Project 2716: A New Lease on Steam

On 2-7-16, Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation (KSHCO) announced the campaign to bring former C&O steam locomotive #2716 back to life. Once refurbished, the engine will be one of the most powerful steam locomotives in the world and will be the only operating survivor of its kind. Our objective is to restore the locomotive and operate it in Eastern Kentucky. You can help 2716's "New Lease on Steam" by volunteering, donating to the cause, or simply spreading the word!
Our Social Media Outlets:
Visit the Official Website: www.2716.org
Like us on Facebook: / co2716
Follow us on Instagram: / co2716
Follow us on Twitter: / co2716
A special thanks to The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Jim Herron - Herron Rail Video, Richard Clark, and Richard Boylan for allowing us to use their footage of 2716 and 2765 in this rollout video. Music was provided by AudioMicro, through a partnership with Fullscreen. The intro-sequence audio was inspired by Kaw Valley Film's "Passenger Trains in America." Purchase the legendary railroad documentary here, via Marshall Publishing's website: bit.ly/1Xhb9Je

[@gilbeyfuck7845]

There will never be any modern trains as cool as stream trains. Awesome

[@JungleYT]

So much respect for these men as well as others restoring and maintaining this steam including the gents in the U.K. bringing back to life literal "scrap" to run once again...

[@J-Bahn]

I grew up watching the 2716 tape when the Ft Wayne group was running it. Learning the engine was going to be restored was one of the highlights of 2016! So satisfying how far the group has come sicne then! Also that transition was a masterpiece; almost haunting! 0:50

[@RavennaRailfan4070]

Can't wait to see 2716 operational!! Good luck Kentucky Steam!!

[@ericoxner4210]

Go for it guys!!!!I am a big fan of that type of steam locomotive.Being that I have o gauge trains I have 4 locomotives of this type.I have heard that she needed big time work on her.I hope you guys make it happen.

[@bakash4u]

If I were there I would like to help Mrs. 2716 to return to the rails again

[@zacharybecker9635]

Same here

[@zacharylucisbecker2352]

I wonder what whistle 2716 will have when fire returns to its boiler

[@michaelc2321]

My great grand father was an engineer (driver) for 2716 years ago in Dover KY

[@DanielPRails]

This warms my heart. I love seeing these old locomotives being appreciated and their stories of avoiding the scrap yard.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

it dose not matter how much a stem locomotive cost its worth ever penny and the happiness and smiles On many many peoples faces thats priceless, for many people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy the love of steam power these locomotive touch many many lifes of all ages that the power of steam just priceless

[@fortwaynerailroad]

Leggo sister.

[@LePenguin]

+Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society This is a cool loco

[@SndrewAonkin]

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society you leased it once you should do some running with her

[@mikeytrains1]

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Agreed! No need for a C&O mainline engine.

[@GreenbeanProductions]

Hey when 2716 is ready to run maybe you guys should run 765 and use it to probably double head with 2716

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

I love that whistles it says get out of the way I am coming !

[@Michiganrailfan]

I am so shocked that 2716 its coming back. keep up the good work Kentucky railroad museum

[@sharkheadism]

Proud the Southern did a good job rebuilding and operating this locomotive when they had it.

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

No words can describe how excited I am! Steam has really started to become popular in the 21st century! 2011 saw the return of Norfolk Southern's steam program, and we saw the return of Southern 630! In 2012 Nickel Plate Road 765 and Fort Wayne started working with Norfolk Southern again! In 2014 we saw the return of Southern 4501, and In 2015, We saw the return of the N&W 611! We also saw the return of SP 4449 back in November after her overhaul was completed! Union Pacific is also currently restoring 4014, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is restoring 1702. Also Nickel Plate Road 587 is getting Restored! Now 2716 will soon join in with the restored engines and I can't wait! Good luck old Girl, and Good Luck to the crew restoring her!

[@Rebel9668]

+The Creepernator KRM is also restoring L&N 152 to service. I can't wait!

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

+Rebel9668 Huh that's odd. She was retired in 2011. They're bringing her back this quick?

[@Rebel9668]

trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2016/01/08-kentucky

[@Rebel9668]

facebook.com/kyrail/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf It's about the second post down on their KRM facebook page.

[@Buynot]

don't forget Grand Canyon Railway #29!

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Just watch your video I cannot wait receive the rest of them

[@Donna677.]

This steam wizard is soon going back to the rails as a Berkshire favorite.

[@zacharybecker9635]

I hope what whistle 2716 will have when fire returns to its boiler once again

[@samuellongo7299]

I can't believe that two of these of these engine's... 2789 and 2716, are being restored.

