Glad to see one is saved. What of the other(s)?Rob

Now, as we say in Connecticut, "All's ya gotta do is..." get a couple of good fabricators and a nice big load of steel plate. The right trucks are there, the pilot plates and steps are there, the running boards and lower half of the carbody is there--- not really out of the question to replicate the missing elements, eh?I wouldn't be surprised if the Reading guys do it-- they've done some very interesting things so far.

CP 8905 is supposed to be in the hands of CRHA at Delson, Quebec.I seem to recall an identical Trainmaster slug being at the Va. Museum of Transportation in Roanoke (Virginian had 25 TrainMasters, in addition to Wabash's eight).

ADM - you are right about Delson, but I was referring to the other slugs that were with this one in Pittston, PA. Sorry, I wasn't clear before.Rob

OH oh...I better tip off the River Police.Gotta keep an eye on those tugs with FM OP power!

As much as I would like to see an FM trainmaster - I would rather see the time and effort that would be spent on this project directed to preserving Reading equipment that the RCTHS and other organizations have already saved - not to mention the major buildings at the Reading Shops. Replicating a Trainmaster may be a feasable project - but I would rather see it come after actual historic equipment has been preserved and brought inside.Tom Cornillie

Correct. If there is one overriding goal for all museos atthis time it is to get the collection under cover. Yes, itcosts money , but in the long run saves more.Time stands still inside! Outside, rust never sleeps.

Put the money into an operable T1 Northern. I love Trainmasters, but the last authentic one went to the Canadian Railway Museum (ExpoRail). She's a beauty, too. I saw her about 4 weeks ago. The slug is a good save however, and as pointed out in another post, she could be given the cosmetic appearence of the real thing. BTW, would a tugboat Prime Mover fit into an H24-66?

I'm surprised that the Monticello Railroad Museum in Illinois has not tried to acquire one of the ex-Wabash slugs.

I may not be totally correct here, but the bulk of the Reading Shops (the main erecting hall, etc) are now owned by a private firm out of Philadelphia. I work a few blocks from there.Joshua

Sure, if one gets the correct block length. FM OP's come in six, eight and ten's.

Friends,I agree in the basic theories being posted here, but let us remember what group we are discussing. The Reading Tech, is in my opinion, one of about three or four active groups who really have such a well defined and on-target focus that most of the issues you are bringing up really aren't of much concern.These guys, much like the RMNE, have had a hit list of what they want to acquire. They do not get anything they can... the get specific items of which 99% are Reading with most of the rest being items to replicate long-gone Reading stock (like the TM remains and a Baldwin switcher). And they do have a permanent home in the works with loads of indoor space.Over the years, they simply have blown me away with a collections policy at the top of its game.Yes, they could have raised cash and blown it all on the one T-1 that has been for sale in the past 25 years, but they didn't. Instead of a one-shot, long-shot, they acquired an etire Reading wreck outfit, piece by piece. They repaitriated a C-424 from the midwest, got an authentic Reading turntable, operated a Reading C-630 and so much more it is hard to keep up with.These guys also seem to know where just about every piece of Reading equipment is, and when the right opportunities arise, these relics find their way back home.I look at the RCT&HS, RMNE and Portola as leaders in how things can be done right over time. Of those three, only Portola has had an indoor facility over the past 25 years (the other two have them coming), yet the tight collections management, tough decisions and a willingness not to chase projects out of their scope have lead to three of the most focused, most valuable collections of trains in the country.I would suggest those looking to critique a collections policy begin in towns other than Leesport, Thomaston or Portola. When you see the travesty that has befallen other "outdoor" collections in the northeast, you really can appreciate the Reading effort.Rob Davis

Rob,Thanks for the kudos. As one of the people who helped draw up the current mission statement and collection policy for Portola, I can't tell you how good it is to see people noticing.We've been watching Reading Technical and I must say I'm impressed with their work. We often refer to their efforts when some suggest we stray from the focus a bit more than we want. They have a focus and goal that is truly admirable.Nice grab on the TM slug. Sometimes you do have to just get it and cross your fingers you'll be able to deal with it down the road. The trick is learning when you just have to walk away instead.Eugene