From Facebook:


Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum transfers ownership of Steam Locomotive 5288 to Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust
Chattanooga, TN and Boyertown, PA.:
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (“TVRM”) and the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust are pleased to announce a partnership that will return to Pennsylvania a historic steam passenger locomotive. Locomotive 5288, a 4-6-2 Pacific-type locomotive built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1919, will be moved to the Colebrookdale in the next few weeks for eventual restoration. It will be displayed later this year near the railroad’s Boyertown, Pennsylvania, station.
“Over the past few years TVRM carefully reviewed the current status and future possibilities for operation of the locomotive” said Tim Andrews, TVRM President. After being an outdoor display since arriving in 2001, the TVRM board determined that the Colebrookdale could provide 5288 a broader range of options for the future. “The probable multi-million dollar restoration cost of the locomotive did not make sense for us in light of the limited operating options and higher priorities to see the rest of the TVRM collection protected from the elements. This in no way diminishes TVRM’s commitment and dedication to the preservation and operation of vintage steam locomotives, particularly those with regional significance, for the education and enjoyment of the public,” added Andrews.
“We are absolutely overjoyed to welcome the 5288 as a star in the Colebrookdale’s growing stable of steam locomotives,” said Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the nonprofit Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. “We portray that halcyon era of passenger railroading that took place in the first decades of the Twentieth Century. The noble lines of 5288 absolutely capture the look of that period,” said Guest. “She will be a fine stablemate for Grand Trunk 5030 and LS&I 18,” he said.
Steam Locomotive 5288 was built for the Grand Trunk Railway and was later owned and operated by the Canadian National until being sold to Nelson Blount in 1961. It became part of the Steamtown Foundation in 1969. It was transferred to the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1995 before coming to TVRM in 2001.

What a shame, the #5288 never seemed to be given any love or attention at TVRM. It was the only passenger steam locomotive in the collection and closely resembled the type of passenger steam locomotives that operated through Chattanooga. It was also the only steam locomotive left on display at the Grand Junction Property... unless that has changed? Been a few years since I've been over there.

Agreed. Seems like a loss for TVRM, although a possible win for the locomotive. When I first started reading the post on Facebook at first I thought that they were acquiring #5288 instead of #5030, since I recall there being some local pushback against the acquisition of #5030, but instead this is in addition to the #5030. Interesting to see the Colebrookdale go from zero steam locomotives to three in short order. Hopefully they don't overextend themselves.

I think they are overextending themselves. They do great with the "theme" trains for non-railfans but it's almost concerning that they have yet to return the first engine they got back to operation.

I'll be down there next Friday for their engineer program, so I'll try asking around about the #18. I find that operating crew tend to be forthcoming with info than car hosts or ticket staff.

Like I said, I know that Jackson, MI was pushing back against Colebrookdale trying to get the #5030 (the ol' "You can't take this engine that we've neglected for decades, it means too much to us" mentality), so I wonder if they're hedging their bet for if that deal falls through.

hi Guys ;
Congratulations to the folks at colebrookdale on the acquisition of another Pacific. I hope they take the opportunity to make sure that don’t fall into the “Naporano Syndrome”; a phrase coined by an engineer on the Black River and Western back in the 70’s. Naporano Syndrome is when a railroad or museum acquires more equipment than they can maintain, restore or protect and ends up having sidings looking like a scrap yard. I recommend the Colenbrookedale consider building more under cover / climate protected storage facilities to keep these locomotives safe and secure- long term’ this will save money in maintaining and restoring these engines to operation. Leaving them exposed to the elements will take their toll. Have fun guys - David Notarius - over there in the UK

Nathaniel Guest who is the founder and driving force behind the Colebrookdale enterprise is a gifted leader and has transformed that long inactive branch into a thriving center of restoration and activity.

Guest left a career in law to devote his full time efforts to this and I have zero doubt that this Pacific will one day be hauling revenue passenger trains over this line.

What our industry needs badly is more men of Guest's caliber.

Ross Rowland

I visited the TVRM last October and took these images of the 4-6-2. Her tender is close to shot, but other than that, this is a very viable locomotive if placed in the right hands. Note, she is an oil burner in the present configuration, which may hold some benefits for future operators.

I'm not sure she is an oil burner. Wasn't her stoker removed to be used in 4501?

John

Correct. Taken from the TVRM website: "The locomotive was essential in the restoration of the Southern Railway 4501, when its mechanical stoker was removed in 2012 to be reconditioned for use in the 4501."

That being said, I wonder if they will convert it to an oil-burner. LS&I #18 is already set up to burn oil from it's time at Grand Canyon.

Oil conversion? Why not? Plenty of CNR locomotives burned oil in service out west.
If you pull in on the image taken from the rear, it does look like an oil bunker in the coal space.

.

It was the idea of Robert Soule, he was president when the locomotive was acquired from Steamtown in 2001. When he passed away in 2006, donations were encouraged to go towards the restoration of 5288.

The 5288 as a Southern PS4 (either operational or cosmetic display) would have been a great representation of Southern Passenger Steam locomotives - TVRM doesn't own any passenger steam locomotives.

That does look like an oil tank, unless they extended the top of the tender for increased coal capacity and then covered it for display to keep out snow/water? It does look kind of unusual.

John

That is a Canadian style tender, (may even be ex CPR) modified for this loco. My recollection from the late Fred Bailey is that this loco was at one time considered to be in very good condition mechanically, as having few miles after its last overhaul. at Steamtown in Vermont it was considered to be a candidate for the Vermont bicentennial steam train, but the CP 2317 one out, only to never see that service.

Al P.