This is whole thing rubs me the wrong way, and you hit the nail on the head as to why. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has two locomotives in various stages of disassembly already, and is actively pursuing donations for the restoration of their rolling stock fleet. Acquiring 3001 just has me asking "Why?"

One of the favorite arguments they use against even giving the Mikado a cosmetic restoration is a "lack of funding and space." Has that somehow changed in that they can accommodate a Berk and a Mountain at their facilities simultaneously?
Also why would the city of Elkhart give up the gem of the museum's collection for a song and a dance of $20k leaving only an E8, a GG1 and a hodge-podge of rail cars? All of which are in need of cosmetic work; which the 20k will barely touch. It almost feels as if the city wants to slowly divest itself of the museum.

The stated 'excuse' I remember hearing about 3001's restoration was that the city of Elkhart would require a substantial bond against any damage or loss, and in addition required that the locomotive operate based in Elkhart to preclude any chance it would be expen$ively $tranded away from its owner.

These concerns are now effectively solved.

I'm sure the current 'principals' understand exactly how to proceed, how to budget including for surprises, and how to arrange use, care, and promotion afterward.

There are few more historically significant locomotives than this. It is one of the two locomotives that defined truly modern dual-service power on a most important railroad. I don't care what else might be 'in the pipeline' -- this is more worthy.

And it's closer to a Hudson than anything else running or likely to run...

I didn't want to come out and say it that way, but it seems like to me they would be better off with Wabash 534 for some of the running they're doing these days.

It seems like they're going to get rid of stuff at the museum in Elkhart too, based on the Facebook post talking a "de-accession" plan.

Here's the official press release: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/2024/10/n ... -acquired/

And the answers to just about every previously frequently asked question: https://www.americanloco.org/#faq

Yep sounds to me like Elkhart wants to get out of the railroad museum business. Wouldn't surprise me if the other pieces were sold off or donated, although I'm not sure it's possible to move a GG1 anymore.




Well an 0-6-0 isn't a great choice for an excursion locomotive. My guess is they figured the Mikado and 3001 would require similar effort to get running and 3001 would be both more capable and a much bigger draw so they chose it.

"Could be" restored is the operative word. The 0-6-0 is a $1.4 million dollar project at best, but is it powerful enough to handle even our most basic six-car passenger trains on the Fort Wayne & Jackson's profile? And is that all it can do? Just run Ice Cream trains? Doesn't sound like the best ROI, and I'd love to see it running. It would look right at home on the 4th District, but operating and infrastructure limitations exist. The 624 is just a smaller 765 and we already have the 765. Why eschew so close to what is already operating? First-world preservation problems, it seems.



The narrative and motivation are in the press release and at https://www.americanloco.org/#vision

It boils down to this:

New York Central engine + New York Central cars + New York Central station + New York Central territory + no clear ownership or custodian of 3001 + offer to intercede + engine located 1.5 hours away from our tourist railroad operation + potential sizable demand and interest in a NYC engine operating again = opportunity.

That's a lot of compelling ingredients put together and nothing else in our collection matches it. This is a once-in-a-preservation opportunity, a major challenge all wrapped up in lightning stripes, and a fundraising trial balloon.



This is a bit of a red herring. Once you raise a quarter million to cosmetically restore a non-functioning display piece, that opens up a dozen other costly questions and challenges. What do you do with it? Where does it go? How does it contribute to your program? Before you even start down that road, is there a donor pool capable of supporting a cosmetic restoration without a compelling narrative or plan around it?

Also, we've had two big engines at our facility before. Since then we've turned out six passenger cars and one diesel locomotive restoration. Observing that there are disassembled units on the roster but ignoring everything else that has left the shop is a choice.

Lastly, we haven't announced it yet, but we have a partnership with another organization that is sponsoring a half-million-dollar ship expansion and/or new shop construction ––  we just have to determine where it will go. This will influence a lot of future work and resource allocation.



It's pretty simple. The city didn't own it.

As noted in the press release, the city is also getting more than a contribution. They admit they have a junk yard on their hands, and want the museum to be a cornerstone for the neighborhood across the street. They are also mindful of instances where city involvement in preservation has not ended well (see: ITM) and aren't looking to entrust the future of the place to politicians.

The press release says "The City of Elkhart approved the sale of 3001 in September 2023." The city approved the sale of something they didn't own? I am throughly confused.

The press release doesn't state that -- that's a bit of paraphrasing from the news article by Railfan. The city agreed to a "transfer of assets."

The engine was sub-leased to the City by the Lakeshore Railroad Historical Foundation, which dissolved several years ago.

However, because of this, the rights to the engine reverted to the Museum of the American Railroad, which did not contest FWRHS taking full possession.

Thank you for clarification.

Since there's been a lot of negative commentary, let me be the one to say, "Congratulations. This is a very exciting next step."

I find it very interesting that there are a lot of people wondering if there was going to be a new build NYC Hudson. I have been advocating a new build for years, and it is apparent that there is still a lot of interest.

Thank you, Kelly, you’ve cleared up a bit in my mind.

I just watched the YouTube presentation, the use of the classic narrator’s voice and music was sheer genius! And I did chuckle at the mainline comment!

Some may say that a lot more is needed than a brilliant YouTube video, and I’m sure there’s a lot behind the scenes that the rest of us don’t know about. But this new approach, inclusive of an easily-remembered project name/web address, could make a difference and put this project as a standout to many people. I’ve just made a pledge, and will be watching with interest from Australia.

Cheers,
Matt

Kelly, I appreciate the response. If that's your position, I'd assume its also the position of the FWRHS. Is it safe to say that if the correct group came forward with a plan for 534, that Fort Wayne would move on from 534? Or the plan for it to languish forever in the back lot.

I do appreciate the work you all do, and have chartered cars and caboose rides in the past for various events. Each one of them is great, and some day, when I've got a bit more time, I'd very much like volunteer when I have the chance.

Maybe I'm just the odd ball, but NYC steam just doesn't do anything for me. With a focus on Fort Wayne, something Pensy would have been more appropriate. I don't think that you all will have any issues with 3001, by any means, just not my cup of tea.

Congratulations to FWRHS, FMW Solutions, and all of the other partners that are working together for the common goal. Obviously, the engine's restoration is the big news story of the day, but there should also be a mention of the good things that can come when groups work together for the common goal instead of being singular and a 'man on an island' like other groups that can't get out of their own way.

FWRHS is becoming the standard, in my opinion, of what can be done with a volunteer organization with the right people. It's great to see Mr. Moorman still involved with steam preservation and knowing the FMW Solutions is leading the mechanical charge as the premier steam restoration team, the future is bright for the 3001.

While those who attend "stoning" are gathering rocks, and since nobody ask for my opinion, I think this is a brilliant restoration choice. The interest is there, the heartache of not having a Hudson is there, the locomotive is going to draw fans as much as did the Big Boy.Basically, it's one of the prime "wish" locomotives available for restoration.
Kelly's track record (pun intended) is one of service, trust, and proven results.
Elkhart made the smart choice, and the Fort Wayne group has shown its worth.

Please keep us up to date as you explore the Mohawk's internal condition. Congratulations!