Ep 1 - Two-Foot Gauge Steam Locomotive Restoration - Introduction

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

Great to see another two foot locomotive on the road toward restoration and operation. We will be watching your progress.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks for the comment! Your videos were one of the reasons I decided to create this channel!

[@ryguygaming06]

Thought I'd find you here! I remember seeing your first video on the locomotive restoration years ago.

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

@@Wreck2Restored We greatly support anyone trying to restore two foot gauge equipment, especially steam locomotives. If you need help, advice, assistance, or just want to talk about the challenges of locomotive restoration feel free to get in touch.

[@thebuilderxen6858]

I didn't know J&L railroad was here, I am a subscriber !

[@PowerTrain611]

It's kind of a familiar sight, isn't it Rick? 😅

[@nstooge]

I can’t say enough, how much I enjoy watching and admire people who restore old machinery.

[@manicmasterofmetal2620]

As a qualified boilermaker in Australia I will be watching the next episode of this restoration, hopefully without the awful music. No need, no need. I subscribed.

[@drcovell]

The fact that you loaded it without a crane using those house jacks is a testament to either your incredible tenacity or absolute insanity😱! (I’ve done something similar and the cold sweat involved wasn’t from the outside temperature!). 👍👍 Hope you don’t have to cross a weigh station on the way home! 😉

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

That is going to be a huge project. My heart sank when I saw the cylinder saddle. Everything else is doable. Always tried to find an engine but it never happened.

[@Wreck2Restored]

You're not kidding!! It's going be a lot of work, but it'll be well worth it in the end!

[@miken3260]

If the rest of the cylinder casting is not broken that the cylinders can be repaired. If they don’t have the missing parts than they will have to fab them out of steel. Than they can be brazed on. Yes the whole casting will have to be heated, maybe in a charcoal fire and several torches but it can be done.

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

@@miken3260 I have no doubt it can be done. It is quite possible that the cylinders are badly worn. If so, they will have to be bored or bored and resleeved. That would make any distortion from heating inconsequential as boring would correct that. Besides, I understand that he has contact with a restoration specialist that can provide assistance in any possible areas he needs.

[@johnseriousmen9256]

Gotta agree with everyone about the music. The video is great but a little hard to sit through. This could actually be a pretty interesting and relaxing series if done right

[@mikef.1000]

Agreed, just need to tone that music down a bit. But looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks for the comment! Hopefully you'll enjoy the next episode a bit more!

[@pedrodavies3732]

Best of wishes gents. I ran a 18 Ton 3 foot Vulcan dinky off an on from 1976 until her very last trip in December 2023. She is much like the ones in the beginning of your video. So I found your video fascinating. Resently we restored a 1920 24 ton two truck Shay. It took us 8 years and many thousands of hours. So I wish you boys all the best. You can see the Vulcan and Shay running under the u-tuber "low light mike". I obviously know noththing about music, but I thought it was alright.

[@le_iac2522]

This is surely going to become my new favorite series! I can vouch for just about every train lover out there in saying this would be a dream project! The presentation of both the locomotive and the history is some of the best I've seen! I cant wait to see one of my favorite kind of locomotives returned to its former glory!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you for such a nice comment!!!

[@familycornell8866]

Great video. Please stop the music. it is very distracting. I had to mute it. Thanks. look forward to Ep 2.

[@44WillysMB]

Same.

[@SteamCrane]

100+ years ago, people moved loads like this with jacks all the time. Pretty cool little loco, sounds like fun. "Music" reminds me of a root canal.

[@matthudson1724]

Gotta say yall got it done. In the future though, a wrecker company could lift it. Ive used them to pull counter weights off some big excavators.

[@BugeyeBob-zt6ne]

I thought I was only one who took on insane restoration projects. I bow to a master and will recommend this channels to my subscribers.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you! Glad you appreciate the insanity of it all!

