Give the steam dept. 5 million and you'll see any locomotive you want in the collection operational. Other than that...MQT1223 wrote:There is not another locomotive that IRM could possibly restore if they ever had the chance? What about that ICRR 2-4-4 or the saddle tankers? There is that Lehigh and New England 0-6-0 too, just to name a few.Bulby wrote:As a further update to this thread:
938 is due to be switched back outside next weekend, if it hasn't moved already. 1630 will go in to the shop for the winter as soon as the 938 is out.
While the boiler survey is not in my hands, the 938 is still not a candidate for operational restoration. Based on what is known, it would take at least as long as the 428 has.
Once the shay and the 428 are done, the big push will hopefully be to fund the firebox work on the 26. This of course assumes that 428 and the shay are done before 1630 goes down for a re-tube.
Both the 101 and the CE 5 need extensive work, basically, when they ran at IRM before, they were spit-and-bailing wire restorations, and both locomotives are totally worn out.
It is unfortunate that the 101 is so worn out, as it is the perfect size for IRM. At some point, the saddle tank that has been dis-assembled (I forget the number off hand) could be restored to operate, in the same operations pattern as the shay. Depending on the condition of the pressure vessel and running gear, the fireless would be a nice piece to operate, as not many museums have operating fireless steam locomotives.
Coronet Phosphate 9 might be a good candidate, but I don't think it is in good shape (I'd be happy to be wrong), it is a phosphate switcher, and those seem to all be rough.
I would argue that the only appropriate actions for the ICRR 2-4-4 is a full cosmetic restoration and display. It is a small, old, historic piece that should be conserved rather than operated. For now, I would say the same thing about the 4-4-0 16. I would suggest that C&O 2707, AT&SF 2903, MILW 265, N&W 2050, and CB&Q 4963 should also fall into the category of "full cosmetic restoration and display" operation not considered.
The only reason any 0-6-0 would be considered under the current climate is if it were a tank engine, and even then, it is to small for much use.