Steam & Excursion > Keystone1's Big Five-

IMHO here are the most significant steam restorations going forward. The Big Boy, C&O 2-6-6-2 #1309, Santa Fe 4-8-4 #2926, Boston & Maine 4-6-2 #3713, Maine Central 4-6-2 #470. Notice I didn't include any old friends, like #4449, #700, #611 etc. As wonderful as these locomotives are, we (I), have all seen them for years. They are, in my book, not a NEW steam locomotive to the world of railfanning. Also, I didn't include J.J.J.'s NKP #763. As nice as she is, #759 and #765 are good stand ins. And, who could forget Reading #2102. Same with her. The Big Five are all NEW types, and all NEW locomotives. I might have included Santa Fe 2-10-4 #5000 and the Santa Fe 4-6-4 which was discussed last year, but, I haven't heard much about either of these this year. I don't know if they are really going to happen. I hope to live long enough to see the Big Five run. Remember, to get into the Big Five category, a locomotive has to be of Class I significance, and be an all new type that hasn't run since the end of steam. Say...Great Northern 4-8-4 or a blue Frisco Meteor 4-8-4 or even a Rock Island 4-6-2. These would be three good future candidates. Well guys, have fun telling me that I'm all wet, or, should I say, full of steam. BTW, does the new Pennsy T-1 built from scratch count? I'll be there if it happens, and if I'm still alive.

Don't hold your breath waiting for that Boston & Maine engine to be finished. We will not live that long the way they are going about it.

OK, people, now we know the rest of the story (apologies to the
late, great, Paul Harvey). Keystone1 has seen all the existing
and some formerly existing operating steam locomotives. There
is no point in even talking about them, as he's seen them for
years and considers them old hat and boring. He is no longer
impressed, so no one else should be, either

So everybody else may as well give up on the locomotives running
now. Been there, done that; I got mine and I don't care if you
ever get yours. I want something new and different and I won't
be happy until someone gives it to me. Soon after, that will
also become "old news," and the complaining will start anew

IMO, this is one of the smug attitudes out there that repels newcomers
to this hobby. Not that it's prevalent, mind you, but it's glaringly
obvious in a few of our senior enthusiasts.

Just my opinion.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/14 09:02 by Realist.

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK, people, now we know the rest of the story
> (apologies to the
> late, great, Paul Harvey). Keystone1 has seen all
> the existing
> and some formerly existing operating steam
> locomotives. There
> is no point in even talking about them, as he's
> seen them for
> years and considers them old hat and boring. He is
> no longer
> impressed, so no one else should be, either
>
> So everybody else may as well give up on the
> locomotives running
> now. Been there, done that; I got mine and I
> don't care if you
> ever get yours. I want something new and
> different and I won't
> be happy until someone gives it to me. Soon after,
> that will
> also become "old news," and the complaining will
> start anew
>
> IMO, this is one of the smug attitudes out there
> that repels newcomers
> to this hobby. Not that it's prevalent, mind you,
> but it's glaringly
> obvious in a few of our senior enthusiasts.
>
> Just my opinion.

Agree 100%

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK, people, now we know the rest of the story
> (apologies to the
> late, great, Paul Harvey). Keystone1 has seen all
> the existing
> and some formerly existing operating steam
> locomotives. There
> is no point in even talking about them, as he's
> seen them for
> years and considers them old hat and boring. He is
> no longer
> impressed, so no one else should be, either
>
> So everybody else may as well give up on the
> locomotives runningnow. Been there, done that; I got mine and I
> don't care if you
> ever get yours. I want something new and
> different and I won't
> be happy until someone gives it to me. Soon after,
> that will
> also become "old news," and the complaining will
> start anew
>
> IMO, this is one of the smug attitudes out there
> that repels newcomers
> to this hobby. Not that it's prevalent, mind you,
> but it's glaringly
> obvious in a few of our senior enthusiasts.
>
> Just my opinion.


