Echoing a previous post, there is no way St. Louis will part with NKP 170. That idea has been floated and sunk numerous times, although it would be a good candidate, as there are no operating Hudsons in the U. S. Maybe one of the park-displayed Burlington Hudsons? Also, if Jerry Jacobson couldn't shake N&W 578 loose from Worthington, you don't have a shot either. I believe it belongs in Roanoke as the last existing N&W Pacific, but as the saying goes opinions are like a certain body part, everyone has one.

I have no knowledge of the EJ&E Mike, but if you want to do a Mike, the Frisco one that the Cleveland group discarded for Reading 2100 is probably still available. I think a more modern Mike is a good candidate for restoration, as a locomotive that can handle a good-sized train at the slower speeds most regional railroads that might allow you to operate on have.

Then there is always that holy grail for replication, a NYC Hudson, but that is a whole new thread that has already been flogged to death here. Get the right six numbers some evening of a big-money lotto jackpot and we'll talk.

thanks Andrew I have a lot of respect for Ross he's one of the reasons why I would like to do something like this. Everyone here is right I should just join one instead of starting one. I guess its my ambition getting in the way. I live near the Akron-Canton area. I would love to join a preservation group but the problem is like everyone else here has the lack of time to get to involve because of well we all know life gets in the way.

I guess I could work on other ideas that I'm working on but that's a different thread on itself. It's something that got me into railroading growing up. I don't want to get into that unless others want to know what that is.

Those of us who have been at this awhile started from the bottom and know how difficult this is. Worthwhile? Yes. Look at it from a critical and business perspective. That's how you keep your prospective locomotive in flues and fuel. There is lots of help and experience out there, just hang out with the group of your choice and learn QJ driver was right on the money. Good luck, and we'll see you out there.

I wonder If I know you I’m originally from Brewster. Anyways man don’t give up the dream everyone started with one.
Mr. Ross Rowland You where a hero to me if you recall I met you finally at JJJ’s funeral my response to you I mean no disrespect by.

to answer Paul's question I have thought about a CB&Q hudson the reason why I passed on them is because of it's size and weight. Like I said at the beginning the size and weight determines where it can travel, turn around, cost to maintain, insure, along with the cost of how much fuel and water it takes to operate. I would to keep the locomotive under 700 thousand pounds. NKP 170 and N&W 578 are now a no go. I have thought about a 8 wheel drivers but that cost would be too much that's why I would only go as large as a Mike. The reason why I wouldn't do a tank engine is because they are too small to operate because they can't haul a good enough size of a train to make it profitable granted they're smaller and wouldn't cost too much to operate but to transport it you need to add a third party to truck it from Point A to point B and that add an extra cost. If you have a pacific or larger you have just two main parties to work with to transport it from point A to point B. see what I'm saying?

Have not read all the responses here, but thought I would chime in under the heading of a “lone wolf.” In short, I am not big on the typical non-profit volunteer organization. Been there, done that. Not to say they are a bad thing, some are quite good, but then some have issues. After 50 years of volunteering, I have found that working on a privately owned project, with an informal group of mostly friends or friends of friends, to be the most rewarding and productive. At some point, I plan to establish a proper non-profit to cover the long term care and feeding of our project, a PRR N6b, but with an eye on something that promotes the "continued practice, study, and promotion of the building arts, fostering exceptional craftsmanship and encourage the preservation, enrichment, and understanding of traditional building methods” or something along those lines. This N6b project has really turned into a training ground for developing wood working skills by a great group of people and is something I would like to see continue.

Anyway, a bit of advice from my point of view….if there is an existing group that needs help, give it a try and at least learn from the experience. If there is something big you want to lead the charge for, then do it, but perhaps start with a smaller project first and build credibility and experience, both of which will be needed to generate funding and crew.

J.R. May

There’s an element of reinventing the wheel that isn’t always in the best interest of anyone planning a big project. Even if you do decide to start a new group, it’s better to meet the existing people working on a similar project before you reject them out of hand.

Stop by one of the work days on Fire Up 2100. Go tour Age of Steam. If you can road trip, try Strasburg and take the shop tour. Do the same thing with Cass if you can. If you can’t travel, but you have good internet, look at websites and watch video. Go to East Broad Top if you want to know about maintaining smaller engines. (I’d suggest Waynesburg and Washington, but Waynie’s restoration is cosmetic.) You’re also close enough to go visit Rick at Youngstown.

Even if you decide to go your own way, you’ll know why.