.

What ever happened to the PRR 0-6-0 that was submerged in the quarry.
I'm outta here!

Hello,

The 1361 brings back a few memories for me. I was part of the Milton, PA area traveling volunteer resto crew. My contribution was very minimal but it was an interesting experience.

Mr. Laepple graciously offered to allow me to join him in an overnight hostle on one of the nights prior to her first shake down. As I recall there was a firebox valve failure while she was resting on the west end of the car shop and I believe they had to pull out the fire? Was it the blow down valve? I am glad it did not happen on our watch or I would have has a short lesson on how to save a crown sheet.

Seeing her roll under her own steam for the first time through the lighted car shop at night from the dark side was a good memory.

Prior to her operation, they were nice days before the vortex of power and politics grew exponentially.

During this venue was my first understanding of the term "death in a bag" (fast food).

Wayne, thanks for the invite way back when.

Regards,

Randy

Thanks for the info guys, and the reason why I posted the topic was when I did other google searches, all old topics came up, so I decided to ask here, sorry for bringing up a "dead topic."

Anyway. I'd love to see 1361 working in real life! Watching the Youtube videos of it makes me wish even more that I could see it Live.

Addition to the time line:
About 2005, the voting volunteer members agreed to permanently give up their voting rights so that the management, in response to fiscal needs, could make their own decisions.

I,ve been following the story of 1361 since 2006, when I first came over to visit Pennsylvania. In 2007 I went to Scranton, and saw the progress that had been made in rebuilding the loco.
In September of last year, on a visit to the railroad museum of Altoona, I saw the cab to 1361, and what I presume to be the 3 pairs of driving wheels. I was able to walk inside the cab, as it was,nt fenced off.The condition of the cab seemed reasonable, the wheels were painted in red oxide primer and sheeted over.
Ron Owen

Hmm.. interesting picture Ron. Wheels look in pretty good condition also.

Hope they have the axle and crankpins well protected.

Of the many mysteries surrounding this project, one of the biggest ones was Scott Cessna's annual pronouncements on this site and others that the engine would steam into Altoona that fall. Did he really believe that was going to happen? Or was that some mixture of spin and wishful thinking?

Chris.

Now that we know what happened (thank you for that fantastic history lesson) what can be done for the future? Are they still actively raising money for the restoration? Do they even want to still restore her? Is the project too far gone and we should just drop the subject?

The locomotive is restorable and has been brought along quite far. To drop her now would be rather wasteful. A "cure" for her boiler woes is known and is ready to be implemented. The money already spent is not going to be recovered by leaving her in pieces. The only good outcome will be to have a functional locomotive that can be steamed for special runs or events. After all, she is one of two remaining K4's, and the only one marked for operation. God, I want to see her fired again.

Yeah same here Rich. Especially after watching more Youtube videos her her.

The wheels were worked in the T.V.R.M. shop several years ago. I think the tires were turned - not replaced. All the crank pins were quartered ( left hand lead! -PRR Standard Railroad of the World) and the journals and hub liners were trued. I agree she is certainly restorable. Too much work has been put into her to abandon the effort at this point. Just take a break, re-boot and get the money to finish the work.

I have a few dollars I'd like to donate to some sort of restoration fund. Someone with the capacity take charge and I will donate and volunteer. Until then, here we sit.

I was also wondering where we can make donations.