NG vs SG Tourist Observation

Recently got back from a road trip from Tulsa to the Tennessee Valley Railroad, Blueridge Mountain Railroad, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. I really loved the TVR and the doubleheader that pulled the train, but I missed the narrow gauge. On the TVRM and the GSM if a steam locomotive goes down, there's a diesel to replace it, on the C&TSRR it has to be another steam locomotive because the diesels can only get a couple of cars up the hill. There's something about that magic of knowing that the steam engines aren't the show ponies, but the backbone of the railroad.

That's not to say that the doubleheader on the TVR and the yard interactions weren't fun and exciting. I love steam, anyday and anywhere!