See the story here ....
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Whelp the rumors are true. Glad to hear it!
Yes! Another locomotive prepares to return to steam...and quite a good choice too!
Mmmmmm....... That's a flashy web site. They haven't even pin pointed where the restoration work will be done yet. Then it will be "evaluated". I wish them luck, but it doesn't sound like a done deal yet.
Exciting news...the more steamers the better.
ES44AC posted:Yes! Another locomotive prepares to return to steam...and quite a good choice too!
A "good choice"? Really? Apparently you are not aware of the condition of the boiler & firebox.
A good choice for C&O fans/lovers of big steam. As far as the boiler and firebox are concerned - it's only money... 
Yep it only takes money. I wish them all the luck in the world in their attempt to raise the required funds.
If you watch their video KSHC site, one of their newly form Corp members tells that the engine is in better shape than most existing and running steam locomotives?????
This is/was a completely different story, than I heard from one of the KRM Officers that comes to the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Show. He told me that there was a cracked crown sheet, on that locomotive, and it would take between 1-2 Million Dollars to get it to running condition again, then if it was it is land locked, as CSX wouldn't let it be dead headed to where ever to run.
Must be something to this, as look what they did, just to move the C&O #1309 to Cumberland Maryland, did that by flat car!
I remember reading somewhere that the Fort Wayne Folks had a miriade of leaks to deal with, when they had this engine, running it while restoring the "765" for operation!
I just hope that all of the negative boiler stories we're "BS", and it is in as good of shape, as reported, on the KSHC site's accompanying video.
I personally know Kelly Barnett, he is one of their Steam Collaborators, and find him very credible, and wouldn't waste his time on some "BS" pie in the sky project.
Being a C&O Fan I hope all goes well for that new organization, and their task to restore the C&O #2716....................................
I went to this museum about two years ago. They have a L&N E6 and Monon BL2, but at the time both were stashed on some siding somewhere rusting away. Instead of these gems, the museum had a Santa Fe CF7 running......in Kentucky. Maybe the group should focus attention on what they already have and could do something with, rather rather than an off site pipe dream. Even if they did get 2716 steamed up again, where would they run it? I recall they had some kind of bridge issues when I was there.
This locomotive does not have a "...cracked crown sheet..." What it has is a tired, worn out firebox, which is not unusual and relatively easily fixed. They will have to do all the work required under CFR 230. That means ultrasound tests and measurements on the boiler, flues and tubes removed/replaced, appliances checked and overhauled, running gear checked, etc.
When we ran this engine back in 1996, there were a few leaks in the firebox we had to deal with, but nothing serious.
Sam Jumper posted:Maybe the group should focus attention on what they already have and could do something with, rather rather than an off site pipe dream. Even if they did get 2716 steamed up again, where would they run it? I recall they had some kind of bridge issues when I was there.
You should reread that new website more carefully. The Kentucky Railway Museum is NOT going to "rebuild/restore" the C&O 2716. The locomotive will be LEASED to a new, not for profit, 501c (3) organization (which is named in that website), and when they raise the required funding, the 2716 will be "rebuilt/restored".
Sam, I don't recall any bridge problems, the only problem was steam onto the "CSX", at the Lebanon Junction site, then it's CSX anyway you go, left/right or straight ahead!!
The KRM folks are doing the L&N "152" themselves.
The "2716" is a previously formed group called Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation (KSHC).
Click on the www.kentuckysteam.org site on the 1st post at the top, then you can scourer all of the info, and who's doing what, and where with in that organization.
I 1st heard about this from a Collis P. member, that this was to be announced today, and this was back a few weeks ago. He did see some work going on when attending a work group for the L&N "152" at New Haven, Ky Museum, and Shop's, learning about the announcement that would be associated with the Engine's Number.
