Steam loco operation

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Proto and free-lancing gives a person lots of leeway to decide what economic principles came to the fore for the railroad, and why they 'did' what they did. You'd think the most expensive mile-for-mile railroad in N. America, the Kettle Valley of southern BC, would have kept steam untl the last rivet popped, but the truth is that they retired steam full-bore by 1954 because the C-Liners were so much more efficient on the grades. On the other hand, both of the big fellas in Canadian steam kept extensive use of steam until 1958/59. The N&W much further south kept steam in full revenue use until about the mid-late 50's.

So, have both. Keep steam for nighttime freights and express passenger trains, but use first-generation diesel electric for daytime freights and the odd limited run. This would be typical for many roads extant in 1953.

-Crandell