What If..? - Steam Train Excursions

[@Nictrain123]

ATSF 2925 was originally meant to pull the American Freedom Train through Texas, but Santa Fe wasn’t interested in restoring her even though it wouldn’t have taken too much work or even money to get her steaming again. In the end T&P 610 took her place, but it’d be nice to imagine how 2925 would’ve looked pulling the AFT. Or even N&W 611 for that matter!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I did get visit the Texas State Railroad in July 2020. I am going to the Strasburg Railroad on September 5th 2021, riding behind Norfolk & Western 611.

[@gabrielarambula4465]

@Nicrtrain123 I read somewhere that 2925's tender was too big, and that would have necessitated more water stops

[@christinahartley209]

Didint c&o 614 pull the aft

[@laurie1288]

@@christinahartley209 no

[@lukePMberkshire1225]

I honestly never knew about that

[@benwise6517]

A family reunion of all remaining Southern Pacific locomotives.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

Yes, I agree. I'm trying to match and place the locations of all remaining SP steam locomotives with the locomotive numbers.

[@benwise6517]

@@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos I know just the place

[@thehocircustrain2656]

2021 was set to be the 150th anniversary of The Greatest Show on Earth, aka the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's 150th edition of the show. I have spoken with a few employees of the circus including former trainmasters who confirmed to me that Ringling was intending for the 150th edition to be a HUGE celebration and because UP 3985 had the honor of pulling the train back in 2010 for the 140th edition of the show, the circus was in talks with UP to have 4014 pull the train throughout the majority of the 150th edition tour. It is a shame this event would never come to be, but one can only imagine what a grand sight the train would have been.

[@jodysmith8048]

It's all because Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circuse for all these years was a staple for the US then the Government starts bitching about the circus then the American see the media of the Government bitching about the circus an they feed into it an the Government feeds off the American people bitching about the circus then before you know the circus gets shuts down

[@thehocircustrain2656]

@@jodysmith8048 The government had very little if anything to do with the demise of the show. It all came down to the major decrease in ticket sales, the cost of maintaining 3 touring shows and the trains and equipment to transport them, the loss of the elephants which were a major draw for the show, as well as the cost of fighting off the animal activists. There is no one main reason, it was a lot of different things.

[@Polaris5664]

Keep in mind, for every what if there is a have done. We have so many great excursions and locomotives preserved. There are probably realities really close to ours where big boy wasn't restored for example.

[@HighIron]

FACT.

[@Amigafur]

And where 3967 was preserved instead of 3985.

[@PeaceyPraps]

Here's my suggestion: It's known that UP 844, SP 4449, and NP 1070 were to have made an appearance at Steam Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC; However due to BN's policy against steam locomotives at the time, this never happened. It would be really lovely to see what might've happened if those three engines had made it all the way to the Expo!

[@robkrasinski6217]

Hunter Harrison worked for BN in the 80’s and he hated steam on his railroads. When he took over CP in 2012, he wouldn’t let the Empress run again. Now, Keith Creel is entertaining the idea of letting it run again. CSX has had a no steam policy since the last steam runs of the New River train in 1994. NS also stopped steam excursions in Dec 1994 but hosted excursions again from Sept 2011 to spring 2017. Wick Moorman was a steam fan and it was him that allowed steam back on NS. It’s all up to the attitude of the CEO at the time as to whether steam excursions are allowed or not. Some class 1’s don’t want to bother anymore like CSX because of the risk and liability but they might allow a restored C&O locomotive to travel from Kentucky to a tourist railroad in Thomaston, CT. Amtrak’s charter ban started March 2018 has also made it harder for steam groups to operate excursions on class 1’s like BNSF. But the 261 can operate on class II freight railroads out of Minneapolis for public excursions.

[@TailsFan369no2]

@@robkrasinski6217should’ve known, must’ve left before 89

[@littlejoe1633]

Another close one for the 94' NRHS convention would've been A&WP 290. Due to limited funding for the New Georgia Railroad, they had to send diesel to the convention instead of 290. This would've been interesting to see as throughout 290's incredibly brief career, the engine never interacted with any other Steam Excursion engines beyond 750. It would've likely been the last run the engine would've done before being pulled from service if it would've occurred.

[@SouthernerFloridain2006]

Also it would be fun to see all southern steam locomotives to reunite to each other including 1643, 1509, 107, 385 and 722 with 630 and 4501, 401 ((edit) Also 154)

[@Ryanstumpie1]

542 cough cough

[@SouthernerFloridain2006]

@@Ryanstumpie1 that to

[@iananderson5050]

What about Western Maryland 734 and the ex C&O (now WM) 1309? Granted those engines barely qualify as "Southern" since they and their railways namesakes were mostly spread out between the Great Lakes and Baltimore, with Connellsville, PA roughly in beteen.

[@SouthernerFloridain2006]

@@iananderson5050 I said “Southern” steam program as in the Southern Railway

[@iananderson5050]

@@SouthernerFloridain2006 you didn't say Southern steam program, you just said Southern. Thank you for clarifying. Still, it'd be nice to see 1309 and 734 attend such events.

