Re: Steam locomotive operating costs

What is the annual mileage that the average C&TS loco accumulates? How many service days each year?

Using Michael's figures and assuming that the 40K rebuilds happen at least as frequently as the 1472 rebuilds, that is $700,000. If 5 locomotive cost $150,000 for general winter maintenance, that is $30,000 per locomotive per year. Assume that the 1472 day and 40 K rebuilds happen at least every 15 years, that is $450,000 per locomotive on top of the $700,000 that needs to be set aside over the 15 years. Dividing the total by 1472 gives a daily operating expense of $780 that does not include fuel, lubricants and crew costs. $780 does not sound like much, but it adds up to big numbers that must be budgeted for and set aside. Some tourist roads are now running diesels because they didn't have that money when the 1472 day bill came due.

Michael Allen