GCRY_4960 Wrote:
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> If 539 is sold again, I really hope she can return
> to service. I did a lot of work to 539 when it was
> in Battle Ground, Washington. A few years after it
> was traded to GCR I was able to work for GCR and
> really hoped to see it rebuilt there. Sadly,
> others has different plans in 2008 when they ended
> their steam program. I believe 539 would have put
> 4960 to shame on the GCR. Its a big 2-8-2, not a
> lot of places it can run.

I agree with your comments. 539 qualifies as a heavy Mikado, if not a modern one,
although I think she maybe has a short combustion chambere like 4960 does. Those NP
influenced piston rod extensions don't do anything for her asthetics, neither does that
small, out of proportion tender. But when it comes to pulling, yeh she'd do well.