Photo on the AOTT site this morning shows ex-Florida East Coast 4-6-2 #148 steamed up. A little bit of good news, which we certainly need right now!

Les

AOTT? Give us a hint.

Aott is “Ahead of the Torch”, this came through on Facebook this morning

There is also an "Engine No. 148" Facebook page with the same photo and a short description.

https://www.facebook.com/EngineNo148/

Number 148 made a little music with her whistle today! Check it out on the above U. S. Sugar EngineNo148 Facebook page or on AOTT. Sounded great!


Les

I came across this picture, of what appears to be the finished product. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5283048

Sort of a relevant question. Does anyone know what rolling stock she will be pulling? Does US Sugar have 5 heavyweights laying around we don't know about?

There's something that doesn't add up about that photo. During the steam up just a few days ago there was no jacket, fresh paint, etc. I wonder if someone photoshopped the photo?

It's amazing how much can be done in a well equipped shop with skilled hired craftsmen in a very short time. I frequently think about how it may well be more effective to start by funding the infrastructure before worrying about funding the restoration of a steam locomotive........

Definitely something "hinky" about that photo, as it's dated March 6, and notice the cylinder covers appear to be on it too, and the last pics I saw had empty cylinders and valve bores, typical for a first boiler steam up, so you can flush out all the "crud" from the rebuild. Notice no cab window frames in the pic too.
But it is a nice job of making look finished!

Fairly obvious that they are "Late Posting" updates, and are well ahead of where they seem to be on their social media. They've been very careful about what they post and when.

Their social media updates are likely not "real time". It would be VERY hard to photoshop the finished engine to that level of detail. That is 99% likely a real photo.

Dave you brought this subject up once a few years ago in the thread about the little shay up in Montana. I couldn't agree more with you. Not to hijack the tread about #148, but it is a great topic that should be talked about. No doubt has in the past been discussed. I think the group in Ft Wayne did this and possibly Chattanooga? If I understand right the times got real tight for the groups that did this but in the end it was the way to go. Probably best to take this to a new thread but yes I think you are right about building a shop appropriate to what you plan to do. Doing a complete restoration back to operational condition you need a shop with some elbow room so your not tripping over each other and the parts. And a small overhead crane and................Most of us have done this outside or in very cramped buildings. But it goes so much better when you have dry, well lit building with room to move.
Regards, John.

Those guys down there are doing some great work! I wouldn't mind seeing them get another one of their ex pacifics in the future to compliment 148. With that area having alot of tourists maybe its their way of trying to get into the tourism business?

A short video posted on Facebook yesterday. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 1553547811