I hate to drive a stake through this rumor's heart, but just chatted with Steve Sandberg and he tell's me, unequivocally, that the 261 group is in NO way involved with, contracted to, or building parts for the 3001.

so can site admin please change topic title to 3001 may be restored?

I found I could mod the title, but information I got came from other sources.

The engine is right in my neck of the woods, I know some folks to to talk to so when I meet them maybe this weekend at a train show I may know more or I will try to see them later. Hang in there.

I recently got to see New York Central 3001 at the Fall 2010 Railroadfan.com Meet. Here's my video of NYC 3001:

New York Central 3001 (Museum Tour), 10-02-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxwt5Aa_fkw

Enjoy! ^_^

May I just say that until something is official you are all beating a dead iron horse.....

I talked to the owner of New York Central Toys and Trains, he is also a member of the Elkhart museum, his description is also just as iffy of the circumstance, but he is just as positive that he hopes the engine does get restored. So its something to keep your eyes on. There are probably details rumbling under the scene that we don't know about and that is fine with me.

beating a dead iron horse....-smacks head-

Din, smack your head all you wish. When you get to stop, it feels so good. Now, everybody in unison...

Well, I'm positive I have hopes that I win a multi-million-dollar lottery. That doesn't mean I will, or even that I'm actually buying the damned lottery tickets. <:-/

I'm restoring /bettering an HO model 2-8-8-8-4 triplex (Westside) that needs a lot of help. Doesn't run on real steam, so electricity will have to do. I don't need blood all over it... 8-P

try watching this video of her in service, and see if it doesn't make you want to see her steam again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hafLFjqtnDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hafLFjqtnDc

yep that is her at 01:00

Sure. Now get 1,000 people who agree with you and are willing to pledge $500-$1,000 each. Then find a railroad for her to run upon. (Remember, even the Grand Canyon RR is out, for now.)

As the NNYC Museum's Director of Archiving, I hope I can shed some information on the restoration in my first ever post. Yes, there are ongoing negotiations for an operational restoration of 3001. However, the negotiations are being handled by the City of Elkhart, which owns and funds the Museum, not by the Museum itself. This is not as bad as it may seem - the current mayor was instrumental in making us a separate department and securing a stable budget. The latest I heard was that the business plan had cleared the state board of accounts. That was in late-September, I believe.

I do not know who is behind the restoration, and neither does the Museum Coordinator, Ron Troyer. He wants to stay out of the way because there is nothing he can add to the negotiations until they are complete. Nevertheless, even if I did know what group or company/corporation was behind the project, I would not be at liberty to say - that time will come when the group behind the project is ready to come forward with an official statement. I first heard about the project this past April during my spring break off from classes; at that time Ron stated that, from what this group told the city (or rather what the city told him) was that 3001 is to run by July 2011.

Part of the delay is on Norfolk Southern, but we cannot really complain. They are to rebuild and turn the switch connecting us to live rail so that 3001 can be transported. A family friend in the Elkhart yard's office stated that NS has been behind on some of their track work projects east of Elkhart, which accounts for the delay.

If there are any more questions, I hope I can answer them.

I think you just answered a bunch. Thank you!

Awesome - thanks very much for the confirmation, Orion!

Rumors in themselves are sometimes "fun" and a positive is simply having a forgotten engine brought back into the limelight. Confirmation is obviously a great thing - though we have to treat such news respectfully. It should be understood that it is just what it is at this point - desire and talks in progress.

Now that the cat is out of the bag (very much welcomed), perhaps it would be in the Museum's best interest to keep followers updated via the Museum's web site? Might be best to have a place for the likely large audience to keep up to date rather then a large audience contacting the Museum one by one!

Great news!

/Mitch

Mitch, 3001 is a longer engine than you may be used to (not a little 2-8-0 ), so make sure you use a wide-angle lens when doing your spectaular pan shot of her... might as well start planning now!! :-)

Looking forward to seeing your photos of 3001,

Howard P.