Ultimately this is because steam engines are charismatic in a way diesel and electric trains are not (perhaps until you get to something as impressive as the Sh

Ultimately this is because steam engines are charismatic in a way diesel and electric trains are not (perhaps until you get to something as impressive as the Shinkansen or TGV). So the apparent technological "progress" is emotionally unsatisfying, and we wish to return to the older thing -- to "regress".