This photo was taken in 2007 and the website of SCRM shows it still in about the same shape. Although probably not restorable to operation, she looks pretty complete in the photo. Can't SCRM come up with a few bucks to throw some paint on her to make her look presentable? Sure is a shame to see her in her present condition.

Les

In operation at Gainesville, FL when she ran from Jax to St. Pete and at Uceta SHop in Tampa prior to being moved to Jacksonville for display. For some reason, the photos are posted in reverse order.

Jim -

Nice Gainesville photos. Looks like the pilot (cowcatcher) was changed sometime after those in-service photos. Perhaps when she was put on display?


Les

While we're at it, let's be thankful for a small gesture to steam from CSX. Is it too much to hope that someone will overturn the current operating ban?[/quote]

Here's hoping!

The historic pictures are great! I want to thank Jim for posting them. Strangely enough there is very little historic information on 1504 in Jacksonville. Any information will be greatly appreciated as we are also wanting to put together a comprehensive history of 1504.

Also the CSX matching grant was just as big of a surprise to those of us who put the request together. It is always awesome when you get something you never even ask for. I am sure in the next few days we may learn more about how it came about but for now we are very grateful!

Mark A. Frazier
M&M Consulting

Gotta agree, the historic photos are great! And it looks like they confirm that the 1504 was in grey and black, too.

When the SCRM first moved to the old Rockton and Rion (late 1980's?) 712 was privately owned by a local scrap dealer who wanted a rather hefty price for it. I seem to recall that they eventually acquired the locomotive but I'm not sure.

In 1969, when the railway was shut down (or at least when steam operation stopped), 712 was in the middle of having her flues replaced. A new stack of 2 inch tubes sat in the shop at Anderson Quarry into the 1980's. The new flues were gradually used up as fence posts, air lines, etc.

Hugh -

That's interesting. I had heard (I can't recall where), that the 712 was "worn out" and couldn't be restored to operation. Now you say that it WAS in the process of being restored by the Rockton & Rion. Whatever, the point remains that the Consolidation sits now at the SCRM in a rather unappealing condition. Again, I ask why the museum can't find some bucks to throw some paint on her and get her looking decent at least.

Les

He who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw stones.

Les-

That's one story I have first-hand knowledge of. I rode up to the quarry with a couple of friends one weekend in the early 1980's and was looking through the crack in the doors to the shop when a worker showed up. He was friendly, opened the shop, and showed us around (and told several tales about working on the R&R). He pointed out the stack of remaining new flues on the floor, told us they'd been ordered for the 712 and then pointed at several locations around the quarry where new flues had been "repurposed" for other uses.

I've been told (although I haven't been back up there to see) that the shop was demolished (around 1990?) so that the granite blocks it was constructed from could be sold. It was a fully equipped steam shop (drop table, wheel lathe, tools, etc.).

Arrrggghhh!!!!

There are several photos of the shop here: http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/fair ... ndex_3.htm (Anderson Quarry Machine Shop).

OK, back to ACL steam...

One of our posters can probably verify or not, but I inquired about ACL 712 several years ago (<10) and was told that it was still privately owned. There is no reason to believe this situation has changed since; there has been no public announcement nor improvement of appearance. The concept of investing already scarce dollars on a piece of equipment that is not owned by the museum doesn't make sense. Yet, if the museum made a big stink about it taking up track space, the owner might decide to get rid of it and yet another steam loco might be lost to the scrapper. SCRM is in an unenviable position, and hopefully someone in the know will be able to clarify the situation if my information is incorrect.

David -

Why am I not surprised to hear from you? For the record, Coronet Phosphate 0-4-2T #6 has long been privately owned (from Stephen S. Syfrett's subsequent post, that may be the same situation with ACL #712) and stored at the museum. Although I am not one of the owners of the little Porter, I did start a bit of work on her late last year, including painting out a "smiley face" on the front of her smokebox and painting it and the entire smokebox black. I also painted the round Porter number plate and the pilot. I hope to be able to do a bit more this fall now that it looks like the wasps have been frozen out for the season. Certainly the old girl needs a lot of work. I am making an effort as other projects allow.

If 712 at SCRM is not owned by that museum, it does explain its current condition.

Always interesting to hear your comments David.

Les

I wanted to share some updates on the progress on "Project Return to Glory"

This morning’s Times Union (Monday, October 28) contained the article on the 1504. See link below.

http://members.jacksonville.com/news/me ... NqyY.email

Representatives from all four involved organizations will be meeting Tuesday evening 10/29/2013 to establish a Board of Directors for the project. This is the first part of Phase II that includes making a business plan to insure future needs are met. Research is continuing on the history of 1504 is continuing. We are also working on taking the "Project Return to Glory" brand and turning it into a product that can me marketed, more on that later as in develops.

For now I also want to share some pictures of the tender to show some of the unique features and challenges that it has.

Mark A. Frazier
M&M Consulting

Two additional photos of the tender...

I have a question. All of the engines I've seen on display still have open tender coal bins. Why doesn't someone have a design for a structure that could be modified to suit each engine and not detract from the dignity of the display, something that would keep the weather out. Also there would have to be a way to secure this now weather tight area from the human element.
1504 would certainly benefit from this in the long term.

Alan W.