check out what Jerry Jacobson is doing on the new web site.

ageofsteamroundhouse.com

Very cool...thanks! What a phenomenal undertaking!

Stephen

Better link:
http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/

Hmmmm.............. "Since he no longer owns a railroad line, Jerry will not be running passenger excursion trains, but his equipment – both locomotives and cars – are available for use by other tourist railroads and excursion train operators."

I wonder if "Midwestern" GTW 6325 has roller bearings...............

[runrunrunrunrunrun..................]

Sounds very historical. Jacobson collects an unparalleled collection of steam locomotives, Jacobson dies prematurely (I hope not!), National Parks Service buys it as an income producing museum.....

Sorry, and meaning no disrespect to Jerry and his family. I just caught the parallel and had to take the shot. In actuality, this could become the last great hope for abandoned locomotives or those removed from display in town and city parks. Who can say?

Terrific website and what a great project. Thank goodness that the good Lord sent us a second Nelson Blount just in time!!!

Sure will be a great show place when completed. My profound thanks to Jerry Joe and Laura Jacobson for their willingness to share their good fortunes with all of us fellow steam lovers!!

Ross Rowland

Can anyone report on where the 115 foot turntable is coming from, railroad and location? I had earlier seen that he had obtained an 85' Grand Trunk Western one from Port Huron, but this is a larger turntable. And what happened to the GTW one?

I believe the table came from Hagerstown, MD.

[quote="Alexander D. Mitchell IV"]Better link:


I wonder if "Midwestern" GTW 6325 has roller bearings...............

[runrunrunrunrunrun..................][/quote]

It does not, unfortunately....

Don C.

What the hell?!? Regardless of whether or not you hope it happens, why would you even think to say something like that? We have a major undertaking going on here that could change steam railroading for the better and one of the first things you can think to mention is how Jacobsons passing could lead to a financial opportunity? What is with some people in this community?!?!

I wasn't sure what to make of the comment either, and it seemed both morbid and a bit tacky.

However, I'm pretty certain there was heavy sarcasim involved, as I don't think anyone would claim that Steamtown is either "revenue producing" or a "financial opportunity".

I'm also pretty certain that, given the financial black hole that Steamtown is, the goverment would not only say "No" to that "opportunity", but they would say "Hell No!" Given the financial problems of Altoona, I doubt anyone local would step right up to the plate either.

Fortunately, it appears that this issue has already been considered and planned for. Quoting the website:

What a fantastic site and operation! Thank goodness that there is someone with the source and love to keep many steam and old diesel locos in operating condition. This is one site that needs to be followed!

Later!
Mr. Ed

Yes, Bob Harbisson is quite correct, it was meant as sarcastic humor, and I think most long term participants of this group would have seen it as it was meant. I was meaning no ill to Jerry Jacobson in any way, shape, or form. It simply was a parallel to Nelson Blount's tireless efforts to collect, restore and operate some of the rarest steam locomotives in this country. Blount passed and the priceless collection, his personal investment, got picked apart and sold off. Several of those locomotives, wound up in Jacobson's collection, thank the Lord! But the rest? Many remain in National Park Val Halla. Not to drag the man into this, but I think Ross Rowland saw the parallel, assuming I interpreted his post accurately.
Jerry, if you're reading this, please, live long and prosper.

I am glad to read about the endowment plan. I too had familiar fears about grand plans without a continuity strategy. Too many past projects were founded on the belief that life would be eternal, e.g. Nelson Blount.

I took the comment as it was meant to be.

It does raise a critically important issue which Jerry Jacobson has thankfully covered, and that's an endowment to insure that his collection and the infrastructure housing it are financially sound after his passing.

Unfortunatly Nelson Blount did not have an endowment established when he was killed in the airplane crash and his collection had to scramble for survival as a result.

Sure will be a national showplace when it's finished!!!

Ross Rowland

Mmm.... the aerial photos show 5 long stalls, about 12 stalls total with two of the long ones having pits; suggesting room for expansion, visiting locomotives, etc..

Bob