[@dracoarton94]

As someone who as lived in North Carolina my whole life, and been to the Spencer shops several times, it would have been a dream come true if that steam reunion actually happened.

[@railfanlynx]

Wish 261 and 844 would come come down to Florida

[@railfanlynx]

It would be a railfan meet up of proportions

[@Pensyfan19]

As someone once said, you know it's a good day when High Iron uploads a video. In terms of what if, I'd focus more on the preservation of lost steam locomotives, such as a NYC Hudson, Milwaukee Road A class, any other American streamlined engine, etc. But Steamfest at Spencer would have definitely been a steam foamer's paradise and well worth the event. (Steamfest as well as a few proposed steam lineups were included in my American Railroad Iceberg video [original created by Thorax the Railfan] which I made with Seaboard Railfan)

[@Pensyfan19]

@@Matts_Conrail_Chicago_Mainline Nice to see you here. Sorry for making it sound like I created the iceberg and for not crediting you... :P

[@Alcofoamer]

Man, that's depressing. My first Pentrex tape was actually of 4449's trip to Vancouver. Just thinking of now her with 2860...

[@RailFoxMedia]

0:14 Probably the realest question I’ve heard from Jonathan, that hits hard ngl 😂

[@ironphilly2366]

8:22 made me remember why i loved trains

[@thattexasrailfan4093]

I have a what if suggestion: What if 3985 was still in service and double headed, or even triple headed with 4014 and 844 on excursions?

[@JETZcorp]

If those all did a triple-header, they could probably take all of Union Pacific's Westbound freight for the day.

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Well, a tripleheader with 844, 3985, and 4014 may actually come to fruition, given the UP's recent donation of the 3985 to the Midwest Railroad Society (I think that's their name, or something like that)

[@SadFairlie]

If the 1278 hadn't suffered a crown sheet failure back in '95, she would have appeared at Steamtown's grand opening.

[@jackhollandthe3800]

I have a "what if" scenario that would star N&W 611, SP 4449, and UP 844. It would kind of be a gathering of famous northern type steam locomotives. It would start off in a select western city with 844 and 4449 doubleheading on a first excursion. Then, the two would head east, where 611 would be waiting. The tripple header would have to travel through areas that had both oil and coal to fuel all three engines. Either before or after the tripple header started, there would be a photo shoot of the three northern engines meeting at last. Perhaps a few other engines could also participate in the photo shoot. This would be a pretty good idea. Tell me what you guys think.

[@mewtheenigma2732]

Liking this idea, but how about we spice it up a bit? Wait another half a year or so, and you could add Reading & Northern’s 2102 to the mix.

[@jackhollandthe3800]

@@mewtheenigma2732 Ahh good thinking.

[@jackhollandthe3800]

Or NC&STL 576!

[@LukeTansiongco]

Really had to exclude 3751 huh?

[@jackhollandthe3800]

Or 3751! It might just be easier using locomotives found in the western areas anyway. 844, 3751, and 4449.

[@braysfinds7479]

If a Norfolk and Western Y6B or B&O EM-1 were preserved, we could've possibly had a pulling contest with UP 4014.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

That would have been great to have that, along with other steam locomotives.

[@summermingo5167]

What if this engine been restored? What if these engines had run through this city and double-headed? What if I studied more in college instead of filming trains so much-

[@nicholasozorak2931]

Interesting to see these concepts illustrated. My only criticism is that I wish that you'd cited the sources for this information, since the hobby can be full of speculation.

[@thegamingrhino5864]

Im more of a “it would be cool to see this engine restored” than “these two should run together” type of guy

[@Dan_isreal.08]

A “what if” that I’ve actually questioned would be a Steam tourist railroad in Long Island, New York. It was close to happening on the abandoned LIRR Sag Harbor branch from Bridgehapton, NY with a connection to the LIRR to Sag Harbor, the motive power would have consisted of 2 former BEDT (Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal) 0-6-0 Tank Engine’s #16 and #12 and possibly former Pennsylvania Railroad 460. The closest that ever got done for it was some observation car with the railroads name on it but it never really happened. Now what’s left of the Sag Harbor branch is a walkable trail and sometimes you might be able to see coal on the ground from when it was still active

[@rushs11]

Are you sure you don’t mean LIRR 35 or 39? Both of these engines have had restoration efforts dating back to the end of LIRR steam at different places and venues. 460 hasn’t had any rumors to my knowledge with it being part of the Pennsylvania Railroad collection.

[@Dan_isreal.08]

@@rushs11 yes, 39 and 35 weren’t mentioned at all when ppl were planning on making the railroad

[@Dan_isreal.08]

@@rushs11 460 was going to be a big goal for the railroad that never happened

[@stephenmarshall3771]

I learned recently that Strasburg railroad may eventually take ownership of LIRR 39 and restore it to working condition to become a main engine that they use on their railroad

[@williamclarke4510]

I was on an excursion they ran on the Long Island from Jamaica to Montauk in the fall of '67.The BR&W 60 was the motive power.

