K-4 To Return as a Museum Exhibit
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: April 13, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - The K-4 Locomotive # 1361 has attracted a lot of attention in Altoona over the years. Despite a long an expensive effort to fully restore the steam locomotive, it will be coming back as a non-working museum exhibit.
Built in Juniata shops back in 1918, this particular K-4 Locomotive long served as a symbol of Altoona and the Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum. The Locomotive was on display for decades at the Horseshoe Curve before a comprehensive effort to refurbish and restore it was mounted. But after years of work, and a couple of million dollars devoted to the project, the K-4 remains and pieces and that restoration effort has come to an end. It was back around 1996 that the historic locomotive was shipped off to the Steamtown repair shop outside of Scranton.
Despite a lot of work done on the K-4 at that location, its clear now the K-4 Locomotive will never be back in full working condition. The board of the Railroader's Museum decided at their last meeting that the K-4 restoration effort was being put on hold. While the change will be disappointment to steam train fans who wanted to see it return to the rails, museum officials say the K-4 will still be a great exhibit. Museum officials are confident the k-4 will add to their collection and attract a lot of attention. Still because the locomotive will never be able to meet current Federal Rail safety standards and return to service of any sort, there is disappointment for those who have long been involved in the restoration effort.
The schedule for returning the K-4 to Altoona will depend on the progress of a quarter round house building that slated for construction on the grounds of the Altoona Railroader's Museum later this year. That building will be needed to assemble and protect the the new K-4 exhibit.
Comments
I know that it boils down to money, but what about the millions already invested?
By never running #1361 as a tourist attraction, all the donors that generously gave have been betrayed.
I can't write a check for millions, but I have a lot of time on my hands, and will certainly make myself available for any kind of service that would help #1361
chug around the curve once more.
David Brown
Just like the Space Shuttles, when they are retired, will never fly again, so they will not be capable. But I bet they wont just be sitting outside. No, a suitable indoor display will be provided.
After all....A flower pot looks much better sitting in the garden, than sitting outside in the rail all alone.
[i]the locomotive will never be able to meet current Federal Rail safety standards and return to service of any sort, [/i]
It is simply untrue.
The truth is this: Over the many decades since this locomotive was last in use the Federal safety standards for locomotive boilers have changed and one particular aspect about one part of the K-4's boiler would no longer meet the rules. That is something that can be corrected. Specifically it would need the outer shell of the firebox part of the boiler replaced with thicker steel. It is a costly repair but completely do-able. There is absolutely nothing that would prevent this engine from running again.
Don't believe me? Ask the folks at the Strasburg Railroad who do expert repairs for others under contract. They are currently working on this exact same issue on another engine.
Steve Kraus
