A note of gladness that this locomotive will be preserved, properly cared for, and maybe even run again.

But also a note of sadness about the fact this this engine was placed on display to help make people remember old ways and a prior generation's technology but in the end people didn't care enough to keep it around. In that sense it failed.

I was glad when ATSF 2903 was moved to IRM. But also sad that from then on steam would be represented at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) by 999 and the various little tea kettles (mostly replicas) they have instead of this massive machine, from the peak of steam.

Steve

I'm not so sure it "failed"- for 50 years it told its tale in the park and was a part of peoples lives. If not for the expansion of the adjacent hospital, she might still be sitting there years from now...

I think the sadness comes more from a sense of the end of an era in Lakeland, and the unknown dawn of a new one, but that's how things go.

Matt

The "era" in Lakeland ended with the last run of the doodlebug. Getting this bit of hardware out of a park and into a purposeful preservation program is certainly a very positive evolution. Now, if you want to talk sad, go back into how SCL didn't preserve or donate the doodlebug when it was retired.

dave

As I understand it, the city of Lakeland made some sort of a deal with a local hospital, in which the hospital acquired the land on which this locomotive sat, and that required the locomotive to be moved. I am curious about how this locomotive was advertised for sale and put up for bids. I understand that there was only one bid. Was this sale well publicized in the Lakeland area?

Ron-

a) Yes, the park the locomotive resided in was sold to allow for the expansion of an adjacent hospital. I don't know the exact details of that sale, but yes, the engine had to move.

b) The engine was widely advertised as I understand it, including several trade rags.

c) Your understanding on the number of bidders is incorrect. There was more than one bidder, including a museum in the Florida area. There were also upwards of a dozen interested folks who were emailed and invited to bid on the engine.

Hope this answers your questions.

Matt

Thanks Matt. That is what I was looking for.

Matt,

I had heard that there was only one bid on the engine, but did not have any confirmation of that. But since asking the question above, I have found confirmation. According to this article, there was only one bid on the engine, and that was $100.

http://www.theledger.com/article/201108 ... /110809906

Ron,

Surprise, surprise, but the newspaper article is wrong on several counts.

First, there was more than one bid, including one from a semi-local Florida railroad museum.

Secondly, our winning bid was indeed more than $100.

Thirdly, I have no idea where they got their figure for a $1 million dollar restoration.

Fourthly, I never told the reporter the engine would be restored in eight months- I was referring to the car barn we are erecting over the collection.



Matt

It appears that Steamlocomotive.com needs to be updated regarding the location of V-C 50 in North Carolina.

Just linking a thread on a twin sister here.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38660

Also adding this Facebook page on her new home, where she is under cover; click on the link and scroll down for pictures (you shouldn't need to be a Facebook member or logged on to get in).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southeas ... 7177974624

Just a quick note, Matt.

If the brasses are missing from the tender trucks, be sure to put hardwood blocks in their place and apply grease to prevent serious gouging when she's rolled into your shelter. The bearing surfaces of the axle are no doubt already damaged, but you don't want to make things worse.

Good luck with the move!

Steve Hunter