Maybe i worded something wrong, or you folks misunderstood something. I highly commend the PLA for their efforts with both building and operating their tourist railway. And i agree, no other organization has achieved what they have, and to top that, their track is in absolute tip-top condition. And GGRM i know for a fact GGRM could never describe in words how grateful they are for PLAs open arms. And i very much enjoy what the PLA has to offer.

Now to UP. I dont know what your background is with running mainline steam, and I dont have one. But the folks that do run steam on the mainline (or have) can certainly add alot more than i can. But, No organization just decides to run on a mainline, as in, they dont put together a consist and call the DS. First off, the equipment has to be inspected by somebody from UP that knows something about the equipment, if the equipment isnt up to snuff, it doesnt run. Second, MONEY and INSURANCE which go hand in hand. to run a mainline excursion with passengers, i hear the policies get up in to the $2+ Million range, plus add the general costs of evrything else you can imagine. Also, note, ALL organizations are volunteer, for example, i work full time all the time, you think my employer wants to hear, "Yea, uh, i'm going to take off two weeks to play choo choo", also if i take two weeks off from my full time job, am i going to be able to pay all my bills for that month? I feel blaming the UP for everything is very short sighted, and that is in no way meant as an insult.


i feel like i'm being thrown to the dogs here, anyone care to explain to me why there is such hostility towards myself and this thread?