[@alethacriss9308]

Such a delightful little locomotive! Tom and I look forward to see his restoration!❤❤❤❤

[@tempus_fugit7366]

Just subscribed, gotta say, I'm already hooked! As you were positioning the trailer I caught myself saying, "I hope they block up the rear of the trailer, I hope they don't forget that!" Glad to see you got it. Very excited to join this journey!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks! Hope every episode gets better!

[@TommyAtkins-kb6fw]

You guys have got a huge job on your hands getting that little engine to steam again. Good luck.

[@waltersnowdon1243]

congratulations and all strength to your endeavour from here in Britain. If it wasnt for the enthusiasm and shear guts of people like yourselves our industrial history would be left to rot and be lost forever.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you! It'll all be worth it in the end!

[@s.r.shipley9380]

Being a rescuer and restorer of antique printing gear (Linotypes and presses) I have loaded and moved, with no power tools, more machines than I could count --sometimes all by myself--and this tedious process is so familiar. I compliment you guys on a job well and intelligently done. Looking forward to future episodes.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

I live in the quad cities. The plant is partially still there in Davenport. It’s now Alter metal recycling.. I rented a shop in the old brachs candy factory which was next door.. I look forward to seeing this piece of quad cities history restored

[@Wreck2Restored]

Very cool!

[@paulcampbell5202]

Excellent video. You have a big job to take on there! May I suggest you look up "The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway" - HLBR (Huntsville, Ontario, Canada). It is a narrow gauge heritage railway using the steam locomotives of the original HLBR that ran on the world's shortest commercial railway at just 1 1/8 miles, from 1904 to 1959. In its later years it used 2 steam locos built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1926 on a gauge of 42 inches. Both of the steamers were 0-4-0 saddle tanks, #1 was a 17 ton coal burner and #2 a 21 tonner converted to oil burner. I was involved in the restoration of #2 and later became (as required in the province of Ontario for anyone operating a steam locomotive involving the general public), a licensed steam traction operator for 12 years. Sadly when I retired, I moved too far away to be an active volunteer. There are lots of KZbin videos on the railway and there is a good website. I have lots of photos of the railway, especially of the restoration and "before and after" shots. I would be happy to send you any photos or information re restoring a steam loco if you are interested and can send me an email address. Best wishes, Paul

[@locomotionlotion779]

The intro footage, historic tapes overlaid with some background metal, is awesome! Really appropriate musical choice for a hard working, grafting, battered and butch piece of kit.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I'm glad to see that there are also people concerned about the fate of a dinky locomotive. All the attention goes to the giants of steam on the standard gauge, and other than the two foot Maine railways little to nothing is known to exist of two foot in the US here across the pond. This all while there are 2 foot Baldwins been restored or in the proces of and even new builds of Baldwin two footers have been made in the UK, currently a Forney is under construction at the Brecon Mountain Railway. I surely going to follow this restoration, this poor little engine looks rough. Cylinder castings are junk, broken at the smokebox saddle, the cast smokebox ring is in pieces and the guide bars twisted were a few things I noticed. I wish you all the best for this project.

[@oldfarthacks]

So very true, everyone wants to have the 4884 Big Boys, but that is a bit large for my garden. On the other hand, I could actually run this around my house if I could get the city to buy off on it down to WalMart and some other stores. Maybe set up a schedule to pick up the kids at the Jr High and dump them into some lots around the city to open up traffic. Get the little darlings away from me.

[@WHJeffB]

Yeah, the museum/preservation groups in the UK have done some pretty marvelous work with 2' or nominal 2' gauge locomotives. The Brecon Mountain's two Baldwin tender engines being probably the nicest examples of 2' gauge Baldwin restorations worldwide. And the new builds of narrow gauge steam in the UK... Pretty damn incredible! That L&B Baldwin 2-4-2 is quite the accomplishment... Modern design elements and materials, built to look original. I was hoping that the WW&F group in Maine would do something similar with their new 2-4-4 build, but they've decided to build it as it would have been built back in the early 1900's.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

@@WHJeffB Actually the groups in Maine preserving and operating the 2' lines could profit from the work done in the UK by cooperating. The technical knowledge is there in the UK while the knowledge in the historical context and access to historic documents would be greater in Maine. Having some time one of the UK engines visit the US and the other way round would really be the icing on the cake.

