Steamtown NHS: Last Excursion of 3254

[@ottodantaslemos5784]

12 Years later:

[@kawazy9528]

I went to steamtown recently and my god, it was amazing! While most of the stuff was pretty much rusty and 26 couldnt get fired up, I managed to get a picture of me and a lot of the locomotives. I mainly miss 3254. It has my favorite wheel arrangement, 2-8-2 mikado. The whistle is also great. Really miss it.

[@boberttrain831]

Yup, 3254 is a wonderful locomotive, one of my personal favorites. Just be glad you got to see her when you did, because it doesn't look to good for her right now.

[@Gideon_the_Video_game_railfan]

Canadian National 3254 is my favorite steam locomotive

[@IronhorseRailProductions]

My favorites are the canadian national 3254, and the pere marquette 1225

[@IronHorseProductions11]

Wish 3254 and 2317 will run but sadly they are getting retired

[@HunterWilliams-le9bk]

At least 3377 will get to run again as well as 3713.

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

0:00 This scene made me remember when my Dad and I were in the Steamtown roundhouse many years ago when I was like 8 or 9 and 3254 pulled into its stall directly in front of us. It was surreal. Unfortunately, 3254 will likely never run under it's own power again due to serious frame issues. However, someone said on a comment on video that I can't remember the name of that 3377 is now in Steamtown's backshops. Steamtown themselves said that 3377 is a possible candidate for restoration after 3713 is finished, so maybe I will be able to have that experience from my early childhood again, and maybe we will be able to have a CN mikado thundering through the Poconos once more at some point in the future.

[@amtrakandcsxrailfanning164]

grate video of this holiday express excursion

[@thomasweekley9209]

I think Steamtown should bring 3254 back. She's such a beauty, and until she comes back, She will be missed.

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

unfortunately that wont be happening anytime soon... Her frame is in pretty bad shape which would require an overhaul, which Steamtown does not have the money for. Until her overhaul, 3377 will take over the moscow excursion when she is restored.

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

JerryDoesThings what about her boiler? Hopefully it’s ok.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

@@JerryDoesThings_1604 Steamtown needs way more funding than it gets. It has so many locomotives that it could run or cosmetically restore if it had more resources.

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

JCBro2014 agreed

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

JerryDoesThings hope everything with 3713 works out well.

[@TheAtlantaRailfan]

2:24 I love that shot, the locomotive combined with the industrial background really make it look like the 1940s

[@87STEELE]

Nicely done, bro! Great way to end the season! Thumbs up and a fav!

[@Trainboy3982]

I hope 3254 gets restore soon once steamtown has enough money and funds for a new frame and a full restoration

[@Gideon_the_Video_game_railfan]

Yeah I agree with you

[@OfficeRailfan22]

I was actually on this excursion, it was really sad to see this beauty go!

[@THEATREofPAIN270]

Great post bobert. You know me, Not the biggest steam fan but the history there is so rich. That would suck to see it go. You know as well as I do that the cost of work done on these steam powered beasts are crazy. You got some great shots in this post, I can appreciate them. Nice job buddy. Hope your well & hope to see ya soon.

[@baskemtbal]

2:47 3254: Hi, brother! Long time no see! 3377: ... You are in service. WHY NOT ME

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

Trainz Power Plush 3377 will be restored after 3713 and maybe 2317

[@shaneisaperson3161]

@@JerryDoesThings_1604 no 3377 will never be restored it's in worse condition than reading 2124

[@shaneisaperson3161]

@@JerryDoesThings_1604 and 2317 will be restored

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

Shane the short slendermen A negative on that... Steamtown themselves said that 3377 will be restored. No given date, but it is certain. 3254’s current condition is pretty bad. Her frame is cracked and she has severe signs of wear. 2124 also shows signs of high milage and the Worthington feedwater heater which was swapped with another T1’s is in poor shape. On the other hand 3377 (3254’s higher-end and more advanced sister engine) has barely any run time since her last overhaul and is therefore in great mechanical condition. She is only missing most of her “jewelry” (Brass fittings in and around the cab). Note that the reason that the jewelry was removed was for the move from Canada to Vermont.

[@RailsofMichigan]

That will happen 3254 has some problems with her frame and it is costing steamtown more to keep her running with the problems the frame is causing and her age plus for how long she has been in operation I hate to see any active steam locomotive today be retired but 3377 is in much better shape and they will use parts from 3254 to help bring sister 3377 back to life so while we will be saying goodbye to 3253 we will gain another Canadian National locomotive and a sister to 3254 plus I think she deserves a rest she has been Operating for a long time.

[@CWKrailvideos]

Awesome video Bob! I have not been to Steamtown yet and it doesn't look like I have any reason to go. 3254 is one of the steamers on my list to see, hopefully she will be running again.

[@boberttrain831]

26 is nearing completion. Just put back on her wheels. There's a good possibility she'll be back later in the 2013 season. As for 2317, she might actually be back before 3713. With 3254 developing her issues, they're determining which would cost more to repair, 54 or 17. We'll just have to wait and see.

[@Gideon_the_Video_game_railfan]

Actually 2317 will not be returning to steam. Steamtown said that they will restore CN 3377 once 3713 is restored

[@erickwardwell962]

First locomotive I've see with a fully inclosed cab.

[@SoldierFox1393]

Thats the Canadian design for ya, its really smart tbh

[@BlueCometProductions]

Awesome job, Bob! My favorite shot was the one at Lehigh Road!

[@SouthJerseyTrains]

Beautiful steam action!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Great video!

[@masterbadger9408]

Poor 3377 2:44

[@Haya_archive1]

This is my top 1 favorite steam locomotive :D

[@565fan]

I saw myself running from behind the St. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain caboose.

