Thought some might enjoy this.

Steamtown's long awaited asbestos abatement program has begun. First in is former NKP 2-8-4 759, making a rare outdoor appearance. Former NKP 514 GP-9 was doing the honors.

Dave Crosby

Cool! When do they start? I.E., how long do I have a chance to take pictures of 759 outdoors?

The '59 is over at the shop now, going in shortly (if not already).

All, here are larger versions of the same terrific images, courtesy of the luckiest man in the world, Dave Crosby :) Thank you, Dave!

Stephen

These are really cool pictures! Thanks Dave.

Can't wait to see the result of this newest Steamtown Project

Anthony

Wonderful images. 759 would look really nice alongside 765, 763, and 1225!

Wonderful images. 759 would look really nice alongside 765, 763, and 1225!

I agree. Lets get them to Scranton.

How about Steamtown's 4-6-0 NKP #44! Love to see that engine spruced up for display (or running).

Anyone know which engines at Steamtown have already had asbestos removal and which ones have yet not. And of those that do not, which are on the list to have the asbestos removed?

Dave - are all of the yard moves temporary (hours?) prior to being moved into the shops? Is the asbestos project separate from the paint program? I understood the outdoor engines (GTW /Big Boy / IC / Rahway and the Reading engines) were due for paint (and asbestos removal?) and wasn't aware of any other engine projects.

/Mitch

It's wonderful to see NKP 759 out of the roundhouse, it's been a long time since it's been out of there. Hopefully, the asbestos removal project will kick off 759's full restoration to operating service. Also, I gotta agree that NKP 44 needs some TLC too.

Thanks for the updates Dave!

Mitch, if I remember right all the engines will have the asbestos removed, Including 565 :).. And the paint contracts are seperate from that.

Mitch, Here is a link to the Steamtown report on NKP 44. How about you get a gang together and come on up and get her all dolled up? I'll race you to see who will finish first!LOL At least you have all the parts in one area!

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/onli ... /shs2n.htm

When I was there in Fall '96 (an admittedly long-time ago), the NPS employee I talked to about that engine said they were thinking about restoring it for Akron, Canton & Youngstown #304, since it is the ONLY preserved AC&Y steam locomotive, and there are a number of preserved NKP examples.

Granted, she is the oldest preserved NKP locomotive, was second-hand to the AC&Y, and spent more years after that on the Danville & Mt. Morris than the AC&Y, but short of getting her back to Akron (and I'm not advocating that, Akron has done a very good job of destroying it's railroad heritage, and I seriously doubt there is much civic interest in doing that), it would be really nice to see the 304 restored for AC&Y. Unfortunately, the handsome, Lima-built Class R 2-8-2's did not survive, and the only surviving F-M from here is now in California, lettered for it's last owner, so please don't obstruct the possibility of having one piece in a museum carry the flag for the Rubber City.

I had a thought about this. Do you think that if the AC&Y HS and maybe another area group offered to help pay for the restoration, Steamtown would be more willing to restore the engine as AC&Y?

Paul, you would have to get with Steamtown on that. If you look at the report its recommended that she be returned to her early 20th Century looks.

Will 759 be displayed at the upcoming NRHS Convention or will it be tucked away inside the roundhouse again after the asbestos is removed?

Daniel

It would be nice to see her outside for the weekend of Railfest... gets boring seeing Amtrak and a few other same diesels there every year.

I also sent Reading/Northern an email asking if it's a possibilty seeing their blue 4-6-2 #425 steam loco there in the future... I got a reply saying there would be alot of obstacles to clear but they are not going to give a definate no.