J&L Steel 58 returned to operation on May 4, 2019 with her first revenue runs on the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad at the Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum in Youngstown, OH. She ran again on May 11 for our own "Last Spike" ceremony that officially ended the five year initial construction of the railroad and commenced regular operations.
This group of Porters built for J&L Steel were the heaviest and most powerful two foot gauge steam locomotives built for American service, a third larger than SR&RL 23. However, until we began this project not many people knew about these locomotives due to their use behind the walls of a steel mill where no photography was permitted.
We plan to run the 58 on a regular basis over our initial 600 feet of track. Property is being acquired to extend the mainline another 800 feet. Our first passenger car is a Crown riding on two Carpenter Steel flatcars.