1522 spent years outside, from '51-58 with lagging and when the RR restored her for donation to Museum of Transport in 58 they removed the lagging.
She was on display outdoors up until we (St Louis Steam Train Association) began her restoration in '85.
Never say never.

I'm not 100% sure though why - they only seem to run around Christmastime?[/quote]

bigjim4life -

I noticed that too on that Three Rivers Rambler website. Thought this might be why the 207 is being brought in for evaluation; to give them another engine besides their two current 2-8-0's to allow them to expand their operation beyond the current November-December time frame. Having a third Consolidation would also put a bit less stress on their current two engines and make a trip to the shop when that time comes up, a bit easier on the Shop crew.

Les[/quote]
They use to run throughout the year, but cut back to just Christmas Latern trains for the past decade or so. They do not have the space to make a real destination out of the railroad, and half of the run is very industrial scenery, in addition to having to be push-pull, so I don't think they feel like they can support running year-round without reaching market saturation. However they did recently acquire a turntable. And are looking to install it near the shop and create some sort of operational display and yard hop ride type service. But this would be entirely separate from the current train rides as there is no good way to get a passenger train out of yard and onto the main line and vice versa.

Early on they would run the locomotive around after crossing the bridge - I'm sure the push-pull is easier. Plue I'm not sure if the 154 needed the help of the diesel anyways (when they did the run around it was the 203).

I wouldn't say the route is "industrial" it starts very urban but there are still views of the river and downtown landmarks like the stadium.

I always assumed they ran as much as they want to run - they could definitely build up a nice operation if they wanted to.

154 is powerful enough to handle the train in either direction. 203 is the smaller, yet more "modern", of the two. The "new" depot at University Commons is the reason for the push-pull operation. There is no run around track at the depot end. The trains have also grown from 3 reading commuter coaches, a gondola and a caboose, to 6 reading commuter coaches. Near the end of the run the train works up a nearly 2% grade from a dead stop all the way to the Three Rivers Trestle, either engine puts on a great show.

Oh yes... I forgot that back then they left from near the Calhouns restaurant near the river.

I also agree that the locomotives put on a lovely show on that stretch leading up to the bridge - loved chasing the 154 through that area. I think I chased 203 as well... I know I rode behind the 203 a few times but can't remember if I ever chased her or not.

Also in the early days they had an office car on the end of the train you could pay like $10 extra to ride in.. LOVED sitting in those captains chairs and watching the gauges - so much fun!