According to Trains magazine, June 2010, page 58... The cost of running a steam locomotive on the Connecticut Valley Railroad averages out to one thousand nine hundred fifty one dollars ($1951.00) per day.
Wow, looks like you would need 200 riders a day at $10 each to break even. Yep the basement is much cheaper and less greasy.
Keep in mind that it's their RR and their cars. Try paying rental on cars and track charges/crew charges on a mainline railroad in addition to the cost of the fuel, lubricants, water and water treatment chemicals. Adds up really fast.
I met with the owner of the Heber Valley Railroad last year, and he has two steam engines. He said, "they run on hundred dollar bills". If you don't know, the Heber Valley Railroad is in Utah, just South of Park City. He was in the process of rebuilding one of them and he had to tear the other one down this past winter for a rebuild. He estimated that the rebuild would cost $250,000. Not a business for the faint of heart. I am headed out that way later this year and hope to have time to stop in and see his operation again. Kent in KC
I have never "ciphered" how much #103 (my 12" gauge 4-4-0) has cost me to run per day including initial cost, rebuilding expenses and maintenance, but it will empty at least 2 (and sometimes 3) of the 20lb bottles of propane during a long day! #205 will be coal fired, but coal costs more per BTU than propane when you add in shipping costs. Such is the price of nostalgia... But let me tell ya, this is worth every penny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLg0u8qu6wI - James Why is it so humid at Northview, Missouri? Two words: Saturated Steam!
Heber Valley RR is a great operation. We were there last fall, and the out and back was great! They let me poke around the shop a bit, and that steamer was down to the last bolt! Good people and a good collection of equipment. Dan
