Railroad Forums
Moderators: MEC407, NHN503
I have heard from two different people that the tender for the 501 is now in one of the stalls at CSR getting prepped for paint and and some maintenance. Beyond the paint, does anyone know how extensive the work will be? Will sheet metal have to be replaced? Will the work include prepping things, so that IF the funds become available to make it operational, it will make it easier to transition to that next level of restoration work?eriemike wrote:Here's something on topic!Last time I saw the tender it looked to have some areas that were rotted out. Before they paint it I would assume some things will need to be replaced.
Onward and upward!
The MECnanic wrote:For your information CSRR does not own the tracks on the Mountain Division Line. The State of New Hampshire owns them. The CSRR does not own #501 You may think you are some big shot , however I am fully aware of provisions contained within the Constitution that provide me with a vast array of remidies for those intent on depriving me of Due Process Art 14 U.S. and many others.Court ordered Injunctions. My law library sources are not withinreach tonite , but be certain of one thing, i am not a push over ! I have tried everything that has ben sugested to me as to how to end this so caled frift, back last spring. I have al the documents that are dated and, because Mr Matt rines was thinking ahead I have a number if documents and lists of names ans what is what to FRY any number of people who think they are going to deny me a place in the cab of the #501 on the day she runs. If you believe the train wil move very far without me in that cab, you and many people are going to be in for the biggest shock of your lifer. There is only one who knows the appointed hour and who willdo what , that my man is GOD ALMIGHTY, not you ,not russ or the Club Keep blasting away at me, the more youfolks do , the more fuel you put on my fire Bottom Line if you or russ or anyone thinks they are going to chew mre all up , man are you in for a BIG ,BIG surprise. You feel lucky, try me, do you think you can get me boxed on, think twice I am not adraid to die, are you? I think you get the picture . I offered the hand of friendship top seybold and got slapped down, Now i go to the next step and hold peoples feet to the dire till they scream You do what you need to do and so will i . and when the smoke clears and the dust settles, I,ll be holdong the torch of victory, UNDERSTAND. Beat it.Your right the CSRR doesn't own the tracks the state does nevertheless the CSRR has the contract to maintain and operate the line themselves and your also correct about the CSRR not owning the Rust Bucket *shakes head - I mean the 501. You want to know something else the CSRR only owns one engine (7470) the rest are leased out. You want to run the Rust Bucket yourself that's fine but expect to pay $$$. Two things need to happen (that I can think of) for someone else to run on the tracks: You will need to get a form "D" from the CSRR or you yourself will need to sit down with the NHDOT and work out a contract. Either one is going to want proof of insurance and the certifications to operate. Don’t be surprised if you pay up for maintaining the rails either (I believe the CSRR gets some funding assistants but not 100%). You plan on running the Rust Bucket yourself? You need a qualified crew to assist you volunteer or not. You want to sell tickets you need an even bigger crew and cars to rent; I certainly don't think the CSRR will let you use theirs for free; that’s to say if they would even let you rent them.
b&m 1566 wrote:Last time I saw the tender it looked to have some areas that were rotted out. Before they paint it I would assume some things will need to be replaced.Thanks b&m 1566
Do you or anyone else know how long it will take to get the tender completed? I would assume they will want it done before the winter as they would want to use that stall to work on CSRR equipment. In general I was told that the boiler itself for #501 is in pretty good shape considering its age and hasn't run in decades; but that there were some issues inside the boiler, though nothing serious. This is probably where the money & time come into play.
Unfortunately, the 501 will not be restored to operate "anytime soon". We have decided instead to restore the locomotive cosmetically as a static display, but being careful to do nothing that would prevent its being made operational at some future time. The problem boils down to time and money, as most things do. Restoring the locomotive to operate would be VERY expensive. Personally, I think the money would be forthcoming if a definite plan to restore it were in place. Not everyone agrees, however. An even more serious concern is "Where would she operate?". The Conway Scenic Railroad has said that they cannot at this time see that they would be in a position to operate the 501 as well as their own steam locomotive 7470. Granted, this may change, but it would not be prudent to embark upon a restoration process without knowing for sure that there would be a place to run the locomotive. (There are other possibilities, but they are just "dreams" at this point in time.) That is because FRA certification lasts for only a fixed amount of time - the locomotive could be restored and certified, but with no place to run it, the time would run out and we would have gained nothing! In the meantime, the tender is currently being painted, and the locomotive itself will soon be. We are looking for ways to protect it from the weather once cosmetically restored. One of the things we are considering is a temporary "shed" that could be put over the locomotive in the winter and removed in the spring. That is the current status of this project.
