I have been reading the recent postings about preservation, restoration, backdating etc. This engine was purchased privately for the price of scrap. In light of the current discussions, what should be done with this engine: restore it to operation, cosmetically restore it, leave it as it is, or sell it for scrap when the price gets higher?




johncgra@locl.net

> Sorry about the picture not working the first time. I think it works now. It is easier to work on a engine than on this darn computer.

John

johncgra@locl.net

You should bring it to Maine, put it on my 5 acres, we'll fix it up together and run around my fields to our heart's delight! She's a treasure, and congratulations on your purchase. Any history on her? Willing to reveal what you invested in the locomotive?


glueck@saturn.caps.maine.edu

I used to believe strictly in the preservation of such things, but I'm convinced now that these machines should be operating. During their working lives they would have been shopped, repaired, re-boilered, etc. So in order to "preserve" them, they probably should be restored to operation. Then, what you see, smell, and hear will complete the picture for all to see.
BTW- what is this locomotive? Porter, Alco, ???
And what vintage is she?


sjhussar@aol.com

> I have been reading the recent postings
> about preservation, restoration, backdating
> etc. This engine was purchased privately for
> the price of scrap. In light of the current
> discussions, what should be done with this
> engine: restore it to operation,
> cosmetically restore it, leave it as it is,
> or sell it for scrap when the price gets
> higher?

John,

I assume this engine is Vulcan Iron Works #4139, ex-Lehigh Valley Coal #126. If so, consider the following:

1. There are multiple examples of VIW 0-6-0Ts in existance worldwide, just check my database.
2. There is only one other Leigh Valley Coal engine in existance (#99), but does that give any historical importance to it?
3. You are a private owner, not a museum!

The bottom line is, I would do with this engine what you want to/can afford to do. If a cosmetic restoration is all you can afford, so be it. If you can restore it to operational condition, that's great! Don't worry about destroying historical fabric; there is nothing worth preserving in the way of "fabric" on this engine anyway.

If you can't afford any of the above, than I would say sell it to someone who can.

What really disturbs me is that this is the second thread when the s**** word is mentioned about a particular engine on this board. Since when is the best course of "preservation" scrapping an existing engine? If you sacrific this engine to preserve another, who can guarantee that the other engine will not be scrapped due to some unfortunate turn of circumstances (i.e. the Jenson engines or a fire)?

I think we are all getting daft when we can avocate scrapping an engine on a "Railway Preservation News" discussion board. Sectioning an engine for its interprative value has its pros and cons, but how can we possibily recommend scrapping in any circumstance?

We better not let some of these folks near to "Thomas the Tank Engine" at Strasburg, or he may get scrapped faster than "Oliver" or "Trevor", because he is no longer a BEDT engine, but rather a violation of restoration principles! Never mind he is doing more for the preservation and railway community than a hundred historically correct but dry and boring exhibits!

Hey John, perhaps what we need is a "Percy". It wouldn't look bad in green and gold, even with a face on the front! (As far as my son goes, it is a "Percy" already!) Then, it would be a revenue maker, and "saved from scrap" for awhile anyway.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Locomotives
james1@pernet.net

This baby needs to be restored, never use the "S" word around her nor about her. She is a wonderful little 0-4-0, please tell us more about her.

Tom Gears
Wilmington, DE

tgears1@home.com

> I have been reading the recent postings
> about preservation, restoration, backdating
> etc. This engine was purchased privately for
> the price of scrap. In light of the current
> discussions, what should be done with this
> engine: restore it to operation,
> cosmetically restore it, leave it as it is,
> or sell it for scrap when the price gets
> higher?

The above picture was taken 10 years ago. The price of scrap never came up enough so we (my son and I) decided to restore it. The picture below was taken about 3 weeks ago when we steamed it up for the FRA inspector. We still have some paper work to complete for the Form 4 but that is all that is left to be done. It will be operated next summer in Michigan by the PM 1225 group. The 40 ton engine was built in 1930 by Vulcan Iron Works. Its first owner was Flagg Coal Co in Avoca PA. In 1935 it was sold to a quary in Jamesville NY and used until 1953 to haul stone to the crusher. In 1953 the engine was sold along with 12 others to Dr Groman who owned and operated Rail City. This engine along with several of the others was never used at Rail City, as a mater of fact it never moved after 1953 until we got it in 1991. It has taken us 10 years to get it done (making a living gets in the way of having fun) but the next one, a Vulcan 0-6-0T, should go much faster.
John



Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation

johncgra@locl.net

I hope that you and your son and all of your freinds and the people with Project 1225 enjoy the engine.

Brian

bnorden49@earthlink.net

Videos and such
sales@gregschollvideo.com

Great John;

I can just see her doubleheading down the mainline with 1225 at 8 MPH, long string of express and perishable freight in tow.

Seriously, these little saddle tankers have a lot of interpretive value to offer at minimal operating cost compared to their larger sisters. For many museums, such as our landlocked roundhouse, there is no justification for operating anything larger.

Our little GOAT is a crowd pleaser as well as a useful switcher. If you want to doublehead onto the turntable bring her on down.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

John,

What a sweetie! Glad to see an old anthracite girl get such loving care. Dr. Gorman would be proud.

Would love to see her steam in the regions again. A return to Avoca?


Rob Davis

superc@monmouth.com