Getting A Static Locomotive Operational Again...

azubal posted:

Well In have been reading this since the beginning maybe what Brody should do is buy an old car or tractor maybe even better a steam tractor and rebuild one of those to operation. That should give him an idea of what he is getting involved with. 

I know is't not a locomotive but it would be a good place to start. Having been working on these type of things all my life I would think it would be a good starting point to learn.

Al

 

 

I'm volunteering on NKP 765, but I like the car idea! I'd like to get one of the old Toyota Land Cruisers and restore it. I've heard that it's impossible to kill one of those things!

645 posted:

Railfan Brody posted:

I'm volunteering on NKP 765, but I like the car idea! I'd like to get one of the old Toyota Land Cruisers and restore it. I've heard that it's impossible to kill one of those things!

Drive one in the upper Midwest winters when it snows and the salt used on the roads will start the rust / corrosion process so it's not impossible to kill a Land Cruiser.

Maybe not impossible, but very hard.

See. A little body damaged but nothing that can't be fixed! Hopefully just like 6218!

Restored 4WD's don't have to comply with FRA regulations.

Rusty

Gregg posted:

...First obstacle will be R Melvin and who's ever next in line. Could be wrong but I  suspect you would also have to be a  qualified engineman  to operate the engine  off the property.

I won't be an obstacle.

I retired from the 765 crew last year.  Made my last run on September 25, 2017 on my home road, the CVSR. Here's a video of my final station stop in Akron, Ohio with my two grandsons on board with me.

With regard to engineer certification for a brand-new engineer, in addition to the classroom training and tests, an engineer candidate also has to accumulate at least 140 hours of running time under the supervision of a Road Foreman of Engines or a DLSE (Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers) over territory on which he is qualified.

Couldn't think of a better way to make your last trip.( with your  Grandchildren)  

OGR Webmaster posted:

I won't be an obstacle.

I retired from the 765 crew last year.  Made my last run on September 25, 2017 on my home road, the CVSR. Here's a video of my final station stop in Akron, Ohio with my two grandsons on board with me.

Very sweet, and a moment I won't forget either.  Thanks for the opportunity Rich.

Kevin

CNRSPS website. Check it out. Not much activity, so I won't be offended if you refrain from bookmarking the site.

https://cnrsteampreservationsociety.wordpress.com

OGR Webmaster posted:

Gregg posted:

...First obstacle will be R Melvin and who's ever next in line. Could be wrong but I  suspect you would also have to be a  qualified engineman  to operate the engine  off the property.

I won't be an obstacle.

I retired from the 765 crew last year.  Made my last run on September 25, 2017 on my home road, the CVSR. Here's a video of my final station stop in Akron, Ohio with my two grandsons on board with me.

Great and touching video. I'm sure the FWRHS would love to have you back as a guest engineer at some point.

Rusty Traque posted:

Restored 4WD's don't have to comply with FRA regulations.

Rusty

True.

About the restoration of a passenger car, does anyone know of a Lackawanna MU for sale? That's what I'm shooting for, and I've already tried searching for one.

Railfan Brody posted:

645 posted:

I'm also curious how you are going to be able to be involved "hands on" with a 6218 restoration team since it is about 300 miles from Toledo, Ohio as I think you live west of Toledo in NW Ohio or NE Indiana based on your NKP 765 posts you've made elsewhere on this site. You may be spreading yourself too thin if you intend to work on both 765 and 6218 as a volunteer on a regular basis. I'm not trying to discourage you but these are facts you need to consider - to drive 300+ miles will take at least 5 hours one way. If you have to attend school and/or work 5 days a week like most of us that won't leave much time to actually work on 6218 in between driving out and back to Fort Erie.

I live in Warren, Indiana, south of Fort Wayne first of all. Second, I'm 15 and am sitting at school as I'm typing. Finally, my overall plan is to move 6218 to the US and begin the overhaul. I was thinking Jackson, Michigan for a few reasons:

There are some industrial buildings that to my belief see little use, and is connected to NS by rail. Also, the Jackson & Lansing shortline may be willing to have 6218 pull a revenue freight for a test run.

