A project by a dedicated group of railroad enthusiasts, with a goal to advance heritage tourism in Wayne County, is steaming ahead. The first priority in recreating a functioning, full scale replica of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive will be to build the tender.
That’s the advice of Peter Bouley, an expert in resurrecting and recreating old steam engines, who is volunteering his time and expertise. A a work meeting held Saturday morning at the Wayne County Historical Society museum, Bouley stated that the tender car would be easier to build. It will also serve to show the public that the group is serious.
“People will see we are putting our money where our mouth is,” said Bouley.
The tender is the small rail car holding coal, which is towed by the locomotive.
Bouley stresses that the entire project must meet current federal and state safety codes. Unlike the original tender, a steel frame will be needed, with wood filling it in. Also unlike the original Lion, there has to be a brake system.
Bouley stated that such modern devices can be hidden from public view. Realism is essential. Bouley says that the new boiler can be decorated with what looks like rivets, as was used in 1829.
He has also found a company in Rhode Island, which is able to use water jet cutting as an alternative to the costly use of a foundry lathe to fashion steel parts.
A major part has already been donated- the boiler. This has since been certified, Bouley reported.
A small oil burner will be used to get the coal fire started, which will then generate the steam. The oil burner work has also been donated.
At the meeting, they settled on a simple but effective name, “Stourbridge Lion Project,” and started to fill committees. Stan Pratt, who announced the project last October, moderated the meeting. Bouley is the Project Manager, overseeing the construction. Volunteers will be assisting with gathering parts and plans, an fashioning the new model of the famed 1829 locomotive. Other volunteers will be assisting with administration, which in part includes fund raising and publicity. They also hope to use high school students, who could be inspired by the work and carry on interest in preserving history once the older generation is gone, Bouley has expressed.
Present was a Honesdale High School senior, Jack Lalley, who wants to help with the project construction as his Senior Project.
Ab Rutherford and Ken Sprosen discussed finding the plans used to build the 1933 replica housed at the Wayne County Historical Society, as well as the drawings for the original Lion. Retired locomotive engineer Bob Hutchison is helping to locate parts.
Hopes are to work with a local, nonprofit organization, through which funds contributed for this project will be tax-deductible. Pratt has estimated that the full cost may be around $200,000, but could be a lot less given donated materials and labor.
They also still need to identify another entity that will take title to the replica.
Some form of passenger car also will be constructed. The plan is to take people for rides on the track in Honesdale, and possibly beyond. Going down to White Mills has been suggested, where a heritage tourism link is already being developed, with interest in the historic Dorflinger Glass Company and D&H Canal House. Also suggested is taking the replica to other areas for excursions, where the focus would always return to Honesdale and Wayne County, as the Birthplace of the American Railroad.
Bouley reminded that his Rhode Island-based company, Train-Rite Services LLC, isn’t doing this all; local volunteers have a vital part in this. With an eye to doing this right, Bouley stated, “We’re building it for future generations. What good is it if it lasted only 20 years?... the materials and methodology we’ll use will speak to future generations. They’ll say we did it right- this will be your legacy.”
For more information, Pratt may be contacted at (570)253-6327.
