My friend Bill Johnson was one of, if not the last engineer on #97. I helped him and others run #208 (the other 2-6-0) until it's boiler showed it was "too tired" and we parked it about 1988. I think #97 last ran about 1985, more or less, at French Lick, IN.
#97 is beyond "tired". It is done. It needs a new boiler, or at least a whole rear end including firebox and outer sheets. The running gear is kaput. You name it, it needs it. #97's tender was used behind #208, as #208's original tender was never "restored".
#97 was a oil burner, and when at French Lick it was converted to coal. It's firebox is too narrow, with too little grate area to burn coal well, so firing it was tricky on a good day, to made enough steam. Additionally, it was a light engine, and could not handle a heavy tourist train.
As far as it's current condition? I have not seen it for several years, but think nothing has changed except it is missing it's smokestack?
Photos:
1) #97 at Ocean City, MD at the Ocean City Western, prior to French Lick.
2) #97 crew at French Lick, including volunteer train crew.
3) #208 with Bob Johnson and myself (pointing)
| Attachments: |
|
208 001.jpg [ 70.98 KiB | Viewed 15571 times ] |
|
97 crew.jpg [ 53.12 KiB | Viewed 15571 times ] |
|
97.jpg [ 90.82 KiB | Viewed 15571 times ] |