CSSHEGEWISCH Let's be honest. UP has a steam program, but how often do the Northern and the Challenger actually operate? I won't argue that the program generates a lot of favorable publicity and corporate goodwill, but as mentioned previously, it is doubtful that it has much of an effect on the decisions of traffic managers.
Let's be honest. UP has a steam program, but how often do the Northern and the Challenger actually operate? I won't argue that the program generates a lot of favorable publicity and corporate goodwill, but as mentioned previously, it is doubtful that it has much of an effect on the decisions of traffic managers.
I don't know how often UP runs their steam engines, but beyond the PR value of the program, the UP certainly seems to place a very high value on preserving the history of the railroad. The UP has quite a few pieces of historical equipment stored in the roundhouse at Cheyenne either for use or later restoration. They've also marked historically significant units still in use for future preservation and/or donation (the last two unpatched CNW engines come to mind).
I'd say it's even harder to place an ROI value on a corporation preserving its own history than determining what return the UP gets from its steam program. Yet, the company has devoted quite a few resources to doing just that.
One should never downgrade the value of a good opinion among the public in general, not just a particular firm's and/or an industry's customers.
I completley agree with your view on CSX. Same words I would've used. CSX is a business focused on serving its customers to the best of their ability. For the people freaking out because they don't have Heritage Units and that all their engines look the same, that is most likely the goal of CSX. Yes, it's nice to have a cool and diverse spread of paint schemes, but even though the boxcar logo says "How Tomorrow Moves," the uniform look of the dark blue CSX fleet says "We Mean Business" to its current and potential customers. Don't get me wrong, I love the Heritage units, but you have to respect CSX's way of doing things.
If CSX had a steam program, NC&StL 4-8-4 #576 located in NASHVILLE, TN and A&WP 4-6-2 #290 located at the Southeastern Railway Museum near ATLANTA, GA would be excellent steam locomotives to pull excursions on CSX tracks. Both the NASHVILLE, CHATTANOOGA & ST. LOUIS and the ATLANTA & WEST POINT railroads are now part of CSX. David Briel
CSX did help out with the move of C&O 1309 to the Western Maryland Scenic. Maybe that was CSX taking a first step to some sort of steam program.
Ditto on the C&O 1309 move.
I think positive messages can go a long way. Railfans are part of a population surrounding the railroad’s infrastructure. They can be working in the police or fire stations, mayor’s office, public works, permitting office, legislator’s office, or schools. Heck, they might just be more forgiving of a blocked railcrossing or a loud whistle in the middle of the night.
All it might take is to make a deep impression on one person in one of those offices to get back the money you invested. A mayor or legislator might pass a favorable bill, a permit might come a little easier, or a kid might be inspired to make railroading a lifelong job.
(-not to mention it might dampen some of the negative news like the oil trains)
Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me. CSX management is probably going to be averse to sponsoring a steam program for a long time as part of the fallout from the attempted takeover by The Children's Fund.
Or the fallout might produce something positive instead.
I wonder why air lines don't fly or develop a heritage program. Most likely that thier share holders care more about the bottom line than inspiring a little kid. When it comes to getting political action on thier part they have have well paid lobbyist to do the job.
I wish CSX had a steam program, or kcs or BNSF. Be nice if united flew 707 or DC 7 for air lines fans
But corporation's have a obligation to thier share holders. Not to rail fans or little kids, which often they view as trespassers.
Thier are legitimate means of trying to to get railroads to sponser programs. Consistent whining about it is one if them
Interesting that Mr. Willison brought up the subject of airlines.
About 20 years ago Delta was operating a restored DC-3 complete with vintage Delta Airlines markings. Around the same time Lufthansa was operating a Junkers JU-52. Both were touring the country as heritage units, I know, I saw them.
Haven't heard from either lately, so I don't know if the respective programs are still active.
At any rate, it HAS been done.
As far as I know, both of them still have such a program.
In fact, Lufthansa should be nearing the completion of restoring a Lockheed Constellation to add to their fleet (Or more correctly, half restoration and half modernization, since they're making sacrifices out of necessity in order to carry the public and for maintainability; although the original engines are being kept).
Cool! Or in the case of Lufthansa, prima!
Firelock76 Interesting that Mr. Willison brought up the subject of airlines. About 20 years ago Delta was operating a restored DC-3 complete with vintage Delta Airlines markings. Around the same time Lufthansa was operating a Junkers JU-52. Both were touring the country as heritage units, I know, I saw them. Haven't heard from either lately, so I don't know if the respective programs are still active. At any rate, it HAS been done.
And at any rate, CSX has hosted steam...
An "expensive model collector"
CSX has hosted steam, but it's been a while, hence this discussion.
As of now CSX policy is no antique railroad equipment on CSX lines at all, at any time. An exception is made for privately owned rail coaches that have been modified to Amtrak standards and are part of Amtrak consists.
I have worked with a railroad group in Florida, where we had an excellent working relationship with CSX. At that point they did move historic rail equipment at no cost. They provided us with their safety cars and locomotive's for display purposes. We geared our events around educational programs, and with CSX help, thier willingness to move our equipment and provide some of thier own equipment put on a great public event and brought rail safety to the fore front. It was a win win win situation. It help the community, our organization and CSX public relations. Thier was no steam but I know many kids got an opportunity to ride a passenger train in thier home town and learned how not to become a treaspasser, some may have become railroaders or rail fans.
The only way this situation will change on any railroad, big or small is to provide the back drop of serving thier communities, providing an educational objective and meeting thier own corporate goal of increasing safety awareness.
Don't accuse CSX of being a bad corporate citizen because they took our steam trains away. Rather find some common ground and build upon it. Hopefully things will improve.
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