies called me for another purpose. But of course, the conversation drifted to his first visit to the Buckingham Central . I thanked him again, for takeing the time to come down to SW Florida and the Buckingham Central. And once again, during the conversation, I heard about things pertaining to the Buckingham Central, that he was told, while he visited other railroads in Florida. And of course, the information that he was “fed”, at the least, was incorrect, at the worst, maliciously concocted lies. That was the prime reason for me writeing the my long post.
I can only feel that some people who call themselves live steamers, are displaying a certain amount of envy toward the Buckingham Central. Otherwise there would’nt be all of this misinformation circulating within the live steam hobby about this small group. Perhaps, because there are usueally only five people working on the railroad. Perhaps that the entire facility has been built since 2004. By those same five people. Maybe, this is what is causeing so much misinformation to be “issued” by people who are not connected “IN ANY WAY” with the Buckingham Central facilitiy.
To those that may be reading this post. If you want accurate inforation about the Buckingham Central RR, and not “hearsay”, get in contact with one of the few people that are directly involved with the BCRR. In that way, you will have good information, without any sugar coating. AND, without lies!!
well, well, well…! guess who finally crawled in!!! great place! bruce, the ‘truth’ as spoken is why i call the bcrr, my home. there are 3 railroads that i feel comfortable at…bcrr, scott long’s(i’ll be there in august), and the under-construction clam lake. why? you’ve already given the answer…real live steamers and the truth they speak.
keep up the good work! btw, i’ll be starting the first of 3 batches for the 2012 unmeet upon my return in july. the unmeets just get better and better!
Having attended the last few UnMeets I can tell you that this UnMeet Week is what I look forward to all year. The picture at the top of this blog is but a mere sample of the fellowship that occurs during the week. My wife finally understood why i enjoy the BCRR so much after spending two days of the meet with us. I must disagree with Bruce R. on one point. Don’t ask about the site come visit during the next UnMeet. If you love or just like the LIVE STEAM hobby you can not help but enjoy yourself. Speaking for myself I can not thank the UnMembers enough for their friendship. Come on 2012 UnMeet.
In my world, the Buckingham Central RR would have a diesel house with
four SOO Line SD-40′s in it. That being said, the last week in February would always be Live Steam, Stack Talk ONLY! But all we have to do is look at the big smile on young David’s face in the picture above to recognize what a great RR and Un-Meet this is. Also, this is more that a meet, it is a reunion of great friends.
As Feb. approaches and the 2012 All Steam Un-Meet nears, the small hand full of us at the BCRR are, as useual, doing the little things that always need doing before a bunch of live steamers arrive, and stay for a week or so. Sadly, this year, due to work obligations, educational commitments, and employment location moves, we are down three good guys. Hell, when we are at full capacity, we are only a very small hand full of guys!! Fortuneately, the fixed plant is in good shape other than some adjusting here and there. And, the winter un-members have, as usueual, worked their miracles on different projects.
So, when our friends arrive to run the BCRR on it’s tenth year anniversay, there will be a few improvements that will make the railroad even more fun to run. Particularly at night. And, night running is something that we do a lot of !!
The last week of Feb. 2012, should find steam locomotives filling the roundhouse tracks, the steaming bays, and most all, covering the many routes of the BCRR ROW. We look forward to our friends shareing and enjoying the Buckingham Central RR with us.
I can not help but to reflect on the sven days of the 2012 Steam Un-Meet. After the last of our guests left the BCRR facility early sunday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2012, a quiet settled over the railroad. A strange quiet at that. No steam whistles sounding, no locomotive exhaust while climbing the trestle, no sound of wheels cutting through the diamonds. But a sound that we really miss at the BCRR, after our many friends leave, is the quiet caused by the lack of constant laughter filling the air.
This year, we had the pleasure of haveing a number of visitors that brought their equipment to the BCRR that had never visited with us before. Its always a treat to see live steamers enjoy the BCRR facilities. Not only the folks that make it a point to be here each year, but also those that are running the ROW for the first time.
As I’ve written in another web site, I believe that throught the seven days of the 2012 All Steam Un-Meet, there were 24 different steam locomotives running. Of many various types and wheel arrangements.
I think I speak for the hand full of us that make up the Buckingham Central, when I entend a great big thank you to all that made the trip to N. Ft. Myers, Fl. to share the BCRR with us. It was a pleasure seeing our visitors enjoy the facility. And I hope that you all include us again in your future travel plans to Florida.
Friends,
Bobby T. is right. The 2011 Un-Meet is a pleasant memory now. But I do believe some of those memories are going to last a life time for a few young live steamers. And a couple of old live steamers to boot. The picture above with young David G. at the throttle of ole 7597, and myself standing next to him, speak volumes, as far as I’m concerned. As our dear departed friend and mentor, John Cassady used to say,,, and practice, “each one teach one”. My closest live steam friends and myself have done exactly that.
