To all that have been following this work.

We are officially been told to stop work on 565. The reason is that somewhere somehow The bosses above Steamtown got wind of us restoring her back to her rightful condition. Due to a Section 106, which is apparently required by The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, not being completed we have to stop working on the engine until that is completed. How long will this take? I don't know could be years. The historian needs to complete this and it's looks like it’s a nightmare. Many agencies involved.
We had no warning of this and were not consulted during the decision-making process. Somebody invoked a historical documentation procedure that resulted in us being shut down. The shop work was going great and many historical inaccuracies were being corrected.

The Park Service wants to halt the work to do a full 106 review, which is designed to assess the impact of federally-funded work on historic structures (565). This legislation was originally designed to protect historic structures from the impact of federally-funded work being done on other things in the area of the structure but has been adapted to be used when federal funds are used to work on the historic structures themselves. I have no idea if this application is within the original intent of the drafters but it is what is done. The problem is that a full review and issuance of a report could take the Park Service much longer than the team we've put together is willing to wait around. We are still trying to clarify how long but it will essentially kill the project as people drift off to do something else.

They did not tell us who ordered the review. 565 is one of the locomotives that is not part of the collection but rather is considered an historic structure and so is not under the purview of the Museum Curator, Sarah Smith, but is under Pat McKnight's authority as the Historian/Archivist.

This restoration started over five years ago when I approached the Park Service about putting the Shay back together. The Park Service redirected me to 565, knowing that this review had not been done. Why they decide to do it now when we are very close to completing the whole front truck, the # 1 Driver, and the spring rigging that connects them - I do not know


I'm very proud and happy to have worked with all of you on this project. We have made great progress and we were only months from getting it rolling again. I know we all have spent many hours and sweated and bled getting this engine to where it is today. It hurts me deeply that this has happened and I will miss working with you all. I can't justify the travel time and money to go up to Steamtown and just tinker with another project that needs some attention or what the shop needs that day. If I was closer I could. But 2 1/2 hours travel each way I can't. If and when the Section 106 is completed I will again try to work on the 565. She is the most important piece up there.

Thanks to everyone who either sent pics or gave us some lead to chase down.

Ahhhh politics and the wonderful world of bureaucracy strikes again. What a shame. Nothing like a bunch of unelected people who know nothing putting a wet towel on a project.

"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." -- Ronald Reagan, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

May I offer a suggestion? If you have not already done so, contact the officer who is in charge of the review directly. Create a document with all the historic pictures you have available, especially those showing 565 in steam in the past years and those showing her as she arrived in Steamtown. If you have a diary of the work, including the days you spent merely shuffling parts around, print it; date work accomplished, results. Write a cover letter that explains what your mission has been and how close you've come to historical accuracy. Explain why interruption of the project may jeopardize completion. Don't allow your emotions, as angry or upset as you are, to enter the language. Get letters or support for the vital work you have finished under conditions mandated by the NPS and Steamtown shops. Request as much official and political support as you can. Make multiple copies of this document and arrange a sit down meeting with the head of the office requesting the review. Discuss what has been levied in the way of the work, and request either an immediate intervention or permission to continue.

This is a ton of work, but it may move a mountain. I'm thinking the interference is somebody looking for a way to show their presence in the organization, "See what I can do?"

The worst that can happen is you will have shown the problem for what it is.

Good luck. You have done something exceptional in real preservation, whether it's recognized by bureaucrats or not.

Historical fabric vs today's practicality, if there are some original designs on the engine but must be replaced you duplicate them to the original's condition.
The replaced part could be set up for display about what and where it was.
NKP 765 had put roller bearings on the tender but retained the jounal box cover design. Ingenious.

Just report to whomever of your status of what work is being done to help expidite the situation.

It might not be as bad as you think. A quick search of the internet gives instructions on the section 106.
http://www.achp.gov/106summary.html

I would contact your local State Historic Preservation Office, speak to whoever would be handling it. Absolutely this is a P.I.T.A. but don't be discouraged it can be done.

I own a historic property on a river in the Catskills, literally in the river, the foundation makes up one bank. After 100+ years there was not much foundation left. As it is on a protected (stocked) trout river that feeds the NYC water supply, in order to replace the foundation I had to fill out forms, provide drawings, maps, photos, etc to the Department of Enviromental Protection, Army Corp of Engineers, and the State Historic preservation Office. Got approved by the first two, nothing from S.H.P.O. I called them up, spoke to a real person, told him that now I understood why people let their buildings fall into the river. I had their approval next day! Just call them, explain you situation, bottom line these guys even though they work for the government may have taken their jobs for a good reason. They very well may try to help you so as not to stop your restoration. They probably have tons of paperwork on their desks, remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Good luck.

Some of the scariest words known to man.................." Hello, I'm from the Federal Government and I'm here to help you".

What a shame.

Ross Rowland

Hrrrumph, and people complain around here when I point out the poor levels of respect we get, even when we put in all kinds of work.

I defy anybody to say that's not the case with this exchange from the Facebook page of The Adirondack Rail Trail (pro-trail group that wants to get rid of the Adirondack Scenic for a snowmobile trail):

Opening comment on Sept. 9 by someone I imagine is a site administrator, apparently referring to a meeting or workshop on the possible conversion to a trail:

"Lots of blue haired rail fans not happy with the process. It was so loud you couldn't hear your self think."

One of the responses (I can honestly say the others were kind of neutral, just exortations to get the word out and attend meetings): "Unfortunately that's when they set the meetings up for if you think you saw blue hairs tonight wait till the afternoons. Typical of any state hearing they're scheduled when the working man is busy or can't possibly make it in time...."

