In Houston, being moved last year:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=161735

Is this engine another moved stuff N' mount, or is she up for renewal and operation?

It is a stuff-n-mount operation. There was a group formed to restore this locomotive to operational condition. Project 982 showed great wisdom in doing work to stabilize the locomotive's condition while it was in Herman Park; rather than just tearing it down for a restoration that would never take place.

I do not know when the plans shifted from restoring it to operational condition to moving it to the location it is in now. But, with all of the locomotives already out there that could run but have no place to do so, I think they made the right decision. The locomotive in question is a small drivered 2-10-2; it may not have been the best locomotive for excursion service anyway.

The history of 982 in Houston has been far better than that of sister engine 975 in nearby Beaumont. 975 was an easy shoe-in for the worst looking park engine back in the 1990s; and had the IRM not stepped in and undertook the major task of moving her across the country to Union; she would probably be razor blades now.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project

The saga for the 2-10-2 continues. The now tenderless cosmetically restored locomotive is now officially a nomad. The museum in which she was going to be housed has been "put on hold", and the locomotive offered to the Gulf Coast Chapter NRHS, which is in its own throes of moving to a new location northwest of Houston, Texas, near Tomball. With most of its equipment still stored near downtown Houston, we'll have to see how this turns out. For now from what I know, the locomotive is still safe, and cocooned in a protective shroud. Efforts are underway to determine where exactly the locomotive will end up.

what happened to her tender?

Oh goodie! If she wasn't missing parts, I'd say put her *somewhere* on live rail, and try to restore her.

CD

There wasn't room in the museum for both the tender and the locomotive. They would either have to cut the tender in half or display only the locomotive. The decision was made to find the tender a home where it would actually have some use. It was given to the Heber Valley Railroad in Utah where it is being used in the conversion of UP 618 to an oil burner.

Wow! Just when I thought I couldn't possibly see something more stupid in the 'preservation' world, I'm proven wrong yet again! Now, 982 is homeless, and tender-less!
I see torches in 5... 4... 3...

CD

Too bad that the SLRG in Colorado is not using steam at present. This one would have almost double the power of the ex SP Mogul with the same sized drivers.

Any chance of 618's old tender going to the 982?

The only problem with that is an oil bunker would have to be fabricated..the same problem Heber managed to avoid. In actuality, a bigger tender would be better suited if the decision is made to go for a complete overhaul.

She's not missing anything that cannot be replaced. The biggest issue is the replacement of the Wothington BL2 feedwater heater..the casing is cracked (actually missing a piece). Personally,if one can't be found, go back with a knock off SA type heater.

For the record. 618 is not, I repeat, not losing her original tender. The 982's tender is being used for parts in order to keep 618's rebuilding costs down. As for the 982 needing it back, having seen the tender firsthand, I think seeking a replacement has always been the better option.

It's a frigging tender, guys...there's another thread right now about some. If it becomes necessary, something useful will be found. Better to use the energy creating the need for it to become necessary.

dave

From my (distanced) involvement with Project 982 over 20 years ago, I seem to recall it's missing valve gear components and other parts. The plan at the time was to 'borrow' them from 975 (in Beaumont at the time) but it has since immigrated to IRM.

CD