Paul, the routing is via NS into the flats. Arrangements have been made to get it to W.3rd St. CSXT was not interested in the long haul from BNSF into Cleveland. NS stepped in and said "Yes" rather quickly.

Rob Gardner

OK, thanks for the info on that. So, it really is worse than I thought with CSX and a steam move OF ANY KIND. Even just as a clearance implicated load (and really probably only for weight) on a flat car. I seriously doubt it's more trouble than a string of GE export units, which they handle on a semi-regular basis anyway.

Paul, they claimed the load exceeded their maximum weight limit. Regardless, we respect them for their business decision. We were more than happy that NS was receptive to assisting and we were more than happy to see them profit from it.

Rob

I wonder if the willingness of NS to help out with the move of this engine might mean they are possibly interested in using it as part of the steam program some day. She is a Reading and NS has a heritage diesel painted up already. Wow! Now that would be way cool!

I would suggest they merely made a positive business decision about the business they are in, which is, of course, railroading. It's nice to think BNSF is interested in operating steam, but there is no dearth of heritage locomotives they could adopt if they wanted another fleet. Sure, we'd love to see a CB&Q Hudson , a GN 4-8-4, etc., but it makes more sense to accept this move as "doing well by doing good". Another reason to praise BNSF's current management.

I have no idea why you are saying BNSF. I did not refer to them at all. If you read Rob Gardner's post, he clearly states that NS was more than willing to help out with the move. BNSF is the only game in town where the 2100 was located. NS getting it to Cleveland was my point, and perhaps, knowing what the 2100 is, and the heritage she has with the NS at this point in time, could possibly make for her use in the future.
I guess it's better to lurk here and keep things to myself, than have an idea and folks get the wrong impression simply because they don't read all the post and reply's.

I'm sorry you feel offended or insulted, but the truth is that, at least as far as this stage of the game, to extrapolate that NS might be interested in Reading 2100 for a steam program simply because they agreed to fulfil common-carrier obligation and handle a presumably-properly-loaded load is on par with saying the Post Office is interested in publishing pornography simply because their carriers deliver issues of Playboy.

I've assisted in shipping lots of "heritage" passenger locos and cars over CSX over the years--indeed, some to the same place where 2100 is supposedly headed. I'm still waiting for that CSX excursion program . . . . .

ADM4,
Yes you are correct. It is just NS and BNSF doing normal business and I had no right express an idea in an open forum. I'm sorry for coming up with such a grandiose thought. True, NS probably has no interest in this idea just because they agreed to help in the move and yes it is way to early to speculate on any such venture of them using the 2100 on any steam programs. I apologize to you and Mr. Glueck and the rest of the members for speaking out of turn. I do hope you accept this apology in all sincerity, as I am not trying to be condescending.

Rob, no problem with thinking out loud. Glad to hear from you. Presuming the program is still running strong when we get to the point of having an operational 2100, we would be ever so grateful for an opportunity to talk to NS. Any newly restored heritage locomotive has to prove that it is roadworthy to the industry and I highly doubt we would qualify for consideration until we get a LOT of successful operating miles under our belt first. Hope springs eternal! Hope to see you in Cleveland and thank you to everyone for your interest!

Rob Gardner

Rob,

I find it hard to believe that a dry, not-totally-complete steam locomotive, albeit a substantial one, weighs more than some of the oversize transformers and other restricted loads I've seen and handled on CSX. Now it's possible that somewhere between Chicago and W. 3rd St. in Cleveland there is a place on CSX it exceeds their limits. However, I've seen a complete and live sister T-1 operate more than once over the CL&W sub in my life, and I think the railroad is in better shape now that it was in the late '70's. I'm just saying that given CSX's record of the past 20 years, it's more likely they just didn't want to do it.

As for a symbolic gesture by NS in getting it to Cleveland, they do have that Reading H unit...

Paul and all,

I feel the need to set the record straight regarding CSXT. The truth is that CSXT did get back to us after we made the switch to NS, indicating they were continuing to work behind the scenes to try and make this work. I think we can say with reasonable accuracy that it does not look like they were simply trying to get out of the move for any dislike of the commodity being hauled. They reiterated that they had one or two bridges that they were concerned about. In reality, it is likely that the move could have taken place over CSXT to begin with.

We submitted our H&W documentation using what we assumed to be the dry weight of the locomotive. However, we now believe what we had was the in service weight with a boiler full of water and a full bed of coal in the firebox. To be sure of what we were doing, we brought in four load cells and weighed the 2100 after it was loaded. It turned out to be nearly 65,000 lbs less than our 1940's documentation indicated. So, in conclusioin, we proceeded with what turned out to be an overly conservative estimate on the weight of the locomotive, and have good hard data to back up the actual weight, should it ever be called into question in the future.

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner

I am surprised this hasn't been asked before: who actually owns the engine now?

Chris J.

The old joke I heard from another loco owner was "Well, it depends--do you want to buy it, or do you want to hand the owner another bill?"

Chris, true ownership of 2100 has never changed. The owners wish to remain silent and out of the spotlight.

Rob Gardner

The owner lives in Edmonton, Alberta and it is under a numbered company, but like Rob I will respect his privacy.