George Andrews Wrote:
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> The former SP&S line through the Columbia River
> Gorge is signaled and operated in both directions.
> The Stampede Pass line can be operated in both
> directions, though the current traffic flow is
> Eastbound.
> If Portland & Western is the current operator of
> the ex - BN, nee - Oregon Electric line between
> Portland & Eugene, then there won't be any steam
> on the line as long as parent company Genesee &
> Wyoming is calling the shots. I don't know about
> BNSF trackage rights on EwePee, however it
> wouldn't matter. The only steam locomotives
> currently allowed on U.P.- owned lines are U.P.
> steamers, all of which are currently out of
> service.

I will correct you on your last sentence. UP can not stop ANY Railroad that has trackage rights on UP's railroad from running a Live, Steamed up and Operable Steam Locomotive as long as that RR does it 100% on their part and does not involve UP at all. An example was when the SP 745 ran on the BNSF from New Orleans to Lake Charles a few years ago. It ran on UP OWNED track between West Bridge Jct. and Live Oak Road in Avondale and then again from Iowa Junction to a connection with the KCS in Lake Charles, also in Lousiana on UP OWNED and operated track that BNSF has trackage rights on all on its own steam. Some say that because BNSF owns a small precentage of these tracks, but in the end, it is the same difference. UP may not like a non UP owned steam engine on their track, but if it is run by another RR on track they have rights on, UP can not stop it. Hope this helps. Don't let the Great Big Rolling UP fool you otherwise.