[@bryansmith2649]

Looking forward to seeing your restoration. With so much damaged or missing, you should call it Talley Ho. Kudos to your blocking technique. That’s pretty much how dad would have done it.

[@Lighting_Desk]

Okay this has peaked my interest. Looking forward to hopefully seeing a loco come back to life.

[@Pyrotrainthing]

When your Dinky's restored, you need to parade that around whatever gauges you can. It would be amazing to see her next to one of the J&L engines.

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

We agree!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Hmmmm, that would be fun wouldn't it!

[@PeterBrady-q5e]

Fine documentary Colton, and very well produced. Wonderful and heartfelt ending .... RIP Bill Hicks.

[@saveitforparts]

Very cool to see this going to a new home and getting restored! I grew up near the mine in Alaska where it last operated, so it's fun to see the continuation of its story!

[@PikaPetey]

Im curious in this progress... subscribed

[@rb6662]

Very well planned operation

[@dtj9923]

I love buying fixer upper brass locomotive models for the challenge of piecing them back together. This is a whole different scale of ambitious. 1:1 scale to be exact. Good luck! I'd love to have a little Davenport to drive around the yard.

[@rickybertz112]

Ignore the music complainers . Enjoyed the production . Waiting for the next episode.

[@sgthighway7477]

Bravo for the rescue! I will follow the restoration step by step.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks! I think you'll enjoy it!

[@TheDaf95xf]

Love these sort of restorations 👍🏻 Well done guys 👏🏻 Looking forward to seeing the progress cheers Stevie 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@frogsshadow4189]

"Safety is the number one priority" Probably the first time anyone has said that while working on this engine

[@Wreck2Restored]

🤣

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Taking along some young, strong, men to help was a great idea. 😂 This should be a great restoration. Looking forward to watching it get done.

[@lewiskinser8320]

Thank u for ur interest in history and ur drive to bring that history back to life for the rest of us

[@RinoaL]

I feel like I'm watching the first episode of the Tally Ho restoration. It'd be cool to see this get restored throughout the years. If you need any help that I can give, I can try my best. I do metalwork despite. Might not be very helpful that I'm in Philadelphia though.

[@jonathanrichards593]

My reaction exactly. The loco is in bad shape, but no worse than Tally Ho in Ep. 1. Leo had the original design documents to work with, though, and there's very little of the entirely beautiful restoration now sailing the North Pacific that was part of the hull that he bought. I guess a lot of this little loco will have to be re-manufactured too. I'm subscribed and along for the ride!

[@emeraldhyper2905]

My grandparents saw this exact locomotive at their neighbors yard already loaded and sitting there for a few days as I came by taking pictures of it as I was wondering if this was heading to Ely for it to be restored. Glad to finally found out what's happening to the locomotive.

[@markschloemer727]

I for one are happy to see a Davenport Locomotive Works engine being restored. I grew up in Davenport and worked for the DRI&NW Ry., Milwaukee Road and the SOO/CP there. The 3 main buildings which were the DLW were still standing and might still be today. Last I knew they were Del-rich scrap metals.

[@YsanneOshea]

Fascinating project! I am excited to follow the restoration work. By way of constructive criticism, to me, the music is way too loud and doesn't match the important and thoroughly worthwhile task you are undertaking. I hope the music can be adjusted in future so that it becomes an enhancement rather than a distraction. Thank you for going to the trouble of uploading this, a thoroughly enjoyable watch, particularly the historical information and history of the locomotive.

[@HuntOfficial1776]

Good luck on the restoration! It always makes me feel good seeing another engine in preservation.

