You know, other than 4014 and 3985 for UP, and maaaaybe 1218 someday, the odds of something as big as 5000 returning to steam seem to be somewhat on the low side. They are just so large and expensive to operate compared to more modest power.
If you look at Mr. Jacobson's and Mr. Muller's most-frequently-operated units, they are light 4-6-2 Pacifics - 1293 and 425, respectively. Down in Chattanooga the TVRM utilizes 4501 and 630 frequently, with 4501 as a 2-8-2 being somewhat the freight version in size of a 4-6-2. And there are ubiquitous 2-8-0 units all over the US. These are all units large enough to pull a decent consist at 35-40 MPH, while being light of foot and nimble enough to handle various lines that might not be 286K compliant.
Of course, right now the biggest units are the 4-8-4 Northerns in all their glory, but their operation tends to not be as frequent as the smaller units, and for the most part they seem to operate on the high iron, and with rare exception do not trek on to lightly railed branch lines (the 261 foray this past weekend on the Minneapolis & St. Louis to Winthrop MN being an obvious rare exception).
Just an opinion for conversation sake, but if one were going to do a Santa Fe museum that had a frequent operating component, acquisition and operation of a 3400-class 4-6-2, or an ATSF 2-8-0, would potentially be more financially viable from an operating cost standpoint (with the occasional visit from 2926).
I know, I know, easier said than done. But I am just throwing the thought out there for conversation of the pros and cons. Thanks!
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