End of US charter trains?

Surprised nobody has mentioned this recent announcement of a Policy change by Amtrak regarding special trains.......
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wir...o-stop-operating-special-trains-charter-moves
As several of the mainline steam operations (such as there are) are done through Amtrak, it could mean the end of such runs, along with other (diesel) charter trains and movements of privately owned passenger rolling stock.

 

One thing is for sure, they are asking for trouble

 

Given the cuts that the POTUS has made to Amtrak's funding this seems inevitable I'd as the press release make out the trains cost Amtrak money. Still there are some in here who still rate Trump, although I guess they may be quiet on this front.

 

This shouldn't affect Union Pacific and their big engines though as they own the engines, stock and track.

 

Similarly with Norfolk Southern.

 

You mean the program NS shut down after 2015? The excursions the past two years were not a part of the NS 21st Century Steam Program, but run by the 611 Group. And even then, the Amtrak decision would have affected their trips as many cars on those tours were privately owned and rented for the trips, many of which traveled via Amtrak to do them.

This has already potentially altered my years plans. We were looking at Chicago and the NKP 765 Joliett Rocket Trips in September, but the Fort Wayne Society has delayed ticket sales until they find out if they can get the cars to Chicagoland that were going to get their by Amtrak or not. Amtrak's already cancelled a pair of trips by Milwaukee Road 261 to raise funds for installation of PTC equipment in June.

Stephen

 

Yep, quite a train set IMHO!!!!!