Restoration candidates

[NW Mailing List]

The conversations here have been all over the place of all the coulda,
woulda, shoulda, wanta, wannabes for restoring this or that favorite
locomotive, wherever it may be located, and hopefully preserved. Enough
already, let it go, let's move on as at least these two animals are forever
ensconced in their respective museums, probably for eternity, stuffed and
mounted. The animal is no longer free to roam where it once did so quite
successfully.

Many such properties, once they receive such things do not feel the need or
desire to let it out of their grasp ever again, for whatever the reason.
IRM is not one of such properties as they have probably done a better job
at restoration and preservation than many others. They are not perfect but
they try hard and mean well and do share.

As for the 2156 owners, regardless of the cracked frame segments, all that
is restoreable should the parties so desire. All it takes is a willing
railroad and then lots of $$$$$$$$. Over the years, take a look at what
significant rail objects with flanged wheels this property has permitted to
return to its former environments or even off its own property unless in
the total care, custody and control of its people? Answer -- little if
anything significant. Five years ago, Who would have thought that a Big Boy
really would be restored? Okay, it hasn't happened yet, but ifr I were a
gambler, I wouldn't be making odds against this one. However, look at what
has departed St. Louis, once it was there? Answer -- not much and if so
name it, please? What HASN'T left where genuinely interested and caring
parties would have liked the items back into its original home territory
for display and recognitions? The Reading inspection engine didn't leave;
neither did the 2156 some 30+ years ago when polite and discreet inquiries
were made. And then DL&W 952, albeit with some serious faux-pas on the
parts of both interested parties, still sits in St. Louis, too. Nothing
leaves there once it arrives and barring a serious change in managerial
attitude, probably never will, either.

Everything can't "return home" sure and the parties which have served as
the willing hosts need proper appreciations made on their behalf, but the
idea of permanently stuffing and mounting these iron horses in a permanent
manner, and many others for that matter, too, I find sad. I can go to a zoo
and see stuffed and mounted long-deceased animals, but to see the beats
roam in its native habitat, now THAT's something to behold, be it Y6a, or
any of the dozens of others around, many of which have received minimal
care, which is also sad.

So, unless there is something new, let's cut this discussion as it's going
to lead nowhere further and let's get on with some real productive and
investigative discussion.


Subject: 2156 and 2050 restoration

As a Virginia transplant to Illinois and N&W Historical Society member, I
want to let you know I would hate for the Illinois Railway Museum to lose
the 2050 and for the National Transportation Museum in St Louis to lose the
2156. There are N&W fans worldwide and we like having a small piece of its
history in easy driving distance. That said, I do understand the desire to
bring the girls home to Roanoke. And seeing them under steam would be
glorious ... since I have missed everything since then, steam wise.
Something neat happened at IRM--I was videotaping a kid about 5 years old
running around being a nuisance .. (to everyone but me) ... he climbed on
the nose of 2050 and was yanking the bell cord...I muttered to myself,
That's N&W brass, boy, and you just go to town and let me record.? His
parents have no idea that they were the ones being a nuisance...they took
him off the locomotive!
Mike Shockley
Peoria, IL
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