https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBGhBT5Pt8

A YouTube video I found of how they are making out. They are making slow progress on her. I estimate they will finish about the time the NEW T1 is done.

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Have we mentioned V&T/McCloud 18? I heard reports that steam tests were happening back in February, but presumably the current situation has delayed its grand return to action.

Our group got a few light engine runbys with the 18 in mid-February when we were there for a photo special.

That’s great to hear Kevin... Virginia & Truckee line is such an incredible line. I couldn’t believe all that they have accomplished when I visited them this summer. I was talking to the crew on my ride and they were saying they were hoping the #18 would be done soon.

It amazes me, and makes me so glad, that there are so many steam locomotives under restoration or being rebuilt. Even when you think you have found all the ones you can think of, there are some more that you forgot about.

Here's one initiative I just happened to come across a few days ago that I had no idea about at all. Does anyone have any additional information about this one?

https://www.facebook.com/Steam-up-1351-109900254022710/

What you see on the FB page is all there is about that "project." It's just another foamer - I see steam engine; let's fire it up - pie in the sky project page.

"Fire up *insert number here*" pages are 90% of the time, some 14 year old kid trying to imitate the social media presence of something like Fire Up 611, to get their favorite park engine running. It's a meme at this point. I can't imagine any serious society using the phrase "Fire Up" anymore due to the 14 year old foamers running around everywhere with it.

1361’s frame and running gear are on site, just in another building. Rick Rowlands managed to get some photos of the loco.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33523379@ ... 5020325136

After looking around, I came across a few locomotives that haven't been discussed in a while. Does anyone have an information about these locomotives?

- Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2-8-0 #23
- Soo Line 2-8-0 #2425
- Central of Georgia 2-8-0 #509
- Southern Pacific 2-8-0 #2706
- Coos Bay Lumber Co. 2-8-2T #11

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has acquired the 90 ton Baldwin 2-8-2 Rayonier #90, which has been on display in Garibaldi, OR since the mid-60s. Fund raising has begun and the tender disassembled for restoration. The big push right now is to get funds to cover asbestos abatement. I believe the restoration plan is 5 or 6 years to get the engine operable for its 100th birthday.

There is a new update for #1309. Work has resumed again, and she is inching closer and closer to completion.

Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before she's running again.

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2 ... ic-no-1309

It looks as if they have plenty of time to prepare before people will be wanting to travel and tour among a crowd of strangers. Better not to rush and do the best job they can while there's no pressure (literally and figuratively.)

Of course, that assumes people can afford to travel or spend money on anything other than necessities. As for pressures, I think that many operators may have to adjust their budgets if the virus continues to be an issue into the fall (which I have every reason to believe it will). Given the financial damage COVID-19 has done so far, I have every reason to believe that we are entering a depression and that any recovery will take at least a couple of years.

My guess is that Alan's guess will prove to be accurate. If you listen to the scientists ( vs. the " happy talk" from the White House) the best case scenario is that we will have a PROVEN vaccine produced in multi hundred million doses and distributed for use by the 1st. quarter of 2021. Again that's the best case scenario, the worst case is the vaccine becoming ready in massive quantities by 1st. quarter 2024.

If we get real lucky and the best case proves true then folks will begin to feel safe being out & about by mid 2021 and not until then.

IMHO smart planners will lay their plans accordingly.

Ross Rowland