Some time ago, there was a thread on RyPN about steam locomotive restorations where not much was heard about them. I tried finding this old thread, but have had no luck. Why bring this up now? Well, I just heard a report that the Historic Prairie Village in Madison, South Dakota recently put their ex-U.S. Army 0-6-0 back in service after a lengthy restoration. It's the first time in about 15 years that the Lima has run! This is one effort that I had not known was even being attempted! Any additional info would really be appreciated.

Les

Thread titled "Obscure steam locomotive restorations" posted 1/15/2010 by Frederick G. Bailey: http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28753

Last post 8/6/2013 by Les Beckman

Rainier Rails -

Thanks. Also got a PM from "Rock Island Lines" advising me of the old thread which Frederick G. Bailey had started back in January of 2010. If I had put the word "obscure" in Search, it probably would have popped up.

I went through that long running thread and didn't see this Army 0-6-0 mentioned even once, although quite a few other restorations were brought up. BTW, this particular locomotive is Lima serial number 8381 and carried U.S. Army #4047 and was sold as surplus in 1947 to the Bay Terminal Railroad in Toledo, Ohio where it was numbered 111. It eventually ended up working for the Duluth & Northeastern as their number 29.

BTW, I did put "obscure" in Search and was able to find the old thread and decided to add the restoration news about the 0-6-0 there also.



Les

Since there seems to be quite a bit of interest, I've processed and posted a few photos of the Prairie Village 0-6-0 and the "Railroad Days" event at Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jterry618 ... 391743150/

I'm working on an article detailing the 0-6-0's return to service for an upcoming issue of Railfan & Railroad. I'm heading back to Prairie Village for the Jamboree in August to obtain better (read: sunny) photos.

Jeff Terry

Jeff -

Thanks for the series of photos. Very nice! The pan shots (especially of #29) are terrific! Look forward to your upcoming article in R&R.

For the record, the ICRR side door cupola caboose is #9784. And, do you know how much trackage they have there? I'm assuming it's a big loop.

Les

Very nice! That hefty 0-6-0 reminds me of a sister engine that was sold to SMS rail lines, a shortline operating in New Jersey. From what I remember, their intention was to restore her to operation for occasional freight service. Anyone know anything about the status of their locomotive? It's been some time since they updated the steam section of their website.

Frank: I'm told that progress continues on the big 0-6-0 as time and money allow, but it is NOT a dead project by any stretch of the imagination. Pretty cool, considering the manner in which it had been disassembled and parts scrambled for so many years. I wish Lima sister #7 had survived, too.

For what it's worth, the driving wheels SMS #9 has (among other things) are from #7.

2-6-0 at MCRR New Berlin and Windfield RR #2

Today, July 23, we loaded Defiance Coal Company, H.K. Porter No. 1 narrow gauge steam locomotive onto a road trailer for transport to the Strasburg Railroad Company, Strasburg PA.

Leaving Riverhead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCFozaWBDfw

The "Roy Dunwell" is off to have his boiler tubes and dry pipe replaced along with some minor maintenance to be performed. When he returns to his newly painted trailer at the RMLI he will be ready for NYS Labor Department inspection and certification to operate.

The RMLI plans to use No. 1 for education classes in steam operation and as an operating Museum Outreach at Festivals on the East End of Long Island. Just as our benefactor, Mr. John Deegan of Southampton, NY used to do, the "Roy Dunwell" may represent the RMLI in local parades.

H. K. Porter No. 1 of the Railroad Museum of Long Island rests comfortably in the Strasburg Railroad Company Shops, Thursday morning, July 24, 2014.

Arriving at Strasburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YoD54bcg40

The two major issues to be repaired on No. 1 is a cracked "dry pipe" that sends steam to the injectors and new steam dome studs and a copper "O" for the lid . . . . calculations will be performed on the old steam dome lid and as necessary, a new one may be made.

Since No. 1 has not been fired in over ten years the RMLI believes it is prudent to replace the boiler tubes before firing the engine. Strasburg will do that work for us.

Other minor maintenance issues include new compliance plumbing about the sight glass, new wash out plugs, and attention to an old support area below the boiler. The green boiler will be in "stove black" when it comes home, matching the new black paint RMLI applied over the past two years of preliminary restoration/ maintenance work at Riverhead.

While No. 1 is at Strasburg, its road trailer will be painted Tuscan Red and lettered for the Railroad Museum of Long Island. The trailer has already received eight new tires, new brakes and new brake drums. Trailer lighting and new air lines will also be installed.

When the locomotive is home at Riverhead, the Museum will use it for educational purposes and Museum outreach. Additionally, No.1 will be a "Steam Ambassador" for the ongoing fundraising efforts to restore LIRR G5s steam locomotive #39. For more information on those efforts, please follow us on Facebook at "Steam Up LIRR 39" https://www.facebook.com/SteamUpLIRR39

The Engine 39 Restoration Fund is at $119,055.07 today.

Don Fisher, President
Railroad Museum of Long Island

Don,

I understand that she will be run on rollers at the various places you will take her. My question is, if there are tracks available for you to use at some places, will you guys let her off of the rollers and let her run around on the available tracks (if the host railroad allows it)?

Good morning Jim,

No, one of the advantages to keeping the locomotive on the trailer in New York is the NYS Department of Labor terms it a "stationary boiler." This relieves us of many State and FRA rules that govern a steam locomotive on tracks able to pull passengers. Once No. 1 returns to his specially built trailer he will remain there.

Additionally, with the demands of running a Museum each weekend at two distant physical plants, we are limited in how much volunteer power we can afford to send at a distance with No. 1. Therefore our plan calls for "showing" the "Roy Dunwell" only in the Eastern Towns of Southold and Riverhead. There are no 40" gauge tracks on Long Island's East End.

With the East End a bonafide "tourist destination" today, the exposure will be tremendous at the four Festivals we plan to run the steamer at. July, the Long Island Antique Power Association Power Show and Pull; August, the Riverhead Railroad Festival; September, the Hallockville Farm and Folklife Museum Fall Festival; and October, the Riverhead Country Fair.

No. 1 will not appear in parades under steam. That was the practice during the 1980's but the Museum will not continue that form of exhibition.

Thanks for your continuing support Jim!!
Don

My follow-up question is this...at Strasburg...will she be tested on rollers there to make sure everything is in working order? Or will she be moved around in their yard/on their line to test it?

Unless Strasburg laid out 40" tracks then it is impossible to run No. 1 around the yard/mainline. It is a narrow gauge locomotive at 3 ft 4 inches.

Im guessing the initial tests will be performed on rollers.

bigjim!

I honestly do not have an answer for you at this time. Strasburg will fire the locomotive before it returns to Riverhead but we have not discussed the "movement" mode as of yet.

More on this question as we move forward through the project.

Best,
Don