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News Wire: Fund to save Texas steam locomotive tops $24,000, potential home emerges

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Posted by Overmod on Sunday, February 25, 2018 8:40 AM

My understanding is no, and no: the contractor received all right, title and interest and assumed all liability.  Judging by the way the city management handled the decision, I'd be surprised if there is a public record, especially if there are other 'normal' services procurement requirements like multiple bid.

Jason et al. were smart enough to go to the scrapper and get that transfer of title and interest arranged ASAP.  While there is probably some time restriction on removal, there should be little practical delay in arranging cranes or jacks, appropriate lowboy, and 'safe' slinging or pads.

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Posted by Euclid on Sunday, February 25, 2018 7:46 AM

As I understand it, the City's ownership of 503 was transferred to the environmental remediation company as partial (or full?) payment for the service of cleaning up and removing asbestos and oil on or around the locomotive; and for removing the locomotive from the site. 

Obviously the locomotive has value as scrap or as an item to be restored for display or operation.  Does the agreement for this remediation work place any requirements on the contractor regarding what is done with the locomotive other than removing it from the site?  Is the agreement available for public examination?  

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Posted by seppburgh2 on Friday, February 23, 2018 5:53 PM

Good catch.  In the second picture was surprised the whistle was still on the steam dome.  Check ebay and these whistle command $ 1K to 2K.  Hope the builder plate shows up safe and sound.

The smokebox front will need some welding.  This indicates 503's stake was open to the weather and water damage.  If you see pictures from the steam era of stored locomotives, you note the stake is capped with a tin cap, or plate with the ends hammered down.  Some had canvas traps tied down as well as the headlights.

Anyone know how much time the city is giving to have her moved?

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Thursday, February 22, 2018 10:43 PM

 

Thank You.

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Posted by seppburgh2 on Thursday, February 22, 2018 4:35 PM
Hats off to Mr Sobcynski and Mr Hovey, AND all who chipped in. We saved a grand lady for the future. Thanks all!:>
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Posted by selector on Thursday, February 22, 2018 2:14 PM

Huzzah!!!  

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, February 22, 2018 2:10 PM

Saw on Facebook that the appeal had exceeded its $65K goal!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by seppburgh2 on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:43 PM

If you are looking to the GoFundme site for 503, its located at the end of the original Trains News item http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/02/19-emergency-fund-to-save-steam-locomotive-tops-20000-potential-home-emerges

You will need to cut/paste the GoFundme URL into your browser.

As of near Mid-night 02/21, she is about $ 1,2000 left to go.  Every $ 5 or $ 10 dollars count to save this grand old lady for generations to come.

Come one folks, we can get this done.

Thanks.

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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 7:27 PM

SD70Dude
Good to know there are still some rail preservationists out there capable of pulling something like this off on such short notice.

Also serves as a warnign for any other engines under care of a municipal authority.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, February 19, 2018 11:56 PM

As I post this they are up to $34,600.  Looks promising. 

Good to know there are still some rail preservationists out there capable of pulling something like this off on such short notice. 

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, February 19, 2018 11:41 PM

EDIT:  I take back most of what I initially said.  Part of the initial enthusiasm and recognition that went into the 'viral' campaign came about from the initial Newswire story back around the 17th.  And it was not so much the RyPN community but certain members of it who organized the campaign, developed the alternatives, put the initial funding in place, and gotten through both to the recalcitrant and elusive city people and the wannabe scrappers.  (I don't know if there was the groundswell of enthusiasm to make small donations here that there was on RyPN ... and now that things are so close, I encourage anyone reading this thread to make a donation of any size.  (Note that almost all of the money so far raised has been given in $50 or lower increments!)

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Posted by kgbw49 on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:26 PM

The thing about these 10 Wheelers is that they are just the right size for a frequent excursion operation.

This one is an oil burner with 36,827 lbs tractive effort.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47162644@N07/5916827714/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47162644@N07/5916828496/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47162644@N07/5916829062/in/photostream/

 

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Posted by Firelock76 on Monday, February 19, 2018 8:16 PM

Lost steam locomotives are like lost puppies in the snow, no-one wants to see them die.

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Posted by Brian Schmidt on Monday, February 19, 2018 10:35 AM

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Preservationists, businesses, and members of the public have stepped up to offer material support and more than $23,000 to save Louisiana & Arkansas No. 503, a Baldwin 4-6-0 at risk of being scrapped. The displayed en...

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/02/19-emergency-fund-to-save-steam-locomotive-tops-20000-potential-home-emerges

Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine

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