A thought.
"Forum follows function!", as I once heard me say.
Perhaps an email notice of transfer to those railroads registered here (who have a car properly identified as "The Gauge" car) would do the trick. A further thought suggests a Business/Inspection car but I opt for a "working" car as I ain't that proud (and could easily see my way to a "Gauge" 40' box rather than a "Business/Inspection" car- that's for really "special" occasions and the like. After all we're talking work- not show and since IMHO- there's no grand poohbahs around here as far as I'm concerened that I'd need to roll out a red carpet too).
As far as the "devil in the details"- it's a solved problem. It's pure serendipity in most aspects.
Those willing to participate would accommodate the following requisites:
1. Provide a current email address for car forwarding.
2. Have a standard (40' for most) box car appropriately decorated regardless of preffered gauge or era of operation.
3. Location will determine transfer with connecting road locations. Participating roads will advise location. I'd expect "regional" designations as means of conveyance, unless otherwise specified connections prevail- determined by participating railroads.
4. Registered roads will acknowledge, accept and report delivery of load within a week of receipt.
5. "The Gauge"'s operations have expanded globally and appropriate connections via ocean/air transport must be considered so that when a shipment arrives- it duly transferred overseas.
6. Upon receipt of "Notice of Delivery" member roads will acknowledge as aforementioned and make accommodations to accept, process and make arrangements to move the car to the next destination as indicated by traffic requirements.
7. Traffic requirements dictate that said car be forwarded to all participating roads thru the usual manner- that being- routing to all participating roads.
8. Tracking of shipments, follow up and forwarding will duly noted in a log.
9. Refusal of shipment, lack of forwarding, errant handling will not be tolerated- this is supposed to be fun and participating roads will be duly disciplined for mis-handling of cargo!!!? After all- rules are rules and they're meant to be broken. Aren't they?
10. When in doubt as to emergencies- logon to "The Gauge" and post a message.
Anyway- that's muh simple and quick way to the road.
'nother words-
it's all uP to you, doesn't cost anything, other than an e-mail.
Mark
(Sounds like a lotta work)
