This is the first that I am to hear of any of this, and I find it peculiar that you chose a public forum rather than private communication to address this. I have properly contacted a member of your organization about the locomotive, and he has not allowed me to directly speak with people in leadership at the MTM. So if there are issues contact me privately please.

At the risk of being accused of hi-jacking this thread, this situation is a perfect teaching point for the subject of official communications for your organization, better known as: "Who speaks for your organization?"

Always make sure your organization has proper policies and procedures in place to establish who may and may not officially speak on behalf of your organization. This would cover everything from speaking to the media following an incident, or making official pronouncements for your organization on places such as this forum. If someone claims to be an "official" speaking on behalf of the organization, and they are not, consult competent legal counsel, and address the issue.

This would make a great topic for an ARM or TRAIN annual meeting.

An update... The ownership issues have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction, and the planned repatriation of the Armco B-71 will soon be back on schedule for 2011.

I received a copy of the December, 1969 Trains magazine last night, and must also commend David Hamley for a wonderful and complete history of Westinghouse locomotive production. I was particularly struck by the orange and blue color scheme on Visibility Cab demonstrator 21. The cover photo of that issue shows a double ended visibility cab locomotive, its paint job so smooth and paint so shiny that you can see reflections of nearby equipment and people in it. A far cry from B-71 and B-73 who both have the same scars on the right side most likely given to them by the same obstruction at Armco. Curiously the scar is at about a gondola's top rail height!

Thanks for the compliment on my 1969 WEMCo diesel article. That was an education in early diesel history while researching and writing the piece. One of my prime sources was Andrew Candee, one of the WEMCo engineers who designed, sold, and tended to those early locos. There's no substitute for someone who was personally involved when it comes to searching out the fine details.

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has long had plans to get B73 indoors. The first phase of this scheme will take place later this year and into early 2011 when the dirt floor of our carbarn #1 will be replaced by concrete and in the process a third rail will be added to one track so that standard gauge equipment can get under cover. Construction of an additional broad gauge building for trolleys will then open space so that B73 and our 1942 Porter centercab can eventually get indoors.

I've had many cabrides, but I have to say that riding around B73 at the Trolley Museum ranks right up there with the most memorable. Even at 3mph and about 500 feet, it's incredible.

Between the inside cab ladders, the 'control stand' that resembles nothing else I've ever seen (rods to the floor), the visibility issues... it's amazing. Then throw in the engine compartment, which distinctly reminded me of the german submarine U505 out in Chicago....and all the noises and smells from there. The photos show a lot, but moving in that thing is something else entirely.

I started to study the electrical system, and then decided I'd enjoy the experience much more if I stopped.

These truly are survivors, a DNA evolutionary path that is significant, and besides that, a whole lot of fun to study and observe.

I agree completely! We made the short trip across the crossing and back last week, and although I've been in everything from a GP7 to an SD90MAC, riding in the B-73 was certainly a thrill. Especially the part of the throttle, reverser and brake handles moving seemingly by themselves thanks to the dual control stands.

I just returned from a trip to St. Paul to inspect the B-71. A long 1700 mile drive in four days! We now have the bill of sale in hand and have made arrangements to go back out next summer to move the locomotive to Youngstown.

Contrary to the reports that I have received, the main generator is intact (no copper missing), all four traction motors appear in good shape (none show evidence of birdnesting), and about 95% of the internal wiring is still intact. A few parts are either missing or destroyed, and the wheels will need to be reprofiled. I didn't bring a bar to attempt to roll over the engine so I don't know yet if it is stuck.

Actually it is a good restoration candidate and at eighty years old is about to embark on its third career!




Typical condition of traction motor armatures


Main generator commutator


Right side control stand


Brake stand is located below the cab floor. A series of linkages and bicycle chain operate the automatic and independent brake valves.


Throttle controller also below floor. Actuated by cables and linkages.


Left side control stand. (yes it has dual controls)

An update please? The move was supposed to happen in Spring 2011 and summer is rapidly approaching. Has the locomotive moved? Or what?

My curiosity is getting the better of me, I fear. Has this locomotive been moved yet?

Last I heard MTM was having discussions with IRM about this locomotive.

-Hudson

Interesting to see this poor thing continues to have trouble finding a home. In the late summer of 1971, on the first railroad I worked for, I was given instructions to see if I could get the B-71 running again. Thanks to good advice and fool's luck it did function. The C&LC used it that winter for the rush of Christmas trees loaded in boxcars, while Lima #25 was down for repairs. Much later, Ed Bowers offered to sell the creature to me for $1.00.
Alex Huff

Alex -

I agree that this is really a "Perils of Pauline" type story. MTM. Gopher State Railroad Museum. Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation. IRM. C&LC in the past. Sure is interesting! Hope everything works out in the end and B-71 ends up in a good home which can properly take care of her.

Les

We gave up on B-71 after being unable to find a place to move her to. We had raised the money for the shipment and the loading/unloading and even found a local property owner to donate 2 acres of land along the Youngstown & Southern Railroad where we were going to put up a building to do the restoration in. But for some reason the operator of the Y&S was less than interested in working with us on putting in a switch, and since we were already stretched thin as it was I decided to give up before this project bankrupted us.

We surrendered our ownership of the locomotive to the MTM. I think IRM will make a good home for the B-71.

Hm. Did B-71 ever end up at IRM?

I talked to a contact at MTM and the IRM deal has fallen through.

As of now it's back on the maybe scrap list.

-Hudson