Just wondering if ex-CNR 6218 has seen any care at Fort Erie, since we last viewed her. Poor old thing looked like there's no hope for her, due to corrosion and vandals.

I saw it about two months ago. Still an absolute mess and getting worse.

Nothing has been done with her as of yet. There is a group now that is working to raise funds, and the Town is putting some money forward for the initial stabilization. They are looking at other alternatives for the restoration, but none of them are a return to operation. Unfortunatly, 30+ yrs of neglect has taken its toll on the old girl. Not much else I can say right now. It is unfortunate that it has gotten this bad, but the Town does admit that they did not keep the engine in better condition. Now they're just trying to preserve her before theres nothing left.

Does anyone have any recent pictures of her? I have never seen her in person so do not know how bad she is...

Bad. Now lets move on to something else.......

Here is what I found 4 years ago. I'm sure its only much worse since since then:

http://www.trainweb.org/j.dimech/journal/070929.html

I was there a week ago with my two sons 7 and 4. I've gone every summer for many years and each year it gets worse. Admission to the museum is by donation but there is no evidence of any of that money going into the exhibits. Even my seven year old had noticed how things have deteriorated noting: "it wasn't like that last year". The cab smells like urine, the seats are all ripped up, the caboose cupola seats have been wrecked and are duct-taped together, lots of holes and rust throughout... The attendent told me they were targeting the start of restoration in 2013 but last year the story was "soon". Doing a google search for "Fort Erie 6218" shows a few local news articles about an impending restoration over the last few years, one even mentions the "Friends of 6218" getting allotted $50,000 in the town budget last year but no mention of where the money went or is going. Perhaps one of the "Friends" members reads this board and can provide an update? Sad to see her demise, especially given the care that sisters 6213 and 6167 have seen in the last couple of years. Those engines look like all they need is some water and a match! : )

News article quote (11/12/2011):
"A plan that has been put in place to repair the 6218 steam engine locomotive at the Fort Erie Railroad Museum is anticipated to be on track, but a total of $430,000 is needed to make that happen."
"Both Renshaw and Davies agree the train is beyond the state of just being able to 'band-aid' its flaws and that a thorough repair that is still reasonable for local taxpayers is the main goal."

http://www.forterietimes.ca/ArticleDisp ... ?e=3366938

If she gets the type of cleaning, greasing, abatement, and professional care she deserves, it would be a credit to Fort Erie and Canadian steam railroading history. Her smokebox needs heavy repairs and rust has begun to flake away some of her essential regions. I doubt she'll ever look like sister 6213 again, but she certainly can approach the status of 6167. 6167 looks good enough to be a candidate for shopping, thanks to the efforts of the people in Guelph. 6213 looks ready to be fired.

I went to see 6218 over the summer and she is in bad condition. The cab is a mess, and I've noticed they don't seem to ever close, let alone lock the doors. I looked into the firebox and didn't like what I saw. I hope the town does go-through with this cosmetic restoration. With restoration work at the Point Abino lighthouse and Fort Erie (which just opened a very impressive new visitor's center), it would be shame to visit those impressive and then see 6218 in awful shape. She is a great locomotive, and deserves attention.

From today's Trains.com Trains Newswire [as typical for my cites from this paid-subscription site, I leave out details]: