Bergen Tech pulled the plug on its stationary steam engineering class quite a while ago. I guess the school felt other vocations trumped the need the for future steam engineers. This despite the fact we still boil water to generate electricity and many industries still have a need for process steam. Among all the recent online news concerning 385 I recall reading that the various stationary steam engines, pumps, etc. that made up the school's historic powerhouse collection are stored at the Supor's facility. Bergen-Tech also had a Frick steam traction engine (tractor) that I believe is at Supor's as well.

Ted, The Whippany Railway Museum is still where it always has been. Namely in the restored freight house and on the adjacent property of the Morristown & Erie Ry. on Route 10 in Whippany, NJ. The museum offers diesel-hauled excursions (often special event trains such as Easter Bunny and Santa Claus trips) on select dates over the M&E each year. I should note that the present day museum is an outgrowth of the MCC's own museum exhibit that was on this site during the late 1960's and early 1970's and later at Newfoundland during the mid and late 1970's.

BTW: here's "The Old Lady" the way I best remember her:
http://www.jsupor.com/385/385-09.jpg

Regards,
Jim Robinson

The Whippany site is interesting because the Morristown & Erie promotes the location as "Whippany Park" where they rent space for PV car owners to store their cars. Usually there are 10+ PVs there adding interest to the museum. Also, the Whippany passenger station is being renovated. The story I am hearing is the M&E is moving its offices out of the enginehouse in Morristown and back to Whippany - which was the company's headquarters until the space was rented out in the 60's.

If you can find it, get a copy of Tom Taber III's history of the Morristown & Erie to see why Whippany was such a neat place with lots of history.

Supor has the stationary steam engines, stored. The Frick Tractor is on display in Supor's yard where 385 was stored. Whippany bought all the lights, bells, and whistle for 385 a few years back.

I remember 385 in New Foundland. My dad and I would chase her and 4039 to the crossing and watch.

I talked to Alan who is in charge of the restoration work at Whippany. He told me that 385 will be a while before she gets restored. They have quite a few pieces they need to get right first. I offered to help but I haven't heard back.