I know that Shay is pretty whooped. I remember hearing from a Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern hogger that he went up there once to see it run and was allowed to actually operate it himself, and he said he spent the next day walking the ballast picking up all the parts it rattled off. It came from a cement company who, like most Shay owners, ran it hard and put it away wet. I also remember hearing that it had issues with both the frame and boiler that required serious attention and were what led to it being parked. And that's on top of sitting outside in northern NY winters for quite a few years.

I will say that if they can get the entirety of the L&BR open, it's a pretty scenic route, especially over near New Bremen, but I believe there are some bridges that are embargoed, which were part of why the MA&N shut it down. Of the three 44-tonners, the #1947 is still on site, and volunteers had it running pretty recently. The 1950 went to the Belfast & Moosehead Lake. And MA&N #1951 was trucked to Utica by the MA&N for evaluation for a return to service to switch Utica yard. No clue what they determined, but it sits outside the engine house with their parts donor M420TR with the windows boarded up.

Since that time 1923 has been asbestos abated, including new boiler jacketing, but there is significant rot in the smokebox, as well as the cab and tender sheetmetal. Certainly a realistic candidate for cosmetic restoration, with operation within the realm of possibility depending on the boiler condition and the depth of your pockets.

If there is real interest in giving her a better home, contact Steamtown to see what can be done.

Disclaimer: I am an employee of Steamtown but I am not authorized to speak on behalf of Steamtown or the NPS.

Not surprised to hear of the smokebox being rotted out. Many locomotives there including CP 2929 went years without having their stacks capped, one of the bare minimum steps to take in preventative maintenance. I hope that this has since been addressed for every steam locomotive on outdoor display or storage.

John

I'm about 90% sure they're all capped now, excluding the ones from the roundhouse that only get put outside temporarily for special occasions.

Very glad to hear that!

John