Historic steam locomotive restoration set to begin
Mary Bullwinkel Beacon Correspondent
Posted: 05/13/2009 03:37:13 PM PDT

It all started with a chance meeting in an elevator in Colorado, and now the Timber Heritage Association (THA) of Eureka is another step closer to restoring the former Pacific Lumber steam locomotive No. 37.
The locomotive was recently moved from Delaware to one of the best steam locomotive restoration shops in the country in Strasburg, Pa. Although locomotive No. 37 sat approximately 45 miles away from Strasburg for the last several years, working out the details of the move proved to be almost insurmountable.

The railroad lines between the two locations could not be used because of red tape with the train companies that owned the tracks. Moving the locomotive by truck was the only option left, but finding a suitable place along the tracks where the truck could load the locomotive was not easy.

The only useable access point had two 90-degree turns.It took dismantling a fence, and an hour of moving backward and forward to get around the curve. The cost of the move was $42,000, and would not have been possible without the commitment of trucking coordinator Mike Venezia. Locomotive No. 37 is now resting in Strasburg.
THA President Marcus Brown estimates complete restoration will cost $400,000, and will take the next five years.”It's a very slow process,” Brown said.”Patience and perseverance are what you need to have.”