Part Of The Santa Fe Railroad to Help C&O 2716 Steam Again

March 7, 2022 Part of a Santa Fe engine is heading East, thanks to a creative collaboration between two unlikely preservation partners.

Later this year, two 501(c)(3) entities, the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. and the Pueblo (CO) Railway Foundation are partnering to swap locomotive components, a move that will bring one 78-year-old locomotive’s restoration closer to completion. The move will send two fully-rebuilt cross-compound air compressors from former Santa Fe Northern type locomotive #2912 in Pueblo, Colorado, across the country to Kentucky, where Chesapeake and Ohio No. 2716 is being rebuilt for eventual operation. In return, Kentucky Steam will send C&O 2716’s non-operational air pumps to Pueblo, and the components will be mounted on the cosmetically-restored Santa Fe engine built in 1944.

Santa Fe 2912 on display in Pueblo

It’s estimated that the transaction will save the restoration effort of C&O 2716 anywhere from $50-$70,000 and is a landmark partnership between two rail preservation institutions that have not collaborated in the past.

The Pueblo Railway Foundation was formed in 2003, taking over the assets and railroad preservation work of its predecessor, the Pueblo Locomotive & Rail Historical Society. The organization currently runs the Pueblo Railway Museum, and owns several historic pieces of rail equipment, including Santa Fe 2912 which was under restoration work in the 2000s. Several of the engine’s major appliances were fully rebuilt by Backshop Enterprises before the group made the difficult decision in 2011 to abandon the return of 2912 to operation and settle for a cosmetic restoration. Among the rebuilt components were two cross-compound air compressors, the exact type that was used on many American locomotives in the mid-20th century, including C&O 2716.

Air pumps – more properly termed cross-compound air compressors – are vital appliances that adorn every operating steam locomotive. In simple terms, they utilize steam power to produce compressed air, and the air is pumped into high-capacity tanks on the locomotive. The readily available reserve of air is vital to any railroad operation, as the brakes for the locomotive and each rail car are operated by the application and reduction of air pressure. The acquisition and fabrication of parts for these precise mini-powerplants is always a large portion of any historic locomotive restoration. For Kentucky Steam, the aspect of acquiring already-rebuilt air pumps was an amazing yet elusive opportunity.

2716's left side cross-compound air compressor

Dave Dandurand, an officer with the Pueblo Railway Foundation, explained how the transaction came to be.

“Jason Sobczynski, Chief Mechanical Officer of Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, knew about the progress of our 2912 rebuilding efforts and contacted the PRF in late 2021 to inquire about the status and availability of the air compressors,” he said. “After a quick discussion among the PRF Board of Directors, an agreement was reached whereby KSHC will bring the compressors from C&O 2716 by truck to Pueblo, and swap them with the compressors on 2912.”

Sobczynski elaborates on the reasoning behind the overture to the PRF.

“The farther we got into dismantling 2716, the more we realized that the air pumps were going to be a significant investment on both time and money,” he said. “I knew about the rebuilt compressors in Pueblo and figured we would at least inquire about a swap. Their willingness to work with us will save us a significant amount of resources, and their engine won't undergo any cosmetic changes with the old pumps from 2716. It’s really a win-win situation for us both.”

In addition to exchanging components, Kentucky Steam will present a donation check to PRF as a sign of goodwill and to help cover some of the costs associated with the completed rebuilding of the compressors over a decade ago.

Founded in 2015, The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation has a long-term lease on 2716 from its owner, the Kentucky Railway Museum. The engine, built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, is the centerpiece of the organization’s ambitious rail-based tourism project based in Estill County, Kentucky. Kentucky Steam purchased a 40-acre former CSX rail yard in 2018 and has been steadily renovating the space into a railroad-centered campus which will feature the already-refurbished locomotive repair facility, as well as a concert venue, restaurant, and museum. While trains are the theme, the complex will be the hallmark of Appalachian revitalization, providing a springboard for experience-based tourism.

