B&M #3713 Summer 2016 Update

I remember when this engine was in front of the Science Museum in Boston way back when.  Looking forward when she's under steam again.

I'm curious why the website for 3713 is titled "America's Locomotive"?

Hot Water posted:

I'm curious why the website for 3713 is titled "America's Locomotive"?

Been that way for years.  

superwarp1 posted:

Hot Water posted:

I'm curious why the website for 3713 is titled "America's Locomotive"?

Been that way for years.  

But why? What makes THAT particular locomotive "America's Locomotive"? Just my personal opinion but, I would think that there are far better, and much more "famous", candidates in the U.S..

Hot Water posted:

superwarp1 posted:

Hot Water posted:

I'm curious why the website for 3713 is titled "America's Locomotive"?

Been that way for years.  

But why? What makes THAT particular locomotive "America's Locomotive"? Just my personal opinion but, I would think that there are far better, and much more "famous", candidates in the U.S..

Seems that if no one else bothered to make the claim, so the "Title" is fair game.

Rusty

Being restored, and someday operated in a national park.  America's park.

Hot Water posted:

I'm curious why the website for 3713 is titled "America's Locomotive"?

Jack,

I think we've had this conversation before. "America's Locomotive" is the tag line for the fundraising campaign. 

Of course the slogan ties into that facts that a) she's owned by the government and b) she was named after the U.S. Constitution.

So far, the campaign has worked quite well. 

All the best,

Rob

Rob,

I must admit that I don't remember having such a "conversation before", but thanks for the clarification. I see that Robert Franzen's company won the bid award for the start of the boiler work.

Hot Water posted:

Rob,

I must admit that I don't remember having such a "conversation before", but thanks for the clarification. I see that Robert Franzen's company won the bid award for the start of the boiler work.

Yes, Sir. There is a lot of positive momentum. I won't speak for the shop team (my role is on the fundraising side), but we've got good headwinds right now.

There's some more good news on the fundraising front coming, too. 

Hope all is well with you,

Rob

To add a bit of news to the restoration, the Teamsters Local 776 used their personalized truck to deliver the airbrake pumps and dynamo to Steam Services of America in North Carolina.  They are using their website to promote this teamwork.http://www.teamsterslocal776.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=604827

Is there an online way to purchase a raffle ticket?

PJL - there's not an e-commerce ordering process. They are available via mail or on-site at the Moscow, PA depot on days when the Steamtown train is running there.

Details are at: http://project3713.com/wp/?page_id=273

Rob

There's pics on Facebook of the patch installed, it's been x Rayed and  zero defects Found.

An update for Railfest weekend sent to our email list...

As August comes to a close and Railfest weekend approaches at the Steamtown National Historic Site on September 3 & 4, 2016, there’s quite a bit of news on the restoration of Boston & Maine #3713.

Fundraising & Raffle

In early August, Project3713 was notified that we were the recipient of a $10,000 matching grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust. Our supporters have been very generous this year, and your help will continue to be an essential part of completing the restoration as we match this grant and raise additional funds.

If you are one of the many who have purchased tickets for our benefit raffle (which includes the grand prize O-scale brass model of #3713 donated by Weaver Models) Sunday September 4th is the big day. The winners will be drawn at the Moscow train station.

Still need tickets? They will be on sale at the Moscow depot Saturday and Sunday. That’s a great reason to ride the Railfest excursion from Steamtown to Moscow. Enjoy the trip and get your raffle tickets!

Restoration Progress

In the Scranton shop, work has been focused on the boiler with both the side patch and steam dome getting attention. If you follow us on Facebook you’ve already seen the video of the riveting process on the steam dome and an new video was posted today (August 31, 2016) of the final rivet being driven in the boiler liner. News from the shop tends to be posted to Facebook first as it happens. You can find us at: http://www.Facebook.com/Project3713

Railfest & La Festa Italiana Weekend

Project3713 will have a table at Railfest and we hope you will come by to see us. It is always rewarding to meet our supporters. Of course, the locomotive will be visible in the shop the whole weekend. One of the most interesting things about this restoration is that the work is being done where visitors can observe the progress. #3713 is not tucked away, hidden from view. We welcome you to get an up close look at her during your next visit. Don’t forget the incredible La Festa Italiana is happening in downtown Scranton on the same days at Railfest. It is a wonderful time to visit the Electric City.

We Need Your Support, There’s Still Much To Do

There’s a lot of work ahead. With major appliances out for contracted repairs, the rest of the boiler work, running gear, engine truck, trailing truck/booster, cab and tender are still in line for rehabilitation. With another $500,000 to raise towards our ultimate goal of $750,000, Project3713 will be busy fundraising while our partners, the professionals at Steamtown and their contractors, continue to work on the locomotive.

The easiest way to support Project3713 is with an online donation via PayPal on our website. The website also has information about commemorative plaques and other ways to support the restoration.

If you notice that our website http://www.project3713.com is a bit slow, you are not alone! We are changing hosts and will be back on the fast track soon.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day. We hope to see you in Scranton!

Project3713