[@lembriggs1075]

Samuel Longo I think 2789 is only being restored cosmetically as it stands for now.

[@nexusgaming7478]

What company does 2789 belong to?

[@papasyutube]

Great Video Ed.

[@TrainWizardProductions]

This announcement made my day! Very excited that yet another steam locomotive will be returning to the rails!

[@stewartschweers672]

It looks like we've got a new era of steam excursions in the works. 611 was fired up, 2100 and GTW 4070 are both being restored in Cleveland, 4014 was moved to Cheyenne, ATSF 2926 is about to take the stage too. And progress is being made on PRR 1361, Cotton Belt 819, and CNW 1385. Plus, RBMN announced that they're going to restore Reading 2102. And now, on 2/7/16, 2716's gonna come back as well. So many retired excursion stars are now getting a third or fourth chance. This is great news not only for railfans but for the public-they're gonna see so many more examples of our past and hopefully be inspired to do what groups like this have done.

[@stewartschweers672]

+Andrew Horta Well, what I meant was how so many retired excursion locos are getting another chance at life. 4449 has never been officially retired from its excursion career since it began in the 1970s.

[@Rebel9668]

+TX Trainiac Don't forget KRM's L&N 152, she's being restored as well!

[@dylanwatson1287]

Also don't forget the Sou. 4501

[@TrainTrackTrav]

+TX Trainiac Also C&O 1301 is being restored.

[@LePenguin]

+TrainTrackTrav And J Neils Lumber Co 5 and Union Pacific 428 at the Illinois Railway museum

[@jltrain-zgamingrailfan202x3]

You should ask the North Carolina Transportation Museum for a visit and probably bring 2716 along, they restored N&W 611 there so i'm not positively sure, but you can ask them for restoration if you like to

[@tevinwms1104]

I wish you guys the best of luck in your endeavor of returning a bit of history back to life for a third go round.

[@jacksalvin364]

The crew works hard.

[@stevew270]

If I ever won the big one I would pay for this!

[@sebastianandthevoguessonny3848]

Let's put all abandoned train lines restored to normal &jobs to be had &be on board.

[@upstatenewyorkrailfan6775]

Can they just fire up the boiler

[@Buynot]

I heard that C&O 2789 is also being restored. When they are complete, wouldnt it be cool if the two C&O Kanawas double-headed?

[@owenmeschter9888]

They looked the same and I thought they were the same engine!

[@lembriggs1075]

2716 was the 17th one built. 2789 was the 90th and very last one built. The last five built, (which 2789 is the only one of the last five that remains) (not scrapped) were built with an "all welded" boiler. The boiler barrels were "welded seam" rather than lapped and riveted seam as on 2700-2784.

[@Higgen007]

Would be very cool to see, in my town of Dennison, Ohio we have #2700 sitting at the museum still waiting to be restored (which it never will be). But a small group got together and a painting business in our town donated their time and effort to cosmetically restore the engine. And she looks amazing. She was an eye sore for the last 10 years.

[@organbuilder272]

Good luck to your project. It will happen if you have the money to do the complete and detailed rebuilding. If you have the people who are capable and competent to do the work; if you have the machine shop facilities to make the parts necessary to replace worn or damaged equipment. It is obvious that the weather took a great toll on the machine. The cladding can be replaced without much trouble, but it is what is underneath, out of sight and withing the pressure vessel that will be trouble. It is not just bringing it to operational perfection, but finding the tracks on which to run it. Better start talking to the Rail transport board to be able to use trackage owned by other people (RR companies). A great undertaking, See it through. don't falter when things get tough - and they will. What you see on the outside is not where the problems lie.

[@algorithm1193]

Meanwhile LIRR #39 continues to rust, the boiler and firebox at strasburg, the rest in Riverhead. Please get that thing running again.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

never give up on Steam locomotives natures own power

[@ruthcobb1074]

Try to restore C & O #2700 that is located in Dennison, Ohio.

[@bigharryyy03]

I hope that it is restored in its C&O appearance and has its hooter whistle as opposed to the Southern 3 chime it had as SOU 2716.

[@d.cthehobbyist2252]

Good to see these steam locomotives getting new life.

[@manga12]

I heard the good news, but alas it will take time and now the question where to run would be nice if they let more of them mainline but alas I heard the 21st steam is no more only to focus on 611 for the time.

