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[Anonymous]

I used to ride on the chessy safety express along time ago. when I asked a gentlemen when it would run again he said csx will not allow steam to run on there tracks. Why is this? what type of locomotive was the safety express 4-8-2 maybe?

[Anonymous]

I used to ride on the chessy safety express along time ago. when I asked a gentlemen when it would run again he said csx will not allow steam to run on there tracks. Why is this? what type of locomotive was the safety express 4-8-2 maybe?

[Anonymous]

To my knowledge.. the Chessie Safety Express was pulled exclusively by number 614.. which was a J3a 4-8-4

Its quite possible that CSX went ahead and put a ban on steam on their rails... The New River Train hasn't seen a steam pull in years.. no more water tanks on the line, and the rail grease stations give the steamers fits...

Its also possible that there just isn't enough money available from the various rail clubs to get an excursion setup. Not to mention the giant lack of operating steam traction on the east coast.. 614 isn't running, neither is NKP 765, or N&W 611...

Loyd L.

[Anonymous]

To my knowledge.. the Chessie Safety Express was pulled exclusively by number 614.. which was a J3a 4-8-4

Its quite possible that CSX went ahead and put a ban on steam on their rails... The New River Train hasn't seen a steam pull in years.. no more water tanks on the line, and the rail grease stations give the steamers fits...

Its also possible that there just isn't enough money available from the various rail clubs to get an excursion setup. Not to mention the giant lack of operating steam traction on the east coast.. 614 isn't running, neither is NKP 765, or N&W 611...

Loyd L.

[Anonymous]

Most of the class one railroads have banned steam from their lines and insurance prices for the sponsers of rail excursions pulled by any kind of locomotive have risen to the point that very few organizations can afford

[Anonymous]

Most of the class one railroads have banned steam from their lines and insurance prices for the sponsers of rail excursions pulled by any kind of locomotive have risen to the point that very few organizations can afford

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your response. What about the challenger? what was the other steam in wv. cass? is it still running?

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your response. What about the challenger? what was the other steam in wv. cass? is it still running?

[Anonymous]

Cass still runs a regular schedule with their Shays..
http://www.cassrailroad.com/

The Durbin and Greenbrier runs a daily departure with their Climax
http://www.mountainrail.com/Scenic%20Rail%20Tour.htm

thats the only operating steam in West Virginia at the present time

Loyd L.

[Anonymous]

Cass still runs a regular schedule with their Shays..
http://www.cassrailroad.com/

The Durbin and Greenbrier runs a daily departure with their Climax
http://www.mountainrail.com/Scenic%20Rail%20Tour.htm

thats the only operating steam in West Virginia at the present time

Loyd L.

[ironhorseman]

Insurance, liability, and risk is what a lawyer would say. Money is another factor. The train would have to be scheduled to fit in with all the regular freight traffic. IF something were to go wrong then all those those trains would have to be delayed and rerouted. I wonder what restrictions are put on diesel powered excursion trains???

These are some of the reasons the Frisco #1522 of St. Louis was put into "retirement," combined with operating costs and insurance costs. I doubt something that is in such great condition will be idle forever. It'll be back someday. I just hope they keep it well sheltered in the meantime.

I doubt this is a permanent ban. We may have to wait few years or possibly even a decade. When they let the steam back on the main line you bet it'll get all kinds of publicity.

As for the Challenger and the #844 UP runs, maintains, and operates those and therefore has complete control over the situation. They can decide when and where the train will go. The don't have to make negotiations with some outside group. Those trains are more for public relations. They'll be around as long as UP wants to run them, although I don't know what restrictions they're putting on their own steam program.

They'll all be back to full steam someday...

[ironhorseman]

Insurance, liability, and risk is what a lawyer would say. Money is another factor. The train would have to be scheduled to fit in with all the regular freight traffic. IF something were to go wrong then all those those trains would have to be delayed and rerouted. I wonder what restrictions are put on diesel powered excursion trains???

These are some of the reasons the Frisco #1522 of St. Louis was put into "retirement," combined with operating costs and insurance costs. I doubt something that is in such great condition will be idle forever. It'll be back someday. I just hope they keep it well sheltered in the meantime.

I doubt this is a permanent ban. We may have to wait few years or possibly even a decade. When they let the steam back on the main line you bet it'll get all kinds of publicity.

As for the Challenger and the #844 UP runs, maintains, and operates those and therefore has complete control over the situation. They can decide when and where the train will go. The don't have to make negotiations with some outside group. Those trains are more for public relations. They'll be around as long as UP wants to run them, although I don't know what restrictions they're putting on their own steam program.

They'll all be back to full steam someday...