[@CoalChrome]

if the golden CB&Q northern hadn't been scrapped we likely would see excursions on BNSF with not just ATSF engines but also an O5b, likely double heading with 3751, and taking trips to Grand Canyon double heading with old stablemate 4960

[@nathancorcoran5347]

And BNSF would have it’s own Steam Program.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

@@nathancorcoran5347 I think BNSF's steam program would include the following locomotives: SP&S 700, SP 4449, Frisco 1522, Santa Fe 3751, Milwaukee Road 261, Santa Fe 2926, Northern Pacific 1364, GN 2507, among others.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos Frisco 1522 isn’t operation today.

[@YankEnjoyer]

The newest what if is the reunion of the Reading T-1's in Reading PA, T-1's 2100 and 2102 could head to their home rails via rail and maybe have 2101 and 2124 shipped to Reading PA in alternative transportation since they are just merely static displays respectively. And with 2100 and 2102 hosting a doubleheader, somewhat of a reminiscence of the old Iron Horse Rambles, but one can dream to see that sight again.

[@lukePMberkshire1225]

That’s awesome! They could cosmetically restore 2101 again in either its AFT look or its reading look

[@mr.minebloxdaylighttwinkle442]

Now if the spencer one happened with all sorts of steam engines coming even 844 of all steam engines……it would’ve been a blast

[@NW-gi1cp]

Yeah it would be a truly epic moment

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

I’d like to see a “What if” on how it would’ve been had the greenbrier presidential express become a reality

[@Blaze06]

Same here

[@lukePMberkshire1225]

That’s a great idea. Sad that the project was cancelled soo soon

[@devernepersonal3636]

these would have been truly historic highlights of the best era of steam excursions. its too bad they never happened the way they'd been intended.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Yeah, it would have happen.

[@TKSP4449]

Here's an interesting one. What if Walt Disney managed to purchase the Tallulah Falls Railroad after filming _The Great Locomotive Chase_ in 1956, and the full line still operated to the present day as a tourist railroad? What locomotives (be it steam or diesel, or even both) do you think you would be running on it?

[@trahall6632]

As a former volunteer on the now defunct Fillmore and Western, (even though it will be making its possible return soon) I always imagined having all the steam engines that ever set a wheel on property come all together for one big steam event. Duluth and Northeastern 2-8-0 #14 Great western railway of Colorado 2-8-0 #51 Mcclound river railroad 2-8-2 #18 orenstein and koppel 0-4-0t #6 Rougue river valley railway 0-4-0t #1

[@ncopictures7182]

I would love it if ICRR 2542 got restored. There's not too many active steamers down in the deep south (that im aware of anyway) and seeing 2542 especially would be a dream come true for me.

[@theark-la-missrailfan]

I agree!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

What if 1.) Another famous excursion locomotive pulled the RB&BB Circus Train (like 3985 did once) 2.) Another famous steam locomotive pulled an AAPRCO convention special (like 261 did at one time and 3751 did another time) 3.) SP 4449 was part of the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike Celebration, because SP was the successor of the Central Pacific 4.) WMSR 734 came to Petersburg, West Virginia during a railfest in 2010.

[@crystalrock18]

I miss seeing the 1522 run on her home turf in Missouri. I am glad I got to see her run a few times and on her final run too.

[@Ko-Rail7382]

"What if I had studied in college instead of filming trains so much" I'm dead XD

[@LordEverton96210]

One idea that comes to mind is all the massive articulated locomotives meeting, like a UP big boy, an SP cab forward, an N&W y6, and a D,M&IR yellowstone, an exhibition of massive steam power 😁😁

[@thunderbird1921]

What's crazy is that 611 and 4014 COULD meet if they were in several certain cities. St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, maybe even New Orleans are all possibilities. The Queen of Steam could indeed meet the King.

[@NSWSteamFan]

If this covers more than just specific events, how about “What if 3985 joined 4014 and 844 in the Union Pacific’s steam program?”

[@caltrain910]

Ummm? You know that Ed Dickens hates UP 3985.

[@thunderbird1921]

It's a fascinating thought. Unfortunately, Mr. Dickens has said the engine is in really rough shape and it actually was cheaper to restore 4014 than give 3985 an overhaul. It would be incredible to have seen though.

[@jwrailve3615]

3985, 5511, and dd40 3936 have been moved to silvis Illinois and will be restored for ops, with the option to move 3985 back to cheyanne Wyoming when completed in the contract. So 3985 and 4014 together is doable but still unlikely as it’d be too much power with such light work pulling coaches.

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@caltrain910 you get an actual proof that Ed hates 3985?

[@patrickd.3681]

When Ross Rowland was planning the American Freedom Train, one of the engines he looked at and considered was N&W 611. Another scenario he had in mind was a double heading of a couple of Nkp Berkshires. A couple of decades later, in the 1990s, he was also planning a 21st Century Limited which he would use the C&O 614 and a newly restored NYC 3001. Of course, we know the 614 was going to be used in the Greenbrier Presidential Express which did almost happen.

