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Friends of the 457 group seeks funding to stop erosion
I hope that somebody can preserve any M&St.L freight cars that might still be lingering before managers at the UP sends out a scrapping crew.
WOW!
The 457 looks sharp. I live in Atlanta so I don’t travel to Iowa very often but if I do your story and the hard work done here will make me want to stop and visit. What a wonderful contribution to the community.
Sincerely,
David Eisman
What a very impressive effort! These folks are to be commended to their dedication!
Gene you deserve a big thank you. Not that much remains of M & Saint L. artifacts.
Joseph, not much of the M&StL remains at all. Being one of the first “fallen flags” (1960) it has been largely abandoned, save for a few short segments here in Iowa and Minnesota
Mason City is also home to the last freight interurban, which still uses 90+ year old freight motors. This city is worth a visit!
In 2005 “Railfan and Railroad” magazine had an article telling the story of the restoration. Someones good wife sacrified a stainless steel mixing bowl for the headlight reflector! I don’t recall what month’s issue it was, heck I can’t believe it’s seven years already since I read it!
In 2005 “Railfan and Railroad” magazine had an article telling the story of the restoration. Someones good wife sacrificed a stainless steel mixing bowl for the headlight reflector! I don’t recall what month’s issue it was, heck I can’t believe it’s seven years already since I read it!
In 2005 “Railfan and Railroad” magazine had an article telling the story of the restoration. Someones good wife sacrificed a stainless steel mixing bowl for the headlight reflector! I don’t recall what month’s issue it was, heck I can’t believe it’s seven years already since I read it!
These guys have their act together. There is no reason why every displayed locomotive couldn’t look like this. It only takes one dedicated person (who will take advice from those who know how to do it) to get the project going. Railfans can almost be counted on not to help (too busy re-photographing the same trains they took pictures of last week), but ordinary people will usually help. Cosmetic restoration of a locomotive does not cost that much if performed by volunteers, and if the engine is sheltered, the restoration can last a long time.