Steamfest2010 WV: no 734?

[jettrainfan]

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2211008

Doesn't look like any big steam this year....

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

Thats CSX for you. I can't see why they would be so worried about moving a 2-8-0. it's not like its got the overhang of the challenger when it used CSX rails a long time ago and kept derailing and banged up a few cars(thats what I heard anyway).

[ebtnut]

Actually, my real surprise was hearing that CSX had even contemplated moving the loco over their rails, given the current state of corporate mind-set.  I was not too surprised to hear that they had changed their mind.  With both NS and CSX pretty much dead-set against running steam of any kind, there are not a lot of options left here in the mid-east for any main line operations any more.  Ah for the good old days of the Southern Steam program and Chessie Steam Specials!

[termite]

"Ah for the good old days of the Southern Steam program"

So true, along with N&W's excursion runs. I loved watching the 611 running Through Lynchburg way back when.

[Doneldon]

ebtnut -

It's not just the mid-Atlantic region; it's pretty much the whole country.  I'm not sure if it's traffic congestion, insurance, corporate board disinterest or what, but there is little steam moving anywhere other than tourist and museum rights of way.  Gone are the days of chasing a plume of smoke cross country.

                                                                                             -- D

[ebtnut]

Well, at least they let the 4449 and the SP&S 700 out for a romp occasionally.  And there is the ATSF 4-8-4 and of course UP's two big locos.  Also the MILW 261 should re-appear in a year or two.  I miss those heady days in the '70's and  '80's when we had almost regular steam on SR/NS, CSX, even PC.