Dpfan1, READ THIS POST.
Correct simulatortrain. In fact, several foreign nations continued steam operations after steam operations in North America ceased.
Some others I can think of offhand:
Australia: 1974
United Kingdom: 1968
USSR/Russia: 1980s
South Africa: 1994 approx
Finland: 1975
Poland: 1990s
France: 1975
India: 2000
Indonesia: 1994
Pakistan: Still operating steam to date (apparently)
Evan.
Sorry to quote an old post, but, the last steam run in Australia wasn't 1974, that was NSWGR, and it was 6042 (or was it 6037?). Victoria kept running steam until 1978, the last there was a VR K Class. Queensland was building new steam locos until 1968. The last, was the South Maitland Railway which were running steam until 1983.
I just didn't want people to read false information, I'm like that. Lol:hehe:
As for Dpfan1,
You've been banned once, and let back in, but, somehow you still have the audacity to continue posting about pointless crap such as Danny Phantom or Strasburg 90. You need to learn:
- Nobody cares about Danny Phantom on a forum regarding a game which involves trains. You may, but, the game is Trainz for PC, not Danny Phantom: Urban Jungle for the Game Boy Advance
- Just because you go to Strasburg every bloody day, doesn't mean they have to drag Milwaukee 261 up there to putter around a small loop with about 6 lightweight passenger cars
- Johnny Cash probably would've felt the same way everyone else does about you, 'Hurt'.
No offence, but, please. Read the posts these people put on the forums. You will learn masses about trains, railways/railroads and such. Just listen, I'm 13, and look at me, writing with correct grammar (that's how the spell 'grammer' in Australia) and punctuation. All you have to do is listen, it's not hard. And when you write a post, look at it before you post it and say, 'Hmm, is that regarding the topic and providing a constructive answer to the other person's post?'
And, so I don't get banned, I will say my part about the topic. Steam, is effectively, finished. Of course I'd love to see three D59's or C38's dragging the Melbourne to Brisbane intermodal train at 60mph, or a double-header of two AD60 Garratts slogging a heavy coal to the Port of Newcastle, but, it simply isn't going to happen. Down here in Australia, we may still use old diesels such as the 48 class and S class, but they're just so reliable. Recently, GrainCorp bought 18 48 class (known by ALCo as the DL531) locos from Pacific National and souped them up with new MU hoses, a cab refurbisment (complete with a chemical toilet) and complete engine rebuilds and components change outs. But these 48 class locos were built between 1959 and 1970. They're just so brilliant! As for the S class, they were built between 1957 and 1961. And the original, S300, is still in service!
But, sadly, steam locomotives would've wrecked the economy. All the reasons why have been said before, if you've bothered to read them. It simply, isn't going to happen. I wish it could, but, no. It probably won't, not in America anyway.
Thanks,
Mitch