UP (and now SP) Steam goes Web 2.0

UPDATE 2: Now UP 844 is posting pictures of itself.

UPDATE: another big celebrity signs up in preparation for Transcontinental tweeting. We’ve added it to the SteamCentral FriendFeed, where you can get everything in one RSS feed.

The relaunch of SteamCentral last year was an outgrowth of my interest in and work with Web 2.0 social networking tools. In fact, I use SteamCentral.com as a demo when I give my Social Networking 101 presentation.

I’ve got a new example. Union Pacific’s steam team has created a Twitter feed tweeting 844′s location, and linking to its GPS track. We’ve added the feed to the SteamCentral FriendFeed. Read more about Twitter, FriendFeed, and RSS here.


844 is not the first steam locomotive to have its own Twitter account, however – that honor probably goes to Nickel Plate 765. And, of course, SteamCentral has had its own feed for almost a year.

If you’re one of the people who’ve heard of Twitter but haven’t created an account, let me suggest you try it. One of the many advantages Twitter offers is its ability to connect text messaging to the web, and to allow broadcast updates. Imagine chasing SP 4449 as it travels to Train Festival and getting regular updates – locations, expected delays, etc. – on your cell phone.


Check out our Links for more Twitter feeds to follow.

Steam locomotive operators might be able to use Twitter to generate revenue – offering a “protected feed” to donors.

Congratulation to the UP steam program for adding this feature. What’s next – separate feeds for 844 and 3985? A UP Steam Facebook page? (Personally, I’d pay good money to see Steve Lee doing his rendition of Earl Pitts on Twitter.)

Are you aware of any other steam operators using Web 2.0 tools? For example, Lake Superior Railroad Museum maintains a Google Calendar. Post your examples in the comments.

NKP 765 Summer Excursion Schedule Announced

Following over two years of research, negotiations, planning, and scheduling, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will be highballing Nickel Plate Road no. 765 to North Judson, Indiana’s Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in May.

No. 765 will operate roundtrips on preserved Chesapeake and Ohio trackage between North Judson and LaCrosse, Indiana Memorial Day Weekend and Father’s Day Weekend this summer. The locomotive will pull three trips daily both weekends using the Ohio Central Railroad’s passenger fleet with all trips departing North Judson featuring photo runs for passengers.

Tickets for these trips are on available at www.765.org or by calling 260-493-3885.

In July, no. 765 will travel to Owosso, Michigan to star alongside Lima Locomotive Works relatives PM no. 1225 and SP. no. 4449 in the nation’s largest railroading event of the year as it and seven other historic steam locomotives operate in public exhibition and recreational passenger service. The 765 will be on live-steam static display July 24th and 25th and operate a day-long passenger excursion on July 26th.

Tickets for this event may be purchased online at www.trainfestival2009.com.

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