Let me repeat what Kelly said. Their calculations are far from done - therefore it is NOT a foregone conclusion that "substantial reworking" of anything will be necessary. This is the exact reason the post was deleted. Not only was it explained to the young man that his post was inappropriate, it was also inaccurate and premature.

I want to thank the folks at Strasburg for the professional manner with which this was handled. Let them do the job we hired them to do and when comment is appropriate, comment will be made by those who have the authority and first-hand knowledge to do so.

Thanks

Scott and Kelly -

Thanks for the explanation and clearing up the confusion.

Have a great day.

Thanks for the post. I had often followed the progress of the K4s and could not understand why it had seemed like some work had been done, to only later see the locomotive looking like a butterflied perch. I also wish them only the best in their project.

Steve

A couple of problems with a quick read of the posting. I toured the Steamtown shops in Oct. of '96 and the K-4 was already there in pieces, so his timeline is a year late. Also, the 0-6-0 is No. 26, not 29. I know, picky, picky, picky. I was in on the first restoration of #26 in the Jackson Iron & Steel mill in Jackson, OH, in the late '70's early '80's under Jerry Jacobson's ownership, so it means something to me. I wouldn't begin to take credit for more than a little grunt work, but it was still a thrill to be there. The first steam-up was in March of '81. I've got some slides of a few of the runs there, but I believe Rich Melvin brought his video camera down and might still have some footage of it running in the old mill? John Corns took a group B&W photo of those of us there on the first run day, I've got mine around here somewhere...

I found Joe Michaels' posting very interesting reading, as well as the other various clarifications and additions that have been made in this thread. A few other "nitpicky" details-- not real relevant to the current situation, but I'll add them for accuracy. #1361 was taken down from Horseshoe Curve in September 1985 and operated briefly in 1987 and 1988. She was moved to Steamtown in spring 1995 and was there when I visited in November of that year. She was also there when I visited in April 2006.

I would support Mr. Cessnas statement. Let's wait until all the facts are in and then rely on those professionals directly involved.
Ross Rowland

Some clarification here - is not the Joe Michaels who authored the original piece a senior engineer with the New York Power Authority?

(I am asking, not stating.)

GME

I seem to recall that Mr. Michaels had some considerable involvment with the boiler calculations and engineering done for Valley Railroad's 2-8-2 #1647. This pertained to the FRA code requirements and changes needed from standard Chinese practice. J. David would know much more about this.

As for the K-4, during a Steamtown shop tour in early 2000, I saw sections of the removed firebox sheets (inner) piled up in the outside area between the roundhouse and backshop. The condition of those parts was quite sobering to some people in our group.