Just passing along the report:

https://www.facebook.com/carnold.mcclur ... eNkE3ba8hl



Reports indicate it has been sold to a party in "Florida"; that "the rods have been cut"; and a reminder that this was property belonging to the "East Broad Top Preservation Association," not the later-founded EBT Foundation which now owns from the former EBT RR from the Aughwick Creek concrete bridge south to Alvan.

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As per multiple reports and photos on Facebook, #3 is finally on the move today out of Mount Union. A sad day indeed...

With so much amazing stuff happening around the EBT, this is truly heartbreaking.

Not only has it gotten a "70s Tourist Railroad Paint Job", but it's also been banished to the humid world of hurricane alley.

What a shame.

As far as I'm concerned, any paint job is better than nothing. It looks nice in the photo, but obviously I have no idea what the prep work was, or what quality paint was used. But at least it's being cared for.

Same for being relocated, it's going someplace it will be appreciated.

Personally, I'm glad the EBT group hasn't spend a dime on a standard gauge loco without a tender. If they also owned the standard gauge track, I might feel differently.

At the moment, I'm glad somebody is caring for it. I also don't see hurricanese being a big risk to it, unless the location routinely gets flooded.

Credit Brother Cupper with a fuller, more accurate update:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... n-alabama/



The rest of the article makes for some very interesting--and some would say "pot-stirring"--reading.

I can see no better way to honor the IC's heritage in town than by moving a historically significant locomotive from far away there and painting it up like a sex worker from the 80s.

Seriously, what a joke this whole thing is. Please tell me it's an elaborate April Fools joke and that the engine is secretly heading somewhere to be properly preserved.

Word on the street is that Mr. Tiffin is very fond of the color Magenta ( a bold version of pink) and intends to paint her boiler Magenta before she goes on display???

He who pays the bills....picks the colors !!!

Ross Rowland

There's some more backstory to the TRAINS story, but what is there is factual and correct in terms of history, titles, dates, etc.

I'm just glad the Foundation took hold of what they did, even after helping develop the Master Plan that envisioned that in 1994, it's rather amazing to see it actually happen, and I got down there to see it firsthand last year. It's a must-see now, seriously.

I saw 3 in the shed when I was down there a few years back, too.

The only thing that is rather 'self evident' and not mentioned there too is the new Rt. 522 grade crossing that has to be the only recently-built, concrete dual gauge crossing out there and not historically in the EBT dual gauge territory. It's currently thick weeds on both sides, but the reason it was built is that just south of it is a zoned industrial park by the Huntingdon County IDA that wanted standard-gauge rail access, and dual gauged the crossing. They also control Huntingdon, including the disconnected remnant of the PRR/H&BTM line that crosses the Juniata. That river bridge had such serious pier and NS connection issues that is isn't beyond potential that the Mt. Union location 'could' actually need standard-gauge rail service instead of Huntingdon...maybe....someday.

You can easily go onto Streetview and see that remarkable 522 crossing for yourself, this answers the 'why????' and also why the north end is separate to that point.

Some more of the backstory on how in the world all this developed is recorded here:
https://oldeastie.com/News/mucrr.html

Knowing some of the principals involved, if anybody else had a plan for 3, they had plenty of time to come forward to make an offer. And, when you look at the rather bizarre histories of some of the park and excursion locomotives out there, it's never 'over' until it hits scrap. Short of that, it's never over. I can't believe I've ridden behind some equipment that was given up for dead. If the A313 Climax can come home from Alaska.....

I remember seeing that when I visited two years ago; was very surprised since it was obviously recently done.

I guess what's done is done, for now. Hopefully the powers to be down in Alabama will appreciate her and keep her painted in future. Once she is craned in place hopefully the large opening cut in the cab roof overhang--I assume cut to allow for rigging--will be patched. It appears that they already splice-bolted the main rods back together.

Of course in my "world of fantasy" things would have been different with different choices.

First choice would have had #3 somehow acquired by the EBT Foundation, moved to Rockhill Furnace and cosmetically restored. Set her on a short piece of dual gauge display track (wouldn't need to be live track) and couple a narrow gauge hopper to her. THAT would have been an awesome exhibit. Of course it would come with an awesome price tag.

Second choice: same dual gauge/#3/hopper car display at the RR Museum of PA. At least the engine would be near home in the same state. Of course the money thing again, not to mention the museum already has a lot of "mouths to feed."

Third choice: same dual gauge/#3/hopper car display at Steamtown. Why Steamtown with its many issues? Well they do have a genuine ex-Illinois Central 2-8-0 that--"in fantasy"--could have been "traded" to the folks in Red Bank, AL to go with their ex-IC caboose and ex-IC water tower.

Remember, ". . .in the world of fantasy"

Remember, in the world of reality there is still 0-6-0 #6 waiting in Indiana for someone with a plan and funding to bring her home. The Whitewater Valley folks are doing great things with their diesels (Gawd, TWO running Lima-Hamiltons!) and in the past have entertained the idea of selling #6. Perhaps a offer fair to both parties could be worked out given her lap seam boiler would favor her being sold as a display-only piece. Having #6 fixed up nice sitting on that dual gauge display track wth that hopper car at Rockhill Furnace sure would be a good thing.

Regards,
Jim Robinson

Sadly the railfan world is awash in fantasy ideas that will never see reality and critically short of ideas that come forward with the funding to make them into reality.

$$$$$$$$$$$$ talks and BS walks. So true. Ross Rowland

Every steam locomotive currently operating is a "fantasy world" - anything can happen if you let it!

Well, there's the #6 in Indiana that could certainly use a good home.

The dual-gauge grade crossing at the intersection of US-522 and East Shirley Street has been there for at least 16 years. It is visible in an August 2008 Google Streetview.