Recently I found myself at Flint Michigan on the Huckleberry Railroad .I wa ssent there by an individual to inquire about the status of Ex-D&RGW K-27 #464 . It is one of two survivors of this class of 15 2-8-2s ordered from Baldwin in 1903 . I contacted Marty Knox ,the chief mechanical foreman regarding this matter ,and he graciously invited me out to talk and look over the operation .What I saw was very impressive ! The Huckleberry Railroad is part of Crossroads Village , a turn-of-the-century recreation of a Midwestern town and life there .Included are a working sawmill ,grist mill , working farm and even a river boat. The railroad ,four miles long , anchors the attraction , which is owned by Genesee County .
The train was back in operation for the Christmas season ,and will run till the end of December .The train consisted of a number of beautifully restored cars that hailed from the D&RGW ,RGS ,Unidos de Yucatan ,The Coahuila and Zacatecas ,Catskill Mountain Railway, and a homemade combine and a C&Z caboose .The cars all had efficient little gas heaters (it was 20 degrees mostly )The historic renovation of the passenger equipment is the best I have seen anywhere .The collection second only in size to the D&SNG ,included a jewel of an 1875 North Pacific Coast coach in the later stages of restoration .
The train was headed by a beautiful little 1920 Baldwin 4-6-0 ,from ALaska .Is is similar in size and appearance to ET&WNC #10 .I rode the locomotive several trips and it ran tight and sure .
The #464 was exactly halfway through a thorough rebuild ,sitting in a well-equipped and extesive shop . It is no longer suprheated , but the superheater manifold was still in place , with its
many holes neatly plugged . The flue sheet was changed , eliminating the 4" superheater tube holes in faver of smaller flue holes .All of the alterations ,Done at Knott's Berry Farm ,were neatly and correctly done .The boiler and sheets looked very good .The smokebox lower haslf needed replacement .There was the possibility that the 464's cylinders may be starting to work in the frame ,however like the 476 , but Marty said this was going to be addressed . The engine is going to receive new flues,tires , brasses and bearings
,cab , and tender tank .In other words a repair as thorough as the #463 received in Chama in 1994-5 .
Outside was at tiny Baldwin 2-8-0 from the Chihuhua Mineral(A "C-14",Marty said). In "kit" form was a Quincy and Torch Lake 2-6-0 with a "new"boiler shell along side . It is a native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula , and may be next for repair .
I asked if the #464 was for sale ,Marty said no ,but left the door open for something I feel is as good if not better .He proposed that the restored 464 make trip someday to Chama .Imagine the two surviving K-27s double headed .This all depends ,of cousrse on time and money, i.e. who will foot the bill to transport the engine out to Colorado . Personally I would like to see the 4-6-0 #2 come out as well .Incidentally ,the engines at Huckleberry burn coal .
The Huckleberry has a "Railfan Weekend" in August .Marty said the railroad was disappointed in how so few fans in general come up to ride the railroad in Flint .I was apalled to talk to some fans in neighboring areas and states and hear they had never visited the Huckleberry . Marty stressed that he wanted to assure railfans that the 464 is in good hands . I am here to say with out any resrvations ,it is !
Huckleberry #2 will be winging snow off the right of way till the end of December .Call (810)736-1700 or (800)648-PARK for details regarding the schedules and special events of this fine and very friendly operation .
