Steam & Excursion > Curious in General about 2026

Since we know that there will not be an official Freedom Train in operation around our nation for the Birthday Celebration of the United States next year, what other events might be happening other places with special trains, steam, diesel, or electric?  I'm sure that many people would like to make travel plans for some of these events being planned for 2026.  I'm just curious.  Thanks.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I believe Jim Vena himself has said he has a serious plan for 4014 next year. Rumors already mentioned in the past here are that they want to run him to DC. I'll believe that when I see it though.

Mainline Engines operational next year should include, going East to West:

-RDG 2102
-C&O 1309
-N&W 611
-NKP 765
-SOO 1003
-SOU 4501
-FEC 148
-MILW 261
-UP 4014
-UP 844
-ATSF 2926
-ATSF 3751
-SP 4449
-CP 2816 (Canada)

Others we're likely to see based on recent reports / developments but not guaranteed:
-GM&N/R&N 425 (15 Year overhaul nearly complete)
-RDG 2100 (as AFT 250; Restoration nearly complete)
-PM 1225 (Superheater repairs likely to be complete)
-SP&S 700 (restoration nearly complete)

I realize many of these engines are captive to a specific line and unlikely to travel far if it all. 

Aside from anything CPKC or UP may or may not do, I think it's safe to assume that if nothing else most of these engines will operate according to recent patterns. I.E. R&N's engines will stomp across their mainline in Eastern PA, 611 will run the BB, 765 will run her IRE excursions on the INER, etc. Presuming its broken in, I could see 2100 making her excursion debut on CVSR's steam in the valley trips. I anticipate 1225 will be finished by the end of this year but GLC's acquisition by Watco, who doesn't have a solid track record with excursions (witness 1003 being able to operate on WSOR but not on excursions) might make it a question mark on how much beyond a planned photo charter in January she may be able to run.

Bottom line, it's early. I'm sure all operators are looking for opportunities and may well be in discussions for potential trips or events, and the celebration, for what it will be worth for the half of the country that cares may well produce some fun one-off trips or events.

The only announced major excursion I am so far aware of, steam or diesel, is a pair of (now) rare long trips on the Ohio Central between Columbus/Newark and Dennison, OH in the spring. This is planned to be diesel powered but the organizers told me they'd like to get a steam locomotive on it for at least part of the trip. I'm not sure what this would be though - the only locomotives they could use from AOS aren't really fit for serious excursions like this. It would be a good case for 2100 or 765 but I don't see that as likely.

G&W's willingness to host that trip might portend some flexibility for the year as a one off, but it's also possible the state of Ohio is covering the insurance hurdles for this themselves. I don't know.

We'll probably have a better idea of what the year will look like in late fall or early winter. Might be a good idea to ask again then.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/25 05:29 by GP40.

Might also see the T1 on it's own wheels.

Out 
 

Maybe C&NW 1385 at Mid-Continent?

Tom



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/25 14:22 by UP3806.

callum_out Wrote:
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> Might also see the T1 on it's own wheels.
>
> Out 
Yes, and no place to go, very sad indeed for all those who have donated their money and time.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

ClubCar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> callum_out Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Might also see the T1 on it's own wheels.
> >
> > Out 
> Yes, and no place to go, very sad indeed for all
> those who have donated their money and time.
> John in White Marsh, Maryland

And just how do you know "and no place to go."??????  Do you have inside information on their future plans?

Where would SP4449 be able to go? Stuck on a UP connection. Over to the BNSF?

ClubCar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since we know that there will not be an official
> Freedom Train in operation around our nation for
> the Birthday Celebration of the United States next
> year,

Are you sure about that?

Posted from Android

bluesman Wrote:
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> Where would SP4449 be able to go? Stuck on a UP
> connection. Over to the BNSF?

Correct, i.e. over to BNSF, as has been done many, many times in the past.

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ClubCar Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Since we know that there will not be an
> official
> > Freedom Train in operation around our nation
> for
> > the Birthday Celebration of the United States
> next
> > year,
>
> Are you sure about that?
>
> Posted from Android

Technically, I suppose the possibility still exists... but the 75-76 rendition had been running for several months by this time 50 years ago. Ross by his own admission and as reported in his NYT obit was starting to make some cracks in the wall of the government but, well... he's gone. And it's not clear anyone is continuing his attempt to get it done. I did a Google search for any news about it and found basically nothing. No word on sponsors they'd need, that made it work last time, nothing I can find on equipment... the only thing is a website that was set up by someone other than Ross trying to build support for it, but I contacted the owner months ago and never heard anything back and other than splashing pictures of 2100/250's fire up here in Cleveland, no real news on the site otherwise. 

I think (but don't know) the OP is correct here. This does not look like it's going to happen at this point. 

