Since it doesn't appear to be on the radar of our beloved VP Ops wearing any of his hats, and no one else seems to have thought to bring it up here ... and our name is being specifically taken in vain on RyPN tonight ... I invite comments or commitment regarding the impending effort to save CPR Mike 5361.
The owner has put a great deal of money and effort into preserving her condition over the years, and is now in failing health and wants to leave his heirs 'cash only' on his death. That involves selling 5361, but the owner has regrettably adopted one of those 'pay me $100,000 or I'll scrap it' attitudes, now compounded by his apparently adopting scrap value as determined at the yard (i.e., after the locomotive is already cut up and transported) as the comparative valuation, rather than any estimate from a scrapper of what they will pay him.
There are several efforts, at typical RyPN cross-purposes in some ways, now in progress. One of these may involve the participation of the Canadian government, provided the right mouths open and other mouths stay buttoned. There are three things involved:
Paying the (inflated for any practical purpose) acquisition price
Finding a stable home location for the engine (can be reasonably short-term if follow-up arrangements for further moving can be determined precisely or, better, pre-funded)
Actually arranging to pick up, move, and unload the locomotive.
I'm willing to assist with the second, and help with the third.
Fascinating. We were just talking about this sort of 'you never know' scenario over in Classic. I'm hopeful for a happy outcome.
Thanks for the information. I've read the RyPN comments.
This is very generous of you, Overmod. Respect! Very little thing I can do since I am based 8,040 miles away. But I am willing to at least spread the news on different platforms if a legal, official fundraising programme or a page is being established. I believe many forum members can pay the acquisition price immediately but our folks who want to preserve this Canada steam engine will need to persuade the general public or even the Canada Government with a strong reason; "Why this engine?"
Jones 3D Modeling Club https://www.youtube.com/Jones3DModelingClub
That's the engine I used for my Lidgerwood question on the Classic quiz? Wonder if the piping is still there?
For those interested, here is the RYPN thread:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41025&sid=9d20cf97cbf9ffd84c73f0a0802805a9
Thanks to Overmod for bringing this up over here. Hopefully something happens.
And as was already said, please DO NOT start badmouthing the owner or any other potentially involved party. Just like RYPN, this is a public forum, and poorly thought out unhelpful comments have a way of coming back to haunt you.
I am 3,000 miles away so there is not much I could do either, but I would be more than willing to donate if it comes to that.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Miningman That's the engine I used for my Lidgerwood question on the Classic quiz? Wonder if the piping is still there?
I just note that! What a coincidence! From the picture available on the web, yes, the piping is still there.
https://plus.google.com/+GrandTrunkStudios/posts/7X66eo2bNv8
I'm the one that posted over at RyPN, referenced in the first post.
The gist of the post was that I think it would be important to get this in the Trains newswire for maximum exposure, but that I had been unsuccessful in passing the information along to hopefully make that possible.
I then added that I didn't try the forum, since I've almost never seen members of the editorial staff participating here and was skeptical that avenue would get it in front of the right eyes to make it to the newswire.
Would be great if someone like the editor regularly looks around these parts, and that very well might be the case. i just hadn't seen it.
NDGHow recent is this image?
Should be reasonably recent, as that jibes with the 'current' photos on RyPN. One post mentioned there is visible wrapper pitting, which should be arrested for some time with the new painting.
Part of the high 'asking price' is the work the owner has done over the years to abate and maintain the locomotive.
The problem is that there is relatively little 'niche' for a Mike of this size in excursion service, and there are more-popular CP alternatives for the hearts and minds of preserved-locomotive fans. To me this makes good directed marketing, and lots of it fast, essential.
Anyone try contacting Jim Wrinn about this?
jwrinn@trainsmag.com
I'm not giving away a secret, it's on the website under "Our Staff."
????
CP 5361 going to Indiana??
Thank You.
Story getting ongoing coverage on RyPN, which is probably the first place you will see confirmation on where the locomotive goes.
Apparently there was never much doubt that a preservation buyer would be found ... at least such is the story now. How much of the vitriol directed at the owner is justified or not is up to you to determine. Apparently the topic has shifted to the details of how the locomotive will be accessed for moving, which is in itself an interesting thing.
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