6039 was assigned/leased to Central Vermont in her later years (used regularly on the daytime passenger local), and that may have influenced "local" changes such as the CNR-style number plate bracket.

Howard P.

But then again CV had yet a different style of number plate (narrow as well). Does anyone have any photos of her in service on the CV?

As for 5288, a closeup shows it as having a completely different design of headlight bracket, then what was used by CNR, GTW, or CV. I guess the TVRM didn't like the CN style anything and replaced everything on the smokebox front.

I've also noticed that there is a trend with CN and GTW steam power preserved in the US, of removing the triangular numberboards and replacing the original headlight with a headlight that has built in numberboards. Some examples: 4070, 5288, 1551, 5629, 89, 92. What's that all about?

Wonderful to see Grand Trunk Western 6039 and Reading 2124 getting some love finally. I hope one day to see GTW 6039 all rebuilt and steam up at Steamtown. Maybe afterwords, she could make a visit on her home rails in Michigan.

I hope that 6039 is given the correct red and yellow passenger herald and yellow cab numbers like it wore in service. It never wore the freight white/aluminum herald. On the GTW if the engine was passenger engine to begin with it always wore the red and yellow herald no matter what service it was in and the U-1-c’s were purchased in 1925 to haul the premier passenger trains on the Chicago Division. Look at the small J-3-a Pacifics. They were bumped from the premier trains by these engines and ended up on freights. They wore the red and yellow until the end of steam almost 35 years after the U-1-c’s came along.

Steve Black

As wonderful an idea as this is, restoration of the 6039 would take an effort on a par with that of the Duke of Gloucester. It is fairly well documented that there is an internal rupture in the steam passages within the cylinder casting of this locomotive.

Steve

Here is a glimpse of things to come later this month:

The L&WV chapter herald was placed in the drumhead, and set on the platform of Lehigh Valley business car no. 353 yesterday. This is the first time the herald has been used since 1994, when the chapter sponsored a steam trip from Scranton to Cresco, PA.

Even better, steam engine 3254 passed by.

Any idea how many people are expected to attend?

Joe -

I'll only address GTW 4-6-2 #5629 (R.I.P.!) as I remember it. When Dick Jensen decided that he wanted to buy a steam locomotive, he wanted a USRA light Pacific and his purchase of the 5629 "filled the bill". He wanted a "generic" engine that could run on many different lines (still possible in those days), and was not preserving the 4-6-2 as a Grand Trunk Western engine. Thus the removal of the smokebox mounted illuminated number boards and the need for a headlight with built in numberboards. The Pyle National headlight as I recall, came from an Illinois Central 2-8-4, and I think it was from the 8049, which was the very first ICRR 2-8-4. (I often wonder what happened to that headlight.) He also replaced the 5629's original tender with one off of a Soo Line 4-8-2, which was done of course, to increase coal and water supplies. It was the Soo tender that was scrapped with the locomotive in the METRA supply yard there in Blue Island, Illinois. I am not sure whatever became of the 5629's original tender.

Your point about many of the GTW and CN engines in the U.S. losing their headlights and illuminated smokebox mounted number boards, is true. For instance, of the GTW 0-8-0's that ended up at Northwestern Steel & Wire and were eventually preserved, I think only perhaps IRM's #8380, might still have these. I can't recall any others that do.

Les

There are 568 registrations. Many of them will bring spouses, children and assorted other family members. I think that it could possibly reach 1000 attendees.

What's the availability of tickets for this year's NRHS convention -- I've heard most events are now sold out !

Bob H

Quoted from the convention web page:
As of May 17, 2010, ALL rail excursions are officially sold out. There are still tickets for the Night Photo Session, Convention Banquet, and the second section of Take me Out to the Ballgame by Trolley on Tuesday evening. If you are still interested in tickets for any of the remaining events, please reserve them as soon as possible. The Endless Mountain Rails Convention Committee greatly thanks everyone for the amount of interest shown in the convention. It is sure to be a success!

http://www.endlessmountainrails.com/wordpress/home/

Mike Tillger

Hi, Bob:

A few people have called to cancel from their plans. They can only get refunded if we re-sell their seats. At the moment, tickets are available, at least one ticket for each train trip, but they are going fast. (570)954-0758 is the convention cell phone number, if anyone needs to make an additional purchase, or whatever.

