NYC Hudson

The day I see a NYC Hudson run is the day I grow wings and fly away....

1) How will sure an enormously expensive project be funded?

2) Where and who will produce the huge pattern for the one piece cast frame, with integral cast cylinders?

3) Where, or who, will actually produce that massive one piece casting?

Tell us when it is done. That's all I need to know. 

There are several contracting firms who will build steam locomotives as one price, and with the Hudson being such an iconic locomotive, funding would be a little easier than on a standard restoration project. I believe they will try to closely follow the course of the Tornado Project in the UK.

Seems to me I've heard this song several times before over the past 30 years.

Rusty

Just for ha has.  Lets say there's one surviving NYC Hudson and the Mohawk in Elkhart Which would be the better engine for mainline excursions?  I bet most of the experts here would say the Mohawk.

The monkeys are getting ready to fly out of my butt.

Larry

ABSOLUTELY! Since the Mohawk in Elkart, A) already exists, and B) since it is an L4 would be a FAR BETTER promotional/excursion/special passenger locomotive. Not to mention, it would only take about 2 to 2 1/2 million dollars to completely overhaul it.

I thought it was a L3

My mistake. NYC #3001 is indeed an L3a. She would still be good for todays FRA max speed of 79MPH, without train control.

You wouldn't see a Hudson being able to do Horseshoe curve like 765 but could a L3 do it?

I have to remind all of you, this locomotive is only a part of the plan for the hudson project.

I'm pretty sure that that 3001 could do jet as good a job as 765.

So, are you talking about "that Hudson project" out of Minneapolis, MN, that has already purchased the big Santa Fe Hudson that has been on display out in Topeka, Kansas? The same "group" that is planning on using some sort of "hockey pucks" for low emissions fuel??

No, even though I would love to see that project succeed, I don't want any confusion with the two locomotives, and the people who are rebuilding the Santa Fe Hudson are part of the University of Minnesota.

Well, the young man that started the "project" GRADUATED from the University of Minnesota.

.......but if you tell us, you'll have to kill us.......

Again, sorry for the confusion. The two articles I've read have been unclear in indicating an affiliation with the University. The NYC hudson project is still in the planning stages, but at a very serious degree. With motivation, anything can happen.

Remember now, that the UK steam locomotives are ALL fabricated frames, and the new boiler that was also constructed in Germany had quite a bit of "issues", after only a few years of excursion service. Eventually, the Tornado's boiler had to be completely removed and shipped BACK to Germany for extensive repairs.

None of the UK steam locomotives, nor the European steam locomotives for that matter, should be compared to the axle loading, size, and horsepower of the massive U.S. steam locomotives, such as a J3a Super Hudson. 

Absolutely! But also don't forget HUGE amounts of MONEY.

Also, don't overlook: were would it operate, and what would it haul?

The UK comparison was to specify how the project it self would be done, not the actual construction of the locomotive. The operation of the locomotive is being researched extensively. Why so skeptical? Big things CAN happen in the railroad world.

HA!  This has no more chance of happening than UP bringing back a Big Boy!  Double HA!!

Wait a minute . . .

I think we should start a conspiracy rumor that there is one old NYC Hudson secretly hidden away in a warehouse building in the bronx that was spared from the scrappers torch.  

OK, please provide some examples of "big things" that have happened on U.S. railroads involving steam locomotives, that have been owned/operated buy other than the host railroad, within the last four years.

Milwaukee Road 261 was purchased and restored by the Friends of the 261 organization, and it successfully ran it's first excursion in May. The decision has been made to restore N&W J 611 to operation.

That is a VERY good example of a tried and proven locomotive operated by an experienced and trustworthy crew. The NKP 765, SP 4449, and AT&SF also fall into that same category.

However, three of those four locomotives MUST operate their public excursions under the umbrella of Amtrak insurance, with contractual approval of the host railroad (CP, and BNSF). With the freight traffic continuing to increase throughout the U.S. rail system, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain approvals from the likes of CP, BNSF, etc., let alone contract approvals with Amtrak for your "fully Amtrak inspected/approved" steam locomotive.

Well as much as I would like to see something like this happen, I think the costs would end this project before it began.  I will not jump into the "never" camp but I see this as extremely unlikely given the $$ that would be needed.

I've always heard it was hidden in a barn in Indiana...

Rusty

And after the inital burst of money coming in, the fund-raising has slowed down.

Rusty

The reason for the slow in fundraising is probably the fact that the overhaul and inspection are over. If you don't NEED money, you won't get a lot. The locomotive is in full swing, and is operating perfectly, and if the reputation of the 261 and it's crew continues, they won't need that money for another 15 years.

I was talking about the 611...

Plus, the 261 was in the shop for 2-3 year(?) being rebuilt. 

Please bear in mind it took 14 years to build the Tornado.  It took 10 years to build the Leviathan from scratch. 

Building a J3 would very likely take a lot longer.

Rusty

But, I have heard tolls will increase once the new locks open. (The PC is a "toll road".)  Also there are only one set of new locks for the super ships, hence they will be run directionally, unlike the two set system of the original locks.  There are very few changes in the PC inside of the lock system.  My guess is the congestion on the PC will remain the same, or even get worse.

And even if traffic is diverted to the PC, stacks coming from from Gulf ans Atlantic ports will increase.  And add the oil trains.....

Oh, so they just wait for 14 years before they start "fund raising" again?

THAT really isn't how it works, at least with 4449, 3751, 765, etc..

Well, the Big Boy hasn't been restored to operation yet. Just sayin.'

Could be there or in the Indiana barn as suggested by Rusty. I think I'll ask Dale from the Wheels Through Time Museum ('What's in the Barn?' TV show) here in Maggie Valley to be on the lookout for it. He turns up some really unusual stuff in their quests....

As for funding,  do you think the president would be willing to donate some of their monthly 'vacation budget' to help?  A couple of million this month and a couple in December should about cover the restoration.

Cover the "restoration" of what????

Of the 'lost' Hudson that will eventually show up!

Actually, the rebuild took 4 years.

And a steam engine can't go 15 years between rebuilds.

Why not?