Jeff -

Actually, the 2-6-2T's condition is not too bad. The tank has protected the boiler. A few of us have been trying to interest someone in the engine for some time and I'm glad that IRM is finally going to rescue it. A few years ago, the rods were still on the pilot but on one of my visits, I found that they had been "lifted". And yes, I suspect scrappers.

The Mogul is another matter. She was parked next to the old Thompson winery when it caught fire some years ago. Some of the damage she incurred may be superficial, but the old girl is certainly not in good shape.

Any idea Jeff, as to when they will be moved? There is other equipment on the track where the saddletanker sits and I am interested in what IRM intends to do about them.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Jeff -

Thanks. Actually, the two Santa Fe head end cars were basically in good condition. Sad to hear that they are being scrapped, but I can understand the problem in moving them. Certainly their roller bearing trucks are valuable and a good addition for IRM. But those two cars are not on the same track as the saddletanker and I would still like to know IRM's intentions concerning the other equipment on the track with the 2-6-2T.

Les

One might ask, why not?

We do not have a Barry scrapyard in the US like there was in the UK.

Our "Barry" is the scattered remains of private collections gone awry. When I see what the UK groups have done with little more than a frame, I think that there is reason to save each steam hulk as there is always hope.

It doesn't happen as much in the US as the UK, but that doesn't mean the hulks should not be saved.

Rob

Just for the record, can someone supply the numbers of the Santa Fe cars?

Brian -

The RPO/baggage car is (was?) AT&SF #2041

The combine is (was?) AT&SF #2611

Les

Brian -

I found photos of the two cars. Note that the combine (#2611) had a very small passenger section. As I recall, it seated only 18. Probably used by the Santa Fe as a "rider coach" on long mail trains.

Les

If pictures become available of both or either, please post - I didn't see any fo the 2-6-2T when I did a quick search.

Thanks,
Sully

Found these searching the web, supposed to have been taken this last year:






And:

Boyd -

Thanks for posting the pix. It appears that the first 6 are of the 2-6-2T and the balance of the Mogul (which is really only an 0-6-0 right now as the pony truck apparently disappeared to an illegal scrapper some time ago). I do have a winter shot of the saddletanker without all of the vegatation, but for some reason I can't add it to this message. Sorry.

Les

All of the lighter gauge metal looks like swiss cheese. If the mogul were to be scrapped, are there be any groups in need of a tender? There seem to be a few engines around that need one. I would also expect that some useful parts could be taken from the ATSF cars if their fate is already sealed.

The two monee locomotives are now on IRM rails as of yesterday. I helped with the whole moving and prep process. The reason we took these locos is simple, the head of our shop dosent EVER want to see a steam loco scraped. They are not making any more of these you know. The 2-6-2T will become a permeant part of IRM's steam collection while we are trying to find a good home for the 2-6-0 (now a 0-6-0). In case any of you are wondering, Yes I am a member of the IRM steam team. If u have any questions about IRM's steam collection just ask and ill try to answer to the best of my abilities.

Well seeing as the low amount of steam locomotives left, its actually a fairly good philosophy. Once its gone its GONE. Very few if any new steam locos are being made. We should save as many as we can before its too late, while maintaining the ones that run.

There are a low number of cassette-tape-drive computers left out there. Do you propose that the Historic Electronics Museum save EVERY ONE just because they're no longer made? Ditto 4x5 view cameras, ditto kerosene lanterns, ditto reel-to-reel tape decks.............

I agree with the notion that no more steamers here should be scrapped. On the other hand I saw what a "get em all" policy led to at W&W back in the 1970's-80's. The W&W got out of the collecting business and into the operating museum business and things have been looking up ever since. IRM's mission is probably more focused on steam so they might be the best home for now. I would hope that the IRM would keep an open mind if another organization came along offering a better home for these old girls.

I tend to think it is almost an obligation of a museum to at least preserve, or save, equipment if they have the means to do so. IRM should be commended for taking on the challenge. A "simple act of preservation" is a term I like to use. At this point, two engines have been saved from the torch and ravages of mother nature which now provides time to sit back and make some well thought out decisions regarding these engines. I don't know if the engines were purchased, donated, or just taken over for a dollar, but I would hope that IRM might make them available for sale or transfer to another organization if they have no real plans for them. Time will tell and they now have the time.

As to how many should be saved, 50 years from now lets see how many Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I computers survived. At that point, those that are sitting in basements should probably be saved. It wouldn't be many. In the grand scheme of things, not many of the total number of steam locomotives built in the USA have survived.

Along those lines, I mentioned a few weeks ago a Rutland combine that is available. Should it be saved? Or cut up? How many were built by Pullman? How many survived?

Just a few thoughts from a guy who has a TRS-80 Model I sitting here in the office on display.

J.R. May
Wall, NJ
Porter 7197