Then, this is probably one of the photocopies to be submitted to newspapers, in hopes that one will publish and spread the rumor. That would explain the unspecific byline, it's an unsolicited submission from a hopeful contributor. If it was an actual published article written by a newspaper reporter, it would have a date line and probably an author's name. Eric or his mailing list supplier must think that you have some connection with the news industry.

The sender's name on the envelope (and the one who wrote "this is an outrage" on the photocopy was Barry something. I can't make out the last name. The first three letters are "Hew", so maybe "Hewson"?.

Obviously this person sent the letter to me in light of my involvement with 6218's sister engines 6167 and 6213.

I haven't talked to Marty (Phelps) of the Medina RR museum in about a month, but last time I did he made absolutely NO mention about such an operation-and it states in the article that it would be based out of Medina, New York's railroad museum, et al. That, plus the other points raised here, is enough of a red flag for me.

I dont think anyone should make the assumption this has anything whatsoever to do with the Western New York Railroad Historical Society..a legitimate and well-respected group.(disclaimer: no, im not a member)

The article clearly says "Western New York Railroad History Club"
a group which is, like the rest of the article, 100% fictional! ;)

This is clearly some kind of April fools joke..there is no way anyone should take this even 0.00001% seriously..and I highly doubt it has anything to do with the actual WNYRHS in Buffalo..in this sad case, they are probably simply "guilty by association"..simply because they happen to be the RR historical society of Buffalo, and whoever invented this story used Buffalo just because it's right across the border from Fort Erie, Ontario..

Basically, this "article" is just spam..written by a troll.
it has zero basis in reality..

The best thing to do with this article, IMO, would be to completely ignore it..
trolls thrive on attention..

Scot

The style of the mailing reminds me of those news clippings I'd receive with a post-it attached calling my attention to some book. The "clipping" was a print job carefully designed to look like it was torn from a magazine. And the post-it was printed to look like a personal note.

Wesley

On behalf of the WNY Railway Historical Society, I can assure you that this posting is pure fiction and has no basis in reality. It is an obvious fabrication made by a very "disturbed" individual and please do not associate the references to a WNY Railroad History Club with the WNYRHS.

Thank you,

Joe Kocsis
President
WNY Railway Historical Society, Inc.

Joe, thanks for commenting.

Hi Guys, Sounds like someone is playing an Aprils fools joke on the 6218. I think the Western New York guys have their hands full already with their PRR I1 2-10-0. I sort of recall a similar article in one of the Philly papers in the early 1970's (still in the Penn Central days of gloom) about the Baldwin 60000 leaving the The Franklin Institute and going to the Strasburg to be overhauled for PC fan trip service. The real story was the locomotive was moved a few feet onto a new track with rollers. One of the great things about this site is that someone on here will have the right facts! Now, what about this Lehigh Valley 2-8-0 hidden in a coal mine (this part is a joke)?

Have fun - David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope PA

There was an individual from western New York State who in the last decade has made claims he was going to run Amtrak steam excursions all over New York with the MILW 261. This article seems to have the same tone to it. While obviously misguided, this person was in his own mind very serious about doing it. Maybe the same person? That name is familiar to me.

Besides the 40 years of neglect it has received in Ft. Erie, keep in mind the 6218 was very tired mechanically when CNR retired it from excursion service. If anyone could ever work up the $$$ and a place to run it, the 6213 in Toronto would be a much better candidate for restoration.

Chris.

Well I only see one comment in the whole discussion that I feel needs further explanation to provide some actual useful information?



What was done incorrectly, and what should have been done instead? What can we learn from their mistakes? Presumably they were well intended.

Where do I begin! Let's start from the front and work our way back....

So the stack has had a cap in it likely for as long as it has been out there, but the cap is recessed in the stack by several inches, thus allowing water to collect. Further, the cap was only sealed with silicone, which has long since dried out, so for decades water has been seeping its way into the smokebox, which has rotted out the inside of the smoke box. Further more, a large hole has rusted through the front of the smokebox, large enough for me to stick a camera lens in and get a photo. I'm told that during the restoration, the hole on the smokebox was welded up, but no one bothered to figure out or address how and why water was entering in the first place, so another hole formed.

All that water entering the smokebox has me wondering if water has possibly be getting in to the cylinders via the exhaust passages. if not, then water certainly has to be getting into the cylinders through all of the fittings on the outside of the valves (on top of the cylinder casting), that have been removed.

Then, there is the boiler jacket. The locomotive received an asbestos abatement, but the asbestos was in turn replaced with fiberglass. Then on top of that, the design of the boiler jacket (aside from being all wrong in its construction) does not permit drainage of any of the water that gets in. The jacket around the circumference of the boiler shell Is made from 3 sections, and with one seam at the top of the boiler, and the other two seams at roughly 120 degrees from the top seam. The key thing to take away from this is that unlike a proper jacket, there is no seam at the bottom of the boiler, so you would think that any water that gets in, would pool on that bottom sheet of jacket.

So after going through the effort to put a new jacket on, they ensured that the boiler shell would continue to be coated with wet insulation, so this makes me wonder about how to what extent the boiler shell has been affected.

Then, when they reassembled the locomotive, they clearly had no clue what they were doing. My favorite example: the grease fitting from the big end of the main rod, shoved into the steam inlet on the air pump! (Figure that out). There were many other examples too, of Parts and fittings being installed in absolutely inappropriate places that defy logic.

Anyways, here are photos and observations of the engine from 2007. Have a look at it, and let me know what you guys think.

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

I've would also like the see CNR 6218 return to operational condition as-well. Back in the day, both CN & GTW ran it back in the 1960s-1970s as part of their short lived steam excursion program. Was seen in Michigan, and did several steam trips for the Michigan Railroad Club. It's also the steam engine seen on the NRHS Bluewater logo.

More links on CNR 6218:

CNR 6218-NRHS Bluewater Logo
http://www.bluewaternrhs.com/images/Gen ... r_Logo.jpg

CNR 6218 @ rrpictires
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/Locopi ... x?id=74538

CNR Steam in the Snow Feb 1964
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFYMACTuwak

CNR # 6218 Steam Engine filmed in 1965
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90jrzlQc4fI

Chasing trains: the 6218, October 1969
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqGV939yaX0

Steam excursions - locomotive CNR #6218
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS9PO2tmc-g

2010.09.05 Fort Erie Raliway Museum.wmv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYG6piLYZOc

Enjoy! ^_^

Even IF this was a cruel joke, someone stills needs to confirms IF this deal is for REAL. It still sounds too good to be true. Still, the real reality is that CNR 6218 stills needs some TLC.

Being involved with the Medina Railroad Museum and living in the area, I can tell you one thing. If this was true I wouldn't be hearing the end of it. Everyone I know, both railfan and non-railfan would be asking me consistently about this. It's utter nonsense, we have not yet finished work on our two E8 Diesels, we also have some coaches to work on too, nor do we have the resources to care for any steam locomotive, let alone 6218. Whoever wrote either doesn't know what he's talking about or is trying pull off a massive prank, that none of us are falling for.

I don't think anyone could be *that* genuinely clueless..



yeah, that has to be it..except it's an utter failure as a "massive prank" since it is SO ridiculous that its not even plausible..in order to be a good April fools joke, it has to be at least slightly believable..but it's not in this case..so, fail.

Scot

I just wish I could find and interrogate the person who sent it to me...