[@quizzyboi2320]

2:47 3254 meets 3377

[@alexthesouthernpacificmt4879]

3377 looks weird no lie

[@atsfevan0242]

It’s the same class as 3254

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well done!!

[@trainutjob]

Awesome video Bobert, loved it!

[@katerinakittycat3849]

Knowing Steamtown they probably just want to keep the locomotive in good condition so if the time ever comes, it can steam again. For all I know it may have been overdue for maintenance. Just remember #3254 and #2317 are incredibly important to Steamtown's history. The worst that can happen is static display. As part of a national historic site, they have a safe home away from the scrapper's torch.

[@masterbadger9408]

3254's original tender sure wasn't!

[@EngineerDaylight]

If Steamtown Won't Put Her Back in service, I'll find a way to bring her back to life. Along with a few others they neglected.

[@Scorch04]

Yes! Someone has to take away some of the steamtown yard engines, before they are too damaged!

[@boberttrain831]

Err, don't wanna say much just yet til we know for sure what's going on with 3254 and 26 gets back up and running again...it is possible that 2317 may be back before 3713 though.

[@EngineerDaylight]

3254 passes by her non-active cousin 3377 at 2:40

[@Redwagon2012]

Yup

[@IronHorseProductions11]

Nice video

[@harrybobb6927]

Bring back 3254 and restore her amd many other steam locomotives should be brought back in service like the NYC 999

[@boberttrain831]

Actually no, she still has more time left, but she developed some issues that could be very costly. Should get the final word as the year progresses.

[@MrNJT]

What’s problems does she have?

[@atsfevan0242]

Bent frame, cab is off centered, rough rider, etc

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

It’s a permanent static display now. The frame bent beyond repair during service with either Steamtown or CN

[@leotheanimemanyt0367]

Indefinite. Not permanent

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

@@leotheanimemanyt0367 ah ok

[@leotheanimemanyt0367]

@@ironcityrailfan8467 As well as the frame. From what i have heard the locomotive's tender and feed water heater is leaking and the throat sheet has several large stress cracks in it which was making the fire in the firebox hard to control. I have also heard that the roller bearings were getting chewed up at an accelerated rate. I have also been told that there are issues with the running gear and the tender cistern. There might be more issues but this is just what i have heard or have been told. The biggest issue with the locomotive though is the frame everyone knows this. However i'm certain that even with All of this the locomotive is still restorable. Anything can be fixed if you've got enough money. Which unfortunately steamtown doesn't at the moment. I have also heard that they plan to restore other locomotives in the future. But that won't be happening at all until they get the locomotive there currently working on running. There for it will likely be a few or if we are lucky a couple decades before this big mikado steams again.

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

@@leotheanimemanyt0367 on the bright side though, Steamtown is restoring Boston and Maine 3713 “The Constitution” to operational condition

[@leotheanimemanyt0367]

@@ironcityrailfan8467 I know that. And I'm looking forward to it. I just hope that it's completed soon though since they have been restoring it for for over 2 decades now which is longer than i have been alive for. I don't know if you found out but Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe 2926's restoration was recently completed in July. So I'm hoping that Boston & Maine 3713's restoration will be completed shortly afterwards. I'm hoping sometime next year. But we'll have to wait and see.

[@TheTrainManiac]

Great video

[@evanf1293]

shame she'll never run again but at least 2317 will run again after 3713 is running

[@Railfan_Chester4639ALL]

If on october they put 3254 back on tracks It would be nice

[@JACESOFFICIAL]

we need a 4-8-4 at steamtown to pull many freigh

[@SJRailroader31]

Nice Job Bob!

[@crewmcphail3745]

2:55 look right

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

Will 3254 ever run again?

[@pennsy77]

NorthCarolinaRailfan 2005 Sadly, no.

[@pennsy77]

Alfred Dawe No, It wont! Its too goddamn expensive!

[@pennsy77]

@@CANRAIl still gonna be a hard fix. steamtown is GOVERMENT RAN, not a private company like strasburg.

[@Gideon_the_Video_game_railfan]

3254: I’m too sad about what happened in 2012!! I really want to run so bad!! Me: I know you really want to run, but sadly you have a broken frame.

[@RalphQuidonePhotography]

I there any luck of seeing 2317 anytime soon?

[@erickwardwell962]

Why did they retire it. 1472 overhaul? Good video.

[@ryano.5149]

Don't quote me on it, but the locomotive reportedly is in rough shape and needs some major work aside from the 1472. She still had some boiler time left when they put her away...not a heck of a lot, but boiler time is boiler time. However, a lot of little issues add up, and at some point, they are just better off doing a complete overhaul rather than continuing to patch it and send it back out the door. I recommend taking the shop tour and asking the folks that actually work there to give you the scoop, because this is admittedly second hand info.

[@erickwardwell962]

@@ryano.5149 retiring it was what got the problem started. You cant just store a 100 year old locomotive without any proper maintenance. It's just like an antique car, letting it sit in the garage and collect dust isn't healthy for it. Best thing they've could've done is kept it running and let the boiler time run (last time I checked on the FRA'S boiler inspectors website it was a year and one half) then done a complete overhaul then put it in storage. We took a tour of steam town and the only thing that stood out to me was the feed-water heater was busted on the right side. Thank you.

[@ryano.5149]

I strongly suggest you talk to the folks that actually work there before making statements like that.

[@erickwardwell962]

@@ryano.5149 o........k???????.......

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

The frame is in bad shape, and when you have around 120 tons on that frame, running the locomotive will just make it worse. There are many more issues that you cant immediately see that are just as bad or worse. Besides, 3377, 3254's sister engine is supposedly next on the list for restoration. Their choice to retire the locomotive was a good one, despite the fact that she could maybe run a wee bit longer.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

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