Just ran across this. Sesquicentennial event on the Susquehanna in NY State, using the Chinese 2-8-2. Event was yesterday and today.

http://www.nysw.com/sesquicentennial

I rode this trip yesterday and can off the following report. The NYSW pulled off a major event. They put together a train headed by a steam locomotive and four diesels pulling 20 cars for a long distance steam trip in the year 2004. Coach seats sold for $40, reclining seat sold for $60, and Delux sold for $100. These prices were very reasonable. Some people were upset due to the train running late. In my opinion the trip was one of the best ones I have ever ridden.

On the long drive back from Binghamton to Wilmington I reflected on what they had to do to make it happen.

Rent or borrow five or more passenger cars and two locomotives from other railroads and private owners. Line up an army of staff to for locomotives, train crews, railroad police, EMTs, and car attendants. They also had people on the ground to help make things go smoothly. They feed about 700+ people two meals, plus provided snacks, drinks, and sold tee shirts, hats and other goodies. They spent a considerable amount of time and money ahead of time to prepare stations, parking, and dealing with safety issues like renting portable flood lights. They had a large tent set up at Cortland with a chicken lunch for everyone. They also had the Maine Community Band out to play for everyone. These things I mentioned and just the most visible things seen on train day. I am sure there was also lots more effert behind the scene and the administrative tasks done in the months and weeks before the trip must have been large as well.

I say hats off to the NYSW Employees, Walter Rich, NYSW Technical Society, Central New York RR Historical Society, Morristown and Erie, private car owners, Maine Community Band, and everyone else. What an undertaking! What a trip!

Tom Gears[/img]