Roll call for "big steam".

[Anonymous]

In these trying times, I am wondering how many big "mainline" steam locos are going to be running this summer. Between the war, and the money-grubbing insurance companies, will we see any steam at all in 2003?
Post what you know, no matter how much it hurts... Oh, I wish it was the 1960's again!

Todd C.

[Anonymous]

As they say"go west young man." Union Pacific would be your best shot.Norfolk Southern no longer runs its trains and its too bad.
Joe

[Anonymous]

I hear you. Back in the early fifties when my family was going on vacation, we would get down to the station and board early then my Dad would take me up to the front of the train to look at the engine. The huff and puff of steam, the smell of hot oil and you knew you were looking at something alive and powerful. Nowadays, I travel a lot on Amtrak but there is no feeling of awe walking past the diesel. I can't bring back those wonderful monsters to our railways but on my model layout, it will be steam forever.
Pop

[dknelson]

The collapse of the roundhouse in Baltimore has put the kibbosh on what was going to be a huge steam event in the east this summer.
The Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 261 has been worked on over the winter but without the Baltimore event I am not aware of any plans to operate it.
With luck Wisconsin's Great Circus Train will be pulled behind steam again this summer, presumably the Soo Line 2-8-2 1003. That may not qualify as "big steam" in some minds but when you hear that beautifully preserved engine work a long train up a tough grade, and when after you have taken your shot you suddenly are under a rain of black cinders with the smell of coal smoke in your nostrils -- sure seems like big steam to me!
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

dave i am frends with steve sandberg he said that they may do some in minnesota runs. farmall kid

[foamer4000]

The Ohio Central has restored the GTW 6325. I belive they plan to opperate her this summer. They also have several smaller locos in use.
Do not forget the Denver Post - Cheyenne Frontier days train. And the Rockymountain railroad club trips behind UP#3985 in June. This is as good as mainline steam gets! Except for the SP&S 700 in Montana!

[Anonymous]

Pere Marquette 1225 was going to go the Fair of the Iron Horse in Baltimore. They might make local trips too.

[cprted]

CPR's beautiful 4-6-4 #2816 will be riding the rails this summer.
http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/About+Us/In+Your+Community/Community+Connect/Programs/CPR+Empress/default.htm

[wallywalkabout]

There are not many steam trips that are any better than the "Durango-Silverton" run here in Colorado. Now, before the "naysayers" start, it is not a "Big Steam Mainline", BUT it ranks right-up-there with the most spectacular and the most friendly operation. Beware, they've talked about running some diesels during a summer drought, to prevent forest fires. ! Try www.durangotrain.com

[Anonymous]

Oh yea, I would sure like to do the Silverton, and the Cumbres, I consider the both as some of the top notch steam operations anywhere. I live in Michigan, so I haven't been out that way yet. But if I live to see retirement, you bet your narrow gauge caboose I'll be coming to Colorado, to check it out! Heck, here in Michigan, we have a little tiny Baldwin 4-6-2, that will make any steam fan get goosebumps... ( Little River 110).

[cbq9911a]

Frisco 1630, a Russian Decapod, will be running this summer at the Illinois Railway Musuem in Union. It's "big enough", and there's plenty of mainline action on IRM's mainline. www.irm.org