Neat bit of information on McCloud River Railroad 2-6-2 #9 which ended up on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Railway:

http://www.trainweb.org/mccloudrails/Lo ... -0009.html

Number 9 may now be at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay. Anyone know for sure? I was lucky enough to ride the cupola of the caboose during number 9's last weekend of operations out of North Lake in 2002. Quite a nice little line. Sorry to see it gone.

Les

Far as I know, the #9 is still in Northlake out of the weather. The Hiesler was in Green Bay, Wi the last I knew. It was running there on selected weekends a few years ago. Haven't been to the GB museum for a couple of years now, so I can't swear it is still there. As of maybe 2 years ago the Hiesler was still there with the Lack coaches. Wish that arrangement had worked out, nothing like have a running steam engine 30 miles from home, even if it on a big circle track. Still better than static displays.

For the record the shop guys there were real decent fellows, like most shop guys are. You could "talk with" them, real down to earth and reasonable guys.

Cheers, John.

Too bad the equipment from North Lake could not be used at N. Freedom until they get a locomotive and trainset available for service. I believe that the North Lake operation was a spin-off by a member or two from N. Freedom who wanted to control their own fate. Maybe the passing of years and the present situation could make the idea a reality.

Don C.

This is the latest example of many instances on railfan forums where instead of taking time to look up the correct AAR alpha codes (or, for those lines with no AAR alpha codes - museums, tourist lines, fallen flags and such, using abbreviations that are historically correct or in current usage by the operator), posters make up pseudo-alpha codes that are inaccurate and misleading.

Can't we all do better?

Jim Tatum

Jim -

Sorry about that. 20 lashes for me with a wet noodle. I'll try to do better in the future.

Les

And what are the correct codes, please?

By the way Les, thanks for the link. I have not seen that many pics of the #9 and I find her history interesting. I saw her run when Richard first got her running at North Freedom, then when it left I never saw her again. Don't know why as it wasn't far away, just never got there. The early picture reminds me of the HO scale "Prarie King" that United put out in the early 60's in brass. Exception of course the model had larger drivers than the #9.

Your forgiven in this quarter, John.

Correct codes:

McCloud River would be MR. MCR has also been used.
Yreka Western is YW.
Amador Central is AMC
NEZP is correct for Nezperce.
What would KM be other than KM?

On the whole, three correct out of the five isn't that bad...

My understanding is the locomotive is still on the Kettle Moraine awaiting future developments. I was told maybe a year ago that there was a potential for the #9 to operate somewhere in Colorado, but nothing has come of that...so far.

Thanks for the plug of my McCloud Rails page. It is good to see that there are people out there using and enjoying it!

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV

John -

Thanks. I appreciate your comments. And I can understand your not getting over to see the Kettle Moraine. For years, I meant to get up there to ride, and photograph, the line. Didn't do it until the very last weekend of operation. It was then that I saw what I had been missing!

So I guess the bottom line is don't put off what you want to experience! You just never know how long it will be around.

Les