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Engines considered and rejected for the AFT were, as far as my knowledge goes: 1.) Union Pacific 4-8-4 #8444, which almost got the job first since it was already in perfect running order, but UP wouldn’t allow it to leave their trackage (though it did team up with SP 4-8-4 #4449 when the AFT passed through Cheyenne). 2.) Santa Fe 4-8-4 #2925 was also considered, but her tender was deemed to large, and apparently would have necessitated more frequent water stops. 3.) Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4’s #757 and #763 were also considered (and like you said, a doubleheader with the two of them was in order), but this idea was also shot down due to the two of them being coal-burners, and converting them to oil wouldn’t have worked. On a similar note, NKP #759 was also considered, and concept sketches of the 759 in AFT colors exist, but it was badly damaged due to poor maintenance and was retired before the AFT was even approved. 4.) Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 #611 was also considered, and concept sketches of the engine in AFT colors also exist. Unfortunately, like the NKP Berks, she was also rejected due to being a coal-burner.

[@sirrliv]

Fantastic video as always. I only wish you'd gone maybe a little lighter on the self deprecating tone; Yeah, this was a bit of fun, but no less fascinating to dream. No need to put yourself down for dreaming. As for further ideas, I've got a few: 1. East Coast Legends: Over in the UK, a few years back saw a major event on the Severn Valley Railway, the hosting of two legends of the London & North Eastern Railway: 4472 Flying Scotsman in her first big heritage event after her restoration at the National Railway Museum, York, and 60163 Tornado, the new-build legend that's paved the way for a revival of steam in the 21st Century. Surprisingly, despite having the only two surviving LNER Pacifics together on the same railway, complete with an extensive stock of Gresley teak coaches, the pair never got the chance to run together. It later came out that this was due to weight limit concerns on the historic Victoria Bridge; it could handle the weight of one Pacific and train, but not both at once. Still, if such a meeting were to happen again on a less restrictive line... The North Yorkshire Moors Railway springs to mind due to its lack of major bridges, but also its severe gradients and mainline connection between Grosmont and Whitby. To see the world's most famous engine paired with her youngest sister would be a sight for the ages. 2. Tornado's American Tour: Most any railfan worth his soot will know of the famous and infamous time when in the late 1960's Flying Scotsman crossed the Atlantic to tour the USA and Canada. It was a tour meant to drum up support for British industry, to show that Britain was still a great nation (and not so secretly to give millionaire Alan Pegler a change to fulfill his own dream, to finally be allowed to drive his famous engine). Tragically, events would spiral out of control, eventually leaving Pegler bankrupt and ruined and Scotsman stranded in San Francisco with creditors on the prowl. Only the last minute intervention of Sir Robert McAlpine saved the great engine from the scrapman's torch and ultimately bring her home. Fast forward to the 2020's and the world is a much different place, for better or worse. And Scotsman has a new sister who may be ready for some international adventures of her own. What an amazing experience it would be if Tornado came across for her own grand tour. 2a. Tornado's European Grand Tour: If going all the way to America is too daunting, perhaps a European voyage would be more practical. Almost before she was completed the A1 Steam Trust heard overtures from the German Federal Railways stating that if their engine were towed through the Channel Tunnel she would be allowed to run as fast as they liked on German rails. One can easily imagine a railtour starting in Paris, running up to Amsterdam, down through the Rhine valleys, down through Vienna, as far south as Rome, then back up through Berlin to Copenhagen before finally returning to England via a second stop in Amsterdam and Brussels. 3. The Great British Railtour: This is a scenario I have long thought of taking on myself. In Train Simulator 20xx, enough of the UK rail network has now been modelled to run uninterrupted from Britain's southernmost point in Penzance right through to one of its northernmost stations at Mallaig. The only limitation is the need to change routes within the simulator. My dream itinerary would be thus: Penzance - Bristol via Exeter, Side trip Bristol - Swansea & return, Bristol - London Paddington via Brunel's Billiard Table, Shuttle Move over North London Line to Stratford & to London Liverpool Street, Side trip London - Norwich, Shuttle Move to London Victoria, Side trip London - Brighton & London - Portsmouth, Final Shuttle move to London King's Cross, London - Edinburgh; to make things interesting diverting at Doncaster via Leeds & Harrogate to York, Side trip over Fife Circle Line, Edinburgh - Glasgow, Glasgow - Fort William & Mallaig over West Highland Line & return, Glasgow - Carlisle, Side trip over Settle & Carlisle Line, Carlisle - Preston, Side trip Preston - Blackpool, Preston - Crewe via Manchester, Crewe - Holyhead over North Wales Coastal with possible side trips to Llandudno and Bleanau Ffestiniog. 4. The Old Guard: As recently as 2014 the B&O's "William Mason" was in an operational state, making her the oldest operational locomotive in the US. At roughly the same time Kloke Locomotive Works was building their Leviathan, a new-build 1860's 4-4-0 based on work done building replicas of Central Pacific's "Jupiter" and Union Pacific's No. 119 for the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Within a few years they would build another 4-4-0, the York, for the Northern Central "Steam Into History" in New Freedom, PA. All the while, several veterans of the Virginia & Truckee remained operational, and Sierra RR No. 3 had recently been overhauled. Imagine an event that could have brought all of these old timers and old-at-heart steamers together, a celebration of surviving operating 19th Century Steam. I can't even imagine where such an event would or could be held, but it would certainly be something not to be missed. 5. Steam at Spencer Plus: Want to make this incredible gathering even better? Move it into the near future and add in Pennsylvania Railroad T1 5550.

