Response report regarding OBRM development.

[RGlueck]

I recently wrote Steve Torberg, of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, of which I am a member in absentia.  I asked a number of pointed questions regarding the ongoing progress of the Museum, starting with a report on the vandalism to the wooden N52 caboose, some years ago.  This is Steve's response, reprinted here with his permission.   My specific questions are highlighted. 

      -Dick

    I remember when the wooden N52 caboose was vandalized at Syosset, prior to being moved to the Bay.  What was the extent of the damage? 

In Syosset, the kids broke out all the glass windows and tried to start a fire, though unsuccessfully. Since then, kids have gotten into the car twice...both in Oyster Bay.  Both times were the same...broken lexan windows and in one instance, a few smoke bombs.  We check it weekly and keep it as buttoned up as possible.  For information, we still you lexan because it allows the sunlight in to keep things dry.  It also diminishes the curiosity that might otherwise incite someone to want to get in.

    With caboose #50 and the W.F. cab being shipped to the Museum site, will that mean radial tracks will start being placed to accommodate the equipment? 

Ultimately, we would like to do that ASAP.  The problem is two fold.
1.  The turntable work that is required means the need to get heavy equipment all around the pit and therefore we cannot have track in the way.
2.  The site needs to be professionally surveyed and the track staked out.  This requires the cooperation of the Town as well as us hiring a person to do the work.  This is something we are working on currently.

    Lastly, when #35 was evaluated, what were the results regarding the boiler status and the wear she incurred in her last years of service?  I ask because of the recent horror revelations of the K4s, #1361, which has been in the purgatory of Steamtown.

With Scott Lindsey of Steam Operations Services (formerly NS Steam Program) having done a complete ultrasonic test, the following surmises the results.  The boiler appears sound except in some small areas that can be addressed with other methods.  No major concerns noted.  The firebox is in need of almost total replacement as is the smokebox.  The tender needs to be totally rebuilt as does the cab.  The locomotive and tender frames are sound.  Tender trucks as well as pilot truck need to be rebuilt with wheels replaced and the drive wheels need new tires.  A lot of work, but the boiler is essentially sound.  Total cost (two years ago) estimated about 1.3 million dollars.

      Are we anywhere near laying down the railroad museum itself, or still merely refurbishing?

The station (I assume this is what you are referring to) cannot begin to be restored until we do a historic structures report and a restoration report.  Both cost a substantial amount of money.  However, we have located the funding through grants and donations and will commence with these in the upcoming months.  As for the site, once the surveying and turntable work are done, we can lay track and move forward.

      Is there an estimated calendar for moving the other equipment to Oyster Bay?

Again, need to get the site staked out and track laid.  With a completed turntable, the equipment can come to Oyster Bay.  A switch needs to also be installed for the site, but we have been assured that this should not be a problem.  Hopefully we can do this next spring / summer, but not totally sure.   An awful lot on the burner right now to put a real timeline on this.  The sooner...the better!