LIRR #39 to be restored and operated at Strasburg!

That poor engine should have never left Long Island and it shouldn't have been disassembled to begin with knowing there won't be money to complete the work on it for years. It has been in pieces for years part of the ever growing collection of rusted, buried in weeds and trash "junk" out there in Riverhead and Greenport. It is a sad thing to me, someone who has watched each year as the engine, which was a decent static display has been taken apart and left to rust and get eaten by weeds and grass. 

 

While I would LOVE to see and ride behind a hot LIRR steamer, based on many past experiences with the museum, I don't see it happening. 

I know it's not set in stone, but if anyone could do it, it would be Strasburg. The biggest question in my mind is, where are they going to store it at Strasburg when finished? The engine shed seems full.

From what I can see of the agreement as stated in the press release, there is a specific fundraising goal set with a time frame (FY2103), and it will happen only if that goal is reached.

 

Assuming the financial goal is reached, Strasburg is more than capable of handling the project and providing long term care of the 39.

 

Rusty

I would agree with that.  If anyone could do it and do it right, it would be the folks at Strasburg.  Hopefully the LI group will be able to fulfill their part of the agreement.  Raising a million bucks in one year could be a real challenge.

Wow this is great news! Like everyone has said already if Strasburg can do it they will. 

 

As a huge Pennsy fan and being too young to have seen 1223, 1361 (for its brief career), and 7002 I am happy to see some potential Pennsy power coming back to life. 

 

Although 1 million dollars is a daunting task I am sure loyal fans and steam history supporters will generously donate. 

One thing is for sure, this will pull out almost as many fans as the N&W 611 restoration, possibly even more!  I mean a real PRR steamer, even if lettered for LI.  The draw for this will be unreal, especially if it's handled correctly.   Geez, I'll go see it...with the excuse that I'm really going to see PRR 9331.

I will believe it ONLY when it is actually done! 

Strasburg is certainly more than capable of doing the work. It all comes down to whether the money is raised, AND whether it's enough. There are a lot of variables involved, depending on what they find when they begin work. And don't forget the new FRA boiler regulations, which I would think Strasburg has figured into the cost.

The problem is NOT Strassburg, it is the FUNDING! 

The ONE-MILLION is a very daunting task!7

Is that not what I said?

Just think of all the money that was wasted on the K4 #1361. If Strasburg had it, it would have been done years ago and done right. At least the RMLI is working with Strasburg, they are known to do great work on steamers!

An important consideration is that being at Strasburg is # 39's best chance to be operational and be run for the delight of railfans. Numbers 39 and 35 were built at Juniata for the LIRR. They were owned by the LIRR and not leased from the PRR. The #39's tender is a differrent design  from that used on the PRR and gives the engine a unique LIRR character. There is a third G5s still in existence at the Pennsylvania Railroad museum. Might be of interest to know that this one also operated on Long Island during its lifetime as it was leased to the LIRR. Being that the PRR heritage is part of the Norfolk Southern system, and they seem to have a renewed interest in Steam operations perhaps they might lend a hand to make this possible. It would be nice to see #39 operate under steam once more.

These photos of engine 39 were taken in August 2004.

PRR Class G5s 4-6-0 #5741 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (2-17-2013):

 

/Mitch

What are those 'extensions' coming off either end of the valve chests?

 

 

DV

This is great news! Strasburg has the best and most talented crew they will have #39 running good as new. As a Long Islander, I would rather see her operating out of state than not running at all.

They are PRR snifters, used to prevent drifting, IIRC.

I don't think so. The "snifting valve" is the large circular valve assembly, right in the center of the short steam pipe into the center of the valve chamber.

No. 39 doesn't have a trailing truck, so she fits right in with the Strasburg's 0-6-0, 2-6-0, 4-8-0, and 2-10-0, as well as Reading A4b Camelback 0-4-0 No. 4 (nee 1187) and PRR D16sb 4-4-0 No. 1223.

 

I think that the only locomotive with a trailing truck in service on the Strasburg was PRR 4-4-2 No. 7002. She was a grand sight with her towering drivers.

Oh well, that's what I thought he was referencing.

From what The Strasburg Rail Road has been posting on their facebook page, it seems that they are very optimistic about this project and are already in planning to get it moving.

I thought the boiler for this locomotive has been at the Strasburg Rail Road Shops for many years. But work stopped when the money ran out.

From what I gather, SRR will be paying to finish the boiler work and reassemble the locomotive. The money RMLI is raising is to cover the cost of moving the remainder of the locomotive and tender to Strasburg.

Hot...the boiler left the LIRR Museum facility in 2004 or 2005 and went to a NY Boiler shop that, from what I gather via the museum, spent a lot of money but didn't do much. It has been at Strasburg for a few years now. 

this is great news. Strausburgh does great work.

You may be thinking of the late George Hart's ex-CP 4-6-0 No. 972. She went to the Strasburg for repairs years ago. Then the Strasburg acquired her. Her firebox was removed. That makes her stand out in the line behind (above?) the shops. Her tender (some distance away) is lettered CUMBERLAND VALLEY for the last place she ran.

 

I always thought that the Strasburg would be happy with her. Back in 1983, she headed Mr. Hart's Reading passenger consist from Jim Thorpe (formerly Mauch Chunk) to Reading for two weekends of Rail Rambles celebrating the 150th anniversary of the P & R charter (April 4, 1833). Returning to Jim Thorpe, she took all 9 cars up 1.1% Temple Hill eastbound unassisted.

If I'm not mistaken, Strasburg's plan for the 972 was to alter it to look like a G5, complete with Belpaire Firebox. If the 39 plan comes together, they won't be needing the 972 anytime soon! 

No. I know a PRR boiler when I see one, and the PRR 4-6-0 boiler was in the shop when Lynn Moedinger gave me and my wife a personal tour, two years ago.

You are correct.  Strasburg's Kelly Anderson stated in a similar thread on the RYPN forum, that they've had the boiler but it's been sitting since the museum stopped paying for the restoration.  They had the new roof sheet all ready to put in place when the money was cut off.

 

http://www.rypn.org/forums/vie....php?f=1&t=34716

  Operate in Strasburg for 48 years ???

  Maybe it can come back to Long Island on it's own and raise funds operating on Sundays.

I've given up hope for the K4, but it IS possible I may see a G5 on the main line in my lifetime!

A number of years ago they ran a fantrip on the LIRR behind Black River & Western No 60!