Robert K posted:Why did Steve retire?
He was old enough and had more than enough years of service.
Is he up in years?
Yes, so to speak, i.e. he was at the age that he could retire anytime he liked.
So Ed essentially replaced him?
Yes.
About the 4449, since UP gobbled up SP in 1996, it can’t run on home rails anymore?
That pretty well covers it.
UP won’t allow any steam other than its own.
Sure looks like it, now.
BNSF would allow steam, but now with Amtrak banning most excursions there’s no reason to run on BNSF with 4449 except if they are going to an event like Train festival or something.
There are no longer any such "events", as every time someone try's to "plan" such an "event", the costs for transportation (dead head moves) and liability insurance are so unbelievably high, the actual "event" never happens.
