well thanks to the Kloke Locomotive Works is building a *NEW* Steam engine here's what the site says
THE YORK #17
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This is great, because you know, we need more steam locomotives in operation.
yes we do! Britain is way ahead of us so we need to catch up!
Very nice to see...
I knew that this was in the planning stages for some time. It is great to see that real progress is being made.
Andy
After watching the video, I can understand their desire to have something to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle. Plus recreating the Hanover Jct. photo. However, I can't understand what they want after that.
There is no passenger consist or period freight train planned to go with it.
If they wanted simply an image recreated, a large scale model or even rental of the Leviathan would have worked. A live steam engine moving about on its own is interesting to the rail fan crowd, but not the average traveler.
Unfortunately, 150 years past the Civil War, people don't have much concept of what it was about. Many have a distorted "us vs. them" idea that "we" could win when the battles start back up again. As though it was set on pause all this time.
On the other side, you have parents who see all trains as merely toys that their children must ride. Train crews are just babysitters,(in a parent's opinion) not professionals who have to watch fires, gauges and people playing chicken with the train while it is moving.
As with all railroad ventures, I wish them the best of luck. But I also hope there is a plan and ample work for a brand new locomotive for years to come. Money can build anything. A good business plan makes it worthwhile.
To add to Tim's comment above, the gentleman that was funding the construction of the New 4-4-0 (linked to) recently passed away. There is an endowment in place to finish the 4-4-0, however the rest of the project will probably not proceed.
Has the non-profit organization behind this project, Steam Into History, collapsed?
I found the obituary of William H. Simpson, who was president of the board of directors of the organization, but nothing regarding any delay or stoppage of the rest of the project.
Andy
well I'll email the founder and ask how the restoration is doing and how its going to continue tomorrow when I'm home and we'll see then.
well I'll email the founder and ask how the restoration is doing and how its going to continue tomorrow when I'm home and we'll see then.
Phil Kloke is not doing a "restoration". Mr. Kloke is build a BRAND NEW 4-4-0, the YORK, for that group in Pennsylvania.
I AM SORRY I MADE A MISTAKE! I AM NOT PERFECT! WHAT I MEANT TO SAY WAS I WILL CHECK ON THE CONSTRUCTION! I AM NOT ACCUSTOM TO PEOPLE BUILDING STEAMERS!
After watching the video, I can understand their desire to have something to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle. Plus recreating the Hanover Jct. photo. However, I can't understand what they want after that.
There is no passenger consist or period freight train planned to go with it.
If they wanted simply an image recreated, a large scale model or even rental of the Leviathan would have worked. A live steam engine moving about on its own is interesting to the rail fan crowd, but not the average traveler.
Unfortunately, 150 years past the Civil War, people don't have much concept of what it was about. Many have a distorted "us vs. them" idea that "we" could win when the battles start back up again. As though it was set on pause all this time.
On the other side, you have parents who see all trains as merely toys that their children must ride. Train crews are just babysitters,(in a parent's opinion) not professionals who have to watch fires, gauges and people playing chicken with the train while it is moving.
As with all railroad ventures, I wish them the best of luck. But I also hope there is a plan and ample work for a brand new locomotive for years to come. Money can build anything. A good business plan makes it worthwhile.
Why - well, apparently it was someone's dream, and dreams, desire and cash equal product.
But if I recall correctly, there was to be (and still are?) plans for a compatible and IIRC, historically accurate passenger consist to be built afterwards for use as a tourist line similar to say New Hope or Strasburg. I think it's a great idea - there are no engines representing this time period in operation anywhere but Utah in the middle of nowhere and at that the two in Promentory Point only steam up to meet head to head and return. And of course, there's the Leviathan but it too is just an engine without a consist nor in it's case, a permanent home.
Incidentally, this is JUST the type of steam engine that most American's likely think of when they think "steam engine". The newer stuff is just black and gritty work engines to them.
Such an engine is just what is needed to re-educate the public regarding the railroad's contribution to the historic fabric of the US. Out of sight, out of mind - this should help remedy that.
/Mitch
Incidentally, this is JUST the type of steam engine that most American's likely think of when they think "steam engine". The newer stuff is just black and gritty work engines to them.
/Mitch
That is just your OPINION!
I am vary familiar with all the crowds of thousands of people that come out to see either of the locomotives that make up the Union Pacific Steam Heritage Program, as well as SP4449 during HER travels over the last 36 years. I can't EVER recall any questions or discussions about civil war era locomotives and how they relate to steam locomotives from the World War II era.
I think you have made a VERY broad generalization, that is incorrect. That is my opinion!
Welllll excusssse me!
I shouldn't have capitalized "JUST" but did add "likely".
I'm just thinking how well known Thomas is (not even American)
along with what I recall seeing as a steam engine in many older
cartoons - think Bugs Bunny, ect. Along with all the classic
Hollywood Western's - think "Once Upon a Time in the West".
Compare that to SP 4449 or UP 3985 to the average Joe Public.
Along with Thomas - I'd say an American ranks right up there
with the American public as an easily identifiable American
steamer.
Ask anyone other then a train fan to draw a steam engine on
a note pad with a pen and you will most likely see an American.
/Mitch
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