What's the reason for not going down to TBS?
To keep the hourly schedule required by pumpkin trains. Without a 3rd locomotive we can not dependably also run two train sets, half of which go to TBS. (We learned the hard way last fall that we can not rely on 9 alone to handle four loaded cars up the mountain when the rails are slick with leaves, etc.) This year, we intended to use 52 as a helper, but that never worked out mainly due to lack of crew. We have an idea for next year that would allow us to guarantee service to TBS on some trains, but that hasn't been finalized.
This is one of those times where we really miss not having #10 available.
In some respects, yes, 10 would easily handle a 3 car train of pumpkin pickin' passengers to ToM and return. However, it would not help with the other factors that have contributed to the challenges of this season - risk of wildfire, motive power suitable for the Mountain, and crew availability.
That said, it is important to note that we have navigated this challenging season with no full train cancellations. While some trips have been been shorter than we anticipated, or powered by diesel 52, we have done our best to fulfill our operational obligations with very few complaints. For example, every "Sheepscot Valley Steam Train" did feature a steam locomotive on the point. (See the reviews and thank you's thread for a smattering of the feedback we have received publicly.)
