Having read the notice regarding George Hart and having viewed the Youtube tribute, I am inquiring about CPR 972 gutted at Strasburg.
We've been through a past discussion of why Strasburg is determined to restore the locomotive with a Belpaire firebox. Regardless of opinions concerning that expensive work, can somebody offer facts regarding the loco?

A) Strasburg has all the steam power it currently requires and a backlog of contracted restorations. Add a C&) Greenbriar in the immediate future.
B) Strasburg wisely sold the disassembled Reading Camelback to an unfallable custodian.
C) Long Island G5s #39's boiler sits outdoors along with CPR 972.

Are plans on the calendar, some calendar, any calendar, to wheel the CPR ten-wheeler into the shop for restoration? If so, when?

Would Strasburg either sell or give the 972 and components to another railroaad to rebuild? Here I'm thinking of a company like SMS which has a desire to operate steam and proven its mettle?

This is not a scolding of Strasburg, as if one could or would do such a thing. It's an inquiry regarding an "old friend" of a locomotive.

Interesting note. Strasburg is able to run its service with the three engines they're running. But suppose something should happen to take one out of service for an extended period: 7312? That's an 0-6-0 that can do the job but is not the best choice. 972 would be perfect for the long term, I understand the D-10's were good engines.

As to that camelback, in the 1930's PRR was looking for a 19th Century locomotive for the NY Worlds Fair. They found an H3 2-8-0 at an industry in Birdsboro and added PRR 1187 to their collection. It's now at RR Museum of PA in East Strasburg, across the street from the Strasburg RR Station.

In 1946, the E & G Brooke sintering plant in Birdsboro was looking for a new (to them) engine and bought B-4-a Camelback 0-4-0 1187 from the Reading. It gained fame saluting Iron Horse Rambles as they passed the plant. When CF&I closed the plant Strasburg bought the engine and ran it under its own power to Lancaster. A PRR diesel had to lead to Leaman Place account Cab Signals and then it ran to East Strasburg.

What are the odds engines 1187 from both PRR and Reading would find their way to Strasburg? And both had worked in Birdsboro.

Phil Mulligan

If anything, I'd say they'd actually need 7312 more than 972 - to be a locomotive to take service time off of other locomotives and allow the shop crews to perhaps focus more on contract work when necessary. As it stands now, you've got 90 down for it's 1472, which comes around a LOT more often than every 15 years - which goes for all three of their locomotives. With year-round steam service, plus special events, they run through their allotted time under steam a lot faster than other railroads. It seems like every other year, an engine is going down for its 1472, putting more work on the remaining two engines. Right now, it's 89 and 475 running all the time.

Bringing back 7312 and using her on half-hourly trips, or random weekends in January, Fridays in April, whatever, would then allow the crews to save some wear and tear on the other engines when demand and rail traffic isn't as high as other times of the year.

Of course, this is RYPN, so I'm just preaching to people who know much more than I do already.

Hi all
The above posts makes sense, and good reasoning to get CPR 972 back into service.. I don't know what plans Strasburg has for the locomotive,,??
But a good question was brought up on one of the above posts, the two current locomotives, CNR 89 and N&W 475 are under constant use,, and with 90 in the shop under and overhaul..there is no Backup,,if there is a problem with the two current locomotives.
How long has 7312 ( 31) been in the shop,,and how close is she to being done and back in service????
The shop at Strasburg has its hands full, with contract work, and with C&O 614 coming to the railroad for restoration the shop has to find the time, and help,,just to keep up with the current work load.. just to try to keep on schedule.
Now as for the 972,,as the locomotive stands now in pieces, is she sell able,, maybe to the right group or person..with deep pockets.. If Strasburg has no use for the locomotive, they should at least make the locomotive some what, use able.. Complete the boiler work and put the locomotive up for sale,...
One it would bring in added money to the railroad, with one less locomotive to worry about,,she has been sitting in the dead line for quite a long time,,only the railroad can decide the fate of CPR 972.. we can only just guess... here the photo I took of her back in 2022..Pat.

Oh how quickly everyon forgets about that little legal clause on the tickets. "Power can be substituted at any time for any reason."

I remember showing up one weekend at Strasburg to do some business at the museum. I walked across the street to find a freshly painted SW8 8618 doing the honors working the passenger train.

The SW8 is perfectly capable of hauling the standard sized "summer consist" for Strasburg. Steam is nice, but its never gaurenteed. I'm looking forward to when they get the SSB1200 finished, it'll be a neat change to see some black with aluminium/silver zebra stripes working the rails.

Diesel powered passenger trains at Strasburg are extremely rare - all are advertised as steam.

Obviously there are no guarantees for anything in life.

The 7312 is essentially a 12-15 mph locomotive - at best. The schedule requires the train to hit close to 20 mph in spots. Keeping to the schedule with an 0-6-0 would be a challenge to the engine, track and crew's internal organs.

7132 is a yard switcher and the railroads "original" steamer. It's getting service more for sentimental reason rather than service reason I think. I think that's fine; loyalty is admirable quality, even to a machine.

The original question is regarding CPR 972. She saw incredible miles as an excursion locomotive and was ready to be overhauled. I'm guessing those miles taxed her pretty severely bringing about the tear down to where she is today. My question is not to scold Strasburg. I don't think an intelligent person could.

I want to know if there is a prospective time on the calendar when she'll come into the shops for a heavy restoration OR if Strasburg would be willing to sell her or give her to another positively proven and focused steam operator.

Is anyone from Strasburg authority able to address the question? I'm certain someone from the railroad is aware of the posting.

I remember riding behind the 31 on a day with 2 trains and the schedule was kept just fine!

I remember Kelly Anderson at one point had a post on another thread regarding the 972, and its mechanical condition.

There's something to be said about various forums that do not allow deleting / editing of posts after a certain amount of time so information can retained long term.

Richard, why don't you contact SRC directly and ask them?? Some things don't necessarily require a group discussion because it becomes a rehash of what has been been discussed many times previously and doesn't really add anything new.

K.R. Bell

Because it would prompt them to break out the chalk (again):

"DON'T ASK WHEN!!!"

To answer the question: No, we have not considered selling or giving away CP 972. For us or any other organization that locomotive will need extensive boiler work and that is the reason our progress stopped in the early 2000's.

It is true, 972 would be an excellent engine for our line and trains. 7312, while rough riding, is a good engine for keeping the schedule during single train operations most of the year.

With our load of contract work 972 is a task that will have to wait. We have no plan to return to working on it in foreseeable future. Keep in mind that contract work is not always a locomotive that is here, we also have several other jobs in our machine shop producing and refurbishing parts for engines that are not on site.

-Tim

For future reference I added Tim’s brief, concise reply to the FAQ.

Wesley

Asking because I don't know the answer: can 972 stay out in the elements indefinitely, while not adding significantly more cost to its eventual restoration? I'm not looking for a precise answer. I just saw the 'needs boiler work' comment, and wondered if, among other things, the shell will deteriorate with continued outdoor exposure.