Steam Tonight in Silverton

I drove down by the depot this evening to take in the sight of the "472" simmering away next to the station, cab lights on, the headlight softly glowing (for the benefit of a photographer taking night pictures) and a compliment of freight and paggenger cars in the consist. The moon just broke over the mountains about midnight, and with a cold, crisp evening, the steam coming from the engine was a nice sight.
Our local railroad is doing well, doing things with style and class, and continues to stay in tune with what people are willing to pay for to see and ride. I was told that the train was sold out, with many people staying the night in Silverton, and the rest were bused back to the Southern end of the line for a return trip in the morning. The train departs at 9 am, and of course will have meets with the two scheduled morning trains headed this way. I am told that there doesn't seem to be any significant impact with gas prices on train ridership and that projections are about where they were expected to be for this year.
There is another overnight train scheduled for this coming Thursday.