Hello,<br> I'm new to the board here, so, hello all. I know that Whippany Railway Museum in New Jersey has been trying to raise funds to restore ex-MCC 0-6-0 #4039 for some time now. Has there been any progress? Has any restoration work begun at all? Riding behind 4039 as a child was the begining of my interest in steam power and I would love to see her run again. On the same note, does anyone know the current status of MCC #385?<br> Thanks,<br> Chris H. <br>

Chris,<p>The 4039 has been spruced up cosmetically and is a very nice looking display piece at the museum. As far as I know, no true mechanical restoration work has started. The museum is still seeking funds for project. They seem to be doing things the right way (IMO)... raise the money, THEN take the engine apart. I recall hearing that the engine needs a fair amount of work to operate, but I don't know exactly what work--beyond the "normal stuff"--is needed. <p>Go to www.WhippanyRailwayMuseum.org (their new web address) and click on the 4039 restoration page for more information (including how to make a donation). The page also has many great photos of this locomotive taken over the years including shots of the way it looks today.<p>As for 385, unless things have changed lately, 385 is stored at a business in Harrison, NJ and is a long term restoration project of the folks from Bergen VoTech. I haven't heard anything lately on any work being done.<p>Regards,<br>Jim Robinson<br>

That was about the last I had heard as well on both engines. I agree its better to raise the funds first and do the work when their ready to then trying to do it piecemeal along the way.<br> Chris H. <br>

I think there are some fine folks I met in Scranton last week working on the K4 that had planned to have funding in place, and probably did, before starting the restoration process but it wasn't until it was well under way that the extent of the job was made evident in all its unpleasant detail. Bear this in mind when criticizing an otherwise well planned project that gets caught in this way. <p>BTW, a plug for Steamtown: what a great place to get a locomotive rebuilt. The shop capabilities and quality of work in progress were a very pleasant surprise. Happy to see my tax dollars at work there. <p>Dave <br>



lathro19@idt.net

I'm not being critical of the 4039 project, I can only imagine the degree of work needed. According to their own estimate they need $100,000 But I have followed enough restoration projects to realize that hidden (and ofter major) work often only becomes clear when the engine is in pieces. I'm no expert, my dissappointment only comes from a personal desire to see this engine run again. <br>