And the winner is....


Nobody. To no one's suprise, or well I guess I should say nobody but the MWCR, a tiny, one of a kind, can't be run anywhere but on your railroad, used steam locomotive with reported boiler problems apparently isn't worth $100k.

The auction has closed, no bids were received.

Guess they were hoping for a museum to generate some interest.

Later!
Mr. Ed

That is probably the case, but with a starting bid of $100k, most museums were probably priced out of the bidding. I suppose somewhere like the Smithsonian could possibly afford it, but the potential bidders would seem to be few and far between.

I understand there is something of a market for smallish steam locomotives among the well-to-do. Not to operate or preserve in the musuem sense, but just to own for trophy or lawn ornament reasons. Sort of like artwork, but heavier.

Can you offer an example?

I personally am glad this auction did not bear fruit. Perhaps now, the owner will consider donating #3 to a worthy museum instead of pushing her out behind the engine house like the last 2 retirees. I'm not aware of any museum in New Hampshire that exhibits railway equipment, but I'm sure there must be some place in New England that will take one of these machines. At 18 tons, they are not much larger than the little Maine 2-Footers, so an indoor exhibit is not unrealistic. I would think that a donation should also bring the owner a tax deduction, so he would get some monetary compensation, assuming that was the original objective.

I prefer to forget those awful photos on eBay. This is how I prefer to remember #3. This shot was taken on one of her last runs, on Columbus Day Weekend of 2008:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 8&nseq=216

My understanding comes from an article in the January/February 2002 Issue of the Illinois Railway Museum newletter Rail & Wire reporting on the purchase of Illinois Central 201, an 1880 Rodgers 2-6-4T used in Chicago suburban service. As reported in the R&W when approached by IRM the private owner agreed to sell the locomotive to IRM for $250,000. Quoting the article:

"While this amount seemed outlandish (considering that a running 4-8-4 failed bring in anywhere near that much at auction...), we soon learned that there was a growing market among private collectors for such small steam locomotves. Conversations with several people familiar with recent sales confirmed there were a number of people (both in the United States and foreign contries) who could and would pay that much for an historic locomotive."

I personally know of one example in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, a locomotive de-accessed by a large institution in Michigan. The gentleman who owns it also has quite a number of stationary steam engines (most of which are in working order), and a rather (extremely) large pipe organ.

Jeff

The now defunct Beaver Brook Trans Museum located in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, is rumored to have both a locomotive and coach from the Cog Ry -- advertised as the only place other than Mt Washington to actually have Cog Ry equipment... which Cog loco do they have, and do they still have it?

Kevin, you may have to pay Mr Gilbert a visit!!

From what I have heard, the Beaver Brook locomotive was assembled from cast off pieces of a few cog engines. A frame from one, boiler from another, etc. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on this.

The link says train coming soon, so look here for the privately owned locomotive mentioned.

http://lifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com/2008/06/place-de-la-musique.html

HI All

I was at the Cog Railway this past Friday, the number 9 was the only engine under Steam. The first train of the day, was going to be steam, this did not happen, 3 of the new Diesels were running, up the mountain.

I was talking too one of the brakemen, and he told me this, one engine was going to the Smithsonian, and another one was going too the Boston Museum of Science, he did not know, which ones they were.

Also the new Diesels, are starting to cause small problems with the track, the track is moving. because of the weight of the engines. The cog was busy, with people riding, while I was there, just about every train was full. Pat.

I understand from the press releases that the diesel trains are running uphill at approximately twice the speed of the steam trains. If you recall that doubling the speed of an object requires approximately four times the power (power increases with the square of speed), and the extreme angle of the track, there must be a terrific force exerted on the cog rail and ties.

p.s. don't forget that the coaches have been enlarged over the last 20 years, so the total motive power required is much higher than the traditional period operations.

Former management at the Cog refused working with Swiss builders of modern steam because the new locomotives required strengthening the bridges and track. Ironic indeed if the home brewed diesel units forced the permanent way investment (refused for modern steam) to be made to accomodate them. Changes the whole cost recovery picture for replacing the historic power.

dave

HI All

I have one more question. dealing with the rail that has been in place on the cog railway. First we all know the railway is inspected by the state, engines & track.

But the rail, dealing with the weight of the new Diesels, does not look like it can take it... I meant too look at the weight of the rail, that is marked on the rail ,, can anyone tell me the weight of the rail??? To me it looks like the rail, is 35 or 40 pounds per yard,

Will the rail , fail, because of the weight of the diesels, ????? Pat