If anyone attends the meeting today--or speaks directly with someone who did--regarding Soo 735, PLEASE post an update!

kevinmccabe@avenew.com

> If anyone attends the meeting today--or
> speaks directly with someone who
> did--regarding Soo 735, PLEASE post an
> update!

- I attended the meeting chaired by Minot city park reps along with approximately 35 others. This 80-minute kick-off meeting to "Save the Soo in '02" was basically a brainstorming session by pro-735 folks to determine possible courses of action to ensure the survival of the locomotive. There were no attendees advocating scrapping/burial, nor any CP rail reps who have proposed and would execute these disposal options. In a nutshell:
- Temporary repairs last summer/fall to retain crumbling asbestos within the boiler jacket were successful, but still just a temp fix. As a result, no deadline has been set to decide the 735's fate. Still, pursuing a fix with a sense of urgency is paramount.
- The asbestos in question is present in the boiler jacket, cylinder saddle jacket, inner cab walls(?), portions of the firebox, and steam lines beneath the tender.
- City reps have received a flurry of inquiries from parties nationwide interested in acquiring the 735; however, the city is now focused on options to retain the engine, rather than just dispose of a perceived burden.
- Bottomline: This group needs the following ASAP:
1) Credible estimates to cover asbestos removal, then estimates to cover stabilizing the engine (blasting, priming, painting), and cosmetic restoration (reinstall jackets, appliances, cab walls).
2) Feasibility of moving the engine in the event the work cannot be completed in its current location.
3) Direction to possible funding sources (are there federal funds available to restore historic railroad equipment?)
- If you have any info that might help, please pass it my way; I'll get it to the appropriate people. No date set yet for the next meeting.
Thanks


olearyjd@srt.com

Thank you for a comprehensive report. IT is appreciated.

glueck@maine.edu