Mike Desira said:My "only" reasearch tool, albiet a very powerful one, is the net.See, we do not have trains here, :cry: and sometimes a single visit to the company's offices is worth a week's troll through the net. SIGH!!
I've always lived withing a half hour's drive of a mainline. Never planned it that way, it just seems to work out. My favorite prototype is the Maryland and Delaware because it's soooooo laaaaaid baaaaack. I called their corporate office for a schedule and the secretary said, "Oh, they'll be out there Thursday mornin' 'round 7 like always. They'll warm up the Alco and be off 'round 7:30 or so. Depends on how long it takes the coffee to kick in." Just too cool.
As for scenarios, I wouldn't plan for more than one or two during a session. Keeps them on their toes but not in a state of dread.