How about Lake Superior & Ishpeming 23 in Kingston, NY, or the privately-owned Davenport 0-4-0T stored elsewhere on the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

Adrenaline rush of the day was reading some news about this project on trainorders today: "First Steam!". You can also follow along here -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cr ... 6345184444

I've never been to the museum, but watch with enthusiasm from a distance. :)

Lucien -

Thanks for pointing out this obscure steam locomotive restoration which seems to be progressing along very well. However, there is a statement on the referenced Facebook page that reads as follows:

"Built in 1909 by Porter, SCPC 2 was the FIRST of her kind, being the prototype for HK Porter's new line of 0-4-0t locomotives."

Certainly Porter built 0-4-0T's prior to 1909 and long thereafter. What made number 2 "different" from what Porter had built before? No explanation of that statement is on the Facebook page. If anyone can provide enlightenment, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

Les

The project website hints it had some improvements over the previous design:
"The first of Porter's 'new and improved' 0-4-0 standard gauge tank engines."
http://www.scpc2.com/locomotive-specs.html
Would be a fun homework assignment to research what all the changes were, and why.

American Steam Railroad is still out there with #1352 getting it ready to be moved to Cleveland Ohio. Study is complete and getting ready to do the kick off the capital campain called Steam UP 1352 starting the end of September 2013.

She'll be in the same home as 4070 so the B&O West 3rd Street Roundhouse will have 2 locomotives under restoration.

Keep watching as it will be the only Frisco Mike to come back to life in the last 50 years.

Thanks!!

Steven Harvey
American Steam Railroad
President

Its been over 3 and a half years since Mr. Bailey started this thread. And a lot of locomotives have been mentioned. Some of the engines have been restored to operation, or cosmetically. Work continues ongoing on others. Some work seems to have stopped completely. Some photos have even been deleted from the net in the interim. The two engines above were mentioned toward the very beginning of this thread. But nothing since. Anyone know how these restorations are coming?

Thanks.

Les

Les,

SCPC #2 is my personal locomotive, so thanks to all for your interest in the project. Builder's number 4390 is the prototype for HK Porter's new designs of 0-4-0 based upon the following data. While searching the CSRM microfilm collection of porter drawings several things became apparent. One, builder's number 4390 was the first boiler for an 0-4-0 according to the drawing collection with buttstrap construction of the barrel. The drawings were organized chronologically and dated, so this was easy to infer. Also it helped that the drawing for the boiler was marked "1st Loco 4390." After more searching I also located the drawings for the cylinder saddle, driver centers, brake rigging, frame, etc. also marked "1st Loco 4390." This was further corroborated by a friend sending me a copy of the erection drawing from the Canadian Museum of Science and Industry which also was marked "1st Loco 4390." Although HK Porter did continue building smaller 0-4-0s to the older designs, the DNA present in my locomotive is easily seen in all the later 0-4-0s up until the piston valve era of HK Porter products, and the boiler design lasted almost until the end. A very interesting facet of this locomotive's history! For more information check us out at:

http://www.scpc2.com

Thanks!

Stathi

Stathi -

Terrific explanation. And as the gentleman used to say, now I know "the rest of the story!"

Continued success on the restoration of SCPC #2.


Les

Historic Prairie Village in Madison, South Dakota has restored their Lima-built ex-U.S. Army 0-6-0 to operation.

Les

Spike is very slowly underway at Rock River Thresheree in Edgerton WI- last winter was brutal, and the summer operations are underway. Spike is a 600MM 0-4-0T Henschel.