Are there any photos of Buffalo Creek & gauley 2-8-0 #4 at the North Carolina Transportation museum in her present dismantled condition? I'm aware that she been in a million pieces for a while. Are there still plans to finish the job? Thanks.

Have you tried actually asking NCTM? I think they would be in a much better position to know of any pending plans, and any information you get from them directly would be more accurate than the rumors you are going to get from miscellaneous sources on here. There is contact information on their web site.

Try this approach for all your myriad inquiries about every locomotive in the country you're cluttering this site up with. You'll be amazed what real facts you will learn in the process.

dave

Dave, you might try to be a little less short-tempered in your responses. The man asked a simple question, no need to bite off his head.

Thanks richard, and i've contacted many museums and or tourist railroads about their steamers, some a very friendly while some ignore my questions. Dave didn't offend me one bit I see his point.

The tender is the only thing in one piece at the moment. Last I was told, she needs much more work done. The boiler was returned, however that was due to lack of funding, which cut the repairs short. Don't expect to see her running in the next 5 years. Same goes for GCRC 1925, which is next in line after No. 4.

checking the condition of SOU 542's boiler was being debated upon, but again, funds do not exist.

thanks for the info! So are they considering #542 for operation? I though 0-6-0T #7 was supposed to be restored, i'm sure lack of funding shut that down.

I asked a similar question many years ago to one of the volunteers at the NCTM about the steam locomotives there and to whether any of them would see service again. The volunteer said that #4 was being worked on (of course that is not the same story now), and that the Shay was next. Personally, I'd rather see the shay running as it has more direct ties to North Carolina than the #4 does. My opinion.

The 542 was supposedly in need of an all new valve gear system and would not be a likely canidate for steam, from what I was told. But again, a large sum of cash changes the name of the game for any restoration.

Martin

Well if they've got money to cosmetically restore 542 they should have some time of fundraising going on for the out of service steamers. Thanks for the info!

The 542 was cosmetically restored with the help of a grant from the Greeensboro Chapter NRHS.

Michael

Oh well she looks good anyways! Which engine is closer or easier to be restored? #4 or #1925?

With state budget cuts, there is virtually no money for any restoration, except that which comes from the new admission charges, donations, and grants.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/funding ... ort/nGQNr/

Restoring steam locomotives is generally a hideously expensive undertaking--and you never know what all you are going to find once you begin to de-construct a locomotive. At the Colorado Railroad Museum, where I volunteer, we have had ex-Rio Grande Southern #20 (4-6-0) under restoration at the Strasburg shop for several years. The project was launched with an anonymous $500,000 private grant. The work on the locomotive is done when they have the time and we have the money. Right now we are working on raising what should be the final $250,000. It is a slow process--and we seem to be luckier raising money than most museums, perhaps because of the cachet of Rio Grande narrow-gauge mountain railroading connected with the museum. When the dust settles, we should be into #20 for about $1.5 million.

That kind of money just doesn't hang from trees anymore. With the economy in the trash can, grant money has pretty much dried up, and most museums and tourist railroads are just struggling to hold on to their present membership/attendance. Governments have cut back or eliminated theri discretionary funding (and sometimes non-discretionary funding as well). All the museums and tourist railroads are doing the very best they can with the resources they have.

The question of "Why don't they restore #XYZ to operating condition?" is moot these days. The only way that is going to happen (and even then it is a "maybe) is for the questioner to get out from behind his/her computer and start his/her own fund-raising effort. Be prepared for a lot of frustration.

Mike

Mike;
You can say that again. As a one time owner of a Plymouth 35 ton locomotive, the repairs, air tank certificates from the state boiler office (non-FRA insular), started with a new pair of ASME code tanks from the local boiler shop. and keeping the brake valve COTS up to date can be daunting for the average Joe. I get a real kick about some of the foamers wanting so and so to paint something a certain way...have you priced good enamel paint lately? Ain't nuthin cheap no more!!!
Nathan

Mike you make perfect sense! I'm glad #20 will steam again soon! What i've noticed is that state owned railroads have the hardest time obtaining funds because they have to borrow money or recieve a grant from the state. The california state railroad museum comes to mind with the state not being able to provide money for restorations same with Railtown 1897. I assume the same case is for the north carolina museum of transportation.

I don't have handy access to this, but could anyone please provide the specs on the Consolidations that were on the BC&G at the end? Was curious if they are all alike in t.e.
Also, do any older gents here remember some discussion in Railroad magazine back in the early 60's about the possibillity of Rayonier, Inc. 2-6-6-2 38 being considered for use there? Would have made a good drag engine after conversion to coal.
Thanks for any help.