M&PP #4

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Photo from July of last year:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/steamtown/mpp-s004eha.jpg

It appears that the engine was being worked on at that time. Anyone know her status? Has she run lately?

Les

whodom · **Posted:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:45 am

Interesting photo. I guess #4 is the last Vauclain compound in existence, and certainly the last one to have operated. Does anyone know when it last operated?

I understand SLM (now DLM) tried to interest them in some new steam locomotives a few years ago which would have been basically the same as the new ones built for rack railways in Switzerland and Austria in the 1990's. Their diesel rail cars were built by SLM.

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

whodom · **Posted:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:42 pm

Kelly,

I had no idea there were any others, but you're right. By most accounts the vast majority of them were converted to simple expansion after a few years of service, but a few remain.

I found a photo of one displayed at the Dawson City Museum at Dawson City, Yukon, Canada:

http://www.yukonmuseums.ca/museum/dawson/exhibit.html

There are two other remaining M&PP rack engines; I'd assume they're also Vauclains.

Googling "vauclain compound" I found a couple of links to a story about one recently found buried in China. Rob Dickinson's International Steam Page has a report:

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/steam/asiaeast.htm#China

It's been recovered and cosmetically restored.

Any others?

gbrewer · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:30 am **Posts:** 150

I believe all the old M&PP engines were Vauclains, and I believe all still exist. Number 1 is at the Colorado Railroad Museum. One of the engines ran briefly in recent years (probably 15 years ago or so) -- most likely it is the one shown in the picture.

Jeff Badger · **Posted:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:52 pm

Crews last tried to fire up #4 in 2000 and discovered a crack in one of the cylinders. It has sat in the shed since in the partially disassembled state as seen in the picture.

Back in October of last year, Marlin Uhrich did an inspection and I believe the loco will be going to or is already at his shop in Strasburg, Colorado for repairs.

JB

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:32 pm

They had this engine steaming for the NRHS convention in 1982, and gave us short rides in the yard. Not much to talk about without actually going up a hill.