[@morg52]

There's a place in Minneapolis MN called "Dinky Town". Word has it that it was named after all the dinkys that moved train cars of wheat and lumber around the milling district. that Minneapolis was known for. I live in a neighborhood called St. Anthony Park, in the northwest corner of Saint Paul. There's a park called Langford park where supposedly one of these dinkys derailed and sank in a marshy part of the park and is still there, somewhere under the grass, to this day. Good luck with this project, looks like fun!

[@NCXDKG]

I solute you for taking on this super difficult task

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Hi from the UK. That load was pretty epic. Looking forward to following progress.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks for the comment!

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

What could go wrong? A guarantee for disaster.....never, never invoked! Looking forward to this series. ❤

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks!

[@raydunakin]

Awesome project! I love the tiny steam locos just as much as the big ones. I'm happy to see this little one being restored.

[@supersammy00]

You’re living my dream. Can’t wait to follow along this series!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!!

[@shaunbolton4662]

You're right- it IS in terrible condition. Or, in other words, a challenge! I wish you the best of luck in your restoration- I look forward to seeing this little locomotive running again. SUBSCRIBED!! Cheers from New Zealand, home of K88, an 1877 Rogers rescued and restored to running order after being dumped in a riverbank for 50 years!

[@markgouthro7375]

At least you saved money on the crane!

[@peskarr]

looking forward for new episodes!

[@mangoyeah9663]

I’m totally not checking this channel every every day for the last week

[@thebuilderxen6858]

I would love to see episode two, not many videos of steam locomotive restoration. Only the big boys, like powerful Steam locomotives with high maintenance. NO one ever records the back bone of the railways, i would love this project to keep going! 👍👍👍

[@Wreck2Restored]

I totally agree! Episode 2 is coming Nov 1

[@DeadFlanders]

Glad KZbin suggested this to me! Subscribed!!!

[@kevinstaddon8517]

Quite the project, wishing you every success from the UK

[@kylebutler3322]

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on this!

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

wonderful work loading that. a little knowledge and careful slow work can go a long way.

[@davidwilliams1383]

Good to safety as a high priority. Never worth someone getting hurt or destroying a scarce piece of equipment. Great job.

[@Fedora5957]

Keep us posted on your rebuilding efforts.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Count on it!

[@simonmitchell7071]

I wish you all the best with this and look forward to watching the progress. The mad projects are the most satisfying!!

[@renauddupras1586]

That is going to be an interesting series! Like the naration! (Much more than the guitar)

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!

[@BattleshipOrion]

That's a cute lil' engine...ya know, with all the scrapping & reefings of historical artifacts as of late, what few lil' pieces we can rescue & rebuild are even better.

[@robertstevenson4910]

This is an interesting series I’m willing to watch, you’ve earned a sub!

[@uskinworks]

All the best, going to be an epic rebuild or vertually new build with some good will of the old lady built into her, look forward to the updates

[@WHJeffB]

Resourceful and clever way to load your new acquisition!! So basically, you bought/acquired a pile of difficult/expensive to replicate castings and forgings with which to make a new locomotive. Drivers, frame parts, cylinders (if they're not too busted up), side rods (though one looks bent, but that's fixable) and a few other parts that don't look too far gone. One heck of a project! Subscribed and looking forward to this restoration.

[@thumperthoughts]

Following with interest and subscribed. I joined the restoration team for the SP1744 this year with the Niles Canyon Railway. Lots to learn!

[@SIingoon]

Best of luck with the project, from someone 20 years into a similar project (with a loco that still looks in about the same condition).

[@75Bird455]

I'm glad I stumbled upon this channel. Looking forward to future content!

[@2quintly]

Looking forward to the progress, . . . .

[@TinkerInTheShop]

Best of luck. Hopefully your channel will get more and more attention and encourage the project. Looking forward to updates and following along.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks for the comment!

[@LynneWilliams-bi1tx]

Hope to see this little powerhouse moving down the rails!❤😊😊

[@MillBrookRailroad]

You certainly have your work cut out for you! I wish you all the best and I hope it goes more smoothly than you expected.

[@stevemellin5806]

Lots of fun I always have liked this type of locomotive.looking forward to seeing more of the restoration.

