Private equipment collection at Colonie and Glenmont

It's an NRHS sponsored train wreck!
Something kind of amusing about that!

Funny thread. I'd post what I know about the fate of these locomotives, but it's more fun to watch you guys run around in circles and I don't have to worry about being accused of spreading rumors and speculation as some people here seem to think my every word would be.

Rumor away. I'm still waiting for the M&H people to reply. I would bet my life that they are lurking and laughing.

Dave Becker

pablo wrote:Rumor away. I'm still waiting for the M&H people to reply. I would bet my life that they are lurking and laughing.

Dave Becker

lurking - probably.
laughing - probably not.

the vast majority of the "rank and file" members of the M&H chapter, (or EX-members more likely) are probably just as sick of their group's actions as the rest of us.

It not like the entire group is evil!
this is probably just a case of corrupt and/or very inept management.
and the members just gave up on the group.

so come on M&H people!
we arent against ALL of you!
anyone have anything to say?


Scot

Maybe they are holding out for an offer from a real estate developer who is going to build a mall or casino on the site.

MX

Some of the members of the M&H are still living in the Dark Ages...Using a manual typewriter to do minutes and waiting for a trolley so they can deliver them.

Does the M&H own land too? I thought they were just being allowed to leave things there, so to speak.

Dave Becker

Here's a good question for all of us...

Why are we getting so excited and worked up over this NOW? Where was all this enthusiasm 5, 10, 20 years ago? I tell ya what, I'm guilty of apathy. I always just assumed that the stuff in Colonie was either going to be somehow saved or destined for the scrapper's torch. Either way, I always assumed I could have no impact and that "someone else" would get involved.

That's my story, I'm stickin' to it.

-otto-

Otto,
Im the same as you..I always want to do something, but what can I do??

And I think people are getting worked up now just because the end (scrapping) is in sight. and like you, we all probably assumed "something will be done with them eventually..maybe the chapter will finally get their act in gear and do something, maybe they will donate the locos to another group..maybe this, maybe that, etc etc"

its easy to think that way as long as scrapping is not imminent.

then there remains the question, what CAN we actually do?
realistically..not much.
but it has to start somewhere.
and it starts with knowledge.

Thats the point of this thread and this discussion.
maybe it will be the start of something.
if no one cared, if no one talked about it, then "nothing" would definately happen..
preservation requires knowledge and reaching the people who can make it happen.
IMO thats the best we can do here on this forum..knowledge and reaching.
and maybe because of that reaching, this thread will "reach" people who can actually "make it happen"..

It has happened before..
that NYC caboose going to Oswego is one example.
if it werent for a discussion on this very forum about it, Oswego would have never known the caboose existed.

some people might think this endless internet forum blabbing is useless, but I disagree..it can help make things happen.
It might not always, locos might end up scrapped anyway, despite our blabbing.. but sometimes our blabbing can make the difference.
its worth it to try.

Scot

For those of you have haven't, take a look at the thread about the Alco photo collection and the M&H Chapter. There is certainly some overlap as the question in common is what is the status of this Chapter and is anyone in charge who could be contacted about saving the equipment, or more likely being allow to remove parts for other projects.

I have had it with this.. First yes to the question of "Is anyone looking into saving it" I am working with the M&H to do this at this time. Also "then there remains the question, what CAN we actually do?" Help! Stop riding the keyboard and get out there and see what you CAN do! Can you paint? That helps in stopping rust! "realistically..not much" Not true you just don't want to! The NYC 8223 was just like the 126/8254 but some time and care will do a lot and it involved getting out there and doing it. If all goes well I will have the 8254 and the 8223 running back to back in two or three years. I just sent a unit to the ADKRR and plan to send as many more as I can. When 8223 was pushed into the shop at DeWitt it looked like hell and yes we did it as we felt it should be done. The plan that I am working on is to move the RS-3 and U-25-B to Utica and repair what can be repaired. The S-1 and T3a I am working to get to Syracuse NY. No they did not run there but I can't say I have not seen any photo's of the PRR GG-1 4933 on the main at 293? Yet it's a hit at the NYSF. One year we moved it so the Turbo train could be displayed and the public was asking where the big electric engine went. Right now the project is being funded privately so I will not reveal the who's who at this point. But M&H IS working on letting them go to preservation. So just work with us, and you will get what it is you want....... The units saved!

JJ

Gee, you make me wish I'd said something, considering I knew that someone was working on getting that "junk" out of there...

LVRR325 wrote:

Gee, you make me wish I'd said something, considering I knew that someone was working on getting that "junk" out of there...

Just remeber the old saying bud, ones mans junk is another mans treasure

I dont much about this equipment, and I really dont care to - No offense to anyone - unless its a Shay or Heisler its not my game, but I am glad to see someone is working on them to get them preserved. Good luck CNYNRHS

Thanks, JJ, for the update!!

Well, JJ, you'll excuse many of us for not knowing what is going on, seeing the units there for years, and assuming that there is no progress. I can understand your interest in not explaining too much, however I can just as easily flip the question to ask why nothing has been done from an organizational standpoint. I mean, in no way, to accuse the CNY people. I couldn't prove this, but it certainly seems that you folks have a functional organization that is actually doing things. It would seem that the Rochester folks might take the cake for the "best" group around, but that's not to insult or minimize what's done by the CNY folks. I wanted to get that out of the way.

Further, JJ, I'm sure you've been reading about the ALCO photo collection here separately.

Regarding what can we do, do me a favor, in all honesty. You tell me: what can anyone do with the equipment in Colonie? Who's going to paint what? Let me know. I doubt it's efficient or intelligent for me to bring some industrial enamel and a brush or compressor gun and have at it.

You have my name, I can give you my number, and you can PM me anytime. Let me know when they're going to move, and I'm in, in person. I, too, am tired of typing and interested in doing.

Dave Becker