2 Feburary second month, 7th day, and 16 = 2016!..................................
The engine is a Berkshire to us more common folk. But doesn't the C&O have a different name for this class of engine? Was this a Kanawha on the RR? If so, I believe that there is another example sitting around somewhere, lost track of her now, that perhaps could be used as a source for some parts? Not sure if the two engines are really similar enough for that.
Paul Fischer
Yes, the C&O named their 2-8-4 type locomotives after the Kanawha River. Also, there were a LOT more C&O K-4 Class locomotives "saved" than most folks realize.
Article from Trains magazine posted today: http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2016/02/07-2716
From watching the video, and the results from the boiler inspection that was done, says a lot to me of "Just How Good the Fort Wayne Indiana Group" was, and still is to this day.
The repairs that they had to make to keep this engine running, and how they left it, when the last fire was dumped says a lot, thus giving the new group something to build upon!
I always have said, that persons or groups, follow as they are lead! I think the Fort Wayne Group has a "Super Organizer/Leader in Richard Melvin!.........
This news made my day. I can't wait for a meet up of 3 AMC designed 2-8-4s with 2716, 765, and 1225.
Brandy posted:From watching the video, and the results from the boiler inspection that was done, says a lot to me of "Just How Good the Fort Wayne Indiana Group" was, and still is to this day.
The repairs that they had to make to keep this engine running, and how they left it, when the last fire was dumped says a lot, thus giving the new group something to build upon!
I always have said, that persons or groups, follow as they are lead! I think the Fort Wayne Group has a "Super Organizer/Leader in Richard Melvin!.........
Brandy, I truly appreciate your kind comment, but please remember that I am just one member of a truly GREAT team...the NKP 765 crew from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
Yes, the 2789 which was the last ALCO K-4 Class locomotive, and one of the five constructed in 1947 with an ALL WELDED boiler. Your 2789 is the locomotive that they SHOULD be restoring, instead of the 2716, in my opinion.
Did the 2716 run on the SRR in the 1970's?
She was. TRAINS OF THE 1970's, page 84.
The 2716 powered Southern Railway excursions between October 1981 and July of '82. It was removed from service due to problems with the firebox. I had the opportunity to ride behind it on a trip out of Alexandria shortly before it was withdrawn.
Bob
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Maybe they can figure out why the exhaust chirps every now and then. Good luck to them!
When the 2716 leaking boiler problems arose during the excursion season of 1982, and it was pulled from service on the Southern, the best of my memory the Merger between the Norfolk & Western and the Southern took place in 1983. I remember my step dad told me, about the Big Passenger with the Bullitt Boiler as he called it, was going to do the excursion for the new company, and his friend of 20+ years would be the regular engineer, and that was Mr. Frank Collins, Road Foreman of Engines.
Never remember hearing anymore about the C&O 2716, my info connection passed away in the mid 80's. Next time I saw the 2716, it was on a "you tube video" running in Indiana, with a very young Rich Melvin at the throttle!..................................
steam fan posted:Maybe they can figure out why the exhaust chirps every now and then. Good luck to them!
When the 15 year inspection and all repairs are completed, there won't be any chirping coming from the exhaust stack.
The engine will be as good as new, and possibly better, than when it was new. I remember Rich talking about how old it sounded "No Bark" to the exhaust stack compared to the "765" when they got it going.
Boy, with the restoration of the C&O 1309, due for operation summer 2016, and now the C&O #2716, and "765" still doing great, it's become very easy to forget the Union Pacific has a steam program!.......Hmmmmmmm well, maybe not all of us!..........................
Brandy posted:steam fan posted:Maybe they can figure out why the exhaust chirps every now and then. Good luck to them!
When the 15 year inspection and all repairs are completed, there won't be any chirping coming from the exhaust stack.
All the "15 year inspection" processes would have nothing to do with "exhaust chirps". Condition of the valve packing (rings to folks unfamiliar with steam machinery terms) is the most common cause of "funny noises" from the exhaust. The valve timing will also need to be reset.
