VIRGINIA CITY, Mont. —Faced with the ever rising costs of running and maintaining a steam locomotive these days, Montana’s Alder Gulch Short Line has announced they will not be able to operate steam on its railroad this year. Train rides will continue to operate using its normal lineup of tourist trains. The decision comes as part of an effort to save money.
The tourist railroad normally runs the 30-inch-gauge 2-8-0 No. 12, a 1910 Baldwin product that came from Ferrocarril Mexicano RR, on its route. Paul Reichert, executive director of the railroad’s operator, the Montana Heritage Commission, said the costs of keeping a steam locomotive in operation during a recession led to the decision.
Originally purchased in 1992, restoration of No 12 continued on for several years. The work took four to six people full time on the engine, often ten hours a day, five days a week, and eight hours on Saturday. Beginning with the bare frame, every part was rebuilt to like-new specifications. Moorehead Boiler of Minneapolis, Minnesota rebuilt the steam boiler. Every bearing and wearing point was renewed. The cab was rebuilt with a beautiful polished mahogany interior, and outfitted with brass gauges, injectors, oil cups, and other parts whose polish would satisfy even the most critical army sergeant. When it rolled out of the Baldwin factory in 1910 it could not have been more beautiful than it is today.
The railroad will instead use a gas-powered vehicle to operate the 1.5-mile route, with a diesel-powered vehicle held in backup.
To see more on train rides in Montana, visit: http://scenicrailexcursions.com/montana_trainrides.php
