So many great candidates to restore, so few operating days!

Solution: Hire 100 more skilled shop personnel, pay them a competitive wage, get them all the equipment they require. Easy!

Seriously, the recently operated locos are most viable, yet look at the grand selection. Restoring those which have not run in 50 years would be most attractive to the railfan, which is what makes 3713 so attractive, but families who ride probably don't know a Pacific from a yard goat.

Not to join the "bash Steamtown" cult, but if they don't know the difference between a Pacific and a yard goat when they're there, then Steamtown sure isn't doing its supposed job....

You can lead a person to the exhibits but you can't make them read.

As for which engine should be restored next, lets wait until the 26 hits the rails and save that a little?

If the next restoration takes 15 years, I say there's no time to waste!

People might not know the difference between a "Yard Goat" and a "Mikado" or a "Pacific" but they sure know the difference between a big engine going fast on the main line and a little engine puttering in the yard.

I've heard from a number of sources that after B&M 3713, that CP #2317 will be next in line. I've heard CN #3254 is a "rough rider" and not liked as much by the crew. Add that she's a freight engine pulling passenger trains and CP #2317 is the better choice, though, #3254 would likely be next in line after CP #2317. Then again, they could just part out CN #3254 and restore CN #3377 which may actually be in better shape!

That's if Steamtown even finds a need for more steam then #26 with #3713 held for special occasion.

/Mitch

The shop crew should be congratulated for getting it this far, given the environment in Scranton. I admire their determination. They still have a bit of work to do (pistons, valves, valve gear).

According to the ST FB page, they fired 26 on 12-2 and 12-3. If so, they have the lesser of 1470 firing days or until October 2027, that is, 12 years and ten months, (whichever comes first) until the the next overhaul.

As far as what comes next, my hope is that, in the short term, the Park Service would focus its resources on repairing the turntable, which has been down since May (seven months). It would be an embarrassment to have a locomotive under steam, after two plus years of diesel-only service, and not be able to turn it properly.

That's 4 years and 10 days left if they have a service day every single day.

"I've heard CN #3254 is a "rough rider" and not liked as much by the crew. Add that she's a freight engine pulling passenger trains and CP #2317 is the better choice, though, #3254 would likely be next in line after CP #2317."

It's not the rough ride. The 2317 is a better designed engine. Steams better and more easily. Even a student fireman get lucky with it once in a while, and arrive @ Moscow with a nice flat, even fire with 195 on the gauge. The difference is between a nice mid-sized sedan with a small block V-8 and a 4 barrel carburetor and a smooth shifting automatic and an old truck with an in-line six, one barrel carburetor and a sticky clutch.

Sorry, I guess the analogy is lost on people who think a 2.5 Litre 4 banger is big engine.


"Not to join the "bash Steamtown" cult, but if they don't know the difference between a Pacific and a yard goat when they're there, then Steamtown sure isn't doing its supposed job...."

The average visitor's immediate questions are things like, "how do you start this thing" and they are interesting in how dirty is, does it really burn coal?, you really shovel all that coal? How much water does it use? can I blow the whistle? can I ring the bell?

Instructing them in the specialized nature of steam locomotives is lesson 2.

The past week has been very exciting with developments on Baldwin 26. Her second test fire began on Monday, December 15. Pressure was raised to the point where they could test her whistle on Tuesday. The one-note hooter echoed through town on that overcast day.

On Wednesday, pressure was raised to her full 180 psi to guarantee the safety valves would pop off. Steam and water were also run through her system to clear out years of gunk and dirt that built up in the cylinder saddle, the valve seat and the cylinders. All went as expected, and her fire was then dropped.

She is back in the locomotive shop. Appliances are being taken off in order to prepare her for boiler jacket installation, plus installation of the pistons, valves, rods and anything else needed. She will also get a few more coats of paint.

Steamtown's operating season normally begins in the middle of April during National Park Week. This is the goal for her routine operation to begin. There may be a few trial runs before then. We will keep you in touch.

Thank you for the update, Tim.

I might make the journey from Florida for this.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=90 ... =2&theater

The above takes you to the Facebook page where you can view a video of the work done on Wednesday. Enjoy!

That may be one of the wildest steam videos I have seen. I have never seen that type of thing before. WOW.

All I get on the iPad is a black screen and a lot of noise.
Al

After getting to see that clip, I couldn't help but recall a similar operation with SR 4501 back in April; that cloud of rust that you see blowing out is why we do this sort of thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYPk32mdnY

As to No. 26, it was interesting to see how much water came out through the valve ports on the first shot!

As someone who wanted quite badly to do something similar to some of the exhaust passages in one of his past cars after they got clogged with carbon, I'm somewhat envious.....