It’s been slowly restored for decades, but the recent news means it’s full restoration is finally within reach! It is a long time coming for a worthy and often neglected locomotive.
OR&N 197 was built to burn coal, from what I can find. During the 1923 rebuild, it was converted to oil. It burned coal for about fifteen years. Probably should have included that tidbit but honestly it wasn’t until your question that I looked it up. Several sources I’ve found online mention as much, though I did not come across it my initial research. I am surprised that Friends of OR&N 197’s webpage didn’t mention it (or several other very reliable sources I typically mine information from). Still, it came up enough in these this latest inquiry to be credible. Plus, the overhaul was significant and the addition of a new Vanderbilt tender does imply it (considering the original build date).
#197 was build in 1905 by Baldwin. The locomotive was rebuilt in 1923 and was converted to burn oil. The engine was retired in 1958.
Yes indeed.
I just heard they are planning to restore the locomotive. I hardly heard of this engine but looks interesting
It’s been slowly restored for decades, but the recent news means it’s full restoration is finally within reach! It is a long time coming for a worthy and often neglected locomotive.
@Trains! ...filmed by Russell Bynum I'm excited about it!
did the #197 run on oil before?
OR&N 197 was built to burn coal, from what I can find. During the 1923 rebuild, it was converted to oil. It burned coal for about fifteen years.
Probably should have included that tidbit but honestly it wasn’t until your question that I looked it up. Several sources I’ve found online mention as much, though I did not come across it my initial research. I am surprised that Friends of OR&N 197’s webpage didn’t mention it (or several other very reliable sources I typically mine information from).
Still, it came up enough in these this latest inquiry to be credible. Plus, the overhaul was significant and the addition of a new Vanderbilt tender does imply it (considering the original build date).