Ex-CN, in the 1960s. Still there, inoperable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/7069ND-RAILROAD-PHO ... otohosting

What's the story on ex-CN #92? It seems as if she would be a good alternative engine to W&W's #98, when that 4-4-0 is not running. Does she have some major problems? Or is she being restored?

Thanks.

Les

It hasn't operated since 1972...and when it was in operation, it took a beating. It would have to be totally brought up to current standards and there are inherited issues with the loco as built, that Strasburg has had to deal with with their 89.

It's not so much a matter of if, but more along the lines of just when it will be restored. They have 2 operable steam locomotives right now, both at the century mark but in great shape and they also have a full house in terms of storage. There currently is NO ROOM for any additional equipment to be stored indoors. There are 15 pieces of equipment stored indoors, within 2 buildings. They have to make phsyical plant improvements prior to any more stuff coming back on line. Anything stored outdoors is subject to vandalism...just look at the MP54's 442 & 450 that they had stored for years outside that were in great shape and used as extra capacity on busier days until some locals decided to make homes out of them at night and set fires in them. One is now an open car and the other sits boarded up.

Restoration of 92 was a higher priority until 58 came along. They were gifted an engine that needed little work to bring into operations at a time when they had NO steam available, so their focus went to it, then 98 being the next in line for easier restoration, followed. Of course, money is a big issue all around. They have the capable staff, volunteers and contractors to do a restoration, but there are too many variables right now.

Interesting question, which will say quite a bit about our avocation:

At one point, there were THREE of these locos under restoration within less than two hours' drive of one another: 92 at Marshallton, 89 at Strasburg, and 91 at the Middletown & Hummelstown. And there was a potential for ex-Steamtown 96, which I think(?) was in Michigan at the time.

Did any of these owners ever talk to each other regarding their mutual efforts? Any use for a bulk order of flues, parts, etc.? If they never did talk to one another, that says too much--and not good.

I know at the time W&W was under serious consideration to restore 92 (before 98 went OOS), they were in regular communications with SRR, due to their experiences with 89....even considering them to do the bulk of the work but, at that time, there was little if any seious cash in the bank for 92...I don't know what is there now, but I'd bet its not much more than back then. Any work that was done then was basically preventative maintenence work, priming the entire loco to prevent further rusting, and priming and painting the Tender and boiler evaluations, there was little if any mechanical work done to the loco, at least that I'm aware of. It did spend a little bit of time inside on track 2, but that was short lived.

It was also around this same time that they were in talks with SRR on leasing the 31 since they knew 98 was on borrowed time. Once 58 came, that changed everything....it was free and it's rebuild to operations were at limited costs since most of the work was done by a very dedicated group of volunteers who worked nearly every night of the week to get 58 up and running.

They wisely hit up the various foundations to get 98 back into service once the ROW rebuild was finalized. I think had they put their concentration on 92 after 58 came on line, you'd have been sure that 98 would have been the next rust bucket sitting in the yard due to the limitations I stated earlier.

I don't think there was any communications with the M&H since they weren't really doing much with the 91 then and the 96's restoration was talked about but then it was sold to Ohio Central.

Anyone know if Jerry Jacobson has ever given any consideration to trying to restore the 96 to service?

Les

At one time Jerry and the crew came down to look at 91's valve gear during our rebuild as they are missing most of the valve gear to their locomotive. Since then Jerry has tried to buy the 91 several times but to no avail.

Seeing this comment made me wonder why the OC crew didn't attempt to secure the missing valve gear for #96 from one of the sister engines on display up in Canada, rather than trying to secure it from the M&H. After all, the M&H always had plans to restore #91 to service some day in the future, which has since been done. And getting the missing valve gear from a static engine and replacing it with an authentic looking non-working substitute, seems to make more sense. Perhaps someone from the OC could comment.

But that got me to wondering just how many sister CN E10a class 2-6-0's WERE on static display up in Canada. Well I found the 81 at Palmerton, Ontario and the 86 at London, Ontario. And then #88 at something called the Prince Edward County Railway in Morrisburg, Ontario, which was actually supposed to be restoring the 88 to active service. I never recall hearing anything about this last operation, so I tried to find it on the internet. There was a listing for a failed attempt to organize a tourist operation in the late 1990's at a place called Trenton. Was that in Canada? It showed a small Whitcomb and also a GE 70ton end cab diesel painted up for the operation. Then there was a separate listing from this year for a Prince Edward County Railway Preservation Society. Apparently active, but no info on any railroad equipment. So, I guess I am confused about all this. Is this later PECRPS the same as the failed attempt in the 90's? Does it have the 88? Is it attempting a restoration? Anyone know?

Les