We are looking for possible opportunities to bring steam to our class 2 trackage, standard gage railroad in 2017 for spring, summer /fall tourist excursions. We have interchange with class one carriers and have adequate facilities to support a small locomotive 3-4 drive axles in size would be preferable. Anyone that has, or knows of anyone that would be intersted in such an opportunity please feel free to contact me.

Question #1 - Where are you located?
Question #2- Who are you?

We are located in Pennsylvania.
I am the General Manager of the inquiring railroad. Feel free to direct your questions, by P.M. or Email at Bvesbcarrick@aol.com

To quote from the Viscose 6 web site "Owner, Scott Symans hopes many more generations will have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy steam railroading through the operation of his locomotive. He and #6 would be glad to visit other tourist railroads and museums for special steam events. Not only would the staff and volunteers of these host organizations get to work with and enjoy a fully operational steam locomotive, they would also be able to provide a unique experience for their interested public."

You might also be able to work something out with the Gramlings as I believe they have another engine close to being ready for work. No 75 is going down for it's 1472, but their #126 still is open for excursions, too.

Of course, this is assuming these industrial engines would have enough tractive effort for your excursion consist.

I don't know if the owners of CNJ #113 would have any interest in off-line excursions or not, but that might be another possibility

Were you able to line up a locomotive for 2017?

Not yet, we are still looking for the right one.

You would be best off asking a museum with a running locomotive to loan it to you for the operating season. I would suggest asking the Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society or the Age of Steam Roundhouse, who both have operational engines that can travel anywhere.

No specific recommendation can be made without knowing what the particulars of service might be for the proposed operation. The specifics of the grade and curvature, length of run, weight of train and frequency of operation matter. Steam locomotives were built for specific operating characteristics, not like diesels which can be MUed and geared to suit different conditions. If you tell us more perhaps we could offer better information.

How long is your line?

25 miles.

You might try the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, OH. They have at least a dozen steam locomotives in various states of repair. At least one CP Pacific is fully operational and has been used on recent trips. I think a couple of others need minor work to be fully functional. Check out the latest roundhouse report.

http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/index.php/reports

Nothing available from AOS.

How about Saginaw Timber #2? The owner might be looking for a place to run it. Plus, he has enough money to move it. From the Trains news-wire

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — A longstanding dispute over restoration of a steam locomotive ends in victory for the engine's owner and major financial implications for one of the nation's well-known railroad museums.

In a Feb. 10 binding decision, arbitrator William Parker awarded Roland "Skip" Lichter $200,000 for his out-of-pocket expenses in restoring Saginaw Timber No. 2 at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wis. Parker also awarded interest on those expenses, legal fees, and relocation of the 1912 Baldwin 2-8-2 at the museum's expense to any destination of Lichter's choosing in the continental U.S.

Who is the inquiring railroad?

If you look at the location of the asking party, you can probably figure it out.