[@GhoStrider-bg5ln]

This is kinda cool... 844 challenger and 4014 big boy of UP have saved me from boredom on here, now to see 2716 and see not only it was Chesapeake & Ohio originally (later merged with Seaboard to become CSX today) but also served under Southern. Which later would merge to create Norfolk Southern. Both CSX and Norfolk Southern ran through my hometown on nearly parallel tracks! So yeah, I like 2716 already

[@LePenguin]

The List of all Locos being Restored Alaska 557 ATSF 2926 Boston and Maine 3713 Buffalo Creek and Gauley 4 Cass Scenic Railroad 3 Truck Shay #2 and Climax #9 C&O 1309 and 2716 CNW 1385 Colebrookdale 5002 D&RGW 168 Duluth and North Eastern 28 Everett Company 38 Grand Trunk Western 4070 Herber Valley 618 J Neils Lumber Co 5 Long Island 39 Maine Central 470 NKP 587 And 384 PRR 5550 (A New Build) Reading T1s 2100 and 2102 Saginaw Timber Company (Polson Logging Company) 2 SLSF 1352 Texas State Railroad #316 (201) UP 428, 4014, 844 (Overhaul) and 3985 (Overhaul) And Last but Not least Wilmington & Western 58. Whew thats a mouthful

[@LePenguin]

Thedeoradude I Know, the project has been stalled one way or another way

[@Rebel9668]

And L&N #152

[@MidwestStormSpottersLeague2015]

Mid-Continent has many steam engines at their museum. Sadly most of them will probably never see steam again. Copper Range 29 needs over $1 million in funds to be restored to steam status. And as they're non-profit and run on donations only, it most likely will never happen.

[@Buynot]

H F McBain and NC&STL 576

[@LePenguin]

Midwest Storm Spotters League I wonder if Yreka Western 19 is still in operation, it got sold off to the Age of Steam Roundhouse last year

[@thesouthernsistersmaster1969]

get 35,618 BILLION DOLLARS PLEASE restore Chesapeake and Ohio GreenBrier 614

[@Rocky54167]

And i hope you guys really do mix it up every year what livery shell be in. I think she looked better as Southern, but i do respect the C&O Look.

[@char2c584]

Big boy locomotive will hopefully be the powerfull steam loco

[@JerryNSretired]

As a retiree of Norfolk Southern and Southern Railway, I remember 2716 as part of our steam excursion program in the 80's thru the early '90s! I remember one incident when I was working as Operator at Spartanburg, SC one Saturday, I had ridden up the night before on Amtrak as my car was in the shop in Charlotte. I was planning to catch Amtrak the next evening to return, making for a really long day. But I saw on the line-up that 2716 was coming thru, and if I could sweet talk the Road Foreman into letting me deadhead back to NC, it would shorten my day considerably. So when the train arrived in the afternoon (timing was almost perfect), I told the ROE my predicament. So he "ran" a railfan out of the cab so I could ride back "home"! :) I caught up on the cab at Rhyne's (an old drugstore landmark in Spartanburg), and rode in the engine. It rode kinda rough and was LOUD as the whistle was just above my head. Yet it was fun and an experience for a railroader to have. Not many people get to do this these days. For me it was FREE! An employee "perk", ya know. But it was one of those experiences one looks back on in what was what a pretty difficult, but sometimes exciting career! For in those 30-ish years I was able to experience many railroad experiences and incidents, and look back with fondness in the twilight of my years. The excursion trains gave an aura of what it was like circa 1940, and as I was still part of the train order and timetable era, the steam trains added to that as well! And I have a photo of 2716 dressed in all its Southern Railway glory. Ah, memories they are! JerryNSRetired, Southern and NS retiree

[@Eddie_Saint_Topez]

What whistle was that in the beginning 0:50

[@regularguy7266]

Pennsylvania Railroad 3 chime.

[@saturnswachter841]

Isn’t that a Berkshire ?

[@silverstatehighiron]

Ben Clark No. The Chesapeake and Ohio called them Kanawhas. But Kanawhas and Berkshires were EXTREMELY similar.

[@saturnswachter841]

Ok

[@saturnswachter841]

Nevada Rail Productions yah but they did have the same wheel arrangement as both were 2-8-4 And weren’t they built by Lima locomotive works ?

[@silverstatehighiron]

Ben Clark Yes. They are technically "Berkshires" but C&O wanted to change the name

[@zakkessler3579]

TheNevadaRailfan they were one in the same. A few shrouds and a coat of paint were all that separated them.

[@animal16365]

I thought the 2716 has issues with her firebook??

[@Buynot]

animal16365 Firebook? Do you mean firebox? If so, they said that the firebox was fine in the video.

