I had the opportunity to visit Mid Continent Railroad Museum this past weekend, and came away feeling both elated and a bit discouraged.

The good: Overwhelmingly "good" is really GREAT. The trackage, at least around the station and yard, is better than some Class 1 roads. The display equipment is, for the most part, painted and asbestos abated. The rolling stock is painted and fully restored. Two trains were operating and the place was packed with hundreds of families and other visitors. Both trains were Diesel powered - bit of a downer for me, but the patrons weren't upset. The buildings are painted and beautiful. The yard switches are illuminated. The personnel were friendly and happy to be performing their jobs. Classic rolling stock was restored and under cover.

The lesser: About 16 steam locomotives on the property, but none in service. Those on display are really quite well taken care of, but not intact. One beautiful Decapod is quite rusted and needs to be cleaned and painted. Other steam needs to be completed for proper display, such as Kenewah Central #29, which needs her plow.
In the yard and shop area, Several locomotives are nearing completion, including LS&I 22, but only for display. A small Mikado has her boiler finished, but remains to be assembled. Other locomotives are parted out or completely disassembled, waiting for their turn. Ex-C&NW 1385 is off on a side track, with no firebox. There remains other locomotives in similar condition, but here's the note: all the pieces are labeled and neatly stacked for later reclamation! There remain scores of classic rolling stock to be worked on, BUT, many are already being restored. Better still, the personnel seem eager to move ahead and do what they came to do.

Fully worth your time, your extended visit, and money. I give it an "A" for certain.

Dick

As to the Copper Range #29 and her plow. We do not have it as it was scrapped many years ago or is in a pile of brush somewhere in the UP of MI. I know at one time we talked about recreating a plow as the lifting mech or most of it was still present. It was not exactly a factory option, but definately part of the Copper Range tradition. I too hope to see some sort of plow recreated for it. Always thought she was an ugly duckling of a locomotive, funny once you work on something you {I} all of a sudden would like to see it run. I think a good section of the firebox is rotten inside like most parked engines. She is actually kind of heavy duty for a small consolidation. With what it takes to make a locomotive go these days, there is no good reason why she couldn't be put in service some day.

Did you notice if they got the frame for the Polson #2 jacked up and drivers out? The plan was to do it this last weekend. Called the owner this morning but couldn't reach him. I know he has a shop lined up to machine the profile, journals and quartering. Hope this gets going soon. Glad to hear of the patronage and members working. The political climate, the great flood and the economy has taken it's toll. Good news is welcome. Cheers, John.

Edit: just talked to the owner of the Polson #2, they did get the frame up and the wheels out. Guess I have some welding/grinding to do on the frame to correct the areas around the shoes/wedges like we did with the Montreal project. Nothing serious just normal wear and tear. Lot's of dirt and debri from the flood to be cleaned up too.

LS&I 22 is privately owned, and was being restored to operation. For the most part, it's looked the same as it does today, as far as I can remember (mid to late 90s). The tender was restored about 10 years ago... From what a few volunteers have told me, politics prevented the project from taking off. Wouldn't mind hearing more on that from someone more involved with the steam group.

Every time I get out to North Freedom, things are always looking better. Diner 2017 had a fresh coat of maroon, giving the first class trains a bit of shine (albeit the coat of paint wasn't even that I've ever seen...but I'm not complaining).

It was also good to see Saginaw #2's boiler back from repairs, sitting near the loco shop. Plumbing was being fitted in preparation for a hydro. My hat goes off to the owner of #2 and anybody involved in that project!

I saw this emerge from the Car Restoration Shop yesterday.