Good points, yet I wonder a bit. Every so often, someone complains that UP doesn't run steam west very often, and I've noticed that a lot of UP steam trips get little or no mention on the net or in the magazines. Maybe that's because it's become a "given" that it will always be there and is taken for granted. People thought the same thing about Southern/NS steam.

There is also a misconception that UP "always" runs a diesel with the steam engines. In fact, they seldom do that, and when they do, it's for specific reasons, such as keeping schedule in grade territory with heavy trains, or for dynamic braking in long/heavy grade territory. Yes, I know they didn't use dynamics in the old days, but they had severe speed restrictions doswhill and a lot of brake shoe changes in the old days, too. Unless you just love the aroma of hot composition disc brakes shoes as it permeates the cars, this is better.