Jason Sobczynski and Nick Hovey are in Port Arthur, Texas right now trying to do what they can to save the L&A 503 from being scrapped. They are attempting to make an arrangement with the scrapper to purchase the locomotive and raise awareness down there for its survival. This is real grassroots preservation in action! I'm actually listening to them on a local Port Arthur radio talk show talk about the issue right now.

A gofundme has been started to help raise some of the money needed to purchase and move the locomotive. Over $600 has been raised in the last two hours.

This could be a great time for all of us to band together to pull off this 11th hour rescue!

https://www.gofundme.com/help-save-the-la-503-friends-of

I try to avoid being negative, but if something isn't done soon I fear 503 may not have a bright future. I know it has been mentioned, but has anyone contacted the Texas State Railroad to step up and do what it can for poor Ol 503?

TSR would be a place to store the engine, but they have their hands full with what they have now.

The guys have to figure this out on the fly, there’s no other way. I am convinced this is her best bet, and there’s not a lot of time to be picky. Almost 50 of us have donated so far. It’s worth a few bucks to #save503. This could be one of the great Internet saves of all time. - Rob

Here's a chance for everyone who says "Someone should do something!" to actually DO something. Send some bucks, guys. Step up and make this a save.

Instead of a lot of blathering about replica 2-8-8-2s, with nowhere practical to operate.

Howard P.
(yes, I contributed)

So what happens to a donation if the effort fails?

According to my sources, progress is being made. Contact has been made with the contractor who curently owns the locomotive. There seem to be several interested parties and it doesn’t appear that 503 will be scrapped at this time. More to follow next week. Those donations may pay for a ticket out of town for some lucky ten-wheeler. I hope so.

According to a posting on another forum; there are several preservation organizations that are actively engaged with the contractor. I am assuming he has also set the number plate, one of the builder's plate, and the bell aside for safe keeping. I feel much better for the future of the engine; I think it is time to stand by and see where the negotiations go.

(Sorry; did not see the recent postings above; good news that confirms what I am hearing. Trying to keep all the forums I belong to up to date.)

OK, people are working on the solution and more complication isn't going to benefit the situation. We need a cooperative effort, not competing options being generated to confuse and overwhelm the scrappers and haplessly confused and misinformed city bureaucrats. being there and on the ground, it seems that Jason and Nick are in the best position to succeed - send a bit of help their way and wish them well.

Well in less than a day they've gotten to the $5500 mark... Call me crazy, but that's one hell of a start.

My advice, for what it's worth from wintry New England: Let Jason and Nick handle this; they have a good handle on the local details and are highly motivated to make this save happen.

Send money, then stand back and watch. Put the nonsense aside, the speculation, etc. And send some money.

Howard P.

Mr. Pincus is spot on. As the tried and true old saying goes.....money talks and bs walks.

Time to step up and help with a contribution if you're able to do so.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

Thank you Jason and Nick!
The fate of L&A 503 is in two very good pair of hands.
Matthew Malkiewicz

Jason put an update on the fundraiser about two hours ago...
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Update 4
Posted by Jason Sobczynski
2 hours ago
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Jimmy Lesiak of "Over The Top Construction" has generously offered to move the locomotive to Rusk at his cost. The cost will not exceed $10,000.

It is not known how much this would reduce the overall cost of extricate in the locomotive as the crane costs are still an unknown. As such we are not reducing the overall goal.

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Donations as of 1:03 p.m. (MST)

$6,925 of $50,000 goal
Raised by 140 people in 1 day

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A HUGE THANKS to Jason and Nick for working toward saving this engine!

Cody Muse