I'll see you there, Bob!

Do you still have to register for the Convention at another $30 or whatever?

Received this in an email on the 5th:

August 5, 2010
Loco shop update
CN 3254
Engine has been performing okay with typical maintenance and repairs ongoing.

CP 2317
Engine will operate for Rail-fest weekend September 4-5.

BLW 26
Boiler:
We have completed the firebox. Congratulations to the team. Many people do not realize what it truly takes to do that work physically, let alone the planning, co-ordination, teamwork, and time it takes to take it from a blue print to realization with limited manpower.
We are focusing on installing the front tube sheet. Prior to installation we will insure the interior of the boiler has been inspected thoroughly. This involves inspecting all bracing for cracks and stress risers. This also involves inspecting the dry pipe hanger holes and throttle holes and the auxiliary and turret steam pipe brackets. The interior of the boiler will also be coated with a coating of Apexior brand protective coating.
The front tube sheet dry pipe lap joint is being inspected and re-checked for proper lap joint fit. The main steam tee has 3 lap joints that have to be lapped correctly before installing the front tube sheet. 1 joint to the dry pipe and 2 to the steam delivery pipes. It is much easier to do this work off the boiler than on the boiler.

Running Gear:
The crosshead guides have been ground and aligned.
The piston rings have been installed on the pistons and the pistons will be installed into the new cylinder sleeves this week.
The 6 journal boxes have been weld repaired and stress relieved. They are now being machined and will have new brass journals pressed in.
The driving rods have been laid out. The 2 main rod keys have been made new. The right side wrist pin was out of specification and replaced.
The cross heads are being worked on right now. We are installing new brass shoes to bring them back to specification. They will be installed on the engine shortly.
Slide valve work has been completed and ready to reassemble.
Shoes and wedges have been made but not to size. When we determine the size we will finish them install them along with the journal boxes and put the driving wheels on.

Tender:
Tender cistern water cut out valves have been made and installed. The old valves were deteriorated beyond repair. The new ones are made of stainless steel.
We received the towers from the foundry and have started machining them. When machining is complete truck units can be rebuilt and put under tender. The tender can then be moved to paint booth for painting. Hopefully in September.

Appliances:
Dynamo ready to be installed
Upgraded air compressor from 9” to 11” single stage. Ready to be mounted and piped in.
Cab is ready for painting.
Purchased 2 matching sight glasses for cab. They are similar to one in the CP 2317. This will be part of standardizing all our locomotives to the same style sight glass.

NP 514:
We purchased and will install a new governor when it arrives.

Overhead cranes:
Crane installation will begin September 7th and be completed by September 30th.

Paint 3 passenger Coaches:
CNJ 1157, 1152, and 1026 will be sandblasted and painted. Work will begin August 16th at track 4 outside by contractor.

Paint 138 passenger car seat frames:
The DL&W 335 is complete and the DL&W 330 is half way there. The contractor hired another hand to expedite the process.

Stenciling:
Contractor will be stenciling the Big Boy this month.

Asbestos Project:
Asbestos removal project is well under way. All of the coaches are complete. All but the Reading engine and the Grand trunk engine have been abated.
We are stabilizing the boilers prior to reinstalling the jacket.


DL&W 346:
We received funding to repair the exterior and paint the exterior of this coach and also to replace the clerestory windows this winter. The truck units have already been rebuilt.

Car Department:
We are currently rebuilding truck units for the DL&W 334 and 330
Finishing up installing new toilets and painting rest rooms. 2 coaches left.

DL&W 565:
Crew removed the oil tank from the tender.
They made and installed a binder for the right side number 1 driving wheel.
They bolted the waste sheets back to the boiler.
They straightened the sagging on the front of the engine frame.
The asbestos contractors removed all the asbestos from the steam chest.
The crew is working in the smokebox.