R.J. Corman QJ Goes to Kentucky Steam Heritage

Scranton Yard · **Joined:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:08 am **Posts:** 733

Another win-win devised by the folks in KY. Nice job.

Lead paragraph:
"The steam engine, charmingly called “Old Smokey,” is being donated to the non-profit, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation. While it is bittersweet to see this locomotive go to a new home, R. J. Corman is excited to make this train accessible to as many people as possible for education and inspiration. Old Smokey will become part of the Kentucky Rail Heritage Center’s rail museum in Irvine, KY."

Link:

https://www.rjcorman.com/newsroom/press-releases/r-j-cormans-classic-steam-locomotive-old-smokey-has-new-home

xboxtravis7992 · **Joined:** Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:33 am **Posts:** 195

Kentucky Steam is one of my favorite new steam programs to follow. I have a gut suspicion they will become the big group to break the "CSX No-Steam" rule once their C&O engine is restored. This is excellent news all around.

mrwalsh85 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

xboxtravis7992 wrote:

Kentucky Steam is one of my favorite new steam programs to follow. I have a gut suspicion they will become the big group to break the "CSX No-Steam" rule once their C&O engine is restored. This is excellent news all around.

So what is FWRHS considered??

xboxtravis7992 · **Joined:** Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:33 am **Posts:** 195

mrwalsh85 wrote:

xboxtravis7992 wrote:

Kentucky Steam is one of my favorite new steam programs to follow. I have a gut suspicion they will become the big group to break the "CSX No-Steam" rule once their C&O engine is restored. This is excellent news all around.

So what is FWRHS considered??

They are running NKP 765 next year aren't they on CSX tracks? I guess either-way my point is still there... the "CSX No-Steam" rule is in the past now. Sorry I don't keep up enough with the eastern stuff to know if Kentucky Steam or FWRHS was getting the honor first.

Speaking of Kentucky Steam though, the reason they came to mind right away was that giant CSX banner on the tender as they moved their steam engine.

mrwalsh85 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

xboxtravis7992 wrote:

mrwalsh85 wrote:

xboxtravis7992 wrote:

Kentucky Steam is one of my favorite new steam programs to follow. I have a gut suspicion they will become the big group to break the "CSX No-Steam" rule once their C&O engine is restored. This is excellent news all around.

So what is FWRHS considered??

They are running NKP 765 next year aren't they on CSX tracks? I guess either-way my point is still there... the "CSX No-Steam" rule is in the past now. Sorry I don't keep up enough with the eastern stuff to know if Kentucky Steam or FWRHS was getting the honor first.

Speaking of Kentucky Steam though, the reason they came to mind right away was that giant CSX banner on the tender as they moved their steam engine.

765 made movements on CSX trackage enroute to CVSR in 2018. :)

CA1 · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2016 10:17 pm **Posts:** 246

Does it have any boiler time left on it?

I imagine the KY steam group could potentially run on the basically dormant CSX EK line?

WVNorthern · **Posted:** Wed Mar 11, 2020 3:58 pm

The press release states that this was one of 3 QJ class locomotives imported to the US. Does anyone know where the other two are located and their status.

mrwalsh85 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

WVNorthern wrote:

The press release states that this was one of 3 QJ class locomotives imported to the US. Does anyone know where the other two are located and their status.

Railroad Development Corporation has the IAIS 6988 and IAIS 7081. 6988 ran as recent as summer of 2019. 2020 plans are unknown at this time. 7081 is stored serviceable, though it needs some work to run again.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 11, 2020 4:27 pm

The Iowa Interstate engines, while still on that road, are reported as having been donated to the Central States Steam Preservation Association.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Railways_QJ

mrwalsh85 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

J3a-614 wrote:

The Iowa Interstate engines, while still on that road, are reported as having been donated to the Central States Steam Preservation Association.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Railways_QJ

Re-read the statements that you are referring to -- Especially the citations at the end. Citation #12 indicates the purchase of the 20 commuter coaches in 2006, with the intent to run them with the QJs. Citation #13 indicates that they are 'in the process of transferring ownership'.

Nothing says that CSSPA owns them.

They are still owned by RDC.

Kevin Gilliam · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:28 pm **Posts:** 292

CA1 wrote:

Does it have any boiler time left on it?

I imagine the KY steam group could potentially run on the basically dormant CSX EK line?

The first run on Corman trackage was 2008. If that's the date of the 1472, there are still a few years left on it. Obviously would need caps/staybolts and an annual to bring it up to date.
Kevin

Tom F · **Joined:** Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm **Posts:** 314

mrwalsh85 wrote:

WVNorthern wrote:

The press release states that this was one of 3 QJ class locomotives imported to the US. Does anyone know where the other two are located and their status.

Railroad Development Corporation has the IAIS 6988 and IAIS 7081. 6988 ran as recent as summer of 2019. 2020 plans are unknown at this time. 7081 is stored serviceable, though it needs some work to run again.

I read recently there is at least one trip later in the Summer for the #6988 in Iowa. Took a few rides with the #6988 last year. It's a great engine to watch and it is equipped with 3 whistles and a horn. Crew said they are almost out of time on the boiler. This could likely be the last time #6988 runs for a very long time as most didn't believe any money would be put towards a rebuild, and the locomotive only runs a few times a year. The #6988 is also a coal burner for those who enjoy the smell of burning coal.

JayZee · **Joined:** Sat May 07, 2016 1:12 am **Posts:** 140

So Kentucky Steam has their C&O Berkshire and now a 1980s Chinese Santa Fe along with harboring IRMs disassembled Mikado! What does KSH currently have for rolling stock at this time? I have alot of hope and good feelings for the folks at KSH as they have proven themselves winners every time and predict a great future for them and the equipment they protect, preserve, and rebuild. I am starting to get a feeling they will have a need for a little steam switcher to offer rides around the site when the site is complete. Can anyone offer some idea as to the most practical candidate for such a endeavor when and if they are ready for one? How is the outlook for L&N 2132, MPS 7745, or Reader #11? I want to state I am aware they have bigger fish to fry, but with acquisitions of rolling stock and being a destination for tourism a small tea kettle can fit a much needed niche for their mission.

All the Best

Josh

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2020 2:49 pm

JayZee wrote:

So Kentucky Steam has their C&O Berkshire and now a 1980s Chinese Santa Fe along with harboring IRMs disassembled Mikado!

Do you mean ITM, as in Indiana TRANSPORTATION Museum?

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Dennis Storzek wrote:

JayZee wrote:

So Kentucky Steam has their C&O Berkshire and now a 1980s Chinese Santa Fe along with harboring IRMs disassembled Mikado!

Do you mean ITM, as in Indiana TRANSPORTATION Museum?

Dennis -

I believe that Indiana Transportation Museum's NKP Mikado (#587) is supposed to be returned to the State of Indiana as per their agreement. I don't know however, how that plan stands considering ITM doesn't yet seem to have a firm place to return it to in Indiana.

Les