I already know that this post is going to pi$$ off some people. Some of whom are friends and associates. But the truth is the truth and facts are facts, and lies are still lies. But this needs to be brought to light. Like it or not !!!!
Because I’m a live steamer with forty years behind me in the hobby, I know a lot of people. And converse quite often with many of them. But the misinformation that comes my way in conversation by means of these well meaning but misinformed people is astounding. Particularly when it comes to facts about the Buckingham Central. Only when some of them visit with us at the Buckingham Central, do they realize that they were “lied to”. Or at least given very erroneous adn inaccurate information pertaining to the facts and figures of the railroad . How it is run, what we run, and when we run. And this seems to be done with the express purpose to discourage fellow live steamers from visiting the Buckingham Central. This, to me at least, seems petty and rather childish. I certainly did’nt realize that a number of people in the live steam hobby had sunk to such a low level of personal integrity. It is their own actions that say this, no me.
Whitin the last two years, I’ve been told, by unsuspecting visitors, that they had been informed that “only steam is ALLOWED to run at the Buckingham Central”. No diesels! Total lie. We run ‘steam only’ “ONE WEEK PER YEAR”. The last week of Feb. Otherwise we run everything and anything that is scale. We own and run six diesels and one Galloping Goose that call the Buckingham Central home.
One year ago, a very good live steamer was visiting another track in Florida. When he suggested, in conversation, that he might like to visit the Buckingham Central, he was told,”Don’t waste your time going there, the curves are too tight for your locomotive.” He was given this grossly incorrect information by someone who is “not even remotely” associated with the Buckingham Central. Fortuneately, he did’nt listen to this know-it-all, he came to the facility anyway and had a great time. He came back this year, 2011, for even a long stay and participated in the mega train for a few days running. Of which there is video posted. But no comments of course. Its just too mundane to comment on!!
Another, more insulting comment, was made a year ago, AT the Buckingham Central by a supposedly expierienced live steamer to other visitors. This expierienced man made hs his comments, unfortuneately as I was passing by. And I heard them. It went like this, ” that curve out back is a tight curve”. I stopped, and asked how tight is it? What is the radius? I was told, “Bruce, its tight”. I said, “No, that is not the question. I asked what the radius is”. Of course, there was no answer from this man. Except that he again said it was a tight curve. Which it is not, BTW. Then, I proceeded to explain to both the know-it-all, who did’nt have a clue as to what that radius was , and the other visitor that I was the the guy that swung the radius and that it was a 68 foot radius. This is just some of the negative information that has been spread unfairly about the Buckingham Central.
The reason we run steam during “one dedicated week per year” is because the owner of the property and the railroad has the desire and wish to host a “steam only meet” on HIS track for those that want to run steam only this one time a year.
I have to admit, I’m amazed and somewhat “underwhelmed” by the (lack of) comments and responses(next to none) generated by the latest Live Steam Un-Meet hosted by the Buckingham Central crew. All five of them!! The pics and vids have been posted on some of the most looked at web sites available to the live steam hobbyists, yet almost nothing. And I mean damn near nothing!! Like it did’nt happen!! Even some of the self proclaimed “enthusiasts” that permiate these same web sites, did’nt even remark at some of the most remarkable video ever done at a live steam gathering. And this kind of running would be remarkable, no matter who’s track facility it is. I know that I was always impressed, as a long time live steamer, when I had seen this kind of motive power and rolling stock put together at other facilities in the past. Then, run for not only hours, as had been done at other well known tracks, but for days and NIGHTS, trouble free, as was done recently at the Buckingham Central RR.
But, I guess this type of equipment and rolling stock is so common place in the live steam hobby of today, that it was just such a “ho-hum” event, that it did’nt merit even minor recognition!! Or honorable mention! Three LARGE locomotives, 62 ASSORTED cars, quite a few passengers, and over 6,000 feet of railroad. A railroad with S curves, curved diamonds, a 1.7 gradiant, 1000 ft long trestle, and numerous other intricate pieces of trackage to negotiate. And hardly a peep. Even from “supposedly” dedicated live steamers/railroaders. Add to the strung out mega train, another twelve or thirteen nice running steam locomotives, that ran through one complete week. Hour after hour into the night. And nothing !! . I find this Very strange indeed! But, maybe not so strange !!!!!!!!!
Perhaps not so strange at all. For, as an owner of a major rail enthusiast web site recently said to me via e-mail,”you few guys there at the Buckingham Central have evidently generated some jealousy or maybe even some envy because of what you guys have accomplished”. If this be the case, then it is pretty sad that some grown adults, who call themselves live steamers, have such shallow and I might add, insecure personalities.
If the moderators of this “blog” want to eliminate my post,feel free to do so. But there is not one word of lie in it. Sorry and sad to say.
