I'd love to see a few of the Pacific's come over here....they are quite handsome and beat out the 2-8-2/2-10-2 overkill that is current here.

Unfortunately, there are precious few Chinese Pacifics even left, let alone operating. The SL's were very American looking (I think they were based on an American design that was copied by the Japanese), but I believe only one or two were preserved.

In looking at the narrow gauge 0-8-0's (which I'm partial to anyway), the thought occurred to me that much like the Pennsy did with some designs (like the G5 Ten-Wheeler and H class Consolidations) which used the same boiler (and other components?), it might be possible to adaptively reuse the boiler of one of those Chinese locomotives and put running gear under it more suitable to a U. S. tourist/amusement park operation - such as Pacific, Prairie, or ten-wheeler? Maybe even possibly use one to recreate one of the larger Maine two-footers that didn't make it to preservation? I'm not that familiar with the dimensions of those engines, so I don't know if the Chinese boilers are too big or not?

I think that it is possible that there might be some of those locomotives in China that have a decent boiler, but worn out running gear, that could be had at a reasonable price. Thinking about it further, could a SY boiler be used as the basis for recreating an American designed Pacific or Hudson? For instance, the smaller B&O Pacifics were great branch line power - very much like many tourist railroads in the U. S. Just a totally wild question on my part.

I am cross posting this reply that I made on Trainorders.com in regards to the Pan Am supposedly purchasing a Chinese steam locomotive:


Once again I say get your own railroad and then do what you want......... It would not surprise me if Pan Am did look at a possible candidate locally to run. But then it comes down to economics.

As a company do I spend $100k to $200k to buy a locomotive that has been sitting in a park for over 50 plus years exposed to the elements and then spend another $500k to $750k to restore it and perform the 1472 FRA inspection (form 4), and at least a year in the shop performing the restoration?

Or as a company do I spend about $500k to purchase and import an operational steam locomotive that is ready to go and with in a couple weeks of taking delivery of said locomotive start putting it to work (whether it be excursions, or public relations)?

SO the question is do I spend any where from $750k to $1million on a restoration or do I spend $500k to get something operational and that is ready to go?

How would everyone feel if Corman had bought C&O 2716 or L&N 152 from KRM and painted the drivers red on it and slap the company logo on the tender? Everyone would be screaming bloody murder on how he destroyed the historical integrity of those engines.

I had an opportunity to work on RJ Corman's QJ in 2010 when it was operated during the derby. I worked as the conductor governing the steam movements. I actually enjoyed working on the engine and riding. I really didn't see much of a difference from an American made steam locomotive other than the engineer/fireman sides are reversed.

So how would everyone feel if Pan AM picks up B&M 3713 and slap the Pan Am logo on the tender an put a large blue stripe down the engine? Maybe that is another reason they are looking at a engine that has no historic ties to the U.S. or the region. They can purchase a engine and make it their engine. Yes it would be great to have a company restore a engine but like everything else it comes down to economics and what is going to be the bottom line. Plain and simple it comes down to math. I wish it wasn't so, but in today's time that is what it comes down to.

That is a very good point. You'll never seen someone in this country complain that the Iowa Interstate engines aren't historically accurate because nobody cares over here. Same with the Boone and Scenic Valley engine.

What it simply comes down to (and I'll cross post from TO's as well...):

Are you a fan of steam trains or a fan of American history?

If you say both, then a Chinese steam engine is only satisfying half of your
interests.

Interesting point about Corman painting red stripes and relettering the engine it has but I didnt' hear many people complain when BNSF painted SP #4449 black. Nor when Ohio Central ran it's steam program in OC livery. They were tastefully done, as was Strasburg's fleet. I DID hear many kudos, however, every time an engine was returned to it's historic American /Canadian livery.

So - if it was a matter of savings which would I buy?

Well, I have an American car and always have and always will.

And the fact that most of the American public doesn't know the difference between a Chinese steam engine and an American steam engine is EXACTLY the reason I'd restore an American steam engine.

/Mitch

That's exactly why I'd buy a Chinese engine. When it comes down to price, it would almost always been cheaper.

It depends--am I the Grand Canyon RR, a scenic railroad through a tranquil and historic valley, or the Friends of the East Broad Top/WW&F/Cumbres & Toltec?

What makes the decisions "easier" in a sense is that we in North America have precious few "time capsule" lines with original stations, locomotives, passenger stock, etc. like many British excursion lines have or have access to--those lines have a point rejecting alternatives. Thus, a redecorated Chinese loco would be a perfectly acceptable compromise to the likes of the Conway Scenic, Branson Scenic, Great Smoky Mountain, Strasburg, etc.--and we've seen the Valley RR do a great job with "NH 3025".....