On Saturday I got a chance to visit Monticello again. The most important news is that the restoration of Southern 401 is still on schedule, and they hope to fire it up later this year. As mentioned before, it has a brand new boiler, and everything else has been rebuilt. The backhead (R) appears pretty complete.
Here is the rebuilt cross-compound air pump waiting to be installed.
And one of the cylinders, with a string lined up to guide the boring process. Thanks to Paul Taylor who took some time to show me through the engine shop and talk about the project.
The revenue service train consisted of this IC combine (L), a Rock Island commuter car like the ones we all know and love....
a flat car converted into an open-air excursion car (note the lack of benches)
and this Wabash caboose. Everything is nicely painted.
The IC combine is interesting. Evidently, from checking their website, they completed a fairly serious interior restoration on it recently.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to be a "Harriman" style combine, from the days when the UP, SP, and IC were under the control of Edward Harriman. On the other hand, notice the modern, lightweight-style trucks under the car. I wonder if the IC modernized this car like the IC coach at IRM.
Yes, it's a nice car. Sorry my pole filter wasn't working. There's a fence close to the track, so under the circumstances it was the best place I could stand.
ReplyDelete