http://www.trains.com/trn/default.aspx?c=a&id=1312

Interesting news. Relate this to the thread we had about NJ, the Erie E and the Mountain View. In this case, a locomotive "preserved" in a museum is sold to a private owner who will attempt to restore it.

I see it as a positive, and will run to Ohio to see it run (and maybe ride if the OC hauls passengers again) but it is "unsaving" a locomotive in the strict preservation = museum ownership sense.

Thoughts?

Rob

Remember when Plandampf was the rage in Germany (take a bunch of steam engines and run regular service with them)?

Is it time for an Ohio Plandampf? Once the OC gets #763 running, it isn't hard to imagine a few other 2-8-4's and 4-8-4's coming to the OC for a week, with the line running their freight schedules behind steam?

It would be a tourism boon for eastern Ohio. Think of the revenue train chasers would bring to hotels, burger joints and municipalities enforcing speeding and trespassing laws ;-)!

Rob

My thoughts?

"Holy cr*p!"

And that was meant in both good and bad ways.

Now, if Jacobson tries to buy a UP Big Boy......................

I've got a question for Ross - do you recall why you decided against using 763 for the Freedom Train?

Well, if the two Chinese QJ 2-10-2's coming to the USA was THE steam story of 2006, then the purchase of 763 by Ohio Central is certainly THE steam story of 2007. Even with 361 days to go, it's hard to believe that this story could be topped! Wow....I am still in shock!

Les

Operational steam is a huge tourist draw, and a living locomotive is a sensory experience. We all know this. It seem like perhaps it's time to take what we know and put it to use. Once she's operative, perhaps we could once again see a double-headed pair of NKP Berks? Give us a hot Kanawha or a refurbished CB&Q Hudson, and have the OC purchase MEC 470 from Waterville, and you have frosting on the cake. This is spectacularly excellent news.

We do?

Then why is there a "Survival of Steam is endangered" thread on this very board?

JAC

John -

We THINK that steam is a tourist draw, but you're right, how do we know for sure? One way is for operators that run both steam and diesel, to let us know, PROVIDING they keep such records. For instance, when I rode the Grand Canyon Railway this past summer, the two trains get steam one way and diesel the other. The passenger gets no choice. If they offered steam both ways on one train and diesels both ways on the other, then there might be some answers. But then, maybe GCRY already knows the answer and does it this way to even out the passenger loads.

Museums that once ran steam, that now aren't (Mid-Continent, IRM, MRM come to mind) might be able to give us visitor figures. Are they down since steam has not been offered? The same? Maybe even up?

Operators of specials might be able to help too. How is the New River fall excursion trains doing since steam is no longer used, or do these trains even run anymore?

Ohio Central itself dropped operations of its steam trains out of Sugar Creek. Was it all insurance related? If not, did they even consider diesel operations?

I once asked someone at Owosso if the cost of firing up PM #1225 was covered by the income from the "Engineer for an Hour" program but never got a reply. Why not?

I am a believer in steam. I think it brings people in. But the locomotive must be carefully calibrated to the projected income. No use firing up a 2-8-2 when a Mogul will do just fine. And if the people will come and ride anyway behind a diesel, then just put the steam engine (or engines) out on display.

IF OCRR restores the 763 and gives it a place to run, I believe the people will come. But we shall see.

Les

My question is, why purchase another large mainline engine, when they have an almost serviceable 4-8-4 in their roundhouse? The cost of returning 6325 to service would seem to be only a fraction of the cost of purchasing and rebuilding a 2-8-4 that hasn't run in almost 50 years.

What am I missing here?

That being said, of course I shall be glad to see another 2-8-4 in steam, this one marginally closer to me than Ft. Wayne. And I hope they leave the Mars light on.

One more steam locomotive restored is a good thing, but what price steam? It's a unique thing to consider: normally groups have the issue of "which steam locomotive to restore first." In this case it's "which one do we restore NEXT?" It's their railroad, their legacy, their Mars light to leave on, and their locomotives, so perhaps the 4-8-4 will have its chance in the future after the 763 so that there will always be a steady rotation of live steam going through the OHCR. The 763 is bigger than their Northern, so who knows how much more work or logistics will be involved in its own restoration (or rebuild.) Maybe the talents of the 765/1225 folks can be called upon to help, since it wouldn't make sense if everybody had the same toy but nobody wanted to play together.

What else has 2007 got in store?

that's great news. From the last pics I saw of the 763, she was in sad shape.
So just waht is wrong the 6325?

Seems to me that it's great news that a fine loco. will soon be leaving the world of "stuffed and mounted" and at least be started on the journey towards rebirth. Although Mr.Jacobson has given up public excursions due to his understandable fears of liability exposure this purchase is strong evidence that he hasn't lost his love for steam!
Let's hope her rebuild goes smoothly and swiftly, and that her future is filled with many safe operating miles!
Ross Rowland

A quote out of one of the sermons preached by my spiritual leader,
Rev. R.P. Yager.

“On The First Day GOD Created The Nickel Plate
On the Second Day GOD Created The Lima Locomotive Works To Manufacture Locomotives For The Nickel Plate
On The Third Day GOD Created the Earth For The Nickel Plate To Run Upon
On the Fourth Day GOD Looked Upon His Grand Creation And Was Pleased with What He Saw But Lord Was Moved By The Spirit In The Form Of A Bawl Movement And That Became The Baldwin Locomotive Works”… Rev. R.P. Yager”

And that is why Mr. Jacobson is doing the LORD’S work by restoring Lima Built Nickel Plate Berkshire # 763, much like fine wine or women both of which are all over the world but when you posses the absolute best of something, then you can find true happiness.

Brian Fleming, Owner
Northern Pacific # 1762

Dave,

I am not Ross but I remember the problem with the NKP berks was at least in part due to them being 2 inches to tall to fit under the wire on the NEC. Another thing was the cost of coaling steam for the whole run of the train. Management decided to go with an oil burner to reduce cost and trouble involved with fueling the locomotive. Had 2101 not been restored to operation privately at the last minute the train would have originated as a diesel powered train until the 4449 could have completed her overhaul and moved east. Did you see the 763 going through Hagerstown on her trip to and from NJ?

To answer another question further down the thread the OC 4-8-4 has some bearing problems. I think the problem is in one or more of the driver boxes but I am not sure.

John Bohon

In spiritual communion with "Cardinals" Yarger & Fleming, and as a practicing Roman Catholic may I please be allowed to add that I hope 763 will soon be allowed to spread those outward signs of spiritual graces known as "incense & holy water" otherwise known as smoke and steam upon the faithful per omnia saecula saeculorum (world without end) amen.