IC 790 new paint job

Afboone · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:23 pm

Gents, Steamtown painting is under way! 790 is got a fresh paint job. Here are pics if you look closely you can see the CNJ crane is primed!

Tom Parkins · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:49 pm

That is a great looking paint job. Amazing that she looks so good all you have to do is fill the boiler, oil around and put a fire in her belly. Nice to see progress. Thanks for sharing some positive news.

Tom

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:05 pm

Is this locomotive the one that was supposedly the "prototype" for the Bachmann model?

Orsonroy · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:24 am

Quote:

Is this locomotive the one that was supposedly the "prototype" for the Bachmann model?

Nope. This is a much smaller engine. The Bachmann model is based on the Harriman-Standard C-63 type large Consolidation. The IC had 53 of these engines, originally numbered 941-993. None were preserved.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:51 am

If I am correct, this is only one of two IC steam locomotives that operated in the "preservation era." If you peruse old Trains Magazine issues from the 1960s, you find this locomotive featured frequently in the "Steam News Photos" segment.

The only other IC locomotive to operate in the preservation era was the 0-8-0 that ended up at Spencer and was put in the park to replace the 2-8-0.

tomgears · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:19 am

Do you have more information on her operation in the preservation era?

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:52 am

Only bits and pieces.

Lou Keller of Iowa bought her from the IC in the late 1950s and "restored" her. It ran at least one excursion in Iowa. In the mid 1960s, the locomotive pops up and was used when the Mississippi River flooded one spring.

Next, she was supposed to go to a tourist line in New York, and in about 1966 or so, ended up at Steamtown.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:14 pm

Orsonroy wrote:

Quote:

Is this locomotive the one that was supposedly the "prototype" for the Bachmann model?

Nope. This is a much smaller engine. The Bachmann model is based on the Harriman-Standard C-63 type large Consolidation. The IC had 53 of these engines, originally numbered 941-993. None were preserved.

Thanks Ray

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:23 am

A Trains photo news from the 1960's shows her switching a grain silo. Sorry I don't remember which issue.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

I have often thought that IC 790 would have made a wonderful operating locomotive for a smaller museum or tourist railroad. But maybe she isn't in good mechanical condition. Anyone know one way or the other?

Les

Afboone · **Posted:** Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:41 am

hey Les, here is a link to the Steamtown report. Enjoy!!!
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/steamtown/shs2i.htm

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:53 am

The tourist line that was to get her for operation was Ron Ziel's and George Foster's "Sag Harbor & Scuttle Hole" Rail Road, in the Hamptons. As I recall, the owner of 790, at that time, wanted more than the two investors could cough up. Steamtown bought her. I also seem to recall there was something wrong with her crown sheet. The link given above will tell more concerning mechanical issues. 790 might be a good restoration project within the limits of Steamtown.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:03 pm

And personally, I'd love to see Steamtown have some US steam operating instead of just the Canadian stuff. That always struck me as odd.

tomgears · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:29 am

The consolidation was the most widely produced steam locomotive in America and probably the world. She would be a great operating example of the true workhorse of the steam era. The superpower might get a lot of the glamor but the consolidation pulled the weight. I would like to see her and the Maine Central engine rocking the mainline in Scranton.

Afboone · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:31 am

Come on Ed who cares what road name is on the side, Steam is Steam, and just great to see them going! Plus #26 and the B&M are U.S. base engines so they do but not up and running at the moment. If you look at, if Strasburg had all but their Canadian down would that be a problem?