On Long Island, New York, the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum plans to soon lay track leading to its turntable. The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum is home to Long Island Rail Road 35, 4-6-0 (PRR 4201 / 1928), LIRR class G-5s.

Long Island, New York Herald: https://www.liherald.com/stories/farkas ... eum,140029?

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum: https://www.obrm.org/

significant major growth planned here this summer.
Everyone should get behind the restoration of LIRR 35 and sister 39, belonging to the RMLI, and at a restoration plateau at Strasburg. We should have an operable G5s, considering three exist and two are immediately available for restoration.

I agree - but the Oyster Bay's #35 is now only planned for a cosmetic restoration (with an eye towards future operational restoration if opportunities arise).

Since the 15-year agreement was signed with Strasburg in 2013, the "Steam Up LIRR Engine 39" has raised less than 1/4 of the million dollars needed to do the restoration. It's not looking good for either one.

I guess I'm a "last word freak". Jim, I think that's why everyone of us steam and Pennsy lovers should make it our responsibility to make some contribution - which I have.

Maybe someone could make some 39 NFTs to raise funds:
https://www.space.com/astronaut-scott-k ... rk-ukraine

I likewise have made multiple contributions to the 39 fund (and I’m on the “wall of” posts as well). I too am a big Pennsy steam fan - but I was hoping more progress would have been made by now.

I recall someone on here making the point that the reticence to donate towards LIRR #39 may have something to do with the fact that it has been undergoing an on-again off-again restoration for several decades now and that potential donors may look at it with the mentality of "It's been under restoration for this long with no major progress, why should I donate?"

I also recall reading somewhere, darned if I can find it now, that some of the people of Suffolk County weren't pleased with the fact that "their" locomotive was essentially being spirited off to operate elsewhere.

When the G5s class was retired, the LIRR offered several to various counties in the greater NYC region. Only Nassau County accepted #35, and Suffolk (and Queens, Brooklyn, and possibly another) turned them down. Ward Melville owned The Carriage House Museum in Suffolk County, and he asked for #39. My father installed it on the museum property.

My understanding is, the partially restored #39 belongs to the RMLI, and while some people may be put off by seeing it run in Pennsylvania, they are missing the greater point. The G5s still belongs to RMLI, it is leased for extensive restoration and operation, where it will do incredible things for all involved parties.

Money that has been spent in the past is used or gone, and wishing it back won't bring it back. Moving forward with a competent action plan will build new earnings and erase past errors. This is what is happening with the K4s #1361, and this is what can and should happen with both Long Island G5s locomotives.

Last word freak.

In reply to Richard Glueck:

Oh, I agree with you on both points, I'm just pointing out why LIRR #39 has had some optics issues that may have been cause for the rather cool reception to the fundraising. Definitely unfortunate, as I'm a Pennsy fan and think a G5 would look pretty good on Strasburg rails.

Well, WHAT THE ACTUAL [BLEEP]?!?!?!?!?

The mantra of every danged "slobbering steam foamer" has long been "Send it to Strasburg!"

Then, when it ACTUALLY HAPPENS for once just as commanded, WHERE'S THE SUPPORT?!?!?

Because people are much more inclined to type demanding words into a keyboard than to write numbers on a check?

The deal more or less chalks up to the RMLI and SRC splitting restoration costs, and SRC gets exclusive operating rights on the engine for 50 years. My interpretation is that means RMLI won't get to 'play with their toy' or have it go anywhere else without SRC being on board with it. RMLI pretty much won't get any kickbacks except getting to see their engine run on someone else's railroad. Strasburg is also nearly 5 hours distant from the museum. Not anywhere near the neighborhood.

Not that I am a subscriber to the sentiment, but I can understand why some people think it's a raw deal to donate to.

Correct me if I am wrong on the details of the agreement... that's what I've understood from their fundraising appeals.

-Sam

I really don't know about money for the RMLI, but ultimately, they get a fully restored ten-wheeler of immense historical importance. After 50 years, I still believe that's a positive outcome.

Strasburg is the "gold standard" and I agree with anyone wanting their locomotive restored by the best. This is one particular case where SRR really wants to get the locomotive into the shop. A restored G5s in steam would, at least I think, draw almost as much daily revenue as did the N&W "J". I don't see a negative card anywhere in the deck.