Hell has frozen over: a New York Central locomotive will be returned to a working, operation-ready state.https://railfan.com/new-york-central-4-8-2-mohawk-to-be-restored-to-operation/>ELKHART, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society announced Wednesday that it had acquired New York Central L-3a “Mohawk” 3001 and planned to restore the 4-8-2 locomotive to operation for use on its popular Indiana Rail Experience excursions. >The 3001 is the largest surviving NYC steam locomotive and the only member of the L3a class to escape the scrapper’s torch. The locomotive was under the care of the City of Elkhart, Ind., and has been on display at the National New York Central Museum for decades.>FWRHS owns three other steam locomotives, most notably Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 765, which it has operated since the 1970s. For the last few years, it has managed the Indiana Rail Experience, an excursion operation on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, which has trackage in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Much of that track is former NYC, meaning locomotive 3001 will be right at home. NYC 3001 will also join the fleet of seven Budd streamlined cars built in 1941 for the NYC “Empire State Express” and purchased from Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in 2023.>The group estimates that it will take $4.3 million to restore the locomotive to operation and FWRHS has issued a $100,000 challenge grant with the goal of raising $500,000 by May 3, 2025. Donations can be made online at AmericanLoco.org. FWRHS is also encouraging people to join its pledge list.
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