Sign of the times Wrote:
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> I think it is reasonably safe to say that mainline
> steam is dead thanks to Delta boy at Amtrak. Also
> we can’t forget big insurance and greedy lawyers
> and the Sue happy public of this country. I
> believe it is also pretty much certain that the
> 2017 Portland to bend Oregon trip of SP4449 will
> be the last time that Doyle and hot water bring
> 4449 into Portland on the mainline and that’s a
> sad thing.

Well if you view mainline steam as only being SP4449, I do not have sufficient data to say that you are incorrect.

However:

1) The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is currently making its way through the Midwest and a pair excursions is tentatively scheduled to occur in October. Who knows what next year will bring.

2) Last year, a series of excursions with the Nickel Plate 765 was operated on Metra's ex-Rock Island Line between Joliet and Chicago, Illinois.

3) New Hope Railroad #40 was operated on a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority ex-Reading Company line in May 2019 in observance of North Wales 150th anniversary. The excursions were very short distance, but it was still mainline steam.

4) The Reading & Northern has operated its #425 in recent years over its lines in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Former Reading 4-8-4 2102 is undergoing restoration for operation in the near future.