Getting some work earlier in 2006. Ex- FEC Pacific.

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=335082

Well, it's about frappin' time they did something with this. I'd been told that at least part of the siderods on this engine got swapped out on S&A 750 years back but don't know if that's true as I can't see how they'd used the same rods due to the size difference. I'm guessing she's still over by the station in Albany, but it's nice to finally see someone working on her...

Stephen Syfrett, who posts here regularly, has been working on this for several years now. If there is some interest, he will probably be willing to post an update.

dave

Stephen has been quite communicative about the happenings at the museum there in Albany. And why would anyone think that the rods wouldn't interchange with 750? Same builder, same year, same class, same original owner, 4 months and 8 numbers apart. The rod swap took place after 750 sheared, I believe, a wrist pin at speed in the early 1980's. For my 2 cent's worth, I think the FEC engines were about the prettiest light pacifics ever built.

Gary -

Prettiest? Yeah, maybe I'd have to agree with you on that. And S&A #750, prettiest of the lot. I think there are six survivors (am I close on that?) and quite a few have been run in the post-steam era. Number 750 of course, but also FEC numbers 113, 148 and 153. But not Georgia Northern #107. Any chance in the future? And hmm, that makes five, not six. Maybe I miscounted cause I can't think of another one.

Les

They are identical locomotives. The connecting rods between the main and 3rd drivers on both sides were swapped.

JAC

Probabilities are against it. 107 was rode very hard before being put up wet. The firebox, from the inside, resembles a rusty relief map of Colorado. Running gear is extremely worn. One cylinder has been broken, sleeved, then fit with a safety valve to prevent full pressure from working in the bad end.

750 needs a new boiler due to stress cracks around many rivets in the original, but is mechanically in much better shape. I'd invest in a nice new boiler for her before starting to work on an operating 107.

148 has moved from the Florida flats she was designed for to the Colorado mountains. What an interesting choice..........haven't heard an update from there for a very long time.

153, on static display, looks like a zillion bucks. 113 is a nice possibility, still with the original Fox trucks on the tender. Goild Coast RR Museum has no need for an operating steamer at present, and if they do, a FEC 0-8-0 is being restored to operate by another group in Miami. Why have two with neither of them keeping busy full time?

There is another Pidcock Lines 2-8-2 that is a much better choice if one wishes an operating steam engine - say for Sam Shortline - in the area.

dave

Dave -

Thanks for the rundown. From your answer, I guess there are only the five ex-FEC light Pacifics and not six. And it sounds like the 113 might be the best one to restore. Is Gold Coast willing to part with it to someone who might restore it?

Dug out my Richard Prince book on the CofG to look up the Pidcock Lines to see what 2-8-2 you might be talking about. Both the Albany & Northern and the Georgia, Ashburn, Sylvester & Camilla had little Mikados that I think got saved. Maybe there was another one too.

As for the FEC 0-8-0, it would be nice to see her run although not sure what the status of the restoration is currently. Hope the group hasn't run out of gas.

Les

Hey, John, is that your latest photo-freight strategy? Have the paying photographers "decorate" the front of the train in between runby locations so as to sabotage the photos taken by "freeloaders"? >;-D

har har . . . ;)

On the very first one I ever did, we stashed a big blue bedsheet in the fireman's seatbox. Eventually, a non-paying photographer was spotted, and the crew draped it over the smokebox as the loco crossed the crossing.

End of chaser.

Since then, frankly, I haven't worried about it, because over they years, very few people have ever shown up without paying. I keep it simple - shoot all you want between runbys, but don't expect to stand in our photo lines, and we will get along fine. No point being a jerk about it. Besides, they may see what they're missing, and pay next time.

So, Sandy, when should I expect your check? ;)

JAC

You'd have to ask CGRRM, Les. Are you interested? Rumor is they were offering it to qualified reputable museums a few years ago. The miracle is that any were saved at all. They are certainly among the most pleasantly proportioned of their type, but so lightweight - a big 4-6-0 or 4-4-2 could do what they can do in commuter service. Why U S Sugar decided to get pacifics to switch cane cars instead of 0-8-0s or something similar is anybody's guess - perhaps somebody will research that some day. I'm just real happy they did. Mitsubishi built a class of almost identical engines for China in the 1950's. Don't know if any survived there. You may be confusing ACL 1522 (Jacksonville CSX lawn ornament) with a sixth FEC pacific.

I always get confused about which Pidcock 2-8-2 is which number. I don't get over that way too often. At least one was reputedly in very good condition, possibly both? There is a nice 2-8-0 in Macon that has been talked about recently, no progress I have heard about of late.

dave

Gents: I find that if you approach them, and tell them to "Put down that F%&#! camera, pick up a scraper and paintbrush and do something useful for a change" that have a tendency to disappear pretty quickly.

dave

Dave -

Albany & Northern #9 and GAS&C #100 are both 2-8-2's.

When I was last in Macon (late 70's I think), they had TWO CofG Consolidations there; #509 out in a park and one of the older ones (#233 perhaps?) at the Savannah station.

Les

223 (2-8-0) lived behind the courthouse parking deck, and has gone on to a better home in the roundhouse in Savannah. Last week she was holding down the turntable while getting a new coat of black paint. 503 decorates the dirt next to a driveway into a park in Macon.

dave

Well, I can identify the guy with the video camera. I sure was a lot skinnier back then. March, 1983. In JAC's picture, the 750 was being towed backwards towards a siding where the remaining rods were removed prior to towing to Birmingham.

I had turned off the video camera about a split second before the crank pin sheared and the flailing rod destroyed the power reverse sending the locomotive into a nasty situation. It is by the Grace of God that 750 didn't stiff leg and roll over.

BTW, that is my brother behind the wheel of the 1971 model Chevrolet Impala that our parents bought new.

Wasn't this Doug Karhan's first trip out on the road after being named Master Mechanic-Steam? The Boss had just retired the previous December.