Boy, A guy goes away to Iraq for a year and what the heck is going on? Glad we had internet here!!!!! I don't think I could have caught up!!!!

Let's see:
SR 154 and 401 raised from the dead lines!
USA 4039 is planned for return with a contractor named!
NS returns to it's roots, Yes limited schedule, but still!
Cosmetic restoration going on all over the place!
"The Lost Engines of Roanoke" saved and two back looking awesome!

What else?

I think the last 3 or 4 years have been good.

- 844 and 4449 doubleheaded
- 700 in Montana
- Trainfest in Michigan
- 3 Chinese QJ's under steam
- World record steam freight
- 3751 to San Diego
- 2816 and CP's Steam Program
- 261's story had a good ending
- 765's return
- 763 brought out of the museum
- Numerous restoration projects started

Things have been great for steam.

Could be better. There are so many steamers still waiting to run. I think in a few years it could be better if funds are around.

On the bright side though the "Queen of Steam" 4-6-0 Baldwin 40 on the Nevada Northern is turning 100 next Saturday, With 2-8-0 ALCo 93 100 last January.




Anthony

Not only did ATSF 3751 go to San Diego, she also visited San Bernardino the next weekend. She did this a few years ago, but this year's trip included paying passengers (including myself). We ran on the Metrolink San Bernardino Line, which covers part of the Pacific Electric San Berdoo line and part of the Santa Fe 2nd District. I never had a chance to ride the PE line when it was electric powered, but with Metrolink and 3751, I've done it with steam and diesel.

And once again, Ventura County #2 (2-6-2 Baldwin 1922, 70 tons) gave visitors to Orange Empire a chance to see steam in action every month from September to May.

Mt. Rainier Scenic in the southern part of Washington was running steam and (when I visited last year) was nearing completion on their Willamette "sidewinder".

Many years ago, someone active in steam preservation commented to the effect that "Our friends at the trolley museums may be running when the last steamer has gone on static display. Streetcars don't need boiler inspections and hydro tests." As someone who has spent most of his preservation efforts on Pacific Electric "Red Cars" and LA narrow gauge "Yellow Cars", I'm still overjoyed to see an "iron horse" that sat cold, silent and motionless for many years return to the rails and introduce new generations to the sights and sounds of steam power. I even like hearing Alco 6-cylinder turbo diesels and EMD V-20's!

Milwaukee Road 261 sold to the Friends of the 261, and actively being prepared for a 2011 operating season? Great year as far as I'm concerned.

Don't forget about Rayonier 2-8-2 #70! I heard she was supposed to be done by Memorial Day, but haven't heard since.

Don't forget that 614 is going to pull that Greenbriar train... oh wait.

I think getting the Lost Engines saved was about the most biggest event, I happenned on the lost engines website years ago and went whoaaaaa.

The owner of the scrap yard site was still alive and I kept watch.
I joined with the WVRPS group and between everything the results ended up well.

We kept the scrappers torch away.

Will one of them breath fire again? Open question but no cutting torch fire.

Great to hear about 261. Rode behind her when she was back East here at Steamtown. Great engine and now Steve & company need money to help pay for the rebuild.

C&O 614 is going to run? Like to hear more about that. Isn't she also going to need a rebuild done? I know the engine has or at least had been sitting on RBM&N tracks split in two (engine & tender separated) for a number of years. Also rode behind that when they did the excursions from Jersey City across northern NJ to NY state. One nice thing with 614 is she can lead on any Amtrak line as I believe she has the requisite cab signals and a diesel control stand as well.