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Reply to "Can UP 9000 get restored"

The 9000 is easily the most impractical steam locomotive in the world to restore. It has the longest rigid wheel base which heavily restricts where it could operate and there are probably few turning facilities that could handle it. When you take away the class 1 railroads which won’t want it on their track, there is really no where for it to run. Just getting it to Pomona in the 60s was an undertaking. It was moved very very slowly through Cajon Pass with many people watching the drivers at certain turns to make sure it didn’t jump the track.

Getting back to if it were possible, I can’t speak to the condition of the boiler or running gear, but almost anything is possible with enough money, the right talent, and ample resources. This would certainly be the most expensive steam restoration ever under taken. Rail Giants could never handle such a job. They don’t have the facilities, tools, equipment, experience, knowledge, talent, or capital to undertake a project of this scale. They do a fine job keeping their roster looking beautiful and the displays maintained but they are by no means a steam rebuilding group.
A particular technical challenge is it being a 3 cylinder engine. There are very few operational 3 cylinder engines and few experts who would have experience with timing one. All operational 3 cylinders are much smaller engines and are of European descent. Not to say it couldn’t be done but some highly skilled and knowledgeable steam experts would be needed to pull it off.

Hate to burst your bubble but 9000 is a railfan’s pipe dream.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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