Steam locomotive rebuilds move at the speed of money. She will be done when she's done.
Actually, at one time there was a west to east drift. 3985 did run once on the old Clinchfield.....
Lookie here!
Progress is being made!!!
I am EXCITED!!!
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43294
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Where’s the Delorean?
WMSRR has schedule to start pulling excursions the weekend of 26 July they exchanged my tickets for last week. We are on the 3 PM run that day.
Not to burst anyone's bubble, but based on past history I'm not holding my breath that they can make that July 20th date which by the way was already another pushback from their announced July 4th weekend start...
Modified "Yogi-ism":
It ain't running until it is running!
It might be hard for groups to do, but it may be a good idea not to sell any tickets, or planned trips, for trains pulled by a restored engine until it IS completely restored.
Examples, this year alone: 4014 and 1309. (4014 almost did not make trip to Ogden.)
Dominic Mazoch posted:It might be hard for groups to do, but it may be a good idea not to sell any tickets, or planned trips, for trains pulled by a restored engine until it IS completely restored.
Examples, this year alone: 4014 and 1309. (4014 almost did not make trip to Ogden.)
I am not sure, but a possible reason to sell tickets would be to provide funding to finish the locomotive!
Standard Gauge posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:It might be hard for groups to do, but it may be a good idea not to sell any tickets, or planned trips, for trains pulled by a restored engine until it IS completely restored.
Examples, this year alone: 4014 and 1309. (4014 almost did not make trip to Ogden.)
I am not sure, but a possible reason to sell tickets would be to provide funding to finish the locomotive!
You are correct, they thought they were close before the theft and had sold tickets is what I recall.
I was surprised to see 1309 so together. I only live a few hours away and there has zero press coverage on 1309 for some time, and nothing indicating 1309 was close to running this year.
Planning on visiting 1309 after October York... Cannot wait!
There is another danger of setting a date for the first run. Somebody pays good money for train and transport to and from the site. Then there is a delay. Person may just say, "No More," to this AND any other train mseum/ride. Remember, reception is 90% of everything. Better to under promise and over deliver.
Dominic Mazoch posted:There is another danger of setting a date for the first run. Somebody pays good money for train and transport to and from the site. Then there is a delay. Person may just say, "No More," to this AND any other train mseum/ride. Remember, reception is 90% of everything. Better to under promise and over deliver.
This was and is a HUGE problem for the folks at the WMSR. They have promised and missed deadlines multiple times over the last few years. A LOT of people are upset with them and are right to be. Tickets were sold for trips that didn't happen, refunds weren't prompt, and people surely lost money. Train's Magazine was even involved in the nonsense with the railroad promising photographer specials and selling tickets. Train's seems to have lost interest in the project now that 4014 is running...People would be wise to not buy a ticket to ride until 1309 is moving around and there is video proof. As for Trains Magazine, I used to love it but with the internet I don't have a need for it any longer.
Craignor posted:I was surprised to see 1309 so together. I only live a few hours away and there has zero press coverage on 1309 for some time, and nothing indicating 1309 was close to running this year.
There's nothing in those photos that tell me that it is close to running. I don't see where much has been done since they pulled it out and blew the whistle - and that was in October! And didn't Borden Tunnel say that everything was pushed back until September?
Just got an email today from WMSRR and rides for July have been canceled offered me my money back or tickets for a future fire date unknown.
"rides for July have been canceled" 
I guess they couldn't find the Delorean either.
Now, a couple of BL2's would be great. And would fit the "branchline" and be bi-directional.
Dave Albright posted:Craignor posted:I was surprised to see 1309 so together. I only live a few hours away and there has zero press coverage on 1309 for some time, and nothing indicating 1309 was close to running this year.
There's nothing in those photos that tell me that it is close to running. I don't see where much has been done since they pulled it out and blew the whistle - and that was in October! And didn't Borden Tunnel say that everything was pushed back until September?
I really hate being quoted about this, but the reality is that the pics gushed over were taken in late April, and little to nothing has been accomplished since. Probably waiting for another cash infusion, most likely taxpayer based.
If any of you still think that this project will get on the rails this summer, you may be disappointed.
1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
And just like magic; today's Cumberland Times-News "July debut of steam engine postponed" www.times-news.com
They also need 150K for trackwork and inspections of bridges.
Dominic Mazoch posted:Now, a couple of BL2's would be great. And would fit the "branchline" and be bi-directional.
Where do you get the idea that the Western MD Scenic is a branchline?
Maybe it is time for some well run outfit come in, and review everything.....before another penny is spent.
Borden Tunnel posted:1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
Technically, R&N never said anything on 2102 other than "it will be done when it's ready".
kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
Technically, R&N never said anything on 2102 other than "it will be done when it's ready".
True, but's its been over 2 years.
Borden Tunnel posted:kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
Technically, R&N never said anything on 2102 other than "it will be done when it's ready".
True, but's its been over 2 years.
Yes, but they never said anything public to begin with other than they were working on it. They never set a date. They never announced trips. They didn't say anything, outside of some progress reports in the employee newsletter. You can't go silent when you weren't talking to begin with. Add to it, private company with private funds. They don't owe anyone anything. Doesn't matter if it takes 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or it never comes out.
