Recently I was presented with an opportunity to acquire a several acre site with over a mile and a half of track and sidings, and including a rather impressive collection of rolling stock and equipment. The owner wants the site to become a rail museum, and for some reason thought I would be the person who could make it work. I am at this time working on the creation of an operating foundation to oversee the operation of the site, and devising a master plan for its development. <p>I cannot divulge any specifics at this time, but I will be making an announcement once the deal is made. I can say that it will include an operable steam locomotive, and about 20 pieces of rolling stock and plenty of tools, parts and materials.<p>The site already produces a small, but steady income, which is enough to pay the bills and insurance. Any additional funding for exhibits or restoration would need to be generated through ticket sales from a proposed 1 mile rail ride through the site.<p>I don't anticipate needing any major fundraising drives to put the museum into operation, as the site is already nearly a "turnkey" museum site. <p>Be looking for an announcement sometime soon.<br>



bighookx45@aol.com

Rick,<p>It sounds exciting. Can you give us hint of what part of the country this site is?<p>Good luck!<p>Alan<br>



AlanL759@prodigy.net

If I know Rick than what he is talking about is a place in Ohio near Orville. It is privatly owned and they have an 0-6-0 named Jessy-B that they operate from time to time. They also have many pieces of equipment and tools and they do some work on passenger cars to create income. This sure sounds like the place.<p>I was just wondering what is going on with the Tod Engine? Did you give up on this project like the 10 projects you started and did not Finish? What about the crane you stole from under the Mohoning Valley Group and then had scrapped? I just hope if it is Art Davis' place Rick is going to buy, that he does finish this project. It will need a lot of track work. I didn't see a single good tie up there the last time I was in town.<br>

Please explain?<br><br>

Tom,<p>The Tod Engine is a huge 4,000 HP cross-compound stationary steam engine removed for preservation from the Youngstown Sheet & Tube mill. Photos and info can be found at http://members.aol.com/todengine/todengine.html<p>Regards,<br>Jim Robinson<br>



jrobinson@dataram.com

I've already given out too much information already. You'll just have to wait and see what happens. :-)<p>Yes, the Tod Engine will be a major exhibit at this new museum, if I can find the money to get it moved to this site. 300 tons of machinery can get quite difficult to move around sometimes. By all means take a look at the website. Its a remarkable piece of steam technology and although it doesn't run on rails, it is very impressive.<p>The steam derrick which we purchased from Art in Orrville will be leaving his yard hopefully soon for Findlay, OH where it will be restored by the Northwest Ohio Organization for Railroad Preservation. Having a heck of a time finding a way to get it moved though. Art's site would make a nice rail museum- maybe someday it will.<p><p><p><br><br>



bighookx45@aol.com