In this episode of Off the Rails, Bethan and Rowdy dig into what it actually takes to make steam work on a railroad, and we do not just mean lighting a match and hoping for the best.

Before getting into the nuts and bolts, there is an unavoidable recap of the Super Bowl rivalry, very much against Bethan’s wishes. 

From infrastructure needs, water supply, track conditions, shop capabilities, and the "quirks" of operating steam locomotives, they break down the practical and sometimes sobering, and surprising realities behind running steam in 2026. It is a candid look at what has to be in place before that whistle ever blows.

Then things take an unexpectedly foamy turn. What starts as a straightforward operational discussion derails, naturally, into Bethan floating the idea of revenue freight pulled by steam. Is it brilliant? Is it unhinged? Is it both? Rowdy has thoughts.

If you have ever wondered what separates a static display from a working steam program, or what it would take to make steam not just nostalgic but economically relevant, this one is for you.

Listener questions and In the News round things out, so climb aboard.

Submit your questions and topic suggestions for our next episode in the comments!

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