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Age of Steam acquires “Prairie” engine
Great, another steam engine now out of view of the public and into the trophy case of Jerry Jacobson…
Bloody NIMBYs. I’d LOVE to have an operating steam railroad in my backyard, so would a lot of people I know.
At least it’s found a good home. Thank you Jerry!
Uh, Mr. Mike, what’s the alternative? A scrap dealer? Hoping against hope a rail museum somewhere might have the surplus funds to purchase the Prairie? Steamtown? Enough said there.
Let Jerry Jacobsen have his “trophy case.” At least the locomotive will be intact and well-cared for, and who knows what the future may bring? I’m just thankful there’s someone in the private sector with deep enough pockets to be active in steam locomotive preservation.
The North Lake operation was wonderfully low key on a former Milw. Road branch. Not too many guys are able to have a private RR, much less for 3 decades.
Jerry Jacobson’s Age of Steam Roundhouse is now allowing groups to tour his “trophy case” . Here is the link for more information:
http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/tour-announce.html
I respect anyone that has a private collection. However ,I don’t think it needs to be advertised when it is out of public view !!!
It was a locomotive owned by a private owner and as such I see no problem with Jocobson purchasing it. Mike does have a point when Jacobson purchases locomotives from city parks and such. Locomotives donated to the public for public display. The problem I have with that is they make the public sign a non disclosure form forbidding anyone from posting photographs/videos of anything on the AOS property. You can take photos for your own use but cant Sell or Post photos.
It is a neat engine that I enjoyed riding behind at North Lake (Kettle Moraine Scenic). That was a nifty operation that we were sorry to lose in the Milwaukee area although it is true that a ride that was once through woods and prairie and farmland became a ride through some suburban yards. I am pleased the engine was preserved regardless of the circumstances.