Now, as far as I'm aware, they are still plugging away as time permits. One day, it will see a fire and they will announce trips, but there never was a timeline for a return to service.
Smart move.
FWIW, the most recent R&N Spring 2019 employee newsletter, available online, indicates the passenger service on the R&N is profitable. Also, it makes note that the R&N Personnel work "most days" on the 2102 and Andy Muller, owner of the railroad and locomotive "would like to have it running this year".
kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
Technically, R&N never said anything on 2102 other than "it will be done when it's ready".
True, but's its been over 2 years.
Yes, but they never said anything public to begin with other than they were working on it. They never set a date. They never announced trips. They didn't say anything, outside of some progress reports in the employee newsletter. You can't go silent when you weren't talking to begin with. Add to it, private company with private funds. They don't owe anyone anything. Doesn't matter if it takes 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or it never comes out.
Now, as far as I'm aware, they are still plugging away as time permits. One day, it will see a fire and they will announce trips, but there never was a timeline for a return to service.
You seem rather triggered by the very mention of this project, but nobody has told me anything I don't already know or have read.
My point is there must have been a lot more work necessary on the 2102 than originally anticipated.
When I saw this engine in April 2017, it certainly appeared the engine's condition was "rough". Even a minimal effort over this time would have yielded something close to a complete restoration, if more problems were not found along the way.
As a frequent rider of the R&N in recent years, I am just interested in finding the true status of these restorations as the hourglass of time catches up to us old guys.
Wasn't this thread about 1309?
Borden Tunnel posted:kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:kgdjpubs posted:Borden Tunnel posted:1309 is not the only East Coast steam restoration that has seemingly "stalled", why has Reading & Northern gone silent on 2102?
Technically, R&N never said anything on 2102 other than "it will be done when it's ready".
True, but's its been over 2 years.
Yes, but they never said anything public to begin with other than they were working on it. They never set a date. They never announced trips. They didn't say anything, outside of some progress reports in the employee newsletter. You can't go silent when you weren't talking to begin with. Add to it, private company with private funds. They don't owe anyone anything. Doesn't matter if it takes 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or it never comes out.
Now, as far as I'm aware, they are still plugging away as time permits. One day, it will see a fire and they will announce trips, but there never was a timeline for a return to service.
You seem rather triggered by the very mention of this project, but nobody has told me anything I don't already know or have read.
My point is there must have been a lot more work necessary on the 2102 than originally anticipated.
When I saw this engine in April 2017, it certainly appeared the engine's condition was "rough". Even a minimal effort over this time would have yielded something close to a complete restoration, if more problems were not found along the way.
As a frequent rider of the R&N in recent years, I am just interested in finding the true status of these restorations as the hourglass of time catches up to us old guys.
Wasn't this thread about 1309?
Reply probably just came across stronger than I meant it to. I don't think the rebuild was ever a strong priority, so it was more of a work on it as time permits type of thing, and I know work had stopped for a while at one point. Looks like they are back working again, so that is a good thing. Everything I've heard was that the engine was fairly worn out when it was removed from service in 1991. It will be fun to see a T1 run. It was parked by the time I made it up there in '93.
Yes, back to 1309...
We might have 2 T1's running nearby along with the 1309: RDG and the built from scratch PRR.
2 1309 stories this week: WMSR has successfully shaken down 90K for trackwork from 3 local governments, and a performance audit of WMSR will soon be ready.
At least 1 local official has expressed doubt that 1309 will run this year, although other officials were tight-lipped at best.
Dominic Mazoch posted:We might have 2 T1's running nearby along with the 1309: RDG and the built from scratch PRR.
Define "nearby".
You do know a RDG T-1 is much different than a PRR T-1?
If I had to guess, I'd say the Reading is much more likely to run ever than the PRR. In fact, I would bet money we would see a Cab Forward run before we see a PRR T1, or for that matter, any "built from scratch" US main line steamer.
Remember - Opinion!
To continue the drama, here are supposedly photos taken this past weekend of 1309 reposing much as it did in the late-April photos.
Thanks to a Chris Campbell
IMO the local radio station has been far more aggressive about WMSR's ineptness.
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I got an email today from WMSR stating that they are not taking any reservations for the 1309 and all trips for this year/season are canceled as the contractor restoring the 1309 is behind schedule and they have no idea when she will be finished. I ask for a full refund on 4 tickets.
Looks like our York plans will be altered...
RJT posted:I got an email today from WMSR stating that they are not taking any reservations for the 1309 and all trips for this year/season are canceled as the contractor restoring the 1309 is behind schedule and they have no idea when she will be finished. I ask for a full refund on 4 tickets.
Blaming the contractor is certainly very rich! It's the railroad manager that has been messing this whole thing up... not the contractor. Way to throw the wrong people under the bus WMSR GM. 
Is Reading and Northern the only railroad in the northeast with longer steam excursions right now? Seems that way. Unless you also count 765's runs on CVSR. I rode behind 765 on the R&N and NS a few years ago. Too bad that 1309 might not run this year.
2 F units in WM Fireball wpuld have been neat. And could be running already! Or geeps.
Dominic Mazoch posted:2 F units in WM Fireball wpuld have been neat. And could be running already! Or geeps.
power to operate trains isn't the issue....and never was. WM Fs would be nice, but they aren't going to bring in more ridership, which an operable steam engine would/will do.
