This sounds about as silly and out of the question as revenue passenger steam returning in these times, but this question has bugged me more than that. It would certainly be a treat sleeping behind a steam locomotive.
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Doesn't take much to bug you......
Well, it's been in the very back of my head, lol
Not in the U.S., as any long distance steam excursion must "rest overnight" in order to properly service the locomotive, take on fuel and water for the next day's operation, and rest the crew members. For example, the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair Daylight train, for Portland Oregon to New Orleans, LA, generally ran two days, rested one, then ran two more days, and rested either 2 or 3 days (for displays in key cities enroute). Believe it or not, it is grueling work for the locomotive crew members, as well as those volunteers that staff the passenger train.
Sleeping behind a steam locomotive sort of defeats the purpose of the excursion, in my opinion, but I know that different kinds of water float different boats.
@Byrdie posted:Sleeping behind a steam locomotive sort of defeats the purpose of the excursion, in my opinion, but I know that different kinds of water float different boats.
Very good observation! The vast majority of ticket holders on steam excursions want to ride in daylight hours. What would be the point of sleeping in a "Pullman car" overnight regardless WHAT the motive power was/is?????
And the ticket prices would be sky high....
When one is sleeping it's all the same regardless if a steam, diesel, or electric is pulling the train. 
Personally, I'd rather be on a steam train during the day so I could observe and experience all the action.
If you can't see the engine while you're sleeping (whether it be a steam or diesel engine), and are in it for the experience of a sleeper car, then the bread and breakfast train out of Trego, Wisconsin is for you. Included is a ride to a quiet spot for a stop and a great 5 course evening meal, a ride back to the station in the dark, and an overnight stay in a sleeper car. It was my first time since the Service, and was a 50th Wedding Anniversary gift from our daughter. My wife and I hadn't laughed as much in a lifetime with the cramped quarters and all, and it was a BLAST!
Very good points, guys! Makes me realize that even now, anything close to a modern day steam powered "20th Century Limited" would never work.
Our publisher emeritus will probably tack my avatar photo onto his game room dart board for saying this but; having ridden one of the 765 Horseshoe Curve trips back in 2012 and being in the next to last car; other than the two times through the curve and an occasional wisp of steam past my window; I’d never have known a steam locomotive was on the head end.
Being in a sleeper on a steam powered excursion would merely be a replication of that earlier experience.
Curt
Ironically enough, the Cumbres & Toltec Victorian Steam event this year (which was postponed) was going to offer that exact experience. An overnight run. It seemed to be selling well, interestingly enough.
I will say that a lot of the recent trips have private cars, including sleepers, in the consist on the first class section. If you want to pay to sleep in daylight hours, it hasn't been that hard to find the way to do it.
@juniata guy posted:Our publisher emeritus will probably tack my avatar photo onto his game room dart board for saying this but; having ridden one of the 765 Horseshoe Curve trips back in 2012 and being in the next to last car; other than the two times through the curve and an occasional wisp of steam past my window; I’d never have known a steam locomotive was on the head end.
Being in a sleeper on a steam powered excursion would merely be a replication of that earlier experience.
Curt
....which is exactly why I haven't ridden much in recent years, despite thoroughly enjoying the times when I do. The places to find open vestibules to ride in are getting harder as the years go on. If I'm going to pay to ride behind steam, I want the full steam experience.
Though not behind steam, it's still a pleasent journey each time I ride the 20th Century Limited behind a set of New York Central "Clean Machine" GM-EMD E-8s and ride in the comfort of a Pullman sleeper with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in the classic motion picture, North by Northwest! The dining car menu isn't bad either...LOL
@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:Though not behind steam, it's still a pleasent journey each time I ride the 20th Century Limited behind a set of New York Central "Clean Machine" GM-EMD E-8s and ride in the comfort of a Pullman sleeper with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in the classic motion picture, North by Northwest! The dining car menu isn't bad either...LOL
Ah TRBB; a favorite of mine both for the train scenes and the lovely Eva Marie Saint! Just watched my DVD of North by Northwest within the past two weeks.
Curt
