759 looks like she's just back from a run. If only!Thanks for sharing.

Quite a heck of a run--blew off a cylinder head running fast enough to blow off all her firebox lagging....... Still, flat black is a HECK of a lot better than the last time I saw her, looking more neglected than the worst junkyard wrecks......

Alex, being inside is a huge bonus for her. Do you have pics before she got to Steamtown?

no question there. still, compared to the pics I've seen of the outside locomotives with the rusting,peeling paint, the 759 looks pretty good.

I'm sure this has been asked many times before on the internet, but does Steamtown plan on restoring 759?

Hello, GS pro. The answer for now is no. Her asbestos lagging under the sheet metal boiler jacket is going to be removed. This is part of a funding pachage asked for several years ago, and is finally being made available to make Steamtown an even safer place for the public to visit. Many locomotives are going through this process.

The reason this photo op was significant is because 759 has been in the roundhouse for nearly 15 years.

Tim, this project was funded by Stimulus Money! Putting companies to work. I believe every engine is going to have the asbestos removed. Plus I think the company is responsible to replace all the boiler jacketing too. Huge project but great for us railfans. Management up at Steamtown has gotten things going on the right track......(Sorry had to use that! :) )

Aside from the politics of the money (which by now is a moot point - the "stimulus" package is law), has any thought been given to posting approximate times when each locomotive is moved to the work site? Aside from David Crosby who can look out his window and see what's happening (as if Alco RS3's and Centuries aren't enough!) the rest of us will likely miss out seeing these things move around. Having some kind of heads up would let others get up there and if they take and post photos it will generate more positive news for Steamtown.

Actually, a webcam in the work area would be quite cool for this. A time lapse over the coming weeks/months would be a keeper for many and a neat display piece to boot.

Bob

Maybe this will answer a few questions.

I'm glad all of this is happening with the locomotives and equipment. Good luck Steamtown.

Can't wait to go up there to see 759. Oh boy will she look perdy all nice and restored.

Martin

I thought folks would like to be reminded of what 759 should look like. She’s climbing the grade from Stroudsburg to Pocono Summit; which means it ought to be possible to recreate this scene someday. While I’m certain that 765 is very nice, for those of us of a certain age, 759 will always be THE Nickel Plate Berkshire. Ross Roland, I thank you for making this memory possible.

Wow, doing 759, Grand Trunk 6039, and Reading/Northern 2124! 3 great locomotives! I'm glad to see this! Anyone else got anymore pictures of 759 outside?! :)

Actually, it raises a few questions (for me):

I did not notice the Big Boy on that list. When was asbestos removed on that engine or did it not have asbestos?

Is it safe to assume that the asbestos was removed as part of this program prior to repainting the IC 790 engine? (I assume so).

Is it safe to work with #565 as is /has the asbestos already been removed?

Which passenger cars are the ones that still have asbestos? Are they the ones in current service? Or are there that many "spares"?

On a side note - after the larger engines are repainted, if in time for the Convention, it would be a marvelous opportunity to have a photo shoot with them in unique locations - day and night and even before and after the Convention. I've always thought cycling the engines around the park would create alot of repeat visitors.

/Mitch

Mitch 565 is safe to work on as long as we don't disturb the asbestos on the cylinders. We basically don't even touch any of the cylinder area.

IC 790 did not have the asbestos removed prior to her new paint. But I believe the jacketing for the boiler and cylinders is part of the asbestos contract to be replaced.

Remember the issue with asbestos is that once you start messing with it or comes airborne then you have a problem. As long as its still stable then there are no big issues.