Here in my viewfinder, I behold a sight that I never thought I would live to see: A scratch-built, 1860s-era American Standard, pulling a passenger excursion in Pennsylvania. Three years ago, Steam Into History, a newly formed, non-profit organization declared that they were going to start such an operation and have it running for the 150th anniversary of the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania. At the time, no one, including me, ever thought that anyone would be able to raise the cash to pull it off....but hell must be a pretty cold place right now. My eyes might deceive me, but my Nikon does not. Over the past three years, the money was raised and the Kloke Locomotive Works of Elgin, IL was engaged to build the machine. Delivered just a few weeks ago, just in time to meet the organization's goal, the new NCRY #17 "York" is now running 2-3 passenger excursions per day, 6 days per week, over 10 miles of track between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, PA. At the moment, the coaches you see behind the new engine are leased and you may recognize them as the cars normally pulled by the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf operation down in Florida. Within a few months Steam Into History plans to take delivery of at least 3 newly built cars that will be their own. These will be a little more period-correct-looking, and will have a very different paint scheme. This new operation has more ambitious plans. Getting that beautiful engine under cover is their most immediate concern, and near-term plans are in place to build quarters for the locomotive right next to their headquarters in New Freedom. Longer-term plans call for construction of "Armstrong", gallows-type turntables at both ends of the line, so the engine can face forward while running in both directions.
This operation is a dream-come-true for historians, preservationists and railfans alike. We all need to make sure this group succeeds and the best way to do that is to get out to New Freedom and buy a ticket. This is one very pretty locomotive.....and yes, the cow-catcher pilot really is THAT red.
