Steam on the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, 1991-1992

[traindude70]

they brought the #4 out last week end (10/23/10) for a test run but unfortunately she developed a leak around the threads of the RH boiler washout plug and the test run quickly became a out of shop photo shoot.

[gothpapa]

I believe that they have another one on display at the station, and there is also one in a park in Manitou Springs. I understand that the #4 is undergoing restoration, but I do not know what the timetable or plans may be.

[JimTLonW6]

Great to see this vintage engine working.

[rackrail]

Locomotive 4 is being returned to service and should be tested later this month. It is being restored at the M&PP Ry not at Strasburg, Colorado.

[gothpapa]

Thanks for the up date. Glad to hear she may soon be back in service.

[DaftStrings]

That's a freaky steam engine.

[tootime576]

I wonder what the diesel smoke from the train at the end smells like (the one in the shed).

[Matt3985]

Are they still restoring #4. I wish to see more steam action on the Pikes Peak Railroad. =( =)

[adfgfds]

Yah, I thought the boiler went out. I had read that they put it away due to the boiler going bad, and they didn't have enough money to restore it....or something like that. But its good to hear that they are going to after all :-)

[adfgfds]

Really?? So someone else volunteered to restore it eh? Thats good. It would be nice to have that running again.

[gothpapa]

Actually, I think they were contracted to renew the boiler. I just rode the Cog the other day and my impression from talking to the conductor is that the #4 was never really out of service and that she has continued to run (very) occasionally -- charters and special events. As it was explained to me, they used to run public trains with her at the end of the operating season so as not to interfere with regular service. Now that they run year round that makes problem.

[gothpapa]

According to an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette, Sunday October 21, 2007, the #4 is being restored for service by ULCO at Strasburg, CO.

[adfgfds]

Why would they only take the steam engine part way up the mountain? Why not the full route? Doesn't make sense

[gothpapa]

I can't answer that except to say that this trip was a "daisypicker", not a railfan outing, and the shorter trip was adequate for most of those on board. I know they did operate some fan trips that went farther, but don't know if they went all the way to the top.

[1972FordF100]

One reason I read a while back was there is aren't anymore water tanks or coal docks to give the steamer the juice to get all the way up the mountain. Diesel has long replaced all of the steam way of life on the mountain.

[steam4evr]

Thanks for posting this..visited the Cog Wheel Route this summer and couldn't find any footage at all of the steamers on the mountain! Hope they will steam up again one day!

[ddingbatt]

I rode the diesel up, and though it is faster, I think I would prefer the steamer.

[karlclown]

Cool, too bad they couldn't run it all the way to the top.

[JonatanGronoset]

Indeed. They should restore #4. I find the design on this to be interesting, the rocking lever motion is suposibly what's causing the jerking effect as seen on people and the camera while working up the grade.

Thanks for sharing such fashinating footage.

[GrizzlyFlats]

Fantastic - always wanted to see one of those in action, but couldn't find footage anywhere. Thanks!

[gothpapa]

Glad you enjoyed it. Actually,I'm kinda surprised that this hasn't had more views.  Well,there's no accounting for taste.