Yeah John, you're right. But it's always cheaper and easier to bitch and moan about things that can't be helped, than it is to dig in (or dig deep) and work at what can....
As long as the liability climate remains inclement, and more "railfans" (read: "cheap SOBs") buy film than tickets, we shouldn't expect many of the no-steam roads to change their minds. It's too bad, really, but nostalgia rarely pays the bills.
I'd rather see two consolidations or pacifics loafing along a jerkwater branch line, than a monster northern or texas all dressed up with no place to run anyway.