I have been having some discussions via e-mail with the Boiler Inspector for the State of Oklahoma. He has informed me that White Pass & Yukon 2-6-2 #4 (Baldwin 37564/1912) and a couple of items of rolling stock are available at a cheap price.

They are located at a former game farm at El Reno, OK. The area is now a campground, and the current owner is afraid someone will get hurt climbing on the equipment. He just wants it all removed, or else he may have it all scrapped.

Based on the inspector's description, it sounds like it is missing its pilot truck and builder's plates. He was not sure about the condition of the boiler itself.

He supplied me with the current owner's name, e-mail, and phone number. I don't like to place such information on a public forum like this; but if your organization is interested in this engine, please e-mail me off-line, and I will be glad to give you the contact information.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net

> I have been having some discussions via
> e-mail with the Boiler Inspector for the
> State of Oklahoma. He has informed me that
> White Pass & Yukon 2-6-2 #4 (Baldwin
> 37564/1912) and a couple of items of rolling
> stock are available at a cheap price.

> They are located at a former game farm at El
> Reno, OK. The area is now a campground, and
> the current owner is afraid someone will get
> hurt climbing on the equipment. He just
> wants it all removed, or else he may have it
> all scrapped.

> Based on the inspector's description, it
> sounds like it is missing its pilot truck
> and builder's plates. He was not sure about
> the condition of the boiler itself.

> He supplied me with the current owner's
> name, e-mail, and phone number. I don't like
> to place such information on a public forum
> like this; but if your organization is
> interested in this engine, please e-mail me
> off-line, and I will be glad to give you the
> contact information.

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a

Here is a link that shows a good selection of pictures of WP&Y #4

http://narrowmind.railfan.net/WPYR/late-steam/late-steam.html

Dear Mr. Hefner,

In regards to:

> and a couple of items of rolling
> stock are available at a cheap price.

Can you provide descriptions of any of the other equipment that this person has available.

Many thanks,

Tom Cornillie


rrhistorian@hotmail.com

> Dear Mr. Hefner,

> In regards to:

> Can you provide descriptions of any of the
> other equipment that this person has
> available.

> Many thanks,

> Tom Cornillie

Yes, it is the locomotive and tender, two or three what I believe are flat cars made from unsprung mining cars, and about a mile of track. All of which needs to go.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net

It might be good to contact the WP&Y itself. According to reports, they recently had the pieces of 2-8-0 No. 69 shipped to Wisconsin for rebuilding. It is not unthinkable that they might be interested in No. 4 if not much money were involved in acquiring it. The trolley group in Whitehorse might be another possibility. One report says one of the derelict engines from the river bank (No. 66?) in Skagway has also been privately purchased and sent to Wisconsin.


ryarger@rypn.org

I believe I sent it to someone with the WP&Y last night.

The response so far has been great; I believe she will go to a good home. The only question is where.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

> It might be good to contact the WP&Y
> itself. According to reports, they recently
> had the pieces of 2-8-0 No. 69 shipped to
> Wisconsin for rebuilding. It is not
> unthinkable that they might be interested in
> No. 4 if not much money were involved in
> acquiring it. The trolley group in
> Whitehorse might be another possibility. One
> report says one of the derelict engines from
> the river bank (No. 66?) in Skagway has also
> been privately purchased and sent to
> Wisconsin.


Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net

I have sent the contact information to everyone who responded as of 9:00 this morning. If I somehow missed you (I heard some folk's messages got bounced), please let me know with your e-mail address here, and I will send it to you later today.

The response to date has been great; I hope we hear some good news about a new home for this engine in the near future.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net

I was down there last year and spent some time looking the locomotive over. She indeed would make a fine restoration project. I have a collection of photo's that I could zip and send to anyone interested.

From what I remember, she had been in the middle of an overhaul when she was placed on the ridge where she sets. Getting it off the property wouldn't be to hard and she is five miles from El Reno.

She was missing her some hardware, but the care taker of the property told me that most of the parts were in the weeds with the 8 sets of trucks, the tender and flat cars.

From the inspection, I found the boiler to be in pretty good shape with very little rust in the critical area. the running gear had some missing rods, but the tires looked like they had just been turned. I beleive the pins on all the drivers had been turned also. Many of the back head componenets where still in place. She would need a new cab. As I remember, the lead truck was missing and I didn't want to wonder around in the deep grass where the parts were. (Snake season)

I was really surprized at how well she looked for having been sitting on the Okie prarie. I would love to be part of here return to the White Pass.

Art



artchase@hotmail.com

James,
Could you let me know.
Art Chase

artchase@hotmail.com

Her is a link to a current picture of Klondike Mines Railway #4, or the 2nd #4 on the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

Art

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?display=1708
artchase@hotmail.com

Wow! What a sad sight. I'll bet JD True would be shocked if he were still alive. Lets hope they haven't lost too many of the pieces..

> Her is a link to a current picture of
> Klondike Mines Railway #4, or the 2nd #4 on
> the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

> Art


ryarger@rypn.org