Having lived, worked and still own some junk land in New Mexico, mining camps ( was when young running some small scale hard rock mining ). I seriously doubt this will ever get beyond the promoting a bar for more foot traffic. Restoration is not just putting more paint on it.

Seriously how many people have said they are going to restore a steam locomotive and just do it in a city park or parking lot. That is not restoration, that is conservation to hopefully reduce further deterioration. I think for the dry environment of New Mexico, put a shed over it and leave it the way it is. Sell beer.

For those who have had real hands on experience ( and that does not include me ) the cost and technical skills and tools to truly restore a steam locomotive is HIGH.

Nope, this is not going to be running any 1-7 mile line to promote tourism or steam preservation. But may sell more beers.

That is one very sweet looking engine. Wish I could wake up in the morning and just stare at it while drinking the morning coffee.


Dan

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I’m not so sure about that. I think this attempt, at least right now, is serious.

I’m not sure why everyone is thinking that they’d restore the locomotive to operate in Madrid. It appears that the place everyone is gearing towards is the former Santa Fe Southern (now Sky Railway). I’m not seeing where there’s anything saying “we want to create our own heritage railway”.

My concern with this locomotive isn’t what the weather has done to it, or where it’s located. Moreso, it’s about how much it was used, if it was put away wet, and how much the company it ran for deferred its maintenance.

Second paragraph of the article:

“ She has now set her sights on restoring the locomotive and even rebuilding a track on the old right-of-way to Waldo.”

Well if she Does, then we will finally know - Where Is Waldo !

In 4-5 years she will sell the whole thing and the loco will go to a museum that will set it on display along with a lot of other display items.

Out of pointless curiosity, what would it actually go for on an auction or sale ? True restoration I guess would run at least 1.2 million . Guessing.

Dan

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I think they would have better luck running South. I believe the old grade runs South for a few miles up the mountain. There is really nothing in that direction as far as housing and the scenery is much better. I would estimate you could probably build for about 3 miles. Look to the right on this google maps view https://www.google.com/maps/@35.39767,- ... 384!8i8192

If I'm to believe the RR maps I have, that's no RR grade.

Looks a lot more like the classic Western mine tailings dump pile to me.

Agreed. Looking at old topos & aerials, track ended at about the north end of the big tailings pile on the other side of the wash, just about washed away now. About 2,500 ft. south of the engine house. That was the likely a tail track for what looks like might have been a small yard or or a few empty car tipple tracks.

Quote : "My concern with this locomotive isn’t what the weather has done to it, or where it’s located. Moreso, it’s about how much it was used, if it was put away wet, and how much the company it ran for deferred its maintenance".



I fully understand the question on what kind of shape the locomotive is in. But seriously in todays world unless you found cracked or broken Cyl, it is all going to have to be taken apart and assessed. Cracked or broken cyl? Think Stasi and WP&Y #61 locomotive. You should always plan on most systems are going to need repair, Air, compressor, spring rigging, Wheels {tires look pretty thin, so after truing might not have enough tread}, half of the firebox? In a recent thread there was a lot of concern about shoes and wedges and how expensive the running gear was going to cost and how extensive the repairs on WM #734? If it ran late in the steam days you can bet all maintenance was deferred. Plan it was put away wet. The WM differed maintenance to the #734 like most class ones did towards the end of steam. When heavy overhaul comes around you fix everything? It is one of a few different approaches to long term operation of steam. Sometimes by choice or other reasons that don't make sense to the mechanical dept attempting restoration after every ounce of life is brutally used up.

I too think she is a great size and good looking locomotive. Glad she is where she is and not rotting away in SC or some humid swamp somewhere. Unless you get unbelievably lucky your not going to find a smaller, freshly out shopped locomotive where it is found without costly repairs to comply with the FRA standards. Surprises good and bad come with every restoration. A few years ago a group in MT was embarking on a grass roots effort to restore a small logging engine. Points were offered to do a few minor things to make the effort more successful by a couple of people who have gone down that road the hard way themselves. A few people got their "undies in a bundle" that we were not supportive? I wish those in MT and this NM operation the best outcomes imaginable. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions alone. Best to all involved and to that great looking little locomotive.

Never say never as despite the pontificating of many railfans the #1309 is up and running, The Big Boy toured much of the midwest, the T-1 that was "officially" ruined forever is nearing a finished overhaul to running again {my understanding}. All sorts of restorations and operating steam roads are defying the odds given by railfans and "realists". Regards, John.

The Big Boy had MAJOR financial backing. Including it in a list of "what is possible" is ignoring the realities that most rail preservation fundraising efforts face. Apples and oranges.