It's been a known goal to have the engine under steam. Last year, the year before that, and of course, this year.

With plenty of volunteer help between the holidays and with most major projects on 1309 already completed, it was an ideal time for a "blitz" to capitalize on additional muscle to help reassemble the locomotive. It was do-able. It was achievable. No one was sure if it would be the day before New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve itself, or the 21st or the 22nd...they just knew it was possible.

It was not a publicly announced goal to have the engine under steam on New Year's Eve, for obvious reasons. What was pre-determined was that the engine would be under steam and moving for a period of time before anyone on-site was permitted to post anything, including Trains Magazine.

Again, for obvious reasons.

What was pre-determined was messaging, cadence, language, etc. regarding its announcement. It was even determined to move the release of the news ahead several hours so as not to risk losing any audience if one waited until 11:59 – or to risk the beans being spilled earlier by other sources.

Alexander, you seem to be applying some very "traditional" media thinking to a landscape that has rapidly changed with regard to the "dead time between Christmas and New Years." You're also attempting to opine on circumstances that would apply to a traditional operation or restoration, and not one beset by fundraising challenges, delays, overzealous commitments to dates and finish lines, or a railroad that is by all means shut down and has had its employees and contractors laid off for weeks.

Given the response, views, engagements in the digital sphere, it's hardly news that was in any way, shape or form buried under the cover of darkness.

Kelly

It's simply what happened.

The internal date for the fire up was earlier in the month.

Some of the volunteers involved either caught Covid or were quarantined.

Other help wasn't available because they were running their own holiday operations which didn't end until Christmas or immediately thereafter.

Christ, I'm sorry I even started this post........ !!

Tim W.

ADM, please give it a rest. Seriously.

Howard P.

What makes any of us feel we are entitled to have any random question about other peoples business answered on our terms if at all? Just be happy and thankful for the result and don't worry about ships already sunk or water already passed under the bilge.

It's in steam, be thankful of that. Great job to all involved.

Even if they did, so what. You never submitted proofs on deadline?

Seven years for an operational restoration of a locomotive of this size and added complexity is fantastic. They had a few very public setbacks related to project management and personnel but just got right back to it until the job was done. Very commendable.

"You know, like all the comedians always say, 'How would you like it if I came to where you work and heckled you?'"

George Costanza

Am I missing something or is Alexander just asking a simple question?

Was it a hard deadline for funding?
An internal “let’s get this thing steamed up by end of the year!”
Or just a coincidence!?

It seems like an innocent question to me, but maybe I’m missing something.

Either way, I was pleasantly surprised to see the #734 featured in the new logo debuted today - I wasn’t sure what the plans were for her and glad to see she’s still part of the long term operation plans. Something special about that one!

His question has been answered.... It just happened that way.

No ulterior motives, nobody was turning into toads if the locomotive didn't turn a wheel before midnight New Years Eve ....

Tim W.

1st, I sincerely applaud their success.
2nd, to please some other posters, I ask, "Is this a delayed 4/1/20 post, or the 1st post for 4/1/21?"

And there you have it, the truth comes out. If you already knew through your "sources" then why waste everyone's time?

WOW!!! All this ink about nothing. Another great example of no good deed goes unpunished. Who gives a RRA about the " real reason" for the push to get her alive to bring in the new year!!

How about we just celebrate the accomplishment and wish the WMSR team every success as they work towards getting the 1309 into service.

Happy New Year, Ross Rowland

AMEN!

Congrats to the WMSR team and all those folks who had a hand in making an important deadline! Self imposed or not. The result is another living piece of machinery!

Years ago, my car died at the B&O museum, parked in front of 1309. It was a long two hour wait for the tow truck so I had lots of time to look her over. My first thought upon seeing the cut up remains of the big pipe between the high and low pressure cylinders was "well, this will never run again."

Is there any other running steamer with flying air pumps? Personally, I love the look.

Bob

Now that would make too much sense Ross.