This photo came through on my Flickr rss feed. The 4012 is looking pretty sad. I am not looking to start a firestorm here but something different needs to happen. Both this old girl and the 2100 already mentioned in a earlier thread could look lots better if someone would just go out there with a wire brush, paint brush, and a little paint. The mindset that doing nothing until a "cosmetic restoration" takes place is nonsense. Locomotives got beat up and touched up while in service. A showroom finish is not what anyone expects here; almost anything is better than what I see in this photo.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/359 ... d688_o.jpg

Hi Tom!

I talked to folks last Friday about what is going on with the paint job contract. Here is what I know, its on hold until the asbestos is removed from all the engines. They are working out the details on what is going to be included on the contract. The jackets have to be removed and most likely be replaced. (Yeah I know you guys know that) So why spend money then ruin the paint just to remove the asbestos.

Steve
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I was at Steamtown over 6 or 7 years ago just to walk around the yard and take pictures of the static display items and I don't remember the 4012 looking that bad! Jeez, what the hell happened to her? Could it be that she's been exposed to the elements for that long? Also, I have seen this type of deterioration on other locos up there too. What is that bluing effect on the jacket and cylinder casings? I think the 2124 and a GTW engine has it too.
Is that also weather related?

OH I forgot to mention. The paint contractor started last fall removing the paint with a pressure system and the weather when south so they stopped. Then the stimulus money got approved so that's why she looks so bad. No worries. :)

Keep in mind that these locos all got very nice paint jobs when Steamtown had its Grand Opening, and that wasn't even 15 years ago. I think they will be chasing their tails with these engines until if/when they can get them under cover somehow. Scranton is a harsh climate for snow, rain, wind, etc.

Chris.

You know, as soon as I read this far, and only this far, I just burst out in a string of obscenities while throwing my computer mouse across the roll-top desk and storming off out of the room, swearing a blue streak.

Those of you who have actually had first-hand experience with asbestos removal/remediation, not even on a Federally-administered level, will no doubt sympathize.

There is no excuse for having a big rusting hulk at the entrance of a national park that is named Steamtown. It's the first thing thing you see when you pull in. There is no excuse. Leaving her to look like that until the asbestos work is done is like saying we're not going to fix a plugged up toilet because we're going to renovate the restrooms next year. With a few gallons of Rustoleum she would at least look presentable from viewfinder range. Under $100 plus a few hours labor. There is no excuse. Why do we pay for such nonsense with our tax dollars?

Cheap paint. Or bad prep.

Recall our discussion viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26648&p=120150

Seriously. This picture, along with the backstory, should be on every wall of the office from which your staff orders paint.


There is a "darkest before the dawn" effect with good prep, where the thing will look unbelievably bad right before the topcoat goes on. You see that all the time when you house-hunt in a town full of Victorians :) But this doesn't look like that to me. The blooms of rust appear to have no connection to each other. Why would someone prep sme counterweight surfaces and not prime them?



I can't agree more with "get it under cover".

But I don't buy it. I've gotten 15 years out of Kilz+Glidden in the rust belt. How do you explain this tank car that sat outside 16 years? Contrast the wood to the paint.
http://www.wolfharper.com/rail/pres/shelltankcar.html

The Big Boy cannot look that shabby unless something really went wrong with the paint.



Are you willing to put your volunteer labor where your mouth is? "a few hours" shouldn't be a burden. Send me reciepts for the paint and I'll reimburse.

Also, try to recruit people willing to do this again next year, because that's about as long as I'd expect that job to last. $100/year to keep the Big Boy in paint? Reasonable. Volunteer labor is free after all...

Sadly I am booked up solid right now; but so far I've painted two steam locomotives this year. How many have you painted?

Well I'm at a trolley museum :)

But - given your statement may I fairly presume that you are an expert on the subject of painting steam locomotives? Excellent.

Suppose the goal was indeed to put up a quickie on the Big Boy. What's your back of napkin, ballpark estimate of the quantity of paint? Number of volunteer hours needed? Best method - brush/roll/spray? Other equipment needed? Could this possibly be a "bunch of volunteers descend on a weekend to do it" deal? Seriously - what would it take?

Gentlemen,

Please get the facts before you demonize Steamtown.

There is a contractor working on the Big Boy. They began blasting the loose paint off last fall when mechanical problems with their equipment delayed the process and bad weather set in, halting the project. The contractor will be returning in the next week or two to resume working on the locomotive. The contractor is not waiting until the asbestos is removed. Any exposed asbestos was encapsulated before the contractor began work last fall.

Be patient. Steamtown is working with the contractor and the Big Boy, along with the other locomotives in and around the parking lot will be painted.

Bruce