Hello everyone! I was using [url]steamlocomotive.com[/url] to look at the existing steam engines and came across C&O Kanawha 2776. Reading, it sounds like it’s in the best condition? Looking, it looks like near great condition? Has anyone in the past tried restoring it to operating condition? Does anyone know how to get in contact with Paul Keller (he is the self-appointed caretaker)?

Okay...first tidbit of information: the appearance of a park locomotive says little or nothing about its restorability. This locomotive was donated to the city of Washington Court House in June of 1960 and has been sitting outdoors, unsheltered for 50 (fifty) years. The only way to find out how restorable it may be would be to have a team of qualified steam locomotive mechanics inspect it thoroughly, assuming you could get permission to do so.

Aaron,

I don't want to deter you but it takes millions of dollars to restore a locomotive to operating condition so if you'd like to follow your dreams, start fund raising now! I know many people will tell you no it can't be done but without a dream, none of the operating excursion steam locomotives would feel the warmth of a fire. In the mean time you could help whoever currently takes care of the locomotive by helping him/her/them with painting and rust prevention. The little things add up over time and help to perserve the locomotive for future generations. Also, keeping moving parts lubricated goes a long way.

I understand it takes millions of dollars. I am up to the challenge of trying to raise funds to restore the engine. Since the 2776 was unprotected, would you say the 2727 would be a better bet? It has been under shelter for most of (if not all) of its retirement.

I'm not very familiar with these locomotives but even if the C&O overhauled these locomotives just to put them on display you'd still have to jack up the whistle and inspect/repair just about everything underneath it.

Stick to your dreams. If you stay the course and somehow trip over a couple million dollars then I'll ride behind the fruits of your labor.

Without sounding like all I'm doing is setting out to dash your dreams, let me say:

Without having a co-operative place for a restored 2-8-4 to run, restoring the loco to operable condition is not a productive goal. Such potential running places are few and far between.

On the other hand, do NOT let my words dissuade you from the equally worthy goal of stabilizing such a loco and preserving it as potentially operable in years to come. The efforts you and others may take now--rust and soggy lagging removal, erecting a shelter, etc.--would make all the difference between her being potentially operable in 10-60 years and being too ruined to run again. Furthermore, stabilization can occur at a far lesser price, and thus be much more attainable and realistic a goal, than that of seeing her steam again in X number of years.

For every park loco that went from a dream to operating on the main line--SP 4449, NKP 765, PM 1225, etc.--there's been a not-so-wonderful story (WM 202, PRR 1361, C&O 2716, etc. Your objective should be to build modest expectations slowly and avoid crushing disappointments.

Not knowing where you live, I would also suggest you seek to improve your knowledge and understanding of locomotive restoration. If there is a steam railroad nearby, volunteer (and maybe eventually become part of the train-crew). Restoring a locomotive is a complicated process, and if it is to be done right you must have hands-on knowledge.

It is also important to recognize the then-whats of this endeavor, too many locomotives have been restored beautifully only to find themselves wanting for somewhere to run and being returned to static display.

That said, don't be discouraged. You have big dreams, as many before you have. And if the goings on in Portland and Sugarcreek are any indication, sometimes these dreams can be achieved.

Go back to Steam Info and look up C&O 2789. It is owned by a group slowly doing a cosmetic and possibly an eventual operational restoration of 2789. Perhaps this is the best C&O engine in your general area to restore and if nothing else you could collect a lot of good information from them. You may even join forces with the group and decide to help them.

John Bohon

Find the locomotive closest to where you are today, then get to know the curator, or whoever is in charge of protecting it. Explain that you want to work on the locomotive in anyway that will keep it in top shape for the future. This is something along the lines of an Eagle Scout project. Talk to some mechanics about protective lubrication and learn how to do it. Clean the rust, any accumulation of grime, soil, moss, garbage, debris, and the like. Ask the owners of the locomotive to underwrite the purchase of scraper and Rustoleum, then start immediately to so what you can do. Save loose parts, replace what you can without breaking your bank account. Ask a local window shop to donate new wooden window sashes and plexiglass windows. Take pictures, good quality photos of before and after and NOT WITH A CELL PHONE! Make a presentation of the photos before the city council or museum board or whoever, after you have made so differences in the locomotive's outlook. Go from there and you may get some credibility and authorization to go further.
You people like yourself are the future of steam locomotive restoration, so I say, go for it. My colleagues who have offered tips above, generally know of what they speak, so read and review everything they have offered.

I agree it may be better to get with a group that is already on the hunt to bring such an engine to operating condition and 2789 is that engine. I have been there helped and filming the original 765 restoration. If you're resourceful it won't take millions of dollars but you will have to do serious fundraising and then a good business plan to run the engine and then passenger cars to pull happy fans, so its more than just the engine to think about.

No matter what you do with any engine to restore, you are going to tear it completely apart (or so it seems) and put it back together (carefully!).
It takes big tools and lots of raw hard labor and the real knowhow of machining.
By all means get with the 2789 folks but stay in school and take all the mechanical courses and welding you can.
A steam locomotive is big but believe it or nuts they are made to clockwork precision.

Aaron,

I'm guessing you live relatively close to Washington Court House. Send me a PM and we can talk a little further offline. I met Paul Keller back in the 90's while I was going to college in Cincinnati and on my trips back and forth to home in NE Ohio, I would often detour through WCH. Many times Paul and his gang were there. They started a website circa 1995 but nothing came of it. They were raising funds, according to Paul, but then things quited down. It appears that Paul or someone is keeping a good coat of paint on everything.

Don't let anyone discourage you. Get involved with a group near you. We have a nice restoration project coming to Ohio within the next 12 months that you may be interested in.

Rob Gardner
American Steam Railroad Preservation, Inc.

Despite your affinity for the C&O, keep in mind they rode these things hard and put them away wet. Every C&O 2-8-4 suffered from neglect even before they were retired.



Then you and I sir, need to have a conversation!

KL

I was down in Ohio for a train show at Cincinnati's Union Depot Station, and I was talking to a man who had pictures of C&O 2776. He said was part of a group that was taking care of 2776 and was restoring her cosmetically. This was back in December of 2002. So, I don't know what kind of progress was made on the locomotive since then. Personally, the C&O Kanawha I want to see back in service is 2716.

C&O 2789 is at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, IN. Here's a link:
http://hvrm.railfan.net/co2789.html
They've got a great operation there and also have the ability to operate excursions on an adjacent shortline. If and when 2789 gets restored they'll have a place for her to stretch her legs.

its being worked on, but it will take lots more time, technical details (and technology have caught up so I can work on it)