Way back in 1997, had a Christmas Special ride behind NP 1070.

Planning on a re-visit this summer, if she is operating.

I was told to check, before heading south.

Bob Harrison posted here in Jan 3 2007 on the boiler issues.
I guess a quick update, will tell us all we need to know.

Thanks in advance.

1070 hasn't ran in years. I think they run their diesel a few times a year.

It sure would be nice to see the #1070 run again. I never saw it under steam but rode the Lake Whatcom train many times and offered my skills to get the steam locomotive up and running again. There is a plate welded to the outer firebox where evidently the last drive wheel rubs against it now and then. You could see a pretty good groove in that plate. He said that needed to be replaced. It looked like a pretty simple repair job. Then he said something about the Government and politics and who knows what. I rode with him in the locomotive a few times after that, and we would talk about the steam engine but he wasn't that interested in getting a plan together.

He had a pretty interesting story about his railroad. There is a old railroad law that was written in the late 1800's that says something along the line of "if the tracks of a railroad have not been used in several years it is considered abandon and the public can take over the property". A farmer ripped up about a 1/4 mile of his tracks and sold it for scrap with out telling him anything. Took over his land. They went to court and lost his case. Went to the Supreme court and he lost his case. So he was really upset about that. If you visit his railroad they will usually run a speeder (and video tape it) on the end that was severed to prove it is a active railroad. You will see that sometimes on Tennesee pass. Union Pacific will run a Hi rail up and down the line once a year.

I did read recently that there was some renewed interest in getting the #1070 back under steam again.

John T. Thanks.

Tom F. and others.
Your feedback is appreciated.
During trip planning, had gone on the website .https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... y5UIdS8G93

It gave the impression, to me anyway, that 1070 was operating. See for yourself.

After re-reading the webpage...they were very careful not to state 1070 was actually operating.

Put this down to a Grumpy Grampa...but that's not the best marketing strategy to win friends.
If I'm out of line...my apologies.

Old Smokey I believe those are old photos and videos. At the very minimum the 1070 would have to have the FRA 15 year inspection. I have not seen or heard any restoration work to date. It would be great if the 1070 was running again. That is a nice trip. It is also probably one of the only places where you can ride on a pump hand car. I remember me, Frank, and two other people got on the hand car and got it going a pretty good clip. We were a good half a mile away before we got too tired to carry on.

They have a Facebook page dedicated to the 1070 https://www.facebook.com/northernpacific1070/

Hopefully they can start a fund raiser and get her back to steam again. It is long over due.

Fund raising for the Lake Whatcom RR is complicated by the fact that it is privetly owned. No public funds are available and there is no tax advantage for giving to them.

Again, thanks to all for feedback, as it's a bit of a drive from BC to get there.

I really don't want to sound negative, as everyone, young and old, me included, enjoyed the trip.
You can see it in their faces.

Too bad about the engine.
Reading between the lines....looks like it's "complicated", with no easy fix. Oh, well.