[@definitelynotakgbagent6612]

A what if that will never happen: Articulated meeting in steam town with: 4014, 3985, 2156, 1218 at the least. If you add engines like the logging articulated locomotives and the DMIR Yellowstone at steamtown it would be a impressive lineup

[@Tyler3967]

My two suggestions for next "What If": - If there was ever another Holiday train by Canadian Pacific, they would include CPR 2816 Hudson and, quite possibly, MLW 261 to be the double-header hosts or triple-headers with a GP Diesel engine helping. - If UP Challenger 3985 wasn't retired yet, after Big Boy 4014 was restored, there would be a triple-header with 844 part of the trio to celebrate the 150th Anniversary's last golden spike between UP and CP. I know it's pretty long to read but those are all just my suggestions for your upcoming "What If" videos. Whatever you decide.

[@ValleyThrills]

Always thought about this as a kid. Glad I wasn’t alone. 😁

[@advancedapproachproduction2394]

576 running to Chattanooga obviously, although with the amount of money CSX has been coughing up. That might happen.

[@SouthernFoamer]

Here's a few, mostly Southern and Norfolk Southern. I been thinking about what if the Norfolk Southern engines 4501 611 1218 765 and maybe even frisco 1522 and nkp 587 in 1991 would make their way to railfair it would of been awesome to see them there and in 1976 while SP 4449 was hauling the American Freedom Train it pulled a one way excursion from Birmingham to D.C. to reunite with the freedom train after 2101 pulled it up north and Southern railway was wanting to use 4449 on their excursions but it never came to be, but what if it did? Would Southern leave it as Southern Pacific 4449 with the daylight colors( like what they did with Canadian Pacific 2839 minus re-lettering it for Southern) or would they repaint it in southern green or black and call it just Southern 4449 (like with T&P 610 and C&O 2716) ? Also in 1991, 4501 611 and 1218 did a triple headed run to celebrate 25 years of the steam program, what if NS kept the 21st century steam program going till this year, to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the original program NS could've done a quadruple header with the 630 4501 611 and 765. And you've already touch on this in the video but it b cool to see UP 844 and maybe even Big Boy 4014 on NS rails and even vice versa with NS engines on the UP. And finally, this one might be controversial but, in 1969, 4501 and S&A 750 took part in a historical event when LNER 4472 (AKA The Flying Scotsman) ran along side them for Southern's Steam-a-rama event. So since 2021 is the 110th anniversary of 4501 why not celebrate by her going to England to run trips and reunite with Flying Scotsman? I personally think that would be awesome to see.

[@MiddletownBranchProd.]

abt 4501 going to the UK americans are too big for the british loading gauge, the only exception being the USATC S classes as far as i know

[@stevelavergne2852]

Having seen UP 4014 in action for the second time yesterday, this really makes me nostalgic.

[@TailsFan369no2]

I was expecting 734 at west Virginia rails Boy did I not expect enough 4:38 not the first time they would’ve been together as 2860 met the bicentennial freedom train in Seattle in November 1975

[@thatonecaledonian812]

One i’d Like to see for no reason if 587 with 4449. Being more realistic. I’d also like double headers between 2926 and 3751. Another being 1361 and 5550

[@Mad_Waffle_4449]

What if 611 pulled the American freedom train and what if NS never cancelled the original steam program

[@AtkataffTheAlpha]

A what-if scenario i think about would be Big boy 4014 and challenger 3985 would be amazing along with 844 leading or trailing behind. It would be incredible to watch. Another one would be NYC Dreyfuss Hudson and Niagara double-heading

[@davidgriffin9412]

Here's on suggestion. When the Chessie System was planning the Steam Special, they initially looked at returning C&O 490, the Chessie streamlined hudson, but Roll Roland offered the 2101 which was fresh off the AFT. They went with the 2101 as it could pull a longer train.

[@nssteampunk4865]

It takes lots of money, planning and whoever gives us the green light in the 21st century when it comes to running steam. Would have been nice to have US Army 610, Southern 630 and 4501 and N&W 611 gathering in Chattanooga.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

It has been said that they are going to have a overhaul for 610. Probably to restore it to operation.

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

It'd be really cool if they gave 610 a Southern-esque paint scheme, like with what the GSMR did with 1702 recently.