Organization president Chris Campbell says that the locomotive will be both an attraction at their Irvine, Kentucky-based facility, and will also go on the road often, acting as a rolling marketing tool for Appalachian Kentucky’s own tourist endeavors.

“Our hope is that the locomotive will captivate a new audience wherever it goes,” he said. “2716 will bring people to whoever is hosting us as well as eventually draw them to visit us in Kentucky.

“It’s quite the story to have our mission be able to be carried out thanks to a partnership with an organization over 1,200 miles away” he said. “We can’t thank the folks at the Pueblo Railway Foundation enough for considering our project as worthy of support.”

The Pueblo Railway Foundation’s mission is to operate, preserve, and display railroad equipment and history, focusing on Southern Colorado. By displaying historic artifacts to the public, their goal is to promote interest in railroading, as well as champion the preservation and study of railroading history of the region.

The Museum is one of the only places to feature operating artifacts from the Colorado & Wyoming Railroad. Also on display are vintage pieces of equipment from the Santa Fe and Denver & Rio Grande Western railroads. The highlight of each year is the PRF’s “Pueblo Express” Christmas train rides at the Pueblo Union Depot, a festive event with more than 1,000 attendees last December.

Reid Adams, another officer at the PRF, says that though they and Kentucky Steam are separated by distance, their collaboration is welcomed and can help both entities reach their goals.

“We are excited to work with the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation and share components of our vintage steam locomotive static display so that the C&O 2716 can become fully operational. Parts and components for steam engines are hard to find and very difficult to fabricate. Therefore, it is vital for museums and rail heritage organizations across the country to collaborate and share resources to help preserve vintage equipment. The PRF and KSHC partnership demonstrates how groups can work together to preserve historic railroad artifacts.”

For more information about the Pueblo Railway Foundation and the Museum, visit https://pueblorailway.org/

To learn more about Kentucky Steam, visit www.kentuckysteam.org

C&O 2716 on display at the Kentucky Railway Museum

RFP For EPA Brownfield Cleanup Award Availble

The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation team is requesting proposals to conduct cleanup activities in accordance with the USEPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant awarded in 2021. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the RFP to place a bid, contact Sherry Weedman with Tetra Tech at sherry.weedman@tetratech.com

KSHC Inks Operations Deal for C&O 2716

December 25, 2021

Kentucky Steam announces first of several operations for historic locomotive 2716 RAVENNA, Ky. — An ambitious plan to restore and operate C&O 2716, a 75-year-old, 400-ton steam locomotive, has received a major boost. The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation has inked an agreement that will bring the mammoth steam engine rolling into New England on the first of several stops on an exciting residency program. The Railroad Museum of New England, based in Thomaston, Connecticut, has signed up to be a months-long host to C&O 2716, a massive “Kanawha” type engine built by the American Locomotive Company in 1943. The agreement will allow the engine to be the star of the already-popular tourist operation that operates a 19-mile route between Waterbury and Torrington, Connecticut.

