Dan
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
Last I was told Mid Continent has the 1385 as it's second in line for refurbishing. They are currently working on the Western Coke and Coal number 1 (I think), with hopes of getting that running pretty soon (though that's what they've been saying for the last two or three years, so we'll see).
Last I knew the 1385 had been disassembled and is lying in peices around the Mid Continent property (running gear seperated from the boiler seperated from the cab), with no work planned on it in the immediate future. Supposedly they are talking about getting a brand new boiler fabricated at a cost of something like $350,000 to $500,000. But friends I have there say that so far no action has been taken on that yet, just that the idea has been researched.
If I had to guess, I'd say it'll be a good number of years before the old girl runs again. They've been saying they'd have a steam locomotive running "by next season" or "by next year's snow train" for a number of years now, and that's yet to happen for any locomotive, let alone the 1385 project. But I hope I'm wrong, as I'd like to see the 1385 running again too.
Noah
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
Atmo your going to hate to hear this, but, when i was out in Creston Iowa a few weeks ago the local public access channel had a hour of the 1385 pulling a circus train from Baraboo. Was a great video looked to be late 80's maybe early 90's Called the station adn asked what was up and was told" didnt have anything else to play in this time slot and this being a RR town."
Now if public tv would show more trains or shows like this I might send them some money!
actually i'm moreso intrigued than angry, my friend. i was not aware a small road switcher like 1385 could pull a circus train that long.
this is most-interesting
Actually, 1385 is the 3rd in line for restoration to service, behindWestern Coal and Coke #1(the least expensive to repair) and PolsonTimber #2(privately owned, but second least expensive.)
Thelast estimate I heard for 1385 was between $500-$700K for restoration,depending if they go with a new boiler, which they may have to. Theentire firebox has to be re-built, along with most of the running gear.
www.midcontinent.org is the website, that has shop updates on all the engines.
It did a grand job Atmo. I never asked what the tape was ( had to get ready to go home lol)
Sad to hear about the expense. Re boilering seems the way to go for some of the older locos.But the cost yikes!
Sorry to say this, but 1385 CAN'T haul a circus train. Look very carefully at those videos: the C&NW's presiential F-unit set is right behind the steamer. I chased most of the 1385 trips through Southern WI/Northern IL in the late 1980s, and the engine never went anywhere without those Fs. The only time I ever saw her without diesels around was at Mid-Continent.
1385 is my all-time favorite steam engine, an I'm not even a C&NW fan! Thankfully, I got to see and ride her during her last snow train runs in 1999. Mid-Continent needs to get off their collective *ahem* and get her restored. Stop "wasting" those tens of thousands of dollars they use every year on restoring cars and actually get some STEAM moving...
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
Also, the 1385 was assisted by a SD-60 back in the late '90's on the Circus Train.
Mid-Continent restores only cars that they have grants for, from charitiesor foundations. That's why so many passenger cars are restored comparedto any work on the engines. If they match the charity/foundation infunds, then the work gets done.
So far, no one charity/foundation has stepped up to donate towards one of the steamers.
I stopped going to MidContinent's "snow train" when they stopped running steam. I'll go again when they bring back steam. I think they understand that steam is the draw.
Dave Nelson
I have to say that while it has been quite frustrating to have steam down at Mid-Continent for so long, but think how those in the trenches feel about it. I think that they finally have the right idea in concentrating their effort on one locomotive for now and trying to get it done. They have the "Exploded View Disease" up there where they have so many locomotives in pieces with little hope of them ever getting put back together. The problem with Westen Coal and Coke #1 is that it has taken longer than they figured it would. That is the case with almost every project of that magnatude anyway. They had to replace large sections of the boiler sheets and basically tear it down to the frame and start from there. I wish that they would update their website more often, but I still wish them all the best and send them money every year anyway. I think that a lot of museums got themselves into the "Exploded View Disease" syndrome back in the 70's and early 80's. As locomotives that they were running ended up getting worn out, they were torn down to only find out that they needed some significant work. To keep steam running, they would decide to run o'l number 20 instead. When o'l #20 wore out, they now had two locomotives that needed significant work, and it would just snowball from there. The other problem was when one group would have their pet project, and the next group of guys would want their own pet project, so you had small groups working on and tearing apart multiple locomotives at the same time. Some would get in over their head, their family needs would change, and the locomotive project would get abandon. I think that they learned this at Mid-Continent the hard way, and now are on the right track to improvment, but it is a long term project that takes dicipline of the organization to make it happen.
Steve
Here's a gamble/longshot that I'm not sure would ever happen: MCRM asking UP for help. After all, the 1385 is/was CNW and they did buy the CNW. They run the 4449, so why not another steam engine from one of their 'heritage' road? If nothing else...kick some $$ in or maybe some technical help.
I'll keep on wishing....
1385 is 3rd on the list for restoration, as mentioned. Although getting the engine into operating condition would be nice, I doubt if UP would be interiested in this. We have to remember that running the engine on the C&NW on the Prosperity Specials was the reason why 1385 is not running. They ran the engine into the ground, and ruined it. One major reason why the engine needs a new boiler.
WC&C #1 is susposed to run next fall, so next year's pamphlets are going to be printed with photos of it on it.
PLC #2 is 2nd on the list, although the restoration is not headed by Mid Continent, as the engine is privatly owned. According to the owner, Mid Continent had leased the engine for their use. In the agreement, they were not susposed to take apart the engine apart if a problem came up. Durring the last Snow Train that #2 ran, a problem was found, and the engine was taken out of service, and dismanteled for repairs. They were not susposed to do this. So, when PLC #2 is done, Mid-Continent has to pay it's repair bills. It has been said that this will cause some major financial problems, and drastic decisions might have to be made. Will MCRWY go under? In reality, #2 is in better shape than WC&C, but WC&C will run first.
1385 needs a new boiler and major repairs. Maybe Clint Jones' #175 in Mighigan could be acquired, and it's boiler could be used?
The engine that is in the best condition at Mid Continent is probably LS&I #22. It has been completly overhauled. Running gear, new tender, new flues, the works. But, politics at Mid Continent force it from operating. It seams as if politics have ran the museum into the position it is currently in.
D&R #9 is a very pretty and old (1884) engine. It fits their mission statement perfectly, and is the perfect size for a TOTC passenger train. There was an accident with this engine back in the 90's, and the tender's condition sidelined it further. Thankfully, the engine has been left in one piece (All of the other engines that used to run at Mid-Continent are dismanteled, and laying all over the museum. This last summer, it was moved to a display track next to the depot.
Goodman Lumber #9 would be a good canidate for restoration, although impractical, since it is a Shay.
Phil
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