I hope you all are proud of your blue hair, considering I think we're "red headed stepchildren." Actually, you should be proud of your hair, no matter what color, or even if, like me, you're losing it! We sometimes do accomplish some big things, and do it in a world stacked against us. Not all of us succeed--and I have to include myself in the failure group--but those who do have every reason to be very proud.

You mostly know who you are, and my hat's off to you. . .and I'll second the comments about talking with some people to get this hold order lifted. The worst thing that can happen is that they'll say no, the best is that they may just be following a procedure and you can help expedite it.

I'll mention that I'm a state employee myself, and most other government employees I know are fellow citizens like yourselves, with jobs to do. Try to talk to some, it sure won't hurt, provided you don't have an absolute jerk to deal with (unfortunately, there are plenty of those in all walks of life).

There is another post on this forum, in the last month, about the state of Florida giving a pile of money to a character who was supposed to restore a set of cars for an exhibit train in memory of the Bush family. In that case, the state did not supervise or demand documentation, and the guy ran off with the money, and the cars are trashed.

So here we have a locomotive that is arguably Steamtown's most relevant, valuable artifact (an actual locomotive from Scranton). Can you blame the administration for wanting an extra layer of supervision? Can you blame them for being extra cautious?

Further, why not try to submit the report? The 565 group has folks with the skill and energy to author a nice website. Is the report really out of reach?

In this forum, we can document numerous failed, botched, or abandoned locomotive restorations. Don't blame the Feds for wanting extra assurance that 565 is not one of them.

The same could happen regardless of some ten thousand forms being filled and processed.

Except, this was all volunteer work.

Sure - it was a good idea when first proposed - I'm sure by now, the law has taken on a life of it's own - probably more bureaucracy then that of a small country in Europe.

If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Ronald Reagan

Thanks so much for your work to date and best of luck to you in moving forward as I do not see the government following through and subsidizing this particular project anytime soon.

/Mitch

Steve,

Take Mr. Glueck's advice, make some calls, stay on top of the situation and see what you can do to partner with the ST Historian on this project to move forward. A few simple documents showing the history, (recent)prior condition, work undertaken, and goal(s) - remind them about the volunteers, and the true costs vs the free labor you have garnered for this work - this is great ammunition to the admins/bueracrats you need to appease. These things may keep you busy at home and in touch with a few dedicated volunteers.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence."
-- (John) Calvin Coolidge

Keep up the good work and keep us posted! Let us know if folks here can help.
Regards,
Sully

Thanks everyone! The bottom line is that, the historian needs to do the paperwork and submit it.
I will keep you all up to date on how things are going.

Sometimes, furnishing the bureaucrat paperwork all ready to sign and submit speeds the process. When you ask a Judge to issue an order, you often give a sample ready for signing to show what you want, and hope that it gets approved.

As a bureaucrat who has many projects he wants to do because they are the right thing to do and can advance the mission of the agency, but who also has a supervisor who has other demands, this approach can work, but with care.

The historian needs to be able have ownership of the work, if not just for professional reasons. Provide help, research, direction, suggestions, outlines, etc..

It is likely some simmering time is needed, else the super will decide their agenda/priorities have been ignored. The historian will need to understand the value of the work (perhaps already known/done, but are limited by the agency's priority work. If so, the bureaucrat will need the tools to sell this agenda up the chain of command since that is likely needed to make the push to whatever other bureaus in NPS/DOI who need to sign off.

This nicely represents the bad of Steamtown... the slowness, in fighting, regulation, etc. But it also represents the good. The steady hand, mostly steady funding and long term view.

Assuming the human knowledge has not be lost, it may be very possible to steam NKP 759 in say, 200 years, after all the other NKP Berks are worn out/rust/no original material. They even sail the USS Constellation every now and than.

Bob

The very best thing you can do is get in touch with the State Historic Preservation Office to educate them about the work you have already done and your mission of restoring it authentically to a set earlier time. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has likely saved tens of thousands of historic buildings, structures, and other resources (including historic railroad equipment) from various projects which would damage or destroy them. It may seem like a huge detriment to your project, and I understand that it is, but if your restoration is of the quality you speak of, you should have no problems with the results of the process.

A big concern from historians is that history is being misrepresented in one form or another. Be certain you and the historian responsible for submitting the paperwork are properly using the terms "restoration", "preservation", "rehabilitation" and "reconstruction." They do have different meanings in the Section 106 process and using them correctly will greatly help your effort with the paperwork. If you are replacing components outright, stress your efforts to use the original or blueprints as a pattern and if you are replicating historic trades to manufacture such pieces, mention that as well.

In the meantime, besides you and your team making contact with the SHPO, encourage others to do the same. Have them write letters to the SHPO stressing the value of your project and effort, the quality of your work, and that holding up this project may deter your crew from completing your project. The more support you get the SHPO for your project, the better. Public input is important to 106 projects.

When your historian does submit the paperwork to the SHPO, there is a defined limit of time in which they have to get back to you with a determination - I believe it is 30 days. Whatever it is, expect them to take that full amount, not because they are trying to slow up your project, but because of the sheer volume of projects which require 106 determinations.....everything from new cell phone towers to culvert replacements, Army Corps of Engineering navigation projects to highway repaves require 106 review if using federal funding or requiring a federal permit.

Good luck and hang tight....waiting is the worst part, but the people who review Section 106 projects at the SHPO are knowledgeable and will see the value and quality of your effort.

Let us know progress as it moves along!