Hey all,

In a year that most will remember for its multiple negative developments such as the international emergence of Covid-19 and the explosion that rocked Lebanon, it is important to not only reflect back on the negatives, but the positives as well. This led to the idea of creating a thread where individuals could post some positive things that happened to them this year. This could be either train related or just in general.

Because I created this thread, I will start the chain that will hopefully lead to many positive thoughts and experiences being shared below.

On June 13th, 2020, Cogentrix #1, a General Electric 45 Tonner, was donated to the Richmond Railroad Museum in Richmond, Virginia, and was transferred from Hopewell, Virginia, (where the locomotive operated for many years) to the RRM's storage yard in Hallsboro, Virginia.

I had been informed earlier that year that the plant the locomotive served at was closing in mid 2019 (it was coal fired if anyone was wondering) and I was worried for it's future. I had known about this locomotive for many years due to my research and interest of the East Washington Railway which purchased the engine new from General Electric in the 1940s. Numbered #101, it was the first diesel the little railroad purchased and operated there for many years until being sold to an industrial company in South Carolina in the 1960s.

I was in the dark for quite a while about what had happened to this locomotive until Tim Moriarty of the Chesapeake Railway Association sent me a newsletter describing what had happened to this engine.

Let me tell you, I was ecstatic when I learned that the locomotive had been preserved and I now have a plan to visit this little critter sometime in 2021.

Nick Jobe
Centreville, VA

RGS #20 returned to steam and had made several successful runs.

D&RGW #493 has been restored and is operating well as an oil-burner. That meant that D&S could continue to operate steam powered excursions in 2020, despite a dry summer that would have prohibited the coal-burners.

Strasburg has a new General Manager and has taken food and beverage “in house.” The newly re-opened cafe looks very nice and the menu in the cafe and on board the train looks like it’s much improved. I can’t wait to give it a try (my feet got tired from walking to the speckled hen for good food and coffee, I’m excited for the new cafe!).

US Sugar #148 is now steaming in Florida.

February 14, 2020: Nonprofit Buys East Broad Top Railroad, Plans to Renovate and Reopen

I consider one of the most inspiring positives with regards to rail preservation in 2020 to be the youth led and managed restoration of former Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company Snow Sweeper C-145 at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum.

Phase I (exterior restoration) was completed this fall after being led by an Eagle Scout Candidate who is 16 years. The young man leading the effort partnered with the museum and a supporting foundation to raise more than $10,000 for the project, recruited a group of volunteers of various ages who had a lot of fun working together, and completed the project within the restrictions COVID-19. Phase I was completed in early fall after two years of work.

This work has led to a Phase II (interior restoration), which is underway and led by a team of two other young volunteers (one age 14 and the other age 21), building on the momentum of Phase I.

The cooperation of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum to not just "tolerate" a youth-led project but to embrace it and encourage it was instrumental in the overall success.

Full disclosure - I am the father of two of the youths involved, but it was their project, not "dad's", which made it even more worthwhile.

Youth-led projects with good mentorship, organizational support, and positive outcomes give me hope for the future.

While undoubtedly 2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways, I'm glad there are positives to share with regards to rail preservation.

Sincerely,
Matt Nawn

2020 has been a good year at the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad. Not being able to operate for the public meant that I got to spend much more of my time working on building track and completing more projects than I otherwise would have.

We acquired additional property, extended the track about 150 feet and built two switches. We are now ready to build a 600 foot extension to the mainline. The Erie bay window caboose and two boxcars arrived from CSX and are being readied for transport to the J&LNG for use as our main office and enginehouses.

Perhaps you could add, "Pound for pound, the heaviest operable steam locomotive in the world."

2020 has certainly been a year for advancements in preservation. Here’s a few of the projects I’ve been keeping track of.

Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation has been able to make progress on C&O 2716’s side sheets. The group has received at least TWO major donations this year: RJC 2008 and NS 6162. This group is certainly on their way to becoming a major attraction in Kentucky.

Nashville Steam has reportedly also made great strides in the restoration of NC&STL 576 this year. From what I’ve heard, firebox work is fairly well along. New sheets are tacked in, awaiting final welding.

Strasburg Railroad hosted a successful 60th anniversary to celebrate the revival of steam in 1960/1. The event drew many railfans from all over the country to watch as SRC90 masqueraded around in her original Strasburg appearance.

Even though this group is not always in the spotlight, the T1 Trust has become much closer to having an operable T1 in the 21st century. Earlier this year, a donor came forward offering to match any donations up to $50,000. Within the past few week, the trust has exceeded that amount, hitting around $60,000. 2021 will certainly be a good year for the group.

Of course we cannot forget the Revival of the East Broad Top. Currently, two of them consolidations are under restoration, with hopes to have one in steam by 2021.

Another well known, recent preservation event was the fire up of Canadian Pacific 2816. The “Empress of Steam” was put through the appropriate federal inspections, allowing it to be complaint to Canadian boiler standards. Although the locomotive will not pull public excursions for some time, it can be seen in operation in CP’s new holiday train PR video.

The RRMPA, although closed to the public, has made even more advancements in the cosmetic restorations of a few of the Pennsylvania steam locomotives. IIRC, the museum plans to break ground on the roundhouse project in Early 2021.

The FWRHS and 765 were able to operate on one occasion this year.

The Age of Steam group has made the headlines as well this year. Most notably, the group acquired ex Reading Railroad 1187 from the Strasburg Railroad. It is currently being looked at as a possible restoration candidate.

Over the past few months, N&W 611 has continued to operate at NCTM in Spencer. From what Ive heard, the “excursions” have been popular and fairly successful.

I know there’s been many things I missed in this list, so any additions or corrections are welcome!

Did the Age of Steam officially acquire B & LE 643 last year, or early this year?

Continued Work on Western Maryland Scenic / ex. C&O #1309. The locomotive was set back on it's drivers this year and has been under steam on a couple of occasions this past year.

The Conrail Museum, long a dream of the CRHS, is becoming a reality.

https://www.thecrhs.org/243880

In March, the Heyworth, Illinois Railroad Museum moved former IC caboose 9880 to a new display site. Here's a video of the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJ19rSVMps

Thomas

Lots of progress on a concret floored building to house and restore Waynesburg & Washington 2-6-0 #4, and coach #6, recently moved into the building, first time under roof in a number of years. More to come in 2021, I'm sure.

Over 100 technical documents were added to the HRA website technical library during 2020 including equipment specification books, maintenance instructions, manufacturers bulletins, sales catalogs,and technical papers covering a variety of locomotives and air brake equipment topics.

PC

Cumbres and Toltec was also productive this year. A major undertaking was just the operation of our excursion service safely with zero Covid cases. Beyond this was the normal keeping 6 engines in service and 24 passenger cars, along with 64 miles of railroad. Accomplishments also included the completion of 1876 coach 256 and 1887 RPO 65 to secretary of interior standards. This plus 1883 locomotive 168 (finished late 2019) and 1881 coach 292 allow us to recreate the San Juan and New Mexico Express. Work also began on Paycar F (1878), and we did rehabilitate to service Rotary Snow Plow OY and ran a very successful special event in February and March. The new Smokebox, 1472, and oil firing conversion are nearing completion on 489, while the chama shop is completing a total lead truck rebuild on 463. Oh, and three pairs of replica trucks built from scratch for the historic passenger cars were also completed. All in all a successful year, but looking forward and praying for a more typical and successful 2021! I know all of us could use it!

Best

Stathi

Restoration has begun on former Coronet Phosphate 0-4-2T No. 6 at McHugh Locomotive in Pennsylvania. Look for more updates on "Audrey" as work progresses.