The older generation today is no different than fans who in the late 1950s put their cameras away for good when regular service steam operations ceased. I remember thinking, why would they do that when there are all these great colorful diesels to shoot? Now I'm thinking I don't really want to chase a beautiful steam loco all tarted up and with a diesel behind the tender(s). Some things never change I guess.

While the phrasing of the words might not be to everyone's liking,
the topic is acceptable. Basically - "New, never yet restored
steam that stands a chance of running in the near future".

Let's roll with that.

So how about Frisco 2-8-2 #1352? Frisco in Ohio, a bit odd, like
ordering a cheese steak for lunch while in California, but still,
a good cheese steak is still a good cheese steak no matter where
you eat it.


/Mitch

Mgoldman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> So how about Frisco 2-8-2 #1352? Frisco in Ohio, a
> bit odd,
>
>
> /Mitch


But that Frisco #1352 is STILL in Illinois, I believe, and a LONG ways from being "rebuilt/restored" for operation in Ohio.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> But that Frisco #1352 is STILL in Illinois, I
> believe, and a LONG ways from being
> "rebuilt/restored" for operation in Ohio.

That's because the move is being funding by donations
from railfans...

Still - I remember when the Anthracite Railroad Historical
Society's former B&M F7(B) was stuck in New Jersey with
calls for donations to reunite it with the A units that
made it to Steamtown. And, what do you know - it not
only made it to Scranton (and Spencer) but is in the
process of restoration to operation.

It would be interesting to see a story on how successful
organizations have raised the funds in the past - perhaps
in Trains magazine, or Railfan.

/Mitch

Key - I'll add to your list; Long Island Railroad's 4-6-0 #39.

Add LIRR 4-6-0 #35, if you are willing to wait even longer.

/Mitch

OK Mitch...and may I throw in the NYC Mohawk in Elkhart which I would "die" see run. Hey, I might as well throw in a few more on my personal wish list. The cab forward, the Pennsy M-lb and E-6s. Up in Canada, I'd like to tag the CNR 4-6-4 in steam, as well as a CP Selkirk and one of their 4-8-4's. Now guys... don't each of you have a personal wish list, or, are you just content with the local 2-8-0 saw mill engine running in a circle at your nearby tourist road? How 'bout you Realist. Any future favorites?

Alright...I'll add one more. The Allegheny. Now don't you start say it will never happen. You never thought the U.P. would rebuild a Big Boy, did you.

Mgoldman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > But that Frisco #1352 is STILL in Illinois, I
> > believe, and a LONG ways from being
> > "rebuilt/restored" for operation in Ohio.
>
> That's because the move is being funding by
> donations
> from railfans...


> /Mitch

Just my opinion, but I sure hope they are NOT holding their breath waiting on the big "railfan donations" to roll in.

Keystone1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alright...I'll add one more. The Allegheny. Now
> don't you start say it will never happen. You
> never thought the U.P. would rebuild a Big Boy,
> did you.

Be careful now, as the UP has not yet,,,,,,,,,rebuilt #4014.

I noticed you didnt mention PRR K4s 1361.

My list:

Returning to service (Some sooner than others):

N&W 611
SOU 4501
SP 786
NKP 587
CNW 1385

New Restorations:

ATSF 2926
C&O 1309
NP 1364
Cass 12
UP 428

Wish List:

SLSF 1522
SSW 819
SP 1744
ATSF 1316
CP 2816

Add a couple of nice Pacifics: The UP one at McCormack House in Portland, OR and the A&WP 290 in Duluth, GA (the latter ran for a few years 20+ years ago).

Aw, heck, I wouldn't go to see any of those run, after all, they will be flying AMERICAN FLAGS.

A fun thread for sure....you guys might be missing something incredible and, what some believe to be very possible.

J611
A1218
Y6a2156

Hey OKTrainboys...do you know something that I don't know? What's this about N&W Y-6a #2156? To run?

They're moving 2156, not restoring her.