Mid-Continent Auction

scottychaos · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:50 pm

Thanks for the comparison photos RR!
Number 33 is very obviously *not* a LV engine..
no question about it, they dont match in any possible detail..

also, Woodward No. 33 appears to have an Alco builders plate..
the LV's 2-10-2's were all Baldwins.

Scot

big-bad-2666 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:47 pm

I don't quite know what it would be called, but I like that ornament on the smokebox front above the headlight, where a bell might normally be located. What's the story there?

Erich Russ · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:44 am **Posts:** 120

I'm surprised to see the 1385 tender listed in the auction. While no longer necessary following the build of a new tender, it has substantial history with MCRY.

In a perfect world I wish someone would obtain C&NW 175, which is currently paired with a Northern Pacific tender, and mate it with the tender going to auction. It's not a perfect match for 175 but at least it is a C&NW tender.

http://www.midcontinent.org/collectn/se ... 63579.html
http://locomotive.wikia.com/wiki/Chicag ... rn_No._175

John Risley · **Joined:** Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:34 pm **Posts:** 966

Agree I would hate to see the tender scrapped as it is what it is. But the tender tank is scrap and would need a whole new tank built for it. It was almost scrap when it was converted to coal for #1385. Another member and I needle scaled the interior and painted it with some nasty cancer causing in California paint. The bottom 3 ft or so was deeply pitted and thin to the point we were concerned it would hold up in use. Guess our work ended up prolonging the inevitable, but the point is the tank is shot. So what does a museum do with it? Spend money they don't have to fix a tender they have no use for? It has been modified for coal so not sure the #444 would really need it as it has it's tender already {oil fired}. Guess if the #175 were going to be sold or was sold and I were the owner I would at least think about it. The NP tender mentioned behind the #175 is in much better condition, just not original CN&W.

I too would like to see the #175 return to service by someone, but am afraid the thing will need either a new boiler like #1385 or a major re-engineered repair of the existing boiler. Have a sneaking hunch the boiler has the same ill fated modifications. Recall talking with Clint Jones {owner} and he stated the issues of the braces would have to be addressed. At the time I didn't press into it further and maybe he was talking about backhead braces or some other braces? But with this discussion and the CN&W having such a large fleet of the R-! class makes me think they may have all had the super heat modification done similarly. By no means do I mean this to be fact, it is pure speculation on my part. But Clint did say that about the "braces" needing to be changed or what ever. If I make it up there this spring I will have to poke my head in the firebox and see what the "print" looks like. While not related to the tender I saw some interesting pictures with some repairs and oddities with the #444 boiler/firebox. I would like to spend some time looking her over just to compare notes to the #1385 and #175

A wonderful discussion and very educational with different views and perspectives. I wish the #1385 project the best. Mean while back to the Saginaw/Polson #2, with some luck and further alignment of the stars she could be running soon. The thought of MC having two operating steam locomotives after a 15-20 year absence is certainly a positive. Depending on the actual completion of both locomotives that is. Regards, John.

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

I wouldnt be surprised if during rehab it got another tender.

I just got an email about this, so its real. In this day you shouldnt be thinking about scrapping steam engines. Even for display the 2-6-0 should be a value.

MC should evaluate all buyers, not even allow any scrappers in, it should be a preservation sale, not just "get rid of the equipment anyways possible".

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

lentz.jeff wrote:

This auction is a general house cleaning aimed at improving the focus of Mid-Continent on its core mission statement.

An Auction Committee was established by the Board of Directors in June of 2014 and has worked since then alongside the Collection Committee to go through and determine items appropriate for deaccession and auction. I'm told the auction list found on the two auctioneer websites are still subject to adjustments as the auction date grows closer.

Putting on an auction like this is something that has been discussed for years. The railyard is stuffed to the brim, causing what should be simple switching moves to often turn into lengthy ordeals due to lack of available track space. The small item collection has the same problem with inadequate storage space for all the items. While no one likes letting things go, this auction is needed and I feel Mid-Continent will be better for it.

-- Jeffrey Lentz, MCRM Publications Volunteer

I noted in the above that the final listing is subject to adjustment as the auction date approaches. A little over 3 weeks to go until the date.

Hamel Auctions website

Bill Perkins auction website