Cars are back on track, but still damaged.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=3126

Previous 2002 tornado toppling. Locomotive stayed upright.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=1998

"Cars are back on track, but still damaged.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=3126
Previous 2002 tornado toppling. Locomotive stayed upright.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=1998"


I wonder how SOO 99103 is doing? I didn't see it in any of the photos.

Roger

Well, as far as I'm concerned, the 99103 was already damaged when they let a house carpenter replace the side framing with a common stud wall :-( However, as far as I know it survived the storm intact. It stood on a disconnected piece of track at right angles to the passenger cars, just out of sight to the left in the photo of the cars tipped on their sides.

This equipment in Ladysmith is in an unfortunate state; it is owned by an individual and leased to the city for a nominal fee. There is no 501 c 3 organization involved. Right after the storm happened, I tried to put together a fund raiser through the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society, but the lack of not-for-profit status made this impossible. In addition, my overtures to the owner were basically rebuffed with the statement that, "the city's insurance will pay for it." Well, it looks like the insurance paid to have the cars righted, and that is where it ended.

I'd like to see something positive happen here, but until someone WANTS help, I don't see it happening.

What is the status of the equipment in Ladysmith? Are the cars being cared for? Do any of them have any interiors left in them? Have had difficulty finding current photos.

And didn't Ladysmith also have a Soo Line Mike? Is it still there?

Les

I haven't heard anything in a while. None of the cars at the display have interiors, they were all gutted for work service. For that matter, the FP-7 doesn't have an interior, either.

The steam loco is class L-2 1011; the Soo mike at Hartford that runs, the 1003 is an L-1, but the engines are almost identical. The 1011 was donated to the city of Ladysmith many years prior to the development of the "rail display", and is displayed under roof at a separate site several blocks away.

By no interior, I take it no control stand, prime mover, main generator? Or do you mean no interior as in "it's a locomotive"?

Trevor,

It was purchased as a carbody only. I was in it maybe fifteen years ago, and fading memory says the cab may be somewhat complete, and I think the actual owner was looking for parts to make it visually complete, before the enormity of the project (the whole rail display) caught up with him. The carbody may also contain the engine block, most likely included for weight to keep the springing semi functioning so the hulk could be shipped.