Coronet Phosphate #6 is a Porter 0-4-2T built in May of 1913. She worked at the phosphate works near Plant City, Florida before being sold off to private owner in 1967. By then #6 was not just a used locomotive, she was used up. In 2015 the adorable little Porter was purchased by Sammy King, RYPN contributor veteran steam railroader. Sammy gave the engine a home in Colorado and started giving the worn-out and neglected relic some much needed attention. Sammy gave #6 the name "Audrey II," after the plant in the Little Shop of Horrors.

After five decades of waiting, Audrey II will soon have her day in the sun. On December 7, 2020 Audrey was quietly loaded onto a lowboy trailer and traveled to Pennsylvania. Today, December 14, 2020, Audrey arrived at McHugh Locomotive in the Philadelphia suburbs. McHugh has been contracted by Sammy to restore Audrey to operation. Yours truly, will be Sammy's project lead, working closely with McHugh and other experienced steam restoration people.

McHugh Locomotive, known for high-quality work on diesel locomotive projects, has quietly assisted with steam projects from time to time. The full restoration of Audrey will be McHugh's first total steam restoration as lead contractor. Other projects are in the works. You can contact me for more info. Also, Sammy is currently not online so questions about Audrey can me directed to me. And lastly, Sammy already has the whistle for Audrey. You'll have to wait to see which one.

You can follow Audrey's restoration on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Engine-6-Audrey ... 741789693/

Sammy truly loves this little saddle-tanker. Something good to read about in the strangling death of the year 2020. I proudly wear the #6 hat Sam sent to me several years ago.
At your service, Audrey II .

Here is a photo of Audrey II at McHugh Locomotive. Stay tuned. More to come.

Nice to see something positive happening this year - will be watching the restoration progress online with interest.
Am I right in thinking that this is the loco in question, which I photographed at North Judson, IN, back in 2012?

70000 -

Yes! That is a photo of her when she was at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana. I wonder if "Audrey" might now hold the record of "Most Trips by a Non-Operable Steam Locomotive on a Truck"? After her regular service time in Florida, she moved to Markham, Illinois then to Monee, Illinois then to North Judson, then to Colorado and now on to New York. That makes 5 separate truck trips if I can count correctly.

Les

OK, I'll bite. Where is this little saddle tank engine going to run once overhauled? Perhaps the W&W?

70000 - thanks for your photo and comments. I get to Ipswich every once in a while to visit friends. Maybe I can look you up and get together over a pint on my next trip?

Richard - Sammy does indeed love Audrey. He is also a fan of the MEC 470 and asked to share the photo below of himself with his 470 hat.

Les- Thanks so much for your help with Audrey from the beginning.

Roger - Audrey might do a break in run or two in the east but ultimately will end up in Colorado with Sammy.

Such good news for such a good hearted soul. I actually met Sammy in person
just the day prior to when he purchased Audrey. I picked him up at MKE
airport and we drove into the museum at North Judson the next morning. Thanks
in great part to Les and his many hours of help, the deal went through.

Surely looks like the little Porter is in good hands now for her needed care.

Merry Christmas to all involved!

Very exciting project for sure! A huge thank you to everyone who has been supportive of this project through the years! Either Micheal Pannell or I will post pictures as the cab is built.

You all stay safe and healthy

Cody Muse

Cody -

A little info on the new wooden cab being built for number 6 please.
For instance, being done out east or.....?

Les

One of my most prized possessions is the hat with green #6 Mr. King sent me. Now there will be many more reasons to wear it!

Cab will be built by 'Vintage Rail Restorations' aka myself Mike Pannell in Cheyenne assisted by Cody Muse.

Mike

Thanks Mike. It appears that when number 6 was working in Florida, she had a cab that was painted dark green. Is that the plan? Also, will the finished cab be trucked back east after completion or wait until "Audrey" returns west?

Les

Color i believe will be green again, and yes we will road trip it back East

Mike

There is a story that Audrey was up on blocking and operated when she was displayed at the Thompson Winery. This photo I purchased on ebay shows the little engine up on blocks. Does anyone know more about this story or have photos of her up on blocks?