Hello Chris H. Many thanks for all the work you do to keep us informed of all that's going on in the industry.

May I respectfully suggest an update to your comments on the 1361. In a very public ceremony recently at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum industry leader Mr. Wick Moorman spoke and outlined ( along with other speakers) the new strategic plan to bring the K4 back into service.

He announced that they have reconstituted the BOD of the museum ( Mr. Moorman is now Chairman) and that he and other well heeled supporters are providing the initial funding needed to get the project jump started.

They have hired FMW to be the project manager and FMW spoke at the ceremony and have since posted a YouTube video showing where they are on the restoration.

Mr. Moorman also requested fellow steam lovers to donate to the project as they're able to.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

Niles Canyon RR posted an update on #1744 this past Thursday: https://www.facebook.com/NilesCanyonRai ... 5499914547

"Our boiler contractor, Stockton Locomotive Works, has made some AWESOME progress on the firebox of the boiler for our Southern Pacific #1744. Most of the new sheets are welded in and most of the staybolt & rivet holes are drilled."

I don't know if it's been reported here, but in late September, Santa Maria Valley Railroad 2-6-2 No. 205 returned to service after a lengthy and fairly low profile restoration. She will operate with Santiam Excursion Trains in Lebanon, OR.

I'll add Georgetown Loop 12 to the list. Has not run since 2018, but does have a current form 4 good until 2025. Was suppose to be worked on in 2020.... but we know how that year went. Hopefully this winter will allow the needed running gear work to be completed.

On a slightly off topic note, I hope AOS is able to get the 643’s boiler and running gear shipped to Ohio sooner rather than later. Having it sit there like that in McKees rocks (a place that needs no introduction for how sketchy it is) just worries me a bit. I know they don’t like causing fanfare but I hope it’s not an issue with shippers or something.

Received word that SP 2472 was fired up today. Can anyone confirm? May just be from the rumor mill, but if it’s true, that’s absolutely outstanding!

I've also seen a photo of this. It looked like it was fired up in Schellville.

I received word directly from Steamtown today that work continues on B & M 3713 and the project is still active.

Thanks
John

Yes, Steamtown says a lot of things. Can you be more specific? There were a few contracted jobs that I believe were still in process but no active shop work to speak of and all fundraising was suspended by order of the Superintendent.

The reply I received said work continues as time allows in the shops, in between general maintenance work, the project is still active, and that 3000 man hours were put into the engine in the last 15 months. Nothing about fundraising or continuing to work with the historical society. Not sure who responded to the email, it came
from a generic NPS email address. I used the email contact on the Steamtown homepage.

Thanks,
John

Recently retired Steamtown employee Mr. superheater is a regular poster here and I'm sure he'll keep us posted on what's really going on inside the Steamtown shop.

IMHO unless you're VERY young you'll probably not live long enough to see them return the 3713 to service as it took them 15 years ( yes years not months) to restore a little 0-6-0. Extrapolate that into a heavy 4-6-2 and you get about 69 years. Figuring they've been at it now about 20 years give or take with the 3713 they've still got about 49 years left to go.

Sure should look nice when it's done.

Ross Rowland

So I should never expect to see you there when the locomotive finishes much earlier than you project? Sounds good.

Hard to say. If my 49 year guess proves right then I'll be 131 years old but no doubt still an avid steam lover so I'll make every effort to be there.

Worry not, superheater will give us the real skinny.

Never say never. Ross Rowland

I was in Altoona today. 1361's firebox has been completely removed from the boiler. What looked like a crown sheet was outside sitting on some pallets.

Really happy to see all of the pieces in one place after so many years of them being separated. Very hopeful that before 2025, we'll see Pennsy Steam again (other than 643, of course).

From the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society FB page: "It’s no secret anymore that 2472 ran in Schellville after the completion of the FRA annual inspection. Ran great and we learned that we are eligible for a boiler ticket extension...Right now as it stands, its due for the 15 year rebuild in June 2022. If approved it will go to June 2023." Nico Dacong photos. Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiQnV6vO7CU