[@StudentOschool]

would love to see this restored! I'm so exited to see how it looks when it's done!

[@ernestimken6969]

Davenport engines were a T type. No tender. Just a box for coal on the back of the cab. (If they found it) Water was in a u shaped tank over the boiler. It kept the water warm in the winter so it didn't freeze.

[@MichaelS3013]

A masterpiece to load the locomotive! I wish you much success with the restoration and I say from my own experience, it's fun to put old things back in order.

[@idahorodgersusmc]

Love the project-! However the faith in that trailer is enough to make any Mormon jelious!

[@WooWooMad]

Wonderful Project. We will all watch with great interest and send good wishes that it all works out really well. Very Best Wishes, WooWooMad.

[@CrazyBob1357]

Thank you for your skills

[@Railway_Riches]

Good luck on the restoration! ❤

[@Kesterlath]

Will be following enthusiastically!

[@renzojager2415]

Looking forward to the journey you are undertaking with this amazing project, will follow the progress with great interest, greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@tzkelley]

I'm popping some corn--can't wait to watch this adventure unfold! As for the music, I find the mute button works fine.

[@NicholasSSR1]

Great to see a steam engine still alive

[@scania357]

Looks to be a daunting prospect and I wish you the best of luck. Have subbed in hopes you lose the music. Cheers from the UK.

[@jacksnavely559]

Raising with cribbage is a very good thing, , You all doing great so far ❤

[@meridian8095]

This is awesome! I hope to see more of this old Iron being resurrected!

[@JeanPeuxPluxsixquatre]

bravo à vous de préserver et sauvegarder ses petites machines vous avez de la voix de 60 cm d'écartement aux États-Unis bonjour de France bonne continuation et force à vous et la musique super du bon métal qui envoie 🤘😎 ce que j'adore chez vous aux États-Unis ce sont les portes de foyer papillon super système technique qui envoie ça prend moins de place quand tu ouvres la porte du gueulard avec la pédale à vapeur pour ouvrir la porte automatiquement le top de la technologie de l'époque

[@dandbfilms8022]

This should be a fun series!

[@Wreck2Restored]

I think it will be!

[@shimesu443]

I'm rather envious that you have the time and money to take on this project. I wish I could do the same. That said, I'm really glad you decided to save this little lady. I breaks my heart when I see locomotives left to rot like this, so I'm thrilled she's on her way to a better home and a brighter future. I'm guessing her cab was wooden originally? Hence why it's gone now? Do you have a GoFundMe or something like that set up. I don't have very much, but I'd be happy to throw a little money at you for her sake.

[@kirishima638]

Cool project hope it goes well

[@lavender_castle1410]

Guys, your crazy! Love the start of your locomotive journey! Good luck, I will follow your work! Greetings from Germany! 😎👍👍👍

[@Wreck2Restored]

100% Thank you!

[@prestonpatton1962]

Awesome project, looking forward to the build.

[@kotten9534]

Great job! Both in rescuing the loco, and for making such a nice video to go along with it. I will be following this series!

[@eshanthetrainlover8609]

oh how lucky I am to have stumbled upon something like this as it happens

[@BonesyTucson]

I do love good old steam tech. I wish you much success!

[@buzzytrains9037]

I mean I'm enjoying the music wishing luck on you since I love these tiny locos

[@SquidwardChat]

I cannot wait to watch the process of this!

[@johnfriend240]

Good luck with the project!

[@Rickster5176]

An interesting project. I would have run the other way as fast as I could.

[@oldfarthacks]

You Rick are a rational person. What are you doing here? The rest of us are silly enough to actually take something like this on, followed by a windmill or two to tilt at.

[@russellnixon9981]

Best of luck with your new project.

[@jeromereed1097]

Cool project! You have a new subscriber now. Looking forward to Episode 2!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!!

[@titaniumman1493]

I would subscribe, but I couldn't put up with the music.

[@44WillysMB]

Ditto