Steam (returning/being restored/being rebuilt) in 2026

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2617

Wowak wrote:

msrlha_archivist wrote:

Brian, If I'm reading this correctly, steady work on the 3713 was actually steadily ongoing until this past fiscal year (2025) when Trump announced DOGE cuts that were effective for NPS as of May-July 2025?

Once a government position that exists is eliminated, it is extremely difficult to re-create that position, especially if the sky doesn't immediately fall without it. Of course, no one wants to talk about the multi-million dollar "deferred maintenance" list between the collection and the physical plant of the shop and yard. We know exactly how bad it is, but as long as the gates still open in the morning, the politicians will argue that we're doing just fine with the resources we have.

Ironically just a week after this post, the GAO released this report:

Museum Facilities:
Deferred Maintenance Persists and Costs to Repair Are Unknown
GAO-26-108485
Published: Mar 10, 2026. Publicly Released: Mar 10, 2026.

It's a rather astounding document about the condition of museums (of all kinds).

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108485

From the one page highlight:

For an estimated 77 percent (about 12,300) of the nation’s museums, the
condition of at least one building system (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning) or building issue puts their collections at risk of damage or loss,
according to GAO’s survey of museums. An estimated 73 percent, or about
11,900 museums, cited at least one building system or facility issue that poses a
potential health or safety concern. Further, GAO estimates that nearly half of
museums identified physical accessibility, such as inaccessible entrances, as a
potential concern. Museum representatives said they have no options but to
store collections in areas that experience water leaks or uncontrolled
temperature or humidity.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2884

SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:

- Polson Logging 101 class 2-8-2 #70 went down for her 1472 SDI on New Years Day 2026. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she is running again alongside #5 (once she is up-and-running).

https://railfan.com/mt-rainier-puts-pol ... n-service/

jayrod · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2026 5:46 pm

PMC wrote:

SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:

- Polson Logging 101 class 2-8-2 #70 went down for her 1472 SDI on New Years Day 2026. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she is running again alongside #5 (once she is up-and-running).

https://railfan.com/mt-rainier-puts-pol ... n-service/

That was a very quick 1472 start to finish. I followed their progress on their Youtube channel. Those guys don't mess around. As soon as any bugs are worked out on #71, they'll start on #5.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2026 11:18 pm

NC&StL 576 fired up for the first time in 74 years today:

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state ... since-1952

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1715386046467960

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1062260206237849

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 373

Grand Canyon Railway has been making posts about the #29 performing some test runs this week.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2884

SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:

- St. Louis Southwestern/Cotton Belt L1 class 4-8-4 #819 is currently being cosmetically restored as an operational restoration is proving difficult at this time (but I don't think it's out of the question). I do hope she is able to get up and running again one day in the future.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=191 ... 4217360559
"Arkansas Railroad Museum
a day ago ·
You probably already heard... but we pulled 819 out of the shops Tuesday... it was part of an inspection to identify what would be needed to return the locomotive to operation... our official statement (approved by the museum's board of directors) is...

The Museum has started a process of investigation, to understand what would be required to return Cotton Belt 819 to operation.

This early work includes gathering documents and drawings used during the 1980’s rehabilitation , and an inspection of the locomotive by Rail Dynamics Group, (https://raildynamicsgroup.com/) to establish its present condition, work required to return it to service, cost of that work, and informal discussions about how that would be accomplished. At this time there is no estimate for when any work might be started or completed.

A very preliminary budget has been created, which suggests the work required to return 819 to service could be less than one million dollars. This is substantially less than the four to five million dollars which is being spent on other “big” steam locomotives.

There have been very informal conversations with Union Pacific about the possibility of use of their tracks, most likely for ferry moves to other sites where excursions could be offered. We note that any excursions will require 12 or more passenger cars which the museum does not have.

Locomotive 819 was built in the Pine Bluff Shops of the Cotton Belt (St Louis Southwestern Railroad) in 1942/43, during World War II. The locomotive is listed on the National Register (listing 03000401) and has been designated as the official state locomotive.

Please join us in this effort… volunteer, send money… without your help this won’t happen."