So, with 2018 being another great year for steam locomotives either returning to operation or starting/continuing restoration to operation, I just wanted to get a gauge of what all is in the works (steam-wise) for/during 2019.

Here are the locomotive projects I immediately know of:

- UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4014 is slated to return to operation before the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10th (also marking the first time a Big Boy has moved under his own power in ~60 years). THE KING RETURNS!

- WMSR (C&O) 2-6-6-2 #1309 is making continued progress (despite a very rocky start) towards operation, and, hopefully, she'll be up and running in the near future. I hope to see her when she's running under her own power.

- AT&SF 4-8-4 #2926 is inching closer and closer to having her restoration finished. She will be quite a sight when she's finished up.

- B&M 4-6-2 #3713 is still being restored at Steamtown, and, with some luck, we will see her run under her own power in the not-so-distant future. I know she will look really nice, but, personally, I hope they install the "earmuffs" (small smoke deflectors) on her again at some point.

- RDG 4-8-4 #2100 is steadily getting closer and closer to finishing up her restoration, and what a sight she will be. It will be a truly wonderful day to see her in her former glory again.

- With J. Neils Lumber Company 3-truck Shay #5 now up and running and Frisco 2-10-0 #1630 still operating well, Union Pacific 2-8-0 #428 can now get some more focused attention on her restoration. I think this ol' girl has been very patient, and, now, she's going to be getting a lot of TLC.

- Middletown & Hummelstown is continuing to restore CN 2-6-0 #91 as time and finances permit. It will be nice to see her up and running again.

- NC&StL 4-8-4 #576 gets moved out of the park this upcoming weekend, and it will then begin the restoration towards its operation. I'm so glad that things are going so right for her, and what a beauty she will be when she's finished.

- Alaska RR 2-8-0 #557 is moving even closer towards operation. Best of luck, guys, and keep going strong.

- Maine Central 4-6-2 #470 is continuing to move along very nicely with her restoration. I can't even imagine how beautiful she will be once she is up and running.

- Middle Fork 3-truck Climax #9 is expected to be operational this year and slated to join in a "three-day rail heritage event on September 6 to 8, 2019" that celebrates both #9's return to operation and the completion of the Cass-Durbin line being rehabilitated. Way to go, Cass & D&GVR!

- Columbia River Belt Line 2-4-4-2 "Skookum" returned to service last year, and she is scheduled to participate in a charter in March. It's good to have you back, Skookum.

- GTW 2-8-2 #4070 continues to move along with her restoration, and, hopefully, it won't be too long before she's running down the rails again. Keep up the good work, guys.

- It was just announced on New Year's Day that WK&S 0-6-0T #65 has been taken into the shop, and it appears that she is going to be restored back to operation. Congratulations, WK&S! I'm so glad you're bringing her back to steam.

I know that Reading & Northern is working on RDG 4-8-4 #2102, and I know that AoSR is continuing to work on their locomotives, but I don't have a clear idea on where they stand with their projects at this time.

I also know that there are far more steam locomotives projects going on than what I have listed. If you know of a steam locomotive project underway that I didn't list, please feel free to list what it is (and, roughly, where it stands).

LONG LIVE, STEAM LOCOMOTIVES!!!

Here's a couple others from Utah:

-Heber Valley Railroad, ex-UP 2-8-0 618, I don't know details but I believe restoration is going along steadily, as resources are available? Taken out of service in 2010, hopefully she returns soon.

-D&RGW 223, 3' 2-8-0 up at Ogden, has been in restoration for 20 years now, the tender is basically complete minus miscellaneous components and was painted late last year, now work will focus on the locomotive, with the four drivers and axles being a goal for this year.

Former CN&W #1385 is getting a new boiler fabbed in St Louis and that should be done this year I would think? The running gear is all but done and may be finished soon? There will be a lot of work to be done to make the new boiler fit all the appliances and frame but once the boiler is completed that work can begin I think. Not involved even slightly with that project but I know her boiler is coming together from last updates I saw. Personally I make no bets on when but it should be coming together fairly soon? My guess it will be done when its done and not one minute sooner. Regards, John.

PRR 5550 is being constructed also. She is already around 30% complete and hopefully 2019 will be a good year for her like 2018. No one knows the status of 1361, so we can all agree that she can be excluded from here for the time being to avoid arguments. Not operational restorations, but the PRR Northumberland fleet are going to be slowly restored cosmetically at the RRMPA.

A friend of mine, Brett Goertemoeller, owner of BMG Railroad Contractors, LLC, is restoring his personally owned former US Army/Navy S100 #5002 at his shop.

I hope to have something to announce this year, but until the ink is dry...

Not to be mean but I think 4070 still has a LONG way to go before you see her under steam.

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Very nice to see a listing of steam projects which are near crossing the finish line or are steadily moving toward that goal. Great listing; thanks.

Jones and Laughlin Steel narrow gauge 0-4-0T #58 will probably be in the news. I think we will be hearing from Rick Rowlands of the Younsgtown Steel Heritage Museum, any day about the operation of this engine.

Northern Pacific 0-6-0 #924 is getting closer at the Northwest Railway Museum. Perhaps this is the year for the engine to emerge?

Western Pacific 0-6-0 #165 has its tender completed and boiler repairs are getting close to completed at the Portola Railway Museum.

Rio Grande Southern narrow gauge 4-6-0 #20 is likely to leave the Strasburg Railroad shops this year, returning to the Colorado Railroad Museum for final assembly and restoration tasks.

Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge 4-6-0 #168 is proceeding steadily to operation at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad shops in Antonito.

Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad Company narrow gauge 0-6-0 #4 "Blue Mountain", later Oregon River and Navigation #3, (an ancient 1878 Porter Bell product) has begun a long cosmetic restoration project at Fort Walla Walla Park.

You know who I want to see return to service? Reading 2101.

WW&F #10's new boiler should be completed and installed by the end of 2019.

I saw the GTW 4070 last month, and she is a shell, with the one driver off in the shop area. That would be the same driver set that was in the drop pit for years. Other than having the dismantling done already, she is at square one with no serious start in sight.

Kind of surprised that no one mentioned ex-Florida East Coast 4-6-2 # 148, which was undergoing serious work by U.S. Sugar in their shop down in Florida.

Also, there has been work on Northern Pacific 4-6-0 # 1364 up in the Pacific Northwest at Toppenish, Washington.

Finally, I'm not sure what the current status is on Santa Maria Valley 2-8-2 # 21 in Astoria, Oregon; a long in-process restoration.

Les