STEAMIN' - Ocotber 16, 2010

I have personally suggested and contacted some of the Historical Societies for assistance, monetary or volunteer labor, to help along such an idea. The reality is that those organizations face many of the same challenges, financially and organizationally, that IRM does. While many have much broader public exposure and recognition, none have a wheelbarrow full of money to donate or spread around, and many face a static or dwindling membership level. Some have been quite supportive to our preservation goals, including MRHA and GNRHS. They also deserve fan support and our heartfelt thanks. Bob Kutella

I am not sure what you mean by the "other 3". The decapod has been out for steam trials, and the only remaining space available was occupied, and still is, by UP 428 and the shay No. 5. Undoubtedly the decapod will be going back inside for the winter, to continue to have adjustments and finishing touches done. That has to be their number one priority. I am also sure work will continue on the other two projects depending on volunteer resources and funding. Bob Kutella

A lot of problems with the idea. First, I do not see any way the 428 will be ready next year. Too much work to do on the 1630 and the Shay, which is next in line, and if any operating days do materialize, the shop crew runs the locomotive, so less work on the next projects. Remember the 1630 was built for Russia at 5 foot gauge. To resell those in the US extra wide driver tires were applied to reach a narrower US standard gauge. The net effect is the outside of these tires hang over the railheads. That severely limits its movement ANYWHERE that self guarding frogs are used, along with such things as point guards. When moved to IRM decades ago there was a restricted movement notice with it but crews were not always vigilant and some specialwork in the Kansas City area was damaged or destroyed. But the really big issue is money - money for insurance. There are few mailine excursions being run anymore partly because the host railroads require a massive liability insurance policy. This can only be borne by ticket sales, often adding $100 to the cost of EACH ticket. I suppose this could be considered, if someone could come up with a sponsor willing to foot over $100,000 in costs, and the waivers, logistics, and routings could be worked out. As to the Zephyr I doubt any railroad will accept that for movement in the future. When the body repairs were done there was fundraising to also do the mandated 40 year rebuild of the trucks. Those efforts did not get the support of the members and the public, so that truck work was not completed.

Sorry you may have been disappointed in the lack of a steam article in the most recent R&W. But it was not ALL electric trolley. There were articles from Buildings and Grounds, the Track guys, Strahorn Library, Passenger Coach Department, the Bus Department, and Operations. And on the Pick a Project page, toward the bottom, there is always a section for each department to receive your donation. By way of explanation, I think the Editors do a good job of covering the Museum in R&W and I know they try to achieve a balance of subject matter. But understand they do not 'manufacture' the content, have no staff, and are totally dependent upon material that is submitted to them. So if the Steam Department chooses not to write anything up or submit photos, that is their choice. But there is no shortage of interest at IRM (of steam) and no lack of activity by those hard working fellows. I am pretty confident they will meet their goal and have steam at IRM in 2011. And THANK YOU for your donation and support of STEAM! Bob Kutella

I cannot argue with your perception of news at IRM, but there is no diminishing of effort or interest with our steam program. Any project which needs money relies on dedicated volunteers, and their efforts to publicize the work, and 'beg' for donations. That can take a lot of time and effort, time taken away from the actual work on the campus. Also you must understand that the "MUSEUM" does not have the funds to support much if any of the restoration work. They are not channeling funds to favor one department or another. It is the donations of members and friends that support restoration activity. Bob Kutella

The 'traction faction' is just an endearing term for the group of guys that largely work and support our collection of trolleys and their operation. 'Steam team' is similar for our boilermakers. It is not meant to be a term of derision, and I added that lovingly since many of the recent comments seemed to have the perception that those guys get the money and steer the decision making, when in fact virtually all restoration projects have equal footing and are supported by new donations. Each of the five or six equipment departments has some sort of moniker in house and on the campus. Bob Kutella