Butler Wrote:
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> GCRY_4960 Wrote:
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> -----
> >Its a big 2-8-2, not a lot of places it can run.
>
> As most of you would know, SP&S 539 is ex NP 1752,
> class W-3. As a kid I have many fine memories of
> seeing W-3's in operation in the last days of
> steam on the NP. They didn't hesitate to run them
> on branch line freight and passenger trains where
> the rail was 85# or 90# with lots of curves and
> bridges.

Your point is well taken, but I think what Jeff meant (and I happen to agree) is that while
there are plenty of locations where this engine COULD operate today, where are you going
to realistically find someplace to run something that expensive? The playing field as it
were, has shrunk considerably. We don't have near the number of tourist and/or private
operations that were seemingly everywhere in the late 60's and 70's. I too, would like to
see something that big under steam again, but I don't know that it will ever happen.
>
> There is no reason the 539 couldn't operate on a
> decently maintained line today.