Mr. Rowland, are you going to be running #40 at New Hope for any of the Christmas trains this year? I`m going to be in the area next weekend and was hoping to catch a cab ride with you again this year. Always a great treat, thank you, Drew Young

I believe I've read that #40 is down for the year and probably won't be running any Christmas trains - but that they hope to have it back for Easter next year. Don't quote me on it, but I believe that's what I've heard.

Drew, I will be running trains again this season at the NH&I but sorry to report they'll all be diesel powered.

#40 developed some mechanical issues that could not be corrected in time for the Santa season. Those repairs are under way and I expect # 40 will be back in service sometime in the 1st. quarter next year.

Pleased to report that reservations are very strong and it looks like we may have our best year ever.

Best wishes to all for a blessed Christmas and a healthy, steamy 2015.

Ross Rowland

Thank you for the reply. Sorry to here 40 is down, hopefully not for long. How`s the book coming?

The only place in PA where steam is guaranteed is Strasburg. They almost never operate diesels on trains for the public. Also, Reading and Northern 425 is running more trains mid December in Schuylkill County. That's about the only steam in PA this month. There is a rumor going around that Nickel Plate Road #765 will go to Allentown, PA next year as part of NS 21st Century Steam but that info even if someone heard it from Rich Melvin or whoever should not be considered true at this point. NS and the groups have not even announced anything regarding next year's excursions. That will probably come in January or February. TVRM says there will be more NS excursions next year. Hope that next year brings us some steamy surprises on NS in the eastern US, including 611 and lines that haven't been covered yet in the new steam program. I heard about possible trips out of Manassas, VA next year. I don't want to start anything here so I will end that discussion about future NS steam excursions. Some of my recent posts were deleted on another forum run by one of 765's engineers because they thought I was begging them for info about next year's 765 trips.

Steam is running again this year on the Black River & Western! #60 has sounded great from my house. I believe that steam is pulling all of the North Pole Express trains. It is my understanding that all of those trains were sold out a month in advance.

What about Phillipsburg, NJ? Is #142 running this month?

The NYS&W runs a Christmas train with two diesel locomotives. With Phillipsburg, New Hope, and Flemington (Black River & Western) being relatively close to each other, having steam at one out of three operations is nothing to complain about.

That's great news for New Hope yet a bit troubling for the outlook of Steam at the railroad.

I thought I had heard that patronage was so good the last period of time that 40 was down that there was question as to why even run steam - at least as often as they have been for years, if not decades.

On the other hand, isn't it odd that the Christmas trains are being advertised utilizing pictures of #40.

Looking forward to #40's return in the Spring.

/Mitch

PS - Don't forget, 4-4-0 #98 is also running "nearby" at the Wilmington and Western in Delaware. It's too bad 0-6-0 #26 - steamed up just recently at Steamtown, won't be ready for Holiday runs in Scranton.

Mitch, You raise an interesting point. There's no doubt that 99.9% of the customers come for the whole Santa/North Pole/Train Ride experience and what's actually pulling the train is of secondary importance, if that.

At the NH&I we keep steam alive because WE love steam and are determined to see it remain part of the operation despite the fact that it is a good bit cheaper and easier to run with diesels.

And, we are saving the use of steam for those major holidays/special events etc. so as to maximize its longevity under the current 1472 day FRA formula. # 40 would definitely have been part of the Santa season if she had not developed the need for running gear repairs that couldn't be finished in time. She'll be back in service in 2015 for sure.

Despite yesterdays dismal weather we carried very good loads ( vast majority of Santa train tickets are sold via the web and are non-refundable, non-exchangeable) and I didn't notice a single negative remark about the absence of # 40.

Steam matters to us steam lovers....not so much the general public.

Merry Christmas.......Ross Rowland

Regarding the number of steam operations in PA, a friend provides the following additional information:

- Ex-CNJ 0-6-0 No. 113 doubleheaded with RBM&N 4-6-2 No. 425 several times already this month.

- During summer months ex-PRR 0-6-0 No. 643 runs on most weekends at Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association park. This 90-acre park is located in Mechanicsburg, PA, southwest of Harrisburg. The 643 was built in 1901 by the Pennsylvania Railroad and was among the last of the B4 yard switchers built. It is currently the ONLY ex-PRR steam engine running in the U.S.

- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern WAS running steam but currently is running a diesel. They MAY return to steam. Click here for details:
http://www.kemptontrain.com/equipment/

- Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland PA runs regularly in summer.

- Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad in Middletown PA has their 2-6-0 No. 91 they occasionally run during summer.

To either refute or note on these two entries:

- WK&S will run steam again, but only when they get the $600-$800K (If memory serves me correctly) to restore #65 to main line service (they "can" steam her up and run her around the yard - as evidenced by their 50th anniversary celebration - http://youtu.be/tLB2oBwZe2U - but they cannot/will not run her out on the line from Kempton to Wanamaker).

- M&H has not run #91 in years, and I don't believe they have any plans to run her any time soon. It is privately-owned, not by the railroad - so they do not have a say over the engine.

What? No, you can't tell us the truth, you have to tell us what we want to hear.

Correct me if I'm wrong, the 91 has not run since 2008(?)

I was engineer yesterday and I do not agree that steam only matters to foamers. It is no secret I dislike Christmas time at the NHRR but there is one thing I look forward to every year. It is unfortunately one of the few times the steam locomotive is staged near the station or sidewalk for longer periods of time. I love to see the crowds that gather to look at it in awe. I truly enjoy answering questions and explaining how things work. That's the tell tale sign, every year with steam those crowds gather but this year with the GP30 I counted 6 people total who took pictures with it but that's all they did. No crowds gathering no questions being asked, no wonder or awe.

I will say, there were absolutely crowds of people, all of whom appeared happy to be there and ride the train. To that regard I will say not many cared what was pulling it especially since they never went to look at the locomotive. If all you care about is money that's fine, but I wish we cared about a little more than that.

Disclaimer:
I am not a spokesperson for the NHRR like Ross is. I do not and do not want to represent the NHRR here. The above opinions and observations are mine alone.