Les I can't comment on the pilot, but was told the tongue in groove boards on the interior of the cab were originally varnished from the factory. Not sure about the pilot though. Maybe he was so proud of the workmanship that went into pilot he wanted it preserved for all to see? Maybe when ordered from Baldwin they opted for a "bling upgrade" though I see no extra chrome strip and doesn't have a super sound system blue tooth compatible stereo or GPS system. Cheers, John.

Has there been any progress on establishing fuel and water facilities at the museum? And congrats to all involved! Great to see it up and running.

"Has there been any progress on establishing fuel and water facilities at the museum?"

Is the North Freedom water tower out of service?

The water tank at North Freedom is out of service and there are no plans to use it in the future. The last 16 years with no water in the tank have been very hard on it. The only way that it could be economically restored to service is to install a liner. The plan is to water any steam locomotives at Quartzite Lake at the south end of the line.

Plans have been made for fuel and water but have been suspended until an operating agreement has been reached with the owner.

Just a note on the water tank. MC has no well for the tank and all the wells on the property are not put in for large volume such as we would like to have for the tank or watering locomotives. It was always filled by hauling water from Quartzite Lake in large exMilw tender/water car. The water is good but the hassle of hauling water then pumping into the tank along with needed repairs makes it harder and expensive to pull off at this time. To bad as it was cool to use and gave our guests something else to marvel at. Reports I have heard is the wood rotted from no water. MC had a lot of boiler deterioration from using Baraboo River water so don't think pumping water from the river is an option anybody wants to use.

That tank came disassembled and sat in a pile for quite a while if I remember right. Skip assembled, blasted and painted the metal work in 1972 {same week Montreal #1 had a scored journal} and soon other members joined in and as if by magic we had a tank. If I remember correctly Ralph Hucksdorph {MS?} was greatly involved and almost single handed built the roof for it which we set on top with the AO Smith crane a few years later. Regards, John.

Some the worst water I ever tasted was from a drinking fountain outside the depot at Mid-Continent about forty years ago. I hope it is better now.

Awhile back I read that the goal is to connect up with the city's water system before regular steam operations begin. Is that still in the works? Sounds like an expensive project but one that will benefit the locomotives as well as the survival rate of thirsty visitors.

Well, it looks like the museum and the owner have not been able to work out an operating agreement. I find this very unfortunate and is not in the best interest of the museum that states in their mission statement as being committed to steam operation. I know that the long out of service status of the water tank has caused severe deterioration, but they need a source of water for when the 1385 is finally finished and returned to North Freedom. I would think that at least some limited special event operation of the Polson #2 would be in order. It has been almost two months since it was declared fully operational, and so far the silence is deafening.

Steve

The devil is in the details. Not quite 100% ready to go. Still working on the paper work to send to Washington. I do not believe that is the reason your not hearing anything about the locomotive, but that part is still in the works. My understanding is we can test to our delight with or without a train, but cannot be used in "service" pulling the public. From my understanding the paper work/documentation is near completion, but that final step is still not completed. Further testing is between the BOD and the owner.

I will refrain from any further comments about cooperation, readying of water and fuel {coal or oil}. I am out of it from here on in unless it means turning a wrench or beating with a hammer.

Regards, John.

Sorry John, I didn't mean to put you on the spot, I greatly appreciate your post, but more so, that you have been so willing to lend a hand when ever needed!

Steve

No problem Steve. I have strong feelings about the locomotive and the place as a whole. It is myself I have to watch out for. If I say what I feel it may turn into emotional drivel on my part. Also without being involved much at this time I don't have much that I can share with my involvement being almost non existent at this time.

Being that there is basically nothing happening in the steam world at MC I am probably going to shift over to the restoration dept as that dept is a moving outfit and would be proud to work with those guys when I can. That is all uncharted areas for me. If a steam oriented project evolves where I can help of course I will be in the engine house trying to help there too.

Wish I had some good news about steam to share, but "got nothin".

Cheers, John.

There are "behind the scenes" activities ongoing at Mid-Continent. There is an active Steam Readiness" committee that is working to make recommendations to the BOD for purchase and installation of water and fuel infrastructure with a timeline that will correspond with the completion of testing and break-in of the Saginaw Timber No. 2.

As John Risley mentioned, the final Form 4 and supporting paperwork was in preparation and has now been submitted. It must be remembered that the No. 2 is privately owned and the entire 1472 day inspection has been conducted almost entirely by the owner. Under that regime, things move at a slower pace than we would like. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though!