When did GCR become a common carrier? When I was there, the middle third of the railroad GCR was good for 59 mph passenger but regular passenger speeds are 40 mph. GCR 18 or 29 at 40 mph was quite the ride.
While not fast by most standards the C&TS current schedule was close to freight train speeds on the line. Given that the passenger equipment is basically old freight cars they have not slowed down since the D&RGW.
While you will not find a shay running along your favorite mainline, you will not get good performance from a high speed locomotive on a logging branch. I like seeing steam locomotives do what they were designed to do and not force fit them into bad situations.

Robby

I'd like to thank Robert Opal for everything he's said in this thread.