If NS wants to run steam trains for public relations purposes or to introduce the public to railroading, they would be much better off running short (max 2-3 hours) trips, rather than marathon death marches. I remember Reading Iron Horse Rambles of 50 years ago that left at 7:30 a.m. and didn't get back until 9 or 10 p.m. For folks with young kids, such trips were torture, not to mention how the rest of us felt with squalling kids across the aisle.
The bottom line is, whatever NS decides they want to do with steam trains, let's be thankful for it.