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Out with the Regners and in with Aster steam power

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  • Member since
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Out with the Regners and in with Aster steam power
Posted by Vintagesteamer on Thursday, December 8, 2022 11:37 PM

The Regner Stainz was repurchased by its original owner after I rebuilt it for him and he also bought the 0-6-0.  I picked up an older Aster 2 truck Shay and a Colorado and Southern Mogul(been on my want list for a few years).  The Shay is alcohol fired for now, but will be reboilered to gas fired in the not to distant future.  I want to use up my supply of alcohol fuel first.  The Mogul is gas fired and has had its funky original set up replaced with the more typical set up we see in todays models.  I also have an electric powered LGB C&S #7 Mogul on its way to me.  Picked it up cheap as it needs some rehab and deal with some power pickup issues its having.  

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Posted by PVT Kanaka on Friday, December 9, 2022 1:49 AM

Looks like you've got your 2023 project list already!  I am still working on mine!

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, December 9, 2022 8:57 AM

Mike,

  both engines are great! But that C&S mogul, WOW! Love that look with the " Bear Trap" stack! Would love to pick one up someday, even the LGB version would be great.

 Congrats!
Paul

I have the Bachmann On30 version of this same engine, it is one of my faves....

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Saturday, December 10, 2022 12:44 AM

I scored a LGB beartrap Mogul with a snow plow that needs a bit of rehab for a good price, it will be here on Saturday.  I will need to replace the covered bridge on my railway as the beartrap will not pass thru.  So, I am looking for a good used wood truss bridge without any cross structure above the track.   

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, December 10, 2022 11:04 AM

Mike,

 I always remember seeing the C&S mogul with the bear trap and snowplow. It was always out of reach price wise. Still would love to own one.

 When your engine comes in, I sure would love to see a picture, if you have the time!

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Monday, December 12, 2022 1:53 PM

Not the best pic, but she is up there above the tree on the overhead layout.  I will get a family pic alongside my Aster C&S Mogul on the layout soon.    

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Monday, December 12, 2022 5:39 PM

Thank you, Mike! That's the one! It's still on my unofficial bucket list of locomotives! Thank you for sharing that. I like the railroad lamp topping the Christmas tree, by the way!

Paul

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Posted by PVT Kanaka on Monday, December 12, 2022 10:22 PM

Very sharp!  Having watched steam engines come to life in your threads over the years, I know she is in good hands!

 

Eric

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Monday, December 12, 2022 11:12 PM

Paul, it actually hangs from the top of the bay window, but does fit just perfectly above tree.  If my darn golden retriever would quit swiping the tree decorations, I could decorate the tree with all my Hallmark train items. 

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 11:00 AM

Mike, the lantern is in the exact spot to create the illusion. But, have to admit it looks great there!

  It's a shame the C&S narrow gauge was taken up so early, but through models, we can still appreciate.I have a video tape of operations in the '30's, rare footage indeed!

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 11:31 PM

Its a shame the 22 was not preserved even as a static exhibit, along with the botched restoration of the 9 that now has made it so she will probably never steam again.  

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 8:51 AM

I'll need to dig out my slides: I've got pictures of the engine and car displayed at Idaho Springs. There is apparently another engine up in Central City.

 Every time I've been to Colorado, I've managed to miss the CSRM in Golden. Reason to return.....

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 9:11 AM

Mike, with regards to restoration, I blame no one. I think they are doing the best they can with very old equipment, that has been stored for years outdoors in the elements.

 Check this out: in 2008 I was in Strasburg,and went on the shop tour. Low and behold, they were doing contract work on RGS number 20, and 346's tender. RGS 20 had a dented plate in the boiler shell, apparently hit by a boulder. The RGS shop crews had just covered it over with jacketing! So, the Strasburg shop crew was replacing one of the boiler plates. Also, they found a railroad spike welded across a crack in the frame! RGS shop crews had just patched this engine, and kept it running. Now 20 runs again. Must be hard to restore these old engines, never know what you'll find when you open it up.....

Paul

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Posted by PVT Kanaka on Thursday, December 15, 2022 1:16 AM

Paul,

 

Your note also reminds us you never know what history you might uncover as the restoration proceeds!

 

Eric

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Thursday, December 22, 2022 1:35 AM

Its well documented the complete botching of the restortion of #9.  Its tragic and unfortunate that the one C&S engine able to run, was piss poorly redone to where it damaged itself to the point that it will probably never run again in my lifetime.  Its been stuffed and mounted for the foreseable future.  Thankfully a few videos were shot of her running on the loop for those unable to see it in person.   She had quite the bark climbing those grades.  

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Thursday, December 22, 2022 12:30 PM

Mike, 

  yes, it is sad about C&S #9, but, it's all how you look at it:

My view is we were fortunate to have it run , albeit a very short spell.

Best case scenario with U.P or Norfolk Southern shop forces, materials, expertise, and the proper tools, is that an engine be meticulously restored, but only run a few seasons,and then retired. This is why steam was retired in the first place. Some shops don't have the tools U.P. Or N.S. Have at their disposal. Plus, U.P. And N.S. Were restoring engines from the 1940's, not 1884. 
 This reminds me of the story of Pennsy 1361. I consider myself fortunate to have been there to see it run in York in '88. That trip I also saw Pennsy 1223 running of the Strasbourg. She now sits stuffed and mounted.

 I guess this is why we have models, to carry on the legacy....

Speaking of which, your C& S models are really beautiful!

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Friday, December 23, 2022 11:20 AM

Thanks, Sadly NS's steam program is no more right now, and UP's is scaled way back to just 4014 with the rest of the fleet dontated to the Silvis IL group who will do the restoration of 3985 over the coming years.   Thankfully PRR 1361 is moving along nicely again in its proper restoration back to use.  The K4 will rise again, so anything is possible.  Just need a group with the proper backing and a solid plan for fundraising to get #9 correctly restored to operation again.  

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, December 23, 2022 5:45 PM

When I think back on the 1361 trip, that engine ran several excursions per day, over a three day period. It performed well, with no hint of trouble. The limiting factor was the condition of the track , which held speeds down drastically. Beautiful engine, glad I saw it. They had big plans for that engine, which of course all fell through.

 Thinking of it, there is a long list of engines that were restored, and no longer run. Some only ran briefly, like 1361. And C&S #9. Hope they can get her running again....

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Saturday, December 24, 2022 12:18 PM

It took some work to build up a Belpaire boiler that would conform to current codes.  They also argued for years about that and doing the work to fit roller bearings to all the main driving axles, which is required now for mainline use.  She will be better than new once its done.  Just took getting the right people in the right places that did not have their heads up their behinds and were willing to compromise on originality vs being able to steam the engine.  

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, December 24, 2022 3:43 PM

Great update, thank you! Hope #9 will be as fortunate.It would be great to have an operating representative of the C&S narrow gauge, which disappeared quite early, largely by the onset of WW2. It would be living history....

Paul

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