Ok, so it’s over. This steam program was even shorter than 611’s first excursion career from Sept 1982 to Dec 1994. I knew that it would last under a decade. This one lasted from Sept 2011 to May 2017. 21st Century Steam technically ended Dec 2015 but they gave 611 two additional years. But where will 611 run now? Will it be stuck pulling short rides at Spencer? So NS won’t allow any 611 excursions anymore even with Amtrak? Doesn’t really matter to me, I have 425 and soon to be 2102 close to me. RBMN doesn’t mind running excursions for the public, they’ve been doing it since 1985. Plus they have open window coaches and open air cars. To be honest the 765 and 611 excursions sucked because NS didn’t allow open windows or vestibules. Let the big railroads worry about hauling freight and let the little guys haul tourists on their own tracks. Oh, NS will probably still allow other special excursions such as Amtrak specials and other diesel powered ones like the upcoming E8 excursion to Altoona from Philly. Perhaps that is being operated as an Amtrak trip.
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