Okay guys, the secret is out.In the past year, I have been heading an effort to preserve the F40PHR #231. Now, I'm making a last chance effort on forums, to seek ideas and options from my fellow rail buddies.
1) Many of you have wondered what is it with me and this particular locomotive! Yes, I had a great time with all the jokes about wedding invitations and such! That's not the case, beginning in the year 2000, I began to realize that Amtrak F40s were no longer common, and the #231 was basically the only one that stuck around.
Sure, I saw #281, 340, 353, 369 -- but look what happened to them. #281 had a bad motor. #340 was gutted. #353 mowed down a house. #369 just gave up.
#231 really stuck it out on the west coast, particularly on the Surfline, Cascades corridor, and the Coast Starlight. Every time I saw it, or rode behind it, I always said to myself that one day, I was going to try to save this masterpiece of Amtrak.
2) Come November, 2001, the #231 -- and many other F40s -- were recalled to Beech Grove, ending their heavy presence regime at Amtrak. A few lingered, some went to new owners, the rest rusted away at BG.
The time has come, I began gathering info and contacts of potential F40 home owners and transporters.
3) July, 2002, I made a trip out to Beech Grove via Empire Builder and Cardinal, to meet with some Amtrak managers. We inspected the #231, and determined it was still in good shape.
I wrote an official letter of proposal to Amtrak, detailing why the #231 should be preserved, and seeking assistance from Amtrak.
The various of reasons I noted was, that the #231 is still operable. It had a heavy presence on the west coast, that it should be preserved on the west coast. Another was the well-known nose decal (yes, it was a little crooked! Who can you blame?) "Operation Lifesaver" with a safety message of "Look Listen Live..."
4) After consulting with various of people, sources, it was determined that the F40 should be donated to Northwest Rail Museum. Doyle McCormack assured there is a home for it at the Brooklyn Roundhouse -- in PDX -- for restoration and maintenance.
I have a team ready to get to work on it, which includes me, some folks from around town, and even as far as Southern California. I also have word from BNSF and UP for possible transportation at no cost.
5) Finally... last week, I received word from Amtrak that they will let the F40 go, but at a price slightly higher than a new SUV.
I was given a deadline, Thursday, December 5th, to pony up the cash, or the F40 goes to scrap. I tried to get more time, but the deal is about to be finalized in mid-Dec.
6) I have been over-whelmingly busy in the past week, dressing up in a sharp suit, taking time off work, meeting with bank officials with written proposals of possibly getting a grant (which is tax-deductible) at this last-minute effort.
No luck with the banks, but I did meet with a "rail buff" in the US Bancorp Tower of PDX, who gave me a list of foundations that are likely to assist. The problem is, most of the foundations meet every 2 months.
I recently attempted to put a notice in the local paper, about obtaining the locomotive for local cause, a museum. That didn't fall through because of the last-minute efforts that does not meet their deadline.
I'm stuck.
Hoping for a miracle to happen in the next 6 days. Hoping to achieve my goal that I set in October, 2000. Hoping to successfully bring a valuable piece of railroad history to home, and provide as an educational and useful piece for our railroad community and general public. Wishing for my deadline to be extended 3-months for donation efforts from the foundations, fundraising -- heck, I'll even sell my car to raise the funds.
Yes, I am posting this to inform everyone of my efforts, spread the word, hope to get ideas, support, criticism... Maybe someone that can help at the last minute will come across this...
~Chris Fussell
chris@portlandtransit.org
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