So with some TLC from the Chief Mechanical Officer, his son, and Bob McDonald, W&W #98 is getting some cosmetic work done to it. I can't speak for them since I have no idea what they're doing, nor do I care to share that much information on the project, but it's getting some pin striping done to the drivers and maybe a few other area's.

Striping Debut for 4th of July:


She also has a new tender built back in December:



Thoughts?

Christian B.

Good grief, what are you guys using for fuel? ;)

The "extra GOOD stuff" ;)

Christian -

Pin striping looks good, but since you asked for thoughts mine are to put the headlight back on the center of the smokebox door!


Les

I liked the idea of that but I've heard some better suggestions on what to do with the light in the future. We'll have to see what comes out of all this!

98 has worn its headlight on the top of the door longer than it ever wore the centered headlight in service.

As for the stripes....eh. It does dress it up a bit, but its not a Pennsy Engine.

The striping on the loco after its last/most recent rebuild always seemed incomplete. The steam dome and tender could have had the same simple treatment as the cab, sand dome and steam chest had applied respectively, and with its graphite smoke box and polished rods, it would have looked just as classy with the black drivers and pilot truck....

Right now, minus the current striping on the cab, dome and chest, it is as it was painted on the MSC when in regular service. It was never a "dolled up" engine. The most striping it had, outside of the 1970/80's scheme, was when it rolled out of Schenectady - and that didn't last long.

To each his own.