CSX stands for "Can't Stand eXcursions".

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How witty, bet it took ya all day to dream up that one.

The reality here is that CSX is in business to make money, and excursions impede the flow of revenue freight. It is a shame that CSX has maintained this position for so long now, but in the end it is their decision to make. Maybe there will be a day when steam will return to the CSX system, maybe not.

With recent things between them and 2716...

Southern Railway was the same way in the 1960s. It was the railroad of progress and technology and steam locomotives didn't fit in with their marketing. It wasn't until the negative publicity of the Big John rate case and Graham Claytor that steam had a chance. It didn't hurt that steam had been gone long enough from the Southern that steam locomotive evoked thoughts of the "good old days" either.

Why are we getting things between csx and 2716 on twitter?

CSX is much different than they were 5-6 years ago. With the recent good economy CSX has been doing very well for themselves since this subject was originally written. They’re in a state where they are much more caring for preservation groups and communities, and can afford to do so. Take a look at the Clinchfield locomotives for the 70th santa train, (800 and the 3632). They’ve donated the chessie dash seven to the lake shore museum, they helped with the moves of 576 (and dressed up 527 to pose as the CSX unit 576 with NC&StL stickers on the front nose), and now 2716. They’ve also got the specialty units 3440 for the Kentucky rail heritage center, 911, and 1776. And most importantly, they’ve helped by donating the entire Ravenna Diesel shops to the Kentucky railroad museum. There’s even a few more things I haven’t even mentioned.

CSX is much friendlier to heritage groups than it was 5 years ago. And the fact that 2716 is being restored, and is being towed to Ravenna with a funny CSX kanawha logo might show that they may allow some mainline operations if schedules permit. However, the problem with CSX is that there aren’t many bigger locomotives that are feasible for outside groups to restore for mainline operation that are good for an actual steam program.

The engines I see that are possible in true CSX heritage are 2716, 614, 576, 152, 5300 or 4500 (either of them), and maybe ACL 1504 in Jacksonville. The engines I didn’t mention are either too big and potentially too costly (Allegheny 1604), too slow for mainline operation (c&o 1309 and the seaboard decapods), unreachable or infeasible (literally any of the PRR engines), or too light and weak (acl 1031 and so on).

Sure, a steam program might be nice. But do the benefits outweigh the costs? Like said earlier, CSX has maintained an idea of being “green”, and although they are helping with said preservation groups, a coal burning locomotive being sponsored by CSX makes them look two faced. There was even one guy on twitter who made the comment “so when are you switching your units to electric.” on the 2716 towing. We as rail fans know that’s not even remotely feasible but that comment makes CSX look two faced if they do go through with a steam program.

I personally think that CSX is doing a great job with what they’re doing in rail preservation currently. The fact they’ve been so helpful to these groups makes it all the better. No need for heritage units, and no need for a steam program, but it wouldn’t make sense for 2716, a big mainline 2-8-4, to be towed back to New Haven KY, and only operate small 7 car passenger trains on the New Haven Branch. I’m not one for hypotheticals but it’s definitely possible that CSX has bigger plans than they’re letting on.

I say that if CSX would have some steam excursion like NS 21st century steam program 2011-2015. CSX could partner with SRI and use Pere Marquette 1225 to power some trains I mean PM merge with the C&O in 1947 so wouldn't that make 1225 part of CSX heritage? 1225 is operable and can power an excursion special etc. FWRHS 765 could do some trips for CSX like it did in the 80s and 90s but 765 will going down next year for it 1472 day inspection. I'm not saying "hey lets do 30something trips for the year" no maybe more like 5 trips a year for like the Santa train and new river train and also Kentuky Derby train. The 1225 and 765 they could decorate them both into C&O berks. 1225 to the 2600series after the PM merge with the C&O and 765 to 2765 like they did in 1993.

If CSX want to do a handful of steam excursions in a few years 1225 is the best choice to do with while the 765 getting rebuilt.

765 will not be down next year. They did the 1472 over the last 2 winters so they would not have to miss any excision seasons.

Judging by the uproar in the early 80’s when c&o 2716 became southern 2716 for a few operating seasons, I doubt any locomotive would be forced to pose as another, unless it’s from a similar design, which really only includes the Van Sweringen Berks.

I didn’t mention 1225 because it’s in Central Michigan, and it’s kinda out of the way compared to the other engines I mentioned.

the 1225 can still handle excursions for CSX if CSX wanted it.

CSX is also donating an SW1500 number 1001 to Kentucky Steam so maybe, just maybe next year will be a big year for Steam on the CSX! If 2716 takes a year and a half like everyone says, 2020/2021 could be the beginning of the CSX Steam program. 2716 would start it and eventually 576 would follow...

I would like to see PM1225 to operate on the CSX since Pere Marquette is part of the C&O which part of CSX.

It's a lovely dream, but until Ross gets the nod for 614, I won't hold my breath. 2716 is a sweet dream, no debate there.