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Want Your Own Steam Locomotive?
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The logistics of obtaining a steam locomotive from Cuba is not a problem if you have the cash. The locomotive can be purchased into another country by an operating railroad, then resold to US owners. Given enough cash for bribes and what not, the deal can be done. The big problem is what to do with a full size locomotive when you get it into the country. Do you, or someone you know, own or have control of a siding large enough for storage and/or maintenance? Do you live in a region that can supply coal at a reasonable cost and in sufficient quantities to fuel the beast? Do you have access to a firm that can run a boiler test? A supply of replacement parts? You just know the locomotives coming from Fidel's Cuba were run into the ground in their last days. The big problem, to me at least, is the care and keeping of the beast once it arrives. Parts, gland packings, gauges ad nausem will need to be available. And where is the machine shop large enough to turn drivers? To machine the steam cylinders? How are you going to repair the old fabricated frames when they fatigue and finally break? None of these problems is insoluble, but they are daunting just the same. And when the dust settles, you will invested many times the original purchase price of the locomotive. In the end, it might be cheaper just to have a new steam locomotive manufactured in China and shipped to the US. <br /> <br />Just the same, it is pleasant to think of heating hot dogs with steam from your very own locomotive. Yes, dreams are allowed. <br /> <br />Tom
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