Ok, so that shop and Strasburg come to mind. Are there any others?

Apparently it's a very small hand that's full... and neither shop really seems to be a "factory", either.

It's good to see the "outside world" noticing steam locomotives, though.

Steve Hunter

Actually, the list of people who will build, are building or can build live steam locomotives (ranging in size from 7 1/2 inch all the way to Standard gauge) may actually surpise you. We here at Wasatch attend a number of trade shows outside the "preservation" world and have contacts and friends at many companies. Take a look at a few of these;

Strasburg has been noted, but their web page is;

http://strasburgrailroad.com/mechanical-shop.php

Historic machine Services has built some really cool stuff over the years. Bob Y. is a great guy and easy to work with,

http://historicmachineryservices.com/id3.html

Scott Lindsey has built some cool stuff as well. He and Robert Franzen at SSOA are listed below;

http://www.steamoperations.com/

http://steamservicesofamerica.com/

None of the above actually spell out the fact that they will build NEW, but, in their own way, each one of them does build and will build and can build new. These guys are not the only ones either. There are more, I am simply not noting each one.....just a few of what the industry considers the "best".

Now, as we go down the line, we have a number of guys who focus on new locomotives not larger than 36 inch gauge. Of most note, you may want to look at;

Based out of the UK is this company;

http://severn-lamb.com/

Next we have the Tweetsie Boys who have taken over where Crown left off. These guys have done rebuilds and advertised new construction.

http://tweetsie.com/

We can not fail to mention Chance. The late Harold Chance was a pioneer in the amusement park train industry. Chance is called on from time to time to build replica steam locomotives of all sizes.

http://www.chancemorgan.com/

One of my favorites, Hillcrest Shops in California has done some great work and they have a great staff. I love running my 15 inch steamers on thier track!

http://hillcrestreedley.com/products_shop.html


Rounding it all off, my personal all time favorite; Wasatch Railroad Contractors.

http://wrrc.us

Again, this is not the full list and off the top of my head, I can come up with about a dozen more who can do it, have done it or are doing it. And, lest we forget, I have about 10 shops in China and Europe that are doing it as well. Finding a new steam locomotive manufacturer is not the hard part. Raising the money to pay for one is!

Hope you enjoy the web pages!

Always,

I don't think there's any question that the expertise and machinery exists from Maine to California and all over the US, to build new steam locomotives.

The real question is, could a reenactment of Lincoln's Funeral Train actually retrace the historic 14 day route -150 years later? It's a wonderful idea, and not exactly "mainline steam."

Stephen

The news item mentions Kloke building an engine for a Pennsylvania park. Anyone know more?

Thanks John for the interesting commentary and links.

Also don't forget the super secret skunk works where they're building a new NYC 6000 class engine!!

Merry Christmas, Ross Rowland

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I thought it was a secret super skunk works and it was a PRR T1! Or ws it the super secret super skunk secret works building a super secret fleet of super heated super secret N&W M class 4-8-0's for super secret short line?

Seriously, it good to see there are still people out there who provide locomotive rebuilding and parts services that are keeping the steam locomotives alive.
Slightly off the topic, I always thought that an industry building new small locomotives, such as 2-6-0's, 4-4-2's, 4-6-0's and 2-8-0's that would be made available for lease or sale to shortlines and tourist operations, would do well. For example , lets say, a new built generic Harriman design, 4-6-0, would be leased to a line for 3 to 5 years, when the flue time is up, it would be exchanged for another steam locomotive, and the 4-6-0, would go back to it's home shop for overhaul, then back into the lease pool. All heavy maintance is done by the locomotive leasing company, like company cars. Has anyone tried this? Have fun and happy holidays – David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope PA

Kelly,

You caught me. Is that section of your web page new? It has been a while since I have actually undertaken spy missions on our industry web pages. Indeed, I was unaware that you guys had that page up. Thanks for pointing it out. Looks like I have other pages of yours to look at too! ;)

I failed to mention in my post, but it is worth noting now;

I have the deepest admiration for all of the people who strive to work in the preservation industry. It is a small world. Many of us get together often at meetings and classes and it seems that when we do, we all enjoy each others company. For me, I enjoy hearing of the success of those who, in a normal world, we would call competitors. I look at all of these people and call them......FRIENDS.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

If you have not seen it, take short peak at our Christmas Card video for 2011;

http://wrrc.us

Kloke is building this engine:

http://www.leviathan63.com/projects.html

For these people:

http://www.steamintohistory.com/

By the way, those of us in the Beacon News circulation area know the proper pronunciation of the name is, "Be Confused."

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Kelly,

Our Web Master, Mike Lewis, tells me that I am top returning viewer of our page as well! (Just kidding).

Kelly, it actually brings about a valid question;

Our web page hits and requests for information are up well over 35% above our Goal for 2011. Our 2011 goal was a 15% increase in web hits from 2010 with a comparable increase in requests for information. We hit the 15% plus, a hefty margin on top of that for 2011!

Kelly, since 2004 when you put your page up, can you see an increase in web traffic to that page and do you see a corresponding increase in the bids or work that you complete?

I find it an interesting topic for all to respond to. It is interesting to see how web traffic is and continues to increase.

We attribute much of our gain to the videos we have been producing.

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One has to wonder if all of these new locomotives meet the EPA's definition of "historic" steam locomotives as per their exemption from Title 40 (Protection of the Environment) Part 92 (Control of Air Pollution from Locomotives and Locomotive Engines.)