Grand Trunk Western 4070

Grand Trunk Western No. 4070 is a 2-8-2 type USRA Light Mikado steam locomotive originally built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in December 1918 for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad as its No. 3734.

Grand Trunk Western 4070
GTW 4070 at Boston Mills Road in Boston Mills, Ohio
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAmerican Locomotive Company (ALCO)
Order numberS 1259
Serial number60319
ModelS3a
Build dateDec 1918
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-8-2
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.63 inches (1,600 mm)
Fuel typeCoal+ Later oil!
Fuel capacity16 tons S3a, 18 tons S3c
Tender cap.10,000 gallons S3a, 12,000 gallons S3c
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		66.7 sq ft
Boiler pressure200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 miles per hour (105 km/h)
Tractive effort54,724 = 55%
Career
OperatorsGrand Trunk Western, Midwest Railway Preservation Society
ClassS-3-a locomotive, S-3-c tender
Numbers
  • GTR 474
  • GTW 3734
  • GTW 4070
  • CB&Q 4070
Last runMarch 29, 1960, pulled freight on the GTW - two days after the official "retirement" of steam.
Retired1960 (revenue service)
1990 (excursion service)
Restored1966–1968 (1st restoration)
2014–ongoing (2nd restoration)
Current ownerMidwest Railway Preservation Society, successor to Midwest Railway Historical Foundation
DispositionUndergoing restoration at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society

History

This USRA light 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotive was built in 1918 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, NY, and assigned to Grand Trunk, which numbered it originally as 474. Sometime in the 1930's a Coffin feedwater heater was installed, and with other improvements, the number was changed by the GTW to 3734. This steam locomotive's road career consisted of pulling freight and passenger services in Michigan. In 1957 the locomotive was shopped and given a larger tender, and the locomotive's number was changed to 4070. The 4070 continued to pull regular duty until March 1960, when it pulled its final revenue freight, from Pontiac to Durand, MI and then was retired. The locomotive was sold to Lou Keller. In 1966 the Midwest Railway Historical Foundation (now MRPS) acquired the engine on a five-year lease. It was then moved to Chicago, where it was gone over by Dick Jensen and his crew.

Life after the Grand Trunk

The year 1968 saw the 4070 pulling excursions through Chicago, Valparaiso, and the South Bend. In 1969, the 4070 pulled some excursions in Pennsylvania. The 4070 was also used at Conneaut Lake Park in PA. In 1971, MRHF bought out the lease. At one time in the early 70's the 4070 was stored underneath Cleveland's Terminal Tower. In 1975 it was selected to be used on the newly created Cuyahoga Valley Line - now known as the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Additionally, in 1983, the locomotive was painted as CB&Q 4070, and run to South Dayton, NY, for filming in the movie The Natural, starring Robert Redford, and released in 1984. After the movie, it continued to pull passenger trains on the Cuyahoga Valley Line until encountering mechanical difficulties in 1990. Upon inspection, 4070 was found to be in need of repairs. Seeing that the cost of the repairs would be prohibitive, 4070 was once again retired from service.[1]

Second restoration

In 2011 the process started of restoring the locomotive to operational condition at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society in Cleveland, Ohio. The locomotive boiler and tender have both been tested using ultrasound. The locomotive must have its drypipe, and front and rear tube sheets replaced. In addition, the smokebox, firebox, frame, running gear, driving boxes, tender and many assorted parts all need major work before 4070 can be operational. The estimated cost of 4070's restoration is $1,290,000.[2] When the money is funded, the restoration time would be set at around two years or more.

References
  1. "Locomotives Being Restored". Steam Railroading.
  2. "Steam Locomotive 4070 being restored at Midwest Railway Preservation Society". Midwest Railway Preservation Society.

"Evening Before The Diesel" by Charles R. Foss

  • Steamlocomotive.com
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