[@jwrailve3615]

@@nathancorcoran5347 t&p 610 needs to be Texas’s statewide excursion steam, the Texas railway is too small for it, and 610 deserves to flex its muscles and Texas needs excursions desperately. There’s half a dozen known active restorations happening in Texas and we are all anxiously waiting

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@jwrailve3615 Texas & Pacific 610 is another beautiful steam locomotive. I have seen that engine at the Texas State Railroad back in July 3rd 2020.

[@jwrailve3615]

@@nathancorcoran5347 it deserves to be ran. Especially with the history it has. Texas needs that “statewide excursion special” 610 fits that spot. I couldn’t say I know of another steam loco in Texas fhat honestly has the credentials to actually fit a role. I’m just excited cp/kcs will have 2816 4-6-2 running a Canada- Mexico excursion and will run the brownie line, all I’ve ever wanted since being a little kid was to be at the Bloomington yard crossing and hear and see a steam loco crawl past. I model it, but to see it in real life, especially a beautiful Canadian steam loco is gonna be awesome. But if I had a choice 610 Is the prime candidate for Texas

[@thehunter5740]

What if... the big boy had a pull off with one of our modern engines seeing who could move a certain amount of freight to a destination the fastest? I'd watch

[@SingleTruckShayStudios]

I have two what if’s After the PRR 5550 is completed what if there was a huge meet up with as many Pennsylvania locomotives as possible, and the big runnable pulled a train with as many Pennsylvania cars on it, pulling it north up to New York, with some west coast locomotive moving north through Canada, possibly picking up some Canadian locomotive’s along the way east then back south to meet up with the Pennsy locomotive’s for a huge meet up in New York Truly a foamer’s mad fantasy Also more than one functional locomotive for the entirety of New York State

[@nathancorcoran5347]

It is amazing PRR T1 locomotive being built. And it is being planned to be the new fastest engine in the world.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Well the new fastest steam locomotive in the world.

[@AtTheCrossingProductions]

Never know about the 4449 almost doubleheading with the Royal Hudson through my own territory!

[@chicagonorthwesternrailfan5043]

We need to have an ultimate excursion where all the operating steam engines meet in Chicago

[@Toaster844]

You know I was reading up about UP 3985 when it was getting restored for its first excursion and apparently the UP had 4023 in storage but I guess when the shop closed they put it on display. So I guess that means one of the Big Boys almost had a 1980s steam carrier

[@Aftermath779]

What if the 21st Century Limited actually happened? What if GTW 5629 was not scrapped? What if Reading 2101 was not brunt in the fire? What if the Conrail steam program happened? What if the Flying Scotsman returned to America? I'VE GOT SO MANY QUESTIONS

[@chesapeakedproductions3009]

What about (this is pure fantasy) T&P 610, SP 4449, and Reading 2101 reunite for an anniversary of Ross Rowland's American Freedom Train? Or even a modern fan trip excursion with Timken 4 Aces #1111 triple-heading with 4449 and 844 in the Pacific Northwest?

[@pmsteamrailroading]

Well if we’re going to go this route, the date is 2049: PM 1223 has been restored. PM 1225 and 1223 head out. All the surviving NKP berks have been restored (including 779 Lima’s last) And 4449 heading down to Lima, OH To remember the date of NKP 779 being completed. To remember that once there was a spot ……

[@goodrichfarms8795]

When your State's famous train is mention, mine being Pere Marquette 1225, better known as The Polar Express! Ever need any 1225 information High Iron, or anyone, just ask, very involved with the Steam Railroading Institute (1225's owner!) Awesome video High Iron, keep up the great work!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Here is my “what if” suggested. What if 261 doubleheads an excursion with 765 while visiting the Reading & Northern Railroad, and then what if 425 leads a tripleheader steam excursion with 765 and 261 Jim Thorpe to Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania?

[@tjmfarming9584]

If I remember correctly, there was originally intended to be a steam event in Western Australia gathering most of the operable steam locomotives in the state to the Hotham valley railway in Dwellingup. It was as I assumed to gather the three W locomotives and the Pm class from the WAGR and also the last surviving Midland railway of Western Australia steam engine Number B6 but this never happened due to lack of funding and the B6 being put into storage somewhere... Or at least that’s what I think happened? Meh one can dream

[@ryanthesteamman]

What if Milwaukee Road 261 had been bought by the California collector and ran excursions in California?

[@Octopat]

It'd be nice to see an event of former B&A, NYC, and other Northeastern locomotives ( diesel, steam, or electric) all together... even if none are operational itd still make my life

[@romanswestcoasttrains]

Hopefully Santa Fe 3751 and Santa Fe 2926 can reunite at the Grand Canyon. That would be amazing. On the other hand my what if would be to restore the GS6 4460 and double head it with the GS4 4449!

[@austint918]

Imagine a gathering of every large steam excursion engine in one spot with NKP 765, NW 611, SOU 630/4501, C&O 2716, PM 1225, NC&STL 576, UP 844, SP 4449, ATSF 3751/2926, UP 4014, MW261 and others if we could just get all the northerns and berks together that would be amazing.

