In looking at the links provided by Mr. tomgears in the 'NKP 759 vs. RDG T-1 2124' thread, I'm struck by the similarities between Valley Locomotive Restorations and what I believe was called (or was meant to be called) 'Friends of Rail Tours'.. A non-profit group who wanted to help George Hart in Jim Thorpe restore his CP ten-wheeler, possibly among other things... They never really got off the ground, but they did provide a monstrous tarp from a 'cement mill in the lehigh valley' (as i recollect-10 or 11 years later) to cover the 1098 (and tender) with..

My curiosity is piqued, and I'm wondering, was there a connection?

-Micah

Micah

I'm positive they were one in the same. They changed their name upon shifting their efforts to Jim Thorpe from Scranton. There was big talk about what they wanted to do, but unlike the 565 group, nothing much came of it. They even had a website at one time.

Dave

That's certainly how it seemed to me..

Wish I could have seen the website..

Thanks,

Micah

Goes to show what having a good NCO in charge can do........................

I'm glad you put 'good' in front of NCO.. Stripes and rockers alone are no guarantee of success..

Back to the topic, I do know the Friends of RailTours came through with a monstrous tarp.. After ARHS' RDG RS3 was taken to Scranton, the 1098 was put back in it's spot on the pit track, and it was up to Anthracite to re-tarp it. Having been a part of that, I can say that we didn't go such a good job, though there were only two of us to do the job.. The tarp was roughly 100' by 30', in my estimation, and of a very heavy material..

Oh how I wish I'd carried a camera with me back then..

-Micah

I too remember this group. I tried to get involved but was told I was too young. I met the leader. His name was Dave something. I remember he threw a coat of paint on the 1098 with a bucket and roller. It looked good for a while. Speaking of 1098, where did it go? I was in the area a few times this year and did not see it back by the turntable.

Dave Gerancher..

The 1098 is now in the Port Clinton Squarehouse, having left Jim Thorpe in December 2009..

-Micah

Wasn't there also a plan afoot to move some of the RT stuff to Towanda a few years back?

Rob

I can say that moving to the TMSL was only a rumor. I even wondered where that came from..

-Micah