Fillmore & Western #14 is ALIVE !!

choochoomike · **Posted:** Sun Dec 05, 2010 4:21 am

Fillmore & Western's #14 2-8-0 IS ALIVE !! She moved under her own steam/power tonite about 6:30pm. She got to stretch her legs a little bit going back and forth in the yard and parked in front of the depot for a while and brought huge smiles to the group of folks that have been working on her since earlier this year ! Even had a little stack talk going for a bit :D (Thanks Jeremy & Jarod !)

The public on North Pole and dinner trains got to see her out and about too. A number of the kids from the Santa train couldn't wait to see her up and close !

Yes, I have pictures, but no time tonite to post them. Spent the whole day working on her along with the rest of the folks.

#14 still has a buncha work that needs to be done yet. Lot of cosmetic stuff, finding and tightening all the leaks, balky compressor, sanders, etc. But is looking good !

Stay tuned !!!

Mike

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:42 am

Great news! Congrats and thanks for posting!

Stephen

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:22 pm

And the world of railroading is a little better off tonight!

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6486

Mike -

Great news! I look forward to seeing your photos. I had the good fortune to ride behind number 14 on a fantrip over the Duluth & Northeastern many years ago. She is a terrific looking 2-8-0.

Les

Unseenthings · **Joined:** Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:51 pm **Posts:** 155

found this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUbiX3xO7w
(still image collection of restoration)

SPpacificfan · **Joined:** Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:19 pm **Posts:** 58

Video of the run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6kdGNKVyvQ

Charlie · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:50 am

Wow, that's a great sight to see! When I last saw it a few years ago with pieces of it scattered here and there, I didn't think there was any chance of it being glued back together again for display much less restored to operation. Major kudos to everyone involved on an outstanding job! Gives me hope for all the other disassembled locomotives around.

choochoomike · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:06 pm

Ok, folks, been a bit swamped with life these past few weeks, so here's a sampling of #14's public debut from last weekend Sat nite 12/4 & Sun 12/5.

1) Some of the crew/volunteers that helped out on Sun 12/5. Somebody joked that the motto should be "Powered by Red Bull" for the amount of that beverage that was consumed throughout the restoration :D

2) On the front of the XMAS tree train on Sunday 12/5. She was pulled dead in consist by the green thing behind here :P, then came back under her own power to the depot area.

3) Steaming up for a 1st run run from the work area to the depot and back. That's Fillmore & Western's owner Dave W. standing on the ground just to the left of the cab. His babe just got here extreme makeover :D

Enjoy !

Mike Lucek