Ummmmmmmmm.......OK, Mr. Randle, I think I'm beginning to see where you are coming from here.

You are mad at the UP because they don't allow 261, 700, 3751, 4449, 2816 and all the others to run on their tracks. Can you make any case at all for why they should, other than that YOU think they should?

Let's dig a little deeper here. Start with CP 2816. That is a company steam program, simialr to UP's, so they own their own engine, the crew is CP employees, and they own their own track. Why would they need to run on UP at all? So they could come to Roseville and show you some enthusiasm? They have thousands of miles of CP lines to run on. They don't need to run on the UP, and it's highly doubtful that they would even want to. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot: CP does not allow other steam engines to run on their tracks, either. Even though there are 2 operable exSOO steam and the Royal Hudson locomotives, they don't allow it. I have yet to see you complain about CP; maybe you should think about that while grinding your teeth only at UP.

700 and 3751. Where is the justification for these being on UP trackage? Neither is a UP or UP predecessor locomotive. Both seem to have pretty good relationships with BNSF. Tell us what these guys would have to gain by trying to get in bed with BNSF's biggest competitor?
Do you think your wonderful BNSF would like that? Why?

4449 is a special case, I'll admit. However, BNSF now owns and/or has trackage rights over a pretty good swath of former SP and Cotton Belt trackage, thus BNSF could and does allow this engine to operate on these tracks from time to time, and it is now a legitimate part of the BNSF's heritage. So, what's the problem?

The 261 is another interesting case. The MILW hasn't existed since the early 1980's. In this case, too, BNSF owns and/or operates quite a bit of former MILW trackage. They allow 261 to operate. Where's the problem? And by the way, CP also owns and operates a lot of exMILW trackage, yet they don't allow 261 to run on their railroad.

Then there are CN, NS, CSX and FEC, none of which allow ANY steam on their railroads, except in tow. And KCS, which didn't until the 745 came along, and after that mess, may not allow any others ever again.

There are several locomotives restored or under restoration now that have no agreements in place with any railroad to operate. Railroads are not obligated legally, commercially, or morally to run excursions or allow steam engines to run willy-nilly (or is it Milli-Vanilli) all over their respective properties. To even think that they do violates common sense.

So, it seems to me you are saying that you don't get to see enough different steam engines, and that it's all UP's fault, because you think they should run a lot more excursions and allow anybody who can boil water to have free reign over their property. I think it's strange that you don't hold any other railroad to that standard.

I've been reading your posts for some years now, and it's hard to avoid concluding that you have a vendetta against UP, and a somewhat warped sense of reality. Excursions and steam engines are a privilege to us foamers, not a right, and you don't seem to able to grasp that concept.

I happen to think that the days of the big, classic-style mainline steam excursion are numbered, due to many reasons. Most of those reasons we already know and can list: Liability, congestion, costs, lack of suitable cars, a rapidly aging fan (and customer) base, lack of interest and participation by enough younger people to do the endless, tiring, and usually thankless behind-the-scenes organizational work to get these things done. And I also suspect that excursion operators and railroads get a bit tired of being constantly nit-picked and criticized to death over everything they do even when they do make the effort. Why bother, just to have some armchair expert who has never organized anything carping at everything?

Speaking of tiring, I, for one, would not accept any excuse of a crew being tired as a reason for being rude. It is their job; they know it requires long hours, little sleep, and dealing with a few nutcases. But they also know they are "on stage" all the time, and they have to deal pleasantly even with morons and people who are constantly in their way and causing trouble. Since you have not been willing or able to provide any specifics about the "incident" you cited, despite repeated requests to do so by several posters, I have concluded that, IMO: It didn't happen at all, or, you inflated whatever did happen, or, it was so insignificant that only you were thin-skinned enough to be offended. Until I see some specifics, I cannot take your claim seriously.

I went back and did searches on all the boards I know about for posts about that particular UP trip, and I have not been able to find any other gripes (most were about the presence of diesel helpers on the mountainous parts of the trip) about it. Maybe I didn't look in the right places, but it sure looks to me like 99.99% of the people who experienced that UP steam tour were very happy. If I missed some legitimate gripes, I'm open to correction.