This Mogul at Woodburn, Oregon has had a full and proper cosmetic restoration by Portland resident Frank Scheer, who maintains it with a very small group of helpers. Proof that it can happen. Asbestos was removed in the early 1980s, before restrictions, with a new jacket, cab windows and wooden cab lining, restored seatboxes, new steam dome cover, tender tank and oil bunker cleaned, smokebox cleaned and patched, etc., etc.. All lights functional and it looks like an operable locomotive. All journals were polished and greased and the engine was moved slightly to inspect all surfaces of the journals. Various diverters have been applied to keep rainwater off moving surfaces, pending erection of a shelter. They would like to mount a running restoration, for use on a former SP branch near Woodburn, but of course funding is a problem. Proof that derelict park engines need not remain that way. The cosmetic restoration was done at low cost, with a lot of donated materials and services and hard volunteer labor.

http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/prese ... tteson.jpg

http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/prese ... tteson.jpg

The city is proud enough of the 1785 to put the engine on its website. How many communities have an engine that looks good enough to do that?

http://www.woodburns-own.com/gateway/citymore.html

Sister engine to 1744 in New Orleans. I dont know 1744's condition after the hurricanes

A beautiful job indeed. I agree with your remarks about how this can be accomplished. My hat's off to everyone involved here.