Re: GW #51 / BNSF

Well the reason is pretty obvious. When I was up there in 1990, they were running a STEAMFEST, and it was mainly because it was the Washington Central then, and now its BNSF. These smaller regionals usually are a good place for steam operations. Closer to home we had a nice 50 mile line called the TTI(Trans-Kentucky Transportation)
that was a bridge line hauling coal from CSX to a river barge operation. I ran a special on this line with L&N 152 in 1988, and later an NRHS sprung up and operated former Reader 11 as the Kentucky Central. Well in 1993, CSX took control of the line once again, which doomed the steam on this line, as CSX will not run steam anymore, or the insurance deductable they insisted on was way more than anyone could afford.
Yes, UP has their steam program, and BNSF allows the odd move with 4449 once a year perhaps, but thats it for the mainlines. Forget about NS and CSX for the most part.
So Washington Central was a breath of fresh air, and Oasis, like a few others out there, but nothing lasts forever. The railroad through that region has indeed been vastly improved by BNSF, but its not been a positive for the outlook on steam per se! Its probably why the Toppinish group that had Great Western 51 gave up on her-No place to run!
Greg