I'm a bit of a rail enthusiast, and in the course of surfing around for photos I discovered the last steam engine to operate in revenue service on a US railroad. I would have expected some time in the early 60's, but no... it was 1986 when this engine made its last run.

Here's the story:

http://www.coe-rr.com (click on the history link)

And here's the photos:

http://www.carrtracks.com/ilcoendx.htm

As much as an interesting railroad story, it's an interesting business story as well. The CO&E snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and in the process made a bit of American history.

I like these kind of stories.

ebear