(http://www.google.ca/finance?client=ob&q=NYSE:NSC) Norfolk Southern Corp. is a $23.34 B corporation that earned $5.79/share last year. I would would be much more impressed if they set up, with a sliver of those profits, a (grant) training program for iron workers, steamfitters, electricians, skilled carpenters and other trade crafts in association with an organization such as the Illinois Railroad Museum (http://www.irm.org/). An additional requirement for graduation would be training programs for jobs as motormen, locomotive engineers etc. that might be recognized by the nation's Class A Railroads & transit systems. Wouldn't be surprised if matching training funds could be found at the Federal level too. A triple win opportunity for all with domestic job paths with foreseeable futures.
The event you are presumably referring to is little more than a self serving publicity stunt by a company that has profited from the current Federal Reserve's monetary policy, and is now showing off little more than 21st Century paint to railfans & the general public. 
Then by definition, the UP Heritage Fleet, 150 year celebration and steam programs are also "self serving promotions."
It's also called "Advertising."
If either of these railroads were operating in bankruptcy, there would be an argument for such extravagances as fancy paint and public or private events.
However, both are profitable endeavours and these events help show that railroads are more than something that blocks a grade crossing when you're in a hurry and want to get somewhere.
As far as IRM and the museums and tourist lines, they supply the training needed for their particular operations. The IRM rulebook is for IRM's operation, not the neighboring UP.
Museum/Tourist railroading is different enough from the real thing that just because someone runs a steam locomotive toting three or four antique coaches every other Sunday or so, it doesn't qualify than to run a three unit MU with a hundred car coal train on the Class 1's.
Museum labor is voluntary and the time required for "weekend warriors" to go through the craft programs on a weekend basis would be excessive. And it still wouldn't guarantee a job for someone on the railroads. (Just how many steamfitters do the railroads need nowadays, anyway?)
I find it interesting the complaint about NS profiting from the Fed policy then talking about matching Federal funds to train volunteers in the crafts. Seems a contradiction.
Rusty
