Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site has started the process of the restoration of locomotive No. 9. This Baldwin 10-wheeler has been a static outdoor exhibit at the museum since 1960.
This past Summer, a small team of Laws volunteers carefully removed and tagged all the equipment and appurtenances surrounding the boiler jacket. The boiler jacket and historical lagging were then removed by a licensed, experienced contractor. The assessment process will include an examination of all components and systems of this historic locomotive as well as a determination of the condition of the boiler.
Whether #9 is stabilized to resume static display status at the museum or is made operational remains to be seen. Either way, this undertaking will be a multi-year effort, requiring public support: donations, and volunteer fundraising and labor hours. We are excited to undertake this challenge and privileged to become a part of the history of this 1909 locomotive.
This undertaking will be a multi-year effort. Donations of all sizes are welcome and much appreciated. Please contact Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site and let us know how you can help. Stay tuned to future editions of The Mail Car* newsletter for project updates.
* Excerpt reprinted from "The Mail Car," our membership newsletter, November 2023 edition.