Steam (returning/being restored/being rebuilt) in 2026

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

Wowak wrote:

msrlha_archivist wrote:

Brian, If I'm reading this correctly, steady work on the 3713 was actually steadily ongoing until this past fiscal year (2025) when Trump announced DOGE cuts that were effective for NPS as of May-July 2025?

Once a government position that exists is eliminated, it is extremely difficult to re-create that position, especially if the sky doesn't immediately fall without it. Of course, no one wants to talk about the multi-million dollar "deferred maintenance" list between the collection and the physical plant of the shop and yard. We know exactly how bad it is, but as long as the gates still open in the morning, the politicians will argue that we're doing just fine with the resources we have.

Ironically just a week after this post, the GAO released this report:

Museum Facilities:
Deferred Maintenance Persists and Costs to Repair Are Unknown
GAO-26-108485
Published: Mar 10, 2026. Publicly Released: Mar 10, 2026.

It's a rather astounding document about the condition of museums (of all kinds).

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108485

From the one page highlight:

For an estimated 77 percent (about 12,300) of the nation’s museums, the
condition of at least one building system (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning) or building issue puts their collections at risk of damage or loss,
according to GAO’s survey of museums. An estimated 73 percent, or about
11,900 museums, cited at least one building system or facility issue that poses a
potential health or safety concern. Further, GAO estimates that nearly half of
museums identified physical accessibility, such as inaccessible entrances, as a
potential concern. Museum representatives said they have no options but to
store collections in areas that experience water leaks or uncontrolled
temperature or humidity.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2874

SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:

- Polson Logging 101 class 2-8-2 #70 went down for her 1472 SDI on New Years Day 2026. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she is running again alongside #5 (once she is up-and-running).

https://railfan.com/mt-rainier-puts-pol ... n-service/

jayrod · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2026 5:46 pm

PMC wrote:

SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:

- Polson Logging 101 class 2-8-2 #70 went down for her 1472 SDI on New Years Day 2026. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she is running again alongside #5 (once she is up-and-running).

https://railfan.com/mt-rainier-puts-pol ... n-service/

That was a very quick 1472 start to finish. I followed their progress on their Youtube channel. Those guys don't mess around. As soon as any bugs are worked out on #71, they'll start on #5.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2026 11:18 pm

NC&StL 576 fired up for the first time in 74 years today:

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state ... since-1952

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1715386046467960

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1062260206237849