October 8, 2020 at 2:52 p.m.
Cranes and trains: PPHC engine, tender moved so new base can be built
Cranes and trains: PPHC engine, tender moved so new base can be built
In the end, Bloedorn did not pass out and the old steam locomotive and its tender were successfully taken off their rails and moved to a location that will allow for the construction of a new display base for both.
"That was exciting! That's the longest I've ever held my breath in my life," Bloedorn said after the Number 5 was lowered onto steel sheets.
The engine was relocated in two steps. The engine was hoisted into the air by Peters Crane Service while, in a series of very precise steps, two men kept it under control with ropes on the ground. At several points in the process, the crane operator, Vince Peters, would leave the cab and visually confirm how much he needed to move the engine.
"It was very tight quarters," Bloedorn said, noting that work will start quickly on the new base. "They are certainly consummate professionals."
"So the plan here is that Volkmann Railroad Builders will come in and remove the existing rail, and then Musson Brothers will excavate the old ties and prepare for the concrete," Bloedorn said. "Then Oneida General Contractors will come in and pour the concrete. Then Volkmann will come back and affix the rail to the new concrete pad. And then Peters' will come back for another train lift party to put it back in its final place."
"We're hoping to have it back into position by the end of October or early November," he added.
While the time the two pieces of railroad history (the engine was built in July 1925 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia) were airborne was short, the process of getting them ready to fly was time consuming.
Chains were carefully threaded underneath the two pieces, taking care not to damage anything on the sides.
Chains were then attached to the crane for lifting.
"I figured it would take all day, and sure enough it took all day," Bloedorn said.
The PPHC has met its fundraising goal for the new base, which is Phase 1 of the project.
"Phase 2 is to put a cover over this engine, which is the ultimate goal and the entire reason we needed to put it on a new foundation to begin with," Bloedorn said. "So that will be another round of concerted fundraising efforts that has already begun, but we're going to put it in high gear as soon as this phase is complete."
He said the community support for phase 1 was amazing.
"Just to get us this far has really been incredible," Bloedorn said. "So I have all the confidence in the world that we're going to finish these projects up and this train engine will be in as good a position as it has been in 50 years."
The PPHC teamed up with the Rhinelander Community Foundation for the fundraising efforts, he noted.
"So there's a way you can donate by mail, and there's ways you can donate online," Bloedorn said. "I just want to thank the Rhinelander community and beyond. This was a huge joint effort between a lot of people. The Rhinelander City Council, the Rhinelander Community Foundation, the PPHC Advisory Group and all of the amazing donors.
He singled out Tracey Barnes and Janet Jamison, who he said were "integral in helping with the fundraising efforts" for special thanks.
"And also George and Sondra Juetten, without their generous donation to kick this fundraiser off, it just wouldn't have been able to happen," Bloedorn said.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at jamie@rivernews online.com.
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