Have been following the numerous threads,
about what to do with old steam loco's.

Rebuild them at great expense, or paint them up as a display.

Would like to offer an idea for your consideration.

Very impressed with what Steamtown did with 1923 Baldwin #8.
Whoever did that cut-away, really understood steam locos.

If you can't afford to restore it, how about turning it into a first-class teaching aid.
Passing down steam knowledge to the younger generation is a dying art.

Just a thought.

Monticello (IL) should consider this for 401's old boiler.

That is slick !

That's not limited to steam. At the Electric City Trolley Museum, across the parking lot from Steamtown in Scranton, we have a cut down Reading Birney that illustrates how a trolley goes together.

Take a look:

http://www.ectma.org/506html.html

Phil Mulligan

As I recall, the Steamtown display is former Duquesne Slag, ne Penn View Mountain #8

Steamtown didn't originate the idea.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... motive.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bertie_is ... 3867392815
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/sta ... otos-75271

There are several museums that can benefit from having such a display. The IRM comes to mind as well as the CSRRM. Remember for most everyday peoples perspective the knowledge of how steam locomotives work is at least 2 generations lost and in some cases 4! There are many suitable locomotives that would be good candidates. The GTW 0-8-0 and UP 2-8-0 classes come to mind

Note that these cut away diplaies also include a first class cosmtic restoration which isn't cheap. Much better than a rusting hulk out back. If you have a lot of locomotives of the same class you could stage a wreck in your museum.
https://www.fotosearch.com/FNE051/3607840/

Consider reversability in terms of artifact treatment. Seems as if it could be difficult under these circumstances.

Not too surprising considering how rare actual instructional presentations on the mechanics and function of steam locomotives are in the industry and the hobby. I recall only seeing three comprehensive clinics/programs presented in about 50 years of attending preservation and history events.

PC

It is an excellent teaching tool, and the only thing lost is the locomotive itself. A mock-up or a digital model, especially an interactive one aimed at young people, would be instructive and would require destruction of the locomotive.

I'm sorry, thumbs down on this from a retired science teacher.

Of course, Mr. Conrad did this long before the technology you mention existed. This has been discussed previously:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2361&p=9462&hilit=spang+chalfont&sid=d11ad0460bb0b887eeb12736ab0a558d&sid=d11ad0460bb0b887eeb12736ab0a558d#p9462

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4198&hilit=spang+chalfont&sid=d11ad0460bb0b887eeb12736ab0a558d

Like Mr. Glueck, I too have to vote N0. Once this is done to a locomotive, any future restoration is highly unlikely. Much better a model or other alternative to explain the workings.


Les

We have enough digital stuff. Children need to see the real thing, up close and full size. One less locomotive of no particular significance won't ruin things.

Regardless of the pro's and con's and using a real locomotive for this purpose, this display was one of the many reasons FRA chose to conduct training for new FRA steam inspectors at Steamtown in 2015. It was invaluable for the understanding of how these locomotives work for these inspectors.

MD Ramsey