The foundation has initiated a fundraising drive, Extra 3693 North, with an initial goal of $20,000 to purchase and secure the locomotive. Additional fundraising will take place in 2019 to move the locomotive to the Marter Yard Railroad Museum, operated by the Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Association.
After arrival at Marter Yard, the SDP45 will remain in Conrail paint for a period of time before finally being repainted as Erie Lackawanna No. 3639.
“After years of watching this locomotive sit in the yard, now is our chance to provide it with a better future and bring it back to northeast Ohio, the former hub of the Erie Lackawanna Railway,” says foundation President Rick Rowlands.
The locomotive is in generally good condition despite missing several major components including the main generator, traction motors, and air compressor. An operational restoration is a long term goal.
Extra 3639 North pays homage to the defunct “Extra 2200 South” locomotive newsmagazine and describes the goal of this effort, to move the 3639 about 300 miles due north from Roanoke to Youngstown.
More information is available at www.extra3639north.org including links to the main fundraising page, a video of a walkaround inspection of the 6670, and the latest updates on the project.
