Perhaps we can just get a definitive answer from someone like Kelly - what are the thoughts/status of #4/1187? Do you think we will ever see her return to service, or at least have a cosmetic restoration? We have an active employee here on the boards who could easily (potentially) answer a question like this - why not let him answer? (If he so wishes, that is...) Kelly?? :)

The Strasburg Railroad and Kellly or Lynn don't owe anyone an explanation about their plans for the camel back.

They don't owe us "Updates from the Strasburg Railroad Shops" They do provide updates... but there is no government agency which will force them to...

They own a locomotive... they are not currently using said locomotive... as a result the needed rebuild is not economically justified... They have explored what work would be needed...

The Strasburg Railroad is privately owned... not a museum... a privately owned business has no responsibility to divulge anything...

Their camel back may be a significant historic locomotive, but it is their locomotive... and there is no law requiring them to display it, operate it, maintain it or to prevent them from scrapping it...

Collectively we need to get over it... and applaud them for their (voluntary) efforts...

Well said, Randy. The locomotive is safe from scrapping, and I think we all realize that down the line, she'll get rebuilt. It's just not happening as rapidly as many of us would like.

I apologize if my post sounded as though they owe an explanation to us. That was not my intent at all. If they don't want to answer, that's fine. Strasburg is still my favorite railroad, and always will be, because it is a wonderful organization, a great group of people, and I never doubt that what they do, and the decisions they make, are in the best interests of all parties possible. :)

In Federal Employee La-La Land, the answer that would be given by Brothers Anderson and/or Weaver would be:

"That's above my pay grade."

Grand Poo-Bah Moedinger has demonstrated at least limited Internet ability in the past. If he should choose to comment, so be it. If not, so be it.

You don't like it? Go ahead and convince him to sell you the locomotive. Then we can all hound *you* instead.

That's how I read it, Jim.

And just how does one "get over it" when "it" is just a question asked?

Strasburg does not have to answer and (yet) it's because of the insight (and a few answers) from the likes of Kelly and Lynn that this site is so successful and remanins such a great resource.

My personal guess - in lieu of a pending answer; It would be nice to have the Reading Camelback restored, it has not yet been decided and it's no where near the top of the list in priorities. And that list will always be subject to fluctuation.

/Mitch

.

Kelly,

Was #4 stored in the RRMPa yard for a number of years?

Wesley

Trade her for the K4s or H-6sb!

For the umpteenth time: CAN'T BE DONE. Not one of the PRR steamers, at least. The Museum management's hands are tied with regard to this.

Again, I humbly apologize to everyone who may have been upset at how I worded my post, I did not intend for it to come out that way. I'll shut my mouth now. *goes and sits in the corner quietly*

I haven't read the whole thread, but from what I can remember from a shop tour at Strasburg was they asked the board if the could do a cosmetic restoration on it and the board told them to do a full restoration. I remember being a bit surprised because I thought locomotives of that type were outlawed. I also remember how in the shop someone had a photo of W. Bush with a "Charley Chapman" mustache drawn on. I guess that's one of the benefits of not being a non-profit organization LOL.

*Bangs head on Desk*


....and now back to the original topic.....

The Reading Camelback was on display in the museum yard for at least a couple decades. I last recall seeing her displayed on the turntable. She was indeed brought back to the SRC yard in 2004. Here is a shot that I took of her that summer. Obviously, this was before the cab, plumbing and lagging were removed:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=233300

/Kevin