I am not going to comment on the Museum director's post other than to say it presents a radically different picture of events than talking to the Sandberg's does.

Personally, I rather hope that 261 goes back to the museum, and that another candidate is selected for restoration and operation.

The only reason that the 261 has value is because of the enormous amount of work and money poured into it over the last 17 years. At present, it is far away from being an operable locomotive, and when it did operate it relied on components that had been purchased by the Friends group to replace things that were either missing or beyond repair on the locomotive as it came from the museum.

The tender, for example, had temporary fricition bearings in it. The roller bearings the tender currently rolls on were purchased by the Friends. The dynamo on the locomotive was purchased from the Norfolk & Western, and at least one (if not both) of the mechanical lubricators was replaced. I know for fact that one was missing because I was with Steve when he initially inspected the locomotive. Steve says there are a lot of other parts that don't actually belong to the locomotive.

And none of that stuff needs to go back to the museum...so 261's value is a function, almost exclusively, of what Steve and his band of fanatic volunteers and donors put into it.

So I hope that a different locomotive will be the subject of Steve & Co's efforts. Either one they can purchase, or one whose owners will be more appreciative. 261 was fun to watch, fun to ride behind. But any locomotive operated by Steve's group will be as much fun to watch, and as much fun to ride behind.

Good luck to all.

Doug

It's important to realize that nobody is getting rich on steam excursions. Even many of the so-called "for profit" operations are getting by on a shoestring and are one bad season away from going bust. To demand anything more than a token payment and a lot of good publicity is just outlandish. The debacle at Georgetown Loop a couple of years ago is a classic example of what happens when one organization thinks there is more to be had from a contract involving the operation of steam trains. If you want a cash cow find another place to invest. If you want to preserve living history, provide a source of enjoyment, and maybe make a little tiny amount or money take a chance on steam.

Respectfully disagree, Doug. I don't believe we need any more mainline excursion ready steamers restored when there are some sitting unused the majority of the time, watching those calendar days of flue time go quietly by............I'd rather see what is ready to run get out and run more. We don't need greater steam locomotive availability, just greater use of the surplus of it in the industry as a whole.

dave

Doug,

The turbo generator that is on the 261 did not come from the Norfolk and Western rather the Morehead and North Fork.

I had the pleasure of using the money from the sale to put in well needed water line.

One other thing, I remember that Steve received it just before a truckers strike.

Take Care,

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

Thank you! To quote Yogi Berra: "My memory isn't what it never was"

I think the best scenario is somewhere in between. If not 261 then any one of our favorites that can't get out, not another park engine. I would love to see Cotton Belt 819 get out as it was so little seen during its post steam glory days. But any one of the "all dressed up and nowhere to go" engines works for me.

From my many years of personal involvement with mainline steam I can assure you that what Steve Sandberg&Co. have accomplished was only possible due to the substantial financial support of the Sandberg family. For them this has clearly been a labor of love in the truest sense of that phrase, and assisted of course by their team of equally dedicated volunteers!!

While I'm not privy to the real issues involved in the ongoing discussions with the NRM, ( nor should I be!! ), I hope for Steve & Co's. sake that if the museum doesn't wake up and smell the coffee that he sends the 261 back to join the other stuffed and mounted specimens. There's certainly no shortage of candidate engines looking for someone with Steve's proven track record to come along and adopt them!!!

Whatever happens, I hope that we all will show our respect and support for the Sandbergs, as they've clearly earned it!!

IMHO-Ross Rowland

Well, if you read it carefully, you'll notice that it doesn't actually say anything... "no agreement has been reached", "the negotiations have been cordial and constructive", " Museum recognizes this and wishes to continue the relationship" etc.

All nice warm fuzzy comments that sound great, but also don't really say anything other than the fact they haven't been able to agree yet. Unless they've already determined that they can't agree, there's nothing else he can say. The comments apply whether they're 95% done with negotiations, or so far apart they'll never work it out. Even if things were going terribly, it's highly unlikely that somebody involved in the negotiations is going to come on a public forum and post "Well, to be honest, things aren't going worth a dang..."

You've got to put a positive spin on it, and that's exactly what he's done.