[@williamfischer5336]

I have a suggestion, but instead, one of the future. What if Pennsylvania T-1 5550 was completed. Where would it run? How would it perform?

[@KPen3750]

This one is very personal to me to excuse its slight bitterness, "What If the Altoona Railroaders Museum sent 1361 to Strasburg to be fixed and repaired in 1989 and continually sent it there to be maintained so that it can continue pulling PRR specials and excursions on Broadway"

[@QTXAdsy]

You should try out what if Flying Scotsman's original 1970 tour plan of the US had happened. If you didn't know, it was supposed to head up the west coast towards Green Bay and Canada, thus Flying Scotsman would have completed a coast to coast tour. However due to money being slashed, this idea was cancelled and Scotsman ended up going straight to Green Bay via Kansas. Always wondered what if the original plan had happened.

[@Trainboy11]

Amazing steam gathering

[@waluiginumberone548]

You know what I want in Trainz Those 2 Erie locomotives (the one with drive wheels on the tender and the 0-8-8-0 camelback)

[@mewtheenigma2732]

I humbly suggest simming a meetup of Pacifics, especially if Boston & Maine 3713 and PRR 1361 get restored to operation within the next 5 years or so (and maybe Maine Central 470 later still). Though Reading & Northern 425 and ATSF 3415 might be out for their 15-year overhauls by then… but we’d still have a bunch of others, like Little River Railroad 110 and US Sugar 148. Maybe even bring in static guests, like SP 2472, Soo Line 2719, and/or any of the CP Pacifics.

[@tennesseevalleyrailfanner]

Here's my suggestion: NC&StL 576 was inspected by TVRM in the 1960s but the Centennial Park’s Board wouldn't let them remove it at the time. But what if 576 spent its life in Chattanooga alongside the other TVRM locos and pulled both Missionary Ridge Local and Summerville Steam Specials?

[@peterrosenquist]

One what if I have is if Norfolk Southern had kept the steam program around a bit longer for 1218's rebuild to be completed or beyond 1996.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

Congratulations, you just created Brian Falzon’s wet dream

[@joneau261]

Epic

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I am going to the Strasburg Railroad in September 5th 2021 and I’m going to be riding behind N&W 611.

[@dracoarton94]

Good to know the Spirit of Roanoke is still in steam

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@dracoarton94 and it would be my first time to ride behind a 4-8-4 “Northern”.

[@levisariverpro]

@@nathancorcoran5347 I’m going that day too! I hope I see you there lol

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@levisariverpro ok. I’m a 16 year old teenager.

[@levisariverpro]

@@nathancorcoran5347 ok, I’m a kiddo with black hair and blue eyes, ill be riding in the marian at 2, or 1:30 idk lol

[@spencerfesing4145]

What if... The Flying Scotsman had a second USA tour running the original planned route or the three restored Union Pacific steam engines ran a triple headed tour together showing them off.

[@keliherr7795]

Have a few Suggestions. 1: “What if, the Chessie Luxury passenger train was not Canceled”.? 2: “What if, all Preserved N&W steam locomotives met up at NCTM”.? 3: “What if, The SPSF merger Actually happened”.? 4: “What if, Steamtown never Traded CP 1278 for CN 3254”.? 5: “What if, CN 6060 Had actuallyAttended Expo 86 6: “What if, all surviving Reading T1’s were bought back to service and all met up and did a big quadruple excursion”.? 7: “What if, UPY 3985 was still running and did a triple header with Upy 844 and 4014”.? 8: “What if, Timkin four aces no. 1111 or Np 2626 was Preserved”.? 9: “What if, The New river train never end service”.? 10: “What if, Richard Jenson’s steam locomotives Gtw 5629 and Cb&q 5632 weren’t scrap”.?

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Santa Fe 3751 almost went to Iowa around 2012 or so for railfest or something like that. Would have loved to have seen her in a consist with the QJs!

[@andrewboyd8073]

@HighIron I think I see what you can use for a start.

[@csxnstrainman]

That would be for the Train Festival 2011 in in the Quad Cities in Rock Island, IL but was cancelled because of increase in traffic on the Southern Transcon.

[@richardgracey5721]

Here is a what if, santa fe 3751 traveling to on cajon pass with up 844 and sp 4449.

[@romanswestcoasttrains]

That would be amazing!

[@RascalTrainz]

How about do a what if video with extinct steam locomotives classes like the NYC J3a Hudson or the The C&O T1s

[@steamedlyons]

Always been a fan of what-if scenarios and stuff from you guys is always a treat! As someone who's not massively familiar with the American rail scene (not for lack of trying mind! Just relatively new to US steam) I don't have many direct suggestions for what I'd like to see in a potential sequel, although I'd like to see how you'd handle preserving certain significant losses such as the Milwaulkee Road Atlantic placed tantalizingly at the start of the video. Maybe even having the team go over the engines they'd like to see survive and how they think that locomotive would survive to the 21st century could be a fun exercise?

[@reneastle8447]

If I have a time machine, I'll make sure those events do occur.

