Here in New Hope, there is a longstanding local controversy about running the local railroad as a tourist attraction.

Local Controversy – New Hope Ivyland Steam Engine

Specifically, the controversy is about whether the New Hope Railroad should run old engine 40, the coal-fired steam engine.

You’ll note that the feature photo shows a full hopper of coal in the back of this steam engine. You’ll also see the soot and smoke belching out the smokestack. I’ve never seen this personally, but I’m told that when this engine runs, it leaves a trail of soot and ash on the ground.

The only route this train takes is a 45 minute excursion from New Hope to Lahaska, PA and back. They don’t always run the steam engine. There is a much cleaner diesel engine that also runs.

The train brings in a lot of tourists to New Hope. It also attracts a very large number of train enthusiasts, specifically for the coal-fired steam engine. And I have to admit, the feature image today is one of the more impressive photos I’ve taken recently.

Personally, I don’t feel informed enough to have an opinion on the controversy. I’ll let the more passionate and the more informed decide whether the soot and pollution are worth the golden-age nostalgia of our past.

Current Knitting

I have started the second Tipsy Tiles Scarflet.

Thank you to Fred for noticing that 7′ 2″ is 86″, not 74″. Always appreciate keen-eyed readers who notice mistakes on my blog.

I think I’ve finished a chart for increasing the length of the scarflet by either 80 rows or 160 rows. I’ll be testing out the revised chart with this latest version, and if it works, I’ll give it to NevetsKnits in case there are others who would prefer not to re-work the chart for a longer and slightly wider scarflet.