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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Montana museum moves forward with Shay restoration
This engine is a great example of the early Shay locomotive. I believe it burned coal when new, switched to wood in Montana, and it ended up an oil burner.
Fundraising suggestion: section that old pilot beam lengthwise and sell as mantle beams. Might get 5-6 out of it at maybe $500 each? Other than a drilling pattern, it’s not good for much more.
Glad to see this beast being saved. I always worried about it sitting outside in Libby.
No matter how good the intentions you simply cannot store Railroad Locos and Cars outside in the elements. They deteriorate at such an alarming rate its scary and in no time at all it seems you have a heap of rust. I recall that at the end of steam many towns took advantage of buying a locomotive for the proverbial dollar and put it on display in the local park. We all know how most of those ended up. Some times not recoverable even as static displays.
No matter how good the intentions you simply cannot store Railroad Locos and Cars outside in the elements. They deteriorate at such an alarming rate its scary and in no time at all it seems you have a heap of rust. I recall that at the end of steam many towns took advantage of buying a locomotive for the proverbial dollar and put it on display in the local park. We all know how most of those ended up. Some times not recoverable even as static displays.