It must be difficult to find technicians who have the skills to operate steam locomotives.
UP has had a dedicated steam program going for 63 years, which started a year after all of their former steamers were retired from revenue service. First locomotive preserved for use was 4-8-4 #844.
It is difficult to find mechanics and the specialized journeymen to keep the steam locomotives in operating condition. They were highly complex and required vast amounts of maintenance at frequent intervals.
but they perfectly reflected their times.