Do you think he's willing to endorse a train running all over the country pulled by smoke-belching, polluting steam engines, in this era of climate change concerns? Perhaps it is time to go back to the drawing board and enlist some "green" technology of some sort. Yes, re-invent the wheel so to speak.

Modify them too much and then what's even the point of using steam anymore?

John

I'm not even sure there is a point to using steam. Aren't the artifacts on display in the train the real reason people come out to see it? If not, maybe they should just show pictures of said artifacts if people are mainly there for the locomotives anyway.

I predict this whole thing turns into a political football and there will soon be a mandate that the train use new Tier 4 diesels, with government money coming to replace various steam locomotives. May as well piggyback onto whatever order is placed for the Napa Valley wine train. And yeah, there will be folks who will want holes drilled through the boilers of the retired steamers.

For all the reasons people have mentioned above let's be realistic - you're not going to get a train full of irreplaceable historical artifacts to travel around the country anymore, and especially by train. All you need is one person to ask "what happens to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence if the train derails like in East Palestine" and the conversation will be over.

I've read about the 10 potential sponsors for years, and in a bit of foreshadowing I'm sure when this event fails to happen the reasoning will be "Biden wouldn't meet with us". There are a lot of good ideas in this thread. I'd highly suggest working towards a plan B, C, and D.

But how else will we get somebody to pay for the restoration of 614?

Unfortunately from here on out this is most likely just going to be another worthless political "discussion" not worthy of RYPN.

This forum needs a "Like" button!

How about a "Flush" button ??

To be fair, for once I agree with ADMIV.

The project is well worth pursuing irrespective of the politics, naysayers, and other assorted knuckleheads. If no one tries, then you are certain it won't happen. Best wishes to Mr. Rowland and all those who will make the effort.

Agreed. Mr Rowland is doing the best he can, within the imperfect system that exists today. He sure knows a lot more about steam, and has an enormously better chance of success than some schmoe like me has. Hats off and best of luck.

I'm not worried about Ross's ability to field a steam locomotive, at all. I wonder what infrastructure is available around the country to display the train? The few sites I am familiar with, from yesteryear, have been pulled up, straight railed or developed into shopping malls, apartment complexes, etc....

Mr. Rowland, If you have any openings on the 614's pit crew, please keep me in mind....

I'm amazed !! Of all the forums in America where everyone would totally get why the AFT 1.0 ( 1975-76 ) and proposed AFT 2.0 ( 2026-2028 ) needed to be powered by restored mainline capable steam locomotives it would be here.

It's very straightforward. 1. a central mission is to celebrate our history and many of the most important chapters in that history. Nearly all American's are unaware of the critical, central role that the steam locomotives and the railroads to run them all played in the dramatic growth of our nation. Before the advent of the steam powered railroad in 1830 we got around the same as we had since before the time of Jesus Christ......walk, horse & buggy or sailboat.

The steam powered railroads allowed us for the first time in human history to travel at speeds previously unheard of, transport huge quantities of raw materials ( iron ore, coal, wheat, lumber etc.,etc.) great distances economically, and people to travel great distances safely and comfortably.

Before Golden Spike day ( May 10,1869) it took months of arduous wagon train travel to go from Omaha to the West Coast and fully 40% of those who attempted the journey never got there because of hostile natives, disease, weather etc. As of May 11,1869 you could by a ticket to take you by train from Omaha to the West Coast in 9 nights and 10 days and be assured of getting there in relative comfort.

The steam locomotives powered the industrial revolution, brought millions of settlers into the continents interior and from 1830-1930 changed the world.

The 2 mainline steamers that power the AFT 2.0 train ( should it get funded ) will represent the thousands of their sister engines who performed that incredible story and make millions of American's aware of the critical role steam played in making America the land we know today.

Finding 2 mainline capable steamers to share the honors is the easy part. as we speak there are the following in service engines capable of sharing the task, 765,611,1225,1361 (soon), 4449,3751,2926,700,4014,844,3985(soon) and others in various stages of restoration. No question that oil fired engines will have an advantage for obvious reasons but coal fired engines can play a role.

Will the American people respond positively to wanting to see a train full of original priceless artifacts when it's in their front yard. Yes. Probably even more so than the nation did in the 1970's.

As to display sites 43 of the 138 sites used by AFT 1.0 are still usable, there are a total of 76 military installations that still have active rail service and most of them can make ideal display sites and thanks to streamlining in recent years there are a good number of intermodal yards currently out of service that can make ideal display sites. Can we find at least one good site in all 48 states. Yes, without a doubt.

The reason getting POTUS solidly on board is critical is that he is the only one who can order the loan of the precious artifacts we need to ensure the SRO reception the train will generate across America. This time we will also be asking him to order the NPS to lend us the Liberty Bell so we can have that iconic symbol of our freedoms on board.

Having those priceless ORIGINAL artifacts = eyeballs= co-sponsor $$$$,=AFT 2.0

I will of course keep you appraised should I be blessed with an audience with Amtrak Joe.

Sammy, you've got the job. Best regards, Ross Rowland

The real Liberty Bell, or a replica? I thought they stopped sending the real one out on traveling junkets a century ago, because it tended to come back with worsening cracks.