Your plan should include a visit to that island and see Mr Rorke and Tatoo......

Jim Berger posted:

Your plan should include a visit to that island and see Mr Rorke and Tatoo......

I don't understand. Please explain.

Railfan Brody posted:

Jim Berger posted:

Your plan should include a visit to that island and see Mr Rorke and Tatoo......

I don't understand. Please explain.

You are obviously WAY TOO YOUNG to remember the TV program Fantasy Island!

Brody, 

I've read this thread the whole way through and sympathize with you greatly. I'm much like you. I'm a senior in high school, and have dreams of steam. I've spent many days in school reading the forum or poring over railroad literature. I'm also ready to go off to a good 4 year state school next year, so don't worry too much about the people that tell you to cut it out. But, like many members have told you, hit the books and study your craft. Read books on steam, and talk to people who work on the real thing, steam or otherwise. Once you have the nitty gritty knowledge under your belt, then people will start to take you seriously. I've had the same problem, I'm young and many of the "Old heads" scoff at my grandiose dreams of restoring and operating steam. You learn to ignore the naysayers. See how far they get telling other people what they can and can't do. 

If you'd like my advice I'll gladly give it to you, because I know exactly where you're coming from. Don't lose your passion, and be patient. None of this happens overnight. 

Start small. I'd kill to be in your position living so close to 765 and the FWRHS. Get involved there doing whatever they'll let you do, even if it is just sweeping the floor! An organization like that always needs fresh hands. And the excellent reputation of an organization like that can take you places if you put in the time there.

Study. Keep up in school, and also learn about steam. The more you know the farther you'll go. A year or two ago, I was your average foamer just looking to get a good shot of a steamer on the mainline. Then I picked up the books on steam and learned more than I could ever imagine. My new knowledge made all of my railroad activities much more fulfilling. A couple starting book recommendations on steam basics are the first 60 pages of Guide to North American Steam Locomotives by George Drury and The Steam Locomotive in North America by Alfred Bruce, who designed steam locomotives at ALCo for many years. These books opened my eyes to so much in the steam world.

Talk to people. This forum is a great place to start. People here offer a wealth of information that rivals an encyclopedia. There will also surely be people who want to see your project happen, whether they think it is feasible or not. 

NEVER LOSE YOUR PASSION! You have lots of it and that is so encouraging. All of the greatest achievers in this world all have passion for what they do. You are no different. Have your passion be the springboard for progress. 

Feel free to contact me by email in my profile. I'm always in the mood to talk trains with other young people in the hobby.

Zach

645 posted:

Fantasy Island TV series

Jim Berger posted:

Your plan should include a visit to that island and see Mr Roarke and Tattoo......

This is one of the funniest things I've read on here in awhile...  

Wonder if Brody's fantasy will be to restore BLE 643? If you're going to fantasize might as well go all the way!  If he can pull it off he'd be a hero to get it to live track and since Mr. Harrison's CSXT likely would be involved that would be the arrangement of the century! *But* once he starts running it he's going to have to expand the track maintenance budget to cover the wear incurred by this massive 2-10-4 after it's passage - it's not gonna run on the Wabash Central for sure! Getting the 643 back in service will make the 6218 dream look like child's play by comparison!

I don't think even Brody has/would Fanatasized about restoring/Running BLE 643.

 Even if Brody did make the trip to the Island with that Fantasy, that is probably beyond what Mr. Roarke could manage even with Tattoo's help.

Doug

Zach,

VERY good post!!!!   I sure hope Brody takes your advice, as some of his recent post are simply just too funny. Also, if YOU care to ask any technical questions, about steam or diesel electric (EMD anyway), please do NOT hesitate to ask here. Dreaming is one thing but, increasing your basic knowledge of railroad locomotives is a never ending quest.

