"The locomotive is partially disassembled, awaiting restoration."
And. has been for decades! It is a disgrace to George Hart's memory.
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The sad reality is that all of the equipment on this dead-line is here because there is no economic need for it. The Strasburg Rail Road is a business, not a museum, so they don’t restore locomotives unless they need them, or others pay them to do so. The line already has 3 steam engines to serve its tourist business and does not need any more. Of the locomotives seen here, the CN 7312 is the most likely to see service again in Strasburg, because of its historical significance to the company. The others would likely have to change ownership before anything significant will happen. In the case of 972, what you see is all that was salvageable. It would require a very large infusion of cash for even a cosmetic restoration.
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