Bruce
LOL Bruce, I am the only moderator, and this is our website. The hell with anyone who doesn’t like it! Post away my friend.
Bobby,
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.
The reason for the recent long post of mine is that during the evening of the 5th of April, a very well know and respected supplier of live steam parts and assemblies called me for another purpose. But of course, the conversation drifted to his first visit to the Buckingham Central . I thanked him again, for takeing the time to come down to SW Florida and the Buckingham Central. And once again, during the conversation, I heard about things pertaining to the Buckingham Central, that he was told, while he visited other railroads in Florida. And of course, the information that he was “fed”, at the least, was incorrect, at the worst, maliciously concocted lies. That was the prime reason for me writeing the my long post.
I can only feel that some people who call themselves live steamers, are displaying a certain amount of envy toward the Buckingham Central. Otherwise there would’nt be all of this misinformation circulating within the live steam hobby about this small group. Perhaps, because there are usueally only five people working on the railroad. Perhaps that the entire facility has been built since 2004. By those same five people. Maybe, this is what is causeing so much misinformation to be “issued” by people who are not connected “IN ANY WAY” with the Buckingham Central facilitiy.
To those that may be reading this post. If you want accurate inforation about the Buckingham Central RR, and not “hearsay”, get in contact with one of the few people that are directly involved with the BCRR. In that way, you will have good information, without any sugar coating. AND, without lies!!
Bruce
well, well, well…! guess who finally crawled in!!! great place! bruce, the ‘truth’ as spoken is why i call the bcrr, my home. there are 3 railroads that i feel comfortable at…bcrr, scott long’s(i’ll be there in august), and the under-construction clam lake. why? you’ve already given the answer…real live steamers and the truth they speak.
keep up the good work! btw, i’ll be starting the first of 3 batches for the 2012 unmeet upon my return in july. the unmeets just get better and better!
moosey
Having attended the last few UnMeets I can tell you that this UnMeet Week is what I look forward to all year. The picture at the top of this blog is but a mere sample of the fellowship that occurs during the week. My wife finally understood why i enjoy the BCRR so much after spending two days of the meet with us. I must disagree with Bruce R. on one point. Don’t ask about the site come visit during the next UnMeet. If you love or just like the LIVE STEAM hobby you can not help but enjoy yourself. Speaking for myself I can not thank the UnMembers enough for their friendship. Come on 2012 UnMeet.
In my world, the Buckingham Central RR would have a diesel house with
four SOO Line SD-40′s in it. That being said, the last week in February would always be Live Steam, Stack Talk ONLY! But all we have to do is look at the big smile on young David’s face in the picture above to recognize what a great RR and Un-Meet this is. Also, this is more that a meet, it is a reunion of great friends.
The dates for the 2012 Unmeet is Feb 21-26.
Fellow live steam enthiasts,
As Feb. approaches and the 2012 All Steam Un-Meet nears, the small hand full of us at the BCRR are, as useual, doing the little things that always need doing before a bunch of live steamers arrive, and stay for a week or so. Sadly, this year, due to work obligations, educational commitments, and employment location moves, we are down three good guys. Hell, when we are at full capacity, we are only a very small hand full of guys!! Fortuneately, the fixed plant is in good shape other than some adjusting here and there. And, the winter un-members have, as usueual, worked their miracles on different projects.
So, when our friends arrive to run the BCRR on it’s tenth year anniversay, there will be a few improvements that will make the railroad even more fun to run. Particularly at night. And, night running is something that we do a lot of !!
The last week of Feb. 2012, should find steam locomotives filling the roundhouse tracks, the steaming bays, and most all, covering the many routes of the BCRR ROW. We look forward to our friends shareing and enjoying the Buckingham Central RR with us.
Bruce R.
Friends,
I can not help but to reflect on the sven days of the 2012 Steam Un-Meet. After the last of our guests left the BCRR facility early sunday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2012, a quiet settled over the railroad. A strange quiet at that. No steam whistles sounding, no locomotive exhaust while climbing the trestle, no sound of wheels cutting through the diamonds. But a sound that we really miss at the BCRR, after our many friends leave, is the quiet caused by the lack of constant laughter filling the air.
This year, we had the pleasure of haveing a number of visitors that brought their equipment to the BCRR that had never visited with us before. Its always a treat to see live steamers enjoy the BCRR facilities. Not only the folks that make it a point to be here each year, but also those that are running the ROW for the first time.
As I’ve written in another web site, I believe that throught the seven days of the 2012 All Steam Un-Meet, there were 24 different steam locomotives running. Of many various types and wheel arrangements.
I think I speak for the hand full of us that make up the Buckingham Central, when I entend a great big thank you to all that made the trip to N. Ft. Myers, Fl. to share the BCRR with us. It was a pleasure seeing our visitors enjoy the facility. And I hope that you all include us again in your future travel plans to Florida.
Sincerely,
Bruce F. Raykiewicz