Will #9 be visiting the SR&RL as #6 any time after it becomes operational?

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Now that we are nearing the completion of the rebuild of #9, what are the chances of it making a visit to the SR&RL at Phillips for an opportunity to run on its home rails once more?  It could temporarily be renumbered SR&RL 6 and have the initials on the side of the fuel bunker. Imagine the photo ops.  A similar event was held several years ago when locomotive #10 became Pleasure Island & Western RR #5 for a brief period to recognize its 9 year long career at that park in Wakefield, Mass.  I would think that a visit by #9 to Phillips would help pump some enthusiasm into that group.  It surely would be worth a visit up there for most of us.  What's the concensus?

Richard Symmes

[James Patten]

Great idea, and we'd love to make it happen.  However our ability to do this would need to be negotiated with the locomotive's owner, Dale King.  Let's finish the engine first! 

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Hi Richard,

With the utmost respect, I feel this and similar ideas are premature for a number of reasons.  This machine hasn't operated in a long time and has undergone a major upgrade- to the core.  I would expect a very long shakedown period- measured in years (1 or 2), not months or weeks.  This isn't a big deal when no more than 3 miles from home on our own road- anything further could become a little nerve-wracking.

After the amount of investment we have in this project now- emotional investment- I think many of us want the chance to enjoy the machine at home before worrying about a tour.  It is a Sandy River engine, but it's also a Wiscasset engine.

Many of us have discussed a tour- thinking mainly of Phillips.  I'd like to see it happen- as I'm sure many would.  I believe it can and probably will happen- with a lot of ifs including permission from the owner as James mentioned.  I just want to finish the engine and have a chance to breathe before we think about extending our reach beyond home turf.

Hope all is well with you, and hope you see the spirit of my point wihout taking offense!

See ya
Jason 

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

No offense taken!  I was not suggesting that it go to Phillips before the paint is dry. I would, however, enjoy seeing it make a guest appearance there, as I'm sure (and you pointed out) many others would. I remember quite a few years ago, one of the ex-Monson locomotives went up to Strong for a weekend run. The folks had put down about 400 feet of track on the original roadbed just south of the old station site. We went up and had a grand time. There were still a few former SR&RL employees living at the time and they came down to see it. I interviewed one on video. He had been a trackworker as a teen during the final years of the line.  Just hearing that whistle for the first time in Strong since the final scrap train left town was spine-tingling.  Imagine hearing the last surviving SR&RL locomotive's whistle in Phillips?  Here's hoping that eventually it will happen.  Meanwhile, onward and upward. And hearty congratulations to all involved in the restoration.

Richard