Restoration candidates

[NW Mailing List]

I remember about a decade ago the conversation took place something to
the effect that 611 would never run again, and steam would never be
allowed back on NS rails for any reason whatsoever.  Well, as we all
know, steam is back, and the 611 is doing well on its fund raising
toward a welcome return by NS.  Wow!  What a dramatic turn around!!!

It has taken a change in attitude, and a change in how to approach the
problem.  If 2156 is to return to Roanoke, the correct approach must
be taken.  I don't know what that approach is, but I'm sure there  is
a way.  I'm happy to be part of the solution.  I'll start by saluting
St. Louis for taking such good care of it for all these years!

Ben Blevins

On 12/17/13, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

> The Reading inspection locomotive "Black Diamond" at the St. Louis MOT

> is a somewhat different situation than the Y6.

> The BD was originally "on loan" to the Museuml; then came the formation

> of Conrail.  As the legalities of Conrail were

> being finalized, the inheritors of Reading property uncovered the

> unwanted BD, then residing in St. Louis.  Conrail

> sold the BD directly to the MOT; within the past two years it has been

> externally restored and placed on display.

>

> Back to the 2156 - just suggesting that inquiries made 20 or more years

> ago may not be relevant now; present

> management of the MOT may be more receptive tp parting with a

> locomotive which has no St. Louis history while

> they focus on preservation and restoration of St. Louis related

> artifacts ( such as the last Wabash steam loco, a

> St. Louis PCC, NYS Mohawk, etyc ).  The question should be asked.

>

> Jerome Crosson;  (once NJ; now St. Peters MO).

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> To: nw-mailing-list <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Sent: Tue, Dec 17, 2013 9:51 am

> Subject: Re: Restoration candidates

>

> I'm actually enjoying this conversation guys... Let's keep it up.

>

> Signed...

>

> Richard D. Shell

> Troutville, VA

>

> In a message dated 12/17/2013 6:55:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:

>            The conversations here have been all over the place of all

> the coulda,   woulda, shoulda, wanta, wannabes for restoring this or

> that favorite   locomotive, wherever it may be located, and hopefully

> preserved. Enough   already, let it go, let's move on as at least these

> two animals are forever   ensconced in their respective museums,

> probably for eternity, stuffed and   mounted. The animal is no longer

> free to roam where it once did so quite   successfully.

>

>

> Many such properties, once they receive such things   do not feel the

> need or desire to let it out of their grasp ever again, for   whatever

> the reason. IRM is not one of such properties as they have probably

> done a better job at restoration and preservation than many others.

> They are   not perfect but they try hard and mean well and do share.

>

>

> As for   the 2156 owners, regardless of the cracked frame segments, all

> that is   restoreable should the parties so desire. All it takes is a

> willing railroad   and then lots of $$$$$$$$. Over the years, take a

> look at what significant   rail objects with flanged wheels this

> property has permitted to return to its   former environments or even

> off its own property unless in the total care,   custody and control of

> its people? Answer -- little if anything significant.   Five years ago,

> Who would have thought that a Big Boy really would be   restored? Okay,

> it hasn't happened yet, but ifr I were a gambler, I wouldn't   be

> making odds against this one. However, look at what has departed St.

> Louis,   once it was there? Answer -- not much and if so name it,

> please? What HASN'T   left where genuinely interested and caring

> parties would have liked the items   back into its original home

> territory for display and recognitions? The   Reading inspection engine

> didn't leave; neither did the 2156 some 30+ years   ago when polite and

> discreet inquiries were made. And then DL&W 952,   albeit with some

> serious faux-pas on the parts of both interested parties,   still sits

> in St. Louis, too. Nothing leaves there once it arrives and barring   a

> serious change in managerial attitude, probably never will,   either.

>

>

> Everything can't "return home" sure and the parties which   have served

> as the willing hosts need proper appreciations made on their   behalf,

> but the idea of permanently stuffing and mounting these iron horses in

>   a permanent manner, and many others for that matter, too, I find sad.

> I can go   to a zoo and see stuffed and mounted long-deceased animals,

> but to see the   beats roam in its native habitat, now THAT's something

> to behold, be it Y6a,   or any of the dozens of others around, many of

> which have received minimal   care, which is also sad.

>

>

> So, unless there is something new, let's   cut this discussion as it's

> going to lead nowhere further and let's get on   with some real

> productive and  investigative discussion.

>

>

> Subject: 2156 and 2050 restoration

>

> As a Virginia transplant to   Illinois and N&W Historical Society

> member, I want to let you know I would   hate for the Illinois Railway

> Museum to lose the 2050 and for the National   Transportation Museum in

> St Louis to lose the 2156. There are N&W fans   worldwide and we like

> having a small piece of its history in easy driving   distance. That

> said, I do understand the desire to bring the girls home to   Roanoke.

> And seeing them under steam would be glorious ... since I have missed

> everything since then, steam wise. Something neat happened at IRM--I

> was   videotaping a kid about 5 years old running around being a

> nuisance .. (to   everyone but me) ... he climbed on the nose of 2050

> and was yanking the bell   cord...I muttered to myself, That's N&W

> brass, boy, and you just go to   town and let me record.? His parents

> have no idea that they were the ones   being a nuisance...they took him

> off the locomotive!

> Mike   Shockley

> Peoria,   IL

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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