I rode in to Abilene yesterday and happened to visit the engine shed where restoration has been underway for a couple of years.
A lot of work has been completed since I last saw this steamer that was built in 1919. Santa Fe stored the locomotive “servicable” about 60 years ago, and that apparently was the truth, as the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad intends to fire the engine up this summer.
This is pretty exciting.
See later messages for pictures, updates and a video clip
Sweet – did you happen to take any pictures?
Dumb me didn’t have my camera with me.
It is in a two stall shed and it looks like there are a lot of parts to put back in place. But the two men did say this summer. The smoke box door was open and I could see all the boiler tubes. In addition they have replaced the boiler cladding, with insulation underneath (non-asbestos I would presume).
I’m going to start monitoring progress and hope to be on hand when the engine starts to breathe again.
A recent update from the Abilene and Smokey Valley Railroad. See link:
As promised?
See this link from youtube, recently uploaded.
The FRA will conduct an inspection and hopefully certify the boiler on December 2nd. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad plans a run-by and photo-op for media promotion that day. Stay tuned!
ex-Santa Fe Pacific #3415 successfully passed the boiler inspection by FRA this morning and then made its first official public debut. Steamed east about 1/2 mile to the old fomer Rock Island Depot immediately adjacent to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library to pose in front of a good sized crowd waiting there with the press and broadcast media.
#3415 waiting in the Engine House
#3415 Steams out of the Engine House
Engineer Joe Minick Media Interview
#3415 Approaching Buckeye in Abilene, Kansas
ex-Santa Fe Pacific #3415 spotted across from Rock Island Depot. Eisenhower Libary grounds in background.
Up and running and restored and ready! SF #3415 is ready to begin revenue runs on Saturday the 23rd. Here are pictures taken a month ago.
On the Prairie:
On the mainline:
On the trestle:
On the bridge:
Is this worth a visit to Abilene, Kansas?
Worth a visit? Oh, my, yes. I was passing through on Aug 2nd and watched her as she pulled out of the R.I. depot. I immediately walked into the waiting room and purchased a ticket to ride in the cab on Labor Day.