Using proceeds from a recently auctioned NS owned painting, NS is donating 1.5 million dollars toward the 611 restoration project.
Most excellent news, most welcome, and gratefully acknowledged. A big thanks to the 'steam-friendly' guys and gals at NS.
This is one steamer on my bucket list.
-Crandell
I figured Mr. Wick would find a way...
Who needs a painting anyway when you've got a fine piece of sculpture like 611?
You know, I can't prove this, there's no way I can prove this, and it sounds ridiculous to suggest it even to me, but I can't help but suspect there's a bit of a game of "one-upmanship" going on between Norfolk-Southern and Union Pacific. "OK boys, I'll see your Big Boy and raise you one Class J!"
Unless of course the closet steam freaks are taking over America's railroads.
Press Release:
http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/news/norfolk-southernsupportsrestorationofhistoriclocomotivethroughsa.html
Firelock76 I figured Mr. Wick would find a way... Who needs a painting anyway when you've got a fine piece of sculpture like 611? You know, I can't prove this, there's no way I can prove this, and it sounds ridiculous to suggest it even to me, but I can't help but suspect there's a bit of a game of "one-upmanship" going on between Norfolk-Southern and Union Pacific. "OK boys, I'll see your Big Boy and raise you one Class J!" Unless of course the closet steam freaks are taking over America's railroads.
I wouldn't write 1218 off just yet. Mind you, it was in the middle of a rebuild in 1994 when the old program ended. How far it has to go, who knows? As it is the "Fire Up 611" program has a target of five million, enough to rebuild 611, set up an endowment to keep it alive, and I wouldn't be surprised if the endowment covers a possible 1218 resurrection as well. But I'm just guessing here.
I've heard rumors of lots of parts that were removed for her rebuild having been scrapped. Hopefully they're just the typical railfan rumor rather than something that really happened back in 1994 to the 1218.
I wouldn't bet on her returning but it would excite me even more than the 611.
The 611 fund should be sufficient now to get the job done.
I read the article about the 611 and the first rebuilding date should have been 1981, not 1984 if I remember correctly.
CZ
Leo_Ames I've heard rumors of lots of parts that were removed for her rebuild having been scrapped. Hopefully they're just the typical railfan rumor rather than something that really happened back in 1994 to the 1218. I wouldn't bet on her returning but it would excite me even more than the 611.
My wife and I visited the museum in 2004 and were told the exact same thing regarding 1218 by one of the docents. 611, on the other hand was all "buttoned up" and has all her parts. The statement was made that 1218 would require major fab work just to replace those components destroyed during the "deactivation" process.
Mike
MJChittick Leo_Ames I've heard rumors of lots of parts that were removed for her rebuild having been scrapped. Hopefully they're just the typical railfan rumor rather than something that really happened back in 1994 to the 1218. I wouldn't bet on her returning but it would excite me even more than the 611. My wife and I visited the museum in 2004 and were told the exact same thing regarding 1218 by one of the docents. 611, on the other hand was all "buttoned up" and has all her parts. The statement was made that 1218 would require major fab work just to replace those components destroyed during the "deactivation" process.
After I posted that, I went looking and found a post from Steve Lee of UP's steam program that got to inspect her when they were auctioning parts and tools. It doesn't sound all bad. A definite hit, but it sounds like a revival of 1218 would still be reasonably possible without a huge increase in the difficulty and cost. Things like constructing new superheaters seem fairly regularly done.
http://www.brucebharper.info/nwrwy/1218.html
Rather disappointing though that Norfolk Southern treated her in such a way. Despite how Steve Lee portrays it as, she was safely in preservation and NS got her title only through guaranteeing her continued preservation when they were finished running her. So they hardly did a favor by not scrapping her 35 years after the end of steam since they were obligated to ensure her continued preservation.
And that they treated a piece of history that was preserved for decades before they acquired her and was expected to continue to be preserved when they dropped her fire the last time in such a manner the moment that they had no further use of her is rather hard to defend. Things like superheaters I can see being sold for further use and actually rather agree with since it's a shame to see refurbished parts not be put to good use even if it left her not mechanically fully there.
But the stock of parts like staybolts that weren't of value to the steam community instead being scrapped for a few dollars when they could've gone with her and offered a significant savings for a potential future restoration leaves a sour taste behind.
But none of it sounds crippling. If the will and the money is ever there to restore her to operation, those decisions from back then, while unfortunate, sound as if they'd be able to be overcome.
According to what I've read in the past parts had to be fabricated to bring 1218 back to life the last time around. What they were I don't remember, but if it was done before it can be done again.
That, at least, is encouraging!
You know when 611 was first restored it was in pretty good shape and was rebuilt after a new CEO came in.Then when Bob Claytor and Frank Collins inspected 1218 in 1985 they found that many parts were missing, and it was restored anyway. Maybe this is another one of those stories? Maybe it is just wishful thinking.
That is true. When 1218 became a stationary boiler at a (I think) Union Carbide facility some of the parts of the running gear were lost. I don't remember which ones, but they did have to be fabricated during the restoration process.
The stationary boiler "exile" was a blessing in disguise. If not for that 1218 would have joined her sisters in the scrap heap.
I thought the same thing! Guess here's the right place to put this in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ImNvEl2UB0
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