YouTube video (low-quality) of AT&SF 4-6-2 3415 taking tentative first steps during a boiler test at her Abilene, Kansas restoration facility on Nov. 8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgltHRZBxSc

Congrats to the folks at the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad!

Les

Why would the locomotive be so slippery at this point. Could this be adjustments to the valves, or perhaps the crew working on the learning curve of what not to do?

Thanks,

Bob

After having to ride through Kansas last year on the way to Colorado, I said I would never go back. I guess I have to now. Great job to all involved!!!

Another pacific amongst the living. This is big news. Thanks for posting.

Very good news - better news would be if you would share the operating plan and schedule for its operation. No point making it roadworthy if there's no place for it to go.......

dave

I suspect it is all the vegetation surrounding the rails. The wheels are mashing it down and the drivers are slipping on the remains.

From what I have heard they are going to run it on a short line up there,I think 16 miles one way. not sure about the top speed but most likely not over 20-25 MPH..but it's good to have another big engine alive again.

When was this locomotive last under steam?

Len.

thanks for sharing. good job to all involved. how long have they been working on her?

Like a baby learning how to walk.
Always love to see an engine taking its first "steps" after a restoration.
Great job out there!!!

I can answer a couple of the questions posed here.
1. The A&SV has a website at:
http://www.asvrr.org/index.html
2. #3415 was a "Park Engine", and was placed on display in Abilene's "Eisenhower Park" in late 1955. The engine was moved to the A&SV via highway in April 1996, and was placed on static display at the A&SV depot on Buckeye Street. Restoration to operating condition started in April 2006, when TEA-21 funding was secured and Wasatch RR Contractors was retained. Some information and photos from Wasatch at this link:
http://projects.wasatch-rr-contractors.com/?page_id=52
3. The A&SV operates excursion trains between Abilene and Enterprise KS, a distance of about five miles. The last scheduled operating day of the 2008 season was November 1. The depot is located at 200 S. Fifth street, off Buckeye Street south of the downtown area (and adjoining the Eisenhower Presidental Museum).
The Depot is the original CRI&P Abilene depot, albeit moved across the street from the original site.
4. The trackage is a portion of what was the former UP (ex MKT (OKKT), exx CRI&P) branch between Salina and Herington KS. A portion was badly washed out by flooding in 1991, and the segment between Abilene and Woodbine KS was donated by the UP in 1993. The five-mile sement betwwen Abilene and Enterprise was restored to service by the A&SV in 1995 and currently hosts the A&SV excusion operation. The twelve-mile portion between Enterprise and Woodbine is landlocked after the BNSF removed the crossing diamond at Enterprise. There are occaisional excursions operated on this isolated segment using a Hi-Rail equipped bus. The operating five mile segment is also landlocked after the UP removed the interchange turnout at Abilene, so it is unlikely that 3415 will be operating off the A&SV until some agreements are reached to restore the missing interchange tracks.
5. The A&SV currently has two operable Diesels; An Alco S-1 and a Whitcomb 45-ton centercab. There is a GE 44 tonner awaiting restoration and the hulk of another S-1 for parts.

Hope this answers some of the interest about the A&SV.
Dan Rohrback

Thanks for all of the information. Best of luck with the old girl.

Tide as a boiler treatment? This was taken from their website....

I spoke with Joe Minnick who is the person in charge of the 3415, and is leading the work on the loco. Tide was used to boil out any oil, that may have accumulated from staybolt tapping, as well as any traces of oil from the past. This practice was not uncommon with Worthington feedwater heaters, where exhaust steam and water mixed. The 3415 has an Elesco feedwater system.

The locomotive will be test fired again on Dec. 2 for the FRA inspectors.

Historc Machinery Services peformed the boiler survey on the 3415, all of the firebox sheets and circulators still have mill scale on the fireside. Something I've never seen before!

Robert Yuill