Passenger Operations on the RMNE pass through beautiful Connecticut scenery

The engine’s visit to Thomaston is the first and longest stop on an ambitious year-long sojourn from the locomotive’s home in Irvine, Kentucky. Several other stops will be announced at a later date. Howard Pincus, Chairman of RMNE, said he is thrilled to be the first operation to host the mammoth piece of rolling history. “We’re pleased to be hosting C&O 2716 on our railroad, as it will be the first large steam locomotive to operate in New England since 1976,” Mr. Pincus said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to partner with a capable and visionary group like KSHC. Moving operational steam locomotives between heritage groups is quite common in Great Britain, but has only been done a few times in the United States.” Though the engine is currently undergoing an extensive restoration process in Kentucky Steam’s own shop facility in Irvine, Kentucky, there have not been any clearly-defined opportunities for the engine to stretch its legs. Chris Campbell, president of the Kentucky-based 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, says that solidifying a goal of operations gives a new breath of life into the restoration effort which has been partially stymied by challenges introduced by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our goal is to restore and run this giant marvel of engineering, bringing about and promoting tourism for our region,” said Campbell. “The 2716 residency program can be an opportunity to both let new generations of people experience the sensory overload that locomotives like this provide, as well as to promote our own tourism endeavors here in Irvine to others that may not know about us. We are thrilled to be kicking it off with a first class institution like the RMNE.” Founded in 1968 to preserve the railroad history and culture of the region, The Railroad Museum of New England has operated its Naugatuck Railroad since 1995 for both heritage tourism and commercial freight trains. RMNE has an extensive collection of regional rail artifacts, including freight and passenger railcars, locomotives, and the restored 1881 Thomaston Station, centerpiece of Naugatuck excursion operations. More than 30,000 passengers ride “Naugy” trains annually. “We plan to feature 2716 on regular and special passenger excursions throughout the engine’s residency,” Mr. Pincus said. “Our 1920s open-window coaches will allow riders to experience the sounds and sights of steam power in the Litchfield Hills of Northwestern Connecticut. There will also be opportunities for special photo events, featuring our collection of 1920s-1950s vintage freight cars, making a historically-appropriate freight train for 2716.” Mr. Pincus added that, “We aren’t counting out any operational opportunity for the engine while it’s here. There are bound to be some surprises, and we have a lot of imagination. Think about seeing 2716 steaming through a New England winter snowfall!”

Historic Thomaston Station has been painstakingly restored

Founded in 2015, The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation has a long-term lease on the 2716 from its owner, the Kentucky Railway Museum. The engine is the centerpiece of the organization’s ambitious rail-based tourism project based in Estill County, Kentucky. Kentucky Steam purchased a 40-acre former CSX rail yard in 2018 and has been steadily renovating the space into a railroad-centered campus which will house the already-refurbished locomotive repair facility, as well as a concert venue, restaurant and museum. While trains are the theme, the complex will be the hallmark of Appalachian revitalization, providing a springboard for experience-based tourism. Campbell says that the locomotive will be both an attraction at their Irvine facility, but will also go on the road often, acting as a rolling marketing tool for Appalachian Kentucky’s own tourist endeavors. “Our hope is that the locomotive will captivate a new audience wherever it goes,” he said. “2716 will bring people to whoever is hosting us as well as eventually draw them to visit us in Kentucky.” While the engine will clearly be a new and exciting draw for The Railroad Museum of New England’s own operations, their Board Chairman has a bit of a personal interest in bringing the engine to Thomaston. “Personally, I’ve been following the progress of KSHC for years as they have achieved their goals, and I’m a believer in their project,” Mr. Pincus said. “Being able to host their locomotive at our railroad in Connecticut is great for both KSHC and RMNE; they will have an engine ready to operate, and we have a railroad to use it on! The excitement and drama of a large, operating steam locomotive is something that should be seen as often as possible.” Dates and times for the multi-month event will be announced sometime in 2022. As Campbell explains, the locomotive will need to hit several key fundraising and restoration progress goals before the events can be finalized and tickets can be offered for pre-sale. “We are several years off from making our way up east,” he said. “But with announcements like this, we hope people who have considered contributing to the restoration can see an end goal in sight. We are excited to get the engine fully operational and bring people to us in Kentucky. But we are equally as excited to get out on the road.” While en-route to and from Connecticut, there will be additional venues for 2716 to operate in excursion passenger service over regional and shortline railroads. These possibilities are being explored and will bring the excitement of 2716’s operation to some regions that have not seen major steam excursions in over 30 years. In tandem with this announcement, KSHC is spearheading a fund drive to raise $10,000 for the locomotive’s restoration by the end of 2021. To make a project-dedicated tax-deductible donation to the locomotive’s rehab, visit THIS LINK HERE or by mail to Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, 499 Kirkland Ave, Irvine KY 40336. For more information, visit www.kentuckysteam.org and www.rmne.org.

C&O 2716 dressed up for the Southern Railway in July of 1982 traveling to Charlottesville, VA