There is still much to do and and it remains unclear when the 1385 steam locomotive will return to the tracks in North Freedom, but a major step in the multiyear, $2 million project has been completed.
The boiler, which had been under construction since 2016 in St. Louis, was lowered Thursday at SPEC Machine near Middleton onto the frame of the historic piece of old-school machinery. It brings the locomotive one step closer to running the rails at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum and returning steam to the beloved attraction in rural Sauk County.
full article w/photos:
https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/a-major-step-for-the-mid-continent-railway-museum-s/article_e6318165-2aa5-5e78-9ff6-2c8367f6a017.html
Looks REAL good! A lot better than she did a few years back when the primary color was rust orange! I like locomotives in this size range.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Great news, coming along nicely!
Penny is right that this engine is the perfect size for a museum/tourist operation. Small enough to maintain fairly easily (most parts are small enough they do not require a overhead crane to move), easy on track and fuel, but also large and powerful enough to handle 5-10 passenger cars.
The engine I am familiar with maintaining and operating (4-6-0 CN 1392, up in Edmonton) is a very similar size.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Speed the day, it's not the Mid-Continent without a live 1385!
Thirty-plus years ago while on a visit there David P. Morgan called the Mid-Continent a time machine. They asked him if he'd like to run 1385 and he readily agreed to do so.
They say he hooked 'er up and ran 'er like a pro!
Very extensive discussion with interesting details ongoing over on RyPN.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.