Age of Steam Acquires Sugar Pine/Pacific Lumber 2-8-2T 37

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:40 pm

From a Facebook post by Martin Hansen:

https://www.facebook.com/martin.hansen. ... f3QJXSXnjl

Quote:

New out of the Timber Heritage Association: They have sold Pacific Lumber 2-8-2T #37 to the Age Of Steam Roundhouse in Ohio.
This big ALCO saddle tanker was first built in 1924 for the Sugar Pine Lumber Company out of Pinedale, California, she was sold in 1933 to The Pacific Lumber Company of Scotia, California as their #37. She stayed on the roster of TPL until the late 1960's when she was sold to a local railfan, Frank Bayliss. He later sold her to a tourist railroad back east who ran her with a tender behind her. She was purchased over 20 years ago by the THA and has been undergoing some slow repair work at Strassburg [sic], PA.
The THA came to realize in recent years that the costs involved in completing the work and then moving the big locomotive to their shops at Samoa, California was more than they wanted to spend.
In recent months they completed the sale to the Age Of Steam Roundhouse where she will find a permanent home.
The money from the sale will be used by THA for some current projects they have. One of those is to try and restore Arcata & Mad River Shay #7 back to operation.

Most here probably know that Bayliss sold the loco to private owners who then operated it on/as the Wawa & Concordville RR in the late 1960s and then the Wilmington & Western RR in the 1980s. It's been languishing in the "to be paid" line at Strasburg ever since leaving the W&W (I'm not sure--it may have had an interim temporary stop at the West Chester RR before Strasburg, but never ran there if it did).

Photo from the Martin Hansen FB post.

linkthebutler · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:29 am **Posts:** 230

Here it is new 1925.
Plus just out of the paint shop in 1936.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:08 pm

Reports and photos on Facebook this morning show 37 loaded on a huge, multi-axle trailer INTACT (well, sans water tank) in a classic Lancaster County fog, apparently readied for a trip west to Ohio, though my mind boggles at just how that load can even get from East Strasburg to any major highway.

Photo by Harry Warren via Robert Wilhelm.

Mr. Wilhelm also shares one sad detail:

Quote:

#37's last day under steam (perhaps 15 PSIG) was November 24, 1990 when a leak developed in the boiler course just in front of the firebox due to a stress fracture created by a support bracket. As a replacement boiler would have been the only safe option, #37 was retired from active service.

tom moungovan · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:48 pm

This machine has long been a fascination to me. She is not just the last of the quartet built for SPL, she was purposely constructed a little heavier too by virtue of having larger water capacity. Look at the published factor of adhesion, that's the markings of a real stud puller.

I'd look forward to making the drive over there someday to see her run.

hullmat991 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:12 pm **Posts:** 223

I know it's off topic, but seeing a Strausburg siding storage locomotive make the news brought this to my mind. Has there been any news with the 39? I know the original agreement was for a fundraising period of 15 years and that was back in 2013. The fundraising webpage for it seems to be completely gone. Just wondering if the museum has given up and is waiting out the term to then have the engine shipped back to Riverhead.

linkthebutler · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:29 am **Posts:** 230

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Age of Steam Acquires Sugar Pine/Pacific Lumber 2-8-2T 37

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