List,
The talk about existing Zephyrs prompted me to write this short ?trip
report? about my recent visit to the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis
on August 11th. While some may think of the MOT as the home of SLSF 1522
(and it is), I prefer to think of it as home of the Silver Charger!
The museum is a beehive of activity and much of it centers on the ?Q?
collection. Earlier reports about the 9908 being in an advanced state of
restoration are not quite accurate. It was said that several years ago the
prime mover was in a condition that it could be turned over, but that is it.
Other than some cosmetic work, 9908 sits much as it has for several years.
The one neat thing is that the track on the engineer?s side of 9908 has
been removed so that the ground may be firmed up. For photographers, this
is a rare chance to be able to shoot both sides of the engine without
clutter. The Silver Charger nameplate on the engineer?s side is in the
baggage compartment, though.
Silver Charger would require a complete rebuild, from cab appliances to the
prime mover to the traction motors. That isn?t to say that it can?t be
done, just that right now restoration isn?t a big priority. The power truck
was recently painted and looks great, as does the herald on the nose. The
windows on either side of the center point are now one piece (the old frames
at the upper part that could be opened for ventilation rusted away). Wiring
has been run so that the headlight may be lit up for special events.
The Burlington heavyweight RPO, baggage and coach that rest directly behind
9908 are undergoing cosmetic restoration...at this point, the fireman?s side
of the cars have been completed and they look GREAT! To see pictures of the
work, click on the link below:
http://www.museumoftransport.org/projects.htm
The St. Louis Chapter of the NRHS purchased Silver Maple and Silver Larch
several years ago. Silver Maple was recently bought by a Mr. Mark Greve and
is at Illinois Transit Assembly across the river in Illinois; Silver Larch
is still owned by the NRHS and has operated behind SLSF 1522 on a special
and in charter service behind Amtrak. I don?t know what lettering the car
carries. It too is at Illinois Transit Assembly.
E8 9939A (BN 9902, MARC 64) is currently in MOT?s shop undergoing
restoration to full Q colors! According to the MOT web site (link above),
the Burlington Route Historical Society has assisted in the project by
locating a new front door with a headlight opening. The site also reports
that BRHS obtained a donation of Imron paint (way to go BRHS!!!!) 9972 is
still sitting outside the shops as MARC #92.
Silver Spoon, Aleutian, and Dubuque all sit under the shed of the Museum?s
Roberts building, safe from the elements.
The gift shop is a bit lean on Q memorabilia, but I was able to pick up a
snazzy t-shirt of the 9911A (of course, my wife?s response was ?do you need
ONE more Burlington shirt?!!!) I bet you all can't guess my reply....
I would venture to say that outside of Union, MOT probably has the largest
collection of Burlington equipment and even for the non-Q fan, the Museum
has done a fantastic job of cosmetically fixing up a lot of their other
equipment, making it well worth the visit.
Regards from San Diego,
John Lewis
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