Forgive my ignorance, but I was under the impression that “Russian” decapod is just like Consolidation. It is a term to refer to a class, not so much a specific type. If there is a difference between a “Russian” decapod, and some other type, please enlighten me.
As to operating decapods, the Strasburg RR has #90, a former Great Western 2-10-0 built, and used for the sugar beet trade, but now hauling passenger trains around.
The summer after I graduated from High School, and before I left for basic training, one of my shop teachers got me a job, so I worked for the SRR. I had the privilege of learning to be a fireman, and I fired PRR D16sb #1223, , and both #89, and 90. My favorite was 1223, by far. She took fire, like she loved it. #90 was the hardest to fire, as she has a wide firebox, and with my shorter stature, and therefore arms, it was tough sometimes to keep the back corners covered. 89 was OK, but she was having a bad summer that year, and spent a lot of time down for maintenance. #31, the old Reading 0-6-0, complete with it’s Wooten firebox, was long since retired, and the former PRR GE 44 toner still had her SRR red, and black paint scheme. #1, the small gas loco, was around, but I never saw her turn a wheel, while I worked there.
#7002 came over a couple years after I left, and the current crop of steamers were several years away at the time.
Horse