It would be fascinating and informative to see 1361 adapted as a work-in-progress display. Then publicize the activity and use it to solicit contributions.

Several activities tell me their contributions have just about dried up. Isn't it time somebody tried something a little different for a change?

PC

I was one of the volunteers who worked on 1361 in the Scranton shop from mid-1997 through 2002. I can tell you that on the occasions when we were doing hot riveting, the folks going through on tours were absolutely fascinated by the heat and the noise, to the extent that the Rangers had to herd them on to the next part of the tour. Visitors also enjoyed watching as we used the McCabe Flanger to bend the new flue sheet. If there is an opportunity to demonstrate such work to visitors safely, by all means do it. Most people today have no concept of how many of their ancestors made a living with their hands, and if we can do our small part to show America's industrial past, we should do so.

I would also echo Mr. Cook's comment about the comparative disdain by many rail enthusiasts for the maintenance side of preservation, whether it's locomotive and car repair, track construction and maintenance or even such everyday activities such as loading coal, wiping down, or shoveling out the ashpit. Without the folks behind the scenes that make the wheels go around, there would be no opportunities for pretty pictures.

I don't think it is disdain. It is just that maintenance is a less visible side of RRing. It's just like the marketing side of railroading. That is another fascinating and essential part (if there aren't customers to begin with, then maintenance or locomotives wouldn't be needed), but mostly done behind closed doors. That seems to be ignored in both enthusiasts and preservation circles as well.

There is so much more to RRing than just the machines. But those machines are the most visible part to the public. And I don't believe stereotyping rail enthusiasts/photogs as people "who don't care" is a wise move.

Just my opinion.

"the regionals ( i.e. the R&N etc.) operate in areas without nearly enough population base to support a big engine."

Whether operating out of Port Clinton, Pittston, Jim Thorpe or Tunkannock;

The R&N has been selling out 12 car trains, enough to require 1 or 2 SD50's to assist the relatively light 425 pull the train. Harrisburg, NY, Philly, Baltimore, DC all in a few hours.

Expect the "Muller Model" (small engine for show, conveniently ignored and expertly operated to be inconspicuous diesels for go) to make it even harder to get any new big engine out.

Population isn't the problem. A big renovation/restoration bill is the problem.

Interesting comment. Other than myself, how many of us would race down to Pennsylvania to catch a restored K4s in operation once again?

I wouldn't be surprised if there is more of a need for an interactive, interesting interpretive exhibit of actual locomotive restoration as a draw for the museum than for another operating steam locomotive in central PA right now, especially if there's no place for it to run. Resources might be available for exhibits, or for public performance art, or for crafts demonstrations that aren't for making a locomotive run.

if PA needed an operating K4, the resources would be provided for that purpose. Maybe they need people-oriented cultural resources instead?

dave

Ah, public performance art. Perhaps the money could be found to have a troop of mimes rebuild the engine. It would certainly be quieter that the discussion this topic normally engenders.

Wasn't that part of the original Steamtown concept that was advocated by a theatrical designer? The turntable pit was going to be fitted with surrounding performance stages with a supporting structure that covered the pit and turned with the turntable, the entire table and stages were to have a rotating covering like a carousel, and the mimes (presumably rangers) were to do "interpretive dances" on the stages as the locomotive, turntable, and stages rotated in the center of a circle of bleachers. Performance art at its very finest.

PC

Mimetown, USA?

But could we get enough US mimes? ...or would we have to settle for Canadian mimes, because they were all that were available?

Jeff
Marcel Marceau, Illinois

For some reason, enthusiasts and preservationists seem to view maintenance and restoration as opaque, impenetrable, unavailable to them, or just uninteresting. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Any maintenance shop at a nonprofit volunteer museum would love to have your assistance, and you don't need to know a darned thing about fixing trains, just have a healthy respect for safety. Come on down.

Actually, I am certain there are sufficient mimes in U.S. Parks that could be rehabilitated for very little. Mimes that communities would rather forget and neglect. The question is, will American railroads move them?

A mime is a terrible thing to waste.

(Okay, I've pushed this as far as it should go.)

You know, I've been reading Michael Pollan, who puts forth the notion that certain species have managed to exploit their relationship with humans for their own advancement. Housecats have us quite well domesticated, for instance. Corn has convinced us to clear half the midwest just for it.

Anyway, if I wanted to be cared for by the humans in similar fashion -- which steam locomotive would I want to be?

My conclusion is I'd be doing just fine to be 1361. There I am, already the official steam engine of Pennsylvania... already the most-talked-about steamer in America today. Scandal, sure ... but there's no such thing as bad press if they get your road number right.

Eventually my legion of supporters will recover from their dubious flirtation with government money, and will settle down to reassess what 1361 really needs. At that point, hey. I'm already located in a major steam shop, just a few hours away from Strasburg. It's a matter of time. One thing's for sure... I'll never be as neglected as the average GG-1, and I'll never have to sit out on that lonely Curve, coz they dieselized that job.

Pollan? That explains it - I've been reading Michael Palin.

Never mind...........

dave

Now that's the most useful thing I've seen posted in the thread so far... I was wondering about the shrink wrap's worth. Are you able to remove it and reapply with patches (like cling wrap on a cake) or something along those lines?

Best,
Mike