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

It pleases me that at last some of the huge American steam locos have been recognised for their contribution to American transport and are being restored

[@thesouthernsistersmaster1969]

the c&o version is special because it's one of 3 2-8-4 Kanawhas in existence and the only Kanawha that will operate

[@War1109]

From what I know those things had hooters would you put one on

[@matthewpowell2429]

I knew the C&O 2-8-4s hauled freight, but I never knew they hauled passenger trains.

[@robkrasinski6217]

I think this one and the L&N one in Nashville will run excursions on non class 1 tracks, like a short line. This one is supposed to run out of Lexington, KY on a short line. Class 1 railroads have to make profit for their shareholders something that privately owned railroads don't have to worry about. Also some class 1's are afraid of something going wrong which will tie up their mainline and cause them to lose money due to freight trains being delayed and their customers po'ed. The other three US class 1's just happen to be nice guys now and are allowing steam excursions on their tracks. With BNSF and NS it could suddenly all come to an end with a culture or CEO change. BNSF allows limited steam excursions on its tracks like with 261, 4449, etc.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

BNSF also allows SP&S 700.

[@csxrailfanbronyzachbecker2105]

It’s back!

[@thesouthernsistersmaster1969]

PLEASE put 2716 in Chesapeake & Ohio Form

[@frootloops1696]

Your doing my girl well :)

[@dwefb2980]

This is one of my favorite locomotives, and I can't describe how excited i am that they're restoring her. I don't believe I was this excited when they announced 611 was going to be restored

[@jerredwayne8401]

Is Kentucky steam the same outfit that tried to save a locomotive from scrap in Port Arthur Texas?

[@TheRailFaningBoy]

5:44 Anything train related is better than sex

[@TweetsieRailroader]

TheRailFaningBoy Indeed.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

why did they scarp them in the first place , In Germany many were just lay up in siding for years

[@KISSFanDan1995]

Only one problem... CSX!! CSX has a "no steam" policy.

[@Buynot]

KISSFanDan1995 Two words: Norfolk Southern.

[@KISSFanDan1995]

True. But NS doesn't own any ex-C&O tracks for it to run on. But I guess they could run it on NS Tracks anyways.

[@unluckyirish2763]

+KISSFanDan1995 if one wanted 614 to steam badly enough i imagine one could: A, restore it to steam on that siding and deadhead it outta CSX territory or tie it into a freight run that gets it off CSX territory. Sadly thats unlikely to happen as CSX likes the old Allegheny line and will probably fight to keep that loco in that siding

[@adamchancellor9011]

Ag sew csx for the no steam policy csx should go out a business if they don't allow the steam policy😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡 csx has pist me off

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

I heard that CSX is officially doing a steam and heritage program. One of my co-workers who is retired from the railroad (BNSF, UP, NS, CSXT, in that order), told me that he got to run the N&W 611 on the original Southern/NS steam program, as well as the NKP 765 and Pere Marquette 1225 on the New River Train and other excursions on the CSXT. He said that CSXT's management is now turning out heritage unit diesels, and soon a steam program will follow with locomotives such as N&W 611, Southern 4501, Southern 630, TVRM 610, NKP 765, Pere Marquette 1225, WMSR 734 and 1309, Milwaukee Road 261, Reading 2100, Reading 2102, C&O 2716, and C&O 614. I've even heard that SP 4449 may be invited!

[@thegamingrhino5864]

YES... YES... *YESSSSSSSSS*

[@Runboyrun05]

Yes, yes, yes! Oh my god

[@ilonaisya2327]

Is the livery Southern Railroad or C&O

[@SteamKing2160]

Happy this engine is getting restored. If not, it would be rusted to death.

[@thesouthernsistersmaster1969]

can u restore Chesapeake and Ohio 490 and paint it blue for the reading & Northern railroad to maby work with 425 & if u guys get 16.56 BILLION DOLLARS, please restore Chesapeake and Ohio Greenbrier 614 PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE

[@Carrot__Panda]

I smell the regret of CSX rejecting steam on their rails. Hopefully 2716 runs on NS rails as part of their program and maybe pairs up with 765 or even 611 or dare I say it, both for a triple header of magnificent proportions!

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

new build Steam are being built In the UK So why Not Build New Steam Locomotive For a New America Future put Steam back too work on the High iron , and build a new America

[@engineer6325]

A new steam locomotive IS being built in the US. Check out the PRR T1 Trust, the group that is constructing a new PRR T1 Duplex

[@danielwalton9012]

So Let's Make That Louisville, & Nashville 1992 4 The 3rd Time 2 b The Charm!

[@rickzitarosa]

Beautiful machine but a *money pit*

[@DavidMartin-wq5pn]

Talk is cheap, show me the financing.