Florida Railroad Museum - 8330's Second Chance

[@kotabeaner]

As of January 2023, the restoration is well underway. The museum is looking for any and all funds possible to restore, paint, and acquire a new horn for this locomotive. Please, if you haven’t already, make a donation to the museum to support this project. I, and many other people who are awaiting this locomotive’s return will Thank You. To make a donation, call the museum’s ticket office during hours (Wed - Sun 10am - 4pm), at 941-776-0906.

[@EdwardRingwald]

I still remember the night the 8330 failed - I was a Car Host that night for North Pole Express!

[@Blank53689]

The Unit Was First Built In 1954 For Union Pacific It Was Sold 11 Times To Different Railroads Including ICG MDLX ILRV WRRX FGCRR NCYR RPCX AGLF EOLX And Others

[@kotabeaner]

Some of those are overlaps, but yes, that’s correct. It held the RPCX markings when it was given to the museum, or “FGCRR”. Still holds the RPCX marks to this day, though the markings are hardly visible.

[@suppylarue220]

and it was a GP9B when built.

[@jamesstrickland631]

EMD did same as Detroit Diesel did, increased piston size, but kept the stroke of the crankshaft the same, 71 Series vs 92 Series. That's why a lot of the old 567 engines got the 645 cylinder kits, when it came time to rebuild them, gave them a power increase and parts are basically drop in, without major machine work to the block itself.

[@kotabeaner]

Interesting info! It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any audible difference between the two once the new motor is in. Definitely helps that the two motors sort of go hand-in-hand.

[@jamesstrickland631]

Yes, I can hear the sound difference between a true 567 and a modified version, like 8330 has, and the 645 non turbo version. But, I have been around Diesel truck's for so long, I can hear all the distinct sounds of a engine, they all sound different. Trains are no different.

[@multicolorfilms]

Man I remember the 8330, it was the power for the first train I rode on. It must've been early 2012 or something like that, and it's really cool to see it getting restored. I'll have a great reason to go out now and film it when it's restored.

[@kotabeaner]

I’ll definitely keep you updated. It’s possible they could have her up online by Christmas. Obviously such is with a grain of salt.

[@railfanlynx]

2013 for me

[@baldwinloco12]

That's awesome, I think ACL purple and silver would look good but whatever they decide it will be great.

[@kotabeaner]

Word in the shop is leaning towards a variant of ICG colors. Historically accurate for the locomotive, though they’re thinking about the dark gray scheme rather than the orange and white. Of course, none of this is final, that’s just what has been mentioned quite a bit.

[@baldwinloco12]

@@kotabeaner Cool, ICG orange and grey would look nice.

[@maestromecanico597]

Nice. You should do an in-depth presentation on the 8330 highlighting her significance, such as, she was originally built without a cab.

[@kotabeaner]

Absolutely. That will likely come with the final product, in which the 8330 is back up and running. “Rebirth of the 8330” will come out as its own video when the time is right.

[@kingofthepod5169]

I remember riding on this engine back in 2016 ish. Glad to see it's getting the parts it needs to live.

[@kotabeaner]

Quite a few people agree. I can’t wait to see how they fix her up.

[@itsjameslawson]

Nice video Dakota like the usual

[@kotabeaner]

Thanks, James

[@andrew_editz_yt26]

FINALLY THEY ARE GOING TO BRING IT BACK 😅 I MISSED THE 8330!

[@kotabeaner]

Many are looking forward to it. In addition to it facing south, 8330 was valued for its smooth running, braking system and reliable performance.

[@andrew_editz_yt26]

@@kotabeaner wow that’s amazing how they actually are bringing it back

[@kotabeaner]

It’s going to be an extensive, expensive, and intricate project, but we hope to say that it will be worth it once it’s all done.

[@andrew_editz_yt26]

@@kotabeaner i think it will be worth it in the end

[@kennethhanks6712]

Being more rolling stock than loco inclined I can still agree if your prime mover has blown/exploded cylinders, bent crankshaft/crankcase and whatever else subsidiary damage it is better off either being completely rebuilt (probably REALLY expensive) or just becoming a parts source for future EMD prime mover repairs. The beauty of EMD prime movers is that the 645s were basically 567s w/the upgraded piston/cylinder assemblies with other improvements interchangeable. Your replacement engine having the later in the 567 series C block is a definite plus and is basically a "plug in and play" job here altho still a fair amount of work. The analogy of a heart transplant not far off the mark as all the other main components such as generator, traction motors, air compressor stay the same needing maybe just a little tweeking. Just wondering as a GP10 (not an EMD model #) she was probably originally a GP7 or 9 so could she have been an ICG Paducah rebuild? PS: yeah, water don't compress!

[@kotabeaner]

Expensive is right. It’s costing them almost $25k just to get the right cranes in to lift off the hood. Quite a bit of work anyhow, as truth be told, 8330 was actually used for spare parts while she was on the side, part of why so many things need replacing apart from other things like their age. 8330 was actually first a GP9b for Union Pacific (one of the cab-less builds), so she was one of the Paducah rebuilds for ICG. She was passed around a bunch to lines like Illinois Central and a couple other tourist operations, before the museum got her from the Inland Lakes railway in 2010.

[@kennethhanks6712]

@@kotabeaner Doggone, like so much vintage rail equipment, 8330 has a truly long and complex history so good luck with her. Like the caboose and loco overhauls going on there and the OKs to redo in the original US Gov schemes (we've gotten Amtrak OK to redo our auto-train 3 in her proper livery). Now NO more pandemics, hurricanes or whatever!

[@andrewc1199]

@@kotabeaner I hope they put the bad prime mover on display in the new museum building.

[@kotabeaner]

Not a bad idea, one which I’ll definitely run by some folks, especially with their new building going up in Parrish. They actually do still have the damaged parts from the prime mover, though they aren’t on public display.

[@northernohiorailfanningpro8899]

To be honest, hearing that 1835 may be repainted into the US Army paint is kinda saddening, the unique spin off of the L&N (I think) paint scheme looks super good and brings back memories of when I rode behind it as a small kid. I would rather it stay into that paint job rather than the boring and black paint of the US Army. It will be neat to see how this 8330 project comes along. Did their collection suffer any damage from Hurricane Ian?

[@kotabeaner]

I’ll agree with you on that, it does hold quite a bit of nostalgia to me, so it’ll be a shame to see it go, but it definitely had its run. I don’t believe that any of their equipment suffered any wrath from Ian. The most I’d be willing to say happened in that general area is, perhaps, some downed trees or lines. The worst of Ian was all south of Sarasota, so the museum was definitely in a more safe position.

[@jefferydavis5224]

will they ever get 3749 fixed up cosmeticly

[@FL_GA_Videos]

Hey Kota! I am exited to see if it continues to run! Also when will you be able to go to Folkston again just asking

[@FL_GA_Videos]

Wondering if we could meet up again sometime

[@dang8546]

Is the 8330 up and running

[@kotabeaner]

It is not yet. We’re likely looking at a timeframe around early next year for its debut. We’ve been heavily occupied with track work and other priorities that have put this project on the sideline. Once it’s ready, there will be a video to advertise its first weekend of service.

[@andrewc1199]

Now it is!

[@andrewc1199]

When they get it to run again, I hope they play the music from the scene in Thomas and the magic railroad where Lady comes alive.

[@kotabeaner]

It will most certainly be a significant event in its own way.