The engine will be as good as new, and possibly better, than when it was new. I remember Rich talking about how old it sounded "No Bark" to the exhaust stack compared to the "765" when they got it going.
Hot Water posted:Brandy posted:steam fan posted:Maybe they can figure out why the exhaust chirps every now and then. Good luck to them!
When the 15 year inspection and all repairs are completed, there won't be any chirping coming from the exhaust stack.
All the "15 year inspection" processes would have nothing to do with "exhaust chirps". Condition of the valve packing (rings to folks unfamiliar with steam machinery terms) is the most common cause of "funny noises" from the exhaust. The valve timing will also need to be reset.
The engine will be as good as new, and possibly better, than when it was new. I remember Rich talking about how old it sounded "No Bark" to the exhaust stack compared to the "765" when they got it going.
I assumed that all of those items would be would be checked, and double checked, during that extensive restoration project, enlieu of a "pit stop", probably even do a "Mike" job on the exhaust nozzle.
I remember an old man on my paper route, who worked at the L&N steam shops telling me steam engine rebuild stories, that he worked on back in the 40's-50's. When Rich discussed "No Bark" on the exhaust of the 2716, I went back to stories from that old gentleman, taking the time to tell a young kid back in the day.
I remember one time making a trip with him, to the north roundhouse there in Louisville, and the front end door was open, on a "Big Emma" (Smoke Box). He told me they had some draft problems, and exhaust didn't sound right, they were doing valve, packing work, and replacing the exhaust nozzle!
He pointed out the exhaust nozzle, as it was on the pilot platform below the headlight, and smoke box door opening. There wasn't a thing there at those shops, that I didn't think was neat, and before we left, I got to witness them doing something to a steam locomotive on their "Slip track", as he called it.
I just read in RAILPACE that sits in a Newport News, Va. park is going to be moved to the Lee Hall depot. The depot is being restored and the engine will get a cosmetic restoration. That will be an engine move to watch !!
Brandy posted:Boy, with the restoration of the C&O 1309, due for operation summer 2016, and now the C&O #2716, and "765" still doing great, it's become very easy to forget the Union Pacific has a steam program!.......Hmmmmmmm well, maybe not all of us!..........................
C'mon now, Brandy: A FEF that never went out of service along with a sister FEF, a Challenger, and (perhaps one day) a Big Boy.....hard to forget about that, IMHO.
Part of the allure of UP Steam isn't simply the locomotives themselves. It's also the terrain, mountains, and scenery that they run through.
Brandy,
What's a "mike" job on an exhaust nozzle consist of? Measuring the opening?
sgriggs posted:Brandy,
What's a "mike" job on an exhaust nozzle consist of? Measuring the opening?
Just a bit more than that. The exit chamfer mist also be cleaned up/trued, if worn/damaged from steam cutting. Without that very critical chamfer, the exhaust blast will not properly match the inside taper of the pettycoat pipe and stack ID, which is how the vacuum is created within the smoke box.
I had almost forgotten about this documentary from National Geographic. It features one of the NS/Southern excursions with 2716 about 3 minutes into the video.
I watched that National Geographic tape so many times as a kid that I wore it out lol.
J Daddy posted:Good news. Maybe this will get Ross Rowland's 614 back on track? One can only hope.
Back on whose track/tracks?
J Daddy posted:Good news. Maybe this will get Ross Rowland's 614 back on track? One can only hope.
I wish it were so. Saw this engine in action on NJT in the mid 90s. AWESOME experience! I've heard she is one tired engine and the the expense to re-build her is substantial.
J 611 posted:I watched that National Geographic tape so many times as a kid that I wore it out lol.
You'll have to explain what it meant to "watch something on tape" to the Millenials. 
614 is probably in need of no more that most engines...but the big hurdle is the place to run, and a reason to run. this is really great that so many engines are hot, and others coming back, but I sure wish something Pennsy was in the works.
