http://railswap.org/cb/cl/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=8512&query=retrieval

Here's an interesting item. No where as complete as the recently discussed 557? 2-8-0, but an engine that really would be interesting. Yes, 44" drivers, what appears to be slide valves and I'm guessing its saturated, with a tiny keyhole firebox means it's suited only for intermittent running with light loads on easy grades, so what Museum/Tourist/ operation might have good use? In spite of any limitations-its small size could make ideal to introduce locomotives to children, who might be intimidated by a bigger engine.

(I'd love to see it in Scranton, but then again, I haven't heard the feds were looking)

Wondering if she would be a good candidate to make into another "real" Thomas the Tank,or would having a tender kill that???
It would seem that if you're willing to gamble that Thomas stays on TV for another few years she could earn back the investment via the rich fees that Thomas commands????
Just a thought. I'm sure Mr. Moedinger is way ahead of me and has already thought it through thoroughly!!
With all due respect let's hope she deserves a fate better than Steams "black hole" (whatever enters-never leaves) as Scranton is now often referred to?? Ross Rowland

I've never heard that reference, unless thats a fresh neologism, in any case if there's a dearth of steam, its across the Delaware. Nothing much going on in the Garden State at all.

a place like huckelberry would be ideal. all level, and short distance.

Yes, but the Huckleberry is 3' gauge.

Seems like a potentially very useful engine to me, even without a smiley face. Nice size for a slow short run, and more water capacity than a saddletanker for longer hauls. It seems that a lot of heavy work has already been done to the running gear, and a survey of the boiler - doesn't mention who has done it, but assuming the work is good and there aren't major unmentioned the price isn't an unreasonable place to begin negotiating.

She'd be pretty running the trains at New Hope Valley RR as the road engine, with 0-4-0T 17 as yardgoat.

dave

[quote="Martyhuck"]Yes, but the Huckleberry is 3' gauge.[/quote

what I meant was level track and a short run.
woud this locomotive be too big to haul around like the Flagg 75?

"With all due respect let's hope she deserves a fate better than Steams "black hole" (whatever enters-never leaves) as Scranton is now often referred to??"

Nice... I fail to see how hurling insults from behind a computer desk furthers the cause of Railway Preservation.

A while back someone asked Ross what excursion operations/museums he did approve of. I'd still love to hear that answer. The list is getting pretty long on the "disapprove" side, through outright attacks or thinly veiled insults; Railroaders Memorial Museum, Golden Pacific, Steamtown, Thomas, anyone who chooses to run "The Polar Express", Ohio Central System... Yes mistakes have been made, but there's a difference between constructive criticism/questions and statements like the above. Shall we recount your missteps Ross?

IMHO Constructive criticism or questioning would go something like this...

Who currently owns the C&O 614? If it is "Iron Horse Enterprises" who are the controlling interests besides yourself? Are there now or have there been in the past 10 years any financial liens placed against C&O 614? As money is raised for the Yellow Ribbon Express, will it be put in escrow or shall work begin on the 614 immediately in order to return it to service before all of the funding needed to see the YRE project to completion has been attained?

Dave Crosby

Getting back to the original subject of this thread, the locomotive is ex-Indiana Northern 0-4-0 #4. The IN was a two mile switching railroad located in South Bend, Indiana and was originally built to service the Oliver Chilled Plow Company. I have seen a map of the trackage in the Oliver works and an 0-4-0 was certainly needed to take the many tight curves in the plant. At least one other 0-4-0 tender engine existed on the line (there may have been others), number 3, which was also built by Baldwin. The Indiana Northern eventually became part of the New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois Railroad, originally owned by the Singer Manufacturing Company. In 1926, the Wabash acquired the NJI&I, but the IN continued as a separate corporation until 1959.

Number 4 would be a welcome addition to our museum, which is at least in the general area (northern Indiana), but of course, the asking price is rather rich for our blood! If the eventual buyer of the little 0-4-0 is looking for a place to restore, and eventually run, the engine, we do have a nice shop (soon to be expanded) and good trackage on which to run the engine. Whatever happens, it would be nice to see IN #4 come back home to some spot in northern Indiana.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

In fairness to the truth it seems to me that fact based critisism is a healthy thing for any industry or endeavor.
One can certainly understand how Scranton would have earned the "black hole" label what with 3 different loco. rebuild projects going on simultaneously for years and years and years and none of them getting completed.
There are a large number of operations that I think do a very credible job. IMHO Strasburg sets the bar for the Tourist Railways and the UPRR program does the same for the Mainline efforts.
614 is owned by IHE of which I am the Chairman&CEO. The other shareholders are dedicated steam fans who want to remain anonymous. There are not now nor have there ever been any liens filed against the 614.
The funds now being raised for the YRE project are being used to flesh out the formal business plan and will be used in the months ahead to attempt to sign on the corporate co-sponsors whose support is mandatory for the project to be fiscally feasible. No "cutting metal" will commence until all the necessary sponsorships have been secured which will take at least another 9 months to a year.
Your suggestions are always welcomed and I encourage you to visit the YRE website ( www.yellowribbonexpress.com) from time to time to check on our progress.
Thank you, Ross Rowland

WE WILL NOW STOP DISCUSSING Steam town in this thread.

The moderators consider Ross' comments, specifically, "Steams "black hole" (whatever enters-never leaves) as Scranton is now often referred to??" to be a in violation of our guidelines, specifically:

The INTERCHANGE requires all posters to adhere to a high standard of courtesy and civility. Polite, constructive criticisms, and polite responses to same, are acceptable. Insulting or inflammatory language; argument and debate for their own sake, challenging posters to “put up or shut up” attempts to chill discussions; and personal, ad hominem, attacks on other posters ("flaming") are all prohibited. Please note that this standard is inherently subjective, and is considerably more restrictive than the standards on many other railfan and railroad forums. Some people may not find it possible to express their full views and stay within this guideline. Other people may have legitimate philosophical objections to posting under inherently subjective moderation. In either case, we must respectfully ask them to express their views in other forums than this one.

Any additional discussion on this topic either continuing this attack or disputing the allegations may result in additional moderation, up to and including locking the thread, deleting offending posts, or deleting the thread. Discussions of future potencial use of the locomotive which started this thread are welcome and productive.

I second Ye Moderator.

As for the subject in question, I personally believe the proper response to those casting such negativity repeatedly is exemplified by the following YouTube clip of "Family Guy's" Stewie Griffith:

"How are you coming on that novel you're working on?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8m_uyjS ... re=related

(Trust me, I'm working on such a script for when we meet a certain chap....... "Got all those, eh, corporate sponsors lined up? The flues? [squeakier voice] Cab card? Refreshing the, eh, ol' journal boxes? Loverly sidings to park the train in?.......)

[redacted]

My apologies to the moderators and members for my intemperate remark regarding Scranton. Please forgive me. Thanks, Ross Rowland

I don't understand why more people don't simply use the edit button? If you make a mistake, rather than let it sit there festering on a thread, log back in and click the "edit" button. It's located in the upper right-hand corner of every message we post.

I'm beginning to think most posters are unaware that this option exists.