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Doc, Some interesting thoughts on moving a loco to another region to run, and some good points as well. It definately adds depth to possibilities of running 1522. But at the same time it poses an issue, a locomotive is thought to "belong" to the area in which it originally ran, and moving 1522 hundreds of miles away-outside of it's original territory- is unthinkable to the people who adore and own it. Think of the N&W Y6a #2156, a truly an amazing loco, and the people of Virginia wanted it back, because it was "their" engine, mostly because it ran in their area, and "did not belong" in St. Louis. Moving such a prized loco and exhibit (Refering to 1522) from the area where it ran in revinue service (as well as excursion service) and was diplayed for so many years would be akin to sending the N&W #611 or 1218 to the ORHF (Owners of SP 4449) or to UP just so it can "run". I believe that in some cases, a loco is better to sit cold, properly preserved and displayed in the area where it operated, and has the most local heritage and sentimental value, than move away "just to run".   Furthurmore, I can say that we are lucky to have as much steam running today as we do. Now is also a time not to forget about the other steam locos that are in terrible shape. They need the money just as much as 611 or 4449. I would rather see the $$ it would take to restore and operate 1522 go to the cosmetic restoration, preseravation, and display of other locos in intolerable condition; which in some cases hold more historical, local, and mechanical signifigance than those that do run! Think of the $2M it would take to restore and operate 1522 going to restore and put a roof over: C&NW #1015, A&S #12, or Frisco #3695, and those are just at the same museum, to say nothing of the countless others around the country, in and out of museums. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the benefit of preservation in whole, we cannot afford to loose more examples, more parts of "the big picture", than have already been lost to time and future generations. Two or three static locos in good shape is better than one operational in my book. The point I am trying to make is that before we think about sinking the $$ into another mainline steamer (Which may lose tracks to run on at any time, NS and other RR's could stop anytime), we need to think about the big picture and the future of railroad preservation as a whole. Just my two cents.
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