PUBLIC NOTICE LOCOMOTIVE 1504

[Ocklawaha]

Shortly after the close of World War I, the ACL took delivery of 70 USRA "Pacifics" which were built by the American Locomotive Company. They were designated as Class P-5A and assigned road numbers 1500 through 1569. These locomotives had 25x28 cylinders, 73" drivers, a 200 psi boiler pressure, exerted 40,750 lbs of tractive effort and each weighred 278,000 pounds. The Class P-5A locomotives were very fast for their time and became the standard main line passenger locomotive, but they also did well in freight service.

OCK

[ronchamblin]

My concern too is about a possible rise in cost.  However, I expect that the engineers actually driving the locomotive will not only volunteer to do so, but would even agree to pay if asked.  I expect that all of the labor for the engine would be volunteered by those of us who love machinery, and especially locomotives.  I would gladly spend my off hours cleaning, painting, lubricating, removing and replacing worn parts, calibrating, etc., just to enjoy being around the beast.

And I expect that any entity having parts or anything we needed would not attempt to gouge us, but would realize that we are working on a shoestring as we attempt to bring back to life an old engine so that she can work again.   

And Ock, the 80 passenger capacity means that we could start with only one passenger coach if necessary.  If filled with $40 paying passengers to St. Augustine, it would gross $3,200 per round trip.  On a Saturday or Sunday, or both days, two trips per day could be run, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, or even in the evening, staying St. Augustine for a couple of hours or so.  This scenario will be cause to expect some assistance from some entities in St. Augustine, as it would provide increased visitors to their city. 

Wonder what the running costs would be?  It drinks water and burns coal.  Wonder how much coal it burns per hour?  The one-way trip to St. Augustine would take about 30 minutes to 45 minutes.  So, let’s say it would burn coal for two hours each round trip.  If we estimate that it would burn five cubic feet of coal per hour, then a round trip would burn 10 cubic feet.  I haven’t bought coal for our furnace since 1948, when we left Baltimore, so a wild guess of the cost of coal might be about $20 per cubic foot, meaning that the coal cost per round trip would be about $200.  Surely the water cost per trip would not exceed $50 or so. 

If we bump the estimates for coal and water per round trip to perhaps $400, we would be making a net profit so to speak of about $2,800, to be put in the bank for someone to embezzle, but hopefully for upkeep and other expenses, such as insurance, if needed.  Maintenance costs would be tools, lubricant, parts, perhaps storage for these things, and the occasional machine shop fabrication of a unique part.  If we obtained another coach, thereby bringing our total paying passengers to 160, then the theoretical net profit per round trip would be about $6,000. 

Our exchange of ideas will eventually determine the feasibility of the 1504 project.  If the desire to do it remains high, we can proceed toward the goal, attempting to eliminate any roadblocks as they come upon us.  Of course, if there arises a formidable roadblock, around which or through which we cannot go, the project is doomed.  And if the desire subsides, if the benefits and pluses subside, if the vision weakens, then that too will kill the project.

So, we might begin with the idea of the vision, and ask ourselves if the project’s completion will bring to us and our city what we wish it to bring.  Will having a twice daily run by a steam locomotive, at least on Saturday, to a place like St. Augustine, be a significant plus for our area, especially for the downtown core?  I think it would be important to have, if possible and feasible, the starting point for a round trip right in the city core.

Once the vision emerges clearly before those of us seeking involvement, then by exercising our imagination, we can attempt to destroy it, weaken it, to see if it is real, if it is valid.  If the vision seems to withstand all attempts to kill it, then we might consider the next step, which is to generate a plan for it’s achievement, looking always for something that might kill the project. 

As time passes, the strength of the vision within those involved will rise and fall, and all will wonder about the project’s feasibility, about it’s ultimate gain for the city.  And as time passes, those involved in planning will run into problems, will seek answers to questions, and will ultimately either succeed in building a solid and feasible plan, or their energy will be consumed and depleted by too many formidable obstacles.

[mbwright]

This is another case of demolition by neglect.  Can' t there at least be a shelter built?   

The old engine and flat car at the Fl Dept. of Agriculture Building in Tallahassee is getting a new Shelter.  Looks like an Army unit is helping with it.  (not sure, but the forklift and other heavy equipment are olive drab ro tan)

This may be the oldest locomotive in Florida. It is a 4-4-0 built around 1850 by either Danforth Cooke & Company or by New Jersey Locomotive & Machine. It was sold to the Basche & Hagen Lumber Company (Suwanee River Railroad) in Live Oak, FL. Around 1906 it was moved to Luraville, FL and when the railroad line was abandoned, the locomotive and several log cars were rolled off of a barge into the Suwanee River! In 1968, divers confirmed the location of this locomotive. It wasn't until January of 1979 that James Lancaster of Luraville salvaged her. In 1984 she was sold to the state of Florida and in 1986 she was placed on display at the State Agriculture Department Offices in Tallahassee. Additional information on this locomotive may be found in the 7/79 (page 14), 11/79 (page 52), 12/99 (page 116) issues of TRAINS

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/florida/tallahassee.jpg 

[Ralph W]

JEA has a coal fired plant and the stuff that falls off the conveyor belt could be gleaned to run the locomotive. I'm sure JEA would be happy to donate our coal for our engine as well as get some volunteers from their steam  generator maintenance crew to work on the boiler. Ya think? Also, the fire department needs to train every so often, spraying water on something or other. A little lights and siren on a run to fill up the tank?