Re: NNG: # of Operating Climax Locos

All,

Apparently, I've created a bit of controversy on another message board with my statement that there were only 3 operable Climax Locomotives left in the world. I've edited my original post just slightly to change the word "operable" to "operating." After consulting with a friend who has direct knowledge of the one loco that was a question in my mind, I now believe that there are 4 such engines which could technically operate legally, but I still maintain that only 3 such engines are actually in operation.

Here's the run-down on the engines which are operating or have operated in the last few years.

First, the runners:

1. Moore-Keppel Climax #6 (now Cass Scenic Railroad #9), Cass Scenic Railroad, Cass, WV, 70-ton, 3-truck, coal-burner

2. Beebe River Lumber Co. Climax #6 at Clark's Trading Post in Lincoln, NH, 50-ton, 2-truck, wood-burner

3. Puffing Billy Climax #1694, Puffing Billy Railway, Melbourne, Australia, narrow-gauge, 2-truck, wood-burner

The rest and their situations:

1. Hillcrest Lumber #10, Mt. Rainier Railroad & Museum, Mineral, WA, 70-ton, 3-truck, oil-burner. I'm told this engine still has some time left on its Form 4, but has not operated in several years. When I was last there in 2014, the railroad was no longer doing FRA Annual Inspections on it
.
2. Moore-Keppel Climax #3, Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Durbin, WV. 55-ton, 2-truck, coal-burner. This engine has not operated in at least 3 years and sits tarped over in the yard at Cass, awaiting restoration and a 1,472-SDI. The engine is missing some parts. It was replaced by Cass Heisler #6 on the Durbin Rocket operation.

Hope that clarifies everything for folks. Obviously, if someone has first-hand knowledge of any errors in the above information, please PM me and let's talk.

Thanks,

/Kevin Madore



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2019 07:30AM by KevinM.