You will go through three basic stages:

1) You know absolutely nothing and learn everyday.

2) You have learned just enough that you think you know everything.

3) You have learned SOOOOOO MUCH, that you then realize just how little you really do know.

As in life, try to get to stage #3 without spending too much time in #2.

One more essential piece of the puzzle:  get your hands dirty.  You'll never learn to pack a bearing or use a torque wrench or layout measurements on steel *just* by reading about it.  Do it, preferably under the tutelage of folks who not only know how to do it but who are also willing to show you how to (and how not to).

While I respect Brode's  "thinking great thoughts" there also needs to be a "reality check."

In the 70's and 80's it was possible to transport classic motive power and rolling stock long distances exchanging along the way with multiple Class 1 railroads. It was expensive, even then, but doable. How do I know this?  I was legal counsel to a group that repeatedly did precisely that.

Things have changed.  Often, if an item is  over 40 years old, it doesn't get interchanged. End of statement.  How do I know this? I am legal counsel to a group that is experiencing this problem.  Therefore, moves are often over the road rather than the railroad... if they can happen. Often, they simply don't happen.

Then you need to worry about clearances, oversize loads, and raising lots and lots of MONEY.  Ask any established railway historical group which has moved, or attempted to move, a piece of classic equipment how much the move cost... the answer is "simply astronomical!"

Then you can add "national pride" to the mix. Our northern neighbors are a soverign nation, Canada is not our 51st State. While Fort Erie is a short ride over the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, NY, you are crossing an international border.  The open, come and go border, is gone, gone and gone. Times have changed. Moreover,  groups in Fort Erie and Ontario  are not going to welcome a young foreigner in essence telling them what they are doing wrong, or not doing. Current international politics also militate against any such "welcome neighbor" mindset.

While I admire Brode's ambition and a "can do" and "why not" attitude; "reality checks" also need to be a significant  factor. That's why it's called "REALITY."

Railfan Brody posted:

Jim Berger posted:

Your plan should include a visit to that island and see Mr Rorke and Tatoo......

I don't understand. Please explain.

Bandomnjr posted:

Start small. I'd kill to be in your position living so close to 765 and the FWRHS. Get involved there doing whatever they'll let you do, even if it is just sweeping the floor! An organization like that always needs fresh hands. And the excellent reputation of an organization like that can take you places if you put in the time there.

Last time I was there, I was carrying old barrels to the dumpster, but I would do it again in a heartbeat!

645 sums it all up. Even though it was harshly said.. lets look at the facts. Today's steam locomotives can't be restored without a lot of time. And a lot of money. I too face the same problem you do Brody. (Except I'm about to enter college) Unless I win the lottery or get a really good job, I couldn't see myself doing something like this. If no one else can pay to restore heaps of rusting metal, then the least that can be done is a cosmetic restoration. 

The easier and more practical option is just joining an already existing group which you have done. I haven't yet. But Black River is my best bet. 

A lot of good real world advice from people in the know.  Some may take it as harsh but life isn't all fluffy bunnies and trophies for just showing up.  Dreams are good, but they don't trump reality.  I would love to have a group like the FWRHS near me to volunteer with.  Like others suggested, get involved with them at every opportunity, study much more.  

Remember dreams are all about feelings, life/reality is all about facts, seldom do they reconcile.  You can bet though when they do reconcile, it is through blood, sweet, tears, and much torment.

I may be the only exception that might be in favour  of 6218  leaving  Canada  and only  if the engine could be restored to running condition with a couple of restrictions... No new road name  or paint schemes.  However It's not  going to happen  and as much as I  would have loved to run the engine or for that matter any large steamer  out on the main with  almost full tonnage, well   I know that's  never  going to happen as well.

Where I might get to run an engine  would be  joining a live steamers club,  something like 7 1/2 gauge. Lots of track work and someday you may even own your own engine.