Background
The
Climax locomotive sitting on the "dead
line" in Cass prior to the start of restoration work in 2002.
(Photo by Sonny Burruss)
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Climax
locomotive shop
number 1551 was built by the
Climax Locomotive Works in Corry, Pennsylvania, in 1919 and delivered
new to the Moore-Keppel Company lumber operation in Ellamore (Randolph
County) West Virginia. It operated there until the
lumber
mill closed in 1946. It was then used as standby power on the
coal hauling Middle Fork Railroad before being retired in
1960.
It was the one of the last Climax locomotives in U.S. commercial
operation.
At retirement it was poorly maintained,
badly worn
and severely rusting. It was destined for a proposed railroad
museum to be built in Ellamore, but that project never got off the
ground and the State purchased the locomotive in 1970. It was
trucked to Cass for restoration with a projected operational date of
May, 1973.
Restoration work had just
started when a massive
fire destroyed the Cass shop complex in July, 1972. Although
there was some damage to the locomotive, it survived the shop fire in
relatively good shape. However, the loss of the shop caused
an
indefinite postponement of its restoration and work was never
restarted. The locomotive spent the next 30 years sitting on
the
Cass “dead line” awaiting its fate and slowly
deteriorating
in the weather.
 Artist's
rendition of how the Climax
locomotive will look after restoration is complete. (Image
by Richard Sparks) |
In 1998 the Mountain State Railroad and
Logging Historical Association proposed that the organization initiate
a multi-year project to rebuild the locomotive and restore it to
operational service in Cass. The project was approved with the
condition that a restoration building be built to reduce the
project’s impact on the limited Cass shop facilities. The
Association solicited donations, completed a 40x100 foot building
(which was turned over to the State), and commenced restoration work in
October, 2002.
The
Restoration Project
This is a complete mechanical
restoration. The
locomotive was completely disassembled and each component analyzed to
determine what needed to be done to restore it to operational
condition. Some parts just need to be cleaned and
painted.
Others require welding, machining, or other significant
repairs.
Some parts were beyond repair and are being used as patterns to
fabricate replacements. Many foundry patterns have made to
allow
accurate reproduction of unusable parts.
In all
cases the goal
is to maintain the historical integrity of the locomotive while
restoring it to better than new condition so it will give years of
reliable service without the need for major non-routine maintenance.
There
is a core group of about a dozen volunteers with experience in
machining and mechanical arts working on the project. In
addition, volunteers of varying skill levels are helping with various
aspects of the project.
There is no firm date for
completion of
the project. Work is progressing well, but since most
volunteers
live far from Cass there are a limited number of work sessions each
year. An unofficial goal is that the Climax may see
operational
service around 2010, but that is far from a firm date.
Funding and Support
There
are several sources of funding for the Project.
As of January, 2007, the
Association and
individual donors have provided over $50,000 in funding to purchase
materials,
tools, and contracted services. The
State of West Virginia obtained a $200,000 Federal grant for the
project and
that money is being used to purchase several big-ticket items such as
axles,
new steel tires, gear castings, injectors, and air compressors. The Park already has a
serviceable
replacement boiler on hand that will be used after some repairs and
certifications
are completed.
Also,
a number of
companies have provided services and materials free or at significant
discounts, and several have donated large machine tools to help equip
the
restoration facility.
Donations are always welcome and will help
speed the restoration
project. All donations are tax deductible can can be sent to
Bob
Hoke, MSR&LHA Treasurer, 6304 Kaybro St., Laurel MD 20707.
Getting Involved
 Restoration
Project Leader Grady Smith assembling a repaired piston crosshead for
the Climax locomotive . (Photo by Gerald Curtis)
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Volunteers
are always
welcome to help with the
project. There are normally work session about every two or
three
weekends. Dormitory-style housing is supplied in Cass at no
cost and meals are provided by the Association.
Workers
typically arrive on Friday evening, work a long day on Saturday and
Sunday morning with an early afternoon departure for home.
Due to
insurance regulations all volunteers must be current MSR&LHA
members and everyone must sign a liability waiver for the Park.
If you are
interested in volunteering please contact Grady Smith, the Climax
Restoration Project Manager, at loco@msrlha.org
or 740-373-2895 to get the latest work schedule and
discuss your interests and skills.
Summary of Recent Work
Sessions
January 6-7, 2007
(Transport donated machine tools; delivery of repaired smoke
box saddle, crankshaft machining).
January 20-21, 2007
(Crankshaft machining, tank frame work, main frame,
square drive shafts).
February
17-18, 2007 (Horn castings, Reed Prentice lathe,
draw-bar pins, square shafts)
March 3-4, 2007
(Square shafts, coal bunker, drawbar pocket, radial-arm saw)
March 17-18, 2007 (Drawbar pocket, square shafts, horn welding, Storage locker, main frame)
March 31 - April 1, 2007 (Horn machining)
January 5-6, 2008 (Frame repairs, horn/pinion gear work, center (seivel) plates)
January 19-20, 2008 (Coal bunker, pinion shaft removal, rear coupler pocket))
February 2-3, 2008 (Coal bunker, lathe rebuilding, bolster swivel plates, water tank, shop views)
