On Sunday, April 23, Ventura County #2 pulled passengers for the first time in 5 years. VC2, a 1922 Baldwin-built Prairie returns to steam sporting a new crown sheet and new springs. More information and pictures can be found here: http://www.oerm.org/pages/vc2.html#4/24/06%20updates

The meter is running at $92,000 with only a few odds and ends to go and worth every penny!

On the rebuild of VC 2-6-2 # 2, her headlight was mounted in the center of the smokebox door. She really looks good this way! Just wondered though, why its position was changed.

Les

Great job. Thanks for sharing.

The crew of PRR 643 welcomes another steamer back.

So far since Fall 2005 we have #2, #643, and #765 back in steam for the first time in years. Any others I missed? It is turning into a good year!

Tom von Trott

Well, potentially C&S 9 if enough work can be done to make it roadworthy within the next couple months.

92K is a great deal to get that sweet little 2-6-2 back in service. Best wishes.

dave

Les,

The steam crew was enjoying themselves. The locomotive has used that location before, usually for motion picture use. It's changeable, and will probably go back up high.

The change of location caused some consternation. But some of the crew likened it to changing whistles.

I like it either way. Each placement gives the #2 a different character.

Brian:

Thanks. I like the center mounting myself, but I can understand moving it back up. The best scenario would be time periods for each location. Good for photographers and visitors. I know that the Little River Railroad 4-6-2 #110 has carried three different headlights since she was restored. I think it might be advantageous to advertise things like this. LRRR for instance, currently keeps one headlight on display in their museum with a note announcing when it is being put back on the Pacific. Thus photographers can get a "different look" at different visit times.

Les