It was an MTH promotional display that was probably sponsored in part by MTH but was definitely privately owned. I recall something about a change in ownership several years ago now and I have not personally seen it advertised for a couple years in conjunction with shows. I would start by calling Andy Edleman at MTH Marketing in Baltimore. They no doubt have more up to date knowledge about its fate.

I also like both the IRM and the CVSR ideas, though operational issues for multiple engines, multiple steam on CVSR are daunting as has been suggested. Give Steve Wait a holler about CVSR. He is approachable and he is anxious to leverage the recent Trains magazine feature article. What about St. Louis as a venue? The museum is there and more or less steam friendly BNSF is there to consider. It also has been 11 years since Sacramento hosted a major event though I like these mid-continent venues for all around accessability to the most people with affordable travel costs. Thinking "aloud", what about the Wisconsin Southern? They have been steam friendly in the past with Soo engine charters and Horicon is at least as large and convenient as Owosso and plus they have the Janesville roundhouse.
Peter Bowler, Akron

I actually like the bobblehead idea!

Peter;

I don't think the multiple steam engine thing on the CVSR is that daunting operationally. You just divide the railroad at Akron Northside station the way they do it now, and anyone who wants to change trains for events on the other end of the railroad just does it there. The only real downside is there probably would not be a mass night photo session with all the engines in the same place at once - at least not more than once, maybe either at the very beginning or very end (and I'm sure Jason and his crew would just love to do one more major event after dark on the last night). Maybe, just maybe, you do something totally different and light an engine all evening in the open (ah, the wonders of digital photography), and let people come and shoot it for FREE, or included with a regular admission wrist band. Also means there would not be just one place to service steam locomotives, and you'd need a mobile servicing truck like UP has. The upside is that there would be a real reason for people to ride the train - to get to various venues, not just to take a train ride.

Now THAT's funny! Sign me up for a bulk package for my friend Al Phillips...

Mike