At this minute, they are in CSX's Indianapolis freight yard, 231 will be shipped to Chicago's BNSF interchange for the final journey to its new home.

Work on the locomotive began in January 2003, to rebuild the air brake system in order to transport it. This involved installing a new brake valve, and pipes underneath the locomotive.

Then, the east coast snow storm drove volunteers out for 3 weeks, which then the work resumed. 231's horn and bell was removed, and shipped separately. All the doors have been welded shut, an air-leak test proved successful, and 231 bidded a final goodbye on Friday, March 21st to Amtrak, where it's worked for in the past 26 years.

Long term plan is to donate it to Friends of 4449, in Portland, Oregon. We are eager for 231's arrival, which will recieve much fanfare once it gets here, everybody's invited for the barbeque!

I do not know what the exact plan is for routing, or dates, and will try to keep everybody informed as much as possible. It'd be nice to get some photographs of 231 in transit on CSX from Indianapolis to Chicago, and on BNSF from Chicago to Portland.

Doyle McCormack has helped me through this process, he even went out to Beech Grove last week to ensure final projects were completed. We also sent the shipping payment on Friday.

Also, a brand new website for the locomotive, containing photographs, project status', it still needs more work though! http://www.f40phr231.org

A bank account was created as well, I am hammering out final details for the website, and awaiting PayPal account verification so donations are more than welcome. Check the website in a few days for more funding deatils. All donations are tax-deductible too!

So... What to do when it arrives? How does the original delivery Phase II paint scheme, with the SDP40F #552 markings below the window sound? :-)