[@trainboi777yall6]

this is one that I only ever imagined and I don't know if it was ever thought of as a reality, but what if the four famous northern's of American railroading did a Country-Wide Excursion tour? I'm talking about a hypothetical quadruple header with 3751, 4449, 844, and 611.

[@WETrains]

Here are some suggestions. What if the Roanoke Transportation Museum (what VMT was called before it moved out of Wasena Park) saved N&W 2174, what if the N&W never helped the Roanoke Transportation Museum acquire 1218 from Steamtown, what if Ross Rowland didn't acquire Reading 2100 and 2101 at the last minute when clearance was going to be an issue, what if the flood of 1985 didn't take out the Cass to Durbin line or Wasena Park in Roanoke, and what if the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society chose to put in new flues for 2716 instead of overhauling 765?

[@GreenbeanProductions]

What if... New York Central 3001 double heading with C&O 614 witch nearly happened for the 21th century limited but maybe just in there normal paint jobs and running originally from Baltimore-Hinton

[@GreenbeanProductions]

@DanielTheRailfan 1071 yeah

[@andrewboyd8073]

Here's an idea or two I had for more what ifs: - The original NS Steam Program never ended. - Santa Fe 2925 was restored and not 2926. - Union Pacific restored the 9000. - Frisco 1522 visited 1630 at the Illinois Railway Museum.

[@AllosaurFan]

I have my own what ifs regarding Aussie trains. An example is what if Mallard visited Australia for the Bicentennial Celebrations instead of Flying Scotsman (that actually almost happened, look it up).

[@matthewpowell2429]

I personally had my own idea for the NC Steam Festival, with several of the engines you showed being there. Also, I thought about a possible excursion with NKP 587 and the Leviathan, if 587s rebuild was completed by then. On a side note, maybe a video on what if for preserving engines that are extinct or restorations that never happened would be interesting.

[@thatonecaledonian812]

YES

[@matthewpowell2429]

Yes to what?

[@thatonecaledonian812]

@@matthewpowell2429 587

[@dariusneal9495]

This was great please do another, you can start with the Greenbrier Presidential Express! We know you did a trainspotting video but this would be a video about why it was proposed and never went any further.

[@justahillbilly7777]

Here's an interesting what-if: What if Alan Pegler had arranged for the Flying Scotsman to take part in the 1969 Golden Spike Centennial celebrations seeing as to how both those and Scotsman's own tour were taking place in that year. It's something that's tugged at my mind a number of times and I've often wondered why such a thing never happened or was even talked about from what I can gather. It would've been hugely symbolic and a show of good faith if Britain, the birthplace of the rail industry, recognized America's achievements and accomplishments in the rail industry by sending arguably the single most famous steam locomotive in the world to take part in the celebrations. Edit: I've had another what-if come to my mind. What-if the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina railroad had managed to eventually recover from the economic downturns that made it eventually abandon all narrow gauge operations, and then rebuilt itself all the way back to Boone, and then eventually saw itself become a heritage/tourist railroad with a connection to the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park? Also, probably an unpopular opinion, but I'm honestly glad that huge steam gathering at Spencer didn't happen, mostly because I probably wouldn't quit kicking myself for not catching word of it soon enough to attend, and if I did catch word soon enough and was then unable to go, being bitter about said inability to attend.

[@DramaCarWolf]

Awesome video! Here’s my what if. “What if the American Freedom Train made its return and other than one of the restored Reading T1s or SP 4449, what other engines would you think that could pull the American Freedom Train?”

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

I think that SP&S 700 should have been a candidate locomotive for the American Freedom Train.

[@cameronthehedgehog261yt]

These are awesome ideas

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

What if Santa Fe 3751 and Milwaukee Road 261 had a doubleheader? That would be awesome!

[@mechanicallogistics]

What if the C&O got their steam turbines working flawlessly and launched The Chessie Streamliner into revenue service?

[@peppy_c]

I guess it would be fun to see just one more Sp 2794 and Sp 4449 doubleheader. That there would be interesting.

[@train0996]

I have an Idea for a What if, what if 3985 was operational for the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. I remember hearing that it was planned, but money and time fell short with the restoration of 4014

[@Toaster844]

What if Union Pacific chose a big boy over a challenger for their excursion programs? Imagine that. But I’m talking back in the 1980s

[@charleshax]

UP 4014 and 3985 double-heading would be cool to see

[@biglittlerailroad874]

I have one. What if the Marquette & Huron Mountain or Keweenaw Central tourist railroads survived into the 21st century?

[@Steamer96]

What would've happened if Richard Jensen had been successful of expanding his fleet with CB&Q 5632 and 4963 running them along with GTW 5629?

[@evankoren]

I would love to see what if NYC 3001 was restored and the construction of a new Dreyfuss Hudson.

[@Josephcavagnaro]

I'd love to see 611 and 475 double head a train to philly

[@bluebellsfan8704]

This was amazing! Great job.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

We all know that a few of these steam locomotives were in movies. Like Pere Marquette 1225 that was in the Polar Express.