THE GENERAL!

Great film! Before my time, and I'd LOVE to see The General under steam.  Is there any organized effort to restore?

Actually yes! but the organization keeps falling through! I think honestly lets give an example if everyone gave $50 dollars from a sale of a model it could be done but no one would anymore. I've always wondered what happened to "Southern Hospitality"

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there would be MANY hurdles, both Federal and what railroad to run it on, that that is probably why the group/groups keep falling apart. For example:

1) Would that old of a boiler, especially if it is a lap-seam boiler, be capable of complying with current FRA regulations?

2) Since Phil Kloke has already built a real, full size, NEW version of an 1860s 4-4-0, it probably would not be cost effective to rebuild, and possibly destroy the originality of, the General.

3) Where and/or who would run it? Unlike railroading in 1962/1963, I can NOT imagine ANY railroad willing to operate such an historic locomotive. Just think of the liability involved!

 I have already looked at that see! When the General was rebuilt in 1962 she was fitted with a welded boiler because the original was badly rusted. and TVRM would restore it because that's what the society said who was certified and that was closest to the museum. and I would take it that a steam engineer could drive it because its just like any other steamer! See I checked into everything before I posted it on the Forum 

I think that's the key phrase here.  A steam locomotive restoration is more than just throwing money at it.

Rusty

For such a young person, you checked into EVERYTHING????

Might be a great addition to the Strasburg RR.

Phil

Where did you read this?

Yes I talked to the foundation which owns the locomotive. The man who I talked to which is part of the foundation was around when the locomotive was being redone and he said that when they out fitted the general they had no choice because the original was badly rusted and the general had to be up to par with the regulations at that time. And just to remind you if you watched the video the engine only holds 125 psi so even a air tank you by at Walmart will hold that pressure. 

Phil Honestly I think that would be great. But, I did ask what they would do if they did restore the general and they said NS would allow it on the rails. and The General would be based in Georgia and, that it would only tour on NS rails 

Yeah, nothing dangerous about that pressure.

I haven't been able to find anything on-line about the engine being reboilered with a welded boiler.

EDIT: This thread seems to indicate the boiler, is, in fact, not welded:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32717&hilit=General

And my old bicycle's tires held 90 lbs of air pressure vs my car's tires 45 lbs max...

125 lbs of steam reacts far differently than 125 lbs of air pressure when released all at once.  Plus, even the General's volume is a tad larger than that Wallmart air tank. 

Also, a locomotive boiler is subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses that the Wallmart air tank isn't subjected to.

Comparing a utility air tank to a locomotive boiler is like comparing apples to watermelons.

Rusty

Actually Josh, the General was severely damaged when it collided with boxcars filled with ammunition...a severe explosion virtually left the frame and wheels as the only original parts.  It bears the Number 3 as it was the third oldest engine on the roster.  I just did the TCA tour the last week of June...The Great Locomotive Chase.  As far as moving to Strasburg, be assured the Confederates will NEVER allow the **** Yankees to steal it ever again.  Andrews' Raiders plan was doomed from the start...it was ill-planned by a Non-Military mind...on a RAINY DAY...and ingloriously ended when it ran out of wood and water.  After it was rebuilt, the Museum in Kennesaw was actually built around the locomotive.  The only proposal under consideration is moving the Texas from Atlanta to be displayed with the General.  Ron B.