Good Evening Ladies & Gentlemen,

Today at The Railroad Museum of Long Island (RMLI), we were doing some work on our narrow gauge 0-4-0T No. One. Before I get into the details of work, a little background info for you.

Built by the H.K. Porter Locomotive works in 1921 for the Defiance Coal Company in Mentmore, New Mexico. A 40" gauge railroad was operated between their two mines and the coal tipple at Mentmore, a distance of about 1 3/4 miles by rail. Coal was loaded in small jennies, called "pit cars" from the mine entrance to the coal tipple. The coal company closed in 1952, with the last run by rail taking place on March 28th of that year.

After the mine ceased operations, it was purchased by Dr. Stanley Groman, who had it shipped during January 1953 to Sandy Pond in Sandy Creek Township in upstate New York. This site became one of the first operating rail Museums in the country.

Known as Rail City, the operation continued until its closure on October 13, 1974. Due to its 40 inch gauge, the #1 was just a static display.

After Rail City closed, the engine sat idle until John Degan of Southampton, NY came upon the engine and purchased it from Dr. Groman's estate in the Fall of 1982. Mr. Degan began restoration of the locomotive to operating condition, changed the saddle water tank to two side saddle water tanks, and placed it on a flatbed trailer equipped with rollers. In this manner, the locomotive could be transported over the road to different events and parades across Long Island. It could then be fired up and the drivers could turn around on the trailer. When not on display, the engine was stored in Southampton.

Completing several months of negotiations, the #1 was donated to RMLI during Columbus Day weekend of 1999.

The goal is to see her under steam in the coming years.(we are looking at 2012) First, we have to get her trailer up to standards and make her moblie and road worthy, and then work will focus more on the locomotive.

Nevertheless, today, thanks to the help of the Long Island antique power association, she got a boiler wash and hydro test. Of course, after pumping the hot water into the engine, we found very few and minor leaks. Among these was a small leak in the throttle, and the plugs. That however can be easily fixed by getting new washers.

The Engine itself is in outstanding shape, and has very limited running time. The tubes and firebox look great! There is a very bright future for this engine, and it may be narrow gauge, but it may be the first steam engine to steam on long island in many years, even if just running in place.

However, as I said right now work will focus on getting the truck painted and in good mechanical shape so Number One is mobile. In the spring, I plan to perform an ultra sound on the engine, to give you an idea of the work that will be getting done. and is planned.

Also, in Riverhead our Caboose C-68 is in the middle of being repainted. On Monday, I was out grinding along with President Don Fisher the rust spots down and getting her ready for paint. Due to the weather, I have had to hold off, but she should be a solid orange by the end of the month, possibly next week. Today in New York it rained all day.

There are so many things going on at the RMLI. Here are some pictures, showing all the work we have accomplished of Number One and Caboose 68.

Thank you for your support and interest,

Anthony

Railroad Museum of Long Island

This brings up an interesting question. If a locomotive is not used to haul passengers, does it still need to meet FRA rules? In other words, if you fire up a locomotive and just display it steaming, is it exempt from the 15 year, and other, rules? I understand it may still have to conform to state boiler rules.

Les

Certainly appears insular to me.........

dave

If it's not moving while under steam, it's a "stationary boiler", right?

Just be sure to keep it at least 30 feet away from any track connected to the "General System".

Howard P.

Good morning gentle Forum members,

Our current research tells us since we are not moving on tracks, pulling a consist, we are termed a "historic boiler." Registration, inspection and certification are under the purview of the New York State Department of Labor. We meet with representatives of that department on Monday, October 26th.

At that meeting we will be discussing requirements for inspection and operation. A query has also been sent to the Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company for additional clarification.

We will not remove the #1 from her trailer for operation on tracks as that would place her under an entirely different set of rules and inspection procedures. It is our intention to use her as an ambassador of steam for the Railroad Museum of Long Island. Although she didn't run on Long Island, she is a perfectly sized artifact for education and promotion activities on Long Island. She will become an excellent "outreach program" for our Museum.

de Don n2qhvRMLI

Don: I won't second guess how this restoration will go, but I think you've nailed a key point in making a live steam educational unit available to students. This is something nobody will be able to see elsewhere, and makes a significant contribution to the educational component of the exhibits at RMLI. Moving her back and forth on a length of rail, say 50 feet long, would be my next goal.
Well done on this effort. Be sure to drain her completely before the first freeze!

Dick

You beat me to it Don! You said it better anyway :-)

Anthony