how is the 5614 mechanacly and what wark would need to be done to it to make it operationel. ples if you live in the area can you post pics of it please.
john ross

Spell check........please.........

It might be easier to ask, "what work wouldn't be needed"? I'm sure that's a shorter list.

any donated/stored/on display engine not having been operated for an extended period of time will require a full checkover, your not going to throw a fire and water in it and expect it to run. Expect full inspection from stem to stern, expect to pull superheaters out and drag flues out and replaced with new, piping checked and replaced where needed, virtually all mechanical parts are going to taken apart, cleaned, parts replaced where needed, be ready to form some kind of club, organization, and and a dedicated group of people to work on and give the engine all the attention it needs and be ready to work/wait 4 years or more in the restoration process fundraising as you go.

good luck!!

There are some pics of #5614 on this page: (Scroll down to #5614)

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/northern/cbq.shtml


Looks like she's got a fairly new shelter at least.

Add to "dinwitty's" list: "Find a place for it to operate once it is restored, if possible....."

The biggest need is "Cubic money" then time, our club has been working since before 1999 to restore our engine, and we don't have a hard date yet. (we are however getting close, the tender is done and a lot of the appliances now work)

Put together a plan, but be sure to include "Cheops Law"

"Every thing takes longer and costs more"

Regards,
Kevin

NS isnt using a former N&W coaling branch, thats to me is a great museum operation potential.

Does NS agree with you as a willing partner?

dave

OK. At least one boxcar full of money. A business plan. An operating plan. Rapport with a possible place to operate.
Then: A good knowledge base. Dependable help. Shop for job skills for the restoration crew. Talk to local sources for possible macine work, welding, fabricating and other help. If you don't have the local talent, hire someone for a couple days to evaluate the engine to see if it's worth it.
Organization needs to be a benevolent dictatorship. A commune won't really cut it. Someone needs to be the go to guy and he should know what needs doing, in what order, by whom and using what tools and methods. This will pay dividends later.
Then and only then, turn the wrench for the first time. Too many projects are started with a gleam in the eye and nothing else and soon fall into disarray. This is usually after the engine is torn apart and laying in pieces.
Far too many disassembled engines around the country where interest was lost, bickering and political infighting and egos caused the problem more than the condition of the machine.

Well stated, 1522. That pretty well sums things up for anyone wise enough to listen. Also add to the list coaches, (and another box car load of money to pay for them) because one needs seats for the fare-paying "a**es". In reality, unless there is something major wrong, the condition of the locomotive is far less important than having the other factors in place.

that kinda tells me how the Ohio Railway Museum is leaning on, but there may be other factors, its important to stay on "track" with your direction. Having an "engine" to operate is only part of the equation.

What do we think would take to get this engine in operating condition? It takes a surrounding support to bring it back. Without that, you only have a metal shell, no spirit.

We could talk and talk and talk until we're blue in the face about what it takes but I think pictures of groups that have successfully taken locomotives apart and restored them would speak volumnes. Do a search on the rebuild of Nickel Plate 765 for example. They documented a lot of their work in pictures, but look at it with this in mind. When they started, the building they are in wasn't there. The tools and machines they used, were not there. The tracks leading into the building were not there. I think seeing those pictures would give a good idea of what it takes.

I was right there at the start with 765. It was totally restored outside.
It was on a wye like track that was barely used anymore, right off a branch line of the N&W (nkp).
Eventually the group got the use of nearby facility which had good buildings and storage.

What was fun some fellow right next door bought the property who was a rich computer data analysis, had some 2 foot gauge equipment and a steamer and some cars from the Chicago Tunnel, laid track and we had some operating fun there before 765 got fully restored.

I would say 765 was a raw upfront down to earth restoration challenge of dealing with todays challenges since there are no more out there steam railroads where you could run the engine in and out it comes in 2 weeks all done.

I think if you crunched in all the days of work you would still have a full year of continuous work considering the added rehabbing needed.
You could not do this with hired labor, waaaay too expensive.
You may hire labor where safety and requirements are required.

There is one thing that goes along with the restoration of a steam engine, that is the satisfaction of the final result. That is absolutely ultimate.