So, Recently, on my trip to Framingham I’ve discovered that Bay Colony #1701, an Ex Detroit toledo and shoreline GP7 has been sitting on a disused line since since the BCLR closed in 2023, and I’ve emailed a local museum and the shortline that took over operations. The shortline doesn’t look like they intend to do anything with it and someone already went looking for copper in the battery. The cab was welded shut along with the prime mover doors, along with parts like the horn, bell, Headlights, and numberboards remaining, however it’s fuel tank is leaking. With the relatively sudden closure of the BCLR, its likely the unit is intact inside. There’s a good chance this could be preserved
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What did you do?
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There’s a chance of this unit getting preserved
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At least park it under something
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Prioritize raising the funding to move it somewhere that can reasonably be secured – now that you’ve published its existence on the railfan Internet.
I’d look at seeing what permits and special equipment might be needed to pump the fuel out of that leaking tank and then using something like Perma-Sorb blown in to stop any residual dribble. Then cocoon the unit to limit potential water damage, particularly down stacks or vents or around the radiators, and reduce access to the bell, horn, builder’s plates, or other things that appeal to the wrong fringe of the foamer community. You might arrange to get a security fence donated to go around it, and wireless security cameras to detect ‘tampering’ attempts.
It would be difficult to get money, and perhaps permission, to do this on a unit you do not have title to (or authority over) – you need a solid 501(c)(3) organization as a potential entity for donation or lease, and a carefully publicized plan to establish tax deductibility.
If RyPN has gotten over its DDoS woes, you might join over there and see what support you can get from the serious preservation community.
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yes