Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. has received a donation of vintage parts and equipment valued at well over $200,000 from Patriot Rail to aid the non-profit organization’s restoration of C&O 2-8-4 No. 2716 and stock the group’s locomotive shop.
The donation includes some 37,000 pounds of parts, tools, and supplies from a Patriot Rail facility in Anaconda, Mont.. Among them are new steam-era piping and fasteners still in their original wooden crates. Also part of the gift are two flatbed trucks worth of machinery including four 35-ton Whiting locomotive jacks; a lathe large enough to turn 2716’s pistons and rods, and an Allen journal brass boring machine — the last known purpose-built machine of its type.
“The Anaconda facility was simply filled with things you would find in a well-stocked steam-era warehouse from seventy or more years ago,” said Jason Sobczynski, Kentucky Steam chief mechanical officer. “Many of these parts are still in their original packaging and will be of immense value to our restoration of C&O 2716 and other historic equipment. The machinery is vintage but has been well-maintained and used sporadically until recently. A historic collection like this is likely never to be found in this type of condition ever again.”
Patriot Rail operates more than 30 short lines and two heritage railways. Among them is Montana’s Butte, Anaconda & Pacific, which dates to 1891 and was acquired by Patriot in 2007. It plans to vacate some of the Anaconda shop facilities, creating the opportunity for the donation.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to donate these rare tools and equipment that will assist Kentucky Steam with their endeavors as they build and expand their operations and museum,” said David Bevins, Patriot Rail vice president of operations. “Kentucky Steam showcases and celebrates our nation’s railroad heritage while providing a unique steam-powered excursion experience located in the heart of the Bluegrass state of Kentucky. Patriot Rail works closely with organizations across its network to conserve and restore these key components of railroad operations for future generations.”
Contributions from Next Generation Rail Solutions, PaxRail, and Diamond Rail Group aided the retrieval and transport of the parts and equipment, along with hundreds of hours of work by Kentucky Steam volunteers. Jim Evenson, owner of passenger car company PaxRail, donated $10,000 of transportation cost-sharing toward the move from Montana to Kentucky. Kentucky Steam also invested over $20,000.
“This generous donation is both unprecedented and timely,” said Kentucky Steam President Chris Campbell. “We cannot thank Patriot Rail enough for trusting us to be stewards of these useful artifacts, which are not simply museum pieces — much of it will be put to use almost immediately.”
The organization is seeking to raise an additional $5,000 to offset the costs of securing and transporting the donation. Visit the Kentucky Steam website to donate or for more information.
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