And it may as well be for the best, too. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/25 05:19 by GP40.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ClubCar Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > callum_out Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Might also see the T1 on it's own wheels.
> > >
> > > Out 
> > Yes, and no place to go, very sad indeed for
> all
> > those who have donated their money and time.
> > John in White Marsh, Maryland
>
> And just how do you know "and no place to
> go."??????  Do you have inside information on
> their future plans?
Hot Water, like everyone else on here who has commented; I do not know for sure other than in speaking with someone who works for Amtrak in management, he has made it clear that Amtrak has too many real operational problems that they are trying to resolve, they have absolutely no plans to get involved with any steam operations and especially anything like this T-1 on their main Northeast Corridor, the former Pennsylvania Railroad.  As for that T-1 to operate anywhere else?  This is anyone's guess, but realistically speaking with other knowledgeable railroad people, they don't see this thing operating on any main line railroads.  My guess is that these owners of this new Pennsylvania T-1 Engine will be lucky to find a regional or a short line to allow it to run.  As always, I wish them luck, but I still feel this is a waste of time and money, though it's their money and time, not mine, and they certainly have the right to do whatever they desire with their money and their time.  Good Luck to you folks.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

John, while I agree with pretty much everything you've stated, I think that the exercise in developing techniques to
building somethinbg like the T-1 in this day and age are valuable to our interests. The fabricated frame, the process
of stack building the cylinders, and much more represent true progress. If some class 1(s) will at least DIT the thing
and tow it out to Colorado it'd be grand to see it run to full speed on either of the high speed test loops. Just a
thought.

Out 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/25 15:28 by callum_out.

Test loops are the only logical place that comes to my mind. I'm not sure why the builders chose a T-1 but more power to them. T-1s are sort of a red-headed step child to me, but the project is interesting.
My choice would have been (no, not Frisco) a genuine NYC Hudson with the Elesco FWH and original tender a 'la Lionel. A true American classic. Just think, you could recreate the classic race between the Hudson and PRR K4s out of Englewood.
I have no money in the project and can't call the shots and its just my opinion. Your mileage may  vary.

The east end of the Long Island RR might be a suggestion as it is state owned passenger track, for the PRR T-1.  But how would you get it there?

For operational steam in 2026 you omitted DM&IR 332.
Gordon

Doesn't matter whether the T1 folks had a thing for a T1, or a J3, or 1361 or whatever. It's their passion to pursue. 

Yeah there's nowhere amenable for it to have a proper high-speed run, but that applies to anything getting rebuilt now.

By this line of thinking it's ridiculous for the Abilene folks to renew the 3415, because there's nowhere for it to stretch it's legs; or the 4420 project in Evanston. All it can do is putter about a roundhouse, so why bother?

Why do you need to yuck on their yum?

That's right up there with anti-transit knobs saying I don't ride it so it's a waste of money.

None of the Big 6 are going to let anything out on their lines anymore, and Amtrak really doesn't want to be bothered to be involved. 

Outside of a friendly shortline or regional, the days of "high-iron" steam are over. It's 2025, not 1985. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/25 07:21 by PumpkinHogger.

One thing about the ATSF 2926 in ABQ (and I've touched on it), if New Mexico and ABQ in particular gets a taste
of the revenue that some level of scheduled runs might produce it could change things. You'd think that they'd see
that in the 35K fans that show up in the middle of nowhere to ride the C&TS but hey, some things take a while.

Out 

gbmott Wrote:
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> For operational steam in 2026 you omitted DM&IR
> 332.
> Gordon

I don't consider that a mainline engine. The list would be a mile long if I had to list out every engine like that.

2719 would have made the list but it appears to me they're focused on 332 for now.

PumpkinHogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doesn't matter whether the T1 folks had a thing
> for a T1, or a J3, or 1361 or whatever. It's
> their passion to pursue. 
>
> Yeah there's nowhere amenable for it to have a
> proper high-speed run, but that applies to
> anything getting rebuilt now.
>
> By this line of thinking it's ridiculous for the
> Abilene folks to renew the 3415, because there's
> nowhere for it to stretch it's legs; or the 4420
> project in Evanston. All it can do is putter about
> a roundhouse, so why bother?
>
> Why do you need to yuck on their yum?
>
> That's right up there with anti-transit knobs
> saying I don't ride it so it's a waste of money.
>
> None of the Big 6 are going to let anything out on
> their lines anymore, and Amtrak really doesn't
> want to be bothered to be involved. 
>
> Outside of a friendly shortline or regional, the
> days of "high-iron" steam are over. It's 2025, not
> 1985. 

4 of the big 6. UP hasn't given up and Vena has made it clear he views the program as an asset and point of pride. CPKC does have 2816 ready to go even though it didn't operate this year. It could still in the next couple of Creel decides it's worth pulling out.

Getting big steam running for a 250 train could be a plus for President Trump and his Make Coal Great Again effort.

There are working steam engines which could get the job done.

Posted from Android