Cosmetic restoration of a steam locomotive does not cost a great deal unless
a professional is hired to do the work. A proper job takes a lot of time
and elbow grease, but is easily within the skill levels of dedicated
volunteers who have proper guidance. My notes show the locomotive is owned
by the city, which means an approved volunteer group should have some access
to city-owned equipment, like trucks, air compressors, bucket loaders,
backhoes, etc., which can come
in handy from time-to-time. Local businesses can usually be persuaded to
make some in-kind donations, and federal TEA-21 funding can be applied for,
as well as the possibility of some state historic funding. Even BNSF might
be tapped for some help.
The main restoration cost would likely be asbestos abatement of the lagging,
which must
be done only by certified contractors, in tented conditions. Even if the
lagging has been removed from the boiler already, there is probably some
left on the backhead and steam heat piping. Abatement contractors should
not be allowed to remove any appliances, however, as they are likely to use
a torch instead of wrenches. The contractor should only have to loosen the
jacket banding and lift off the jacket sheets, with all in-the-way
appliances carefully removed by the volunteers beforehand. The jacketing
should be saved even if rusted, as it provides a pattern for replacement
sheets. The lagging thckness is usually replaced with wood or styrofoam
strips under the jacketing.
I personally feel it is our duty as rail enthusiasts to take these sad old
iron horses under our wing, and do what is best for the locomotive. We
cannot blame city fathers for their lack of maintenance, as they have enough
other problems to deal with and know nothing about locomotive maintenance.
Certainly many display locomotives won't run again, but there is no reason
why they can't look like they could, including full restoration of the cab
interior. The
RRs gave these to communities with pride, and I feel the communities
(meaning us) should maintain them with pride. A city with a display
locomotive should be able to advertise it proudly, and not be ashamed of its
condition.
Bob Yarger, Editor
Railway Preservation News (website)
www.rypn.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed & Betty Padgett <epadgett@p...>
To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, March 26, 2001 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [BRHSlist] Sheridan's 05
>Bob,
>
>I understand where you are coming from, but when I lived out there in the
>'50's, money was not something that would be easy to raise for any subject.
>Cattle and tourist were the main source of income and cattle are not great
>to be in today.
>
>Harold may have a better prespective today but Sheridan is not a real big
>place (for Wy. it's pretty good though).
>
>Ed Padgett
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Robert Yarger <ryarger1@n...>
>To: <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2001 3:50 PM
>Subject: [BRHSlist] Sheridan's 05
>
>
>> Personally, I wouldn't take no for an answer, when it comes to saving
such
>a
>> beautiful but neglected artifact. If I lived in Sheridan, I'd develop a
>> well-thought-out plan for the engine's cosmetic restoration and
re-present
>> it to whoever holds the reins. If this were still unsuccessful, I'd then
>go
>> to the media, which is usually digging for subjects of controversy. By
>> presenting yourselves as being more knowledgable and caring than those
who
>> have rejected your offer of help, you can cause them slight embarrassment
>> and win public favor. I cannot imagine anyone in town who really prefers
>a
>> deteriorated eyesore locomotive to one that looks like it just rolled out
>of
>> the backshop.
>>
>> My guess is they probably doubt your group's abilities and committment,
>plus
>> they may have concerns about your being exposed to asbestos and other
>> liabilities. These are all unwarranted, and with proper P.R. can be
>> overcome. Should you need more advice on cosmetic restoration, I'm happy
>to
>> provide whatever I know, and can put you in touch with the real experts
if
>> need be. Cosmetic restoration of steam locomotives is not rocket
science,
>> but is a difficult and dirty experience that will require several years
of
>> volunteer comittment to be done properly. It involves much more than a
>> paint job, with much removal of corrosion and rot in some really cramped,
>> dark and horrid places. Doing so, however, stabilizes deterioration and
>> preserves the engine for the "someday" when funds might be found for an
>> operational restoration.
>>
>> Bob Yarger, Editor
>> Railway Preservation News (website)
>> www.rypn.org
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Harold S. Huber Jr. <sarge912@h...>
>> To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
>> Date: Sunday, March 25, 2001 3:14 PM
>> Subject: Re: [BRHSlist] Re:Wyoming O5s (was Lines West)
>>
>>
>> >I live in Sheridan and will try to get down in the next few days and
>take
>> >some photos but will need help putting them in the files section. Yes,
>it
>> >is too sad that it has wasted away, Sheridan never saw an O5 and is more
>> >intereseted in their extinct trolley line than that engine. The guys at
>> the
>> >Sheridan Model Railroad Assn. of which 5 of us are BRHS members tried to
>do
>> >something about it, but the Rotarians said no, so our hands are tied.
>> >Harold
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >> How about posting some photos of the Sheridan engine?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
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