I allways love going to the Henry Ford Museum, mainly becuse of the allegheny. (one of two left in exsistance) The locomotive has been so well preserved that it is still leaking lube oil 52 years after retirement! the question is... if some crazy railfan (with more money then he knows what to do with) was to fuel the allegheny, in its current condition, could it run? if not what would have to be done to do so?
oscaletrains wrote: I allways love going to the Henry Ford Museum, mainly becuse of the allegheny. (one of two left in exsistance) The locomotive has been so well preserved that it is still leaking lube oil 52 years after retirement! the question is... if some crazy railfan (with more money then he knows what to do with) was to fuel the allegheny, in its current condition, could it run? if not what would have to be done to do so?
The FRA requirements would prevent it from being steamed until the flues were replaced, the boiler and all of the appliances checked and repaired as needed and this would cost more than $1,500,000 in today's money. After a boiler has been used for this length of time, rust has a strange way of causing major problems. The flues normally are the biggest problem but the super heater pipes and the circulators and firebox area could be a major problem.
The machinery would have be disasembled and checked also, but that portion of the engine would probably be decent shape if the engine had received class repairs shortly prior to retirement.
It is a great dream, but one that is not likely. The axle loading of the engine would prevent it from running on most tracks today. Railroads have been reluctant recently for any steam engine to run on their tracks and this one would get special attention because of its weight.
I have seen this one at the Henry Ford museum and the 1604 in Baltimore. They are impressive for sure. I am grateful the C&O preserved these two and we can see them today.
They are Lima's best.
I'm going to this museum for the sole purpose of seeing this locomotive in a week or so--
Is it still there?
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
yeah,
its been there ever scinced it was retired.
Recap of my HFM experience:
The farm equipment was neat. I liked the large stationary steam engines, it's fun to see that 300 HP was that big then and now it's under the hood of vehicles now. I mainly enjoyed the RR exhibit (obviously). I thought the large Allegheny was awesome. HUGE power and equipment there. I also really enjoyed the Red and black snow plow. I was dissapointed that I could not go in any of them (makes sense thou why I can't). HFM is also working on building stairs to the cab on the engineer's side so viewers can look inside. They were currently blocked off with a folding wall; ie half of the tender and the trailing truck was hiddin on that side. I could however see it from the other side, but still!
Qwerks of the trip; too expensive! 14 dollars a ticket plus 5 for parking is HIGH I think. I'm glad I got pictures (no sense repeating the same one below) so I don't have to go back for a while. Otherwise, it was fun. (BTW I'm a chevy guy and all that FORD crap almost made me puke (haha)
BAHHH!
did you see the letter from bonnie & clide saying how muched Henry Fords cars becuse the mads such great getaway cars?
have you gone to green feild village? lots of operating steam, a turntable, roundhouse (you can get a tour! ) and a station from Port Huron! (I love my towns history) just a great place.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.