Probably, but like 225 (ex-1098), it would have to be for display at either Jim Thorpe or Port Clinton

If we're throwing out good landing spots for 587, I suggest Woodstown Central/SMS. They could use a larger piece to complement 9.

Why?

I was trying to think of someplace that could justify operating an engine that large, and thought of R & N. 2102 has a lot of time before its 1472 and apparently 425 is almost done. If they have enough shop capacity, I was thinking 587 could be another project. 225 is probably too small for the size of the trains they run now.

John

And with the condition that 225 is mechanically, plus whatever 587 might need done to get it operational, Muller (if he theoretically bid for the latter) could just display her at one of the locations I mentioned

Isn't the 587 a USRA light mike? Seems to me that it could be a good candidate for a tourist road assuming it's not in too bad of shape mechanically or corrosion-wise. Not so huge, not so small, kinda just right - a half step up from a connie and it'll run backwards nicely.

I think at this point everyone who could be a legitimate 'player' in owning, restoring, or displaying 587 is aware of the auction, and how to participate in it.

I see no reason for any last=minute scrambling to avoid the auction... or tipping one's hand by identifying as a participant, just to run the bids up.

We might want to organize something to 'recover' the engine if nobody bids, or if some scrap bid comes in highest (I don't see how that's possible net of transportation cost, but we sure have seen people try it...) But I think there won't be any deleterious result from this.

I suspect that this is why the auction listing is listed the way it is.

Yes, 587 is a USRA light Mike design, like ex-GTW 4070, which was a nearly ideal locomotive for a railroad like the Cuyahoga Valley. Able to pull a 14 car train at 35-40 mph all-day long, touch 50 mph if needed, and with an auxiliary tender, able to run nearly 100 miles non-stop. They are great medium-duty excursion locomotives.

Just to make people aware, a rumor on Faceplant used a Photoshopped image of GTW 5629 being scrapped, doctored with number boards and headlight of NKP 587 has been circulated. Total crap, but be aware of it.

I saw it on Instagram from an account I follow about yesterday

As stated in the release, Kentucky Steam will determine the final winner of the auction. It may not go to the highest bidder, but rather the highest bidder that has the ability to care for the locomotive,

A little OT but it is suprising just how little USRA or usra copy power survived.

Is there any real prospect of the 4070 being back in steam ? the usra light mikado does seem an idea size, but still so few operations are big enough to warrant something even that big, or have the budget for a added restoration or added power beyond what they already have. Only 1 USRA heavy mikado survived right?
Surprising no usra derived 4-8-2s, heavy 2-10-2s, or heavy 4-6-2's survived ( guess AWP 290 is pretty darn close though).

Will be interesting to see where 587 lands, but think overall probably not a major threat of a bad outcome, just some better than others. Will also be interesting to see the price tag it brings. Would be shocked if it ends up being anything more than cosmetically restored.

Kinda makes you wish museums or organizations that are on the edge financially would pre emptively sell equipment to make sure it goes to a good home etc. Ofc if a museum is in that position, their judgement is probably already clouded or incompetent to deal with stuff etc

Here's an interesting little mental exercise that occurred to me.

Figure this: At SOME point the Reading & Northern is going to exhaust the local market for the "big trains" they've been running behind 2102. I know it may seem silly now, but look at ridership at any "been there, done that" excursion operation. It eventually slacks off, no matter how many First Class Cars and extras you add.

Grabbing a smaller "big steam" loco would allow for shorter trains while still working the engine hard (part of the show for R&N) on the same routes. Or they could run smaller trains on other lines, or return steam to the Jim Thorpe steam operations.

But again, who knows? In this environment, it's just as likely some entrepreneur with more money than railroading experience will try to start a new operation with it somewhere we've never thought of, just because they like the idea.

I can't imagine buying / restoring another locomotive would be worth it for that very fringe scenario. That's what the 425 is for, they'll just add a diesel if they need more power. Then the 2102 trips are flexible in terms of how many times they are run annually.
Plus, while not a museum with no major historical focus, the 2102 does make sense operating there, I know the 425 isn't from a PA rr, but I don't see how a NKP mike really fits in either. Now if it was a PRR 2-8-2, or something else regionally significant, it could maybe be something that was looked harder at.