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| 1 April 2002 | In addition to updated schedules for the US and the Netherlands, Jim Wrinn has penned his popular Crystal Ball highlighting the best in US steam in 2002. This month's column also has a little something extra. Oh, yes, before I forget - 614 is still in New Jersey. It hasn't been sold. Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead. And something about an ex-parrot . . . | |
| 1 April 2002 USA Whippany RR Museum | (ex-USATC 0-6-0 4039) The Whippany Railroad Museum's ex- Virginia Blue Ridge 0-6-0 no. 5 has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Built as US Army 4039 in 1942, the engine came to New Jersey in 1963 when the VBR sold it and ex-Southern 2-8-0 385 to the Morris County Central. The beneficiary of a $200,000 TEA-21 grant, the Museum hopes to return 4039 to service soon. (Thanks to Steven Hepler.) | |
| 1 April 2002 USA Horseshoe Curve NRHS | (ex-PRR 4-6-2 1361) Changes are afoot in the K4 restoration project: Chris Ahrens has left the project, and has been replaced by Bill Fredrickson and Barry Claar. The Railroader's Memorial Museum has set a "firm" deadline of May 30, 2003 for completion of the project has been set. Mr. Fredrickson has been working on B&M 4-6-2 3713, sharing shop space with 1361 in Steamtown's Scranton, PA, facility, and previously worked with Andy Muller's ex-Reading 2102 and ex-GM&N 425. As we get more information we'll let you know. | |
| 1 April 2002 China | (Steam in China) The end is nigh for steam in China, at least on the main line. Officially only 276 steam locomotives remain active on China Rail, and progress on dieselization and electrification make even their days numbered. Diesels have been seen on the formerly all-steam Jingpeng Pass, and there is speculation that China Rail will drop its last fire some time in 2002. As there are still several industrial lines (which look and act like main line railroads) operating steam with ready access to retired China Rail engines, it is probable that for a few more years China will remain the "big show." But in the 175th year of steam's reign, the final blow for the main line may come. (Thanks to Trevor Heath.) | |
| 1 April 2002 Canada West Coast Railway Association | (ex-CPR 4-6-4 2860) Royal Hudson 2860 will soon be on its way to Squamish for display and, if the West Coast Railway Association gets its way, eventual return to service. The WCRA, in partnership with other groups (see below), is also working to maintain the Vancouver-to-Squamish tourist runs in 2002. The group is sponsoring a public excursion with Canadian Pacific's "common Hudson" 2816 in May - see the schedules page. | |
| 26 March 2002 USA Friends of 4449 | (ex-SP 4-8-4 4449) The crowds flocked to the stations, the riders to the vestibules, and the photographers to the trackside. Once again the Friends of 4449 and the Northwest Railroad Museum put on a fine excursion behind 4449, in "Freedom Train" colors. With no firm plans for future operation (but some very interesting rumors floating about), a patriotic sendoff is just what the doctor ordered. Congratulations to all who made it happen, and may we see the "Daylight" - in any paint - grace the high iron again soon. | |
 The "Freedom Train" returns. Photo by Martin Hansen. Copyright 2001 Martin E. Hansen, all rights reserved.  Photo runby at Madras, Oregon. Photo by Martin Hansen. Copyright 2001 Martin E. Hansen, all rights reserved. | ||
| 6 March 2002 USA 4449 Web Site | (ex-SP 4-8-4 4449) Well, it's about as official as it gets: the riders on the sold-out excursion from Portland, OR to Bend, OR (see the Schedules page) will be hauled by . . . American Freedom Train 4449. The first coat of paint was sprayed onto the tender last night. The organization's current plan is to keep the engine in AFT paint for about a year. No word of any appearances during that period - keep an eye on the group's web site. And support the crew with your souvenir and ticket purchases, as they've just committed themselves to another expensive round of painting next year. (Thanks to the 4449 crew.) | |
| 3 March 2002 Canada Canadian Pacific | (CPR 4-6-4 2816) CPR 2816 made its most recent move without the fanfare associated with its September debut (see the archives). It left Calgary on 19 February with six boxcars and business car "Assinaboine," led by GP38-2 3084. On 23 February it arrived at the shops of the Southern Railway of British Columbia in New Westminster, BC, for some final tweaks. CPR has not released its 2002 plans for the locomotive yet, but they reportedly do not include any trips into the US at this time. There are hints that the locomotive will run east to Toronto or Montreal - operations are expected to begin in May. | |
 CPR 2816 leaves Basque, BC, shoving "heritage" GP38-2 3084. Photo by William C. Slim. Copyright 2002 William C. Slim, all rights reserved. | ||
| 3 March 2002 Canada | (ex-CPR 4-6-4 2860) That other CPR Hudson, "Royal Hudson" 2860, is also in the news. A consortium of tourism entities, railway enthusiat organizations, and residents of Squamish, BC, have formed the "District of Squamish Task Force" and are lobbying Provincial officials to approve their plan to return 2860 to service. The details of the proposal appear to include the transfer of ownership of the locomotive to the West Coast Railway Association, and using a portion of the ticket revenue earned by BCRail in 2002 for the locomotive. The group would commit to raising funds to finance locomotive work and to cover the operating losses the tourist train incurs (currently about CA$ 1 Million annually). The groups has even garnered approval from the private secretary to the Queen Mother, who was queen when sister 2850 earned the class its "Royal" monicker. BC Minister for Transport Judith Reid is expected to issue an RFP soon which may lead to other options for the Province. All in all, even though BCRail is exiting the passenger business, it may mean that there is a glimmer of hope for 2860 to operate again one day after all. (Thanks to Rob Sterne and the North Shore News.) | |
| 1 March 2002 USA PRR 1361 Restoration | (ex-PRR K4s 1361) Progress continues on returning Pennsylvania Railroad K4s 1361 to the active column. A contractor has tack-welded the new wrapper sheet for the boiler (see the 1361 Tutorial)in place. Over the next few weeks final welding will take place. Still to come: the door sheet, bracing, staybolts, rear tube sheet, and flues and tubes. Keep up the good work, guys! (Thanks to Dave Crosby.) | |
 PRR 1361 has a new backhead. Photo by Dave Crosby. Copyright 2001 Dave Crosby, all rights reserved. | ||
| 1 March 2002 United Kingdom The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust Ltd | (ex-BR 4-6-2 60007) It appears that in the not-too-distant future we'll be able to see three LNER A4s on the main line. 60009 "Union of South Africa" is back on the main after overhaul and extensive running-in, 60019 "Bittern" is being overhauled, and now 60007 has been withdrawn and refurbished. Funded by a grant of GBP 294,000 from the proceeds of Britain's National Lottery (and here I envision a gold hand pointing down and a booming voice announcing "It's YOU, Sir Nigel . . ." sorry, got sidetracked ;-) , the locomotive has already been disassembled and the boiler sent out for attention. You'll find many wonderful photos of the inner workings of an A4 at the Society's web site. Hmmm . . . all three A4s, "Blue Peter," and "Scotsman" (in BR paint) together at once? Well, a fellow can dream, can't he? (Thanks to Sue McNaughton.) | |
 Volunteers remove the cab from BR 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" on 23 January prior to lifting the boiler from the frames. Photo courtesy The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust Ltd. | ||
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