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<p>[quote user="Firelock76"]</p> <p>A bit late to the party here, I admit, but wasn't 1522 and it's excursions one of those programs killed by the liability insurance crisis back in the 90's?</p> <div style="clear:both;"> [/quote]</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Pretty much. This is the way my SLSTA friends say it was:</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Rising insurance costs in the aftermath of 9/11 made excursions more and more expensive to do. Railroads were also becoming less and less willing to let them use their tracks. Just to get one of their test trips to Newburg, MO they had to get permission from UP (To exit the museum property), Pay to get an Amtrak pilot so they could move over 300 feet of Amtrak right-of-way, and finally move onto BNSF for the test run. You can quickly imagine the difficulty in logistics for just one test trip.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Fewer people were riding and more were chasing, to get better pictures without the cost of a ticket. This resulted in less revenue, and the SLSTA did not own their own passenger cars and had to pay to rent Amtrak-certified passenger cars and have them moved to St. Louis. More money spent, and less people were riding. The only trips they ever really sold out on in 14 years of operation were the "farewell" trips.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">The 1522 became a "locomotive for hire" in the end, running for the railroads and movie companies who could pay for it.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Also facing an overhaul after only three years due to new FRA regulations was morally and financially depleting for the SLSTA. And in the end, they decided to quit while they were ahead.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;"> The crew of the SLSTA did a FINE job for their circumstances. They made sure the 1522 was stored serviceable, and in one piece so that IF (a big if) there was potential for her to run again, it might be done.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">I dont think that the 1522 could have exited the stage any better.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;"><hr /></div> <div style="clear:both;">In the two years since I posted this thread, I have met many people (Some of them formerly active SLSTA memebrs) who opened my eyes to real preservation, and made me less "foamish" when it comes to these matters. As well as becoming a volunteer for MOT, I am more familiar with the locomotive itself, and the issues that would be faced to get <em>any steam</em> running in/out of MOT. I have realized it takes more than just starting a group saying "we WANT to do this.".</div> <div style="clear:both;"><hr /></div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">So what of the potential for 1522 to run again?</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">1- The locomotive needs the suspension rebuilt and new firebox sheets, as well as the normal 1472 flue replacement/inspection. The crew cars and auxilary tender are no longer with the 1522, so you will need those.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">2- The locomotive needs tracks to run on. The UP isn't freindly to outside steam, and the UP is the only way out if MOT. These tracks must be somewhat close to St. Louis and MOT so that the 1522 can remian a part-time exhibit. This fact would make it a lot easier to convince current MOT management to let it happen.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">3- Passenger cars, ones that can be owned/long-term leased by the operating group.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">4- A group with a sound, air-tight business plan, experts who know what they are doing, and <span style="text-decoration:underline;">MONEY</span>! Running a steam operation like 611, 765, or 1522 involves operating like a <span style="text-decoration:underline;">buisiness</span>, to insure sucess, and professionalism. The original SLSTA was just like this, just look at a picture of them working together in their uniforms.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Will the 1522 operate again one day? Who knows, anything can happen. But getting her going again posses its own challenges, more unique and challenging than 611, for example. There is no current plan to restore 1522, and an excursion locomotive is too high-risk for the museum to sink funds that are needed elsewhere into.<hr /></div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">If one wanted to get steam going in St. Louis, there are smaller locomotives in better shape than the 1522 at MOT.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Here are some better candidates than 1522: Union Electric #1 (0-4-0T), MKT #311 (4-4-0), and DL&W #952 (4-4-0). There are a couple more. But even these would be difficult considering the museum's tight, packed trackage.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">If you could get a movement going that <span style="text-decoration:underline;">successfully</span> restored and operated one of these locomotives, it might open the eyes of MOT management and make them more open to restoring larger steam, like 1522.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">But for now, MOT has more to worry about. They still have a collection to look after and stuff needs paint all the time. It seems only yesterday we painted the Big Boy #4006, and now it is beginning to fade. Mother nature works quickly. What we <span style="text-decoration:underline;">really</span> need is more money, and more roof space.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">I desprately hope that I can help get steam running at MOT one day, but for now, reality says that we have other, more important things to focus our meager funds and volunteers on.<hr /></div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;"><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> While I am a volunteer at MOT, I do not speak in any capacity for the museum or its future plans/goals. My statements are my own opinions formed by my expiriences at the museum.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Below: 1522 in April, 2016. She was moved out from under the shed for the first time in 13 years for the anual night photo shoot.</div> <div style="clear:both;">This September 1522 will have been in her second retirement for the same amount of time she was in excursion service.<img src="http://www.railpictures.net/images/d2/5/8/2/9582.1462481433.jpg" alt=" " /></div>
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