I don't know if it's useful for this discussion, but Martin Hansen just posted the agreement that the city of Portland and the American Freedom Train organizers came to when it was to be restored to operation. Might provide a useful framework to point out to city officials how other jurisdictions have managed such a transaction.

Calendar No. 3335
ORDINANCE No. 139103 Date: 11/13/74
An Ordinance authorizing the loan of the City of Portland's steam locomotive bearing Southern Pacific Company's
number “SP-4449” and a locomotive tender bearing the Company's road number “SP-9101” to the American Freedom
Train Foundation, a private nonprofit foundation, subject to certain terms and conditions, providing for the acceptance
thereof, and declaring an emergency.

The Commissioner Ivancie introduced Ordinance was approved on the four-fifths Council agenda with four
Commissioners voting yes: Francis Ivancie, Charles Jordan, Connie McCready, and Mildred Schwab with Mayor Neil
Goldschmidt either absent or not voting.

The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds that the American Freedom Train Foundation of 5205 Leesburg Pike, Suite 800, Bailey's
Crossroads, Virginia 22041, whose president, Jon A. Foust, has requested the loan of Southern Pacific's steam locomotive
No. “SP-4449” together with the locomotive tender No. “SP-9101” which is on display within the City of Portland under an
agreement with the Southern Pacific Company wherein the American Freedom Train Foundation intends to create the
Freedom Train to carry historical artifacts and documents throughout the United States over a two-year period and the
Foundation intends to use the engine and tender to power the proposed Freedom Train, subject to the approval of the
Southern Pacific Company; that the proposal from the Foundation indicates that the Foundation will pay all expenses
incident to the rebuilding of the locomotive, and all other charges incidental to its use, with an agreement to return the
locomotive to the city upon completion of the Freedom Train itinerary with the engine in a restored and operable
condition; that this is a unique opportunity for the city of Portland to play a role in a nationwide bicentennial effort and
also an opportunity to have the engine restored to an operational status without any expense to the City of Portland; that
the request of the American Freedom Train Foundation should be granted;

NOW, THEREFORE, The American Freedom Train Foundation is hereby granted permission for the use of the steam
locomotive bearing the Southern Pacific Company's No. “SP-4449” together with the locomotive tender bearing the
Southern Pacific Company's No. “SP-9101”, for a period of two years, subject to the following terms and conditions;

(1) Subject to the consent of and to such terms and conditions as the Southern Pacific Company hereinafter require,
(2) A performance bond in the amount of $100,000 to be posted by the American Freedom Train Foundation to
guarantee the return of the engine to Portland at the end of the two-year planned itinerary or at such earlier time
as the Foundation finds it no longer needs the engine,
(3) That the American Freedom Train Foundation pay all expenses incident to the removal of the locomotive and
tender from the Oaks Park in Portland and will agree to rebuild for operation and all operation charges and all
charges incurred in the return of the engine to such location as the City designates following completion of the
Freedom Train itinerary,
(4) That the City of Portland shall receive a credit line on the engine and in literature associated with The Freedom
Train, indicating the locomotive's ownership by the City,
(5) The American Freedom Train Foundation agrees to save and hold harmless, defend and indemnify the City of
Portland from any and all causes, claims, liability or expense resulting from the use of the engine and tender by
the Foundation,
(6) The American Freedom Train Foundation further agrees that it will comply with all laws and regulations
applicable to the operation of the locomotive and tender in conjunction with other rolling stock making up the
freedom train and the operation thereof.

Martin

...

I wonder what that would be now adjusted for inflation?

$100,000 in 1974 equals $511,958.87 in 2016.

Nothing more maddening than dealing with any form of government. If it were easy, the SLSTA would have been operating Frisco 4500 while 1522 was laid up. She was very restorable and stripped down and we tried to buy, borrow or lease her but got stonewalled.
At least she is back together and cosmetically restored. Very low miles on a Frisco overhaul back in the early 50s. Most pristine boiler shell I've ever seen.

It's kinda hard to deal with the city when they no longer answer your calls and e-mails. To put it mildly, this has been a very maddening experience.....

I'd make a long drive in a second to see a 4500 run. They have 5 more lbs. on the boiler and 1" more on the cylinders than a CB&Q O-5, not that those are any slouch. Just wanted to make the comparison.

Did I get the O-5 designation correct? No books around to check!

Due to WPB restrictions, the 4500s were pattered after the O-5s. Except for the dome throttle and solid bearings.

Latest update on the 982 from the Facebook page for the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum
https://www.facebook.com/RailPreservati ... 4077028297

I’m excited by the prospect of this happening. Given that there are only 6 US made 2-10-2’s left, none of which having operated in preservation, this is certainly a unique project

I am intrigued by where it would operate, as well as its condition. I wish the best of luck to the TRPA.

Looks like there are more picture of the move here on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/HistoryofSP982/posts/

Good luck to all involved!

It's been a long road to get to this point. One day the whole story will be able to be told. A couple of obvious questions have already been asked, and the answer is "loose lips sink ships." More information will be forthcoming as it develops.

Are we missing something ? The latest post I can see on this thread is dated 2004, but it's been bumped up to the top. Has somebody added on to it, but maybe their post got lost ?

Hi Mr. King,

There were new posts made over the last few days. The engine is to be moved to a new location on Feb. 28th.

John Rembis

Hey Sammy:

Things are rapidly developing....