We are going to be restoring NKP 759 at Steamtown. The project will be starting in Spring 2000. E-mail me if you want up-dates



Valley Locomotive Restorations
Rotarykiln@aol.com

Is this really a good use of scarce restoration resources? Would it not be better to concentrate on returning the 765 to operation instead of duplicating efforts by restoring 759? <p>What kind of organizational background would 759 have to support its restoration? Where would it run and where will the money to maintain it in operating condition come from?<p>I have heard that Glenn Campbell is in financial trouble. Would it not be wiser to make another attempt to bring that ALREADY OPERABLE locomotive to Steamtown instead? <p>Let's think about it. The Bessemer & Lake Erie 643 is the last of that type of 2-10-4 locomotive. It has historic significance to Pennsylvania. It has the power to haul any train you would ever want it to pull up Pocono Summit. The DL&W mainline is built to support the locomotive, and its 35 mph speed limit is fast enough for excursions on that line. <p>The NKP Berkshire has been done to death. While it may be a handsome and good performing locomotive, Berkshires have had more time out on the excursion circuit than just about any other steam locomotive (844 excluded). 643, OTOH, may very well disappear one day forever unless someone steps forward with a plan.<p>Just my thoughts.<p> <br><br>



bighookx45@aol.com

<br>Is this really a good use of scarce restoration resources? Would it not be better to concentrate on returning the 765 to operation<br>instead of duplicating efforts by restoring 759? <p>Rich Melvin and the Fort Wayne group are restoring 765 to operation also. This would make 2 operable NKP Berkshires in the US.<p><p>What kind of organizational background would 759 have to support its restoration? Where would it run and where will the money to maintain it in operating condition come from?<p>The engine, owned by Steamtown, will be run there. The long term plan is for 759 and B&M 4-6-2 #3713 to replace CN #3254 and CP #2317 in several years. The engine would be operated by Steamtown over their trackage.<p>I would like to see 643 running also, but some steam is better than no steam......and the biggest engine running in the vicinity of North Carolina are 2-8-0s. Big superpower steam running anywhere is a definite plus.<p>Kevin<br>



kevin@djpubs.com