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Hmmm.... I personally would have a problem with it because if UP took them both, they would insist on running the locomotives on their own rails... which do not coincide with the Norfolk Southern right of way.  So a bit of N&W heritage would end up where I would be unable to see it.More practically speaking, UP already has it's best passenger steam locomotive in operating condition (the Challenger)- and maintains it's finest steam freight locomotive (a Big Boy) in display condition.  How does taking on the rehabilitation of two functionally similar locomotives benefit UP?  They already grumble about "the bottom line" with their own equipment... and I understand that the professional UP crews that operate the Challenger are doing so as volunteers.Let's assume for a moment that UP is capable of rehabilitating two steam locomotives to operating standard.  (They had to subcontract out boiler inspections and fixes on the Challenger, if memory serves me correctly.)  Who would pay for the work?  Not Norfolk Southern- they've already said that they are donating the locomotives to a museum.  Not the Federal Government- they can't even fund AMTRAK.  And there aren't many private groups out there who can afford to repair, rehabilitate, and run two very large locomotives... that might not even be allowed track space to operate, anyway. Don't get me wrong.  I would love to see 611 pull an express train at speed again.  I would pay money to ride on such a train.  But, the reality is that these things cost big bucks... and corporate American railroads face much bigger financial problems that need attention first.  UP might be the biggest elephant in the herd... but even their charity is limited... and their pockets are not that deep.
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